The End of Spring Gather (Event Thread)

[Lark]

It was that time again, and everyone from both the North, South, and around The Island had flocked to Trelis to take part in the Gather. The WeyrBowl was teaming with people and stalls, running around, selling wares and playing games. In one corner a band of harpers was set up, Kierah and her young daughter among them. They were tuning instruments, sending a few wayward tunes through the bowl as they tested. A dancefloor was underneath a tent there, garnet and violet colors decorating the space as well as many of the stalls. It made sense since that was Trelis' colors after all.

Above the bowl and around the edges many dragons and flits were watching or having there own fun. A wing had even started to do arial drills just for fun. Their colors twined around each other as a Green dove down low beneathe a Brown, a Blue following her. If one knew the dragoness well enough, they'd be able to identify her as Avirith, Alyara on her neck. On the floor the weyrlings and candidates ran around, happy to have the day off from chores and whatnot.

A feast was being prepared, the drudges and staff setting tables for that night. Inali moved among them in a burnt gold dress, nodding to several who said hello. The Weyrwoman had always looked forward to the Gathers, and now she looked forward to it again. After all, this was the end of Spring, and they only ever happened in this season and Fall. Grabbing a meatroll off of a basket, the goldrider tossed a few marks toward the stall's owner and bit into the food.

(Ooc: Alright, here is our first Gather. They happen only at the end of Spring and Fall so we won't have one for a few months after this. Feel free to set up stalls for your characters to own in other threads besides this one. If you'd like for your characters to just wander around aimlessly feel free to do that here, the dancing thread will be put up somewhere else. In a week's time or so I'll post the feast in here as well. At that time we'll have a little bit of Plot happen. )

[Lark]

Inali looked up from her seat at the table. It was night time, and the handlers were coming out with the whers now as well. Nodding to herself she pet Pepper and her new flit. It was time for the feast to start and already the drudges and cooks were running around bringing the food. Can you call for everyone Lore? The Weyrwoman called for her Gold which looked up from her spot nearby. She had landed in a bare patch left for some dragons to lay out while their riders walked around the Bowl. Nodding her head the Gold reached out to the minds of the Weyr.

It is time for the feast to begin now. Come all and participate! Eat your fill and drink to your heart's content. The gold fluttered her orange tinted wings and held her head up regaly. She was happy to be out and not around the sands anymore. Hers had even gone on one final ride with her before the healers announced she shouldn't go between until the child was born. Inali had told her dragoness that they could still fly without betweening, but Loraketh didn't want to take any chances. Hers would be grounded until the babe was born.

Stuck between wanting to go to her dragon and needing to stay, Inali gave the Gold a longing glance. Pepper chirped happily as she snuggled against Hers' leg. She was on the floor now, pecking at a plate with some food. The newly hatched flit Inali got from the Greens' clutches looked out with swirling eyes.

*I have no idea which flit I got so I didn't describe him/her lol I'll do it in the next post.*

[Akira]

T'rian smiled happily as he climbed off his dragon's neck, and made his way over to where Inali was sitting. Stallorth on the other hand crooned as he made his way over to lay next to Loraketh. T'rian bent over, and tried to give Inali a kiss on her forehead, before sitting down next to her. How are you feeling tonight? T'rian's voice was soft, and loving as he spoke to the Weyrwoman.

It had become his custom to ask her how she was every time he saw her. He had a feeling that it was going to get annoying soon though, and was actually starting to worry about what she would do to him when she really did get annoyed with his questions about the baby. Who could blame him for being worried about his child though? Especially since this was his first, and he wanted the baby to have a perfect life.

Salty Blue's chirped a greeting to his mate as he hopped off of T'rian's shoulder, and onto the ground. T'rian rolled his eyes at his rainbow huntyre's actions. Alright you, enough flirting. Salty just fluffed himself at His' words. Stallorth on the other hand was content with laying next to his mate, and letting the other's get all the attention.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

N'ck smiled as he looked around him at all the stands. He was wondering which stand to visit when Kicheth nudged his leg. What is it Kich? He looked down at his small white dragon as he spoke. Loraketh says it is time for the feast N'ckMine. The small dragon was only a month old, and already he seemed to be the more "in charge" one out of the pair.

