Second Gather: Dancing Square

[M'kel]

The Masterharper has kindly graced this summer Gather with a wagonload of Apprentices and Journeymen, as well as a Master or two. Those assigned to the Dancing Square are already playing away, their lilting tunes weaving through the Gather crowds. As the evening progresses, more Harpers will trickle in to join the gathering, and the night will erupt in all of the favourite Gather songs, as well as a new one or two. The Masterharper has asked that song requests be saved until later in the evening.

The music will also be appropriately Masquerade-themed tonight.

[C'lyn]

L'kas sat at one of the few tables around the edge of the dancing square. He had decided to come to the square instead of walking through the stalls mostly because of his long ago, in more ways then one, training as a Harper. His long fingers drummed lightly on the table top in time with the current song being played.

His blond curls as unruly as ever, giving him a tousled look. He was wearing a white tunic, loosely laced and revealing some of his deeply tanned chest. His pants were black and his boots polished glossy. His mask was a simple black one and his eyes behind it twinkled merrily.

He was greatly upset that he wasn't able to wear his riding knots, especially since his wing had won the Team Coordination part of the tournament. But, he could still celebrate that victory! And he certainly planned on it.

He looked around at the few people already at the dancing square and smiled to himself, looking over the lovely women gathered there.

Ah, my own ye must remember that ye need to introduce thyself as Lukas and not as I call ye,[/color] Seath reminded his rider sleepily. L'kas grinned and shook his head. I knowest that Seath. I do not plan on parting in too much wine this night, so don't worry so, he assured his bronze as he continued to look around, his fingers still drumming lightly against the table top.

Cael, L'kas brown firelizard was draped lazily across his person's shoulder, after all the Lord Holder had not said firelizards couldn't be present. Holders had flitters of their own after all. L'kas absently reached up with his other hand to rub the little brown's eye ridges.

(All ready for D'rel to have at him )

[Skye]

Kimber laughed happily as she tugged her twin sister into the dancing square, her lute hugged close to her chest. Emberlyn stumbled as she let herself be tugged by her sister. She hadn't wanted to come to the gather, but her sister could be persuasive.

Emberlyn pulled her arm gently from her sister's grip and smoothed out her sleeve. "Come on Kimber, the Harpers are going to recognize thy playing and thy voice. They could spoil our cover," Emberlyn hissed softly to her sister.

Kimber laughed and shook her head, turning to face her slightly shorter twin. "Oh come on Ember, ye know we Harpers look after our own before anyone else. Don't worry so much," she said, reaching out with her free hand to pat her sister reassuringly on the arm. "Besides I wasn't going to go join them on the stage, I was just going to play along softly. Ye know how much I love to do that," she looked beseechingly at her sister.

Emberlyn sighed and nodded slightly. Kimber smiled brightly and pulled her sister over to a free bench near the Harper stage.

Kimber was dressed in a harper blue gown, certainly no one would question the color choice if she had an instrument in her hands and Kimber hardly ever went any where without either her lute or her reed pipes. She wore her shoulder length black hair down and her masque was a simple one of the same Harper blue color as her gown. It was a simple masque.

Emberly was wearing a startling scarlet dress that showed off her curves. Kimber had questioned her on the choice, considering Emberlyn was normally a wallflower. Emberlyn couldn't explain her choice really, she had just fallen in love with the gown when she say it and Emmith thought she looked good in it, not that Kimber hadn't complimented her as well. She also wore her glossy, black hair down, but it was longer then her twin's, falling to rest just below her shoulder blades. She knew she would have to cut it before Thread fell again so that it would fit better under her helmet, but for now she would leave it. Her masque was a darker red then her gown and brought attention to her clear, blue eyes.

Emberlyn tilted her head slightly as she listened to her twin play softly along with the current song. She looked around the small crowd already gathered and noted a few looking at her. She was starting to regret the color choice for her gown, but their was no helping it now. She sighed silently to herself and smoothed out the skirt of her dress.

[**Auria (etc)**]

The little gold mare nickered softly as Auria rubbed her neck in thanks. "I shall return anon," she whispered in the runner's ear, tousling her cream forelock with long, graceful fingers, "And thank thee for the lovely ride."

