A Change of Pace (PLOT!!!!)

[Wish]

It had been only a day since Nimarath had risen, literally it was that very night. Eiko was still somewhat shaky from the whole experience, but she had thought long and hard about this from the day that Noita had run out on her rebellion. This was no longer the Obsidianrider's group of rebels, this was its own base of riders and people that needed a leadership that understood and cared for them...and no, that was not necessarily Eiko. In fact, Eiko had been brewing ideas in her head for a long, long time now.

It is time Nimarath. We won't have to deal with this all for much longer.

The Obsidian, full grown and curled up on the ledge of the mountain she loved, raised her head and crooned pleasantly. This was something she had been looking forward to. No more sharding people to deal with after this, she just had to do what her color did best. Fight and breed. It was simplistic, and the dragoness had almost turned maternal in the candlemarks since her flight, the bloodlust fully having been run out of her.

ALL RIDERS AND NON-RIDERS TO THE MEETING ROOM! THERE ARE NOT MANY OF US, BUT WE HAVE MUCH TO DISCUSS....Mine and I have ideas, ideas that we think you all would love to hear. For too long this rebellion has stood for a cause that was not united, and more than that was not supported by a leadership that could truly guide us all as we would like. NO MORE! Eiko and I have come to the conclusion that we must choose our leaders together, not she and I, but collectively as a rebellion. Anyone who cares to stay in the rebellion and see it become something much more, enter now!

The blonde breathed in a sigh of relief, perching on the edge of the table that was set up in the cavern. This was a good idea, really it was. Waiting for people to file in, the obsidianrider nodded to whoever greeted her, smiling at a few people she knew. This has to work Nim...it has to. It was there last chance as a group to get organized again, and by Faranth she wasn't about to let it slip by! The girl had been too passive for too long, and after the taste of blood and strength had been hers during Nimarath's flight, Eiko never wanted to be weak again....she just didn't want to lead either.

"I know that many of you have only stayed because Noita is no longer here, and I'm calling you all here to discuss the future of what we have made our home. I propose that collectively we vote on people that step forward to lead us, and that these people will be re-elected every two turns. There will be a female and male leader or any color dragon. I suppose we could call them Lord and Lady if you will, with Consuls that are the runner-ups for their position that help to aid them in leading. These four, two women and two men, will choose two knights that they trust to help lead our wings. So that will be four wings right now considering our numbers. I propose that we also have a Tribune that is re-elected by the dragonless people of the village and rebellion who can raise a voice for them. This person can be re-elected each year and be elected multiple times."

She let her words sink in, looking around the room. "I will not run for any of these positions, I do not wish to step forward unless one of you see me fit to elect me as a nominee yourself. However, we will vote here and now in this room. I have paper and quills for us all, and we'll mark for every vote a person gets. You may even say something first about what you hope to accomplish....I nominate Nimari though for position of Lady, she tried to reform this before any of us.....and I feel that she would be a great leader if she chose to run....who else will step forward, who else do you nominate?"

(OoC: This is exactly as it sounds, we as a member/character group will be voting on the new positions of Lord, Lady, Female and Male Consul. The Consuls will be the second places. What I wish for you all to do is have your character step up if you are interested in any of the position and make a case. Then, after two days I will begin voting in a poll. You will have two days to vote on that. At the same time, if you have any villagers or dragonless folk, feel free to have them step forward as a possible Tribune. Have fun with this all, and best of luck to all who are interested in running!)

[twitchie]

Come now FoolMine. We are summoned. [/color]

The bronze snorted at the slow man whom was His. Kasprth growled, urging Zi'axe to hurry. Or else.

It took Zi'axe a moment, dressing in a fresh tunic, to then saddle the large dragon. Kasprth hardly gave his rider a second to strap on before he took off.
Zi'axe cursed, gripping to his bronze's neck.
It would be useless if I fell to my death!

Kasprth snorted, almost a chortling sound.
I wouldn't let you fall. I am not a fool. Don't think so little of me! [/color]

The rest of the flight was silent, and short.
The pair landed, Zi'axe jumped down at first chance.
He studied Eiko. She was not the same timid girl that she had been. She was... confident.