Alright, you ready for a feast Rex? N'ck looked at the bronze firelizard that was currently lounging on his shoulder. Rex just chirped, and went back to his nap. He had a long day full of excitement after all. N'ck rolled his blue eyes and shook his head. He placed his hand on Kicheth's white head, and made his way to where the feast was being held. He wasn't sure where he should sit, so he decided he would wait until he saw the other weyrlings, and sit with them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

K'lin smiled as he followed his nose to where he could smell the food being prepaired for the feast. Mine, Loraketh says that it is time for the feast. I'm way ahead of you Bear. He could practically feel his dragon rumbling with draconic laughter. He could already make out the form of a few of the people he knew, and that included one of his weyrlings.

McTwisp grumbled in annoyance as he waited for His to join the feast. THEY WERE GOING TO BE LATE! It's alright McTwisp. We won't be late. He reached up, and scratched the small blue firelizard on the top of his head as he spoke. The only response he got out of his flit, was more grumbling. K'lin rolled his smoky blue eyes, and started to look around for more people he knew, wondering who all would show up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shenzi smiled as she watched the other Harper's get ready to entertain the feast. She had yet to see her cousin, the main reason she was here was to see him, and the woman that was carrying his child after all. She had too much on her mind now to worry about him. She walked over to one of the Harpers that she actually knew, Kierah. Greetings Kierah, and Leoti. Her voice was light, and friendly as she spoke to the journeyman Harper, and her daughter.

Lady Tremaine hissed softly at the people that Hers greeted. For once, the green wasn't being totally mean. That's just how she greeted people. Absolum on the other hand greeted them in a more friendly way. The brown firelizard rumbled happily, his brown tail wrapped around the Master Harper's arm, well away from the mean-spirited green. Don't worry about her, that's just how she says hi.

Shenzi had actually gotten used to appologizing for the green flit, and was wondering if she should stop doing that, and start scolding the green instead. That just didn't seem like something she would do, at least, not to her anyways. She just sighed, and turned her attention back to reality. She smiled sweetly, and hoped Kierah and her daughter would forgive her evil little firelizard.

[kitsuneko]

R'hard ended up being a little late to the Feast. First he had to feed Sahar and give her a long-overdue bath, and of course, Hari couldn't let the younger fire lizard have all the fun, so he insisted on getting the same. Then there was Kaith to take care of, and well, it wasn't too much of a surprise to him when he walked into a Feast that was already well under way.

He waved at N'ck cheerily when he saw the whiterider, but other than him, he didn't yet see any other weyrlings at the Feast, so with a shrug, he sat down at an empty table. They could find him if they wanted to talk to him; he wouldn't mind the company. Hari and Sahar accompanied him as well. The brown fire lizard sat on his shoulder while the hatchling green nestled in the crook of his arm, her tail winding around his wrist.

[Zirin]

Dual Candidate Yufa and Green Weyrling U’wa

Oh my… Yufa though to herself as the Golden Loraketh’s voice entered her mind. The experience still caught her off guard, though only because she was never expecting it. She made her way to the tables, when she got there she walked slowly enough that she was able to see who else had already arrived. Spying her brother hanging back in the corner she moved to stand beside him, a true smile gracing her lips while she spoke to him, though her posture remained as poised and proper as always. Though her attention was mainly on her brother, whom she didn’t see as often as she liked, enough attention was kept free to notice if anything important was going on around them.

“Dear brother, where is Fari?” She asked the green weyrling. Though the huntyre was bonded to U’wa, it also shared a bond with Yufa, as she had helped raise it. U’wa mentally called the bird, though a hand signal also helped to bring the Forest to his shoulder, where she proceeded to greet Yufa and Cassim.

The Epidote, still clinging to her shoulder, kept a silent vigil, his head held high despite his otherwise stealthy appearance. His long tail wrapped lightly around her neck, though she could feel the muscles waiting to alert her to anyone approaching. He truly was an intelligent little thing.

