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You Da Man!


Date:  November 5, 2002
Places:  Fort Weyr's Center Bowl and Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  I randomly decided, early one morning/late one evening,
that I wanted to be social, darn it.  So Kassi headed on over to Fort,
whose Living Cavern had some late-night chatter going on.  The result
isn't *quite* what I anticipated.  But it was fun all the same!  And
Sela?  She didn't corrupt your children!  Honest!  Bearing J'nas's 
children was all *their* idea!

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The Log:

You spiral down to the ground, and backwing to a landing.

<*> Chenth lifts his head and rumbles a bassy greetings towards the Telgari
green.

<*> Lysseth banks to as silent a landing as wingbeats will allow, though
whether out of respect for those above who likely sleep in their weyrs or
those here is difficult to determine--at least until she returns that
rumble with a low contralto version of her own. Hello, hello. "You'll
behave, and nay be raking up their Bowl?" Kassi asks as she unbuckles
herself from the straps, the tone of the question rhetorical. Nor does Lyss
bother to answer.

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles,
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

You head into the Living Caverns.

Dakota munches on her roll and sips her juice. Leaning back comfortably
against the back of her chair, she grins at V'asha. "I was nervous when I
Stood at Telgar, I suspect i'll be just as nervous when I step out onto the
Sands here too." she comments quietly.

Navvi nods, "That's what I'm told--you start sweating before you get out
there. Maybe dragons like that?"

"--And that means don't claw up the ground getting comfortable, either!"
Kassima pauses just inside the entrance to yell back over her shoulder,
ostensibly to her lifemate. When no response comes she mutters something
under her breath about sharding dragons causing sharding inter-Weyr
incidents and what's the sharding world coming to. A shame the tone's
amused and rather disrupts all pretense of genuine ire. "Duties t'Fort and
her queens," she turns back to greet the room in general more amiably. "I
don't suppose L'nan's about, is he?"

There is a male bellow of fury from the recesses of the weyr - Soranda's
name called as a curse. As the sound reverberates across the living cavern,
the culprit in question hisses and slides hastily beneath the table. From
the shadows, she pleads in a hurried undertone with those nearby. "*Please*
tell him I've gone *that way*!" One hand shows just above the table's
surface, pointing towards the arched entrance to the bowl, and retreats
immediately.

V'sha'd opened his mouth to voice a reply to Navvi and Dakota when Kassima
strides in. "mmm?" And now the thing with Soranda. My, my, my, the things
are just piling up tonight. V'sha just sits there, mouth shut for the
present, his gaze alternating between Kassima and Soranda's retreating back.

Navvi cranes her head to eye Soranda under the table. "What did you /do/?"
Her eyes are wide.

Dakota turns as she hears a familar voice. She smiles brightly, lifting a
hand in greeting to the Telgar rider. "G'evening, Kassima. Fort's duties to
Telg..." her words trail off quickly as Soranda comes bolting in here and
ducks under a table.

Kassima starts a bit at the mighty sound and fury, and her eyes track the
disappearance of a girl beneath a table with considerable surprise. "This
is one of those nights," she asks no one in particular, "isn't it? Oh,
Dakota, g'deve! Pleasure t'be seeing you again; I heard you'd come back
here... duties t'Igen and her queens too, I suppose." That's tacked on
belatedly, and accompanied by a nod to V'sha. "Does this sort of thing
happen oft? The hiding under tables, I mean? Nay anyone's about t'come out
in white leather pants with glittery glass bits sewn on, are they?"

A panicked "Shells, Navvi! Don't *look* at me!" is hissed from beneath the
table! Sora holds her breath, hoping to remain undiscovered, as footsteps
and hollering clatter noisily from the lower caverns.

Dakota nods, grinning. "Yup, and now i'm a candidate again, for Fort now."
she says cheerfully, if still a bit distracted by the hiding Soranda.
"Well, I don't think it happens too often. At least not as long as I've
been here." she remarks.

V'sha rolls his eyes at Kassima, and tosses up a wave to her. "Evening,
Kassima. Igen's duties to Telgar and her queens, as well. And don't look at
me for any kind of explanation, I've only recently got here myself." He
spares another glance for the girl under the table, and shrugs helplessly.

Navvi's lips twist into a strange sort of grin. "I take it that nobody in
here is looking for...her?" A glance toward the bowl.

A young man, auburn-haired and fair, slides into the cavern in shirtless
fury. Actually, he has has his shirt with him, but it's clenched in his
fist. A likely weapon. Blue eyes sparking, his gaze simmers around the
room, resting on a group collected around a table. Glowering, one hand
scratching at his shoulder, he says not a word but stomps off towards the
bowl. How rude.

