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A Visit To Fort Weyr


Date:  No Clue Whatsoever
Places:  Benden Weyr's Living Cavern and North Bowl; Fort Weyr's
Center Bowl and Hatching Grounds
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:  This is another of those logs that I've decided to post
mostly because it shows a fairly important moment in Kassi's life, not
because my RP was even halfway decent.  You have been warned.  That 
said, this trip was a lot of fun--not only because of the *betweening*
class, but because Aph and Kassi got to see Channie and Mart for the 
first time since leaving Ruatha.  Things prefixed by <*> in this log
take place away from Lysseth while Kassi is riding her.  Most knot
chat has been snipped, but I left a few bits and pieces in for the sake
of elucidation or entertainment.

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The Log:

You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.

Flannery nods to Aphrael and Kassima as well.

Benden Weyr> Cerilla counts the 'lins online. 1,2,3. You all staying on?

Siriah chuckles softly and leans back in her chair, shaking her head 
briefly - albeit vigorously - as if to clear some unpleasant thoughts from 
her mind.

Breana smiles at Flannery as she calls "Beni! where are you? Beni!"

Kassima salutes Flannery and Siriah, glancing at Bree.

Benden Weyr> Aphrael nodnods!

Benden Weyr> Kassima is, most certainly. :)

Benden Weyr> Maarie nods, "You said the magic words, Rilla."

Aphrael salutes Flannery and Siriah.

Benden Weyr> Cerilla says, "Any weyrlings want to learn to fly between? 
(dumb question)"

Alyssa takes her tea and a sweetroll to the hearthside, settling carefully 
to compensate for her slightly awkward body shape, remaining quiet so she 
does not interrupt the conversations.

Siriah finally turns around to regard those entering and nods adroitly, an 
even smile stretched taught across her face.

Breana pouts at Aph and Kassi "He's not here!"

Flannery salutes back at the weyrlings, her gesture so hurried that she 
sloshes wine on herself. She leaps to her feet and hollers, "Shards! I 
just washed this!" before glancing about and quietly sinking downward 
again.

Benden Weyr> N'fan says, "Ooo! Ooo! I wanna learn! (Oh, wait..)"

Benden Weyr> Aphrael MEEEEEPS ofcourse!!!! :)

Benden Weyr> Kassima grins. "Of course! Did you really need to ask???" :)

Benden Weyr> Maarie says, "Can I have a few days to think it over?"

Benden Weyr> Aphrael giggles at Maarie. :)

Aphrael frowns slightly. "He's not.. urm, maybe he's in your cot?"

Flannery barks in the direction of the weyrlings, "And how are we today?"

Startled, Siriah's attention returns at once to her tablemate. She leans 
forward and murmurs a few encouraging words accompanied by an equally 
encouraging nod.

Kassima looks up. "Fine, ma'am," she replies, a bit startled. "Thanks for 
asking."

Alyssa smiles over the rim of her mug and listens to Flannery.

Breana thinks for a moment, then nods "He might be"

Flannery turns to Siriah and allows the corners of her mouth to twitch 
slightly. She nods, patting Siriah's forearm, then squeezing it.

N'fan walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Breana heads off towards the lower caverns whistling and calling for Beni.

Breana walks towards the inner cavern.

Kassima hmmms. "Shall we follow, Aph?" she asks, then turns to salute 
N'fan.

Benden Weyr> Cerilla says, "Any weyrlings wishing to learn to between, 
head to the bowl. :)"

N'fan shuffles in quietly, a tall figure clad in black, his arm in a white 
sling. He takes a seat in a relatively dark corner. Absently, he returns 
Kassima's salute as he sits.

Flannery abruptly rises from the table and rushes out of the cavern.

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

Benden Weyr> N'fan bowls to the head.

Aphrael shrugs slightly. "She should be okay.." She turns, saluting N'fan.

Benden Weyr> Maarie says, "That has to hurt, N'fan."

Benden Weyr> Kassima hmms. Severed head bowling, N'fan? No, that'd be 
bowling with the head, silly me. :)

Benden Weyr> N'fan chuckles. And is reminded of the "Boot to the Head" 
bit. :)

Aphrael glances back out towards the bowl. "Something happening? Prefeth 
seems kinda upset.."

Kassima nods. "Don't see why not. Shall we head back out, then?" She cocks 
her head in the direction of the Bowl.

Siriah blinks at the Rider's rapid retreat and slowly rises to her feet, 
looking around in total awkwardness.

Alyssa blinks and watches, startled, as Flannery leaves, then says softly, 
"What's going on?"

Kassima shrugs. "Haven't the faintest; suppose we could go see, aye?"

Siriah shakes her head. "Thank Faranth I ride a brown..." She mutters, and 
follows Flannery's path to the bowl.

Aphrael nods slowly as she heads out, frowning slightly.

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

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

Siriah comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

P'tran folds his arms and glances at the weyrlings briefly as they come 
back into the bowl as he speaks with a wingrider about drill schedules.

Aphrael moves over to join Prefeth, laying a hand on his head as she 
mumbles to him after saluting the riders.

Kassima resalutes Cerilla, P'tran, Siriah, and the dragons, walking over 
to Lysseth. She turns back to Aph with a slight shrug at something.

Maarie salutes to Siriah.

Cerilla glances around at the Weyrlings, and peers at the wherhide sheets 
she was scribbling on. "Hrm...." She mutters softly to herself, then 
stuffs the hides back in her beltpouch. Turning towards the young riders, 
she gestures to the south bowl. "Time for class. Between. Gather your 
flying straps and leathers, and meet me outside the barracks."

Varquith rumbles softly, his careful gaze going over the weyrlings.

Varquith lumbers south.

P'tran looks over to Cerilla as he hears the word 'between' and smiles 
slightly.

Aphrael stiffens slightly, a grin on her face, "Yes ma'am!" She says 
enthusiastically as Prefeth rumbles and perks up.

Zuseth raises her head, covered in flower petals per usual almost and 
follows Maarie south, quietly.

Cerilla seems almost reluctant to teach this class, somehow.

Prefeth lumbers south.

Maarie walks south.

Zuseth lumbers south.

Aphrael walks south.

Lysseth lumbers south.

You walk south.

Aphrael carefully checks over Prefeth's riding straps again, grinning at 
him as she does so.

Kassima rechecks Lysseth's straps, which she's still wearing, barely 
suppressing a grin of excitement. Lyss rumbles, quite alert.

Cerilla walks here from the north.

Maarie comes back out with Zuseth's straps slung over her shoulder and 
stands clear of Zuseth while she finishes a wing exercise. She then moves 
in and carefully checks the straps while she puts them on Zuseth.

Aphrael pulls on her gloves slowly, saluting the weyrlingmaster as she 
arrives.

Maarie walks around Zuseth, every once in awhile reaching out a hand to 
check a muscle, paying particular attention to the wings and associated 
muscles.

Cerilla moves to the side of the barracks, an air of resignation about 
her. Her voice is even and serious as she begins the class. "This next 
class, as you know, is about flying *Between*. Thus, it is very important 
that you listen carefully, and follow everything I tell you, to -- the-- 
letter." She emphasizes those last words, looking you all over watchfully.

Kassima nods with satisfaction at Lysseth's straps, then pulls on her 
riding helmet, tucking in a few loose strands of hair. After giving 
Lysseth's wing muscles a thorough check-over, she takes her gloves from 
her pocket and tugs them onto her hands, glancing up at her lifemate and 
grinning at some unheard comment.

Kassima nods somberly at Cerilla, listening with full attentiveness.

Aphrael turns from her inspection of Prefeth, nodding to Cerilla and 
falling still as she listens.

Breana walks here from the north.

Beni heads here from the north.

Maarie listens attentively to Cerilla's directions.

Beni pads in close behind Breana.

Cerilla crosses her arms, looking at each of you seriously as she speaks. 
"First off, the mental exercises you've been doing the last turn are 
specifically for this lesson. You and your dragon will be using mental 
images of places to transport yourself between."

Prefeth lets out a soft warble, head moving down to rest just above her 
lifemates shoulders, listening to the weyrlingmaster as intently as his 
lifemate.

Breana spots Aph and grins, pointing to Beni silently. She then wanders 
over to sit quietly in a corner and watch.

Aphrael's gaze flicks over to Bree, but quickly moves back to Cerilla.

Cerilla nods briefly to those walking past, but her attention quickly gets 
focused back on the class. "Where you go depends on what you envision. It 
is *very* important that the details are exact, and that your dragon 
*knows* where he or she is going."

Cerilla arches her brows as she continues, "Some of you may have heard of 
the draconic ability to go *between* times. Are there any here who are 
unsure of what I am talking about?"

Aphrael takes a deep breath, glancing up towards the older weyrs lining 
the bowl, stories of entombed weyrlings rushing through her head. Closing 
her eyes for a moment, she turns back to Cerilla, "I've heard some of the 
riders speak of it once, ma'am." Softly.

Kassima shakes her head. "Nay, ma'am--I've heard it spoken of before, and 
Kerlyn mentioned it once or twice."

Maarie nods to 'Rilla, "I have, ma'am."

Cerilla nods in Aphrael's direction, her voice making it clear that what 
she is saying is to be obeyed. "Benden does not permit flying *between* 
times. It is *exceedingly* dangerous. In fact, it is harder to fly between 
times, because you have to picture the sun or the red star in places they 
aren't currently. If you simply envision the place you intend to go, you 
will go there. It is like.." She pauses, thinking up an analogy. "Water 
rushing down a river. It will tend to go straight down the river, but if 
you try hard enough, you can make it go off to the side as well. Do you 
understand so far?"

Lily walks here from the north.

Thalia emerges from the passage to the entrance cavern.

Thalia says "Greetings""

Maarie nods to 'Rilla agian.

Aphrael opens her mouth to reply, then simply nods after a moment, leaning 
back against Prefeth.

Lily smils and waves at the others, walking quickly out of the way.

Breana smiles at Thalia from where she sits quietly with her puppy.

Lily heads in the direction of the shimmering lake, leaving the South Bowl 
area of the Weyr.

Kassima nods thoughtfully. "Aye, ma'am."

Thalia heads out tunnel

Thalia disappears down the tunnel that leads out of the Benden Caldera.

Cerilla moves on. "However. If you do not envision the location you wish 
to go correctly, there are several alternatives that may happen. One, you 
may end up drawing up the right picture in your mind at the last minute, 
and thus end up there anyway. Very lucky. Two, you may end up here, at the 
air off the star stones. You will be going to that place *so* many times, 
that I intend to have that image burned into your minds. Like a 'safe' 
image." She sighs softly, eyes hooding as she speaks next. "Three, you 
could end up underground or in the middle of a mountain. Or four, be stuck 
between."

Cerilla says "Nobody likes to talk about those things, but they can happen 
for weyrlings that are not very careful."

Aphrael swollows hard, eyes moving up towards the star stones.

Kassima's eyes are shadowed, and she gives a faint wince at the last two 
scenarios. Her gaze flickers to the Star Stones, then back to Cerilla.

Cerilla points upwards. "Which is why you have all been memorizing that 
spot already. Hovering in the air by the star stones was not only to 
strengthen muscles."

Aphrael nods again, closing her eyes and picturing the sight for a moment.

Kassima turns to gaze on the Star Stones briefly again; to reaffirm her 
mental image of them, perhaps.

Cerilla nods again, then continues, appearing satisfied that you all 
remember the picture. "Now... dangers of flying between. You all know it 
is cold, so injured dragons... particularly with wing injuries, should not 
fly between unless it can't be helped. In addition, women pregnant in 
their first or third trimesters of pregnancy should not go between if they 
want to keep their child."

Aphrael smiles slightly at the mention of this, considering all the 
preganancies around the weyr lately, perhaps.

Cerilla smiles wryly, "However, speaking from personal experience, if you 
do not want a child, the best thing to do is visit numerous far-away 
holds." She smirks, then sobers again as she gets back to the lesson at 
hand. "At any rate... it is good to warn any passengers before flying 
between."

Kassima nods, with a faint rueful smile. "Wouldn't do to frighten them 
half to death," she murmurs, almost to herself.

Cerilla grins. "Well no, most women don't know that flying between will 
terminate their pregnancy. Good to warn them about that."

Cerilla sits down, in front of where the rest of you sit. "Now... when you 
fly between, you will feel completely alone. You all probably remember 
this from when you were searched, but it's different when it's just you 
and your dragon. Just remember that it only takes a few heartbeats, and 
you can still hear your lifemate in your mind. Be confident in the fact 
that you have been trained well, and are prepard to fly between."

Aphrael tilts her head slightly as she lets this sink in, glancing up at 
her lifemate with a rueful grin, then back to the Weyrlingmaster.
Maarie listens quietly to everything.

Dragon> Varquith bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << Any preferences as to 
where we go? (OOC question here) >>

Dragon> Prefeth bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << Fort Weyr? >>

Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << Fort Weyr would be good, 
if possible.... >>

Dragon> Benden Weyrlings sense that Varquith wows. Why's Fort so popular? 
'cause it's overrun with almost nothing but candidates? ;)

Dragon> Benden Weyrlings sense that Prefeth has friends there, from Ruatha 
and such..

Dragon> Benden Weyrlings sense that Lysseth dracogrins. Some of our 
friends are Candies. :)

Dragon> Varquith bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << Good 'nuff. >>

Dragon> Prefeth bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << What about Zuseth? >>

Cerilla gets to her feet, and looks to Varquith. "Okay... Varquith has 
Fort Weyr's starstones envisioned. Your dragons can get the image from 
him, and you from your dragons."

Cerilla gets to her feet. "All ready? Right, get on your dragons then."

Aphrael grins and quickly jams on her helmet as she moves to Prefeth.

Aphrael turns to Prefeth with a smile, eyes slightly faded as she speaks 
silently to the blue dragon. She slaps at her lifemate's side with 
affection, then uses his extended foreleg to climb up onto Prefeth's 
neckridges.

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.

<*> Maarie grins as Zuseth warbles affectionately to her while mounting.

<*> Atop Varquith, Cerilla calls out, "We'll go up in formation, then when 
I give the signal, we'll go *between* to the destination Varquith gave 
you."

<*> From Prefeth's neckridges, Aphrael carefully buckles the riding straps 
around herself and makes sure they are secure.

Kassima fastens her riding straps, checking them over carefully before 
settling back in her seat. "V-formation or straight-line?" she calls.

<*> Atop Varquith, Cerilla grins at Kassima's question, "V formation. 
Everyone ready?"

