Welcome to the Family {Feast!}

[Lan]

After such an exciting day, evening was finally starting to set in over the Eyrie. The bright blue of day had seceded into darker, richer colors. Gray mixed with navy blues and vibrant oranges and pinks as a blanket of benign clouds covered the sky to trap the heat of the summer down into the canyon even while the sun was beginning to set. The red canyon dirt melted into browns as the light continued to fade. However, outside the kitchens, the finishing touches were being made to the great festivities that were to take place after such a momentous occasion as what had happened the past morning. Torches flickered about tables that had been set up just outside the kitchens and an equal mixture of tables, chairs, and standing space was made available for the crowd that would soon come to feast.

It was not common for the Eyrie to be so full of gaiety and joviality. Run by the strict hand of Ro'za and Eceph, and severely understaffed for the menace they had to face, almost always was there work to be done. But today was different. Today the Eyrie's first clutch had hatched without a hitch and it was to be a time of celebration and revelry. Much like an evening off, tonight the Eyrie and its inhabitants would party as they had not been able to do since taking up their stations. Music was to be played. Food was to be served until people's trouser seams burst. There would be dancing and drinking and laughing. It was to be an evening away from the norm and the gear-grinding of everyday life for a simourv rider. Just an evening, then all would go back to normal. But what an evening it would be!

Outside, off to the side of the preparations, Alianph lounged preening his feathers idly while inside his bonded was scurrying about. His children had come into the world healthy and beautifully, and all had bonded to acceptable candidates. There were some candidates that were left standing, but that was to be expected. Today was still a glorious day! He crooned happily, his song echoing off the canyon walls to reach all the rest of the Eyrie. Idly, he wondered where his Queen was. Eceph was usually around at times like these. Perhaps she was still cleaning the nesting sands? The black King had left his lady to do that, knowing well that he would merely be in the way. Still, she should have been done by now. He wanted his mate beside him when the human's feast began.

Inside G'len was talking with those setting up, in his finest clothes befitting the evening, offering his help where he could. Now, however, almost everything was ready. The chefs were prepared, the tables and chairs were set out, the decorations were just festive enough for the occasion, and some entertainment in the form of music had been prepared... all seemed set just right. The Commander made his way outside then, picking his way easily between the tables and chairs to stand beside Alianph. 'All is ready, my friend.' G'len told him, patting his feathered bulk. Nodding in understanding, Alianph ruffled his feathers and then stretched his neck out and opened his beak to produce a loud bugle that vibrated sonorously off each wall and corner of the Eyrie. The Feast was soon to begin. Now was the time for all that were able to join in the celebration!

Already many people were coming, or were already there, claiming their seats and tables and talking animatedly amongst themselves. G'len weaved his way toward the table that had been reserved for the Phoenix and himself, nothing really fancy or special about it other than it was toward the very edge of the other tables, seemingly leading them at a point without there being much else interesting about it. It had been the idea of the staff that set up the table organization, or perhaps even the Phoenix herself... the Commander wasn't too sure. He had just been told it was reserved for himself and Ro'za, so he had decided he might as well sit there. But, before he did that, he felt it only proper to provide a formal welcome to the new winglets that had joined there ranks. Also, the Feast couldn't officially start until the Phoenix was present. So he mingled, wandering about from group to group and sharing in the general elated feeling until the two leading ladies of the evening came and they could give a proper welcome speech together, albeit neither G'len nor Ro'za probably had anything formally prepared.

[Kat]

The feast, mine, I want to go to the feast!
The words tore Ri’ley from his nap, lying in a small bunch on the head of the bed he had earlier stripped. He only had time for a short nap, a few minutes snatched between working in the infirmary, but he had accepted the few moments he had, to at least attempt to relieve his fatigue. Even though he already loved the creature more than any thing else in the world, more than any other person in the world, Dionyph’s mental voice grated against Ri’ley’s sensibility, and forced him into a state of corpse-like wakefulness. Ri’ley almost wanted to cry, the tiredness leeching into his emotional control and pushing him to a vulnerable breaking point, as he sat up in his naked bed and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. His eyes hurt; they were swollen and dry, both bruised and puffy under them and red rimmed. Had Ri’ley been more alert, he would have noted the excitement in Dionyph’s voice, the way his bonded sounded much more animated than he had yet to sound, but instead Ri’ley found his simourv’s perkiness aggravating. Dionyph had slept for quite a long time, while Ri’ley worked, and the black hatchling was animated and vital. Sitting up in the bed in the infirmary, Ri’ley glared at his bonded, but he could only hold the expression for a few seconds before it blossomed into a loving smile.
But I can’t go like this. I’m a mess.
Ri’ley replied as he ran a hand down his bloody, sweaty shirt, his second shirt of the day, before he looked at his hand with a look of disgust planted on his dimpled cheeks.

The simourv ran to his bonded’s feet, which now dangled over the side of the bed, and began to rub against them, pushing his weight against Ri’ley. The simourv cooed, bowing his head almost apologetically, as the man stood up, finding his balance with a hand against the stone wall.
That’s why I got you up early. I thought you might want time to get ready.
Ri’ley was momentarily stunned by his bonded’s intuition. Since the simourv was not human, Ri’ley could not fathom how the simourv understood that he would need time to get ready, and Ri’ley managed to smile, despite his sleepy haze to show his amazement and awe. He reached down his hand to muff the feathers on Dionyph’s head, before he moved swiftly through the infirmary to the door, glancing back to the injured winglets, flashing them a small smile, but not saying a word. He hoped that most of them were asleep, so that his silent exit would go unnoticed, because Ri’ley was not awake enough to form coherent speech yet. He needed a few more minutes to collect himself and to think properly and appropriately. Ri’ley stalked down towards the candidate’s barracks, to collect his stuff, before he went back to the ground caverns to bathe. It was an unfortunate arrangement, to have to leave the ground caverns and to have to return, but Ri’ley needed his clothing and soap to clean himself, and so he had to return. The man pressed his lips into a tight line as he walked to his room in the candidate barracks without thinking about his path, his muscles locking into the direction while his brain attempted to awaken.

When Ri’ley entered his old room, however, he found that it was completely empty. At first, he felt his heart begin to beat faster, as his body began to panic, before the solution struck him, and he laughed bitterly.
You know you don’t live here, now. Let’s go to our home.
Dionyph corrected as he glared at the tiny room which Ri’ley used to share with Kito, his roommate. Even though the room stood empty, it still looked tiny, especially when it contained Dionyph’s large body. The hatchling, even though he was still small, was far, far too big for the room. Ri’ley knew he could not even think about living here anymore, and her felt the libration strike him as childish amusement. Since the room was empty, his stuff must have been moved to the Winglet’s barracks. He realized, too, that he had no idea which room in the Winglet’s barracks was his room. While the other candidates had been assigned their rooms, Ri’ley had been in the infirmary, and so he had missed the announcement. He had no idea how he was going to find his room. When he reached the Winglet Barracks, Ri’ley stood in the doorway for a second, staring at the doors of the rooms which lined the hall, and he scowled. Dionyph, on the other hand, was running up and down the hallway, in an unusual display of excitement. The simourv was filled with energy after his lengthy nap, and Ri’ley, in his sluggish state could not provide enough stimulation for the hatchling. The action seemed completely out of character for the beast, at least the character Ri’ley had previously witnessed, of a somber, mature, and adult-like manner. Even though Ri’ley had literally just watched the hatchling emerge from his egg, Dionyph acted and talked like an adult, and the hatchling’s current antics reminded Ri’ley that Dionyph was still a child.
Just pick a door, mine. If you stand there, you certainly won’t find out which room is yours.
Ri’ley stared at his simourv, his face twisting into a scowl, and then he shrugged, and reached for the first door. He was not sure the advice was good advice; it seemed rather intrusive and inappropriate, but in many ways, Dionyph was correct. Ri’ley could not just stand in the hallway all day.

