*EVENT* The Weyr Games [15.07.01]

[Kaya]

It was a holiday miracle. The sun was shining brightly down onto the brightly decorated Weyr. The rains that had been hanging over them for the past few days had dried up in time to decorate and let the sky become a glorious blue filled with a few puffy white clouds. Banners and flags with the Weyr's colors - sky blue and white - were strung about occasionally. Others had strung their home banners, colors and signs about the Weyr Bowl or on their shops. It was a veritable rainbow of colors to match the dragons that inhabited that place. It was a very big day for Rainbow Mists Weyr.

The Weyr Games were to be held that day. Holders and crafters and traders and Weyrfolk were to be seen everywhere throughout the Weyr. Almost every square inch of common space was occupied with sounds. People signing up their dragons for the different events, the races, the obstacle courses and even Dodge the Thread Ball - they called it dodge ball for short. For everyone else, there was going to be a talent show in the dinning hall for those who didn't prefer the races, and a huge spread of food tables and their venders were lining the Weyr Bowl. A number of other Gather-esque traders had arrived to sport their wares. People were gathered anxiously around one booth, waiting to make bets once the odds for the races were announced.

Even in the Weyr Lake there was more than double its normal activity. People were swimming and even the occasional smaller dragon could be seen popping its head out of the water.

And near the top of the waterfall that fell into the Weyr's lake, was Archith. She was so close to Flight that her hide shined a glistening, brilliant gold from the sunlight. It were as if she was the light, the embodiment of the sun: or so she thought in any case. She expected any dragon worth his wings to pay attention to her now and during her Flight. She wanted to be impressed today.

Weyr Games Mechanics
-Races: All dragons who are entering the races must sign up in the role play. You may actively role play it or mention that your character has signed up but you must mention it in the role play. A list of participants in the upcoming heat will be posted shortly before the race starts. Speed races will be run in groups, agility races will be timed individual runs.

-Dodge the Thread Ball: This game, nick named "Dodge Ball", is played by Riders on their dragons. Two teams of equal size compete to score goals with a large ball while dodging falling "Thread" balls. The ball may only be held by Rider's hands for a maximum of ten seconds. Dragons may hit the ball but cannot hold it. If a player is hit by a "Thread" ball they must land and stay on the ground for eight seconds (betweening to rid themselves of Thread). A goal is scored when the large ball successfully lands in a net stretched out at either end of the field. Winners will be determined by which team has a higher quality post count.

-Winning a Race: Certain attributes of a character's post(s) will improve their chances of winning. For all games length and quality of post will be a factor. Unique, flashy moves during agility courses will score points. Posting first after the "GO" post in speed races will earn head start points. If the winner is unclear, a winner will be selected with a random coin toss.

-Talent Show: Your character does not need to sign up for this ahead of time but they may. Talents may be of any presentable variety (singing, story telling, firelizard tricks - whatever you can think of really). Presentation posts are to be one post long. Audience members may then react. The next act will follow. Last minute acts are accepted though your character might embarrass themself. ;)

[Simile]

K'nan sighed and walked through the Weyrbowl, smiling and greeting those he knew. He had a confident smile on his face, occasionally stopping and laughing with a friend or two. He paused as he almost passed T'lis, Enetta, and Netta by. It was good to see the siblings together again. "Hey T'lis!" he clapped the man on the shoulder. "Good to see you."

"It is good to see you too, T'lis. Netta, how are you doing? Enetta, are you ready to stand for the next Hatching?" He stood, slouching slightly as he held the conversation with them.

"Fine." Netta's answer was short and clipped and anything but happy. She came to the Weyr, but she hated being in a Weyr where she was surrounded by dragons, which she had not Impressed. It bothered her. She was bitter about it and hurt. K'nan did not seem phased by her reaction. He didn't necessarily understand what she was going through, but he did feel for her. It had been her dream to Impress. But it hadn't happened. And now it seemed it wouldn't. She was too old.

She did have her small fair, however, who were there, gathered around her as per usual.

"I'm impatient, but probably not as much as Koga is..." He grinned and laughed.

"Oh yes, Koga. She is very much impatient, indeed." He shook his head grinning and turned to T'lis again who had been attempting to get a word in.

"So what do you think? Isn't this incredible? I mean! It's so sunny! And on a day when we want it too!"

