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In 'Lizard Eggs They Dwell


Date:  April 20, 2008
Place:  Igen Weyr's Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Search for cute blues for Impressing; in 'lizard eggs
they dwell.  There you can wave meat at them as each one breaks his
shell.  There shall be shown a wiggle when the time is near at hand, 
for the humming fairs shall waken, and the hatchlings forth shall 
stand.  ...Yes, I spend my time thinking up these things. ;)  Kyana's
LotR-themed FL clutch is born into the world, claiming many victims,
leaving few unscathed.

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The Log:

You head into the Igen Weyr Living Cavern.

Kyana smiles at Elianne. "I've been keeping a close eye on them recently,
as they should be hatching; they've been at the hearth for awhile now
though." she says with a grin, then shrugs. "That's up to them, once they
hatch! We set aside a couple for residents, and these are the ones that are
left after that. They'll choose for themselves!"

Kyana waves to Kassima as the greenrider enters the caverns. "Good day!"
she calls out cheerily. "What're you up to?"

Kassima carries a thin roll of hides, and has a stick of charcoal tucked
behind her left ear, but if it's work she carries it can't be of a heavy
kind; she's whistling. "Writing a letter t'Kisai!" she calls back to Kyana
while wiggling her fingers back. "I could've done it in m'weyr, but one,
nay snacks there, and two, there's always the chance something entertaining
will happen for me t'put in. Ashryl could run in wearing naught but orange
paint and with all her hair shaved off. If'n I have t'see that, I might as
well traumatize m'daughter with the image too. G'day," she adds to the
nanny and her companion both, smiling.

Elianne Elianne smiles shyly and waves to the newcomer

Kyana smiles at Kassima, although she grimaces a little at mention of
Ashryl and the possibility of antics. "Let's hope that's not today..." she
says, then waves her over. "Kassima, this is Elianne; she's new to the
weyr, so don't scare her off!" she says with a grin and a wink. "Elianne,
this is Kassima, one of our resident crazy greenriders.." and she smiles,
whispering loudly. "She's harmless..mostly..."

Elianne "hi Kassima - good to meet you!' Elianne grins at thought of beng
scared off.

"Let's hope that isn't any day. She could at least go with green paint,"
Kassima decides, "that would be ever so much more dignified." Sure it
would. She collects a glass of juice from the food table before crossing
the table to where they sit, the better to converse; the letter isn't such
an urgent matter. "Pleased t'be making your acquaintance," she tells
Elianne with a bob of her head and quick grin. "I'm only slightly crazy,
really, and 'tis all Lysseth's fault."

Kyana grins at Kassima and shakes her head. "Don't be blaming your dragon,
now.." she teases, and looks around. "Where's your fair today? I was just
telling Elianne about the firelizard eggs.." she grins at the girl.
"Kassima here has /tons/ of firelizards; she might know the answer to your
question!"

Elianne looks round for fireliards as if they would all be hiding behind
her or something "I just was wondering /how/ the firelizards really chose"

Kassima makes an amused sound. "If'n you knew Lyss, you'd blame her too.
Often. Loudly. For *everything*. At least then she'd grouse for good reason
instead of nay reason 'tall. They're around...." Only a dark and
silver-marked blue sits on her shoulder today--Kyril has rousted the
pretenders to his throne, even Zabreneva. Or so the proud creature probably
tells himself. "Curled up on Lyss, basking on the ledge, a few probably in
here somewhere. Mind if'n I sit?" she asks, nodding to a chair. "'Tisn't
much like dragons. With 'lizards, I don't know if'n they can tell a thing
about *who* you are; they go for the meat they want, what they like or what
gets their attention."

Kyana smiles at Kassima. "It must be more than just meat, though, for some
people." And she gives the woman a wink. "And true, I haven't met Lysseth,
so I shouldn't judge." her eyes sparkle as she nods. "Please sit, we'd
welcome the company. I've decided that the eggs are too close to hatching
to leave them alone for long, so I'm trying to stick around here long as
possible, though I imagine I'll be called to the nursery eventually."

Elianne is staring at the blue on Kassima's shoulder "so, how many /do/ you
have?" she nods toward the proud blue.

"Well, if'n I recall aright... and 'twouldn't entirely mind being wrong,
silly as this is... I dangled a silver necklace along with m'meat t'attract
Kyril here. Probably he wanted t'see his reflection in it, silly thing."
Kyril does not dignify Kassima's comments with a response. He keeps his
small head held high! "As close as that? Remind me t'stay back and away so
I won't be entranced by aught blue. Over two dozen," she answers Elianne,
hooking her fingers over the back of a chair and dragging it out to settle
into, "to the great sorrow of any form of insect that tries t'be infesting
m'weyr. This is Ky, he's the eldest. You're thinking of trying when Kyana's
clutch cracks?"

Kyana smiles at Kassima, looking proudly at the eggs. "Elianne was also
asking if all eggs have patterns to them; I've only seen a few, so I
thought you might an insight or two as well." she says with a grin, then a
laugh. "I should get the nannies to all come up here for the eggs then, if
they help with insects. The nursery cavern is always getting infested with
something or another."

Elianne shrugs "well, I might have a go - have you any tips beyond the
necklace?!" She winks "I think I'm worried they might all run from me!" She
grins, but there's an uncertainty behind it. "They're such sweet wee things!"

Kassima glances to the drum body before shaking her head. "I've seen 'em be
all a single color and nay markings. More often patterns, though. I don't
know why." The woman laughs under her breath. "I'd give a bug nay better
odds of survival around the Swarm than a fat rump roast--y'know, you could
let me know when the creepy-crawlies are teeming and I could set 'em loose
in there. So long as the bairns didn't try and pull their tails or
something else clever they'd save all aggression for the insects." She
settles more comfortably into her seat. Takes a drink of juice, and sighs a
pleased sigh. She grins at Elianne over the cup. "Fresh meat's good t'have.
There'll be scraps around, probably--I swear the kitchens keep bowls
available for just such things, so don't be shy about grabbing some. Or you
could try a meatroll. Don't try and touch one a'fore 'tis eating out of
your hand. They're wee and some of 'em are sweet, but others bite and
scratch if'n you give 'em the chance."

Kyana grins and looks from Elianne to Kassima, then groans when a pair of
kids run into the caverns, one small boy with a sling, the other a girl
chasing him. "Lena sent us ta find ya Ky!" the boy offers, smirking, then
dodging out of the girls way. "Says da eggs will wait." the boy scampers
over to poke one of the eggs experimentally, then scamper back, not wanting
to get in trouble. With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, Kyana stands. "Will
ya watch them while I go?" she asks the two woman. "Faranth knows what's
going on in there. I'll keep your offer in mind, Kassima, and it was nice
to meet you Elianne."

Elianne looks quizzically at Kyril "well,meat shouldn't be a problem - I'm
amazed I haven't been dragged back to the hearth yet! The problem will be
convincing my auntie to let me back to see the eggs!" She grins "I love
her, but I work hard! If I get a chance, I'll be well careful!"

Kassima nods agreeably. "I'm here for at least a little while," she says.
"'Twill watch 'em so long as I am. Good luck with nay anybody being dead or
maimed!" She's so cheerful about that, too. Considering, she reaches up and
pokes Kyril with her finger: poke, poke, wake up and be sociable, but the
blue mantles his dark wings and gives her a look best described as
incredulous. "Everyone deserves a break now and then! Once they start
Hatching, Faranth knows, the whole Cavern will know about it. People
usually flock to these things."

Kyana nods and waves to both. "Thankee, and I hope to see you soon!"

Elianne gives a wave and a smile and then turns back to Kassima "Am I
disturbing you?"

"Nay in the least," Kassi assures with vague surprise. "Why, should you be?
M'duties are complete for the day, and the letter's mostly a fancy. I doubt
Kiss would blink twice if'n I didn't write."

"Well, I ask a lot of questions it seems - Kyana likened me to the young
'uns in the nursery earlier!" Elianne grins "Have you always been a rider
here an Igen?"

Another headshake from Kassima. "I Impressed at Benden Weyr, and I rode at
Telgar for a good while. Igen's a relatively recent development. I like it
here, though... you don't suffocate in snow, the Wings all know their
business, and the people are more welcoming than I might've expected." A
brief grin for that, amused for some reason. "How about you? D'you live
with the aunt you mentioned?"

Kynvelin ambles out from the inner caverns.

