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The Fertile Crescent


Date:  September 14, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr Workroom
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:  Heroes in a half-shell!  Turtle power!  (It's a long
story; you'll see if you read a ways into the log. ;)  Yselle, Kich,
and Kassi run into each other in the Workroom when they all seek it
as the ideal place to get some domestic chores done.  As a result,
Kich learns a few tidbits of news; and somewhere, T'van shudders 
from a sense of nameless dread.  Or so we can only presume. ;)

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The Log:

Telgar Weyr> Yselle dusts herself off and wonders if anyone is RP_OK?

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio borrows the feather duster and might be, in a few.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle oos.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima is! Now that the VH1 special with glorious Ethan is
sadly over. *Sighs.*

Telgar Weyr> Yselle woohoo.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio says, "Greenriders assemble!"

Telgar Weyr> Yselle wanders to hm... any thoughts K-people?

Telgar Weyr> Javinia says, "Uh oh."

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "At least I can't be proddy again yet. There's
that."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima gets bizarre visions of greenrider Mighty Morphin
Power Rangers. We need Proddyzord power, now!

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Which for some reason has gotten the Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles theme stuck in my head."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima thinks her synapses need to be realigned.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Argh! Kass!"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima sings, "They're the world's most fearsome fighting
team! They're heroes in a half-shell, and they're greeeen!"

Telgar Weyr> Yselle thwaps.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "When the evil Shredder attacks, these Turtle
boys don't cut him no sla--ow!"

Telgar Weyr> Yselle heads to uh... the work room?

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Works for me. :)"

<*> Lysseth spreads her wings to their full extent, bringing them down with
a rush of wind as she leaps nimbly into the air.

You spring from Lysseth's ledge with one downsweep of your wings, soaring
into the sky above the Northern Bowl.

You fly downwards towards the bowl.

You push aside the curtain and enter the workroom.

Kichevio comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle aws.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle should get pregnant too, then we could be a trio.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio blinks. Kassi, did you walk past I'sai again??

Telgar Weyr> Kassima did considerably more than that. 0:)

Sitting in a chair near the hearth is Yselle, bending over a shirt which
she appears to be attempting to mend, with very little success. The shirt
is pretty old and stained anyway; one might ask themselves why she would
/want/ to mend it. The only advantage is that she could quite possibly not
make it look any /worse/.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio starts giggling. Two pregnant greenriders with
cravings...

Kassima enters whistling, and sadly, what she's whistling bears a
suspicious resemblance to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme. At least
it has fearsome associations on Pern. The hem of her black cloak swings at
her ankles, glow- and hearth-light gleaming against the crimson embroidery
that edges it; the hides rolled and straight she carries with both hands
rustle faintly with each step. "Oh," she says in surprise, halting upon
realizing that the room is occupied. "G'deve, Ys--I didn't know anyone else
was in here... though I shouldn't be *surprised*; 'tisn't that late. D'you
mind if'n I take up some space t'be writing a letter? Why are you mending
that shirt?" Inquiring minds want to know.

Telgar Weyr> Mirah says, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "But it's not widespread IC knowledge yet. ;)
*Snickers.* I haven't made up my mind what Kassi's cravings will be this
time."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Maybe I should do mushrooms. She could drive
the cooks nuts wanting great quantities of sauteed mushrooms, stuffed
mushrooms, wherry with cream sauce and mushrooms, beef with mushrooms, and
kiwi ice cream topped with mushrooms and sprigs of mint."

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "...poisoned mushrooms..."

Yselle looks up; she looks harried. "This," she says, waggling the shirt as
illustration "was a present from my father a long time ago. I guess I'm
just not ready to part with it," the poor thing is limp and dishevelled,
and there's a big rip down the back. "Tel ripped it," she adds. "How are
you?" it's more than a casual polite question.

Only truly desperate need would bring Kichevio out in the dreadful weather.
Truly desperate need involves bubblies, which are tucked inside a covered
basket, and a square (more like a rhombus, really) of knitted turquoise
wool overflowing out of her coat pocket. "Popular place tonight. We'll be
quite the domestic trio, writing letters, sewing, and knitting. So long as
I don't knit bubbly crumbs into this...whatever it's going to be. When
you've fixed it, Ys, smother Tel with it." There, that was helpful.