The room which Ri’ley chose was the first door on the hall, and to his surprise, all his possessions were stacked in the room, in a small pile. It was the largest, most intimidating space Ri’ley had ever witnessed. The room loomed around his small pile of stuff, empty and uninhabited. While Ri’ley loved cleanliness and emptiness to some extent, being a strong believer in the horrors of clutter, he found the room overwhelmingly large. He wondered if any of the other winglets felt the same. For the first time in his life, Ri’ley almost wished he had a roommate, as at least that would mean the room would contain two people’s possessions and mess instead of just his own.
Don’t worry; when I’m big, there won’t be so much room.
Dionyph announced as he positioned himself on the bed and rolled into a tight ball. Ri’ley eyed his bonded enviously, wrinkling his nose at Dionyph’s display. The simourv was not even tired; couldn’t he feel that Ri’ley was? The answer was affirmative, Ri’ley knew, as the human had felt the simourv’s fatigue earlier. Dionyph was probably attempting to handle the carry-over tiredness of his ward. The man found his chest, moved some books from the top of it, throwing the volumes on the bed, and opened the chest to dig for a bar of olive oil soap and a change of clothes. He chose a light blue shirt and a black pair of pants, his typical attire, before he motioned to Dionyph to get up and slipped out of his new, intimidating room. Ri’ley had to shower, now; he had to wash so that he would look presentable for the feast, or as presentable as he could manage to appear in his current state.

***

Ri’ley’s hair was still wet when he entered the dining room, so it dangled in his eyes and tickled the tops of his ears. Without the natural wavy texture, the texture the water removed, his hair was a touch too long, and it looked shaggy and unkempt, if only in the slightest way. The fact that Ri’ley’s face was shadowed with stubble only intensified his appearance of messiness, but he had not had time to shave. His bath had been extremely rushed, hurried, but at least he had been able to scrub the blood and grime from his skin until it turned a bright, inflamed pink color, which still lingered as Ri’ley entered the hall. At least the man’s clothing was as pressed and neat as always, which only meant that it contrasted his hunched shoulders and tired face. If Dionyph noticed that Ri’ley looked a bit worse for wear, he did not show it. The creature walked behind Ri’ley, his head raised and his chest puffed with pride. The simourv looked positively majestic, sleek and poised, even though Ri’ley could feel that the simourv’s excitement made his legs quake. The man already knew enough about his hatchling to know that the chick would never show any outward sign of such a perky emotion, and that was a hesitance Ri’ley understood extremely well. He, though, was too exhausted to feel excited, and instead, Ri’ley shuffled towards the other winglets, trying to appear far more confident and secure than he felt.

Ri’ley noted some of the winglets that he knew, so he attempted to submerge himself within the crowd so that he could attempt to mingle with other people to force him to forget his tiredness. Ri’ley slipped into a seat in the middle of the table, because he wanted to sit down, and standing seemed quite difficult at the moment, because of an ache in his knees he only now noticed. Once seated, Ri’ley looked around the table for people he knew. He did want to talk to someone. He had only interacted with the medics in the infirmary and the injured winglets, one of whom was furious at him, and who had spent the day snarling insults his direction. He had not had a really pleasant conversation all day.

Within the pack of winglets, however, Ri’ley noticed a man he did not recognize, who was clearly a rider. Ri’ley studied the man for a brief second, before his gaze drifted again.
Oh, that’s daddy Alianph’s rider.
Dionyph announced, as he wrapped his tail around Ri’ley’s legs so that he could touch his rider more, even though he lay against the sides of Ri’ley’s legs. It only took a few seconds for Ri’ley to connect the name that Dionyph provided and the man’s position. He was the senior commander, which made him really important. Ri’ley’s leg began to shake slightly. Dionyph moved closer to halt the movement, so that he pressed against Ri’ley’s leg.
You should introduce yourself. That would be the correct course of action.
Ri’ley thought about introducing himself. It would be proper, as the older man was also a black rider, one of the few in the Eyrie, and Ri’ley was also now a black rider as well. Still, the man was the senior commander, and Ri’ley currently looked like a mess, and was not in any way presentable to the man. He would have liked for his appearance to be polished and perfect when he met the commander. Ri’ley moved forwards, almost as if he was going to say something to G’len, but sighed and leaned backwards in his chair, defeated. He just wanted to make a good impression, and he was not presentable enough for a good impression. Ri’ley—well, he just wanted to go to bed and forget the formalities expected of him at this feast. Dionyph yipped, his voice sharp and clear, so that Ri’ley would glance down at his bonded’s disappointed and critical expression.
Just give me a minute or so. I’ll introduce myself when I am ready.

[/i]
Ri’ley explained mentally. He was becoming better and better at mental communication. It was still extremely foreign, but at least Ri’ley could do it effectively. He started taking a few deep breaths, readying himself from communication which made him shake with nerves. Ri’ley—well, he would not be eating much tonight.
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[maiwolf]

[/b]” Let’s face it, both were dirty from either the sand or the blood that had seemed to get everywhere, even when nothing had fully touched her. And Weirph was immediately intrigued by this water idea. She laughed at the thought of being clean, and the two headed to the showers after Weirph had eaten.

The rainbow was small enough to find a space with her Ol’ia, and after Ol’ia had washed herself, she clumsily washed Weirph. The rainbow thought getting washed was the funniest thing, and kept cracking jokes and keeping Ol’ia in a good mood. When the two were finished, Ol’ia dried the two off, threw on some clothes, and then walked back to her new room. Then, Ol’ia changed into the nicest dress she owned, which was colored purple and had been given to her by a seamstress during the first year of her being here. She had been eternally grateful, but had not been able to repay her.

Now she could try to repay the seamstress, because now she was a rider, and now she had Weirph. She could let the seamstress have some of Weirph’s shedding feathers to make a nice pillow, that’s what she’d do, that’s exactly what she’d do. She decided this as she pulled the purple dress on over her head, making sure it looked nice, before throwing her hair back into something that looked decent for a feast congratulating her. She was reassured by Weirph that she looked fine, and Weirph simply sparkled with cleanliness and health. Then it was time for the feast, and Ol’ia, wanting to be early rather than late, left early. She walked with Weirph proudly plastered to her side, and they entered the feast happily. “Look, Weirph, look at all of those riders! We’re going to be like them some day!” She declared, and Weirph laughed happily in her head.

---

G’rael had no idea what he was supposed to do, but he supposed that he was to find his room and get ready. Well, he found his room all right, but though they tried to put everything where he could find it, and though Talmaph was trying to help him, G’rael still tripped at least three times. Romaph and M’rion had gone to their own room, so G’rael was on his own in trying to find his way around his. He spent the better part of an hour trying to find suitable clothes to wear, and more than three hours trying to rearrange his room to how he could find his way around it. They had thought they were doing good by placing his stuff there, but now he would have to go about and rearrange again. Just like he had when he first come to the Eyrie.

But this was different. As G’rael went around his new room, he could feel the ever-present mind of his simourv pressing into him like an old friend would, keeping his head on his neck when it should have burst from the newness of everything or when it should have deflated from everything that had happened. How had Talmaph chosen him? He wasn’t a candidate! But, then again, G’rael realized that this was the first hatching, and no one knew what would happen. But not even G’rael had thought… G’rael found his way slowly across his room to where Talmaph slept, and he buried his fingers in the blue’s soft feathers. For a while he just knelt there, his blind eyes staring off into space, before he leaned forward and pushed his nose into Talmaph’s feathers.

He didn’t know how long he lay there like that, but he moved when Talmaph did. They are leaving,[/color] The large blue hatchling told His sleepily, and G’rael blinked open his eyes slowly. “What?” They are leaving for the feast. I am… hungry.[/color] And Talmaph stood and stretched, pushing at G’rael, You look… you look okay.[/color] Was all Taly had to say about G’rael’s clothes, and the new bluerider realized that he had no choice but to go to the feast like he was. It wasn’t like he was dirty, since he had not stood, and at least he knew what he was wearing.

