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It's Not Good-Bye... Only Farewell

Date:  November 7, 1997
Place:  Benden 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:  The title pretty much says it all.  This is the last 
night that Kassi spent at Benden Weyr.  In order to give the departing
riders a good send-off, a minor celebration was thrown, at which fine
wines and brandy seemed to be the focus.  All in all, this log's pretty
self-explanatory... however, I would like to take a moment to thank all
of the people who have been friendly to me in my time at Benden, which
would have been two years the January after this log was taken.  I can't
even express how much joy Benden Weyr brought me, or how much laughter
and love I found there, both as a character and as a player.  Those 
characters who were lost with the Weyr may be gone, but they will never 
be forgotten--living on for all time in the memories of those who had
the pleasure of interacting with them.  I would like to give my especial 
thanks to Alyssa, F'hlan, and T'fian, three of those so lost, for a 
great deal of marvelous RP and for the general kindness with which they 
have almost always treated me.  It may seem silly to grieve for the loss 
of characters when the players will yet remain, but then, I'm a silly 
sort of person.  Farewell, my friends.

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The Log:

Aphrael strides into the living caverns, grumbling to herself. Tugging 
open her jacket, she glances about the living caverns, grinning and waving 
as she spots Aladis. "Hey, Aladis.. how are you and Asabeth this 'eve?" 
Turning, she waves a greeting to Kassi and Silandra as she notices them 
enter.

Silanda walks out, stretching and grousing under her breath.

Aladis opens her eyes as people begin to file into the cavern. She nods to 
Aphrael with a quick smile, "We're doing very well, thanks. How're you and 
Prefeth?"

Aladis sets aside her mug, sitting up a bit more as folks enter.

Kassima has her eyes on the ground, muttering to herself, as she walks 
into the room; Aph's wave draws her eyes upwards, and receives a half-
hearted one in return from the greenrider. "Faranth," she groans, flopping 
into a chair at the Thunderbolt table and fondly tracing the knife marks 
in the tabletop before her. "If'n I see *one more* moving box today, I do 
believe that I'll go mad, pile the things up in the middle of the Bowl, 
and take a flamethrower to 'em. G'deve, you lot."

Aphrael shrugs out of her jacket, a sigh escaping her as she sinks into 
the seat opposite Aladis, "Oh, you know. H'kler keeps trying to push his 
green to far.. again. The last thing I want to do is /force/ people to 
rest, but that poor green of his.." With a rueful smile, and a shake of 
her head, she nods towards the mug of klah, "How's the klah this 'eve?" 
She bursts out laughing at Kassi's words, answering, "Hear hear!"

Silanda nods to Kassi in a friendly manner, nods more neutrally at the 
others, and scowls at the cake. "I know that feeling," she says. "Though 
if there's much more to pack in that kitchen I'll be suprised."

Aladis considers her mug, "Well, it was pretty good when it was warm." She 
chuckles over H'kler, "You could always tie him down, I'm sure. Asabeth 
and I took this time as an opportunity for spring cleaning. You wouldn't 
/believe/ the amount of stuff I've collected over the years. I'm not even 
sure what some of it is anymore."

Kassima blinks as a scowl is directed towards Ofira's lovely cake, but 
seems either too tired or too distracted to ask. "I'truth, there're still 
things t'be done with m'weyr--though at least Simaeva and Kay are both 
ready t'go. I swear... that cousin of mine makes a fine nanny, but 
there're some things she can't do t'save her life. Packing's one of 'em. 
Aph, if'n 'twere you, I'd get the Healers to slap a grounding on him if'n 
you must. Exhausted dragons and riders aren't what Telgar really needs." 
The quip is undeniably droll.

Silanda walks over to pour herself a mug, warm or not. After a moment's 
thought, she asks, "Anyone else want any?"

Aphrael leans back slightly, eyes darting towards the hearthside as if 
debating or not to risk the klah. Rumors were flying that M'kla's klah was 
the only type left. Finally she chuckles at Aladis' words, grimacing, "I 
don't even want to /think/ about what's in my weyr.. say, Kassi, are we 
still going to get together with some of the other riders for a weyr 
cleaning?" A rueful smile, and she nods, "I'd rather not go that far; I 
will though if he keeps this up for any longer. Wisecrath's starting to 
get older." Hearing Silandra, she pauses a moment, then finally says, "I'd 
love some, thanks! Silandra, wasn't it?"

Aladis's own grin is rueful, "Asabeth threatened to fling me from our 
ledge when she saw how much I originally intended to carry to Telgar."

Kassima nods, brushing her bangs back out of her eyes absently. "That'd be 
grand, Aph. I could certes still use the aid... though whether tonight 
will be the best time for such, I know nay; I've heard rumors that the 
best stores of Benden Wine are being brought out t'see us off." She winks, 
chuckling quietly. "Nay, thankee," is her reply to Silanda, "unless 
there's still cider left over there? Or Red?"

Silanda looks up at Aphrael, and actually looks amused. "That's it. My 
reputation's gone on before me, has it? Aye, I'll pour you a mug - and it 
does look lik there's a bit of cider." She pours as appropriate, and walks 
over, carrying the two mugsand the glass, to take a seat near the riders.

Aphrael settles her jacket down beside her, laughing softly. "I suppose, 
if you look on the good side, it's a nice chance to get rid of things 
you've been meaning to for ages." She straightens at the mention of Benden 
Wine, though, and asks, "Truely? I certainly hope so! Faranth knows I 
could /use/ some!" Grinning at Silandra, she answers half apologetically, 
"Not truely; I heard you introduce yourself t'other night. Thank you," she 
says gratefully, as she accepts the mug.

Silanda nods to Aphrael. "You've the advantage, though; I don't think I 
caught more than Kassi's name, in the mob last night."

Aladis stretches a bit and grins, "Wine would be nice. A personal body 
servant to rub my shoulders would be even better. I dug so deep into my 
presses that I'm amazed I found my way out again."

"Nay I," Kassi sighs, leaning back in her chair and looking quite pleased 
to finally have a chance to relax. "I'm finding trinkets I'd almost 
forgotten, certes, but get *rid* of 'em? Get rid of m'wherry-head mask, or 
Winecraft glass-hats, or the lock of R'val's hair that scares m'fire-
lizards something fierce? Never!" Curling her fingers around the armrests 
of her chair, she wonders mostly facetiously--but somewhat wistfully, 
"Think anyone would be upset if I hauled this old seat off t'Telgar too?"

Aladis muses, "I wonder if it's any warmer in the winter at Telgar than it 
is here."

Aphrael sniffs hesitantly at the klah, but doesn't drink it yet; she 
smiles to Silandra and answers, "Aphrael, Prefeth's rider. And I'm not 
surprised. It was busy yesterday, and probably will be moreso tonight." 
With a grin to Aladis, she says wistfully, "It's times like these I miss 
the hot springs!" She giggles at Kassi, glancing down to the chair, "I 
think you'd have to take that up with Siani.. or Pierron."

Silanda's eyebrows slowly rise as the list of Kassi's treasured posessions 
gets longer. "D'you have anyone to help pack all that?" she asks.

Silanda nods to Aphrael, a touch more formally this time.

Silanda ...and says, "Pleased to meet you, then, Aphrael."

Looking up at the introductions, Aladis tosses off, "Aladis, Green 
Asabeth's slave.. er, rider." She flashes a grin at Aphrael, "I know what 
you mean. I found myself heading that way earlier until I remembered that 
they're off-limits. Old habits die hard, I guess."

Silanda nods to Aladis, as well, then adds, "Telgar's hot springs are 
working just fine...though I don't doubt they'll be mobbed once you lot 
arrive."

Kassima considers, then shakes her head. "I doubt it," she opines. 
"Telgar's the Icy Wastes, while Benden's only the Snowy Wastes--but both 
are better than the Frozen Wastes, the Arid Wastes, or the Muggy Wastes." 
Guess which is which. Of course, this is said quite facetiously, and is 
followed by a shake of her head. "Nay, 'tis just I. If'n we truly do go 
about forming a weyr-packing party later, I have a feeling 'twill owe 
eternal gratitude to the crewmates."

Aphrael tilts her head at Silandra's words, eyes widening as she grins. 
"Well, mayhaps I'll just have to make sure that I get there early," She 
says, with a large grin. Gulping down a mouthful of the klah, her smile 
is a touch wistful at Aladis' words. "Yah, they do indeed."

Aladis gives a quiet laugh at the wingsecond's comments, "Ah well, so much 
for that. I just hope Telgar's hot springs are up to the job of keeping us 
warm through the icy times."

Silanda shifts in her seat a bit, scowling; then finally says, "If at the 
end of the day I can still move, I'd be willing to help you a bit, Kassi."

"If'n nay, there's always Boll, Shipfish, or Benden to come to t'warm up 
when off-duty," Kassi points out. "I quite intend t'utilize those places 
if'n I can... ach, 'twould be right grateful for that, Silanda. You don't 
mind handling knives or other forms of weaponry, I hope? I've nay gotten 
to the knife-rack yet, nor some of the other things on the walls."

Aladis rises, heading over to refresh her mug of klah. When she sits down 
again, it's much more relaxed than before as she sips from the mug. 
"Still, at least a change of scenery is exciting, even if we'll be sorry 
to leave Benden. New wind patterns to learn and sweep territory to cover."

K'tyn walks in from the bowl.

Pierron waves his arms expansively, driving the cavern's girls before him 
like a flock of avians, as he orders them to straighten up for the 
weyrleader.

Silanda shrugs, quirking a smile. "Kitchen knives, fightin' knives, it's 
all one to me."

K'tyn saunters in, as usual, a preoccupied frown pasted on his face as he 
salutes everyone rather absently and heads for the meal table.

Kassima mmmms quite noncommittally, picking up her wine glass to peer into 
it as though it held all the secrets of the world. "To each their own 
outlook. I suppose 'twould be exciting to some, aye. At least Telgar's 
weather may prove a boon to us while we're still learning the patterns; 
winter will come all the sooner." Directing a sharp salute to the 
Weyrleader, the greenrider nods to Silanda in satisfaction. "Excellent. 
Those, the knickknacks, the wall-decorations, and the wine-press are 
primarily what's left t'be packed; the clothes and gear are where they 
need t'be already."

Aladis rises as the Weyrleader enters and snaps off a salute. That duty 
done, she lounges in her chair again, taking up the mug once more.

R'val walks in from the bowl.

R'val ambles into the cavern, "Evening!"

