Graduation Party! (Everyone Get Your Butts Here!)

[4horseshowgirl4]

It was a shame that she hadn't had an occasion to throw a good party in a long time. However, her Weyrling class, the Wavewalkers, had graduated that afternoon. After long and grueling examinations, they were finally full fledged Dragonriders! You know what that meant?

Booze! And it was allowed now, too!

She'd been planning this party for a while, and had made sure everyone in her class knew about it (and F'del. He was totally invited after putting up with them for so long, naturally!), but even if someone had somehow not gotten the memo, the obnoxiously loud decorations and the giant 'WAVEWALKERS '96' that was smeared in oil near the shore of the lake (one could only tell what it said from the air or a middling-high weyr). Pratyba was particularly proud of that piece of handiwork, even if she had slipped in it four or five times already. And who knew how many rainfalls it would take to wash it away? Oh, well, that wasn't her problem!

She was pretty impressed with the setup. There were four tables groaning under their loads. One was entirely covered in bottles of cheap wine and quickal. The other three held non-alcoholic (okay, mostly non-alcoholic; Pratyba couldn't resist sneaking in a few spiked bowls of klah in with the mix) drinks for the less adventurous of their class, plus all the hearty food they could want. Bright cloths covered all the surfaces, and there was a rather rickety-looking stage for anyone brave enough to dance on it. For the rest, well, the stone ground of the Bowl would do just fine for a dancefloor. The sun was only beginning to set, since it was now summer, but everything was lit by bowls of glows covered in translucent colored cloths of all colors. There was a podium (okay, two boxes stacked on top of each other and covered by a pretty pink tablecloth, but a podium nonetheless). Overall, she was very happy with the setup.

"IT'S PARTY TIME!"

[/COLOR] Pratyba and Oorth both shouted to anyone that was listening. {Oorth? Our entertainment for this evening?} Pratyba prompted the Pink. Oh! Of course![/color] Oorth said. Annith? Mine would like to borrow Yours's firelizards for the party we're throwing for the Wavewalkers! We need music and they're wonderful singers? Please oh please oh please will you send them to the Bowl? Mine's even set up a wonderful little stage...[/color] {Podium,} Pratyba interrupted, rolling her eyes. Podium for them! Please please please please?[/color]

Valleth and L'ven were one of the first pairs to arrive, the great Bronze giving a bugle of greeting. They touched down on the ground, and L'ven slipped off, while Valleth stayed outside of the party grounds with the other dragons. L'ven, despite all the drama of the past couple of seasons, could not keep a grin off of his face. He was a full Dragonrider now, and a Wingsecond to boot! And a real Wingsecond, not one of the Weyrling wing! He wore his knots with unabashed pride. Two Turns ago, he would have never imagined himself in this position, but here he was! It was all he could do not to run over to Pratyba and just give her a hug because he was so happy. Actually, it wasn't that hard, because, well, it was Pratyba.

L'ven hesitated for only a moment before grabbing a cup and filling it with some of the cheap wine-- his first alcohol ever. He felt grown up as he sipped at it. It didn't take long before his brain was starting to get a little bit foggy. Mine?[/color] Valleth said with amusement. {Faranth, I'm a cheap date,} L'ven said, chuckling a little. Ah, well, what else were parties for? He gulped down the rest of the cup before going for another. More wine seemed like a great idea.

Pratyba waited several minutes for everyone to arrive before taking her place at the podium. "Hello, Dragonriders!" she shouted, pumping her fist into the air. "Well, we all made it! But before the revelries begin, let's take a moment to remember our fallen comrades." She lifted her own cup of wine into the air. "Kailea of Green Succoth, I'nar of Pink Coath, and A'nar of Pink Zyyenikkichikith," she said solemnly before lowering her cup. She paused for a moment before continuing, much more brightly. "Now! I've prepared a special surprise for all of you!" she said, grinning evilly. L'ven, for one, shuddered slightly. This could not be good. "I've prepared awards for all of you! Now, first off, let's start with our favorite Whiterider! I'm proud to present Anima with the award for Most Likely To Embarrass The Clutchmother At A Hatching!" she said, clapping and gesturing for Anima to come up and collect the rumpled-looking certificate.

