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I Put a Spell On You


Date:  December 9, 2007
Place:  Igen 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:  Pernese divination is at its finest when Beli sets up 
shop in Igen's Living Cavern, reading palms, tea leaves, cards, and 
books for those curious to know what their futures may hold.  
If certain interpretations are to be believed, Walladru's involves 
children, Kassi's involves ovines, Kant's involves terrible inter-
Hold relations, and Lord Vorlin's involves whole wheat.

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The Log:

You head into the Igen Weyr Living Cavern.

After the book is set on the tabletop, the bag is turned to. Beli unearths
a small drawstring satchel, from which come the dragonpoker cards, old and
battered, a few corners curling. There's a couple of cups and saucers, too,
with a faded design, and one trip to the serving tables results in a jug of
hot water and other necessities. Then Beli sits, her eyes closed, her hands
upturned on the tabletop, and a couple of kitchenworkers -- who have been
watching since she came in -- make their way over.

Kassima has at long last found a replacement for her timeworn, borrowed
straw hat. Something similar has taken its place--similar, but not
identical, because the original was remarkably bereft of a long, filmy sash
of blue material drifting behind her in twin rivers of blue. It might be a
good look, were it not matched with her even longer braid. As-is... well.
It doesn't much bear discussion. A fact which keeps Kassi's wingmate from
snickering at it not at all, at all. "I'll grant 'twould look better on
you," she tells him sweetly. "But I saw it first, and you're just going
t'have t'get over this unbecoming jealousy. Mayhaps there's one like it in
your future?" Not perhaps the usual thing one would consult cards about,
but hey.

Kant ambles out from the inner caverns.

Kant enters alone, what with its being relatively early days yet, his tunic
rucked up enough that he can keep his hands shrugged into his pockets. At
least he's found someone to tag along after: a pair of herders' helpers,
busy gossiping about what tales Beli told last time, yet who inexplicably
decide not to get in line right away. Kant does. As soon as he can.

Beli opens her eyes and looks at the two other girls. It is not the kindest
of looks. "Oh, all right then. What is it this time?" The girls are beside
themselves: "You tell her." "No, I couldn't possibly, you." "No! You know I
can't even say his /name/ without blush--" Beli holds out her palm as they
jabber on, and a few moments later one of them puts her elbow in Beli's
hand. Clearly they've done this before. "You could at least give me a
challenge," Beli says. "I'm not getting anything on the love interest," she
doesn't pause for the astonished gasps. "But you should beware a red-haired
man. And stop worrying about this fellow, it's the tall one who likes you
best." Beli does seem a touch surprised that a line has formed, but just
barely. The girls haven't noticed.

Brows lifting at the thought of a mysterious red-haired man, Kassi abandons
her scoffer to scoot on over to the line. Not so eagerly as Kant,
quite--she's curious, but slightly hesitant. "We need particular
questions?" she asks those around. "And elbows. Elbows I've got."

Josilina comes down the stairway.

Pretty soon a cynical - or just sensible - friend appears, and the two
girls hurry off. Beli then looks over at Kant, who she has decided is next
in line, and turns to pick up the deck of dragonpoker cards. "Hi," she
says, and she spots Kassima, too: "'Evening, Kassima. You don't need
particular questions unless you feel one is required." That very seriously.

That first elbow earns a long look from Kant, if less speculative and more
appreciative, and he pulls himself up to his full height just under general
principles. When a familiar voice speaks, he looks over to see Kassima, and
then hastily yanks his hands out of his pockets, "Ma'am, er, Search
Coordinator! Go ahead. It's all right. I have elbows too." He gives Beli a
quieter, "Hello," and doesn't move up quite yet, half-hovering.

Josilina comes down the stairs, a mug in one hand, and some balled up
fabric in the other; she pauses by the last step, and a look across the
cavern picks out the crowd forming around the fortune-telling youth with
ease. Her eyebrows rise, and she lifts her mug to take a sip - and hide a
smile. She approaches leisurely, stopping not in the line but beside it.
"She's getting quite popular with this," she observes to no one in particular.

Kassima bobs her head to the young woman of the hour. "G'deve, Beli. I
don't think I do--specifics sound like a way t'get in trouble, where the
future is concerned." She says this wryly but without any sign of taking it
as a joke. "Go ahead, go ahead, Kant, I want t'hear what fortune's bringing
you. Don't be shy," she adds, jerking her chin towards the table. Glancing
back over her shoulder, the greenrider spots the Weyrwoman and offers a
fleeting grin. "G'deve t'you too, Josilina. It happens often?"

Beli remembers, hastily, but only after Kant's address serves as reminder:
"Rider Kassima. Ma'am. Coordinator." One of those, right? "That is very
wise." She looks back at Kant, now, shuffling the cards in her hands,
cutting sections into other sections. "You can sit down, you know. It's
your turn. And not everyone needs elbows, either." Sounds promising,
doesn't it? Shuffle, shuffle. "Are you thinking about something in
particular, then?" As if he's gone ahead and agreed.

Walladru ambles out from the inner caverns.

Kant clears his throat a couple of times, and his voice slips down half an
octave. "If you say so," he agrees, and follows the search coordinator's
glance towards - a rash of pink, bright enough to send him turning right
back to Beli, a little stunned. He starts to crouch before the girl's
table, but then seems to realize that there's actually a chair, a couple of
them really, and picks the closest to fold himself up into. "All right. I
don't know. Something interesting?" He hesitates, looking into those odd
pale eyes, and just gives a slight, hopeful shrug. "Something good."

Beli smiles at him, then. "Something good. Here," and she places the
dragonpoker deck on the table in front of Kant. "Cut these with your left
hand into three stacks, face-down, and then tap the top of one of them."
While he's doing that, she asks, "Why didn't you tell me your name, the
other day? You just said, 'marvelous'."

Josilina returns Kassima's grin, "Well, not this - " she gestures with her
mug-holding hand to the crowd, "not so big, just once or twice. But she's
always been one for... seeing more than most folks." She sips from her
drink, "She's actually pretty good, sometimes." Jos offers Kant a flash of
a smile when he looks her way, murmuring to Kassima as he sits, "New
candidate?"

Kassima let the ma'am from Kant go, suspecting it for a slip, but winces at
the repetition. "Kassima's fine," she assures. "Nay need ever for that
other." Over the head of the sitting Kant she watches this shuffling, her
curiosity the greater moment by moment. Idly she detaches a length of her
hat sash from the claws of an equally inquisitive blue 'lizard. "Aye," she
confirms to Josilina in an undertone. "From--we got him from Igen Hold, but
he's from Gritmane, by his account. Kant. Ask him about his green
accidents. Has she foretold aught for you?"

A couple of people at the back of the Cavern turn to watch the tall, broad
man entering. His hair is a long and running loose. He smiles, although he
looks like he would just as happily fall face first to the floor. His
footsteps are steady, though, as he sidesteps with disturbing ease and
grace past a group of cavernhands gathered around for a round of rumor
mongering. Those who know him well enough might wonder at the fact his
hair, when turned loose, comes to the middle of his broad shoulders. It
swings around loosely as he makes his way towards the important food and
drink. One of the serving girls visibly cringes as he approaches. "You'd
better tell the kitchens we're gonna need mo' food, fast! 'e's 'ungry!" A
round of laughter, with the mans baritone joining right in. "You sure I
can't just pull up a chair to the serving table, Cria?" he asks, even as he
retrieves a tray.


Beli:
Beli is a young girl of maybe fifteen turns, with eyes about the size of
saucers and a sleek mass of very straight, dark hair that is divided into
dozens of thin braids all over her head. Her skin is pale and unfreckled,
and her enormous eyes (which considerably dwarf her other, less appalling
features) are a pale shade of blue, like paint mixed with too much water.
She has shed her usual assortment of scarves in favor of one in particular,
dyed a motley of red on white, the gauzy fabric wrapped around her head,
the end of her braids just peeking out. Her white blouse is too big, the
sleeves too long, but her knee-length red skirt, at least, appears to fit.
Were she a very old woman, she'd seem a bit strange; even so young,
'eccentric' seems to fit.


Kant has to cut cards and talk at the same time? He chuckles, a little
awkwardly, but when he does reach out it's without reservation. "I don't
know. Did you ask? I don't remember. At least you don't think it really is,
you know, 'marvelous,' like a fellow's parents hated him or something...
here, how's that?" adding a last tap, and then an extra one, hand
half-curled around the deck still. "Don't think that's the same number of
cards, for each. They can be, though, if you want."

Josilina nods, just a bit, at the information. "Good to have candidates."
And there's a hint of a laugh behind her voice when she repeats, "Green
accidents?" Her smile widens at the greenrider's last question, "I've known
her long enough that she's foretold /plenty/. Told my boy once to beware of
gambling, I think. You planning on having your - elbow read?"

"No, it's better if they're not the same size," Beli decides. The rest she
just nods to, watching Kant for a beat longer than necessary, and then
takes the selected stack, reserves it, and scoops the others together and
to the side. She then begins turning over cards from his stack in a precise
pattern: four down, three across the second-highest. "Marvelous," she
thinks about it: "It could be worse. I don't think parents - those parents
- would so much /hate/ their child, but some of them should definitely
think a bit longer about name choices." She hurries on, now: "There. See,
you've quite a few Crafts cards, including the journeyman, there," and she
taps it. "Nobility. Hmm. And emotion." She muses a little more. "You have a
personal treasure at stake. You should waste no time in finding it. Your
path has taken you to the right place, but ... obstacles." She taps a few
more cards, for good measure. "Yes. Obstacles." But! Personal treasure,
that's good.

Kaitria ambles out from the inner caverns.

"You know that she's a Candidate too?" Kassima asks, nodding towards Beli
once more. "'Tisn't a bad lot thus far. And Tisiath and Lysseth's scores
are tied, methinks, although I haven't checked the tally today t'be sure
Lani's nay brought in another. Green accidents." Another nod. This is a
solemn nod, a grave nod, a wide-eyed nod that suggests the accidents are
dire indeed. She can't help but glance at her elbows after. "I guess I am.
In a way I don't know if'n I want t'know the future, truth be told. Some
things 'tis better nay t'see coming." A faint smile flickers, there and
gone. "On the other--what if'n 'tis something interesting? Like a meteor
come t'knock me straight off Lyss. I've joked I want t'die that way.
Nobility?" Kassi's attention is back on Kant's reading now: "Shells, Kant,
I didn't ask you; you aren't a Lord's son or suchlike?"