G’rael stood and placed his hand across Talmaph’s head. “Well, then, I guess we should be going now.” He and Talmaph started off toward the feast. Maybe they’d meet M’rion and Romaph on the way.
[/ul][/blockquote][/size]

[Vanman]

It had been a less eventful day for H’kan than for some of the rest of the canidates. The bonding took place and there was much supprise to be held. He spent the rest of the day in thought, and getting used to the fact that his bonded could hear them. During the day he heard Gaoph tell him You think weird things on several occasions. He was used to it now, at least more used to it than he was. That part of his day was over though, now it was time for better things. He walked into his new room with Gaoph and looked around. All his belongings were piled up against the wall, neatly enough. “This empty space is ours, all ours. We have no one to share it with, except each other.” He loved using the word ‘our’, it gave him a feeling of pride that he had a Gaoph and Gaoph had him.

It is nearing the feast, you should get ready. said Gaoph. He didn’t know how Gaoph knew that the feast was nearing, maybe it was some animal instinct. If H’kan had that skill at home, he would have missed fewer meals. He prepared himself to be presentable, better than usual. He knew that important people were going to be there, he didn’t want to look like an idiot. He prepared him self rather quickly and walked over to the dining hall.

He walked into the building seeing the tables lined up in rows and a single table at the front. I bet those are for the phionex and the commander. he thought to himself. Yes it is, do you keep forgetting that I can hear you? This was going to take some getting used to. He scanned the room and saw that neither K’lee or Nar’I had arrived yet. Why do you keep looking for them, I don’t trust them This surprised H’kan. you need to be more trusting he decided to make his way over and find a seat.

[Fox]

All of Eyrie was turning out for the Feast, held in celebration of the first ever Hatching to be held within the canyon's cradle. Everyone, from the serving boys to the riders themselves would let loose, for the first time in much too long, to simply rejoice in the swelling of their number. K'ean was no exception. Though he usually disliked gatherings and events of this sort, today was different. Today was special. Special enough for you to dig out your nice clothes? Seronaph's voice slipped into his mind, heavy with derision and exasperation. You go out so little, I'm surprised they haven't crumbled to pieces from disuse.[/color] K'ean shot his red an annoyed look as he tugged his shirt straight, smoothing out any imagined creases in the material. His hair was damp, his clothes almost new, his boots polished to a shine. It was clear that he had at least made an effort tonight, even if certain others did not appreciate it.

In the larger chamber of the eyling, Seronaph pressed his ears back against his skull as he surveyed his rider's preparations in displeasure. He was taking too long. Already Alianph's distinctive call had bounced and echoed off the towering canyon walls. By the time they got there, they would be late, the event would already have started and Alianph and Eceph and their riders would not be pleased. Growling irritably, the large red shifted restlessly, eager to go and meet the hatchlings and their riders, away from the chaos that had been the nesting sands. There had been one red in particular that had caught his eye; the young one who had gone on his own little rampage, surpassing by far the record of Seronaph's own clutchmate Canph, with four maulings in total. It wasn't to say that he entirely approved of the destruction, especially of the riders of one's clutchmates, but it had to be said that the little one had spirit. What's more, the interest was compounded by the information that K'ean had shared with his bond, that the hatchling's new winglet had apparently been a former thief. If nothing else, Seronaph was sure, there would certainly be entertainment.

At long last, K'ean was finally dressed and ready to go; even his hair was as presentable as he could make it on short notice. Amusedly, he waved off Seronaph's comment on how he took far longer than the red would have needed to cut up three koxi, and vaulted lightly onto his simourv's back. "Come on, old bird. Let's get going." K'ean said cheerfully, a rare grin lighting his face as, for once, the red obeyed without any hesitation, launching himself eagerly off the open ledge. Gliding his way easily down to the canyon floor, Seronaph backwinged and landed neatly a little ways down from Alianph, crouching enough for his rider to slide off his back and plant his polished boots solidly on red earth. As K'ean patted his shoulder and turned to leave, the red simourv approached the large black King. Alianph,[/color] he acknowledged in greeting. For once, there was no hint of sarcasm or temper in the red's mental voice, as he turned to survey the growing number of Winglets and Hatchlings filtering into the festive area. I believe I must congratulate you. They are a fine clutch.[/color] Only a moment, a bare moment, was given to the flare of jealousy that they might have been his. But afterwards, Seronaph dismissed it, because what was done was done, and he knew when he was beaten. He didn't have to like it, but he knew all the same.

Meanwhile, K'ean had located G'len and, in a gesture that was an unwitting mirror of his simourv's, he approached to greet the Senior Commander, as was only polite. "G'len, congratulations." He said, the excited gleam in his eye and faintly crooked smile betraying the seriousness of his tone, and he stretched out a hand to shake. It was an almost unconscious gesture, curiously formal, but old habits sometimes just died hard. "Twenty-five new winglets, and a new Grayrider among them." That was fully double their current number. Eventually, when the hatchlings fledged and matured into adults, they would have twice as many riders and simourv than there were now. It would be a saving grace, these new, fresh-faced youngsters (despite that some of them were older than K'ean himself) as the young man wasn't sure how long the original twenty-four would have been able to keep up their tight workload before they all got driven round the bend with overwork.[/size]

[winged]

"I'll be back soon, I promise." The comforting words fell on deaf ears, the Gray hatchling already well-absorbed in whatever things a simourv dreamed of. I'dou could sometimes catch snatches of it seeping through that thin veil that separated Laraph's mind from hers, like a tropical breeze fluttering in through gauzy curtains. Utterly foreign things, flashes of color and half-formed, half-recognizable shapes. Absolutely riveting, and part of the reason the young woman hadn't budged from where she'd collapsed into her own stupor after shoving her scant belongings into whatever corner suited functionality best.

Laraph had sensibly elected to prolong her afternoon nap, belly still full of the rich meats she'd devoured after Bonding. With I'dou stretched out alongside her, and the human's fingers forming furrows in the soft down of her head where she stroked and petted, the Gray had drifted off with relative ease. Now I'dou was loath to part from her, for any reason. With the hatchling's potent, fever-bright presence reduced to the faintest trickle, the winglet felt loneliness closing in once more.

The painful clenchings of her empty stomach were too great to ignore, however. No sense of duty or obligation could ever match I'dou's appetite - it was its own master, clawing relentlessly at the back of her mind before overwhelming every other impulse with its dull, maddening ache. With a testy sigh, I'dou rose at last - not without a parting caress - and nearly disrupted the pail of water she'd been using to mop away the grime and gore from Laraph's silver studded feathers. Muffling a curse at the near-miss, I'dou scowled down at the cloudy, rippling surface of the contained water, and for a moment felt a stab of self-consciousness at the messy reflection it provided.

She still wore the now wrinkled, sweaty clothes she'd worn to the Hatching. Her skin glistened with sweat not yet dried, and dark rings encircled her eyes. Her sleep cycle was at best disturbed, and of marginal benefit to her heavily worked body. The moment soon passed, though, and I'dou carried on without a word, but not without a last, lingering glance over her shoulder at Laraph's still form, her impressive size still dwarfed by the ostentatious size of their eyling.

Shrugging off the temptation to curl up beside her simourv and forego the Feast entirely, I'dou set a brisk pace for the Kitchens and the chaos she figured would soon enough ensue - if it hadn't already. Certainly the buzz of conversation heard from several feet away from the event's location had the Gray rider girdling herself for confrontation, the softer underbelly of emotion Laraph had bared suddenly obscured as her mental walls came snapping down once more, settling into place with a stern expression to mirror her intentions. She wanted food, and nothing else.

[`a r r o w«]

K'lee sat outside leaning against a random rock, her hand resting on the sleeping green simourv's soft feathers. Her fingers idly moved across Lideliaph's head and shoulders as she stared at the sky. She was dead tired and it took all of her will to stay awake just then. Mine, you should really go to your room and sleep. Lideliaph spoke, opening her brown eyes to stare at hers lovingly. You can't be falling asleep during the feast later! she chirped excitedly. I know, I know. K'lee grumbled sweetly to her bonded before standing up. Brushing the dust from her clothes, K'lee looked towards the winglet's barrack. Putting her hand on Lideliaph's back, they both started towards their new home.

