Here there be dragons: far above on the ledges and below on the Sands, Dhazkyth's chiaroscuro form on one side balancing Jaehnieseyth's soft beauty on the other. A leanly muscled man sits on the first row of the galleries, staring down on the array of eggs below with a very remote look on his face. He's wearing a High Reaches' jacket, Inferno's crest spilling fiery across the back, with no indication of Igen loops on his shoulder; it wouldn't be amiss to consider R'kyr merely a visitor, come to oggle the eggs with the rest of the crowd. For crowd there is: nearly forty people loiter amongst the rows, the dull roar of murmuring rising behind him.

Not many would pass up the oppertunity to at least glimps at the eggs at least once. Least, not of their own will. Even the young can be spotted taking a peek from time to time. Sneaking in when they have a free moment or two. Which is how and why Sophius found his way to the galleries on this day. Taking a few free moments he has away from the infirmery to take a glimps at the eggs that were on the sands now. Though starting to think he picked a bad time to do so, noting the crowd that was gathered there. Still, he had to take a glance while he was here. So he made his way closer to the ledge that overlooked the sands directly. At least he wouldn't smell like the infirmery. He also told his two firelizards to wait outside for him. They were contented on napping anyway so they picked a place that was on a sunny ledge out in the Weyr bowl.

R'kyr isn't the friendliest bastard to have ever been sired on the other side of the tracks — (except not, his mother would be appalled if she had any idea where her son was, regarding his manners today) — so he doesn't look over at Sophius' impingement upon his turf. It takes a minute for his grey-green gaze to track over, lifting to take in the Healer's profile. He's on the wrong side to catch the knot, but the rider says only, in a voice beautiful despite his rather scarred exterior, "Quite a sight, isn't it." His words are remarkably flat. Might be talking to himself and not Sophius, come to think.

Sophius did do a little ducking around a few people that were between him and the viewing ledge. Then he comes to stop in a spot where he could get the best viewing angel while standing near those who were there looking at the eggs. Hearing the words that were spoken, he did glance over to R'kyr though wasn't rightly sure if the words were spoken to him or just in general. Shook his head some then turned his gaze back to the grounds and the eggs that were there, kind of letting the daydream he tends to have take over his mind for a moment. Looking from one egg to another.

Quietly, he makes his way into the galleries, his freshly washed hair pushed back with fingertips as green eyes watch from face to face. No one here he prefers to see, no one of any importance so his steps are slow and leisurely. The eggs are peered at, though the man favors a seat first. He's been on those sands before, so let the newly initiated have their fair share first. Movement catches K'mine's attention as well as a familiar face. There's this little voice, a little alarm that allows prey animals a moment of clarity, to sense and see the real danger before succumbing to it but K'mine's is broken today so he'll sit directly behind R'kyr because why not? Seems he already has someone to talk to so he'll have to be good and mind his manners for now…

If K'mine is prey — and tasty prey at that, let the world know — R'kyr is certainly a predator, his gaze turning again upon Sophius. Evidently his words were for the healer, for the bronzerider inquires, "Have your ears turned off on you, lad?" with his crips Fortian accent, eyebrows lifted with visible sardony. One of them is half-destroyed by a small, intricate threadscore, giving his entire appearance a slightly piratical air. He hasn't seen K'mine yet, but JUST WAIT Kair, just wait. Someday he'll get eyes in the back of his head… or Dhazkyth will ken into the fact that Ved's beloved is sitting right behind his dumb Ryker.

At the lastest batch of words that were spoken by R'kyr, Sophius snaps out of the daydream quickly. Soph looks away from the sands and the eggs that were there to glance to R'kyr, "Sorry," Trying to place a name to the face for a moment, then adds quickly, "R'kyr, I wasn't sure if you were speaking to me or not." Before glancing to the sands once more…. and answers the first question. "For my first time seeing eggs, it is quite a sight."