<*> From Prefeth's neckridges, Aphrael nods quickly, glancing around to 
check before getting ready to fly. She grins kinda nervously but mostly 
with anticipation. She gives the ready signal to Cerilla.

Kassima checks the area up and around, then signals her readiness as 
Lysseth tenses, preparing to fly.

<*> From Varquith's neck ridges, Cerilla pulls her goggles over her eyes, 
and zips up her jacket close around her neck. Abruptly, she raises her arm 
in the signal to launch.

<*> Varquith extends his glossy brown wings in a powerful downsweep, 
causing eddies of dust to swirl beneath him as he leaps into the air.

<*> Varquith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to 
carry him aloft.

<*> Prefeth takes a step back for some room, then extends his wings, color 
glinting off the edges as he crouches down then launches skywards.

<*> Prefeth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
him aloft.

<*> Zuseth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry 
her aloft.

<*> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up 
dust as she takes to the skies.

You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor 
to carry you aloft.

<*> Varquith soars upwards into the open sky above the weyr.

<*> Prefeth soars upwards into the open sky above the weyr.

You soar upwards and into the open sky above the Weyr.

<*> Zuseth flies up from the southern half of the bowl.

Dragon> Varquith bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << Take a good look at the 
star stones again... this is where we will be coming back. >>

<*> Prefeth banks to the right, taking up his place in the formation just 
behind and to the right of Varquith.

Dragon> Varquith bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << Does everyone have the 
image of Fort Weyr from me? >>

<*> Lysseth assumes her position behind and to the left of Varquith, then 
scrutinizes the Star Stones carefully.

Dragon> Prefeth bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << My rider and I have the 
visualisation. >>

Dragon> Benden Weyrlings sense that Lysseth rumbles. << Yes, we have the 
image in our minds. >>

Dragon> Zuseth bespoke Benden Weyrlings with << My rider and I have the 
visualisation. >>

<*> Astride the huge brown, Cerilla raises her arm as Varquith trumpets 
loudly, and drops it in the signal to go *Between*.

<*> Varquith disappears into Between.

<*> Prefeth disappears into Between.

<*> Lysseth disappears into Between.

Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear 
nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!

You suddenly emerge...

Sky Above Fort Weyr
On a clear day, from this height, you can see for miles. Below you, Fort 
Weyr is spread out in the bowl of the ancient volcano, the jagged "Tooth 
Crag" dominating the northeast rim. At the end of the southwest corner, 
you can see where an ancient landslide has upset the Bowl's natural 
symmetry.
Far below you are the Center of the Bowl, the opening to the Lower 
Caverns, and the Weyrling Barracks. Down to the northeast are the 
Weyrleader's complex, the Junior Queen's Weyrs, and the Hatching Grounds. 
To the southwest are the grassy plain of the Feeding Grounds and the 
shimmer of Fort Weyr's lake.
Contents:
Prefeth
Varquith(#4949OVas)
Obvious exits:
Open Sky  Southwest  Center  Northeast  

<*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

<*> Zuseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

<*> Prefeth bugles loudly!

Dragon> Benden Weyrlings sense that Varquith bugles loudly. <<Well done!>>

<*> Zuseth falls in formation behind and to the right of Prefeth.

<*> Lysseth trumpets joyfully as Kassima suppresses a whoop of delight.

Dragon> Benden Weyrlings sense that Prefeth bugles happily. << That was 
much *excitement*! >>

<*> Varquith trumpets a greeting to the Fort watchdragon, and begins his 
spiraling descent into the bowl, his head arched back to watch the 
weyrlings behind him.

<*> Prefeth quickly banks and he circles after Varquith, keeping in 
formation.

<*> Lysseth banks and, staying carefully in formation, descends after 
Varquith. She warbles to the watchdragon as well.

<*> Varquith spirals down lower into the bowl.

<*> Zuseth keeps pace behind Prefeth, her pale head twisting left and 
right as she takes in her new surroundings.

<*> Prefeth spirals down lower into the bowl.

You spiral down lower into the bowl.

<*> High above the bowl, Zuseth spirals down lower into the bowl.

<*> Varquith spirals down further, his wings slowing his descent to allow 
the smaller weyrlings behind him to keep up.

<*> Varquith spirals down towards the Center of the bowl, and backwings to 
a landing.

<*> Prefeth spirals down towards the Center of the bowl, and backwings to 
a landing.

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

<*> Above the center of the bowl, Zuseth spirals down towards the Center 
of the bowl, and backwings to a landing.

<*> J'bal stands and watches the Benden dragons land, nodding approvingly.

<*> Prefeth settles down quickly, peering around him as he lands near 
Varquith.

<*> From Varquith's neck ridges, Cerilla pulls off her goggles, 
unstrapping herself from Varquith before climbing off.

<*> Cerilla quickly slides down Varquith's foreleg and jumps to the ground 
lightly, turning to pat his muzzle affectionately as he rumbles to her.

<*> Emmith opens an eye and rumbles a greeting to the strange young 
dragons.

<*> Atop Prefeth, Aphrael releases the riding straps holding her in place.

<*> Aphrael climbs down from Prefeth's neckrides with practised ease, 
reaching up to give her lifemate a thankful scritch as the blue dragon 
crooons.

<*> Lysseth folds her wings and glances at her surroundings with interest. 
She warbles a greeting to the unfamiliar dragons.

Kassima unfastens herself from the straps, preparing to dismount.

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

Rialto warbles to Aphrael and Kassima.

Aphrael pulls off her goggles and helmet, her gloves following and all 
three being bundled together in her hands as she salutes the riders.

Cerilla looks about the crowd, and finally spots the Assistant 
weyrlingmaster in the group. "Benden's duty to Fort," she says. "Just 
teaching the weyrlings to fly between, so thought we'd use you as 
practice." Her mouth twists in a wry smile, and she turns to look back at 
the weyrlings.

J'bal smiles at the Benden WLM and weyrlings. "Evening, and Fort's duty to 
Benden. I'm J'bal, rider of blue Emmith."

Kassima salutes the riderfolk before tugging off her helmet, still 
grinning brightly.

Aphrael is grinning happily, eyes moving back to stare at her lifemate for 
a moment, then around the bowl again.

Maarie salutes smartly then goes to check Zuseth's wings for any sign of 
strain.

J'bal nods and smiles. "And they practice well. I was admiring their 
formation when y'all dropped down."

Cerilla nods at the greeting, and offers her own. "Cerilla, rider of brown 
Varquith." I take it you're busy with Candidates about now, if my memory 
serves?"

Cerilla chuckles softly, one brow arched. "Thankyou for the compliment, 
though they've still much practicing to do in that regard." She finally 
admits grudgingly, "They aren't doing too badly, though."

Prefeth rumbles softly, eyes whirling a fast blue-green.

Zuseth spreads her wings for Maarie, holding them still, but her pale head 
constantly turns this way and that as she tries to see everything around 
her.

Something tells you that 'not doing too badly' is somewhat of a high 
compliment from Cerilla.

J'bal grins and nods. "Yep. All 60 odd of hopefuls running about. Lots of 
fun and work." He glances at the weyrlings, then back to Cerilla. "I 
suspect we'll be working as hard as you are in a few months."

Above the center of the bowl, Rsonth spreads his wings and launches off 
his ledge.

Kassima smiles slightly as she turns to check over Lysseth's wings, 
removing her gloves before she does so. Lysseth continues to peer about 
her, eyes whirling a bright blue.

Aphrael smiles even wider as she catches Cerilla's words, attention 
finally turning back to the conversation.

Above the center of the bowl, Rsonth launches off his ledge and spreads 
his massive wings to their full glory. The large bronze then settles into 
a lazy spiral over the bowl, his jeweled eyes glowing in the night sky.

Luthon smiles, "Well, as I've the kitchen tonight, I'll fetch Klah for 
everyone."

Above the center of the bowl, Rsonth spirals down towards the Center of 
the bowl, and backwings to a landing.

Luthon walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Ianni backs further away. "Luthon I can. You stay."

Ianni walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

J'bal grins at Luthon. "I'd appreciate some, Luthon." He smiles at 
Cerilla. "what about Benden, Cerilla?"

Rsonth settles down on the ground, rumbling a deep brassy greetings to the 
other dragons.

Cerilla nods ruefully to the Fort A/wlm. "The clutch is close to hatching 
then, hmm?" She watches the weyrlings carefully as she speaks, checking on 
how thoroughly they check over their dragons. "I'm sure you're looking 
forward to the challenge."

D'ris slides down to the ground, using Rsonth's forelimb to climb down.

Aphrael runs her hands over Prefeth's wings, grinning at him and mumbling 
back softly. She pauses and salutes D'ris before continuing her 
inspection.

J'bal smiles a greeting to D'ris, then chuckles. "Yeah, should be hatching 
soonly. We've already got a good pool going on when."

Maarie finishes checking Zuseth's wings and comes around to where the 
crowd of people are. She salutes the riders then smiles as she tucks her 
goggles and gloves into a pocket.

Kassima turns to salute D'ris and Rsonth before returning to her 
examination of Lysseth's wings.

Ianni walks across the bowl from the Lower Caverns.

Ianni comes out of the cavern carrying handfuls of mugs.

Cerilla shrugs, eyes thoughtful. "Well, winter gave us a reprieve from 
Threadfall for a little bit, but now we've been getting some interesting 
winds through Fall. Minimal injuries. Mostly though, I've been too busy 
with the Weyrlings to pay much attention to anything else." She shrugs 
good-naturedly.

Luthon walks across the bowl from the Lower Caverns.

Luthon returns bringing three pots balanced on a tray, "Klah in the front 
two, redfruit juice in the back, folks."

D'ris slides down Rsonth and lands on the ground with a slight bend in his 
knees. SSmiling as he returns the salute of the weyrlings, he delivers one 
to Benden's weyrlingmaster. "Fort's duty. Good evening."

Ianni sets the mugs on the tray.

J'bal leans back against Emmith's vast blue side, watching the Benden 
weyrlings as well. "I've noticed around the Benden bowl that you do seem 
to get some interesting wind patterns around there."

Haldi comes up from the lake shore.

Haldi wanders up with a happy, self satisfied grin on her face.

Aphrael finally steps over to join Luthon and Ianni. "Good eve. I'd love 
some klah, if you wouldnt mind terribly.." She pauses, blinking at Luthon, 
"Er, Luthon?"

J'bal glances over at Haldi and smiles. "HAtching turn out well?"

Channie comes up from the lake shore.

Maarie smiles to Luthon and grabs a mug, pouring herself a mug of redfuit 
juice, "Thank you."

Channie walks in, carring the chittering green firelizard in her arms.

Haldi giggles, "I think so. Wierd batch of hatchlings though."

Ianni fills a mug with klah and hands it to Aphrael. "Rider."

Kassima smiles and walks over to Luthon and Ianni. "I'd much enjoy some 
of that juice, if that's all right," she says with a grateful grin. She 
glances over to Aph, then notes Channie and turns to her with a smile. 
"Channie, good to see you!"

Cerilla returns the salute surprisedly, responding, "And Benden's to Fort. 
I'm Cerilla, rider of Varquith there." She gestures to the large brown 
near the Benden Weyrlings.

Ianni fills a mug with juice for Kassima. "Here, Rider, and welcome."

Channie blinks and hops in place. "oh! ah! KASSIIii!"

Luthon smiles and pours a mug of klah to hand over to Aphrael, 
"Congratulations."

Cerilla turns to the weyrlings, raising her voice to be heard. "We'll..." 
She waits for the attention to turn to her direction, then continues. 
"We'll stay for a few minutes and let the dragons take a break, then 
continue back to Benden. Stay within shouting distance."

Channie waves, trying to settle down as she sees Aph too and waves.

Kassima blinks and grins at the enthusiastic greeting. "Last I checked, 
that was my name, aye," she chuckles. "Good to see you again! How d'you 
fare?"

Aphrael accepts the mug greatfully from Ianni. "Thank you. I'm Aphrael, 
Prefeth's weyrling." She wraps her hands around the mug, grinning at 
Luthon. "Thank you.. I hear you are a candidate yourself?"

Maarie steps back from the group and quietly sips her juice. She nods when 
she hears 'Rilla.

Haldi sidles up to J'bal and whispers, "What's going on?"

Aphrael nods at Cerilla, then beams at Channie, "Channie!"

Channie hops closer, trying to control her hops, "I'm doing great! Wow, 
you're flyin gnow?" she looks up at the dragons.

Aladis comes up from the lake shore.

Kassima smiles to Ianni as she accepts the cup. "I'm Kassima, Lysseth's 
weyrling," she says, following Aph's example before taking a sip.

Ianni says "I'm Ianni, Fort Seamstress."

J'bal makes a subtle gesture towards the young dragons and riders, trying 
to keep his movement from being rude. "Weyrlings, with the Benden 
Weyrlingmaster, on a training flight."

Luthon nods to Aphrael, but hangs back as Channie takes up Aphrael's 
attention.

Haldi blinks and giggles, "Oh. They dont' look much like baby dragons 
anymore, do they."

Kassima looks over and nods to Cerilla, then grins at Channie. "Aye, that 
we are," she replies.

Aladis walks in slowly, cradling a tiny, sleeping, firelizard in her arms. 
She blinks at the big crowd and the dragons, and nods to J'bal.

Channie blushes, "sorry--" she bites her lip and quiets down.

F'ren comes from the northeastern area.

Kaeya comes up from the lake shore.

D'ris smiles to Cerilla as he walks along Rsonth, trailing his fingers 
along his hide. "Well met, indeed.", he says as his eyes look over the 
crowd of weyrlings and their young dragons.

Aphrael giggles and moves over to hug her friend. "Wow, Channie, how are 
you? And yeah, our first time between." She beams proudly.

Maarie leans against Zuseth's forelimb and listens quietly to all the 
chatter.

F'ren blinks as he arrives and looks around. "Its a gather!"

F'ren says "Or something."

Luthon straightens slightly, "Weyrleader."

J'bal draws himself up and salutes the Weyrleader, then indicates the 
weyrlings. "Hi, F'ren. Visitors, from Benden."

Channie hugs Aphrael in return, squeezing her tightly, "It's so good to 
see you!"

Ianni says "Klah or juice, Weyrleader?"

D'ris leans back against Rsonth between the bronze's two great forearms, 
saluting the Weyrleader as he approaches the group.

F'ren smiles. "Hi, Luthon. J'bal." and then turns to take in the 
Weyrlings. "Ah, yes. Welcome to Fort, Benden."

