The Welcoming Feast

OOC: Oooh! A challenge…how can I resist?


IC: Alea had one party dress. It was the last dress her mother had made for her, over five turns old now. It was worn and now too short for her. But it was a dark green that set off her emerald eyes beautifully. The young woman had loosened her inky black locks so they hung in loose curls down her back and borrowed a golden hairband from another candidate. She hoped she looked suitable to “mix and mingle” as they said back in the Telgar candidate barricks.


The dining caverns were just starting to fill as she entered, maybe that was why her gaze was drawn to the distinctive man on the other side of the room. She had seen his look before. She could not resist moving carefully to C’val’s side.


“So….” she asked in a soft voice, “who are we expecting to invade the weyr tonight? That would truly be bad form wouldn’t it? Or just the time to do it….”

--Alea

K'lian watched with his eyes dancing with amusement as his Weyrmate devoured the food offering that he brought her. Just as he suspected...she hadn't eaten a thing all day! His deep love for his weyrmate shone on his face as he watched her, even with crumbs on her face she was beautiful to him. He couldn't resist cuddling her to him with one arm as she finished up her snack, kissing the brassy blond top of her head tenderly. The two were a perfect complement for each other. People who knew them always said so. They balanced each other out, and knew each other very well. They had practically grown up together. Ever since they had been Weyrmated, life had never been the same for the Silverrider. For one thing, it made him one of the Junior Weyrleaders at his old Weyr, and he had to grow up quickly to be able to shoulder all of the responsibilities that the new position came with.

But once K'lian had Zira, he knew he would never want another Weyrmate as long as he lived, even if she grew tired of him one day and Quiroth allowed some other Silver or Bronze to catch her. The two had been a natural choice for the new Weyrleaders at Xian Weyr. They were very much in sync, and young besides, and ready for adventure, unlike some of the other Weyrleaders on Pern. They made a perfect united front as a couple.

Krauth was crooning his love to the Queen, and he nuzzled her fondly. He was practically oozing love for his clutching mate, and he tightened protectively about her as she graciously granted permission for Zira to attend the feast. She was so gracious! And so beautiful! Of course you would not eat anyone, my dear. He agreed soothingly. He would say just about anything to appease his darling weyrmate.

Amie chirruped companionably at the two Blues and rose from her perch upon the shoulder of the Weyrleader's black and silver coat. She perched upon her makeshift carriage, and chittered primly, as if she were royalty traveling in a solid gold coach. K'lain shook his head at the fire-lizards' antics. The trio had always gotten along well, and played together constantly. He wouldn't be surprised if one of them Caught his Amie on her next mating Flight.

"Of course, my love," he agreed, expecting this response. He knew that his Weyrmate would not disappoint. She cleaned up well, and it had been some time since the two had such an occasion to dress for. He relished the opportunity to encircle her in his arms as they danced the night away. Though they had been Weyrmated for some time now, he was still every bit as in love with her as he was the very first morning that he awoke in her bed, his body gently cradling hers against him. He offered her his arm as they walked through the halls, and he inclined his head to the Headwoman Laera again as they passed the portly woman. The Headwoman stopped and gave the two a deep bow before continuing her errand-running and muttering to herself in consternation.

K'lain watched appreciatively as his Weyrmate dressed herself and he said rather slyly, "You know I prefer you without clothes, but if you must wear some, then I suppose that'll do." He then grabbed her and kissed her deeply, dipping her down before swinging her back up and placing her hand on his arm.

"How could I not be ready with such a beautiful woman at my side? Let's go and greet our new Weyr, my love. It has been a long road here, and I am so proud that we are finally at this day together. There is no one else that I could have done it with. I love living life with you at my side. It is always such an adventure!" And with that, the dashing young Weyrleader swept off down the halls, his beautiful Weyrmate on his arm, and he couldn't imagine how life could be any better.

**

He couldn't imagine how life could be any worse. He was crammed in a crowded room with all of these sharding PEOPLE and now, a Candidate had approached him, despite his black scowl that had discouraged approach. Indeed, a Brownrider was already infringing on his space by leaning against the wall close to him. Did these people have any boundaries?! C'val the Blackrider was not a happy camper.

"The only thing that would be worse form is a snotty little brat sticking her nose where it doesn't belong," He snapped coldly. He was not interested in spending time exchanging pleasantries. Unluckily for him, someone had overheard his snappish remark.

"Excuse me," it was another Candidate, who had messy black hair standing up in every which direction. "I believe you owe the lady an apology, sir."

