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Gina is aware they have eggs on the sand at Fort, but only barely. Her life is about to go upside-down again...
Gina comes in from the lower caverns with a huge basket. J'tal turns back to Yazric, saying as he does, "A few minutes, at least. It was good of you too check." Lal walks in from the bowl. Gina seats herself, seeing Yazric's already talking to the visitors, and unfolds the mats she's working on from her basket. Lal strolls into the Living Cavern, carrying her small child in her arms. The baby clings to what must be one of Lal's wing reports. Lal is playing with teh girl, then she looks up and waves. "Oh...." She pauses, squinting. "Ista's duties t'Fort, I believe?" Yazric smiles to J'tal, "No trouble at all. Can I get you both some klah? Juice?" (J'tal's desc) Age is kind to the tall man before you, bringing out features that youth disdained. His frame has put on a stone or two since the halycon days, and his blond hair is streaked liberally with white, but his face is more animated with the lines that the weather and the turns have added. Although his expression is often stern, his sparkling blue eyes bely any impressions of stodginess. His rider's wherhides are embellished with a vest of dark blue stitched with dancing blue and green dragons. Elyandra smiles and nods, "Juice would be lovely, Yazric, thank you." J'tal nods to Lal as he says, "Fort's duties to Ista." Turning to look back over at Yazric, he adds right after Ely, "Klah, myself." Gina sets out the pattern of small mats, frowning to herself and nibbling her lip. Elyandra glances over, recognizing the brownrider but not commenting vocally. Her expression betrays her, however. She nods, "Fort's duty to Ista and her queens." Yazric nods, heading over to the serving table to pour some cool juice and another mug of klah. He brings these over to the Fort riders, "How is Search going?" Lal snorts softly at Elyandra. "M'almost disappointed yer still pissy a'me after alla these turns," she comments good-naturedly. Taking the child and her hides to the Starscorchers table (along with a few looks that follow her) she spreads out, and asks, 'Wha's fer lunch?" J'tal takes the mug of klah from Yazric with a pleasant nod, wrapping his hands around it as if it was completely cool though steam rises from the top. He answers, after a thoughtful pause, "Search goes well." Gina suddenly ahs softly and nods to herself. She takes out some fresh reeds and begins to weave three mats into a corner-piece of some kind. Elyandra raises an eyebrow at the brownrider, then refrains from comment. She just shrugs to J'tal and takes the glass from Yazric, "Thank you." Yazric nods to J'tal, "That is good to hear, one of your greenriders snagged a friend of mine." Gina hums softly and absently to herself as she works. J'tal raises one eyebrow just slightly as he says, "Really? That would be.." He shakes his head, then says, "So many new names. I can't quite recall." Lal shrugs again, getting up after no answer is offered to her inquiry. She take the baby, who is playing with her braids, and leans over the serving table to persuse its items. Elyandra smiles and waits to see who Yazric is referring to. Yazric nods to J'tal, "Peyra, baker apprentice. Both of us got taken out to the bowl, fortunately the green had some sense." Gina examines another reed and firmly binds the mats together with it. Lal picks up some meatrolls and some citron juice, then turns to Peyra. "Yah...I'd heard about tha'...congrats Peyra, fer wha' s'worth. I hope someone's givin' yeh th'bad stuff about ridin'?" She winks, but she must be partly serious. A hint of a smile lightens J'tal's features as he murmers softly, "A green with sense." Elyandra jumps with a start as a draconic wurble comes from outside. She turns and recognizes the green of Zibrith's hide just outside the entrance. Blinking, she looks at J'tal curiously, then her eyes fade as she speaks with her dragon. Gina weaves another mat onto the three, making a definite corner. Yazric smiles, "There's quite a few greens with sense." he glances outside, "Is that Zibrith?" Elyandra frowns, nodding absently to Yazric as she asks J'tal, "Does Lapeth sense something?" J'tal's eyes loose their own blue sparkle as he stills for a moment. The sparkle returns to them as he nods once, saying, "That, or he's all out of sense. He's trying to push past Zibrith to get a peek in." Yazric groans softly, "Dont get me wrong, I'm not saying they want to, but I hope they arent trying to get a look at me." Gina sings softly "Oh the miner's life is a hard, hard life/And the cromcoal stains him black/but don't you worry about his heart!/for in that you'll find no lack!