When they reached the barrack, K'lee let Lideliaph lead her to the room they would be sharing with Fa'h and Mhaliniph. She hardly had the energy to think, let alone find the room for the first time. K'lee trusted her bonded would lead her to the right room the first time. If not, they would be in trouble. K'lee didn't think she could walk much further. Don't worry Mine, we're here. Lideliaph said softly as she leaned against the door and opened it. They both walked over to the bed and K'lee collapsed onto it while Lideliaph curled up on the floor.

---

MINE! It's time to wake up for the feast! Lideliaph practically yelled to K'lee. Groaning, she rolled over and started to pat Lideliaph's head. What are you doing mine? she questioned. Looking for the off switch. she sleepily grumbled. Funny mine. I can't be turned off. she chirped while nudging the half asleep K'lee. Turning away, she went over to K'lee things and inspected them while she waited for hers to get up. Grumbling, K'lee rolled over then hopped off the bed. Come on Lideliaph, lets go get clean.

When the two came back from cleaning up, K'lee grabbed a simple black dress and quickly put it on. What do you think Lideliaph? she quickly questioned. I like it. she chirped. Now can we go? she asked excitedly. Of course! K'lee said with a laugh. Placing her hand on Lideliaph's shoulder, they both walked out of the room and towards the feast.

When the pair arrived at the feast, the first thing K'lee did was look for Nar. When she didn't see him, she looked around for H'kan. When she spotted him, her and Lideliaph started towards him. Where's Nar? she questioned the minute she was close enough to him. Why are you so mean to him mine? Lideliaph questioned. Because I can. she told her bonded. Quickly glancing at the red by H'kan's side, she then looked back at him. Well?

[Siphran]

Contrary to usual behavior, Nar had actually been organizing things neatly. When he entered his, sorry, their new room he found all of his belongings already there. Ready to be put away. Normally he would’ve just left the pile in the middle of the room, only taking care to put away his sword. But not with Tiaph around. When he even thought about leaving something out, or not taking care to put it away properly, Tiaph would interject and make him put it away. After a bit of grumbling he eventually gave in and did as the green suggested.

Nar woke up, and for a second was disoriented. The room that he knew so well was gone, replaced by one that was quite a lot large, and….not a complete mess. Mine! Your up! Nar sat up groggily and rubbed his eyes, then felt something braced against his side. It was Tiaph, almost looking like she was going to push him off the bed. “Yeah im up, looks like just at the right time too!” He said, eyeing the simourv suspiciously. I was just going to nudge you awake mine! We must get ready for the feast! “Sure you were.” Nar chuckled. “Lets get going then.” But Tiaph was already

While getting ready he found that many things were on the ground, pants, shirts, shoes. I wanted to make sure it was ready for you mine! Is what Tiaph said when questioned. With a little grumbling he got dressed and washed up, then headed out to the feast. For some reason Nar’s shoelaces kept coming untied, but Tiaph had no explanation other than that he must have tied them wrong. Even though Nar was pretty sure there was some sort of sabotage going on. Partially because Tiaph kept berating him on how late he was going to be if he didn’t hurry.


When he finally arrived he saw K’lee and H’kan together, apparently waiting for him. Why am I always the late one? Nar asked himself. Because you are slow! If you were faster we would be here before them! Tiaph added. It made nar a bit miffed that there was now a audience to his thoughts, but he guessed he would get used to it, already he was used to Tiaph telling him that what he was about to do was a bad idea, or would slow him down. Such as bringing his sword.

Nar walked up next to K’lee and H’kan, Tiaph taking the lead and watching Lideliaph and Gaoph closely. “Hey Kay, hey Hok, sorry im a bit late, got held up a bit. How’re you’re guy’s rooms?” He asked, a bit jealous that H’kan had gotten a room all to his own. As Nar talked, Tiaph wandered over to the Lideliaph. Padding up silently behind her and sat next to her, meaning to startle Lideliaph.

[Cy]

[/i][/color]

The man stood in front of the shallow basin, shirtless, soaking a rag in water and promptly squeezing it out to avoid getting it all over the floor. While his fingers clung and gripped at the fabric, he turned his head until his chin touched his shoulder, looking back to the large red chick that sat square in the middle of their new room together. Dareph stared back at his lifemate with expectant brown eyes, his entire disposition held patient and steady as he waited. Zeke was slow to respond though, instead turning back to face forward as he scrubbed at his hands. The dirt that clung to his skin was minimal compared to what normally should have stained it, but it had been an easy day. The winglets had been allowed to sleep off the exhaustion of bonding, as had the new hatchlings. And through the day, the focus had gone to exploring the new connection, scrutinizing and studying. It was certainly difficult for the former farmhand, that was for sure. He'd made up for it by cleaning up his new room, organizing and tidying. Dareph had been happy to help once he'd woken up refreshed.

'Mine?' The red nudged after the pause had stretched beyond even his own patience. "Yeah?" The single word was quiet, muttered and gruff, the normal burly demeanour returned to a degree after a day devoted to regaining it. With his hands cleaned to a satisfactory degree, by his own personal judgment, he moved on to his arms, scrubbing firmly over his forearms and then his biceps. 'Are you ready?' For what?" The acknowledgment came more quickly this time and Dareph tilted his head in consideration of this. 'For the feast, of course.' No response came immediately this time as the man moved the rag back down to the bowl of water, refreshing it and moving to squeeze it out again. It was unclear if he was even listening or not until he spoke. "We're not going."

There was another pause, now from Dareph as he absorbed these words and considered them. Eventually, with all due respect to His, he deemed it not good enough. 'We really should go, Ze'el. It is our responsibility and we can not let the others down." His lifemate continued his simple scrubbing, but Dareph knew that he was being heard. Silence stretched for a number of heartbeats. 'And I would really like to see my siblings.' The final note was fact, fueled by love and well-meaning, and it drew Zeke's attention back over his shoulder to look to the chick. Dareph looked the same as before, sitting square in the middle of their room, his eyes now warm and encouraging. Silence stretched once more as they held gazes, but Dar's patience outlasted Ze'el's own as he finally sighed, turning back around to lean over so he could wash his face. He'd get dressed in a moment.


Shovaph was a pure-hearted believer in the value of punctuality, while T'ia enjoyed the charm of a fashionably late entrance. Such conflicting ideals that made for a more than entertaining walk to the site of the feast. Not for the first time, the little green was forced to turn around to scurry back to her dawdling winglet, who was truly beginning to grate on her nerve. 'T'ia, will you please hurry?' Her composure was as solid as it could be, but the mental voice that she stressed to her future rider was flustered and on the verge of panick. They were going to be so very late if Hers kept moving at the pace she'd set. Her siblings would think ill of her, they'd think her less than what she truly was. They'd miss out on important things, her food might get stolen, or messed with in some regard. Oh, what if that nasty rainbow with blood on her beak touched her food? Surely the blood would not still be there, but she'd remember it and it was enough and that would be so disgusting.

This would not happen, of course, if Hers would move faster.

T'ia grinned with endless amusement, the flat soles of her sandals scraping against the ground as she walked at an exaggeratedly slow stride. Normally, she moved quickly and with purpose. Putting Shovaph in a tizzy, with all good humour on her side, was simply too enjoyable to miss out on. At least for a little while. It was only when the prissy dwarf began to prance in a most unladylike and impatient fashion that the former dancer released a joyous fit of laughter and at long last began to pick up her pace. The green continued to move forward, but she eased with the cooperation that she was finally getting from Hers and her composure returned. "You really do need to calm down, my dear. You're strung too tight," she teased with light heart and good intentions. The huff that sounded through her mind was a predictable response as Sho tilted her head up. 'You are not strung tight enough. Shoulders back,' T'ia narrowed her eyes at the retort, smirking and glancing down to the little green, but she huffed in a manner beyond her mind and shook her head. She dismissed it easily, but her shoulders still put themselves back so she could carry herself taller.