He was rambling and K'nan just scratched the back of his head chuckling. "Um... I'll talk to you later, T'lis, Enetta. And if I don't see you again, please take care, Netta." He nodded and kept walking. He was going to participate in the games. He just never had really done it before. He wondered if Koga was going to try to enter the talent show this time. She had talked about doing it before, but she never really had. He looked over to the lake where he could see Embraeth sunning himself, taking up space that others could probably use. He was a large Bronze, strong and healthy. It was, though, true that the larger a dragon, the more stamina and endurance and such, but also the harder it was to pull off incredibly lithe movements and the like. Though, personally, he was convinced his Bronze could do anything he set his mind to.

K'nan stopped near one of the booths, sighing. He wasn't entirely sure what to do right now. He wasn't particularly worried about how the Weyr Games would go or how he would do. He was certain that he would do alright. He wasn't sure he'd necessarily win or even come in at the top, but he was still sure that he would do alright.

K'nan spotted Koga, but she was with friends, so he kept going. He walked over towards his dragon. There was an older Black dragon also sitting by the lake. He knew the rider was Cassondra, but he didn't see her there. He wouldn't be surprised if she was elsewhere or hadn't even come down yet. She wasn't particularly fond of these kinds of things. Especially anymore.

K'nan, upon reaching Embraeth grinned and patted the big Bronze's leg. He was a very beautiful big 'ol Bronze in his opinion. He looked over to where the absolutely beautiful Archith was sitting and saw that Embraeth was doing much the same, crooning slightly. She is beautiful. K'nan grinned. His dragon didn't respond, but turned to focus a large swirling eye on him. K'nan couldn't help but think that Rilora was just as beautiful as her dragon if not more so. She was a wonderful and amazing person. She had a lot of stress, but she had so much potential. She would be a wonderful Weyrwoman. She already was.

((Plan to post Saan tomorrow when I'm not so tired. ^^'; ))

[Simile]

Meanwhile, across the way, Netta and her siblings were finishing setting up her booth for the small number of flitter eggs she had. She only had six.

"Well, thank you, T'lis, Enetta." She carefully set the eggs there. This was Saga's latest clutch when she was caught by Netta's own little Bronze Min. She was, as always, not too pleased to see her little ones go, but Netta scratched her chin lovingly. "It's alright lovey, they'll get good homes." The soothing feelings from her own didn't do too much to calm her.

"Why don't you two go enjoy yourselves. I'll join you after all these eggs have found good homes."

T'lis nodded and, though Enetta went to protest, T'lis pulled her along.

She was a little tense, what with being around all these Dragon Riders and her feelings towards them... but she could get over it for the time being, she supposed.

((The Eggs:
1) Primarily green in color with some speckles of white, this egg is one of the smaller ones here.
2) This egg is just about as small and is primarily a smooth white with an off-white stripe down one side.
3) This egg is a deep black color and is the largest egg here.
4) This egg is a flat gray color with what looks like cracks in marble on its shell. It is the smallest of the six eggs.
5) This egg is a deep brown color with a mottled black pattern across its surface.
6) This is the largest egg of the bunch. It is a dark yellow color at it's top that turns to a dark brown at its base.))

[Jay Kitten]

A merry and uplifting melody played gently across small strings, attached as they were to a harp, so easily set upon the knee of the local Weyr Harper. It was a large-scale event, after all, games to be had and joy to be shared between everybody, Holder or Weyrfolk alike.

V'ridian was playing a joyful tune for the folk enjoying themselves, whilst ignoring a rather trivial group of young women who were onlooking and chattering amongst themselves. Talented and pretty, as per usual for him... He sighed. Their attentions were not what he sought. He much preferred the type that could care less if he existed, the rare ones that did not seem to need anybody else around. Those were the ones that V'ridian enjoyed. Not these tag-a-longs.

However, he did continue to play for the Weyr, and it would be easily heard by any who turned their ear. His harp had heavy strings, their notes carried widely for situations like this. It was much preferable to a wind instrument that could be drowned out, or one of his lighter string instruments, that might be broken amongst all of the hustle and bustle of activity. People had a tendency to drink to heavily at events.

"A glorious day for music!" he shouted, changing the song to yet another upbeat melody.

