[Candidates] Just Drink It *see note*

[Rust]

Kogran had been eerily quiet, at least for himself. Of course, he also didn't like arguments. Or Ophelia. She was a terrifying person, as far as Kogran was concerned. It'd be best if he just avoided her. Thankfully, the argument died down and everyone was sitting down for food, and that was a good thing.

He joined the table and took his brew without much fuss. Kogran never had a good grasp of rules and purposes, and besides that, he had been allowed to have a few sips back in the holds on occasion. He never was able to consider it as taboo as it should have been. With a quick glance at the others, and a long sniff, he took a drink. It felt a little burny, like the ones he tried in the hold, but no big deal. What was a big deal was the food! All that outside time made him hungry.

Feeling much more at ease, especially with someone "new" to help diffuse the angry girl situation, Kogran listened to Prinner and nodded along.

"You're a beastcrafter?" Kogran asked, speaking up without really thinking about it. "That's neat! I'm in herdcraft!"

[Snow]

Eavan’s eyes went from the brew in her cup to the door where a late candidate broke through in a huff. One eye brow turned upward in curiousness, but his reason behind being late was sound. She couldn’t really say she remembered seeing him much and the weyr was a big place to get lost in. ”Well, it’s not a bad tasting drinking. The citrus is tasty, better than some wines I’ve tried.” Eavan said straining to think of compliments for the drink. J’ain had gotten it for them, so she wasn’t going to be rude. Her second sip wasn’t nearly as bad.

The late comer was asked then to go first on introductions. Eavan listened politely, her eyes on his as he spoke, while she nibbled on the meat pie that had been served. It was quite delicious and Eavan made a mental note to ask J’ain who had made it and what the recipe was. Being the child of a cook she was naturally curious to culinary things.

”It’s nice to meet you Prinner. The weyr needs as many willing hands as possible.” She said politely. With the clutch on the sands, a missing Candidatemaster, the blizzard, and all the other bizarre things that had happened, Sunset needed all they help they could get. At least that was her opinion. To this day no one spoke about the missing turn, but Eavan hoped one day they would get to the bottom of it. If she had a say in the matter they certainly would!

(Fail, I blame the food poisoning)

[Sher]

J'ain was pretty content now, with a pleasant furry feeling everywhere. The talk was light and mostly inconsequential. "Thank you, Prinner," she said when he was done, noncommittally but smiling loosely. "Hmm. Let's have Ophelia go next. Tell us a bit about yourself." She carefully didn't add that she was expecting some falsification, if not a downright denial. The bluerider kept the smile on her face somehow. Another few swallows of brew, and it became a lot easier to grin- and a little harder to focus. She didn't have a steel gut, but she wouldn't ask these young folks to do anything she couldn't- or wouldn't- do herself.

She wished she could have talked about this more with the candidatemaster before he disappeared. They probably would have been chock-full of excellent ideas on tricks to use on candidates to get them to work together. At least after tonight, they would be acquaintances rather than total strangers thrown together by circumstance.

The haphazard candidacy she had gone through, herself, had caused a lot of negativity for J'ain. She was glad to have the chance to work with these youngsters before they were so busy with hatchlings that conversations went in one ear and out the other, and possibly to turn their candidate experiences into something more than extra chores. The lessons thus far had been few, and some of the candidates hadn't even been Searched yet, but the bluerider didn't really want to assign any make up work.

Firelizard eggs meant firelizard babies. The thought was suddenly overwhelming- a fair of baby firelizards, in her candidate barracks.

Sweet Faranth...

[ambigious]

The conversation passed over Ophelia's head as she swished around the contents of the cup, watching as the alcohol left its mark against the inside of the cup. She was fascinated by the patterns that it made as it trickled back down into the puddle at the bottom of her cup. J'ain had certainly poured her a lot. She wondered if the other candidates had received as much, and with a quick darting of her eyes, noticed that they'd all been served the same amount. Interesting. Was this some sort of test? A roll of Ophelia's shoulder dispelled the thought from her mind. If it was, the consequences would not affect her.

When Prinner told his story, Ophelia listened, though outwardly she seemed dis-interested as she poked at the food on her plate. There was nothing very telling about his personality, or perhaps the lack of information was telling in and of itself. A faintly amused smile flickered across Ophelia's face as this thought crossed her mind. Then she heard Eavan's face, and couldn't help but feel irritated. Why did that girl have to act so high and mighty? It irked her. But then, something rather interesting happened...Ophelia heard her name and, reacting subconsciously, glanced up to see J'ain grinning at her. The other woman's cheeks were slightly red, which caused Ophelia to arch a brow at her. So the bluerider couldn't hold her liquor, huh?

