Runners and Humans and Kittens, oh my! (Ant; open)

[Tashe]

"Shaur'ri? Scara?" Frowning slightly as he called out in search of his missing pets, F'ah was starting to get worried about them. He had tried to visit them this morning to check on their kittens, but neither they nor there children were to be found.

"F'rah? What are you doing here so early? And keep your voice down, you'll scare the Runners."

Turning to his left as a girl with curly red hair poked her head over the gate to a stall, the Brownrider gave her a cheery wave instead of a salute, they were the only ones in the barn after all. Plus he knew the Goldrider well enough now that he could get away with it, she certainly seemed to have no problem with the informal greeting anyways. "Sorry Kaegan, I didn't mean to disturb the Runners. I'm just looking for my Felines... have you seen them?"

"Luckily Condor doesn't spook. And actually I have... I came in to check up on my Gelding at the sixth candle mark this morning and have a bit of a ride. I looked into the stall next to him and what do I see? A bunch of kittens that look oddly like yours. I think Shaur'ri is in there with them, and Scara is somewhere, probably hunting Hay-mice. I closed the stall door and added more hay so the kittens couldn't get out and would stay warm."

"Thank Faranath." Moving to the stall which the Weyrwoman indicated, the Brownrider let out a sight of relief as his female cat and her kittens came into sight. All five of the kittens were there and accounted for, he would have to thank the Goldrider for keeping them in there. "Kaegan, would you like a kitten? Its the least I can do. They just up and moved their family."

"I'm good. Condor, Dash and Azzie are all the work I need... Watch out, I'm bringing out the big guy."

Moving slightly and holding the stall door open, F'rah watched quietly as the Goldrider led her Runner out and moved him up a few stalls, tying his lead to a tie-rail with a quick release knot. Judging by the tools she had by the tie-rail, she was going to give him a good grooming.

[Tashe]

By scruffy I mean uneven fur, so its length is varying all over its body.


Kitten One: Male (sleek, silky) Claimed by Lanthos

Face Markings: Left ear is brown and the color radiates close to eye but doesn't touch it (has a black tip).
Chin is half Black and half Brown, the rest of the face is white. Eyes are Brown.
Body Markings: Body is white with a brown splotch on the front left shoulder
Leg Markings: Black half stockings on the back to feet
Belly Markings: None
Tail Markings: Random Brown and black hairs can be found, mainly white tail


Kitten Two: Female (scruffy, soft) Claimed by Farryl

Face Markings: Upper half of the face is brown, lower (meaning under the nose line) is white.
Black tipped ears and a small black line near each of the corners of the eye. Eyes are Blue.
Body Markings: Brown base coat, long black dorsal stripe (runs from back of head to base of tail)
Leg Markings: Brown on the outside, white on the inside. Right back paw has a black sock
Belly Markings: White
Tail Markings Brown with a black tip (white hairs can be found)


Kitten Three: Female (fluffy, kinda soft) Claimed by saeo

Face Markings: White face, black dot on tip of the nose (looks more like a half circle because it ends where
the pink of the nose begins. Yellowy/gold eyes.
Body Markings: white, no markings
Leg Markings: Brown spot on the knee joint of her right and left front legs, black stripes permiate the brown
Belly Markings: none, white
Tail Markings: Brown near the base of the tail and at the tip, white in the middle

(will turn a light gray when she matures)


Kitten Four: Male (sleek, soft) (Danar will pick up for Pasine)

Face Markings: Seal Point, black around the nose, ears, chin and eyes, light brown and white speckles run up the nose.
Gold eyes with thin brown rings around the pupil
Body Markings: Brown with black dorsal stripe
Leg Markings: Black stalkings on each leg, the darker near the paws, the black gets lighter farther up the leg until
it tapers off and blends with the dark brown of the base coat
Belly Markings: Black dot on the chest collar, otherwise all brown
Tail Markings: Black on very tip, gets lighter the farther up until it bleds with the brown on the upper part of
the tail again


