Gather!

[Chris]

A Gather, Garrett reasoned, was always a good reason to celebrate and get things you didn't think you would have by the end of the day. He didn't believe himself but he hoped that E'rra would see it that way.

Why he hadn't done this when the blackrider had requested the transfer, he still wasn't sure. Maybe it was the old chestnut of having to lose someone to know what you had. He just hoped it wasn't too late for this actoin... it would make things extremely uncomfortable for them if it was too late.

You worry too much, Iroth said as she reached the safe height to go between. Let's go, she said and after her rider gave the image of Crescent Cove, smoothly took them between.

Garret did his usual three count and nodded with approval as they burst into the air above the cove, Iroth announcing her arrival with a bugle. She was quite aware of many people looking up at her and she took them on a leisurely spiral descent wanting to get the maximum effect of their arrival. He wondered if E'rra would notice them arriving and looked around to see if he could spot Novath. Novath is here, Iroth informed him. He says his rider is being broody about something. Garrett translated this into He's probably upset that I didn't jump on Novath's back the moment he told me he's coming here and now he's grumpy. I couldn't just drop everything and rush off! I had to ask Talaria and arrange it all with Rina, there was more that needed to happen than just pack up and leave! He had been telling himself that over and over as to convince himself more than others.

Garrett indulged in Iroth's vanity with the leisurely descent - well deserved as it was. After they landed and he dismounted, he arranged the long coat he was wearing to his satisfaction, grimaced a little at the helmet hair he had acquired on the short trip and stomped his boots a little to settle them. He looked around a moment, got his bearings and walked in the direction of the dancing square. Rina was bound to be there. He was going to ask Iroth to speak to Useth, but he figured that he'd do that if he couldn't find the Weyrwoman.

The dancing was in full swing and he could smell the savoury scents of the food being served all around. His stomach growled at him, but he manfully ignored it until he's presented himself to the Weyrwoman. He spotted her at the main table and headed over to speak to her, all the while looking around if he could spot E'rra. He was almost at the main table when he looked over his shoulder to the opposite side of the square from where he entered and spotted the man talking to a young woman.

He briefly wanted to ignore all his training and bolt across the dancefloor into the blackrider's arms, but the training was ingrained and he stopped to face Rina. "Greetings Weyrwoman."

[Missing]

The Grey's bugle certainly did warrant some attention from the Gather attendees as those with the leisure to looked up into the sky. A Grey? There were no Grey's at Crescent. Must be visiting... Wait... was that a... Man... sliding off of her back? Whispers and a few stares went through the crowd but most had sense enough to mind their manners or were too drunk at that point to care.

E'rra, however, was a completely different story.

The moment he had looked up and seen the familiar dark grey hide he was speaking with his dragon, Novath is that...? He couldn't dare hope. Garrett was probably still at Western. Maybe he'd even developed a temper and hated E'rra for what he'd done, but he couldn't be here.

Maybe you would like to wait for me to answer before you decide what can and cannot be? It is Iroth... And Garrett. He added that last part a bit smugly.

To Iroth he offered his greetings, You are looking lovely Iroth. Are you and Yours here for the Gather?

Rosetta had been talking to the Blackrider, making preparations for her shop that would be opening soon, but he was no longer listening. In a very uncharacteristic act of rudeness he abruptly stood from the table and made his way through the crowds towards the achingly familiar figure already at the Weyrwoman's table, his face fixed with an expression of shock and joy.

"Hey! E'rra! You don't have to help but you said you wanted to so... Where are you going?!" Rosetta stood to follow him, seeming to have found a temper at his unexpected departure mid-conversation.

"Greetings Greyrider Garrett," there wasn't a question of who he was. Male Greyriders weren't exactly in high supply. As she stood to greet him properly Rina saw E'rra's approach and smiled, "Oh E'rra, Garrett this is one of our Wingleaders-" She was cut off.

"He knows who I am Weyrwoman, I would ask that you allow me to steal him for a moment." Only his firm sense of duty allowed him even that much before he reached out a hand towards Garrett and pulled the man towards him and crushed his lips against the Greyrider's.

He didn't know how long he stood there, trying to make the idea of Garrett being there concrete in his mind. It as the sound of Rosetta clearing her throat that brought him out of it. Rina was trying very hard to look stern with a smile on her face, Rosetta was all out laughing, and more than a few stuffy holders had dropped whatever it was they were holding at the time to stare. Rosetta noticed this and quickly moved to head off any issues, passing out wine and doing her best impression of a gushing girl amazed with the wonders of the Gather.

E'rra shook his head, remembering why he usually didn't do such things. He didn't regret it though he did regret having to release his hold on Garrett to bow towards the Weyrwoman, "My apologies. I haven't seen him in some time and didn't expect him to be here..."

