Stall Hopping (Bargaining)

[Tashe]

-F'con, Kaegan, and F'rah-

Shivering happily as the smells and noises of the Gather reached her senses, Kaegan clung excitedly onto one of her escort's arms. She had never been to one of Selenitas's Gathers, but she had rather enjoyed the ones at Benden's main hold. The people at Gathers were interesting and so much nicer than the humans at her old Weyr, but the Gather at Selenitas Hold had to be at least ten times better if not more. Tugging at the arm she had attached herself to, the young goldrider steered the older brother to the vibrant colored stall that had first appealed to her.

Quickly bouncing into the square stall to view the merchandise, Kaegan began to gently pick through the different fabrics and bags that the Weaver stall had to offer. The beautiful colors reached out with such vivacity and strength that the smile that had occupied her face grew into a grin. Moving from the soft fabrics to focus her main attention on the apprentice made bags, Kaegan began to browse through the brightly colored woven packs. Speaking mainly to herself, since most of the words were barely audible, the Queenrider tried to narrow the selection down to the ones she liked the best.

"Oh wow. This one is so pretty, but with one has a beautiful pattern! I wonder if they have this back with these colors. Maybe Gina would make another scarf for me... but I really like this bag. Oh decisions, decisions."

--

Blinking slightly as the unusually happy redhead grasped his arm in excitement, F'con quietly patted her hand before tucking his left one in his pocket. Unlike the Junior Weyrwoman, the bluerider had no overall love of Gathers, Fort's or Selenitas's. On the rare occasions that he did go to the large events, the man always ended up just wondering about like a lost puppy. Though today he knew that for once he wouldn't be bored, especially if the lovely goldrider continued to grace his presence. She might have a meek personality, but she was rather pretty, and her bouts of airy mentality was refreshing. Though he knew that she was too young for him...

Happily letting himself be dragged into the Weaver's stall, F'con gave a slight grin to his brother before entirely leaving him behind. Turning his attention back to Kaegan, the bluerider drew himself up next to her. Letting his gaze pass over the girl's face, a small feeling of thankfulness past through him. It was nice to see a true smile glued on the Queenrider's face, she rarely ever worn one until recently. Quickly running a hand through his pitch colored hair, F'con watched as the girl began picking through bags. "Pick something out that you like. I'll buy it for you."

---

Grunting slightly as his brother was dragged off by Kaegan, F'rah looked to the three Dragons that he had been left with. Styth, Jackreth and Millieth, all three different colored dragons looked down at him with swirling blue-green eyes. Sighing as he let a hand slide down his Brown's nose, the Weyrlingmaster and newly appointed wingsecond spoke to Styth. "Hey hansom one. Would you please show Queen Millieth and Jackreth were all the dragons hang out? I promise to get you something if you do."

Rubbing a finger under his nose as he waved after his brown as the trio of dragons took off over the Gather square, the younger of the two brothers began to wonder around the other stalls, waiting for the others to finish in the Weaver's stall. Tugging a small bit indignantly at the scarf around his neck, a present from his cousin Gina, F'rah paused mid step as he almost past by the Animal stall. It wasn't a neigh or a moo that had caught his attention, but a small pitiful mewling that came from a enclosed pen displayed prominently near the entrance of the stall. Back tracking a few steps so that he placed himself in front of the large cage, F'rah knelt so that he could view its contents better. The small litter of Feline cubs turned in unison to look at his approach before returning to play with each other. A few moments passed before the man gently poked a finger between the bars of the cage to stroke one of the cubs fur as she came up to him to investigate his scent.

[Administrator]

The vendor at the Weaving Stall beamed. Her name was Jiany, and was a young journeyman. She had done many of the fine weavings here, and was eager to try and sell them. Bustling over, she smiled pleasantly at Kaegan. "What can I help you with today, miss?" she asked cheerfully. "This here is fine material, the best quality fabrics you'd find anywhere. Even the official crafthall doesn't have goods as fine as these!" she told her, smoothing out a purple scarf with golden embroidery. "Just feel it! Go ahead, now, feel how soft this stuff is! Available in many other patterns and colors, of course," she added with a smile.

