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Jeweled Tones


Date:  June 10, 2003
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Lake Shore and Central Bowl
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:  More Weyrlings!  First K'vin comes in on Kassi and 
Zaidra's discussion of their new mentees, giving Zai a chance to 
chat briefly with hers; then the two riders visit with another 
group of riders-in-training, and Kassi has an opportunity to talk
(again briefly) with her own.  The conversation with Javinia that
follows is somewhat less brief, and a great deal more gemstone-
intensive.  Who knew all that watching of QVC's Gem Week specials
on the part of me-the-player would ever come in handy in RP? ;)

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The Log:

Ymedath flies in from above.

Ymedath lands at water's edge, or ice's edge really. There's a slight
crunching sound when his feet make contact with land. Zai dismounts rather
quickly, waving to the form on the boulder, even as Ymedath's offering a
polite-but-cautious croon of greeting.

Zaidra uses the riding straps to vault from her position astride Ymedath,
landing lightly on her feet, then giving him a friendly pat.

In her black cloak, Kassi's certainly readily visible against the white of
the snowscape--not as much so as Lysseth perhaps, who's not only dark but
fricking enormous besides, but it'll do. She has ice skates strapped to her
boots, but she's perched on a boulder for now, singing something softly to
her son; nursing him, to judge by the hold, but the cloak helps make such
things discreet. And, rather more importantly, warm. "G'day, Zai," the
rider greets, glancing up with a quick smile. Lysseth meanwhile affords
Ymedath a salutational rumble that's cordial enough. "What brings you down
here? Don't tell me he's making you bathe him in ice-waters like a 'Ling
dragon?"

Zaidra pulls her jacket tighter around her, burying her chin in fur. "Not
if it meant the end of all Thread, would you catch me wading in that, even
to bathe himself," she's serious, though there's a hint of humor in the
statement, to warm the tone. "Yme and I've been assigned as mentors to
K'vin and Cendath, and we thought to catch them at the end of their lesson,
and you know me, I hate to interrupt." She cocks her head, thinking a
moment. "You're mentoring also, no?"

"Fortunate you. Riane was telling me the other night that Yrinth wants to
bathe in it, sometimes--I count m'self blessed that Lysseth's less of a
sadist. Who'd have thought it, the lady *less* of a sadist than someone?"
The lady in question harumphs. Loudly. Kassima, though, just lets her eyes
drift back to her son for a moment, then returns them to Zai. There's humor
in them too; they sparkle a brighter green for it. "Aye, we are--Gay and
Liabeth this time. An interesting choice on I'sai's part. I wanted t'see
her, too, but...." She can't gesture towards the Bowl with her arms full,
so she settles for tilting her head in that direction instead. "I thought I
might be intruding, at least until 'twere finished. Think you they'll come
this way after, or to the warmer if'n more odiferous Barracks?" After a
moment, she adds, "I haven't seen much of K'vin and Cendath, yet. I'd like
to. He looked quite the fine blue at the Hatching."

K'vin heads over from the central bowl.

Cendath lumbers in from the central bowl.

Zaidra is about to answer a question from Kassima, when at least one
weyrling does, in fact, arrive. "I'd say it's likely," she laughs, waving,
but not greeting til they're closer. She does step near enough to peer at
the baby without getting so close she's encroaching on privacy. "He's so
adorable," is her murmured observation. "And I'm horrible. The present I
had is /still/ wrapped in cloth in my weyr."

K'vin walks over from the central bowl with Cen close behind. Spotting
Zaidra and Kassima he waves and allows Cendath to go a bit closer to the
lake shore.

Kassima agrees, grinning, "Speak of the wherry indeed!" She's holding
Kaswyn in close to her, so has no arms for waving, but her head-bobble of
greeting is emphatic enough to perhaps be seen at a distance. Carefully,
she draws her son away from her, so Zai can better see; he must've been
nearly full anyway, since he doesn't protest much. She shifts her hold on
him to a one-armed one, to free the other hand for adjusting her blouse
beneath the cloak. "I certes think he's lovely," she murmurs back, "but I'm
as biased as they come. He's going t'be such a bonny, strong lad. I know
this." For now, though, she flips her cloak back away from one
shoulder--which already has a cloth draped over it--to burp him. He can be
bonny and strong and dignified later. "G'deve, K'vin, Cendath," she raises
her voice to call over after this. "I hear 'twere just in a lesson? How
went it?"

Kassima adds afterwards, with a flickered grin meant to reassure, "Don't be
worrying about presents, Zai--shells, I'm just touched that you'd think of
us at all."

K'vin walks over closer to Kassima and Zaidra and nods, "Oh, yes! We got to
actually ride! Well, O.K., so it was only a couple of steps forward, then
turn around and come back, but thats the first step, right?" His eyes
sparkle with the thought of what he and Cen just did.

Zaidra smiles to Kassima, in acknowledgement, and turns to hear K'vin's
response, though she's not above teasing, "Are your ears burning? We were
just wondering if weyrlings would come out to play." Her tone's merry.
Across the sand, near the icy water, Ymedath's peering at Cendath. It's a
long while coming, but he finally offers the youngling blue a soft whuffle
of greeting.

Kassima nods in affirmation, expression at once entertained and pleased by
K'vin's enthusiasm. "Just the first step, but an important step," she
answers, "and 'twill be more t'come soon enough. How's he feeling after it?
Though mayhaps I should be leaving these questions t'your mentor, here--"
Her tone's turned rather teasing. "Since 'tis more rightly her place!" From
her place on the bank, not far from her rider and her rider's offspring,
Lysseth takes a turn at giving Cendath a moment of scrutiny, but there's
not much hesitation before her brief, polite rumble.

K'vin reaches up to touch his ears, "Uh, No, in fact they aren't even hot!"
He grins impishly at Zaidra's comment and looks over at Cendath, "now
behave yourself Cendath, and be polite too!" Cendath looks back and gives a
warble with a shake of his head that seems to say, as if I would do
anything but!

