-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Days Of Our Knives Date: August 30(?), 1998 Places: Ista Weyr's Southeastern Bowl and 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: The saga of Kassi, G'har, and those long alluded-to but never-actually-seen knives continues; in this episode, our heroine/ villainess returns to Ista to both ask for an update on the status of the elusive blades and to inquire as to the purchase price of some Istan peppers... a noted aphrodesiac. Kassi definitely gets weirder every day. Anyway, G'har turns into 'Uncle Gar' the hapless child- tender by Khari, T'saren is tormented by pepper-talk in the presence of a goldrider of whom he's particularly fond, and Madelynda comes to realize the true depths of Kassima's evil--all in one evening, no less! Things prefixed by <*> take place near Lysseth while Kassi is riding her; things prefixed by Lysseth> take place in Ista's Southeastern Bowl. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: The huge looming entrances of the living caverns are easily visible from here, and you glide downward to land, scattering firelizards as you do so. <*> Virroth approaches from above, the wind from his wings stirring the air into a great rush as he lands. <*> Solarith approaches from above, the wind from his wings stirring the air into a great rush as he lands. <*> Kharty swings her leg over Virroth's neck then slides down the blue's side, pausing to give him an affectionate pat. You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles, cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully. T'saren slides down from Solarith's neck, using the bronze's foreleg and riding straps for assistance. Falsanath rumbles a cheerful greeting to the dragons and riders, especially to Lysseth. Oerth approaches from above, the wind from her wings stirring the air into a great rush as she lands. Alania holds tightly onto Oerths neckridges and swings down, lightly landing on the ground Alania blinks as she notices all the Dragons in the bowl "Ista's greetings" she says as she heads toward the living Cavern" Kharty sighs and smiles as she looks around, tugging her gloves off to slap against one another. "Good to be warm again!", she notes with obvious satisfaction. Solarith returns Falsanath's rumble, then settles down to bask in the warmth. "Ah, I do love the sweet sound of invading wingbeats in the evening," Kassima comments as she shucks helmet, jacket, etcetera--just riding gear, here; don't get any weird ideas--and gazes about appreciatively. "We can kill two wherries with one knife blade if'n we're careful; it does seem as though the bronzer's about. Evening, Falsanath!" Lysseth echoes the greeting, warbling brightly to the familiar Istan bronze. "And our duties t'Ista and her queens as well, greenrider... isn't it though?" She directs a grin at Khar, then motions towards the Caverns. "Best bet is t'check in there, methinks." Alania just nods suspicously and heads toward the living cavern.. Alania walks into the huge living cavern. T'saren nods in agreement with Kharty, also pulling his gloves off and tucking them in his belt. "That it is. I never thought I'd get tired of snow and ice, but I guess that changes after too many Turns of being out in it." Ista LC> Alania hurries in, glancing behind her "Trouble is afoot" she can't help but grin and heads for the Klah mug. Ista LC> G'har is looking just a bit green about the gills. "Kassi," he says slowly. "Uh, Alania, is she coming in -here-?" Kharty smiles back at Kassi then off comes the helmet and goggles. "I think we follow her?", she asks as she watches the rider disappear. Gloves get tucked into her jacket pocket and Virroth's buckle gets the others. "Ready to invade?" Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth warbles, << My rider wonders whether yours is in the *Living Cavern*? She wishes to discuss sharp things with him. >> Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles his amusement. << He wishes me to say that he is not there, but he is. >> Ista LC> Alania looks at G'har and nods "I expect so, /what/ is all this about anyways, and she has that T'saren with her" she frowns. Dragon> Lysseth, Solarith, Tierth, and Virroth sense that Phediath bellows merrily in greeting. << A fine night for a visit to our perfectly lovely Weyr. And such fine dragons you are... >> Her attention pauses briefly on Virroth, who seems slightly less familiar to the queen. Kassima turns back towards her dragon to unbuckle Khari and help her down once she's divested herself of hot riding leathers. "Aye," she confirms, hoisting the small girl onto her hip. "We do. Falsanath says that G'har's in there, so I really *am* in luck." That said, she heads purposefully towards yonder LC. You walk into the huge living cavern. Lysseth> Madelynda walks out onto the smooth surface of Phediath's ledge and, climbing down the stairs hewn from the stone, steps into the bowl. Lysseth> T'saren rolls his eyes at his fellow Telgari, but follows them into the lower caverns. T'saren walks in from the bowl. Alania is by the serving table pouring Klah into a mug. She turns to watch the riders with a frown. G'har grimaces at Alania's words. His eyes unfocus just a bit, and he starts to get to his feet, though he sinks back into that chair when Kassi arrives. "Kassima," he says weakly. "How wonderful to see you." And then he does get to his feet. "Ista's duty to Telgar and her queens." Alania walks over to where G'har is sitting, finding a seat close. She sets her mug down on the table and watches silently. Lysseth> Madelynda peers about the southeast bowl, hands rested lightly on her hips. She looks up as Tierth spirals in for a landing, a brief smile appearing on her mouth. "Well well," she breathes, taking in the sight of the Telgar dragons. "What have we here..." Quietly, smoothing her hair a bit, she picks her way toward the living cavern. "Duties t'Ista Weyr and her queens," Kassima greets at once, echoed by a higher, piped, "Duties!" from the small female devil-child who's currently hoisted onto her hip. "G'har! Wonderful, indeed, and *so* fortuitous... 'twas hoping 'twere here, and 'twas most pleased when Falsanath confirmed it. How fare things?" She grins an unsettlingly toothy grin. Madelynda walks in from the bowl. Lysseth> Solarith, Phediath, and Virroth sense that Lysseth rumbles an amiable greeting to the Istan queen. << Thank you, >> is her forthright reply. << The night is pleasant indeed, and my rider is most pleased that she will be able to complete an errand or two here. >> Dragon> Lysseth, Phediath, and Virroth sense that Solarith returns the bellow with a gentle rumble. << How kind of you to welcome us, lovely lady. >> He barely remembers this particular gold, but knows that he likes her. Alania is sitting close to G'har, with a mug of Klah, watching the proceedings. She smiles with relief as she spots Madalynda, then eyes the Telgar riders suspicously. Dragon> Lysseth, Solarith, and Phediath sense that Virroth rumbles a greeting, then images he and Aradith, twirling about above the Istan waters. << I have been here before. >> he notes proudly. G'har notices the small female devil-child and turns an unlikely shade of gray-green. "Oh, my," he murmurs. "Things. Things are...thingful," he babbles. "That is, they're reasonably well...weyrwoman!" He greets Madelynda with a look of undisguised relief, and a hint of a plea as well. "We've visitors, ma'am." And how kind of him to point that out, just in case Maddy hadn't noticed. T'saren nods to the Istan riders, giving his own "Telgar's duties" to them, before turning around at the sound of footsteps. Madelynda gets a very warm smile, though he does restrain himself from giving her a hug. "G'evening, Maddy. Didn't