Fresh Meat {Open}

[S'yloa]

Time Reference: Directly after the first part of Thirsty Work. Well into the Candidate Lessons, sometime after the Weyr tour. Possibly while Raine and K'ivan are still in the dining hall. Quarantine Day 20.

---

For anyone paying attention to the Weyrbowl or the coming-and-goings of dragons, a particularly bright green might catch their attention. She appeared over the Rim, announced herself and then glided to the ground level. There, she deposited three people - her rider, and two strangers. S'yloa stifled the idea of shouting "fresh meat", instead focused on getting the siblings off his dragon so he could get the next two... and the next two... and then finally he'd be able to pick on a final Candidate and his Jannasper. He grinned at the idea of being able to take Jannasper right and proper-like from Aburez. 

"Careful there," he said as he assisted the girl off his dragon's leg with a light hand. She smiled at him and her fluttered eyelids make it evident to the greenrider that she flirted with him. He smiled, his grin charming and kind, but she wasn't his type. Not really. After Engmyth's last Flight, the rider had had enough of women to last him a good while yet. Probably until he had the nerve to return to Kajano Hold, particularly the tavern. For now, he concentrated on getting the new Candidates off his dragon. Once they disembarked, S'yloa turned to them. "All right, wait here." The siblings gawked and marveled at the massive cone-shaped caldera that was now their home. "Someone should come out for you. If no one does by the time Engmyth and I make our final trip, I'll get you to the Candidate Barracks myself." 

The two nodded their agreement, still a bit dumbfounded at the whole thing. Being Searched and taken away happened quickly and often left new arrivals in shock (and often very sad) since they didn't have much time to get their belongings and thoughts together. They had to get used to the idea that they wouldn't see their parents or other family or friends for quite some time, possibly Turns.

Satisfied they wouldn't run off, S'yloa clambered onto his saddle as he had Engmyth reach out to Tuirith. True, he'd heard rumors that Klissi wasn't feeling well and in truth, he hadn't seen the usually exuberant goldrider for a few days. On the other hand, he'd been busy the past few days what with playing ferryman to Vanech and then the Candidates. Anyway, as far as S'yloa was concerned, Klissi was the Senior Weyrwoman now that Ampara had disappeared.

Fair skies, Tuirith. How are the eggs? We have new Candidates for your babies. I found seven new Candidates for you. Will you please tell yours that they are waiting in the Weyrbowl? While she spoke, S'yloa adjusted his goggles and checked all his straps as he readied himself to make the bitter cold of between again. Oh, Engmyth, ask T'wenth if I can borrow some marks from his rider? Of course. She didn't question why and S'yloa was sure she didn't even care but she loved a chance to converse with any handsome dragons. And in her head, all of them qualified. Depending on T'wenth's reply, we may have to stop at Kajano Hold. The pair hopped into the air and disappeared between once more.

[S'yloa]

Time Reference: The second landing...

River Crossings Candidates
_{In case anyone wants to adopt a Candidate hot off being Searched! (They've been added to the Records.)}
 
Avlinyn - a friend of others. Third to disembark. Elated/sick from dragon travel stared at S'yloa stunned until someone shouted from the ground. Wants more. 
Eoteru - has a crush on <another RCC>, fourth to disembark.
Landre - girl. Last to arrive with Jannasper and <another RCC>. She went home while they waited and <other RCC> had to fetch her.
Melyami - younger sister, first to arrive.
Yamiel - older brother to Melyami, second to disembark.

Unnamed - girl. Her caring mother is still alive, somewhat naive but a generally good person. Arrived in second group with <unnamed gender unknown RCC>.
Unnamed - nonbinary. Arrived with Landre and Jannasper. Had to fetch Landre from home. 
Unnamed - gender unknown. 'what did Engmyth mean five left'...? Arrived with in second group <unnamed girl RCC>
---


Once again the radiant green arrived at Great Cliffs, announced herself, and swirled down into the Weyrbowl as she landed not far from where she left the two nervous Candidates. Engmyth folded her wings and extended a foreleg in case the two new arrivals needed a step of sorts. Everyone knew her, of course. She was one of the two Great Cliffs' Searchriders and that meant she'd been tasked with the important job of finding the right humans to be Candidates. Those lucky few who spend their lives bathing bonded to a dragon. Searching was of the useful things a green could do - besides fight Thread! - and Engmyth excelled at it. She loved her position.

