Gather!

[Missing]

((Basically the intro thread for the site.
And cue the music! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYfySVrQxto))

The sun was starting to set in the Southern sky, but Crescent Hold was no where near going to bed. The Hold was nearly complete and it's residents were celebrating. Jewelcrafters' wares glittered on cloth lined displays, the ringing of smith's hammers filled the air, the dying light catching in the glass sculptures dangling from strings, and the scent of bubbly pies filling the air.

Music drifted through the air from a stage set up in the center of the festivities. Tables filled with visitors and holders ringed a dancing area as serving drudges wove their way in and out of the crowds delivering platters of roast wherry and herdbeast throughout the tables.

Dancers whirled about across the cobblestones of the square. A young woman with dark brown hair and eyes that sparkled with delight seemed to be having the time of her life, her bare feet practically flying across the ground as her dance partner tried to match her in skill.

She was holding herself back so as to not make the man look a fool, that much was obvious to Rina as she watched from her table, a glass of wine in her hand, a white moon glider on her shoulder. But then of course, she had seen her little sister dance many times and knew her full potential well. No matter how much Nadhari tried to avoid the life of a Harper, the music always seemed to grab the dark girl every time she danced, and she felt the music as only a Harperchild could.

Rina tapped her foot to the song, aching to be up on that stage singing or playing along with the tune. She too, however, held herself back, she would not upstage her sister here where she had made her home.

Nadhari picked up her speed as the song did as well, the man at least managed to keep up with her as she did so. The crowd around them clapped their hands along with the music as Nadhari twirled around and around, kicking her feet as her partner tossed her into the air. Her red dress swirled around her as she landed lightly, and nodded her approval to the man.

The song came to an end as Nadhari sat down at the table with her elder sister, barely even breathing hard (although her partner seemed about ready to collapse). Nadhari smiled, "Lumina being good?"

"As always, she seems to be waking up finally at least," Rina nodded to the man who had danced with Nadhari, "Was he any good?"

"Oh he was decent I suppose, but it's so hard to find someone who feels the music properly..." Nadhari sighed and took a sip of wine, looking out across the gather as the Harpers prepared for another song.

((Next poster must pick the next song! ^-^ Something you could dance to and imagine in Pern))

[kyra]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zDUri6vMgQ

N'lir had just landed a few moments before as he walked into the Main Hold. He very much enjoyed himself when he came here and often enjoyed to dance. It was something his dragon wouldn't tease him about anyways. Rakhinith seemed to tease her rider often. His eyes flickered around looking for anyone he knew. Seeing Rina he just nodded a quiet hello before he picked a girl out of the crowd to dance with.

It was a slower song with a beautiful flute part. He often imagined what it would be like to be a harper, but he was content with his dragon rider life. After all he got to see many new places. You better enjoy the dragonrider life. He just smiled as he heard Rakhinith reply to his thoughts. The dragon was off towards the edge of the Hold waiting on her rider to have his fun and be ready to leave and rest.

He twirled his dance partner as the song slowly came to an end. With a bow he walked off heading towards Rina and her younger sister. "Enjoying yourselves, ladies." He said with a smile and a bow. After all he was looking at the Weyrwoman of his new Weyr even if she was only going to be there until the eggs had hatched.

He had already begun his search that day for possible candidates, but came up with none so far. Rakhinith had mentioned only the best of the best for this clutch. He wasn't sure what that had meant, but he knew that his dragon knew what she was doing even if he was unsure sometimes.

[Chris]

youtu.be/h_-PEN-OUMo

D’rew took his turn with the Harpers – he did love to play after all – and they started up a more lively tune after the peaceful flute tune. He watched as the more energetic ones in the crowd started dancing to it and he really enjoyed performing. The pipes he was playing he made himself while an apprentice and he would probably take a turn later to sing something after dinner.

When he finished, (That was lovely, Natoth said) he bowed to the applause from the dancers and he headed over to the main table where Rina and her sister was sitting. “Rina, Nadhari,” he smiled in greeting. “Enjoying the gather I see.” He sat down for a quick chat before heading off into the crowd again. He nodded a greeting to N’lir. “Hello, N’lir. How’s the Search going? I do need some weyrlings to teach after the Hatching,” he asked with an impudent grin.

