By Invitation Only (Slumber Party Thread)

[nightingale]

Two dozen bubbly pies? Check.
Ample sitting room? Check.
Dragons put to bed? Check.
Kei's flitter? Check.
Freshly bandaged wildling? Check.

Pest. Freckle huffed softly from her place at Saeo's throat. The tiny green salamandyr had curled herself into a perfect circle around the girl's neck, tucking her tail beneath her chin so that she looked more like a piece of jewelry than a living thing. Saeo gave her a chiding tap on the head with her index finger, drawing the smallest of hisses from the little creature."Stop being so vile already. It's just going to be a some friends coming over to socialize. You can stay with me the whole time."No! Badgreen, badpest, BAD! It would seem that the 'mandyr was less than thrilled with the prospect of being surrounded by female Weyrlings and their pets. It was bad enough that she had to share Hers with the bluepest and share a room with the greenpests. Why did they need MORE greenpests?! She hissed in earnest when Lamb warbled from a nearby shelf, her eyes whirling an irritated yellow-orange as she glared at the little green flitter.

"Alright, I think we're ready!"
Saeo called over her shoulder to Raylin, her tone bright and enthusiastic despite her new pet's pessimism.
"The girls should start arriving sometime soon. Is there anything I've forgotten?"
Is Pasine coming? Cherilith asked helpfully, a sleepy, dragonic purr rumbling in his throat. No darling, the healers said she isn't well enough yet. She has some sort of mild infection they want to keep an eye on.

Getting Pepsi out of the infirmary when the healers were sick of dealing with him was one thing, but a pretty little girl who had been mauled at a hatching was quite another. Now that Shmee herself had taken an interest in Pasine's welfare, Saeo was certain that the healerstaff would be tripping over each other to see that she made a full, luxurious recovery. She could quite suppress a flash of anger and jealousy at that thought...

Do felines eat pie? Saeo turned a confused eye toward the sleepy blue dragon on his couch. What? No...why? Because Elle seems to like it quite a bit.
"Elle!"
She whirled around to face the table she and Raylin had set their days' baking labors upon, only to discover that her kitten had managed to climb onto the tabletop and was now up to her little pointed ears in a blueberry tart. The girl stormed over, scooped her little cat up and tucked her under one arm in a single smooth motion.

"Oh you silly little pest!"
She scolded over the kitten's plaintive mews.
"Those are for people, not felines! Now you're going to have a tummyache..."
Grabbing up a scrap of dark cloth from the vanity, she balanced the kitten on one knee and attempted to wipe off the worst of the sticky purple filling. Pest. Pest. Freckle huffed sulkily, making it obvious where she had learned her favourite curse word. Saeo sighed lightly, wondering how some women handled real infants when she could barely handle a dragon, a kitten and a salamandyr. She'd have to ask the old crechewoman one day...

[Rei]

Raylin positively sulked from her cot. The little mander Saeo had acquired was to put it nicely, a menace. Ebolath gave her bonded a loving croon from her position curled up with Cherilith. Raymine you do not like Freckles? No sweetheart I positively abhor her. She said shooting a glare at the cause of her as of now frequent headaches. Ebolath gave another croon and nuzzled her clutch brother. Raymine is sad that your little green sister hates us.

Vega was curled possessively around Lamb and if the small flitters color was anything to go by she would rise soon. Raylin couldn’t help but give a small smile. Her tiny flit seemed to have a crush. It was rather cute. To bad with his flying ability it would be a miracle of he caught her. His affectionate attitude was the only thing that was buffering her hate for Saeo’s new pet. The pale flitter chirped and nuzzled Lamb reassuring her that he would deal with the ugly green frilly if she tried anything.

Raylin giggled at Vega’s affection her attention being drawn from the flitters at Saeo’s exclamation. “Oh Elle you like blueberry too?” She strode over to the room ignoring the hiss Saeo’s mandyr shot her way and stooping to help clean the filling off Elle’s face. “You silly thing.” She turned to Saeo. “Who is all coming to this gathering anyway? I really hope we can keep it under control. I would hate to be saddled with extra chores.”

