A Present from the Past (Brinleth)

[Sher]

13.25.3188

Ponoa thought back to her long life and smiled. If moisture gathered in the myriad wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, no-one noticed it, least of all the man who lay prone on their shared bed. All knew Th'ol was soon to expire, but his love for his weyrwoman was so great, Mnarith had chosen to share his human's last few hours. "You won't go alone," she whispered. Brinleth agreed quietly, the mental touch no more than a brush of shared emotion tinged with physical effort.

The massive queen was in the process of laying her final clutch, watched by her bronze weyrmate whose eyes spun with worry. I've done this dozens of times! Brinleth snapped, but was instantly contrite. I'm sorry... I just can't believe, an entire Turn...[/i]

It hardly needed saying. Generous as always, Mnarith stretched his neck out briefly to nuzzle his old lady. As his head withdrew, his eyes started a telltale fade into shades of gray. Th'ol! Mine! he moaned.

Ponoa stood, already seeming ethereal as she kissed the back of Th'ol's cooling hand. It was time. The pair of waiting bronzeriders, both lads that she'd known since they were candidates, picked up their Weyrleader with due ceremony and bore his body out to the waiting bronze. There was a flicker of an eyelid as Th'ol whispered something, something no-one could hear. Mnarith moaned again, eyes whirling ever faster, as his mindmate was buckled to the riding straps for the last time. Bronze wings raised for the still-strong downthrust that would send them aloft. Brinleth was already keening, in the throes of laying the final egg.

The ancient bronze bore his rider up, ever higher, in a spiral climb through the gap in the roof of the Hatching Sands and into the frigid air of midwinter. Some would later swear that they saw Th'ol's fist raise in the signal to go between, a flicker before the pair disappeared.

The half-empty Weyr shook with the mournful keening that echoed through it. Let us leave this pain![/i] Brinleth cried wildly.

Ponoa didn't bother with straps, but let herself be gripped in the massive golden claws about the waist. A last message, she remembered. Something she should have thought of Turns ago. Tell them to send for a new queen.

It is done. Relief and gut-wrenching anguish overlapped in the old queen's mind, as together the pair winked from existence amid a fresh round of keening.

~*~

The eggs were not left alone for long. The first greens to recover from the outpouring of anguish crept in as a pair, without informing Theirs. Both knew with certainty that a queen would be coming soon, but equally clear was the fact that it was sharding winter. An out of season clutch was harder to care for than one aided by the warmth of the sun. And so they went, to gently nudge the eggs nearer to one another until all were touching.

One green, the larger, lay curled partway around them, and after a moment of hesitation the other copied her. They were soon joined by a third, who murmured only, Heat rises.

When someone finally gathered their wits long enough to worry about the eggs, they entered the Hatching Cavern and saw that it was already well in hand. In claw? The three greens were laying nose-to-tail in a circle around the eggs, and seemed to be taking turns covering the lot with a wing to trap in the heat.

That someone wondered how green dragons came by a motherly instinct. Certainly it wasn't through personal experience. As soon as word went 'round, the greens' riders were immediately excused from all other duties so they could help Theirs tend to the eggs. A strange situation, but until the new goldrider arrived, it was the best they could do.

[Sher]

01.02.3189

Kadia slid down off the back of her gold to the dusty, pitted stone of the weyrbowl, meeting the eyes watching them with a brief smile. The tall woman's few personal affects were still strapped to the riding gear, but Rusith was adamant. The eggs were more important than possibly stepping on anyone's toes. The gold moved off purposefully toward the yawning entrance to the Hatching Cavern, wings tightly tucked.

Rusith comes,[/color] she announced briskly, to warn the waiting greens of her approach. It was the same three that had watched the clutch from the moment Brinleth had gone between. A more polite dragon would have asked for introductions, but the gold only said, You are to be commended for the care you have shown.[/color] It was as clear a dismissal as it was possible to give, and the greens flew out the opening in the roof in varying degrees of irritation.

Kadia rubbed her temples with a hand as she followed her gold. It's not like Thread is due tomorrow or anything, she scolded silently. You could have tried to be nicer.

Rusith was crouched beside the eggs, examining them critically with every sense she possessed. She cocked her head briefly toward Hers. I suppose you would have suggested I waste time hearing names I'll only forget,[/color] she said. We're going to be meeting so many in the coming sevendays, I'll be shocked if my head doesn't explode.[/color] She nudged one egg a bit away from the others, eyes briefly swirling through the hues of sorrow. Dud,[/color] she pronounced quietly. Those greens should have known.[/color]

"Keep it with the others," Kadia said, shivering slightly as she settled to the sandy ground. For a moment she wondered just how extinct this volcano was; the sand was much warmer than the air. She'd have to ask someone that knew about Sunset's construction after they settled. "Just in case."

Rusith regarded her human with the closest thing to disgust as one could manage toward one's other half. There's nothing in there. A shame, too, it's a sparkle-shell.

Kadia climbed heavily to her feet, gritting her teeth as knees and back complained loudly, and came to inspect the 'dud.' She was so tired, she didn't think she could summon real interest just yet. Everyone knew by now that a shiny shell didn't always mean a queen, but it was a better chance than for others. The shell was lovely, a buttery gold swirled with lavender and pale blue and every inch of it glittering. She put a calloused hand to it, but couldn't tell anything but that it was still warm from the greens' care. Definitely a shame, even if it wasn't the only shining shell present.