---

Topaz Weyrling J’dol

He flittered, he flew, and he soared through the air. Ladies and gentlemen, Spazz has arrived! The blue flit, wings moving at an almost untraceable rate, raced through the air above J’dol as the young man made his way to the feast, having heard the call to go a few minutes prior. Bit, his speckled green fire lizard, rested on his shoulder, her tail wrapped around his neck for balance. She grumbled as Spazz dove at her, trying to get her to play; she was already exhausted from chasing after the never-tiring blue.

J’dol arrived to the feast relatively early, though Kayath decided not to follow him closely, instead trotting off to the field where the older dragons were. She was close enough to see from the tables, but far enough that she could play without causing trouble, though as much as she hated to admit it, the festivities of the day had tired her out. The topazrider looked around at the riders and weyrfolk that had arrived before him, noting unhappily that Ara didn’t seem to be there yet, but he recognized one of the weyrling pairs.

“Hey N’ck,” he greeted as he moved towards one of the tables, ready to enjoy the final events of the day.

---

Brownrider Ad’os

Do you need a lift to the feast? Soheath asked as he readied himself to launch. After the time spent at the egg booth, the bulky brown had retired to a ledge to nap and soak in the sun’s rays before the day ended. Ad’os had also left the booth, though he had gone to watch the races while he waited for night to fall. Since leaving, Trouble had, as her name symbolized, been causing trouble for him, though now it was because she didn’t feel like sharing his shoulders with the Lazuli. Atla was a forgiving little creature, however, and simply gave up the fight before it started; she now rested on his arm, half-leaning against his chest as he carried her. He would need to teach the green how to share properly after tonight. Please, Soheath, it would save some time if you don’t mind. The brown landed nearby and soon they were off, flying over the stalls to land in the field closer to where the feast was being held. It may not have saved much time, but it definitely beat trying to squeeze past sweaty, dirty people around the stalls.

A decent number of people had arrived before him. He noticed a couple of the weyrlings and some riders he recognized. Making his way past the table where Inali and T’rian were he saluted the weyrleaders respectfully.

“A wonderful gather as always, Weyrleaders.” He said quickly, glancing for a place to sit at a nearby table. Well, he decided he would mingle a bit before taking a seat. He waved at a fellow wingrider before glancing around.

---

Wher Candidate Korvin

Boar growled menacingly at a fire lizard that came too close, snapping at its retreating tail. Korvin decided he did not care for the flying snakes, since they didn’t seem to understand his need for personal space. He jumped at Loraketh’s message; the idea of another beings thoughts in his mind still unnerved the hunter-turned-candidate, more so because the dragons spoke so much more human-like than the whers. He had, in time, come to realize that it was the whers and dragons that he had been hearing. The knowledge thankfully made him more comfortable than his previous notion of disembodied voices.

“Let’s go.” He said curtly to the canines. Both dogs had makeshift leashes attached this time, since he was attending the feast and didn’t need them getting into other people’s food. Though it would be humorous. He arrived a bit later than most, though he wasn’t the last to arrive. He gathered food for both himself and the canines, and found a seat away from everyone else. If someone wanted to talk to him, so be it, but they would have to come to him.

[Zara]

Iirla looked out of the corner of her eye at Ama who was perched there. She seemed to be showing off. After all, she was a queen, or so she thought, and should be treated as such. The little Ametrine hissed in irritation at any who seemed to get too close to her. She would not be touched by any other person. Only hers. Hers would care for her. Hers would know her place, though, the feeling that came from Iirla was much more that she was the one in charge. This could become quite the problem between them, which, hopefully, should Iirla Impress, her dragon might be able to help set to rights in time.

The Candidate walked with dignity and grace amongst those at the feast, bowing to a few, including N'ck and Shenzi. "Congratulations, Master Harper," she said to the woman and went to find herself a spot at a table. She could do with something to eat and she was certain that Ama wouldn't mind a little more food herself, in fact, she was quite certain of it.

The flitter seemed to be attempting to imprint her will on any flitter she came across, but Iirla sent her feelings of extreme disapproval. The Ametrine sub-queen needed to learn that she was not a queen, but a sub-queen instead. Simply as that. Iirla would just have to discipline her. Simple as that.