The weyrling pressed a mark into the runner-keeper's hand, and glanced backward at the sturdy little mount she had borrowed from Beastkeeper C'train.

Thou art happy, and yet I can feel thy hesitation, Auria-mine, Nefertith's soft voice touched her mind. Thou hast said that thou wish to dance once again, why doest thee doubt?

I shall not be long, Mine-own, the girl responded, the cocoa-brown eyes that peered out from the sky-blue half-mask looked worried. I have not left thee this long since our Impression. I miss thy presence already.

Thou has fed me well, and I am under good care. Thou has not to worry, for thou and I are always in close union, no matter how far thou goest from me.

Still, I shall seek one hearty dance, for it has been so long since I sought such pleasures, then I shall find a new plaything for Rannell and return to you.

During the discourse, Auria's long dancer's legs had covered the distance to the dancing square and now the sprightly music drew her forward. There were already others gathered, and it startled her to realize that even those she knew from the Weyr would be unrecognizable, for they, as she, were forced to hide behind masks!

Thus, Auria stood stock still, her blue firelizard perched lightly upon her bare shoulder accenting the sapphire, low-bodice wenches' frock she had chosen. It's tight bright blue midrift was laced to her slender shape, accentuating her curves as she'd been taught to dress. The gentlemen would always toss marks onto the stage as she and her mother and sisters danced, and part of her dancer's training had been about how to maximize the profits with dress. Her skirt was sky-blue, as was the pouffed top of her bodice and short sleeves, matching her mask. There were floral vines of sapphire, embroidered in shiny thread, delicately adorning the calf-length skirt, and it was slit up her right leg to just above the knee.

Auria's long brown hair shimmered, pulled back from her temples by a flowing blue cascade of ribbons that matched mask and gown. She ran her hand over her hair, tucking back a stray strand that had escaped the ties during her ride. Though the music called her forward, enchanting, willing her to dance, she was afraid to move.

What troubleth thee, Auria-mine? Nefertith asked, touched by the worry in her rider's mind. Thou wisheth to dance, so dance!

I ... I hath no one to dance ... with.... the girl replied, missing the safe company of her family more than ever. It was foolish of her to want to come ... why hadn't she stayed at the Weyr with her darling Nefertith?

Safari chirruped and nuzzled her under the chin, eyes whirling softly.

[Skye]

K'yan was nearly overwhelmed with the sites at the gather. It wasn't his first gather by any means of the imagination, but it was his first Masquerade gather and the first as a dragonrider, but sadly that little fact couldn't be known!

He could feel Herculith's sleepy mind and wished he could be with his bronze, but the stout fellow had insisted that his rider go enjoy himself and so thats what K'yan planned on doing.

He was dressed in a dark, charcoal grey tunic that he left unlaced at his chest, revealing the tanned, muscled skin there. His pants were black and cut to fit perfectly. He wore his ankle high black boots with their silver buckles. About his waist he wore a sash belt of dark blue. His mask was a simple black one. He liked to keep things simple.

He arched a brow slightly as he noticed a young woman hesitate at the edge of the dancing square. He smiled to himself as he looked her over slowly, appreciatively before making his way toward her. He cleared his throat softly to alert her of his approach before he stopped beside her.

He wished that there was no need for masques because he was certain that she was a beautiful woman, and such bueaty should not be covered.

"Good evening my lady," he said as he bowed to her with a flourish, the unruly curl falling across his forehead with the move. He straightened and smiled brightly to her.

"Ye look as if ye wish to dance. Am I correct in my assumption my fair lady, or have I misread thy hesitation?" he asked politely as he held his hand out to her. "If thy had no intention of dancing, perhaps I could persuade ye to change thine mind? I have been told I'm a fair enough dancer and I would be honored to dance with such a lovely lady as thee," he said, his voice elegant. He smiled politely as he waited for an answer, not wishing to push his luck and get in trouble right at the beginning of the night.

[**Auria (etc)**]

Auria was looking across the square, watching the dancers whirl down to mark the end of a lilting waltz. She could not help but sway slightly to the music and felt a familiar emptiness as the tune ended.

