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Post by Kitari on Aug 10, 2009 16:15:38 GMT -5
Although it took some time and B'rec was rather flushed by the assertiveness required in the negotiation process, the bluerider finally managed to secure the wherhide jacket at a price he deemed quite reasonable. The young man with chestnut brown hair lifted the jacket into the air, surveying his purchase with satisfaction, when he became aware of another masked figure in the Stall. Absently, the bluerider glanced over at the other shopper.
And his stomach clenced nervously. The other man had been looking at him, though he had turned smoothly back to a wherhide jacket as if it had only been a passing glance. B'rec was forever anxious in the presence of others, and though he felt emboldened by the anonymity provided by his mask, it was still an unsettling feeling, wondering what the man might have been thinking of him. Unfortunately, it seemed, the mask was not as adept at securing him invisibility, as well.
Though the young man suddenly wished he could leave the Stall and disappear back into the swirling sea of the Gather patrons, he had won such a good bargain with the jacket that he really ought to see about getting a new helmet also. Thus, B'rec moved past the other masked man to where the helmets rested on a table nearby, glancing them over.
It wasn't long before his gaze had drifted from the helmet to the masked individual again, who was now bargaining over his own wherhide jacket. B'rec found himself strangely curious about this other man. He absently studied the glittering colours of the gold and silver mask, his eyes dropping to take in the intricate stitchwork on the gold, green, and silver tunic, his gaze lingering on the form revealed by well-fitted clothing...
With a visible twitch of shock, B'rec came to his senses and abruptly lifted a helmet off the shelf. "I say, good sir, how much for this item?" In his haste, the bluerider had unwittingly picked one of the finer helmets and was now beginning to worry over whether he could afford it. The strange sensations brewing in his veins, causing his breathing to become shallow with anxiety, however, were urging him to exit the Stall as quickly as possible. And if it meant interrupting the other masked man's bargaining and purchasing a more expensive helmet, then so be it!
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Post by D'gellin on Aug 11, 2009 16:21:12 GMT -5
Vicroth was just as eager to reunite with his wherhandler friend, unabashedly touching his snout to her outstretched hand with a friendly hum. Thou hast not been well? So many art sick. Mine hast been ill as well, though he is loath to show or admit it.[/color] At this, Vicroth glanced at Fallen, to whom he hadn't broadcast that particular comment. I doth hope thou recovers soon.[/color] He lay his head on the floor, the better to meet Amika's eyes as he bespoke her.
It seemed Fallen's innocent comment had suddenly thrown Amika's world into chaos, and he listened to the girl's growing panic with a guilty feeling in his own stomach. If he had known admitting the truth would do this to the poor girl...well she always had seemed a bit excitable. He held up his hands, feeling as though he were attempting to calm a spooked runnerbeast. Hadn't he made a similiar analogy before? "Amika," He tried to speak over her distress, mouth tugging down at one corner as he tried to find a solution. His voice might have been too low. She was already calming down again, though that wild, helpless look still haunted her eyes. Her plea nearly gouged his heart out.
He took a careful step forward, gesturing slowly at Vicroth while purposefully keeping his eyes on her face, in case she did turn again. "Amika," He tried again "If Vicroth hath invited thee, thou art welcome." He said simply, as if this were the most uncomplicated thing in the world. Out of instinct, he found assurances following after. "Thou arrival art not an intrusion. Tis more of a...surprise." He scratched uncomfortably at the back of his spiky hair, brows raised. "That Vicroth remembered at all, tis a miracle in itself. Dragons art not known for their memory." Shards but he wasn't good with words at all. Fallen glanced uselessly at Jaylee, but the girl seemed not to know what to say either, as she was perhaps even less eloquent. As Amika seemed disinclined to meet Jaylee's eyes, she didn't know how else to express her apology for the confusion she must have caused...
