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A Bizarre Bluerider Bonanza


Date:  August 9, 1998
Place:  Telgar Weyr's 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:  Changes are on the wind at Telgar.  The newest Weyrlings
are being claimed one by one for their Wings, and M'hryn has been 
shifting riders here and there with no discernable rhyme or reason.
Kassi welcomes two new blueriders into her Wing one afternoon as a 
result--and also begins a new set of nefarious rumors about yet another
bluerider.  But that last is all A'lex's fault; he was just asking for
it!

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The Log:

You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.

Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the Wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives.

Norana nods to Jayna, "They're so big, it's odd to have so many people in 
one place."

Neliea looks up at Kassi from her seat near the hearth and nods, 
"Afternoon Kassima."

Jayna glances up at Kassi. "Afternoon, Wingleader," she smiles, raising 
her klah mug in a toast.

Aurian sips her wine, "I have a lot of cushions too, and then I went to 
Healer hall... they have apprentice damaged stuff that I can afford."

Norana waves politely to Kassima, tying off and breaking the thread 
before holding up the newly mended dress and giving it a shake to 
straighten it.

"And so they linked their hands and danced, 'round in circles and in rows--
and so the journey of the night descends, when all the shades are gone," 
Kassima sings on her way into the room, the sound accompanied by the 
drip-drip-drip of rainwater from off of her hair, leathers, and all. 
"Y'know, I hate it when it rains during a patrol. But for some reason, 
today, 'twasn't quite as terrible as 'tis usually. Methinks the lack of 
sleep has finally cracked m'mind."

[Editor's Note:  The lyric above came from the song 'Mummers' Dance,' by
Loreena McKennitt.]

Aurian chuckles at Kassima.

Neliea arches an eyebrow at the Wingleader and just blinks. Nothing else 
to say as she carefully sips her klah.

Jayna laughs. "Patrols in the rain aren't as bad as all that. I'm sure not 
looking forward to flying in the snow," she says ruefully.

Aurian shakes her head, "Both are bad for seeing things."

Neliea nods, "And too cold in this weather."

Norana shivers, "I would think both would be very very cold."

Jayna sighs. "I have to admit I'm less disenchanted with the temperature 
as by the way my goggles steam up. Oh, and when my gloves get wet, it's 
hard to keep hold of things."

Kassima tsks faintly, glancing over towards the duty rosters. "A shame 
that you're flying Northern Barrier Range sweeps with L'cher tomorrow, 
then. Be sure t'bundle up and prepare t'be leered at. Did you have aught 
in particular t'report from your errand-running today?" The latter 
complaints elicit a chuckle from her. "True enough. Sleet's worst of all, 
though, if'n 'tis me you're asking."

Halam walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Halam walks in carrying a heavy jacket and gloves. He looks around waves 
and smiles at those he knows as he makes a line straight for the klah 
pot.

Aurian leans over and patpats Jayna's shoulder in sympathy, "Hope you have 
warm gloves.."

Norana shivers at the thought of flying in sleet, folding the dress and 
retriving something new from the mending basket.

At the sound of the words "Northern Barrier Range," particularly combined 
with "L'cher," Jayna groans. She sighs, resigned. "Aye, Wingleader," she 
says ruefully. "Let's hope the weather's bright," she says, with optimism. 
"As far as errands went, we took one of the weyr tanners to Ista. Tough 
winds there!" she notes. "Aside from that, business as usual.

Neliea glances over at Jayna from the rim of her mug, also sympathic. 
"Have you comissioned new leathers, Jayna?"

J'lyn walks in from the bowl.

Kharty walks in from the bowl.

J'lyn wanders in with Kharty on one arm, feeling the instant warmth from 
the cavern. He heads directly for some mulled wine for himself, and turns 
back to the young bluerider. "Anything for you, Kharty?"

Jayna smiles up at Kharty and J'lyn. "Afternoon," she says brightly. 
"Kharty, shards, I've been chasing you," she grins. Fishing around in her 
jacket pocket, she triumphantly holds up a pair of gloves. "Your gloves! 
Thanks -so- much."

Halam pouring klah, takes a quick drink before turning to survey the room 
trying to decide where to sit.

Kharty follows J'lyn, arm entwined in his as they enter the Living Cavern. 
"G'd day, mentor..", she calls out over the tables and those gathered, 
smiling at her friends. "The same?", she asks J'lyn quickly.

Jayna waves at Halam. "Heya, Halam," she grins. "Didn't see you in the 
bustle, there."

J'lyn looks to Kassi with a smirk. "Are weyrlings allowed any alcohol?"

Neliea looks over at the two riders entering and smiles, "Afternoon."

Kharty skirts several tables to get to Jayna, taking her old gloves. "Glad 
I had them for you to use.", she smiles at the brownrider.

Kassima grins at Jayna, agreeing, "They tend t'be. Which is why I plan 
t'have the Wing drill down there a few times this winter. Is the tanner 
transferring over there?" She tries to hide a grin at the groan, without 
much success. "Don't worry, Jayna. I *could've* paired you with him on one 
of the sweeps that requires a stop at a Hold, and then you'd be assigned 
the extra task of keeping a leash in his wandering eye. Evening, Jal, 
Kharty." Making a face at the former in return for the smirk, she answers, 
"Oh, I don't think a bit could hurt. There's wine over yonder on the table 
if'n 'tis what you're after."

Aurian rakes a hand through her hair, she sips at her wine from the glass 
in her other hand.

J'lyn chuckles and pours himself and Kharty each a mug of the steaming 
brew, handing hers to her and settling in at the Thunderbolt table.

Jayna grins at Kassi. "He's not transferring, but he had a pattern he 
wanted to exchange with the tanner there. For gloves, in fact. Oh, thanks 
again, Kharty. I got a nice pair of lines ones from stores...and it sounds 
like I'm about to need 'em on patrols," she says wryly. "I plan to get to 
the weavers as soon as I can to get some really nice ones made up."

Halam walks over to the new brownrider a smile on his face. "How ya doin 
stranger. I haven't seen much of you now that you get to fly all over here 
and yon.

Kharty gratefully accepts the mug to take a quick sip, dark eyes sweeping 
over to Kassi. Lowering it, she moves closer to them, pushing the old 
gloves in her belt.

Kassima abruptly pauses in her conversation, squinting at her mentee as 
the younger woman passes by. "Kharty," she calls over, "what in Faranth's 
name happened t'your knot?" Then she ahs in understanding of Jayna's 
explanation, grinning in relief. "A good thing. I'd hate for us t'lose 
another one."

Norana sighs, setting down her mending and getting to her feet, heading 
for the inner caverns.

Norana walks towards the inner cavern.

Jayna thhbbbs, smiling at Halam. "Yeah, all over the place. Patrolling, 
sweeps, fall, errands," she lists wryly. "Not much fun."

Aurian tries to see what Kassima is talking about her friend's knot. She 
raises a curious eyebrow.

Neliea hooks a foot around one chair, pulling it to her as she glances at 
Kharty's knot. There goes another eyebrow up.

Kharty squints her eyes then twists her head to get a peek at her knot. 
Back to Kassi, she asks, curiously, "Nothing, mentor.. Well, it's maybe a 
little, uhm.. thread bare but other than that? Nothing. Why?"

Halam nods ot Jayna "Well I guess its not too fun doin it in the dead of 
winter..... but its got to beat the stables. Brrrrrr!' he shivers.

Kassima shakes her head, clearly disagreeing. "Nay, nay... how can you nay 
see it? That knot's a mess. It looks all wrong. Hand it over t'me, would 
you? Methinks I can straighten it out... though as tangled-looking as 
'tis, Faranth knows, 'twould be a challenge." Since the knot looks 
perfectly normal, one has to wonder whether Kassi's earlier words about 
going insane were really in jest. "Besides, y'still didn't answer 
m'question yesterday."

Jayna glances quizzically at Kassi. Kharty's knot looks fairly straight. 
Shrugging, she smiles at Halam. "Yeah, I'll bet. At least flying sweeps I 
have a dragon under my butt to help keep me warm. And winter's not even 
quite here yet." She mock shivers.

Annat enters from the Bowl.

Pierron adjusts his apron and tugs on his moustache.

Aurian pulls off her jacket and folds it over the arm of her chair, she 
slinks a bit in her sweater.

Halam grins "Speaking of your dragon how is he?"

Kharty reaches up to tug off her knot, handing it over to her Mentor, 
dropping it into her hand. "Seems alright to me, Mentor, though it could 
use a little cleaning. I never did get that mess out from when Virroth was 
little." Hiding a grin, she then asks, "And what question was that? It 
seemed there were several questions flying about yesterday as I recall."

Annat smiles brightly as she enters the living cavern. She adjusts her 
dress and offers in a particularly clear, sweet voice, "Morning. I'm 
Annat."

Neliea props her other foot in the rung of her extra chair, watching 
Kharty and Kassi. There's a faint grin tugging on her lips but that's 
hidden behind her mug, as she's still sipping her klah. A nod goes over to 
Annat. "Afternoon actually, Annat."

Jayna smiles at the newcomer, raising her klah mug in a toast. "Afternoon, 
miss, Telgar's duties," she says cheerily, from her spot on a bench at a 
table near the fire. "Sioneth, Halam?" She grins. "He's well. Big, 
obnoxious.... He's got a mind of his own, but he can fly through 
anything." Proud? Nah.

Annat blinks, her smile twisting slightly as she realizes, "Oh ... 
afternoon. Sorry." She smiles at the two ladies, asking, "May I?" as she 
gestures to an empty chair.

Aurian nods to the newcomer as she sips her wine.

Kassima sets the knot down on the table and starts to fiddle with it, 
straightening a thread here, twisting one there. She doesn't really seem 
to be *accomplishing* anything, since the knot continues to look about the 
same, but that doesn't daunt her. "How did it ever get in this shape? 
Faranth only knows how you managed it. Hmmm?" She looks up briefly, 
distracted. "Oh. The one about the hot-headedness 'twere speaking of, 
Kharty, and whether or nay you could control it in 'Fall. Jal, would you 
take a look at this knot? Can you believe it?" She displays the perfectly 
normal looking knot to the other greenrider for critique.

Halam smiles and nods to the new-comer before chuckling at Jayna's 
comments. "Obnoxious? That I find very hard to belive...Able to fly 
through anything. That I will belive."

Yazric walks in from the bowl.

Jayna smiles at Annat. "Please do! And I'm Jayna," she says with a smile. 
"Alright, Halam, maybe obnoxious isn't quite the word. Uh...bronzish?" she 
corrects. "Egotistical? Of course, he's entitled." She grins.

