Shadows In The Night (Zero/Open)

[Wish]

She hadn't liked the idea that they would be sent to the very place that resented them most. She really, really didn't like it. However, between the rebels feeling that she should, Noita putting her foot down, and Nimarath bullying her into it, Eiko had finally said yes. Sighing, the weyrling pushed back her hair under the dark cloak. She had died it with berries, but the dark color had turned out wrong and had made the platinum blonde hue turn almost purplish blue instead of black. It would wash out in a month, the traders had promised her that. She hoped they had told the truth.

"Come on, we need to get there soon." Eiko barely took notice of her companion for the time being, the other weyrling was just a body guard of sorts. She didn't even know why he had come along, if there was even a reason for him to personally. Shouldering her side of the rope she pulled on the little cart holding the wher and firelizard eggs. The wher eggs had been taken from a Queen on Rindell, but the firelizard eggs had been donated by a Greenrider at this Weyr. Aliera of green Amireth or something like that. Honestly, Eiko could care less.

She could feel Nimarath's restless mind behind her own. The Obsidian certainly hadn't liked that her rider would be going without her, but they needed to seem like something other than riders. Instead, a brown had dropped them and their cart off, and no doubt the wher eggs were a bit...touched, from the short trip between. It didn't matter how they turned out though, just as long as they sold and brought in people. Then the two weyrlings could see if there were any interested weyrfolk here for the rebellion. That was their job, intel and recruitment.

It was boring, and she would rather be doing anything else.

---

First Row:
Gold Flit Egg-Bell's *Bellatora*
Small Wher Egg-Wish's *Dalia*
Small Wher Egg-Hinata's *Alessa/meant for Bellatora*
Zi's Wher Egg-claimed *Korvin*
Hinata's Wher Egg-claimed *Bellatora/meant for Alessa*

Second Row:
Aki's Flit Egg-claimed *Talian*
Kit's Flit Egg-claimed *Astride*
Medium Flit Egg-claimed *Reina*
Medium Flit Egg-Howl's *K'gen*
Medium Wher Egg-Bell's *Bellatora*
Large Wher Egg-Aika's *Goblenn*
Medium Wher Egg

Third Row:
Small Flit Egg-claimed *Goblenn*
Small Flit Egg-claimed *Talian*
Zero's Flit Egg-claimed *Theault*
Wish's Flit Egg-claimed *Eiko*

Fourth Row:
Medium Flit Egg-claimed *Alyara/to give to J'dol*
Large Flit Egg- Twitch's *Zi'axe*

~Size of egg doesn't mean anything except for Prize and Wher eggs. All the flits *except for the Gold* are going to be randomized meaning you have just a good chance at getting a tiny brown from a small egg as you do an extremely large Green in a large egg.

[Zero]

The ride had been long and, not to mention, uncomfortable, their egg filled cart was bulky and awkward to maneuver, and he was dirty and uncomfortable in the stupid getup the rebels had insisted he wore for this excursion. It was painfully clear how agitated the thief was but unfortunately he had little time to moan about it. Holding back a groan, F’lon stooped and snatched up the trailing end of the rope and slung it over his shoulder.

It had been by pure chance that he had been the one to be picked for this little role. He liked to think it was because of his special talents. Ah who was he kidding, of course that’s why he was picked. Between that and his good looks he was certain they’d have no trouble at all gaining a handful of new recruits. Fidgeting with the dark cloak, who’s hood hung haphazardly over his head and cast half his face in a shadow, F’lon nearly dropped the rope and stumbled a bit with his footing. Sighing his annoyance he shouldered the rope once more and cast a half glance at the young rider he had been paired with.