[Rowana]

Farryl skipped down the hall of the Weyrling Barracks. She was filled with excitement for the party and her heart was light and happy. She was also surrounded by a swarm of young creatures. Tille, the fire lizard and the oldest, had claimed her perch on Farryl's shoulder. Peppeth, the dragon, was trotted happily behind acting like, and still small enough to be mistaken for, an adorable, green canine. In Farryl's arms was the squirming, purring kitten she had decided to name Mikka. Between the three of them, it was a miracle Farryl got any sleep or work done.

Morea and Heith had declined to come as usual. Farryl was starting to think the other girl just didn't like to be social, so she just left her alone to her privacy. Saeo and Raylin were always fun to visit. She tapped politely on the door and called to her friends. "Are you ready?" she asked. "I'm sorry I brought Peppeth along, she wouldn't stay behind." <I want to have fun too!> Peppeth declared brightly, and Tille added her own chirp of agreement. <I know dear, but I'm just not sure how much room they'll have in there> Farryl explained. <Peppeth is small> the dragon reminded her. Farryl chuckled. <That is very true.>

[binker]

At first, Pepsi had been against the idea of attending a party in which he would be the only male. Well, the only male person; dragons and mindpets didn't count. But Saeo had asked, and Saeo was nice, so Pepsi had decided to come... Of course, his loneliness as of late didn't have anything to do with it. No way.

He had been flopped on the floor, dozing on his stomach while the girls bustled, doing things he didn't really understand, nor feel like trying to help with. His back was aching and itching, and he had needed a nap more than anything... Besides, the weyrlings had it under control. But as things started to get going he stirred, sitting up to move closer to the two girls. THose pies smelled good...

"Others are coming soon?" He questioned, taking a moment to snag one of the bubbly pies and taking a large bite out of it. No sooner were the words ushered there was a knock on the door, and he was blinking at Farryl. Well, that would be a 'yes'...

[nightingale]

Cherilith offered his clutchsister a sleepy groan by way of apology, shifting slightly so he could lay his head atop her neck. Yes, I am sad as well. My little green sister dosen't like me much at all...I don't understand Ebolath. You and Vega get along very well. Have I been unkind to Freckle in some way?

"You shouldn't encourage her Raylin. If my kitten ingests a lethal does of pie one day, I'll hold you directally responsible."
Saeo scowled, but her voice lacked any venom as she allowed the older girl to take over scrubbing the little cat's face. There was go way they'd get all the purple off -blueberries stained like nothing else- but at the very least the could make her less sticky. Having a sticky kitten running about was just asking for trouble.
"I invited about a half dozen people, plus Lamb. Farryl is coming, and I told her to pass on an invitation to Morea as well...then there's Pasine and Meira, but they both told me they couldn't attend...Burry might come. She was one of the candidates that stood with us. Very nice in my opinion, so I thought I should ask her along."

She was destracted from her musings by a combination of familiar voices and a light rapping at the door. The girl's face lit up immidiately, and passing her kitten off to Raylin for further cleaning, she skipped her way over to the door and tugged it open."Evening Farryl!" She chirped, not at all surprised to see that Morea had declined their invitation. She declined most of their invitations. "Don't worry about Peppeth. Cherilith and Ebolath are always glad to have her visit." Vile greenpests! Freckle spat, eyes whirling and angry red-orange as she examined first Tille, then Farryl, then Peppeth. She didn't like the look of a single one of them -especially the fire lizard. Hers should send them away! Now!

"Umm, I suppose you haven't met Freckle yet."
The girl flushed, embarassed by her 'mandyr's lack of hospitality. Vilebad greenpests! Stop that Freckle, you're being rude. No! NOstop! The little 'mandyr lifted her head in order to frill angrily at the trio.
BAD! Bad greenpests go! GO NOW! NOWNOWNOW!

