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Like Father, Like Son


Date:  May 12, 2004
Place:  Lysseth and Kassima's Weyr
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:  This last of the trio of Kazy-scenes before the player
went idle also includes O'wyn, his father and a fun character in his
own right.  Kaswyn's been visiting his father and father's family for
the day, but now Ozy's returning him to his icy native land, with some
time spared for socializing with Kassi along the way.

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The Log:

The distant sound of a watchrider challenging a an out-Weyr rider, and
receiving due response in return, has something of the sound of old hat to
it. Baeth, after all, is not exactly an unfamiliar visitor to the Weyr, for
all he doesn't -precisely- belong here. The clear day makes the autumn
bronze arrival an easy one to spot, the wintery sunlight flashing off
leaf-mottle hide as Baeth backwings for a landing. There's an amused adult
comment, and childish laughter, as O'wyn dismounts, perhaps a little more
stiffly than is his usual tumbler-wont. Kazy, as per usual, slides down
afterwards, Ozy catching him on the descent, and laughingly lifting the
small boy onto his shoulders, as he meanders towards the weyr entrance.
"Hello the weyr," O'wyn calls in cheerful greeting. "I come bearing chaos.
Wait, our son. But it's pretty similar."

Laughingly, Kaswyn does have to protest, "Dad-dy, you're being silly again."

"And you expected something different?"

"Okay. Well. No."

It's not Lysseth's most dignified moment: in an attempt--and stress
attempt--to draw some sort of warmth from that thin, cold light, she's
elected to sprawl stomach-up on her ledge, wings a-splay and talons curled
in. She's awfully hasty to get herself rightside up and in some rough
semblance of decorum; if a dragon could look flustered, she just well
might. But that doesn't stop her from rumbling a pleasant greeting to Baeth
and his familiar passengers, and if there's a slightly sheepish touch to
it, well.... "See, that's what you *get* for playing the loon-wit in
public!" Kassima calls ledgewards, abandoning the shelf-dusting she was
engaged in with no regret to turn and head to the entrance-curtain, drawing
it open to greet the father-son duo with a warm, bright grin. "Wait, wait,
you're implying there's *any* difference at all?" she teases. "Miracles
*can* happen! Heyla t'you both," she adds, offering a hug. "Exactly how
much trouble did you get into today? Should I look for a pitchfork-wielding
mob t'be trying t'scale the wall up to the weyr again?"

And Baeth, well...he's been laughed at by Lysseth enough that there has to
be an amused sort of rumble. He can't quite help it, but he's at least
relatively restrained in his humor, adding a companionable warble of
greeting as he settles down. He shifts closer, with a questioning sound, as
if offering to share his Southern-sun-baked warmth, or to at least provide
a wind-block of sorts.

O'wyn just shakes his head in slow amusement. He scoops Kaswyn from his
shoulders, to one arm, so the small boy can hug you first, before his
father leans in to do the same, kissing your cheek as well in greeting.
"Hah, only minor differences, granted. Semantics, that sort of thing. And
heyla to you as well."

Kaswyn's all but bouncing in place, amused. "We got to go see Jabari
cousins, and there was juggling, and Tezlie and I went swimming, and Baeth
got decorated, cause he fell asleep too long."

Lysseth may even recognize the justice of this, since while she snorts and
gives her wings a flick to smooth them out, attempting to look like dignity
incarnate, there's an amused thread beneath it all. Okay, so she looked
like a doof. She admits it. But she's not nor has she ever been a *foolish*
doof, to turn down bronze warmth, and so tucks herself neatly and
gratefully against him. Why, thank you; don't mind if she does, and shares
whatever warmth she's managed to retain besides. Kassi's well-pleased to
return both hugs, and bestow kisses too, on forehead and cheek
respectively. "I suppose if'n he were *entirely* chaos, he'd lack form and
then I couldn't get hugs," she muses, entertained, "so 'twill be glad for
those differences, methinks. *Did* you now! Shells, it sounds like your day
was busy. But what exactly did poor Baeth get decorated with?" She slants
Ozy an amused look. "I'm guessing naught too wet, since our son is still in
the land of the living."

