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The Early Days


Date:  June 4, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr Lake Shore
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:  More time with the new Weyrlings!  This time, it's Gay, 
Javinia, B'haus, and their lifemates (Taylin got disconned shortly after 
arriving, unfortunately) that Kassima kaffeklatsches with, along with 
Assistant Weyrlingmaster Merielan and K'ran.  The Impression bond and
regular tribulations of new dragonpairs are discussed before the
conversation later turns to matters of family.

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The Log:

Liabeth heads over from the central bowl.

Gay heads over from the central bowl.

"...I was so hard t'please. Look around--leaves are brown--and the sky is a
hazy shade of winter--" It's not the world's best song, rhythm-wise, for
breaking firestone to, but Kassi's evidently making do; her pick hits the
large block of rock in decent time, cracking it here, sending a piece
flying there. Little wonder that Lysseth's chosen to station herself *far*
away from this messy, dusty chaos, thank you.

[Editor's Note:  All due credits to the Bangles for their 
'Hazy Shade of Winter,' the lyrics of which I used in that 
pose. :) ]

Gay trails along behind Liabeth, who's moving along at a rather stately
pace. The girl looks as if she'd -like- to be moving more quickly, but
contents herself with munching on the meatroll in hand and glancing about
at the bright scenery. Spying Kassi, she breaks into a wide grin. "Morning
ma'am," she calls, even saluting - with the hand that's got the meatroll in
it. Well, she's working on it.

There's a last slightly metallic crash as Kassi slams her pick into the
rock, but she doesn't heft it up again this time. She leaves it set, and
backs up a step, scrubbing dusty palms against dusty slacks and blowing out
a breath. "Nay ma'aming, nay ma'aming!" she calls back, swiping the back of
one hand across her brow--which just succeeds in streaking dust across
it--before returning the salute. "I'm allergic to the M-word; ask anyone.
Just 'Wingleader' or 'greenrider' if'n Is is making you lot be formal, hey?
But g'morn t'you any road, Gay, Liabeth." Lysseth affords a mellow
greeting-rumble in similar salutation. "Bathing time, or does something
else bring you out here?"

"Wingleader, then," Gay decides, shrugging over as she approaches. She
finishes her roll, brushing crumbs off her hands. "And a little formal. I
s'pose it makes sense. Err on the side of formal and you can't lose, I
guess." Liabeth trills throatily in return to Lysseth's greeting, sitting
back to look way up for a moment. "Bathing time," Gay confirms, with a
wrinkled nose. "Twice or more a day. She's cleaner than -I- am."

"I'd prefer just m'name," Kassi admits. The ground and the dusty rock get
some consideration before she shakes her head, grey dust rising from her
hair in a puff, and chooses to sit instead on a boulder not far distant.
"But the Weyrlingmasters usually have a thing about nay calling anyone by
name, unless mayhaps they're your mentor, and I've never been sure about
that. May used t'have it that if'n you knew rank, you had t'use rank, nay
ma'am or sir; I don't know whether Is will be the same." Lysseth returns
the younger dragon's gaze with one of her own, eye-facets whirling a slow,
deep blue. She, it might be noticed, gleams damply as though from a recent
bath, though there are enough specks of ash left on her hide that it's more
likely she's simply soaked. "Her Ladyship says that she sympathizes," Kassi
reports with a brief roll of eyes towards her lifemate. "Naturally. She saw
the logic in nay doing our post-drill clean up until I'd finished with the
'stone, since then 'twould just have t'bathe *again*, but that doesn't mean
she likes it much. Is Liabeth terribly fastidious?"

Liabeth regards Lysseth with interest until the dust swirling in the air
seems to offend her - can't have that dulling bright hide! She warbles to
the green again, then makes her way towards the lake. Gay rolls her eyes as
well, though her smile is more than fond. "Um - well, it is the rank. If
you know it." She flushes a little, admitting, "I still forget to use the
rank instead, sometimes. I'm sorry - and I'd -like- to use your name. But
I'd rather not catch it." She glances behind her, as if the Weyrlingmaster
will appear from nowhere and chastise her for the very idea. "Oh, more than
that. Fastidious, yes. But she needs to look lovely all the time. Only the
best." A glance to Lysseth, then, "You likely understand - but, I haven't
asked after your son. How's he doing? Are you back on duty?"

Lysseth's return rumble holds more than a touch of amusement in it: she has
a theory as to why the small queen left, oh, yes. And probably doesn't
blame her. Kassi laughs under her breath, and asks, "D'you know how t'read
the Weyr knots and whatnay? Methinks you'll get that in a lecture if'n you
haven't yet--shells, though, don't worry about apologizing t'me if'n you
forget. Just don't use 'ma'am' and you'll be fine with me; I'll answer to
'hey, you' if'n all else fails. I understand, though. It being me, Is
*might* put the blame on m'shoulders if'n he caught you since he knows how
much I hate the formality, but there's nay use taking chances." Her voice
shades momentarily wry as she observes, "She'll have a tough time with that
when her time for drills comes... Lyss isn't quite so intent about it, but
she does prefer t'be clean. More dignity in that. Oh, Kaswyn's bonny--" The
greenrider brightens automatically at mention of her child. "Beautiful, and
growing by the day, it seems, but 'tisn't as if'n I'd say else. I am for
the most part. Back in drills with the Wing and all, but I let
m'Wingseconds lead 'em as much as I do; still getting back into shape and
used to the patterns again. 'Tis what the 'stone-breaking's for, in part."

"Oh, I do. Know the knots, more or less. Just don't always remember that
rank is preferable." Gay smiles gratefully at the reassurance, adding,
"Well, let's neither of us get lectured, then - I'll only use 'Wingleader'
when trying to get your attention or something." She turns to watch Liabeth
as she makes her way into the water, twisting a wry grin to mtch Kassi's
tone. "Mmm. She will. -I- will, no doubt. Maybe we can make an arrangement.
And that's good to hear! Both that he's well and the wing-business." A
curious glance at the stone, then; "I guess there's a trick to it? We'll
learn it later, but it's a ways off."

Kassima admits, "I suppose some prefer the ma'am and sir, or at least don't
mind it, and with them you might be all right. Me, I've considered hanging
a big sign around m'neck reading 'Call Me Ma'am and Die' with every new
clutch since the one I Impressed in--having Candidates and Weyrlings older
than me calling me ma'am was just too much. She's looking well." The
greenrider's eyes have flicked towards Liabeth, so it's likely clear who
she's referring to. "So was Dianneth, the other day, when I saw her and
Yselle here--haven't had any difficulties yet? You might talk t'Meli if'n
you ever get a chance, about the drill thing. Juliath's as much a freak for
neatness as any dragon I've ever seen." Looking back towards the
half-broken stone, she crinkles her nose. "Nay that much of a trick. Just
hitting it over and over again with something heavy--y'do have t'be able
t'aim, though, if'n you want t'break it efficiently. I find it most useful
as a strength-building exercise, and it certes keeps you warm. I don't
doubt Is will teach you all about firestone. 'Tis a useful thing t'know,
whether you're ever going t'use it or nay."

Gay laughs, tilting her head to one side to look at the greenrider
critically, amused. "I don't know if a big sign'd go with the outfit, but
maybe a button or something? Maybe if I every learn to sew, I'll stitch one
up for you." She gaze follows Kassima's to Liabeth, who's happily wading in
the water, glancing back at Gay from time to time. "No, I don't think so.
Not coming in, but I will scrub you later." The girl shudders, wrapping her
sweater about herself. "She says the water's nice. For her, maybe - and
Meli. I'll remember to do that." Glancing ack to the 'stone, she nods.
"Useful, yeah. I can see that. I'm like to help break it up, anyway. My
arms are still pretty sharding weak, comparatively. It's getting to be
embarrassing."

"Would you? Methinks I'd even wear something like that--I've been
threatening to so long, 'twould be fitting," Kassi decides, with a
delighted laugh. "Or mayhaps I should commission Woodcraft t'make me one,
painted! 'Twill have t'learn t'sew, y'know--enough t'make and repair straps
if'n naught else. That's all I can do, I'm so wretched at it. But every
rider has t'do that much." There's a brief shiver at the Weyrling exchange.
"Bloody shame you have t'do their bathing here, this close t'winter. With
luck though they'll be able t'make it to the Springs a'fore the real cold
sets... *dragons* don't notice cold, nay, but their riders certes do." She
tilts her head to one side then, quizzical; "D'you want t'try it now? Best
time, if'n you're going t'have t'bathe soon anyway, but you'd have t'be
careful. Don't want t'strain aught. 'Twould make caring for your lady
something of an adventure."

"After I learn the straps, I'll give it a shot, else pay Mayelle to do it.
She's always working on something or the other." Gay seems amused by the
idea, grinning widely. "Stick it right there -" She points to her own
chest, in an area that'd be prominent on a flight jacket. A glance toward
the rather chilly lake, then a shrug with a sigh. "Nothing to be done. And
I hope so - I don't mind a soak in hot water that often, but when it gets
cold?" She grimaces slightly before taking a couple of steps forward.
"Well, wouldn't mind. Don't think it'd be much of a strain either."

