From the galleries, T'ela isn't sprawled out in her seat as she usually is, nor is she seated in a blatantly obvious place; rather, brownrider is perched up near the very top of the galleries, head resting on her knees as she eyes the sands absently.

From the galleries, Leah is towards the front of the galleries, staring blankly at nothing in particualr, head resting in her propped up hands. Eyes wander from on side of huge cavern to the other, as if *expecting* something exciting to happen. Maybe something 'll blow up. Hmm.

From the galleries, O'kano steps into the galleries from the ledges and spares a quick glance around to scope out who else is present. T'ela, however, isn't seen; he's at the bottom and she's at the top, and he doesn't scan too well. The bronzerider promptly flops onto one of the bottom tiers, nodding cordially towards Leah as the candidate is spied. Finally, Puo peers out towards the sands, eying what's below and looking for...well, something.

Tamial perches quietly on the stone off to one side, leaving Khavrineth free to be restless as she has been for a couple of days, now, turning eggs and nosing the sand up around them, uncovering this one, covering that one. She pays no attention at all to the galleries.

Neither is Deinha sprawling, exactly, though they decidedly pregnant young woman is certainly reclining against Sebayeth's side. The gold obscures Dei from view, mostly, for those in the galleries -- probably intentionally, or so would guess those who've noticed Deinha's slightly reticence of late. Sebayeth watches the other people with a hint of wariness; at O'kano's arrival, there follows a canting of rosey-golden head as the queen turns her regard in his direction. A faint huff of air the next moment sends sand spraying about.

From the galleries, Hally wanders through the galleries, pausing momentarily to look at the sands. "So that's where those eggs are....I've always wanted to see a hatching." Glancing around for any familiar faces, and finding, none, the young woman sits down quietly to watch the others standing by.

From the galleries, T'ela blinks as movement below catches her attention, dark eyes flicking downward to trace its source... and opening all the wider at identifying the bronzerider. Throat is cleared as she shifts uncomfortably, expression vaccilating somewhere between hesitation and mild amusement. She moves to rise, pauses a hearbeat, then hops down out of her seat with a revealing thud of heavy boots.

From the galleries, Leah finally comes out of her trance, and after swiveling gaze to the few people in the galleried and the... well... none people on the sands, she decides to make things more interesting. As she has a reputation for being a klutz, what would a little think like... falling over backwords be? Thump. Now Leah is flat on her back after making quite a clatter. She rubs her head. "Ow..."

From the galleries, Azure eyes continue to gaze at the sands, resting briefly upon the younger gold before moving on; Deinha goes unseen, and after another minute, Puo gradually grows disinterested. The thump from above isn't heard, or if it is, when the bronzerider might once have glanced back to see exactly who it was, his attention is claimed by the disturbance Leah causes, and he quirks eyebrows with faint -- and no doubt scornful -- bemusement.

From the galleries, Hally's eyes flicker towards the loud noise. Drawing herself away from her view of the sands, she turns fully to view the source of the noise. Oh, its only some girl. Still, her compassionate side draws her closer to the girl. Extending a hand, she voices the traditional question, "Are you alright?"

From the galleries, T'ela steps up atop the next row of benches, and proceeds to hop downward from seat to seat, clumping lightly down all the way. A glance over her shoulder is directed Puo-wards, and an eyebrow quirked at Leah as she pauses on the step above the candidate, eyeing her as she might an odd bug. "Have a problem, did you?"

<*Sebayeth*> Privately, Sebayeth comments, abruptly << I am watching. >> Golden-brown of sands pans into view, mental imagery tracing eggs and up, to a familiar figure in the galleries. << Yours, I suggest, should be careful not to disturb mine, this once. >> A trace of underlying heat to the otherwise calm words, followed next by a gentler explanation << What she does is none of my affair, but .. >> Here, again, the flicker of velvet-clad steel: << I would not like to see mine unduly agitated again. She is, >> saffron light spills into being, << Easily hurt. >> to Shepoth

From the galleries, Leah looks up as people come from all directions, some to stare at her, some to help her up. Wow. She takes the hand offers, and pulls herself back up to her feet. "Thanks!" to Hally, and "Yep." to T'ela. Oh, she just loves being the center of attention.

Deinha doesn't notice the incident in the galleries, absorbed in other things. Or she could just be used to it. Likely the former, though. All the same, Dei's attention is caught as Seb turns her head, suddenly, to nuzzle 'rider. With a few words to lifemate -- too softly spoken to reach the others as more than a murmur, if that -- she steps away, fingers trailing over golden hide until she's too far to reach.

