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Kith and Kin


Date:  March 28, 1997
Place:  The Minecraft Tent
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:  I'm not sure why I didn't post this while I was posting
the other Festival logs.  Maybe because it's so short.  Nevertheless,
it's one I like--while shopping in the Minecraft Tent, after the fire-
lizard race but before the bonfire, Kassi, Meli, and others have an 
opportunity to meet Kindre's mother!  (Also to gain their marbles, but
that's unconnected.)  And of course Drejerra treats her daughter to a
spate of affectionate nagging.  That's what mothers are for.

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The Log:

You step into the Minecraft tent.

"Evenin'," Meli murmurs.

Elion smiles and says, "Welcome", as he contiues to work on setting up the
map display.

Kindre steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

K'nan steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Verita turns away from watching Elion. "Can I help anybody?"

Meli eyes the dragon pins, moving closer and running her fingers through
the selection in the small basket.

R'val steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Kassima steps in after Meli, smiling faintly as she nods her greetings.
"Benden's duties," she comments, before heading over to take a gander at
the various items.

[Editor's Note:  The descs of some of the things available in the tent
follow.]


Crystals fill part of one table: specimens, charms, and pendants; cubic,
hexagonal, octahedral; a colorful array of shining facets requiring no
miner's effort to display their natural beauty.

Thin, delicate strands of pure silver and gold have been twisted and curled
into elegant filigree pins. The filigree forms the shape of dragons, their
wings curled protectively around tiny, oval gemstones, whose facets reflect
the light of the surrounding metal.

A divided tray displays numerous cut gems, a virtual rainbow of colour -
sapphires, rubies, emeralds, amethysts and diamonds. They are waiting to be
set into commissioned items, or to be sold as they are.

Rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, some of the craft's most
beautiful items, are set out neatly in nice, even rows. Sparkling faceted
gems in gold and silver settings catch your eye and draw your interest.

This bowl is near the jewelry items, and twinkles with a rainbow of colour.
These tiny eggs, fit to be pendants on chains of either gold or silver, are
inlaid with precious jewels, making them resemble the multi-hued shells of
either firelizard or dragon eggs. Perhaps one of them reminds you of an egg
you've seen in the past?

These items are set out on the jade tent, and come from the subcrafthall in
Lemos. Their colours range from a pale milky green to a wispy,
white-swirled purple. All of them are made of jade. There are bowls of
various sizes, and with various degrees of decoration carved into the
sides. Next to the bowls are delicately carved hair clasps, some of them
fashioned in the shapes of dragons, some resembling shipfish, some others
simple and undecorated.

A jade bowl is full of shiny tumbled stones. A rack next to it holds
tumbled stones clutched by small gold or silver dragon claws, on light
matching chains. A fraction of a mark will let you choose from amethyst,
banded agate, crazy lace, dendritic quartz, and more!

Off to one side, and perhaps overlooked, are small carved dragons.
Perfectly proportional to the great winged creatures, these apprentice-made
items each display individuality and personality. Some are carved of
granite, some of marble, some others of jade. The colours of the little
dragons range in shade from a dark jade green to a bluish shade, to a
brown. Each of them has tiny jewels, emeralds or sapphires, inset as eyes.
Aren't they charming?

A woven basket is filled with numerous bangles, some carved of jade, others
crafted of copper, silver and gold. Some are plaine, while others are
intricately carved and etched. A few of the bangles are inlaid with tiny,
sparkling jewels.


R'val trails after the others, glancing around him thoughtfully, "Tinya and
I were here brieflyb efore.' he glances at the mirror thoughtfully, and
adjusts his collar.

Elion smiles, "Minecraft's duty to Benden."

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan rearranges his jade pieces and grins
as people flood in.

Verita says "Yes, I remember."

Meli waves at Fash and picks up a small dragon pin holding a bit of green
stone intercut with red. "This's nice..."

K'nan chuckles softly as he follows the other riders in, "Kassi, if y'give
our duties t'every tent here, everyone'll be giving duties t'everyone for
days..this /is/ Benden."

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan chuckles and bends over something for
a long moment.

