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Two!  Four!  Six!  Eight!  Whom Do We Impersonate?


Date:  July 18, 1997
Place:  Benden Weyr's Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  As enjoyable as all the first-day events were, this one
was undeniably my favorite, because of all the humor that went along
with it. :)  If only some of the targets had been there to see themselves
lampooned--that's the only thing that could've made it more perfect.  (I
would kill, par exemple, to see how J'lor would've reacted to... well,
you'll see for yourself. ;)

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The Log:

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

Kassima returns, and settles as quietly as she can back into her seat. 
"Garwim's got your name down, Kelt, so go ahead and pick out whatever you 
want--there're fire-lizard eggs, too, if'n memory serves."

R'val grins at Meli, sipping at his klah, "Sounds like a larf."

"Fire-lizard eggs?" Kelt echoes with a laugh. "As if three don't already 
keep me busy enough. Thank you, though, Kassima. I'll look forward to 
stopping by there before I leave."

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Ok, you bendenites hiding elsewhere, come on down 
to the LC and watch this impersonation contest! You might see yourself 
portrayed, or get a chance to spoof someone else! :)"

K'tyn hands glasses out and frowns thoughtfully. "Forgot to do something 
earlier! Be back,...very soon."

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

Kassima snorts, "Y'don't know busy until you've fifty and nine of the 
creatures, Harper. Did I miss hearing the rules of the contest, Meli?"

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "And if you don't, I'll just have to crawl into a 
corner and cry :)"

Dathon smiles, having heard of the pains of feeding even one.

Meli shakes her head at Kassi, waving her hands a bit for quiet. "Neh, 
jus' about t'start, Kassi."

Benden Weyr> Aphrael ohdears. :)

Aphrael walks in from the bowl.

Aphrael strides into the room, stifling a huge yawn as she smiles. "Good 
evening, all." She greets, making her way over towards the skyfire table.

"Ok, hmm, here's how we'll do this, ok?" Meli starts, pausing briefly to 
nod to Aph. "Each person'll take turns, an' will get a chance t'act like 
their target, say something like them, but not tell us who t'is. We'll try 
t'guess, once they've had a chance t'do a few moments' worth. Judging'll 
be on how well y'capture th'person, an' how funny y'are."

Mirala walks in from the bowl.

Rolan walks in from the bowl.

Aphrael tosses her gloves, jacket, and a few scrolls down onto the table 
in front of her, tilting her head slightly as she grins over towards Meli. 
"Impersonation contest?" She murmers, more to herself than anyone else. 
Pouring herself some wine, she settles into her seat, chuckling. "This 
should be fun."

R'val wiggles his fingers at Aph, "Indeed! So many targets to choose from, 
too."

Rolan says "impresions? i do a great impresion"

Mirala smiles at the room, walking in, while pulling her brother behind 
her. She edges her way to a seat and glances about.

Meli quirks a grin. "Ok, who'd like t'take th'plunge first, eh? An' you 
c'n do more'n one, if y'like, jus' not all at once."

Kassima laughs, leaning back in her chair again, enough to make it tilt--
though not, thank Faranth, enough to jar her kilt out of place. The weight 
of the baby in her lap probably helps. "This, I've got t'see."

Aphrael grimaces faintly at R'val, rolling her eyes. "Just as long as one 
of those 'targest' isn't me!" She jokes, taking a sip from her glass.

Kelset lets out a laugh and nods, tossing a bright grin and a wave to 
Mirala and Rolan as he spots them, gesturing to a seat near him. He looks 
back to Meli, smiling. "I'm willing to go, if no one else cares to."

R'val winks a dark eye at Aphrael, 'Would I do such a thing, Aphrael?"

Rolan says "i will i will!"

Rolan bounces around

"We have a volunteer!" Meli crows, giving a half-bow and a wave of her 
hand as if to give Kelt the stage.

Aphrael snorts at R'val. "Not if you value your life, bluerider," She 
responds with a far amount of amusement.

Cavin walks in from the bowl.

Dathon just watches.

R'val wiggles his eyebrows at Aph impishly.

Cavin steps in from the bowl, glancing about at all the people present, 
and finding a seat.

Aphrael rolls her eyes at R'val as she turns to watch Kelset, absently 
tapping her wine glass.

Asrai walks in from the bowl.

Mirala turns her head, and beams at the Master Harper, quickly heading 
over to sit down by him. "Heyla, darling." She blinks at bit at Rolan. 
"Rol-an, /please/."

K'nan walks in from the bowl.

"Ready when you are, Master," Meli calls, retaking her seat.

Rolan says "aw..."

Kelset strides out into the spot surrendered by Meli and places his hands 
on his hips, looking extremely speculative. "An' what might ye' all be 
staring at? Likely as naught 'tis me, I wager. I may s'well put one o' 
m'prized knives through any o' you, s'long as ye continue to pester me 
about the facts and truths in Benden's water." Kelset does all he can not 
to laugh, his accent butchered, but his scowl still maintained.

Aphrael giggles and calls out, "Kassi! Has t'be Kassima!"

Meli giggles, then covers her mouth and coughs.

R'val snorts softly, coughing up klah. He gasps, through his painful 
throes, 'Shardin'..easy one, Kelset!"

Asrai walks into the living cavern with K'nan right behind ehr. Looking 
around she finds her other friends and heads in thier direction. Seeing 
the impression she also covers the gigle that bursts forth from her lips.

Kelset's scowl now hovers near complete collapse as he returns, "Easy, 
mayhaps, but not well done, I guarantee," with a wink.

Kassima waves over to Asrai and K'nan, settling back to watch Kelt's 
show... and blinks, then blinks again. "Oh, nay, it can't be me--I'm nay 
*that* bad when I'm proddy, am I? Surely nay?" She glances about hopefully 
for confirmation of this, but just sees people either laughing or giving 
her disbelieving looks.

