Celebrations (open)

[effluo]

Eisu smiled as the older man gave her a wink and spoke of keeping to his own advise. She had heard of his ability to speak with the dragons as any rider would, but from what she was told his ability was much different just as it was similar. It was something she had no experience with herself and she really didn’t know much about, however.

“Oh they are habits of any Healer, Master Daevon.” She replied, taking another sip of her juice before tilting her head. “Master Daevon, I have a question for you. I know your specialty is with the dragons, but I’m afraid I’m not sure what to do.”


((((Gah! Writers Block!))))

[kayla]

Deavon smiled warmly at the young woman's question. "Its an honest question, Eisu. Not many fully understand what it is that I do. In fact, there are some at Healer Hall who think that Dragon Healing belongs with beastcraft rather than healing." The older man smirked slightly at that, despite these prejudices, dragon healing was a tradition at Healer Hall, and one that it would be difficult to change.

"Well, a Dragon Healer, even one without my own particular abilities, tends to the healing needs of the dragons. However, I am Healer Hall trained. I can tend to humans as well, and sometimes, because of my special gift, I am the first to respond to an emergency because I know of it first."

He took a deep breath, "Because I can hear and speak with the dragons, during the worst part of the illness, as you might know, I served kind of as a nerve center. It was obviously limited since I could only alert the other healers to sick Riders, but it was the most effective use at the time."

He chuckled, "And you're talking more about what does it mean to be a dragon healer aren't you? Well, dragons can suffer from ailments, though most come from accidents that happen during practices, and with Thread coming, I have a feeling I'll be very active soon enough. However, even in basic practice accidents can happen - a broken wing, a scorched hide, gashes. I'm here to try to prevent these injuries from being life threatening."

[effluo]

Eisu listened attentively despite the music and noise in the background. She was always interested in learning new things. She had not realized he had been using the dragons to pinpoint more sick riders, simply that he had always seemed to know where another was. The ability to contact with his patients so instantly despite the distance, it was something she couldn’t help but envy a little.

Listening to him continue about healing dragons, she tilted her head thoughtfully. Eisu had never really thought of dragons as something completely real. The Weyr had always been a mysterious thing where dreams were made, and so dragons had always seemed a part of that dream. Even coming to Telgar she had chosen not to make the trip on a dragon… it just didn’t seem real.

Now she realized that they too could be hurt and wounded as any human. It was a new thought to her and in the time she was here, she had never seen a dragon in anything but perfect shape. Thinking of the anxious queen who had watched her care for Neory, Eisu found herself hoping that most dragons were ever anything less than perfect.

It was the mention of thread that had her straighten her head out of her tilt once more.

“So you believe Thread is coming back? How long has it been since Thread has last fallen? I’ve heard stories and learned how to treat thread wounds, but I never thought we would see it in this life time.”

The idea of that silver rain that she had heard horror stories about made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

[kayla]

He nodded, "I do. I suppose I would have become a dragon healer even if I didn't, since anything else would be a waste, but I do believe that Thread will be returning, and from what I remember from my studies, I would argue that its probably coming soon... the two last clutches have been quite significant in number." Though he kind of had to admit hat he was glad that the clutching Gold had not needed him during that event.

Deavon smiled a bit, "It has been a long interval. I'm not even sure how long it has been. But I believe that the dragons still very much have an important role to play on Pern. I know that there are many who think that the usefulness of Dragons and Riders has long past." How could he not? He had often been the source of scorn himself. "But I believe we will have need for them again before long."

And when it come, the old man might very well need help. He looked curiously at the young woman, wondering if she might consider being his assistant and learning dragonhealing herself? Though with it being an area already under question it might not be the best choice for a woman who has to prove herself more than others.

[effluo]

Eisu wasn’t sure how to take his comment of anything else being a waste. She certainly did not think being a healer for humans was a waste, but once she considered his abilities it did make more sense that he would take his healing there. A random thought of her sister made another question come into her head.

“Surely not everything else would have been a waste. Why, with your ability have you never considered standing for Impression yourself?”

Master Daevon did have a point as he mentioned the larger clutches of Telgar’s senior queen. She had been taught that the number of dragons in a Weyr would raise dramatically with the coming of thread. From what she had heard, Telgar’s numbers were soaring compared to what they normally hatched.

