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These Boots Were Made For Tapping


Date:  October 23, 2004
Place:  Telgar Weyr Living Cavern
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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Kassi's Note:  Like sands in a greenrider's pair of boots, these are
the days of our lives.  Kassima returns from a beachside sojourn with
a terrible complaint.  And so she decides to give A'tan a complaint of
his own:  the drills and sweeps of a Thunderbolt Wingrider. :)  

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The Log:

You walk through the large entrance to the Living Cavern.

Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the Wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives.

Emilly nods A'tan's way. "Well - at least elevator is fairly easy duty,"
she says mildly, then beams at Lanisa. "Excellent! Congratulations," she
offers over sincerely.

A'tan chuckles and nods. "Yeah pretty easy." He smiles at Lanisa, "Congrats
Lani. That's great." His back is to the doorway as Kassima comes into the
room.

"I have *sand* in my *boots*," Kassi announces to the room in general as
she saunters in, hands tucked in her pockets and gait indeed slightly more
awkward than her norm. "This just isn't right. D'you know, 'twill probably
have t'replace 'em now? Once the sand gets in you can never get it all out.
It *breeds* in shoes. Little grains of sand are having sand-babies
somewhere beneath my feet, which, may I say, is one bizarre mental image
t'have. I wonder if'n I squish their heads when I step on them." She does a
couple of steps of an erratic jig as though to test, and then makes for the
dinner table--perhaps she feels she's disturbed everyone enough. "G'deve,
g'deve; hope there's food enough left. Anyone want aught?"

"Thanks." Lani replies to them both, but she does give a bigger smile for
that, before turning to watch Kassi's arrival. "Your suppose to knock it
out before you put them on, Kassi." So helpful that, but then she giggles
as she offers, "Maybe you do." A glance sent down the table then, "Not
sure. I've not really looked at it yet to see."

Emilly laughs as Kassima announces her arrival thusly. "That is ... quite
the mental image Kassi," she offers over fondly for her friend. "Breeding
sand ... positively scary. Perhaps if you leave them hanging upside down
long enough it'll all work it's way out?" She takes another sip from her
mug, looking completely relaxed and happy to be right by that fire, out of
the wet.

A'tan chuckles and shakes his head. "Well now I don't think I've ever
considered that Kassi. I do believe that its impossible to get sand out
though." He sips from his mug again glancing over at Lani and smiles before
turning his attention back to the Wingleader. "Want to join us for dinner?"
is directed at the stomping woman doing a little jig.

Kassima fires Lanisa a morose look over her shoulder. "Now you tell me,"
she jokes. "I attempted t'knock 'em as soon as I realized--when I stood up
at Shipfish and felt that tell-tale grit--but too late, 'twas; they're
infested now. And I *like* these boots. Where are T'bay and V'lano? I need
them t'write a tragic ballad memorializing m'footwear." She stomps her
right foot twice more, as if to ensure that the sand-mothers are completely
squished, then takes to picking and choosing amongst the table's offerings.
"I do try, Em. D'you think? Mayhaps it might work. Only if'n the sand
really is breeding, an infinite number of grains could theoretically pour
out, and I'd have the Hatching Sands recreated in m'weyr. Queens would
start showing up there t'lay eggs and I'd have t'shoo them away. Madness.
Chaos." The chair she selects is a compromise: not her usual chair, but one
sort of halfway between Thunderbolt's table and the table where the others
sit that she won't have to call too loudly to chat with either group.

"You didn't ask before now." Lani teasingly points out, "If you'd have
asked me, Kassi. I'd have told you. But ooh no. Couldn't do that." For her
part, she giggles again at the rest, before moving on to fill a plate for
herself.

Emilly just shakes her head a little before she starts laughing. "Ahh Kassi
... a weyr full of queens laying eggs ... the tragedy - indeed, a ballad
would be the thing to do that justice," she teases a little. "Mm - for
boots I think it might eventually, though there may still be some grains
stuck in there. YOu could ball up a bunch of damp socks in em as well,
leave 'em for a few minutes then pull them out and that might get most of
the rest." Endless fount of practical cleaning ideas that she is.

A'tan grins as he picks up his lute and tunes it for a quick moment before
picking a quick and catchy tune on it. He waggles his brows as he sings:
In comes Kassi not too grand,
Her favorite boots are filled with sand.
As they breed around her toes
Stomp stomp stomp she goes.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle oos. Love the song.

