Central Bowl
     Hesh nods as she tap-taps her foot, "Ready?" she calls out, the damp air not making her cold any better, "just mount up and we will get out of this weather.." she chuckles deeply
     Kaeryn slips out, holding her gown carefully above the ground. She smiles nervously and gives Hesh a smile. "Good evening, Hesh." she says softly, voice still shaking
     Hesh looks at the others quietly as she winks, "My..my..you do freshen up good." she teases softly as Yaguth rumbles a greeting.
     Kaeryn nods and carefully mounts Yaguth.
     Hesh watches Kaeryn as she too mounts yag and settles in the ridges
     Helyne grins as she does a light curtsey towards Hesh, waiting politely for both rider and friend to mount before she does. This'll look interesting -- dressed up women attempting to scrabble up to side of a brown dragon.
     Hesh smiles softly as she pulls the riding straps tightly, "Now don't forget to buckle your straps..can't have it be said that I lost a few well dressed lasses from Yaguth's back.." she giggles softly.
     Kaeryn laughs, "That is the type of thing that would happen to me...falling Between on the most important day of my life..." She makes an effort to smile and straps herself in.
     Laughing lightly at both of Hesh's remarks, Helyne tightly straps herself in. "Oh...This is just some old rag compared to Kaeryn up there." Really, she doesn't mean to make Kaeryn self-conscious...Really.
     Hesh leans back, "He we go.." she says with a raspy cold stricken voice as she pulls her riding jacket tighter around her.
     Hesh smiles softly as the cold of between numbs here, "Here we are.." she says, *cough..cough*
     Bryon bows to the dragon with respect, "Good day to you, sir.." he says to the dragon with a smile
     Kaeryn exhales slowly as Ista Hold appears suddenly, unstrapping her straps and giving Hesh a warm smile before carefully, deftly, slipping down to the ground.

Main Hall and Ballroom
     Azalea slips into the crowd silently, nodding and smiling to the other Harpers she passes as she crosses the room to emerge at Kino's side. "I had hoped you would come," she says with a faint blush, eyes lighting up with the joy of seeing him.
     A smile lights up Caramak's face.  "Faranth herself would mistake you for one of her children," he informs Aislynn.  "And she's probably say you were the prettiest of the lot.  That dress is abolutely /mah/velous, dah-ling."
     Teraille's music continues unobtrusively, filling the room with the subtle wash of tides.  She watches Aislynn show off, letting her eyes flicker to Mak, full of pride and affection.  As the introductions continue and begin to wear through into pairs, she ups the tempo a touch, sliding the music into a steady rhythm with the first hints of a danceable tune.  The notes of the flute glide smoothly, slipping up and down the range without elaborate jumps.
     Kaeryn slips into the room, her cheeks flushed a bright pink. She looks around the room at all of her friends and forces herself to smile. She can do this. Really, she can. Ok, now what does she do?
     Wow...Strange to be back in here after a couple of months of absense. Shyness creeps over Helyne's features as her fingers nervously fidget with the gem coloured dress she has adorned. A blink of her auburn eyes is given as she peers around, shuffling lightly as she keeps up with Kaeryn. This can't possibly be the same person...
     Jellem smiles and looks over at Helyne.  "About time you got back here," he says with a laugh.  "You bring me into this lot and abandon me, is that how you do things?" he mockingly asks of helyne with a chuckle
     Felirin tugs on Jellem's tunic, to get his attention. Not that he wasn't paying attention, but she's figety, "You are going save a dance for me, aren't you?"
     Aislynn gives Caramak a little curtsey, grinning and blushing, scrunching up her shoulders with delight. "Really? Really really you think so?" And then her eyes catch Gerelia, a wallflower, and before Mak has a chance to answer her, she's dancing up to the former guard. "I remember /you/," she says, stopping her graceful flight in front of Gerelia. "'Member I said I was a dragon? I really look like one tonight," she says. "I really really do. Everybody says so."
     Jellem turns and smiles at Felirin, "Aye, how could I not.." he says, giving her a wink, feeling back to his usual cheerful self
     Kino stands over off to the side, close to the wall.  He scans the crowd, looking for someone.  His gaze falls on Azalea.  "Ah!"  He hurrys over to her and gives her a soft hug. "Hi Azalea...  Long time no see!"  He smiles generously at her.  "How have you been doing?"
     Gerelia's eyes follow mostly the doorway, though she allows herself to scan the room every so often, seeeking.... What?  Someone she knows?  Though she lingers by the curtained walls, between two benches, she neither sits nor leans, but stands with flawless posture and apparent ease.
     Felirin's gaze sweeps over the room, 'So many people..' she thinks. 'Too many people..' now she's nervous and even more figety.
     People. Yes, people she knows...With this, Helyne's regains her composure as her infamous, and utterly impish, smile blooms across her face. "Jellem! How are you faring at the hall?" She'd go over to greet him except for the fact that she doesn't want Kaeryn to worry herself to death. That would be a pity...
     Caramak gets as far as "I -- " before Aislynn is out of range.  He chuckles to himself and shakes his head briefly before heading to the performance area, near Teraille, so that he can set down his instrument case.  He does so carefully, so as not to either distract Teraille or detract from her playing.
     Jellem smiles at Helyne, moving over to her, "Been faring well, I guess I've had rough spots, as we all have had.. I've been writing my own songs though.." he tells her, a smile crossing her face
     Kaeryn chews nervously on her bottom lip as she walks across the ballroom floor, looking for someone to talk to now that Helyne is occupied. She needs someone to help her calm her nerves, a friend. A non-occupied friend. Her blue eyes glance around the room and she gives Master Caramak a nervous smile. On seeing Marius come down the stairs, she remembers to breathe. "Marius." she whispers almost inaudibly.
     Teza whistles softly as she glances around the ballroom--transformed! "It doesn't usually look like this," the rider whispers to her sister with a laugh. "It's usually much less crowded for one." Tossing off a few waves to harpers and others, she drags Anya behind her. Pregnant woman, coming through!
     Gerelia nods slightly to Aislynn, recognizing the girl now and looking down at her.  "Ah, yes," she recalls.  "You were the one battling thread in the barracks, were you not?  Quite brave, to risk the dangers in there... And still a young queen, no?"  Her hands come together, so that the right plays with the cuff of her left sleeve.
     Marius smiles slightly as he seems to have arrived precisely on que.  Kaer passing out, time for him to step in.  He moves over to her and squeezes her shoulder softly, "Breath, Kaer." he smiles and gives her a slight hug, "Enjoy the moment."
     Anya looks about. She doesn't recognize anyone, as usual.  "Going to introduce me to any of your friends?" she asks Teza, poking her, gently of course, in the arm.  Sisters are allowed to abuse each other, after all.  "I don't see anyone I know, except Sari and she's not in yet."
     Helyne blinks as Kaeryn meanders off; a shrug given as the HarperCandi figures it's to ready for the event. "That's good! I've never been good at song writing meself...Maybe well be able to hear a piece of it later on tonight?" Wink. Yep, she's back to normal as she lightly teases Jellem.
     Kaeryn wraps her arms around Marius in a warm, friendly hug and whispers something into his ear.
     Felirin's eyes dart from one face to the other. All the ladies in their pretty dresses...all the men in their finest garb...such an overwhleming experience! Never has she been around this many people before! Oh, nervousness...much nervousness. She grips Jellem's hand...way too many people...and she knows no one...
     Jellem nods to Helyne, "Aye, that'd be fine with me, if anyone asks.."
     Azalea hugsg Kino back warmly, though her gaze quickly shifts over the surrounding crowd in hopes no masters or journeymen caught that. "I have been just fine, thank you," she replies merrily, but she pauses, eyes resting on a figure now entering from the Hold. For a moment she stops, staring in awe at an emerald dress swishing in, and even more at its wearer, who has been transformed. Then with a jolt she remembers herself, and smiles back at Kino. "How have you been?"
     Marius grins and squeezes Kaer once before letting go, "You'll be fine.  Promise." he winks slightly, "Have I e'er been wrong?"
     Are people almost prepared for dancing?  Teraille's music works in an attempt to guide them into it.  She notes Mak's presence, her eyes flickering down to him, though, fluted as she is, a smile would be hazardous.  The volume of her playing rises as the tempo does, sliding into the powerful beats of a local dance.  The musician scans the room as she plays, wondering if she is pushing the crowd too early.
     Aislynn nods eagerly, bobbing her head up and down, making her dress crinkle, smiling radiantly. "That was me," she agrees happily. "Only now I /really/ look like a dragon, don't I?" And she executes a dainty pirouette, on her toes. "See my wings and my pretty tail?"
     T'lendel scans the crowds swiftly, nodding 'wards familiar faces.  A special smile goes for Aislynn, recognition whirling, and then he spots Kaeryn.  Hmm, wonder just how late he is...
     Teza manuvers her sister by the arm, carefully ignoring the pokes. Sliding over towards Kaeryn, the harper grins broadly. "So, how are you today? Still hard at work?" she asks cheerfully. "And you, Helyne. How are you enjoying candidacy? Having fun with all those chores?" Almost as an afterthought, she adds, "This is my sister, Herder Apprentice Master, Anya. Anya, Kaeryn and Helyne. Harpers."
     Gerelia smiles, almost in spite of herself.  "You do," she agrees gravely.  "And a beautiful queen, at that.  I don't doubt, as brave and beautiful as you are, that you will someday be the senior queen of all Ista."  She speaks in a quiet voice, pitched, nonetheless, to carry through to the girl.
     Kaeryn grins gratefully up at Marius and shakes her head, "Not about anything important, anyway." She brushes nervously at the few curls that float gently around her face as her eyes check the room to make sure the curtains are all nice and secure... and her blue eyes land on T'lendel. "T'lendel, you made it!" she exclaims, motioning him over before turning to Teza. "Work?" she repeats, eyes opening wide. "Did I forget something? Do I have something else to do? Oh no..."
     Anya dips her head in greeting, her usual overly-cheerful grin plastered to her face.  "Charmed,"  she states, then grins at Teza.  "Harpers.  Why do I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of harpers here?"  Looking about, Sariani is spotted and she leans to Teza, "Look, there Sariani is."
     Nodding gently with her hint of a smile teasing the dimples on her cheeks, Helyne peers around the hall again. "It's so weird being here again...not that it's so weird that I don't like it. It's a good weird -- a comfortable weird." Here she goes....Gaze of jasper orbs swings around at peoples faces as her fingers once again twitch at her emerald dress; a few smiles and wrigglings of fingers sent towards the people she knows. That being, almost everyone.
