Mavros Weyr and Seahold :: Weyr-Wide Events :: Gathers :: First Summer Gather :: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] Author Topic: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] (Read 173 times) WeyrSparrow Administrator [M:0][M:0] member is offline Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 569 Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Thread Started on Oct 22, 2009, 5:04pm » As harpers went, Lenka had very little voice to speak of. She had been the despair of her master until he'd sent her to study the drums: and that was when her memory and her unerring sense of rhythm had come into its own. Now, perhaps Tomei wasn't exactly in time, despite all the effort she'd spent yesterday coaching him. And perhaps he was shifting back and forth on his feet and staring at the floor of the wooden performing platform exactly as she had told him not to. But with a voice like that, who cared about stage presence or even faults of rhythm? Expression, tone, enonciation - all perfect. And flawlessly in tune. The boy had a sense of pitch to rival her old master's. If someone had told her last turn she'd find such an apprentice - such a treasure - on a black rock in the middle of nowhere, she never would have believed them. "...I have a young sister Beyond the Southern sea; Many be the gifts That she hath sent me. She sent me the cherry Without any stone, And then a fine wherry Without any bone. She sent me the briar Without the thorn; She bade me love my leman Without longing. How should any cherry Be without stone? And how should any wherry Be without bone? How should any briar Be without thorn? How should I love my lemman Without longing? Whan the cherry was a flower, Then had it no stone; 'Fore the wherry was hatched, Than had it no bone. When the briar was planted, Then had it no thorn; When the maid is handfasted, She's no longer love-lorn." (Shamelessly Pernes-ified from a work in Middle English - see original version here) Now - they could listen to Tomei sing all day. But he'd sung seven tunes already and she could tell he was tiring. Best to give him a rest. Lenka began to file her way through the crowd to the stage, which had been set up that morning on the green. Striding up the wobbly steps - whoever'd put them together must have been in an terrible hurry - she stepped forward and grabbed the boy's hand, raising it in the air and bringing him down in the proper reverence to his audience. If she left it to him, after all, he might slink off-stage without even a nod of the head. "Tomei," she said clearly to the assembled crowd, "My apprentice. Thank you for listening." "I think, Tomei," she whispered conspiratorially in his ear as she led him offstage, "That performance merits more than two bubbly pies." And she laughed at the wide grin that split his face then, banishing the last remnants of studious focus from his eyes. There might be a circle dance now, or rondes sung: but that was up to the crowd. For now, they had done their part. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Plotting Page sarin Mavrosite Hatchling [M:10] member is offline Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 77 Location: Nebraska Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #1 on Oct 29, 2009, 8:03am » Sarin shifted uncomfortably, pulling at the hemline of the dress some wherrybrain in the Lower Caverns had convinced her to have commissioned, and wear. She didn't think she'd ever worn a dress but a handful of times in her life, if even at that. The soft and loose material was dyed a very deep shade of green that the seamstress had claimed would bring out the very best of her eyes. She had even traveled back to Southern Hold (doing her best to avoid any interaction with dragons or riders from her old Weyr) just to get the thing. And had spent a pretty mark on it. Really, Sarin. Stop fidgeting. You feel you look silly now? You look absolutely ridiculous pulling and fidgeting like that! It's a lovely skin for your body. Do not be so concerned. Lunith chided her rider gently and Sarin just harumphed in derision. Go find some other dragon and bother them.This is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever worn. How could I have let Cyndtri talk me into this? I look and feel a fool! The short dress left her shapely legs bare below the knee, and had a slit up one side. A low curving neckline exposed her shoulders, whilst long sleeves covered her arms. Knee high tawny leather boots completed her outfit - and were the best thing about it, in her opinion. Doing her best to ignore her discomfort Sarin drew up to a stage area, where a small gathering of people awaited a young boy to begin singing. As he broke his opening chord Sarin was captivated by his voice and song. It seemed a song that was bifurcated - between sorrow and hope - and tugged poignantly at her heart. That was a very nice song... But Sarin, what is a cherry? Lunith's voice plumed in her mind and the diminuitive green rider could not help but chuckle at her dragon's curiousity. "It's a tiny red fruit, love. With a hard seed in the middle and not very much meat." Sarin could sense Lunith digesting this information, and knew the green would be frowning were she capable of it. If there is very little meat, why bother to eat it? « Last Edit: Nov 2, 2009, 3:31am by sarin » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged WeyrSparrow Administrator [M:0][M:0] member is offline Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 569 Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #2 on Oct 30, 2009, 3:22am » (Bifurcated is a very cool word which I was hitherto completely unaware of. :3 I salute you.) Dinah was wearing distinctive patterned red and yellow, after the Mirranese fashion, a