She looked up and around to see who was 'at home' and looked casually for the new brown who should be there. Unable to see him from where she landed, she spied Caldreth and watched him jump from his ledge and wing away. When Tuirith replied, Engmyth relayed the relevant information to her rider. These seven please Tuirith, and she hopes we bring more. A message from T'wenth came to her. She relayed it too to her loa-love. Seven marks. 

From T'wenth? Oh, no that's not enough. I must think. S'yloa undid the fasteners that held the riders' straps in place and wiggled it to encourage the boy behind him to take them and unhook them from his waist and legs.

But the boy behind him remained disinclined to dismount.

He turned his saddle and looked at the closest Candidate. A boy whose named S'yloa did not remember. "We're on the ground," the greenrider turned his torso more and shifted in the saddle as he undid the straps to release the shocked youth. "Here, look down. Engmyth has her leg out for you. You'll be alright, you see your friends there? Take their hands. Stay with them until I return or someone comes for you. OK?"

The boy behind him nodded but he gave S'yloa the bug-eyed look of a scared beast.

Is he afraid of flying? That's not good. Before the dragonrider had a chance to say anything else, shouts started from below.

"Oh look!" Came a call from the ground. The girl, Melyami, waved her hand as she shouted. "Hey, hello Eoteru and Avlinyn, you've come too."

This shook the boy from his daze enough to go forward and sideways and for a moment S'yloa thought he might fall. But no, instead he grabbed one of the big straps that held Engmyth's saddle in place. In shaky but steady movements, he descended into the waiting arms of his friend from the Hold.

"Hello, yes, hello," the boy in the back (Eoteru) waved briefly as he too climbed down.

S'yloa waited for everyone to climb down. Since he already told the first two confused adolescents what to do, he didn't dismount this time as he hoped they'd tell their hometown friends. He had a lot to do and at least two stops before returning to Rivers Crossing Hold. As he waited, he calculated how many marks he had stored here and there in his weyr. Did I use that on the gift for Alcmene's birthing day? Is it enough plus F'rendil's? Oh, I hate to owe him more money. Though not an obsessive gambler, S'yloa still owed F'rendil money for a bet he'd lost. F'rendil bet the next to catch Engmyth to be a brown, and S'yloa who wanted to 'complete the collection' bet for a blue. Instead... S'yloa sighed. And now I owe him ten marks... plus the seven? 

Lawsh squawked!

S'yloa blinked and stared at the green 'lizard to find her perched on the saddle in front of him with a serious look on her features.

She bobbed her head up and down. We need to go.

Look at you, beautiful creature. He scratched her under the chin. You're right of course, but we have so much to do. S'yloa bemoaned. With four... five. Five Candidates waiting. And now somehow to find eighteen marks for the adorable Jannasper. Before he got involved in more daydreams S'yloa had to finish his work. Are you going to tell him? He deserves to know. S'yloa adjusted his goggles with a longing sigh. Yes, of course... but there was a reason I made sure to leave him for last.

Ten or so minutes later, two Candidates successfully disembarked from their first dragon ride and the two Candidates on the ground had helped their friends from home onto the Weyr's floor admit shouts of, "Hello, oh, you've made it too - " Suddenly among more friendly faces, the two boys who disembarked felt a little more at ease as exchanged friendly greetings with the siblings who had been brave enough to be the 'first' ferried here...

Satisfied that the siblings had the new arrivals well in hand, S'yloa reached out to Engmyth. We've waited long enough. We need to go to our weyr first... Engmyth shook her head and opened her wings to politely warn the nearby humans of her impending jump. She had to get airborne before she went Between, and though she'd heard some found it impolite to between while in the Weyr, why be so upset when she meant to Between within it? After another slow flap and she launched into the air and with a whooshing disappeared between...

[Klissi]

A lone figure emerged from a weyr on the third tier headed for the stairs. No dragon to take them elsewhere at the moment, they would have to make the trek all the way down the bowl. Unless a helpful dragon gave them a lift.

To those on the ground it was hard to tell who exactly it was that appeared, that is if they didn't know who lived in the first weyr on that tier. To the uninformed, all they could see was someone with long hair tied back carrying a basket on one arm.

A rumble came from the hatching sands as the queen within disagreed with her rider. Causing the new Candidates to stare in the direction of the sound. Avlinyn's features paled when he started to think about everything he had heard about dragons. With the misgiving some of the holds had, all fales of course, the one that came to mind was being food.

[Narrator]

Coming Back from Snack Time...

Avlinyn - a friend of others. Third to disembark. Elated/sick from dragon travel stared at S'yloa stunned until someone shouted from the ground. Wants more.
Eoteru - has a crush on <another RCC>, fourth to disembark.
Melyami - younger sister to Yamiel, first to arrive.
Yamiel - older brother to Melyami, second to disembark.