K'tyn looks up as R'val enters. He grins and gives the bluerider a salute 
as he fills up only three plates with food. 'Heya. Just in time--there's 
only a little of that spiced wherry left, R'val.'

R'val's eyes light up, "Spiced wherry??"

Kassima glances towards the snack table consideringly. "Looks like Ofira 
managed to whip us up a bounty, short notice and all," she observes. 
"Think 'tis nigh time t'begin helping ourselves to it?" Rather hopeful, 
she sounds; she's probably skipped a meal again.

Silanda scowls at the cake again, then sighs. "It _does_ look good," she 
allows.

K'tyn grins at Kassi. "If you don't, m'girl, There will be none left." He 
winks at the other women, taking a seat nearby.

Aphrael lowers her mug of klah, lifting her head hopefully, "Did someone 
say spiced wherry?" She asks, and seems to be all but drooling. "I could 
do with a good meal," She adds with a rueful grin.

K'tyn waggles his brows at Aphrael. "I fear I did take a dragon-sized 
portion of the wherry--and I've not touched it, save with the implements 
used to dish it into my plates. I'm willing to trade."

Kassima smiles, eyes resting on the immense pastry. "'Tis beautiful," is 
her quiet remark. Standing to approach the snack-table, she pauses along 
the way. "Sir," she asks of the Weyrleader, "d'you think anyone would mind 
if'n I hauled yon chair with me t'Telgar? There'll likely be an excess 
here now, and one or two extra seats never hurts a Weyr." She nods towards 
the single chair that, for some reason or another, she's constantly chosen 
to sit in ever since her graduation. With the blade-scratches and cuts in 
the table in front of it, it's pretty easily recognizable as hers, too.

Meli walks in from the bowl.

Aphrael laughs at K'tyn, eyeing the wherry hopefully, "Well, I've only got 
klah at the moment," She says, "But I'll find something else if'n your 
willing. Wherry's my favourite," She says, rather uneccessarily, waving 
over as she spots Meli, "Evening, Meli."

K'tyn grins. "I think Kassi, that we should take what we want. I don't 
think we'll find a chair such as that at Telgar." He salutes Meli with his 
fork, greeting her.

Meli takes a moment to wipe dust and dried mud from her jacket and boots 
before stepping fully into the cavern. Nodding to various greetings, she 
makes her way over towards a cluster of friends, wiping a beat of sweat 
from her brow with a somewhat grimy hand.

"Take what we want," Kassi muses. She actually eyes the entire length of 
the Thunderbolt table speculatively for a moment, before turning her 
attention back to gathering food. "Heya, Meli. Care for a bite of 
something to eat? 'Tis mostly snack-food that Ofira's prepared, but 'tis 
still quality stuff."

R'val serves himself a small storeroom full of food on a plate, and makes 
his awy to sit with K'tyn.

Nodding her assent, Meli takes a seat. "Yeh, somethin' t'cut the dust 
would be nice." She reaches for a piece of fruit, then pauses as she sees 
her own hands. "/After/ I wash," she adds, re-standing and moving over to 
take care of said activity.

K'tyn eyes R'val's single plate, and smiles. "You'll never get any bulk, 
if you eat that lightly," he grins.

Aladis listens quietly to the conversation as she sips her klah.

Silanda sips her klah, a faraway look in here eyes.

Aphrael grins over to Meli, saying, "Been busy, I see," She comments 
amusedly, shifting over slightly on the bench to make more room as more 
people start to trickle into the caverns.

Kassima glances down at her own hands, which seem clean, and shrugs. "'Tis 
glad I am that I've nay gotten to the dirty part of weyr-cleaning yet--nay 
that m'weyr can stay all that dirty with the Swarm abiding in it. So, tell 
me...." Once again, she plunks into her beloved chair, this time with a 
plateful of food. "Is it true that the best wines in storage are t'be 
served tonight? I've nay found anyone who can give a definite aye or nay 
to the rumor yet."

R'val grins at K'tyn, "I'm going back for more, I promise."

K'tyn takes a big bite of wherry, looking rather thoughtful. "I don't see 
why we shouldn't. Those old vintages won't travel well." He grins 
roguishly. "Shall we get them out now?"

Silanda looks up and nods. "That's what I've been hearing, in the 
kitchens. Tell me..." she pauses to take a sip of her klah. "Is it true 
that Benden will be delivering more of its wine to Telgar, now?"

Meli returns from her ablutions, takes her seat, and finally retrieves a 
piece of the fruit. "I could see m'self in m'cups at the end o'the night, 
if I didn't have s'much t'do tomorrow."

Kassima allows some humor to slip past the weariness of her semi-grim 
expression, and matches the Weyrleader's grin, roguishness for 
roguishness. "Sounds like a plan, Kiat-sir. After the sevendays we've all 
had, and what this evening marks, well... methinks 'twould be an 
appropriate thing, nay?"

K'tyn ploughs through his dinner, not truly tasting anything until he gets 
to the spiced wherry. There, he slows down, perforce he must---the spiced 
wherry is -SPICY-.

K'tyn nods, at Kassima, unable to speak as yet. He coughs out an 
affirmative.

R'val gulps a large glass of redfruit juice, "Spicy!" he exclaims."

"Be sure to leave /some/ supplies for those of us who are staying behind," 
one older bluerider quips dryly from a neighboring table.

K'tyn breathes through his nose, and the pain fades. "Ah...yes, T'Pea! 
There'll be plenty, I'm sure," His voice is still rather harsh.

Kassima shakes her head at the two men brave--or foolish--enough to dare 
the wherry, taking a quick bite of her own fruit, vegetable, nut, and 
cheese medly before leaning to tap J'zyr and M'fay on the shoulder. "You 
two old sots know wines better'n anyone else. I'll trust you know what to 
look for." The men, grinning, take their leave to fetch the drinks from 
the Caverns. Kassi meanwhile assures the old rider, "Oh, we'll leave 
*some,* certes." Read: Tillek Swill and M'kla's klah, probably.

Aphrael watches K'tyn with a faint grin of sympathy, announcing, "I see 
the wherry is as good as ever," And promptly makes her way to the table to 
collect a plateful for herself.

Kassima shakes her head once more, sadly, as Aphrael joins the sadists in 
their folly. "Why you'd want spices in summer anyway, shards if'n I--" The 
Wingsecond breaks off as the two elder riders return with their first 
armloads of wine, dumping them on a convenient tabletop before returning 
for more. "Ah! There we go, sir; if'n I know J'zyr and M'fay, these are 
bound t'be the absolute oldest and finest vintages Benden Weyr has 
remaining. Those two have a palate like I've never seen in anyone else--
save mayhaps for the Masters of the Winecraft."

Meli watches Aph rise, then gets a rather thoughtful expression on her 
face as Kassi starts rambling about the wine.

K'tyn grins at Aphrael. "It's very good. Extra spicy, as I asked Pierron 
to do!" The man in question twirls his moustaches at K'tyn, who is watchig 
J'zyr and M'fay return with skins and bottles. "-That- is what I need."

Silanda looks at the pile of wine somewhat wistfully, but doesn't rise.

Aphrael piles the wherry onto her plate, grinning over her shoulder at 
Kassi, "It goes wonderfully with.. ah! The wine!" She beams, bringing the 
plate back with her as she takes a seat at the table. "Perfect!" She says 
in answer to K'tyn, grinning up at Meli, "Want some?"

R'val rises rapidly and moves to the table, again filling his plate with 
wherry and other yummies, before returning to his table.

K'tyn nods at Aphrael and the others near him. "It will indeed... Shall I 
get a few skins? Or would you prefer a bottle?"

Meli shakes her head, though she does lean over to speak quietly with Aph 
once she resettled. She mutters to Aphrael, "Didn't we... one cask... 
left,... someplace..." 

Kassima agrees as she sorts through the skins, having once more abandoned 
her plate for more interesting pursuits, "As do I. Let's see, now... oh, 
here's a good one, a pressing dating back to forty-two Turns ere the 
present Pass. Red, too. Anyone care t'try that one? There's a White here 
from fifty-seven Turns ere Thread, too. I've nay tried any of that Turn's 
bottling a'fore."

Silanda opens her mouth, shuts it, and frowns. Then asks, "Would I be out 
of place t'ask for a glass?"

K'tyn sits back down as Kassi does the picking. "Whatever you'd like, 
Kassi. I'm just wanting a taste of some of them, before my tongue falls 
off!" He looksat Silanda in surprise. "Ah! This--tis for us all. I will 
not object if you have a glass--or even more than a glass!"

Aphrael blinks once, eyes widening as she grins at her friend. Nodding 
quickly, she answers softly, She mutters to Meli, "... keeping it... a... 
occasion... warrents it.... storage..." 

Silanda smiles at K'tyn, looking a bit surprised at his vehemence. She 
nods once, then ducks into the kitchen and back out with a tray of empty 
glasses.

Meli grins, rising from her seat. "I'll go an'check. 'Less y'want t'come 
along, then I c'n wait til you're done eatin'."

Aladis makes her way towards the white as Kassima mentions it.

Kassima shakes her head, picking up the Red and going to seek out glasses. 
"Methinks nay, Silanda; there'll likely be more than enough wine in here 
tonight to intoxicate every person in the Weyr--or nearly so! Ah, here 
they are." Light clinks sound as Kassi gathers up several glasses, 
escorting those back to the table too before she uncorks the flask and 
pours four glasses: one for her, one for Kiat, one for Silanda, and one 
for Aph. "Oh! Thankee, Silanda; we'll be needing more glasses ere the 
night is out, I'm guessing."

Silanda sits back down with a soft chuckle. "Aye, it does look like 
there'll be some dry throats around here tonight."

Aphrael spears a bit of the wherry, grinning quickly, then setting the 
fork down. "I'll come with you," She tells Meli as she rises, "I'm sure 
th'food will be safe enough." After all.. how many people are game to eat 
the very spicy spiced wherry?

Aladis takes her wine and a bit of food back to her seat across from 
Aphrael.

Meli grins, and in a few quick strides has crossed the space to the 
kitchen.

Meli walks off towards the kitchen.

K'tyn is quite intently eating wherry and downing wine as fast as he can.

Aphrael smiles to Aladis, and heads off after Meli.

Aphrael walks off towards the kitchen.

Kassima dispenses the glasses to who they're meant for before finally 
returning to her own chair, meal, and other--mostly empty--glass of wine. 
"Where're you two off to?" she calls after Aph and Meli, curious--though 
probably too late to catch them. "Where were they going?" she asks of 
those remaining in the room after she realizes that a reply is unlikely to 
be forthcoming from her two departed friends.

