-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let There Be Lips! Date: October 11, 1998 Place: Telgar 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kassi's Note: And God said, "Let there be lips." And there were. And it was good. No, this isn't really a Pernese remake of Rocky Horror Picture Show; it's something far less likely than that--Kassi and A'lex have taken up tonsil-boxing as a hobby. Yes, you heard that right. And there are marks riding on the final match, but who shall prevail? Who will emerge as the one true champion of the World Wide Tongue-Wrestling Federation? If (against all logic) you'd actually like to know, read on. ;) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. A'lex walks in from the bowl. Ro smiles tiredly at the entering riders over her bowl. "Would you stop calling me greenie?" Kassi asks with amused irritation, snagging up a second 'skin from a table near the entrance. "You don't want me t'pour drinks over your head again." She wiggles gloved fingers at the Cavern's occupants. Dossa beams a smile at A'lex as he enters, fussing by the serving table. "Can I get anyone anything?" She calls out. A'lex nods, to Ro, "Busy day?" He greets the rest of the cavern with a tired smile. Turning to Kassima he asks, "Would you rather I called you Blueie?" To Dossa, he waves and says, "Wine. Wine is good." Dossa smiles, and prepares A'lex some wine. She splashes a little on her hand, and can't resist but to eat her wrist as she presents the mug to him with her other hand. Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Eat her wrist? Eeeeeew!" Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Eat her wrist?!?" Telgar Weyr> Aurian blinks and has to wonder, "Is cannibalism canon?" ;> Ro shakes her head "Not too busy. The healers had it worse than we did." Telgar Weyr> Dossa says, "You know. When you spill something on yourself." Kassima reaches over to attempt to ruffle 'Lex's hair. "*You're* the blue one, m'Lord Doom and Gloom... remember? I am but your humble and frightfully cheerful servant." Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Autocannibalism at that." Telgar Weyr> Dossa says, "You know what I mean! *blush*" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn Fears... Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "Ohhhhh you licked your wrist" A'lex looks at Kassima with a snort, "Servant eh? Well then... um... Bring me a shrubbery!" Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "And I'm just watching the dinner scene in RHPS, too. ;)" Telgar Weyr> Ro LOL> Telgar Weyr> K'nan says, "Not meatloaf /again/..." Telgar Weyr> Silen laughs and laughs. Oh, timing. :) Aurian peers at A'lex, "Someone steal your shrubbery again?" She settles into a chair to watch the various proceedings. A'lex says "Thank you Dossa, if you want me to pour more on your arm, let me know." He winks, "I don't mind." Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Uh. Lex. There's no shrubberies on Pern, are there? ;)" Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Not as WE know them, but there have to be little plant like things..." Kassima asks plaintively, "Can't I just cut down the mightiest tree in Lemos with a packtail instead?" Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "There is shrubbery in the healer gardens" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "You know.... Sky-whisks." R'val stands, and heads outside. R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Aurian chuckles, "Whack a skybroom.." Dossa blinks at A'lex, then blushes furiously. "I just got over a hangover. I don't think I'll be drinking any more any time soon! Besides, I get proddy when I drink wine," she admits, then scampers back towards the serving table. A'lex sighs, "If you must, Greenrider, if you must." He laughs at Aurian, "No, but I need something for the rugrat to chew on besides my riding leathers..." Aurian chuckles at A'lex, "Hmmmmm how is the mite? And hard cookies are good for that sort of thing.." A'lex blinks after Dossa, "She gets proddy?" he mouths to those near him. A'lex smiles at Aurian, "He's growing like... well, like a baby. Very fast. I'll bring him down to show him off some time. But mother is still here, and she's not letting me near him much." Kassima mutters something about needing to stock up on her black leather if just being drunk makes one proddy. "Try cutting him a strip of leather," she advises A'lex. "That worked for Kay and Khari. He's teething *already*?" Ro shrugs in reply to the bronzerider. Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "Skybrooms, J'lyn. Skybrooms. :)" Silen yawns immensely. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Not if they're shrubbery, 'Rina. ;)" A'lex looks to Kassima and shrugs as he sips his wine, "I don't think so, he just likes to eat EVERYTHING. Takes after his mother." Aurian tilts her head at Kassima, "Some tots have been known to start teething very early on." A'lex says "Great, my son is an early bloomer... he's going to start flirting soon." Dossa fusses about the serving table until she's simply rearranging the same things, and sighs, resting her hands on her hips. Aurian chuckles, "Nah babies do that the moment he's born. Just take him about you'll see..." Kassima snorts at A'lex. "So long as he doesn't start flirting with *my* spawnlings... best be careful while he's still in the eat-everything stage. Though I'm sure your mother knows how t'tend to infants who are up t'nay good." A'lex shivers, "Goodness no, my son and your daughter... they'd end up with a child... like... like AURIAN for Faranth's sake..." Silen yawns again, and pushes his bowl away, mumbling something to Ro about sleep. Kassima gives a shudder, herself, and makes a warding gesture. "Augh! 