-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chaos Almondine Date: April 23, 2007 Place: Benden Hold's Orchards Game: PernMUSH Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keveris's Note: I'm really thrilled about this event. :) The storm that Keveris and Jeracynn were talking about in the last log proved a little more troublesome than they thought. Benden's almond crop has been scattered in the mud; it's up to every free set of hands in the Hold to save it, and among those to turn up are the Steward, the Headwoman, the Lady, and a certain brownrider suitor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: [Editor's Note: Here's the +bbpost that set up the situation.] 9 Keveris Mon Apr 23 08:39 2007 Chaos Almondine The storm that ruled Benden's skies last evening took a nasty turn after most of the dinner plates were cleared in the Hall. Rainfall did not exceed expectations: the weather-wise of the Hold predicted a fierce but bearable deluge, and they were right, but no one foresaw the winds picking up such speed and tearing across Benden's territory with a roar that went on for most of an hour. In the first light of dawn the gardeners went up the road to see the damage. Word came quickly to the Hold that the orchards will survive--although the broken branches ensure that Benden will have plenty of firewood this winter--but much of the almond harvest has been scattered on muddy ground. The gardeners have their hands full today with trimming and doctoring the damaged trees, and so they've asked that help be sent to gather the crop before insects can spoil it. There will be ongoing RP today in the Benden Orchards, centered on the recovery of the almonds. :) Every available hand is needed and encouraged IC to come down and pick up nuts, gather branches, and/or cart what's been salvaged back to the Hold for drying, so if you'd like to come and play you have a ready excuse. ;) We hope to see you there! ......................................BEN..................................... Eleria walks over from the road to the east. It's no difficult chore this early to find nuts on the ground. They're everywhere. The rain-damp almonds lie under trees, underfoot, and a few partway underground, pushed into the mud, and the jagged-edged branches and twigs form a windblown latticework. Chopping sounds both muffled and clear sound through the wood as gardeners cut away limbs that didn't break clean. Keveris is kneeling in the middle of the melee, a half-full bushel basket beside him and another, smaller, nearby for nuts other than almonds; he combs through the grass with gloved hands and ignores the streaks of mud on his rough brown worker's clothing. Jeracynn walks over from the road to the east. Eleria makes her own amount of noise, as she and the small group that she's with enter the 'fray', sounds of humor, as well as soberness marking their passage as they discuss Hold concerns before parting ways. The Headwoman is left behind with just one companion, and its with her that she makes her way over to the previously spotted Steward, though it wasn't she that had spotted him. Instead its the young girl with her, Inara, who had, and she hangs back, a little behind Leri as Keveris's side is reached. "Good afternoon Keveris, I've brought some fresh hands to help, and lunch for all should be arriving shortly. Would you like to take a break? I have a waterskin here." With that last she glances back the girl's way, for it is she that has the mentioned refreshment. A faint murmur makes its way around the work crew when the Headwoman's spotted, probably in hopes of that lunch. Kris likely hears it; he's rocking back on his heels even as she first speaks, though that could be in order to drop a mud-crusted nut into his basket. "Good day, Eleria. Is it lunchtime?" He squints a look towards the sky--which avails him little with trees in the way. Wryly, "I don't think there's time to go back and get cleaned up as I should. Water would be welcome, thank you." The Steward swipes his sleeve across his brow and then pulls off his gloves: there are limits, and accepting waterskins with filthy, muddy hands goes beyond them in his reasoning. Go figure. Inara gets a polite nod of greeting, and if he's wary of her after their last encounter he has the manners to hide it. "How's the Hold coping with what's brought in?" "It is close enough to lunch yes, you've been out here awhile. Things back at the Hold proper are going well enough, I think," Eleria replies as she attempts to draw Inara forth with a gently placed hand, but after having no luck, glances down at the girl's boots to see if she got stuck in the mud, "I've got groups working in shifts to handle it all, and everyone's spirits seem to be high. Inara here has been of great help, volunteering to take on work here, and then care of the littles while others are being occupied elsewhere." She smiles encouragement to her