((If you want to jump in and make one of your charries in the group, knock yourself out.

BTW, I am not sure if picking up a random character is allowed, and if it is a problem I will just make him a charrie later. I really only need him for now, but I am sure I can use him if our lovely Weyrwoman objects. :) ))

The early morning air was still and cold, a pale blue cast hanging over the weyr that the unrisen sun had not dispelled. Birds proclaimed their survival of another night in piercing trills, and wild herdbeast grazed in meadows and glens, the steamy breath frothing from their nostrils. The weyr was waking up slowly, the dragonriders still largely buried between the bedclothes. Drudges called to one another, rising and stretching, warming their muscles and planning the morning meal. The scent of klah began rising.

Pascal's foster mother called to him for the third time, flinging a freshly laundered pair of breeches across his pallet. He raised his head, his straw colored hair at odds with itself. He grudgingly threw back his furs and donned the clothing, his nightshirt half out, half in, then hesitatingly placing his feet on the cold stone floor. He grimaced, and swiftly donned his boots, neglecting the leather fastens. He stumbled to the doorway, yawning and streching his thin, twelve year old frame. He patted his stomach ruefully. His foster mother always swore he could out-eat men twice his size and age. Unfotunately, his body rejected every shred of fat, and his muscles felt the cold keenly. His nimble fingers, accustomed to the task of weaving and mending, snatched up a sprig of mint from where it grew in the doorway. He knew green was forbidden, but he tended his mint plant carefully and covered it with a stone cup when Thread laced the sky.

He chewed contemplatively. The sun, rather than sliding, burst over the horizon, and Pascal gloried in the slight warmth. It was funny, how a person could smell heat on a morning like this. His gaze driften skyward, and he blinked in confusion. A trick of the light created wavering shapes in the sky; faint, indescernable colors, gliding with a pulsing movement. Pascal blicked again, narrowing his eyes at the apparition, the opening them wide with suprise.

"Dragons in the air!" he called, sprinting for the kitchens and stubling slightly over his untied boots. "Dragons approaching the heights!"

***

A'ric strarted as his dragon burst from between. They were much higher than he had anticipated. Fortunately, his dragon had given the same coordinates to all the riders, and they remained in formation behind him. There was some shirfting, as two young blues emerged too close together, and righted themselves slowly.

~Hatchlings,~ his dragon snorted in distust. "You were the one who changed the altitude, you monster." Bronze Vamprith's eyes whirled in amusement as he peered back at his rider. ~I wanted to admire the view.~ "You liar," A'ric muttered. "You just wanted to scare the shards out of the drudges." True to his word, the four drudges on Vampirith's back did NOT look happy about the height. They were all transferring to the new weyr, likely looking for a change of scenery, a new challenge. A'ric could reciprocate; that was why he was here too. ~That may have had something to do with it...~ A'ric felt the dragon's amusement as they began the swooping descent towards the weyr bowl, the many dragons behind him following suit.

They landed without hitch, drudges pouring out to meet them. They helped riders dismount, nimbly catching bags. Some carried steaming mugs of klah, others moved to the head of each dragons head, politely giving directions to the feeding grounds and empty werys available. A sandy haired drudge bowed to Vamprith, who bobbed his head and rolled his eyes pleasurably. The drudge spoke swiftly, then moved to assist Vamprith's passengers. A'ric leaped from his dragon's back and streched his aching knees. In the last turn they protested more and more at long rides, and he wondered if a bit of numbweed slave wouldn't do wonders.

"You, boy," he called, and the blond youth scampered over. "I am A'ric, rider of bronze Vamprith. I search your Weyrwoman, and come bringing several dragons to add to your ranks. Is your Lady stil abed, or may I see her now?"