Elianne is impressed at the mention of Benden and nods in agreement about
people being welcoming. She takes a sip of the Klah she's been nursing for
a good while; it's gone cold and she makes a face before answering further
"I live with her now - she's my ma's sister. My ma's in the kitchens at
Igen Hold but when my auntie offered me a chance here my ma thought I
should c-come." She stutters a bit at that last and tucks the loose lock of
hair behind her ear again.

Elianne nods and smiles to the newcomer

"So you're at least used to the weather," Kassima deduces, brilliant woman
that she is. She sits at a table with Elianne, apparently at leisure and
holding a glass of redfruit juice. "'Tis still hard t'be leaving your home
and your parents t'go somewhere else. D'you like it so far?" Gently asked,
that question. She noticed the stutter. "One benefit of a Weyr is 'tisn't
hard t'be getting rides, when you want t'visit."

Cyme comes in from the Bowl.

Kynvelin enters with the minimum of fuss, looking uncomfortably warm. He's
not sweating, but he's a bit red in the face for some reason. He makes a
beeline for the meal table and helps himself to a tall glass of fruit
juice, clutching the glass in one hand as he makes his way towards where
Kassima and Elianne sit. He seems somewhat distracted as he approaches.
"Mind if I sit here?" He asks softly when he reaches the two.

Elianne glances down takes a deep breath and looks up again with a smile
"Weather? Schmether!She smiles again at Kynvelin. "I don't mind" and
glances at Kassima for confirmation. "I wouldn't dare be asking for rides -
my ma'd have my skin off for presuming! Tisn't like I don't know anyone!"

Kassima gives Kynvelin an amiable nod in greeting: "Feel free, if'n you
like. Igen's duties and welcome," and she smiles briefly to Elianne,
confirmation even though her words gave it already. "You'll know people
eventually, aye? 'Tisn't much trouble for a rider who's headed down Igen
way anyway t'take a passenger along. Igen's nay Bitra, unfortunately, t'be
attracting flocks and swarms, but there's still traffic enough."

A tall, slender figure seems to cling to the shadows at first, making its
way inside, then deeper into the cavern. As she approaches the hearth, the
presence can be made out as Cyme, the sober starsmith apprentice nodding
shyly at unfamiliar faces as she passes, then slipping off her wide-brimmed
straw hat and peering about before taking up a ladel from near a pot and
fetching herself some klah. A quick, feline-like yawn suddenly convulses
her face, and then she's using her free hand's fingers to rub sleep out of
her eyes. Blink-blink, scrub-scrub. "Ohh...hello ma'...uhm, Kassima," she
greets the familar rider with a tiny smile.

Coren comes in from the Bowl.

Elianne smiles shyly all round;

"Thanks," Kynvelin says simply, softly, taking a seat and sipping his fruit
juice calmly. He still looks quite red, and there's tension in his
shoulders, but it's starting to ease up. He watches the rider and younger
woman out of the corner of his eyes, under the pretence that he's looking
off into the distance.

Fyra ambles out from the inner caverns.

Danika comes in from the Bowl.

Coren smiles after a bit of a breath, and generally greets the people
gathered around the firelizard clutch. "Hello, er, hi everyone.." It's
fairly obvious he isn't accustomed to large crowds. He notices the lunch
table, and takes a cup of redfruit juice, then seats himself in a chair
next to the crowd.

Niena comes in from the Bowl.

"Heyla, Cyme," Kassima returns to the younger woman, with a touch of
surprise but no displeasure. "Is your Master making more observations
tonight? Ask her about stars," she suggests to Elianne, and why not?
Kynvelin too, even though she doesn't know him from F'lar. "And the craters
of Timor. She knows a good deal. ...Shells, lots of visitors, 'tis nay so?"

Elianne moves over to the lunch table to hotten up her Klah; there she
greets Coren, then comes back to her seat by Kassima

Cyme takes a quick, sparing draught from her mug of klah, her eyes widening
just a little as the combination of taste and scent hit her palate. A tiny
sigh of enjoyment, and the young woman is owlishly blinking again at the
rider, then giving a little nod out to Coren, Elianne, and whoever else is
there. Back to Kassima, she murmurs in that low, quiet alto, "Mhm, another
round of night observations. Perfect time for it, since the moons are going
down in..." pause "...three hours. We're all set up."

Niena glances around and greets those who rank her (almost everyone) with a
polite "Sir" or "Ma'am". She smiles warmly to anyone else.

Noemie comes in from the Bowl.

Fyra bounds in from the inner caverns, nanny on her heels and a green
firelizard flying over her head, chattering in annoyance. She squeezes
between a few chairs, away from nanny arms. "'m old 'nough to do what I
want, an' I don' need Harper lessons 'nymore!" She squeaks, hides under a
table, and moves towards the crowd, hoping to mingle in. The nanny, glaring
from her the other side of the caverns, decides not to go through the
obstacle course of crowds and chairs that Fyra was putting between her.

Elianne greets Cyme

A'deth walks out of the infirmary.

Kynvelin looks up at the sudden influx of people. "Are they all from around
here?" he wonders aloud, albeit quietly. His juice is now half-gone - he's
making short work of it - and he looks the better for it. He's more
relaxed, although he looks a bit worried at all these random, new people.

Niena says cheerfully "I'mnot, just practising *between*. And I decided to
see what it's like actually to be warm. I'm Niena, from the Reaches."

Danika looks around a little cautiously but smiles when she sees Kynvelin.
She walks purposefully in his direction. "Hey, I was looking for you. So,
did you find him? I was looking but I couldn't find a sign." She grins.
"Maybe he found out you were looking for him and went into hiding."

Elianne is loosing track of the conversations around her; she wants to ask
Cyme about the stars and Niena about going *between* but is tongue-tied

Kassima greets this news with a broad smile. "'Twill mayhaps see about
pestering him for a look, then--if'n 'twouldn't truly be pestering. All
things considered, interfering in Starsmiths' work isn't in m'interests.
Igen's duties t'everyone and everywhere!" She doesn't direct that to Cyme
so much as the Cavern in general; it now seems appropriate. Then, to
Kynvelin, "I don't believe so. The... ah... the lass pelting pell-mell
there, she's Igen. A thing I'm thinking must delight our Harper just now.
Welcome t'the Arid Wastes," she says to Niena, amused. "Whatever other
words you can use t'describe 'em, warm fits."

Storm-Tossed Palantir Egg shudders slightly, gently moving a few grains of
sand as it does so.

Tromping in from the bowl comes Deagan bearing parcel in hand. Bangs sway
back and forth with each step until a toss of th head throws them away from
his eyes. The young lad is not terribly noticible in the throng of
cavern-goers, and he doesn't bother to make himself particularly known - no
proper greetings of 'Healers duties' offered, prefering instead to snake
himself towards the serving tables. When its a matter of manners versus
food - food always wins out.

Coren sips gently at his cup, and responds to Kynvelin, "Well, I made it
here with a bit of luck - I heard from my friend J'rom, brownrider at Fort,
about a clutch of firelizards, and I was free from chores for a moment long
enough to get away." With a long glance at the drum, he continues, "I hope
I get lucky, you think there's a gold in one?"

Into the cavern strides a foriegn rider, Istan by her dress and knot.
Noting the gathering crowd of people, Noemie goes to join it, her curiosity
piqued... and never one to turn down a chance to make new acquaintances.

Kynvelin doesn't look too surprised to see Danika, and indicates the chair
next to him. "No, no, I found him. He wasn't too happy though," he says, so
perhaps there is some truth in Danika's idea. "But...we talked it over. Or,
he shouted at me and I shouted back." He looks terribly guilty about that.
"But we calmed down after a while." He looks past Danika at yet more people
arriving. "This place is getting busy...."

A'deth emerges from the infirmary, and wanders towards the meal-table. Long
shift, check. Bleary eyes, check. Zombified reprobate rider in need of
wine's sweet, sweet fortification? Check.

Cyme seems to hunker her spare, tall in on itself some as more people
approach, the young woman taking a seat near the banked fire and hunching
over her klah some. Those violet eyes are curious, however, and raise
every-so-often to peer at all the new faces when she takes another sip of
her beverage. In a few moments, the starsmith is gazing up at the ceiling
with a fuzzy look, already going into her usual absent-minded trance, when
Kassima again speaks to her. Her gaze jerks back guiltily to the Igen
rider. "No, not at all. I think the Master enjoys your company." Some quiet
musing, then, "I don't talk enough for him to be relaxed, I think."