Asrai asks as she draws near, "Who said he was doing you when you were 
proddy, Kassi?"

R'val blinks at Kassima, "Proddy? Kassi, you're that bad normally."

Rolan says "i do a great impression of Benden hold's messanger"

Meli manages to straighten her face slightly. "Ah, well, not th'most... 
subtle, but definitely funny!" she says to Kelt, with a wink. "Who's 
next?" she starts to say, then just burst out laughing at Asrai's comment.

K'nan follows Asrai over towards the others..chuckling to himself as he 
hears the last of the impersonation.

Aphrael shakes her head, giggling as she claps gleefully. Glancing over 
she spots Asrai and K'nan, expression fading slightly, but smile still 
there as she waves over towards them. She grins at Kassi, shrugging, 
"Well.. you can't exactly see yourself, Kassi.. mayhaps I should get an 
artist to take a sketch, next time." Does she value her life that much, 
though?

Kelset laughs, tilting his head with a grin. "Subtle's not /exactly/ what 
I was aiming for. But thanks," he says, heading to a seat.

Meli smiles at Rolan. 'Go ahead, then, lad, neh?"

"I do *nay* scowl normally," Kassi replies, wrinkling her nose good-
naturedly. "Since when have any of you seen me do so, or been threatened 
with m'knives? Save mayhaps Mart... but *he* doesn't count, for Faranth's 
sake. That's for a good cause!"

Cavin watches the action with an ever-widening grin.

Rolan says "acctually /i/ think i do several people bwell, but thats 
definately my best...."

Mirala covers her mouth with a hand, to siftle a giggle, as she watched 
Kelset 'perform'. She grins at him as he sits back down, shaking her head, 
and chuckles.

Kassima grins at Aph. "Oh, but I've a sketch indeed--or have did you nay 
see the painting up on m'weyr wall while 'twere living there?"

Asrai grabs a mug of her tisane before plopping down in a clear spot near 
the others. She looks over to K'nan and bekens him to sit down. She then 
leans close to Aph and Kassi and whispers, "Too bad we can't do K'nan...
when Lysseth wuffled his kilt." She then smiles sweetly at the 
aforementioned Greenrider, innocent as can be.

Aphrael gulps down a mouthful of wine, watching Rolan as she ohs in 
surprise at Kassi. "I thought that's how you normally were?" She asks, 
all innocence.

Kassima eyes K'nan suddenly, noting that he is *not* in a kilt. "K'nan, is 
our deal forfeit?" she asks sweetly.

K'nan slides into the offered chair, though he looks uneasy at the number 
of people and all the talk. At Kassi's query, he blinks up..he'd totally 
forgot, too many things on his mind recently..."Aw, Jays Kassi, ye canna 
hold me t'that!"

Aidoann sips of her drink quietly, watching the people.

Rolan says "anyway..." wanders infront of everyone "Can i do more then 
one?"

Asrai looks over her shoulder, then back, "No one even noticed that I wore 
mine today." she then turns back to the 'show' with a grin.

Meli says "One now, Rolan, an' then more later, after others've had their 
turn, neh?"

Dathon watches Rolan quietly.

Kassima flutters her eyelashes at K'nan. "Oh, can't I, now? I'm certain 
that the song I intend to write about your streaking shall soon be 
renowned throughout the Weyr... unless, that is," she amends, "you wear 
the kilt tomorrow. And those tight black leggings Siani favored to the 
*next* Gather." She's certainly bedecked in her kilt, and up close, it can 
be noticed that Kaylira wears a tiny kilt as well. She silences, then, 
turning her attention to the fore.

Carolyna swings open the bright green door and heads out into the 
apartment.

Aphrael peers down and tugs at her riding clothes. "If I'd realised there 
was a gather on, I'd have gone and maybe got some new gather clothes," She 
comments, with a rueful grin as she watches Rolan.

Carolyna grins as she waves to the rider who dropped her off.

Rolan says "well then, i want to do one especially for mirala," starts 
wringing his hands together, looks upset and blinks a lot. "Oh Mirala. As 
Benden's Baker you must give me a report on the nut harvest....It would be 
absoulutely horrible to throw pern into a continant wide nut shortage, oh 
me oh my, dear me..."

K'nan lets out a quiet sigh, "Alright, alright..aye, Kassi, I will. 
Heartless woman."

Mirala blinks as her brother walks to the front, and chuckles ruefully, 
burying her face in her hand. "Oh, no..." She peeks through her fingers at 
Rolan, looking quite certain as to who might be the intended person. She 
bites her lip as he starts, then bursts out laughing. "Oh!"

Kassima grins ruefully at K'nan. "Nay anyone's ever accused me of having a 
heart, mentor mine. A bargain struck, then!" She holds out her hand to 
shake on it, while watching Rolan's impersonation with some puzzlement.

R'val chuckles softly, "I have no idea who that impression is of!"

Benoc walks in from the kitchen.

Salless dusts off the mantlepiece over the night hearth.

Asrai giggles at Rolan's impression, then smiles over at Kassi and her 
little kilted babe. Turning back her attention, her thoughts seem lost as 
she thinks. you can almost smell the smoke burning from the effort.

K'nan shakes Kassima's hand glumly..then blinks at the latest impression.

Meli smiles, watching Rolan and Mirala. "Someone f'th'Hold, maybe?"

Mirala shakes her head, laughing, and lifts her brows at the room. "What, 
doesn't the fine Master Lathen ever visit the Weyr?"

Teelis enters from the Bowl.

Carolyna waves to her friend....

Kassima laughs, "Nay and ever complain of a nut-shortage! The time he was 
here, 'twas talking about some disaster with the yeast."

Rolan giggles and claps for mirala "was it good sis?"