Her words interested him. A new leader? A rank?
He smiled.
Step forward Mine. Or I will shove you. Now it is time for something new. You were Noita's Knight, but you secretly were always greater. [/color]

Yes. He-they were great weren't they? Indeed.
Zi'axe strode forward, looking at the others gathered.
"I nominate myself for any position that fellow rebels would find me deserving... I am not afriad to make a change for the better. If I am allowed."

We are ready. The Rebellion shall grow stronger yet. We will expand and grow and win.
Bronze voice boomed in the mind's of those gathered.

This was a different Zi'axe. Eiko had changed. So had the bronzerider.

[Kitsuneko]

B'den couldn't help but be curious about what it was Eiko wanted to propose. Sure, it sounded good on the surface, letting them pick who would lead them by vote, but how exactly would this work? The greenrider slipped into the Meeting Room and tried to find a comfortable spot, not necessarily drawing attention to himself, but certainly not standing by the sidelines either. Kohenkyoth waited outside, but listened cautiously to what was going on, as curious as her rider. As Eiko began to speak, she crooned quietly in approval. About time somebody took action around here. And she's sensible enough to not limit it to the larger colors. I approve.

B'den let a smile show on his face at his dragon's words. He definitely approved of this new form of government as well. He agreed with Eiko that Nymari was probably a good choice for Lady as well. He might have nominated Eiko as well, except that she had already said she wasn't that interested. He'd rather wait and see who else stepped forward or nominated somebody else. He was a little surprised to see the bronzerider Zi'axe speak up, but then he supposed that made sense. The man was a Knight, and already had experience with leading, and the fact that he hadn't left with Noita certainly spoke in his favor. He'd be one to consider.

Are you going to step forward? Kohenkyoth asked when he made no move to do so.

Not yet, he told her silently. Let someone else deal with the trouble of laying the foundations and putting everything together. We've just barely graduated from weyrling training, we've got the time to gather some experience before taking on more responsibility. I certainly wouldn't turn down a position as Knight to one of the winners, though, he added with a quiet chuckle. At least it was a fair and acknowledged opportunity, now. Who knew, perhaps in a few turns he'd do something more, but for now, that would be enough.

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M'ril and Rahath attended the meeting as well, staying well in the background. He had no interest in leading, nor in leaving the Rebellion--his place was in the Infirmary, after all, and it wasn't like he and Rahath had anywhere else to go. He certainly kept an eye on the nominees, though, wishing he'd gotten to know many of them better than he had.

As long as there are clutching dragons around to provide eggs, I don't much care who's in charge, Rahath told him.

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A'tide had found his way to the Meeting Room as well, with Ninianeth--being a smaller weyrling still, she fit into the room easily enough, especially since she didn't have wings to keep out of the way. A'tide had tried to get her to stay behind, but she wasn't particularly hungry nor tired, and with all possible weyrlingmasters preoccupied with this, there wasn't much point in her staying behind in her weyr where she'd get bored. A'tide had finally gotten tired of arguing with her and given in.

He liked the plans laid out so far, even though he might have preferred if Eiko had been more enthused about leading. Perhaps it was just his traditional side talking, but she seemed to handle being in charge well enough, considering she had set this up. He kept an ear out for anyone he knew, though he didn't expect much.

[Wish]

Eiko nodded her head subtly, noting that a few others were hesitant about the Bronzerider stepping forward. Similarly though, there were not any others coming forward quite yet. This had to work, but for it to work, she needed to have other people step forward...or her herself. The girl entertained that though, but it made her stomach upset. How could people that were so against higher ranked leadership just stand back while the opportunity faced them? Nimarath was livid with anger at the ordeal, the Obsidian pacing around the mountain's heights. Normally she wouldn't care what way it all went, if push came to shove they could desert with their beloved Garnetrider and dragon and go somewhere where they would be accepted she supposed....or by themselves if they had to.

