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Double Trouble


Date:  January 19, 2001
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Proddiness has once more infected Telgar like a contagious 
disease, and Kichevio's green Saulith as well as Kassi's Lysseth have 
both become victims.  Being a snarling, snide Squall-wannabe this go-
round doesn't stop Kassi from fulfilling her Wingleader duties, though,
and both Kichevio and Alessandra are brought into the Wing with a 
reasonable minimum of threats and thrown tunnelsnake parts.  The 
question is, will Kassi ever forgive Kich for losing her an eighth mark 
when Saulith rises?  Congratulations to both of Thunderbolt's newest 
Wingriders--I'm sure you'll both do us all proud. :)

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The Log:

You walk through the large entrance to the Living Cavern.

Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the Wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives.

Kichevio waves in Kassi's general direction, still apparently brooding over
something.

Kichevio:
	Long, sleek black hair flows to her waist, accented by a streak of vivid
gold. Is it natural? Are _you_ gonna ask her? Slanted amber eyes framed by
thick dark lashes peer up at you mischieviously from under the occasional
loose strand of hair. Her nose is small and pert, her lips full, and her
chin very distinctly cleft. Dangling gold earrings glitter against her
hair. Her skin is luminously pale, without a freckle or mole to be seen.
She's tall - five feet ten inches in her bare feet. Her figure is lean and
lithe, with small breasts and narrow hips.
	Kichevio is wearing a sleek, curve-hugging blue bodysuit. Her shoulders
are bare, but covered--from the front--from bosom down. The back is cut
down to the very small of her back, just shy of danger. A belt of gold
disks circles her waist, and the blue-green opal pendant shimmers just
above her breasts. The cerulean fabric of the bodysuit vanishes down into
her high black boots. The small, black-handled snife is within easy
reach...just in case.
	Kichevio is 21 Turns, 6 months, and 17 days

Kassima:
	Once upon a time, there lived a greenrider named Kassima. And she was a
good, sweet, and kind greenrider, beloved by all who knew her. However,
every Turn or so, this dear woman would be beset upon by a strange curse....
	All right, so maybe that's not very realistic. But the curse part is apt
enough: there's no term that fits Kassi's proddiness better, and proddiness
is the only explanation for what she's wearing. A black leather jacket, its
collar liberally garnished with sooty fur, has been shrugged over her arms;
while comfortably loose, it gapes open over a low-cut blouse of matching
hue which most certainly is not. More black leather manifests in long pants
so snug it's a wonder she can sit in them--certainly they don't need the
three dark belts that cross them, one winding around her slender waist and
the others looped diagonally over each hip. Her right leg is clasped by
three *more* belts, cinched in rows above the knee. Sable boots and slim
gloves provide a finishing touch.
	Being Kassi, she's added certain accessories: her precious wherry skewer
is in place, accompanied by two knives that one can see and doubtless
plenty that one can't. A silver chain around her neck leads to a snarling
dragon's-head pendant. Her hair has been left loose to drift nearly to her
ankles in blue-black gloss, though her forelock has broken into several
spikes of hair that frame suspicious, shadowed green eyes; maybe she slept
on it oddly? The skin drawn taut over her fine-boned features is even paler
than usual, and her shapely brows are lowered in a nearly constant glower.
Despite the lack of knots on her shoulder, it shouldn't be difficult to
guess what color of dragon she rides.

Telgar Weyr> Talisha grins. Love the desc, Kassima.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima grins. Merci. It was fun to write. ;)

Alessandra walks in from the bowl.

K'ran's smile sharpens with humor, and he ducks his head just slightly.
"He's been terribly smug about it," he confides. "Me, well. I'm pleased he
won, of course. And things haven't been too wierd between Talisha and I,
which is also good." He tilts his head, about to say more... and that's
when his gaze find Kassima, and his expression turns faintly agog. "Must be
something in the water."

Kassima, a whetstone in one hand, a knife at the other, and attention
divided between both as she walks--surely not the epitome of wisdom--stops
dead in order to tell Pierron darkly, "Y'know, I've heard you like t'do
improper things with tubers. So why don't you--" And we'll just leave out
her suggestion, thank you. Suffice to say that isn't PG. Tucking the knife
into her belt, she shoves her hands in her pockets and marches on over to
her chair, into which she ker-plunks, the very image of Bad Mood. "Heyla,"
she grants the others present grudgingly, after a moment. "What, the
water's causing proddiness *too* now?"

Telgar Weyr> Aisling and Sielth will just go and hide someplace, just to be
safe.;)

Telgar Weyr> K'ran clings to Aisling. Rescue me.

Keara walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Pierron adjusts his apron and tugs on his moustache.

Keara saunters out, looking cheerful enough and even more empty-headed than
usual; she doesn't give a glance towards the serving table nor the kitchens.

Telgar Weyr> Timbril peeeeers

Alessandra enters silently, taking one look at Kichevio and Kassima before
shaking her head and groaning, before settling into the dubious sanctuary
of a seat next to K'ran.

"I _hope_ not," Kichevio mutters. "Because then I'm never going to feel
like myself again, and that'll put me in an even _worse_ mood..." If that
can be imagined. She manages little waves toward Alessi and Keara. Kassi's
outfit just gets a Look. "Is there a belt shortage, Kassi, that you need
that many?"

Telgar Weyr> Timbril says, "ahhhhhhhhh one of thooooooose"

Dubious sanctuary, indeed. K'ran's gaze lingers on Kassima for an
unchivalrously long few moments before he even manages a greeting to poor
Alessandra. "Hey," he mutters, still distracted. "How're you?"

Telgar Weyr> Aisling begins to sing, "R-E-S-C-U-E, Rescue Aid Society!
Heads held high, touch the sky."

Keara beams brightly at Kichevio and Kassima. "Oh, look, darling proddy
riders. Aren't you both just so adorable," she gushes.