'Lex, don't even *think* of that. I'm of nay age t'be a grandmother, much less t'true Evil-Spawn!" Ro nods, spooning the last few bits from her bowl to her mouth. A'lex smirks and glances around the cavern again, noticing the docile Dossa, "Ye look bored Dossa, Pierron not working you hard enough." Silen stands up, muffling yet another huge yawn, and walks off, weaving only slightly. Dossa looks at A'lex, and hmphs. "I'll make a note that I don't work for that wick... er, Pierron, anymore! I'm one of /Rhiallya's/." She smirks, giving him an assertive, don't mess with the kitchenhand, look. A'lex grins, "Oh, sorry... I know what a taskmistress SHE can be." Dossa blinks, smirking at him. "Are you being sarcastic with me, A'lex?" Silen walks towards the inner cavern. A'lex shakes his head, "Not at all. I used to work for Ofira and Siani. I know how it can be." Kassima grins at the bronzerider, and plunks into her seat, taking a long draught from her wineskin. "Aiyaiyai. You're all crackpots, y'know. Absolute crackpots." Aurian smiles sweeetly at A'lex and Kassima, "Poooooor things.. at least it be an attractive mite. I think I should start asking if Channie could use some help minding the baby and then go visit Kassima's spawn." A'lex frowns at Aurian, "Yer not allowed near my child. You *MIGHT* try to eat him! Psycho Brownrider..." Dossa hmphs and nods at A'lex. "I stay out of the way of the bakers. I just carry things out and bring the stale stuff in. I wouldn't dare try to bake something myself." Kassima doesn't frown, but she does snort. "That does it. Remind me t'give word t'Simaeva that if'n you're carrying a baby, you're nay t'be allowed near the lasslings...." A'lex laughs, "I never did either. But I *DID* bang the dents out of one of Ofira's frying pans once. Got in such deep runnermuck... it wasn't even funny." Aurian chuckles, "I don't eat babies. I snuggle them and kiss them and pet them and call them Jyorge.." Telgar Weyr> Dossa says, "Oh dear. Telgar's just silly tonight." A'lex blinks at Aurian, "Freak." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Just tonite?" Aurian peers at A'lex, "Have you seen a mirror lately?" Telgar Weyr> Aurian screams and goes down cowering in a corner. A'lex shakes his head, "Aurian love, when *I* look in a mirror, I get a different picture than you do. It's how mirrors work. I see me. You see freak." Aurian tosses a fish roll at that bronzerider who is called A'lex, "Freak boy." Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "make it stop make it stop" Dossa peers at the various dragonriders, and shakes her head. "Does anyone want any dessert? There's some fresh fingerroot cake and bubblies." Tebiren walks in from the kitchen. A'lex grins, ignoring the fish roll, "Bubblies?" Tebiren raises his brow as he enters. "Did I hear mention of dessert?" Kassima laces her fingers together and rests her chin on them, grinning at the two riders. "'Aurian love'? Why, 'Lex, I'd never realized that you and Auri had something going. How long has this been going on? Should I have bought you an anniversary gift?" Ro pushes her bowl away with a sigh and slips silently away from the preoccupied riders. Dossa picks up several serving plates and the fingerroot cake, and places it down at Skyfire's table. "There's this, and a variety of bubblies. I'll bring them over, and klah, for anyone who wants." She shakes her head, wondering why dragonriders are so strange, as she retrieves the tray of bubblies. Ro walks towards the inner cavern. A'lex stares at Kassima, "What? Have you been eating numbweed again Greenie?" A'lex inhales, "MMmmmmmmmmmmmmm, bubblies." Kassima blinks innocently at the bronzerider. "Eating numbweed? Certes, nay! 'Twas just congratulating you and Aurian on finding each other, that's all." Telgar Weyr> Jehrina gets this image of A'lex's face and a bubbly going up his nose. Aurian sighs at A'lex dreamily, "How did you know Kassima..." She picks up another fishroll and flings it at Kassima. Telgar Weyr> Dossa snickers. Tebiren manages to stifle a very inappropriate guffaw with the back of his left hand, pretending to wipe away some schmutz from his lip. He takes a seat and wonders aloud, "Now, which one of these are raspberry? Whoa!" he exclaims as said fishroll almost takes off the top of his head. A'lex looks more confused, "Is there anyone you DON'T think I'm having an affair with Kassima?" Telgar Weyr> R'val inserts razor blades into that bubbly ;) Dossa reaches up and catches the fishroll with her left hand, quite easily. She frowns at Aurian. "No throwing food around, I'll have to clean it all up later!" Aurian peers at Dossa, "hah!" A'lex grins at Dossa, "Nice catch!" Kassima already had her hand held up to catch the roll, and she chuckles faintly at Dossa. "I don't think so," she corrects mildly. "Those of us who make a habit of throwing food *do* tend t'see that our messes are cleaned up. Nay need for you t'be worrying. Why, Auri, 'twas *obvious*! The way he looks at you... the way you look at him... 