Pomp and Circumstance -- ISW graduation (OPEN!)

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

3075.05.21|Kitchens/WeyrBowl| Morning

Just because something isn’t hugely formal, Rallin mused, was absolutely no reason for it to be uncelebrated. He smiled as he slipped into the kitchen and caught sight of the young man improbably squeezed into a corner and inhaling his breakfast. Even though Rallin saw T’ruk nearly every day, it still seemed like the boy was growing at a rate that should have defied conservation of mass, no matter how much the kid ate. His three firelizards, one Aurora, one Crimson, and one Midnight, had already eaten, judging by the bulge of their stuffed bellies, and the thickly furred sled-canine that lay across the T’ruk’s feet had, if Rallin knew the boy, eaten some time ago, back when T’ruk first woke up.

“How’s it feel to be a full-fledged rider then?” Rallin asked, walking over.

T’ruk grinned, then stood up and hugged Rallin. “We made it!” he crowed.

Rallin’s smile broadened. The boy was taller than him, now, almost six foot and, at the oldest, not even yet 15. It seemed a special miracle that the child who had so fearfully greeted anything new now grinned in excitement at the thought of entering a new period of life.

“T’ruk!”

T’ruk glanced over towards the door. One of the other Weyrlings, T’vax, was leaning in the doorway.

“Come on! We can’t start without you!”

Grinning almost ruefully, T’ruk tore across the hall and followed the older Weyrling through the door, waving to Rallin as he did so.

Is Dav there yet, Slinesteth, Niekolgoth? T'vax asked, racing down a corridor in rough step with T'ruk.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki was excited. T’ruk was graduating today. It seemed like way to short a time ago that he had found his way to the infirmary. Now he was about to become a full ranked rider. She stood in the Weyrbowl, waiting for the festivities to start. The stage was set up, and she could see the Weyrling Master and the Weyrwoman about ready to graduate the Weyrlings. Knots were ready on a table, matched up with a sword. The sword themselves were more ceremonial than anything else, all had matching sheaths, though they were very detailed. However on the hilt there on each sword there was a stone that matched the knots that each sword was next to. Each would be presented to the new rider and some words spoken before and after the ceremony. Nothing too dramatic. The elderly woman waited for the graduation to start properly, excited for this graduation to get started.

Temperanth was standing to the side of the Weyrbowl, pride soaking through her very being. Her first clutch was about to be safely graduated. Not one dragon to be left behind. She was so incredibly happy. There were still problems but she was not going to even think of such a thing today, she was going to enjoy this victory, and make sure that her rider did the same. Even if Hedara wasn’t thrilled with giving a brief word to end the graduation.

She really wasn’t thrilled about it. Hedara was not going to balk it, she had no options there, but she always felt like she was too awkward with speeches. Mercifully she could keep it short. She knew that the new riders would like it better that way. She certainly would have back then. Hedara looked out, and over to where the Weyrlings for a few moment longer would congregate. She wasn’t just picking up on Temperanth’s pride though. She was glad for them. They were the first of Temperanth’s sure, but they were also among the first that she personally would oversee. Hedara would have to be used to more and more that would join her, but she was glad that things had gone, well pretty well for her. They were a good group. They should make good riders.

[Terayne]

"Hold STILL would you?!"

"But... But..."

"No. You WILL be presentable today, if no other, child!"

"Fine..."

The semi argument came from within the walls of one of the smaller weyrs, its occupant not being a large creature by most standards. The pouting final word was given by the RIDER of said beast, who was not pleased with what her mother and older sisters were attempting to do to her. On the outer ledge, a large Rainbow rumbled with soft amusement, and within the weyr itself, the Cloud occupant sighed, relieved her Mine had FINALLY given in. The argument had been ongoing since the three women had arrived at Diamond and Xinalinth's weyr. and the Cloud had quickly grown tired of it. She herself was being gently coached in how she should act by Alaseareth, although the Rainbow kept interspersing playful, teasing comments in the instruction that made Xinalinth wonder just how serious she actually was.