"Is there a cloth shortage, Kichevio, that made it impossible for the
Weaver t'*finish* that outfit?" Kassi fires back. Oh, lucky K'ran;
unchivalrous bronzeriders come second in the vitreol roster when there's
another proddy greenrider nearby. She tips her chair back and rests her
boot-heels on the table. Thunk. Thunk. "Go swallow agenothree and die," she
invites Keara warmly.

Kichevio hefts K'ran's empty klah mug as if considering its virtues as a
weapon. But she has only one, and Keara and Kassi make two...best wait.
"'Adorable' wasn't the word I was going to use. Especially not around Kassi
the All Black and Brooding."

Alessandra just looks from K'ran, to Keara, to Kichevio, to Kassima, and
back. "Methinks I've found m'self in a war zone," she notes to no one in
particular.

"Oh, dear, sounds like you need cheering up, Kassi dear," Keara jokes with
a toss of her hair. "I'd think an outfit like that would do the trick
anyway. And I do like yours, Kichevio. Say, have you seen Meri around?
Maybe she'll lose and I can have another chance with that whipped cream."

K'ran draws a slow breath, and, in a quiet murmur, a thought given voice,
repeats a mind-numbingly astute remark he made days ago: "I am so doomed."

Kassima flips Kichevio a *most* adorable rude gesture. "...Whatever," is
her verbal response. "Don't suggest that, Keara. 'Tis the things I do for
cheering up at times like this that got me banned in perpetuity from the
kitchens in the *first* place." K'ran, overheard, garners a look of sheer
disbelief. "You're a malerider. This is *news* t'you?"

Kichevio ignores Kea's question--not going there, thanks--and says kindly
to K'ran, "No you aren't. I'll protect you." Yay, he gets to be protected
by a knife-bearing greenrider.

Keara settles down on the corner of a table. After a moment she enquires,
voice pitched high in an attempt to portray innocence, "Say, have you seen
I'sai around?"

K'ran offers an uneasy half-smile to both Kichevio and Kassima, the awkward
expression of a man deciding how best to begin gnawing through his leg to
free himself from a stubborn game snare. "Not for a few nights," he answers
Keara, thankful for the distraction.

Alessandra turns a very, very bright shade of red at the mention of the
other bronzer's name. "I, ah, think I shall be going now."

"He's probably off knocking up some woman somewhere," Kassi mutters, waving
her hand in a vague gesture of dismissal. "Or at least he'd *better* be. I
have a *bet*, y'know, on at least eight, and I don't like losing." Kichevio
earns a glare. K'ran earns a glare. Everyone in their near vicinity earns a
glare, poor innocents. "Protect him from what, yourself? And we're nay
going t'bite your head off, K'ran. At least, *I* won't. I've already had
dinner... what, Alessi, already?"

Kichevio looks curiously at Alessi. "Why? He isn't here." Tact is one of
the first things to vanish under proddiness, it would seem. "And why would
he need protection from me, Kassi? I'm not the one making vague threats
about dinner."

Keara's eyes flick to Kassi and her jaw clamps firmly down; she takes
herself off the table and stalks towards the meal table.

And then there's an even brighter shade of pink that takes over those
flaming cheeks as Alessandra stops in her tracks. "Unless, of course, um,
you want me to stay, Kassi." Do not anger the proddy chick with knives.

"It's not my *head* that I'm concerned about," K'ran chuckles, the laugh as
uneasy as his now-fading smile. He rises smoothly to his feet, then,
leaving the klah-mug to Kichevio's tender mercies.

Kassima considers Alessandra from between those spikes of hair. It isn't,
even at best, a remotely reassuring scrutiny. "You should stay," she
decides, and points to a chair. "Stay and sit. Why, Kich, whatever's gotten
into you? D'you really think you could protect him from me if'n you had
to?" Dangerous, dangerous question. But it keeps her from saying anything
else to poor Keara, at least. "Well, then, 'tis *Kich* you should be more
worried about," the Wingleader adds to K'ran, reassuringly. Really.

Telgar Weyr> I'sai, from the relative IC safety of holder-errands in
various places across the continent, goes out to celebrate Friday night. ;)
Have a good weekend!

Telgar Weyr> Aisling says, "Night I'sai!"

Telgar Weyr> Talisha says, "Bye bye I'sai! :)"

Telgar Weyr> Keara says, "Veeder!"

Alessandra slowly retakes her seat, settling carefully at it and folding
her hands atop the table. Okay. She's sitting, she's staying: Good Alessi.

K'ran's gaze flicks to Kichevio, and then back to Kassima. Perhaps it's
bravery, or perhaps stupidity, but he actually dares humor: "But, Kassima,"
he says. "She's not the one who's rumored to sharpen her teeth every morning."

Keara gathers herself a mug of extra-hot klah, holding it carefully; never
know when you might need protection. "So, just how proddy is everyone," she
chirps, "rising tonight-proddy or next week-proddy?"

Telgar Weyr> K'ran waves to I'sai. Send flowers to my funeral. :)

Kichevio studies Kassima's collection of wherry-skewers carefully before
allowing, "Maybe I couldn't protect him. But I'd try. And I bet a couple of
those knives could be stolen." To Kears, she says simply, "I'm
she'd-better-rise-soon-before-I-kill-an-innocent proddy, thanks."

"Next sevenday proddy, I *hope*," Kassi mutters under her breath. "But
Faranth knows what that Star-spawned beast has in mind--" Alessi's descent
into the chair is watched carefully, as if the greenrider just might go for
the young woman's throat if she dares step out of that chair. And who
knows? Maybe she would. Oddly, K'ran doesn't get a glare or snarl, but
instead a mirthless smile that's more a baring of those teeth. "Neither am
I," she points out. "I sharpen m'*nails*. Distinct difference."