K'vin he calls to Cendath, "come on, we need to get back to the barracks.

Cendath warbles sadly but turns around and heads back with his rider.

Cendath lumbers in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the
shimmering lake.

K'vin heads in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering lake.

Kassima laughs under her breath as the blue pair departs. "Never much time
for dallying, I suppose...." Considering her boots, she carefully bends
enough to begin untying the skates from them. "Methinks I'm for checking on
the others, if'n there are any left milling about out there. What of you?
Mayhaps Meri's still about; she could tell you how your hasty mentee did,
though I'm guessing it must have been well."

Zaidra nods, "I'd say your assumption's right, and it can't hurt to stroll
through. If no one's around, well, it's in the same direction as klah." She
tilts her head to regard Ymedath, then shakes it, evidently amused by a
stray thought. "I'm hoping our next conversation will be a bit longer, but
I know I was /always/ dashing off, when I was in his position."

"Klah." Kassi gives a shudder. "None for me, thankee; hot cider, now--"
Sliding down from the boulder, she follows Zaidra's look towards Ymedath
with a puzzled glance of her own, but doesn't ask outright. Instead she
occupies with making sure Kaswyn's secure in his sling, and stuffing the
abused burping cloth into a convenient pocket. "Mayhaps if'n you find him
in the Barracks while he's making his first straps?" she offers with a wry
grin as she starts Bowl-wards. "I don't know many 'Lings who manage t'dash
through *that* task in a hurry."

You head in the direction of the central bowl, leaving the shimmering lake.

Telgar Weyr> L'han has a new favorite saying. Or would, if he were cruel:
"I like cats, too. Let's exchange recipes."

Telgar Weyr> Yashira heehees.

Zaidra heads into the central bowl area from the lake shore to the north.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima sticks to her own favorite: "Life is like a box of
dragons. Sometimes, when you reach in a hand, all you pull back is a stump."

Telgar Weyr> L'han LOL

"I live to make for him to make me suffer.." Is Meri's sigh, stopping her
scritching of Alerith's eyeridges. The brown rumbles in protest, looking
his best to look innocent and incapable of encouraging -any- flirting. "You
do.." Meri addresses the brown, eyebrow raised "..did you think it was -me-
flying Saulith? Or Veyath for that matter?" She sighs once more, giving Gay
a glum look "Get used to bathing. Some things -never- change."

Telgar Weyr> Gay says, "Sounds about right."

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "Shouldn't I be able to hear people in the Central
Bowl? Are you all down there whispering about me??"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "From the sky, no, I don't think you can see
poses in the Bowl. :)"

Telgar Weyr> Merielan nods "We always talk about you L'han--how big and
strong you are--what a big dragon you've got ;)"

Kichevio sighs again. One of those sighs that only bad roamnce heroines can
generally pull off. "Hauled out into the snow again for nothing. The
tragedy of it." Sad music should be playing. "Oh well, we'll lurk anyway.
Hery, bathing is good and should be encouraged. Especially among that group
of three adolescent boys who spend half their time wrestling with their
dragons by the mud hole." She grins at Gay and Liabeth both, admiring the
bright little gold. "I doubt she ever looks less than her best, anyway.
Evening, Kassi!"

Telgar Weyr> Nimiriel says, "And how fetching you look in pink."

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio snickers loudly. :)

Telgar Weyr> L'han and Maireth circle overhead, taking their own sweet time
in deciding who to squash first.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio sticks with her current Buffy quote of the moment. "I
didn't jump to conclusions--I took a small step, and there conclusions
were." ;)

Merielan pats the brown head hovering near her, and nods to all around.
"I'm afraid we must go however--I've some hidework to do...and then you
need to be oiled." This last is directed towards Alerith, as the two head
off towards the barracks--where apparently hidework awaits.

Kassima meanders in from the Lake at a leisurely pace, the better to
continue her conversation with Zaidra; she has Kaswyn with her, in his
sling, though since she's wearing her red-trimmed black cloak it half looks
more like she's somehow pregnant again already. "Oh, good, there *are*
still people. I thought everyone might've retreated to somewhere warmer by
now," the greenrider turns her head to quip as she nears the others,
lifting one hand to wiggle its fingers in greeting to the group. "G'day,
Meri, Kich, Gay, Alerith, Saulith, Liabeth, everyone--oh, and g'deve, Meri.
Clear skies and all that, or clear hides, whichever."

Merielan walks through the entrance into the Weyrling Barracks.

Alerith enters through the big entrance into the Weyrling Barracks.

Maireth backwings for a landing.

"Well, it could be worse. She could be making me over, like Dianneth is to
Yselle." Gay tucks her hair behind her ears, smiling at little at Kichevio.
"Oh, she liked -that-..." She trails off to salute Zaidra and Kichevio,
then Merielan as she leaves. "Wingleader. Weyrsecond - Evening," she says,
with a quick grin. Liabeth rumbles her own greeting, softly.

"Perhaps they knew we were on our way?" Zai teases Kassi as she wanders
along with her. Everyone's offered a smile, and a warm, "Hello,all," though
she manages to aim part of that 'hello' toward Merielan's back. Ah well.
Then, "Making over?" Zai wonders.

Kichevio chuckles, hiding most of it in a gloved hand. "What's she done to
Ys now, aside from the haircut? Prettying up her work clothes?" Saulith
rumbles back to Liabeth, friendly-like, then chirps as Maireth lands and
whips her tail away from being squished. "No, Kassi, I'm being forced into
getting fresh air--at least now there are people to talk with while I'm
getting it. How's Kaswyn?" She sneaks a peek at the swaddled lump.

Maireth missed Saulith, eh? So he lands on....Kimbrith! Cause she's always
in his way. STOMPSTOMPSTOMP. Okay. It's really just the very tip of her
tail, and an accident, and it startles him so badly he squawks and lunges
to get out of reach. Which sets L'han to squawling, too.