"Faranth's four fecund feet, already? Felicitations," Kassi bids, with a
warm grin in return. "Knew they've been picking up Candidates here and
there, but I hadn't heard... 'twill nay, 'twill nay, V'sha. I have this
strange feeling that I might nay understand the explanation anyway. So
naught's lost. I'm nay looking for her," she adds to Navvi at her most
helpful; then, with a glance back out towards the Bowl, she ambles further
into the room, towards where there are empty seats.

Navvi puts her sewing into her bag. "I'm sorry--I need to get some sleep
before my chores tomorrow." She bobs her head respectfully. "Clear skies!"

Navvi walks down the eastern stairs to the Inner Caverns.

With a jaw-cracking yawn, Dakota stands. "I think I should get some sleep
as well. G'night" she says to everyone before heading into the inner
caverns, even forgetting to put away her mug. Which for her is unusual.

Kassima murmurs after the auburn-haired man has gone, "I wonder who he's
planning t'beat up with that shirt. There's a spectacle I'd nigh-on pay
t'see." Sliding into one of those aforementioned empty seats, she
waves--too late--after the departing young woman, then ducks down to try
and get a look under the tables. "What? Oh--g'night, Dakota," she calls,
looking back up. "G'luck in the Candidacy and what-all!"

Dakota walks down the eastern stairs to the Inner Caverns.

There is scuffling beneath the table, a dull thud as something bangs into
the wooden top. A muffled,"Ouch." and, chair legs screeching, Soranda
clambers from her hiding spot as if she were nine turns old, a mighty grin
of triumph on her face.

"So just what'd you *do* t'him?" Kassi inquires of Soranda as she emerges,
one brow lifting until it's lost beneath her forelock. "Must've been
something impressive t'send him storming through here topless."

J'nas comes in from the bowl.

Soranda grins at the rider and says, somewhat breathlessly,"Fort Weyr's
Duties to you! Sorry to um..." A flash of a glance at the entrance through
which the sound and the fury left and then the bright gaze slides back to
the Telgarian,"Um get you involved. Ma'am. Um.." She scuffles herself into
a chair and leans to murmur to the other woman, with a wicked grin,"I
*fixed* him, is what I did."

Kassima corrects immediately, reflexively, "Kassima." There's a beat-long
pause before she clarifies, "Kassima, or Kassi, nay ma'am; 'tis m'name, and
I hate the other. Duties and all that sort of thing a'course. And nay
apologies necessary--I don't get t'see men storm through without shirts
every day, y'know, Telgar's climate's nay very good for it." She leans to
better catch that murmur, her other brow following the other upwards before
she pleads, "Care t'be elucidating? That just screams of having a story
behind it."

J'nas enters with a sour look on his face. Not until he has filled a glass
with wine and taken a healthy drink does he take the time to see who has
gathered in the cavern. Swiftly, his demeanor changes to a friendlier
countenance. "Good evening, Soranda and Fort's duties to you, Kassima." He
wanders closer to the two women, "I couldn't help but overhear, Sora. Who
did you fix?"

Soranda snickers at Kassima,"Well met, Kassima!" Uh-oh. Assistant
Weyrlingmaster. She eyes the man with some suspicion, trrying to decide if
she should open her big mouth and possibly condemn herself or....nah. Pride
in accomplishment wins out and she grins, repeating,"I fixed Del." A quick
explanation to Kassi,"That was my brother. Delan. Without the shirt." She
chokes on sudden laughter. "He's um not happy with me, I think."

A quick glance towards the entrance lets Kassi catch sight of J'nas, and
her brow momentarily furrows at his expression, but the reaction is brief.
Her attention's still more on that murmur. "Ah, a *brother*," she repeats,
with the satisfaction of the enlightened. "It all makes sense now. Or will
when you say just what you did t'make him unhappy with you, and where his
shirt comes into it...." Looking back towards the brownrider, "Duties and
all that right back, J'nas--something amiss? You didn't look all that happy
with life for a moment there."

Soranda *is* grateful for the subject change and watches J'nas expectantly,
nodnoding at Kassima's words. Maybe she's not busted. Maybe someone else *is*.

J'nas twists to peer toward the entrance. "I was wondering what he was
doing running around like that. I hope he forgets as easily as dragons do."
It doesn't seem like he's too intent on getting Sora into trouble. The
brownrider slides into a vacant seat and grouses, "Several of the
Candidates are reporting missing belongings. I'm afraid we might have a
thief in the barracks."

Soranda wrinkles her nose in distaste! "Not really!" Pranks are one thing,
thievery another.