'twas fate!" She flutters her eyelashes then at the bronzerider. "Now, 'Lex! I know you limit your affairs t'maleriders. More," she adds, with a melodramatic sigh, "is the pity for poor greenriders such as m'self." A'lex says "You WANT me to have an affair with you Kassima, why... I'm flattered. I think." Dossa hmphs. No one's going to litter -her- living cavern, regardless of intent on cleaning. She bites into the fishroll, makes a face of distaste, and quickly disposes of the thing. Tebirenchuckles kindly, his eyes crinkling merrily. Winking at Dossa, he murmurs quietly, "Those food items which have been mindlessly chucked about seem less appetizing - to me, that is. I know not your preference." Kassima sighs again, giving A'lex the baby canine eyes. "Why, 'tis m'fondest dream," she says in a positively syrupy voice. Clearly, there's no way in heck that she's being serious. "But I know that since I'm female, you'll never see me that way." With a great deal of melodramatic ferver, Aurian suddenly stands and sits on A'lex's lap, "How can you fight it..." She croons in a viciously sweet voice. Dossa blinks at the flirtation going on, and simply blushes. "And the wine hasn't even been flowing yet," she muses to herself, watching from a -safe- distance. A'lex just sits and stares for a moment, then proceeds to ignore Aurian, "Well Kassima, you sit down and talk to Nie about how much I like ladies." Then he looks at Aurian, "And you, if you don't get off my lap, I'm gonna demonstrate on you." "Demonstrate what?" Aurian is rather comfortable and wriggles her booted feet around. A'lex raises an eyebrow, then says, "Three." A'lex says "Two." Aurian peers back, maybe the heat got to her but she's comfortable so why should she move. A'lex says "Last chance..." Dossa shakes her head sadly. Poor Aurian. A'lex says "One." A'lex grabs Aurian around the waist and leans her WAY back, planting a big, sloppy, ash covered kiss on her. After a few moments, he comes up for air, and in the process, lets her fall to the floor. Dossa giggles, covering her mouth with both hands. A'lex says "Next?" There is a moment of blinking from where the brownrider is laying on the floor, "Ouch." A'lex looks down, "Ego or arse bruised?" Dossa looks at A'lex for a moment, thinks about stepping forward, and instead turns to fuss with the serving table, as if it needs any more rearrangement. Tebiren rolls his eyes, grinning faintly. "Oh, this is a horrible, shameful display." He then proceeds to do squat about it. Kassima starts to say something in reply, but just pauses, mouth hanging open, to watch 'Lex smooch Aurian silly. As the brownrider falls, she bursts out laughing and starts to applaud. "Such a lovely couple you two make!" she catcalls. Telgar Weyr> Jehrina thought the thudding noise was a'lex's ego being bruised. Man, I can't read. Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Can't bruise THAT, Reenie love. It's bulletproof." A'lex looks over to Kassima, "Come get yours then Kassima..." He makes pucker faces at the Greenrider. Aurian chuckles, "My arse of course. I have little ego as can be attested by the many who find me not worthy." A'lex grins at Aurian, "I've heard you've ego a-plenty. More that the average brownrider... must be Kassima's influence on you." Aurian snorts as she stands, she pauses a moment to brush the dust off her tush, "Uh huh.. she's just involved me in certain situations that makes people not want to be around me." Kassima arches an eyebrow at the fish-mouthed bronzerider, amused, and apparently decides to take him up on it; she sets down her wineskin, gets to her feet, and walks over to the Skyfire table. "Just remember, you asked for it," she tells him mischievously before planting a kiss on him of the sort that would not only steam a mirror, but also melt the frame. So there! A'lex looks a bit startled, then proceeds to fall backwards onto the table... Dossa gasps at Kassima's boldness, and covers her face with both hands, yet peeks between two fingers. Blush? Yup. Aurian laughs! Kassima leans back and just grins at the man, only looking *slightly* out of breath. "There's naught," she informs him, "that a bronzerider can do, that a greenrider can't do better." A'lex smiles, "But a Bronzerider does it LONGER, and with more style." A'lex likes to taunt death... oh, yes." Kassima folds her arms and tilts her chin, looking down at the bronzerider in a generally disbelieving sort of way. "Oh, aye? Somehow, I'm nay convinced." Dossa watches with baited breath, finding herself reaching for something to drink. Her hand brushes against a wineskin, and she grabs it, not caring for what it is, just as long as she can drink it. And she does, taking a mouthful from the thing. A'lex stands and grabs the Greenrider by the front of her shirt, pulliing her close. Pressing his mouth to hers, he wraps an arm around her and leans her back in a dip. After what seems like a long enough interval, he lets her up and spins her away from him in proper gather form. Obviously forgetting she can't dance. Aurian watches the machismo evolve into more and words. Kassima's eyebrows both fly up into her hair, but she doesn't try to break free, apparently willing to let A'lex prove his point. Until, that is, he lets go. She really is as bad a dancer as she claims, so it's little wonder that she yelps and stumbles, winding up on her rear on the floor. "Well," she informs him, after getting her