"Mayelle. I've heard *of* her, but I don't think I know her--who did she
Impress again...? Faranth, I have t'admire her if'n she still has the time
for that now. Though i'truth, 'tisn't really that bad yet, is it? Nay so
many classes or drills? That comes later." Kassima's such a cheerful ray of
foretelling sunshine. She puffs out her chest and gives her tunic a tug, as
though to display the ornament not yet there: "Prominence even over m'Wing
patches! Nay use risking that anyone wouldn't see it! I like that... oh, I
know. And at least for now you don't have t'be breaking ice whenever they
need bathing. The fortunate thing is that without 'em doing drills, you
won't have t'scrub at *such* great length as 'twill then, when the dye gets
all over 'em and the char besides. Hot water's better for soaking that
stuff off anyway, if'n you ask me. Here--" Quickly, she reaches up for the
goggles attached to her flight helmet and unfastens the clips, tossing them
over. "Don't try it without something over your eyes; the dust's
pernicious. And be careful of breathing it in. Otherwise, go ahead and have
at."

Javinia heads over from the central bowl.

Naelanth heads over from the central bowl.

"She Impressed green. Kioth. And not so bad yet, but Mayelle's a knack 
for - keeping busy, I'd say." Gay doesn't look too dampened by Kassi's tales 
of hard work to come. She laughs, nodding. "All right - now I -have- to find 
a way to get it made, if even over your wing patches!" Another shudder, then
a nod. "Hope we don't get to that ice-bit. And you're likely right. Hot
water soaks those things out of skin more easily, why not hide?" The girl
manages to catch the goggles, pulling them on just as Javi and Naelanth
appear; she gives them both a wave before taking up the pick. She furrows
her brow and swings mightily. A smallish piece breaks off. Reluctantly.

Kassima's puzzled expression shifts into one of comprehension. "Ah,
aye--the green I thought at the Hatching that Alessi's Kiyoth must either
love or hate," with a grin. "And your phrasing there leaves me intrigued.
Do I sense a story or potential bit of gossip? Over only in the sense of
being more visible, I promise! Since I prefer t'wear the patches on
m'shoulder--methinks there are folk who do wear 'em on the front, and
'tisn't aught wrong with it, but I'm too much a creature of habit t'shift
now." She's seated on a boulder not that far from Gay, fairly well covered
in firestone dust, soot, and other such messes, her riding helmet on but
her jacket not; her braid swings free though, and is threaded with enough
grey dust to almost cloak the black. Lysseth, being a sane creature, is
staying *far away* from all this, even though there are broken streaks of
ash on her not-quite-thoroughly-cleaned hide already. "Can you aim it for
places that already have cracks? 'Tis more likely t'break that way--but
that's nay bad either. 'Tisn't that quick a process at its best."

Gay looks a bit frustrated, pushing curls away from her face irritably.
Liabeth's not paying much attention - if her rider wants to be dirty, so be
it. She'll stay in the lake, thankyouverymuch. "A little close in name, but
sometimes people are as well, yeah?" she tries, attempting to sound
cheerful despite her annoyance. "And more a story. She's a workhorse,
Mayelle. Everything's very -serious- with her. And, there's no difference
between where you put 'em? The patches? I was wondering that." She nods to
the advice, lips pursing into a thin line as she gives it another go. A
little more successful, this time, as the rock breaks in half, a few small
pieces breaking away.

Javinia leads Naelanth down toward the lake, a glance for him over her
shoulder now and again, but her brown is sure-footed behind her, more so
than some his age. Her dab of chin comes up as she spies Gay's wave--at
least, the peach curls are Gay's. The goggles, well. Hard to say. "Heyla!"
she greets, coming up on the pair. She has a salute for Kassima. Naelanth
shadows in behind her, wedge-shaped head lifting, like his 'mates, to
scrutinize Kassima. "But she does look good. She was -much- bigger last I
saw her," she says to Naelanth, a hand for his umber hide. There's mention
of a 'hatchling' in there, too.

"True enough. And sometimes dragons are close t'people. The Fort Hatching
after I Impressed--first one I went to, apart from Lyss's--there were a
Kessith and a Lrisseth both, which rather amused us." Lysseth's droll
rumble may suggest that 'amuse' is a generous word. "Oh, please, like
anyone'd mistake her for you? There isn't much difference," she says,
drawing attention away from her lifemate again, "beyond that usually the
one for the Wing you're currently in is the one t'make most visible. I have
a Moonrise patch on one of m'jackets, but 'tis beneath the Thunderbolt
patch. Is Kioth serious likewise? Or is she apt t'lighten Mayelle up a bit,
d'you think?" The breaking of the 'stone gets an approving nod, but her
attention's drawn to the new-arrived pair soon enough. Lysseth's cordial
rumbling probably helped with that. "G'morn, Weyrlings!" she calls back
cheerily, only making a bit of a face as she returns the salute. "...Do I
even want t'know what he's asking, Javi, or what you're telling him?"

Javinia's color heightens in her rounded cheeks. "I was surprised. Last I
saw you, you were -much- bigger," she repeats, adding a hurried,
"Understandably so, of course. But he wondered." Her palm presses against
Naelanth's hide. "I'd heard congratulations were in order, but with
everything," here she looks to her brown, expression going tender, "well,
I'd almost forgotten. No matter. Congratulations -now-. A son, no?"
Naelanth's interest drifts from the small grouping to Lysseth, returning
her rumble with a grating sound of his own.

Gay takes another crack at it, breaking one stone-half apart. Then, after
those three swing, time for a bit of a rest. She leans on the pick handle,
in what she likely thinks is a rider-like way. "Hey, Javi!," she calls. A
glance back to Kassima, grinning. "Oh, I doubt you -or- Lysseth'd be
mistaken for anyone else. -- Hm. Well, I guess the prominence makes sense.
And I'm -hoping- she'll lighten even a little..." She turns back to the
other weyrling, asking, "D'you think? Kioth'll get Mayelle to lay of the
work a little." Liabeth greets her sibling with a light warble of her own,
then returns to splashing about.

A low laugh ripples from Kassi's throat at this explanation. "Big as a
bovine, and now I'm nay, is that it?" She's teasing the younger woman, and
shamelessly so. "Shells, I'm scarcely going t'blame you--I should be
congratulating *you* both, or rather you four, since you're as do it. But
thankee regardless," and her expression warms immediately, as it tends to
when she speaks of her newest offspring. "He's a son indeed, hearty and
healthy and strong. And loud. *Very* loud. 'Maeva's looking after him for
me now--I'm nay so long from drills, and around firestone dust isn't really
a good place t'have a bairn, so...." She gestures towards the rock Gay's
working on. "'Twas m'task a bit ago, y'see. How goes it, Gay? You're doing
fair well--and, ah, thankee for that." Pause. "Methinks." More amusement
from Lysseth greets that particular comment, before she dips her chin to
Naelanth in an approximation of a solemn human nod.

"Mayelle's Kioth? One can hope. I think she might. She has a way. I haven't
seen Mayelle laugh so much in ... " Javinia's head cants to one side,
thoughtful. "In truth, I never -saw- her laugh when we were candidates.
Hm." That should be answer enough. Hard not to give in to laughter, though,
when Kassima's so quick to liken herself to a bovine. "Not in so many
words." Her dimples reflect the tease. "I'm glad to hear he's well. And
-you- seem so." Something passes between her and her brown, evident in the
dipping of his muzzle toward her ear, as if he might whisper it. "No,
you've no worries there," she tells him, low and fond with amusement. To
Kassima, she says, "Thank you. He--He's just amazing."

Gay grins at both bovine comment and Javi's reaction to it. She aims that
grin over at the greenrider, hefting the pick again for another swing.
Crack. "I meant it as a compliment, Wingleader." Dust rises and she coughs,
turning away from the pile for a moment, grimacing. "This dust isn't good
for anyone," she asserts, but keeps up, talking between swings. "I didn't
either." Crack. "See her laugh, I mean."

Kassima gives an unsurprised nod. "Impression's good for changing things
like that, sometimes. And I'm quite well, thankee--finally getting back
t'slimness, as you so kindly noticed, and if'n I'm exhausted most of the
time, well... *that* just comes with the territory. He's worth it. In every
possible way." Her left brow pops up at the murmuring, a silent, curious
query. "I'd be worried if'n you *didn't* think so--if'n I thought 'twere
even possible! A'course he's amazing. They all are. Nay so much as Lyss,
a'course, but you have t'expect me think that too." She grimaces even as
she tips her head to Gay in thanks for the compliment: "Bloody right
'tisn't. I always have the worst time getting it out of m'hair, but better
that than keeping it in the helmet and sweating as much as 'twould have
to--at least when you lot sack it, that shouldn't be quite as dusty a task."