Meli laughs. "Master Lathen! I think I met him once," she says through a 
grin. "Nicely done, Rolan. Who's next, eh?"

R'val smiles, "I'm familiar with him, but I've never seen him about the 
weyr. Or at least, not in ages."

Teelis grins at the nanny who brings her over, she goes over to give Rolan 
a hug, the nanny watches the people and the child carefully.

Asrai leans towards K'nan, She mutters to K'nan, "I... great... your..." 

Kassima hrms, glancing around the room. "Well... I could do one. But the 
person I have in mind would like as nay kill me."

R'val chortles, "Come Kassi, where's your sense of adventure? Go for it!"

Mirala grins at her brother. "Yes, I think that was a perfect Lathen... 
but you didn't hear it from /me/, mind you." She winks.

K'nan chuckles softly. He mutters to Asrai, "... ne'er seen me in my 
kilt,..." 

Aidoann quietly slips out, obviously uncomfortable in large crowds.

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

Kelset stands up, abruptly noticing the time and mumbles a quick apology 
to Mirala, giving her a quick kiss before standing up, pulling on his 
coat. "Well, I'll be headed back to the Hall, I'm afraid. A splendid 
Games, everyone."

R'val grins readily, "Good eve, Kelset."

Meli smiles. "Thanks again, Master!"

Asrai chuckles and blushes softly, She mutters to K'nan, "... Maybe... 
what... have... you own... one." 

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

Kelset beams smiles back to R'val and Meli, saying, "Thank you both, and 
take care!"

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

K'nan mutters to Asrai.

Mirala smiles up at her betrothed, waving, and stands up. "Oh, you have to 
leave already? Well, I'll walk you out..." She grins at Rolan, then 
Carolyna and Teelis, notcing them, and follows after the Harper.

Rolan says "is there a prize or is this just for fun"

Asrai smiles ever so sweetly at K'nan.

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

Meli then turns to her friend, the irrepressible Kassi. "You were goin' 
t'do one, neh?"

K'nan drops his face into his hands and groans softly. "Why me?"

Tierla walks in from the bowl.

Tierla steps quietly into the cavern, looking for someone.

Asrai giggles softly, her eyes dancing, "Why K'nan, whatever is wrong?" 
she gives a knowing smile before turning to Kassi, "Are you going to do 
one next Kassi?"

Kassima chuckles, and nods. "All right, all right...." She passes Kaylira 
over to Miryenne, and rummages around in her pocket for something. It 
looks to be a white cloth something. She ties a knot in the two ends, and 
slips it around her neck before putting her arm through--voila! A sling! 
She limps up to the front of the room, grumbling all the while. "Shardin' 
weyrlin's, they're nae worth wha' it takes t'train em...." She turns to 
salute Meli stiffly, "Yes, m'am! Jes' as soon as I find out who the shells 
it was who painted my dragon yellow--now, I doan' know why he ever chose 
me in the first place, but I'll nay have 'im embarrassed 'cause of it."

Asrai calls out, "Sionelle!"

K'nan looks up from his hands and grins brightly, calling out, "Saer!"

R'val chortles dryly, "That's Saer, allrighty."

Asrai looks at K'nan, "You mean they are /both/ that bad?"

R'val hrms, "It's debatable, Asrai, as to who is worse, Saer or 
Sionelle...."

Aphrael laughs and giggles. "That's S'riv, alright!"

Meli laughs again, applauding heartily. "Ah, such a talented bunch!"

Tierla hears a familiar voice and straightens her shoulders, adopting a 
pleasant air. With a deep breath, she plunges into the crowd, searching 
for one small girl amid the taller people here.

Kassima glares at Asrai, though she can't put much force behind it as 
she's hard-put not to laugh. "Doan' ye be comparin' me to that 
Weyrlinmaster, now! She be tellin' me to salute back to them weyrlin's, 
but she caen't *make* me do it...." She then grins, and removes the sling 
from her arm. "Like I said, he'd kill me if'n he knew... so nay anyone 
enlighten him, hmmm?"

R'val chortles, "He'd not kill you Kassi, his bark's worse than his bite. 
Trust one who's known him many Turns. Anyway, I'd like to do one now." He 
says, rising from his seat.

Asrai giggles, covering her mouth with one hand. She looks about to speak 
when R'val does, so she falls quiet.

K'nan grins brightly, "Saer's great..he's jus' depressed sometimes. Argues 
a'lot, but he's a wonderful guy - though he'd ne'er admit it."

Revim enters from the Bowl.

Meli says, tongue in her cheek, "Oh, a'course, Kassi, we'll not say 
at'all, yeh?" she replies, looking full well as if she'll use that first 
chance she gets. "Next?" she asks. "Asrai, y'want t'do one?"

Kassima sits back down, and wrinkles her nose. "Aye, but he might ma'am me 
for the rest of m'days... nay that he doesn't do that *anyway*."

R'val glances at Asrai, "Hmm? Oh! Are you next, or am I?"

Asrai shakes her head, "Oh no, R'val fist please...he just better not take 
mine." she says with a grin.

R'val winks at Asrai, "I can't read minds, Asrai, but I'll do my best not 
to.' He straightens his gather tunic, and grins at the assembled, "Y'all 
ready?"

Meli chuckles, waving R'val towards the 'stage'.

Aphrael leans back in her chair, watching with interest as R'val does his 
impersonation.

K'nan folds his hands under his chin and grins..watching with 
anticipation.

Cavin waves a greeting to Revim.

R'val walks towards the stage, already assuming his persona. He begins to 
walk a bit oddly, drifting about the room, towards the klah pot, into a 
drudge (smack!) and then he flops into a seat, looking about him with a 
dazed, impish gaze. His head bobs back and forth in a strangely nod-like 
gesture. Not /quite/ a nod though, as he's obviously not responding to 
anyone, "Fear." He murmurs, "Anyone seen any of Flirk's klah around? I've 
been trying to find some for ages and ages."