From the galleries, Hally quietly accepts the thanks, and retreats to her corner. To her, being the center of attention is a terrifying idea. Though some may call her anti-social, it is truly just fear of being hurt. As a child, she was often mistreated, and because of that developed a fear of people. Gain her trust though, and she'll never betray you.

From the galleries, Now Puo sees T'ela; it's rather hard to miss her as she goes clumping by. Recognizing the brownrider by sight and by voice, the young man inadvertantly widens his eyes with displeased surprise and scoots sideways on his bench, edging back towards the ledges. His attention's gone from the sands, and Deinha's presence goes unnoticed, as O'kano quietly, inconspicuously attempts to evade T'ela.

<*Sebayeth*> Privately, Shepoth is all soothing tones and soft swirls of a calm breeze << Disturb yours, sweet lady? Mine would never dream of such a thing. >> Well, of course she would, but he's not about to tell *her* that. << Where has yours gone to, in any such case, that you have such a fear of mine upsetting? >> A gentle rumble, like shifting of sands, and then. << It is none of my business in either case, but you understand, sweet lady, that I must take care of mine. We have had a... difficult time of things. We are improving. >> to Sebayeth

From the galleries, T'ela arches an eyebrow at Leah, flicking another inconspicious-enough glance over her shoulder at O'kano. "I'd watch that sitting problem you seem to have when the eggs hatch... you're more than likely to get a nice burn for your efforts." Not quite typical T'ela-irrascability, but its darn close as she throws the comment over her shoulder, "We wouldn't want anybody hurt, would we, O'kano?"

From the galleries, Leah nods to T'ela, seeming to take this comment seriously. "Oh, I'll be careful when the eggs hatch." is said honestly, and after this said, candidate walks down the rest of the steps to the railing, which is used to balance her as the small girl rises up onto her tiptoes to peer over.

From the galleries, O'kano is spotted, and any attempt at a clean escape is thrown away. Making a face, the bronzerider darkly mutters with a trace of sarcasm, "Of course not." He schools his expression into something that's not foul, but a hint of uneasiness still remains, and Puo scoots a bit further away.

"Puo!" Voice light, almost pleased in tone, Deinha calls a greeting to the bronzerider, and, next moment, to the others: "T'ela. And Leah." Hally, a face unrecognized, gets a faint nod, warm expression altering only to add curiosity. Then, weyrwoman's gaze returns to O'kano as she comes to the railing and asks, softly, "How are you?" At T'ela's words -- nevermind that they aren't directed her way -- a quick flash of anger seems to find its way into blue eyes. But the next minute she smiles at the brownrider and answers, again ignoring that she was not the one addressed, "No, we certainly wouldn't ever want that. So everyone'll just have to be careful out here, hmm?" And, as Leah says as much, Dei winks, "Perhaps especially so, in Leah's case?" She's even teasing as she looks over to the candidate and suggests, "Mind you don't lean too far."

From the galleries, Hally continues to shelter herself from the other spectators, hiding her insecurities in the shadows. As the goldrider gives her a nod, Hally feels herself likely to faint away. She'd ignore people completely, if it weren't for the dragons. With eyes filled with longing, she turns her attentions to the sands. All those lovely dragons....

From the galleries, O'kano's attention is diverted as his name is spoken for the second time, but a considerably different reaction takes place as he glances towards the railing. The wary expression clears as eyes alight upon Deinha, and the beginnings of a simle pop into place as he takes the goldrider's greeting and query as an excuse to slide away from T'ela's vicinity; rising to his feet, the young man approaches the galleries' railing as well and responds simply, "I'm okay." He seats himself on the edge, with legs dangling down, and adds, "What about you?"

Deinha would cross her arms over the rail and lean against it, but .. well, she realized a while ago that it was no longer very possible. So, she just stands, hands planted just at the back of hips, and smiles over the railing at Puo. "Good to hear it." A glance to others precedes her next, rather mild, "Well enough, considering." Dei tilts her head to the side, then asks, "Sticking around long?"

From the galleries, A rather odd duckling must T'ela be, for she shoots a look between Deinha and O'kano, then jumps down the final few steps to sprawl on the bottommost bench, nodding a greeting to the goldrider on the sands, agreeing blandly, "It would definately be a pity for someone to be hurt on such a happy day." O'kano's reaction is watched for a moment before attention shifts back down to the goldrider with just the barest hints of alarm concealed in her expression. She hesitates a moment, then offers lamely, "How much longer do you think it'll be, mmm?"