Iirla sat at an empty place and fixed herself a plate, but she didn't even have time to take a bite of it herself as her flitter came down and started eating from it before Iirla could.

"Excuse me!" she said to the young flitter and shooed her off, grabbing what had not yet been touched by her little flitter queen.

------

A'vin sighed. The hardest part of having a new flitter wasn't having a new flitter, but having Lori be so excited about her "little sister" Verdi. "Come on, Lori... just calm down," he said as the flitter sat on his head again. He really hated it when she did that. He grabbed her, her squirming and her claws scratching him as he removed her from his head. He had Verdi on his shoulder. She seemed to have good balance for a young flitter.

[Zero]

S'val[/size]

S’val had already taken a seat at a semi empty table when the call came to start the feast. His two newest flits were already starting to become quite the handful at their newly hatched stage and his larger brown wasn’t helping in the slightest. The two younglings were currently each sitting on opposite sides of his plate, hungrily snapping up scraps of meat the Rider happily offered them. While Reign, on the other hand, was still sending His images of running water for the little Epidote, Orion, feeling as though if they just cleaned the little hatchling then he wouldn’t look so muddy and would come out nice and brown like him.

“For the last time, we are not washing him. He’s meant to look like he does.” Passing a meatroll to the talkative Reign, S’val turned back to the hatchlings and smiled lightly as the oddly decorated blue, Draco, curled up next to the plate and settled down to rest, while Orion continued to nibble on the meat scraps and stare curiously at those passing by.
Seems like we’ll have our hands full for the next month or so, eh Solarith?
So it would seem. Maybe these little brothers can keep the brown one in check.
At this the Wingleader chuckled and scratched the troublemaking brown beneath the chin. We can only hope.

_____________________

Fallon[/font]

Fallon scowled as the voice of a dragon broke into his thoughts. “Bastard creatures…what gives them the right…” Muttering under his breath, he chose to stay firmly glued right where he was. No silly dragon was going to command him to come and eat. Shaking his head at the very thought, his eyes darted from one passing target to the next. He went unnoticed of course as he was tucked away in the shadowy corner between two booths. What to do though, what to do. There were so many easy targets about he could practically see pouches full of marks bouncing carelessly at their owners sides.

A sly smirk worked its way onto his handsome face as he palmed the smaller of his two knives in his right hand and casually slipped out of his hiding spot and disappeared into the crowd. The fool never saw him coming. Oh but Fallon spotted him from a mile away. Dressing so fancy and with an air of arrogance always tended to give one away and Fallon would always be there to take advantage of such a situation.

Walking up on the left side of the man, Fallon waited till they passed through a particularly thick throng of people and in a flash cut the cord, separating the man from his marks, and easily slipped back into the bustle. The man wouldn’t take notice for minutes to come and by then Fallon would be long gone, having pocketed the marks and ditched the pouch. It was all for sport though. Fallon was by no means poor, he had enough marks to last him quite a while. He just enjoyed his profession all to well.

Eventually he found himself at the main tent, as the smell of all the wonderful food and wines drew him. Piling his plate high with meats, breads and fruits, he grabbed the skin of wine he swiped from the Benden stall and after paying for the food found himself an empty table and began to enjoy his meal.

[derek]

S'bel had been haggling mightily with a trader when Loraketh's voice echoed in his mind. Deciding that the feast was better than saving a few more marks, he accepted the trader's lowered price and took the new belt he had purchased. Sliding it through the belt-loops of his trousers, the Wingleader ambled slowly toward the feasting grounds.

Maerath sprawled on the rocky heights, his eyes swirling. He was stoically silent, as always, and yawned as he watched His move through the crowd. There were many other things to watch, and many dragons to greet, but he kept one eye on His as he watched and talked, his great bulk clearly visible from the grounds.

S'bel looked up at his dragon and laughed. Trust the bronze to always keep an eye on him... Chuckling, he made his way to one of the less-crowded tables and found himself seated with a fellow Wingleader: S'val of bronze Solarith. "S'val!" He greeted cheerily. "How are you this fine night, my friend?"

