Gather!

[Chris]

D’rew grinned at Aedonys’s enthusiasm and couldn’t get a word in edgeways to tell him that there will be a lot of time for sketching and painting dragons. “You will have a lot of time to sketch him, don’t you worry about that,” D’rew said mysteriously.

He watched as the boy grabbed a pad, some materials and in the end took all of his pastels and more paper than he would need for the meeting that was coming up. “Good, I like a guy that can travel light,” he teased, eyeing the armful of art supplies. He waited for Aedonys to ask the girl to watch his stall for a few minutes and then led him over to the clearing where Natoth was waiting somewhat impatiently.

Did you have to raise him from infancy and teach him to walk? I’ve gone grey with age already, the dragons said a little grumpily.

It’s not my fault he wanted to bring his entire art stock along to draw you, D’rew told his dragon, but Natoth ignored him as Aedonys stepped into the clearing.

The dragon stretched out his neck and actually sniffed at the boy, making a rumbling noise in his chest. He will do very well, Natoth said.

Are you going to talk to him? D’rew asked, so he could be prepared for the freak-out that sometimes followed.

Of course. The dragon lay his head on the ground in front of Aedonys. Tell me little one, he said to the boy. Would you like to be a rider?

D’rew waited for the reaction.

[shadeau]

Aedonys spent the majority of the walk very quiet. Occasionally, he'd find himself staring a bit long at a passerby when a particular feature of their's caught his attention. He'd smile awkwardly and avert his gaze when eyes would meet. Eventually, he fell behind D'rew as the pair made their way into the clearing.

When the dragon rider came to a stop, Aedonys looked up and around to find the dragon - which wasn't at all very hard to spot. His eyes grew wide as Natoth sniffed at him, making the air around him heave to and fro.

He stood there, very still for a moment, while the dragon spoke to him.

"You...are very blue. Yes, blue with some other colors in your shadows.." at first, it seemed as though the boy didn't hear the question posed, until he added, "A...rider? Me? Oh...yes I would like to ride. I could see so many things from up high. I'm sure the world looks quite different where you can fly."

Aedonys blinked quietly to himself for a moment, wondering why it didn't seem odd that a dragon just spoke to him.

[Chris]

D’rew had to smile as they walked along. This boy was easily distracted by something he could draw, that was for sure, but it was endearing on some level. He kept an eye on the boy so he didn’t get too far behind and led him into the clearing.

He laughed. “Well, he is a blue dragon, and you’ve just made his day, young one. I think you have a willing model whenever you want one. He’s a bit vain I’m starting to think.” He slapped Natoth on the shoulder and grinned as the big eyes turned at him.

I’m not vain, Natoth sniffed then turned his attention to Aedonys. Yes. You, a rider. Do you want to come to the Weyr? We have eggs on the Sands and you are a Candidate if you wish to be. You will find out what it looks like from up there when we fly.

D’rew watched and listened to the exchange. “Do you need to tell anybody that you’ve been Searched? How much time do you need to pack, or shall I fetch you when the Gather is over?” He gave a small laugh. “I’m getting ahead of myself. Do you accept being Searched?”

[Missing]

((----Restart Marker----))

((please see restart announcement for details))

[Missing]

Nadhari fell back into her chair, breathing heavily from the dance. Rina looked up the glass of wine she'd been swirling in her hand, "Must be some dance to tire you out."

The younger sister waved a hand dismissively and reached for some water, "Tired is good, if the dancing doesn't wear you out it probably wasn't a very good gather."

Rina smiled, "You and I have very different views on what makes a good gather. Father would probably agree with you though."

Lumina, who had been resting on the table during the dance, hopped over to Nadhari's lap and curled up there instead. Nadhari stroked her gently until she settled back into sleep, "How is Useth faring?"

"Watching over her eggs of course, she's hardly getting any sleep from all the watching... None of them seem to be unwell but... the marks..." Rina sipped her wine, even in her distress it was a dainty, graceful gesture.