Kassima blinks wide eyes at Zaidra, affecting uncomprehension: "But Zai,
if'n they knew... wouldn't they have *run*?" She can't keep up the
guileless expression for long, and lets it break into a grin as she looks
back towards the others. "What, is Dianneth doing more than the hair now? I
heard about that, but I'm nigh afraid t'be asking about aught else." She
inclines her head in a nod back to Liabeth as she says this. Rather
ruefully, she also lifts a hand in a brisk salute back. "Don't suppose
you're allowed t'forget the titling at least with me now? Probably nay.
Bother. Ach, Kich, fresh air is such a *cruel* punishment. I truly pity
you. Just fed and drowsy, I'm hoping--" Kaswyn's reaction to being peeked
at is to blow a spit bubble. "Or at least content. For the moment. He won't
start screaming until I'm ready t'sleep, see. Hey there, Maireth, L'han."

L'han climbs down Maireth's side to the ground, the dragon's sparkling eyes
watching closely.

L'han swings on down before he gets whiplash. Besides, his voice goes
hoarse after too much squawling. "EE - *cough* - ahh. Evening. Ladies." He
smoothes down his hair and such in some misplaced attempt to look presentable.

Zaidra doesn't wave to L'han as much as she greets him with a sort of
warding-off gesture. Though, at least she accompanies that with a grin,
which softens a bit. "You okay, L'han?" she wonders, her tone cautious as
well as concerned. Back to Kassi though she's deciding, "They'd never have
run. Walked very briskly, perhaps, but..." she lets it trail off.

Gay turns to stare at Maireth's landing for a moment, blinking, before
turning back to the others. She explains to Zaidra, "Making her look
better. So she'll have lots of admirers." Then to Kich and Kassi both, "Oh,
there's a few things. She does like to go on about it too - Dianneth, that
is. I kind of like her, though. I know Liabeth does." As the baby's
unwrapped a little, she looks over curiously, stepping out of the circle of
Liabeth's tail to get closer. "Can I see him too?"

Javinia comes out of the weyrling barracks.

"We would have ambled very casually," Kichevio assures Zaidra and Kassi.
"You'd never have guessed that our intention was to flee." She smiles
graciously at L'han--never hurts to be polite to red-headed madmen--and
continues her study of Kaswyn, undeterred by the spit-bubble. "Dianneth
_is_ likeable. But then, they all are. I haven't met a dragon yet with a
repellent personality. Prickly and gruff, yes--" Grinning at Kassi. "--but
not repellent at all. Evening, Javi!"

L'han startles, looking down, and around..a few steps in a circle as he
tries to see his own back. "Okay? What? What's wrong? Do I not look okay?
Is there a sign on my back? Shardling Weyrlings. You know you can't stop
for one moment in tthose barracks. The slightest pause and you're marked
for.." Oh thank the Egg for distractions, "Javinia! Hi!"

Zaidra shakes her head, at L'han, opening her mouth to answer him then
closing it, and looking sharply toward the lake. "Excuse me," she asks.
"Yme's calling. Probably wants to show me his very most favorite pattern of
cracks in the ice." She sighs, and moves away, though she lingers near that
redheaded madman long enough to whisper, "Made you look," as she passes.

Zaidra heads in the direction of the shimmering lake, leaving the central
bowl area of the Weyr.

Kassima rubs at her chin as though in thought. "Because running isn't
dignified," she wonders, "or because they don't realize how terribly
perilous we are? Mayhaps they think they can handle the peril." Just a
little of the peril! She smiles, bright and broad, at this further
curiosity about her son, and shrugs her cloak back so that she can lift him
from his sling to hold snug in his arms, the better for viewing. He kicks
and wriggles some beneath the blankets, clearly not sure he likes this
transition. A few wisps of thin, curling black hair have escaped from under
his crocheted cap. "A'course you may. If'n there's one thing I can be
counted on t'do, 'tis t'show him off. Is Liabeth attracting the admirers
already? And what are these 'few things'? Ah." Kichevio gets a solemn nod.
It's a shame the gleaming eyes don't match. "So that 'twould nay be
*acting* like prey. I see. Hey, now, are you insinuating that m'green lady
might be *prickly*? Surely you jest. L'han, how the shells are you standing
t'wear a *kilt* in this weather?"

Javinia pulls a knit cap down over her dark waves as she steps out into the
bowl. She pauses at sight of the small grouping then dimples up and salutes
Kichevio--"Heyla!"--and Kassima. Brows slanting, she eyes L'han's kilt. The
salute she has for the red-haired brown rider is a little more dubious.
"Heyla, Wingsecond." Gay gets a nod and a little grin, and she lifts her
chin to catch a peek of Kassima's son.

Gay seems a little bemused, yet fascinated by L'han. She spares a sidelong
glance towards him, catching Javinia's exit as she does. "Javi!" she calls,
with a smile, before glancing between the greenriders. "Gruff and prickly,
hm? And I've noticed that none of them are too scary or anything. Thought
that they might be." She peers down at Kaswyn, making all the 'cute baby'
noises. "Hey, there. You look like you might be grouchy." Back to Kassi,
"He's adorable. And I don't know that she does yet, other than me. And the
few things - Well. Best to let Ys explain it at some point."

L'han is whiplashed after all, what with turning in a circle then spying
his mentee then twisting to watch Zaidra escape and finally darting a look
down to his knees. "What? The kilt?" Apparently he thinks this could well
be a set-up, too. No, he really is wearing a kilt. "What's wrong with the
weather?" Kassi is given a good peering at. "Did you do something to the
weather? What's that bundle there, anyway?" Can't ever be too sure around
these greenriders.

Kichevio can handle the peril! See how bravely brave she is? "I see he's
inherited your hair, which is of the good." She does not, one must note,
attempt to pat or otherwise cootchie-coo the baby. Some things really are
too much. "I never act like prey before prickly--pardon, brusque with the
very best intentions, how about that?--dragons, or crazy brownriders
wearing kilts in midwinter, or anyone else." As Saulith slowly swings her
head down to Gay's level, eyeing the weyrling and lazily baring a fang or
three, Kich adds dryly, "Oh, they loom when they feel like it, witness
exhibit A here. But she'll only _really_ get scary if she thinks you're in
danger."

