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This Hand Is Your Hand, This Hand Is My Hand


Date:  October 26, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  NPCs, Traders, and riders, oh my!  Some of my favorite
NPC Wingmates get camera time in this log, which features dragonpoker, 
pull candy, babies, and various Weyr visitors wandering in and out.
It also features some discussion of Boy George's Taboo outfit, but 
that doesn't relate much to anything. ;)

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The Log:

Rolan walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Kassima sits at the head of Thunderbolt's table, unsurprisingly enough,
playing poker with four other riders who are likely Wingmates; their
conversation is a low murmur in the ongoing bustle of the Caverns,
accompanied by the flick of wooden cards and click of small mark pieces.

Rolan wanders into the cavern by himself, pausing just inside to look
around and see what's going on.

"'Twill see that, raise you a thirty-second--so I had t'leave straight
after he got there, but nay a'fore he brought me m'winnings on the Istan
clutch," Kassima says her tablemates, evidently part of an ongoing
discussion, as she tosses a pair of mark pieces into the meager pot. "Good
of him. I can't help but wonder though if'n he wanted something. 'Tis
unnatural for men t'be so considerate--stop coughing, V'dan, you sound like
you've swallowed a feline--but I suppose Jascela and Brees *might* have
taught him better. Mayhaps. Pass me a roll, would you?"

Rolan wanders towards the poker game to watch for a bit, "Evening, Don't
mind if peek in for a moment, do you?"

Kassima glances up from her cards, momentarily distracted. "Hmm? So long as
you don't give away the hands, it doesn't bother me if'n it doesn't bother
them--" This is followed by an inquisitive look towards the other riders,
who shake their heads. "Nay a high enough pot t'be much of a spectator
sport, though."

Rolan shrugs, "Well, at least I'll know who to try to sell to tomorrow."
chuckles.

Kassima taps the bottom edges of her hand against the tabletop, while the
auburn-haired woman diagonal from her makes her bet. "That," she quips,
"might depend more on what you're selling--you're with those Traders?--than
how much money we have. I'd be surprised if'n anyone's in the market for
strange animal skeletons, say."

Rolan hmms, "So would I. But I could sell it if I had one." pauses,
"Eventually. TraderMaster Rolan of the Sebring, at your service."

"I still can't believe no one else bought that other skeleton before me!"
exclaims V'dan, earning an amused look from his Wingleader. "I showed it to
you, Mir, didn't I? I think it's a two-headed tunnelsnake or something--"
The bluerider whom he addresses responds succinctly: "Shut up and bet,
Val." Kassi tunes out on the bickering to reply amiably to Rolan, "A
pleasure, I'm sure. Kassima, green Lysseth's rider--" She points to
indicate herself, then gestures towards her tablemates one by one. "C'row,
bronze Servoth's; Miryenne, blue Guarith's; V'dan, green Chymeth's;
Amelyssan, brown Gromnith's. Pay Amelyssan's scowl nay mind. She always
looks like that. And I don't know if'n I'd bet on that, were I you; V'dan's
the only one I've ever known who *wanted* a weird skeleton, and he bought
the last one t'come through."

Rolan chuckles, "Well, if there's one person who will buy something, it can
be sold somewhere." grins, "Maybe I could convince someone who knows him to
buy it as a gift."

"Somewhere," Kassima allows. "'Tis here I'm less certain of." There's a
pause while she considers her cards and slides another two mark pieces
towards the center. "I doubt he needs *another*--" V'dan cuts in to agree,
"One's just right. If I had *two*, they would dominate my entire decorating
scheme. 'Least, that's what G'rignr told me when he saw the place, and I
thought he *liked* bones. I know it's not my turn, but can I just go ahead
and fold? This hand sucks." Kassi quietly snickers.

Rolan smiles at V'dan, chuckling. "Anyway, I don't have a strange skeleton
anyway. Would anyone like a piece of pullcandy?"

