A living portrait

[Minji]

"What are the chances that Liyanna and Ariannalyth will ever think about coming down to the lake and actaully allowing such a lowly candidate and artist to sketch a portait of them?"
Minji sighed to herself, though it wasn't of sadness but merely of a disappointment. Of all the dragons and their riders, the only one that she was unable to get was the current Weyrwoman.

Minji adored her sketchbook, and she wanted to complete it down to the very last rider. When the hatching that was to come came, she would then sketch each new rider and dragon into her book. She promised her teacher, her master, that she would do so until the day she died, and she was going to keep that promise no matter what. If it wasn't for her sketches, her book in general, then Minji wouldn't really have been all that obsessed with going up to a rider and asking for him or her to pose with their dragon. Odd as it was to just walk up to a rider and say:
"Hey, I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind if I were to put you in my book with your dragon.. Do you think that you could spare a moment or two?"
Most of the time she was given a weird look, sometimes she was looked over upon, not even given a second thought, but a good majority of the riders gave up some of their time in exchange for a portrait of whatever they wanted.. So long as it was appropriate.

Picking up her sketchbook and pulling out a charcoal utensil, Minji flipped her book open to a fresh page and looked about herself.
"Well, there's nothing really worth sketching here.. Perhaps I'm needing to go elsewhere to get an inspiration."
Taking a quick look around, Minji let a sigh go before flipping her book shut and packing her utensil away before looking up and spying a wild flitter. They weren't very common to Minji ever seeing, and she most diffentently wasn't going to give that chance up.

Slowly opening her book once again, Minji slipped her delicate fingers into the pouch from where she previously pulled out her charcoal, and looked down at the blank page that was turned to and made a line. That was going to be the back of it.. While Minji made more lines, every now and again stopping to look up to see if the fire lizard was still where she last saw it, she turned her blue gaze to the page that was taking form into the fire lizard that was skimming the lake water. It wasn't until it was fully complete did the fire lizard disappear and Minji was quite upset that she didn't finish part of its hindquarters.

Uttering quietly to herself, Minji shook her head and looked at the page. It was indeed lovely. The half finished fire lizard was in mid twirl in her picture, and the waters before sparkled from the rays of Rukbat with the large boulder in the midst of the picture. At least she completed it enough to make it look distinguishable to someone with an untrained eye at artistry.

[Symphony]

I do not understand why you insist on spending all of your time out by that lake when you are not busy. You could be here with me.
Were they your eggs, my love, I would be without hesitation, but I have seen enough of Freseath's eggs and desire not to look any more.

It was a common disagreement between rider and dragon, ever since Freseath had betweened so suddenly. Ariannalyth, as the last queen at Sanctum Weyr, knew her responsibility was to guard her dame's clutch, and she did so with surprising zeal; she was queen, they were eggs, and the dragonets within would be hers some day, and it was her job to protect them. However, her rider seemed to not care very much about them, which to some degree irritated Aria... though not enough to result in an all-out argument between the two of them. In truth, Ariannalyth was also glad. If Liyanna had cared so much about another queen's eggs, she would have been jealous, and the last thing Sanctum Weyr needed was for Ariannalyth to be jealous and angry. It took a lot to merit anger on her part, but jealousy where her rider was concerned was not at all unusual. She did not share well.

So it was that while Ariannalyth lay curled around the eggs on the sands protectively, still unwilling to allow even the riders to view them, save for her own, Liyanna found herself wandering out to the Weyrlake. She'd finished tending to her jobs, which basically consisted of ordering what meals to be prepared and someone to take one of the Weyr girls between thanks to an unwanted pregnancy, and it was time for relaxation. Ariannalyth might not have understood, but there was a reason the Weyrwoman went out to the lake to relax, and it came in the form of the warm water around her toes. The natural hot springs granted a kind of serenity few places in the Weyr could match and while her own weyr possessed a bathing area that was equally warm, it wouldn't do for the Weyrwoman to spend half the day pampering herself, no matter how tempting the prospect was to her. Honestly, she was fond of spending much of her time alone. But she needed to be present if others needed help, and with her queen almost permanently out of commission, so wrapped up in the clutch was she, it was harder for people to locate Liyanna. Staying hidden wasn't a good idea.

