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No one can stay out of trouble forever..
Siara comes in from the Bowl. Jaegon is folding laundry with Meganna, one of the lower cavern girls. Kyliven wanders in, rubbing at one eye and without her usual green shadow. Siara wanders in, her limp almost entirely gone, as is the bandage. "'Morning!" Jaegon looks up, waving. "Morning, Sialove!" He grins to Kyliven. Siara makes a face, "Sialove ma'am to you!" she jokes. She goes over to the table and studies the available food. "How go the chores this morning?" she asks both. Kyliven nods to Jaegon, heading over to help with a yet-unfolded basket. "Morning, Siara," she calls, glancing discreetly behind chairs and under tables. You say "They're just fine, Sialove Ma'am." He must be feeling dutiful this morning. "I was done with my bowl cleanup, but Meganna decided she needed help here." Siavar flitters from shelf to shelf, high above eye-level. Slowly, slowly she approaches the trio of Candidates. Siara gets some juice and goes to sit down, "Are you going to the class this afternoon?" she inquires. You say "Which class is that? I've lost track of what day it is, even." Siara smiles, "The one Fahloran is giving about firelizards." You say "Oh! I thought I had firestoning during that?" Siara grins, after taking a sip. "Up to you which you do." Kyliven glances around again, still not looking up. "Is there any point in going if we can't find ours?" she asks rhetorically. "And Siara? Have you ever had a lizard go wild?" Jaegon grins at Siara, knowing perfectly well what his choice is, but he then glances at Kyliven in concern. "When did you see him last, Ky?" Laurene ambles out from the inner caverns. Siara frowns, "You can't find him? That's kind of strange. Does it feel like he's alright?" She waves to Laurene. Kyliven sighs and finishes folding a tunic, which gets laid upon her lap. "I last saw Ferrin -- my brown -- about three seven-days ago. Nearly four, now. Siavar's only been missing since breakfast. But she /never/ leaves me." Laurene returns Siara's greeting, curiosity written across her face as she catches jist of the conversation. You say "Siavar..she's banded, right, and has kinda gold sprinkles on her wings?" Siavar ducks behind a decorative mug at Jaegon's looks. No firelizards here, nope! Siara shakes her head, "Three sevendays is a long time for one to disappear like that, even if he found some green he likes. He'd have come back to tell you." Kyliven nods at him. "Uh-huh. She usually sits behind my neck, under my hair. She's shy. What do you mean, Siara, if it 'feels like he's alright'?" Siara takes another gulp of juice, "Well, like, if he were dead, you'd probably feel something. I mean they're not dragons, but you do feel something, right?" she says with her usual tact. Jaegon looks around. "I coulda SWORN she was in here earlier." He looks back to Kyliven. "Ky, I wouldn't worry about Siavar. I just KNOW I saw her in here earlier. She was coiled up with my Menev the other evening, want me to send him out after her?" Kyliven nods slowly at Siara. "I think so. I can usually tell if Siavar is around. She doesn't like to be looked at." Laurene's feet carry her, inevitably, to the table with the klah and the food. Klah, sweatened and creamed, joins a plate of food in her hands as she finally turns to find a place to sit. Siara nods to Kyliven, "So, maybe try thinking hard at him. How old is he?" Jaegon folds a shirt and keeps half an eye on the shelf. Siavar chirts quietly, then ducks back behind the mug again. Her eyes whirl a pale orange. Jaegon catches a flicker of movement, but when it's not repeated assumes it's just a spinner. Kyliven thinks about Siara's question. "Mmm. About five months old, I think. He hatched just a couple of seven-days before I was Searched. He's still pretty young." Siara nods, considering. "So he could be lost. I can get Ranth to try to think to him if you want." "Would you?" Kyli asks. "That'd be really great. He's never been one for sticking close to me -- not like Siavar -- and he's usually gone for a seven-day at a time. But /this/... He's been gone far too long." Siara nods, "Can you see if Siavar will give Ranth an image of Ferrin," she suggests. Kyliven scratches at an ear, then bends down to pull another item (a pillow case!) from the laundry basket. "But I don't know where -she- is, either!" Laurene listens quietly, thoughtful, as she eats her food. Siara nods, thinking, "Is there anything special about him, about how he looks?" Jaegon grabs the last shirt in the basket from under Meganna's hands and folds it, sticking his tongue out at her playfully. Fold widthwise, lengthwise, and again. "Well, he's a brown. He's kinda all swirly different colors, but underneath all of that is..." Kyli frowns, trying to think of a good description. "Like klah, when you put in too much milk, I guess. He's only about this big." She holds her hands apart about 35 cm. Kharty comes in from the Bowl. Siara shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "Maybe we should do this later," she murmurs to Kyliven. "When Ranth can concentrate." Jaegon glances up at Siara. "What's going on?" Siara says absently, "We're looking at Asperth." Kharty strides into the cavern, tugging off her gloves then flashing a smile to those gathered. "Telgar's duties to Igen..", she greets with a polite nod. You say "Uh...oh. Yeah, Ky, this'll take a bit. I better go get the wine. Igen's duties to Telgar, rider!" he adds, spotting Kharty. "Can I get you something to drink?" Siara waves distractedly at the Telgar rider, "Duties...whatever..." she murmurs. Kyliven blinks. "We are?" She glances around the cavern, then out into the bowl. "Oh, /he/ is. I get it. Igen's duty to Telgar and her queens," she calls back, dropping the folded pillowcase into the 'finished' basket. Kharty wanders through several tables toward the group. "Twould be nice," she answers Jaegon, "Khar, rider of blue Virroth. Well met.." Taira comes in from the Bowl. Taira comes in, an almost beatific expression on her face. "Good morning," she trills. Laurene nods politely to the Telgar rider. You say "Wine, juice, or water, bluerider? Morning, Taira!" Siara lifts a hand and waves to Taira, sloshing her juice a little. Taira grins at the world, but blinks at the sloshy Siara. "Something the matter?" Kharty sends a smile Taira's way then a nod. "I think we met on Telgar's Star Stones? Khar, rider of blue Virroth. The name was Taira, right?" To Jaegon, she replies, "Wine would be the best if you have extra?" Taira nods to Kharty, and pours a glass of juice. No wine this early in the day for her. "What brings you by?" Everin ambles out from the inner caverns. Everin shuffles in, scrubbing a hand over his prickly hair, but blinks quickly into roused composure. Over to the serving table-- Jaegon pours the bluerider a glass of wine and hands it to her befre disappearing into the back. Everin collects a few meatrolls, a mug, and sidles around. He mutters to Jaegon, "... wrong?" You sense Everin collects a few meatrolls, a mug, and sidles around. "It's quiet. Is something wrong?" Kharty leans against one of the table edges close to her, relaxing for a moment. "We were actually on an errand, if you can imagine that. Had some things to tend to there, but my lifemate was 'insistent' on heading this way. Sometimes there's no dissuading him, if you know what I mean." She shakes her head and grins. "Always time for wine.", she comments, taking a sip appreciatively. Siara sits tensely, "Wine?" she says, overhearing, "Is there wine?" She scratches at the new, jagged scar on her leg, absently. Siavar glances around the room from her hiding place on the high shelf behind the mug. More people. Perhaps if she... With a quiet cheep, she drops off the shelf and circles Kyli once before burrowing under the girl's hair. Jaegon shakes his head to Everin as he returns with several wineskins. "NOthing's wrong, Asperth's just proddy. REALLY proddy." Taira doesn't seem to quite get it yet... this whole flight thing. She seems cheerfully oblivious to it in fact. "Really? How... strange..." She trails off at Jaegon's comment. How she missed it, well, who knows, but... Kharty catches sight of the scar on Siara's leg. With some curiosity, she asks, "Had an accident? Looks like a fresh one." Hearing Asperth and proddy mentioned in the same sentence, Laurene looks up. The expression is usually described as 'looking like someone's hit you in the face with a board'. Frustration splinters Everin's gaze, but he moves on, keeping his voice low. "Well, I know that. It's getting worse?" He finds refuge in a meatroll and, after a moment, a seat. Glance back at Jaegon, pensive. "Need help with that?" Siara shakes her head, "A couple of sevendays ago. From the fall." She makes a face, "Trying out some fancy new formation that I hadn't studied enough. What'd you say your name was?" she asks, trying to look for the wine. "SIAVAR!" Kyli yells as the tiny green appears from apparently nowhere. "Where have you been, you little imp? I was worried!" The green just cheeps and tries to pull herself further from view. Jaegon hands Everin a skin or two gratefully. "I think so. Ranth is distracting Siara, and.." he lowers his voice for Everin's ears only "..look at Taira." Laurene winces as Kyli's voice carries through the cavern, grimacing slightly. Everin moves up and around with the 'skins, lip bitten and eyes on the brown rider obediently. He offers Siara wine. "Pour you some?" Kharty sips the wine thoughtfully. "Well that'd sure explain Virroth's preoccupation with the sands of Igen.", she nods. "Khar's the name.", she smiles at Siara over the glass's rim. Taira turns in the juice for some wine. Laurene muses, aloud, "Is it too late to run into the desert to hide?" You say "Way too late, Laurene." Siara nods to Kharty, "Siara...looks like Ranth will be up there with your Virroth. He'd better be careful," she grins. Jaegon makes his way over to the cavern entrance, setting up the wine on tables near the entry. Kharty laughs at Siara. "More the merrier. I don't think he minds the competition, you know? The lump.. Glad to know what all his fuss was about." Everin strives for pragmatic calm as he pours Siara's wine, and comes so breakingly close. "Better to be in the place we know," he tells Laurene hopefully. "Besides, remember when Guyinth rose last sevenday? That wasn't so bad." Siara takes the glass of wine, not really noticing Everin, "Well, he's never chased Asperth, has he?" Laurene shudders and grimaces, "Just -- bad experiences. Flights make me cranky." She gives a weak, lopsided smile. You say "At least it's not Aellya and Jyrith again." Everin scuttles off, safe, and looks after Jaegon: need more help? In the meantime, he bends a crooked, wan smile at Laurene. "Cranky? That's a new one for me. I just get unnerved, like the herds when there's a hunt on in the pens." Laurene gives a slightly more genuine smile to Everin, "At least it's not a gold flight. Those always make me feel like my skin is trying to crawl off me." Jaegon glances out the entry. "Hear those herds?" Everin's head lifts. Breath stills. "No. It's started?" Siara gulps down the wine, half rising to her feet. You say "Either that, or there's a cluster of tunnelsnakes in there. I'm betting on the male dragons, myself." Everin sighs his way down into the perch beside Laurene, a wineskin helpless in his clenched hands. "Me, too," he murmurs, eyes on Siara. To the Candidate beside him: "I haven't been around a queen's flight. Is it stronger?" Kyliven gushes and coos over Siavar, ignoring the conversation around her. Or so it seems. "Flight?" she asks absently. IgenW-Bowl> Shayne strides in from the training field to the northeast. IgenW-Bowl> T'dry strides in from the training field to the northeast. IgenW-Bowl> Shayne heads to the fence into the corral. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Shayne hops over the northeastern part of the fence. IgenW-Bowl> T'dry heads towards the main entrance to the inner Weyr. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Ranth studies the stampeding herdbeast briefly and then reaches out and snags one, deliberately, going to work on draining it. IgenW-Bowl> Elen strides in from the training field to the northeast. Jaegon looks out the entry, its width meaning he's nowhere close to blocking it. "Oh, yes. There went a big green streak into the corrals. It's started, all right." He's weyrbred, just another green getting chased to him. IgenW-Bowl> Shayne heads towards the main entrance to the inner Weyr. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Kineth launches himself into the air with a loud rumble, eyes whirling for a second at the beautiful green. Then his other hunger takes over as he scans the ground for herdbeasts. Target chosen, he closes his wings slightly to fall down swiftly, breaking his prey's back The hot blood drips from his muzzle, staining it scarlet. IgenW-Bowl> Elen heads towards the main entrance to the inner Weyr. Maraczek walks out of the inner caverns, stifling a yawn. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Asperth impatiently sails over the scattering herdbeasts in silence, quickly singling out a particularly fat buck and snatching it from the ground effortlessly. By the time she's landed, the beast has already been crushed in her talons. After warring with Shayne for control, Asperth grudgingly stops slashing at the beast and beings to drain it of it's blood. Kharty finishes her wine then gives a wave. "Better get going. Good to meet you all. Clear skies." Kharty climbs the stairs, past the balcony and up to the upper hallway. Laurene wraps her arms about her waist, hugging herself. "Golds are more... projective, I think. At least, in my experience." Maraczek hops up on a tabletop. "What am I missing?" Siara climbs the stairs, past the balcony and up to the upper hallway. Everin, weyrbred and hold-wrought, startles at Maraczek's hop, his hands squeezing a poor wineskin. "Asperth's rising," he answers from beside Laurene. "Jaegon, you'll give us updates?" "A green?" That much, at least, has sunk into Kyli's consciousness. "Who is it?" You say "ASperth's rising. Shayne's green." He glances back to watch the blueriders acsending the stairs. "Bet you marks to measures we'll have cleanup detail in the corrals." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Avroth flies in just behind and to the left of Asperth, landing a scant dozen lengths from her. Almost without watching, the long, bronze neck snakes out and down, seizing and shaking an overfat beast. The sound is more of a rip than a snap as its head is forcibly removed, crimson fuel sucked greedily from the collapsing body. Everin says "No doubt, Jaegon, no doubt." He relaxes and sets the 'skin carefully on the table. Pokes at it a few times, thoughtful. "I'm on nursery duty today, but a choice between children and gore..." Kyliven muses, "I wonder if Tyrinth is chasing. He seems awfully big to catch a green. What do you think, Jaegon?" Maraczek grins at Everin and sits, swinging his legs. He looks to Jaegon, and glances up. "Cleanup upstairs, too." Jaegon glances back out. And blinks. "Is that AVROTH out there? So much for devotion to his queen." He grins. Laurene leans over, pressing her forehead to the table in front of her. Muffled, her voice can be heard to say, "At least there'll be a lot of fresh meat for dinner." You say "Tyrinth can catch, and has." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Virroth circles above the pen, banking sharply, then extends his talons, diving down sharply toward a fat beast. Snatching it close to it's neck, he snaps it quickly then lands on it, blood spurting from flesh torn and ragged. Maw pressed close to it's hide, he sucks the life blood, eyes whirling brightly. Maraczek wriggles his bottom, getting comfortable. "What's the matter?" Everin's hand hesitates over Laurene's shoulder, but doesn't quite touch, for comfort. "There's that." He forces cheer. "And the fire-lizards will be happy." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Ranth dispatches the first herdbeast, watches a wherry slip by regretfully, and then pounces the next one to come his way, ripping through the tough , stringiness of its throat and again, neatly, sucking out the blood. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Kineth is a little distracted by Asperth, and he almost misses his kill. Clumsily he manages to land upon the beast, ripping wildly, sending a fine spray of bllod over the ground. As his throat is filled with hot blood he calls out once to the green. You say "So will the tanners. You can get good riding hides out of this, if the dragons are neat." His voice is absent. "I see Ranth, and Avroth for sure. Oh, and Kineth! Maybe he'll catch this time." A snort, sarcastic. Laurene's muffled voice says, "Neat? That's a laugh." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Asperth glares with unconcealed hatred at the males watching her every move, hissing at the bronze now joining the others. Flicking the spent carcass at them, she releases a bugle while pushing upwards, only to come crashing back down on another hapless beast. The desire to devour is nearly overwhelming, but she bloods the kill as she should. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, The next victim is toyed with, batted senseless before being dispatched. Red tinges the bronze muzzle as Avroth eyes Asperth, drinking his fill. Kyliven turns back to her laundry, folding towels and shirts equally. Only the pile they go in differs. "I didn't say he /couldn't/ catch," she says around a tunic, "Only that he's awfully big, and might not." Everin pats Laurene's shoulder clumsily, then withdraws both hands into his lap. His face is set long and pensive. "No, they do tend to make a mess of their prey, that's for sure." He eyes Maraczek. "Nothing's wrong, really. We're just ... sitting around. Waiting to be called to clean, I daresay." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Palineth swoops in, claws bared. A herdbeast is nsatched as the bronze comes in to land, and he's already blooding before his wings are furled. You say "Hah! Palineth's trying his luck too. That's two bronzes, hoping they're fast enough." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Ranth watches Asperth closely, making neat work of the second kill, getting every last drop, a shudder going through the periwinkle of his hide as he watches the careless grace with which she rends the beast. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Kineth shakes his fine silvered head, sending more scarlet droplets off his muzzle. He flies upwards again, not looking at the green incase he is 'sloppy' once more and falls neatly upon his prey, back breaking with a satisfying crunch. Maraczek grins. "Oh, come now. Why do you all look so...well, scared? I'm *full* of energy this morning." Laurene lifts her head, face pale. She reaches out for a wine skin, holding it for a moment before remembering The Rules. The wine skin is dropped to the table and she stands, abruptly, to begin pacing. Everin stares blandly back at the tabletop Candidate. "I'm not scared. I came out to get a late breakfast before they lock me away in the nursery for the day." Fine actor, too, this one. Kyliven puts two more folded towels into a pile. "Who's scared? I'm just trying to figure out who'll catch. Ranth's out there, did you say?" she calls to Jaegon. "How about Kineth?" You say "Kineth and Ranth, I've seen Palineth and Avroth too. The others are too bloody to istinguish markings. I'm sure one of 'em is that Telgari blue, though." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, A large bronze claw depresses the corpse beneath him, squeezing the remaining warmth and fluid from it as Avroth licks efficiently. Eyes tinged with excitement scan before he again springs, his teeth raking a clean incision on his third kill's throat. "Khar," Everin remembers suddenly. "That was her name, wasn't it?" Maraczek grins, and bounces slightly on the tabletop perch. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Virroth sends out a lavender foreleg to swat at the closest unsuspecting beast, ripping at its flesh. Burrowing his muzzle into it, the blue drinks deeply, eyes bright with excitement, body shuddering slightly as he catches sight of Asperth close by. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Asperth springs upwards once more. Always the sneaky one, she plucks up a herdbeast with one claw, giving the males every indication she's going to blood again. Instead, she soars to the opposite end of the grounds, drops the struggling animal, pumps strongly with her wings, catches a thermal, and skyrockets upwards with a challenging bugle. Laurene frowns in the vague direction of the feeding grounds. "Maybe I don't /want/ to Impress," she muses. Jaegon laughs! "She's away, and she surprised 'em too!" Kyliven hmmms. "I can't decide between those two. I think Kineth'd be awfully fast, but I like Ranth, too. Huh." Folding done, she clears her lap of all distractions and thoughtfully regards the bowl entrance. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Ranth has been watching, and has also been efficient in his draining of the herdbeast, avoiding a bloody show of virility, and is ready, leaping instantly after Asperth. Everin pushes up away from the table, too, and prowls. A glance scores off Jaegon for the (welcome?) information, then he goes to putter around the meal table. Fix this glass here, adjust that plate there. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Kineth luckily ahd one eye half on the green at this point, with a lsightly exasperated bugle he sends himself skywards. Maraczek grins at Laurene. "You've never been on the right side of a lizard flight? I can only imagine what a dragon flight would be like.." Everin mutters to Laurene, "As... have a..." Jaegon chuckles to himself. "Looks like Ranth and Kineth were first off the ground. The others following after." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Avroth is caught red...claw'd. He springs, but is nearly last as the groups springs aloft. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Palineth drops the drained carcass, letting it fall to the ground with a satisfying thump. He opens his maw, eyes fixed on the brilliant green form of Asperth, and then with lightning quickness, another beast falls to his claws. Laurene grimaces, "Oh, I've been on, er, the side of a couple of firelizard flights. Brshljana and Jesen have both Risen a couple of times. I just never get used to it, is all." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Virroth crouches then springs, muscles taut, sending his body upwards after the glowing green. Kyliven lugs one basket of folded clothes towards the inner caverns, but doesn't take it inside. Instead she drops it near the entrance for someone to pick up later and returns to her seat. "Ranth, Kineth," she mutters. "Kineth, Ranth. I think I'm gonna go with Kineth." IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Palineth leaps into the air! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Palineth flies up from the Feeding Grounds. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Asperth leaps into the air! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth flies up from the Feeding Grounds. Everin wonders, "Would Siara's injury impact on her dragon at all?" IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Avroth leaps into the air! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth flies up from the Feeding Grounds. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Ranth leaps into the air! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth flies up from the Feeding Grounds. Maraczek lifts his brows at Laurene. "It's a bad thing?" IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Kineth leaps into the air! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth flies up from the Feeding Grounds. IgenW-Bowl> At the feeding grounds, Virroth leaps into the air! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth flies up from the Feeding Grounds. Jaegon shakes his head. "Her pregnancy did, but only a little." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth bugles joyously in elation as she streaks ever higher, her glowing hide flashing like emeralds in the brilliant sun. Higher and higher Asperth climbs, the determined males below not even a concern to her, a glance not spared to them. A green slash against the azure sky, she is showing all her freedom, her power and her unattainable beauty. Everin considers, then nods gratitude. "Trying to learn," he explains lightly. "Before, I was always in chores when a green rose; never had the chance to figure it out, just work." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth climbs upwards and he opens his wings fully, allowing the air currents to help him gain height and not lose speed. He turns his head just a touch to see who his rivals are, and then returns his gaze to the glowing female that has gained his affection and adoration. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth lifts well formed wings, spreading them wide to make best use of the air currents, to lift himself higher and higher, before pulling them in close, making himself as compact as he can and streaking after Asperth, who shines even more brightly than the gaudy trinket her rider wears. Laurene shakes her head at Maraczek, "Not... exactly. It's hard to describe. And it's just something that makes me viciously uncomfortable, basically." Maraczek grins. "It's probably a great sight. I'm only used to lizard flights." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth climbs, sluggish at first then faster. Well clear and behind the others, he is free to extend his wings fully without fear of collision. He climbs straight, seeking the thermals he's come to know are there, less concerned with the green's position than his own altitude. She has stamina, but she will need to fly high before she tires. And he will be waiting. Everin slants at Laurene, "Well, could find something to busy your mind with it." He snorts. "Want to herd children with me?" Maraczek bounces again, leaning over to peek out the entrance. "You could go outside and watch it, Maraczek," Kyli suggests. "It should only be messy out there." She slips out of her chair and joins him near then entrance, peering outside as well. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth sends a return bugle to the green, his young voice echoing over the winds as he soars upward on a gust of air. Intently, he watches Asperth's sleek body as it cuts the skies. Tilting his wing slightly, he angles into a better postion, clear of the others yet remaining fast and sure, intent on his goal. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Palineth rises late, after only barely blooding his second kill. He lets out a furious roar as he's caught offguard, and with a burst of speed he attempts to catch up with the pack. Everin waits and then joins the entrance exodus. He hovers behind the others, peeking out. "We could go look. I suppose?" IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth snaps out of her reverie to complete attention as she sees Kineth approach from the corner of her eye, at breakneck speed. With an taunting warble, she announces the games have begun. It is time to show those males just how inadequate and unworthy of her they are. A sharp turn to the right, followed by a series of circling and dizzying acrobats meant to confuse the larger males, and there she is still above the males in airspace but now behind the main pack. Laurene gives a shake of her head, "I've seen more than enough flights. I'll just stay here." Maraczek grins. "Aww." Everin leans into the little group, enough for whisper reach. He mutters to Maraczek, "She's... know.... -- Well, don't rile... much." Kyliven gazes up, then around the Bowl's airspace as best she can. "Where is it? Have they gone already?" Maraczek nods to Everin. "Yes, yes..." You say "I'm staying in here, for now. They'll be too far to see." Everin grimaces an apology at the other fellow, adds a shrug. "--Yeah, just little dots against the sky, right? Might as well get ready for gore duty." Maraczek chuckles. "Gore duty? It's not as if they're *people* ripped apart down there..." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth responds to the taunt with a creel of yearning, loud and piercing as he wheels in the sky, able to make the sharp turn better than some of the larger males surrounding him, though not in the very second Asperth does, falling behind briefly before powerfully surging ahead in the new direction. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth gets free from a pack of some of the chasers with a swift movement, showing his agility in the air. As his silver-splashed muzzle gets into clear air space he gives an expectant cry, though a short one as the green is not fooled, moving away with agikity. As Asperth starts her acrobatics, he is glad of his lithe body, moving with ease and a certain amount of speed towards the glimmering prize. Under his hide muscles ripple with tension as they power the blue ever onwards. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Fortune seems to be smiling on Palineth, today. His late start has left him in a good position, now that the green has doubled back. With a lash of his tail, he turns on his right wing, gaining speed and cutting at an angle toward Asperth. The roar dies on the wind, replaced by the whisper of purposeful wings. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth watches, climbing, his course undeviating. Only his neck turns to follow the green's antics as his great wings press the floor of the bowl further and further away behind him. Slowly, carefully, he begins to angle towards the pack's position, wings flaring back as he pulls hard into a turn to match their present course. Everin's mouth twitches near mirth. "Well, no, but it /is/ a mess." He peers out again, doleful. "I'll have to find my poorest set of clothing...." Kyliven, not seeing the Flight, lets out her breath and glances around the Cavern. "Think Irianth'd be mad if she knew Avroth chased?" You say "Forget your set of clothing. Go get drudgewear, change into it, and toss it in the lake when you're done." Maraczek blinks at Kyliven. "Good question.." Everin nods to Jaegon, turns around. "Mad? Why would she be mad? She doesn't own him; he rises as he likes." Pause. "Right?" Kyliven shrugs. "Back home, some of the golds got real possessive of the males who caught 'em. I dunno if Irianth is the same way or not." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth banks to the right quickly, left wing extended further to catch the air currents, pressing him onward. Marveling at the lights reflecting off her hide, his heart pounds within him as his desire for her increases. Biding his time, he carefully watches and conserves his energy, singular purpose well known.. her. Everin considers. "Maybe she will, then. She does like having him around, it seems, especially with their clutch on the sands for them to guard." Jaegon peeks out again, but can't see anything really worth noting from this angle and this far down. Maraczek shrugs. "They're likely gone now." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth vainly believes she cannot be caught and is cruelly taunting the chasing with males with desirous croons, meant to boil their blood. Ranth briefly catches her attention and she slows slightly, the way the sunlight glints off his blue hide suddenly becoming interesting to her. But Palineth breaks the spell with his roar and she is off again, turning on a wingtip till she is our of everyone's reach. Kyliven nods at Everin. "Yeah. If Irianth was a green, I wouldn't ask, but she's not. /And/ her clutch is on the Sands, too. And have you noticed how cranky she's been lately?" She shivers. "I wouldn't want to get on her bad side, not me!" Everin nods to that and moves away again. Not prowling, not pacing, but -- channeling pent energy all the same. "Cranky," he mutters back to Kyliven. "If you ask me, it's Faerysa who worries about us with the eggs, not her queen. --Don't repeat that, eh?" Maraczek hops off the table, heading over to the entrance. "No, Irianth is plenty cranky..." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth soars onwards ,an enticing green tail is infront somewhere, nevermind the lovely tone of her call,this site enabling his wings to keep up their steady beating as much as any herdbeast's blood. He realises he must balance stamina with speed is he is to gain the gleaming prize his gaze and pumping heart is so fixed on, especially with those larger bronzes about! Kyliven grins at the harper apprentice. "Oh, I think both of 'em are anxious. It's their first Clutch, isn't it?" She nods, answering her own question. "Yeah, it is. I'd be nervous, too. And that would make me cranky." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth feels Asperth's agitated, whirling gaze flicker upon him, and and bugles, a clear, proud sound in the open sky, tempted at last into a display, one that costs him precious seconds as he must bring his wings in to make the turn that the verdant temptress attempts to escape with. Quickly he follows, silent now, focused only on pursuit. Maraczek nods. Everin nods again, agreeable. "No argument here. It'd be like letting strangers come from all over Pern to play with your helpless children." He darts a look at the inner caverns. "Maybe I should get back to the nursery. They love escaping during flights." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth comes in above the group now, hard and fast. A brilliant bugle sounds as he passes overhead, trading his precious altitude for speed with a diving surge. He is near her now, closer and closer, her glistening presence filling his view. And soon, she will be closer still. Maraczek grins, peering out. You say "No one's gotten past me, at leat." Laurene finally stops pacing and flumps down in a seat with a sigh, "I'm guessing that T'dry heads back to Fort when all is said and done," she opines. Maraczek nods. "Probably." Kyliven nods at Everin. "Exactly. Like, oh... if there were a herd of toddlers rummaging through the archives at Harper." Everin flashes a grin at Jaegon. "We'll watch for the little ones, definitely." He paces past a table, hand trailing hard fingertips over the top. "--The archives? Faranth forfend, Kyliven!" He even shudders. "The archives are too precious." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth bides his time then darts between two dragons, wings now furiously pumping as the blooding's meal urges him onward. Flying straight and sure, he sets his whirling eyes on the green beauty there, never leaving her out of his sight. It is only she whom he desires, her body next to his. None other will do. Maraczek snickers at Everin. Everin frowns at Maraczek uncertainly. "Well, it's true. The archives are our past, present, and future all in one. Like a dragon's eggs, I suppose. Dustier." Kyliven grins at Everin. "Exactly. I bet that's how Irianth feels when we go tromping out on the Sands to touch her eggs." Maraczek nods. "I'll bet dustier." Jaegon chuckles softly. Everin says "And moldy, in spots. Irianth would never let her eggs get /moldy./ How often does she turn them a day?" Kyliven says "Irianth doesn't let any of her eggs stay in one place long enough to -get- dusty!" Laurene listens quietly, though she's wrapped her thoughts around herself like a blanket. Everin nods definitively. "Exactly." He paces on. "How ... how was the last touching? Maraczek, did you really touch the queen egg?" IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Palineth's powerful downstroke brings him higher, into an among the pack now. He watches the green with glittering eyes, tinged purple. His movements are careful, conservative. He waits for the perfect time to expend his energy to catch the elusive green. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth is beginning to tire but still has many tricks to keep the persistent males from capturing her. Her diminutive form is an asset, enabling her to dodge talons and tails, leaving the males howling in frustration. Avroth and Virroth are much too close! A shriek of defiance bursts from her as she tucks her wings and plunges downwards, sailing quickly past Palineth before he even has time to attempt to ensnare her. Laurene's pacing is abruptly resumed as conversation turns to the egg touching. Too much energy radiates from her. Everin watches, round-eyed, grave-eyed. Doesn't say anything, though; damage's been done. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth moves his lithe blue body through the air with ease, dipping and rising as he needs to. His whirling, shining eyes stayed looked on the nimble, tempting body of Asperth. Kineth moves on a thermal, position changing so he is near the left of the green, beating his wings furtively in his desire to reach her. Her call out is a challenge that he feels he can meet. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth does not dive but tries to match direction instead, mirroring the green as she twists, pulling away. She will climb again, this he knows certainly. His neck twists as he nearly rolls, sinews straining to match her dance. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth plunges after Asperth, wriggling through the pack, weariness vanishing as he spots Avroth and snarls furiously, whipping in his direction with his tail as he tries to clear a path for himself. He snakes downwards, but not so far as to be beyond recovering should the fickle beauty trick them yet again, forced to moderation by his rider's concentration. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Palineth roars again, faltering for a moment as the green flies past and he attempts to adjust his flight. Eventually, he is headed in the right direction again, but precious time and space has been lost. The bronze's tail thrashes the air once more in pure frustration. Kyliven gives up trying to follow the Flight with her eyes and takes a seat near Maraczek, tucking her legs under her. "Who do you think's gonna catch?" she asks him, then Jaegon and Everin. Maraczek nods. "I'm told that. It was accidental. Boy, was she mad." Everin pulls away from his questions' unanswered wake, blinks at Kyliven. "I -- don't know. She'll choose the one she wants. Or the strongest, fastest, smartest. I couldn't say who that'd be." He muses. "The bronzes are too big and slow, aren't they? Maybe Kineth, or the Telgar blue." Everin says "--I'll bet, Maraczek! I didn't dare even go near. Just watched Sarai do it." Laurene gives a bemused smile, "Me, I'm keeping myself far away from gold eggs. I'd make a terrible weyrwoman." Everin snaps over, brightly curious. "Why?" IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth calls out over those warm winds to his quest, crooning then bugling loudly as his the lovely green drops downward, following her. Inward courage and determination urge his youthful body after her, his sea blue hide desiring to join hers, and together twist and twirl above the warm Igen sands. Maraczek lifts a brow at Laurene. Laurene chuckles, "I'm not nearly diplomatic enough to be a weyrwoman." Laurene says "If it was dependent upon me to keep places from erupting into violence, then Faranth save us, 'cause we'll need it." Kyliven cocks her head. "I don't think it matters if you touch the egg or not," she says finally. "If the dragon inside is gonna Impress to you, it will. I think touching them is just to get us used to them." Everin says "You can learn diplomacy, Lau. Harper has entire class series on it." Hotohori strolls within, mostly to get away from outside. Lips quirk into a thin line, before he makes a beeline to a chair, collasping within. Laurene grins at Everin, shaking her head, "It's just not a life that fits me, I think. Some gold dragon might prove me wrong some day, but I'm not going to seek it.Give me a fighting dragon any day." Everin grins back, smaller. "For me as well, but I couldn't take a gold anyway." He switches to Hotohori. "I brought your cloak in. Did you get it?" IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth is valiantly determined not to be caught, ignoring the protests from her body that are screaming out for her to slow down. She is completely shocked to find Ranth so close to her when she glances behind her. And Kineth is right there on her left too! In fact, from below she almost seems to be caught, her green form obscured from sight by all the blues, browns and bronzes as they swarm around her. She pauses in confusion, not seeing anywhere safe to turn. Hotohori ohs, gaze focusing, turning on Everin. "I did. Thanks. I hadn't realized I left it outside." Form shifts, slumping forward as he listens to the conversation at hand. Everin drops his voice, eyes on his friend. He mutters to Hotohori, "... the... or not." Maraczek chuckles a directionless chuckle. Jaegon licks his lips unconsciously as his Menev joins in the fairs feasting in the corrals. Everin blinks through a new thought. "What color of fighter, Laurene? Does it make a difference to you?" IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth is now quiet, of course Asperth still knows he is there, but perhaps if he is not so blatant with the use of his voice, she will not notice him? Surprise is the most important part of the attack after all! Perhaps he is finally getting some sort of subtlety from his long-suffering life-mate. Of course his wings and lithe form still make a soft *whoosh* as he powers along, tail whipping his body this way and that to keep an almost direct line on the green. He edges nearer and nearer, only hoping that he is being stealthy enough to finally ensnare the female. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth sees his moment arive! The subtle letup, the decreasing speed. Dive! His great bronze wings tuck to his side and he plummets like so much bagged stone, screaming in from above, talons extended. His aim looks true, his timing impeccable. She will be his...or he'll have to pull up VERY quickly. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth softens his bugles now, raucous cries turning gentle as he fully extends his wings, the one on Asperth's side straining to reach her, a canopy to shelter under from the hounding masses of colorful bodies, the light glinting off the purplish blue that he hopes she sees, familiar and comforting. Hotohori winces, peering to the bowl's entrance, then Everin. "So I heard." Not so much the actual statement, but well... sigh is released, as he flops back. Laurene shakes her head, "Not really. At least, I hadn't spent much time considering it." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth senses the moment at hand and seizes it. Valiantly, he strains and lunges forward, his wings angled now, prepared to cover her in his warmth, his body to melt into hers. Pressing onward, he slips between that brown and blue, ready to reach her, ready to call her his, ready to lustfully take what is rightfully his. "Blue's pretty," Everin says vaguely, gaze elsewhere. Blink back. "Well. We'll find out, preferences aside. How's it looking, Jaegon? Has any dragon landed yet?" Jaegon shakes his head. "Not in my field of vision, at least." "Kineth! Kineth! Kineth!" Kyli chants under her breath, pounding her thighs with clenched fists to the beat. Perhaps if she wishes it really hard, her wish will come true. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Palineth bugles in frustration again, the furious pace set by the green finally showing on the bronze who didn't finish his blooding. He lags behind, far out of the pack. He begins to circle, but as the other males close in, it's clear it won't be his day. Maraczek grins, leaning against the wall. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth uses her last bit of energy to evade the persistent, and now suddenly somewhat interesting, blues beside her. No, they can't have her! Avroth! He is worthy. Yes, she will let him have her. But Virroth is in the way! Asperth shrieks out in frustration, but within a blink of an eye she is crooning lovingly to blue Virroth as her tail and wings are ensnared together with his, the handsomest of blues. Everin twitches away from his table. Pacing, pacing. "I'll be in the nursery," he mutters. "If they need us." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth gives out a call of distress and falls downwards quickly, getting out of the way. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Kineth glides over to the training field. Jaegon looks out. "That bugle was lower...Kineth's down." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Palineth lands just below you in the Center of the Igen Weyr Bowl. IgenW-Bowl> Palineth backwings to land neatly. Kyliven snaps her fingers, face a mask of disappointment. "Shells. And I wanted him to -catch-, too." Everin pauses. "Not Kineth? Oh ... well, so much for my predictive power." Snort. