Gather Grandioso - Celebration at Cliffside [E]

[Shoki]

If there was one thing that Kumori could find grandchildren useful for it was their testing her perception. Keeping aware of three little children in a crowded gather was a fantastic way to keep one on ones toes. Too bad they had to be such brats. She supposed that the quiet Deasde wasn't that annoying but the boys were far too peppy for her. Of course she would never show it, she simply smiled as the pitiful Irai and held on to her granddaughter as the boys bounced in front of her. They were heading back to the stall, so she could finally dump the children on her daughter. As they drew near, Kumori caught sight of Ida and Dirn talking in hushed tones, giving the old woman something to think about. What were both of her children doing here? Of course she had to pretend not to notice, and held her pace. Of course the two boys ran to their parents, ending whatever conversation they were having.

"Hey wanna come watch the dragons? I know a great spot." Dirn gathered up the boys and his niece, apparently putting some premeditated plan into action as the small ones vanished under the watchful eye of her son. As Irai she took her seat behind the stall and thanked her daughter for keeping watch.

"Any time Mom. Listen, Dirn and I have been hearing thing, and we thought it would be best to tell you before someone else said something..." The woman paused, checking for a reaction. She found her Mother's patient smile, something that Kumori had perfected over the years. Irai had to be completely sweet and harmless, otherwise somethign was bound to slip out. "There have been rumors, just rumors mind, about... the dark Weyr."

Irai's face went blank, and Kumori's mind began to race. Dark Mists? What was being said? What could be said? She was the only proper one to escape, she had heard something about maybe some of the ones who couldn't cut it bailed out but no one that would actually call themselves a member. Even she wouldn't call herself a member now. Kumori had to think about it later, the façade had to be maintained. Her hand went to her face and her eyes widened a touch, but she straightened out after a moment and a very deep breaths.

"I see."

"Mom, if you need us to stay with you a while, we wouldn't mind if-"

"No, Ida, you don't need to. I just...It's fine. It's not possible. Just a rumor." She kept up the appearance of a shaken woman while resolving to figure out what was going on. She had to know. She gave a half attempt at a reassuring smile, watching her daughter debate with herself. It didn't matter. Whatever happened, she could go about getting to the bottom of this. She'd do it her way. Irai's smile widened a little, becoming genuine. Kumori's way was fun. Finally something interesting.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’kar raised an eyebrow at his dragon’s odd behavior, but didn’t say anything.

Now that they were over land, Ancalanath spread his wings and caught a thermal, spiraling upwards until the thin air prevented them from going higher. Turning, Ancalanath flew back out over the ocean. Without warning, he folded his wings and entered a nearly vertical dive, stretching his head and tail out so that they were in line with his back, streaking through the sky like a bolt of fire.

Surely you didn’t think I would abandon you to loneliness? Ancalanath asked, deliberately overflying the two Queens and correcting with a corkscrewed loop that placed him facing them.

T’kar had remained silent throughout the dive, knowing that Ancalanath wished to come as close as possible to the Queens without being noticed, but during the corkscrew he let loose a whoop of pure exileration.

I love this!

Me too.

[Simile]

Talithia walked amongst them in simple clothing - she hadn't bothered to dress for the gather, but that was as it was. It was as it almsot always was. The only occasions worth dressing for were hatching feasts in her opinion. She bit into a meatroll somewhat vehemently. She felt agitated at the moment - the faceless copper rider in a sea of normal people. She wondered where Moraiya was at this time. she could use a little support from a fellow dark color rider.

Hmph. She smiled slightly at the typical tone of voice her dragon seemed to take with... msot everything in life. Littles pests should know who their queens really are. Tal rolled her eyes. And that would be you?

Who else!? Wasn't someone full of themselves today. Shut-up Mae. The dragoness simply snorted and ignored her rider a little more. Oooh... do I see a firey flame down there.... I think I do... The purr in her dragon's voice and the image in her head told her perfectly well who Maetioth was referring to and the woman sighed. Hush. Stay where you are!

The woman continued walk through the gather, taking another rather vehement bite of meatroll.

[Kaya]

One last flourish with the song's last notes, and Holt stopped rather abruptly, trying to keep his composure. The song had taken quite a bit out of him. Having just walked to the Hold and then several dances, he was ready for a break. He took a moment to gather himself and his voice to reply to Mau's question so the lull wouldn't be so empty.

"My father did. We have quite a few good dances at Dragon Ridge, and mum always did love going. He made sure to teach me, dancing is something of a favorite of the...people at my home," He had been about to say girls instead of people, but considering it was a girl standing in front of him, he changed his word at the last minute, and didn't slip in an extra sound too. He smiled to try and cover up his nervousness, or maybe show it. He wasn't sure. "Who taught you?" he asked in return, trying to get her talking about herself and not him.

The flustered dancer, the young Blue, was about danced out. His Mine had stopped, dancing was still hard, and then- Quimyenth bumped into him. He recoiled and straightened himself up, now still.

It's ok... he trailed off, eyes whirling as he stared over at his Rider. This whole day was strange. It was ...'nice'... but it was strange. Qui, uh...youngling, his embarrassment at not remembering the girl's name - had she told him? - rose up from his toes to his head knobs. Thank you for dancing with me. He bowed his head in a dip rather awkwardly and had a bit of difficulty righting himself again.