Kindre idles by the entrance for a moment, trying to get a full view of
everything lying within this pavillion. Smiling, she offers, "Benden's
duties to the Minecraft," formally before her eyes are drawn to something
and she heads in that direction.

Dyane nods to those who stepped into the tent and continues to look at the
gem tray.

Kassima waves to Fash, and grins at K'nan. "What can I say? I love
pointless formality--ohhhh." Yes, she's spotted the dragon pins, and the
tumbled stones, and the dragon carvings.

Lily steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Tinaly steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Lily slips back into the tent, smiling widely at the crowd. She waves to
the many familiar faces as she slips back to her spot behind the jewelry
tray. "Can I help someone?"

Tinaly blinks at everyone..

R'val nudges Kindre as he stops at her side, smiling, "See anything you
like?" he asks her.

Dyane looks at Master Lily and nods a greeting.

Jalimax steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Verita ducks out, hoping that the other miners won't notice.

Jalimax Waves and smiles.

Verita steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Meli smiles at Lily, holding out the dragon pin she's currently admiring,
the one with the green stone with red veining. "This's nice... how much?"

Kassima grins. "Indubitably, Lily, as soon as I make up my mind which of
these lovely things I can truly afford!"

Obviously drawn by the lines and craftmanship of the maps, Kindre's eyes
flick up when she hears the flaps 'swish' open and shut again. Smiling
wide, she waves, "Evening, Master Lily," before turning back to R'val and
nodding. "These," her finger hovers above the case, "are so well done...I
wonder if a parchment of home might be in here somewhere..."

R'val blinks his eyes in amazement, reaching out to tentatively brush his
fingers over the map, "Shards, Kindre ,you're certainly right. These maps
are exquisite!"

Tinaly steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan signs to Tinaly, "How goes the business?"

Bronia steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

R'val spots Bronia, turning briefly from Kindre's side, and grins hugely,
"Bronia! Long time no see!"

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly smiles and signs, "Quite well. Already
have comissions."

Lily grins at Kassima, then oves over toward Meli. "That pin?" she asks.
"Well, for an old friend like you, I'd take no more than 2 marks for it."
Scanning the crowd, she inclines her head to Dyane, and grins at R'val's
exclamation. "So, Meli, would you like the pin?"

R'val turns to Lily and notes, with a smile, 'These maps are truly
marvellous. Who made 'em?"

Bronia grins. "Haven't seen you since the Benden hatching. Well met, R'val."

Meli lifts a brow, considering, and squares her feet in preparation for
haggle-mode. "Two marks? Shells, I'd hate t'know wha' you'd be chargin' a
non-friend. How 'bout one mark?"

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan chuckles, and signs, "Great!"

R'val smiles, "I gather you've graduated now, Bronia? Congrats."

Elion smiles and speaks up, "Some of them I did, sir...but many were done
by Master Dalad."

Verita steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Bronia points to her shoulder patch. "Two days ago. I got Belior wing"

R'val smiles, "The weyrleader's wing. You must be proud.'

Kassima picks up a silver pin that embraces a green stone, then glances
over at all the green dragon carvings. She seems to be having rather a bit
of trouble making up her mind, but finally steps up to where Meli is, pin
in hand. "Two marks for a friend?" she asks with a grin. "How about for a
Wicked Greenrider? Though I'd hope to be counted among your friends as well."

"Dalad made some of them, R'val. And the apprentices and jou...as Elion
says." Lily grins, then crosses her arms over her chest, winking at Meli.
"One mark? For worksmanship like that? Really, Meli. A mark and three
quarters."

Verita steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

R'val nods to Elion, and to Lily thoughtfully, "I'm tempted to purchase
them. They really are very well done."

Dyane steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Kindre's eyes turn to regard Elion, "They truly are lovely. You both are
terribly talented," she smiles over before slipping off to peer over the
basket of bangles. "Oh, finally something without a clasp to break," is
said while dangling her naked wrist.

Elion smiles, "Well if I can answer any questions, let me know."