Out of the corner of her eye, Liyanna spied someone sitting near the lake, though the girl was not anyone she recognized. She did not make a point to get to know anyone who wasn't a dragonrider or one of her charges, be it drudge, kitchens staff, or otherwise. The candidates would get to know her if they Impressed; otherwise, Liyanna was a busy woman. But she was not rude and her fostermother taught her from an early age that it was simply unacceptable for a girl to completely ignore someone. So, politely, Liyanna nodded to the girl whose name she didn't know, who she had no associations with whatsoever, and then stepped up to the edge of the Weyrlake. Then, she quite unceremoniously dropped to the ground, her arms winding around to remove the knee-high boots she wore. People could say what they wanted about women and gowns but Liyanna didn't like them and it wasn't a Gather time, so she saw no reason to dress in an overtly feminine manner. She had on black leggings, a dark grey tunic, and her hair tied up out of her face. She did not look like a Weyrwoman, and only the knots she wore indicated her status, without her queen nearby to emphasize her rank.

Was that girl holding a sketch pad, though? Once her boots were off, Liyanna turned to look at the other lake-side occupant and raised both of her eyebrows to nearly her hairline. Her feet pushed into the water, savoring the feel of the warmth against her skin, as though it could wash away any hesitation or doubt that she felt. Warm water and cool winds had a peculiar talent for that, even for someone as prone to brooding as Liyanna was. And yes, it was a sketch pad; the girl wore artist apprentice knot.

"Very rare is it for one of the Weyr artists to sit so close to the water where their works can be damaged," she commented absently, before turning her eyes to the water. "Not that there is much aside from peace here today..."

[Minji]

The appearance of another person didn't really put much of an enthused manner into Minji as she wasn't often greeted anyways by many of the riders, granted only when one of them recognized her and asked for a portrait. The other being, older by the looks, yet still young, made Minji wonder who she was. Though, because she didn't have time to see if there were any knots to indicate the other person, Minji just went back to admiring her new piece of work.

It was when the other person stepped into the lake, having taken her boots off, did Minji tense a little. Was she going to attempt to ruin her book on purpose? Surely not.. Though the chances of that happening would be very high, but what would cause anyone to do such a thing?

When she was spoken to, Minji loked up, a hint of a reddening appearing as Minji closed her book slowly and looked at the speaker, the very woman who came from no where. When she had finished, Minji found her voice and spoke up, replying to as best as curtisy as possible.
"Indeed it is rare for someone such as myself to be in such a situation.. But I just couldn't help but to come see the weyrlake."
She eyed the water that rippled from the wind above. Every now and the a shimmer would appear and disappear as it came. It made Minji easy up alittle. Surely she would not say anything rude to this person as she did at times have a tendency to say things she never meant.

"I did see a fire lizard just moments ago skimming the top of the water, if that is considered to be anything but peace.. If not for a few moments while it was there."
She smiled sheepishly, though it soon turned into a true smile. Her eyes, as light and true baby blue as they were, seemed to be smiling themselves. How she enjoyed the sight of the twirling, acrobatic fire lizard dance before her eyes as she placed the living thing into her book. Her book.. The book that held lots of her creations.. Was she even thinking about showing this person her sketches? Would it be alright to even do so.. Surely this person wouldn't mind if she sketched a portrait for her. No cost, just for the pleasure of seeing someone enjoy that they will be preserved on her paper.. Something that she was running low on.

Checking her pouches, it also made her think that she was running low on them as well. Minji had enough to do several more sketches, but for how long would they last? Tucking her utensils away, Minji cleared her throat.
"Um, sorry if I'm interupting your peace time.. But would you happen to know as to when the next Gather may be, or where I may get me some more paper and charcoal? I was planning to ask the Weyrwoman if I may do a sketch and portrait of her and her dragoness.."

Wait.. Focus... Uh-oh.. Minji spotted the knots upon the Weyrwoman's shoulders and she smacked her forehead, a thump being produced from the contact and Minji muttered to herself and shook her head. Shards, if she only waited a little longer to get an idea as to whom this person was.. But the woman she was talking to was the Weyrwoman. Weyrwoman Liyanna..

"I'm sorry for not seeing your knots sooner.. I'm terribly sorry, Weyrwoman Liyanna...."
If anything, Minji sounded as if she was on the verge of crying. As much as she wasn't one to get embarrased easily, the mistake of not knowing the Weyrwoman straight off seemed like a high offense to Minji herself. She felt as if she deserved to go back to the Hold, to tell her master that she was unable to finish her promise of doing every one of the dragons and riders from the Weyr. She felt bad..

[Shrimp]

”Come along, you lazy lump. At this rate you won’t be able to fly if you keep this up – and there’s only so much betweening that you can do. Up you go, come along!”

A small grunt and some shattering was the reply of the Blue, lazily resting on top of her bed as the Weyrbred girl attempted to shove him off. She succeeded, the flitt forced to use his wings to avoid a crash, before he flapped over to nestle at the crook in her neck. Amir sighed, though a hand softly stroked the ever growing mass of her Chast. By Faranth, he sure was gaining weight... How would he win flights if he never flew?