Kaitria's cheeks are flushed and her hair damp and a tad curly as she
hurries in, heading straight for where Beli is holding court. "Sorry I'm
late!" she blurts, then balks at interrupting. "I just wanted to watch,"
she explains, breathless, and she sits quickly, taking a chair close, but
hopefully not too close, to the fortuneteller herself. "Do you mind if I
watch, Beli?" Belatedly, she offers Kant an apologetic wave for interrupting.

"A lot longer," Kant tells Beli with a heavy sigh, watching her hands more
than her face, now. "This kid I know, he was named Shaired, with an air,
which was bad in just so many ways... wait. Journeyman? And treasure?
What's that mean?" He's looking back at her expression now, only looking
away for a quick glance around to see who might be breathing down his neck,
which makes getting out of his chair that much more awkward. "What? Lord?
No... I don't think so?" And then another quick glance, at Kaitria, and an
equally quick headshake, before it's back to Beli with his turn all but
through.

"Maybe you have a sandworm in your future," Josilina remarks, wry. "Though
a meteor's just as likely." She nods, "Lanisa Searched her, didn't she?"
Her smile broadens, "I didn't realize you and Lanisa were in contest. Does
Lysseth Search much, usually? I know some dragons tend to more than
others." She looks quick over to Kant, as his heritage comes into
conversation, catching Kassima's question and barely listening to Kant's
reply. "He's a Lord's son? ...Are we allowed to Search those?"

Cria follows the big fellow as he loads up a plate, watching every spoon
full of veggies, every lump of meat and every piece of bread. He pauses to
get a tall glass of nice, cool, refreshing juice and then turns, eyes going
about the cavern looking for a good seat. Cria comes around and whispers
something to him, which gets a chuckle. "I think you can probably handle
him better than I could." he says, grinning at her. "Now, if you'll excuse
me, I've an appetizer to deal with." he lifts his plate in emphasis, the
plate surprisingly well heaped. Cria's head goes back and forth and the
turns and walks away, leaving him to his chair hunt.

Beli bobs her head. "Obstacles. Your fellow candidates. Some will help you,
though. You'll have to find the right ones. Like this journeyman fellow.
The cards aren't literal, but they represent people and things in your
life. So a journeyman might be someone a little older and wiser, but still
with some learning to do. Not a crafter for sure, see? And nobility's just
--" she pauses, "--something in there. Maybe connected to the treasure, or
maybe you do something noble to get to it. You'll know it when you find
it." Then: "You know, I only have one brother and that's enough work, I
don't know what seven sisters would do to me. - Hi, Kaitria." /Beli/
doesn't mind. Beli's doing this in the living cavern. Sandworm? Beli looks
up and smiles at the Weyrwoman, then turns back to Kant: "You shouldn't
worry about breaking things, either."

Kassima considers Kant for a long, thoughtful moment. "You probably aren't
Vorlin's son, anyway," she decides, "but I suppose you could be... help me
out, someone, who does he look like? Taelor? Dyane? Name's more right for
Dyane--but you wouldn't get that K out of Tarin." She explains to Josilina,
"I didn't know he was, but Beli said 'nobility.' Oh, wait, mayhaps 'tis his
lot t'Impress and get an illegitimate child on a Lady Holder. Goodness. The
things you learn. Lysseth's odd about it," back onto saner subjects. "Some
clutches she's come away with six or so. Some, one or two. She's Searched
at least one rider of every color now and you can imagine the smug that
ensues over that when she's reminded. Evening." That's for Kaitria--and
Walladru for good measure, with an amiable nod of greeting for each.

Kaitria leans forward, propping her elbows on the table and her chin in her
hands. And, as advertised, she watches, pursing her lips at this and that,
and silently watching the line full of people, a few of which she waves to.
"Can you read anything?" she asks Beli during a pause in a half-whisper.

Kant listens, his eyes gone wider, "Find the right... not literal... know
it when you find it... that's something, you don't always know things when
you find them... noble?" he repeats after her, and at last shakes his head
with what's become a big grin. "Plenty of work, all right. All right.
Thanks, Beli," and at last he lets go of the chair, which does indeed
survive the incident so at least that part of the prediction might be true,
and shuffles back and to the side a little. More or less out of the way. At
least, out of the way unless you're Kaitria.

"Vorlin?" Josilina echoes, startled, and eyes the lad in the chair.
"Definitely not Vorlin. He doesn't have that /look/." Look of ...evil? "He
could be a cousin of nobility, or something. Or Impress a dragon who's
convinced it's nobility? I've met," her tone is dry, "a few of those." She
mimics Kassima's nods of greeting, a little on the slow side - her
attention seems a little flighty, and she shifts the balled fabric in her
hand, showing a glimpse of red and white. "What's she at for this clutch,
did you say?"


Walladru:
This handsome fellow's black hair is smoothed back and tied into a pony
tail to keep it clear of his neck. The plain cream colored tunic matches
well with the slightly darker shade of cream of his pants. A pair of well
worn boots adorn his feet. He is a tall one, stands approximately six feet,
five inches in height and is very broad at the shoulder. His weight is
proportionate to his physique, something in the two hundred and fifty pound
range. The build is one of a person who has done hard labor since early in
their life, moving heavy objects and keeping in shape. While not obscenely
muscled, he does have a nice tone to his physique with decent definition to
his torso and legs. He wears a simple leather band around his neck that
hangs long, disappearing into the front of the tunic and a simple but broad
leather belt. The brown eyes sparkle with amusement and on his left
shoulder is a residents knot from Igen Weyr next which is a Candidate's
Knot. Walladru is 20 Turns, 10 months, and 8 days


Beli beams. "You're very welcome, Kant." So she found out, even if he
didn't tell her. Beli now looks over at Kassima and Josilina. "Kassima,"
she says -- see, she does listen. Or forgot again. -- "Would you like some
tea?" To Kaitria, "Oh, no, of course not. I find palms not very revealing
at all. Usually the book doesn't give me much, either," she lifts her chin
towards the impossibly old tome on the table, "but I did Raykini's once,
with Walladru, and it was fascinating." She adds, lifting a hand to rub at
her forehead, "Briefly painful, but fascinating."

Eyes turn this way and that. Finally, they light on a grouping of empty
chairs at a table and he starts his way over, again moving with great
agility to those seats. He sets his tray down, eyeing the food hungrily.
Scooting a chair back with his toe he sits down and grabs his fork. Digging
in, the first couple of bites are quickly chewed and swallow. The fourth
bite gets a more sane chewing and, looking a little more like himself, he
starts looking around. He spots Kassima and the Weyrwoman and gives them a
quick salute and smile. He hears his name and his head turns, spotting Beli
another smile, this one accompanied by a wave. Followed by another large
bite of some form of green veggie.

"Painful?" Kaitria squinches her brow, "How was it painful?" She shifts her
chair a bit... and then there's Kant, far closer than she realized."Oh!"
her hands go to her mouth, "sorry!" She doesn't quite bump into him, but
it's tight quarters all the same. "I didn't mean to - I can move, if you
want to be here?" She asks, flustered.

"He'd need darker coloring," Kassima decides. "If'n Vorlin has a son here,
'tis more likely... hmmm... him. Walladru." She helpfully points at the
young man for good measure, if 'helpfully' can really be considered the
word. "I ride one," she then dryly agrees. "What's that? The red and white?
Lysseth's at three now. Walladru, Kant, and a lass from Bitra,
coincidentally enough. Didn't so much mean t'Search there. Lyss interrupted
a perfectly good dragonpoker game t'get her out." The greenrider's a bit
surprised to have her name called for all she's been watching; obediant,
though, she takes the chair Kant vacated, and considers the cups. "Certes.
Thankee."

A'tan comes in from the Bowl.

IGEN-> A'tan waves, "Evening everyone!"

"And pointier nails," Josilina half-mutters. "I know Walladru," she follows
the point, "he helped me clean up a mess, once. He's definitely not
Vorlin's son, either." Attention directed to it, she glances at the cloth
she holds, "Oh. Something I'm wondering if Beli can read." She leaves it at
that, cryptic as it is, and steps off to the side a bit as Kassima's called
up. "Don't let me get in the way," she notes. Seeing no one particularly
familiar in the rest of the line, she glances Walladru's way again. "Mind
some company?"

IGEN-> Josilina says, "Hey, A'tan :)"

IGEN-> Devany waves :)

IGEN-> A'tan wants to say hello to all the new candies too. Welcome to
Igen. *passes hugs out to everyone else* :)

Walladru watches the greenrider make her way towards the table where others
are gathering, a knowing small crossing his face. He turns his head for
some odd reason to see the Weyrwoman looking at him and hearing the
question, finds himself only able to nod as he has just bitten a huge bite
out of a defenseless roll. He blushes and shoves the bite to the side with
his tongue. "Company is always welcome!" he calls cheerfully.

"Oh, well, we were all leaning in to read something and, you know, sort of
bumped into each other." Much like Kant and Kaitria, just then? "Walladru
tells it better," Beli claims, waving back to Hungryman over there.
"Perfect," she says to Kassima, and pours the tea into a rather
grandmotherly-looking cup and saucer for the greenrider. "When you're done,
swirl clockwise." And she mimics the motion, helpfully. Then: "Lord Vorlin
does have a son, doesn't he?" But Josilina's reply - something to read -
catches her surprised interest as well, though she doesn't get a chance to
ask.

Kant all but falls over himself, trying to get out of Kaitria's way, but at
least he's not falling over her. "Sorry!" he says too, and then, "Hold on a
moment." With Kassima having taken his chair, it's weyrgirl back and to the
left of him, rider forward and to the right of him, and he awkwardly cranes
up one leg at a time like a particularly gangly waterbird and steps past
the rest of the way. And again, nothing is broken, and again, the
prediction is proved true. To Kaitria, more quietly, "Sorry. That must've
been a surprise. Name's Kant. You all right?"