R'val strokes his chin as he speaks, down his vest, as if he's stroking a 
long, slender...beard.

Latiar walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Revim wanders in, gripping his cane tightly, and giving a slight nod to 
his fellow Harper.

Aphrael bursts into helpless laughter. "J'l.." The rest of that is lost 
in giggles of laughter.

Kassima looks puzzled for the first part of the impersonation, but as 
R'val strokes his chin, she snaps her fingers and points. "J'lor! That's 
got t'be J'lor!"

Meli snorfs, sitting down suddenly.

Asrai giggles.

R'val turns his head solemnly towards Aphrael. He's definitely not 
nodding. He's...noggling. He nogs at Kassima and solemnly pronounces, 
"Oyes. Fear my foo."

Latiar smiles softly as he wanders in from the lower caverns. He smiles 
slightly, his gaze shifting quickly about the Cavern before he schuckles 
and settles down into a nearby chair.

R'val pats his Pantleg too. Mustn't forget the pants.

K'nan breaks into helpless laughter, face dropping back into his hands 
again.

Revim turns to watch the spectacle, arching one eyebrow.

Kassima starts laughing, nearly losing her balance in her tilted-back 
chair. "But where's your berry broo, J'lor?"

Teelis giggles at the funny grown-up

Cavin raises his eyebrows dubiously.

Meli collects herself, calling out "R'val's impression o'J'lor, ladies 
and gents!"

R'val onos, "Did I forget it? FEAR!"

Benden Weyr> Kassima nearly gets Dew all over her monitor. Thanks, 
R'val. :)

Asrai just shakes her head as she giggles softly.

R'val stands and leaves the stage area, grinning broadly, "Been wantin' to 
do THAT for ages. Did I do him properly?" He asks, sitting back where he 
left his klah mug.

Revim moves over to Cavin's side, shaking his head. "If people guessed 
correctly..."

Kassima laughs, "I'm nay certain there's a *proper* way t'do J'lor, but... 
if'n there was, methinks 'twas it!"

"Ohhh, yes," a normally quiet brownrider calls from the back.

R'val grins at Kassima and the brownrider, quite pleased, "Good! I thought 
I had his mannerisms down right. I'm pleased to see that I did!"

K'nan still hasn't stopped laughing quietly.

Aphrael coughs a bit and recovers her breath, grinning over to R'val, "I 
think you did a fair impersonation, Uri."

Cavin shrugs, looking just as lost. "I guess." He gestures to the chair 
next to him. "Have a seat?"

R'val winks at Aphrael, pleased, "Good. Now that I'm glad to hear."

Meli continues to chuckle. "M'sorry those o'you who don't know our fine 
J'lor can't appreciate how well tha' was done, but we hope y'enjoy 
y'selves anyway." Smiling fit to burst, she cocks a brow at Asrai.

Revim inclines his head to Cavin, gratefully dropping into the chair, and 
leaning his cane against the nearby table. "Sometimes I wonder why I come 
to these." He brushes absently at his jacket and tunic. "Perhaps only for 
good Benden wine."

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

K'nan finally recovers..wiping tears of laughter from his eyes as he 
chuckles.

Carolyna grins and offers to do one.

Aphrael reaches over towards the wine jug, refilling her glass as she 
smiles over to Asrai. "You going next?" She asks the other bluerider.

Kassima calls over to Asrai, "Asrai, weren't you going t'do one next?"

Meli catches Carolyna's eye, nodding to her. "You'll be next, after Asrai, 
neh?"

R'val grins at K'nan, "I guess you liked it, huh?"

Latiar smiles and stands slowly, moving over to procure a mug of klah 
before returning to his seat.

Cavin chuckles. "I always find them fun.. usually there're some 
interesting things to buy, too." He shrugs.

Revim idly flicks his gaze from rider to rider, and rolls his eyes.

Carolyna nods to Meli.

Asrai looks around a little nervously, but then stands. She takes a deep 
breath, smoothing out her kilt as she walks to the cleared area. Getting 
to the front she has a little talk with herself to gather her nerve...
then nods to Meli to show that she's ready. Suddenly her face changes into 
a tight scowl. she walks with purposeful steps back to one of the tables, 
wiping her finger across its surface. Looking down at her finger she tsks 
and glars at Meli, whom just happen to be nearby, as if it is her fault. 
She then walks away, her boots clicking purposefully on the floor. She is 
about to walk past a portion of the wall when she stops suddenly and turns 
to look at it more closely. Huffing a bit she points at the wall and turns 
to look out at the others. "Who did this?! There is cheese on /my/ 
cavern's wall and I want to know /who/ did it! Was it you?!" She points to 
Kassi, "Or you?!" She levels her finger and glare on aph. "Well, no one 
will rest until I find out the truth!" she storms back to her seat and 
plops down angrily, "Wine! I need wine!"

C'vadan walks in from the bowl.

C'vadan storms in cursing to himself.

K'nan bursts out into helpless laughter..thoug he doesn't recognize the 
impression, it's funny anyway..

R'val blinks at Asrai, baffled.

Kassima bursts out laughing, and this time very nearly *does* fall out of 
her chair--but the helpful F'rosti grabs hold before she can spill self 
and baby all across the floor. "Felinar!" she howls.

Meli blanches as Asrai walks by, so apt is her portrayal. "Ah!" she 
chortles, as the bluerider finishes.

Aphrael blinks a little in surprise as Asrai glares at her, bursting into 
helpless laughter moments later. "Salless? Or Felinar?"

Cavin watches the brownrider storm in, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Sheena walks in from the bowl.

Latiar smirks and chuckles softly to himself at Asrai's impression.

Asrai grins, pushing her hair back behind one ear, once more herself, 
"Kassi's got it."