Lily eyes Kassima. "And, if you promise no wherry heads in the tent," she
says, voice rippling with amusement, "the same for the wicked greenrider."

Meli sniffs, looking as if she's about to put the pin back. "Well, don'
know. Still kinda high, an' it's early in th'fest. Might run out'o marks at
tha' rate." After an appropriate pause, she counters with 'One an' a quarter?'

Bronia grins. "I am. Although it just means i'll have G'rel down on me like
a ton of firestone if I set a foot wrong" She laughs. "How are your new
weyrlings going?"

R'val chortles, "I'm sure G'rel won't be that bad. Our weyrlings? They're
all doing wondedrfully. We got ourselves a fine group.' He glances at
Kindre's slim wrist and murmurs, "That suits you!"

Elion nods to Kindre, "Thank you."

Kassima mock-pouts. "Nay wherry heads? Drat! I'll have to remember nay to
wear my new wherry-head torque around here, then; it's set with garnets
that look remarkably blood-like, you know." She winks, but seems serious
enough. Glancing over to see how Meli's doing with the bargaining, she
suppresses a grin.

Bronia chuckles. "Of course you have. Pinched another good MBH apprentice.
how's T'saren?"

Lily arcs a brow at Meli and pauses to consider for a long moment, during
which she nibbles on a cookie. "Mark and a half? For you and your other
wicked greenrider friend?" She is, however, grinning.

Jalimax chuckles as he listens to the haggling, looking at the pins as well.

"Sure y'won't settle for a mark an' 3/8ths?" Meli counters, but then grins.
"Really is nice work." With a glance over at Kassi, she leans forward and
mock-whispers to the master, "I'd charge Kassi one an' three-quarters" with
a wink.

Bronia steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

From the Apprentice table, Bronia leaves the Minecraft Tent.

From the Apprentice table, Bronia smiles. "Hello - who's selling these rings?"

R'val glances at Kassi, grinning at the haggling of Meli

Kassima elbows Meli. "Meli! For that, Lily, you should charge her nay less
than four full marks, I say."

Benden Weyr> T'ren says, "How goes the Gather?"

Kindre grins, "Do you think, R'val," she wonder while gazing over several
of the wrist-adorners. "Hmm...I'm sure they're costly, but the ones Da
sends, with the clasps? Crackdust..." eyes roll, "I manage to break them
within a sevenday or two."

Benden Weyr> Kassima would say fairly well. :)

Drejerra steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly smiles and pats her chest, indicating she
is.

Meli says "Oof" and rubs at her side, waiting for the final word from
Master Lily.

R'val winks at Kindre, unable to resist flirting a little, "Wrists like
yours look good with any jangle on 'em, my dear goldrider!" He chortles,
"Honestly, they're nice. Costly? I do n't know, if you're less likely to
break 'em perhaps tis worth it?"

Finishing off her cookie, Lily chuckles quietly. "Surely you don't think
I'm so naive as to want to undersell the goods at my craft's tent," she
says to Meli. "Mark and a half for each of the rings." She glances at
Elion, then gestures toward Kindre. "Perhaps you can help her? Kindre's
really very kind. And not a greenrider either." This last, of course, is
said in a whisper.

"Oh Kiiiindre!" Drejerra sings out as she beams as smile in the girl's
direction. A hand raises and she wiggles her fingers in a wave to her as
she makes her way through the nearby people towards her.

K'nan just meanders about, peering at several of the displays but being
careful not to touch any of them. He glances over at the haggling and
chuckles from time to time.

Elion walks over to Kindre, "Can I help you?"

Meli chuckles under her breath, reaching into her belt pouch for the marks,
pulling out a worn 2-mark piece. "Don' have anythin' smaller at th'moment,
if this's all right."

Lily pauses a moment. "And I'll throw in some marbles too, for you to play
with. Green ones."

From the Apprentice table, Bronia fingers the firelizard ring. "This is
beautiful. Only question is whether I've got the marks left after what I
spent with the weavercraft." She winks. "So what're you asking for this one?"