Danika takes the offered seat and nods. "Figured it would get to that. But
if there was no fists, then maybe he's learned his lessons?" She looks at
Kyn curiously. "Did the yelling make you feel better? If so, then good for
you." She nods and smiles the those around him. "Hi, Tillek's duties."

Elianne peers under the table Fyra disappeared under "Fyra? Are you still
there?"

Storm-Tossed Palantir Egg gives another little shake, knocking against
another egg this time.

And on A'deth's shoulder, a small, drab yellowish lizard begins to croon.

Elianne's head jerks up at the sound of firelizards croon - she's never
heard it before

Fyra mingles among the crowd, hoping to hide out among the taller people.
She just ducks under the table again when the nanny hovers closer, only to
pop her head back out and give a narrow-eyed suspcious look to Elianne.
"Who are you? Not with the nannies, are you?" She pops back out, glances
over her shoulder, and finally remains closer to the eggs with sudden
curiosity. "/More/? I guess with all the sand 'round Igen, they're
popular." She wrinkles her nose, but remains close by anyways.

Pop! From *between*-- a small fair of 'lizards, brown and blue, hovering
around Noemie's head and thrumming loudly as they land upon her head and
shoulders. "Ahh," she says to no one in particular, as she nears the eggs
and puts to and two together.

"Duties back t'Tillek, her Lady, and her Lord," Kassima answers Danika,
nodding to her too. Her answer to Cyme is temporarily postponed: it's about
now that Kyril deigns to take notice of *something*, sitting up on the
greenrider's shoulder to hum for the rocking eggs. Even his hum is
arrogant. Maybe it's that puffed-out chest. "...Oh-oh. Elianne, you're
getting your wish, methinks--we'll need meat. Here, one second." She pushes
up out of her chair and makes for the kitchens, pausing en route to grin
wryly Cymewards. "Ah. He enjoys talking, he enjoys m'company, somehow I'm
nay entirely surprised these things overlap. I'm honored, though." The
rider disappears into the kitchen and returns in very short order with a
giant bowl of fresh meat scraps, raw and bloody. Apparently someone in
there anticipated the event.

Lembas Bread Egg gives a little shimmy, moving slightly to the left.

Elianne grins at Fyra's remarks "No, no nanny am I! I thought I'd seen you
the other day is all - want to watch the hatching?"

A second Istan rider follows Noemie into the living caverns, muttering
abscently to her dragon. "What do you mean that I need another flit? Girl,
you have a first class nanny streak in you?" Then the two 'lizards on her
shoulders, one bronze and one green begin to hum, with the bronze watching
the clutch attentively as his perch, Tegara looks on

"Not again!" one of the drudges sighs and puts her hands on her hips,
watching the lizards start to croon. "Maril! Jenti! Get some bowls of meat!
Fresh strips; the cooks will know what you need." she says, pointing to her
fellow drudges and wiping her table. "There'll be a mess at the end of this
one..." she scowls, looking around the room.

Cyme quiets even more as yet more folk filter into Igen's cavern, her
searching gaze flicked to each one momentarily before she drops it again to
her drink. And then that yellow firelizard on the older greenrider's
shoulder croons, and the starsmith is all frank curiosity for her. She
seems about to muster up and answer for Kassima, but then the rider is
disappearing, and reappearing with that big bowl of meat scraps. "Huhn?" is
the tall, spare apprentice's lucid query to the only person here she knows.

Eventually the interest beginning to form aroiund the shaking little eggs
draws Daegan's attention away from the plate of meat he's made for himself
from the serving table. The lad's mid-mouthful when his eyes settle on the
little eggs. With curiosity, the apprentice moves towards them, gnawing as
he goes, plate in one hand parcel now left on a table in favor of food and
firelizards.

Elianne ducks at the sight of drudges but makes sure she grabs some of the
meat and some meatrolls in hopeful preparation

Danika glances back at Kassima when she returns with the meat. "Is that
enough or do you need any help?" She nods as she overhears Fyra's comment.
"The heat might help at that. I know someone searching on the beaches of
Tillek, maybe I should suggest a relocation to him."

Maril and Jenti return quickly with several large bowls of scraps, which
they set around the room, along with a stack of smaller dishes, possibly to
try to avoid the inevitable bloody drips and gobbets post-hatching. And
just in time too, as the eggs seem to be moving more.

Niena gratefully accepts a bowl of meat, murmuring thanks to whomever
passed it over, and watches the eggs curiously. "I hope if I impress one
here it won't mind the cold."

Storm-Tossed Palantir Egg starts to move more violently, rocking back and
forth in it's nest of sand.

Coren quickly sets his cup down, his attention jumping to the eggs. "Uh, I
just offer one some meat, when it hatches? Wheres the food, over there?"
and goes to grab some strips of meat, and sits back down, eagerly sliding
his seat nearer the drum of firelizard eggs. He backs up though, after some
reproachful glares are directed at him.

Mithril Silver Egg may have moved. /Maybe/

"I guess he did. And...yeah, it did, a little," Kynvelin admits to Danika,
managing a smile now. When it becomes apparent what's happening, and a bowl
of meat somehow ends up sat in his lap, he blinks. "Um. Wanna try for a
fire-lizard, then? I hear they're pretty handy." He pokes at the meat in
the bowl, looking quite amused when it squelches slightly. "Better get
closer, though." He does seem interested in trying, at least.

Kassima explains for Cyme and anyone else near enough to hear her,
"Fire-lizards. Eggs, that is. Over in the broken drum," and she holds out
the big bowl of meat bits in offering. "Have a go? I don't see Kyana...
bloody shame if'n she's going t'miss it, but at least there's nay question
of the 'lizardlings having choice enough. Methinks someone's bringing
more," she calls to Danika. "But thankee! ...A'deth." She's spotted the
other greenrider at last, and she grins for it. "You do have impeccable
timing. C'mon, y'know you want one."

Well, now he clearly does not have enough hands. One plate, two kinds of
meat. So Daegan moves as near as he's able to get to the shivering eggs but
to where he's still able to set his plate down on a table edge. And one of
the bowls of meat is settled beside it. So one hand goes into his own meat
and the other into the the rawer, bloodier bits. Now, if only he can keep
the two hands straight as he continues to much in anticipation of the first
firelizard sharding its shell.

Elianne is hovering as close to the eggs as she dare get to the eggs, eyes
wide, watching every movement

Fyra tilts her head towards Elianne, blinking. "Sure, so 'long as you're
not a nanny." Of course, with the humming, her own green firelizard dives
down to come for a landing on the short pre-teen's shoulder, hissing in
displeasure at everything and wrapping her tail protectively around the
girl's neck. She takes a meatroll from one of the passing drudges, too, and
then flops down onto the ground to watch at a safe distance, watching and
waiting. She's going to be a quiet one for this hatching.

Lembas Bread Egg shimmies to the right, now, rocking slowly as the crooning
increases.

Noemie catches sight of the other Istan greenrider. "Tegs!" Noemie calls
loudly enough to be heard over the din, surprise in her voice. "What brings
you here? Well-- silly question, I suppose." She cranes her neck to get a
view of the eggs themselves, to see just which ones threaten to hatch first.

Storm-Tossed Palantir Egg gets going this time, starting to move from side
to side, like the hatchling inside is trying to run.

Lanisa ambles out from the inner caverns.

Cyme looks up daftly at Kassi, at first, as if she's never heard of eggs
and hatchings before. And then a little bowl of meat gets plunked down on
her lap, and the starsmith appears somewhat conflicted. "Uhm... they -are-
pretty..." she temporizes, setting her klah mug down beside her chair
uncertainly. The more animated rocking of the first egg catches her absent
gaze, and the crafter moues her mouth at its markings.

A'deth's head snaps up, and he pauses in the pouring of his wine. "So soon?
The other basket isn't... you didn't say anything about /it/. Though maybe
the big hearth here's warmer." He seems to be conferring with his
diminutive goldenish partner, who croons quite agreeably. He finishes
pouring himself a glass, gathers up a few more and the skin and, juggling
everything carefully, heads towards Kassima and Kyana. "I do not want
another one. Not even to make a matched set."

Storm-Tossed Palantir Egg rolls around the basket, faster and faster,
seemingly in danger of knocking against the other eggs, then bursts open,
cracking into three distinct pieces.