companion, encouragement that gets, for the most part ignored, though a slightly trembling arm does manage to hold out the waterskin towards the Steward, the refreshment offered with a shy, yet comely smile on her lips. "We also brought extra baskets and I'm having my ladies go around and switch them out for the full ones." Not many would expect to see the Lady of the Hold happily working just a little was off to the side of her Steward, dotted with mud and without a concern for her generally fashionable attire surviving the experience. Jeracynn does have a certain concession to her rank, someone carrying away the basket she's finished filling and setting a new one beside her to fill. Fingers encrusted with dirt, she only smiles her thanks to the man, but Elera's arrival is noted in the same moment and she straitens, waves and with an amused light in her eye, resumes picking up the scattered nuts as she comments, "Lunch time already? I expect we'll be at this all day in that case." "I overheard someone mention the old Baker barracks as a possible place to store things," Keveris offers as he accepts the wineskin, "and mayhaps to dry them." He inclines his head to Inara in courtesy; smiles, too, brief but friendly... albeit only friendly. The waterskin is drained a full third by the time he's done: grubbing around in mud is thirsty work. "Thank you," he repeats on a sigh afterwards. "I did need that. Be careful with the baskets. The first set were huge, and then almost no one could move them once they were full--they had to empty them again by half, and that made nobody happy--did you need water, Lady?" A pause while he considers his waterskin. "I've drunk from this one; I don't know whether it's the best manners to offer it anyway." "It is indeed lunch time my Lady," Eleria replies, not looking the least bit surprised to see Jeracynn working along with the rest of the Hold, nor nearby the Steward, though Inara does give a little gasp at the sight. "Part of the staff should be here in just a bit with food enough for all and once its served, I'll have the assistant of mine who's in charge go take a look in the Baker barracks, report back Keveris." She gives Inara another nudge, and this time the girl is able to step forward with a waterskin for Lady Jeracynn, must of been in her other hand, though the girl's eyes remain on the Steward, and she's careful to make a wide circle around him to get to the Lady, all watched with amusement by Leri, who comments, but on other matters, "no worries about the weight, took that into consideration and my ladies are moving in pairs, and the menfolk are about to lend a strong arm if needs be. If you all will excuse me, I'll just check in on everyone's progress, see about a place to set up our forthcoming meal, and then find a spot to start collecting almonds myself." She glances towards the Steward's hair for whatever reason, smiles, then notes before leaving, "just send Inara to me if you've no need for her here." "Oh, I don't mind...unless you went and caught something standing out so long last night, Keveris." Jeracynn starts to tease, her hand getting wiped on the small towel she had hung from her pocket, readying to reach for it, and then noting there is another 'skin for her, she waits for it instead, "I've not been in those old barracks in turns... There could be any number of things tucked in there by now, but I seem to recall them being mostly empty at the time. Dusty though..." Something she chuckles at, "I think I'd rather be out here." As Inara reaches her, it takes the Lady two tries to get the waterskin half offered out to her. A matter of the girl's distraction with the Hold's Steward getting in the way, though this is something greeted with amusement rather than annoyance. "Thank you." Another quick smile. "I know the drying's your provenance, but I'd like to look in on it now and then anyway if it doesn't bother the workers. I'll rest easier when I'm sure we still have a full crop." Kris casts a rueful glance towards his basket, holding a good many nuts, true, but also a good deal of muck. He picks up a stained and battered twig and uses it to pry a waterlogged almond from the ground. "The dirt isn't that contagious," he adds for Inara's benefit and with a wry sort of humor. "No, Lady Jeracynn, I'm very healthy. I came in once the wind picked up; just as well, it means I'm not deaf either. Zinna told me this morning that Virren stayed out on a dare and the wind tore his clothes clean off. Zinna is an incorrigible liar." "You just want to keep track first hand of the size of the harvest we salvage." Jeracynnn remarks, but there is a certain approval in those words. A drink taken then, long and slow before she closes the skin and gives Inara an amused smile, since the girl hasn't moved on. She comments then, "Thank you, Inara. You aren't worried about a bit of dirt getting on you, are you?" A glance from the girl to the Steward