Above the World [Turnover in Melisong!]

[Kaya]

| Turnover Eve | Melisong Hold | Late evening, close to midnight |

The problems of the world were laid aside for a day. A night rather, of celebration and dancing, of good food and good music, and of friends. Rainbow Mists' inhabitants had come to Melisong for the celebration. Their valley was too filled with the constant haze and for a Gather day they preferred to escape the smokey reality that was still plaguing them, but hopefully not for much longer.

The Ice Stone folk had been invited too. It was the coldest time of the Turn up there and since Rainbow Mists had arranged with the Hold for Riders to come to the party the Hold had been happy to welcome a few more, with a little support for party supplies from the Weyrs.

So in proper fashion this would be a true Melisong party, and they threw the best ones (if you asked them, anyway). Not just festivities but also displays of talent and prowess and a bit of gambling too. While just about any local would face off in a contest of consumption (much to the delight of venders of additional sweets and drinks), there was also to be a formal dancing competition, with a firelizard egg as a prize for the winners.

All involved could use the moral boost so here they were to celebrate. For at least tonight, they were floating up above the cares of the world.

[Nicole]

Evaine had always found dancing an amazing way to celebrate. It was why she loved Harpers so much - they made the music that she could not, and to that she could sense the rhythm and dance to her heart's content.

That did not mean her dancing was good, by any means. But danced she did. Chatorth couldn't even mock her for it, because how could something that made her feel like she way flying be bad? Even if she did look silly doing it.

So Evaine, with dancing in mind, went to Melisong Hold for the Turnover. With eyes bright and hips bouncing to the music she knew would come, she worked her way through the crowds, looking for old friends - or for new ones to make.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

The musicians were just finishing warming up. Instruments were now tuned, and with a flourished roll of the drums that reverberated like thunder over the crowd, the dance music began. Not the music of the competition, not yet, just music for dancing to.

Finally, Mobrey thought, leaping out into the middle of the dance area with a whoop.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Parties had taken on a new dimension in the months since his talk with Hedara. They were still a great deal of fun, always that, but now he was also trying to observe actions, hoping to catch someone doing something they weren’t supposed to. He told himself that he was only here at this Gather for that purpose, but really, he was lying. Sure, it wasn’t a party for his Turnday, but it was a party on his Turnday, and he intended to enjoy it to the full. Slinesteth, of course, was hanging to the middle of the dragons present, trying to blend in as much as possible. For Slinesteth, this was a duty and an opportunity, for T’vax, it was a party.

Feeling the little Pink practically vibrating on his shoulder as they neared the music, T’vax grinned. Why not?

“Sing, Ninarwa! Sing!”

Not needing to be told twice, Ninarwa leapt into the air from T’vax’s shoulder, already filling the air with song.

Laughing, T'vax spun in a circle, arms spread wide. Free, even if for a day, even if it was in terrain far different from what he called home.

[Shoki]

A party at Melisong? You couldn’t stop Kashpa from showing up. She’s gotten a ride with a nice rider and had made a beeline for the dancing. As a harper, having walked the tables already, she was basically fearless at parties. So, given that she didn’t know anyone, or at least anyone that wasn’t performing she jumped right in and found someone without a partner to dance with. What she spotted someone who had a pink flitter and grinned. Might as well take the tiny harper as a sign. So she strode up to T’vax and put a hand on her hip, leaving her other hand to express herself as she spoke.

“Heya. I’m Kashpa, Journeyman Harper. Wanna dance?” She grinned, her white teeth flashing. Her general appearance was warm, since today she had a red dress on. Her brown hair and eyes matched her chocolate toned skin and she still had her favorite pair of leather boots on. Not the most dignified of shoes, but she intended to be moving today and she was not about to have her own shoes conspire to have her sitting down halfway through the evening.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T'vax came out of his spin only to find himself facing a young woman in a red dress. She promptly introduced herself as Kashpa, and asked if he wanted to dance.

