Covert Meeting (adventuring party)

[Alsivor]

(Set before "Departure" and after "Preparation")

Aleda had read everything she was allowed to read and everything she'd wheedled out of G'tet to get for her from Records. She wondered even if she could get him to take her to Harper Hall or to Healer Hall and if /he/ asked to see certain things and she pretended to just be his drudge or something, if they could get a closer look at some things she wanted to look at. Time was running short if the rumors about the eggs were true and fighting this illness was no laughing matter.

She had sat for a long while with Giana and the other sabedoria dropping hints until the older ones started talking tales of old and worked around to the plague and each one had her own tale handed down from her teacher and her teacher's teacher and so on all the way back to the Pass more than a hundred turns ago. Aleda had listened and listened closely, more closely than ever before, more closely than when she was a child and the tales were told around the fire. She knew there was a little exaggeration here and there, but best to know, best to hear it all and remember. Every bit of knowledge was valuable for this fight.

This was also why she had asked G'tet to request that the others meet again. And she had shown him where exactly she wanted this meeting to take place. Not in the Weyr where curious eyes would follow them but out in the lands beyond the Bowl walls. Not the usual clearing but another she'd run across, open enough to allow dragons to land but out of eye and earshot from the most of the Weyr.

She had everything with her, prepared to speak about what she had learned and wanting to know what /they/ knew. She had warnings to give and things to explain and she re-arranged the herbs on the flat stone to one side of the clearing again, touched the tight packets of needlethorn gently as they gleamed dangerously in the afternoon sun.

The question of course lingered, would they come? Would they listen to a greenrider and a Caminar healer?

[Invisible]

Despite the upcoming hatching G’tet had found ways to get Genet out of some chores so they might spend more time together. She had been happy enough to get out of chores and he had assuaged some guilt about leaving her here alone for some undisclosed amount of time while he was off saving Pern. Still, when Aleda had asked for his assistance he had been quick to lend it. There was no sense them not all being prepared. No sense not doing all they could so they could do their job and get home safely.

When shown where the meeting would be he had dutifully passed on the meeting request to the others in the group selected. He left Genet to her candidate chores the day of the meeting and with Kalpeth appeared over the head of the Caminar woman below. Kalpeth, excited about going somewhere even if it was just by the Weyr, trilled before banking downwards and landing a safe distance from the woman on the ground. Likely after being reminded by her rider to not squish the healer below thank you. Once on the ground G’tet dismounted and grabbed a sack secured to the straps on the green. With this under his arm he headed for where Aleda was.

“I brought a small bite for us to eat. And a skin of wine. Riders are more likely to stick around if we’re being fed.” He set the sack on the ground by his feet but didn’t dig anything out yet. Looking around he grinned before winking at Aleda. “Always the first one here. I guess it just gives me more time with you. That’s not something to sneeze at.” Why are you sneezing? Did you get sick? Did she make you sick? Make her fix you! G’tet chuckled as he looked at where Kalpeth was studying the two people before finding something more interesting in the grass to watch. I'm fine, beauty. Of course you are!

[Alsivor]

Aleda gave the herbs a final pat and looked up as dragonwings approached. Green ... ah. Kalpeth and G'tet. She's pretty much figured on them coming and that they'd be first. She straightened and watched Kalpeth land, a fond little smile curving her lips as the pair arrived. She liked G'tet and the way he so easily threw himself into everything. He wasn't actually what one usually thought of when thinking 'greenrider'.

"Always," Aleda echoed with a merry laugh as he approached and nodded about the provender. "Excellent thinking, my friend, thank you kindly for that help. I do not think like a rider, of course." She reached to rest a hand briefly on his forearm then laughed again at the quip. "Be still my beating heart?" she bantered back and leaned against the rock, looking up towards the sky. "Do you think that they will come, G'tet? I cannot really understand why J'fel did not organize us better. What in Faranth's name are we supposed to do with 'Go to this place. Fight the plague. Have a nice day. Thank you very much for serving.' I question sometimes whether or not the Weyrleader is all right in the head."