“Tell me again who’s bright ideas these costumes were? Can’t see a bloody thing…” He attempted once more to adjust the cloak but to no avail. It looked like he was going to be playing the roll of the shadowed bodyguard tonight. With each step the thief felt the all too familiar weight of each of the daggers hidden on his body and as the stalls began to come into sight his eyes narrowed and his prior cheery attitude had vanished. Now it was time to get serious. Now it was time to hope this night got interesting and some poor fool would evoke the silent aggression from his blades. Here’s to hoping…

Ryuk chirped from somewhere amongst the eggs. He had taken it upon himself to set up shop between the two clutches. After all there were so many still to hatch damsels, he had to look after them.

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[Wish]

They were almost there, almost.....so darn close!

"FINALLY!"

Eiko let out a happy exclamation as the cart was finally pulled into its rightful place among the other twenty just like it...and they were only in one part of the gather. Trelis had certainly outdone itself this time. The popular destination for Holders to come on vacation meant traders from all over Pern also flocked to the gathers to sell their wares. The Weyrling ignored the other rider's question about their wardrobe, and instead commented on something only slightly on topic.

"If anyone asks, we're cousins or siblings got it? I am not, by any way in Faranth's right mind, going to be married to you." She snorted and let the rope drop, her eyes darting around her as she finally pulled the top off the cart to show the glimmer of flit and wher eggs. Seven wher eggs and twelve firelizard eggs certainly made up a fair amount, especially when one of each clutch held a gleaming Queen egg. She just hoped the babies inside were still alive.

"Now, now, if I'm right F'lon wouldn't be a bad one to marry at all." Alyara smiled as she sidled up to the amethyst rider and Eiko. She looked carefully around her before sighing. "It's good to see you again, but Im only here to drop her off. Aries was going insane trying to find her eggs. Any more and I think J'dol might have actually let Kayath eat her." The Gold hissed at the comment, trilling when she found an unknown male near her clutch.

[Zero]

F’lon found himself breathing his own sigh of relief when they finally pulled up to their designated stall. That trek had been longer then expected and he made a mental note to give that dim-glow brown rider a word or two when the time came to pack up and head back to camp. After sticking a medium sized rock behind one of the carts wheels, F’lon brushed himself off, ignoring the urge to throw back the hood, and took a good look around. He whistled softly at the sight. Trelis had definitely gone above and beyond this time around and oh yes, he saw plenty a skin of wine in his near future.

“Married? Oh don’t flatter yourself. Besides you’re not my type.” The thief smirked before his attention was drawn to the eggs, and a pacing Ryuk, as they were finally uncovered. “Though if we must, I suppose I can agree on siblings. At least you hadn’t suggested me play the role as your servant boy. That wouldn’t have gone far...” He would have gone on had someone not stepped up behind him and had him reaching for his blade.

As the newcomer spoke though his tense arm relaxed and he let loose a slow breath. “Geez Ara, you know I’m not the right person to sneak up on.” Scratching the light beard on his chin, another thing the rebels had made him do for this mission, F’lon cast a quick glance over to his former teacher and mustered up a small smile. Now if only he could stumble across another particular weyrlingmaster his night would be set. “I’m still surprised she let us keep them away from her for so long.”

Ryuk squeaked, very undignified, as the mother Gold appeared and swooped towards her eggs. Oh he was trapped. A goner..doomed! Oh but would she see he was just looking after the yet to hatch little ones? The young bronze splayed his wings as he scurried about the scattered eggs till he found apparent safety behind one of the larger wher eggs. However when she failed to attack or chase him off his little head came peering around the egg with a hesitant chirp.

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[Wish]

The Weyrling eyed the greenrider nervously, still tense dispute her companion's relaxed nature. It wasn't common for any of the rebels to relax, so the fact that he had should be good....right? Eiko bit her lip as she moved away a bit needing to have and give some space. Instead a weyrbrat caught her eye, just a little girl. The child was gone quickly though and she ignored her. If there was any egg thieves in the crowd then Ryuk and the Gold Mother would surely deal with them.