T'vax grinned. A full, all out grin. "Of course," he answered. "Who wouldn't want to dance tonight?"

That said, he sketched a bow, extending his hand to Kashpa.

[Shoki]

Kashpa smiled brightly and gave a half curtsy before putting her hand in his and getting straight to dancing. It was surprising how light on her feet she could be in those boots, but everything she did was full of energy. Not the best of dancers, but she was going to see that the dancing was FUN!

As weird as it was though, she knew that she wasn’t likely to see many people that she knew (that were not from Melisong) and that meant if she met someone new she likely wasn’t going to see them again, or at least not any time soon. She didn’t really hang out with the riders at Rainbow Mists, and she didn’t know anyone from Ice Stone. So, it meant that conversation wise, she could only start it one way.

“So. What’s your story?” Harper and all. She loved stories.

[shapeshifter]

"Yuki, come on lovely!" R'niaan called to the woman who was perched upon a beautiful Aurora dragoness. He jumped from his Crimson King, walking over to the Aurora and extending his hand out to her.

"I can still spin you around the dance floor, can't I?" He said, gesturing towards her pregnant belly that was finally showing. He felt pride in his chest any time a comment was made towards her pregnancy. That was /his/ child, they would raise that child the best they could together. It would know what it's like to have it's parents in it's life, unlike half the Rider's children around Weyrs.

[summerrain]

Yuki had taken the short ride from Rainbow Mists to Mellisong sidesaddle, due to her pregnancy. Six months, only three more now. She was worried about possible difficulties that the child might come across due to the betweening accident, but according to the healers the child was developing normally. It gave her reason to be joyous this night. She took the hand extended to her and laughed at his words.

"As long as you stop when I get tired," she said, echoing the words of the healers. She slipped off Ayleneth's back, and the Aurora went to find a clear spot to wait out the night with Bamath. Yuki followed R'niaan's lead onto the dance floor, wearing the dragon pendant her brother had carved, as well as the swirling blue and white dress that her mother had made last time she'd been home. She had one hand on R'niaan's shoulder, her other hand still in his grasp, as her Silver-Gold Queenlet rested on her shoulder. Grace soon decided she'd had enough of the spinning, and she flew off to join Ayleneth off to the side, by a fire that had been lit away from the dance floor.

Grace landed on Ayleneth's back, and the Aurora turned to give the Queenlet a loving brush with her nose. Ayleneth sat there with Bamath as she watched Hers, and she was content.

[shapeshifter]

R'niaan smiled in agreeance, "Whatever you'd like my love!" He spun her around once and lightly pulled her into him, giving her a soft, sweet kiss. "No better way to bring in a new Turn than with your weyrmate." He was happy, he was content. He never got to enjoy much time with her since he was back and forth between Weyrs so much.

Bamath took his rail and wrapped it around Ayleneth's, moving his warm body up to hers, side by side. Royal had joined her beloved big "brother" by perching where R'niaan normally sat, biding her time to see what she could stir up. The copper-black fire lizard never seemed to stay out of trouble long, driving R'niaan crazy all the while.

She left Bamath's back, fluttering around the couple chirping sweetly before making a midair dive to a plate belonging to a man walking around the side of the dance floor, popping between and reappearing to land in her spot on Bamath to enjoy her freshly stolen meal. R'niaan saw the whole thing and couldn't help but laugh, "Thats my Royal!"

[falcon]

Richet planned on meeting family at Melisong, but this place was so packed that she couldn't find her brothers if she tried. She wore a dress given to her by her mother-- one of Alvea's old Gather dresses, deep red and cream and absolutely gorgeous. She actually bothered to brush and braid her hair, curling the braid several times around her head so it wouldn't bother her.

And yet, when she had looked in the mirror this morning, she still stuck out her tongue and tried to brush her bangs over her face.

Richet rarely put any thought to her appearance, but on the occasion the insecurity bubbled up to the surface. And standing between a selection of much prettier girls, all of them fellow candidates, was not helping.

She wished she had stayed behind and spent the day with Falvor.