[sweetlilangel]

It wasn't often that Jerston broke away from work to enjoy himself. Even now, he was more serving as an on-site healer in case of injury than actually looking to have fun.. Even though he'd been released from his duties for the day as a candidate and healer both. His eyes shifted through the crowds of people. Children ran around and through the legs of adults. Firelizards flew intricate patterns high above their heads, or swooped down low to beg morsels from those who had them. Some of them rested on their owners' shoulders. There riders gearing up for the races and contests. A few canines could be seen darting between peoples legs to snap up anything the hit ground. There was, of course, the music too... And stalls of goods being sold.

It all made for and exciting event, but even more, it left great opportunities for people to hurt themselves. Jerston didn't even try to fool himself into thinking he wasn't going to end up working today. He did however, enjoy what time he had before the work would begin.

Shara tagged at his heels, staying as close as the press of the crowd would allow her. Spark sat on his shoulder as they wondered through the stalls, admiring the colorful clothing and sparkling trinkets. The smell of bubblie pies teases his nose, but then something else caught his attention.

A call reached his ears announcing a talent show. He looked to Shara for a moment. They had been working on some commands that could be both fun and useful... Perhaps. He wouldn't make his decision yet. Something could happen that would prevent them being able to participate...

[Jay Kitten]

The day went on, and the playing never stopped. V'ridian was one for stamina as far as his art went, it would seem, and his dedication and devotion to being the Weyr Harper was clear. His harp strings never stopped ringing until lunch, when he finally took a break to eat something.

He had ducked into the crowd, and, being not a very big man, easily wound his way through to lose those girls who had had their hearts set on flirting. Not today, ladies! He emerged from the other side of the crowd right in front of a roast beast booth, which was more than perfect. He checked the prices, and took out his marks, placing them on the counter and ordering himself a plate. It took a good two minutes for them to cut him off a nice-sized chunk, and he mercilessly began to scarf it down.

It took him all of three minutes. Playing music made him hungry.

But it was at that moment that the announcement for the talent show caught his ear, and he blinked. Now that was something he was interested in, and until this point, he hadn't even known it was an event. He realized, though, that he hadn't the proper instrument for such an occasion! He would have to make the trip back to his weyr.

At that moment, his faithful Tiger chose his time to land awkwardly on the lawn to his right, thumping into the ground and almost stumbling into a stand of leathers. The shopkeeper held up his hands as if to use magic to stop the massive runt of a dragon, and it was Cirryyth's own balance that won out, allowing him to teeter back onto his own two feet. He gave a draconic smirk to his rider, who, shaking his head, mounted swiftly.

I thought you might need a ride, so I came. The Tiger was of course, praised for his thoughtfulness. They flew off to the weyr.

It took a good ten minutes or so to get everything in order, but when they arrived in the back of the talent show's stage, the current act was ending, and he took that moment to find whoever was in charge and sign himself up. The man went out to announce him, and then turned over the stage, giving V'ridian all the space he wanted. Cirryyth attempted to follow, but it took a moment to coax him away, telling him he would crush the stage easily, which was true. He pouted but was otherwise accepting.

The red-headed man flipped his hair as he walked out onto the stage with a case for a special instrument, that, until now, he had only ever played alone in his weyr. Today was the day that he would reveal it to the world, and he cared not for winning, simply for the joy of music. Setting the case on the stool in the front of the stage, the crowd cheered as he revealed his beautifully crafted Tiger violin, the shape and color of which reminded everyone of a specific dragon who's head was poking over the back of the curtain to watch. He looked upward and gave the dragon a big smile.

"This song is for you, Cirryyth, my longest love." If the dragon could blush, he would have.

The man placed his bow to the strings, and rested the curling tail of his replica dragon against his chin. A perfect fit.

With that he began to play, at first a single note rang out, amazingly clear. He then drew the note up and back down, creating a steady rhythm in a harmonic arpeggio. And, instead of sing, he began to speak.

"In a fateful land not too far away, lived a man made of sand and a woman made of clay. It was two stories tall, the house in which they lived, made of seaweed and silk with a baby and a crib. In this house they began their life of servitude, to a lord and a lady who acted quite rude. A son they bore, and a daughter of mud, but the two children knew not of their parent's feud."

He cleared his throat quietly, getting ready to sing, as the song changed to a dramatic melody, with a minor key and a sad overtone.

