What to do {Mik/Open}

[midnight]

Meagen stared across the gather grounds, her heart pounding in her throat. So much had been happening, she had been chancing. Nothing big, but she had been making friends. Now she had to worry about other things, what other things exactly? How to handle a Gather for one. She really hadn't bothered with them before. Now she was going to do it. She was going to go to a Gather, and have the time of her life.

With or without Mik and Cry.

Her heart twinged for a moment, as she straightened out her skirts. Staring down at the dark blue dress she wore. She wore it because it was set off well by her hair and eyes, a nice combination she had often been told. The dress wasn't belted, so it just hung around her. She could easily find a belt at the gather, if she had any marks, but she was a little short on them. She laughed weakly to herself as she remembered that.

Meagen took in a breath as she looked around, pushing back her bangs and nibbling her lower lip. She hadn't bothered to tie back her hair. But had tamed it with a lot of brushing and some special oil. It would make the hair smoother and less fly away, but not make it overly greasy in look. It was just to tame her hair, and make it so that she had a sleeker look. She was contemplating finding a way to get a hairpin to put her bangs back, but she decided against it.

Brown eyes scanned the crowds as she made her way through them. Moving slowly and carefully throughout the group of people. Two people she wanted to see, and really hadn't had a chance too. She wanted to cry because of this, but she held herself together. She wasn't going to run and hide anymore. But she wouldn't hurt them, because it was a gather... If she saw them.

She was starting to think that she wouldn't, more and more. She wandered the crowd, smiling to people and waving. But the smile didn't really reach her eyes. With her friends it did, but now it just didn't really reach it.

What was there to do?

[Ruby]

Possibly a gather wasn't the best idea. M'kai was still pale and weak, even skinnier than usual, and it meant he had to leave Futh behind. Futh was NOT pleased- technically the Blue dragon was old enough to fly, and even carry his rider, but the Blue was... well, a little on the chunky side. To both of their embarassment, Futh was still having an enormously difficult time getting off the ground on his average wings. It's not that they weren't ALLOWED to come, but since they could not go between quite yet, M'kai was secretly worried about Futh's staying power. He didn't tell the blue this, but he did catch a ride to Blossom on an obliging Green with a pretty rider.

Now Futh was refusing to speak to him. M'kai self-conciously adjusted the Junior Weyrling's knot that he hardly felt he deserved, smoothing the pale blue fabric beneath. More than anything, M'kai was interested in the nighttime festivities of this gather, so he had decided to come for one day and catch a ride back later that night. It wasn't night yet... but it was getting towards lunch time. The Weyrling set off in search of food, his pitiful supply of marks clacking in his pocket.

Something about the girl he was about to brush by stopped him. It wasn't her hair- Crys liked the darker shades, he was usually stopped by the lighter; it wasn't her waist or her hips or her backside- he couldn't see more than hints under that dress anyway, although he suspected that that was a shame. No, it was something about the way she stood, or maybe the way she held her head. M'kai knew he knew her, he just couldn't place her.

He put one hand on her shoulder, starting "Miss?" before he recognized that hair- usually more bushy, somehow tamed today. She hadn't even begun to turn before he'd recognized her. Meagen.

His jaw almost dropped off his face.

[midnight]

Meagen turned towards the voice, a hand landing on her shoulder. She had almost startled, but she resisted the urge to grab the arm and flip the offender over her shoulder. Mik and Cry had taught her better. She turned and nearly died a moment, her heart nearly fell through her feet and her breath nearly left her body completely. Her eyes widened, and lips parted faintly. He looked like he had been so sick. It was so sad!

He must have been hit with the plague. "Mik..." She whispered softly and gently, reaching out and gently bracing her hand on his arm. Her cheeks darkened with color, as she felt that twisting feeling fill her stomach. Her breath rushing out as she shook a little harder. It wasn't good, it wasn't good. Today of all days, this of all things. It wasn't good, why? Because she couldn't have a crush on him. He had been like her brother! Then there was Cry to think about, what about him?

Oh sweet Faranth, she was a confused girl. She looked up at him, her eyes shining. "You sharding... you... you..." She pressed her hands over her lips, her eyes tearing a little. But they just seemed to hang there, as her lips quivered and her breath came out in a rush. She whimpered faintly almost and buried her face in his chest. The old sensations welling up. He had saved her when she had been most hurt, helped her rebuild herself. She owed so much to him, yet he had left her behind.

"Mik... Mik..."

[Ruby]

It was like seeing a ghost, but in the best way possible. Before he could process, she was in his arms, her hair brushing his chin. He dropped it a little, pulling her in tighter, chin resting on her head. The moment only lasted a second, though, before he grabbed her under the arms and swung her in a circle like he'd done since they were little kids. People had to jump out of the way, but he didn't care an ounce. He only had eyes for her.