     Kino smiles at Azalea again, then notices her gaze.  "Who was that?" he smiles and stands next to her, hands behind his back.  His voice lowers as he says, "So how was your date?"  He grins at her.
     Aislynn shakes her head, adopting Gerelia's grave tone. "I'm gonna be queen at High Reaches," she corrects. "And C'lan's bronze is gonna catch me when I fly." She leans up, on her toes, to whisper, "He's my 'dopted person."
     Caramak catches Teraille's look and returns a brief wink.  He then turns his head to examine the crowd; lots of socializing.  His hands hover by the clasps to his case for a moment...but he reconsiders, finally, and slips back towards the heart of the crowd.
     Outright laughter erupts from the silken instrument within Helyne's throat as she winks towards Teza. "Aye. Every single minute of it, Teza. Chores are no big deal." Yeah, right...She emphasizes her remarks with simple wavings of her hand, as if to indicate that all those thousands of tubers she's peeled has been nothing.
     Marius manages to over hear Rydon's comment and moves over towards her, a slight grin on his face, "The Harper Hall ken keep up with just about anything that you may wish to throw at her." he holds out a hand in greet, "M'names Marius, Sr. Apprentice."
     "So wave her over," Teza laughs, glancing at Helyne with a wink. "I don't suppose you have had to clean out a weyr yet, just so you see what it's like?" Her's has been looking dusty, you see. She shakes her head and nudges Anya as she looks around. "That's Teraille playing, isn't it?" Like Anya would know. "And, Caramak? I played with them once, a few turns ago when I was an apprentice. They played a lovely duet, I remember."
     Teraille spots Kaeryn's distess; she spotted Kaeryn soon enough.  She tosses off a reckless trill in a time of salute before returning to her stately march.  She spies Caramak's pause, and fights to control a music-killing grin as he returns to the crowd.  She sees no dancing, as of now, so weakens the tempo slightly, ceasing the driving rhythm of the dance march in favor of a somewhat lighter tune; danceable, certainly, but feasable as background music.
     Torlan walks down the flight of stairs and see's many more people than he originally expected to attend. He quickly finds Kaeryn, the guest of honor, and grabs her in a big hug. "Good luck!"
    Anya does as she's instructed, waving in Sariani's direction.  "Do you think she'll see me?"  she asks Teza, quietly with her voice bordering on a whisper.  "It's so crowded!"
    Gerelia is a bit taken aback for a moment.  "Is he!"  She begins to say more, then breaks off.  The gold on her shoulder leans forward to peer at Aislynn.  "I... I wish him luck, then...."  Her eyes lift over the child, to study the crowd again.  "Do you know many people here?" she wonders.
    With a selfconscious brush against her skirts, Kaer's eyes continue to dart nervously around the room, but she clings to Marius's side for mental, and possibly physical, support from her friend. Without trusting her voice enough to speak, Kaer gives Torlan a hug in return. "Thank you for coming, Tory," she whispers, voice shaking with every word.
    Kino smiles at Azalea again, then notices her gaze.  "Who was that?" he smiles and stands next to her, hands behind his back.  His voice lowers as he says, "So how was your date?"  He grins at her.
    Teza chuckles softly, eying her sisters 'size'. "Anya, in that state I doubt anyone could miss you. Stand on your tiptoes perhaps, if you must." She demonstrates, shifting her skirts--skirts!--to perch on toe. As she does, she spies Torlan and tosses off her own wave. So crowded. How fun! She turns her gaze as another rider enters, one that she knows, and nods at Ayrina slightly in greeting.
    T'lendel grins a little more widely at the slight wave and heads towards Kaeryn.  "Oh, excuse me." A larger man is brushed aside, with a gulped, "Sorry!" tossed back. Ah, yes, a few more steps... And he's there, coming to a stop a little to Kaeryn's side.  Leaning over, he murmurs, "So how's my favorite j'man-to-be?"
    Kronos enters the room, feeling like an overdressed heel, and walks stiffly towards the large crowd of people.  He tries to make out faces and voices in the din and crowd of the Ball, but to no avail.  Slowly he wades through the crowd to move up towards the stairs to get a clearer view and to find someone more easily.
    Seeing Jellem escape from her grasp, Helyne wanders towards Teza's general direction a smile directed towards Anya as she reaches them. "G'evenin' Anya and well met." Daring eyes flashing towards Teza as her grin broadens, "Weyr? Your weyr? Sure, no problem. Brigath's nice enough...but she's done being proddy, right?" That would've been interesting...
    Felirin is sticking like glue to Jellem's side, her green eyes darting from one unfamiliar face to another. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and slowly lets go of Jellem's arm, which she's had in a death grip for the last ten minutes. "I've got to get a grip..." she whisper to herself. She smoothes out her dress, and with another deep breath manages a smile.
    Anya just nods at Teza, but upon trying to stand tip-toe, she nearly overbalances herself and quickly rocks back to her normal stance.  "I think I'll leave the attention getting to you,"  she informs Teza with another grin.  "You are, after all, so much better at it than I."
    Kaeryn gasps softly in surprise as T'lendel appears at her side but the gasp turns into a smile as she reaches up to wrap her arms around his neck. "I'm scared silly, if you want to know the truth," she admits, squeezing him tightly. "I am so happy you made it. Thank you for coming."
    Aislynn peers back at Gerelia's gold, grinning and giving her a little trill in greeting. "He is," she agrees, then looks around. "Well," she says, "there's Tera.. she's another 'dopted person, but she isn't a dragon." Ais sounds a little saddened at Poor Teraille's lack of wings, but she moves on bravely. "And there's Marius," she points, "and Helyne, and Kaeryn.. it's /her/ mural we're gonna see. A mural. It's like a picture."
    Sariani's eyes do manage to catch on Anya in the group, and grin becomes a bit less strained. Journeywoman weaves through the people, trying not to trip into too many as she makes her way over to Anya and Teza. And, surprisingly enough, succeeding.
    Azalea blushes, saying, "Oh, just a Harper friend of mine, who now lives at the Weyr," she explains with a vague gesture. "I don't get to see her often. -- The date was...okay, if a little awkward." Taking his arm, she adds, "But I'd much rather have had you there. Think we should dance? I might get called up to play soon, and we should take advantage of what time there is."
    Torlan returns Teza's wave with a strange casualness, even for him. "Well, Kaer, when it comes down to this or chores, it isn't too hard to decide!" He laughs and notices Felirin and waves to the newer apprentice. He starts walking, mingling more-like, towards Teza.
    The music continues to waft across the crowd, the lone call of a flute never pausing as it slips out a quiet melody, the tones more melodic than rhythmic at this point.  The song spirals upwards with low series of intervals stretching toward the upper register of the instrument.  Teraille's attention drifts into and out of the crowd; she needs to gauge the audience.
    Teza rolls her eyes at her sister, yet makes no move to deny what Anya says. Instead, she swings an arm around Helyne's shoulder. Gotta recruit the servents while they're unimpressed. "Oh yeah, Briganth is done with proddiness." No, that's not a broad grin on her face, just a slight smile. "Perhaps you can come by after this and sweep under the cot for me, eh?"
    Kino nods.  "Ahh yes, I almost forgot that you play for these type of things.  So, yes, lets dance, bow about it?"  He smiles sweetly at her, a soft look in his eyes.
    Torlan notices Helyne in his movement across the room and quickly darts across towards her, "Helyne! How are you? How are you liking Candacy? Do you miss us? Is the Weyr fun?" Suddenly this ball becomes an interogation...
    Anya grins cheerfully at Sariani, now having more of a chance to converse with her friend than she did previously while being dragged inside.  "I haven't seen you in ages,"  she accuses cheerfully.  "Been at the Weyr, haven't you?"
    From Gerelia's shoulder, Jonava jerks back her little golden head at the trill, her claws digging into Gerelia's shoulder with a painful grip. Her pet simply reaches up a comforting hand, speaking to Aislynn. "Tera," she repears. "Marius, Helyne, Kaeryn.... Kaeryn's is the mural?" Her eyes move to the senior apprentice, sparking with interest. "Is is like a painting," she agrees. "Save a bit larger.... Anyone else?" She is looking for rank, you see, but it would hardly do to admit that.
    T'lendel, in turn, wraps his arms more loosely around Kaery's waist and hugs, then steps back a little, "Worried, whatever for?  You're the star of the show."  Live it up. Have fun.  So says the little grin playing at the corners of his lips.  "Cairhoth certainly would."
    Azalea smiles broadly and takes Kino's hand, heading for the dance floor. At the edge she turns back to him, holding out her hands and waiting. The music is just to tempting to resist.
    Sariani grins mischeviously as she slides up in time to catch Anya's question over the buzz of the crowd. "Ayup, s'been a long time. Have me cloistered up in the Weyr, they do. Not that I'm complaining. How've you been?" Tactfully, Sari has enough sense not to make any comment about how much larger Anya's gotten...
    Kaer squeezes T'lendel again and grins, "Thank you, T'lendel. I am trying to relax, honest I am!" Can't you tell? Despite the speed the words are coming out or the shakiness in her voice. "Maybe you can introduce me to Cairhoth later tonight?"
    Yeah, sure, just pick on the Candi...Where's Scud when you need him? "Uuuuhh...okay. Sure." Helyne murmurs as she's a bit apprehensive about the tone in the 'rider's voice, but obliging anyways. "Torlan!! G'evenin'! I'm doing spledid! Yes, of course I miss you all and no, I got lost in the Weyr today. What about yerself?" The HarperCandi gushes and her smile seems to stretch to the limits of her cheeks.
    The music begins to wind down as Teraille sees people getting prepared to dance.  Dances require drums, really.... The journeyman's eyes sweep the crowd in search of harpers, and fall on an apprentice.  Catching his eyes, she motions him up to the stage to man the drum for some dance music.  Teraille's flute begins again to pick up speed as she pulls together a small group.
    Kronos spots Kaeryn with a faint smile, as he sees her squirming under the stress.  With the large crowd of friends and well wishers he decides it best to wait.  He climbs the stairs to look around the Hall...his home...a place he misses so dearly.
    Marius hops up on the stage with Tera and mans the drums, taking a seat, and starting a slow rythm that follows her song.
    Teza sticks near Helyne's side as she chuckles to herselves, visions of weaverlengths of mess in her head. "You can get some help if you feel the need, of course," she murmurs softly. "Torlan! So here you are. I thought I saw you earlier, but I just couldn't tell." Ear perking at the sound of Teraille's music, she grins. "Up for a dance, now or later? And of course, I'd like to introduce you to my sister. Wherever she is."