[Invisible]

“Well,” G’tet answered with a grin to that first comment about thinking like a rider, “The truth is, it’s not even that we’re riders so much as were men. Constant empty stomachs. That’s what my mother always said anyway. No matter how grown we are.” He switched his gaze from Aleda to the sky as if expecting his view to be speckled by riders any moment now. What his gaze finally settled on was Kalpeth and she must have said something because the greenrider chuckled and held out his arm to Aleda. “Shall we? The beautiful Kalpeth would like to meet you.” Again, yes, but he had warned her about that.

To her serious question he had to give some thought. “I do not know, Aleda. They might? Surely P’nset will come? He was Caminar before he impressed. He will not think lightly of your request.” He didn’t think anything of labeling the man no longer Caminar. He was, after all, a rider now. That trumped everything. “As for J’fel, ah.” It was not wise to speak ill of one’s Weyrleader, but G’tet wasn’t sure what to make of it. “I think not organizing us was meant to insure the job got done. No leader to keep someone from doing what should be done, you see? As riders we’re expected to be able to think and determine the best course of action. Surely it is the same for one in your position. You do not need someone telling you what to do?” How neatly he judged the question of J’fel’s sanity.

[Alsivor]

"Ohh, I see. The way to a man's head is through his stomach then?" Aleda said gaily, eyes dancing as she regarded the greenrider. "And I believe my mother probably says something similar. Men are always boys at heart." Laughing again, she took his arm and nodded. "I would be delighted. Kalpeth is very lovely."

As they walked, she listened to him, also looking up at the sky again from time to time. "P'nset? Ah. I thought perhaps this was so but was not sure." That sparked interest in Aleda's eyes but then she looked long at G'tet for his words on the Weyrleader. "That is a very interesting way to look at it, but not particularly a good way to tackle such an illness. We need to know what we are up against and what we are all doing. If we act as separate body parts with no head, the heart will die." She smiled though at his last and leaned against his arm a little. "No. I do not."

[Invisible]

Here, Kal. Aleda wants to meet you. This is Aleda. G’tet watched the green as she dismissed whatever flower had her attention and focused on the woman with her rider. She is very smart to want to meet me. I am very pretty. Poor G’tet stuck with two pretty females while awaiting the arrival of the others. Before formal introductions were made he stopped near where the green was to address Aleda’s concerns. “Well, we’ll know what each other is doing. Even if we’re separated our dragons can keep us informed. So long as you’re with me I can make sure no one leaves you out of the loop although I cannot imagine they will since you’re our healer.” No worries at all from G’tet. It was all something of a lark for him. He shared his twin’s sense of adventure and although he understood things were serious he couldn’t help but be more excited than anything.

“J’fel usually knows what he was doing. We just have to give him a little trust and if things need changing up when we get to wherever it is we’re going, well.” Here he stopped so he might grin mischievously. “Well, it’s not like he’ll be around to stop us.” Patting Aleda’s arm he let it drop so he might take a half step forward and turn to see both dragon and Caminar. “Aleda, this is the most beautiful of all, Kalpeth.” He bowed towards his green who preened under the show of it all. “Kalpeth, this is the most beautiful of all, Aleda.” He winked at Aleda before bowing to her as well. “Any man would count himself lucky to be in such company.” Kalpeth stared at Aleda before telling G’tet She is different. But that is fine by me. If you want to mate with her go ahead. He should have seen it coming, but he didn't so the laughter that burst out of the greenrider was in no way stifled.

[Alsivor]

Patiently, Aleda made much of admiring Kalpeth. She was beginning to understand just a little bit about the green from speaking with G'tet. And the repeated 'introductions'. So she humored both green and rider. This was perhaps the most interesting part of living at the Weyr: getting to know dragons and more about them, though most seemed to stick close with their riders. Kalpeth though, seemed to be just ... sweet. Endlessly sweet. Even if perhaps she reminded Aleda of a senile old auntie a little with the way her memory worked.