"Well it's her first clutch as well," Nadhari tried to sound reassuring, "She's bound to worry."

Rina nodded, looking back down at her wine as Nadhari turned to watch the dancing once more.

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

Rosetta looked out across the gather which seemed to be gravitating more towards the food and less toward the stalls now. Perhaps she should close up shop... Sometimes she really wished she had an assistant or Apprentice of some sort to help her out. She looked toward Magic who rested on the ledge next to his work area, "Maybe we should get some food."

The sculpture of the girl caught her eye once more, a shiver going down her spine.

[frozenaugust]

"I said no Ranlyn. I don't want to dance with you." Lisal said in a low hiss to her brother, who had been shadowing her all day on their father's orders. The young woman had just come off of crutches for her broken ankle, and though she still walked with a slight limp due to the sore appendage, it was a lot better than hobbling around with the unwieldy help. Her father had taken to over-compensating for his lack of involvement in her life, which meant that while he had promised he wouldn't follow her around like an over attached toddler, he'd only gone one step back and had sent her brother. She remembered having had a very good relationship with her brother when they'd been younger, but now she couldn't help but want to strangle him every time he gave her one of his goofy crooked grins because she knew it meant he was up to something that she'd hate.

In fact, he had that cocky grin on now as he settled one of his arms around her shoulders, though he didn't really set his weight on her and was being mindful of her injuries. She could give him that much. "Come on Lissy." He said in a silky smooth, coercive tone as he walked beside her, his normally long stride shortened to match her limp and giving him the air of some wild beast penned up and preparing to strike. "You've got to have fun at some point."

"My idea of fun and your idea of fun are two very different things Ranlyn." Lisal responded dryly, looking rather grim as she realized her brother was guiding her directly towards the dancing square. "I've only just gotten permission to walk without crutches and you're expecting me to go dance with some stranger? I think I'd rather gnaw off my ankle now thank you very much."

"And you claim to have no time for dramatics." Ranlyn teased but removed his arm from around her shoulders as his eyes caught the sight of the weyrwoman and her sister sitting at a table near the dance square. "You go be a stick in the mud then, and I'm going to go woo the Weyrwoman's sister."

"Ha! Your overconfidence is going to get you slapped and I wouldn't miss seeing that." The woman responded and earned herself a glare from her brother. "From the sounds of it you've caused enough trouble for these people that you'd probably earn yourself a pre-emptive slap from them in fact." She added, and chortled as Ranlyn huffed at her.

"You wound me." He said, eliciting more laughter from his sister which he ignored as he strode confidently over to the table and smiled broadly to Rina and Nadhari in greeting before bowing. "Good evening ladies. You both look lovely this wonderful night." He greeted, then turned his attention to the younger of the two sisters. "Would you care to dance Nadhari?"

[Missing]

The temporary Weyrwoman smiled up at the siblings, though the , expression sombered at the sight of the harassed Lisal, "Ranlyn you shouldn't be aggravating your sister, the girl is still recovering." to Lisal she gestured to one of the empty seats, "You should probably sit down dear. You don't want to cause your ankle to heal improperly."

Nadhari rolled her eyes as she scooped up Lumina and deposited the glider back on her napkin nest on the table, "Are you trying to sound like an old woman or is the wine getting to you Rina?" Leave it to miss perfect to sound all high and mighty offering someone a sharding chair...

She mentally sighed at herself as she took another sip of water and nodded at Ranlyn, "Fine then but no tricks!" The words held no sting though as she offered him her hand.

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

Rosetta lowered the hide flap on her stall, posting a sign to let people know she would be back after some food. She carried a few parcels with her and Magic curled about her neck. The girl had taken the time to splash some water on her face and braid back her hair. Gloves, arm guards, and protective apron removed, she actually looked nice. She still wore her wherhide work pants, burned here and there from hot glass droplets, and her un-dyed work shirt but at least she was cleaner than before.

