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The Bold and the Proddified


Date:  February 6, 2000
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern and Southern Bowl
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:  A long, eventful log for a long, eventful evening. :)
Visitors, nut-chopping, black leather, outdoor baking, sneezes, Search, 
and a confrontation between proddy and pregnant greenriders ensure that
Telgar is as busy--and confusing--as ever; Kassi gets a chance to meet
Jhor's former weyrmate and experience the joys of hormones.  All we
needed was for M'kla to return from *between* and announce that she 
was the real father of Ryi's baby to have a full soap opera episode on
our hands.

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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.

A'lex says "Evening, Kassi!"

Al'oren scoots his chair over far enough so that he can see what the others
are doing with the bowl and such.

Keara thwomps the stuff down on the table, and returns from the kitchen
with the other supplies a few minutes later. "Kassi," she greets, "you want
to help make baklava."

Jazmin waves a knife at Kassi, "Evening Kassi, just in time for some
baklava making."

Timera waves a butter-covered spatula toward Kassi. "I think you've just
been drafted. Keara, you want this stuff creamed, or just mushed about?"

"Wait wait," Kea yelps, "Not yet. The pan's greased, we have to lay out the
pastry layer by layer and cover it with butter and nuts each time. Who was
going to chop the nuts? They're here."

Kassima ambles into the room, hands tucked in her pockets and a mint-stick
poking from one corner of her mouth in a nonchalant fashion. Upon being
addressed, she reaches to remove it, salute A'lex with it, and then wave it
to the room in general. It's a very ubiquitous piece of candy. "G'deve,
all--baklava? So long as I don't have t'be eating it, certainly. Methinks I
remember how from m'cooking days. Any chance the nuts still need t'be
chopped?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima mutters something about how just mentioning chopping
nuts brings Kassi running.

Jazmin grins to Keara, "Kassi and I are wielding the knives, or will be
soon enough."

Telgar Weyr> Timera laughs!

Telgar Weyr> Jazmin grins and dredges her brain back outta the gutter. :)

Keara offers the bowl of nuts and a cutting board to Jazmin and Kassi.
"Careful with 'em," she says, "and they need to be about this big, see."
She shifts her load to shape the size with thumb and finger.

Alyssa rises in fact, and murmurs, "Clear skies to you," and adds to A'lex,
"I'm going to see Mykaa before she's put to bed. Excuse me...I should be
back soon."

Ellwiny rolls up her sleeves, and makes her way around the table towards
Keara. "Should I lay the pastry, then?" she offers, ever helpful--a trait
that's half a gift, and half a deficiency. She glances up at Kassima's
greeting, glances from Jazmin to the greenrider, and blinks. "Kassima?
Kharisma's mom?" she murmurs.

Timera gives Kassi a curious look as she waits to ply butter. "You don't
like baklava? Or would Lysseth object?"

Alyssa walks towards the inner cavern.

"Aye, please," says Kea to the Istan rider. "If you'll just take that end,
lift up, and we'll move it over."

Jazmin chuckles, "Ah the fate of being known as someone's Mom." she attacks
the nuts, slaying them into submission and little bits.

Kassima produces a knife from somewhere; it's hard to tell where, as her
belt-knives are still in their sheaths and she didn't actually seem to
move. "Methinks I can handle nut-chopping, aye." Pulling out a chair, she
plunks herself into it. "Only like it sometimes, Timera, and right now
'twould make me sicker than a canine with plague. Oh--shells, I hadn't
noticed that we'd visitors. Duties to Ista, Fort, and their respective
queens." She flashes an amiable smile to both blueriders; at mention of her
younger daughter's name, she quirks a brow, giving Ellwiny a second and
more interested look. "That would be me, aye. Please tell me the minxlet
hasn't done aught evil t'you that I'm about t'have t'pay reparations for."

Jazmin slides nuts closer to Kassi in preperation of a greenrider wielding
that knife upon them. She returns to taking any frustrations of the day out
on the innocent nuts.

Al'oren turns from his watching those preparing the baklava to give Kassima
a little nod. "An Fort's to Telgar."

Keara adds, "And as soon as we've the pastry don, Timmie, you can spread a
thin layer of butter atop it. Anybody want to sprinkle spices or shall I do
that?"

Ellwiny nods at Keara, watching her motions and then gingerly taking hold
of the pastry. "Ista's duties to Telgar." Her response to Kassima's
automatic, though the slow smile that follows it is not--it's especially
thoughtful, rather. "No, nothing like that. I'm Ellie, Cirameth's rider.
And, Jhor's weyrmate." As if that explains everything.

Timera's nose wrinkles. "Well, being sick would be a bad thing. Specially
in here. But that means more for the rest of us," she grins, and adds,
"They're here for ice." She twists her head about to listen to Keara, and
nods. "Okie dokie."

"Cirameth," says Kea, "what a beautiful name. And I, by the way, am Keara,
and on three let it down - one, two, three." She lowers her end of the
pastry into the large pan.

J'lyn walks in from the bowl.

Pierron gives a respectful nod to the Weyrsecond.

J'lynnods back to the LC Master and heads towards the food. He digs thru
bowls and platters and comes back with a nauseating mixture of things.
Uh..... Big warning signs.... He settles down and dis in to put away mass
quantities.

Evidently, it does, at least for Kassima. "Ah, so," she murmurs, mirroring
that smile as she absently gathers the nuts closer to herself. "'Twould
explain how you know Khari. Well met, Weyrsecond... and be welcomed to the
Icy Wastes." She sets to chopping the walnuts for several moments, with a
rhythmic thunk-thunk-thunk of knife against table, before asking lightly,
"And how are things at Ista? Here for ice, Timena? That makes sense.
Faranth knows, there's too bloody much of it here." Thank Faranth she
doesn't yet see J'lyn at work; extra nausea factors would be bad, bad, 
bad.

"Jhor's former weyrmate, rather," Ellie murmurs, dropping her eyes down to
the pastry--ostensibly because she wants to be careful about lowering it
into the pan. She flashes Keara a half-smile. "Thank you."

Keara calls, "Timmie, butter," as she grins back to Ellwiny and reaches for
the bowl with the spice mixture. "And well need about a handful of those
nuts."

"Former," Kassi echoes. "Aye." Chop, chop, chop. "He was a good man."
Hello, inane statements.

*Splat* That's the butter being happily plied by Timera. She makes smiley
faces in it with the end of the spatula after it's spread.

Jazmin's attention turns to Ellwiny thougthfully, pausing in her mincing of
nuts before smashing a few more, "Are these too small?" she eyes the nut
dust in front of her, "Shards."

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Okay, nut dust just sounds painful, sorry."

Telgar Weyr> Timera giggles.

Keara says diplomatically, "If you could just do them a little larger for
the rest. Those'll do for the bottom layer." She sprinkles spices around,
"Perfect, Timmie, and how very cute."

A'lex stands quickly, "I'm late! Oh, Faranth, if you'll all excuse me..."

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

"He certainly was." Yes, there's a definite echo in here. Ellie smiles a
bit, glancing up at the greenrider. "And Khari was always his favorite. I
always rather wanted to meet her--and you." But enough of that nostalgic
talk; she abruptly changes the subject. "Ista's... crowded with candidates
at the moment."

Timera grins. "thank you, Kea." She nods to Kassi. "They get ice, and we
get baklava made. Personally, I think we're getting the better end of the
deal."

J'lyn certainly makes enough smacking and crucnching and chewing noises.
Around a mouthful of mashed tubers with lima bean puree on them, he says,
"Whatcha makin'?

Jazmin chuckles to Keara, "Very tactful." she returns to chopping nuts,
more careful this time, concentrating on them.

"Baklava," comes the blissful answer from Keara. "Want to help? Sure I
could find something for you to do." She sprinkles the nut crumbs on,
"Ellie? Ready for the next pastry layer?"

Kassima smiles at that, lowering her lashes a moment. "I daresay he was her
favorite parent, too, when he visited." With slightly rueful amusement:
"And nay just because of the presents. 'Twill have t'be bringing her by
Ista sometime, when I can travel again--for the Hatching, mayhaps." A few
sliced-and-diced nuts are slid aside, for use when ready, and she reaches
for more to demolish. "Would be, wouldn't it? Several of Telgar's folk have
gone--Ptodek, Keira...." She trails off here, however, because she has
caught sight of what J'lyn is eating and is now just about as green as that
puree. She can't answer the question; she's too busy staring in horror.