/Oh, give me a life where the wine runs free/and the shipfish leap in the silvery sea/oh, give me a life where I can be free/that's the life, that's the life/ that's the life for me.." Elyandra snorts, then blinks as a bellow comes from outside. She shakes her head at Yazric, "They say it's a female..." She looks around, her eyes falling on Gina. To Yazric she asks, "Who's that girl over there?" Yazric looks relieved, "Nothing against Fort." he looks over with a smile, "Gina." Gina sings on, now caught up in her work and fingers flying. "Oh, the harper's life is a hard hard life/ for his fingers are always sore/but don't you worry about his heart!/For the girls all him adore/Oh..." Elyandra nudges J'tal, "Go ask her if Lapeth can speak with her." J'tal is already looking over at the singing girl, his fingers tapping against the palm of his hand. Looking over at Yazric, he asks, "Was she looked over by that last green, as well?" At Ely's nudge, he starts walking toward her without waiting for an answer. Yazric shakes his head to J'tal, turning to comment to Ely, "Only Peyra and I were the right age in here when the other rider came around." Elyandra ahs and nods, "I see." Kelanna enters from the narrow corridor. J'tal stops before the still singing girl, clearing his throat loudly before saying in a gruff voice, "Excuse me, miss?" Gina sings on. "Oh the smith has a life, it's a hard hard life/For his face is always red/but don't you worry about his heart/For his heat is..." she trails off and looks up, blushing. "Sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation!" Yazric adds unnecessarily, "I wasnt a big fan of Standing the last time, I get nervous everytime a Searching dragon gets near." he sighs. Kelanna raises a slight eyebrow, "Ista's duties." She moves to speak for a moment with Sandia. Elyandra pats Yazric on the shoulder, "Don't worry. Doesn't look like it's you this time." Yazric smiles to Ely, "Ideally never me again, I'll miss Gina though." Elyandra shrugs, "We have to see if it's her." J'tal says affably, "You've done nothing to interrupt it." With a glance back towards the bowl, he adds, "Though I can't say the same for those blue and green lumps outside." Returning his eyes to her, he says, "Gina, is it? Would you mind stepping outside for a moment?" Gina sets aside her weaving. "No, sir, not at all. Is there something I can help you with?" She glances at Yazric, wondering why he's not doing the helping. Yazric grins to Gina, commenting to Ely, "She is, I know it." J'tal nods slightly, saying, "If you'd just come outside for a moment, to meet my Lapeth.. It would be a great help." He takes a few steps towards the bowl, pausing to allow her to catch him. As he pauses, he says, "I'm J'tal, Lapeth's rider from Fort Weyr." Elyandra grins at Yazric, "You're pretty confident, there. Maybe you've got some of your mother's dragonrider in you after all?" Gina follows. "Gina, originally from Ista Hold, now basetmaker and weaver here." She glances at Yaz again. Yazric laughs, "Survived one hatching, that's enough. I just know dragons, that's all." J'tal reaches out towards Elyandra as he passes her, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. Elyandra hmms and turns, then excuses herself and follows J'tal out. J'tal walks outside, into the bowl. Elyandra walks outside, into the bowl. You walk outside, into the bowl. Ista Weyr Bowl -- Southeast Clusters of dragons group around the large entrance to the living cavern. Smaller entrances line up to lead to the lower caverns and the infirmary. Smoke issues forth from square holes cut into the mountain high above the living cavern. The bowl extends to the northwest, and high above, the southernmost points of the spindles reach for the sky. Daylight shines through the bowl, and the busy entrance to the Living Cavern is in constant use by staff and riders alike. Thick smoke, smelling of roasting meat, drifts out high above. Sunlight beats down from the partly cloudy spring sky, over the bustle of the active Weyr. Light breezes waft playfully around the peaks, through the forests, and along the beaches, causing frothy whitecaps on the surf. The temperature hovers in the cool range, while visibility is good. As has been occuring for the past several days, a dusting volcanic ash darkens the sky and settles lightly on everything. Weyrs and entrances to the lower caverns are visible on all three sides of the Weyr walls that bound you. Contents: Elyandra J'tal Lapeth Zibrith(#6543QUVaepqs) Tsanth(#8570AOeps) Pryth(#282Jaeps) Obvious exits: Lower Caverns Center Bowl DragonWeyrs INFirmary Hatching Grounds Yazric walks out of the living cavern. Lapeth cranes his neck about as he sees his rider emerge from the cavern with people trailing behind him. He warbles softly as his whirling eyes fix on the youngsters trailing the two riders. Zibrith is now behind the larger blue dragon, craning her neck to see around him with a grunt and a croon. Kelanna walks out of the living cavern. Kelanna leans back sipping her mug of klah. She