But momentarily, the harpers were tuning again, readying for the next piece. She was so intent upon listening, wondering what sort of tune they would paint the air with, that she didn't notice the gentleman approaching.

Thus she jumped when he spoke, and spun toward him.

Oh, my! She couldn't help wondering what he might look like beneath the mask, for his form was quite pleasant. Catching herself in the thought, she blushed.

He spoke like a seasoned gentleman, and one used to courting the ladies. Now, that was something Auria was not used to for, though she entertained many man with her dancing, close contact with the patrons was quite off limits in her caravan. It suddenly occurred to the goldrider that, though she had danced for many a man ... she had never danced with one ... well, except for her father.

"Oh!" Glad for her mask, and hoping it hid her cheeks well enough to hide her blush, she coughed slightly before going on. "Pray, kind sir, wast thou speaking to me?"

[.K.aci]

Fingers tangled themselves with the soft fringes of a pillow, while eyes rolled up into her head. She was humming to herself, trying to ignore the babble going on over her - her brother's had raided her room and were putting the finishing touches of their gather gear, constantly bantering back and forth. "This is complete scum of the first egg, D'rel - if it were not for that cowardly bastard M'kel, we could attend yonder gather without being forced to behave like fugitives." The man addressed nodded, face inches from the little used looking glass. "Completely. And to not allow the dragonrider's in? I see no point in the man's views! And what is worse! We shalt sneak in as though we were riff raff!" D'rel paused. "Crown! Do thee think this shade of lip color matches mine eyes?" The girl spoken to nodded, eyes still closed as she lazed back on her bed, while the boy pouted. "Thou did not look! K'mar, does this shade compliment my features?" The older brother glanced at his brother, made a choking noise, and then turned away. "I have no opinion on thine lips, ask Claudia." The sister made a raspberry at her denial of his use of name, but otherwise made no movement.

D'rel turned back to the mirror, turning a critical eye at his face. "She's not deigning me with an answer from her sweet lips, imbecile. What dost though think, Sher-ie?" The man turned to the broad tunnel in which laid the heads of three dragons, all peering in and watching their rider's ready themselves. They made an odd trio - a Gold, a Green, and a Blue content to sit side-by-side. It doth look pleasant on you, I suppose. I can't be sure what human females dress in - your clutchsister does not deign to looketh normal. With a shout of laughter, D'rel told Crown, "See, I told thou ye wasn't normal. Even Sher thinketh so." The girl only stuck her tongue out at her brother and rolled onto her stomach, burying her face in her pillow. What dost thou think, Raoth? The Blue next to her studied His's clutch sibling, and spoke hesitantly. I do not pretendth to know the fashions. Ezelth, the Gold, spoke up finally. Mine doth have a slightly darker shade of lip paint in the drawer under his silver item - why doesn't though inform him of it, and give him invitation of it's use?

The Green passed on the information, and with an excited yelp D'rel drew from the drawer the facepaint kit. He was shocked that his sister had it - as was K'mar, and the pair of them moved to the bed, peering at her red head. They spoke back and forth, each poking at an available spot on her body. "Why dost thou have facepaint, sister dearst?" That would be D'rel, while K'mar chimed in. "I ne'er saw thee as the type to adorn it on thou." Finally the young woman sat up, all hopes of getting her nap gone. Her tongue sharp, she glared daggers at both of them. "It was a gift, and thou will notice it hath been tucked away!" She was up now, and she scowled at them both as the dragons sneezed their laughter in the background.

Quick blue eyes took in the pair, as they stood waiting for her to fix and criticize - it was what was expected from her. Sliding from the bed, she did K'mar first.

The tall boy was in a beautiful azure blue shirt that clung to his tapered figure and ruffled slightly at the wrists. She adjusted the collar and tugged to straighten the shirt, but he looked dashing as it was. His shoulder length molten gold hair had been tugged back into a ponytail, but wisps escaped it and framed his thin face delicately. He was wearing white stockings, and a pair of navy blue breeches that showed off legs that were slightly scrawny, but muscular. He was wearing dark brown, once expensive looking boots that were worn in, and looked comfortable, though she shook her head over them. He had been in those boots for nearly two turns - it was sad that he couldn't get himself a new pair. He was missing something though... Over to her trunk she went, diving in until she came up with two things - the first was a handkerchief that folded neatly and tucked in his breast pocket. The other was a simple silver chair that she placed around his neck, a brown glimmering small stone at the bottom. "There - now thou looks grand." He had picked out his outfit, but let her choose his mask - she brought it out now.