Turning to the man, she nodded fiercely. "You can't have a young lady go about bare-necked!" she told him with a sly smile. She knew she had to appeal to this side of folks sometimes. If she wanted to sell, she would have to do it in any way possible.

--

At another stall, yet another vendor was waiting to pounce on poor, unsuspecting F'rah. Rinio, a Beastcrafter, leaned against his stand, smiling in satisfaction as F'rah looked at the little cubs. "Such sweet animals," he told the rider conversationally. "They're lovable, cuddly, and they can kill tunnel-snakes for you. Worth every mark," he added with a smile, hinting his intentions. Putting a hand in the pen, he pulled up a little one by the scruff of his neck, an orange cub with a white breast and paws. Playfully, the feline batted one of his paws at F'rah, as if begging him to touch him. "This little fella's pretty playful," he added with a grin.

Another rider stepped forward, one who smiled briefly at F'rah. E'ri had left Mal near the Baker's Stall, in one of the little couches under a tent where she could rest. He wanted to buy her a little feline cub- he hoped she would like something so cute and fluffy. It would be able to curl up with them at night, and be a stable rock when their baby would come. It was strange- how far along was she? Five months? Six? He didn't remember. "I'd like a look at them," he told Rinio quietly. The man nodded, pleased that one person at least seemed to be intent on definitely buying. E'ri's eyes roamed the pen, spotting a little calico with splotches of black and brown on her white fur, with a brown marking over her left eye. Smiling, E'ri went to investigate her.

The other cubs seemed desperate for attention as well. Mewling, one white one with large, green eyes came up to the side, stretching himself out on the side of the pen while looking up at F'rah attentively. Two gray little fluffballs played with each other in the middle, each looking like they could fit in one palm of F'rah's hand, but their fur sticking out in every direction. A couple of older black cubs slept on the sides, entangled with each other for comfort, while a ditzy-looking, short-haired gray-brown cat practically flew for F'rah's side of the pen, demanding pets from him.

[lilliana]

Yawning, Mal looked about, taking survey of where E’ri had abruptly left her. She was fairly suspicious – had he left her with a simple ‘I’ll be right back’. Was he cheating on her? He wouldn’t do that…right? But, really, was there any other excuse for him leaving so abruptly? Bazeth’s would not mate with another, Mine. Do not worry yourself so much. Somehow, her dragon’s reassurances were helpful, and the green rider let out a breath, making herself focus on things around her, that didn’t include what her weyrmate was doing. Mal knew that the thought of E’ri cheating on her was absurd – she knew him well enough to know that he would never do such a thing, but…still. If he wasn’t cheating, what was he doing?

After a good ten minutes had passed, Mal rose from the shaded area, her hand instinctively traveling to rest on the noticeable bulge in her stomach. The Weyr had already known (mostly) that she was pregnant, but some of the holdfolk were giving her strange looks. Glaring at those particular people, the woman traveled in the direction that her weyrmate had set off in, squinting slightly to try and locate his familiar figure in the crowds of people. Meriath, ask Bazeth to ask E’ri to tell Bazeth to tell you where he is, so you can tell me, Mal requested. However, instead of the agreement, the green rider received a snort. I will do no such thing, Mine.

Huffing, Mal began to search the crowd again, looking for E’ri and beginning to block out her infuriating dragon. Go back to where Bazeth’s left you. He will be there soon. Mine, do you truly expect to find him right now? Among all of these people? The last thing we need is for you to get lost, and then when Bazeth’s comes back, he’ll get all worried. Go back! However, Mallery was in a defiant mood, and she blocked her green out completely for the time being as she searched for E’ri.