Aphrael salutes F'ren, then giggles at Channie, "It's been.. what, at 
least half a Turn? How are you liking Fort?"

Haldi beams happily and wanders off towards the living cavern as her 
stomach rumbles like a newly hatched 'lizard.

Haldi walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Kassima salutes the Fort Weyrleader with her free hand, then waves to 
Kaeya.

Kaeya laughs softly, finding the Weyrleader highly amusing. She bows in 
respect to him and the other riders before walking up to Channie. Seeing 
she has company she only nods to the mss before heading into the cavern.

F'ren smiles. "Oh, nothing at the moment, thanks." He says this to Ianni.

Kaeya walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Cheran comes up from the lake shore.

J'bal peers over at the little firelizard in Aladis's arm, then grins. 
"Congratulations."

Rhyana comes up from the lake shore.

F'ren returns the Weyrlings salutes.

Channie beams up at her friend, "I like it 'very' much." she says quietly, 
rocking back and forth.

Cheran walks in and stops short. "Wow!" He grins at all the people.

Ianni nods.

Cerilla turns as she hears the Weyrleader's name mentioned, and casts a 
sharp salute. "Benden's duty to Fort. Hope you don't mind the impromptue 
visit," she says with a wry smile. "We're practicing Between."

Aphrael grins and nods. "Weyr life is great, isnt it?" She asks with a 
smile, "And I hear the eggs are rather hard.."

Kershala comes up from the lake shore.

Rhyana glances around, and waves, before reaching up to loosen the new-
hatched brown's talons from around her neck. "If you kill me..." she says, 
sensibly..."No one will feed you." The brown sees the possible logic in 
this, and loosens his grip slightly.

Aladis smiles at J'bal. "Thanks. I think I'd best get her settled." She 
laughs quietly, "Chittery little hting is finally asleep."

Luthon takes a walk around, refilling mugs with Ianni's assistance.

Channie nods in her agreement, bright curls bouncing, "Yes--" she whispers 
over, "We even got to touch um already!"

Kassima nods at Channie with a reminiscent smile. "Even latrines?" she 
queries with a grin.

Kershala looks startled as she walks into a huge crowd. The blue in her 
arms leaps awake and scrambles up to the top of her head, where he perches 
screeching at the people.

J'bal holds up a thick finger and chuckles. "Remember, lots of oil, 
Aladis."

Maarie's eyes get hazy for a moment. She blinks and grins, reaching up to 
scritch Zuseth's neckridges.

Channie giggles and nods, "even that!"

From one of Cheran's pockets, Lostling wakes up and peeks out over the 
edge, a befuddled chirple issuing from him, before he frgets why he woke 
up and curls back into the pocket.

D'ris smirks at J'bal, "Always the instructor, eh J'bal?", he says with a 
wink.

Aphrael oohs softly, her eyes widening. "Wow, that's great, isnt it? I 
actually heard movement in one of the eggs!"

F'ren smiles at Cerilla

F'ren says "No, I don't mind at all. I'm pleased that you would stop by."

Aladis chuckles, and nods. She smiles at D'ris. "He taught us all about 
dragons and stuff when we helped wash Emmith earlier."

Channie blinks at Aph, "Wow--I hope I can hear something in one of the 
eggs!"

F'ren chuckles, blushing slightly, "I recall a visit to Benden when I was 
a weyrling, learning between."

Kassima chuckles to Aph. "Ah, aye, I remember the amazing talking egg."
Shayna walks across the bowl from the Lower Caverns.

J'bal chuckles back at D'ris, then smiles at Cerilla. "We might return the 
favor sometime soon, too."

Zip comes up from the lake shore.

Channie giggles, "It talked?"

Kershala calls to Zip and the little blue firelizard swoops up to her 
shoulder to sit.

Kassima shakes her head. "Well, nay. Not talked exactly. But it did make a 
lot of sounds--I think Meli and Thera both heard it, too."

Aphrael turns slightly as Prefeth rumbles, and grins, "Of course, it 
wasn't Prefeth's egg. He didnt move all that much." She teases out loud.

Cerilla cocks her head at Aphrael, her tone stern, as usual, but teasing. 
"Weyr life? Great? Obviously I'm not working you hard enough." She smiles 
at the Fort Weyrleader, inclining her head graciously. "Thankyou. It's 
nice to have them visit other weyrs, though I can see how busy you are--" 
She waves her hand around the bowl at the candidates, "--with the upcoming 
clutch."

Channie giggles behind her hand as she looks up at the blue and curtsies. 
"Oh--and Thera is here--somewhere."

Shayna grins and looks around at all the activity.

Cheran grins amiably at everyone, unsure of what to say, and therefore, 
miraculously, deosn't say anything.

Kassima grins. "Nope, Juliath 'twas the rustling one." She blinks at 
Channie. "Thera is? Would you give her my regards, if we don't see here 
ere we head back?"

Zuseth turns her pale head to regard Rsonth for a moment then returns her 
attention to her lifemate and the crowd of people farther off.

Aphrael smiles at Cerilla, "Even with hard work I'd still love weyrlife 
ma'am. How could I not?" She glances over towards Prefeth.

F'ren looks about as the Weyrlingmaster mentions the upcoming hatching 
with a smile, "Yes, things are a bit hectic here right now, but I think 
it's all for the better that you did visit now, so that they," and he 
sweeps an arm to indicate the candidates, "can see."

Channie nods, "I hope that she comes down soon, I'm sure she would love to 
see you both!"

Aladis gently scritches between the hatchling's ridges and looks up at the 
other dragons, smiling.

Aphrael nods slowly, "Havent seen her since the hatching." She says, a 
little sadly.

Channie leans over and whispers to Aph quietly.

Luthon nods with a smile to F'ren.

Aphrael grins wryly, She mutters to Channie.  She suggests.

Rillae cranes her head from side to side to take in all the Benden 
visitors.

Prefeth tilts his head slightly, lowering his muzzle slowly.

Channie blinks at Aph and tilts her head to one side as she tips her head 
up towards Prefeth, "Can I pet you--" she asks quietly up at him.

Rhyana glances from dragon to dragon, and rider to rider, staying quiet in 
the face of so many unknown people.

Channie blushes, feeling silly asking infront of so many people.

Aladis nods slowly at F'ren's comment, lifing up a hand to wave to the 
visitors. "I'll just get my green settled. If you'll all excuse me.."

Aladis walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Ianni takes the empty pots and heads back to the kitchen.

Ianni walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Prefeth stretches out his neck, giving Channie a good long whuffle, before 
nudging her. Not all that hard, but a good nudge from a dragon.

Ianni walks across the bowl from the Lower Caverns.

Zip flits across the room to perch on Emmith's head. He sprawls across the 
blue's eyeridges and snores.

Channie stumbles back a little at the nudge and giggles as she's whuffled, 
"I take that as a yes?"

Ianni returns with refilled pots of klah and juice.

Kassima smiles at Channie and Prefeth, taking another sip of her juice and 
leaning back against Lysseth's shoulder. "How's everyone else been, 
Channie?" she asks, quirking a half-grin. "Haven't heard news from them 
for awhile--heard Mart was Searched as well, though?"

Cerilla nods, regarding the candidates around the bowl with a critical 
eye. "I s'pose," She agrees, "Though I think our weyrlings are probably 
giving an overly-romanmticised view right now, considering they just went 
between for the first time." She winks amiably.

Prefeth rumbles playfully, this time a little more gentle as he croons 
plaintatively at Channie.

Luthon smiles to Aphrael, "He's a beautiful blue. Grew faster than Luana."

Ianni walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

F'ren chuckles as he looks over Benden's Weyrlings. "I think they're 
allowed, this time." and smiles.

Channie nods as she holds out one hand towards the blue, "He was--and so 
was Channa, and Jaylnn too, and Kaeya." she gives an eyeridge a scritch. 
"But--I haven't seen many people. Holly came to see me a long time ago--
but she's been busy."

Aphrael grins over to Luthon, "Well, you'd expect that." She chuckles, 
then asks. "How is Luana? She must have grown a lot since I last saw her!"

J'bal sips his klah and looks at the young dragons, peering at a folded 
wing on this dragon, a powerfully muscled forelimb on that one.

Rillae finds a familiar face and crosses the bowl to greet J'bal.

Shayna stands casually amonsgst the crowd, enjoying the break from chores.

Luthon nods happily, "Like a miniature dragon herself. Bigger every time 
I see her, and much loved by the Firelizards."

Rhyana nods politely to all. "Excuse me, please...." she says softly, 
making her way into the living cavern.

Rhyana walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Kassima nods. "Aye--with her apprenticeship now, I'm not surprised!" She 
smiles. "How's that youngest fire-lizard of yours doing?"

Prefeth croons again, eyes firstlidding as his head sinks lower, until its 
resting on the ground.

Zip yawns and shifts on his perch on Emmith's head, then goes back to 
sleep.

J'bal waves at the Seacraft candidate, smiling at her. "Heya, Rillae" He 
chuckles up at Zip, apparently secure on his lofty perch.

Lysseth rumbles with amusement at Prefeth, craning her neck to look at 
Channie curiously.

Aphrael laughs softly and nods. "You'd swear she'd grown overnight, right? 
That's how it was with Prefeth, especially in the first few weeks after 
the hatching."

Zip starts to snore.

Channie scritches better now that she doesn't have to stand on tip-toes. 
"Oh, she's sleeping now--but she's a loud one! " She motions with her chin 
to the sleeping green in the crook of her arm.

Rillae smiles at J'bal. "Good evening. How was your day?"

Dragon> Prefeth bespoke Lysseth with << She is a great scritcher. >>

Luthon smiles, "Well, I've chores to finish." He smiles to the Weyrlings, 
"As I'm sure you can recall."

Cheran looks around and follows Rhyana into the cavern, waving to everyone 
as he does so, and nodding to all the dragons.

Cheran walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Channie whispers over, "And--while I've been here--someone pulled a prank 
that Sela and I sort of stumbled one, and got my hair dyed green! Then 
tried to Dye it back red, but it's twice as bright as it ever was before."

J'bal shrugs, smiling. "It was another day. No big adventures, thankfully. 
Relatively quiet."

Cerilla regards the Weyrlings with what might even be considered a pleased 
smile, rare on her normally so stern expression. "Yes, I think you're 
right about that." Changing the subject, she turns to the Weyrleader 
curiously. "So how goes Fort, Hatching aside?"

Prefeth warbles softly in Lysseth's direction even as he rumbles 
greatfully.

A tiny blue hatchling in Kershala's arms begins to creels as it wakes up 
starving.

Luthon walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Kassima chuckles. "Your first green since Zaphia, isn't she? And a 
darling, too." She raises her eyebrows at Channie. "Your hair was green?" 
She surveys it and nods. "Aye, I can see the difference."

Channie shifts the baby firelizard onto her shoulder and wiggles the 
fingers of her now free hand up at Lysseth.

Kershala rolls her eyes and heads for the cavern and food.

Kershala heads into the tunnel to the southeast, vanishing into the 
mountain's depths.

Zuseth bends her neck and nudges Maarie gently. Maarie smiles a bit and 
scritches gently along Zuseth's jawline.

Aphrael nods to Luthon as he walks off, eyes moving back over to Prefeth 
for a while.

Rillae smiles. "Quiet. Now that's not a word you hear used very often to 
describe a Weyr. I'm glad."

Lysseth lowers her head, tilting it to give Channie access to the 
eyeridges.

Channie says "Thanks Kassi, I really like her too--I hope she can put up 
with Zaphia though!"

Zaphia *snorts*

Zip rolls over and his head slips down in front of one of Emmith's eyes.

Lysseth> Prefeth senses that Lysseth rumbles with amusement. << Lots of 
humans are good Scritchers. >>

Aphrael giggles softly. "I'm sure the greens will get along. One tends to 
be more dominant than the others, usually."

Channie hops closer and gives the pretty green a good scritching. "So much 
bigger then last time I got to see you!"

J'bal grins to Rillae and indicates the Benden weyrlings. "It was, anyway. 
But I don't suppose I mind. It was getting a little too quiet."

F'ren smiles. "Pretty well, Weyrlingmaster. Oh, the usual, some dragons 
and rides on the injured list, others busy with sweeps and all. And me 
having to learn this job on top of it all."

Rillae chuckles. "Quiet worries you?"

Maarie chuckles softly and Zuseth lifts her head to regard the little 
'lizard on Emmith's head.

Channie nods, "I'd just have to worry if I impressed a gold firelizard I 
think."

Kassima laughs quietly at Aph. "Don't know about that with greens, though 
it's mostly true with my blues."

Zip snores as he blocks Emmith's view on that side.

Emmith blinks open an eye to peer at an upside down firelizard, then 
closes it again. He's seen it before.

Aphrael shrugs slightly. "Yeah, a gold will rule the lot, I hear. I 
wouldn't know though, Meli's the one with a gold firelizard."

Lysseth warbles contentedly, giving Channie an encouraging nudge to 
continue the scritching.

Cerilla grins wryly, nodding her understanding. "I remember P'tran 
struggling with that when he first got the position..." She pauses, 
thinking. "Was it seven turns ago? Hrm, I guess it was." She smirks, "Time 
flies."

J'bal chuckles at Rillae. "Especially when it pertains to Candidates and 
Weyrlings. It's an unnatural state for them."

Channie grins between Kassi and Aph, "Will you be able to come see the 
hatching?" she grins at the warble and makes sure not to stop the eyeridge 
scritching.

Zuseth takes a couple steps closer, enamored with the sight of the dozing 
'lizard and inadvertantly giving Maarie a shove to the side.

Kassima smiles. "Aye, and Meli's Alluire has a fine clutch, now. About a 
dozen eggs if I don't misremember."

Rillae nods. "It makes you think that something might be amiss, eh?"

Aphrael shrugs slightly, looking over to Cerilla, "I suppose it would 
depend on our duties.."

Rillae smiles. "But I am quiet for the most part, anyway. No need to be 
wary of me."

Channie shrugs up her shoulders, "I don't have any luck with golds and 
bronzes--I'll stick with blues, and greens, and browns I think." she grins

Kassima shrugs and glances over at Aph. "I'm not sure...."

J'bal hehs and nudges Rillae. "Yeah, you're all the same. When you're 
quiet you're planning something. You just plot more than the others."

Maarie begins to follow Zuseth, talking to her softly, "Come on, love, 
it's just a firelizard. Emmith doesn't need you in his face."

Rillae smiles slowly. "Now, bluerider. What makes you think that?"

Zip yawns and sits up sleepily, peering down at his perch. He seems to 
have forgotten where he is.