breath back, "I won't contest the longer, but I don't know whether throwing one's partner to the floor counts as style." A'lex says "Not my falut you're a clutz." Kassima stands smoothly and summons what remains of her dignity... which isn't saying much. "A clutz, I? Hardly that. *You* just don't know how t'let go properly; 'tis why both Aurian and I wound up on the floor." Dossa looks from A'lex, to Kassima, to Aurian, then back to A'lex again. Embarassing, sure, but informative as well! She sips the wineskin again, smiling. A'lex says "I dropped her on purpose." Jehrina walks in from the bowl. A'lex salutes the Weyrwoman, "Evening, Jehrina." Aurian glances to Jehrina as she continues dusting her bottom, "Run while you still can." Dossa notices at Jehrina and smiles, waving her free hand at her, as she's holding a wineskin. Tebiren vacates his seat and offers both it and a smile to Jehrina, as he's on his way out. Kassima hrmphs, crossing her arms. "Well, next time you drop *me* like that, I'll find something even worse t'be doing t'you." That might be worrisome, depending on what you think the greenrider is capable of. With a salute to the retired queenrider, the greenrider settles back in her seat, picking up her wineskin and toasting A'lex with it. "Enjoy the floor show?" she asks Dossa and Aurian impishly. A'lex smirks at Kassima, "I didn't drop you. You fell. I spun you out as I was taught to do at the end of any good dance." Aurian glances to Kassima, "I don't know I thought the finish could have used a little more pizazz." Dossa nods enthusiastically at Kassima with a big smile, then remembers she's supposed to be horrified at this sort of behavior and becomes timid again, shrinking down an inch. Jehrina nods at A'lex, "Evening." She grins a bit, "What did you do to yourself now Kassima?" Tebiren calls as he walks towards the open door, though he wasn't asked, "It was certainly amusing, Kassima. A'lex, I wish I had your skill for attracting women, eh?" He winks at Dossa and throws a giant smile towards the general population before poofing out the door. Tebiren walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Kassima grumps at Aurian and A'lex both, "'Tis nay m'fault that I can't dance, eh? Oh, naught, Jehrina... Machismo Lad over there just made me fall on m'rear end again. He seems t'have it in for me." Jehrina peers at A'lex, "And just what are you doing?" A'lex smiles, "I did nothing ma'am. Nothing she didn't do first." Great, act like a two year old, bronzerider... Jehrina snorts, "As if I'd really believe that." Kassima sticks out her tongue at A'lex. If he can act like a two-Turn-old, so can she! "*I* don't seem t'recall dropping *you*, miladdo!" A'lex chuckles, "I was being accused of only being amorous with lads, and I had to stand up for my honor. I love women very much, thank you." Aurian shakes her head and laughs. Jehrina eyes Kassima, then A'lex. "Ah, I see. And here I thought it was just Lorieth being proddy." Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "You know, A'lex, that statement ust makes me think of Michael Jackson. 'See, I don't like little boys. I like girls.'" A'lex blinks, "Lorieth, oh Faranth, if J'lyn is gonna dress in leather, I'm outta here..." Kassima objects at once, "Lysseth's nay proddy! 'Lex was just being odd, that's all." Weird bronzers are perfectly plausible. "That's actually my thought too, 'Lex. Think Ista would mind if'n we took up residence until she rises?" Jehrina says "They probably would at that, aye. Course, I think Yasinth's looking a bit bright too." A'lex rolls his eyes, "Poor Reed." Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Hey Rina, you're being spammy ;)" Telgar Weyr> Jehrina :P) Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "beat him." Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Do your own dirty work, bronze boy ;)" Telgar Weyr> Kassima gets out her garrotte. Aurian leans her head against the table, "Shards.." Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Uh. Eek? Not." Kassima gives a truly heartfelt groan. "Proddy people everywhere. Shards. If'n ever there was a better excuse t'stay in the weyr with the hidework for awhile, I can't be well imagining it." A'lex just shakes his head, "We're doomed... just doomed." Jehrina snorts, "it could be worse. Leilanth and Kimbrith could be proddy at the same time." Kassima tsks at A'lex. "There you're going with the doom and gloom again. Weren't you going t'save that for your Gather, your Lordship?" Aurian tilts her head, "Why not add Daelyth and Herath to that mix as well.." A'lex shivers, "Bad, bad, bad..." "I believe I'd lose count of m'reasons I'm glad nay t'be a bronzerider in mere hours, with such a fearsome foursome," Kassima muses. "Mayhaps only within minutes." Jehrina says "Well, that's a bit of a moot point now, isn't it?" A'lex grins. Aurian rubs her neck and returns to the fruit juice that she had poured earlier. Telgar Weyr> A'lex apologises for the idle... being harangued offMUSH Telgar Weyr> R'val cheers whoever on ;) Telgar Weyr> K'tyn hmfs. Give 'em hell, A'lex. "Thanks be t'Faranth, aye," Kassi laughs, abandoning her seat for a moment to seek out breadrolls. "By the by, Auri, how's your wrist feeling?" Telgar Weyr> R'val smoochies Kiat. Telgar Weyr> Kassima chants to A'lex, "Kill! Kiiiiiiiiiiill!" Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "It's a good harangue... college buddy. :)" Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "I thought harangue was a bad thing. Hmm." A'lex says "I didn't drop you on your wrist, did I Aurian?" Telgar Weyr> R'val loses his 800th greenflight in a row. Feh upon it all, says I. R'val enters from the Bowl. Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Maybe Vidarth should shoot higher... like Browns..." Aurian holds up her hand, "See no bandage and no A'lex just my tush." Telgar Weyr> R'val thinks Vidarth could catch a brown, but what would he DO with it? R'val grabs a skin of wine and plops his butt down on a chair, grumbling. Kassima grins at Aurian. "Grand t'hear you've finally recovered from that bronco-ride, then, rose petals and all. That really *was* most unmannerly of you, 'Lex--dropping her, I mean." A'lex eyes R'val carefully. A'lex says "She asked for it." R'val leers at A'lex, "I just lost a flight. Watch yerself!" Aurian shakes her head, "I did not. Telgar Weyr> K'tyn chews on 'em. They be tasty. Telgar Weyr> Aurian pats a Kiat Telgar Weyr> K'tyn grins, rather, Prometh does.:) :) A'lex shivers, "I've had quite enough of people I'm not weyrmated to tonight, thank you." R'val peers at A'lex, "What do you mean by /that/? A'lex says "Kassima tried to remove my tonsils with her tongue earlier... then I had to return the favor. It was quite... entertaining. But I don't want to kiss you, sorry." "I did *nay* try t'remove your tonsils!" Kassi protests. "What would I have done with 'em if'n I had, after all? Ugh. What a thought." A'lex laughs, "Well, you were boxing with them then." Kassima grins, looking a touch like the feline who's been into the cream. Must be a side-effect of all that wine. "All right, *that* I could find plausible. Mayhaps. And I still say I won." A'lex says "I knocked you onto your arse with my kiss. You only backed me onto the table with yours, and that's because you were climbing my leg...." Aurian peers at A'lex a moment, "You came close to removing my tonsils A'lex says "I tried..." Jehrina raises an eyebrow, "A'lex, what have you been doing to these girls?" A'lex grins. "But that's because I wasn't *trying*," Kassi insists stubbornly. "If'n I'd known you'd try t'make a contest out of it, I'd've put more effort into it. As 'twas, well... 'tis an unfair advantage you're claiming!" A'lex says "You turned it into the contest, I believe... something about Greenriders doing it better?" Jehrina shakes her head, dropping into a seat. "I'm afraid to ask." A'lex smiles at the Goldrider, "Again, just maintaining my repuation as a man who likes women. And, if I must say so, I rather enjoyed it." Jehrina nods slowly, "Riiight." R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Kassima lifts one finger. "Ah, but that wasn't a challenge, 'Lex... that was just a statement of fact. Fun fact, but still, fact." A'lex shakes his head, "That was a gauntlet if ever I was slapped by one." Jehrina says "Oh, do let me help. No, really." A'lex stares at Jehrina, "Pardon?" Jehrina grins impishly at A'lex. "Got your attention, didn't I?" A'lex nods, "Yes, and my bowels are knotted now too, thank you." Kassima doesn't even bother trying to hide her grin. "Now, that would be entertaining... and if'n you want t'be slapped, 'Lex, I can oblige, but I'm afraid I don't have any gauntlets t'spare." Jehrina laughs, "Well, I'll be sure to give you plenty of warning if Leilanth gets proddy then, hm?" A'lex says "No, no, no... I'm not into all that spanky stuff. Leave that for Kiat and Kindre... it was a... what do the Harpers call it. Meterfore? You know, a challenge, when someone slaps someone else with their glove." A'lex smiles at Jehrina, "Thank you. Much appreciated. Don't need any black eyes." Aurian grins at Jehrina, "I'd appreciate the warning. Kvasith would probably take to laps about the weyr trying to get ready." Kassima rolls her eyes at 'Lex, reddening just a trifle. "You know that's nay what I meant, freak-man. I didn't expect you t'*contest* that greenriders can do everything better'n bronzers. After all," she grins, flicking her braid back over her shoulder, "isn't it *obvious*?" A'lex says "Not after that half-arsed kiss it isn't." Aurian rolls her eyes at A'lex and Kassima, "Typical." A'lex bats his eyes at Aurian, "Jealous?" Jehrina sticks her tongue out at A'lex. "K'tyn deserved those. Both of them." Kassima waggles one finger at the bronzer. "Don't tempt me, 'Lex. You might nay survive the next time." A'lex just laughs at both Jehrina and Kassima. A deep belly laugh. Kassima sniffs at the bronzerider, and slants a look at Aurian. "How d'you think I should avenge that insult, Auri?" "What because you two are comparing knot sizes?" Aurian smiles sweetly. Kassima blinks at Auri, and quirks a grin. "Our knot sizes are exactly the same, though." A'lex nods at Aurian, "Mine's just cleaner." Aurian looks around for a handy fishroll to hurl at A'lex." A'lex tsks, "No throwing food. You heard the orders." Aurian smiles at A'lex, "Dossa's not hear "Cleaner!" Kassi gives A'lex a *look.