Kassima repeats the word as a question: "Pull candy?" C'row also looks
interested, and V'dan spares a glance, but the other two women just shake
their head... Miryenne frowning as she does, though probably more for the
hand she's just folded than for the Trader himself.

Rolan pullls out a small packet of pull candies and holds them out to the
players. "Just a little treat from the Sebring. I think I brought Berry and
Grape ones with me this time."

Watch Kassi brighten at the magical B-word. "Berry!" Of course, her
reaction elicits a groan from C'row: "That means none for us. Bloody
pregnant women. Split the grape with you, Val." After giving her Wingmates
a dirty look, Kassi says, "Thankee; you're sure you don't mind giving 'em?
We could probably cough up something t'pay you for 'em with, poker or nay.
Or at least, I could, when I win the hand." Amelyssan gives a very loud
snort and raises the latest bet.

Rolan passes everyone a candy, those that wanted them anyway. "No no, the
first one is a complimentary gift." He smiles and shrugs, "You're welcome
to buy more of course."

"If'n the berry flavor's good, I might," Kassi admits, accepting her share
with a flashed, grateful smile. "The mint sticks are lovely, but I haven't
found a good source of berry candy. *Aye*, C'row, you can have all the
grape, so stop making that face at me." The bronzerider chuckles, and nods
his thanks as well before biting into a piece of the grape and laying down
his hand, explaining muffledly, "I fwowd."

Kichevio walks in from the bowl.

Pierron gives a respectful nod to the Weyrsecond.

Lorany is seated at one of the tables to the side of the living cavern,
having just accepted a piece of berry candy from the as yet unfamiliar
face. Her expression goes from amused to slightly :) darker as she nibbles
at the offering. Quickly her head is turned. Uh...

Rolan says "Oh I have lots of Berry flavoured things and grape, pull
candies, jellybeans, lollies and hard candies too." he smiles at V'dan,
"And all sorts of other sweet things to suck on.""

Kichevio is in a tolerant mood, and so rather than threaten Pierron, she
smiles and addresses the big-eyed baby in her arms. "See him, Kiki? Throw
crumbs on his tablecloths every chance you get. And steal his tubers when
you're old enough." She bypasses the food tables for the moment, settling
into a seat and commenting, with a grin in Rolan's direction, "I think this
is my sort of conversation. Evening, everyone."

Lorany looks up as she notices the Weyrsecond and the little one enter.
Someone she knows! Turning back to the main gathering, her expression
brightens. "Hello," she calls, usual quiet nature keeping her voice
respectfully soft.

Rolan turns and smiles at Kichevio, ""Evening," holds out the package of
candies, "Pullcandies? A gift from the Sebring. Tradermaster Rolan
specifically."

Kassima has the grace to chew and swallow before replying, "Hard candies at
least sound promising--" She pauses to duck her head and hide her grin at
V'dan's expression, which shades swiftly from nonplussed to uncomfortable.
"So long as you mean candies," he mutters, and glares at Miryenne when she
openly snickers. "Depending, a'course," Kassi resumes as soon as she can
suppress her own laughter enough, "on the price. G'deve, Kich; g'deve, Kiki."

Kichevio accepts the pullcandy. "If this ends up in my hair, or in Kiki's
hair, or anyone else's hair, it's all your fault," she warns Rolan
cheerfully. "But thank you. If it makes you feel any better, V'dan, I can
call dibs on all sweet things to suck on..." Ah, but this is setting a poor
example for the child. "Hey Lorany. Thank you for not calling me ma'am. Oh
look, Kiki, it's your other role model. Someday, when you ask me why your
nickname is Kiki and why you wear the grass skirts, I'll be able to explain
that it's all Kassi's fault." She unswaddles Kiveira slightly for Kassima's
benefit. "Have you officially met her yet, or only heard the rumors?"

Sirrah enters from the Bowl.