Sighing, the rider shook her head, not quite sure what to do about it. The nudge from her dragoness could have been enough, but she would stay quite for some time more before taking that jump. Looking around, the rider sought out the greenrider's form of the Head Teacher. "Panille, will you and Iliath be continuing your work with the Weyrling mentors?" The redhaired rider narrowed her eyes and slumped in her seat more, not happy at being pointed out. "I'll do it if I must, I'd rather be doing raids than watching out for possible mentors though." The greenrider shrugged her shoulders, making it obvious that anyone else could take the position if they pleased.

However, even Pan was not going to let the absence of volunteers go on long. "Look, we've got an option to allow the higher 'ranking' riders take over again, or take their offer and start something ourselves. I'll deal with the brats and help teach them and find them willing mentors if others will come forward and make this work shardit!" She leveled her green eyes with a few riders she new, eventually finding the recently graduated ebonyrider Kitamori....well, she had once known her by a different name. The rider however shook her head, unwilling to step forward before her time had come, instead she nodded to the Bronzerider who had stepped forward.

"I think that Zi'axe would be a good choice as well, he has experience leading. I second that nomination...and is there anyone else here who either has ideas or would like to put forth their own nomination? Come one...what are we doing here if we won't take the initiative?!?"

[Zirin]

Nymari stood towards the back of the ever growing pack, not wanting to allow anybody behind her. Peace within the rebellion was tentative at best; Nym herself trusted almost no one here, though she knew she would need to try after all this. Hopefully things would work out in a good way. Truth be told, Nymari had been harboring doubts that Eiko would stick to her vague promise to hand over leadership. The amethystrider had been waiting patiently with bated breath to see if the deal would hold through. And now the time has finally come. I haven't felt you this excited in a long time. She allowed herself a light smile, barely more than a tug at the corner of her lips, in response before turning her attention back to Eiko's speech.

"I am honoured by your nomination, Eiko." She said with a light bow, trying to keep the hope from dancing in her eyes. With a step forward, she joined the others who were quickly nominated, either by others or themselves, and barely held back a scowl as Zi'axe nominated himself. Kudos to him for being here after Noita fled, but she still didn't approve of him. Perhaps he would one day prove herself to him. Until then, however, there was someone Nymari knew she needed to nominate.

"I too would like to make a nomination. K'dri has been nothing short of determined and supportive of our goal and his experience as a Knight himself would be an asset to us." She tried to catch the bluerider's eyes as she spoke. There were others she felt rather strongly for too though and she was already making a mental list of the riders she supported or felt would make excellent Knights in their own rights. She took a deep breath, well aware she was getting ahead of herself.

[Elessar]

He had highly doubted that Eiko would stand by her promise to the lower ranks of the Rebellion. By nature, he trusted no one but himself and his dragon... And somehow, Nymari. The sharding weyrling-that-was-no-longer-a-weyrling had somehow won his heart by being stubborn and feisty as a tunnel cat. He shook his head. It still confused him.

As Eiko nominated her, however, K'dri felt a swirl of pride rise in his chest. He refused to beam like a proud lover, keeping his face calm, cool, and collected, but he couldn't stop his thoughts. My darling has done it. She's made them all listen to her own tune! And I thought only low-born commoners knew how to do that. He should have learned by now that Nymari was no average woman.

Which was why he loved her in the first place. He couldn't help the glow of satisfaction in his cold blue eyes at the bump that was his child growing inside of her. His thoughts were so tumbled he didn't move immediately when that damned bronzer Zi'axe nominated himself. When he realized what was happening, he had to stop himself from drawing a weapon... Or three.

Standing stiffly in the back, he blinked as Nymari called his name, nominating him. He stepped forward, to stand by the woman he loved. This had been their plan all along anyway. It was their right to stand together. "Thank you, Nymai." He murmured, loud enough for those around them to hear.

Turning to Eiko, he nodded once, then turned his ice cold, cruel blue eyes onto Zi'axe. "I'm afraid I do not agree to Zi'axe appointing himself, or being appointed at all. This isnt about the color of your dragon's hide guaranteeing you leadership, bronzer." the last word was spit like venom. "You would do well to take a lesson from Eiko, Zi'axe."

[Wish]

Enough!