I will not leaveth thee behind anyway.[/color] Vicroth added decidedly, pushing aside Fallen's faltered words with an easy assurance. Fallen truly dost not mind. And neither dost his clutchcousin.[/color] He tentatively sent a sprinkle of mental affection to Amika, eyes whirling gently. I would be happy if thou art went. For I know the Gather shall maketh thee happy.[/color][/font]
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Post by M'kel on Aug 12, 2009 16:28:11 GMT -5
((It doesn't take much for Amika to be over-dramatic…))
Vicroth's touch did more to comfort Amika than anything else, and she ran her hand lightly up his extended snout. His hide was so lovely and velvety to the touch, a beautiful bronzen colour that could keep her mesmerized for candlemarks. Her own Leopold was a fark darker bronze colour, though she found his hide just as lovely. Amisk, on the other hand… Well, whers were very different from dragons, after all.
Despite the tears threatening to overwhelm the girl, she smiled softly to hear Vicroth's concern. "The illness is not so bad," she murmured, drawing closer to him so Fallen wouldn't hear. "Some days are worse than others, but today…today is a good day." Amika said the last with a ring of determination, speaking of more than just her lack of illness. Gathers only happened every once in a while, and this would be her only chance to enjoy one this Turn. If only she could get there…
When Fallen called her name, taking a step closer to her, the girl actually flinched slightly. Amika turned slowly, eyes wide with uncertainty. She was awash with fear, doubt, and self-loathing. How impudent of the little Wherhandler to march so boldly into a dragonrider's weyr. She was a child, a pathetic child, to have such silly illusions. Whatever the reason for Vicroth's kindness, though she highly suspected pity, she was over-reaching herself to expect anything more than the occasional warm thought. And to ask anything of his rider, who clearly had a life of his own and interests - her eyes flicked to Jaylee momentarily - of his own, as well, was foolish and arrogant on her part.
Amika cowered before him, eyes dropping to the floor, prepared to take the blows she knew would fall. By word or hand, it made no difference - Fallen was fully in his right to command her from his weyr and declare that she was not to visit Vicroth anymore. That thought caused her heart to go cold, and her hands gripped tightly at her skirts to maintain her composure.
And then he said she could come. "What?" she gasped, eyes wide now with surprise instead of fear. Amika was frozen to the spot, staring at Fallen as if he was an apparition, and uncomprehending his gentle words. She was welcome to come? She wasn't an intrusion? It was entirely befuddling, for his demeanour had suggested otherwise quite strongly. Again, she looked to Jaylee. Truly?
"Thank you!" she breathed, voice hushed with relief. "You have no idea how much this means to me. Don't worry, Bronzerider, I will disappear as soon as we arrive. I will not interfere with your Gather day any further. Nor yours, Lady Greenrider," she added. So shocked and overcome was Amika that the titles slipped out automatically.
A slow smile was starting to grow, when Vicroth bespoke her again. Amika turned to the bronze, overjoyed to feel his warm mental touch once more. But one of his words gave her pause, and the girl blurted, unthinking, "Cousin?"
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Post by D'gellin on Aug 13, 2009 17:44:02 GMT -5
Well I am glad that today is good, but I do not like the sound of those bad days.[/color] Vicroth replied, an edge in his voice suggesting that, were these 'bad days' physical entities, he would bring his wrath down upon them in a heartbeat for endangering his friend. All the same, he hummed in contentment at her touch, mollified.
When Amika flinched back, Fallen flinched to a stop, tilting his chin up in aggitation. If she was going to insist on running away from him even when he was trying to be considerate, this wasn't going to last long. Seeing a girl distressed didn't sit well with him, certainly not when he himself seemed to have something to do with it. His patience, however, wasn't endless. If she wanted something, she had to learn to stick up for herself. By Faranth's sake, he hadn't even come within arms length of her.
Jaylee took a step to him then, placing a hand on his forearm while tilting her head up at him. She shook her head fractionally. Yeah, right, don't get worked up. Amika was just scared, though of what, he didn't know. You can be a bit intimidating, MineOw- Fallen.[/color] Vicroth reminded gently. The tall young man took a calming breath, running a hand over his sharp face. It was days like this that made him miss the solitarity of his Trading days...