IGEN-> Raykini chews on A'tan.

IGEN-> Kant says, "Hi!"

IGEN-> Walladru passes Ray the Texas Pete Hot Sauce

Kaitria does her part by staying carefully still during the whole
Kant-extraction operation. The kind of very still that involves hands
folded in her lap, back and shoulders straight; she relaxes once he's in
his own personal bubble, and not hers. "Kaitria," she offers a small smile.
" I'm fine, are you? Sorry, I think I came in too close - I like watching
Beli work, but I hope you didn't mind my listening in."

Kassima takes the tea; she refrains from chugging it. It nevertheless
disappears efficiently. "Sometime 'twill ask for that story," she says to
Josilina between sips, but she doesn't keep the goldrider, or Beli waiting
long either. Once she's reached the dregs she swirls as directed. "Cain,
aye, with Craftsecond Cailin. You read cloth too?" as she sets the cup down.

IGEN-> Raykini dumps it on Walladru and gnaws happily :3.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Spiceh!"

"Don't skimp on the swirling!" Josilina tosses over her shoulder to
Kassima, as she finishes her approach to Walladru's table. She ignores any
poor manners on his part and flashes him a grin. "How've you been?" She
snags a chair, and settles to sit in it backwards, folding her arms across
the top of the back. "Not one to have your fortune told?"

Realizing the girl is the sort to keep herself to herself, Kant relaxes
some too, no longer adding wrinkles to the hem of his tunic with nervous
fingers. "Yeah. Didn't actually step on anyone, that's always good... you a
friend of hers, Kaitria? I suppose I'll have to survive knowing that you
know how many sisters I have, can't keep even the biggest secrets around a
Weyr, they were saying," and he laughs to try and make it clear that's a joke.

Walladru smiles. "Sorry. Just worn out from laundry duty. Seems a bit more
tiring when not just doing it to help out." he pauses to wash the bite
down. "I am curious to know what she has to say for me now. So far I've
managed to avoid hurting my back, or having a dozen or more kids." he
chuckles. "How have you been?'

Beli replies, honestly, "I've never tried. I did coins, once. I already
told Jorel I'd not be doing that for him, though. I don't want to encourage
his habit." Beli takes Kassima's cup, seemingly appreciative of the
efficiency, and covers the top with her right hand. She does some swirling
of her own, now, and then sets the cup on its saucer again to peer inside.
"Hmm. Circles," after all the swirling, that's a shocker, "and do you see
the ladder? That indicates success in business. And - hmm." She twists the
cup a little, still studying.

Kaitria's smile widens, "Well, you know how the gossips are. I've tried for
ages to cover who my brothers are, but they found out eventually. And, yes
- well, sort of a friend, I guess." She glances sideways, and back to Kant,
"I like her," she admits, low. "But it's hard to tell if she considers
someone a /friend/, you know? Do you know her well?"

A'tan comes into the living cavern, tucking his riding gloves into his
belt, mumbling something under his breath. He pauses a moment, taking in
some of the aroma of the food and heads over to the serving tables. On his
way though he calls out to Josilina and Kassima, "Hey there!" He also
offers waves to the candidates, picking up a plate to fill up with food.

"Avoided having a dozen kids?" Josilina adopts a look of mock-impressed, "I
wish I had your talent! You know, those three kids a week get tiring." Her
smile slants crooked, then widens, "Oh, that's right, you were Searched!
I'd heard, and meant to try and catch you to say congratulations. Glad to
have you standing for Lhia's clutch - who Searched you?" For his last, she
shrugs, "Well enough. Sand's are hot, moving's stressful, but that's no
news flash." She waves to A'tan, returning his greeting with one of her own
and a cheerful, "How are you?"

"His habit." Kassi's as intrigued by these bits of unknown stories floating
around as she is by her own future. At least in that she's true to type.
After a quick, cheerful wave back to A'tan she leans forward to try and see
the shapes in her dregs. "Is that the ladder? Looks sort of like a hay
bale," she says, brows drawing together. "Can't argue with the
interpretation, though."

A faint grimace also passes over Josilina's expression, at continued talk
of Jorel's "habit."

Kant nods, even begins to ask something, but then Kaitria goes on and his
eyes immediately turn to Beli, over there with the candidate coordinator
and... tea? Why didn't he get tea? He clears his throat, distracted, and
scans the rest of the cavern to see who might be listening, and it's enough
to notice A'tan and awkwardly, but smilingly, nod. But others seem busy on
first glance, so he drops his voice too, intent on replying. "Not really.
Not yet, anyway. She has one of the bunks near mine, but, um, it's not like
you look, you know?" He pauses before adding, "And do your brothers have
anything to do with it? Other than being, well, brothers."

Walladru nods. "Surprised me, for sure. I was just sitting in the gallery
looking at the eggs, how beautiful they are, and I end up getting
searched." he looks towards Kassima. "Kassi convinced me it was the right
thing to do, for sake." he grins broadly, winking.

Kaitria catches her lower lip in her teeth, and the impression is that
she's biting back a smile. "I wouldn't think you would!" she exclaims,
voice still lowered. "I'm surprised they don't have the barracks separated,
like the dorms." She smoothes a hand over her skirt, "But I suppose you'll
get to know her, if you all talk a lot in there." She frowns, "Anything to
do with what? With gossip?" She shrugs, "They're just brothers. You know.
I'd /guess/ you'd know, since you're a brother. Are your sisters all here
at the Weyr?"

Beli nods solemnly. "Oh yes. He's my favorite cousin," and she seems to
realize she's said that a touch too late, her glance going sideways, and
she hurries onward, "but he is in for a world of hurt when he starts
gambling." Which he undoubtedly will, according to her. Back to the coveted
tea: "An arrow, oh, that's an unlucky one, with, well." Failing to explain.
"But it's in the past. And there's - twins. So many twin signs lately," she
remarks, half to herself. "Oh, and you've a flag across a pot!" Apparently
that's good news for Kassima.

"They are beautiful," Josilina's half-beaming as she agrees with the
praise. At Kassima's mention, Jos glances toward the greenrider, "Yes, she
mentioned Lysseth had nabbed some. Guess you were one! Well,
congratulations. Moving into the barracks go okay? Get a good bunk?" Under
the mask of drinking from her mug, Jos steals another glance over at her
niece, and it's finally time to project her voice to note, "Jorel doesn't
gamble, Beli. And he's your /only/ cousin."

A'tan grabs a mug of klah and makes his way over to where the Weyrwoman
sits with her company, "Mind if I join?" he asks with a smile. He nods
politely to the others. "Hey there Kassi. How are you doing today?" His
brows furrow a little at the talk of ladders and hay bales but keeps it to
hmself

Walladru takes advantage of the distraction of the Weyrwoman to nab another
bite of dinner and chew it quickly. Swallowing he nods. "Going well. The
Cot is comfortable enough. It dosen't take long to settle in when you don't
have that much to move around." a sip of juice. "Lysseth. That's the one."
he smiles. "Seems nice enough to me."

"He gambles?" Great, now Kassi's more intrigued than before. This may not
bode well. "Would he like t'be putting wagers on the eggs, d'you think?
Err... except it might be a bad idea t'be helping him get into a world of
hurt. Come t'think on it." She sounds regretful about that, and realizes
the fact in time to look sheepish. "An unlucky one with what? Twins? Are
they doing something, these twins? What's a flag across a pot?" Will she
ever run out of questions? "I have a flag across a pot," she reports to
A'tan. "So apparently I'm... good? Or bad. Or I'm going t'cook cloth."

Kant has to laugh, relieved, and he says to Kaitria, "Our dorms were
separated too. It was a relief, but I guess it's just different. My
sisters, they're back home; well, most of them. One just got handfasted.
Don't ask me what her dress looked like, is all I ask." He hesitates,
glancing towards tea and tea-drinker and tea-reader, and away towards the
cavern, and then it's drawn right back down to Kaitria again. "Listen, I
didn't mean to keep you from listening. I'd better go. Check in. If you
stay around for a while longer, maybe let me know later, what she said?"

Josilina's sitting with Walladru at a separate table from Beli's Fortune
Telling Festival, though they're at least near enough to overhear some
things, and for Jos to call her two-marks worth. "I don't mind," she nods
to A'tan, "but it's Walladru's table. I'm here by his grace, waiting for
Beli to be free," she glances at the cloth, now in her lap, "I think." She
nods to Wall, setting her mug on the table, "I remember moving - didn't
take much, but had to go from Tillek. You've got it easy," she says, a
little teasing. "Good to live light though, I think. I'm moving now, and
discovering really how much -stuff- I've gathered over the Turns."

Beli replies calmly, but quietly, "Doesn't gamble /yet/." And even more
quietly, mostly to Kassima: "Or that she knows about. I mean," eyeing the
cup again, "All your children probably do things that you don't know
about." But questions! "No, the arrow is unlucky in, well, various things."
Maybe she's hedging because this is a Candidate Coordinator she's talking
to. "But see, it's in this quarter of the cup, so it's in your past. And
the flag across the pot - the pot is a source of change, new things, and
the flag indicates good fortune. It's a very good sign to have them
together. Oh, there is the 'impending danger' bit here, but that could also
just be an ovine." Which is indicative of woolly sweaters, maybe.

Walladru smiles and motions to a seat at the table, nearest the crew
gathered around Beli. "Evening, Atan." he says warmly. "Please, have a
seat." another stab at the plate. "May not have had to do much moving, but
not as much new to explore either." lifting the bite he pauses before
jamming it into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully. Finally he swallows,
turning his own attention to the other table.

"But the dress is the most important part!" Kaitria's eyes are too wide for
the comment to be in earnest, and the sly curve of her smile cements it as
jest. "Oh," she glances back as well, "I hadn't - don't worry about it.
But, sure," she nods, back straightening a little, "sure. If we run into
each other again. It was nice meeting you - sorry, again. About bumping
into you. Or... almost."