R'val looks around the cavern with an almost wistful gaze, commenting to 
K'tyn, "Got a lot of memories of this cavern. Fifteen Turns worth."

Aladis says "Deep and secret liasons within the storerooms. Tsk. Mayhaps 
Telgar /won't/ be able to deal with us." She gives a faint grin, then sips 
her wine, "I heard them mention something about a cask, Kassima."

Silanda shrugs, taking her glass of wine. "Haven't the faintest," she 
says - and takes a sip. And closes her eyes. An expression of genuine 
pleasure - probably the first on her face in a long time - crosses her 
features.

"Cask," Kassi repeats, swirling the wine around in her first glass. 
"Cask." She quickly drains the chalice, picking up her fork again. 
"Cask... I wonder what they've in mind? Could they know something M'fay 
and J'zyr don't?"

K'tyn grins at Silanda. "Good, isn't it? I'm not a...ah, what is that 
word. A gourmet about wine, but this... this tastes -good-."

Silanda nods to K'tyn, wide eyed. "If Benden Hold sends us _this_ stuff 
when you've all moved in, I think a lot of us Telgari will lose our 
objections."

Kassima flashes the Weyrleader an honest grin. "Connisseur?" she supplies. 
"With that recommendation, sir, I'm rather looking forward to tasting it 
m'self--and t'seeing what other wonders the Stores will bear forth."

Silanda frowns, then as she realizes she's revealed her feelings on the 
matter - or has she?

K'tyn pours some more, refilling his glass a second time. "More, anyone?"

Kassima smiles slightly, returning frankness for frankness. "If'n the 
Winecraft continues sending us pressings like this once we've moved, I 
daresay a fair number of we Bendenites shall lose ours similarly." In 
response to Kiat, she shakes her head. "Ach, nay. I've nay gotten a sip of 
the first yet!" Picking up the glass, she raises it in a sort of toast. 
"To the Vintners: may they ever prove t'be generous to us, wherever we 
go."

Aphrael walks in from the kitchen.

Meli walks in from the kitchen.

R'val holds out his glass with a smile, "Me, K'tyn, if you please, I've a 
lot of remembering to do about this place..."

Silanda sips at hers again, a mellow smile on her face. "Many ills could 
be cured with wine like this."

"Oof," Meli says as she returns, walking carefully behind Aph. Carefully 
and slowly, as she hauls a modest-sized, rather dusty wooden cask into the 
cavern.

Aphrael walks in, just ahead of Meli, muttering, "Watch the--no, you're 
okay, Meli." She leads the way to the table, clearing a bit of space for 
the cask Meli has.

"Many," Kassi agrees mildly, staring at the wine for a moment before 
raising it to her lips. "But nay quite all," she adds before sipping. Her 
eyes close in bliss--then fly open in surprise at the 'oof.' "Meli, what 
in the name of Faranth's great golden gizzard is that?"

With an audible *thump* Meli sets the cask down where Aph directs. "Hope 
it's still good after all these Turns, neh?"

K'tyn grins at R'val. "Remembering? Wine does help ease the paths of time, 
that's true." he pours the bluerider some wine.

R'val grins, "Aye."

Silanda nods to Kassi, a sympathetic look lighting her features, then a 
thoughtful one. "It seems that this is as hard for you as it is for us," 
she observes quietly.

Aladis sets down her glass and rises with a sigh, "Well, one last sweep 
before I move. Good eve, everyone. Enjoy the celebration."

Aphrael laughs lightly, "Well, if'n what the winecrafters say is true, it 
should be even better, by now." Grinning to Kassi, she asks, "Doesn't the 
cask look familiar?" Waving to Aladis, she calls, "Clear skies, Aladis!"

K'tyn smiles at Aladis. "Good dreams for your sleep! Good night, Aladis."

Aladis flashes a grin to Aphrael, "I certainly hope so. It'd be miserable 
to get rained on the night before I have to move!" She heads out towards 
the bowl, whistling as she goes. "Clear skies, Weyrleader," her voice is 
heard to say as she passes outside.

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

Kassima twirls the glass of ruby-red liquid between her fingers, watching 
the wine swirl within through lash-veiled eyes. "For some of us, aye. 
There *are* those who relish this entire thing as a... challenge, I guess 
they'd say. Clear skies, Aladis! 'Twill nay doubt be seeing you on the 
morrow." Casting a dubious glance at the cask, she narrows her eyes 
thoughtfully. "Um. Well, one cask does look much like another, y'know."

T'fian walks in from the bowl.

Pierron tells a lower cavern's girl to hurry up with the dishes.

T'fian strides wearily into the living cavern.

Meli stretches her back, then dusts more dust from her jacket. "Well, hmm, 
think back... back... more'n eight Turns ago..." she hints to Kassi.

K'tyn starts to relax somewhat as he drinks the wine--the rich heady 
flavor a delight to the tongue and a balm to his soul. "Ah! T'fian!" he 
roars playfully. "You've returned!"

Silanda smiles at Kassi, though it's a sad one. "I hadn't thought of that, 
you know...just about Telgar."

Aphrael grins ruefully, patting the cask slightly and causing some dust to 
swirl up. "S'true, I suppose, but.." She glances at Meli, and grins, 
"Yah." Noticing T'fian's entrance, she salutes the Weyrsecond.

T'fian glances towards the roaring Weyrleader and salutes sharply. "Yes, 
sir. It'd been a tough sevenday, so I figured I'd take Telen out to Ista 
to catch a lesson being taught by one of the Miners." He glances around 
the living cavern, returning the various salutes he's received, then his 
gaze lands back on K'tyn. "If you've a moment, sir, I'd like to speak with 
you."

Jayna walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Ceria walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Jayna drops her bundle of soft packing furs on a table and looks around.

"Over eight Turns agone," Kassi muses, absently raising her glass of wine 
in a half-salute, half-toast to the incoming Weyrsecond. "'Twould have 
been... a Weyrling then, aye? I'd nay know any casks from that time--let's 
see... then perhaps 'tis Candidacy you mean? A cask, a cask--ah!" 
Enlightenment causes her face to light up briefly. "The *brandy*! Y'mean 
you've been keeping that all of this time...?" Amazed, she shakes her head 
before matching Silanda's smile with a rueful, faint one of her own. "As, 
I suspect, many of us have been thinking solely of Benden. There's nay 
denying 'twill be hard on some folk from both sides."

K'tyn lounges in his chair--or is that what a 'sprawl' looks like? 
Regardless, he's in that position... though he nods amiably enough as 
T'fian makes a request for a private conversation. "Wherever you'd like to 
go..." he trails off as he stands. "Let's go!"

Jayna helps herself from the fruit platter.

Jayna takes a vegetable slice and dunks it into the bowl of dip.

Jayna scoops up a handful of nuts to munch.

T'fian shakes his head. "No, sir, here would be fine, all though it's 
probably a bad time... what with the farewell thing happening." He sounds 
reluctant, a rather strange thing for him.

Silanda nods slowly, then drinks the last of her wine in a gulp. "P'raps 
this won't be so bad after all," she muses.

Jayna notes Ceria's arrival. "Oh, Ceria, this is all overwhelming. Are you 
and the weyrlings OK with all this?"

Meli nods, giving the cask a rap with her knuckles. "Th'brandy. Not a lot 
o'it, but after all this time, should be pretty smooth, an' pretty potent. 
Now... how t'tap it?"

Kassima nods amiably to Jayna and Ceria, sipping with relative contentment 
from her glass of wine. The rider looks to be tired, but actually relaxed 
for the first time in sevendays. "How much is still in there?" Kassi 
inquires of Meli and Aph, eyes on the cask--though she slides a glance 
towards T'fian and K'tyn out of curiousity. "Perhaps nay... depending on 
which aspects you refer to," she semi-agrees with Silanda. "I don't know 
if'n aught can sweeten parts of it. Time will tell, eh?"

Ceria smiles slightly at Jayna. "I'm just glad that Ofira is letting me 
go," she says. "Are you coming?"

Kassima can't help but chuckle, listening to the sound of the cask being 
rapped. "Well, you could always open it, dip mugs in, and pass 'em about. 
Nay the most civilized method, but 'twould work."

Silanda meets Kassi's eyes firmly. "Aye, that it will. That it will. Shall 
we drink to it...p'raps with a bit of the brandy?" Her eyes twinkle.

Jayna looks worriedly at Ceria. "I haven't been able to ask Siani. She's 
been so busy!"

K'tynsmiles at T'fian, his face, ruddy with drink seems perhaps younger 
than normal as real concern for his weyrsecond appears on it. "What are 
you speaking about, Tiffy?" he asks as he steps closer. "I don't quite... 
follow."

Ceria looks confused. "Ask Siani?"

Aphrael grins and nods to Kassi, laughing. "I'll get the mugs," She says 
as she moves off, grinning at Silandra, "There's plenty enough to go 
around."

Jayna smiles. "She's my boss."

Ceria nods. "But you're a resident here, arent' you?," she says. "K'tyn 
said it was up to you to decide."

"Seems like as good a thing to drink to things with as any," Kassi grins. 
"Aph, might I have a mug? I never had more than a sip back when 'twas 
first made, y'know."

"Tha's cause you got drunk on tha' green Southern stuff," Meli replies to 
Kassi, as she works on the lid of the cask.

Aphrael laughs and passes a mug over to Kassi, one to Meli and Silandra, 
and leaves a few on the table as she takes up her own. "Surely, Kassi," 
She answers with a grin, "And it'll likely drown the fire that the spiced 
wherry is sure to create in my mouth." She says as she waits for Meli to 
open the cask.

T'lar walks in from the bowl.

T'fian shakes his head and takes a deep breath. Schooling his features 
expressionless, he straightens his back and says in a sharp voice, "Sir, 
I request permission to remain behind and assist Weyrleader F'hlan. Benden 
Weyr will be understrengthed and the riders will need to be retrained to 
reflect their new role."

Jayna relaxes onto a bench. "I'm assuming Siani won't have any trouble 
with it. And to tell you the truth, Ceria, I came here to be at Benden, 
but I've met so many people. . . like you. . . .that I wouldn't want to 
leave, that I wouldn't dream of staying here."

Meli gives a final push with her implement, and the top of the cask pops 
open a few inches. Pulling slightly, she removes the rest of the piece of 
wood and steps out of the way.

