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Lie To Me


Date:  August 2, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr Lake Shore
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 never should've taken inspiration from Buffy's cookie
metaphor in that last log note.  Now it's got me naming logs after
Buffy episodes.  If I ever post a log titled 'I Robot, You Kassi,' 
just shoot me, all right? ;)  Getting back to business:  Javi comes
across Kassima one night and presents her with the earbobs she, uh,
'won' from the brownrider, sort of.  She also tries to present her
with a guilt trip, but Kassi's not buying.  *Big* surprise there. ;)  
The result?  Kassi offers Javi some tips on the fine art of lying.
Just when I think this woman can't sink any lower, she always seems
to find a way.

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The Log:

Naelanth flies in from above.

This... is the Lake Shore. Telgar Weyr, Northern Continent. It's a place of
dragons, rampant gossip, and too bloody much snow. But occasionally in the
heart of summer there are days with no snow at all. This is one such day.
There is a greenrider out here enjoying it. Her name is Kassi. She carries
a Wingbadge. To be more exact, both Kassima and Lysseth occupy a spot off
the shore of the Lake tonight: the green is graciously allowing her tail to
serve as a pillow for her stargazing rider's head, while the rest of said
rider is stretched out on the meadow with her eyes on the sky. A brief
salutational rumble serves as Lyss's greeting to Naelanth.

Astride Naelanth's neck, The glimmering lights from the weyrs above, the
constellations reflected in the black waters of the lake, wink out and
reappear as Naelanth circles lazily overhead, dropping suddenly, like the
rock he sometimes seems, his wings snapping out to catch his fall, to
backwing to a neat landing at shore's edge. He's no daredevil like some,
but he's confident, sure. He tosses his head with a broken rumble for
Lysseth, his tail curling in behind him as Javinia unclips herself, swings
a leg over, dismounts. "-Kassi- Lysseth. Heyla! Hadn't expected to find you
here, but it's all for the better."

Javinia swings a leg over, then slides down Naelanth's shoulder.

Kassima, as a voice addresses her, manages to sit up without much
difficulty--let's hear it for rider fitness!--to peer through the night
gloom for its source. "That sounds dreadfully ominous," she calls, lifting
a hand in a wave towards the brown pair. "Have you been plotting t'ambush
me? Take a great and terrible vengeance for m'scheduling you t'fly those
sweeps with L'cher? If'n you have, you'd best be warned: that's a lake full
of fish right there, and if'n Lyss or m'fire-lizards could catch me a few,
I'd nay be afraid t'use 'em as a weapon of defense." Somehow, she sounds
considerably less than worried or threatening about this whole thing. In
fact, she sounds quite a bit amused.

"Well, truly, Kassi -- -L'cher-?." The hazel-eyed rider's nose wrinkles
right up, and as Javinia trots her way over, she adds, "I mean, of all the
riders in Thunderbolt ... " But she's as amused as her wingleader, as if
she were convinced it's all part of initiation into the wing; or so she
hopes. The mention of fish brings a slight wince, a falter to her step, and
she glances over the curve of her shoulder, but Naelanth seems content to
follow his lifemate up to the green and her rider, a hulking protective
bulk behind the petite girl who rides him. "What? No fish?" she seems
almost perplexed. Naelanth only snorts. With a look cast back at Kassima, a
lift of her shoulders, Javinia turns back around and slips a hand into the
pocket of her flight jacket, assuring, "No, no. Nothing so dreadful as all
that, I promise. No, I've those earbobs for you."