The sabedoria turned a little to regard G'tet and she chuckled softly. "I forget that you may speak so at a distance. But ... I'm Caminar, G'tet. /And/ a woman. Other than P'nset, who of the others would trust me so? No, if I am to be kept in the loop, yes, it will be through you, or because I am able to show them that I am able. But this is something that I am used to." Her mouth twisted a little wryly, though her good humor persisted. "I argue about it with my father all the time."

She quieted, listening about J'fel and then shot the greenrider a slightly skeptical look. "G'tet, J'fel is a boy. A boy who has been a leader for how long?" Her head shook back and forth a few times. "He is pretending to know what he is doing, trying to be what he should be. And no he will not be around, but all the more important for us to share what we know. Especially me, so you will all know what to do to keep yourselves from falling ill at least."

Aleda let it drop though as he patted her arm and stepped away a little. "Hello Kalpeth, aren't you lovely?" she said succinctly, dropped a little curtsey and held a hand up. Her laughter rang out at the nature of the renewed introduction. "G'tet, you are a flirt," she accused him merrily even as he laughed too, even if she did not know the nature of /his/ merriment. Impulsively she stepped forward to offer the greenrider a hug, to land a kiss on his cheek. "Good thing that I am too." The sky drew her attention again though, quiet and empty and she sighed softly. Still waiting.

[Invisible]

“Women are not hopeless,” G’tet said with a laugh. “Or at least that’s what my sister tells me. Usually while pummeling me for some imagined slight. But, I get your meaning. Do not worry I shall make sure you are kept in the loop one way or the other.” The introductions were fun, a way to cut into the seriousness of the entire situation. It was all well and good to be serious, but one must never forget to have a little fun. Otherwise what’s the point in doing anything?

More words on the Weyrleader to digest and G’tet let out a sigh. “Well, I know that, Aleda. But I am one of his riders. It is my job to stand by him and assure the rest of the people that he will do a fine job. I am not so sure he will not. We can but do what we can with what he said. Because I doubt we’ll get anything else. Your assistance in keeping us healthy is invaluable. It is appreciated. At least by me.”

At being called a flirt G’tet laughed and even nearly blushed. “Well, that I am. But, I am a greenrider and it is expected of me. Especially since I am so handsome.” He returned the hug offered to him and blushed once more at the kiss. When he chuckled again he felt compelled to explain, “Kalpeth has quite gotten the wrong idea. She thinks we came out here to lie together. I do apologize for her assumptions, but you should feel quite honored to know she has approved of such activities. Not that I am trying to! Not that you’re not pretty, but- Well, I do wonder where they are?” The flustered rider turned his attention to the sky as well.

[neopanther]

Sarjenth blinked into existence far above the line of trees, and came descending through the clouds that lined the sky, P’nset upon his back. The Pairing twirled down towards the clearing they had been told to meet at, well, that was certainly easier than he thought. The area was further from the Weyr, but it was safe enough that they could hear what was coming, the trees didn’t look to dense, and they were wide enough for a dragon to land – fortunately.

Sarjenth slowed his pace, dropping it down to a bare glide, hovering for a moment before landing as softly as the brown could down in the clearing.

P’nset ran his hand over the beast’s hid, slapping down his hand with a noise muffled slightly by his riding gloves, pulling the free, and holding them between his teeth for a moment as he undone the straps and slid from Sarjenth to the floor.

He removed the gloves from his mouth, tucking them into his belt, Sarjenth settled down again, peacefully Good day to you Kalpeth. The brown gave a content rumble as he addressed the green.

