Definitely both. Also known as, the moment when Reya became a candidate 'god.'
Monaco Bay Weyr - Cove Beach
Sparkling black sends are gently washed over with crystal blue waters, creating a playful blend of colors that twist and meld under the alternating rays of sun and moon. The cove stretches out from the mouth of the river towards the ocean, mixing saltwater with fresh for an invigorating rush that teems with life.
The coast curves eastward, the waters growing more quiet along the broad expanse of beach before finally meeting a large cove. Here there are few waves, the oceans movement reduced to little more than slight swells. What might have been an idyllic and peaceful area however, is interrupted by a brilliantly gleaming structure that stands on the edge of the sands.
Large steel poles sore upwards, supporting a staircase that leads to a pair of water slides. The height of the structure is remarkable, standing at a height comparable to that of a small gold dragon. Pipes pump water upward, creating small pools at the entrance of both plastic blue slides. The rush of water moves with the slides, following their twisting course downwards while easing their passengers journey. Parts of the slides are open and others covered, creating a thrill for each voyager before unceremoniously dumping them into the still waters below. For the safety of all patrons, a large net has been drawn across the mouth of the cove to prevent any accidental drifting away.
Not far from the slides is a small stand that also seems to have been built just recently. A menu is posted on its side and displays a variety of drinks and snacks for beach goers.
Torches line the beach this evening and tables with a variety of snacks and drinks have been set up, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are avaiable. The weather is warm and and the stars are shinging overhead. What is the reason for this celebration? There could be many thrown out there. A celebration for the candidates or simply an evening gathering. Though the real reason is this: THE BAR IS ONCE AGAIN OPEN! In Syd's mind there could be no higher reason to throw a party, so that is just what he is doing. He is presently milling around by the snack and drink tables taking a peek at the offerings.
Rheidte is still clean and tidy, but she's looking a fair bit less high-on-life as she makes her way back down to the beach. She's got a shiny new knot on her shoulder, a bewildered look on her face, and she's headed for the snack tables like they've got the keys to her continued health. Don't mind the former gardener; she'll just be over here, trying her best to hide behind a table and stuffing her face with various cheeses.
If ever there was a reason to hobble out to a beach, a party would be one of them. There's only so much bed rest and infirmary-smells that a guy can take before going stir crazy, after all. Maorin's progress is..not fast. But he seems determined enough at least to make his slow trek down toward the light of the torches.
Kera is dressed very casually this evening, perfect for a beach gathering, as she makes her way along the luminated path. Her lizards have already flitted off to dart about with the Monaco fairs, so she doesn't have to share her snacks this evening. The Xanadu greenrider smiles cheerfully and waves to those she knows and those she doesn't, murmuring a few greetings as she veers towards the laden tables.
Mere days too late to take part of drinks at a beach party?! It's a travesty! Still, Mackaje doesn't seem to be complaining. There's non-alcoholic stuff to partake of, and plenty of food, which seems to be exactly what he's headed for. Waving to riders and weyrfolk, both familiar and from afar as he goes, the lad then piles impossibly high. Even so, he stops next to that cheese plate to add a few cubes on top, eyes almost sliding right over Rheidte (what, she's tiny, who can blame him?) when suddenly, they fixate. Squint. "Hey! Little angry klah girl," he says with a bright grin. Not to be mistaken with tiny angry bossy girl though, she's off somewhere else, yet. "See you got searched," Mack continues, upbeat despite having just come off some chore or another. He looks like he might add more, but with a puff of cold air, a wee gold flit appears from Between just over his head, landing in wild black hair and immediately churring for food. That'll keep him good and distracted, should she choose to hide somewhere less… obvious.
Paaarty! Wilough is enthusiastic. It can be seen in the way she isn't eyeing anything suspiciously, and smiling as she scopes out the snacks and drinks. She hangs back, though, no doubt waiting for an opening in the crowd where there won't be quite so many people around the food so she can grab some for herself. Meanwhile, the skinny brunette watches passers by with obvious curiosity.
Judging from Aanisah's complete lack of good-cheer and scowl as she treks onto the beach, it's a good guess that someone who doesn't like her (hard to find any of those in the Weyr~) must have told her that this party was mandatory. She's dressed for the occasion, at least, in a form-fitting green dress that stops just below her knee, a pair of sandals and her hair done elegantly. She might be mistaken for some beautiful flower, if her glare (not gaze) that sweeps the party weren't so decidedly acerbic. Maorin can be the first to appreciate the full force of that look, if he likes, given that she levels it on him as if there were a measure of personal dislike as she surpasses his hobble down onto the beach. Aanisah is headed straight for the drink table. Someone might want to check her for kill-joy poison!
Poor candidates. They cannot drink. Which just means that there is more for everyone else. Syd is all but ignoring the snacks in favor of the beverages of an alcoholic variety. He waves his free hand at various people nearby. In particular he spots Red, "You don't have to hide Red. Parties are fun. You have alot to celebrate, and you should take advantage of the fun while you can." He also takes note of Kera, "You are far from home this evening. Glad to see you." He spots Maorin slowly making his way in and makes a mental note to touch base with him later since he is a fresh face.