Naelanth has an answering sound for Liabeth--no warble, though. The talk of
dust, the way it puffs up gray in the air with Gay's swing, the brown
stretches his neck, craning in to sniff at it. One sniff, and his head
rears back, neck rounding into a question mark, and he -snorts-. Javinia
looks up, hand there on his hide to soothe his surprise. "Careful now," she
tells him, as biased as Kassima for her own. She watches Gay and Kassima
for a long moment before adding in. "Sacking it worries me. Or, more,
tossing of them." Petite as she is, she might be right to worry. "Did you
see the Weyrleader when we were bagging the cavern, Gay? -He- almost went
over once or twice when those bags hit him."

"Nice to hear - about children, I mean. Especially for Yselle,
considering." Gay takes a last, pitiful swing, then steps away from the
pile. She rubs under her nose with one hand, pulling off the goggles. "Ugh,
tired -already-. Sad lot, we are. Should the sacking help with that too,
d'you think?" she asks Kassima, handing back the goggles. She nods to
Javinia, brushing off her face, leaving streaks of dust behind. "Well. I
suppose we'll have to get used to it. I'm sure that they don't make you
carry more than you can..." She glances over to the greenrider for
confirmation, while Liabeth warbles again from the water - this time to
Gay. "Coming!"

"We all have t'do it." Not very comforting, that. But Kassi's tone isn't
unsympathetic, even if it's also definite. "Nay shame if'n you're nay good
at it t'start with; who is, really? But there's nay alternative t'learning
how t'throw, for you'll have t'do that when you fly resupply before
graduation and if'n you're ever in resupply after; nor in learning t'catch,
since that's critical for a fighting rider. If'n it helps any, even the
most delicate-looking lads and lasses generally pick up the knack. For that
matter, I don't usually consider m'self a muscle-bound lunk, but I manage."
She flashes a rueful grin towards the brown pair. "Have the Weyrlingmasters
got you started on the exercises yet? Calisthenics and all? I'm thinking
that comes later, but 'tis harder t'guess with a relatively new
Weyrlingmaster in place. Aye, Yselle--she'll have t'do without that son of
hers for a time; I feel sorry for her in that." Give her credit for
diplomacy: she hides her wry grin at the last swing fairly well, ducking
her head before it can be seen. "You're too hard on yourselves; what, you
expect t'be as strong as 'twill be at the very beginning? Sacking, now, I
don't know how much the sacking helps with strength. Carrying the sacks
will. Throwing 'em certes will." She accepts the goggles with a murmur of
thanks, but unfastens her helmet and tugs it off rather than clipping them
back onto her head. "They certes won't be out t'give you hernias if'n 'tis
what you mean. By the end, though, everyone has t'be able t'throw the same
weight--carrying's done more by your dragon. They carry about the same
weight too, methinks, if'n nay the same size of chunks."

Javinia listens to the wingleader with cocked head, the set of her
shoulders relaxing with the information and the reassurance it brings.
"Well then, if we'll grow into it ... " Her hazel eyes hold a murky dubious
for all that, and she shakes her head. "No exercises yet. But if you'll say
we'll be able, I'm sure we will. You're Wingleader, after all, and like to
know." She offers Kassima a little smile, sans dimples. At mention of
Yselle, she posits, "I wonder what Dianneth thinks of Levarn."

Gay heads down to the lakeshore after handing off those goggles, pulling
off her sweater and tossing it down along the way. She doesn't notice the
wry grin, but by the expression on her face, she wouldn't be surprised by
it. Javinia's concern is also missed. She calls over one shoulder, "It
helps, I think. No exercises yet, like Javi'd said - but those'll help too,
I guess. It's hard -not- to be hard on yourself - well for me, anyway.
Seems like there so much to -do-." She reaches Liabeth and the annoyance
fades, beckoning the gold up closer so she doesn't need to stand in the
water. "Likely not much at all," she answers, at Javi's last.

The grin that crosses Kassi's face carries a rueful humor. "Be trained into
it at least. Aye. Don't worry--there's time, a Turn and a half's worth of
time, and hard work in every day of it." She pauses for a beat. "That might
nay quite be the reassurance 'twas looking for. Thankee, though--I confess
t'thinking I know a bit about it, if'n perhaps nay as much as some of your
teachers." Her eyes wander towards the mostly-broken 'stone, which she eyes
speculatively until an imperious rumble from Lysseth draws her away. "All
right, all right! We'll leave it and wash. You're just nay wanting t'see
the wee ones make out better than you, I hazard, and don't try t'deny
it...." There's some creaking from her flight trousers as she slides at
last off the boulder, leaving dust in her wake, and a bit more creaking and
jingling as she wrestles the flight clothing off; with a blouse and thin
slacks beneath, she doesn't bother ducking behind anything to change, for
once. "Endless amounts t'do. You might be surprised how much you *can* do.
Ah... I doubt Dianneth likes him, if'n she does think of him--she," wryly
spoken, "called Kazy a brat, Lyss told me, when Yselle was paying attention
t'him while she--Dianneth--was itching."

"Truly? She did? Dianneth will be a handful, I think. She got Naelanth
worked up a bit the other night with comments about me." Javinia pauses, as
if listening, and then one corner of her mouth tips up. "Naelanth says I'm
not to have any: hatchlings, Levarns, brats." She smacks the brown's hide
and lifts her chin toward the lake. "Go on, now. Go wet yourself." When he
acts the stone he looks like, she coaxes him along with a caress. "Yes, it
would please me." At that, he stretches himself and obliges, Javinia
following along behind him. She returns to talk of exercises. "None
physical. I's--er, the Weyrlingmaster set us to talking to each other,
though: Gay, Liabeth, Naelanth, and me."

"Dianneth's - different. But getting Ys to cut her hair is something that
none of us could manage, so I have to like her for that. But a brat?
Shards." Gay scoops up a handful of sandy mud, careful not to step too far
into the water. She starts scrubbing at Liabeth's bright hide, shaking her
head. "No. I'm not coming in - it's cold. I'll go bathe when you're
sleeping." The gold seems placated - then rumbles pleasantly to Lysseth as
it appears she'll have company. "Just hope I manage to do it," she notes
quietly, then nods over to Javinia. In a more casual tone, "Then she and
Trinaith. It was fun. I think we both enjoyed it."

"She seems a... confident slip of a thing," Kassi murmurs, so deadpan that
it's probably clear she knows how much of an understatement this is. "She
didn't try it with Lysseth, which is as well--ach, now! What's wrong with
hatchlings exactly?" she asks Naelanth directly, doing her best to seem
curious rather than entertained. "Nay that I know whether you're *planning*
t'have any, Javi... and I'm nay going t'object if'n you call Is by name.
Tell me about it?" She's wading into the Lake as she asks this, her
expression telegraphing her displeasure with its temperature to the world.
Lysseth at least doesn't seem to have that problem as she slips with silent
grace into the waters and swims towards her rider, with a pause along the
way to warble back to Liabeth. "Can't say *I* blame her for nay wanting
t'cut her hair." Like the knee-length braid mightn't have been a giveaway
to that. "You should be able. Some would argue that if'n 'tweren't, Liabeth
would never have chosen you. What sort of exercise was this? Hearing
through each others' ears--or whatever dragons have, exactly--or...?"

Naelanth tromps down to the waterline, into that cold, stretching his wings
wide, flicking them up above the water until they too are submerged. He
noses a splashes of it up into the air, wallowing enough to wet himself,
even though he stays close to shore, eyes watchful of Javinia, where she
stands on the beach. She coughs off a laugh at Kassima's expression.
"Confident, yes. And Gay's right. She's done more with Ys than -I- could,
and I'm grateful for that." A pause. Another laugh. "His response: But what
about -me-? As if I could love him less." The talk of children brings a
wrinkling of nose. "He needn't worry, though. For the length of
weyrlinghood and longer. I've no thoughts to, I know." The mention of I'sai
brings a frown, one that she passes over. "Right. I would tell Naelanth,
Naelanth to Liabeth, Liabeth to Gay, and back."

Kassima bends to splash water over her much-dusted face, doing her best to
swipe it free of sweat and dust; it drips with water when she straightens
to lift brows at Javi. "Done more with her in what sense?" she wants to
know. "And as t'*that*, Naelanth, she's right. I've seven of 'em, and
Lysseth's still and always will be m'heart's lady. However much she may
*claim* she's neglected." The elder green raises her muzzle a bit as if to
gather her dignity, but is fast enough to dip it in an aimed bump for
Kassi's shoulder when her rider gives her side a fond thumping. "Nay
thoughts? Alas. 'Twill have t'be remembering that. Mmm--that has more the
sound of practicing bespeaking each other, aye? That's valuable. The
using-his-senses lesson will probably come later. What's wrong with I'sai?"
No, the greenrider wasn't facing Javi to see the frown--she's taken to
sanding the lingering streaks of ash from her green. Lysseth, though, was
turned the right direction to see.

