Networking [Wolfkitt]

[Dragon]

There wasn't much that Xesne could do to work towards her goals at the moment. Rubiculath wasn't even a turn old yet, and his most important part in her plans, at least at first, was chasing - and catching - queens. For now, though, she could try to make herself liked so that when Rubiculath made her Weyrleader, she would have the support she needed to take things further.

Therefore, when the time came for her evening meal, Xesne found a young woman with the knots of a full rider. She had to be ten turns younger than Xesne herself, something which caused a tight coil of anger in Xesne at the unfairness of it all. Not, of course, that Rubiculath hadn't been worth waiting for, but Xesne shouldn't have had to wait.

"Excuse me," she asked politely, smiling at the young redhead, "but do you mind if I join you? I'd love to hear about what you do as a rider from the source."

[Wolfkitt]

Drills had been absolutely insane that morning, definitely keeping things interesting. She doubted that any number of turns was going to dull that for her. There was always something to be improved on, something to figure out. Tamiuth helped to make sure of that. Then again perhaps Le'da just very much enjoyed spending time with her Wingmates. Either way she was fairly wired when it came time for meals. Practically bouncing in her seat, she talked animatedly to a Candidate discussing firelizards. "Yes! So then Bass appeared and flew corkscrews around Tamiuth while we were practicing dives! He got reprimanded of course. But between you and me, it was so cool."

Le'da beamed at the younger one before going back to take a couple hurried bites of her meal. Hearing another voice at her other side, she looked up instantly. That ready smile lit up her eyes as she reached over in enthusiastic response and patted the empty spot next to her. "Yes! Please do! Are you having a good day? I've seen you around! You are the Rider of that beautiful young Bronze aren't you? Ok so they're all beautiful, but I love his markings! I don't think we've met yet. I'm Le'da." Alright so she had registered that the woman had spoken something about learning about Riders but none of her barrage of words had anything to do with that. "Sure of course! What do you want to know? I ride a Garnet, her name is Tamiuth. She is great, but I'm very biased." Did she ever stop talking? Probably not. At least she was friendly?

[Dragon]

Slightly taken aback by the waterfall of words from the young woman she'd approached, Xesne gracefully took the seat next to her, propping her elbows on the table as she held her cup of klah in both hands, letting the warmth of it soak into her fingers. "My name is Xesne, and yes, my bondmate is Rubiculath - and he is quite gorgeous."

Rubiculath's hide was, in Xesne's mind, always worthy of note. It shimmered so pleasantly, and his markings were truly striking. He was well on his way to being the most handsome dragon in the Weyr.

"How old is Tamiuth, Le'da?" she asked politely. She didn't much care one way or the other about garnets. They weren't a direct path to power, but that didn't mean they were utterly useless pieces in her plans.

[Wolfkitt]

Le'da shifted just a little so that Xesne would have enough room to sit and get comfortable before settling back a little herself, casting the Candidate at her other side a broad grin as she had bumped her. But the girl was already engaged in conversation at her other side so Le'da would give Xesne her full attention. Taking a quick sip of her own Klah, she nodded as she was told Xesne's name and the name of the handsome Bronze. It was always good to get to know the dragonriders around you, even if they were up and coming. Especially then! They could be wing mates potentially. Besides, Le'da loved to know absolutely everyone. "Very nice to meet you Xesne! He absolutely is! You're keeping him oiled right? Last time I saw him he looked great so I figure you are but it definitely helps keep their hides shining." She nodded enthusiastically definitely not trying to be condescending but the words often came out before she really thought about that. "There are so many cool patterns on dragons... Tamiuth came out with a crazy camouflage pattern and the most beautiful rose coloration... Doesn't do us much good hiding in the skies, but it's fun to look at." She felt a slight rumble in her mind of an odd mix of good naturedness with maybe the slightest bit of irritation but also a bit of a pride at her Rider's words.

Le'da took another quick bite and finished it before answering. She certainly didn't mind talking about herself and her dragon, being a little bit of a prideful sort. And if asked, she certainly would divulge. "She just turned three." This was stated quite proudly. "Do you have a particular Wing you're hoping to join when your class graduates? Rubiculath would excel in any of them I bet. Have you flown yet?" Weyrlings were her absolute favorite to talk to. She loved to see them enjoy the first encounters with the different facets of their new bondeds.

[Dragon]

She'd barely met the woman, and Xesne was already sure that Le'da was exhausting in large doses. Did she ever stop talking? Xesne was not at all certain that she was going to be able to get a word in edgewise, but finally the garnetrider paused long enough for her to speak.