"A bit about myself?" Ophelia snorted as she leaned back slightly on the make-shift chairs so that her forearm was resting against the table. "Those are always such open-ended statements. You could answer it in so many ways. Let's see..." The young woman genuinely considered her options as she tapped her thin lips with a slender finger. "I'm reserved. So if anyone cares they'll learn about me with time. But since I can already tell what most of you think of me," she flashed her teeth in a wicked grin, "I doubt that'll happen. Which suits everyone involved."

[azure]

Julim looked up curiously. Ophelia was a bit of a mystery to him. She was an angry person, the anger radiating out in all directions. He'd been careful to keep his distance, the last thing he needed was for his anger to trigger his. No one in this weyr knew of his temper and the anger he carried around with him and he'd prefer it stayed that way. Having someone yell at him though - he couldn't always control the urge to yell back until the person who had dared confront him backed off. He'd used his fists on more then one occasion as well, and that could get him banned from a hatching. So far, that had only happened in the aftermath of a hatching when he found himself still alone.

He gulped down a swallow of the citrus drink, the alcohol also reminding him of failed hatchings. He had a friend who had been ready with a wineskin the past couple of turns. A wineskin and a sympathetic ear. Hopefully T'prin would drink the wine alone this time, in celebration and not in sympathy.

What would Ophelia say? His money was on the anger spewing out at them all, but it would be nice to know why she was angry.

Wait. Was that all she was going to say? She was going to get in trouble here. Could he deflect it?

"Shards Ophelia, its alright to say where you are from and what you were doing. No one will pick on you for it - I should know. I'm a weyr brat, here after failing to impress for 5 turns at High Reaches. There isn't much to tell that sounds worse then that!"

The Candidate Master would know that much from his records, but maybe telling it would distract her from the dressing down and punishment Ophelia could easily get.

[Sher]

J'ain shook off the horror of the idea of being swarmed by squealing flitters when it dawned on her just how small of a bit Ophelia thought she was going to get away with. Really...? The easy smile wavered a bit, slowly reversing into a frown. Oh no she didn't. The bluerider opened her mouth, only to be unexpectedly beat to the punch by another candidate.

She shut her mouth during Julim's little outburst, but the moment he was done she stood, pausing once to correct her balance by grabbing the edge of the table, and once after upright to finish the contents of her cup. She set it down a little too vigorously; the sound it made as it reconnected with the table was much too loud in her own ears. "Ophelia." The word was quiet, controlled, but just slightly slurred in the middle. "You must be aware that I was looking for something more... detailed. Don't make me be the bad guy." J'ain's cheeks were ruddy with more than alcohol, and her deep voice was nearer to upset than she preferred. Her eyes were clear, however, as she searched Ophelia's expression for something.

Everyone was entitled to secrets, but that had been a blatant dodge; something the bluerider saw as unacceptable. Just because she didn't require on an honorific didn't mean she'd let something like this go.

[Snow]

Eavan stared down at her drink. The contents were just sitting there, staring at her, teasing her as if they knew she wasn’t entirely comfortable with drinking them. Drink them she did, however, and after a few sips began to appreciate the taste of the liquid beyond the sting of the alcohol. The slow sipping was doing exactly what Eavan would hope it would do, not get her tipsy.

After Prinner had went, shockingly, it was Ophelia’s turn to say something about herself. Eavan was between a tiny bit curious and completely not caring what the girl had to say. Her upbringing won out, though, and she politely listened to the small, terse amount Ophelia had to say. Eavan couldn’t help but wonder if the girl was purposely trying to get herself in trouble and if so why, or if she was really that naïve on the rules of being a candidate. Before J’ain had a chance to say anything, Julim spoke up. That was a curious reaction, Eavan didn’t know what had caused the boy to speak up for the girl, but the choice was his.

However much J’ain didn’t say, she still managed to let Ophelia know of her displeasure and that she should supply more detail. Eavan was amazed the bluerider was being so merciful to the girl, though her tone suggested if she had to be the bad guy she would. Eavan took another sip of her drink. She wondered how the sharp tongued girl was going to reply now.