"And a lack of hugs, frankly, would be a horror beyond reckoning," O'wyn
decides, although it's with rather fond bemusement. Laughing, he has to
shake his head, as he lets the now somewhat squirmy small child down.
Kaswyn heads over to begin divesting himself of layers of clothing,
something of an issue when his father's involved. Ozy's -still- not quite
convinced the North isn't some sort of frozen wasteland, and layers
clothing accordingly. "Hah, no, nothing especially damp, thankfully. No,
several of the girls decided Baeth wanted to be..." And he has to glance
ledge-wards, amused. "Prettier. But of course they lacked dragon-sized
ribbons. So they got scarves, and uh...bows ensued."

"I'd die a horrid, ghastly death within hours, if'n 'twas deprived
forevermore of Kazy-hugs," Kassima solemnly agrees, trying her best to look
grave and serious about this. Well, until all that clothing-divesting
starts. She's seen the layering syndrome before, but that doesn't mean it
doesn't still amuse her. "You've thus m'thanks for braving this frigid
icefield t'return him, instead of keeping him and his hugs all t'yourself.
*Prettier*." She'll just give up trying not to laugh on that part, shall
she? "They tied *bows* on him... well, now, there's indeed an image. I'm
sure he looked quite fetching. Did you help them with this, Kazy?"

And O'wyn at least has the grace to look sheepish about the clothing
layers. "It's cold up here," he has to protest, at the obvious amusement.
There's a quick, fond grin. "Well, as -tempting- as it always is to keep
him, I figure you'd get annoyed, at the very least. And annoying you just
doesn't seem especially appealing, really. But it is an icefield. I swear,
I don't know why everybody doesn't just move South, where the warmth is."
He has to grin at the laughter, clearly amused himself. "He looked...well,
festive, certainly. But the girls were so thrilled, and Baeth is -such- the
sucker for kids."

Kaswyn manages, after a while, to get down to his more usual sweater and
shirt, and he trots back over, grinning. "He looked -silly-. And I didn't
help, no, because bows are girly. Daddy and Tezlie and I juggled, instead."
Pause. "Well, Daddy did. Tezlie and I kind of dropped things with style."

"Oh, I know, I know," Kassi's quick to assure, even if still entertained.
"I'd rather he went around with too much clothing than too little--at least
when he's nay being Kaswynth and all wrapped up in a quilt anyway.
Thankee!" she laughs, grinning back. "I'm afraid I *would* be just a bit
unthrilled. Call me crazy, but I'm a little attached to the impling." She
attempts to scoop Kazy up into her arms as she says this, the better to not
only make up for lost hugging time, but rumple his hair mercilessly. "I
won't say moving doesn't *tempt* in the ice-hole of winter--aww, so he
didn't chew on them even a *little*? I'm impressed with his forebearance.
Ah, so bows are girly. Does that mean you don't want me t'tie any in your
hair next time you're getting ready to go a-visiting?" she teases Kazy.
"You're going t'have t'show me this. I just bet you had all kinds of style
indeed. Hey, make yourself at home? There's tea." That's more to Ozy, yes,
with a quick smile. "Might warm your joints up some."

"A land of ice and lunacy," O'wyn has to add. He has this twisted sort of
fascination with the North. It both disturbs and amuses him, and something
of that is evident in his tone. "Kaswynth?" He echoes, head tilting in
obvious questioning factor. "I missed hearing about that." Pause. "-Ducks-
I heard about. But not that." 

And Kaswyn doesn't mind being scooped up in the least, snuggling in
contentedly. He's already become well used to hair-rumpling, from you, from
Ozy, heck probably from total strangers. "No chewing. Baeth isn't supposed
to chew on people, Momma. Only babies bite, and Baeth is too big to be a
baby." He gives you a -look-. "Momma, -no- bows are for girls. I am not a
girl. Kaisan is not a girl either. Kisai, you see, is a girl. It is
different." He looks pleased, nodding. "I can show you, yeah, it's fun!"