Sheena walks in looking around the room as if she is looking for someone. 
Her eyes brighten as she spys a small child. She walks over to her.

Meli claps again, still smiling. "Ah, such talent in th'room!" she calls, 
inclining her head in Asrai's direction before turning towards Carolyna.

Merla walks in from the bowl.

Salless smiles conspiratorially at Merla.

Kassima wheezes, wiping her eyes as she tries--without much success--to 
gain control of herself. "Oh, dear Faranth, Asrai... that was almost *too* 
accurate!" Looking towards the door, she sees her future indentured 
servant walk in and waves cheerfully enough to him. She's still chortling 
to herself, so it's no wonder that she hasn't noticed that he seems to be 
in a bit of a temper.

K'nan shakes his head in amusement..grinning over at Asrai as she heads 
back. "That was beautiful.."

R'val laughs, "A perfectly accurate impersonation."

Salless nods at C'vadan as he orders something.

Salless unlocks the wine cabinet to pour C'vadan a single goblet of Benden 
White.

Merla smiles to Salless as she comes in. She slips off her spectcles, 
slipping them into a shiny new spectacle case, and tucking the case into 
her riding belt.

Asrai blushes but grins, "I'm glad people liked it...even if only Kassi 
knew who it was from the start. but then, she was there for the 'cheese 
incident'."

Carolyna moves to the fore.... She spots a young man in the front and 
whispers for him to do a few things.....

C'vadan downs his wine quickly, trying to figure out what is going on.

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

Meli smiles again at Carolyna and her young man, taking a seat for a 
moment and collecting a new mug of juice.

She also asks another girl to do something else. The Boy practically 
doubles over with laughter but nods. "You may have to be from Benden Hold 
for this one." She nods to the boy to start. He asks for something and 
then asks a small question too low to be heard. Carolyna looks shocked 
for a moment and shakes her head no and the boy hands it back. The other 
girl comes in and starts talking to the boy and Carolyna practically 
breaks out in tears asking, "Doesn't he still like me?"

Meli watches with some interest, finding the scene amusing even if she 
can't place the person it portrays.

Melissa enters form outside, singing softly and looking around, she stops 
as she sees everyone.

Sheena watches Lyna and goes to her to comfort her. She lays her arm 
around the child as if to protect her.

Carolyna then approaches someone who's complaining about their food and 
gets all upset and jumps on his case about it.

Melissa gazes around the room, but remains near the exit to the lower 
caverns.

Asrai tilts her head ot the side with a smile, not knowing anyone from 
Benden Hold. "Seems like the actions of a headwoman or something," she 
says quietly to K'nan next to her.

Sheena blinks as she realizes the girl is acting and steps away to better 
view her antics.

R'val squints, regarding the girl thoughtfully.

K'nan shakes his head slightly..and murmurs to Asrai, "I havena been back 
t'Benden in turns..no idea."

"Anyone f'th'Hold care t'guess?" Meli calls out, as Carolyna finishes.

Kassima chuckles, shaking her head. "Nay anyone I know," she admits. Over 
to Meli, she calls, "I've had another idea, once everyone's had a chance 
to do one of theirs...."

C'vadan grunts. "Sounds like Rolan."

Carolyna grins, "Not Rolan...."

Meli quirks a brow at Cav, then turns back to Carolyna. "Nicely done, c'n 
you tell us who it was?" she asks with a smile.

Carolyna grins, "I'll let Sheena guess as well but if she can't..... then 
I'll tell."

Sheena quietly guesses "Lara?"

Carolyna laughs.... "My sister's nothing like Lara.... Her name's Hana."

Melissa coughs lightly, clearly uncomforatable ina room full of strangers 
she moves back a few steps.

Carolyna adds.... "Rolan's betrothed...."

Meli smiles. "Great! Thanks, who's next?"

C'vadan snorts. "I figured it had to do with Rolan somehow."

Asrai raises her hand after a moment, "I have another one...although, I 
will need Kassi and Aph to help me.

Meli nods to Asrai. "Go ahead, then," she replies, happy to stay seated 
now that things are rolling.

Aphrael raises an eyebrow in surprise, but obligingly stands and follows 
Asrai after setting her wineglass aside.

Rolan walks in from the bowl.

Asrai stands and motions the two other women up to the cleared area with 
her, gathering them close to whisper in their ears.

Rolan walks in and looks at C'vadan.

Carolyna grins at Rolan.

Carolyna starts laughing hard.

Aphrael giggles and nods to Asrai, standing back slightly and sharing a 
grin with Kassi.

Sheena glances over at Rolan and nods a greeting his way. She then turns 
to watch the next impression.

Kassima goes up willingly enough with Asrai, grinning broadly as she hears 
what her friend has in mind... and drawing a knife. Uh-oh.

K'nan watches Asrai and the others step up..and grins faintly, waiting.

Asrai takes her place off to the side.

Melissa sighs, but waves slightly at Rolan..

Meli starts to laugh, guessing where this is going already.

Aphrael draws her own beltknife, grinning wickedly before she settles into 
her 'character', growling over at Kassi with knife extended slightly 
towards the greenrider.

Aidoann walks in from the bowl.

Asrai tries not to start giggling as she waits for her part.

Melissa makes her way out, adjusting her pack.

Salless nods at C'vadan as he orders something.

Kassima feints with her knife, close enough that the chime of metal 
against metal can be heard as she 'parries' Aph's blow. She snarls, 
looking eerily like... well, like herself, but her proddy self.

R'val raises his eyebrows, watching the two.

Salless humms as she roots through the kitchen, preparing C'vadan's 
Kassima's Favorite Brand of Benden Water. Finally, she returns, and gives 
it to him, saying "Sorry that took so long. I had to make it from 
scratch."

Aphrael circles around, swinging her knife forward towards Kassima, eyes 
slitted as she growls under her breath and blocks the other rider's knife.