Sh'yar walks in from the bowl.

Kassima then swerves to pin Kichevio with a stare. "You couldn't protect
him," she asserts flatly. "You couldn't even begin to. And I know why. But
*you* don't know why. Should I tell you why?"

Alessandra nods over to Sh'yar; she daren't raise hands to wave, not with
/those/ two in the room. "G'deve," she calls, however, before turning again
to watch Kassi, Kich, and K'ran with an admitted interest.
Sh'yar says "'Reaches duties and good evening."

Kichevio is cool as a cucumber. "You can if you want. Just don't get _too_
descriptive, in deference to our guest." And she turns to smile at Sh'yar.
"Telgar's duties to the 'Reaches."

Sh'yar smiles, "Heya Kich, long time no see."

K'ran cranes his head to get a glance at Kassima's hands, as if to assure
himself that those nails haven't metamorphosed into daggers during the
conversation. With the Thunderbolt Wingleader's attention off him, he
begins a cautious retreat towards the bowl. On his way, he gives Alessandra
a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Duties, hullo, g'bye, ware where you
step," he says, as he passes Sh'yar.

Keara puts her klah down, no more than a quick reach away, and studies the
entering rider carefully. "Nice hair. Nice eyes. Brownrider, and we know
what that means," she murmurs.

Greylin walks in from the bowl.

K'ran walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Sh'yar winks at Keara, "Thank you... I think..."

Telgar Weyr> K'ran idles briefly, to make a phone call. :)

Keara raises a shapely eyebrow at Sh'yar, giving him her best smile.

"Because," Kassi begins as she rises from her chair with a protesting creak
from those pants, not walking so much as gliding to where Kich sits--and
muttering, "Duties," en route, a testimony to many Turns of training.
"Because...." She leans down, bracing one hand's heel on the tabletop. The
position does interesting things to that shirt, so it's probably a shame
she's wasting it on Kich. She stares at the other greenrider a moment
before moving the free hand abruptly, yanking a leather patch from her
pocket and slamming it down on the table near Kich's feet. "Because 'tis
nay proper t'get between your Wingleader and her prey, that's why."

Greylin comes in from the bowl, tugging on her gloves, trying to get them off.

"I was here before you were, so he was _my_ prey---huh?" Kich goes from
defense of her actions to blank surprise. "I'm--Thunderbolt? Alreadty? Now?"

Alessandra looks from Kich to the badge to Kassima, and breaks into a huge
grin. "Oh, Kich, you're in Thunderbolt?!" Ooh. "Do her proud, then! And,
um... behave?" This last is uttered quietly, teasingly, only just loud
enough to be heard by the three of them.

Telgar Weyr> Talisha woohoos for Kich! :)

Telgar Weyr> Greylin yay for Kichiemonster.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio hmmms. Kichiemonster. I like that...

Telgar Weyr> Aisling yahooos! Congratulations!

Kassima straightens back up, a thin-lipped smile on her face. "Well," she
drawls, "unless you don't *want* t'fly with the Wing...."

Sh'yar chuckles, "If I diden't know better I'd say your new wingleader and
mine are related. Congradulations Kich."

Kichevio takes that badge _immediately_, jamming it into a pocket--yes, the
bodysuit has them, don'tt ask how--lest Kassi take it back. "I do. Thank
you. I'll fly my best for you. But K'ran was still my prey first."
Keara murmurs a soft, "Congratulations," as a smile plays at her lips.

Kichevio adds a much more civil, "Thanks Sh'yar, Kea, Aless."

Greylin murmurs, "No wonder he ran away..."

Fwomp. Head meets table at that statement from Kichevio; a soft groan of
"Why, why, why," is barely heard from Alessandra beneath that pile of hair.

Kassima flicks her fingers dismissively. "You can play with him all you
want. Just leave some pieces for me to step on when you're done." Dryly,
"Normally I'd add something here about drills at dawn, but all things
considered, let's skip that part, shall we?" A sharp salute to her new
Wingrider, before she turns on her heel to ask Sh'yar, "Let me guess.
Rilsa? And Alessi, she'd *better*. You have nay *idea* what creative things
I do t'my Wingriders who don't behave."

Telgar Weyr> Merielan waves

Sh'yar laughs, "No Melata, Avalanche wing. You two seem to have the same
sadistic sence of ha-ha."

Merielan walks in from the bowl.

Pierron sniffs at the klah pot, and throws the old klah out with a look of
disgust.

Keara glances up in time to see, "Merielan! Hello, dear."

Greylin lifts a hand to wave to Meri, smiling as she goes over to help
herself to something to eat.

Alessandra looks up and peeps softly, just ignore the red spot on her
forehead. "Mers, luv, hey there." It's funny how swiftly she returns to old
forms of address.

Kichevio comments sweetly, "Sadism can have its points, in Wingleaders. Hi
Meri! Guess what, I'm in Thunderbolt now!" Kassima gets a new baleful look
as something occurs to her. "But I won't be prolific like the rest of you.
I _won't_."

"Melata," Kassi repeats. "Huh. I know her... sort of." She doesn't further
elucidate, instead meandering on back to her chair to flop into it. She's
still glowering, though marginally less. "Oh, you won't?" she asks Kich
with saccharine sweetness. "I'll put an eighth on you getting pregnant if'n
this flight of yours is won by a male rider, how's that?"

"Thunderbolt?" Meri asks in answer to Kich "Congratulations." She waves to
all the other who've said their hello's, Alessandra is given a slightly
baleful look "I'm starting to miss when you called me 'ma'm'." A grin is
sent Kassi's way "She's been yours how long? And your already betting on
her..-and- her spawn? Kich c'm join Skyfire whilst there's still time."