"I am keeping Rubiculath carefully oiled, yes," she confirmed. "It would not do to have that fine hide of his split or scar." Golds might find scars charming, perhaps, but surely only those gained gloriously in battle or fighting Thread. Scars caused by carelessness would only detract from his appeal. "Besides, he would be cross with me if he did not look his best."

She was sure that Tamiuth was lovely, for a garnet. Perhaps Rubiculath could practice his chasing skills on garnets like her. "Your dragon sounds lovely. And most dragons do not blend into the sky very well - not even many blues."

Three. So Tamiuth and Le'da were not well established yet, and perhaps would be ... moldable. The more "friends" and allies Xesne had, the better. "We will most likely be in Midnight; that is where all but the smallest bronzes end up, and Rubiculath is on the larger end for his color. And yes, we have flown. In fact, we even recently started lessons on going Between."

[Wolfkitt]

Letting other people speak certainly wasn't something that would be likely to be in Le'da's wheelhouse of strengths. She was very good at just going on and on, one might wonder how she didn't pass out from lack of oxygen coming back in. But she managed. Beaming almost wildly at Xesne's affirmation that she was doing well in oiling her handsome Bronze's hide, she nodded enthusiastically. It wasn't like a rider showing affirmation to a Weyrling like it likely should have been, but more akin to a friend to a friend, and certainly Le'da already seemed to view Xesne as a friend even if she had only directly met the woman moments ago. "Right?! Oh man Tamiuth would flip if I didn't make sure to oil her! It gets itchy and she is a little bit grouchy to begin with." She grinned a little and shrugged. "I would imagine he appreciates all the effort."

"That is very true! Isn't it amazing how many shades of the different colors there are? They all stay within the range of their color for the most part... Except Whites... Those dragons are crazy. Awesome but crazy. I've even seen a White that was almost all black! Isn't that insane? I love Tamiuth though, I think she's one of the most beautiful I've seen. I feel like we all feel like that about our bondeds though."

Le'da paused again to take another bite of her meal feeling her stomach churn a bit. She had once again let herself go a bit long in between meals, in fact she was pretty sure she had skipped breakfast altogether. But she still listened intently to what Xesne said beside her. She nodded and made sure to clear her mouth before responding. "Oh yes that makes sense! We're in Eclipse Wing. Tamiuth is on the large end of her color too! But much to her chagrin even so, your Rubiculath will very likely be larger than her very soon! If he's not already!" She nodded again practically bouncing in her seat. As Xesne spoke of where their lessons were, she gasped lightly in delight. "Between? Isn't it all just absolutely brilliant?! I was very nervous the first time we went Between but they know what they're doing. They just need a point from us and then bam! We're there! It's crazy." She nodded again taking a quick sip of her drink, glancing up only briefly to bid goodbye to the Candidate she had been talking to before as they took their leave.

[Dragon]

This woman was a little exhausting, but Xesne was certain that she could manage to cultivate a "friendship" with Le'da. The garnetrider certainly did enough of the talking that Xesne only had to occasionally put in a comment, making it extremely easy to talk to her.

"Oh, I'm certain he appreciates it," Xesne lied effortlessly. Rubiculath thought being perfectly oiled his due, and it would never occur to him to appreciate it. "He does like looking his best." That was true enough, at least.

She continued listening to Le'da ramble, wondering not for the first time if she perhaps should have elided her name. Would she have been taken more seriously if she did? But what would she even elide to? X'ne? Xe'e? No, Xesne suited her just fine.

Xesne hummed slightly in agreement as she ate and Le'da rambled on about the variety of colors in each rank of dragon, and the weirdness of whites. Well ... whites were weird. "Maybe we just named whites wrong," she suggested, "since the first one was white. They do seem to encompass black as well, and every shade of gray." She was not, however, going to suggest an alternative color name. She thought that Le'da might have some ideas, though.

Then Le'da somehow managed to perk up even more at the mention of between, and it was all Xesne could do to remain pleasant and not sigh. The woman truly could go off about anything. "It's definitely different from everything else," Xesne mused. Between was a greatness allowed only to dragons and firelizards, but it was also the greatest terror of a dragon and rider - the endless cold and darkness, blacker and black and colder than cold, in which you could get lost and never be seen again. "We must be very careful to listen to our teachers."

It was easier to talk about Rubiculath's size. "Rubiculath is nine and a half months old, and ... forty or forty-one feet long, I'd say. Maybe even forty-two." It had been a bit since his last measurement, and he certainly kept growing as he should. "There certainly are adult garnets and browns he is already larger than."