Kant actually does start to step back - but then realizes, and laughs, and
turns it into more of a shuffle. "You got me with that one," he admits.
"Nice, um, almost-bumping into you too, Kaitria. And it's a big place but,"
with a nod to her knot, "Can't be that big?" He reaches out one lanky arm
and aims a tweak, not at her knot but at her hair-ribbon, before turning
tail and heading out toward the wider group.

A'tan smiles warmly at Walladru, "Thanks." he says and takes a seat,
pushing it out with his foot and setting the plate down in front of him.
"So what is Kassi doing over there Jos? I don't think I've ever seen her
look into a cup of tea for that long." he asks with a grin. A bite of his
food is taken, chewing thoughtfully, looking at the new faces, "I'm going
to assume that some of these new ones are candidates?"

"Does the cup say something about that?" Kassima's eyes are suddenly all
for the cup, narrow eyes, mother's eyes searching out her children's
misbehaviors. "Is it the twins? A'course 'tis the twins, why do I ask.
Unless Kaylira's gone off with her Wingleader again." She flicks glances to
each little mote, each scrap of leaves, as though she'll see... what? One
shaped like her offspring making out with something? "Could be any number
of things," she mutters for her lack of luck. "Change, all right. New
things. Good fortune. I could use some, even with impending danger or
ovines attached, either one."

"Not that big," Kaitria agrees. She might say more - it looks like she's
ready to - but at that tweak she flushes and lets him go without remark,
cheeks still pinkish as she turns back to the table and to listening.

"Exploring an old place can seem kind of new, if it's with new people,"
Josilina muses. "And you'll have plenty of those, in your candidate class.
No doubt you've met some, already." She grins at A'tan, "She's having her
fortune told - Beli," she nods to indicate the teenaged Candidate sitting
with Kassima, "reads tea. And palms, and elbows, and other things. And
she's a candidate, yes," there's some pride in her voice as she confirms
that. "And he is too," she points out Kant, "and those three," she
indicates a trio of girls sitting off by themselves.

Walladru lifts his glass and takes a drink, leaning back a little, seeming
to be relaxing. His hand brushes through his hair. "Whoops!" his hand
disappears beneath the table and he leans back a little more before he
pulls a leather cord out.

Beli gives Kassima's cup a little shake, as if trying to get the last
vestiges of the future out of it. "Well, there are twins there, in the
present." Perhaps presently up to something with someone. "Nothing around
them except that letter K, there. That's for relatives." It's not clear if
that's a divined thought, or just statement of the obvious. Did she know
that already? "You should also be wary on the 12th day of next month. Don't
fall into anything. Or let anything fall /on/ you."

Kant has just a little extra spring in his step as he makes his way between
the various groups of people, heading for the inner cavern, but just then a
casual glance catches sight of the pink peril right when she's pointing at
him. Maybe it's tall wide Walladru's partially blocking the view that saves
him from being further stunned, or perhaps it's nearly-as-tall A'tan, "Did
you need something, ma'am?" And then again with more emphasis, eyes
focusing further, "Ma'am."

"Could be for spawn," Kassi says darkly, and woe betide her errant twins,
sure to receive concerned motherly visits sometime soon. Very soon.
"Twelfth day of... shells, y'know 'twas kidding about that meteor thing?
Mostly? But if'n I don't get m'good fortune a'fore then I should be all
right, so there's that. I should let Josilina have her go," she realizes.
"Thankee, Beli--this has been interesting and informative."

"You okay?" Josilina peers after Walladru, even half-bending as if to
follow his hand, before straightening out. "What is that?" She's fluffing
her poncho a bit to straighten it - just increasing the glare of pink -
when Kant stops by; she doesn't even seem to realize he's addressing her
until his section iteration. "Sorry?" she blinks at him. "Hi!" she grins
wide - a beam, really, "You're one of the new candidates! Hi!" Then,
collecting herself, "Can I help you?"

A'tan sips from his klah and nods when Kant comes over to the table, "Good
day Kant. Congratulations on being Searched." He looks over at Josilina,
waiting to see if the young man needs anything that he can help with as
well. He does call over to his former Wingleader, "Anything interesting
Kassi? I know you've got a brood so life is never boring." he quips with a
grin.

Walladru puts the leather bit between his teeth and starts gathering his
hair. It takes a few minutes but he manages to get most of the stuff pulled
back and tied off. The runnertail has returned.

"Is it always so... imprecise?" Kaitria asks Beli, when she deems that
there's a lapse enough in fortune telling that she can ask without
interrupting. She hesitates - shy - before offering Kassima a bit of
comfort, "We don't get meteors too often, here, I don't think. You'll
probably be safe."

Beli smiles at Kassima, an expression that somewhat diminishes the
eyes-half-as-large-as-face phenomenon. "My pleasure." And it truly seems to
be, unlike with those two girls earlier in the evening. "I didn't see any
meteors," she does put in, but she didn't look at the cup, so maybe she's
kidding, too. Wonder of wonders. But then she checks the cup, making it
difficult to tell. She glances over at Josilina, and then the rest of that
table, recognizing a few she hadn't seen enter, and then back to just
shrug, a little, at Kaitria. "Most of the time. It's usually clearer to the
other person than it is to me."

Kant has to blink a few times at the poncho, just staring, until A'tan
breaks the spell: "No? I mean, no thank you?" To A'tan, the words tinged
with genuine gratefulness, "Thank you, sir." To Walladru's runnertail,
another blink. Then he reverses course with vigor: "Actually, one thing.
And it's really early, I know. My neighbor's neighbor's neighbor, he said
that there's no floral garden allowed on the sands? And I was wondering
why? Or maybe why someone had to say that? Or do you just really have good
farmers here, because... garden?"

Josilina glances toward Beli as she sees Kassima take her leave, and she
lifts her voice to call, "Have a free spot, Bel?" Recalling her companions,
she glances from A'tan to Walladru, "Did one of you want to go get your
fortunes told?" She manages to ask with a straight face. Such a face breaks
at Kant's question: "A what? I mean - wait, who told you that? Who'd /want/
a garden on the sands?" Her face pinches up in confusion, "It's /sand/."

Kassima's smile back, for all her children up to no good and possible death
by falling, is genuine. She slides out of the chair to leave it vacant for
the next supplicant. "That's why I want t'die by one," she explains to
Kaitria, after a fashion. "Because they're rare, so if'n one did knock you
off your dragon, people would be talking about that death for Turns.
Mayhaps centuries. Could even become a legend thing, and isn't it more
interesting than going out sick in bed?" The woman's definition of
'interesting' could use a tweak or two. Kassi moves over to leave room by
the table. "Apparently the twins might be up t'something heinous and on the
twelfth of next month, an ovine may fall on me," she tells A'tan. "But
probably nay because there's good fortune coming and that doesn't sound
much like good fortune. Going t'have something read yourself?"

Walladru nods to the Weyrwoman. "I'd like to hear what she's to say about
me, but I can wait my turn." with the hair now off his neck, he reaches for
the juice glass and takes a nice big drink.

Kaitria leans forward, again letting her elbows rest on the table. "How did
you learn?" And then - and this seems to be what she's been building up to,
watching Kassima's teacup rather than Beli: "Can you teach it?" She's also
keeping half an eye on the more crowded table beyond, and as the Weyrwoman
calls to Beli, Tria's eyes widen a touch and she asks something in a low tone.

Kant looks between A'tan and Walladru too, and then it's his turn to grin
outright, white teeth showing all the way back to the molars. "Well, that's
all right, then." And Z'nal and Kassima will, no doubt, get to take care of
some of the remaining fallout later on. "If there's nothing else, would you
excuse me?" with a nod to Walladru's glass. Juice. Food. It's all good,
especially out here.

Beli looks over to the next table upon the Weyrwoman's query, and she nods
- there might have been more to the reply but then they're both distracted.
Kassima's explanation of death by meteors doesn't seem odd to Beli, and
then to Kaitria: "Sherri and my grandma - Sherri's my ma - they taught me."
So that would answer both questions. "Do you want to learn? - Oh," to the
lower-voiced. "Yes," and she replies in kind.

A'tan sighs softly and pushes his plate away, grumbling softly, not sure
though if its the man or his stomach. "Please excuse me. Leonneth says that
she needs my attention and needs it right now." The man stands up and
removes his plates, taking them over to the bin to deposit. "Nice meeting
all of you. See you soon I'm sure." He waves to Josi and Kassi, "I'll talk
to you later."

A'tan walks out to the Bowl.

Josilina hesitates at Beli's nod, and glances at the group around her. "Of
course," she stalls by nodding to Kant - and then A'tan, as he leaves.
"Walladru, why don't you go see Beli, it looks like she's free," she
suggests. "I'm in no hurry. And I'd like to hear what Kassima heard," she
adds, grinning over at the greenrider.

Walladru nods. "If you're sure, Weyrwoman." he says. He sounds a little
more like himself. Looks it to from the fact the plate has managed to get
emptied. He downs the rest of his glass of juice. "This should be most
entertaining." he grins. "By your leave?"

Kaitria nods - and by her serious expression, maybe she's nodding to more
than one thing. "Right." Then, "Oh," she fusses a bit with the hem of her
shirt, smoothing it, "I mean - maybe? Could you teach me? I'm not," she
bites her lip, admitting, "it seems a little... odd. But I think it's neat,
too, and it looks real interesting."

Josilina returns the grin, waving Walladru on, "I'm sure - go have fun."

Kassima excuses herself, once A'tan leaves, to collect a glass of wine and
a small dessert plate of dough dots. She claims another of the spots near
enough to Beli's court to eavesdrop somewhat on the futures of others. "An
ovine may fall on me," she shares with Josilina more cheerfully than the
news seems to call for, "or I may fall on an ovine; there's misfortune in
m'past but a flag and pot in m'future; m'twins are probably off populating
the world with Ks and nay telling me about it. Ky, at least. Kimlyn's very
happy with her M'zir the last I knew. And I'm successful in business!" A
sidelong glance back to the fortune-teller. "I wonder. If'n she gave
classes in that, I wonder how many would come. D'you think she can tell
Walladru whether he's Vorlin's son?" She's teasing the Candidate: the grin
gives her away.