Yazric wanders in, grinning as he spots Kassima, "Heyla Kassi, Lysseth's 
looking lovely as usual."

Annat gazes at the source of Kassima's frustration. Shaking her head, she 
takes the seat and smiles at the woman who'd addressed her. "Well met, 
Jayna." As she sits, her hair ornament falls out and onto the chair - and 
unbeknownst to her, Annat sits upon it. "Ouch!" She jumps up hurriedly, 
discovering the source of her uncomfort. She picks up the ornament and 
places it back, awkwardly, into her hair. A faint blush can be seen upon 
her cheeks.

Kharty certainly has no intention of bringing up the discussion from the 
tables yesterday, but it seems it's reared its head here again. Sighing, 
she puckers her lips slightly, then takes a rather long sip of the wine. 
"I've been thinking a lot about that incident with the Igen bronzer, and 
while I still 'firmly' believe on Faranth's egg that he's a blusterin.. 
er..", she blushes, stopping herself then clearing her throat, "I realized 
that I could have been more, uh, discrete about the matter. It wouldn't 
happen again." Well, not in that way at least.

Kassima is sitting at the head of Thunderbolt's table, of course, and 
fiddling with a Weyrling knot for some reason probably incomprehensible to 
those who possess reason. "Yazric!" she exclaims, raising her head and 
waving the knot at the younger man. "Duties t'Ista and her queens! If'n 
you mean by the compliment that she's as scrawny and irritable as usual, 
aye, you've the right of it... but thankee. How fares?" Twining a strand 
of blue thread around her fingers, she notes, "True enough, Kharty, but 
dumping juice into a bronzerider's lap doesn't concern me so much as the 
idea that you might, also in defense of a friend, act impetuously when 
'tis *important*... that's what I want t'know. How much control d'you 
possess? Duties t'you and yours, too, stranger," she belatedly greets 
Annat.

Yazric laughs, heading over to the wingleader, "Irritable I cant comment 
on, but she's not scrawny, she's lithe." he winks, "Ista's duties and all 
that as well, and it fares much better getting away for a little while. 
How about up here?"

Annat raises her eyebrows. "Who's been dumping juice into bronzeriders 
laps now? I'd thought that was over and done with a turn ago." She gives a 
wry smile to the dragonriding woman. "And yours," she offers as an 
afterthought -- seemingly for lack of something better to say. "Annat is 
my name," she adds, realizing that 'stranger' probably isn't what she 
wants to be known by.

Halam smiles and shakes his head at the brownrider as he plops down. "Well 
I glad to hear you are both doin good. Seems you've found somethin to keep 
your fingers out of the dirt....though I'll miss those flowers you 
ocassionally found time ti grow."

Neliea glances up belatedly Yazric and nods, thinking that it's too late 
to send a greeting. At further mention of certain bronzeriders, she just 
continues drinking her klah and doesn't comment.

Kharty shakes her head slowly and thoughtfully, taking another sip of the 
wine. "It'd be totally different there, Mentor. When it comes to 
protecting Pern, Virroth and I're as dedicated as a queen to her eggs." 
Thinking a moment, pausing to rest her hip against a chair back, she 
continues, "There are no personal issues when things are important. As a 
matter of fact, Virroth and I'd fly side by side the bronze lump..er.. 
bronze dragon that A'wyn rides if it meant the safety of our people." With 
that, she nods emphatically.

Bursin enters from the Bowl.

Jayna grins. "Oh, I still hope I've a minute or two. Now that I've 
convinced Ara she's got to stop drowning them. After all, wouldn't want to 
entirely abandon the farmer in me."

Yazric comments absently in Jayna's direction, "If your ledge is big 
enough, you can have a tiny garden on it."

Halam grins "Good! You grew some of the prettiest flowers I've ever seen.
Sioneth like flowers?"

Bursin enters the cavern in a bustle, her skirts floating around her large 
frame. She scans the room quickly, nodding to those she makes eye contact 
with - just about everyone. "Ah!" she exclaims as she finds who she was 
looking for. "Annat, your sister was looking for you." She sits herself 
down without waiting to be asked, and waves across the room to Neliea. 
"Hello, everyone, I'm Bursin - Nabol seamstress." She grins broadly and 
proceeds to hand Annat a peice of hide.

Kassima comments wisely, "There are *always* bronzeriders who could use 
something cold dumped in their laps, methinks. Well met, Annat, and be 
welcomed; I'm Kassima, green Lysseth's rider and Thunderbolt's Wingleader. 
Call me ma'am and you die. Things've been going well here, Yaz, though of 
course there are a lot of changes t'be dealing with after certain recent 
events." It's not hard to guess which ones she means. Turning to Kharty, 
she watches the Weyrling with an unreadable expression for several long 
moments before allowing a slow smile to cross her features. "A very good 
philosophy," she murmurs. Glancing down at the knot, she adds at a more 
audible level, "And methinks this is fixed as well as it can be. 'Twill 
look much better on your shoulder now, I warrant." She picks it up and 
offers it to Kharty, but--it's not the same knot. It's more complicated, 
newer... in fact, it's a full bluerider's knot.

Jayna smiles at Bursin. "Afternoon, ma'am, Telgar's duties," she says, 
lifting her klah. She blinks at Yazric. "That's a -great- idea," she 
notes. "Although I like to leave 'em in the bowl, too, so everybody can 
enj..." Attention suddenly diverted by what's going on with Kassima and 
Kharty, and cheers. "Kharty!" she says, pumping her arm. 
"Congratulations!"

Aurian grins as she spots the new knot that is to adorn Kharty's shoulder, 
she giggles and hides her laugh behind her mug.

J'lyn chuckles.

Neliea looks up from watching something, actually Kharty's expression now 
at the turn of events. Glancing over at Bursin, she pleasently smiles over 
to her, "Hi Bursin. Telgar's duties." To Kharty she giggles, "About time 
you were a full rider, Khar!"

Annat nods comprehensively, her eyes widening at Bursin's entrance. She 
tries to keep her attention on both women, but fails. Turning to Kassima, 
she offers, "Well met. I won't call you ma'am, I promise." Her eyes 
twinkle as she continues, "I only asked because of a similar incident that 
occured a turn or so ago -- troublemaking weyrlings. Same type of thing?" 
She grins fully at the new full bluerider before turning her attention 
back to Bursin. "What's this?" she whispers.

Yazric nods to Jayna, "My, er." he pauses barely a moment, "A friend of 
mine has a little garden on her ledge, so I dont get all the credit for 
the idea." he grins to Kharty, "Congratulations, I'm Yazric by the way, 
dont worry, you arent supposed to know me."

J'lyn finishes his wine, and heads out with a "Welcome to the wing, 
Kharty," tossed back over his shoulder.

J'lyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Kharty reaches out to take the knot, pulling it closely to her chest to 
examine it. Turning it over and over several times, she looks up to catch 
Kassi's eyes. Unable to contain herself, she strides over to the woman, 
wrapping her arms about her, hugging her tightly. Oops. There /was/ a 
glass of wine in her hand, wasn't there? "Thank you! Thank you!", she 
calls out loudly above the din of the room.

Jayna turns to high five Aurian and Nel. "And another of Telgar's -best- 
weyrlings ever gets her just desserts...or gets served her dinner, if you 
want to look at it that way! Yazric, well met. I'm Jayna, brown Sioneth's 
rider."

Bursin laughs at the promotion. "Congratulations, bluerider." Then, to 
Annat, she moves her hands in a thoughtless 'hurry up' gesture. "Open it!"

Neliea sets down her mug if only to avoid colision with Jayna as she 
returns the high five.

Annat bites her lip. "You mean you don't know what it is?" She keeps her 
eyes on the bustle across the room.

Kassima glacks--either in surprise, because wine just spilled down her 
back, or both. That doesn't stop her from hugging the new bluerider back, 
though. "Should I take this t'mean 'twill be willing t'fly with us?" she 
asks, a teasing note in her voice.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima congratulates Telgar's newest bluerider! Welcome to 
the best Wing in the Weyr, Kharty! ;) :)

Bursin shakes her head. "I don't read other people's letters, dear. Open."

Telgar Weyr> A'lex applauds Kharty and wonders who tapped her out for 
Skyfire?

Annat, to distract the older woman, rebelliously sticks the letter in her 
pocket. "Shoo, Bursin, you silly old goose. I'll tell you what it says 
later. I promise."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "No, 'Lex, I said *best*, not *worst*.... ;)"

Neliea blinks over towards Aurian and blinks, "Hmm, Aurian? Do you have 
any more of that wine?"

Telgar Weyr> Jayna woohoos!!! Thunderbolt rules!

A'wyn walks in from the bowl.

Bursin humphs and stands. "Fine, Annat. See if /you/ get any help from me 
if it's what I think it is." She hugs the girl and walks out.

Telgar Weyr> A'lex slowly steps away from J'lyn, eyeing him like he would 
a rabid dog, "Exactly Kassi, so she's in Skyfire. Cool!!"

Yazric winces at the sight of the wine glass reappearing empty from behind 
Kassi, "That's gotta be uncomfortable." he comments at large.

Aurian goes for the skin wordlessy and places the glass and the skin in
front of Neliea. She fills the glass. "Drink it fast."

Kharty pats the woman's back, little whooping sounds coming from it as her 
palm meets wet clothing. Standing back, upright, she laughs at her 
Mentor's surprise. "Well now, it seems that I won't be /resupplying/ you 
and Lysseth, I'll be flying /with/ you and her! Thank you, Kassi! Many 
many thanks!" She beams as she looks about the room, grin tinged with 
apologies to those she hadn't greeted.

Telgar Weyr> A'lex winks. "Congrats Khartster!

Aurian shoots such a nasty look at A'wyn as he arrives. She returns to 
keep her attention on Neliea.

Talk about entering dangerous territory. However, Asaleth's lifemate walks 
into the living cavern with his head held up high. A'wyn scans the room 
and sighs at Aurian's look. A'wyn shakes his head softly and walks to 
Neliea but doesn't say anything yet.

Neliea follows Aurian's advice as she just -ignores- the fact that a 
certain bronzer entered the room. Quickly downing the wine, she stays 
where she is. Near Aurian and Jayna and hopes that Kharty is not drinking 
anything.

Annatstands quietly, not quite willing to celebrate more in depth with 
those she doesn't know very well. She pours herself a glass of wine so 
that she dosn't look /too/ amazingly out of place. Nodding to the 
newcomer, she offers, "Annat."

Yazric chuckles, "Pour me some wine as well, whoever's pouring, and pick 
me up later if you would."

Aurian fills the glass again for her wingmate. She rakes a hand through 
her hair.

