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E'rik shook his head. There were too many people and the hour was too late. He couldn't do this. The new Weyrlings would have to hear his congratulations some other time. In all the fuss his absence probably wouldn't be noted. After all, he'd never attended a Feast before. People had likely not expected him to put in even a brief appearance at this one. He gave a quick smile to himself as he thought of all the pairings that had happened at this Hatching and resolved not to concern himself about the blue going between or the egg that didn't hatch. Those were concerns for more important people than he was. The only thing that concerned him at the moment was getting to his weyr and going to sleep.

"Not a lot," C'mor said with a sigh and a shake of his head. "Everything is complicated, it's just one thing after another. I've heard about the pranks, and suddenly the food seems to be getting worse, suddenly laundry is messed up and cleaning isn't done. You might being to think," he said softly, "that somebody is deliberately making life harder for as many people as possible. I'm not sure what they think they'll achieve. I wish I knew who was doing it so I could ask them; things were bad enough already, it's not like they're drawing attention to a secret problem or anything. Just making a bad situation worse... I can't understand the mentality behind such actions." He had to wonder if the recent spate of thefts affecting the candidates were being carried out by the same people, whoever they were.

A sudden weight on his right shoulder accompanied by a soft cheep announced the arrival of Gilden. Usually she reveled in the excitement of a feast, but today she was sad and listless; everyone was upset, and something bad had happened, and she wanted everyone to stop being sad. Creeling unhappily, she tried to send happy feeling to C'mor; it would all be okay, she would see to that, she would!

C'mor smiled faintly and reached up to stroke the golden flitt's head. "This is Gilden," he explained to S'kagi as the firelizard in question nuzzles his cheek. "I think she's been hiding somewhere for the last few candlemarks."

"I've been trying to keep out of trouble- managed fairly well, too. That might account for it," A'bri replied, smiling. "Or... Your lovely is young yet, surely she's keeping you busy as well. I haven't had the chance to meet many riders or weyrlings, and with so many Candidates, it's rough trying to keep up with everyone." He ran a hand through his hair, brushing a loose bit of bangs out of his face, and chuckled. "I've been trying to meet new people, but it seems every time I turn around they've been replaced by a whole new flood of new people. I can't keep my bearings in all the changes."

His smile flickered again at the mention of the Blue, and he nodded. "Yes, for a moment I was worried that the poor Brown would go too- he'd hatched first, and he hadn't Impressed yet, and then the poor Blue was screaming and vanishing... But A'nt was there for him, and they seem well enough now. You should definitely check up on him, when you've the chance." A'bri was firmly of the opinion that friends were supposed to keep track of each other- even if perhaps the friends in question didn't always want to be kept track of. But really, he couldn't imagine anyone objecting to having such a sweet (and entirely easy on the eyes) young lady fussing over them.

"You were born here? Really? What was it like, growing up here? There's always so much going on- must have been exciting! No, I haven't had the chance to meet him yet, though I will admit a certain respect for the power of his voice. He's very good at making it carry past the noise of a crowd, isn't he? Haven't seen his assistant yet either- I'll meet them in the morning, lessons after all, right?"

:Mine enjoys talking,: Varth commented, picking up very clearly on that fact from A'bri. :He likes that Yours has noticed him, and that she asks interesting questions.: He paused, his thoughts turning a hair darker, though he didn't tense back up. Reneneth was polite and spoke well of His, and he decided that he liked her, as well as he liked anyone besides A'bri. His clutchmates, on the other hand, he had minimal fondness for. :I know them... I have not spoken to them all yet, but I saw all of them. I was first, I saw everyone.: A hint of pride entered his tone when he mentioned that he was the first out of his egg. :The one who belongs with a friend of yours is reasonable,: he added, remembering that A'bri wanted him to show manners. Saying something nice was polite, wasn't it?

As they chatted, A'bri managed to catch sight of Vera through the crowd for just a moment. Oh, she did not look happy, not in the slightest. She looked downright miserable, in point of fact, and that should not be allowed to stand. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude... One of my friends is over thataway, and they look really upset. I should go check on them, see if I can't help at all... A'nt was sitting just over that way, he shouldn't be too hard to miss. I hope we'll run into each other again, Nandeli, I've enjoyed talking with you. And I owe you a drink." He winked at her, his smile roguish for just a moment. "I'd love to hear about how it was to grow up here, sometime. If you'll excuse me..."

A'bri slipped away, heading toward where he'd seen Vera. It had only been a quick glimpse, but really, that was all that was needed- it was painfully clear that she was in distress. And A'bri wasn't good at ignoring that in anyone, especially not people he knew. People he knew and liked, well... He couldn't hope to just let it sit.