Predictions or no predictions, Kant ducks as A'tan gets up and gets going.
Once he's succeeded at surviving, though, he gives Josilinia another quick
smile with his, "Thank you." And then he's off: for food, for a glass of
what Walladru was having, and finally for his bunk.

Kant strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.

Walladru stands up and gives a bit of a bow. "Have a good evening." he
turns towards Kassima. "Good to see you again, Kassi." putting his chair
under, the big fellow turns, giving the greenrider a weird look. "I can
safely tell you I'm not related. I'm quite happy being the son of whom I'm
the son of." He blinks, wondering if that makes any sense and makes his way
through the watchers towards the chair. Carefully planting his
six-foot-eight frame into the chair he settles back. "Hello, Beli. So what
will it be this time?" he asks with a smile.

IGEN-> Kant says, "Night!"

IGEN-> Kassima says, "G'night, Kant! We'll figure out which Lord is your
father yet. ;)"

IGEN-> Adeline waves

IGEN-> Kaitria waves, Night!

IGEN-> Walladru thinks that can't be Peyton, that's all C's I think.

Beli nods, too, as Kaitria does, and looks just a tiny bit relieved. "I'm
sure it won't be long, but all the same. - I've never taught anyone. But we
could try. I like the cards the best, but different people seem to need
different things." The very tall one approaches, now, and Beli grins at
him: "Hello, Walladru. What would you like? Any specific questions in mind?"

Adeline comes in from the Bowl.

"Might not be so bad to fall on an ovine," Josilina muses with great
seriousness. "Fluffy, you know. And they make awfully funny noises." She
nods to Kant as he takes his leave, remarking to Kassima once he's out of
earshot: "Odd lad, isn't he?" She grins, "Business - or betting?" she
teases the greenrider. "Sounds like that one would," she nods to indicate
Kaitria. "Take classes, that is. - Oh, shards, if he's Vorlin's son -
imagine if Vorlin's son Impressed? He can't be, though. I'd peg him as
Dyane's before Vorlin's."

Walladru shakes his head. "Not really." a node to the other girl and a
smile, glancing back at Beli. "I'm sure if we put our heads together we can
come up with something."

"I understand," Kaitria smiles warm, and adds something low. "I'd like to
learn, if you're sure you don't mind. I mean, if it's some family thing,
don't worry about it." As Walladru comes up she smiles at him, and pulls
back a little, allowing the two their fortune-telling privacy.

Adeline's still brushing something from her clothes as she enters, a bit of
dust, a stray piece of straw or hay falling from the hem of her skirt. Her
attention, for once, not first and foremost on everything going on about
her as it more typically is. Her path may take her to the serving table,
reasonably direct. At least one might assume.

"Likewise, Walladru," Kassi says, then bites into a dot. "Mmm. Mmmph, mmm.
You could be a cousin?" she supposes, reluctant to let go altogether of
this new crazy theory. To Josilina she confides, "I blame what he eats. You
should've seen it. Oh, well, could be both; I'd take both--big surprise, I
daresay. 'Twould too." Would do what? She clarifies: "Go to a class. T'see
what 'tis like. Who is that lass? She looks familiar t'me, only nay in the
sense I've seen *her* a'fore. If'n his son did Impress it should be from
this clutch."

IGEN-> Raykini eyeyes the LC.

IGEN-> Walladru tosses a lasso around Ray and drags him kicking and
screaming into the LC

"Oh," Beli says suddenly, "Do you two know each other? Wall, this is my
friend Kaitria." There's one answer. "Kaitria, Walladru." She laughs a
little, then: "Heads together. Funny," and nods to Kaitria. "We'll see.
It's not a family - well, I suppose it is, but by chance. Walladru, pick a
card." She points to the dragonpoker deck, then fans it out with one hand.

IGEN-> Raykini eeps.

Raykini comes out from the spicy-scented kitchen.

Walladru still has that agreeable smile on his face, nodding to the other
girl. "Kaitria. Nice to meet you. Pretty name, too." the cards are spread
before him and quickly gain his concentration. He extends his right hand
halfway out towards the cards and moves it slowly back and forth, eyes
following the hand across the cards.

Kaitria's smile grows brighter at the introduction. "Nice to meet you - oh!
Thank you." She quiets - for the card drawing, it seems, until it's clear
her attention's caught by a younger boy by the doorway. "Oh, my brother -
I'll see you later, Beli." She offers her, and Walladru, a little nod and
smile before getting up and following the boy out.

IGEN-> Raykini didn't even know there was RP going on :3.

Kaitria strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "See you, Kaitria :)"

IGEN-> Kaitria has to get going, it's getting late here. G'night, all. :)

IGEN-> Devany waves :)

IGEN-> Walladru notes there was a posting to the bb for it this time, Ray.
:) You can still come join the band.

"What does he eat?" Josilina asks, brow crinkling. "A.. lot?" she hazards a
guess. "I'm not sure I would - go to a class," she admits. "I mean, I've
seen her do it enough times - it's a little weird for me, I suppose." Says
the woman dressed in lurid pink, with the dragon who lays all-purple eggs.
"Which lass? And," she grins, "why this clutch?"

IGEN-> Raykini doesn't usually check the BB too often but :3

Beli grins as Walladru takes his time, waving to Kaitria as she departs.
She then says, "You're very charming, aren't you. So what are we looking
for? A distant relation to Vorlin, was it?"

He's a bit late, but Ray does make his appearance into the living caverns.
Work held him up a bit later than usual. He offers a nod in greeting to
those he knows as he makes his way through the crowd. And, it doesn't take
him long to spot his overly tall friend. A grin pulls at Raykini's lips as
he makes his way over to Wall, "I didn't get a chance to say congrats."

Walladru is concentrating on the cards. "That is what Kassi seems sure of."
his hand stops and slips forward, fingers closing on a card rapidly. The
card is drawn towards him and set to the table, face down with his finger
on it. "This card." he says.

It's the conversations about the room that draw Adeline to a halt before
she manages to simply run into someone. A word or two that catches her ear
and she stops mid step and actually takes a look about herself, and then
stop in place as she takes in all the activity.

"But your parents were Healers, weren't they." Beli says, and doesn't go
any further with that. Old territory, maybe: already covered. Offhand: "Hi,
Raykini," as he comes upon them, and, "You do need to show me the card at
some point, Wall. But first: what were you thinking about when you picked it?"

Walladru looks up at Ray as he approaches and nods. "The same goes to you.
And to Beli." he grins. "Quite a bunch to have to deal with, don't you
think?" he asks Ray before turning back to Beli. "I was just wondering what
my future holds for me." he takes his finger off the card and pulls his
hand back, allowing Beli the dramatic pleasure of the card flip.

Raykini tilts his head slightly to the side as he helps himself to a seat,
leaning forward curiously to try and figure out exactly what is going on,
"What'cha up to?" He asks the others, tilting his head slightly to the
side. He offers a faint smile to Beli, offering a wave in greeting. "Hrmmm?
I haven't had any problems with anyone yet. Why? Are there troublemakers?"

Kassima shudders. "Vegetables. Vegetables cooked and stewed beyond all
recognition. Green things straight from that place I dare nay name lest the
fire-lizards jump *between* with m'hat." Another shudder, which surely must
be affected, but her nose-crinkle of disgust looks genuine. "How long has
she done it?" she wonders. "You said earlier it'd been a long time,
methinks. Which lass: the one Beli was talking to, who wants t'be
learning--she's left now. Why this clutch: Faranth, the purple. The
*purple*." While she can't see the card from where she sits, she cranes her
neck about in a vain attempt.

"You remember, Raykini," Beli says. "Just a little reading. It is an
interesting collection of people, so far, in the barracks." She pauses,
thinking on that, and then lifts the (fairly battered) corner of Walladru's
chosen card just a breath from the tabletop, preparing to flip it. "Which
part of your future? You know I can't say anything about dragons or what
might happen on the Sands."

Walladru nods. "So you said last time." he takes a deep breath. "My little
sister is getting serious with a lad where they are now over in High
Reaches. I'm nervous I might become an Uncle sooner than I expected."

Josilina lifts a hand in greeting to Raykini as he joins the group around
the nearby fortune table. "Congratulations on Search, Raykini," she calls
to the young man. "Vegetables?" she repeats with a laugh. "It could be
worse! Mmm," she casts a look Wall's way, "he'd be a good example to the
children, though. 'See what happens when you eat your greens.'" She purses
her lips, "I don't know how long, exactly. But a fair long time. Oh, that
girl?" She glances at the vacated seat, "I'm not sure. I think I've seen
her around the Crafters wing - so maybe the daughter of someone around
there?" The observation of purple earns an abrupt laugh, "I hadn't even
thought! Shards. The purple."

Raykini blinks at Beli's words, "We're best friends, Wall and I." Ray says
proudly, "So I would think that he would remember me." A playful wink is
sent towards the taller man, turning towards Josi. "Err...thanks. I decided
to take a swing at it while I'm here." A shrug of his shoulders, turning
back to the game at hand with a interested look. "I'm not too fond of the
color purple myself, but it's better than that gray egg."

Adeline's ever one to hover on the outskirts. She keeps on towards the
serving table, nodding ever so polite to anyone that looks her way and yet
still manages to collect one or two things of the finger food variety as
she drifts closer to where she might overhear a thing or three.

Beli nods. Nods again. "Well, we're going to need more cards, then." And
she splits the deck from the crevice caused by the already-selected card,
reserving it close to her, still face-down. The cards closest, four on each
side, are placed face-up in a circle. The first one stays down, in its
center. Raykini then earns a glance: "No, I meant you remember the cards
and - oh," she realizes. "You're joking." Good job, Beli. Back to the
cards, now.