Channie says "Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed what you can make it!"

Cerilla shrugs slightly, "I don't see any reason why you all can't come to 
the hatching." She adds quickly, "Providing, of course, your conduct is 
perfect between now and then, and none of you fall behind."

Zuseth warbles happily as the 'lizard wakes up and turns her head briefly 
to regard Maarie before turning back to the 'lizard once more. Maarie puts 
her hand to her forehead and just smiles.

J'bal blinks open a large eye and peers sleepily at the approaching green. 
He rumbles in greeting, peering at her color to make sure.

Aphrael beams as she hears Cerilla, "Thank you ma'am!" She says happily. 
"It'll be great, with so many Ruathan's on the sands. I wonder what Lord 
Eleos thinks of half his Hold being Searched."

F'ren grins. "And Fort would be pleased to have you all as our guests at 
the Hatching."

Emmith blinks open a large eye and peers sleepily at the approaching 
green. He rumbles in greeting, peering at her color to make sure.

Zip yawns again and looks at the blue hide under his claws. Then he gives 
a little chirp as his memory comes back to him. He hunkers down to scratch 
the big blue's eyeridges, then tumbles backward in startlement. He has 
seen a big green staring at him.... rather startling.

Channie bounces happily, "Well--I don't know, but I don't figure he's very 
happy 'bout it." she looks around and sighs.

Rillae elbows J'bal. "I'm off then. I've more plotting to do."

Channie rubs one hand over a green eyeridge, and one over a blue, beaming 
up. "I miss Ruatha though."

Rillae waves to those she knows in the crowd and walks off towards the 
living cavern.

J'bal grins and waves. "See you later."

Zuseth warbles happily again and bends her head to regard the 'lizard 
where he landed. Maarie tries to keep from bursting out laughing.

Kassima gives a quick nod, grinning brightly. "Thank you, ma'am!" She 
turns to Channie and Aph. "There're still plenty of competant people at 
Ruatha, though--I think they'll manage all right, aye?"

Rillae walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Channie frees one hand to wave to Rillae

Aphrael inclines her head to F'ren with a grin, "Thank you, Weyrleader." 
She replies, grinning as she turns to Channie. "Its in the bloodline, I 
think.. hopefully I'll be able to go back soon, myself.."

Shayna waves and unobtrusively slips off towards the living cavern.

Shayna walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Zip struggles up dizzily and squalls at the green indignantly you scare me 
silly green silly blue. He stomps off a few steps, then flits up into the 
air and onto another dragon's head.

Channie smiles and nods, "Yes--but with so many candidates, who knows how 
many of us will be going back home too."

Zip peers down at Lysseth. He chatters you scare me too? Not throw me off?

Aphrael nods slowly, "True.. how many eggs? 38? What about the number of 
candidates? It must be large by now, considering how close everyone thinks 
the hatching is."

Zuseth rumbles confused and watches the 'lizard before turning to regard 
Maarie. "That's what you get, silly," she says laughing.

Lysseth peers up at Zip and rumbles at him curiously. She remains as still 
as ever.

Kassima nods at Aph. "How many Candies were there in our group? Seventy or 
so?"

Zip chirrups in satisfaction and applies his claws to the green's 
eyeridges, his first set of eyelids slipping shut.

Channie tries to count on her fingers, "Like--I dunno, twice that at 
'least'." she looks over at J'bal and the Weyrleader to see if that's 
about right.

Lysseth accepts the scratching with a warble of contentment, and continues 
to watch the people around her quietly.

J'bal nods at Channie. "I dunno the exact count, but it's well over 60."

Aphrael quirks a grin at Kassi, "Yah.. I think it got quite close to 70 by 
the time of the hatching." She grins at Channie, "Barracks crowded?" She 
asks sympathetically.

Channie grins as Zip takes the place of her hand on Lysseth and moves both 
hands the scritch the blue. "oh--it's not so bad, but not nearly as much 
room as when I first got here."

Zuseth slowly walks back to where she was before and Maarie takes up her 
spot leaning quietly against one of Zuseth's forelimbs.

Channie whispers over, "Besides, someone on the cot next to me snores so 
loud I can't sleep--even if I could sleep in the first place these days!"

Kassima smiles slightly. "There's a bright side to that; means not as much 
dusting and the like for each Candie to do to keep things neat. I always 
thought that was worth it."

Aphrael grins wryly. "Just imagine what its like for us now. The 
weyrling's dragons are all but full grown, and there's 30 of us.."

Channie makes a face, squishing her nose up, "Eew! Must be a lot to clean 
huh?"

Aphrael blinks as something occours to her. "Now that's we're betweening.. 
we wont need to muck out the barracks, right?" She blinks again and grins.

Kassima chortles. "Now, that, I admit I didn't have a problem with--no 
snorers near me. The lack of sleep I well remember, though." She nods, 
wrinkling her nose just a bit, then looks over to Aph with surprise and a 
hopeful grin.

F'ren chuckles as he hears one of the Weyrlings mention mucking.

J'bal hehs at the Candidate, then grins over at F'ren.

Channie smiles, "Yeah--I'm so excited I think dragons will start humming 
any moment now--even though everyone keeps saying I won't have to worry 
for a least a few days." she sighs and looks skyward.

Channie looks over at J'bal's 'heh' and blushes.

Aphrael giggles softly. "Well, there's an aspect of this that never 
occured to me.. no more mucking!" She peers around at Channie, "Oh, yeah.. 
the last sevenday or so before our hatching was bad.. boy were we edgy..."

Cerilla chuckles softly. "That's right, Aphrael. I'm sure we'll *all* be 
grateful for that."

F'ren smiles. "Ah, you know, Weyrlingmaster, I think the time I spent as a 
Weyrling was one of the best times of my life."

Kassima nods fervantly. "Oh, aye, ma'am." She grins at Aph. "'Tis truth 
you speak. But chores helped, there--hard to think of anything when you're 
doing latrines besides getting them over and done." She winks at Aph and 
Channie.

Zip is scratching lightly in a sort of trance. He blinks, then scrambles 
down Lysseth's neck to scratch her neckridges.

Channie giggles and nods, "Or--peeling tubers!"

Kassima shudders. "Gah, don't remind me."

Aphrael rolls her eyes at Kassima, "Thanks for reminding me. And those 
times I got extra chores.." She sighs, then makes a face, "Peeling tubers, 
eww! I /really/ disliked that!"

Channie grins up at Kassi and Aph, "When did you get extra chores?" she 
asks.

Maarie laughs, "Tubers in the shape of tunnelsnakes."

Lysseth rumbles happily at the scritching, and turns her head to whuffle 
the littlecousin gently.

Aphrael blushes ever so slightly, "Oh.. during candidacy." She replies 
vaguely.

Channie tilts her head to one side, "Tell me about it sometime?"

J'bal yawns, then straightens back out from his casual slouch against 
Emmith's blue side. "Pardon, Benden, F'ren, but I think I'll head into the 
Living Cavern." He strolls off in that direction.

J'bal walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Aphrael shifts slightly and finally grins, "Sure, Channie. I promise."

Kassima grins over at Aph and says, "Never, during Candidacy--only extra 
work I've been given's when those 'throwers and agenothree tanks needed to 
be repaired--Aph probably remembers that."

Aphrael nods back at Kassi, "Yeah, but that wasnt punishment, we were 
helping out mostly."

Kassima grins. "Aye, but she said extra chores--she didn't say they had to 
be a punishment."

Channie says "Well, the extra stuff I got--I mean had to do was wash 
dragons." her eyes flash happily, "but I liked that!"

Channie makes a face, "Likes--like--since I'm still busy doing all that 
stuff."

Aphrael laughs at that. "Ah, washing dragons. Now that was the highlight 
of chores, I'd have to say."

Kassima laughs. "Aye, 'twas always my favorite thing, for true and 
certain! Did you get dunked and splashed often?"

Channie nods and giggles, "Yup! over and over again--'cpet Emmith was 
really nice about being washed, he only dunked a couple people."

Cerilla comes out of a silent conversation with Varquith, and turns to 
look at F'ren. "Hrm?" She grins, nodding. "I s'pose you're right. Even 
though it's intense, that's part of what makes it so exciting."

Aphrael gestures to the weyrling dragons with a grin. "Now these ones - 
they /love/ dunking and splashing."

F'ren nods. "True, true." as his gaze wanders over the Weyrlings and 
candidates.

Channie grins and looks between the two, "I wish you were staying long 
enough for a swim!"

Kassima smiles. "Not at all like Vidarth," she says with a chuckle. "I 
swear, he enjoyed dunking everyone a great deal. And it's my personal 
suspicion he taught Lyss how." She grins up at Lysseth, who gives her most 
angelic look in return.

Channie giggles, "Can they do that?"

Kassima hmmms? "Do what?"

Channie says "Teach eachother things like that I mean--"

Kassima nods. "Oh, aye. Prefeth taught Lyss and Juliath to ice-skate, if 
memory serves."

Channie blinks and works her mouth like a fish, "y-you mean they went 
ice-skating?" she giggles, "The dragons did?"

Kassima nods happily. "They weren't quite so big, then, but the ice over 
the Lake was good and thick. Quite a sight they made, sliding around out 
there."

Aphrael chuckles softly, "Yep. Prefeth became quite adept at it.. now 
though the lake's no longer ice, but that's okay beacuse he doesnt 
remember it.."

F'ren smiles. "I think I could use some refreshment. You and your 
Weyrlings are welcome in the living cavern, Cerilla."

Channie keeps giggling, "I wish I could have seen that! My firelizards 
tried to ice-skate at Ruatha when I went to pick up a few things--but I'm 
sure that was nothing compared to to watching a dragon try it!"

F'ren walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

D'ris sighs and blinks. "I have some business. It was nice meeting y'all."

D'ris gives Rsonth a pat on his muzzle as he uses his extended forelimb to 
climb up to his neck.

Above the center of the bowl, Rsonth wings up from the Center of the Bowl.

Zuseth turns to regard Zip with her jewelled, blue swirling eyes and 
*snorts*.

Channie looks up from her daydream

Martigan walks across the bowl from the Lower Caverns.

Channie waves happily to Mart.

Kassima glances over and, spotting Martigan, waves enthusiastically. 
"Heyla, Mart!"

Martigan screeches to a stop as he sees Aphrael and Kassima. "Wonder said 
that you all were here." He breaks into a broad grin as he rushes to their 
side.

Aphrael turns as she catches movment and beams. "Mart!"

Martigan grins teasingly as he stops before Aphrael and Kassima. He gives 
them a low bow. "Bluerider...greenrider. Welcome to Fort."

Kassima grins brightly. "Well, she wasn't wrong. How've you been? Haven't 
seen you in an age!"

Channie backs up a little so she's not hogging up all Kassi and Aph's 
attention and grins.

Aphrael blinks and rolls her eyes. "Aph." She says sternly, then giggles, 
moving over to hug Mart, "Wow.. a candidate eh?"

Kassima groans and rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "Bright stars, Mart, 
we're just weyrlings." But she grins back teasingly. "Still, Benden's duty 
to Fort, Candidate Martigan."

Channie giggles behind her hand.

Channie bounces in place, "Do you think you can stay long enough to see 
the eggs?"

Martigan pushes his braids to the back as he stands. He can't seem to stop 
grinning as he looks at Aphrael and Kassima. "When did you get here? How 
long are you staying?"

Kassima grins. "Got here a couple of hours ago, don't know how long we're 
staying. This is our first trip where we went *between*." She beams 
happily, giving Lysseth's eyeridges a rub.

Channie grins, "Oh, and how was it??" she leans forward, happy there are 
less people around then before.

Aphrael nods at Kassi's answer, then grins, "Cold.. scary.. and GREAT all 
at the same time.."

Kassima hmmmms, considering. "Dark," she says finally. "Very dark, and 
colder than anything."

Channie wiggles her fingers, "Was it more excited since you were kind of--
ah--in control of it?"

Maarie looks about then strolls slowly towards the lake shore.

Maarie heads southwest, toward the rocky shore of the lake.

Prefeth opens his lids and raises his head slightly as he hears his name.

Lysseth rumbles at Martigan with amusement, lowering her head to peer at 
him curiously. Kassima laughs. "She thanks you for the compliment, Mart--
and so do I." She smiles. "So how's Candidacy been for you?"

Aphrael grins proudly. "Yeah." She replies to Mart, then nods at Channie, 
"Yes, much much better."

Maarie comes up from the lake shore.

Martigan says, "Lots of mucking but no laundry. I think I prefer the 
laundry."

Maarie comes back through with a small smile and heads towards the lower 
caverns this time.

Maarie walks across the bowl and enters the lower caverns.

Kassima laughs. "Can't say I blame you! I'd prefer laundry to latrines, 
m'self--or peeling tubers." She grimaces. "Disgusting things."

Channie giggles, "Oh--tubers aren't so bad, at least you get to sit down 
while you peel um!"

Aphrael chuckles, and is unable to hold back her curiousity. "Do you think 
we could go and see the eggs?"

Martigan reaches out a tentative hand towards Lysseth. "I think the 
Weyrling Barracks are the worse."

Channie shakes her head, "I don't see why not!"

Zuseth rests her head on the ground and closes the first three sets of 
lids with a soft croon.

Kassima snorts. "Tubers are quite bad--they smell, and they're just... 
ugh." She grins at Martigan. "Oh, yes--but they won't be now. At least, 
not for Lyss. Now that she can go *between*, no more mucking for me."

Prefeth croons to Zuseth, curling up neatly near her.

Lysseth lowers her head to Martigan, quite eager to be scritched or 
patted, even though she's been scritched quite a lot today.

Aphrael grins and nods. "Great! I hear there's a queen egg too!"

Martigan says "It's hard to believe that eggs that small turn into 
creatures this big."

Channie nods with bright eyes, lifing her chin, "I touched it even!" she 
giggles and stops puffing up.

Kassima chuckles at her lifemate. "You're just starved for attention, 
skydancer," she says, giving her lifemate's shoulder a fond thump.

Aphrael gapes at Channie, "Wow!" She says, obviously impressed.

Kassima smiles. "Oh, aye--and while Lyss is big for a green, you should 
see Nicoth or some of the other bronzes!" She looks over at Channie, 
surprised. "Whoa! Must've been quite exciting, aye?"

High above the bowl, Misroth emerges from Between with a blast of cold 
air!

High above the bowl, Misroth spirals down lower into the bowl.

Channie grins, "well, everyone got to, but it was so neat, and exciting!"