Alessandra promptly sticks her tongue out at Merielan, though her eyes
start dancing merrily at that comment. "I am not calling anyone ma'm again
unless I end up with a female wingleader."

Merielan finally seems to really -look- at Kich, she raises an eyebrow but
beyond that doesn't comment. Instead she pours herself a mug of nice safe
Klah and sits down next to Aless "I don't exactly want you tell me 'ma'm'
Aless, just Meri..or Merielan..just not 'Mers'."

Sh'yar says "How about Nimiriel?"

Kichevio shakes her head to Merielan. "Nope. She picked me. And her knives
are bigger than mine, so I won't argue."

Greylin tosses out a comment, "I don't think anyone who has spoken to
Nimiriel for more than five minutes calls her ma'am."

Merielan gulps and glances over at Kassi "Knives?" She murmurs a bit
tremously "Kassi..please don't tell me that Lysseth is glowing?"

Kassima makes another rude gesture to Merielan. "Whatever. She's mine now;
you can't protect her anymore--" Alessandra is shot a full glare. "Why make
your Wingleader suffer? And I can lie t'you if'n you *want*, Merielan, but
what the point would be...." She does refrain from striking a pose in her
black-clad glory, at least.

K'ran walks in from the bowl.

Alessandra flicks her gaze back to Kassima, a bit of a grin quirking up one
corner of her lips. "I abstain from commenting," she notes, airily.

Kichevio says genially, "Doesn't she look like an escapee from the Lava
Lounge on a bad night?"

Merielan is beignning to have the look of a small, furry animal that is
looking into the jaws of a big, hungry dragon. "Kichevio..proddy.." She
whispers..and then "Kassi..proddy.." She shudders mightly
"Aless..please..sneak me out? Help me?"

K'ran returns to the living cavern having evidently exchanged riding
leathers for more casual dress. He makes his way back over to the knot of
people surrounding the pair of proddy greenriders, and takes up station
behind and to one side of Alessandra. "G'd'eve, again," he ventures,
pleasantly.

Alessandra turns her gaze back to Merielan, expression contemplative and
even a bit predatory. "What'll I get if I do sneak you out?" There's that
twinkle back to her eyes that states yes, she's teasing, and oh is she ever
enjoying it.

Merielan turns her wide-platter eyes on K'ran "You know what it's like!"
She murmurs hopefully, the hair on the back of her neck standing up
"Please..get me out of here! Kassi and Kich proddy..at the same time..in
the same place.." Distracted she turns back to Aless "Anything..just get me
out.."

Greylin purses her lips. "Maybe we should make people pay to see this. It
could be a new form of entertainment."

Kassima snaps, "She can't. She's nay allowed t'leave." Poor, unfortunate
soul.... "And K'ran can't leave because he's Kich's prey. Although I may
take back that agreement if'n a certain proddy greenrider doesn't stop
making snide comments."

Alessandra suddenly blinks back at Kassima again. "Why aren't I allowed to
leave, anyway, Kassi?"

K'ran ducks his head slightly, the bit of color that suddenly flushes his
cheeks confirming Merielan's suspicion. "Mm," he answers. "Sadly I'm here
for the long haul. Indrath's not about to let me go anywhere."

Sh'yar chuckles as he pours himself a mug of Klah, "Neither is Gyreventh."

Kichevio looks rather smug at the two maleriders.

"Because I have to give you something," Kassi mutters, scowling at the
other greenrider. "Something someone gave me t'give you. Only I can't
remember what 'tis. Bloody glow; can't remember worth a shard--" Oh, but
this news from the maleriders gets her to smirk. Smirk, smirk, smirk, all
Kichevio's way. "Saulith's going t'ri-ise," she sing-songs. "Saulith's
going t'ri-ise, and you'll get pregnant, and I'll win those marks."

Alessandra just stares, looking more than a little confused. Okayyy...
"Yeah. Um. When you remember, let me know?" Pregnant. Eek. Kich, pregnant.
That's scarier than the thought of Alessi, pregnant.

Merielan turns to Aless, apparently resigned to her fate. "Aless..just..if
I come back in here..don't let me do anything but get wine. Just wine..ok?"

Keara considers the spectacle delightedly, and rises to pad toward the
kitchen. "Whipped cream. I need to go whip cream."

Telgar Weyr> Talisha runs off to enjoy the weekend. Bye Telgar! Good luck
with the flight Kich ;)

Kichevio announces loud and clear, with a Look of Death in Kassi's
direction, "I am _not_ going to get pregnant. I haven't yet, and I won't.
Resign yourself to that!"

Keara has left.

K'ran, exhaling a tense breath, runs a hand back through his hair as his
eyes search the living cavern. Perhaps he, like Merielan, is casting about
for a contingency plan.

Alessandra swivels back to Merielan, another slow grin curving her lips.
"Mmm. I guess I'll be have..." Snicker. Can we tell she's enjoying her
freedom a bit much?

Kassima chews on her lip, thinking. And glowering. But that last part's
standard by now. "Oh, wait. *I* know." A knife gets drawn from her belt
with a long, steely hiss, and held in one hand; she uses the other to crook
a beckoning finger. "C'mere, Alessandra." It's not a request. And it's
followed by a toothsome grin Kich-wards. "Keep living in denial, lady.
K'ran, *do* do me a favor and impregnate Kich if'n Indrath catches her?"
That's only *half* request. Proddiness. It does wonders for one's
rationality, really.

"Do my best," K'ran mutters, distracted -- likely he's responding to the
commanding note in Kassima's voice, rather than the actual request.

Schmitt walks in from the bowl.

Kichevio shoots K'ran a cold glare. "I _wouldn't_."

Move, don't move, move... Okayyy. Alessandra gets to her feet, walking over
to stand in front of Kassima expectantly, but confusedly. "Yeah?"

Kandri walks in from the bowl.