[Wolfkitt]

Le'da nodded once more completely drinking in Xesne's every word, lie or not. She didn't see any reason this woman shouldn't be truthful or upfront with her, but then again that was a weakness for her. She seemed to take everyone at face value until it became painfully clear that she could not. Now this had changed just a little when Tamiuth had come into her life... Her Garnet was not as trusting of those around them... She cultivated a little bit of healthy suspicion in the bubbly young Rider. But as for herself? She had no suspicious bone in her body.

Le'da gasped lightly and suddenly went a little pensive as if she hadn't thought of the idea of having named the color of the dragons wrong. "You could be right! What if they were called Monochrome? No that's too long really. I guess White is fine, but you're very right. They come in all shades of black and white and gray." She furrowed her brows a little. "Do you think anyone would change the name of a color of dragon? What if we asked the dragons what color they think they are or should be called? Y'olai has Tsukasath... They are a White. Maybe we could ask them!"

"You're definitely not wrong! They are there to help us learn and make sure we do so safely. I know going Between is dangerous, but it gets easier. Not that you're worried I'm sure. I bet you and Rubiculath do just fine with it!" She nodded with all the assurance of one who had no clue what she was talking about. "But what about flying? Isn't it just absolutely amazing? Now that's something that's different from anything else. I was raised with Runners and riding them is the closest thing I have to compare it to, but even that is hardly like it at all! The feeling of freedom that it brings is insane. What about fighting thread? How do you feel about that one? Tamiuth was too young to fight when the last fall came but I can only hope we'll be ready for the next one."

Taking another bite, Le'da would listen to Xesne speak of Rubiculath's size and she looked to her in awe. "Nine and a half months and already so big? Tamiuth's got him beat but hardly by a couple feet or so! We should bring them together, I want to see just how close they are! Tamiuth is 45 feet, but she's done growing. Is Rubiculath tall? Slender? I try to attend all the hatchlings but it's so hard to keep everyone straight sometimes! Tamiuth is built pretty solidly but not so much so that she's ungraceful in the sky."

[Dragon]

"I think at this point, the only way the name of the color will be changed is if the dragons insist on it." They'd been called whites for a very long time, after all, since the ninth pass! Monochrome might be a more accurate name for them, or neutrals, or even grays - but Xesne certainly wasn't going to apply her energies to something that insignificant.

It wouldn't hurt, however, to encourage Le'da to chase that down. "Talking to a white dragon might be the way to go. They might not care that their color name isn't truly accurate, after all! Or they very well might have opinions on the matter."

And, at least this apparently air-headed rider was not so very airheaded that she didn't know that between was dangerous! There was nothing more dangerous to the life of a dragonrider, not even Thread. "We're very careful," she assured Le'da. "The last thing we want is to get lost."

Flying, though - as much as Le'da was flying through subjects, that was one that made Xesne give a genuine little smile. "We both adore flying. It feels so natural, but so thrilling at the same time. It's like we were made for the sky!" She sobered somewhat then, turning her thoughts toward Thread. "I can't say I'm exactly looking forward to fighting Thread. It's dangerous, and I'd be completely content if it never fell on Pern again. Still, that is what we are here for, isn't it? To keep Pern safe."

You couldn't rule the world if there were no world to rule.

As for Rubiculath's size - well, in truth, he was large even for a bronze. "It would be nice to introduce Rubiculath to some adult dragons. He's mostly only met his clutch so far." Well, there was the occasional adult involved in their training, but those were mostly fast forgotten. "Rubiculath's proportions are absolutely perfect, and he's a well-muscled bronze," Xesne mused, trying to sound more like she was stating fact than that she was bragging. "I'm sure your Tamiuth is just as lovely."

No dragon was as lovely as Rubiculath, but that was beside the point.

[Wolfkitt]

The ever consistent nod was still going as Le'da animatedly agreed with her new friend. This was true! They had been dubbed Whites for as long as she could remember. "I mean at the same time, all the other colors have their ranges... Like there are some blues that are closer to purple than blue, and then some browns that look almost bronze in the right light, or some the color of sand so I guess the naming conventions are just the best average?" Le'da suggested between bites before continuing to muse. "If any White has ideas about it, it would be Tsukasath... Maybe I will ask him for sure! Maybe they'll have insight in any case. That's a good idea! Doubt it will change anything but I'd be curious." Le'da was likely to be curious about a good lot of things.

At the topic of between there seemed to be a slight bit of anxiety even though her voice and inflections were still so excitable. Oh yes, the idea of using that tool was exciting to her, but she had not missed the risks. It was one of the few times that she made herself pull it together as much as she possibly could to hold a coherent thought for Tamiuth. "That's good then! As long as we're careful and understand that it comes with its own dangers it works then... A bit like fire really! We use the tool but sometimes people still get burnt... Or burn down a forest. But as long as we respect it, it can be useful. But lose control of it and it can easily turn deadly." She shuddered a little as the Candidate camping excursion was still fresh in her mind. Reaching over she idly ran her fingertips over the fading scar along her opposite hand pausing in her eating for a moment. Fire had been a secondary issue in that situation, but an issue nonetheless.