J'lyn continues shovelling food into his gaping maw. "I'm better at the
other end of the process." He holds up his very large hands. "I could do
the crushing of the walnuts, but you all seem to have that well in hand."

Timera stares at -Kassi- in horror. "Please... not on the baklava..."

J'lyn quirks one thick, dark eyebrow at the Thunderbolt Wingleader. "What?"

Ellwiny blinks at Keara, her thoughts having drifted out to the bowl with
her lifemate. "Huh? Oh, the pastry. Right." She smiles lightly, and takes
up one end of the next pastry layer. She happens to glance at Kassi, mouth
opening to respond to the woman, and freezes at the sight of her
expression. "Oh, my."

"Erk," is Kassi's intelligent reply. Or maybe it's "Ulp." Hard to translate
those trying-desperately-not-to-be-ill sounds. Quick as she can, she twists
back to focus very intently on chopping those nuts. Whack, whack, whack.
She sees no evil food, hears no evil food, smells no evil food. Hopefully.

Keara's lifting her end, "Ellie," she prods, "It's just Kassima. C'mon."


J'lyn:

As your eyes slide down J'lyn's hard muscled body, all you see is tanned
flesh, black leather and silver glints. His dark hair is covered with a
black bandana of leather, held shut with a plain silver clasp. Whereas
J'lyn is usually clean shaven, he's sporting a closely cropped dark beard.
Buckled around his bull-like neck is a wide collar that could be used on a
very large canine, half-inch silver spikes studding the collar and winking
in the torchlight. A matching harness crisscrosses his massive chest, studs
flashing every few inches, leaving his torso mostly bare, save for a thin
sheen of perspiration. Wrapped around each of his bulging biceps is an
unadorned two-inch band of black. An intricately worked silver belt holds
up skintight black leather pants that would stay right where they are, even
without benefit of the belt. The bottoms are tucked into calf-high plain
boots, crafted from thick leather, chains wrapped around the heel and
ankle. Silver tips flash from the boot's toes. Something seems wrong with
the pants, however, like they're not complete. Around the tops of his legs,
you catch small glimpses of the same bronze skin of his chest. As soon as
the massive greenrider turns around, you can barely see the thin strip of
leather embedded in J'lyn's backside, and the tight, tan backside itself,
without benefit of covering. The harness continues around onto his back as
well. As he turns around to flash his dazzling smile, you notice that his
usually gold earrings have been replaced by thick silver hoops.


Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Ohmygod. The *leather*."

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn beams.

Timera gives a faint sigh of relief, taking up another slab of butter.
Still, an eye is kept on Kassi.

Telgar Weyr> Jazmin oh dears.. you do know Jazmin's thinking she needs more
brats, right J'lyn? :)

Telgar Weyr> Timera takes a look and... falls off her chair...

Telgar Weyr> Kassima hands Jazmin a large quantity of alcohol. "This works.
Trust me." ;)

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn gahs! I'm gonna start hiring myself out.... You're
somewhere near #3 or #4 that want jalyspawn...

Telgar Weyr> Jazmin isnt really picky on who. ;)

"Yes, but.." Ellie protests, but then Kassi turns back to chopping,
apparently well for the moment. Stress on the last three words. Obediently,
she lifts her end of the pastry, and glances at Keara. "I know this will
sound strange, but Cira's wondering if we might be able to finish this out
in the bowl. He and Delynth want to watch."

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Oh, that makes me feel MUCH better..."

Telgar Weyr> Jazmin smoochies J'lyn. :)

Keara blinks. "Well,' she says doubtfully. "If they'll promise not to try
to eat it before it's baked. But let's get this layer on first."

Al'oren nods. "Since everyone else seems to be helping, he wants to know
what they're helping with."

Oh, yes, do stress those last three words. Kassi's managing to keep her
stomach under control, but the color of her complexion still bears a marked
resemblance to that of her dragon. "Don't suppose there's any cider left?"
she mumbles to Timena as her knife flashes away, walnut-bits flying. "Out
in the Bowl? Sounds good t'me. Fresh air out there and all."

Jazmin chuckles softly, "I dont know many dragons who've got baklava
fetishes." she slides her nut chunks towards Keara, "That better?"

Timera nods, setting the bowl of butter aside with a sympathetic look for
Kassima. "Sure thing, Kassi." She flashes across the room to fetch the poor
woman some cider.

Ellwiny chuckles at Keara, and lowers her end of the pastry towards the
pan. "I don't believe you'll have anything to worry about with Cira. As far
as I know, he prefers wherry to sweets." She nods at Al'oren.

The nut-chopping Telgar brownrider earns a beam, "Wonderful. But would you
carry them for me, if we're going out? And somebody has to help me carry
the big pan, I can't carry it by m'self full. And the spices, and the
butter - you'll get those, Timera?" Keara lowers the pastry down into the
pan with Ellwiny.

Jazmin considers Kassi, "You still alive in there?" she nods to Keara,
"Sure, I dont mind carrying 'em."

"I'll help with the pan," Ellie offers immediately. "Should we carry out a
table, as well?"

Al'oren says. "I can help carry the pan. That way someone can help me with
the barrels on Delynth."

Timera nods, giving an affirmative wave to Jazmin. "Will do, check, that's
what aprons are for. Carrying."

J'lyn finishes off his plate of -stuff- and sets the plate in the
washbasin. On his way back, he tugs slightly on Kassi's braid, carefully
dodging out of the way. "I can help now."

Kassima accepts the cider with a quick nod of thanks, and even more quickly
gulps about half of it down. There. That helped. "I can carry something?"
she offers, before sliding a crooked smile to Jazmin. "Alive, aye; I just
sicken a bit more easily than I used to, these days." Not that the mix Jal
is eating wouldn't sicken on *normal* days. "They sound like curious blues,
your dragons--hey!" She takes a moment to stick her tongue out at J'lyn. So
there.

Keara smiles happily. "Ah. Table. Now that's good idea as well. J'lyn? You
could help carry a table." She takes one end of the pan, preparing to lift.

Timera gives Kassi an encouragin smile, and turns to plop the spices into
her gathered up apron. The bowl of butter is snagged as well, but carried
in one arm. "Have we got everything then?"

J'lyn nods. Table. Can do. The big greenrider finds one that's relatively
unused and shoos the weyrlings away from it. He commandeers 2 of the males
to help him carry it outside.

Ellwiny takes the other end of pan. "Al'oren, could you help--ah, J'lyn,"
she glances at the greenrider, connecting name to face, "with the table?"
And then she double-takes, having not really seen J'lyn's outfit before.

J'lyn sashays his way outside with the table.

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

Timera pauses to watch J'lyn. "You know, Keara, if I'sai doesn't respond
well, that one's got a cute behind."

Keara starts to move backward holding her end of the pan. "Watch out," she
calls to a drudge whom she nearly runs over, and then turns to Timera with
a laugh, "I hardly know him, but I do agreee there."

"P-R-O-D-D-Y," Kassi murmurs helpfully to Ellwiny as she stands and
collects knife and her share of the walnuts. "Lorieth has an... odd...
effect on him." Hello, Kettle? Pot calling.

Jazmin takes her cutting board of nuts outside, commenting to Timera and
Keara, "And no doubt a very glowing dragon."

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

Timera ahs softly, following the parade of baklava-makers outside. "That
doesn't make his behind any less cute, though," she grins.

Al'oren shakes his head slowly at the departing J'lyn. He looks around. "Is
that everything?"

Ellwiny slowly follows Keara, wincing at the near collision with the
drudge. She nods understandingly at Kassi. "I suspected as much--given his
dinner, and all." She winces slightly--probably not the wisest thing to
mention--and glances at Kassi for any sign of further illness. "Jhor was
much the same," she continues quickly. "Though he usually just borrowed my
dresses."

"Aye, tis all," calls Keara as she backs out the entrance.

Timera doubletakes, eyes widening at Ellwiny. There's a pause, then she
inquires, "Did you happen to get pictures made?"