"You don't get that size from eating greens, surely. It must take meat, a
lot of meat, and mayhaps... I don't know, eggs or something." Kassima's
scrutiny of Walladru now is similar to her study of Kant earlier. "When
he's done his cards I'm going t'be asking him. I'm thinking 'twould be bad
t'distract him now. If'n his thoughts are full of meat and vegetables he'd
probably only get told there's a moldy sandwich in his future." Pause.
"Which could, granted, be useful t'know. I'd like t'see His Lordship's
reaction to the clutch, aye? Nay enough t'go t'Bitra and invite him
personally. Nay quite."

"Whole eggs," Josilina intones with far too much solemnity. "I think he's
about as tall as R'sel, actually," she muses, now joining Kassima in
unabashed scrutiny, paying no mind to the politeness of it all. "Mind you,
I never asked /him/ how he got so tall, either." She does break her study
to grimace, agreeing with Raykini, "/Anything's/ better than that gray egg.
Except that it's Lhia's, so it's okay for a gray egg." Just to keep things
straight. "Really, I'd rather he didn't come to see it. Even if it is
purple. Maybe especially - wouldn't want him taking a fancy to it."

Raykini offers a mischevious glance to Beli, a quiet chuckle, "So, you're
predicting our futures?" He asks, tilting his head as he peers at the
cards, "Or teaching us." Apparently he's interested in whatever the cards
have to deal with. "I've heard of this kinda thing, never actually seen
it." He turns his attention to Josi, concern entering his face, "Did they
examine the egg, weyrwoman? Did they say if it was all right? It just
seems...odd...a gray egg in a batch of purple eggs."

Beli studies one end of the circle very carefully: "You are going to be an
uncle, a few times over," she says, pointing to a succession of Weyr cards
with increasing numbers. "But not any sooner than you expect to." Now she
looks at the other side of the circle, and says, "Of course, you will be
getting started on your own family soon enough. Not until after Candidacy,
I hope," she says, mock-admonishing, slightly joking. "But considering the
sheer number of children you're going to have, it makes sense." That?
That's -not- a joke. But then, he's heard it before.

With the conversation of greens, Adeline, admittedly, takes a peek back at
the serving table, as if debating fetching some of those she left behind.
But then, she shakes her head and edges closer to where Beli reads the
cards, clearly intrigued despite herself.

Walladru tries to keep the look on his face neutral as the results are
doled out. Relief is obvious at the 'not too soon to be an uncle'. However,
mention of his own proclivity for children makes him roll his eyes. "Are
you still sure it'll be fourteen?" he asks.

Kassima wonders, "Does he eat much meat? Or vegetables? Guess 'twouldn't
say so much; what he eats now and what he ate then might have naught t'do."
And because she must, "The grey egg isn't a bad egg 'tall. What, d'you
think--if'n he did take a fancy--he'd make off with an egg? All the eggs?
Except the grey and leave it standing on the Sands alone? How would that
work?" It's an intrigued query and not a dismissive one: visions of giant
carts doubtless dance before her eyes, and Vorlin brooding over the clutch
as Lhiannonth does now. His. His, precious. Kassi once again shakes her
head and looks for something else to think about. "Walladru's due t'sire
*fourteen*. Well. Goodness. By the sound of it I should keep him away from
Kimlyn. You should take a turn, Raykini, see whether you'll have fourteen
of your own." Her eyes find Adeline and linger, curious.

"The egg is fine," Josilina's quick to assure. "I mean - I've seen gray
eggs before. They're always fine. Just... gray." As if that explains a lot.
Amusement colors her expression as she eavesdrops on the current fortune
session, and she can't help wondering in an undertone that's not very
under, "Will they all be tall, as well?" Fourteen young giants. "He eats
much." As if that answers everything. "Lhiannonth would never let him. And
then there'd be such a scandal, my dragon eating a Lord Holder." She too
catches sight of Adeline, and she flashes the girl a friendly smile, "Ever
had your fortune told?"

Beli says to Walladru, in all solemnity: "Oh, yes, I think so. Let me see
your hands." And she holds out her own, to take them, spotting Adeline as
she takes a moment to glance to the other table, and around again. She
offers a smile: hesitant intrigue is a look she probably knows quite well
by now. "You know," she says again to Walladru, "that's probably why half
the kitchenstaff is always talking about you." Kassima's comment she hears
and says, "Fourteen of the both of you I'm not sure anyone could handle."

Walladru gives Ray a sidelong glance, mouthing the word "Fourteen?" with
eyebrows raised. Then he looks back as his hands are requested. He
dutifully hands them over. "The Kitchensfatt just hates to see me coming by
when I haven't been through in awhile. They like to tease me." he chuckles.
"I do always have a balanced meal, though. Haven't spilled one yet."

Raykini suddenly bursts into laughter, "Fourteen? Fourteen what, kids?" He
asks, reaching out to nudge Wall in the shoulders, "That's quite a bit, I
hope I never have kids." There's a obvious roll of his own eyes, leaning
back in his seat as he watches the proceedings. A grin pulls at his lips as
he turns to Kassima, "Oh, I think I'll have a go, maybe see if I'm going to
go back to the sea eventually or not. It's good to hear that the egg is
good though."

"Mayhaps Kant's the one who'll eat him." Kassima's left probability
entirely behind. "Cook him and eat him--that's the secret t'*his* height.
And that explains what he has t'do with nobility. However, if'n he does
this, I must persuade him nay t'include those horrid sodden greens, because
a Lord requires some dignity." Dignity when he's served on whole wheat? The
rider calls towards Beli's court, "Is there a K involved anywhere in these
twice-fourteen children?"

"What's wrong with grey?" Mind you, Adeline asks that so soft that it might
as well have not been said. Of course, Josilina's next about her dragon
eating a Lord has the teen staring, wide eyed at the Weyrwoman by the time
she's addressed by the same. "Me? Oh no. I mean... I've never seen it done
even." At least she gives a tentative smile at the end of her words before
she fidgets instinctively under the regard.

Beli examines the back of Walladru's hands and says, with certainty,
"Fourteen," then releases them and turns back to the circled cards. "Now,
here," she says, tapping a card up top, "Your first child may be
unexpected, but it's farther along in your path when the real surprise
happens. You'll find yourself with someone unexpected, and it's with this
question so I suppose it's the mother of one or more. Interesting." Then,
after Kassima's question: "K. K..." she's looking, she's looking: "Not
getting any letters," she finally replies. "Next time, maybe. With tea."
Walladru just got signed up for another session, it would seem. Who's next?

"Kant?" Now Josilina blinks in confusion, "Why is Kant eating people? I
thought he was going to inherit a Hold - Lord Holders can't eat people."
Jos looks utterly solemn as she asserts, "I think it's in the Charter." She
catches Adeline's question and - hesitates. Right on the cusp of her usual
speech she seems to decide against it, and merely shrugs, "I'm not fond.
Have you never? Well, come watch! Walladru's going to spawn a Hold's worth,
and - I guess with Kassima's daughter? And there might be twins. Or an
ovine, I'm not sure."

Kassima tries to explain the inexplicable. "Because it ties everything
together. Kant needs t'have something t'do with nobility: Vorlin needs,
if'n he tries t'steal the clutch, t'be eaten: Kant eats Vorlin and all
requirements are met in one neat, err, plate. I don't think he's inheriting
a Hold? If'n he is that could complicate matters. Wouldn't be good for
relations between his Hold and Bitra, I'm thinking." Gee. Really? Who knew?
"Beli read m'tea leaves," she volunteers to Adeline. "'Twas an experience
I'd recommend. I'd never have known t'beware of falling ovines otherwise."

Walladru nods. "Okay. Now you have me as confused as I was before. Just out
of curiosity..." the right hand, released from the back hand reading, moves
from its spot on the table to the card Wall pulled before. With a flick of
the wrist, the card is turned...

IGEN-> K'than says, "Beware falling ovines! Sweet. I need that made into a
T-shirt."

The eating people thing, well that might just send the timid girl out the
door just the same, but perhaps Kant will now be the only one she runs
from... Kant, and gold dragons? Adeline glances again to where Beli holds
court and then back to the two riders, venturing to ask, "You can read teal
leaves too? And she can tell things like that?"

IGEN-> Josilina can't help but change her @do. ;)

Raykini scratches at the side of his head, "I'm sure I don't really want to
be eaten, either. I don't really taste all that good." He leans back in his
seat, staring at the cards idly, "So, you can tell peoples fortunes just by
looking at those cards? The things people come up with."

...and the card is revealed to be: the two of Weyrs. "Oh!" cries Beli,
grabbing it. Surely it means something incredibly profound? Revealing of
Walladru's secret past and distant future? Contains the fate of the world?
"I'd thought this card was missing!"

IGEN-> Beli laughs!

IGEN-> Devany waves and laughs!

IGEN-> K'than beams!


Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
Josilina            05:18  53s  Igen Weyr: Beware Falling Ovines
40 Players logged in.


"Oh!" Josilina's confusion clears - somewhat surprisingly, considering the
explaination. "I thought Kant was eating Walladru, and I couldn't figure
out why." Whereas, eating the Lord of Bitra? So much more logical. "Or
falling on ovines," she interjects. "Beli can read leaves," she explains to
poor Adeline. "And palms - sometimes, elbows more. And other things, I
suppose. It's her... hobby."


Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
Kassima             07:45   0s  IGW:WhereLordsAreFood&TheSheepAreScared.
40 Players logged in.


IGEN-> Kassima updates hers. ;)

Walladru blinks. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" he scoots the chair
back, prepared to vacate.

IGEN-> Walladru gets in on the act.

IGEN-> Beli does too :)

IGEN-> Raykini just stares at you all :p.

"She told me an ovine might fall on me," Kassi confirms, more-or-less
accurately. "Also that there's good fortune ahead for me. Nice thing 'twas
t'hear. Oh, Raykini, I don't think anyone plans t'be eating you?" That is,
alas, put as a question, as though she's not quite sure. "Should they?
That's if'n you're planning t'steal the eggs."


Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
K'than              00:16   3m  TheOvinesAreFalling!TheOvinesAreFalling!
Walladru            04:08   1s  Fourteen Falling Ovine Lord Children
Beli                04:54  42s  I'll put a spell on you and your ovines.
Josilina            05:21  17s  Igen Weyr: Beware Falling Ovines
Kassima             07:47   0s  IGW:WhereLordsAreFood&TheSheepAreScared.
37 Players logged in.