Telgar Weyr> Javinia says, "I think poisoned mushrooms are an acquired taste."

Telgar Weyr> Mirah nods. Yes acquired till you die. ;>

"All right--this is me, *nay* asking, nay asking at all, just *how* and in
what circumstances T'van ripped your shirt down the back. Because I do.
Nay. Want. To. Know." Kassi sets her hide burden down on the hearthside
table as she speaks, with a light fwump. A similar fwump follows as she
falls into a chair with little grace. "Are any of those stains in places
you could embroider over 'em, or sew ribbon, or something? Maevia told me
of the trick once. It might help." After pushing her hood back and tugging
her braid free so that it drapes over her left shoulder--to the doubtless
delight of the gold fire-lizard who's also there--she answers, "I'm really
quite well. At least, y'know, considering; one of the cooks actually let me
sneak into the kitchens t'be filching warm tarts earlier. And there were
stuffed mushrooms... crumbled porcine and cheese, absolutely delicious;
methinks 'tis Ofira's old recipe." Digression much? "You knit, Kich?" she
inquires, looking over to greet the other greenrider with a grin. "Somehow
'twould nay have guessed it. At least it might smell like berries, if'n it
got involved in a horrible pastry accident?"

"Hey Kich," Yselle's eyes linger on the newly arrived greenrider. There's a
touch of envy in her expression. "Hungry?" she gestures at the bubblies,
sighs, and pulls the shirt back to her to add another stitch. One look at
the job she's doing illustrates why she never joined the weavercraft.
"Believe me, I've considered it. He's been extra-annoying today. I think he
and Sav are having troubles again." She does grin though at Kassima's
words. "Some things are better not said, I guess, but don't worry, he
hasn't bedded me yet. He's still got hopes for you, Kassima." She looks up
and says "I guess it's not really worth going to that much trouble. I just
want to be able to wear it. I miss my father and it makes me feel closer to
them. "Are you well too, Kich?"

Telgar Weyr> Yselle eyes +flights and yays for Mirah.

Kichevio takes a seat, setting her basket of bubblies down within easy
reach. The others could probably reach them too, if they were so inclined.
"Kiki and I--" She directs a mock-annoyed look at Kassima "--are fine. I
think I'm through the sick phase and going into the eating-strange-things
phase. Though fortunately, my cravings are limited to bubblies. _Not_ ones
with mushrooms in them." She takes out the wooly geometric shape and
examines it. "I haven't knitted since Kiralee was a toddler, but I thought
I might try my hand at making a blanket. Maybe a berry-scented blanket
would be good for a baby. Unless it tried to eat it...why _wouldn't_ you be
well, Kassi?"

Telgar Weyr> Mirah grins. Yeah I finally found a time when I can do it :)

Kassima gives a soft snort, amusement evident in the sound and on her face.
"He's nay extra-annoying every day? For that matter, if'n he and S'vyn
*aren't* having troubles every day, that rather surprises me. He can just
keep hoping all he wants. 'Tisn't going t'be happening in this lifetime."
Her fingers fiddle with the edge of the topmost hide that hasn't been
rolled. "I understand that well enough. This letter I'll be writing, 'tis
t'my father, in response to the latest he sent--have you been lately
t'visit yours? Oh, thankee, Kich." She seems to take the location of the
basket as an invitation, since she's quick enough to filch a bubbly. And to
answer that look with a serene smile. "Already done with the nausea? You're
fortunate. I dare you t'tell Katlynn about this bubbly craving of yours;
she might be thrilled t'hear of it. Why wouldn't I?" Blink. Innocent blink.
"Beats me. I'm nigh always healthy, the occasional hideously annoying cold
aside."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima eyes the Conan O'Brien anniversary show. I *want* Jack
Black's glittery blue cloak. And that purple shirt, too, in a smaller size.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio acks at the thought of Jack Black in a glittery blue
cloak.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "It is very surreal, but the cloak is strangely
appealing."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Or maybe not, knowing me. It's glittery! It's a
cloak! It's royal blue! What more could I ask for? ;)"

Yselle's lip twists wryly, leaning forward to continue her unproficient
sewing. "Yes, he is," she says. "Well I don't know, I think Sav's a little
more peeved than usual this time. Something about a brownrider. Tel won't
say /what/ which must mean it's pretty bad. She looks up and says quietly
"If I could sew or knit or /anything/ like that, I'd love to make something
for your children. I'm glad you're not having too bad a time of it."