"Not to say it won't -happen-. In time. I mean, it's a possibility. Or will
be. Naelanth being brown, and ... " Oh, let's let that lie. Javinia beckons
Naelanth back to shore, and the brown comes back to her with an eagerness,
careful of Kassima, polite in turn for kindness. "See, now, you hear her?
You're mine as much as I'm yours." His response is a low-voiced thrum, an
agreement of fact. Javinia begins to follow Gay's example, sand and mud,
though she retains her sweater. "Right. Bespeaking." As for I'sai: "Oh,
nothing's -wrong- with him. Except that he isn't I'sai." A frown catches
her mouth. "Not anymore. Not that he ever was, or that I -knew- him. But.
He brought me up from Fort, and ... It's all changed now." Her tone
suggests that she means more than the just the weyrlingmaster.

"And flights," Kassi finishes. "But that's naught t'worry about yet. 'Twas
teasing you only. Thankee, Naelanth," and Lysseth rumbles briefly too in
appreciation for politeness towards her rider. "That's exactly the right of
it: you belong t'him. That doesn't mean you can't belong to other people or
things; I belong t'my children and m'Wing in ways, and those with weyrmates
belong too t'them, but 'tisn't at all the *same* way. Naught can be
lessening the dragon-bond either. Nay I'sai?" From her direction, for
several beats, silence, broken only by the sound of sand rasping against
grey-green hide. "Methinks I get what you mean, and if'n so, I'd say you're
right and you're wrong. He *is* I'sai, and he was I'sai when you knew him
a'fore. Can a person be only one thing or way? Now you see a different side
of him, 'tis what I'd guess 'tis... I might be wrong, but I'm thinking you
might see a different side of many people, a'fore you're done with
Weyrlinghood. If'n naught else, methinks Impressing can change your
perceptions. Of everything. Are you finding it so?"

Naelanth settles down for Javinia's benefit. She works the sand into his
hide, careful but thorough, new enough to the contact to take her time with
it still. The brown luxuriates in the attention, the together time, though
his tail curls up behind Javinia at the suggestion that she could belong to
anyone save him. There's a long stretch of silence before Javinia answers
Kassima. "Yes," her tone is already considering in the wake of the
wingleader's words, "I suppose that's true. Like Mayelle. Now that she has
Kioth. I'sai. Ys, too. You're right, of course. Was it so for you when you
Impressed?"

Kassima seems comfortable in the silence, at work on her own dragon. She
doesn't linger so much--after so many Turns, this is a task they've done
infinitely many times, and efficiency is to be preferred; still, she knows
just where a bit of extra scratching will bring a pleased sigh from her
dragon, and where to have care for sensitive skin. "A'fore I Impressed,"
the rider answers at length, "'twas a twitterpated fourteen-Turn-old, a bit
airheaded, prone t'wearing skirts and being nervous around authority... oh,
and bowing t'dragons, can't forget that. Impression changed everything.
Some of the people I'd found so intimidating became m'teachers and proved
t'be just people, after all; and I could feel a kinship with riders that I
hadn't had. And then, a'course, 'twas Lyss. Everything was *new* t'her.
Sometimes I'd see a person or a thing as *she* saw it, instead of how I
did, and it made me think of it differently. Y'ken?"

"Truly? That was you then?" Javinia dips her head to hide her grin and its
dimples. But she says, nodding, "Yes, I ke--er, know." Those dimples
deepen, and her cheeks round up. Her humor can be heard in the lightness of
her voice. "I didn't as much until that exercise the other day: with Gay
and Liabeth. Naelanth focuses on things I'd never think of, and what he
chooses to pass on is always ... interesting." The brown seems confident
enough in himself to be thus talked over. In fact, his eyes whirl slow and
blue.

"Mmm-hmm. Nay that there are so many around who were there, and remember,
t'believe it. I can't say I *mind* all the changes Impressing Lyss
wrought." Deadpan, deadpan, who's got the deadpan? Kassi's got the deadpan!
Lysseth gives the draconic equivalent of a snicker. "It only gets more
intense... what 'twas saying a'fore, about his senses, that's one way.
They'll be teaching you how t'see what he sees, hear what he hears, and for
him t'see and hear what you do--takes some work t'pick up the knack of
that, sometimes, but 'tis worth it. For various reasons. I felt even closer
t'Lyss, after we learned that trick."

Javinia moves around to Naelanth's other side, stepping over the tip of his
tail. It moves to catch at her leg in passing. She sighs at him. "Whatever
will you do when you're too big for that? I hate to think on it." Her voice
is fond and patient, the way she's learning to be. She laughs at Kassima
then, asking, "How did she--Lysseth--change you, do you think? Other than
the skirts, and perhaps, the bowing." Her voice quivers with amusement,
sobering only to say, "It -is- still a muddle at times. His feelings are
the strongest."

Kassima drawls over, craning her head to peek around her dragon, "He may
still do it. I recall once when Adonith decided he wanted t'catch me like
that--wrapped his tail around me so I couldn't get away, and him a
full-grown blue. Nay that I minded as such. Here, lump, extend that wing a
bit more, would you? There's char in that fold...." The green obliges,
delicately stretching out the thin sail that much more. "More confidence,"
the rider promptly answers. "Above all. In some ways, more patience--more
of a... well, nay, nay *more* of a sense of humor, but mayhaps a little bit
different. I learned t'use knives and what-all long a'fore she ever found
me, but I didn't wear 'em everywhere or use 'em so much until I Impressed.
And Faranth knows I'm better in an argument than 'twas then. I'd *have*
t'be--we argue all the time." The green's rumble, far from being repentant,
sounds almost smug; Kassi's voice is not smug, but drops to a more serious
note as she reassures, "That's normal. Learning how t'separate your
tiredness from his, your hunger from his, your everything from his, that
takes time. You do need to--I knew a woman once who put her health at risk
because she wasn't eating. But 'tis one of the things your Weyrlingmasters
are there t'guide you through, hey?"

"Truly?" Javinia pauses to eye Naelanth. "Don't you mind that," she tells
him. "You can -ask-. It's not at all polite." Naelanth snorts at that,
unconcerned. Javinia rolls her eyes and pulls her leg away, the brown not
inclined to oblige. His tail tip twitches as she walks away for it, up
toward his neck and head. "You -do- argue then." There's relief there. She
nods, too, saying, "They've told us as much. We were having problems at
first--Naelanth and I. He was telling me he was hungry, but I couldn't
-feel- it. Gay figured him out before I did, if that tells you anything."

Kassima's nod is reminiscent and ruefully amused both. "Truly. 'Twas just
after--well, nay *just* after, but a day or two after--Adonith had flown
Lysseth, so he felt some affection towards us both, I'd guess." Lysseth
thrums a low, content note, but it's probably more for the attention being
paid to her wingsail than any memory. "A'course we do! All the time! Some
pairs probably don't, a'course--but there's naught wrong if'n you find
yourself going head t'head with Naelanth, y'know. Especially while he's
young. Y'know, you might try practicing with him, next time he's hungry,
if'n you don't feel it; he might be able t'project the feeling t'you. If'n
it makes you feel any better, I don't really feel Lysseth's hunger anymore
unless 'tis particularly sharp, or I'm looking for it, or she's *trying*
t'share it."

Taylin heads over from the central bowl.

Annarth heads over from the central bowl.

Javinia works sand into Naelanth's joints and ridges as she listens. The
breeze blowing down through the caldera plucks at her shorter waves,
mussing them. She lifts a forearm to brush at her forehand, hand too dirty
for it. "That's good to know. Sometimes I feel like we shouldn't. But he
can be ... " Naelanth lifts his head, craning around to nudge Javinia. The
push sets her stepping to one side. "Fine. -Determined- then." To Kassima,
"He can be determined." She gives the wingleader's suggestion a nod. "We
-should- practice. Though, it isn't that. I -can- feel when's he hungry,
which was why... Oh, no matter. He's a thing for food. That's all."
Pausing, she asks, "You no longer feel it--Lysseth's hunger? I'll have to
watch him then."

Laughing under her breath, Kassi says, "Methinks I can quite imagine--and
sympathize. Lysseth's so single-minded that talking her out of something
she wants is the next best thing t'impossible, if'n she's set on it
enough." Gently, the still-soot-smudged rider pats the wing she was working
on to signal that she's done; Lysseth folds it back in against her side
with a rumbled sigh. "That's about it for this side, methinks. A moment--"
She breaks off talking long enough to dive beneath the waters and swim
around to the other side of her dragon, a bit of a trip given Lysseth's
size. When she resurfaces, it's with chattering teeth and an exclamation
of, "Bloody sharding *cold*! Gah. Has a thing for it in what sense, that he
likes it? Or wants too much? And I can't, most of the time, but there's nay
need. She only hungers mayhaps... once, twice a sevenday? And then she can
attend to it herself. If'n she got as stomach-achingly hungry as Naelanth
probably feels at his mealtimes, aye, I might feel it yet, but that only
rarely happens." Lysseth affords no comment on this, instead choosing to
offer a light rumble in greeting to the new arrivals.