Before Anima had a chance to try and make a speech or anything, Pratyba continued. "Next, K'ber! Get up here, K'ber! You've won the award for Most Likely To Grow Gills! Congratulations, congratulations!" she paused to lead the group in applause. "Now, we have our award for Most Likely To Need To Add Another Rule About Not Taking Drinks From Known Troublemakers to Her Very Long List That Has Eleven Rules But Apparently Had A Crucial Oversight," she said in one very long run-on sentence, impressively, without taking a breath. "Which, of course, goes to Kyrillion!" She clapped again, handing the Bluerider a sad-looking piece of parchment like she had K'ber and Anima. "Now, Durian, the winner of our Most Likely To Be Smothered By Her Own Dragon award! Way to go, Durian!" Once again, the applause, handing off the certificate.

"And now, we have a very special award, for young love in the making! Of course, this goes to O'ris, winner of our Most Likely To End Up With A Smoking Hot Queenrider award!" She couldn't help but let out a little laugh as she handed O'ris his certificate. There were more to come, she still had lots of certificates and lots more awards to give out![/right][/font]

[kia]

Lynx was the among the first to arrive at the party. She decided that she would try to look nice this evening. When she Impressed Gneith, she had deliberately cut her hair a little short so it would not be in the way of lessons. But, as they got closer to the day of graduation, Lynx had decided to grow her hair out again so she could put it up. She had put it up in a style that earth would have called a ponytail. She wore a dark green shirt that she had found with some light color pants. The green shirt did not match Gneith`s hide, but it would be enough. She was proud to be a GreenRider. She could not see herself riding a Queen or sub-Queen. Even before standing on the Sands she had hoped for a fighting dragon. Not that she was not good with responsibility, she just hated a lot of responsibility. But, tonight, she could relax and enjoy herself. Scooping up Pretty and placing the Pink around her neck, she told her dragon to not stay up for her. The Green had replied with a simple sound, a sound that Lynx knew said, "Enjoy yourself." She walked in and noticed the booze, but decided to wait a bit before getting a cup, wait until the party started up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

O`ris had debated about going to this party. He had attended their first party when they were Candidates. Was that how they would be forever known? As the group of Riders that partied and partied? He rather hoped not. He had plans for a future that he hoped would come true. Not just for him and Avalle, but for him and Rhyolith. Now that they were starting to be on their own with no more lessons, Rholith was now starting to become restless, wanting to prove their color more and more. She had grown larger than her other two Cyan sisters, and thus she was the largest Cyan in the Weyr at the moment, and her words were always ringing in O`ris` ears. We have to show Pern how great Cyans are. We must be fine examples for the future Cayns that are to come after us. Mine, do you not want to make a name for yourself? Do you not want to impress Avalle that she is putting her love in the right person? O`ris sighed. It was true. It was all very true.

So he walked in, dressed in dark pants and a tunic, sporting his new riding jacket whose marks told others that he was Fighting dragon Rider, but it told him that he was a proud CyanRider. Around his neck sat Lira, proudly, who was not going to let anyone Riding a Green or any Green dragons around him. Possessive bugger, wasn`t she? He looked around for Avalle, but he had not found her yet. And he was about to sit down when Pratyba began her "awards ceremony" and started calling names. O`ris chuckled at the first three, but turned slightly pink when his name was called for that one specific award. He got up and took it, embarrassed at having his named called out for such a thing. But, it was was true, and he would not deny it. He was in love with Avalle and wanted nothing than to be with her at the moment. He wanted to be with Rhy too, but the Cyan had pushed him out of her mind, telling them that he was not to bother her for one second and to enjoy the night. He would. He had plans for this evening as well. He just needed to find Avalle first.