Kindre laughs, sliding a wink at R'val, "You're simply too charming."
Chuckling a bit as she overhears Master Lily's comment, she nods, "Would
you mind helping me? It'd be nice to have a bang..." Her words cut off and
she simply blinks, standing rigid. "Mo...mother?"

R'val looks from Kindre, at his side, to the door,a nd blinks in surprise.
He whispers, "Shards, that's your mother, Kindre? He looks rather surprised.

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly grabs some hide and a writing stick. She
looks the ring over.... Writes "5"

Digging in her own belt opuch, Lily makes change for Meli, handing her a
few pretty green marbles as well. "Would you like me to package this up for
you?"

Kassima grins and pulls a few marks from her pouch, counting out one and a
half. She offers these to Lily, with a smile at mention of, "Marbles? I've
never had any marbles, you know. Da had some once, but he lost 'em a'fore
he could pass 'em on to me."

Elion looks in back and forth at Kindre and R'val, "Can I show you anything?"

Of /course/ it's Kin's mother. Who else would be ..well so intent on not
caring if she's embarrasing the rider? Drejerra finally makes her way to
her daughter and throws her arms about her in an enthused hug. "Oh my, do
you eat enough? You're all skin and bones!"

R'val glances from Elion to Kindre to her mother, "I..err..I think Kindre
wanted something." his voice dies off as he glances at her mother.

Alea steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

With incredible grace, Meli bows before Kassi, offering her half her marbles.

Lily takes Kassima's marks as well. "Here're some nice grayish green ones,"
she says, handing her a few. "Almost remind me of Lysseth's hide. Enjoy
them. And don't lose them!"

Elion stands pateintly available for questioning.

Jalimax looks up and sees Alea and waves! "Heya Alea!"

Kindre just blinks and blinks before regaining some semblance of composure.
"Elion," she wonders, her expression apologetic, "I truly am interested in
a bangle, but that," fingers gesture to the elderly woman who's recently
entered, "is my Mother. I'll be just a moment..." Hugging Drejerra back
tightly, her grin is one of worry and happiness. "I thought you'd and Da
wouldn't arrive 'til tomorrow afternoon...?"

Jiriel steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Verita steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Meli nods at Lily. "Please. I'll want it t'keep safe while I'm about."

Alea grins, greeting her friends. "heya, Igen's duty and such. What /are/
you all up to?"'

Elion nods, "Of course." and steps back.

R'val spots Alea and tears his eyes away from the meeting between Kindre
and her mother, to grin at the greenrider, "Alea! Long time no see, my dear!"

Jiriel hurries in on Alea's heels, stops suddenly and looks around.

Kassima grins and accepts them, handing Meli hers back. "I couldn't take
'em from you, Meli; you need all the marbles you can get. Lily! Would *I*
be one to lose my marbles?" She slips them into her belt-pouch, and pins
the pin on one shoulder of her Festival finery. Considering that the dress
is also green and silver, it makes a nice match. "How about you, K'nan? See
aught you like? Alea, heya!"

Lily ducks under the table and comes back, holding out two pouches. There's
one for you," she says to Meli, "and one for you," she says to Kassima. The
pouches are of leather, with an embossed Minecraft seal on them.

Drejerra shakes her head. "And that outfit, you'll catch your death of
chill!" A disapproving shake of her head as she fusses with Kindre's hair
and makes a show of tugging at her clothes. "Oh, we arrived early. He's.."
a glance around shows Kindre's father to be nowhere in sight. "..somewhere."

K'nan chuckles softly, "Kassi, y'should know that I dinna wear any
jewelery, or anything...."

From the Apprentice table, Bronia fingers the ring again and checks her
belt pouch. "I really shouldn't. I've already spent too much........you
wouldn't take four, would you?"

Alea makes her rounds greeting her friends with a friendly hug. "I'm fine,
at last I've gotten out of Igen for a while."

Kassima ohs! with surprise, looking over the pouch. "Lovely!" she exclaims,
replacing the marbles into said pouch. "Well, K'nan," she grins, "mayhaps
you should. There're some rings, and jade carvings as well...."

Lily says "And earbobs, Kassima!"

Lily grins.