---

When the green rider came back and dropped off a new person, the Weyrwoman no less, the four Candidates currently here crowded around her and began asking questions all at once. Except Avlinyn, who continued to stare at the Weyrwoman and all around in surprise and a bit of shock. Tuirith's roar drew gasps of surprise and the girl among them cringed backward as though the sound might hurt her.

"It's the Weyrwoman!"
"Of course it is, wherrybrain."
"Did you hear that?"
"Don't push me, Eoteru, we can all get close to her."
"I'm not!"

When Klissi spoke they paused to listen and her question quieted the three of them down further. But only for a moment before they all started talking again, trying to answer her question and acknowledge her command at the same time.

"No ma'am."
"Of course not - "
"Hatching sands off limits, ok but what about - "

"Wait, wait," said one of the boys. He put up his hands and fluttered them in the air as he placated his friends. "We can't all talk at once."

"Good idea, Yamiel. You talk."

Yamiel, the boy who initially spoke, nodded. "Hello Weyrwoman Klissi, it's nice to meet you. Uhmm... this is my sister Melyami. And our friends Avlinyn and Eoteru." He rubbed chin. "I think there are eight of us total - "

"No, nine," countered Melyami.
"No, Melyami it was eight." Said Eoteru.
"Nine!" Melyami cried again but she fell silent when Yamiel put his hand up again.
"Admittedly, as soon as the rider - "
"S'yloa! And his pretty green dragon Engmyth."

Yamiel sighed, exasperated. He cleared his throat and then turned to Klissi again before he addressed her. "Well, Weyrwoman, it all happened so fast. It's obvious we can't agree on how many are left because we don't know how many he really Searched. When S'yloa arrived, things got chaotic. He pointed and a bunch of us in the crowd and then broke us up into small groups so he could ferry us here."

[Klissi]

The interactions of the children managed to bring a soft chuckle to the Weyrwoman's lips. Yamiel was doing his best to reign in the others. He may make a good bronze rider one day. When he turned back to her to answer her question, Klissi patted the air to shush the others so he didn't have to fight to be heard. "Searches have been know to do that. We will wait here until S'yloa returns with the last of your group. By then, someone should be here to take you to your new rooms."

Turith settled down since all the activity hers was up to now. It was much better than sulking in a dark room. There came a rumble from the hatching sands again, but this one sounded more of content.

[Kitti [A]]

Tezorath arrives at the group of candidates first, her hide shining bright as she strides into view. She's been sent here by Kitti to help J'zeni collect the candidates, and it's what she's determined to do. Well, she muses to herself, not speaking to the candidates directly, they're small and shabby. Perhaps a bit rattled and argumentative. But they'll do. I'm sure if they're not good enough for the dragons, Turith's children would let them know. What she knows, though, is that she personally wouldn't pick any of them. She's quite content with her rider.

Waiting on J'zeni to arrive, she takes a seat and preens. Let them admire her, and she might pick her favorites among them. Not that the favor of Tezorath would do any good in reality, but in Tezorath's mind, it's all that needs to be done.

[J'zeni]

Alvoradath bounded into the scene along with his twin, his hide equally as bright with heavier golden accents than most bronzes. They may do. Tuirith's children will know best. We should trust in the Searchrider, too. He didn't think much of greens. They were only greens after all, but they had their uses. And the one who found new riders to keep his brothers and sisters safe had more of it than most. The young bronze curled his tail around his front paws and of a similar mind to his sister, he opened one wing to preen the underside.

They're scared and confused. It's their holdborn nature. That's all. J'zeni added to the conversation. Still a few minutes away, it took J'zeni that long to walk from the Candidates Barracks to where Engmyth dropped off her passengers.


A few minutes later... the Candidate Master finally arrived.

"Fair skies, Weyrwoman. I hope I wasn't keeping you long?" Said J'zeni as he inclined his head in a brief nod of respect to Klissi and then looked at the new Candidates. He looked hurried without being flustered. "Hello everyone... are there more coming?" He looked at Klissi. His gaze went from the other adolescents to the Weyrwoman. "Should we wait?" Back to the new recruits with a smile. "I can take everyone your dorms now to drop off your bags. Then we're headed to class." He looked at Klissi. "If uh, unless you have something else planned?"

[Kitti [A]]

Her eyes swirl a slightly faster shade of green as Alvoadath shows up. Searchriders only see the potential to Impress. They don't guarantee it. She knows most of these children will be left Standing. Or perhaps, a fluke will happen and all of this group will Impress. I do hope our riders prepare them properly.