She brightened as she joined the congregation composed of rider and winglet and civilian alike. The atmosphere was exuberant, giddy and thriving. It was the rising path towards a celebration, plain and simple. Despite her proper and subdued appearance, T'ia could feel Shovaph's own excitement interwining among her own. She didn't look upon her imperfect siblings. She didn't need to see them bouncing about like dirty children. The attitude was simply impossible to escape, undeniably contagious in its joy. 'Do not rush about, my T'ia. Be polite and calm. Mingle. Do not ramble on about anything. Hold yourself with confidence and poise. Do not-' As Shovaph broke her own 'do not ramble' rule, lecturing on and advising plenty, T'ia inevitably tuned it out. She didn't care for the rules of etiquette, some of which she knew and others she had no idea about. Instead, her attentions looked about to the others, assessing each individual as she began to wander around the gathering, searching for something to catch her eye.


Far enough away, tucked into the darkness of a lonely room, a candidate curled up tightly on her bunk. Amira pulled her legs up as much as she could, her arms kept close to her side, and her fingertips idly stroked over the worn texture of her stuffed toy. The little songbird was torn apart, but it was her own. She found comfort in it, regardless of how weak it might be. With a sigh, she hugged it tight to her chest and closed her eyes. She wasn't tired, but there was no where else to be as evening dropped to end the day. At least, end her day. She'd force herself to sleep, forget about the sharp stab of rejection, and start over again in the morning. There was really no other choice in the matter.[/ul][/size]

[Lan]

'Come on, Fe'ra! Alianph is calling and we must go socialize. Think of all the new babies and the new riders, Fe'ra! Oh, it shall be so much fun to watch them grow. They shall be wonderful, I'm sure of it. And did you see the gray? Do you think she'll be bigger than Eceph? I don't think so... surely no one could be bigger than Eceph! Isn't she glorious?' Liliph mused on like an excited child and the greenrider merely giggled at her friend's antics. Fe'ra simourv partner was always quite the chatterbox, enough to rival Fe'ra herself, and it always made her happy to hear he lifemate chittering on gleefully as she was doing now. Even if Liliph was right to pester her and she was taking a long time about getting ready...

How could she not? It was a special occasion, after all! There had never been a hatching at their Eyrie before, and it was such a fine clutch. So Fe'ra was making sure her dress fit just right and her hair was just so and her tan was even and lovely. A bit vain, but the sixteen-year-old wanted to look nice and presentable if only this once. The Eyrie life didn't leave much room most of the time for aesthetics. Most of the time her hair got ratty and her skin was ridden with the canyon's dirt and uneven in tone. But now, she thought, she looked nice. And rightfully so. She'd dance the night away, if allowed.

All right, Liliph... I'm coming. How do I look? Fe'ra reached out with her mind as she twirled her skirts in front of the small green simourv, smiling brightly as she did so. Liliph cooed in agreement. How dazzling her Fe'ra looked! Then again, everything was dazzling to Liliph. Twitch darted out from his hiding space in their eyling and scratched harmlessly at Fe'ra's leg, asking for attention. She had been gone too long recently and hadn't had enough time to spend with him! When she finally looked down he rolled on the floor and then proceeded to run circles about her ankles.

'Twitch! You have to wait here... sorry, buddy. I'll spend time with you later, I promise.' Fe'ra picked the squirming ferret up and gave him a scratch and a kiss on the top of his head before setting him down facing the inner part of the eyling. 'Don't get into too much trouble while I'm away!' The last part was said as a warning, and was completely warranted. The jumpy little fellow had a tendency to un-organize her stuff while she was away when she didn't pay him enough attention. Of course, her warning likely went unnoticed. Twitch was going to do what he was going to do, and nothing would stop him --much less a command given to him in a language he couldn't understand. So he darted off behind her cot while his master mounted the green simourv at the ledge of the eyling.

Liliph landed in front of the place prepared for the festivities with great flourish, chirruping delightfully at all the pretty designs the tables made and how wonderful the torches were. 'Look, Fe'ra! Seronaph and Alianph are already here. But where's Eceph? I don't see her... And I don't see the new gray either. And look! The greens are here and two reds... and a little blue too! They're so adorable! Like fluff on a kitten, they are. But where's Eceph? It's not like her to be late.' The small green peered around, amber eyes squinting to the puncture the coming night. But she could find no trace of her large gray idol. Sadly she cooed as she knelt to allow her rider easier access to the ground.

Don't worry, my love... she'll come. In the meantime, have fun! Isn't that Seronaph over there? Fe'ra distracted the green simourv as she sauntered off to go join the human's festivities. Instantly Liliph cheered up as she hopped over to land closer to Seronaph, and Alianph for that matter, although she paid less attention to him than to the red.

'Hello, Seronaph! Isn't this exciting? I feel like a chilly wind has ruffled through my feathers on a warm summer's day.' She paid no attention to the fact that it had actually been a warm summer's day. 'What do you think of the hatchlings? Do you think the new gray will be larger than Eceph? I don't think so. Surely no one could be larger than Eceph!' Liliph crooned pleasantly at her red brother and reached her head over to nibble lightly at his feathers.

Fe'ra, meanwhile, was searching for a bluerider that she had been longing to speak to all afternoon. She simply had to hear about what the Lieutenant had heard of the new hatchlings and their riders. But, so far, her friend seemed to not be around. Shrugging it off, she went to go snoop out what food was being prepared for the evening.



E'an moved with great purpose back and forth across the room she now shared only with Kaslimeph. It was odd having her own room. She hadn't enjoyed that pleasure since her sister had moved to Sayaie. And she hadn't seen such an empty space since her mother had left. But this room was emptier still. Only her possessions, her cot, and a couch for the sleeping blue lay in the massive room meant to house a much larger simourv, or even two smaller ones. It seemed sort of awkward. But E'an had no time to think of the great span of empty space right now. She was currently adorning a simple dress to attend the Feast in. Her hair was down, recently combed, and the sun dress flowed down a little past her knees while its straps held it up on her shoulders. It was a pleasant, light blueish-gray, fitting for the occasion, and was a solid color without print or embellishments. But it looked nice, and classy, and that was exactly how E'an wanted to look at the moment.

She then slipped quietly out the door, brushing through Kaslimeph's downy feathers as she passed him by. He was tired and needed rest, so she wouldn't be bringing him to the Feast. He would probably be dismayed if he discovered her absence, but E'an couldn't bring herself to wake him. The blue would probably just be taking up space anyway, and likely wouldn't enjoy himself. While she hadn't known him for very long, E'an had a feeling that he wouldn't like such frivolity as the jovial Feast would concern. Besides, she needed a drink. Drinking in front of a youngling, no matter their species, was considered a no-no to the ex-guard. So she walked down by herself, soon coming upon the tables and the talking that adorned the space in front of the kitchens.

On the way she caught sight of the new grayrider, striding with purpose toward what appeared to be the same destination. They came to equal strides beside each other, their similar gait and direction unable to help, and E'an found herself looking over the other girl. They were about the same age, but other than that and the simourv color she had impressed E'an knew nothing about her. It seemed kind of odd, though, the expression that settled so intensely onto her face. It made her look even more masculine than E'an had already pegged her out to be... not necessarily a bad trait, simply there.

'You know, I'm sure there'll be food left. I'd be willing to bet most of the actual riders aren't even there yet.' The new bluerider took a stab in the dark at the girl's intentions, her slower and seemingly deliberate speech taking several strides of their walking before she got her point across. A smirk played lightly across the corner of her mouth as she waited to see the other girl's reaction, sizing her up.



'Thank you, Seronaph.' Alianph replied, nodding graciously to his comrade. Seronaph, a red, was of course prone to temper, and it meant much to hear his words unlaced by sarcasm and irritation. Further than that, the black King said nothing. Not even when the green Liliph came to join them. Liliph was a gossip and, while Alianph had formed good relationships with most of his green sisters, he had yet to form anything solid with Liliph. So he simply nodded at her presence, and then continued surveying the goings-on of the Feast.

