Xanadu Weyr - Clearing
A wide clearing stretches from east to west, the ground packed hard although grass grows across most of it. Trees are strictly forbidden in this space, their danger to the constant draconic traffic reason enough to banish them to the forest that creates a this and sharp border to the north. Where the ground is less trampled, tiny flowers poke their delicate heads out from their shaded hiding places with upturned petals to wave to whoever may be looking.
The cliff looms imposingly on three sides, stretching upwards all the way up the side of the mountain where, high above, Xanadu's Star Stones and the ever present watchdragon sit on a lonely peak. Directly south is a massive tunnel, fully wide enough for even the largest dragon to fly down. Southeast are wide steps leading up to the Caverns and eastwards is the large entrance to the Infirmary. Somewhat north of the Infirmary is a human sized archway that has a frequent quantity of traffic — it leads to the Tavern. Southwest lies the low ledges currently belonging to Xanadu's queens while north and west a broad path cut by the side of the cliff leads to the Feeding Grounds and due north is the spacious trail that leads to the rest of the Weyr.
Thea is standing by Delgin, peering into a box that the lad is holding. "Delgin, I'm telling you, nobody in their right mind…" The boy ignores Thea's words and as Little Girl walks into the Clearing, he steps over and shows her the box, asking her timidly, "I need to find a good home for all these babies. Want one?" He tips the box so Little Girl can peek inside if she wishes. Inside are several tiny newly-hatched tunnelsnakes. Thea just hold her breath and gets her fingers ready, then heaves a sigh of relief as she the girl leaves—without screaming.
S'ya is on her way the caverns! The greenie is in need of a good meal since she's eating for two. Zallesh is in tow, the toddler held in his mothers arms as they make their way to the caverns. "What would you like to eat today, Zal? Mashed tubers? Creamed wherry?" She asks her son happily, the baby looking to her with his big hazel eyes before saying. "Tubers." And smiling brightly since he's not being corrected. "Oh, tubers? That is a good choice." But then there are two Candidates and a box and she's coming to a halt. "Good day, loves. What is all this about?"
Thea hears S'ya and silently oh-nos. "Delgin…uh…" She swallows and as she does, Delgin takes this opportunity to speak up. He skitters over towards the greenrider and interrupts Thea in an earnest tone, "I found 'em all alone and without their mama. See how tiny and lonely they are?" And he tips the box so the Rider can see for herself. Thea just closes her eyes and winces.
S'ya watches Delgin curiously as he makes his way over, the greenie shifting Zallesh a bit so she can take a peek. "Found what, love? Without their momma? Maybe you should see a Herder about that. You are not allowed to keep pets in the bar- By the first egg what is that!" Yup, that's S'ya screeching, the greenie jumping back when she catches sight of the tunnelsnakes. "Why would you have those things in a box! You need to dispose of them immediately!" Zallesh is already crying, the baby having been frightened by all the ruckus.
Thea's nodding in earnest with S'ya, "See Delgin, I -told- you—" As if the boy can hear over the screechng and crying. Delgin, for his part is biting his lower lip, which has gone all quivery, pleading, "But…but, they just need a home and a loving parent. See, they don't even have their fur yet." Thea rolls her eyes and says in a tired monotone, "I -told- you, Tunnelsnakes-don't-grow-fur, Delgin."
S'ya is trying to soothe her son while giving Delgin the look. "She is right, love. Those things are not meant to be pets." She nods her head over to Thea, the pleading look that the other Candidate is giving her not working in the least. "They are going to grow up and try to bite your hand off. No, they need to be taken care of properly." Though she's not moving any closer to that box. "Uh Thea, maybe you should try talking some sense into your friend." And getting rid of that box. Zallesh finally settles down, the baby resting his head on his mother's shoulder as she gently pats his back.
Thea shrugs at S'ya, "Believe me, I have tried, Ma'—uh, Rider Sya. She eyes Delgin narrowly, "There you've heard it from the lips of a Rider. Now do you believe, me?" But the boy is hugging the box fiercely, ignoring Thea and stubbornly addressing S'ya, "But if they had lots of love, maybe they wouldn't." Great, now his eyes have gone all teary.
S'ya looks over at Thea with a confused look before looking back to Delgin. "Where did you ever get that idea, love? Those things are vile and they will kill you the first chance they get. It does not matter how hard you try to domesticate them." Oh, the tears. She lets out a sigh, nodding her head a bit. "Tell you what, love. Just settle the box on the floor and I will have someone from the Herders come pick it up in a bit. They can raise it properly." Of course she's no intention of doing all that. She's just gonna get someone to kill the evil things once Delgin and Thea head out.