"Try to ignore her."
The girl sighed, stepping away from the door to allow her friends a wide birth so as to protect them from her living necklace and all it's fury. Hello Peppeth. Cherilith greeted with a sleepy smile, his half-lidded eyes whirling an aquatic blue as he shifted over to make room for her on the couch. Come and lay with us. Ours are going to talk. Oh my, what a very angry green salamandyr! Lamb chirruped nervously from her perch, glad to have Vega's comforting warmth near to her when there was so much conflict happening below. He was nice. Yes, very nice. Nice Vega. He would keep the angry salamandyr away.

[dragon]

After having heard of the little shindig that the young girls were planning to have, from Raylin, Dorava had been looking forward to the evening for better than a week. It would be nice, to be a part of the gathering she had been invited to. She wouldn't know hardly any of them, but now was as good as any time to change that!

She had been looking forward to it enough that she had painted Val blue again, and oiled him up pretty. He was now shining and sparkling marvelously with the confidence of any other 'mandyr out there. He was now wrapped confidently around Dorava's wrist, accenting the rich blue flutter-sleeve blouse she was wearing. For this little encounter, she had bothered to wear a skirt ... nearly unheard of on her. But she was. A night black skirt was what she wore, the fine fabric swishing pleasantly around her ankles.

Yes, she was excited, and happy. Maybe she would accrue some friends finally? Never mind if they were young ... she didn't care. And in time, they would become fully fledged riders, too! So, yes... tonight was going to be a night to enjoy!

She had left Aonith drowsing peacfully on her ledge, and had walked all the way down the length of the Weyr to where the weyrling barracks were, and into them. Determining which room was the one hosting the party was easy enough... the giggling coming from withing was already audible. Not to mention the rather snarky coments coming from a 'mandyr to aid in the locating.

From her arm hung a small button-shut soft wicker basket. What was inside was a secret for the moment, but she did intend to share with the young people she was going to meet.

Val perked up at the sound of another 'mandyr, and peeped quietly, before returning his head to his pet's wrist. He could wait to see who was speaking...

Dorava paused outside the room, and knocked on the doorframe. "Hello?" She asked, politely, a small smile playing across her face.

[Rei]

Ebolath huffed softly as Cherilith lowered his head onto her. I do not think you have been unkind Clutchbrothermine. Freckles seems to only like yours. Perhaps if you keep trying she will come around? The small green crooned a greeting to Peppeth as she entered. Yes Clutchsistermine, come cuddle with us and we can listen to ours be silly. She rumbled as Cherilith shifted to make room, and raised a wing in case Peppeth wanted to snuggle against her.

Vega gave a soft thrill and moved to make room for Tille on the shelf where he and Lamb were perched. Would she like to come sit with them? The angry frilly on Saeo's shoulder was too loud yes? They would do well to ignore the frilly.

Finishing with the cleaning of Elle, Raylin set the little kitten down and smiled at Farryl. “Evening Farryl don’t worry about bringing her. It's no problem. Ebolath adores Peppeth you know that.” She shot Saeo’s mandyr another dark look as it exclaimed unhappily. “Yes please ignore Freckle. She has a inferiority complex.” The dark haired girl said sourly ignoring the mandyr's hiss of anger.

A soft rap at the door caught her attention and Raylin turned away from Farryl and smiled as she beheld Dorava. “Dorava glad you could make it. Please come it.” She said in a cheerful tone and gestured for her to go ahead and enter. “Pepsi, Saeo, Farryl, this is Dorava of Green Aonith. Dorava these are my friends Saeo, Farryl, and Pepsi." She said gesturing to each in turn.

[antinanco]

“And don’t forget ol’ Ieoha!” chimed that recognizable shrill voice from behind Dorava. Yes, Ieoha had decided to come to the party. The auntie wasn’t sure if she had been formally invited or not, but she was coming and that was final. There were just too few of these shin-digs for her to miss out on this one.

As usual, Laef was sleeping, this time curled around the handle of an enormous pot of cold juice, which Ieoha had snuck from the kitchens after hours (See? She could have a wild side too! She would not be pooping this party by any means). “And this little bugger,” she shifted so that everyone could see the green flitter, “is currently putting the ‘slumber’ in slumber party. She’s Laef, but don’t expect her to do much!”