Kitten Five: Female (scruffy and puffy) Claimed by T'kal

Face Markings: None, Completely white with Green eyes, like her father.
Scruffy fur from her mother.
Body Markings: None White
Leg Markings: None White
Belly Markings: None White
Tail Markings: None

[Avu]

((Edit;; T'kal claims Kitten 5. <3))

Kittens! T'kal was not usually this exciteable. Really, he wasn't, no matter what anybody might think. But kittens...he hadn't originally come down for the kittens themselves, so much as for the runners (what else did you expect to find in the stables, after all?), but the sight of kittens had very effectively distracted the brownrider from his original intentions and he leaned over the stall door, golden eyes wide as he eyed the felines in obvious delight, head slightly cocked to examine them. Adorable...little puffs of fur, each of them were. Appealing, definitely, and he'd even been thinking about getting a kitten at the next Gather to pop up for a pet and something to take his mind off of - everything else. The brownrider had a nice little collection of marks already, and he was sure that, if need be, he could always bargain a kitten out of the man who owned the parents. Right? He definitely wanted a kitten, especially after meeting Aliscia's Pie.

Kittens? You mean foals? asked a very tired Leweleth. Er...you /are/ at the stables, right? the brown added.
Yes. Yes. Cute, aren't they? T'kal answered, happily beaming Leweleth an image of the five kittens.
Oh. Yes. Are you getting one? I like the white one with green eyes. Pretty.
I like him - her - h - erm, that one, too. Getting one? I don't know if they're up for grabs...
Well, you won't know until you ask, Leweleth answered practically.

...true enough. T'kal crossed his ankles uncertainly, raising his hand to push his hair out of his eyes, head tilted. He coughed, unsure as to where he should start, and then plunged right in. "Weyrlingmaster F'rah, isn't it?" he started (yes, he was generally oblivious to the man's demotion, seeing as he'd little reason to talk to the Weyrlings and/or F'rah before), "I'm T'kal, of brown Leweleth, and I was...I was wondering, and - I hope I'm not being rude - if I ask if those kittens - specifically, that white female, there, with the green eyes, is for sale?"

Straight to-the-point. Well, he wanted a kitten. They were simply unbearably cute and he'd always liked them. And a female...yes. A female would do nicely. (Pie was male, wasn't he?) Subtle, Mine. Very subtle, Leweleth commented, amused. I think a kitten would be good for you. Why do you think I'm getting one? T'kal teased. They're lovely, aren't they?

((Nice and crappy. xD))

[nightingale]

(( Three? Mine? Yes? :3 ))

Saeo didn't come to the stables often. Unlike most girls who grew up handling or otherwise fawning over the beasts, Saeo had never really had a particular facination with runners. They were terribly uptight by her standards, starting at sound and movment as if they'd spent their whole lives under whipe andThreadfall. However, it wasn't the runners she had come to see.

"Brownrider F'rah?"

She asked, stepping timidly into the shadow of the stable door.

"Um, my friends and I hate to be a bother, but...we heard from some of the weyrbrats that your feline had kittens recently. Would it...is it alright if we come in and see them?"

[hseru]

(Kitten 2? :3 )


It was usual for Lanthos to be around the stables when he had free time. He'd often bring small lumps of sweets, or some tasty fruit as a gift to the runners, and by now, they recognized him as a bearer of treats and good pettings. He'd sometimes even grab a comb and curry one or two of the creatures if their coats looked like they weren't getting the attention they needed. With this in mind, he automatically veered towards the wall where the tools were hung before realizing anyone else was there.

"Oh, Weyrwoman, greetings." He bowed deeply. "I didn't know you were here." He took in the tools and the runner, and smiled. "Giving your big guy there a good cleaning?"

Peering around, he spotted another two riders near and in an empty stall. Curious, he moved closer, peering over the door. He blinked at the sight of a gaggle of kittens in a fuzzy pile of fuzz.
"Wow, these guys are young." He commented, smiling. He paused, glancing back upon hearing the weyrling's question, and then turned begging eyes on F'rah. "Can I see them too?"