Jayna can't help herself. She jumps up, bumping the table and spilling her 
klah. Ignorning it for the moment, though, she strides toward Kharty and 
gives her friend a huge hug. "Wingmate!" she grins.

Kassima grins and replies cheerfully, "We'll just see how much you thank 
me when 'tis *your* turn t'fly Northern sweeps with L'cher... but for now, 
congratulations, rider." She snaps the bluerider a crisp salute, eyes 
bright with pride for her mentee despite the fact that she's trying to 
maintain a serious mein. "We look forward t'flying with you. Oh, and 
you'll need this...." She makes a flourishing gesture with her left hand, 
and when she opens it, a Thunderbolt patch has somehow appeared in it. 
Belatedly, then, she offers to Annat, "'Twas nay really the *Weyrlings* 
making trouble. A personal matter was involved... y'know how that can 
be."

Annat looks taken aback at the delibrate shunning of the bronzerider. 
Doesn't concern her, though, as she turns to Kassima to respond, "I do, I 
do. Was a personal matter last turn, as well. Of course, /I/ wasn't 
involved." Her eyes twinkle merrily as she delivers the last.

Kharty has just been looking about, beaming as she she had been when Jayna 
hugs her. Gasping for breath, she laughs then hugs back, a little damp 
from the spilled wine. "Thanks, Jayna!" It's in one of those sweeps that 
she sees the patch Kassi's holding out to her. Walking Jayna backwards 
with her, she reaches out to grasp the patch, her hand behind Jayna's 
back. "Thank you!

Aurian refills her glass and takes a slow sip but doesn't slam hers back 
like Neliea does.

Kassima chuckles and admits, "I don't think I've heard the tale of this 
one, though if'n it involves juice in bronzeriders' laps, I daresay 'tis 
worth the hearing." She bobs her head once in greeting to A'wyn then as 
she sees him. Speak of the devil.... "Duties t'Igen and her queens, 
bronzerider. Kharty, don't forget that Thunderbolt has drills first thing 
in the morning. We meet in the Southern Bowl. Don't be late! Your weyr 
will be with ours, a'course... V'dan's working on clearing it out right 
now."

Kharty's probably not expected to be put to the test so soon as she sees 
A'wyn's entrance. Eyes narrowing, she looks at Neliea and mouths, "What's 
he want?"

Yazric waves to A'wyn, "Ista's duties to Igen and all that."

Neliea glancing at A'wyn, she quickly considers another glass of wine. But 
in responce to Kharty's question, she just shoots a look to her friend, 
hoping that she'll stay quiet this time. Looking back to A'wyn she sounds 
polite,but it's a real stain. "Telgar's duty to Igen. What brings you this 
way?"

Kharty lets go of Jayna, but keeps an arm around her waist as she looks 
down at the patch there in her hand. Best to keep her hands occupied right 
now.

A'wyn mutters to Neliea, "What... says... you. I... /not/... hurt... do 
want... you. Alone if... is... you... bring... the... you... do not... to 
talk... tell me so... I... you... peace."

Aurian watches Neliea, if one thing seems wrong. Something will happen.

Telgar Weyr> Kharty wades out of the spam and snugs everyone for the well 
wishes that flew by her screen! *smooch*!

Neliea sets her glass on the table, not thinking that another glass is in 
order. Nodding to A'wyn, she seems to be agreeable to that as she sends a 
short glance to Aurian, Jayna and Kharty. "I'll be right back," she 
murmurs to them as she waits for him to lead the way.

A'wyn glances at Aurian and Kharty, "You both are very good friends to 
her. I'm glad she has you two." he sighs and bows his head to Kassima, 
"Igen's duties to you and your Queens, Kassima."

One of Aurian's eyebrows twitches.

A'wyn glances at Neliea and nods to her and walks out.

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

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

Jayna watches Nel and A'wyn leave, concern on her face for her clutchmate. 
She blinks at Kharty and Aurian. "Will they be alright, do you think?"

Aurian watches her wingmate and the bronzerider worriedly. She rakes her 
hands through her hair. "Faranth, she'd better be. I could care less about 
how he is."

Annat grins broadly as she offers, "Juice in a bronzerider's lap. You want 
to hear the story, Kassima? All right." She makes herself comfortable, 
taking a long, slow and deliberate sip from her glass of wine. It's 
obviously that she relishes being the storyteller. "I've always thought it 
was worth telling." Her wild, chocolate eyes flash as she begins, "Once 
upon a time, two turns or so ago, my twin sister and I were only thirteen, 
almost fourteen. Both living with our trader parents. We were stopped up 
near Igen Hold, having a grand old time with the dragonriders, right?" She 
rolls her eyes. "Anyhow. We were /extremely/ bored, and needed something 
to do. We planted ourselves in the Living Cavern there, hoping somebody 
would gossip or the like. You know how it is. Kids, bored. We struck up a 
conversation with this bronzerider. He was a sharding fool; no idea what 
was going on. We tried to have an intelligent conversation with him - 
/tried/ bring the operative word here. He was an idiot. So we asked him 
whether or not he liked juice. He told us a story about how a couple of 
weyrlings had dumped juice in his lap, and he never spoke to them again. 
We thought nothing of it at the time - but then he wouldn't leave us 
alone." She shifts in her chair. "We got so bored of talking to him, that 
one night at supper we just /accidentally/ poured an entire skin of 
redfruit juice into his lap. He left us alone after that, he did." She 
grins, oblivious to whatever else was going on.

Yazric pours himself a second glass of wine, "I will presume from the air 
that there's something between the Igen and that nice lady?"

"Bronzeriders tend t'have a thing for juice," Kassima agrees cryptically 
as she listens, shooting a glance and a wink towards Aurian. "I bet he 
loved that! Sounds like just desserts t'me, if'n nay quite so fun as a 
sandwich in the face. Ask 'Lex about that one sometime." Her attention 
shifts to Yazric at his question. "Nay Igen, but that Igenite, aye. 
A'wyn... is nay known for his romantic consistancy, let us say."

Aurian chuckles helplessly for several long moment.s

Jayna shrugs, dropping back into her chair. "Who knows, at this point, 
Yazric," she says. "On? Off?" She takes a swallow of her klah.

Halam drains the last of his klah and standing shrugs into the jacket he'd 
brought in with him. With a wink and a nod to Jayna he heads out the 
cavrenous arch to the bowl. "Time to finish my chores." he says as he 
departs.

Kharty pffts as she finds a seat, now releasing her hold on Jayna but not 
before giving her a little squeeze. Tipping her glass again, she takes a 
long sip this time, before adding to Kassima's information, "True, and 
this bluerider has no good words to speak about a man who kisses her 
friend and swoons her then is with another woman the very next day."

Annat looks sheepish. "A sandwich in the face? I'll be sure to remember 
that one." She begins to /finally/ pay attention to the discussion about 
the romantic inclinations of the philandering bronzerider.

Yazric looks skeptically to Kassi, "There's a bronzerider who is?" he 
takes a sip of his wine, "Then again, I think I'm a little biased 
currently."

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

"A few. But most of those are only tht way because they know their 
weyrmates would kill 'em," Kassi theorizes, eyes twinkling for a moment. 
"Aye, though, Kharty... I can see your point, if'n he made any 
implications of commitment t'Neliea 'tall. Have there been bronzer 
incidents at Ista too, Yaz?"

Yazric shrugs, "Not really, we've got discrete bronzers on the whole." he 
sighs, "Other relationship stuff making people edgy though."

Annat bites her lip. As the conversation dies down, she pulls out that 
note from her twin. Muttering something incomprehensible to herself, she 
opens and reads it, her eyes flashing quickly over the hide.

Kassima asks, drolly, "When *don't* relationships equal a mess? There's a 
reason I stay away from 'em m'self, so there is. Is aught interesting up 
with anyone I'd know?"

Aurian says "Which number reason is that Kassima?"

Yazric smiles is rueful as he replies, "Not anymore."

Kassima actually pulls a worn, rolled-up hide from her ever-present 
satchel, unrolls it, and consults it. "Reason number seventy-seven," she 
reports. Quirking an eyebrow at Yaz, she asks shrewdly, "Did you just get 
over a relationship mess yourself?"

Annat stands and hurriedly shoves the hide back into her pocket. Concern 
dominates her expression as she bids a hasty goodbye to everyone. "Gotta 
go, ladies, gentlemen, well met all of you. Congratulations Kharty - and I 
hope everything turns out for the best with that dragonrider and Neliea." 
She forces a tight smile onto her lips as she heads out.

Jayna laughs, draining her klah. She grimaces at the temperature. "Hmmm. 
Nice and cold," she says wryly. "Just what you need for a Telgar winter." 
She stands, hunting for her jacket. "I guess I need to go spend some time 
going over the weather patterns for my sweep area tomorrow," she notes, 
sighing. "I'll see you all a bit later?" She hands her cup to a passing 
kitchen worker--happily out of weyrlinghood, she's allowed to do that 
now--and smiles.

Annat walks off towards the kitchen.

Yazric laughs, "The relationship's over, the mess is still there."

Aurian nods to Jayna. "Clear skies." She rakes a hand through her hair

Kharty waves to Jayna as she calls over to her, "Later, wingmate!"

Kassima advises Jayna, "If'n you think you could stand his company, 
consult with L'cher. He gets the Northern sweeps more than any other of 
the Wingriders since it keeps him away from the Holds; one thing you can 
say about him is that he and Leerth know that area like the back of his 
hand."

Jayna grins at Kharty and Aurian, and nods to her wingleader. "I'll do 
that, ma'am," she says, grinning. "And he'd better stick to business," she 
adds, smacking her fist into one outstretched palm. Slipping on her 
jacket, she heads for the bowl.

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

Kassima grins wryly and sympathetically at Yaz. "Often the way of things, 
'tis. I'm sorry t'hear of your troubles--and sorry for the woman who lost 
you," she adds, clearly teasing on that last bit. "Seriously, is all well? 
Beyond the usual messiness that goes along with such things. Argh! Jayna, 
don't call me ma'am!" she yells after the departed brownrider.

Telgar Weyr> Jayna laughs, and had a brain spasm, and ma'am'ed Kassi. 
After being good for so long. Sorry, wingleader! ;)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Just don't do it again, or I'll have to assign 
you some noxious duty to set an example. ;)"

Yazric nods, "Things are pretty well, still studying, no eggs on the Sands 
to tempt dragons to Search me." he chuckles, "You? I see you're a 
wingleader, congrats."

Telgar Weyr> Jayna laughs, and fears whatever's worse than Northern sweeps 
with L'cher. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Aurian giggles.