“Have the other Weyr’s been showing signs of similarly large clutches? Perhaps its not right to assume Threads return upon the clutches of a single queen.”

Eisu wasn’t against the idea of thread, nor was she exactly for it. To be entirely truthful, she knew what would happen, would happen and there wasn’t much she could do but be there for those who need her. Her curiosity had been found, however, as she spoke her questions.

[kayla]

"Not all have, no. And you're right, one weyr should not be enough to make such a judgment, but I believe it. Perhaps I see evidence where there is not any." He smiled a bit self-derisively.

"The fact of the matter is that its a deep belief that I've always had. Perhaps it comes from my connection with the dragons; I don't know. I cannot really explain it, but I know that Thread will return, and that it will return in my lifetime." Which he realized at his age was not a very large window.

He shook his head as he considered her other question, "How could I belong to just one Dragon when I belong to all of them? Weyrlings are rather jealous little things. I do not think that a weyrling would have been able to deal with sharing me with all the other dragons in the weyr." And he knew, as much as any dragon's betweening affected him, his own would have killed him. "No, that would not have been the right path for me."

[brimstone81]

L'sander felt he was well enough to dance, though he felt it in his eyes that the wine was taking effect. His lips were a little numb, and he was certainly sure he was uninhibited. He could do anything tonight, especially dance with a pretty red-head named Marisol. He stood up, perhaps a little too quickly, and felt his mind give a brief spin, but off he was, offering Marisol his hand to lead her out into a dance. He grinned at her like a mischevious child, "Are you ready, my pretty greenie?"

The music was nice, and the flow of the room seemed good, and now he would dance. He had thought himself a much better dancer than when he first arrived from the hold. He remembered those lazy candidate and later weyrling days where they were teaching themselves to dance. He remembered that it was how he first met his dark haired Renalda, for they had been paired up. It was she who taught him to dance, and she had always been the better dancer, they had many little inside jokes because of it.

No matter, he was going to dance with Marisol now, and with such brilliant hair as hers, he could not compare the two. And for that, he was content. It was time to move on, and perhaps Marisol would help him. He smiled at her, "Those are pretty jewels that don such a fine ivory neck. I feel like I am about to dance with a great Lady."
-------

Gwyn smiled softly, and motioned them out to the dance floor. "You two go out and dance now. I can wait. I like to watch the dancers myself." It was very much Gwyn to stand back and let others take what they wanted first. She was very passive, and had once been told it was her greatest weakness. She was much too sweet and kind for her own good. It really didn't bother her though. It wasn't as if she were going to be asked to dance by anyone else, right?

For now she would sit and enjoy the music. How she loved and hated these social scenes. She wasn't really the type of girl who flourished in the lime light. She was shy, and many times she made situations awkward because she wasn't well versed in conversaton. However, she loved the music, and the dancing, and seeing the beautiful gowns and tunics. "I will wait right here, I promise."

She wasn't really expecting any one to ask her to dance, so she figured it was a promise she could keep.

[hrsegrl]

Though he would rather not think about it too much, K'dyn ended up wondering how this would look. Him dancing with two women who were not currently attached to him. Luckily one of them was his sister. He couldn't imagine what would happen if Kanoni walked in. It probably wouldn't go over too well. Nevertheless, these two had come unescorted and he felt they needed to be treated like the beautiful young women they were. That required him dancing and being amiable.

"I'm sure that you could convince yourself if you wanted to. Of course if a particular Bronzer is bothering you, tell me... I'll set him straight..."K'dyn meant it, as a threat. He felt almost responsible for her safety. There were men in the Weyr, as in all places that would not hesitate to take advantage of a situation.

He watched Gwyn knowing her to be the less outgoing of the three of them. "Alright. If I come back and your not here, I'll blame my poor dancing." He grinned and stood up. His arm held out for his sister. "Neory, remember, let me lead." K'dyn's tone was joking, this was a celebration after all. Very little should be taken seriously.

--------------------

Marisol was delighted that the Bronzerider was being completely chivalrous. She got the feeling he was up for some fun tonight as was she. Her slender white hand slid into his as quickly as it was offered. "I was born ready." She replied with a laugh. Everything was amusing in her current state of drunkeness.