Kassima turns her head to flash Javinia a grin, in lieu of a wave. "Heyla,
Javi--" It takes her a moment, but she manages to shift Kaswyn to one arm
long enough to return the salute. "I don't know whether I'd say gruff as
such. Nay of Lysseth. Tyrrath, now, mayhaps. But scary, nay--only mayhaps
when they're proddy, or more likely rising. There can be some cause for
caution then. Dianneth proddy should be an... interesting experience."
Hello, understatement. Kaswyn seems fascinated by this strange lady, small
mouth opening a bit as he reaches a tiny hand in her direction. "Methinks
that's a 'heyla' back of sorts. But isn't he just? If'n you ask me, he
looks a bit like his father. I'll be good and wait for news of Ys, then,
but if'n the impatience kills me 'twill be all *your fault*." Her tone's
too light to be serious, but she winks anyway to make the jest clear. "The
weather's bloody *frosty*, L'han, and the bundle is an incarnate evil, dark
force. Otherwise known as Kaswyn, m'son. Aye, Kich; I'm pleased, 'twas
fearing he'd be as bald as Kisai, and how about 'mercurial'? Lyss would
probably prefer that."

"Dark hair," Gay says wistfully, apparently in response to Kichevio's
observation. As Saulith looms, she tries not to shrink back -too- much.
Teeth are teeth, after all. "I've only seen a couple of flights, and the
hissing is a bit - frightening. As for proddy Dianneth - well. That's a
ways off, at least. And as for the news - well." She flashes a grins
Kassima's way. "Suppose you've got to get something out of mentoring, so
I'll tell you later on. And that baby is -not- evil. Well. Not at the
moment. Or is it an inherited thing?"

Javinia watches L'han spin like a canine after his tail. She stops a
growing grin with a cough and steps over toward Gay--until Saulith dips her
head to show those whites. Tilting her head to regard the green, she says
to Gay, voice low, "You know, I'd have been a lot more nervous of something
like that--" Saulith, looming. "--four months ago." Still, she keeps a
polite distance, turning her attention to Kaswyn. "Oh, look. He's waving.
-Look- at that." Her cheeks dimple.

L'han tries inching ever cautiously toward the huddle of evil. "Son? How
can y'tell? 'e's just sorta..pink a wrinkly, looks like." He looks as tho
he'd prefer to stand .over here. and just squint toward the Snuggly, but
curiosity always gets the best of him. "Kassi forces the evil upon them, I
think. There is no escape. Poor lil guy."

Kichevio could launch into the discussion of Pernese Nature versus Nurture,
but she won't. "The evil manifests itself in different ways. You haven't
met Kharisma yet..." She pauses to consider. "Now, did Keveris inherit any
evil, or is he still taking after his father in tendencies towards
thoughtfulness and manners?" Gently nudging Saulith, she stares at the
green until she stops her looming and returns to teasing Maireth with the
twitching tail. Twitch twitch. "Mercurial is good. She sounds like she'll
be shiny and all." Nothing wrong with being shiny.

Gay glances to Javi with a grin, only touched with nervousness. "A lot
more. Still a bit -" She turns, blinking over at Liabeth, who's begun to
look distinctly impatient and rather hungry. "Going to have to ask all your
forgiveness. Hunger waits for no one. Especially not me." With one last
grin over at Kaswyn, she follows the gold back into the barracks with a
general salute. "G'night!"

Liabeth enters through the big entrance into the Weyrling Barracks.

Gay walks through the entrance into the Weyrling Barracks.

"Do you wish you had dark hair?" Kassima wonders of Gay, curious. "I'm the
last person t'say aught against the color, but yours seems more unusual.
Ah, now, that's proof that this could be the beginning of a beautiful
mentorship." She's grinning back to the Weyrling. "I'll hold you to that
when the time comes. Nay evil? Oh, he must be evil. Or so some would be
arguing, at least. Because, aye, he's m'spawn. Which makes you just a whole
little embodiment of evil, doesn't it, love?" Kaswyn seems unfazed by this
pronouncement: his reaction is to spit up a bit. Charming. "I try nay
t'look too much," she confesses to Javi as she draws a cloth from her
pocket to mop Kaswyn's chin. "Lest I start t'melt even now. L'han, trust
me, I've changed him often enough that I'm *quite* certain. Hey! You
shouldn't pity him! Evil's a *good* thing!" Riiiight. Kassi has to take a
moment to consider Kichevio's question. "Kris... mmm. He has a subtle evil
if'n any evil at all. Yet *something* must've drawn that green of his
t'him, so--and don't even talk about Lyss being shiny any time soon!
G'night, Gay; sleep well!"

Javinia tips her head, looking at Kaswyn from different angles. "I think
all babies must be -sort of- evil. The screaming. The crying. The spitting
up." Her nose wrinkles up at the very mention of that last--even more so at
the the ever-convenient example that Kaswyn provides.

"Sometimes they never outgrow it," comes L'han's oh-so-sage offering for
Javinia. "Really. Just ask Yashira about M'silne. That there was nothing."
He does sorta rub his finger under his nose, tho. Like just seeing it
brings back memories.

"Perhaps his evil will come to the surface slowly, over time," Kichevio
suggests helpfully to Kassi. "I mean, a _green_. That's a Sign." Of what,
Faranth only knows. "Kaswyn will grow into it...oh, _now_ you want to go
home?" Saulith rumbles, extricating herself from her chosen snowdrift. "All
right. Keep warm, everyone, g'night!

Kichevio disappears up onto Saulith's spring-green back.

Saulith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her
aloft.