The woman ran a hand through her cap of graying curls. Will you bend so I can get my writing pad down? I want to inventory these before we do anything else. As the old queen complied, Kadia added, Can you tell the council of bronzeriders that I'll meet them in the Lower Caverns this evening? Might as well get a feel for what sort of leadership there currently was, here.

She set about taking details down about each egg, general appearances and whatever else came to mind. There was probably already such a list, but there was something calming about working at a simple (and purely selfish) task. When she was done, Rusith nudged these eggs that weren't hers so every one was upright and orderly, and curled around them with a long-suffering sigh. Only fourteen, but two of them shiny, even if one of those was empty, like the gold said. Probably the smallest clutch poor Brinleth had ever laid...

---

[/size]
((Remember, the other half are NPC eggs.))

[li]The Fuddy Dud Egg
Of an average size and shape, this egg is smooth to the touch. The sparkling shell looks like some sort of painting gone wrong, the way gold, lavender, and blue swirl into each other at irregular points. Its surface is warm like the rest, but there is no response to any outward stimuli. However, anyone who touches it will hear the faintest mental echo of their own thoughts- as if they spoke to themselves, unwillingly. It rests on its side in the shadow of the massive Dancing Square, the narrow apex pointing toward Lady's Embrace.

[/li][li]The Lady's Embrace Egg
Third largest of the clutch, this egg is fat on the bottom with a very narrow apex. It has a grainy sort of texture almost like fine sandpaper. Pastel pink and vibrant red clash in patterns like open flower buds (or reproductive organs, to those with dirty minds). Whoever touches it will receive a naughty tingle and a slightly fishy smell, a hint of amusement, but nothing more. This egg sits deep in the sand, almost touching against the Motion of the Ocean.

[/li][li]The Dancing Square Egg
Named for the varied green angles and planes making ridged squares and rectangles across its shell, this giant doesn't wait to be noticed; it demands attention. Not that it lacks for that, what with its size! Whatever is inside will respond with satisfaction and subtle interest when touched, then abruptly vanish after several minutes without so much as a thought of farewells. It sits near the Pompous Speech, somehow giving the impression of leaning away- perhaps even protectively- toward the echoing Fuddy Dud.

[/li][li]The Drum Solo Egg
Though average in size, something about this lopsided egg seems menacing. Maybe it's the way a single blob of black sits glaring out of an otherwise attractive orange shell. Anyone nearby will feel pulsations rolling out from it that only strengthen and resolve into an emotion when physical contact is made. That emotion is pure unbridled rage so strong that few will even notice the silky surface beneath their skin. The only mercy is that this outpouring of emotion is formless, and lacks direction. It sits near the outside of the clutch; next to it, nearer the center, is the Dancing Square; the next nearest is the Sneaking Hand.

[/li][li]The Pompous Speech Egg
It's the colors that draw people to this one. If there is a base hue it's impossible to discern; a dizzying rainbow of speckles splatter everywhere across the shell, giving the impression of texture though it is as smooth as quality glass. It is commonly considered to be a queen egg due to the radiance of the yellow and gold speckles. It really is shaped less like an egg and more like a ball. When touched, there's a sense that the contents of this egg would like nothing more than to be admired all day; vague rustling, like dry leaves in a light wind, can be heard. Though it is positioned between several other eggs, it seems to be somehow detached from the rest.

[/li][li]The Motion of the Ocean Egg
Undoubtedly the smallest egg in the clutch, this perfectly formed egg has smooth grooves dug regularly into its shell in what looks like a stylized 'crashing wave' formation. The colors enhance the effect, all in splashes of blue, that shade into sea green at the widest point. Whoever touches it will sense a vast and unyielding patience, that has a tang of brine like the air near a beach. It is safely in the middle of Lady's Embrace and Sneaking Hand.

[/li][li]The Sneaking Hand Egg
This egg is almost perfect, were it not for the unfortunate-looking gray lumps forming what could be a hand reaching across the otherwise unmarked black shell. Second largest of the clutch, its presence is undeniable and rock-solid: a presence that waits to be touched, then reaches stealthily into the depths of one's mind looking for something to take. It is near the Drum Solo, but not quite as close to it as the Dancing Square.[/li][/ul]

[ambigious]

Go see the Weyrwoman! It's lucky enough as it is that you've managed to avoid her for as long as you have,[/i] Aliseth scoffed from her Weyrledge. The light, nearly white green was sunning herself on the ledge, nearly translucent wings splayed to gather every inch of the pleasing sun while it was still about. Otherwise, a chill wind nipped at the air, which Aliseth did not approve of in the slightest. A snort billowed forth from her muzzle in a plume of hot air to show her disapproval.

And after that we should take a vacation to the Southern Continent. This cold weather is awful.[/i] Abruptly the green snaked her shapely, box shaped head around to gaze at her hide, which seemed a dull green in color due to the hazy winter air. Mine! I think I'll need a good sanding. I can't crack my hide in this cold weather.[/i] As Aliseth blathered on, Madison continued her sedately walk through the dining caverns, hardly even acknowledging Aliseth's words. A few wingriders called greetings to her which caused Madison to miss a step, and she attempted to regain her footing as she lifted a hand in a wave. Her rosebud lips were pinched shut in a thin, firm line, as she did not want to risk opening it and uttering nonsense.