Speaking of which Aries was currently situating herself over her clutch, eyeing the bronze carefully. He was not her chosen champion but he was a King nonetheless and was useful. Chittering for him to stop being so weak and hiding, she flared a wing over the rest of her eggs and curled her neck around the Gold egg. The much larger Queen wher egg took her fancy as well but well beggars couldn't be choosers. Chirping once more, the flit motioned to the wher clutch then to the bronze with her snout.

"Don't worry F'lon, a friend of ours taught me pretty well how to fight back. Besides, I knew you'd know my voice. She'll be thrilled when I tell her you're safe though. She thought the worst for some time. I'm not sure what your cousin thinks, but they're still around somewhere. Rumor has it he's expecting a child, with Iirla of all people." The greenrider shook her head and smiled as a glimpse of a little girl ran across the perimeters of her vision. Eiko jumped again as she saw her.

"They're twins, that's probably why you were confused." The greenrider glanced in the weyrling's direction only long enough to see the girl nod her head and then turned her attention back on her flit. "Id better get back to the festivities. There's a graduation rehearsal soon.....it's too bad you can't attend. They all think the weyrlings that disappeared during lessons have betweened and misjudged the jump. Honestly though if they don't cap it soon we're going to get ratted out."

Eiko nodded her head slowly as she listened to the conversation, not wanting any info to be forgotten. Over and over again she went through it in her mind and then gave it to Nimarath to relay to Sylencath and Noita. Nothing was not useful, there was always something to be done, said, observed. Like now a couple was looking at their cart a few yards away. Ara waved to the redheaded one, the young woman waving back before turning to the dark haired man.

If she had known who they were then, Eiko wouldn't have had much different a reaction. Still, being oblivious was definitely never safe either. Especially not when looking at what many back at camp would call an embodiment of evil.

[Zero]

Ryuk had stayed hidden, peering occasionally at the gold female, till the large eggs that were surrounding him stole his brief attention span. His tiny claws clicked softly against the hardened shells as he moved about, examining each of the wher eggs. They were so BIG! But they still needed his protection as well, right? Making his rounds, and seeming to have forgotten about Aries for the moment, Ryuk climbed up and perched on the side of the cart. Yes, from here he could see much better.

“Yes well just remember I taught her everything she knows. Alright, most of it…” The thief sighed dramatically, dropping his gaze to the floor. “Okay she might have taught me a thing or two…” With a light frown he plucked his little flit from the cart and the eggs and forced him to sit on his shoulder before he ended up damaging an egg. Eventually he felt the bronzes tail wrap around his neck and the annoyed chittering finally slowed down.

The mention of his family however regained the mans attention and he shot the greenrider a quick look. “A kid? Geez, wouldn’t you know it I leave for a month and my family goes insane.” F’lon shook his head even as his green eyes followed the curious actions of the little girls running between the booths. At the mention of the graduation the hooded thief scoffed and shook his head. “I’m sure I’ll survive missing a few laps over the Gather. Though later if you happen to find yourself free I shall be making friends with the good ol’ Benden wine if you care to join me.” He offered a quick grin before his attention and focus moved on to the ever growing crowd. As much as he’d like this wasn’t a pleasant vacation, he was on duty and for the moment unable to let his guard down.

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[Zirin]

Oh shard it! She knew she shouldn't have taken her eyes off him! Not even for a moment. She looked around with worry, trying to spot the seven Turn old in the crowd. It was times like this Aridani wished most for a voice. As it was, the quiet cheeps of her fire lizard trying to help Ari find her son were doing wonders for the young woman. Pushing through the crowd, she continued searching, getting more anxious as each moment passed. Finally, the sing-song voice of her son reached her ears and she spun around to the the brat giving her a cheeky grin and waving at her to hurry up.