[Admin]

Hear the drum pounding out of time,
Another protester has crossed the line,
To find, the money's on the other side,
Can I get another amen?

Annith let Oorth get through all of her pleases, then she responded to the request. Of course; she joyfully chimed. She didn't think to bother P'nay with the request for his fair. He was busy, in a happy way, and they were sort of both of theirs. She sent the four flitters on their way, easily convincing blue Carol with the idea of a proper stage and Stage with some proper encouragement. Away they went, appearing above the party in a proper entrance, before they settled on the podium. The blue prodded them into proper form and tried to get them set up, but the chubby, stupid one with the idiotic pink kept interrupting them. Carol considered biting her. Junior chided him with a chirp that he probably shouldn't. Stage made an attempt to flee. Capella stopped him. Squawking, Carol waved them back into place, and they started on a very loud tune.

Detritath relayed that it was time for the party that Pratyba and Oorth had been planning to K'ber without moving. He was not going. However, he let his rider go rushing out to socialize once he gave him a once over with one swirling eye. In honor of the occasion, K'ber had cut his scruffy black hair shorter. It still fell in a mess on his head, but it was a nicely done and manageable mess that was short enough to disappeared under a helmet. He wore fine slacks of dark gray and a simple but nice white shirt. Dark wherhide boots on his feet matched his new riding jacket, also in dark wherhide. It had new knots. Wingsecond knots, done with the gray touches that denoted an ironrider. An ironrider wingsecond. It was a wonderful honor, and it made him walk taller. Mainly because a barely smug Detritath told him that that was the proper reaction.

Upon arriving at the party, he sized it up. There was food and drinks. Drinks. He eyed both tables with suspicion. Was it really worth even trying to avoid the alcoholic ones? Pratyba had spiked half the bowls at the party they'd had as candidates, and they hadn't even been allowed to drink back then when they actually were for their graduation party. He took a cup of some of the wine and took a sip. It burned in his throat. It wasn't that good. He supposed it a part of the experience, managed another sip, and then turned around to survey who was showing up in a timely fashion. He spied Lynx. Remembering the wonderful candidate party with her, he hurriedly lowered his glass slightly, before he headed towards her in an absent fashion. The wine was settling better in his gut than he'd thought it would. Better than the last time.

In the end, Pratyba interrupted him long before he got to Lynx, and he turned to look at her. At the mention of the three weyrlings they had lost, he bowed his head slightly. Then the pinkrider forged right on ahead after a pause. He raised his head with a subtle shake, knowing he should have expected nothing else. Of course, Pratyba was unexpectable. That was exactly her, so he got to be nice and surprised when she announced that she had awards for them. Faintly, he smiled as she awarded Nim with one for embarrassing Kalith at their hatching. He didn't remember that so much. He had Impress among the first, but it still brought back some fondness. It had been over a turn and a half since Detritath had hatched. They had seen renegades in Dalibor, their classmates die, and been through so much. Faranth, a whole turn and a half.

When his name was called, he blinked and stared, smiling falling. Wait, what? He'd gotten one. For being the least unlikely to turn into a fish. Why a fish? He liked dolphins. They looked vaguely like Detritath, and he had been a dolphineer, before he had been searched. He could swim well, better than all of the others in their class, but he didn't see why he had to be a fish. In truth, he was less anger, more embarrassed, and trying very hard not to act like he was either. Sheepishly, he shuffled up to take his award from the pinkrider and he hurriedly shuffled back while she continued. He glanced down at it, quirked a small smile, and then he shoved it into the inside pocket of his jacket, out of sight and away from being a bother. It left him with one free hand, because the other still held his drink. To try to drown the public moment, he took a healthy gulp. After a moment of agony, he did feel a little better.