Meli's face reflects the same delight as Kassi's, as she accepts the
unexpected bonus. "This's wonderful!"

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly fingers the fine gold inlay... So thin
and well done.. She write "4 3/4

K'nan grins, shaking his head. "Kassi, Kassi, Kassi...y'got me in a kilt,
but I'm /not/ going t'spend my marks on still more things that y'think I
should have. And you, Lily, you're not helping any." He winks to them both.

From the Apprentice table, Bronia chuckles. "A hard bargainer. Four and a
half?"

Lily grins widely at K'nan, then winks to Kassima and Meli.

Kindre playing bats at Drejerra's fussing, "Mother, plu-ease," is
half-begged at the woman in an exasperated tone. Her eyes, too, flick
around the tent. "Probably testing the wine, if I know Da," she quips and
giggles. "Oh, R'val," she starts then calls over to the others, "This,
obviously, is my mother, Drejerra."

Verita steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Alea hugs Jalimax in turn. "I've not seen you since my last visit here. You
are well?"

Jalimax smiles and nods, hugging Alea back, "Doing allright. Can't complain."

From the Apprentice table, Verita smiles at Tinaly and looks around.

Kassima grins at Lily, "Oh, of *course*! And a hair clip, and some bangles,
to say naught of necklaces--" She elbows K'nan lightly, laughing. "Who says
you must? I've marks running out my ears, or close enough, and if I can
find something that's wonderfully *appropriate*...." It's amazing, how she
manages to load so much threat into innocent-seeming words.

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly hmmmms, and nods. She holds her hand out
to check the ring... Yes, 4 1/2 is fair. She grins.

Jiriel steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Lily grins at Kassima. "Have you, perchance, seen Master Tiercel's
solitaire game? We've several others in boxes."

From the Apprentice table, Bronia grins and counts out the marks. "There
goes my graduation present from my aunt. Oh well" She shakes Tinaly's hand
and picks up the ring, sliding it onto her middle finger on her left hand.

Drejerra peers intently at this R'val person before finally smiling and
nodding an approval to Kindre. "Fine choice, dear! He'll father some strong
children for you." Leave it to a mother to think only of her grandchildren.
"Though you'll need to get started quickly, I'm /not/ getting any older.."
This is whispered loudly to Kindre before a smile is beamed at R'val. "Well
met!"

Alea smiles and nods to Jalimax as she makes her way to Kindre. "Heya! I've
not seen you since the hatching. How are you?"

Meli secures the pouch and its contents on her belt, patting it with one
hand gently. "Well, tha's a good start to th'evening!"

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly smiles happily, poceting the money
happily. She smiles and firmly grips the hand.

K'nan eyes Kassima warily, "Uh-huh."

Kassima raises both eyebrows, shaking her head. "Nay, I haven't--" She
spins on one heel as she hears something about 'father some strong
children,' and finally sees that Kin's attention is occupied by a strange
woman. "G'devening," she greets the lady with a smile.

Kindre smacks her forehead while her cheeks flame several colors of
crimson. "Um, Mother, R'val is weyrmated...not to me...oh, shells,
nevermind." A grin quickly returns her features to less-shocked looking as
she catches sight of the greenrider. "Alea! Crackdust, it has been a bit of
time. How goes?"

Alea puts an arm around R'val. "Heya to you too, I've not seen you since
the hatching either."

Alea says "You know littles, flights, thread, wingstuff. I'm glad to get
away for awhile.""

Kassima picks up one of the egg pendants, one that looks rather like
stained glass in its own way. "How about this, K'nan? You might find one
that would look like Veyath's egg...."

Meli gives Master Lily another smile, and turns to glance back at her
cluster of friends. "Where next?" she begins, before she realizes
everyone's back is to her, clustered around a stranger. Moving closer, she
watches best she can over shoulders.

Alea looks at Kindre's mother. "Heyla, I'm Alea, rider to Green Gwirith."

Lily's attention is drawn toward Kindre's mother as well. Used to listening
for whispering apprentices, she overhears that comment too. And hides her
smile behind a cookie.

K'nan follows Kassima over resignedly, looking over the pendants,
"Mmm...pretty enough..still..what would I do with it?"