It had been a peaceful Turn and a half since she'd arrived at Sunset Weyr, and although she had suffered brief fame when she and Aliseth took over for the bronze Wingsecond during Threadfall, other than that she enjoyed her anonymity here. It was her wish to keep it that way. Yet Aliseth always insisted on somehow shoving them into the limelight, which was the last place that Madison wanted to be. With a sigh, the slight woman, barely reaching 5"3 in height, reached up to brush an errant, dark brown bang out of her eyes. Her long, straight hair fell free to her shoulders, although the bangs had been cut straight across her forward.

Don't ignore me, Madison. I know you can hear me. Or would you like me to call to you aloud?[/i] A sly note crept into Aliseth's tone as the small green, her slight physique complimenting that of her rider, as she folded her wings neatly against her back and rose into a position that allowed her to recline on her haunches. Madison stopped dead in her tracks as she felt Aliseth's intention wash over her.

Ali, no! Too late. The green issued forth a commanding bugle that rang throughout the Weyrbowl. A few other dragons bugled back in query, but she merely snorted and re-settled herself. Madison's brows pinched together in a frown. That definitely won't get me what you want to do, you selfish overgrown wherry. Still, the green had done her job; Madison was officially flustered. A blush colored her pale face as she hurried out of the dining cavern, a few sets of eyes following her exit. I might as well just ask Rusith if she may join you, since you're not doing anything,[/i] Aliseth added in an intentionally non chalant tone. Madison threw her hands into the air and abruptly pivoted towards the Hatching Sands.

Alright, Ali, you win. I'll go see the Weyrwoman. Madison could hardly keep the dread from leaking into her mental tone. She hated social situations of any short, even though she had to deal with them everyday. They always put her on edge, as she didn't know what to say or how to act. Chewing on her bottom lip, a nervous habit, Madison strode into the viewing area of the Hatching Sand and mentally prepared herself for the ordeal. Anxiety was already pumping through her veins; her palms felt clammy, and she could hear her heart beating loudly in her ears.

"W-w-Weyrwoman K-Kadia?" Madison stammered, her voice barely above normal audible levels. "M-m-my name is M-Madison of Green Aliseth," her dragon's name rolled easily off her tongue without so much as a hint of a stammer, "and I p-p-personally wanted to i-introduce m-m-myself-" Calm down, love,[/i] Aliseth interrupted gently, and Madison was surrounded by the warmth of comfort and love that her dragon felt for her. Sure, the green was pushy and proddy, but it was all in Madison's best interest. Rusith is a fine queen, so I'm sure her rider is just as good of a person. Just take a deep breath, and continue.[/i] Partially soothed by her dragon's gentle tone, Madison gulped down a deep breath, flushed, and continued again.

"W-w-welcome to Sunset Weyr. I-i-if you n-need anything, I-i-i can t-try to h-h-help. I k-know how h-hard it can be," she finished with another deep breath, "to be n-n-new to a W-weyr and b-b-be expected to r-run it." There! She'd done it. Madison expelled the breath she'd been holding, her chest aching with the effort. Aliseth rumbled her approval from her ledge. Very good, my love.[/i] Then she turned her attention to Rusith. Greetings, Queen Rusith. I am Aliseth, and Madison is my rider. It's a pleasure to meet you.[/i] Aliseth's tone was smooth and polite, but held a note of impudence in her shrill mental voice.

[Sher]

Rusith had lifted her head from the eggs to observe the greenrider's approach, having heard Aliseth's bugle even from here- which of course put her on alert. Mine, the gold said, a bit unnecessarily. Kadia was already glancing up from writing a description of the gray-bumped black egg, one she was already referring to in her thoughts as the Sneaking Hand.

I see. So it begins already. Kadia tucked her writing pad behind her belt and pocketed her pen, point up to avoid ink stains. Then she arranged her face into a welcoming smile that was (at first) just slightly strained around the edges. It smoothed into something more natural and genuine when she heard the nerves in the younger woman's voice. She waited kindly until the greenrider was done speaking, and offered the Weyr salute of equals. It was a concession, meant to be a gesture of appreciation rather than one of condescension. "Pleased to meet you," she said equably, now in a rather mellow mood when faced with someone more nervous than she was. "Assuming I can speak plainly to you, Madison of green Aliseth, may I ask how the Weyr has reacted to the passing of-" She paused briefly, wincing as she realized it might not be entirely discreet to bring up the dead so soon and brushing nonexistent dirt from her pants leg with a palm. "-Pomona and Brinleth? The days to come will be hard, and I fear that we will all have to be equally hard to survive..."

When the green bespoke Rusith from her ledge, a churr of humor rumbled in the gold's chest. Just Rusith, thank you,[/color] she said briskly. Her head jerked around without warning to tilt at the eggs, and an odd swirl of tender blue slid through the cool colors in her eyes. Something inside one of the shells had caught at her attention briefly, but she spoke on in spite of it. I trust you are the one who urged her to come in here?[/color] Sneaking approval stirred in her mind voice, and the certainty that Madison would not have come here without stiff encouragement. Her large, age-spoted head swiveled toward the greenrider, and she leaned over without dislodging her body from its curve around the clutch to sniff the woman's hair a touch rudely.

((Sorry it's a bit short; eating dinner and typing between bites.))

[ambigious]

As Madison watched Kadia rise to greet her, panic shot through her. Although they had been there since Sunset Weyr's inception, the previous Weyrwoman had been very quiet and reserved, choosing to spend her time with her ailing Weyrmate than out among the riders. That being the case, it was her understanding that Ponoa, the previous Weyrwoman, did not stand on ceremony. But then again, Madison thought anxiously, all Weyrwomen were different. What did Kadia expect from her?

