[PRP] A Feast for the Eyes (R'ku/N'dem+dergs)

[Meepfur]

Zamazivanjeth, all flash and energy and look-at-me, was exhausting, especially in a setting like the Hatching Feast. It was clearly meant to be about him, after all, and he had started it wanting to monopolize his parents' and Theirs' attention while they were supposed to be greeting and congratulating everyone, not just him. After cajolling hadn't worked, R'ku had eventually just walked away from him and into the Dining Hall (not far, of course, since they weren't to get too far yet), but being deprived of His' attention - abandoned, how dare! - had finally brought the blue scurrying after him, after he'd gotten tired of laying on the ground, lamenting that fate had given him such a cruel and heartless rider.

Once he'd given up his over-acted heartbreak and come inside, R'ku had been more than happy to shower him with attention. However close to the vest he might play things, he could only adore Zamazivanjeth, dramatics and all. He just wasn't going to let himself be manipulated into giving into every little whim. Maybe some, because he was His and he could still hardly believe it, but making a scene right at the entrance to the Feast just didn't fly.

Once he'd gotten over that with the help of no few scritches and pets and endless affirmations of how much His loved him - not out loud, no, it was all for him and him alone to hear, and he loved that - he had of course wanted to strut about the room to be ooh'd and aah'd over by anyone who would give him the time of day. Admirers were quite welcome, fawning even better! R'ku had of course accompanied him on his lap around the room, and let him take his time and enjoy it, before he finally insisted on taking a look at the food.

As he started browsing, he could practically feel Zamazivanjeth eyeing the tables and considering that maybe-

No. I know everyone would be able to see you up there, and I'm sure you'd look fabulous, but no.

But what if I was very careful not to step on any of the food?

No, we'd still get in trouble. There are a lot of important people here, and if someone makes a scene it will turn into a problem for everyone.

Siiigh.

Uta

 

[Uta]

By the time N'dem and Astraioth had entered the Dining Hall it was, admittedly, well after many of his clutchmates had already arrived. Not only had N'dem taken his time feeding and oiling the little bronze, but the two of them had spent some time alone in the Barracks. He would have stayed there all night had he not known that his father would want to meet his beloved--not to mention his own desire to show off the most magnificent bronze on Pern. While logically N'dem understood every weyrling had to be feeling the same thing, his hearts were quite sure that no other dragon on the Sands held a candle to his beauty. Surely, no one could fault him for such a belief--and he, at least, had no intention of making such a claim aloud. He was terribly, horribly, biased in favor of His--and that was just as it should be.

It was only Astraioth's longing to be with his family that the two of them finally made their way to the Feast. That the little bronze fussed over and stopped to say hello to every clutchmate on the way did slow them up--and when the little bronze was reunited with Mictecath and Iweth, N'dem wasn't sure he could pull him away! Thankfully, Astraioth wasn't the sort who liked to put others out, and was at least understanding that his parents had their own things to do--and that N'dem's own father was waiting. From one family unit to the other, Astraioth found himself in good company alongside N'dem's proud father, as well as Madanee and Corovnicath.

But there was food to be had, and Madanee was still a bit of a sore point for N'dem. While he did not feel as if he were in competition with her any longer, he did feel more than a bit unsettled about having her so near. They had never been close, and he doubted Impression would change that. She would now be a fellow weyrling, as well as an interloper in what had fast-become his home. He had enjoyed having his own life, his own friends, his own place of belonging and now... well... now it would have to be shared with her.

But that wasn't something to worry about tonight.

Excusing himself, so he might do a bit of congratulation and visiting with others--and to give himself some space from Madanee and her queen--N'dem decided to scope out the tables full of food and drink. Not only was he hungry, but it also meant bringing Astraioth closer to the biggest crowds. Until the dancing started, the food tables would garnish his beloved the most attention.

But it wasn't crowds that Astraioth longed for--but family. Upon their approach, the little bronze immediately caught sight of one of his illustrious blue clutchmates. His eyes whirled a bright green, though he remained glued next to N'dem's side.

Shall we go say hello? N'dem tentatively thought, still a bit unpracticed at speaking without words.

Thankfully, a warm wave of both relief and fondness wrapped around him. I would like that, very much!

So it was, N'dem guided them closer to where R'ku and Zamazivanjeth stood. "Anything look tempting?" He began, looking over the spread High Reaches had presented. "They didn't cut any corners from the looks of it. Congratulations on finding Yours, too," he added, giving an admiring look at the blue.

Astraioth, of course, couldn't help but stretch out his neck in hops of giving Zamazivanjeth a nuzzle. Hello, brother dearest--are you enjoying the Feast?

Meepfur