”Let’s go to the lake. Today you’ll be fishing your own food.”

A chirp of surprise was his reply, and along the way a discussion of feelings and pictures ensued. Chast argued with the feeling of exhaustion and pictures of the delicious treats the Weyr offered, while Amir countered with feelings of fulfillment and activity, as well as the riches land and sea could also provide – without being processed through the Weyr’s kitchen first. Soon they had arrived, the Blue having already lost the argument as he grumbled – though the way his stomach complained meant his hunger was rising.

”Well, off you go. You used to do this before when small – I’m sure you can do it again.”

There was no use fighting it, he decided, the lump of blue hues lifting to the air and gliding through the lake. A while passed, and he dove and flew, splashed and spiraled, but to no avail. Still, no doubt he was doing some very good exercise, as opposed to his usual napping and eating habits. Only when she decided he had tired enough did she call him back and, though his fishing had been a failure, the female congratulated the small beast – before a rather large meatroll was presented. He’d done one shard of a workout, and even she could feel the intensity of his hunger.

Of course, the water was warm, so the chances he would have caught something here to begin with where slim to none. Amir had just wanted to get him to o some work, and burn some of that fat away as he worked his muscles.

With glee he glided to a small rock, lying there as he devoured his meal. And it was only them Amir noticed two more people not too far away. One she knew, the Weyrwoman, though the other was still a mystery to the lass. Maybe a new Candidate? It might as well be, that was often how the Weyr got new faces around. Walking over she squinted her eyes lightly, trying to see the extra item from a distance. A book, maybe? She neared closer, making sure to allow wher-hide boots rustle in the ground to alert the other two from her presence. She could now see lines on the page, though from her distance it was still hard to fully notice. Chast flew to her shoulder, holding the remaining half of his meatroll as he ate, before watching the girl and her sketchpad with attention. Feeling his Keeper’s curiosity, he supplied Amir with an image, as close as he could, and the girl silently sent a feeling of gratitude to the flitt, as well as soft strokes along his hide.

”Hello there, Weyrwoman Liyanna. And you too, artist.”

She knew not the girl’s name, but by what Chast showed she seemed talented at drawing. So she might as well call her artist until she introduced herself.

[Symphony]

Liyanna offered a curt nod. She understood the motives most people had for coming to the Weyrlake; she was there herself, wasn't she? Although, in truth, knowing another was sitting around was nearly enough to make her wish that she had chosen to stay in her own Weyr. Not that there was anything wrong with the girl, but Liyanna was not naturally a social being. She spoke with an air of indifference much of the time and that repelled people from trying to befriend her; she had never tried to change that. Friendliness was for people who weren't busy. She was always busy. Too busy to make friends, or so she told herself, though in truth there were a select few she did care for. Under a handful, but they existed nonetheless.

"You saw a firelizard?" she inquired softly, more to keep conversation going than actual interest. She did not think much of firelizards as her queen abhorred them, finding them to be a group of loud nuisances. Perhaps if Aria had been more open-minded to the idea of flitters, Liyanna would have been as well, but there was nothing doing; she found the creatures overtly noisy and she had little patience for disturbances. The ones that were well trained were tolerable for their usefulness but that was about it. Odds were, the one that the girl saw looked to someone at the Weyr; most of the time, the wild flitters did not venture so close to the dragons. Not that she blamed them. If she ran across a human being so immensely larger than her as the dragons were to firelizards, she would probably avoid them, too. As it was, she didn't even like tall people. They made her feel small and vulnerable, and that was not a feeling Liyanna relished.

Humming to herself, she gave no indication to what her feelings on a firelizard near the Weyrlake was. She was used to seeing them, they weren't terribly rare in the south, though finding their eggs was like finding a needle in a haystack. She'd heard of people trying to catch them with fishing nets, silly things. Did they really think anything related to dragons could be so easily snared? Then again, she knew better than to underestimate the naivity of the Weyrbrats. Too much had she seen them get up to in the Turns she'd been at the Weyr.

The girl's question drew her thoughts back to reality, and Liyanna clucked her tongue. However, the end of her statement earned a raised eyebrow, and Liyanna's expression became unreadable. She wasn't offended, no; she was used to people not recognizing her, for without Ariannalyth near her she could be any woman at the Weyr. She was not physically striking in any way. Most of the Weyrwomen at Sanctum Weyr were breath-takingly beautiful and she was average, at best, if one ignored the fact that her features promised dangerous and defiance that her voice and body did not fully belie. She appeared more like a warrior than any woman ought to, and it was not easy for most people to recall that their Weyrwoman was not the dainty beauty that was often associated with her title. Still, she had rarely heard people forget; usually one look at her snapped them to memory. Fascinating.

