It's about that time that most of Igen is finishing up their work and coming into the caverns for their evening meals. As such, the Living Caverns is bustling with activity and noise. One of Igen's riders, namely Selaine, is also amongst those gathered here. The young greenrider is making her rounds of the buffet table, selecting at random the foods available. Once she's made her choice, she attempts to find an empty table, or as empty as one as she can find. Eventually, she comes upon one that has only a few riders already there. She nods her head in greeting and places down her plate and mug of klah.

R'xim is seated at Selaine's table and is in the middle of chowing down on a plateful of food. Having just come in from his last round of sweeps, his jacket is hung from the back of the empty chair next to him. Very focused on the task at hand, he grabs his glass of ale and takes a good long swig to wash everything down. These past few days have been grueling with the schedule he's been on: PT, sweeps, drills, more sweeps. So, it's no surprise that his is very hungry and very tired after such a long day. And what makes it drag on even more? Having no one to drink with. That is upsetting.

D'kan would also be one of those riders, about halfway through his meal. He's about to take a drink of wine when Selaine joins the table, so instead, he lifts it toward her in quiet greeting. After the drink is done, he picks up a fork and pokes at his food for a few seconds. "Sure was a nice day, huh?" he offers casually. When in doubt, small talk. "Spring around here seems pretty good so far." Or, he could just eat his meal.

Dustin comes in from the inner caverns and he looks around a bit suspiciously at all the people. He moves around to get something to eat and drink at one of the tables. He takes a look around for an empty spot and he spots one at the table that Selaine, R'xim and D'kan, "Good evening, do you mind if I join you?"

Having already started on her food by picking through some of the more appealing pieces, Selaine looks up at D'kan at his comment and grins. "Yes, it was. Still cool enough to not be sweating like crazy during drills." she adds before taking a large sip of klah. "Selaine, green Akitith's. You're new to Igen, I take it? You're a new face." There's a glance at R'xim. It's quite obvious the older rider's had a long day. Looking up at the sound of Dustin's voice, she waves to an open seat. "Feel free." she offers.

"Can't complain about the weather." Yet. R'xim looks up from his plate long enough to give D'kan, his wingmate, a nod and a half grin. "Looking forward to the sweltering days that are yet to come." Being a recent transfer from High Reaches, he has yet to experience a summer at Igen. The tone of his voice lacks enthusiasm and he glances over at Selaine briefly before returning his attention to his food. "R'xim with bronze Shalnth." is said in greeting. "Transferred from High Reaches about a month ago." It's hard not to notice Dustin when he approaches the table, so a hand motions for the man to take a seat.

"New enough," D'kan answers Selaine while waving Dustin over in welcome. "Got here last summer. From 'Reaches, like R'xim here. I just don't get out much," he adds as he sets down his fork. "D'kan. Brown Kazavoth's mine." He takes another sip of wine before resuming his food-pushing, finally taking another bite while watching the trader for a couple seconds, then he turns back to Selaine. "Arroyo, right? You're from the newest graduate group? How do you like it?"

Dustin moves to sit down and he inclines his head politely, "Herdsman Dustin of the Zingari." He introduces himself as he starts to eat and he just listens, "Yes it does look to be good weather, in a couple more days the sheep will be sheared. A very busy time."

R'xim's comment about Igen's summer causes Selaine to chuckle softly. "Igen's summers are one to remember, alright. Best is when you're doing drills in 'em." she adds, still picking at her food and chewing thoughtfully. D'kan's comment makes Selaine let out a soft 'ah.' "Oh, yes. I am. It's definitely not what I was expecting to do when I came to the weyr, that's for sure." she replies, grinning. "But I love every moment of it." the girl adds before taking another sip of klah. Dustin is also given another glance. "Will the Zingari hang around for a while then?" she asks him, curious.

R'xim takes another swig of ale and leans back in his chair to observe those at his table. With the glass still in his hand, his listens to the conversations around him while looking over the riders and now the trader sitting nearby. That man is huge. Immediately he categorizes Dustin as someone he does not want to get into a fight with. "Well met, Dustin." Attention is returned to Selaine and a shrug rolls from his shoulders. "Not looking forward to it…at all."

D'kan laughs softly in reaction to Selaine's comment about summers in Igen. "She's not joking," he tells R'xim quietly before taking another bite of food. Her question to Dustin draws a mildly curious expression from the brownrider, and he turns to Dustin, taking a sip of wine while he waits for the response.