His voice was clear as crystal as the words continued, though now they were being sung as opposed to spoken.

"Twenty Turns would pass, sand turned to grass,
the Lady and Lord Holder remained quite crass.
It was their son, their heir, who would become a hero,
for his parent's drawbacks would be his own boon.
One fateful night, on a stormy sea,
he would see a maiden as though it were high noon.
She sat atop a rock, though her grace was clear,
and in a few minutes, his ship drew near.
He could see through his eyes, that she wasn't a girl,
but a woman with eyes that shined like pearls.
It was this maiden who's heart he craved,
though it was later that day he would learn...
She was a slave."

His song dropped down to a lower volume, and he flicked his bow to create a series of single notes, sharp and dramatic, before he drew it long and low about the strings, and then up and into a quicker beat. His foot began to tap as he sang of the man.

"Like a Tiger, with a fierce eye,
he rode into battle!
Quick with sword, and from atop a saddle,
he conquered the Hold of this woman's ire,
and drew closer to the one of his desire.
He stood atop the table in the midst of this Hold,
and shouted his victory,
"If I would be so bold!
Those of you without freedom
are now to be free!"
And with a cheer for his heroism,
they all got down on one knee.
The slaves, they bowed, they worshiped this man
though what he wanted was far from praise.
It was then that he saw her, the one of his heart,
she came walking between the people with chains.
They dragged in the dirt behind her,
a symbol of her life and a dark reminder.
This girl made of mud stepped up to the man,
and brought to his face a slap, with her hand.
He reeled back in shock, but she gripped him hard,
pulled him close, and a kiss...
They shared."

As the song came to an end, so did his music, drawing to a close beautiful and true. He stopped then, and as the crowd cheered took a bow, his long flowing hair reflecting in the sun of the day as it spilled over his shoulders. He smiled and waved to everyone as he placed his violin back in it's case, and lifted it into the air. Over the top of the curtain, Cirryyth gently grabbed it and took it away, back to the weyr, while V'ridian returned to the crowd to mingle and speak with whoever wanted to comment about his song.

[Kaya]

The newly Searched boy stood near the back of the crowd by the outside stage. A few girls, latecomers themselves, were gossiping about how talented the Weyr Harper was. Holtrarn had enjoyed the song himself. It reminded him of some of the mountain songs the miners would sing on their way to or from work. He still couldn't believe he was standing in a Weyr instead of the mountain range miles away that was his home. Or perhaps former home...

He turned around to see if the boy who had been Searched with him was still near in the crowd. The harper's singing had silenced everyone save a few haggling traders and perhaps a couple others. It took Holt longer than he liked to spot the boy in the crowd. It wasn't too hard to notice him once he came into view, however. Besides the apathetic Rider, that Candidate was the only one he knew.

Carefully, unused to such large crowds, Holt backed away from the people and skirted the edge toward the boy. If only he could remember his name! It would be rude to ask again so soon.

"How about this place?" Holt asked emphatically, slapping a hand down on Kalitar's shoulder.

[Simile]

Saantasra smiled. What wonderful crafts people had.... She wished she were so skilled at something of which she could show or participate with, but... She wasn't at all that special.

Mine... you are special. That is why I picked you. There were plenty of others for me to pick from. The Green was flirting, as usual, with a Blue dragon this time. Saan didn't much care for that at all.

The girl shook her head and patted the head of the large gray and black dog who sat next to her, his normally rather shaggy fur was cut short at this time. It made it much easier for him, what with the heat of RMW. She had to keep it cut short constantly, actually, but when she would visit the North, his coat was quite the asset.

She looked up as the Weyrharper took the stage. He was a handsome man and she felt her face turn warm at the thought. Look at her! She couldn't be thinking such things! It wasn't in her. She turned her eyes away and let them wander the crowd, watching people for a moment, curious... But then... The song began and her eyes turned slowly back to the stage, listening, watching. He was amazing, spectacular even. Rainbow Mists Weyr was truly blessed to have someone so talented in this position, or so she thought.

Her eyes followed his fingers as they moved over his instrument. So marvelous... She wished she could learn to play, but it was not to be, unfortunately. The once weyrbrat, now Rider was a good learner, but it was not a skill that was within her grasp. Other than a clear, but nearly wholly untrained voice, she had no notion of musical inclination.