Rheidte resembles nothing so much as a chipmunk, cheeks full of cheese and beady, crazed eyes. "Ugh." That's her best effort for Mackaje just now, and she stuffs half of a block of sharp goat cheese in her mouth for good measure. "You /don't/ wanna know." Is more 'uffonana(cheese spray)' but whatever. The girl has a mission, and that mission is to eat every bit of cheese here. She might even give Aanisah a run for her money, for all that the girl does at least smile at the others nearby. "Cheese is terrible. You don't want any." Is her greeting to any close enough, as she shoves another handful of said cheese into her face. Right. S'dny's arrival in her line of sight? Red blinks, then winces comically, managing some sort of half-manic smile around her cheese. "Um. Having fun, sir, honest."
While the candidates can't drink, T'revs can! Not that heis drinking mch mindyou. Right now the Weyrleader is making his rounds, a mug of ale in hand while he goes here and there talking to people now and then. He of course had to make a outing to this shindig, though he still seems to beon the tired side. Someone needs a nap!
Oh sure, bandage-boy gets the death glares. Really, Maorin could go with a little less burns as it is! There's just a bit of blinking for that face though, brow lifting. Oh yes, he'll stay quite out of the way and on his side of the path, thank you. He even eventually /makes/ it to where all that food and drink is. Lucky him. There's a sidelong glance at Aanisah once he's there though, lips quirked just slightly upward. "Well you just look like you could light up a whole room. With fire. I dunno if it's a bad thing or not..heh." The daring and delicious drink that he goes for then? Water. Delicious, delicious water. He works his unsteady gait around the table just a bit as well…quite possibly in order to put some safety distance between the possible blaze that is GlaringWoman. He pauses though, taking a bit of a wide berth around the cheese. "Ookay. I do not want any. So very true.."
Spying Wilough out of the corner of his eye, Mackaje politely shifts back, gesturing so she can cut in and get access to the tables without having to wait. "Hi," he adds becase he can, gesturing hand raising in a finger-waggling wave. "You're a candidate too, right?" They're multiplying! Best not to let them eat after midnight… "I haven't gotten to properly greet everyone yet. I'm Mack." As for Red, Mack just sort of eyes that attempt at talking with a wince, but apparently he's fluent in Cheesish, because he chuckles under his breath. "I mean, I kind of do want to know." Because, well, he learned early she was pretty good at stories. Especially bad ones. Waving to S'dny when the bronzerider nears them, Mack ducks out so someone can take his place near the food. A drink is next, and, well, speaking of tiny angry bossy girl. "Ma'am." Aanisah is greeted with a nod, and Maorin a glance of curiosity. He's probably heard rumors, but two plus two just isn't adding up. "Need a hand?"
Kera 's nose leads her closer to the delicious sweets set out and she's quick to grab a plate and drop a couple of glazed and frosted tasties. Moving along with snacks in hand, she steps toward the drinks. S'dny gets a chuckle as she nods with a shrug. "True, but only a jump away from home." Kera flashes and amused wink while gesturing along the differant choices. "Nice gathering Monaco has set out this evening S'dny. So what drink goes best with these sweets hmm?" Other geetings and voices catch her ear and get a cheery greeting in return.
Wilough looks at Mackaje when he gestures for her sake, then she looks at the table. And then at the people behind him. Then she moves forward with a, "Thanks. I am, yeah. For now. Wilough." Her name is offered right before her attention turns onto the food. Because food. She's hungry. It's important. Important enough that she doesn't come back up for breath (as in paying attention to anyone else) until she has plenty of snacks.
"If this were a room, I wouldn't mind trying," Aanisah tells bandage-boy grumpily as she reaches for a drink, any drink, she's hardly even looking. The one that ends up in her hand is not one of those intended for the candidates, but she doesn't seem to notice at least. "Starboy," Mack gets a curt greeting. "Sirs," is for whichever of the significantly knotted men are in within earshot and "Ma'am," for the visiting rider conversing with S'dny, but Aanisah looks like she might just try to slink off now that she has a drink in hand. As she tries to step out of the way of other drink-seekers, and ultimately toward the food (though she's not eyeing the cheese especially, so that's something, Red!) she very nearly steps into Wilough.
Poor Red just earned a nickname, "Good to know Cheesey." Probably won't stick but who can tell with nicknames. She clearly really likes cheese. There are worse things a person could enjoy, "Keep enjoying yourself." The arrival of T'revs garners his attention and he quickly moves away from Red toward the Weyrleader, "If anyone needs a drink it's you." New baby, clutch on the sands, being weyrmated to Reya. The last alone would entitle a person to be preptualy drunk, "Hope all is well." Kera's words of wisdom are also heard, "Yes. Only a jump away. Glad you could make it. Always nice to have visitors."
Guess who doesn't look real willing to share the expansive cheese collection? Red! Rheidte doesn't, no. She eyes Wilough with a beady kind of stare, too, and only looks back down at her own cheese when it seems the poor thing is actually hungry. "Fought over me an' did the…" Her hands make a vague kind of spin and, well. She's side-eyeing S'dny something fierce, huffing under her breath after a moment. "Ed, sir." Is not really much of a correction, actually, since her mouth is chock full of cheese. And if she looks around warily for that dragon, well, who could blame her. "Yessir, you too." That's slightly clearer, but then Aanisah's near the cheese and another block of it goes into the hatch. Yeah, that smile is just unsettling, really. So much cheese.