No one in the barracks. Aren't the candidates supposed to wait there like good, shackled slav- oh, hello! Satoris strides into the Clearing and towards the group where most are wearing that lovely white knot. He casts a brief glance to S'ya, but is soon approaching with a clipboard in hand. "There you all are!" the man calls gruffly, sounding vaguely annoyed.
Thea blinks back at S'ya. Hopefully the m-word wasn't heard by the Rider. "Delgin," in her very best coaxing tone, "Let S'ya see to them. She raised a baby dragon, after all." The boy glares suspiciously back at her, then the Rider. He turns at Satoris' voice, box still clutched to his chest. "M-maybe he might want one!" Thus the box is extended trustingly the miner's way. Thea just inhales.
Satoris earns himself a less than inviting look when he just walks on in, S'ya moving closer to the Candidates. "Yes, love. I will see to it that they all find lovely homes." She tries to soothe Delgin's fears, a quick look passed to Thea that just says 'Is he serious?' before that box is thrusted at Satoris. "No, love. He does not want one. He is too busy and stern for something like a pet." Yup, she's still sore about the whole Search thing.
There's a brisk nod to S'ya, but overall, Satoris seems fairly… unobservant of whatever mood she may be leveling at him. Instead, he approaches Thea and Delgin, looking down upon the two of them. The box is given a fairly… considering look. "I imagine Arsk would love them for dinner," the man states, blandly. He shakes the clipboard. "I have need of a few hands. Are you two busy?"
Thea nods helplessly at S'ya, circling one of her own ears with a forefinger. "Not sure what the Search dragon that picked him was thinking," she mutters darkly. "Suppose he thinks Dragons can live off vegetables, as well." Delgin looks uncertain, but Thea moves with purpose. Taking the box firmly from the boy, she closes the lid and sets it upon the ground. "You've accomplished your task, we can leave it with S'ya." An apologetic look is sent over her shoulder to the greenrider. "Not busy any longer, Satoris, Sir."
"Well Aesk cannot have them. These snakes are going to the Herders." S'ya says huffily, moving closer to the Candidates when Satoris sets to fiddling with his clipboard. "And yes, they are very busy. I was just about to ask them to help me bathe Sophyrinth." Bad greenie! She was totally out to get the miner. When Thea contradicts her she shakes her head quickly, shifting the now sleeping Zallesh so he's a bit more comfy. "Nonesense, loves. I have need of you two. It is very hard for me to bathe poor So in this state." It's tug of war for the pair.
There is a lot of huffing, grumbling, some moaning, and a lot of scraping of clay on stone as Neferennu manuvers a large clay urn across the entrance to the caverns and out onto the grass, arm length by arm length. There is also sloshing near the top of the urn. Once on the grass, the urn is picked up by the handles on the sides and carried. Only a few paces, then it is set down as Rennu catches her breath. Hair is falling in her face, cheeks are bright red with the effort, and some beads of sweat across her brow.
There's only enough light here to do this. Mending - not one of Aradir's preferred tasks. But he's reasonably good with his hands, and that slightly offsets the fact that he has no idea what he's doing. At least the job looks decent. He walks into the clearing, carefully poking the needle through the fabric, and then…. "Ouch! Rrr…." Aradir gives a growl at his own clumsiness.
"I'll just have to contact the herders then. He loves fresh tunnelsnake," Satoris says, unperturbed. He glances between Thea and Delgin, a brief expression of confusion upon his features. His brow furrows and he shakes his head. "You may wish to be certain that the candidates are kept appraised of what they're to be doing," he states to S'ya. A glance around the clearing as he assauges with pale eyes. Rennu is left to her devices; that looks… tricky. Aradir, however, is soon being moved towards at a brisk pace. "How much longer will you be busy with that?"
Thea looks torn (but not between two lovers, that's obvious!) as S'ya and Satoris spar, at least until Rennu struggles into sight. "What are you doing, trying to ruin your back? And so soon before the Hatching." She tsks, "Let me help?" K, that didn't sound right, but hopefully Rennu understands. "Hey Aradir, sew the cloth, not your skin," she calls to him with a quick grin. Delgin just wanders off, no doubt looking for some other helpless creature.