She found herself picturing his story, or attempting to. Wonderful. Wonderfully written, wonderfully presented, wonderfully sung, and, especially, wonderfully played.

Saan clapped for the man as he left the stage and Orin even gave his own applause of a kind, howling and wagging his tail, adding to the commotion. Even her canine thought that the performance was wonderful. Saan wondered if anyone would be able to follow such an act. It seemed a nigh impossibility.

She turned to leave the crowd, her stomach getting the better of her as she heard an audible growl that no one else in the noisy crowd would have so much as noticed or glanced at, but she, again, felt her face turn red. Curse how easily she blushed!

She could hear her dragon snort at her through their connection, which simply made her laugh. The energetic green and her Rider were very different, but they made a good team much of the time, she supposed.

Her feet took her and her dog towards some of the booths selling food, but she didn't quickly make any decision, instead wandering amongst them, Orin making whining noises at the sounds of food, though he did not attempt to get any of it. The girl sighed and stood off to one side, watching how things were done at various booths, soon becoming rather engrossed in watching, even forgetting her hungry stomach.

She was awkward, simple as that. The large, rather shaved sled dog, looked up at her. He wagged his tail. She smiled. "Alright, alright... Come on." She went up to a booth, looking at prices, then laid out her marks for a sweet roll before turning to go get herself something to drink. Something that wouldn't dehydrate her. Water.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Released from the music's hold, Kalitar scanned the crowd at the end of the song. His eyes landed briefly on a gaggle of gossiping girls before he spotted a face he knew. It was Holtrarn, the boy who’d been Searched with him. He smiled in greeting. An idea was taking shape in his mind, and he rather thought it might be fun, provided, of course, that Holt went along with it.

“It’s pretty cool,” Kalitar replied, grinning. He was glad to have found someone whose good humor was so like that of his friends back at Stormy Plains, though physically there was less resemblance, for Holt’s ashen skin was a different tone than the slightly tanned look Jatheiron and company had sported. “I was wondering if you could help me out a little with doing something for this talent show?” he asked with an outer calmness, running a hand through his reddish-brown hair in a gesture derived from excess energy and excitement.

[Simile]

K'nan approached the booth to sign up for the Races.

Are you sure you want to do this, Embraeth?

You wished to participate not long ago, K'nan, the dragon told him with a snort. That much was true. It had been K'nan's idea, though K'nan hadn't forgotten, he simply wanted to make sure his dragon was alright with it. After all, he didn't want to force the Bronze to do soemthing he didn't wish to. Not that he probably could, anyways. After all, Embraeth was huge! But... he did, most often, give in to K'nan when K'nan tried to convince him.

He wrote the name of himself and his dragon and walked away towards the talent show where Enetta wanted to participate, though, at this point, it seemed she hadn't. He wondered if she would or if she would find herself too busy with her sister here to be bothered. The girls used to be very close... Before Netta became so bitter.

K'nan sighed. He remembered running around with them as kids... And how things had changed as they grown. He scratched the back of his head. No use in thinking about that at the moment.

He walked in shortly before V'ridian's performance. This man was talented, he would give him that much, but without seeing all of his act, who was he to say if he should be the winner or if he was even really that good?

Well! There was someone he knew was talented just from what he had heard of the man! The new Weyrharper himself! And his Tiger. K'nan chuckled. They were an interesting and great pair, those two. That seemed to be a certainty in the Bronze Rider's mind.

You should have gone to meet them before.

That, I should have. I suppose I let it slip to the back of my mind, unfortunately. But I plan to rectify that today at some point.

He got a feeling of pride from his dragon and smiled a little more, shaking his head. Oh, Embraeth. He and Embraeth were a pair of a different kind, but, then every dragon and rider seemed to be.

V'ridian was more amazing than K'nan had heard... He found himself wiping at watering eyes. Well, no Harper had ever moved him like that before. He quickly composed himself, however, and put his hands together for the other man. Well. He wouldn't be surprised if it was V'ridian who won this competition! The man was most certainly good at what he did.

K'nan stood there and waited for the next act. He wondered if Koga would enter this as well, just as she had been planning. Speaking of the blunt, opinionated, and quick-minded girl.... Where was she? She probably got side tracked with something, but he had thought she was going to be meeting him here some time ago.