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

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

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

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

Al'oren comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

"Pictures?" Ellie grins in Timera's general direction, her eyes focused on
Keara. Mustn't drop the pan, mustn't drop the pan. "I don't believe so,
though it wouldn't surprise me if he secretly commissioned a portrait or
two. Jhor was... strange when he was proddy."

Kassima comments as she follows the parade, after just one gulp and a
slight paling at mention of the evil dinner, "I always rather regretted
that I never got a chance t'be seeing him in one of those dresses. I've
been told he looked good in pink." Glancing about the Bowl, she wonders,
"Where're we setting up, then?"

Nraith grunts and gets out of the way.

Nraith walks up the sloping ramp towards Nraith's ledge.

Jazmin comments to Kassima as she waits with the nuts, "It was a sight,
great legs."

Keara points with her chin. "Flat spot. There." She grins to the dragons,
"Curious things," she chides cheerfully.

Timera giggles, looking toward Keara for cues. "Sounds like twas
entertaining, at the very least."

Cirameth snorts good-naturedly at Keara, eyes whirling as he extends his
neck towards the group, looking down at their activities. He cocks his head
towards Delynth, rumbling softly.

Lorieth glimmers. Ruh roh.

Delynth gives a return rumble to Cirameth as he moves closer to the group,
so that he can look down over the top of everything.

Keara glances around, "On the table," she says to Ellie. "Wherever it got 
to."

Ellwiny chuckles at Jazmin. "Aye, great legs indeed. He looked better in
some of my skirts than I did!" She laughs brightly, casting a smile up at
her lifemate, and follows Keara towards the flat spot and, presumably, the
table.

J'lyn eyes the womenfolks warily. Boys in dresses. Feh!

"Oh, aye," Kassi agrees with Jazmin, meandering towards yon flat-spot and
waiting with her handful of nuts and glass of cider at the ready. "If'n any
man could pull off a dress--though Mart never seems to agree with me on
that. If'n 'tweren't for Kena, I'd swear the brownie has nay taste. Heyla,
blues," she greets both foreign dragons cheerily; Lorieth, naturally, she
gives wide berth. Wide, wide berth.

Keara settles the pan down carefully, nudging the table with her hip,
presumably to see if it rocks. It doesn't. "Wonderful placement," she tells
J'lyn, and gazes around, "You can all sit your bowls down now."

Timera wags a finger at Kassi. "That's different. That's a kilt. Which
Ivrihn isn't," she grins. Faking a sigh of relief, she settles spices and
butter down on the table with a wink for Keara. "Yes, ma'am."

Jazmin adds her chopped nuts to the table, commenting to Ellwiny, "I should
probably mention, I've got a set of twins that are Jhor's, just in case
they run by, dont want you to faint when two miniatures of him scamper by."

Kassima does so, with a clatter of walnuts against wood. "Didn't Jorian get
fostered here recently, too?" she asks Jazmin and Ellwiny. "Shells--all we
need's Kelrin, and Telgar will be thoroughly infested with Jhor-Spawn. I
don't think I've ever seen the twins. They look much like him? Khari has
the eyes, but got stuck with m'black hair. And Ivrihn isn't *a* kilt, he's
*the* Kilt. Distinct difference!"

Keara pokes at the pastry, "And Timmie, twas your turn, I believe. Going to
do smileys again, or something else?"

Ellwiny eyes the pan, as if to ensure it's not going to abruptly take a
dive off of the table, and takes a slight step back. She grins at Jazmin.
"Thanks--otherwise I might have thought myself to be seeing things. And, oh
that's right, Bronia sent her son up here, didn't she?" The bluerider's
eyes dance. "Sounds like you've got an infestation already."

Timera rolls her eyes, snickering. "Just don't say that around R'ehn and
Lirra. Oh!" She blushes, giving Keara an apologetic look, and steps up to
quickly spread butter. "Hmmm. How about..." This time little hearts with
arrows are drawn in the creamy yellow stuff.

Keara laughs softly, "How cute." Spices make their way onto the butter as
Kea hums cheerfully. "And nuts? I mean, not the people," ahem, "I mean the
ones you chopped."

Jazmin grins to Ellwiny, nodding to Kassima, "Telgar can take it, bring on
the Jhor-spawn."

Cirameth sidles a bit closer to the action, his attention caught by the
mixture of butter and spice in the pan. He lowers his snout hesitantly,
whuffling.

Kassima suggests, giving Jazmin an amused look as she scoops up some of the
poor, debilitated nuts to offer Keara, "Mayhaps 'tis a trade for Ista
getting Jazmin-Spawn for its leader. Just don't let the fosterers hear you
say that, Jaz. Speaking of Yaz, though--" She turns to Ellwiny, and
wonders, "He's settling in well, I've heard? Cottam said he was amazingly
unobnoxious, for a bronzer."

Delynth moves over to the other side so he can get a good look.

J'lyn settles himself down beside Lorieth to watch the goings-on.

"Thank you," says Kea automatically as she accepts the nuts, moving to
sprinkle but then pausing, "Somebody else want to sprinkle? It's not hard."

Timera grins at Keara, eyes twinkling. "I could put dirty pictures on it
too, if you want..." She blinks at the blue noses, and giggles, turning to
address the visitng riders. "Could ya tell 'em it tastes a lot better than
it looks? Specially -after- it's baked?"

Jazmin laughs softly, "He inflicted himself upon Ista turns ago." she nods,
"I think so, no one's willing to bring me any good gossip, so he cant be
into that much trouble." she grins, "Although I am gonna be a grandma."

Ellwiny ponders Kassi's question, meanwhile absently watching the
buttering, spicing, and nut-sprinkling. "He has settled in well, yes. And
he's not much of a stereotypical bronzerider, I'll admit." She chuckles
softly, brushing a stray curl back. "I don't quite know what to make of
him--he's the Weyrleader, but I can't stop thinking of him as a little. And
I know I'm not the only one he's having that problem with."

Keara giggles at Timera. "Probably not the best of ideas - not with
greenriders, pregnant and proddy alike, around." She peers at the unbaked
baklava, then at Timera again. "Looks fine to /me/."

Cirameth tilts his head to one side, turning a multi-faceted, and
skeptical, eye on the pastry. He takes another whiff, snout twitching a bit
at the spice.

Timera laughs, "Good point! At least Kassi wouldn't be affected by it
though." She grins. "And I didn't say it didn't look fine. But the sight of
it's a poor comparison to the yummy taste."

Kassima drops the knife she was about to set to chopping what nuts remain
first in shock. "A'zric's *spawning*?" she squeaks. "Yaz? Little Yaz?
Little Yaz who was about yea high just a moment or two ago?" She waves her
hand at an approximation of five-Turn-old height. "Dear Faranth preserve
me. That's just *wrong*. And as you can hear, I'm afraid I can't stop
thinking of him as a little, either. I hope it doesn't give him too much
trouble. He's a good lad... good man." She pauses to make a face at Keara.
"Why, when the idea of dirty pictures comes up, are greenriders thought of
post-haste? 'Tis nay as though we're *all* randy, y'know." A glance towards
Jal and his Black Leather <tm>. "Mostly."

Delynth turns to peer at Cirameth for a moment. After a quiet exchange he
turns to look back down at the pastry. He lowers his head, nostrils flaring
as he inhales.

Lysseth is doing her level best to ignore the pastry and all activities
involved with it. Her rider used to cook; said rider still makes cookies
with the children sometimes; ergo, Lyss has learned that to show too much
interest is to eventually be fed something that isn't meat and have to
pretend you like it.

Jazmin grins to Ellwiny, "At least you didnt change his diapers, that makes
it twice as hard to think of him as a Weyrleader." she nods to Kassima,
laughing, "I've had a little longer to get used to the idea, although I
dont want to think about being old enough to be a granny."

Ellwiny chuckles softly at Kassi. Nice to know she's not alone in her
feelings towards Yaz. She nods at Jazmin. "Aye, that's certainly true."
Much of the bluerider's attention, though, has been diverted towards her
lifemate, who's moved from the spice-smelling pastry to whuffle at
something that also smells of spice--namely, Keara.