Maorin tilts his head somewhat at helpful offerings, giving Mackaje a slight grin for the question. "Ah..um. Well actually yes, it'd probably make things easier. I mean, I'm all for the five second rule, but in sand? Ehh..I'd rather not drop everything…you know..everywhere." His water cup is lifted just a bit toward the candidate, before taking a sip out of it. "Oh, right.. Name's Maorin, too."
T'revs glances to S'dny and chuckles softly while grinning a bit ebfore giving the othe bronzer a clap to the shoulder. "Did you do all this? Lovely party as normaly." This said with an amused tone. There is a slight pause at the bit about drinking while eyeing his drink and ponders this. "Of course! Drinks are good." S'd knows this rather well doesn't he?
The FUUUUUN~ has ARRIIIIIVED~! Seriously, who thought they could have a party without Reya being there? It seems that little Ravya has been dropped off with a babysitter tonight, because the also little goldrider is soon appearing on the beach in a pair of shorts and a tank top. "Hmmmm, what's this I hear about drinks?" She seems to appear out of nowhere, popping her head out from behind T'revs to glance around at the crew. "Are we getting the white knots drunk?" Because she would LOVE that…forget the rules! Rules are for the weak! Or something.
"Nice to meet you, Wilough," is Mackaje's fleeting reply, but then he's off, and she's busy, and well… maybe they'll get to talk later. If she survives Aanisah. He manages it well enough, watching the well-dressed girl move on with a drink that definitely didn't look candidate-friendly, head shaking somewhat. Maybe noone else will notice. "Yeaaah," he drawls when his attention returns to Maorin, a bright grin flicking up the corner of his mouth, nose wrinkling in dramatic disgust. "I don't believe in that rule to begin with, nevertheless with sand. Here, I'll grab another plate. Just tell me what you want on it." Or else he'll pile it high as the Red Bluff, just like his own plate! "I'm Mackaje, friends call me Mack," he says with the tone of voice that implies Maorin is permitted to use the nickname. And suddenly, a wild Reya appears! He snorts for the implication that they're getting the candidates drunk (because, well, they might be…), but takes a half-step away from the table to mutter a low "don't eat the bread rolls" just loud enough for her to hear. And that's all he'll say on the matter as he steps right back to politely waiting for Maorin's order.
Kera nods agreeably to the Monaco bronzer. "Things are going well back home. Looks like things here have been moving steadily along too. I've met a couple of your candidates. Nice group, I'll cheer them on from the stands." And with that, she grabs up one of her little pastries and offers a quick salute towards the nearest white robed figures before chomping into the sweet treat. The greenrider steps back to grab a glass of something while S'dny chats and greets. Spotting the Weyr's leaders, a quick headtip their way. "Xanadu's greetings Weyrwoman, Weyrleader." A cheery smile slips easily onto her features as she starts doing a little people watching while she snacks.
There's already food in Wilough's mouth by the time Aanisah nearly steps into her. She must see something out of the corner of her eye because she makes a squeaky sound of warning. Don't step on her! Not that people of Aanisah's stature would do her much damage, probably, but that probably doesn't occur to Wilough in the moment. There's another sound for Mackaje's benefit. Nice to meet you, too! But there's still food in her mouth.
"We need to celebrate the reopening of the Pier." Syd says to his weyrleader in answer to his question, "It wasn't that much work to do. Just throw a few torches down and move the food from the caverns outside and you are set." Syd knows /very/ well how good drinks are and fully intends to partake this evening until oblivion takes him, or until Marzoth dragons him home, whichever comes first. Alas for poor Red because Syd either didn't hear her correction or just ignored it all together. He scans the crowd trying to figure out which of the candidates is here, "Lets see…Cheesey, Grumpy…" He has spotted Aanisah it seems. He'll have to work on names for the others. If anyone to were to break the rules they will pay for it later. Because Syd is all about the rules. And if they start drinking he might teach them a lesson by having them drink until all the alcohol is finished, and of course there will be hard labor set for very early in the morning. "I'm glad to hear it Kera." he says turning his attention back to her, "Yes things have been going very well. And you'll be happy to know that Blossom is doing well too."
Maorin shrugs just slightly. "I'm all for not being too picky these days." He trails along though, peering around Mack at the food available while pointing. "But that looks good. And..you know..that. And those." He might not neat quite the..tower of food that the candidate has, but he's not about to skimp. "Okay, so, Mack then. I don't have one of those, so…call me whatever you want. Unless it's embarrassing." He does at least manage to look mildly concerned though after a bit of extra food gathering, offering his free hand out. "If you've got enough to carry though you really don't need to.."
"Shells." Aanisah swears as she only barely doesn't step on Wilough. Her drink sloshes over up and onto her hand, dripping down onto the sand, though she's quick to hold it away from her dress while the worst dripping is done. Then, the spill (if the party on the whole weren't enough to begin with and then there's Cheese Mouth and that ridiculous smile) warrants slamming back the drink so it can't have a second shot at it. If she tastes the alcohol, it doesn't show, though she does cough some because it's a lot of liquid to swallow down all at once. "Do you know how long we have to stay at this thing?" She demands of Wilough even as she moves to carelessly set the empty cup on the table where someone else can take care of it for her.