But the girl smacking her forehead made it clear she realized her transgression and Liyanna laughed, the sound nearly inaudible as she brought one hand to her lips. Her eyes narrowed, not in a glare but a playful smile that was not entirely friendly or unfriendly, but rather neutral, more so than it probably should have been. Complete lack of interest, at least on the outside, though amusement was still readily visible in her amber eyes. No one could deny when Liyanna was amused.

"If I'd wanted my status readily recognized, I would have worn a gown or something that screamed Weyrwoman! -- or, more likely, I would have brought Aria with me. You asked about charcoal?" Clucking her tongue again, she shook her head. "I do not know when another Gather will be, but we should have a ready supply in the Lower Caverns, as many of the women give it to the Weyrbrats to keep them from making quite a mess in their boredom. You might check there and see if you can find any. If not, I will send word to the Hall and alert them that we are running low. Artist hall is usually very willing to give us what we need. What were you saying about a port--"

Rustling from behind her drew Liyanna's attention upward and the Weyrwoman turned to peer over her shoulder at the approach of one of the other candidates. Her arms wound tightly around her legs as the other girl approached, and her gaze flew up to the firelizard with her. She knew the few people with firelizards, so Amir's name came back to mind instantly, along with a hint of her queen's annoyance... which came solely from the fact that Ariannalyth simply did not like firelizards, regardless of their behavior. Liyanna smiled. "Amir, is it not? Hello." Her eyes flicked back to the artist girl, as though waiting for her to introduce herself. Liyanna did not know her name, either.

[Minji]

Minji looked up toward the Weyrwoman and smiled again, though she still felt bad for not recognizing her straight away as most probably would have. But when she continued on about first the fire lizard she had spotted, it made her feel better and even more so when Liyanna told her where she may be able to find some more charcoal.

Just as Minji was about to tell the Weyrwoman about the protrait, another person came over, this time, with a flit. Minji nodded at the acknowledgement before she raised both of her thin brows and looked to the sky. They knew each other, but they knew not of her name. Now she felt like she was ruining her own day. With not a moment to lose, Minji hugged her book close to her and swallowed.
"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier.."
She absentmindedly flicked a clump of dirt from her boot before continuing.
"I'm Minji; from the Hold.."
She smiled again. If anything, Minji loved to smile, and there was always a smile no matter what, even if she was so far considering her day to be bad.

"Amir? That is a lovely name.. And your fire lizard is quite handsome."
She spoke toward the newcomer as Minji now began to flip the pages of her book. It was sometimes a bad habit of hers, but at least she knew that her pages were sturdy enough to withstand how much she constantly flipped them.

When she turned from Amir and the blue fire lizard, she focused her attention to the Weyrwoman Liyanna.
"A portrait; yes. One of my assignments before I came here as a candidate from my teacher, my master, was to make a sketch for my book and ask the rider is he or she wanted a portrait. A gift, if you may, from myself for watching over the Hold and Crafthall."
She didn't really know what else to say and she didn't really want to push her luck on anything really as some of people she used to call friends were quite jealous of her talent.
"If you want, I can do separate portraits. One for you and one for your dragoness.."

[Shrimp]

" Amir, is it not? Hello.”
”Amir it is, indeed. Fancy meeting you all here, I guess we’re all looking for a bit of peace and quiet today.”

Deciding to join the other two females Amir sat herself at the other side from Minji, taking her shoes off as well as she followed Liyanna’s example. The Weyrlake was always so good... And that rock brought some good memories into her mind... As well as a few she could do without. Chast wasted no time to move towards her lap, the Blue making himself more than comfortable there, lazily eating the last few remains of his meatroll. Eyes whirled softly, placid shades of blues and greens entwined, before the little beast stretched out his neck lightly as the girl moved the sketchpad closer to her frame, and out of his view. He wanted to see the thing in the page... It looked like one of his kind. Was that another firelizard? He chirped in an inquisitive tone, scrabbling closer as he finished his remains of food, before nudging the girl lightly. He wanted to see!

” Sorry for not introducing myself earlier... I'm Minji; from the Hold..”
”I’m sure it’s alright, Minji. Chast, don’t bother her boy. Come on, behave.”
” Amir? That is a lovely name.. And your fire lizard is quite handsome.”
”Why thank you, Minji. Your name is quite unusual, it has a nice ring to it, too. That lump of a Blue, handsome? He’s probably the fattest ‘lizard in all of Sanctum! Lazy being, we were just giving him a work out a while ago. Also, I hope I am not intruding into anything of importance, my sincere apologies if I am...”