Keara ahs. "We're ready for more pastry," she says. "Ellie, are you ready,
or does someone else want to - what? Oh. Here." She takes a pinch of spices
and offers it out towards the blue nose. "This what you need?"

Timera chuckles. "Careful he doesn't sneeze on you, Kea..."

Delynth takes the time that Keara is distracted by Cirameth to lean in to
sniff at her as well.

Keara blinks. "And he'd sneeze on the baklava, too, at that angle -
Cirameth, don't you dare sneeze. Or, eep, you. Whatever your name was," she
glares mildly at Delynth. "Or at least turn your snouts aside.

"True," Kassi has to admit to Jaz. "I don't think I've changed any diapers
that weren't on m'own children, thank Faranth. I'd think 'twould be hard
t'look at someone else once they're grown with such a memory." Drawing an
oilcloth from her belt pouch, she finally wipes her knife free, but takes a
moment to peer over at the dragons. "Haven't been hanging about with the
wherries in the Grounds, have you, Keara?"

Al'oren speaks up. "His name is Delynth."

Cirameth peers at the proffered spice, and sniffs it gingerly. His snout
twitches some more, and he glances at Delynth, then at Keara. "I'm ready
with the pastry," Ellie murmurs absently

Jazmin smiles to Kassima, "Just wait, your girls will grow up and surprise
you too."

Timera snickers, casting Kassi an amused look. "Can you imagine how it must
be for the nannies?" She glances back up toward the dragons. "Do they want
to help? Not sure we've got a pan that big..."

[Editor's Note:  Got disconned here, but I don't think I missed any 
poses.]

Ellwiny lifts with Keara, though her attention's definitely more on her
lifemate than on the pastry layer. Cirameth's snout makes a move towards
the baker's hair, but draws back at a quick look from Ellie. He lowers it
towards her once more, as soon as the pastry's safely in place.

Kassima gives a snort at that. "Kaylira's already close enough to it.
*Eleven*, and making marks with her wagers already--and Khari's eight... at
least m'youngest, or the youngest that's been born anyway, is still small.
Makes me feel a bit better. Though Kris sometimes acts nearer t'forty than
four." Sighing, she replaces her blade in whatever hidden sheath she got it
from. "What's he up to?" she asks Ellwiny, curious, with a thumb aimed
towards Cirameth to indicate whom she means.

Keara blinks at Cirameth and reaches up to straighten her red and white
kercheif, and struggles on. "Timera, the butter?" And then Cirameth is
told, "I don't think dragons are quite cut out to be bakers. I mean, you
just aren't small enough to fit in a kitchen. Otherwise I'd /let/ you help.
Really."

Jazmin chuckles, "Kassi, your eldest is hardly older than my youngest,
you're making me feel old."

There goes the butter, smoothly spread. "What'll it be this time? I'm
running out of ideas." A moment's thought, and Timmie carves long-petaled
flowers into it.

Delynth pulls his head back from Keara, still peering down at this helping
to make the baklava.

Ellwiny folds her arms across her chest, and glances at Kassi. "He likes
the spice, I think."

Keara complements, "Beautiful." She spreads spices and nuts, "And we're
almost done, one more layer. And the top layer gets an extra heavy layer of
butter, spices, and then citrus juice added on. What're you going to put on
the top, Timmie? Maybe a dragon?"

Kassima executes a flourishing bow to Jazmin. "Always pleased t'be of
service, O rider who Searched me. Mayhaps you need t'be joining in the
spawning epidemic with Ryialla and me; then you'd have one younger."
Finding a place on the table free of cookware or ingrediants, she swings
herself up to sit on it, legs dangling over the edge. "Mayhaps he should
try a piece when 'tis done. Never known a dragon t'be liking baklava yet,
but stranger things have happened."

Jazmin laughs, "Kassi dear, I'd love to. Need to find some hapless
gentleman who's not too busy running for his life." she considers, "Chaeth
doesnt mind it, although he says it sticks funny on his teeth."

Timera hmmms. "In honor of our guests? Okay. But it'll be a very
silly-looking dragon," she grins sheepishly. "I'm a scrubber, not an 
artist."

Cirameth eyes the kerchief, pulling his snout back a bit to glance at
Delynth, then again at Keara, and finally at the pastry. His snout hovering
over it, he inhales deeply--a little too deeply, given the extra heavy
layer of butter, spice, and juice. The combination's just too much, and he
pulls back sharply, snout quivering and eyes whirling with sudden distress.

"A scrubber?" asks Keara, moving to the last layer of pastry, then turning,
"Oh no. Turn your head. Turn your head! Pleeeeease!"

Timera gestures toward the living caverns. "That's what I generally..." Her
eyes widen in horror, staring at Cirameth. "Oh... no..."

Ellwiny grins at Kassima and Jazmin. "Perhaps I can persuade him to try a
bit," she says, then snaps her gaze back around at the blue, eyes widening
and voice adding to Keara's plea. "Not on the pastry, Cira!"

Delynth eyes Cirameth for a moment before lowering his head to once again
sniff around the people surrounding the table. His muzzle stops infront of
the butter wielder, Timera. After a few sharp sniffs, his nostrils give a
little twitch.

"Well," Kassi quips, droll, "there's always J'lyn, if'n he's had enough
t'drink, as I can attest... oh, shells!" The prospect of the force of a
dragon-sneeze meeting up with that pastry, perhaps sending its ingrediants
spraying everywhere, bids her do the logical thing: she drops off the table
to scramble underneath. Hit the deck!

Keara takes a deep breath, and then - heroically, even - inserts herself
between the dragon snout and the pastry, closing her eyes.

Cirameth whips his head from side to side, desparately trying to clear out
whatever's gotten itself lodged in his respiratory system, but there's just
no helping it. He pulls back, eyelids snapping shut, and jerks forward in a
thunderous sneeze. However, the blue /did/ remember to turn aside, so the
sneeze is directed not at the pastry, but at... Timera.

Delynth snaps his head to peer at Cirameth. He gives the other blue a loud
bugle as if to say, hey, watch it.

Timera was, unfortunately, distracted by Delynth. Paling, she starts to
say, "Not you too? Quick! Pinch your nose! That always works for-" *SPLAT*
She goes very, very still, and then slowly sets the bowl aside. "Kea, I
think we're going to need more butter." Her hands rise to clear her eyes so
she can see again.

Kassima peeks her head out from under the table as the sneeze resounds.
"Did the baklava survive?" is her first question, followed swiftly by, "Did
*Timera* survive?" when she gets a look at Timera's sneezed-upon self.

Keara opens her eyes tentatively to look down at herself, breathing a sigh
of relief. This's followed by an, "Oh no!" as she hears Timera, turns to
look, and then breaks out in laughter, punctuated by apology.

Cirameth's first reaction, upon opening his eyes again, is to peer at the
baklava. But whatever relief he might have gained from the sight of the
pristine pastry is quickly eliminated by Timera's appearance. Warbling
softly--whimpering, actually--he lowers his head to her level, peering at
her with a look of abject apology.

Delynth still has a disgruntled look as he gazes at Cirameth. He shakes his
head a little before peering back down at Timera.

Ellwiny peeks out from behind her fingers, her hands having lept unbidden
to cover her eyes at the last second, and turns very red at the sight of
Timera. "Oh, my," she murmurs, followed quickly by, "He's very, very 
sorry."

Timera just stares at the dragon. Then she can't help herself- she starts
to laaaauuugh, waving off Kea's and Ellwiny's apologies. "Someday," she
snickers, "I will tell my grandchildren about this... Not that they'll
believe me. Oh, please tell him it's alright! It's nothing that won't come
off with a good scrubbing!"

Jazmin bursts out laughing, "Good aim, Cirameth."

Kassima climbs out from under the table, grinning broadly at the sight of
the Assistant Headwoman now that it's clear that she's suffered no lasting
harm to her dignity. "Oh, aye, bravo indeed! Why, Lysseth couldn't have
managed half such accuracy!" From the sidelines, Lysseth gives a faint 
snort.

Cirameth seems cheered immensely by Timera's laughter, his demeanor
brightening. He gives a little whirble, the distress in his whirling gaze
replaced by calmer tones of blue and green. After a few more apologetic
sounds, he starts to pull back. And then stops. And sniffs the air 
carefully.

