As soon as Niergoth touches to the sand, As'lan is down to the ground, turning to watch V'len also descend from the higher perch atop Yevgeth. "See Val, I told you this place would be deserted." Of course a single glance around shows him it isn't exactly empty as Rayna is spotted. The young woman is familiar too, now that Asel has been spending the last season at Fort Weyr. "Oh... maybe not. Uh... Rayna isn't it? Fort's Weyrharper? I hope we're not disturbing you out here. I had finally convinced V'len here to take a break..."
V'len slides from his mount, then, pulling off his riding helmet, sets right away to unbuckling a pouch attached to the straps. "Lovely spot, dear. Such a good idea for you to steal me away to some secluded spot for a little wine and ... Oh." He turns, nodding cordially, if not particularly warmly, to Rayna. "Some wine and conversation. I guess that's what it'll be. Now." He looks a bit disappointed, rolling his eyes helplessly to his weyrmate. Hopefully that action was shielded by his lifemate's bulk. "Lovely day here, isn't it?," he asks her politely - because As'lan's here and he knows he likes that stuff. "What are you doing way out here by yourself?"
Rayna was sitting on the sand off to one side, staring blankly at the sky as she played with a writing stick in one hand. Her other hand comes up to shield her eyes as Niergoth lands in the sand, and she nods, not recognizing the bluerider. "I am Rayna, and..no I guess not," she says, peering down at the empty hide before her. The composing just wasn't happening anyways it seems. "V'len?" she asks curiously, peering at the larger dragon hulk before seeing the bronzerider. "It is a nice day. And, well." Her gaze flickers back to the hide once more. "I was trying to compose. I usually come here because it's secluded," she says.
As'lan gives V'len a look that promises he will get both his wine and.... eventually and turns back to smile at Rayna, pulling off a leather riding glove to offer his hand, "As'lan, rider of blue Niergoth. Originally from Fort Weyr, but currently posted to Xanadu Weyr. I've been up at Fort for the last few months, enjoying some time off and making sure V'len here doesn't take life too seriously. So, no luck with the composition did you say? Well, at least you have the pleasant scenery to placate you will you seek inspiration. Care to share the wine we've brought? There's enough for three, wouldn't you agree Val?"
V'len nods grudgingly. Sharing As'lan's company and now the wine? This isn't the outing he was looking forward to. Still, As'lan's look cheers him a little and he nods. "It's one of my favorite vintages. And we have some lovely prune danish, and some other stuff for As'lan." He trudges over with the sack, setting it on the ground in front of him. "I suppose you're trying to compose a song about Yevgeth's granddragon's eggs that were clutched last night. Did you manage to see them? He was rather proud, although it's a shame that this clutch will only be a quarter of his ichor."
Rayna rises to her feet, sticking the writing stick behind her ear and tucking the hide under one arm, as she takes As'lan's hand and shakes it. "Well met As'lan. And no. Words weren't flowing to me today unfortunately. That does happen on occasion." The harper gives a slight head shake at the mention of wine. "No thank you, I don't want to intrude on whatever you two were planning." Her expression stays bland as she listens to V'len and she smiles. "No, I haven't had the chance yet. As for a song? I couldn't possibly compose a song about them if I haven't seen them yet. But I am working on the song you wanted about Yevgeth. I'm stuck on finding the right combination of brass and pipes for the melody."
"You hear that Val?" Asel knows full well he *did* hear. "She's not seen the new clutch yet. I'm surprised you're not wanting to sweep her right up and carry her back to the Weyr, so she can get a good look." He shares a quick wink with Rayna; the bluerider knows his weyrmate quite well it seems. "As for the wine, it's not bother I promise. You're not intruding, remember? We are on your composing time. It's the least we can do for being so rude. C'mon then... Val keeps telling me I'll appreciate this vintage. I think someone else should have to appreciate it with me."
Suddenly, the harper is about as welcome and wonderful as the first warm day in spring. "Well, no matter about the clutch, did you hear the other, love? She's working on her masterpiece! An ode to Yevgeth! Well, I /am/ heartily sorry for interrupting you, but as you see, I brought inspiration with me! See? Feast your eyes!" V'len sweeps his arm to his dragon who, caught in the middle of a rather awkward scratch, perks and then strikes his best draconic pose - head aloft, tail /just/ curled at the end, wings half-unfurled. Yup. Looking rather draconic. "Brass. I'd say lots of brass, don't you?" He pauses, then lifts his head with that distance look of riders when they're talking to their lifemates. "I asked him to come over and meet you, Rayna. I think you'll be able to understand his nuances if you've actually met him, no?"
