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.
Nicca emerges from the hatching grounds in a large group of weyrbrats; for once, the kids have apparently put their differences behind them in light of the excitement caused by Mellonath's clutching. They're all talking and chattering at once; little is intelligible from their combined speech.
Alaye is also making her way back from the observation level of the hatching grounds when she hears the group of children chattering close by. She quickly spots Nicca within the group, and frowns ever so slightly, but doesn't pay much attention otherwise. She was getting used to running into the weyrbrat everywhere she went.
There's a tall man somewhere behind Alaye, impatiently curving around the gaggle of weyrbrats to strike out for the caverns. Across the clearing, a dozing green's eyes open, gradually picking up speed as she focuses on the group spilling out into the clearing. "That one was /not/ the prettiest, " one of the girls argues loudly as the weyrbrats pass by, heading for the caverns as well. "I liked that one with the colorful shapes." Behind her, a boy distinctly makes a face at the word 'prettiest.' Ew.
Alaye is trying to put some distance between herself and the noisy weyrbrats. After the excitement of Mellonath's clutching, she wanted some peace and quiet for a while. Once she's further away, she slows her pace and idly begins to doodle in her book, paying little attention to where she's going. After all, she figured she was out of the crowd. But little does she know she's actually wandering closer to the green in the distance.
Xandria walks into the clearing from the infirmary with her hand gently bandage as she watches others come from the observatory area. "Hmm, wonder what happened here?" Her eyes are staring at the crowd that is moving out of the clearing now, slowly thinning.
The green gets to all four feet after a moment, gaze moving from the group at large to the girl steadily wandering toward her. A low rumble escapes her as she takes a step toward Alaye, lowering her head to peer toward the sketchbook. A blast of warm air announces her presence as she whuffles toward the artist and her book curiously. What's this? Halting just before he reaches the caverns, her rider sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose irritably as he turns to regard her and her current interest. "I wanted to get out of here /before/ midday to have enough time to get settled in, " he mutters under his breath as he makes his way in their direction, pausing to give a distracted nod to Xandria. "Mellonath clutched, " he answers her, shortly, pausing a little ways away from his dragon. This isn't exactly how he planned for his day to go.
Alaye jumps as she's suddenly blasted by dragon breath, and nearly drops her sketchbook in the process. Quickly she recovers herself, hoping no one had noticed. Had she really become so oblivious to her surroundings that she nearly ran into a dragon? "I'm … sorry," she stammers, looking up at the green and taking a tentative step backward. "I really need to watch where I'm going … better yet I need to stop doodling when I'm walking…"
"She says she's sorry, " her rider informs Alaye, doing his best to hide a small, amused smile. "She's interested in seeing what you were drawing. I do think she intends to compare it to my stick figures." He offers her a hand with a self-deprecating grin. "I'm D'rrin." The green huffs a little, turning her head a trifle so that she can stare straight at Alaye. "I'm sorry, " the man repeats again, frowning at his lifemate. "This is Farnath, by the way."
Xandria steps towards the middle of the clearing, a nod goes to the rider who spoke to her, "Thank you!" A grin is given but her eyes flick to her hand as she tries to flex the fingers without wincing. "How many eggs?" she isn't sure who will answer this time but her eyes look around at anyone who will answer but not wanting to interrupt the conversation between the Rider and Artist.
Alaye looks over at D'rrin and shakes his hand with a shy smile. "Alaye," comes the quiet reply, followed by a small laugh. "I wasn't drawing much better than stick figures, honestly - just some sketchs of the new eggs. But it's nice to meet you and Farnath." Hearing Xandria's question, she promptly turns and answers, "There were eleven, I think. It was a pretty big clutch."
"Alaye, " D'rrin repeats, returning her smile with a warm one of his own. His shake is courteous, if a bit hurried. "I bet they're better than mine." Farnath, meanwhile, curls her tail carefully about the area where Alaye is standing without getting too close to her feet, giving an insistent croon. "Alaye, " D'rrin resumes after a long glance at his dragon, "Farnath seems to think that you'd be a good candidate for Mellonath's clutch. I don't know if you've ever given candidacy much thought, but I'm required to ask you if you'd like to stand for the clutch, have a chance at Impression." He pauses, adding a friendly smile to his query. "Want to give it a go?"
Alaye smiles up at Farnath a little more confidently now that she knew she hadn't angered the dragon in any way. But at D'rrin's question, she stops and turns toward him slowly, eyes round with surprise. "M-me? A candidate?" she manages to stutter at last. This was the last question she'd expect to hear today, especially since the clutch had just been laid. "I've … honestly never given candidacy too much thought," she answers hesitantly, shuffling her feet. "but I would gladly give it a try for Mellonath's clutch—Yes." She tries to take on a more formal tone, but there's no hiding the joy in her eyes.
Farnath withdraws her head after Alaye agrees to stand, warbling cheerfully. "Ah, good, good, " D'rrin grins, gesturing toward the hatching arena. "Well, then. Follow me and I'll show you where to move your belongings to." His gaze flicks briefly to her shoulderknot. "Fortunately, you don't have far to go." With another grin, he heads inside, assuming she'll follow.
Xanadu Weyr - Candidate Barracks
A long, low ceiling room opens off the entrance hall to the arena, one wall slightly curved as it is set against the outer wall of the arena itself. Cots are set evenly the length of the room, in two rows, each with its own small press at the foot, for personal belongings. Wide windows are spaced along the outside wall, letting sunlight in, while other lights are available for the night time hours.//
D'rrin steps to the side as he enters the candidate barracks, gesturing to the room at large. "Well, here we are, Alaye. If I remember correctly, it's boys to one side, girls to the other. Just claim a cot and move your belongings in from the dormitories. You'll be assigned chores and all that, I'm sure, but — " Here he pauses, shrugging a little. "Farnath hasn't brought many in over the Turns, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm not used to giving this speech. But — congratulations, and all that." He shifts a little. "Oh, and there are, ah — rules and such you'll have to follow. Moderation in alcohol, sex is frowned upon … stuff like that. I'd ask if you have any questions, but I'm actually late for an appointment with Niva. I'm sure the weyrlingmasters can help you out if you need anything." He yanks a white-looped knot out of a pocket and hands it to her. "You'll be needing this, by the way." Grin.
Alaye follows the rider into the barracks, still trying to absorb the prospect of becoming a candidate. She finds it a little difficult to listen to all of D'rrin's instructions, and sort of wanders for a second along the row of cots, looking for a location that suits her. "All right," she says finally, taking the white knot. "Thank you. I guess I'd better get moving my things, then."
"Er, yes, " D'rrin replies, apparently distracted. "Yes, do that. Excuse me." And then he's quickly heading back outside, muttering something under his breath about tardiness and apologies. But surely Niva will understand his lateness. After all, he's got a valid excuse for it.