Thus, when Kadia raised her hand in a salute Madison mistakenly assumed she was going in for a handshake and jutted out her own palm in reply. Realizing her mistake, Madison barely retracted it and narrowly avoided smacking the Weyrwoman in the hand, her cheeks heating visibly. "P-p-pardon me..." she trailed off as her keen brown eyes registered the gesture. For a moment she debated whether or not to be insulted, although it really wasn't in her, as she stared up quietly at the Weyrwoman. As for her dragon, however, Aliseth invaded Madison's senses in order to determine if the Weyrwoman had issued a veiled insult to her rider. But when Kadia continued speaking in such amiable turns, the green subsided, though she was still on edge.

Madison reached up to brush another stray bang out of her pale face, her rosebud lips puckered thoughtfully. "T-t-the p-pleasure is all m-m-mine-" she cut off abruptly as Kadia continued speaking. The next words that she spoke, however, caught the greenrider off guard, and she spluttered helplessly, incoherent vowels and consonants spilling forth from her lips as she scrambled for an appropriate response. Sensing her rider's mounting panic, Aliseth stepped in, wrapping her mental presence around Madison like a feline.

Pardon me, Rusith's rider,[/i] Aliseth bespoke Kadia directly, but that is still a very fresh topic. To lose both Mnarith and Brinleth in the same day...[/i] A fresh wave of pain, as if the wound had been recently delivered, washed over Aliseth. This time it was Madison who soothed her, her small yet willful presence easing the green.

"It's alright, Ali, I c-c-can...I can take it f-from here," Madison announced quietly yet firmly, managing to stutter only once in her last statement. Rumbling her approval, Aliseth withdrew from Kadia and instead directed her attention on Rusith once more. "To b-be honest, Weyrwoman," Madison began hesitantly, still nervously playing with her bangs, "everyone is m-m-mostly confused. W-w-w..." Madison swallowed, drew in a deep breath, and continued again. "W-weyrwoman Ponoa...left...b-before the Turn lapse c-c-could be ex-exp-explained. S-s-so the d-death of the W-weyrwoman, p-p-plus the unex-unex..." The young woman let out her breath in frustration. "...unexplained Turn h-has everyone on edge."

This was a bad idea, Madison told her dragon silently, wishing she hadn't listened to the blasted creature. I can't even form a full sentence. She's probably already bored, or has other more important things to attend to. Don't be silly,[/i] Aliseth scoffed, you /are/ important Madimine.[/i] At that moment is when Rusith bespoke her, so Aliseth returned attention to her. Rusith it is then.[/i] The green sounded satisfied with herself to be able to speak to the queen plainly. Indeed. I thought it was important. Don't you agree?[/i] An alarmed bundle of words spilled forth from Madison once more as the queen bent down to inspect her, and she stiffened in surprise. Do be careful, mine startles easily,[/i] Aliseth added, a possessive tone invading her mental voice. The silly green was as bad as a newly hatched dragonet.

[Sher]

Be careful what you say,[/color] Rusith warned Hers obliquely on a private note.

It's been a long day, Kadia replied in the same vein, trying not to giggle and offend the poor woman as her hand was nearly tapped. Awkward! Being directly spoken to by Aliseth cooled her urge to laugh, and it was her turn to blush- a rare reaction indeed, for a woman of her age- though it faded as Madison struggled through her account of the Weyr's reaction to recent events. It was a good thing she had more patience than she'd had as a younger woman. "On edge. I see." Well, she expected that much. What was strange to the goldrider was that the missing Turn was still having an affect on folks. Remembered panic soured her saliva, and she swallowed convulsively, pushing down bile. She didn't like to think about it, or talk about it either.

But they'd have to when the Weyr Council had its official meeting in a few days, wouldn't they? Kadia was quiet a long moment, sucking on the inside of her lip as though it would help her think better. Not even seeing Rusith sniffing at the greenrider's brown hair made her crack a smile, but she watched with a straight face anyhow and started chewing on her tongue.

The gold started nibbling at a rough edge of a claw, the action almost meditative, an unconscious mirror to the continued fidgeting of her mindmate. Finally Kadia allowed herself another, more solemn smile at Madison. "I'm really at a loss here," the older rider admitted quietly. "You're right. It is a lot of responsibility - there's so much to do. We have to be ready for Thread by the spring thaw, and we didn't even have a Queen's Wing back at Telgar. I worked with the ground crew a few times, but it didn't go over well with the Weyrwoman." Her mouth snapped shut on the last word, as she realized that she'd been about to go off on her entire life story.

It had been a long day. "I'm just a woman," Kadia finally finished. "Ponoa must have been exceptional, to do everything by herself. I'm afraid that I won't be able to hold things together until another goldrider transfers in." She let out a short laugh that jiggled her pudgy parts oddly. "And if you tell anyone that I'm scared, I'll drub you!" Her brown eyes crinkled with a touch of good humor. "Not really. But please don't tell on me." Somebody sounded a bit younger than her years. So much for being careful of one's words.

I meant her no harm, Aliseth,[/color] the gold replied reassuringly. But how did you handle Threadfall if she is so easily unsettled?[/color] From her tone, Rusith was simply curious.