With that the old lady shuffled into the room, straining under the weight of the pitcher. Grunting, she hoisted the cauldron onto the table with the bubbly pies. Then she dusted her hands off, plucked Leaf from the handle, put her on her shoulder and turned the girls (and Pepsi) with an exultant smile. Overlooking the newest worms with slight distain, she trilled excitedly, “Wonderful, darling, Seao! Throwing a fantastic party, brilliant!” She paused, waiting for just a half of a breath to see if she was going to get thrown out for not being invited. It looked not. She grinned. “So, what’s first on the agenda tonight, ladies? And Pepsi?”

On second thought, what was the Wilding doing at an all-girls slumber party? She eyed his figure for a moment, then decided that as long as he didn’t try humping someone or some other wild thing then it was fine. Besides, his wounds should keep him in check. And if they didn’t, they had one last line of defense: her wooden cane! Ohoho, yes, she smiled wickedly at the thought of her being a gallant protector of the innocent girls and clutched her weapon a bit tighter. Bring it on.

[/font]

[binker]

Pepsi didn't recognize these girls. Farryl he remembered faintly, since she had been one of the impressing candidates, but these other two were foreign. And he didn't like the looks of that old one; her look reminded him of a green flitter he had found once. She had been so egg-heavy and ready to clutch that she couldn't escape, but she eyed him the exact same way this old woman had...
That flitter and her clutch had been a good meal.

And speaking of flitters, that little green worm was /loud/! He made a fae at the shrill cries, looking to Saeo. "We could hit it until it was quiet...?" Hey, it was just a suggestion! He cocked his head, but quickly lost interest in Freckle; he was more interested in a meal. Picking up another bubbly pie he set in to it quickly; even out of the jungle he tended to eat his food like he was afraid someone would take it... Felines didn't have any qualms over stealing kills, and old habits died hard.

That done, he started eyeing the females warily, keeping a close eye on Ieoha. He didn't like that stringy old thing at /all/. Why was she here? She was loud, and wrinkly, and would just get in the way...

[ladybug]

Burena giggled, twirling before the mirror. She was dressed in a short, frilly, sleeveless party dress. Simply lovely! There wouldn't be any boys to impress--Pepsi didn't count--but she didn't care. Sometimes it was good to dress up just for fun. With a satisfied smile, she hurried out the door and headed for the weyrling barracks. She was carrying a box in her arms, which contained her entire makeup collection. What was a sleepover without makeovers?

At the appropriate door, she knocked, then waited, humming to herself.

((Sorry it's so short and icky. I don't have much time, but I didn't want her to be late.))

[nightingale]

Saeo frequented the infirmary often enough to recognize Dorava when she entered the room. In fact, after loosing a fight against a sharp rock during the first week of her candidacy she seemed to recall having the young healer patch her arm up. She smiled warmly, tugging the hem of her cream-coloured tunic into a small curtsy.

"It's lovely that you could make it Dorava! I hate to tell you however, that you're looking very pretty for someone attending a slumber party. Surely you don't aim to impress the firelizards?" Bluepest. Freckle snapped, eyes whirling dangerously as they settled on Val. Saeomine. MINE. The warning was clear enough -she would not tolerate another 'mandyr coming anywhere near Hers. If he tried anything at all, she would make sure to get rid of him and his greenpest herself. Saeo glowered at the little green, and was about to scold her when another familiar voice caught her attention.

"Ieoha!"

She grinned, nudging her way between guests to get to the table where she quickly re-arranged a few of the pies to make room for the pot of juice to be set down.

"It's so good to see you! You've checked to make sure Laef is still breathing I hope? She might have slipped into that juice pot and drowned while you weren't looking."

The invitation extended to Ieoha had been more of a casual joke than anything -light conversation made while she and C'oar (mostly C'oar) had ferried her across the river the other day. Still, she was genuinely pleased that the auntie had taken up on the offer. The old woman might not know a thing about touching dragon eggs, but she had an undeniable spark and fiestiness that Saeo deeply admired.
Pepsi received nothing short of a scathing look upon suggesting that Freckle be bludgeoned into submission.