From the Apprentice table, Verita says "How are the rings selling?"

Alea winks at Kindre and twines her arm with R'val's. "How's my favorite
bluerider?"

Kassima suggests dryly, "Wear it? That's what they're *for*, you know...."

Drejerra sighs with exaspiration apparent in everything from the sound to
her stance. "Then where is /your/ weyrmate, dear? Surely he wouldn't leave
you unattended at such a gathering!" To Kindre is whispered: "Oh, and he'd
make such a wonderful mate too, I'm sure. Poor thing." One arm is wrapped
around Kindre's shoulder in a comforting way before she smiles towards
Alea. "Well met, greenrider. Oh, I'm so glad you're here at Benden, Kinny"
there goes that mommy-voice again "they're so nice here!"

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly smiles happily, "The are selling quite
well. Plus, I'm getting good prices.

Lily thinks for a moment. "You could give it to Veyath, K'nan."

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly signed that, of course.

Benden Weyr> Meli giggles, picturing Veyath with a pierced nose.

K'nan just chuckles, "I don't /wear/ jewelry, Kass!" To Lily, he blinks,
then grins. "That'd need one long cord for her neck, Lily..."

Kindre waves over to everyone, "Kassi? Meli? K'nan? Master Lily...if you've
a moment I'd like you to meet my Ma." Her look betrays inner feelings that
she'll live to regret this little visit. "I, um, I don't have a weyrmate,
Ma," she states simply with a twinge of sterness in her voice.

From the Apprentice table, Verita nods. "I thought they'd sell well. Are
you getting a lot of commissions?"

Jalimax smiles and waves at the woman with Kindre, "A pleasure to meet you."

Meli pokes a hand through, then shoulders between her friends. "Well met."

Lily laugs at K'nan and grins widely. "Attach it to her riding straps,
K'nan." Stepping out from behind her booth, she smiles warmly to Kindre's
mother. "Minecraft's duty," she says formally. "I'm pleased to meet you."

Kassima grimaces in sympathy as she listens to Kin, taking just a moment to
wink at K'nan. "If you wear a kilt, why can't you wear jewelry?" she asks
with sweet reason before heading over to the small crowd. She smiles
warmly, with a wave to the unfamiliar woman. "Kindre's mother? Welladay!
'Tis quite a pleasure to meet you, then, and 'tis well come to Benden that
you are."

"And this is Jalimax," Kindre adds when he comes closer. "My Da apparently
isn't about yet," she notes with a tad of relief filtering her voice.

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly leans back, well pleased, signing, "Yes
well, better than O though they would."

K'nan turns to look over and grins, "Heyla, Kin's ma! I'm K'nan, rider to
Green Veyath and with absolutely no rank whatsoever. Well met." To Kassima,
he grins, "I don't wear a kilt!"

Drejerra simply look aghast. "Oh sweetie, you're by far the /most/
beautiful girl here, though there are a few who come close. Surely you can
find a weyrmate." Looking away before she can see if Kindre blushes or
pales at this comment, she smiles to everyone and repeats the names in turn
with a nod to each. "Oh, it's such a pleasure to meet you all!"

From the Apprentice table, Verita says "I'll have to get you to tell me
your secret. Let me check my tray to see if anything has sold."

Verita steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

R'val grins at Alea, and winks, "Me?" He waggles his eyebrows, "I'm great.
IT's wodnerful to see you again Alea.'

Alea smiles back at R'val. "Vidarth is well?"

R'val nods his head with a smile, "He is. How's Gwirith?"

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly smiles softly.

Several 'great Faranths' and 'shards' escape Kindre's lips as her mothers
remarks. Sighing quickly, her smile reaches up into her blush-pink cheeks.
"Drejerra...my mother's name. Sorry, I'm not used to calling her much
else," she notes and grins.

Kassima grins. "The pleasure is ours," she remarks with a laugh. "I hope
you're enjoying the Festival, ma'am?"

Alea says "Will there be any dancing. I wore my dancing slippers, just in
case. Gwirith? She's well but thinks no one will chase her now that her
wing was scored." She makes a face at the idiosyncrasies of her dragon."