watches a bit testily and stays out of the way. Gina follows amiably, looking at the pair of dragons who press close to the entrance. Yazric leans on the bowl wall, pointing to Gina for the dragons, mouthing the words, "Her, not me." (Zibrith) With a true sense of her own worth and that of her lifemate, this green dragon holds herself with a regal sort of pride. Even when sleeping she holds herself as the most royal of ladies would. Her green hide painstakingly oiled to a rich, dark sheen. She is the darkest of greens, the uniformity of her hide broken here and there by golden highlights. Like rays of sunshine through the tall evergreens, streaks of gold break the monotony of her dark hide, dappling her wings and belly with bright sunlight. The golden streaks and dots become sparcer as they move over the rest of her body, but they're still there giving way to the forest green that is her true color. Quick in the air and equally as quick with a comment to her lifemate her mind is in constant motion. She regards her surroundings with an almost conceited air, holding her head up and looking down her nose. She is overly protective and her eyes hold a constant red tinge. When she looks at someone she seems to see right through to their soul, as if she's trying to decide if this person can be trusted near her and her lifemate. By the time they recover, she is sure to have turned away. Was she really looking at all? Zibrith found Elyandra on the Sands 13 Turns, 10 months, and 28 days ago. She is 23 metres long with a wingspan of 38.3 metres. (Lapeth) This beautiful, dark blue dragon is fully mature, his stoic nature reinforced by age. His shoulders and head are crowned with highlights of midnight blue, and his smooth hide has been barely touched so far by dangerous Thread. His shoulders, haunches, wings and tail are classically proportioned for a dragon of 28 meters. Gina smiles. "Hello, Lapeth and.." she glances at Elyandra for the green's name. J'tal walks over to Lapeth and rubs his hand against the blues eyeridge in a long-time gesture of affection. Turning to look back at the people trailing from the cavern, he says, "Gina, Yazric.." His gaze fixes on the last young woman, and he looks a question at her before saying, "I'm J'tal." Lapeth appears to be impatient with the introductions as he steps about J'tal to take a few steps forward. His eyes fix on Yazric for a moment before moving on to pass over another girl before fixing on Gina. As his eyes begin to whirl faster, he warbles softly and pokes his head a bit closer to her. Gina looks at the blue, then the rider, and her eyes widen. She reaches out to touch Lapeth's muzzle, warily and not before giving a questioning look to J'tal. Yazric nods, "Well met J'tal, Lapeth." J'tal acknowledges Yazric's words with a slight nod, before turning back to Gina. He says, a tinge of amusement coloring his gruff tone, "Go ahead, Gina." Lapeth inches a bit further forward, whuffling. J'tal says, "He's quite pleased with you." Gina reaches out and strokes the deep blue muzzle, at first warily and then as the light dawns with a smile. "He's lovely." She glances at Yazric again, this time with a rather comradely look. They've been through this before. J'tal looks up into his dragons eyes. He reaches out his own hand to give Lapeth a good, hard pat on the side of his before he says to Gina in a firm tone, "Well, girl. I've a question for you. How would you like to stand for Lrisseth's clutch at Fort Weyr. Lapeth here thinks it's a good idea that you do." Elyandra stands next to Zibrith, a look of satisfaction on her face. You say "I'd need to ask Merellia and Daria for permission, sir, but I'd be honored." Parth arrives from the center of the bowl. Merellia steps out of one of the lower weyrs, arriving at the bowl's ground after turning to head down an inclined stair. Yazric grins, "Good choice Lapeth, Gina makes a good candidate." Parth soars in swiftly, wings shifting as he lands gently to the side of the other dragons. Lapeth rumbles hopefully as J'tal gives the blue another firm pat. J'tal says, "If you could run along and do that, then.. It would make Lapeth much happier." E'ryn twists his body, sliding along the side of Parth's neck and to his foreleg. He then hops down easily. Kelanna nods to the Weyrwoman, "Afternoon ma'am." Yazric waves to Merri and E'ryn, "G'day." Elyandra blinks and grins, "Well, the Weyrwoman has arrived." She grins at Merellia, "Fort Weyr's duty to Ista and her queens, Weyrwoman." She nods as well to E'ryn. Gina nods. "I'll do that right away, sir." She pauses as she turns and spies the VERY pregnant weyrwoman not too far away. E'ryn's eyebrows lift as he says, "Whats going on around here?" He smiles lightly, nodding toward Merellia before remarking "Ista's greetings, Fort Rider." This said to J'tal as he turns to face him. Merellia waddles uncomfortably down