expect to see you, though I guess I should have." Kharty walks in from the bowl. Madelynda enters cautiously, eyes searching the cavern even before she's all the way inside, a half-grin curving her lips. She flashes a broad, reassuring smile at Alania when she meets the greenrider's glance; and at G'har's announcement, the grin turns wry as she casts a similar smile at him. "Aye, indeed we have," she says in an amused tone, arms folding lightly across her torso as she looks over the Telgari contingent. "Ista's duties to Telgar and her queens, of course, and welcome. What brings us the pleasure of your company?" Kassima flashes Alania a perfectly friendly smile, then turns to offer Madelynda a warmer one of the same type. "Madelynda! Duties and greetings, queenrider. I hope you don't mind us dropping by, but we'd some business; I've a need t'speak with yonder bronzerider, and I believe that we're also interested in discussing... peppers." Cryptic, that, and accompanied by an impish wink that bodes no good. The female devil-child--Kharisma, by name--just stares in fascination at G'har. Such a strangely-colored man, he is. "He paint his face, Mum?" she asks, much to Kassima's amusement. "Nay quite, love," is the greenrider's reply. "Thingful, eh, bronzer? That's... thingerific. Mind if'n I sit down? The spawnling is rather heavy, and I'd rather nay have t'just let her loose t'wreak havoc all over the cavern." T'saren lets Kassi explain the purpose of the visit, contenting himself with drinking in the remembered sights, smells, and sounds of Ista. Each item his eyes light on brings a bit more of a smile to his lips, until he's fairly grinning from ear to ear. "Nothing changes," he murmurs to himself, followed by, "Which is more than I can say for back home." Dragon> Lysseth, Solarith, and Virroth sense that Phediath eyes the dragons through the entrance to her weyr, among the other queens' weyrs just off the southeast bowl, with interest. Responding to Virroth's image, she observes lightly, << Indeed you have, I can see. You are a young one. >> Solarith inspires a long and thoughtful pause within the thing, her tail swishing sensuously against the cold stone, and Lysseth receives a friendly croon. << Your rider is humorous, or so my Madlyn tells me. We hope she finishes everything she begins. >> Alania qirks a grin but remains silent, happy to just sip her Klah after a day of drills. G'har waves Kassi to a seat, his face turning a much less childstare- inducing shade. "Please," he says, sitting once more. "Have a seat, yes. I'm sure that everyone prefers the living cavern without havoc--I know I do." Lysseth> Solarith, Phediath, and Virroth sense that Lysseth rumblechuckles, rich golden green flickering across the crystalline spires of cool blue, calm emerald, and translucent violet that combine with an undercurrent of seething blood-red to make up her mindscape. << Humorous is one word for her, yes. She finishes most things... except for the things which have no ending. >> Such as tormenting maleriders, perhaps? Kharty takes time to look about the cavern, a soft smile on her lips, fond memories in her heart. A few strides take her to the food tables, but, intent as she is on a few of Ista's delicacies, she pauses to watch Kassi get seated. "Havoc seems to follow a certain greenrider, as I recall, Wingleader," she grins then adds a nod to accent her words. Kassima settles Khari into her lap, beaming at the bronzerider. "How marvelous! In that case, mayhaps you'll be willing t'hold her when I turn to the pepper-dealings? She'd probably be bored by them, poor thing, nay understanding what they're for yet or even what an aphrodesiac is." Indeed, the girl seems more interested in trying to figure out the amazing color-changing man. Her amber-gold eyes rest continuously on his face, her gaze remarkably thoughtful for a two-Turn-old. She must be planning trouble. "Now, then, G'har. About those knives... oh, Khar, really! I don't bring havoc. It just happens t'be there when I arrive, that's all. Really. The rider dominoes yestereve were *nay* m'fault." Madelynda chuckles goodnaturedly at Kassima's greeting, her dark brown braid bouncing against her shoulder blades as she shakes her head in denial. "All riders are welcome here, whether to celebrate a Hatching, drink the Nines, or..." The goldrider grins. "Collect knives. And yes," she echoes G'har with a gesture of her hand, "have a seat." She mutters softly to a few onlooking servers, who duck their heads and scurry away to get provisions and drinks. Turning her gaze on T'saren, she grins wide. "Nothing, bronzerider?" she asks, one eyebrow arched as she watches with an obvious yet friendly affection. She glances briefly to Kharty, giving the unfamiliar woman a formal nod, before looking back to T'saren. G'har wiggles his fingers towards Kharisma, trying not to look disconcerted by that amber-gold stare. "Hold her. Sure. Yeah. I can do holding." He hesistates, then. "About those knives. I don't suppose you could come back for them in a few days?" He attempts a winning smile, and it doesn't quite work. "After all, you've waited this long..." T'saren steps into the living cavern a bit farther, running his finger along a table edge. He glances back to Kassi and Khar a bit sheepishly, suddenly remembering he did come with them for a purpose, and starts in their direction. Maddy's words make him pause in mid-step, with the result of sending the Wingleader almost into a bench. He clears his throat several times as he meets her eyes, then finally chuckles. "Well, almost nothing, weyrwoman." Yes, that's it. When put off-guard, go for formality. Dragon> Phediath bespoke Lysseth, Solarith, and Virroth with << Things that have no ending? >> the queen asks curiously, struck by the concept, almost massaging it quietly in her mind. << Such as the ripples on the sea, and the Great Queen's rising and setting in the sky? I imagine no human could finish such things. >> Kharty scoops up a few of the cooked Istan peppers onto a plate then a few tubers added off to the side, almost as an afterthought. Catching Madelynda's nod, she smiles politely and offers, "Khar, rider of that blue form out there on your bowl... the one with the larger than average head for a blue." She winks then goes back to seeking some drink for her meal. Kassima doesn't hesitate at all, but promptly stands up again in order to make the transfer of Khari from Kassi-lap to G'har-lap. "Good," she says with satisfaction. "Just don't let her wiggle away. Khari's noted for such things." Giving the lass's silky, straight black hair an affectionate ruffle, she returns to her own seat, and raises one eyebrow at that sickly excuse for a smile. "I *could*," she agrees, after a long moment. "Such an odd request, though. I'd thought you said they'd be ready at any time I wished t'come for 'em? Naught... amiss... has become of 'em, has it?" Eyeing Kharty's choice of cuisine, she can't resist the urge to comment, "Keagan would probably be pleased t'see you munching the aphrodesiacs we came here for. Speaking of which... Madelynda, is there any way that we might procure a number of Ista's peppers? I've heard they possess certain interesting properties." Lysseth> Solarith, Phediath, and Virroth sense that Lysseth agrees whimsically, << Things like the singing of the wind, the flow of the rivers, the passage of Time, and the need for femaleriders to torment maleriders. Yes. >> Kharty laughs heartily at Kassi's comment, tilting her head sideways as she speculates on her choice of foodstuffs. "He's off somewhere, as I recall, making some final dealings for the sale of runnerstock." She shrugs as she licks her fingers. "I think he'd be staying there overnight, but that's a