R'val grins, "There is, actually, a dancing competition, Alea."

Kassima comments, "There might be, at the bonfire, depending on whether or
nay there's music."

R'val adds, with a wink, "Vidarth'll prove her wrong on that score."

Verita says "Oh, my cousin Simile's here, so you'll have musid."

"Oh, quite a bit!" Drejerra replies to Kassima as she mostly tries to
ignore the unladylike utterings from her daughter's mouth.

Alea claps her hands. "I hope so. I've not danced since the gather at
Benden last Turn."

Alea pouts prettily at R'val. "

Verita looks apologetically over to the harper. "And Jalimax, too, of course."

Alea says "Poor dear, she thinks she's no longer beautiful. And you know
how Gwir prides herself on her beautiful hide."

Kassima grins at Verita. "Wonderful! 'Tis my hope that 'twill be a success;
a'course, I'm hoping the entire thing will be...." She chuckles, and nods
to Kindre's mother. "Quite glad to hear it, believe you me! This seems to
be an occasion for seeing folks' parents around the Weyr; m'own Da is
manning the Greystones Tent, in fact, and he's promised to get himself free
to socialize sooner or late." Whether she's looking forward to or dreading
that fact is really hard to say, from her tone and expression.

R'val smiles, "Vidarth thinks she's very beautiful. Just let him near her,
and he'll flirt shamelessly.' He winks.

Alea looks at Kassi. "Your Da is here? I'd like to meet him."

Meli sighs. "My ma's still out at Greenfields. Never have managed t'get her
here. She jus' won't ride dragonback."

R'val glances at Meli, "WHyever not, Meli?

Alea chuckles at R'val's comment. "Jays, Gwirith is the worst flirt of all,
but you know that."

"I'm the worst dancer," Kindre admits while chuckling, "Better in water
than on land Da always said...and he's right." Her smile broadens at the
thought of someone's else's parents being here. "He is, Kassi? I've never
met him, though am certainly looking forward to it."

Kassima shakes her head, almost frantically. "Oh, nay, surely 'twould nay!
He's, um... busy. He's in charge of the tent, you know, and very proud--but
it keeps him occupied." That, at least, rings sincere.

Meli shrugs, chuckling. "Jus' scared, mostly."

K'nan shows his entire opinion on the topic of parentage with a soft snort,
actually turning to look over the pendants in preference.

Jalimax chuckles at Verita, "I leave the playing to the other harpers."

Alea turns towards Jalimax. "I would love to hear you play sometime."

Kassima nods to Meli. "My mum will never come here, either." She doesn't
*quite* sound relieved, but not far from it. "And Kin, *you're* hardly the
worst. I am the worst. Or have you forgotten the Turnover celebration at
Tillek?"

R'val grins, "vidarth likes her, flirt or no. In fact, he prefers her
flirting." he winks at Alea and smiles at Meli, "Ah,well. Some people just
dont like dragons."

Verita shrugs. "Well, I guess I'll have to hope there are some other
harpers, then."

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan rearranges the jumble of jade carvings
on the table.

Alea sniffs. "They ought do, Jay's! Our dragons keep all their hides safe
from Thread and my poor Gwirith doesn't like getting scored."

Drejerra makes a loud sound of disbelief. "Oh Kindre, you're a just fine
dancer." To her friends: "I taught her myself, you know."

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly waves hello.

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan finally finishes fiddling with his
carvings and steps back behind the table, considering his display, before
grinning.

Kassima nods emphatically to Drejerra. "I've never seen Kin dance, but I'm
sure she's fine at it, especially compared to m'self."

"Someday I'll jus' go an' snatch her 'gainst her will," says Meli. "She'll
yell a lot, but she'll like seein' where I'm at. An' she's not met T'lar."

Lily steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Jalimax smiles at Alea, "some day you will."

Kassima flashes Meli a grin. "What, nay going to wait until 'tis time to
inform her she'll be a grandmum?" she teases.