It was a beautifully delicate thing, seemingly spun from glass. It was a blue color, matching his outfit - but the specific design was something of an oddity. It was an azure color at the base, but on his left eye it looked as though the designer had held it sideways and dripped midnight blue paint down it. The left eye had much of the streaked paint, but the right was nearly totally azure, and the man scoffed at it even as she tied it to him. It looked good, covering his eyes and the tops of his cheekbones. "Cladi, that thing is ridiculous. It lookth so crazy! E'ery person there will think thou has dressed a nut." The girl laughed, a sound like warm cream. "It hath been designed to looketh like thou's dragon's hide, dear brother." And then the man really looked at it - for it did. It was the same shade as Raoth, and the same odd coloring. He had to admit, and this was not something that he did easily... It didn't look bad. The blues accented his tanned face, and he loved the color (although he was biased). His dragon was amused as well. Look, Mine! Thou lookth like me! The man nodded, adjusting the mask in front of the mirror he had crossed to. "I do, Raoth. I thank thee, Cladi. Did thoust have this made special?"

The girl hummed, feeling awkward as she swung her hands back and forth and focused on them. "Yes... I had one made for thou as well, D'rel. I had the thought ye needed something better than the mediocre ones around the weyr." A soft sigh, and the elder brother removed it carefully, setting it down. "Thou are sweet, Cladi." The girl only moved briskly onto D'rel with noise of her own. "It is whatever. Pray tell, don't mention it." And in the way of the two, they didn't. Now Crown looked at her brother, trying to stifle her amusement and indignation. For you see... D'rel was dressed up like a woman. The man had curled his wheat gold hair carefully, and had slapped on rouge and lipcolor. She didn't want to know where he had learned to do it all so well - he actually looked like a woman. He had always had elegant features - now they looked delicate, and he looked feminine.

The man had let his hair tumble down around bare shoulders, and was wearing... A dress. It was a green thing, that showed off his tapered waist and flared out to cover his lack of hip. It was ankle length, and dark forest green, with the bodice decorated light green swirled pattern that ran around it. It was a high, chaste dress with sleeves to his elbows, and white gloves to cover the calluses. "D'rel... I must be curious... What are thou's breasts made of?" The man smiled and fished in his chest for a moment, pulling out a small, slightly squishy fruit. "Looketh!" She was - at his one breast. "So be it. It hath been decided thou has scarred me for life." The man grinned his evil, mischievous grin and re-tucked his breast in the proper place. "Sister dear, do tell! Do I also be gifted this fine evening?" Wordlessly, the girl went to her trunk and took out the various gifts friends had given her over the years. Several gold necklaces, a few rings, and a bangle for his wrist - he looked like a woman. But the man waited - she knew what he was actually talking about.

Crown had known of this plan for awhile - thusly, she had ordered a ladies mask. She pulled it out, smiling deviously, and showed it to him. It was a light, slightly yellowish green that dipped down along his cheekbones and then flared out to the lower side in a shallow swirl. It was decorated with strange squiggles and speckles of a darker green that matched both dress and the markings on his dragon. A gold feather looped from the right side of his eye, and the young man - err, lady - squealed and placed it on directly. "Don't I look ravishing? Thank ye, Cladi, darling. It is beautiful!" The brother's done, Crown reached out to Ezelth for support - her relationship was getting better and the pair were improving by leaps and bounds. That was exhausting. The dragoness chuckled to herself. Thou did marvelous.