But fear was both unnatural and unwelcome in Le'da's visage and as Between turned to Flight, those eyes filled with a mirth very few adults seemed to possess. Sitting up straight on the bench, she turned a bit more toward Xesne as she leaned forward. "Right?! I mean it can be terrifying of course, I've seen how some of those smaller dragons fly! But man... There's no feeling that even comes close!" Another slightly sobering topic followed on the heels of the first. Of course the reason behind them flying in the first place... And Le'da gave a soft grimace. "You and me both on that one... I wish it could be stopped but I guess we make a pretty good counter measure. But it is scary..." Spoken like a true being who hadn't been in the skies for such a time as that yet. "Got that right though, and we're well equipped for it. Well, our dragons are anyway." She chuckled lightly at this and nodded though there was certainly a bit of bravado in her voice and face that was quite forced.

Le'da actually clapped in a gleeful display as Xesne seemed to accept her curious invitation. Was Le'da seriously trying to set up a dragon play date? Oh Tamiuth would roll her eyes hard when she heard. But that was alright. Le'da nodded exuberantly. "Yes oh yes! It will be fun. We could meet at the Lake or in the Weyrbowl or wherever really. Heck maybe they've already met, who knows? Well probably not, Tamiuth isn't the most... Social." That was a serious understatement. "But I'm sure she'd like to meet Rubiculath!" She nodded eagerly. Although if asked, then no... Tamiuth would very much not like to meet Rubiculath. But hey, Le'da would cross that bridge when she came to it.

Listening with utter attention as Xesne spoke about her dragon, Le'da nodded, forming a mental picture of the Bronze. She was sure he was a very handsome fellow indeed. And as far as she was concerned, Xesne had every right to brag about her dragon. Besides, in Le'da's experience, there were very few people who were Weyrlings who were just 'meh' about their dragons. Then again there were a few who hated them... But those were outliers surely. Xesne didn't seem to be that type. "Thank you! I feel like we all think our dragons are lovely though." She chuckled lightly as she ate the last couple bites on her food before looking at it almost in shock wondering how it had disappeared so quickly. "What do you and Rubiculath have planned for today?"

[Dragon]

By this point, Xesne was a little torn between being half-overwhelmed by Le'da's ability to ramble while at the same time trying to fit the bubbly redhead into her ever-shifting plans for the future of Pern. At the very least, Le'da could be used as a distraction. Perhaps, fed the right misinformation, she would spread it to the right people and thoughtlessly aid Xesne in her careful bid for power.

Her thoughts on colors weren't entirely boring, either. "Some greens are a little more yellow, or a little more blue; some bronzes are more green or brown or almost gold. There seemed to be a lot of bumping up against each other at the edges, if not outright overlap." It wasn't particularly important information, but there was definitely variation in the tones of each color. "I don't know if any of the whites would care, but certainly if enough do, we could change the name of the color for them."

It was interesting to see how the woman reacted to talk of between. Had something happened to her? But Xesne brushed it off, and since Le'da did not seem to want to speak of between further, she let the topic drop.

And Le'da perked right back up as the conversation turned to flying ... as it should. Flying was the second most spectacular part of being a dragonrider, after the actual dragon. "I think it might be fun to fly like some of the greens and blues, but not all the time," Xesne agreed. "I enjoy flying with Rubiculath the way he is, though, and I certainly won't feel as though I'm missing out with some of those maneuvers they pull." Garnets and Browns were the cutoff between the more acrobatic, smaller colors and the large, steadier ones. The middling colors, well, their particular skills depended on their individual sizes.

The idea of actually introducing their dragons, though ... Rubiculath would have to help her gain the favor and loyalty of the dragons. If nothing else, this would be good practice for him. "Rubiculath can be quite social," Xesne allowed, "but he is also aware how young he is, and that he may need to give most of the adults some space yet."

Then Le'da asked what she and Rubiculath had planned, and Xesne gave a small smile. Rubiculath? What do you think?

I can make time to charm the garnet if you wish, he answered, his tone longsuffering.

"We have classes and training, of course, but we both have some time now," Xesne answered. "Rubiculath just confirmed that he is free."