'Thank you, K'ean. It is a good clutch. And these new riders will certainly lighten the load for us.' G'len smiled genuinely, gladly accepting the gesture of a handshake while fiddling with a small stone in his other hand at his side. With this outlet for his nervousness, he seemed much more at ease talking with others around him. 'And Laraph is a wonderful addition to the group as well.' There was a small pause before he spoke the gray's name as it was provided by Alianph. 'But this is more of a triumph for Eceph and Ro'za than for Alianph and myself... they deserve far more congratulations than we could.' At this G'len once again surveyed the skies for any sign of Eceph's coming. Surely Ro'za wouldn't want to miss this? Perhaps she was tired... but he knew the Phoenix to be the kind of woman that didn't miss a beat even when she was utterly sleep deprived. She'd come. Some part of him was actually counting on it. For a moment he almost completely forgot he was in the middle of a conversation, distracted by his own musings.

[Kat]

Wegmeph shook his head as he inspected Ros’n’s outfit. She stood before him in a little brown dress, most of her body exposed to the air, or at least more of her body than her simourv thought was appropriate. The dress was short, cutting at about the woman’s mid-thigh, and it also dipped far enough to show an ample swatch of cleavage. Ros’n shrugged her shoulders, rolling her eyes at her simourv, before she slipped on a pair of sandals and pranced out the door of her Eyling.
If we don’t go now, we may not get fed!
Ros’n protested, as Wegmeph produced the equivalent of a sigh, as he knew he would lose this battle. The woman was dressing for a party, and she would make a party even if the feast itself was a snore. Ros’n could make a damn party, especially if she was drunk enough, and dressing in a provocative manner was part of her fun. For a woman who mourned her feminine wardrobe on a daily basis, and resented the pants and jackets she constantly wore, the chance to remind everyone around them, that she was indeed a woman, and she knew it and appreciated it.

As she walked towards the feast, the anklets Ros’n wore clinked together. She wore matching bracelets as well, which hit against each other in a similar manner. She liked the sound of her jewelry, and when she did not wear it, she missed the sound. More than ever, Ros’n looked like her mother’s daughter, like a girl who had grown up as a dancer and a petty thief, but instead of being disgraced by the apparent connection, Ros’n liked the freedom to express herself in the shallow manner. Ros’n liked feeling sensual and pretty. She rarely felt that way any longer. She sometimes felt powerful; she sometimes felt prideful, but she never felt pretty. She was usually was covered in sweat, sometimes with blood, and dressed in oversized clothing and shoes. So few people saw her thin ankles or her toned calves! It was quite distressing to think about. She had even pulled her hair back in a real way, slipping it into a messy bun which she secured with a large, green ribbon which she tied into a large bow.

Ros’n was practically already dancing when she entered the room for the feast. She was so excited she could barely keep the thrill off of her face. She was so excited. Wegmeph shook his head at his rider again, even though now, his eyes twinkled with amusement. Ros’n could be so energetic and happy. He liked her peppiness, but he was obligated to like everything about her. She was his, and he loved her. Ros’n scanned the room for people she knew, and, spotting Fe’ra, walked over. She was quite fond of the younger girl, who knew all the gossip and could out talk Ros’n. Ros’n draped an arm around Fe’ra as soon as she arrived.
”Anything happenin’ yet? “
Ros’n’s day had not exactly been rosy. She had run into a girl from her past, had been angry and crushed, and then had to get ready for the feast. Her voice held no hint of her earlier emotional turmoil, though. It sounded perfectly excited and content. Ros’n wanted to discuss the hatching, as long as that particular green winglet was not mentioned, but she was even more excited about discussing the feast. The riders became interesting when alcohol was involved.

Wegmeph sauntered towards Alianph, Lilliph, and Seronaph. The black was his superior, Wegmeph disliked the green, and his neutrality towards the red was tempered by the red rider’s dislike of Ros’n. Still, he saw no other companions, and since Ros’n was interacting with Fe’ra, Wegmeph felt obligated to hang out with the green. He bowed his head towards Alianph, nodding in submission in order to show proper respect, before he nodded shyly and shallowly to the other simourvs. He would wait until one of the other simourvs addressed him to speak. That was more proper.

***

Ri’ley did not want to talk to the Senior Commander. It was not that he thought the other man would not be worth talking to, but rather that the winglet was so intimidated that hw could not string together proper words. Thinking in his current exhausted state, was almost impossible, and that made thinking about how he would present himself to the male leader of the Eyrie difficult and scary. Luckily, for the surgeon, an attractive, male rider approached and began talking to G’len. Ri’ley sighed in relief and leaned back more comfortably in his chair.
Mine, you missed your chance to talk to the Senior Commander. What if you do not have another chance ever?
Dionyph accused, and because he was disappointed with Ri’ley, Dionyph scooted his body away from Ri’ley, so that only the tip of his tail touched Ri’ley’s pant leg. Ri’ley felt quite rejected, and so he slouched in his chair further, with distress. He knew Dionyph was being a bit irrational, but Ri’ley hated that the creature felt the need to separate himself from Ri’ley at all.
I’m sure I’ll have another chance.
Ri’ley grumbled, as his eyes drifted around the room. He wanted someone to talk to, because he was dangerously close to nodding off in the middle of the table. He spotted Nar’I, H’kan, and K’lee, but knew none of them, and thus did not engage them. Then his eyes fell on I’dou and E’an, who seemed to be standing next to each other.

As soon as Ri’ley thought about I’dou, Dionyph perked with interest. He suddenly wiggled closer to Ri’ley, and he slipped his massive head into the boy’s lap. DIonyph turned his head towards Ri’ley, and the simourv’s expression was bleak and morose.
But Laraph is not here. Why is I’dou alone? I wanted to see Laraph again.
Dionyph sounded absolutely distraught. His expression was sad, a downcast, depressed grimace crossing across his eyes. The brief swell of emotion was almost overwhelming for a brief second, before Dionyph shook his head and the emotion dispelled. Ri’ley lifted his hand to wave at the two girls. He only knew them as acquaintances, but he knew them better than he knew anyone else in the room, and he needed some sort of stimulation to fight his fatigue.
”I’dou, Elan, why don’t you come sit. I wouldn’t mind having some people to talk to.”
The request was dreadfully awkwardly worded, Ri’ley noted, but he was too compromised to think of a better greeting. Perhaps they would want to talk with him anyway. Ri’ley gestured towards two chairs on his right side, and then a chair on each side of him to show that there was plenty of excess space. After he spoke, Ri'ley realized that he had not used Elan's honorific. He did not even know it. He hoped that she did not find his reference horribly offensive.

Dionyph slipped his head back under the table, so that the space around Ri’ley was freed up. Even though Dionyph was still disappointed that Ri’ley had not talked to G’len, as he should, he nuzzled close to the man’s body. His tail wrapped around Ri’ley’s leg, affectionately. At least the man was trying to engage socially with some of the other winglets. There might be hope for this night, yet.

[Kilnarak]

It had been difficult, to say the least, to pry Muraaph away from the hatchlings, after they had all left the sands. The green was so excited by all of the little simourv, nearly bouncing in place, and she chirped and chattered endlessly about them. It was only after they had all (mostly) gone off to sleep that A're had finally been able to drag her away, promising that she would see them again later - Ro'za had promised a feast that night, after all, and they were sure to see the young ones then.

Having pulled the last guard watch before the hatching, A're imagined he was near as tired as the new winglets and their simourv. While the excitement had carried him through the most of the process, by the time the last few chicks had bonded A're wanted nothing more than to return to his eyling to sleep. Muraaph, on the other hand, did not share the feeling. The green was a bit tired, and her bum leg was a little sore, but she didn't mind it at all if it meant being near the hatchlings. They were so small! Smaller than Aburoqaph even, and he was tiny! But Muraaph had finally accepted A're's proposal that they return to their quarters to rest before the grand event later in the evening - mostly for her rider's sake than anything else. Her little human looked tired - he kept yawning, and it made her yawn too!