From the galleries, Leah beams out an Deinha, and she also starts chattering. "I'm too short to lean over too far, I can barely see over!" The candidate rises up and down from tip toes to flat feet, sometimes seeing over and sometimes not. "Hmm." She gets an idea, and quickly skitters to the nearest bench, stepping up on to it. "Oh, I can see now!" Funfun. Let's just hope she doesn't fall off...

From the galleries, Hally watches the activity with mild amusement, little rays of light dancing in her eyes. Emerging from the shadows, at least by a few feet, the young woman proceeds to watch the other people with interest. Her eyes travel slowly from one person to another, halting momentarily on Deinha. If only she were alone with the goldrider....then maybe she could talk!

From the galleries, "Well, good." Puo's response is stated rather awkwardly, and he glances back towards T'ela with a faint scowl. "Pity," he states. Then, he glances back to the goldrider long enough to shake his head while scrambling to his feet. "No -- just thought I'd stop by to...check things out. Jharzeth's wanting an oiling, and he's liable to have a fit if he doesn't get it." The bronzerider starts for the ledges, giving a small wiggle of fingers as he goes. "See you later, Dei...T'ela." The last name is added on for politeness' sake, but the tone is guarded, and Puo hurries off without waiting for a response from either.

From the galleries, O'kano walks up the stairs to the dragon ledges.
From the galleries, O'kano has left.

Deinha just shakes her head faintly at Leah, lips quirked into a momentary grin.
A blush, oddly enough, fans quickly over goldrider's cheeks at T'ela's question, and she swings a glance back toward her lifemate, then to Puo, and finally back to brownrider before shrugging faintly, "I'm not sure." A smile flirts at the corner of her lips, eyes an odd contrast between almost-sad and faintly bemused, before she acknowledges, "Not too much longer, hopefully." As bronzerider says he's leaving, she looks back his way, nodding once, and then murmurs her own goodbye.

From the galleries, Hally forces herself to enter farther into the spotlight, coming to perch on the edge of the galleries, not far from Leah. Her eyes flit from one person to the other, ever moving, ever studying, deciding which one to approach first. After a moment's hesitation, Leah is chosen as a likely candidate. "H-hello?"

From the galleries, T'ela doesn't visibly watch O'kano go, though his progress is tracked by dark eyes as long as it can be without being too overtly obvious. Rising swiftly, she saunters the few paces to the railing and bends over it idly, turning her head to size up the goldrider, gaze lingering on her belly. "That's the rumor, at any rate. Which means we'd best be prepared."

<*Sebayeth*> Privately, Sebayeth is, indeed, soothed some, leaning 'closer,' mentally, as she returns << Good. >> Not that she will stop her careful watch. << ..gone to? Why, she is nowhere. There. >> The whispered hint of location is a backdrop to the sudden, sharp image detailing just where is 'there.' << Of course you must. >> Concern tilts voice into a sudden warmth, as next she asks << Is it private? Does it distract you? >> The first, an offer, subtly woven. The second, a more professional inquiry. to Shepoth

Deinha doesn't notice T'ela's observation, her own eyes quite openly trailing after him. But she does look back in time to wonder at the other woman's sudden approach, expression cautious. "Rumor?" she repeats, then: "We?" Blink, blink.

From the galleries, Leah has disconnected.

From the galleries, When Hally recieves no reply from the girl, she continues on down the line. Unfortunately, the other two people on the sands are deep in conversation, and she is not yet up to interrupting them. Still, part of her longs for conversation, and so she tries to make herself even more visible, hoping to be included. This is very much new to her, being the recluse that she is.

<*Sebayeth*> Privately, Shepoth peeks at the image, then withdraws just a touch to confer with her lifemate before resuming the contact with a gentle brush. << We had not realized - she was hidden by your glory. >> He sounds more as if he's trying to appease rather than impress her, despite the content of his words. << It has been private, though some would have it not so. We have made many improvements since the bronze left us. >> An image limned in black is offered of Shepoth's bronze clutchmate and his lifemate, T'ian, also known as T'ela's former 'sometime weyrmate'. << It is not so distracting when she is better. Your young ones will help. >> to Sebayeth

From the galleries, T'ela is tense despite her reclining, casual posture, keeping her own expression guarded as she studies Deinha. "That the eggs were getting near to hatching." A blink is offered in return before T'ela shifts a bit to look out at the sands, fighting down a self-conscious smile. "Us. The weyrling staff..."