The greenrider leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and he tilts his gaze towards Sophius for a moment. He raises a curious brow, perhaps peering a little too he long, and then goes back to watching the eggs along with the crowd. If Dhaz doesn't clue his rider in, Vedziyath will be sure to share some lovely oversaturated and rather graphic imagery! Pay-Pern-View. Or Pern Hub. K'mine reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out a red fruit and he takes a bite before placing a foot all rude like on the bench beside R'kyr. Eating around Doji isn't a good idea at the moment so he'll have to sneak in what he can in passing. "It's all definitely a sight," he chimes in smoothly, taking another deliberately loud bite.

R'kyr's look encompasses Sophius fully for calling him by his given name, and he dismisses the Healer soon thereafter, turning his attention back to the eggs beyond. Dhazkyth's stirring on the sands, turning his snout upward toward the viewing ledges: Vedziyath, is THAT YOU UP THERE? Or is that God? It might be God. R'kyr's shoulders stiffen at the familiar voice, or perhaps the foot rudely placed on the bench next to him, and he half-turns to give K'mine a look in profile. The smile he slowly unleashes is probably more unsettling than most things that creep about in Pern's shadows, but well, does anyone expect anything else? The ex-High Reaches rider reaches out and shoves the boot off his bench with a, "Fuck you, K'mine." So pleasant, our favorite convict-guard-rider… now returned from the far north.

Sophius shuffles a little on the nervous side for a few moments as he felt the gaze upon him, even so much as taking a step back. Lets out a slight breath like 'phew' as he sees the dismissal. Takes a few more steps, putting some distance between himself and the riders. After a few paces, he comes to lean slightly on the railing to gaze down onto the sands below once more, looking at the eggs. Turning his gaze away once more as he hears the sharp words that were spoken from one to another.

It's God, it's definitely God. At least, the one that Dhaz wishes he could be~ K'mine presses the back of his hand to wipe the juice from his mouth while R'kyr shoves his foot away and the greenrider laughs, his tone a little bit playful and a little bit not. "I'm sure that alley way booth is still serving if you're down for round two." ilu2, R'kyr. "Of course, let's look at these eggs of yours a little longer. I was wondering if I would see the day Dhazkyth would sire a clutch, and yet, here we are. I'm rather excited, I wouldn't want to miss a moment of this one. It's going to be big." All said as both feet are re-applied to the bench, this time on either side of R'kyr. Why? Cause K'mine has a deathwish and a little bit of redfruit left. His hands won't like to be idle for long. He turns to Sophius, eyeing the young man for a moment in silence. "You said this is your first time seeing the eggs? How many hatchings have you attended?" K'mine might've been a little loud besides R'kyr's ear cause you know, you get old and your hearing goes. Sophius had a hard time hearing the bronzerider so the greenrider just wanted to be helpful.

Sophius! R'kyr will yet remember the boy stands there, but for now he is engaged in fending off both Dhazkyth's internal thoughts and his own consideration of the man seated behind him. "No thank you," R'kyr replies rather politely, or at least the words are — his voice, beautiful instrument that it is, is rather sharp and particularly derisive. "I had a nice gander at Rosie's the other day. The velvet was how I remembered but they've changed the scent of the rosewater oil." He turns his head just enough to look back at Kair, one eyebrow lifted in masculine challenge rather than intrigue or come-hither: High Reaches has beaten some of the bullshit out of him, and installed some other software that seems… rather alarming really. But before he can escalate to normal Stryker asshole levels, Kair's asking Sophius a question, and the Inferno-jacketed bronzerider turns his attention back to the Healer to hear his answer.

Sophius glanced once more back to the sands below, looking at the eggs, least the one's he didn't see before. Though does answer the question he hears posed to him, "I haven't had the chance to attend a hatching yet." No one from Fort Weyr offered to him to go see a hatching when he studied in Healer Hall. And his family is just crafters, no one of any real rank to be asked to attend a hatching. Still had that nervous look about him, everytime he heard R'kyr speak. Though just kept glancing at the eggs that he could see from his current vantage point.