the ramp from Neith's ledge to the bowl, face clearly expressing her discomfort of these last few sevendays of added weight. Her hair is straggling loosely about her face from the knot it's usually wrapped about in; at Elyandra's greeting, she slows to a stop, shifting her weight from swollen ankle to swollen ankle. "Ista's greeting to Fort and hers," she returns--pleasant with a conscious effort--to Elyandra. J'tal spots Merellia, murmering, "We're in luck, Lapeth." He says more loudly, "Fort's duties to Ista, Weyrwoman." Gina takes a deep breath and stands taller. Kelanna takes another sip of her klah, the drink seems to improved her temperment some. Elyandra gestures to Gina, "It seems we've come riding Search, though quite by accident, I assure you." E'ryn smiles at Elyandra as well, including her in his previous greeting before he glances at Merellia. "Afternoon Weyrwoman." He says easily before he steps to one side and spots Gina in the center of it all. Yazric leans against the bowl wall, watching the hubbub, smiling. Gina reaches out to the blue again, absently, as he lingers close to her. "Duties," Merellia returns absently in greeting to J'tal, then, with a glance at the crowd of dragons, begins working her way towards the living cavern, before pausing at Elyandra's elaboration. "You've come on /what/?" she queries, startled into abruptness. Elyandra blinks at Merellia, "Well, actually J'tal and I came to discuss a unique Dragonhealing case with you and ask your advice. However, Lapeth seems to sens affinity in Gina, here...." She again gestures to the girl and her voice trails off. Yazric perks up, "Dragonhealing?" he echoes with curiosity. As E'ryn listens to Elyandra -- head tilted toward the greenrider to facilitate this he suddenly smiles, that expression directed upon Gina with a nod of acknowledgement. He remains silent however, gaze shifting back to Merellia. Lapeth warbles softly at Elyandra's words. Merellia's tone conveys only a fraction of her disgust and dismay, weight shifting fractiously from foot to foot. "/Again/?" she asks, tone shifting to scathing with, "What, have you Searched everyone from your Weyr already, too, that you've to come by Ista Searching twice?" Hormones. Pregancy. Hormones. The Weyrwoman crosses her arms atop her prodigious belly, brows drawn together in impatience. Gina winces. Uhoh. Kelanna just stays agaisnt the wall, she's been blasted before and she'd like to avoid it again if possible Elyandra straightens up and clears her throat, "I do apologize, Weyrwoman. We did not come to Search those from your Weyr. If you'd rather, we'll leave without Gina and come back to discuss the Dragonhealing case at a later date. Perhaps after you've delivered?" J'tal blinks slowly, his eyes then fixing on Merellia's belly before returning to her face. He says quietly, "We did not come by to search. But can you tell a dragon not to sense potential? I've never tried to tell my Lapeth so." Gina steps back from Lapeth reluctantly. The last thing she wants to do is upset Merellia. Merellia's eyes narrow at Elyandra's suggestion. "Maybe so." With a quirk to her lips bespeaking idle amusment of the most hormonal pregnant woman's kind, she adds, "Though, if my reckoning is correct, I've more sevendays left to go than clutches wait on sands." At J'tal's comment, her green eyes glance sidelong to look at him, bristling once more, "We usually avoid being the circumstances of such." The We being, of course, Ista. Yazric comments into the fray of words, "I'd like to hear about the dragonhealing problem too." E'ryn steps over near Merellia, reaching out toward her arm with a casual hand. "Weyrwoman," He says respectfully, "Surely we can go light on these riders, it looks as if it was an accident, in truth." He urges light-toned. Elyandra gestures at Gina and Lapeth, "I do assure you again that we'd not have known Gina even had affinity if we'd not come to speak with you about this case. We can, of course, simply go about our business. Though we'd be thrilled if you'd allow Gina to accompany us to Fort Weyr and honor us by Standing for Lrisseth's clutch now hardening on the Sands." Merellia's glance falls to Yazric and she says impatiently, "D'zel's sleeping. He's been up all night assisting with a wing restoration from yesterday's fall--" E'ryn's attempted intervention earns a shake of her elbow as she dislodges the Weyrsecond, dark hair falling further out of its knot. Irritation heightening, she snaps Fortians-wards, "She's a lazy good-for-nothing and if you'd like to take her, it will be with my full pleasure. The lower caverns haven't been the same since she's started lazing about them, setting a bad example." Taking a breath, she adds, "That's one risk away from Ista's eggs, at least." Gina blinks and stares. The unexpected attack leaves her speechless. Kelanna winces as she hears the scathing