O'wyn offers you a bright grin, and nods, padding to sink to a seat on a
box. "I'm fine without tea, thanks, though sitting a moment and annoying
you appeals, if you've the time. I'm in no real rush to make the dash back
home, just yet, despite the wintery horrors of this frozen abyss, and so
on, and so forth."

"At least we don't have *purple leather pants*," says Kassi, speaking of
twisted fascinations. She has to grin though at that tone, and admit fully,
"We're zanier than a flock of drunken fire-lizards, aye. Imagine how doomed
our poor boyo is, being *born* up here... oh, you haven't? Well, it seems
Kazy can turn into a dragon. One with very pretty quilt-wings. There's been
some speculation over whether you'd make a good dragon too." Wouldn't you
like to be a Pepper too? "What *was* your answer to the duck question?" she
then just has to ask, impish. "Oh--a'course, Kazy, you're quite right.
Baeth isn't a baby at all; he's a very big dragon now. But are you saying
that because Baeth wore bows, he's a girl now? He might argue with that."
Gee, you reckon? "But why don't you show me? And mayhaps show Daddy your
amazing dragon-transformation power, too, so he can be properly awed." She
loosens her hold to let him slide down should he choose, and makes for the
chair herself, flashing a grin back. "You're welcome t'sit and annoy as
long as you please; drills were this morning, and your company's always
welcome. Especially if'n you're daring the *abyss* t'be here. How can I nay
admire such courage, such self-sacrifice?" She'd do a better job at
sounding serious if her eyes would just stop dancing.

"No, you have -buttless- leather pants. Let me posit that perhaps purple is
the lesser of the evils here," O'wyn teases in return, his eyes utterly
alight with humor for the moment. "I do worry, I do, that living here he'll
end up as loony as the rest." There's an involved mock-sigh. "Oh well, I
suppose he's as doomed as the rest of us." Dust-brown brows arch at the
explanation, and he has to look entertained. "Aha! Well, I knew he was
clever, but that's especially impressive, ah, pun not intended." He looks
amused. "I am acquainted with no ducks on a personal level. I just blamed
everything on Wylie, as per usual." 

Kaswyn considers this a long moment, expression very studious. "No, he's
not a girl now. Because that would just be weird. But I still don't want to
wear bows." He murmurs agreement, and slides down, then pelting off towards
his cubby, presumably to acquire supplies for these varied endeavors. 

O'wyn watches the small boy dash off, shaking his head with a fond smile.
"Ahh, good. I'll have to head back at some point, before it gets too late,
but for a while would be nice." There's a wry sort of half-grin. "Gee, I
can't imagine how -anyone- might not. I am just that suave. -Really-."

Kassima opens her mouth to argue the point... and then closes it. Because,
honestly, how can she? She makes an amused face, and shakes her index
finger chidingly. "How dare you score a point off a greenrider! Isn't that
against some *rule* somewhere? That greenriders are supposed t'always be
more right than maleriders?" She clearly could not be less serious if she
tried. Oh-so-morosely she agrees, "He probably will... and a'course
genetics won't have a *thing* t'do with it. 'Tis all Telgar, freezing out
the sane centers of his brain. Though they can't be *entirely* frozen if'n
he doesn't want t'wear bows." She watches Kazy go herself, affection clear
in her expression as she sinks into the chair. "He makes quite a good
dragon. I've stolen him and kept him all t'myself t'be the envy of every
other rider on Pern, but I *suppose* I could be persuaded to share his
glory with you. Ah! And how is the duck noise supposed t'be Wylie's fault?
Has Wylie been told this?" Teasing, she's teasing; and at this last, she
laughs. "Ach, now, i'truth you're nay that far from it. And I do appreciate
your putting up with the cold t'be here, believe me. 'Tis always good t'see
you. I hope you've been well?"