IGEN-> Walladru wonders who gets to be the french taunter now that we've
falling ovines?

IGEN-> Devany tweaks hers too :)


Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
Devany              05:10   2s  Sand.Sand.Ovine.IgenWeyr!Sand.MoreSand
37 Players logged in.


Beli looks apologetic. "Well, it's good for me. Now the deck's only one
short. I think." A pause, and then, oh right, poor Walladru: "For you, it's
good, too, depending on your view of things." She holds up the card, points
a fingertip at the 'two': "Twins. Somewhere along the line. Congratulations."

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Man, we're milking this thing for all it is worth."

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Devany's puts a song in my head. "Sand, sand, sand,
sand, sand, sand, Igen! Igen! Sand, sand, sand, sand... ovine! Ovine!
Ohhhhh, it's an oviiiiiine....""

IGEN-> K'than says, "Baa."

IGEN-> Walladru tries without success to keep a modified Spam Vikings skit
from Monty Python outta his brain.

"Why would an ovine... I mean, how?" Adie is again, or is it still, wide
eyeed at it all. You'd think her fresh from a backwards Hold rather than
Weyr raised. "She can read elbows? What does an elbow say?"

IGEN-> Raykini should change his @doing too

Raykini tilts his head to the side, scratching at the back of his head, "I
dunno, maybe my fortune is that something's gonna eat me. Who knows."
there's a nervous chuckle, "A ovine, fall on you? Wall have fourteen kids?
I mean, the fortunes are a bit out there, aren't they?"

IGEN-> Josilina laughs, That's what I thought of, Wall.

Walladru stands up from the chair and motions to Raykini. "I believe this
is yours?" he says with a grin. "It looks like I have to venture off and
consider who I will be having twins with..." he smiles. "Good night,
everyone!" he works his way through the crowd, not without a look or two
from a couple of the cavern girls.

IGEN-> Walladru comes up with one last @doing just for grins.


Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
Walladru            04:15   3s  Unbelievably Flying Ovine
34 Players logged in.


IGEN-> Walladru fixes said @doing :)

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Great, now I have to go to bed with "Cows With Guns"
in my mind. G'night all. :)"

"Could be a lucky ovine," Josilina suggests. "Twins?" she glances the
fortune court's way, "Kassima, weren't you predicted twins as well?" She
grins Raykini's way, "I'm sure nothing will eat you. And - well, I think
some of the fortunes are sort of metaphors," she glances at Beli, as if
looking for confirmation. "I'm not sure about the elbows," she admits to
Adie. "I guess it's in the wrinkles? Or... skin texture?"

IGEN-> Josilina chuckles. Night Walladru. :)

Walladru strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.

IGEN-> Adeline waves.

IGEN-> Devany waves, "Night Wall." :)

Kassima looks tablewards again. "A'fore Kant went there were a couple of
lasses whose names I don't know, and she read the elbow of one. She said...
beware of a red-haired man. And methinks that her love interest wasn't
interested back? Or was he? You could ask her. I haven't the foggiest," she
freely admits, "how she got that out of an elbow, but there you are." She
waves a dough dot after Walladru. "I want t'believe because I want m'good
fortune, y'see," she explains to Raykini, then answers Josilina, "'Twas a
sign for twins in m'cup. Shards and stars, I didn't think it could mean I'd
*have* more twins. Nay. Nay. I'm going t'ignore that possibility
altogether. It had something t'do with m'twins already born, I'm sticking
t'that reading."

Beli eyes Raykini, but chooses not to argue. "You know, how readings are
interpreted are often just as revealing." So the falling ovine theory does
have merit, perhaps. "If you'd rather not have one done, that's just fine."
She stretches. "And it's just as much the elbows themselves," she says, "as
it is how they're held, see." A glance goes to Josilina's bundle of red and
white, for a moment.

Raykini rubs the back of his head, peering in the direction Wall drifted
off to, offering a wave to the departing man. "Well, that'd be a relief." A
playful wink is given to Josi, leaning forward once more to get a better
look at the cards. "Huh? Oh, I'd be willing to give it a try, might as
well, right? Maybe something interesting'll happen in my future? Just so
long as I don't end up with ovines falling on my head or fourteen kids."

Adeline looks then at her own elbow, or rather, tries a time or two before
giving up, her expression remaining perplexed at the very idea. "Oh," her
ever eloquent reply to Josilina, for all that it's Wall she watches leave,
"You think he really could end up with fourteen, if she saw it?" Kassima
gets her consideration then and the girl nods, "Well, I guess that would
make sense...talk of twins, meaning the ones you have."

"My seeing these things doesn't make them true, you know. We create our own
truths." Beli holds out her palm, though she eyes Raykini with some
suspcion. "All right, then, give me your hand. You wanted to know if you'd
ever be returning to the sea?"

"That would make sense," Josilina nods, "the ones you have." She grins a
bit crooked, "I'd hope! For your sake." Maybe she catches that glance of
Beli's, or maybe it's coincidence that she shifts her grip on the crumpled
fabric, smoothing a red-streaked corner between two fingers. "Shells,
what?" she asks of no one in particular - from her distracted look toward
the bowl, it may be no one in the room. "For the love of - I have to go,"
she announces, getting to her feet. "Someone do let me know how many ovines
will be falling of Raykini's children," she requests. "Have a good evening,
everyone," she adds, offering smiles and waves all around before she makes
her way to the bowl.

Josilina walks out to the Bowl.

"'Tisn't impossible," Kassima offers on the subject of fourteen,
thoughtful. "I've had a wager on for a number of Turns that a friend of
mine would end up with at least twelve--he's on eleven. And staying there.
T'spite me. 'Twould be less doing if'n at least one set were twins, however
much I doubt the mother would appreciate it." Droll: she knows whereof she
speaks. "Oh--g'night, Josilina--she never got her cloth read. Now I'm all
the more curious about it."

IGEN-> Josilina has to head to bed if I want to have any hope of getting up
tomorrow. ;) Night, Igen, take care! Thanks fo jsf

IGEN-> Devany waves and should go too. Good night :)

IGEN-> Kassima zhaiwaffles to the departing! And thanks Josilina. It was
fun theorizing about Vorlin's A-1-soaked demise with you. ;)

"Good evening, ma'am," Adie say to the Weyrwoman on her departure and then
she's left blinking at the woman she remains standing with, "Eleven?
That's, well. That's quite a few alright." And another blink, "She was
going to get the cloth read?"

Raykini rubs the back of his head, but offers out his hand to Beli, "Well,
I guess I'm just a bit suspicious about these things, but it'll be
entertaining nonetheless." He offers a weak smile, "I'm not saying anything
bad or anything." He adds quickly, "I just think it's interesting, that's
all" Good going, insult a potential new friend. "But yes, I'd like to know
if I'm going to be returning to the sea anytime soon."

"A respectable number." Kassima flashes a grin. "Two of 'em are mine also.
One can't say I don't do m'part t'win m'wagers, in any event. That's what
she said." A glance is darted after the departed goldrider. "I don't know
the significance of the cloth. Mayhaps, if'n Beli does this again, I should
bring an object, only I'm nay sure which one t'choose. What would you pick?"

Beli watches the Weyrwoman depart - with her red and white bundle - and her
eyes narrow slightly. Resolved to one day attempt a cloth reading, perhaps.
And likely that particular cloth. "Kassima? Was it a scarf?" Beli asks, in
case the greenrider got a better look. Then, to Raykini's knuckles: "Yes.
You'll be returning to the sea at some point." She seems forgiving -
somewhat - of skepticism.

It doesn't take long for Adie to pick, well, at least something. "A playing
card of mine." The girl gives a bit of a shrug at that point and asks in
turn, "What would you bring?" After that, she allows a rare grin coupled
with the attempted tease, "Sort of going above and beyond the call to make
sure you win? At least some might say."

Raykini blinks at this, leaning forward to peer at his own hand. "You think
so?" He asks, looking up at Beli, "So you can tell a lot of things just by
looking at them? What else can you look at and learn what's to come? Aside
from cards and hands?"

Kassima is apologetic. "I didn't get enough of a look t'be sure. Red and
white 'twas, though. Would a scarf have mattered particularly?" For
Raykini's sake, she smiles for that prediction and says, "There you are.
Better news than fourteen children, I warrant. A playing card--why the
playing card?" Clasping her hands together, propping her chin up on the
resultant fist, the rider thinks about the question for rather awhile. "For
the future... I don't have any idea for the future. Truthfully. For the
past, assuming she could say, I could give her this," she unfolds the hands
to hold up her left, displaying the emerald bracelet sparkling on that
wrist. "Or a certain necklace I have, and ask what the hearts of the givers
were when they gave them. Or if'n I didn't want t'be depressed, mayhaps
m'graduation ring, and see what she'd make of that." This time it's a
finger that waggles, but again an emerald that gleams. "I ever do m'best,"
she assures, amused by the tease. "Still... I haven't tried t'win the
twelfth from him. So there are limitations."

"It's not about looking," Beli says simply, "It's about seeing. Don't you
remember? We looked at the book, last time. Then there's different parts of
the body, and tea leaves, and crystals." To Kassima, a slight shrug, "No,
but then I could ask her about it. I know she has a red and white scarf, is
all. I'm surprised she brought it," and that's said as if there was a
second part to the thought, but Beli ends it there, and looks at the girl
for all the talk of playing cards. The wealth of objects then produced by
Kassima, and the potential stories behind them, produce rather an awed
expression. If she doesn't normally read objects, she certainly wants to
now. "I'm going to have to write to my grandmother," she decides.

Raykini wrinkles his nose faintly, "Just cause I remember doesn't mean I
really understand it." Ray murmurs to Beli, continuing to stare at his hand
as if trying to interpret things himself just by looking at it. "I just see
my hand, but maybe I just don't have your talent." Kassima does get a grin,
"I'm happy about that, course, I was going to go back to the sea
eventually, one way or another."