guess." Madelynda grins, walking with Kharty as she moves toward the serving table, "He's a fine blue, Phediath tells me. And she also says you've visited us before. I'm sorry that I did not have the fortune of meeting you then. I'm Madelynda, Phediath's rider. And welcome." Kassima's question distracts her, and the weyrwoman stops to turn and look at her. After a brief, puzzled pause, she repeats, "Peppers?" she asks, her expression carefully blank despite her obvious confusion. "I imagine so, depending on the amount you'd need. What for, may I ask?" Distracted once more, she blinks at T'saren's misstep, surprised by the near-collision. "Almost nothing?" she asks, the volume of her voice decreasing as her confusion increases. G'har shifts the child to a slightly more comfortable spot on his lap, murmuring to her, "I'm G'har, by the way. I've heard, uh, quite a lot about you, kiddo. Nice to finally meet you." Lifting his gaze from Kharisma to her mother, he hedges, "Amiss? Why would anything amiss happen to your knives, Kassi?" Now, Kassima happens to be in a playful mood, as she often is when things are going her way. As such, her first answer to Madelynda is a breezy, "Well, y'see, I'm out to seduce all the bronzeriders on Pern; I'll move onto the male chromatics after that, but I figure a girl has t'start somewhere. I know *I* won't need 'em, but some of those bronzers aren't of much use without a little help...." Green eyes dancing with wicked mirth, she then confesses, "Actually, we just want them for a bit of a plot against a certain brownrider we all know--I think--and some of us torment." Alania chuckles softly and sips her Klah, quite amused with all of this. T'saren turns several shades of red at Kassi's mention of the properties of Istan peppers, tearing his gaze away from Maddy to drop into a seat by the greenriding Wingleader. Without looking back at the Istan junior weyrwoman, he nods to her questioning of his response. "Well, Sol's not on the Sands with Phediath, so that's changed," he answers rather lamely. Kassi's following words don't help him any, having the result of him edging away from her a bit. Hard to tell when she's joking sometimes, especialy after finding her in his bed the other morning. G'har's eyes widen fractionally at Kassi's first statement, with a choked back noise that would imply that he's inhaled a bad patch of air. At the comment about bronzerider's needing help, he lifts his eyes skywards, and he shakes his head. Madelynda watches G'har and the child with unmasked amusement. "You're a natural, bronzerider," she comments, her mouth upturning into a half- smile. The afore-instructed servers, one with food and another with ale, klah, and juice, begins to rounds to the visitors as they offer refreshment. Satisfied, Madelynda gently pulls a chair out from under a table, sitting down in full-view of the riders--at which point Kassima relays her explanation, which immediately causes the goldrider to flush bright red. "I...see." Swallowing, her hands resting lightly on her kneecaps, she casts a glance at T'saren when he speaks, one brow arching-- as if unsure how to take his remark. Kassima then replies to G'har, "Oh, I don't know--but there's always the fact that Lysseth reported Falsanath asking what would happen if'n you'd lost 'em...." She pats one pocket of her jacket meaningfully. It's hard to tell, but that *might* be a handle of some kind peeking out of it. Khari, heedless of the presence of the Emasculator, cranes her head up to look at G'har again. "Gar," she tries. Okay, so her enunciation isn't that good yet. "M'Khari, Uncle Gar. Pleasure to make your...." Her face scrunches up as she tries to remember the word. "'Kaintince?" Kassima makes a face at G'har when she hears him nearly choking. "Why does everyone find that so sharding implausible?" she asks rhetorically, and facetiously to boot. After all, it *is* sharding implausible. "Tas, what bug crawled up your pants? You look as though you're afraid you're about to be pounced on and massacred by rabid riders. Really, Maddy, I know it sounds odd--but believe you me, *this* rider deserves it." After a moment's thought, she wonders, "Could we get raw oysters here as well?" G'har blanches at Kassi's words, but his attention is caught by--or perhaps pushed to--Kharisma. "My," he says to the child, "What a big word. You must be older than I was told--at least six or seven." Kharisma giggles and shakes her head vigorously. "Mum says it," she explains. Bright she may be, but she's not *that* bright. "Why you go white, Uncle Gar?" Alania just raises an eyebrow as she looks at Kassima "Oysters" she mutters softly, then shakes her head, cutting off her next remark. Kharty does happen to catch a mug of ale as one of the men walk by her. A quick nod of her head and a flash of a smile signal her thanks as she finds an empty chair and pulls it out with her boot's toe. "Now just 'what' do raw oysters have to do with anything, Kassi?" she asks with a grin that might suggest her current thought of her wingleader. The largest tuber gets crunched a few times then quickly disappears, her eyes catching Madelynda's momentarily apologizing for her appetite. "Double duty on sweeps, ma'am... sorry to be such a beast at eating so much." T'saren looks up at the passing drudges with something akin to relief, shaking off the offer of food but accepting one of juice. He takes the mug carefully, sipping from it before risking a glance back at Madelynda. He notes her arched brow and gives her a slight shrug, hoping it conveys all he's thinking, which isn't likely. Kassi's comment gets a wide-eyed stare and a dropped jaw, making him look like a recently landed packtail. "Um, that's entirely likely," he mutters beneath his breath after regaining a small measure of his composure. Madelynda blinks over to Kassima, quiet for a moment, as if weighing whether or not it would be suitable to offer peppers, let along oysters. "May I ask which brownrider?" she asks lightly, her demeanor turning politely official, as if that air were an automatic defense mechanism triggered by such situations. Alania's muffled comment barely reaches her ears, and her eyes dart the greenrider's way, as if to adjudge her reaction. G'har says, with the vague distraction of someone considering something quite disturbing, "I'm just thinking of something, Khari. S'okay, don't worry about it." A pause. "Hey, maybe you know my niece. She's a little older than you, though. Caidan?" Kassima affirms, ticking things off on her fingers, "Oysters, peppers, passionfruit, raspberries, stuffed mushrooms, and *some* sort of herb for his drink, we hope." One really has to pity this unnamed brownrider. "They're aphrodesiacs, Khar... ugh, you're eating *tubers*? That's just disgusting." A broad, thoroughly mischievous grin is given to Tas. "Don't worry, bronzer. The only one who's been eating the peppers is *her*, so you won't get pounced on by more than one woman, if'n that... oh, mayhaps you know him, Maddy. M'rgan, brown Ularrith's rider of High Reaches? One of m'goals in life is t'make *his* life sharding interesting, y'see, and I could really use some blackmail material besides t'keep him from killing me over... an incident or two." "I got peppers," a chubby, broad-smiling woman overseeing the serving table announces toward the Istan weyrwoman. "And oysters, too, ma'am. Some of the fosterlings brought some in this afternoon. Not enough to serve to the Weyr, so we can spare 'em, I suppose." The woman sniffs. "The boys don't want 'em, anyhow." Kharisma brightens a bit at the familiar name, and it even manages to distract her from her line of query. "Sis knows her. See her sometimes. You got littles, Uncle Gar?" G'har's gaze flickers briefly