Rayna smiles slightly, but her eyes flicker towards the ground as she says, "Well, the lake is for anyone. I've enjoyed the solitude quite awhile today, it's your right to enjoy it as well, without a meddling harper in your way. Besides, I'm not exactly a wine expert. The value of V'len's wine might be lost on an ignorant person like myself." She nods. "There will be brass. But just the right amount. Thats why I'm having a hard time. Its not easy to balance the brass you want with other instruments. And well. I wasn't..." she trails off. No need to tell him she wasn't even working on his song. As he mentions meeting Yevgeth she lifts her eyes from the ground. "I really don't know. I mean, his uhh..majesty is fairly evident to all who see him." She pauses trying to think up how not to offend the bronzerider. "If I understood him too well I'd have to...put all of his qualities in the song. And you don't want to put all the other bronzes that much to shame now do you?"
V'len isn't really concerned with shaming the other bronzes. "They've learned to live with it, Rayna. And yes, I expect the piece will have to have several movements to fully express the wonder that is Yevgeth. That's why it's so important that you understand the sensitivities under the majesty." Turning to his lifemate, he motions for him to approach more quickly. "See the way that he's swinging his head? Try and see if you can get that in. Maybe with bagpipes."
As'lan has a moment of bounding with Rayna as he confesses, "I'm not wine expert either, believe me. Plus, compared to V'len here, no one is meddling." Oops, did he say that out loud? Ahem. "Don't let V'len fool you, Rayna. As much as Yevgeth loves the attention, he's not the same as his lifemate. Otherwise how would he put up with my Niergoth for so long?"
"As you wish V'len," she says, lifting an eyebrow as she watches the head swing. "Bagpipes?" she asks crinkling her nose slightly at the idea. "Bagpipes and brass don't work well together V'len. Trust me on that one." She smiles at As'lan. "I'm glad I'm not the only one, and..." whatever she says is lost as she tries to hide a chuckle behind one hand.
V'len leans down to rummage in the sack, then straightens, holding up the wineskin. "Inspiration! Between this vintage and Yevgeth, how can you go wrong?" Apparently, he's completely missed her refusing the wine. Meanwhile, Yevgeth approaches, stretching out his neck as he nears the harper, He wuffles, then with an almost bored movement, looks to V'len again. "No, Yevgeth! I'm /not/ happy! This is the woman that will be made famous by your ode! She needs to get to know you a little here! Let her rub your muzzle or something. Maybe she'll put a verse in about your benevolent nature if you handle it right." Quick grin to Rayna. "He'll warm up to you. Just watch."
As'lan watches Yevgeth and his lifemate with an arched brow, obviously amused. Poor Weyrharper. At least he manages *not* to say that out loud. "Go easy on the girl, Val. She doesn't need to compose your masterpiece right here, right now. We came to spend a day away from work, maybe she wanted the same, hmm? You can't force inspiration after all."
Rayna blinks as the dragon wuffles, then peers at V'len. "Really, it doesn't matter if he doesn't like me." Getting examined by a dragon isn't exactly her idea of fun. "I mean. I have plenty of material for his song." Her free hand is then quickly thrust into her trous pocket. No free hand to rub a muzzle with. Rayna's loss it seems. She shoots a look of -THANK YOU- towards As'lan, but remains silent.
V'len sighs. "It's a golden opportunity, As'lan. Or, should I say, bronze?" He chuckles with his own wit, then, with a little resigned nod, motions to his dragon. "It seems that too much of you can be a bit overwhelming, Yev. You can go back and play in the water if you wish." Turning back to Rayna. "Not that I don't understand that you can be overwhelmed. Ah, but get a bit in that reflects his playful nature, too? Maybe with kazoos." Meanwhile, though, Yevgeth stretches his neck out again, not quite as eager to leave as before. In fact, he seems to have decided that he rather likes this harper girl, which causes a broad grin and a knowing nod from V'len to his weyrmate.
All As'lan can do at this point is roll his eyes and shrug, helpless when it's two against one. Niergoth seems perfectly content to lazy about in the sun, ignoring the happenings. "Kazoos," the bluerider mutters, shuddering at the thought. "Okay Val, okay. You were a weaver once, not a harper. Leave the harpering to her. I'm sure she knows her talents well enough. It'll be a wonderful composition, if you and Yev ever leave her peace long enough to write it."
