-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Threadfall Over Half-Circle Sea Hold Date: January 19, 1996 Places: Benden Weyr's Living Cavern, Southern Bowl, and Outer Infirmary; Half-Circle Sea-Hold's Skyspace Game: PernMUSH Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kassi's Note: For some reason the gods alone know, I've decided to hunt through my oldest logs to find some worth posting; that's why this one is being put up over six years after it happened. :) It takes place during Kassi's Candidate period. There's Threadfall due, and the task of the riders is clear, but how the Candidates can help them is a bit less obvious. Plenty of fetching and carrying ensues, along with some general panicking when Weyrwoman Jehrina returns with a serious 'score. Everything preceded by Benden Bowl> actually takes place in the sky over Half-Circle; also, I feel obliged to warn that this is another of those logs posted for posterity rather than because my RP was anything to shake a stick at. ;) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: Benden Weyr> <R'val> Vidarth grabs Kassima and Meli, and dunks them like donuts in milk, repeatedly...Whee 8-) Meli walks here from the Inner Cavern. Ursa walks here from the Inner Cavern. Benden Weyr> Kassima splutters and splashes the Dunkin' Dragon. :) Meli returns, and waves. "Evening, folks!" she says merrily. Ursa slinks in behind Meli, and waves lazily. Kassima waves to Meli and Ursa. "Heyla! Did you get all your veggies murdured, Meli?" she asks, grinning. Rosslynn walks off towards the kitchen. Benden Weyr> Maarie quietly sneaks away hoping Vidarth won't see her. Jereth nods. "Remember what I said about thinking about how others see things? All right. She's a dragonrider, who in her opinion probably should be out fighting Thread. Instead, she's stuck with a bunch of kids who have no idea about anything in the Weyr. Half of them are wasting her time -- they won't Impress. She doesn't know which will and which won't, but she's apt to be short-tempered with all of them. In her mind, you have to /prove/ yourselves and earn her respect." Rosslynn walks in from the kitchen. Benden Weyr> Flannery says, "Hey R'val! Just say 'It's Worth The Trip' and you can get twice as many Dunkin Candidates." Meli laughs. "You always have such unusual ways t'say things, Kassi! But yeh, got'm all chopped for now." Benden Weyr> R'val's eyes light up, "What an idea!!!!!!" Kassima chuckles. "Good. You know, I'm starting to favor the idea of carving all the veggies into miniature tunnelsnakes and calling it 'snake stew. Better than the real thing, anyway!" Salless looks delighted and bustles over to tell you the latest. Salless whispers, "Here's what I have heard. Have you seen the way that greenrider has been acting? She's behaving more like a randy _bronze_ rider than a green. Also, that weyrbrat's beeen sniffin' round the Canddidates again....seems there's a Smith wanting to redecorate his face 'cause of it. I declare, someone should settle that young man down, and _hold_ him there! Did you hear the other night, three candidates came in, as drunk as you please! In front of the Weyrleader, no less! They were given extra latrine duty, well overdue, in my opinion. Have you noticed that the blue and his rider who seem to know where every greenflight on Pern is? Well, he missed his own weyrmates! What could that mean? What's all this talk lately about tunnelsnake stew? As if I'd ever serve such a thing! Well, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it with my own two ears! That bluerider said he was just a fool in love. It must be the spring-like weather. I wonder just how many more people are around the weyr are going ot be saying that? My nephew T'bin is in an aweful stitch of trouble, but he's a good boy at heart. There is someone about spreading nasty and untrue rumors about one of our nicest candidates. When I find them, I'll beat their knuckles with a spoon. F'hlan's been coming out more recently. Does my heart good to seem him out and about. Some crazy starcrafter told me the Dawn Sisters were really ships sailing in the sky. Wherry's teeth! " Rickon grins. "Why not?" Rickon says "And I was the one murdering veggies." Meli tsk tsks teasingly as she shakes her head. "Kassi, Kassi, Kassi. You've got ideas almost as unusual as Thera's" she says, eyes twinkling. She nods politely to the strangers, and waves sorta to Tareen. Jereth nods back to Meli. Tareen chuckles, "that would be creative" she says softly. You say "Aye, but Meli was chopping them today as well. And my ideas aren't like Thera's--I don't think dragons should carry big tanks of water and dump those on Thread, for instance." Tareen waves to Meli, glad she's not 'really' a stranger. Rickon laughs. "That one was a classic." Ginlear waves to all in room. Meli grabs a mug of citron juice and plunks down near the group. Ursa snatches herself a sweet roll and plops down with a grin. Ginlear goes home. Kassima rolls her eyes. "Aye, 'twas that. I don't know where she gets those Ideas." She chuckles. Maarie grins to Jereth and whispers to him. Meli leans forward a bit. She mutters to Tareen, "... you... M'name's Meli" Rickon says "I thought the comment about dragons being no more intelligent than canines was an even stupider one." Jereth ummms and whispers back to Maarie. Rosslynn says "bye guys" Tareen mutters to Meli. Jereth gasps at Rickon. "Who said /that/?" Rosslynn looks slightly sad Tareen nods and smiles to Meli. Meli grins and nods. "Welcome t'Benden, then." She turns at Jereth's gasp. Ursa raises an eyebrow at Rickon, "Who was suggesting that?" Kassima nods emphatically. "More like misguided than stupid, though." She shrugs. "I don't know how she could think that, even so." Rickon says "Thera. A /Candidate/, would you believe?" Jereth gasps. "I'm not a Candidate, and even I know better. Considering that Pavanth understood every word I said to him," he adds. Rosslynn walks up and pecks Jereth on the cheek.. "See ya blind boy.." Rosslynn stomps out of the room. Tareen chuckles, "my master would kill me if I were searched." Meli runs a finger along her chin. "Eh, well, in Thera's defense, maybe she was referrin' to how they don't remember that long." She trails off as someone stomps out. Jereth shakes his head and looks totally confused. "Ummm," he says. "I'll be back. Tareen looks around, "She'd skin me if she thought I was here alone too!" Meli grins. "Master Susaen?" You say "Or maybe she just has a very, very high opinion of canine intellect." Tareen nods and smiles to Meli, "Aye indeed!" Kassima starts chuckling suddenly, remembering the scene with "Ed" at the mine. Jereth walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Meli takes a drink of her juice, then comments "Eh, she's an interesting one too. What's she like t'work for?" Maarie sips her klah. Tareen nods to Kassima, "Aye, and she..."lowers her voice a little, "has told me all about dragon riders." she looks a little confused about what stories to believe. Tareen says "Oh, she's a good Master, very fair, and protective of her people.!" Rickon says "She's just short-sighted, that's all." Tareen nods, "Aye, a bit, but she's one of the best people I know!" Kassima smiles. "Oh, I remember what she was saying about 'riders to Lily when she was here. I don't think all of it's true, though you might do better to ask a 'rider." She grins. Veyon walks in from the bowl. Veyon comes in and waves, then smiles to Maarie, walking quietly towards her. Rickon grins. "Depends on the 'rider. I do know one or two that might try to 'deflower' Lily. Maarie is staring off into space, taking the occasional sip of her klah. R'val walks in from the bowl. Tareen nods, "That's what master Susaen said to watch out for." She casts a pale silver eye around. R'val waves cheerily as he ambles on in, heading for his usual seat, "Hi gang." Kassima waves to Veyon. Kassima grins and waves to R'val, giving him a nod. "Heyla, R'val." Tareen nods politely to R'val "Evening, -sir-" Meli calls at R'val, grinning. You say "Aye, but everything depends on the person, doesn't it? Can't make generalizations, and all that...." Veyon kneeels down in front of Maarie, and leans forward to meep her nose. Rickon says "Right. I know one or two non-riders who might try it as well." Tareen holds up her hands innocently, "Tis just what I was told mind ya!" Maarie shakes her head and frowns slightly, "Hello, Veyon." Kassima says dryly, "As do I. There are people everywhere who might, 'riders or no, aye?" Veyon cocks an eyeebrow, "Something wrong, Maarie?" R'val flashes a grin individually to all the ones who say hello to him as he pours himself a mug of klah, "H'llo you all, how goes it?" Rickon says "The only safe generalisation about 'riders is that all greenriders are pains when their dragons are proddy." Veyon remarks, "Wrong." Veyon says "Katrina wasn't...and Ryi hasn't been, really." Meli mouths "Goes fine" at R'val as she watches the discussion. R'val frowns deeply at the mention of the word 'rpoddy'. Rickon says "Ryi was glaring at everyone in sight the other day." R'val flicks a quick smile at Meli. You say "Goes well, thanks! Been an interesting day, all told." Veyon says "An' she and I talked for a good hour, too. She was nice." Maarie tucks a stray curl behind her ear and stays quiet. Veyon looks back at Maarie. Ursa waves lazily, 'Evening R'val." R'val smiles at Ursa, 'H'llo Ursa. How go the chores?" Maarie whispers to Veyon. Ursa grins and shrugs, "Keeps me busy, that they do. Have any errands you need?" Veyon cocks an eyebrow, "Says who?" R'val shakes his head with a grin to Ursa,' No no, by all means stay seated.." Maarie frowns, "Says I," she says confidently. Ursa waves her sweetroll at R'val with a grin, "You're too kind, sir." Rickon grins at R'val. "Hello, rider. How's Vidarth?" Veyon frowns slightly. "Fine then. See 'f I care." He stands, and literally stalks out. "Women. Shardin' women." Veyon walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. R'val grins back, "Hey Rickon. Vidarth? He's fine." Tareen stands, "I belive I should find out where that Jurneymen went to. Good day everyone." she says softly leaving the room. Maarie frowns as she watches Veyon leave. She takes another sip of her klah. Meli watches the comings and goings and shrugs. Rickon sighs, his mood slipping again. Tareen waves to Rickon. Kassima grins. "Has he been drowning anymore Candies? Does the Lake need to be dredged?" Tareen walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. R'val rolls his eyes at Kassima, "You know he eats the ones he drowns, Kassi." He winks teasingly. Ursa snorts at R'val. "I thought that was Tyrrath's job." Kassima gulps and acts frightened, then grins. "Mmmmm, Candidate stew. Sounds enticing." Rickon just laughs. "You know, we should do that snake stew some time." You say "The one with the carved vegetables? I do like the idea. When the veggies are boiled for the stew, they'll get flexible and more like actual tunnelsnakes...." R'val's eyes alight as he grins mock-ferally at Kassima, "It is! I've had some." He licks his lips, "It's delicious." Rickon grins. "Why not? It's not as if it would be a bad thing. I don't mind veggie stew." Kassima wrinkles her nose. "Well, you'd best be washing off those Candidates afore you make your stew. Especially if they've been cleaning the stables or doing firestone." She chuckles. "Who makes the stew for you?" You say "It might take a bit more work than usual, but I think it sounds fun. I can carve tunnelsnakes in the fingerroots--they look weird, and not very frightening, but they *are* barely recognizable as tunnelsnakes." Rickon grins. "Just don't tell Alyssa. She'd go through the roof." R'val winks at Kassima, "What do you think I have Vidarth dunk you so thoroughly for?" You say "Oh, aye! And we can't be offering her a bowl, either. Wouldn't want to scare her out of the Living Cavern." Meli just sits and sips her juice, a smile visible around the edge of the mug. Kassi's always so...so...exuberant. Kassima chortles. "So that's your dastardly plan--to cook the Candidates! Listen, you'll need to leave one alive who can cook, right?" Rickon grins. "Straps and snakes." Maarie sets her empty mug on the table and listens to the various conversations in the cavern. Rickon grins. "Actually, the Sands will cook us...at least, from what I hear, we'll be pretty cooked by the time it's over." Maarie nods, "I'll have to resole my boots because of walking on the sands today." Kassima laughs, "Aye, of course, but you'll be needing a living Candidate to add spices and the like. Hmmmm. Wonder if Candidates would make good meatrolls?" She grins. "Sand-baked Candidates... sounds like an exotic delicacy." Rickon grins. Maarie laughs softly. Benden Weyr> P'tran is not sure he's going to get a strong showing for the Fall this evening rider-wise. Hmm Meli starts to hum softly into the quiet. Then she stops, and says "Hey, Kassi, write any new songs lately?" You say "New ones? Nope, I'm still trying to get good inspiration. The only ones I've got now are "The Lay of the Lair in the Latrines," "The Tuber," and "Three Drunken Maidens and a Klah Pot."" Rickon says "Three drunken maidens?" Meli grins. "We should have a talent night 'fore th'hatching. Maybe some of th'riders or residents could sing or dance too..." she chuckles. Kassima nods. "It's a loooooong story, involving Holly of Ruatha, Aphrael, and myself--the three drunken maidens--and Thera and Martigan. Plus an infamous Ruathan drudge." Rickon says "Yeah...that would be a good idea. Just don't ask me to sing." Ursa makes a lil face at Meli. "I'll just parade around in my old clothes and every one'll laugh." R'val sips at his klah and murmurs, "Candidate meatrolls? REally Vidarth? Well..if you want.." Kassima casts a wary glance at R'val, then goes back to the discussion. "I could possibly be singing some, or piping, but I'm no dancer. Never even tried. Hmmm... maybe we could get an artist to show off some of their pictures or something. And that's when we could serve our tunnelsnake stew." R'val winks at Kassi as she glances at him, then turns his attention to the discussion. Rickon says "The only thing I can do is carve things out of tubers." You say "Maybe you could do tuber-carvings of riders, then... that sounds kind of fun, actually." Rickon grins. "P'tran didn't seem to object to the one of Laerth." R'val acks, "I've been carved before, I don't want that happening again, oy." Brooke walks here from the Inner Cavern. Meli casts a glance at R'val. "D'you have any hidden talents?" Kassima laughs. "You've been the subject of a tuber carving, R'val?" She waves to Brooke. R'val hrms? at Meli, "No, not really. Most of mine are pretty open. Healing, mostly.' He grins. R'val nopes to Kassima, "A wood carving actually, but still." Brooke bounces into the living cavern. She smiles at all the other candidates, inclining her head slightly towards the bluerider. She goes over and hugs Ursa briefly. Meli shakes her head and finishes her juice. "Heyla, Brooke." R'val smiles towards BBrooke. Kassima grins. "I don't think anyone'd be willing to cut themselves and have you heal them to show off your talents, so...." She pauses, quirking a smile. "I take it this was a bad carving?" Rickon says "I wonder what happened to the tuber-Laerth. Guess somebody ate it." R'val grimaces at Kassima, "I should hope they wouldn't be. Well..sort of bad. It caught me at an awkward moment." He grins. You say "Probably Thera. I don't understand how any relative of mine can eat raw tubers." Maarie waves to Brooke. Ursa grins at Brooke, getting her sweetroll out of the way before it gets hugsmeared. Kassima chuckles and decides she's not going to ask. Rickon says "None of us understand Thera." Brooke gerins over, hearing this conversation. "Hey..If you want, I'll reopen one of my felines scratches, if you really want me to." she grins evilly. Rickon mutters one word, 'Hair', under his breath. R'val eyes Kassima, knowing she might be thinking something, "It caught me just after a bunch of candidates had dumped wherry eggs over my head." Kassima breaks out laughing. "Wherry eggs on your head? A sculpture of that?" Maarie rubs her upper arm at the mention of felines. Meli laughs, and rises to get some more juice. "Anyone want anything while I'm up?" Brooke smirks over at Rickon, and still hugs Ursa. R'val nods slowly, "Ayup." He can't help a grin, "They did indeed..." R'val grins, "One of the candidates, Halden, made the sculpture." Rickon says "Wherry eggs?" Kassima finds the mental picture of such a sculpture incredibly amusing and chortles uncontrollably. R'val nods to Rickon, "Yes. Wherry eggs. Salless was very upset at the waste." Benden Weyr> R'val eeks. Was it wherry eggs or chickeN? I can't remember. R'val sticks his tongue out at Kassima and grins, "I almost asked Halden if I could keep it..." Brooke giggles. "He musta been a real deadglow." Rickon starts laughing. Benden Weyr> Ursa says, "chicken eggs are really rare. some one who'd waste 'em on some one's head would be in trouble :)" Benden Weyr> R'val nods. That was the whole debate about the matter, Ursa. :) Benden Weyr> Brooke hrmms...A rotten firelizard egg? :) Kassima puts her head on the table, laughing silently. "Wish you had!" she snickers. "Then we could all see it, maybe." R'val grimaces, "Enh, I don't think so. If I'd kept it, no one'd ever stop snickering.." Rickon says "If anyone did that to me, I'd burn it...not let future generations of dragon candy see it." R'val grins, "Besides, Halden wanted to keep it." Kassima can't stop snickering anyway. "I should be more sympathetic," she chuckles, "since I'd hate to become the subject of such a work m'self...." Brooke ughs for a moment. "I sketch, but don't do sculputres." she giggles. Rickon says "Me too." R'val grins at Kassima, "You're lucky you don't have Elyandra in your candidate group." Meli watches, then practices snickering a while. Rickon says "Oh?" Maarie laughs at the thought of Ely as a Candie. Brooke peers over at Rickon, eyeing him. " Oh? Like what do you sketch?" Kassima wipes tears of laughter from her eyes and says, "Why's that?" still laughing incessantly. R'val grins, "Because it was her idea, Kassi." R'val shakes his head mournfully, "A poor weyrhealer, victimized." Ursa makes a face. "I... ah.. I can.. I can..." She grins foolishly. "Guess I can't do anything but saddle up a runner." Kassima chortles. "Fortunately, none here seem quite that evil." She sniggers again. Rickon says "Nope...unless you count Myra." You say "Brooke, you know, you ought to do a sketch of all of us after we've been bathing dragons--or during--'cause I bet it'd be really funny... what about Myra?" Meli returns, mug refilled, and settles down again. "Which one's Myra? I get some of 'em confused still." Portock walks here from the Inner Cavern. Brooke smiles at URsa, snugging her close for a moment. She pecks a kiss lightly on her cheek. "S'ok. You're good enough, just being you." ths is said as if she really means it, and she moves towards the klah, and gigles at Kassima. "Yah?" R'val nods towards Portock with a grin, "Hey Portock." Portock nods to everyone as he walks in. He quickly goes over and grabs a mug of Klah before sitting to relax a bit. Rickon says "The little blonde girl from Tillek." Meli nods. "Eh, yah, I think I remember her. What'd she do?" Portock hears his voice and looks over to see R'val, "Hey there my friend, how is it going?" Brooke mms as she pours her klah, and shakes her head. "Don't know her." she murs, and moves back over to where Ursa stands. Kassima nods brightly. "Yep! You could get a good sketch of the dragon dunking us all, and other such fun stuff... I bet it'd be something to see." Ursa grins, a silly little grin. "You really do sketching?" Rickon says "You didn't see the picture? There was a picture of Jivan up in the barracks, but he removed it quick-like." Alyssa walks in from the bowl. Ursa waves lazily at Alyssa. Portock nods in Alyssa's way. Rickon grins, and waves at Alyssa. Brooke smiles at bit at