[Rowana]

(I'd love to have kitten two, but if someone really wants one, I don't mind giving my up. ^_^)

Farryl skipped in behind Saeo and peeked over her shoulder. Oh they were adorable! Farryl loved animals of all kinds, particularly when young. Weyrwoman's Keagan's runner was quite handsome too. She smiled politely at the older woman and greeting her. "Good morning. He's a fine beast," she complemented.

Farryl was once again distracted by kittens. Saeo would love to have something so cute and fuzzy she was sure. She hadn't thought to get one, but now that she was looking at them, she wanted one of her own. Well, she could wait and decide that later. "They are so pretty!" she congratulated. "May we play with them?" she added her own plaintive inquiry. Hopefully they wouldn't crowd the poor man too much.

[antinanco]

((AWH. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!! I LOVE YOU, REI, TASHEBEAR, EVERYONE! <33333333333

AND OF COURSE AVUGODDESS HOW COULD I EVER FORGET HER! *cough*))

[/font]

[Tashe]

(XD We love you too Ant.)

One minute there was only Kaegan and himself in the stables, and the next there seemed to be a swarm of kids. Had the fact his kittens were ready to be adopted spread as fast as a wild fire? Better yet, how did these kids know the kittens had been moved to the stables? Well, he supposed it really didn't matter, as long as the kids took care of the kittens they chose. Looking down at the first person to speak, F'rah crossed his arms over the side of the Stall door before answering. "Ah, close. I'm just F'rah now. I got sick and had to retire, none of us knew when I was goin' to get beter." For sale? Chuckling loud enough for half the Runners (including Condor) to look over in his direction, the Brownrider patted the boy on the shoulder. "They're free my boy. As long as you take care of them an' show them a little love. The white one there, the one that looks like her daddy, is a female, that alright with you?"

As if he was called, the father of the kittens appeared on the divider between the two empty stalls. Glancing up at his Male cat, F'rah offered his finger to Scara, itching him on the neck. The male was the exact opposite of his mate, while he was white and handsome, Shaur'ri was scruffy and multicolored. If the two were ever compaired, one would think that they were a Lord and a peasent. Switching his gaze to the next person to pip up, F'rah smiled before answering her question. "Sure thing young miss, they're old enough to play with humans." Unlatching the stall door so that both of the teen's could pass through, the Brownrider let his gaze drift up to where Kaegan was.

--

"Condor hold still you Crazy thing." Tugging on her Gelding's lead in the attempts to get his head down so she could brush his mane, Kaegan knew he acted like this when there were treats to be found, but she hadn't brought any with her. There had to be treats or someone with treats about, since she was losing the battle of combing his mane, she was a small woman and he a big horse. Giving up and crossing behind Condor to his other side, the Weyrwoman was startled by the appearence of the younger man. "Oh! Oh, hello. Er... yes. I took Condor out um... earlier so I'm grooming him now. Don't want him lame in his hoof because I missed a rock." Smiling as the boy got distracted by the kittens Kaegan tapped her Runner on the muzzle. "So. He's the one that you've been getting treats from."

Looking around for the source of the second voice, the Weyrwoman gave the girl a smile also. "Morning, and thank you. Becareful how much you boost his ego though. Its about to pop." The girl too, got distracted by the kittens, and that was fine with Kaegan.

--

"Sure sure, go ahead. The kittens will love to play." Watching his female cat as she started to groom one of her babies (kitten number one), F'rah grinned as he opened the door to let the other two in. "Just becareful hmm? And if you find one you like, tell me, and then you can take'm home with you. If you want."

[nightingale]

Upon receiving F'rah's permission, Saeo wasted no time in tugging on Farryl's sleeve and making for the kittens. She took special care to give the runner who was being groomed a wide birth, unwilling to take a hoof in the eye less than three days before her stitches came out.