This hatchling creels quite loudly, shaking his head, eyes whirling in mad
shifts between blue-green and red. His body is stouter than most browns,
less agility and more strength, with thickly muscled forelimbs and back.
His wingsails are a dark, almost sepia brown, and his wings are folded like
a cloak around his body as he skulks, the mud-brown of his body echoed and
enhanced with bronze threads of color that wind along his underside and
around his tail. His face is a pale brown, with dark splotches offsetting
his whirling eyes, and an overly long tongue extends when he hisses, often
for no apparent reason.


Tegara waves to her fellow greenrider. "Hey Noe," she calls loudlly. "Blame
Riaceth for this -- she just love the shardin'critters." At that remark the
bronze chirps in displeasure, then goes back to clutch watching.

A single hide has taken up residency in Lanisa's hand, and from it she
reads as she strolls slowly into the cavern, absorbing every word for all
appearances. Especially as it takes her several long moments to realize
anything out of the ordinary.

IGEN-> Kyana sighs. "And it begins!" and gets all teary eyed. hope people
like em :)

Danika nods at Kynvelin with a smile. "They are pretty handy, but I already
have one so I'm set. But you go right ahead. They make great friends. I'll
introduce him to you next time I'm at Telgar or you're at Tillek. I didn't
bring him along because I didn't know what we'd be doing." She smiles. "You
know, he's from here originally. He might have liked the visit, if only I'd
known this was going to happen." She nods at Kassima. "Okay, as long as
everything is set."

IGEN-> A'deth thinks they will. <3

Elianne gasps at the new firelizard and his hissing

Niena hears the hisses and looks at the hatchling dubiously, not extending
her meat at the unfriendly sound.

Coren starts at the dark brown's new arrival, and leans goes to offer a bit
of meat to it, but the firelizard doesn't seem interested in /his/ meat.

Jealous Indecision Brown Hatchling skulks around the basket, inspecting the
other eggs dubiously, then looks out, covering himself with his wings
warily as he regards the sea of pink-things.

"Very useful, too," Kassima volunteers. "They eat bugs. Kill tunnelsnakes.
Threaten the life and limb of anyone who so much as thinks about fussing
with your belongings. Or anyone, period, if'n they're some of mine." The
big bowl gets set down somewhere convenient. It would, of course, be
absolutely insane for her to take any scraps and dare 'lizard attention.
Absolutely. And, naturally, that's exactly what she does. "'Tis nigh
criminal for a greenrider nay t'have a green," she mock-chides A'deth. "Ah,
well. I'm nay pushing to the fore either. Nay yet. Err... g'luck," the
rider offers the room at large, the brown's hissing making the words just
ever so slightly hesitant.

When you're fourteen (and some months) it takes a lot to pull attention
away from the stomach - constantly in need of sustainance for those growing
bones. But the firelizard has done it. There's a wicked look on the boy's
face and a mumble might be heard, "Firelizard...chores..n...Gran'll be so
mad." And Daegan seems delighted by the prospect of whatever complete
thought goes unheard. He lets the hand holding his own meaty meal stay
forgotten a moment as the bloody bits in his other hand are extended
outwards and given a wiggle towards the newly shelled.

Elianne somewhat nervously throws a piece of meat toward the hissing brown,
she doesn't quite dare risk her fingers yet

"You should," Kynvelin says. Danika's own high opinion of the creatures,
along with Kassima's advice, causes him to make his mind up. "All right
then, I'll go and try, at least. You don't get if you don't try, right?"
And so Kyn makes his way over as inobtrusively as he can, getting into a
position where he can see the sand and egg-filled drum. The bowl's been
taken with him, obviously, and now he puts a hand in to take out some meat.
He doesn't look grossed out by the feel of the raw stuff, and just holds it
out hesitantly towards the brown. "Is this right?" He asks Coren, who he's
found himself close to. The fire-lizard is being eyeballed warily - he
doesn't like that skulking.

A'deth plunks down the wineglasses and begins to pour -- Benden White, of
course -- because, he opines, "It's still a hatching, and you're supposed
to get drunk at hatchings... and no, and no, and no, I've already got one
demanding green to feed and oil and dote upon." He slides a glass towards
Kassima, and another towards Kyana. Glancing at the crowd, he spies Noemie,
and cocks an eyebrow at her, and lifts the skin.

IGEN-> A'deth says, "Not that A needs an excuse to drink, but it's
tradition, right, right? :o"

Jealous Indecision Brown Hatchling peers at the sea of faces, holding his
hisses in for a moment in favor of the smell of raw meat, his eyes whirling
hungrily as he sniffs one way, then the next.

IGEN-> Kyana giggles and nods

Cyme pulls back from that brown's hissing, a little shocked, her gaze then
looking around as many others do the same. "Isn't that...uhm, bad?" she
inquires of no one in particular, then eyeing the brown again. The meat
sits still in her bowl on her lap, the woman's fingertips the only thing
steadying it. No wiggling, for her.

Elianne grabs more meat and flicks it toward the brown

"Who is killing tunnelsnakes?" Trust that to be the words that draw Lanisa
from her hide, or maybe it was just in combination with Kassima's voice
saying them. The bluerider lets go of one side of her reading material,
allowing the rest of it to coil up as she chuckles at what she observes,
"Ahh, might have known."

Mithril Silver Egg is not moving. It's just an illusion.

After more of the hisses, Coren drops the meat, and retreats, watching
eagerly for the next egg. He gets distracted by Kynvelins' question, and
shrugs, saying "I guess so.. I dunno if that one wants to get fed yet,
though.." His eyes wander to the silverish egg, and the eagerness changes
to hope that he gets the 'precious'.

Elianne is holding the meat and flicking it, then she purses her lips and
makes chirping sounds wondering if that will catch the attention of the
brown and, just maybe, soothe him a little

Jealous Indecision Brown Hatchling lets out a rather pitiful creel as he
senses rejection, then swings his head around, gobbling up a piece of meat
tossed to him, but not knowing who it came from. He fixes his gaze on a
piece of wiggling meat across from the basket and hops out onto the floor,
shaking his wings.

Mithril Silver Egg tips slightly to one side.

Noemie waves back to Tegara, then settles back to people-watch in the
crowd, eyes flicking over the gathering of people and their excitement. She
catches sight of A'deth just as he notices her, and grants him a wide
grin-- having no skin to lift in return.

Even with her other hand full of meat Kassima's not about to decline Benden
White. She takes up the glass and toasts A'deth with it, then the eggs and
that brown, hissing though he be. "You can never have too many greens," she
assures A'deth. "Ask aught both male and draconic. He looks feisty, Cyme.
Could be he's hungry and scared--imagine being born into this crowd--Lani,
heyla!" She wiggles her meat at the Weyrsecond. Probably doesn't Impress
her, though. "I'm nay killing any right now. 'Tis Kyana's new batch of
'lizards Hatching, y'see?"

A look up to place a slightly familiar voice, and then Cyme catches sight
of Lanisa, the starsmith giving the bluerider a quick, grave nod of
greeting before letting her gaze track back to that drum of hatching eggs.
At the jealous brown's creel, she can't help but glancing back down to it
as the lad hops down to the floor. "Oh!" Surprise in her voice as she
addresses Kassima. "They're so nimble Do they always hiss when they're
scared?"

Its now that Deagan's attention is less focused on his own stomach and
rather on that of the hatchling on the sands, he's distracted by another
something - the feeling of the raw meat in his hand. Healer apprentice or
no, this is distracting. And he begins to squish it gingerly between his
fingers, eyes now on the raw meat rather than the hatchling he's trying to
attract.

Danika turns in her seat to get a better view. "What color would you like
best, Kyn? What would suit you? It makes it more interesting that you can't
tell from the eggs. Though that's true of dragons too, isn't it?" She looks
at her brother's bowl of meat and grins. "At least it's not my turn to get
all bloody."

Elianne is crouching on the floor now, oblivious to everyone around her,
flicking the meat and making strange chirruping sounds

Mithril Silver Egg shudders, rocking slightly.

Kynvelin withdraws his hand when the brown hisses, looking worried.
"He's...nasty. I don't think he does," he notes in reply to Coren, before
hearing Danika and turning his head to look at her through the people, and
answer her. "Me? Suit me? I...don't know, actually." He grins. "What d'you
think?" Then he looks down at his hand, his fingers bloody from the meat.
"Eh, it's not so bad. Quite warm, actually." Ew.

