KH: Overwhelmed AtThe gather

Posted on Sat May 3rd, 2025 @ 6:36am by Bronze Rider F'cone & Milayna

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

Milayna looked around at the Gather. She hadn’t ever actually been to a Gather before. She had heard M'nor talk about them and she had heard stories about what had happened but this was a first. The place was teaming with people and they were actually laughing and having a good time. Even after all these Turns it was still odd to see.

“this is so amazing,” she gasped, spinning in a circle to look around at everyone. “I have never seen such a thing.”

F’cone had to smile at the woman as he lifted his daughter up onto his shoulders so she wasn’t lost in the crowds and could get to see everything. “It is the biggest I have ever seen.” He admitted watching her expression. It was great to see her looking so open and so happy. “Do you guys think your mother will want to come back to the Weyr with that look on her face.” He teased a little.

Falayna giggled and held onto her dad as he lifted her onto his shoulders. “Lots of people.”

Milayna was smiling brightly as she took in everything. It was easy to see the innocence in her eyes despite everything she had endured. “It's just so different from anything I have known.”

Mian looked up at his father. “Momma wouldn't really want to stay here?”

“Let’s hope.” The man grinned ruffling the boy's hair hoping he knew he was only teasing. “Gathers are fun but I wouldn’t want to live here all the time and I could not with Caladoth. But they are fun for the day.”

Mian relaxed a bit once he realized his father was teasing.

Milayna wrinkled her nose. “No, I do not want to live here. I am quite happy at the Weyr with my family. I am just amazed by all the people and vendors,” she grinned, nearly bouncing on her feet.

“First gather since the one where… Well several riders got injured and that was six turns or so ago.” F’cone started and stopped sharing a look with Mikayna before his gaze softened and he took her hand. He had been through too much since that gather to let those memories bother him.

Milayna pressed her lips together. She had been young but she remembered that attack. It had been bad. She squeezed his hand. “Well today is not going to be like that,” she said.

The bronze rider offered a smile and a squeeze to her hand. “Nope but where do you guys fancy going first? It is all your first gather.” He said leaning out to grab Mian close so he didn’t get taken by the crowd of people.

Mian shifted close to his parents, watching everything with wide eyes. “Dancers!” Falayna exclaimed, watching people in brightly colored clothes moving through the crowd.

Milayna chuckled. “Definitely the vendors at some time.”

“Anything you are looking for?” F’cone wondered as he kept his hand on Mian’s shoulder reassuringly. “Wow.” F’cone said not having seen dancers like that before but it must be part of the parade.

Milayna shook her head. “Maybe a nice simple necklace now that Fal doesn't pull on things all the time.” She loved jewelry but she had stopped wearing it with Falayna.

Mian smiled as he watched the dancers and Falayna clapped.

F’cone nodded. “I need a new belt.” He said thinking of his own shopping list. It was hard to find a decent belt sometimes and he needed one for his non-flight clothes.

Milayna nodded. “Then let's see what we can find. And how bout you guys?” She asked their children. Falayna shrugged and Mian just shook his head.

F’cone raised an eyebrow before he remembered his first gather turns ago after spending his time at the Weyr. The colour, sounds and smell could be overwhelming. “Okay, well, how about we go to the games and see if we can play a little bit there before we do any shopping?” He tempted.

“Games?” Falayna asked excitedly as even Mian perked up at that.

Milayna smiled a bit. “I think you hit the right choice,” she grinned at F'cone. She has been surprised though that Falayna hadn't had an idea.

“I once went to a gather for the first time and was overwhelmed.” He commented leading the way through the crowds, keeping a hold of the boy in front of him.

}: I am not overwhelmed, I get to stay in the sun with Kalaith and Leith:{ Caladoth said smugly, making the man roll his eyes. The bronze just reminded him of his attempts to speak to Lana that morning mentioning her gold.

“I can see why,” Milayna answered. “There is so much to look at.”

Mian nodded. “Too much,” he whispered.