:I must go with Mine, so that he does not do something foolish while I am not there to watch him. Goodbye, Reneneth. ...I hope that You and Yours have a pleasant evening.: He tacked the last bit on, somewhat uncomfortable with it, but fairly sure that he meant it, and stalked after A'bri, annoyed that His had chosen to leave so quickly. Mostly because it meant Varth almost stumbled trying to keep up, and Varth did not want to stumble in front of everyone. :You should move more slowly, Mine,: he grumbled.

"Sorry," A'bri commented, slowing down so that Varth could pass him and once again control their path, directing him toward Vera. When they were near enough that he didn't have to shout to get her attention, he spoke. "Vera! Hey, Vera... How are you holding up?"

How was she holding up? ... Not well. That was the simplest, most straightforward answer that she could've given, and she probably would've given it had she not been drinking rather heavily. As it was, she nearly fell off of the bench she was perched on, a wine glass twirling unsteadily in her grip. "Mm. ... Good enough," Vera said, blinking blearily as she tried to sort herself out. It wasn't easy. ... Not remotely, and the wine wasn't helping matters a wit.

She took a moment to look, to really look at A'bri, and frowned. What was that on his face? "D'you know... y'look fair strange right now?" Truth be told, she probably looked just as strange as he, but she couldn't help but point out the obvious. ... She hiccuped. "'Sat your dragon?" She'd seen him Impress to the little Brown, hadn't she? Well, that was a good thing. One good thing in so many unfortunate ones.

"... A'bri." Yes, there was some sense there, some cognizance-- and then there was Bell. "KRRAAWWW!" Bell shrieked, entirely offended that his mistress was upset. He had been keening along with the others when the Blue had gone between, but now he was displaying his wonderful ability to overlook other things in the face of his mistress' needs. Or rather, in the face of what he thought to be Vera's needs.

"Yes, yes, Bell. I know. You're mad. ... Always... mad." Furious little beastie. She swayed a bit, somehow managing to accomplish that while sitting at the table. "A'bri, d'you... I could play for you." For him and the poor, poor little dragonets. That had been horrible to see, and she never, ever wanted to experience such a thing again. Did it happen often? Where was Xeran? "XERAN! Get your bells over here!" Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear.

--

Heart pounding in her chest, Karai allowed Ava to literally drag her along, eyes wide with mingled curiosity and apprehension. She had wanted to Stand at the Hatching just as her sister had, but she had also been quite anxious on the ride to the Weyr for that very reason. Silent, but silent and anxious. "A-Ava, do you think that there will still be ... people there? Maybe s-someone we know?" She didn't ordinarily stutter, but good gracious there were a lot more people than she was used to seeing!

Deep breaths. She wanted to see these people. She wanted to meet them, and to make friends if she could. Hesitantly, she smiled, unconsciously echoing Ava's smile. "Wow." There were... a lot of people gathered! Karai couldn't help but stare for a moment, bemused by the sight of them. All those people, eating... drinking, would they be dancing? Would there be dancing? Leaning over, she whispered in her sister's ear, keeping near her.

"Ava? Do you... think there will be dancing, too?" Eating, feasting was all well and good, but it really wasn't nearly as much fun as dancing. If there were festivities, surely that would be included among them? And was it her, or did the people all (or nearly all) seem to look a bit... down? Hmm. Some of them looked downright depressed. Her palms a little wet with nervousness, she squeezed back.

Really, this was more excitement than they'd had in Turns.

"I'm sure there will be, but I swear by the First Egg, Karai, if some fool of a wherry tries to dance with you and is just a little too friendly for his own good, why, I'll--" The short-haired blonde paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing sharply with interest as they fell upon the glittering gold-green hide of... was that... yes, it had to be, the newly hatched Queen! It was easy to ignore some of the somber moods of some, dismissing them as simply disappointed Candidates that hadn't been so lucky as the new Weyrlings.

And, without another word, Ava was quickly yanking Karai through the throngs of people, not afraid to use a gentle, but firm elbow to prod some ribs so they could both get through. There was a girl sitting near the dragon, obviously it must be her rider, and Ava found herself staring for a moment before she remembered herself.

"'Scuse me." She was clearly unashamed of approaching the new Queenrider so openly, and her normally hard, but pretty features were softened with curiosity and awe. "She's yours, isn't she? She's beautiful... May I ask her name?" She wasn't so brazen as to seat herself, standing tall and respectfully, still keeping a firm grip on Karai's hand.

