Who

F'mond, Neryk, Agertha

What

Party in the Underground promises free food, pretty lights and old faces

When

It is sunset of the tenth day of the third month of the sixteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Underground Lake

OOC Date 05 Feb 2019 07:00

 

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Underground Lake

With no wind to rustle its surface, the lake under the earth is as glass and every bit as clear. Fed by aquifers, its level remains consistently predictable. Far from existing in only a solid body of water, the lake invades several chambers, vanishes even further underground, only to reappear in a different zone. Depth varies to a few inches to a hundred feet or more as it follows even more ancient courses into the multi-colored bedrock. Sound readily carries over the slate-smooth water, internally enhanced by the confine of rock all around. Slim, lightweight boats, most large enough for only one person, are in modest abundance. Stitched with animal hide, they're used for fishing, racing, and exploring the cave's massive inner depths.


Now, F'mond is a simple man and pretty lights normally wouldn't be his thing, but a little avian has been going around the weyr talking up about all the FOOD the Underground has set out and so, here he is. It's nearing sunset, but that doesn't matter too much when all the light has to be brought in anyways. If anything, even more glow baskets have been brought out as the crowd grows. The slightly cleaned up bronzerider looks a little out of place since his 'best' leathers are still a bit worn and definitely not gather best, but he's mingling. And heading in the direction that smells like roasted porcine. "Is that a whole hog I spot?" It might be wishful thinking since there's a whole host of people between him and any food, but most people do seem to be heading in that direction.

Something social? Free liquor and food? Likely a night of noise and life and dancing and people? So many people. This is not Neryk's usual haunt, however here he is, his stars flying above the crowd in lazy circles with a host of other firelizard here following thier bonds. Neryk's eyes flick up to the flashes of color that he knows are his, before moving back to the world around him. The lights will catch Neryk's attention breifly, he almost comes to a stop, looking over the glowing with a quiet awe. Perhaps this could be a good thing. He moves with the flow of people, his usually loose clothing perhaps a bit tidier than usual, but really, if he was to spend any amount of time here, liquor would be required. Yes. Liquor first. One hand shifts to the leather bag at his side, tapping on it lightly to ensure the one firelizard asleep within wouldn't be hurt as he moves through the crowd away from the food and toward the spread of tankards. If only the rest of the crowds could read minds and shift as his own terjectory shifted, instead, Neryk finds himself bumping into someone, another someone, "Awe, sorry, pardon. 'Scuse me. Pardon-" Neryk holds the little leather back to his chest as wading through the celebrators grows harder and he fianlly just comes to a stop and stands there.

Social niceties that he doesn't dare break require that F'mond stand in line and not just break ahead towards the food like a free for all, but that doesn't mean the man's happy about it. Slowly, ever so slowly the line inches forward, but somehow anytime he might be thinking about abandoning this whole party endeavor, the succulent smell of roasting meat reaches his nose. He's occupied taking in a big ol' whiff of that delicious smell and automatically takes a step further but runs into an unexpected roadblock. "Heeeeey!" The objection jumps forward immediately as if he isn't partially to blame for running into anything.

"Hi? Oh, I'm sorry." Stopping was one thing, stopping in the middle of a flow of a line is another. Neryk hugs the leather back and looks at the person, "Hey? Awe, no, no, I'm sorry. Here, I'll just-" Neryk steps to the side, instantly steping into someone else's way, "Oh no, no sorry, pardon me, let me just-" There are too many people here. A chittering above starts up as Neryk steps back again, his distress starting up as it would seem moving and standing still are both getting him no where.

F'mond might be a grump, but a part of it immediately evaporates once he recognizes a slightly familiar face as the one he was heeeeying at and one hand just waves it away. "Nah, nevermind." And that's the closest as he'll get to a sorry. Ever. "Just get on back here." He nods his head to the spot in front of him. "Otherwise all that waiting's gonna have been a waste?"

"What? Um. Sure. Okay. Yes." Neryk steps back into the clear spot, one hand tapping the leather bag again, "What is the waiting here for?" Neryk looks at the man, but not quite. It is almost like the moment that his eyes focus on the bronze rider, they start to dart away again, unwilling or unable to quite meet his savior's gaze. He hugs the leather bag and from above, a little queen swoops down, her chittering starting to quiet as she curls around Neryk's neck, eyes narrowing on F'mond as if he might be the cause of distress. "Thank you. Awe. Um. It's …Um, F'mmm… .F'mond?"