Above the center of the bowl, Misroth spirals down towards the Center of 
the bowl, and backwings to a landing.

Misroth slowly glides down gracefully.

Martigan runs his hands along Lysseth's eye ridges and chin, scritching 
and smiling.

Kassima blinks over at Misroth, then salutes him and S'klin both. "Good 
evening, sir," she calls up.

Lysseth warbles with contentment, whuffling Martigan enthusiastically. 
"Don't know what's gotten into her--she's just eating up all the attention 
she's been getting," Kassi says with a chuckle.

Misroth turns on a wing bugling as he descends, S'klin raises a hand 
regally as he rides.

Misroth lands with a thump

Channie curtsies to dragon and rider quietly.

Aphrael salutes S'klin with a grin, then turns back to Channie, "So, which 
way to the hatching grounds?"

S'klin slides down Misroth and moves his riding goggles to his helmet.

S'klin snaps to attention and gives each rider a perfect, sharp salute.

Martigan asks, "So she isn't usually like this?" He puts his back to 
Lysseth as he speaks to Kassima, nodding respectfully to the new 'rider.

S'klin says "I heard you guys were out here."

Kassima puts the long-empty mug of juice she was holding back on the tray 
and smiles. "Well, only three times that I've seen--when she's in water, 
when she's around snow, or when she's being scritched."

Channie motions towards the Northeastern Area, but doesn't move anywhere.

S'klin walks over to Aphrael and gives her a peck on the cheek and a hug.

Kassima nods. "Aye, sir--Cerilla brought us here for *between* practice." 
She glances over to the Weyrlingmaster, then back again.

Aphrael smiles and hugs S'klin back. "How are you doing?" She asks softly.

S'klin shrugs softly, "I'm doing better..."

Martigan watches Aphrael and S'klin, a jumbled set of emotions on his 
face...jealousy, happiness, anger, embarassment, and a lot of confusion.

S'klin gives Aphrael another hug and brings her off the ground.

Aphrael blinks, taking it to be a good thing. "That's good."

Martigan glances toward Kassima in confusion, his eyes gesturing towards 
Aphrael.

Kassima glances over to Martigan and gives a slight shrug, moving over to 
murmur something.

S'klin shrugs slightly, "yes...but I'vebeen concerned about things."

You whisper "I'm not sure what's up with them, but I think they're just 
friends." to Martigan.

Channie tilts her head to one side, her hand moving up to play with one of 
her curls.

Aphrael ahs softly, "Have you been speaking to your weyrmate?"

A slow sad expression takes over S'klin's face, "Once..."

Martigan nods in response to Kassima, though he desperately wants to 
change Aphrael's focus. He says to Kassima and Channie, "I believe someone 
said something about seeing the eggs."

Channie bobs her head up and down, "If Kassi and Aph would like to see 
um."

Kassima nods, smiling. "Aye, we'd quite like to see them."

Aphrael blinks slowly, "Things didnt go well?" She asks S'klin, turning 
only slightly at the mention of the eggs.

S'klin's eyes dart quickly to the others present, "Perhaps this could be 
discussed elsetime...'

Aphrael sighs softly, nodding. "Sure.. why dont we go see the eggs now?"

Martigan takes a few steps in the direction of the Sands, glancing back at 
the others.

Channie smiles and follows Mart.

Kassima gives Lysseth's shoulder a departing pat and picks up her riding 
helmet, shifting it over to one hand as she prepares to follow Martigan.

S'klin resumes his serious gentle face.

Aphrael glances at S'klin once, then turns to follow Mart and the others.

S'klin walks with Aphrael.

Martigan walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the bowl.

Channie walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the bowl.

S'klin walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the bowl.

Aphrael walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the bowl.

You trek the half mile to the northeastern end of the bowl.

Fort Weyr Bowl, northeastern area
The Bowl of Fort Weyr, a large, featureless plain surrounded by steep 
mountain cliffs, stretches out before you. It is vaguely oval in shape, 
long from southwest to northeast; you're standing near the wall at its 
northern end.
Off to the northwest is the long path leading up to the Junior Queens' 
Weyrs, while steps to the north lead to the Weyrleader Complex. From here 
you can see in to the Hatching Grounds to the east, and the steps leading 
up to the gallery stands in the Grounds to the southeast. Stretching off 
to the southwest is the center of the bowl, where the Lower Caverns, 
Weyrling Barracks, lake and Feeding Grounds can be seen.
Contents:
Aphrael
S'klin(#4686PJOcemq)
Channie
Martigan
Obvious exits:
Center of the Bowl  Weyrling Barracks  Weyrleader Complex  Gallery  SAnds  
Junior Queens' Weyrs  

Channie walks up the stairs leading into the Hatching Ground galleries.

Aphrael walks up the stairs leading into the Hatching Ground galleries.

S'klin walks up the stairs leading into the Hatching Ground galleries.

You walk up the stairs leading into the Hatching Ground galleries.

Spectators' Gallery in the Hatching Ground(#958RJ)
The galleries in the Hatching Grounds stretch the length of the southern 
wall of the cavern. Broad sweeps of stone benches provide ample seating 
for spectators. Above and across from here are ledges where the dragons 
perch to welcome new eggs and hatchlings. From your vantage point, you can 
see everything that happens on the sands.
Stairs to the northwest, at the end of the galleries, lead back down to 
the entrance to the hatching grounds. The Hatching Ground sands spread out 
before you to the northeast, and are accessible by another set of stairs 
to the north.
Contents:
S'klin(#4686PJOcemq)
Aphrael
Channie
Obvious exits:
Bowl  SAnds  
Type 'clutch help' for help on how to view the Clutch.

Martigan walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Channie moves down, and sits softly, leaning over a little to look over 
the eggs.

Aphrael steps down close to the sands as she can get while still in the 
stands, sitting down on a bench as she peers out over the clutch.

Martigan moves over to the very edge of the stands, getting as close to 
the eggs as he can. "I was hoping we'd get to touch them again tonight but 
it doesn't look like we will."

S'klin sits on a bench disinterested in the eggs.

Channie nods at Mart, "I wish we could have--maybe tomorrow?"

Aphrael glances up at Mart, "Its amazing, to be able to touch them isnt 
it? Thinking perhaps one might be your lifemate.."

As he looks at the eggs, Martigan's hands begin to shake. He spins around, 
turning his back to them. "What was it like?" he blurts out.

Aphrael blinks and swallows. He's asking the unanswerable question. 
"Impression?" She asks, though she knows thats what he wants to know.

Kassima smiles. "Aye, though you can never tell which." She grins. "I 
remember touching Prefeth's egg, and Aph touched Lysseth's once or twice." 
She blinks and falls quiet as she considers how best to answer.

Martigan nods, "A few of the Candidates Stood before and most of the 
'riders...well, they won't tell us anything."

Aphrael clears her throat, glancing at Kassi. "It's well.. I dont know. 
Actually standing is really scary, being out there on the sands and not 
knowing wether you life will change.. impression is.." She trails off as 
she looks out over the sands.

Channie looks away from the eggs to listen to Aph and Kassi.

S'klin says "I remember the day I impressed like it was yesterday."

Kassima finally says, "I... Mart, it's very hard to explain. I think it's 
different for everyone. It's like... I don't know, like two minds kind of 
clicking together, you know? You're not just yourself anymore, you're also 
the dragon, and you're always kind of *aware*--of what's happening to 
them. And you're suddenly more whole, somehow...." She falters and sighs. 
"It's so hard to explain right. But that's what it seems like to me."

Channie bites on her lower lip as she listens. "Sounds really wonderful." 
she says after a little moment of quiet. She grins and turns her gaze back 
to the sands.

Maarie walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Aphrael nods slowly at Kassi, "Hrm.. yeah.. its like.. I had this sudden 
feeling, I /knew/ that I would never be alone, like a part of me had come 
that I didnt even realise was missing was now with me.."

Maarie comes quietly up the stairs and gives a smart salute to S'klin 
before looking out over the clutch.

Channie smiles and waves politely to Maarie.

Kassima smiles. "And it's very hard to remember what it's like *not* to 
have a lifemate. I know it hasn't even been two Turns, but life without 
Lyss would just be unimaginable."

S'klin salutes to Marrie sharply.

Aphrael shrugs slightly as she tries to explain, waving Maarie over, 
"We're telling Mart and Channie about our impressions.."

Benden Weyr> Maarie wants to see the opposite of a smart salute someday.

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "A dumb one? :)"

Benden Weyr> R'val giggles ;)

Maarie walks over with a grin to all.

Martigan lowers his eyes as he thinks about what they've said. "But what 
if...you don't Impress. Lorita..." His shoulders are a bit slumped and he 
glances back towards the eggs.

S'klin takes off his helmet running a hand over his hair.

Kassima frowns slightly in consideration. "I don't know... but I imagine 
it'd be hard. They say, though, that if you don't Impress, it just means 
your lifemate wasn't out there this time--not that there's not a dragon 
yet to be hatched who'll be for you." She shrugs helplessly.

Aphrael shakes her head sadly at Mart. "I cant tell you what it's like not 
to impress because I've never stood and not impressed. I /know/ how bad 
Lorita was.. but isnt it worth it, on the chance that maybe your lifemate 
is there.."

Channie frowns a little at Marts words, she lifts up one shoulder, "Well--
when we just go back to Ruatha--" she snaps her lips closed as Kassi 
talks.

S'klin says "Ruatha..."

S'klin says "That is where I am from."

Maarie shrugs, "If I didn't Impress I was all ready to go to the BeastHall 
and try my hand with a different sort of animals."

Martigan moves away from the edge and over to Kassima, sitting next to 
her.

Channie smiles at Maarie, "Yes, going back home for me won't be that bad 
either--although I know I'll be disapointed, I know my friends are there, 
and I have things there I would like to do."

S'klin says "Was also a member of the BeastHall."

Kassima chuckles. "Wouldn't call dragons animals, exactly. But if you 
think you'd be happy--well, it's something to consider. I thought a lot 
about what I'd do if I didn't Impress, but I never had anything I was 
seriously considering, which worried me sometimes."

Martigan gives Kassima a soft smile, remembering their discussion in 
Benden's Galleries. He mutters to Kassima, "... that... going... my..." 

You sense Martigan gives Kassima a soft smile, remembering their 
discussion in Benden's Galleries. "I'm hoping that life is going to pick 
my path for me. Like it did you."

Kassima smiles back reminiscently. She mutters to Martigan, "... could,... 
well... hope... does." 

Martigan senses Kassima smiles back reminiscently. "It could, Mart. It 
very well could--and I truly hope it does."

Channie sighs, "I'm looking forward to a real nights sleep after all the 
excitement is over!" she whispers with a grin.

Kassima laughs. "Sleep?" she chortles. "Sleep? What's that?"

Channie blinks at Kassi, "You still don't sleep?"

Maarie whispers aside to Kassima, "It's some word they only use outside of 
Benden."

Kassima shakes her head, grinning ruefully. "You'll sleep at first--but 
then you've got exercises and your muscles will be sore, and after that 
you'll be up all night working. I don't even want to think about how many 
times Lysseth's wanted a midnight soak. And if by some miracle you can 
doze off--why, your fire-lizards will always want a treat, right then."

Kassima nods to Maarie and says, in another aside whisper, "Must be. Such 
a strange idea, this sleep thing."

Channie giggles softly, "oh goodness--well, if I don't get lucky I'll get 
to sleep!" she grins.

Martigan laughs, "And I thought they were trying to kill us as 
Candidates."

Channie grins at Martigan, "Why?"

Kassima laughs. "You don't know killing 'till you're a weyrling--there's 
still chores to do along with practice and training and exercising. Plus 
mucking, washing, oiling, scritching, feeding, and all that."

Kassima counts off the things on her fingers. "There's weyrs to stock, 
inventory to take, errands to run, gear to polish, meat to cut, latrines 
to clean...."

Martigan grins at Channie, "At least _you've_ gotten kitchen duty. It's 
been non-stop mucking for me. I even got double chores."

Kassima finishes with, "And the only chore that even comes close to 
latrines--numbweed to boil!" She holds her nose with a grimace. "Gah, 
that's awful."

Channie giggles at Mart, "Oh, I had to muck out stall just yesturday!" she 
grins, "But I never did need to do two chores in one day!" she makes a 
face.

Maarie grins, "Weeds are the easy chore."

S'klin takes a small band out of his hair shaking t free.

Martigan looks around at the other Ruathans sheepishly, "I think my 
reputation preceded me."

Channie giggles behind her hand at Martigan.

Kassima chuckles ruefully. "Nah, could just be bad luck. I've seen people 
get latrines over and over again for no apparent reason--I kept getting 
weeds every time it rained, it seemed, and that was quite miserable. Mud 
everywhere, and all kinds of oozing ucky things in it...."

Channie makes a face, "THat's something I haven't had to do yet--
weeding--"

Maarie turns her gaze back to the clutch below, lost in memory.

S'klin looks Maarie over.

Martigan says "I haven't gotten to do the laundry yet. If you can believe 
that. Who'd have thought I'd miss the laundry room."

Kassima grins at Channie. "Ah, in fair weather, it's not bad."

Channie nods, "doesn't sound too bad--if the weeds aren't awful. And the 
weather has been very nice here!"

Martigan opens up his hands, looking at the calluses, scars, and cuts 
covering them.

Channie looks at Martigan's hands, and then her own. "Mine are not that 
bad."

Channie giggles and hands her hands as they are dirty from working 
earlier. "Well--not 'so' bad anyway." she grins.

Kershala walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Martigan asks, "Will you all be able to spend the night?"

Taywne walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Aphrael shakes her head at Mart, "Afraid not.. We'll have to head back 
with the Weyrlingmaster.."

Taywne settles into a bench and watches the sands.

Channie looks up and waves to Kershala and Taywne as they come in.

S'klin says "Well..."

Kershala smiles and waves back, then leans over the railing to look down 
at the eggs.

S'klin says "Ya know...as of today I'm helping out with the weyrlings as a 
mentor."

S'klin says "So, I might be able to be talked into spending the night."

Martigan's face takes ona disappointed expression for a moment, his eyes 
drooping.

Channie grins brightly at S'klin.

Kassima nods to Kershala and Taywne, smiling, before turning to Mart. 
"We're sorry, Mart," she says apologetically. "But we might be able to 
visit more now. And--if we're good, we can come to the Hatching." She 
grins.

Taywne looks up at Martigan and says, "Hi Martigan. You ok?"