Rayna just smiles and nods at V'len. Brass she can do. Kazoos and bagpipes? She'd like to keep her career thank you. She blinks as the bronze dragon stretches closer, and she takes a step away, holding her hide a little bit tighter. "Ummm. V'len? Didn't you tell him to go in the water?"
V'len is getting that riderly look again. "Well, no. That won't do." It seems he's talking to Yevgeth who has no intention now of going into the water. "And As'lan, you're right. Completely! The girl has a job that she's very good at already! There's no need for another job for her... Yevgeth!" His dragon's name said with a measured, steely tone. Leaning in towards his lifemate, he even forgets himself for a moment and talks out loud. "Besides! Don't you realize? If she doesn't write this, then who will? Do you want an ode or not? Surely you can find someone else?"
As'lan peers at the bronzerider and his dragon, thoroughly confused at this point. Nie doesn't seem inclined to explain what is going on either, which causes Asel to snort slightly and mumble something about useless lumps of hide.
Rayna looks rather confused. "What are you talking about V'len? As'lan?" she says the bluerider's name rather questioning. "What exactly is V'len talking about? Why are he and Yevgeth talking about me?"
V'len just rolls his eyes and then turns to the weyrharper. "I guess you'd better go look at that clutch. It seems that Yevgeth thinks you should stand on the sands for his daughter Teyrth's first clutch." Pause. "Umm... do you think you'll still have time to write the ode?" Glare sent to Yevgeth. "Your idea, remember? But it's your ode... I was just trying to do something nice for you, but you had to go mess it up like this..." Sigh. "Dragons!" he comments with an embarassed laugh when he realizes he's talking out loud yet again.
As'lan holds up both hands, feigning as much innocence as he can, "I haven't a clue... well, I have a clue, but perhaps you ought to leave it up to Yevgeth and V'len there. Just don't hold it against me that I'm the one who Searched V'len all those turns ago, okay?" He gives Rayna a quick, broad grin and shrugs, "So much for that wine and the day at the lake, eh?"
Rayna blinks at V'len not getting that the first time around. "W..What? d..did you just say?" she asks, stutter coming through as the harper tries to grasp what she was just told. As As'lan merely reaffirms what she thought she heard, the harper's face pales and she murmers "Master Caitlin is going to kill me."
V'len shakes his head conversationally. "Well, no she won't. We don't let our candidates be killed. If you want to be a candidate, that is? I can understand the pain of leaving behind a brilliant career, but I completed my greatest work while I was at the weyr... isn't that right, As'lan?" He turns to beam at his weyrmate. "It's not like you're a herder or anything and have to deal with that Master Lasarah."
As'lan likes Master Lasarah, having been a Journeyman Herder before he was searched. He refrains from commenting, just absently nods his head.
Rayna looks from one to the other, and sags her shoulders a bit. "Well she won't really kill me. She'll be mad though." Her eyes go downcast a moment and she bites her lip, thinking about the choice just presented to her. It takes her a few moments before she responds "It'd be an honor to stand for Teyrth's clutch." Her voice isn't exactly filled with enthusiasm, but she isn't exactly going to insult V'len either by saying no.
V'len isn't quite sure how he feels about all this, either. The loss of the ode is sitting pretty heavy here. "Well. I guess we'd better take you back to the weyr then and get you set up. Maybe after you've spent your days in backbreaking work for candidacy, you can use what precious little free time you have for working on the ode? I still think bagpipes would be nice." He gathers up the pieces of the aborted picnic, then reaches up to pull himself onto Yevgeth, reaching down a hand to help her.
As'lan steps forward to place a comforting hand on Rayna's shoulder, "It's not all that bad, really. You might come to like it and at least you're already living at the Weyr. Though, if you do Impress, you'll have another two turns to spend with V'len there, since he's the Weyrlingmaster." He manages a cheerful smile. "It'll be okay though.. you'll see."
Rayna nods rather absently at the both of them. "Am I being taken back? Or should I return there myself and come find V'len?" she asks, before smiling at As'lan. "Maybe," she says before groaning inwardly. She'll have to tell Caitlin before the Master even returns from her "vacation" and while the master is still annoyed at her.