Setting her back on her feet, M'kai took a step back. "It's M'kai now," he said lightly, gesturing to the knot. "Of Blue Futh, who isn't here, but says he wants to meet you as soon as he can get off the ground reliably enough to bring me out here. Shards, Megs, it's good to see you!" He could feel Futh tilt his head, unsure how he felt about this declaration of his desires, but M'kai knew he was just being difficult. Futh liked friends.

"So how's Blossom working out? Is Dia with you?" he plowed on, totally oblivious to the knot on HER shoulder. He was too busy sneaking glances at her hair, trying to figure out how she'd gotten it so... different. He was so happy to see someone from his past, someone who- he wasn't totally ashamed to admit it to himself- might help him find Cry. Grabbing her hand, he stood on tiptoes (not that he needed it, really) and scanned around for a table, finding one near the open square where people were already dancing. He headed for the table, still holding her hand.

[midnight]

Meagen's heart pounded in her chest, joy exploding through her like a dragon's flame. She found true laughter exploding from her lips as he pulled her closer. Suddenly her world changed, he spun her around like he had for so long. Her breath gasped out as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He set her back down on her feet and she panted faintly, joy flushing her cheeks along with her blush from her feelings that had welled up. She took a long breath finally and stared up at him.

"Futh, huh? Congratulations, not what I would have expected." She said teasingly as she nudged him gently. She felt her cheeks flaming more as she sighed softly. "M'kai, can't I just call you Mik still?" She said as she pouted faintly. She nibbled her lower lip and tilted her head down a little. She lifted it again as he grabbed her hand and started directing them towards a table. He pulled her along and a sly smile curled her lips.

"Actually, I'm not at Blossom, haven't been for months. Dia was good last I saw, but I haven't seen her in awhile myself." She said as she pulled back a little. Putting her hands on her hips, making the dress tuck in nicely, accenting a figure that many didn't get to see. Not that there was much, in her opinion. "M'kai... I'm a candidate now." She stated as she tilted her head up, staring at him defiantly.

[Ruby]

"Not what you expected, eh?" he asked, gently teasing. "Just because it took me what, eight, nine years to impress doesn't mean I wasn't worthy after all! You haven't even beaten me yet!" He slid in next to her, gently smacking her on the back of the head. Not enough to hurt at all, just to get his point across. "And you can call me Mik if you want, I won't make you stop. M'k?" he tried to eliminate the i with no success. "But only cause you knew me when I was too little to wipe my own nose," he added.

People in their Gather finest whirled past, the Harpers playing an upbeat tune. The song ended and people dispersed while the Harpers took a break; he saw one of them spending her time on her sweetheart, a little throughly for public. Coloring slightly, he turned back to Meagen. "When did you..." he broke off, rephrasing the accusing tone he'd been using. They'd left her in Blossom for her own protection- she wasn't supposed to come after them! He and Cry had talked about going back for both girls after they had Impressed, or at least made sure that Selenitas was safe, but THEY were supposed to do the getting.

"Who searched you?" he asked, trying not to sound annoyed. He ignored the hands on hips- he could deal with angry Megs, although it would be harder without Crys to back him up with glares. Stifling a sigh, he changed his tone. "Well, congratulations. I'm glad you're at Selenitas now! Right?" he added, joking. If she had been searched anywhere else, she certainly wasn't going back. "It really is good to see you. Have you seen Crys?"

[midnight]

Meagen kept her hands braced on her waist. Her eyes narrowed, hidden behind her bangs as she continued to watch him. he finally got it, the fact that she had followed them. She cleared her throat and then laughed. "Who said I was going to wait for you to come back and get me." She stated as she tilted her head back. "Mik, you abandoned me to live with fish things that talk." She stated as she threw out her hand. "Nothing against dolphins, but they aren't dragons." She snapped, then she stopped.

The music was changing, running through a lovers song. She found her mind running through things she could do. He was still treating her like a child, snapping her on the back of the head, joking as if she was just the closest of friends. She was, but she was really crushing on him, and it was getting worse. She bit her lip and tilted her head down, her cheeks coloring still. He asked her about Cry and she shrugged. "I saw him in passing, a bit ago." She stated simply.

Her bravery had to mount up... she had to do this. "Mik, dance with me please?" She asked. Bravery for her, she never danced. Yet she was asking him. She wanted to be seen as a woman, not a child.

[Ruby]

"We weren't-" he started, then bit off his words, letting her finish. The thing about talking fish though... that was the Megs he remembered. Smothering laughter, he let her snap. He knew how she felt about dragons. He knew, because it was the same way he'd felt before he impressed. Nothing was as important, and nothing would keep her from having one. Figured that she'd find a way to come here and Stand.