"It couldn't possibly be someone outside of the Barracks?" Kassi wonders,
most of her good humor dissipating--at least momentarily--at this news.
"Someone sneaking in while the Candidates sleep? I suppose that's
unlikely... shells. Rotten luck for the Candidates. The belongings are
valuable, or are they just random things?"

Soranda leans on her elbow, listening to J'nas and Kassima, considering her
long dark cape and how good that is to wear when one is spying things out.
Possiblities for thief traps, all involving the assistance of one sibling
or the other, begin to run through her mind.

"Really," J'nas replies to Soranda's exclamation with a look of disgust.
"Some of the things have semi-precious stones and nearly all of them carry
some sentimental value for the Candidates. Faranth help whoever it is if I
ever get a hold of them," he growls. Quite unusual for him, really.

Something about Soranda's plotting expression inspires Kassima to comment
to her, "And I still want t'know what 'tis you did t'your brother." Back to
the matter at hand: "Shardit, J'nas, that's a bloody shame. I suppose their
presses have already been searched? Doesn't seem likely t'be an unfortunate
form of prank if'n they're valuable, though the bit about sentimental value
makes it sound rather malicious."

Soranda frowns. "P'ter is gonna be *mad*." she pronounces. Duh. Then shuts
up *quickly*, at Kassi's pointed comment. Shells again! Not off the hook
yet. Wheels turns in her head. Think fast, girl! She settles quietly in her
chair. IAmNotHereIAmNotHereIAmNotHere.

J'nas shakes his head. "We haven't searched the room just yet. At first, we
were hoping it was just a case of misplaced belongings. I think a surprise
inspection would be a good idea." He waves a hand as if to dismiss the
subject. "But enough of that right now. What /did/ you do to Del, Soranda?"

Kassima rubs at her chin for a moment. "If'n 'tis someone who knows the
Weyr very well, they might have found some hidden niche t'stow the booty
in. But since 'tis Candidates, it may nay be so. How much has gone missing
so far? And 'tis still going on?" Still, she acknowledges the
subject-dismissal with a brief tilt of her head to the side before joining
in the prodding: "It must be something lovely. He marched through here with
his shirt in his hand and looking fit t'flay someone with it. If'n you
*could* flay someone with a shirt."

WHOOF! Soranda lets out her breath in a quiet rush and grins sheepishly at
the two riders, color flooding her cheeks. Ahh, pranks are soooo easy when
they are fast and furious! It's the *re-telling* that's so embarassing!
"Um." Soranda? At a loss for words? Unheard of! "...ching p....er." she
mumbles.

"There's enough missing to make a journey rank smith cry," J'nas tells
Kassi before leaning closer to Sora. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that.
What did you say?"

"Say again?" Kassi's nothing if not persistant. "That sounds either like
'twere filching his pants or 'twere doing something improper with a
pitcher. Oh, nay--there aren't *knives* missing, are there?"

Soranda clears her throat and, with a sheepish grin, says clearly,"Itching
powder." From a pocket in her dress, she pulls a small canvas bag tied
round the neck with maroon thread. Dangling it - talk about a criminal
returning to the scene! - in front of the riders, a certain trtiumph creeps
into her voice. "I made it myself and...well, I *had* to try it out, didn't
I?" This is what her dragonhealing knowledge is being used for?? She says,
with true sibling smug-ness,"It worked."

Savaughna comes up the steps from the Inner Caverns.

Rulana comes up the steps from the Inner Caverns.

J'nas sits up again and blinks. "I don't think there are knives missing. I
certainly hope not." Soranda's confession easily seizes his attention. "I
trust you haven't shared your recipe with the Candidates. That's something
I don't want to deal with."

Kassima rocks back in her chair with a near-silent laugh, confusion
disappearing beneath merriment. "Ah, now! I'm glad m'youngest daughter
isn't here with me. She'd love t'have a thing like that t'use against one
of *her* brothers. 'Tis all enough t'be making me glad I grew up an only
child--even if'n it did mean I had t'wait until later in life t'trick men.
Maylia showed me the most amazing thing t'put in their drinks, y'know; it
turns their water interesting colors...." Pause. "As I probably shouldn't
be telling you about. Good, good, I'm glad t'be hearing that. I confess, I
automatically think 'knives' when Smiths are mentioned."

Rulana comes walking quickly from the direction of her room, scratching at
her head and looking rather puzzled. "It been a while since we got mistaken
for each toher by /him/" she mutters as she catches sight of her sister and
flops down in as close a chair as she can. "What /have/ you done to make
Del so..." but she's caught her sister's words, and the showing of the
powdered menace as she was sitting, and just shakes her head.