“E’ri? E’ri, dear?” Her calls were feeble, as she continued to look for the blue rider. Finally, she spotted F’rah, and went to go ask if he had seen her weyrmate. “I hate to bother you, F’rah, but –” Mal shook her head, and in doing so caught a glimpse of an adorable calico feline, being held by familiar hands. “-E’ri?” Nodding absently towards the brown rider, Mal went to stand next to her weyrmate. “E’ri, she’s so cute! Who’s is she?” Oh, yes. Leave it to the pregnant green rider not to notice the large cage full of lovely kittens, the vendor that had been standing right in front of F’rah, holding that feline.

[Tashe]

Gladly reaching out to stroke the soft purple material that the journeywoman had pointed out, Kaegan cooed with approval. It really was soft and very pretty! Though she knew it had to be worth more than a mark, and she didn't want to diminish F'con's bank to much. Smiling up at the woman after retracting her hand from the scarf, the young Queenrider responded to her first question. "Oh if you wouldn't mind! I would like to find a pretty bag, my old one is... well... full of memories that need to be retired." Pausing a second before cheerfully tapping her chin with a finger, Kaegan continued. "Do you have anything that comes in green? With... maybe a flower pattern on it? That would be wonderful if you did!"

Bouncing with excitement as she cast a thankful glance at the Bluerider, the young woman began to look through the woven bags once again as she waited for the vendor to respond. Although her browsing fingers paused when her Queen intruded her thoughts.

/Bought any trinkets yet Kaeganmine? Yummy ones are the best you know.../

/Nono. Haven't got anything yet! F'con, F'rah's brother, is being oh so kind and buying me something. Since... we left all of our money at Benden./

/Hmph! You be careful of men now you hear... get me something delicious./

/Milli! You know how you get when I give you something sweet... and anyways its not good for you to eat./

Giggling slightly as her Golden female huffed angrily at not being able to get what she wanted, Kaegan looked back up at Jiany.

----

F'rah definitely was a magnet for the artistic side, Saraina paints like a master and Gina knits like no tomorrow. Sara had been searched by F'rah and Gina was the two brother's cousin, they could set up their own weaver booth if they wanted to, selling paintings and knittings of all shapes and sizes. But that gene hadn't been prominent in F'con, in fact he was the only brother not to inherit at least something artistic. Nevertheless, the Bluerider rather did enjoy being painted by his brother's charge, Saraina had the knack of picking up on his more malevolent side. Twitching his nose slightly as the journywoman's voice reached his ears, F'con turned from the tapestry he was looking at to listen to the vendor try and work her magic on Kaegan. Slowly returning to his place near her side, to which he had been appointed in case of trouble, the older brother chuckled slightly as Jiany turned her attention to him for a moment.

"I'm sure the Weyrwoman will be fine without a scarf. Unless she wants another, Farnath knows how many she has tucked away in her dresser drawer."

-----

The kittens were indeed lovable, each with their own different personalities, and each very unique. Looking over the eight or so cubs that resided in the cage, F'rah was drawn to the little female that scampered hurriedly over to him, undoubtedly looking for petting. Quietly petting both the little white male and the ditzy female, the Wingsecond chuckled slightly before looking up at the Beastmaster."What are the prices for a Feline Cub?"

Looking up from the Vendor at the crunch of boots approaching, the Weyrlingmaster smiled back at the rider as he pass by him. The man's face was rather familiar, thanks to the wing practices that Selenitas now held. "Good Morn E'ri! How are you and Mal doing? Well I hope?" As if the question had answered itself, Mal had appeared in a fuss as she tried to find her Weyrmate. About to respond to the Greenrider as she started to ask him about where E'ri was, the Brownrider watched as she spotted the bluerider.

Absentmindedly petting the two Cubs that had made their way over to him as he waited for at least the beastmaster to answer his question, the Weyrlingmaster smiled happily to himself.

[Administrator]

E'ri blinked in surprise as his weyrmate managed to find him. She was persistent, he had to give her that. Smiling, his dark blue eyes found the large bulge. The size of her was incredible- he still couldn't get over it. It seemed almost too large, but then again, he hadn't too much experience with pregnant women. Holding the calico out to Mal, he smiled weakly. "I was hoping to keep it a surprise, but I was planning on buying you one. Any you have in mind?" he asked lovingly, kissing the top of her head affectionately. In his opinion, they were all pretty cute... And there had to be at least a dozen felines in this pen. Hopefully there would be one that Mal would like... He would be willing to spend all the marks he had on his beloved.