Maarie continues to lean against the edge, looking over the eggs. She 
turns back to S'klin, "What about a trip to Boll?" She grins.

Martigan's disappointment changes to happiness as he looks from S'klin to 
Aphrael to Kassima, his eyebrows raised.

S'klin says "Can Boll wait until tomorrow Maarie?"

Channie grins, "I wish I could take a trip to Boll!"

Kershala sighs and scans the eggs on the sands. "I wonder how long it'll 
be."

Maarie laughs, "I wasn't actualy serious...I mean if you're willing that's 
great but you don't have to. I'll see my sister in time."

S'klin says "We'll go tomorrow if you like."

S'klin grins

Taywne shrugs and turns to watch the eggs.

Channie grins over to Kershala, "Only days--" she bites her lip.

Kershala turns to grin at Taywne. "Which one's your favorite?"

Kershala smiles at Channie... "I know, I know..."

S'klin runs a hand through his goatee.

Channie whispers, "Of course, I'm thinking they'll start humming any 
moment now!"

Taywne looks up and catches Channie's voice. He grins and just shakes his 
head.

Channie blinks at Taywne, "What?"

Martigan glances up at the mention of Boll, "I wonder if my parents will 
be able to come to the Hatching. And my sister." He looks hopefully at 
Kassima and Aphrael. "Will you all do a favor for me? Julaina gave birth a 
few days and I never got a chance to give her her baby present. Wonder 
just won't deliver it."

Taywne shrugs and says, "I've a favorite, or two."

Maarie nods with agreement with Channie, "I put my bet two or three days 
left at the most."

Kassima grins. "There's no way I'm letting any more of my blues get their 
claws on another rattle."

Taywne turns to Marrria and nods.

Aphrael tilts her head at Mart, "Sure, if we can, Mart. Where is she? 
Bitra right?"

Kershala grins at Taywne. "Well? Not telling?" She turns to point at the 
far back of the clutch. "There's this little one in the back that's 
charcoal with white streaks on it. I like that one best, I think." She 
chuckles to herself. "Not that the egg says much about the dragon inside."

Channie smilea at Maarie, holding up one hand with fingers crossed.

Martigan blushes at Kassima's words. "He really seemed to like it." He 
looks into her eyes, "How could I say no?"

Taywne crosses his fingers and grins at Channie.

Martigan nods, "At Bitra. The rattle's in my press. 'Course, she had 
two...well, three but only two lived, so I'm going to need to get her 
another gift."

Kassima grins. "Oh, don't worry about it, Mart. It makes him happy--even 
if it drives me nuts. Most of the time, I can convince him to shake it 
someplace where no one can hear him."

Aphrael nods and grins. "Sure Mart.. we stop by Bitra pretty often so it 
should be okay.."

Maarie perches herself on the ledge and looks out over the eggs again with 
awe.

Kassima nods, grinning. "Ayep--to fish, more often than not. Still catch 
more shoes than fish."

Channie giggles, "kassi, your firelizard plays with a rattle?"

Taywne hands move to the rail and he leans his chin on the bar.

Kassima chortles. "Ohhhhh, aye! Kyril does, anyway--hard to get the thing 
away from him." She grins.

Martigan realizes that he's probably boring everybody with his 
conversation, especially the people he doesn't know. "So, what can you 
tell us? What have you been doing? What should we know before we go out to 
the Sands? What can we tell you?" He gives a wide choice of topics as he's 
not sure which he's most interested in 'cause he wants to know everything.

Channie rests her chin in her palms and eyes the eggs, her eyebrows 
lifting everyone once and awhile as she thinks.

Kassima laughs. "Slow down, Mart! Well, I told you about the chores--
that's what we've been doing. There's a few things you should keep in mind 
on the Sands...."

Aphrael blinkblinks at all the questions. "Um, well I'm sure the 
Weyrleaders will tell you everything you need to know.. its been almost a 
Turn and a half since we were candies.."

Kassima nods. "Aye, you'll get the lecture. Just the most important 
things--don't wear jewelry or take food on the sands. That's worth 
repeating if you've heard it already."

Aphrael scratches her cheek absently. "Yeah, nothing but your candidate 
robe really. You cant take your firelizards, you have to send them away.." 
She thinks.

Maarie smiles fondly, "And hope an egg doesn't get stuck between a couple 
of rocks and make you sick with worry for most of the hatching."

Channie blinks, "oh goodness--I need to check to be sure my robe is 
alright"

Kershala shivers. "What if a hatchling can't get out of the egg but it's 
alive?"

Kassima grins at Aph. "What, memory fails already?" She nods. "Let's see, 
you need to be ready to dodge hatchlings--one Candie from our group didn't 
and got his leg gashed up quite a bit."

Channie waves a hand and shrugs, "I'll check it tomorrow I guess--"

Taywne shifts and looks up briefly before turn ing back to the sands.

Martigan asks, with no small amount of exasperation, "Did your group do as 
many pranks as this group seems to? First Channie's hair, then my gloves, 
and now this." He shakes his two now-dyed braids.

Aphrael giggles softly. "Mostly all I could think about was how hot the 
sands were.. but you guys are lucky.. you get to wear sandles."

From under Kershala's hair, Tarth chirrups

Aphrael shrugs at Kassi. "I get it from Prefeth." She grins slightly, then 
nods. "Aye.. have to be ready to run.."

From Kershala's shoulder, Zip croons softly to the little brown.

Channie looks at Mart, "someone got you too?"

Kassima hmmms. "Then the Weyrleaders or the Weyrlingmaster will decide 
what to do about it, I guess. I've never seen that happen, but then--" she 
grins ruefully, "I've only been to one hatching."

From Kershala's pocket, Trouble screels and looks around wildly.

Channie says "I'm wearing boots!"

Maarie shrugs, "I'd think the sire and dam would help out if a hatchling 
couldn't get out."

Kershala nods. "I've never been to one." She grins. "This'll be the 
first..."

Aphrael grins wryly. "No really any pranks I guess.. there were a couple 
though.." She falls silent, then shrugs.

You say "Well, there were a couple of water fights that I can think of, 
and the tunnelsnake incident, but not a lot of pranks. We were kept pretty 
busy."

Maarie says quietly to Aphrael, "Honorary weyrwoman?"

Martigan eyes the other Candidates one by one, testing their reaction. 
He's determined to find out who dyed his hair, but so far, he doesn't have 
any proof, only suspects.

Channie pats Mart's shoulder, "Well, Sela and I never found out who got us 
either."

Aphrael looks back over to Maarie, then bursts out laughing, "I forgot! Oh 
yeah, someone painted Bronzerider S'riv's dragon yellow.."

Taywne eses Martigan's hair. "They got Channie and Sela also." he growls.

Channie giggles, "I would have liked to see that!"

Kershala pulls at a lock of her own black hair. "No worries for me," she 
chuckles.

Kassima grins at Aph. "That's *after* he was painted pink, too...."

Maarie leans over to Aph again, "It was me...M'kla suggested the color and 
I painted away half the night."

Channie says "What color is he now?"

Aphrael blinkblinks at Maarie, "You? And M'kla..?" She gapes.

Kassima places one hand over her mouth to stifle a burst of laughter. 
"Fire and rain! I... oh, great Faranth!" She starts to giggle incessantly.

Martigan rolls his eyes in disbelief at the Benden 'riders.

Maarie rolls her eyes and sniffs her hands that she can't get rid of the 
smell of sweetsand from, "Bronze again." She nods to Aph.

Channie grins.

Aphrael simply bursts out laughing, leaning back against the rail. "Oh! 
Maarie! He said Cioth saw someone with red hair.. but..." She shakes her 
head and laughs.

Maarie pulls at a curl, "It gets pretty red during the winter."

Aphrael giggle at Maarie, "I'd never have guessed!" She admits honestly.

Dragon> Prefeth, Lysseth, and Zuseth sense that Veyath warbles over 
curiously. << Where are you and your lifemates at? >>

Kassima nods agreement with Aph, still laughing.

Lysseth> I bespoke Veyath, Prefeth, and Zuseth with << My lifemate is 
looking at *eggs* at a place she calls Fort Weyr. >>

Channie says "So--you did that, and no one found out it was you?"

Maarie nods with a grin.

Dragon> Veyath bespoke Prefeth, Lysseth, and Zuseth with << Oh. Perhaps we 
will join you. >>

Maarie ers, "I think S'riv finally did. He's not speaking to me anymore at 
least."

Channie blinks, "I'm too afraid of getting caught to do something like 
that--"

Kassima grins. "As would I be. The only thing even remotely prankish I 
ever did was the Lay of the Lair In the Latrines... remember that one, 
Aph?"

Maarie gives Kassi a curious look, "I didn't hear about that one."

Channie tilts her head to one side as she listens.

Selandra walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Melusine walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Selandra grins and waves.

Lysseth> High above the bowl, Veyath emerges from Between with a blast of 
cold air!

Taywne turns and smiles at Sela and waves to her from his seat by the 
rail.

Aphrael blinkblinks and looks up. "Oh, yeah, I remember. Everyone went 
song-mad for a while there." She grins slightly.

Kershala yawns and stretches. She waves and smiles at everyone sleepily. 
"I think I'm going to head off to bed... been a long day."

Lysseth> High above the bowl, Veyath spirals down lower into the bowl.

Kassima grins. "'Twas a song I wrote, about Slithereth--you know, the 
legendary monster tunnelsnake living in the latrines?" She chuckles. "The 
Weyrleader even read it--let me post it in the Candidate Barracks, in 
fact."

Channie waves to Selandra, "hi there."

Lysseth> Above the center of the bowl, Veyath spirals down towards the 
Center of the bowl, and backwings to a landing.

Vaughan walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Kershala whistles to her three flits and heads off toward the Barracks.

Selandra grins "Hiya everyone. Have you met my sister Melusine yet?"

Kassima smiles and waves to Kershala. "Good night."

Kershala goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Lysseth> Prefeth warbles happily at Veyath!

Lysseth> Lysseth raises her head to bugle a sleepy greeting to Veyath.

Aphrael looks up and waves at Sela, "Heya, Sela!" She calls frantically.

Vaughan waves to his fellow candies and sits down to look out over the 
eggs.

Selandra grins, and waves frantically back. "Heya Aph." and then does a 
doubletake. "Hey I thought you weren't allowed to fly yet?"

Channie smiles and moves aside a little to make room for Vaughan and Sela.

Lysseth> Zuseth opens one set of eyelids and warbes a greeting to Veyath 
before closing them again.

Martigan shakes his head no. He grins at the woman, giving her a slight 
bow from his sitting position. "Well met. I'm Martigan."

Lysseth> Veyath settles near the young dragons, and warbles a happy 
greeting.

Lysseth> K'nan climbs down from Veyath's neck, and arrives on the ground.

Melusine smiles shyly at the group of people her sister addressed

Aphrael bounces over and hugs Sela. "We betweened today for the first 
time!" She grins hugely.

Channie tilts her head to one side, rubbing at her eyes as she smiles, 
"Hi, nice to meet you." she pipes up.

Selandra grins. "Way to go Aph! Oh, Aph, Mel, Mel Aph.. and these are 
Channie Taywne and Martigan."

Martigan has a quizzical expression on his face as he watches Aphrael's 
reaction to Selandra, "You all know each other?"

Taywne nods pleasently to Sela's friend. When there is a moment, he calls. 
"Hello, I'm Taywne." he smiles.

Selandra noddles. "We go way back Mart."

Vaughan smiles and nods to Sela's friend.

Aphrael grins at Melusine, "Well met, Aphrael, Prefeth's weyrling." She 
introduces herself, nodding at Mart.

Lysseth> K'nan hops down, and smiles up at the weyrling dragons. 
"Heyla..." He reaches up to scritch his lifemate absently as he tries to 
remember where on Pern they are.

Lysseth> Zaphia warbles softly at K'nan.

Kassima smiles and follows Aphrael's example, saying, "Heyla and 
greetings; I'm Kassima, Lysseth's weyrling."

Selandra smiles. "Well met Kassima, Selandra of Nabol, and Fort 
candidate."

Taywne adds, "Taywne of Nabol, and candidate at Fort."

Kassima grins. "Congratulations, then, to both of you."

Vaughan smiles. "Vaughan, of Keroon, and Fort candidate."

Lysseth> K'nan smiles up at the 'lizards, and nods. "Hello, little ones." 
He looks around a moment, shrugs, and heads off in a random direction. 
He'll find them eventually.

Maarie looks like she's valiantly trying to remember the right name with 
the right face.

Channie giggles, "And I'm Channie of Ruatha--and another Fort Candidate." 
she curls her feet up under her.

Lysseth> K'nan walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the 
bowl.

Aphrael blinks as names are mentioned and she nods to each one, picturing 
the face with the name. Finally she turns back to Sela, "How are you 
doing? I hear the eggs are close to hatching.."

Taywne grins and bends forward to peer around Vaughan at the new fold.

K'nan walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Selandra grins and waves. "K'nan!!! Hiya."

Maarie salutes to K'nan, then grins, "Hiya!"

Kassima glances at K'nan, blinks, and then salutes with a grin. "Heyla, 
K'nan! How goes?"

K'nan peers over from the bowl, and ah-ha's to himself. Found 'em. He 
waves over, and returns salutes, "Heya, weyrling-types...heya, Sela. 
What're you doing here?"

Selandra turns back to Aph. "That's what they keep telling us, yes, 
finally." she grins... "the candidate chores will soon be over!" she 
winks.

Channie waves politely to K'nan.

Vaughan smiles tothe rider.

Lysseth> High above the bowl, Meroth emerges from Between with a blast of 
cold air!

Martigan smiles at K'nan. It's been a long time since he's seen the 'rider 
at Ruatha. 'Course, with Aphrael at Benden now, there's really no reason 
for him to visit.

Kassima grins impishly. "No--if you're lucky, the Weyrling chores will 
take their place...."

Aphrael grins at K'nan, "Pref said you were coming."

Lysseth> High above the bowl, Meroth spirals down lower into the bowl.

Taywne nods politely to the rider.

Benden Weyr> K'nan says, "That's it, we outnumber Fort now in their own 
Weyr, MUHAHAHAHAHA!"

Lysseth> Above the center of the bowl, Meroth spirals down towards the 
Center of the bowl, and backwings to a landing.

Channie giggles at Sela, "Well--and for some it's more work after that." 
she grins.

Aphrael bursts out laughing. "Yeah, that's what I wished most to be over." 
She says to Sela.

Melusine half hides behind her sister

Benden Weyr> R'val oys. Evil.

