|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 14, 2009 14:59:12 GMT -6
"Don't you look lovely today Yedella" was beginning to grate on her nerves. It seemed everyone and their mother was going to tell her she looked lovely today. She nodded in gratitude once more and moved on. She knew she looked lovely today her mother would have it no other way. Del had been dressed in a very pale blue blouse embroidered in silver threads with her Journeyman Harper knots at her shoulder. Loose flowing black pants reached to the tops of the sandals she wore. Her hair had been pulled back out of her face, the ends curled with a metal rod. A silver clip in her hair and a silver chain completed the picture.
"Going to play today Del?", a fellow Harper asked her, handing her a wineskin. "More than likely. If you'll excuse me?", she didn't wait for his nod as she moved on. She was looking for Farran but she doubted she would find him. The crowd today was a good one, she saw several riders as depicted by their own knots. Their dragons having been banished to the fireheights like lovely jewels. She hoped to see Ilayria and Astoth today but word had come down that Astoth was on the sands so Ilayria probably would not make it today.
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 14, 2009 21:59:10 GMT -6
Farran was growing to despise gathers. Every time he attended one, he seemed to be surrounded by masses of shoving, cajoling, drinking people who seemed to feel that their excessive conduct was suitable, and if he had to so much as smell another drop of that Tillek swill, he was very much afraid that he'd have to do someone a harm. Sure, the Benden red cost more, but it was so much better that there was no rational reason in the world for anyone to worry over saving a little money and subject themselves to drinking that gutter-dredge passing itself for wine that came out of Tillek. Shaking his head, the young man made his way toward the attendant harpers. At least most of them had better taste.
Farran had donned harper blue, that day, out of pride for his affiliation, but the scarlet and purple of Benden were draped across the tunic, and his harper knots felt small and out of place against the Benden colours, especially when he knew which knots his father would have preferred to see there. Well. His father wasn't here, was he? Dismissing the thought, Farran straightened, adjusted his tunic, and joined his fellow musicians as he rightfully deserved to.
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 15, 2009 21:06:03 GMT -6
Del wandered around until someone grabbed her elbow. "Steady on sister, who are you looking for?", Hardel's warm cheery voice chased away her momentary panic. "Farran actually have you seen him around?", though Hardel had been introduced to Farran a time or two he had not had time to talk to the young man yet. Not talk to him like he wanted to at any rate. "He's with the Harpers", Hardel nodded his head towards the raised dias that was where the Harpers were eating and relaxing before it would be cleared by drudges so the Harpers could play. "Thanks", instead of letting go of her arm, Hardel escorted her to the platform himself.
"My lord", several of the Harpers gave Hardel a respectful bow. At twenty-seven one had to give the man a respectful bow he was well over six feet tall almost approaching seven. None of the rest of the family could claim that height, not even their father who was a tall man himself. No Hardel took after his great-grandfather who had been an equally tall man. "Is Farran abo-oh there he is", Hardel said, pulling Del forward. "Here sir, I have brought your wayward wench to your side. Best you stick close to her here, several lords may decide she is not worth her ransom price", he teased, pulling Del towards Farran. "I am not a wench nor would anyone here dare to kidnap me", she retorted pushing her brother. "Go on, go find spouses for your children", she teased him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Femisis on Feb 15, 2009 22:26:47 GMT -6
It took a lot of effort to get R'nor away from his books and out into the wide world, though Meryldeth was more than up to the task. Strangely enough, things seemed to have fallen into place: Hers was in a good mood that day and a Gather was to be their ultimate destination. Though he wasn't too keen on it, when the Green absolutely BEGGED him to go flying, R'nor couldn't say no, even though she'd given herself away by telling him what to wear. Even so, he'd humor the Green for today. It was the least he could do for her even if the thought of being forced to interact with a large group of people was much to his distaste.
How you ever got me out of the weyr is beyond me. He grumbled as Meryl popped out of between above the hold. The fireheights were already filling with dragons, so at least Meryl would have some company. Though she wasn't a chatterbox the way some Greens were, she was very sociable and liked to make friends. Constant confinement in their weyr was something she didn't like and this was the perfect opportunity for her to get out and chat.
You could make friends, too.[/i] Meryl replied gently as she angled toward the courtyard, aiming for a spot that seemed to have magically been vacated just for her to land. Books are nice, but you need to find some real friends.[/i] She reminded him patiently as she always did when he complained about the least of excursions. This was just the reason she had chosen him, to help him out of his figurative shell just as the thought of Impressing him had given her the strength to fight from her literal one.