Kassima can't hide her amusement at Javi's nose-wrinkling, nor does she
much try. "Among many other, messier things. Believe it or nay, they
actually grow up t'be worth it; even now, he has his moments." She cuddles
the baby in close, something which he readily accepts: she's a convenient
source of warmth, after all. "Is Naelanth still adamant about you never
having any of your own?" She offers no comment on M'silne, but her
shoulders do shake in a suspiciously mirthful fashion. "Nay as strong a
sign as a green dragon might be, Kich, but I always have hopes... g'night
t'you both! Clear skies!"

Javinia glances up from Kaswyn, and not seeing Gay, spares a brief glance
for the barracks. For such a slow gold, she left awful fast. Blinking, she
turns to L'han. "The spitting up? Truly?" Her nose wrinkles up into that
ridge again, even as her hazel eyes grow wider. She lifts a hand to salute
Kichevio as Saulith launches skyward. Turning back to Kassima, she asks,
"Green? -What- was a sign?" Then, "Oh, that. Well, he's adamant about many
things--when he can remember. He only thinks on it when Mayelle's mentor's
children come down."

L'han brushes the dusting of snow off one of the boulders and plants
himself onto it. There. Achieved the proper ratio of baby-watching and
safe-distancing. "What's he got against the kids? Hours of fun. Tasty, too."

"My eldest son, Kris--the one 'twere discussing--Impressed a green
fire-lizard nay so very long agone," Kassima explains, "and she's moody
enough t'qualify as a wicked sort of green. At least in some ways. Assuming
you're someone whose ear she's nipped. So it could be a sign of true evil,
that she was drawn to him." Thankfully, she doesn't sound as if she's
taking this too terribly seriously. "Who'd Mayelle get as mentor, anyway?
*Tasty*, L'han?"

Maireth tries his best to look innocent, turning his face from the
gathering. Fascinating stars out, tonight! Hummmmmm.

Javinia looks at L'han. Tasty? That's her mentor. "I'm not sure. He just
insists that I shouldn't have any. Do you have children? I can't say I know
if you do or no." Kassima's explanation gets a swift grin. "Oh! I see. Is
he--Kris--at all evil?" And speaking of mentors: "M'goun, I do believe.
He's a green rider. Not sure which wing. He seems rather nice, though."

L'han nods quickly, "Aye! Two." A pause and distant look as he mentally
tallies. Yes..still gets two. "Rain and Storm." Finally he finds what he
was looking for in his belt pouch. "Not nearly as busy as Kassi, here. Tho
I do have five brothers and sisters!"

Kassima slants Maireth a suspicious look, but as yet says nothing. Instead,
"I don't think he is. If'n aught, he's studious and helpful to a fault. He
keeps m'accounts; he's good at all that number-crunching, and *likes* it,
may the Egg help him." She pauses for thought. "Y'know, that might be
symptomatic of evil in and of itself... M'goun isn't one of mine. I know of
him, though. If'n I recall aright, Maidil had her eye on him once, though I
don't know if'n aught ever came of it." After L'han's commented, the
greenrider blows him a raspberry. "As if'n I'm as busy as all that! If'n
you mean in the busy-with-conception sense, rather than the
busy-with-child-tending sense. I can't much deny the last."

"That is very true," L'han opines peeling the skin off a rather large
onion. He shrugs slightly. "I am busier than Kassi. But I'd need to be busy
with more women to end up as busy as she is." Picking off that last sticky
bit of skin, he takes a large, crunchy bite.

"Rain and Storm," Javinia repeats--for memory's sake. "And five? More than
me. As many as Gay, I think, though she has all brothers." Her breath comes
in little white puffs, and she chafes her arms through her coat as she
spares Maireth a look. Her gaze shifts between the brown and L'han and his
belt pouch. Onion. Of course. Sniffing, she turns back to Kassima, "Truly?
Useful then for you. I never was much for numbers." She can only shrug at
the rider's name. "I can't attest for Maidal. But M'goun -is- pleasant to
look at--for all that."

"You don't look very warm, Javi." Kassima, ever-observant. "Have you
considered asking for warmer clothes from Stores? I don't know if'n you
could go yourself yet, but mayhaps one of the Weyrlingmasters... hey, now,
L'han, what are you implying?" She crinkles her nose at him. "If'n you
mean, t'have more children, you might be right, unless you found one and
stayed with her through child after child. Which I doubt Ursa would much
favor." Back to Javinia: "Useful indeed for me. I could do it m'self if'n I
had to, but having him t'assist me with all m'personal accountings saves so
much time. Is he, now? Huh. I suppose he is. I haven't thought much of him
that way."

Mirah comes out of the weyrling barracks.

"In truth, I think I need a better coat. Or something that fits me better."
Javinia looks down at her coat and wide-leg trousers, cuffed high to
compensate for her own lack of height. Her hazel eyes darken in thought,
more so as she catches onto the talk about keeping 'busy'. She blinks up at
that, eyeing L'han in a new, curious way. "Well, -I- think so," she ammends
to her statement on M'goun. "-You- might not. It's of no matter,
though--truly."

Looking merrily content now that she has fed both her stomachs, Mirah walks
out of the barracks hoping to see some stars. "Oh shards it's still
cloudy." Upon hearing Javinia her mood brightens again "Good evening Javi.
How are you?"

Kassima comments, appropos of not much, "'Twas telling Icerain just earlier
today that he needed a bigger coat. Mayhaps 'tis an epidemic
condition--though yours looks t'have a different size problem." All the
talk of coats leads her to draw her cloak a bit closer around herself and
her drowsing son, though she seems relatively comfortable in this
temperature. "Nay matter t'you for a Turn, at least; I suppose that's true.
Likely little enough matter t'me at any time if'n he's a flirtatious sort.
G'deve, there, Mirah."

"Oh good evening Kassima, and how are you and you beautiful son on this
night? Staying warm I hope?" Mirah asks as she too draws her long sturdy
jacket around her small frame.

