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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.

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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.

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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.]