Silanda half-stands, trying to peer into the cask.

T'lar walks in and pauses just inside the door and out of the way. He 
surveys the people and the place with a hint of sadness on his face.

Aphrael leans forward slightly to peer into the cask, but pauses as she 
hears T'fian's words. Hefting her mug, she says, "I think tonight will be 
a good nice t'be drinking. To say goodbye to friends, and Benden." 

Adding, "How does it seem, Meli?" She asks her friend, since she's the 
closest, not having noticed T'lar's entrance yet.

K'tyn blinks at T'fian's tone, the words not registering for a long 
moment. He pales a bit, getting himself back under control, having sort of 
expected this request from T'fian, as the Bluerider's attitudes and 
reactions have been all that is...uncharacteristic. "Ah... I see. I can't 
change your mind?"

Ceria nods and sits down with Jayna. She sighs. "I don't want to leave 
Benden. I've come to think of it as my home," she explains. "But I've made 
so many friends who are going, I couldn't possibly stay."

Jayna giggles. "Oops. I screwed that up, I think! I meant to say that I 
want to be with the Bendenites. . . .here, there, Benden, Telgar, Ista, 
South Boll. . . . .(maybe not Sout Boll). . . .ANYWHERE!"

Meli nods at Aph's comment, as she leans over and takes a sniff. "Seems 
ok... who's goin' t'check it first? As I recall, P'tran went first th'last 
time, but he's not here." Straightening, she turns and catches sight of 
T'lar at the entrance, and her face lights up.

Kassima protests with mock-affront, "I did nay! That was at our *Weyrling* 
celebration, nay at the unveiling of it during Candidacy! Besides, 'twas 
more than the green stuff that did me in. Aph, you likely recall it--for 
all that 'twere passed out dead drunk on the floor ere the night was out." 
Standing, the Wingsecond finishes off her glass of most excellent wine and 
waves the empty goblet T'lar-wards. She then heads towards the folk 
surrounding the cask. "You're staying behind then, sir?" Kassi turns to 
ask of T'fian in surprise. "Aph--'tis nay good-bye; that implies forever. 
We'll visit, they'll visit. 'Tis nay the same--*never* the same again--but 
'tis still but a fare-well."

"Stayin' behind? Who else is stayin' behind?" Meli belatedly asks.

"I know what you meant," Ceria assures Jayna.

Silanda chuckles. "I'll give it a try."

T'lar strides across the room toward his weyrmate and the mysterious cask, 
hoping against hope that it contains a sufficient amount of ale to see him 
blearily eyed in the morning. He looks at T'fian and K'tyn and the 
expression of sadness deepens.

Aphrael chuckles at Meli's comment, then says, "Well, you're welcome to go 
first, if'n you're willing," She graciously offers. With a half grimace at 
Kassi's reminder, she says, "I don't rightly recall that night, though 
I've been /told/ what I did." She doesn't quite believe it, herself.

T'fian shakes his head at his Weyrleader. "No, sir," he replies. "I'm too 
old to learn a new sweep area, and I can't as say that Telgar is as 
important to me as this Weyr and the people who have depended upon us is." 
He pauses, and continues, "And, sir, I respect the decision you've made, 
but I have lived at Benden through five Weyrleaders and three Weyrwomen. 
The 'leaders change, but the Weyr doesn't. To ... have the Weyr change, 
but the leadership to remain the same.... I cannot adjust to that, sir."

Kassima's statement seems to have sobered her somewhat, so her voice is 
quiet as she replies to Meli. "T'fian, apparently. I'll try the brandy 
first if'n nay anyone else will... a drink would be welcome, please."

Meli turns to T'lar, reaching out and wrapping an arm around his waist. 
"Hi, luv. Come an' join th'party, an' we'll all deaden ourselves a bit 
with th'brandy and wine."

K'tyn coughs, looking at his hands a moment. They are roughened, tanned-- 
far different than the hands of the lad who came her almost seven turns 
ago. He looks up at T'fian, and there is a resigned, thoughtful expression 
on his face. "I understand what you're saying. And...more importantly, I 
can accept it."

T'lar slips up behind Kassima and plants a kiss on her cheek. He moves to 
Meli and slips his arms around her waist from behind and pulls her close. 
The others all receive a smile and a nod.

Jayna scratches her head. "Faranth, I'm sorry to ask, Ceria, but I was 
making an assumption that my clothes would be OK. . . . what's the climate 
like at Telgar?"

K'tyn smiles a little. "That doesn't mean I won't miss you, or Benden... 
It's just that -my- duty calls me on. Yours, to stay here. Wherever we 
are, we are dragonriders. And--As you have taught me--we must respond to 
that call of duty."

Aphrael glances around and smiles to T'lar, offering him a mug. "Heya, 
T'lar," She greets, as she watches the others try the brandy.

Ceria blinks at Jayna. "I don't know," she admits. "I've never been 
anywhere else but here and home."

Kassima turns her head to smile to T'lar. "Heya, bronzeboy," she greets 
him. "You're just in time, 'twould seem, t'taste-test this brandy that 
Aph, Meli, and... Baram, wasn't it? Well, whoever it was brewed during our 
Candidacy."

Meli sighs as she snuggles with T'lar, then says softly "Distilled... not 
brewed. But jus' pass th'mug over, Wingsecond."

T'lar leans forward and takes the proffered mug. His hand catches 
Aphrael's and he pulls her forward for a short kiss on the forehead. He 
raises the mug in salute and takes a healthy sip.

T'fian nods slowly, his neutral facade slipping. His expression is grim 
and resigned, "Thank you, sir. I have no doubt you will lead Telgar Weyr 
to a glory to match Benden's. And I look forward to working with your Weyr 
in the future, sir. Just show those Telgar riders what Benden-trained 
riders are capable of." He extends his hand.

Kassima extends her hand for a mug, too, but watches curiously as T'lar 
imbibes from his. "Good?" she inquires, stealing another glance over her 
shoulder back at the Weyrleader and Weyrsecond.

Silanda looks away from K'tyn and T'fian's conversation, a sad look on her 
face; then back up to the conversation she's been in. She nods to T'lar, 
then tries some of the brandy herself. Cautiously.

Jayna shrugs her shoulders and smiles. "Well, I guess I'll get supplied 
out of stores if it's cold."

Aphrael smiles at T'lar, "Happy drinking," She says softly, as she leans 
forward to dip her own mug into the brandy, taking an experimental sip.

Ceria grins. "After spending the winter here, I've got plenty of stuff for 
winter," she says.

K'nan walks in from the kitchen.

"So may it be, sir," Kassi murmurs, turning her attention back away from 
the leaders to scoop brandy into her mug. Rather than a paltry sip, she 
starts with a healthy swig of the potent stuff.

K'tyn clasps T'fian's hand, first, sliding his grip to grasp the older 
man's forearms. "I will show them everything you've taught me. And 
threaten them with your appearance should anyone fail me." He grins. "I 
-will- see you again."

Aphrael, watching Kassi, chuckles, and takes a larger gulp this time, eyes 
closed as she drains the mug. Coughing, she splutters, "T'is good." Of 
course, she could be biased, since she was one of the ones that helped 
make it.

T'lar nods in reply to Kassima's question and takes another drink to prove 
it. His head falls forward so that his forehead rests on the back of 
Meli's head.

Meli accepts a mug of the brandy, and turns slightly to plant a kiss on 
T'lar's cheek. "To family," she offers before trying the liquor herself.

M'kla walks in from the bowl.

Pierron glances up as the weyrsecond enters.

M'kla stalks in, still dusty from sweeps closer to Igen than Benden, and 
heads for the wineskins.

T'lar says "To family." His voice is softer than usual and a strange glint 
can be seen in the corner of his eyes. He sips the brandy and leans down 
to taste it on Meli's lips."

T'fian smiles slightly. "Of course you will. Benden's new role will 
require us to assist you or Ista over our old Sweep area. And it has been 
my pleasure to have served as your Weyrsecond. You have led Benden 
admirably, and will lead Telgar just as well, if not better." He lets go 
of K'tyn's arm, salutes M'kla, then turns and heads out to the bowl.

Kassima swallows, just managing not to sputter. "Good and strong," she 
approves, raising her mug in the toast. "And to memories," she appends, 
taking a second drink from the cup. "Clear skies, sir!" she calls after 
T'fian, with a decidedly sharp and respectful salute.

M'kla cocks her head back a little, and returns T'fian's salute.

Silanda stays respectfully quiet during the toasts, though she does raise 
the glass - well, mug - to each one.

Meli savors the kiss a moment, then watches T'fian leave with an 
additional softening at the corner of her eyes. "Le's sit down, luv," she 
says to T'lar.

Aphrael lets out a breath and sinks down into a chair, watching Meli and 
T'lar with a smile. "So.. have you two decided to make the trip to 
Telgar?" She asks softly, as if hesitant to know the answer, another 
mugful of the brandy in her hand.

Maylia walks in from the bowl.

R'val glances at Aphrael and nods, "Yes, we'd all like to know!" He smiles 
as mayliaenters and waves her over.

K'tyn smiles a little sadly at M'kla, then brightens as an idea occurs to 
him. With quick steps, he moves toward M'kla. "M'kla--A moment of your 
time?"

M'kla diverts her course to join the young Weyrleader.

T'lar looks from Meli to Aphrael and back to Meli. "We've been discussing 
that since my return from Bayhead Hold. I...I don't know.." His words 
trail off uncertainly.

T'fian stops at the entrance and turns back to the cavern. He returns the 
salute from Kassima. "Clear skies, Wingsecond," he says, then adds with a 
smile. "And if I hear Thunderbolt messes up in front of Telgarians just 
once, I'll be back there to rip you and P'tran up one side and down the 
other."

Maylia slowoly enters, snapping salutes left right and center as she 
passes riders.

K'nan slips quietly into the cavern from the bowl, trying to remain 
unnoticed as he works his way over to get himself something to drink.

Meli takes another sip of her brandy, watching her weyrmate intently. As 
he trails off, she gives him a quick squeeze.

Aphrael bites her lip slightly, but nods, not willing to press the two. 
"Whatever you decide, well.. we'll be able to visit," With a rueful grin, 
she adds, "And we'll always have Moonrise."

M'kla chuckles at T'fian's brass.