Lorany blinks. What's this? "Oh," she says simply, "I wasn't thinking...
which is I suspect a good thing seeing as I'm up to my ears in letters
again." She nonetheless smiles widely as the little one is presented.
"Awww, I was right, still darling." Is that envy in her eyes? She quickly
looks back down at the hide she'd been reading. A phrase is just visible...
"You'll be annoyed, but if you can get to Ista..."

Rolan odders the candies to Lorany as well.

Sirrah tilts her head a bit then gives a soft grin

"Please feel free," V'dan says to Kich, bobbing his head emphatically
enough to send hair drifting into his eyes. Poor Kassi. She's trying *so*
hard not to laugh openly at her Wingmate, and it keeps becoming more and
more difficult. "I'm nay folding, but I want t'look at the baby," she tells
the other players; Amelyssan, the only one left who hasn't folded, grunts
irritably. "The grass skirts *my* fault, Kich? I thought the Dance of the
Veils was going t'be m'fault. Or A'lex's fault, if'n we could get it
t'demonstrate it for her... heyla, there, Keeks. We're going t'be training
you up t'be malicious and evil and all those wonderful things! Can you
start by spitting up on C'row? Pretty please?" She's wearing an 'awwww'
expression as she talks to the baby, even though she manages to
scrupulously avoid all baby talk. "The berry's good," she volunteers as an
opinion on the candies.

Kassima adds after that, "And I hadn't officially met her, nay, Kich, but I
did win a small wager with R'gier. Dead certain he was that K'ran would
find a way t'be squirming out of the K-name again. So I heard the happy
news from him."

Sirrah stays apart from the others, pacing about the cavern and murmuring
to herself in an almost scolding fashion, footfalls soft for her heavy
build, eyes dancing about in quiet contemplation as she listens to the
voices behind and around her.

As Lorany turns to join the conversation, the top page of her seemingly
long letter flutters to the floor. A Southern Weyr location can be made
out, and the ceal of a green weyrling. Two words are distinct in the
light.. "...Searching lookalike..." not much else. Lorany tries to catch
the flying hide, but its gone under a nearby table. She's out of her chair
and searching on the floor. "Shards!"

Kiveira squints cross-eyed at Kassima, and makes a tentative raspberry
noise in the direction of C'row. Her indoctrination is clearly going well.
"I refused to let K'ran finagle out of the K-name. Some destinies just
cannot be avoided." She nibbles the candy, grins, and nods in agreement
with Kassi. "Good stuff. Is this how you lure people in, Rolan?" Lorany's
compliment widens the grin further, and she displays Kiveira to all and
sundry, even grumpy Amelyssan and pacing Sirrah. "She hasn't progressed to
spitting up on people yet, some come and coo while you're safe. More news
from Lina, Lorany?"

Sirrah eyes Lorany quietly with a mix of surprise and bemusement walking
over, wondering if she could be of help. "'Scuse me ma'am, but I was
wonder'in iffin I could help you?"

Rolan nods, "Oh yes, , what better way? And then of course I put the candy
supplies way in the back of the camp."

Lorany glances up, hide still somewhere beneath the table. "Oh hello," she
says, surprised. "It's Lorany, as my rank is about next to nothing... and
if you can see where that sharding hide went you'll be the sort of help
that makes a person's night. My cousin writing... you're right," she adds,
addressing Kichevio as she glances up, "and so was I. She /is/ annoyed. She
expects me off to Ista or something... which I'll not be doing."

Kassima chortles--though whether it's at the baby's raspberry or the more
successful raspberry C'row himself gives her in response to this prompting
is hard to say. "Good on you, Kich. She'll be the luckier for it. A'course,
she's lucky already, t'have been born so bonny... another eighth." Click,
click go the marks; tap, tap go the cards. "C'row, be a sport and fish the
lass's hide from under the table, would you?" After a surprised blink
downwards, the bronzerider agreeably leans down to scrabble for the item in
question, reaching to offer it over once he's snared it.

Sirrah had dropped near to Lorany to help before the bronze creature had
deftly found it. She eyed him a moment out of curiosity then stood slowly
and returned the space between herself and the others.