    Torlan grins and nods, looking across the room as if he were a spy trying to keep his eyes on someone... or something. "That's great! So, am I talking to the next Queen-rider?" He asks, winking and nudging Helyne. "It's great to see you! It's been so long!" He grabs Helyne's hand and asks, smirking, "Care to join me in a dance?!"
    "And then there's Caramak, and over there is Teza.. she used to be a harper, but now she rides a dragon." Aislynn whispers up to Gerelia, "It's only green, but Teza likes her anyway."
    Caramak wanders somewhat aimlessly through the crowd, offering smile of disarming warmth here and a brief handshake and introduction there.  As the music begins to speed, he starts to circle back towards the stage, albeit by a circuitous route.
    T'lendel chuckles and slips to the side, one arm still wrapped warmly around the small of her back.  (up to her to move away) "Well, Kaeryn, I'm glad to hear it."  Lips may twitch, but voice is sincere.  Another grin and he teases, "I'd certainly be glad to do it -- if I can steal you away for a second even!"  Green eyes flick across the room again, "Looks like quite a crowd you've got going."  Because, it was all for her.  Not just for the ball, of course.
    Kino takes Azalea's hands and, less-than-gracefully, but not embaracingly, starts to dance.  It's simple, mostly of a few spins and side-steps in a circle.
    Torlan leans in to Teza's ear and whisper's something, and blushing, returns to Helyne.
    Anya beams at Sariani, a quick glance down and she looks back up.  "Expecting.. Anxiously."  Her eyes roll, and then a grin.  "Did you hear Les is as well?  Luckily though, she's off at the moment.."
    "Next queen rider?! I highly doubt it...not with the way I consume wine." Helyne flashes a wink towards Torlan as she pokes him back. "Help? Nahhh. I can handle it..." It just might be more funny with...oh, say Jenret. With that, she grasps Torlan's hand and grins, "I'd be honoured!" After all, she /is/ only supposed to be of a slightly higher rank than a drudge...
    Teza has thing for picking her name out of a crowd, so she grins an apology to Helyne and Torlan, and drifts towards Aislynn. "I believe I heard someone talking about me over here, and did I hear someone say 'only green'?" Her tone is teasing, and her words playful as she squints at Aislynn. "Aislynn, isn't it? You've grown some."
    Kaeryn smiles and nods her head, looking up at T'lendel, "I could really use a little fresh air... could you maybe introduce him to me now? I think I need air..." At that, she closes her eyes and shakes her head. Nerves are getting the best of her, her face turns pale and she holds on to T'lendel and reaches out for Marius as well.
    Teraille is eternally grateful to Marius, and to Caramak, who she spies working his way back.  Her flute pulls back in volume just slightly, no longer the only instrument, and no longer with the need to sustain a rhythm.  The melody rocks lightly, swaying through the crowd with a brief pattern of bouncing notes.
    Torlan makes idle conversation, "Oh, yes, Teza, I'd be intrigued to meet the women who is your sister." He looks around the room, trying to see who seems most like her... He grabs Helyne's other hand and whisks her off to the racing beat of the music. She better be prepared for a ride!
    A firelizards blinks in, chittering at Sariani, who was just starting to respond to Anya. Message is unrolled, and herder sighs. "colic," she explains hurriedly, "Need to go help the runner. So sorry. Be seeing you soon, Anya. Teza." And with that, Sari turns and makes her shaky way back out.
    Marius grins back to Teraille and lets his hands keep the rythm on the hand drum.  He winces slightly when Kaer reaches for the Mar-shaped hole in the air, and gives T'lendel a quick jerk with his head.
    Aislynn swishes and turns for Teza now, beaming up at her, unashamed of her words. "But I'm /gold/, see?" she says, showing off her wings and her tail. "Lookie the dress Tera made for me." And so what if it was actually the weavers.
    T'lendel tips his head back to look more closely at Kaeryn, shaking his own head slightly, "Of course.. you know, you don't look so well."  Meant in only the best of ways, of course.  "C'mon, this way?" A look is tossed towards Marius.  Best get her some space.
    Gerelia's face takes on an interesting expression for a moment, and she drops to a crouch before Aislynn, putting herself on a level with the child.  "Never 'only,'" she cautions.  Her eyes lift to Teza, and she straightens, beginning to move into a bow, then reconsidering and sinking into a deep curtsey.  "Rider," she says.  "My duty to you and your dragon."
    Kaeryn sighs when she realizes that Marius is no longer there and both of her hands reach for Ty, holding on for a moment as she steadies herself. "Thank you, Ty" she says in a whisper, letting herself be guided out of the crowd.
    Azalea follows Kino's dancing easily (after all, there was an apprentice at the Hall who liked to teach dancing lessons not far back), smiling at him as she keeps time to the music in her head, though her watchful gaze follows Helyne as she disapears into the Archives. "'Tis a nice song," she says, trying to make conversation.
    Teza examines the girls outfit dutifully, chuckling softly. "Ah, so you are. And a beautiful gold indeed do you make." The harper--yes, still a harper--blinks at a curtsey, never really one to stand on such things. "Oh please don't," she laughs. "My name is Teza, and my dragon is Briganth. A green you must have guessed. I'll be sure and confer your duty to her."
    Teraille catches the rhythm solidly, beginning to sway with it as her fingers move on the keys of her flute.  The melody picks up some complications with someone to fall back to, her tune trilling upwards to set up a stately, if high-pitched, dance cycle.
    T'lendel nods shortly, concentrating more on getting Kaer out than talking for the time being.  Eyes partially on her, and on the crowds, he leads her carefully back towards the courtyard.
    "Briganth," Gerelia repeats, not repenting the curtsey in the slightest.  "Please do, rider.  I am Gerelia."  She offers no title with her name, but dips her head in a second greeting.  "Well met, Teza."
    Anya looks around, getting bored of wandering about aimlessly after her friend abandoned her.  Back to Teza.  She twists and squirms her way through the crowd, but mostly just waddles as she goes. Pregnant, people do tend to move.
    Kino smiles and nods. "It is a beautiful song."  He smiles and continues the easy dance, since that is all he knows.  He never really took official lessons, not once in his life.  He is just acting on instincts.
    Marius smiles slightly to himself as Mak adds his music to theirs.  He adds a few off beats, hands coming down on the sides of the drum to accent them further.
    Teza nods at Gerelia, spying Anya over her shoulder. "Ah, this is my sister, Anya, the Herder Apprentice Master. Anya, this is Aislynn and Gerelia." She points out each person as she does so, grinning at her sister encouragingly. Be social!
    Torlan leaves Helyne to pursue her interests in the Archive Vault. He walks in Teza's direction, but seeing Jerran veers his way, "Hello Journeyman!" he calls out, then approaches closer.
    Tegran sighs, walking in with his long riding coat unbuttoned and sweeping around his ankles. He blinks and looks around, making his way over to the bottom of the stairs, upon getting there he leans back against the banister at the bottom, his eyes scanning over the crowd.
    Teraille likes support while playing.  It helps allow the players to drift off in all directions, and that is precisely what the journeyman does.  With Mak providing structure through chords, and Marius through rhythm, the flute launches even further skywards, twisting just below the mosaic overhead in a long, almost sorrowful call.
   Kaeryn stands on the stairs, eyes closed as she concentrates more on her breathing than on anything else. In, out. In, out. She just needs to relax and not let her nerves get the best of her. Her cheeks are pale and she shakes nervously.
    Gerelia dips her head in a greeting, then reconsiders, repeating her earlier curtsy.  "Well met, Master Herder," she says, her soprano light and respectful.
    Torlan watches the Journeyman leave to get his prize, and then walks over in Teza's direction, finally making it. "So, he says," after approaching her, "Would you like to introduce me to your fair sister?" Words spoken oh-so humbly...
     Tegran nods over to Felirin, catching a glance, then his eyes brighten as he catches sight of Teza. He stands straighter to catch a glance of the people around her, then through the corner of his eye spots Helyne, raising a hand and waving her over.
     Teza's eyebrow arches at Torlan's words but she chuckles softly. Anya's getting a regular workout on those social skills. "Anya," she says softly, turning her towards Torlan. "Torlan, this is Anya, Herder Apprentice Master." She even outranks her sister, at least craftwise. "Anya, Torlan. Harper Senior Apprentice."
     Kino smiles and nods. "It is a beautiful song."  He smiles and continues the easy dance, since that is all he knows.  He never really took official lessons, not once in his life.  He is just acting on instincts.
     Jerran hops down the few steps from the hold. His gaze darts around the courtyard. He is clearly looking for some one. The he sees said person and his face lights up. "Kaer!"
     G'rwin, sighting Helyne, moves over toward the Ista candidate, an out-of-character self-conscious smile offered her as he peers around, looking a bit nervous, "Heya, Helyne." he greets quietly, just trying to look like he fits in.
     Scud walks in, clutching his riding gear underhis arms, face a-grin as he's glad to finally be back at 'home'..arching his head here and there he searches for familar faces.
     Anya grins at Teza, then at Teza's friend.  A slight glance is cast back to Teza inquiringly.  A shrug is given, then her head in nodded in greeting.  "Well met, Torlan."
     Helyne rushes back in...but she was never really gone in the first place. Light, laughing eyes take in the faces she knows and those she doesn't as she ambles through the crowd, pleasent nods given here and there before catching sight of a hand. Squeezing her lithe body past those of the other, she comes upon Tegran. "Boy! I'm popular tonight!" She announces as she grips him in friendly arms in a brief embrace.
     Kaeryn turns slowly, face pale and openly struggling to maintain control of her senses and emotions. "Jerran!" she exclaims in a barely audible whisper. "Jer, I'm so scared!" she frowns, moving towards him and folding herself into his arms for support. "I don't know if I can do this..."
     Bryon looks over at the two harpers, he moves over to them, "Is everything okay?" he asks, always willing to help?
     Torlan nods to Teza's sister, strange smirk on his face. "Oh, yes, well met indead." He pauses for a minute before continuing, "Say, Anya, would you care to break in your social skills and dance with me?" A look goes to Teza, half of acceptance... and half of something else.
     Caramak drops the opposite direction from Teraille; the flute rises, so the gitar drops.  On the lowest string, he plunks out a rhythmic bass line, augmenting the stronger beats in the measure, while he layers a strummed chord in syncopation atop it.  The background thus becomes more active and energetic, offering a broad base of support.
     Gerelia catches that the conversation has drifted, then subtly slips away from the sisters, marking the Harper apprentice's name before moving away.  She walks along the fringes of the room, pausing at one point to watch a dancing couple, her gaze oddly intense.