Kassima chuckles, absently reaching up to finger her shoulder-knot. 
"Thankee, Yaz. P'tran retired nigh a Turn and a half ago, and for whatever 
bizarre reason, thought I might be able t'replace him; go figure, eh? 
Between that, the two hellions, and the Sky-Lady, I'm busy enough that 
I've forgotten just what this term called 'sleep' is all about. How goes 
the training? Are you close to making Capable?"

Yazric chuckles, "Sleep is a poor substitute for klah, ask any healer." he 
nods, "I'm expecting my exam any day now."

Kassima snorts at that one. "I still loathe and abhor klah. The only time 
I'll touch the stuff is when I'm proddy. D'you think you'll do well? As 
long as you've been studying, I'd doubt you have much t'worry about."

Yazric shrugs, "If I dont do alright, then I've got some serious 
rethinking to do on what I'll be doing for the rest of my life."

Kassima quirks one eyebrow. "You'd nay try again if'n you didn't succeed 
that first time?"

Yazric grins, "Of course I would, cant let D'zel get the last word that 
well."

Kassima grins in appreciation of the point. "Faranth forfend you should 
let the doubters win out! 'Tis nay a job I'd want, but I wish you luck in 
attaining your full status. I daresay Jazmin would be proud."

Yazric nods with a smile, "And Lyssa too." he takes a drink from his wine, 
"So how do you like M'hryn?"

Kassima has to smile at that. "And Lys too, a'course," she agrees. "I 
haven't seen her in a span. Must be about time t'visit home again...." Her 
smile fades somewhat at that last question, and she shrugs. "He's causing 
a lot of changes," she says neutrally. "Thunderbolt has benefitted from 
some, though, so I suppose I can't really complain."

Yazric nods thoughtfully, "I remember when he Impressed."

"So do I, methinks... 'twas Neith and Habrith's first clutch, aye?" 
Kassima asks. "I try and keep records of such; it helps with m'gambling. 
'Twas at the Hatching, but I have to admit, I only know a very few of the 
riders from that Hatching."

Yazric shrugs, "I remember it well, Liz Impressed and Maddy and Lu and 
R'vael."

Aurian rests her head on her fist.

Kassima nods at the mention of Maddy. "Madelynda I know, though nay well; 
she seems like a fine lady. I've met Lusani a time or two. Most of the 
other names are unfamiliar t'me. Speaking of Madelynda, how went her 
Phediath's latest Hatching? 'Twas nay able t'make it m'self, but I heard 
that all of the eggs Hatched fine dragonets."

Yazric nods, "All happy and healthy and raising a din in the barracks, I 
think T'ping's still strutting."

Kassima asks curiously, "T'ping. Methinks I've heard that name. Isn't he 
Ista's token bronzeriding scum-of-the-earth?"

Aurian tilts her head, "Is he like H'tor? That bronzer who seems to want 
to throttle greenriders?"

Kharty had been taking a sip of her wine, ending the mug, when she hears 
Kassi's question. Sputtering, she leans forward, grabbing a cloth quickly.

Yazric nods, "That'd be the one. Also known as 'slime on bugs on the belly 
of a tunnelsnake'" he grins, "That was a former lady friend of his."
Aurian giggles.

Kassima grins impishly at Kharty, closing one eye in a wink to her newest 
rider. "There *does* tend t'be at least one in every Weyr, y'know. 
Methinks H'tor's worse, Aurian... though from what I've heard, 'twould nay 
surprise me if'n the usual token bronzer scum-types share certain views on 
greenriders." She gives a disparaging snort. "Oh, I like that one! Think 
said lady-friend would mind if'n I borrowed it sometimes? The phrase, I 
mean, nay the slime."

Aurian chuckles and stands to peer at Pierron's offerings for the evening. 

Yazric laughs, "I dont think she'd mind Kassi."

Kharty stands quickly after brushing the cloth over her mouth and cleaning 
up the splotches on the table. Patting Kassi's back a few times to try 
drying the wine off it, she leans over her shoulder to ask quietly, "While 
I'm up, would my illustrious wingleader care for more wine?"

"Good. 'Twould nay want t'step on any toes," Kassima replies, already 
grinning in probable anticipation of showing off her new phrase to H'tor 
later. "Certes, Kharty; today's events call for a drink, wouldn't you say? 
And a drink that's actually *drunk*, nay spilled down the back of 
m'jacket." She laughs, and offers, "I can certes get it m'self, though. 
I've legs and arms that work."

Pierron puffs with pride as Aurian gives him the chance to demonstrate his 
skill.

Pierron exquisitely prepares Aurian a plate of delicately grilled 
packtail, complete with a nice dill sauce.

Telgar Weyr> Jayna can never look at Pierron the same way again. I wish 
he'd stop demonstrating his skill all over the LC like that.

Telgar Weyr> Neliea laughs!

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Dang... now that word's gotten out that 
Pierron is virile, *everybody* wants him to demonstrate his ski--Jayna, 
GOMH! ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Jayna LOL

Yazric lounges back in his chair, sipping from his wine, "So how are your 
two hellions Kassi?"

Aurian sits down and cuts into the fish and munches..."Its not that bad."

Yazric eyes what Aurian's eating, "It's fish, live on an island for long 
enough and you learn to dread the very sight of it."

Sionelle walks in from the bowl.

Pierron glances up as the Weyrsecond enters, and beams. Ooo La La!

Kharty pats a few extra times for good measure then turns on one boot to 
find the wine skin quickly. "Not a problem, Mento.. oh, hmm. You'd not be 
that to me anymore would you?" Grinning, she nods quickly. "But that also 
means I'd see /much/ more of you, so the influence'd be greater. Good."

Aurian peers at Yazric..."I've never lived on an island..."

Yazric nods to Aurian, "I'd tell you you were lucky, but I'd be lying."

"And I don't -care- how you did it under K'tyn, I'm your wingleader now, 
and you'll do it as I tell you," Sionelle shouts this out the door as she 
backs into the living cavern, helmet still perched on her head.

"Rambunctious, chaotic, adorable... you name it," Kassima replies, twining 
the end of her braid through her fingers. "Khari has a thing for painting 
everything in sight, while Kay just wants t'run out with the other 
Weyrbrats and pretend t'be the Almighty Brownrider Woman, or whatever she 
calls it. Faranth help me. At least Simaeva's been able t'get her reading, 
which sometimes keeps her out of trouble." She invites Kharty, laughing, 
"Call me whatever you like, Wingrider, though I'd *prefer* it if'n you 
didn't decide t'go with Sir Dung-For-Brains as that strange young woman 
did. Wouldn't have thought she'd take me *seriously*." As protocol 
demands, she salutes--but does not taunt--the Happy Fun Weyrsecond.

Sionelle returns Kassima's salute with the same well-practiced precision 
as always, including Kharty in the gesture as she passes by, fingers 
working at the buckles of her jacket. "Sweeps," is the single word with 
which she explains her cross-threshold tirade.

Yazric grins, "How old are they now Kassi?" he nods politely to Sionelle, 
"Good day Sionelle."

Aurian eats some of the fish lightly, she grins at Yazric a bit, "Do you 
know how badly I sunburn? Trust me I'm lucky for not growing up on an 
island."

Kharty places a fresh glass of wine in front of Kassima then stands there 
a moment, eyes misting. "Uhm, I need to go check on something...". 
Bouncing back to reality, she salutes Sionelle as she passes her, bound 
for the opening of the cavern. Flashing a grin to Sionelle, she points to 
her new patch and whispers, "Thunderbolt!". In a second, she's gone from 
the room.

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

Aurian shakes her head, "I don't get it."

Sionelle pauses in surprise as Kharty points out her new wingbadge, and 
contrary to her nature, the weyrsecond starts to offer a smile of 
congratulations. Before it's half-formed though, the younger bluerider has 
dashed out of the cavern. Rather than waste the effort, Sionelle turns the 
minute upward curve of her lips on Kassima. "So you've snatched up another 
one? She's energetic anyway. I don't think I ever moved that fast."

Yazric laughs, watching Kharty bound away before looking back to Aurian, 
"Dont get what?"

Kassima asks Sionelle, not without sympathy, "Is J'wik making a runner's 
arse of himself again?" She then replies to Yazric, grinning as she always 
tends to when discussing her offspring, "Kaylira just Turned five a few 
days agone. Khari's about two and a half. Which, a'course, makes me feel 
ancient, but that's a given... fish are disgusting. Only those raw things 
that Kiat occasionally brings from Boll are palatable." Finally, she 
retunes her focus to Kharty's bouncy departure. "I wonder just how much 
klah that lass has been drinking lately...."

Aurian shakes her head lightly and goes back to her eating.

"Runner's arse would be an improvement," Sionelle says pithily, tugging 
off her helmet and setting it on the table in front of Thunderbolt's 
Wingleader. As she sheds her thick fleece-lined jacket, she turns to the 
more pleasant conversational topic at hand. "Kendell's fifteen," she 
says with a shake of her head. "You're a long way from old auntie, 
Kassima."

Yazric takes a drink of his wine, "I seem to be inspiring old comments 
everytime I mention my age, so I'll just stay out of it, except that 
neither of you are old." he smiles to Sionelle and Kassi.

Aurian bites into the last of her fish and sighs.

Neliea walks in from the bowl.

A'wyn walks in from the bowl.

Aurian looks relieved as she sees Neliea come in alone.

Then of course Aurian's eyes narrow as she sees A'wyn.

Kassima grins and affirms, "Aye, she should make a good addition with as 
much enthusiasm as she has. A counter-balance to Jayna's solidity and 
M'vir's utter lack of a clue." Apparently, Kassi lost the mark toss on 
that one. "Kendell's your son at the 'Reaches?" she hazards. "I thank you 
for that, and I suppose you're right. You're only as old as you can con 
yourself into believing you are. G'deve again, Igenite."

A'wyn holds Neliea's hand firmly, giving it a sudden squeeze as he notes 
Aurian's narrowed eyes on him.. He glances to Nel to speak first..Somewhat 
intimidated by the brownrider.

Yazric watches the pair of much interest return and smiles, "Evening you 
two."

Sionelle nods in reply to Kassima's supposition about her son, hanging her 
jacket on the back of a chair. She looks up at the pair walking in, since 
everyone else seems to find them interesting enough to be distracting.
Neliea glances to Aurian, looking like she /knows/ that there's an earful 
later. To A'wyn, she nods and indicates that he can speak.

Ahhh yes he's intimidated by probably the shortest brownrider in 
existance, but is known to dispense bruised jaws to worthy young gents.

Yazric takes a sip of his wine, watching the interactions.

Can you say /hot seat/. Ouch. A'wyn bites his lip once and bows his head, 
"Evening everyone.." Yeah, like /that/ is going to break the ice.