Dustin continues to eat and and he listens politely, "Well met." He shrugs, "We are here til Willamina says otherwise. She has some business here and until that business is over we are staying put. I've made some good contacts with those that are looking for premium wool, although I'd be happy if we moved to some cooler climate in the summer."

"I see. I can't imagine the heat will be welcome by the sheep… but at least they'll be shorn." Selaine comments, her curiosity satisfied. There was definitely no demand for wool in Igen, at the very least. "We'd better enjoy the season while it lasts." she adds, chuckling again while she continues to pick at the remaining pieces on her plate.

Leaning forward again, R'xim picks at the last few bites of food on his plate. It didn't take him long to finish what he gathered and he debates going back for a second helping. Or maybe he'll just head to the Cantina from here and finish his night properly. Hmm. Decisions. "Well, I won't be buying any wool. It's bad enough we have to wear leathers in the heat, I can't imagine wearing wool, too." A grin at that last bit.

"Do you only herd sheep?" D'kan asks Dustin just before finishing his last bite of food. He pushes his plate away a little so he can lean on the edge of the table. "Lots of uses for wool. Or meat, if you do that, too." He finishes his wine and sets the glass on his empty plate. "Probably better to wait around anyway, with all the bandit activity lately."

It's difficult to tell whether or not Kyara is coming from or heading to duties; leathers from the waist down and a long-sleeved, fitted green top from the waist up send mixed signals. Regardless, she's tracked down some dinner and is, naturally, looking for a place to sit when a most curious arrangement meets her eye. Not that a table full of riders is anything odd, but the presence of someone clearly of the Zingari variety certainly isn't common. That, and the fact that Selaine looks slightly outnumbered draws the her in that direction. A wingmate, a former wingmate, a new face, and a trader. Should be interesting. "Evening Selaine, gentlemen," the amber-eyed greenrider greets with a nod. "Is there room for one more?"

Dustin moves over to give room for Kyara, "Please have have a seat." He nods, "Yes the sheep will be happy for the hair cut, perhaps you don't need them now, but it takes a while to turn sheep's wool into wool that can be used for warm clothing when it gets freezing out. These sheep are not for meat and I have been promised that the dragons will leave them alone." Dustin shakes his head, "No I'm also in charge of taking care of all the animals of the caravan."

Kyara's appearance elicits a smile from the younger greenrider. "Evening, Kyara! Have a seat!" Selaine greets, also moving over slightly to give Kyara a little more room. There's a nod from Selaine at D'kan's comment. "That's right.. it's probably better that the Zingari stay put. And the dragons have plenty in the pens and wouldn't dare go after your sheep. You can rest assured."

When D'kan mentions the bandits, R'xim is reminded of the early morning sweeps he must wake up for. A slight groan at the thought and he quickly finishes the rest of his food. The glass of ale is snagged and the last few swigs are taken before he pushes his chair back. When Kyara approaches the table, he nods and stands up to offer her his chair. "You can have mine. I was just leaving." Jacket is then grabbed and he flicks a salute to those at the table. "Evening, everyone." Well, maybe he has just enough time for a drink at the Cantina before he turns in for the night. Out he goes.

"Wasn't thinking of the dragons, no worries," D'kan replies to Dustin with an easy grin. "Just curious. I don't know much about your group is all. Didn't even know you have sheep until just now." He nods to Kyara as she joins them, then gives R'xim a gesture that is half wave and half salute. "Having a good evening, Kyara?"

"The Zingari didn't even have sheep until the came back with Dustin, if I remember rightly," Kyara notes with a smile. Thanks is murmured to R'xim - gone before she can even learn who he is! - and she takes the vacated chair. "Good to see you again, Dustin. And you, D'kan. It's been a nice evening so far, yes." A bit of food gets eaten before she's asking all present with a flick of her fork back at the exit, "Who was that? I don't think I've seen him except in passing so far."

The leaving rider is given a quick salute before Selaine turns her attention back to the conversation. "That was… R'xim? Of bronze Shalnth's, he said." she tells Kyara, pushing her now-empty plate away and nursing her mug of klah. "Just came from High Reaches a month ago. I only just met him, myself."

Dustin nods, "I have some of the stronger lads in the caravan helping me to guard them when I am not there, trust me no one will have those sheep and if something should happen to them I would be very upset. Their wool is a special kind made for making the finest wool clothes. Not the coarser wool used for regular clothes."

