Lithya looked up from the riding straps she was stitching at the sound of Buszketh's movement. The rider grinned at the sight of her dragon's eyes narrowing at the dragon she was watching, whose weyr happened to be directly across from her. Do stop staring at Vladmirth, 'Keth, I think you're making him miserable. She told the black-teal dragoness with a grin. Her lifemate snorted.

I will look at whatever I wish, and no one's going to stop me. Buszketh said stubbornly, but she did turn to look at something else. I can just tell that they're planning something. She said as an excuse. Lithya turned back to her riding straps. "Riiiiight. Whatever you say, my dear."

Lithya slid off of Buszketh's dark neck and entered her weyr, sinking down on a chair gratefully. Flying sweeps was so tiring....and boring....although her dragon seemed to enjoy it for some strange reason. Well, anything to make her lifemate happy....

There's something on my ledge, Lithya!  Buszketh exclaimed suddenly, grumbling a bit in surprise as she looked down at something. Lithya reluctantly got up and strode over. Her gaze fell to the glittering object resting on the outcropping of stone. One hand went up to her mouth.

It was a necklace. But not just any necklace--this was the most beautiful piece of jewelry Lithya had ever seen. Magnificent, flawlessly cut diamonds were set in an intricately wrought design of mirror-hued silver. Each of the circle-shaped gems was the size of a human hand, and the precious metal used was unlike any she had ever seen. The sunlight made the jewels appear to be on fire, sending out thin rays of rainbow light. And this exquisite piece of work was evidently meant for a draconic neck.....or, more specifically, Buszketh's neck. The young woman looked from the necklace to her dragon and back again.

Buszketh was obviously pleased. Her eyes were shining a happy blue and she warbled jubilantly. Her rider, grinning, lifted up the sparkling necklace with careful hands and gently placed around the teal-black neck. It fit to perfection, sharply contrasting the darkness of Buszketh's hide. It was so lovely, so wondrous that Lithya felt she might be content just drinking in the sight for the rest of the day. Her previous fatigue was completely gone.

But who had left this amazing gift? Lithya tore her gaze away from the dragoness and looked across the weyrbowl. Ah. Of course. Vladmirth....and Ead. She smiled and turned back to Buszketh, who was busy preening. "We must give them something in return."

Buszketh agreed readily. She might be arrogant, but she was most definitely not devoid of honor. Something that will please them equally.  The dragon added thoughtfully. You know Vladmirth's rider very well. What would he want?  She asked, her head dipping to touch the necklace gently with the tip of her muzzle.

Lithya went pink, but hid it in the action of thinking. "You know, I'm not really that sure...." she began, her mind running quickly over all the things she and Ead had discussed. A particular memory jumped out--Ead telling her about J'yaut taking him to his home. He had talked about the other elf's slightly insane inventor brother. "Oh! I know!"

Buszketh rumbled. What?  Lithya chuckled. "Ead mentioned that J'yaut's brother had made this very pretty self-illumated tree out of silver. He seemed to like a lot...I could tell from the way he thought about it. I'll ask J'yaut if he can get it." she explained, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. Buszketh interrupted. I will ask Illiack. She told her rider, then was silent for a minute as she communicated with the turquoise male. Illiack tells me that his rider would be happy to do so. He wishes to know when you want it.  The dragoness informed her.

Lithya thought about that for a second. "Tell him to get it as soon as possible, please. And remind him not to tell a single soul." she answered. Buszketh nodded and relayed the message. His rider is free right now and can get it immediately. We are to meet in the Dining Hall. They will cover it up so that no one sees.

"All right then. I'm going down. You stay here and block the view into the inner weyr." Lithya smirked teasingly and hurried down to the Dining Hall. Her dragon snorted but moved to lay down in front of the ledge entrance. About fifteen minutes later her rider reappeared from the inside entrance.

Lithya had thanked J'yaut good and proper, but hadn't told him why she wanted the thing. He had wisely decided not to ask, and had instead simply bid her a good day. Which was why the young woman had gotten back so quickly with the odd-looking bundle. The enchanted tree was about Ead's height, too--perfect. Lithya opened her mouth and was about to speak when Buszketh cut her off once again. Vladmirth and Ead are not in their weyr. They've gone down to the far end of the Feeding Grounds. They won't see you.  The teal-black dragon said, her eyes whirling playfully (an expression never before seen). Lithya nodded, satisfied, and unwrapped the light. She paused to look through her dragon's eyes, making sure there was no one watching.