"Yes you can come." He repeated, perhaps a bit more impatiently, but was surprised to find Amika's attitude had done a brilliant turn around since the admission. As agrivated as he was before, he found he couldn't stay unhappy with this girl. She was just so...genuine. Like a more talkative Jaylee but, the thought struck him as she responded to Vicroth's assurances, with a prettier smile. Why hadn't she been happy when she asked to join them? With a smile like that one would be hardpressed to even think of turning her down.
At Amika's assurance that she wouldn't stay with the group, however, warning flags went off in Vicroth's head. You most certainly will not go to the Gather alone.[/color] The bronze declared boldly, sitting up to ensure his unasked for opinion be followed. What if something were to happen to you? No, you will stay with Fallen and Cassanth's. You will be much safer with them. And if you do not, then I will not talk to you again.[/color] He said stubbornly, though as he lowered himself back down he continued quietly. for a little while.[/color]
"Vicroth..." Fallen gave his bronze a look, inwardly startled at the exclaimation but outwardly repremanding. What Fallen did was certainly Vicroth's concern, but he'd no right to go demanding things of the girl. Vicroth stared back unflinching for a moment before heaving a mental sigh. If you would like, that is... He mumbled. Fallen himself, however, wasn't entirely sure about his dragon's arrangements. He hadn't minded dropping Amika off, but also hadn't anticipated spending time with her at the Gather. He really only knew her as the scared wherhandler who his dragon had taken a nearly unhealthy liking to. And yet...Vicroth had a point. Maybe she wasn't a dragonrider, but Amika was Weyrfolk. If she were discovered, it might not end well. She would also be a young woman alone amongst an unfamiliar crowd...the potential worst case scenarios instigated a sudden feeling that she needed protection...and Fallen appeared to be the only one who could provide that...
"...One condition though," Fallen said at last, and held up his pointer finger warningly. "Don't call me bronzerider. My name is Fallen, and this is the last time I'll respond to anything else." Though he tried to be stern, as he was always adamant about what others called him, one side of his mouth quirked up just a little. Jaylee smiled a full smile, however. Amika seemed like the kind of person that wouldn't be overbearing or inconsiderate. She rather thought, now that Amika wasn't flinching away, they would get along well. "It will be fun." She said in her quiet way.
Both paused, perplexed, when Amika parroted something Vicroth had said. "Yes, Jaylee is my cousin." Fallen replied, glancing at the girl beside him, her dark hair and light eyes a near inversion of his own eye and hair color. It only occurred to him then that they shared little in common outside of perhaps height and skin tone. Jaylee giggled self-consciously, clasping her hands to her mouth, finally understanding the confusion for what it was. The delicate blush on her face was only a little darker than Fallen's. "Oh, you thought -" He faltered, brows raised as he coughed on a laugh at his and his cousin's own expense. Sometimes he forgot how familiar they were with each other. "Sorry, no, you're not interrupting a date." Unthinking, he winked, grinning. "Lucky you."
Then let us be off! The daylight is burning fast. Vicroth reminded Fallen and Amika rather explosively, as though he'd been holding back speaking for far too long. He shifted on the dragonledge, his wings twitching open a fraction in anticipation. "Awful excited for a Gather you cannot attend, aren't you." Fallen commented as he stepped over to recheck the harness that Vicroth had insisted on having ready in the early morning. Oh I will be there. Just not there.[/color] The bronze said. Now come. Cassanth's has been ready for turns. And my friend has been in the dark for much too long.[/color]
In little time at all Jaylee had said her temporary goodbyes to Cassanth and been helped up to Vicroth's back (though she did look a little wide eyed at the height). Fallen then turned to Amika, offering her a hand from his place on the bronze. "I don't suppose you've ridden a dragon before, have you?" He asked, a grin hovering near his mouth. This would either be an amazing or terrifying experience for the wherhandler, he imagined. Almost as soon as Amika was settled in to place, however the means or response, Vicroth was off, and between guided them to a place safely outside the Gather, hidden from view. Now be sure not to do anything that I would not do. Vicroth warned Fallen and Amika before he departed. It was only a short walk to the Gather from there, and Fallen could finally breath in the old smells of the festival, hear the murmur of the colorful and oftentimes flamboyantly dressed folk, and take in the cheery feel of the crowd. "It's certainly been too long.."