Spotting people as she walked, she handed out the parcels with a congenial smile. At the Weyrwoman's table she stopped and held out a parcel to Rina, "Here you are Weyrwoman, let me know if anything is broken or missing."

Rina carefully unwrapped the small, golden, glass dragon's egg and held it up to the torchlight, "It looks wonderful my dear, I might commission you to make one of each in Useth's clutch if the silly thing ever lets anyone see them. It would make a lovely hatching gift for those who Impress."

Rosetta smiled as Magic chirped proudly as if he had made the egg himself. Lumina roused slightly and looked up at the black firelizard with curiosity before falling into slumber once more.

[frozenaugust]

Ranlyn smiled his best and most charming of smiles to the Weyrwoman and gave his shoulders a casual shrug. "I haven't seen her in nearly ten Turns Lady, I have lost time to make up for." He responded casually and ruffled his sisters hair, even as she smacked his stomach. "Recovering? I'm fairly certain if she had a mind to she would shove her boot up my -"

"Yes, Weyrwoman, I would appreciate a seat." Lisal cut off, glaring at her brother in a way that Rina wouldn't see her and then turning her attention back to the woman as Nadhari stood. She watched her brother grin at her and then take the woman's offered hand.

"Me? Tricks? You wound me miss." He said with a comically tragic expression before he slipped his hand to Nadhari's waist and spun her off onto the dance square just as an upbeat jig began to play.

"He's hopeless I think." Lisal commented, mostly under her breath as she eased ino a seat and grimaced as her ankle twinged a reminder that she wasn't quite fully healed. As she did, the glasscrafter came over to hand Rina something wrapped in cloth, and Lisal watched as the goldrider unwrapped then held up the gold tinted egg. "It's lovely." She complimented.

[Missing]

Nadhari laughed at Ranlyn as Lisal cut off what he'd been about to say. Her sister looked shocked, but shook it off quickly, Probably just thinks he's joking... Well, she hasn't been in classes with him.

She let him lead her off to the dance floor, not trusting his words one bit, "If I'm limping tomorrow I'll set Ranis on you..." She would too. She wouldn't outright tattle, but if the gold wherhandler happened to ask WHY she was limping, she certainly wouldn't spare the boy. Still... he was amusing if nothing else...

Rosetta glanced at the girl seated with the Weyrwoman, but quickly averted her eyes again. Rina, however, still caught the look, "This is Lisal, one of the Candidates. Her brother Ranlyn just lead Nadhari out for a dance, he is also a Candidate." The glasscrafter nodded to Lisal at the introduction as Rina began to wrap the egg once more, "Lisal this is Rosetta, she runs a shop in our main Hold. Actually she was born at the miner hold, just came back from training at the Minercraft Hall. Rosetta, if you would be so kind as to attend one of the egg viewings... you can get a better look at the clutch to help make replicas of them."

The girl nodded again, "Just let me know when Weyrwoman, it would be an honor to see Useth's clutch." Something over by the serving area caught the girl's eye, though it was hard to tell exactly what it was, "I'm sorry, if you will both excuse me..." she bowed to the Weyrwoman and nodded again to Lisal before heading towards the familiar face in the crowd.

---

E'rra had already noticed Rosetta, but had kept to where he was upon seeing that she was conducting business. So he waited, fixing a plate for each of them as he did so. By the time he turned around she was already there, looking up at him curiously, "I wasn't aware you would be attending this gather." She took the plate offered to her with a small smile.

He shrugged, leading the way to a table for them to sit at before saying anything, "The Weyr needed riders to help it grow, so I decided to volunteer."

She paused mid bite to stare at him, Magic grabbed the chunk of meat from her fork and gobbled it down instead. Her eyes hardened at the Blackrider, "Now why would you do such a foolish thing?"

He was concerned about you. This Hold is new, and you are alone. Novath's voice echoed through both of their minds as E'rra grimaced.