Danika nods with a grin. "I know what it's like. I got quite messy last
time. Now it's your turn." She hmms at his question and looks out at the
brown hatchling and the eggs. "I don't know. You're too nice, anything
would suit you."

Coren gasps quietly at the silver egg's movement, but then sits back
thinking it was another illusion. He tosses another bit to the brown, but
lets it be with someone else trying for his's attention. More egg motion
makes him turn quickly back, and he scoots in further on his knees, with a
bit more meat in hand.

A'deth perches on the table, legs dangling casually over the edge. And does
a pantomime toward Noemie-- he lifts the skin still, and points to it with
his other hand, and raises his eyebrows. And then he looks to Lanisa and
remarks, "I'd offer some to you, too, but you're looking very responsible
today, and I'd hate to have your relations chide me for debauching you when
you're being dutiful. Unless you make it your idea, in which case I am
without any guilt whatsoever."

Jealous Indecision Brown Hatchling turns towards the wiggling meat, then
another piece catches his eye. Decisions, decisions.

Mithril Silver Egg appears to dissolve in a glimmer of silver as the egg
shards fall away from the hatchling inside.


This slight lizard is small for a bronze, and a little off-color, his
bronze fading to a washed-out brown that flows from his pointed head to the
tip of his tail. Only on his wings does the bronze stay true, but they're
strong wings, almost oversized. Despite his coloration, his eyes whirl with
a fierce inner fire; although everyday struggles may get to him, there is a
resiliency to this little bronze that will not often be matched.


With a playful salute given by the hide rather than her hand, Lani returns
the Starsmith's greeting to her by way of a nod, "Hey there. Get settled in
okay? Been meaning to ask." For Kassima though she gives a wide smile,
"Plenty of time later for 'snake hunting, eh? Fair enough. And aye, I do
see. Just getting started with the eggs into shards?" For A'deth she shares
a laugh, "Would that be the same relations that believe I lost my mind when
i accepted this knot?"

Niena waits to see if this new lizard is quite so hissy as his brother, her
hand in the bowl of meat but not yet proferring any pieces.

Elianne glances up to see the silver egg hatch and is transfixed by the
bronze. She changes track and offers her meat towards the newest hatchling

Squish-squish-squish goes the meat. Daegan's fingers close about the meat
such that a bit spurts out one side of his fist and onto the floor. Eyes
follow it, and a careless expression of 'oops' crosses his face. He gives
the bit of meat now on the floor a nudge with the toe of one boot as his
hand moves to reach back into the bowl still settled beside his plate on
the table to get up a fresh gob.

Ringbearer Bronze Hatchling stares out into the world, giving a small
chirrup, a change from the creeling and wild eyes of his clutchmate.

Jealous Indecision Brown Hatchling follows the spurt of meat interestingly,
moving up to a young boy, almost delicately taking the meat, then looking
up at the lad for more.

Coren gasps aloud as the silver egg hatches, and then he lets the breath
out with a bit of dissapointment by the new hatchling. He holds out a piece
of meat to it, and comments "He's a bit small, isn't he? For a bronze I
mean, Er, well.. I guess I don't know really," and he sorta leans back.

Niena aws softly at the newest hatchling's manner, and holds out a piece of
meat to him, steady and calm.

ELianneis chirping again - and flicking the meat around

Cyme lifts one hand quickly to her mouth to cover the stream of soft
giggles that flow out like silvery tinkles at A'deth's snippet of
conversation to Lanisa. She presses her thin lips tight to inhibit such
inappropriate demonstations to her seniors, then winds up staring blankly
at Daegan's meat-squishing. Whether the starsmith is appalled or curious is
unknown, her features nealy blank. Oh! A chirrup from another firelizard,
and Cyme's jerking her thick gaze back up the the newely-arrived little
bronze.

Noemie's eyes widen a little and her mouth forms a small "O-oh!" as the
meaning of A'deth's pantomime sinks in. She nods vigorously yes, then
begins to cut across the crowd towards A'deth and those around him,
stealing glances at the eggs and brand-new hatchlings as she makes her way.

Kynvelin grins at Danika, shrugging his shoulders. "Doesn't bother me." He
does flush with embarrassment at her talk of his niceness. He looks away,
back at the eggs, and spots the bronze hatching. "He looks nice. His...eyes
look a bit...?" He leans in a bit closer to peer in the bronze's direction,
and slowly puts out the hand holding the meat.

Jealous Indecision Brown Hatchling stumbles towards Daegan.

Kassima rattles her tongue a little for the tiny brown as he escapes onto
the floor. "I'd worry about him if'n I didn't think everyone were watching.
Always, nay, some squeak and some creel and some hide. Some claw things."
Whether she's much of a spokesman for the species or not is up for debate.
She confirms Lanisa's guess with a nod: "One brown lad, and--oh, a bronze.
You should try for one. Hidework, y'know, just isn't enough t'keep you
busy." For herself, she sips her wine and watches--enjoying, at least just
now, the floor show. She calls as the brown finds his chosen,
"Congratulations!"

Daegan seems either to not notice or not care that Cyme has noticed his
squishing of the meat - as he begins on his second glob - but then that
glob is being yanked away from him by the maw of the little brown, "Hey! I
was playing with that!" Is snapped with a frown, but then it dawns on him
that this is a new friend and it would probably be the better part of
judgement to give the hungry new friend what it wants. So the raw meat is
sacrificed to him, but the cooked is for Daegan alone as he makes to stuff
more into his mouth.

Ringbearer Bronze Hatchling looks around, with another chirrup, inspecting
meat as it is wiggled in his direction, looking from piece to piece,
mantling his wings and folding them neatly as he scrutinizes everything.

Danika smiles at the bronze. "I like anything that isn't typical. Small
bronze, kind of brownish? All good to me. Don't know about the eyes, can't
see them well from here with him moving around." She grins. "Any one of
them will be keeping you busy for awhile." She sits back now, content to
watch the rest of the hatching in silence.

"Squisher!" Cyme calls out to Daegan when the brown chooses his tasty
offering, then looking embarrassed at her sudden nickname for the young
man. No worries, however; Daegan is alert and tending to his new bestest
buddy. "He's only very hungry..." she murmurs to the youth, as if in
defense of the baby brown's grabby behavior.

Raging Waters Egg shudders and falls to one side, narrowly missing the
newly hatched bronze.

Elianne throws a gobbet of meat towards the bronze and quickly grabs
another to waggle towards him

Niena doesn't wriggle her meat; just holds it out, a calm in the storm of
activity all around. She does murmur soothing nonsense words, reverting
back to her days as a nanny.

A'deth pours Noemie a glass-- and Lanisa, too, and then oops, he's out of
glasses. He holds one out to each. "Indeed," he says to his weyrsecond. "I
had nothing to do with this. Nobody's paying attention anyway, it'll hold
up. And you have /not/ been giving me your hidework to do, shame on you.
Think of the children." And to the Istan greenrider, "Igen's duties. A
drink is the least that I owe you, I'm sure. Meat's by the fire if you want
to try your hand-- please do, or we'll never get any peace."

Raging Waters Egg bursts open, shards flying everywhere with a violence
echoed in the now shattered look of the egg, revealing a glistening hatchling.


This slight, tiny-boned green has an air of mystery around her, from the
frosty whispers of pale green that streak across her soft hide to blossom
across her wingsails to the deep, almost velvety greens of her underside
and tail. Her bearing is graceful, almost regal, although there is a hint
of chaos in her fiercely whirling eyes, small starbursts of red amongst the
greens and blues, hinting at a spirit that refuses to be fully tamed. Her
narrow yet elegant head is wreathed in a golden-green color, and her
headknobs are more spikes then knobs, coming to delicate points.


Blue eyes blink up at Cyme then, masticating as he is on a meatroll while
bloody gobs are taken from his other hand by the brown. Daegan peers at the
older woman. He says nothing but simply quirks a brow before muttering to
the brown, "S'what Ephara said. All them women are nuts. You just mind that
and we'll have no trouble, you hear?" This last is said in a tone of
severity as he regards the firelizard - though the brown seems to have
little more interest in his words than a dragon has in runner breeds.