Buszketh lifted up the tree delicately in her forearms and quickly launched herself across the weyrbowl, fluttering down onto Vladmirth's ledge, depositing the gift as far inside as she could reach, and then flying back so fast that all her rider could see was a dark blur. There. It was done. Now all they had to do was wait and see.

They return.  Buszketh announced a few moments later. Lithya crept up to where her dragon was resting and snuck a peek from behind her. Pleased surprise emanated from Ead's thoughts. She smiled and retreated back into the weyr. A sudden thought struck the rider and she turned to look back over the teal-black dragoness's back, across the weyrbowl. 'Keth dear, please tell Vladmirth that we are being sent to another Weyr to transport an important guest. And say it like you normally would. 

Buszketh huffed through her nostrils and turned her head towards the violet-blue male. She could pretend very well, for a dragon. Imagine. Such indignity, to be ordered about like weyrlings, and sent on such trivial matters as transport duty! I ought to just refuse!  She broadcasted vaguely in his direction (not wanting her actions to seem too suspicious), then gazed back at her rider. It is done. What are you planning? 

Lithya grinned. "Nothing drastic. We're just going to observe the 'anonymous' gift-givers while they're in the act." she explained, securing the riding straps and vaulting up. We'll just go off a little distance, to that ledge over there, where they won't see us. But you still have to go between, just for show. she instructed as they lifted off.

Buszketh twitched her neck to show off the diamonds, circling a few times before disappearing between and reappearing near their hiding spot. It was right above Vladmirth and Ead's weyr, where they wouldn't think to look. The dark-winged dragon folded her wings and reluctantly hid the necklace from sight, lest the gleam attract a certain someone's eyes. Lithya dismounted quietly and crouched down near the edge of the rock to watch. Ah ha! Just as she predicted.

Vladmirth's distinctive horned head came into sight below them, swinging from side to side before disappearing again. It wasn't long before Ead appeared on his dragon's neck, holding something in his hands as the pair glided to the recently vacated weyr across the weyrbowl. Vladmirth flies very smoothly, for a male. Buszketh commented grudgingly, making her rider twitch in surprise. Lithya grinned and was about to reply when she saw Ead emerge from her weyr.

Quick! Get back or he'll see you! she hissed, slithering away from her vantage point. Her dragon shifted backwards rapidly, though her tail dislodged a shower of dust and a few pebbles that rained down all too visibly. Lithya swore under her breath, hoping nobody saw that. She leaped onto Buszketh's neck and they went between, coming out over the weyrbowl as if just returning and spiraling back to land on the weyrledge.

Lithya jumped off and casually began unbuckling the riding straps from the dragoness's neck. The rider was careful not to look over in the direction where Ead had left whatever-it-was, though her eyes were itching to see--keeping all these thoughts private, of course. She took off her black-dyed riding gear in the small bathing room and changed into something more comfortable before coming back out. She wondered if Ead was watching, and deliberately busied herself with tidying up the weyr. Buszketh favored her with a mental smirk.

Finally Lithya couldn't stand it anymore. The young woman finished straightening up her bedfurs and glanced up. She was truly speechless for a moment.

There, lying on the table, was another necklace. Only this time, it was clearly meant for a human to wear. For her to wear. And it was beautiful, oh yes. Lithya picked up the strand of miniscule silver links and let it run through her fingers like sand, catching it in the other hand. Hanging from the chain was a vibrant, deep green ball of blown glass, its diameter less than half the length of her finger. It's nearly the same color as his eyes. Lithya said to herself, then quickly put a clamp on that thought. This was no ordinary glass trinket though; it shone through her closed. She had seen it before. Ead had used the tiny orb to concentrate his Power and teleport them out of the City. And he was giving it....to her.

Lithya held the necklace up to the light before slipping it over her head. She usually wasn't one for jewelry, but this was useful as well as elegant and, well, special. She looked down at it and smiled, trailing her fingers gently along the chain before curling them around the softly shining sphere. I'll never take it off.

If you're done looking at that, I'm hungry. You're hungry. And I think it's the time when you humans are supposed to eat what's-it-called--oh, dinner. Buszketh intruded on her rider's reverie with a petulant note in her mental tone. Lithya laughed outright at her. "Of course, love. Come, shall we go down?"