"Feel like I'm dead on my feet, Mura," A're chuckled as they glided back up to their eyling. The green, who had finally quieted some as they distanced themselves from the hatchlings (and as her A're's sleepiness began to take hold of her as well), made an indignant noise at his remark. You are not! I would be very sad if you were dead! And I am not very sad, so you are not dead, Mine. Muraaph brought them down upon the eyling's ledge carefully, favoring her injured leg, and as soon as her rider had slid down from her back she fell into a feline sprawl - lying on her side with her legs stretched out before and behind her.

I won't let you be dead. So, you can go sleep, and I will wake you up again, Muraaph bobbed her head, stating this decisively. A're merely stared at her until she blinked owlishly at him and added, I will wake you up later, not right away. A're laughed again, patting Muraaph's leg before heading inside to his own sleeping space. He pulled off and discarded his previous garments on the trek between the ledge and his bed, with little care for where the pieces of apparel landed, and then snuggled into his nest-like bedding to sleep a while. "Good, Mura. Wouldn't be any fun, if I'm sleepin' through th' party, yeah?" he mumbled absently before drifting off, not quite fast enough to miss Muraaph's annoyed snort at the idea.

Some hours later, A're awoke to find Muraaph's beak in his face - waking because the green was nosing at him, nudging and chirping. Wake up, wake up. Alianph called! Didn't you hear? You just shoved your head under some pillows and kept sleeping! We're going to be late, Mine! All of the hatchlings will have left! She caught up the pillow he had previously hidden beneath and tossed it aside as he tried to do so again. The short greenrider groaned, shoving ineffectively at Muraaph's muzzle.

"Fine, fine. I'm 'wake. Stop pokin' at me, an' I'll go get dressed," he actually managed a growl, and staggered a bit as Muraaph abruptly withdrew - shoving at empty space and half-falling onto his pillows. He huffed at her, briefly considering going back to sleep anyway - but Mura would only wake him again, and again, and again if it were necessary; and so he discarded the idea. Instead, A're found his way to his feet - nearly tripping over a discarded blanket - and made his way to the wash basin to at least wash his face. He doubted Muraaph would sit still long enough for him to bathe, so this small token to hygiene would have to do. He then picked through his garments - some still scattered about the floors - for thost most fitting for a feast. He didn't actually have any formal clothing, and eventually picked out a pair of simple black pants and a flowing white shirt, throwing on a soft leather vest over it and finishing the ensemble with his riding boots - scuffed 'though they were.

Brushing his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame it, he padded out and onto Muraaph's ledge. Throughout the entire process she had kept up a running commentary, alternately offering her own opinion on certain clothing items and insisting that he hurry, hurry. Once in front of her, A're spread his arms out to either side, cocking his head to peer up at her. "Well, Mura? Are we ready ta go?"

The great bird eyed him a moment, mirroring his posture and tilting her head first to one side, then the other. No. No, not yet. You're missing something! she chirped brightly, and then turned away from him, nosing about her own sleeping-nest until she finally came up with a shed feather held delicately in her beak. Here! Wear this too! A're took the vibrantly green feather, offering a wry smile, and after a moment of thought, braided a bit of his hair around it so it would not fall out and tucked the plume behind his ear.

"There. Now we can go an' join th' party. We'll be fashionably late, even," he grinned up at Muraaph, who cawed softly, distressed by the idea. After a short scramble up onto Muraaph's back, the two were soon flying toward the area set aside for dining. It was a short flight, and soon enough Muraaph made her hopping landing, peering about for her siblings even as her rider slid back to the ground. Did everyone decide to come late? A cloud of doubt was forming in her mind - only a few of her siblings had arrived yet, and only a few of the hatchlings. Eceph wasn't even present! Or Valenph! Or Aburo! After a moment she began to limp toward the small group gathered about Alianph, bobbing her head low and offering up a cheerful snippet of song by way of greeting - leaving A're to follow her.

The slight green-rider paused as he neared G'len and K'ean, offering the two of them a wave and a broad, lopsided grin. "Hey! An' there Mura was goin' on about how we were goin' ta be late. Th' party hasn't even started yet!"

[Fox]

K'ean gripped G'lens hand firmly and formally, before releasing it and clasping both hands behind his back in an unconscious, loose equivalent of parade rest. His position and habits were so ingrained that the redrider hardly noticed them; no matter how informal the gathering, or how good the friend, there was no mistaking that G'len was his superior, and K'ean would always, always act accordingly. "Yes. Laraph, is she? It will be an interesting experience meeting them both." A small smile tugged at K'ean's mouth, even as he noticed G'len's attention start to stray. The man was rather odd, but a very good Commander for all his eccentricities. "I'm sure that Eceph and the Phoenix will arrive shortly. The party can't start without them, after all." The redrider was just looking around to see whether he could avail himself of someone to get a drink, when a cheery voice interrupted his musings.

"You're hardly late. In fact, you have now officially joined the ranks of the unfashionably early." The smile widened into a rare flash of white teeth at the sight of A're and his infectious grin, and one hand rose to return the shorter man's wave. "Didn't you have watch, earlier?" So yes, K'ean did have a timetable of the watches memorised in his head, so sue him. It wasn't really for any particular use besides his own interest; A're wasn't even in his squad, after all. But speaking of his squad, K'ean was fairly sure that he had caught sight of a member of his watch; Fe'ra. He couldn't see her any more, if she actually was here. Personally, he wasn't all that close to the girl, despite being in the same watch, but there was one certain way to find out. Sure enough, the pulse of irritation mixed with the faintest tinge of horror that rolled down his bond with Seronaph could only mean one thing; Liliph.

The red simourv had not expected much of a reply from Alianph; he nodded to what he did get, and then was content to watch the people file into the feasting area. Seronaph was perfectly content, and his irritation level was at an all time low, when out of nowhere, a shower of bright, green words poured into his mind. Immediately, his ears flattened themselves back against his skull as the all-too-familiar green bounced up to them, seemingly forgoing greeting Alianph in favour of bombarding Seronaph with her cheer. Liliph. He acknowledged snippily, suppressing the hiss of annoyance that always seemed to be on the edge of his tongue whenever she or her partner, Fe'ra, were around. He felt the need to comment, with sarcasm lacing his tone, It was a warm summer's day. It wasn't that he was totally averse to her- or, well, not all of her- since that would have made things difficult. Rather, Seronaph disliked her constant good mood and rather obnoxious- in his opinion- tendency towards invasion of personal space. The hiss he had suppressed actually did slip out when she reached over to nibble his feathers, and he twitched a wing convulsively in an aborted attempt to swat at the smaller green. Instead, he shifted slightly further away, not so much as to be rude (because it was a special occasion and he would be polite if it killed him) but enough to make a pointed statement.

It just kept getting better and better (note; sarcasm) as, slowly, Wegmeph appeared, and then afterwards Muraaph. Seronaph had nothing against the blue, but His somewhat disliked Wegmeph's rider. And besides, the blue simourv was so calm and quiet that he made Seronaph just want to break something, if only to shatter the calm. Muraaph, at least, was tolerable. Muraaph. I trust your leg is better.[/color] The words were spoken brusquely, and gave off the air of a question asked out of courtesy rather than real interest. But, really, from the red, there wasn't much more that you could expect. Behind him, his black-tipped tail lashed back and forth in annoyance, and his ears had yet to unglue themselves from their flattened position. The sense of amusement at his discomfort that emanated from his rider only served to incense Seronaph further, and the red gave an irritated huff, before lapsing into a miffed silence. [/size]

[winged]

As hard as she endeavored to avoid any semblance of company, the evening appeared to have a different set of plans entirely. Starting at the unexpected closeness of another voice, I'dou's eyes sharpened as the dull glaze of inward thought was burned away by an ember of annoyance, while she wordlessly sized up the intruder striding alongside her. A recognizable face, one that she'd seen during what lessons her late arrival had allowed for, but not so familiar that a name rose to identify this genial stranger.