N’lir had Impressed during the first Hatching that D’rew had stood for, so he was a rider for longer, but D’rew remembered almost everybody he’s been a Candidate with.

[Missing]

(( www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1mdjvZQsXs ))

Nadhari had been watching the Greenrider dance, it was too slow of a song to really tell but he certainly seemed better than her last partner at least. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly when he came up to the table and bowed. Lumina, still on Rina's shoulder looked up at N'lir with sleepy eyes.

Rina waved a hand in protest as N'lir bowed, "Oh you really don't need to do that, just sit down and have a glass with us. The food is excellent but I do believe they had to bring in the wines, no established vines as of yet of course."

Nadhari hated small talk, and yet somehow it was always difficult to be mad or frustrated around Rina. The woman seemed to radiate calm and serenity, both of which Nadhari herself was woefully lacking in, "I hope we can get enough Candidates in time for the hatching... we didn't Search at all before they were clutched, with who knows what infecting Useth I hope she's right about all of the eggs being healthy. It is strange though, it's her first clutch you would think there would be at least one dud, or that it wouldn't be so big."

Rina nodded, "I'm sure she knows her clutch better than we do so if she says they are all healthy then she knows what she's talking about. I agree with you on the strange part though," she brightened at D'rew's greeting, "Yes we are D'rew, thank you."

Nadhari barely registered her sister's words or the Weyrlingmaster's greeting, she was looking back out to the dance floor as tune began to pick up the pace.

((since this song is longer it can carry over into the next post, possibly two if need be.))

[kyra]

N'lir sat down with a nod. He smiled at D'rew walked up and joined them. "Rakhinith is being picky on who she picks. She wants only the best." He added with a sigh. He poured himself some wine and took a sip. "We will be going out again tomorrow to check a bit further away." He added.

N'lir closed his eyes for a moment and relaxed. "We'll find you some good Weyrlings." He told D'rew with a smirk. He looked around and noticed the younger sister was staring off to the dance floor again. Half tempted to ask her to dance he decided not to. It had been a long day of searching and tomorrow would be another one. He hoped to find a candidate tomorrow that was for sure. We will find one tomorrow. His dragon's musical voice echoed in his head. This gave him hope.

The rider tilted his chair back and listened to the music. It was a grand gathering that was for sure. A place to relax after a long hard day even if another long hard day followed tomorrow. He wasn't sure where he was going to look tomorrow but he figured his Green would have an idea. He looked back to the Bluerider and smirked, "So how many Weyrlings do you think you can handle." He said with a teasing tone.

[Zen]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_0AqIXYuko

Fala had arrived with her mother the day before and helped to set up a stand at which they could sell some of the items down in their cargo hold. She’d had her best sales personality going all day but her mother finally shooed her away and told her to have some fun. She was still young; she shouldn’t be expected to work from dawn to dusk just yet. Fala didn’t particularly want to leave, she enjoyed the bartering as much as she would anything else the Gather had to offer, but her mother refused to let her stay and chased her off.

Compared to some of the other girls and women brushing by, her dress was rather simple. It was a plain, pale lavender with a darker violet sash going from just below her right shoulder to her left hip, where it wrapped around her waist. The sleeves naturally fell just below her shoulders, leaving them bare, and was cut modestly at the bodice. Her hair fell naturally down her back.

She was worried someone might step on Sweety but the Amethyst had refused to stay on the boat and darted off through the crowds before she could pick her up and keep her safe. Trey sat on her shoulder as usual, eyes whirling as he watched the crowd for anyone who might in any way threaten His. Fala followed the sound of music to where space was cleared for dancing and stood to watch. The music was upbeat and energetic and some of the more daring dance partners were pulling some rather spectacular moves out of their repertoire.

Fala wasn’t at all confident enough with dancing to join in at that moment so instead she stood off to the side, clapping along with the music and tapping one foot. For one Trey left her shoulder and flew into the air above all the dancing couples, as if he wanted to dance as well, making her giggle at the thought. Something brushed her ankle and she glanced down to see Sweety sitting at her feet, “There you are. I was worried about you, you know.” Her voice was drowned out by the music and the chatter, but Sweety turned her head up toward her anyway.