---

D'rek didn't want to be late, but he was. He was nearly always late for everything, always had been. Grumbling to himself, thinking that at least the feast would have good food, he left the gather and made his way over to the tables. Emiath had been particularly vicious today, and he was sporting a few new bites and scratches, though thankfully they weren't bad.

Scowling, he took a seat, only to find himself next to R'hard. He could see N'ck and J'dol at another table, but they were no better than the brown rider... so he stayed. At least the food would be good...

[Lark]

Inali turned her head upward as T'rian entered among the first of the guests. She hadn't seen him all day, so they question was actually greatfully heard. "I am fine as I always am when with you Tor. Oh! We have a new member in the family. This is Ghost. Got her from Aries' clutch." The green looked over at the bronzerider for a moment before turning back. She didn't make a sound, just looked then hid away again from all's sight. Smiling the Weyrwoman nodded her head in greetings to all who came by them. "I wonder how everyone enjoyed the gather? Sahelli hosted the most amazing ones. Remember last turns?" The goldrider sighed and shook her head.

Loraketh meanwhile crooned as Stallorth took his position next to her. It was only right of him as WeyrKing after all, though she did eye the nearby Solarith and Maerath as well. Her golden sister had not yet arrived though meaning the Junior Weyrwoman must t be here yet either. Sending the acknowledgment to Hers, Loraketh turned swirling eyes to the sky.

----

Kierah loved the gather so far, Leotie as well. The young daughter was trailing after her mother currently, stumbling here and there. After all she may dance but the grace that was her mother's was not her own. Probably never would be to be honest. Still that was no matter to the young girl. Her mother seeing Shenzi greeted the Masterharper. "Hello friend! I thought I would see you around here sooner or later."

---

N'kron was sitting in a shadowy part of the feasting area. He saw the other weyrlings, but something made him want to stay where he was for now. The brown at his side looked at his clutchmates prefering the shadows as well. He didn't like confrontation of any sort. No, skittering into the shadows was for the best. Nuzzling his jungle cat marked body against N'kron's leg, Ikdardeth crooned. In response the boy bent down to scratch his head knobs.

---

Zora was having a tad bit of trouble keeping Yazhith under check, the green was indeed a jumping bean when it came to social events. Racing around Hers legs, the tiny dragon stopped suddenly and crooned in a high pitch voice. Oh! Oh Mine! Zoranille!!!! Emiath is there. It's soooooo much fun to mess with him! Can I pleeaaassse! It'll be great I promise you. Plus Kaith is there too! I wanna say hi! I'm going to say hi! Hiiiii BrothersMine. Are you excited? I'm excited! You should be excited! I'm sure you are!!!!

-----

Saka had been nearby as well with some other candidates. Looking up in the sky though, the candidate narrowed her eyes. More dragons betweening in? A bronze along with them as well. Could it be a Weyrleader? The candidate watched as more dragons betweened into the sky. Greens, Blues, Browns they were all there. What was going on? This was a whole wing full of dragons! That was when they turned around in a circle and headed for the gather. Saka watched as the bronze opened it's mouth and shot flames down on the crowd.

[kitsuneko]

R'hard hid a scowl when D'rek sat beside him. He didn't like the garnetrider...at least he could try to be civil though. "Hello, D'rek," he said warily before returning to his meal. Kaith, lounging nearby, found it quite easy to ignore dragon and rider both, and did so.

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

Iskra had just entered the area for the Feast, and she was even smiling a little, though she hadn't been earlier. She'd spent all day in an irritable mood, snapping at people for no good reason, and it wasn't until one of the riders muttered that she was acting like a proddy green that she realized why. She'd felt like this before, and it usually meant Maeleth's mating flight was nigh. Her mood instantly picked up. It wouldn't be more than a day or two away now.

She nodded to Inali and several other riders she recognized, but she didn't talk long to anyone; she was hungry and preferred to concentrate on her food. Until, that was, Maeleth alerted her to the presence of strange dragons at the gather. The gold was in the Weyrbowl, speaking with a few other dragons, but she stopped when the strangers appeared.

What do they want? Iskra asked her.