[ambigious]

It was slowly becoming clear to Ophelia just how the mindset of most of the people here worked. Appearances. That was what everyone based their opinions on. Then again, she understood the merits of a first impression, but to her the first impression should be a true show of a person's character. If they couldn't handle Ophelia's personality, then that was their fault. Thus, when J'ain reacted to her statement by rising, a tad shakily to her feet, Ophelia turned wary eyes on her. What in Faranth's name was the woman doing? She quickly skimmed the other woman's face, noticing the faint glow to her cheeks, and her unsteady manner. Great.

A different voice, however, startled her, and she snapped her head towards Julim. Her hazel eyes regarded him silently for a moment as she tried to discern his intentions. Was he trying to make a fool out of her? Ophelia considered this option, but then discarded it; either she was getting out of practice, or he seemed genuine in his words. Perhaps he actually wanted to hear her history, in further detail? The thought caused Ophelia to cock her head to the side pensively. Perhaps. But what was his angle? The fact that he had been left on the Sands a total of five times showed he had perserverence, which Ophelia admired. Still, his choice of friends was...interesting, she reminded herself as she glanced sidelong at Eavan. Perhaps there was something else going on...

Rather than respond to Julim, for there wasn't time, Ophelia glanced back at J'ain as she walked forward unsteadily. Immediately Ophelia's irritation rose at the woman's words, but she managed to keep her voice level. "With all due respect, Bluerider J'ain," she said, intentionally using the honorific, "if you had wanted more of a description you should've asked more specific questions. Regardless, it is my decision how much I choose to disclose, and I don't enjoy sharing information about myself in such a public way. Now," she added languidly, "I wouldn't mind having this conversation with you, but I'd prefere to do it when you're sober." Hopefully J'ain would see that she was serious, for Ophelia didn't want to lose the respect she'd found for her.

[Snow]

’There’s nothing to be scared of, nothing to be scared of.’ Neiram told herself as she tried not to cling too tightly to the bluerider seated in front of her. She still couldn’t believe this was happening to her. She was just getting together the last of her clothes to move to the Harper Hall when the bluerider approached her in the courtyard. It was already getting later in the evening and Neiram had been surprised enough to see a blue dragon in the court. That surprise had turned incredulous when he informed her that his dragon thought she would make a good candidate.

Neiram thought about it for a moment. She was supposed to go to the Harper Hall, but the idea of riding a dragon was a charming one. In the end she realized that she could be a weyr harper and if she didn’t impress well, she’d just be a bit later on starting her future than she thought she would. So she agreed to go with him and had quickly told her parents about what was happening. The bluerider had told her that a first rider adragonback could be a bit frightening, but to just hold on. She believed him, but she had still been quite frightened when the blue took off and then when he went between she had to muffle a scream she couldn’t hear.

They were above the weyr now, glow lights could be seen in the weyrbowl. “Don’t worry, lass. We’ll be landing in just a moment.” The rider said as his blue began a leisurely circle down to land. The light in the sky was just about gone. The blue landed gracefully and his rider helped Neiram dismount. “See that door right over there? That’s the candidate barracks. I’ve brought you in a bit late, but you’ll not be reprimanded for it I’m sure. After all, you’re new. Tomorrow begins a new life for you, lass. I’ll see you around.” He said and then his blue took off again.

Neiram was left alone and cold, staring after the dragon. She couldn’t believe he had just left her like that and was about in tears over it. With strength, she pulled herself together and walked towards the door the rider had pointed out. Inside she could hear talking and after a couple moments of gathering her courage, Neiram opened the door. She came in on the words ‘do it when you’re sober.’ An older woman was standing up looking at a dark haired girl and there were more people sitting around a table with glasses and plates of food.

”Um…hi. I’m Neiram. I just got dropped off, just now.” She pointed behind her where the blue had been. ”Oh well, he isn’t there now, but a bluerider and his dragon just got me from Lemos Hold. He told me to come here. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” She said, adjusting her satchel’s weight on her shoulder.

[Rust]

Things... didn't seem to improve. Why did people seem to insist on bothering Ophelia? It wasn't a big deal if she didn't want to share, and besides, Kogran was glad she hadn't said more. Why wasn't anyone else? He fiddled with his cup, looking at the other faces, hoping to make conversation with someone else instead of simply sitting through awkward situations like this with nothing to say or do besides drinking the brew.