rampage of the weyrwoman, she gives Gina a sympathetic look. Yazric nods to Merri, "I know, I was there." he frowns as Merri continues, muttering something to himself. J'tal shrugs slightly at Merellia's comment to him and he leans against Lapeth. He gets pushed nearly over, though, as Lapeth moves upward a bit at Merellia's criticism of the girl. Lapeth warbles protectingly, his whirling eyes showing a tinge of orange as they fix on the Weyrwoman. Elyandra's eyes widen and she blinks, glancing at Gina's reaction to the Weyrwoman's harsh words. She turns to the Weyrwoman, "Surely you didn't mean that?" She forces a polite smile, "I've been in your shoes, Weyrwoman. Sometimes I didn't mean to say things but they came out anyway." E'ryn blinks, face twisting into a grimace before he says, voice deepening to one Merellia might be familiar with. "Merellia," Attempt at diversion. "I think maybe that we should perhaps just let this go for now, and let these good riders take Gina with them." His voice carries tones of concern. "I'm sure you didn't really mean it when you said Gina was lazy." He coaxes. Merellia takes another breath, face reddening even further than that brought on by Ista's humidity. "In fact, I don't need this at all. I'll just have a drink /brought/ in. So much for exercise and fresh air." Twisting about awkwardly on a heel--and nearly stumbling from the overbalanced weight of her body, she stomps back towards her ledge, adding loudly, "And you can expect--" She hesitates, then comes to a complete stop, hands fisting in her tunic. "So now Fort's accusing me of /lying/?" Her tone rising, "I said /take/ her for all I care. By the Red Star, take them all off to Fort until you /drown/ in Candidates." E'ryn simply sighs and shakes his head as Merellia begins to retreat. He takes steps forward when the Weyrwoman stumbles, hands reaching out then pulling back when she recovers. Helpfully he says, "Merellia, I'll bring you something, myself if you like." Yazric winces, "Nasty nasty." he mumbles, moving over to Gina. Gina mutters to Yazric. You whisper "I've done my best..I really have!" to Yazric. Elyandra frowns, "No, Ma'am. I wasn't accusing you of lying at all." She looks at her hands, "I apologize if it sounded that way." A weyrling enters the bowl, but spins around and runs the moment that he spots Merellia. Yazric mutters to Gina, "Dont... just... point in... I... I... that... easier..." Yazric whispers "Dont worry, she's just cranky. Mom used to throw things by this point in her pregnancies, I think I liked that better, it's easier to duck." Merellia attempts to shake off E'ryn once more, sidestepping as quickly as her bulk will allow, and spits out, "So Fortian courtesy now permits blatant lies, as long as the excuse is given that they weren't /meant/ to sound that way? Faranth spare me." She begins making her way up the staired ramp towards her weyr, half-bent over the ballooning expanse of her stomach to brace herself with one hand as well as feet against the incline. E'ryn doesn't make any more attempts at assistance or help -- having been rebuffed twice. He simply watches Merellia head up into her Weyr with an expression of obvious concern. He then glances back to the Fortians, giving them a look which seems to imply that he's hoping they'll leave off, and let it lie. J'tal looks after Merellia, his features kept to an obviously forced blank expression, as he says, "Well, Ely?" Merellia walks up the gentle incline of a stairway leading from the surface of the bowl into one of the weyrs a short distance above. Gina sighs. "If you'll excuse me, sir, ma'am, I'll just get my things. I don't have much." Kelanna glances at Gina, "I could get anything you might need, " She doesn't need to say that the Weyrwoman MIGHT come back. J'tal nods to Gina, saying in a kind tone, "You do that lass." Gina nods to Kelanna, grateful. "You know which press I have? And the one big basket, I don't need. Kelanna nods, "You are in the resident's Cavern right?" She smiles a bit at the girl. Gina nods. "Yes, I am." Elyandra frowns, then looks over at E'ryn worriedly, "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset Merellia, especially in her state." Yazric sighs, "In spite of Merri, congrats Gina." Kelanna walks into the huge living cavern. E'ryn steps toward the Fortians, and says, "I appologize for that. I'm sure the Weyrwoman will too, later, when she's more herself. This pregnancy I think has been difficult on her." He furrows his brow again. "She usually isn't like this." He gestures toward her weyr as he explains, "At least accept my appology for what happened. And Gina, please, don't take what she's said to heart." Kelanna walks out of the living cavern. Kaci walks out of the living cavern. Kelanna carries a smallish press, "Gina..." Elyandra glances at J'tal, worried expression still crossing her features, "I'll be