Javinia dimples over at Mirah. "Heyla! I'm fine, thanks. Could be -warmer-.
How're you? Trinaith?" She gives her own coat another look, tugging at the
front of it. L'han gets a sidelong glance, and she looks as if she might
say something to her mentor. Then, no. Nothing. On impulse, she starts
again. "Would you--if it weren't much trouble--do you think, maybe, you
could find me a better coat or some warmer clothes from the stores?
Please." Even halfway out, she looks as if she's already thinking better of
the request. Kassima only gets half the interest she might otherwise.
"Truly? You don't like flirtatious 'sorts'?"

Snuggling into the hood of her coat MIrah seconds the warmer remark "We all
could stand to be warmer. Never the less Trinaith and I are well." stealing
a sidelong glance at L'han as makes her Javinia's request, Mirah tries not
to smile too big. "What's this about flirting?" she asks Kassima upon the
strange turn of the conversation.

L'han slides down from his perch in a flurry of onion skin bits. Crinkle.
Shrugging out of his own jacket he crosses over to Javinia, just sorta
draping it across her shoulders..as best he can when it's surely twice as
broad as she is and reaches to her knees. Without the first shiver he takes
off for the stores, "Don't let her fool you. Kassi has always loved me."
It's obvious he believes it, anyway, and that's what counts.

"Staying warm as best we can. I owe E'vrin beyond measure for this cloak;
it's kept me from freezing for several winters now." Kassi flashes a rueful
grin. "A'course, I've been here so long that this doesn't really seem
*that* frigid. Are you and your green lass well?" The rider glances towards
L'han with some interest in his answer to this request; so she, too, is
slightly distracted as she says, "Nay really... well, but let me rephrase;
it depends on the type. I'd prefer a relationship with someone who'd look
at me as more than a notch for the bedpost, let's just say that. 'Twere
discussing Mayelle's mentor, Mirah. Apparently Javi finds him good-looking."

L'han walks south.

Kassima then just... blinks... after the departing brownrider. "I have nay
bloody idea in this world what *that* was about."

Javinia blinks after L'han, too, her hands going up to catch at his
jacket--to keep it from falling off her shoulders more than to clasp it
close in warmth. She turns back to Kassima, her brows furrowed. "Is he
-always- like that? I mean ... " Her color heightens, even in the cold.
"Pleasant to look at," she corrects, as if there were a difference. "I said
he was pleasant to look at." In all sincerity, she admits, "That is a
rather fine cloak."

Watching L'han stalk away Mirah asks "Is he always that abrupt?" Then she
raises her eyebrows at Javinia's blush "Mayelle's mentor?" she asks
confused "I've never met him." Her gaze falls on Kassima and she remembers
her question "Oh yes, Trinaith and I are well indeed. We have just
completed our first ground riding lesson!"

Kassima mutters under her breath, finally drawing her eyes away from the
direction the departing brownrider took, "Always bleeding insane? Aye.
Pretty much. *This* is new even for him, though. But the jacket was nice of
him. If'n 'twere me, I admit, I'd probably be tempted t'search through all
the pockets." Of course she would. "Is there a difference between the two?
Thankee--a gift, 'twas, from Ev, back when he and I were somewhat more than
we are now. A'fore Kris was born, even, so 'tis more than nineteen Turns
old... I should be amazed it's still holding together." She gives one of
the trailing edges with its crimson embroidery a whimsical swish. "Abrupt's
a fair word for L'han, aye. Ah! So 'twere lessoning with K'vin and Gay,
then? K'vin seemed fair pleased about it all. I'm guessing you enjoyed it
too?"

"Oh yes it was so much fun. Trinaith was so excited to be out of the
barracks for something other than exersize and a bath." Mirah replies with
a chuckle. "And it seems to take a lot to get her excited." Mirah adapts a
faraway look for a moment and when she comes back to her self she seems
hurried, "She is stirring, if you will excuse me. Good evening to both of
you." Mirah gives Kassima a little bow and waves to Javinia before turning
and trotting away.

"Oh, wasn't that -great-?" Javinia asks Mirah, her own enthusiasm
resurfacing. "Did Trinaith flap her wings? You can -feel- it. In the
muscles underneath." Sobering somewhat, she nods to Kassima, even as she
pulls the jacket, so large for her frame, up higher on her shoulders, "It
was rather nice. Though, I think I might be afraid of the pockets." She
turns her head to sniff at one shoulder. "Smells of onions, too." Her nose
wrinkles, as it's wont to do, but she pulls the jacket tighter. Her grin,
and her dimples, return at that little swish of cloak. "Nineteen turns.
Wow. Oh, night, Mirah!"

Mirah walks through the entrance into the Weyrling Barracks.

Kassima grins broadly at this account. "I can just imagine! Here's hoping
'tis always as exciting for her, then--oh, a'course, Mirah. Sleep well,
when you do." She shakes her head a bit at the bow, but snaps a salute
after the green Weyrling anyway. "--So you and NAelanth have done the
lesson too? I imagine he liked having you riding him, from what you said of
him. I don't really want t'know why L'han's eating onions of a sudden.
Ancient, isn't it, but what can I say? I've never found another piece of
winter clothing I liked so well."

Javinia watches after Mirah with a bit of a smile then nods to Kassima,
that smile tilting. "If it's a lesson we can do together, he's eager
enough," she agrees. "I know -I- liked it." Her gaze flickers back across
the bowl toward the glow of the tunnel that leads to the inner caverns.
"You mean he didn't always eat onions? This is -new-?" Another nod, and she
turns back. "Oh, I know a dozen girls at Fort who would love a cloak half
so fine. It's rather dramatic and grand."

"Most of them you can do together, methinks. Or at least listen together.
His first glide and first hunt might be the exceptions." This seems to
bring a thought to Kassi's mind; her brow furrows, speculative. "If'n he's
as tied t'you as he seems t'be, I hope he doesn't dislike hunting for
himself. Many dragons seem t'prefer it, but--oh, shells, i'truth I wouldn't
know if'n he did or didn't. I've just never seen it a'fore. I don't spend
that much time with him; naught against him, we just don't run into each
other. I can't imagine why he'd want t'gnaw on a raw onion, though." The
cloak ripples as she shudders. "Poor Ursa if'n he sees her tonight with
that breath. Do you truly think so?" The analysis seems to please Kassi,
and she holds the cloak out with her free arm enough so that she can eye
the drape of it anew. "Well! I won't say I'm displeased it could be
described thus. Every life could do with a touch of the dramatic and grand."