"Oh, my gosh they're like little balls of knitting wool come to life!"

She crooned, kneeling down in the straw next to the creatures. Carefully, she reached for the fluffiest of the bunch -a whitish one with a spot on it's nose- and tucked it against her chest for a little bit of a cuddle. The kitten mewed once plaintively, digging it's needle sharp claws into her girl's vest.

"Oh what a little darling!"

She cooed, crooking her knee so the kitten would have something to stand on as she stroked it's thick, soft fur with her thumb. She nodded, only half listening as the rider warned her and the others to be careful, but her attention was immediately snatched back at his mention of taking one home.

"Really? We can take them?"

She asked, eyes sparking with delight as she cradled the little feline to her chest.

"Oh sir, really? You would at least let me pay you for one, wouldn't you? I think I have a few marks in my back pocket..."

She shifted the kitten to one arm so that she could reach into the back pocket of her trousers and feel around for the wooden disks she taken with her that morning. A baby feline! Oh, wouldn't Cherilith be so surprised?

[hseru]

Lanthos slipped into the stall, eagerly crouching next to the kittens. He focused on the little patchy kitten being groomed by the mother, and reached out to give the female cat an introductory stroke and a scratch behind the ears before he ran a long finger down the kitten's back, delighted at how silky his fur was.

Attempting to catch its attention, Lanthos picked up a piece of straw, wiggling it just in front of the kitten's nose, and slowly drawing it away.

He looked up when F'rah said they could take one, surprised. He could get a few marks for any of the kittens, especially if he took them to the Hold. Felines were invaluable as exterminators, and especially so to any family or farm who stored grain for either themselves or animals. He was surprised he hadn't seen more of them running about the Weyr, but they most likely avoided the dragons for fear of becoming a snack.

He held his breath, waiting for the rider's answer to the Weyrling's question about paying. He had not a single mark to his name, and hoped that her generosity in offering wouldn't backfire for him. His family had a couple of resident felines roaming around their runner farm, and their sleek forms were a familiar sight, and almost as comforting as the runners themselves. He'd love to have one to himself.

[Avu]

T'kal flushed slightly at the man's laughter, but at both comments, the brownrider blinked uncertainly. "Oh - apologies, sir, I didn't realize..." he started, surprise lacing his tones at F'rah's first statement. Not Weyrlingmaster anymore? Who was, then - ? He'd definitely have to keep himself up-to-date better to keep from humiliating himself in the future, T'kal thought with a mental sigh. It's not your fault, Kalmine, Leweleth answered his thoughts consolingly, You've had your own troubles. You could not have known that Styth's was ill, or that he was no longer Weyrlingmaster, unless you specifically asked someone, and why would you? As usual, the brown's practical reasoning made T'kal feel better, and he nodded at F'rah.

But - wait, completely free? "I couldn't do that," he protested, reaching for his pocket. He'd twelve marks, and while, yes, he was also interested in buying a fire lizard egg, that didn't mean he couldn't afford to pay the man some. "I've got enough to pay some...how much are felines at the Gathers? I can match that, at the very least. And yes, female is fine." Nevertheless, he slipped into the stall along with the others, kneeling by the kittens and, for once, forgetting that he should be dignified as he lured the one that Leweleth had liked previously, the little white, green-eyed female, away from her mother and offered his fingers to be sniffed before he cautiously rocked back on his heels, one hand sliding beneath the kitten's stomach and the other cupped lightly to offer some support to stand on as he lifted the female to eye level.

Green eyes met gold, and T'kal nodded solemnly at the kitten. "It's nice to meet you, too," he stated softly, his voice all but a tender croon as the kitten dropped her gaze and went straight to play, attacking his thumb, claws sheathed and teeth barely pricking as she rolled onto her back into one of his hands, clinging to the other lightly, her tongue rasping against his finger as she gazed at his face. She blinked, and then, as he carefully cradled her against his torso to prevent her falling, latched immediately onto his knots, batting at them as she braced herself against his palm with her hind legs, front paws and teeth clinging to the strings. T'kal grinned at the kitten, reaching out for Leweleth's mind, and found the brown dragon peering intently at the feline through his eyes.