"Harm my salamandyr and I'll see to it that you're hit so hard, your children are born bruised." BADBAD VILEBAD BAD BAD BAD! Freckle agreed, hissing at the wilding with her frill fully extended. Another knock at the door spared the boy any more abuse as Saeo moved to admit their latest visitor.

"Burry, It's fantastic to see you!"

She gushed, ushering the girl inside.

"My, and what a dress! It seems that you and Dorava were the only ones aware that this was a formal occasion! Everyone, this is Burena." Greenpest BAD! Freckle spat, frilling at the girl before Hers had a chance to finish the introduction. Wizened old greens and sleepy fools were tolerable -if just barely- but pretty girls were simply not the kind of company she intended to keep in large quantities. "And this is Freckle." Saeo continued with a light sigh. "My beautiful and gracious salamandyr whom I know will be on her best behavior because she does not want to be put to be early with the dragons." Pest. Freckle huffed, then fell silent. Saeo grinned.

"First on the agenda!" She announced, placing one hand on her hip and gesturing theatrically toward the tablefull of pies with the other.

"Because alcohol is prohibited in the Weyrling barracks, everyone must consume at least three pies in order to ensure their blood-sugar levels are high enough to promote giddiness and a loose tongue -please dodge the one with a faceprint. Snacks will be accompanied by a game of Quests and Questions, and because this entire affair was half my idea and Raylin owes me a favour, I think it's only fair that I get to go first."

She cast a wicked smile in Farryl's direction. It was the kind of dark, vicious smile that could only spell imminent doom for it's recipient.

Farryl! Quest or question?"

(( No problem Ladybug. ^__^ And just so everyone knows, Quests and Questions is just a Pernese colloquialism for Truth or Dare. XD ))

[dragon]

Dorava smiled, as she was actually welcomed in. That was a releif. And she just grinned understandingly at Freckle. She knew how those little ones could be ... and there wasn't much anyone could do about it. She knew she herself was quite lucky in gaining one like Val. Being shy was much better strange trait to have to deal with than one that habitually attacked or insulted everyone around them. She carried her wicker basket over to the pie table, and set it down there, leaving it buttoned for the time being. The contents were a secret for the time being, though she did accept a slice of pie. Finding herself a spot to sit down, she made herself comfortable.

"Well ... I don't often get to dress nicely anymore, so ... I take whatever oportunity I can get." She explained her attair to the bubbly young miss that seemed to be thier host tonight. Maybe they would forgive her for dressing up for what was more than likely a dressed-down get together. But her clothes were loose and comfortable... she wouldn't be at all stuffy.

Once his pet was seated, Val untwined himself from her wrist and scampered across the floor in that weird bounding bit that 'mandyrs tended to do. Clambering up the wall, he settled on the self same perch that the flitters were on, and then looked over the edge down at Freckle. He peeped an invite to her, quite willing to get to know the other salamandyr while the peoples yaked uselessly at each other.

Question or Quest? Dorava smiled slightly, again. It had been ages since she did anything so useless and silly as that. It would be good for her. She listened to Saeo for a moment, and then turned to regard Farryl with an interested gaze. This was getting off to a fast start! And then she smiled at Burena, and patted the spot next to her. "Hello, Burena!" She greeted, remembering the girl from the river. "Come sit." She invited.

[Rowana]

Farryl raised an eyebrow at Freckle before shrugging and dutifully ignoring her as told. "Thanks," she smiled at the welcome and quickly moved aside to make room for the other arrivals. Soon the small room was crowded with guests some of which Farryl knew and some she did not. This was going to be such fun! She had only really gotten to know Raylin and Saeo before, but now she was meeting other candidates and even riders and weyrfolk! She grinned and waved at them all before finding a spot to sit on Saeo's bed.