A cream-coated cub with a brown face darted up to them, his tail flopping back and forth excitedly, as if knowing that they were making a choice. Right on cue, one of the fuzzy grey cubs and a tiny runt-kitten that was a mixture of grey and brown came up to share in the attention. All of their purring combined sounded like a motor, and E'ri smiled down at them all.

"These here cubs cost a mark apiece," Rinio said to F'rah and everyone else around the cub pen. "Believe me, this is a deal on such fine specimens. Not accepting anything less than a mark."

“Take your pick, love,” E’ri told Mal lovingly, slipping his arm around her expanding waist. He was making it very clear that this was his weyrmate, and his babe, as well as that he was very proud of this fact. He found himself smiling. Yes, this was his family.

Jiany nodded politely. She didn’t inquire as to the memories, knowing not to intervene in personal affairs of strangers. However, she did take careful pick of the bags she had. “Well,” she said, pulling out a bag of a light, pastel green with the odd gold stripe in the material. “Made this one myself,” she told the weyrling proudly. “Spent many a long night on this. But I like you, girl. So, starting at two marks?”

[lilliana]

Any lingering doubts that Mal might have had evaporated immediately upon seeing the weak smile E’ri gave her. He was too adorable, too sweet, the green rider decided quickly, to be weyrmated to her. And she was amazingly glad he was, too. Smiling up at the man, she took the calico from his hands as it was held out, cradling as one might a baby. Mal immediately began to coo, reaching up and running a hand through the feline’s fur. “So cute!” she murmured quietly, although she put the little kitten down quickly when the other cubs came around, doting on each of them.

She couldn’t choose! They were all so…so…adorable! Mal looked from cub to cub to cub, each time her smile growing wider. Looking up a E’ri for a moment, the green rider grinned. “I can’t choose, love. They’re all too sweet – you’re too sweet.” Looking down once more, she brushed her eyes over the three she favored – the calico, still, the cream-coated kitten with the brown, adorable face, and the little runt, with the grey and brown coat.

“Which one do you like?” she asked her weyrmate after a couple more moments. She had one in mind, but Mal wanted to see what E’ri would say. They were all so cute, after all, and the blue rider was sweet enough to do this for her…he would certainly be able to choose! She stood, letting E’ri slide a arm around her waist, and leaned into his hold, waiting for his decision. “I think I like the kitten with that lovely cream coat, and the brown face…what do you think?”

[Tashe]

It was a beautiful bag, the one the Weaver pulled out from the numerous fabrics, and it caught Kaegan's heart in a wing beat. The green and gold of the bag reminded her of the day she impressed, each color fighting for her attention and finally the gold standing out the brightest. It was odd that simple things could trigger a memory, but at least this memory the Weyrling goldrider wanted to keep forever. Quickly turning to F'con making a face of utter pleading, Kaegan bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet. "Oh F'con please! Its such a beautiful bag, and its like its calling to me. Please can I get it?"

---

Smiling to himself as he listened to the two women talk, the searchrider quietly browsed through the area where the mens tunics were located. Shying away from the bright colors such as red, green and light blue, F'con made his way slowly down into the darkest fabrics. They were surprisingly well made and looked rather nice, almost too nice for F'con, but they certainly well enough off to consider buying. Choosing a black tunic, one not to much unlike the one he was wearing at the moment, the oldest brother silently mused over the possibility of buying it. Only when Kaegan's voice rang out again did F'con swiftly fold and replace the tunic back in its spot. "Alright alright Queenrider." Chuckling as he made his way back over to the females, the tall black haired man turned to the journeywoman. "I offer 1 and a half marks for the bag."