Kassima's gaze darts down to the held hands, and she gives the faintest of 
tsks, but manages to keep from giving Neliea the 'You'll be sor-ry!' look. 
"Speaking of Ista, Yaz," she comments, unable to keep her mouth shut long 
enough for A'wyn to give his speech in peace, "d'you know aught of how 
G'har's been faring? I'm hoping he'll soon bring up those knives he's 
going t'drain me dry of marks t'pay for."

Aurian rakes her hand through her hair, "Yes... Evening." She leans back 
in her seat and doesn't lift her eyes from the bronzerider.

Neliea just -glances- back to A'wyn, she's just as imtimidated and that's 
-her- friend over there. Maybe she should have run when she had the 
chance? Making her way over to Aurian, the lesser of the two evils, she 
settles into a chair and makes sure that Wyn's on the -other- side. The 
talk about knives is not helping. "Um, hi Aurian," she starts off to say. 
My aren't they a pair this evening?

Sionelle apparently finds the visiting rider's attempt at small talk to be 
less that wholly intriging, since after raising her eyebrow in disdainful 
regard, she just turns back to her chosen chair and has a seat.

A'wyn sighs and slumps slightly and lets go of Neliea's hand to sit down 
beside her. Unsure of what to say or what to do even, he nods to Aurian 
again.

Kassima decides to be her usual helpful self. "Allow me t'guess," she 
offers, watching the two with interest. "You've made up, everything's 
fine, and you'd appreciate it if'n A'wyn didn't get any more lapfuls of 
juice on your behalf?"

Aurian is clearly not thinking of putting juice onto his lap.

A'wyn murmurs "Aye, or anything else for that matter."

Yazric replies belatedly to Kassi, "G'har's doing well, hasnt gone slimey 
yet."

Aurian gives Neliea such a what-could-you-possibly-be-thinking-look.

A'wyn mutters to Neliea, "... to... to Aurian, Nel...She... hurt..."

Kassima shakes her head immediately. "Nay," she says with certainty, "he 
wouldn't. Any man who'd be willing t'sit and let me tell someone that 
they've been dallying with a male brownrider just t'get a woman off their 
trail isn't going t'go slimy. I still think he could've made a good 
greenrider, y'know."

Neliea looks between Kassi and Aurian and nods slowly. Very slowly in 
agreement with A'wyn. And returns that look of Aurian's with a tell-you-
the entire-story-later looks. Pondering Aurian again, she just wonders how 
to approach -that- topic. Thanks A'wyn.

Yazric nods, "Me too, he's got nice legs."

Kassima grins over at the two. "Even though I think you're both mad," she 
notes, "I hearby promise nay t'dump aught odd in either of your laps, so 
help me Faranth."

A'wyn bows his head, thankful for Kassi's words, "Thank you Kassi.."

Neliea sighs. One down, now her friend. "Oh, Faranth's shells Aurian, say 
something," she whispers hurriedly to her wingmate, almost concerned at 
her silence.

Aurian seems more than furious but she just leans back in her seat not 
going to gut anyone yet. But picking up an appropriate knife at the Telgar 
Area Festival seems like a better and better idea.

Sionelle has never been overly romantic, and today is no exception to the 
rule. Standing up from her place at the table, she gathers her gear and 
steps out.

Sionelle walks towards the inner cavern.

Aurian tilts her head at Neliea, "Oh an what should I say..."

A'wyn frowns, eye brows furrowing. "I think I'm going to take a dip in the 
springs..." he glances to Neliea and gives her the talk-to-your-near-
homicidal-brownriding-friend look before standing up.

Neliea sighs and leans over to whisper something to her friend, knowing 
that she's probably getting off fine compared to oh, Kharty? Looking to 
A'wyn, she nods. "I'll see you later then," she murmurs before looking 
back to Aurian.

A'wyn walks towards the inner cavern.

Neliea sighs softly, looking resigned to her long evening. She mutters to 
Aurian, "... know... a... bad one... much..." 

Yazric shakes his head, "Y'know, being single isnt so bad."

Kassima gives Aurian a sympathetic, 'Love is blind; what can we do?' sort 
of look, electing to mind her own business where this particular incident 
is involved. There are times when the 'Men are all twits, and this is why' 
speech is just not all that helpful. "I *quite* concur," she agrees with 
Yazric. "I've been single all m'life, and every time I start t'regret it, 
I find something else that reminds me that I'm likely better off."

Yazric nods in agreement with Kassima, "You've got an advantage though, 
it's a lot easier to be single and have littles as a woman."

Asrai walks in from the bowl.

Aurian leans over and whispers in a harsh voice... She mutters to Neliea, 
"When... and... wine... friend Neliea,... friends... stupid..."  She 
pushes her chair back and starts to stand.

Asrai comes striding in, obviously talking to herself, well, because no 
one is standing next to her. She peers around the cavern till she spots 
Kassima.

Kassima's eyebrows both fly up at that one. "Oh, 'tis?" she asks, clearly 
quite amused. "The men are the ones expected t'be doing the raising, then? 
When you foster, 'tis probably of equal difficulty or lack thereof 
regardless of gender, but being single with a newborn isn't what I'd call 
*easy*." She looks up and nods to Asrai, hopefully not interrupting the 
bluerider's conversation with herself. "G'deve, Wingrider," she greets her 
new Wingmate, with a smile.

Yazric comments absently, "Being male and single means having a newborn is 
what I'd call impossible." he waves to Asrai.

Asrai nods, giving a brief, if odd look at the other conversations 
floating about..not including the one she was having with herself. She 
smiles a bit lopsidedly, "Well, guess I should be used to this by now...
got an extra knot on you?"

Neliea mutters to Aurian.

"Well," Kassi agrees slowly, "I suppose 'twould be harder for a non-rider, 
but there're certes enough willing Caverns lasses around *here*... have 
you considered fostering?" Quirking a grin at the other bluerider, she 
produces with a flourish--seemingly out of thin air--a knot with the 
appropriate black, white, dark blue, and thin Benden red strands. "I've 
one without the red, too, since 'twas nay certain whether you're one of 
those who wears the memento strand or nay. With this being Weyrling-
pouncing season, I'm nay short on these." She similarly comes up with a 
Thunderbolt patch, both of which she offers to the new Wingrider. "Here's 
hoping you'll nay be moved again for awhile, m'friend."

Aurian listens silently to Neliea then responds. She mutters to Neliea, 
"No... long... So... he..." 

Aurian moves away from the table and spins about on her heel, heading into 
the lower caverns.

Aurian walks towards the inner cavern.

Yazric watches the knot change hands, "I like the thread of red in there." 
he comments.

Neliea blinks as she notices in -what- direction her friend went and 
quickly stands and rushes out with a polite nod to the riders, and guest.
Neliea walks towards the inner cavern.

Asrai chuckles softly, "Actually, between K'nan and myself, we have quite 
a collection going. He just got bumped to Skyfire." she takes a moment to 
attatch the knot to her shoulder, sticking the patch in her pocket till 
she has time to affix it properly. She nods to Yazric, "Me too...adds a 
nice touch. So, Kassi...pounced any weyrlings yet?"

Yazric frowns thoughtfully, "I thought K'nan used to be in Skyfire.. or am 
I misremembering?"

Asrai plops down into a seat at the Thunderbolt table with Kassi. "Oh, we 
both were...then we moved to FireStorm...then I went to Shadowflame..now 
I'm in Thunderbolt and he's back in SkyFire."

Yazric laughs, "How on Pern do you keep it straight!?"

Asrai gives a shrug, "Not too hard...hey, least for a while I get to let 
other people do all the hidework. I get to be a plain old rider." She 
gives little stretch and a wherry eating grin."

Kassima glances at her own knot, which of course has the red strand also. 
"As do I," she agrees, with perhaps just a touch of regret. "As do I... 
aye, Asrai, you're far from the only one joining the ranks. D'thon's been 
moved in from Firestorm, and Kharty, Jayna, and M'vir are coming in too. 
We've been lighter on blues and browns than we should be for a time, so 
you and Cygnith will make a welcome addition."

Kassima then nods to Yazric. "He was in Skyfire back at Benden."

Yazric nods, "All my memories are from way way back, it's been a long time 
since I lived at Benden."

Asrai nods, "Aye, Cygnith will be glad to help out the other blues. He has 
a particular fondness for Virroth...they'll work well together. Of course, 
D'thon and I have worked together before as well. The shake up should keep 
everyone on their toes."

Kassima snorts slightly. "'Tis certes keeping *me* on m'toes, as little 
warning as 'twas given about most of you. Rumor has it that there may be 
more coming in, or may nay; we'll just have t'see. With luck, it shouldn't 
be a problem integrating you lot; I'm confident that you all know your 
stuff." With a rueful chuckle, she notes to Yazric, "Been a bit for me, 
too... I try t'visit when I can, though."

Asrai nods, "K'nan and I get out that way as much as possible to see the 
kids...they are all growing so fast."

Kassima asks with surprise, "The triplets are out at Benden? For some 
reason, I'd thought they came here with you. That must be a hard thing."

Yazric smiles, "I visit fairly often, after all, it's a big brother's 
perogative to spoil the twins."

Kassima grins at that, too. "How are they both? I really *will* have t'get 
out there; it's been too long. Mayhaps I could bring Kay and Khari. They 
seem t'like it there. By the by, I saw Zynassa nay so very long ago at 
Bitra. She reminded me a bit of Jaeleka, only without the sock."

Yazric chuckles, "I'd love to know how Mom managed to get her fostered to 
a Lord Holder." he smiles, "The twins are three and each a double handful 
unto themselves, but that's to be expected with Jh'rin spawn."

Asrai nods in agreement with Yazric, "Of course it is." She looks to Kassi 
with suprise. "Oh no, they've been fostered at Benden Hold from the 
start...Asraian just joined them. The woman is wonderful and has plenty of 
help. Although she said she's not sure if she can handle too many more 
Kana types. My daughter suposedly looks like the sweetest thing, but then 
turns around and convinces her brothers to do all sorts of evil things for 
her."

"*Tell* me about it," Kassima suggests with droll good humor. "Believe me, 
I quite know of what you speak. You should only see poor Simaeva's 
quarters; they're *covered* in paint streaks from Khari's little 
experiments with color. Now, *why* does that sound so familiar, Asrai?"

Asrai looks quite innocent, "Oh, I don't know..do you have the same sorts 
of prblems with yours?"

Kassima points out, "While both of mine do have half-brothers, only one of 
'em is here, and Kay and Tam only see each other sometimes. Nay, Asrai; it 
reminds me more of you."

Yazric sets his wine glass aside, listening as the conversation moves away 
from him.