[Moo]

Orabel's eyes watered as she stifled a yawn; it was late, but she had wanted to be here. So much had happened in the past turn overall, and keeping up with her friends, with everything going on...it was an exhausting endeavor. Even the Hatchings, which she had always considered something of a joy to watch, had been growing a bit too bloody for her taste.

But now wasn't about that -- it was about relaxing, making new friends, enjoying the evening -- all of which she fully intended to do. It felt like it had been ages since there had been something worthwhile to celebrate, and now, here at the end of a turn and the start of another, this party was just what she had needed.

Offering up a mark as she approached a small vendor stall, Orabel exchanged it for a tall cup of juice (wine had never really agreed with her) and headed off toward the music. She was hoping to run into a friend, or even make a new one -- these Turnovers were much more fun with someone to share them with.

And speaking of...

Ali! Come and join me? There are so many new people here from Ice Stone! I'm sure they'd have new songs for you to learn, too. There's even a little Pink firelizard singing...I'll bet you should show her how it's done!

Alineshith, meanwhile, wandered about the edge of the uncoordinated group of dragons. She had heard her Rider's request to join her, as well as the little flitter, and she promptly ignored both. Something else had captured her attention. A Chrome -- not unlike the one that had only recently joined their Weyr -- who seemed incredibly intent to blend in with the group.

He was not from the South, she knew that much just from looking at him. This was one of the Northern dragons. She tilted her head as she watched him, and her eyes whirled with curiosity. His hide was lovely for his color, and unlike what she had heard about (that they were short and squat, presumably to conserve heat), he was tall and lanky. He brought in mind a poem she had heard long ago and she decided, then and there, that she wanted to know more about him.

You there, Chrome, purred Alineshith, as she selected a spot a little ways away from the rest of the others. It was quieter here, although they didn't require quiet to speak. She sat down and curled her tail up around her clawed feet. Why do you linger in the crowd when you could join me over here? Come. Sit. Be sociable. Do you sing?

[Breeze]

Fedri tugged at the sleeves of his cobalt blue tunic with faint gold embroidery, glancing around the area. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, and they all seemed to him to already know each other or have no problems easily getting to know each other. He looked down at his clothing nervously-Fianna had always told him that the shirt brought out his eye color, but he didn't quite believe her, although it did make him look a bit more his age as the closer fit drew some attention to his build. He glanced back up, gaze landing on a girl in a deep red and cream dress. She didn't look quite as comfortable as everyone else, Maybe it's time to make a friend? He questioned himself, before putting on his normal friendly smile and making his way over.

"Hello, I'm Fedri," He greeted with a beam, "Would you like to dance?" He didn't know why he offered to dance, he was actually rather bad at dancing compared to some of the other people already in the dance area, although that might've been mostly due to his short 5' 1" height. He fervently hoped that she turned to offer to dance down, but still chose to talk to him.

[falcon]

She doesn't expect to get noticed in the crowd of people, but it seems that she's not the most awkward person at the Gather. Fedri. She's never heard that name. He's the same height as her, though that's not quite what she notices first. It's his smile.

She's not sure if it's fake or genuine. Instant distrust bubbles up in her as she returns it with a nervous grin of her own. "Richet." She forces herself to not instantly sink into disdain. "I would." She offers her arm, waiting for him to take it.

[Breeze]

Fedri was briefly shocked into silence, before his beam lessened into a completely genuine eye crinkling smile, "Would you really? I wouldn't want to embarrass you, I'm actually not one much for dancing, but it seemed like as good a conversation starter as any." I shouldn't have asked her to dance. What if she actually wanted to dance, and know that I don't want to-, Fedri cut the thought off. "We can if you'd like to though?" It came off as a question even though he hadn't meant it to, this was going downhill rather quickly for him. Being at Ice Stone Weyr had taken him out of his element, and now that he was actually trying to talk to someone-well, he thought he was doing a rather terrible job. They'll all think I'm terribly awkward now.