to Kassima at the mention of M'rgan, but then he keeps his attention firmly on Kharisma, perhaps hoping to forestall the inevitable questions about the whereabouts of Kassima's knife. At Kharisma's question, he shakes his head. "No littles, sorry." He even manages to keep from saying 'Faranth, no!' After all, the kid's still quite young. Kharisma says wisely, snuggling herself back against the bronzer (aww), "Should. Ev'ryone should." Kassima actually shoots G'har a mildly sympathetic--and amused, to be sure--glance before asking as expected, "G'har, those knives... you *are* planning t'hold to our deal, aren't you? If'n you aren't, then you'd really best tell me right now." Perhaps so that she can elucidate further on the aforementioned 'incident or two'. Madelynda frowns slightly at the woman, who by her knot appears to be an assistant headwoman. "Indeed, Bevin?" she says, her tone faltering. Gaze shifting to Kassima, her face fades to a worried pale. "M'rgan, yes. I've met him infrequently. Always seems a nice man. Never one, it seemed, to warrant a prank," she replies carefully. T'saren, after Kassi's repeated teasing, sets his mug down slowly and rests his forehead against one hand, elbow propped on the table. A distinct murmuring comes from the Wingleader, something about aphrodesiacs and having to come along tonight. He finally removes the hand and looks up, putting on a mask of complete calm as he listens to the others. G'har's glance down at Kharisma is oddly...tender? Something like that. Affectionate, at least, and free of the usual edginess that he has around small children. "I'll remember that, kiddo." Looking up at Kassi's words, he says, "Of course I'm planning to hold to our deal." He's planning it, he just doesn't have the wherewithal. Kharty finds it best to stay clear of the interplay about her. Instead, she continues to devour the food before her, sending an occasional nod or mutter in the speakers directions. Kassima brightens at this Bevin's words, looking almost gleeful. "Oh, how marvelous! A'course, oysters won't keep, so we probably can't buy them *now*; the prank can't be pulled until his greens are glowing. Maddy, believe me, I've known Mart for... let's see. About thirteen Turns, now? 'Tany rate, how our friendship works is that we play pranks on and tease each other. Since he made me turn fuchsia in front of an entire Living Cavern the other day, believe me, he deserves a doozy." Jerking her thumb towards Kharty and Tas, she adds, "Just ask them! Oh, Tas, sheesh--'tis nay as though we're buying 'em for *you*. Just don't eat any peppers around here, and you'll be fine. Honest." G'har receives a somewhat dubious glance. "I trust you," she says finally. "And I also trust that you'd nay wish t'make your Craft look bad by nay delivering in a somewhat timely fashion now that we've settled on a price. About when should I expect them?" Alania sits quietly, sipping her mug of Klah, which is mostly cold by now altho she makes no move to freshen it. Kharisma favors G'har with a broad child's grin, slightly crooked and showing a nearly full set of small teeth. "You got a dragon?" is her next question. Inquisitive spawn, she is. By the tilt of her head, as well as the downturned-corners of her mouth, Madelynda does not look entirely convinced at Kassima's explanation. Her gaze flickers to Alania, as if seeking another moment of shared puzzlement; but, apparently not succeeding, the goldrider looks back to Kassima with a resigned expression. "Bevin," she calls to the headwoman, tone carefully even, "please assemble a few peppers for our Telgarian visitors, if you would?" G'har grimaces at Kassi's comment about his former Craft, hesitating for a long moment before finally admitting to her, "I'm not exactly sure." He can't help but smile at Kharisma, though it's a distinctly nervous smile. "Yes, I do. His name's Falsanath, and I'll try to introduce you to him before you have to leave." Bevin ducks her head, the sincerity of her smile matching the sincerity of her offer. "Yes, ma'am," she answers clippingly, and trots off to do as told. T'saren rolls his eyes slightly at his fellow Wingleader. "I had no plans of it, Kassi. This is not the time, nor the place, for me to eating supposed aphrodesiacs." Another quick glance is given to Madelynda, but is just as quickly pulled away. Kassima purses her mouth, not looking entirely pleased. She's probably guessed by now that all is not right in Denmark. "I imagine 'twill be checking back with you, then, t'see whether or nay you've learned. In a few days, mayhaps?" Madelynda receives a grateful smile. "Oh, thankee, queenrider! Believe you me, nay harm will come of it. Kena may even thank you, for all I know. You really have t'be one of Mart's archnemeses t'realize just how much he deserves this...." Her eyes travel towards T'saren, and she glances between him and the goldrider. "Perhaps nay," she concurs. "'Tany rate, 'twill leave the decision of whether or nay you need t'be bought peppers in Maylia's hands." "Sanath?" Khari does her level best to repeat. "'Sa he? Oh. M'sorry. Greens're best," she explains, giving the rider a look that's brimming with sympathy. "All dragons are good, though. He nice?" Madelynda nods once or twice at Kassima, apparently uncomfortable with her role in this despite the greenrider's assurances; as Bevin returns and nears the goldrider's side, a number of peppers resting in her hands, she manages a smile to the headwoman and gestures to Kassima. "They're yours." Brows furrowing, she murmurs, "Funny, they don't seem to have any rare affect on us here." G'har nods quickly to Kassima, grateful for even a few days' reprieve. At Kharisma's question, though, a hint of humor returns. "He's very nice, and he agrees with you that greens are best." A flickered look to Madelynda, and he adds, "Well, greens and golds." Kassima admits cheerfully, even as she gives Bevin an extremely grateful look and holds out her hands for the peppers, "We're nay certain whether or nay 'twill work, but... well, 'tis worth a shot. Richenda swears by raw oysters, and 'twas Ofira--I think--who told us of the peppers. Thankee, too, Assistant Headwoman! 'Tis most appreciated, truly." Turning her eyes back towards G'har, she nods briefly. "'Twill be back in a few days, then." Oddly, she doesn't seem that upset. Perhaps there's something afoot on her end, too. T'saren sighs and shakes his head at Kassi's comments. "Good idea," he answers. "Much safer that way." His eyes go distant for a moment, then he comes back to himself with anothe rshake of his head, muttering 'lifemates, always prying'. Madelynda catches G'har's glance and her expression softens a bit at the exchange between he and the child. "But 'tis true, all dragons are good," she notes with a gentle smile, relaxing into her chair and crossing one leg over the other as she leans back. Her eyes take in each of the riders before eventually resting on T'saren, whom she watches curiously. "You look a bit pale, bronzerider," she notes. "Something to eat? Or something stronger than juice to drink, perhaps?" "Ohhhhhh." Kharisma seems to understand this. "Bronze? 