T'revs chuckle and nods to S'dny while looking over the place and takes another sip from his drink. "Not a bad group I think this time Syd. Have you gotten to talk to any of them?" This qestioned curiously before his gaze rests upon Reya and he smiles warmly toher. "Reya!" Is called out to her with a wave to get her attention. Sometimes he is rather teen like. That's right boys, watch the Weyrleader wave over the most beatiful girl here! So perhaps he is just a wee bit buzzed. Who gave him something other then ale?
At some point Wilough will get through her mouthful but until then, she only looks at Aanisah with wide blue eyes. Once she can talk again, the taller girl asks like she's suddenly not sure she wants to be here at all, "We have to stay here? I don't want to stay here. I just wanted some food and it seemed like they'd have something good at a party, you know?" That's what parties are for!
Reya lifts an eyebrow at the murmur from Mack, and looks like she's going to go after one of those bread rolls anyways. As soon as she's snagged one, the goldrider makes her way to T'revs and wraps her arms around his waist. "Hmmmm, someone's letting loose." There's a quick wink followed by a glance to the visiting rider. "You can just call me Reya, welcome welcome." No formalities here. "Something good?" Leave it to Reya to eavesdrop. "Don't get your britches in a twist William, good things come to those who wait, no need to leave quite yet." In case no one has noticed yet, Reya is /really/ really bad at remembering names. She'll get them right one day…maybe!
"Are we?" Red's got a vaguely curious kind of smile for Reya — it's been a long day, and getting a little bit of booze in her sounds kinda like a great idea. At least her mouth is empty, at least for a minute. The next, though, a full roll goes down the hatch, chewed without any indication of harm. Maybe she got a dud. Wilough and Aanisah's party-pooping is met with a snort of bread-filled laughter from Red, who seems slightly cheered by her unhampered reign over the cheeses. "Come on, s'food." She gestures, then wrinkles her nose S'dny-wards with every indication of chagrin. Greaaaat. Cheesy. What a name.
Mackaje's ears perk at the mention of Xanadu, blue eyes skimming over the heads of people to finally spy Kera. "You're from Xanadu? Excellent. I visited there a while back. Used to be a Starcrafter," he says, hoping she'll draw the line between that and the weyr's Observatory, even as he nods to Maorin's selections. "Good choice. Yeah, shells, those are delicious. You can't have a bun though, sorry," he says, skipping past the basket of rolls shadily. Rheidte and Reya can take their lives into their own hands eating the maybe-super-spicy things if they want, but he won't be responsible for injuring the boys insides too. Wilough's full-mouthed mumble is caught, and met with a grin, eyes twinkling with understanding. The food here was good. And then, S'dney, their fearless leader, was assigning them nicknames. "Who'm I?," Mack asks with a cheeky grin, even as he finally finishes stacking Maorin's plate. "Right-o. Let's find an empty bench and dig in?" He replies, waving off his concern with a shake of his head, both places balanced one in each hand. "I got this."
"Someone told me we had to come," Aanisah answers Wilough, shooting a glare across to Red, her lips already settled back into her customary scowl. "I'm not hungry," is declared as the only rebellion she can currently offer. At least it means Red's cheese is safe? She looks back to Wilough and sighs as if the other had done something tiresome. Something someone eager to please like Mackaje would not have done, her eyes go to find the Starcrafter, only to find him doing something deplorable like having a good time and helping bandage boy; she glowers down at the sand. Clearly, she's in the minority of those who don't enjoy a good party.
Kera turns a not quite shocked look to S'dny as he starts renaming the candidates, then rolls her eyes in amusment. "Aww, why ya picking on them? Candidancy is hard enough without 'earning' a nickname." A hint of a snort slips out "By your method, my name should be Sleepy." Taking a couple of sips before setting down her glass to attack her plate and observe the growing crowd. Thankfully, she can hide behind a syrupy bubbly when something strikes her as tooo funny. Canting her head back to S'dny, her grin brightens a bit more. "Oh good. She's not been too difficult I hope. Polgara is normally easy going. Well, until I started giving her eggs to good homes. She got a bit nippy with me a couple times during that." Kera shrugs it off though and chomps into her bubbly enthusiastically, which she sorta waves to the Weyrwoman in the lessening of formality. "And I'm Kera." She's sure she's met the queenrider before, but offers her name anyway. Hard to keep track of everyone you meet at these gatherings. Her home turf is mentioned and she nods to the candidate Mackaje. "Ah, Our Weyrleader is a Starcrafter….when he can keep track of his charts." He may be weyrleader, but everyone knows he looses tracks of things often. "Have you visited Xanadu during some of your Hall lessons?"
Wilough glances in Reya's direction, then quite deliberately turns away just slightly so she can face Aanisah even more. "I don't think you had to come. You can probably leave if you want to. But you put a dress on and everything, so you should probably stay for at least a little bit. It's cute. Wasting the effort of putting it on would be inefficient." And efficiency is also an important thing.