     Tegran chuckles, hugging her back, then nudging her arm while tilting his head in the direction of the rider walking toward Helyne for her to notice, then chuckles as he turns back to her, "Oh, how so?" he says jokingly.
     Scud continues to slowly squeeze his way past the many bodies in the main Hall. Waving a hand towards Azalea as he says quite loud "Hiya Az!" as he comes up to her.
     Anya pauses for a moment to consider, then smiles back at Torlan demurely.  "I suppose it couldn't hurt anything."
     Jerran meets Kaeryn and wraps his arms about her in return hug. After a moment he leans back and gives her a wry smile. "Oh, c'mon. So what if you're presenting the greatest piece of art on the island. Everyone's going to love it." He glances over at Bryon, "Oh, just some pre-event jitters, I think." And then back to kaeryn.
     Marius lowers his head over the drum, listening with a slight smile on his face as he reins the wanderings of the other two harpers in with his pulsating beats.  He taps his feet slightly and add a slight variant to the drum rythm, suggesting a close to the song.
     "Grwin! G'evenin, how goes it?" Bluerider is greeted with an amiable hug from Helyne as her good natured spirit flows about her. Slinging an arm around both Tegran and G'rwin, she shrugs, "I dunno. You're there for about a couple turns -- never noticed before you leave for a couple of months. You come back and everyone suddenly knows you again." She doesn't even know what she's talking about, so don't bother to ask.
     Torlan winks at Teza and then nods to Anya, grabbing her and whisking her off to the beat of the music. He dances quickly, perhaps to quickly for Anya, and laughs, saying, "This comfortable for you?!"
     Aislynn performs a little dying swan for Anya, her wings up high, her tail down low. "Aislynnth," she corrects Teza. "I'm a gold dragon."
     Teza growls at her skirt as she moves away, fabric pinched in her fingers. Heading for the harper platform, she appropriates a drum from an apprentice with a grin, quirking an eyebrow at the other harpers in question. Mind if she joins? She can't be out of tune on a drum, not really.
     Kaeryn tilts her chin upwards to look at Jer with her bright blue eyes, the few curls that haven't been pulled up bouncing around her face. "I just needed a little air. I'm going to be alright, just needed to breathe and not be in the middle of all those people." She stands on her toes and whispers something into his ear.
     Teraille catches the variant and lets her flute drift slowly down from the heights, descending with a light wafting lilt no more substantial than the memory of a sigh.  Her eyes flicker to Mak, checking on the cues for the conclusions.
     Anya shakes her head after casting a glance around the room, returning her attention to Torlan.  "This is fine, really." She _is_ pregnant, so be careful with the 'goods'.
     Tegran pauses, staring off as he ponders the statement, then suddenly chuckles and nods. "Same happened with me." As he speaks, an eyebrow raises as he spots Aislynn, and as she comes closer he waves to her, "Lo Aislynn!"
     Ayrina sees Heather starting to leave and waves a goodbye to her.
 Felirin pushes her golden curls out of her face and smooths out her skirt, "So, how're you enjoying the ball so far?"
     Taraen whistles softly to himself as he strolls up from the beach.  He nods to the Harpers there, then scratches his head slightly, "'Scuse me, m'lady?" (to Kaer), "Aren'a you the one with that th' Balls' for tonight?"
     Torlan nods to Anya and slows a little, saying, "Really? I hardly noticed!" He's not just polite either...
 "Tegran!" Aislynnth is overjoyed. "Lookit how pretty I am!"
     Kaeryn turns her head slowly in Taraen's direction and nods, "Something like that, I suppose," she whispers, voice shaking uncontrollably as she speaks. Her blue eyes flicker to C'ran's direction and she gives him a soft smile before turning her attention back to Jerran and her nerves.
    Kino slows down too, until he comes to a halt. "That was fun, don't you think so?"  He smiles at her then notice the other person greeting Azalea.  "Hello, who are you?"
    Scud slowly comes up to Azalea and quietly taps her on the shoulder "Umm..excuse me," he says, trying to hold his smile "But you seem to be in my way." as he manages to keep a straight face.
    Gerelia's slow drifting eventually carries her near the stage, after a brief runin with an eager young man, declined with a slight shake of her head and a mild look in her eyes.... and a dangerous hiss from her firelizard.  The woman sinks down onto a bench, watching the ball progress.
    Jerran nods to Kaeryn with understanding, giving her a smile that is greatly tinted with warmness. "I understand that," he then gives her a wink. "And I wouldn't go. Couldn't dare miss a moment of it."
    And of /course/ she'll have to play her fiddle tonight...Helyne fidgets with the gossamer fabric of her dress as her tomboyish skin isn't used to the draftiness of a dress. Eyes search for Kaeryn to see that she's doing well before she notices Aislynnth. "Oh!! Aislynn, darling, you look wonderful!" she gushes as she admires the golden wings and the tail -- the whole nine yards. 'Course she has to go admire closer...
    C'ran watches Celth wing his way off before looking around, incling his head to the harpers "Hello my friends.  Kaeryn..."
    Jerran turns and nods to C'ran. "G'deve bluerider. C'ran isn't it?"
    ”Good evening, C'ran," Kaer says softly, a hint of pink touching her pale cheeks again. She slips her arm through Jerran's and motions for everyone to go into the Ballroom. "I'm better now, I just needed air."
    Hesh smiles softly as she looks around and waves to a few people, her eyes raking over C'ran lightly as she removes her riding helmet.
    Tegran grins, lowering to his haunches and putting his arm around Aislynnth, grinning at the gold strands, "Good evening, Aislynnth." he says, chuckling, "Quite the ball, isn't it?" he asks, gazing around.
Anya grins, her eyebrows arching gracefully as she regards Torlan curiously.  "You've known Teza long?"
    C'ran nods solemnly "Tis indeed, I just came to pay my respects to the artist.  I'll see you both inside."  he gives one last nod and wink "don't be nervous love, its only an unveiling." and with that he's gone, wisked inside.
    Scud see's Tathyana's wave and sends one back..but at the moment he's trying to talk to Azalea..
    Azalea smiles up at the Candidate. "Why hello there, Scud!" she says cheerfully. "Haven't seen you around here for some time. The dragons decide they didn't want you after all?"
    Jerran clasps Kaeryn's hand and points to the entrance. "I think it's about time for you to get started?"
    Aviana slips into the room, quiet and reserved as is her nature. Long, chestnut locks floating over her shoulders and down her back, the foster mother moves toward a drudge bearing drinks. Curiously, no children hover around her skirts; tonight is a special night -- Aviana's night off -- and she indulges, plucking a glass of a pale drink from the tray and moving off to circulate.
    Caramak catches the eyes of his fellow performers and leads them with his head, dipping it in time to the music.  As they reach the cadence, he makes an unmistakeably large gesture and ends on a strongly strummed chord.  As the notes ring, he remains for a moment, bent over his gitar...finally, he looks up and flashes one of his more brilliant grins at his fellow musicans.
    Tegran's eyes stop their sweep around the room on Areiah, and at that moment raises his arm and to a stand to catch Areiah's eye from his spot over by the banister of the stairs.
    G'rwin slips over to lean in one of the corners, lishtening quietly and still trying to spot someone else he might cling to for dear life--er--sanity.
    Marius grins back to Mak and applauds softly, having to call out over the ambient noise to be hear, "Nice work!"
    "It is," Aislynn agrees. "Tera made this dress just for me." She performs another little pirouette, turning around for all to see. "I'm the prettiest dragon here." And she's not shy about it either.
    Scud nods as he gives Azalea a big hug "Yeah they said they didn't want anyone who looks like I do," then shakes his head "Nah, I peersuaded L'cos to come over here and accompy me," then scans the room "But looks like he didn't have to as G'rwin's here..oh well." then hugs her again "But it /is/ good to see you again."
    Kaeryn nods her head after taking a deep breath. "This is it!" she motions towards the door and gently lifts her skirt to keep the hem from dragging on the ground.
    Torlan nods, "Oh yes," he says quickly, before slowing it down and thinking before he speaks... ;) "Yes. Probably close to six turns."
    Marius looks up as Kaer makes her entrance on the arm of Jerran.  He grins and waves from his position onstage.
    As the song ends, Teraille glances around the crowd, seeking... Where is Kaeryn?  She returns Mak's grin, albeit a bit distractedly.  "Kaeryn!"  She spies the senior apprentice, then looks at Jerran, raising an eyebrow in invitation.  The music is stilled for the moment; the audience awaits.
    Teza slips in at the end of the piece, unable to resist a sigh. Always just a shade too late. Instead, she takes a place among the other harpers, grinning slightly by way of greeting. The drums are returned to the hovering apprentice as Teza looks about.
    Areiah finds both eyes aptly caught, and quite effectively, too, by Tegran's wave. "There you are," she says, and not as though he'll hear her - look at all of the /people/ - but she speaks anyhow. Narrow shoulders lift and fall 'neath form-fitting leathers, shifting almost uncomfortably as she walks to'ard her friend.
    Helyne's eyes shine as she looks Ais from head to tail...and then back up again. "She did a beauuuutiful job, and you most certainly are the most golden dragon on all pern!" she exclaims right before noticing Areiah. And she's suppose to be sucking up to the riders...An eyebrow is raised as she realizes just how many riders are present before her eyes get swept away by the entrance of Kaeryn.
    Tegran catches sight of Jerran and at first impulse lowers into the crowd with a serious look on his face. The look is suddenly removed with a sigh of releif as he remembers he /knows/ he's here. He stands back up, raising another outstreached palm towards Jerran and Kaeryn.
    Jerran steps in, leading Kaeryn at his side. Friendly waves and nods are given around, especial to those he knows - Teraille, Marius, Teza and the rest.
    Kaeryn slips back into the room on  Jerran's arm, the color has returned to her cheeks and she looks much more relaxed after a moment of quiet. She takes another deep breath, looking around at all of the people in the room and trying to prepare her usual shy self for being in front of all of these people.
    Anya does a few mental calculations, then nods.  "Since she was sixteen, hmm?  Long time.  You two.. close?"  Ah, the terrible interrogations by the younger siblings.
    Azalea chuckles. "That's good, because with two of my best friends of the Hall carted off to the Weyr like that makes the place a little empty, though," she adds thoughtfully, "we have been getting a lot of new apprentices lately. They teach you any new dance steps at the Weyr?"
    G'rwin straightens up sub- and self-consciously as Kaeryn enters, half-expectant, and catching sight of Kiana behind, raising a hand to wave, but settling for running his hand through his hair, as it's prolly rude to wave across a room at someone...