It was such a relief when another candidate came in. Someone he didn't know, either! Kogran sighed slightly, and then smiled at her mention of Lemos Hold. Wonderful! He waved a hand at her in a mixture of greeting and general interest.

"Lemos! I spent five turns in Lemos before I came here!" He said, not really able to add anything useful, since he didn't remember the girl from any past experience, and didn't actually have anything to say beyond "hey cool we're from the same place" anyway.

[Sher]

((Sorry if this hits any character buttons, just trying to stay in character, even though it makes me cringe a little. lol))

J'ain sighed softly, almost relieved at Ophelia's reaction. She felt that she'd just been given an insight into the young woman's mind; either that, or she was misjudging the situation again, which was just as likely. The bluerider remained standing, actually flashed a toothy smile at Ophelia from where she leaned against the table. "Hold that thought." A much younger girl had just come in, and was introducing herself quite nicely. J'ain gestured for her to come in. "Do have a seat, Neiram, and be welcome. We're having punch and meat pie, if you'd like refreshment. You can pick a bed in a bit, anywhere that isn't claimed already. I'm J'ain- bluerider, assistant candidatemaster- and these of course are your fellow candidates." As soon as the little thing found a chair, she'd be getting the same slice of pie and cup of sauce as everyone else.

J'ain had a very cavalier attitude about the possibility of being caught. Youngsters were served wine, yes, but well-watered sorts; nothing so strong as this stuff. If the wrong person walked through that door, she'd face some pretty stiff repercussions. Which reminded her to turn toward the troublesome spitfire that was balking like a stubborn draybeast at a simple informal query.

"Now, Ophelia, child," she said kindly, unmindful of how poor Neiram might take this sort of talk, "I think we all know by now that you've got balls. Metaphor-hic!-ly speaking. Except that you're afraid to tell us where you came from and what you did before coming here. That being the case, you can report for latrine duty for the rest of the week for insubordination. If you were to Impress a fighting dragon, splitting hairs over what exactly you're told to do rather than what you know you should do might just get you killed. As to my being sober..." Dark brown eyes flashed as they blinked, the grin returning but slightly less amused. "I'll let you use it for an excuse. This time. Since we're being informal and all."

The bluerider stepped carefully to get the last piece of pie onto Neiram's plate, and a goodly splash of citrus brew into her cup. She didn't explain what it was, though she would if asked. During this, she attempted to let things move along. "So, Kogran, " J'ain said, turning to beam at him as she implicitly invited him to speak next. "We know you're a herdcrafter from Lemos. Anything you want to add to that?"

Shards. I'm going to have to talk about myself at some point, she realized. Better start thinking about what I don't want to say. If she planned ahead, maybe she wouldn't pull a Julim and blurt something she might later regret. If the guy had meant to loosen her up, leading by example, well- it had flopped. But it was a good approach: an unexpected nuance that J'ain was pleased to witness, favoring the 'lead by example' bit herself.

Even when... that example wasn't exactly a model of appropriate behavior.

[azure]

He was not drinking any more of this potent stuff.

Half a mug and his mouth was flapping loose. If necessary he'd poor it on the floor. It was fairly clear the Assistant Candidate Master wouldn't notice.

Shard his instincts to look out for others anyway. Some times you just couldn't help.

A new girl had just arrived, another very young one. Hopefully Kogran would help her. or the short kid Prinner. She was closer to their ages.

The meat pie would help sop up some of the alcohol. Food was supposed to do that, anyway.

Oh good, it was Kogran's turn to talk. He didn't seem to have any issues that alcohol would let loose. Did he?

[Rust]

Startled, Kogran looked up from his brew, which was a little over half gone. He felt pleasantly warm and sort of... loose, in a sense. Like he could really relax and be comfortable instead of worrying that he'd do or say something stupid. It was a nice feeling that reminded him of being in the Holds.

Oh! Before he answered... umm... he shouldn't tell them... uh. Anything embarrassing. Right? Right. That should do it.

Satisfied with himself, Kogran replied. "I was born in Nerat. I was apprenticing in Lemos. I also lived in umm. In Bitra, but I went back to Nerat because, uh. Well I was young so I don't remember too well." He reached down and ran a finger along the rim of his cup of citrus brew. "I'm only an apprentice in herdcraft 'cause I haven't been good at anything else I tried, and um..."

