"Why thank you." Grateful to have the attention of somebody who wasn't irritated at her, wasn't hating her or wasn't insulting her, Artemis offered R'le an honest smile. "Don't be worried - I am not bothered you didn't congratulate me straight away. I would have been too enamored by Zabrielth to even notice."
From her Weyr, the young Azure sleepily brushed Artemis' mind lovingly with hers.
And then Rilora slipped up beside her, a sharp tone reprimanding the glass in her hand. The young Rider resisted the urge to sigh.
"If you'd prefer, I suppose, though given that it's one glass and I am of age, and that I have yet to see anything offered that isn't wine, it might be difficult." She flashed a smile at the Weyrwoman to offset the tone of her words. The irritation that had disappeared earlier was back again. "Don't worry about me so much when I know you are very busy tonight."
And then there was a gleam in her eyes as she looked around the room, eyes resting on N'rel for a heavier moment before slipping over to N'kio, who she stared at even longer before turning her gaze back to Rilora - and grateful that she wasn't at an angle where R'le could see so she could pull it off. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Are you giving me orders, Artemis?" Rilora frowned at the direct tone Artemis had used. "I will oversee what I see fit, and your age is immaterial. You are a weyrling and weyrlings do not drink." If she'd spent time actually looking for something other than wine amongst the grand offerings the Weyr had she would doubtless had found something.
Rilora scanned for a glass to trade out with Artemis', perhaps it would look better than simply taking the glass. If she had more of Cr'wean's spunk perhaps she would. "You could be of help by respecting your superiors and the rules of your new home."
Post by Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro) on Sept 21, 2013 19:35:33 GMT -8
He’s actually from Fort, initially.
Huh, is he now?
T’kar quickly scanned the first couple pages, which consisted of N’rel’s record at Benden. It was a much better record than he’d expected, considering Benden’s attitude towards Rainbow Mists. Then came yet another transfer sheet, recording movement from Fort to Benden… Looked like he’d come in just before a Junior Queen Flight. He didn’t pay much attention to N’rel’s comments, excepting to make a self-note regarding the existence of a son — Candidate-aged, apparently.
An incoming motion was quickly recognized as N’rel’s hand, aiming for the fruit. T’kar reached over and tapped Boot on the head, stopping the little black-haze Brick from biting the encroacher. The conversation between N’rel and Artemis had turned to the “Curse of the Azure”. At least N’rel seemed to be being sensible and… Realizing what N’rel was saying, T’kar opened his mouth, but whatever he’d intended to say had to stay there, because Artemis rose beautifully to the occasion.
"Oh my! Your Bronze didn't catch the Junior Queen?" Artemis’s voice was sickly sweet. Without even thinking about it, T’kar hid a wince. "I'm so grateful. After all, if he had caught her - oh, that poor junior Weyrwoman! She would have had to spend a night with you, and if your other body parts are as big as your brain, well, she would have had such a terrible time."
It was a good thing, T’kar thought, that he hadn’t been drinking anything. Otherwise, he would doubtless have sprayed it all over the table in the burst of laughter that fought his control. He quickly ducked his head back to the transfer papers, seeking refuge in their dullness. After all, the set-back was delivered, there was no need to further hurt the poor transfer’s feelings.
Ancalanath, you heard that, right? T’kar asked, his thoughts sparkling with the mirth that he was forced not to show on his face.
Artemis resisted the urge to throw her hands up in the air - though mostly because she was still clutching the wine glass. First N'rel, and now this. She hadn't been giving her orders - she had bloody agreed to do what Rilora had asked! And not everybody knew that Weyrlings didn't drink. Not everybody was born into this world as a Weyrbrat. It was something Rilora ought to remember as a Weyrwoman - cultural differences. Artemis would certainly take that into consideration when it was her turn.
But she didn't say any of it, at least the way she wanted to, knowing from the frown on Rilora's face that it would merely be digging her a deeper hole. (Even if that hole was being dug by a shovel of truth.) So she sighed and politely thrust the wineglass into Rilora's empy hand.