Meli watches the two both with interest and some wariness, hoping the 
play-acting doesn't get out of hand. Asrai she also watches, waiting for 
her to join the tableau.

Benden Weyr> Kassima aaaaaaaaaaacks at Cav!

Asrai comes rushing in from the side, her hands held up by the side of her 
head as if she is holding something. Her eyes dart around the room until 
they lock on the 'fighting pair. Coming up behind each she swings her 
'object' at their heads. As the imaginary object makes contact with its 
targets, Asrai says in a loud voice, "*BONG* *BONG*" As they fall to the 
ground, Asrai nods once, blowing on her imaginary object, "And stay down. 
There is to be no fighting in /my/ kitchen."

Benden Weyr> C'vadan heehees :)

Carolyna turns to head home.....

C'vadan can't help but smile.

B'rin walks in from the bowl.

Rhythana walks in from the bowl.

Meli absolutely bursts out laughing, literally falling off the bench to 
land in an ungainly heap on the floor.

Kassima collapses, groaning, on the floor, gazing dazedly up at Asrai. 
"Did anyone see the size of the frying pan that hit me?" she moans, before 
her eyes roll back in her head and she 'faints.'

Aphrael manages a startled "Oof!" before she 'falls' underneath the 
object, collapsing to the ground.

Tinya walks in from the bowl.

Meli lies in a laughing heap on the floor, not too far from the end of the 
scene that left Kassi and Aph also on the floor, beneath Asrai's stern 
gaze.

R'val bursts out laughing as he recognizes the event being re-enacted. 
His expression goes through several mercurial changes as Tinya enters: 
joy at the initial sight of her, anger as he remembers, and then sorrow as 
he sits back down: He was going to hug her, but no. He turns away from her 
without a greeting.

Rolan says "A ferrit fighting a redfruit!"

B'rin strides in from the bowl, arm-in-arm with Rhythana, and his eyebrows 
arch as he surveys the scene before him. "Frying pan? No, no, Kassima, I 
didn't."

Rhythana looks vaguely puzzled, but offers a warm enough smile in 
greeting, murmuring something about Igen's duty.

Tinya steps in with a grin, calling, "Heyla!" cheerfully to the Bendenites 
in the cavern. She liberates a glass of Benden red from the tray of a 
passing kitchen helper, sips it, sighs with exagerated content, and 
announces, "I'm home! If only for the moment, anyway. Anyone miss me?"

Kassima gets to her feet and resheathes her knife, grinning. "That was a 
good one, Asrai," she approves. Looking over the laughing heap that is 
Meli, she implores, "Can I do just one more? Really quickly? Pretty 
please? I have the most *perfect* idea...."

R'val glances at Tinya, forcing himself to smile, "I did, Tinya. It's been 
too long."

C'vadan blinks. "Tinya!" he says, waiting for R'val to greet her first.

Meli waves a hand at Kassi, unable to catch enough breath to say 'yes.'

Aphrael giggles as she picks herself up off the floor, dusting off her 
tunic, before she spots the entering bluerider. "Tinya? Hi!" She calls 
brightly, beaming as she moves back away from the stage area.

Kassima then waves over to Tinya, B'rin, and Rhythana, grinning widely at 
the first of the three. "A'course, Tinya! Need you even ask? We've been 
without those marvelous wines all through your absence!" She winks, then 
absolutely *beams* at Meli. "Great! You won't be sorry--at least, I hope 
nay...."

B'rin smirks wryly at his taller weyrmate. "D'ya really think they heard 
you?" He murmurs, and then takes a deep breath, to bellow out, "IGEN'S 
DUTIES!"

Tinya somehow appears not to have noticed R'val's greeting; odd, for he 
spoke audibly enough. C'vadan, by contrast, gets a brilliant smile, as 
does Aphrael. "Cav, Aph.... Heyla, Kassi! You're thin again! Was it a boy 
or a girl?"

Rolan yawns

R'val blinks in surprise at the bellow, and smiles at B'rin, "Benden's 
duties right back at you."

Rhythana turns her head, and just *blinks* at B'rin. After a few moments 
of looking at him as if he'd grown a second head, she blushes. A -lot-.

Kassima calls over to Tinya, "A girl, Kaylira!" and gestures over to the 
baby that F'rosti is holding onto for her before swinging into her 
lampoon/impersonation.

B'rin's yell obviously helps Meli regain her composure, as she rises and 
dusts herself off. "Berin!" she calls over, "Haven't seen y'in... Turns!"

C'vadan looks over at the Igen rider and shakes his head. "Healthy lungs, 
B'rin."

Aphrael turns to peer back over towards Kassi, wincing at B'rin's yell. 
"We're not all deaf," She remarks wryly as she adds, "Benden's duties to 
Igen."

Kassima steps up to the 'stage', and folds her arms, regarding the room 
in general with a half-amused, half-pitying expression. "I just don't know 
what to do with you," she says, trying to make her voice sound stern and 
failing miserably. "Maybe if you had a weyrmate, you'd find a better use 
for your time than trying to stab knives at riders' anatomies and 
challenging me to all these silly games. Of course I win them all--it just 
takes skill. But if you *want* to throw your marks away... I just don't 
trust you not to stab me in the nose with that pin, Kassi!" She backs a 
couple of steps away, though, and then pantomimes seeing something out of 
her eye. "Ah-hah!" she cries. "The Water!" She races up to a jug of it, 
grabbing it carefully and beaming. "I can take this back to my weyrmate. 
Yes, yes, she knows what I'm doing... and believe me, she's *very* pleased 
about it." Kassi winks meaningfully at her audience, then suddenly alters 
her expression to one of muddle-headed confusion. She wanders up to Aph 
and says, petulantly, "Meli sang with me once, but she won't sing with me 
any more. But you're pretty. Will *you* sing with me?" She toddles on over 
to a table, and slumps into a seat, burying her head in a mug of something 
or other that was lying there. "No one will sing with me," she whines.