and she hides a smile in the act of picking up more almonds. "Zinna just likes to keep things interesting, really. You can't blame her too much for spicing up the facts of everyday events." Keveris doesn't try to deny it. "Yes. We can afford a crop smaller than expected, but not very much smaller without some trouble. The sooner I have some figures--" That's nothing the Lady doesn't know. Kris breaks off, makes a face at himself, and hooks up a limb segment about the size of his arm to toss into the nearest pile of such. It drips yet with water and spatters him. "I'm not too concerned, anyway. The almonds are all here... somewhere. Can't I? If she'd said that of me, I'd blame her a good deal." A pause. "But," he admits, his tone suddenly over-thoughtful, "this was Virren. That he was wandering around unclad is not so incredible, whatever the cause." "The sooner we know how well we've fared..." Jeracynn completes the thought, indeed knowing where it may lead it appears. The smile she gains at watching the generally neat Steward get spattered turns into a silent laugh as Inara, who had failed to answer her leaps forward instead with an offer to get Keveris a towel, flushes brightly and then presumably moves to complete the task. When the Lady has recovered enough to speak, his next having caused that to take her even longer, "I really did not need to know that was such a likelihood, Keveris. That it's not so unusual for him." Mind you, she winks after saying so. So it's just as likely she isn't so bothered as all that. Keveris smiles himself at this conclusion to his thought. "Oh, thank you," he calls after Inara when she goes; but once she has he wonders to the Lady in an undertone, "Why does she do that, do you think? I'd swear I've done nothing to encourage... stars, I never imagined you didn't know. It's the first thing Zinna told me." Kris attempts to mimic Zinna's voice--badly. "'Keep an eye out for Virren, duckie! Can't keep his clothes on, always being chased out of some barn or orchard or field with grass-stains all over his you-can-imagine-what! You go riding out to his cothold unannounced and you'll regret it!' I made certain sure to send word ahead before I paid a visit, I confess." Upon Inara's return he accepts the towel with a murmur of thanks and does his best to remove a layer or so of grime. He's about as successful as he could hope. "Better. Though this is one case," he says with more wryness, "in which it's better to be mud-covered than not. I'd be more embarrassed to still be clean when everyone else has earned honest dirt. Thank you again, Inara, you are kind." Eleria can occasionally be heard as she makes those rounds she had talked about doing earlier. Firm, yet gentle tones of direction and help swapping places with kinder, sympathetic tones depending on who's she's speaking with and the situation she encounters. There's also more laughter, the Headwoman able to jest and tease despite the Hold's latest crisis, and eventually its with a smile that she reappears in the Steward's and Lady Holder's sight, well, at least she can see them, and after letting her gaze linger their way a moment, and perhaps noting Inara's absence, begins to set a 'team' to quick task at clearing a space for lunch. With wide eyed innocence, Jeracynn asks in regards to the first, "You don't know?" The Lady busying herself with picking up more almonds a minute later, "Yes, well. That's Virren for you." She looks up with an amused glance, "It was good of Zinna to warn you, really. Not that he's as bad as she's implied. But there was that unfortunate incident.. Oh and the time he... Well. It's got some truth to it anyway." Her giggle is something that's infectious enough that Inara echoes it, in a more nervous fashion, the latter's cheeks bright after receiving that thanks. Jeri piping up then as she mimes throwing a muddy almond Keveris' way, "Oh come now. Admit it. It's even a little fun to get muddy with such a...noble excuse for it." "There are more promising places to set her eyes," Keveris says past a moment's hesitation, dryly enough despite the flush that reddens his neck beneath its rough wool collar. "Why she hasn't sought one, no, I don't. It was all a prelude to telling me about Raschel's pregnancy by him." Has Kris ever been so glad to switch to the topic of Zinna? "I wish that lady best fortune in keeping the swaddling on her child, given the givens--I'm intrigued now. What are the other stories?" It could be true that he's curious; there's amusement in the green eyes that glance up from the ground for just a moment, though, and that suggests payback. "Mayhaps Eleria could use help with lunch," he suggests to Inara, nodding towards the assembling team and smiling a little. "You can tell her you've been very helpful to us, I think? Fun is still not the word I would choose, Lady Jeracynn. I don't mind this dirt, but I wouldn't seek it out. Mud *itches*." "Fun? Mud? Absolutely," Eleria entones with a mischievous smile tickling over her lips as she rejoins the Steward and the Lady, her brows raising a touch over eyes that twinkle with amusement, perhaps she had seen Jeracynn's miming throw of a muddy almond and managed to pick up bits and pieces of their conversation. She obviously hears the Steward's last concerning Inara, and to the girl she says, "they could use some help with setting up, but obviously there's more work to be done, uh, here as well. Feel free to choose how you'd like to spend your next moments okay?" The already rolled up sleeves of her sweater get pushed up over her elbows now, and without another word, she joins in sifting through the muck. W'red walks over from the road to the east. "Ask Inara." Yes, it was terrible of her, but the Lady is in rare form, if well muddied, "She may know the stories... Oh really, Keveris. The lour of the unobtainable, I'm sure." Though that is said after Inara's distracted or at least temporarily out of earshot, "It only itches if it's drying. You know some ladies use it in facial treatments... I expect some men too, but mostly ladies." Jeracynn gesturing then to her Headwoman to join her with the comment, "And you look entirely too clean. Help me finish this one up?" Keveris lowers his head to his work so that his lifted brows upon hearing Eleria's orders for Inara won't be seen. There are still plenty of almonds to scoop up for his basket--which is now almost filled: the time spent talking has made the work go faster, if anything. "I think not," he murmurs to Jeracynn. "Zinna, then, she's sure to tell me. And that particular lure has too many barbs regardless of the bait." But that's muttered under his breath and may not carry. "They do? I didn't know. Well. Now when that Gather does come to pass, I'm apt as not to picture any noble female attendants with their faces all covered in mud--I don't know whether to thank you for the distraction." A glint of grin and he hauls himself up to take his filled basket to where such things are put, and retrieve one fresh and empty. "That isn't the first time I've heard that comment today my Lady," Eleria notes laugingly before beginning to work her way to becoming decidely less clean. She moves next to Jeracynn, situating herself so she can keep a look out on the path that she expects 'lunch' to come down, then chuckles as she notes Inara slipping off into 'that' direction, evidently having chosen what she is going to do with her next moments, but only after she gives the Steward another thougtful look that's accompanied by a blush. "What has Zinna been talking about of late?" is asked conversationally by the Headwoman while she scoops up a handful of mud, and not much else, "I haven't been by to share sweets and stories in a few days, busy with, things of course." W'red arrives after a visit to the infirmary, the strapping has been totally removed, the only evidence is the pink scar across his chest and upper arm, partly hidden by the old shirt he is wearing. He doesn't look too happy, a scowl evident on the normally smiling face, he approaches the area where the others are working at recovering what almonds they can from the devastation of the previous evenings storm. Grabbing an empty basket as he passes, he nods to Keveris, "Steward," then he is past and heading towards the others. A smile no matter how brief flits across his face as he greets the Lady Holder and Headwoman, "Good afternoon M'lady, Eleria," A brief pause, "I'm afraid the visit to the infirmary took longer than I had envisaged." Stopping just in front of Eleria, he bends and gives her a kiss, "Sorry I'm late, but the infirmary.....those Healers....I know they think it's all for your own good, but sometimes....." Being in better company does however slowly bring a smile back to his face. The mud he is standing in may not allow the smile to stay though. "I'm sure Zinna will be happy to tell you all you like to hear of his exploits... And possible extended family." Jeracynn answers with a soft laugh, "And there are worse ways to envision all the Hold's ladies? Does this mean you'll actually put in your appearance then?" She gives her Steward another wide eyed innocent look just then, proving her tease with the act, "Not the first time today, Eleria? Then it is certainly time for you to take a turn." The Lady straitens a little, stretches and moves to gather more almonds. "Hmm, company," gets remarked at observing W'red's approach, a curious lift of her brow at his expression is smoothed a way a moment latter as she returns the smile. Keveris doesn't return at once; he lingers beside the baskets to have a word or two with another man, one at least as rumpled and muddy as he, deep brown beneath with a farmer's tan. While they talk the Steward prods at the ground with his toe. It squelches. The farmer laughs, shakes his head, and Kris wears a wry expression when he reclaims