If that answer is not entirely what Deinha was expecting, she does, for once, do a fair show of hiding reaction, as she just lets out a slow, not-quite-even breath. "Khavrineth's eggs. Yes." As though her attention had been elsewhere, the young woman's response comes only after brows furrow in sudden concentration; her next smile is, however, certainly warm enough, "I'm sure everyone will do a lovely job again." Relaxing faintly, she innocently queries, "You don't feel unprepared, do you?"

From the galleries, T'ela's brows knit together at the response, uncertainty permeating her expression as she wracks her brains for double meanings, apparently coming up with very little as she allows a cautious smile spread across her lips. "It'll be a... different experience, I'm sure." Licks are liped as the question is asked, prompting another searching look towards the goldrider accompanied by a show of bravado. "Unprepared? Of course not!"

<*Sebayeth*> Privately, Sebayeth is appeased. Appeased, and amused, as the light dance of yellow-white would indicate. << Your wording, Shepoth, is ever enjoyable. >> Sober, next, the gold remarks << I have not understood this, always. What mine would keep private, when I would share. >> A twist of gilted brown, then: dismissal for the moment. << These riders -- >> weyrmated ones, or loved ones, by the subtle innuendo of coloring and tone << -- are ... difficult to predict. To understand. >> And, after a pause, she adds, << And sometimes, they are upsetting. >> Another pause, this one longer, before the slow conclusion of impromptu ponderings: << But, their absence can be moreso. >> to Shepoth

Deinha watches curiously, a touch of surprise echoing the other's hesitation, but just nods calmly. As a second searching look is received, she first strives for nonchalance, then wrinkles her nose at T'ela -- a 'what?' implied in the quizzical gesture -- before smiling vaguely. "I didn't think you would, but .. even if you felt so, I doubt it'd be true." A pause. "You'll be fine." The goldrider's eyes skitter away briefly as she amends, "Do. You'll do fine." A quick, faintly annoyed look is cast back in lifemate's direction, revealing clearly enough the source of her misphrasing.

<*Sebayeth*> Privately, Shepoth would bow if he was capable, though the dancing of sand particles through his thoughts indicate his joviality towards the entire manner. << I thank you, sweet lady. I do my best. >> His thoughts settle down into a more offhanded seriousness to match hers. << I have rarely understood it. It makes little sense to me, I think. When mine was the worst to the bronze, the bronze was the best in turn. And yet, when she was the best to him, he left us. >> A mental, disapproving shake of the head, and he tags on, << I do not see why it cannot be resolved with something as simple as a mating flight, though-- >> Amusement returns at an image he chooses to keep to himself. << --It is not my belief that all would be contented with that solution. >> Mirth vanishes as soon as it arrives, and an image of a bereft T'ela also limned in black is jarred loose before he snatches it away. << It can be. >> to Sebayeth

From the galleries, T'ela feigns innocence, both eyebrows raising as she goes back on the defensive, leaning a little further into her arms on the railing. "Why- why wouldn't I be?" Suspicion is definately in her voice as her eyes loose a bit of their focused stare, her voice raising a bit in irritation at something-- or someone. "Has he been telling again?" Who that 'he' might be isn't elaborated on, though the oath muttered beneath her breath about a dragon all but gives it away. She's nearly distracted from noticing the slip, but it snags her attention at the last moment. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know, T'ela. Small talk. Little more." With a faint sigh, Deinha rubs distractedly at her back, and shakes her head. "No one has been telling anything, though I think talking can be good -- quite good -- now and then." And, at the last: "Nothing, once again. I .. I'm just tired." Yes, that's it, Dei. Pull the pregnancy card. She allows a hint of the true fatigue to show, now, as ... well, it /is/ convenient. And it is real. Just not the true cause of her slip-up.

From the galleries, T'ela mms to herself, and dips her head in understanding, though her gaze doesn't leave Deinha. "Small talk," is echoed softly. "Indeed it can be, if its needed." The tone of her voice, though, implies the exact opposite. Pushing off the railing, she straightens up. "If you're tired... you should rest." The words slide off her tongue akwardly. "I- I've got some candidates to beat some sense into, at any rate."

Deinha smiles, not unsympathetically, but chooses not to respond with anything more than a nod -- perhaps out of respect for T'ela's dignity, perhaps simply because she has nothing more to say. And, that small token made, she pauses just long enough to make her own assessment of brownrider before nodding again, more subtly, and turning 'round. Back to Sebayeth, and back to half-hiding.