Telgar Weyr> A'tan laughs

"Call it m'revenge for you nay convincing M'tri t'let me rummage in his
pockets," Kassi retorts to Lanisa with a grin that borders on wicked. For
Emilly, though, there's a thoughtful nod after her laugh for the tease. "I
could see that... so long as I found other boots t'wear while these were
drying out, in this weather. Nay a problem." Her brows start to rise as the
song starts. She sets down the fork she'd took up to listen, keeping any
particular expression from her face and propping her cheek up on a fist.
"Nay too grand," she muses at its end. "Y'know, this singing thing
threatens t'be a trend. I let it pass with Vel and T'bay, and clearly that
wasn't the right move... there's naught for it. I'm going t'have t'protest
this time. Em, 'twere in charge of him a time; d'you have any ideas for
what might be best?"

Lanisa giggles again. This time at A'tan's song before she pulls a face at
Kassi, "He didn't seem too likely to cave in on that matter. Now mayhap I
could have done more, but you don't figure he'd have realized something was
up if I used more persuasive means in front of his husband?" She keeps on
selecting bits off this and that for her plate, then loads the rest of it
with cookies. Typical Lani fair.

A'tan starts to sing the second verses of the song, but hears Kassi's
comment so puts the lute down. His face reddens slightly as he picks up his
mug again to take a sip. He notices that the mug is empty so he stands
heading towards the serving table for something to eat. "Anyone need
anything." the young man asks.

Emilly nods for Kassi's first. "Don't you have a spare pair Kassi?" and
then there's a widening grin as she regards A'tan. "P'raps give him
increased responsibility. He's only got elevator duty at the moment, which
doesn't exactly build much in the way of character, wouldn't you say?"

Kassima chews on her lower lip as if in thought. "Unless we could've
persuaded him 'twould be a group thing," she supposes, sounding dubious. "I
don't know if'n he'd have bought it, though. He knows what a jealous if'n
loving spouse I am, and that you only have eyes for him. Sigh." She shifts
her position, resting both elbows on the table and steepling her hands. Her
chin rests on her thumbs. "That's a thought, Em. But there's a problem with
it--I don't have any authority over him just now. I could only assign him
sweeps with L'cher tomorrow, say--something sure t'build character--if'n I
tapped him first. Dilemmas, dilemmas." She certainly sounds amused for
someone who's ostensibly wanting to punish.

Lanisa claims a seat, not quite next to any of the group, but sort of with
them all, "No. I don't think he'd have believed that. Probably we'd have
had better luck pushing him about dancing on the bar than convincing him of
the other. He does so like to make things difficult after all. -- Still,
that was some mug of ale instead." At the other talk, she gives a wry grin
and glances to A'tan, before digging into her meal, "Sweeps with L'cher? Uh
oh..."

Emilly chuckles again, takes a sip from her mug and nods. "Mmm ... if you
did ... you could," she says with eye a-twinkle as she looks over at A'tan
then there's another grin for Lanisa's words. "M'tri ... on the bar ...
interesting," she muses.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Aw, now, everyone should have sweeps with L'cher
at least once. :)"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "But only Thunderbolters get the privelege. If
it can be called that. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa claims exemption as a minion of R'var! ;)

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Yes, Lani's joined the Dark Side(tm)"

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa thought she already was on the Dark Side by right of
birth ;)

A'tan mumbles to himself as he stands at the serving table. "Build
character.....thought....lots of it." He picks at something and puts a
piece in his mouth trying hard to not listen to the conversation as his
embarrassment finally lessens and the color of his face returns to normal.
He lifts up the lid on a pot and wrinkles his nose as he sees something he
doesn't want and continues on down the line. He sings softly to himself the
second verse, "She pours it out in her weyr, And all the queens camp out
there, Dragon eggs all around, With no room to be found."

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "True, but now you're R'var's padawan. Strong is
he in the Force."

Telgar Weyr> Emilly says, "L'cher. Gosh. The memories;)"

Kassima nods emphatically to Lanisa. "Particularly if'n he'd done most of
his drinking where we could readily wheedle him. I'm all for trying it
again sometime. I do hope he was pleased with it--" She taps her fingertips
together. "The question is, methinks, could he survive? I don't know... on
the other hand, he didn't scream and flee out to the bowl at the very
*idea*, which is promising."