Tegara is suddenly startled by some invisible force --"You mean I hafta..?"
she mutters. "'Scuse me y'all but Ria just told me 'bout a li'l somethin'
back at Ista, so I gotta go now. Ista's duties an' all." This said, she
heads out to the bowl and her mount.

Lanisa works her way over to join those gathered about the clutch, rolled
hide, so engrossing before, now ignored, tucked under her arm as she
considers the possibilities and grins, "Might as well, eh? Might keep me
out of trouble for a spell at least, if I've something else to keep an eye
on." She winks as if she might not quite believe her own words but still,
looks about for a meat scrap or three before squatting down where the
others do to dangle a first strip of enticement. "My thanks," That for the
wine as she accepts a glass with a dash of sheepishness, "Aye, I had
promised to share in the load, hadn't I. I'll do a better job of recalling
in the future, eh?"

Tegara walks out to the Bowl.

Xaeylia ambles out from the inner caverns.

Coren turns around, as he notices the brown's choice, and chuckles to
Daegan's response to it. The bronze took the bit of meat Coren was
offering, but the bronze left for some bigger, and more enticing pieces
from Elianne. "Heheh.." he chuckles, then gets back up to get himself a
meatroll from the table. With the next egg's notable hatching, he turns
back around and sits down again to offer meat to the hatchling; the
meatroll forgotten next to his cup.

Elianne dangled a meat gobbet in each hand in an attempt to mesmerise the
little bronze

Though she's not lifting a single hank of meat from the little bowl on her
lap, Cyme's leanings and words cause the thing to move about a little on
her lap. Tegara's leavetaking inclines the polite crafter to look over at
her and murmur, "Clear skies, ma'am," then focus on that newly hatched
green who popped out while she wasn't looking. "Oh! She's pretty," is said
to no one in particular.

"He's really - neat," Kynvelin observes of the bronze, admiring him and
managing to wriggle the meat in his fingers at the same time. It's what
everyone else seems to be doing, so it must be the right thing. Right? When
the green hatches, he looks at her, awe at her tiny, elegant form obvious.
"She's /beautiful/." And now he's torn between the two.

Ringbearer Bronze Hatchling follows the meat wiggling with interest, and
takes a few hopping steps towards a particularly seductive wiggle, eyes
bright with hunger.

As Noemie makes her way through the crowd, her fair, upset by the movement,
leaves their human perch to find places in the cavern. Once she arrives at
her destination, she takes the glass from A'deth with a cheerful, "Duties!"
to him and the Igenites around him. "Thank you. And I just might take my
chances... not that I need another flying mouth, but since I fortuitously
came to your lovely Weyr at just the right time..." An appreciative sip of
the wine, and then she goes to fetch a small dish of cut meat.

Niena watches the little bronze moving away and holds her meat toward the
green, still not wriggling or dripping.

Ringbearer Bronze Hatchling stumbles towards Elianne.

Kassima is all helpfulness: "A'course," she tells Lani, "you could always
have more children, this time with someone *nay m'wife*. How about A'zric?
I don't see him," what, as if she'd expect them to get started on that
right here right now? "But 'twould be an interesting combination of
bloodlines, nay mistake. You'd--oh, lovely green!" Thank Faranth. Something
to distract her from her plots to breed the world. She takes a half step
closer to the drum, but pauses, not certain. "Igen's duties t'Ista,
Wingleader. Hey! Hey, Elianne got that bronze! Good going, Elianne!"

Elvish Amazon Green Hatchling looks around the room, noticing her bronze
brother leaving the basket, and holds her head regally in the air, an
almost haughty look on her features as she swings her head from side to
side, sniffing.

Elianne drops the meat on the hatchling in surprise and then scoops him up
in one hand whiolst grabbing more meat with the other

Xaeylia walks in from the inner caverns, intent on finding food. But look!
There are eggs hatching. A wrinkle of her nose she mobes around the crowd
to fetch herself a plate and a bowl. Without a glance towards anyone else,
she settles herself down in a seat near by and begins to eat, one hand
feeding herself a meatroll and the other toying in the bowl of meat.

Lembas Bread Egg shudders again.

Grey Havens Egg trembles slightly.

Cyme smiles very softly as the little bronze picks Elianne, the crafter
nodding to Kassima. "She -is- precious, isn't she?" And here the young
woman finally dares to snip up a saving of raw meat between her fingertips
and begin a delicate wiggling in the air above her bowl. Nothing that
attacts alot of attention, mind you, but also a motion that doesn't send
splatters of juice and blood all over.

Kynvelin can't help the fleeting look of disappointment he displays, but
he'll just try again with the green. Same tactic: meat offered, wriggling a
little, hopeful expression. It's worth a try, right? It worked for the
others, after all. Kyn bites gently on his lower lip as he concentrates on
the regal green.

Elvish Amazon Green Hatchling gives another look around, taking a hesitant
step towards one piece of meat, then being distracted by another. With a
creel, she hops down onto the floor to get a better view of all the
pink-things.

When the bronze finally went to Elianne, Coren nods, and mumbles "I saw
that pair coming,.." He continues to try to entice the green, but relents
when he sees Kynvelin's efforts. It really isn't charity, since his
attention goes back to the two next probable hatclings

Grey Havens Egg rocks slightly, then again, picking up the pace.

Lembas Bread Egg steadily rocks, knocking against the Grey Havens Egg sharply.

Elianne glances upwards toward Cyme and grins; then she is quickly brought
back to attention by her bronze trying to grab /all/ the meat from the bowl
at once

A'deth beams at Noemie: "Indeed, fortuitously!" And Lanisa: "Hmph." And
then blinks at Kassima quite bemusedly. "You have a wife? Have you
impregnated her, too? Why are you trying to mess with my reality when I'm
sober?"

Grey Havens Egg shatters into pieces, destroying the little scene, and
revealing another hatchling.


This slender bronze has dry, almost wrinkled hide straight from the egg -
this one will need much oiling! His coloration is rather dusty, a deep
bronze with flecks of white and grey pocking his hide like age-marks, his
talons gleaming a deep ebony. His wingsails look frothy, with their sepia
tones over the bronze, colors swirling together like the sands of time
across the broad membranes. He carries himself with a rather regal, if
tired air, and his eyes whirl gently, even in agitation moving slowly.


Once both the brown and Daegan have saited their hungers - there's a sigh
from the healer apprentice. "Well, I guess I ought take you and go deliver
that package to the Healers b'fore Zeeg gets back and wants to tan my hide
for makin' him late." And with that the young man rubs a bloody hand on
trousers and grabs up the parcel he left on a table before heading out of
the cavern.

Daegan walks out to the Bowl.

"I don't expect A'zric's the sort to mess about with someone else's
weyrmate just so her next child's not with your wife." Confusing as this
may be, it has Lani chuckling with amusement and the meat in her hand
giving a little bobble in time. "T'is all about the bloodlines though, I do
realize. Do you truly want to inflict the weyr to the lunacy apt to
result?" The call of 'Duties' has her replying, "Duties!" in the next
moment, though she grins at the two lucky enough to have impressed so far,
"Well done you two." She grins towards A'deth to offer, "She wouldn't be
our Kassi if she didn't, eh?"

Elianne still clutching the little bronze to her struggles to get up for
more meat and heads towards the kitchen

Elianne wanders into the Weyr's kitchens.

IGEN-> Kyana goggles at the number of people who only want
bronzes/browns.....there's only so many ! :)

Coren keeps leaning forward eagerly, just waiting and daring one to crack
before the other. After a slight overbalance, he squats closer to the drum
to be ready for the next egg. He looks back, and notices much of the crowd
is hardly paying attention to the clutch hatching. Feeling a bit self
concious, he sits back into his seat, and goes to eat his meatroll - which
is actually gone, from one of the hatchlings. So he gets up to get another,
drinking more juice to help with dehydration from the excitement.

"Noemie, green Naijath's," the greenrider elaborates on her identity,
balancing meat-dish in one hand and wineglass in the other. "Oh, that
dainty little green! Beautiful!" Her attention's on the hatchlings,
although she can't help but grin at overheard conversation about bloodlines.

Historian-Ruler Bronze Hatchling warbles loudly, clearly expecting to be
the center of attention.