Lorany offers a smile to first Sirra, then the bronzerider holding her
skittering hide. "Thank you," she addresses them both, "for saving ,e
crawling all over the cavern floor." Yep, that's a genuine smile. Walking
back to her seat, she's heard to mutter, "...learn to *between*, /you/ look
for him."

Kichevio is clearly making mental notes. "Candy supply in back of Sebring
camp. That'll be useful to know in case I'm ever over in that direction."
Cue innocent smile. She allows Kiveira one more raspberry, this one much
more impressive after C'row's demonstration, then resettles the baby on her
lap and starts rocking. "Go back to sleep," she urges softly, "or the
nursery workers will rise up in revolt and make me keep you overnight. Why
does she want you to go to _Ista_, Lorany? Faranth, if she's at Southern,
_she's_ closer to Ista than you are."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "'Bronze creature.' That euphemism for
'bronzerider' has some appeal. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio grins. It depends on the bronzerider in question. ;)

Sirrah eyes them all a moment then gives a nod, muttering more to herself.
"Aye well time tis to be off, 'gain, back to th' roads...aye...fine night
for travelling, I'll be on my way now, nice meeting you fine folk, thank
thee all for the company an' warmth." She began to babble needlessly while
pacing away only to dive down the nearest tunnel.

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

Telgar Weyr> S'dar smirks.

"No problem," C'row answers Lorany, amiably enough, and settles back into
his seat to watch the duel of cards. Amelyssan eyes the pot in the center
of the table before growling, "Call it." She lays her cards on the table:
two threes, two twelves. Kassima smiles beatifically as she displays a hand
consisting of two eights, two fours, and a Harper. "Full Hold! Thankee
kindly, Wingmates mine; I can buy a stuffed dragon for the bairn with
this...." Pause. She stops mid-motion in scooping in the marks to ask,
bemused, "Did someone scare that lass who just left? Haven't seen anyone
move that fast for the exit in awhile."

Lorany hmmms as Sirra leaves. "Was she wearing a Ruathan knot? Odd I never
met her... oh, Ista," she adds, hearing Kichevio's question. "She can't
*between* yet as she's still a younger weyrling, and since I'm in the
north... I found out her mystery bronzerider had a transfer and told her,
now she's expecting me to go there... she can do /that/ herself. I like
Telgar too well to leave it now."

Kichevio clearly doesn't blame Lorany. "Stay through summer and fall," she
advises, "then make a break for Ista when winter hits. I may come with you.
A Ruathan knot? I was distracted and didn't see...she was talking to
someone, or to herself. Or maybe she had a fire-lizard. If I scared her, it
was unintentional." Perhaps it was the cross-eyed face Kiveira's practicing
that did it.

Kassima suggests, with another fond look for the baby, "Mayhaps 'twas the
fierce little one who did it. That bodes well for her potential. Might've
boded better if'n it had been a man she'd scared, but everyone has t'start
somewhere... hey, where are you guys going? Nay going t'play another hand?"
Amelyssan and Miryenne just roll their eyes as they excuse themselves, and
C'row grins before departing for the glories of the food table. "Bloody
hell," the greenrider grumps. "'Twas on a streak, too. Ah, well. Can't say
I noted the lass's knot. Too young for me t'have known anyway, I should
think, unless she'd have been hanging about the last time I made a run for
lemon bread."

Kichevio inquires innocently of Kassima, "Last sevenday?"

Lorany looks up as the greenrider's companions depart. "Any objections to a
wanderer dropping into that game? I'm not the gambling one in the family,
but Lina's got /some/ influence on me..."

Kassima gives Kichevio a rather confused look. "Longer than that. More like
two months, a bit over. I love lemon bread, but I'm nay flying *straight*
t'Ruatha t'be getting it." She flashes Lorany a wry grin then. "I for one
would have nay objections, but it looks as if'n the others might nay be so
game." V'dan, who remains at the table but who's returned to his
long-abandoned plate of food rather than to cards, explains through a
mouthful of food, "No mowe mawfs." Charming fellow.