P’nset frowned, just as he went to greet the fair, brows knitting together, before he spoke with an unusually Caminar-ish accent. “Hello, I hope I’m not interrupting something,” He looked at G’tet who looked rather flustered, he thought better of continuing upon this track, and went into his apology, “My apologies Aleda, I was waylaid by a few unfortunate events within my wing, and well, B’nek has hardly been around to deal with them, thus, it falls to me.” His tone was soft as ever, “I could not leave any earlier than this." He offered weakly.

[Alsivor]

"Hopeless? Certainly not," Aleda shook her head and chuckled about the rider's sister. "Good for her, not letting you get away with any ideas," she quipped, then favored him with a warm smile for the promise of keeping her in the loop.

Of the Weyrleader: "Is that your job, G'tet? No one can question?" she murmured thoughtfully then Aleda smiled again as he named his appreciation and laughed finally once more, hand reaching up now to tousle his hair. "Is that what's expected of every greenrider?" His explanation of Kalpeth's misapprehension only earned him a wicked grin to match the spark in her eyes and she leaned in close again for a moment, mouth open to speak, when P'nset's Sarjenth dropped down out of the sky and she stepped back. "Aha! You were right," she told the greenrider and turned with a swirl of skirts to greet P'nset. "Thank you for coming Wingsecond. May we expect your Wingleader as well?" And then she added words of welcome in Noestacan and held a hand out to him. "We will wait a little longer for any of the others who choose to come."

[Invisible]

“Oh, it’s not my job,” G’tet says with a grin. “But a good rider tries to support his weyrleader. Our job is to fight thread, but there is none. So, we have to pass the time in other ways.” G’tet might have continued to flirt, but the brownrider’s arrival put a stop to that. He stepped away from Aleda, but only by half a step. They were doing nothing wrong so he wasn’t going to act like he was.

“I’m always right,” the greenrider tells Aleda before turning to grin a greeting to the wingsecond. “Hello, P’nset. It’s good to see you. Once people are all gathered I have a few light refreshments while we listen to the most talented healer here.” G’tet was not going to entirely stop flirting because, well, greenrider and all. Besides, why should Kalpeth get to be the only one? The green was currently resettling herself so she might have a better view of the recently arrived brown. Hello! Have we met? I am Kalpeth-Oh! You know my name. We have met? I cannot believe I do not remember you. If she had eyelashes they would have fluttered at that last bit.

[neopanther]

A small rumble of amusement escaped the brown, Mine and I attended your hatching Kalpeth, We have been at the Weyr a long time. Around seventeen turns previous to the little green’s hatching in fact. But Sarjenth was aware she had a tentative memory. Do not worry on forgetting me I do not make myself stand out, thus I do not expect to be remembered. The brown said in an effort to placate her, despite his russet brown hide, he still managed to keep himself to himself, and not draw too much attention.

Smile broadened almost awkwardly upon P’nset, as the woman greeted him in a tongue he had not had a use for in quite a while. She was quite a lot younger than he, but he was farily used to this my now, it were almost a though no rider were older than he, what could expect of a Sabedoria? He returned her greeting in Noestacan, though his own tongue was a little harsher sounding than hers, likely due to a mildly different accent pressed upon him from living within the Weyr.

“Thank you both,” He nodded sharply, “Mmm. B’nek? I cannot say unfortunately, that man is a mystery even to myself.” He tried to keep his words light, but it was a substantial effort. “Aye, I have heard of Aleda’s talents, J’fel must have held her in high esteem to bring us to her.” He tried to vaguely compliment her upon this, but his words were ill chosen and didn’t overly get across what he meant, but he forgot that fact. “We shall wait then.” He paused for a moment, “Ah, Aleda, G’tet already knows, but This is Sarjenth, my brown, he’s getting on a little but he’s still as sturdy as ever.”
Aren’t we all?[/color] The brown called to His, as P’nset commented upon the dragon’s age. Tell her it is a pleasure to meet her. The brown looked at the young Caminar woman.
“He tells me that it is a pleasure for him to meet you.”