"Why thank you. They were my Grandmother's and she was a great lady. " Not that Maris had any issue with her station. She never expected to impress. Her father told her she was too brazen and reckless to have a dragon. She had always wanted one. Secretly her family had hoped she would stand for a Gold but alas she had impressed a green. No one was dissapointed though. She considered herself a good rider but not so much for following the rules. Rules were there to keep people safe and she preferred to feel vulnerable and risk everything. It was exhilerating. Much like dancing with a man she didn't really know. It was a risk and it was exhilerating in a sense.

"Your a great dancer. Hopefully you'll be able to keep up with me in a toss dance." She winked. Her blue eyes holding their usual mischief. Maris was still smiling quite a bit still though she doubted anyone would notice. Marisol was happy most of the time, since she rarely let anything bother her. Life was too short to sweat the little things and everything is a little thing. So she never bothers to worry. People could waste their lives worrying.

-------------------

Now that she had finished her pie as well, the greenriding Weyrling sipped at her water. The bluerider was not far behind her in that department. Jeyna's words made her giggle a little. Amneris was sure that Jeyna had not meant anything the way the younger woman was taking it. She had to get her mind out of that place. Her eyes scanned the other dancers on the floor, it wasn't too busy yet and so it would be better to get in some dancign before the Harpers threw in any hard songs.

"I think I'm full enough for now." She didn't want to be foreward again so she tried to keep her thoughts to herself. The Harpers were playing an easy song at the moment, something she was sure she could learn easily. "Alright then, You must teach me to dance and then I have something I wanted to ask you..."

Neris was not nervous, not to ask a favor of Jeyna but she almost felt that the bluerider would be obligated to help her and then it might not be fun for her. She really never had so many emotions to think about before now. No wonder people at the Weyr avoided deep personal relationships, they were tricky and complicated and it seemed to her it would be worth it...

[kayla]

Neory shook her head, "None of them have recently. Though I know at least two checked on me while I was sick." She vaguely remembered L'sander's sillness and J'ren's Dragon asking her Sheulth after her welfare. "I am trying to believe that they were just genuinely concerned in me as a person."

The goldrider accepted her brother's arm and grinned up to him, "But I'll remember that if I ever need help, my protective big brother will take care of me." And that was not sarcasm, even though it was said pretty playfully.

"Hmmm... I'm not sure I remember how to follow. Oh well, we'll see. I think that maybe I can manage." She winked to Gwyn as she teased her big brother, "Isn't his ego just ridiculous. Perhaps, instead, brother mine, another will ask her to dance." And while Neory was teasing K'dyn, she was not trying to be mean to Gwyn, as she saw no reason that the other young woman would not be asked to dance.

She playfully rolled her eyes in K'dyn's direction so Gwyn could see as she went with her brother to the dance floor.

***

"I don't think you'll need much teaching, but I'll be glad to do so." Amneris stood and held her hand out to the younger woman, "Shall we then?"

If Jeyna was honest with herself, then she would admit that she was glad that the young woman had chosen a slowish song. That would mean that dancing would be about holding each other as much as it was about any kind of fancy steps.

"Amneris, you can ask me anything you want. You should know that. You don't have to worry about asking me anything." After all, it had been Jeyna who had helped her deal with her first period and who had been, at least the Blue Rider assumed, her first kiss.

She smiled to the young woman, eyes shining with what Jeyna thought was just strong friendship.

[brimstone81]

Gwyn found it admirable that K'dyn felt so protective of Neory. She had always wished she had an older brother, but alas, she was the eldest, and had no brothers of her own. Three girls born to M'kael, so it was probably better that her father didn't inherit at all because it would be the same story- her cousin would be named heir because of what was between his legs. Though, she had to admit, as a greenrider she was considerably better off than if she were married off. More freedom, that was. And for that reason she hoped Adeloth or Sheluth would produce a gold so that her sister 'Villa could stand and have a chance at atleast a green. Since Gwyn always was obidient and a 'goody-goody,' she'd never suggest that 'Villa sneak on the sands, or speak out against policy, so all she could do was hope. It wasn't an impossible dream, to hope for a gold egg.