"Children? Plural?" Kichevio is so glad she braved the hailstones tonight,
she's gotten news! "I'm not having twins, Saulith would have mentioned it,
so that leaves you, Kassi." She waggles both eyebrows at her fellow
greenrider. "I knew I shouldn't have plied you and I'sai with more wine.
Unless it's a hideously annoying cold he gave you, and not your...ninth
child?" Not that she's in a position to feel superior, but she's smirking
anyway. "Oh thanks, Ys, you don't need to. I may hit you up for
baby-sitting duties after Kiki is born, though." Kassi's mention of Katlynn
is ignored. Never invoke the Pink Frilly Weaver unless you want her to appear.

"Given what S'vyn usually puts up with... I shudder t'think what might
qualify as 'pretty bad.' T'van could stand t'ask for trouble a *little*
less." Hello, understatement. Kassima is a trifle deadpan as she says it.
That disappears beneath the flash of a smile, though; "The thought's certes
wonderful, Ys, and much appreciated--I can't sew or knit either, nay a
stitch. Nay a stitch more than is required for strap-making, anyway.
M'children have t'make do with things from Stores or donated by friends or
family whose own children have outgrown it, or very strange presents from
Katlynn, or *occasionally* something actually bought new. I'm frugal. Kich,
I already *have* children, plural." Serene, serene, serene. "But if'n
'twere t'be having another, just hypothetically, you can rest your
conscience; your wine didn't have aught t'do with it. Actually, Is might
still have it since methinks we only drank from mine... eighth, 'twould be.
If'n 'twere existant and all that."

Yselle pokes another stitch in the shirt, fairly unenthusiastic now, and
answers an earlier question "I saw my father a sevenday ago when I went to
visit Levarn," she says. "I'd love to babysit Kiki," she sounds wistful.
"Well I guess you've probabably got... uh hm," she looks at Kassima and
quickly puts another stich in the shirt; things are not improving on that
front. "Honestly, I love Tel," she says "But I don't know why he doesn't
just live on his own. He says you kiss wonderfully though."

Kichevio is knitting with care. But even care can't prevent her from
knitting a great big lump when she hears Yselle's last comment. "I've got
to get out more. Kassi kissed T'van? And I _missed_ it?" Woe, woe, she's no
longer owrthy of the name of greenrider. "It's good to know that this
hypothetical mushroom-loving child isn't my fault, Kassi." She starts
unpicking the knot. "Just plop Tel on a vacant ledge with his clothes and
his dragon, and leave him alone for a sevenday. He'll figure something out."

Kassima isn't paying much attention to her letter-writing materials,
either; she's content to be munching a bubbly and watching Yselle sew.
"That's nay so long agone. Mayhaps you should suggest t'him that you'd like
another shirt for your next Turnday? If'n he's looking for ideas?" Then,
"Mayhaps he really loves S'vyn. I doubt he loves *everyone* he sleeps
with--ah, now, but *that's* high praise from him! Thankee for passing it
on. Hopefully he'll never be one t'be accusing me of nay giving m'best in
m'bargains." How can she help but laugh at Kich's reaction and the poor
knitting's suffering? She can't. Not that the sound is mocking, but she's
clearly entertained. "'Twas part of a deal of sorts I made with him, Kich;
I had t'pay up--but nay, Kich, 'tis nay anyone's fault but I'sai's. Rest
assured." Pause. "Err. 'Twould nay be, I mean, if'n... oh, bugger."

"He does love Sav," Yselle says thoughtfully. "He just doesn't /think/. I
wonder just how well suited they are. As for the rest of his lovers, I
sometimes wonder if it ever occurs to him they might feel more than he
does. He's trying to decide what bargain will get you into bed, Kassima."