sure to send her my apologies again and perhaps a baby gift... I'm not sure if it's right to take Gina or leave her. I'm afraid leaving her would simply put her in the middle of the Weyrwoman's wrath right now. I know it's not like her to be that way." Yazric nods in agreement with the greenrider, "I think, for what little it's worth, that everyone should just pretend that Merri said 'Congrats Gina, we'll miss you' and go from there." Elyandra smiles slightly at Yazric's words. Gina takes the press and carisac and smiles wanly. "I'll miss you, Yaz." Yazric smiles to Gina, "I'll miss you too, I'll come visit, gotta keep track of both you and Peyra y'know." he chuckles, "Sides, Peyra prolly needs someone to keep him in line." Gina rolls her eyes. "So he doesn't overspice everything?" Kaci pauses on her way to the infirmary, listening, then her eyes widen. "You're leaving us, Gina?" Yazric grins, "No such thing. I was more thinking so he doesnt break his arm again." E'ryn smiles wryly at Yazric and then says, "Is there anything else you need Gina? Riders?" He glances toward the Fortians. You say "It looks like it, and from the sound of things Merellia was as glad to see the back of me." J'tal looks over at Ely, saying with certainty, "We've got permission. She comes." Lapeth warbles happily, craning his triangular head about to bump it against his rider. Neith rumbles irritably from her ledge, muzzle appearing with a gold glint to those in the bowl below. Elyandra nods at J'tal and moves to her dragon, "Thank you. I appreciate your advice." She turns to the young man, "Yours too, Yazric. Give my best to your mother." Kaci's eyebrows shoot up, and she moves over to speak softly to Yaz. Elyandra steps up on Zibrith's thoughtfully extended forleg and climbs quickly up on her neck, seating herself securly between her dragon's neckridges. Yazric nods, "Will do Elyandra, clear skies to you!" J'tal says, "Gina, if you'll just step up onto Lapeth behind me." J'tal uses Lapeth's extended foreleg as a ladder and carefully makes his way to a convenient neck-ridge. Yazric bends his head to murmer back to Kaci. Gina hands up her few possessions and mounts up behind J'tal. You climb up and set yourself in a comfortable spot between two deep blue neck ridges. Fasten in. From the area around, Zibrith flies up into the air. From the area around, E'ryn comments "Gina, I wouldn't think about it if I were you, just now. Wallowing in what Merellia has said will only make you unhappy." His head tilts, "I suggest you might want to leave though." He glances up at Neith, who's muzzle appears. "Head back to Fort and get Gina snug and sound within your Weyr." Gina buckles in and waves to the small crowd. J'tal fastens his own straps with a minimum of extra movement, then twists about to see that Gina's buckled herself in correctly. With a satisfied expression on his face, he looks forward once more and waves to those on the ground below. (travel snipped) From the area around, Above the center of the bowl, Zibrith spirals down towards the Center of the bowl, and backwings to a landing. Gina wraps her arms around herself, goosebumps rising. J'tal looks about as Lapeth settles lightly to the ground, saying as he slowly unfastens his riding straps, "Welcome to Fort Weyr, Gina." From the area around, Elyandra swings gracefully from Zibrith's neck, using a thoughtfully extended forleg, she slides to the ground. Her eyes are distant as she speaks silently to her dragon before giving her an affectionate rub on her neck. Gina unbuckles herself and gets ready to slide down. J'tal finishes unbuckling himself, swinging a leg over to one side as he finishes. He says, "Just slide on down." You extract yourself from your comfortable seat as you leave Lapeth. Center of the Fort Weyr Bowl(#200RJ$) The Bowl of Fort Weyr, a large, featureless plain surrounded by steep mountain cliffs, stretches out around you. It is approximately oval in shape, about 2700 meters along the long axis running southwest to northeast, and about half that distance across the short axis. You stand in its approximate center. The soil of the bowl is somewhat sandy. To the northwest is the large cavern used for the Weyrling barracks. To the west is the fenced off area where the Weyr's herds are kept, and the lake shore is to the southwest. To the northeast can be seen the ledges for the junior queens and the weyrleaders. The large entrance to the Hatching Grounds can also be seen to the northeast and to the east are the Lower Caverns. Contents: Elyandra Zibrith Lapeth Caliath Jaelith Tithe Train Obvious exits: Infirmary Lower Caverns Weyrling Barracks Northeastern Area Lake Shore Feeding Grounds Tunnel J'tal sets himself down on the ground, using Lapeth's extended foreleg for assistence. Gina says to Lapeth "Thank you for a very smooth journey, Lapeth." She looks around, still shivering. J'tal