Rosewater oil? K'mine tilts his head to the side, brushing aside his damp hair to give R'kyr a rather sour look. Ugh, that's one scent the man can't stand to catch, even in passing through the bazaar. The greenrider prefers the scent of… well? ANYTHING ELSE. Hey, High Reaches? Challenge Accepted~ At the least, Kair returns a crooked smile before those green eyes are back to Sophius. Eggs and hatchings are exciting things, it's a fair question! The last of the red fruit is devoured and he begins to lick his fingers clean. He forgot his handkerchief and no one likes sticky hands. Especially in the galleries where there's a myriad of unfavorable things to cling to them. "Oh?" he says to Sophius after working on a stubborn spot on the webbing between his thumb and index finger. "Are you from Igen or are you just visiting? I think this is the hatching that absolutely no one should miss. I've been to several, but this one is special." Why? K'mine has his reasons.

"Not a single one?" R'kyr asks Sophius, half in disbelief, his attention returning to the Healer with… well, it's not like he's necessarily a nice man, but the level of intensity he brings to bear is likely unpleasant regardless. It redoubles in levels of acidity as K'mine speaks, and he turns to leverage a look at the greenrider. "And why do you think this one is especially special, greenrider?" he inquires, his voice half-hostile.

Sophius shook his head a few times to clear the thoughts of the day dream that he has while he looked at the eggs for a moment longer, having heard the words that were spoken to him. Turns his gaze to both K'mine and R'kyr, responding to K'mine first. "I'm not from Igen but my post as Sr Apprentice healer is Igen Weyr. Before I came here, a couple months ago, I was studying at Healer Hall and before that, where I was born was Green Fields Hold. I hope I wouldn't miss it but if I'm needed in the Infirmery, I'll be there instead. Guess it'll end up being upto Master Jhothulos what happens that day for me." Then shook his head to R'kyr's question. "Not a single one. No one form Fort Weyr would bring me to a hatching when I was studying at the hall…. nor Telgar Weyr when I was at my home hold." Though seemed interested in the 'special' bit himself, was about to ask but heard R'kyr's words first.

"Why wouldn't you think this is special, Bronzerider?" K'mine answers, leaning in to rest both of his arms across R'kyr's shoulders. He brings his face a little closer to quietly add, "Both of our dragons were on those very sands together once. Vedziyath might not find herself down there again, we'll have to live vicariously through you both." Oh, c'mon now. Kair wouldn't miss this for the world! Think about how adorable those Dhaz babies are going to be! Vedziyath thinks alien facehuggers are going to burst out, only they're going to be colorful like my little ponies. Glittery ones. She even shares the imagery of said spawn getting upclose and personal with a unicorn stuffy. K'mine turns his curious green eyes back to Sophius, and he trails his fingertips across the seams of R'kyr's jacket in thought. The weaver part of him is definitely internally screaming at how shoddy the lining was done. "Well, I think there's always an exception to everything, it's just a matter for the right opportunity to present itself. What's your name? Don't think I caught it."

A fucking VEIN pops out on R'kyr's fucking FACE when K'mine comes in so close. His back stiffens, his jaw clenching, the man seemingly ready to incite violence against his fellow dragonrider. "I think you're taking your familiarity a step too far, Kairmine," he says in a velveteen-over-steel voice: the edge is so very audible, ready to rip forth. He stiffens further when the greenrider goes into a familiar cadence, taking a deep breath directly through his nose and allowing his head to rest back a beat, eyes lifting to the ceiling. What indignities must he survive? Dhazkyth is fucking cackling below, a certain unicorn stuffy dancing around a stripper pole for that show of glittery MLPs.

You overhear R'kyr mutter, "… fucking hate … life." to himself.

Sophius listens to the answer that was given in thought for a few moments before shaking his head a bit. Noticing the crowd shift a little at the tension that was brewing, moving about so as to not be too close to either rider should tempers flare too much. He himself remains where he is as he nods his head slowly a couple of times at the response spoken to him. "I'll have to wait and see." Spoken with a little hesitation. Then clears his throat some to keep his voice from breaking, then says, "I'm Sophius."

See? Vedziyath can be friendly when she's glowing oh so brightly outside, sometimes. Once in a while. Rarely. Well, maybe it's exclusive to this moment because she has fuel and when there's fuel, a fire must burn. K'mine sighs heavily, slowly removing his arms from the bronzrider's shoulders and he holds his hands up to show the man he's on to his best (bah!) behavior. He'll even do a little finger wiggle with a shit eating grin! Jazz hands! Sophius manages to reclaim the proddy riders attention for a moment so poor R'kyr can compose himself. "Well, Sophius, perhaps you won't have to wait too long." The greenrider slips a thankfully no-longer-sticky hand into his pocket for a moment and he pulls something out. He moves his feet away from R'kyr and rises, carefully stepping on the bronzerider's bench so he can move to the floor and approach the young man with a white knot in his upturned palm. "Will you stand as a Candidate for Dhazkyth and Jaehnieseyth's clutch?"