"Aye. If we ply him with the ale first. Or better still, what ever it was
he couldn't remember the name of... Did you recognize the drink, Kassi?"
Lani muses, then drops A'tan a sympathetic sigh, "Tisk. Your really pushing
your luck. She could always push your current Wingleader to loan you to her
to go anyway..." For Emilly she gives a grin, "You don't think he would?"

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "I'll have an A'tan special to go please. :)"

Telgar Weyr> A'tan grins and runs

A'tan moves back over to his chair by the fire quietly totally lost in the
conversation now especially if it concerns M'tri and his large harem. He
sits down and balances the plate on his lap and sets his mug down on the
table. He moves the lute down and out of sight.

Emilly grins Lani-wards. "I think perhaps he just might and it would be
very interesting to see how long he could remain standing," she notes with
mild amusement. Then she grins Kassi's way. "He might just make it if he's
not already screaming, it's true."

"I'd guess a Lava Twist or Thread if'n Marcus warned him for his life,"
says Kassima to Lanisa, "unless the man's been experimenting with something
new. Faranth only knows what all he drank a'fore coming home, though--"
Considering A'tan a moment, she sighs under her breath. "Methinks," she
comments to Emilly with decidedly rueful humor, "he's like A'ran in more
than name. What say you: mayhaps if'n I threw a patch at his head? Only
then it might land in the food, and his leathers would attract fire-lizards
forevermore."

"Depends on how much he drinks first and how long he'd have to dance, I
suppose. As for how long standing." Lani dips her shoulder then and lifts a
brow, "Sounds like they are both one's I'll avoid til I'm more used to the
habit. They like drinking from M'rek's flask?" She grins then as she
glances at A'tan, "Aye. I'm not sure he'd react quick enough to catch it,
if you did, considering."

A'tan glances over from his food and puts it on the table as well. He looks
over at Kassi curiously, "Who is A'ran?" He takes a sip of his drink.

Emilly makes a "hoo boy" look at mention of Lava Twists. "Those ... are
potent aye," she notes. "Though the Between ... is something else, I've
seen it knock more than one solid bronzer on his behind of late." Eyes
return to A'tan at Kassi's words. "I think that might just work Kassi ...
fire-lizards or no. It'd certainly attract attention, that's for sure."

Telgar Weyr> A'tan chuckles and huffs. Feels so ganged up on. Women!

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "I'll protect you!"

Kassima nods agreement with Lani on that. "'Twould be bad if'n he danced
himself sick and vomited all over the bar," she says, master of the obvious
that she is. A grin, and then she's blinking at Emilly. "The *Between*--? I
don't know that I've ever had... hmm. Well, let's see." She produces a
diamond-shaped patch of leather from her pocket and make a great show of
taking aim at A'tan's head with it, squinting to sight her target. "--A
Wingmate of mine, brown Orvieth's. Now hold still and I might be able
t'land this in your hair."

Lanisa wrinkles her nose, then nods agreement, "Can't say as I want him
getting sick anywhere, much less on the bar. Would spoil the rest of the
night's fun." She gives a lopsided grin then as she waits to see if Kassi's
aim with patches is as good as it is with knives.

A'tan leans forward and then looks up with curious eyes at the women around
him. He looks over at Kassi with furrowed brows, "So who is A'ran?" The
young mans mind is swirling with everything that is going on around him.
Oblivious, not necessarily. A little confused, probably so. He shakes his
head and sighs, "I don't know what the big deal is about M'tri. He's not
/that/ good looking. And to think that so many flock to him." he mutters to
himself.

Emilly's nose echoes Lanisa's movement-wise. "Don't want -anyone- vomiting
on any bars," she agrees. Then blinks at A'tan, back at Kassima and then
Lanisa, and back 'round at A'tan. "It's just joking around, A'tan," she
says gently then nods Kassi's way. "Just give it to him already Kassi,
before the poor lad passes out," she says with a hint of a sigh and a
sympathetic look for Thunderbolt's wingleader.

"As I just said, brown Orvieth's rider and m'Wingmate," Kassi repeats
before sighting one last time and letting fly with the patch. Her aim is
very good; it may well land in his hair indeed, but the weight isn't what
she's used to and it could very well end up elsewhere. "--Really only Lani
who flocks t'him, last I heard," she adds. "Well. And bronzeriders. An
uncanny number of bronzeriders." Emilly gets a wry grin.

Lanisa only gives A'tan an odd look, seems about to say something and then
hushes entirely as she resumes eating her meal and just watching.