What do you think? he asked happily.
A sweet little one. What's her name going to be? Ridiculous, I think it is, how only dragons are born with names. So much trouble, picking out just the right name, Leweleth commented, and T'kal could imagine the brown huffing in amusement. You never had any problems choosing the right name for /me/, did you? Because I chose the right name for myself. So can I name her?
If that wasn't a roundabout way to get your point across, I don't know what was,[/b] T'kal observed, letting the feline cling to his tunic and then clamber to his shoulder to continue pawing at his knots. Sure. What's her name, then?
Well, it's got to be short...because she is, you know, little. And it's got to end with -th. Like a dragon's name...
She's not a dragon, T'kal pointed out.
If she is to be Yours, she will have a dragon-worthy name, because you are only dragon-worthy, Leweleth answered stolidly. Her name is Moth.

"Moth." The name was whispered, tentative, and at first, ignored. The kitten had her tail around his neck in much the same way a fire lizard might, crouched with the tip of said appendage twitching against his ear as she clawed at his knots happily. "Moth?" he reiterated again, and earned the female's attention as she eyed him, green eyes round and close to his gold ones, before she mrowed loudly and then went back to trying to catch his knots, which remained elusive.

She likes it! Leweleth said confidently.

"Ahmm, yes, Weyrli - erm, sorry, Brownrider F'rah? I think I'd like this one, if that's at all possible. Leweleth's already chosen a name for her," he explained, grinning almost apologetically. "Anything a first-time owner might need to know?" he added, standing slowly, still cradling the kitten with one hand, though it was completely unnecessary as she perched happily on his shoulder, still trying to grab his knots, her claws swinging wildly. "And," he went on, a bit more firmly, "I will pay for her...name a price?"[/size]

[Rei]

Danar walked to the stables kicking rocks that happened to get in his way. The healers had kicked him out of the infirmary so they could change Pasine’s bandages and they had told him he was not allowed to return until he ate took a bath and completed whatever chores he had to do. The candidate left non to happily but promised he would be back soon. Pasine was sure to be bored in fact she complained every time she was left alone. He had quickly bathed and ate and seeing as how a candidate master had still not been chosen he had decided to go visit some of the runners for awhile.

As he entered the building he was surprised to see if full of people. That was a bit odd. They were all grouped around one stall in particular. Perhaps one of the mares had dropped a foal? He sidled closer to see what all the fuss was about and his eyes widened. Kittens? Yep cute baby felines, everyone seemed to be snatching up this one and that one and completely ignoring a little brown one with black points. He crouched down and the kitten made a beeline for the open person clambering up his trousers and rubbing it’s tiny face against his chin. Purring so loudly the sound had to have been audible to every person in the vicinity.

“Well aren’t you just a little lover. Who’s kittens?” He queried turning to the others. Maybe he could rope one for Pasine. It would sure cheer her up. This way she would have company when he left. He dug into his pockets and frowned he was pretty broke. Maybe they would take chores in exchange?

[Tashe]

Smiling as the younger generations went into the stall, F'rah shifted over and opened his arms to the silky White, holding Scara close to his chest. Everytime he looked at the kittens, it would remind him of the day he got his cats, they had been a present for Laurie and himself. They were almost symbolic in a way, two beings of different temperaments and styles coming to live together under one roof.

These pups were either too old, or to young to remember his rein as Weyrlingmaster and how hard headed he could be, excluding T'kal... though the young Brownrider had apparently gone through much. "No charge, really. I don't need your well earned marks! I might not be the Weyrlingmaster anymore, but I'm not broke." Scratching his cat between the ears as he cradled him, the man used the one of the posts of the stall to lean against. "If I have to threaten you with my Connections to the Master's, I will. And you..." Glancing up at the only rider and his only previous Weyrling of the kitten adoption group, he continued with a amused. "... I'll find ways to influence your duty rosters."