[ambigious]

Due to the fact that she had dressed for winter, Madison now began to feel the heat of the Hatching Sands. That, coupled with her nerves, meant that the young woman felt as if her skin were crawling with heat. Shifting from one foot to the other, Madi continued to play with her bangs as she listened to Kadia. If the other woman gave any indication of how awkward the situation was, Madison didn't notice; she was too far enmeshed in her own anxiety to really be aware of it.

When the Turn was brought up, Madison battled a wave of sorrow that threatened to overtake her. The Turn had had adverse effects on her as well, though of a much more realistic and personal sense. Her ailing mother had passed away in the Turn she'd been "absent", and Madison still could not shirk the idea that she'd abandoned here mother when she'd needed her most. Picking up on this thought, Aliseth intruded rudely on her thoughts. There was nothing you could have done, Madimine,[/i] Aliseth soothed gently. And your mother knew how much you cared for her.[/i] Yes, I hope so, Madison replied wistfully to her dragon. I just wish I could have been there. It's silly to try to change the past, mine. It's impossible.[/i] Although Aliseth's tone was sardonic, something about her wording piqued Madison's memory, though she couldn't pinpoint it. A slight frown marred her brow before it disappeared. She'd have to ponder that later.

When Kadia admitted that she didn't know what to do, Madison instantly ceased all forms of fidgeting. Her caramel colored eyes quickly skimmed over Kadia as if seeing her for the first time, noticing that the other woman fidgeted nearly as often as she. It was almost unnerving to hear the Weyrwoman admit that she wasn't sure how to proceed. She licked her lips tentatively before responding. "It m-must've b-b-been b-b-bold of you t-to join the g-g-ground crews," she murmured in response, attempting to be encouraging. The veiled threat startled Madison, but she released a weak chuckle once she realized Kadia was only teasing. "I'm af-af-afraid I'd spill all of the c-c-cleaning solution b-before I c-could g-g-get anywhere," Madi said ruefully with a shy smile on her rosebud lips. It was her version of a joke, if ever there was one.

After a moment of silence, Madison stepped forward and, very hesitantly, placed her hand on Kadia's forearm in a friendly gesture. "I w-won't tell anyone," she assured the other woman in an equally quiet tone, stuttering only once in her comment. The shy smile widened, then vanished as Madi stepped back and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "To b-b-be honest, there are p-plenty of g-g-greenriders who would b-be more than w-w-willing to help with the q-q-queen wing. Not to say-they're-I mean-" Once again Madi's words failed as she stammered to explain herself. Mine does not want you to think she assumes green are at the same level as queens,[/i] Aliseth came to her rescue easily. She only means that some greens have expressed interest in clutching, and that they wouldn't be able to chew firestone if they wanted to.[/i] Madison watched Kadia's face closely to see how she would respond to the comment. Although it had been rumored, no one had actually come forward with the idea of greens clutching.

The green snorted at Rusith's response, satisfied. The next comment caused the green to bristle indignantly, though of course she retained her manners since Rusith was, after all, a Queen. Although it was obvious Rusith was only curious, Aliseth was incredibly dedicated and protected to her small rider. Madison is only like this in social situations. When she speaks to me, she does not stutter. When she performs her wing riding tasks, she does not falter. And in the face of thread she is calm and collected, because it is our duty,[/i] Aliseth told Rusith easily, a hint of pride in her voice.

[Sher]

Kadia immediately shook her head, not wanting to hear about boldness in connection with herself, though she couldn't help a relieved outward chuckle when Madison told her little joke. Inside, though, she was thinking. It had been fear that had driven her out there; fear that if she didn't do something besides cower within the safety of Telgar Weyr's mighty walls, she would have lost all respect. As a junior queenrider then, one of three such, she had been completely expendable. That was why she'd been sent here. Her dragon was not so old they couldn't expect a few clutches from her, and they had a surplus of goldriders. Strange, that the thought should rankle now when it had been so logical when she'd received the note. The transfer had been cleverly disguised as a promotion, but really it was just a boot to the rear.

One of the other juniors would have served as well, if not better; they all seemed to have the natural spunk and fire one expected from a girl chosen by a gold. The ambition to become the Weyrwoman, rather than someone who must take orders and smile while doing it. Actually, wouldn't it have made more sense to send one of them? One who wanted this! But then, Sunset Weyr was largely an experiment; there had been no new Weyrs built since the Eighth Weyr founded by the legendary T'gellan so long ago. It wasn't like they couldn't afford to throw someone like Kadia into this position. And when she died, they'd throw another like her at the situation, like a goldrider retirement home with none of the relaxation and all of the physical deterioration.

You're working yourself up for no reason,[/color] Rusith observed coolly. Step back a moment and think. You were the eldest junior, so you were their choice. That's all. And I'm a good clutcher. They need me here.[/color]

"But they didn't need me!" Kadia burst out. And promptly covered her mouth. After a pause, while her eyes looked to be bulging from her face, she smiled sheepishly and linked it to the conversation she'd been having aloud. "They needed someone with strong arms and an able body. That's why... that's why the Weyrwoman didn't like it. It was an unnecessary risk, she said." She allowed herself a snort at that. Unnecessary risk... the Telgar Weyrwoman was probably up in arms over Ponoa and Brinleth departing between with their weyrmates. It was an unnecessary risk to leave a clutch bereft of its mother, too. Over males at that.

Are you glad, Mine-[/color] Rusith began.