"I haven't seen her yet this morning, but I am sure she will speak with you," the boy grinned. "If only to curse you for waking her." A'ric laughed at this impish whelp, and followed him into the weyr. The boy knew his way, and walked backwards most of the way, chattering. A'ric generally did not like children, especially noisy ones, yet this one had a good sense of humor. "...Her queen was recently flown, and we have a Weyrleader now. His name is L'gan, he rides bronze Behemath. You wouldn't believe how big that bronze is! So, anyway you can see..." The chattering did not cease, not until they had arrived at the Weyrwoman's weyr and A'ric had gently pushed the boy back down to help the new dragons find berths. He tapped on the door and called gently within.

"Weyrwoman? I am A'ric of Tiazora, bringing a convoy of dragons. May I speak with you?"

((I guess either Nako or Wolfie can jump in here, or we can move it to the Weyrwoman's quarters and let other ex-Tiazora riders post here.))

((Sorry to all who sit through this, I just realized I wrote a small book...))

((hehehe, I'll say that the flight took place noon and ended at evening, but there was a party so I might just do a bit of time skipping and it would be after that. Lol.. hung over Weyrleaders....))

An irritated murmur escaped the mass of covers before the Weyrwoman emerged, looking up at the cieling groggily as she threw the covers aside hastily, doubling them over on top of her deeply sleeping Weyrmate. "I got it... ungh.. Coming! Stop the sharding knocking!" Yes, even the most gentle of taps reverberated through Alesia's ears, the wine that she had drank last night beating against her skull with a vengance that only a hangover could have. Hastily, she grabbed a coppery colored gown and pulled it over her head, her blonde hair a wild, untamed mess. The name of the rider was sinking in slowly, and the fact that it was a business matter frustrated the woman. Ugh! For the first time, the woman had been able to -let go- of business, and now she was being forced back into it when she was at her worst. A frantic hand went through her hand, momentarily self concious about her disheveled appearance, and the fact she reeked of alcohol and post-flight passion. A long, drawn out sigh was given, and she shrugged it all off.

Iolath, sensing her rider's agitation, emitted a low croon, lifting her head up to rest it upon Behemath's shoulders. The dragon was also groggy, but had the benefit of having not been enebriated last night. "I'm fine, I'm fine..." Alesia muttered out of reflex at her dragons worry. The stone was cold on her feet, but she ignored this as she swung open the door, looking just as a woman should after a flight.. or after activities that followed a flight anyways, even if they were alcohol induced. "So, a convoy of dragons is enough of an issue to rouse the Weyrwoman?" She was irritated, no matter how unjust, but she looked willing to suck it up and perform her duties, though she certainly wasn't going to hide the fact that she felt like a pile of regurgitated firestone ash.

((Should L'gan join in or does Alesia have this covered, capable woman that she is? :P))

((Hehe, if you're intensely inspired, feel free, but if you want to wait a few posts and then decide if you want to jump in then that's fine. Overall it's up to you, Wolfie XD))

((Bleh.... Sorry this is taking so long, I have been working WAY too many hours this and last week... I'll try to get as much as I can in before work, but I may have to finish it later...))

A'ric took a startled half-step backwards. "Erm, my appologies Weyrwoman. Our arrival time was one I would not have chosen, but conviniance and business rarely walk hand-in-hand." He gave her what he hoped was a disarming grin, but was relatively sure she wouldn't buy it. Well, he had been the chew toy for many an angry Weyrwoman, and it was early.

~Come on, A'ric. Show the Weyrwoman whose boss. I want to see her Kick you so hard you go Between.~ A'ric tried not to snort at his dragon's ill sense of humor or timing. He just barely managed to save his face from cracking.

"M'Lady, I bring a contingent of several Greens and Blues, as well as a handful of Browns and a pair of Bronzes, including my own Vamprith. I had not realized until we Had arrived that we missed the Queen's flight. I am sure we would have departed earlier, givin that knowledge." He gave a saucy wink to the bronzerider within, tempered with a knowing smile.

((Meh, thats all for now... Hopefully I'll find inspiration in a hole somewhere... *Begins digging*))

"Well, I don't know if you would have won; L'gan was one of the only bronzeriders who would dare approach me before the flight. The sly tunnelsnake probably had the whole thing rigged." She seemed pleased with how the other bronzeriders seemed to avoid her, and in fact was. If she was considered so notorious of a Weyrwoman to her own riders, then surely she'd have some sway with the Lord Holders.. even if she had to have the extra 'oomph' that a Weyrleader would supply.