Ellwiny smiles relievedly at Timera, and flashes Jazmin and Kassi a quick
grin. "Thanks," she murmurs under her breath, casting a sly glance at her
lifemate. "It's quite a blow to his pride, to sneeze on someone like 
that."

Keara pushes aside the pastry pan so that she can support her
collapsed-in-laughter self on the table. "We should definitely, definitely
do this more often," she wheezes.

Jazmin chuckles, "I'm with Kassi, it's more a credit to his accuracy."

Timera really does try for a straight face. "A blow to his pride? Or
blowing his nose? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't tease him like that."
Encrusted eyebrows rise, and she snickers. "You aren't getting any more
spice, Cirameth!"

"You wouldn't make a very good handkerchief," Kassi reassures Timera. Sort
of. "Mayhaps, Ellie, next Spring Games we have, 'twill have t'be including
a sneezing-at-targets competition for the dragons in his honor."

Speaking of kercheifs. Keara straightens hers, standing up and still
giggling softly.

Ellwiny laughs. "Hear that, Cira? A credit to your accuracy." She beams up
at the blue, though at the moment the blue's too busy eyeing the assistant
headwoman to notice. Ellie looks at the young woman a moment, her
expression turning thoughtful, then flashes a quick grin at Kassi. "Sounds
like a wonderful idea. And you'll certainly have to send Ista word, the
next time you make baklava," she adds, glancing at Keara.

Jazmin snickers, "That's a lot of spice, Kassi." she digs into her pocket,
finding a handkerchief to offer to Timera.

Timera giggles. "I think I'm glad of that, Kassi, though it'd be a real
interesting item to add to my list of duties. Caverns scrubber, table
cleaner, handkerchief..." She dissolves into snickers, giving Jazmin a
grateful look.

Keara nods, "Oh, aye. Or come visit my sister and just make some down
there. - This's ready to put in the oven, too. And I don't think the
dragons can come watch." She smiles up at the two blues, then looks over at
Timera and starts chuckling again.

Kassima suggests to Jazmin, keeping a straight face, "We'll try pepper.
Might make 'em sneeze with less used. Timera the Human Handkerchief--it
*does* have a bit of a ring, doesn't it?"

Jazmin nods thoughtfully, "Pepper would work well.. small kegs? Snout
sized, just dip and sneeze?"

Cirameth gives Delynth a sidelong glance, and continues his careful
investigation of Timera. He takes a whiff, eyeing her closely--sure she's
covered in, well, dragon snot, but it's not as if she's /completely/ 
covered.

Timera is never going to get her composure back at this rate. Kassi's
comment makes her lean one hand on the table, whooping in laughter.
"Well... it's better than... Kilt!... You're very large... at this angle,"
she tells Cirameth, amused, and gives the dragon a wink. "Admiring your
handiwork?"

Delynth lowers his head down to Timera to give her a good sniff.

Cirameth tilts his head to the side, his outer eyelid lowering over one eye
in a fairly good imitation of her wink. He glances at Ellie, then back,
warbling excitedly. Ellie, having watched the exchange with rapt attention,
steps forward. "Ahh, Timera? He's got something he'd like to ask you."

Kassima defends, "Kilt's a perfectly *good* name--starts with the Fortunate
Letter, too...." At the dragons' continued attention to Timera, though, she
quirks a brow at Jazmin as though asking silently whether the brownrider
thinks they're doing what she thinks they're doing.

Jazmin nods in silent agreement with Kassi, "Yep, I'd guess so."

Timera grins at Kassi, noting cheerfully, "You're biased, K-lady. Hmmm?" An
inquiring look is sent toward Ellwiny as she attempts to mop herself off.

Keara leans forward to tug at the pan. "Ugh. Need to go put this in the
oven." She catches the eye of a resident, and starts to carry the pan
towards the living cavern with hishelp. "Nice," huffhuff, "to meet you all.
Dragons included. I'll call you when this is done."

Kassima's cackle makes her sound disturbingly like M'nty, Burnseth's rider.
"Excellent."

Ellwiny flashes Al'oren a quick grin, and clears her throat. "He wishes to
know if you would do him the honor of Standing for Neith's clutch. Despite
the fact that he sneezed on you." She smiles happily at Timera, while
Cirameth watches the young woman plaintively.

Kassima then waves after the departing Keara and her pan. "G'luck with
getting that into the oven unscathed!" she calls. And then, of course, she
must needs turn and beam at Timera. One of those expectant beams that says
as clear as words, 'What're you waiting for? Say yes!'

Rikanda comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Rikanda wanders on out from the lower caverns, brushing her hair. She
glances about at all the people gathered, and quirks a brow, keeping silent
just now.

Keara walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

That does it. Timmie sobers abruptly to stare at Ellwiny, and swings her
head around to blink at Cirameth. "Would it make you feel better after that
sneeze?" She laughs, nodding at Kassi. "Oh, I'd be so honored! Yes, of
course, yes!"

Delynth lets out a happy bugle at Timera's response.

Telgar Weyr> Rikanda says, "Congrats Timera. :)"

Cirameth settles back onto his haunches, trumpeting his happiness to the
sky. Ellie grins broadly. "Congratulations, candidate."

Rikanda aahs quietly, grinning at Timera. "Congratultaions," she calls,
continuing on her way towards the lake.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima congratulates Timera, too. Dragon-sneeze-covered
Timera. What a way to start Candidacy. ;)

Rikanda walks north.

Telgar Weyr> Jazmin grins, congrats Timera. :)

Telgar Weyr> Maylia waves heya, and congrats, Timera!

Jazmin laughs, "Pack cool clothes, it's shardling hot down there."

Telgar Weyr> Timera says, "Thanks! :)"

Kassima's beam broadens, if possible, and she claps her hands together with
glee. "Fantastic! Just you watch--Telgar-spawned riders are going t'be
infesting Ista soon. Mayhaps *that's* what'll balance the Jhor-Spawn
infestation."

-Now- Timmie looks stunned. "Candidate... Oh wow. Shells! I gotta tell
Lirra, and R'ehn, and let Mama and Dad know... Hot, check... Cool clothes.
Do I own any of those? I'll have to check. Oh! Where's Aurian? I've still
got Aumaylia's toy..."

Ellwiny laughs outright at Kassima, and nods firmly at Jazmin's advice.
"Aye, cool clothes." She plucks at the thick fabric of the skirt and jacket
she's wearing. "Once we get to Ista, I'll be rushing to change out of
these--it's impossible to stand heavy clothes for more than a few minutes,
and even less if you're not used to the climate."

Al'oren just shakes his head slowly from where he stands near Ellwiny.

Kassima nods a fervent agreement to that. "Easier, 'tis, t'be dressing for
warm weather and bearing with cold 'til you get there if'n you can. Else
you'll be sweltered ere you can fair reach the ground."

Timera grins ruefully. "I'll raid Lirra's press. I don't think I've ever
been that far south. Whole new vistas to explore! Are the beaches really
black down there?"

Jazmin nods, "Yep, it's a little disconcerting, although Chaeth loves them,
he likes contrasting instead of blending in with the sand."

Ellwiny nods to Timera. "Aye, they are--all black sand." She grins at
Jazmin. "Cira gets confused by sand that's not black--he's certain that
it's not really sand."

Timera pulls up short. "Really? I thought those were just Harper tales! Oh,
and there's swimming? In the ocean? Sounds like a whole different world."

"Beautiful, they are," Kassima quips. "Lysseth likes both types--the black
offsets her hide, but the lighter makes a cooler place for basking on.
Timera, trust me on this: you have t'be seeing it t'be believing it."

Jazmin nods, "Nothing beats Ista for swimming." she grins to Kassi,
"Chaeth's not often thinking about what makes him look the best, although
every so often he startles me, even after twenty turns."

Kassima admits, "Well, it may be that Lyss likes the effect because I do.
I've always been rather fond of black and green; if'n there were just
something red in the scene t'be matching, 'twould be perfect."

Jazmin suggests, "Nice red straps? Pick the right shade of red and they'd
be striking on her hide."

Timera's eyebrows rise. "Specially when she's glowing."

