[PRP]It has been a while [Locke,V'ail, and Anali]

[Shaddaling]

They were between jobs at the moment. Locke stretched, sliding off from Moarteth broad back, patting the dark green fondly on her forelegs. The tavern wasn’t too far and he felt like a drink after finishing up the last escort mission and just think about what business would be in the long run. He ran a hand through his hair, it was getting long again. He checked his marks and nodded before heading toward the tavern.

V’ail was planning to join him later, mentioning that he wanted to set up and perhaps tattoo for a few candle marks. His other children were staying with the remaining members at the camp as they headed towards a small hold. They would lose a few men, they always did and with the return of thread, jobs that meant someone stayed in a hold that would be protected by dragonfire was preferable then the roads.  

[Meepfur]

Anali had no fondness for such establishments. The cleanliness (both of establishment and patrons) was usually questionable, and the quality of the food didn't even begin to approach the quality of the drink...and she suspected that could be lacking as well. She preferred Nabol and Bitra by far to little backwaters like this, but this was where the fence had wanted to meet, and so here she was. Faindris had been liquidating some select items for her over the last several months, pieces from a particularly lucrative haul down on the Southern Continent. The whiterider was careful, and careful took time - a piece here, a piece there, spread far and wide over the course of a Turn. The job was halfway to finished now, calling for a face-to-face update and an exchange. Even once the smuggler took her cut, there was a tidy profit, leaving Anali with plenty of marks to distribute to her sister and the rest of the crew.

Ready to get back to civilization, love? she thought to Banshidheth, who had settled herself well enough away from the cothold that she wouldn't draw too much of crowd, though she was still bound to get a gawker or two. A gold dragon looming by the side of the road wasn't exactly an everyday sight.

Quite. I suspect your sister would like her cut sooner rather than later, that she might spend it sooner.

Ah yes, I'm sure there's an up-and-coming fighter she's eager to back. I'll settle up here and be along shortly. Anali moved to do just that, without her dragon an unremarkable sight in an unremarkable place, someone who, unlike blonde and fetching Faindris, rarely drew any attention, and she preferred it that way. It made her work that much easier.

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Locke felt at home in taverns, probably since the patrons were similar to the camps and the people he traveled with it was like a small piece of home no matter where he went. He snagged a chair with a boot, pulling it out and plopped into the seat, listening it give a slight creak.

Sturdy enough for his needs. He been in worse and hardly been around areas with better. He flashed a mark to get service and order an ale and what ever had been made today.

Meepfur

 

[Meepfur]

Eager for fresh air and to be away from the press of strangers, some of whom were certainly contributing to the considerably less than fresh air of the tavern, Anali laid down the relative pittance of marks that would settle the tab for Faindris' food and drink, politely shutting down the attempt at idle chat made by the establishment's owner, and turned to go. She had places to be - much better ones - and she wasn't going to waste time lingering here, which was to her mind in the middle of nowhere, with no money or worthwhile connections to be made.

As she turned, she thought her eyes slid over a passingly familiar face, and not the pleasant kind of familiar. The goldrider didn't pause to look again, didn't miss a beat, just moved to walk right on past as though she'd never seen him before in her life.

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

Well, did his eyes deceive him or was one of their most difficult opponents just waltz in? Locke gave a sharp and broad grin and moved on to follow Anali. "What, you just going to ignore me?" He questioned, amused. "Though, I got to admit, was wondering if you were still around. Haven't seen hide or tail of ya in the last few turns."  

[Meepfur]

Of course, life would have been much too easy if everything always went simply and smoothly. There were relatively few people who would be able to identify her (without her dragon present at least) from her days of holding up caravans, as they had been obsessively careful about concealing their faces, but, well...there'd been no hood and mask on the day she Impressed, out on the Sands with his son.

"That was the general idea, yes," she answered - a reply that could be applied to either the question or his following statement - with a touch of impatience. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth, brimming with fake politeness shown deliberately. "How's V'ail?"

I've encountered a delay, love. I don't suspect he'll be real trouble, but Moarteth's is here. Stay alert.

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

"You injure me," He proclaimed mock grabbing his chest. "V'ail fine. Planning to show up sometime to set up and tattoo these fine folks." Locke gave a broad motion to the various types in the tavern. "Anyhow, it good to see you. Was getting a bit worried something happened too you with the chaos of thread returning."

Moarteth had been several shades of pissed off since the return. Not that he could blame her. "I'm not working so, I could buy you a drink if you want." He certainly wasn't going to get into a mess with Anali in public and ehh, he wasn't getting paid and such it was truly not his problem.  