* "Do I even want t'be knowing what that's supposed t'be meaning?" A'lex just smirks. Kassima gets up again and leans over the Skyfire table, snagging a bubbly pie from someone's abandoned plate. "If'n you don't want t'be pie-faced, 'Lex...." A'lex shakes his head, "Is that the best you can do? Threats of food in the face. Really, Wingleader, I expected more." Kassima drawls, "I can provide more, miladdo, but I doubt Dossa would like cleaning up blood any more than she would cleaning up food products." A'lex sighs, "Then the battle of wits has degenerated into a brawl. How sad." Jehrina says "How can it be a battle? You're unarmed." Kassima asks archly, raising one eyebrow, "You have wits t'be dueling with? I hadn't realized." Aurian laughs. Kassima straightens, though, and taps her chin for a moment. "How about this: if'n you don't explain what you meant, I'll convince Jal t'wear that leather outfit *every day*. I doubt 'twould be hard t'be doing." A'lex looks at both Jehrina and Kassima, "Well, I was winning, which is why it got ugly." Jehrina grins. Kassima crinkles her nose at the man. "I don't see where 'twas getting ugly. Your face covered in pie would be an aesthetic *improvement*." A'lex smirks, "Greenriders, always fall back on petty insults and violence when wits falter." Kassima fehs at A'lex. "You're just hoping t'get kissed again. Well, naught doing. I already suffered that twice for m'cause, and there are limits t'how far even I'll dedicate m'self t'proving a point!" A'lex chuckles, "Caught me." Kassima seems rather taken aback by that one. "You're acceding a point?" she asks suspiciously. No, she's not a very trusting sort. A'lex laughs, "Yes, I am. You win. Argument over." Aurian raises her eyebrows. Jehrina eyes A'lex, "Are you ill?" A'lex looks at Jehrina, "No, why do you ask?" "I win," Kassi repeats slowly, without full comprehension. "Argument over. Okay, 'Lex, what's the catch?" Jehrina says "Because bronzeriders never conceed. Well. Not usually." A'lex grins, "Look, I got three kisses from two different women tonight, so in my opinion I won. By conceeding, I'm just not getting any bonus points. The game was nothing, it was the plays that mattered." Jehrina snickers. "Alright, I'll grant you that." A'lex grins and smiles, "As soon as Greenie took me up on my offer I won. The rest was... aftplay?" Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Ewwww, that didn't come out right." Telgar Weyr> Jehrina laughs maniacally. Telgar Weyr> Kassima just *aighs*. "Amazing," Kassima observes, looking down at the bronzerider with interest. "I'd have thought that you'd be insisting that Auri and I won." She ponders for a moment, then decides, "A'course, I take it this means that you're conceeding on the whole issue of greenriders being better, too?" Jehrina nods slowly, "Right. Remind me to have M'hryn send you and your wing outweyr the next time Leilanth feels frisky. I don't think I'd want to try to deal with that sort of logic." A'lex snorts at Kassima, "Not at all. My kiss was better. You admitted that yourself." A'lex grins at Jehrina, "Like logic has anything to do with Lielanth's choices..." Kassima snorts at the very idea. "I did nay! Or, rather, I conceeded 'twas because 'twere taking that unfair advantage thing. A greenrider can still outkiss a bronzer any day of the seven." Jehrina rolls her eyes, "Don't I know it. Big mouthed gold dragon." Aurian raises her eyebrows, "Maybe you two need an impartial judge." A'lex nods, "If you need to believe that to live with the humiliation, that's fine by me." Kassima shakes her head at Aurian. "Sorry, Auri, but even a wish t'prove m'point wouldn't make me kiss a woman. Humiliation! You're just asking for me t'show you real humiliation, Purple-Man...." Aurian snickers, "So why don't you both kiss a man." A'lex shrugs, "Again with the violence and threats, Kassi... you know, some might think you a bully." A'lex looks to Aurian, "Ummmm... no." Jehrina eyes A'lex. "Your dragon is treading dangerously." Aurian shrugs, "It would solve the arguement," she glances to Kassima, "Wait didn't you learn the secret of life from K'ti A'lex shakes his head, "He's the one with the big mouth..." Jehrina says "Right. So you say." "Might they?" Kassima considers this for a moment, then abruptly grins. "They might. But one thing they don't have t'think is that I'm a gambler; everyone *knows* that. So. I'll wager you a mark-piece that I can get you to conceed the point. Think you're up to it?" A face is made at Aurian. "Unfortunately, aye. Nay offense meant t'K'ti, but 'twould nay have asked for the secret if'n I'd known what 'twas; 'tis nay m'thing." A'lex looks at Kassima, "To concede the point HOW?" A'lex says "If'n you plan on beating it out of me..." "Just to agree that greenriders kiss better'n bronzeriders. A surrender would be adequate." Kassima shrugs negligently. "A'course, violence isn't even thinkable. We're civilized, rational people, aren't we?" A'lex snorts, "Well, *I* am. But if this is going to be a contest to see who is going to concede, we need some groundrules and IMPARTIAL judges." Kassima tilts her head, crossing her arms. "Ground rules are fine. Impartial judges depend on whom you had in mind." Aurian shakes her head as she watches. A'lex shrugs, "Judges depend on the rules... how is this going to work?" Kassima gives another shrug. "I don't know. You decide. You're the one holding up the works by nay conceeding when you should." A'lex fehs, "There's nothing for me to conceed, you admitted my kiss was better." A'lex looks at Aurian, "Didn't she?" Jehrina rolls her eyes, "I can't believe I'm hearing this conversation." "Aye, but I don't admit that I couldn't have done better with more warning, and 'tis the *general* principle of the