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth moves in closely to the green's side, his gossamer wings spread tightly to envelop his mate. Streaking across the skies, their blue-green hides send bolts of color against the brown of Igen's sands. Crooning with delight, he entwines her, happiest of males! IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth creels in misery and lets himself sink to the ground. Hotohori listens, if absently, head tilted back as gaze rests on the ceiling. "Who's left, then?" You say "We all did." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Ranth flies carefully towards the main entrance. Everin looks hopeful. "And that Telgar blue? My other choice," he tells Hotohori. "His rider was in here before." A herder stomps into the caverns, calling for wine himself. AS he passes Jaegon, he stops. "You! Candidate." Laurene's gaze flickers towards the bowl entrance. "If they're dropping out, riders'll be showing up soon." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth screams past, his mournful, piercing cry echoing off the rock floor of the bowl as he pulls hard to avoid impacting there. A twist of his head as his prize is stolen from him and he circles once, then lands. Siara comes down the stairway. Siara comes down the steps, nearly tumbling. Jaegon pauses, looking to the herder. "Yessir?" IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Avroth swoops through the entrance to land on the Sands. Everin, twitchy by the inner caverns, knows enough to get out of Siara's way. No touching. Just move. There's wine-- Hotohori peers, not moving from his spot, watching Siara enter. The first rider of many, eventually. He doesn't move, though gaze follows, a yawn stifled. Siara grabs the table edge, eyes wide with distress, looking around unseeing. Kyliven untucks her legs and shudders in the aftereffects of the Flight. She looks curiously at the herder and Jaegon -- often what affects one Candidate affects them all. Or most, anyway. The herder points out to the bowl. "You and a couple of others, go out there and help us look for runners, eh? That green scared 'em, wingin' in low over the stables, and what with the flight they ran and just kept runnin'." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Asperth is still crooning lovingly to the blue that was able to do what none of the other chasing males could, catch her and keep her. Jaegon makes a face. "Flame it. One, or how many?" Arthan ambles out from the inner caverns. Siara pushes off from the table again, limping steadily out to the bowl, fixed on her destination. Kyliven hops up and stands near Jaegon. "Runners? I'll help." Doesn't matter what helping is -- it'll probably be tidier than cleaning up after the Flight. Siara walks out to the Bowl. Arthan nods quietly. IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth twirls his mate lovingly as they course the skies, guiding her through the mists of cloud formations, whuffling warm air against her hide. Pleasure was never like this, his glory hers. Laurene slips quietly into the inner caverns, avoiding the riders. Laurene strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns. Everin ventures towards the herder, too, scrubbing a hand over his brow. "If you need it, sir." The herder grumbles "Four, we caught three more." He nods to Kyliven, looking at her hands and seeing them duly callused. "Aye thank you, candidate. And you. The more, the easier we catch 'em. At that, they may not stop runnin' till the green and whoever got her come down." Maraczek grins at Kyliven. "Runner catching duty for you?" Kyliven shrugs at the trader. "Why not? You gonna come, too? It won't be as messy as cleaning up the Feeding Grounds, and you don't have to worry about some rider who didn't catch yelling at you, either." Everin looks back at Maraczek. "Right. Join us?" Arthan pours a mug of klah, sitting down at a table. Maraczek rolls his eyes. "Alright, alright." Not as messy as the feeding grounds...that decides Jaegon! He nods to the herder. "Four then." Elen comes down the stairway. N'var comes down the stairway. Elen comes in, eyes looking dark, though there is a shade of something gleaming in them. She grabs, well snatches at a wineskin. The herder mutters a thanks. "Now mind you take water with you, lads and lass, and mind you drink it! It does no good in the skin!" Everin goes to fetch water, yessir. Everin wanders into the Weyr's kitchens. Jaegon nods, suppressing a grin. "Yessir. I'll make sure we have plenty." Kyliven sticks close to Jaegon. He, after all, knows what's going on. "Did they make it out of the bowl, sir?" the herder is asked. N'var snatches up a second wineskin, apparently oblivious to most everyone in the cavern except Elen. He follows the bluerider out. The herder grunts. His knot marks him as a senior journeyman, and from the looks of his age he's been that for a very long time. "Aye. Else we'd not need the help chasing them." N'var walks out to the Bowl. Hunter swoops into the room from the inner caverns. Hunter swoops through the opening, out into the Bowl. Brendan comes in from the Bowl. Jaegon nods. He jogs into the back caverns, in search of waterskins. Kyliven nods at the man, subdued. "Just wondering," she says in a small voice. "Are we going to split up and look? I don't know Igen very well." Hunter comes in from the Bowl. Arthan listens with half an ear. "Is somebody missing?" Brazen comes in from the Bowl. The herder considers. "You and you, go with him. You..." and he points to Everin, "You come with me." And he drags Everin out of the cavern. Maraczek hops over next to jaegon and Kyliven. Hunter chirps as someone looks at him Brendan looks up from the firelizards. "What's wrong?" he asks. Jaegon jogs back in with full skins, just after the herder leaves, and hands each of the other two candidates a full skin. He looks around for Everin. "Where'd Ev go?" Maraczek shrugs. "Got herded." Arthan says "Off to look for something." Brendan nods. "I see," he says politely. Jaegon nods, shrugs, and hands Maraczek the extra skin. "Fine. Which way should we go first, toward the Hold maybe?" Arthan blinks a little. "Are you leaving the weyr?" Kyliven nods. "That herder took him to help. He said Maraczek and me were supposed to help you." She glances out into the Bowl, then shrugs. "Guess so." Maraczek shrugs. "Sooner we go, the sooner we get done." You say "We're going to look for runners, Arthan. If Siara comes to her senses, or Macami, let them know that's where wewent? Asperth apparently spooked a few and they escaped." Elen takes the wine, sees that N'var has gone and without a thought for anyone in the room just about runs out. Elen walks out to the Bowl. Maraczek nods. Jaegon glances sympathetically after ELen, then heads out of the cavern. Kyliven walks out to the Bowl. You walk out into the Bowl. Field outside the Main Entrance Activity surrounds you as you gaze over the road which runs beneath the huge cliffs which form the southeastern section of the Igen Weyr Bowl. The wall opens here in three places... the middle one seems the most busy although the northernmost one is the largest. The ground under your feet is solid and rocky, and in the brightest sun it glares uncomfortably. To the north the road continues, winding its way past the hatching grounds and barracks to eventually leave the bowl. Cutting across the bowl to the northwest brings you to the center of the bowl. To the west lies a green field full of beasts- the Weyr's feeding grounds. The infirmary weyr opens to the northeast, and the living caverns to the east. Contents: Kyliven Elen Thoth(#6198IJQaeps$) Terrth Jyrith Nemanth(#11667JMaps) Healers' Herb Garden Obvious exits: Guest ledge INFirmary Main Entrance Center of Bowl Feeding Grounds North Elen heads north along the wall of the Bowl. Kyliven heads north, towards the Bowl exit. Kyliven heads north along the wall of the Bowl. You head north along the wall of the Bowl, towards the weyrling barracks and the Hatching grounds. Weyrling Training Field The long shadows cast by the tall spires above are matched in this area of the Bowl by a few long scars in the floor of the Bowl - a silent testimony to a few miscalculated landings. Overhead, the dragons seem to fly with increased awareness, perhaps because one never knows when a weyrling will try a new trick in this area of the Bowl. Enough groundspace for two full wings of dragons stretches from the walls of the Bowl, making this a perfect area for practice or drills. To the north, the walls of the Bowl part to make way for the Igen Weyr Pass, whereas to the west a glint of water betrays the lake's position. An opening into the bowl walls to the northeast fairly hums with the murmurs of young riders in training. Straight east a large opening seems to almost glow, and the hushed atmosphere surrounding it indicates it is the entrance to the Weyr's Hatching Grounds. A flurry of activity to the south points one to the main entrance into the inner Weyr. The center of the Bowl lies to the southwest. Contents: Kyliven The Fish Hatcheries Obvious exits: Stables Igen Weyr Pass Weyrling Barracks Hatching Grounds Center of Bowl West South Just overhead, Kineth beats his wings powerfully. Maraczek wanders in from the center of the bowl. Arthan comes along from the field outside the main entrance to the south. Arthan follows. "I'll help you look." You say "You sure?" Maraczek watches, rubbing his nose. Arthan nods gravely. "I... would prefer to be away from the weyr for a little." You say "Well..come on then." IgenW-Bowl> Just overhead, Virroth enfolds his lavender streaked wings tightly about his mate's body as he bugles her name over and over again. Lifting one wing upwards, he covers her muzzle as they move through a dusty area of the sky. She is his! Arthan just follows, quietly. (The intrepid and rulebreaking candidates make their way out onto the dunes.) Kyliven trots after Jaegon, head craning around as she looks for the lost runners. "Wish we'd thought to ask what they looked like," she mutters. Arthan says "I've been... busy. Did somebody mention a dragon scaring them?" Jaegon nods to Kyliven, moving with a dune-eating stride. "We should have. Thoughtless of me..Asperth scared them, Arthan." Arthan says "Oh... did she rise, then?" Arthan stumbles at a rock, but catches himself. Kyliven nods. "Yeah. Don't know who caught her, though -- I think a blue from Telgar." You say "Considering I saw Siara, and N'var, and Elen, and all the Igen riders I saw go up..it was either him or Avroth." Maraczek chuckles. "My." Maraczek pauses, craning his neck to peer farther out. "Shards, how far *can* they get on us?" "They're runners," Kyli shrugs, one hand to her eyes. "They're fast, especially if a dragon spooked 'em." You say "And with Asperth sending randiness to everywhere, they'll just keep running, won't they?" Jaegon looks questioningly at Kyliven. Arthan says "Would runners notice that?" With a smirk, Maraczek puts his hands on his hips. "It's mud, mud, and more mud. How far can they get in mud?" Kyliven points back at the Weyr. "And there it's sand, sand and more sand. They're probably back that way, close to the mountains." Arthan says thoughtfully. "Further than us, I suspect. Any, um, tracks?" You say "Sand," correcting Maraczek. "IT's all sunk into the ground, the rains have. Do you see any, Arthan?" Kyliven follows along behind the trio of males, kicking occasionally at a dune that catches her attention. Her waterskin