[Kaya]

"You think you could follow that act," Holt joked in return, guiding Kalitar further away from the crowds. He wanted to grab a bite to eat. His parents had been kind enough to lend him some money, and though Holt wanted to pay it back, if he never worked in the mines he wasn't sure if he ever would. They had insisted, however, so he bought himself something good and cheap. He had half finished the plate when he remembered Kalitar's inquiry. He had thought perhaps the other Candidate was going, but with his hunger gone Holt wondered if Kalitar had been serious.

"What did you got in mind?" he asked, now curious to see what his intent was. Holt had barely finished his question when an unruly canine tried to take a bite out of his lunch and his hand. He served away from the thing but its teeth still nicked his hand. "Shardit, mutt. Get out of here," he yelped, nursing his hand best he could without dropping the food.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Kalitar shrugged. “Actually, I’m hoping someone else goes between him and me,” he rejoined, “but I guess I might have to try without that.” He followed Holt towards the food stands and hung around, though he wasn’t particularly hungry. After a couple seconds, he roamed off, returning a little later tossing a redfruit up into the air and catching it again as he walked. He cradled two more of them against his side with his left arm. He stopped next to Holt right as the Holt asked him what he had in mind. Before he could answer, a canine attempted to steal some of Holt's meal. Kalitar smothered a quick laugh as the canine backed up a little.

“Throwing knives,” he answered Holt. “At one of these,” he indicated the redfruits by tossing the one up and catching it once more. “I was thinking that you could have one on your head, and I could knock it off with the knife. I did it with Jatheiron once.” He grinned as he finished, recalling the reactions that particular stunt had received.

[Kaya]

It took Holtrarn almost an entire five seconds to answer. It took him that long to put words to what Kalitar had just suggested.

"NO! Absolutely not!" His mind raced on to describe just how short a time he'd known Kalitar - the name came back to him in his shock. All the thoughts about what his mother would say and how it wouldn't impress his father either. He didn't come to the Weyr to get killed! Not by a human in any case. He'd heard that sometimes it happened with dragons...

"Put a fruit on that sharding canine's head," Holtrarn snapped, his hand starting to throb. The deadglow of a mutt should have just taken the food. Holt didn't want it any more. He kept it though. His mother was a stickler for frugality.

He should have just let it go at that, but: "I've never even seen you throw" slipped out. There was just the tiniest part of him, beneath the shock and tinge of fear, that was curious. Holt took a bite out of his lunch just for spite of his situation, and because it would keep him from saying anything else he ought to keep locked up in his head instead of out for everyone to hear.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Kalitar retreated a little at the snap in Holtrarn’s tone, a little angry at the lack of trust in his knife-throwing, but a second later he was kicking himself for having suggested it this soon after meeting the other young man. Of course Holt wouldn’t trust him to throw a knife around at head level with less than a day’s acquaintance between them. He was focused inward so intently, hoping he hadn’t just chased his new friend away, that he almost didn’t hear Holt’s words about never having seen him use throw the specially balanced knives.

“Would you like to see?” he asked, looking around for a place to put one of the redfruits. Settling on a large rock, he walked over to it and set the redfruit on top. Glancing over his shoulder, he grinned at Holt, meeting his friend’s hazel eyes for a second before turning and taking long, backward strides away from the rock. He set the other two redfruits down, slid one of his three knives out, balanced it in his hand for a second, then brought his arm back over his shoulder, gripping the knife be the tip of its blade, glanced around to make sure no one was in the way, and snapped his arm forward. The knife spun through the air and impaled the redfruit with a squishy sort of thunk, and Kalitar flashed another grin at Holt.

[Kaya]

Holtrarn said nothing as Kalitar set up his display. He'd had enough to say for the day and once it was over he'd prefer to get as far away from that stage as possible. He didn't want Kalitar to come up with any other brilliant acts. Holt finished his lunch, which he'd come around to enjoy right before it was gone. He started to turn to return the plate but it seemed Kalitar was finished setting up.

The people in the area saw he was doing something so they stood back for him. A thought crossed his mind- something to do with that knife and the canine who bit him.

Though he wasn't much for the combat arts, Holt was impressed enough by Kalitar's skill. "Can I eat that, now?" he asked, inclining his head toward the fruit. He was still hungry.