She gave a small apologetically nod to both women, unsure if perhaps maybe they had been busy talking and she had intruded. Hopefully that was not the case... But one could never be too careful. As conversation went on, Amir listened. So Minji had been doing a portrait? Interesting. By what Chast had showed her, it seemed good – though she couldn’t fully judge it from such a distance. Ah well, she would not pry. Besides, it seemed Chast was doing that for her already. Again she told him to stop, this time mentally, though he half-listened and half-refused. Stubborn creature that he could be. Stubborn and lazy, what a horrid combination. Yet she loved him, and would not trade him for the world.

”Oh, I would like to see you work on a portrait – if Liyanna would agree to be sketched, of course.”

Here was a rare chance, to see how an artist makes a work of art – as well as to actually socialize with the woman who now led the Weyr. Liyanna wasn’t exactly known for her outward friendliness or mingling, and this was a rare treat indeed.

[Symphony]

Liyanna's eyes flicked back to Minji and a curt nod was offered to the other girl, a modicum of friendliness. She just wasn't an outgoing woman but she wasn't trying to be alienating. Truthfully, she had a hard time memorizing the names of the people at the Weyr because she made it a point to memorize all the dragonriders and their beasts' names without hesitation. There was not a single rider at Sanctum Weyr whose name and face Liyanna did not recognize by sight, and she knew their dragons well, could name off their wings, and could list off their Weyrmates if they had any. Those who had firelizards looking to them, she also memorized. It was her responsibility as Weyrwoman to remember names but that made it all the more difficult to recall those who were not of as immediate importance. Not that there was anyone at the Weyr not important, but candidates were not her express responsibility. Amir was remembered solely for her firelizard. No one could say that Liyanna ignored them, even if she didn't like the little creatures all that much.

"You are intruding on nothing; we were merely discussing artwork, portraits, peace and firelizards. Your presence is welcome. Your firelizard is Chast, is he not?" It was a light guess at the firelizard's name, though the moment she said it, Liyanna knew herself to be correct. Chast of Amir. She'd always found the name a touch strange, though she was civilized enough never to comment upon that fact aloud. It was none of her business, really. "Please take a seat."

Turning her attention back to Minji, she nodded politely. So she was doing portraits of the dragonriders? How many had she managed to sketch, Liyanna wondered briefly. Well, there was but one way to find out for sure, since spying was not an option. (She liked to do that, but it was considered rude, and she would not insult the people at her Weyr that way if it could be helped.) Instead, Liyanna pulled one foot up to her chest, toes curling in the sand beneath her as it turned to mud from the water. "Your master asked you to do portraits of all of us? Hnn... may I see the ones you have already done?" It was not an agreement nor an attempt at declining. In truth, Liyanna would agree once she was aware of the girl's art quality. Everyone could boast being an apprentice of a craft. She herself was an apprentice harper. However, to be truly talented was a strange, rare and exceptional thing, and she did not want to sit still for someone if they were anything short of skilled.

She will have to wait until after the hatching to sketch me, unless she intends to come and sit in the Stands.
Would you allow her to, if she wanted?
If she treated me with respect, yes.

Nodding to the voice that only she could hear, Liyanna looked at Minji thoughtfully. She was just about to explain her queen's demands when Amir spoke and again, the queenrider turned to her. "If she will allow me to look at her portraits, it is only right that I will allow her to make a sketch of me. However, Ariannalyth refuses to leave the hatching grounds so long as Freseath's clutch remains unhatched. She says that she will allow herself to be sketched only if you will stay in the Stands and do the portrait from there, and that she demands the respect of any clutchmother if you choose to do it... never mind that it is not her clutch that remains on the Sands at the moment.." Liyanna rolled her eyes. "I think she may have forgotten that key fact."

You will not let me, but I am queen here, and the only one responsible enough to watch these eggs.
Of course.

[Minji]

As Liyanna told Amir that she was not intruding on anything, Minji merely nodded her head in what was discussed so far between the two. The blue fire lizard did intrigue Minji slightly as she felt him nudge her softly in hopes of seeing the picture she had just drawn of the fire lizard skimming the waters.

Turning her attention to Amir, Minji grinned.
"He is nothing of a bother to me, he just seems curious of a picture he just glanced at and I've no problem showing him it.."
With that said, it seemed like she hesitated, in fear the the creature would shred at the artwork and ruin the once in a lifetime capture. But after a few seconds, Minji lowered her book down to show the curious fire lizard. The unfinished part of the artwork fire lizard was someone drawn out by imagination. If anything, Minji had a fairly good memory on proportions whenever the subject wasn't no longer available, and the unfinsihed half was pretty much done before Liyanna asked to view the book before she allowed her to do a portrait.