"My apologies. Next time, I'll find out every single unspoken or briefly mentioned rule of the Weyr before Impression. Until then, I shall do my best to adjust. Now, you look thirsty. Here, have my wine so that nobody suspects that I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing." And her tone was polite if dry as she flashed a fake smile at the Weyrwoman. "I would hate to be in the way of your duties any longer than necessary."
And she folded her hands in front of her lap and patiently waited to see if Rilora would be irritated at her again. She probably would be.
But what's the worst she could do? Give her more chores? She could handle that. Publicly embarrass her? Couldn't - it would hurt the Weyr. Glare and say terrible things about her and her dragon? Well, she had already been assuaged by thoughts like that on all sides all day, so bring it on.
Rilora adjusted her grip on the glass forced to her hand. Then she simply said, "Thank you." The young Rider would certainly need to check her tone. In all truth her own voice wasn't doing much better this evening. There were a thousand demanding things and they pressed on her. But she had the glass. That was what she had wanted. It was a start.
So now about actually having a party. Rilora saw that T'kar seemed finished with the papers, besides they would be doing the physical paperwork tomorrow. So he was free, and with R'le here she wanted very much for her friends to be in a group. It would make them all feel better.
Leaving Artemis in R'le's care for a few moments, she arrived behind T'kar and gave him a hug as she leaned to the table to set down the glass. "Come and greet R'le," she asked in a smooth voice that was pleased to be with her weyrmate. "He's just arrived."
R’le chuckled lightly. He had hardly noticed anything else when Quiorith hatched, and had it been a bit of whirlwind, so he understood that sentiment. But soon Rilora was there, and she caught something he hadn’t. He didn’t really have any time to say anything as a greeting to Rilora or even mention anything at all until it was all going…well out of his hands anyway. R’le’s gaze flickered between Rilora and Artemis. He…didn’t want to get in the way between two women. Ever. Not for the selfish reasons that some men were under the delusion would end up in a pleasant show for them. Rather there were a very few things that R’le felt he couldn’t handle. Well there was one of them. So he took a brief step back and slid out of sight. This was shaping up to be some unfortunate sort of party, and he needed to start fixing it. A strange and mischievous smile flickered over his face for a moment. Indeed.
It wasn’t hard, he found what he was looking for in moments. Food and drink. Hmm, he didn’t know Artemis at all. Still, she had been sipping on wine, so he extrapolated a flavor profile from there. Within a moment he had two different glasses of drinks, each a mix of juices he thought would suit. If not one, then the other, and he would merely take the other. However he wasn’t done, and noted Rilora was moving so he delegated. Something he had to learn eventually. Easy enough, his scheme could use accomplices. He slid over to a server and begged prettily for a little treat to be sent to Rilora. He knew the type she liked, at least the ball park. Little bit of treats could do wonders, and he had to try. If not, well he could get grander schemes in motion. He moved back, surprised at Burn remaining so quiet. Guess he was content with R’le being up to something. Go figure. He was back quickly though.
“Rough luck, but I got drinks.” He raised the two glasses to Artemis and continued with a normal, non-suspicious smile. “Now I can’t say I can read minds, but I think you’ll like these. Just depends if you are more of a fan of tart or less so.” He motioned vaguely with each glass then extended both to Artemis. “Can’t beat this place for fresh fruit juice, I tell ya.”
Artemis took the tarter glass, giving him one of her rarer smiles - soft and small and honest. "Thank you. You didn't need to do that."
She glanced over at where Rilora had moved, hair moving in soft curls around her head, as she curled her dark fingers around the wineglass.
Metanath's - she didn't want to call a dragon's feel a concious, and it wasn't their full mind, not when they weren't full thinking. Perhaps prescence - yes, Metanath's prescence still lingered on the edges of her mind. What was going on? So important that they had come in the middle of a hatching feast?
It would be too conspicious for Rilora to leave, and unless she pulled N'kio into a smaller group of people, into a conversation with those she trusted, she wouldn't be able to keep it private. Any two-people conversations were routinely interrupted here.