He was going to be in so much trouble later! She couldn't really fault him though; this was his first time actually being out and about in the gather withotu having to hold her hand constantly. On her shoulder Harmony cheeped happily as Hers seemed to calm down. "Momma! You'll never guess what they have over there! Eggs! I think its eggs!" The boy was almost jumping up and down in excitement. he had never seen eggs up close! With a silent nod, Ari allowed the boy to lead her closer, rather wanting to see the eggs as well. Looking at them was a magical event, and the last time she had come across some eggs she had ended up with her darling sapphire flit. Harmong crooned and snuggled into her cheek lovingly.

As they drew closer Ari had to take a moment to stare at the girl there. The boy she didn't recognise, but the girl... She looked familiar. Had they met before? Oh! Might she be the girl from the beach? Aridani smiled at her in silent hello as they approached the wagon.

[Akira]

Talian followed her sister with a small smile on her face. It was one of the few rare times that their parents had let them stray from their sides. Well, they more or less sneaked away from them. Talian paused a moment and looked around, that’s when she caught sight of a small group of people she didn’t recognize, and she recognized most of the people in the Weyr. She quietly, and carefully, walked slowly over to the small group. Her body was tense as she approached them, not really sure what to do. She looked back towards where her sister had gone, hoping that she had turned and followed her. She didn’t like meeting new people she couldn’t talk to, and at least her sister understood her. She turned back to look at the group, her face glowing with curiosity.

[Wish]

Inoria tugged on her sleeve, not quite uncomfortable with going to a bunch of strangers in a time like this, especially ones that looked sort of iffy. However, Alyara was there and that was Momma's friend right? Hesitantly following her twin, the younger of the two stuck back a bit and blinked curiously at the flits. Thankfully she didn't have to say anything, Ara was there instead. "Hello you two. These are T'rian and Inali's daughters, the ones I mentioned before Eiko."

Eiko perked up and looked over as her name was called, staring at the two young ones and the other girl that had apparently found out who she was. "Ummr....hi again. Look I'm not supposed to be here, so don't say...or do anything okay?" She tilted her head as she muttered quietly to Aridani and the young boy, eying Ara and the twins carefully. She was getting more and more anxious the longer she stayed, but apparently they had customers. "Uh, we have Wher and Flit eggs for sale here, would you like one or two?" She looked at the collective group and tried to ignore everything else around her.

I'm doing what I was told to, I'm doing what I was told to.

---

Alyara laughed softly at F'lon's quick response, shaking her head and then biting her lip. "Well, I'll be a bit busy, however I know someone else who is simply dieing to see you and get out of here. Of course it'll be tricky since S'vrin's almost always with her. Maybe I can get him to go see Miyaka though, he never is able to resist her calls...I'll be back soon." And with that the greenrider slipped into the crowd after the redhead woman and dark haired man that had caught Eiko's eye before. "Do you know them?" The weyrling furrowed her brow as she watched Ara's form disappear amongst the gather.

[Zirin]

Since Danarvi was still holding her hand, it came as no surprise that her son jumped to her assistance. Aridani smiled warmly as he did his best to whisper back at Eiko. “It’s okay Miss Lady! Momma can’t talk.” Aridani wasn’t quite sure how to let Eiko know that she simply wanted to look at the eggs, as she would never dream of replacing her beloved Harmony. If these eggs were for sale, how long until they hatched? And what were the chances of being able to see them actually break shell? She had certainly never seen whers hatch before!

---

Korvin had been passing by, really not entirely pleased at being back here. Especially now that there were so many people. He had his reasons though, as Naomi had learned. He glared down on the knots on his shoulder that showed he once more was a wher handler of Trelis. Ah well, with the fur and materials he had gathered over his Turns back in the wild, at least he had a good reason for visiting the noisy gather. He was passing by a small collection of people when the words ‘wher eggs’ caught his attention. Raising an eyebrow in curiousity, he tried to push past a few people to get in and see what was going on.