"He rides in Whirlwind," D'kan adds to Kyara, following the information from Selaine. He nods in response to Dustin. "With a valuable commodity like that, all the more reason to stay at the Weyr a while longer," he comments casually. "At least until the weyrleaders figure out what's up with all these attacks. Strong or not, often comes down to numbers in the end."

"Reaches?" Kyara echoes, her expression a bit dubious for a moment. She blinks it away, sipping at her water. "Interesting…" The talk of bandits has the greenrider flicking a knowing look at Selaine, and she nods at D'kan. "I have a feeling it'll be worked out soon. There are a lot of cogs spinning right now. Just a matter of them locking together." Glancing over at Dustin, she asks, "Have your people been affected by the attacks at all?"

Selaine catches Kyara's look and only the slightest of smiles can be seen on her lips though it is gone as soon as it appears. Taking small sips of her klah, she listens in on the conversation, also waiting with bated breath for Dustin's reply.

Dustin nods, "Perhaps so, but the Zingari know how to handle bandits. Not that I have heard, but if you mess with the Zingari you might find yourself with many many Zingari breathing down your neck. The enemies of the Zingari don't last long." He says with a shrug, "So most know to stay away from our caravans if they have something nefarious in mind."

D'kan watches the two greenriders look at each other and folds his hands beneath his chin momentarily. Then he nods once to Kyara and smiles. "I certainly hope so. In any case, I'm going to get going. Early sweeps tomorrow." He gets to his feet and nods to the other two riders with a friendly, "Clear skies," then another nod for Dustin. "May it continue to be so. Have a good evening, everyone." He picks up his riding jacket from the back of his chair, gives the three a casual salute, then heads out to the bowl.

"Clear skies, D'kan," Kyara returns, lifting her glass to the brownrider as he goes his way as well. She considers Dustin's words for a moment, memory of past occurences with the Zingari jogging, and a thoughtful look is given. She really must go visit their caravan in earnest sometime. "Indeed," she concurs with D'kan's words before grabbing a bit more food and looking to Selaine again. "How's Akitith?" she asks easily. Just a bit of dinner small talk between riders - and a trader.

Selaine also gives D'kan a quick salute as he heads out. "Clear skies." she repeats before turning her attention back to the other two. There's an approving nod from the younger greenrider. "That's reassuring." she comments before looking over at Kyara again. "Well as always." she replies, grinning slightly. "She's enjoying the warmer weather, not a big fan of the cold, that one." The girl laughs lightly at that.

Dustin nods politely to the rider as he goes to leave, 'Good bye." He finishes off his meal and takes a sip of his klah. "I'm sure that it will." He hmms, "I thought that dragons didn't care about how warm or cold it was, they go between and that's colder than any weather."

Kyara chuckles lightly. "That's true, but they're never between for more than a few heartbeats." Unless there's major timing involved, but there aren't any plans in the works to jump centuries again any time soon, to her knowledge. "Each dragon is different, though I'd say a lot seem not to care. Liareth definitely likes the warmth more than the cold herself. I've heard of a few who are the opposite. They all have their preferences, as we do."

Selaine nods in agreement with Kyara's comment. "Just so. Just because they have to endure the cold of between, doesn't mean they have to like it. Akitith makes a point to complain each time. She quite despises the cold. I don't mind it as much, myself." she adds, chuckling again.

Dustin ahs a little bit, "Well that's good to know. Well she should be happy that the warmest weather is coming soon. I don't mind the cold or the heat myself. Either way is fine with me." He takes another drink of his klah.

"I expect so, being out and about as much as you are," Kyara notes of Dustin with another tilt of her glass toward him. "In all manner of weather. I'm amazed some of us aren't more used to both extremes, as much as we fly in them." She still doesn't like flying in the midst of winter, herself. There's a chuckle for Akitith's complaining. "Hopefully she'll grow out of that. Anyway," the greenrider says, pushing to her feet and gathering up her now-empty plate (it was a small meal!), "I've got to go get ready for a sweep. A pleasure, Dustin. I'll be seeing you soon Selaine." Another nod is given in place of a salute, and Kyara is on her way.

"Believe me," Selaine replies, "She's quite ecstatic about summer coming." There's a slight roll of her eyes. She nods at Kyara's comment. "Hopefully." At her wingmate's departure, she salutes. "Clear skies, Kyara." With that said, her mug was now empty and she looked wistfully into it. There's a slight yawn as she stretches her arms. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Dustin, but I do believe it's also time for me to take my leave. I hope you have a pleasant rest of your evening." And so Selaine also gets up with her dishes and heads out with a small wave to the herder.