Kassima hails her mentee with a wave from the hand not holding onto a mug 
of brandy. "Thankee, you two," she murmurs to Aph and Meli, cradeling her 
cup close. "The wine is sharding good, but something stronger's much 
appreciated... by me, at least. Sir!" She arches both brows, blinking most 
innocently at the Benden Weyrsecond. "Us, mess up? Inconceivable! You must 
have mistaken us for another Wing entirely!"

K'tyn mutters to M'kla, "T'fian...just... I'm... need to name... What... 
you... hm?"

T'lar says "What did you decide, Aphrael?"

M'kla chuckles quietly, and patpats K'tyn on the back, She mutters to 
K'tyn, "... ye'd have... one so..."  She grins, teasing.

T'fian grins at Kassima. "I hope so," he replies, then walks over to the 
riders. "How old is that, by the way?" he asks, motioning towards the 
brandy.

Aphrael lifts her mug in response to Kassi's words, smiling faintly at 
T'lar. "Prefeth and I are going with Skyfire.. and Skyfire goes to 
Telgar."

K'nan manages to sneak a 'skin from the snack table..smiling faintly as he 
makes his way back towards the bowl as quietly as he entered.

R'val waves amiably as he spots K'nan and invites him over, "Join me, old 
friend?"

Meli tilts her head to the side. She mutters to T'lar, "... point... an' 
Dawnslight... goin'. An'... an'... mom... tha..."  She trails off and 
frowns slightly.

K'tyn grins at M'kla. "Aye, that's true." He looks about the crowd, 
seeking a familiar face.

Kassima belatedly hails K'nan with, "G'deve, mentor mine... care for 
something to drink?" She settles for simply waving to M'kla so as not to 
interrupt the conversation between the Leader and Second. Looking again 
towards te cask, she hrms. "About... nay quite nine Turns, 'twould be? 
'Twas distilled near the end of our Candidacy, by Aph, Meli, and Baram 
if'n memory serves aright."

K'nan hesitates as he's spotted..then flashes his two friends a quick 
smile and a shake of his head before walking back outside.

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

T'lar nods, a slightly brighter smile curling the corners of his mouth 
skyward. "True. What say you? Do you want to go?"

Salutes done, Maylia changes to more friendly waves, moving to fetch 
herself a drink. That done, she meanders, looking for a conversation to 
join, heading over towards Ceria.

R'val squints at K'nan with a shrug of puzzlement and refills his wine 
cup.

Ceria grins as Maylia approaches. "Did you hear?" she says. "Ofira's 
letting me go with you."

T'fian nods. "I recall that," he says. "Mind if I have a mug?"

K'tyn waves at people as they enter, returning salutes as necessary. He 
ambles back to ward the table, picking up his discarded glass of wine. 
"Hey! This is empty!" He grins. "Can't let that happen!"

Aphrael looks around at the greetings, watching K'nan depart. A frown on 
her face, she asks of those gathered nearby, "Does anyone know if K'nan's 
coming to Telgar?"

Meli sighs softly, pausing to take another sip of the brandy as she 
collects her thoughts. "Be somethin' new, I s'pose... an' in th'long of 
it, nine Turns isn't really all /that/ long t'get attached to a place..."

M'kla chuckles quietly at Meli. "Aye..." She turns from the weyrleader, to 
smile at the younger rider, "Nine, twenty two...what's the difference?"

Maylia rushes the last couple of steps to Ceria, a smile beaming on her 
face. "That's wonderful! When'd she decide?" Quite relieved herself, she 
exhales in an exaggerated sigh. "You must be so relieved!"

"I hope you two do decide t'go," Kassi remarks quietly to Meli and T'lar. 
"'Twould well understand if'n you chose otherwise, but I can't imagine 
living without the occasional moments of lovey-dovey nausea from you two." 
With a wink, she turns to call to the Weyrleader, "Come refill it with 
brandy then, sir! Oh, nay, Weyrsecond--at least, I don't. 'Tis nay 
m'brandy t'be saying, but there seems t'be enough to go 'round." She 
glances towards Aph and Meli for confirmation.

Ursa walks in from the bowl.

Pierron grumbles something to himself as the wingleader of Dawnslight 
walks in.

D'thon walks in from the bowl.

Aphrael can't help it; she bursts out laughing at Kassi's teasing of Meli 
and T'lar, then grins as she gestures to the cask, "More than enough, I 
dare say."

K'tyn heads speedily over to Kassi, pouring some of the golden-red-brown 
drink into his glass and taking a goodly sized gulp.

M'kla looks up as Ursa arrives, and wipes the cheerful expression from her 
features, nudging K'tyn to get his attention on the brownrider. "There she 
be."

Meli says "Y'just jealous," to Kassi, though her tone isn't as light as it 
could be, as she waits for T'lar's response.

T'lar says "I don't really want to fly over Bayhead anymore. A new sweep 
area will keep us busy drilling the dragons." He pauses and chuckles at 
Kassima's words. "Gee, thanks. I think." Turning back to Meli, he 
continues. "Let's go, but we have to take Tamlin with us. I enjoy him too 
much to leave him behind."

Ceria nods to Maylia. "I was so happy that she finally decided," she says.

D'thon wanders in in a half-dazed (i.e. typical) state, quickly saluting 
as he notices the WLMs. He edges over to Maylia and Ceria.

T'fian looks over at M'kla and sighs at her comment. By his expression he 
feels differently, but then he turns back to the group of riders and pours 
a small bit of the brandy in his mug. "You'll all be missed," he says, 
holding his mug up, then turning to look at Weyrleader and Weyrsecond.

Ceria turns her bright smile on D'thon.

Silanda speaks up, finally. "Might I propose a toast?" she asks quietly.

K'tyn grins at T'fian, and then pounds on the table for quiet. "Hey! Hey! 
Can I have your attention, please, everyone?"

Meli breaks into a smile, nodding and giving her weyrmate a hug. "A'course 
we take him w'us. Even if we foster him out, I want t'be able t'see him 
ev'ry day still. He's still so little..."

T'fian looks at K'tyn.

Maylia raises her eyebrows, prompting Ceria with, "And? Are you happy to 
be going?" She grins, anticipating the answer. Bobbing her head with a 
smile towards D'thon, she turns her attention to the WeyrLeader.

Aphrael breaks into a grin as she hears T'lar's words, smiling at her 
friends before she quietens and turns to listen to the Weyrleader, sipping 
from her mug.

R'val nods to Silanda, all ears. "A toast?"

D'thon looks a bit more alert as he heads for the hearth and (oh no, not 
again) klah. Filling a rather large ale mug with the stuff, he takes a 
long pull on it and his eyes brighten a little. "Evenin', Ceria, Maylia."

"Jealous? Me?" Kassi protests lightly, taking another gulp of the strong 
liquor. "Of the ability to nauseate folk? You mistake me for another... 
but ach, 'tis blessed glad I am t'be hearing that you're coming, too." 
Smiling warmly to her friends, she replies to T'fian with, "And we'll miss 
this place... and those who remain. I know few who will nay always 
consider Benden t'be a home to the--" She snaps her jaw shut with a sharp 
click, focusing on the Weyrleader immediately.

Silanda looks aside at K'tyn, and shuts up with an apologetic look.

Ceria nods enthusiastically. "Of course. How could I not be? I get to stay 
with my friends," she says.

Ursa moves in slower than her usual quick, clipped pace. She winds up 
pausing half way into the cavern as the weyrleader pounds on the table, 
leaning against a nearby table. "A toast?" she whispers to the bluerider 
there.

M'kla hops up on a table and FWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEPS a whistle for attention.

T'lar keeps his arm around his weyrmate and turns them both to face K'tyn.

M'kla bellows, "The Weyrleader be SPEAKIN...even if he's nay to be 
Weyrleader much longer!"

Meli starts, then looks over at the weyrsecond and weyrleader. She 
snuggles in closer to T'lar, hanging onto her mug.

M'kla listens for the silence.

T'fian smiles at M'kla. "He'll still be Weyrleader. Just Telgar's 
Weyrleader." With that comment, he falls silent.

R'val blinkblinks at M'kla.

D'thon quickly snaps to drill-perfect attention by sheer reflex, klah 
sloshing but (miraculously) not spilling. He relaxes slightly, watching.
K'tyn clears his throat. "Everyone. Raise your glass! I'd like to make...
yes, R'val," He grins at the rider to his right. "A toast. The only one 
that I can..." So saying, he lifts his glass. "TO BENDEN!" And then he 
downs the lot of the brandy, gasping a little after he swallows the lot of 
it in his glass.

T'lar says "TO BENDEN!"

Meli says "To Benden!" with her own mug raised.

Silanda lowers her eyes, and takes a sip of her brandy.

Aphrael lets out a cheer, raising her mug as she stands, "To Benden Weyr!"

T'fian smiles, repeating quietly, "To Benden." He then drowns his mug in 
one gulp.

D'thon echoes with a wide grin - "To Benden Weyr!" - and downs the whole 
mug of klah in a single gulp.

M'kla raises her glass as well, then toes K'tyn gently with her boot.

R'val calls out loudly, raising his mug, "To Benden!!"

Ceria smiles silently.

M'kla snorts and toes K'tyn again, "You done toasting yet, or do I get to 
start announcing." She grins teasingly.

Ursa is caught without a cup, but she raises a fist and echoes the cheer, 
calling out in her deep-toned voice, "Benden!"

Kassima yells enthusiastically, "To Benden! Benden Weyr!" She raises her 
cup with enough further enthusiasm to splash brandy on her own head, but 
for just this once, doesn't seem to mind.

K'tyn catches his breath. "Oh, announce, M'kla, my luve!" He grins, truly 
tipsy.

Aphrael gulps down a mouthful of the brandy, swallowing hastily and 
shaking her head slightly as she turns her attention back to M'kla.

T'fian shakes his head at K'tyn's state, but his smile shows he doesn't 
disapprove.

Benden Weyr> Kassima gets a sudden, bizarre mental image of Kiat falling 
to one knee in a spate of tipsiness and beginning to serenade M'kla with 
love songs.

Benden Weyr> Silanda sputters.

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "GOMH"

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "He did that yesterday, Kassi, where were 
you? 0:)"

Benden Weyr> Aphrael rotfl.

Benden Weyr> Ceria giggles.

It seems safe enough to move again, so Ursa slinks over to where she can 
get herself a full cup of wine to join the next toast.

Benden Weyr> K'tyn cackles! I can to that!

Benden Weyr> Kassima awwwws, and I missed it? Drat. At least maybe tonight 
I'll get to see a repeat performance. ;)

T'fian calls up, "Oh, K'tyn, please leave us /some/ supplies. We're still 
here, y'know, and we need a couple of those throwers you had us shipping 
all day."