Now she fell back on the bed, throwing a pillow over her head as she told them, "Have fun at the Gather." For our young Junior Weyrwoman was planning to not attend - and the twins shared a glance over her. K'mar went into her bathroom, carrying a mysterious bag, while D'rel sat with a flump next to her. "Cladi... Darling." An eyelid cracked open, and she peered at him. "If thou wants more of mine jewelry to adorn thyself with, it would be in mine chest." But that wasn't it. "Thou has two choices, darling sister. K'mar and I expect ye at the Gather - so ye may go into the bathroom quietly and change, or thoust will be forced into thine new clothing."

As you can expect, much fighting and fist throws later, and with only Ezelth to settle down everything when it looked to be nasty, Crown had been cleaned, and dressed. The girl - who had in the end resigned herself to her fate - now stood infront of her brother's, eyes closed in exasperation as they looked her up and down. She didn't realize what she looked like - but they saw her. The girl who generally wore loose, baggy clothing was showing what she truly looked like - and the brothers found it amusing. Mind you, they would be with her all night so no prowling men got near her, so this was alright.

She had been clothed in a dress of a very pale gold. It was sleeveless, but her breasts were just large enough it held it up nicely. Her figure was trim, and cut down to a narrow waist, with a nice waist that flared out into trim thighs and beautifully turned calves. Indeed, she was a pretty body - and the dress did her wonders. It flowed down her body in a rippling silk, like a waterfall, hugging every lithe wire-like muscle being a rider had created. It had no skirt to it - the dress dropped down to her lower calf and there flowed around her ankles like water as she shifted and moved. It was slit, cut up to almost mid-thigh, and showed off sleekly tanned legs, while the back was only laced and showed off a fair amount of creamy skin. "Cladi, my heart." The twins whispered at the same time, "Open thine eyes." Infront of her they had placed a mirror - and Crown opened her eyes to a person she didn't know.

The boys had had the dress and mask made specifically for her, although she had not know it. She just stared at the beautiful young woman in front of her, trying to understand. The dress was elegant and made her appear older, the pale gold accenting her tan. The material had to have cost a fortune for the brother's, but she dared not ask. The coloring was her favorite - as she moved, the pale gold shimmered and became darker, so at some parts of her she was as light as her own dragon, and others she had the burnished hide of an older Queen. It was a scandalous dress - but she couldn't complain.

And the mask was her favorite part. As white as a new blanket of snow, the mask was shaped as a simple over the eye piece. However, under the left eye dangled down small beaded pieces of pale silvers and golds that covered her left cheek down her nose. The left side was all small swirls and elegant ripples that made her feel as though the wearer could let loose and be free - but the right side of the mask took her breath away. It was a pulled white metal that was wire thin, and came up the right side of her face in an elegant way. It was thin, and elegant, and must have cost the pair a small fortune, at least. "Oh..." She could only expel a breath of air through lips that had been painted a frosted gold to match the rest of her attire, and simply stare at the stranger in the mirror.

Ezelth, too, was surprised at Her's appearance. Mine own, thou art the most beautiful creature I hath ever laid eyes on. Now, the girl turned bright red. "Oh, I thank ye, brothers. I am sorry I was a miserable cretin before - thou did not hath to go through the trouble of this!" But the brother's shook off the praise, and handed her their presents. From D'rel, a gem necklace. It was on a silver chain, and was a beautiful sapphire decorated by three tiny diamonds on the side. K'mar had her close her eyes, and she felt nimble fingers dance at her earlobes for just a moment - sapphire earrings had been placed in the holes. The girl was wordless, and then suddenly flung herself at her brothers - the night was a gift too precious to waste on words.

K'mar turned to his younger sister and brother, and in his solemn way, spoke. "Doth thee realize, we are not dragonrider's tonight?" The pair hesitated, not understand their brother. "Today, I am Lord Kanamar." Now D'rel understood, and giggled. "I shall beith Lady Devera! And Claudia, you shalt be Lady Cladi." In high spirits for once - she hadn't been outside yet - the girl agreed, and they exited her room. It was here that Crown began to have a problem. As they walked down stairs, rider's here and there paused to give her a double glance, trying to figure out who was she. It didn't help that K'mar was without his brother, and was instead with a two ladies - it didn't make sense.