Looking up from her plate, Rinfala grinned at the two girls. She hadn't seen them before, but now was as good a time as ever to start getting used to that. From the little she knew, goldriders met people, talked to people, and basically got people to do things so that the Weyr worked. Meeting new people was part of the job description. "Yes, that's Arioth. Don't worry too much about her, she's not as ferocious as she looks." The last was to reassure the...sister?...of the one who'd spoken, who seemed to be hiding behind her older sibling. "Arioth, is it alright if they touch you? I think you're different than anything they've seen."

Arioth snorted. Hmph, not as ferocious as she looked. Well, at least she did look ferocious, which was more than enough to put that stupid Varth in his place! He'd dared to try to put her down, but she'd shown him... Cocking her head at Rinfala's question, she thought about it for a long moment. They were not Hers...but if they thought she was special then that was good. ...They may.

With a rewarding scritch behind Arioth's earknob, Rinfala nodded. "If you want, she says you can."

"...Vera, sweet, I think you may have had a bit much to drink," A'bri pointed out gently, concern in his tone. He glanced over the table, finding a pitcher of water and an empty cup, pouring a glass. "Why don't you have some water, you'll have a terrible headache tomorrow elsewise. She certainly seemed much less clear-headed than she had when they'd talked before, and he was worried about her.

Still, he couldn't help but smile when she asked about Varth. "Yes, it's A'bri now, and this is Varth. Isn't he amazing? I think he's bigger than even the Bronze that hatched. And he was the very first one to hatch, too." The pride in his tone was unmistakable, and Varth preened a bit under his words.

Varth tilted his head, looking Vera over, before looking back at A'bri. :Mine, she is very distressed. Why is she distressed? Should we make it better?:

"Varth, why don't you come say hello?" A'bri replied, instead of directly answering. "Vera, would you like to pet him? I'd like the two of you to get to know each other." He enjoyed spending time with Vera, after all, and he'd be gravely disappointed if his dragon didn't get along well with her. "...And I always look fair strange, sweet, is there something specific you mean?" He gave her a tentative, hopeful smile, trying to get her to accept the invitation to joke at his expense.

He hesitated when Bell shrieked, and Varth tilted his head, examining the little Blue flitt warily, though he decided to ignore Bell to move a little closer to Vera, within easy reach for scratches. "Hello there, Bell. You seem more irate than usual... I don't suppose you want a treat?" Doubtful, as Bell didn't seem to be inclined to take bribes, but it was worth asking.

“HEY! Thas… mine!” Oh dear, was her enunciation becoming worse still? “Alaaaambrrriiiii!” Vera complained, trying to retrieve the glass of wine that had just been taken out of her reach by a server. “A’bri,” she slurred, glaring in the server’s general direction,”—Thas mine. Tell ‘im.” Whoever he was, he was gone with her glass, and A’bri was pressing the water on her. She drank it sulkily, not at all approving of the switch up.

Evil men, stealing her wine. Evil, evil, evil! She nursed the water, sipping it from time to time, and then her attention was caught by the dragonet. “Ooooh, he’s lovely. Does he… fly yet?” No, of course not. “Looks like a Bronze. Maybe a Brown?” Big. Very big for a hatchling, in point of fact. She stared admiringly at the dragonet, and continued to do so up until the point where she literally fell off of her bench. “Oooph.”

The tears spilled out again, unbidden, and she stared helplessly at the dragon, and his rider. “Does he like pettings?” Maybe her words didn’t quite make sense, but when she suited action to word, she was a little less clumsy than one might have expected of a young woman who had just dropped herself to the floor. She stroked Varth’s eyeridges, and patted his neck, making admiring little sounds under her breath. “You’re a real beauty, know that?”

Of course he knew that. Dragons always knew when they were beautiful, didn’t they? And they all were. “Hnn. A’bri, you’ve got… some stuff on your face.” He was all mussy, and messy, and she wasn’t sure she approved. “C’mere,” she said demandingly, indicating the floor in front of her. If she was going to clean him off, he was going to need to get down to her level, shardit. “XERRRR! Where did you go?” He was sure to have something to help with this.

Then again, the poor man was probably spending quality time with Marko, which she was interrupting assuming he heard her. Bell paced back and forth, wings unfurled in a display of indignation. He had not enjoyed being spilled like that, but he had managed to regain his position. “KRAAAAAAWWWW!” he screamed, shrieking until Vera, drunk as she was, shushed him. “… Krraww?” The flit had heard the word ‘treat’, and instantly recognized it. “Think Bell’d like a treat.” As much as he would not like a bribe.