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

Kichevio is duly corrected. "I think there's another greenrider selling
lemon bread on the black market, then. Avvi's supplier came through for her
last sevenday, and I assumed it was you, but..." She doesn't generally keep
up with the trafficking of lemon bread. She determinedly looks away from
the card table. "I won a couple of marks over Kiki. They will stay my
marks, at least till the next Hatching."

Lorany smiles at the mention of hatchings. "I just remembered... I /will/
get to Ista sooner than Lina will... when is their clutch going to break
shell, do you think?"

"Huh. *Could* be V'dan." Kassima slants an exaggeratedly suspicious look
towards the other greenrider, but he's startled by the allegation and
shakes his head vigorously. "He's been a doll about taking side trips
t'bring me some," she explains. "I didn't know anyone else particularly
cared for it. The Istan clutch? Nay for a few more months, I should think.
'Twasn't able t'make the clutching. Are you going t'be hitting the Hatching?"

Lorany hmmms. "I'd like to," she answers, "and if Lina's *betweenable* she
might try making it as well. Then she can search for her own mystery
bronzerider." Yes indeed, Lorany's laughing.

[Editor's Note:  Okay, the knot conversation that follows has
nothing to do with the RP, but it entertained me and so I'm
leaving it in. ;) ]

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Boy George continues to scare me, no matter how
many times I see him on I Love the 80s Strikes Back."

Telgar Weyr> Lanisa giggles :)

"Since Kiralee has informed me that she will be attending the Hatching come
Fall fog or fire, just in case one of the hatchlings needs to climb up into
the stands and find her, I think I'll be attending too. With a leash."
Kichevio doesn't seem too upset by the thought. "She'll certainly find
enough mystery bronzeriders. People come out of the woodwork for a
Hatching. How far along are Lina and Kirienth? The clutch shouldn't be
hatching until mid-autumn at least..."

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio has gotten to the stage where I yell at the screen,
"I really _do_ want to hurt you, now please stop singing!"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Have you seen his outfit in this, Kich? Words
just sort of fail. I have nothing particularly for or against his music,
but I'm avidly opposed to this outfit."

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio will turn on VH1 and check.

Lorany hmmms and looks thoughtful. "Kirienth is about nine months old now I
believe, nearing ten. they've another eight to graduation, not sure they'll
make it. to the hatching that is, I'm /sure/ she'll do fine in training.
People come out of the woodwork for hatchings? I've not yet been to one...
maybe I'll be able to quit this blasted search sooner than i thought."

Kassima comments, "If'n I can make it by then, 'twill probably try; 'tis
depending. I'm trying nay t'count on having much time for *aught* after the
babe's born." Pushing her chair back from the table, she manages to get out
of her chair with some effort, the better to make her own sojourn to the
food table. "Almost everyone tries t'make a Hatching if'n they can. 'Tis as
good a place t'catch a rider as any I could think of, at least."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "They might be done with him for this episode,
but he should be on the next hour again. He's on every episode, in a
costume so scary I'd be tempted to use it for a ProddyDesc if it didn't
require being bald."

Telgar Weyr> Schmitt says, "Sexies."

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio says, "Surely it can be tweaked."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Normally I'd be tempted, but in this case no.
Trust me. You'll understand why if you see it."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "The baldness is definitely required."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Oh, oh, oh. But quick, change channels anyway!
This PSA is... uh... interesting."

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio is fearing the Singing Pills.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Yes! Those are so wrong!"

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "What's more scary is that this is his everyday
get-up. He keeps showing up on things the past month or so and it's always
at...that."

Lorany hmmms. "It'll be my first... looking forward to it if I can catch a
ride over. How many are in this clutch?"