"It's not that I don't think you can take care of yourself... But you did pick a very male dominated craft and you are, as Novath says, alone. The transfer is good for me anyway as they'll most likely make me a wingleader."

Rosetta still scowled at him, "I'm not your child you know... You can't just step in and be my dad..."

The rider looked off at the dancing, "I know that, but you are my friend and I'm not letting you do this alone."

"What about..?"

"Garrett... Garrett understands. He wasn't happy about it, but he understood." His tone clearly said he didn't want to go into it further and he began eating his meal.

[danaphantom]

Taralo was unhappy.

While this wasn't exactly news, it was certainly something to be noted by anyone who dared approach her. The woman's scowl was acidic, her growl caustic as she skulked around the Gather. The source of her ire? A rather simple dress her mother had stuffed her into before allowing her to go enjoy herself, not that she would be able to now. With a tightly-laced bodice keeping her from breathing properly and slippers that pinched her toes, Taralo was not a happy camper. At least the deep navy was an acceptable color, and her mother went on about how it accented her figure well. Which may have been all fine and dandy had Taralo left with the intent on attracting males.

The Wherhandler was no where to be found, of course, Taralo suspecting that Ranis had snuck off to take a nap so she would be more lively for the evening's festivities. This left Taralo alone, grumpy, and without an escape back to the Weyr since there was no way she would be able to convince Ranisk to leave the cavern she was holed up in with the rest of the Weyr and Hold Whers.

Grumbling incomprehensibly, she grabbed the strongest wine offered and took a seat at one of the myriad of tables surrounding the dance floor. After downing half her glass, she reached under the table to pull her shoes off, grimacing as she stretched her abused feet.

[Mys]

Watching the proceedings with a certain cautiousness was a young man of an average build. Beneath his thick eyebrows his two brown eyes followed the movement of the dancers in the cobblestone square. Having only recently been searched the twenty-one turn old felt out of place and hesitant to ask for a dance partner. Unconfident in dancing alone, the journeyman healer turned candidate merely continued watching. His fingers drummed upon his waist in time to the music as he enjoyed the gather as much as he possibly could.

Dressed in the finest tunic and trousers he had, Deleb could not help but notice that he still looked rather disheveled compared to the other folks in attendance. Maybe if he would have taken the time to shave his stubble or make sure that his tunic sleeves did not have redwort stains on them. Oh well, there were plenty of things he could nitpick about, but that would not help anything. Despite not actively participating in any activity, there was a still a rather content smile upon his face.

Turning his attention away from the dancers in the square, Deleb saw an open spot at a table and quickly took it. Sitting down the healer gave a small sigh before opening up one of his bags and looking through some notes he had made earlier. If he wasn’t having any luck finding a dance partner, studying plants was the next best thing. With his attention turned to his notes, the candidate wistfully wished that his studying would attract the attention of someone. It was much easier to be approached rather than to do the approaching after all.

[danaphantom]

Oh, Deleb would be noticed, if not for the right reason. Once Taralo was done fussing with her feet and cursing the fact she was not allowed boots, she straightened back up, resting an elbow on the table as she took another swig of her wine. Midway through, she spotted the intruder at her table, reading. Reading?! Did he not realize there was a gather going on? Didn't he have something better to do?

"Don't you have something better to do?" she muttered over the lip of her wine glass, one eyebrow arching up at the boy. "It's a gather. There's a million things you could be doing besides sitting there with your nose in a book." She may have ended up being rather acidic in her tone, but her words were true. This was a time to do things you couldn't in other parts of the year. That was the whole reason she had ventured out into the open despite being swathed in horribleness.

Her features softened slightly, the wine finally starting to hit her system. Taralo drained her glass as a server came around with more, which she helped herself to. "Seriously. If you don't like dancing, go shop or somethin'. Stuff your face with pies. Snog a holder." She shrugged.