Rina waved that off, apparently having abandoned trying to look angry, "Well you did ask permission... technically," She smiled at Garrett, "Now may I ask what brings you here? Is Talaria well?"

[Chris]

Thank you, Novath, Iroth replied. You are looking good too. Maybe now Yours's mood will improve, she added. We are here for the Gather, and depending on certain events, perhaps longer. She left it at that because being at Crescent Cove meant more males to chase her. Western had too many other Queens and she could never compete with a gold.

Garrett smiled at the Weyrwoman, his face going blank when she started to introduce E'rra, not sure of the response he would get if he turned around, not quite hearing what the Blackrider had to say to Rina. He did not expect to be whirled around and soundly... very deliciously and thoroughly kissed in front of the entire Gather.

He completely forgot their surroundings and melted into the kiss only pulling back when someone cleared their throat. Glancing around and seeing the reactions made him flush, but not letting go of the other man's arm. He grinned at Rina.

"Uhm... we know each other, thank you Weyrwoman," he managed, still a bit breathless from the kiss. "We've been apart a while and..." He was speaking at the same time as E'rra and stopped his explanation to let the other man continue.

Garrett glanced at E'rra before answering. "Talaria is well and sends her regards, as well as her wishes for the continued good health of the clutch on the Sands." He looked a little confused at her question about him being there. "Didn't Talaria," he started but cut it off before starting again. "I've come to see if you would accept my petition for transfer to Crescent Cove. I explained to Talaria, who agreed, that you would need the assistance of a junior weyrwoman," and he grimaced at the title. "We really need to find a better title," he groused before continuing, "and to speak with E'rra."

He glanced at the Blackrider again, more sure of the other man's feelings than a few minutes before. They really did need to talk things through.

---------

D'rew joined the others in looking skyward to see the Grey appear and chortled at the scene that played out and the reaction of the more conservative holders. The ways of the Weyr was mysterious indeed.

[Missing]

Longer? That would certainly make Mine happy. Though it meant further distractions for E'rra... Well, his happiness was what mattered in the long run.

Rina frowned slightly as if in confusion, though it was unclear if it was real or not as she had a very suspicious Blackrider glaring at her at that exact moment, "Oh... Right, she did send a message about that. I suppose I just wasn't expecting you so soon. Well then I'm sure E'rra can show you where the Junior Weyrwomen's weyrs are," She dropped her voice to a murmur, "I think if the two of you stand here fawning over each other much longer then the holders will have fits."

E'rra rolled his eyes at that, but she was right. The Weyr was new and they needed to make nice, "My apologies Weyrwoman, I can certainly show Garrett where to go." He sent a quick glance to Rosetta, who just smiled and waved him on before turning back towards a particularly stuffy old man who seemed to be scolding her for dressing 'like a boy'. He would have to be sure to make it up to her later...

He turned his attention to Garrett again and smiled, "I suppose I should help you get settled in. Through this will probably be the cleanest your weyr will ever be..." his tone was teasing and his eyes sparkled with laughter as he nodded in the direction of where the dragons were waiting.

---

Rina sat back down in her chair with a sigh, "By the first egg if looks could kill.... How was I supposed to know that him and E'rra were lovers?" The question was directed at no one in particular, but Lisal was really the only one within hearing distance. She looked at the girl, "Well, welcome to life in a Weyr I suppose."

[Chris]

Iroth snorted. Mine too. He has been very grumpy and quite unpleasant. We will see, she added with a sigh as she settled herself for the wait.

The moment he spoke Talaria's name, Garrett knew he had put Rina on the spot and was immediately contrite and would play along with whatever answer she gave. Luckily it was the same one that had sprung to his mind and he answered readily enough. "I wasn't going to be able to get here in another sevenday or so, but Talaria thought I would make a good representative at the Gather and I could speak to you in person about the transfer. I just brought some of my things since I wasn't sure what the answer would be."

He turned to E'rra. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't want to give you hope until I had the answers and I thought my petition in person would have more value." He glanced at Rina. "Apparently it did. I'll have to send word, go back to pack up the rest and bring it back. Maybe later today, since I have to fetch Smoky." He gave E'rra an imploring look. "Western is a few hours behind Crescent, so its still much earlier over there." His gemtail wasn't used to him being away from the Weyr for more than a night at most and the poor dear would be most upset if Garrett didn't get back to fetch him as soon as possible.

He grinned at Rina's words. "No more fawning. Got it." He smiled at E'rra. "Lead the way, I'm curious to see the Weyr." He snorted indignantly at the implication that his weyr was always a mess, which it was, and slapped the other man's arm. "With your permission, Weyrwoman?" he said politely and dragged E'rra away as soon as they had it.