Looking over his shoulder at the new arrival, F'rah nodded slightly before speaking. "They're Shaur'ri and Scara's kittens. Meaning, mine. You can have that littlun' if you want, the others have picked up kittens of their own, and that one needs some love." Placing his male cat on the stall, the Brownrider wagged his finger at the boy. "And don't get me started on the price. They're free, and I'm not going to accept Marks for them."

--

Untying her Runner from the tie-rail, Kaegan lead him over to his stall, pausing a few paces away from the others that where outside the other stall. "Watch out, Condor is might be quiet but you never know." As soon as she judged it safe to bring her Gelding near the others, the Weyrwoman tugged on the leadleather when the Big Chestnut tried to lip Lanthos, leading him quickly into his home. Removing his halter, Kaegan leapt up onto his stall door before perching on top of it peering over at the ex-Weyrlingmaster. "I'd listen to him." Wobbling as Condor nudged her from behind, the young Goldrider clung to the side of the front wall with an small noise. Oh. That was very mature sounding.

[Rowana]

Farryl grinned at Saeo's delight with the kittens. She knelt down to get a closer look at the one her friend had chosen. She was a lovely little thing and Farryl tickled her behind the ears playfully. The fur was so soft! So much different from Tille and Peppeth's warm hide and yet just as comforting. She could hardly believe F'rah was willing to part with them and for free! She opened her mouth to protest, but the man's insistence was clear. She could tell he wouldn't take a single mark if they tried.

Another kitten distracted her attention by taking a mischievous swipe at her fingers. This one was also female, but had a dark back that melted into brown and then white underneath. Farryl chuckled and ran her hand down the soft fur. The kitten purred and mewed happily at the attention it had successfully acquired and then busied herself by exploring Farryl thoroughly from all directions. While she did so, Farryl looked up to smile at F'rah.

"Thank you very much!" she told him gratefully. "If we can ever do anything to help you, please let us know." She loved the thought of Saeo having a kitten. Maybe Raylin would like one too? It was a pity she wasn't here and they're were so few. She was growing attracted to the one now kneading her lap, but she hadn't decided yet. Could she handle a kitten along with Tille and Peppeth. Were they even aloud to have one? She wasn't sure she could trust Morea to keep it a secret if they weren't. She didn't know her roommate that well yet.

[hseru]

Unable to resist, Lanthos traded the piece of straw for his fingers, waggling them temptingly before the patchy kitten, now kneeling on both knees. He batted at them with all the ungainly speed of a kitten, missing as Lanthos pulled them safely out of reach.

Crawling forward to inspect this newcomer and his interesting worms, the kitten wrinkled his nose a bit to ease an itch the straw had caused, sneezing loudly after a moment. Lanthos chuckled at the cuteness. The kitten perked its ears forward at the sound, once again drawn to inspect the mountain before him. Taking a cursory sniff, the kitten decided it would like to see from on high, and began clawing his way up the mountain, finding easy purchase for his tiny kitten claws in the soft covering of the now twitching and yelping mountain.

Lanthos yelped when the kitten sank claws in to climb him, still grinning as he placed a hand under the kitten to help it up to its chosen spot. Alighting on his shoulder, the kitten stood regally, tail held high as he surveyed the area from just under Lanthos' left ear.

He couldn't help the small feeling of guilt at possibly taking so valuable an animal for free, but it was quickly squashed by the kitten curling around his neck to lay with paws draped over each shoulder. It blinked brown eyes at him, and he was trapped by the sudden affection for the little creature.

"Thank you so much." Lanthos said, addressing F'rah and gesturing to the kitten still perched on his shoulders. "I'll take such good care of him." He paused for a moment, thinking. "Um... How do the dragons take to these little ones?"