Soranda grins and says innocently,"No sir."Then adds,"None of 'em's made me
mad. Yet." She winks mischeviously and, in that instant, is the *image* of
her father, Faranth help us all!

Savaughna dashes into the living cavern, screeching around an Old Aunty who
just *happens* to be in her way. The child ducks under a table, creeping
along on all fours, backside high in the air, then skitters out and goes
crashing for the foodtable in a mad rush. Muahaha, those silly nannies will
never catch her! She snatches up a handful of supersweet mini pastries, and
ducks under another table.

Soranda grins at Rulana, dangling a small canvas bag and smirking,"It
worked." She lifts her feet as Savaughna scrambles under the table. Does
this run in the family or what? So far, that's two of Sela and D'ru's
children that have ended up under the tables this evening.

J'nas nods in relief as he settles back in his chair. "Good to hear,
Soranda. If any of them ask you how to make it, you tell them no. Deal?" He
nods courteously to Rulana as she takes a seat. "Good evening. I take it
you ran into your brother? I certainly hope none of my Candidates have the
affinity you have for knives, Kassima."

"I wouldn't give it out at all, J'nas!" Soranda leans forward and teases
the weyrling master threateningly,"I'm going to *sell* it to them!"

Aberthol comes up the steps from the Inner Caverns.

Kassima watches this influx of Selandra-spawn with one slow blink.
"Methinks 'twill nay tell Kiss and Kris how many younglings were running
around, when I get home," she comments wryly, to no one in particular.
"Else they might be peeved with me for nay bringing 'em t'see the eggs,
thinking they should be asleep. G'deve, g'deve." Then, to J'nas, "Why, why
shouldn't they? Lovely things, knives. Some of them are true works of art,
in ornament or in grace--the balance, the fine metal; and either way, it
can't really hurt t'know how t'use one. How much will you charge?" she
wants to know, darting a glance towards Soranda.

Rulana too has seen the little crawling skittering creature, but stills her
sister from commenting about it, before she can say anything else about it,
she nods over to J'nas. "He near kicked me in the shins but I jumped out
the way as he was using the most interesting of language about Sora, so I
figured that I was safe this time." At the mention of selling though, her
attention is gained quickly, but it's to Kassima that she looks this time.
"You think that you'd be able to show us some of the things to put in the
drinks?" As she waits for an answer though, she points Savawardsand grins,
"You're her bestest friend J'nas, you should be under there sharing I think."

Aberthol wanders into the oddest of things doesn't he? Actually he has no
idea what he's wandering into, he just knows he's sleepily rubbing at his
gray hued eyes, not really paying too much attention where he's going.
Wait, he knows one thing, he needs klah, and so if something happens to be
in his way towards the klah pot, oh well, it's getting bumped into. He
keeps walking, nailing his shin pretty good on a passing chair. "Ow!" He
winces opens his eyes, glares at the chair and keeps on going. "Sharding
chair."

Soranda considers Kassima's question carefully. Reaching below the table,
she graps the little one by an ankle, hauling the squirming child into her
lap,"C'mere, Sausage!" She gives the child several loud and affectionate
smacks on one plump cheek, burrowing her nose in a small ear to tickle.

"I hope the marks will be worth the muck," J'nas sends Sora's way, a slight
smile playing on his lips. "I won't argue that fact with you, Kassi. There
are some beautiful knives, but I'd rather they remain in the hands of fine
people such as yourself." The brownrider ducks down to find Sava, but his
search is ended by Soranda's capture of the child.

"Let's say I could be telling you where you can find it. I don't have much
left, m'self, since I've used most of m'ready supply--but if'n you can find
an amiable Smith, and have plenty of marks, you can likely ask 'em for a
dye that will do what you want," Kassima explains, grinning a grin that may
not bode well. "Though, 'tis occuring t'me that they might nay be able
t'make it right now. They'll be working on their new chemistry workshop for
a time yet, and I doubt the making of water-coloring dyes will be high on
the priority list, so t'speak... i'truth, if'n they put that a'fore renewed
agenothree consumption, I'd be rather peeved." She hears that exclamation,
glances towards its source. "G'deve, Candidate. Or g'morning, as
'twere--J'nas! You flatter me. And I can't even argue with you on one
point: I'd certes nay complain if'n there were more knives for me, even
if'n it meant fewer for others. *Sausage*?"

Savaughna bobs around under the table, obviously thinking that she has
gotten away with this little escapee act of hers. Well, that is until she
finds something grabbing her ankle. She tries to squirm free, but Soranda
is just too strong, and so pouting, she sits on her elder sister's lap. "I
is *not* a sausage." She complains, squiggling in Sora's lap before
breaking free and tumbling under the table again. "J'nas!" she calls,
having spotted her *best friend*. "Come and be playing Weyrs with me. I
will be the lady and you can be the big man."