"I don't know. I guess because it's the most interesting thing I have?"
Adeline answers timidly when she finally does answer. Rather like she isn't
sure she should even say just then, but the rider's replies draw again a
smile, "Those do sound like good things to have read then." Upon finding
Beli's gaze on her, however briefly, the teen, in turn ducks her head
shyly, fidgeting a little as she stands.

"What's in the book?" Kassima wonders; it's been there, of course, but now
her attention's called to it. "Mayhaps there are things she'd like to know
enough t'try unusual avenues of inquiry. Nay that I've an idea, mind you.
After Raykini," she suggests to Adeline, "you really should go. I'd put the
odds against falling ovines for you too. That's a fine reason; is it a
particular card? A favorite? Raykini, what was predicted for you last time?"

"I don't understand all of it, either. My grandma can take one look at you
and tell you when you're next going to come down with a cough." Beli
pauses. "She rather unnerves some people." She waits a moment, and then
points to the lines of veins running along the back of Raykini's hand. "See
how straight those are? It's a direct line from your past to your future.
So naturally, you're going to be returning to former places. There's lots
more to it, but that's part." Beli politely looks away from Adeline, once
she's noticed, and then over to the book: "Oh, it's an old book of
references. I think. It's hard to read. But some people can flip through
and hit words that reveal things." Of course. To Adeline, "You should try.
If you want."

IGEN-> Raykini isn't really sure there was a last time? X_x' my memory is
horrible.

IGEN-> K'than says, "There was, dunno if you were there ICly, or not."

IGEN-> Beli is pretty sure you were, Raykini :) Maybe just briefly.

IGEN-> Raykini doesn't remember.

"Try flipping through the book?" Adie asks, at that point, though at least
she lifts her gaze again, even lets it wander on to the book as Beli
indicates. While she debates, or rather decides, she tells Kassi, "It's
just a card I have. I don't know if it's anything special. But, I mean, it
could be interesting to find out if it was?"

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Skip Kassi's question if you like, I won't have her
press. ;)"

Raykini wrinkles his nose, "I can't really remember exactly which card it
was. But I think it was a good one?" He asks, tilting his head to the side
and watching for a moment. "I would think it would be rather unnerving if
someone suddenly came up to me and told me I was gonna get sick just by
looking at me. I probably would feel sick just because of that." he laughs
absently, "Yeah, I see, but how can you tell all that? Do you just memorize
how patterns are supposed to go and apply it to different people?"

Kassima murmurs, "I imagine. And you're going t'write t'her," for she
overheard that part. "I don't know whether she sounds terribly interesting
or a touch disturbing. There are so many methods. How d'you pick which goes
with which person?" Adeline gets a vigorous nod. "I'd like t'know if'n
'twere mine. I'd half like t'know now, since you've mentioned it, even
though 'tisn't."

"Yes," says Beli to Adeline, lifting the raggedy cover and demonstrating.
"Then, when the moment feels right, put your hand somewhere between the
pages and keep it there, and we'll see what you picked out." Raykini's take
on it makes her smile: "I've thought of that, too. - You get a feel for
it," is all she says, for memorization and patterns. "It just becomes
clearer the more you do it, which method for which person, what seems
right." She seems overwhelmed by the questions. "I suppose it's like
anything else: if you grow up with it, you don't really see the other side
of it. And Sherri and my grandma, it was just part of every day."

"Okay," Adeline timidly ventures, stepping closer and then fingering the
cover of the book with a ginger touch. She's still not fully decisive about
it, but eventually she 'lets' a thumb hook a page near the end of the book
and lift those pages on up to the cover. Holding there, hovering again over
the choice and then slowly letting the paged start to fall. She's somewhere
near the middle, when a page seems to hang up on that thumb and refuse to
just fall as easily as those before it, So it's there she places her hand,
without saying a word.

IGEN-> Raykini thinks he'll pose out X-x'. Thanks for the RP.

IGEN-> Adeline waves, "See ya." :)

IGEN-> Kassima zhaiwaffles! Have a good evening. :)

IGEN-> Beli is unfortunately going to have to cut and run soon too :) Thank
you all for coming.

Raykini pushes himself to his feet, "Well, thanks for the reeding, I'm just
happy to know that I'll be eventually going to the sea, although it's
something I'd decided a while ago. Just...I don't want to right now." He
rubs the back of his head, "I'll get there eventually. Right now I have
chores to do." He offers a wave and heads out.

IGEN-> Raykini says, "Thanks for the RP, it was very interesting ^^."

Kassima pops the final dough dot into her mouth and washes it down with
wine, the better to not be preoccupied while she watches Adeline and the
book at work. She settles her cheek against one fisted hand now, covering a
yawn with the other. She's not bored. Tired, perhaps. "Glad t'hear that,"
she offers to Raykini with a wry grin. "G'deve t'you; g'luck with 'em."

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Thank you for holding it! It was a wonderful event. :)"

IGEN-> Adeline nods and has most certainly been enjoying it. Thank you :)

Beli watches Adeline's process, seemingly with approval. She waves to
Raykini, barely, and when the girl places her hand on the hooked page, she
says. "Now keep your hand there, and look at where your index and middle
fingers are, if they're hitting any words or letters." Beli now leans over
to look for herself, though she doesn't block Adeline's own view. "You're
on the left side of the page, too, that usually means you're an emotionally
driven person."

IGEN-> Beli says, "My pleasure. It's all fun for me."

Adeline has clearly become rather caught up in the reading now herself. No
offence taken for yawns, though maybe she would have expected them more
than being intriguing in any form. She leans in a little, taking a better
look herself, "It does? You can tell that just from which side of the page?
Then what do the words and letters mean?"

Kassima abandons all pretense of not eavesdropping. It's hard to eavesdrop
on a book, so she leaves her seat to try and get to the table and see for
herself, at least in a glimpse, what Adeline has chosen.

IGEN-> Raykini pops off, see ya everyone ^^

IGEN-> Adeline waves :)

"Different things for different words," Beli replies. "And letters. Your
thumb's on an upper-case K," she points out, but maybe only for the
audience member. "And there - that finger's pointing to the word 'artist',
and it's your index finger so it has to do with yourself - is this your
dominant hand? and this one to -" some very long word which Beli chooses
not to attempt. "Which," she says carefully, "I believe means someone you
know is going to fall on an ovine, or something." /Now/ she's kidding: her
smile reveals her.

"On a 'K'," Adeline looks closer and then she's nodding a reply to the
query, "It is, my dominate." Even though Beli doesn't try the word, the
teen's looking at that other as if she might memorize it before she
repeats, "Fall on an ovine.. Oh!" One can hope the wide-eyed look that this
time shows as she expresses the last is her catching on to the jest.
/Hopefully/.

"That is terrible," Kassima tells Beli, with such a grin that it would be
hard to take her seriously. "Awful. Horrible. Hopefully nay apt. At this
point, if'n anyone does catapult me straight into a baaa-ing flock, 'twill
make you the very third t'know."

Beli smiiles. "Sorry," she tells Adeline. "I think it's over for this
evening. I can usually do a little, but only sometimes bring everything out
and really read a bunch of people all at once." And strangely, these people
do in fact show up. "But the 'artist' - it might be that plain, your own
talent, or it might mean someone close to you." She shrugs a little, and
smiles at Kassima. "I hope so. Although I hope that doesn't happen." Though
it would probably make the next fortune-telling session /really/ crowded.

"It's okay," Adie allows, taking one last look at the page, and her hand on
it, before the latter is removed and tucked into a pocket of her skirt. A
smile then, open, warm, if brief and shyly given, "Artist is at least
something interesting to think about. Thank you."

Just wait until it happens on the twelfth day of next month, right after
Kassima wins three thousand marks in a bet with Lord Vorlin, who is then
promptly devoured on toast by Kant. "So do I," Kassi says with all fervent
sincerity. "So do I. I don't know if'n 'tis so in Beli's tradition," she
offers to Adeline, "but in m'family superstition, a K is the best of luck.
So mayhaps there's luck coming for you too."

Beli waves a hand at Adeline, the old 'it was nothing' gesture. "You're
welcome." She considers Kassima's next, silently, and then starts gathering
her things together. Cards, teacups, enormous old books. "That's
interesting." She finally says, and then, "I should get back to..the
barracks." Still getting used to that idea, maybe. "Goodnight, Kassima, and
- what is your name?"

"Adie," the teen ventures when prompted. "It's short for Adeline though."
Another quick smile, "Good night." As she turns then to Kassi, she gives
another of those quick grins, "I could use a bit of good luck, so I think
I'll hope it's so."

Kassima nods her agreement. "'Tis later than I want t'think much about.
Thankee for the reading, Beli, and the patience with all m'questions.
G'night. A pleasure t'be--belatedly--making your acquaintance, Adeline." A
brief smile. "Kassima's mine, or Kassi if'n you'd rather."

"Adie," Beli finishes. "I'm Beli." In case she hadn't heard. "Goodnight.
And thank you for the questions," to Kassima. "Not many people ever ask."
And with that, she's off, dusty book and all.

Beli strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.

IGEN-> Beli says, "Goodnight, Igen!"

IGEN-> Adeline waves :)

IGEN-> Luni says, "Goodnight!"

Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
Adeline             03:33  46s  Ovine? - Ovine! *iiieee* Run!
23 Players logged in.


"Has it gotten late?" Adie is at last inclined to ask, glancing about them
after saying a few polite words as Beli makes her leave, "Oh! It has." And
know all the nerves are back. "I should go. My foster mother will be
checking on me. It was really nice to meet you though!"

Kassima assures, "And likewise--on both counts. G'deve t'you also! I hope
that artist clue leads t'something good." She pauses, grins again. "Nay so
much t'an acquaintance falling on an ovine."

She's already starting for the door, but in that, edging backwards to
remain polite and yet be moving in the right direction manner, "Likewise,
about your twins and ovine." Another flashed smile and Adeline darts off in
earnest, quickly weaving through the few souls still about and vanishing
through a door.

Adeline strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.

"Knowing m'son," Kassi mutters under her breath, heading for the exit,
"naught can be good about the conjunction of m'twins and an ovine."

You walk out into the Bowl.