B'rin inclines his head solemnly to R'val, though his eyes sparkle with 
mirth. "B'rin," he gently corrects, though with a smile, now. "Just 
checkin'..."

C'vadan approaches Tinya. "Are you back for good?" he asks.

R'val regards Kassi with a blink.

Rhythana rolls her eyes, breaking into a faint grin. "Think -his- lungs 
are good, y'ought to hear his son's," she remarks quietly.

C'vadan glances at Kassima. "That would be M'rgan," he says drolly.

R'val grins at Rhythana, 'I'm in doubt as to whether I'd /want/ to."

Meli just grins. "Mart" she says clearly.

Aphrael coughs and giggles. "Mart?" She guesses, laughing.

B'rin smirks at R'val. "Ah, he's not so bad, if you're used to him." His 
free hand gestures to the tall woman at his side. "My weyrmate, Rhythana. 
This is R'val, rider of blue Vidarth."

R'val smiles readily at B'rin and his weyrmate, "A pleasure to see you 
both, and to meet you Rhythana."

Kassima looks up, and grins. "'Twould be the brownie, aye. Though I doubt 
I've done him justice; mayhaps if'n I'd dressed in a blue gown and jewelry 
and imitated snoozing in the 'Springs... ah, well."

Meli applauds Kassi's latest go, then glances about the cavern. "Anyone 
else? Hmm?"

Rhythana inclines her head slightly, smiling in return. "Well met, R'val."

Aphrael waves Tinya over to where she sits with the others, grinning. "How 
are you liking Telgar, Tinya?" She questions, softly. "Myself, it was 
nice.. but here's home." She grins lightly.

Tinya simply must be in an expansive mood, for she actually approaches the 
baby, grinning at it approvingly. Not _too_ close an approach; that'd be 
too much to ask for, but she does get close enough for a good look before 
she pronounces it, "Cute." She turns to C'vadan, shaking her head. "'Fraid 
not; Telgar's still demanding my invaluable services." This is said with a 
lofty arrogance, but swiftly followed with a giggle that takes the 
cockiness out of it, and a self-deprecating, "Really, they _are_ finding 
me useful. I'm helping with their latest crop of weyrlings, but maybe when 
they're trained up they'll be ready to let me go. I _do_ miss you guys."

C'vadan nods to Tinya. "It is good to see you, though."

R'val regards Tinya a bit sorrowfully as she ignores him, looking her up 
and down to see any changes.

Seeing everyone ready for other activities, Meli finishes off by calling 
out "Thanks t'everyone who participated... an' I don' know as I'll be able 
t'judge fairly. P'rhaps we c'n all agree tha' everyone did very well?"

C'vadan raises his hand. "I have one, Meli."

Rhythana turns her head, leaning close to her weyrmate. She mutters to 
B'rin, "... bunch, aren't they?" 

Meli nods at Cav. "Ah, wait, one more..." she says, giving him the 
'stage'.

B'rin only grins, before murmuring in return to his weyrmate.

Tinya runs her hand through her now-short hair as she drops into a seat 
next to Aphrael. "As you say," she agrees with the other bluerider, 
"They're nice, but it isn't home. I'll be grateful to get back."

C'vadan approaches Meli and whispers something.

Rhythana laughs softly, slipping her arm around her weyrmate's shoulders. 
"Aye," is her only comment.

Aphrael chuckles over to Tinya. "Trust me, we can't wait to have you back, 
either! S'good to hear you're doing well, though," She murmers, glancing 
over towards Cav curiously.

R'val grins at B'rin, 'So how's Orith doing?"

Kassima nods agreement, "Oh, aye! And nay just because of the liquor, 
Tinya," she adds with a grin. "'Twill be good t'have you back at home. 
Why, you've missed a whole rash of spawnings!"

Asrai makes her way back to her seat with a smile, ploping down onto the 
bench with a grin.

B'rin seems about to say something to Rhythana, but pauses, turning 
slightly back toward R'val, though he does glance outside once. "He's... 
doing as well as ever. Seven Turns old and arrogant as ever." He chuckles 
here. "But sometimes with good reason."

"Soon's Cav's done, we'll head out f'the rope drills, which is th'next 
event," Meli calls to the assembled crowd. "I hope ev'ryone'll want t'try 
their hand."

R'val chuckles under his breath, "Some things never change, including 
dragons."

Rhythana arches an eyebrow, smiling faintly at B'rin. "Only sometimes, 
though."

C'vadan grins as he moves away from Meli. "Okay, just a moment please."

Tinya sips her wine and then flashes an impudent grin at Kassi. "Oh, 
good.... I mean," and she assumes an air of mock horror, "Oh, NO! You know 
how much I _love_ little children!"

R'val grins at Rhythana, 'So how long have you and B'rin here been 
together, hmm?"

Rhythana glances at her left hand, then at the bluerider addressing her 
with a rathe smug smile. "A little over two turns, now."

B'rin hmphs at Rhythana, but then smiles proudly. "Two Turns, and I've 
never regretted it." He winks to the Benden bluerider, and then pulls 
Rhythana into his arms to kiss her soundly.

Kassima snorts at Tinya, laughing. "I'll have you know, you're fooling nay 
anyone," she advises. "But they're nay so bad! Nay that I'd go around 
drinking the Water again any time soon--Kay's only five months old, after 
all--but they're nay precisely the plague incarnate. Nay *quite*." She 
winks, wrinkling her nose back at the bluerider before turning to see what 
Cav's up to.

R'val chortles, "Good. I do so like to see a trusting, strong bond that 
isn't broken by, say, unfounded rumors." He shoots a pointed glance at 
Tinya.