"Oh, absolutely," Javinia agrees, earnest. "I think so, too. There's
nothing wrong with having fine things. Or, -a- fine thing, as you can
manage." She casts a last glance toward the caverns behind her, repeating
the word 'Ursa' as she does. "Hm." It's a contemplative sound, one that
shades her next question. "Oh, they hunt by themselves? I suppose I'd never
thought about -how- they did it. But. No matter." Here, she dimples. "I
doubt -that- will be a problem. Firianth told Naelanth about hunting, and
it was all he would talk on for days. I'm afraid someone will remind him
before he's allowed."

A laugh issues from the back of Kassima's throat. "I'm afraid I have a few.
I've weaknesses for jewelry and fancy clothing, on appropriate occasions
and when it won't hamper me in Gather games. Besides, what else should I do
with m'ill-gotten gains if'n I don't enjoy them?" That glance doesn't get
past her, nor does the repetition. Brushing a thumb over a loose strand of
Kaswyn's hair, she clarifies, "His sometimes-lover, a clutchmate of mine.
Weyrlingmaster a'fore I'sai. And they do: an older dragon shows 'em how,
the first time, usually. But they don't need our help in it. I'truth, 'tis
better t'turn away at first if'n you're squeamish. Did he?" Her brows quirk
up. "Y'know, y'might tell him about fishing, when the weather warms if'n
nay now. 'Twill be awhile ere he can hunt, but even dragonets can *try*
t'catch fish."

"Well, as lucky as you seem to be ... I like jewelry myself." Javinia says
this in a confiding tone, the way one might when they're sure to be
understood. She smiles as she catches that movement of thumb and
downy-fine, albeit dark, hair. "He doesn't seem at all evil--not now, like
that." Nodding, she looks up. "I see." Though whether that's for the
information about L'han, or about hunting is hard to tell. "You know, I
might. He's rather fond of food. I wonder how he'd take to fishing. Maybe
when the lake isn't iced over ... "

Kassima grins at the confidance, and dips her chin in a nod to the younger
woman. "Have you a favorite stone?" she inquires. "Or stones? Or d'you
prefer the plain metal?" Automatically, she glances down at her son. Just
as automatically, a soft smile touches the corners of her mouth. "He isn't.
He's a perfect innocent, and a perfect darling, and I love him more than I
can say. That's much of what makes up for all the messy parts." Her head
turns to look towards the Lake now. "He could try in the parts that have
been broken for bathing, but I doubt he'd have much luck. A bit shallow.
Y'never know, though. You might ask L'han if'n Maireth knows the art and
would teach him--'twas Veyath who taught Lysseth, Veyath and Tidranth, and
K'nan was m'mentor."

"L'han's Maireth -juggles- fish. He swears it." That should be response
enough. But then Javinia relents, adding, "But I'll ask him." Perhaps. That
soft smile of mother for son seems contagious, and it creeps up around
Javinia's lips. "Moments like this, I can almost imagine that," she admits.
"Truth." That smile deepens at talk of stones. "Peridot. I know it isn't as
fine as some of the other stones--Frenese would have rather seen me take to
emerald--but there you have it. Yourself?"

"You could ask another," Kassima relents in her turn. "Unless Naelanth
wants t'learn t'juggle fish. How he does that, I can't imagine." Though
she's not questioning the possibility, by her tone. "Mmm. Cliche, 'tis, but
all I can be saying is that if'n you ever have one, you'll probably know. I
had nay particular desire for children either until fate brought me
Kaylira." When she finally looks completely up, she's traded her
mother-soft smile for a rueful grin. "Peridot? Nay one of m'favorites,
that, but there's naught wrong with it. Coincidentally enough...." She
wiggles the ring finger of her right hand so that her graduation ring
glitters as much as the night will allow. "Emerald. I developed a fondness,
after Lysseth. Sapphire, amethyst; ruby, black opal. White opal's all
right. Diamond's a touch colorless for me except as accent. Black diamond's
intriguing, though, and blue. Amber I like. Jade, I've always meant t'own
more of, but I don't have any pieces now save the stone on m'choker."

"It's a good suggestion--." The fishing. "--I'll ask -someone-. And I thank
you for it." Almost as an afterthought, Javinia adds, "I don't mean to be
off-putting. Naelanth has such a stomach. He has little attention for much
else when his mind is set for food." She lifts her chin to watch Kaswyn,
there, in his little bundle. "You're right, of course. I know it. It's only
that I feel too young to be thinking on such things. They'll happen soon
enough. No sense rushing them." The glitter of the green rider's graduation
ring is enough to distract such thoughts, though, and she looks closer.
"Oh, that's -lovely-. Emerald, of course, for Lysseth--very fitting. I do
like amethyst. And jade." She takes a hand from the collar of L'han's
jacket to pull a tiny jade pendant shaped in a 'J' from beneath her coat.
"Ys's father carved it. You musn't tell her, but I never did care for jade
until she gave me this."

Kassima raises a shoulder in an amiable half of a shrug. "Welcome, and
don't mention it. He might be growing out of the food obsession. Harder
t'fix on something you only do once a sevenday or so." Kaswyn's not doing
much that's all that watchable, since he's fallen into a blissful sleep
with the sweep of his black lashes brushing against those plump, ruddy baby
cheeks, but that doesn't stop Kassi from gazing down at him too. "Oh, nay,
nay need t'rush. There is time. Or you might never have t'deal with 'em at
all; it all depends." Grinning, she rubs her right thumb over the ring
briefly, turning the band so that the stone is centered. "I think 'tis too.
'Twas the way for our class, each with a stone t'match the color of dragon.
Though Lyss is really closer t'jade in color when push comes to shove."
Leaning forward to inspect the pendant, she asks with surprise, "He carved
it for you? That's a handsome gifting--I won't be telling her, though, nay.
'Tis odd how one piece can change your mind about a stone, isn't it?
'Twasn't much for amber m'self until a trader sold me this ring." She can't
wiggle the fingers on her left hand quite so nimbly; that hand's holding
onto Kaswyn, but she attempts to indicate the ring around her middle finger
regardless. It's carved entirely from amber, though that may be hard to
tell in the light. "Something about it appealed. Less sentimental value
there, though."