Within the weyr, Diamond grumbled, but sat obediantly in the chair as her mother and siblings fussed over her. She'd managed to convince her mother not to cut her hair, which she'd allowed to grow out again, so instead the woman was braiding it, interlacing silver, white and light blue ribbons in it to reflect the color of Xinalinth's hide. The rich golden brown locks made the laces stand out nicely, and Diamond didn't mind THAT so much. No, what she MINDED was that her sister Pearl had decided she needed makeup, and Ruby, of course, had just HAPPENED to have it handy. Diamond suspected they had planned this beforehand, and was grumbling inside her mind to Xinalinth, who she knew was sympathetic to her normally tomboyish rider's plight.

When they were done, however, even Diamond had to admit that she looked beautiful. They had kept it minimum, enhancing the natural gleaming prettyness of the young woman's green eyes and making them stand out on her tanned face. Her lips were lightly coated with a pale gloss, not too dark, and only the faintest brush of coloring had been applied to her cheeks. The gown they had brought to her was a fine piece of work, a rich, pale blue with silver and white threading in it, that resembled, to some extent, a candidate's robes, but only in that it wasn't cinched in. It didn't need to be, for it had been made to fit the girl perfectly, and accented every curve of the figure she had been developing over the course of her turns as a rider. The hem, cuffs and neck were embroidered with dragons in silver thread, and Diamond had to fight back the urge to cry when she fully took in the extent of her family's gift to her. Her mother, Ruby and Pearl were smiling proudly at her, and her younger sisters, Opal and Sapphire were both clapping at how beautiful their sister looked.

Sniffing, the Cloudrider took a deep breath and moved out to the outer weyr, where her beloved beast waited for her, all decked out in new harness and looking quite nice after the male members of Diamond's family had carefully and thoroughly scrubbed and oiled every inch of her hide. Diamond had protested that it was her job, but her entire family, as well as all three dragons in it, had insisted, so she had demurred to it. And now it was time to get her prettied up butt to the festivities. The thought made Xinalinth rumble with amusement, and she lightly laid her muzzle to her rider's chest, her eyes whirling green and blue. "We did it, Xinni" Diamond mumured, and the Cloud whuffed softly.

Moments later, they were in the Bowl, and Diamond took a deep breath. They'd done it. They'd made it through their lessons, and were now going to be Graduated to full rank!

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Lord Brencis was a firm believer in traditions. Tradition dictated that the Lord Holder of Icy Caverns Hold be present at the Graduation of Weyrlings to Riders, therefore he was here. Tradition also dictated that he bring his family, therefore they were here too. The Ceremony should be starting soon, there was some time yet. Hearing a whisper behind him, he turned around to glare at the twins. They’d been getting smarmy of late, ever since he’d ordered them to stay out of the city. He held their eyes for a moment, until they both looked down, then turned back around with a snort. He’d have to deal with the pair of them later, again.

Even for him though, it was hard to remain more than mildly irritated, not when the very positioning of the seats for the Graduation confirmed what the Weyr had decreed. Royals no more would Silverlights be considered. He snorted again.

Which the existence of a male one ought to have proven as soon as the creature was Hatched.

Surveying the people gathered, he noted the location of the Weyrwoman, Lady Hedara. After all, tradition also demanded that official greetings be exchanged after the ceremony. He was also relieved to note that the Weyrlings he could see so far were dressed for the occasion, rather than slopping around in work clothes. However, he did not detect his daughter, Eira. She should be here, preferably she should be with him, but that depended on whether she had time to change into appropriate attire.

[Kaya]

I don't want to do this. Eira grumbled to Wivish as she worked on the last of several very small braids arranged around her otherwise free and wavy hair. It was a style her mother had liked, and though she was dreading the thought of being around her politically charged and potentially grumpy father, perhaps with things going the way he wanted he would be in a generally good mood today.

Well... came the flighty voice, you must. Dragons do things different than us LifeWings. There's a ceremony, you're to attend. You're-- usually quite good a putting on a face. Dark eyes watched her Rider adjust the last trimmings of her outfit. A silver circlet for rank, an orange-red bow colored much like Wivish's beak tied to her dress on the left side where the strap of the sleeveless pale silver dress attached in front.