"Everyone in the Wing has t'deal with him at one time or another, so 'tis
best for new riders t'see what he's like and get practice in talking him
out of stopping by that Hold down there really quickly to dally with the
daughters of the house as soon as possible." If the amusement hasn't left
Kassi's voice, at least it's gained some sympathy. "I do exaggerate a bit.
A very *small* bit... nay fish here with me. I hadn't been fishing tonight.
But I have a lethal hand with fish, when I'm so minded, and so if'n you
*had* been plotting something dreadful I'm sure Lyss or the Swarm would
have nabbed some from the water for m'use. But are you perhaps nay, going
by that wince just now, a fan of fish?" Lysseth retains her place behind
her own rider, her posture casual and her eyes a tranquil blue. At the
pocket-rummaging, Kassi's eyebrows dart upwards in surprise, and linger
there in anticipation. "Oh! Well, then, 'twas worrying for naught. You
don't really *have* t'give 'em t'me, y'know. Nay that I'm about t'protest,
but 'twere right in saying m'means of acquiring 'em wasn't exactly fair."

Javinia listens to all this with a half-cocked tilt of her head, avian-like
in gesture, and even as her straight brows draw in and down, the corners of
her mouth curve higher. "Yes, well. He's quite ... lively, at least." She's
pulling out a small green velvet pouch from her pocket, adding, "Oh, fish?
No, we're on rather good terms, fish and I, but ... Naelanth's forever
wanting to fish for them, except," and here she shoots a somewhat wary gaze
over her shoulder, but the brown only circles in behind her, settling to
ground with a committed thump of sound, " ... Hrm. He's not interested
tonight, it seems. Strange." Another shrug of her shoulders, "No matter. It
sounds as if I should have you teach me to wield a fish rather than a
knife, but I have to confess it sounds a trifle ... disgusting. -- No, no.
I'll not ... oh, what was that word. L'cher told me. 'Welch'? I'll not
welch on a bet. Or, well, it really -was- a bribe wasn't it?"

Kassima agrees with rueful humor, absently reaching up to pick a blade of
grass out of her hair, "That's certes a word for him. But he does have his
virtues--one of our best blue fighters, is Leerth. And he does give the
Wing something t'bond over: the various pools on him can be quite
lucrative." Her eyes do flick to that pouch, and by her expression she's
certainly interested in the contents. "Ah. Aye, methinks you mentioned it
once--does he," and she drops her voice to a murmur, perhaps intending to
avoid offending the brown in question, "have trouble with the catching? It
does sound strange. Is he tired, or are his thoughts just elsewhere? I
could probably be teaching you t'wield a fish. Or trying. They're slippery
buggers. But 'tisn't really one of those life skills you ever get *that
much* use out of, if'n you want t'know the truth." She's so straight-faced
serious about this entire topic. "'Welch' would be correct--and, well, I'd
say 'twas a bribe, but I do have a bias. If'n you're sure you don't mind
parting with 'em, I'd be pleased t'have 'em. But, i'truth, 'twouldn't
really want t'start our professional relationship off with you feeling
cheated; y'ken? 'Twas all more a jest of a sort than a real attempt
t'fleece you."

"Lucrative." Javinia tries out the word. It gives her pause, but then she's
shaking off the thought, a more pensive expression taking her face. "I'm
not sure." Her voice lowers to match her wingleader's, though how that
should stop her brown from hearing her who can say. "Well, in truth, he
used to. He's much better now. Though never as quick as Trinaith -- or
M'rco's blue, but ... He's been -- " she searches for the word, perhaps
looking for a diplomatic one, " -- remiss ... to stray too far since, well,
no matter. Truly." Forcing a brighter smile, one that easily becomes true,
earnest even, she closes the distance between herself and her Kassima,
small hand holding out the velvet pouch. "We agreed, you know. It was as
fair as anything," she admits. "And I'll not go back on my agreement.
Promises are promises. Or so you told me once."

"There's a pretty sum of marks riding on how many children he'll finally
have ere he dies. Lesser sums, sometimes, on whether a woman he's known
t'be spending time with will end up pregnant, or how soon the relationship
will last, or whether she'll publically humiliate him when they break up.
'Tis well he's so good-natured about it--and doesn't hurt, I'm sure, that
he puts his own marks in the pool whenever he can get away with it." Humor
glints in Kassi's green eyes during this explanation. Back to murmuring.
"Nay shame t'him t'nay be so quick. Agility's rarely a brown's gift. This
'since,' though--I'd like t'know more about that. I've an interest in his
behaviors, beyond it sounding as if'n there's a story there." There's a bit
of concern behind the query too; it fades beneath a delighted smile as the
greenrider accepts that pouch, and starts to open it to investigate the
contents. "So be it, then. I certes shan't make an oathbreaker out of you,
particularly nay when the kept oath means a treat for me! But someday,
mayhaps, 'twill even the score up a bit."