She was glad to be by themselves finally, as Ezelth spoke to her. Please, take care. I will be there in a moment, if thou shall need me. Crown shook her head, glad that the mask was tied tightly. Nay, do not worry. I have protectors this night. But the Gold was a smart one. You shall loose them to have your own fun. Bronze Glomp took this moment to pop from the air, a smart purple bow tied around his neck proudly. Perhaps. But you are still not ready to move - stay, please. Do not exert thyself on my behalf. But she knew the Gold would deny all remarks if Her's was in danger - I shall try my best to behave. The young woman threw herself over the young runnerbeast handed to her - a strongwilled male that fought at the rein for his head. "I am glad, Cladi, that thou are a Goldrider. If ye were not, we would be walking." It was D'rel speaking, and with a shout of laughter, Crown sped them off - to the Gather they would go!

D'rel.

The younger twin in the family paused, watching his sister wisk away. He saw no problem with her wandering away - after all, it was the two of them that had taught her to fight. But he was the one to take chances, and he understood that Claudia - no, it was Crown now - wanted her own freedom. The young man... The young woman turned to his brother and giggled, pitching his voice slightly higher. "Well, then, dearest brother, shall we go to the dance?" Moving in slippers that were comfortable, the feminine young woman took the lead, laughing the whole while and pointing out the different things to see.

They entered the dancing square together, and caused quite a stir - the blond man was tall and well built, with the air of power and a glass of wine in his hand. The woman at his arm was stunning as well, but it was clear from the hair and the build that they were sister and brother - she touched his arm and left him almost at once.

D'rel liked causing all the ruckus - as the heads turned to watch them enter, he shifted his skirts slightly and lifted his head proudly. He didn't mind that he looked like a woman enough to turn heads - indeed, he was going to enjoy all the delectable straight men flirting with him because they didn't realize what he was. Nibbling on a lip, he brushed a hand on K'mar's arm and with a murmured, "Luck!" Was off. He needed a likely suspect... And there! Humming along, the former Harper lifted her skirts and stepped lightly through the crowds, accepting a free glass of wine from the first man to offer, but was rude enough to keep walking. Her mark was in a white tunic, showing a chest that had been sunned beautifully. The mask he wore was simple, and Devera adjusted her own carefully before stepping up to the young man.

"Oh, what an adorable little flitter thou has!" Her voice was breathy, light, with a twinkle, and she roved dark blue eyes over him quickly before meeting his eyes with a twinkle. "Pardon mine intrusion, M'Lord, but I hath ne'er seen such a cute critter!" She slid into the seat next to him, still crooning over the creature and offering a hand, while chattering. "I am dubbed Lady Devera, M'Lord - I hope thou dost not mind me? I shall leave in a heartbeat if thou wishes it... I just love Masterharper Grelian's work. It is such an old piece, it is not played often. But beautiful, yes?" She smiled at him yet again, the innocent young woman here to enjoy herself at a Gather. Ahh, MineOwn, I do love thy's courage. Why thank you, Sher.

[/blockquote]

[.K.aci]

K'mar

It was an oddity having a twin brother turn into a girl - but K'mar found it amusing none the less. Mind you, he would keep an eye on his brother throughout the night in case a man found out what he was actually flirting with and D'rel got into a scuffle, but other than that, it was good to see him smile. That was his twin - ever bouncing around and getting himself into new plans, while he ran up from behind and cleaned it up. It was something that worked well, and they had been doing it for so many years it had become second nature for the both of them.

Running a quick hand through brown golden hair, K'mar took in the scene. It was a beautiful music piece that was playing... Just the perfect entrance music. For as subtle as K'mar was, tonight was perhaps a night to make a flare of his own. For once he was not just the other twin. Tonight, he had a face of his own, and he would be, perhaps, on his own most of the night. As D'rel whisked away, he allowed the eyes to fall on him - and he didn't mind them. Indeed, he straightened himself, tugging down his tunic carefully and adjusting his wrist pieces fussily. Only then did he toss his hair back in a fortifying gesture and walk into the actually square. Eyes roved over everyone, taking in every little subject and person. One caught his eye - a woman.