Aware that she had been too quiet, and staring at Rilora for too long, Artemis straightened her back, taking a sip of the juice and refocusing on R'le. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
Metanath moved off to the side to sit down and listen, internalizing the Queen's every word and committing it to memory, since she had decided to not join him. A flicker of embarassment flitted through his mind. It was just as well; better not alert anyone more than they had to.
Yes, you are right, of course. Ours was a foolish request. I-I was not thinking. My apologies. I shall alert Mine and have him take the appropriate actions.
Metanath glanced over to the dining hall, where more were gathering every minute. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, and tried not to linger over the Queen's mournful tone in her voice. They might be the bearer of bad news, but not all was lost. It couldn't be. They had no heir yet.
He reached out to N'kio in the instant he knew what to say and how to say it.
Unfortunately...you will not have the luxury of a sequestered room, so keep it quick and precise.
N'kio stood silent as he took in Metanath's word of caution, and was considering the best way to broach the topic when Rilora beckoned for him to approach. He started forward, more or less prepared for the conversation to come since he arrived, but still...As the Senior Weyrwoman passed through the crowd to fetch her Weyrleader in conversation, N'kio made his way through the throngs of weyrlings, riders, and kitchen staff, until finally he met up, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the Senior Weyrwoman.
"Weyrwoman Rilora, Weyrleader T'kar," he started, and nodded to each in turn, "I'll get right to the point. I've looked into what you've requested of me, and I wish I had come under better circumstances."
The volume of his voice slipped to one of casual conversation, the sort of tone one would take on in a quieter setting. It was as intimate as it was going to get here, surrounded by Rilora and T'kar. As much as it would have helped to speak louder - especially at such a noisy feast as this - it would not help if everyone and their dragon heard what he had to report. Quiet would have to do. And vague, if it could be managed.
"What I've been told is that they left at the time we all expected them to, and they went on their own accord - their guards can confirm this, I've asked 'em myself. Both Ralt and Har-- pardon, Lord and Lady -- were seen being ferried away on a Blue. Who it was, where he came from, and where it was headed, however, we don't know. And looking inside, they left their place as normal, like they meant to return after..."
He shrugged and raised a hand to the back of his neck. "I wish I could tell you more, Weyrleaders. Metanath and I will be Watching and will keep you informed as best we can."
R’le chuckled good-naturedly at Artemis’ comment. “No? You’ll learn how I operate soon enough.” It was a pretty roundabout way of saying that being him meant doing what he wanted. And he never regretted it. He took a sip of the juice he had mixed up, pleased for the result. R’le didn’t forsake alcohol, but he certainly preferred a few friends around that were trying to one-up each other for drinking with. So when he was half on a mission he’d rather not be drinking.
He took a chance to look around and see what had been happening. Rilora and T’kar were around, and at least one rider R’le wasn’t familiar with. Right, the guy Artemis had been bolting from. Hmm. We he was not about to bring this party down. No, he was R’le, and that meant the last thing on his mind was getting serious when people were supposed to be relaxing and having a good time. So when Artemis asked him a question, he grinned and spoke his mind.
“I always am having a good time if others are. So, I guess the answer to that is if you are having fun, then so am I. If not, well, I guess it’s better to fix that now, yeah?” Well, he knew he would be having more fun if Retny was around, but, well that was altogether something different.
Retny was not amused by her dragon's antics or irritability. She was busy fuming, her tail lashing as she paced the WeyrHeights on the far end from the Dining Hall, hissing and growling and wishing to maim those that cursed her daughter or spoke of curses around her daughter. She wanted to maim them and this new male and his rider seemed to have upset the situation more. Orikaeth growled in his general direction, flaring her rainbow wings and baring sharp fangs by way of warning to him and his. She was not a happy queen this day - the day of her first full clutch. It should have been among the happiest days of her life. And there had been a queen in her clutch! Her baby girl. Her daughter. They were all her children. They were all perfect. She hissed, though she finally settled. She was being terribly unladylike on such a joyous occasion. She looked down to the small form of her rider not far off who had her arms crossed staring at her.
"Are you quite finished, Orikaeth?" The dragoness felt annoyed at the tone in her rider's voice. It was terribly grating. "I told you. This would happen for a while. But they have a chance to prove her Pern wrong. But their mother's sharding belly aching is not helping one bit. Celebrate. It's your clutch. Why don't you go fly with Quiorith. I'm sure that'll settle you down."