At first, Minji didn't know whether to show the sketches or not. Many claimed that she was a one of a kind true artist, but she had her doubts. She was only human, and thus, she made mistakes. But there was no reason not to show the Weyrwoman her work.

"Some aren't as good as what they should be, but I'm hoping that they are at least decent for you.."
She replied as she picked herself up and flipped her book to the beginning and headed toward Liyanna.
"If they are alright for you, I will most definately give your dragoness the respect she deserves.. Though if I may ask... How exactly does one honestly treat such a dragoness with respect? I know of bowing and compliments, but I feel like there are other ways to show them their respects and I do not want to make a bad impression for not knowing them.."
She dug her left foot into the ground as she pro-offered her book. She felt her cheeks flush, and she knew that a small case of the embarrassment were showing. Better to make a fool now rather than later.

With the book on the tips of her fingers, Minji allowed her gaze to first linger upon the book before turning to Amir.
"Amir, if you've got anything to say in the matters of respect for a queen, may I know of what you've got to say as well?"

[Shrimp]

As the girl relented, and lowered her sketchpad, the Blue chirped in surprise. A firelizard, he was right! But, it wasn’t moving, why was that? Being the cheeky thing he was the Blue pulled himself to the girl’s lap, careful not to place his claws anywhere that would harm Minji or the portrait. Head tilted one way, then another, and the flitt continued to watch the picture – at one point nuzzling the paper just slightly, before he was picked up by Amir.

”That’s enough, Chast, before you ruin it by mistake. It’s a picture, love, like the images you sent me.”

Chast... The name had been a random play of consonants and words when she was still young – not even Amir herself knew why that name out of so many other combinations. Still, her flitt had always responded, and refused to be called anything else when a hatchling, so Amir guessed she had nailed the right name for her Blue on her first try, o something. She provided a picture, trying her best t have the sketch colored in her mind before offering it to the flitt’s mind. He seemed to understand. So, this wasn’t a real flitt, but a picture... Amusing. He chirped once more, now lying on Amir’s knee, continuing to watch what he could. He liked those sketches, they looked nice.

”Well, I don’t know anything about decent – but I’m quite sure I wouldn’t be able to draw a flitter like that, so you must be talented. Did you saw it around here?” She grinned, leaning over to watch as Minji was about to show the other portraits to Liyanna. This female seemed quite talented with paper and carbon, an surely this would be a rare treat to watch. ”Respect for Queens? Well, I’ve only know by what I’ve seen. Bowing is one, following any rules they might set is another. After all, Golds do not like to have their authority defied – much less without any reason. Formal greetings are also good, they often reply through their bond – or maybe directly if the Queen is in a good mood. But I think Liyanna might be more seasoned in the matter than I am, and thus better at giving you more reliable advice than myself. Still, I would like to see Ariannalyth’s portrait once it is done.”

[Symphony]

Amber eyes lingered thoughtfully on the young woman as she showed her sketches first to the firelizard before handing the book over to her. The two girls then seemed to talk and that was just as well, for as Liyanna took the sketch book, she tuned out the sound of their voices completely. To admire someone else's work was to give it one's full attention; anything shy of that was disrespect, and she knew enough artists to know that many of them felt awkward showing their work around to strangers. She would not disrespect Minji by not giving her hard work the dedication and attention that it merited just by being a project. No, she tuned the girls out and tuned the pages of the sketch book with nimble fingers, careful not to bend or turn the pages, nor brush them too roughly against one another lest she smudge and ruin any of the portraits within. She owed Minji the consideration of her belongings.

As she came across the firelizard portrait, Liyanna hummed deep in her throat, the sound more based around thought than any song, but she had harper training and humming when doing things was very normal for the Weyrwoman. Sometimes, she sang. She was not an amazing singer nor did she qualify as better than average; certainly her talent was not memorable. But she hummed and sang to herself none the less and it was a habit anyone who got to know Liyanna would identify.