Her dismissal of Cry, though, made him forget whatever forbearance she'd recieved. "You saw him? Where?" he asked, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Is he-" Dumb question. Of course he was alright, as long as she was that dismissive. And she'd asked him to dance, and he'd ignored her. "I'm sorry, Megs. I'm such a dimglow. Crys can wait- of course I'll dance with you. Although I'll warn you, your feet may never be the same again!"

He offered a hand with a bow, not even registering the romantic nature of the song. "Milady?" he asked, sweeping her out onto the floor. He held her like a sister, only touching her hands and lower back, a good six inches away from her everywhere else. He wasn't lying about her feet, either. M'kai was a decent lead, but he had two left feet, and one of them snagged her toes fairly frequently. With a distracted sigh, he concentrated, looking down at the floor even though he knew that wasn't how to dance. At least he didn't step on her as often.

[midnight]

Meagen smiled at him as he slowly took in her words. She was glad he understood, understood that she just couldn't have it any other way. She smoothed her skirt and for a change wished she could show off a figure. Wished she could attract his attention. She tilted her head down and smiled weakly to herself. She really wished she could let him know, and she decided that she would finally do that. She would let him know how she felt.

When he took her to the dancefloor, she danced with him. But it wasn't how she wanted to dance. Her hands slid to his own, and she redirected them. Stepping closer, she didn't want to be a sister, she wanted to know what she could possibly have. "Mik... dance with me, as if I was a woman, not your sister." She whispered weakly, her eyes turning up towards him. She watched his for a moment, but decided it was best to just pay attention to the dancing for a little longer.

She treated the dancing like a fight, staying ahead of his feet mostly. But as she pulled herself closer, she decided it was best to shock him. That was really the only way to do it. "Mik... I really like you, and I want you to see me as a woman, not a sister... not a child." She stated as she stood on tiptoes, the kiss was swift. Placed half on the right corner of his lips. What he did from there, she didn't know.

[Ruby]

M'kai moved more tentatively as Meagen shifted closer. In his head he knew she wasn't actually related to him, but in his heart she truly was a sister. He had spent so many years of his life protecting her from men, stopping them from taking advantage... from doing exactly what she was ASKING him to do now. He vividly remembered staring down a rider who tried to get her to dance when there was music at Benden one night. He had stared and loomed, and Crys had flipped his knife. Needless to say, the man had left Meagen alone once he noticed. M'kai avoided her eyes when she looked up.

He held her delicately, eventually just giving up and letting her lead in all but name. She kept pushing forward, and he kept trying to pull back a little without her noticing. Luckily, this only went on for a second or two before she snuggled in close again, catching his eyes and holding them this time. And she... liked him. Well, he wasn't totally surprised, but he was when she went up on tiptoes and kissed him.

Just a little kiss, a chaste peck on the lips, but M'kai knew that wasn't it. Futh stirred in the back of his mind, curious and scared, and M'kai did what he could to shut the Blue off. He was still a baby, after all! Dropping his arms, M'kai took a step back, forcing another couple to whirl out of his way with matching dirty looks. "Megs..." he started, then shook his head. He had no idea what to say. He didn't want to hurt her, but... "Megs, there's no way I can do this right now. It's just with Futh, and Crys is missing... I'm so sorry. Just not right now." He backed up a step or two before turning, dissapearing into the crowd.

[midnight]

Meagen had known that all things would turn out badly. The moment he yanked back, well that's what it felt like to her. Her eyes widened as he began to talk, and shame burned her cheeks. "I didn't mean it like that! I would never cause problems for your dragon..." She said in a weak voice. Tears threatened to come as she watched him. She should have known it would happen, that he would pull back. He could only see her as a sister, only see her as someone that wasn't a sexual figure. He couldn't see her as anything other then a little girl.

He had let her go, and she stumbled a little. Wrapping her arms around her waist, tilting her head down. "It's fine..." She said in a croaking tone. "It's fine... it's fine..." She whispered like a mantra. But he was already gone. Already gone, leaving her again. He was gone in the crowd, and she was left standing there in the center of the dancing area. Her shoulders shook as she realized that people were dancing around her. Someone asked her a question, but she ignored it. Her shoulders shaking as her hands covered her face.

She had been so stupid, she had been too pushy. She should have stayed her normal self. Then Mik wouldn't have run off. He would still be dancing with her. She had probably irreparably damaged her relationship with Mik.

[Lotty]

He had been drinking all day, and this was no exaggeration. After all, he wasn't a little boy, it took quite a bit to get him tipsy, so he needed to start work on this early. From the moment he had arrived and found a stall with wine and alcohol he had a glass in his hand continuously and without exception, even when he ran to the latrines he found very creative ways to keep a hold of his cup. Teeth were very handy it seemed! A few times, he even tried to hand the drink off to Doppelganger would clung for dear life against his neck. Somehow drunken perception made Doppel look big enough to carry around a cup...only when the brown chanted NO CRUSH DOPPEL! No mine! Loooooove need fixer help! EEEEEP! Oh Rahrah! Why did he have to be so goofy today? Where was Mimiceggminelove at? The salamandyr kept a keen eye out for his brother. Because surely they - MimicLove and GoodFixer of course - would be able to fix this.