his previous place. "Brownrider," he greets in like kind along the way. Then, "Erainten finds it very amusing that I've asked after the tuber crop. I gather he believes I don't know they grow underground," he informs Jeracynn. "--At the Gather? Of course, Lady. It's my duty to check on the wine supply from time to time. Or am I mistaken on that score? Do I have a reprieve?" All hope, he, aside from the thing where he's trying not to laugh; and he won't answer the question of Zinna, only suggest to Eleria with a certain mild satisfaction, "Ask the Lady Holder. She knows these stories of Zinna's concerning Virren too, I understand." Eleria had returned the kiss the brownrider had given her, as well as his smile, concern coloring her tone though as she asks, "what did they say to make you upset, and please don't worry on being late. I honestly didn't expect you to till after lunch, speaking of which, if it doesn't get here soon, I'm going to have to go see what's keeping it." The upward curve of her lips turns downward slightly and after a glance at Lady Jeracynn, says teasingly, "remind me add a couple amendments to the new command structure I have in place." A lingering look is levelled at the path back to the Hold, then its back to work, collecting those covered almonds and asking of no one in particular, though the Steward does get any eyeroll and a chuckle, "I'm sorry Virren? What did he do now?" "Shards, there's mud every where," W'red exclaims a little too loudly looking at his boots, then starts laughing, "I suppose it can be cleaned off." The basket he had picked up in his left hand he crouches, but looks up as Keveris comes back, "I apologise for the abruptness sir, bit uptight, at the moment as I'm sure many are, but for a different reason, they cleared me, I have to head back to Reaches." His voice seems to have a note of annoyance in it, "A flitter was sent, to Reaches to inform them that I'm ready to resume duties, I only asked that they wait till tomorrow but no, it's gone already so I'll have to return, probably this evening. Although they'll probably expect me before then." "Erainten?" Jeracynn glances after the direction Keveris has returned from and chuckles, "Ahh, I see." And then, "Oh no. You're still responsible for at least the wine." At least, though the matter of Zinna gains a roll of her eyes, "I've not been talking to her lately. And I'm getting a bit peckish also. These almonds are far from appetizing as they are." She holds one up, all mud encrusted as it is." The matter of Virren she doesn't even address as she instead listens in on W'red's comments to Eleria before averting her eyes. "A long flight to get here for not much time before recovery," Keveris observes. "I can see where that would be irritating, even if a return to health is surely to be desired." The Steward sets his basket down. Rather than kneeling again to fill it, however, he takes something from inside--a hatchet--and heads for a broken limb that he's been working around; it's multi-branched and all akimbo, and Kris sets to cutting it down with care and precision. "As you will, Lady." A slight turn, enough to cast her a glance. "I fear the 'at least,' I should note. What will be served, do you know?" A question for any of the three, or for that matter for anyone else near enough to hear it. The young man darts a look down the same path Eleria's eyes found. "It can be cleaned off indeed W'red," Eleria notes amusedly to the rider, glancing at his boots, her own, and her mud slicked arms, before addressing the news that he's leaving. "I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Keveris and say that its much better that you are well, and while the fact that you're leaving is, irritating, it was inevitable. I'm sure Tavaith misses his home too, especially with none of his own kind about to keep him company, though the admiring glances sent his way probably kept him somewhat warm." A tease for the brown, who isn't here in body, but perhaps in spirit via his rider. The mention of Erainten, and the non answer of Virren makes her smile, and that curve broadens, when, at last, she sees that 'lunch' has arrived. "If you all will excuse me again, I'll go wash up in the buckets of clean water they brought, help set up. Just a simple meal everyone, meatrolls, fruit, rolls and cheeses. Cookies for dessert. Join when you'd like to do so." The Reaches rider gets a lingering look, her expression softening, then she's off. W'red smiles, as Kris moves off to chop away at the branch, "You have that right! a long flight to heal too quickly, but perhaps it was the Benden air and the wonderful company, that speeded the healing process up," A smile to Lady Jeracynn, and a broader one to Eleria. The mud encrusted boots get another brief look, "Tavaith, would leave right now if I was ready, he does want to go home, but a few more hours won't do him any harm." W'red looks in the same direction