Kichevio heaves a very large and dramatic sigh. "That's what K'ran and I
should have done. We should have sent Tel to make a bet with Kassi that I
wouldn't get pregnant by K'ran anytime in the near future, he could have
blurred her judgement by waving lots of marks at her, then she'd have lost
the bet and have to present herself on his ledge wearing a ribbon or
something." Pause. "Possibly that's even more evil than I can tolerate. But
it still would have been interesting." She resumes her tranquil knitting,
commenting cheerily "Oh, everything's I'sai's fault, eventually."

"Mayhaps nay very well. If'n Tel's promiscuity causes S'vyn distress, and
T'van doesn't *care*--" Kassi doesn't finish the thought, though her wry
expression may do it for her. "T'say naught of the lovers. You can be
telling him there's nay a bargain beneath or beyond the stars that would
accomplish that, Ys, if'n you think 'twould believe you." Kichevio gets an
exceedingly droll look. "Kich, I still don't know why you think I'd have
bet against that. 'Twould nay have; and 'twould nay have wagered me on his
ledge in a ribbon as the stakes for *aught*. So you haven't missed out on
much." Another soft snort of amusement follows. "But that last, now, that
last I can mayhaps agree with."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Now, this proportion is better. Four
greenriders to two brown! Much better than four maleriders to one green. ;)"

Yselle flickers an unreadable look at Kichevio, but she says "I'm sure he'd
love that. He thinks he got the better of Kassima; probably better to
puncture his ego though, otherwise she'll never get rid of him. "Kassima,
he'd just take that as a challenge. You want him trying his best?" She
snorts /her/ agreement about I'sai too.

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa feels greatly outnumbered though... ;)

"Let him think he got the better of her," Kichevio suggests. "He'll mention
it in a public forum, and then she'll have to bring out the Emasculator.
That'll definitely puncture his ego." She makes a small sympathetic
face--Sev's a different kettle of fish than Tel. "If T'van doesn't care
that what he does is bothering Sev, then Sev needs to put his foot down.
Say how he feels, say he's not wanting to deal with it any more, and gently
kick Tel out if he can't live with that." There's a reason why she's not a
relationship guru.

Kassima grins at Yselle. "Does he? Well, mayhaps he did. Mayhaps. But I'm
nay sure I'd put it that way; I offered something when I saw him being so
good t'you, I fulfilled the offer, 'twas more a sort of business
transaction." Pause. "Granted, most business transactions don't end quite
that way. Anyway, he's welcome t'try his best so long as that doesn't
involve him turning up in m'weyr nude or some such ridiculousness--I have
problems with nausea *enough*, thankee--or reciting horrid poetry t'me in
the Living Cavern. Or... well, mayhaps I should rethink that; there are too
many ways his 'best' could be scary. But 'twould be entertaining, t'see
what he thinks his best entails." The mention of the Emasculator gets a
quiet snicker. "Ooh, ooh, I really *should* wave that at him sometime. Just
t'see what he makes of it. D'you think he'd blanch? Turn white? Squeak and
flee? I could be charging *admission* t'see that! And I might be agreeing
on that, Kich. I don't know about the kicking out, but it sounds as if'n
they need t'talk at least. And if'n they can't reach some compromise--"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima awwws for Lanisa. You know, you should do what your
Grandfather F'hlan did, and Impress scads and scads of green fire-lizards
to combine into your own mini-dragon! I bet your parents would be
*thrilled*. ;)

"The emasculator?" Yselle looks intrigued in a horrified sort of way. She
starts to giggle. "What? T'van lose his favourite body part?" By now she's
forgotten her sewing. "Careful Kich; he might decide he wants to bed /you/.
Then you'll be having to put up with him."

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa oohs! Now -that- is a most excellent plan :) After all,
it's always good to keep dad on his toes. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "And it's a family tradition! Those are always
fun to see continued, and it's an argument to give your parents if they're
miffed! ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa grins "Besides, I'm sure he'd rather I had a lot of
Firelizards than an actual dragon. I've seen him get twitchy about me being
12." ;) *plots*

Telgar Weyr> Yselle giggles.

Telgar Weyr> Yselle imagines Lanisa on green.