R'nor sighed. "I know, love, but it would be easier to deal with people if they weren't so wherry-brained." He explained as she landed. Climbing out of the saddle, he slid from her back and to the ground in one easy motion. She wasn't large enough that he needed to climb down her foreleg. He'd probably break it if he tried, so there was no point. Taking her head in his hands, he kissed her nose and said, "Go ahead and go sun, I'll pretend I'm having fun down here."
Alright. The harder you try, the more real fun you might have.[/i] Meryl told him as she took off for the fireheights, leaving Hers on the ground to wade his way through the crowd. There were colorful stalls all over selling everything from food to toys, but he was saving his marks for important things. Maybe he'd get Meryl something, maybe something to decorate her harness with?
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 16, 2009 10:44:02 GMT -6
Farran laughed heartily, sliding his hand around Del's elbow. "I should most assuredly hope not! Can you imagine? Someone as lovely as you, there aren't enough marks in Pern to pay the sort of ransom they'd demand!" He smiled brightly at his fiancee, then flashed her brother a bright and kindly grin. "Many thanks, my Lord Hardel! Without your timely intervention, I cannot fathom what may have become of the lovely Del." Farran's fingers trailed softly and idly over a two-inch section of Del's arm.
|
|
|
|
Post by horsegal on Feb 16, 2009 17:35:02 GMT -6
What? No braids? No beads? No glitz and glam? The voice was light, teasing, laughing echoing in the mind of the curly-haired man. The blue dragon looked humored but for the scar on his maw. Just the bright yellow tunic lined in cyan?. There was sarcastic disappoint there, but for the most part, it was merely jeering.
"You are so kind Zurith, so very kind." Replied T'rell, folding his arms over his chest he tapped his toe. If only he were a woman with an apron then he would appear like a mother angry at a child. "May I take you to the Gather, or would you find it disgusting because of my choice in clothing?" He raised an eyebrow at Zurith, knowing full well that there was little that could be contested at that point. "Because you certainly cannot go if I cannot go."
Well, it is not so bad, I suppose. Zurith said, snorting a little. It was not to his pleasure to be left out of fun, just was the same with his rider.
"Good, then let's go." T'rell smiled and climbed up to the top of Zurith's shoulder and strapped himself in. With the security of his riding straps and the wind at their back, it was time to depart to Fort Hold. That was what made it all so very exciting. "Come on Zurith, there is an entire Gather waiting for us."
Yes, let's go. Was all the reply Zurith gave and he rose up into the air, his great wingspan wafting the air around him, dust spewing in clouds. He vanished into the bleak cold dark between and re-emerged into the bright sun filled sky and landed along the path to the hold, away from the crowds that funneled there. Atop the blue dragon's back T'rell laughed heartily, the streams of ribbons in the wind already exciting him.
"Behave yourself, Zurith." T'rell gave the great blue dragon a loving pat. "Let's see who I can dance with, drink with, and go home with." He grinned as he walked, hands shoved into his pockets as he blended into the crowd.
|
|
|
|
Post by Femisis on Feb 17, 2009 20:39:12 GMT -6
Landing gracefully amongst the other dragons, Meryldeth was working a few Blues aside to get for herself a prime sunning spot. As long as neither of the Queens showed up and she could keep the Bronzes away, she'd have this spot all day. Now all that was left was to take a nap and find someone she knew to talk to, though that could take a while. They were early, after all, so others would be coming a bit later, but soon enough. Well, what do you know...
Hello, Zurith.[/color] She called sweetly to the Blue as she caught sight of him. Settling down in her spot, she folded her wings against her sides, waiting to see if he'd join her.
"Sharding Gathers..." R'nor muttered under his breath as he circled the Gather area for the third time. Why had he even bothered to come? It wasn't like he knew anyone here. This was turning out to be a craptastic day, no mistake. If Meryl wasn't so good at convincing him to leave his hovel as she called it, he would still be in the weyr reading or maybe even writing. He had been in the middle of a good book, the best part just coming up... Was this really worth leaving? "Sorry." He grunted as he bumped into T'rell, lifting his gaze from the ground only long enough to note the Bluerider knots on his shoulder. Wonderful. Knowing Meryl, she was already talking to his Blue, whoever he was.
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 17, 2009 23:56:07 GMT -6
"I would have killed a Harper", Del muttered under her breath, goosebumps raising on her arm at Farran's touch. "They'd have gotten one slap of her wayward tongue and sent her back with a gag and an apology for taking her", Hardel replied snagging a wine-skin. Apparently his children did not need spouses yet after all. Del rolled her eyes and sighed. "The both of you think too highly of me", Del said with a graceful smile on her face, "I am but a lowly wench". Hardel laughed, "If you were my lowly wench I'd have you thrashed for speaking like that. We are future Holders and we take no tongue from anyone least of all pretty wenches like you".