Naelanth's own scrubbing takes much less time, as he's much smaller than
Lysseth. But Javinia makes up for that by being slow with it, enjoying her
time and bond with him. "He likes it," she informs Kassima when she
reemerges, her shoulders giving way to a sympathetic shiver. "Too much, I
think. It'll be nice when he isn't eating as often." Once, twice a
sevenday? It's a dream at this point. "Five times a day she counters.
-Five-. And the muck to follow it." Unconcerned with his 'mates
inconvenience, Naelanth raises his head, echoing Lysseth's rumble for his
brown sibling.

Gay finally works her way back around to the other side. She'd managed to
keep Liabeth in the shallows, though she's had to remove her boots and
socks. Shivering - though not so much as Kassima - she pats the gold
lightly on her side. "That good enough for you? Do you feel pretty again?"
Liabeth lets out a snort at that, wading into the water to dive under and
surface near the green and her rider. Gay glances towards the others, a
flush creeping up her neck. "Er - sorry. We started talking and..." She
trails off, watching the lake. "What were we talking about?"

Merielan heads over from the central bowl.

Alerith lumbers in from the central bowl.

"Don't let him eat as much as he wants, then, if'n he likes it too well,"
Kassi cautions, falling serious for a moment. "Dragonets get constipated
easily, and a purge is nay treat t'administer. Nor t'clean up after. Nor, I
warrant, t'receive. How've you been taking t'cutting up the meat for him?"
She's back to the lighter tone by then, inquisitive. When Liabeth surfaces
nearby, she bobs her head--rather bedraggled now, with the braided hair
dusty and wet both--to the young dragon. "Don't be concerned about it,
Gay--we're talking of dragons liking t'eat, methinks 'tis now, Javi? And
some details of the bondings. Does Liabeth argue often with you?"

Merielan picks her way along the lakeshore, trying to not step on a slick
spot and end up on her bottom, as she's distressingly wont to do. Alerith
follows along behind his rider for a few steps and then splashes into the
lake, letting out a bugle of enjoyment as he sinks into the water. Meri
laughs at his antics, and them comes abreast of the group talking. "Heyla
Javi, Gay.." She pauses a moment, grin growing wider for some unknown
reason, though she inclines her head respectfully "..and Kassi."

Javinia shoots Gay a dimpled look of understanding. "Difficult, isn't it?
Not to?" She makes noises of reassurance, much like Kassima's. "Food.
Dragons. That's all." Finished with Naelanth, she draws a hand up along his
neck to pat the curve of his jaw. "Time to soak it off. Off with you. Yes,
I know. What if we oil together? Just you and me. Alright then." That
compromise arranged, the brown slinks off into the water, boasting a rough
satisfaction. Javinia watches after the brown, grinning in a soft sort of
way, then turns, "Heyla, ma'am." Merielan gets a proper salute. "Alerith."

Liabeth seems to enjoy the nod, giving the Wingleader a little rumble in
return. She begins to swim in a lazy circle around the green and her rider.
"She doesn't argue, I think. Well, she doesn't -seem- to. She tells me to
-do- things sometimes, but not like Dianneth." Merielan's greeting turns
her round to snap off a decent salute. "Afternoon, ma'am. Alerith." It
wasn't to Kassi, so it's okay? Right? To Javinia, with a sheepish grin, "It
is. She'll go on about something, and a candlemark'll be gone."

Kassima turns her head in time to catch the grin, and her eyebrows twitch
upwards beneath her damp forelock. "Methinks I'm afraid t'be asking the
reason for that grin," she murmurs, eliciting a droll snort from Lysseth.
"G'day yourself, Meri; g'day, Alerith." Though the rider's occupied with
her washing, her dragon has the spare attention to spare to watch Liabeth's
circling, at least as much as the limits of her non-Exorcist neck will
allow. "She's in good spirits?" Kassi hazards to Gay. "How's it different?
I did get that impression, regarding Dianneth, that she might be a bit
controlling. But nay a stupid dragon, young or nay, so hopefully she'll
listen when she needs to. Shells, and methinks those sorts of conversations
continue all their lives--mayhaps in lesser measure, but Lyss can still do
it t'me, at least."

"I'm just happy to see you Kassi.." Meri assures the greenrider, perching
on a rock and watching Alerith play about in the water. The brown seems to
be interested in Kassi as well--or perhaps just in the miniature Queen,
circling around Kassi, either way his head snakes in both their directions,
whuffling curiously. His whuffling makes a spray of water, and Alerith
croons happily, quite pleased with this new discovery about water. She adds
her own two marks to the discussion about controlling dragonets
"Indeed--she convinced Yselle to cut her hair--and was going on yesterday
about how she was going to make sure she's got lot's of admirers---Alerith
told me about it."

Gay nods to that, folding her arms over her chest and watching Liabeth's
circling with some amusement. "She is. She'll be oiled as soon as she
demands it - she knows that - and she's wanting to see how big she'll get.
I think all 'big' is the same to her right now. Or she forgets, one of the
two." She wades from the water to sit on the beach, tugging on socks over
cold wet feet. "And she's different in the not-forcing me way. Either that,
or she doesn't care much about what I'm doing so long as she looks nice.
And Yselle's hair does look good." Liabeth lets out a soft warble to
Alerith, before angling towards the beach.

"Ah, m'world for an 'Is that just something in your pocket or are you happy
t'see me' joke that was original and clever t'crack about now," Kassi
drawls, flashing Merielan a grin before raising her hand in greeting to
Alerith--an offer for a muzzle-scritch, perhaps. Wryly, "Has anyone tried
explaining t'her why admirers might nay be such a good idea right now? Time
for that later--oh, I see. Afraid you're apt t'end up rather larger than
Lysseth, Liabeth. She's certes long for a green, but you're nay green."
Finally, the rider steps back from her dragon, the damp cloth of her soaked
tunic following her in the water. "That should do, Lyss. Go dry out, why
don't you, and let me try t'get this gunk out of m'hair a'fore I freeze
t'death? It could be either one, I'd hazard, Gay. There's plenty t'be said
for nay being pressured all the time." This is a bit pointed, and she's
looking towards Lysseth as she says it. But she starts to shake with
laughter almost immediately after, and explains, "She says, 'As if'n anyone
could force you t'do aught, as I know too well.' You flatter me, Lyss. I
think."

"Yselle's got a good head on her shoulders.." Is Meri's answer "..I don't
think she's going to be gallivanting about with someone right now. Despite
Dianneth wanting admirers.." Alerith is never one to pass up even the
slightest glimmer of a muzzle-scritch, his muzzle is presented to Kassi for
said scritch. Kassi gets another grin, while Meri shakes her head slowly
"Ah--don't flirt with me Kassi--I might lose my head again and have another
child.." She *winks* at Kassi, but doesn't say more. Instead she turns to
Gay, including Liabeth in gaze, cocking her chin towards Alerith "You can
also tell her she'll be bigger then Alerith--and he's quite big for a
brown..almost as long as a bronze."

"Well - I don't know. I actually wonder what sort of reason Dianneth'll
listen to, if at all. But I admire her determination at least. And Yselle
does. I think she'll balance them out." Gay pauses, head tilting towards
Liabeth, before breaking into a wide smile. Back to pulling on her boots.
"She says everyone looks big, thought Alerith does seem bigger." Her smile
shades a bit wry as she stands, the gold approaching. "She likes the idea
of being that big, though I'm not sure why." The exchange between the two
riders is not lost on her, though she limits herself to a curious glance.
"Also on about the oiling, so I suppose it's my cue to leave. Thank you for
the time - and letting me break the firestone, Wingleader." She salutes to
Kassi and Lysseth is the water, then to Meri and Alerith, before heading
back barracks-ward.

Liabeth heads in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering
lake.

Gay heads in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering lake.

Kassima agrees, "Probably nay. The moreso mayhaps since she has evidence of
what happens when you do gallivant, in the person of Levarn." She's
obligingly scritching at Alerith's muzzle as she speaks, long fingers
trying to find just the right spots. "Good t'see you too, m'lad. Meri!
Don't you realize I haven't the first idea how t'flirt? Ask anyone! So I
couldn't possibly have been flirting. Especially since you're female and
all, and delightful though the thought of a daughter named Kameri would be,
and the moreso if'n *I* wouldn't have to carry her." She returns the wink,
then sets to unwinding her somewhat abused braid. "Quite welcome," she
calls after Gay and Liabeth, returning the salute automatically. "Any time!
Gah. Missed again, I suspect."