At least mom will be there, Eira thought as she doubled checked everything, kicked her discarded healers clothes under the bed in case her family asked to see her room, and decided she was ready.

I'll be out there then, in the Bowl. Put on a good face, try and have a bit of fun on your day off.

Yes, love. Thank you, Eira replied as she shut the door to her room and took off down the hall.

----

Once she had arrived at the general festivities it didn't take long to notice her family. There were quite a few of them, in a tight group, all very tall and very northern.

"Greetings, Father,"she curtsied, "Mother, family, welcome. I hope you are well," was all she said, still leaving her head in a slight nod of acknowledgement. Formalities, proper observation of rank, it was a very sensitive game. She wished Wivish fit into this picture, but the feathery attitude simply didn't care for or care to learn subtleties. Unless they asked for her, she was probably better off on her own.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

There was enough of a crowd that Lord Brencis was not actually the first to notice his daughter's arrival. In fact, it was noted first by a couple of newly arrived Riders-to-be, a Chrome rider and a Silverlight rider, who had paused upon arriving in the Bowl, the Chrome rider clearly looking for someone.

T'ruk had no sooner spotted Kyuki and waved then he realized that he and T'vax were practically blocking one of the entrances. A couple months ago he wouldn't have done anything, but now...

"We need to get out of the way," he whispered, catching the back of T'vax's shirt and pulling him to one side. It was a good thin he did too, for no sooner had he done so than yet another lady entered the WeyrBowl and made straight for the Lord Holder of Icy Caverns and his family.

-----------
Despite not being the first to notice Eira's entrance, it didn't take Brencis long to do so. She was dressed appropriately; he was happy to see that the Weyr had understood that allowances must be made in the schedule of any high-born lady.

"Greetings daughter," Brencis replied. "We are all well. What of you? I trust your duties remain appropriate to your station." Brencis refrained, with a small amount of difficulty, from adding that if her youngest brothers kept up their antics any longer, they might not be feeling so well soon. This was, after all, a formal gathering.

[Cait]

T'vax wants to know where you are.[/b]

"Get back here you adorable little monster!" Dav was dressed in the simple grey gown that her family had sent her with her favorite ribbon attempted to tame her wild hair. Around her upper arms were streaming bits of lightweight cloth in purple affixed with yet more of the shining purple ribbon. And even dressed like the beautiful young woman she'd blossomed into over the past year, she was hunched over and running about her weyr, arms out in front of her as she tried not to trip over the streamers that hung from her arms. In front of her was a little black, white and brown puppy that looked more like a waddling fluffball than anything. "What are you doing! Get back here, I'm supposed to give you to Tiv!"

From their perch on the back of a chair, Snowball and Snowflake watched, quiet and curious. Every now and then, Snowball would let out a chirp of encouragement while Snowflake remained silent and observant as ever. The puppy had been sitting quietly in the little basket she'd fixed up for her when the handler delivered the pup. Since she'd been dressing she'd just shouted for the kid to leave the puppy in the basket. Now the thing had gone mad! If she could just catch it and give it a quick brushing she could get to the party--her graduation party--and present the adorable little menace to Tiv.

It took her a moment to realize that the little thing was chasing something and it took her a great deal longer than it should have for her to catch it; though constantly stumbling over her gown probably had a little something to do with it. When she finally caught the puppy she plopped down with it in her lap, laughing as it squirmed and flailed. Dav blinked and finding a ribbon in the pup's mouth, carefully pried it from her sharp little teeth. "Now where did you get that?"

She finally caught your present, T'vax. She will be there shortly.[/b][/color]

As she looked at the purple ribbon, Dav frowned. She was wearing her purple ribbon, where had this one...she hadn't a chance to finish the thought when a ball of white fluff came barreling out from under her bed, running headlong into the side of her leg then climbing into her lap with all the grace of a three-legged runner. She stared for a long while at first thinking that perhaps the boy who had brough Tiv's puppy had made a mistake. Then she looked at the ribbon in her hand and let out a mighty squeal that set the pups to howling right along with her. Scrambling to her feet, a pup clutched in either arm she took off out of her room, ribbon fluttering from her fingers as she raced towards the area designated for the celebrations.