Asrai smiles over at Tinya and gives her a wave as she sips her tisane. 
She then settles in comfortably, glad not to be the center of attention 
any more...even if it was only for a short while.

Rhythana mmphs, and smacks B'rin's shoulder lightly, pulling back from him 
to give him a mock glare. "BeHAVE, brownrider," she reprimands. The 
reprimand probably isn't terribly effective though, as it's accompanied by 
a wide grin.

R'val chortles at the obviously loving couple, "Say, B'rin, are you going 
to participate in the rope drill we'll be doing shortly?"

C'vadan grabs a towel from Salless and wraps it around his waist. He then 
musses up his hair. Looking about, he smiles and jumps up onto one of the 
tables. "Now hear this! Women will now remain unclothed after all flights! 
Men will remained clothed at all times. Got it?" He fluffs up the towel. 
"You like my kilt? I think everyone will be wearing them. Well, except for 
the women, since they won't be wearing anything." He pretends to hear 
someone yell something and winces. "Shards! Jehrina! I'd better hide 
before she sees me." He jumps off the table and looks about frantically. 
He heads for Tinya. "You'll help me hide, won't you? No one understands 
me." That said he bows.

R'val squints at C'vadan, "Who on /earth/ could that be...J'cob?"

B'rin tsks. "But what's the fun in behaving!" He then looks back to R'val. 
"Rope drill? Oh, nonono. I /like/ these clothes." One arm secures about 
Rhythana's waist, and he brushes at the fabric of his jacket with the free 
hand.

Asrai giggles, "No, it's K'tyn." she says loud enough to be heard.

R'val snaps his fingers, "Of course, K'tyn!" He grins, then turns to 
B'rin, "Ah! Too finely dressed for a rope drill indeed."

Meli nods at Asrai, grinning at Cav. "Nicely done!"

Kassima is not holding Kaylira at the moment, so fortunately spills no one 
except herself across the floor when she tips back out of her chair, 
nearly howling with laughter. "C'vadan! In the name of the Egg, I don't 
believe it!"

Aphrael bursts out laughing at Cav. "That's got to be Kiat!"

Rhythana rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "Hopeless," she mutters, then 
nods. "Aye, because -I'll- have to listen to his griping afterwards!"

C'vadan smiles and hands the towel, nicely folded, back to Salless.

Barbs are so much more effective if you actually know they've landed. 
Tinya doesn't give any clue that she even _heard_ what R'val said, much 
less that she felt it might be applicable to her. Not, that is, unless you 
know her _very_ well and were watching _very_ closely, for the tiniest 
tightening at the jawline, the faintest rise in color.

C'vadan returns to sit next to Tinya.

Meli rises back to her feet, applauding loudly. "Cheers for all our 
performers!"

Aphrael grins and claps loudly at Meli's words. "Hear hear!"

Asrai brings her hands together in a round of aplause.

B'rin shakes his head slightly, as he doesn't quite get the impressions, 
though he might recognize some names. He gives a little shrug, and 
inquires of his weyrmate, "Want something to drink?"

Rhythana considers this for a moment, then nods. "Whatever you're getting 
yourself, please."

Tinya blinks in faint surprise at C'vadan, not having _really_ paid 
attention to the impression contest till just now, then bursts into 
laughter and applause. "Perfect!" she congratulates the brownrider as he 
returns to his seat.

C'vadan smiles back at the bluerider. "Thank you."

Kassima manages, through her wheezes of laughter, "Aye! Aye!" She's still 
sprawled half on the floor, and half tangled-up with her fallen chair, but 
doesn't seem to be able to stop laughing long enough to get up.

Portock enters from the Bowl.

Salless rubs her arthritic fingers and smiles as the weyrhealer enters.

R'val spots Portock entering and waves towards him cheerfully, "Ah, 
Portock! G'devening!"

Jazmin walks here from the Inner Cavern.

C'vadan mutters to Tinya, "... going to... were... here... to..."

R'val grins even more broadly as Jazmin enters, "Jazmin, hey!"

B'rin gestures to two empty seats, releasing Rhythana from his one-armed 
hold, to move to the side and procure for himself a bottle of Benden 
White, and he reads the label carefully. A few more minutes are spent 
rummaging for clean glasses, and he finally heads back over, pouring first 
for his weyrmate, and handing the glass over to her.

Portock notices his friend's wave and returns one in kind, "R'val, good 
evening to yah."

Meli grins again, turning to Cav. "Fittin' tha' you should be last, since 
you're up next, so t'speak, w'the drills."

R'val grins at Portock, 'How goes?"

Asrai leans over to help Kassi back up into her seat. As she straightens 
she sees the healer...and seems to remeber a meeting she has yet to keep. 
Blanching slightly she makes herself real small.

Jazmin waves to R'val and various other riders as she weaves her way 
towards the klah pot.

Rhythana twines her fingers around the proferred glass, having settled in 
a seat. "Thank you." She pats the chair next to her, smiling at B'rin.

C'vadan waves to Jazmin as he talks with Tinya.

Portock makes his way to the klah pot and turns to R'val, "It goes, that 
is for sure. Busier than some days, had one of the cavern boys break his 
leg and split his head open running through and unlit tunnle this 
morning."

Kassima manages to climb to her feet with Asrai's help, smoothing her 
kilt. "Oh, Kiat would've died to see that," she chuckles, shaking her 
head. "Is it nigh time for the drills, then?"

B'rin flashes a brief smile to Jazmin, to see if she even recognizes him, 
before sitting beside Rhythana. "Oh, you're welcome," he murmurs, while 
pouring for himself.

R'val grimaces, "Shards, that's nasty, Portock."

C'vadan sighs and stands. "Guess we got to go do that, eh?"

Portock nods, "Yah, but he will live, a bit wiser for it too I imagine. 
How goes it with you?"

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