    C'ran pauses at the entrance to look around, catching the eye of a certain clutchmate, he makes his way over to Hesh to slip an arm through hers unobtrusively "Hello sweetheart."
    An attempt in vain, not to grin, and Areiah nods to Helyne. "H'lo again," she greets, open amusement echoing in delicate features, 'fore they're cast downward, gaze lighting on Tegran. "You all right?" comes the question, soft and simple and surprisingly focused.
    Scud chuckles and shakes his head, "Of course not.." he whispers as he finally see's Kaeryn enter. Then nudges Azalea "Just lookit 'er.." he says, grinning "I know she's gonna make a /great/ Jman." then quickly nocks on his head-don't want to spoil her luck.
    Crowded, very crowded. Deciding she was right to leave the children behind, Aviana moves past another woman -- a foster mother as well -- bobbing her head in greeting. The harpers, of course, draw her attention; she was one once, you know. Catching sight of those in blue, she moves silently nearer, seemingly hungry to even catch a hint of what they might be saying. Regrets? Possibly.
    Hesh turns as she smiles, amber eyes going slightly wider as she says in a soft voice, "Well..well..look what the dragon drag in.." she teases, her finely arched brow wiggles as she pats C'ran's arm, "it has been to long.." she says just above a whisper, eyes sweeping over C'ran's form.
    Tegran leans back against the banister again, his left arm resting on it and a foot upon the first step. He grins again as Areiah reaches him, "Aye," he chuckles with a nod in the direction of the two previously entered, Jerran and Kaeryn. "The man's mah mentor." he flashes another grin towards Areiah, whispering to her.
    Torlan blushes a tad, but raises an eyebrow as they dance, "Um. We were closer friends before she impressed and moved to the Weyr. We keep in contact though."
    Scud cocks his ear as he can /barely/ hear Ayrina's comment and shakes his head...nah they wouldn't make them walk /all/ the way back to the Weyr, or would they?
    Caramak spots Kaeryn and Jerran; glances at the other muscians, then leans over and pulls his trumpet out of his case.  After licking his lips and taking a long, deep breath, he raises the instrument to his lips and lets out a terrific fanfare.  Tan-ta-tatata-Taaaaaa!  TaTaaaa-taTaaaaa!  The strident sounds cut through the general hubbub.
    C'ran chuckles, eyes flashing mischiviously "Aye, I think that could be arranged Ayrina, but really now wouldn't that leave you bored for a bit?"  C'ran looks absolutely affronted at the accusation of his being gone for too long, despite being true "Now I've been around, I simply assumed you'd been a bit... busy."
    Anya nods softly, a thoughtful smile tracing acros her lips.  "Oh, I see."  At the sound of the trumpets, she shuts up.
    "G'evenin'! Let me introduce myself to ya this time...M'name's Helyne, Ista Weyr Candidate at your humble service." This said with a light dip in an attempt at a courtsy. Dimpling cutting permentate marks into her cheeks, she raises a hand to wave at Kiana. "Kiana!! Over here!" Poor girl...Lightly excusing herself, the HarperCandi makes her way through the crowds to catch her fellow Candidate.
    Marius laughs and grins to Mak, then awaits the silence to befall the Ballroom.
    Azalea nods, own gaze following Kaeryn, though it occasionally steals a glance at another senior apprentice. "I'm sure she will," she says with a wistful sigh. "D'you think any of us will get a chance to walk the tables? She does so much around here..."
    "Ladies and gentlemen!"  Teraille places her words to fall into the moment just after the ringing of the trumpet dies out.  "It is my /decided/ honor to introduce to you she for whom we are gathered tonight.  Harper Senior Apprentice Kaeryn is here to present her journeyman project!"  She smiles to the young woman.  "If you would?" she invites.
    Tegran hops up, sitting sideways on the banister so his feet are over the stairs, and nods in the direction of the two again, raising a finger to his mouth in momentary hush and lowering another hand for Areiah to sit as he grins, waiting.
    G'rwin turns his attention to the 'woman of the hour', grinning a bit with that silly grin that says, 'I /know/ her!  Hee!'
    Kiana works her way through, dimples -- and elbows -- wielded judiciously en route to G'rwin. "I cannot /believe/ that 'keep spilled wine all over my dress." New, borrowed dress is plucked at with ill-concealed annoyance; "--and it took forever to find someone close to my size with a taste for marks.  What've I missed?"
    Marius moves to the edge of the stage and waits to offer Kaer a hand up.
    Ayrina turns her attention to Teraille and stands on tiptoe to look over the crowd for the harper.
    Aviana startles at the Harper master's trumpeting, wineglass shaking slightly between her fingers as she retreats a bit away, to meld with the crowd as she is so good at doing. Teraille's words are captured by attentive ears, and   Aviana inclines her head to the older woman near her. "I do wonder what it is," she murmurs.
    Teza grins broadly as she watches Kaeryn encouragingly, glancing around the ballroom for a moment to spot her sister. Once she is found, she returns her attention to Kaeryn, hands fluttering in her lap. Oh, exciting.
    Kino watches the two, Azalea *sighh* and the one she calls Scud for a moment.  He turns to Azalea and speaks to her.  "Exactly when are you going to have to play with the harpers, my dear?"  He lifts an eyebrow at her.
    Caramak lets his trumpet rest on his knee, bell-down, looking either pleased with himself or simply amused -- possibly both.  His calls finished, he falls otherwise silent.
    G'rwin peers back over to Kiana, his grin widening, if possible, even more.  Neck is craned a little as he replies just loud enough for her to hear over the crowd, "Kaeryn's about to present her project.  I was wondering if you were coming or not."  Grey eyes rove back to Kaeryn as he steps aside, offering Kiana a li'l more space.
    Kaeryn looks up at her mentor and then towards Caramak, color draining from her face for a moment. She steps towards the stage and gratefully accepts Marius's assistance to help her up the stairs. After straightening her skirts a little nervously, she moves towards the center of the stage, eyes glancing across the crowd, and waits for the audience to quieten before attempting to speak.
    Areiah gives a soft 'ah' of comprehension, then grins lopsidedly, leaning a shade closer as the room fills further. "Goodness, but it's crowded, hmm?" she murmurs, features cast with a general sense of discomfort; that is, until Tegran offers the seat. With a quick hop and a soft giggle, she perches herself next to him, watching attentively now.
    Helyne blinks quickly as she just /happened/ to overhear Ayrina's words. What's /that/ supposed to mean?! Soon, the remark is forgotton as she waves her way now towards G'rwin -- Kiana's point of desination. Silent now, she watches Kaeryn as she reaches her fellow Candi's side.
    Morgaine stands near her chair so that she can manuver to see.
"Later, Kino, no one's playing right now," Azalea says with a grin to her other friend. "Kaeryn's going to present her project..."
    Jerran moves behind Kaeryn to the stage. He steps up after her and promptly moves to the back of the stage next to the other harpers, watching Kaeryn with a large grin on his face.
    Marius steps back, leaving Kaer in sole possesion of the glow-light.
    Hesh sips her ale quietly as she watches, her arm lightly entwined around C'ran's as she leans closer to him and whispers.
    Scud slowly eyes Kaeryn from his spot, quietly flashing her the not single, but 'double' thumbs up.
    Torlan assumes the theory that the more people cheering Kaer on, the more nervous she will become. He stays quietly planted in the back of the room, hiding next to Anya.
    Kino nods and watches the woman on stage, not quite knowing what is happening, but watches anyways
    Kiana shushes obligingly -- sort of -- with a quick whisper to fellow Candidate. "'Lyne!  Was that you calling to me?  The crowd's so thick I can barely see the stage." Last comment is directed pointedly towards an exceptionally tall man who, of all the places within the ballroom, has concluded that right in front of Kiana is the best place to stand.
    Alanna sits in her chair legs swinging ever so slightly back and forth, as she holds a breaht unconsciously
    Joining her own eyes with the scads of others that watch Kaeryn, once again admiring her dress. A reassuring smile is thrown stage-wards as a confident wink; probably only succeeding in making her friend more nervous. With an airy chuckle, Helyne lightly side-steps and takes up Kiana's spot -- moving her to a more sight accessable one.
    Hesh leans slightly against C'ran as she whispers again, her voice ever-so-quiet
    G'rwin grimaces at the pointed remark, noticing his companion's predicament and shifting to 'accidentally' poke the tall guy with his elbow, and offer an appologetic grin at the man's annoyed glance, slipping his arm through Kiana's and pressing her, and Helyne, a li'l more to the right...hopefully toward a hole in the crowd of heads.
    After taking a long, slow breath and standing up straight, Kaer opens her mouth and begins to speak, voice shaking slightly with her nerves. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome and thank you for coming. As some of you know, I am Kaeryn, Harper Senior Apprentice, and I'm the one that has been responsible for the mess that has been found in this room for the past several seven days." As an nervous gesture, she runs her fingers through the curls that flow around her face and takes another deep breath before continuing. "As you can see, the walls are each veiled with a curtain and we will open each of them one at a time as I explain to you the meaning of the pictures. I now give you Harpercraft: Past, Present, and Future." She motions to the northern wall and an apprentice pulls the curtains back.
    G'rwin raises his hands, applauding and managing to jostle Kiana at the same time.
    Scud turns as Kaeryn points to the wall and lets his draw drop. Shardit he hasn't seen anything like that....well../ever/..
    C'ran smiles appreciatively, leaning over to whisper softly to hesh "Really quite beautiful, must have her do a portrait"
    Teza obligingly turns her head to regard the north wall, broad grin broadening. She nods slightly, looking over at Kaeryn. "That's beautiful. Absolutely remarkable," she murmurs towards the other harpers near her. "I haven't seen her working on it, being at the weyr and all."
    Teraille turns expectantly as the curtains part, her mouth opening slightly as her hands clap together once, not separating again as her fingers interlace.
    Marius can't but let a whoop fit for a dragon.  A smile threatens to split his face as the curtains falls back from the first wall of the mural.
    Hesh nods as she sips her ale and hmms deeply, her eyes narrowing slightly as she admires the work, "Yes, quite nice.." she comments, her voice lilting as she tilts her head this way and that, "I wonder how she did it..hmm."
    Helyne feels pride buldge up inside of her at the sight of the very first murel, her eyes sheening as she takes in every minute detail. She even stands taller with this pride; giving her even more a slight advantage to see over people.
    Aviana has since discarded of her wineglass and applauds enthusiastically, again leaning toward the woman who stands nearby. "I'll have to bring the children down to see this. It's lovely." The woman nods her head, silvery-streaked hair shifting slightly as she, too, applauds.