Kynvelin turns to look when Coren stops trying to get the green. "Hey?" He
seems confused by the older man's giving up. But then he's distracted by
movement: another egg has hatched, revealing a second bronze. "Unusual one.
I don't think I've seen a bronze with those sorts of colours on him,
before," the young man observes, and again he's got a dilemma - which
fire-lizard does he try to tempt with the meat? He'll go for a sort of
happy medium, taking a fresh bit of meat and aiming to display it where
either fire-lizard might be able to see it.

More soft humor is added to Cyme's repetoire when the riders talk of
mixed-up realities, babies, and lunacy, the woman pressing her lips tight
to try and hold most of it within. The little greenling get another small
wiggle of her slip of meat, and then that dusty bronze hatches, the crafter
observing quite frankly, "He's tired."

IGEN-> A'deth says, "Greens and blues get no love. ;.;"

Kassima nods firm agreement to Cyme. "Particularly beautiful for one just
Hatched. I almost... but she's got plenty of people interested. Yourself
included." Amusement colors her voice, and not disappointment. "G'luck
t'you. Oh, well, that's true," she sighs to Lanisa, "you'll just have
t'pair with... oh. *Oh*. I know. His half-brother who's also Jh'rin's son!"
Glee! This possibility entertains her far, far too much. She doesn't stop
beaming as she tells A'deth, "A'course I have a wife, but I haven't knocked
him up lately; he's frigid. With me. Nay with his fifty-billion gazillion
bronzerider mistresses. I also have... to tell you the honest truth, I
can't remember whether 'tis two husbands or one. I know I'sai and I were
married, I'm just nay sure about M'rek. Look, another bronze!" More
blessed, blessed distraction. "Kassima, green Lysseth's," she introduces in
turn. "Well met."

IGEN-> Kassima steals all the blues for herself. I will hug them and
squeeze them and call them George.

Lembas Bread Egg shudders again!

IGEN-> <Lanisa> Tisiath...err, George woos!

Elvish Amazon Green Hatchling peers around, still inspecting and rejecting
pieces of meat.

Noticing the bronze's warble, Coren moves back in, and offers
enthusiastically a rather larger chunk of meat, and then shifts the
attention to the green, whom he decides really is beautiful.

Lembas Bread Egg crumbles away, leaving a stoic hatchling in its wake.


A solid, sturdy looking beast of brown. Oak and earth, deep and dark, play
across his smooth hide, concealing muscles beneath a layer of shadow.
Cloaked across his wings, an earthy mix of moss and soil hint at softness
and wild camouflage. He's a burden beast, in build and manner, and he
carries his broad head on an equally thick neck. Despite that, or perhaps
because of it, this cloak and shadow, leafy-brown possesses a calm
intelligence that he reveals with each whirl of his many faceted eyes.


"Indeed!" Noemie says-- another greenrider, so well met, of course. But the
next moment has her drawn, as if in a trance, towards that little green
that caught her eye. Setting down her wineglass-- carefully!-- she moves
forward, crouching down and offering a bit of the meat from her dish.

And Coren loses a bit of attention for the green with the newest brown, but
then wiggles the meat a bit more attractively when Kyn's attention diverts
too.

Elvish Amazon Green Hatchling has rejected all meat but one, and with a
bright warble, she darts forward for this fresh piece, happily gobbling!

Elvish Amazon Green Hatchling stumbles towards Noemie.

"Hmph, you've been stringing me along, you, you..." A'deth sniffs at
Kassima (and Lanisa, since she interjected). "Making me your mistress and
you've got an entire horde of wives and husbands on the side? You just see
if I name our firstborn after you." And to Noemie, he drawls,
"Congratulations-- or should I say, my condolences?" And he knocks back the
contents of his glass.

Stalwart Sam Brown Hatchling looks around the basket, crooning slightly and
heading towards the food.

Kassima's belabored pedigreeing is causing Cyme much anghst, since she
wants to laugh out loud, but must hold most of it within. Sad, to be an
apprentice visiting another's abode. Must look proper! "Thank you..." she's
finally able to murmur to the Igen greenrider, then pointing a quick, free
finger towards that precious green. "Ooh!" Not that Noemie needs any help,
likely. Her hand then goes back to balancing the bowl of scraps on her lap,
and the woman's wide eyes take in the bearing of the newest, brown
hatchling. "He looks smart," she again opines, then actually smiling at the
youngling.

It's love! As soon as the tiny green snatches the meat from Noemie's hands,
the greenrider has swept her into her arms, offering the new-to-the-world
hatchling more meat from her dish. "Not sure which, just yet," she says to
A'deth, although she's beaming, eyes on the little creature.

Coren grumbles a bit when his recent choice fails, then takes his seat
again to dangle a piece for the bronze or the brown, whichever that might
be closer. "Hmm.. There's not a blue yet, is there?..," he sighs, though
for his efforts, it looks that bronze would be fine.

Lanisa's meat scrap is still pretty much dangling there, bobbling more with
it's holder's random movements than an intent on her part, "Honestly, I
know better than to try and keep track of who all I'm related to and how.
It gets dizzying, simply dizzying. It's almost safer to assume yes and go
from there." This is said with a perfectly straight face, perhaps too much
so as the slyness to enter her grin as she tips her head Kassima's way
again, "his brother, hmm?" But that's all she adds before grinning at
A'deth, "She's terrible that way. Really." Lastly, she offers to Noemie,
"Lanisa, blue Tisiath's... Ahh and congratulations there, eh."

Sack of Mushrooms Egg wobbles slightly

Stalwart Sam Brown Hatchling studies the juicy bits of meat before him and
hesitates, unsure of which one to go after.

Historian-Ruler Bronze Hatchling drags himself towards the nearest of meat,
seemingly tired from the tumult of hatching.

Kynvelin watches the green go to Noemie with a smile, especially when he
spots the way the rider treats the 'lizard. Smile still on his lips, he
turns back and looks at the recently-hatched brown thoughtfully. And,
again, the meat he flicks carefully is up for grabs from either the brown
or the bronze.

Cyme seems more caught up in assessing all of the emerging hatchlings than
trying to coax one to her, entranced by the conversations raging about her,
too. More delicate, absent wigglings of her strip of meat above the bowl in
her lap, and the starsmith hides yet another giggle at Lanisa's expense.

Sack of Mushrooms Egg wiggles again, turning almost around in its bed of sand.

Coren tosses a chunk of meat to the peculiar brown, then dangles another
piece. The brown just doesn't look interested though.. And the bronze's
idea of 'nearest' doesn't seem to be Coren's little piece either.

Kassima sets her wine glass down to try and catch at one of A'deth's hands
and kiss the back of it, the picture of gallantry. Gallantry is an odd
match with drollness, though. "As if'n you haven't a horde of your very
own? I'm going t'be lucky if'n our firstborn *is* mine. But if'n 'twill
soothe you 'tall, 'twill marry you too, as soon as we find a red gown your
size." Is this any better, Cyme? She straightens, grins, and says to
Noemie, "She's lovely. Felicitations. --Aye, Lani, his brother; well, one
of 'em. Jaz and Jhor had twins. Isn't that bronze interesting? His wings,
they look a little like the sand in the desert."

Stalwart Sam Brown Hatchling seems to have his attention captured by
something...yes, the broad head comes up, and he flicks out his tongue,
then delicately grasps the piece of meat in his jaws, pulling slightly.

Stalwart Sam Brown Hatchling stumbles towards Cyme.

"Thank you!" Noemie replies, to both Lanisa and Kassima's congratulations.
She moves just slightly away from the crowd, finding a seat with enough
room to breathe and coo over the little green.

Historian-Ruler Bronze Hatchling mantles his wings and heads for a piece of
meat, after watching his clutchmates feeding all around him.

Noemie walks out to the Bowl.

Historian-Ruler Bronze Hatchling stumbles towards Kynvelin.

Sack of Mushrooms Egg This egg shudders, shivering into a million pieces
with a faint whisper of verse: 
Home is behind the world ahead 
as the hatchling falls creeling into the world.


This little blue's eyes whirl blue-green, and there's a subtle curve of his
jaw that suggests laughter or mirth at all times. His hide is a bright,
cheery blue, untouched by any of the darker shades, and his slightly
rounded belly lightens to sky blue, a shade echoed on his wings, which
appear almost comically too small for his rotund body. This easygoing
hatchling bumbles along through life, not letting anyone, or anything, get
in his way.


"It's a good thing I'm a tramp," A'deth hrmphs to Kassima, after he comes
back up for air, and his hand is kissed. "Or I'd be crushed-- but as you
like. You can get me in the gown, and Lanisa'll get my garter. I'll look
/fabulous/."