everyone seems to be watching periodically, when the lunch does arrive he understands what they were all waiting expectantly for. "I'll be a long shortly, Leri," turning to face Jeracynn, "Well M'lady we also never got to have that chat, perhaps when next I visit?" He watches Leri move off to help with the setting up of the lunch. "Don't worry, Keveris. I wont ask of you that you..." Jeracynn breaks off, tosses couple almonds in the basket before looking to Eleria and W'red, editing her comment she continues to Keveris, "What we talked about I wouldn't." With Eleria naming what the meal includes, Jeri passes over that part other than to look that way, then turn her grey gaze back to W'red and tease, "Surely if a Lady can get herself over with mud, a Rider can as well." She smiles as she catches him then looking her way, "Next time then, of course. At least with this clean bill of health, that can still come shortly. Since you can travel freely again?" There are men and particularly brawny women pushing wheelbarrows through the orchard, collecting the deadwood and eventually loading it onto carts, and one of these trundles to Keveris once its master sees what he's about. "Of course." Kris bobs his head to Eleria. "Thank you. I think that once I'm done with this thing, lunch will be very much appreciated. Wash water even more so." Torn from its tree or not, the wood was living a short time ago and is still sticky with sap. Soon his gloves are pasted with many bits of leaf. "Perhaps," he allows W'red. "There are stranger things under moons and sun. What is it that you won't--?" Asked in turn of Jeracynn, with that curiosity he can't quite help. "Oh. I meant what I said on that score, honestly. I worried more that you'd... hmm... put all your staff in ludicrous costumes and auction us off to the highest bidder, say. I've heard that happens sometimes at Gathers." It's hard to tell whether he's serious when his eyes stay on the wood he's cutting. The woman with the wheelbarrow certainly looks nonplussed. "No, I think we're going to need more than that, a lot more," Eleria notes to a member of her staff as she peruses through the buckets of clean water about, and after making that quick analaysis, proceeds to round up a group of folks to go get some. She glances towards the group of people she had left earlier, the Lady Holder among them and her eyes find Inara, who has made another appearance to say to, "will you let them know, I went off to take care of some things, including getting more fresh water, and take a look at the Baker barracks, among other concerns, and if I can get back I will." Apparently she doesn't want to disturb the conversation she notices them having, and without another word moves off, people in tow, leaving Inara a little dumbstruck about having to approach *that* group with the Headwoman's message, and leaving more than a few others to snicker softly about her predicament. Eleria walks over to the road on the eastern edge of the orchards. BendenHold> Eleria says, "yes, you all handle things, I'll just be lounging in my hot tub sipping margaritas! ;) Take care. :)" BendenHold> Jeracynn laughs! I need to get those rooms redecorated - Hot tubs... Wait, are there cute cabana boys? ;) BendenHold> Eleria peers at Jeri, "this is me ma'am...absolutely cute cabana boys, would I have it another way?" ;) BendenHold> Jeracynn needs to hire herself some cabana boys ;) BendenHold> Keveris says, "Cabana boys are so overrated. ;)" BendenHold> Jeracynn says, "Cabana men? ;)" "Keveris, due to the fact of my injuries I never did speak to the Trader connection I have but as soon as I'm back at Reaches I will make a point of looking him up, and letting him know of your interest in trading." W'red glances over as Leri speaks to a woman, and then heads off, he shrugs slightly, "As you say stranger things do happen, although I have always healed fairly quickly." Jeracynn, gets the full smile though, "Yes M'lady, at least I can now travel freely again, and perhaps some of your Stewards many deeds that he has planned can be carried out." This said with a fair amount of mirth, the thought of leaving the Hold temporarily not so important. BendenHold> Keveris hrmphs. ;) "You don't want to eat while all muddy?" Jeracynn starts to tease and then she wrinkles her nose, "Okay. I don't want to either." She gives a smile that grows ever mischievous, "Oh, now that's an idea, Keveris. Really. I'd never before considered such a thing..." Teasing, one can hope. A glance is sent after Eleria, Inara's presence noted, but silently as it's W'red that regains her attention. "Healing fast is an asset," the Lady comments, but there is a brush of concern that flickers in her gaze, "And truly, you had to be half healed already I'm sure, to have made the trip at all. Not an easy thing to accomplish on your own... Well, I mean even with the help of your brown. That you did, says a lot." Chuckling