Alyssa, studying her a moment. She peers at Ursa, wondering if she was speaking to her or Rickon? Kassima waves to Alyssa. Alyssa nods back, waving with her free hand as she peruses the tablet in her hand. "Evening," she murmurs. Rickon lowers his voice. "I don't know when she caught him, but he was stark naked." Meli settles back, letting the various conversations wash over her as she relaxes before Fall. Kassima tries to keep a straight face, but fails miserably. "How impolite of her." Ursa nods at Brooke a lil. Rickon says "Yeah." Maarie stands up and refills her mug. Brooke eeps.."Oh, yeah. I do sketch..alot, actually." she winces. "Alot more than they'd care for me to at Igen. I always shirked my chores to go sit o the beach and draw." Alyssa moves toward R'val and hands him the tablet she's carrying. "I understand you're in charge of us tonight," she smiles quietly. "Does this inventory look all right for our emergency supplies?" Maarie sits back down and carefully sips her steaming klah. Jereth walks in from the bowl. R'val looks up from his klah and takes the tablet with a solemn nod, beginning to look it over swiftly. After a minute, he hands it back with a quick nod, "It's good. You might want to add more bandages. That's one thing we can never have too much of." Ursa looks at brooke, "Yeah? You know, I think I saw you sitting out there sketching, maybe, when I was at Igen that one time." Jereth waves again to everyone. Rickon says "I've never had anything like that to do..." Portock looks over at R'val, "Kinda nice having the candidates around." Alyssa looks at the amount she's noted, then nods. "Will do. And with luck, I will have to haul it all back inside when Fall is done." R'val smiles quickly at Portock, nodding, "Their assistance will be invaluable." Jereth waves and smiles at Alyssa, but refrains from interrupting her conversation. Kassima murmurs something about how Candidates make nice stew, chuckling. "What finally happed to Myra?" she asks in a more conversational tone. Maarie waves to Jereth from the hearth. Brooke nods, and smiles, watching the girl adoringly. "Yeah..that'd be me, the tiny girl you saw sitting on the beach, surrounded by two greens and a blue, with braids in er hair." she smiles, and sighs wistfully. Alyssa adds, with a smile and a hand on R'val's shoulder. "Thank you." She then moves to the Candidate table, sitting with a sigh and a smile to her fellow Candidates. She returns Jereth's wave a tad shyly but sincerely nonetheless. Brooke smiles warmly as she notices the girl. "Hello, Alyssa." R'val smiles sincerely at Alyssa, and nods to her before going back to his klah. Alyssa says warmly to Brooke, "How are you?" Brooke smiles to Alyssa, still. "I'm alright. You've not been working so hard lately, have you?" Ursa chuckles. "Weird. You'd be the first person that's almost not a stranger here, sorta." Seeing Jereth still stands at the entrances, Maarie waves him over to sit at the hearth with her. Rickon leans back slightly. "Hmm..." Jereth smiles at R'val. "Well met again," he murmurs before seeing Maarie wave to him. Alyssa shakes her head at Brooke, then nods at Portock. "He keeps close tabs on me," she says with a smile. Aaron walks in from the bowl. R'val smiles, "Hi Jereth>" Brooke smiles at Ursa, laying her head on her shoulder. "Yeah..I miss everyone at home..but it's almost like I've always known you." Portock grins at what he caught of Alyssa's comment and then returns to his Klah. Brooke smiles a bit to Aaron, waving at him. "Hi." Kassima shrugs as she realizes her question will never be answered, and suddenly grins. "If I were Thera, I might suggest that we carve the biggest vegetables into the shape of Candidates and make stew for the dragons, using the hot springs. I'm not Thera, however, so I'm not going to mention it." Jereth glances toward Maarie and catches her wave. He nods and mouthes "thanks!" to her. Aaron plods in quietly, leaving a starlight autumn sky behind him as he makes his way toward an out-of-the-way seat and promptly changing course when Brooke acknowledges him. "Hey there," he waves back, needing only a little shift to glance at Ursa. "And to you." Brooke giggles at Kassima. "With some tunnelsnake, as well?" Rickon chuckles. Jereth asks R'val, "Have you seen F'nar recently?" P'tran walks in from the bowl. Salless tells her girls to look sharp when the weyrleader walks in. P'tran gives a short nod of greetings as he comes in. "Evening all." Rickon looks up..."Hello, sir," he 'tosses' across at the Weyrleader. Jereth shrinks back a little as the Weyrleader enters, but he manages a respectful nod. Ursa grins a lil sheepishly, then sits up straight when P'tran walks in. Kassima says thoughtfully, "Don't know... I don't think any veggies are big enough to carve into really respectable tunnelsnakes." She nods respectfully to P'tran. "Good evening, Weyrleader sir." Portock nods to the Weyrleader, "Evening." Alyssa winks at Portock, then waves to P'tran, smiling. "Good evening, sir." With that, she goes back to her inventory, her ear cocked just a bit at the mention of F'nar's name. Brooke smiles to the weyrleader, and brushes a lock of hair out of Ursa's eyes. She only grins a bit at Aaron. Benden Weyr> Alyssa . o O ( Did I just wink at Portock?? ) Meli quirks a silly grin and tries to top Kassi. "Good evening, P'tran Weyrleader Sir." Aaron takes a seat near Brooke and Ursa, looking a bit amused. "Well, well," he murmurs to himself. "Who's your friend?" He inquires, polite enough. P'tran glances over to the klah pot and considers, then shakes his head slightly to himself and instead heads over to a seat. Benden Weyr> Brooke gasps!! The horror!:) Rickon chuckles at Meli. "Isn't that a tad redundant?" Starratiel walks in from the bowl. Benden Weyr> Portock would do the blush thing, but that is not the manly thing to do.... Starratiel comes in and bows. Meli grins at Rickon. "Kassi started it" she points with her finger. Brooke smiles at Aaron. "This is Ursa. She's from the starcraft hall." Kassima waves to Starratiel. Alyssa flashes a quick grin at Rickon. P'tran opens his jacket a little, and checks to see if he remembered his riding gloves, which he finds still tucked into his pocket. He looks over to the candidates. "Chores?" he asks simply, seeming to be all-business this evening Jereth notices Alyssa's interest. "If you see him, could you tell him I might like to speak with him? If he has the time, that is," he adds hastily. Kassima says with mock-indignance, "I most certainly did no such thing." Then she blinks. "What did I start, anyway?" Ursa nods up at Aaron, with not much more to say about herself. So she tries, "And you are?" Aaron inclines his head to Ursa. "Aaron," he identifies, folding his arms across his chest. "From Igen." Starratiel sits down. Rickon grins. "Kassi started most things." Alyssa smiles at Jereth and says, "I'll tell him, Jereth, certainly." She then holds her hands up to P'tran and says, "Still pruned from hundreds of dishes, sir," with a grin. Brooke smiles a bit, her head still resting on Ursa's shoulder. She seems oblivious to the rest of the wrold. "Yeah." she grins a bit. "Aaron's just an old weyrbrat, olike me.": Meli says "All done with chores, sir. Ready t'help, wherever you want us." Kassima says, "Done, sir. Plenty of stores moved today." Maarie nods to the Weyrleader, "Weeding done." Brooke mutters to Ursa, "He's... The... toldja about." Rickon says "Everything, Kass." Kassima quirks a grin. "I haven't started *most* things, I'm sure." Ursa nods to Aaron, saying to Brooke. "Oh! The guy you told me about." She suddenly shuts her mouth, looking up at P'tran. "I'm still ready to run errands, sir, if you need." Jereth pauses, seeing that R'val and Alyssa are both occupied, apologizes briefly for interrupting, then goes over to join the Candidates. Kassima chuckles, "I've started everything? So that means I'm to blame for everything... hmmm. Does this mean I'm given credit for everything, too?" P'tran nods as the candidates answer. "Good. Then you'll have plenty of time to help out in the bowl in a little while." Aaron grins broadly. "Good things, I hope?" Brooke nods to Ursa, smiling at her again. She hmms as she speaks to P'tran. "Yes, sir. Pots all scrubbed.." she winces. "Hands all chafted." as she hears the 'help out in the bowl' thing, she groans. Rickon nods slightly. "Where's Thread falling over this time?" Jereth says "Hi," says Jereth. He nods at Rickon and Maarie and peers curiously at those he doesn't recognize." You say "What will you need us to do, sir? Prepare firestone sacks?" P'tran nods to Kassima. "Mostly that, as a start." P'tran says to Rickon, "It's over Half-Circle this time." Starratiel says "Can i help too, sir?" P'tran says "The weather is expected to be clear, but the winds coming off the water can be tricky sometime." Brooke mms quietly at the mention of threadfall, and shudders a bit. Alyssa smiles faintly at P'tran's answer. "Some of it is fish food then..." Meli nods, listening intently, filing away information. Brooke gigles at Alyssa's comment. P'tran nods. "Of course. Every able-bodied person is expected to help." He turns to Portock. "WIll you be needing some help setting up the infirmaries?" Alyssa turns to Portock for his answer. Starratiel nods and sips at her klah. Portock nods to P'tran's question, "Alyssa has been getting most of it ready, but I could use her help and maybe one or two more while fall is going on." Jereth suddenly remembers something and heads for the door, pausing to wave at everyone and give a respectful nod to the Weyrleader. Ursa snatches another roll, thought not a sweetroll this time, to quickly devour before getting to work again. Jereth walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Brooke gives Ursa one last quick hug, and plops into a chair. P'tran nods to Portock. "Consider all the candidates at your disposal," he says. Starratiel says "And me." Portock stands and nods to P'tran. He looks over at the Candidate table for a second then smiles, "Well, I have to go to the infirmary and check it over a second, then I will know how much help I will need." Alyssa gets to her feet and collects her tablet and stylus. "I'll go with you, Portock, all right?" Taylar walks here from the Inner Cavern. Maarie waves to Taylar. Taylar wanders in, looking tired. Portock nods and turns towards the lower cavern entrance. Taylar says "Hello, all." Portock walks towards the inner cavern. Alyssa walks towards the inner cavern. Rickon sighs. "I hate Fall." Taylar pours himself some klah and sits at the Candidate table. Taylar looks at Rickon. "Could you be more specific?" Kassima waves to Taylar. "Heyla, Taylar--you look tired. Been doing latrines today?" Maarie smiles to Taylar, "Don't get /too/ comfortable." Rickon says "I hate watching my friends go out there and not knowing who's going to come back injured...or not at all..." Taylar nods at Rickon. "That I will agree with." He turns to Kassima and smiles. "No. Bagging firestone in preparation for Fall." P'tran hmms and stands. "Candidates, and anyone else who can help, start getting yourselves out to the bowl now. I'm going to start assembling the wings." Meli rises, leaving her juice mug behind, and heads out. Meli walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Taylar stands. "Yes, sir." Maarie sets down her mug and heads for the bowl. Maarie walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Kassima quirks another grin and stands up, following Meli to the Bowl. You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Benden LC> Taylar puts down his mug and heads for the tunnel. Taylar comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Benden LC> Ursa chows the rest of her roll and hops up, displaying more energy than she usually does this time of day. Ursa comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Rickon comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Benden LC> Rickon jumps up. "Yes, sir." He darts into the bowl. Above, Sorath flies over from the south end of the bowl. Sorath backwings for a landing. Chaeth warbles to the other dragons. Benden LC> P'tran stands and heads out P'tran comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Sionelle hops down off her large blue and turns back to him rather than heading for the living cavern. Tucking her gloves into her mouth to keep them out of her way, she tug, then re tugs at the dragon's straps, checking all the buckles. Kerlyn dismounts, and gives Sorath an affectionate scritch once her feet reach the ground. R'val comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Above, Laerth leaps from Leilanth's Ledge and flies into the air. Laerth backwings for a landing. Rickon looks around for something to do. R'val strides out of the cavern, slipping his gloves into his belt as he heads towards Vidarth. Jazmin slides off Chaeth to land on the ground. Laerth gives a snort as he lands and folds his wings. He gazes at the candidates runing about the bowl with some disinterest. Taylar begins moving firestone sacks to a better location for distribution. Benden Weyr> Flannery says, "Where's the fall?:)" Kerlyn slides about halfway down, her feet resting on part of her lifemate's forelimbs, as she checks and tugs and rechecks the buckles on her fighting straps. Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Over Half-Circle this time. I'll explain it ICly to everyone :)" Benden Weyr> Rickon says, "Half Circle." Benden Weyr> Flannery noddles. Meli watches Taylar a short moment, then moves over to help, following his lead. Kassima nods respectfully to all the riders and grabs some sacks, helping Taylar relocate them. Ursa stands there right in the way, absorbed in watching the Riders join their lifemates. Veyon wakes back up, perched on his rock. He sees Maarie, and looks away rather rapidly. Rickon spots the sacks and grabs some himself, joining the general bustle. Jazmin is also checking out Chaethh's straps, giving one spot a good going over and frowning slightly. Maarie doesn't notice Veyon as she helps to move sacks of firestone. Brooke comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Taylar looks at his fellow candidates. "Why don't we make several piles around the bowl for quick distribution?" Alyssa emerges from the infirmary. Kassima nods. "Good idea, Taylar," she says, and finds a good spot to start a pile, which she does. Veyon gives Brooke a _look_ as well. Alyssa tightens her braid as she walks out, making sure her hair will stay well out of her eyes as she joins with the rest of the candidates. Brooke glances around, seeig what needs to be done. Meli nods to Taylar. "Ok, Taylar. Just show me where an' I'll lug away" Ursa realizes she's in the way and scoots over, "Piles. Yeah, we had good practise for piles yesterday." Rickon nods to Taylar. "That makes sense." He moves to it, working quickly and easily. Benden Weyr> Flannery brbs in two shakes of a firelizard's tail, yup.;) Maarie sets down a sack and points out to a group of Candidates a few places that would be good for piling sacks before she goes to grab another. Kerlyn finishes with one side, then repeats the process with the straps on the other side of her lifemate. Aaron comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Veyon walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. R'val movesr to Vidarth's side, and begins carefully checking over the straps. Sionelle keeps her eyes darting across the loose grouping of dragons as she goes through the now-habitual motions of preparing her gear for Fall. Maybe they fix their straps differently at Benden. Or maybe they have some sort of signal she's going to miss. Jazmin clamours up onto Chaeth, tracing the straps around his body. High atop Reveth, N'fan removes the straps from himself, preparing to dismount. Rickon makes his pile quickly. N'fan climbs down from Reveth's back, aided by a thoughtfully extended forelimb. P'tran calls over to Kerlyn. "Kerlyn, can you make sure the candidates are organized? I don't want them getting in the way of the dragons as they're assembling." Aaron trundles out behind the candidates, hanging back to ensure his role in all of this as an innocent bystander. Taylar says "Let's try to make a pile per wing over near the walls so we won't be in the way." P'tran calls over to the other riders before waiting for a response. "No wasting time. Make this a standard formation, but a little more in the forward tier." Above, Tyrrath leaps from Tyrrath's Ledge and flies into the air. Kerlyn nods, dropping back to the ground. She smiles efficiently at Sionelle as she passes the new bluerider, then stops near Taylar's firestone sack, and raises one arm, "Candidate? Over here." Tyrrath backwings for a landing. Meli nods, and collects a group of candidates to start a new pile further to the north side of the bowl. Flannery climbs down from Tyrrath's neckridges, stepping lightly on the lovely forelimb. She smiles and pats her lifemate lovingly. R'val nods quickly to P'tran as he continues inspecting Vidarth's straps. Kassima says, "Right. 