    Aislynn slides over toward Teraille, her eyes wide as she looks at the wall, at the mural, all the pretty pictures. "Tera," she whispers, reaching her 'dopted person and hugging her knees. "It's almost as pretty as me."
    Torlan grins as he looks at the mural, now finished and overly presentable. His smile reachs from cheak to cheak as he pays attention to the obvious care in the painting. He look at the details, and having a satisfactory glance, slips back into the background. He applauds loudly and calls out, "Kaer, we love you!!!" as if it were a wrestling match. Inapropriate, but needed. Or so he thinks.
    Tegran's eyes slowly widen, the grin spreading accross his whole face. His eyes scan over the wall, his golden eye flickering with curiosity much as a firelizards. The catch of Kaeryn's eye and the grin bearing toward her is all he can offer toward her from the other side of the ballroom.
    Areiah gives a blink, followed by a gentle, lopsided smile. Leaning against Tegran in some attempt to better her view, she nods once, twice. "It's just simply beautiful.." she whispers, lips parted into a delicate oh. Dainty hands add to the applause, quiet and appreciative of the work.
    Teraille is shaken out of her reverie, dropping to wrap an arm around Aislynn's shoulders.  "Not quite," she says.  "But close."  She presses a light kiss against the girl's hair, careful not to disrupt her headdress.
    Caramak's mouth falls into a silent o for several moments.  Then they purse together as he nods slowly and moves to applaud for a moment...but finds his gitar in his lap and trumpet in hand interfere.
    Azalea's eyes widen, having only seen the mural in bits and pieces when passing through the ballroom, mostly in its earliest stages. A grin spreads across her face as she looks over its many details, appluading vigorously.     "Look at that -- the way she arranged it all to draw your eyes to the focal point of each part, the careful use of coloration to make them all compliment one another, yet depicting each so vividly lifelike in her variety of shades..." She shakes her head slowly again in admiration. "Amazing composition and use of space and shadows."
    After pausing long enough for the work to be seen, Kaeryn continues, "In the center of this wall is the emblem of the harper craft, which is a pretty well known symbol to all of Pern." She smiles inspite of herself and looks around the stage, looking for reaction among her friends. "To the left of the emblem is another very well-known figure to some of us, not so well to others. Masterharper Robinton was one of many people to make the craft what it is, but his work has stood out throughout the turns, and we wouldn't be where we are today without him." Finally she motions to the right side of the wall, "and to the right side of the emblem is Masterharper Oriana, the current Craftmaster of the Harper Hall. I don't think she needs much told about her, as she is very active now, and most of you know who she is."
    Letting out her pent up breath, Helyne lets out some polite applause, a smrik crossing her lips at the shout of Torlan's true words.
    Kiana, linking herself to harpercandie compadre at the elbow, obligingly returns G'rwin's jostle. "Go easy there, bud -- oh, now /that's/ pretty shardin' neat." Compliment directed, of course, towards the mural; cerulean eyes trace out the figures again as an appreciative grin shows itself.
    Aislynn smiles, resting her head against Teraille, now only her eyes moving across the mural, her fingers dancing on Teraille's knee, idly, gently. "You think I could draw pretty pictures like that when I grow up?"
    G'rwin flushes a little, retaining his sense of humor in offering Kiana a deep bow of appology, and also managing to thwack his forhead on the guy in front of him.  Hand is raised quickly to rub the spot and eyes are downcast as said bloorider /really/ hopes nobody saw that...
    Scud applauds and then nudges Azalea, pausing as if to say something then decides against it, then adds just enought so Kaeryn, Jerran and some other Harpers can hear "Mebbe now us artists will finally get our fair share of attention.." he says, winking up at Kaeryn.
    Teraille squeezes Aislynn's shoulders a bit tighter.  "You can do anything you put you mind to, darling," she says quietly, her attention still mostly on the mural.
    Aislynn nods slowly. "I'm gonna be a gold dragon, is what I'm gonna be," she says. "Do you think dragons can draw?"
    Marius just stands back and watches, eyes drinking in both the mural and Kaer in her moment of glory.
    "Aye...to say the least." Helyne murmurs with a light giggle; a shushing look sent towards Scud. Don't make her already more nervous then she is...
    Shinnai strolls in, appearing through the crowd as she smiles to greet Javere. "Good evening," she murmurs, though she appears to be looking for Kaeryn. "So am I," she answers conversationally. "What have I missed?"
    Kaer motions to the apprentice standing near the curtains of the east wall and he pulls them open, revealing the next portion of the mural. "If you will turn your attention to the east wall, you can see a little more about what life as a harper can be like." Almost instantly, the nervous tone in her voice melts away and her cheeks flush with pride. "Performing and handfastings are two of the most well known duties of harpers, though they are not the only ones, not by far. If nothing else though, I must say they are two of the most enjoyable" She pauses and lets everyone take in the images.
    Teraille laughs, a quiet, breathless sound.  "If you are one, yes," she says decicively, her eyes drifting back to Kaeryn and hesitating just briefly over Shinnai.  She dips her head, but expects the motion is lost in the crowd.
    Scud chuckles and nods to Helyne candie-in arms, and gets her message and quickly turns to look where Kaeryn's now pointing to.
    Aife, doing her very absolute best to remain unrumpled, scoots into the ballroom and makes her way through throngs of people toward the other Harpers.
    Marius grins and quickly steps forward to help the pint-sized harper up on stage, grinning and motioning to the eastern wall, "It's beautiful, nae?"
    Torlan notices Aife and double-takes between her and the east wall mural. After admiring the mural to its fullest, he waves Aife over and says, "Hiya Aife! Kaer's just showing us all the murals."
    Azalea grins up at Scud. "Artists get the attention they are due. Painters are hardly worth more in the long run than brightening up Hold, Hall and Weyr; though sketchers are useful for plans and such needed by smiths." She flashes a smile to Helyne.
    Shinnai is taking in the mural, even though she's seen it in progress. Now, finished, the work is glorious to behold.
    Scud slowly oogles the scene dipicted on the mural and again, has his jaw drop yet again. Slowly he begins to clap, as if to poke everyone else into clapping along with him.
    Tegran's grin remains on his face as the curtains to the east wall are removed, faint recognition entering as he looks over the pictured appies. His gaze remains on the wall, then flicker back to Kaeryn, watching where she moves next.
    A breathless laugh escapes Teraille's lips, the only accolade she can spare for the newly revealed wall.  Her arm around Aislynn's shoulders loosens lightly, then squeezes again.  Her eyes slip away to find Caramak, falling on him with a half-smile.
    Kino smiles and takes azalea's hand and watches the woman on stage.  He takes anothe look at the murals, admiring their greatness. "Wow."  He grins and looks at the woman again.  "Wonder what the next one shall show?"
    Aislynn sees Shinnai, her friend, but she doesn't say anything right now. She's still looking at the mural too. "That person.. that man? He looks like my Daddy, a little bit." Ais manages not to sound wistful. She has a wonderful family right here. One tiny hand reaches up to take Teraille's, linking her small fingers around Tera's larger ones.
    "You okay, G'r?" Kia inquires almost-gently, forgoing the usual flippant comment about the intelligence of blooriders.  Wall is eyed duly, grin still present; "Isn't that Grinstead?"
    Helyne draws in a shakey breath as she looks from the north to the east, her pride swelling up even farther at the sight of this next murel. This is /her/ craft painted on these walls! "Oh my...She's such an amazing person to have done this. I'm so proud of the way she's handling herself up there! Such beautiful work..." she burbles quietly again towards Kiana as her eyes simply glow up towards Kaeryn. A thick swallow is made before the Harper catches sight of Azalea; her smile broadening as her fingers wiggle towards her.
    Teraille's eyes snaps back to Aislynn, her forehead creasing lightly.  She squeezes the child's hand, leaning forward to again brush a kiss over the girl's head.  "He's handsome."
    Caramak almost misses Teraille's glance, enrapt in the mural as he is.  He does, however, see her half-smile before she gives it up and smiles back, pursing his lips intot he impression of a silent whistle.
    G'rwin's face shows obvious surprise as he glances at Kiana at her second comment.  Reply is quiet, sounding pensive, "Yes, it sure looks like Grinstead...funny..." he forgets head-rubbing, instead peering long and had at the wall.
    Aislynn nods, and raises her head, grinning widely. "Shinnai's here," she says. "I'm gonna go visit her." And off she goes. "Shinnai, lookit the dress Tera made for me.. I look /just/ like a gold dragon, don't I?" And she turns, so that Shinnai can see her wings and tail, and all her sparkling shimmers. "Mak said.. um. Or maybe Tegran said.. Um. Somebody said I could be /Faranth's/, even!"
    A smile wavers on Azalea's lips as she surveys the newest mural, seeing some resemblances of friends at the Hall in the Harpers on the wall. Applause would begin anew, but for now she merely gives Kino's hand a squeeze and wiggling the fingers of her free one at Helyne.
    "It's just beautiful," Areiah offers in breathless observation to her companion. Fingers twitch and eyes skip, moving easterly, admiring. "And look at the reactions it's getting from the crowd." Murmured, this, oddly gentle.
    Shinnai finishes examining the mural, and realizes to her chagrin that she's been ignoring Javere. "I'm sorry," she speaks quietly to the young woman. "What was it? Oh, the pipes. Yes, thank you! I'd very much like to have a look."
    Taking a few moments time to look around and catch the eyes of those the most important to her, Kaer stands quietly on the stage. After another pause, a third apprentice pulls back the curtains that reveal the southern wall and she lifts her voice again to be heard by all. "The HarperHall at Fort is a very important place for all of us that are harpers, as well as for residents, dragonriders and other crafters of Pern. This building is full of the information that makes like on Pern like it is. This is, as well, flanked by people that you probably don't recognize." She takes another breath and then continues, "Sebell took the position of Masterharper after Robinton stepped down from the position. His work continued to help relations among Pern as well as advance the craft, and then there is Menolly" she laughs inspite of herself as her own firelizard chirps from her shoulder. "Menolly reached Master status in the hall, but even as an apprentice, her actions had huge impact on the craft. She was also well known for her ten firelizards."
    Shinnai looks down, then, at an insistent, familiar voice. "Oh, Aislynn! Shh, she's speaking. Look!" she bends to the girl, directing her attention to the wall being shown, smiling.
    Kino smiles and squeezes back gently, admiring the walls, examining the detail as if he dealed in fine art.  But he doesn't, of course.  "They are fasinating, arn't they, Aza'?