[Chris]

( youtu.be/aYRyVlcInyY )

D’rew grinned in response. “You had better find good Candidates, these eggs are special after all.” He had noticed Nadhari was looking at the dance floor with almost naked longing and was about to ask her when N’lir spoke again. “I’ll handle the entire clutch of weyrlings, don’t you worry,” he said. Of course, with that big a clutch he will need some assistants, but he’d cope.

He got up and held out a hand to Nadhari. “My dear, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” he asked as a new piece of music started. D’rew loved to dance and his Harper training was enough to at least let him keep up to the younger girl. She was brilliant and he really had to pull out all the stops to keep up with her.

When the song ended, and he was a little breathless, he bowed over her hand and grinned. “You are the best dancer. Ever. Thanks, I really enjoyed it.” He led her back to the table and waved over a server to bring more wine. “I’m going to browse the stalls a little bit. I need something to brighten up my weyr.” He walked off to the stalls, eying each and every piece that was on display.

[kyra]

N’lin smirked at D’rew’s words. N’lin figured D’rew will need a little bit of help and of course N’lin would help him. The music had changed once more to something more interesting. N’lin felt the beat, but he really had no intention to dance. He felt his dragon’s confusion, ‘What is it?’ I’m not sure, but I sense something She replied.

Mine. N’lin looked up hearing his dragons voice. Look at the girl. He looked around seeing many girls. ‘You know you are not very helpful.’ He grumbled to what is his. Must I do everything myself? His dragon responded with annoyance. Rakhinith was still far away from the gathering but she could feel it. Someone who was important, who would be perfect for the marked clutch.

N’lin looked at the Weyrwoman, “Excuse me for a moment.” He spoke softly as he stood up with is eyes searching. He paused slightly at a girl with a gemtail at her feet. Shaking his head he started to move through the crowd. ‘Which one?’ He sent to Rakhinith once more. No worries now I shall see if she will go to you. Was all the dragon replied.

Rakhinith had moved a bit closer but was still far out of sight. Can you hear me? She asked the girl in her mind. It was a test the green had chosen to play. She always played the same test for every candidate but never really had one react without her pressing to be heard by the humans. Instead of pressing hard to get the girl to listen she didn’t press hard at all. Rakhinith knew the girl was special, but what for was the question. If you can hear me start heading towards the fool over there. ‘I heard that’ N’lir responded with annoyance. His dragon was the most unhelpful dragon ever.

[Zen]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRBKT8ylThM&feature=related

Can you hear me? Fala started at the sudden voice. It was so clear among all the noise of the gather, she looked around briefly to see who had spoken but saw no one. Puzzled, she tilted her head slightly, then glanced up at the sky looking for maybe a dragon that was flying too low, low enough for her to hear. None that she saw immediately. She frowned slightly and looked around again. If you can hear me start heading towards the fool over there. “What fool?” she murmured, narrowing her gaze at all the people gathered about. She honestly wasn’t particularly certain this dragon, for that was the only explanation for where the voice was coming from, was even talking to her or not.

She stooped to pick Sweety up and Trey flew back to his regular perch on her shoulder, chirping curiously at her. He had felt her confusion and come back immediately from his fun to see what was going on. She spotted a man making his way through the crowd purposefully, looking as if he was searching for someone, and drew a connection, though she still wasn’t sure it was her he was supposedly searching for. Best settle the confusion before Trey got agitated, she supposed. She was starting to get a little impatient with the situation herself.

She slipped past and inbetween people, trying to keep sight of that man…. “Augh, this is annoying. Trey,” she supplied him with the image of the man, “Go to him so he stops moving around and I can find him already. Don’t hurt him,” she emphasized before he took off. The bright turquoise firelizard quickly found the man in the opposite direction she had been heading and made sharp circled around his hand, chirping with both triumph and command for him to stop moving. Fala quickly made her way over, “At last… sir… I’m not certain, but I’m thinking I heard your dragon a moment ago. I wasn’t sure if she was talking to me or someone else but I supposed I should find out.”

[Missing]

(( www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrvCOd31m4M&feature=related ))

Nadari smiled at D'rew as the song ended, "Well I have to be better than Rina at something I suppose," her tone was joking, even though D'rew probably knew from her sister that there was truth in those words. She didn't resent her sister for being amazing, but it could get a little overwhelming at times. Still, it was funny how not even Nadhari with all of her aggression could be mad around the woman. She nodded to the Bluerider as he mentioned searching the stalls, and headed over to sit with her sister once more.