“Wher eggs?” He said aloud. Well what do you know! Wher eggs! He hadn’t known you could just buy them like this. He couldn’t help but eye the eggs. He wondered what it would be like to buy an egg. Would it bond to him like Kosk had? Or were whers more like dragons in that it was a one-to-one bond. He loved Kosk, he really did, but her white hide was often a hindrance on the hunt.

“Oy, you. What’ ar’ya chargin fer these ‘ere eggs?” He called out, not particularly caring if it was the boy or girl that answered him. All he cared about was finding out if he could afford one.

[Akira]

Talian tilted her head to the side in curiosity as she heard someone say her name. That’s when a small smile crossed her lips and she skipped over to where Ara was and waved at her happily. She was one of momma’s friends, and since she was with these people, she figured they mustn’t be that bad. So she smiled and waved at the others before turning around to look at her sister. She motioned for her sister to join her; after all she would protect her younger twin sister. If things proved to be too much for them though, they could always run away and try to find their mother or father. Or Inoria could just call for their father’s dragon; after all, he seemed overly protective of them lately. So either way, she had a feeling that they would be plenty safe around these new people.

Talian looked over when she heard someone say that their mommy couldn’t talk. Did that mean there were other people like her out there? She looked at her sister curiously before walking over to Danarvi and Aridani. She tilted her head to the side as she looked up at the older woman, and unconsciously placed a hand on her throat, just as she did whenever she was thinking about her inability to speak, and wondered about the older woman. Aridani couldn’t talk, just like herself, which made her feel like she trusted the woman for some odd reason. Then she looked at her son, and realized that he did the same thing for Aridani, that Inoria did for her. He was his mother’s voice, just as Inoria was her own. That’s when she realized that the older woman had a firelizard, and smiled sending the flit gentle feelings of happiness and friendship.

[Bellatora]

((Flitter and one to two whers PWEASE!))

Bellatora pulled the hood over her red hair and smiled as the passing people. What fools they could be. Trelis seemed to be full of people like these. So easily lead by one group or another. Whoever had stronger words or stronger motivation. Whatever the case. There were good leaders on either side... But of course. Her side was already chosen. She felt a thrill run through her as she thought about sinking a dagger deep between S'vrin's ribs and watching him die... Oh she wanted him dead. Ar'rex too... but S'vrin more than anyone. She hated the man with a hatred she had never felt before. But right now... she had other things on her mind. More important things. She was a candidate here and at the Rebellion... no matter where she Impressed... it would end the same, she was certain of it. It would end in S'vrin in flames. That was another picture she couldn't help but let twist a snarl onto her normally composed features. She clenched her fist, but she had to remember herself.

"Hey." She said, walking casually up to Eiko and F'lon, giving them a nod and pulling down her hood. She would have taken a wher egg... but that wouldn't have fit with her plans. Unfortunately, she supposed. Whers were interesting creatures. Whatever the case. "How much for a flitt?" she looked at those around her. She was on edge. Needless to say. Something was needling her. But then again. Here were people from the Rebellion selling Wher and flitter eggs to people in Trelis. What happened if they were found out? She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

She felt painfully aware of everything that was going on around her. She felt like her ears were pricked and poised liked a cats... only there was no mouse to chase at the moment. For the moment... She was just a Candidate buying a firelizard egg. And that was all. So she smiled, which was a little tough to do even under the most normal of circumstances. She really couldn't say why she wanted a flitter. Probably to feel that emptiness that was left by having no one. Absolutely no one in the world. Stupid man. Killing the only family she had ever known like that. Oi. And in her position, it wasn't like she was going to be making any more family any time soon. Flitter might be her best option. Or a pup or somethin' she supposed. But... flitters were very useful in her opinion. 'Specially when trained right.

"So, F'lon, Eiko... what about this egg here," she said pointing to one of the flitter eggs, the first egg in the first row, "and these two wher eggs." She pointed to the fifth egg in the second row and the small blue egg in the first row, the second egg. Then frowned. "Though I wouldn't mind buying the queen egg..."