Ellwiny nods to Kassima, with a soft smile. "You should come down when the
sun's setting, then. It's absolutely breathtaking." She looks at Timera,
grinning. "Honestly, it /is/ a whole different world. It's never cold, for
one thing--why, people who've lived on the island their whole lives tend to
believe that snow's just a Harper tale."

Al'oren mutters to Ellwiny, "... yet... me... the... on..."

Timera grins, eyes twinkling mischievously. "We could take 'em some snow
along with the ice..."

Ellwiny glances at Al'oren, her eyes bright. She mutters to Al'oren, "...
me.... remedy... sometime." 

Kassima's eyes light up at a thought. "Shells--nay red straps, but the
Gather straps would work as well; T'lar made 'em for me when we graduated.
Black and red. I should get as much use as I can from the things, given how
often I oil 'em t'be keeping 'em in good shape." She smiles back at
Ellwiny, then. "I can believe it. Nay Weyr can be more beautiful t'me than
the Snowy Wastes of Benden... but Ista does come close. Ask t'be seeing one
of the black diamonds they gather down there sometime, Timera; they're
rather stunning."

Jazmin nods in quiet agreement with Kassima, "Benden holds a special spot."

Ellwiny looks away from Al'oren, first to smile at Kassima, then turns to
Timera. "We've still got the ice to get. In the meantime, if you'd like to
pack a few things, say goodbye to anyone..."

Al'oren eyes the barrels on Delynth's straps. "Are we still going to pick
up the ice now that a candidate has been found?" Al'oren nods, his question
answered.

Timera nods, and pauses to glance upwards toward the weyr cliffs. "Oh!" She
digs into her pouch for hide, scribbling quickly. "Lirra's visiting the
folks, I think... Kassi, could you give her a note for me? And..." A tiny
wooden carving of a sleeping dragon is produced. "I made this for Aumaylia.
Could you give it to Aurian? Please?"

Kassima nods to Jazmin, expression briefly rueful, then thinks to ask,
"What're you needing ice for, or is that too nosy of me? A'course, Timera."
The carving gets a smile, and is tucked carefully into one of the
greenrider's jacket pockets, as is the note when it's given her. "I'm sure
Aumay will love it--and that Lirra will be positively thrilled. Now I
*have* t'be getting to this Hatching, even if'n we have t'be flying 
straight!"

Jazmin grins to Kassima, "Or bringing a little along."

Timera grins. "Oh, thank you!" She barely refrains from giving the Telgar
riders a hug (and consequently getting dragon snot all over them), and runs
off toward the caverns. "I'll be right back...!"

Timera walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

"We need ice for drinks, and for preserving some of our foodstuffs that
would otherwise melt or go bad," Ellie replies to Kassima. She moves away
to enlist the help of some lower caverns staff in removing the insulated
barrels from the visiting dragon's straps, and carrying them away to be
filled.

"Or bringing a little," Kassima echoes. "Though I'd likely be doing that
anyway--or Simaeva would. Kay, Khari, and Kris are always wild t'go to a
Hatching. Insofar as Kris is *ever* wild per se." Grinning after Timera,
the greenrider murmurs, "This does bring back memories. It always does.
Oh--oh, a'*course*. I should've been guessing that. Must be more tired than
I thought if'n m'brain has deteriorated that far."

Jazmin reaches over to pat the greenrider's shoulder, "Getting late, I know
I'm getting zonked." she grins to the blueriders, "You guys have the
advantage of time zones on us."

Timera comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

The anonymous lower caverns staff members return, bearing full barrels of
ice, and Ellie hurries to help secure two of them to Cirameth's straps.
After checking and rechecking to make sure they're secure, she returns to
the group. "Ready, Timera?"

Kassima chuckles quietly, bobbing her head in an assent. "Doesn't help that
I tire out faster these days, either. Can't say that too loudly, though, or
Lyss will start t'nag." As Timera re-emerges, she calls to her, "Got
everything you want t'be taking?"

Al'oren also scrambles up to make sure that the barrels on Delynth get
securely fastened to the blue.

Timera runs back out, clothes threatening to spill out of the sack hastily
slung over her shoulder, and harried by the bronzeling flitting excitedly
about her head. "Ready! Yep!" She's much more snot-free, though her hair
still bears the aftereffects of the sneeze.

Jazmin grins to the greenrider, "I leave the nagging to Lyss then." she
grins, watching Timera, "Take care, enjoy yourself, swim lots."

"And be sure t'say heyla to G'har for me?" Kassi thinks to ask. "He's the
one who gave Khari those underpants t'be giving Kilt when he was born;
mayhaps Lirra told you about 'em."

Al'oren looks over to Timera, smiling at the girl.

Ellwiny smiles happily at Timera, then looks at Kassi and Jazmin. "Thank
you for your hospitality. I'll have to make it a point to visit Telgar more
often."

Timera's eyebrows shoot up. "He did, did he?" She giggles. "Oh, I'll make
sure to say... hello. Oh! Y'all have to make sure Keara snags I'sai! I
didn't get a chance to put our plan into effect. But you have to be
-subtle-, cause we don't want I'sai hiding under tables." She finally comes
to a halt, bouncing.

Jazmin grins, "Come back anytime, we'll repay the favour and inflict
ourselves upon Ista, I'm sure."

J'lyn chuckles and looks at his outfit. "Subtlety is not a Greenrider 
trait."

Jazmin grins to J'lyn, "This is a good thing." she winks.

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "And if THAT isn't one of the Universal Truths,
NOTHING is..."

Kassima sobers for a moment, and gives a single, firm shake of her head. "I
don't do matchmaking," she says simply. "But mayhaps someone else will take
up the task. Best of luck t'you--and Jal, you've spoken only too rightly."
Stifling a chuckle, she grins over to Ellwiny. "'Twas a pleasure t'be
meeting you, certes--both of you." She nods to Al'oren, too. "'Tis as
Jazmin says; visitors are always welcomed, if'n they're willing t'brave the
cold."

Ellwiny smiles at Jazmin. "We'd be happy to have you, just as long as you
bring some baklava." A wink, and then she nods to Kassi. "Aye, a pleasure
indeed. Hope to see you at the Hatching, if not sooner."

Al'oren is quiet as he's sort of drifted back to his lifemate's side.

Jazmin grins to Ellwiny, "Deal. I try and send some down to Yaz now and
then, when we have it here as a treat." she chuckles, "It's a Mom thing."

Timera giggles. "Baklava's a good price for anything. Oh! Kassi! Are you
going to be able to come? With being pregnant and all?" She just -has- to
snicker at J'lyn's comment. "Is the ice all tied on tight and all?" she
calls after Al'oren. "Don't want it falling off in between and all, 
probably."

"At the Hatching, and to the Hatching, aye," Kassima promises. "Cross
m'heart and hope t'die, stick a dagger in L'cher's eye. We'll fly straight
if'n we have to, but how else am I t'be collecting m'marks when the Telgar
Contingent Impresses?"

Jazmin smiles innocently to Kassi, "I'd be pleased to work as a collector
for you." she chuckles.

J'lyn eyes Kassi. "Fly straight all that way? Not with -my- children."

Ellwiny laughs and moves over to Cirameth's side, one hand reaching up for
his riding straps.

Ellwiny pats Cirameth's neck affectionately and grabs ahold of the riding
straps, then pulls herself up to the blue's neck in one smooth motion.

Al'oren gives a wave to those around. "Thank you for your hospitality. I
hope to visit again soon."

J'lyn crosses his arms across his massive chest. "Grounded means
-grounded-, Wingleader."

Timera beams in relief. "It'll be good to see you there, Kassi. And maybe a
green'll Hatch first, just to let you collect!" She pauses to take a last
look around with only a little sniffle- Telgar's acquired that homey
feeling- before looking up to Ellwiny.

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn oohs, Jaly's pullin' rank. ;)

Jazmin waves to Al'oren and Ellwiny, "Clear skies!"

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn waits for the explosion from Kassi. ;)

Al'oren climbs up Delynth's extended forlimb, eyes twinkling as he settles
into the riding straps between his dragon's neckridges.

Telgar Weyr> Jazmin wishes she had a riot shield to hide behind.