Kichevio finishes her last mouthful of pullcandy and offers to Lorany, "If
you're around on the Hatching day, just hitch a ride with Saulith and I.
Then if you see this mysterious bronzerider, Saulith can bespeak his dragon
and we can expedite things. And I can witness it and be ground zero for the
gossip."

Lorany blushes slightly at that idea. "That might get sticky... me talking
to him, not catching a ride... which I'll gladly do, and thank you for the
offer. I'll watch for you. It's Lina looking for him, and I barely know her
reasons. She claims its for his daughters, but I'm not so sure..." She
shoots a dark-threaded look at Pierron, who mutters something about "designs."

"Haven't the faintest offhand," Kassi confesses. Experimentally, she pokes
at the bowl of rivergrains with a fork. "I probably have it written down
somewhere, but I'm nay as up on Istan clutches as I am on our own; haven't
seen the eggs yet in person." Pause. "Eggs. Hey, is this an omelet? This
*is* an omelet! Who made omelets at this hour?" Not that the query keeps
her from cutting a piece of the giant omelet to add to her plate. "Anyway,
it should be a fairly good clutch. Plenty of Benden blood in the current
Istan line."

Lorany laughs softly at the omlet idea. "Wasn't me, I'm a sharding /awful/
cook, be wary if they ever turn me toward the kitchens. Hmm... I wonder..."
She glances down at her sheaf of hides again, as though that would give her
some insight.

Kichevio tries to picture Istan draconic genealogies in her mind, and gets
only the start of a pounding headache. "Okay, the dam is Omfaleth, I think,
but does she have Benden connections? And I don't even know the sire." She
makes a face down at Kiveira, who raspberries back delightedly. "You're
keeping me from my research, you realize. Cruel child."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "There! There he is!"

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio says, "Dreadlocks on white guys are just generally bad."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Yes yes, but did you see the bald outfit?"

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio must have just missed it.

"At the moment, I'm nay sure I'd care so long as I could pour berry jam
over whatever you made," Kassima cheerfully reassures, or tries, "but
'twill keep it in mind for later. What d'you think you'd end up doing, if'n
you stay for long?" Ah, but Kichevio's query requires her attention now.
She closes her eyes and begins to recite. "Omfaleth out of Neith by Gelth;
Gelth out of Neith by Habrith; Habrith out of Neith by Kailyth; Neith and
Kailyth out of Isadith by Rodrith; Rodrith originally of Benden and out of
our own Leilanth and Laerth. Isadith out of Zaerith by Valenth; Zaerith,
originally of Benden, out of our Tiamanth by Kedranth; Valenth out of
Iriniath by Pyreth; Iriniath, originally of Benden, out of Jeniath by Kath,
and Pyreth was a Weyrleader at Benden once, so you could essentially count
Omfaleth as pure Benden. Bromith, now, he has other blood, being from High
Reaches. I'm nay as firm on their genealogies. I'd have t'check m'notes."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "It'll be on again. It's worse than the
dreadlocks, so much worse. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "You realize those are just paint? :)"

Telgar Weyr> Yashira coughs. Good white guys with dreads: the twins, Matrix
Reloaded.

Lorany looks more than slightly impressed at that. "Shells, how do you know
all those? If my memory were so fine-tuned... speaking of dragons," she
adds, "that leads into what'd I'd like to do, if possible. I am planning on
staying at Telgar, since I've no home in the south while the rest of my
seaholding crew is down there. But this /is/ a Weyr... I take it
dragonhealers are always needed?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Ooh, I've not seen that."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima liked the dreads on the guy in PlaneScape: Torment.
But I confess that's just twisted.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio says, "Well. Good in the sense on
"Ohdearlord_duck_Trinity!!!" But very cool, yes. :)"

Kichevio has her eyes half-closed, following the twists, turns, and
graftings of that family tree. "Eventually, it makes sense," she murmurs.
"A 'Reachian-Ista pair with Benden background should lead to an interesting
clutch..." Her voice trails off as she does a Kiki-check, and notes that
the baby is fast asleep and drooling slightly. "I'm going to take her
around to the creche," she says softly, standing with utmost care and
tiptoeing out. "See you later--and do check in with the dragonhealers,
Lorany."

