Mid-Summer Gather - Everyone!

[Femisis]

That he is, at my prodding.[/i] Meryl laughed as she moved over a bit to allow Zurith some room to land. Yours is already in the crowd, I’m guessing? She replied, flicking her tail a bit as the warm summer sun beat down pleasantly on her hide. Now, if only R’nor could remain civil, maybe he would get to know some people from the Weyr. Hers was so silly…

R’nor, head up for once, cocked a brow at T’rell as he went on his tangent. ‘Where did this kook come from?’ He wondered vaguely as he rolled his eyes at the Bluerider’s pathetic attempt at a joke. This guy was just one reason he hated people. They were just too odd for his tastes. “I’m sulking because I’m at a Gather with a bunch of morons I don’t know when I could just as easily be back in our weyr reading a book or doing something constructive other than wasting time.” He replied flatly, hands on his hips as he shifted his weight to his right foot. Honestly, couldn’t people understand that he wanted to be left alone?

Meryl frowned disapprovingly and snorted. You could at least tell him your name, Mine. It won’t hurt, I promise.[/i] She told him dryly with another snort. Mine can be so stubborn.[/i] She commented to Zurith in amusement.

“R’nor of Green Meryldeth.” He grunted in reply, lifting a hand to shake the one T’rell offered him. Hopefully that would be it…

[stolenhart]

He sent the runner onto the line, covering his eye against the suns glare before turning and heading back up to the Gather. Dressed in his best he cut quite a figure and he saw quite a few women give him a healthy look over and some men give him the stink eye. He gave those men a friendly nod as he entered the main crowd near the table. "Why if it isn't Yshan!", a voic eexclaimed, catching his attention. "Phin? Is that you? Oh wait it's Ph'in now and a Weyrlingmaster", the two men hugged each other friendly enough. "Congrats", "What are you doing here?", was exchanged for greetings.

"My father disinherited me for getting some girl pregnant. I'm working at Ruatha with runners", Yshan explained lifting a wineskin. "Really? You and your runners", the dragonrider shook his head. "Is your sister about? You promised I could meet her", Yshan asked, "No her gold clutched the other day, I doubt she'll come down", Yshan nodded in understanding. "Come let's go talk with the Harpers, there are one or two from the South". Before Impressing his dragon Ph'in had been a Journeyman Harper who had travelled extensively. He was one of the few men everyone man got along with so it hadn't been dangerous for him to travel in the south.

Ph'in lead him onto the platform, "This is Master Harper Torril and Lady Yedella of Fort and her betrothed Lord Farran of Benden", he introduced them. He knew Yedella from growing up, Torril and Farran from his own time spent in Benden turns ago. "This my lords and my lady is an old friend from the South, Lord Yshan". "Oh cut the Lord out, I've been disinherited", Yshan said with a roguish smile, bowing over Del's hand with a wicked glint. "A dance my lady?", he asked. Del gave him a warm smile, "Yes I could spare a dance for you", she assured him. "Ph'in sit, tell us of the Weyr. What of the clutch?", Del smiled, making room on her other side for someone. Yshan took that seat whiel Ph'in took the seat across the table besides Torril. "The clutch was good. Healthy eggs all around. Tell me Del will you play tonight?"

[saidaltam]

"From the South?" Farran quipped up with faint curiosity. "Truly? Well, now! That's something we don't see very often!" He shifted to lean back and look curiously at the Southern-born man. "Tell me, my good man, when did you find your way here? I hear the journey by ship is perilous. You must have some tales, to have come so far."

[horsegal]

"Is that all, R'nor?" T'rell asked with a smile, gripping his hand nicely in the shake and then released it. "Really, well now you know me, do I not count?" He asked as he stood there with him. Everyone else was moving all around them. Some knew precisely where they were going, others unsure, and some quite lost, but at the moment T'rell's focus was on R'nor. He was a fairly nice-looking man but it would be dangerous to assume that he swung his way.

"I'm sure I could help you along if you cared to try for some fun." T'rell offered with a warm smile that softened the big blockiness of his head. He tilted it a bit, waiting for the reply that he might bet was going to be negative.

Oh yes, I could not keep him on my back much longer. He does like Gathers very much. Zurith replied to Meryl now that he was beside her. He looked at her and decided to be smart and make an educated guess. Though it must be the opposite for yours, I guess.

[stolenhart]

Ysahn was slowly annoyed by this young pup. Asking improper questions like that would have him called out in a second in the South, as would be betrothed to such a lovely looking young woman. Just on principle of course and unfairness that Yshan was not engaged to her. He'd rarely seen a more beautiful woman and his predatory instincts were all afire for her. Buthe had to control them, he was not at home anymore where Fathers would be proud to have him tumble their daughters hoping to snag him into marriage. "I was disinherited from my father. The Lord Lidal?", he dropped the name and lifting an eyebrow to see if the Benden fellow heard of it. Yshan refused to call his father by his proper title which was Overholder. "He felt I didn't fit in the family".