Rulana nods assent to Kassima. "Priorities." she says, sends a wave to
Aberthol, and settles back to watch the Sava show. "Yes J'nas. Her Bestest
friend is all that we hear about when we're looking after her." she
explains to the others

Soranda covers a laugh with a sudden cough! "Big man?" she queries the
other women at the table, with certain amusement. Her grin lights Kassi's
way,"It's her baby name. Sausage, I mean."

J'nas laughs as Sava disappears beneath the table again. "Big man? I fixed
Fred for her," he offers by way of explanation. "If you'll excuse me, I
think I'll find out what the big man is supposed to do in a weyr." With
that, the rider slides from his chair and crawls after Savaughna.

Aberthol shifts his head to squint in Kassima's direction. Familiarity
doesn't click but he rises his hand to give a sleepy salute either way.
"Good.. whatever it is." He replies back with a shake of his head--which
sends long wisps of hair awhirl. Hand is lifted into another salute at
Rulana before he makes it to the klah pot and quickly fills himself a mug.
A deep gulp is taken. "Whew! Getting better."

Kassima agrees, "Always priorities," as she scoots her chair back to better
be able to watch the entertainment herself. "*Sausage*. Do you lot name all
your sibs after food products? Since as I recall, there are a lot of
'em--terribly fortunate woman, your mother. In some fashion. J'nas, if'n
you figure out what the big man does, do call it out to us so we can know?"
Though she automatically winces a bit at the salute, she returns it, crisp
by reflex.

Savaughna puts her tiny sweet pastries down on the ground beneath the
table. As J'nas joins her, she grins a very merry grin, and gestures at the
little balls of sweetness. "These are the babies. Since you are the big
man, you does be getting to look after the babies." She instructs J'nas.
"And then you have to be fixing chairs, cause big man's does that too. And
*then* you can go to bed and snuggle, cause Mam's and Big Man's do snuggle.
/That's/ how babies are born, you now." So knowledgable, is she.

J'nas settles down on his stomach and opens his eyes wide. "Oh, is that
what big man's do? What does the Lady do while he watches the babies and
fix chairs?" He can't help but grin as Sava displays her knowledge of
babies. "You mean wherries don't bring the babies to their Mam and Da?"

"My," Kassi can't resist quipping. "I can't wait t'be hearing Sela's
reaction t'learning she's become a grandmother. T'sweetrolls, nay less.
Belated congratulations t'you on your very fine family, J'nas and... um...
Sausage. That's short for Savaughna, aye? Sela doesn't have another I've
nay heard of?" This is directed towards the elder sisters. Peering towards
Aberthol and the klah pitcher, she asks, somewhat hopefully, "Do they keep
juice over there too?"

Rulana claps her hands together. "Oh she'll be delighted." she exclains to
Kassi. "She's always at one of us to be getting her grandchildren, but
she's another of her own on the way anyway." Rulana takes delight in this
news of course, judging by the way her expression has changed quickly and
her nose is now all screwed up. "Welcome to the family, J'nas." she calls
down though.

J'nas knocks on the table from below and calls out, "Many thanks! They're
the sweetest children you'll ever meet."

"I is not a sausage!" Savaughna pokes her head out from under the table to
bestow a rather cranky look on Kassima. "Only babies do be sausages." Then,
she scampers back and nods very seriously to J'nas. "The lady does sit
around fanning herself and saying 'Oh oh.. having babies does be *much*
hard work. I wish Big Man would be fetching me a drink'. And looking
pretty. My Mam looks pretty all the time, don't you think?" She fixes J'nas
with her big blue eyes.

Soranda snickers and rolls her eyes, nodding at J'nas-Under-The-Table - if
it runs in the family, do you think it's *contaigious*??

Aberthol is hovering over his mug for several minutes before it looks like
he's got life to him. It's about then that he wanders back towards the
group and takes a seat in a chair that doesn't have someone sitting in it.
For a few moments he just blinks and watches, trying to get what exactly is
going on. Somewhere he fails because he's just staring blankly at this point.

Kassima repeats in open amazement, "*Another*... may all of Faranth's
little green children preserve us. 'Twill make it seven, 'twill nay? I
can't believe she's *wanting* grandchildren." She gives a rather bemused
headshake. "Oh, J'nas, I believe it," she assures in a voice suddenly gone
syrupy. "I daresay one could nigh eat them right up. A'course nay,
Sau--Savaughna; a'course nay, only 'twasn't sure of your *real* name,
y'see. Has nay anyone told you the part where the Mum breaks the Big Man's
head and curses him for ever getting her in this condition in the first
place?" She abandons her chair after saying this, the better to look into
the matter of juice herself--and, perhaps, to escape any cans of worms.