Eiko spoke through her dragoness, ignoring the stab of pain in her mind that was Nimarath's anger at having her rider use her so easily at this time. "Stand down K'dri, please. Never once did Zi'axe mention nominating himself because of his position. His words were along the lines of 'if the rebellion saw him fit he would do all he could to help.' It was the others that decided to show their support of him that mentioned he indeed knew how to lead, not because of the color his dragon was hatched with, but because he like you was placed as a Knight and did not follow Noita. In fact, Zi'axe is one of the few knights that I came to trust when I first got here, not because he rode a King, but because he was compassionate and tried to help me and the other weyrlings adjust to our new lives."

The blonde looked at K'dri, leveling her gaze with his as she spoke as evenly as possible. "In the end it is the rebellion that decides and everyone can state their case as they wish, but do not point fingers about color. No one should, this is not about that, and Zi'axe didn't start bringing it up in the first place, that was you. If anyone thought me fit despite my inclination to want to mentor weyrlings or candidates instead, I would consider as well, not because I ride Nimarath, but because I simply want to help. We are all equal here, we earn our keep and our rank, I ask you one final time, please do not start a fight just to make a point."

[jovia]

Fin merely watched from the little crowd, removed really from the spotlight as she listened to how the decisions were coming along. Sure she didn't have a bonded right now, maybe a Wher in the future but never a sharding Dragon. A little smirk crossed her lips though as a fight almost broke out. As if she thought it was her cue she started to step forward with her purr like voice. "I wouldn't mind helping as long as I get to help for the cause." Of course Fin thought the cause was to destroy the weyr, or meant it that way so technically she wasn't lying of course.

"Now I have no Dragon, nor will I ever, though I might wish a Wher in the future.... so I guess I would be nominating myself for Tribune?" Her eyes glanced towards Zi'axe with a little grin. Almost daring him to speak up against her before glancing at the others around her. "That is if nobody else who is better suited stands up of course..... I don't really care if you have a Dragon or not, I'll treat you the same as anyone else... so I actually think someone who isn't all wide eyed innocent in this position if it isn't me who would grovel."

---

X'dyr just frowned as he watched how everything was going on, he couldn't really nominate himself because he wasn't here for long but seriously... He started to growl and rolls his eyes. "As long as the leaders are efficient I have no argument. If need be I can help with schedules or something.... or making sure they keep doing their work without biaseness for their rank" X'dyr's words of course had some acid to them but he shut up soon as Fin started to speak.

He could feel Alustrith just cooing in the back of his head though, the Garnet wasn't anywhere near the meeting he didn't really trust him... Crowds and that Garnet just weren't the best of things, but his eyes did glance over to K'dri from the little fight that was starting and just looked over him just incase he had to do something about him.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe was placid, the corner of his mouth twitching with annoyance. He almost, almost reached for a dagger that was not there, but forced his hand to flex open, then close.
Ok, so how many wherry-brained idiots were going to sneer about his dragon? This was exactly why Zi'axe was such a misanthrope. The world contained only fools to drive this bronzerider insane!!

But Eiko's words calmed Zi'axe a great deal, however Kasprth was a tad.... more rageful.
Zi'axe said nothing of what you accuse him of. You should make sure you can support your lies. [/color]
No more. Sit and behave.

The bronze growled low, and sank to place a large head on his paws. Nothing chafed his blood red gaze.

Zi'axe turned to K'dri, face remaining stoney and expressionless, if it showed anything it was mild bewilderment.
"I do not recall saying anything you have called me out on. I am here to help. I do not see what hide color has to do with the future of this Rebellion. Like Eiko said, I did not bring rank into my nomination. I give the rebels total control over my possible leadership."
His words were firm, but held little threat. The bronzerider should apathy, nothing more.

His brown eyes narrowed at Fin. Fists clinched. That woman... that vile witch! She would poison the entire weyr.
"I cannot allow you to have a chance yo drug and poison the entire Rebellion."
Now his words showed emotion. Hate. Anger.

Try me. His eyes glared. Try me.

[Wish]

"Zi'axe!" The Obsidianrider snapped, her eyes narrowing as she turned her gaze to him. "Careful rider, do not make the same mistake you try and work against. Anyone can put forth their opinion. Do not slander because you have some tiff with her."