Half listening to Pratyba, he glanced over at Lynx again, but he didn't try to approach her. He pretended to try to be respectful of the ceremony and just gave her a wave, smiling at her, before he turned away to her. O'ris received an interesting award. He chuckled faintly. Everyone knew. The cyanrider was courting the Queenrider, and the Kingriders were busy fighting each either for one of the greenriders rather than caring. They weren't a very normal class, and that didn't even get started on the fact they had one female brownrider, the only three cyans in all of Pern, and one blind white. Thankfully, they were overshadowed by the fact a Lord Holder had Impressed in the hatching after them, which had been from a renegade clutch. Thinking about it and realizing they all were supposed to be responsible, he took another gulp of wine.

Not particularly interested in the awards in the end, he finished off his glass, and moved off to grab another. His dark eyes roamed around the party as he took a sip from his new cup. He decided he liked whatever he had ended up that second time around better, and then he saw a familiar figure. His stomach tensed, and then relaxed. "Hey, L'ven!" The call he made to the bronzerider didn't sound angry. It sounded almost friendly, in a very awkward sort of way. Detritath tried to prod into his rider's mind for an explanation, only to find it foggy. He gave a huff of disdain in private and withdrew, not liking it. Care for public embarrassment gone and not paying much attention to the rest of the events of the party, K'ber ambled towards the other boy, raising a hand in greeting. It was a nice party. They could be civil with each other.

I beg to dream,
And differ from the hollow lies,
This is the dawning of,
The rest of our lives on holiday.

[Nia]

Avalle ran a brush through her light brown hair, though it really didn't take much fixing, she still wanted to look... at least decent for this party Pratyba was throwing. She had changed out of the elegant gold dress she'd worn to the graduation in exchange for a more casual party dress, though still gold in color. She wasn't really nervous for it, and actually, she was rather excited. Avalle was extremely straight-laced and didn't like breaking rules, so this would be her first chance to try some wine and see just what the big deal was. Though, really, she didn't expect herself to drink much, as she was still a pretty big rule-follower and disliked the idea of getting so drunk she wouldn't have control over herself anymore. She wanted to be able to carry herself with dignity the next day. But even so, it was going to be an exciting evening. You ready? she asked Callistath, walking over to the Gold. She wasn't entirely done growing yet, but she was basically there by now. I took less time to get ready than you did,

[/i] the dragon answered, allowing Avalle to climb up on her.

After the brunette was settled in, which didn't take long, Yulari popped out of between and curled herself around Avalle's neck, rubbing her cheek affectionately. With the firelizard set in place, Callistath took off and flew towards the Weyrbowl. Look! She wrote out Wavewalkers in oil, Avalle laughed, wondering just how long that had taken. But it was a cute idea, and a nice sentiment. Callistath landed a bit farther off from the other dragons, a rather polite distance, not wanting to block off the party for the rest of the dragons, she wasn't that arrogant. She gave a quick greeting to Rhyolith and Valleth before settling in.

Avalle approached the party rather hesitantly, having been one of the first to arrive, but quickly spotted O'ris and had taken a seat next to him as Pratyba started talking. It would be rude to interupt, so she listened and raised her glass of wine at the appropriate time, taking a small sip in memory of their comrades. The awards were very interesting, Pratyba certainly was.... clever. In a sort of insane way. Though O'ris's award made her blush deeply, she tried to laugh it off. But, really, "smoking hot"? She didn't know what she could possibly say about that. "Pratyba's pretty clever with these things, huh?" she laughed, taking another tenative sip of the wine, not really sure if she liked it or not. Yulari chirped a happy greeting to Lira, glad that she had decided to tag along with Hers as well.

-----------

R'ori was extremely excited for the graduation afterparty, though for a completely different reason than Avalle. "Woo! Finally, I get to get drunk!" he cheered out loud in his room as he admired himself in the looking metal of his room. He could feel Vediameth mentally roll her eyes. Just don't overdo it,[/i] she warned halfheartedly, though she knew R'ori wasn't going to listen. He'd been looking forward to finally being able to try alcohol forever, and the perfect place was, of course, the Weyrling graduation party! They were all bound to get drunk, except the more prudish riders (he was fairly sure Avalle wasn't going to get drunk) but that didn't matter to him. He was excited! He was a full rider now!