[Editor's Note:  The desc of the earbobs follows below. :) ]


---

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Message 79                            Date Received: Sat Aug  2 00:12:31 2003
From:      Javinia
To:        Kassima
Subject:   Earbobs
=============================================================================
Look! I even wrote you a desc. Awww:

These emerald earbobs hide no illusive blue flame in their depths, no
faceted play of light. They are raw emerald chips, though no less emeralds
for all that. Two tiny tear-shaped stones of a deep, but muted, green
dangle from a cleverly crafted clasp of silver. The clasp is shaped such
that the earbobs 'clip' to the ear, and the face of the clasp is shaped
like a small vine leaf.

-- Javi
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---


Javinia watches Kassima with a wondering expression. "They -bet- on those
sorts of things? Truly? Isn't that, well, mean?" Her eyes are almost brown
with the night, though the soft light of the moons, the stars, reflects her
brighter interest. "He's steady," she says of her brown, though there's the
slightest suggestion in her voice that she might value agility and
quickness more. It's a longer moment of indecision before she decides to be
frank. "It's no great matter. I promise. It's only ... Dianneth showed
Naelanth something the other day, and now he's, well ... We're mostly up at
the star stones this time of night -- a habit we got from Tray and her
Hazinath, I think, but I'gul had one of the lower cavern girls up there
with him, and Naelanth refused to stay. I'm not really sure -why-." When
Kassima starts to open the pouch, all else fades away, and she lifts her
chin almost bouncing up to her toes, to see the greenrider's expression
better, to see if the earbobs will suit. Then, "Mayhaps," she replies
noncommittally.

A headshake is Kassi's answer. "Nay if'n the person doesn't mind. 'Tisn't
just L'cher, either; there are bets on plenty of people from time
t'time--including m'self. The first time I heard of such a thing 'twas
nonplussed, but now... it doesn't really do any harm when 'tis all in fun,
and if'n someone makes a few marks off m'good fortune, what of it? The
wagering on breakups, now, that could be a bit mean, except Lach is...
Lach. As best I know, he's never been in love with any of his women, and he
doesn't take an ending very hard." Lifting one shoulder in a helpless
shrug, she grins up at the younger rider. "Much as I complain about him, he
*is* entertaining. --A'course he's steady! Shells, I don't doubt that. 'Tis
one of the reasons I favored the pair of you. I need good, steady fighters
as much as I do air-dancers; the dancers can't *dance* without bronzes and
browns t'tame the winds for 'em, and where would we be without fighters who
can flame long and fight the Fall through, I'd like t'know?" For all that
there's perhaps a bit of extra emphasis placed on this in answer to that
hint in Javinia's voice, she doesn't seem insincere. "...Dianneth showed
him something. What something? Something t'do with men and women?" Kassi
hazards while tipping the pouch over, letting the earbobs spill into her
palm. She lifts her hand to bring them into clearer moonlight, the better
to see--and when she's seen, a delighted smile breaks across her
expression. "By earth and fire, Javi--these are lovely! Let me try them--"
Shifting the jewels to one hand, she uses the other to unhook the loops of
silver with their dangling square emeralds from her ears, and puts the bobs
in their place. "--There, what think you?"