"Eh?" K'ran lets his gaze wander back to Kichevio, his brow furrowing.
"Wouldn't what?"

Sh'yar says "Hi Kandri!"

Greylin watches the goings-on with some amusement, a mug of klah
strategically placed to hide the smile.

P'tod walks in from the bowl.

Kichevio looks with a lifted brow at the sudden influx. "Are we being
invaded? Telgar's duties to...the Reaches, Igen, and Ista. Quite a
contigent." To K'ran, she says carefully, "Get me pregnant, and you're a
_dead_ bronzer. Nothing personal. Okay?"

Schmitt dashes in, waving a hide frantically. "Delivery for the weyrwoman,
someone take this quick," she begs. "Before he gets it stuck in his head.."
She glances around the room and gives those with green knots dirty looks.

Kassima slooowly extends the hand with the knife until the point of it is
aimed at Alessi's heart. Then she flips it over in her hand and bids the
young woman, "Hold this for me, would you?" Oh, and pardon while she
chortles. "You can't do much *about* it, Kichevio, you know that. You'll
probably have *octuplets*--oh," and here she cranes her head to peek over
her shoulders, "duties and other such nonsense."

The wingleader from High Reaches pauses at the entrance and looks about.
Gloves in one hand are lightly slapped against the palm of the other as she
looks thoughtful. Kandri's blue eyes scan the cavern and finally settle
upon someone she must know. For she walks forward and begins to pull a
rolled up hide from out of her jacket. Sh'yar gets a nod, but Kandri is in
buisness mode right now.

Alessandra shakes her head slowly, rolling her eyes as she takes the knife.
No, she isn't really afraid of those knives, nor Kassi. "Most likely she
will. And have several sets of octuplets."

K'ran looks vaguely horrified. "Shards, Kich, you *know* how I feel about
that." This assurance made, he once more sets his gaze a-wandering the
living cavern; his expression sours by degrees.

Merielan has curled up in her chair, quietly plotting it seems. "My
ledge..if I could just get there.." Her eyes narrow on Aless "If you
-don't- behave..when I wake up..I will -seriously-..do ..something to you!"

It must be that time of day again. P'tod, too, is pulling a message hide
from his jacket as he enters. He dispenses with all but the most cursory
"Ista's duties," and pushes his way through the crowds into the kitchen to
look for someone there.

P'tod walks off towards the kitchen.

Alessandra affects innocence, all lash-framed eyes and pouty lips. "Now,
Meri, my dear, would I ever misbehave?"

Davienne walks in from the bowl.

"And don't roll your eyes at *me*, or 'twill tear them out and make
earrings." Please excuse the proddy greenrider in the corner. At least
Kassi's confining her evilnesses to one victim just now. "Now, let's see,
where... is it this?" A tunnelsnake head, rather fresh, is fished from a
pocket and displayed. "Had someone promised t'give you one of these?"

Davienne comes in a little breathless, hair a disturbing mess and face
paint on her cheek. She throws her leather jacket down and calls out a
hearty "Fort's Duties to TELGAR!"

Schmitt growls towards the bowl, "No! No." Looking around at the
preoccupied riders she bites her lip, stepping towards the nearest table to
thwack! the hides down upon it. "There! For the weyrwoman. Now if you'll
excuse me," she says icily, and starts towards the bowl - thud. Tripped.

Alessandra snickers softly, shifting her stance to her left side. "Um, no,
Kassi. Unless it's payback for the ribbons and leather underwear stunt I
pulled."

Merielan gestures to K'ran, uncoiling a bit from her ball. "K'ran.." She
'hssts' under her breath "C'mere.." She eyes all the newly arriving riders
with a look that seems to say 'run, run while you still can, there are
proddy Kassi's here!'

Kichevio is grinning wildly, and says to no-one in particular, "This is
_fun_."

Kandri dispenses her hide and nods to the rider in question before turning
on a heel towards a greeting. The expression on the woman's face tells you
she is tense and maybe not at all happy about being here. Kassima's
greeting gets a simple nod as she narrows her eyes a bit. "Sharding
proddys..." She can be heard to mumble before, "High Reaches duties to
Telgar Weyr and her queens..."

Sh'yar says "Ribbons and leather underware?"

K'ran seems almost happy to oblige Merielan, for his search through the
occupants of the living cavern has apparently ended unsuccessful. "Hmm?"

Merielan pulls K'ran close to her and commences whispering heatdly in his ear.

Kassima considers Alessi a moment, then the small severed head. "Oh, that's
right, I didn't pay you back for that. Well, take this then--" And she
tosses the item at the young woman. "How about a rock? I've got a rock. A
bit bloodstained, mind.... And 'twill let *Alessi* explain the leather
underwear, because Faranth knows I can't."

Merielan mutters to K'ran, "... see... riders?... listen to... you come...
me. Just hand... some..."

Sh'yar grins, "Alessi? What's this about leather underware and ribbons?"

Davienne saunters in, looking around. She tries to see someone she can talk
to and just manages to sigh and shake her head. She sits at a table near
the others and crosses her legs, wrapping her fingers on her knee. Waiting.

Alessandra promptly grins, flicking the tunnelsnake head away with the
knife of Kassi's she's holding. "Oh, Skyfire and Thunderbolt were
quarreling so I thought to shut them up by decorating their tables in
wherry feathers, ribbons, and frilly underwear and leather underwear." And
she says it all so nonchalantly too...

K'ran's expression suddenly splits into a smile at whatever it is that
Merielan murmurs to him, and he nods emphatically. "I would be a terrible
mentee to T'kar if I didn't," he assures her.

Schmitt picks herself up from the floor and glares towards the bowl yet
again, shrinking into herself and slinking back into the cabern a bit.
"Well, if you've made up your sharding mind," she snarls under her breath.

