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Devith let out a low rumbling warning growl at Z'fer's tone his eyes narrowing dangerously as he felt his rider's anger and sorrow bubbling to the surface as suddenly Hekate sat straight up. She was careful at least not to disturb the sleeping klah but slowly as if cornering in her prey she turned and stared down Z'fer her eyes so bright with anger they might as well have been snapping gold sparks. "You want to know so badly?" She hissed low her tone like a knife being drawn from it's sheath, sharp, bright and full of deadly intent. "Ok Fine!" Hekate spat with a growl her grip on Devith tightening for support.

"I'm homesick. Yes~" And she feigned mock appall at her own words. "The flit actually has emotions. I'm homesick. I'm so homesick I could scream. I hate it here! I hate the crowding, the constant stink and press of too many bodies. I hate that all I can hear at night is the constant movement and talk of people! I miss the jungle ok!" She hissed low her tone laced with anger and hurt and venom as she raised a hand to stop him before he could even respond.

"Oh yes I know what you're thinking. Filthy drudge being raised in the filthy jungle, but my father and I couldn't afford to pay for the protection of the larger trading caravans and traveling alone on the road was a sure bet to get jumped by thieves so we cut through the thick jungle. At least the felines had the decency not to leave your corpse to rot if they slit you from your belly to your nose and were a sight more honest then the cutthroats. It was so much nicer there. Everything was green, the whers stuck to their own dens and the felines to theirs and if you were a smart you had no trouble, but what do you care?" Hekate growled eyes flashing and bright, but this time with unshed tears rather then anger.

"Even when I'm nice to you all you do is snap at me and treat me like a child! And that stupid feline fur~" And she trailed off then her voice cracking slightly with pain as Devith leaned into her side his growling dipping in tempo and threat. "You only find that bright of a color in the deep jungle and it smells like home and everything else I can't have right now because we're grounded." Hekate whispered turning her face away from him and shoving the box of brushes she had picked up at him. "Here. I got this for Cal." She murmured hoping to distract him as she looked away burying her face in Devith's neck so no one would see her tears the silver dragon in question curling possessively and viciously protectively about his life mate eyes staring accusingly at Z'fer.

Devith peered warily at Z'fer from where he rested his head on Hekate's opposite shoulder, Prince and Baron having had the good since to relocate to the table for the time being as the silver clung protectively to his rider. One shining metallic wing reached around wrapping his lifemate in a tight protective embrace even as she sobbed and shook against his neck. He'd known something like this was coming. They both had. The constant stress had been building ever since the attack and Zfer's words had just been the straw that broke the wher's back.

I am here Mine. Do not cry. I am here. We will fly soon. We'll fly far far away above all the crowds and people and only come down when we feel like. Devith crooned low and comforting in Hekate's mind his eyes whirling with concern and love for is bonded. Z'fer's approach however was met with a low warning growl, but he allowed the man to approach at the apology ringing in the bronze two-legger's voice.

At Z'fer's gentle touch Hekate took a ragged breath pulling back slightly from Devith's soaked hide as she scrubbed at her face trying to wipe her shame away her small form still shaking against her lifebond. "I didn't like it in Benden either. Even when I was little with my mother I hated it there. Despite all the mean things people say I'm glad she dumped me with my father in the south with the jungle. At least it doesn't lie to you." She sniffled reaching a hand out to gently stroke Devith's head knobs trying to reassure her distressed dragon. Prince and Baron too flitted over landing on the silvers neck to whirr and croon at her rubbing their little head's against her cheek the brown urging the little black to come join them.

"You probably think I'm a silly flit don't you?" Hekate added her voice cracking slightly as she still scrubbed at her eyes with one hand her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Riarna - Trine Weyr Weaver's Booth

"Normally, it would go for more, but it's listed for 1 and 3/4 marks. Unfortunately, this is not my handiwork and I can go no lower on the price," Riarna said, smiling in apology at the Goldrider. The original sale and the promise of commission, however, made this interaction a success. With any luck, Kindra would not be too put off by the lack of discount on this second item-- and it showed her that people weren't going to bend just because she was a potential Weyrwoman.

"For 1 and 1/2 Marks the dress, lady, is yours. It will take me a day or two to complete the embroidery on the hem. Did you have a preferred color of thread?"

Kindra had added the quarter of the price Riarna had removed back onto the price. For simple embroidery, that was fair enough, and in the future, should she see how good Riarna's work actually was, there would be more generous purchases in the future. Once Trine got back on its feet, as well, there was the potential to sell items at a better price.

-----


O'thor

Like many already had, O'thor was drawn to the Trader Caravan. They had wares of all levels of skill set out, a variety of items that Craft-specific booths lacked. The rider's boots certainly caught O'thor's eye, but his own pair were still sturdy; he didn't really need to spend the money. However, he had guessed from some chance comments that Orlina's birthday was coming up and when the time came... well, he thought he should be prepared. His attention, therefore, turned to looking for a gift for her, rather than something for him. Not that it had to be big, but something nice for her would be the right thing to do. It would be nice to make her smile.

The box overflowing with little stuffed toys got his attention with a glitter of the sun on a glass eye. He reached out and picked a Blue one out of the box, determining then that they were meant to be rather fat firelizards. Still, it was cute. The kind of thing she might like. He noticed that one set in front of the box had a little sign around its neck, and O'thor looked it over. O'thor looked at the woman who wasn't in the middle of the sale. "Excuse me. How much are the stuffed firelizard dolls? And how much with one of those tags there?"

((Roll is for O'thor.))