'Twouldn't do to be obtrusive." She removes the pile she was starting to a spot nearer the wall. Taylar moves over to Kerlyn. "Yes, ma'am?" Laerth peers at the other dragons, making his own critical observations to his rider, and takes his customary position at the head of the formation. N'fan has already checked his fighting straps; all he needs now are sacks of firestone, which he retrieves for himself from one of the Candidates as they're about ready to put it on a stack. "Lemme help you with that," he says, grinning a little. Jazmin nods to P'tran, giving one bit of strap a sharp tug and nodding. Rickon flashes a grin at N'fan. Flannery salutes the others quickly as she rushes to shove a strip of leather through a narrow buckle. She grasps one end in her teeth and yanks hard. "Augh! Oh, there..." She throws the end over Tyrrath's flank and buckles it quickly. Ursa scoots around, a lil worried that she will be The One to be in the way at the wrong time. P'tran pauses to speak with the other Wingleaders. "Clear skies and wind from the east," You hear him say. "So the wind will be driving the Fall. Keep the forward part of the formation tight." Maarie , seeing the firestone well taken care of, makes her way to the infirmary to see if she can help there. Alyssa beckons to Maarie. Maarie moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Maarie emerges from the infirmary. R'val calls out to the nearest candidate for firestone, and hefts the sack into his arms when it comes his way, attaching it quickly to Vidarth's straps. Sionelle keeps her eyes on P'tran now, straining to hear his voice over the general buzz in the Bowl. Even if Brynarth is getting the same in formation from Laerth, she wants to hear it herself. Her lips move silently as she repeats the words. Kerlyn waits until all the candidate's she's able to see are within earshot, "Ok, this is where the 'stone'll be piled, for now. You've got two jobs.. helping get this distributed, and stating out of the way. THe latter is the most important of the two, if you can't do both." P'tran looks over to the candidates and others assisting. "Firestone," he says simply, holding out his hand Taylar continues handing out firestone. He hands a sack to P'tran. Alyssa murmurs to Maarie, "We'll have time to put together the medical supplies after the dragons are awing...firestone P'tran grabs the sack, barely looking to see who handed it to him and tosses a chunk into Laerth's mouth. Maarie nods to Alyssa and takes Kerlyn's advice, staying out of the way. Alyssa continues, "is what's wanted now." She smiles at her fellow candidate and hefts a bag for a waiting rider. Jazmin glances over to the candidates after Chaeth's straps are checked and holds out her arms, "Firestone me." N'fan readies several sacks of 'stone, looping them in place so they'll be within reach from his perch between Reveth's neck ridges. Meli and the others in her cluster start distributing their sacks to the riders further away from the entrance to the living cavern. Flannery gasps suddenly, her eyes flying wide! "Stone...shards!" She glances up at Tyrrath's bare flanks, then proceeds to stoop toward the firestone sacks, grabbing one and hoisting it upward to Tyrrath's straps. Taylar moves to the next rider and hands out a sack or two. Rickon hands a sack to T'mor, then reaches quickly for another, which he passes to Jazmin. Kassima listens to Kerlyn and nods, making a mental note of the advice. She sprints over and hands Jazmin a sack of firestone. P'tran calls out, "Sionelle, your area of Dawnslight will be just north of center in the formation this time around." Portock emerges from the infirmary. Maarie helps Flannery by bringing several bags over to her. P'tran says "R'val, Flannery, flanks. N'fan and Kerlyn closer to center." R'val nods to P'tran hurriedly, and moves with Vidarth into formation. Alyssa grabs another sack of stone and carries it to J'loz, checking to see if anyone is still wanting for stone. Kerlyn hefts one bag, and slings it over her shoulder, looking over the candidates, "If the healers and dragonhealers need any help, you can help them too, but don't make pests of yourselves." With that fairly succinct advice, she picks up another sack, and makes her way back to Sorath, lashing the bags onto his straps, and mounting up. Jazmin grins and starts attaching the sacs to Chaeth's straps, accumulating a few. P'tran gives similar orders to the other groups of riders and they adjust the formation as appropriate. Brooke watches Maarie, and quickly hurries over to help her carry the sacks to Flan. Portock stands back by the wall, almost guarding the infirmary as he watches the other activity. Flannery smiles with relief as she spots Maarie. She takes the sacks from the candidate gratefully, climbing to Tyrrath's shoulders to receive the bags. She nods quickly to P'tran as Tyrrath lumbers into position. Taylar moves out of the way of the forming wings. N'fan nods briskly at P'tran to acknowledge his instructions. Veyon comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Sionelle fetches her own firestone, dragging one sack to Brynarth's side while hefting another up to her shoulder. She nods to P'tran as he gives her her orders, then clambers up the blue's side to fasten the stone in place. Brynarth shuffles slightly in the sand, closer to the center, but a little bit north. P'tran hmms. "Jazmin, center." He adds Rickon lifts another bag and looks around for a willing recipient. Maarie backs up against a wall pulling other candidates with her so they don't get tramplesd. N'fan climbs up onto Reveth's back, aided by an extended forelimb and by the riding straps fastened about the base of the blue dragon's long neck. Flannery steps gently on her Tyrrath's graciously extended forelimb, swinging herself into her accustomed seat between two sturdy green neckridges. High atop Reveth, N'fan securely fastens Reveth's riding straps to himself. Kerlyn gives Sorath an affectionate pat as he offers her a sturdy forelimb to assist her as she mounts. Veyon goees to help Rickon. Kassima steps back and acquires a couple of sacks, which she distributes quickly before getting out of the way. R'val uses Vidarth's side straps to mount up agilely, settling onto the little blue's back and straightening, petting his head once as Vidarth thrums excitedly, ready to fly. Chaeth lumbers over into a position, looking around restlessly as Jazmiin nods to P'tran as she mounts up. Jazmin hops onto Chaeth, with the aid of the straps to land comfortably 'tween two neck ridges. From atop Tyrrath, Flannery leans over Tyrrath's side to receive the firestone sacks, which she lashes in with practiced deftness. Alyssa sighs. "I hate Fall," she murmurs to herself, "but the Wings assembled certainly are impressive." Brooke grabs another bag of firestone, this one much too muc heavy for her. She grunts, and strains, dragging it to whomever needs it. As the riders begin to mount, Meli steps back and works her way towards the entrance, keeping out of the way as much as possible. Brooke peers around, and skitters over to join Meli, watching everything going on, and trying her hardest not to get crushed. Sorath finds his place in the formation, while his rider leans forward, tugging on a strap buckle, then re-adjusting her jacket fastenings before donning helmet, goggles and gloves. P'tran peers up and down the line of dragons as he feeds the last of the firestone to Laerth. "All right, then, candidates, please stand back and out of the way." From Vidarth's back, R'val quickly slips on his gloves, glancing about him anxiously as he puts on his goggles and helmet, leaning forward in his straps. Rickon goes over to help Brooke. "Don't injure your back," he comments, lifting the heavy sack easily. Jehrina comes out of the hatching cavern. Taylar watches the riders and dragons. Their movements and preparations efficient and quick. Above, Leilanth leaps from Leilanth's Ledge and flies into the air. Ursa scoots over to deliver a bag of firestone, then stands awestruck as the Riders mount, forgetting to surrender the sack until she's barked at. She quickly retreats out of the way. Leilanth backwings for a landing. Brooke smiles greatfully to Rickon, and motions himhim quickly over. Taylar nods to the Weyrwoman and the golden queen. Veyon scares up another sack, and passes it on, then moves outt of the way, on the other side from the Candidates. From atop Tyrrath, Flannery salutes Jehrina as she emerges from the cavern. She then returns to her preparations, buttoning her jacket furiously. P'tran smiles over to Jehrina slightly before giving a final inspection of his straps and mounting up Brooke nods slightly to the queen, and finds Ursa, giving her hand a squeeze. Aphrael comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. P'tran climbs up onto Laerth in one smooth motion. Alyssa moves back, watching Leilanth with a smile of respect and awe for the golden queen. Kassima nods respectfully to the Weyrwoman and her queen, staying carefully out of the way. Jehrina comes down, gold-dragon sized straps in tow. She quickly, and efficiently straps the queen and doublre checks her flamethrower and extra canisters. From Chaeth's back, Jazmin settles her jacket and gloves and shifts a bit in her straps. Benden Weyr> Jehrina decides to show up for a bit. ;) My husband is late. as usual. :) Benden Weyr> Alyssa grins. Rina's gonna fly Thread! Go girl. Jehrina climbs up onto Leilanth, using her extended foreleg as support. Aphrael catches her breath, holding back slightly from the dragons. Benden Weyr> Brooke woo-woo!s.:) Benden Weyr> Flannery awwws. Glad she here.:) Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Too bad for him. Great for us." Benden Weyr> Veyon says, "Where's Fall scheduled to show?" From atop Laerth, P'tran looks around to make sure everyone is read. Laerth raises his head and snorts loudly, eyes whirling amber-red Benden Weyr> Veyon says, "That went bakkards. Where's Thread supposed t'Fall?" Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Half-Circle, I believe." Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Thanks for the reminder. You can watch the fall from the south bowl, or '+watch on benden-bowl'" Brynarth lifts his head to listen for the wingleader's signal, even as his rider cements her gaze on P'tran, witing for the same moment. Alyssa stands close to the infirmary and watches with a nervous, worried smile. Leilanth rumbles, shifting about, as if checking the straps for herself. Maarie glances at the dragons with awe but makes sure the Candidates around her stay well out of the way while the dragons take off. Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Being able to watch the Fall is OOC, just so you know :)" Tyrrath :gets that familiar, red gleam in her great jeweled eyes. She begins to hiss softly, shifting her weight from forelimb to forelimb in impatience. Brooke's eyes shine softly as she watches the whole thing, She grabs whoever's hand happens to be near hers,and squeezes. Sorath's tail swishes softly, the tip roaming from side to side. His rider's eyes are on the wingleader, waiting. Vidarth rustles his wings restlessly and tilts his head about to eye his fellows anxiously. Benden Weyr> Veyon was just asking 'cause he didn't wanna be outt _in_ it ;) BTW. I wish to make an apology to anyone I have ticked off in the past few weeeks. Seems Search is doing a good job of driving me crazy. *shrug* My apologies. Taylar prepares for the great gale of wind and dust that accompanies the take-off of so many dragons. From atop Laerth, P'tran looks around a final time, raises his arm, and lets it drop in the signal to launch Laerth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Vidarth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Brynarth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Sorath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Leilanth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. Chaeth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Benden Weyr> Veyon grins and didn't know who all he's ticked off, so covers 'em all :) Tyrrath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. Brooke gasps, and watches all this with shining eyes. She smiles a bit. Rickon steps back. Above, Laerth flies up and out of the bowl. Kassima watches the dragons take off in awe, her hair whipped into a black cloud by the wind from their wings. Above, Sorath flies up and out of the bowl. Above, Tyrrath flies up and out of the bowl. Above, Vidarth flies up and out of the bowl. Reveth leaps into the air with a powerful thrust of his hind legs, giving himself enough clearance for that first crucial downflap of wings. Reveth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Above, Reveth flies up and out of the bowl. Taylar sighs. "Perfect formation. As always." Portock grins as he watches the dragons take off then turns towards the infirmary. Above, Tyrrath hovers for a moment, awaiting the command. Above, Chaeth flies up and out of the bowl. Aphrael gulps and steps back, her hair flying around her. She follows the dragons with her eyes. Meli stands a moment, watching silently, waiting to see the wings disappear between. Alyssa, hands on narrow hips, watches the dragonwing rise majestically, awesomely. This is a thrill she never loses. Rickon watches concerned. Veyon waits on e dragons to rise, then heads off, at a trot, getting away from people Veyon walks south. Above, Laerth disappears into Between. Maarie nods to the Candidates around her as the last of the dragons take off to get on with the other duties now. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Benden Weyr> Jehrina scans back up the channel. Of course I'm going to fight thread. Golds can too, fly. 8p Above, Tyrrath disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Above, Sorath disappears into Between. Above, Vidarth disappears into Between. Above, Chaeth disappears into Between. Above, Leilanth flies up and out of the bowl. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Above, Reveth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Benden Weyr> Alyssa grins at LessaRina. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Of course, that's why they have wings. :)" Above, Leilanth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Benden Weyr> Taylar grins. Benden Weyr> Alyssa then grins at KassiF'lar. Brooke ohs softly.."Wow." Above, Brynarth flies up and out of the bowl. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath bugles ferociously as she emerges, her rider deftly tossing firestone into her eager craw. She scans the skies for the evil menace, her eyes hot with fury. Taylar reaches back and begins braiding his long hair. "Ok, where are the healers?" Meli exhales loudly, and then glances around. "Guess we wait now." She states the obvious, and heads into the cavern. Above, Brynarth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Alyssa sighs. "Right then...anyone who wants to tote medical supplies...it's this way." she smiles. "It gives us something to do while we're waiting." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The skies are largely clear for the moment, but high in the air and to the east, a diffuse grey haze begins to slowly descend like a thick curtain. Below, small cotholds are scattered amongst the fields and hills to the east of Half-Circle Hold, whose ramparts appear to the west. Alyssa moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Meli walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth trumpets enthusiastically as he emerges from between, in formation. Aphrael walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth comes in a little out of formation, but is able to adjust quickly. He snorts when he spots the oncoming silver wall, and turns his head around to get the first chunks of 'stone from N'fan. Portock moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Brooke smiles, and follows Lysa. Brooke moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Taylar ties off the braid with a leather thong and follows Alyssa. Taylar moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth rumbles loudly as he calls the others into formation and his rider does a final check before meeting the Fall Ursa nods and trots along with the rest of the candidates heading to the infirmary. Kassima nods and, with a last glance up into the empty sky, shakes her hair out of her eyes and follows Alyssa. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth slides into position down below the fighting wings. You go beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Maarie moves into the Infirmary from the bowl. Ursa moves into the Infirmary from the bowl. Portock grins at the arival of all the candidates. Alyssa picks up a tray of bandages and nods toward Portock. "The healer there is in charge," she smiles, eyes twinkling. Maarie looks to Alyssa, "What do you need me to do?" Ursa waves. "Hey, Aph!" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The Fall picks up speed as the winds rise from the east, and the leading edge quickly makes landfall. The wind drives the thread at the lines of fighting dragons as quickly as they rise to meet the threads, the battle beginning again. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth rumbles menicingly as he holds his position in the centre. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth emerges from between a little later than the rest, his rider wanting to be sure her visualization was crystal clear. He sweeps transluscent wings forward and back in a long stroke and regains his place in formation, Sionelle leaning forward to offer him stone. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath's head swivels around, firestone crumbling betweens while wings beat to hold him aloft. His eyes too take on the red of fury and indignation at the slowly approaching curtain of silver-grey. Rickon moves into the Infirmary from the bowl. Taylar looks to Portock. "What do you need me to carry to the bowl? The numbweed and paddles? Alyssa walks out into the bowl. Portock looks around and sees that everything is in order and goes over to the near counter and begins taking supplies out. Maarie walks over to Portock, "Sir?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth bugles in alarm, seeing the silvery sheets of thread falling. Jehrina quickly lights her 'thrower, swinging it into proper position. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth hurriedly leans forward to offer Vidarth a large hunk of stone, which the dragon takes and chews lustily, his eyes whirling red-tinged. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives a loud roar as he soars upwards to meet the challenge and sears one of the first patches for himself as all the wings become engaged in the battle Brooke gathers some supplies in her arms, and moves quickly enough out to the bowl. Meli walks in from outside the room. Aphrael follows the other candidates, rather quietly as she waits to be told what to do. Alyssa moves into the Infirmary from the bowl. Brooke walks out into the bowl. Taylar takes the numbweed and dragon-size paddles and heads for the bowl. "Do we need to get buckets of water as well?" Portock holds up his hands, "Hold on a sec all of you. You must first understand that if we bring the whole infirmary out there, we have to bring most of it back." He looks over at Taylar, "You can take several jars of the numbweed out," turns to Maarie, "You take some bandages." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth adjusts his position slightly in the formation and breathes a wide swath of bright flame to incinerate a loosely tangled clump. Brooke moves into the Infirmary from the bowl. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth bugles, and moves forward with the wing to flame a clump slightly above him, the ashes falling down onto him and Jazmin. Alyssa grins at Portock's words, then calls to Taylar, "There are jugs of water by the door." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath growls softly as she spies the first tentative tendril curling downward told her. She watches it, relishing her hatred for a long moment, then lets loose with fiery vengeance, her hot gust of flame just sufficient to char the spiral into nothingness. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Thick clumps immediately assault the forward tiers of the formation, forcing them to keep alert. One large patch falls quickly towards brown Chaeth. Maarie nods to Portock and takes a few baskets of bandages. You say "What should the rest of us carry, sir?" Rickon hovers, listening to Porlock. Maarie walks out into the bowl. Taylar nods to Alyssa. Taylar walks out into the bowl. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth rises within the formation and lifts his head, maw opening wide to spew a gout of flame that washes over a descending patch of silvery rain, charring it to harmless ash which is scattered by the wind. Portock smiles, "Grab a couple of chairs and follow me." Brooke glances around, unsure of what she should do now. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth turns his head quickly, at some unseen directive and sends a large lick of flame towards the patch coming for him. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Despite the assault, the front line of the formation hold, but it is threatened when a patch speeds towards blue Brynarth. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath waits, with scarecely enforced restraint, until a patch comes within reach. He lunges, and Kerlyn ducks the resulting patch of charred ash. Portock nods to a chair, "Grab it and lets go." Kassima nods and picks up a couple chairs, oofing a bit with the weight. Portock walks out into the bowl. Alyssa looks at the supplies she has set up, choosing another tray with suturing equipment and moves out again. Aphrael takes hold of a chair and follows. You walk out into the bowl. Alyssa emerges from the infirmary. Aphrael emerges from the infirmary. Maarie sets the baskets of bandages in an out of way spot where Portock will not be crowded later while he takes care of the injured. Meli emerges from the infirmary. Brooke emerges from the infirmary. Portock takes his chair and places it near the entrance and sits down, "Now we wait." Ursa emerges from the infirmary. Taylar says "How much water do you think we will need to clean dragon wounds?