Gather and Gather Along!

Writers: Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 26th February 2018

Characters: Ilyssia, A'kua, Firelloa, Karlin, Bellarria, Gregstin
Description: Ready for the festivities!
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 9 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Dyosha

Karlin NPC borrowed with permission from Jelena

Ilyssia

With so much to do around the Weyr, duties included, when her downtime came around, Ilyssia didn't even want to leave even though she could. But this was different. She was charged up and ready to go because she had _earned_ this, and it had been ages since her last Gather. Yesterday had been transport duty for her and several other riders, including her weyrmate, but now, with Marks in a belt pouch and hidden in the seams of her gaily embroidered tunic, it was time to have some fun. And with luck, she would even find her foster mother Dyosha's caravan out in Amber Hills and have a chance to treat her to some Gather goodies.

Now all they had to do was actually walk out there and make it happen, but there was a small hangup.

"What are they talking about?" Firelloa asked impatiently, practically jigging from foot to foot. Tinate chirped at her indignantly as he clung to the padding in her shirt's shoulder.

"We're going to miss everything if they take too long," Karlin added, just as eager to start having fun as his friend. He had been working so diligently in his Candidate classes, he was due a break as well.

Ilyssia glanced over to where A'kua was looming over Gregstin, Bellarria's beau, some meters out. "Judging by the look on Gregstin's face, A'kua is giving him the 'if you ever hurt my stepmother in any way, no one will ever find your body' talk," she mused.

The older woman sighed and shook her head. "Oh, goodness. He doesn't need to do that."

"You want to try telling him to stop?" Firelloa sassed.

"He believes he does, technically. I mean, if he upsets you, then Firelloa is upset, and she's our responsibility while she's living at the Weyr," Ilyssia said in a practical way. Then she turned and raised her voice. "HEY! A'kua, _in case you didn't notice_, we have a _Gather_ to get to!"

The bronzerider jumped, and Zeiranth and Gwynnyth snickered within their minds. Darlin and Firelloa chuckled together, and Bellarria politely hid an amused smirk. A'kua and Gregstin hurried over, the holder mouthing a quick *thank you* to Ilyssia before he took Bellarria's hand in his.

A'kua cleared his throat. "Right, so you two have your Marks secured?" he asked of his sister and her friend, receiving eager nods in return. "And you know what to do if trouble finds you?" He didn't think they would wander too far from either pair of adults, being responsible sorts, but it didn't hurt to ask.

"We run back and let you or Ilyssia handle it instead," Firelloa said promptly.

"And we'll get them out of the way if needed. It shouldn't be, but you never know," Gregstin put in helpfully, getting an approving nod from Bellarria.

"Good." A'kua smoothed his sister's hair, nodded to Karlin, and patted Tinate on the head. "All right then, let's go have a Gather."

The kids whooped and took off at a run, Tinate making a noise like a yell as he hung on for dear life, and Bellarria and Gregstin hastened after them, laughingly calling after them to slow down.

"At least they'll be tired by the end of the day," Ilyssia remarked.

"A tired child is a well-behaved child," A'kua agreed.

The greenrider nudged him with a laugh. "Firelloa and karlin are always well-behaved, you lout."

The bronzerider half smiled, and even that was a relief to see. His smiles had been rare for several sevendays. But today would be different. Everyone was going to have a fantastic time, especially Ilyssia. Gathers were meant for gaiety, and it was going to happen no matter what.

Smiling herself, Ilyssia tugged on her weyrmate's hand. "C'mon, let's go catch up and see what there is to see."

Last updated on the February 28th 2018

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Gather and Gather Along!