looks at Gina's small press, saying, "We should get you settled in right away. There's no need for you to carry that around longer than necessary." Gina nods and gnaws her lip a bit. "Yes, sir. Which way?" J'tal points in the direction of the living caverns. He says as he begins to walk towards them, "Weyrs are big places, but I'm sure you'll get used to where everything is at this one soon enough." Gina follows J'tal. J'tal pauses as he sees Ebisu. He says with an amiable smile that encompasses both Gina and the Weyrbaker, "Ebisu. Just the man I would have wished to see. I've a new candidate here." With a wave to Gina, he hads, "Gina, from Ista Weyr." Gina nods respectfully, not sure how things are here and not wanting to breach etiquette. "Sir." Ebisu waves to J'tal and Gina, proffers his left hand for that traditional open hand greeting, "I'd proffer my right hand, but it's busy basting the barbecue here at the moment." He nods his head sideways, indicating the hand with the brush--ever his way, always doing two or three things at once. Gina covers his hand with her own. Ebisu finishes up with the barbecue then advises his apprentice Tower, "Okay, you and apprentice Prudhomme keep at the pits and have it sliced and served for tonight." He cleans his hands in a nearby bowl, dries them on the towel and nods to J'tal and Gina, "You people just land adragonback?" J'tal smiles at Ebisu before turning to Gina to add, "Ebisu's one of the candidate liasons for this clutch. But I'll let him tell you more about that." There's a questioning tone to those last words as he turns to look back at Ebisu. He says, "We did just get in, and now Lapeth's insisting it's feeding time." Lapeth warbles loudly. Gina nods to J'tal. "My thanks, sir. For everything." Ebisu elbows J'tal playfully, "That MASTER Ebisu to you, my dear bluerider." Turning to Gina, he adds affably, "Yep, I've been drafted, err, volunteered to be a candidate liaison for this Search cycle. So pick up your rucksack there and follow ol' 'Bisu into the Living Cavern." Gina nods and waves to Elyandra and J'tal again before following the *Master* baker. J'tal smiles once after Gina before he walks back to Lapeth and reaches up for the straps. J'tal uses Lapeth's extended foreleg as a ladder and carefully makes his way to a convenient neck-ridge. Above the center of the bowl, Lapeth wings up from the Center of the Bowl. Ebisu waves cheerfully to Elyandra, "Better let Zibrith feed 'fore Lapeth eats the whole herd!" Elyandra grins and waves to Ebisu. Ebisu makes for the Fort Weyr Living Cavern in a bemused easy going gait, "Walk this way..." Ebisu heads into the Living caverns. You head into the Living Caverns. Fort Weyr Living Cavern(#199RJMa$) Approaching half the size of the Hatching Grounds, this cavern echoes with voices during the day, and the soft patter of feet during the night. Dozens of tables are spaced throughout, each with open space around to provide small amounts of privacy for the discussions carried on at each. The night hearth, with a cluster of pots of stew and klah, is situated near the large entrance to the Bowl. Several other hearths are spaced around the huge chamber, lending light and some heat to the room. Broad marble steps to the southwest lead up to the impressive Fort Weyr kitchen. To the east, a short flight of stairs leads to the hallway to the inner caverns. A stout door to the north has a healer's emblem on it, marking the Infirmary. To the south is a wide tunnel, leading out of the weyr, and a wide opening to the west leads to the weyr bowl. Contents: Ebisu Rylle Peyra Betting Scroll Lisha Serving Table Meg and Peg Fort Weyr Firelizard Perch Obvious exits: Bowl INFirmary Inner Caverns Tunnel Kitchen Gina enters behind the baker, carrying a small press and a carisack. Peyra nods. "That'd do it," he says as he takes a sip of his juice. Then he blinks. Blinks again. "/Gina/??" Ebisu steps into the cavern and guides Gina, "This is the great Fort Weyr Living Cavern. Welcome... eat drink and be merry, so to speak, and not necessarily in that order." Rylle's large eyes move first where Peyra's voice is directed, then her head follows. She smiles friendily at the woman and the baker. Gina half-smiles to Peyra. "Heya, Peyra. Someone had to look after you.." Ebisu ahs to Peyra "You two not-so-long-lost-friends?" Rylle holds her hand over her mouth as she giggles at the woman's greeting. Gina tries hard not to rubberneck the immense cavern. Peyra grins to Gina. "I'm sure that's the /only/ reason you came. Uh huh." You say "Well...Lapeth liked me. A lot." Peyra smiles and nods again. "See? I /said/ so." Ignoring, of course, that what he actually said was the opposite. Gina shifts the press in her arms. Leading Gina past the bustling throng of riders, crafters, and residents, "Well, on to the Inner Caverns. Oh, if you ever want to know what's going on in the