[Klissi]

The appearance of the small gold, and quickly followed by her brother bronze, would have the newcomers to the weyr in a tizzy as soon as they came within sight. Knowing this Klissi cleared her throat to get the children's attention. "I know you all will want to touch Tezorath or Alvoradath here. But." She eyed the younger ones in the group. "Only if their riders or they lets you."

Thankfully, the candidate master made his entrance just then. A smile crept up her face, while she enjoyed children, having help with so many that were starstruck by their new home was always welcomed. "Fair skies J'zeni. You are just in time." Even though he was young for a candidate master, J'zeni knew the lessons well enough to be able to explain them. His hesitancy only came without knowing what was going on at that moment. "There are more coming. Better to take them all at once. There are another five that are coming."

Taking a moment to look across the weyr bowl to the brown that had landed with rider and passageners. F'rendil brings us more hands for the weyr. Klissi nodded as Tuirith spoke to her. I see them. What has he brought us this time? One who makes toys. One seeking a home.

Turning her attention back to J'zeni after a moment, the weyr woman had an idea. "Once we have everyone here, we can take them to drop off their things and then to the dinner hall before settling them into the way of things here. Will you need any more supplies for the class?"

[J'zeni]

Alvoradath went to J'zeni and leaned on his. Even as a much-smaller than average eight month old, he towered over J'zeni. We must have faith in our riders. They have been out of the shell longer than we. 

"Fair skies to you, Weyrwoman. It is nice to see you here. Hello Aridron," he glanced down at the basket. Noting the tell-tale look in Klissi's eyes that indicated she spoke with Tuirith, J'zeni spoke to Alvoradath in quick measure. He took on the stunned-faraway look that accompanied his conversations with the twins.

Are you OK with the new Candidates touching you, Vor? You know they'll get handsie if we let them. Of course! I like making new friends. Alvoradath moved forward into the crowd of children and sat right in the middle. If his silent invitation wasn't enough, than J'zeni's words no doubt encouraged the new arrivals.

"You're welcomed to pet Vor. He doesn't mind. Zora picky about who touches her so it is better to wait until she presents herself, if she does," he nodded toward Alvoradath to indicate what he meant by 'presenting'. "Vor likes being scratched behind his head knobs and along his head ridges. Be careful of his wings, please." He knew being able to interact with a dragon up close (for possibly the first time) would definitely distract the new Candidates, so J'zeni left them to it.

His attention returned to Klissi now.  "There are more? All right, I'll wait here until S'yloa returns again with the rest. No, ma'am, we don't need anymore equipment, at least not for today. Though we had the advanced flamethrower lesson planned, no one here has had the assessment test I give the Candidates before doing that lesson. Once we heard about the new arrivals, I asked D'nel to give them a history lesson and we'll introduce them to the other Candidates. Usually, Lesson One includes the difference between hold and Weyr life. That should be enough to cover the rest of the day.

[Klissi]

Klissi nodded as she listened to J'zeni. Her gaze moved between him and the children with the practiced ease any mother had. "Good, good. It must be difficult to run both advance lessons and beginner lessons together." It was then Tuirith reached out to her rider. Raine has been recalled. She has already left in a hurry.

More used to talking to her dragon, Klissi could look almost present while conversing with Tuirith. Odd, the is a first. Does K'ivan know the reason? I will ask.

Klissi sighed, regardless how she felt currently there wasn't an option. She had to take the title. It was one of her goals from before, just the weight that hung on her had kept her from actively taking it once it was rightfully hers to take. Returning her focus back to J'zeni. "If you do ever need anything, you will be able to find me in my office." She turned to the children who were petting the small brozen from nose to tail. Catching the eye of two of the older ones, she knew the youngers wouldn't remember this at all with the excitement of being at the weyr. "That goes for you all as well." She gestured towards the Senior Weyrwoman's office. "If I am not out and about, you will be able to find me there." 

[K'ivan]

Aridron!

Aridron chortled at the thought Klissi wouldn't be hiding in her weyr anymore. He heard a familiar voice too. A pale nose poked out of the basket. He sniffed the air and one wary blue-green eye gleamed from under the covering. Three clawed toes poked out to curl on the edge of the basket as Aridron silently observed the goings-on around him.

Baizynth

When the gold reached out to her mate, Baizynth replied to Tuirith within heartbeats. He did not know why the other gold rider left either and had little interest in her because she'd been passing through so now his attention turned to more present matters. He spoke to Tuirith and as he did, projected the image of K'ivan looking toward Klissi into Tuirith's mind. From his angle, he could see her among the new arrivals. K'iv-mine wants to know how yours is feeling and asked if she needed "back up" because he is not far away from her. 