"I sup-pose," Javinia hedges with a warier look for all this talk of
placing bets on people. But she has to agree, "He doesn't seem the type to
bother much." That somehow smoothes the issue over, as she's nodding along
with her wingleader's words. "Oh, I know. Truth. Is said much the same. He
couldn't imagine having to leave a Fall early, but ... " A slight lift of
one shoulder, a sheepish expression, one that turns to something a little
more self-conscious at the mention of Dianneth. "He won't tell me, but ...
I'm guessing so. Ys and I were talking about how she and K'ran, well, you
know." She leaves that there, letting the pouch catch up her attention. Her
smile is all anticipation, hazel eyes flickering from the pouch to
Kassima's face, and when she sees delight break there, she echoes it back,
dimples dawning with her pleasure. "Truly? You like them?" Oh, she's
well-pleased. "In truth, they look much better on you with your green eyes,
none so muddy as mine are." That done, she seems to relax, dropping down
into a cross-legged seat on the ground with a soft sigh. "They were my
mother's, you know. Before she died. My sister had them, but she gave them
to me."

Kassima permits herself a wry sort of half-grin. "But. I do know some of
it. I'm proud of m'lady's speed--for all that she's nay as nimble as some
of her sisters, being so large; she moves rather sharp--but I do wish from
time t'time that we had some better method for fighting a Fall through
ourselves than what we've found. When we fought in the ranks, we could
chase down every patch t'come near us; now...." Her shrug, though, isn't
bitter, merely good-natured and accepting. "Nay dragon gets the best of all
worlds. Ah... Yselle and K'ran." Does she shade a bit bland at that? "I
must confess that surprised me. 'Twould nay have thought he'd be a one for
her. So is it that Naelanth's jealous and nay wanting t'share you with any
man, should you ever be so inclined, or does he see such interactions as
something t'protect you from?" she wonders, glancing towards the brown in
question. "Or something entirely different?" But her attention's back on
the matter of the pouch soon enough, and if anything, Javi's echoed delight
seems to increase her own--as well as adding a touch of amusement. "I do,
very much. And there's naught wrong with your eyes; there are gems that
would suit you better than me. Wait--your mother's? Shells, Javi, I know
I've already asked this, but are you sure you want t'give 'em? If'n they
hold sentiment for you...."

"Now ... ?" The newest wingrider picks up the thought where Kassima trails
off. She's curious; it's clear in the openness of her gaze. Of course, this
shades darker at the mention of Yselle and K'ran. Gaze dropping, she lifts
a single shoulder. "She's happy. That's all that matters, you know." And
she seems sincere in that. As for Naelanth, her brows draw down and she
glances back at her lifemate. His eyes are double-lidded, chin jutted out
at a lazy angle, and only the rasp and thump of his tail suggests he's
anything but asleep. Her eyes narrow slightly, mouth pulling to one side in
a wry expression. "It's a little confused," she admits, turning back to her
wingleader. "He -does- get jealous. I know they aren't supposed to, but ...
He doesn't like G'rint at all these days, and he's never been overly fond
of Is, or even M'fraid." Mention of her mother gets a quieter nod, and she
shifts to draw her knees up, hugging them to her, and her dab of chin comes
to rest atop them. "Mhm," she says more softly. "Viv said she was very
elegant and had very good taste. And no, we made an agreement. I needn't
have agreed to it. That you -knew- you'd be tapping me, well ... "

"Now we can't stray much from our place, because 'twould burn too much of
our energy. We duck patches when we can't readily flame and leave others to
our Wingmates. It can be frustrating. But if'n there's another way t'draw
out a green's stamina enough t'let us serve as Wingleaders through a whole
Fall, I haven't found it yet." Kassi's answer is ready and amiable, even
the slight hint of rue from earlier passed away. "--Mmm. Happy for now. I
hope she won't be less happy later. I really don't know... K'ran seems a
gentleman, I doubt he'll treat her ill, but I'm surprised even a
gentlemanly womanizer would be what she'd want." She shrugs. "What she
wants is for her t'know." Subject change. "It *does* happen sometimes,
y'know, 'supposed to' or nay. Don't be thinking he's some sort of freak for
it. Odd about Is... but I'd have t'say so; Lysseth's always liked him--does
E'ven bother him too? Is it any men you have much of a relationship with,
even if'n 'tis teacher only? He might grow out of that. He might change his
mind after he wins a flight, alternatively. Sometimes that seems t'change
things." She picks up the end of her braid and sets to toying with it,
twisting stray strands around her fingers. "If'n you've told me, I've
forgotten just now," she says, apologetic. "Did you nay know your mother?
These earbobs speak well of her taste. I've nay seen so many uncut gems
set, but there's a rougher beauty in 'em; it makes 'em stand out, too."