That you aren't hung up on emotions? Kadia finished, quite fiercely. Yes. But there was something terribly romantic about the story, something that appealed to the aging goldrider's childish side, the side that still wanted to believe in fairy tale endings in spite of a lifetime that disabused the notion. Yes... and no.

The touch on her arm had come as something of a surprise- one she was grateful for. Then, the green's mindvoice slipping into her thoughts, clarifying the point Madison had been trying to make. "You know," Kadia said finally, "I say that if greens discover they have the desire and the ability to clutch, let them. Some of the Weyrs weren't as lucky as Sunset and Telgar. Some suffered heavy casualties. If greens somehow have developed that ability, maybe it'll help make up for the losses." She shrugged, one-shouldered, leaving her bad arm hanging loose. She held up a cautionary finger. "But, it's probably a good idea if the Weyr Council talks about it before any decisions are made. If there are greens that can't chew firestone-"

Rusith's eyes were whirling with great agitation, and she stood up to pace away from the eggs, her tail lashing with the force of her emotion. Can't, or won't?[/color] she demanded, her shoulders and gait equally stiff as she moved around. Aliseth. It is good that Yours is not like this all the time. Now, I must ask.[/color] Her voice had gone very still, and there was an intensity in it that seemed to demand truth. Are you a green that has thought of clutching?[/color] Her tail still lashed, but she returned to the eggs, nostrils flaring but moving gingerly, subduing the urge to lash out at something. Greens refusing firestone. What was next, a blue catching a gold?

[ambigious]

When the Weyrwoman burst out that she wasn't needed, at first Madison was overwhelmed. The only thing that she registered was the fact that Kadia had spoken loudly and with force, so that Madi assumed the other woman was mad at her. She immediately began muttering incoherence, stumbling away from Kadia as she lowered her hazel eyes to the ground. But then Kadia continued, and Madison hesitantly lifted her gaze to the Weyrwoman's face. Her hazel eyes widened as she realized how contrite and awkward the other woman looked. See? Everything is not your fault, Madimine. Calm down and let the other woman talk. She seems nice.[/i] So it wasn't about her? That thought had never occurred to her before that moment.

"Of c-c-course," Madison murmured in response, still studying the Weyrwoman's face. "You n-need to be s-s-strong to w-w-work the g-ground c-c-crew...b-but wh-wh-what d-does that h-have to d-do w-w-with b-being...needed?" Although Kadia had tried to cover up with her obvious word trick, the ploy didn't work on the simple, intelligent Madison. However, if the other woman didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't press further. It wasn't in her nature to do so.

The next comment caught Madison off guard. She had taken a risk by even bringing up the idea of clutching greens, but once the topic came up excitement fused Madi's face. She'd always wanted kids of her own...but to be able to experience that through Aliseth would've been an absolute joy.

"Yes, of course!" It was another time that Madison didn't stutter in that conversation, for she felt that she was speaking for Aliseth, not herself. "I agree. W-w-who has the r-right to t-tell them they c-c-can't c-c-clutch? If you n-need a..." Madison licked her lips and swallowed nervously. "A representative...for the W-Weyr C-C-Council, I'd be h-happy to volunteer..."

Immediately aware of Rusith's response, Aliseth roused herself from her leisurely position on her Weyrledge, her whirling eyes turned towards the Hatching Sands. If anything escalated and she felt her rider was in danger, she would dash there in a moment's notice. Although her first inclination was to lie, the force with which Rusith spoke to her prompted a truthful response. Thus, Aliseth drew herself up and lifted her wedge shaped head proudly, even though Rusith couldn't see the gesture. Yes, Rusith, I have thought of clutching.[/i] The moment Madi heard those words she tensed and glanced anxiously towards the Queen on the Sands, reaching up to brush her bangs out of her face.

[ooc: sorry, muse kinda died with Madi haha]

[Sher]

Kadia had stilled when Madison's query cut right through her half-truth and let the air out of it. She'd never had quite as strict a view of rank as some of the other goldriders, but she still hesitated to come out with her insecurities. As much as she instinctively liked the greenrider, she couldn't make herself open up more than what she'd done already. And what she decided to say on the matter was wholly true, anyway. "If they're strong enough to lift a tank, anyone can work in a ground crew," she finally murmured, glancing away to hide the heat suffusing her face. "Not everyone can ride a dragon." Shard it. "And actually... not everyone is Weyrwoman material. I don't know why they sent me here instead of someone more qualified, but hopefully within a week or two another goldrider will come. Rusith might be up to populating the Weyr but I'm not... I'm not... I can't..." The words sort of faded into silence, and a little sigh puffed from her lips.

With effort, she turned her mind back to the topic of greens clutching - a phrase that, by itself, would have been tantamount to an admission of lunacy back where Kadia had come from. "We still don't know if it's possible. But if I advocate the idea-" (At least she'd be good for something then, rather than just decorating the Sands with a gold dragon.) "-and if your Aliseth is willing to try, I sincerely doubt they'd be able to stop us." A touch of mischief made her face crease in another lopsided grin. She fully expected Rusith to be in agreement, but the queen was rumbling darkly.