[Alsivor]

G'tet's I'm always right only earned a soft chuckle as Aleda murmured: "Loyalty is a good strong trait," and moved to greet P'nset. His further humor, the good-natured flirting made her smile all the more, but there was business to attend to. She could tease him about it or flirt back later.

P'nset's discomfort with her greeting let Aleda know that it had been a while since the brownrider had used the language frequently. She made no remark upon it though, smile remaining warm and welcoming. "It is good of you to come," she said simply to him, extending her hand to shake his and opened her mouth to disclaim J'fel's involvement in calling the meeting. "The Weyrleader -- " the words were already half out when she decided not to call P'nset on the matter, "-- is a very wise man," she continued with a mostly straight face.

The introduction to Sarjenth she treated with respect, dragonriders seemed to find this ritual of meeting the dragon as well as the person very important. So she dropped another curtsey: "It is also a pleasure for me, welll met Sarjenth." With all that out of the way, Aleda looked up at the sky again, then walked back to what she had laid out on the stone. "Perhaps a little to drink and eat while we wait, G'tet?" she suggested to him mildly and made another decision. "A few more minutes and then I will begin, if the others are not here, then we will simply have to tell them things /later/." Her chin set stubbornly about this, she was determined to make sure they knew what they needed to and to put a little bit of some kind of organization into this mission otherwise she was sure, they were doomed to fail. Or worse.

[Invisible]

You cannot have been at the Weyr that long Kalpeth told Sarjenth with a lilting laugh in her words. I am quite sure you are not old enough. What are you doing here? Is it not a lovely day for an outing? Is that why you are here? Kalpeth paid little attention to what the humans were doing being more interested in discourse with the brown.

Looking over at what Kalpeth was doing G’tet bit back a chuckle. She would do what she did. He’d learned that already and if it kept her happy to flirt with Sarjenth what was it to him? She was not due to rise that soon so there was nothing to worry about. Just harmless flirting and how could he blame her for that when he was doing it himself.

When Aleda said they should have something to eat G’tet headed for where he left the little snack. It was not much, just some bread and cheese and fruit with a skin of wine. Served in cups since there was no way to try to bring glasses that wouldn’t break. He had brought enough for everyone who might show, but wisely kept the extras out of sight in the bag. Wine poured and food laid on a single tray for everyone to share he laid it out on a rock and gestured. “M’lord, M’lady,” he says with a roguish grin and a flourishing bow, “Your repast is ready for your pleasure.”

---

[neopanther]

Sarjenth rumbled again with laughter, his amusement quitie plain now, the green had a charm about her, even if Sarjenth was almost oblivious to it.
I am sure my one would compliment you for that, however I am not fussed over my age The brown fibbed. Why am I here? I am here for the same reason as you, Jordeth’s has called us along with you and the Caminar girl for an important ‘quest’ I guess you might call it. Though, it is a lovely day for an outing. I enjoy being able to spread my wings every now and again. The brown wings flexed a little, ruffling them just a tad as he rearranged himself.

P’nset despaired a little. Was that dragon of his honestly showing off to Kalpeth? He made no noise, nor comment upon this. Sarjenth didn’t rise to flirtation, he just didn’t. P’nset might raise the topic later.
The brown eyes of P’nset looked upon the ‘feast’ prepared for them by G’tet. Though the male couldn’t resist the bantered line given from the green rider, “Thank you kind sir, and a feast it is.” Though, it didn’t quite sound so humorous when he said it. A little to cold of tone perhaps.

In a vague effort to placate Aleda, he spoke softly, “I can inform my Wing’s leader if you so wish Aleda. It will likely be easier for me to obtain his attentions by force than yourself.” P’nset stretched, he felt a few knots in his spine crack as he moved, shards but he felt old beyond his years. It didn’t help in their company, he felt virtually ancient!

But his knees cracked as he went down to sit crossed legged about the rock, it wouldn’t do to keep standing, and the ground was dry enough so not as to wet his trousers.