Taking a Chance {Open/R'hard}

[shinska]

Aela heard about the Gather and her heart clinched. It might be her chance to see her friend again. Besides she wanted to see how things were going. The young woman threw on warm clothes and the grabbed a hooded cloak. She had to make sure her face wasn't seen. At least something that would be recognizable. The Obsidian female nudged her rider and Aela shook her head.

"No my sweet Talath. Your too easily recognizable. People would know I was there and being part of the Rebellion now would not do any good. I must go alone." She kissed Talath's nose and left her assigned sleeping place and headed to where the Gather would be. Once she was out of sight she pulled the hood over her head and was glad for the extra length of the hood. It didn't impeded her sight, but it darkened her face considerably and no one would recognize her now.

With profound nervousness she made her way to where the Gather was. She couldn't do anything that would seem familiar to others. If anything she just wanted to see how her friend was doing even if she couldn't talk to him. The woman approached the Gather and entered. Heading straight to the Dinner Table she ordered something and sat in the farthest corner that she could. Luckily this place was covered with shadows so no one would be able to see her right away, but she never once took the hood off her face.

[Kitsuneko]

R'hard had already done his rounds at the Gather, checked out the booths and even bought a few trinkets. Hari and Sahar had accompanied him through most of it, in between receiving strokes and attention from random people, and even Kaith had spent some time socializing with other dragons. The brown had decided to take a cat nap, though, and that left R'hard on his own. The two fire lizards were starting to become hungry, though, judging by their lingering stares on the food vendors, and R'hard decided it was probably best to get something to eat before his pets became thieves.

As soon as his plate was filled with enough bits and pieces to feed the brown and the green, with a bit left over for the rider, he stepped back to check out the tables. He wasn't really in the mood to meet strangers and there weren't many people eating at the tables that he recognized, so he naturally focused on the emptier tables.

That shadowy table in the corner seemed promising; there was only one hooded figure seated there and they didn't seem to interested in conversation either. He sat down and focused on his fire lizards. Sahar was eager to take the food from his fingers and focused more on filling her belly than her surroundings. Hari, on the other hand, was easily distracted by their silent tablemate, and kept stealing glances in her direction. R'hard had tried not to stare at her (at least he thought it was a her under that hood) out of politeness, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was familiar.

[shinska]

Aela stopped eating when someone joined her. The food tumbled from her fingers and she whimpered. She wanted to see him not have him sit at the one table where she was at. She hissed at him. "Do NOT tell anyone I am here. And keep those Firelizards quiet." Aela looked around. "I heard there was a Gather. A chance to see my friend again was something I could not pass up." She shifted the hood a bit so R'hard could see her face then the hood was back where it was.

Leaning forward she held out food to the Firelizards, "I had to disguise myself so I wouldn't be noticed. I take it the Weyr knows I joined the Rebellion?" She crooned softly to the Firelizards. WIth a sigh she said, "R'hard. I miss you. Don't try to ask me to come back because I won't.... at least not right now. Do you remember the conversation we had when I left?" She stared at him and smiled. It was good to be in his presence again. R'hard had a comforting aura and Aela had always been drawn to it. She lowered her voice, "You won't give me away will you R'hard? If not act normal. If so then let me know so I can make my escape."

With a grimace she went on, "I only came to see you. Talath wanted to come, but I couldn't allow it as she is too easily recognizable, but she misses you too." You CAN speak to Kaith you know. I'm not going to deny you that.

Excitement pricked through Aela. She felt Talath's excitement and heard the Obsidian call to the sleeping Brown. Kaith![/color] The Obsidian only said the Brown's name. Normally she didn't speak, but she missed her closest friend and was looking forward for a chance to speak to him again.

[Kitsuneko]

R'hard had just taken a drink from his cup when Aela revealed herself. Though he managed to avoid a full-on spit-take, he coughed and sputtered on the wine and he was sure at least some of it dribbled down his chin unbecomingly. He hastily wiped his sleeve over his mouth and shot a glare at Aela. "Are you mad? It's too dangerous for you to be here, someone will recognize you--someone besides me, that is."

He didn't have to worry about keeping the flitters quiet. Hari was happy to see a familiar face, particularly one who was feeding him, and hummed contentedly. Sahar, on the other hand, hissed at Aela as she felt R'hard's own shock, but it quickly passed and the green settled down again. Before long, she was back to ignoring the other human's presence entirely as she ate. R'hard sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Well, I suppose you're safe enough with your disguise," he allowed, "But it's still dangerous. And yes, they know. I didn't even have to say anything; they no doubt figured out where you went once you and Talath failed to return."

She smiled at him, and despite himself, R'hard returned it. He had missed her, he admitted. Curse women and their wily ways. He realized they might start drawing attention soon and he went back to eating his meal. When he did continue, it was with a lowered voice and a roll of his eyes that he couldn't quite stop. "Of course I'm not going to turn you in. I may not agree with you about the Rebellion, but I'm still your friend, and I have no great love for Ar'rex and S'vrin; for that matter, I doubt Iirla and J'dol do either."

He hesitated, staring at Aela for a moment, before continuing. "It is good to see you, though I would have felt better if you were safe at the Rebellion Headquarters."

He "nudged" Kaith's mind to see how he was doing; the dragon woke quickly from his catnap and was surprised to hear Talath talking to him. He sat up with a yawn and looked around him. Talath? Are you at the Gather as well?

[shinska]

No. If I was there then Aela would be in more danger than she already is. I'm still at the Rebellions Headquarters.[/color] She sent love and happiness to Kaith. She missed the Brown.

Aela gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you R'hard. I know you would rather I not come, but I just wanted to see you again." She grinned when he said that Iirla and J'dol had no love for the two Dragonriders. "That's good to hear R'hard. Iirla and J'dol have good senses then. And so do you." She quickly touched R'hard's hand. The touch sent a jolt through her before she let go.

The woman sighed, "I shouldn't be surprised. People who disappear tend to get noticed." She shrugged and continued eating. She stroked Hari gently, "Your a good boy aren't you?" She crooned to the Firelizard. "I wish I could stay longer. Maybe even dance for a bit with you, but of course I have to go soon. Though I might get something at one of the stalls before I go." She gave a small laugh, "It would remind me of taking this risk to see my favorite person."

[Kitsuneko]

Ah. It is good to hear from you again. Are you and Yours doing well there? Kaith asked.

R'hard looked down as Aela touched his hand. At times like this, he wished he could just go with her and leave everyone at Trelis behind...but that idea never lasted very long. He glanced at Hari, who was still crooning at Aela's attention.

He gave her a curt nod as she mentioned she would be leaving soon. "That's probably for the best." He gave her a smile. "I was wondering whether or not to get another fire lizard egg, myself, when I was looking at the stalls earlier. Either way, stay safe, but try to enjoy yourself, alright?"

[shinska]

I am well as is Mine. Hopefully you and I will see each other again soon.[/color] Talath responded wistfully.

Aela giggled, "Maybe I can too. After all Crest, Talath, and Spots are too easily recognized, but I could get a Firelizard who no one would recognize and train him or her as a messenger." She stroked Hari before leaning over as if to whisper something, but instead kissed R'hard's cheek. "Though I won't risk either of us by sending you too many messages. Just the messages that would be the most important. I miss you."

Aela pushed the plate forward to Hari, "I'm no longer hungry. You and Sahar are welcome to it. Be good you two. Keep R'hard safe, he's important... a really great friend." She smiled at her friend and disappeared into the shadows to get a souvenir before she left the Gather.