[Carltis]

"Yea, you look fine," Carltis nodded, "come on then, we'll find somewhere shady and quiet for you to sit down and doze off the headache." He was happy to do that, but didn't fancy spending the rest of the gather babysitting. Fortunately he doubted that Siata wanted anyone hovering over her in any case, so everybody won and he got a chance to go and have a better look at that harper stall.

Traders

The man with the fur looked taken aback at the sudden attack on his sales pitch. Seeing as the woman who he was selling it to still seemed interested he kept the fur out of her to pet and just hoped the little red haired wench at her side kept her mouth shut for just a few more moments.

Their silence had almost become unnerving when the rider finally announced her willingness to buy. He wasted no time in folding the skin carefully with a wide smile. "Yes Ma'am of course! Can't let something like this get dirty now!" He whirled around and from the same place he'd produced the wrapping for the mirror he pulled a larger swatch of cheap linen and some twine.

Wrapping it up quickly he bound the bundle closed and even added a loop to the top should she want to carry it that way. "There you go!" Accepting the wooden coins he gave her a smart wave. "Thank you for your patronage!"



While her partner finished up his dealing her attention was drawn by the young man. She was practically giddy that they'd sold the fur for full price. The rider hadn't even TRIED to haggle with her! To O'thor she beamed. "Normally 1/2 mark for the dolls. and 1/8th for a tag. You can add a name and a small message. I'm quick with a needle."

Cai

Firelizard dolls. Cute, but again, something she had no use for. She watched the young man inquire about one before turning back to see the wrapped fur being handed to Kleos. "Is that what you intend on using to make your sleeping space comfortable?" She couldn't really imagine Kleos having something made of it, but then she didn't know the woman all that well yet. She'd agreed with Cai's point about the fur at least. Even if she'd still bought the fur.

"Are you still going to get the boots?" Hopefully she didn't spend all of her marks on a silly fur.

Z'fer

Z'fer gave Devith a tired glance, the wingleader speaking for a moment. "Easy Devith. Just let me. Please." He looked back down at Hekate as she scrubbed at her face. His hand slid to her cheek and he rubbed it's damn surface with a gentle thumb, taking his hand away before he upset the flits. His other arm wrapped around her shoulders and he pulled her into a tight hug against his own chest. Her past could wait right now he had some damage control to do. There were a lot of things he could say and would say... but one stuck out the most as she asked her final question.

"Sometimes." He agreed with a half grin, pulling back just an inch to look down at her. "And you probably think I'm a wherry with my head in the ground."

Klah fluttered up to join the other two flits. He chirred at both the humans the fluctuating emotions too much for him to decipher. He resorted to rubbing against Devith's head, nuzzling the silver.

~ Cal, could you handle that please? ~ Z'fer kept the lopsided grin, glad he'd poured water on that fire before it could get worse. She was still shaking but fits like those don't end in an instant. "For which I am exceedingly grateful."

Calanoth's worried gaze shifted slightly as he called to the little flit, drawing the chubby things attention from loving on Devith. ~ Come little one, he doesn't need your affection. ~ A whirl of amusement broke up the yellow gaze as Klah disappeared from sight. A barely felt weight settled between his shoulders and little claws went to work on a spot that was almost always itchy. ~ He meant no harm Devith.~ It was both in reference to the little black flit as well as subtly his rider.

Z'fer stroked her hair back, running a small strand across his fingers. It was getting noticeably longer since he'd first met her. "I didn't know you were homesick Hekate." He raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression you were home. But then I can't Hear All Girls." His arms relaxed and dropped loose around her waist. "If you're upset I told you you can talk to me. As a wingleader, a bronzerider and a friend I'd hope."

Z'fer laughed "What are you always talking about how dashingly handsome and charming your pet bronzerider is?" He made a pointed look at his still currently bare chest, slightly moist from her hot tears.

"While I'll readily agree the crowing here is horrible, coming from Malvren I see nothing BUT jungle. It's oppressive. What a man needs are cool stone walls and quiet passages, wide cliffs and the salty cool wind of the sea." Yes, the bronzerider was homesick as well. It could be assumed most of the refugees probably were in some form or another. Some may be able to adapt to the tropical climate...Z'fer would never be able to forget the northern seacrafter he'd once been.

His memories stirred faint cords in Calanoth's mind, though his own memories of Malvren were vague at best. The freshest being of it stained with blood and ichor, littered with the dead and dying. It wasn't pleasant but the fantastical images Z'fer conjured up made him long for it just the same. ~You have clear memories of it mine. ~

~ No! That's Impossible Cal. Don't think on it. ~ Daring he was but there was one thing the man would never do. He had seen enough of the carnage caused by going between times that he had a healthy respect for the ability. He would never risk himself or Calanoth in that way just to see what once was.

Calanoth just shrugged off the dial. Klah's interest in scratching rather than sleeping was being put to a good use. He'd rather enjoy it while he could than argue with His.

"Hah If anything they'll be so stunned by my amazing physique they'll forget their own prices. I could get away with anything like this." He made a show of raising his arms and flexing his muscles. He was glad to have her cheerful again. Even with his physical aches and bruised pride, his ego as she pointed out was feeling quite well.

"Come! Grab your juice. I'll buy you something." It was a strange flip from his previous mood but she had that effect on him. Z'fer spun away from her and grabbed his shirt from the table, tucking it into his belt with a wink. He downed the rest of his wine in a couple swallows and boxed up the brushes, tucking them protectively under one arm. The other he offered out to Hekate, looking to the world the perfect gentleman. That is if gentlemen walked around half naked with bruises and sand everywhere.