Asrai places one hand against her chest, looking to Yazric..and any other 
likely souls around the area for help. "Me? Why does that sound like me?" 
Shocked, yep, shocked..though there is a smile tugging at the corners of 
ehr lips.

Kassima remarks to Yazric, "By the by, what you said earlier about single 
men having trouble having newborns? You should speak with L'cher. Eleven 
children he's sired, and the rumor-mill says that there may be another one 
on the way." Holding up a finger, Kassi proceeds to wiggle it at Asrai. 
"Whom d'you think you're fooling? I know how t'see past fake innocence, 
old friend!"

Yazric grins to Kassi, "And how many of 'em are with him? Siring children 
is easy, getting to live with them and be single is not." he laughs at 
Asrai's innocence, "Yep, sounds like you."

Asrai gasps, "I can't believe I'm hearing this. I'm a bluerider..not a 
green. If the child gets evil from anyone its from K'nan."

Kassima remarks thoughtfully, "You seem t'have the same problem as someone 
I know. She wanted a child, too, with whom the other parent wouldn't want 
to be involved. 'Twas hard enough for her t'find many decent folk willing 
t'go along with it; I suppose 'twould be harder yet as a man." She retorts 
to Asrai, "Please! As if'n I haven't snuck out and peeled some of the blue 
paint off of Cygnith's hide t'see the green beneath?"

Asrai blinks, then starts to laugh, "Just don't let Veyath find out..it 
could cause all /sorts/ of problems."

Yazric laughs, "Who was it that painted dragons at Benden.. P'tran's 
little wasnt it?"

Kassima grins and holds up one hand. "Cross m'heart and hope t'fry; stick 
a packtail in m'eye. Veyath won't hear it from me, though 'tis a wonder 
she's nay figured it out herself!"

Saris walks in from the kitchen.

Asrai chuckles, giving Kassi a wink, "Cygnith is /just/ that good I 
guess."

A'lex walks in from the bowl.

Pierron grunts in greeting to the Wingleader of Skyfire.

Kassima asks, amused, "Jehran? Aye, he did part of it. Maarie was t'blame 
for the yellow, though. Asrai... I could've lived without knowing that 
about your dragon." She winks, to show that she's teasing. "Evening, 
Sandwich-Face!"

A'lex strolls in, whistling a happy tune, which is immediately squelched 
when he hears Kassima's greeting, "Heyla droopy buns." To the -NORMAL- 
people in the Cavern, he waves and/or salutes as appropriate. To Saris, an 
unfamilliar face, he smiles politely on his way towards that big, happy 
pot of klah.

Yazric waves to A'lex, "Evening" he calls over as if he knows the rider 
and then turns back to Kassi, "I never knew Maarie did the yellow, I 
thought that was Jehran as well."

A'lex raises an eyebrow at the greeting, recognising the face, but not 
able to put a name to it. "Evening." He pauses for a moment, "Telgar's 
duties," he adds.

Kassima retorts, "A'lex, you apparently aren't very awake today, if'n 
you're directing your daily greeting t'yourself t'me by mistake. Watch for 
the klah; methinks Pierron brewed it." Warning enough. Yazric receives a 
nod in answer from the greenrider. "M'kla suggested the color, apparently. 
I still can't believe that Cioth didn't mind!"

Asrai grins over as A'lex arrives, "Heya A'lex! Come settle something for 
us. Does my daughter, Kana, get her evil streak, covered by an apparent 
sweetness, from me..or K'nan." The emphasis on the father tells what 
A'lex's answer /should/ be.

Yazric smiles to A'lex, "Ista's duties and all that stuff. I'm Yazric, 
dont worry, I dont think you're supposed to recognize me." he grins to 
Kassima, "He was a softy underneath all that blustery eating felines 
nonsense."

A'lex ponders that question carefully then answers, "I refuse to answer on 
the grounds that you are too close to sharp objects, and K'nan is now in 
my Wing." There, that ought to cover his butt.

Asrai peers at A'lex. "Coward."

A'lex nods, "That is correct."

Yazric snickers, "Now cowardly, sensible."

R'val walks in from the bowl.

Pierron tells a lower cavern's girl to hurry up with the dishes.

Kassima sounds confused, inquiring, "Cioth had a thing for felines, too? I 
thought that was Varquith, and S'riv was the evil one of that pairing. 
'Lex, you're a wuss."

R'val wanders in, without waving to anyone, and stalks towards the klah 
pot.

Yazric nods to Kassima, "Varquith too, I think there was a few of them 
with a taste for felines."

Asrai gives a sniff. "I fondly remember a time when it was in fact K'nan 
that was though to be the evil one. I wonder when exactly it switched over 
to me..."

"K'nan *is* evil!" Kassi objects; she does have to stick up for her 
mentor, after all. "He just doesn't bother t'try and cover it up with fake 
innocence."

A'lex says "No, not a wuss, just trying not to offend one of my new riders 
TOO soon."

Yazric grins to Asrai, "Dont worry, in my mind, Jae's still the evil 
one."

Asrai nods, not too certain she's all that reasured. "Well, is it my fault 
that after turns of being subject to the influenece the like of yours." 
And ehre she points accusingly at Kassi. "That some of my inherant 
innocence would wear away?"

Yazric waves to R'val, "Evening R'val, how're you and Vidarth?"

Kassima blinkblinks and flutters her eyelashes, pressing her fingertips to 
her collarbone in a 'Who, me?' sort of gesture. "Influences like *mine*? 
Whatever could you possibly mean?"

A'lex nudges Asrai as he passes, "She sucks innocence from the innocent 
like numbweed sucks pain from threadscore... wham, bam, thank you Kassi 
I'm no longer pristine." He then moves quickly away to avoid 
reprocussions.

Yazric's attention is drawn back to the conversation next to him just in 
time for A'lex's comment and he bursts into laughter.

A'lex winks at Yazric.

Asrai giggles. "YA see...its stuff like /that/."

Kassima directs a wicked kick towards A'lex's nearest leg. "I never once 
wham, bammed you, and you know it, you... let's see. What was that term, 
Yaz? Slime on a bug on the belly of a tunnelsnake?"

Yazric nods through his laughter, "That's it Kassi."

Asrai mutters something about fixing that situation next time Lysseth 
turns proddy....very softly of course.

A'lex snorts, "I never claimed THAT. I was just saying that on the 
corruption speed scale, you're one of the fastest around."

A'lex shoots a worried look at Asrai, "I'll pass."

It's a very good thing for Asrai that Kassi can't hear her, or it'd be 
Northern Range sweeps with L'cher time. "Well, *that*'s a compliment I can 
accept. Just so long as you're nay implying that I go around wham, bamming 
everyone to corrupt them or some such ridiculous thing."

A'lex snorts again as he sits at the Skyfire table, "No, goodness no, the 
people here are CORRUPTABLE, not STUPID."

R'val plops into a seat near Yazric and grins, 'Yaz! Good to see you, lad. 
Things are well, how're you doing?"

Asrai smirks, "Well, that /would/ be in ainteresting approach. But I 
though tthat type of corruption was generally left up to Bronzeriders." 
She looks over and Winks at Yazric..ready for the explosion.

Yazric manages to control his laughter long enough to grin at Kassi, 
"Awww.. shards." he winks before turning to R'val, "I'm doing much better 
for some time away."

Kassima's eyes narrow. Somehow, *that* didn't sound like a compliment. 
"Just what did you mean by that one, Purple Boy? Oh, you bet, Asrai. 
Bronzeriders and L'cher. I'll stick t'corrupting people in more effective 
ways, methinks." She flushes slightly at the thought, then sticks her 
tongue out at Yazric. "Pthbt!"

A'lex grins, "I was just agreeing with the fact that you don't sleep 
around, Greenrider."

An Aerie wing Bluerider calls out, "Unlike *MOST* Greenriders!"

Yazric grins impishly to Kassi.

Asrai peers over at the Aerie table, "The word 'Most' might be a bit 
much..."

Kassima hrmphs, folding her arms. "Well, *that's* better. You're quite 
right, 'Lex, and--hey! Keep your mouth off of greenriders, you." Realizing 
how this sounded, she elects to just bury her head in her hands.

Yazric bursts into a whole new gale of laughter at Kassi's comment.

Asrai chuckles, reaching over to pat KAssi on the shoulder, "There there 
now..."

A'lex grins broadly, for once having gotten Kassima to insult herself, 
"Glad we can agree on some things there, Wingleader."

Kassima squints up at A'lex suspiciously. "Why are you grinning?" she 
wants to know. "You never grin after you compliment me." She sees chastity 
as a virtue, see.

A'lex tries unsuccessfully to wipe the smile from his face, "I'm basking 
in the radience of your company?" Ohhh, get the mucking shovels, someone, 
please?

Asrai just shakes ehr head, "A'lex..why not quit while you're not too far 
behind?"

Yazric snickers, "Too late Asrai."

Kassima suggests, amusement returning to her expression, "I suggest you 
elect nay t'go back down that road, A'lex, unless you own a pair of 
hip-boots; Faranth knows, you've enough manure in you t'fill this room up 
t'your waist."

A'lex tsk tsks at Asrai, "Because I'm a glutton for punishment, you know 
that. I mean, really, what value does a day have if I can't make the 
Greenrider here squirm at least once." To prove his point, he turns on 
that Bronzerider charm and flutters his eyelashes at her, flashing a smile 
that would make the Osmand family jealous.

Asrai just rolls her eyes. "A'lex, A'lex...will you never learn?"

A'lex laughs, "Nahhhh."

Asrai grabs a roll out of a nearby basket and beams it at A'lex with a 
chuckle.

Kassima doesn't charm easily--not when the charmer-wannabe is a bronzer, 
anyway. She looks singularly unimpressed. "Mayhaps when we take the former 
'Lings to the Lounge t'celebrate their graduation, 'Lex, I can find enough 
sandwich material t'get revenge for that one."

Yazric chuckles, "Taunting greenriders made into a sport.. I'll have to 
keep that in mind."

A'lex looks hurt, not by the roll, but at that comment, "What do you 
mean?? What did I say that was deserving of revenge?"

Kassima replies primly, "You're trying t'make me squirm. Wouldn't you say 
this is deserving of revenge?" She turns to Asrai and Yaz for the answer.

Asrai grins, "Well, squirming could be a fun thing you know. Perhaps you 
should try it Kassi." <--my, what an innocent expression on her face.

Yazric grins, "Squirming's good.. so's revenge."

A'lex fehs, "I do that EVERY day... good Faranths gold hiney woman, if you 
got revenge on me for every time I tried to make you squirm, you'd never 
have time to do anything else! Save revenge for good stuff. Like when I 
replace the sweetsand in your weyr with a half numbweed mix."