Javinia's arms tighten about her knees as she listens, a sharper light
coming into her eyes, as if she might be storing the information away --
tactics to be used; it's something she might not have done before, not
before having had to act wingsecond and wingleader for Stormchaser. "Hrm,"
she mulls over that, but has no easy answer. Again, she's all agreement
with Kassima, and perhaps that's what earns the greenrider a somewhat
grateful look, as if glad to find someone who understands. But she's
content to leave the topic, though talk of Naelanth's preferences doesn't
make her much more comfortable. "E'ven, he doesn't seem to mind. And," head
cocking to consider, she says, "he doesn't like Mayelle at all either. So
it's not -only- men. But he likes R'var, which I don't understand, because
we hardly get along at all. So." It's a mystery to Javinia. "He really
hasn't shown much interest yet -- in flights." For which the girl seems
relieved, but that's chased away but her wingleader's apologetic tone, and
her kindness. "Oh, -feh-! You're not supposed to be -kind-. You're not
supposed to -ask- me about my mother." With a frown, she complains, "That
didn't work at -all-."

And judging by the brief gleam of shrewd amusement in Kassi's, it's
possible the Wingleader recognizes that light for what it is; possible,
entirely, that she's seen such lights before. When Javi doesn't choose to
pursue the Yselle topic, she decides to also let it drop in favor of the
other: "If'n he likes R'var, 'tisn't just greenriders he doesn't mind. How
does he feel about Yselle? Since she's a good friend of yours? Mayhaps he
dislikes anyone you like that well? Or it could be that he's deciding whom
*he'd* approve of as a mate for you, but if'n he hasn't much interest in
that business yet I'm nay sure why he'd do such a thing. All pure
speculation, anyway." She lets one brow rise a trace at the relief. "Nay
looking forward to 'em, I take it?" she asks, with sympathetic good humor
that in turn is dispelled by blinking surprise. "I'm nay? *What* didn't
work at all?"

Unaware of -- or avoiding -- that shrewd gleam in her wingleader's eye,
Javinia replies, honest enough, "Yselle? He doesn't like her so well as
Gay. But then, he's not at all fond of Dianneth. She sort of ... They don't
seem to get on well." If the brown's gusty snort is any indication, that's
a slight understatement." Her nose wrinkles up at the suggestion that he
might be match making. "Truly, I think he'd prefer I not have one. So ... "
and it's as if the whole conversation has finally begun to sink in. "So
maybe -that's- it." She shoots Naelanth a rather quizzical look,
thoughtful. If there's a slight color to her cheeks, it could be shadow as
well. Then, distracted, "Looking forward to what? Oh, flights? Nervous, I
suppose. Though I can't imagine it's -so- bad the way people go on about
such things." Still, she's glad to move on, if a bit chagrined. "Well, you
weren't supposed to be -kind-. You were supposed to feel -guilty-. So, that
didn't work at all," she explains with mild exasperation, as if that should
make everything crystal.

Kassima makes a sound that might be a muffled laugh. "Well. Dianneth does
have a... strong personality; I suspect one would either have t'like her
very well or nay much at all. See, there, that's exactly m'thought--" Her
voice changes, but only minutely; the touch of wariness it takes on would
be easy to miss. "Have you any romantic tendencies towards I'sai? Or
M'fraid, G'rist, Mayelle? If'n he had some reason t'think so... 'tisn't so
bad, in its way. I might do without 'em if'n I could, as might plenty of
other riders I'm sure, but 'tis hard t'wish the pleasure they can bring our
dragons t'stop. So." This last statement draws first a puzzled look, but
then one of distinct and quite droll amusement, accompanied by an
eyebrow-pop. "Guilty? Might have worked if'n I hadn't already offered t'let
you keep 'em, and more than once. There does come a point when you've said
'aye' enough that I'm going t'figure I do nay wrong in accepting that 'aye.'"