Soranda laughs out loud! Oh, that'll be good when Savaughna repeats *that*
to Mum!

"Oh it will be." Rulana echos Sora's sentiments precisely, and chuckels at
Aberthols blank look. Abandoning all thought of sensibilities though, she
slides down from her chair, and crawls over to join the pair under the
table. "You don't mind if I come and visit?" she asks, pausing before she
actually gets /under/ the table. Well if you can't beat them and all that....

>From beneath the table, J'nas calls out, "Don't give her any ideas, Kassi!"
He levels his gaze on Savaughna and nods. "Yes. You're mam is very pretty,
Sava."

Savaughna blinks up at Kassima from beneath the table. Until the greenrider
moves away, that is. "But if I does be breaking the Big Ma's head, he
wouldn't be my Big Man anymore." This, apparently, would be a horrible fate
for the little girl. "I *need* to have a big man, or I can't be playing
Weyr's." She squirms around, and wiggles her fingers at Rulana. "Oh how
*lovely* of you to come and be visiting my humble a boat. Come right in and
be having some cups of klah."

"But I live t'give small children ideas!" Kassi calls back plaintively,
looking up from her juice-pouring. "Would you really deprive me of m'only
purpose in life? Cruel man. I may as well overdose on fellis right now."
She doesn't, of course. She picks up her cup of juice and takes it back to
her seat instead. "Nay, nay, Savaughna, you'd have t'be breaking something
*else* for him nay t'be the Big Man anymore. Just ask J'nas. A man can
explain it best." Though she maintains a straight face for a beat after
saying this, she soon finds it politic to hide her expression behind that cup.

Soranda snorfles wildly at Kassima, choking with laughter!

Aberthol still can't quite figure out the conversation and shakes his head.
"Be well everyone. I think I need a few more hours of sleep yet." He
chuckles to himself and wanders back towards the candidate barracks in
search for that missing sleep.

Rulana stops still midcrawl. "Umm.. " she says, looking over towards Kassi,
and wondering exactly where she should go from here... into the weyr of the
'Big man' and Sava, or back to where it could possibly be safer. Nope, all
the better to hear J'nas's answer from in there so she crawls on. "Why
thankyou, Sava." she says "Klah would be lovely." /now/ she sits up a
little to await this response, him being the man and all.

Anyone under the table can see J'nas shudder at the thought. "I think she
can go a few turns before that conversation. And even then, she can hear it
from family." He shoots a quick look to Rulana, since she's there. "Right?"

Savaughna squints at Kassima, little nose screwing up. Shrugging, she turns
to look at J'nas and enquires in her most Lady-like voice, "Big Man, what
does I have to be breaking of yours, to make you not be being a Big Man
anymore?" Whilst awaiting an answer from the big man, she turns and pours
out some imaginary cups of klah, holding one out for Rulana. "Watch out for
the babies though Rulana, okay? 'Cause they does be sleeping, and J'nas -
who is my *bestest friend* and the Big Man, is looking after them."
Pouting, "Tell me J'nas. Rulana does never be telling me anything."

Rulana nods solemnly. Really that's not a wicked gleam in her eyes "But
J'nas. I thought that you /were/ family now." She nods again to Sava. "I'm
good a looking after babies. That's what I do."

Kassima sing-songs in her sweetest voice, "But J'nas, you *are* family as
her Big Man! Or are you saying your lady and your sweet, sweet children
aren't family t'you?" It may be noticed that she scoots her chair back a
bit after saying this, perhaps to avoid having any fists come down on her
feet.

Soranda leans down to peer beneath the table, with a grin,"I'm going to go
hide from Del. If you need me, Rula, I'm sleeping in the dorms tonight."
She blows a kiss at Savaughna and teases,"G'night, Sausage." As she
straightens, she repeats her earlier performance and bangs her head in the
same place. "Ow!" Grinning sheepishly at Kassima, she rises from her
chair,"Clear skies to you, Kassima." A flash of mischief,"If you're in the
market for some itching powder..." The sentence is left unfinshed and, with
a wave, she giggles and skibbles off to the lower caverns to hide for her
very life.

Soranda walks down the eastern stairs to the Inner Caverns.

J'nas is quick on the take and supplies an answer. "Pride. If you hurt the
big man's pride. Wouldn't you say that's emasculating, Kassima?" It's a
good thing she scooted her chair away, too. "Really, Rulana. You should be
teaching your sister these things!"