"If I was your wench I'd have runaway Turns ago you brute", she went to push only to notice her father staring at them, instead she gave her brother a hug. "Father?", he teased gave Farran a quick nod and wandered away, probably to drink himself under the table before his wife could make him dance. "Are you going to play tonight?", Del turned to Farran, eyes questioning him.
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 18, 2009 0:08:14 GMT -6
Farran smiled wryly, observing the siblings together. They really were pleasant to watch. It sometimes made him jealous that he didn't have any siblings of his own. He could only imagine what it must feel like to have that sort of camaraderie with someone.
When Del asked him a question, however, his mind came firmly back to the present, and he smiled sweetly at his fiancee. "Only if I drink myself under the table, loose a bet, loose my mind, or find myself dragged onto the stage," he replied dryly. "I enjoy playing, my dear, but I do not enjoy putting myself even further into the public eye on a day of rest such as this one."
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 18, 2009 11:14:17 GMT -6
She narrowed her eyes slightly, he was being condescending and talking down to her. She had neither asked nor did she deserve that kind of attitude. She let it go for the moment since his answer meant she would have an excuse herself. "Since you aren't going to play I don't have to then either", she replied pulling a chair out and sitting down at the table. "It's only fair afterall". She was merely protesting having to play, everyone assumed she would play and Del felt like disappointing them. After all they had brought in Harpers from Benden to play tonight, no one really wanted her to play. They just wanted to show her off.
Yshan stood out by the runners saddling one up for the next set of races. Though it was Ruatha's runner he still felt a proprietery amount of pride towards the beast. Betting had it that this particular runner would lose his race today but Yshan highly doubted that would happen. He'd made sure this runner's workout had been kept quiet. This beast could gain him a lot of money going off on such long odds. Though that runner from Ista looked very good this morning. It would be a good race. |
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 18, 2009 20:33:34 GMT -6
"Well, of course not!" Farran agreed, smiling brightly at her. "It's your day of rest, as well, is it not? Besides, you spend easily as much time in the public eye as I do. It must certainly be as much a relief for you to have a few moments to yourself as it is to me." He paused, tilting his head toward her, and allowed a slow, sweet smile to creep across his lips before adding, "Though, if you'd be kind enough to share a few of those moments with me, you would make me one of the happiest men on Pern, my dearest Del."
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 18, 2009 20:43:57 GMT -6
Really the man was being entirely too condescending calling her dearest and implying her presence would make him happy. The man may have known her for awhile but he didn't 'know' her. She tried to remember if she had ever encouraged his terms of endearment towards her and she could not come up with an instance where she had. She wasn't really upset about the terms though in fact she rather liked them but she wasn't sure that he was sincere in his usage. It seemed to her that he would apply dearest and such terms to any woman, especially those who would crawl between the furs with him. Though she wasn't sure he had slept with other woman she wasn't sure he hadn't. Double standard. "I would be more than happy to share a dance or two with you tonight", she gave him one of her most charming smiles which showed off her dimples, "if you can spare me the time that is".
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 18, 2009 20:50:35 GMT -6
"Del, I will always have time for you! You needn't ask about that!" Farran replied, looking hurt. "When have I ever been unwilling to give you time when you ever wanted or needed it? I'm hurt that you would doubt me like that!" It was, as far as it went, true enough. She was pleasant enough company, and though he did miss having a warm companion in his bed, he could not ask for a more well-matched wife from any part of Pern.
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 18, 2009 21:03:21 GMT -6
She rolled her eyes and laughed, showing she had been teasing. She hadn't missed the looks of the fellow Holder daughters that had shown up at the Gather. They may not have been Lord Holder daughters like she was but they would make acceptable wives for a man like Farran, especially if he was seducable. A feigned pregnancy had wrecked many an engagement and forced many a marriage only to have it turn out the woman wasn't pregnant at all or she 'lost' the baby.
"I was just teasing good sir. I will dance the first dance with you then and if my brother asks to dance with me I ask that you rescue me from him", she fluttered her baby blue eyes at him as Torril sat down across from her. "Sit down young man", he ordered Farran, waving a hand at him. "As a wedding gift to the two of you, the Master Instrument Maker is making Del a new floor harp and Farran you are getting a new set of flutes and pipes".
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 18, 2009 21:10:23 GMT -6
"Of course, my dear," Farran replied to Del. When Torril gestured for them to sit, however, he did, features going from joking and lively to somber and curious in the time it took for his eyes to flick from one to the other.
As Torril spoke, his jaw dropped. Even with his rank, that was a kingly gift, the likes of which he would never have been able to afford as any sort of indulgence, least of all under his father's views on his "harpering nonsense". His heart leapt into his throat for a moment. Once he'd swallowed, he beamed widely, a rare and genuine smile. "Master Torril, that's... I have no words," he said softly, clearly awestruck.