"That she does," Javinia admits without hesitation. "It makes it somewhat
difficult to ... well, it's made Ys different, too, you see?" Her hands
come up to fold in front of her mouth for a moment, and her gaze draws
inward -- until her wingleader's more pointed question. "No!" and as if
even she realizes that such a quick, emphatic 'no' could only bring
suspicion, she lifts her chin from her knees, looking Kassima square, and
shaking her head. "I'm awful fond of some of them -- some more than
others," she says, frank enough about that, "but ... You know they don't
encourage such things." Her color almost heightens more beneath that droll
gaze. "Oh, bah. Fine." She plunks her chin back down on her knees,
confessing, "I hardly thought it'd work to begin with. I mean, I'd not part
with them if they were truly my mother's. I -didn't- know her, so ...
Still, you -did- sort of a trick me, and well, I thought fair being fair
... " Her sigh is rather pathetic. "I'm not at all good at lying, though.
It's very distressing."

"Dragons often do. And the one who's changed may nay realize how *they* are
different until much later, when they look back at a thing they used t'like
or used t'do and wonder with bemusement just who that person was." Kassi's
openly reminiscent there, even a touch whimsical--but not so open in
meeting that gaze. She does so, but her eyes are clouded. "Now that you're
graduated," she murmurs, "some might encourage more. Or nay discourage.
If'n that's what you want." Funny, she doesn't seem to find this a bright
prospect. "...Wait a minute. You *lied*? Oh, foul!" But there's laughter in
it. "Now we're at least *closer* t'being even. I likely would have felt a
bit badly, if'n 'twere your mother's. Either that or honored that you'd
give them t'me. This way is easier on the peace of mind. I don't know
whether t'offer advice about being a better liar or nay; I'm nay so fine at
it m'self for one, and for the other, there's much t'be said for an honest
nature that doesn't easily give falsehoods."

Javinia watches the play of reminiscence over the greenrider's face, head
tilted with unveiled curiosity. "You speak from experience," she says, and
it's a statement -- no question. Her smile comes softly, though it dims,
brows drawing tight at the change in her wingleader's expression, her
words. "You don't approve, though." And this time, it's not statement; it's
all unvoiced question. Then she's glancing away, unable to hide the grin
that takes her mouth when Kassima accuses her of lying. "Yes, well, not
very -well-, I didn't." But her grin is dimpled, ingenuous, hazel eyes
clear when she turns back. "No? You neither? I'd have thought surely you'd
know how, but ... I don't mean that badly," she's quick to clarify. "It's
just ... Oh, feh. Honest -is- good, but it's awfully inconvenient at times."

Kassima dips her chin once. "Most certainly. I'm nay much like the blushing
Holder chit who went about in skirts and loose hair, sometimes with flowers
in it. Thanks be t'Farath for it, too." Her expression hadn't relaxed, and
it goes that much more opaque at question, voiced or unvoiced. She looks
away; shakes her head fractionally. "I... it doesn't matter. Never be
minding." The greenrider finds a grin somewhere before turning back to the
conversation, her voice light and almost too flippant. "Oh, I *lie*, I lie
all the time, but well? I'm nay even trying t'make it convincing most of
the time--I mean, telling people A'lex and Mart were having an affair?
Right; nay anyone who knew either one would buy *that*. But their
expressions were so golden, I could laugh all day, and that's usually been
what lying's for, t'me. I don't really know whether I could make someone
accept a serious untruth. You didn't really lie so badly, y'know, t'me."