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Then again, that may have been during my 
seizure... :b"

D'thon pours himself another mug of klah. "Bit insipid tonight," he 
remarks to Ceria, raising it and taking a sip.

M'kla effs, and shakes her head at the besodden bronzerider, "Fine. I 
weel. Ursa." Her voice snaps, drill-sharp.

Ceria glances at D'thon. "Still, don't let your firelizards get ahold of 
it," she warns.

M'kla puts her hands behind her back, and peers about for Spineth's rider.

T'fian's smile fades as M'kla calls the Dawnslight Wingleader. He turns to 
look over at Ursa.

K'tyn grins at T'fian. "What? Y'mean you *need* throwers? I thought that 
you were t'guid for 'em," he quickly quips, then turns to look at M'kla 
with an expectant expression.

Ursa has been a rider long enough to respond instantly to that tone. She 
straightens up, setting the cup down with a quick "click" in the same 
motion. "Yes, ma'am?" she asks, startled.

D'thon winces, glaring at the Pair of pairs with which he is currently 
festooned, and nods with a rueful grin. "Learnt that long ago," he 
remarks.

M'kla says gravely, "Advance." She hops down from the table with a 
resounding *thump*

Aphrael refills her mug as she watches Ursa move forward, not retaking her 
seat, but standing just behind the bench.

Ceria grins. "I left mine back at my cot," she says. "Five is a lot to 
keep up with. They cause trouble too easily."

Despite the general festive, drunken atmosphere in the room, the 
weyrsecond's tone is all business, and Ursa promptly does as she's ordered 
to do, leaving her newly-procured cup of wine behind. She stops before 
M'kla, feeling all the world like she felt when Cerilla called an 
inspection in the weyrling barracks.

K'tyn quickly pours himself some more brandy as he watches M'kla and Ursa. 
The grin that's been on his face for most of the evening returns, this 
time even wider.

M'kla says loudly enough for everyone to hear, "T'fian has decided that he 
be tired of waiting for me to retire myself, so he'll nay be Weyrsecond 
any longer, nor Weyrsecond at Telgar." She takes a semi-casual parade rest 
(the same sort of pose that makes riders who know they're in trouble 
cringe, right before she bites heads off). "K'tyn, bronze Prometh's rider, 
Weyrleader to be of Telgar, and his Weyrsecond M'kla, green Torinth's 
rider, ask ye to do us the favor of being the junior Weyrsecond at Telgar 
Weyr. Do ye accept?"

T'fian grins at M'kla's phrasing. "I thought I was waiting for you to die 
eventually," he replies, chuckling.

D'thon sighs and nods. "Unfortunately these small nuisances seem to have 
formed permanent attachments to me - physically, that is. I somehow get 
the feeling that even when Wroxath starts chasing greens, they'll still be 
hanging on to my jacket, my tunic, or any other tenable item of clothing 
while I squat on a bench with glazed-over eyes."

M'kla snorts at T'fian, "I'll outlive ye all."

Meli grins at M'kla's pronouncement, lifting her mug to her lips again.

Ceria smiles at D'thon. "Speaking of chasing greens," she says. "My Emmy 
is due to rise soon."

T'fian laughs, "So I've discovered." He turns to look at Ursa.

T'lar moves behind Meli again and pulls her back to lean against him. He 
smiles at the announcement and awaits the reply.

D'thon blinks. "Oh."

"And likely bury us all too, eh M'kla?" Kassi asks drolly, eyes fixed on 
Ursa as she raises her mug again in preparation for another toast.

Ceria sighs. "I'm going to have to keep an eye on her," she says.

D'thon nods solemnly. "Maybe two."

K'tyn pauses, cup halfway to his mouth as he prepares to drink. He raises 
a black brow at Ursa, awaiting her (he hopes) acceptance of the offer.

Maylia, totally oblivious to the firelizard oriented chatter around her, 
watches the scene around M'kla and Ursa intently.

Ursa's strong instinct to stand absolutely stock-still at attention is 
overcome by the need to turn for a curious, surprised look at T'fian, one 
of her former weyrlingmasters and the wingleader who once appointed her 
wingsecond. She blinks at him, absorbing his resignation and M'kla's 
pronouncement all at once, then turns smartly back to look at the 
weyrsecond. Her chin tilts up and she says in a tone stiff enough to cover 
her awkwardness, shock, and surprise, "It would be an honour to accept. I 
would be proud to serve Telgar with both of you." She doesn't know how she 
managed that lil speech in this state of shock, but it somehow came out.

Ceria giggles. "Well, I hafta use one to watch where I'm going," she 
jokes.

D'thon nods mildly. "True." He winks.

Aphrael's smile widens as she hears M'kla's words, waiting for Ursa's 
acceptance before she raises her mug in salute. "Congratulations, 
Weyrsecond," She calls. Looking towards the bowl, she waves to her 
friends, "I think I'll head for a bit of a walk.. see you all later on." 
With that, she takes her mug and heads out the door.

K'tyn cheers, pumping his hand toward the ceiling. "Yes!" Some brandy 
spills, but he doesn't care. "Yes!"

M'kla grins a bit, and digs in he pocket, producing a black, brown, and 
white cord, the fancy one that marks a Weyrsecond, "Guld. I was afraid I 
were gonna have to give this to F'lger and Caffieth."

Ceria grins at D'thon and casts a glance in the direction of the inner 
caverns.

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

T'fian smiles encouragingly at Ursa and raises his mug in salute to her. 
"What? you've already got the black and white cords?"

"To Weyrsecond Ursa!" Kassi promptly hails, lifting her mug even higher. 
"And to the honor she'll bring Telgar, Dawnslight, and Moonrise all!" 
Unable to resist, she is compelled to add a sharp salute to the end of 
that--the sort that is accompanied by a clicking of boot-heels.

R'val applauds politely, putting down his cup of wine to do so.

M'kla snorts, "Aye...better to go in wearin the native colors than look 
like a bunch of bloody fools! Red and black at Telgar!"

Silanda drinks to that, a smile on her face for this one, then beckons 
K'tyn over.

K'tyn looks after Aphrael. "Wait! I forgot...I'll return," he promises, 
running after his Wingsecond, though not before grinning at Ursa, M'kla, 
T'fian and those around him.

D'thon grins, listening quietly to the raucous conversation.

Benden Weyr> K'tyn has to leave irl! :p. Assume Kiat comes back and sings 
love songs to M'kla, okay?:)

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

Benden Weyr> Meli pouts. Wanna hear it for real!!

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Of course, Kiat! What else can we say you did 
while drunk? :)"

Benden Weyr> M'kla AUGHS!

Benden Weyr> K'tyn grins. It'll happen.:)

Benden Weyr> Aphrael snuggaKiat. :)

Benden Weyr> K'tyn snugs.

T'fian grins. "I happen to like my red and black," he replies to M'kla. 
"Too much to give up, I guess." He smiles at Ursa. "Congratulations, 
Weyrsecond. Wingleaders are even more annoying than riders."

Benden Weyr> M'kla will make sure everyone sees her steal off the young 
bronzerider too. ;) Late start tomorrow, Weyrleader?

Ceria turns back to watch the goings on in the rooms. She takes a sip from 
the wineglass that was sitting on the table near her.

Ursa accepts the cords with a gracious sort of nod and a salute. Every one 
seems to be taking this as an occasion to drink, and so she promptly looks 
around for the drink she was sure she just got herself. A puzzled look 
around, and she returns her attention to the cords.

Silanda sighs as she misses K'tyn, and goes back to her drinking.

Kassima snorts in decidedly amused agreement. "The red and the black are 
good, strong colors. If'n 'twill be permitted, I've hopes to always wear a 
cord of red in m'knot, in honor of the Weyr that for whatever reason 
didn't kick me out within a few days of Candidacy and has even been 
willing t'keep me on this long." A rueful grin, and she drains her second 
mug's worth of brandy. "Meli, is there any more of this in yon cask?"

"Prolly, Kassi," Meli replies. "Y'haven't had /that/ long t'finish it all 
y'self." She smiles slightly, content to stand with T'lar and watch her 
friends.

Mehlani walks in from the bowl.

F'hlan walks in from the bowl.

T'lar takes Meli's cup, Kassi's and his own over for refills. He tries to 
greeting F'hlan with a mock salute which fails since he's carrying three 
mugs.

T'fian glances towards the entrance and stands, saluting sharply. "Good 
evening, sir," he says to F'hlan. "Could I have a word with you, if you've 
a moment?"

R'val fetches another wine cup and plops down into a seat near Maylia, 
grinning at her, "Hullo you. How're you and Tierth today?"

"Ah, good," Kassima replies in satisfaction, swiftly refilling her mug 
lest it stay empty for more than a moment. "I'm tempted t'see just how 
many mug's worth 'twould take me ere I start blathering about the 
tunnelsnakes again... g'deve, sir!" Yet another sharp salute is directed 
F'hlan's way; she seems to be doing that a lot tonight. Mehlani, in 
contrast, is greeted with a nod and an actual smile from the Wingsecond. 
The drink seems to have loosened her grimness somewhat, so that she's more 
like herself than she has been in days.

F'hlan and his daughter amble into the lower caverns, the bronze rider 
with an arm draped across Mehlani's slim young shoulders -- leaving, for 
once, no free perch for Holl, so the bronze fire lizard is riding on the 
girl's head. Catching T'lar's almost-gesture, Tzornth's rider flicks a 
grin in his direction, and, having a hand free, _does_ succeed in saluting 
him back. To T'fian, then, the man turns, lifting an eyebrow, saluting him 
as well. "Certainly," he says quietly.

Maylia takes a seat next to R'val, smiling. "Tierth's fine! Excited about 
flying, finally. And how's Vidarth?"

R'val smiles warmly at Maylia, sipping from his cup, "I remember Vidarth 
being so excited when he first flew! Oh, he's well, doesn't quite 
understand all this leaving Benden business though." he smiles almost 
sadly.

D'thon listens in quietly on Maylia and R'val.

M'kla seems to be occupied with the returned K'tyn, having been drug off 
into a corner to be serenaded with lovesongs and whatnot. She looks 
patiently amused with the whole thing.

Mehlani bobs her head at Kassima. The lass is wearing what appears to be 
one of her father's old riding jackets -- perhaps even his first. It hangs 
voluminously on her slender frame, and her hands are engulfed in its 
pockets.