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa grins and would be a third generation greenie. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Greenth glows. Taralyth << Ooh, shiiiiiiny >>
I'sai "ARGH! NO YOU DON'T!""

Telgar Weyr> Kassima snickers!! I do not think Is would let Taralyth chase
his daughter's green, no. ;) Any more than Kaylira would have Pheirth chase
Lysseth. We both decided the idea was just too gross. ;)

Kichevio makes a face, such a face. "If he decides he wants me, I'm
borrowing the Emasculator. And I'll use it, too. Or I'll loan it to S'vyn,
that could lead to fun nights in the weyr. With Kassi charging admission."
Then she winces slightly, touching a hand to her stomach. "Either Kiki
highly approves of that, or is fervently against it. I wish Saulith would
tell me the gender already." She takes another bubbly to soothe the baby's
nerves.

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa giggles and agrees :)

Kassima is far and away too cheerful about explaining, "A gelding device! I
keep mine on m'wall. It has m'name engraved on the handle and everything,
courtesy of Tria who gave it t'me. Wouldn't his reaction at the idea of it
be neat t'see?" Probably not neat for *T'van*, of course, but that doesn't
seem to bother her. "I *like* the way you think, Kich. Even if'n 'twould
probably have t'give S'vyn a cut of the take. He's actually sort of amusing
if'n he tries t'flirt with you; he wanted me t'play strip marbles with him
once, Ys, you remember? Insane man." Indeed. "Oof," she says to Kich,
sympathetically. "I don't know whether I'm looking forward to the kicking
part again or nay."

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa grins, "Bad enough my half sister is my aunt. No.. I
don't think Tear would win -that- battle of wills." ;)

Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Your half sister is your aunt?"

Yselle shudders. "Don't maim him," she says, caught between horror and
amusement. "I rather like him; he's a horrible flirt, and terribly
irresponsible, but he's the best friend anyone could ever have... most of
the time. I'm sure though if strip marbles weren't your thing he'd play
strip poker or strip sandhold making or really, anything that allows him to
get his gear off." She glances at Kichevio, wistful again and asks, "When's
the baby due, Kich?"

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa says, "Ysaira is my half sister and my aunt :)"

Telgar Weyr> Yselle tries to work that out.

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa says, "Ryialla is her mother and my grandmother."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "I'sai first had Ysaira with Ryialla--his
firstborn, from a flight; then when Taralyth caught Lanryi's Valrieth
later, they had Lanisa. And Lanryi is the daughter of Ryialla and F'hlan. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa nods :)

Kichevio seems philosophical about it all. "If it's a boy, it's going to
end up like K'ran, and play games involving hitting things with sticks and
getting injured while doing so. And if it's a girl...well, maybe she'll do
the same. Faranth only knows. Five months to go, Yselle, so I only have to
wait till the start of summer." Only. "Strip poker? Kassi, you could make
enough marks to buy a Hold off that. You and Mart and Kindre could gang up
on him."

Telgar Weyr> Yselle's brain explodes.

"'Twill just bet. Does he have some sort of *obsession* with being nude?"
Kassi just has to ask. "Should I be amazed that he ever wears clothes at
*all*? Either road, I don't think 'twill be playing any stripping games
with him. I have never played stripping games and I doubt that's going
t'change any time soon. Why shouldn't he end up terribly flirtatious and
bubbly if'n he's a lad, Kich? Nay all sons are much like their fathers." As
she speaks, she slides Yselle a glance that holds silent sympathy in it.
"Mayhaps I could, but I'm nay taking any chances. I don't always win at
poker. And the idea of how Mart would smirk if'n I suggested he and I and
Kin play strip poker...."

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa nods and siighs, Welcome to my life ;)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "It made for an interesting knot on Yggdrasil.
When Kay got a new player, I asked her to please never sleep with anyone
Kassi'd had a kid with, as I don't think she could handle such a double
dynasty. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Oh, but Kich! I must thank you for spawning
with K'ran. That *finally* gave me a link on the Tree to the Jasmyn/F'gon
crew. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio is unsure whether to be pleased or appalled. ;)
Yggdrasil scares me.