A'tan looks over at the women as his face turns a little red, "Ummm, sorry.
Didn't know I said that so loudly." He looks up just in time to see the
patch come flying in his direction and reaches out to snatch it up. He
flips it over in his hand to look at it then looks back up at the Wingleader.

Emilly drains down the last of her klah and lifts a brow Kassi's way
briefly before watching Leonneth's rider closely for a reaction.

Telgar Weyr> A'tan dances around. Get's to be tortured now that he is in
Kassi's wing

Lanisa glances up again, at Kassi's mention of her and gives a faint smile
before she resumes pretending to pay attention to her meal. But as A'tan
gains his patch, she speaks again, "Congratulations, A'tan."

Kassima explains most solemnly, "Women have keen ears. We have to, y'know,
in order t'hear the things men don't want us t'hear and keep the upper hand
at all times." This is perhaps a joke to go by her grin. "--You don't have
t'accept that, a'course, if'n you don't want to, even though I did throw it
at your head. But I hope 'twill."

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Hey Lani, you're the only malerider in a room of
greenriders, *pushes a microphone in her face*, how do you /feel/?"

Emilly adds her own hearty, "Congratulations A'tan" and smiles at the young
greenrider, encouragingly.

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa smirks, "Considering I've grown up surrounded by
greenriders?" ;)

A'tan waves his hand a little bit and nods. "Oh don't worry about the
teasing. I guess I just get lost sometimes." He turns the patch over in his
hands several times looking at the insigna on it and takes a deep breath.
He looks back up at Kassima with serious brown eyes, "I would be very
honored to be included in your wing Kassima. Thank you." He looks at Emilly
and Lanisa with a smile, "I guess Leonneth is moody. Sorry" He looks at the
patch again, "So where should I report in the morning?"

"It's alright." Lani dismisses the apology and then gives a grin, "She's
always had that tendency, eh. -- And your welcome."

Kassima drops mostly out of the teasing into a moment of seriousness,
smiling a bit as she inclines her head to him. "The honor is ours,
Wingmate." At which point she snaps a brisk salute. "Drills are at dawn
tomorrow, actually, so you're spared the sweeps with L'cher. Nay that I'd
actually punish you for the song anyway; I don't mind, 'twas cute. The
seeming was just part of m'evil tapping scheme. We'll be assembling in the
Southern Bowl."

A'tan snaps off a salute to her as well and nods, "I'll be there in the
morning." He chuckles softly. "I hope that I won't always be part of any
more of your evil schemes." he teases back. He takes a deep breath and
looks at the patch once again. He glances over at Lanisa for a moment, but
doesn't say anthing more. He lowers his eyes before anyone can see anything
else there.

Emilly shakes herself to her feet then. "Speaking of dawn drills, I should
get back to the Reaches ... I'm back in the regular rotation with Blizzard
and G'non won't take kindly to my missing anymore." She moves to set mug
into the appropriate place for clearing and then nods around at each of the
three riders. "A'tan - congratulations again, Kassi - good luck with this
one and I hope to swing by again soon for a chat, Lanisa - congratulations
again as well. Clear skies all." She smiles once and then catches up her
sweater and ducks out into now-falling snow with a yelp of surprise.

Emilly walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Lanisa catches the glance, but doesn't comment either, for she's distracted
by Emilly's departure enough she just waves after the Reachian rider and
keeps on with her meal.

Telgar Weyr> A'tan laughs. Poor naive A'tan. I feel so bad for him sometimes.

"Ah, well, you're perhaps out of luck there," Kassi replies with a low
laugh. "M'Wingmates tend t'play a very important part in some of m'evillest
schemes! Just ask C'row, or V'dan, or Jirel, or--but probably I won't be
throwing any more things at your head, at least. I can promise that. Unless
I'm proddy. And I'm just nay succeeding at being reassuring, am I." There's
a quick wink for him before she calls after Emilly, "Thankee! Clear skies,
fair winds, see you soon--methinks I missed again." She shakes her head and
turns her attention to food for a moment before asking Lanisa, "Is what
m'eyes tell me true and you've been similarly absconded with by a wicked
Wingleader, or are you wearing that Dawnslight patch as camouflage?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima grins. He handled himself pretty well, and it could
have been worse. Kassi could've tried to get him to bribe her to tell him
what Wing he was going into. That's how she tapped Javinia. And got her
emerald earbobs. ;)

Telgar Weyr> A'tan chuckles. He was so totally lost that he probably would
have missed the bribe part

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "You're terrible, Muriel."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Muriel?"