She was wearing a sky blue mask, and was dressed as a lower class maid, but he found himself oddly not caring. It was a beautiful dress with her in it - and K'mar found himself coloring. Thanking the night and his own blue colored mask, he turned away and found himself a bench, looking around the rest of the shallow gather. She was speaking to a man, after all - she had no interest in a Bluerider like him. But Mineown! It was Raoth, jolted awake by His's melancholy thoughts. Tonight thou aren't a Rider. Tonight thou art a Lord! He smiled, his eyes on the night sky through the tent tops. Raoth, my mask... It hath only been donned for one night. It seems as though I am making a mockery of myself, being false. But the Blue was insistent. But for one night thou are not what th ou was... Take this chance!

Listening to the beautiful, bouncy piece of music, the former Harper found himself believing his dragon. Tonight, he was no longer the lower ranking young man he had been. Tonight... Tonight, guarded by a mask and a little self-courage, he was a Prince. Straightening on the bench, he adjusted his mask and found the young woman be had been admiring from afar. She was speaking to a man, but he caught her eye over his shoulder, and raised his wine glass - a toast to her beauty. Then, he dropped his dark blue gaze and looked away - no need to let himself be more of a bother than she probably thought he was.

[Skye]

K'yan smiled politely and bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Aye, my lady. Twas thou that I was speaking to. I noticed that ye seemed a bit hesitant about stepping onto the dance square. If ye are awaiting thou true partner I can leave ye in peace," he said gently, his head still tilted slightly as he looked at her from behind his mask.

It made it intriguing not knowing if he spoke to someone from the weyr, or someone who truly traveled with the caravans, he recognized the garb that she was wearing as something he had sen once before. He continued to smile as he waited to see what she would say. He truly hoped that she wasn't waiting for someone else and that he would be allowed the honor of dancing with her.

~~~~~~

Emberlyn sighed softly and Kimber shook her head. Kimber turned to her twin and pushed her gently with one hand. "Ember, go do something besides sitting there sighing! Thou art driving me to my wits end. I love ye sister dearest, but truly, go and enjoy thy self. Look there, that is a fine looking young man, go introduce thyself," Kimber said, setting her lute aside gently even as she pulled Emberlyn to her feet.

Kimber spun her sister toward the young man in question. He was a handsome man Emberlyn had to admit, dressed in blue and his mask an interesting combination of blues. "Kimber...." Emberlyn started, but was cut short as Kimber shoved her sister in the direction of the man not that far from them, then turned her attention back to her lute.

Emberlyn stumbled and let out a little squeek of surprised, feeling her cheeks flush bright enough red to match her mask. She straightened and glanced around, noting looks from people around her. She silently vowed to thrash her sister later, well, later because surely that who thing didn't go unnoticed by the man in question.

Emberlyn took a deep breath and smoothed her dress and stood up straighter, squaring her shoulders to help her courage before approaching the man in blue. She smiled a bit timidly and curtsied politely as she approached the man from the side.

"Good tidings to ye this evening My Lord," she said softly, hoping that he didn't notice the nervous tremble in her voice as she straightened. She looked him over and felt her cheeks darken in color behind her mask, thankful that it hide her flushed cheeks. She forced her hands to uncurl from her skirt and to rest at her sides.

[C'lyn]

L'kas was surprised when the beautiful woman approached him and slipped onto the bench to sit beside him, but it was a very pleasant surprise. He smiled brightly and Cael chirped a bright greeting of his own, puffing out his chest at her compliments.

L'kas took the offered hand and raised it to his lips, brushing a light kiss across her glove encased knuckles. "No, please don't go. Stay and enjoy the music as long as ye wish my dear lady. I would be honored to have such lovely company," he said as he sat a bit straighter. "I am Lukas," he said, remembering Seath's earlier warnings. He tilted his head slightly to listen more closely to the song for a moment. It was a familiar one to him and he supposed that in this time it would be an older one, but he didn't dare mention that he remembered playing said song in lessons long ago, that would give him away.

Instead he smiled brightly at the lovely woman at his side. Cael slipped from his shoulder and moved closer to the lady who had introduced herself as Devera. "Indeed, tis a beautiful piece and I am a fortunate man to have such a beautiful lady at my side to listen to it with me," he said, knowing he was laying the flattery on thick, but he wanted the company of a woman this night.