"Why for? You seem to be an intelligent, decent looking man. From first impression I don't see why a father could disown you", Yedella spoke up for him, turning in her seat to look at him. He was a very good looking man, more mature seeming than Farran, though she preferred Farran's looks in all honesty. Still, there was something about the man that made Yedella nervous, nervous and excited. "First impressions will lead you down the wrong road oftentimes", he said, reaching out to bop her noise teasingly.

"I have a few and the ship ride wasn't so bad. It was either the ship or my father's sword. I chose the ship. I have a job at Ruatha now", he explained, "Training runners for the Lady Lailya. Surely you know her?". Del nodded, Lailya was a close companion if not outright friend. "Your College is at Benden is it not? Are you a student my lord?", Yshan asked Farran, watching Del's fingers play with the linen napkin on the table. So soft, what would her hands feel like on his body?

[saidaltam]

"Mmm, though of nothing like the skill of my dear Del. She is, far and away, the star pupil of Harper Hall, is she not, Master Torril?" Farran replied, directing his last comment toward their shared teacher. "I can only hope to one day be as adept a musician as she." He flashed Del a small, genuine smile, then, and there was something in it that could almost be called love, or at least the seeds of it, all of it traced through with unmistakable admiration. Being as he was, after all, in public, the small twinge of jealousy he always felt stayed carefully locked away, beyond where even he could notice its presence. Besides, as more and more time passed, he found that he felt less and less jealous of her, and more and more admiring of her abilities, instead.

[stolenhart]

"I would not say our Star but she is well known in the Hall", Torril agreed with Farran. He would never tell another student that another student was the star of the Hall, it was rude and he wouldn't want the 'star' to get a big head. Not that Del would, if Torril had ever seen a less selfish student he wouldn't know it, Del tried very hard to fade into the background. Especially when Farran was around, she tried very hard to not to make him jealous. What better woman could a man have for a wife?

"This lovely creature is a student?", Yshan feigned surprise. Women were rare in the Harpers in the South. "Come now Yshan I told you our Hall had women in it, don't play the manly Southerner here", Ph'in chastised him gently. "I was merely taken aback that the lovely Yedella was not already safely married", he murmured taking her hand in his and kissing it. "You play a stringed instrument?", he asked turning her hand over to reveal the soft callouses.

"The Harp. Do you play?", Del asked him once more turning all her attention to this southern man. He was very attention grabbing with his dark coloring and dark tan set in a handsome face. Almost like a pirate. "Perhaps the Harpers will leave me alone if you do", she remarked. This girl had spirit, Yshan thought as he answered, "No I do not, I had a sister that did though".

[saidaltam]

Farran smiled and settled back to listen to Del speak with this strange southern gentleman. He seemed polite enough, if a bit flirtatious, but then, Farran had been a bit flirtatious in the past few years, himself, hadn't he? He hadn't always meant it, after all, so he could hardly begrudge another for the same. Besides, Del was almost impossibly stunning. He could understand why the other man would want her.

[stolenhart]

"A sister? And I didn't meet her?", Ph'in interjected, looking rather sad. Ph'in should have been born in the South, he had very little concern for women above and beyond what they were good for. Most of it was because of teh vicious scars on his lower face, throat and upper chest. He'd gotten to close to a clutching where and been mauled for his trouble. Funny thing was, the Holder had been more upset about the death of the wher then the almost death of the Weyrleader's son. Still women and their finicky ways had made Ph'in turn from women himself, except those who could be paid for their services.

"She's married already", Yshan pointed out, "And she was not at Lidal when you came through", he added before turning back to Del. "Come my lady. I think it is our turn to dance", he did not wait for her answer, instead he pulled her to her feet, she did not fight him, and lead her onto the dance floor. "Tell me you'll marry me Lady. I could not bear it if you married him", he flirted with her. Del rolled her eyes, sensing the harmless nature behind the offer, "I cannot alas, my father wills it to be so".

Yshan pouted then leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "I would follow you to the ends of Pern", he offered, "Would that Benden boy do the same?". Del looked up at him, "Farran is not a boy, any more than you are. And I don't think you would follow me to the ends of Pern", she added. "But I would, did you give me one kiss", he sallied back as they danced.