((*/edited*))
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Post by M'kel on Aug 25, 2009 16:43:53 GMT -5
((Comic Book Week…well…that'll be…interesting…XD))
Vicroth was comfort and strength, and Amika drew on him to hold herself steady. But sometimes that dragon had the craziest ideas… Such as when he demanded that she stay with Fallen the whole Gather.
GASP!
"I really don't think Fallen would like…" she began breathily, but just then the dragonrider spoke up. Instead of dismissing the dragon's suggestion (or command) out of hand, he merely spoke his dragon's name warningly, prompting an amendment to Vicroth's speech to include the statement that it was up to her. The young man then went on to make a simple request, that she not call him by any title. He seemed unexpectedly accepting of the invitation, though she could hardly believe herself to be desired company.
But she waited, the burning question still hanging thick in the air, for Fallen to speak again, to confirm the relationship or not. Amika was rather taken aback with how intensely anxious she felt while watching him, waiting for his lips to form the words.
YES!
The girl felt suddenly dizzy, as it all came out in a rush. They were cousins. Cousins! Vicroth was right, and now the two dragonriders were grinning sheepishly and exchanging looks. It all made sense! The familiarity between the two could be easily explained, and with far less dire implications than Amika had first imagined.
Of course, the Wherhandler might wonder what she had considered so dire about it in the first place, except…
TWITCH!
And her stomach gave a TWIST!
He had winked at her. He was not on a date, and she was lucky for that reason. He had winked.
Amika shook her head, dazed by the rush of emotions triggered by the simple movement of his eyelid. Silly, silly, silly! Why was Amika always so silly? She overreacted to everything. It was why she was so awkward, so socially inept… Why couldn't anything be innocent fun?
Determinedly, the girl straightened her back and swallowed hard against these nonsensical fancies. "Okay," she murmured dumbly, unable to come up with a wittier response. The girl stood back as the two dragonriders clambered onto bronze Vicroth. Then, she stepped forward, unsure of how best to mount the dragon.
THUD!
Her heart spasmed wildly when Fallen extended his hand. Slowly, Amika turned brown eyes upward, taking a slow breath in to calm herself.
THUD! THUD!
She placed her hand hesitantly in his, feeling a tingle run up her arm and down her spine. His hand was warm, strong, and toughened by labour. It felt reassuring and intimidating all at once, with her frail-fingered Baker's hand vanishing in his grasp.
YOINK!
And she was hauled onto the dragon, seated unceremoniously behind the bronzerider who was all business now, and the dragon was lumbering towards the edge of his weyr ledge.
"Only when I was Searched," she managed to gasp out, before the ledge was no longer beneath them.
WHOOSH!
The air rushed past, whipping her brown hair around her face, and Amika's arms tightened instinctively around Fallen. For the first heart-stopping strokes, the bronze dragon was pulled down by gravity before he could begin his climb. Then they were soaring and vanishing into the cold between. Amika hadn't been a-dragonback since her Search, and she was swept away by the thrill of it all over again. Last time she'd flown, it had been with the glowing thought that she might soon be riding her own dragon. Although life hadn't quite turned out how she'd thought, there was something exceptionally pleasant about being carried through the skies by Vicroth, with Fallen's broad back pressed up against her.
BUMP!
And with that they had landed, slid off, and were left walking towards the Gather. Hastily, Amika donned her white mask, giving her skirts an awkward brush of her hands, and looked to Fallen and Jaylee. She smiled at the unexpected happiness in Fallen's features, forgetting to look away for a moment. He smiled so rarely, which was a shame. It filled her with an amazing, fluttering warmth.