Javinia sees Naelanth into the water. The separation becomes an ordeal,
again, at water's brink, but it's done. Javinia turns and heads up to
Merielan, where she sits, taking up a perch on a rock nearby. She wipes
dirty hands along the length of her trousers, frowning. "Can't ever keep
clean, it seems. Either Naelanth, or me--always in need of a bath." The
quips that pass between Kassima and Merielan draw a strange little look
from Javinia, and she's happy to turn her attention to Gay and Liabeth,
lifting a hand as they go.

Alerith closes his whirling eyes in pure bliss as Kassi scratches his
muzzle, she may just replace Kichevio in the position of
most-favored-scritcher. Meri, perched atop her rock, laughs at Kassi's
rejoinder, but plows onwards "Your right Kassi--I forgot that it wasn't
-you- that fathered Douglas but Aisling...you just..facilitated the whole
thing, with that concoction of yours." Meri chuckles a bit to herself,
drawing her knees up so she can perch her chin upon them "I'm adding a
warning to the weyrling training, to never go out carousing with you
Kassi..as they may end up..with..splinters." She says no more, turning to
Javinia she nods in agreement "I wouldn't worry about it. Just concentrate
on keeping yourself fed and getting -some- sleep...weyrlinghood is just
dirty, best get used to it."

B'haus heads over from the central bowl.

Onykath heads over from the central bowl.

B'haus takes out a fish-line and a hook. Baiting up, he casts it a long way
out into the water. And waits.

B'haus hauls in his line, having caught only a stringy weed.

All these strange looks oblige Kassi to repeat, "I'm nay flirting with
Meri. Nay offense, Meri; I'm sure you're worth flirting with, but I'm nay a
lover of women--and I'm fairly sure Meri's nay flirting with me either,
hey? We're just teasing." With her hair finally unbound, she's free to duck
under the water again, shaking her head vigorously and trying to coax the
ash out of the long, long strands. She ends up kneeling in the water after
she resurfaces, the better to scrub at the stuff. "Riding's a dirty job,
but someone has t'do it, t'quip an old chestnut at you. Unfortunately 'tis
a true one. Ach, Meri, isn't *Shardman* Douglas's true father?" Her brows
waggle a bit at the query. "And shells, you'll do away with all m'fun! Nay
carousing with new riders, that has the sound of a punishment for me. Was
Douglas really *that* bad?" Lysseth finally finds a place on the bank to
settle, and offers a brief, polite salutation to the new arrivals once
she's done so.

"Splinters? Why would they--" Javinia breaks off at Merielan's rejoinder.
"Yes, ma'am. I know." The color rises to her cheeks, moreso when Kassima
adds her own to the mix. Javinia looks out over the lake, searching out
Naelanth. The brown wallows about in the water, all wings and neck, and it
laps the sand and mud from his hide. He sports to one side, though he keeps
the larger green and brown in sight.

K'ran heads over from the central bowl.

Onykath and his rider both come from the central bowl, looking about as
they walked onto the lake shore. B'haus grinned, and waved to the others
there. He was cheerful especially since they were outside. However, B'haus
wouldn't be exactly free, for Onykath, who now lay down to rest from his
'long' journey from barrack to lake, whined about being itchy. So, B'haus
took out a small bottle of oil that he kept in one pocket, and began to
spread the smelly yet soothing junk onto Oni's back.

"Kassi's a lovely woman.." Meri also hastens to add "..but we're just old
friends--poking fun at each other." Still--she can't quite resist adding
"Still Kassi---Kameri that's not a bad name. Too bad we can't use that
one." Her head tilts to the side in idle speculation "Is there anyone else
with a name similar so that.." But she trails off, giving Kassi another
teasing look, one hand goes to her heart in mock-melodrama "You've no idea
of the -challenges- and -obstacles- that go into raising a splinter
child--Aisling and I had quite a time of it!" And with another small
chuckle she lets the subject drop. Javinia is turned to once more, as Meri
runs a careless hand through her hair "You know Javi--you did quite a good
job with Yselle's hair--I was thinking of asking you to cut mine as well."

With approaching winter devouring a share of daylight, K'ran's dismissed
Starblaze a bit earlier than he otherwise might, and approaches the
weyrlings' drilling areas at a slow gait.

A wry grin crosses Kassi's face. "'Twill try to explain," she promises,
brushing wet hair back from her face for the moment. "Aisling and Merielan
once got drunk at the Lava Lounge, and 'twere so when I found 'em there,
whatever Meri says about it being *my* fault. Now, one version of the story
is that 'twas an invisible man named Shardman there and he knocked Meri
up--or Aisling up; which of you was it, Meri?--and whichever lady 'twas
gave birth to a splinter named Douglas. The other version is that Merielan
jumped on a table, and it broke, and 'twas decided the splinter was a baby.
Which one you want t'believe, 'twill leave up t'you." Turning to Merielan,
she suggests, all innocence, "You *could* use it, y'know. It could be that
naming children after me is good luck, more than just the K alone--look at
K'tdan, Impressing at Ista. And look! Here comes someone now whom I'd bet
would oblige you--K'ran! I've found a lady for you t'spawn with!" Can we
say 'utterly shameless'? I think we can. And perhaps it's to avoid
immediate censure that Kassi ducks quickly beneath the water again, though
she's surfaced after only a second or so: it's *cold*.

K'ran's brows begin to climb at that greeting -- "I'm flattered that you
thought of me?" he answers Kassima with a bemused smile, and then he shares
a quick, "Afternoon, weyrlings," with Javinia and B'haus; a bit of a
sheepish look toward Merielan, and a more appraising one for Onykath and
Naelanth.

B'haus says "Good noon, sir," and Onykath looks up at the Weyrleader as
B'haus massges the oil into his lower back, and he gives a crooning hello
to K'ran."

Javinia sits next to Merielan on a rock near the lakeshore, watching
Naelanth out in the waters. Her gaze seems to shift from her assistant
weyrling master to Kassima and back a bit, on the sly, and there's a
dubious cast to the line of her mouth. This disappears of sudden. "Truly,"
she asks Merielan. "You think so? I could if you like. I wouldn't mi--"
Kassima's recitation brings it all back--Merielan gave birth to a
splinter?--and she has to shake her head before she can stand to salute the
weyrleader. "Sir." To B'haus, "Heyla!"

"It's Kassi fault totally--" Meri assures Javinia "It was all her
-concoction- that Aisling and I foolishly drank it--and then I broke a
table, and I think it was Aisling Kassi--that gave birth to Douglas--" She
breaks off, to laugh for a moment, cutting off when Kassi makes the
suggestion that -K'ran- ought to spawn with her. The blush starts at the
roots of her hair and slowly spreads down to the collar of her shirt, as
Meri sits there, utterly speechless, mouth agape--just blushing. Quite a
reaction. Still--it takes a moment for Meri to regain herself, with a small
shake she turns once more to Javi, hiding her still slightly flaming face
by shifting her hair about a bit "I..um..yes..I was..ah..thinking...cut the
hair." She finishes lamely--still a little disconcerted obviously.

B'haus smiles at Javinia as he hears her greeting. "Good noon, Jav!" he
said, resisting the urge to just say 'fellow weyrling.'

"Weren't you bemoaning the lack of women t'bear your children nay so long
agone?" Kassi reasons to K'ran, finally standing up and wading out of the
Lake, back to where she left her leathers. Being Kassi, of course, she's
still wearing her tunic and slacks, and never mind that they're thoroughly
drenched and doubtless freezing cold. "I hate autumn," she adds, to no one
in particular. "Mmmph. G'day, Weyrling," to B'haus, as she fishes about in
Lysseth's strap-pouch for a towel to dry herself and her hair somewhat off
with. "Why, Meri, you're terribly red. Whatever for? 'Tis logical, don't
you see? You need spawn, he needs spawn... and *'twasn't* m'fault!
'Twasn't, 'twasn't, 'twasn't! Ach, Javi, don't look like that. It all makes
sense. Sort of. Kind of."

Javinia is all enthusiasm for Merielan's idea. "I'd be happy to then, of
course, ma'am. Whenever you like. Or, when Naelanth's asleep. Or busy. One
of the three." Her assistant weyrlingmaster's discomfort seems to assuage
some of Javinia's own, and she can't help but dimple at Kassima. Her gaze
skips back to B'haus, though. "How're you and your Onykath? Itchy, is he?"

B'haus says "Very," B'haus simply states as he moves on towards the base of
the bronze's tail. "It's so bad, I can feel it on myself, and it makes /ME/
itch!"

K'ran answers Javinia's salute gamely, for all that it's clear in suddenly
self-conscious eyes that he's still uncomfortable with such shows of
respect. His expression grows more puzzled as that flush darkens Merielan's
cheeks, and he dares a questioning look from her to Thunderbolt's
wingleader to the weyrlings. "I've got two..." He trails off when
realization dawns; his lips curve in a wry expression, a smile sans humor,
and he says, simply, "Ah." Pause. "I think Meri'd have to be the one to
approve the idea."