Yselle bends her head over her sewing, once again. "Not too bad I guess,"
she murmurs. "I was pregnant all summer with Levarn; I think the winter
would be better, and then it'll be nice and warm when you get up to feed.
Do you have any other kids, Kich?" she keeps her head down, concentrating
hard on the sewing, which really makes no improvement to it at all. "Tel...
he just loves to be noticed, you know? He loves having a new lover, loves
to think he's in love. And he thinks he looks pretty good without his
clothes." In a rather dispassionate tone he adds "I suppose he does."

"Kiralee lives at Igen with her father, she's...Faranth, she's going on
eleven. You may have seen her in passing, but probably haven't met her, she
visits fairly regularly." Kichevio eyes the more-or-less square of wool
warily, poking fingers to make sure nothing's going to unravel. She could
_so_ make a comment about looking good nude. But she won't. That was long
ago, the witnesses are dead, and she was young and exhibitionistic anyway.

Kassima throws in, "Winter pregnancies are better as a rider, methinks,
than summer, since you don't miss out on rising t'Fall so much... which
might sound like a bad thing, only I find it so hard t'watch the Wings
rising without me. On the other hand, you can't get *out* of here in winter
until you're past three months. Trust that I'm nay precisely thrilled about
that." That said, she comments, "I can understand that, in a way. There's
something about being noticed... being wanted, desired, that can be
appealing. It may be why I put up with T'van--all the sweet-talk is nice
t'hear even if'n I know 'tis all play, he doesn't mean a word of it. Which
is fine by me. 'Twill take your word on the clothing thing." Oh, yes.
"Still, mayhaps 'tis better for him t'think he looks good nude than t'think
he looks good in, say, teacups."

"Oh, I think I /did/ meet Kiralee," Yselle says slowly. "When I was still a
candidate." A few more stitches are placed in the revolting old shirt,
finally pulling the rip together, not evenly or neatly. She ties off the
thread. "I think he does mean it Kassima, in his own way. He's not after
the next great romance or anything, I think he thinks you're attractive and
would love to be with you...and a lot of other people. He really is a
sweetheart under all of that. You haven't seen him naked?" she looks
surprised. "Shells, he's always showing off in the bathing caverns. You'd
think he was posing for a sculpture sometimes, the way he lounges around."

Kichevio gathers up the nascent blanket, content with her work for one
night. "If someone mentioned casually to him that a sculptor _was_ hanging
around the baths in search of a model, do you think he'd believe it?" She
makes her own fun. "Please excuse me, I need my sleep--and if you have to
get the Emasculator out, Kassi, let me know? I want to watch." She smiles
at both greenriders and ducks out into the *shudder* weather.

Kichevio leaves the workroom and heads out into the bowl.

"I make a practice of averting m'eyes when most people are stripping in the
Caverns, or lounging around naked for that matter. Force of habit. I've
never been comfortable with the nude bathing, entirely," Kassima explains,
drumming her fingers absently against the tabletop. "I nigh always wear a
towel, m'self. 'Tis good of him t'truly think so, if'n he does truly think
so... nay that 'twill be sleeping with him for it or aught, but the thought
is sweet. And hey, Kich, y'never know--there was an artist in the Springs
once who wanted t'draw me." She waves after the other greenrider as she
departs, calling in her wake, "A'course! The more spectators the merrier!"

Yselle looks a little uncomfortable. "Well, me either, except when I was
proddy," she says. "Really? An artist wanted to draw you in the springs? Wow."

Kassima gives the other woman a wry smile. "Naught of shame in that, even
if'n half the Weyr might think us crazy. Aye--mayhaps more t'draw Lysseth;
sounded like he was after practice, primarily. He did a pretty good job of
it. And I'm a complete sucker for being drawn or painted or what have you."

"It must be nice, someone wanting to draw you," Yselle says, tucking her
old delapidated shirt away. "I think Tel's had a few harpers draw him." She
gets up and says quietly "I really hope everything goes okay for you with
the baby, Kassima. If you ever need any help, just let me know. Dianneth
says she's sick of the weather and she wants to go home, so I guess I'd
better head up. It's good to see you." With one more rueful smile she ducks
out to the bowl.

Yselle leaves the workroom and heads out into the bowl.