Gwyn intercepted Neory's wink and smiled. The girl was very pleasant, Gwyn knew she was favorable as a goldrider- there were no rumors of laziness, arrogance, or other general snobiness. Gwyn could actually even see herself being friends with a woman like Neory, something she might not have ever thought a few turns ago. She grinned a little, "I think all men are prone to rediculous egos. As for another to ask me, we'll have to wait and see. I guess it'll be a little bit of a gamble, eh?"

She had been admiring a particular young man rather recently. She was not familiar with him, and none of her friends in her wing and a few others, could identify him. Most curious. The only times she had seen him was times was inside, with out his dragon. Though she knew he was a rider, for he wore knots, but passed her before she could identify them. In this crowd, it was increasingly getting more dense and hopeless, but perhaps she would find the rider and ask him to dance. She was speaking of, though she didn't know it yet. the WeyrlingMaster.
----
"Ah, yes she was." She could only be referring the grandmother who was a queenrider, and the Weyrwoman of Telgar for many turns. He did have great respect for the woman, and was pleased that what must have been her beauty, or so he was told of her red hair in stories, was passed on to her granddaughter.

He smiled at her charmingly, "Why thank you milady. My mother would be proud of how well I am doing in my state. As for the toss dance, I belive I will take your words - I was born for it. Do not underestimate my boots." He needed to concentrate a little, but he still managed to bump into a couple, who gave him a dirty look, "Sorry!"

Once passed them, he mimicked the man's expression, and then laughed like a child, "Did you see him? As if I intentionally did it! Ha! So tell me Marisol, What wing do you fly in so that I may spy?" He said jokingly, and then gave her a lopsided grin to plead his case. Before she spoke, however, he caught a glimpse of Neory, dancing with another man, a rider. His first thought was that there must be a line to dance with a pretty, young queenrider like herself. His second, that she must be fully recovered, and for that he was thankful. He broke his slight stare and the looked back at Marisol, "Please tell me your wing, milady of fine red hair?"

[hrsegrl]

K’dyn grinned but said nothing to disprove that men had egos. He didn’t consider himself too bad but there were plenty of others who were. Besides he knew dragons were worse. Ortath definitely had more of an ego than he himself did. As he led his sister onto the floor he wondered if he had been rude, but brushed it aside. He didn’t mean that a beautiful woman like Gwyn couldn’t find someone else to dance with. By the end of the evening he’d probably be left without a dance partner because the pair of them would have so many offers.

He wondered when he might sneak away to visit his lover. She must be lonely, though she had insisted he go, even if it was without her. As he would have told her to as well. Neory would keep him company for a little while at least. “Of course you of all people should know that they like you both because you’re a great young woman who is kind and beautiful and because you ride a gold dragon. Were you other than you are, they wouldn’t be as drawn to you and were you other than you are, you would have not impressed Sheluth. So I wouldn’t dwell too much on why they like you. Its not as if someone could like you just because your Neory. They like you because you are Neory who is beautiful, kind, witty and the rider of Gold Sheluth.”

Just the same for him, only he was a brownrider. Women in the Weyr tried to attach themselves to Bronze and brownriders. He didn’t expect her to understand that he could feel the same. Sisters were hard to deal with as it was. K’dyn changed subjects. “Great… a slow song… feet beware!”
--------------

Neris who was obviously still wearing a silly grin, understood what her friend was saying to her. There was nothing silly, however about what Amneris was feeling. This whole dancing thing, might be bad for her even if Jeyna continued to maintain a friendship mentality. Thankfully, she was not going to dwell on it tonight. That was thinking for another time. The greenrider stood on the dance floor wondering how exactly she was going to pull off dancing at all. She had not danced since she was a little girl.

Go with the flow, she thought to herself. Labeth would be a good person to talk to right about now but the dragon was napping. The slow beat was encouraging. Slow songs were nice. She looked to Jeyna, “I was talking to M’ren about my training you see. Labeth and I want to be Search Riders. There are other people in my Weyrling class interested as well and he said if I knew a Search Rider I should see if they could kind of mentor me and meet with him at least once. That’s just to discuss what we would be doing. Well you were the first person I thought of soo…” Amneris felt like it might be asking too much of her best friend. “Do you think you could mentor me?”
--------

Marisol noticed the L'sander's attention shift to something else but said nothing. She was in far too good a mood to ruin it with thoughts of jealousy. Why did men not look at her like that except when flight was practically upon her? Maris would never understand men, thats why she decided only to have light associations with them.