Kassima informs A'lex sweetly, "Do that, 'Lexie, and I'll spike your 
drinks with the Bottle again; you remember what it did t'you *last* time. 
Besides, every time you're evil t'me, 'tis *required* that I get back at 
you."

Kassima just gives Asrai a dirty look. "Life," she points out, "is a lot 
less complicated when there's less squirming."

Asrai giggles, "Yeah...but a lot less fun too."

Yazric looks curious, "The Bottle?"

A'lex shakes his head, "And so we're in the endless cycle of revenge, 
because I still OWE you for the bottle ya runner's rump! And the sandwich 
to the head, and the DRESS.... I owe you for so much it'll take me forever 
to catch up to the point where we're even."

Asrai perks up, "Dress? KAssi, you been putting men in dresses /again/??"

Yazric gives A'lex a critical look, "A dress? I'd think you'd be too broad 
through the shoulders to pull one off effectively, course I cant get a 
good look at your legs in those trousers."

Kassima grins and explains to Yazric, "A kind of liquor mixture that I 
brew. It paralyzed 'Lex from the waist down for an evening instead of 
giving him more... um... pep. So t'speak. 'Lex, those sharding rumors of 
yours have more than made up for all of those--and the dress was just 
t'get even for humiliating me in front of the Cavern! Aye, Asrai--you 
really should've seen it. Alexia looks very pretty and feminine in 
green."

A'lex shakes his head at Yazric, "I've definately got the legs for it. But 
yea, the shoulders and arms just don't do it..." He winks.

Asrai chuckles, standing to get something to drink. "Well, you've got the 
butt for it too A'lex..but if you tell K'nan I said so I'll deny it."

A'lex sputters, "Wait, wait, wait... Rumors? What rumors? You're the one 
telling my mother that I'm having affairs with--- oh, I don't even want to 
get into THAT one... what rumors? And what was it that I did to embarass 
you in front of the cavern? I can't even remember anymore..." He smirks at 
Asrai...

Yazric grins to Kassi, "Remind me not to take any of that home with me." 
he winks in return to A'lex, "Skirts, now that'd be a /whole/ different 
matter."

"You trying t'make everyone think that I could be infatuated with 
someone!" Kassi fires back immediately. "That's a horrid rumor! And you 
recall full well--all that jabbering about weyrmating and such while 'twas 
asleep...."

A'lex snerks, "Oh come off it. YOU'VE spread mre rumors about ME than I'VE 
spread about YOU, so that certainly doesn't count. Oh, yea, I forgot about 
the weyrmating stuff. You really shouldn't let yourself fall asleep down 
here. You're lucky I didn't let the Weyrlings paint you pretty colors..."

Yazric gets to his feet, picking up his wine glass, "Who's in need of 
refills to sustain 'em in the match?" he grins.

Asrai comes back with a mug of juice, sitting back down once more. "Oh 
well, there you see, Kassi." She thanks Yazric, "Not me..got some juice."

A'lex smiles at Yazric, "I'll take a glass of the Red, if you don't mind. 
Tell the girl over by the drinks table to take it from the Skyfire 
Stash."

Kassima returns defiantly, "And I'll spread *more*, too! Starting with 
rumors about how you tried t'jump that bluerider! Mayhaps 'twasn't *Mart* 
'twere going to the 'Reaches t'see after all... oh, feh. 'Twas nay as 
though I could help the sleep thing. D'you think I'd sleep in here if'n I 
could *help* it?" She peers into her wine glass, which has been empty for 
quite some time. "I suppose I could use some, but you shouldn't feel 
obliged t'get it for me, Yaz...."

Yazric leans over to pick up Kassi's glass, "I'm going over anyhow." he 
nods to A'lex and heads to refill glasses, "Red for you as well Kassi?"

A'lex looks confused, "Bluerider? You mean the one you were hiding from me 
behind? R'hem? R'ent?"

Merien walks in from the bowl.

Merien walks in from the bowl, gloves in hand.

Merien says "Ista's duties to Telgar and her queens."

A'lex looks to Merien, "Telgar's duties to Ista and her Queens, 
Greenrider."

"Please," Kassi returns. "White's never been t'my taste. That's the one, 
'Lex. R'ehn. You were all *over* him, man! And he doesn't even look a 
thing like Mart!" She looks over towards the entranceway and offers to the 
person there, "Duties t'Ista and her queens, Wingleader, and welcome."

Yazric is over by the serving table, helping a serving girl pour wine into 
a trio of glasses. At the sound of Merien's voice he spins, eyes wide with 
surprise, "Merien!"

A'lex laughs, "I was all over him because I was trying to throttle YOU, 
and you were hiding BEHIND him. And, if I remember correctly, he was 
standing up for you as if he had something to protect..."

Asrai lifts her mug of juice in greeting. "Welcome to the madness of 
telgar, Ista."

Merien smiles to Kassima and A'lex and says, "Have you seen...ah!" She 
turns when she hears Yazric's voice. "There you are."

Kassima seems confused by that last one. "Well, aye; I'd asked him 
t'protect me from you people with the rump-fetishes. You did *nay* try 
t'throttle me, either, so don't expect me t'buy that one."

A'lex snorts, "No, I was screaming 'I'll kill you,' for some other 
reason... right Greenrider, right." He mouths "Humor her," to those 
nearby, while making a sign with one hand that could be ment to indicate 
that she's a lunatic.

R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Yazric carefully brings the three glasses to Kassi and A'lex, keeping one 
in his own hands, "You're looking for me?" the flush in his cheeks give a 
good indication that the glass in his hands isnt his first.

Merien raises an eyebrow. "Uh... rump fetishes?" She looks toward Yazric 
in confusion. "Yes, isn't that what I said?" She doesn't seem to have 
noticed the glass in his hands quite yet.

Kassima suggests guilelessly, "Mayhaps you meant that you'd kill me if'n I 
didn't get away from your bluerider light-of-love?" She smiles up at 
Yazric in thanks, then explains to Merien, "A long story; 'twas a dream we 
all had once, y'see, about visiting the Lava Lounge and A'lex trying t'get 
everyone t'moon him. Very odd."

Asrai sighs, "There goes another first impression down the drain." But 
there is undeniable laughter in her eyes.

A'lex laughs, "No, no, no, it was Kassi's dream about me being drunk 
enough to want to attack her, but NOT to throttle you, mind, as she just 
said. And, if I remember correctly, in this dream of yours, Kassi, there 
were drunken Weyrlings dancing naked on a bar, right? You've told quite a 
few people about this dream of yours, someone correct me if I'm re-telling 
the story wrong..."

Yazric nods a little dumbly to Merien, "Yes, you did." he takes a sip from 
the glass in his hand.

Asrai hides her fac ein her hands, mumbling something about a shared 
dream...

Kassima waggles her finger at A'lex. "'Twasn't only *my* dream. I wasn't 
responsible for the naked dancing Weyrlings, nay 'tall. Methinks that part 
was Kiat's doing."

Merien flushes now, her cheeks pink. "Naked weyrlings!?" She looks at 
Yazric again, then back to Kassima. "Aren't those the sorts of dreams 
you're supposed to keep to yourself? I mean I certainly wouldn't..." She 
closes her mouth abruptly enough that her teeth click together audibly.

A'lex fehs, "Shared dream? What nonsense, we may have to start sending you 
to J'cob's mind-healer if'n you keep this up. It was obviously YOUR dream, 
since you have the most vivid, and by your own admission, the most 
accurate recollection of events."

Something other than Merien pervade's Yazric's attetnion and he looks at 
Kassi, "Naked dancing Weyrlings were Kiat's doing? Wow, now /that's/ a 
change from P'tran."

A'lex grins at Yazric, "No, lad, it was all a dream. A dememted Greenrider 
dream."

Kassima holds up her hands, now truly alarmed. "Hey, these were *female* 
naked Weyrlings, so 'twasn't *that* sort of a dream. Yeesh. Besides, that 
was Kiat's fault. I do nay! I bet R'ehn does. He had the least t'drink in 
this dream, after all. Asrai, you recall it, don't you? Weren't the 
Weyrlings all Kiat's fault?"

Asrai waves ehr hands, "He wasn't Weyrleader at the time..."

Asrai mutters, "I know nothing.." Face still in her hands for the lost 
part.

A'lex looks concerned at Kassima, "So you're saying that K'tyn is able to 
enter your mind while you sleep and alter your dreams?"

Telgar Weyr> A'lex feels like Fox Mulder.

Telgar Weyr> Ceria giggles.

Telgar Weyr> Neliea blinks?

Telgar Weyr> Ceria thinks you actually sound more like Scully at this 
point.

Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "True..."

Telgar Weyr> A'ser feels like Scully. "Come 'ere, big boy!"

Yazric shakes his head slowly, "Kassi, you need to stop doing whatever it 
was you did before this dream."

Kassima insists stubbornly, "'Twas a *shared* dream, 'twas. Ask any of the 
people in it except for you. Yaz, I swear, I'd only had one glass of Green 
Dragon before the lunacy started."

Merien looks back to Yazric, with a somewhat worried expression. Her gaze 
goes from his flushed appearance to the wineglass in his hands, and she 
finally manages the mental addition. She frowns, then says, as the words 
catch her attention, "A glass of green dragon?"

A'lex looks incredulous, "So you're saying that you SHARED a dream with 
several other people? And how was this accomplished, by some Impression 
like bond between you an the others? Or maybe some chemical in the drink?"

Yazric peers at Kassi, "Is that the fizzy one or the one that makes your 
insides burn?"

Oh, good. Finally, a question that makes sense. Kassima nods in 
affirmation. "Green Dragon--a type of drink they sell at Boll," she 
clarifies. "They've drinks named after all five dragon colors. 'Tis a bit 
fizzy, Yaz... I think the Brown Dragon is the burning one. Yuck. 
Disgusting stuff. A'lex, I don't *know* how 'twas accomplished! I just 
know Kiat said it had all been a giant shared dream. So if'n you want 
t'know how we all managed it, ask him."

Merien peera at Yazric again. "How would you know how they taste, Yazric?"

A'lex nods, "Oh, so your dream K'tyn told you that it was a dream. Now, 
was he naked too?"

Asrai stands up, her juice unfinished, "If you all will please excuse 
me...I, umm, need to be tending to. Well, something or other, I'm 
certain."

Asrai walks towards the inner cavern.

Yazric has the grace to look sheepishly at Merien, "Er, there was this 
gather at Boll you see.." he starts out waving to Asrai as she leaves.

Kassima puts her hands on her hips. "You know full well he wasn't, 'Lex," 
she says severely to the bronzerider. "This is just getting silly. How did 
we wind up discussing this, anyway?"