hangs at her side, untouched. You say "Ky? Do you know if they'll keep running?" Arthan sighs, shaking his head. "If there were, they've filled up with sand or water." Jaegon glances at Maraczek, wondering if he knows. "Did you use runners or herdbeasts with the traders?" Kyliven shrugs. "Don't see why they wouldn't. They're about as smart as toddlers, and -they- like to run away whenever they can, too." Jaegon peers from under his sunhat out over the landscape. Arthan says "Herdbeasts, mostly. Runners too, but..." Maraczek shrugs. "Both, whatever worked. Spooked runners seldom ran *that* far." Arthan says "I should think they'd prefer mud to sand, though." Arthan squints towards the river. You say "They might, but I don't know if they can smell the water THIS far away." Arthan nods gravely. "I still think they'd be /this/ way," Kyli announces, and begins to march in the indicated direction. Jaegon's hat blows to one side a bit as a gust of wind strikes it, and he grumbles as he rights it. "BEtter put on kerchiefs, the wind's picking up and sand doesn't taste good." He digs his out of his belt pouch, as he follows Kyli. Arthan looks hesitant. Well, Kyli does sound very confident... He alters his course to follow her. "Um. I didn't bring any. Didn't think it would be this far." Jaegon frowns thoughtfully. "I think I have an extra...it's a little dirty, but not unusable." He offers it to Arthan. It looks like it was used to clean dirt from a knife, but it doesn't smell bad. Kyliven tugs the hood of her shirt up over her head and clutches at her neck to keep it on. "I like the wind!" she calls back happily. "It's probably gonna blow away any tracks the runners left, though, if they left any." Arthan accepts the kerchief gingerly. "Thank you, Jaegon." He ties it into place carefully. "I hope we find them soon." Jaegon frowns at a smudge on the horizon, but keeps going. Could be just his eyes, in this light. Maraczek kerchiefs up, brows furrowed. He notices the weather, but figures the more experienced Igenites will warn him if thigns get bad. Arthan shades his eyes. "I thought I saw something. Over there." He points. Kyliven doesn't notice any weather; she's intent on the ground ahead. "Hey!" she calls. "Is this runner... you know?" She points at a lump of you-know near some rocks. Maraczek peers over and grins. "Go on..." You say "Yes it is..What'd you say, Arthan?" Arthan says "I thought I saw something moving, over that way. It would fit, they'd have passed those rocks." Kyliven grins and runs ahead to clamber on a rock to look ahead. The very picture of a brave explorer, she is. "Hey, what's that?" she yells down, pointing at Jaegon's smudge which is now much larger. And closer. Maraczek shrugs and falls into step, eyes scanning the horizon. "Is this normal? I never go this far out..." Jaegon looks over toward Arthan's direction. "Might be.." He misses Kyliven's yell. Arthan turns to look at the smudge at Kyliven's question. And makes a nervous sound. "I don't like that. I saw something like that, before..." Maraczek oohs, turning to pluck something up from the sands. He blows on it, and tucks it in a pocket. He hunkers down to search for more of the mysterious objects. Jaegon glances back toward the smudge, then frowns. Deeply. "SHELLS! He yels over the rising wind. "Wherry dung and watchwher farts and other nasty things!" Kyliven clambers down from the rock, trotting to catch up with Jaegon and the others. "What?" Arthan goes over to Jaegon, saying quietly. "Storm, right?" Maraczek blinks at Jaegon. "Ooh, I should remember that. Step in something?" Jaegon shakes his head. "We need to build a shelter, we're not going to make it back to the weyr in time if that is what I think it is!" His words are torn away by the wind, hard to hear him. Nimble fingers swipe a large red kerchief from Maraczek's vest pocket, wrapping it around one wrist. "What?" He calls. Kyliven spins to face their original direction. "But the Weyr's not that far!" she protests. "We can't be more than half a mile, if that. I think I can see the Pass!" The smudge grows quickly in size, already filling a quarter of the sky, all the way to the horizon. Arthan looks around, turning in a full circle. "Shelter, here? Nothing but... rocks. Maybe." Jaegon calls out as loud as he can over the wind's rising scream. He mutters to himself, "... mile!... look... in..." You sense "Jaegon calls out as loud as he can over the wind's rising scream. "More than a mile! Distances look funny in the desert!"" Maraczek glances back, nodding to Kyliven, who he moves beside. "How fast can you run a half mile?" Kyliven says "If we run, I bet we can be back in time! Come on!" She starts pelting back the way they came, hair and skirts whipped by the gale." Maraczek rolls his eyes, glances back to make sure the others have the same bright idea, and beats feet after the other candidate, arms pumping at his sides. Jaegon puls down his kerchief and yells after the retreating backs, as the storm gets close enough to see sand whipping up over the dunes. "DON'T! ....SHELTER!....DIG IN!...WON'T...STOP!" Kyliven is already too far away to hear and almost out of sight, especially with the howling wind and the sand whipping up between them. Arthan shakes his head. "It's too far. That storm looks big." Maraczek does his best to catch up to the other candidate, despite her head start. he sends his own snady sprays up behind each footfall. The storm winds scream and Jaegon drops to a sitting position, pulling his shirt up over his head to guard his face and eyes..and breathing. Arthan stumbles for the rocks, trying to find suitable shelter. Kyliven is rapidly lost from sight, her small form buffeted by the winds. One arm over her face, she heads for where she remembers the Weyr to be, angling to the right. Jaegon has found a pretty good lee in the dunes and rocks and is letting the sand blow over his head. He's JUST visible to Arthan in the blowing sand. Arthan shades his eyes, heading for the shape that he hopes is Jaegon, calling his name. Maraczek sprints after, about to reach her when the storm overtakes. Jaegon reaches out and pulls Arthan down next to him. "Sit!" he hollers. "Pull your shirt up over your face! Protect your eyes!" Arthan leans against the nearest rock, keeping one hand on Jaegon for reassurance as he pulls his shirt up and tries to cover his face as best he can. Jaegon huddles with Arthan and Deresh in a huddle in the rocks. So much for lost runners. Hope they don't break legs.. The sand flies through the air, stinging every bit of exposed skin and making it imperative to have a cloth over the mouth and nose. Deresh slips out of her vest and wraps it around her head, covering her mouth and nose, as well as providing a little shelter for her eyes. "For all they're smart, runners are imperatively dumb." Resting her voice, she then adds, "Especially when we get stuck out in a sandstorm, looking for them. Arthan doesn't make any attempt to talk, covering his head as best he can. At times, he reaches out to check that the other two are still close. Jaegon hangs onto you both grimly, yelling "Hope they don't break any legs!" Every so often, he scoops encroaching sand away from the huddled trio. Arthan calls. "They'll never make it back." Jaegon agrees. "When the winds face, we need to make it back! We need to organize a rescue party!" He rests his voice a moment. Deresh shifts so that her back is to the encroaching winds, and her head huddled inwards toward Arthan and JAegon. No worries about being too intimate with someone, here. The only worry is to stay alive. Jaegon calls after a moment "They had thre skins of water! Let's hope they remember that!" Arthan nods, the motion nearly hidden under his sandcovered tunic. Deresh shakes her head. "I don't understand why they had to take off. Once the storm is over, there's sure to be someone looking for us." If dragons are flying above the storm, it must be far above. The winds are too strong for firelizards to navigate. Their wings would be wrenched for sure. Arthan winces, as something hurtling along on the wind strikes him. He presses even closer to the rock behind the trio. Jaegon responds to Deresh by handing her a waterskin. Difficult to get it to the lips without having your skin scoured, but possible if you're careful. Deresh slips the waterskin up under her protecting vest and takes a small sip. Passing it to Arthan, she comments, ":I'll justs ip small, for now. Who knows how long we'll be out here." Jaegon calls "Hopefully no more than two hours!" He scoops more sand away from the front, and reaches up to sweep it off Arthan's sheltering shirt so the weight doesn't tire the man. Deresh does the same sand brushing for Jaegon, "I hope not." Arthan realizes after a moment that Deresh is holding something out to him, and carefully aquires the waterskin. Lowering his tunic enough for a quick sip, he blinks rapidly at the flying sand. He passes the skin on to Jaegon with an inaudible "Thanks." Jaegon takes a drink from the skin and shades his eyes, trying to see and failing dismally. Arthan coughs as errant sand gets into his mouth. Jaegon calls out after what seems like a long time "Are you two OK?" His voice sounds rough. Deresh mutters as Arthan coughs, "Next time I'm going to get caught in a asandstorm, remind me to bring my riding jacket. Deresh nods, as much as she can, without disloding her precariously arranged veil. You say "Arthan! You all right?" Arthan pulls his tunic further up, trying to keep the send off. He makes a muffles sound that is probably a confirmation, then curls up as best he can. Jaegon passes the 'skin again, making sure that all the dust isn't dehydrating anyone. Deresh sighs softly as she takes the waterskin, with a rueful smile that probably can't be seen. Arthan stays where he is, curled up and resigned to endure the storm. He makes no further attempt to take the waterskin. Jaegon calls out after a time "You OK?" again. He scoops more sand off the apparently sleeping Arthan, after checking the man. Deresh sips from the waterskin, and then nudges Arthan. Getting no response, she observes, "Perhaps he's gone defensive." Jaegon hollers "YEah! He'll be all right. Prolly have nighmares though!" The wind's note hasn't slacked off yet, still keening high-pitched, and time seems to stand still. Water's passed, and again. Deresh calls back, "I'll bet! I don't want to be sleeping out here." Jaegon hollers "I'm glad Deeva isn't here!" Deresh nods, her form a shapeless mass against the sandstorm. "At least she won't here about this until we're safely back at Igen." What confidence in their rescue. Jaegon doesn't seem worried himself about that. "This can't last TOO much longer!" His voice is getting hoarser. Deresh nods, reaching out to touch Jaegon's shoulder. "It can't. And we have water. Do you think they'll send dragons out to find us?" You say "I'm sure they will. It's not us I'm worried about! It's Mara and Ky!" Deresh nods, again. "I'm worried. What do they know about sandstorms? The three of us Igenites, here." You say "I don't know! I thought Mara'd realize we couldn't make it, but maybe he didn't feel safe without a wagon!" Deresh looks at Jaegon and then nods, "I hadn't thought of it like that." Jaegon wipes more sand off you and Arthan. "I think the wind's dying!" he calls. Indeed, it's