[ORP] A Spread for the Deck: The Tarot Clutch Feast

[Masterharper]

DruidTigeress

Jalarus listened politely to the stranger, trying hard to swallow back any growing misery. The stranger was being sociable, and kind, and Jal wasn't sure how to return the favor. Talking had never been his strong point, and he felt that the man might better prefer someone of kinder company. "Er... Not much point in warmin' a chair all night. But," his eyes drifted over to a drudge carrying a tray full of goblets of wine. "I suppose there's no rush." Besides, he was still hungry. Though he wasn't the most social of creatures, even G'len wasn't going to drive him away before he was properly sated. No, the scavenger in him couldn't bear it; he wouldn't purposefully go hungry if he could help it.

When G'len spoke about the Hatching, Jalarus kept his expression neutral, despite flinching internally. Well. It was a Hatching Feast -- the Hatching was bound to come up. He knew it. He had no right to sulk about it, or to spoil anyone's fun. Isn't this the sort of environment Kharin would have loved? The music, the dancing, the many pockets that could be picked? "Ah," he grunted, giving a small shrug. "They are pretty wonderful," he finally forced himself to say. He wasn't lying, even if right now he didn't feel like they were that great. Jalarus had stood for seven Turns, and each Hatching had been more brilliant than the one before. But, speaking of Hatchings, a light of recognition flickered through.

Oh. He knew who this fellow was...

He had been the man to Impress from the stands. Jalarus only remembered that because, as a Candidate, he had made note of all the stands impressions. How could he not? Bystanders Impressing on a whim, while it didn't matter what he or Rokhnin or Dristan did.

Except . . not Dristan. Not anymore.

He tried not to be bitter, but it wasn't easy. He was just a living herdbeast; whatever stuff G'len had, or Dristan had, or E'ion, or Caderyn, or any of the other weyrlings and riders, he simply did not. His place was to be a grunt, nothing more, nothing less.

"What was so excitin' bout it?" Jalarus knew the answer even as he asked it. He could have called him out on the story but. . . no. Today was a celebration. He could fake it. Besides, didn't dragonriders like to talk about their dragons and the day they found their bondmate? Besides, if he kept G'len talking, then he could listen, and wouldn't be required to say too much about anything.

"Jalarus." He greeted simply. Not that he expected the rider to remember or much care.  

[Andranis]

Calliope was starting to wonder if she'd find a dance partner. Initially, she'd spied H'sad, with a strange flit on his shoulder, and considered grabbing him for a dance. He couldn't do much with his weyrmate for the next year, and she wanted to make him at least feel a little better. A year was, after all, a long time. But he was likely hungry, like K'san, and would probably want to sit and eat. She instead gravitated around the room, clapping to the music and making up words as she went, until she spied Le'x doing much the same without the walking. It was inevitable that her path made it over to him. "Le'x!" She held out an arm. "Dance with me?" A grin lit up her face, eager and ready. Today was a day to celebrate, after all! For her probably more than most, as any new female brownrider was a joyous occurrence to her.

Teiha

 

[Dragon Berri]

Z'yden & Sameth

"I've been here since I was sixteen, and Impressed Sameth fifteen Turns ago," he answered with a smile. In the last eight or so, he'd mostly kept to himself except for mealtimes or visiting friends. Their first few years together had been spent wandering around seeing everything they'd never seen before.

Taysen

Taysen shrugged. "If the shoe fits," he said with a smirk and then barked out a laugh at the dare. "I might be young but I'm not that stupid!" He snorted, his thoughts following along the same lines Kraketh's had though Taysen didn't know that.

Grey eyes narrowed on the older man as he took a second to process what he said. "You're a thief?" He found that hard to believe. Except was it really that unbelievable? He knew there were pirates, even pirates who rode dragons. "I can handle anything," he said obstinately.

Druid Tigeress

Andranis

Dea & #Teddy#

 

[Teiha]

Those private words Kratoth had spoken to him, Karone would forever keep as a treasure displayed upon the mantle of his heart. There was no real guarantee he would ever Impress, but now, more than ever, he wanted to. But this was not the time to mourn that failure. Mourning was an honor that should be reserved for the brothers he’d lost, not wasted on silly self-regard in an attempt to bury the pain. He would work hard to make them proud of him, if they could see from wherever they were now.

Feeling so much lighter than before, Karone had the urge to get up and dance to the harpers’ spirited tune. But he was, of course, still terribly crocked. He made an attempt to rise, wobbled precariously, leaned over the table as the room spun, and plopped back down into his chair. Maybe next time.

For now, he contented himself with turning to watch Le’x, noting with some satisfaction that a lovely-looking woman was approaching him.

-----------------

The lively music this evening was the first Le’x had heard in more than a turn, and he was enjoying it thoroughly. He was a little surprised to hear a woman’s voice calling his name, and even more surprised at Calliope’s invitation, lifting his eyebrows and staring for a few pointed moments as if to say, “Who? You mean me?” – but his lips would not form the words. In his previous life at Dusiph’s hold, no one ever asked the ward to dance.

That didn’t mean that Le’x didn’t know how to dance, of course. He’d been Karone’s practice partner often enough. When his mental faculties recovered, an excited smile flashed across his face, and he hooked arms with the lovely lady to lead her to the dance floor.

Today was a day of many wonderful firsts, and now that he was free to enjoy them all without guilt or worry... he would!

Andranis