From the kitchen, P'tod's discussion with one of the kitchenworkers becomes
more and more animated. "Could you just make sure that she gets it??" he
all but shrieks finally. "I need to go NOW." He turns and hurries out.

P'tod walks in from the kitchen.

Greylin lifts her brows. "I think I remember that..." she says to Alessi's
comment.

Sh'yar chuckles, "Ah I see... or rather wish I saw." he says before tapping
Davi on the shoulder, "Hey there stranger."

Davienne looks up grinning at Sh'yar and stands, holding out her hand.
"Well hiya...haven't seen you in a few turns Sh'yar, how's the weyr
treating you?"

Sh'yar smiles as he shakes hands with the fortian, "Very well, and I hear
you're now weyrsecond."

Kichevio suddenly stands. "Saulith! Saulith, wait--" And she's _running_
out, pushing past riders in her haste.

The greeting seems to mostly fall on deaf ears, which is just fine by
Kandri. The woman begins to walk through towards the exit. Lips taught and
face strained. Then she stops, dead in her tracks, and blue eyes glare at
the exit. "Well fardles!" She curses and proceeds to snort. Gloves, which
were in the process of being yanked on, are now stuffed into the belt at
her side.

"Faranth bless you.." Meri smiles--as best she can. "You are a credit to
T'kar.."

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

Kassima giggles--yes, *giggles*--at the overheard protests from various
maleriders. Not that it's a nice giggle, but there's amusement there. "Oh,
this should be *fun*. I'd better hurry this up, then. Here, give me that!"
And she attempts to snatch her knife back from Alessi, while holding out a
patch with her other hand. "And take this. I don't think I got any blood on
it." Pause. "Yet."

Sh'yar walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

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

P'tod groans and closes his eyes. "Not again," he can be heard to mutter to
himself. "By Faranth, when I get out of this place I'm never coming back
again. Ever."

P'tod walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

K'ran stiffens, suddenly, and begins to follow after Kicehvio.

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

K'ran walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

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

Merielan sighs gently and follows out after the rest..

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

Schmitt glances around, mutters cluelessly, "Well, I guess that was the
proddy one -" eyes rest suspiciously on Kassima, though, before she leaves.

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

Kassima giggles again after the departing riders. Someone is getting way
too much fun out of this, all things considered.

Alessandra blinks. And blinks again. And thrice. "I... but..." And she
snatches it before Kassima can change her mind. "Thunderbolt? Me too?"
Incredulous? Yes. Ecstatic? Very.

"Well, if'n you want t'be. And if'n you don't roll your eyes at me
anymore," Kassi warns, shaking her knife at the young rider in emphasis.
"If'n I *do* have t'cut out your eyes and make earrings, you won't be much
good t'me then, will you?"

Alessandra promptly clutches it away out of Kassi's reach; indeed, she
backs away a step. "I won't. I'll behave. Or, um, at least, I'll try."

"Good woman," Kassi decides with a fierce head-bob. "You may actually
survive awhile then. And *you'll* have drills in the morning--under Leya's
none-too-gentle tutelage. But congratulations anyway." And she brings up
one black-gloved hand to snap a salute.

Alessandra immediately snaps into that by-now reflexive position, saluting
Kassima back sharply before settling back into a seat, still clutching the
badge. "Mmm. I wonder how Saulith will fly; she acts so different than
Kiyoth." Yes, complete change of subject, though her eyes remain on her
prize of the Thunderbolt badge.

"Nay telling. You never know until after the first--and the *wench* isn't
willing t'watch and let me know how it goes," Kassi adds with a scowl. "So
I can't even *bet*, and she's snarling in m'head t'boot. At least she's too
busy being irritated t'want t'rise too."

Alessandra hooks her heels over the rungs of her chair, lifting her knees
up enough to settle elbows atop them, and chin atop her palm. "There's a
mercy. Saulith and Lysseth, both in the air--what a mess that would be. I
shudder just thinking about it." Okay perhaps the last is said a bit
theatrically.

Kassima sing-songs, "Ichor, ichor, everywhere, and nay a drop t'drink--"
That gets a frown; she pulls herself out of her chair almost abruptly
enough to knock it over, and makes for the kitchens, never mind that
earlier mention of being banned. "I'm going t'make Klah. You can have some
if'n you want."

Alessandra squeaks, looking up at her wingleader with wide eyes. "Careful,
don't hurt yourself. And I'm nae--/not/--thirsty. If anything I'll get
myself wine. But thank you." Ekaterina's been around too long--her brogue
is definately showing again.

Telgar Weyr> Keara says, "Not all that is seems, Thunderbolt. Rawks,
Bay-bee, Talk-Talk is easy! Orf wit' 'er 'ead, the autumn wind is a pirate
proddy. Or radioactive despite rumors? I am! Perfect, greenrider. To be,
fear: on a B.L.P. Quest."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima *laughs*. Keara, you're amazing. ;)

Various clatterings, curses, and vaguely chemical smells ensue from the
kitchen before Kassi returns, a pitcher of something that steams ominously
held at arm's length. "Oh, but you *should* drink this, Alessi. 'Tis
legendary. You've heard of M'kla's Klah? The *only* thing t'drink while
proddy, and since you missed it while *'twere* proddy...."

Telgar Weyr> Greylin says, "You should sell that as poetry. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Keara says, "Absolutely. :)"

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Something along the lines of Drunken Haiku or
something like that."

Telgar Weyr> Keara snickers.

Alessandra turns that peculiar shade of green again, shaking her head just
slightly. "Um, thank you, Kassi, but my stomach doesn't quite agree with
the smell..."

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan unquiets for the sole reason of saying, "Criminy
Kassi. Nine HOURS?"