N'lir seemed to be distracted about something she noted as she sat down. Had his found someone for Candidacy? Nadhari smiled at the thought, there were a few candidates now, but none that were especially noteworthy in her mind. Perhaps this one... Well she really didn't know if that was what had in fact distracted him, but one look at her sister told her that the Weyrwoman had the same suspicions and was watching him carefully.

---

Rosetta stared at the sculpture in her hands with curiosity. There, in sparkling detail was a girl standing on a multicolored base who seemed to be staring directly at Rosetta from over her glass shoulder. The glass that made up the girl herself was frosted, but colorless. Even without the picture she had gotten of the girl in her mind she could somehow tell that her long, straight hair that fell past her shoulders was blond. She wore boots, long pants, and a comfortable looking tunic, the folds sparkling in the setting sun. Her hands hung at her side, slightly curled as if she had been, or was about to clench them. And her eyes...

Rosetta couldn't bring herself to destroy this one, and besides, it wasn't as if it really showed anything happening. Normally there would be a scene, but this one had just been this one girl who seemed to be about Rosetta's age. She usually didn't create something so normal during her flashes, and yet something about this girl was special, Rosetta was sure of it. She carefully set the sculpture down on a table behind the stall's main display, giving it one last look before checking on her customers. None of the gather attendees seemed to have noticed Rosetta's momentary lapse from reality.

Many vendors only sold their wares, but if the vendor was a crafter people expected to see them at work from time to time. At this moment, her customers were delighting in watching Magic flame tiny colored glass scraps into odd shapes. He didn't seem to have any control over the shapes that formed, but people loved his little sculptures, finding them very novel to hang up in a window somewhere.

She looked over her wares, drinking glasses, small mirrors, vials, bottles, jars, and then of course her multicolored sculptures. Children pointed up at glass dragons hanging from strings over their heads. Fiery red-orange spouted from some of the sculpture's mouths, some were diving, others dodging, others had claws extended as if about to grab up a juicy buck. They came in all the different colors, although the Gold and Burgundy ones looked the best in this dying light. There were other sculptures of course, birds, fish, gliders, gemtails, abstract, and then another customer favorite, her dragon eggs, but it was the hanging sculptures that drew the customers in.

[kyra]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OID1T2B9PEM

N'lir got even more confused as he kept looking through the crowd. He looked up and noticed a fire lizard just flying in circles. Stay there mine, she is coming. She can hear me. 'She can hear you?' His Rakhinith words shocked him. Had she really found another candidate? And one that could hear dragons without the dragon trying hard? His eyes watched the Blue firelizard fly in circles around him.

The girls voice made him look at her. He smiled softly, "No she was talking to you. So you really did hear her?" He asked curiously. Of course dumb one, why else would she be right here. He heard the annoyance in his dragon's tone. He couldn't help but ask, "So what did she say." He asked looking at the girl who was carrying a gemtail in her arms.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eliza was looking at all of the glass wear. She really wasn't sure what she wanted, they were all so beautiful. The dragon healer sighed with annoyance too many choices to pick from and Eliza wasn't good and picking things out. She looked at the girl standing there and smiled slightly. "Did you do all of this?" She asked curiously eyeing the golden dragon. Maybe she could get that one? She sighed once more. Too many choices.

Eliza was new here, having just arrived earlier this morning at the Weyr. She thought she was coming here to help, but hadn't expected to even up being a candidate for the hatchings. The greenrider and come up to her with his dragon and practically tricked her into saying yes. She sighed looking at the glass figures. Maybe she would buy two just to help her room a little. Well her new room that was completely bare.

[Chris]

D’rew raised an eyebrow at the girl. “Insecurity? From you? I find it hard to believe,” he said. “I’m also Harper trained, and insecurity is not something Harpers are well known for.” Yet he did exactly that, not that he was going to admit it when he was trying to encourage someone. “Besides, when you Impress – note I said when and not if – I’ll make sure you’re the best rider you can possibly be.” He gave a wink and a grin before they reached the table.

---

D’rew was completely amazed at the glassware that was on display. And the little firelizard working glass with his flame was utterly charming and a great marketing tool. He looked at the various things that the little firelizard had made and kept his eye on a few of the smaller pieces. He was sure they would make charming pendants, especially if the wearer knew that it was made by a firelizard.