Kindre laughs quietly, "Kassi," she begins, "I recall you and M'rgan at
Ruatha and you let him leave with all of his toes. Not one of -any- of my
dance partners left the floor without hobbling." Rolling her eyes, she
nudges Drejerra, "You know I'm awful..."

Verita steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Rolan steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

Alea tugs slightly on R'val's arm. "I've not seen what the tables have to
offer. I think I'll have a look."

Meli sticks her tongue out at Kassi. "Careful, you'll jinx /y'self/ there,
friend."

R'val smiles at Alea, "Want some company?""

From the Apprentice table, Verita notices the jade and comes over to look
at it.

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly curtsies to Master Lily,

Alea nods. "Certainly. M'kel is busy as usual."

R'val glances at Kindre and grins, "You can't be that bad, silly."

Kassima snorts. "I still say he should've been hobbling, given how many
times I stepped on those toes of his." She whaps Meli lightly on the arm
with a feh and a, "Fat chance of *that*!"

"Hey!" exclaims Meli. "Y'keep hittin' me! Elbows, an whaps, an what next?
Shards, you're not safe t'be around."

Alea chuckles.

From the Apprentice table, Verita looks more closely at the peridot, no, it
must be a citrine, on the dragonwing belt.

Rolan looks around shyly

Jalimax grins at Meli, "Well, she *has* those knives.."

Drejerra refuses to acknowledge her daughter's lack of grace on the dance
floor, since her own gracefullness is still apparent in her older age. "Oh
dear, with an attitude like /that/, I'm sure that you'll never find anyone
to dance with. And those clothes.. Faranth help us, we'll never find you a
mate if you don't dress. like.. a lady!"

R'val nudges Alea and smiles, "Where to, th en?"

Alea steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

R'val steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Kassima laughs. "Just now finding this out?" she queries. "A'course I'm
nay. I'm a greenrider... hrm. Y'know, 'tis nay long until the bonfire, and
I've a wish t'be seeing more 'round-about. What of you lot?"

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly waves a greeting to the rider.

From the Apprentice table, Fashaylan eyes Verita out of the corner of his
eye, bouncing happily at his first...uh, admirer.

From the Apprentice table, Alea says "I'll be along Kassi. I want to look
at a few baubles."

Catching Jalimax's comment, Meli nods. "Yeh, she does a'that. Still, she
doesn't usually beat m'up so much." She grins, turning her head and saying
"Sounds good. Might be nice t'see some more 'fore it gets too dark."

Jalimax chuckles at Kindre, "I'm sure you're not a bad dancer."

From the Apprentice table, Lily looks out over the very full tent and calls
out, "If any of you need help, don't be shy about saying so." She smiles at
the Igen rider, inclining her head. "Feel free to look around. The
apprentices did some very fine work."

R'val steps into the Minecraft Tent from outside.

From the Apprentice table, Alea smiles. "What pretty earbobs do you have."

R'val steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

From the Apprentice table, Verita agrees loudly with Master Lily.

From the Apprentice table, R'val walks up to the table with Alea, glancing
curiously at the bobbles.

Kindre's jaw opens and shuts several times, words failing to form
themselves into sound. Find brushing the jacket she's wearing, she snorts,
"Mother," oh, she'll be in trouble for using -that- tone, "Would you prefer
me in a dress? I simply didn't want to get mucked at the bonfire later..."
Sighing, she shrugs, "Honestly, I am a terrible dancer," she adds in a
quiet voice.

Rolan looks at the jewlery

From the Apprentice table, Tinaly waves more greetings, standing behind her
rings.

Kassima bobs her head in agreement. "Precisely!" She also, wickedly, calls
to Kin, "I'm going to be at the Bonfire m'self, but I think dresses will
still suit!" She twirls a bit, allowing her skirt to flare, before striding
out of the tent.

Meli steps out of the Minecraft Tent.

Rolan says "what bonfire?"

From the Apprentice table, Alea fingers a pair of simple emerald ear bobs.
"These would go well with my dress."

Kassima chuckles. "By the Lake Shore, soon enough," she calls over her
shoulder.

You step out of the Minecraft Tent.