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 18, 2009 21:19:11 GMT -6
Del was at a loss for words as well. She knew her mother wouldn't let her take Fort's harp with her so she had planned on making one herself once she settled in at Benden. But to have the college's Master Instrument maker make one for her was beyond measure. Besides having an excellent ear for music and instruments the man was a talented wood carver. It was a gift that would last for generations beyond Del. "Master Torril", she said just as awestruck as Farran was.
"It's nothing. The Instrument Maker has a fond spot for Del", Del had considered the man her father while she had been at Benden, "and no one has your dedication for music Farran. Since the both of you can play well we thought having instruments made for you would be more suitable then all of the Harpers howing up en masse for the wedding Gather", he explained, blushing because of their awe. "We will still show up of course but most people will want you two to show off your new presents rather than listen to us", he winked at Del who laughed.
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 18, 2009 21:23:10 GMT -6
A conspiratorial smile stretched across Farran's face. That was a perfect opportunity for what the two of them had been discussing, earlier. He could think of nothing finer, and if he chose the right pipes, he could see no reason he could not play without overpowering her harp, especially a floor harp. This was, well and truly, a delight. "Master Torril, I cannot even begin to express my gratitude, to you and to all of Harper Hall, and the stunned silence of my beautiful fiancee only serves to tell me that she feels the same. This is more than we ever expected, and far more than we could ever have asked. You and the rest of Harper Hall are the most generous and loyal a group of companions that anyone could ever ask for, and I am honored by your kindness."
|
|
|
|
Post by stolenhart on Feb 18, 2009 21:52:13 GMT -6
"Oh nonsense", Torril waved his hand with a teasing smile on his bright red face, "if we get the two of you out of the college then it will mean some other bright up and comer has a chance at being special for a bit. At least until your children decide to show up", he winked at Del who blushed. "Well those will come in time", she replied, hidng her face by looking away and sipping some wine. "They always say that young man", Torril teased Farran, "But as soon as they have you in matrimony that tune changes", Del snorted, having to cover her face with a napkin lest wine come out her nose. That would have been embarrassing beyond measure.
"To be young again", Torril, despite being old enough to be Del's grandfather, was still a good looking man who could have any woman he wanted. The fact that he was utterly in love with a Masterhealer was not lost on Del who had seen the two of them together when their busy schedules allowed for it. "Were you ever young?", she retorted, leaning against Farran without knowing she was doing it. "You popped out of your mother this age". Torrail laughed, "I remember being your age young woman though before that", he shrugged and she joined him in laughter.
|
|
|
|
Post by saidaltam on Feb 18, 2009 22:00:56 GMT -6
Farran smiled, allowing his arm to slide around the woman leaning against him so affectionately. He did love listening to Master Torril and Del teasing eachother like this, though he envied their camaraderie on some level. He had never managed to obtain that sort of kinship with any of his instructors. It was both endearing and discomfiting to watch. Perhaps his own children, when they did inevitably come--for, after all, as a Lord Holder, he would have to have an heir--would be able to manage it as their mother had. That would be something, at least.
|
|
|
|
Post by horsegal on Feb 19, 2009 9:47:57 GMT -6
Zurith had just sat once T'rell left. Sat there like a loyal, devoted canine and watched the people stream by him. It wasn't until another voice called out to him that he bothered at all to notice the other dragons. Meryldeth, it is good to see you here, is yours among the throng already as well? He asked, as ever being polite and civilizaed.
The bump to his shoulder had taken him from the reverie of the crowd. It was exciting to see so many people around, it reminded him once more that he was just one among many. For T'rell, it was humbling, while others, like the poor soul who muttered apologies to him, likely found it an aggrivated annoyance. Not everyone was as jovially as he, but in the least he could try to spread the cheer.
He bolstered up a wide grin and shook his head, "Not at all your fault, I'm afraid I'm a bit broad, my shoulder must have just popped out of no where and throttled you." T'rell laughed at his joke, of course shoulders didn't so such things. "My fellow rider, why do you look so down? It is a Gather and it is mid-summer, a perfectly lovely day, whyever are you sulking?" He asked in his deep, barotone voice. T'rell could have easily started to pull the man aside, get him a wineskin, and start up a jig, but he wasn't about to be forceful today.
Did you even bother to introduce yourself? So horribly rude. Zurith scoffed at his rider as he made himself a little more comfortable beside Meryldeth. Gathers were better when you could consort with another of your kind and remark on the oddities of some humans, not your own rider.
"Ha! I'm quite the brainless oaf, we haven't even been acquainted yet, have we?" T'rell chuckled a bit and extended his hand for a hearty shake. "M'name's T'rell, I ride Zurith, quite the nice blue if you look past all them scars."
|
|