[Meepfur]

"If I'd known you were so easily wounded, I'd have employed a much different tactic for dealing with you ages ago. Perhaps I could have just ignored you to death." Locke might have been pleased or amused to see her, but the feeling was not in any way mutual. Encountering him was an inconvenience at best, and at worst...slightly more of an inconvenience, she decided. Even if he were unwise enough to try something here, an appearance from Banshidheth would likely clear things up soon enough. She was willing to bet these little Holdfolk would believe a goldrider above a greenrider; all the silly old biases about color and importance could be very useful.

"A tempting offer," Anali said dryly, "But I rather prefer a good red to what they serve here." Bitra had much, much better to offer, both in drink and in company.

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

"Don't say that, you were always my favorite opponent," for a lot of reasons but mostly that Anali had not went out of her way to wound Moarteth or any of the others. "But really, it is good to know you are your girl are still kicking. Had worried there for a bit when you haven't shown up since thread fall," Locke said, serious. He never really cared to kill Anali. Just to have her not attack the caravan he was protecting.

"Both of you keep safe, hmm?"  

[Meepfur]

"I'm so pleased I made an impression," Anali replied, though from her tone she was anything but. Even if he was being sincere - and in her line of work, sincerity was always to be doubted - being in close proximity to a former adversary who wouldn't necessarily stay in the former category forever was not an appealing way to spend her day. At the same time, playing nice for awhile could gain her, if not an ally, a...slightly less eager enemy, if and when they found themselves on opposing sides again.

"But if V'ail is on his way, it would be a shame to miss him," she decided, pulling out a chair and settling herself into it. "Banshidheth so rarely sees any of her clutchmates these days."

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

Locke sat down, leaning back in the chair. "Mmh, it been ages since Moarteth has seen any of her clutch mates, not sure they are still alive," and it had been a sea of kids and him standing as the awkward with two kids. Hopefully someone from Moarteth's clutch was still kicking. "Think Netty and Tase are lucky, since they are with there clutchmates." And not in Nabol.

"But Lanreth would be happy to see her. And well, V'ail to. Probably offer to tattoo you." Locke shook his head, fond.  

[Meepfur]

"We see some of Banshidheth's, once in awhile." A rather long while, and with no great consistency, as they'd made no effort to keep up with most of them. They'd simply left Dunto, and that was that. It was likely, all things considered, that some had since fallen victim to Thread or any number of other things. One hadn't made it all the way through training. "And children of hers, now and then." Yet more ties that were usually loosely-maintained at best; the gold was proud enough of her children, but not overly attached or maternal. Warm and fuzzy were words that would never suit her.

Anali quirked an eyebrow and huffed a soft laugh. "No tattoos for me, thank you. Too distinctive for my line of work."

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

"That is good, that she sees some of her clutch mates and hatchlings." Locke leaned back relaxed. "Hey, doesn't have to be some place noticeable, could get your back done or thighs" Other areas.

"Mmh, they are distinctive though that much is true." He sighed, focusing on the grimy ceiling for a while. "Ever think about going back to the Weyr? Not Dunto, that place was crap, but an actual established one."  

[Meepfur]

"Careful, Locke.  Were I a more proper lady, I might be scandalized by such suggestions." There was the barest hint of a flirting tone to go with the arch of her brow, but whether there was anything sincere to it was debatable. "But the question then becomes, if no one ever sees it, then why bother at all?"

At his question, Anali simply shrugged. "We've discussed it, of course, but it seems a shame, after all the hard work we've put in, to go and join Pern's most upstanding defenders." To be just one of many, and without any real power or influence. "They get her eggs when she clutches, regardless, which is a not insubstantial contribution, I think."

Shaddaling

 

[Shaddaling]

Meepfur

"Usually if you are getting scandalizing tattooos it a surprise gift to your partners, well in my experience, " And it had been a very good experience and he probably should stop thinking of that. "Mmh, but there are other reasons." He said pausing and hummed.

"True. And aren't they so upstanding," Locke sighed. "Moarteth is cranky lately, it burns her not being able to destroy it. It is against me to return and be busted back down to what ever weyrling class is going on to learn drills and to not let my voice be heard. The camp would not be much better." And he had thought about going home. But his youngest hadn't impressed yet and for all the nostalgic feelings it had, there always was a chance of getting stabbed in the back.

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V'ail and Lanreth appeared with a flicker of color out of the between. Lanreth gave a joyful bugle, dipping her wings down and headed towards the inn. <

Moarteth interupted the rant before Lanreth could get worked up.

< Oooh ane where is my sister? IS that my sister? Sister dear! Lanreth is here for you! Shall we talk? Moarrrreth, you don't mind do you?>> She called out, pulling down to land dainty.

<< But truely! Banshidheth! Sister mine! It has been soo long, and you must look good and so many things have been happening! and that Nasty, Awful Threadddd.> Her eyes whirled red momentarily before settling to a cheerful blue green.

V'ail shook his head, giving his dragon a soft pet and headed off to the inn. "Later, love. Do keep safe."

<> Lanreth replied and cheerfully. >

(Small edits, forgot Moarteth)