"I'd bet you marks that I could last longer but I'd not want you to lose any money over me." She wore the most mischievious look ever. Marisol wanted to have her fun with him before he lost interest in her entirely. "Must be one of those stuck up Triveni riders..." She smirked. " He obviously wasn't watching where he was dancing either."

Marisol giggled, "Silly. I'm in Zahra!" Of course she would notice him more than he would notice her but that was the way of Rankers more often than not. While there were few red heads at the Weyr and even fewer on dragons, she could understand how one would miss her in a crowd.

[kayla]

Neory danced with her brother, careful to move her feet out of the way as much as she could, and when he stepped on her feet, she tried to keep it from showing on her face as much as possible, though if it was unavoidable, then she would try to turn it into gentle teasing.

For a few moments, she danced with him, not really overly concerned what other people thought. She knew that they took after their respective fathers and did not look that similar, but it did not even occur to her that anyone would not know that they were siblings. After a few moments she nodded, "Yeah. I guess I just never really thought about it like that. Sheluth's a part of me. Though I still don't know if I'm ready to start noticing men again, yet. Well, I should say, I'm not sure Sheluth's ready for that."

And no, it had not occurred to her that he would know how she felt. While she had had a few lovers, including one notable Bronzer, the color of the dragon's hide - or even if the man rode a dragon - had never been a criteria for her. At least not consciously.

***

"'Neris, I'd be honored to mentor you. I may not enjoy mentoring all your clutchmates, but I might be able to take on one or two of them in addition. But I would definitely enjoy mentoring you. I'll talk to M'ren about it." She guided Amneris onto the dance floor, placed her one hand upon her own shoulder and then grabbed her other, holding Amneris' around her waist with her other.

Jeyna smiled into Amneris' eyes. "Just relax and move to the music. I'm leading, so just follow. Try not to think too much about it, and it'll be easy." She guided her around the floor, holding her and dancing with her, keeping it simple to start with.

[thedreamerlady]

M'ren hadn't danced at one of these celebrations in turns. It wasn't that he was unskilled as a dancer, but he wasn't excellent either, and as a very short man, few women took the risk of asking him. Hamida had, but she'd known him better than anyone in the Weyr. Glancing down at his Gather finery with a noise that might have been a snort, he considered leaving early, but of course, he didn't. He wanted to make sure than none of his Weyrlings misbehaved.

His gaze flicked around the room, resting on anything interesting that he could see: a beautiful woman, a drunken drudge, a laughing Weyrling. It gazed at nothing for long.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nisha grinned widely as the music began, swelling and enveloping the noise that large gatherings created. She was a good dancer and all the extra work on becoming graceful during her baby experience would only help her. Tucking herself up next to D'leon, she waited for him to lead, having a feeling he would be very insulted if she took the lead. Holders were silly like that. After all, in the Weyr males might dance with males, and females with females, so who lead was usually up to the dancers.

Oh, but it didn't matter! She was pretty, and dancing, and tonight would have to be a good night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My pretty is from my Mari." Reiko told them seriously, playing with the necklace. He trotted after the other boys as they looked for a place to settle and eat bubbly pies. "She gave me bubbly pies sometimes." He didn't cry about Mari. He had, when she had gone away to Between for forever, but he wouldn't cry then. He didn't want his friends to make fun of him.

[brimstone81]

He chuckled, "Yeah probably a Triveni." L'sander loved the fact that she stuck up for him like that. It was, endearing. He hoped he would remember these little details.

Marisol had not said anything about his attention shift, if he had been aware that she had watched him, he would be very glad indeed. He could use a woman like her to not judge him. After all, Oberonth just couldn't fly Sheluth. For that's what took away- what took away his only love! While his heart was healing, it would never forget such a love, and what was the cause of it's demise. Oh how much easier it would have been if Renalda just parted ways with him or he found her in the arms of another man! The latter would have hurt so much, but at least he would never have to wonder 'why.' And right now Sheluth made him think that all too often.