Kassima frowns, then scowls, but doesn't press the point. Something about
Winging new riders must've put her in a particularly good mood. "All right,
but you'll regret it. I usually only make this at this time of Turn, and
I'm the only one who can." She pours herself a large mug of the dark,
sulfuric stuff, and stalks back to her Wing's table. "Nay bloody *taste*
you new ones have."

Telgar Weyr> Aisling says, "Don't you wish you had as stable of a connection?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima grins and winks. Ethernet. Lovely stuff. ;)

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn uhs, and points to K'ran, who's 3 minutes behind her...

Telgar Weyr> K'ran says, "DSL, bay-bee."

Alessandra snickers softly, then rises to head over to the tables; oddly
enough she passes right past the wine to snag a tumblerfull of redfruit
juice. "I'll see if I can't beg you to make it for me next time I'm proddy."

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan just shakes his head. He -has- been online that long.
In fact, he was once on for about 16 hours straight. But, well.... he still
thinks it's sick and wrong.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima was on for thirty-nine hours once, she thinks. That
would be my sickness record.

Telgar Weyr> Keara says, "48+. :)"

Telgar Weyr> Alessandra says, "64."

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio isn't even going to try and compete...

Telgar Weyr> Alessandra was sick, had mono, and couldn't sleep. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan says, "64? Jiminy crickets."

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan says, "And Keara? Kassi? What're your excuses?"

Telgar Weyr> Keara says, "Baker Bubblyfest."

"You can try. I *might* even be remotely amiable enough t'let you talk me
into it," Kassi graciously conceeds after several long swallows of the
Deathklah. Her voice is raspy. "But don't count on it if'n there's another
*epidemic* of bloody frickin' proddiness."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "None, really. I'm just insane. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan hms. Good reasons, both.

Telgar Weyr> J'lyn sings, "P S Y... Why? Because she's a greenrider! C H
O... Oh my god, she's scaring me. K A S S I!!!

Telgar Weyr> Kassima *laughs*!

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio adds the little "hooray!" at the end. ;)

Telgar Weyr> K'ran's excuse is that he is a sloth, and took a sanity day
off from work today, and could spend nine-plus uninterrupted hours here. :)

Telgar Weyr> Alessandra just dies. That's perfect!!

Telgar Weyr> Greylin knows of an old bluerider whose moods would put any
proddy greenrider to shame. ;)

Alessandra flops back down in her chair--yes, she flops!--and grins. "I'll
be sure to tell Kiyoth not to lead the pack off next time," she jokingly
offers, eyes dancing.

"You'd *better*," Kassi gripes, burying her nose in her klah. "I'm nay
amused by this a whit. Would've fled t'Greystones and nay left 'til they
were all done if'n I'd realized in bloody time that Lyss was close enough
t'be set off."

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan giggles at J'lyn. And looks at Greylin. "M'kla?" he
guesses.

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan says, "Or Sionelle?"

Alessandra snorts again, then hides her expression behind her glass as she
tips it up to take a drink. "Mff," she agrees, setting it down. "At least I
know Kiyoth's a leader." And -that- is completely facetious.

Judging by the baleful glare this earns, ProddyKassi isn't the best person
to appreciate facetiousness. "Nay *yet*," she drawls. "Stick with being a
Wingrider first. And for Faranth's sake, get a mint stick or some crackers
or something."

Alessandra just starts giggling helplessly, flicking fingers in an attempt
to explain. "No, Kassi, I'm just joking. Honest."

"Save it for a sevenday or two hence," Kassima advises, dryness itself. "I
might be better able t'be appreciating it then."

Gitana walks in from the bowl.

Alessandra peers outside, eyes curiously contemplative. "Though I might try
those minsticks of yours."

Telgar Weyr> J'raen says, "M'kla rode a green.. I forget what her name was.
:("

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio says, "Torinth."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Torinth. :)"

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan ahs. I'd forgotten. I liked her.

Telgar Weyr> Greylin misses her.

Kassima shakes her head emphatically, hair falling into and over her eyes.
"Don't have any with me--nay, wait; I did steal one from the Healers today.
I can't stand 'em right now, but making the Apprentice on duty mad was fun.
Here y'go." She flicks the stick towards her newest Wingrider. Glancing
towards the enterance, she mutters something that could be a greeting to
the newcomer.

Gitana walks towards the inner cavern.

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan got to RP with her maybe once. It was fun.

Telgar Weyr> J'raen went to high school with her player.

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan says, "Whoa. There's someone I don't think of as
-ever- having been in high school. I'm sure the player was much younger
than the character, but still. Blows my mind."

Telgar Weyr> J'raen says, "Her player is about 25 now."

Alessandra catches it deftly, then twirls it about in her fingers before
taking a lick off of it. "Not too bad," she agrees, then settles back to
nibble contentedly on the end of the stick.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima misses her sometimes, too. She was a treat to RP with. :)

"Settles the stomach. You were looking green earlier," Kassi explains
briefly. "Crackers and oatmeal or porridge should also work if'n you're
having problems. And for Faranth's sake, see a Healer if'n it lasts--last
thing Leya needs is you throwing up on her in the middle of drills."

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan says, "25. Gee. Younger than me by a long shot. Figures."

Alessandra nods slightly, still nibbling on her mintstick. "I will. Why
would I be throwing up anyways? It's just stress." And she's very, very
sure of that.

Kassima's shoulders roll in a shrug. "Given the timing, beats the shards
out of me. But when you start turning green, that's usually nay a *good*
sign. More a sign t'hit the decks a'fore you can get splattered." Such a
lovely way to put it.

Alessandra turns that green shade again at the idea of it before shaking
her head slightly and taking a deep breath. "Ew, that would be nasty."

"*See*, there you go again. If'n you're going t'spew, spew on Pierron,"
Kassi advises, gulping down more klah. "I'm certain 'twill just make his day."