still blowing harshly, but the stings are less. Deresh sips at the water, again. "Do you think we'll be able to find our way back?" You say "WE will, we're not too far from the Weyr. We'll see it when the winds go away." Deresh shakes ehrself, and tries to push some sand off Arthan. "That's true. WE wern't too far away. I wonder if those stupid runners made it." You say "I hope they did! I don't want to have to go back out to chase them!" The wind dies further, alowing you to see an arm's length or two. Jaegon starts experimentally shaking sand from himself. Jaegon watches the dunes appear as the wind dies fully, leaving he landscape changed. He looks around for his bearings, finally spotting the Weyr. Jaegon helps Arthan and Deresh to their feet, shaking sand free of them all, then starts out across the mile or so to the weyr. (The three make their weary way back to the Weyr.) Jaegon arrives, all but carrying Arthan. Deresh is with him, supporting the records-keeper turned candidate. You say "Come on..almost there..." Jaegon's voice is rough, as if he's been yelling. Jaegon guides the man and woman into the infirmary. You walk into the Infirmary. Infirmary The scent of numbweed permeates the Weyr's infirmary, a remarkable cavern with room for both dragon and human patients. The outer part of the cavern has one stone couch for a dragon unable to fly up to his or her Weyr, and a dragon sized tub of water at the ready. The inner section of the cavern holds three or four cots for humans, with wooden screens that can section off a particular cot. Along the easternmost wall, shelves have been built as tall as a person could reach and nearly 10 feet long, which contain all sorts of scrolls, herbs, concoctions, and other healer accoutrements. The warm breeze to the west comes from the large opening into the Bowl. A desk sits next to the opening to the south, which leads to the Weyr's Living Caverns. Contents: Fah's Dragonhealing Notes Obvious exits: Bowl Living Caverns Jaegon leaves Deresh and Arthan to be checked over by the healers and heads for the living cavern to find someone in charge, to report this debacle. You walk out to the hustle and bustle of the Living Caverns. Igen Weyr Living Cavern(#600RJMQ) Igen's living cavern is an immense hollow in the volcanic caldera, stretching up two stories, the light of the glows and the hearth reflected in the quartz which peppers the swirled sandstone unique to this region. One hundred feet wide and one hundred and fifty feet long, the room could, and, as the social center of the weyr, often does, seat the entire weyr. Tapestries adorn the walls, depicting scenes from Pern's past. The head table sits upon a raised platform at the far eastern side of the room, in front of a huge fireplace which is continually burning. A wide balcony overlooks the cavern, and large tunnels lead west out to the bowl, and south to the kitchens. A smaller tunnel leads off to the east, beyond which lay the inner caverns of the Weyr. A small doorway in the northern wall opens to the infirmary, and a quiet door to the northeast opens into the Records Room. In the corner one may +view a plaque. Tables fill a good portion of the room. One can '+view' them at a glance, or get '+help places'. Contents: Infinity Storm Brazen Hunter Woven basket with sand Meal Table Obvious exits: Bowl STairs Records Room INFirmary Kitchen Inner Caverns Jaegon stumbles over to a table, his face drawn. Siara comes in from the Bowl. Siara limps in, a red smear still on her leg, clothes askew, glowering. "/There/ you are!" she exclaims loudly and angrily when she sees Jaegon. Jaegon looks, bluntly, like hell. His face is drawn and red, as if someone took a scouring pad to it. Sand sifts off him onto the floor. He sighs, and in a rough voice mutters "Here I am, yes, Sialove ma'am." Siara waves her hands angrily, "What have you been doing? You missed the class,none of you are around. I dragged myself out of my weyr, before Ranth and I were /nearly/ done and I couldn't find /any/ of you!" she rants, grabbing a chair for support. Jaegon drinks water, which serves to turn his voice more gravelly. "We were out looking.." he pauses to cough. Brazen cheeps, frightened by the evil Siara and hides quickly from her view. Infinity chirps adn flies over to Brazen Siara falls into the chair, wincing as the sticky red on her leg clings to the wood for a moment. "Out - looking? /Looking/? At the sharding eggs again? The eggs aren't going anywhere! There was a class! Fahloran left me and Ranth, after the flight, to go and give the sharding class! And you're out /looking/!" Alvar comes in from the Bowl. You say "No, Siara. Looking for lost runners. Then the storm came up." P'ter comes in from the Bowl. P'ter ambles in, looking tired. He waves a hand around, "Hiya Jaegon, Siara, Alvar", he says to the first three he meets. Jaegon looks like hell. He spots Alvar and calls in a very hoarse voice "Alvar! One of your apprentices is looking over Deresh and Arthan. I think we're no worse than sand-scored by the storm, and exhausted, but Arthan was having trouble walking..." Siara frowns. "Lost runners? What lost runners? Why couldn't someone else get them? Where were they? YOu didn't - " she pauses and her face darkens , "You didnt' leave the Weyr did you?" P'ter suddenly increases his pace and storms up on Jaegon, "What's going on? Who's hurt? What are you on about?" is barraged at the poor chap till P'ter notices his condition, "And are you OK?" is added in a kinder tone. Siara frowns, "Arthan ishaving trouble walking? YOu mean some of you got /hurt/? Oh nooooo - this is awful!" she wails. Alvar frowns, "What on Pern is going on?" Jaegon slumps into a seat. "Journeyman Keelvin asked us to look for four runners spooked by Asperth's flight." He coughs again, sipping at the water. "He took Everin, and Maraczek, Deresh, Arthan, Kyliven, and me went toward the dunes. We would have been fine except for that wherry-laid sandstorm!" He nods to P'ter. "I'll be all right." P'ter nods in return to Jaegon, "And so how are the others. Maraczek, Everin and the rest." Siara runs her hands agitatedly through her hair, shifting her torn clothing as she moves. "Is Journeyman Keelvin who you take orders from? Did you ask Macami? Did you ask Faerysa? Did you ask /anyone/? Did you lost anyone? Where are they all?" Jaegon's face looks raw, sand-scoured in places. There's a clear space next to his mouth. "Everin's fine, I saw him near the stables. Arthan is exhausted, and Deresh and I will be well enough once we get water. Your cousin and Kyliven took off toward the weyr. Did they make it?" He loses his patience. "No! We didn't ask, Siara. Everyone in charge was off at that sharding flight!" Brazen shivers and scoots under a table. Infinity chirps at Brazen Brazen cheeples pitifully at Infinity. Siara stomps her foot on the floor, ignoring the oozing from her leg, "I don't think Irianth was chasing!" she says sarcastically, "Or Urieth. Or Irrylath! What is /wrong/ with you? Do you have any idea what will happen if some of you cant' stand?" Infinity crouches down so that nooone of thw low voices will be directed at her and she huddles close to Brazen Brazen closes one golden wing over her little golden friend. She huddles close to her... clearly not happy. P'ter puts out a restraining hand and hovers it in the air between the two. "Recriminations can wait", he says to both of them then to Jaegon he says, hesitating a little as he thinks, "So you mean that ... Kyliven, and .. Maraczek have not been seen?" You say "Yes, it'll be my fault too." The volume of his voice has dropped. "So no one's seen Maraczek or Kyliven?" Alvar eyes Siara, 'Siara, would you sit? Your leg's oozing." Jarnyx ambles out from the inner caverns. Jaegon shakes his head. "They ran off, the wind was already rising. I guess they didn't hear me scream at them to stop. Arthan and Derry and I sat it out. Ky and Mara ran toward the weyr." P'ter shakes his head. "Not that I know of." He frowns and then raises his voice to a bellow, stopping the remaining conversation in the cavern for a moment, "HAS ANYBODY SEEN MARACZEK OR KYLIVEN IN THE LAST CANDLE MARK?" Siara drops back into the chair, otherwise ignoring Alvar, "Oh no...." she groans. She looks up at P'ter, "YOu and I had better go searching for them. We can fly in a sweep pattern..." Jarnyx shakes his head as though trying to shake the sound of the bellow out of his ears. "No sir. Sorry..." One after another, the voices raise. "No." "Kyliven? She the tall one?" "No, that's Sarai." "Haven't seen her, bronzerider." "Maraczek? Look in the dormitory!" Siara looks at Jarnyx sharply, "So you didn't go out on this sharding runner hunt with them?" Infinity scrunches down shivering at the loud voices Seraphim ambles out from the inner caverns. P'ter nods. "Can you get Ranth to inform Irrylath? Aisheth will tell Zmeth." Siara nods to P'ter. Brazen squeezes her wing protectively over the little gold. She will protect her... Seraphim comes in, waving hello to all, and going straight for the meal table Jarnyx shakes his head. "Was still on storeroom duty ma'am - first I heard was when i heard P'ter here shouting." Jaegon says wearily "I already told you who went, Siara. Me. Maraczek. Kyliven. Deresh. Everin. Only Ky and Mara are unaccounted for." P'ter frowns and thinks. His face darkens as he has lost his usual smile, "Jaegon. You were head of groundcrew? How is your knowledge of the area?" P'ter then looks to Siara, "Siara, are you in a fit state to fly." He turns to the healer, "Is she Alvar?" Siara nods to Jarnyx, "We'll talk about why you missed class today later on." She pushes to her feets, dragging her leg and grabs for her riding jacket. "Alright. Ranth has told Irrylath. We should go." Infinity huddles next to Brazen. She feels safer now. Brazen croons to Infinity as her eyes whirl a worried yellow. You say "I know it prety well. My big worry is that they got pushed offcourse by the wind. If that happened...we should look leeward of the weyr, bronzerider." Jarnyx shivers. A threat or a promise. "Ma'am...looks, if there anything useful I can do to help? Even just as an extra pair of hands?" P'ter nods to Siara then spins his attention to Jarnyx, "Jarnyx, we need waterskins. Quick." You say "They had three skins of water between them." Jarnyx dashes for the kitchen, returning laden with skins. "Got them, sir. Now what?" Siara nods, frowning, "Which way is leeward?" she checks quietly with Jaegon. P'ter seems lost for a moment, then rallies once more, "Erm, Jarnyx, you can come with me .. Jaegon too. Or whatever. You two come with me and Siara anyway. We may need the help and the extra eyes." Seraphim looks up at all the fuss, wondering what is going on. Sarai wanders in, curiosity driving her to find something more interesting here. Siara sighs, "I don't know P'ter, if we can take them. Look at Jaegon, he's already sick. We can't take the chance of losing a third one for the sands. I don't know if we should take any of them out of the weyr at all!" Jaegon gets another drink and hauls himself to his feet. "I can go. I had the sense to hunker down, and I'm fit. The only reason Arthan's weak is he's still not used to hard work. And it's my fault." Sarai walks out, obliviously, and raises her eyebrows at the people and the yelling. Jarnyx nods and hoists the largest