He smiled at Marisol, 'Yes,' he thought, 'She is a lovely woman.' L'sander might like to see her again. Not to use her as a rebound girl, not intentionally. She might just end up being another great love. But he didn't know her yet, and he was a bit buzzed. Just one hour at a time.

At the mention of her being in his wing, be blushed visibly. L'sander honestly didn't know her. Though in his defense, he had been rather avoiding women all together the last turn or so, and before that he had Renalda to distract all his woman vision. How could he have not noticed such rare red locks? If he wasn't such a fool he wouldn't have. He chuckled, covering up his embarassment, "Of course you are, m'dear. Well, then I should very much look forward to our next wing practice." He said softer, "And I would hope you feel the same."

------
Gwynhaver looked around almost boredly as she stood there by herself. Then she saw him, the man she had so admired. She non chalantly mosied over to his vicinity and gathered courage. She could not help but notice she was taller then him by a little. Hardly two inches, but enough she could notice- and she really didn't mind at all!

She walked up and looked into his face, noticing pretty bluish grey eyes and she could not help but flash a small smile, "Hello, I don't think we've been introduced, but I'm Gwyn, a greenrider. And well, I was wondering if you'd like to dance with me?"

Gwynhaver had a terrible fear of rejection. He was probably the only man she'd ever have the courage to ask, and if he rejected her, well she'd probably never ask a man to dance for several gathers and feasts to come. Perhaps it was why she had stayed with the bluerider T'lon for so long. Well he was gone now, and she felt that because she was single didn't mean she didn't dance.

[darkaire]

D'leon did his best to not think about how she felt tucked up against him like that. Nisha had lost quite a bit of weight since the baby, and had seemed to have regained her figure. At least, from what he could feel she had regained it. His face heated slightly at that thought and he instantly disregarded it. He didn't need to be thinking about how her body felt against his; he should be thinking of something else. Something safe.

Like dance steps. He focused in on that idea and after a moment's pause began to lead Nisha in the dance. It went unnoticed that she had waited for him to start, rather than pick up the lead herself. It was only correct in his mind that it be this way - anything else was a breach of how life should work in his mind. He also assumed that she would know the dance he'd chosen - another aspect of how life should work.

The bronzerider had proven that he lacked normal social skills, and so kept himself busy with dancing rather than speaking. He didn't know what to say, anyway. The only things on his mind were counting his steps and ...well, her body.

------------------@

K'sah tilted his head into the Candidate Master's hand, lettign his eyes flutter closed. It felt nice to be touched and felt like it had been forever since V'nes had allowed anything past smiles and quick touches. And as much as he had wanted that kiss to not end, he would remember it that night and many nights after until he could fill his bed with something other than memories.

"Well, I guess you're right. Hearing what M'ren has to say would be good...but I still think we should just go ahead and assume that it'll be a good answer, hm?" the little greenrider was always pushing the issue, as every day meant more frustration building up inside. He wriggled forward and looped his arms around the other's waist and pressed up against him, tipping his head to stare up. 'What do you say?"

Oh, he knew what V'nes would say, but he asked anyway.

-----------------------------@@

Z'ir trailed behind Ry, forcing himself to survey the area. But his eyes would stray back to her, hawkishly making sure that no one else was about to encroach on his territory. When he was sure that everything was fine, he grabbed a plate and followed her through the line. Like her, he came out with a light helping, though he had less food on his plate. Anyone looking would guess it was his second trip through the line, because it certainly wasn't enough to fill any man's stomach. Regardless on whether he would be full or not, that was all he would eat. Well, that and the pies.

He didn't expect Ry to eat more than a half of one, so he figured he would be rather sick in the morning from eating the rest. "The whole point of Wing Training is to keep you in shape," he stepped up next to her, looking for a place to sit. "Eating bubblies all the time would defeat the purpose." His voice was bland, as he wasn't exactly reprimanding her. He just felt the need to say something as he started to moved towards two vacant seats.

Not bothering to ask if it was an acceptable spot, he sunk down and settled his plate on the table, glancing at the spot next to him, expecting Ry to have followed and sat without needing to be told.