F’cone reached down and picked the boy up hearing the whisper. Neither child would be too much weight, they barely weighed a small Firestone sack. “It is okay. Would you like to find somewhere quiet?” He wondered quietly

Mian nodded. Falayna was enjoying it but her brother was nervous. Milayna squeezed her son's arm. “It's alright, Mian. You're safe,” she promised, not having realized her son was so distraught about all the people and activities.

“Come on. I know the perfect spot.” He assured carrying on through the crowds until they got off the main street and the gather square. It was a quiet area that you would not have known about unless you spent time or had spotted it many times from above like F’cone.

Mian snuggled tightly to his father while Falayna was still watching everything with bright eyes. Milayna walked with her family. She was surprised by the spot F'cond led them to. “This is a nice spot,” she agreed, looking around.

“There is a small picnic area over here and this is close to the games so we can recoup from the initial shock and then go play the games.” He said, carrying on, turning into a larger open area that had a few people sitting around. He strode over to a space and put Mian down gently before flipping his much more boisterous daughter off his shoulders, spinning her around.

Mian started to relax a bit once there wasn't so much commotion. Falayna on the other hand was still bouncing around. “Games!” She exclaimed happily, causing Milayna to laugh. Their children definitely had different personalities

F’cone smiled at the little girl moving around jumping before turning to look at his son. “Why don’t you go off with Falayna for a little bit and I’ll stay with Mian give him a little time and we can come find you?” F’cone offered touching her shoulder quietly.

Milayna nodded. “Alright,” she agreed with a smile, moving to catch their daughter before the little girl could run.

Mian watched his mother and sister, still not ready to leave the quiet yet.

The man smiled watching the girls walk away, before he sat down on the grass and watched the boy. “Are you okay?” He wondered, gently trying to work out how to help the boy.

Once his mother and sister disappeared, Mian turned to his father. He slowly nodded. “I am. It's just a lot,” he said quietly. He had been young when he left Dragon Hold but he knew lots of people hadn't been good there.

F’cone crouched in front of the boy. “How can I help?” The bronze rider asked gently. He was more than willing to leave the gather and come back later for the ball if that is what it took to help the boy.

Mian shook his head a little. “I'm okay,” he promised. “I just remember big groups meaning bad things when I was little,” he answered. He didn't remember a lot but he still had dreams at times.

“Understood. My last gather ended badly but… that was many turns before I knew you existed and this is loads of people but just think it’s like all the Weyr’s of Pern together.” He suggested.

Mian considered his father's answer. It made sense and he slowly nodded. “Okay,” he agreed. “Cal won't let us get hurt either.” He knew the bronze was close by.

“Of course he would not. None of the riders would. Look around you Mian… see all the dragons.” The bronze rider said, indicating all around them. “The Weyrleaders, the Weyrlingmaster, all the wingleaders.”

The boy looked around, seeing what his father meant. The dragons were everywhere as were people he knew and liked. “I hadn't thought of that,” he said, settling down now.

“Of course you are not, you are eight.” F’cone laughed, ruffling his hair. “It is why me and your mum are your parents and here to keep you safe and happy.” He pointed and held out his arms to hug him.

Mian started smiling again and moved into his father's arms. He snuggled close to his father. “Thank you,” he whispered, settling down completely. He felt a whole lot better.

F’cone grinned as the boy snuggled close and the man stood up holding him close. “Shall we go and catch your sister and mother? Play some games?” He wondered thinking that Milayna might need some back up with Falayna.

the little boy nodded, smiling now. “We should. Fal is excited,” he said, hoping his mother and sister were okay. “And playing games sounds fun.”

The bronze rider grinned and tickled the boy. Falayna was excited which meant she was going to be a handful for them all. It would mean they all needed to help keep her out of trouble. “If you need to come back just let me know.”

Mian started to giggle as F'cone tickled him. The little boy nodded. “I will. I think I am okay now,” he promised. but he would let F'cone know if he needed to come back.