After ignoring a few more warnings from Vediameth, R'ori hopped on the dragon and the pair took off. The black haired boy marveled at the Wavewalker's sign that Pratyba had painted on the ground and then Vediameth landed. R'ori slid off the pale green and pat her on the neck. Don't worry about me, he said with a dismissive handwave. Vediameth sighed lightly, but she really was quite interested in just how Hers was going to behave when he was drunk. The Green was certain that R'ori was probably going to regret whatever he did tonight the next day, but he wasn't listening to any of her warnings, so she figured she might as well just enjoy the show.

At first R'ori had been rather hesitant to approach people... especially after the whole Infirmary thing, which he was sure the entire Weyr had heard about by now. But that was definitely going to be overshadowed by everyone else, right? He had nothing to fear. Having arrived fairly early, R'ori took a random seat at an empty part of the table, grabbing the first empty glass he saw and filling it to the top, taking a large sip. It wasn't his first, as he'd snuck a bit of alcohol before in his Candidate years, but he hadn't built up any kind of tolerance to it and was beginning to feel a slight buzz already. Pratyba started her "ceremony" and R'ori listened, laughing loudly at the awards. They were pretty funny. Of course, he grew a bit nervous about what she possibly could have come up with for him, but as long as other people were being embarassed alongside him... he supposed it didn't matter all that much. After having to go to the Infirmary for shells in his sharding butt, he figured he could withstand anything.

------------

What was a party without entertainment? And what was music without... dancers! With permission from Theirs (who was more than happy to get rid of them and finally get a decent night's sleep for once) the two chubby Greens twirled out of between with a flourish, both excited at the prospect of actually performing on a stage with real music! Well, not real, but real to them. Twee and Dee began to spin and twirl and dance to P'nay's firelizard's song. They both absolutely loved the audience and attention, but with Dee's insistance (as she really was the smarter of the two) they allowed P'nay's quartet the proper stage and room to perform themselves. They were really more like backup dancers, each performing a strange, insynch firelizard show off to the sides, only occassionaly twirling together when their routine called for it.[/blockquote][/size]

[Birdy]

So are you going? Seiseth watched His running around around their weyr. Chelo stopped mid step, turning on her heel to give the black a long stare. “…of course I’m going. Why else would have I been running around getting ready?” She stared at him for a bit longer before shaking her head and continuing towards the door. “See ya in a bit Seiseth,” she called to him, waving as she turned the corner.

The black got up, stretching his wings and moved to the edge of the weyr. Here he sat once more, looking over the edge at the bowl below. Pratyba and Oorth sure had done a good job decorating. The big letters by the beach was a nice touch he thought. He spied his walking across the Bowl a sometime later, watching her with whirling eyes.

Chelo stood near the back of the group, looking around for Kyril, as Pratyba and Oorth spoke and gave out awards. She hadn’t talked to the Bluerider in a while but she thought tonight would be a good time. She had a drink in her hand, she’d chosen one from the non-alcoholic table for now though would probably go back later… Yeah she would definantly go back. Being a goody good weyrling had been getting old.

[Kila]

Eccolath had reached a frightful level of daydreaming prowness while Sol was inside the Dining Hall for their formal graduation. She could feel that her rider was being sentimental about it all. She feared that Sol would even begin leaking tears at one point when the Weyrleader was speaking to all of them, but she managed to pull through. The Cyan was waiting patiently on a cliff outside thinking of all that they could now do together that they full Riders. She still bore her riding straps, but all of the metaphorical restraints and lack of knowledge that had held them back was now lifted. They were free! Free and truly a part of the place that they indefinitely called home. Eccolath saw them flying through clouds and storms and sunsets, through the ocean, into war, to the rescue, searching young candidates, bearing important people from Weyr to Hold. They could do it all. And they would. She would show them. She would show everyone.