A'tan grins and nods as he pushes his plate away from him, not touching any
of it. He puts the new patch in his pocket and looks over at the now too
quiet bluerider. "Congrats Lani." he says softy. "I'm sure you will love
your new wing. Have you had the chance to move into a new weyr yet. I can't
wait to get out of the hole in the wall I've got now."

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "It's a line from Muriel's wedding. Later, guys."

Telgar Weyr> Emilly snugga Yselle

Telgar Weyr> Kassima oohs and hasn't seen that. *Snugs Ys.*

Telgar Weyr> Yselle smooch.

Telgar Weyr> A'tan snugs Yselle

Lanisa chuckles softly as she listens, but it's Kassi's last that has her
looking up again and giving that lopsided smile, "No one could ever fault
your vision, Kassi. Aye. R'var tracked me down this noon and made it
official." She shakes her head, "No chance to get a new weyr yet. I guess
for tonight it's the same old question of slightly damp, or slightly
smelly." But she gives a one shouldered shrug for that, as if not really
concerned, and smiles, "Like I said. It's my ma's wing. Could be a new
family tradition or something. Since I broke the chain of green."

Kassima says while winding noodles around her fork, "'Tis still being
sorted out who's going where exactly, weyr-wise, so there's nay a weyr
ready for you t'move in tonight, I'm afraid--but soon. Hopefully very soon.
'Twill be with the rest of Thunderbolt's, a'course." She flashes Lanisa a
bright smile. "Felicitations t'you too," she seconds, warm. "Lanryi was
Wingsecond for a time; I recall it. It should be interesting t'fly beside
her."

A'tan finishes off his drink and pushes back from the table. He sighs
softly and stands up. He looks at the bluerider, "Well congratulations." He
snaps off a salute for his new Wingleader. "I guess I should head off to
bed. Drills come early." He grins at Kassi, "And I wouldn't want to make my
Wingleader angry my first day with the wing."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "La! The Thunderbolt Wing pages are all fixed
up, too. :)"

Lanisa nods, "She was, for a while, aye. And thank you both of course." She
gives A'tan another smile and adds, "Congrats again. Thunderbolt's a fine
wing. And I'm not just saying that because Kassi can still out throw me at
knives."

Kassima returns the salute with a laugh. "They do, and 'twouldn't, but I
don't worry much that you will. See you in the morning, A'tan." She sort-of
seconds Lanisa's opinion with a bright, "The finest!"
A'tan nods to Lanisa, not quite sure what else to say at the moment.
"Goodnight both of you. Thanks again." He puts his items away before
heading outside to Leonneth and the snow.

"After Dawnslight, that is." And so it starts, with an innocent smile from
Lani. Bad blooie. "Night A'tan."

A'tan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Telgar Weyr> A'tan waves and heads out

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa snugs :)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima zhaiwaffles to A'tan. Congrats again. :)

"Ah, Wing loyalty," Kassi drawls, just grinning. "Such a powerful thing.
Such a *blinding* thing. But this early on, 'twould be a crime t'break the
delusion--you'll see in due course for yourself, I've no doubt." When A'tan
has gone--with Kassi waving cheerfully after him--she observes, "I hope he
and M'tri being in the same Wing causes nay problems. Seems unlikely,
though. They worked together well enough in Icemelt, 'tis so?"

Lanisa gives a wink with the first, and then pauses to consider, "I don't
know. I don't think Trii'd have a problem with him. You know, unless he
started something. But A'tan's never struck me as the type to start
something on purpose. Bumble into it, maybe. I mean shards. I know how we
go on about Trii's harem, but it's like he takes it that it's all, you
know, happening or something."

Kassima's nod is thoughtful. She slumps back comfortably in her seat,
looping one elbow over the chair's back. "I don't doubt M'tri will cause
trouble eventually, but that sort of trouble--nay, I think nay. And A'tan's
always behaved himself entirely. I'd agree that he takes it t'heart; bit
odd since this mythical group scarcely has any women in it." Pause.
"A'course, mayhaps he doesn't fancy women exclusively. That could well be."

Lanisa smiles warmly and nods, "He'll cause some trouble, alright. But I
don't think he's out to pick a fight was A'tan unless he feels he has to."
For the rest she just goes on a bit more thoughtfully, "I've never
understood it. I mean. One day, out of the blue he was going on about
Trii's harem. And this was back about the time we were first getting to go
to the steam baths again. And I basically told him outright, that Trii and
I were waiting til we could work things out, you know. And I thought he got
it then, but he still keeps bringing up this other."