((Bella is going to buy the Queen egg and Alessa the small one that Bella wants and they mix Impress. To help Jilli out. ^.~ ))

[Jilli]

During one of her breaks, Alessandra wandered amongst the stalls. There was Dalrian's sculptures furniture and wooden toys, the confections stall she and R'as had set up, J'dol's kissing booth, which made her roll her eyes still just to think about it. It was her first gather here at the weyr.

Sure she'd been here at the weyr for a year or two, but she'd always avoided the gathers.Either being sick or tired. This time she was enjoying herself.

After a few minutes wandering, she happened apon ... eggs? Was that... ? It was! amethyst rider F'lon, with a cart of firelizzard eggs and... those were too small to be dragon eggs, and no dragon mother would have ever let her eggs out of her sight or allowed them to be moved.
Nevertheless, they were much to big for the firelizards... could they be Wher eggs? But wait, didnt the mother choose which candidate the egg went to ?

Making her way over to the cart she smiled at F'lon. "How've you been F'lon?! What have you got here?"

[howl]

Orath was finally oiled and taken care of, bless her she'd been worrying all day that he was going to make her go to the gather. She didn't like crowds. She was getting better of course, slowly. Just as he was able to be around dragons in small numbers now. He had assured her she could stay safe and warm in the weyr and he lit off to the gather.

The festivities were going in semi full swing, and he looked for his sister at the sweets stall, but he didn't find her there. After some looking at dalrian's wares, buying a mother guarding over her nest piece, and ordering a table(orath had stretched earlier this morning and her large wings had splintered the small one they already had. Dal told him where he could find her and he went to the cart that was gathering a small crowd. He was surprised to find the wher eggs, not the flit eggs though, and he gave his sister a smile.

"oi f'lon! How much for this little black egg with the red design?"

He wointed to the fifth egg in the second rowe.

[Kitsuneko]

Though the stall Aristide had claimed for the gather was already set up, the litter of puppies he was planning to give away later were still asleep inside his quarters and he was content to wait a few more hours to actually open his stall. He told himself it was purely for the pups' comfort so he wouldn't startle them awake, and not that he was reluctant to part with them. With nothing else to do, he decided to take Zexx for a walk around the gather.

The canine was in the middle of his training still and couldn't really be trusted to guide Aristide entirely on his own, so the blind man had taken out a staff he occassionally used to keep from running into anyone. He might have made an unusual sight, with a staff in one hand and a canine pup at his side, but he didn't particularly mind.

Of course, the highly excitable lunar huntyre whirling over his head probably didn't help that, either. He kept shooing Kaleo off his shoulder, but the huntyre insisted on following him and Zexx, who stared at the huntyre with pinned ears. Honestly, his "pet" was more trouble than he was worth, sometimes.

They had been walking for a while, listening to the typical sounds of a gather, when Kaleo apparently spotted something of interest to Aristide's right. He chirped excitedly and took off, and Aristide followed to make sure he didn't get into any trouble. It didn't take long for Aristide to figure out what had the huntyre excited. There was clearly a clutch of eggs being given out, fire lizards, mainly, but some wher eggs as well. He could tell that because his huntyre kept sending quick flashes of the two clutches in his excitement, one substantially larger than the other.

Kaleo crooned at the clutch of fire lizard eggs. Even though they were not his species, they were still eggs, and shiny ones at that. He picked out a bright red and yellow egg to recieve his attention. He settled beside it, heedless of the adult fire lizards and their owners.

"Kaleo, get back here," Aristide groaned as he realized where his huntyre had gotten to. Zexx whined beside him, staying a healthy distance from the mother gold. "Sorry about him," he said to whoever was in charge of the eggs. "I suppose if he's taken a liking to that egg, I'll go ahead and buy it." He wasn't particular looking for another flit, but hopefully this one would be more tractable than Kaleo.