"You truly are not accustomed to the manners and expectations of Weyrlife, are you?" she said quietly as she handed the sketchbook back, face down but on the first page. If Minji wanted Amir to view it, she would allow her to, but Liyanna was careful to keep the pages turned away from the other girl. She wasn't intending to be rude, though no doubt her actions could be interpreted that way. Rather, Liyanna was aware of the strange habits of many artists, and was trying to keep from stepping on any toes unnecessarily. Not that she minded hurting other people's feelings but she tried not to do so meaninglessly; she was better than that. "When one refers to treating a dragon - any dragon - with respect, it simply means always being polite to them. In the case of Aria, you are expected to bow and wait for her to grant you access to the Sands, and it is your responsibility not to try and touch her eggs, no matter how tempting they may be. You may look but you will stay in the Stands and away from them." She shrugged. "When speaking to her, always address her by her full name, Ariannalyth. That is her expectation. Some candidates get it into their heads that being allowed on the Sands means they can ignore her. She will tolerate that from no one, rider, dragon or candidate alike..."

Turning back to Amir, Liyanna nodded. "The only time that Ariannalyth responds to another mind-to-minds when she is angry. She sees it as rude otherwise. And firelizards are not allowed on her sands. She does not trust them," she finished with a very indifferent shrug. "Your artwork is lovely. You may draw my portrait, if you like; I had planned to agree even if you would not have shown them to me. What would you have me do, artist?"

[Minji]

When the blue crawled into her lap when she showed him the picture, Minji was caught unaware and nearly screamed. Though she didn't physically do that, she was in her mind, but later, she realized that it really wasn't as bad as what she had first thought it to be when actually in contact with a fire lizard. As Amir came over and took Chast away, Minji relaxed, though not all that much as Liyanna took the book once she had shown the darling blue fire lizard.

Possibly the first time anyone has ever seen her sketches, besides her master, had looked into that very book that was being held with delicate fingers by the Weyrwoman. Intensely curious blue eyes watched as every page was flipped with care, before Minji's gaze turned elsewhere. More so upon Amir when she replied back to her question of treating a dragoness with respect. Taking mental notes of what was said from the other candidate, Minji nodded her head as she heard each suggestion said from Amir. She did not want to purposefully disturb a brooding queen, if that was what she heard correctly from Liyanna herself. The last thing she needed was to be mauled badly or possibly killed. Even the thought made her shudder slightly.

As the sketchpad was given back to Minji, a statement approaching first, Minji looked to Liyanna.
"I... Um never really stayed long enough on my first visit to the Weyr to learn that stuff.."
Minji felt another rush of hotness cross her cheeks as she bowed for apologies. She was speaking the truth, but sometimes it was better to lower oneself in order to get anything accomplished.

Taking the book from Liyaana, Minji nodded to the remarks made the the Weyrwoman. Since she was indeed the Weyrwoman, the only person riding gold, she would know best about how to treat a queen.
"I promise to keep this all in mind.. I honestly learn quickly, so, hopefully I will remember, of all things, of how to treat dragons.. Not that i've ever tried to be rude."
Her eyes siddled toward the ground as Minji stuck her book under her arm and watched the two other people across from her. She remained quiet up to the point when she was spoken that she may do a portait of the Weyrwoman and her dragoness.
"Thank you Weyrwoman, Liyanna.. It would be an honor of doing such a thing for you and Ariannalyth."
Though, when asked as to what the Weyrwoman should wear, Minji thought quietly before responding with something that would sound like a good responce.
"I am not one to account as to what a rider should or should not wear, but I would only suggest something that is most fitting, or complimenting, with your dragoness, Ariannalyth. That is, if you choose to do a portrait of you two together."

[Shrimp]

Oblivious of such trauma he had caused the Candidate, the Blue continued to gaze at her from Amir’s knee. When the sketchbook was handed to Liyanna he made the motion to fly over, though as Amir grasped his tail tip the Blue caught the message. He was not to intrude. Amir herself did not bother Minji about her sketchbook – she would not force the Candidate to show it in her direction if she did not wished.

Besides, they would share the same living quarters for a while to come – so surely there would be other chances where Minji might be more willing. Right not, she seemed both nervous and occupied – though that must have come from the excitement about getting the chance to sketch the Weyrwoman and Ariannalyth.

For now, though, she was content to listen to Liyanna and Minji, opening a small sack before making a motion to offer it to the other two.

”I brought some meatrolls, would either of you care for a snack?”

One had already been pulled out, handed to he firelizard on her lap to keep his good behavior, as well as his happiness. That flitt loved to eat.

((Short.))