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, An ill-timed manuver by two otherwise skilled wingriders leaves a hole for a thick but compact clump of thread to roll through, falling near green Tyrrath. Aphrael blinks and puts down her chair, scanning the sky nervously. "How long will they be?" Portock grins at Taylars comment, "I hope none, but a couple of buckets are fine. " Brooke shifts back and forth nervously, as she drops her chair into place. Taylar says "Long enough and too long. Sometimes it feels like they just left." Kassima sets the two chairs she carries by the entrance as well, and glances up into the skies. Peeve chirps. Taylar nods and moves some buckets into place. Rickon emerges from the infirmary. Alyssa kneels by the assortment of things that she has set out, fiddling with things to tidy them just -so-. (All right, so she's killing time...) In answer to the question about time, she says quietly, "Falls last 6 hours." Portock shakes his head, "Too long, not long enough. It just depends." Maarie sits down against the bowl's wall and awaits the dragons return quietly. Brooke smiles to the 'lizard, and moves over to Ursa. She gives her hand a gentle squeeze. Veyon turns his back to the group, and rests it against a large rock. He closes his eyes. You say "Anything else we can do to help in the meantime?" Peeve hops over to the people. Taylar hops up to sit on a rock. He gathers his little green firelizard into his arms and begins oiling her hide. Ursa smiles at Brooke distractedly, shifting nervously. "all we can do now is wait?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth roars in outrage as a clump of Thread whips towards him at alarming speed. He blinks between hurriedly. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath beats her small green wings hard against the brisk wind, her swift form darting between the larger dragons to rise directly under the offending clump. With a quick backward snap of her head she blows hot flame straight up, catching the thread in her angry inferno! Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Meli settles herself, curled up some to keep warm. She watches Taylar a moment, then smiles and starts oiling her own 'lizards, after pulling a small pot out of a tunic pocket. Kassima watches Taylar and looks relieved at the idea of something to do. She removes a jar of oil from her pouch and starts rubbing oil onto the hides of her fair, starting with Kayvist, who is rather dry. Brooke bites her lip nervously, and nods to Ursa. "Yep. All we can do is.." she peers up into the sky. "wait.." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth rumbles and dives down a bit chasing the clump with hot flame, catching it and rising back to formation. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The outskirts of Half-Circle Sea Hold start to come into view to the west behind the fighting dragons. The fireheights begin to burn in earnest as the leading edge approaches them. The winds continue from the east, a bit strong, but steady and straight, allowing the dragons and their riders to anticipate the threads' movements. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath lunges forwards, charring about half of the cluster missed by Vidarth, a second too late to catch it all. His rider muffles a short curse, as they resume their place in formation, leaving it to teh cleanup to catch. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth slides calmly back into formation as his first brush with Benden Thread goes past without a pause. Sionelle wipes a hand in front of her goggles to clear off the charred remains, sparing only a quick glance toward Vidarth's bugle before returning her attention to the fore, and Brynarth's second brush with Benden Thread. This one goes equally well. Rickon sighs, watching the sky. "This is the bit I hate." Alyssa pushes up from her crouch to begin studying the larger assortment of material, the middle finger of her right hand tapping a rhythm on her thigh that will persist until the riders and dragons begin returning. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth beats his wings steadily, heading straight into the wind as it pushes the deadly menace before it. Another gout of flame, more focused this time, burns a tightly packed clump of Thread to black ash. Maarie pulls a loop of string from her pocket and loops it through her fingers. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, A blue dragon completely flames a large clump of thread one would think too large for them to handle, but another follows too closely behind and in a breath they blink between to avoid it, leaving it to fall to blue Reveth instead. Aphrael glances back towards the infirmary, then up towards the sky. "I think I'll go check we didnt miss anything." She says softly, more to herself than anyone else. Aphrael moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Veyon op his eyes, and begins to pitch rocks off into the distance. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, A green near the flank does not anticipate as well as the others and cries out. momentarily flashing between when some thread grazes her wingtip. The partially flamed thread and cinders tumble straight for blue Sorath. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth warbles back into formation, charring a clump just as he gets there, and flying into the ash left behind. Jazmin wipes her goggles clean, only one hand on the straps and almost yelps as Chaeth dives abruptly for another clump. Portock looks thoughtful for a second, "Well, the riders willnned food and water when the return." Taylar says "If anyone is bored, they could go fetch klah or juice for the rest." Taylar sounds hopeful as he oils the little hatchling. "I mean if someone wants something to do...." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth's eyes whirl a deeper shade of red with rage as he sees another Thread clump headed his way. He will not miss this one! He veers towards it and sears it with a thorough blast of flame. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth angles up neatly into the vacated space and breathes a flame that is more than adequate to incinerate the tangle of Thread, and a few stray strands which surround it. Alyssa snaps her fingers and mutters to herself, "Tea. Almost forgot the tea..." Maarie looks up from her hands and smirks to Taylar but bites her tongue. Alyssa moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath's head swivels back from a repleinshment of firestone, and he scorches the remenants of the mess flying towards them. Alyssa emerges from the infirmary. Rickon sits on one of the chairs, and sighs. He almost seems to be holding his breath. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth spews a gout of flame ahead of him and flames one clump, but is forced *between* briefly to avoid a second and SNORTS in indignation. Kassima looks over at Taylar. "You Impressed a second fire-lizard?" she asks. "I don't believe I've seen that one with you before." Veyon continuees to pitch rocks, with a lot of energy. Alyssa reemerges, muttering to herself about incompetence and forgetfulness as she takes out a jar of oil for her little green, Ellie. On her shoulder, Isolde flaps her golden wings and croons. Brooke gently hugs Ursa, biting her lip nervsouly. Taylar looks over at Kassima. "Yes, Greenleaf here is from Elyandra's hatching." Peeve sneezes. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, A clump of thread breaks up unexpectedly as dragon tries to flame it, only getting a piece of it. One part falls to blue Vidarth .. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth bugles as he swivels his head to flame a clump to the side of him and his head almost snaps back to try and catch the clump Laerth missed, only catching the tail end of it. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, ... while the other falls close to blue Brynarth, but it will be a stretch to reach it. Elyandra comes out of the hatching cavern. Maarie smiles, "Hiya, Ely." Kassima smiles. "Greenleaf is a good name. I'm afraid I missed that hatching... ah, well. I've probably enough blues as 'tis." She smiles fondly at her rather aqua-colored fair. Taylar nods to Elyandra. "Evening, rider." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth darts to one side, aims his maw at the shattered piece of a clump headed his way, and chars it to ash with a judicious burst of flame. Brooke smiles Ely. Kassima gives Elyandra a respectful nod. "Good eve, ma'am." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth soars slightly out of formation for a brief moment, bugling in surprise at the lifting force of the unfamiliar thermal current beneath him. His querying trumpet turns to a strident call though, as he sees the clump fall toward his proper place in the wing. He is not there to catch it. Taylar laughs at Kassima. "That you do. You have a weyr of firelizards all to yourself. Rickon grins. "I'm half-inclined to bet on you Impressing blue at the Hatching, Kass." Elyandra nods, glancing skyward with a worried look in her usually sparkling eyes. Kassima chuckles. "Seven isn't exactly what I'd call a weyr," she comments. Taylar watches the rider. "Want to join us in our wait?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth missed another clump that he probably would have been able to get had they not altered their course. To compensate, he angles his wings to brake against the wind and dives down to burn it from the sky. Alyssa looks rather surprised to see Elyandra on the ground and stands to join her friend, letting little Ellie rest on the other shoulder. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives another loud SNORT as he glances quickly at the wings and then snaps his head forward to flame a patch that comes upon them suddenly. He falls back slightly to close up the line with his wingmates Kassima shrugs, quirking a half-grin. "Wager what you like. I'll not risk my marks on such a venture--learned my lesson by betting with Thera." Maarie plays with the loop of string in her hand, manipulating it with her fingers to make different shapes. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth pauses to hover briefly as his rider fishes out another large hunk of stone from the sack attached to the blue's straps, and feeds it to him, Vithe blue crunching down on it thoroughly. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth has to work hard against the wind to regain his place in the formation. N'fan feeds him more firestone, and he catches Brynarth's clump on his way back up. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath skips suddenly *between* to emerge just below Brynath's place in the wing, searing upwards. The ash from the clump drifts downwards, and he climbs back through the air to his own wing position. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth soars back upwards, bugling in annoyance at the thermals trying to send her off course. Jehrina snaps her head back, and grimaces as Leilanth spins, nearly on a wingtip towards the place where Brynath would have been. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The Fall passes from the cotholds to the eastern lands of the Hold itself. The landward facing parts of the Hold are now tightly shuttered, and there is no activity below save for the burning heights. The threads continue to fall heavily, and the wind from the east is steady, but there is the occassional updraft as the winds come off of Nerat Bay to the west. Veyon throws more rocks, aiming at a spot on the wall. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Several large patches of thread are flamed at once along the forward part of the formation, the combined glare of mutiple dragonfire making it a little difficult to see at first. Soon it is apparant that one patch got through, which falls to brown Chaeth. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth flames a clump easily and then bugles as 3 more are behind it. He flames part of one before jumping *between* to avoid getting tangled. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth pops back, the scrap almost right upon him and he flames it quickly.. too close.. far too close. Portock starts rocking in his chair as he waits for the return of the riders. Alyssa stares toward the sky again, her finger renewing its familiar nervous tapping as she waits and watches. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth banks sharply suddenly to catch a piece that's falling to a section of the sky that was left uncovered for a moment Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth dips his wings down and sweeps the sails back with windshearing force, having caught on to this particular trick of the air and now anxious to make up for the miscue. He drops neatly into the pocket still left in the wing, tilting his wingtip first to the ground, to allow Reveth to pass, and then to the horizon as he focusses again on the task at hand-- one of the clumps announced by Chaeth. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth roars his defiance and streaks downwards after one clump that evaded Chaeth, nearly flying through it as he flames, the red tongue licking at the thread and incinerating it. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, A warning is shouted from above! Thread descends very quickly on green Tyrrath, driven by a momentary gust. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath bugles heroically, diving toward an enormous strand - as long as a brown dragon and thicker than a skybroom log. She breathes hot flame on its center, then screeches with frustration as its high and low end continue their descent, albeit separately, toward the cotholds below. Making a quick decision, she pounds her wings against the air, rising to sear the higher end of the thread - allowing the lower end to continue it's journey groundward. Kassima reaches next for blue Darvan, who is also getting a little dry. She glances up at the sky sometimes, even though there's nothing to be seen. Above, Zibrith flies over from the south end of the bowl. Zibrith backwings for a landing. Meli finishes oiling the young Chatain, her brown from Ely's clutch, and starts next on her larger gold. Elyandra moves over to her dragon, attempting to soothe her as she continues to looks skyward. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Without warning, an updraft blows up and forces a very brief lull in the action as it blows some of the threads upward. It is short-lived, and twice as thick patches fall near blue Reveth. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath stays within formtion, masticating stone, and searing thread. Wings beat steadily, as he and the green nearest him trade off, covering for each other as one must duck, or the other skip between. Angry eyes pick out the silver thread amidst the backdrop of the fighting wings. Brooke strokes the sleeping Ursa's hair tenderils. She hmms as she sees Ely and Zibrith, and smiles. Alyssa murmurs to Elyandra, "Is she all right?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth ROARS!! Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath dips her head lower now, diving in frantic determination to reach the lower end of the huge strand. As the thread touches the weyrwoman, she screams remorsefully! Rickon gets up and paces like a watchwher on its chain. Maarie walks over to Ely, keeping her distance from Zibrith and says softly, "Are you going to be okay?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth BUGLES! and flames a clump ahead of him with more force than really was needed. Veyon nods to Rickon as he paces by, and clocks the wall with a rock. Elyandra turns to Alyssa, "Hmmm? Oh, yes we're fine. Selenay wanted me to stay down here...." her eyes fade and she gasps, "Okay, injured dragon coming in!" She doesn't specify who, but her face shows fear. Taylar finishes oiling Greenleaf and starts on Loki who doesn't need it, but doesn't want to be left out. Brooke hears what Ely says, and jumps to her feet, her eyes darting about wildly. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives another roar and his rider, his expression having at first looked relieved when Leilanth reappears, now looks intensely worried as he hears his weyrmate's scream. Maarie clears out away from the middle of the bowl. Portock hears the word injured and jumps to his feet, "Just dragon, or rider too." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth roars in pure rage, belching a heavy curtain of flame over a strand of Thread, his eyes whirling fast with alarm. Brooke clears quickly back, waiting for the dragon's arrival. Taylar jumps to his feet and awaits possible orders. Kassima immediately wipes the oil from her hands and gets up quickly. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth is forced to turn his attention back to the Fall when a patch comes directly for him, which he flames with almost ferocious precision Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, A deep rumble erupts from Sorath, flame erupting without the presence of thread to provoke it. Elyandra hurries forward and grabs one of the larger jars of numbweed, "Both, Portock! Both!" Veyon stands up, and makes himself ready, if needed. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The leading edge passes directly over Half Circle now. You can see the Hold as it hugs the shoreline, and off to the north is the cove. The winds from the east begin to die down, replaced by irregular breezes from off the waters of the Bay, creating some updrafts. Meli looks up, staring at the sky, then settles her oil pot and 'lizards onto her chair as she rises. She stands ready but out of the way, trying not to chew her lip. Maarie pales and stands where she stopped hearing a rider was hurt. Rickon stops pacing, and stands frozen, looking skyward. Alyssa seems galvanized into action as she moves toward the supplies, checking them efficiently. She rolls up her sleeves and plunges her hands into the redwort, making sure her hands are ready. Taylar gets two water buckets for cleaning the scores before the numbweed is applied. Portock grabs his pack and begins to scan the ski for the dragon. Elyandra looks at Zibrith and nods to her dragon, looking skywards expectantly and muttering, "Come on... Come on....." Brooke skitters over to the supplies, grabbing a few small jars of numbweed. Portock nods to the rider. Alyssa calls to a Candidate, "Get that water ready, please...unstopper several jugs." Taylar says "I got the water ready, Lyssa." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth nails a tangled clump, leaving only ashes. He crunches more stone before lifting his head to get a clump that was to land on heads. He warbles concerned for the queen and her rider. Benden Weyr> P'tran aies. Threadscored Weyrwoman :p :) Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth pulls his head from Sionelle's reach as she hands him stone, eyes whirling at the sound of the golden dragon's bugle, and the weyrwoman's scream. But the blue jaw is quickly back to take the stone. Threadscore is Threadscore, and not uncommon. He finishes his chewing, and burns a descending clump, efficiently. Almost coldly. As if the ice of the Reaches is bred within. Rickon darts over to the water jugs, but notices Taylar's already unstoppered them. Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "EEK!" Alyssa smiles thinly. "Thank you, Taylar." She then calls to Elyandra, "Who is it?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth gives one more agonized bugle, and then disappears. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Leilanth disappears into Between. Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to gold Leilanth and her rider, Jehrina, welcoming them home. Brooke watches the sky eagerly., Veyon blinks. Portock turns to the candidates, "Besides Alyssa I want all of you to stand well back from the dragon and rider unless called for." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, An irregular patch is buffeted by the shore breezes before it finally falls near blue Vidarth. Elyandra shakes Alyssa off, "Just be ready! Here they come!" Taylar curses loudly. Maarie's eyes widen at the sight of the Gold. Taylar nods. Above, Leilanth glides down from above. Alyssa looks upward and cries out in dismay. "I'm ready," she says to Elyandra. Meli gasps when she sees a flash of moonlight off a -gold- hide, her fists clenched at her side. Brooke gasps, muring a soft,"Oh no.." Leilanth backwings for a landing. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth sees the patch quickly in his angered state, and whips his head about, nearly flying into it in his eagerness to sear it to a crisp, which he does, with a stronger flame than he needs. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, A rider near the rear line raises a shout, which is barely heard above the din. The riders closest to him respond and soon it is apparant to all what the source of the distress is. A large ship, a trader or fishing vessel of some kind, has misjudged either the time or the tide, and is still a good distance offshore, too far to make the safety of the cove. Kassima nods and her jaw drops slightly in dismay as she sees the queen fly in, but then gets out of the way rapidly. Portock takes careful strides and begins to approach the gold. From atop Leilanth, Jehrina sags, fumbling with her straps, one handed. Her left hand is held tightly against her side. She tosses her flamethrower down to the ground, and gasps out, "Wing.. left wing." Elyandra runs over to Leilanth, calling to Alyssa, "Get the score on Leilanth's left side while we get Jehrina off!" She reaches up for the weyrwoman, hanging onto the gold's riding straps, "Jehrina? OH, shards!" She looks at the score on the older woman. Taylar moves over in the general direction with the water staying way clear of the dragon. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath's distraction by Leilanth's scoring is the cause of the suddenly loud bugle he soon emits, flashing between, to return a few moments later, eyes burning redder. He resumes the fight, searing a twisting clump as it falls past to his left. Portock nods Ely and Alyssa over to the wing, while he goes to Jehrina. Jereth emerges from the passage leading to the guest weyr. Rickon makes a noise in his throat, and holds his breath, one fist clenches and unclenches. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives a loud roar to call the others dragons' riders to the situation offshore Portock moves over to help the Weyrwoman down. Alyssa holds her redworted hands up and away from her body as she studies the golden queen quickly and efficiently, beckoning for the water jugs to be brought quickly. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Clumps of thread manage to get past some of the riders distracted by the crisis to the west. blue Sorath is in the path of one of the clumps. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth backwings with a flurry of blue sails. Having thought he'd assist Vidarth, whose rider seemed distracted by the Weyrwoman's misfortune, he nearly found himself treated to the same fate as the Thread seared by Vidarth. He bugles a scolding call, still a weyrlingmaster's dragon, even if his rider is without her knot. Taylar brings the water over. "Do you want me to pour it over the wound?" Brooke skitters towards Alyssa, a large water jug in hand. She hands it to the girl with widened eyes. Jereth waves to Rickon, then stops, startled by the scene. He steps back quickly, out of the way. Rickon grabs the jug and practically runs over. Veyon waits to be told what to do, staying quietly out of the way. Elyandra looks at the weyrwoman, "Jehrina, let's get you off of Leilanth so you both can be treated, eh?" She waits expectantly for her answer. Maarie goes over to where the bandages are and readies them for Portock and the weyrwoman. Portock goes over to Ely side and gives a reasurring smile to the Weyrwoman. Jereth asks Maarie softly, as she passes, "Any way I can help? From atop Leilanth, Jehrina nods at Elyandra. "Can't.. get the straps off." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath bugles with anxiety as the great gold and her rider blink Between again. She croons over and over again in remorse. She does not notice a clump of thread descending toward her until it is nearly atop her tail. Craning her neck to watch the threatening clump she beats her small green wings furiously, trying to dodge the slimy silvery mass. At the last possible instant she whips her tail to the side. The thread continues to curl softly downward. Determined that this one should not get away, she backwings hard, then lowers her nose into a steep dive. Her voice rising in an otherworldly bellow, she flames this clump into oblivion! Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The flanks are hard-pressed for a few moments as some wild updrafts come up around the sides of the Hold. One patch is twisted and torn apart as it reaches blue Sorath. From atop Leilanth, The Weyrwoman has a score down her left side, from shoulder to hip. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth bugles a hurried apology towards Brynarth, and veers toward a patch descending at a hurried rate, buffeted by the wind. He sears it to ash. Alyssa takes the water from Brooke and looks at Jehrina and Elyandra expectantly, biting her lip to wait for the Weyrwoman to be off her dragon. Brooke gasps as she sees the score, and shudders. She goes to fetch some numbweed. Jereth gasps and looks away. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives another roar and relays new commands to the other dragons, the formation being quickly readjusted in light of the winds and the errant ship coming up fast offshore Maarie smiles to Jereth and shakes her head, "Just stand by and someone will let you know what might need to be done." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth follows the movement of his lifemate's eyes, the two of them moving as though one, flaming a clump, leaving only dust. A tangled patch seems determined to avoid his flame, twi Elyandra nods and moves to unbuckle Jehrina's riding straps, gingerly moving the weyrwoman's arm out of the way and releasing her from her seat, "Okay, put your arm around my shoulder and we'll get you to the ground so Portock can examine you...." Portock moves over to the right side of the queen and looks up at the Weyrwoman. Meli finds herself biting her lip again, and seems to mentally shake herself, brows furrowed, wanting to help but knowing she needs to stay out of the way. Taylar moves back. He places water close to where Portock will need it. Kassima goes pale seeing the injury and looks about frantically, wanting to help but not to be in the way. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth follows the movement of his lifemate's eyes, the two of them moving as though one, flaming a clump, leaving only dust. A tangled patch seems determined to avoid his flame, twisting in the air currents. Finally, just as it's about to score his tail he eradiicates it with his flame. Portock motions for Ely to ease her down to him. Maarie brings Portock the supplies he will need from where they were originally stacked. She stands ready to put them where he needs them. From atop Leilanth, Jehrina nods, and drapes an arm around the smaller greenrider's shoulder. Brooke takes several steps back, letting Portock and Alsysa take over. Rickon steps back slightly, and holds his breath again. Jereth stands ready to assist, but stays back. Others look to know far more than he about what to do. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The Fall now passes the Hold and starts to fall into the waters of the Bay. The ship has not made it to port and its crew can be seen scrambling madly to prepare the ship to ride out the Fall, but the Thread is bearing down on them quickly! Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath responds to some unheard command and lifts her right wing to send her banking lightly to her left, putting space between herself and her wingmates. She looks upward to scan the sky. Taylar double checks the water supply, just in case others come in wounded. Benden Weyr> Sionelle hrms, and may have to send her no-good brother a note to let him know Seacrft training is even worse than usual. Elyandra looks down, "Okay, Portock, once we get down I'll need your help putting her on the ground so I can help with Leilanth, Draith, and Gzorth!" She takes Jehrina's weight with suprising strength for one so small and literally lifts the woman from her seat, dragging her off the gold neck and onto the ground, into Portock's waiting arms. Alyssa moves closer to Leilanth to see the wound and calls, "Jehrina, can you get Leilanth to lie down so we can treat her, please?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth ducks down a bit in the air, flaming a clump as it falls, pulling a bit away from his wingmates. Benden Weyr> Flannery sniggers. Benden Weyr> Meli giggles. Jereth says "I can go fetch more water," Jereth offers to Taylar. "If you tell me where it is."" Bugling distress, a blue and his rider come plunging to the ground, stopping just short of the ground. Portock gently takes Jehrina and places her a few feet from the queen. Portock looks up at Veyon, "I need a cot now! From atop Leilanth, Jehrina nods again, "Just.... a candlemark." She slips off the queen's back, and slides to the ground. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The waters near the bow of the ship begin to churn as the hot filaments strike the water. A large patch of thread will surely clip the bow of the vessel as it passes near blue Vidarth on its way down! Jehrina slides down Leilanth's foreleg as she carefully lowers it to the ground. Jereth walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Maarie sets the basket of medical items next to Portock and hurries to help with the other Rider. Rickon hovers, looking helpless. Taylar points and moves with water toward the blue. Jereth comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Jereth moves down a short passage and past a curtain, moving out of sight as he enters the Guest Weyr. Jereth emerges from the passage leading to the guest weyr. Elyandra glares at the Candidate, "Alyssa, let us get her off her dragon before you ask her to tell Leilanth something please? She's injureed as well!" She eases the weyrwoman to the ground. Alyssa * thought she was down from your pose, Ely, sorry. Veyon nods, and runs to the infirmary. Veyon moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth bellows his determination to save a visibly vulnerable target and aims himself at the rapidly descending patch of silvery rain, belching a wide and accurate flame which sears it to harmless ash which rains down upon the ship. Jereth drags the cot he occupied recently out of the Guest Weyr. He drags it over and glances toward Portack. "Where do you want this?" he asks Portack. Veyon emerges from the infirmary. Leilanth drops to the ground, to allow Jehrina to dismount. Leilanth turns enough to allow her wing to be treated, her eyes on her rider. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The winds off the water churn the threads almost as much as the threads churn the water. A diffuse patch is torn into long streamers with only green Tyrrath between them and the ship. Veyon comes out, a cot over his head. He dodges past people, and sets it down where Portock indicates. Brooke winces as the sweet Alyssa is scolded, but stands where she is, waiting for someone to order her. Codey comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Kassima grabs a water jug and follows Taylar, staying a goodly distance from all injured dragons. Alyssa holds the water near Leilanth's score and begins pouring it onto the Score, washing any remaining trace of Thread from the injury. "Easy now, Leilanth," she murmurs to the queen. "Easy...Jehrina, it's not bad. I'll have her numbweeded pretty quickly." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath follos orders, remaining in his position within the wing. He ducks and sears a twisting cluster, lunging sharply downwards to avoid another, to near his own wingsails to flame. Portock looks around and finds his jar of redwort and applies it to his hands. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives a rumble, eyes whirling fast as he directs the other dragon on a careful Threadflaming run over the ship Elyandra turns to Leilanth after the weyrwoman is safely on the floor of the bowl. She watches Alyssa only momentarily, satisfied that she's got the situation well at hand, she jogs off to help with V'lit and his injured blue, Draeth. Taylar waits until signalled before moving to any injured dragon, aiding where and when he can. Maarie helps the other Rider to sit down on a rock. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath glides smoothly between the thread and the ship, snorting hot fire into the little strands of the patch with several quick gusts of flame. Having dispatched the unholy tendrils, she rises and bugles to her fellows. Rickon finally unfreezes and moves to help, one concerned blue eye flicking to the Weyrwoman. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth adjusts his position in the formation as instructed as N'fan quickly tosses a few more chunks of 'stone into his maw. He still flies with great precision. If the Smiths could build a functional mechanical dragon, it might bear a strong resemblance to Reveth. Maarie nods to the bluerider as he barks an order to her and she heads back to the medical supplies. Leilanth's eyes continue to whirl rapidly. Jehrina focuses on her queen, eyes slightly glazed. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, As the ship anchors itself to try to prevent it from drifting, a curtain of thread descends, and brown Chaeth appears to be closest. Alyssa studies the wound thoroughly but quickly, then, glancing over her shoulder, call sto Brooke and Maarie, "Can you bring that bowl of redwort and the numbweed, please?" Portock looks at the score down Jehrina's left side and shakes his head. Taylar says "What do you need, Elyandra?" Jereth nods and follows Maarie. Maarie grabs the numbweed and carries it to Alyssa. Portock looks around for a candidate. Brooke nods, and quickly skitters over to collect the numbweed. She brings it over to Alyssa, then goes back to fetch the redwort. Rickon goes over to Portock. Kassima sets down the water and returns to her previous place anxiously. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth maintains his position in the wing with more difficulty now as the air changes yet again, warm shoreline passing away to cool water beneath him, and breezes swirling. He speeds forward, wingtips nearly touching the green at his side, as they both dive for the missed clump. The blue backs off, letting the other dragon sear the Thread. Then he stays beside her, covering her flank while she gathers more stone. Codey looks at everyone and offers his help, "Sir?" he says to Portock." Maarie looks at what Brooke brought and dashes back for redwort. Jereth seizes several more jars of numbweed and follows Maarie. He holds them, looking anxiously around for anyone who needs them. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth ducks in the air, diving for the clump that got past Sorath, finally catching it and burniing it to ashes. Out of position now, he's right there for a wall of thread, his flame cutting it across. One clump breaks free and floats away from him, just past his reach. Portock grabs a pair of his sharp knife and begins to remove the rags of clothign left on the weyrwomans shoulder and side. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The waters around the ship begin to calm as the Fall moves past it, the dragons having cut a swathe in the Fall around the ship, which is undamaged. The crew begins to emerge from their cabins to survey the scene for themselves. Taylar waves to Jereth. "There are other injured dragons over here." Alyssa smiles a brief 'thank you' to Brooke and redworts the wound, again making certain the wound is spotlessly clean before setting the bowl aside. "Paddle, please," she says, nodding toward the numbweed jar. Portock looks at Rickon and Cody, "Get me a fresh bucket of water and plenty of redwort." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth sears another patch of the descending silvery rain which angles to hit the ship, and flames it quickly and efficiently into harmless ash, darting upwards smoothly to intercept further patches of Thread. Rickon darts for the water. Maarie returns to helping the fallen bluerider, taking him some bandages and numbweed. Brooke reaches into the numbweed jar and hands Alyssa thepaddle. Jereth heads rapidly in Taylar's direction, bearing several jars of numbweed. Someone hands him a jar of redwort as he walks, and he carries that over as well. Jehrina hisses, drawing in a quick breath of air. "Hurry up," is all she manages to get out between clenched teeth." Codey looks at Rickon, "I can get the redwort." and he races off and returns with some. Elyandra arghs and yells at V'lit, "Control him! I know he's in pain but I can't even get the numbweed to his score if he shakes his head around like that!" Draeth BUGLES in pain from the deep score running from his right eyeridge, across his face and between his eyes to right under his left nostril. The dragon's shaking sprays ichor all over V'lit, Elyandra and now Zibrith who has moved up to attempt to calm the large blue. Taylar stands back from Draeth. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth wings up, back into formation to start sweeps. Maarie continues to help the rider, finally getting him to calm down. Jereth offers several jars to Taylar, already open. Rickon places the bucket of water within Portock's reach, then backs off slightly, not wanting to crowd an injured dragon. Taylar holds water and signals to Jereth to stand ready. Kassima calls to Taylar, "Anything else needed?" Alyssa removes the paddle and an exacting amount of numbweed, slathering it onto the Threadscore with a sigh of relief for the dragon's benefit. "It's all right," she murmurs to Leilanth while applying the numbweed evenly, "your lifemate's in good hands...and you'll be fine." She smoothes the medicine flat and even with the hide and steps back to study it. Portock begins to take the water and gently rinse out the wound. Codey puts the redwort by Portock and steps back, eyes wide on the dragon Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth pairs off with a wingmate as the sweeps of the Hold area begin, his eyes scanning the new territory for detail as well as Thread, while the more experienced eyes of the brown at his wingtip watch for any glint of silver. Taylar says "Wait for the healers to ask." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath flashes small bursts of flame at the remaining clumps before her then gives a satisfied bugle. She rises again to rejoin her wing, slipping easily between a pair of blues. She lowers her head, looking closely for errant strands. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, The Fall has now passed completely into the Bay, where the threads fall harmlessly into the blue waters. Back to the east and over the Hold, the skies are once again clear and blue. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath belches forth another searching swath of flame, turning another thread clump- which would otherwise land harmlessly into the water, into ash. His eyes burn an undimishished red, even as the fighting of the fall comes to a close. Benden Weyr> Jehrina is busy getting scored, thanks. :) Meli once again removes her lip from between her teeth, rocking back and forth on her feet a bit. Finally, she decides to head into the cavern for some juice and 'rolls for the returning riders. She re-emerges some time later, carrying several pitchers by their handles in one hand and a large tray balanced on the other. Benden Weyr> Jehrina says, "AUGH" Benden Weyr> Brooke cheers! :) Benden Weyr> Flannery says, "Does it hurt, Rina?:)" Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Wrong knot, m'dear :)" Benden Weyr> Jehrina grumblegrumble Aaron walks here from the south. Jereth keeps his eyes focussed on Taylar, though from time to time he glances in the Weyrwoman's direction, concerned. Zibrith croons to the blue, her eyes swirling as she nuzzles his neck and talks to him. Elyandra relaxes a bit as his large head lowers towards her and she is able to pour cool water over the wound. She winces at the sight of the wound in his lovely sky blue hide. She turns and calls over her shoulder, "Taylar?! Where are you? Taylar bring me another big container of water and lots of numbweed! Draeth is scored badly!" Benden Weyr> Flannery chuckles. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth flies over the Hold, his rider as well as himself watching carefully for missed spots. Taylar moves forward quickly with the water. "C'mon, Jereth." Leilanth rumbles softly, the speed of her eyes slowing down as she and her lifemate are treated. Kassima nods and instead offers to relieve Meli of some of her load before she winds up dropping something. Portock finishes cleaning the wound with water and then begins to apply the redwort thouroghly. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth rumbles and turns away from the water and back towards shore. He takes his wingmates on a sweep along the shorelines, making sure none landed on the sands Jereth follows Taylar as rapidly as he can through the throng of people. Maarie seeing the rider finally calm enough to examine looks for cuts and scrapes she can attend to. Benden Weyr> Alynne says, "Hi Jehrina! What are we going to do tonight?" Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth veers out of formation to join the over the land, with the patrol scanning the land. Benden Weyr> Jehrina snickers. I' Codey stands wondering what to do... Benden Weyr> Jehrina says, "I'm busy getting scored, Aly. :)" Aaron plods northwards, looking around casually. Ah-hah! Candidates. "Hiya, guys," Aaron swivels and starts toward them. "You look awfully busy," he comments, helpfully. Portock looks up at Codey, "Get me needles and thread," Meli gives Kassi a nod, though she's too over-wrought to smile, as they settle the provisions ready at hand but off to the side somewhat. Brooke is busy making sure Alyssa has enough numbweed and redwort, but manage a weak smile to Aaron. Jehrina opens her eyes to starte at Aaron, "Who are you? Don't you think that you might find /something/ to do in a weyr that's int the midst of fighting 'Fall! Codey nods, "Yes, sir." he may be no candidate, but he has his wits, and he sprints off to gert them Portock looks into Jehrina's eyes, "did a good one on yourself you did," He gives a smile. Alyssa applies a bit more numbweed and gives the golden queen a last lookover before stepping away from her, satisfied that she is taken care of physically, at least. She shifts her attention to Elyandra and the injured blue, calling, "Can I help you at all?" Jereth stares at Draeth's score, mentally reminding himself to remain calm and not look at the wound itself. He blinks. He's not having any problems at all! Taylar watches the blue carefully. Jehrina snorts at Portock, "Thanks. I do so try." Kassima surveys the load of food. "D'you think they'll want wine?" she asks Meli, seeing none. Brooke mutters to Aaron, "Don't piss... off; she's been hurt." Codey dashes back and hands the needle kit to Portock, "Here, sir." Elyandra examines the wound closely as Zibrith croons to Draeth, keeping him calm although his eyes swirl orange with pain. Ely watches the ichor wash away and looks at the score closely as she and Taylar pour water over the sky blue head, "Oh, shards, he's lucky it didn't hit his eye.... he would have lost it...." She frowns, "Zigged when you should have zagged, eh Draeth?" She smiles at the miserable croon from the blue, "Don't worry, we'll stop the pain soon...." Portock grins as he begins to apply a thick layer of numbweed on the wound. Starting from the shoulder where the wound is the deepest he moves down the side all the way to her hip." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth rumbles a brief thanks to his instructor, and rises back into position. Meli blinks. "Oh, I don't know, Kassi... I just figured they would've lost some fluids..." Alyssa then says to Jehrina, "Minor score on her left side, and that's all. I think you protected her well with your left side," she says with tiny smile of encouragement, though her amethyst eyes flicker with concern. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth gives a loud rumble and returns into formation, peering at the other dragons perhaps with some impatience, which is unsusual for him. Or it may simply be his rider's feelings he's expressing Taylar reaches for a numbweed paddle held by Jereth and fills it with numbweed for Elyandra to apply. Portock takes the needles and thread from Codey and mutters a thanks as he continues his work. Draeth's rider stands and leans on Maarie, "Help me over to Ely so I can at least see!" Aaron glances over at the wounded person for a moment and promptly clamps his mouth shut, just watching. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth quickly returns to formation. Brooke waits to be comanded once again. Jehrina shakes her head, taking several dep breaths. "Stitches?" Codey nods and washes his hands, just in case. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath pumps his way back into formation, red-burning eyes impatient as they've ever been, since watching Fall from the bowl floor as a weyrling. You say "Well, I'll go get some, in case." You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth rejoins the formation, rumbling with satisfaction. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth bugles! You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Portock nods his head with tight pressed lips, "I'm afraid so, it got you really good here at the shoulder." Jehrina takes a deep breath again, and nods. "Do it. Now." Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Laerth disappears into Between. Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to bronze Laerth and his rider, P'tran, welcoming them home. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Reveth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Tyrrath disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Chaeth disappears into Between. Alyssa looks from Portock to Elyandra; each looks as though the situation is under control. "Would you like me to get mosstea?" she asks Portock softly. Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Reveth and his rider, N'fan, welcoming them home. Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to green Tyrrath and her rider, Flannery, welcoming them home. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Vidarth disappears into Between. Elyandra turns to Taylar, "We need to put numbweed all over the wound." She takes the paddle and looks around for V'lit, who is leaning on Maarie before slathering the wound with numbweed, starting from his eye and working meticulously down towards his nostril, "He's going to need to be sewn...." Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to brown Chaeth and his rider, Jazmin, welcoming them home. Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Vidarth and his rider, R'val, welcoming them home. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Brynarth disappears into Between. Benden Bowl> From Sky over Half-Circle, Sorath disappears into Between. Rickon hovers, looking around for somebody who needs help. Above, Laerth virtually dives for the floor of the bowl Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Brynarth and his rider, Sionelle, welcoming them home. Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Sorath and his rider, Kerlyn, welcoming them home. Kassima carries a few flasks of wine over to the load of provisions and sets them and the other things where they won't get in the way. She stands and watches the wings arrive. Vidarth backwings for a landing. Benden Weyr> Flannery says, "Gelth's vocal cords are getting a workout." Benden Weyr> N'fan says, "DragonHomeSpam!" Tyrrath backwings for a landing. Laerth backwings for a landing. Chaeth backwings for a landing. Codey is ignoring the dragons, trying to be usefull. Sorath backwings for a landing. Jereth presets an open jar of numbweed to Elyandra Portock take the threaded needle and begins at the top of the wound near the peak of the shoulder and glides the point in. With a quick motion the thread is through and is quickly tied off. Brynarth backwings for a landing. Flannery climbs down from Tyrrath's neckridges, stepping lightly on the lovely forelimb. She smiles and pats her lifemate lovingly. Taylar says "Do you need a needle kit, Ely?" Above, Reveth Bugles back at Gelth as he descends to the bowl. From atop Laerth, P'tran unfastens the straps from his waist and scrambles down from LAerth Reveth backwings for a landing. P'tran comes down from Laerth's neck in one smooth motion. Brooke skitters about, as the dragons land. She waits, seeing if she is needed for anything. High atop Reveth, N'fan removes the straps from himself, preparing to dismount. R'val slides down from Vidarth's back and lands in a crouch. Alyssa looks over her shoulder at the arriving dragons, studying each in turn to see if anyone else in injured. Daerth's rider begins to falter and Maarie curses. She helps him to sit back down, ignoring his protests that he his okay. From Chaeth's back, Jazmin pauses a moment to lean back in her straps, stretchiing before unhooking herself and sliding off. Elyandra nods, "Yeah, and sutures." She sighs, then smiles over at V'lit as she watches him shudder, "Don't worry bluerider, Draeth will be fine." She gives Taylar a look to go get more numbweed and needles. Flannery tosses off her straps as she slides down Tyrrath's forelimb, then breaks into a run toward the injured weyrwoman and her lifemate. N'fan climbs down from Reveth's back, aided by a thoughtfully extended forelimb. P'tran yanks off his gloves and goggles and pounds across the sands. "'Rina??" Portock continues the motion of the stitching as he moves down the wound. Brooke smiles a bit as she catches sight of R'val, but scans around, making sure no one else was injured. Maarie mutters to the Rider about Ely's ability and not needing to look over her shoulder. Between two of her lifemate's neckridges, Kerlyn's fingers fumble with her straps, and she scrambles down to the ground hastily, dropping to one knee to examine her dragon's foot. R'val hurriedly dismounts, removing his ggoggles and glvoes impatiently, moving towards Alyssa, calling out to her, "Alyssa! Report, please. How's the situation?" Jazmin slides off Chaeth to land on the ground. Jehrina is lying on teh ground, eyes closed, while Portock works on her. Kerlyn dismounts, and gives Sorath an affectionate scritch once her feet reach the ground. Codey sees all the riders and manages a salute as he help Portock....somwhow... From her customary place between Brynarth's neckridges, Sionelle strips off her gloves and helmet, still sitting in place on her unscored blue. She's happy as ever to be back in one piece, but her expression doesn't show it as she looks toward the senior queen. Or perhaps the flat set of her lips has more to do with the fact that she knows she missed Thread. And others had to cover for her. Tyrrath lumbers after her lifemate, bugling piteously to Leilanth. Laerth gives a low croon and head over to Leilanth, eyes whirling yellow with concern Portock ends up placing twelve stiches in the weyrwoman's shoulder. The stiches run from the peak of the wound to half-way to her elbow. Aaron plods up toward Brooke, looking around a bit uneasily. Elyandra calls out to Maarie, "He's feeling his dragon's pain! Thank Faranth V'lit wasn't scored... Get him some wine to calm him a bit!" She turns back to Draeth, slathering more numbweed over his facial wound and muttering about how close to his eye it was once again. Portock shakes his head as he finishes the last stich. Taylar takes the numbweed from Jereth. "See if anyone else needs help." Meli starts pouring out mugs of juice, seeing if Kassi can handle the wine, ready to hand it off to the returning riders. The 'rolls sit on a platter nearby. Maarie orders a nearby Candidate to get a skin of wine. P'tran looks over to the others just as he gets to Jehrina, his expression pained as he is torn between staying at Jehrina's side and his duty of checking on the injuried Benden Weyr> Sionelle giggles insanely as she finds herself shouting, mentally, 'Water, V'lit!' (It's a joke you'll get if you're from Wisconsin.) Alyssa moves closer to R'val and says, "Leilanth has a minor score on the left side, which I treated, if you'd like to check it." She nods toward Elyandra. "Draeth and his rider were both hurt; she's treating the rider now." Benden Weyr> R'val eyes Sionelle oddly :} Jazmin leans against Chaeth.. staying out of the healer's way, she's no healer and she's not injured. She turns to give Chaeth a good once over. with out taking his eyes away from Jehrina's wound Portock reaches for more numbweed. Kassima readies several cups of wine, and hands one of the skins to Maarie. Flannery stops abruptly at the weyrwoman's side, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she realizes the severity of Jehrina's injuries. She approaches behind Elyandra's shoulder, whispering to her, "Ely! Is she going to be all right?" Jereth looks around, a bit dazed by all the activity, looking for anyone else who needs numbweed. Benden Weyr> Sionelle hehs. Like that's something new, R'val? N'fan frees the emptied 'stone sacks from Reveth's straps and carries them over to be stacked where full sacks once were stacked. People and dragons are scored, yes, but he can be of more help to them if he stays out of the way. Jehrina opens one eye to smile weakly at her weyrmate, "Did myself good, Petran." Benden Weyr> Caitlyn ughs! Sionelle! I'm so dissapointed. Portock looks up at the weyrleader, "She'll make it." R'val nods to Alyssa, frowning, "Any others?" He glances about him quickly, his face tight with nervousness. P'tran hears Alysssa and looks down to Jehrina and bends down to look for himself. "Jehrina? Are you all right? How bad is it?" Maarie takes the wine from the Candidate and hands the entire skin to V'lit, urging him to drink up. Elyandra takes hrms and looks at Taylar, "Needles? Thread? Let's get Draeth sewn up before he bleeds ichor all over the bowl, eh?" She lays a soothing hand on the terrified sky blue dragon as Zibrith nuzzles him comfortingly. R'val moves from Alyssa to Elyandra, and stops at her side, "Anything my help is needed for, greenrider?" Kerlyn grabs the nearest passing healer, physically hauling them back to slather numbweed on Sorath- then doing it herself when the fellow isn't working to her satisfaction. Benden Weyr> Sionelle says, "On that sorry excuse for a bad pun, I'm outta here, Benden. It was fun. :)" P'tran smiles very slightly as he hears her speak, albeit weakly. "Trying to show me up in the threadscoring, 'Rina?" Codey steps back from Portock and wonders if he's still needed...this is something new to him... Portock takes his knife again and begins to cut away part of the weyr womans pants to reach the farthest end of the score. Taylar runs to fetch needles and thread. He returns to Ely with the requested supplies with redwort. Jehrina nods, making an effort to ignore her stitches going in, "You know I always do. " Jereth raises a second jar of redwort that he's been holding. Portock looks at Codey, "Get some bandages." Codey nods and dashes off to get said bandages Benden Weyr> P'tran gets to watch his businesslike demeanor break down at the sight of Jehrina's injury :) N'fan says to nobody in particular, "If nobody needs me for anything, I'm just gonna wash this smell off me and Reveth.." He waits only a brief moment for an answer before he starts heading south. Benden Weyr> Jehrina muhuhahah. It's aboot time 'Rina got nailed. Gameg walks here from the south. Veyon comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Rickon looks over at the Weyrwoman again, blue eyes concerned. Codey returns with an armfull of bandages. R'val moves from dragon to dragon, asking hurried questions, dispensing aid where it's needed. He ends up near Kerlyn eventually, "Is Sorath allright, then? Alyssa moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Benden Weyr> N'fan . o 0 ( Nailed? Hm..better keep that one to myself.. ) Flannery stands there awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot, her fingers drumming against her face. Finally she decides to take action, and reaches for a jar of redwort. She hurries to some of her injured comrades, offering assistance. Benden Weyr> Meli feels like the 'coffee tea or soda' lady at the moment. Ah well. Leilanth rumbles softly to Laerth, though her eyes remain, whirling nearly calmly, at her lifemate. Alyssa emerges from the infirmary. Elyandra nods to Taylar, taking the needle from him and looking at the suture material. She takes a deep breath, "Okay, Draeth. I'm glad that numbweed is working." She begins to sew his face up, working her way up from his nostril and carefully stitching across his face with close even stitches." N'fan walks south. Portock begins to clean the final end of the large score. Jazmin watches all the activity and nods at N'fan's comment, "Anyone need unskilled hands? Else I'll get me and Chae outta the way." Kerlyn looks up finally, then nods slowly. She's not happy, but she's not about to make a pretense of it's being lifethreatening. "His foot. It's minor." Taylar watches Ely work. He also watches the dragon's near eye carefully, observing the color. Reveth leaps into the air with a powerful thrust of his hind legs, giving himself enough clearance for that first crucial downflap of wings. Reveth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Above, Reveth rises up from the bowl. Above, Reveth flies towards the south end of the bowl. Kassima watches the tending of the injured dragons anxiously, finishing up with preparing the wine and 'rolls with Meli. Codey sees Jazmin and smiles a bit, as he (somehow) manages to help Portock. Jereth continues to gaze around, looking for anyone who needs redwort or numbweed. He carries lots of both. P'tran winces slightly at the the wound along Jehrina's side. He turns to Portock and says in a tone that would sound demanding but is really just worried and anxious, "How bad is the injury?" Alyssa glances over at Kerlyn, startled, then walks over to the assistant Weyrlingmaster. "What's wrong?" Jazmin walks south. R'val smiles briefly at Kerlyn and nods, "I'll help, if you need me." Benden Weyr> Jehrina says, "Angst angst angst! :)" Chaeth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Above, Chaeth flies towards the south end of the bowl. Portock looks up at the weyrleader with a frown, "Bad, but shell recover." with that he continues his work. Laerth croons to Leilanth and nuzzles her, his eyes still whirling anxiously, reflecting his rider's still heightened emotions Gameg walks south. Draeth's innermost lids close as he speaks with his rider and the numbweed takes effect. He croons miserably as his sky blue face is sewn up by the Dragonhealer. Elyandra scowls with concentration, working a bit slowly and with shakey hands, but her stitches are even. Maarie brushes her hair back from her faces as she sits with V'lit, making sure he stays calm. Kerlyn doesn't actually step back, but leaves some room for R'val to take a look. It really is a relatively minor scoring, and well numbed and cleaned already. Jehrina hisses at a stitch, "It's not..." hiss, breath in, breath out. ".. not that bad." Portock takes some of the bandages and begins to cover the score. Starting at the shoulder he wraps them gently around to the far side and covers the wound. Taylar says "Do we need to put numbweed over the stitches, Ely?" R'val kneels to appraise the score. Briefly. He smiles, seeing it's well taken care of and stands with a sigh, glancing towards Draeth, "There's no need for me it seems." He smiles wryly. P'tran nods to Portock, his face drawn. "I understand." He looks down at Jehrina and sighs. "'Rina, the idea is to catch the thread with the flame, not yourself," he says only half-jokingly. Jereth extends the hand that holds the numbweed jar in Elyandra's direction -- just in case. P'tran looks up and says, "R'val, stay a moment, I need you to tell me what the injuries were." Portock looks at Codey, "Go get me some mosstea in the infirmary." Zibrith croons to Draeth, watching her rider sew up the large blue dragon's face. Her eyes swirl blue tinged with the yellow of concern for her wingmate as her rider's needle sews up that part of the wound close to the eye. Elyandra looks down at Taylar, "Redwort, Taylar. Redwort." Portock looks for another candidate. Codey nods, "Yes, sir." and dashes off. P'tran tries to return to some semblance of authority and repeats in a more formal tone. "I mean, I need an injury report." Jereth extends the jar of redwort toward Elyarna. Codey * is a Bitran, not a candidate :) Taylar reaches over for the redwort that Jereth is holding. Jehrina smiles, again weakly, "I didn't plan on it. I tried...." in, out, " .. to get it with my 'thrower. Wasn't fast enough." Hiss. " Updraft. Caught us." Alyssa looks toward Portock, still waiting to be of assistance to the other healers. Portock tryes to be as gentle as he can as he continues to place the bandages on. Codey is running back with mosstea, "Here, sir." P'tran looks back to Jehrina and squeezes her hand gently. "Don't worry about it now what happened ..." Elyandra calls out to another of her wingmates as she finishes sewing Draeth's facial score up and leans back, "R'val? Can you look at this please?" She nods to V'lit who is now a bit calmer due to the wine. Portock looks at Alyssa, "We need a stretcher and blankets to cover her," he looks down at the now half naked weyrwoman. Taylar gathers up the remains of the supplies and prepares to return them to the infirmary. Rickon runs around like a scalded feline, fetching anything needed by the Healers, klah for tired riders, anything. Benden Weyr> P'tran hopes people had fun with it, even though it started a little late :) Veyon continues to do whatever he's asked. R'val's eyes fix on Jehrina, and he moves towards Portock with a purpose, standing a respectful distance, he says shortly, "Portock. I still have my certification. If you need help, I'm right here." Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "I did." Kassima looks over to Portock, wanting to be of assistance. She nods to Alyssa, signalling that she'll get the blankets. You go beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Kassima pulls some blankets out from a pile and carries them back out to the bowl. She nabs a stretcher, too. You walk out into the bowl. P'tran shakes his head at Jehrina and squeezes her hand a bit tighter. "Never mind that. Just relax. I'll be right back, I have to check on the other injured.' He stands, and his expression looks almost guilty for leaving her side even briefly Jereth steps back, out of the way, then sets down the jar of numbweed beside Elyarna. He heads toward the infirmary to fetch more in case it is needed. Jereth moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Kassima returns with blankets, which she hands to Portock. "Here you are, sir." Elyandra points, "From above Draeth's right eye, across his face and ending just above his left nostril. He nearly lost his eye and will have a nasty scar. Grounded for quite a while, I think." Jereth emerges from the infirmary. P'tran nods at R'val's report. "Very good, I'm glad there were not that many injuries. ... Of course," he adds as R'val is called away Jehrina grimaces and tjhen quickly looks away from her stitches. "I think.. I need something to drink. That's going to hurt like anything soon/ Benden Weyr> R'val gets tugged in half, ARGH! :} Portock takes the mosstea codey brought him and moves it to Jehrina's lips, "Here, this might help with the pain." Jereth reappears, two more jars (redword and numbweed) open and ready for any Healer who needs them. Codey mutters to Portock, "... you... to... some..." R'val frowns at the injury and nods slowly, his eyes following the length of the scar, "At least two sevendays." He proclaims, "You sewed it up and cleaned it off, I take it?" Alyssa takes one end of the stretcher resting at the side of the bowl, getting another Candidate to help carry it to Portock and Jehrina. P'tran moves over to Elyandra and R'val to take a look himself, taking a deep breath to calm himself and let his more businesslike demeanor return. Laerth's eyes finally begin to spin less urgently Rickon helps Alyssa with the stretcher. Portock nods, "Yes, the rest does not appear to be that deep, so I just cleaned it and am about to finish covering it." Portock continues to wrap the bandages. Elyandra nods, "At least. And we'll need to look at him again then. The score was so deep and so close to his eye," She caresses Draeth's sky blue muzzle as he calms some more. She looks at the stitches careully, "Never new practice on tubers would turn out to be so useful." R'val turns towards the weyrleader briefly as he sees him come closer, "Draeth here'll be out for at least two sevendays I'd say, P'tran. Sorath's injury is minor, it'll be fine. Leilanth'll be out briefly, but..." he glances uneccessarily at Jehrina. Benden Weyr> Portock is confuse as to who R'val is talking too,... but at least it worked for both. P'tran grins slightly at Elyandra's words. "Was this the worst of the injuries besides Jehrina?" Jehrina says "Can someone.. help me get inside, please?" Taylar finishes cleaning up the supplies near Draeth and heads toward the infirmary. Taylar moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. P'tran nods to R'val and looks over to Jehrina himself with a sigh. "I know, I spoke to Portock." Veyon helps Alyssa with the stretcher if she needs it. Taylar emerges from the infirmary. Jereth offers his assistance to Jehrina, handing his two jars to Taylar as he goes by. R'val smiles briefly at Elyandra, "You've done good work, as far as I can see. Yes, Draeth'll need to be confined to the infirmary for now, I'm afraid." He nods quickly to P'tran," Yessir. Leilanth and Draeth here are the worst of the lot." Portock nods as he finishes the bandages and motions for the stretcher to be brought next to the weyrwoman. Taylar grabs the two jars from Jereth. P'tran hears Jehrina and immediately breaks off his conversation with R'val and rushed over to assist Jereth makes way for the Weyrleader. Alyssa stands ready by the stretcher that Portock requested. Jehrina smiles faintly, "I want to sleep...Before this really hurts." Codey is standing there, "Should I take this end? Portock looks at the Weyrleader, "She'll be just fine. Out for a long while, but she'll be ok." Rickon hovers next to the stretcher. Zibrith lays her head down and suprisingly allows Draeth to lay his injured head on her. She croons complacently, watching the others as she is used as a large green pillow for her blue wingmate. Codey motions to one end of the strecher. Maarie assists V'lit into the living cavern where he can sit down. Maarie walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. P'tran stops for a moment and remembers himself. He is not a healer and should not be usurping their authority. He pauses and says to Portock, "Please arrange for Jehrina to be taken to the Infirmary." Benden Weyr> Veyon watches 30 peole stand with the stretcher :) Elyandra walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Meli collects her 'lizards and her oil pot and heads inside, since it's obvious there's more than enough hands to help out, and no one needs the food. Portock nods and motions for Codey and another to take her to the infirmary. Meli walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. P'tran nods at Portock's words. "I understand," he says, his voice flat. "You did very well with her, Portock, thank you." Benden Weyr> P'tran poses lag behind the action :p Sorry about that ,... Jereth lifts the other end of the stretcher gently, trying not to jostle the Weyrwoman more than necessary. Codey sees Rickon and smiles, steping back so he can get in Portock smiles, "My duty to benden and my honor to you and the weyrwoman." Alyssa steps aside from the stretcher on Portock's direction, makes a last check of the dragons, and begins the arduous task of cleaning up. Jehrina giives her weyrmate a quick wink, "I'll be alright, love. Thank you.. Portock." Benden Weyr> Jehrina goes into the infirmary. :) P'tran grins at Portock and then looks to Jehrina and smiles very slightly. Portock leads the strecher crew to teh infirmary. Taylar moves about the bowl collecting the healing supplies for return to the infirmary. He keeps his distance from the injured weyrwoman. Jehrina moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Portock moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Jereth moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Meli comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Kassima offers her assistance to Alyssa in cleaning up, gathering the supplies to take back to the Infirmary. P'tran almost follows directly inside, but he has his duty. He turns back to the others to continue to assess the situation with the other injuries. Codey moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Meli collects the pitchers and platters, and hurries back inside, severely frustrated. Meli walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Alyssa smiles thinly to thank Kassima and the others for their assistance in cleaning up the bowl and taking material back inside. R'val glances again to P'tran, "I think everything's under control in the dragonhealing situation.' He bites his lip and glances after Portock, "Shards, I wish I could've done something." Rickon moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. P'tran hms? and follows his gaze. "YOu mean for Jehrina?" He shakes his head. "She was in good hands. You had your own hands full." Kassima nods to Alyssa with a thin-lipped smile of her own and starts replacing the chairs in the Infirmary. R'val sighs softly, "I know..I know. But my first impulse was always to people. S'why I waited on my dragonhealing duties. " He smiles sourly, "Which werent' even really needed tonight. Ely and Alyssa did marvellously." P'tran grins. "I saw. It was those damn tricky winds around the shore that caught us. There was no report of it from the patrols" Alyssa shakes her head."Elyandra did all the work, really," she says as she gathers the unneeded bandages. "Leilanth's score was mercifully light." Jereth emerges from the infirmary. Rickon emerges from the infirmary. Jereth glances around to make sure no more injured riders or dragons have arrived, then begins to help carry the scattered supplies and debris back into the infirmary. P'tran nods and hrms, looking around the bowl. "Have you seen Flannery? Laerth tells me Tyrrath was very upset over it, and I can only imagine what Flannery feels, considering she's a good friend of Jehrina's." Alyssa moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Alluire sails here from the south. Veyon says "She went into the Living Cavern, I thin', sir." Alyssa emerges from the infirmary. Rickon looks extremely worried as he helps with the supplies. "She /will/ be okay. Won't she?" Jereth grabs an armload of supplies, careful to pick up nothing the Healers are still using, and carries them back to the infirary. Jereth moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Alyssa kneels and stoppers the remaining jugs of water, quiet and efficient in her tasks. Jereth emerges from the infirmary. Kassima restoppers the water jugs and other jars, gathering them together before taking them into the Infirmary. You go beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Thera walks in from outside the room. Thera smiles at Kassi. Kassima places her supplies on the counter before nodding to Thera. "You missed some excitement," she comments. You walk out into the bowl. Jereth nods to Rickon, looking up from his task for a moment. "I've learned to trust the Healers when they say someone will be all right," he adds. Thera emerges from the infirmary. Codey emerges from the infirmary. Finding a few needlethorns and a few soiled pieces of clothing, Jereth asks R'val, "What should I do with these, Healer?" P'tran blinks and glances over to his dragon. he sighs. "Yes, Tyrrath is *quite* upset from the sound of it. R'val nods, frowning, "She's blaming herself. Consequently, so is Flannery, sir." Thera looks about at al the injuries, trying to appraise each with her eyes. Codey walks over and looks around.... Portock emerges from the infirmary. Portock moves over to Alyssa to find out what else went on. Alyssa makes certain all of the numbweed containers are properly sealed, then begins stacking them on a tray in an orderly fashion. Her eyes lift, briefly, to Portock. "How's Jehrina?" P'tran nods solemnly. "I know. Fortunately dragons have short memories. In a few days Tyrrath will be herself. Flannery will take a little longer." Jereth carries the discarded needlethorns and soiled gauze toward the infirmary. As he passes Portock, he pauses and asks, "What should I do with these, Healer?" Leilanth rumbles irritably. R'val nods, "I think you or Jehrina should speak with her, sir. She needs someone to tell her it wasn't her fault." Codey rubs his hands on his pants, looking confused P'tran nods. "Both Leilanth and Laerth are trying to get through to Tyrrath and calm her down." Portock shakes his head in a bit of concern, "She took a heavy hit. Her shoulder took a deep score, but not to the bone. The rest is mostly superficial, except hear the hip. But I would say she'll be up and around in a seven day. Flying ina bit over 4 sevendays. Laerth rumbles softly and his eyes whirl faster momentarily Kerlyn looks up, and nods, "Sorath as well." She adds, quietly. Veyon walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Portock looks at Jereth, "Just place them on the counter in the outer infiramary, I don't want anyone disturbing Jerhina in the innner infirmary." Rickon sighs. "I suppsed I'd better go make sure there's fresh klah." He vanishes into the living cavern. Alyssa moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. Rickon walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Leilanth rumbles again, softly. Alyssa emerges from the infirmary. Jereth nods to Portock. Jereth moves beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance. P'tran raises an eyebrow slightly. "How bad was the hip?" Thera looks lost, and heads into the LC to wait it out. Thera walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. Jereth emerges from the infirmary. Kassima finishes with her transporting of supplies and nods respectfully to everyone before heading into the Living Cavern. You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Thera nods to Kassi. "How bad is it out there?" Taylar waves the arriving Candidates over. Leer looks around still paralyzed with confusion. "Oh.", he says snapping out of it. Thera walks over to Taylar's table. Taylar looks over at Meli. "You, ok?" Kassima waves to everyone, nodding respectfully to Elyandra. "Not bad. They've gotten everything pretty much cleaned up, and were giving the injury reports when I left." She goes over to where Taylar is. Rickon grins, and goes over to the night hearth, starting some fresh klah. "You ever tasted my klah, Taylar?" "Can't be any worse than M'kla's," quips Taevra, coming in from the bowl. Rickon sobers suddenly. Taylar thinks about Rickon's question. "Now that you mention it....I'll make the klah." He rises and goes over to do same. From the kitchen, Meli continues to chop at vegetables with some abandon, still chewing on her lip. Veyon waves to TAylar, quietly. Taylar smiles at Veyon. "Hiya, Veyon. Rickon grins at Taylar, but it's a rather half-hearted grin, one that vanishes very quickly. Veyon says "'Sup?" Elyandra walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Taylar goes into the kitchen in search of klah ingredients. Taylar walks off towards the kitchen. From the kitchen, Taylar says "Hi, Meli. You ok?" Empress suddenly appears from *between*. She circles lazily for a moment before finding a suitable perch to land on. Kassima sits down, quite willing to leave the klah brewing to anyone who might be better at it than she is. It's pretty easy to be better at it than she is, after all. Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Ick. Am in Kitchen with watch on LC. Spam self." From the kitchen, Meli looks up at Taylar, then down at her pile of mutilated vegetables, and sighs, one tear dropping along her nose. "I'm fine, Taylar" she whispers. From the kitchen, Taylar moves over closer to Meli. "Why don't I believe you?" Leer sits down at the quiet table by the night hearth. Empress wings over to Leer, seeing if he has anything to eat. Leer looks at the green and smiles. He takes a cookie from his side pouch, unwraps it and hands it to Empress. From the kitchen, Meli's face scrinches up, and she bites at her lip again. She says "I just felt so... helpless... watching the injured riders an' dragons..." Empress takes the cookie into her mouth, trying to swallow the whole thing at once. From the kitchen, Taylar takes the knife out of her hands and turns her to face him. "I know how you feel. But sometimes there is nothing you _can_ do." He gives her a hug. "It will be okay." Kassima sighs to Thera. "Be glad you missed it," she says quietly. Thera frowns as she looks about. "Was it bad?" From the kitchen, Meli nods, leaning into the hug a moment, before she releases herself and wipes at her eyes again. "I know...just never knew it could be so bad, is all." Empress manages to break the cookie into smaller, more managable pieces which she gets down. You say "Well, I don't know what the average casualty rate for a Fall is, but Jehrina and Leilanth were both scored... and we had to just wait for the injured ones to fly in, and then watch while the professionals helped out. 'Twas naught for us to do--though you could've helped, having been a Healer and all." From the kitchen, Taylar nods and lowers his hands and eyes. "I remember the first Fall I witnessed when I came here. I stood on the sidelines and watched. I never felt so small and insignificant as I felt that day. Since then, I have tried to do what I can and stay out the the way of healers, riders, and dragons until called. From the kitchen, Meli inhales deeply, and lets out a long breath, managing a weak smile. "Jehrina's going t'be ok, isn't she? I couldn't stand t'watch any longer..." From the kitchen, Taylar nods. "I heard Portock tell P'tran so and I don't think he would lie to the Weyrleader." R'val walks in from the bowl. R'val finds a seat and slumps into it, his eyes closing briefly. Kassima looks up and nods to R'val. "Tired?" she asks. Then she grins wanly. "A stupid question, I suppose." Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Night all :) Nice RP everyone :)" Benden Weyr> R'val says, "Night P'tran!" Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Night, boss." Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "Night, P'tran. Get off the toll line. :)" Benden Weyr> Flannery says, "Night!" Thera says "Would you like some klah sir?" R'val smiles wearily at Kassima, "Aye, Kassi, tired I most certainly am." Benden Weyr> N'fan says, "Seeya P'tran" Benden Weyr> Portock says, "Night P'tran." Benden Weyr> Kassima waffles night! :) From the kitchen, Meli smiles again, a bit more brightly, and mentally shakes herself. "Well..." She looks down at what she's done to the vegetables, and chuckles somewhat sheepishly. "Uh, what did you come in for?" she asks, looking to keep her mind occupied. Codey walks in from the bowl. Coranda walks in from the bowl. Empress goes *between*. From the kitchen, Taylar laughs. "I came in to get klah ingredients. We're almost out. Codey veers right at the klah pot. From the kitchen, Taylar retrieves what he came for. "Come join us and relax." Codey asks Salless for a few things. Coranda finds a table and sits down. Salless pours 2 mugs of klah out at Codey's request. Kassima sighs and smiles. "Wonder why? D'you want some wine or something? Meli and I had a tray prepared, but with all the injuries, we kind of forgot about it out there and everything got cold. The wine's still all right, though." Codey hands Coranda a mug, "Hungry?" From the kitchen, Meli nods, rising, giving her face one last wipe with a cloth. "Thanks, Taylar" she says softly. From the kitchen, Taylar smiles and heads back into the general living cavern. Coranda accepts the mug and considers, "A bit but I had a big lunch. Maybe something light." Taylar walks in from the kitchen. Meli walks in from the kitchen. Codey grins, "Like? I'm up for 100 bubblies!" Benden Weyr> Kerlyn finally realizes her knot's off, and can't even rememeber turning it that way. Kassima waves to Taylar and Meli. "Did you get the klah things?" R'val smiles at Kassima, "Wine? Oh, that'd be lovely, "He sighs softly and leans back in his chair, revelling in being seated again. Taylar moves from the kitchen to the main hearth and sets a fresh pot of klah on the fire to brew. Taylar says "Yup." Benden Weyr> Flannery laughs and huggaKerlyn. Kassima grins and nods, and fetches one of the prepared cups, and the almost-full skin beside it as well. She hands these to R'val. Coranda groans. "By the time you're done with those the infirmary won't be able to tell if your face is blue from choking on one or if it's the blueberry filling." Codey laughs, "So how about dinner first?" R'val takes the cup gratefully with a smile up at the candidate, "You're a lifesaver, Kassi.' He drinks deeply, half-emptying the cup. Meli enters, heading to a seat quickly and quietly. She gives Kassi a tired smile and settles herself. Coranda grins back at Codey. "Sounds good to me, isn't that generally the way it works? :)" Kassima says, "I believe I'll stay away from the wine myself," she grins crookedly, "since I don't want to be on extra latrine duty." She does a Starratiel-style bow. "I try," she chuckles. Codey laughs, "Check the 'menu' then." he grins Alyssa walks in from the bowl. Portock walks in from the bowl. Jereth walks in from the bowl. Salless dusts off the mantlepiece over the night hearth. Taylar smiles and waves to Alyssa. Salless nods at Coranda as she orders something. Alyssa wanders into the LC looking tired and dirty from her work. "What I need," she mumbles, "is a bath." Salless takes a wheel of Fort's finest Brie and cuts Coranda a slice. Salless nods at Codey as he orders something. Taylar says "Can I help?" Taylar smiles impishly. Codey sits down and smiles. "Foood." he grins Kassima waves to Alyssa and nods respectfully to Portock. "The hot springs probably aren't too occupied," she points out to Alyssa with a smile. Jereth nods in agreement. "I could use one too," he tells Alyssa. "Where could I take one here? Later, I mean." Portock catches a passing drudge and orders some benden red. Salless humms as she roots through the kitchen, preparing Codey's heardbeast. Finally, she returns, and gives it to him, saying "Sorry that took so long. I had to make it from scratch." Alyssa asks Salless for a few things. Jereth eyebrows rise as he surveys the assembled crowd in the cavern. Absently he notes that all the seats are already taken. He stands; there are many here who deserve rest more than he. Salless unlocks the wine cabinet and pours out 3 goblets of Benden Red at Alyssa's request. Portock returns a nod to Kassima. Coranda takes a sip of her klah catching bits and pieces of conversation about the hot springs. Something suddenly ocurrs to her. Codey laughs at Salless and digs in. Taylar waves Jereth over and makes room for him on the bench. Coranda says "Codey, did you bring your swimsuit?"" Taylar says "What do you need a suit for?" Alyssa hands one goblet to Portock, the other to Jareth, and sets her own, the third, down. Portock looks at Coranda "Swimsuit?" Codey nods and says around his food, "Uh huh." Portock thanks Alyssa and takes a seat with wine in hand. Coranda smiles sweetly. "Of course! " Jereth wanders over toward Taylar who thankfully is nearby. He gratefully takes the proferred seat. "Thanks" Jereth says sincerely to Taylar. Thera looks around the people between them to smile at Jereth. Alyssa takes a sniff at her clothes and wrinkles her face. "Nope. I smell like numbweed and firestone. I'm off to the springs. Excuse me, all. Be back later." Taylar says "Thanks for the help when the riders returned." Portock just shakes his head and smiles. Jereth looks around to see who Taylar is talking to. Coranda points to Codey. "He's holdbred." Codey is confused, "Yes, I am." Taylar laughs. "You, Jereth. Yes, you." Alyssa echos Taylar. "Thank you, Jereth, you were a big help. Portock, I will be by first thing in the morning to look at our patients, all right?" Jereth smiles and waves wearily at Thera. Portock nods in understanding, a bit at leaste. Taylar looks to Coranda. "So am I. It didn't take long to get out of that habit though." Coranda turns to Codey. "A couple of residents here were wondering about the use of swimsuits." Coranda grins. Codey nods, "You wear them to swim in..." Jereth blushes a fierce pink. "I couldn't do anything, though," he protests. Portock smiles at Alyssa, "Yes, that will be just fine, knowing you, you'll beat me there." Kassima quirks a smile. "Towels will probably serve you better than a suit for swimming." She shakes her head at Taylar, still not understanding why anyone would go in the springs without first donning a towel. Taylar says "You fetched and carried. That helped." Coranda nods to Taylar. "So am I...but I used to live here so it's no big deal to me." Thera sits back and watches everything. Taylar considers Kassi's towel and where it should be when she is in the water. Codey blinks and looks stricken Jereth waves Taylar's compliment aside. "It's the least I could do," he murmurs. "After everyone here has been so nice, I mean." Portock wonders why anyone would wear anything into the springs. Flannery walks in from the bowl. Codey mutters to Coranda. Coranda eats a piece of the cheese Salless brought to her. Coranda almost spits out her food at Codey's whisper and manages to choke it down. Taylar waves to Flannery. "Fresh klah in the pot. Alyssa smiles bashfully, then leans down and kisses Portock's cheek before hurrying to the inner caverns for her things. Kassima nods respectfully to Flannery. "Good eve, ma'am." Alyssa walks towards the inner cavern. Jereth gathers his courage and takes a sip of Benden Wine. His eyebrows rise nearly an inch, and he regards the glass with renewed interest. Carefully, he takes another sip. Portock looks at Codey and trys to explain, "Uh, I guess here we don't really worry about bearing skin" Taylar says "By the way, my name is Taylar. I don't think we've formally met." Coranda mutters to Codey, "... do,... I... wearing... some don't." Codey looks at Coranda and then at Portock, "Oh....Okay....I guess I can live with that..." Portock blushes a bit at Alyssa kiss. "I'm Jereth," Jereth says to Taylar. Flannery nods to the others, then takes a sa=eat. Taylar says "Pleased to meet ya. You staying here at Benden?" Coranda blurts out, "Just wear your pink boxers Codey and you'll be fine." R'val looks up and smiles, "Flan. Have a drink?" He hefts a skin of wine to her. Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "I think that Portock blushes almost as nicely as Alyssa." Alyssa walks here from the Inner Cavern. Jereth nods to Taylar. "At least as long as the Hatching. I wish I could stay longer," he adds, quietly. Benden Weyr> Portock Hey, I only do it a little bit... Codey coughs, "Coranda! Coranda snickers and takes another piece of cheese. Kassima sighs, thinking the hot springs don't sound too bad, actually. Her eyebrows raise fully at the mention of pink boxers, and she bites her lip to keep a straight face. Alyssa carries fresh clothes, a towel, and sweetsand with her toward the bowl, looking happier now that she is on her way to cleanliness. Coranda says "Oh no one cares, Codey." Peeve glides in from the bowl. Meli slips out quietly, off to finish oiling her older 'lizard. Meli walks towards the inner cavern. Taylar says "Where are you going after the hatching?" Portock smells himself at the sight of Alyssa's cleaning gear. Alyssa walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Codey sighs, "My trunks are grey, silly." Jereth shrugs. "I don't know," he answers, then shrugs. "I was going to apply at the Harper Hall, but don't know if that's what I really want, now that I've been there for a few sevendays." He shrugs again. "I still don't have a real home," he admits. Jereth notices Leer hovering near the hearth and waves wearily to him. Coranda sighs and teases, "But you'd fit in so nicely with the boxers. Like you said, no one whears swimsuits." Codey finishes his food, "Okay...I'm tired and sore..." he looks at Coranda, "Swim?" Benden Weyr> Flannery sorries...important phone call guys. Brb. Taylar says "You have the home you came from and the one you're at. Make Benden permanent or at least ask." Coranda gobbles down the last of her cheese. Kassima quirks a half-grin. "Not an uncommon feeling," she murmurs. Coranda nods to Codey and gets up. "Sounds good to me." Portock is taken back by his own smell and looks around to see if anyone noticed. Codey gets up, "I guess I grow up now." he teases Jereth gapes at Taylar. "You think they'd let me? I mean, I don't know that I could do anything. My only real skill's music, but I'm not even that good at that." Coranda says "uh, Codey?" Codey hmms, "Yeah?" Thera grins. "Can you peel tubers Jereth?" Coranda says "I don't have my swimsuit." Jereth looks at Thera and shrugs. "I've done it before, but not much," he says. Taylar shrugs. "I'm a holdbred Tanner's son. And I got to stay here. You can work hard, can't you?" Kassima smiles slightly. "Can you peel tubers? Clean latrines? Muck out stables?" Jereth nods enthusiastically to Taylar. Taylar says "See? That's all we do around here." Thera laughs. "Jereth, how abotu you do my chores for a week or so, and then we see?" Codey nods, "So?" Jereth glances at Kassima. "Ummmm... I've never done the other two things," he admits. "I can try, though." Leer smirks and chuckles quietly. Codey is acting adult....he wants to deserve his knot :) Kassima chuckles quietly. "Aye, Taylar has the right of it. And Thera, don't confuse him--no one else can do your chores for you, much though y'might wish it." She laughs. Coranda says "Okay...well if you don't mind then. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Let's go." Thera says "It'd give you great Benden experiance..." Taylar laughs at Thera. "Just don't let Kerlyn catch you ducking chores." Codey grins, "Lead on then Jereth glances at Thera and laughs. "I wouldn't want to deprive you of your duty in life," he says. Thera grins. "Hadta try." Coranda has to remember where they were... Coranda walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Codey walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. You say "Oh, 'tis easy enough to clean a latrine out. If you can chop, peel, move boxes, or anything, there's surely plenty for you to do around here...." Taylar says "Oh, And occasionally, you get to wash and oil dragons." Jereth nods. "I'd like to work on my musical skills, too," he adds. Kassima grins, nodding. "And that's incredibly fun!" Jereth's eyes light up Taylar's words. "Really?" he says, incredulous. Thera says "We have a weyrsinger here....is it F'nar?" Taylar nods. "We have a weyrharper, Caitlyn. She might teach you." Leer winces, "Oily dragons, even oilyer oilers." Taylar laughs at Leer. Jereth nods. "I've met F'nar. I like him a lot." He grins suddenly. "He gave me a ride to the Harper Hall on Pavanth's back!" he says, still clearly awed by the experience. Kassima chuckles. "Some of us practice some slight skill. Meli here has written good verses, though I don't know if she's set tunes to them." Taylar says "I try to carry tunes in buckets and usually fail." "I can do that," Jereth says to Kassima enthusiastically. "I'm not as good as a real Harper, but I could try." Kassima removes a wrapped bundle from one of her belt pouches, revealing a set of multiple pipes. Grinning, she blows a few merry notes before placing the pipes on the table. Jereth nods to Taylar. "I've never met Caitlyn, though I've heard of her. I would like to meet her sometime." Taylar says "She was around earlier, I think. Maybe next time." Jereth smiles at Kassima. "Is that an invitation for a duet?" he asks. Taylar dropped Greenleaf. Kassima half-grins. "Take it as you like, though I'm not much of a piper without the music-reading. Have to play by ear. I'm better at singing, but I don't know a great deal of songs." Thera smiles at the thought of music, "Please play?" Jereth smiles at Quiq's arrival and imitates the little bronze's chirp. Thera unwinds Quiq and shoos him off, in a nice way. Thera waddles over and sticks his head in the largest of the pipe holes. Kyril warbles a few notes of the Drunken Sailor Song. Kassi quickly shuts him up and smiles. "I suppose I could. Any requests? I know a few sad songs, a couple happier ones, and a dance reel or two." Quiq might fogive you, Salless shoos the layabouts out of the Living Cavern, getting them out of her way. Kassima *doesn't think your head will fit in her pipes, Thera.... :) Peeve yawns and cheeps. Thera laughs!!!! Greenleaf has left. Benden Weyr> Meli laughs. Nice mav, Thera :) Quiq waddles over and sticks his head in the largest of the pipe holes. Kassima *doesn't even want to know where you got the gender change. <g> Benden Weyr> Thera grins. What's mav stand for? Benden Weyr> Maarie says, "What'd she do? =)" Jereth sighs and knows what Quiq wants. He reaches toward a plate on a nearby table and finds a berry from a bubbly pie. He offers it to Quiq. Kassima shoos the bronze's muzzle out of her pipes gently. Jereth glances at Kassima. "If you're willing to try to improvise, I think we can make something work," he says. "I would have to get my gitar, though." Quiq sneezes in the pipe hole, producing a *BLURRT* noise, scaring himself. Portock stands and nods to those he knows, gives a slight waves to R'val and heads towards the bowl. Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Thera waddled over and stuck his head in the largest of the pipe holes. :)" Taylar stands. "I stink. Therefore, I must wash. Later. Benden Weyr> Thera it was supposed to be Quiq... :P ;) Taylar walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Portock walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. You say "Oh, I suppose I could try. Though I could use a bath as much as anyone... ah, well. Guess it can wait--I don't suppose you've ever heard of a song called "Three Drunken Maidens and a Klah Pot," have you?" Thera says "You can bath later Kassi. Just one song?" Jereth shakes his head. "I've heard it, but can't remember it well enough to play it." Kassima grins slightly, since that was a rhetorical question. Jereth says "I'll be right back." Kassima raises both eyebrows in shock. "How could you have heard that song?" Thera likes being Kassi's coz...get intp songs that way. Jereth shrugs. "Never saw it written down, but heard it. A friend of my uncle's -- he was a Harper." Jereth walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Jereth walks in from the bowl. Thera laughs. "You're famous Kassi." "Sorry," he says. "Had to get my gitar from the Guest Weyr. I left it there when all this started." Kassima says mildly, "I wrote that song, and no Harper should know it. I'm wondering exactly how they got word... perhaps 'tis another ballad of which y'be thinking?" Thera says "Well hurry up and play it." Jereth shakes his head. "I can't remember how it goes, but I definitely remember the title. It was funny!" Leer leans back on his chair, relaxed. Kassima shakes her head. "Can't possibly be the same one," she says with certainty. Thera glares at the almost harpers. Jereth plucks each of his gitar strings and winces when he reaches the high E. He adjusts the pitch upward. "It's always bad about that after it goes *between*, he explains" Meli walks here from the Inner Cavern. Kassima sighs as Thera shoots her another impatient glance and starts piping a lively reel, a fairly common one, for her to dance to. Meli returns, her face scrubbed, and sits down to finish oiling Alluire. Thera gets out of her seat and begins to bounce around the room, and passing Meli, grabs her abd twirls her around. Wrapped around Meli's forearm, Alluire screes, and Meli eeps as they are pulled off balance. "Thera! Hang on!" she calls. Kassima rolls her eyes good-naturedly at Thera and starts piping faster. Thera smiles. "Ok!" and continues to whirl. Thera slows down and sets Meli by a bench, and skips on. After listening for a moment, Jereth says, "Ah!" and joins in on his gitar. The chord progression is identical to Kassima's playing, but adds support in the lower registers to Kassima's brilliant piping. Kassima finishes the reel in a whirling archepeggio, her fingers flying nimbly across the pipes. Thera skips, avoiding drudges and Salless and twirls about, finally coming back to a rest by the player's table. Kassima laughs, breathless. "And now, I'll be heading to the springs--you've had your song of me. Any of y'all are welcome to be joining me at the springs--there's enough folk there to make it a regular party, aye?" Jereth begins improvising a harmony part by using the fingers not needed to play the chords. The two parts intertwine, sounding like a second, lower voice added to the first. Meli settles her gold, trying to look sternly at Thera, but she can't quite manage it. Thera grins at Meli. "I'm up to a bath now. I helped bath Anra today, but i prolly just got her into trouble." Jereth finishes together with Kassima, ending in a final chord that lasts during Kassima's flourish. "Yes," he says after he's finished. "That's it." Kassima wraps up her pipes and places them carefully in her pouch, beside the poem hides. Meli smiles. "I think I'll pass t'night. Gotta finish this, an' I'm pretty tired." Thera grabs Kassi and Jereth by the arm and starts skipping outta the LC, towards the bowl. You say "Understandable, Meli. I'm tired, too, but I also want to soak." Kassima rolls her eyes as she gets dragged along by Thera. She waves to R'val and Meli cheerfully. R'val grins, nodding to Kassima. Meli waves an oily hand at Thera and the 'harpers'. "Go. Have fun! I'll see ya t'morrow." Jereth permits himself to be dragged along. On his way out, he hands his gitar to Leer. "Keep this safe, will you?" he asks. You say "Hey, Thera, let me go! I can walk by myself, sheesh." Thera says "Wanna come R'val? Meli?" calls back, "You all are welcome to come!"" Jereth has no clue where he's being dragged, but follows along willingly. Kassima snorts. "Imagine that--fifteen Turns, and I can walk, amazing." She chuckles and nods, seconding Thera's invitation but reminding her that Meli already declined. R'val shakes his head to Thera andsmiles, "Give me a bit, I have to finish my drink."?" Thera pulls even harder. Benden Weyr> Latiar curses his silly silly brain....the fall was /this/ Friday? Meli rolls her eyes at the mention of fifteen Turns. Shards, is she the -oldest- candidate around? Thera says "Ok sir!" Latiar walks here from the Inner Cavern. Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "Yup, Latiar, and I could have used you. :)" Benden Weyr> Latiar shakes his head, Thera walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Jereth walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Kassima waves as she shakes off Thera's grasp and walks out to the Springs herself. Benden Weyr> Latiar says, "And I coudl ahve come! I wasn't doin' nuthin....hmm....what happened?" Benden Weyr> Latiar says, "Could have even." Latiar grins as he steps into the Living Cavern and heads straight for the klah. Leer smiles and sets the Gitar down beside him. He leans back again against his chair. Benden Weyr> R'val just wishes all those injuries had waited till he hadn't been charing thread ;) You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.