Ursa manages to find herself a cup of ale instead, already having lost 
track of the cup of wine. She downs the ale, making a face, and murmering, 
"Shards. They still don't make it here like they do back home..." She hops 
up, discarding the cup, and saying to anyone near by, "If you'll excuse 
me, I want to go find Emlyn and tell her."

Kassima tries, very valiantly, not to burst out laughing at the sound of 
Kiat singing love songs to M'kla. For all that she succeeds, her 
expression is certainly an interesting one. "Remind me to tell him about 
this once he's sobered back up," she murmurs to those nearby.

Maylia hmmmms, and sighs, peering towards the bowl. "Well, Tierth's just 
excited. I don't think she understands that we'll not be coming back."

"Sir," T'fian says, approaching F'hlan, "tonight, I asked for and received 
permission from K'tyn to remain here at Benden Weyr. I request your 
permission to remain here at your service, if you would have me."

'Lani, as her father turns to T'fian, peers with apparent bemusement in 
the direction of the warbling young Weyrleader -- apparent, since 
Mehlani's eyes go rather rounder.

F'hlan straightens slightly, pulling his posture ever so subtly out of the 
usual near-slump into which he often falls when keeping his weight off his 
bad leg. His expression takes on an old solemnity, not seen on his face in 
over ten Turns, but it's softened with memory and apparent pleasure. "I'd 
be honored," he says simply to T'fian.

D'thon gazes towards a point high on the opposite wall of the cavern, 
doing nothing in particular.

R'val sighs, "I think Vidarth does, he's just so pragmatic he doesn't 
care.' He immitates his dragon's tone, "There is Thread there. There are 
GREENS there. What else matters?"

Silanda gestures Kassi closer, looking like she wants to ask her 
something.

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

T'fian nods. "Thank you, sir," he says with a small smile. "And the honour 
is mine to serve under you once again. Now, if you will excuse me, sir, 
everybody, I should retire. I suspect tomorrow will be a busy day." He 
salutes F'hlan and heads out to the bowl.

T'fian walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Ceria takes another sip of her wine and glances at D'thon.

Kassima salutes T'fian again, looking almost relieved as this time, she 
misses--things are more normal that way. Cupping her mug close, she walks 
over to where Silanda beckons with one eyebrow upraised questioningly.

D'thon shakes his head, noticing the girl's eyes on him. He leans back and 
returns the glance.

F'hlan returns T'fian's salute briskly as the man goes, then turns, 
grinning ever so slightly to himself, his eyes still slightly distant. He 
pats Mehlani gratefully as the girl whispers to him if he'd like something 
to drink, and as 'Lani wanders off to acquire something to imbibe for her 
father and herself, Tzornth's rider looks for a chair onto which to sink.

Ceria offers D'thon a tentative smile.

Silanda whispers "D'you think it would be...inappropriate for me to offer 
a toast? I...don't want to step on anyone's feelings tonight, but I have 
something I'd like to say..."

D'thon sighs, watching everything. "It's all going to be the same... and 
yet different."

T'lar nuzzles the greenrider's ear that is just at the right level. "What 
say we sit down? I'm exhausted."

Meli nods, moving over towards an empty section of bench. "F'I have much 
more o'this brandy, you'll have t'carry me off later."

Kassima shakes her head, a slight smile playing briefly on her face. "Nay 
inappropriate at all," she assures, not even bothering trying to whisper. 
Drunk she may not be, nor tipsy yet, but she's still had enough brandy to 
know any attempt at quietness would probably be ineffective. "Go right 
ahead... I think 'twould be welcome."

T'lar waggles his eyebrows as he sits with her still against his chest. 
"That was my idea any way, sweeting."

Ceria nods. "I know what you mean," she agrees. "It's going to be 
strange."

Silanda nods to Kassi, looking a bit uncertain, but she climbs to her 
feet. "May I, um. Might I have everyone's attention for a moment?" she 
says a bit softly but clearly.

D'thon sighs. "Maybe not so much for you, having been at a Weyr so long... 
I just feel like I'm always on the move."

Meli giggles, and reaches for a handful of the nuts and cheese.

Mehlani peers at the snack table, and deftly arranges a couple of small 
saucers of edibles; these, she balances in one slender hand, while 
claiming a skin of the Red for her father. She pads back towards F'hlan, 
then, though casts a look in Silanda's direction as she goes.

"See what I mean?" Kassi remarks, just loudly enough to be heard by her 
two friends. "Nauseating! How could we live without someone to remind us 
of why a solitary life has its moments?" She winks, though, before 
obediantly turning her attention to Silanda--her mug at the ready for 
another toast, it might be noted.

F'hlan turns towards Silanda, as well.

Ceria offers D'thon her glass of wine and says, "At least a lot of your 
friends are going with you."

T'lar looks up at Silanda.

Silanda clears her throat, though it sounds more like a nervous habit than 
anything else. "I'm from Telgar, as some of you know," she says quietly. 
"And some of us there have been...less than happy about this recent turns 
of events. I among them." She glances aside at Kassi, then casts her eyes 
down for a moment. Looking back up, she says, "But in the few days I've 
been here helping you to pack for the move, I've met a lot of you, and...
well, you seem to be all right. So: here's my toast. To the future. All of 
ours." She raises her mug, hand steady, and drinks.

T'lar nods approvingly. "To OUR Future."

Meli nods at this, lifting her own mug in response.

D'thon echoes to Silanda - "To the future" - and drains his klah. Again.

"Hear hear," says F'hlan, lifting the skin Mehlani has brought him. His 
daughter just smiles shyly to Silanda's words, and shifts Holl off her 
head to her shoulder. The fire lizard croons.

Kassima smiles, lifting her mug of that. "To the future of Bendenites, 
Telgarians, and... Telgarites? Bendarians? Well, whatever you call it; 
I'll drink to that, by all means." Which she does, of course.

Silanda sits back down with a bit of a thud, cheeks somewhat red from 
everyone's response. And the brandy, of course.

Meli tosses back her second mug of brandy, then turns her head to look at 
T'lar. "Is it later yet?"

T'lar laughs heartily and drains the last of the brandy from his mug. His 
face turns alternately purple and white as he coughs. Finally, words 
emerge from the general noise. "Thought you'd never ask."

D'thon nods. "Friends..." He smiles softly, a little distracted.

Meli grins, moving to extricate herself enough to stand. "Much as I'd love 
t'stay an' watch a certain wingsecond get rip-roarin' drunk..." She 
glances around at everyone, cementing the view into her memory.

Ceria shrugs and turns elsewhere, sipping from her glass.

Kassima shakes her head, to all appearances fondly exasperated. 
"Sickening. Just sickening. You two are perfect for each other, y'know. 
There's nay trait that tells better." With another slight and faintly 
rueful smile, she sets down her empty mug and heads towards the table of 
skins to procure a glass of wine instead. "Ah, Meli--I've little doubt 
you'll have other chances. Be well, you two, and... I'll see you at 
Telgar, I guess."

T'lar stands and moves to throw his weyrmate over his shoulder, but she 
dances out of the way. "We have some memories to make of Benden."

D'thon refills his klah - again - and returns to the table. "How's things 
with you, by the way?"

Jalimax walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Meli laughs, and grabs for T'lar's hand. "Think I'll walk out this time, 
bronzerider."

T'lar shrugs. "Can't blame me for trying. And Kassi will tell you, I'm 
very trying. See you at Telgar, Greenrider Wingsecond person."

Jalimax waves.

F'hlan watches the younger riders, quietly amused, and inclines his head 
to the incoming Jalimax. Nearby, Mehlani claims a chair of her own, gazing 
about the cavern, a strange pensive look to her blue eyes.

Maylia sits quietly, gazing around the cavern at the now familiar faces, 
lingering at a table here, a smile playing on her lips as she looks there.

Ceria turns to look at D'thon. "Better now that Ofira's decided to let me 
go with you," she says.

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

Kassima wrinkles her nose. "Silly bronzerider. You're nay more trying than 
the rest of us--and take *that* as you will!" Pouring herself a glass of 
wine--her third, and sixth drink if you count the brandy too, which says a 
lot for her level of tolerance--she salutes the two departing riders with 
it.

D'thon grins. "Me, us, or everybody?"

Ceria looks confused. "What?"

T'lar walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Jalimax heads over to a table and finds a seat.

D'thon chuckles. "I mean, who do you mean, you?"

Ceria blushes. "Well, everyone, I guess," she says.

Kassima slides soundlessly into her old chair, glass in hand. "Wonder 
whether anyone else will be bringing chairs along?" she muses absently, 
reaching out to once more finger the various slashes, gashes, and familiar 
marks on the table in front of the seat she always claims as hers.

D'thon's cheeck twitches slightly. "Oh."

Ceria blushes again. She hastily takes another sip of her wine and glances 
up at D'thon through her dark lashes.

R'val nudges Maylia and grins, "Want some wine?" he teases.

D'thon takes a swallow of klah, gazing up at the others.

Jalimax fetches himself some wine, and something to snack on.

Maylia grimaces to R'val, starting to rise. "Sure, sure. Just tease my why 
doncha!" She glances around the cavern once more, then smiles to R'val. 
"I'd better get myself and Tierth back to our couches. Long day ahead."

R'val smiles, "Take care, Maylia."

Kassima lounges in her chair--sideways, oddly enough. Elbow braced against 
one armrest and crossed legs slung over the other, she stares 
contemplatively into the hearth and listens to Kiat continuing to serenade 
the hapless M'kla. "I swear," she muses, "the man knows more love-songs 
than m'grandsire and uncle put together. Fair be the winds t'you, Maylia."

Ceria looks back at D'thon. "So have you lived many places before coming 
here?" she wonders.

D'thon nods. "Igen Hold, the Weaverhall at South Boll, Fort Weyr, the Hall 
again, now Benden, and soon Telgar. Dear, dear." He chuckles.

Maylia smiles and waves as she heads for the door. "Clear skies, Kassi, 
and everyone. Goodnight, all."

F'hlan stifles a rather large grin at K'tyn's singing, while Mehlani just 
stares at Prometh's rider for a while in startlement; somehow, it would 
seem, the girl has managed to continue to be surprised at how riders 
behave when they get inebriated. F'hlan scans the room casually, then.

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

Ceria blinks at D'thon. "Wow," she says. "I can't imagine moving around 
that much."