The dragon's words to the green were a bit clipped, but not unkind for all that. It is a very unusual thought, Rusith said gruffly; though her words didn't soften much, her tone and manner did. I wished to chew firestone once, long ago, but don't tell Mine.[/color] The draconic equivalent of a 'hmph' snorted through her nostrils, and then she lay her large head down alongside the empty Fuddy Dud egg, one eye tilted toward it in distracted bewilderment. There was nothing there; she felt it. But the eggshell radiated warmth just the same as the other, more lively eggs. She had always been able to clutch, so this oddity was a welcome puzzle; one she would only need to be patient to solve. Soon or late, hatching day would come. What brought it on, if I may ask?

Kadia stepped toward the clutch and went carefully to her much-abused knees, motioning for Madison to come closer. The egg she knelt beside was unremarkable in size, but vaguely misshapen- colored a warm and pleasant shade of orange, but for that singular black spot. "Before I forget, Madison, I'd like a second opinion," she said, looking up at the greenrider, her expression quite serious. "They're still much too soft to actually touch but- I was working on an inventory of the clutch earlier and this one, well, I thought I felt something when I was near it. Now I'm not getting anything. Do you... feel anything here?"

((OOC: Drum Solo - and don't worry, she isn't going to ask about all of them. XD I won't let her put you through that.))

[ambigious]

Although Madison was not the type to push, she felt an odd sort of kinship with Kadia, which surprised the greenrider. She'd never really interacted with a goldrider outside of threadfall or a hatching, and had never had the inclination to. They ran the Weyr, after all, and their dragons performed such different functions that they didn't have much to relate to. But Kadie was different, and Madison felt the quiet, yet perverse urge to understand the other rider and comfort her, for she felt that somehow, she could. So when Kadia finally began to speak, Madison's expressive brown eyes widened with a combination of shock and disbelief. A goldrider didn't think she was good enough? For a moment Madison was silent as she processed this.

Just because she rides a gold doesn't mean she isn't human,[/i] Aliseth told her rider bluntly, humor coloring her tone. For some reason that comment pierced Madison's fog of disbelief and she focused her attention on Kadia once more, having averted her eyes. That's true. I don't know why I never thought of that before. If you ask me,[/i] Aliseth added in boastful tones, clearly pleased that she'd figured something out before her rider, being a queenrider would be lonely. I mean, everyone else has wing training, and then there's that weird thing you humans do where you have to salute and treat each other differently...[/i] Clearly, despite Aliseth's innate instinct to obey a queen dragon, this thought confused her. Chortling at her green, Madi smiled up at Kadia. That's true, love.

"I don't think anyone else has the right to say what you're capable of riding," Madison said, so quietly that it was almost a whisper. However, her stammer had disappeared, for the moment. "Rusith chose you. That's all that matters. So clearly, she thinks you're capable," she added gently. When Kadia changed the topic Madison obligingly followed along, her hands clasped at her waist. Excitement filled her eyes, if a tad shyly, as she mentioned greens clutching. I knew I had a good feeling about Rusith's rider.[/i] "W-w-would you r-r-really do that f-f-for us?" Madison exclaimed, her stammer returning with the force of her hope. "That w-w-would be w-w-wonderful!" She grinned back at the other woman, her expression equally mischief, but in a much more naive, innocent way. "I'm up f-f-for it, if y-y-you are." But then the queen rumbled, and Madison felt herself stiffen, partially withdrawing into herself as she feared the worst. Would the queen lash out?

Immediately Madison felt Aliseth descend from her Weyrledge towards the Hatching Sand, soaring through the opening at the top of the cavern to perch on one of the ledges overlooking the sands. Her whirling eyes were fixed on Rusith, as she felt the conversation only merited her presence. Aliseth hesitated, caught somewhere between wanting to defend herself, and waiting obediently for the queen to speak. When she did Aliseth relaxed visibly, although her eyes continued to whirl uncertainly. The dragon equivalent of a laugh escaped her muzzle as she settled her wings against her back. Your secret is safe with me. And I know it's unusual, but...[/i] The green trailed off with a mumble, unsure if she was overstepping her bounds by explaining herself. After another moment's hesitation, she spoke. To be honest, it has a lot to do with my rider. Madison was really close with her family, so we visited them a lot. To see Madison's mother, and the way they interacted, and the way that she interacted with her other siblings...[/i] A wistful sigh burst forth from Aliseth's maw. I just thought it would be nice to have that.[/i] Her tone warmed as she spoke of clutching, and she adopted an almost maternal attitude, if greens could be maternal.

Madison visibly relaxed when Rusith subsided, and grinned nervously at Kadia. "F-f-feel anything?" The young woman tilted her head to the side and, joining Kadia on the sand, studied the egg. "W-w-well, it seems..." she paused abruptly, feeling a growing sense of...something, swarm around her. A frown marred her brow. "I c-c-can't explain it, b-but...there's d-d-definitely something," she finished, and tilted her head to the side. "W-w-what d-do you th-think it m-m-means?"

[Sher]

Having the first person from Sunset she'd encountered be so supportive and understanding wasn't exactly what Kadia had expected. Was this how real friendships were built? She hoped so. The only relationships she'd experienced since Impressing were the sort where individuals wanted to know what she was capable of: what she could do for them, in a nutshell. This feeling, this warmth toward another human, it was something she could get used to. Anyhow, it was probably a good thing she hadn't overheard any of the conversation between Aliseth and her rider. She already felt self-conscious enough. You're doing fine,[/color] Rusith told her softly, across their private link.