then as amusement returns, "Yes, those many deeds." BendenHold> Keveris says, "Do I get any cabana women? ;)" BendenHold> Jeracynn says, "Of course. ;)" BendenHold> Jeracynn says, "Just keep them out of my closets ;)" "That would be good of you, brownrider. I believe we're looking at the end of autumn and harvest now for the Lady's celebration." Keveris looks to Jeracynn to confirm or deny. "The Gather isn't my only interest in trade, but I'm particularly interested in seeing traders of all kinds attend it. Lady Jeracynn--ah--wait, a thought. If I do delegate this Gather to Ferrel and Herik, would they have to wear the ludicrous costumes?" The question holds only a beat before his conscience steps in. "No, I'd still have to vote against it. My regrets. What are these many deeds?" A flickered glance to Inara; he keeps very busy with that tree branch, you bet. W'red smiles, and his face turns a light shade of red, "M'lady, the healing that was done in Reaches was sufficient to enable me to make the trip, the rest was self determination, and I seem to have a lot of that too. Tavaith, as has been pointed out numerous times actually did all the work I had but to sit and enjoy the scenery," A bit blase' perhaps, but no matter. "It will be no problem Keveris, in fact it will be my pleasure." The brownriders eyes seem to fade for a bit, but soon are back to normal, "Faranth that didn't take long, I am being sought at the Weyr already, Tavaith says that the Healers have informed my Wingleaders that I'm fit for duty and they are wanting me back." With a short bow to the Lady, "Well M'lady, thank you once again for the hospitality afforded myself and Tavaith, and if there ever is anything.....let me know." Turning to Keveris, "Sir I will have some word for you soon." W'red walks over and empties the few almonds he had picked up into the receptacle, and with a wave walks off to change pack and leave, with a slightly heavy heart. W'red walks over to the road on the eastern edge of the orchards. "So we had said," The confirmation that had been sought from her, but the question gains the Lady's due consideration, "Maybe. I'll think about it, Keveris. Though if you are sure that they shouldn't..." Her voice trails off and then Jeracynn nods, "I mentioned to W'red that you may have an interest in learning of economic matters in the west. Have missives you wish to send..." She inclines her head to the brownrider, "I would think not as simple as that, but if you prefer..." She lets it drop with a faint 'Oh' for the next, "You are most welcome, W'red. Clear skies." "It depends on how they feel about dressing up and being sold. I can't think that would help with Ferrel's problem," Keveris admits in wry voice, blowing at a strand of hair that's fallen into his face. With his hands all leaf-and-sap coated, he's not daring a touch. "Costumes without the sale--you could hold a masquerade, Lady, if you've a wish to see them. That would be a different matter." The branch is left alone for as long as it takes to watch the brownrider leave. "Such an odd choice of action," he murmurs under his breath. "--You're right, I'd not mind knowing as much as possible about that. Whether I'd have missives to send might depend on what I learned. I'd thought to pester my family for it. The brownrider is a good choice, if he's willing; he travels here and back more than anyone." "Oh don't worry. I'm not going to auction anyone off." Jeracynn answers, getting to her feet and wiping more of the mud off on her poor abused towel "The masquerade does appeal to me though. But I think that a better event for those bored, winter months, don't you? Besides, those costumes can get hot, I'd think." Without thought, she brushes back her hair, leaving a trace of mud there, "Hmm?" That for the odd choice, but the other gets really responded to, "He seemed willing to at any rate, and I did think much the same." Keveris's sigh of relief is perhaps just a touch more audible than it need be. "Then I needn't hide under the tables. This winter? A one-night event, dance and feast and music; no trade, no other Craft presence? It might be possible. You'd need to talk to a Weaver, I think." The branch isn't finished. Most of the cutting has been done, however, and Kris lays his hatchet down, strips off his sap-tacked gloves. "I'm for a lunch break. Will you--ah. Lady? You've mud, here," gesturing to the spot. "Odd that he wound endure the trip and ask his dragon to endure it--I have to think it would be painful--for a day or two here, when he would have recovered as quickly at High Reaches if not moreso. His Healers must have countenanced it. Still, it's strange to me." "No, you needn't hide under the tables," The Lady smiles and takes a drink from her water skin, "A one night event, though yes; a feast, music and dancing. Just something for fun more than work, though I can think of at least three crafts apt to benefit from