"Tiv! T'vax!" Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkling with delight as she searched for her friend. Of course in her haste she didn't realize that she'd barreled right past him.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’vax had no sooner gotten out of the way than Niekolgoth informed him that Dalonia had caught his present and would be along shortly.

You know, I told them to let the little guy exercise. She didn’t need to catch him before coming, he’d just have run around the room if he did anything.

Abruptly, someone came barreling past him. Indeed the figure passed so fast that it took T’vax until she shouted his name to realize that the person was Davquil, and she was carrying two puppies.

“Two…” T’vax’s voice trailed off. Where did she get the second one? he finished silently. One of them was clearly the little white one that he’d gotten her, but the other was a tri-color puppy that he could have sworn had been marked out as already sold. Certainly, he’d only given her the one puppy.

“Hey Dav!” he called, dodging forward into the crowd in pursuit of his friend. “Dav, back here!”

He ignored the glares of several guests, he’d been able to do that since before he could walk; his father had taught him that much, at least.

Reaching Davquil, he came to a not-quite-sliding halt and said the first thing that came to mind: “Where’d you get the other puppy?”

[Cait]

Upon hearing her name being called by a familiar voice, Dav spun about, the streamers attached to her arms fluttering and her hair bouncing precariously as though it would spring free from both ribbons and braids and fly all over the place. Her grin was one of those ridiculously large ones that she got when she was overly excited and bouncing on her toes, as though winding herself up, she launched herself at Dav, oblivious to any and all strange or nasty looks directed at either of them.

She colided with him just seconds before he came to a halt and with both arms full it wasn't quite a hug. Though pressed up against him, the pups squirming, she rose up on her toes and plastered a kiss on his cheek, dangerously close to the corner of his mouth before rocking back on her heels and shifting the squirming pups. "I got her for you! Happy graduation!"

Giggling madly she held out the little tri-colored pup who was still trying to get at whatever ribbons she could get a hold of. The fact that they'd both thought of the exact same present for one another was greatly amusing and wonderfully delightful to Davquil. Now they could raise and train their pups together and they would be best of friends just as she and Tiv were, and Nieko and Slin and the firelizards as well. One great big cuddly, fluffy family. And in that moment she realized that Tiv was every bit as much a part of her family as her mother or father or V'quin were...though tipping her head slightly to one side she pondered why it wasn't quite the same for a moment before the little white ball of fur whined and squealed, suitably distracting the young woman. "He's so adorable, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Dav squealed again and Snowball and Snowflake fluttered down to settle on either shoulder, tiny little things though each had a small bit of ribbon tied around their neck. The little male, all handsome and pale sported a thin rust colored ribbon while the petite and even smaller female sported a silvery-grey one. There was something about ribbons that simply appealed to the girl and no doubt if there was a ribbon large enough and long enough she would have put one on Nieko too. But it was just one of her many quirky charms, or so her friends and family would claim.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’vax tossed his head back in a quick bark of laughter, then reached out and claimed the cuddly little tri-colored puppy. She was absolutely adorable, though T’vax had to hold her rather tightly, she wanted Dav’s ribbons.

“You’re welcome,” he told Dav, still smiling, grinning, happy, “and thank you.”

It’s going to attract attention, Slinesteth predicted.

and thereby keep anyone from noticing you, T’vax reminded the Chrome dragon, smiling.

Ninarwa suddenly appeared overhead and swooped down, clearly aiming for T’vax’s shoulder. The little Pink pulled up abruptly though, and stared at the warm-fuzzy in her human’s arms. This was new. Hers hadn’t had a warm-fuzzy before. Quickly, the Pink settled, right on top of the warm-fuzzy.

The little tri-colored canine squirmed around, trying to lick the Pink that had abruptly settled on her back.

You should leave them all here with Niekolgoth and me, that way you look like professionals, like warriors. You will have no allies here unless you look like that. The benefit of allies outweighs the risk that your enemies will no longer underestimate you.

T’vax glanced at Dav, conveying for a split second that the answer was in her court, before he remembered that she wouldn’t have heard Slinesteth’s comment in all likelihood.

“Sorry, Slin suggests that we let him and Nieko babysit the firelizards and canines until the ceremony’s over,” he said.