Eccolath! Sol shouted inside her mind. Eccolath’s eyes cleared and she looked down to see Sol running out of the Hall. The Cyan bugled and leapt from her perch, spiraling downwards to her lifemate. She touched down and nuzzled Hers as she ran up. Sol threw her arms around Eccolath’s muzzle and hugged her tightly. We’re done, Ecco, we’re official! We did it- we graduated! She pressed her cheek against her dragons jaw and beamed into her hide. She was so excited, so happy at that moment. Come see, Mine, I have something to show you, Eccolath said eagerly, knowing it would please Hers even farther. Sol agreed readily and leapt onto Eccolath’s back, hanging on gaily as she flew towards the lake. Sol let out a cry of delight when she saw what Pratyba had smeared. ”Wavewalkers ’96! Alright!!!” she howled, letting loose one hand to wave it in the sky triumphantly.

Below the party began to come alive. Ooth says the party is starting! Let’s get you down there, Mine, Eccolath said, beginning her descent. Do you want to change? she asked, seeing others do the same. No, no, I’m fine, Sol said, eager to join the fun. She had worn fine black pants to Graduation rather than a dress. For one she could not afford it, but neither had it seemed like it would have been very comfortable after being in riding pants for so long. Her mother had sent her some little money and she had done the best with it that she could. She wore a simple but pretty white blouse tucked into them and had her long, curly hair tied partially back with a ribbon that came very close to matching Eccolath’s hide. If she had been wearing anything else she wouldn’t have been able to be on Eccolath just then.

Sol jumped off as soon as Eccolath let her down and turned to put her hands on her hide. Go have fun, Eccolath urged. I will be watching and having fun too. In all truth Eccolath, like some of her clutchsiblings, was eager to see what the humans would look like after the three tables of alcohol that was laid out. Pratyba had really outdone herself. Okay, Sol agreed easily enough, kissing Eccolath on the nose and then bounding off to join the party. The first thing she ran into was the tables of alcohol. The two that were supposedly without were a joke in Pratyba land. They were even set up so that they were unavoidable. Well, she mused, looking them over, You only live once.

But she didn’t much care for the alcohol she first tasted. Even if she had come here for the sole purpose of getting drunk out of her newly-graduated mind she would not have continued to drink something that tasted so bad to her, though she had a hunch that she would care less and less the more she drank it. Instead, she opted to taste a little of everything until she found something that suited her. Whatever it was it was sweet and burned when it went down her throat. She poured herself a glass and then wandered off into the growing crowd to find Pratyba.

It was her friends booming voice that announced her presence. Sol looked up and easily found her on a sort of makeshift podium, preparing to give a speech to all. Sol quickly pushed her way to the front and listened with a smile on her fact to what the Pink Rider had to say. For most of it, anyway. The mention of their fallen comrades cast a shadow on her heart and she too bowed her head. Though she had been close to none of them it had been a scary and saddening time for everyone, and the mention still made her chest feel tight. Pratyba soon blew all shadows away as she continued happily on, beginning to give out awards she had probably made up off the top of her head. Sol clapped as each of her fellow Wavewalkers came up to receive their awards, cheering loudest for O’ris, her fellow Cyan Rider. Hopefully Pratyba would pause soon so that Sol could congratulate her on her party, and graduation of course, and see if she needed any help. She didn’t seem to notice that other than Pratyba she had not formed a close friendship with any of the others in her class, but it didn’t bother her either. Maybe this would be the time to get closer to her classmates. With the inevitability of everyone getting drunk (for to drink anything here would to be getting started) anything was possible!

[kyrillion]

You are going to be late for the party, Mine![/color]
Don't get your tail in a twist, Rip, I'm coming.
Making one last attempt to smooth the wrinkles out of her only nice set of clothes, (which hadn't helped before the graduation ceremony, either) Kyrillion at last turned and headed for the ledge where Ripariath sat, waiting for her. Holding out an arm for Warren, the purple immediately accepted the perch and crooned delightedly - he was far more social than either his human or her dragon. He was looking forward to the party as much as either of them - if not more.