{They disrespect her - she is a queen and she will be a truly great one. I do not like it. I will not allow it so easily. And that foreign one... he and his rider... I do not like them already and they are new here.}
The dragoness looked at her rider with violently swirling eyes. Retny sighed, smoothing her clothes again - she was not one to wear a dress, but she had opted to wear something similar to a skirt that would sweep about the dance floor nicely enough. Hopefully it would captivate her R'le's attention. Hmm... Her R'le. They were something serious. More than a fling. More than one flight. And she felt very happy at that thought. As far she was concerned, her was indeed hers... at least for as long as they continued to work out and work together... for as long as they both wanted it.
/Now love... Let's be certain to both have a good time. Be a proud mother./ Retny climbed up the large Rainbow dragoness and held tightly as the glided to the ground, nearing the entrance to the Dining Hall and letting her rider down there.
{I know you will have fun RetnyMine. I will find Quiorith and we will celebrate together.}
Retny nodded and headed in, smoothing her dress and hair before walking in to the Dining Hall, a smile on her face as her eyes flittered politely from person to person, making eye contact, bowing slightly, but, truthfully, there was one person she was looking for at that particular moment, but... in her position she would have to be polite to everyone... probably parade, show off, and dance with whoever asked her... But... she spotted R'le and Artemis with him and gave a smile, quickening her pace slightly, not noticing as someone started to speak to her. "R'le!" she called, heading right up to him. "Artemis. How is Zabrielth?" she asked, looking genuinely concerned.
My Queen, thank you. You are most kind and we hope to serve you well in the coming Turns. With just a touch of flair for the females watching, Nysqualith launched from the Rim and expertly landed in the opening Archith indicated. The Bronze then snaked his head back to a quick release pull that N'rel had rigged to allow Nysqualith to free himself of the extra packs. He settled down at the opening, and realized that another Queen, a Rainbow, was staring him down. He laid his head down on the floor and watched her through half-lidded eyes, uncertain if trying to speak to her would make things better or worse.
Just keep stirring things up, wherry-brain. Surely they will all love us for it one day.
"I bet they will."
A rare smile made a brief appearance across N'rel's features. He rather enjoyed her response, though he was glad to see her walk away instead of sticking around to continue their banter. "Listen to you. The newly Impressed Weyrling giving the seasoned Threadfighter a few good words of wisdom and topped off with a threat at her own Hatching Feast." The words were spoken into his next glass of wine, since Artemis had already dismissed herself. Now the Weyrwoman was getting cozy with T'kar, so N'rel turned around on the bench and scanned the crowd while he finished off his last roll. So far this place was pretty much everything he had expected. It was no Fort. It was the Weyr his father had Impressed at and N'rel was willing to bet that several of the weyrfolk here were his half siblings.
You think that is true of any Weyr.
N'rel ignored the comment as his gaze fell on a familiar face, holding a not so familiar bundle of 'joy' in his arms. Rising from the table, the Bronzerider strode over to D'gan and, without a care for any conversation he was interrupting, clamped a hand down on the Rider's shoulder.
"You know, old man, just 'cause I ended up with a kid doesn't mean you needed to as well."
Post by Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro) on Nov 8, 2013 12:47:23 GMT -8
T’kar finished skimming N’rel’s transfer papers and glanced up over his shoulder at the sound of approaching footsteps. Rilora arrived behind him and gave him a hug as she leaned to the table to set down the glass.
"Come and greet R'le," she asked in that smooth voice, pleased about something. "He's just arrived."
T’kar smiled, reaching up and giving her a quick, one-armed hug.
“Finally showed up, did he,” he teased, standing up and tucking the papers under his arm. He followed Rilora off through the crowd, but before they reached R’le, N’kio intercepted them, looking worried about something. With reason, it turned out.
T’kar glanced over at Rilora. Lord Ser Ralt and Lady Harra were missing, though they’d left on time, and whoever had taken them hadn’t come here with them.