Savaughna folds her arms together, looking rather petulantly at J'nas. "I
doesn't *know* what emasculating means. You just has to be telling me,
okay?" She prods a finger at Rulana. "She does *never* tell me things."
Then, she gets an idea. Kassima seems to have all the knowlege. So, leaving
her precious sugar-babies for J'nas and Rulana to take care off, she
scrabbles out from beneath the table, and plops herself on a chair next to
the greenrider. "What's emasculating mean ma'am?" And my, isn't *that* a
sweet little smile she gives her.

"I'll be sure t'let you know," Kassi calls after the departing woman,
grinning broadly. "Clear skies, sleep well, all that! --Oh, *good* save,
J'nas," said with genuine if amused admiration. "Aye, one might argue that
hitting the Big Man's pride would nay make him such a Big Man anymore.
'Tisn't the *only* method, mind you." Yes, it is. And she scoots just a
little more. Scoot, scoot. She does stop scooting when Savaughna comes up
from her makeshift room, however, and informs the little girl quite
seriously, "It means t'make a man be less of a man. Or mayhaps nay a man at
all. And please, I'm nay more a ma'am than you're a sausage--m'name's
Kassima."

Rulana stretches herself out comfortably under the table, now that Sava's
moved, and chuckles away to herself at the turn in conversation. "Oh I /am/
going to like listening to her explain this to our mother." So they've said
that already, it's true.

J'nas is left under the table with Rulana and the little bits of sweetness.
"It's a good thing you live in Telgar," he grumbles, though it carries no
ire. "Just let me know when you tell her. I'd like to see the look on her
face when you do. Lady Sava? When do the littles have to go to sleep?"

Savaughna crinkles her nose, but seems to accept Kassima's explanation for
the most part. "Okay. So I just be re-nem-bering that for next time a boy
does be mean to be in the nursery." A bob of her shiny red head, "Where
does I get an emasculator? Does *you* have one Ma--Kassima?" She peers
intently at the greenrider, then blinks. Well, now she's scooching down to
peer under the table instead. "Ask Rula. She does be their Mam now, and you
does be *her* Big Man. You can just be in your weyr together, okay?"

Kassima replies with good cheer, "And I look forward to explaining t'L'nan
why I can't be visiting him here for awhile, lest Selandra catch hold of me
and flay me soles t'crown. Now, J'nas, I'm just showing a concern about the
lass's general education! Whatever's wrong with that?" Which isn't to say
that she's scooting back within reach or anything. "I do indeed have an
Emasculator, Savaughna, with m'name carved on it and everything, but I
don't think you could get ahold of one without your mum's help. You
probably wouldn't want one anyway. They have terribly sharp bits on 'em.
Oh, dear--is that right, your sister's the mother of J'nas's children now?
You'll certes have t'be telling your mum about *that*."

"You don't need an emasculator, Sava. I think Kassima owns the only one,
anyway." J'nas blinks at the little face as she makes her newest
proclamation. "I think your little sister is going to be a matchmaker when
she gets older. I'm sure Selandra will be tickled to death at the news.
Just a moment. Why are my children being passed off?"

Rulana blinks and sticks her head out from under the table for a second to
/look/ at Kassi and the Sausage, then moves back to where she was. "She
shall not have to be telling our mother that I'm the mother of J'nas's
children, shall you Sava?" Was that the slightest threatening tone there..
surely not to one so little.

Rulana adds to J'nas "And she can try all she likes, long as she's not
succeeding everyone is happy."

Savaughna turns her head to beam at Kassima. "I *will* be telling her. Mam
will be so so *so* happy." She turns then to look at Rulana and say
crossly, "But you *are* the Mam, Rula. You does be gonna make J'nas sad if
you say you aren't, isn't she J'nas?" She turns those huge blue eyes on
J'nas again, bottom lip quivering. "I promise I won't get an emasculator
until I'm as big as Kassima. She does be mine *other* best friend now,
doesn't you Kassima." Not so much a question, as a statement. This child
has a habit of attaching herself to people. "Now fix up some chairs in your
weyr, Big Man."

Kassima clicks her tongue in a vaguely tsk-like manner. "J'nas, J'nas,
mayhaps 'tis your education I should be concerned for... the Emasculator's
a common Beastcraft device for the gelding of stallions and herdbeasts,
'twill have you know, and I'm certes nay the only person t'have one! Nay
even the only rider. Though I'm nay sure the other riders with 'em weren't
all given theirs by me." Ducking her head to fix an innocent look on
Rulana, she protests, "But 'twould make your mother so *happy*! Right, what
Savaughna's said. How could you properly deprive Sela of such joy?" She
straightens and flashes Savaughna a surprised but rather pleased smile.
"Why, thankee, Savaughna. I'm much honored! This doesn't mean I have t'be
your Big Man next, though, does it?"