Of course, Kyrillion had not been surprised to hear that Pratyba had organized a graduation party. And after the more formal graduation inside the dining hall earlier that very evening, it would be nice to have an occasion to let her hair down - metaphorically speaking, of course, as the former-smith still kept her hair above shoulder-level. Force of habit, and all that.

Firelizard in tow, she vaulted easily onto Rip's back, not bothering with riding straps for the short flight. The blue spread his wings immediately and lit into the bowl, making sure to pass above the Wavewalkers '96 sign that he had spied earlier. Look there, Mine.[/color] He prompted, angling a wing so that he began to descend in lazy, concentric circles. I see it; looks like Pratyba really went all-out for this. Kyril remarked, amused; she was glad that the pinkrider had made the effort. Graduation was an important occasion, of course, and marked a new chapter in all their lives - it was only fit to end it with a celebration. And if the drinks she could already spy were any indication, it would indeed be a party to remember.

Rip touched down on the outskirts of the gathering, pausing just long enough to allow his human to dismount, before he took to wing again and made for the nearest ledge - he was still reluctant to be too far apart from his human, and he wished to keep an eye on her during the revelry. Some things never really changed, it seemed. Warren, however, was gone in an instant - flitting about, merely a blur blinding-bright purple as he danced about and tried to decide who, of the myriad of choices, he should grace with his presence.

Noting that most of her classmates (scratch that - former classmates) were gathered, she nodded a friendly, all-encompassing greeting before heading for the wine. Back at Crescent, the blacksmiths she'd worked with had been quite fond of the stronger stuff; and while she rarely drank enough herself to feel any ill side-effects, she'd developed something of a taste for the alcohol nonetheless. And now, more than a year later, she was free to help herself to it.

She'd fetched herself a glass just in time to see Pratyba take her place at the make-shift podium. She listened attentively - solemn, at first, when the toast to their lost comrades was made, and later amused by the awards. Leave it to Pratyba... Did she make one for everyone, then?

And then it was her own name being called, and though she tried to scowl, or at least look faintly intimidating, the effect was ruined by the grin that she could hardly contain. Though she had been furious when she'd woken up - drugged and sans knife, which had been stolen for that sharding scavenger hunt - the memory only amused her, now. She could still hardly believe that, apparently, that group of thieves had convinced Rip to go along with their shenanigans - had he been unaware of the plan, he would certainly have been greatly distressed by his rider falling suddenly, and inexplicably, unconscious. And she'd thought he was far too loyal, for that!

They were wanting your knife for that little game, Mine. They promised they'd give it back.[/color] The blue commented mildly as he watched his rider go to accept her reward.
That is the worst excuse I've ever heard.
They were going to do it, anyway. At least this way I got to keep an eye on you.[/color] Kyril thought he sounded far too pleased with himself, and still amused by the prank. Feigning indignation, she turned her attention completely to Pratyba, and accepted the worn-looking 'award' with a smile.

"Thanks." She said with a touch of sarcasm, but her tone was light-hearted. "And don't worry - rule twelve'll be finalized before the week's out." Turning and heading away from the podium, eager to be out of the spotlight, she took a happy sip of her wine and scanned around for someone to talk to. She spied Chelo in no time - and Lynx was in that direction, too. Striding up to the girls, she offered each a nod and a smile.

"Hey. Congratulations - hard to believe we're finally official." Her hands had somehow found their way into her pockets; they usually did, in social settings. "Are you looking forward to your rewards?" She grinned - knowing who'd come up with them, every one was bound to be at least somewhat embarrassing. She certainly felt bad for O'ris - the poor boy had turned about thirteen shades of red. At least some of the party's attendees wouldn't know the back story behind her own award.
[/size]