"If'n anyone ends up on dawn sweeps with L'cher...." Kassi's agreement is
dry as bone. "Nay. If'n he thought A'tan were making you uncomfortable, I
could imagine it; but I doubt that's aught he'd try t'do. A'tan, I mean."
Her legs, sandy boots and all, stretch out under the table. "Well, 'tis
fair obvious he fancies you. Mayhaps he doesn't know that you have worked
things out. Assuming you have. You could talk t'him again?"

Lanisa giggles as she agrees, "Aye. I would expect it to be him." Then
nods, more seriously, "If he thought that, then I'd not be surprised, no...
but I don't think A'tan means to. Maybe I should talk to him again -- It's
just I'm so ruddy bad at these things. That's the thing with Trii. We don't
have to talk about it much at all, so it just works."

Kassima grimaces, expression briefly holding a sympathy for the greenrider
in question. "I'd be surprised if'n he does. But there's nay much way
around it, is there? He can't seem t'hide how he feels. Things will be
awkward... I don't know whether telling him straight out that you don't see
him that way would help or hurt. Hard nay t'keep hoping, 'tis, even when
there's nay hope." Her face softens, a grin stealing across it. "That seems
the way it should be. At least to an extent--some things 'tis risky nay
t'speak of."

"He's nice Kassi. But..." Lani pauses and gives a one shouldered shrug,
"...but he's just nice. You know? I don't want to make him feel worse, but
I can't see encouraging him to wait around hoping either." She frowns
lightly however, "Too risky? Such as what?"

Nodding, Kassi confirms, "I know. Nay everyone wants t'be with everyone
else, even if'n they *don't* already have someone they care for as you do.
I've much sympathy for him. Which doesn't change the way things are a
whit." Her turn to shrug at the last, and answer, "Such as what you want,
when you know it; what you *don't* want; what the rules of your
relationship will be, if'n there's aught of commitment in it. If'n you'd be
hurt if'n Trii did go off with someone else, you should let him know rather
than assuming he does, and vice versa. Things like that. But I recall
'twere going t'discuss matters once you graduated."

Lanisa lets out a slow breath, "Right. Exactly. I mean...It's really even
better that there is someone, because if there wasn't, then it might just
be a game with everyone else. You know? And this way, there are no games.
Jokes, aye. But no games." A slow nod, "Sympathy, yes. But I can't change
that to something else either." For the other she listens carefully, then
gives a slow smile, "We talked. And there will be no need for the likes of
knees, from either side. -- But you might be right, that we still have
things to talk about more."

Kassima's head tilts to the right. "Flirtation games with many, rather than
jokes and depth with one? Aye. Mayhaps; nay everyone who's single does
flirt much. I do like t'think there's room for games in a love-match--life
with someone you can't tease, even t'be wicked to occasionally? That just
doesn't sound ideal--but nay those sorts of games." Her headshake is as
slow as Lanisa's nod. Slow, and regretful. "Nay. If'n... nay." Apparently
not inclined to dwell on that topic, she moves to the other and says, "I
doubt it all needs t'be talked out at the very first, but based on what
I've seen of other relationships and why they fail, talking's important any
time either of you might have a question or concern."

"I don't know. I'd never really thought about what I'd do before Trii.
There never was a reason. And then I found him, and I had plenty of time to
think about that, so I never really gave the other any thought. What if's
and all." Lani shrugs a little, "I've seen enough of the pairings round
here to know I can't speculate how it'll go. What we'll allow and wont. But
right now, it works, and I'm not going to mess with that." Nor apologize
for it, if her tone is anything to judge by. "I'll try and remember that.
You know, when to talk and all. It's easier with Trii. At least so far."

Kassima idly chases a last scrap of yellowtail around her plate. "Moot
point now. Nay point worrying about it so long as you're together, either,
which is happy enough for you. Taking your time with making the decisions
seems a wisdom t'me, given how many of those who swear they'll be together
forever straight out of the Barracks end up apart soon or late." A nod.
"That's as it should be. Some things you may never have t'discuss."

"Aye. We've not done that. Promised forever. Just said we were enough for
each other right now." Lani says with a quiet smile. "And I can't say I
worry much about what if's. It's a waste of time, for the most part, when
what you have is enough."