[Cait]

As Tiv's pink swooped down and seemed startled by the appearance of the puppy, Dav's lips twitched with a smile that was just itching to break free. When Ninarwa decided that the fluffy thing was a perch and promptly landed on it she let out her own outburst of laughter. No doubt anyone in their graduating class were well and truly immune to the pair's little outbursts of excitement and had long since given up on trying to figure out exactly what was going on between the two at any given moment.

With her own squirming pup to keep from dropping, Dav clutched the little white pup close, laughing once more as he went limp in her arms, head lolling back though his little curled tail continued to wag. Of all the things either of them could've thought of for a present and they'd both come up with the same thing.

We get to keep the fluffy white one? Does it have a name? Does it eat ribbons? Oh yes, can we watch the fluffy things? Wait, why do they have to look like warriors; do I have to look like a warrior? What does a warrior look like Slinesteth? I don't think either of them look very warrior-like. They look fancy.[/b]

Dav never got tired of the vast difference in her dragon's personality. There were times when he was as bubbly and curious as a hatchling, other times when he was quite the conversationalist and then there were the times when he utterly shut down. While it was stressful at time she wouldn't want him to be any different then he was. He was her Niekolgoth and in the same token she adored Slinesteth and T'vax exactly as they were; the schemer and the best friend she'd ever had.

Looking up she found the later giving her an expectant look and blinked, tilted her head slightly. He quickly filled her in on what his dragon had said and glancing down at the pup in her arms which she'd taken to rocking like some awkward, fluffy baby, swaying slowly from side to side and frowned slightly. After a moment though she smiled again and a thought sent her pair of whites fluttering towards where the Purple-Grey had settled beside his Chrome companion, settling on the former's head; Snowball began to pick at Snowflake's ribbon but the dainty little female promptly hissed and snapped at him, keeping him in line.

"Alright, that might be a good idea. We'd look rather silly marching up to the platform to get our knots with squirming puppies and I don't want him to pee on me if he gets excited." She was going to have to think of a name for the pup, that was for sure. Surely she'd come up with something before the end of the ceremony and of a certainty it would be some unimaginative yet entirely adorable name. Nieko lowered his head, peering at the puppy with one eye then shifted, disturbing the pair of whites on his head momentarily as he situated himself so that not only was he partially blocking Slinesteth from view but a pen of sorts was created between them, enclosed by curving tails. Leaning over the grey of Nieko's tail and set down the puppy, hesitating a moment before letting the ribbon that had been around his neck at one point flutter to the ground; immediately he pounced.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’vax tried to swallow a grin at Nieko’s response to Slin. I believe he means that we need to look like people who could be warriors, he replied. There was a hint of a question on it, a suggestion that Slin correct it if Tiv hadn’t gotten it exactly right.

People who know how to fight and have rank enough that they dress accordingly, Slinesteth clarified.

Slinesteth shifted position slightly, so that he was closer to hidden behind Niekolgoth, at least as much as he could be hidden behind the smaller dragon. Their tails were, fortunately large enough to make a pen that the two canines would not be able to escape from.

A warrior looks like one who is not a fool. One who does not over-react or panic. That is why they must dress fancy, but not too much so, today. It shows that they understand the importance of the day and ascribe importance to it themselves; that they are acceptable allies of intelligence is therefore implied.

“Yeah, you have a point there,” T’vax said, setting his puppy on the ground next to the little white one. She promptly blundered over into the other puppy and created a rolling ball of playful puppies.

T’vax smiled. “Just think,” he said, “tomorrow we’ll wake up full riders.”

He whistled through his teeth, the closest he could come to a true whistle. Fortunately, Ninarwa and Tyavra had learned to use that as a signal to pay attention to his mind, and his focus on them landing on Niekolgoth or playing with Snowball, Snowflake, and the puppies was enough to get them to settle down, each claiming a stretch of territory on Niekolgoth’s back. He would have asked them to land on Slinesteth, but Slinesteth didn’t like having the bright firelizards anywhere touching him. Apparently, they pushed the notice factor a little too high.

“Ready?”