Merielan gives Kassi a -look- trying, very, very hard to shut the
greenrider up without actually resorting to verbal communication as that
seems to have failed her. She opens her mouth--clearly attempting, but with
K'ran's answer, she shuts her jaw with an audible *snap* and sits there
looking quite miserable for a few moments, as her blush returns full force.
She finally takes a deep breath, quite clearly composing herself and face
still flaming finally says, in a clear calm voice "K'ran doesn't want to
spawn with me..." This is directed towards Kassi with another look--a more
murderous one this time. And then carefully turning in K'ran's direction,
but not meeting his eyes "K'ran..I..well..your..very..a..nice..man.." And
after that she simply falls silent, turning back to Javinia with the air of
a woman grasping at straws "Ah Javi--yes, I'd love for you to do cut
it--perhaps when Naelanth is a bit more independent--he must come first--of
course--of course!"

Kassima seems, if anything, bemused, and quips, "Or mayhaps *'tweren't*
bemoaning at that, and I'm just misremembering, though I could have sworn
'twas something about it being a shame that Kich didn't want any more
children...? I don't *think* I've gone insane." She shakes her head,
though, and drops the subject in favor of digging a silver comb out of her
abandoned belt pouch and setting to the task of raking tangles from the
black of her hair. "Standard enough, that. The itching thing. Dianneth did
the trick with Yselle the other morn, when she wanted t'get her attention
and an oiling." Meri just gets a disturbed glance for all her looks. "I
don't know why I'm suddenly thinking you'd like t'see me spontaneously
combust, Meri, but 'twill let be if'n it makes you feel better. All right?"

Javinia blinks over at Merielan, at the insistance in the brownrider's
voice. "Um, of -course-," Javinia replies, glancing over to K'ran, and,
again, to Kassima. For all her earlier consternation, she's begun to look
faintly amused--something she hides by pushing away from her rock and
setting back down to water's brim. "The itching is -strange-," she admits
to B'haus in passing.

K'ran's eyes glass for a moment as his lips are momentarily troubled by a
frown, but evades discomfort of his own by offering, only, "There are a
number of women who I think make beautiful children, and who are wonderful
mothers," before joining Javinia and B'haus closer to the shoreline. "The
oddest was when he -- Indrath, I mean -- itched in his wingjoints. I didn't
*have* those, and yet I was feeling it."

B'haus nods at B'haus as he rubs oil down Onykath's tail. "Yes, I know how
that feels. When Onykath itches there, I can feel it around my shoulder
blades, and yet I know deep down that it's not there. It's an odd feeling.."

Merielan sits still for a moment, clearly gathering herself, for true this
time. Her blush recedes, and with a deep breath, she turns to Kassi, her
smile looking a bit forced but still there. "No, Kassi--why would I want
anything to happen to you?" Her smile grows bigger--looking a bit scary
now, as she vows feverently "Your one of my favorite people.." Squaring her
shoulder she hops off the rock and walks towards the others, nodding at
K'ran as she adds her own experience "For Alerith it was his wings--I just
about scratched my arms raw some days--I guess it was the closet thing I
had too wings--"

"Right, and we were discussing you having children and who you should have
them with," Kassi mutters, more to herself, pulling at a tangle, "but
either I'm misremembering, or there's a conspiracy t'make me appear a mad
moron." Pause. Tug. "Assuming the conspiracy isn't correct. Who taught you
t'be cutting hair, Javi?" she inquires more audibly, looking up for a
moment. "And thankee for that, Meri. Nay sure I *believe* you in that at
the moment, but thankee regardless."

Naelanth comes up out of the water, eager to meet Javinia at it's edge, and
to drip on her, or so it might seem. He extends his wings, flapping once,
and deep, to shake off the water there. Javinia lifts an arm and ducks her
face beneath its shade. "-Naelanth.- It's too -cold- for such things." She
drops her arm and looks down at her water-splotched trousers, her tone gone
wry. "My sister did. My governess thought it well enough. Meant I would
know a good cut from a bad one--what was stylish or no. It's easy enough."

A grin for Bauhaus, and K'ran advises in a stage-whisper, "Cut your
fingernails short, and you'll draw less blood when you scratch." He
switches a quick look over his shoulder, still with that eyes-glassed
distance, at Merielan -- but returns his attention in time to catch a few
drops of Naelanth's, and wonder, "What's that like, having a governess or a
nanny? All I can do is imagine it."

"It's quite a good skill to have.." Meri comments towards Javinia, quirking
her head to the side "..I know how to sew--but yours is a skill that's a
bit more exotic." She looks as if she would say more, but goes quiet as
K'ran glances at her, grey eyes flicking down towards the ground and then
quickly back up. Her lips twist into an easy grin--though one with a
slightly predatory gleam--directed towards Kassi--"Why Kassi--aren't I
utterly trustworthy?"

B'haus returns the grin to K'ran, saying, "I'll keep that in mind." A coo
fills the air as B'haus finishes the oiling, and Onykath relieved from
itch- and ever-so-shiny.

Kassima suggests to Javinia, matching the wry tone, "Remind me then t'be
seeking you out the next time Kim or Ky need theirs done, if'n
'twould--if'n they're so determined t'have short hair, they should at least
stop doing it themselves. It looks like someone took a butcher knife
t'their heads every time, and I can only be imagining how they manage t'do
it with Mart and Kena watching 'em." Merielan earns herself a glance
commingling wariness with a certain droll quality: "Meri, I trust you like
'twould trust m'best friends t'refrain from being evil. Which is t'say,
given who they are, nay a whit. Just tell me you're nay plotting some
heinous wickedness? Nay more Lounge exploits that you'll blame on
m'innocent self?"

Javinia rounds up her shoulders. "Like having a mother, I'd wager. Though I
can't know. I didn't have one of -those-. But maybe like Yv's foster
mother, or..." She considers this, her hand reaching for Naelanth's hide,
wet as he is. The brown's tail curves down and behind her, and he nuzzles
at her shoulder. "Maybe not quite like that. Someone who makes sure you do
what's proper." Her gaze slips to her assistant weyrlingmaster, and she
grins a little. "I wish I had more skill with sewing, especially if I'm to
make my own straps." Her smiles widens and shifts. "Of course, Kas--er,
Wingleader."

Another stage-whisper of experience from K'ran, this time to Javinia: "I
still can't stitch straight seams," he shares, and *now* the look he twists
back over his shoulder to Merielan is wry. "Proper. I don't think I'd've
survived a governess, then -- probably I'd be a lacquered ornament on top
of my folks' wagon. How about you, Kassima, Merielan? Were either of you
fostered, or such?"

Javinia peeps up at K'ran and dimples. "Truly?" Her shoulders ease,
buoyancy returning, and she looks to Merielan and Kassima, hazel eyes
curious. "Did -you-?" she asks Kassima. "You've a large family I know. At
Greystones. I'd wager you didn't. Have a governess, that is."

"I had a foster mother and father.." Meri answers, eyes still downcast,
though not at the subject matter. When she does look up--carefully -not-
looking at K'ran, her eyes are shining "..Nuala and Iyles over at Weaver,
they were wonderful. And then A'ser came and searched me--and here I am."
Her eyes turn towards Javi, a true grin on her face as she relaxes a bit.
"I've a bit of a trade for you Javi--if you like--I'll teach you to
sew--and you cut my hair? Sound fair?"

Kassima gives a quick, emphatic headshake. "Nay, naught like that--" She
pauses. "Nay in the sense you mean, at least, I don't think; I stayed a
month or two with relatives at Ruatha once upon a time, which is why Chaeth
found me there rather than at home. But 'twasn't aught quite so formal.
M'parents did m'raising. Mum, mostly, with Da busy with running the
Holding." Smiling to Javinia, she shakes her head again. "We weren't large
or rich enough that anyone in the family had governesses, I don't think...
well, nay in recent generations. I've an enormous family, but 'twas the
only child of m'parents, so they didn't need t'foster me as such. Methinks
some of m'cousins are looked after as much by kin without children as by
their parents, though. Y'might want t'teach Gay too, Meri--she was saying
something about nay being able, earlier."

"Oh, -wonderful-." Javinia enthuses at Merielan's offer. "Deal!" She echoes
Kassima, admitting with a wince, "Gay's worse than I am. Mayelle, though.
Mayelle knows how to do all that. Straight seams--" This for K'ran. "--and
all." Pausing, she nods to Kassima and Merielan in turn. "So, no
governess--only child. Truly, though? Your family seems so -large-. And
you, foster mother and father. Were they like a true mother and father?
I've heard they often are." Her attention shifts to the weyrleader.
"Yourself?"

Merielan's grin is Javinia's answer as she smiles with satisfaction. Her
grin includes Kassi as she nods to acknowledge the greenrider's comment
"I'll ask Gay if she'd like to learn when I teach Javi.." She pauses for a
moment, thinking "..perhaps I ought to ask all the weyrlings--maybe some
sort of informal 'lesson' for anyone who wanted to learn." Her attention
shifts away from her inner monologue and back to Javi as she nods, a fond
light in her eyes "Yes, to all intents they were my real parents. I still
go and visit them quite regularly."