Alessandra sighs softly, then chomps on the end of the stick. "I'll be just
fine, Kassi. If it lasts much longer I'll go steal some lavender from the
healers' room and sprinkle it on my pillows again." Apparently this has
happened before.

Kassima's brows both climb upwards in an expression of pure disbelief.
"*Lavender*? On your pillows? T'keep from retching?"

Indrath presses a huge, swirling eye to the Living Cavern entrance, along
with a big Bronze snout.

Alessandra nods, giggling softly. "It works. For some reason it works.
Calms my mind down I think."

K'ran walks in from the bowl.

Kassima shakes her head slowly, her expression mingling disbelief with
disgust. "That's the strangest bloody thing I've ever heard. 'Twould
probably *make* me retch--all that floral fluffiness, gag."

Terming his mood as a thunderstorm would not be wholly adequate; K'ran
storms back into the living cavern, his expression an outraged snarl, and
shoves his way to the serving tables, to that ever-obliging ale pot. It is
all he can do to hold his hands steady enough to fill a mug.

Tarlo walks in from the bowl.

Alessandra looks over at K'ran as he enters, though her expression doesn't
change a whit. "'Lo, K'ran." Dark eyes seek out Kassima again, twinkling.
"Actually it's not really that floral. Lavendar oil is a bit ... mmm... I
don't know how to explain it. But it's not like roses or anything."

Tarlo walks in, yawning a bit. "'lo." she says cheerfully.

"'Tis a flower. 'Tis disgusting." And that's all she wrote, in Kassi's
book. Proddy or not, at least she has the dubious grace to hide her smirk
at K'ran's unfortunate mood behind that stein of Deathklah. Tarlo gets a
curt nod by way of greeting.

Alessandra looks up again, waving her Thunderbolt badge proudly at Tarlo.
"Look what Kassima had for me," she calls, all beaming grins and dancing eyes.

Tarlo beams at Alessandra and if allowed, hugs her. "Congratulations!"

K'ran drains that mug stiffly, then sets about filling it again. The poor
ale pot risks melting under blazing blue eyes.

She is most definately allowed, and tugged into that hug tightly. "Thanks,
luv. How are you?" K'ran is, rather pointedly, _not_ asked that question.

Tarlo grins. "I'm fine...I noticed on my way from my ledge...Saulith's gone
up, hasn't she?"

Alessandra nods slightly, shooting a playfully exhasperated look outside.
"Mmm. And Kiyoth's holed up on her ledge, fast asleep. It's a good thing
Taralyth isn't chasing or Kiyoth would be one very, very angry green."

"Nay the only one, either," Kassi mutters, slouching lower in her chair.
"Possessive dragons should be shot. At least the ones who're still
possessive after Turns.... Didn't like it when he chased Imanath, did she?"

Alessandra shakes her head, cheeks turning pink in remembrance. "Oh no. She
started practically crowing when he dropped out. If he hadn't... Talk about
yelling. She likely would have chewed him out up one bronze side and down
the other. Wretched beast, that green..."

Tarlo grins a bit, listening to the others. She makes her way to the klah
and food, helping herself and then sitting down. "I'll miss you at the
weyrling table, Alessi."

Alessandra flickers fingers at Tarlo, grinning slightly. "You'll be at the
regular tables soon, luv, I'm sure."

The second mug of ale -- no, now, the third? fourth? -- seems to have
greased the proverbial skids enough that K'ran's resumed a passing civil
demeanor. Refilling the vessel once more, he finally makes his way to the
weyrling table, where he ensconces himself. "Sharding wind," he mutters
angrily. "Shouldn't've shifted like that."

Tarlo eyes K'ran. "What are you talking about? He won Imanath's flight."
she says, confused.

"Different day, different flight," K'ran grumbles, the words beginning to
slur just a bit with the effects of the liquor.

"I know the feeling," Kassi half-growls, glowering into her mostly-empty
mug. "At least Kiyoth has *cause*, recent as the flight was. Hardly time
t'have forgotten yet."

Tarlo pauses a minute, then puts two and two together. She oh's, and sips
her klah.

Alessandra curls an arm around one leg, bringing to her chest. "P'raps,
p'raps."

Keara walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Having engineered himself an ale-softened landing, K'ran gives up on
scowling into his mug and draws a scattered breath while scratching
absently at his sweat-streaked shirt. "Shards," he mutters, collecting
himself. "I'm going to be a... a *pleasure*, for chores tomorrow."

Jenni walks in from the bowl.

Keara wanders in from the kitchens with a large bowl of whipped cream.
"Suppose they're done yet? I still need to grab some cherries."

Tarlo looks over. "Oooh. You're sharing? I hope? Pretty please?" she smiles
to Keara.

Alessandra suddenly hops out of her chair with no warning, dumping her
glass in the bins. "I'm gonna head back to my weyr and stitch my badge onto
my leathers. Bye, all."

Tarlo calls out, "I'm glad you're feeling better! Congratulations!"

"Don't forget your morning drills," Kassi cautions Alessandra, climbing to
her feet. "I'm going t'get out of here a'fore the maleriders start pouring
in and I can't repress the urge t'snicker at 'em anymore. G'night, or
whatever."

Tarlo blinks. "Oh. Well, good night, Kassi!" she calls out.

Alessandra waggles fingers at everyone as she heads out. "G'night."

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

Keara clutches her bowl to her chest - and she's changed to something a bit
lower cut and tighter, too. "Not unless you're /sharing/ sharing it," she
tells Tarlo. "Though you're welcome to come along when I find someone. I
didn't think your tastes ran that way.. but.." She eyes Tarlo.

Jenni waves as she comes in.

Tarlo shakes her head. "Nope." she says regretfully. "Is there any more in
the kitchen, though?" she waves back to Jenni.

P'tod walks in from the bowl.

You walk towards the inner cavern.