S'dny considers Mack's request for a moment. What sort of nickname would apply to this young man who appears to be joshing for an obnoxious nickname of his own, "I think I might need a bit of time to pick one out for you. Though I hear Smelly is open. You can have that one if you want." Because who wouldn't want a name like that? He watches T'revs greet Reya like that and can only shake supress a smile. Ahhh love. All the feels, "Nice to see you Reya. Congrats on your kid." Kera's question earns a chuckle, "Because I need to amuse myself, and because its fun for me. Besides we were all bothered and prodded as candidates. We would be remiss if we didn't return the effort. Some day these candidates may cause consternation with candidate classes of the future, we are all connected in the great circle of harrassment."
What's all this grumbling? No no no, this isn't how parties are supposed to be at all. Reya takes T'revs' hand, giving it a tiny bite before winking. "I'll be right back, gonna get us some drinks." The tipsy Weyrleader is left for a moment before she's nodding over to Kera and shooting a grin to S'dny. "Thanks." Then it's back to the tables, where Reya is grabbing a couple of drinks. Instead of heading straight back to her Weyrleader though, the goldrider makes a pit stop to where Wilough and Aanisah are. "What's this, the grumpy corner?" And here she'll hold out the drinks to them, the /alcoholic/ drinks. It's dark, Reya could have picked up the wrong ones by accident. The girls can take them if they choose, or not take them, either way…the glasses have been offered!
Rheidte's eyes snap right back over to Aanisah; curious, wary, she eyes the older girl. "Not hungry?" That merits a swallow of the bread, and a dumbfounded kind of look — "But it's so late." The girl's eyebrows furrow, and she tips her head in Wilough's direction in a reluctant acceptance of the point. Kera's scolding of S'dny, however, gets a wide smile from Red. Sure, it dosn't stick around long, but the point stands. "Aw, c'mon." The candidate rolls her eyes at the bronzer's logic, and stuffs another roll into her mouth. This one isn't as friendly at the last, but apparently only merits raised eyebrows and a surprised blink. "Mmmmm. S'good food. C'mon, eat, maybe then you'll be hungry." Uh…yeah, logic, right.
It's as if Mackaje can feel that look. Blue eyes swivel back towards the gathering, eyeballing Aanisah for a long moment. Letting Maorin get settled, if he will, the boy mumbles a "be right back" and hands off his plate before sidling back towards the tables. Which. Was a good choice. How else would he have heard Reya call Wilough 'William.' Priceless. Snorting hard, the boy gracelessly covers it with a cough, allowing Kera to distract him. "Really? I… don't think I knew that, somehow. Or did I?" A shrug. "Regardless, yeah, I did. It was amazing." His eyes are about as starry as the sky really, bless his heart. Too bad it's immediately dampered by S'dny's proferred nickname. "Eugh, no way. I'm not smelly. Ask Ma'am," he says, gesturing at Aanisah. "I bathe every day or she would exile me for sure." His eyes are still twinkling, but he manages to school his features into a serious nod. This is no laughing matter. "Give that one to Boatboy." Poor Merius. Not even here to defend himself (yet). Red's food-logic earns a brief laugh, but before he can really comment, Reya's offering the girls near him drinks, and, well. This ought to go well. "Where's mine?," he asks with a wink to show he's joking.
"I would say it's inefficient to stay at a party you don't want to be at, even if you did dress for it, if you don't have to be there, when you could be somewhere else, doing something you actually enjoy." If those things even exist for Aanisah. Tiny Aanisah in her form-fitting green dress turns from Wilough, likely not even registering the compliment on said dress despite the fact that her cheeks have taken on a rosy hue, and makes move with the intention to depart only to find Reya right there. She doesn't smile, but her scowl softens just a touch. "Weyrwoman Reya," she addresses the woman before glancing back toward Red. "Nah. She's too close and too cheerful. And eats a lot of cheese." The last detail is obviously critical to share with the goldrider in case she missed it. Chalk that up to the rosy cheeks which are almost definitely about to get worse, since she takes the drink the goldrider offers her.
Out from the general direction of the candidate barracks trudges Merry, as dressed up as it is possible for him to be (read: not rumpled and covered in sand). But that seems bound to change as he shuffles across the sands toward the tables, hands shoved in his pockets. "Oh." This is said to no one in particular. "They weren't lying about the party." It seems cruel to the big seacrafter to be ushered out to a party where he can't drink, but that doesn't seem to be the case for a few of the other candidates. Several sevendays' time has really honed Merry's grumpy-radar, and his dark eyes fall on Aanisah quickly and almost immediately set to rolling. Ugh. His mood brightens once he spots the food that's been spread out, though.
Wilough is apparently not very good at paying attention to more than what's right in front of her. Right now that's Reya and Aanisah. She takes the drink from the former without thinking about it, then looks at the latter with a frown. "I guess so." And she doesn't seem to have any other answer for the other girl. Instead Wilough says, "Thanks," to Reya and, "You don't look as fat anymore." And then she's turning to walk off while she takes a healthy drink from her cup.