And O'wyn has to crack up into quiet laughter at both the expression and
the chiding. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he apologizes, although the laughter
as he speaks kind of ruins the apologetic effect, really. "I'm reasonably
certain it is a rule, though, and I'm horrible and terrible for having
broken it. I shall endeavor never to commit such a heinous offence again."
He nods then, trying for serious, and failing utterly. "Of course, it's not
my fault in any way, shape, or form, absolutely." There's an amused nod.
"I'd appreciate the sharing. I swear, ignore Wylie, I'm good at the sharing
thing. And of course Wylie's been informed. He just ignored it, as per
usual. How it's his fault, I'm not sure, but it must be." He nods, with a
flicker of a fond smile. "Always good to see you as well. And yeah, I've
been all right. Joints are still giving me some trouble in 'Fall, but hey,
Pass is on the downward slope."

Kaswyn returns, dragging his quilt, and carrying an armful of felt juggling
bags. It's an involved process, but he's intent on fetching everything back
to the main area of the weyr. "I got everything! And here there won't be
Pesky to try and help, only he's not very helpful, cause Daddy told him to
stay home."

"Just see that you don't," Kassima intones, all mock-sternness. "Because
I'm pretty sure the penalty for that is wearing sackcloth and ashes, and
that? Isn't so much a look for anybody. Either that or you have t'be tied
to our Star Stones, during a blizzard, wearing only a wherry costume, until
you repent. The penalty for out-righting a greenrider is *dire*." You know,
it might make it more likely for anyone to buy this if Kassi could say it
with a straight face. "Nor mine! We're innocent, *faultless* parents. Any
madness of our son's is t'blame on Telgar. And Wylie. And mayhaps M'rgan,
just because. Sounds as if'n you're looking forward to the Interval? Will
it give you more chance t'lounge on your porch and soak up sun, instead of
the glories of Fall and reports?" She turns in her chair though as Kazy
enters. Amusement flickers across her expression; she's torn for a moment
between the impulse to get up and help him, and letting him have his
dignity. Dignity wins out. "You did! 'Twill have Lyss make sure none of the
Horde get any helpful ideas, then." Like most of her lot have suffered any
impulse towards helpfulness at any point in their lives. "'Twas just
telling Daddy I might have t'share m'magnificent Kaswynth-dragon with him,
instead of keeping you all t'my selfish self."

"A blizzard?!" Trust O'wyn to leap on that part, yes, even if he's
snickering still as well. "I repent! I repent! I will never more speak
against a greenrider, I assure you. Not the blizzard!" Pause. "Especially
since a wherry costume does not seem as if it would be especially -warm-,
you see." He's obviously wholly comfortable with teasing and being teased
in return. He'd sprawl, but he's sitting on a box, which tends to make
sprawling tricky. "Of course. All innocence, who could possibly suggest
otherwise. Well, except perhaps Wylie or M'rgan, but obviously that's all
part of their cunning plan." He sighs briefly. "I sure as all fires -hope-
it gives me more of a chance to lounge a bit. I'll confess, I don't mind
the reports anymore. Heck, sweeps, even the snow and all's fine. But a full
'Fall? I can hardly walk afterwards, anymore." 

Kaswyn rather gleefully pulls his gear before you, letting the quilt fall
to the floor. "Good. Because it is not very helpful when Pesky is being
helpful. Although watching Daddy juggle -him- was funny." He nods then
firmly. "Sharing is -good-, Momma." He considers the juggling balls, and
arranges them somewhat in still-tiny hands, before tossing one up into the
air. It's followed by the second, and the third. He actually catches the
first, and tosses it up again, but the second hits the floor, and while the
third is caught, it gets sort of tossed at a wide angle, necessitating Ozy
catching it lest he get pelted, leaving Kaswyn with only the one, and a
very smug look.