    Shinnai nods to Javere, then, in thanks. "I'll examine them as soon as I can," she responds, somewhat hurriedly as she tries to keep up with everything at once. That's the trouble with balls, they're so busy... ;)
    Aislynn looks back at the wall again. "Yea. I saw it," she says confidently to Shinnai. "It's almost as pretty as me. Tera said so."
    Teraille watches Aislynn dash off with a faint smile, then turns her attention to the third wall, looking up at Sebell and Menolly, then returning her gaze to the first picture, and Masterharper Robinton.  Her eyes flick between the three for a moment, then her lips part in a soft "o" of surprise.
    Tegran nods with Areiah, then his gaze veers off towards his right, now with him being quite close to the newly reveiled wall. His hand grips the banister as he leans to the side, looking around Areiah to the wall and nodding as Jerran passes by him.
    Teza's gaze goes to the southwall in turn, nodding slightly as she examines the murals. "Those are really something," she remarks. "Now why didn't I ever learn how to paint?" Probably because she was to busy trying to puzzle out the music aspect of the craft.
    Scud begins to clap at the unveiling of yet /another/ beautiful wall, the stops mid clap. Smiling he reaches into his sack o' stuff and pulls out his sketchbook, and begins to madly sketch Kaeryn standing on stage, in all her glory. Chuckling to himself, he remembers to pay attention to what Kaeryn say though..
    Jerran follows with his attention the same direction that everyone else is looking. A smile is on his face that is all at once appraising, lauding, proud and happy.
    Torlan finds this one especially moving, especially Menolly who came from his home hold. He gazes into the mural and looks at all the great details and introcacies. "This is great!" he says to no one in particular... He looks back up at Kaer to see her reaction to everyone's gazes. She looks pleased to him!
    Azalea nods slowly, at a loss for words as the famous Menolly and Sebell seemingly leap from the wall to life before them. Viridian eyes sparkle with delight as the survey the wall in silent awe.
    "Despite what most people think, and what most people say, life as a harper isn't always full of hard work," Kaer says, her blue eyes twinkling brightly, "we are actually free to enjoy ourselves sometimes. She nods her head at the final wall and the apprentice standing there pulls the curtains back. "The left side of the final wall portrays the socializing time that we do have, and, I must say, some of the most memorable times." Her eyes flicker back towards the other harpers on the stage, some of her closest friends and she winks. "And beside that is one of my favorite parts of being a harper, the teaching of children." She exhales slowly, closing her eyes for a moment. "And that is my views on life as a harper, as it was, is, and always shall be. This mural has been done as part of my studies as a Harper, and it has helped me to learn more about the craft than I ever learned in the classroom. If any of you have any questions, please feel free to ask
    From Helyne's head, Delpharia twitters in her soprano appeal as she too apprechiates the fine work on the walls -- especially of those of the fire-lizards. Helyne broadens her grin as she admires the third murel, her eyes starting to tint with moisture as the pride in her heart seems to excell further. "Wow..." is all that can be breathed from betwix her plae lips.
    Marius just shakes his head as the final wall is revealed, then laughs once more lets out a piercing whistle of appreciation.
    Tegran nods, running his hands over his face before turning to the last wall, "Quite, quite." he shakes his head in amazement as he gathers the new look of the room around him.
    Teraille's eyes track the last wall, then slip away from the senior apprentice's work.  She glances from Mak, to Shinnai, to Jerran.  Her eyes linger on Jerran, and she nods ever-so-slightly in approval.  Only then does she begins to applaud, each clap enunciated clearly and ringing through the room.
    Scud smiles as he looks over the final wall, setting down his pencil he begins to clap, raising the volume of his claps as he goes. "Here here, Kaeryn..this is....so....well.../great/.." he says, beaming up at his artist friend in-arms.
    Shinnai ruffles Aislynn's hair, then takes the girl's hand and begins to slip through the crowd toward the side of the stage, where she nods a greeting to Teraille and the other ranking harpers.
    Jaw falls slack as G'rwin peers at the final wall, and if you asked he'd swear against threadscore that those weren't tears in his eyes at the mural of Pern life, but a hand moves stealthily to brush briefly across his eyes, 'fore bloorider heaves a sigh, a little grin slipping onto his lips.
    Torlan looks at the fourth wall, which appears the most colorful of the four. There is so much activity in this one that he spends a while looking all that there is to see. He begins to applaud again, assuming this is the final wall.
    Aife has finally navigated her entire way through the rows of people, and emerges on the stage behind Jerran.  Well-hidden, too, for amid all the rest of the Harpers, she's little more than a splash of colour.
    Azalea fancies she /must/ recognize that scene on the beach from one of their late-night jam sessions - isn't that her hiding in the shadows to one side? "Go Kaeryn!" she calls up rogueshly, grinning literally from ear to ear with pide and admiration for her friend.
    Caramak observes the final wall to be unveiled for a long moment.  His eyes then flicker towards Jerran's, a faint hint of a smile on his lips.  He joins in the applause by drumming his feet on the floor of the performers' platform.
    Jerran gives a wink back to Teraille's nod and he too begins to applaud, clapping loudly in approval of the presentation. Then he glances to Teza and takes a side step toward her.
    Tegran claps quickly after Teraille, only a few claps later. He whistles between his grins, clapping loudly with the rest of his Harper friends.
    Shinnai joins in the applause, smiling in approval to Kaeryn before sending a glance toward Caramak.
    Teza, in a dress for the first time in turns, moves over by Aife, behind Jerran. "Isn't that something?" she murmurs softly towards the other harper. Plucking something from a small pouch hidden in the folds of her dress, she hands a small white box to Jerran.
    Morgaine finally revives from examining each wall and whispers "Good job, Kaeryn!" though she knows from this distance she can't be heard. She quietly appaludes.
    Kaeryn looks around the room a final time and smiles, cheeks flushing a deeper red, but this time from pride. She looks towards Jerran and winks, she actually did it. She takes a small, practiced bow and nods her head to the audience. "And with that," she calls out over the applause, "Let the music return!"
    Marius grins and steps forward, not hesitating to envelope Kaer in an enourmos bear hug, "It's beautiful Kaer..."
    Teraille makes no move towards her instument, continuing to smile at Kaeryn, an expression that grows into a grin.
    Jueann walks over the Teza, quietly, confused.  "oh dear oh dear." she sighs, watching the unveiling.
    Shinnai holds up a hand to still the musicians for just a moment longer.  There's still something to be done, here. She waits for Jerran...
    Not able to help it any longer, Lyne breaks out into wild bouts of clapping and whistling. Is that a lone tear falling to grace the curves of her cheek? Nah, not from Helyne..."Kaeryn!! You have so much pose up there!" she calls out over the bustle as she flashes a wink; her eyes trailing off to admire the last painting once more. Hey...those people seem really familiar...
    "Wait just a moment on that, please?" Jerran half asks and half tells the rest of the harpers. "We've gathered here for another reason tonight...." he takes the box from Teza and steps up beside Kaeryn. "Kaeryn?" he asks, loud enough to be head over the dying applause.
    Marius steps hurriedly aside so that Jerran can approach Kaer.
    G'rwin turns to gawk at Jerran and Kaeryn, noticing the step the one takes toward the other and that meaningful look...and box, and stays quiet for a bit.
    Aislynn, having finished with Shinnai, and with watching the wall.. it doesn't /move/, after all.. wriggles over in front of Gerelia and just stands there. She doesn't greet her, doesn't even look at her, as her back is to the woman. But she's close. Close to that wallflower, and sparkling so prettily.
    Kaeryn turns towards Jerran, a confused look in her eyes. "Did I forget something?" she says softly, looking around at all of the people and then back into his teal eyes.
    A quick shushing begins which quickly spreads throughout the room; with that, an aging, lumpish journeyman enters from the side to watch. He harrumphs quietly to himself.
    Azalea raises a hand to her lips, remembering apprentice gossip, to shush her friends. "Watch," she hisses under he breath. "Watch Jerran."
    Caramak continues to let his instruments rest in his lap.  His expression is controlled, but his eyes twinkle blue in the glinting glows.
    Tegran grins, his eyes widening as he leans forward towards Kaeryn and impulsively squeezes Areiah's hand.
Scud slowly stops his clappin and looks up, but now he picks up his pencil again and flips to a new page, sketching out Shinnani, Jerran, and the other Master of the hall as they gather 'round Kaeryn.
    Marius's smile grows into a face splitting grin as Jerran steps forward with the box.  His breath catches slightly and he waits...
    Aife bounces on her toes, behind Jerran, trying not to crack her face in two with her smile.
    Areiah blinks wide blue eyes up at Tegran as he grasps her hand, then grins herself, slim fingers winding firmly 'round his to squeeze in return. Gaze and attention shift, however, back to Kaeryn. Unfamiliar with the person, familiar with the obvious beauty of her work, Reia can hold her breath right along with everyone else.
    Aislynn just lets that hand stay there, not shrugging beneath it, not moving at all. "Are they gonna make her a journeyman?" she asks Gerelia, as though Gerelia would know, bending her head backward and looking up questioningly. "She sure painted it pretty."
    Jerran pulls the box from at his side and presents it. "Tonight, with Kaeryn's presentation and unveiling of her wonderfull mural, the harper hall is proud to present her with this." He pulls back the small hinging lid on the box and presents it both to the audiance and Kaeryn, mostly to the latter. "Kaeryn, would you please accept this Journeyman knot?"
    Eyes are markedly brighter, yet tears do not fall -- Kia scrutinizes the mural thoroughly, a slight tremor through jaw belying any apparent lack of sentimentality. "That has to be the best..." Candidate states firmly, twisting around by default with G'rwin.
    Gerelia smiles faintly as Jerran speaks.  "It would seem so," she tells Aislynn, her eyes moving back up to the pair on the stage.
    Jeranium, the potato-like harper journeyman, coughs loudly, then exchanges dirty looks with a few who turn to stare. He doesn't seem particularly jovial, for all that he's overweight.  His attention is focussed on Kaeryn, whom while he cannot disapprove of her, he seems to not want to approve.
    Will is breathing hard enough already from his mad dash down the Hall stairs when that sentence falls on his ears.  "KAERYN!!" is called out in a wild cheer before he can quite stop moving--oops.  The boy at least has the grace to blush, and apologise to the nearest few people whose ears he yelled in.
    Jueann smiles as she moves to stand with the other journeymen, confused as always. Then seeing Jeranium smiles slightly, trust the old journeyman to appear.
    Teza's face does crack in two, or at least it tries, as she watches Kaeryn--those little white boxes, learn to watch for them.