Enter R'kyr sigh here, but he seems to relax in not-insignificant degree when K'mine's hands finally leave his shoulders and the greenrider moves on. His own grey-green eyes flick over to the tableau of searchrider and possible-candidate, scarred eyebrow lifting in tandem with its fraternal twin to await Sophius' answer.

Was that a skip in the beat of a heart or just Sophius stand there, a little flabbergasted for the moment as he's asked. It takes him a few moments to find his voice, trying to clear his throat, trying to sound as professional as he could before he could answer. "I'll have to clear it with Master Jhothulos first. But if I do get the go ahead, I would gladly stand." Trying to think if Master Jhothulos would be about. "I can go ask him now, I think he should be still on duty."

"All you have to do is show him your new knot, and I'm sure he'll know exactly your meaning. He just has to be informed of your change of status. Once he's been informed, you're to collect your necessities and report directly to the Headwoman for placement. Then stay on your best behavior, don't skimp on the responsibilities given to you as a Candidate and I assure you that those days will fly by faster than you think." K'mine keeps his hand outstretched until the knot is taken, but he does glance over his shoulder over to his own fellow Candidate-turned-Clutchsib with a crooked grin. See? He can behave while Vedziyath is threatening to franchise Rosie's!

R'kyr's disdain has returned when Sophius invokes the thought of asking a Healer regarding dragonrider business. "Our call pre-empts all others, boy," he says — not unkindly, really, for R'kyr, though the words are still sharp. "Any master affiliated with the weyr forbidding his own apprentices to Stand would be thrown out on their ear." Obviously Jhothulos' obedience could be compelled, but the clutchsire's lifebonded isn't about to stand for any conversation that it would even be in question to begin with. His attention levels to K'mine and goes unemotive when that crooked grin is tossed back at him, copface returning to R'kyr as easily as if… well… as if he were a guard again.

Sophius makes his way closer to both K'mine and R'kyr, giving a nod of his head. He gently takes the knot as he tries to keep himself from getting too excited. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure he'll let me." Just the formalities that has to be followed. He takes note of everything that he's told, already knowing where most things are already. "I shall do that after I see Master Jhothulos." He then turns to nod to R'kyr pratically dancing with excitement now. Again tries to to keep himself composed and professional, "I'm sure once he sees the knot, he'll give me well wishes."

"Well, don't leave the Headwoman waiting, Sophius! She's expecting plenty of Candidates and if you want a chance at having a decent spot in the barracks, I suggest you turn tail and run. Run to your Master of yesterday, get your things, and report in to your tomorrow. Take too long, and you'll have to sleep closest to the entrance of the barracks and guess which people get the shittiest details when the teaching staff is in a pissy mood?" Well, truthfully, that didn't stop K'mine and R'kyr from getting shitty details, but shhh. Let the precious baby Candidate keep that shining hope. Now that his hand is freed, K'mine is gonna take a seat on the bench beside R'kyr, thankfully leaving a respectable amount of space between them. He really did want to see the eggs, afterall.

R'kyr for once holds his tongue regarding Sophius' insistence to check in with his master, and instead turns his attention back to the Sands below. Indeed - Kair and Ryker both had a great deal of shitty details, and it had nothing to do with their bunk placements! But don't tell that to the new kid. The bronzerider turns his attention to a particular grey-and-white egg and narrows his eyes until Dhazkyth obligingly moves over the Sands to nose more sand beneath it, until it looks less… wobbly. Vulnerable. Who would have ever thought Dhazkyth would be an attentive clutchsire? (Everyone knows it wouldn't have been the Rosie-franchising Ved's aspirations for her unicorn-obsessed clutchmate!)