Benden Weyr> Aphrael says, "Benden takes over Fort mwhahahahahhaha!"

Selandra giggles at K'nan. "Um, I sorta got conscripted into the fort 
candidate ranks..."

Benden Weyr> Kassima cackles insanely!

Maarie mutters something along the lines of T'fian...at least you think 
and her facial expression isn't too happy.

K'nan wanders over, and nods. "I'm not surprised...." He grins to 
Selandra. "Really? Congratulations....and good luck!"

Aphrael glances over at Maarie, the back towards the bowl. "Anyone would 
think we're being kept an eye on eh?" She comments softly.

Lysseth> T'fian quickly slides down Meroth's foreleg and jumps to the 
ground.

Selandra grins. "Thanks K'nan." and too Kassima and Channie she nods. "We 
should be so lucky."

Taywne grins.

Lysseth> Prefeth rumbles a greeting to Meroth.

K'nan blinks as he notices someone else. "Martigan, that you?

Channie nods her hair, curls bouncing, "Yeah, I know it!" she giggles.

Lysseth> Zaphia warbles a hello.

Lysseth> Meroth warbles in response to Prefeth and rumbles with annoyance 
at Zaphia.

Lysseth> T'fian walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the 
bowl.

Benden Weyr> K'nan counts everyone here. Hmm. Three weyrlings, a rider, a 
AWLM, and a WLM who's technically here. Five. They have...two. ;)

T'fian walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Lysseth> Lysseth warbles her salutation to Meroth, eyeing all the 
littlecousins.

Martigan waves at the greenrider. "Hello, K'nan. Lord Eleos wasn't too 
pleased the day the Fort 'riders arrived in the Courtyard. They've taken 
five of us."

Aphrael salutes T'fian sharply.

T'fian glances around, pulling off his riding gloves and jacket, tucking 
the gloves into a pocket of the jacket which he tosses over his shoulder. 
He returns Aphrael's salute with a smile. "'Evening," he grins, looking 
about.

Kassima turns to salute T'fian. "Evening, sir," she says, before turning 
back to gazing at the eggs and listening to her friends.

K'nan grins. "Hardly any good people left at Ruatha now, eh?" He waves 
over absently to T'fian.

Selandra giggles. "Well Lady Omali wasn't too thrilled at four Nabolese on 
the sands. Well she's happy for us but not the fact that so many were 
searched I think. Me and Salda were last."

Taywne nods and looks back at his friends.

Channie waves a polite hello.

Maarie salutes T'fian, "Hello, sir."

Benden Weyr> F'nar says, "And Benden, once again, rules the night. :)"

Vaughan nods and smiles to the new rider.

T'fian looks at all the Benden knots and laughs quietly to himself before 
finding himself a seat near K'nan.

Martigan looks at his two friends, "Well, with Aphrael and Kassima being 
stolen by Benden..." He winks.

Benden Weyr> Kassima grins. Benden, the vampire Weyr. :)

T'fian looks down at the sands and starts counting out the eggs. "Shards," 
he says finally. "They've more than we did."

Aphrael giggles and raises an eyebrow, "Stolen eh?" She teases.

Selandra looks at her sister, and sees how uncomfortable she is with the 
crowd. "Um, you want to go somewhere more quiet Mel?"

Kassima grins at Martigan. "Stolen, you say? More like liberated." She's 
obviously teasing about that last.

Martigan shrugs, "Well, that's how Lord Eleos talks about it. And then he 
groans."

Melusine smiles gratefully at her sister's suggestion

Selandra waves to T'fian in greeting, and excuses herself and Melusine 
from the gathering.

Taywne nods to Melusine.

Aphrael grins at Mart. "He should be proud. There are many fine riders 
from Ruatha at Benden.."

T'fian glances over at Martigan, overhearing the conversation and cannot 
help but to add in his normal diplomatic way. "Lord Eleos had every 
opportunity to deny the Searchriders."

Vaughan goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Selandra goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Channie waves goodbye to Sela and her sister. "nice meeting you."

Melusine goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Lysseth> Meroth curls up, and lids his eyes mostly shut, not really 
comfortable in this location, but making the best of it.

K'nan chuckles, finding somewhere to sit. "Ah, Lord Eleos groans about 
everything, from what I've heard."

T'fian shakes his head. "The Lord Holder has no right to groan about those 
he has willingly allowed to be Searched," he says in response to his 
wingmate.

Taywne eyes the eggs.

K'nan rolls his eyes. "T'fian...you really need to relax, y'know that?"

Aphrael blinks slowly. She usually would be speaking in this conversation, 
but instead is starting out over the sands, eyes faded somewhat.

Martigan decides to change the subject. He asks Aphrael and K'nan, "How's 
my former fostersis?"

Channie nibbles on a bit of her hair as she listens, the tilts her head to 
one side and looks at the eggs, she leans over to Tawyne, "So--what one is 
your favorate?"

T'fian looks at K'nan and lowers his voice. "This is Fort," he says. "I 
can never relax here."

K'nan ahs, and nods. He murmurs back, "Know th'feeling, T'fian..."

Taywne smiles at Channie and softwly answers, "The browns shades kind of 
draw me."

T'fian looks around. "I can't even remember the last time I was here..."

Kassima grins over at Martigan. "She's adopted a whole slew of us as her 
foster aunts and uncles," she comments with a chuckle.

Aphrael shakes her head slightly, blinking at Mart. "Hrm? Bree? Oh, she's 
great. I saw her just this evening.."

T'fian adds. "And I suppose now they think they're special because they've 
got more eggs on the sands than we did."

K'nan shakes his head. "Been Turns for me...wasn't that long ago since 
they wouldn't -let- me come back." He chuckles softly, then turns over to 
Mart. "Difficult, as usual."

T'fian says "Wouldn't let you come back, K'nan?"

Martigan nods in complete agreement with K'nan's observation. "Is she ever 
anything but?!!"

Aphrael frowns slightly, then shrugs. "F'laav is coming shortly too." She 
says to no one in particular.

Taywne eyes turn to T'fian.

Taywne nod.

Channie opens her mouth, but just as quickly snaps her lips shut.

Maarie huhs? at Aph's comment then turns to look at the eggs with a shrug.

K'nan glances back over, and shrugs in response. "Yah." He nod to Mart in 
amused agreement, and shrugs at Aph's comment. "Oh."

T'fian blinks at Aph. "Fi? Going somewhere he hasn't been ordered to?"

Lysseth> High above the bowl, Tidranth emerges from Between with a blast 
of cold air!

Martigan says to Aphrael. "It's a good thing Breana isn't with me here. Or 
I'd be getting kicked out this Weyr as well." He has a mischievious 
twinkle in his blue eyes.

Taywne smiles and then turns back to Channie. "What is you favorite?"

Lysseth> High above the bowl, Tidranth spirals lower into the northeastern 
sky.

Aphrael looks over at T'fian with a wry grin. "Prefeth managed to convince 
him somehow.." She shrugs.

T'fian nods, impressed. "Somehow is right."

Lysseth> Above the center of the bowl, Tidranth spirals down towards the 
Center of the bowl, and backwings to a landing.

Lysseth> Zuseth warbles a greeting to Tidranth and F'laav.

Channie grins as she speaks quietly to Taywne, "I like a couple of them 
now" she points to one of the rust colored eggs with the yellow lines on 
it. "That one, and the little bone-white one too"

Lysseth> Lysseth rumbles a greeting to Tidranth.

Lysseth> Meroth opens an eye and bugles at Tidranth.

Aphrael giggles softly at Mart, "Probably. Though she is good with 
important people, as she puts it."

K'nan chuckles wryly. "I'll just sit here out of F'laav's way while he's 
here."

Lysseth> Prefeth warbles to Tidranth!

Lysseth> Veyath warbles happily to her clutchbrother.

Lysseth> Tidranth rumbles boisterous greetings to the Pride of Benden, his 
Rider tossing a crisp salute the dragons' way.

Taywne nods as his eyes follow her pointing finger. He grins and says, 
"They look fine."

Benden Weyr> K'nan laughs at Tidranth's pose. My god, it's F'laav the 
propagandist. ;)

Kassima grins and murmurs at Aph, "I wonder what will happen if she asks 
any of the important people her questions...."

T'fian glances over at K'nan. "Problems with our friendly neighborhood, 
stiff as a board bronzrider?"

Aphrael shudders at the very thought of that. "I /dont/ want to know, 
Kassi.."

Maarie points to the lopsided purple one towards the front, "You almost 
miss that one. It's so small compared to the rest."

K'nan shrugs idly. "We haven't really talked at all in Turns."

Martigan leans over to ask Aphrael, "Who is this F'laav?"

Channie says "They all look very fine to me--"

Lysseth> F'laav slides down from Tidranth's back, landing in a crouch next 
to him.

Benden Weyr> T'fian wonders whether it's canon to refer to someone as 
'having a stick up his ass'?

Benden Weyr> K'nan says, "LOL!"

Benden Weyr> R'val doesn't think so T'fian :}

Benden Weyr> Kassima doesn't see why not. *Snicker.*

Benden Weyr> F'laav refers to himself as that all the time.

Taywne nods. "Shouldn't be long now. They were getting harder the last 
time I got to check."

Aphrael blinks at Mart, then shrugs, "He's just a bronzerider." She doesnt 
look at T'fian as he puts forth his own view.

Maarie doesn't even bother to make a retort as she continues to look over 
the eggs.

Benden Weyr> T'fian was referring to F'laav, himself. ;)

Channie beams at Taywne and nods.

Lysseth> F'laav looks around at the assembled dragons, mutters something 
about Benden taking up residence, and then asks in a more polite tone, 
"So, where could I find your Riders?"

Martigan turns his head slightly so that he can lock eyes with Kassima, 
wanting more info.

Benden Weyr> F'laav snerks. Been there, done that, T'fian. =)

Lysseth> Lysseth cocks her head to the northeast.

Lysseth> Prefeth blinks with slowly whirling eyes, following Lyss's gaze.

Benden Weyr> K'nan will be scared if Fi ever becomes WL. ;)

You whisper "Well, she's right--F'laav's a bronzerider. He's a little, 
hrm, uptight I guess you could say." to Martigan.

Benden Weyr> F'laav says, "Don't worry, K'nan."

Taywne grins back and says, "Done all your chores for today?"

T'fian glances at the weyrlings, with a smile, and then looks out over the 
sands.

Channie nods, "Yup--woke up early. That person next to me woke me up with 
snores, and I couldn't get back to sleep--so I just got up and did my 
work."

Kassima chuckles at Aph. "I don't think you need to worry, Aph--not since 
you've told her to come to us with all her questions." She rolls her eyes 
good-naturedly. "Bright stars, you must have it in for us...."

Lysseth> F'laav inclines his head to Meroth. "I'm used to it. Might as 
well warn him I'm coming, so I don't catch him in the act, if he wants." 
He shrugs, gives Tidranth a fond scritch, and strides off in the direction 
the younger dragons indicated. "Thanks, all."

Martigan squirms in his seat. "Uptight? How uptight? He isn't very 
familiar with the Fort 'leaders, is he?"

Taywne grins as then nods as his cot is a little ways away.

Lysseth> F'laav walks the half mile towards the northeastern end of the 
bowl.

F'laav walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Aphrael finally looks over at Kassi and laughs softly. "Well.. what can I 
say. Neither K'nan or I want to answer her questions, right?" She grins 
over at K'nan as she says this.

Benden Weyr> F'laav would also be scared, K'nan.

T'fian glances over at F'laav. "Well, and here he is," he grins to K'nan.

Maarie smiles and salutes F'laav.

K'nan looks over immediately. "Hey, I answer her questions if she asks 
them....."

You whisper "Not that I'm aware of." to Martigan.

K'nan grins.

F'laav inclines his head in reply to T'fian, and returns salutes, 
jauntily.

K'nan gives a vague wave over to the bronzerider.

Aphrael looks over at salutes F'laav, then raises an eyebrow at K'nan, 
"You do?" She asks doubtfuly.

Taywne truns to Channie and asks, "Someting to drink? I'm kind of dry."

F'laav asks T'fian, "I'm told I was needed to be insulted in person?"

From his position between Kassima and Aphral, Mart sits up straight at 
F'laav's entrance.

Channie waves politely to the new rider.

Taywne looks up and nods politely.

Maarie stifles her laughter with a hand and turns away from the people to 
take an extended look at the eggs.

Kassima looks up and salutes F'laav, before glancing at K'nan with 
surprise. "You're the first person I've heard say that," she says with 
sincerity.

T'fian stands up and salutes F'laav, with a glance out towards the bowl. 
"Meroth talks too much, doesn't he? Just commenting that you need to 
lighten up sometimes."

Channie eyes Taywne to see what he has to drink, "Oh--you mean inside?"

K'nan shrugs. "I try to." He grins. "Except for the questions about me an' 
Aph."

Taywne nods. "I'm going back for a while."

Channie whispers to Taywne.

F'laav shrugs. "I know this. Been told it for... ahm... almost exactly 
four Turns, now."

Martigan lowers his eyes at the direction K'nan's conversation is taking. 
The tips of his ears where they poke through his hair turn bright red.

F'laav blinks at T'fian's salute, a bit nonplussed, but returns it with 
the rest.

Taywne nods and says, "Sure, what would you like." his eyes

Kassima chuckles. "Understandable; she can ask the darndest things. I'll 
never forget her asking me about half-humans and half-fire-lizards...."

Aphrael looks between F'laav and T'fian, then back to K'nan. She grins 
wryly, "Aye, well thats the questions we could send to Aunt Kassi, eh?"

T'fian chuckles at the bronzerider. "I'm sure you have. All though, if I 
have offended at all, I apologize. You're a good rider, and I'm always 
proud to fly with you," he says formally.

Taywne climbs to his feet and turns to carefully move past the seated folk 
near him.

Channie grins, "Well--" she looks around at 'all' the riders, "Would 
anyone like something to drink?" she stands, "rude not to offer 
something."

Kassima shakes her head frantically. "No, no! Send them to Uncle R'val, 
he'd know better than I." She grins.

K'nan smirks. "I know. We can send her to Uncle F'laav."

Aphrael snorts, then laughs out loud. "Oh, yes!"

F'laav starts to blush and stammer out a reply, and is very conveniently 
sidetracked by K'nan's comment. "Uncle?!" he whirls around.

Taywne goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Kassima places one hand over her mouth to stifle chuckling, her eyes 
sparkling mirthfully. "Quite a solution, K'nan...."

T'fian turns to look at K'nan and the weyrlings, having lost track of 
their conversation. "What?"