    G'rwin moves his hands again, this time to applaud Harper Journeyman Kaeryn, adding undignifyed hoots to his clapping and jostling of Kiana.
    Marius can't do anything but laugh, eyes shining with happiness for Kaer.  Finally he gets enough of a breath to let another whoop of joy echo around the Hall.
    Shinnai smiles broadly, and waits for Kaeryn to accept the knot.
    Teraille notices Jeranium enter and has to laugh, a sound that, once released, has to bubble to completion, her eyes returning to Kaeryn as her face threatens to bust all its pride vessels.
    Helyne just stands there and gawks at the stage, at the knot, at Kaeryn, and then finally to swing her gaze around the walls once more. "Journeyman Kaeryn! Congradualtions!!" Applause comes energetically from the HarperCandi as she just stands the and beams.
    Kaeryn claps both of her hands over her mouth, eyes opened wide, not knowing what to say. Tears stream down her cheeks as she stares at Jerran, speechless and shaking. "Are you serious? Me? Now?" She steps towards Jerran  and removes her Senior Apprentice Knot, ready to accept the other one.
    Morgaine smiles brightly for Kaer, and nearly jumping she appaludes with full volume!
    "Tera's a journeyman," Aislynn says conversationally. "She's been one longer, though. And she's moving to the Weyr. I'm gonna get to meet lots more dragons." She isn't really talking /to/ anyone. But Gerelia's right there, if behind her. "Do you think they'll like me?"
    Scud gasps as Jerran hands Kaeryn the journeyman knot..but allows his face to split into the widest grin he's ever had since he got Searched..and adds his own 'whoop' of joy along with Marius...also dropping his sketchbook and clapping like he's never clapped before.
    Tegran throws back his head and laughs joyously for a moment before lifting his hand off from the spot keeping him from sliding down the banister, jumping off into a deep, loud applause while keeping Areiah from slipping off onto the ground.
    Torlan's smiles slowly cracks until it is a wide, awe-inspired grin. "Congrats!!!" he hollars into the air. This he doesn't believe. And no final interview either. Just a testamant to how valuable she is to the craft.
    Shinnai steps toward the stage, out of the way, and joins in the applause, getting in line for the congratulations.
Gerelia pauses as she hears 'Weyr,' but simply nods in response.  "I'm sure they will," she says mildly, her eyes dropping to the hand on the girl's shoulder, as though a bit startled by it.
    Azalea, with an apologetic glance to Kino, gently drops his hand and claps wildly, cheering and jumping like a little girl. "Yeah KAERYN!" she cries out, oblivious to all but her friend's promotion for now.
    Jerran can only grin widely as he steps forwards a bit and takes Kaeryn's old know, carefully replacing it with the intricately woven journeyman's knot. "Congratulations, Journeyman Kaeryn!" And with that Jerran puts his hands together in vigorous applause again.
    Jueann quietly slips out, seeing what she came by to see.
    With calm dignity, Caramak leans over in his chair to finally set his instruments beside his chair and free his hands.  Then he adds the resounding applause of his large hands, just as the knot finally reaches Kaeryn's shoulder.
    Aife /does/ bounce now.  "Congratulations Kaeryn!" she says, trying to sound dignified and failing entirely.  Squeak.  Bounce.
    "Journeyman!  Congratulations!" Kiana whoops, giving the full benefit of her vocal cords.  Jostles are amiably ignored in favor of much heartier clapping, Kia on the verge of laughing at the same time.
    Teraille grins and slips back from the crowd moving in to congratulate, striking up a quick, lively melody on her flute, well-suited to the occasion.  The song bounces with a lilting, haphazard veer, swerving through keys with a reckless unconcern for musical tradition.
    Kaeryn grins from ear to ear and can't help herself, wrapping her arms around her mentor's neck and squeezing tightly. "I can't believe this!" she says quietly, refusing to let go else she might pass out in front of all of these people.
    Teza adds her applause to the others, sinking into the background. This is Kaeryn's night. She calls one last, "Congratulations," as she sinks back.
    Aislynn nods. "Yea. Me too," she says, as she scoots back a little. That hand doesn't startle her. "I can dance good," she says, placing her hand atop Gerelia's, on her shoulder. "Want to dance with me? That's my 'dopted Tera playing the music." And she is /so/ proud.
    Areiah teeters precariously upon her perch, giggling and applauding all at once as balance is reclaimed. With balance comes voice: "Congratulations!" Lungs, too, apparantly; she can be loud when she wants to be.
    Tegran looks around quickly and grabs a glass of Benden Red from a drudge, stopped in amazement, still looking at the walls. He stands on his toes, raising his arm full length with the glass which concludes to be quite high and yells over the applause, "All who have drinks...To Kaeryn, Harper JOURNEYMAN!"
    Enough is enough...From this spot, helyne has to struggle to see the stage. With many uncourtious nudges and shoves, she finally emurges in front of the platfrom -- still clapping away as she beams up to Kaeryn. "See? I told ya there wasn't anything to worry about!" She calls jovially towards the new journeyman.
    Marius hastily wipes tears away from his /own/ eyes and add his voice to the chorus of congratulations.
Finally, and with visible reluctance, Jeranium adds his hands to the applause. But it's still soft.  One has to stick to one's morals.
    Jerran returns the hug, wrapping his arms about Kaer's shoulders and pulling her up tightly. "Congratulations," he says in a tone that only travles to those close by. Then, after a long moment in the hugs, he leans back slightly, twinkling eyes latched on hers. After a moment he leans in and touches his lips to hers.
    Will is no longer embarrassed--everybody else yelled too, he just happened to do it first.  And hardly loudest.
    G'rwin just keeps beaming, finally realizing that he's likely to disconnect a shoulder if he doesn't quit clapping--Kiana's shoulder.  He lets his hands fall to his side, just offering a tiny squeeze to the girl's hand as he turns, moving a step westward to peer more closely at the mural.
    Marius sees the kiss and lets his hands come together as hard and fast as possible, pausing only to let out another piercing whistle.
    A young apprentice girl by the name of Nareloa squeals and jumps eagerly, having no shame nor shyness at fourteen Turns of age. "Journeywoman Kaeyrn!" she calls out enthusiastically, adding to her friend, "Hope her lessons will still stay nice."
    Teraille lets out a light whoop at the kiss, her flute breaking off in a rather unmannerly way.  As her cheeks begin to color, she lower her head again to her playing, sending it into a tune a bit better suited for dancing this time.
    Aislynn squeezes Gerelia's hand. "They /kissed/!" she says, scandalized, but then she's forgotten it, and she's dragging her out to some free space and dancing, swishing that dress, bouncing those wings, twirling her body.     "See? I /do/ dance good."
    Aife can't clap hard enough without banging her hands clear off, quite unashamed of the sparkling tears that shine in her grey eyes.   She lets out a whoop of her own, winking at Teraille from under the pair's arm.
    Kaeryn pulls back at first, out of habit, but, realizing she is a journeyman and doesn't have to, she kisses Jerran back, if a little shyly. She pulls her head away and leans her head against his shoulder, overcome with happines and tears streaming down her cheeks.
    A piercing whistle comes from between Helyne's lips at the kiss, her eyes twinkling merrily as she averts them so as not to be rude. Dropping her now raw hands to her sides, she waits to formally congradualte her friend -- a friend she's glad to be able to call by that word.
    Caramak reclaims his trumpet and lights into a rollicking countermelody to Teraille's flute.  His range is somewhat lower and the line lacks the trills that come more naturally to a woodwind, but he finds bright harmonies to accentuate  the more lively moments in the melody.
    Journeyman Jeranium, shocked by the public kiss, gives one last, loud "Harrumph!" before retreating back into the sanctity of the office.
    Jerran leans in, out of the kiss, pulling into a close hug against the new Journeyman again. He whispers something in her ear. Then he just leans against her for a moment
    Marius grins and reclaims his drum, hands joining the other harpers in their rousing rhythm.
    Teraille is a smidge startled by Mak's entry, but she recovers quickly, adding a bit more volume; the trumpet is a rather dominating instrument to play against.  She throws in a few quick trills, bouncing up the range of her flute through them.
    Kaeryn wipes the tears from her eyes and kisses Jerran's cheek, laughing happily. She grabs his hand and pulls him towards the dance floor, eyes sparkling brightly with tears and happiness.
    "Mmhm," Aislynn agrees, executing a graceful twirl, still clasping Gerelia's hand. "Can you do that too?" she asks. "It's okay if you can't. Not everybody can, I know." Nevermind that Ais is about two feet smaller than Gerelia. "I can help you."
    Tegran laughs again after finishing the glass, then grabbing two more and holding the other out in question towards Areiah. He raises his glass again to Kaeryn, hopping backwards up the bottom two steps and, "Congrats Kaer!!" is barely heard over the applause and cheering.
    Areiah is still watching, glittering eyes going downcast as long legs balance her out, allow her to drop down without stumble from the bannister to the floor. "Such a beautiful ceremony. She deserved it," the 'rider murmurs, stretching her short, stiff torso as she takes a half-step backward. "Such lovely work."
    Azalea's eyebrows pay a brief visit to the ceiling as the rumors have been confirmed. "Just a minute, I've got a feeling, Kino," she says, not taking her eyes off the journeymen, who merely un down to the dance floor. "Shards, must be putting it off for later. Sure, let's dance."
    Will still gets a dance with the new-made Journeyman, right? Even if she is kissing somebody already.  Wearing a  broad grin that he couldn't wipe off his face if he tried, he cradles his harp in both arms on his way to join the other Harpers.
    Shinnai joins the musicians, listening quietly while enjoying the festivities... and waiting for, eventually, her turn at the new Journeyman.
    Ooh. Or Areiah could gratefully pluck that wineglass from Tegran's fingers, turning a glowing smile upward, then, as once more, she is petite and close to the ground. "Thank you."
    Kino grins back. "I knew you would say yes."  He chuckles to himself and picks up the pace of the dance to keep in time with the music.  He trys to converse with her, "So what do you think of me going into harpering, Azzy?"  He winks at her.
    Seeing that Kaeryn's a bit...occupied at the moment, Helyne goes off to converse with friends she left behind. Meandering through-out people evenly, she rambles on, her voice soaring and plunging in her vibrant voice box, her eyes now and then widening to fire a flash of jasper across the room.
    Scud slowly eyes Kaeryn as she goes to dance with Jerran and gets a feeling, he's not sure what, just a feeling. Quickly scanning around the room he see's Azalea begint to dance with Kino and blinks then shrugs, and moves to the side of the room, quietly taking a seat on a bench..and slowly fingering his pencil.

***Fade to black***

---

Back