thing," Kassima insists primly. A'lex turns to the ex-weyrwoman and waggles his eyebrows, "Care to give it a whirl?" The bronzerider turns back to Kassima, "So you're saying when you do something, you don't give it your all unless you have WARNING that you're being critiqued?" Jehrina raises an eyebrow, "My dragon is older than you are, and I've a weyrmate, and two children. You actually think you'd impress me?" A'lex smiles at Jehrina, "And I have a weyrmate, a child and a stepchild. I'm older than the Weyrleader. Blah, blah, blah... put up or quit whining." Oh, he's blatently had too much wine... Telgar Weyr> A'lex can't believe he just said that to Jehrina... I'm a dead man. Kassima drawls drolly, "Depends on whether 'tis worth doing, bronzeboy. Fighting Threadfall, aye. Conning unsuspecting men into dresses, aye. But why should I give m'all t'kissing you without good reason?" She claps one hand over her mouth to keep from laughing outright at the exchange between bronzerider and goldrider. Now, this, she's got to see. Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "I take what I asked back, 'Lex... clearly, we're *not* on the same funky drugs. Your drugs are much funkier than my drugs." Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Ok, I'll bite. What'd you say THIS time, A'lex?" Aurian blinks as she watches this. A'lex turns back to Kassima, ignorant of the danger he's in. "But YOU came to ME. You should have been going all out. I don't think you CAN do any better." Jehrina's eyebrow goes higher, "Oh, really?" Her hands slide up and over the table, palms pressing into the wood. " You'd actually dare to think that you could outdo me?" A'lex fehs, "You said nothing about outdo, m'lady. You said 'impress.' Quite a difference there." Telgar Weyr> A'lex is working on riling up all the headstrong women of the weyr. Jehrina smiles. Just a half-smile, but it's there nonetheless. "Alright. So do you actually think you have what it takes to impress me?" A'lex just stares at Jehrina and lets out one small bark of a laugh, "I'm a Bronzerider." "And in that, you're dead *wrong*, bronzeboy. I've been a greenrider for nigh thirteen Turns, and even if'n I'm nay quite as... amorous... as most of m'brethren, we do tend t'pick up tricks over time. Which is why there's nay *way* that any bronzerider could outkiss a greenrider who was halfway trying. And m'bets," Kassi adds, with a glance flickered towards the former Weyrwoman, "are on Jehrina, by the by." Telgar Weyr> A'lex gets out the airpump for his ego. Telgar Weyr> Jehrina readies the big, shiny pin. A'lex sighs, "There is a difference between 'tricks' and skill. Just as there is a difference between a Harper and someone who sings in the hotsprings." Kassima admits freely, "Oh, aye, there is. One, you may have... but the other, you're lacking, boyo." Jehrina smiles sweetly, taking only the time to toss a wink at Kassima, "Exactly. You're a bronzerider. I've dealt with them for mroe turns than you've been alive." Telgar Weyr> Kassima gets out the vacuum cleaner to sweep up the remains of 'Lex's ego. A'lex shrugs, "Well YOU, dear Greenrider are the one who admitted to having 'tricks.' And, my dear Goldrider, you've been dealing with the wrong ones, obviously." Jehrina shakes her head, offering a shrug of her own, "Somehow, I don't think so. There's a reason I've been weyrmated to P'tran all these turns, after all." Kassima heaves a melodramatic sigh. "Y'know, 'Lex, you almost had me willing t'show you just how wrong you are, but after seeing you puff up like this... I don't think you could survive the blowout of your ego." A'lex nods, "Oh, I agree with that. Love is a many splendored thing. It's embers keep you warm nigh on into forever. But I've more than embers... I've sparks. I've fire." He turns slowly on Kassima and shrugs, "You know I'm right. That's fine. I win." Jehrina says "Fire in your shorts maybe. Sounds like that's what's really carrying you about." A'lex laughs, "Perhaps." Kassima snorts at A'lex. "More like wind, old boy. All talk and nay substance. And you most certainly *don't* win. You've never won against me yet; what makes you think you ever will?" Telgar Weyr> Kassima meant wind in general, BTW, not wind in the shorts... just wanted to clear that up. A'lex turns to Aurian, "Did she, or did she not say my kiss was better?" Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "Thanks for the correction." Telgar Weyr> Jehrina laughs. Telgar Weyr> A'lex grins. Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "Uh huh. Okay." Jehrina hms, "I did think I heard her say that, but I might not have." Aurian tilts her head, "Yours had more style, but her's had more fire and passion." A'lex turns to Jerhina, a quip on his tongue, but he stops, smiles and forgoes. She is the Weyrwoman afterall. Kassima tsks at A'lex. "Back to that again. Better'n I *did* do, I said, nay better'n I *could* do... ah, thankee, Aurian. See? Either way, I win." A'lex says "She never said that." A'lex says "She conceeded that mine was better." Jehrina just raises that eyebrow at A'lex again, waiting. A'lex says "And if she's not willing to prove otherwise, I win. Obviously she's afraid she can't." "Nay willing, aren't I?" Kassi asks mildly. Dangerously. "Would you take me up on that wager, or nay?" A'lex says "And I'm sorry, if that was fire, someone needs to get one of those squeezy fire things and stoke