J'nas looks at Rulana and the shake of his head is barely perceptible. "Of
course you're right, Savaughna. I would be /very/ sad. But I don't think
Selandra has to hear about any babies right now. She has her own to worry
about. What do I know about the Beastcraft?" he remarks dryly. "I never
Crafted, let alone cross-Crafted."

J'nas worms his way from beneath the table and dusts himself off as he
stands. "I think I'm going to wake the Candidates up /before/ dawn
tomorrow. That means I'd better get some sleep. Rulana, I leave our
children in your capable hands. It was good to see you again, Kassima. I
hope to see you at the Hatching, if not before. And you," he says,
crouching in front of Savaughna. "Can you keep the babies a secret from
your mam for me?"

Savaughna bobs her head to Kassima, "Yup. Bestest friend. Mine other
bestest friend is J'nas, did you know that? But you don't have to be my Big
Man, 'cause you doesn't be a Big Man. J'nas is, 'cause he has Hanreth."
Another sage nod from the little wise one. She turns then, wide-eyed, to
peer at J'nas. "I am the bestest secret keeper that there ever, ever, ever
was." She tilts her head forward to hear better, then grins. "Yes. But only
cause *you* told me to."

"Well, and neither did I, but I personally feel Emasculators are something
everyone should know about. Women because they're useful," Kassima
explains, "and men so they know t'run away. Or at least why they should
squeak and cross their legs. Did you nay hear what one of the lasses said
earlier? Selandra *wants* grandchildren! I don't doubt she'd enjoy hearing
about your delicious family." Mmm-hmm. "You're headed out? 'Twas good t'see
you, too, J'nas, and certes I'll be at the Hatching. I try never t'be
missing one. G'luck in catching your thief, hey?" Suppressing a grin, she
nods to Savaughna quite solemnly. "I heard someone mention it. And I'm glad
m'lack of masculinity hasn't escaped you. *Hanreth* makes J'nas a Big Man,
y'say?"

Rulana chuckles and nods to J'nas as he leaves, and scooping the 'children'
together, she places them on a plate grabbed from the top of the table. "I
shall take them to my room." she explains to Sava, before she places the
little cot on the table. "Now Sava. Say goodnight to your new best friend."
she's turned back all nanny-like again. "And it's time to get you back to
your cot and sleeping don't you think?" More an order actually, but that's
what big sisters are for.

J'nas bows before Savaughna and Rulana before flipping a lazy salute to
Kassima. "Clear skies and sweet dreams, ladies."

J'nas heads out the cavernous entrance to the bowl.

"Uh-huh. Hanreth does be a great big dragon." Savaughna exclaims, just in
case Kassima didn't know that. "But you could be a big man if you *really*
wanted, Kassima." She turns then and sighs in a long suffering manner to
Rulana. Sniffing, "I isn't tired though Rula." The child yawns. "Oh okay.
But you does have to be carrying me, cause my legs are asleep and don't
want to walk, okay?"

Kassima grins over at Rulana. "Faranth forfend I should keep m'friend from
sleep," she agrees, and tips her glass back to drain it before rising to
her feet. After making a face after J'nas and muttering, "I need a sign
about nay saluting too, mayhaps," the greenrider adds, "I'truth, I should
get back t'Telgar m'self--I could use some sleep tonight, too. But it's
been a true pleasure getting t'know you and your family, so t'speak, both
of you. And methinks I'll be happy t'stay a woman, Savaughna. Who'd nay
rather be a lass than a lad anyway?"

"Certainly I would rather be a girl." Rula says pausing to try and decided
what to do now. Reaching out for Sava, she shrugs one shoulder. "I can't
carry J'nas's children and you too, you'll have to work out who's to be
carried to bed. " She smiles over to Kassima, "Nice to get to know you too.
" And she waits to see what Sava is going to order her to do this time.

"I would never want to be a Big Man." Savaughna admits through a yawn.
"They does have to be fixin' chairs and getting drinks for the Mam's and
stuff." Sighing, "Carry me. The babies can just be staying out here for the
night. You can just be getting them in the morning." And she scoots off her
chair, waiting with outstretched arms for Rulana to pick her up.

"See, there's your proof. G'night," Kassi wishes them both as she turns for
the door, with a parting smile. "Dream sweet and all that sort of
thing--and g'night to J'nas's children, too, whoever their mother may be!"

You head outside to the bowl.