Kera just shakes her head at S'dny, even though she smirks "You seem to enjoy the torture a bit too much there Syd." A little snicker follows that up as she washes down her bubbly and nods to Monaco's Starcrafting candidate. Watching the young man, she smiles "Yea, Tani get's that look when he talks about his precious stars too." Looking towards S'dny and the other Monaco riders she nods their way before peering back to Mackaje "Perhaps a visit to Xanadu can be worked out soon. You could get another look from the Observatory." Hopefully a late evening at Xanadu to catch the stars. Nodding and waving her glass to the departing candiate, she chuckles to S'dny and gets in one more little verbal poke. "Oh play nice S'dny. Don't wanna break them before the eggs start twitching do ya?" An amused wink and she gestures along the table "I'm gonna go find some more of those little klah flavored things." And then she's walking along the table, eyeing the platters and murmuring some comment or another to people here and there.
Rheidte's ire is towering and…short-lived. She's quick to glare in Aanisah's direction, but really, the food is just. Distracting. Really. "Red. Faranth's sake, can't you all remember a name?" Cue a longsuffering sigh to go with snappy grumping and equally brief glare for Mack's laughing at her. Wilough's parting remarks get a snort; good-natured, even, offered with a headshake. "Shells." Shake, shake, shake. Still, there is food, and Red really is grossly all over the food. She's back to cheese, now, proving the point rather beautifully. And she's not even dressed half as nicely! Still, she does scoot over a little when Merius approaches, a concession that's probably at least half miracle, never mind that several small bowls of softer cheeses have found their way in front of her. Also a fair amount of the crackers. FIGHT HER.
S'dny waves to Kera as she moves off in search of other conversation and food. This frees him up to turn his attetnion back to the candidates. He begins to count them once more. It seems that a good chunk of them decided to show up. Is he aware that they are drinking? Not yet, but likely he will be before the night is out and certainly he will be before the morning comes. He targets his attention on Aanisah since she seems to be the poster child for unfunness. He makes his way across the beach until he is standing near her, "So. Why the long face? Is there anything that you enjoy?" he asks.
"Save the titles and formalities for Fi, just plain old Reya is fine." The goldrider grins at Aanisah and shoots her a little wink. "For the record, nice dress." There's a raised eyebrow Wilough and a smirk as the candidate walks off, "Thanks…you're still a damn pain in the ass!" There's no malice behind these words though, just amusement. Brats, they're so cute when they're grumpy. Don't worry though…she hasn't forgotten about you Mack. Be careful what you ask Reya for, you might just get it. Two more drinks are plucked up from the table, presumably for herself and T'revs. Only…it's being offered out to him. And oh look…another victim! Come hither Merius, you shall be given beverages!
Lucky for Merius, Aanisah is standing right in front of the food. Hopefully that won't dampen his appetite. She has a curt nod for Reya's correction of how to call her. She's holding the drink Reya handed her when S'dny addresses her, though she hasn't drunk from this one yet. She lets a fluttery sigh slip past her lips. "Oh, I suppose there are things. I imagine I'd like flying quite a lot if I had a dragon of my own." She is, perhaps, a touch single-minded. "And embroidery." The way her cheeks take on darker color tells that she did not intend to share that fact; it just slipped out. For Wilough's benefit she says, "The baby is squishy," which she makes sound like 'dangerous.'
Merius trudges over to the food-laden table, stops in front of Aanisah and greets her with another eye-rolling. He points wordlessly at the food behind her but doesn't wait for her to respond or move. He uses his considerable height advantage to reach around her and grabs not one but two plates. Giant-sized candidates need double the calories, you see. Red is spotted and shot a relieved glance as she scoots over. He piles his plates ridiculously high and then plops himself down beside the gardener-turned-candidate. "'Lo, Red. You settled into the barracks all right?" He grumble-asks, companionably. S'dny's question to Aanisah is overheard and answered with a snort. "The only thing she enjoys is other people not enjoying things." Her actually answer is met with a raised eyebrow. "Embroidery?" Merry is dumbfounded. Which tends to be his default, anyway, so that's not a surprise.
Wilough wrinkles her nose at Reya and makes some noncommittal sound for Aanisah's benefit, but the computer nerd turned candidate is making her way away. She's apparently going to do what the green-dressed girl wanted to do and get lost. Probably, she'll fall asleep once the minimal amount of alcohol in her drink hits her.
Mackaje, well, he can sympathize with the Xanadu weyrleader then. Stars. They're awesome. "If I can get an escort, you bet," is said to Kera with a wave for her departure. Blue eyes light up when he's actually handed a drink, Mack eyeing Reya a moment before taking it. "I didn't expect you to actually get me one," he says, nose wrinkled with a grin. He sips it immediately to show his gratitude, and then, well… he's not dumb, our Mack. He knows what it is, glances around rapidly to see if anyone else does, and then lowers it slowly and quietly pretends not to be phased. He'll regret it when that 5am run comes around, but, you know. "So. That twisty gesture earlier," Mackaje says towards Rheidte. "What did that mean?" Merius's approach is greeted with a wave and an innocent look, as though he hadn't just called him Boatboy in his abscence. Nope. Still, Merius's response to S'dny's question earns an amused shake of his head, one which is cut short with equal surprise when Aanisah admits to enjoying embroidery. Wait, what? Her outfit is surveyed again, as though now wondering if it were her own decorating, but perhaps wisely, he chooses to question that later. Or maybe never. Never sounds good. "Squishy?," he asks instead, gaze flicking up to Reya. "That's… not a word I've heard used to describe a baby before."