"But yes.. more dragons are good" Alesia murmured, rubbing her eye a bit. "I'm a mess. The Weyrleader is a mess. If we must discuss these things, could you please wait in the study? It's that door just to the left.." She pointed down the hall. "It's bloody cold in there, but I'll have someone come up with klah and start the fire for you."

A'ric frowned slightly. "If it is all the same to you, dear Weyrwoman, I would like to see to the stationing of the new riders. Some of the young ones are barely out of their shell, and it'd not do for them to be ruining your fine Weyr on their first day in." He bowed low, straigtening with precision. "Shall I rejoin you after you've dressed, or would you like to accompany me and inspect the new recruits? I daresay the sight of their new Weyrwoman might light a fire under their rumps."

Though a particularly rebellious side wanted to reject any opinions other than her own, she liked the thought of setting those dragonriders in line, and she smirked a bit. "It sounds like a plan, bronzerider. We have plenty of Weyrspace on the West end that I'd like them to be stationed in. They're all relatively the same, and we don't rank them by color where they should stay here at Kharasi." She emphasized this equality, for no matter how notorious she was, she prided herself in realizing that all dragonriders were equal in the respects of being a dragonrider, yet realizing that they all had their function in the Weyr. It was common knowledge that many other Weyrs were still under the influence of older Traditions.

"There's a common's room that the hallways lead down to on that end as well. When they get their things organized I wish for them all to meet there... in roughly an hour. They can have the time to fully unpack their things later today since they won't be getting assignments just yet. Is that manageable, A'ric?" Her brow lifted, the sarcastic tone in her voice only vaguely present as she waited to see if he had another contradiction to throw her way.

A'ric swallowed his smirk. He was already becoming fond of this tempestuous Weyrwoman, and was tempted to push his limits. He listened to his safer, and probably smarter, side. "Quite manageable, m'lady, and more than generous. I shall await your arrival in the West barracks, and I think i will make your arrival a surprise for the riders... Once again, I appologise for the hour. I promise, I shall not be so tardy for your dragon's next flight." He winked and spun on his heel, moving quickly. ~Oh, no,~ purred Vamprith. Why don't you stay and play with the Weyrwoman for a while? I'd LOVE to see her kick you out the wondow...~ "Stupid wherry-headed dragon," A'ric muttered. "But then you'd have no one to scratch your thick skull!"

As was promised, an hour after her words at the door of her weyr, the Weyrwoman burst into the meeting room that resided on the West wing of the Weyr. Donned in a smart looking tunic and riding pants, a light riding jacket was donned against the worst of the morning chill. Across this jacket, her Weyrwoman shoulder knots were worn proudly. Though the hardened Weyrwoman had bags under her eyes, it only darkened her serious demeanor. Yes, she was here to make an impression, and that was that she was a capable Weyrwoman despite her age to all these dragonriders young and old. "Good morning, dragonriders" A glaring look, though unoffensive, was cold and calculating as she sweeped a glance over the group, making mental notes in her head in a brief moment of silence. "I am Weyrwoman Alesia. I apologise that the Weyrleader cannot speak with you this morning, but he had a previous engagement." That previous engagement would be currently throwing up in their personal latrine, but she would make no mention of that. The man truly had too much to drink last night.

Before she allowed herself to give any sort of speech to scare the sense into these young dragonriders, she looked to A'ric. "Do you have anything to say before I speak with these men and women?"

A'ric nodded to the Weyrwoman, then stepped foreward to the riders assembled. "Dragonriders! You have been giving a great opportunity, one that rarely comes in a lifetime. We have been sent to help bolster the strength of a Weyr still in its begining. Anyone," he added, glaring. "Who is not a benifit to this Weyr and its lovely Weyrwoman will not only answer to her, the Weyrleader, and any other rider who calls this place home: I will also consider it a personal offense, and see that the Weyrwoman's discipline is swiftly carried out. Now, give her your full attention and remember that while many of us have called Tiazora home for many turns, it is Kharasi that now demands our hearts and our strength."