“Do you know if something came up that would have prevented them coming, something they would have had to investigate in person?” It wasn’t likely, but it bore looking into, except that, in that case, why the unknown Blue?
T’kar’s thoughts ground to a halt, then started racing even faster. They knew we were sending a Blue, because we always tell them what color to expect. So… whoever took them knew that as well. The leak, where is the leak?
Ancalanath. I need two things. I need all the people in the Weyr who knew which dragon, or even color dragon, we were sending, and I need everyone in the hold who knew the same thing.
Surprise flashed across his face at the sudden hand on his shoulder, but at the sound of the voice - had it really been so long since he heard it? - D'gan minded Yura in his arms and turned around. His surprise was swiftly replaced by pleasure at seeing a familiar face, even if it did come with a backwards compliment. As per usual.
"Yeah, well, you were always such an inspiration at Fort. And still polite as ever, I see. Old man, my ass. Come on," he laughed, and motioned for N'rel to follow him. "I want to talk a moment before I have to take her back, and if I'm the old man among us, you have to indulge me. Come."
He held Yura close against him and walked toward the entrance, where it was quieter and less crowded. He sat down on one of the benches, back against the table as he let Yura rest on his knee.
"These Southern girls are something else, I tell ya. I didn't have one silver hair on my head, and now look at me! I am now, apparently, "as silver and finicky as any Queen", according to Mosiliath. And a father, too. This is Yura."
He nodded slightly toward his daughter. "Hadn't planned on that happening, either, but…that's what happens with Flights. I'd warn you to watch yourself out here with these girls, but from what I caught from that conversation you had with the new Queen Rider…you don't have to worry about that."
He grinned at the thought, and then decided to change the subject. "So why'd you choose Rainbow Mists anyway, N'rel? You and Nysqualith miss me too much?"
Yura babbled wordlessly, until N'rel came and stopped D'gan. She quietly looked at the new man, a finger in her mouth. She clung to her father's shirt when he went outside. He put her on his knees, then introduced her to him.
"I Yura," she said with a smile. She wrapped her hand around one of the fingers of D'gan's hand that was holding her in place. She yawned widely all of a sudden, leaning back against him. She looked up at him with her brown eyes that were so much like his. A small smile played about her lips as she sleepily closed her eyes. She laid still on his lap, falling quickly to sleep.
((You can just take her back to the creche whenever you're ready. I'll have her stay asleep this time.))
"You've always been the 'old man,' even without the silver hair. Now you just look the part."
N'rel followed him over and took a seat next to his old wing mate. D'gan had been one of the few people he could tolerate long enough to actually hold a real conversation with. "Aye! I'm a regular sweet talker now. Just ask Rillenin; he thinks he's been 'training' me for sevendays now. The lad is under the impression I still have a chance at winning myself a lady friend."
When the child spoke, N'rel stared at it for a moment, a blank expression not showing any signs of amusement in the adorable little human in D'gan's lap. A normal person would have found it unbearably cute. Luckily for him she simply fell asleep, instead of making more noises or even worse: smells. He cringed a little, remembering the smells that had come from Rillenin when he was a babe.
"Watch out for what? That sharding brat of a Queenling is no different than any other female. I just need to avoid 'em. Seems that'll be easy with the Weyrwoman; she's not said a word to me yet. The only thing I need to watch out for is Nys. He's been taking an interest in more Flights lately. I'll end up trapped in the same tunnel snake tunnel as you if he keeps this up." N'rel cringed again, and shook his head.
Pleased to not continue that line of conversation, the Bronzerider gladly took up the new subject. "Oh, you wish!" A real smile crossed his features before they returned to the signature sleepy, uninterested N'rel look. "Orders. Weyrwoman Zinana was probably getting sick of me. They said Bendan or Rainbow Mists. I didn't much like Bendan so here I am. I'll be dragging Rillenin out of there too." His voice suddenly got lower as he leaned in a little closer to the Tiger rider. "How bad is this feud between Mists and Bendan? I've only heard rumors so far. I'm concerned Rillenin might be too sympathetic to Bendan, and might cause trouble if I bring him here. However, I don't like him being there."