F'mond gives a satisfied nod as Neryk doesn't do something crazy like just bolt away. And then he settles back into waiting his own turn with arms crossed. As for why they're waiting, he shrugs. "Food, I hear. Hope it's worth it." The last is said as he casts a dubious eye towards the corner the line is snaking towards. There's a cluster of lanterns set up as if it's something important. And some folks are happily walking away from that direction. And not meeting eye gaze is just fine with the older man since he's more concerned with scratching his stubble and looking anywhere else as well. But the mention of his name has him looking over and nodding. "Yeah. F'mond. and bro— uh, F'mond." The forced cough after probably doesn't do much to hide the awkwardly abrupt diversion from mentioning his own dragon's name.

Food? That was good, he could do food then liquor. Sure. Yes. This was okay. This was okay. Any less forced and Neryk might have missed it, as it is, his eyes settle on F'mond's knot and stay there. "Oh. And… And who? I'm sorry, um, I don't recall, but, I want to know. I mean-if you don't mind me-um, you know, knowing." His own wing he would never stumble with, but other names and memories are a fog that belongs to someone who is not here now. "I, awe-yeah. I'm Neryk. This is Seren. Pollux is asleep. Alz-" There is a squeak from the bag and Neryk nearly drops it, catching a strap and opening the flap, "Pollux was a sleep-" Neryk scoops the mottled bronze firelizard out with one hand, moving the strap of the bag back over his shoulder.

Being called out like that has F'mond turning a bit red as he runs a hand across the back of his neck. "Travith. I didn't want to uh, yeah." No offense taken, as he stumbles around like any of his own words might cause an unintended offense anyways. "Those are nice names." He nods as the firelizards are named off. "My own Flit is somewhere. Probably with Trav." And yes, the little bronze is so creatively named.

"Travith." Neryk nods, then smiles a light one, he shifts uneasily, "Don't worry about it. I-awe-There is no easy anything, but I…well-" He nods, then shakes his head, "Don't worry about that. I'd like to meet Travith again sometime. If he is comfortable with it, and I am sure your Flit would like my stars." this is followed by another nod and Neryk returns to hugging the now-empty leather bag, eyes on the ground, "Where do you fly now? you where a lower flight I think?"

F'mond nods along. "Travith he well, he's like most." A blessed thing about draconic memory being so fleeting is losses can fade so quickly. "If you need a ride back, we'll be around." And the bull-headed bronze can definitely be talked into taxi-duty. As for Flit's feelings, he smiles. "Probably, unless one of them's trying to take the last food scrap." Then there might be some fighting squeaks! There's another neck rub at the mention of flights. "Was Sandblast for ages. Took a bad hit about two and a half turns ago… didn't really fly much with Mirage but…" He shrugs. "And now we're in Parhelion." Up, down, mid. Covers just about all the flights.

"Perhaps that would be a problem, but mine are usually rather well behaved, they can share, I'm sure. Or perhaps not? But I'd like to meet Flit. I have a wingmate flying me home tonight, but thank you." Another nod at the flights and Neryk's smile grows, "You two are sure on the best if you have moved around so much. Congradulations on Parhelion! That is every exciting!" He hums lighlty to himself and nods, looking around again and again finding the lights to be one of the best things to look at that wasn't people.

Agertha has been in here the whole time. She's currently seated at one of the many tables with a mug of klah held between her hands. Agertha's not cold, she enjoys the cooler months. Like Neryk, she's looking around at the lights and spies him, "Neryk," she calls as she stands to move towards her one time wingmate, and clutchmate. She has something for the man, if she can remember which pocket she stuffed it in?

Sun has set not too long ago, but the Underground Hold is bustling. A crowd has formed into a loose line that's just barely crawling forward as the smell of delicious, delicious food. F'mond and Neryk are chatting and getting closer and closer to the front although there's still a solid wall of people before they can make eye contact with whatever they're waiting for. The bronzerider gives a nod and a few seconds later, obediently a young bronze firelizard comes and lands on his shoulder. "Flit, as requested." The bronze gives a croon towards Neryk. At Agertha's arrival, F'mond takes a step back. "Your ride?" As for his own wing shuffling, he shrugs. "Don't think any of the moves were voluntary." Injuries do that.