this." With a nod then, Jeracynn agrees, "I think lunch is certainly in order about now. Do I?" Those two words prompting a flash of amusement and perhaps a hint she might wear it like a badge of honor rather than clean it up. "He has a great fondness though, for our Leri. I wonder that he is aware of how much happier she's said to me she is in a Hold than a Weyr. He could spend a lifetime going back and forth at this rate." She pauses and looks then to her Steward, chuckling, "I'm told people do strange things over the matters of the heart." "Weaver, Harper, Baker," Kris agrees, nodding at each one. "What costume would you wear? Do you have an idea? Mayhaps the time around Turnover would do well for this. Celebration is appropriate then, no one could complain." A quick, amused and despairing headshake for her muddy badge, and then for his own part he steps up to one of the washing buckets and scrubs his neck and face vigorously. His hands, glove-protected, are clean and pale as always. "So I have heard said by more gossips than Zinna. It's not surprising that he'd visit. That he can't go a sevenday without her--" In the end, it's not Kris's problem. A one-shouldered shrug and bemused green eyes say that he knows it. "So I have heard said," he repeats for her last, with one of his faint smiles. "By more gossips than Zinna." "Turnover then," The Lady agrees, Jeracynn then shaking her head, "No idea. I've not put thought to it as yet. Perhaps I should go as a muddy orchard worker?" She wiggles dirty fingers his way, she having passed on gloves, "Well, maybe it's the stage of the relationship. He's afraid not to see her?" She shrugs over the matter and moves up to wash her hands also, "Oh? And just what all do you hear from these gossips and how many do you listen to?" Keveris makes an amused sound. "What, in brown velvet for the mud and green for the leaves in your hair? Diamond spangles for water drops? You would at least be certain of having a unique costume." Cupping his hands, he gathers water to splash over his sweat-bedraggled, leaf-flecked hair. Probably not much help, but the chill of it brings a shiver. "Has she other suitors than him? I don't know. This really isn't my strong point, romance, so for all I know he's going about things in exactly the right and accustomed way." The back of his neck gets swiped with the damp towel. "Many things, and many gossips. I'm obliged to listen to my family. They tell me of their own hearts sometimes, and of others' sometimes as the aunties do. And when they say nothing aloud, they still tell me things on occasion in what they do." "I have leaves in my hair?" Jeracynn laughs then, "You've put a lot of thought into this already. Perhaps I should let you design my costume?" She picks at the dirt under her nails, or at least the worst of it, "I'm not sure. A friend of hers, Kaldan has been to see her and they both do like to be confusing and mysterious about what he is exactly to her. There is a fondness there I think, but she mentioned it to be sisterly and yet she seemed to have decided so just then..." The Lady chuckles, "I know more of what I've seen before and been told than if he's correct about the method." A brow arced, "Ahh, so you go by observation as well as gossip from the gossips. Not that I would expect otherwise from you." "If you are so determined to be laughed at, Lady, you should stick with asking me to dance at this Gather," Keveris suggests, as dry as a riverbed in Igen. "It would gain as much mockery for a tenth of the cost. A couple--" Now her wet, possibly still muddy hands present him with a quandary. Inherent shyness wins out. "On the right side there," he says rather than offering to remove them. "Kaldan, who brought her a runnerbeast and served as intermediary at the Harper Gather; who gave her scrolls with information for her asking. Yet she says she's not drawn to him. It is interesting. I would speculate on whether she knows her own heart, but I do not know her, myself, well enough to guess." At long last he's satisfied with his cleanliness, though he's still too messy to ever sit at a high dinner. An orchard lunch, though? That he can do. "That's a compliment, I think," he says, a quick smile appearing just before he starts for the lunch area and its contents. "I believe that sometimes what you see is more accurate than what you hear." "Careful, keep offering and I may," Jeracynn greats that first with, a chuckling winning out for the rest. "They don't eat much," is then said of the leaves and then "That Kaldan, yes," she agrees. The smile she gives of a quiet nature, her thoughts her own and then, "I'm sure she's figuring out what ever she doesn't yet know. And yes, it was a compliment." Seeking a clean towel to dry her hands on, she comments on his last before following after, "There is certainly truth in that." [Editor's Note: Keveris and Jeracynn head off-camera for lunch, and the log ends here.]