Alesia would have been lying if she had said that A'ric's speech didn't help gear herself up to speaking to them as well. He more or less had summed up one of the major worries that always loomed over her head. A smile quickly flashed in thanks in the direction of the bronzerider before regarding the new dragonriders once more. "While A'ric has covered one of the major things I wished to emphasize to all of you quite well, I'll move on to other matters" She made quite sure that she sounded greatful instead of sarcastic in that remark; something she sometimes had to do in order to not sound harsh about issues.

"As you all know, Kharasi is a growing Weyr. Great opportunities do not come without great sacrifice. We do not have some of the luxuries of more established Weyrs, nor do we have the drudge-power for many things. Expect yourself to be going back to those duties you thought you had left behind in candidacy as well as weyrlinghood." A few people had to quickly stifle a groan, and she smirked. "But it is nowhere near as bad as it was when I first got here, and if I'm not doing paperwork or figuring out tithes, expect to see your glorious Weyrwoman helping clean out old storage rooms" Aha, and that comment would be the perfect time to implement some of that sarcasm, and she smirked openly, allowing a few of the more tense dragonriders to relax.

Her hand came down onto the table in front of her with a thud, delighting in how a few people jumped. "Wood... is a rare commodity around here, which is ludicrous, since a woodcrafting Hold tithes to us. Some of you know about the issues we have with Thyra. A few of you though, might not have been listening during the briefing you should have recieved upon either recieving a transfer notice or requesting transfer. Don't worry, I'll forgive you but listen well now. If Thyra does not improve tithes, everyone be ready for us to have to take action. What that action is.. We'll figure that out when the time comes, but no one is to go to Thyra without my permission; they don't take kindly to dragonriders there, and I don't want to lose anyone to the hatred and ignorance of that Hold." Alesia made a note to give everyone an intense stare. That had to be one of the more important things she would need to tell them all, and she needed them to know she meant it.

"Wings will be decided by the new Weyrleader, L'gan in due time. Duties will also be assigned within the sevenday. Till then, I expect you all to adjust to life here, and go downstairs daily to check the rosters for anything that the drudges need help with. As I said, we -are- understaffed and sometimes us high and mighty dragonriders have to help with some things. You all know that your dragon comes first.. but we'll be onto you if you use your dragon as an excuse. We need cooperation to make this Weyr work." Then, with a smile, she clapped her hands together in a cheery manner. "So, any questions?"

A'ric's brow furled at the Weyrwoman's words. He had been briefed on the situation existing between Thyra Hold and Kharasi, but the way the Weyrwoman spoke... He doubted greatly that those at Tiazora had known the true extent of the rift growing twixt the two. Tiazora had made the situation seem tense; here, it seemed desperate. Tempers and patience both seemed worn thin, and he could only hope that outright conflict could somehow be avoided.

When no one moved to query the Weyrwoman, A'ric gently took the Alesia's elbow. "My dear Weyrwoman," he murmurred, body inclined to disuade eavesdropping. "I would like very much to speak to you candidly about the situation at Thyra. I feel information has been... rather diluted from the truth. At your leisure, of course."

Alesia's suddenly puzzled gaze wrinkled into a thoughtful frown. "I'd suppose they -would- dilute it. Who would want to commit to transfer if they knew the extent of the issues in Thyra?" She forced herself not to glance at the young dragonriders, and kept her voice somewhat low so A'ric would be the only one to hear. "I'll have Iolath contact your bronze after the morning meal, but I desperately need something to soak the rest of the wine before my headache gets any worse" A wry smile forced slightly cracked lips from dehydration of last nights drinking.

Then, her mood swinging back into a stoic, serious demeanor, she nodded towards the ranks of dragonriders before her. "If there are no questions, you are dismissed. If you did not have the chance to eat breakfast at Tiazora then it will be served within the hour in the mess hall."

((I think good ending spot, let me know if you need anything else!))