"Hello Flit, I am Neryk and this is Seren and Pollux and Castor and-" Neryk cuts off on seeing Agertha. Neryk lights up, instantly the queen vanishes from around Neryk's neck and to fluttering around Agertha, cooing brightly, "No, not my ride, but a once-wingmate. Kes hatched with Eoroannuth." He waves, "Agertha, this is F'mond, from Sandblast, do you remember?" Neryk didn't, but the smile is unwavering and the words seem sure, "We are waiting to get food." Because liquor has been forgotten at this point.

A child's drawing of Neryk, and his firelizards is finally produced. It depicts a bright winter day, and the fair is mostly in flight with one curled on the top of Neryk's head, "Well met F'mond," she looks at F'mond for a moment, then the drawing is handed to Neryk, "I think my memory's becoming very like Kes'. Grystan drew this for you. Said he thought it could brighten up your living space," such a thoughtful child. So unlike his sister, "Oh, I should probably do something about eating, and hello Seren. I'm sorry I don't have any tidbits today. Rebel decided she was extra hungry today," greedy gut of a green.

"Originally Sandblast. Now Parhelion," F'mond corrects as he cranes his head towards the table. And speaking of food, there it is! And it was a whole hog that was roasting. Along with plenty of steamed veggies. Little pockets of some sort of dumplings and plenty of cookies and candies. "Finally!" The man lets out a sigh of relief even as he starts loading up a plate. "Well met and clear skies." Now that he's got the food, F'mond's going to find himself somewhere AWAY from people to eat it, even if that means going out and sitting on his own dragon's tail.

"Awe," Neryk's eyes widen as he takes the parchement, "It's beautiful, I will hang it right above Pollux's collections. Tell him, will you? It's beautiful…" Neryk's eyes run over the picture again, and he nods yet again, "Yes, this will light up my rooms, definatly." Neryk's attentiont flicks to the food breifly before carefully stowing the parchement away in the leather bag, "Clear skies F'mond!" Seren chirps again, but doesn't seem to take Rebel's stomche personally. She flutters around Agertha again before landing back on Neryk's shoulder, "Awe, um, join me for the meal?"

"I'd be delighted to," Agertha says in answer to Neryk's invitation, "And I will tell him you like the picture. Grys was worried you wouldn't," again, quite the opposite of his sister, "I've been busy with my new wing," the knot for Tumbleweed is newish, as is the wing's patch on her jacket, "How've you been?" because Agertha hasn't seen the man in far too long for her liking.
"Always, I always like his stuff, but I'm happy to have a peice for my home." he nods and taps the leather bag again, "Thank him, yes." He selects a plate himself and starts to fill it before stepping back to wait for Agertha to fill a plate, "Tumbleweed, yes, congratulations! I'm sure you are both doing amazing!" The smile falters as Neryk seems to notice that the massive amount of people here has not diminished, he nods again, "Awe, maybe step away a bit? Watch the lights?"

Agertha gets a plate and fills it as well, "I have a spot," if it hasn't been cleared, "The lights are beautiful," Agertha says as she joins Neryk, and glances towards where she'd been seated. Yes! Her mug is still in place, "I don't know, did you ever get a chance to meet Ramia?" she just can't remember.

"Ramia? Awe, no, I don't think I have? But maybe? I don't keep things as well as I should, I think?" He will follow Agertha to the table and settle down, starting to rip little peices of meat off of his plate and feeding them one at a time to Seren. It is only a few moments before the bronze and two blues appear to beg as well, "Can I meet Ramia?"

Agertha chuckles at the familiar antics of firelizards, "Not right away. She's up to High Reaches with her father, and his weyrmate. I got a letter the other day from Lemia stating that she was going to bring Ramia to Igen for a seven or two," she won't admit it, but Agertha does miss her youngest child. Gigan pops in at that moment to beg for scraps, "You. You're almost as bad as Rebel. Gigan's not half starved no matter how hard he tries to convince people he is."

"I would love to meet her! I kinda met her when she was not yet here, but not since she arrived." For the first time, it seems to occur to Neryk that he really hasn't seen Agertha in a while. How did that happen? They live in the same weyr, but such different worlds. Odd to think about, but not something he is going to let himself spiral into right now, "Next time she is here, send me a note. I'll be there and try to get some time with her before she is away again." Neryk doesn't seem to hear Agertha as Gigan appears, simplly offering another scrap forward, "Hello Gigan, this is Castor and-" No, they already know eachother. Neryk will take a bite of his own food

Agertha gives a nod, and a chuckle, "He'll gladly take tid bits from anyone," it occurs to her that her children, and her firelizards are studies in opposites, "I nearly broke my leg a few sevens back. The glow baskets I line the path to my weyr with had been removed," by whom Agerthha doesn't know. She'll take a bite of her own food, and look at that light up near the top of the cavern, "Those lights really are beautiful," she comments absently, "The twins wold be fascinated by them," and Grystan would be busy sketching the whole thing, "I think Grys could make a good harper."