But there was nothing that would fix this - Mi'rah didn't want to fix this. Inebriation was the closest thing he had to socialization in a long time, it required him to drop his guard and be something closer to a human as opposed to the automatronic logic machine that had been spending his time eyeing drudges and checking his food for signs of tampering. Wine was able to show the robot how to dance. So it was no surprise where the bronzerider was...out on the dancefloor being a loud drunk, carrying on and on with everyone who stopped to give him the time of day....all the while still holding a drink and not breaking a single party foul. He shall not spill a drop.

Now what was this? A girl without a dancing partner? That wasn't right! Somewhere, the chivalrous part of him that he had so long ago forgotten had woken up, and he swayed his way over to the girl. He attempted eloquence but it was never meant to be, the music was too noisy for him...there were other people talking...he felt like his voice had to compete and his normal voice was always much too weak. Normally he was something of a low talker, sweetly stuttering out words in soft saintly serenity. Now he was loud...and obnoxious, "HEY!" Look at him gooooo, "HEY! YOU'RE PRETTY WANT TO DANCE? MY NAME IS MI'RAH IM A BRONZERIDER!"

Awesome.

[midnight]

Meagen looked up, there was someone being loud and drunk. But that always happened at a gather. Her eyes widened as she scrubbed her hands over her face. Trying to hide that she had been crying. He was talking, and loudly at her. He was drunk, and at that also a bronzer. She knew him, just faintly. She had seen him around a lot in-

in Benden.

Her eyes shot wide open as her mouth formed and O. Hopefully he shouldn't be able to recognize her. But shards was he drunk! She had been crying before, but now she was more worried about avoiding any drunken lecherousness. "No... It's quite alright!" She squeaked out as she threw up her hands.

She backstepped away from him, and did her best to try and stay back. Slowly she edged for the back end of the gather. She would probably go find a drink, or maybe she could find someone to talk to. She wished her friends were there, she might be able to talk to them. But Shards, she wished that this drunken bronzer wasn't here.

As more of a side note, the girl found herself muttering. "On a side note, I'm not pretty."

[Lotty]

WHAT? You can't just....just do whatever thingy she thought she was doing! He was Mi'rah...didn't she hear him? He wouldn't have announced his name if it meant anything other than the fact that he was completely harmless...and a great dancer if he could say so himself. So what was it that had her backing off? He rolled around the options in his head and Benden wasn't one of the reasons. He truly didn't recognize the girl, though her name was eternally linked to D'mian who was one of those fellows that Mi'rah rather easily shrouded and buried deep within his memory. N'na didn't like him...if N'na didn't like someone neither did Mi'rah. The man's loyalty to his old wingleader ran awfully deep.

No, what Mi'rah figured was that he was ugly. Yes, ugly. Which made him feel totally affronted and offended. He asked for a dance not a roll in the hay...it wasn't like she had to carry on his part of the gene pool after all. He scowled and accused her of vanity in a...slightly lower voice, "It's because I'm FAT! Isn't it," he didn't miss those few steps she took away from him, he'd let her know that she was making a big mistake! He was smart, and funny, and an all around nice guy, and she would just have to miss out on all of this, "well that's just fine. FINE FINE FINE..."

Swerving in his spot and taking a drink the salamandyr peeped up having picked up on the girl's denial of his bonded's compliment, Pretty pretty! Pretty is pretty yes! Of course she was just wonderful, though she had managed to upset His very much. No worries he would make this all right, or he wouldn't be Doppelganger. The little creature bounced on Mi'rah's shoulder happily as the man regarded the girl suspiciously.

[midnight]

Meagen suddenly felt affronted that he was accusing her of being vain. Her eyes flared to life as her hands went to her hips. "LOOK! IT's as simple as this. You are a BENDEN RIDER. The only thing Benden did to me was allow D'mian to get away with his herdbeast dung!" She snapped as she stabbed her finger towards him. Her eyes narrowing more, this was a bad thing.

"Fat? I wouldn't call you FAT! A little fluffy, that'd be about it. But sweet Faranth Fat? What are you that self-concious? Seriously... I just don't dance with Benden Riders!" She snapped as she looked towards the little creature on his shoulder. He was... he was adorable. But she couldn't be distracted.

"What is that?" She said, pointing towards the creature on his shoulder. She had seen Salamanyr's from afar, but never this close. Maybe a change of topic would work? She really needed to let her anger die down, her being too many emotions at once...

Was a very bad thing.

Hurt, Angry, Sad, and Depressed. What a bundle of nerves.