[Mys]

Looking up from his materials, Deleb returned the raised eyebrow. A small friendly grin curved his lips as his eyes locked onto Taralo. While he realized that his way of having fun was not quite the same as that of other folk, he could not help but be amused by the young woman’s reaction. As much as he recognized the truth in her words, he also had very valid reasons that such options were not available for him to pursue. Straightening the papers before setting them down, Deleb let out a small chuckle.

“There are, but I find the pursuit of knowledge one that is a worthy endeavor. Besides, this is a lovely atmosphere, and it certainly is better than sitting in the barracks and studying alone. Hmm, how can I explain…” the journeyman healer rubbed his stubbly chin thoughtfully.

All of the woman’s suggestions were valid, but in his mind Deleb made sure to make excuses so that he could not partake. Shopping? Well shopping would be enjoyable if he had any marks to go spend. Stuffing his face with pies? Certainly that would lead to a potential stomach ache later on. Snog a holder? S-snog a holder?! Deleb felt warmth rising to his cheeks as he blushed at such a thought. Truly it would be a wonderful event to find someone at the hold and fall madly in love, but if he were to do something like that it could end up reflecting poorly on him since he was a candidate at the Weyr.

“Sitting here and studying seems much less risky than going off and doing something wild. There are plenty of reasons that this is a rather safe option for myself. Besides, while I might not look it, I do care greatly about being a respectful and proper person in all things.”

His grin widened into a full smile.

“What about you? Why are you not off doing the wondrous things you described? Surely burying your lips in a glass of wine is no better than I burying my nose into my book?” Deleb teased playfully.

[Chris]

D'rew returned from showing the young artist his dragon and looked about the Gather, his eye roaming the people enjoying the music and food. He spotted Rosetta talking with... a blackrider? He frowned a moment.

E'rra. Novath's rider, his dragon supplied.

D'rew nodded to himself. Thanks, dearling. I know I knew who, but couldn't quite recall. From Western, right? His dragon's acknowledgement made him smile. At least he remembered more than he thought he did. And the man was talking to a potential candidate. He reminded himself that he had an appointment with the glasscrafter to make a sculpture of his dragon and he would suss her out a bit more and spring the "Do you want to be a rider" question at another time. Today didn't look good it seemed since she was jumpy about something.

He shrugged to himself, went over to the platform where the Harpers were performing and picked up his instrument to join them for another set. While he was playing, he kept an eye on the Gather, noticing the interactions going on around him.

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

Far away a dragon launched herself into the sky, her rider scowling (sort of), before winking between.

[Mys]

Told you that you would enjoy the dancing! A voice rumbled in the mind of a woman.

Kulma rolled her eyes and kept silent, not wanting to admit that once again her burgundy Amityth had been correct. It had always been difficult for the twenty-six turn old to relax and enjoy herself, for she always felt there could be something else more important that she was missing out on. In the five turns that she had spent with Amityth, the burgundy had slowly helped his rider on her issues, and slowly but surely Kulma was beginning to appreciate the content feelings that came with enjoy herself. Worry still clung to the back of her mind, and the rider tied her long hair loosely and draped it in front of her shoulder. When had the tie for it even broke? Oh well, it wasn’t like she didn’t have a quantity of hair ties in reserve for that purpose already.

Hair is hair. Tied or untied. The burgundy stated rather firmly.

You’re very correct, Amityth. I just want to make a good impression.

Mine will do just fine. Now go have fun, stop standing around.

Taking the advice of her dragon the woman proceeded over to grab some refreshments, namely a glass of wine. She sipped it slowly, taking her time to savor the flavor before she came across the tables of Weyrfolk. With a soft smile she gave a bow, making sure not to spill her wine. Her attention drifted back to square and she put a tan finger to her lips, contemplating more dancing after she finished her wine. This was the perfect time to really enjoy herself after all, but she really didn’t want her nice gather dress to become smelly.

In an effort to keep moving she turned her attention back to the tables. Her brown eyes searched for someone suitable to talk to.