Jalimax chuckles at D'thon, "My, you have lived more places than me. I've 
mostly just moved around the same places. From Ruatha, to Harper Hall, to 
Minecraft Hall, to Harper Hall, to Ruatha again for a short time, then 
back to the Minecraft hall, before coming here."

D'thon sighs. "These things happen. And then there was that awful Southern 
Continent affair..."

Silanda shifts down a bit, to wards the conversation about moving around. 
"You've lived in that many place?" she asks both Jalimax and D'thon. 
"How...what's it _like_?"

Kassima shakes her head, plainly amused as she drinks the last of wine 
from her sixth glass. "Mental note: donna start singing loud enough for 
th' whole room t'be hearing after the next glass or two," she quips to no 
one in particular, winning her a chuckle or two from similarly tipsy 
riders nearby. "Now, t'see if'n there's wine enough here t'drown out th' 
blasted songs 'fore they get stuck in m'head...."

Ceria shrugs and refills her glass of wine.

D'thon chuckles. "Well, you always tend to return to the same place. 
That's not really an option for me now, though."

F'hlan nudges Mehlani, and nods for her in Kassima's direction. Mehlani 
gets up, and without sound, in a moment or two, she's at the green rider's 
elbow, offering her a skin fetched en route.

Kassima ceases her pretty fruitless attempts to get out of the chair 
without shifting position somehow first, and flashes Mehlani an 
exceedingly grateful smile. "M'thanks, lass--ah, blessed Faranth! 'Tis 
more of the one forty-two if'n I miss nay m'guess. A better wine than any 
other." Breaking the seal on the skin with her thumbnail, she sits silent 
for a moment, brow furrowed as though she's trying to recall something--
and clearing up again when she succeeds. "That reminds me; Kes and Eyr 
asked me to inquire of you, lass, whether or nay 'twill be making the move 
t'Telgar?"

Mehlani blinks, quirking her head slightly, evidently taken aback. She 
casts a glance in her father's direction, and F'hlan smiles briefly and 
encouragingly at her, then the girl turns back to Kassima. "I'm going to 
help Caitria and ride Tsornin there," she says softly.

Kassima pours a measure of the rich burgundy wine into her glass with a 
reasonably steady hand. "So Tsornin and Tria are both coming along too, 
are they? I'd nay heard--I've been falling sadly behind in the gathering 
of rumors, I fear. I think 'tis safe t'say that we'll be glad to have 
you--nay that I'd presume t'speak for the Weyr, a'course, but... I suspect 
I'm digressing."

"I don't know if I'm going to stay yet," the girl murmurs shyly, feeling 
honorbound to point that out.

"I'm nay certain that anyone knows that," Kassi broods, eyes once more 
focused on some point only she can see. "The Weyrleader said that how long 
one stays is dependant upon the individual. 'Twould nay surprise me 'tall 
if'n many come back once the water is plentiful here again and Telgar is 
on its feet... but I suppose you never can tell, and now I'm *certain* I'm 
digressing. At least 'tis nay about tunnelsnakes with wings again."

Lysseth> Alyssa pauses as she dismounts her blue and looks about her in 
the bowl, especially at the dragons whom she knows will not be at Benden 
soon. She removes her gloves slowly and wanders toward the living cavern, 
pausing by each dragon to regard him or her quietly.

Lysseth> Lysseth extends her muzzle as the dragonhealer pauses near her, 
brightly glowing eyes of jeweled blue swirling placidly. Lightly, she 
whuffs the poor over-whuffed woman yet again.

Mehlani smiles tinily to Kassima, unsurely. "I need to see Telgar first," 
she murmurs. Then she blurts, "Are K'star and E'rian going to go?"

Lysseth> Alyssa reaches a hand out to pat Lysseth's muzzle, whispering, 
"Don't let your rider let you forget about me," before, with a shake of 
the head, moving toward the living cavern again.

Silanda stands, weaving quite a bit. "It's time for me to go to bed...if 
I'm going t'be of any help in th'morning." She gives Kassi a friendly nod. 
"Ju's look for me when you're ready to pack, an' I'll help you out."

Alyssa walks in from the bowl.

Kassima nods, setting down her glass on the table with a small *click.* 
"Aye, they are. All of the Weyrlings are being called upon t'go, with 
Dawnslight guiding them 'long the way. Whether or nay they'll stay for as 
long as some likely will remains t'be seen, but neither seem t'mind the 
change... haven't been here so very long, y'know, that they'd be leaving 
that much behind. Could almost envy 'em, I could... oh, aye, Silanda, 
'twill be certain t'be doing so. Don't worry 'bout any boxes; I've got 
more'n a fair share already for the packing and the moving and the--Lys! 
G'deve!"

Alyssa lifts her hand in greeting. "Good evening, Kassima. Evening 
everyone." She puts down her gloves, heading for the hearth. "Chilly in 
Telgar tonight, especially for late summer." This is apparently a general 
statement, nothing to anyone in particular.

Silanda nods in agreement to Kassi, then waves to the rest of the room 
before weaving her way towards the inner caverns.

At Kassima's proclamation about her cousins, Mehlani nods, her brow 
furrowed, and offers no other response. She and her father both are 
distracted by the arrival of Alyssa; F'hlan turns where he sits and calls 
over a quiet greeting to Adonith's rider.

Silanda walks towards the inner cavern.

D'thon stretches and sighs. "Well, I'll have to be going... hafta be up 
early tomorrow. Night y'all." He grins, standing and heading for the 
entrance.

Kassima salutes Alyssa as best she can with her wineglass, actually 
*cheerful* for the first time since the move was announced. Or, to be more 
accurate, tipsy... but in Kassi's case, there's rarely a discernable 
difference. "Aye, so 'twould be; 'tis fitting, that, considering that 
they're the Icy Wastes and all. Ancient Wastes and Snowy Wastes, Arid 
Wastes and Muggy Wastes, Frozen Wastes and Icy Wastes--the six Weyrs of 
the North." Oh, dear. She's starting to sing-song. This looks bad... but 
then, she is on her seventh serving of alcohol.

Pierron glances up as the weyrsecond enters.

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "M'kla! Are you still being seranaded by Kiat?"

M'kla eventually comes away from the quiet corner where K'tyn's spent the 
evening serenading her...either she or the Weyrleader have lost their 
minds.

Benden Weyr> M'kla must be ;)

Alyssa looks over her shoulder at Kassima, one brow raised. Then she makes 
her way toward F'hlan as if she's got something to say.

Ceria walks towards the inner cavern.

M'kla laughs quietly, and shakes her head as K'tyn burbles something 
sickeningly sweet, sounding like a moonstuck love-calf. "Gah...I need tae 
find saner company."

M'kla makes her way to sit next to Kassima instead.

F'hlan lifts a brown regard to Alyssa, smiling to her, a touch crookedly. 
"Good evening," he tells her.

Alyssa pauses. "I understand you've agreed to ... lead the weyr once the 
move's made," she murmurs.

Kassima starts humming, the tune rather akin to whichever one the tipsy 
Weyrleader was warbling lasts. "Six wastes, six Weyrs, ringed by 
mountains, crowning glories of the lands, guarding life and hope with 
fires, as Pern's survival commands... hey, that actually works. 'Twill 
have t'be gettin' a better tune, though; that one's drivel. M'kla, where'd 
th' man learn t'be singing like that?"

"Aye," says Tzornth's rider simply. Mehlani, as long as her father isn't 
looking in her direction, brightens. Evidently, the idea of her sire as 
Weyrleader deeply pleases her.

M'kla shrugs at Kassima, "I'm nay sure...he spend time with addleheaded 
harpers as a lad?"

Alyssa regards F'hlan for a long moment, then smiles fleetingly and offers 
F'hlan a sharp salute. "My pleasure to serve you, sir."

F'hlan's eyes warm a trifle, and he lifts a hand to return Alyssa's salute 
just as sharply. "Mine, likewise," he murmurs. "Thank you."

Kassima tries her best to look affronted, but just can't quite manage it. 
"*I* spent time with Harpers as a lassling, and all of 'em kin t'me, so 
you can be certain 'twere as addlepated as you could wish--and I don't 
sing love songs. Nay, nay, never that. 'Cept when weird proddy brownriders 
request it. But that's *different*, y'know, 'cause... well, just *'tis.*" 
As though to emphasize her point, she empties her seventh glass and 
refills it once more from the skin.

Once the salute's finished, Alyssa leans forward to kiss F'hlan's cheek 
and adds softly, "Having you lead is one of the few bits of news to make 
me smile, F'hlan. I'm glad to see you where you belong."

F'hlan blushes lightly and gives Alyssa another crooked small grin. 
"Again, I thank you."

Alyssa shrugs, blushing right back. "Merely stating the truth, sir. Merely 
stating the truth. Now if everyone will excuse me...I want to make certain 
there's nothing left from the infirmary to go to Telgar...then I should 
get to sleep."

F'hlan and Mehlani both smile at Alyssa, and Tzornth's rider says, "Good 
night to you, then."

Kassima blinks at Lys, and her dark green eyes suddenly seem perfectly 
sober. "G'night, Alyssa," she says clearly. "My friend. 'Twill see you 
soon, I've nay doubt of that. Clear skies t'you and that handsome blue of 
yours."

Alyssa hesitates as she collects her gloves, then she moves to Kassima and 
embraces her closely. "Clear skies to you too."

Kassima hugs Lys as best she can, seated awkwardly as she is in that 
chair. "Fear nay that Lyss will forget you," she adds, smiling up at the 
dragonhealer. "For we--both of us--plan to visit. Frequently. Until either 
we or Benden are nay more--y'may be certain of that."

"See that you do," Alyssa answers with a thin, tearful smile and marches 
out rather stiffly.

Kassima snorts. "Could I do else?" she asks rhetorically, managing somehow 
to get to her feet and salute the departing Wingsecond. "Wind to thy 
wings, old friend."

Alyssa turns, returns the salute, and hurries out.

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

Setting her wine glass firmly down, Kassi summons as much dignity as she 
can muster, snapping a salute to the soon-to-be Acting Weyrleader of 
Benden. "'Tis nigh time for me to retire as well. Clear skies, sir, 
Mehlani, all."

Kassima turns and strides for the doorway, pausing only long enough to 
snag her unfinished skin and two more from the table before departing. If 
she's going to get roaring drunk, she's not going to do it in *public*, 
where she might wind up seranading someone--Faranth forbid.

Kassima is saluted back with rather more steadiness, and F'hlan grins 
quietly at his younger wingmate.

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