Hah, and now it's Kassi's turn to look smug! Smug and amused, no mistake.
"I have found your weakness! Now you will never dare t'scheme against me!
--And, well, nay, though there are colder things. I went in one to a
Masquerade once. Nearly maimed people with the claws. But that was *Boll*,
so you should definitely fear the wherry costume here," she tells him with
a properly wicked grin. Such a shame that she has no handlebar moustache to
twirl. Wickedness transforms into her absolute best innocent expression,
though, all wide eyes and lifted brows and fluttery lashes. "I really can't
*imagine*. We're the two most innocent beings to ever walk Pern. Why, baby
animals come and sit at our feet whenever we're in a forest, we're so
innocent." Riiiight. Disney's going to make a movie about them any day now.
Concerned, she asks, "'Tis really that bad? Is there naught Healers or
anyone can do? You shouldn't have t'suffer that--" Such serious matters are
temporarily abandoned, however, in favor of focusing her attention on Kazy,
a smile of anticipation lighting her face. "Daddy juggled a *fire-lizard*?
Now there, I must say, is an image, and something I'd like t'see one of
these days." But for now her attention's completely on their son. She grins
outright at the catch; if the others aren't caught, she wouldn't even seem
to notice, so openly thrilled is she. "Oh, *very* good!" she enthuses,
applauding. "That's wonderful, Kazy. I'm terribly impressed."

"Not that I actually dared to scheme -before-, but hey, always good to have
a little insurance against any further plots of evil or horror I might wish
to undertake," O'wyn agrees, with an entertained sort of nod. There's a
pause, and he has to crack up outright again, shaking his head. "And then
get eaten by Baeth and Lysseth," he decides of the baby animals, with a
wicked half-grin of his own. "Ah, not much to be done for it. But I manage.
And hey, things are slowing down, which helps." He looks sheepish. "Willing
firelizard. I doubt it would work otherwise." He has to beam at Kaswyn as
well, looking utterly fond, and altogether proud. "As I'm I. You get better
at that every time, kiddo." He starts to add something else, but winces
then, and leans over to hand the juggling ball back to Kaswyn. "Alas, I've
got to get back, Baeth says. I had a great time today though, it was great
seeing you both." He shifts to claim a hug from Kaswyn, and then stands.

"You can undertake plots of evil and horror," Kassi offers helpfully. "Just
nay against *me*. Or probably other greenriders for safety's sake, but
others? You can be all *sorts* of evil and horrific. Honest. I could even
help?" Great, because Pern hasn't suffered enough from *Thread*. "Would
Baeth share the drumsticks?" she wants to know, with a very near mirror of
that grin. "Well, managing's key. Wish there were some way I could help.
A'course, if'n there ever is, just yell; but it sounds like mayhaps the
Interval's more apt t'be useful." She nods an emphatic agreement to this
assessment of their son's abilities, agreeing, "You could kick Kiss's rump
at that, I bet," because love her daughter though she does, she's wicked
enough to help a *little* revenge be potentially achieved. Standing
herself, she says, "You can get your share of time with the dread and
glorious Kaswynth next time, then--mayhaps we'll head down t'visit, t'spare
you? 'Twas lovely t'see you; it always is." She offers a hug of her own,
and a kiss for good measure, should you allow it. "Thankee for bringing him
back, and you take care of yourself, all right?"

"Oh, well, I shall have to make note of -that-. Baeth! Plans for world
domination are back on!" O'wyn mock-calls back towards the ledge, clearly
amused. "Hah, Baeth can be convinced to share. Sometimes. As long as he
gets to look put upon. And I appreciate it, but honestly, I'm well enough.
Just look forward to the Pass's end, is all." He has to look amused for a
moment. "I'm always for seeing either and or both of you. But here or
there, it all works." He returns the hug, and the kiss, looking pleased.
"Hey, thank you for letting me have the day. Take care of both of you," he
adds with a smile, before slipping out.

"Bye Daddy!" Kaswyn adds.

"See? 'Tis as I keep trying t'explain t'people: *everybody* wants t'rule
the world," says Kassima. Smiling after the bronzerider, she resumes her
seat when he's left--Lyss giving a woebegone sigh at the loss of the nice
warm bronze company; she suffers so much, really--the better to encourage,
"Show me that trick again, Kazy?" and watch, all motherly pride and pleasure.

[Editor's Note:  Kazy's player had to leave at this point, so
the scene ends.]