[Symphony]

Liyanna nodded silently, though she did not give voice to her opinion, which was that Weyr customs were better learned by doing than a simple visit. In her time at Sanctum Weyr, there were very few candidates who did not manage to settle in well enough after some time. The Weyr grew on people and customs became habit. What probably seemed very strange and foreign to Minji, seeing as she was new, would become as second nature once she'd spent some time in the Weyr, living there as a resident. It had with Liyanna. By the time she Impressed her beautiful Aria, Liya was quite used to the way politics at the Weyr worked, as well as to the general customs and how to handle many situations. Oh, she wasn't prepared for being Weyrwoman - was anyone? - but she'd adjusted very well. Hnn, that was quite awhile back too; a little under eight turns. Hard to imagine that she'd been at Sanctum Weyr specifically that long. It felt longer and shorter at once but that was not unusual as her home was very close to the Weyr. Children at Sanctum Hold often grew up around children from Sanctum Weyr. They were too closely tied not to...

"I am sure that you will learn well enough. It is not hard to remember."

No, it was harder to forget a queen's status than it was to remember it. If the dazzling gold hide wasn't enough to make it painfully clear that she was queen, Aria also held herself with a regal composure that left no denying who was in charge of the Weyr. That was not a habit unique to her, though; every queen that Liyanna had ever known (numbering all of one other than her own, if the queen flitters were to be ignored, but that fact aside) had managed to contain such perfect composure. It was simply a trademark to being a queen, Liyanna was sure. No, it wasn't hard to remember to give every gold a wide berth. All it took was a hint of observational skills, and artist or not, Minji would not have been brought to Sanctum Weyr if she were dim. Their search riders were better than that.

Her thoughts trailed off as she tried to picture what would be most befitting to be doing in a portrait with her queen. Honestly, much of her time spent with her dragon was lounging, in between oiling, bathing and flying. Lounging was hardly interesting, though there were a few portraits of dragons and their riders doing exactly that in the sketchbook that Minji possessed. Surely something more appropriate would to her title would be more befitting to Liyanna, but she hadn't an artist's eye for detail and presentation. When it came to things like that, she left the decision making to those more qualified. For organization, she was unparalleled. But aesthetic value was not her forte.

She was, fortunately, saved from answering at least for a moment as Amir offered meatrolls to the both of them, and Liyanna turned to grant the other candidate a puzzled look. However, as she was not hungry, she merely shook her head, though a mysterious smile made its way over her features. "Carrying around meatrolls, tsk.." She smiled, though. She may have done the same thing, if she had a firelizard pet. But she didn't, and she had little desire to remedy that. Her gaze turned back to Minji. "You are the artist and I haven't an eye for aesthetics, presentation and theatrics. I do not know what you would deem to be appropriate for a portrait, Minji. Poses are your choice."

[Minji]

Minjii nodded at such comforting words that she would get Weyrlife down and she couldn't help but to sigh with relief. Though it was easily mosed toward other subjects when Amir offered meatrolls to the small group while Minji tried to examine the blue fire lizard, though from her respectable distance. When the bag was offered to them, Minji allowed one of her arms to be extended and her hand went inside the bag as the fingers wrapped around a roll before extending them out with it between her fingers.

Once the roll had been extracted, Minji casually bit into it and smiled warmly. It was always good to have a meat roll, and she savored each bite of it before the Weyrwoman spoke up about the posings.

Finishing the last bit of her roll, Minji remained quiet as she thought, looking at the Weyrwoman before speaking up.
"Since alot of the riders wore heir riding gear, it is not all that much fun as they are all the same pretty much.."
She paused after a few moments.
"Is there any formal wear that you may still have, or would dare to wear in the hot sands with your Ariannalyth? If not, then something that you, as yourself, would like to be remembered in? I can always do more if you so wish, but I don't think,"
Minji skimmed through her book of the riders before putting it down to her side, her question being confirmed.
"There is not a single rider who has worn anything besides the normal wear."

If anything, Minji was honestly getting bored of sketching the same clothes over and over again on the riders. She never argued, but the Weyrwoman seemed to actually ask her of what to wear, as if she was wanting to break the trend so far within her sketchbook.

Now, Minji wasn't exactly the trendiest woman about, but she did have some fashion sense, and she had this feeling that Liyanna and Ariannalyth's portrait would be quite an extravagent sight. Why? Because the rider choose to wear something else. Before confirming anything though, Minji allowed the Weyrwoman to think about wearing formal on the sands if she so chose to do a dragon/rider portrait. When that crossed her mind, Minji quickly spoke something up.
"My question before anything gets confirmed, are we doing a single portrait of you and your dragoness, or one of you both in it? Perhaps that may add more choices now that I come to think that I did not hear what we were going to do."
Minji waited patiently. She did not want to rush into things, but she was excited. The fact that she didn't ask whether they were doing singles or one whole thing did make Minji want to hit herself. Surely it would be alright if she messed up every now and then. She wasn't exactly a smooth talker, but she did, most of the time, get her point through without insults or any bad remarks.