"I most certainly do not. She came up to me, as I recall," the Blackrider glared at the gangly riffraff.

"There is no accounting for taste sometimes, I'm afraid," the Candidate spoke to Alea, "You see, if you had approached me, I would have said, my name is Jaimes, and I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. Would you like to accompany me to get some food, and then later, grace me with the first dance of the evening?" He flourished a bow, turned his back on the snarky Blackrider and offered his hand to Alea.

Jaimes had arrived about a half hour ago, had promptly deposited his things at the Candidate barracks, and now was quite glad to be at the Welcoming Feast. There was a delightful amount of food, and company to be had. He was not dressed up very much, but he wore what he was wearing well. He had on simple gray pants and a red and gold tunic from his days as a Lord Holder's son. He had no shortage of finery--his family had sent him with plenty of things to wear to occasions such as these.

Laloraine had just stepped from the baths, and now every inch of her was clean and sweet smelling. Just to make extra certain, she rubbed some perfume between her breasts, behind her ears, and on her wrists. It smelled tangy and sweet, much like peaches. Now, she wrapped a towel around her body, and used another to squeeze the moisture from her damp curls. When wet, the curls were frizzy, and so she had to make sure that they dried completely before she arrived at the Feast. She didn't want V'sos to see her with an afro! They were not yet at the point in their budding romance where she wanted him to see all of her imperfections.

She pulled out a few dresses and surveyed them with careful eyes, combing over their various attributes. She had worn her favorite emerald-hued dress at the last Gather she had been to, and so therefore that one was out. She frowned prettily, her full lips pursing into a frown.

No matter what you choose, he will love you. Ilydeth reassured her fretful rider calmly, her eyes whirring the colors of contentment as she took shelter beneath Kimkinth's outstretched wing. She rather liked his doting. It had been a long time since she had been treated in such a way, and she was relishing it, and also the way that V'sos treated Laloraine. Her rider deserved so much better than the treatment she had received at the hands of K'mari over the Turns.

The redhead wished that her arm wasn't broken, and that the bruises around her neck would be fully healed. They already looked much better than the angry purple marks that they were before a few sevendays of healing, but deep bruising from asphyxiation didn't heal quickly. Now, they were more a sickly yellow that she was certain would fade before long.

She put aside a brown dress, thinking it too plain to stun her new love interest. A moment later, she put aside the topaz-hued dress as well, thinking that it was too close to the color of the bruising around her neck. Now, all that was left was a deep, sapphire hued dress, and an amethyst one. It was at times like these that she wished she had a close girlfriend that would help her by giving opinions. She held each up to her body with her good arm and finally decided on the sapphire blue in honor of the fact that her new love was a Bluerider. There was white scrollwork on her dress, lining the sleeves and the low-dipping neck. The bodice was nice and snug, too, showing off her womanly curves.

With some effort, she pulled the dress on one-armed, letting the towel tumble to the ground. She then pulled on white satin slippers, which encased her tiny feet delicately. She looked in the mirror and thought that the deep blue of the dress set off the color of her hair quite nicely, and made her look a bit like she was burning. Her dress was the center of the flame, and her hair was the crackling edge. She twirled, and her skirts flared out around her in a satisfying manner.

There, it was decided then. She toweled her hair a few more times to make sure it was completely dry, and she braided back a few of the tendrils that crept towards her face. The rest of the red curls, she allowed to swing free down her back. Laloraine strode over to her new chest and withdrew her jewelry. She selected a thick strand of pearls to set off the white scrollwork in her dress, and she tied them in a knot that fell between her breasts. She pulled out a white flower pin, and tucked it in her hair, behind one ear.

She applied some light makeup to emphasize her naturally lovely features, and then surveyed herself critically in the looking glass. A red-haired woman stared back at her with wide green eyes, rosebud lips, and one arm in a sling. The sling was truly dreadful, but there was nothing that could be done about it. She took a steadying breath as she heard a knock at the door, and she sashayed across her weyr, not allowing her to skip like she longed to in her happiness, and she opened the door.

V'sos stood there, looking dashingly handsome. She smiled up at him and said in a bemused voice, "It appears that we match."

Brown Raffia arrived from between and bugled his greetings, flying overhead in impatient circles. He let it be known that the feast had begun, and that the two of them should head that way or all of the food would be gone.

"You look very handsome," she purred up at him, ignoring the pesky Brown for the time-being.

Ala’n’s bravado from his arrival in the weyrbowl had faded. He had been exhausted after his exchange with Oakley, he was not a natural flirt.