Javinia nods, saying, "True. True. He might," even as she peers, tilting
her head to accommodate Kassima's limited movement, at the amber ring. "Oh,
see now, that -is- nice. Though, you're right, I'd never have thought so of
amber. Though green amber, have you seen that? Lovely." Straightening, she
fingers her own jade piece, small as it is, grinning, "I know. It's the
first true gift I've had from a friend. It was much too fine a gift, I
think, but I'm glad of it. Ys is very kind--as if her father."

Kassima shakes her head, an interested expression already on her face:
"Green amber? How green is it? I've heard of *red* amber, though I've nay
personally seen any--" She breaks off. "The first gift? I suppose that
shouldn't surprise me. I hadn't so many, either, until I left the Holding.
All the gifts were from family. Mayhaps you can get her something t'match
it someday, when you can travel; a Y carved in jade? Or something a bit
less identical, but similar?"

"Not as yellow-toned as peridot. But light green. Clear, though bubbled."
The animation in Javinia's face, her hazel eyes, suggests that she's more
than happy to talk of such things. She chuckles, and the sound shows solid
in a white plume of breath. "Of course, you know stones. There are always
variations in color: some shade lighter or darker, depending on the
selection you can find." What to do for Yselle, though, that's a problem.
"It was a return gift, in truth. For something very small that I gave her.
Left her. Not worth such a grand gift in return. Perhaps when we're
graduated, I'll look for something for her. Something fine."

"Light green." Kassi seems to be testing the concept. "Paler greens tend
t'appeal less t'me than the dark shades--true of any stone, really--but I'd
like t'see it, all the same. Isn't that truth? Jade even more than most,
y'know--well, mayhaps nay *most*; sapphire's very varied, m'cousin says.
Sythriva, who's a Miner. But jade apparently comes in pale purple
sometimes, which seems odd t'me." And she's digressing. "Mayhaps 'tis the
value that the meaning of the gift had for her that she was trying t'match;
mayhaps she found it as grand as aught in jade, whatever 'twas. But a
graduation gift still couldn't hurt. I don't know whether Weyrlings oft get
the rest of their class something for graduation anymore; it strikes me as
a bit of a shame if'n they don't."

"No. Purple jade? I'd never have thought." Javinia warms to the topic. "You
know, for all you dislike the paler greens, and peridot in specific, the
better peridot is dark green in color. You'd mistake it for emerald if you
didn't have as quick an eye as I'm sure you do--or your cousin, of course."
Too easy to continue along that thread. "The Weyrleader told me much the
same, I know. Still." She tilts her head. "Is that tradition? To give each
other gifts? I had wondered. I'd love to do something like that--not just
for Ys."

Kassima confirms, nodding, "Lavender, at least. I saw a piece once--only
once--and wouldn't have guessed 'twas jade if'n I hadn't been told. I don't
know what I'd have thought it *was*, mind. It didn't really look like aught
else. Is it so? Very dark?" She gives an abrupt, entertained grin. "If'n
'tis so then I might give peridot a second chance. My eye, alas, is nay
Miner's; 'tis only experience and some early training from a jewelry-loving
mother that have me knowing as much as I do." Too easy indeed. "The
Weyrleader is wise in this. Unfrotunately, I doubt 'tis tradition
anymore... mayhaps it never was. I only know m'class did it. To get the
Weyrlingmaster team some form of gift is a more recent tradition; we didn't
do that, but I rather like t'see it. There's really nay reason one couldn't
do both if'n one had the money, time, and inclination."

Javinia merely shakes her head, repeating, "Lavender. -I'd- like to see
that." She dimples of a sudden, self-conscious, but delighted. "It's nice
to be able to talk of such things. Whenever I mention anything fine in the
barracks, I feel as if a dozen pairs of eyes have all focused on me as if
I, well, as if I ate onions or the like." Her dimples deepen then subside,
face growing soft with thought. "I've the marks. That's no hardship. I'll
have to speak to the others. I think it a fine idea--and tradition. Both of
them."

Kassima can't keep back a quiet laugh. "They might come t'react
differently. I hadn't the money for jewels a'fore I rode; Mum scarcely did
either, and doesn't, but Da indulges her. Nay real harm in it since 'tis
her only expensive taste. You see riders often enough in one sort of finery
or another, so... some of 'em might come t'be able t'tell topaz from garnet
someday too, if'n they can't already. Until then, you're welcome t'be
discussing it with me whenever." She has to grin at the onion reference,
though. "I'll wish you well in it, then. If'n you have trouble getting
ahold of Crafters for whomever you want, let me know, and I might be able
t'hook you up with one of m'relatives. They *might* even sell you something
without fleecing you terribly in the dealing."

Javinia laughs, too, swift and short. "Perhaps. I can hope. And thank you.
As always, you're very kind, and foolish to extend such an offer. I'm sure
to take you up on it." She lifts her face to the overcast sky, the lack of
stars and moon the only thing to sober her. "I -was- hoping for a glimpse
of stars, but fresh air--cold as it is--will have to do." Pulling L'han's
jacket tighter around her own coat, she hazards a hand away for a salute.
"Night, Wingleader. I'm sure I'll be consulting you--on gifts and other
fineries--at some point." With a last little peek at Kaswyn, a dimpled grin
up at Kassima, she heads back into the barracks.

Javinia walks through the entrance into the Weyrling Barracks.

Lysseth lumbers into the central bowl area from the lake shore to the north.

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.

<*> 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.