Weyr, ask Meg and Peg -- they seem to know everything." Ebisu walks down the eastern stairs to the Inner Caverns. Ginawaves and follows Ebisu. Rylle begins measuring out lengths of flax string as she listens, cutting them with a small utility knife. She ties all the strings together at the ends and begins knotting, her eyes unfocused as she works. You walk down the stairs, into the Inner Caverns. Inner Caverns(#944RJL$) Lower than the Living Cavern above, this room is still a large, bustling place. Hearths heat some of the areas here, allowing elderly and ill residents to rest here rather than mount the steps to the Living Cavern above. Rooms open out to the storerooms, the children's areas, the private rooms of staff members and some of the residents. Laundry rooms and bathing areas down one set of stairs draw near-constant traffic throughout the day. Two long corridors lead off of here, one to the east and one to the south, going to the crafters' and staff quarters respectively. Noise drifts out from the curtain to the northeast that leads to the residents dorms, and a small door to the north leads to the guest room. A short flight of stairs to the west leads back to the Living Caverns. Contents: Ebisu Shamash Cibola Kij Search Signup Board Obvious exits: Records Room Candidates' Barracks Resident Hallway Staff Corridor Crafters' Quarters Residents' Dorm Guest Room Living Cavern Ebisu leads Gina through the maze, "And this corridor leads to the Candidates Barracks." Ebisu brushes aside the curtain and enters the Candidates' Barracks. You brush aside the curtain and enter the Candidates' Barracks. Candidates Barracks(#10244RAJ$) This large low-ceilinged cavern provides temporary housing for the Weyr's Candidates. Various tapestries hang from the walls, lending an air of color and cheefulness to the dark grey walls. Neat rows of cots fill the back of the cavern, a small press at the foot of each. Numerous shelves dot the walls of the cavern. Littered with various containers and odd items, they seem to lend themselves more to firelizard perches than anything else. A few tables with chairs have been placed towards the front of the cavern, providing a place to visit or do handicrafts. Contents: Ebisu Fort Weyr Firelizard Perch Chore Board Sign: Welcome to Fort! Obvious exits: Inner Cavern Gina looks around, noting the numbers already present. You say "Is there a specific place I should put my things?" Ebisu sweep an arm about, "Find a convenient bunk to call home and toss your gear in the accompanying chest at the foot of the cot." He grins, "I don't recommend bunking down next to anyone that snores too profusely." Gina nods and picks a cot next to Peyra's. She sets down her possessions and stretches her shoulders. Ebisu explains, stepping over to the board, "Okay, so as you realize that Candidacy isn't an extended vacation among dragonkind, here's the chorelist... each day you will be assigned firestone sacking duty and a chore on this list. And of course, you'll have some days off, believe it or not, so do enjoy those." Gina nods. "I stood for Ista's last clutch, sir. I'm ready to work for my bread." She smiles at you tentatively. Ebisu ahs and gives Gina's shoulder a reassuring friendly pat, "Good to see a hardworking spirit... I tell you, every once in a while we got spoiled brats who are the children of well placed Crafters or Lord Holders..." Gina chuckles softly. She's still shivering. "I'm sure there must be a way to get them to do their part, though." Gina runs her hands over her arms. Ebisu hehs to Gina, "Well, don't worry about them... so far, haven't seen any high-maintenance Candidates who thinks the Weyr exists for their amusement. Oh, if you need anything, like clothing, blankets, cleaning sands or soaps or perfumes, or any other daily living item, just flag down one of the Lower Caverns staffers." You say "I think I could use a sweater, sir. I'm freezing! Is it a colder day today?" Ebisu hrms and thinks, "I think the weather at Fort Weyr is usual for this time of year." Gina nods. "It's much colder than the island." Ebisu hehs, "Well, not all Weyrs can be set in a tropical paradise." Ebisu waves at a lower cavern staffer who's scurrying bay, "Hey, you! In the orange shirt! Yep, be a dear and fetch the lass from Ista here a nice sweater, one of those tithed from the Weaverhall. Thanks." Gina smiles gratefully. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it." You say "I shouldn't keep you, sir, you have things to do.." Ebisu gets a far away look, "Uh oh, I can hear my firelizard sending me the image of some Weyrkids sneaking into the desserts I've prepared for tonight... I have to run." Ebisu brushes aside the curtain and heads back to the Inner Caverns. Gina sighs and sits on her cot for a moment, then lifts her chin and begins to arrange her press.
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