'Sa pretty color. Sis's Da rides bronze." A pause, and then the talkative and oh-so-helpful child adds, "Mum says bronzes're le... letch... letch'rous?" Bevin hands over the peppers with a victorious flourish, dumping them into the greenrider's hands. "Most welcome!" she booms, giving Kassima a wink and whispering, "Add a bit of wherry claw to the mix and you'll most likely get the result you're looking for." With that, she spins around and walks toward the hearths to resume her duties. G'har nods to Kassi, looking rather relieved, and utterly oblivious to the fact that she might be planning anything. At Kharisma's words, he can't help but smirk. "The bronzes, kiddo? Or their riders? Though I'm guessing your mum could've said both." A brief expression of embarrassment and even sheepishness flickers across Kassi's face. "Thankee for sharing that, love." Her fingers close reflexively around the peppers, and her grin returns at Bevin's whisper. "Really! How marvelous! Thankee again; you've been most... helpful." She winks back to the woman, then shifts her focus back to T'saren once the woman has turned away. "Agreed, bronzer... on both counts." T'saren looks at Maddy with a smile. "Something stronger to drink would be most welcome, though I probably shouldn't. Drills at dawn tomorrow and all." His following expression is regretful; obviously the Wingleader would much appreciate getting completely drunk tonight for some reason. Kharisma chews on her lip and scrunches up her brow again as she ponders and ponders this, amber eyes narrowing. "Both!" she finally announces triumphantly, the crooked grin reappearing. She seems oddly heedless to her mother's predicament. "You letch'rous, Uncle Gar?" G'har shakes his head back and forth, clearly amused by the situation. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Khari, but I'm not." Raising his voice slightly, he calls, "Kassi, will you bring Khari when you visit again?" "Oh." This time, Khari sounds distinctly disappointed. Sneaking one finger into the corner of her mouth to chew on thoughtfully, she finally asks, "What's letch'rous *mean*?" G'har says smoothly, "There's a question that you need to ask your mother." This, of course, is why he's never having kids; then somebody would be able to say 'go ask your father,' and -he'd- have to deal with the tough questions. Kassima seems rather surprised by *that* question, and looks up from tucking the peppers into her satchel. "I suppose I could," she agrees, a touch warily. "Why, d'you want me to? She does seem t'have taken something of a liking t'you." She smiles and crinkles her nose at the girl-child, eliciting a giggle. Madelynda arches a brow at T'saren, giving him a quick nod. "Best not to have anything else, then," she answers, her tone of voice making obvious her concern that able-minded riders stay able-minded when duty is imminent. The word 'letch'rous' from the child catches her ear, and she flashes a goodnatured grin at Kassima. "Now, where on earth might the child get -that- idea?" Kharisma shakes her head again, black hair flying about her head. "Nuh- *uh*. Whenev'r I ask Mum, she says, 'Ask your foster-mum.' And when I ask Foster-Mum, she says, 'Go ask your aunts and uncles.'" The little girl beams hopefully at the bronzerider. "You know, Uncle Gar?" Kassima coughs and explains, reddening a touch, "That lass talks far too much. I can't *imagine* where she gets it from...." G'har shrugs just a bit. "And I've taken a liking to her," he tells Kassi, ruffling Kharisma's hair. At the child's question, he nods. "Yes, I know, but I'm not the person to ask..." Looking over to Madelynda, he calls, oblivious to any negative response his question might call, "Weyrwoman, have you seen T'ping?" Of course, that's the other reason he's not a fan of fatherhood; attempting to introduce a small child to T'ping isn't the brightest thing in the world, yet he's still doing it. T'saren nods in aggreement to Madelynda, though another slight blush marks his cheeks at the concern in her voice. "Aye, tis best that way. If it were any other time..." And he lets the words trail off, determined not to say something he might regret having his weyrmate find out. Madelynda laughs lightly at Kassima's reaction before her expression darkens dramatically at G'har's question. Slowly turning to look at the young bronzerider, she answers in a clipped tone, "He's heading the Starstrike table, as usual, making a f--" Diplomatically, she stops herself with a swallow; instead of finishing, she gestures in the table's direction. Kassima's brow furrows. Being a relatively frequent visitor to Ista, she knows of T'ping. "You're going t'have *him* explain it?" she asks G'har in a low voice, tinged with both amusement and concern. "While I'm certain he knows the meaning, if'n what I've heard of him is true...." She doesn't seem *angry*, perhaps because she hasn't actually *met* the man. "Mayhaps Maylia will be able t'join us next time, Tas," she chimes in helpfully. "Methinks she'd be interested in a change of scenery. See, now, G'har?" she then asks, finally responding to the first thing he said. "Children aren't such awful things after all--nay even mine. And they can be perfectly well-behaved when they choose." She flashes him an evil grin, clearly referring to a certain mention of a discount if the demon-spawn *did* actually behave. E'ryn walks in from the bowl. G'har grimaces just a bit at Madelynda's reaction to his 'innocent' question. "Uh," he says to Kassi. "Maybe you're right. It doesn't seem like such a good idea to ask him, any more." At the mention of well- behaved children, he sighs, muttering something about having no marks for the rest of his life. Madelynda's frown abates slightly as her eyes--wandering the living cavern during a short pause--land on E'ryn as he enters. "Good even', brownrider," she calls, offering him a tentative smile along with her customary nod. Kharisma, of course, doesn't know T'ping. Restlessly, she wriggles a bit, testing to see how securely she's being held. "Maybe," she suggests brightly to G'har when she realizes that escape is futile, "you should color Sanath green?" E'ryn heads into the cavern, eyes glancing around casually as he makes his way across to the serving table. There he pours a mug of ale. As he pours it, he smiles over at Madelynda murmuring, "'Lo Madelynda," and then G'har before he spots Kassima. His voice booms, "Why, Kassima, hello!" He calls in greeting. Kassima chuckles low in her throat. "If'n she wants t'know that badly, I'll have her ask Uncle L'cher. He'll probably be horrified. At least he's trustworthy around kids, though--should be, since he has eleven of 'em." Hearing her name, she looks up and waves over to E'ryn. "E'ryn, g'deve and greetings! A pleasure 'tis t'be seeing you again!" G'har lifts a hand in greeting to E'ryn, though it's a quick wave, as he's aware that Kharisma's getting restless. "He'd probably rather stay the color he is," he says, with a quick grin. "He's got sort of greenish bits -on- him, though. Will that suit?" [Editor's Note: At this point, I had to reconnect, so a pose or two may be missing; I don't think it affects the log's continuity, though.] Madelynda watches E'ryn for a moment, almost as if trying to remember something. With a little sigh and grin, she gives it up with a shrug. Eyes wandering to T'saren, she beckons to him wordlessly, with a small gesture of her hand; another gesture to the chair beside seems a friendly invitation for him to join her. Khari makes a face at this, clearly not understanding how *any* dragon could be content not to be green. "S'better'n none," she finally allows graciously. "Even if he *is* letch'rous." G'har says seriously, "I'm sure he's very grateful for your approval." E'ryn happens to notice Madelynda's gaze and almost questioning look, and returns the gaze with an uplift of the eyebrows. Then he leans toward her, mug moving to the side so it doesn't impede. "Something you wanted to say Maddy," He asks in a soft murmur. T'saren pretends to not hear Kassi's comment on his weyrmate joining them next time, taking a swallow of juice fom his mug instead. He nods a greeting to E'ryn, then raises a brow at Maddy's invitation. He looks into his mug for a moment, a considering expression on his face, then shrugs and moves to the indicated seat, with a bit more