It was good to hear the greenrider speak clearly, though Kadia almost strained to hear the words. True; Rusith did think those things. But then, she was biased toward Hers- as most dragons were toward their mindmates. Shards, they'd been acquainted with a brownpair briefly- during the aftershock of a Mating Flight- whose bond seemed to be built entirely on good-natured arguments and incessant teasing. To each their own, she supposed. She nodded once, emphatically, at the enthusiasm and hope in Madison's words. Of course she'd bring it up to the Council. The thought made her stomach flap like flutterbys in a dust dervish, but she rather looked forward to turning the first meeting on its ear with such an incredible declaration. What if greens could have been clutching all along, if they'd only stopped chewing firestone a while? There were certain herbs that women took when they didn't want to become pregnant, and sometimes their effects took time to wear off- a number of weeks to a number of Turns. Maybe firestone, to greens, was the same as those herbs for humans?

But they'd been designed. It was common knowledge, this day and age. Their size surpassed Kitti Ping's vision. Why not other attributes? The appearances of whites- Ruth, Mingellith, Sibath, and Quirth (who was still alive, if memory served, though long retired)- definitely proved that the dragons were capable of altering over time as a species. What was that word the harper used? Kadia asked Hers distractedly, hardly noticing Aliseth's arrival high above since she was on the verge of an epiphany. One that couldn't be forced; a most vexing mental flatulence that would most likely be troubling the goldrider often in the weeks to come.

Evolution,[/color] Rusith supplied dryly, after a moment's pause. She wasn't thinking about her species, at least, not in so many words. She was examining Aliseth's words for any hint of falsehood. Finding none, she repositioned the curve of her neck to hug the eggs around the outer edge, letting her eyelids slip half-shut again. It was pleasant to brood over a clutch again, now that she'd settled to the task. Have you any idea how to go about trying it? she finally asked the green. Little vocal clicks and grunts issued from her half-open mouth.

Kadia wasn't as comfortable in her position as the gold dragon obviously was. Together with Madison, she frowned at the Drum Solo egg. "There are usually a few eggs that develop a personality early," she explained. "But this... it's almost unthinkable, that we would feel anything at this point in time. We can hope that all it means is that whatever comes out of this egg will be strong." She shook her head, and pushed herself upright with a wan little smile to dust off her knees. Simply, she added, "Madison, I'm glad you came to me."

[ambigious]

As they knelt together in amiable silence and studied the egg, Madison couldn't help but relax. It felt comfortable to be in Kadia's presence, something that she was not used to. Abruptly an idea occurred to her and she started slightly, her rosebud lips forming into a silent 'o' of wonder. Had she made a friend? Of a goldrider no less? Once more, the soft echo of laughter from Aliseth floated through her mind. Why should that surprise you so? You're silly, Madi,[/i] Aliseth said affectionately, her pleasantly glowing eyes darting over to regard her rider affectionately. For a moment Madison lifted her eyes from the egg and gazed up at Aliseth, her greatest accomplishment, the other half of her soul, her one true love. A warm smile broke out across her face.

You're right, I am silly. This fact didn't seem to bother her, however, and she dutifully returned her attention to the egg. A sudden urge to touch the egg came over her, but she knew better, even as Aliseth's voice exploded into her mind. That egg makes me uncomfortable. Please don't touch it, mine. Even when it hardens.[/i] A slight frown marred Madison's brow, but rather than probe further she remained silent. If her green didn't want her to touch the egg, then she probably wouldn't; she knew her dragon had her best inerests at heart. At Kadia's words, the slight rider inclined her head, her expression thoughtful. "That's true," she said, again in that quiet, almost whisper-like tone. "I c-certainly h-h-hope s-so. W-w-we n-n..." Madison licked her lips then continued. "Need st-strong riders right now, w-w-with Threadfall." As her rider conversed, Aliseth turned her attention back to Rusith, noticing almost intently the way that she curled about the eggs.

After a slight pause, the green huffed loudly. I have no idea. I suppose I'd just stop chewing firestone and see what happens.[/i] Aliseth rolled her shoulders in a dragon equivalent of a shrug. Even though she was keen on the idea, it was clear that the mechanics of a green actually clutching bored her. Abruptly the green perked her head, her eyes whirling intently. We need to go. Your wingleader has called together a meeting with the wing.[/i] Once more Aliseth turned her attention back to Rusith, crooning respectuflly. It has been nice speaking with you, Rusith. Let's do it again! And if you find out anything about greens clutching, feel free to pass along the information.[/i] At Aliseth's words, Madison nodded slightly to herself, then offered a shy, friendly smile to Kadia as she played with her bangs.

"I am too. I h-hope we can be...friends," Madi blurted out the word with a blush. "M-m-maybe we c-can g-g-grab a b-bite to eat, s-s-sometime? B-but for now, Aliseth and I h-h-have to g-g-go to a wing meeting."

[Sher]

((OOC: Short, but I haven't got a lot of time! The beans are almost done.))

I rather doubt I'll hear anything before you,[/color] Rusith told Aliseth honestly. I'll keep it in mind though. It was good to meet you. Normally, the gold would have a hard time recalling the names of other dragons and their riders, but this conversation had been engaging enough that she was even looking forward to their next talk.

Kadia, meanwhile, was experiencing a similar simple joy. "Of course we can be friends! I'll see you around, okay?" She waved with her good arm, the crooked smile clinging to her face so hard she was afraid she was about to cramp up. She was still grinning after the greenrider was out of sight. Well, that was fun!

And just think, the day isn't over yet.[/color]

~fin~