Rheidte /does/ have a wary kind of curiosity for Aanisah — but the 'embroidery' does get a wince from the girl. "Don't you like your fingers any at all?" She wonders, loudly, wiggling her own and eyeing them like the other candidate's embroidery might do hers harm. Riiight. Merry's approach gets him a smile from Red, once more chipmunk-cheeked and content in her gluttony. Spicy bread, spicy cheese, it's all good. "Fine. S'weird. Lots of people all around. How do we all sleep?" The girl squints. Eyes the others. Eyes S'dny and then tries her best to disappear before Mackaje can get his hooks in her. "…flight. Y'know. /That/." To be fair, she's not weyrbred, and the whole process is something of a mystery to the poor thing. "I thought they were gonna eat me." Cue the consolation cheese-bread.
S'dny seems content enough with Aanisah's answer. He wouldn't have picked that particular hobby out for the sourfaced girl, but he's been surprised before and will be again, "Good to know." he says as he moves off to mingle with others around the beach. He'll likely party till there isn't a party to party too. The candidates he will leave to their own devices, though come tomorrow morning he will find out who abused alcohol and who did not. Not only do they have punishment to look forward too but an egg touching as well. Will wonders never cease.
It seems like S'dny isn't the only adult that'll be heading out for the evening. T'revs is on his tipsy legs and it seems that Reya will be taking him home. Not that she'll /just/ leave, she's got to finish being a bad influence first. There's a knowing smirk sent over to Mack before she's picking up a couple of glasses and offering them to whichever candidates she hasn't assaulted with drinks yet. Is it just Merius and Red now? It's a bit hard to keep track with everyone wearing white knots! In any case, drinks are offered, some taken, some not, and soon Reya's waving goodbye to the group and running off with her weyrmate. Have fun with the punishment tomorrow you poor unfortunate souls!
"Not much," Aanisah answers Red first, "They're all work rough anyway." No need to protect delicate digits here. Then Merius gets nailed with a stare, "You act like you've never met a girl before. Girls like to embroider," or so she was probably told once. Now she's grumping again and setting that drink down on the table, untouched. "And you," she points finger at Starboy, "Babies are squishy. Go look at a newborn and tell me if they're not." She makes a mock of the face she means, by using the palms of her hands to press all her features toward the middle of her face. Maybe she has a sense of humor under all that grump? … when she's tipsy.
Merius nods at Red in between stuffing his face. "Never slept in dorm before, eh? You get used to it. And the way they work the candidates here I think you'll be tired enough to sleep anywhere." He grins over at her before being immediately distracted by the drink placed in front of him by Reya. "Ah. Thanks. 'Night!" He calls after the retreating forms of she and the weyrleader. He begins sipping, raising eyebrows at the telltale taste of alcohol. Still, he's not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he just keeps sipping. Aanisah gets yet another eyeroll. "Of course girls like to embroider. That's why I'm surprised to hear that you like it." His gaze follows her pointing finger to Mack's mostly-unfamiliar face. "Ah. Starboy?" He grins at the younger lad and raises his glass to him. "Well met, Starboy." He seems amused by the nickname. Pity he hasn't heard his yet. But then Aanisah makes that face and the big seacrafter does a full-on spit-take. It's followed up by raucous chortling — a loud, wheezy, completely undignified sound.
Oh. Right. Poor Red. Mackaje makes an eye squint very similar to hers, a holder and then a crafter before now himself. It's one part sympathetic, one part wince. "Ah, right. That. Say no more." Really. Please. Don't. There will be plenty of time for that in the future, when 'this could be your new life!' lessons are doled out. As for Merius… "Yeah, that's me," Mack says, longsufferingly. "Seems we've gotten ourselves the more interesting nicknames," he jests as he returns the toast, clearly not if knowing Aanisah has called Merry 'Boatboy' to his face yet. He takes several swift gulps of his drink, emboldened as the more adult-y people move off to attend to their own things. Plus, Reya has now - he realizes - given drinks to them all, and, well, he doesn't need peer pressure to cave in and enjoy it before the regret sets in. That, and it keeps him from successfully holding back a sharp laugh for the face Aanisah makes, one that rolls on for Merius's spit-take. "Shards, that was terrifying. Never do that again," he jokes though a chuckle, holding up his free hand and patting it in the air. "Alright, I get your point. They do make that terrible squishy face, I guess. It's just… not the first adjective I would have jumped to, is all." Cough.
Rheidte waves the riders away with a narrow look and a huff of amused annoyance. Aanisah, though? The older girl is the recipient of a long stare, contemplative, and…probably unsettling, given the caprine-y deadpan chewing. "S'not so bad, work-rough. Should take care of 'em." The candidate eventually decides, then bites back a giggle with a press of her lips. "They're pretty smushy." She agrees. And dodges the spit-take with the grace of a kid who's got enough siblings to know better. "Aw, c'mon, have a care!" Red snorts, cautiously dusting off her cheese just in case. "Hmm. S'pose that's a point. I'll be fine. Garden's not for babies." She puffs up like a little avian, proud and entirely wrong, given her grateful draught of Reya's offered drink. She needs it, to face Mack, reminded of her bewildering day. "Couldn't drag it outta me with a runner and a rope." She swears solemnly, taking another fortifying mouthful of cheesy bread. "Terrifying?" Squint. Snort. Boys.