[Wolfkitt]

"Yes yes that exactly! I mean baby dragons come out how they will and we do our best to name them but I guess they're a lot like us huh? You try to classify different people but you'll always find someone that doesn't quite fit the mold. But with Whites... Well it seems like a lot of them balk the mold don't they? Then again it could just be my understanding of it that is flawed. But it would make for an interesting conversation at the very least!" Oh yes... If words needed spread, honestly all one need do was make it minutely interesting to Le'da and it would likely be all over the place by the next sunset. "I wonder what would go into changing the name if the dragons wished it... It's been as such forever, I wonder who would have the power to change something like that." She shook her head a little as it honestly did her brain in a little to think about. But she simply shrugged it off quickly. "Maybe it would just be a Weyr by Weyr thing and if it got popular enough in one Weyr than others might pick it up too... Who knows?" Le'da took another healthy draw of her Klah as if she needed more of that!

A thoughtful nod was given before Le'da gave a bit of a sly smile. "Oh for sure! Did you ever get the chance to join a Green or Blue Rider in the skies? Have you met Ae'flaed? She's Hurricath's Rider and sometimes she'll give Candidates a chance to ride with her. Hurricath is brilliant... Terrifying but brilliant in how she flies. Such grace and speed! Then my brother let me ride with him once or twice... He wasn't around much. He's got his own duties to attend to of course, but sometimes when he would visit, he'd let me ride with him... He rides a Blue. It truly is a very different experience! I prefer Tamiuth though. She's steady but she's got enough speed and maneuverability when she needs to." She nodded very matter of factly.

"That is very fair..." Le'da conceded quietly trying to keep the slight disappointment from her voice as she was fairly certain that this was the first step to 'we don't have time right now'. It wouldn't be the first time she had heard those words. And honestly she would have understood completely. "Sometimes I think Tamiuth wouldn't be social at all if she had her way. But I think deep down... Way deep down she enjoys spending time with other dragons." The disdain that rang out wordlessly in her mind was deafening as she realized that Tamiuth was most certainly paying attention to her thoughts. Le'da only grinned a bit to herself. She knew Tamiuth would go with it if Le'da wanted her to.

Soon enough Le'da's preparation to be disappointed was banished like so much morning fog. Oh if her eyes could light up more... She'd rival Pern's sun. But Le'da fairly looked as if every Holiday came early all at once. Quite literally bouncing in her seat in a manner hardly becoming for a Rider of three turns, she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes ok! Tamiuth would LOVE to meet Rubiculath if you have time! Absolutely for sure! Let's go find them!" And she was up from her seat clearing her dishes, hardly managing to stop long enough to make sure that Xesne was finished with her meal before she was off.

TAMIUTH! Hey Tamiuth I made a new friend and I think you will LOVE her! We're coming out and I want you to meet her and her dragon!

There was a slight drowsy sleepiness that met her mind in a gruff but semi good natured manner tinted only by a slight sourness at the idea of meeting with others. I simply cannot wait, Mine... The sarcasm was absolutely tangible and yet it flew over Le'da's head as if it weren't there at all. Whirling around to face Xesne as Le'da walked backwards, she nodded excitedly. "We're free too. I think Tamiuth is sunning herself in the Weyrbowl!" It was all she could do to keep the squeal of excitement out of her voice. A couple of heads turned as she all but backed over an unsuspecting person in her hasty joy. "OH sorry!" And she was off. No decorum, but hey... After being here three turns, people were slowly getting used to her... As much as you can get used to a hurricane that is.

[Dragon]

Xesne didn't care much about whites; they were biological dead ends, and no challenge for a bronze when it came to size or rank. Useless little things that neither flew nor chased, they were nothing but useless fodder to be aimed at Thread and otherwise ignored. Still, if Le'da wanted to waste her time trying to see if they cared what they were called, well, Xesne really didn't care.

"I didn't, and I haven't," Xesne said with a small smile, her tone pleasant. "I've only ridden with anyone a few times - when I was Searched, of course, and whenever the flying lesson came around during my Candidacy. I prefer flying with Rubiculath, though. There's something about flying with the dragon you're bonded too ..." For once, the slight hint of awe in her voice was real.

As for Tamiuth not being particularly social, well, that wasn't a bad thing. Rubiculath would be putting on a show, but he would rather not do so for particularly long.

"Ah, yes - they love the sun. Rubiculath is sunning himself as well." She didn't think the two dragons were particularly close to each other, and Xesne nudged her dragon mentally. You know the drill, my dear. Pretend you're deferring to the adult. You'll be an adult soon enough.

Fine, but only because I wish to show off my beauty.

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Xesne smiled warmly at Le'da, standing to follow the garnetrider and pursing her lips briefly - very briefly - as Le'da apologized for her outburst. "Lead the way."