T’vax turned and walked towards the stage, syncing his steps to Dav’s. “The whole world lies ahead,” he whispered. Pulling his head up and rolling his shoulders back, he straightened out to his full nearly six and a third feet. Today, today was the day he’d been looking forward to for his whole life, even before he’d realized that it was conceivable.

[Shoki]

The graduation ceremony began. Eraviya began, with a short speech about how the people about to be presented had proved themselves and were ready for what would be presented to them today. It was a speech much like many others, that no doubt the riders previously graduated would have heard something similar. The Bluerider spoke her piece and then the formalities began. Each Weyrling stepped forward, and were presented with a knot by Eraviya, and hands were shook. Hedara then offered them their sword and shook hands as well. Each new rider then lined up on the stage, until every last of them were called and presented what they were due. Though it was far too slow for some of the audience (and no doubt more than a few of the riders) it went all very much on time. It was then that Hedara took her place to wrap everything up.

“Out of all that has occurred within Ice Stone Weyr while I have been here my greatest pleasure has been in seeing those who stand here grow as individuals. I may rest easy knowing that they are ready for the title I now present them with.” Hedara’s gaze rose up slightly, taking in both the human audience and the Weyr around them. There was not only the human audience to consider. She never forgot that. She took a small step back and extended her arm back toward the group of people behind her, while facing forward and speaking to those who were gathered here. “To each and every member of Ice Stone Weyr, I present to you, your new dragonriders!” The audience applauded and Hedara stood as she was until she stepped back and the new riders were allowed to disperse. No doubt there would be much conversation, greetings and the like. Temperanth was beaming, Hedara didn’t even have to turn around for that to be clear. Ivy had showed up, but only to sit on the Ice and bask in the good feelings. Work was not yet done. She breathed out, never straightening her posture. Even so she seemed to make herself all the taller and took a few steps off the stage. She would likely been talking with many people today.

Elsewhere the white haired and elderly Lifewing rider was heading out to congratulate T’ruk. Kyuuki was positively excited. Vallesh was no doubt the same. Lantern sat on her shoulder even as she went as fast as she felt she was allowed. She was well practiced in being out of the way, so she never troubled anyone as she reached the now much taller lad. How long had it been?

“T’ruk! Congratulations!” Her gray eyes seemed to sparkle a little with her joy, even as Lantern chirped out his manner of congratulations. It was a good day for them.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’ruk had slipped away from the main group of the new riders. He had, somewhat self-consciously, already added his new sword and belt to his attire, and was heading in the general direction of Azeriuth when he heard someone call him hail.

Turning quickly around, he broke into a smile when he saw Kyuuki. Quickly, he stepped forward and hugged her, surprising himself with the strength of his happiness to see her today. He hugged her as hard as he dared, not wanting to crack a rib or anything (he still wasn’t completely sure if Gillian had been joking about the rib thing, and didn’t want to hurt his first adoptive grandmother).

“Kyuuki, I’m so glad you came,” T’ruk managed finally, letting go of the hug and stepping back slightly. It still felt strange to him, realizing that he was no longer much shorter than her. His growth spurt since coming to the Weyr almost two Turns previously had been astounding, taking a skinny, average-size kid and turning him into a fairly tall, well-muscled youth.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki was swept up in a strong hug, though she hugged him back as firmly as she could muster. She was very much the sort to err on the side of softness so likely T’ruk was more in for a motherly hug then a bear hug. She took a step back and looked at him again when the hug had ended, as if she thought that she could tell something about him now that he had graduated. Well there was the sword obviously, and it looked fine and matching for him. She wondered a bit at the circumstances that led her here. All the same, now, though often the time for memories, was for other thoughts.

“I would not miss it. How, um, does it feel? Graduating?” Kyuuki smiled a little, noting how much his demenour had changed. Hers had not. She was well set in her ways now. “Oh, uh, Vallesh would like a hug too at some point. Later I think.” The Lifewing did like her hugs. She could manage them, sort of. Of course T’ruk knew that. Kyuuki was getting a little bit misty eyed, but was trying not to show it. At least her voice didn’t show it, she always sounded like that. Still, it was the closest thing she had to a kid graduating at it was getting a might bit overwhelming.