Kassima blanches at the use of the plural. "I'm hoping Ryi's wishes about
triplets *won't* be coming true, Jal," she points out, dry as Igen's sands.
"But what's the harm? You know Lyss. She'd throw fits if'n I tried t'do
aught dangerous." Eyes widening, she protests, "But--but--" Yes, horrified
would be a good word. No word's dirtier to Kassi than 'grounded,' unless
it's 'ma'am.' "But that's nay *fair*!" she wails. Lysseth rumbles a 
parting to the visitors in her rider's stead; *she's* more approving than 
appalled.

From Cirameth's neckridges, Ellwiny fastens her riding straps and leans a
bit to one side, waving to the riders on the ground. "Clear skies," she
echoes, and smiles down at Timera. "Coming?"

Timera grabs ahold of the riding straps and is boosted up to Cirameth's
neck with the aid of the blue's helpfully extended foreleg.

Jazmin chuckles, "The eggs are not even hard yet, cant this wait until the
dragons start humming and see if Kassi's spawned by then?"

J'lyn quirks an eyebrow at the Thunderbolt Wingleader after waving a
goodbye to those leaving. "Grounded, girly. And who ever said life was
fair? It's for your own -- and the unborn's -- own good."

Telgar Weyr> Aurian fears

From Cirameth's neckridges, Timera scrambles aboard, batting at the
bronzeling until he settles down on her shoulder. "No, he's not going to
sneeze again!" She waves down to the riders, though her eyes widen a bit at
the confrontation between Kassi and J'lyn, and hastily works on buckling
straps about her, muttering about rides on Kaath.

From Cirameth's neckridges, Ellwiny smiles over her shoulder at Timera,
while one hand reaches out to shake first the left, then the right, ice
barrel. Better safe than sorry. "I see you've done this before," she
comments, watching Timera handle the straps. Cirameth cranes his head
around, watching over the two like a mother hen.

From Cirameth's neckridges, Timera grins wryly. "Lirra made me learn how.
She said I bounced too much when Kaath gave me a lift to her weyr."

"I've borne three bonny, healthy children already, and flew straight plenty
with each, and gone *between* in the months when 'tis allowed," Kassima
argues, stuffing her hands into her pockets so the clenched fists won't be
visible. She's maintaining her best 'respectful neutrality' voice, but it's
a bit strained. "D'you think I don't know how t'be taking care of m'self by
now?" And is that snickering that can be heard from Lysseth's direction?
Sadistic beast.

Jazmin shakes her head, looking tween J'lyn and Kassima, "No weapons, try
and keep the blood to a minimum, I'm going to bed." she heads off towards
the centre of the bowl.

From Cirameth's neckridges, Ellwiny casts a half-glance down at the arguing
riders on the ground, her lips quirking up into a slight smirk. "Well, off
we go, then," she comments, turning to face forward. Cirameth moves a bit
away from the people in the bowl, and crouches.

The other dark eyebrow raises to join the first. "Do I need to take away
your flight straps and your flight proveleges completely until you've given
birth?" Ooh, he's treading thin now.

Jazmin walks north.

Cirameth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him
aloft.

Delynth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him
aloft.

Kassima's breath hisses in a swift intake, and green eyes widen before she
can force her expression calm again. "Wouldn't that be rather
counterproductive?" she inquires, mildly. Or an attempt at mildly. "'Twould
nay do t'be more out of flight-shape than need be when I fly with the Wing
again. Nor would it do for Lysseth nay t'be flying. Unhealthy for sound
dragons t'be ground-bound so long. Long flights would probably be *good*
for her." Lyss covers her head briefly with one wing. Can't Kassi leave her
out of this?

J'lyn looks over at Lysseth. "She's a thinking being on her own. She knows
how to keep herself in shape, and Lorieth and I can run her on solo flight
drills. Just nothing *between* will happen. And as for you staying
flightworthy, there are PLENTY of exercises that we can get the Healers to
show you in order to keep you slim and trip, Kassi-luv." What was that?!?
Where did THAT come from?

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn grins. This is fun! Kassi's gonna wanna KILL me! :)

Kassima's mouth opens; closes. Okay, she can't argue that first point.
"'Tisn't right for a dragon t'be flying without her rider," she mutters
unhappily. "And *Healers*--Faranth, can't we leave *Healers* out of this?
They're a boil on the rump of humanity!" Welcome to Steel Magnolias? "And
I'm nay counting on slim for long, but--" Blink. Blink. Kassi evidently has
no idea where that came from, either, given her brief poleaxed chicken
expression. "Uh." Articulate, ain't she?

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Oh, no kidding. And she'll be proddy soon. ;)"

Must be the proddy talking. Hmmm... "As I said, Kassi," J'lyn continues,
"No flying. I'm pretty certain i can get A'lex and Kindre's go-ahead on
this, and by the look of her, Lysseth won't set one foot off the ground if
we tell her that you can't." He shrugs his thick bare shoulders. "And
besides, we don't need you or the children getting hurt." This last is said
softly, with tenderness creeping in. Dear Faranth, make it stop!!

Desperate hope flashes in dark green eyes for a moment. A'lex! Yes! A'lex
will be sane! Oh, wait... strike that. A'lex is a bronzer. Despair creeps
in again. "Kin would trust me t'be knowing how t'take care of m'self,"
Kassi can't resist pointing out, with a brief baleful glance at her dragon
that would suggest Lyss is silently agreeing with that 'not set foot'
thing. But then, of course, it's back to being poleaxed and doing her
speedboat motor impersonation: "But, but, but--" Good at it, isn't she?
"But *'twouldn't*. Get hurt, I mean. 'Tis just *flying*...." Able to stand
up well to adversity, she's somewhat at a loss when it comes up to standing
up to concern. This is just plain scary.

J'lyn runs his hand down Kassi's arm. What in the name of little green
apples has taken OVER the man?!? "I mean it, Kassi, no flying. Please. For
your sake, for the children's sake and for my sanity."

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn hees! Oh, I widh the Bowl was +watchable... It's turned
into a soap opera down here. As My Stomach Turns. ;)

Pliarth backwings for a landing.

Kassima can't answer that question. She is completely and entirely
confused, as is evident by the way a vtol could fly down her throat right
now without her noticing. With some effort, she manages to shut her jaw.
"At least flying to the ledge and back," she pleads. No, she's not agreeing
to the rest. She'll take it up with 'Lex at first opportunity. But there's
no need to *say* that. From the sidelines, Lysseth warbles a merry greeting
to Pliarth. She's enjoying her rider's confusion entirely too much.

Pliarth warbles a merry greeting to Lysseth in return, while her rider
tries to figure out the way down that's the least jarring. After a few
moments thought, there's a rather long dismount, and Ryi lets out her
breath as she finds herself safely on the ground.

Ryialla quickly slides down Pliarth's foreleg and jumps to the ground. She
turns to pet Pliarth's muzzle and grins as she gets soundly whuffled.

J'lyn hms. "Well, maybe to your ledge and back. If I hear ONE bad thing
from Lysseth about how you're coping, you're moving to a guest weyr for the
duration."

Ever see that desperate look wild animals get when you put them in cages?
That's Kassi's expression right now. Combined with a healthy dose of
general bemusement and 'What the shards is going on here'-ness. "Oh,
shells, aught but *that*," she breathes in horror at the very thought. Oh,
but wait! Here's Ryi! Someone sane! And here's a short pause while we all
die laughing. "Ryi! Ryi! You've been flying straight t'places, haven't you?
And the Healers haven't said 'tis harming you any, right?" Agree with this,
her eyes beg.

Telgar Weyr> Aurian blinks

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Someone SANE, Kassi?!?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Thus the short pause while we all die laughing,
Jal. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Ryialla sighs. I am perfectly sane. It's the rest of you that
are all nuts.

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn cackles. Yeah, sure, ya betcha!

Ryialla blinks, and looks between Kassi and J'lyn, slightly confused. Then
it sinks in what they must be talking about, and she ahs sagely. "Of course
I've been flying straight to places. Healer said as long as I take care of
myself, it's fine." Mind you, given the way she's been looking, perhaps
she's not been taking as good care of herself as she should've. "That is,
until I get to heavy to get up and down Pliarth. Then I get to move into a
guest weyr." From the time it took her to get down, she's likely moving
into one soon.

