Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Alright, wonderful!" Ashmere stated in a sweet voice. "And you're a harper, once it is in your blood, it sticks with you for life. You will remember how to whittle pipes even on your deathbed Shedrawn."

Taking a few steps towards some off containers the slim built woman began to briskly get items and bring them to and fro, she looked so small standing next to the large drums and barrels of dark fertilizer but she measured and seemed to glide along the greenhouse floor as if unhindered.

It only took the woman a few minutes at the most to get the contents of the mixture correct and in the amounts she needed for the next set of candidates to tend to their mystweeds.

"I am so sorry, I completely forgot to make conversation with you. I have issues when it comes to focusing sometimes. Sorry about that Shedrawn." Ashmere worded softly. "So, what is the plan now that I am all done? Feeling up to eat, and maybe your lovelies would enjoy a snack of fish. I am good friends with one of the cooks, she will more than happily be willing to fed us if you wish. Or we could just walk about, and talk. Whatever you like."

"That is absolutely adorable. Most firelizards adore fish. I am sure that Mildriff will have plent of snelt for everyone. Heaping piles of it, since she hates cooking with it." At hearing Shedrawn bark the order towards the two flits the young woman erupted into musical laughter.

"They can't be that---oh right plants--don't want them knocking those down--- right!" Chipper as always Ashmere lead the boy out of the greenhouse and down a narrow path that would take them to the kitchens through the servant entrance. Idly on her shoulder Mesmer was lightly crooning at the idea of getting a large pile of fish, oh yes how the little green enjoy being spoiled by the harper.

Ashmere simply smiled softly at the question about the last hatching as she watched his two flits tease and chase. For a moment the pixie of a woman didn't respond as she brushed her chin long bangs way from her eyes, sighing lightly she shook her head.

"It was my first hatching you know. I have to say I liked them all. But none were Mine, but one hatching I will find my lifemate. I think when that happens, Mine will be the dragon that I like the best." She teased in a soft voice as she spoke to Shedrawn, that was her mindset ever since she had talked to Wykla not too long ago. Her soft pink lips curled and over her teeth as she just chuckled more at the boys expense, she knew what he had meant but so did she.

Motioning with a light head jerk the thin girl held open a small wooden door for the flits and Shedrawn to go through, almost instantly a woman's voice fiery as the ovens yelled at towards the lot as they entered.

"Hoy, what's the big idea! If it be one of you candidate lots looking to n** some sweets, ooooh I will tell you what, just cause I am a baker don't mean I can't tan me some brat hides!" Angrily nagged the woman that held her arms across her chest looking as if she would throw a rolling pin any moment.

Laughing outright Ashmere stepped into the light of the kitchen giving the woman a large amused smile. Instantly the vinegary voice turned silken towards the harper as the cook tried to smooth down her hair and stand her full height.

"Ooooh Ashmere my dear, come to pay me a visit eh? Maybe a little song and dance to pay for your supper lass?" Mildiff beamed solely towards the petite woman. Brandishing a lavish bow Ashmere nodded at the woman.

"But of course, I live to serve my dear. Especially such a beautiful woman." the harper lightly winked towards the woman. Instantly the cook was blushing and fanning her face with her hand. Instantly the woman flustered more and muttered something about making a feast for her favourite harper and her friends.

Grinning at Shedrawn Ashmere laughed.

"Told you she would feed us."

"Hardly!" Ashmere chortled. "Pern will have to watch out when we become dragon riders!" there was something about this lad that was pleasant and she really liked him already. Taking the lead the slim woman entered the kitchens fully and the the lot following her towards a small storage area where Mildriff had a small table ready for her favourite harper. If it was one thing she was certain of the cook liked her and would feed her regardless of the time of day so long as the woman brightened her day (or night) with song and dance.

Sitting down at the table Ashmere pulled Mesmer from her shoulder and sat her on the table as if she were a candlestick. Within a few moments a younger woman came into the room with trays of small fish, raw and fresh for the little flits to begin feeding on.

"I will sing and dance and you will play pipes, all and all it should be a grand treat for my cook friend."

Ashmere watched as the flits just seemed to be floating in a fishy dream, blinking for a moment the slender built woman eyed Shedrawn as he pulled out a set of pipes, better ones than the ones he had given her, she wasn't upset, he would be a horrible harper to give away his best set. As the boy lifted his mouth to the pipes Ashmere watched, her eyes losing the warmth that they normally held and her lips pursed as if grading the boy. She did not close her eyes and listen to the tune but rather she stared at him coldly, unfeeling and eyed his movements like a viper ready to strike.

He is young He will get better. Well, if he practices.

As the ballad ended Ashmere nodded slightly. She seemed to lack any emotion towards the song.

“You did well, you could use some work but overall I see why you were allowed to become a harper. Good---” At her last word Mildriff came into the room with a pushcart heavily topped with hot foods.

There were heaps of mashed tubers as well as fingerroots, whitecaps, and roasted meats and fish. There was a stew of some sort with fresh bread rolls on the side and an odd dish that had whole shelled eggs floating in what seemed to be steaming hot klah. All and all the meal was plentiful for two people and could easily feed four, and the taste of the food was feast worthy. Ashmere took a moment after the boy thanked Mildriff for her services to pour the lad a heaping cup of spiced cider, it was a special bubbly alcohol that was truly delightful.

“Yes, thank you Mildriff, it looks amazing as always. I will be sure to make certain our song and dance for you is just as lovely as the meal.”

“The eggs are amazing for breakfast, it had a light taste of klah but not over powering at all. And if I know Mildriff, which I do, she made them soft boiled so the insides are runny and still yoky,” Ashmere grinned with her beast like teeth as she dug into the stew as well, she and a roll and seemed to favour the fish as well as the more savoury vegetables. Ashmere like most farmer's daughter's ate as if the meal was running away from her, with a loud trill from Mesmer the slender woman nodded as if the little flit had spoke to her mentally.

“Sorry my girl, I will slow down and taste my food. I promise.” As good as her word she chewed what she had in her mouth and began to eat more slowly, for a such a slender woman when food was offered she really could eat a lot. She seemed to enjoy meat more than anything else, whether it was fish or wherry.

Picking up an egg she broke it open and poured the yellow life goo into her stew then ate the whites. Without mixing she spooned the yellow and a cutlet of herdbeast into her mouth and lightly sighed gratefully.

“What do you think of it Shedrawn? Well done isn't it?”

Absentmindedly reaching out the thin framed harper dabbed Shedrawn's chin a bit more thoroughly with her napkin, smirking lightly Ashmere reached over and picked up a piece of fish from Mesmer's pile and gave it to the little bronze flit. Mesmer of course just seemed indifferent but didn't seem to mind having one less fish, after all she wasn't a greedy green like some.

Finishing up her meal Ashmere lightly yawned as Mildriff once again came into the small storage area, in her hands was a small platter that held freshly made bubbly pies, two for each of the harpers.

“Why thank you Mildriff my love,” Ashmere sweetly purred at the woman, as the long haired cook bent down and lightly kissed the woman near the corner of her mouth. Almost taken off guard but trying not to show it the pale complexioned woman blushed but didn't do anything else. “Thank you---are you ready for us to sing for you, or did you want us to preform after dessert?”

“Shortly after your meal and your stomachs have set.” The woman stated in a low tenor as she handed both of the harpers their pies and headed off back to the kitchen.

(sorry about the delay hun, my wife has been waiting me to rest since I haven't felt the best the last few days. With a baby on the way she is all paranoid and wanting me to be in good health.)