He was totally captivated by the colors of the various sculptures. “Excuse me, miss. Do you do commissions?” he asked the young woman who seemed to be working the stall. “I’d dearly love a piece made that looks like my dragon. He’d be insufferable about it, but I really like the idea.” He looked at her expectantly.

Remember her, Mine. She will make a good rider. Just don’t ask her now, I will tell you when.

[Missing]

Nadhari bit her tongue at the Harper comment, it seemed no matter how much she tried to get away from her family's profession it followed her. Probably why she was always running... If anything it was growing up in that family of Harpers that made her insecure, made her want to follow her own path instead of the one that was set before her.

---

Rosetta looked at the girl with the rather striking gray eyes and nodded, "Yes, well except for Magic's little pieces there," she nodded to the firelizard, then pointed at the small twisting bits of glass hanging along the side wall and scattered on the table. Another customer picked up one and bartered with the girl for it. While the pieces were essentially free for Rosetta and the price didn't so much matter to her, they helped provide for her more artistic endeavors and it didn't really do to show weakness with bartering on even the smallest of wares at a Gather.

She turned her attention back to Eliza, "The Dragons take a while to make, and then the color affects the price since materials must be added to color the glass. Although," she pointed at one of the golden figures, "Yellow shades are actually less expensive, the only thing easier is black which just takes a bit of iron," she picked up a dragon egg that, on closer inspection, seemed to have a young black dragon inside. It had seemed from where it sat on the table that it was simply shaded, but held up to the light the outline of the black could be seen clearly through the opaque shell.

When D'rew walked up she smiled at him and set the egg down, wiping it with a cloth before doing so to remove any smudges her hands had left. When he asked her about commissions she nodded, "I would have to see him obviously, but I don't need him to pose or anything. I have a pretty good picture memory for that sort of thing. I'd just need you to let me know the details on how you would like him depicted."

[Zen]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHWRcYGZ_H4

Seeing that His had followed him and found what she wanted, Trey settled back down on her shoulder, his eyes whirling at the man, tense and ready to strike if he needed to. Fala leaned her head just so to brush her cheek against him as her hands were occupied by Sweety at the moment. Her brow furrowed slightly at the rider. Dragons rarely, if ever, talked to her directly. Usually she just overheard. She raised an eyebrow slightly, “Of course I heard her.” She looked at him as though he was rather odd for asking and chuckled at his dragon’s comment.

“She just asked if I could hear her and told me to find you. She’s got a sarcastic streak, doesn’t she? Is she close to here? I usually can’t hear dragons I can’t see.” She glanced around once more, trying to spot a dragon close by. Then she looked puzzled as she came back around to wondering why the dragon had wanted her to find her rider to begin with, “Uhm… I’m not really sure what your dragon wanted me to find you for…. Is there something I can do for you?”

((Merr, crap post.))

[kyra]

“Rakhinith is close by.” He responded look at her. She thought hearing dragons was normal? So she really was one of those people who can hear all dragons. They were rare, in fact N’lir never even met one. “She loves torturing me some days.” He looked over the fire lizard who seemed ready to attack him. Do you wish for me to come closer? His asked. ‘No, it will be fine.’ He sent back to his bonded.

“It is not normal for one to hear all dragons you know. In fact it is very rare, yet a gift as well.” N’lir started. He looked back to the Weyrwoman and her sister with a grin and a thumbs up as if to say he’s found a candidate. He looked back at the girl with a smile, “I am N’lir search rider of Green Rakhinith.” His grin widened, “Have you ever thought about being a dragon rider?”

__________________________________________________________________

Eliza smiled at the girl happily. “Thank you..” Her eyes scanned around again. She had plenty of money that was for sure, especially since her parents sent her with enough to make sure she would be okay for a while. Her eyes flickered to the egg the girl had put down. Eliz thought for a few moments then decided she would buy on of the Black Fire Lizard’s creations as well. They were defiantly original and all so beautiful.

Eliza’s eye flickered the man who had spoken to the girl. Another dragonrider no doubt, most likely from the Weyr she was going to stand at for the hatching. Closing her eyes Eliza sighed, “I believe I will buy the black egg, one of the golden dragons, and one of your Magic’s creations.” She said finally figuring out what she wanted. It was three things, but three trinkets that would easily brighten up her room a bit more then what it was already.