Lorany smiles as the little one is looked at once again. "Awww," escapes
her softly. I'll do that Weyrsecond, if they need me. And if you ever need
a nanny for her," she adds, "don't hesitate to ask. What's not to like
about little ones..." musingly the sentence ends.

Kassima considers a leftover stuffed pepper, and grabs it to add it to her
plate. Omelet, stuffed pepper, rivergrains, and a slab of sourdough bread;
it's at least an interesting meal. "Good memory," she admits to Lorany once
she's lowered herself into her seat, "and practice, and research. 'Tis
useful for m'wagering, and I like t'know who's related t'Lysseth. Valenth's
her sire, so Omfaleth's her great-great-great-great-grandniece or something
like that. Are you a trained Dragonhealer? Or is it training you'd be
looking for? There's some Benden blood in the 'Reaches too, Kich! But nay
as much. Nay entirely sure whether Bromith has any, but 'twould *think*
so... any rate, it bodes well for the clutch's quality." Because in Kassi's
world, Benden blood determines all. Yep. "Sweet dreams t'you both," she
murmurs, with a last smile for the baby. "She's a beauty, Kich."

Kichevio accepts all compliments with a wide smile as she slips out.

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

Lorany hmmms, waving as Weyrsecond and kiddo depart. "It would be training
I were after," she answers, "since I've not been around enough dragons to
learn much about them. I suspect its the healer streak in me..."

Kassima gives a momentary suspicious look. "You've a Healer streak? You
don't *look* evil... well, but then 'twould be Kindre you'd be wanting
t'talk to. I honestly haven't the faintest whether or nay she's in the
market for more students right now. Seems likely though that she'd take you
on, if'n you'd be willing t'apply yourself and all that."

Lorany blinks at the mention of evil healers. "How's that?... oh, indeed."
Small giggle. "Hmmm, I'll look into that, thank you. I figure since I'm no
longer welcome in my family's seahold and Lina already rides, I'd do best
by healing dragons and lizards."

"Healers are evil incarnate," Kassima helpfully explains as she attempts to
spear a bite of omelet. "They stick cold metal devices where they're nay
meant t'go, and nag you about drinking *milk* and eating *vegetables*; and
when you're feeling even slightly under the weather, 'tis all poke this and
prod that and pour foul concoctions down your throat. *Or* try and smother
you with rose petals. D'*you* have an interest in dragons and fire-lizards?
There's nay need t'tend to 'em just because you have family who rides, if'n
you don't mind m'saying so. You should do something that suits you, and do
it for yourself."

Lorany smiles, humor glittering in twilight blue eyes as the description of
healers reaches her. "And yet they save lives," she answers softly, "and
begin them... there I go with children again. Dragons, lizards, children...
there's definitely *something* in me, couldn't tell you what it is yet. I
thought about Healer Hall once, but a weyr suits me, or seems to. I'd be
perfectly happy working with dragons... everyone at home was scared to
*between* of them... all except Lina, and look where that got her. As for
lizards, they're just endearing."

Kassima's voice is ruefully amused: "You'll have t'be begging m'pardon if'n
I give the credit for *beginning* lives with mothers and fathers sooner
than with Healers. I'm thankful for their help whenever they attend the
birth of one of m'children, but I'm nay about t'give them the credit. You
don't have t'be a Healer t'save lives, either... but 'tis the easiest
profession in which t'do so. 'Twill grant that. Just wish some of 'em could
be less obnoxious about it. That's as good a reason as any for going for
Dragonhealing, though, if'n it does please you. I hope Kindre has room
t'take you on."

Lorany glances down at her hides again, chuckling. "That," she murmurs,
amusement coloring her voice, "I'll take your word on. Shells Lina, tell me
you don't mean..." muttermuttermuttermutter. Back into her letter she goes.