A'lex looks mildly confused when he says, "How would *I* know? I wasn't 
there. It was a dream, YOUR dream, in which there were ... well, we've 
been through that. I really think you need help, Kassi. Maybe a vacation 
or something."

Kassima starts to massage her temples, muttering, "'Lex, you are *such* a 
horrid liar."

Merien approaches Yazric, almost scowling. "Shells, Yaz. I think they're 
corrupting you here." The words actually do make it out of her mouth 
before she flushes again, and stammers out, "Well, you know what I mean. I 
mean, you don't... I wouldn't..." She gives up eventually and simply 
clears her throat, pursing her lips.

A'lex turns to Merien, "Sorry about that, Wingleader, we try to keep the 
young and corruptable away from Kassima, but sometimes she gets out of her 
Weyr. Then there's nothing we can do until she falls asleep and we can put 
her back."

Yazric frowns at A'lex, "Since when am I young and corruptable?" he looks 
back at Merien, "I'm corrupted for having a glass of wine and having had a 
drink at a gather in Boll?"

A'lex winks at Yaz.

"A'lex," Kassima points out, looking back up at the bronzerider, "you're 
just begging me t'dump juice in your lap as Kharty did to A'wyn." At 
Merien's assessment of Yazric, her eyebrows both fly up. "Drinking wine 
makes you corrupted?" she asks, sounding surprised. Whoa. She's a lot more 
corrupted than she would have guessed.

Merien takes a moment, evaluating her choices before she settles on, "All 
I know is I was called back from sweeps over Katz to come get you, Yaz." 
From the deliberate way she closes her mouth, it's clear she's for some 
reason not pursuing any questions about Yazric's corruptibility.

A'lex shakes his head again, "Like Kharty did to A'wyn, so you're claiming 
that I came on to you then pushed you away? I don't think so."

Yazric blinks, "You were sent to come get me? What's happened?"

Aurian walks in from the bowl.

Kassima elucidates for A'lex, "That's came onto a *friend* and then pushed 
*her* away, whimry-for-brains. 'Tany rate, what I meant was that I'd dump 
juice in your lap. The reason doesn't matter!" Half of her attention is 
still on the conversation between Merien and Yazric, with some concern for 
the latter.

Aurian looks a little bit relaxed as she returns to the cavern, she looks 
in a better mood than she was when she left.

A'lex makes that loony hand signal again and turns back to Yazric and 
Merien, waiting for the outcome of their conversation.

Merien shrugs. "Nothing important, I don't think. Just something about 
D'zel pitching a fit about one thing or another."

Yazric winces and sighs, "Just because /he/ never leaves the infirmary.." 
he grumbles, taking another drink of his wine.

A'lex finishes off his glass of wine, "Love that Red..."

Aurian finds a place to sit and then rakes a hand through her hair.

Merien looks at Yazric's wine for another moment. "Well, it's no bother to 
me if you don't go back. Right now, I mean. Is that... Benden wine?"

Yazric nods to Merien, "Is there any other kind of wine?"

A'lex smiles, "The Red is, yea. I've got... connections... with a certain 
Benden Vinetender who happens to be my father."

Yazric waves his head towards a chair, "Have a seat Merien, if I'm going 
to face D'zel tonight, I'm going to do it later."

Yazric sets his wineglass down on the table and heads back over to pour 
another glass of wine for Merien before returning.

Merien sits down with a grateful exhale. "Fine with me. And thank you."

Aurian tucks a curl behind her ear.

Kassima calls over to Yaz, "Only Benden is wine; the rest is sheer Swill!" 
She considers this for a moment. "Well... save for one or two of the 
Southern brewings. But that's it."

A'lex laughs, "Quite true... but now some of those fine liquors... those 
are good, and they don't come from Benden..."

Yazric grins to Kassi as he hands Merien a glass, flopping into his own 
chair before picking up his own glass again, "Dont need to convince me 
Kassi, I was born in the Benden riding."

Merien sips the wine and says, with obvious pleasure, "Ah. Just what I 
needed. They can finish toting barrels for Katz without me. I'll never be 
missed."

Kassima laughs and raises her own glass in a toast. "As was I, and you're 
right; there's nay point lecturing to the dedicated. That *is* different, 
'Lex--but when it comes t'wine... well. Only Benden will do."

A'lex nods, "I agree with you completely Kassima, completely."

Yazric nods to Merien, watching her thoughtfully, "For the gather?"

Aurian stands up and works her way to the pitchers.

Kassima chuckles and can't resist saying to 'Lex, "Now *there's* something 
I thought I'd never hear from you. There's t'be a Gather?" That's directed 
to Yaz, of course, with considerable interest.

Yazric nods to Kassi, "Up at Katz field, do you remember when Merien?"

Merien nods, still savoring the wine. "Yes. They're laying in enough food 
and drink to satisfy even me." She grins. "I haven't been to a gather in 
ages." Then she says, To Kassima, "Yes, a ways up the coast from Ista. 
Um... a few sevendays from now, I believe. Can't be too soon for me!"

A'lex perks up, "Gathers... very good. Happy happy..."

Kassima grins at A'lex. "What, is the Gather we're t'have nay enough for 
you?" she wonders. "I suppose I can't blame you. A chance t'celebrate's 
always welcome, though I do hope that these next few are less... um... 
eventful than the last."

A'lex laughs, "What, you're not ready to be on someone's hit list again?"

Kassima snorts and mutters, "Nay, I just don't want t'have t'pull another 
cross-dressing stunt in the near future. I can't say that I've ever been 
t'Katz Field," she admits in a more audible tone to Merien. "D'you know 
what sorts of things they're planning?"

Merien finishes the wine and sets the glass back on the table. "You folks 
make it sound like I'm missing something when I go to a gather. Come to 
think of it, I probably am."

Yazric shakes his head, "I'm not a big gather fan, too many people."

Kassima chuckles wryly. "A bit of a long story, 'tis. A friend of mine was 
having a bit of trouble with an over-persistant woman, so I told her that 
he was having an affair with this male brownrider I know. Things got a bit 
hectic from there."

Merien says, "I'm not sure. I know we're hosting a mock-threadfall, where 
non-riders can fly with us to experience being on a flaming dragon." She 
leans back in her chair, then says, "Maybe we should go to the gather 
together, Yaz." She half-frowns, then mutters under her breath, "More 
wine, maybe?"

A'lex sits up, "Mock Threadfall? Like a rope drill with passengers?"

Yazric blinks at Merien, getting up and reaching for her glass, taking the 
time to wander over and refill it and return before commenting, "That 
might be nice, if you're okay with it."

Merien accepts the glass of wine and says, more to it than to Yazric, 
"Well, I wouldn't have suggested it if it weren't all right with me."

Kassima's eyebrows quirk upwards. "Mock-Threadfall? That'd be 
interesting... 'Lex, make a note of that one for next time, would you?"

Merien also nods, belatedly, to A'lex. "Yes, just like rope drills, but 
with civilians well strapped in."

A'lex raises an eyebrow, "Interesting..."

Yazric flushes a bit, watching his wine a moment, "Yeah, you're right." he 
comments quietly to Merien and then looks thoughtful, "Y'know, for all my 
time in the air, I dont think I've ever been on a dragon while they were 
flaming."

Aurian finally get around to filling her mug with some of the cider. She 
tucks a curl behind her ear.

"'Twould have t'be done carefully," Kassima muses, "with protection 
against the ash and cinders, but I daresay some would get a true kick out 
of that one."

A'lex shakes his head, "Use smaller rope, not soaked in dye. If it's dry, 
there won't be as much ash. More of it will char away."

Merien smiles to Yazric, almost shyly. "Well then, you can be one of 
Tesith's first passengers." She turns back to the Telgar riders to say, 
"And you folks are welcome to join our wings in the air. The exercise is 
open to everyone."

A'lex smiles, "Count me in."

Neliea walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Aurian sips at her cider, she raises her eyebrows at Neliea.

Yazric returns the smile to Merien, with a similar bit of shyness, "I'd 
like that, let her know I'll give her a scrub afterwards."

Neliea makes her way into the caverns, cheerful though supressing an urge 
to dart out towards the bowl if only to avoid Aurian. Nodding to the other 
riders, she greets, "Evening and Telgar's duties to Ista and her Queens." 
The latter half to Merien as she makes her way towards the klah pot.

Aurian is of course right next to the klah pot.

Kassima looks rather interested in that invitation. "'Twill have t'be 
seeing, but 'twould certes be a challenge, and I daresay Lyss would enjoy 
it. Mayhaps 'twill have t'see how many of m'Wingmates I could cajole into 
it."

Merien nods and says, "I will. You know she'll remember that, even if she 
forgets everything else she's supposed to remember." She nods to the young 
woman, then sips her wine. "It'll certainly work up a thirst, and my 
father's sending kegs of his ale for the gather to help us... clear the 
ash, as it were."

Yazric smiles to Merien, "Perfect, she'll remember that she's to get a 
scrub and forget to give you a hard time."

Neliea isn't too daunted as she picks up a mug and reaches for the klah 
pot. "How are you Aurian," she asks lightly, dropping her voice to a low 
whisper since she doesn't want to disturb the other conversation going on.

Aurian sips her cider, "Oh I'm fine."

Merien laughs. "Well, that's probably too much to ask for. Today she was 
telling me I needed to make her colored straps, like Siaroth has only 
prettier."

Neliea looks at the klah and decisivly knows that she doesn't need to 
drink anything else. No need to spill her business to the rest of the weyr 
anymore than it's known as she leans over to whisper to her wingmate.

Aurian nods to Neliea, "You read my mind." She finishes her mug of cider 
and places it in the appropriate bin.

Neliea nods to her friend as she nods again to the others, "Good evening." 
Winding past the tables, she makes her way to the bowl.

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

Yazric chuckles, "Red would be a nice colour on her, a nice clear red."

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

Kassima laughs at the mention of Siaroth's straps, getting to her feet. 
"Forgive me for stepping out on you," she apologizes, "But i'truth, I 
should attend to a few things. Duties t'Ista again, Yaz, Wingleader--and 
clear skies t'everyone."

Yazric waves, "Clear skies to you Kassi, give both your hellions a hug and 
a kiss from me."

A'lex stands, "If you'll all excuse me, my lifemate is informing me that 
my weyrmate is crabby and in need of Keroonian Ribs yet again..."

Merien nods to Kassima, standing up as well. "Thank you for the wine. and 
clear skies. I'd best get back to Ista before they realize I've been 
gone."

Kassima laughs and tells Yazric, "I will, believe me. Thankee, and 
g'night!" Without further ado, she turns to head outside.

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