He stopped himself. The only thing he really had left was that he also moved between holds because he had difficulty behaving. He was much better now, though, right? They didn't need to know about his skipping chores and duties (he glanced quickly at Eavan at that thought) and running in the hold and disrupting events and teaching songs and meals, right?

"And um," he repeated, "I guess that's it."

[Snow]

A small lump of indignation rose in Eavan’s throat. Honestly, who did this girl think she was? Eavan could hardly believe the gall Ophelia had calling her high and mighty when she wouldn’t even respond correctly to a simple question? Really, if the girl didn’t want everyone to know what her back story then she could at least go about it in a more polite fashion. Shards, she could even lie for all Eavan cared. Anything was better than making a fool of one’s self. Eavan couldn’t help but feel almost embarrassed for Ophelia. She probably thought she seemed tough and gutsy, but all Eavan saw was a scared, pathetic girl who couldn’t even follow the most basic of rules.

Before more words could be said, a young girl walked in introducing herself as Neiram a very new candidate. J’ain politely invited her to put her stuff down and join them. Poor thing, Eavan thought, coming in during that conversation. It was bad enough she was probably frightened from just being dropped off in a new place and if she wasn’t weyrbred then the fright would be ever worse. The girl didn’t look too horribly perturbed, albeit a tad bit shaken. Eavan gave her a friendly smile and said a small “Welcome to Sunset” before she sat down and J’ain served her food.

Thinking of food, Eavan looked down and noticed she still had some of her own left. She ate the last couple bites and drank even smaller sips as J’ain correctly punished Ophelia for her insubordination. The girl would learn or she wouldn’t, either way it was no hair off Eavan’s nose. Despite the hostility between the two of them earlier, Eavan did not revel in the girl’s punishment of latrine duty. It was simply what she deserved for her actions. Next was Kogran’s turn to tell about himself. The boy was good hearted, Eavan could at least say that about him even if he wasn’t the hardest of workers. Soon enough it would be her turn, but Eavan wasn’t too worried about it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Neiram’s heart was still beating a bit fast from her journey, but it was a reassurance to see so many welcoming faces. Well, most of them seemed welcoming. She wasn’t sure exactly what was going on between the short, dark haired girl and the Assistant Candidatemaster, but she wasn’t so naïve as to not feel the tension. Her suspicions were of course confirmed when the bluerider gave the girl latrine duty. Even Neiram wrinkled her nose at that. Latrine duty was not fun, she knew because she’d done it herself enough times.

”Thank you. It’s nice to meet you all.” Neiram said as she took the nearest empty seat to her, placing her satchel under her feet. Soon enough she was given a slice of the pie and a drink. Neiram didn’t think she was hungry, but once she smelled the pie her stomach growled. Without another thought she dug in, all the while trying to pay attention to the boy who was now speaking. Kogran, was that his name? She’d need to learn all their names soon enough.

After a few bites she took a drink from her cup and almost spit it right back out. The look on her face was one mixed with horror and disgust. What in the name of Faranth did people at the weyr drink?! Surely this wasn’t the normal drink of choice around here. It was so….strong. Neiram knew what alcohol was but had never had any…ever. ”Um, excuse me. Is there something else to drink? This is really, really strong.” She asked when Kogran stopped speaking.

[Sher]

"Thank you, Kogran!" J'ain told him warmly. "Let's see; who should go ne-" She stopped and blinked at Neiram. Thought about the girl's age, and had a moment of discomfort. The bluerider was not drunk, just a bit blurry, but she was adamant. They were all in this together. "Sorry about that; it's sort of all I bought." That was pure truth.

Wait; she'd just been thinking about something. Something important. J'ain got back up, frowning just slightly, and started to pace with an occasional wobble. Oh, right. "Moving along then!" she said with an excess of cheer, as she stopped and grabbed hold of the back of her chair with one hand. Neiram had sort of missed out on half the conversation, but the bluerider seriously didn't want to go back through the circle again. Ophelia wasn't the only one who who hadn't been entirely forthcoming, but she supposed she'd let Julim pass with his outburst. "Since you already said something, Julim," she smiled benignly. "It's Eavan's turn." A hand-flop that was meant to be a smoother 'go ahead' gesture, and then J'ain was plopping back into her seat.

Concentrating, she put her thoughts- such as they were- in order, and clung to them for all she was worth. Talk about firelizard eggs. Talk about arranging furniture. Play spin the bottle.

Well. Maybe not that last one. Maybe.