Sophius nods his head some as he turns, "I'll try to be as fast as dragon can fly between." he says. Though to his dismay, his excitment has gotten the attention of his two small firelizards. Both come down to whirl around and chirp happy things before he could try to calm them and collect them. "I wish you both a good rest of your evening." he says before fully departing as quickly as his feet could carry him. Being followed by a small gold and brown firelizard who are chittering away to each other, their sounds being muffled quickly as they follow the lad.

Sophius is given a salute and K'mine is just going to rest his face in his hands for a moment while he yawns and rubs his fingertips into his eyes. It's Vedziyath who is exhausted and demanding sleep, and Kair's just fine where he is while she gets that sleep. That also means he's in control of his impulses for a little while. Maybe. He opens his mouth, but no sound comes out yet. It's a pathetic sound but he'll swallow it down and try again, quietly this time. "It really is good to see you again, R'kyr. Even if it's just for this clutch." K'mine slowly pulls his hands from his eyes and once again, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze doesn't leave the eggs. They really are a sight to see.

"You haven't heard?" R'kyr replies, leaning back and turning to study Kair with those guard-impassive eyes of his. Yes, copface has returned, but it doesn't seem as openly, actively hostile as some of his responses from just earlier. His grey-green eyes are reserved, though, in a way unrelated. Despite all of his High Reaches regalia, well… "I was transferred back just before Jaehni went up. I'm in Parhelion now." The ill humor R'kyr holds for being part of that institution is well-versed in his… rather sordid past with Igen's guards, no doubt. It's always Alanis 'ironic' when a convict once a guard turns out to be a future guard as well, doesn't it? "You'll be seeing more of me." Kair watches the eggs: Ryker watches Kair. Who watches the watcher? Probably some creep four rows back tbh.

As long as they don't hear any wet slapping sounds coming from four rows back, they should be safe. If they hear it any further than that, then it's par for the course until the guards show up. K'mine does blink in surprise at the news, and he chances a quick glances towards R'kyr's face before peering back at the eggs. "Welcome home," K'mine replies, fingers keeping themselves busy with the hems of his own sleeves. "I'll buy you a drink after she rises, that way we can both actually have a chance to enjoy it. No mushrooms for dinner this time. Promise." There will be steak, damnit. "If Doji is feeling better, then maybe she'll be able to join us. If duty allows us all, of course."

There's a brief glance over, and it isn't concern that knits R'kyr's brow, he would disavow that, but out of all of that he only heard: "Is she okay?" regarding the part of the their trio not currently in present company. The lack of wet slapping noises means he doesn't have to put on his guard hat (it's still bizarre even to think!), and he ignores a) any niceties welcoming him home, b) any commentary about K'mine being proddy and c) ANYTHING involving mushrooms.
"She's fine," K'mine says, straightening himself up from slouching over. "She's pregnant, so she's taking it easy these days. Kind of. Still keeping busy around the morning sickness." There's no slowing down Doji's. Doji's are responsible and hard working! So soon, he's going to have a little one of his own. Though, Dhazkyth has him beat in the quantity department. R'kyr better add a whole weyr full of handcuffs to his guard attire.

R'kyr's face undergoes a fascinating change at the news that Doji is pregnant: there's a roil of incomprehension followed by a flash of some strong emotion before his face just shuts down again, back to copface. It seems to spur him on to stand. "Congratulations," he says, looking out at the eggs. "To both of you," he says, glancing down and over to K'mine, one brief look. "Dhazkyth tells me that Casla needs a fresh serving of icewater," some kind of caustic humor except without much humor — it almost has the flavor of an excuse, but surely conflict-heavy R'kyr would never recuse himself from anything! "If you'll excuse me." He tips his fingers in some kind of salute analog before turning and leaving; at least he was mannerful enough to not just… walk off!

All K'mine can do is smile and nod, keeping his eyes on the eggs. R'kyr was never a bubbly girlfriend-type, and K'mine was always fine with that. The bronzerider's cadence with life has always been smooth and stable in his own opinion. The greenrider offers his departing friend a salute with a little less joking and a little more respect at his departure. He twists in his seat, watching the man leave until he can see him no more and he smiles, chuckling softly. "Welcome home, asshole. Welcome home."