waterskin over one shoulder. "Ma'am -look, I've had time here to get used to the heat, and I've not been out in it all day. You /might/ need extra hands if something has happened to them?" The brown puppy-dog eyes are pleading. Siara looks around hopefully for someone senior to her to make the decision. "Alvar, is Jaegon well enough to go?" P'ter waves his hands in a slight panic and then gets a hold of himself. "There are your candidates Siara. Its your call." Siara takes a deep breath, "Are you sure?" she asks P'ter, meekly. Brazen sticks a nose out from under the table to sniff at Siara's leg... P'ter takes a deep breath and heads somewhere he has not really headed before. Responsibility looms. "Yes", he says making a decision. He thinks further, "I'm not sure you should carry passengers Siara, your in no fit state to help them on or off -- you'de tear your leg." He blinks, "Aisheth is keeping the others informed of what's planned." Jaegon drinks yet more water while he's waiting. His color is improving, if not his rather red-scoured looks. Sarai looks left and right and then leans over towards Jaegon. She mutters to Jaegon, "What's going... People..." You sense Sarai looks left and right and then leans over towards Jaegon. "What's going on? People are miussing?" Siara shakes her head, "I'll take Jarnyx with me. You take Jaegon, because I'll probably push him off if I get the chance." She grabs jacket and wherhide trousers, pulling them on and wincing. "Jarnyx takes the water, Jaegon guides us." she says, trying her best to sound authoritative. Seraphim looks lost "Could I know what's going on?" You say "Maraczek and Kyliven are missing in a sandstorm." Siara gets everything fastened up and marches grimly out to the bowl. Siara walks out to the Bowl. Jaegon looks hurt at Siara's words for a second, then swallows it. "Whenever you're ready, bronzerider." P'ter nods, "OK Siara, its your call. If you hurt your leg I'll ... well ..", he doesn't know what to say so shuts up. Anyway, she hadn't waited for a reply. He looks at the others, "Lets go." P'ter walks out to the Bowl. You walk out into the Bowl. Field outside the Main Entrance Activity surrounds you as you gaze over the road which runs beneath the huge cliffs which form the southeastern section of the Igen Weyr Bowl. The wall opens here in three places... the middle one seems the most busy although the northernmost one is the largest. The ground under your feet is solid and rocky, and in the brightest sun it glares uncomfortably. To the north the road continues, winding its way past the hatching grounds and barracks to eventually leave the bowl. Cutting across the bowl to the northwest brings you to the center of the bowl. To the west lies a green field full of beasts- the Weyr's feeding grounds. The infirmary weyr opens to the northeast, and the living caverns to the east. Contents: P'ter Siara Aisheth(#11753QVaepqs) Ranth(#14457Japs) Thoth(#6198IJQaeps$) Terrth Jyrith Nemanth(#11667JMaps) Healers' Herb Garden Obvious exits: Guest ledge INFirmary Main Entrance Center of Bowl Feeding Grounds North Ranth senses "Jaegon is very hurt, but you can barely feel it as he submerges it." Jarnyx walks out from the Weyr's Living Cavern. Ranth bugles catching his riders agitation. Siara mounts Ranth with ease, a hand lightly on the straps, and settles herself between his neckridges, smiling as he turns back to gaze at her affectionately, with slowly whirling eyes. Aisheth is lashing his tail from side to side and his eye's whirl rapidly as he too is caught in the emotion. P'ter leaps up onto a forleg kindly proffered by his large bronze. A hand on the straps and he swings himself up onto Aisheth's neckridges. The dragon croons and turns his head to regard his rider with eye's whirling the slow purple of devotion. From high between Aisheth's neckridges, P'ter calls down, "Jarnyx, your with me." From high between Ranth's neckridges, Siara frowns at P'ter's mix up, but merely hollers, "Let's /go/!" Jarnyx is helped up on to Aisheth, both by the kindly offered foreleg and P'ter's heave. Ranth(#14457Jaes) This stunning blue dragon is the periwinkle-purple color of the sky in the moments before dawn, with broad translucent streaks of golden-bronze dust arcing back from the tip of his nose, and trailing across his wingsails like the flare of the sun as it pops over the horizon. His dramatic coloring contrasts with his gentle temperament and subtle charm. He peers at you curiously, whuffling a bit and stepping back cautiously, having been a careful, methodical dragon right from the shell, though always ready to do whatever his lifemate and rider, Siara, needs. Ranth is 6 Turns, 3 months, and 16 days and is 28 meters in length with a wingspan of 46. Contents: Siara Ranth offers you his foreleg with a gentle croon, and at the same time Siara reaches down and offers a slim hand to help you mount. Jaegon mounts Ranth, since Jarnyx is with P'ter. From atop Aisheth, P'ter is oblivious to his error, not really thinking it would seem due to the possible urgency of the situation. Jaegon clings tothe straps..not Siara. ANd straps himself in carefully. Siara turns and looks at Jaegon, saying shortly, "Are you alright?" She reaches over herself to pull the straps quite tight. Mounted atop Aisheth, P'ter turns to Jarnyx, "Grab the straps here .. and here. Do this up.. There got it." - "Ready?" He then calls out to Siara, "READY?" You say "Silly question, Siara." He says that softly, then firmly "Ready!" Siara calls back to P'ter, "Ready!" You spring into the air of the Bowl. Over the Ground in the Igen Weyr Bowl(#769RLae) The oval shaped caldera surrounds you, and the peaks which cast long shadows across the Bowl at various times of the day reach up past you to the sky, towering in all directions. There is a sense of productivity in the air, with dragons flying to and fro on business all over the Bowl. The air is slightly cooler closer to the ground, although that's scant consolation to those visitors from the north who are unaccustomed to the desert climate. Down to the northwest, the glint of water betrays the lake's position, while to the northeast a large field leads to the Pass out of the Weyr, and a large gap in the wall betrays the location of the Weyr's Hatching Grounds. Southeast, the activity indicates the main entrance to the inner Weyr, and the sounds of herdbeasts travel on the wind from the southwest. Straight below lies the center of the Bowl. A few ground weyrs are accesible from this level. Obvious exits: Hatching Grounds Weyrs Up Aisheth catches an updraft to glide into the air of the Bowl. You beat your wings powerfully to swoop up higher in the Bowl. Midway up in the Igen Weyr Bowl(#779RVae$) All around, the peaks of Igen Weyr reach up past you to the sky, like the fingers of a hand. The weather beaten caldera is clearly oval shaped, shielding you somewhat from the winds that whip their way over the desert to the west, although the air currents remain tricky and even the most experienced dragons stay somewhat on their guard in this area. Heat permeates the Igen Bowl, the air shimmering slightly. Far below, the ground looks like a patchwork quilt - the blue of the Igen lake to the northwest, a patch of green to the southwest promising the feeding grounds, and various shades of brown and yellow-green in between. Openings can be seen in most of the walls of the Bowl at this height, their ledges providing a sunny spot for the weyr's fighting dragons. Obvious exits: Visitors' Weyr Weyrs Down Up Aisheth swoops higher up into the Bowl. Aisheth beats frantically to lift his frame as fast as the more agile blue. He grunts regularly in his efforts. Ranth is already tired out from his chase earlier this day, but at his rider's urging flies higher. Aisheth trupets his agitation and turns his head to P'ter in flight. P'ter in turn calls out to the others, "Where too? Leeward you said?" Jaegon hollers "Leeward!" And makes the "affirmation" handsign. Mounted atop Aisheth, Jarnyx grips tightly to P'ter's belt, eyes shut. He's still a long way from /liking/ flying. Aisheth frame tilts and the dragon turns in the indicated direction. P'ter and Jarnyx, if by chance Jarnyx would open his eyes get a dragon's eye view of the bowl far below spread out in all its glory. Jaegon hangs on, his color fading slightly. Ranth senses "Jaegon is shaking slightly against your hide." Aisheth slips further to the leeward side of the bowl, out over the desert proper and into the area of the dunes. From high between Aisheth's neckridges, Jarnyx opens his eyes for one moment - and that one moment is all he needs. "There!" A shout and he actually releases the death-grip on P'ter's belt for a second to point. Time has passed rapidly and who know how long it has been before Jarnyx shouts that out. From atop Aisheth, P'ter turns in the direction, "Where, where?" From high between Aisheth's neckridges, Jarnyx is now clinging again but grits his teeth and releases an hand. "There - I thought..." Jaegon's hands tighten on the riding straps. Aisheth of his own accord drifts towards where Jarnyx is pointing and his multifaceted eyes are more accurate than P'ter's at this distance. He spots semething before P'ter does and make a line straight for it. Ranth senses "Jaegon reels slightly in his seat." Maraczek is kneeling over Kyliven, fanning her and attempting to feed her water. They are in the shadowed lee of the big rock. Kyliven's mouth is stubbornly closed, lips pressed tightly together. 'Czek isn't having much luck with the water. Ranth arrives and lands beside Aisheth. From very high up, perhaps only the red of Maraczek's clothing is visible. Jarnyx accepts P'ter's help and eases himself down Aisheth's flank and foreleg to the ground. Jaegon clings to Ranth, looking paler by the minute himself. P'ter swings his leg over and slides down Aisheth's flank, landing with ease on the foreleg that Aisheth has places ready. "Thank you Aisheth", says his rider politely as he jumps down from that vantage point to the ground, resting one hand on the bronze behind him when he lands. P'ter runs up to the patch of cloth shading his eyes from the dust of the dragons landing, "MARACZEK! KYLIVEN!" he roars at the top of his voice. Jaegon gets down from Ranth, readying the waterskins he's brought. Jarnyx is racing at P'ter's heels, waterskin bouncing on his back. "Oh /shards/..." Jaegon doesn't run, but he does jog as well as anyone can jog on sand dunes. Kyliven tries to shake her head, to move it away from that annoying water and the annoying sun and the annoying Maraczek. Perhaps it moves half an inch. Maraczek caps his skin, tucking it to his belt. He starts peering around, when he blinks, and orients in the direction of the dragons. P'ter is still running as fast as he can. The large chap slips and falls heavily on the lee side of a dune and rolls to the bottom. Scrambling up and not seeming to care about the abrasions his received he carries on towards what is now definable as a couple of figures. Snicker wings to perch atop the rock, setting up an annoying chitter and squalling all his own. Jarnyx spits out a mouthful of dust, dry lipped. "Mar! Ky! " The wind and dust are carrying his words away, bu he keeps running. Jaegon follows, a bit more slowly if not decorously.
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