"Only child, me," answers K'ran, as he rises from his crouch and takes a
few steps over toward one of the nearby boulders; he dusts off its top in
preparation to sit, and adds, "I was raised by my mum and my uncle, at
first, mostly, 'cause my father was busy a lot of the time. He got more
interested in me as I got older, but we fought a lot, which is why I
eventually ended up here. I haven't spoken to my folks since before I
Impressed, though my uncle, Brayan -- he trades between Bitra and Fort --
he sees them sometimes, and tells me they're doing well."

"Aye, methinks Gay mentioned that of Mayelle too. It should make the
strap-making easier for her. For you, too, if'n you can learn--I hadn't
clue one," Kassi admits, frowning a moment at a snarl of hair. "And it took
me forever t'get a set of straps m'Weyrlingmasters would approve of.
Truly--" She flips the straightened hair over her shoulder and settles back
a bit to explain, "'Tis usual enough in both sides of m'family to have many
children, and Mum wanted many, but m'birth didn't go well and she was told
she'd never have another. A bit like Simaeva, who fostered m'three eldest
and helps with m'two youngest. So the only thing that would make Mum happy
was t'have a legion of grandchildren. I've done m'best t'be obliging her."
Turning towards Merielan, she nods thoughtfully to the brownrider: "I like
that idea--gives 'em longer t'practice a'fore they need t'make the straps,
mayhaps? And d'you visit your blood parents too?" Her attention's diverted
though by K'ran; she cocks her head to one side, inquisitive. "D'you never
want t'see 'em?" she asks, hestitantly. "Even your mum? Or was she a part
of the fighting?"

"Only child," Javinia repeats after K'ran--for memory. "Families are funny
things. They work themselves out." Her hand stays in contact with
Naelanth's umber hide as she listens, drawing more inward as the talk
continues. Blinking, she steps back. "But we just bath-- Oh, of course.
Alright. Excuse us, we're hungry. Or, Naelanth is. I -think-." She frowns a
little at the brown. To Merielan, she says, "A class would be perfect. I
know several weyrlings who'd attend. Ys, too." With that, she salutes the
riders present and leads Naelanth off.

As he sits, K'ran's smile grows a little self-conscious; his words come
delicately-chosen, and he explains, "She's always been... very
supportive... of my father. It's not so much that I wouldn't be able to get
on with her; I wouldn't be able to get on with *him*, and therefore I
wouldn't be able to get on with *them*." He waves a hand vaguely
southwards, now, in a gesture that suggests the ledges there. "I think
there's too much space between us, now. That and the dragon; da' could
never forgive me for Impressing. Never." He lifts his shoulders in a shrug
as he forces his smile braver. "Don't mind you asking about it, Kassi, it's
not a sore spot with me or anything -- take care, now, Javinia -- it's just
the kind of thing I don't talk about much. Kind of, since there's nothing
about it that can be helped, there's no sense worrying over it?"

Naelanth heads in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering
lake.

Javinia heads in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering
lake.

Merielan looks quite pleased by the idea of a class, she stays in her
crouch by the water for a bit, obviously plotting to herself. Her crouch
comes to an end when Alerith comes out of the water behind her and nudges
her a bit, almost sending her flying into said water. Standing, Meri
brushes herself off, and gives the brown a long silent look, obviously
giving him a piece of her mind. She turns away then, waving after Javi, and
goes to find a rock of her own, cocking her hip agaisnt a convient boulder
as she answers Kassi. "I don't really remember my birth parents..I left
when I was quite young..I guess I really consider Nuala and Iyles my real
parents, whether they birthed me or no."

Kassima snaps a salute automatically after Javi, calling after the pair,
"Eat well, then! If'n nay *too* well--Faranth. Interesting lot of
personalities, these dragonets have," and that's confided to the other
riders more than meant for Javi's departing ears. She quiets after to
listen, drawing her knees up to rest her chin upon them. "Ah," she says
softly. "That makes a certain sense, but... still a pity. A pity for her,
too, t'lose a son out of such loyalty, whether or nay 'tis misplaced. I
can't really imagine letting one of m'children go from me thus. What does
your Da find so terrible about your Impressing? He surely can't think
you've nay done well for yourself--" She frees one arm to gesture at the
Weyr in general, in vague indication. "Well, but if'n you'd rather nay
discuss, I don't mind letting it go. I can see your point in that last.
'Tis just a rotten shame." Her eyes flick towards Merielan, considering.
"As might that be... why did you leave your birth parents? Or is that a
nosy question?"

Merielan lifts up one of her booted feet, wiggling the toes a bit and
smiling down at her own appendage wryly "Itchy feet." Is her explanation to
Kassi, wrinkling her nose up a bit. "I just wasn't made for a small holding
somewhere in Bitra. I needed out, and so my parents sent me out. First to
harper--but I my heart wasn't in that--so then I went to weavers." She
chuckles slightly "It's a good thing I impressed--I was an -awful- weaver,
holes in everything. Alerith saved me."

K'ran shakes his head to dismiss Kassima's concern; "Nuala and Iyles?" he
prompts Merielan. "Have I met them? Mmm, what does my da' find so horrible
about dragonriders?" His smile strengthens a bit, here, as he muses, "The
cynic in me suspects that one day, long long ago, a rider got the better of
him in a trade, and he's never gotten over it. But there's... mm.
Resentment that we're necessary. Fear of the dragons themselves, that was
big, and he even had me convinced. Maybe a bit of jealousy -- he used to
complain that as pretty as dragonwings might be on the horizon, the *real*
work of Pern got done by Traders, Crafters, and Holders. I think I
understand him a lot better now than I used to, actually, which is sort of
strange. What about you two, though? Anybody you grew up with, that you
just *could* *not* get along with?"

Kassima tips her head to one side again. "So you didn't leave because of
any difference with 'em?" she hazards. "But you still don't see 'em much?
Or recall 'em? Shells. I hope Kim and Ky never think that of me." She can't
quite hold in a snort of amusement. "Weaver, that's right--I forget, did
you know Katlynn? Mayhaps Alerith saved you in more ways than one." She
resettles into a cross-legged position, the better to start rebraiding her
hair while she continues to listen. "That is strange. Mayhaps. But it might
make a sort of sense--I'm going to hazard a wry guess that he's nay the
only one you've seen that attitude in, since Impressing. Though I don't
know if'n 'tis usually possibly over a trade. That's new." She's silent for
a moment, her fingers pausing. "The fear, now... m'mother had that problem.
Has that problem. She didn't come t'my Impression; she's never seen
Lysseth, and it does create a certain distance. 'Tis hard t'be accepting
that she'll never be entirely happy for me, having the life I have. But for
all that, I do still see her. And Da's as supportive as could be. D'you
know, I don't think there really was anyone like that? The closest might be
Uncle Myaron, since whenever I visited him--with m'parents, or with a
message, or whatever--he'd set me t'helping out in the stone quarries,
which I didn't like at all. And some of m'cousins weren't the sort of
people I'd count friends, but 'twas naught t'be leaving home over."

Grey eyes gone wide blink at K'ran for a long moment, as Meri stands there,
silently, after that moment she manages an answer, looking a bit flustered
but at least not blushing. "I'm not sure.." Is her answer "..Nuala was
craftmaster awhile back---now she's just around--raising her children with
Iyles and crafting." She pauses a moment, answer K'ran's other question
with a small smile curling her lips "Not really another -child-. I didn't
like Iyles for awhile, I was a spoiled brat and wanted Nuala all to
myself." Meri quirks her head at Kassi, chewing on her bottom lip, sighing
gently. "It is sad I suppose. I was in the middle of a pack of children,
and I..I don't think I was missed much. Naula came to my impression, and
that's what mattered by that point. Still--I visit Erika and Kiere whenever
I can, so that even though they're fostered they know who their mother is,
or at least I hope they will, when all is said and done and I'm older--and
greyer."

K'ran folds his arms across his chest, at least as much against the chill
off the lake as to occupy hands, and wonders, "Does that happen often, in
big families? Middle-kids kind of getting lost in the shuffle?"

"I don't think having many children means you don't care about the ones in
the middle," Kassi murmurs, sounding troubled. "But I don't know your
parents, so a'course I can't be saying... and you did have loving
foster-parents; that's something." Whatever she might be about to say next
is forestalled by the arrival of a green fire-lizard, bearing a note and
chirping up a storm; Kassi works it free, unrolls it, reads it, and
immediately gets to her feet. "Your pardons--Kazy's mealtime, 'tis,
probably past; I let the hours get away from me--I have t'run. G'deve t'you
both!" It's hastily said, since she does, indeed, take off at a literal
run, leaving Lysseth to sigh gustily and move to protect her rider's
abandoned gear. Honestly. The things she does for her lifemate.

You head in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering lake.