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."