Mikka squirmed loose from her owner's grasped and trotted through the maze of legs to her sister. What was all that sticky, purple stuff on her face? Mikka nuzzled Elle in greeting and then licked it experimentally. It tasted quite odd and she wasn't yet sure if she liked it. Tille spiraled playfully around the room, delighted to see all the people and things to amuse her, before she settled next to Lamb and Vega. Yes the new green thing was loud. Why couldn't it learn to be nice like they were?

Peppeth darted happily over to Cherilith and Ebolath, who were by far her favorite siblings. As she passed Saeo, she raised her head to look curiously at the salamandyr before snorting and moving on. If the little one wasn't going to be nice, Peppeth didn't see what she could do about it. <Talk?> she whined to her clutchmates. <Talk is boring.> Despite the complaint she was actually fairly tired and willingly snuggled under Ebolath's wing. She was still small enough to be more than half covered.

Farryl was busing choosing herself a bubbly pie when Saeo's question hit her. She looked up sharply as she picked out a medium sized pastry. She was starting early! This was going to be such fun! "Hmmm..." Farryl considered carefully before answering. "Quest," she decided with a grin. Questions were over too quickly, but Quests could be almost anything!

[Rei]

Raylin raised an eyebrow at Ieoha’s entrance but made no comment. As the rest of the party entered she shook her head but smiled. It seemed that they were going to have a rather large turn out. The weyrling made her way over to the tables and acquired a blueberry pie.

She sat cross legged on the edge of Saeo’s bed and began to eat motioning for Pepsi to sit next to her. She might as well try to keep him out of the way if Saeo was going to start things this early. Raylin smiled at Farryl’s choice. Quest huh? With Saeo as the ringleader that could well have been a death sentence. This was going to be amusing. “Good luck Farryl.” She said cheerfully winking at the girl. She was going to need it.

Vega crooned happily to Tille as she alighted on the shelf and gave her an affectionate nuzzle, his eyes whirling a deeper blue. He quite liked being surrounded by females. Especially such pretty ones. The pale flitter squawked as Val clambered onto the shelf and he danced away from the frilly. He paused however as the mandyr gave a welcoming peep. Tilting his head, he crooned questioningly at the small blue frilly. The mean green did not like the females. Why would they want such a horrible thing up on their nice shelf? The blue frilly however was welcome. Vega have a snort and settled down in between his females chattering happily to them both.

Ebolath chuffed in laughter at Peppeth’s comment. Yes talk is boring. Humans are silly creatures sometimes. Especially Raymine. She crooned happily as her little green sister snuggled against her. Laying her head next to her clutch sister’s she gave a contented sigh before lowering her first lid over whirling blue eyes. Hopefully they will not get too loud. I am rather tired.

[nightingale]

Freckle eyed Val darkly, frill twitching as she tried to decide weather or not displaying it was necessary to get her point across. Stupid bluepest, sitting up there pretending he was a fire lizard! Only a truly stupid salamandyr would ever want to spend time with the ugly flying pests.

Idiotpest.

She hissed, giving her tail an indignant flick. If the stupid bluepest wanted to talk to her, he would just have to come down from his shelf and speak to her properly. There was no way she was sharing shelf space with fire lizards.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saeo paused for a moment, tapping her chin contemplatively with an index finger. Farryl was rather straight-laced, so it wouldn't really be fair to give her a quest that was too difficult or demeaning -she'd save those quests for Burry and Ieoha. What to do then...
A thin, mischievous smile played on her features.

"Alright!"

She said at last, flicking her eyes back toward the girl with a decisive nod of her head.

"Farryl my darling, your quest will be one that requires both perseverance and creativity. I hear by charge you with the task of-"

She gestured dramatically toward Ieoha's comatose fire lizard.

"Waking up Laef! Never before have mortal eyes born witness to the miracle of nature that is the awakening of this beautiful, if rather lethargic creature. If you succeed in this quest, you will be permitted to choose the next player and receive our unyielding admiration. If you fail..."

She grinned evilly.

"Then you will have to wear her as a hat for the remainder of the evening, and refer to her as mistress Laef, the omnipotent. Do you accept?"