<<Now will you let me mate hunt for you?>> Rayeth asked as her rider pulled on a brown tunic with colorful patches he had sewn especially for celebrations once he heard he was coming to a new weyr


“Absolutely not!” he replied firmly, “Ray, I know your intentions are good, but I have to do this myself. And not today. Today is for introductions.”


<<Then when?>> the purple asked with a sigh


“It will happen when it happens,” Ala’n replied giving the tunic a final tug, brown Shadow fluttered down to his shoulder


<<Your tunic matches him exactly!>> Rayneth exclaimed with not a little surprise in her voice


Ala’n went over to stroke the purple’s eye ridges for a few moments, then headed for the door of their new weyr, “Of course,” he replied with a chuckle as he left her behind, “it is supposed to.”


The dining caverns were impressive, he thought. Well-laid out and comfortable. That was to be expected, he realized, since there were plenty of weyrs to get ideas from. He went over to the banquet table and thought about taking a glass of wine, then thought better of it. Wine went straight to his head and he did not want to make the acquaintance of his new weyrmates drunk. He took a glass of redfruit juice instead.


“Meet and greet,” the red haired rider murmured to himself nervously.

--Ala’n and Rayeth

Alea felt her ire stirred. If she was not at a party, she would have growled back at C’val and set Defender at his ankles. She was surprised at herself, usually her emotions did not get stirred up so quickly.


She turned to Jaimes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, “Thank you so much!” she did not take his arm however, “But I cannot let this go.”


Alea walked across the room as if carried by wings and stood next to C’val, her stance an exact copy of his, “You did not answer my question and I truly need an answer. Just give me an answer and I will leave you alone as it clearly is what you so very much want,” she shook her head, “there must be a reason you are here because you really do not want to be, do you?”

--Alea

Jaimes watched bemusedly as the girl went after the threatening Blackrider, not in the least upset that he had been rejected not once, but twice now. Evidently, the girl had a thing for bad boys. He turned his attention to the massive plates filled with food, and decided to help himself to some food instead of worrying about Alea anymore. He gripped a plate and loaded it with an assortment of salted meats, bubbly pies, meatballs and sweet tropical fruit. He also poured himself some klah, the warm beverage sounding good because of the rain still thrumming down outside.

Speaking of thrumming, Jaimes took a seat and observed the lovely Harper as she played a charming song about a fire-lizard that appeared to have gotten himself in trouble. It was a funny, witty song, and if he had to guess, it was an original song by the artist herself.

He rose so high on bronze-gilted wing
And to his love did he sing

But on this glorious morn so bright
He realized it wasn't his love in Flight

The bird that he chased was quite mad
And chased after the Bronzen lad

The fire-lizard twisted and soared
So by the bird's beak he wouldn't be gored

And below all of his fellows
Gave loud, laughing bellows

Jaimes snorted into his klah as the tune ended with a definitive strum. The woman had quite the knack for the ridiculous, and the Candidate found it hilarious. Oakley appeared to notice him enjoying her tune, and she sent a wink his way before transitioning into another tune. It was not hard for him to relax and enjoy himself, what with the delicious food, great company, and simply charming music. He popped a piece of meatball in his mouth and enjoyed looking at everyone dressed up. The Weyr was full to the brim of beautiful ladies, he couldn't help but notice.

**

<Mine, they will kick you out of the Weyr if you kill a Candidate,> the Black said rather carelessly.

<I don't care,> growled C'val in response.

"Listen very closely to me. This time I am going to leave, and you are not going to follow me. I have my own reasons for being here, and they are not your concern. If they were your concern, frankly I wouldn't care, because I don't know you, and I have no desire to know you. You should go and sit with the riffraff, because for some reason, the scruffy-haired boy seems to find you charming instead of a pest that cannot keep her nose out of other people's business. I will not be held responsible for my actions if you choose to follow me again. So leave. me. alone." The Blackrider spoke through clenched teeth to the Candidate.

<Good job, Mine. You didn't kill her...even a little bit,> Ragnoroth spoke boredly.

<Not for lack of wanting to,> the Blackrider responded acerbically, and he walked away from the Candidate yet again, <She might be the single most annoying creature that I've ever met in my life!> Briefly, the image of his old Weyrmate, Tiana, flashed before his eyes, <Second most.> He amended in an afterthought.

He was now in his original spot, a few feet comfortably separating him from an elderly Brownrider that didn't look like he wanted to be there any more than C'val did. He resumed his stance, forbidding and cold for all of the world to see.

<if one more person approaches me, protocol be sharded, I'm going back to my weyr.> He promised his lifemate.