success than the last time he tried to sit down somewhere. Kassima says in a low voice, "Forgive her, G'har; she's a bit partial when it comes t'greens, and she somehow got this wild idea that all male dragons, especially bronzes are... well, never mind. She means nay offense by it." Indeed, Khari's already moving on to the next subject, bouncing a bit in place despite the fact that it's an obscenely late hour back home and waaaaaaay past her bedtime. "He likes greens, Uncle Gar?" Madelynda looks up to E'ryn, nodding. "Yes...something. Wasn't important, though. I think." She frowns, then asks the brownrider carefully, "Do you have any idea why these riders would find our Istan peppers desirable? They've convinced me to give them a few for a prank." As T'saren takes the proffered seat, she flashes him a smile. "I had something to ask you, too: how fares Maylia? Did she recover from being the dancer with the most demand, at the festival?" Her smiling fading slightly, she adds, "And was she angry with me for some reason? To my surprise, she seemed slightly cold. I have been meaning to ask what, if anything, I'd done to offend her." G'har nods agreeably to Kassi, looking not offended at all. "Very much," he tells Khari. "He's quite fond of them." E'ryn looks over in the Telgarians' directions and chuckles lightly, "I've a few ideas." Then he just shakes his head and sips from his mug. "You do?" Madelynda asks E'ryn, her attention quickly shifted from bronze- to brownrider at his reply. "Was it not in good judgement to hand them over?" she frowns, turning a wary eye on Kassima. "Ah, so the rumors *are* true," Kassima says, pleased. "Excellent!" It's odd how much like M'nty, Burnseth's rider, she sounds when she says that. Khari, however, has not yet mastered the art of sounding foreboding; her voice is as much of a chirrup as ever as she opines, "*Good* bronze, then. Greens're nice. You know Lyss and Sia?" T'saren is silent for a long moment after Maddy's questions, trying to think of the best answers before speaking. Finally he nods and replies, "Maylia is doing very well, and she recovered very quickly, since N'ren bid the highest on her just so he could hand her back over to me after getting the assurance she'd save him a dance." The Wingleader doesn't go into the jealousy he was suffereing from before N'ren's hand-off. "And it wasn't anything you did, really. Her reaction to you was the result of something I'd done, and a rumor from here at Ista that got back to her." G'har murmurs something about the amazing energy of the very young, then nods to Kharisma. "Of course I do. Sia's..." And then he blinks, apparently making a connection. "Sia's your father's lifemate." E'ryn eyes T'saren quietly and smiles ever so faintly, "You're a fortunate man in your weyrmate T'saren." And then his face is filled with his mug as he stands at the same time while drinking. E'ryn sets down his empty mug with a dull clunk of wood against wood, and then starts out of the weyr and into the bowl. E'ryn walks outside, into the bowl. "Nefarious things, rumors," Kassima mutters. Grinning, she says to E'ryn, "Oh, he's *very* fortunate in May. She's something else. She'll do some of the wildest things to try and spice up his life sometimes...." Like, say, bring women back with her to share the bed? Yeah, that would qualify as wild. Kharisma bobs her head enthusiastically, her face wreathed in smiles. "Aye! Sia's Da's, and Lyss is Mum's. Pretty dragons. *Green* dragons." She says that as an afterthought, as though there's not really any distinction in her mind. Madelynda nods silently as she listens to T'saren's story, frowning at the end phrases. Watching E'ryn stand, she watches him with a puzzled expression as he makes his obtuse comment, stands, and leaves as quickly as he arrived. "Was it something I said?" she asks self-consciously, brows knitting together. Soon, however, the memory of T'saren's final words takes charge and she looks to him. "Rumors," she intones dryly. Her tone says it all. G'har glances over towards the adults at the repetition of the r-word. "Kassi," he protests, "You promised to forget about those rumors, didn't you?" "When the knives are delivered," Kassima replies sweetly, "I'll pay what I promised as m'half of the bargain." T'saren looks at E'ryn with surprise after his comment on Maylia, then exhales slowly, turning to Kassi. "You can say that again. Never expected to wake up to you, Aurian, and my weyrmate in my bed." Leaving that odd comment hanging, he turns back to Maddy with a look of relief. "So that's all they were?" he asks quietly. At the R-word, Sandia sniffs, then murmurs under her breath, "She'll be overpayin' if she pays half the bargain, rather." Then she bends over her stew once more. G'har manages not to groan too audibly, perhaps as he remembers just how involved the bargain is. Catching T'saren's words, he blinks, mentally counting. One...two...three...wow. He's so involved in considering T'saren's luck that he doesn't even hear Sandia. Madelynda wrinkles her nose at T'saren, her expression turning markedly sour, her back stiffening as she sits rigidly upright in her chair. "You know as well as I, bronzerider," she says in a soft yet clipped tone--the subject's obviously a sore one with her. Biting her lip slightly, she looks into her lap, managing to turn her expression blank again. Kassima casts a suddenly interested look over towards Sandia. "Hrm," she hrms. "Methinks I'm rather glad that I didn't agree t'pay ere delivery, actually... well, why would you?" she retorts to Tas, reddening a touch. "'Twasn't exactly the sort of thing that anyone'd predict. Anyway. You know how the game goes, G'har: come up with the goods, and *then* I forget. Until then, I remember perfectly well." Kharisma, ever helpful, adds, "Mum 'members *lots*. She tells us stories 'bout Uncle 'Fraidyman, and they *really happened*." She appears almost awed by this, though one hand creeps up to cover a yawn. Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath yawns rather lazily. << It would be so much easier if he just -told- your rider that he doesn't know where the knives are. As much as he's looked, it's not like he's going to find them. >> G'har murmurs to Kharisma, after a nod and a grimace to Kassima, "I'm sure your mum remembers -everything-." One eyebrow lifting, he suggests, "Maybe you could tell me one of the stories, sometime later? Your mum might bring you back to visit again." T'saren leans back in his seat a bit at Maddy's vehement response, nodding slowly. "Aye, I guess I do," he murmurs softly, hoping to appease the junior weyrwoman. He sighs again, then turns to Kassi with a smirk. "Well at least you were all clothed, even if I wasn't." Madelynda sighs, her mouth flickering a smile to the Telgari riders as she stands, her ankle-joints popping audibly. "If you'll excuse me," she says sincerely, including G'har and the children in her gaze. "'Twas a pleasure, as always. I've remembered what it was I needed to ask E'ryn, and it's a bit more important than I thought. If you need anything, feel free to ask for Bevin, of course." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth is quiet for a moment or two before she points out delicately, << My rider would... *not* be pleased. She is already suspicious, but she doesn't think your rider is really fond of the *image of Emasculator*, and so she's not too worried. Is there really no hope of your rider finding them? >> She considers this for a moment, then decides, << I think I will let *him* tell her. She is in a good mood, and I do not wish to spoil it. >> Yeah, let's make sure the bronzerider can take the blame for everything, even being the shootable messenger! "Thankee kindly, Madelynda," Kassima says, mouth curving up into a smile at the woman. "Duties t'you and Phediath; it truly was a pleasure... and thankee, also, for the peppers. Tas, *must* you remind me?" she then teases. "You're going t'give me nightmares again!" T'saren looks up a Maddy with a small smile, and a bit of begging for forgiveness in his eyes. "Clear skies to you, Weyrwoman, and I hope we see each other again sometime." G'har gives Madelynda a smile that holds a hint of concern--though it could be for himself as easily as it could be for the weyrwoman. "Clear skies," he says pleasantly. Kharisma stifles another yawn, clapping both hands over her mouth this time. "Tell you 'bout the 'Fraidyman and the dress?" she offers her newfound uncle. Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles a negative. << -I- do not think he can find them. He thinks he can. He's willing to wait until she comes for them again, though I think that she'll be more angry, the longer he takes to tell her. >> Madelynda nods to Kassima, a flash of concern crossing her face at the reminder of the peppers, but she can't help but smile at the greenrider. "Indeed," she says as she looks to T'saren, her smile softening a little. "And extend my...uhm...regrets to Maylia. I hope I may someday remedy the misunderstanding in person." G'har's farewell inspires a warm grin from the weyrwoman and a pleasant "Good even', bronzerider." With intent, she turns and walks quickly to the bowl. Madelynda walks outside, into the bowl. G'har gently shifts Kharisma so that she's resting a bit more against him, so that he won't have to do that when--if--she falls asleep. "That sounds like a lot of fun," he says, not without an amused glance at Kassima. Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth does have to agree, with a rueful sapphrine cast, << My rider is a bit given to vengeance, if not necessarily to anger. She would not harm him, but she might do something that he would not like. >> Such as commission a sketch of him wearing a loincloth and fanning a similarly-clothed M'rgan with palm-fronds while A'lex feeds him grapes from a bowl, perhaps? Lysseth> Madelynda, walking quickly from the lower caverns to the queens' weyrs, calls softly into the mouth of her own; rustlings of her lifemate inside come closer and the queen peeks her head out before the body follows. Lysseth> Falsanath turns with obvious interest as Phediath emerges, rumbling a very pleased greeting....and farewell, apparently. Lysseth> Lysseth snorts, amused. See, she *told* her rider that bronze dragons were lecherous. Kharisma is quite content to rest against the bronzerider, eyes starting to droop already. "'Sa good story," she mumbles. "Uncle 'Fraidyman turns to Aunt Femaleman in it." Kassi doesn't even have the grace to look embarrassed this time; she just grins. Widely. Evilly. Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath's rumble holds a hint of regret. << Vengeance sounds rather unpleasant. >> G'har blinks several times, apparently quite disconcerted by that grin. "What a... fascinating story, Kharisma. I can't wait to hear it." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth comments nonchalantly, << Oh, I don't know. My rider rather enjoys it. >> Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles his amusement. << Of course. She's not the subject of the vengeance. >> Sleepily, Kharisma agrees, "S'one of m'favorites... Mum can tell you. M'sleepy now." No kidding. Kassima murmurs to G'har, "Be glad we did make that bargain, bronzer, or you might become the focus of an Aunt Femaleman story." T'saren relaxes a bit at Maddy's smile, his own expression widening into a grin as he watches her walk out. After she's gone, he sighs and stands. "And I also must be going, though I'd hoped to stay a bit longer. Dawn drills come much too early to stay up this late." He gives the Istans a nod, and his fellow Telgari a smile. "Clear skies to all, and Telgar's duties to Ista and her queens." Formalities over with, the Wingleader heads out to his waiting lifemate. T'saren walks outside, into the bowl. Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth's mindcolors ripple with a golden flash of laughter. << Of course! When she *is* the subject, she usually solves the problem by getting more vengeance. She has been getting vengeance on Ularrith's rider and Nraith's rider for a very long time. >> G'har murmurs something agreeable to Kharisma, then blinks several times at Kassima, muttering something about those knives. Lifting a hand in greeting after T'saren, he calls, "Clear sk...oh, never mind." Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath ponders that for a moment. << If she gets vengeance on my rider, I will tell him not to avenge back. That way, she won't have to get vengeance for his vengeance. >> Kassima shakes her head after T'saren. "That man has yet t'learn the true art of managing on a few hours' sleep every day." Glancing towards Kharisma, the greenrider smiles with uncharacteristic softness at the child. "Ach, she's gone and fallen asleep... sorry about that, G'har. 'Twas nay m'intent for you t'wind up with a lapful of sleeping youngling." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth agrees brightly, << That would solve many problems! And since he is not Ularrith's rider, if he does not get vengeance back, she will probably not take more vengeance. >> 'Probably' being the key word, most likely. << I do not think she would really use the *image of the Emasculator* on him, though. That is mostly for frightening men with. She finds it humorous when they cross their legs and squeak. >> G'har shakes his head, with his own smile for the little girl. "Nah, it's all right. She's a good kid, I don't mind." Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath ponders that. << But if I tell him that, he won't squeak when she threatens it, and then she'd have to think of some other way to make him squeak. >> Kassima chuckles and asks, almost rhetorically, "Amazing, isn't it, that she'd be so relatively well-behaved? A'course, get her near *paint* and she goes nuts, but nay with any malicious intent... even Kay's more of a troublemaker. Which is why she's nay here, actually." G'har is clearly making a mental note about the paint, though whether he's planning to make some or avoid it at all costs isn't clear. "But I still get to look after both of them, eh?" With a soft snort, he adds, "The Weyrwoman asked if she could watch. I told her yes; hope you don't mind." Lysseth> I bespoke Falsanath with << That would be difficult, I think. It is hard to make men squeak when their masculinity isn't being threatened. >> Kassima agrees drolly, "That *was* part of our bargain, aye. You're still getting a better deal than you thought, I wager; at least one of 'em's nay so very evil." A thought occurs to her. "Say, does that mean I can get the knives at half-price if'n Khari at least behaves? Oh, a'course nay, so long as there's still room for me to. Which did you wish t'be doing? Should I bring 'em t'your weyr, or would you rather look after 'em in mine?" Of course, in the greenrider's weyr, there's the extra dimension of 'keep the kids away from the knives/whip/Emasculator/tunnelsnake teeth/ etc.' G'har shakes his head at the mention of any further discount. "It's all or nothing." After a considering pause, he adds, "And I guess here'd be easier, especially if the Weyrwoman will be watching." Kassima sighs regretfully. "Ah, well," she replies, flashing a wry grin. "Can't blame me for trying. Here? All right, then. Just send me a line, after the knives are delivered, and I'll bring 'em over. Be warned, though... they'll probably ask about your ceiling." She doesn't bother to hide her amusement at this. G'har blinks several