Aanisah might have things to say in answer to Starboy or Cheese—whatever and her staring, but she is, for the moment, busy, giving Merius a furious look. This is where she normally would spout of some sort of insult, some sort of something, but instead, without a glance back, she stalks off down the beach, shoulders set and head held in an oddly dignified way. Apparently, tonight, Boatboy is beneath her notice.
"Wait. Nicknames?" Merry stops laughing, arching a brow at Mack. "What has she been saying my nickname is?" Here he shoots an accusing glare over at Aanisah. It seems pretty clear she'd be to blame for any bad nicknames. He thinks about nicknames for a long moment, then raises a hand, pointing an index finger skyward. "Ah ha. Merry. Yes. That's what everybody back home calls me, but in truth the name's Merius. Well met." He repeats. Apparently he is giving Nisah the benefit of the doubt (why?). "Sorry, sorry," The apology is directed with a grin to Rheidte, who probably got the worst of Merry's boozy spit-take. Aanisah's departure is met with surprised eyes, and then his grin becomes an honest-to-goodness smile. A big one that shows off his dimples to good effect. Apparently her stalking off has been read by the thick-headed seacrafter as him Winning, somehow. For once. He'll take the victory! He rises from his seat, downs the rest of his glass, and waves to Mack and Red with one hand, giving them lazy salutes with the other. "Good even', all. Have to rise early tomorrow." And with that he's off, shuffling away in the opposite direction the grumpy candidate went.
Aanisah might not have marked the staring, but Mackaje does. He sort of… eyes Rheidte, one part concerned, one part disturbed, but, well, she recovers eventually and it isn't like he hasn't made weird faces before, either. At any rate, he shakes his head for her solemnity, letting the subject die. "Well… yeah, terrifying. I mean, look at it…" And… he gestures to Nisah right when she starts glaring holes into Merius's head, his timing as impeccable as ever. Whoops. He watches the proud, tiny thing's retreat for a long moment, expression unclear but perhaps a little torn, before he finally glances back for Red's snort. "What?" He sips his drink, brows raised at her, but then Merius focuses in on him and Mack eyedarts a bit. "Er. Yeah. No, that's not what it was. Let's see. There was 'oafish,' 'idiot Seacrafter,' and 'Boatboy,'" he says, ticking them off on his free hand, expression serious, but laughter in his eyes, as though he doesn't much take Aanisah's ire seriously, even if he seems to roll with her punches. "It's nice to know what you're really called, though," he answers with a nod. "I'm Mackaje." But then, the Seacrafter-candidate is off, Mack offering him a wave of farewell. "What strange people…" He says when finally, it's just the two of them left in their vicinity, he and Red. As though he wasn't odd himself. Cough.
Rheidte watches Aanisah go with befuddlement. Apparently, she hasn't quite figured her out; that calls for another drink, and amused look for Merius. His apology gets not much but a wave of a hand; a snickered "Ugh." for his efforts. Of course he won the night, obviously, so his beaming is obviously…merited. "Go on." Red snorts, focuses on Mack again, beady-eyed. The booze isn't hitting her yet, but she *is* less grumpy. Maybe it's the cheese. "You're one to talk, fella." She smiles, benign and innocent, wiggling her glass at her fellow candidate and relaxing. Nobody's calling her cheesy, or glaring, this has turned out well! "Name like Mackaje." Smile!
Mackaje 'pffts' quietly for that, squinting playfully down at the ex-gardener. "Pot's calling the kettle black, eh, Rheidte?," he says in a very quick, very Emporer's New Groove-fashion, eyes glittering. And he hasn't even seen it spelled, yet! "Wasn't my idea of a name, anyways. S'why I let people call me Mack. Or Starboy." Though, the latter is mostly 'cause he finds the moniker funny. "Anyways, I'm not a comically tiny gardener, so…" He frowns a bit after the point is made, as though realizing it wasn't that great of a defence. His cup is eyed suspiciously, then set aside as though it were all its fault. And maybe it is. "There." Yep. "At any rate, we oughta be heading back to the dorms, probably. Morning's gonna come real early, and they're quite the fans of keeping us busy around here," he mutters in case she didn't know, but even he has no idea what's in store tomorrow. Which is probably for the best. "Though if you're gonna stay to stuff your face with more cheese, I won't blame you," he adds with a wink, teasing but not mean about it. "I'm sure you could stash some for breakfast, too." He waves then, saying goodbye to a few others he knows before letting his long legs carry him back to the weyr proper.
Rheidte snooooorts, loud and long, and alright maybe the spiked drink is getting to her. A little. "Wasn't my idea either, was it?" She smiles, flaps a hand and points. "No, you're a giant. With that /face/." To be fair, she would actually normally say that, and she's perfectly steady when she gets to her feet and starts stuffing cheese in her pockets. Along with some of those spicy rolls, for good measure. "Good idea. Wanna see what they've got for us, tomorrow. Dumbest idea I've ever had." SIGH. It's definitely for the best, and once her pockets are full, Red trails after Mack like a lost puppy. More than likely, she needs the assistance navigating back, bless her. Lucky she packed a snack.