----

Chuckling slightly as the purring from the pen rose an octave, the Weyrlingmaster happily thought over the price of the felines. It was only two marks, and since his promotion to wingsecond he was being paid double than he had been when he was only the Weyrlingmaster. Two marks out of eight wasn't that bad, and felines bought at a young age would certainly bring much more enjoyment than a bag or a shirt. Looking down at the white male with the vibrant green eyes, he reminded F'rah slightly of himself. The relaxed posture of the feline and the way he happily put up with being judged by others, definitely was a mirror of how the werlingmaster felt. While the short haired grey and brown female reminded him of his friend Lauranna, not that he thought she was a ditz in anyway, it was again the attitude that the kitten put out.

Clearing his throat as he lifted himself to a standing position, the brown eyed man gave the beastcrafter a smile. "Alright friend, I will take these two cubs off your hands..." Pointing to the white male and the short grey and brown female he had been petting, F'rah continued. "... for two marks. Since they are one mark each."

[Administrator]

E’ri smiled lightly as he watched Mal spoil each of the cubs a little bit. On second thought, it was a good thing she tagged along after him. He wouldn’t have known which one to choose! Content to simply admire the soft coats, he quietly looked on as Mal thought over her possible choices. She was so cute, playing with the little cubs, he thought with a look of sheer adoration. She would treat their babe like this without a doubt, he thought proudly. What a good mother she would be!

As she made her decision, he nodded in approval. “He’s very cute,” he told her, drawing the woman into his arms. Resting her blonde head against his chest, he contentedly stroked her hair for a moment. He was not one for too much public displays of affection, but his love for Mal drowned him in these warm feelings. Kissing the top of her head lightly, E’ri turned to the vendor, nodding.

“One mark,” Rinio said, smirking.

“This is only a little thing,” E’ri countered. “Half a mark!”

“She’ll grow. One mark,” Rinio replied, pleased to get into the bargaining of it all. After several fierce arguments, E’ri managed to lower the price a 1/8, bringing the grand total to 7/8 mark for the cub. Turning to Mal, he smiled a little.

“She’s yours, pet,” he told her.

Rinio, on the other hand, moved on to the other rider. Disappointed that he was unwilling to bargain, he took the marks and nodded. “Sold,” he state with finality.

“One and a half marks?!” Jiany exclaimed. “Think of the labor I put into this, the fine quality of the material! No, no, I won’t go under one and seven-eighths of a mark for it!” Giving the girl a solemn wink, the woman folded her arms sternly. She loved a good bargaining every so often.

[Tashe]

Scratching his stubbled chin, and doing so reminding himself to shave, F'con thought about the woman's offer silently. "Tell you what... I'll give you one and three-eighth marks for the fine bag." Glancing at the woman and then the Weyrling Weyrwoman, the bluerider let a smile grace his face. For the vendors were not the only ones who enjoy a good barter, in fact F'con loved to try his hand at getting the prices to drop.

---

"Thanks." Rubbing the back of his head slightly, the youngest of the two brother nodded happily before moving over to the cubs cage. Kneeling so that he could get a better angle to pick up the white male, F'rah stuck his hand gently under the cub's stomach before cradling him in one arm. Turning his attention to the messy grey and brown female, he proceeded to retrieve her also. Both pairs of eyes, amber and green, switched to his face with different expressions. Chuckling slightly before looking around for a traveling box, F'rah spoke quietly to the two little ones. "I guess I should give you names... But lets wait till I get you a temporary home."

[lilliana]

At E'ri's confirmation, Mal smiled up at her weyrmate. Shells, she loved that man. He was too good for her, especially since she had been such a grouch lately. She wrapped her arms around him as he stroked her hair, loosening her hold gradually as E'ri turned to barter. The green rider smiled up at her weyrmate, pecking his arm gently, she bent down quickly to gather the kit in her arms. So cute...small fingers ran through the cream-colored fur, and a small smile came to Mal's face. Leaning once more into E'ri's hold, the woman practically cooed, although she kept herself quiet so as not to distract either men from their bartering.