"I've never been to a Gather," she replied quietly. Suddenly, at the sight of the crowds ahead, Amika felt very glad that Vicroth had recommended she stay with Fallen and Jaylee. As the girl looked around, taking in the sights with eager eyes, she was astonished by the glamorous costumes the Gather-goers strutted around in. Some of the ladies' gowns were incredibly lovely and richly embroidered, making her simple dress pale in comparison. Unconsciously speaking her thoughts aloud, Amika said in a hushed voice, "They're all so beautiful!"
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Post by D'gellin on Sept 14, 2009 15:15:33 GMT -5
Fallen glanced sideways at Amika, brows raised in surprise, when she admitted that she'd never gone to a Gather before. "You're in for a treat then." He said, sharing a knowing grin with Jaylee. It was hard for him to imagine having never gone to a Gather at all. To miss out on all the action for so long...Jaylee was on the same train of thought as her cousin. If Amika hadn't enjoyed an affair like this before, then they might as well give her the grand experience!
"Masquerades are about being something you're not." Fallen said conspiratorially to the girls, after hearing Amika's exclamation of awe. "I wonder how pretty they'd be without all the frills and feathers. Just look at that one." He pointed out a women bejeweled and bedecked in so much finery that her gown puffed like a pie, feathers swaying from her buttocks, back, and headpiece. She was joking with another gaudily dressed fellow, and her squawking laugh could be heard above the crowd as she passed by. "I'm pretty sure she's part wherry." Fallen said with mock contemplation, making Jaylee cover her mouth with her hands to hide a guilty smile. Her crinkled eyes, however, gave her away. Trust Fallen to take a awed compliment and turn it on its head.
There were more to Gathers than flamboyantly dressed people, Jaylee thought. Voicelessly, she pointed out the Craft Stalls to Amika, practically dancing over to a booth offering jewelry. Her eyes roved across the sparkling wares with delight as she picked a favorite she would never have the marks to buy. Fallen followed at a more leisurely pace, hands casually tucked away into his pant pockets, breathing in everything that was the Gather. It was a little exotic for his taste, but the contentment it brought was just the same as always.
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Post by M'kel on Dec 3, 2009 2:03:04 GMT -5
((Okay, kind of a lame set-up, but it's ma first post in months! And since I don't see much of a fight brewing elsewhere, I thought I'd initiate it myself...if we're still going for that original plot?))
The flashing colours, tinkling of music in the air, and the pressing crowd sent Amika's head spinning within minutes. In contrast, Fallen and Jaylee seemed to glide through the throng effortlessly. The young man's airy remark, easily discarding her hushed awe, sent a flush up the Wherhandler's cheeks. Well, yes, she supposed that particular woman did look a bit like a wherry... But her awe was mostly a matter of self-comparison; Amika had never owned any fancy dresses or jewels or heels... She felt awkward and uncomfortable in this light dress, as it was. Such a ghost, a mockery, in comparison.
Surely, if she had a dragon like her two companions, this would be where that dragon would butt in, with words of comfort, love, reassurance... But before this gloomy thought could begin to build strength, Leopold did butt in. Quite literally. His little bronze head thumped against the side of hers, and Amika stumbled in surprise. The bronze flitter had barely had time to emit a chirp of satisfaction in diverting her so effectively when that diversion led the young girl straight into the barrel chest of a fierce looking man.
"Hey!" the man exclaimed, glaring down at her with dark brown eyes, his black moustache twitching with displeasure. "Watch it, drudge!"
Amika felt a moment of indignance, for as plain as her dress may be in comparison to the extravagance around her, she was obviously not a drudge, when she was suddenly moving again. This time, in reverse. The girl stumbled backwards from the dark man's shove, thudding against yet another unwitting victim. If Amika had known of Terran pinball machines, she no doubt would have felt trapped in just such a one at this point.
"I'm sorry!" she gasped, absently taking note that Leopold had taken flight and was currently trying to land on Jaylee's head for comfort. Fearfully, she looked up to see who she'd fallen against this time.
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