Welcome to Gaia! ::

Dizzian didn't mind the food break, she was determined to try a little of everything that the Gather offered before they had to go home. It was only the first day but she'd already made significant progress, much to the displeasure of her stomach. It didn't stop her from dropping more marks on a plateful of who knows what all drizzled with a sweet smelling sauce. She gave Hekate a quick thanks for getting the meat before setting aside a small portion for Tweaker and Spazz. So far as she knew the two had been remarkably well behaved that day, at least...she hadn't seen much of them and if they didn't come screeching to her that generally was a good sign.

Between bites of her own meal, she fed larger chunks to Courath who lay beside Devith on the bench. The hatchling was hungry but ate lightly, not wanting to take more than her share and assured that once they were back with the rest of the riders, a proper dragon's meal would be waiting for them. She sighed contentedly, her lids half closed, reducing the lights surrounding them to a dull glow in her vision. Other than lifting her head to receive some food the only part of her that moved was her tail, it's tip twitching back and forth slowly, just barely brushing hides with Devith beside her.

Dizzian watched the people moving around them, trying to place knots and colors with their respective weyrs and crafthalls. It was impossible to know all of them and quickly she resorted to just looking for pretty boys. She sighed along with Courath, twisting her mouth into a little pout. "I want to dance..."


As the last song ended Z'fer released his partner with a bow and a very friendly wink. He was finally relaxing with a little help from the flowing wine skins and talented Harpers. The next song was more high spirited and within moments Z'fer had claimed a new partner from the crowd and began to spin her around the dance floor, following the careful patterns that kept dancers from running into each other. Land, sea or sky, Z'fer was always sure of his footing and spacial awareness.

The fading light from the suns cast a beautiful red glow to the occasion, reflecting brightly off the metallic embroidery that decorated his tunic, a fine dark piece of gather wear he'd purchased earlier. Z'fer hadn't expected there to be a Gather and as such had only brought his riding clothes. Still, tucked into his tough wherhide pants the tunic suited him and the appearance he was going for that night.

Calanoth's eyes glowed from a distance as he reclined among the other dragons, his attention not on the dancers or Gather at all but instead on a lively pair of green's who'd caught his eye.

"I miiiiiight if anyone comes and asks." Dizzian wasn't a shy girl nor adverse to asking someone to dance, but for once it might be nice to be the one asked. Hekate wasn't helping though as she pointed out man after man, each bearing his own individual charms. "A holder boy might be fun..." She mused, biting her finger tip. A wink sent one of the younger lads staring at them scurrying away from embarrassment. Dizz shook her head and turned her attention back to their food, watching Hekate's face for a while as she was turned towards the dancers. Even after getting to know her, Dizzian still felt the occasional stab of jealousy at the former drudge's beauty. You could almost expect her to be a Lord Holder's daughter with the way she carried herself.

"And just who are you burning holes into?" She grinned around a mouthful of pastry. Following Hekate's gaze she couldn't be sure of which dancer had her friend's eye.



Z'fer gave a false smile to the girl in his arms. She was pretty yes but had insisted on chattering about the dragonlights the entire time they danced, never mind the fact that he was a rider. Her high pitched voice and less than spectacular dancing were beginning to grate on his nerves. The end of the song couldn't come soon enough and he gratefully extracted himself from her grip. Very firmly denying her request for another dance or to join her at her table.

The Harpers announced a moment's break while they set up for a new group and he exited the floor, heading straight for the wine merchants, being so near Benden at least the vintages were excellent and the prices while marked up, weren't outrageous. He leaned against their stall, drinking deeply from his new glass as his eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a new target. Maybe something a little sharper...

Dizzian looked along Hekate's hesitant gesture, straining her vision before she caught sight of who her friend was talking about. At least...she could see the tunic and assumed it was who she meant. She quirked her eyebrows, a knowing grin on her face. "An interesting dancer huuuh?" There was no getting that past the greenrider. "These two will be fine, they're practically asleep as is. I don't see why you couldn't enjoy a little company yourself." That little feline grin would not go away. "Brown and Blue riders will come and go as they please. Right now all I see is tall dark and handsome coming this way." As he drew near she could see him clearer and gave a low whistle. He was a piece wasn't he!



The Harpers were almost done setting up, the last few tuning their instruments and settling in their seats. Z'fer tossed back the last of his glass. He'd been scanning the tables near by looking for nothing in particular but waiting for something to catch his eye. Catch it did too as a head of short red hair turned away from him, her companion still staring at his face. Sharper or not was yet to be known, at least he could tell when he was being admired.

Z'fer straightened up, affecting his best swagger as he made a direct line for their table. "Ladies." He greeted them, planting a boot on the bench across from them, causing the brown haired girl to blush a deep red and shoot her friend a look he couldn't read. "Enjoying the view?" Their reactions would decide his next move but from the stiffled giggles of the brunette, things were at least looking positive on one front.