"You won't run away, will you? If I don't bring you back right now? And Caitlin won't be a problem. Just tell her that this clutch has the ichor of Yevgeth. That'll do it." He smiles indulgently. "If you want a ride back, I'll give you one. If you give the word of a Harper that you'll go of your own accord... As'lan? Can I do that? You mean...you don't want a ride on the Magnificent Yevgeth?"
As'lan shakes his head to both Rayna and V'len, "No, if Yevgeth is wanting her to stand for the clutch, you really should take her back now, V'len. She'll need to get moved to the barracks, find the Headwoman about a new clothing and all that. Plus meet the others. No, it's best if you take her back. Or Niergoth and I can give her a ride if she'd prefer."
Rayna shakes her head. "I won't run away. And I.. umm. Didn't say that. I wasn't sure if you two still wanted to have your picnic or anything. A ride back would save some time for me. But if you don't want to I could walk. And I will go of my own accord. I won't make you drag me off."
V'len reaches out for her hand again. "Climb up then. I suppose you'll be put right to work. With no time for contemplative ode writing... ah, but think of the payoff? Even with only a quarter of Yevgeth's ichor, you'd be a very lucky girl to stand for this clutch." V'len's off again with his babble as Yevgeth only snorts his derision.
Rayna nods to the bronzerider, staying rather quiet as she mounts the bronze and straps herself in, pulling the writing stick from her ear, only to clutch it and her hide tightly for the bronze's lift off.
Taking firm hold of leather straps, As'lan ascends to his seat betwixt twin tawny-touched 'ridges, guided by the lowered blue-white crest of Niergoth's neck and a warm draconic rumble.
Yevgeth bunches his haunches and they spring into the air, the bronzerider twisting around to check on his rider. "Some takeoff, hmm? You might be able to get that into the ode, too. What about a didgeridoo?"
Candidate Barracks
This vaguely rectangular room contains cots, cots, and more cots, which either stand in neat, pristine rows, a clothespress at each foot, or in jumbled confusion, depending on the current residents. Metal brackets mark the smooth walls every four cotlengths, hosting shieldable glows that, when open, shine gentle circles on the low ceiling and worn floor. A desk holds a prominent place at the back of the room, opposite the lower caverns' exit and below the large slateboard that lists the room's 'occupants' and their assigned chores. Beside the slate hangs a wide 'tackboard', pinned full of important notices for the candidates to read.
Rayna ducks in from the lower caverns.
As'lan ducks in from the lower caverns.
V'len starts talking the moment he enters the barracks. "Ah.. I remember this place well! That was my cot over there... or was it that one? Anyway, it was by that annoying girl Obesa. Poor dear had a terrible crush on me, I think. It was sad to break her heart. But this is your home for now, at least. Congratulations for being chosen to stand, and...well...get to know him." V'len points at Murkat. "Because he's in your class. You'll remember him for the rest of your turns, good or bad - Because you never forget this time in your life, do you, As'lan, dear?"
As'lan leans again the door frame, giving them both a nod. "Aye.... it's definitely a memorable time. Though some find it completely unlike anything they've lived through before. Hopefully you'll enjoy yourself, Rayna. Along with the others."
Rayna follows the two riders in, standing there and nodding at V'len. "I'll try," she says to As'lan then, peering around the barracks. "Not many people here yet?" she asks curiously, noting the lack of people. "Wait... you mean the men and women sleep in the same room?" she asks, noticing there really is no seperation for the two sexes.
V'len takes another long, nostalgic look. "You'll be too tired to do anything about the sleeping arrangements, Rayna. Although... in my case..." He chuckles a little, reaching out to give As'lan an affectionate little tweak on the arm. "But try to work on the ode? Please? As'lan? What do you think of didgeridoos?"
"I don't think about them," replies As'lan good-naturedly back to V'len. Then to Rayna he gives another nod, "One big happy family. If it's the usual crowd, you'll have about 40 or more other candidates sharing the barracks with you. You have to learn early what to expect since if you end up a weyrling, you'll be in another barracks for the next two turns. I think some of the more shy candidates setup up changing curtains. There's always that option."
Rayna smiles at the suggestion. "That would work perfectly if needed. Thank you As'lan. And V'len? If I'm going to be as busy as you say I might not get to your ode for sometime unfortunately." She shrugs a big, shifting the hide in her arms.
V'len sighs. "More sacrifices for the weyr. I do hope they realize what I do for it." With that, he turns, heading back out the door. "How about that picnic now, dear?"