[Femisis]

Rolling his eyes, R'nor resisted the urge to groan. He was sure this T'rell could help him have fun, no doubt about that. He was also thinking of all the things that were better left in the bedroom which, funnily enough, he wanted no part in, even when Meryl took to the skies in Flight. He'd locked the door to his weyr before and he'd do it again to keep anyone, man or woman, out of his bed. He knew Meryl felt awful about it and wanted him to be happy, but lovemaking was the one thing he got no joy from. Meryl tried, but there just wasn't anyone out there for him.

Though he considered simply blowing the Bluerider off, something told him that maybe, just this once, he could try to enjoy this gather, if not for himself, then for others. It wouldn't kill him, after all, maybe just batter his dignity. "If you insist." He shrugged, waiting to see what T'rell had in store for him.

Meryl snorted in laughter at Zurith's comment. That is an understatement. He hates Gathers, or even leaving our weyr, more than some hate the South. She told the Blue in amusement. He was perceptive, she had to give him that. Some other Blues probably wouldn't even have made the connection. Though he seems to be giving it a try this time. She added, sounding rather pleased.

[horsegal]

T'rell could see that R'nor was not very interested. In fact, he seemed positively put off by even being there. He even got the feeling that he might be making matters worse. Yet, for all of that, R'nor was willing to go along with him. He couldn't be too terribly despondent if he was open up to possibilities and if it were up to him, then he best get to it and think more of R'nor than himself.

"Alrighty then, the first thing we should do is get ourselves a nice wineskin and something to eat, can't have any fun on an empty stomach or with a dry mouth." T'rell said, boistering out his biggest, brightest smile. He waited for R'nor to start walking along with him, knowing that it was easy to loose someone in the crowd if one let it happen. "Best stay tight, there are a lot of folks out." He warned.

Zurith gave a snort, not to sell Meryl short, but because he was a little doubtful about her rider being willing. Unless T'rell is being a bit strong with his friendly attitude. The blue remarked of his rider. He knew that T'rell liked making friends, making jokes, and making merriment, but it was not always to everyone else's liking. Hopefully T'rell was behaving himself where ever he was and whomever he happened to be with.

[saidaltam]

That Benden boy was, just then, reclining comfortably and listening to the idle chit-chat of the other harpers and harper students. After a moment, he tilted his head toward Ph'in. "Tell me, my good man! Wherever did you find your fascinating southern friend? He certainly is a friendly sort, isn't he? And fond of runners, too!" He leaned forward, an intently curious look on his face. He was always fascinated by others, and with his conversation with Del from earlier still born in mind, he was more than marginally intrigued by the south, just then.

"Have you been to the south often?" he added, propping his chin in his palm. If he had, well, wouldn't that be expedient? There was so much he could learn from a frequent visitor, there, and Ph'in had always seemed a decent enough sort to him.

[stolenhart]

Ph'in glanced over at Farran and nodded. "Lidal Hold. He was the second son of the Overholder", Ph'in replied with a shrug, snagging a passing wineskin for himself. With the high-collared shirt the scars on his throat and chest were not noticable, but his lower face was a mass of white and pink lines."Apparently he was disinherited for not Standing and for impregnating a girl he wouldn't marry. I know the first half is true and the second half might be for all I know", he explained as he sipped the wine. "He's a good sort though once you get past his touchy Southern pride. Best watch Del though, he's as tricky as a hungry tunnelsnake around women".

The song had just ended and Del went to leave Yshan who pulled her close, "One more and then I'll let you go. If I don't touch you I'll burst into flames", he was saying, the words slow with a southern drawl on them. She laughed, "Give it over. I've two brothers and a betrothed who say I need to leave you. Ask me later and I'll dance with you again", she promised. He gave a resigned sigh and kissed her cheek before disappearing into the crowds.

"Not since I Impressed two turns ago. But before that, I spent time there", Ph'in answered. "I got my Journeyman knots hopped on a pirate ship and smuggled my way south. I spent about two turns there traveling, taking lessons in Taskin Hold with the Southern Harpers and then came North in time to Impress Jasderth".

[saidaltam]

Farran smiled with perfect, all-encompassing confidence and just a touch of deep-seated compassion. "Del would never stand for it," he replied calmly. "Of course, I will keep an eye on the situation, and my deepest gratitude for advising me of it, but I trust her explicitly." He pursed his lips, then, considering the rest of what Ph'in had said.

"Tell me, good rider... what is the southern continent like? All I ever hear about it are horror-stories of battles and banished riders. Surely there must be more? Do they not have gathers? Musicians? Artisans? Surely they must!" Farran prompted. "You must have seen these things, while you were there! What sort of music did they favor?"

[Femisis]

“If you insist.” R’nor replied, trying to sound excited as he followed T’rell into the crowd. He didn’t much like wine, even Benden stock, but he’d deal with it. He could stand to enjoy himself once in a while even if he had to force himself. It wasn’t going to kill him. The problem was, he didn’t like people, which was an issue since life was full of human interaction. He’d have to get over it, however, if he was going to succeed in life.