K'nan grins over at F'laav. "Oh, yeah, Uncle Fi. You're good at answering 
questions, yes?"

Martigan clambers to his feet, saying to Channie, "Why don't I help you?"

Benden Weyr> K'nan Muhahahahas.

Channie nods quietly, chewing on her lip. "sure" she murmers and makes to 
leave.

Benden Weyr> T'fian says, "Benden spam. Scaring away the natives. :)"

Benden Weyr> Aphrael bows down to the master of evil. :)

Channie goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

F'laav's eyes... twinkle? "I am not anybody's uncle, I will answer 
questions to the best of my abilities, and any questions maliciously 
calculated to embarass or fluster will be returned in kind."

Martigan goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Naw. No twinkle. Speck of dust.

Aphrael bites her lip slowly, then smiles at F'laav, "They arent 
calculated to be ambarrassing, sir. They just are.. she's only 12 Turns 
old."

K'nan grins. "Sure y'are. Tidranth was from Veyath's clutch, and that 
makes us brothers, sort of. My sorta-fosterling would be your sorta-
foster-niece." Is that logic? Dunno. His eyes definately glitter a bit 
mischevously, though.

Benden Weyr> K'nan uses greenriderlogic.

T'fian looks around the hatching galleries. "Looks like the Benden living 
cavern," he chuckles, seeing only Benden knots now. He turns to look at 
F'laav. "Did you and Tidranth go for the Fort leadership?"

F'laav blinks, conveniently ignoring K'nan, now. "Fort leadership? Ahm. 
No."

K'nan chuckles amusedly at F'laav, and shakes his head, turning back. "See 
what I mean? So...concise."

F'laav says over his shoulder to K'nan, "Hnh."

T'fian shakes his head. "Should've." He glances around again. "If you'd 
won it, maybe the Fortian ego would be justified."

K'nan points at the bronzerider, and grins broadly. "See? He did it again, 
isn't it beautiful the way he expresses himself?"

F'laav blinks. T'fian's speech having gone right over his head, he just 
shuts up.

Aphrael chuckles at F'laav, then grins at K'nan. "We might need to direct 
Bree over to F'laav from now on then..."

Maarie sighs and turns from looking at the eggs and having had enough of 
the jabbing. She makes her way to the stairs.

Maarie goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

T'fian shakes his head, chuckling at F'laav. He mutters. "Shards, I hate 
this Weyr. Almost as much as Telgar. I'm going home." He salutes. "See you 
all back home."

F'laav snaps a salute back to T'fian, nods just slightly, and looks back 
at the weyrlings.

K'nan makes a parting gesture over to his wingmate. "Clear skies, T'fian."

T'fian goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Kassima salutes T'fian. "Fare well, sir."

Lysseth> T'fian comes from the northeastern area.

Lysseth> Meroth sits up and warbles a farewell to the other dragons as his 
rider walks over to him.

Lysseth> T'fian pulls himself up Meroth's foreleg, grasping the blue's 
riding straps, and settles between his neckridges.

K'nan smiles easily over to F'laav. "So, Fi...how've y'been? Haven't 
really talked in awhile..."

Lysseth> Zuseth rumbles in farewell then goes in search of her lifemate.

Lysseth> Zuseth heads southwest, toward the rocky shore of the lake.

Lysseth> Above the center of the bowl, Meroth wings up from the Center of 
the Bowl.

F'laav arches an eyebrow. "I've been busy. Getting weyrlings into trouble 
takes time and effort."

K'nan smiles. "Enh. True. Still, y'haven't been that busy for two Turns or 
so."

Aphrael looks up at F'laav, raising an eyebrow. "What happened with all 
that sir? I hope you didnt get in trouble.."

F'laav blinks. He hasn't been? Oh. News to him. He shrugs. "If you say 
so."

Taywne walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Channie walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

K'nan sighs, and shrugs. "Whatever." He leans back against whatever he's 
sitting on, and quiets, watching the eggs.

Channie walks back up with Taywne.

Channie says "We bring offerings of drinks for all."

F'laav turns to look at Aphrael. A hint of... something... crosses his 
face before he clamps down and goes stony. "Nothing official."

Taywne puts the tray of Bendan White, Red and Nabol Cider down.

Taywne glasses beside the skins.

Selandra walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Aphrael blinks slowly. "Nothing official?" She repeats.

Channie flops back down into her seat.

Selandra spies yet another Benden rider in the midsts. "Greetings 
bronzerider."

Aphrael eyes the wine wistfully. "Benden wine offered here of all places." 
She sighs.

Kassima nods remorsefully at Aph.

F'laav nods, once. That's what he said. A polite nod ensues to the 
strangers he's suddenly noticed. "Evening. Hope we're not intruding."

Channie blinks, "Why does everyone so strange around Fort?" she pipes up 
with unable to hold back any longer.

Taywne looks up and says, "We thought you'd be pleased. For us it is 
special."

Kassima smiles wistfully. "We would be, if we could drink it...."

Aphrael blinks again, then shrugs. Turning back to Taywne she grimaces. 
"We cant drink it."

Channie curtsies to F'laav, then makes a little face at Aph and Kassi, 
"You can't?"

Taywne nods slowly as their error is clear. "Shells, we didn't think. 
Sorry." His smile fadeing.

Kassima nods. "It's all right--and no, we can't. Weyrlings aren't allowed 
to drink."

Channie hhms, "How about Klah?"

Taywne looks at Channie. "We could get something else?' he says and nods 
at Channie's suggestion.

Kassima nods. "Klah, aye, and juice--anything without alcohol in it, 
actually."

Aphrael grins slightly. "Klah's fine for me.. I dont know if Kassi drinks 
it though - at least not Benden's klah." She winks.

Channie puts hands on her hips, "I did ask what anyone might like--and no 
one listened." she sighs and then giggles.

F'laav speaks, softly, "It's a bad idea to drink before trying to go 
Between. Especially if you're not practiced much," he adds, significantly.

Selandra looks at Taywne, and then offers "I suppose Nabolese cider is out 
of the question then?"

K'nan looks over at the wine for a moment, then glances back to the 
weyrlings and doesn't say anything, just leaning back and watching the 
eggs again.

Taywne eyes the cider and wine and th rider in the distance.

Kassima groans good-naturedly at Aph. "There's water in it," she says 
simply.

F'laav places his gloved hands on the railing. "There's no water in 
Flirk's klah."

Channie smiles and sighs, "Well, it's the thought that counds right?"

Kassima blinks. "Flirk's klah, sir?"

Aphrael chuckles at Kassi, "It's not like it matters Kassi, with weyrling 
rules.."

K'nan shudders slightly at the mention of Flirk's klah.

Channie coughs, "counts too"

F'laav nods gravely to Channie. "Our thanks for the thought, indeed."

Taywne nods slowly and then smiles.

Kassima nods at Channie and Taywne. "Aye, 'twas kind of you to think of 
us," she smiles.

Selandra sighs softly and leans onto the rail while watching the eggs 
unobtrusively.

Taywne nods and says" Our pleasure and Fort's duty." he grins.

Channie smiles. "Well, feel free to have some--if you want, and can drink 
it." she settles down in her seat and tugs on one of her curls.

Taywne settles beside Channie and near Selandra.

F'laav suddenly blinks, and stops dead in his tracks, halfway between 
looking at Channie and staring back out over the Sands.

Aphrael chuckles at Channie, "You shouldn't be playing host.. this is your 
time off right?"

F'laav's eyes unfocus for a long moment.

Channie bites her lip, blinking her eyes. "Well--I thought that what a 
candidate should do--"

Kassima blinks incongruously at Aphrael. "Candidates have time off?" she 
asks with a quirked grin.

Channie giggles at Kassi and sticks out her tongue.

Benden Weyr> F'laav /likes/ Flirk's klah!

Taywne nods and says, "Still, if we are to be of Fort, it is our duty. 
Pleasuer also." he smiles and nods to Kassima.

Benden Weyr> F'laav likes M'kla's, too...

Aphrael grins at Channie, "Doesnt matter, thanks anyway." She reaches out 
for some of the cider.

Benden Weyr> K'nan likes M'kla's klah.

Benden Weyr> F'laav << But I've been accused of masochism before. >>

Selandra looks across to Aph, startled by the sound. "Think nothing of it 
Aph. It's more fun and relaxing to serve a grateful guest than to lug 
about a sack of firestone that doesn't want to budge."

Benden Weyr> Kassima has heard Flirk's klah is Very Evil....

Benden Weyr> K'nan says, "Outta my head, bronzerider."

Benden Weyr> F'laav wouldn't want to be in there. No space.

Channie nods at Sela's words, "Ah-huh."

Taywne laughs and nods.

Aphrael grins at Sela, "Try throwing it a dragonlength.."

Benden Weyr> Maarie thought there would be lots of space in a vaccuum.

F'laav shakes his head, and mutters to himself. "Stick. Yah, right. 
Shells."

Benden Weyr> Maarie promptly ducks.

F'laav blinks at Aphrael. "Only a dragonlength?"

Benden Weyr> K'nan won't mention what's filling his head up. ;)

Selandra blushes and mumbles something about barely being able to shift it 
a foot let alone a dragonlength.

Brendan walks up the stairs from the Bowl.

Aphrael nods at F'laav, "A dragonlength between two dragons, right?"

Taywne looks up and waves. "Evening Brendan. Thought I was you a while 
ago."

Benden Weyr> Maarie says, "And I won't make any guesses."

Brendan comes up to see Taywne, but is /very/ pleased to see both K'nan 
and Aphrael there as well1

Brendan says "Taywne! HI!"

Aphrael grins and waves over at Brendan, "Heya Brendan!"

Channie waves to Brendan.

K'nan waves over from his seat a bit aways, and smiles slightly. "Heya, 
Brendan..."

Taywne waves the young harper apprentice ove and says, "Brendan, this is 
Channie and Selandra. The other folk will perhaps introduce themselves,as 
I'm kind of bad on names."

Channie grins, "Hi, nice to meet you."

Selandra smiles. "It's a pleasure to meet you Brendan."

Taywne grins as several folk seem to know Brendan.

Brendan says "K'nan and Aph! I've missed you guys! How're you doing? Did 
you fly here on your own dragon, Aph?"

F'laav introduces himself in the minimum number of words necessary. 
"F'laav. Bronze Tidranth. Benden's Duty."

Brendan bows at the mention of Benden. "All honor to Benden!"

Brendan says "Glad to meet you, Channie, Selandra."

Aphrael beams and nods at Brendan, "Yep, our first time Between." She says 
proudly.

F'laav winces, and then blinks, nonplussed at the apprentice's odd 
behavior.

Taywne looks at F'laav and K'nan, "You would take some wine or cider 
wouldn't you ?"

Brendan says "Hello, F'laav."

F'laav's head follows the bowing apprentice. "Is that th'normal way to 
greet people around here?"

Selandra would offer Nabols duty, but as a candidate is still a little 
unsure of her previous rank.

Brendan says "So Aphrael! Do tell me of what you thought of "Between"!"

Taywne eyes travel to his fellow candidates. "Normal F'laav?'

Aphrael grins at Brendan, "Scary, and cold. And I'm afraid I'm about to go 
through it again. The werylingmaster wants us back early."

F'laav blinks, a confused expression on his face. "Normal. Like, do you 
bow to everyone? Back at Benden, only person you bow to's a Lord Holder, 
an' only when you want t'be really formal. There's this one girl at Benden 
Weyr who always bows... mebbe she's from around here."

F'laav shrugs.

Brendan laughs! "Oh, I guess I just got carried away! I'm sorry!"

Taywne grins and says, "I see. Yes, we should get out of the habit I 
guess. Thank you for pointing it out."

Aphrael salutes the riders present as she heads out.

Aphrael goes down the stairs to the Bowl.

Kassima stands up and heads after Aph, saluting all the riderfolk and 
waving to Channie.

You walk down the stairs to the Bowl.

You make your way to the center of the bowl.

K'nan comes from the northeastern area.

Kassima waves to Maarie as she walks over to Lyss, rechecking her straps.

Aphrael clears her throat and grins. "Heya Maarie. We're about to head 
back. Tidranth asked that we wait for him first though." She pulls on her 
flight gear.

F'laav comes from the northeastern area.

Maarie nods and stands up again, brushing hersef off and checking over 
Zuseth.

F'laav strides over, shaking his head slightly.

Aphrael checks over Prefeth. "You look well, love. Have a nice rest?"

F'laav says, "Who's with me?"

K'nan pulls his helmet on, and leans against Veyath's leg. "Heading back, 
then? Guess I am..."

Tidranth summarily *whuffles* his lifemate, driving him back a few paces.

Aphrael nods to F'laav. "We are." She says as she mounts up.

Aphrael turns to Prefeth with a smile, eyes slightly faded as she speaks 
silently to the blue dragon. She slaps at her lifemate's side with 
affection, then uses his extended foreleg to climb up onto Prefeth's 
neckridges.

Kassima pulls on her helmet and gloves once satisfied with Lysseth's 
straps, giving her wings another lookover as well. "We are, sir," she 
says, before mounting up.

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.

<*> K'nan pulls himself up onto Veyath's neck using the flight straps and 
her extended foreleg.

<*> Maarie slips on her gloves and helmet before mounting Zuseth.

<*> Maarie grins to Zuseth, matching her look of mischiefbound delight 
before using her forelimb to climb up onto Zuseth's neckridges.

<*> F'laav rolls his eyes. "Tidranth, I swear. Let's go home, an' then we 
can do that."

<*> Tidranth warbles, amused.

<*> F'laav quickly scampers up Tidranth's side, using the bronze's foreleg 
for purchase, before taking his position right behind his neckridge.

Kassima fastens herself into her straps before settling back in her seat, 
summarily checking the area up and around Lysseth.

<*> From Tidranth's back, F'laav straps himself in, looking around for 
signals of readiness.

<*> Prefeth spreads his wings slight, waiting for Tidranth as his rider 
straps in.

<*> From Veyath's back, K'nan nods over to the bronzerider.

Kassima signals her readiness as Lysseth tenses, preparing to launch 
herself.

<*> From Tidranth's back, F'laav's closed fist jerks downward in the 
signal to launch.

<*> Above the center of the bowl, Tidranth wings up from the Center of the 
Bowl.

<*> Prefeth takes a step back for some room, then extends his wings, color 
glinting off the edges as he crouches down then launches skywards.

<*> Above the center of the bowl, Prefeth wings up from the Center of the 
Bowl.

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

You launch into the air.