"Awe, I'm glad you are okay, I hope you where able to get new glows?" His attention turns to the lights around, "It's a shame they can't see them. But, perhaps you can bring one back for them? I'm sure the Underground wouldn't mind." Neryk watches the lights and nods, "I think you are right, He probebly would make an amazing Harper. Have you brought him to the guild?"

Agertha gives a light shake to her head, "No, but the Weyr's harper's been giving him extra lessons," in art, in music, in composition, "He does have a knack. Right now he's too young to apprentice, but he has expressed an interest," and far be it from her to hold her childen back in the persuit of what interests them, "Annis shows a knack for healing. Though I'm told during Threadfall she'll hide in the darkest corner she can find, and curl in on herself. I can't get her to tell me why she does that, maybe you would have better luck?" after all the twins have a deep trust in the dragonless man seated with her, "She used to hear Kestrath, but says she doesn't anymore," Agertha says in a tone that says she does't quite believe her daughter.

Neryk is quiet, picking at his food, but mostly feeding it to his lizards, eyes remaining on the lights. He nods, then shrugs as the default of nodding doesn't seem to fit here, "I don't know. Maybe. I could try, but… . I know that feeling. I couldn't stand Thread, I couldn't stand being here, but I couldn't stand being away. I …I don't know, I can talk to her if you want me to, but… . I just. I don't think that this place is good for everyone. I don't think the weyr is always a kind place. It is where I need to be. But it took a long time to come to that and Thread is evil. It is so very, very bad I can't… well, I… " There are no words and the stubling of trying to get thoughts into sentences will stop into another shrug, "I can try if you want me to."

Agertha nods in understanding, "Thank you, and yes. I have to agree. Weyr life isn't for everyone. Yet when I suggest she foster with my sister in High Reaches she steadfastly refuses," yes Agertha understands. She also understands how stubborn her daughter can be, "Neryk," she doesn't know what to say all of a sudden. She takes a bite of her meal then finishes her thought, "She trusts you. She talks more with people she trusts who aren't me," it doesn't bother Agertha. She's done her best to encourage the headstrong attitude that defines Annis, along with a strong independence.

"High Reaches is nice, she could go live with my family, they are Healers, I was apprenticed as a Healer before all that, but, well, I guess if here is where she wants to be… . " Neryk shrugs again before pushing the rest of his plate toward his little stars, the lizards decend on it with gusto. Neryk plays with the fork, a slight tention returning to his frame, his words growing hesitant again, "Agertha… I am… one of the worst people on the planet to talk about futures to. I …I am one of the only people I know who has no grip on …anything. And the others I've met who …well, I'm doing better than some, but worst than others and. . I… I will talk to Annis if you want me to, if she wants to, but I…you know better than most, that I am …awe… words for, I don't know. It's, it's, it's, I don't know. Okay, sometimes? And not, others? I'm not the person people go to, to talk about moving on."

Agertha nods as Rebel decides to pop in, "It's alright," she will get to the bottom of what's troubling her daughter. Eventually, "I'm going to have to head back, would you like a ride? Kes would love seeing you," because Neryk has a special place in the green's heart, "and it's alright if you don't want a lift back from me," sometimes Agertha has a hard time looking at Neryk, "It's okay, really."

Neryk hesitates again, "Awe, awe, no, no, I'd love a ride back. And um … . how about, you . . ask Annis. And if she wants to talk to me, send me a lizard and… I can take her to the lake or something and… that. . I mean I… ." Neryk taps the table and nods twice before standing and nodding again, hands move to pockets, "I want t' try." His lizards start to zip around him, one to each shoulder, one to the head and one to flop into his arms, finally Neryk manages to look up and offer a smile, "I'd love to see Kes, and I would love to talk to Annis."

Agertha nods as she stands, and almost imediately the dishes are cleared away, "Alright," and she's heading back towards Kestrath who will croon in greeting to Neryk, "She says she's glad to see you're well," and up she goes to settle between two neck ridges. They'll be back to the Weyr in no time, and Agertha will drop Neryk near to the bazaar before heading home to her weyr.

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