[J'zeni]

Alvoradath closed his eyes as he allowed the Candidates to pet him and mutter soft things to him. Their words washed over him. He didn't care to talk to them or listen to what they said, only sit and enjoy their praises and petting. He kept his wings closed but turned his head this way and that as the adolescents fussed over him.

"Yes ma'am, of course. Thank you. I don't think we need anything else at the moment." J'zeni's grin widened and he bobbed his head at Klissi's words. He felt rather than heard his stomach growl. In all the excitement, he realized he hadn't had a chance to grab food. "Well, except maybe some lunch."  When he saw her indicating "her" office, his grin widened. It was one thing to tell him that he could find her there because he knew she'd been feeling on and off for a while. To tell a complete stranger in the form of the older Candidates meant Klissi had solidified her decision in her own head too, and ready to take on the responsibility. The Weyr needs it. Needs her. She needs it too. 

He raised his voice so the Candidates could hear him. "Listen up everyone! There are a few more of your friends coming to join us. As soon as S'yloa and Engmyth return with their final load, we'll go ahead and grab some lunch. Then, we're going to Candidate lessons for the duration of the afternoon."

Someone groaned. 

"Don't worry," Anticipating the declaration of dismay, J'zeni chuckled softly and reassured them. "Today's lesson is purely introductory. Afterwards, we can find berths for you in the Barracks. By the way, congratulations on being Searched and welcome to the Weyr!"

[Klissi]

Oh Kliss-mine has finally laid claim to what is hers! Tuirith's mental voice was almost purring to her mate. She must be feeling better because she came out and now this. Could only be made better if your's comes to her. There are many young ones, they are all over Alvoradath.

On the heel of J'zeni's words, Klissi added. "I am sure your family is proud that you were searched. I bet they will be more so when you impress. Remember to learn everything you can. I heard a rumor when I was your age. 'Those that did the best in their lessons got the best dragons.' And well... you know who I fly." That rumor may or may not be true, but it always seemed to work. And more often than not, the candidates that did well in their lessons did impress. There were always exceptions to the rule, but the Weyrwoman learned that this was the best way to get young ones to listen.

[S'yloa]

From here.
----------

In the cloudy sky above a brilliant emerald emerged with a whoosh from the frigid nothingness of Between. She bellowed a relieved greeting to the watch dragon, received a "welcome" in return. Her wings tilted and her body followed as she angled herself in a tight spiral toward the Weyrbowl's floor. 

S'yloa was practically on automatic at this point. They were so close to being finished with the day, and he was as tired as his dragon, sharing her fatigue in the way only dragonriders understood. Greens only had so much stamina, and they'd made multiple jumps this morning most of which she'd been laden with riders. He knew he'd feel better after Engmyth fell asleep. A bath first. Then, sleep. Then, food. And a bath. And one for Jannasper... or both... He pondered that idea. Never again. Never again would Jannasper have to deal with Aburez or anyone else who meant to hurt him. My sweet Jannasper. We will have to tell him. I know... I know... We should tell him soon. Yes. I will. He tried not to sound irritated. Engmyth knew better. S'yloa put his fantasies away with a longing sigh. He's bound to linger after the others leave. We'll tell him then, and he can join the others right away.


Engmyth landed with her color's delicate grace. She set all four feet on the ground and crouched in place a moment, then leaned her body enough to extend a fore leg for anyone who needed a hand down. While she waited for her passengers to disembark, she gave a friendly bellow to T'wenth. Hello there. 


When he felt his green stop moving, S'yloa called over his shoulder, "We're here! Be careful taking the straps off - good, that's perfect. Here we go." All smiles and nods as S'yloa made ready to send the final group on their way, the green rider made sure everyone disembarked his dragon safely. It was much easier for the teenagers to clamber off Engmyth than the two who'd recently had to dismount T'wenth. One of them jumped with a laugh, and Landres scrambled down so fast that S'yloa didn't have to help her at all.  

"Haha! We're at the Weyr!" And they laughed, each heading in a different direction. 

"Wait, don't stray! Go that way, you see your friends? There's the Weyrwoman, Klissi and there's J'zeni and his Alvoradath under that pile of giggles. He's the Candidate Master. I'm sure he has something fun planned for you today. Go over there. Oh - wait! Here, this pack is yours. Don't forget it. There, bye now." S'yloa soft tossed the aforementioned backpack to Landres and with a final wave, he watched them run off.