"What?" Contrary to the daunting figure she'd posed just a moment before, confusion settled in as annoyance faded. What had she said? In-between musing about the quickest route out of this room and grumbling along with her empty stomach she hadn't heard a single thing E'an had spoken. With her mouth slightly ajar and her brow furrowed, she looked almost ridiculous.

And then another, more familiar voice punctuated the low hum of conversation already in place. She remembered that voice, matching it to the face of the pale surgeon even before she slowly, gratingly turned her head to glance at him with a deadpan stare, disbelieving her luck. 'Ri'ley' was his name, well - his new name, the one Laraph had impressed on her, memorable if only because the Gray had spoken it.

"...can't I just eat?" An entirely rhetorical question, although there was a second's pause where the young woman shot a longing glance at the food laden tables, and the pockets of dark, empty space where she longed to stuff said food down her achingly empty gullet. She might even have stamped a foot in irritation, were she juvenile enough to indulge in such behavior. Instead she wore a harried expression as she stared at the black rider gesturing to the seats beside him, resigned even as baser instincts whined and railed for her to simply turn her back and proceed with her already hashed out plans of eat-and-escape.

E'an (that's what Ri'ley had called her smirking companion) was studied for a few seconds longer with a particularly black look as though I'dou blamed her on some base level for this conniving scheme to pen her here, before grimly marching over and taking one of the proffered seats, dropping into it in a mildly undignified manner, arms folded close to her and her face a grim caricature entirely out of place with the jovial setting of the Feast. She'd sit, but she refused to be HAPPY about it. She rather looked like she was seated for her execution.

[Lan]

E'an raised an eyebrow at the grayrider's reply... or lack of one. As her company's face settled into what could only be taken as a glare, the bluerider found her mirroring the sentiment. What was she, one of those bleeding giddy girls that deserved no respect or thought? Well, she was sort of on the bottom of the food chain now, she supposed. Perhaps this girl's short time as a grayrider had already gone to her head? If that was the case, it would certainly be a pity. After all, before this moment E'an had had no quarrels with her as a person.

It was then that a call from a fellow winglet caught E'an's ear and she turned to look sharply at who had called her. It was that new blackrider... his name started with an R or something. She had talked to him merely moments before the hatching had begun. Well, she certainly wouldn't have picked him out of the crowd to be a rider of one of the largest simourvs known, with how jumpy and insecure he was. But at one point or another she wouldn't have picked herself out to be bonded to a simourv at all. Well, maybe there was something to the whole simourv selection process that she wasn't quite getting. The first chosen were mere hunters and scientists, after all.

If E'an had noticed the absence of the honorific, she didn't show it. Elan was what she was used to being called, after all. And, really, the two names weren't contrasting enough for her to tell the difference or take offense. She, with I'dou as the other girl was called, walked toward the table where the young man had taken up residence with the rather large hatchling black simourv. Unafraid of proximity, E'an sat closest to him while I'dou sat with a sort of picturesque look of unpleasantness on her face. What was the girl's problem? She wasn't a Phoenix yet.

'Well, glad ta see yeh haven't been killed,' E'an told her newest companion, chuckling as she referenced back to their short conversation before the event, 'And you've gotta new friend, too... 'Ello, there.' She smiled and nodded to the black simourv that was currently all tied up, literally, with his new bonded. At the moment she completely ignored I'dou and her ill humor. Once the booze came out, E'an was sure she could fix it, but for now she was fine with letting the girl sit and brood. As she glanced back at her new blackrider comrade she finally remembered his name. Ripley... or at least that's what it had been. She wondered what it was now. Probably R'ey or something like that. But she couldn't tell.



Fe'ra grinned as an arm draped over her shoulders followed by a familiar voice. Ros'n! She quickly turned and offered the older girl a tight hug as a greeting before settling back into her position at Ros'n's side and surveying the Feast before her. Had anything happened, was the question? Well... Fe'ra was sure between herself and Liliph they could drum up some healthy chatter.

'Nothing much here... Ro'za hasn't come yet, and as Liliph would say "it's not a party until Eceph has arrived".' Fe'ra snickered as she referenced her green simourv's fascination with her gray sister. She would never be sure where it originated, but she knew that Liliph would probably worship Eceph as being the most lovely and magnanimous (et cetera) of all the simourvs until the day the green died. It was kind of cute, actually. 'But, Liliph and I have been gathering intel on the new recruits... Liliph thinks that new blackrider,' Fe'ra pointed out Ri'ley and Dionyph who were sitting at one of the tables, 'And the new Tawny's rider might have a thing for each other, but that's hardly interesting... you haven't heard anything, have you?' The greenrider certainly didn't waste any time, although she shrugged off her comments as mere hearsay almost immediately after parting with them.

'But, what's really important is that there's a new gray pair. Liliph has been talking about it all day. Actually, I think that's her sitting next to that blackrider... You wouldn't happen to have caught their names, would you? I think the girl's name's Ichi or something, but I've not yet head what the gray's name or what her rider's new name is. What do you think of them?' Fe'ra began leading them to a table where they could better survey the proceedings, and possibly join in them. She had relaxed to the point of sheer enjoyment now that her friend Ros'n was at her side. They could talk the night away! Which was something that was rare, considering normally Fe'ra took the night watch and would be halfway to Itnala by now.

'Hello Wegmeph! And Muraaph!' Liliph chirruped happily at her new companions, ignoring Seronaph and his responses now. She now sidled up next to the blue, taking the time to preen HIS feathers now. Actually, she wasn't overly fond of Wegmeph, with his grumpy attitude and his easily offended self, but hers was friends with his and being it was a special occasion she thought she'd try to impress him with her cheer again. 'I thought I saw yours somewhere at the Feast! How nice of you to sit next to me!' Every statement was an exclamation, albeit the bit about seeing Ros'n was false. She nudged him gently and then proceeded to ruffle her own feathers with excitement. 'And what do YOU think about the new gray? Do you think she'll be bigger than Eceph? I don't think so. Surely no one could be bigger than Eceph! And where is Eceph? Have you seen her anywhere?'



'Hello, Wegmeph... Muraaph...' Alianph greeted congenially, quite happy in particular to see his green sister up and about. She had been injured rather badly on the battlefield, and he could still see a limp in her step. But she looked much brighter than she had been, and that delighted him. 'Yes, how is your leg, Muraaph? Any better at all?' True concern filled his mental voice as he mirrored Seronaph's sentiments. He clicked amiably at her, somewhat worried for her condition. Always did the black King have a soft spot for his siblings when they were injured, and gaining the title of Senior Commander hadn't changed this any.

G'len nodded in agreement to K'ean's phrase of it being interesting to meet them, and smiled pleasantly. He noticed more winglets and riders alike were showing up, and so far most of the adult simourvs had gathered together in a group. They were probably talking to each other much as their riders were, he mused. He also noticed that hatchling simourvs were attending the Feast as well. While he didn't discourage it, he hadn't completely anticipated it. Fortunately, there was enough space for them all at the moment... but if all twenty-five hatchlings came they might be a bit cramped. Also, a glimmer of bright green caught his eye as he saw Muraaph land over next to her siblings. That meant that any minute now A're's voice would be heard over the crowd... and so it was.

'Hello, A're,' G'len replied, like his simourv genuinely pleased to see the green pair. After pausing politely for K'ean's question, he offered his own, 'How is Muraaph's leg doing? Still limping?'

Meanwhile, Ro'za and Eceph still hadn't arrived. The Feast couldn't get underway until they had, and with more and more people showing up there were bound to be very hungry mouths and stomachs complaining soon. Should he invite everyone to eat now? The Commander didn't want to be rude, as this was more the Phoenix's day than his own. Certainly she should have the honor of calling everyone to order.