I do not know, they won't answer, came the gold's reply. Then she screeched, and Iskra could hear it with her ears as well her mind. A moment later, she understood why as the strange wing of dragons began to flame. What is the meaning of this!? Maeleth shouted to the strangers, for all the good it did.

Iskra stood and turned to where Inali and T'rian were, anxious to see what they would do.

[Lark]

Loraketh hissed as she noticed the Bronze in the sky. He was not of this Weyr, her Weyr and that meant he was from elsewhere. Worse, he was followed by other dragons. This was strange, sure other riders came to gathers on occasion, but they usually housed their own. A full wing never did this. Hearing Maelath's voice, Loraketh snapped her jaws unhappily. Her older sister was doing more than she was right now! My Lady! Shouting the words just as the Bronze opened his mouth to breath fire, Loraketh shrieked. No one was going to come and do this! Flaring her wings, the Gold roared again. There is no reason! You have no right!

The rider on the flaming dragon smiled down at the gather. Already a few tents had caught flame. His Bronze, one of the more devious of his color, turned to the Golds. They were not his Queens, and so he had no need to listen to them. Though their anger did push into his mind harshly. Shaking his dark head, the male swerved around again to his rider's command and sent forth another jet of flame. A green behind him sneered at the Golds, sending a shot of her own in Maelath's direction. It didn't hit the female, though the Green hissed at that fact, but it did manage to set the ground nearby on fire.

Opening her mind to the Queens, the fiesty dragoness cried out. You are worth nothing more than wherry meat to us! You're better off to die in our flames. The dragoness was soon followed by two other greens and a blue who only hit the Trelis Queens and there followers with similar shouts of; In-pure, Dishonorable, and Weak. Loraketh roared back in defiance, lashing out at one Brown's wing as he neared by close enough. Looking at the group of people inside the gather running around screaming the Gold hissed.

She reached out for Maelath's mind, as well as Talath and Kayath's. Her sister and daughters. Queens, and Sub-Queens. More powerful together than they ever could be apart. In one thought she sent to them a word and intent to magnify back at the group of dragons. LEAVE! One command said not by one Queen, but four. The Bronze reared his head back and shrieked in confusion. Instinct fought with his commands given by his rider. Finally though the former won out and he disappeared with his wing into the blackness they had came from. It wasn't before one Bluerider shot down an arrow to the ground nearby the main tent though.

Breathing heavily, Loraketh crooned at Hers. LiliMine! The Weyrwoman had been ushering as many as she could into safety. Hearing her dragon's voice the girl ran over to the arrow. A note was attached....

Die in the cold of between, or the heat of our flames. The in-pure will be purged either way.

(Ooc: We do not know who they are, or where they are from. Feel free to take guesses and have your dragons/charries even back track and try and fight off the dragons. Kit, Zi, and Shin do please include your Queenies shouting since that was the thing that got rid of them. Other than that, have fun with the clean-up process and raging...)

[derek]

S'bel clapped his hands to his ears. Loraketh and Maeleth's screams were ear-shattering to his mere human form. From the jumble of confused images he got from his own bonded, there were dragons here that ought not to be. No one knew why they came, and it certainly wasn't for the Gather, of that S'bel was sure as one of the strangers shot a gout of flame at the tents.

Maerath roared his fury at the dragons in the sky before sweeping down among the tents. S'bel, anticipating this move, swung easily onto the bronze dragon's back. Maerath rocketed upwards, his claws aimed at an opposing bronze. Flames burst from both dragon's mouths as they struck and bit at each other. Dragon fighting dragon felt so wrong to S'bel, but he knew that he and His must defend their Queens.

Maerath screeched angrily, screaming his ire. Flames flew from his maw as he landed on the other bronze's back, claws scrabbling to find a tender spot to tear. Finally, ichor spilled from the other bronze, and Maerath roared his victory as he let his opponent fall from the sky. Just as the other bronze fell, Trelis' four queens screamed, and the opponents winked between...

Maerath landed heavily on the Gather grounds, and S'bel vaulted off his back. "Inali!" He shouted, making his way toward the Weyrwoman. "What's going on?!"