Glissade (Ria)

[Tashe]

If a boy could look more like a round ball than Riaren did right now, E'rro would be summarily surprised. He made sure to put a gloved hand in front of his face to suppress the chuckles that were nudging their way out. "Forgotten anything?" The Brownrider said as he pushed off of Ismaroth's withers. "No? Well come on then, don't want to miss out on the day." Waving him over, he helped the snugly packed nine turn old up onto the Brown's back before swinging up into the harness himself. E'rro handed Riaren a pair of goggles he'd gotten especially for his random trips with the boy. He had to loosen some of the safety straps to compensate, he'd expected a snow jacket on the boy, not a body heat containment unit. He himself was only wearing a long sleeved shirt under a white and grey winter riding jacket... on top at least. On the bottom he wore thick black snow pants that were tucked into knee high boots. Long hair and a snow hat protected his ears and a thin scarf protected his neck. All together more than he used to wear when he was in the North, but less than he should have because of the last few years of living in New Selenitas, where they actually got snow.

Shifting as Ismaroth turned and leapt off of the weyrledge, E'rro adjusted his own goggles before leaning in close so Riaren could hear him over the rush of air. "When we clear the trees, we're going to Between. So get ready." As they climbed into the altitudes above the forest, the Brown took the image from E'rro's mind and sent the picture back to both of the humans on his back. Once he was sure the little one had the image Ismaroth slid into the Between, seconds later they emerged over the jump point, the ground beneath them layered in white rolling hills. Glancing down, the Dragonhealer took in the landscape as they rushed over trees, rocks, and even some of the outlying houses. It had been a while since he'd been back to the North, the last time was about four months ago when he'd visited Nephele, K'sel and his godson. When Fort Proper came into sight he pointed with a grin, you could tell that it was already in full Gather swing.

Ismaroth glided over to where the landing area was, backwinging so that his touch down was as light as a sparrow's. Or so he compared it that way. Back legs first, then front, the Brown high stepped for a few paces as he got used to the cold. Setting himself down he maneuvered his leg so that Riaren could get down without dropping a long distance. E'rro made sure to quickly loosen the boy from his straps so they could both get down into the snow. Once Ria made it down he slid off Isma's neck hearing the satisfying 'wuomp' his boots made on contact with the white powder. "Thanks Isma. Look, some of your friends are here." Indeed, so they are. I shall join them. Call me when you wish to leave Mine. The Brown happily removed himself and trundled over to where a large patch of the ground had been cleared to the dirt and spread over with hay. E'rro turned to his companion. "Lead the way! Lets go see what they have to do here, eh?"

[Avu]

While wearing approximately fifty layers may have been appropriate for a trip North, Riaren had decided, it was way less appropriate for the South; his cheeks were flushed by the time he got to E’rro, and he mustered a faintly sheepish look at the brownrider’s amusement. He lifted his head awkwardly, angling to free his chin and neck from the too-warm scarf he’d tucked securely around the neck of his coat, and shook his head vigorously at E’rro’s question, too enthusiastic in his anticipation of getting to the Gather to bother with words—no, he’d already double-checked everything (before he’d put on the last of his extravagant layers, at that), and yes, he was absolutely ready to go.

He scrambled up onto Ismaroth—a bit awkward in his motions, since he was a shape more conducive to rolling at this point than anything else—but, well, he managed, and as he pulled the goggles over his eyes and shifted to accommodate the straps obligingly. The ascent to go between was familiar by now, and Riaren barely acknowledged the brief sensory deprivation; he squirmed in excitement upon their arrival over the Hold, craning over Ismaroth’s shoulder with his fingers tangled firmly in the straps to squint at the lay of the land below them. It wasn’t really that interesting, the houses and fields, until the Hold Proper came into sight, whereupon Riaren blurted an inaudible, “Oooh.”

Because it was awesome, then, the swarm of people and the ice maze sprawling under them.

Riaren slid almost too fast off of Ismaroth when the brown landed, knees buckling slightly at the impact before he recovered and turned to wave at Ismaroth, blurting a genuinely grateful, “Thanks, Isma.” His gaze was quick to return to the Gather, though, and after a moment he slipped his hand into E’rro’s, offering the brownrider a dimpled grin before he started off in the Gather, and he wasn’t trying to pull the man, but he sort of was anyway, watching his breath puff out in white smoke in front of them as he offered, “You should buy Rae a present or something. Like jewelry. Can I help pick something out?”

He wrinkled his nose, adding, “I told Teri I’d get her something too. And I wanna get something for Aunt Ruli and Uncle M’ta, but I dunno what to get Teri or Uncle M’ta, I don’t think they’d use jewelry much.” Riaren bit his lip, watching a mother and her two children, wrapped snugly, each of the girls holding several neatly wrapped packages, passed by. “Do you think they sell ribbons anywhere? Teri wanted yellow ones.”

[/blockquote]

[Tashe]

E'rro remembered when Riaren was just a toddler, the boy had been so small that he practically had to stoop to hold his hand, but now he could walk hand in hand with him and not fear back problems. Could Riaren really be nine turns old? It made him feel relatively old despite the fact he was still in his twenties. He'd just about forgotten exactly how long he'd been at Sel... what was it, 13 or 14 years now? Nearly half his current lifetime. Shaking his head, he gave a tug on the boy's hand with a smile. "I should, should I?" Buying Rae a present had already crossed his mind, but he let his companion take credit for the idea. "Well... I guess you're right. Good thinking." E'rro lengthened his stride so Ria wasn't totally pulling him along. "I'm sure she'd love it if you helped pick something out." He remained quiet while they passed under the entrance way to the Gather area, listening to whom other presents were to be going to.

"I can help you out with M'ta's gift, but I think you know Terilyn better than I do. Either way I bet you'll find something pretty cool tucked away in one of the stalls." He grinned. "And you'll say 'Oh this is ever so neat, what do you think of this Uncle E'rro? I believe it is ever so perfect." He nudged the boy gently on the head with his elbow, teasing him in a voice that was definitely no where near what Ria sounded like. "Plus the weaver's stall should have ribbons. We can go check there first if you want. If they have them, maybe we can see if the Weaver will embroider them with something. That could be your present to Teri, maybe?"

The Weaver's stall was perhaps the easiest one to find, the bright colors off setting the white of the snow and the grey of the sky like little splashes of paint. As they arrived he greeted the tent-keep with a wave and let go of Ria's hand so that he could explore the contents inside. "Good afternoon my fine Weaversmith."

"Good afternoon indeed Mister. Can I help you with something?"

"My little friend there was wondering where he could find some ribbons for his sister. Do you have yellow ones?"

The weaver thought about it for a second then turned around on her stool, pointing at one of the tables. "I believe I have some ribbons in a box over there." Her answer was directed at the little boy. "I do believe I may have some yellow ones, but you'll have to check for yourself."

Smiling, E'rro thanked the woman before passing by her into the stall. He didn't need any clothes or other accessories, but it didn't hurt to browse the wares while Riaren searched for his ribbons.