A Holder chit with flowers in her hair. Javinia's grin only grows, but it's
her eyes that turn thoughtful, her mouth softening in their wake. "Alright
then," she says, softly, and she regards the greenrider quietly for a long
breath before she simply nods, before she does as asked -- never minding
it. Talk of affairs brings a faint smile, but it's somewhat half-hearted,
as if Kassima's mood were contagious. But Javinia's too easily bought to
pass up such praise, meager as it might be. "Truly? You -believed- me?" She
looks fairly delighted, her whole posture gone straighter, chin lifting
with some small triumph.

Kassima lets her mouth-corners tuck up in another of those muted smiles,
which becomes less muted at the delight; how could it not? "I did believe
you," she affirms, nodding, "at least about them being your
mother's--though if'n I'd *thought* about it, I specified 'jewelry without
sentimental value' in the bribing, so your mother's earbobs would have been
an odd choice. Still, if'n you hadn't suddenly been saying it didn't work,
I don't think I'd have realized 'twere up t'something."

Javinia 's nose wrinkles up. "See? I -wondered- if you'd remember that,"
she admits, but it's with all the disappointment of a little who's been
caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Oh, well. I did -try-." And this
seems to buoy her failure. "Course, I've not the best timing, it would
seem. But I didn't think going on with it would make you feel any more
guilty, so ... That really wouldn't have served." She's absurdly prodding
at the situation as if it were a strategy game, something to rethink --
like formations, or how to help a green last longer in a Fall. Practice,
perhaps, or a desire to become better at such things.

"Rule number one: never assume forgetfulness, or take chances with memory
more than you have to, when lying; rule number two, if'n you have t'go
against what someone's going t'remember, have a backstory t'cover it. In
your place I might've said if'n I'd caught you out about that, 'Oh, but all
m'other jewelry was those light stones, and this was all I could think of
that you'd accept,'" Kassi instructs, some of her humor returned to put a
half-teasing note into the words. "If'n naught else, even if'n everyone can
still see you're lying, sometimes they appreciate thoroughness. There's an
art t'telling a story! And rule three, don't admit that you're fibbing
until either 'tis abundantly clear everyone knows anyway or you think
you're hurting someone with the fib. Those are m'rules, anyway. I won't say
they always work for me, but they make the game more fun."

The earnest concentration Javinia gives this list of rules might be
amusing, but oh, she's sincere. "Right. Never assume. Have a backstory.
Never admit it." Her gaze lifts, unseeing, to the sky, and she mumbles the
three rules again under her breath, nodding with each. After a moment, she
blinks and beams over at Kassima. "Excellent! Thanks so much." Dimples
punctuate both sides of her mouth.

Kassima sticks to nodding solemnly to the repetition, and the fact that the
sincerity entertains her is visible only in the upward tugging of one of
her mouth corners. "Mayhaps sometime you and I should practice the telling
of tall tales, too, and see what we can get the other t'be swallowing.
*That* would be one set of lessons--of a sort--I can honestly say I've
never given anyone else, oddly enough. But any road, you're certes welcome!"

For all that Javinia's brown seems to lie as still as the time-weathered
boulder his hide resembles, it's all he's been able to do to keep that
still; it's clear in the way he lifts his head, blood-warm muzzle nudging
forward into Javinia's shoulder. "Er, that's a thought," the hazel-eyed
rider admits, holding up a hand, as if to stay off Naelanth's grousing for
a moment more. "Though, truly, I don't think I'd be very good at such
things. I always muddle my tales. I'm not at all like you or Is." Having
said that, she rises, almost apologetic, "Naelanth's bored, it seems. But
it's no matter. Drills will come early if we're up much later." With a
swift, genuine smile, she says, "The earbobs look quite nice on you --
truth." Then she's trotting over to mount up, clipping in, before the pair
take to the night sky with Naelanth's rumble their only parting.

Javinia uses a boost from the brown's foreleg to swing up to Naelanth's neck.

Naelanth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him
aloft.