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Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 6th January 2011

Characters: Rhosyn, J'ren
Description: The hatching goes well and they get their fill of the food.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Hygalia
Follows Hitchin' A Ride

Travel /between/ never lasted long, but for most, especially those who
were not dragonriders, it always lasted far too long. Still, one got used
to it to an extent when one used it almost everyday. Even the lingering
chill that followed after blinking back in, which had been creepy the
first time J'ren had made a trip /between/, no longer bothered the
bronzerider. They arrived with plenty of time to spare and Kenaranth made
an easy landing. J'ren undid the straps and proceeded to help the
Weyrwoman down from the great beast. "Looking forward to the event?" He
asked as his eyes turned toward the cavern where people were gravitating.

"Hatchings are always special." She wanted Hygalia to do well. Taking his
hand, she carefully picked her way down. Once she landed on her feet, she
adjusted her skirts, allowing the cold weather to invigorate her.
"Wonderful, isn't it?" Smiling, she made her way towards the Hatching
Grounds. "Now, we have to find a seat."

J'ren offered his arm. It wouldn't do not to escort her properly. "I'm
sure we'll be able to find one." His eyes skimmed over the rolling heads
that were turned this way and that as the hum of conversation joined with
the low hum of the dragons. He found an empty space and motioned toward
it. "How about over there? If you don't want me to sit with you, I can
certainly find my own seat."

"No, you fool. You're all I have if this whole thing goes south. So stick
close for now." As if to back up her order, she grabbed his arm. Rhosyn
didn't like the idea of being stranded at all. With her luck, the Master
Harper would be around to talk her ear off. Surveying the seat, she shook
her head. "This way."

Never one to allow her Weyr to be slighted, she pushed herself to the
stands in the center with a good view. Making sure the riders saw her
knots from a long way off, she waited for them to move. "We'll sit here.
Will you get me a drink please?"

A fool? J'ren raised his eyebrows but let the insult slide off with a
shrug. "All right." He allowed the Weyrwoman to take the lead, keeping
pace with her easily. She found a better spot than the one he had spotted
and when she asked for a drink, he nodded amiably. "Of course. I'll be as
quick as I can." He grinned then disappeared into the milling crowd.

It didn't take him too long. Drinks were readily available as there was
no telling how long the hatching would actually take. Some were quick.
Others...others could take forever. Kenaranth's had been like that, but
the bronze had certainly been worth the wait. He took hold of two drinks
then managed to wind his way back without getting jostled enough to spill,
then held out both. "Didn't know if you wanted wine or juice so I got one
of each. Take your pick, I'll drink the other."

She had been hoping for something warm, like klah, but she took the wine.
Rhosyn took a few sips, then thought of the food at the feast and settled.
The humming soon gave way to eggs cracking and it wasn't long before the
actual event had started.

J'ren sipped at his juice since Rhosyn had chosen the wine, then leaned
forward as cracks webbed over the surface of the eggs. He pointed to a
rather large egg, "I think that's a bronze. Any thoughts as to what will
hatch?"

"No. I just hope they're all healthy. For me, it's not about the guessing
or any of that. It's about seeing them enter the world for the first time.
And then the moment when Impression happens. That's the most special." Her
eyes became cloudy as she watched the eggs, willing them to be okay.

"They'll all be fine." J'ren had no sense of doubt in that. His hand
dropped as the first egg split and his attention was drawn to it. "But
yes, it's always special. No matter how many I go to, it's always
special."

One by one, the eggs hatched and dragonets poured forth from their
confines. One by one, they they crooned and cried and toddled toward the
ones that had been chosen as their lifemates. J'ren's gaze didn't move
until the last dragonet had made the choice.

When it was over and the weyrlings were being led off the Sands, Rhosyn
stood up, looking over the crowd. **It went well**

}:Of course it did. Genith worried too much:{ Orlaith sounded very sure of
her own success.

Grabbing J'ren's jacket so she didn't lose him, she thought it might work
best if the taller man pushed a way through to the food tables while she
trailed along in his wake. "Lead the way to the food, Wingsecond. Then,
I'll say my bit to the Weyrleaders and we'll be off." She didn't want to
bombard them just yet.

"Aye aye, Weyrwoman!" J'ren wasn't going to argue. Food would be most
welcome and maybe a bit of stronger drink. He drew Rhosyn a bit closer
and then began to charge through the crowd, though not without a sense of
respect and apology to those he brushed past. In due course, they made
it to the area set up for the feast and J'ren came to a stop by one of the
tables laden with all sorts of delicious foods. "So, food? Don't want
you to waste away."

"Faranth no..and we can't let this go to waste either.." She picked up a
plate and began to place things on it, picking from here and there. "The
Headwoman did a fine job."

"Yes, she did. J'ren agreed and followed suit, though he loaded more
protein on his plate and kept the fruit to a minimum. "Looking forward to
our own hatching?"

"Very much. It'll make me feel better when I have my dragon back, though
we will always do our duty to the Weyr." Rhosyn didn't mind sharing
Orlaith with her eggs, but she missed flying.

"Of course." J'ren danced out of the way of a weyrling who was rather
star struck from impression and wasn't quite paying attention to where she
was going. "Do I get the pleasure of a dance with you this evening?"

"Depends on if their harpers are any good," she answered between bites.
"Here, try this.." She shoved a bit of sausage in his direction.

J'ren accepted the sausage thrust at him and took the generous bite.
"This is good. But, ah, I am faced with a dilemma. Go get some of this
delicious sausage or stay and chat with a charming Weyrwoman. I think the
latter is more satisfying so I shall choose it."

She gave him a curious look then offered him another from her plate as if
to compromise, while she bit into a piece of redfruit. "Love these
feasts..."

"The food always seems better at hatching feasts. Hatching feasts and
Gathers. I don't know what it is about them." J'ren popped the sausage
into his mouth and savoured the flavour. "Don't eat too much. I'll not
take any excuses about being too full to dance."

She sighed and looked balefully at her plate. Frowning, she ate a few more
pieces then set it down at a table nearby. "I'm going to go announce
myself and give my duties. Then, if they have the music going, I'll find
you."

Last updated on the January 23rd 2011

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