Kassima smiles a bit and says, of the last, "'Twill take your word on it. I
believe in the loves that last forever--that true love *should*. But by
making such promises so early you might be tempting fate, and... 'tis wise,
methinks. This caution."

"I don't know if it'll always be, but it is for now, so aye. I'll wait to
see if it stands up over time." And Lani smiles, "I just like how it's
going so far."

Kassima grins at the bluerider. "Aye. I'm pleased for you both. I tease,
a'course, about the jealous husband thing, but 'tis only jesting--which I
think you know, but it goes back t'those things it sometimes seems better
t'say."

"I know. I've known. And he knows, I'm sure." Lani agrees with a slight
grin and a nod, "I don't mind teasing, when it's from someone who knows
when it's a joke, and when it's not funny, you know? It's the one's who
think they are being funny, and don't see when they aren't that get to me."

"Aye, that's what I've assumed. The whole thing's been so absurd that I
didn't exactly suspect he's serious when he croons about how much he loves
me," Kassi admits, making an amused face. "I don't exactly *actually* leak
such machismo that women faint from lust when they see me, either. Shhh,
don't tell. If'n it ever does bother, let me know--I won't say I've never
gotten carried away by m'own joke. But if'n it doesn't bother either of
you, then game on."

Lanisa smiles more brightly again, "Nahh. No point in spoiling it all now.
It's far too much fun to let it just fall by the wayside at this point.
I've not minded Kassi. I know the truth of it, and that's what matters to
me. -- But I do appreciate that. That'd you'd want me to tell you and all.
I don't think I'd be too good at hiding it if it really did get to me
anyway. I kinda have been learning I'm not half as subtle as I thought I
was. At least to those that bother to look."

Kassima admits with another of her full, delighted, and rather impish
grins, "I especially like the harem of bronzeriders. You should've seen
M'tri's face when I asked M'rek if'n he'd come t'join M'tri's paternity
pool after all, then turned and told Trii that I'd told M'rek *all* about
him. What's most fun of all is how many people have been willing t'go along
with it. Plus, a'course, the song." She doesn't deny the other statement.
"Methinks... a'course I don't know, do I, how many times you might've been
displeased and I *didn't* spot it. But sometimes I think one could tell.
Which isn't entirely a bad thing, although you don't want t'take it to
extremes."

Lanisa giggles, "M'rek's joining the harem...Oh shards but I'd have loved
to see Trii's face just then too. That had to have been great. he just
rolled with it though, I suppose?" She gives a nod though, "I guess some
miss, because I just don't react the same with everyone when I am upset.
I've been called on that before. But there are just some people you can
stand up to more direct like, and some you just can't."

"After some gaping." Kassi's grin is wider than ever. "He seemed appalled
I'd been telling *others*. But then he told M'rek he could join, there was
room, only he might have t'be second-string. M'rek seemed t'take that
pretty philosophically, really. I guess he's able t'wait patiently for his
time with m'glorious wife." Drolly, "Can't imagine how. Does anyone always
react the same? Whether someone's your friend has something t'do with it.
Or family. Or a stranger. Nay t'mention the circumstance itself."

Lanisa just giggles all the more, "Poor Trii. To think. His husband's
recruiting them for him now. -- Thou are so generous to thy loving spouse.
And aye. Might take Trii a while indeed to get around to his second
string." A wry grin then, "Who would want everyone to react the same? Talk
about dull if so."

Kassima smiles sunnily at the bluerider. "Why nay? After all, I still think
'tis only fair I should get t'share 'em. I am generous, aye, but I don't
want m'spouse t'be the only one doing the loving in our marriage, if'n you
get me." She can't help snickering at that. "Well, true. Sometimes you
could almost wish it, but in the long run--nay."

"You are generous. Aye." Lani agrees with a smile, "And we couldn't have
him be the only one, no." She chuckles again, "Yeah. Mayhap just for
special occasions." But then she yawns. "I should turn in. So I'm not too
tired for drills tomorrow either."

"Thought you'd see it m'way," Kassi says with satisfaction. "Shells, aye--I
should, too, with two new ones t'work with on the morrow. R'var certes
wouldn't thank me for aiding in keeping you up. Sleep well, would you?"

Lanisa grins, "So good to agree." She allows and then nods, "I'll do so.
You too, eh?"

"Do m'best," Kassi promises, getting to her feet and taking her plates back
to where they belong before starting for the door.

Lanisa walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.