And it seemed her man had some skill. E'ri lowered the price and eighth of a mark -- not remarkable, to be sure, but nice. The blue rider finally turned once more, and Mal grinned up at him, cuddling the little thing in her arms. "Thank you, love.” She nestled her head into his chest, sighing in content as she pet the kitten.

“We’ve got to name her, now, dear,” Mal replied, a large grin on her face. “It’ll be practice when we name our child! What do you think?”

[lilliana]

((.......Mussie-dear?.........))

[Administrator]

((Sorry! ><! *guilty face* I'll have a post here tomorrow. xD <3))

[Administrator]

Jiany was disgusted. "What kind of barter is this?" she asked hotly. She was offended. "That's even less than 1 1/2 marks!" she told him angrily. She crossed her arms. "I'm not stupid. One and seven-eighths marks," she told him firmly. Jiany hated being treated as stupid. As she was Northern-born, having the prices lowered without any regard to what she said reminded her of being taken advantage over. This was something she intended to have stomped at the bud. Glowering to show her displeasure, she put enough expression into her face to make it obvious it was not going down any lower. Or maybe, if he was lucky, this was just an idiot man who didn't know how to do math. Well, either way, he was a dimglow. How he became a dragonrider was certainly beyond this weaver. Selenitas dragonmen were supposed to be smart. There must be some exceptions, however. That's how the North was made.

Dismissing him, she turned back to her fabrics, trying to hide the flush of indignation. Smoothing out the bag in question, she ignored the pair unless he dared challenge her offer or pay up. Since her transfer from the North, she relished her independence here in the south. Could this rider not see that he had offended her? Well, since she was in the south, she had the power to refuse him if need be. That is, if he refused to acknowledge her words and humor her by going higher.

--

E'ri smiled down at Mal, leading her away from the scene. He would do anything to make her smile. Buying a little cub was certainly something he didn't mind doing. She knew how to take care of it, right? Girls should know about this thing... he thought with an amused smile. Well, either way, it would be like a practice child. They could learn how to be responsible for a cub, and it would help them learn how to be responsible with their own child. Not much longer now, was it? And Mal was getting enormous... Not that he'd say it to her face, of course. She was extremely sensitive about her size.

Blinking at her sudden question, he pondered a moment. He wasn't good at this sort of thing. They could discuss possibilities, but ultimately, it would be her suggestion they would take. Though E'ri's mind could flow with musical creativity, it couldn't do a thing with such a simple concept as naming. "What do you have in mind?" he asked with a smile. They still needed to discuss what they would name their baby. So perhaps Mal was right. Practice.

Thinking to himself, he tried shutting out anything music related. However, he drew a blank. Asking E'ri to not think about music was the same as asking him to think about nothing. He sighed, frustrated he couldn't do such a simple task. What name... Fluffy. Kitty. Was this seriously the best he could come up with?

[lilliana]

Seemingly distracted, not to mention elated, about the kitten and E’ri’s thoughtfulness, Mal didn’t seem to really notice the blue rider’s lack of ideas. A few minutes previous, she would have probably questioned his devotion, and possibly ask him how on Pern he expected to be a good father if he couldn’t think up a name for a small feline…but no. All thoughts, now, were turned to pleasant facets of the day – which included, of course, their new kitten.

“I don’t know. I was thinking something like Kodja…or Razz...” Mal paused for a moment, trying to find something that would appeal to her weyrmate. He was a harper, for Faranth’s sake, so maybe they could name the cub something musical… “Muzak?” she suggested, having heard the term a few times before from not only E’ri, but other harpers. “Or Motif?” Shells, she didn’t know! But if she didn’t know…well, shard it all, how could she be expected to name her own child? Beginning to panic, Sapphiren appeared from between, quickly wrapping himself around her neck as the cub purred. Slowly, the green rider took a breath, and focused herself.

“Do you like any of those? I’m certainly open to suggestion!” she told E’ri playfully, cuddling their new kit in her arms. It was obvious that, especially with the cub and Sapphiren’s help, Mal was in an amazing mood. Searching through her mind for other ideas, the green rider smiled up towards her weyrmate.