Though T’rell had told him to stay close, he hadn’t realized how close until he felt a tugging at his waist. He spun on his heel to find a small child attempting to tug his dagger from it’s sheath. Glaring, the child squeaked and scampered away in fright as he turned away and made to catch up with the Bluerider. “I knew something like this would happen.” He grumbled, sounding displeased.

That may be part of it.[/i]Meryl agreed with a nod. Though I think he may really want to try and enjoy himself. He’s been cooped up in the weyr for far too long. She added, voice tinged with worry and disapproval. It wasn’t healthy for Hers to sequester himself from the rest of the Weyr’s population even if he pretended that it had no effect on him.

[stolenhart]

Del reappeared at Farran's shoulder in time to hear him ask Ph'in about the south. "Do share", she added, taking her seat next to Farran. She put her elbows on the table and leaned forward, blue eyes sparkling in excitement. "The South? Well it's not so different from here, especially in the holds", he explained, leaning back in his chair like he had a story to tell. Torril hid a smile at his old student for Ph'in had just slipped into a very Harpery pose. "The people live, work, die. They have Gathers and everything we do but still, it's different".

He took a swallow of wine and took a moment to organzie his thoughts, "They have this code of honor that governs everything they do. Even the riders have a code, and no man worth his weight would break it. They will duel over the littlest thing then get drunk afterwards", he shook his head at the thought. "I think their women are prettier, no offense Del", Del rolled her eyes, "but you don't find many among the crafter ranks. But for the most part, I felt very much at home, once I was accepted by them". That had been the hard part, to be accepted by the Southerners who looked at him with suspicion over his scars and accent.

[saidaltam]

"Hard to imagine prettier women," Farran mused, leaning back and grinning impishly up at Del before looking back at Ph'in. "This code, though. I've heard mention of it, but nothing more. Is it really as all-pervasive as that? What sort of code is it?"

A little idle questioning could hardly be taken amiss, after all, now could it? Besides, it might be good fodder for a song--or useful insight for other matters, should the need arise.

Regardless, Farran also noted the change in Ph'in's posture, and he took it as a sign that the dragonman was more comfortable, now that he was once more a teller of tales, which meant to Farran that the situation was preferable to its former state. He had never been close to Ph'in, and so he never knew entirely how to act around him.

[stolenhart]

"Not really. No offense Del but if we took all the women as pretty or prettier than you tanned them to a nice brown and then put them in the clothing the southern women wear, there would be no complaints from any Northern man", he explained with a wistful sigh. "The women in Ista and Southern Boll come close but those women from Lidal". He handed up his empty wine-skin only to be served one of clear water he took a swallow and set it on the table.

"Oh yes, the men live and die by this code. If they don't follow it they are likely to be called out on a duel and killed. It governs their entire attitude towards their Holders, other men, the riders and even their women", he explained. "And they don't share it with Northerners. The entire code is in the hands of the Harpers and Healers who make sure every child learns it first". He shook his head, it had amazed him to learn the code was so pervasive among the Southern holds. "And the riders? Do they share this code?", Del asked. Ph'in nodded, "Yes and they have their own special additions as well. For instance their code doesn't begin with loyalty to their Weyrleader but to the OverHolder Lidal first then the Weyrleader". She looked at him in disbelief and his nod confirmed it. "Exactly the Weyr itself is controlled by the Overholder".

"So you have seen the weapons?", she asked hoping he would say they were myth. "I have and fired one myself, though not at a dragon. It was easy to see how the Overholder cowed the Weyr", Ph'in believed the Southerners were a bunch of cowards but what could they do? Lidal was surrounded by bodyguards and at any moment he had a bunch of men who would attack the Weyr to kill their leaders. And worse yet, those men were among the Weyr's non-rider population, it would be hard for R'lyn to ferret them out.

[horsegal]

"Hmm? What was that?" T'rell asked, turning around a bit to inquire of R'nor what he was saying. Really he was mumbling, which didn't allow for much to be heard in the dense din of the Gather. At least they were making some headyway through the crowd, alas, it did not allow for better hearing. "Something happen? No pick-pockets after you? You ought to hide things precious very close to you and places you'll notice hands." T'rell said to R'nor and gave him a bit of a precocious wink. Maybe it would be taken improperly, but if not, then he would understand.

He shrugged and continued all the way up to a stall, "Two wineskins, your Benden best." T'rell cast a glance to R'nor over his shoulder. "I've got this one, friend." He said to him with a grin and after marks were exchanged and skins recieved he rejoined with the greenrider. "Alright, here's to today!" He gave R'nor his skin and drank from his own after his cheerful declaration.