One look at the redheads face was all he needed. Yes this is what he'd been looking for. Her amber gaze was enticing and he held still during her assessment, knowing he wouldn't be found wanting in any way. From his braided hair to the boots on his feet he was rugged perfection. The addition of the clawed cord around his throat and the more formal tunic while nice were unnecessary in his opinion. All he needed honestly was his own skin but he'd admit he looked sharding fine in his riding leathers too. The brunette could wait, he was more interested in her partner.

Her quick reply widened his grin as his grey eyes held hers. "You'd be surprised at how long I last." was his smooth response, his voice inviting any meaning she wished to draw from the sentence.

Her stretch was delightful to watch and he stared unashamed, following the caress of her hands down her sides. He straightened, watching her every move. The miniscule hairs on his skin rose at her touch, the nerves tingling where her warm fingers trailed. Her friend was completely forgotten as he followed Hekate to the dance floor.

The harpers had finished their preparations and the announcement of a toss dance was broadcast by a man with powerful lungs. Perfect, a slow dance wouldn't have been appropriate for a girl such as her. This, full of fast paced spins, foot work and of course, lifts would be an excellent way to display his athleticism and strength. Z'fer's eyes lit up with a daring light. "Do you know how to toss dance? We could always wait for something easier..." From what he'd surmised about this young woman she'd take the challenge whether she could or not.



Dizzian kept silent as the man had obviously made his choice. She was a little jealous but Hekate had seen him first. It was only right that she got first shot at him. Dizz watched them depart, a hand dropping to caress Courath, out cold at her side. Maybe she was lucky he'd chosen Hekate rather than her, his predatory attention would have made her uncomfortable. She preferred more innocent boys, ones she could play with rather than one's who would play with her. A reason she favored blueriders!

She wished S'kiro or even F'iar had made it...would have been nice to dance with one of them.

Z'fer kept up with her steps easily, she was a good dancer and light on her feet. Finally here was a woman who could entertain him for an evening! Other dancers gave them a wide berth as he used his height and strength to fling her slender frame into some of the more ambitious moves. His hands boldly strayed around her waist whenever possible. At her challenge he gripped her close, pressing his body against hers, his chest flexing hard into her hands. "Why don't you find out for yourself?"

Without an answer he took control of the dance, picking up the pace and even switching styles on a whim. Thankfully the Harpers segued quickly into the next song, not dropping a beat between. He pushed his own boundaries, intent upon thoroughly testing hers.

She was good! Better than good! Z'fer held a healthy respect for the young woman in his arms. There would be no other partners tonight. He found what he was looking for in this feisty young red head. His skin glowed with sweat in the firelight, keeping up with her movements as she turned his own game against him.

While the two dancers seemed to have enough energy to last the whole night the Harpers did not. The poured everything they had into their music though, prolonging the end of the song by several minutes, increasing their pace as Z'fer and Hekate sped through the steps. Trained appreciators of beauty they did not want to disappoint the two or their crowd of spectators. The conductor was an expert at his job. When it appeared as if his band had had enough he called for the song to end, not winding it down but leading it into a frenzied climax culminating in a deep drum roll and a clash of cymbals, reminiscent of waves crashing against a cliff.

Z'fer finished the dance with a dizzing whirl of his partner, pulling her tight to him as the echoes of the cymbals rang through the air around them. A feeling of euphoria washed over him. Possibly due to the deep rapid breaths he drew to calm his racing heart, most likely due to the intense experience dancing with her had been. Without releasing her, he had no intention of doing that for the rest of the night if he had his way, he questioned her privately. "Can I buy you a drink?"



Dizzian had been watching her friend dance in shock. This girl never ceased to amaze her and stoke her curiosity. Really she must sit Hekate down and get her to spill all. Dizzian wanted to know! It was almost lewd watching them, she felt as if she should turn away but like many, it was entirely too interesting to do so. Even with two hungry flits pecking at her dish and a young lad trying his hardest to attract her attention.

Z'fer chuckled darkly at the insinuation he read in her words. "For now, the wine cart...for later...you'll see." He turned and applied a gentle pressure to her lower back, leading her from the circle of lights that was the dance floor. So she'd noticed he was a rider huh? He wondered if dragon's interested her. He couldn't quite place her age, she looked quite young yet her manner was certainly that of an experienced woman. Ifif she was still young enough to Impress... He might convince her to try at Malvren's next clutch if she kept up his interest tonight.

Z'fer didn't even blink when he laid the marks down for a good Benden White and a pair of fancier glasses for them to keep. All the better to impress her now than lose her before he was ready.The strength of the red tempted him but after such a vigorous dance the chilled white would be far more refreshing.

Z'fer offered her the delicate looking, slender stemmed glass. It was darkly colored with some component as to turn it a brilliant blue. You almost couldn't see the liquid inside. "You're an impressive dancer yourself my lady. I wonder where you hail from?" She certainly wasn't from Malvren. He would have known if a beauty such as her wandered his halls.