loose, bright woolen skirt with a white sleeveless shift tucked beneath the matching embroidered waistband. And sleek, bad-tempered Wrath was, for the moment, wholly occupied over at the herdbeast pens - a small mercy, and one the greenrider was determined to make the best of. She would have a chance to join at least one circle dance: of this she was determined. While the crowd on the dancing grounds was not nearly large enough for her liking, and the harper with her sweet-voiced apprentice had left the stage far too soon, there was little that could be done about such things. I have a tendon stuck between my back teeth, Wrath informed her sullenly. Come pick it out, Dinah. I can't get rid of it no matter how hard I push at it with my tongue. Dearheart, it can wait. No it can't. No matter how hard I - Beloved, Dinah needs some time to herself right now. Your dental hygiene can wait. I wouldn't have gotten it stuck there if the herdbeasts here weren't so stringy. Why are you wasting your time listening to songs about fruit meat and stones when you could be finding me a better steer to - Because I enjoy it. And there are no better steer in the pens, so stop - "Lady Oria. A pleasure to see you." Truly it was not, but a lifetime in Mirran had done her nothing if it had not taught her the value of a harmless lie. The Weyrwoman might be an old bag of tetchy bones, and one dressed in singularly unflattering shades of blue at that (the shade of the overgarment in particular, Dinah thought, did nothing for the goldrider's already pallid complexion), but she knew far better than to let on her personal opinions at gather-time. No sense in spoiling the mood. Oria, as always, was wearing a slight frown and looked as if her breakfast had gone done backwards. "Likewise, Dinah," she replied, "I trust you've given the junior weyrlings the lecture on spirits I sent you?" "Of course, Weyrwoman." Dinah tried very hard and only just managed to avoid making a most unprofessional face. The junior weyrlings had been lectured to between and back again this morning on the subject of alcoholic immoderation before being let loose on the gather: it had been enough to make the Assistant Weyrlingmaster want to go out and down a whole barrel of Benden white on her lonesome. Even if they weren't supposed to be drinking right now, she found the Weyrwoman's puritanical enthusiasm more than a little excessive... Were Marti or B'rax, perhaps, feeling the same way, or was she the only one who saw anything vaguely ridiculous in Oria's pedagogical theories? It was hard to tell. Dinah caught sight of Sarin out of the corner of her eye, and her temper improved instantly. What nice boots, she thought admiringly. She'd have to remember to ask where her wingmate had had them made - "I asked, greenrider, were they attentive?" "Oh, admirably so. Wrath didn't have to nip at one of them." She didn't mean that to sound as fatuous as it came out sounding. Honestly. Honest. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Plotting Page leradny Mavrosite Egg member is offline Joined: Jun 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 44 Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #3 on Oct 31, 2009, 1:03pm » Tamerra wandered over to the stage in a pale green dress with loose, flowing layers of skirt that would do well for her planned activities. Despite her aching muscles and worn out shoes that most people would be ashamed to wear to a gather, she was determined to relax at the gather, and relaxing meant strenuous exercise without ridiculously heavy, unwieldy firestone sacks. Palmyrath was delighted at her rider's change of mood. Without a need to encourage Tamerra, the conversation they had before separating was the most cheerful they'd had yet, and also the shortest. Have a good time at the Gather, mine. You too, Palmyrath. All in all, it felt almost like being at home--saving the lack of a certain overprotective brother, of course. Tamerra sobered a bit while listening to the nice yet slightly off-rhythm Harper boy singing onstage. She'd often "lost" her brother and parents so she could follow her own schedule, but Piyerro knew exactly where she'd go first. No matter how short the first dance was, he would without fail show up in the non-dancing crowd of Gather attendees during the middle, and then tug her back to their parents when the dance was finished, lecturing her on appearances that a Holder's family must keep up. Tamerra would usually make faces at him until he either laughed or repeated his entire tirade with a frown. But if Piyerro showed up now after she'd been such a long time away, she felt that she would do something embarrassing like burst into tears. It would hold up the "How dare you go off like that and make me worry myself sick about you!" speech; but even if he decided to drag her home immediately, dragonrider or not, she wanted him to show up anyway. The Gather just didn't feel right without the threat of her stuffy older brother hanging over all the fun she was having. Mine? Is something wrong? Palmyrath asked. You were doing so well earlier. Tamerra heaved a sigh. Yes, but don't worry about it. I'm going to have a good time anyway. Since the song had only just finished, the dancing square was still filling up. She wove her way into a spot near the edges and wondered what kind of dance would be up next while the Harpers prepared to play. She hoped it was a circle dance, at least--the thought of picking a single partner for the entire song made her queasy. « Last Edit: Oct 31, 2009, 1:12pm by leradny » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Tamerra Kiba Adolescent Mavrosite [M:3] member is offline Joined: May 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 203 Location: California, USA Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #4 on Oct 31, 2009, 6:56pm » Piyerro had been moving through the crowd, with a polite “excuse me” for everyone who couldn’t quite get out of the way. He took care to keep his right side from getting jostled too much, since that was where Saffra was perched--not that she was going to fall off anytime soon, the way her claws were almost permanently wedged into his shoulder. The green’s faceted gaze swept through the crowd as she twittered at the other gather-goers. While still loud enough for even those nearby to hear him, her stream of commentary wasn’t as ear-splitting as her hungry screeches upon hatching. Unexpectedly, the growing crowd gave way to a stretch of swept earth and a stage with harpers and their instruments. He blinked; this felt unusually familiar... And then he saw her, drifting at the edges of the crowd just like she always did. How in Faranth's name had it taken months in an under-populated Weyr just to find his sister? “Tamerra?” Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Greenrider Gisellaine and Zedorianth Beastcrafter Gerran Weyrling Karredy and Zalmaranth Weyrfolk Piyerro; fire lizard Saffra sarin Mavrosite Hatchling [M:10] member is offline Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 77 Location: Nebraska Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #5 on Nov 2, 2009, 3:54am » )o(: It is one of my favorite words in the English language. I use it every during every available opportunity when writing. :3 The question from her dragon went unanswered as Sarin caught sight of Oria, speaking with another rider she did not recognize. She'd never had the opportunity to speak with the woman - not even upon her initial arrival after transferring. Swallowing down a sudden attack of nervousness - before the other rider turned to look at her. Face flushing because of the woman's regard her gaze shifted and she began to move away from the area - giving way to the people arriving for dancing. More comfortable on the outskirts of the area she watched as the Harpers organized themselves on the stage. Dancing she did not care for but music was another thing entirely; and one affinity her dragon had picked up from her. Why does it bother you so when you catch someone looking at you? This was an old question, repeated consistently over the past eleven turns, and one that no longer troubled her so much as it once did. It's difficult darling. I always wonder if someone is searching and finding flaws. From their distant separation Sarin sensed Lunith's latent ire grow. No one could find any flaw in you... You said there would be games today. When will that be? A slight turn of her mouth suggested but failed to bloom into a smile, though the humor she found in her dragon's addiction to games made her respond aloud. "I'm not sure when the games will be held, love. But I won't forget." Sarin discovered her eyes had wandered back to where the Weyrwoman and the woman beside her were still involved in their exchange. She found herself curious about the identity of the woman near Asurath's rider. Lunith quickly provided her with the information, transmitting thought of the woman and dragon associated with her. She is Wrath's rider. They work with the Weyrlings. Sarin frowned at this. The rumors and whisperings regarding the Master of the Weyrlings suggested certain things about him - and she wondered, if they were true, how she was able to stand working with the man. « Last Edit: Nov 2, 2009, 3:58am by sarin » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged leradny Mavrosite Egg member is offline Joined: Jun 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 44 Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #6 on Nov 7, 2009, 5:58pm » Tamerra thought she was hearing things after her brother's voice spoke her name--things borne out of homesickness and loneliness that newly-Impressed dragonriders shouldn't be feeling. Despite the thought that she was going a bit mad, she looked anyway, out of nearly-forgotten habit. When she actually saw none other than Piyerro standing there in the crowd, she had no time to be disturbed at the lengths to which her mind went to make herself feel better, or to notice little things like his slightly-less-well-kept clothes or the little green fire lizard on his shoulder. She just ran at him, threw her arms around his waist and held on when it was confirmed that Piyerro was, in fact, there in the flesh. "Piyerro!" It came out sounding less like a dignified acknowledgment of her brother's presence and more like a bawl. Palmyrath squealed and asked What's wrong, Mine?!, automatically coloring Tamerra's voice to sound higher and even more distressed. "Wh-what are you doing here?" Tamerra really wanted to ask why it had taken him so long to get here, how their parents had reacted, whether he was supposed to take her home, and when exactly Piyerro had impressed a firelizard, but emotion had for once prevailed over coherency. « Last Edit: Nov 7, 2009, 5:59pm by leradny » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Tamerra Kiba Adolescent Mavrosite [M:3] member is offline Joined: May 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 203 Location: California, USA Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #7 on Nov 8, 2009, 11:39pm » While he had expected some sort of outburst (because even Tamerra would have gotten some form of homesickness after a while), neither Piyerro nor Saffra was prepared for his sister’s specific reaction. Despite their height difference, he wasn’t exactly the most imposing person on Pern and thus was nearly bowled over by the sudden tackle-hug. Had Tamerra put on muscle during her time at Mavros? Saffra gave a screech and once more dug her claws into his shoulder, and for a moment he debated on who to pay attention to: His hours-old fire lizard (who would be very injured by a spill onto the ground, being so tiny) or his suddenly-emotional sister who made him feel like his ribs were going to crack. But the green regained her balance and merely clambered across his neck to his other shoulder, so that left Tamerra to focus on. Piyerro shifted gingerly and smiled down at her. “It’s a long story, but I got disowned and took a ship here a couple of months ago.” Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Greenrider Gisellaine and Zedorianth Beastcrafter Gerran Weyrling Karredy and Zalmaranth Weyrfolk Piyerro; fire lizard Saffra sarin Mavrosite Hatchling [M:10] member is offline Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 77 Location: Nebraska Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #8 on Nov 20, 2009, 11:36am » As Zedorianth alighted Jkarlem allowed his brown eyes to survey the area to which she had brought them. A stage for harpers was set up off to the side of a large dance square. As of yet there was noone to be seen engaging in that paticular activity although the harpers were playing a lively tune. He'd never had a head for music - and most of the harpers he had met he'd found distasteful. It seemed they must constantly be making some sort of dreadful noise with their mouths; whether speaking, playing an instrument, or singing. They simply seemed incapable of keeping their mouths shut. Searching amongst the throng he thought he spotted the man Gisellaine had described. As she assisted him in dismounting he continued his study of the fellow. Painfully thin, and tending toward baldness, he had an unhealthy pallor to his face. Certainly that must be the man. And living in the harbor caves with the fishers? As a head of council? Strange, and stranger. Looking to Zedorianth he executed a bow, smiling towards the green dragon. "You flew with cunning and grace, Zedorianth. My courtesy to you and yours." A flicker of the smile remained as he turned to the dragon's rider. Yet it slowly faded from his face again. "Is that Nestol, Green Rider?" A nod of his head indicated the man in the distance. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Kiba Adolescent Mavrosite [M:3] member is offline Joined: May 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 203 Location: California, USA Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #9 on Nov 21, 2009, 10:37pm » “You’re welcome, and it wasn’t a trouble at all.” She turned to look in the direction he pointed, nodding to confirm it. “Yes, that’s him. He shouldn’t be too busy.” Zedorianth warbled in acknowledgement at his second compliment, then moved a dragonlength away and flew back to Lesser Mavros to resume basking in the sun. Nestol was talking with two or three other members of the council at the moment; after their conversation tapered off, she walked up and politely tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, sir? I hope I’m not interrupting...” “Hmm? Oh, hello, greenrider Gisellaine,” the man replied courteously, clearing his throat. “No, we were just about finished. How are you and your dragon faring today?” “We’re doing very well--thank you, sir,” she said. “Anyway, there’s a journeyman beast-healer here to see you.” “Another transfer? Faranth’s queen egg, we’ve needed another beastcrafter since the giant felines started attacking.” He looked through the crowd. “Where is he, by the way?” “Over here, sir,” she led him over and bowed politely. “Also, Jkarlem, there’s something I need to tell you after you’re finished speaking with Nestol.” Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Greenrider Gisellaine and Zedorianth Beastcrafter Gerran Weyrling Karredy and Zalmaranth Weyrfolk Piyerro; fire lizard Saffra sarin Mavrosite Hatchling [M:10] member is offline Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 77 Location: Nebraska Re: Rondes, Dance and Merriment [Gather Grounds] « Reply #10 on Nov 22, 2009, 11:38pm » Eyes following Zedorianth as she took her leave the journeyman reflected on the different avenues life seemed capable of taking; and how it was that he had ended up where he was. Though displeased with his Master for having failed to inform him as well as he ought he was thankful for Gisellaine's assistance. Looking to her he nodded as she confirmed his observation. Shadowing her as she strode across the grounds toward the man Jkarlem plucked at his clothing. The day was growing hot and his attire was more appropriate for the cooler North. He remained rooted to his spot as she approached and retrieved the councilor. Maintaining an air of seriousness he folded at the waist when the man approached, Gisellaine at his side. "Well met, Sir. My name is Jkarlem. I've just arrived for my assignation to the Mavros Holdings. I'm rather unsure of whom I am supposed to be seeking out or where to go. It seems my Master was a bit... misinformed?" Greeting the man formally, for he was lacking the knowledge of what to expect of him. Stiff, unnatural - that was Jkarlem though he was entirely unaware of it. And as it was Gather time he didn't think Nestol would want to waste his day unraveling the details. With Gisellaine's statement his brown eyes turned to her, obvious bemusement scrawled on his features. What could she possibly wish to tell him? Coercing a strained smile he blinked rather stupidly at her. "If you wish." He didn't think he'd done anything outlandish and improper. Entirely lost as to what it could possibly be he tried forcing away a feeling of nervousness, which was compounded by his uncertainty. ()o(: My. He is turning into a greater ass than I had expected. (: Forgive me Kiba. 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