her up a little..." A'lex says "Well, you don't seem to be willing. I'll bet you a mark on it, once we set the rules as to how it works." Jehrina says "Squeezy fire things? I do hope you're not referring to my 'thrower." A'lex snerks, "No," he points to the hearth, "The thing to blow on the fire with... there... like the music box, but with long handles and a nozle." Telgar Weyr> A'lex for the life of him can't remember what those are called. Jehrina ahs, "Good. That's called a 'bellows', A'lex." "Mayhaps he meant 'lizards," Kassi suggests absently, green eyes still on the bronzerider. "All right. I'll prove it t'you, by the following rules: if'n I convince you, and you admit it--or can't deny it with a straight face--then I win. If'n nay, you do. Fair enough?" A'lex says "Yea, right, bellows. Someone needs to stoke her up with that..." Telgar Weyr> Jehrina is way ahead of you. As usual. ;) A'lex says "No threats or violence?" Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Thanks love." Kassima sighs regretfully, but does allow, "Nay threats or violence. Cross m'heart and hope t'fry, stick a dagger in R'val's eye." A'lex says "And revenge shall play no part in the aftermath, no matter who wins?" Kassima rolls her eyes ceilingwards. Men are so untrusting. "Revenge shall play nay part in the aftermath," she dutifully agrees. "Are you content now?" A'lex smirks, "Of course I am." Getting Kassima to swear off Revenge and Violence... THAT is a feat unto itself. :) Jehrina snorts softly. "And you'll pay me a mark when I win?" Kassi prods. One can never be too sure where the money's concerned. A'lex opens his money pouch and sets a mark down on the table, "It's yours if I concede." Telgar Weyr> Aurian laughs Kassima draws a Smithcraft mark from her own pouch, and flips it onto the table. "Yours if'n you don't." One dark eyebrow quirks. "Any last requests? Final words?" A'lex says "May the best lips win." Telgar Weyr> Kassima has a sudden urge to say, a la Rocky Horror, "And God said, "Let there be lips!" And there were. And it was good." Telgar Weyr> A'lex howls. Jehrina rolls her eyes, leaning back against a table, "This ought to be amusing." A'lex nods at Rina, "And educational." Jehrina shrugs, "Not for me, and all the teens are in bed already." A'lex says "You might be surprised..." Kassima nods gravely. "May the best lips win," she agrees. And with that, she calmly perches herself on the bronzerider's lap, slides her arms around his neck, and kisses him for all she's worth. This is saying quite a bit. And she continues to do so long enough for those still at the Thunderbolt table to start a betting pool on just how long the greenrider--or the bronzerider, for that matter--can survive without air. Once Kassima stops and stands, A'lex does the same, straightens his shirt, gets this evil littel grin and says smartly, "You win." With that he heads towards the entrance to the LC with a little hop in his step, apparently he never really intended on competing. Just before he's out the doorway, he turns and fixes his gaze on Jehrina, "I'll be back for you some other time." A'lex walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Kassima just grins back at the bronzerider, collecting her marks and slipping them into her pocket with a wooden jangle. "A'course I do," she calls after him. Laughing to herself, she remarks, "Silly man could've spared a mark if'n he'd just admitted that in the *first* place." Jehrina rolls her eyes, definitely looking amused. "I'll be just quivering with anticipation. Really." Aurian shakes her head, "Men are odd." Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "It's almost two kiddies, I'm off to bed. :)" Telgar Weyr> A'lex laughs, "I still won, btw...." :D Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Did not! :P :)" Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Sure I did. I goaded you into kissing me for a mark in the LC... :)" Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "Man, I had such a good line prepared too. :)" Telgar Weyr> Kassima snerks. Yeah, but Kassi still thinks you're insane. She's mercenary, after all, and there was a whole *mark* at stake. :) Telgar Weyr> R'val blinks, "KASSIMA kissed you, A'lex?" Telgar Weyr> Ro laughs "Was it worth it, A'lex?" Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "It was tender and passionate all at onces" Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Iew." Telgar Weyr> A'lex 's player has smile cramps, so yea, it was worth it. :) "Odd, aye," Kassi agrees drolly. "They let their money go far too easily. But that's what gives them their charm." Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "And it lasted a long, long time R'val." Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Rowr." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Dare I ask what the line was, 'Rina? :)" Aurian sighs softly, she stands and wipes some of her ash off her face at last, besmirched by A'lex and otherwise. Jehrina snickers. "Well." Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "No, you can't, because I want to use it some time :)" Kassima meanders back to her own table to pick up her jacket. "Methinks 'twill take m'ill-gotten gains and head off for the night, a'fore Lach and the others who lost their bets try and lynch me. G'night, all." Aurian tosses a wave to Kassima, "Night You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.