times, then asks warily, "They don't know Lash, do they? Honestly, Kassi, she doesn't seem like the best companion for kids." Not that T'ping is better... Kassima shakes her head at once. "Nay, a'course nay!" she immediately replies. "Nay that she'd be that much worse than T'ping." See, weird minds *do* think alike. "'Tis just that I seem t'recall you saying that your ceiling is blue, and Khari has an interest in aught that's colorful, while Kay would never have seen a blue ceiling either." G'har murmurs, with a rueful little grin, "My entire -weyr- is blue. Baby blue." He blinks, then suggests, "You know, if they like painting..." "Kharisma does," Kassima confirms, sounding curious. "Kaylira doesn't mind it, especially if'n she gets t'use brown paint. What have you in mind?" G'har says thoughtfully, "Well, I wouldn't mind covering up some of that baby blue. I liked it to start, but now..." He shrugs. "It's getting a little old." Kassima settles back in her chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I daresay Khari would be thrilled t'be *told* t'paint on walls for a change, and Kaylira would probably have fun with it, too. But Khari can't paint much that actually *looks* like aught. Kaylira has a bit more luck--and she's been learning her letters, too, so mayhaps she could paint slogans on the walls." A wicked grin crosses her face as she suggests, "'We apologize for the inconvenience,' mayhaps?" G'har protests, with a laugh that is quiet enough that it shouldn't wake Kharisma, "That's not exactly the impression I'd like to leave to people visiting my weyr, Kassi." Kassima suggests innocently, eyes a-twinkling, "I suppose, loving browns as she does, that she could be persuaded t'write 'Brownriders do it better' instead, if'n 'twould make you happier?" G'har rubs at his eyes with the thumb and first finger of his right hand. "Maybe we should just avoid slogans," he suggests. "That sounds far safer." Kassima chuckles, unable to disagree. "Aye, true. Khari might even persuade Kay t'write 'Beware of the lecherous dragon,' after all, which I suppose wouldn't please Falsanath." G'har mutters, "Well, he -is-," ignoring that rumble of amused protest coming from the bowl. But then he frowns, noting just how few people are in the living cavern. "Hmm. Not to flee, Kassi, but I probably should get some sleep sometime in the near future." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth remarks, with a rumble of laughter, << It never ceases to amaze me how many riders only complain about the qualities of their lifemates that they share. Kassima often complains that I am stubborn, for instance. And Vidarth's rider often claims that the *blue* is female-hungry, when everyone knows that the rider is far worse. >> Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath sounds just a bit sleepy, but amused as well. << What, do you think that my rider is female-hungry? He says that's what he just said of me. >> Kassima nods at once. "Truth be told, I should likely get some sleep m'self... nay t'mention getting Khari off of your hands and into a bed. I hope she's nay too grouchy when she wakes up. She can sleep through quite a few things, but if'n there's a single person who can sleep through *between*...." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth replies with perfect green logic, << He is a bronzerider. It is a given, is it not? >> G'har frowns just a bit, getting carefully to his feet and shifting Kharisma from lap to arms as he does so. "Poor kid." He looks for a moment like he's going to say something, then shakes his head. Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbleshrugs, sounding rather neutral--a big, bronze Switzerland. << Others say so. I don't see it. Not in my rider. >> Kassima quirks one eyebrow curiously, even as she too stands and slips her satchel back onto her shoulder. "'Twere going t'say something? Aye, well... 'tis nay the first time one of 'em's had a sleep interrupted by *between*, and 'twill nay be the last. 'Twas ill-done of me t'keep her out so late, though." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth is not Swiss; not only does she not have the requisite two gold braids, but she doesn't even know what hot chocolate *is*. << Perhaps. They say that many greenriders are man-hungry, but my rider is not so, so it follows that all bronzeriders must not *have* to be female-hungry. >> A pause, and then, << Maybe he is man- hungry instead, and just doesn't know it? >> Hey, it's a perfectly reasonable guess, for a dragon. Right? G'har says slowly, "I -was- going to say that she could stay here, if you wanted, so you wouldn't have to wake her." He's still holding the child, and doing a tolerable job at it, too. Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath considers that for a long moment. << But he was very *distaste* when your rider said that he was with Ularrith's rider. Someone mentioned it yesterday, and he was still very *distaste*. So I do not believe he is man-hungry. >> Kassima mulls this over for several moments, eyes going dark with thought. Slowly, she nods. "Aye... 'twould work, if'n truly you didn't mind. She knows Ista; I don't think 'twould scare her t'wake up here instead of at home. I could drop by after drills in the morn t'be collecting her. Would that suit?" With a genuine smile, she adds, "You really do seem t'have a knack for the kid business." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth can't help but laugh, sharing her rider's amusement. << People still speak of that? Oh, dear. Well, no, I wouldn't think that he is man-hungry then, any more than my rider is female-hungry. Perhaps he is just... odd? >> When in doubt, say that the riders are odd. It usually manages to work. G'har brushes away the compliment with a shake of his head and a murmured thankyou, though he adds, "She's a good kid. That helps. And that suits, sure. Suits just fine." Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles his agreement. << Yes, he's odd, but he's stil perfect. >> Kassima grins, then, and nods. "There's a wager on how much of her genetic inheritance will kick in when she gets older, but for now, aye, she's a darling. Nay that I'm the most unbiased of sources." That the woman loves her children is clear, never mind that they're fostered out to someone else. "Kay's a good lass, too; just a bit more... rambunctious, I guess. 'Twill send word by Falsanath, then, when I should pick her up? And if'n there's an emergency, a'course, 'twill come at once, come Fall or high water, and be sharded t'drills." Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth warbles, << Well, of course! If riders were not odd, they would not be perfect--they would be *boring*. My rider is the oddest of them all, >> she adds proudly. All right, so she's not exactly unbiased. G'har nods agreeably, though he's biting back a yawn of his own. Perhaps it's proximity to the sleeping child. "I'll have Fal let Lysseth know, yes, though I doubt there'll be any troubles.' Kassima shakes her head. "Probably nay," she concurs. "As late as she was getting t'sleep, she'll probably sleep too deeply even for nightmares. Thankee again, G'har; I owe you one." A chuckle, and she suggests, pushing in the chair she was occupying, "Mayhaps 'twill even let you make a *twinge* more profit, the next time we bargain." G'har's expression of delight is a little overdone. "Wow, Kassi, what an amazing concession...wait. Let?" He snorts softly, then, grinning, starts to walk towards the bowl. Kassima laughs, herself, following suit. "Don't tempt me t'be withdrawing the offer, bronzer!" G'har, with a shake of the head, says quickly, "No, no, I'd never do that." G'har walks outside, into the bowl. You walk outside, into the bowl.