J'lyn looks at Kassi. "There, you see? No. I know how you get. No.
Absolutely not.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Given that this convo is about not being able
to fly, I'm amused that 'Outbound Plane' is what's playing on WinAmp right
now. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Timera snickers.

"Know how I get? How do I get?" Kassima demands, starting to get frantic.
"I've done this a'fore. Three times. The Healers never had any complaints
with me." Mostly because she never went *near* the Healers after the
initial diagnosis and until the birth, but. "And think of M'kla. I'd be
willing t'wager she travelled, and M'kon turned out fine, didn't he?"
M'kon, who made the bet with Ryi that resulted in Mr. Flibble. Maybe not
the best example she could've used.

J'lyn just quirks a brow. Again, with the brow-quirking. "You get
spiderclawish, bovine-headed, and deaf. You don't hear anything that anyone
tells you, and you do whatever you want. And as for M'kon, would you like
to rethink that?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Of course, the irony of this is, Kassi's ten
times more likely to do something crazy and hurt herself if she's grounded.
There's little in the way of potential boredom relief that she wouldn't
try. ;) ("Ooh! I know! I'll learn those tricks with walking through fire
and sitting on nails! Practicing that will kill a few hours!" ;)"

Ryialla snorts. "And, what, exactly, is wrong with M'kon, J'lyn? He's a
fine lad - turned out wonderful." Even if he made the mistake of betting
with Ryi. Still - she's older and craftier. "And Kassi'll be perfectly
fine. She knows better than to do aught that'll hurt th'babe."

Kassima wants to know, "When do I do that? When I'm proddy?" Well, yes.
"He's normal enough... for a man who makes bets involving Ryi singing. Um.
All right, mayhaps you have a point, where he's concerned--if'n *only*
where he's concerned."

J'lyn says "By Faranth, Kassima," Ooh, he used her full name.... "I swear
I'll have you confined to the Infirmary and let Ushu yammer at you for the
next fwe Months." His eyes soften slightly. "Just please do this."

Telgar Weyr> Aurian grins at kassima, "Rodeo? Feel like riding a 
herdbeast..

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "STOP that, Aurian. I'll come to your weyr in my
ProddyClothes."

Telgar Weyr> Aurian eeks and has Kvasith block the entrance.

Ryialla scratches her head for a moment, then asks, "Um? What, exactly, are
we talking about, here? Kassi not flying straight?" MeddlingRyi is in the
house.

Kassima winces quite visibly at *that* idea. And then... it must be
hormones. Gotta be hormones. Because a non-hormonal Kassi would never
suddenly look nearly ready to cry, even at the prospect of being grounded.
Then again, maybe she would at the prospect of months of Ushu. "But I'll go
*crazy*. There's nay that much hidework, and the kidlets would rather
travel when they're nay in lessons, and Lyss will be busy flying *without*
me...." Boredom. It's Kassi's worst nightmare.

Kassima then manages to pause being horrified long enough to nod to Ryi.

J'lyn says "Kassi, if you can promise me that you won't go flying anywhere
by yourself, as in an escort will go with you, then you can keep your
straps until you can't roll yourself up on Lysseth."

Oooooh, calling her fat, too. J'lyn's not winning any greenie points.

Ryialla narrows her eyes at J'lyn. Being fat already, that is.

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "And for tonight's main event we have the
loudmouth proddy greenrider versus the two pregnant greenriders! 
*dingsing*"

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "oh gawd"

Telgar Weyr> Aurian is staying in her weyr

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Run like hell, kids. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina goes AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa at +flights. Good grief.
Haven't you people ever heard of moderation??? :)

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn beams.

Telgar Weyr> Keira says, "That'll be a no, then."

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "I guess. :)"

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "A MONTH of TGW Proddiness. Run fast, run far, run
NOW."

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "Enh. If any one of you is worse than Leilanth
ever does to rina, well. :)"

Telgar Weyr> Ryialla says, "You are all very lucky I just had one. A
pregnant and proddy Ryi would be a /bad/ thing."

Telgar Weyr> Maylia grins at Rina. Moderwhat?

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina laughs.

Telgar Weyr> Aurian pats poor Kvasith, "Poor thing is going to be to tired
to do anything

"An escort," Kassi repeats. But this repetition is more thoughtful and
hopeful than appalled, unlike the rest of the things she's been echoing
tonight. "I can promise that, aye. And I never get *that*, err, round."
'Course, she's never had twins before, either.

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "He'll love every minute of it too."

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Aurian, if you win either my flight or K'nan's
flight..... *BIG Evil grin*"

Telgar Weyr> Maylia heyheys, no big evil grin if Kvasith catches Tierth?

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Maylia can't get Aurian pregnant. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Aurian fears she's never won a flight of a male greenrider
before.

Telgar Weyr> Aurian grins, "Don't worry may, if Kvasith catches Tierth it
will be the usual evil giggles of pleasure

Telgar Weyr> Maylia ahhhhs. :) hmmmm. Wonder if Tas'd mind May getting
preggers... bout time they had a kidlet...

Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "I certainly think so."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima oohs. Do it, May, do it! Peer pressure!

Telgar Weyr> Ryialla nods. Do it when Kassi's 5 months along. Continue the
chain!!!

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn gawds. That's too much pregnancy at TGW....

Telgar Weyr> Kassima .o0(Telgar doesn't have chain *letters*. It has
something much worse.)

Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "Baby BOOOM"

Telgar Weyr> Ryialla giggles at J'lyn. "You must have not been here last
time Ryi got pregnant. Something rather similiar to this happened."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "This is nothing, Jal. The first time I spawned,
there were about five of us at once. P'tran wound up +bbposting pleading
for no more spawn. ;)"

Ryialla's glowery expression fades - after all, he didn't call /Ryi/ fat.
At least, not directly. "An escort? Suppose that wouldn't be too bad.." She
seems to be commenting to herself, more than anything else.

"Depends on the escort," Kassi quips to Ryi, "but overall, methinks that
could work. We could still commission that cake for L'cher t'be leaping out
of with the underpants for Mart, mayhaps." Okay, that could possibly be the
most utterly bizarre statement of the day.

Ryialla corrects Kassi, "Tent peg. The underwear's just the drawings,
remember?" No, J'lyn. You don't want to know.

J'lyn doesn't wanna know.

Kassima scratches her head. "Oh, aye, that's right. And t'go on top of the
cake. Mayhaps we should have L'cher wear a pair on his head, if'n 'twill
fit over the costume." You really don't wanna know. "And I can go to the
Ista Hatching, hopefully--that's *very* good. There're lots of marks t'be
made there!" And Impressions to see, but she's a woman of *priorities*.

Ryialla puts a hand on her slightly protruding abdomen, and says wistfully,
"I may not be able to go. Depends on when it happens." Twisting her mouth
some, she says, "Although, if I have to, I could always take a wagon.."

"Hopefully only after you spawn," Kassima says, sounding sympathetic, as
well she might. "If'n nay, aye, a wagon, and I could have Kay handle your
bets for you if'n all else fails. She's got the touch." The latter words
are muffled by a yawn, however, which leaves her blinking in vague
surprise. "Oh, shells. Meant t'be in bed hours agone, when I forgot what
Istans would need *ice* for. If'n 'twill both excuse me, I should likely
sleep a'fore I drop off standing upright."

J'lyn nods and yawns as well. "I should head that way myself."

Ryialla nods, and says, "Clear skies, both of you. Wish I could sleep.
Suppose I'll go stare at the hearth for awhile." She smiles, but it's
lacking something. With a wave, she continues on to her original 
destination.

Ryialla walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Kassima bobs her head, and strides for her dragon, grabbing hold of
Lysseth's straps and scrambling up. "Sleep well, Jal." A glance towards
that leather clothing, then towards Lorieth. "If'n you can." A concerned
look is directed after Ryi, and she watches the LC entrance for a moment or
two after the greenrider passes through it before sighing, murmuring
something cryptic about idiot blueriders, and signalling Lyss aloft.

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

<*> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up
dust as she takes to the skies.

You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor
to carry you aloft.