Yes, -that- does it, Kassima! Cyme's now unable to contain the lapse of
snickers and giggles that tumble forth from her lips like rainwater, though
she tries to hide her head in her shoulder. And it's then, as she's utterly
distracted, that the little brownling finds her waggling meat slice, and
decides that yes, this it it! Nom-nom-nom. The tug to her raw offering has
Cyme jerking in surprise, gasping at the little bugger that's now
inhabiting her lap, along with her bowl. He squawks loudly, also surprsied,
but quickly settles back down to nip another scrap from -his- bowl of food.
"Oh, oh stars!"

Coren nods to Kyn. "Looks like a match!," but gets immediately distracted
by the newer arrival, choosing a larger piece, and working his best to make
the meat both attention-getting and easy to grab.

Deep Mineshaft Egg trembles, moving slightly.

Xaeylia is simply just sitting and munching, finally offering out a bit of
meat, though to no particular hatchling. It dangles in her hand, for now.

Quiet Forest Egg shudders, crunching shards from previous eggs as it tilts
to one side.

Kynvelin looks positively stunned when the grey-flecked bronze comes to
him. He whips his hand back when the 'lizard takes the meat from it, as
though he thinks it's going to bite him. When it doesn't, instead fixing
him with a curious, calm look, he softens and a grin makes an appearence.
"Well. That's...this is something, all right." CArefully, he gets his hands
beneath the bronze to pick him up and draw him close to his chest, so that
he can hold it with one hand and feed it with the other.

Lanisa lifts her glass to toast after Noemie, then takes a sip of her wine
"Shards, I won't know which side of the isle to sit on if you to make a
formal to do of it all. You're both family." Maybe she wasn't kidding as
much as she'd seemed, "The garter, hmm? I think we can work out something
there..." She flashes another smile and then turns her gaze on the
hatchlings, "Aye... Though look at that blue. Suppose I'd best make an
effort before I'm disowned. At least he'd not have to worry about paint
like poor Nexiv." And so the meat wiggles just a little more with vigor as
she takes a second sip from her glass.

Kassima beams and bounces on the balls of her feet for the choices of brown
and bronze: "Felicitations!" she repeats, as enthusiastic and sincere as
each iteration before it. "You'll have someone t'keep you company on your
watches, Cyme--" She doesn't know Kynvelin well enough to offer a similarly
personalized comment, so she just grins at him. "Aye. All Igen shall swoon
t'see you, m'magnificent bride, and 'twill have t'battle off your suitors
past and previous who come t'stop the ceremony with knives all a-gleaming.
Something like that." Not just now, though! Right now there's a blue in the
drum. And she's trying to resist, she is, but... she creeps forward anyway,
and if her handful of meat drips on her boots she doesn't much mind.

Deep Mineshaft Egg shudders again, then cracks appear on the surface.

Present and previous, rather.

Coren keeps dangling the meat for the blue, but slows with the next egg
about to hatch.

It's Called a Pint Egg shakes in its perch in the middle of the basket.

Deep Mineshaft Egg cracks in half, falling in two pieces to reveal a
egg-wet hatchling.


This stout blue is all hard edges and thick lines, muscles rippling under
his hide. His tail and limbs are preternaturally shorter than his brethen,
although he doesn't seem to care, for what he lacks in stature he makes up
in brawn. His eyes whirl blue to match his hide most days, his demeanor
friendly to the point of being overly so, as he sticks his shortened muzzle
into the affairs of everyone and everything around him. His coloration is
dark, indigo and navy swirling over his hide and meeting an almost metallic
steel-blue on his wingsails, which swings down to grace his tail as well.


Gregarious Dwarven Blue Hatchling sniffs around as he shakes himself,
freeing all the nasty eggshell.

Fool of a Took Blue Hatchling bumbles around the basket, moving over to
inspect his brother with a warble, then looking around. /Food/!

A'deth calls to Kynvelin and then Cyme, upon their near-simultaneous
Impressions, "Congratulations, and Igen's duties to Telgar and, ah, the
Smithhall." Lanisa receives a demure smile. So does Kassi, too.
"Knife-fights over /me/? How romantic. You can't join in, Kassima, you'll
slay them all, and then I won't have any lovely brawny men and women to
carry me off."

Niena oohs at the Fool of a Took hatchling, holding out her meat to him.
"You remind me of Masoth" she says, to no one in particular.

It's Called a Pint Egg bulges at the top, giving the illusion of foaming
over as the egg splits into pieces, spraying shards everywhere.


This rangy little brown is a curious mix of dusty sands and blond-ish hues;
resembling nothing more than a little whirlwind of motion, with colors to
match. The tans and tumbled blonds of his hide swirl down his forelimbs and
up his spars, and when he spreads his wings, you see a pale-sepia glow
along his wingsails, in contrast to the rest of his body. Short but lean,
he's all darting movements and quickly whirling eyes, although everything
he does seems followed with good humor. When he has an audience, however,
watch out; he puffs out his chest and plays it up, trying to appear much
bigger and more authoritative than his size and color allow.


Cyme turns a near beautific smile on Kassima when the woman addresses her,
then sending wide eyes back down to the brown - -her- brown - in her lap.
deft, delicate fingers pluck up each hank of meat and feed it to the hungry
little one with tender patience. "Thank you," she again murmurs to Kassi,
then, "Mhm, my own little companion. Maybe -he- won't mind me not talking
alot." Her thighs lift slowly to help cradle and balance both firelizard
and bowl, and then er non-meaty hand lifts and begins tracing gentle
patterns over her pet's tiny body.

Braggart Brown Hatchling puffs up his chest and lets out his best
approximation of a bugle, rather squeaky but still loud for a hatchling.

Kynvelin stops adoring the fire-lizard half-sat, half-cradled in his arm
long enough to spot A'deth, the one who called over his congratulations. He
replies with a smile, too shy to call out, and looks down at the lizard
again to stroke his head thoughtfully. "What'm I going to do with you?" He
can be heard to murmur.

Xaeylia continues to wiggle out the meat, nibbling on her own meatroll
idly. A bored expression crosses onto her face and she slightly glances
towards the others. Shrugging, she settles the piece of meat beside her and
watches the hatchlings.

Gregarious Dwarven Blue Hatchling looks around, eyeing the meat all around.
He prowls from side to side, trying to decide.

Coren keeps up the vigorous wiggling of the meat, but the aim wavers
between the two blues. "Oh, heehee," he laughs, at the relation of the
bumbling blue and - er, someones dragon, he forgets, in his excitement. He
continues his indecision between the hatchlings, still wiggling the meat,
as they fumble about getting used to the world.

Fool of a Took Blue Hatchling heads towards one piece, then backs up,
unsure, heading towards another one. Which food to choose?

"You'd want them t'carry you off from me?" Kassima can do large, pathetic,
sad eyes fairly well when she puts her mind to it. "In that case--in that
case, mayhaps we'd best nay marry 'tall! You can wear your garter for
Lanisa, just like M'tri, and I'm sure you'll all be very happy!" That
stifled sound bears a suspicious resemblance to a snicker, not a sob.
"He'll love you just as you are, Cyme. That's a beauty of fire-lizards.
Rather than, say, fickle greenrider mistresses." She tosses her head,
laughs under her breath, and dances her meat for the bright blue
hatchling--either blue, really, but she's drawn in particular to the more
fun-loving. Imagine that.

Lanisa's chuckle could be for nothing less than the conversation, her head
giving a little shake, amusement not to be suppressed though she says
nothing more for the moment. Her focus drifting along with the movements of
the blues, though her gaze skirts over the brown also as her bit of meat
wiggles.

Cyme smiles up at A'deth, and gently corrects him, "Starsmith's, Sir," then
nodding quickly at Kynevlin's query to his new acquisition. "Yes, what
-are- we to do with you, hm?" she replies to all of them. More fond
strokings for her big brown as he slows his ingestion of meat, her own
murmur added in. "I don't -care- if they yell at me for Impressing you." A
set of her jaw is added, in case anyone might doubt the woman.

Niena stops even trying to track the hatchlings, holding out her meat
toward all three in turns, admiring the two show-offs in particular.

Sani comes in from the Bowl.

Gregarious Dwarven Blue Hatchling sniffs again at the wiggling meat, but
backs up, instead selecting the piece ever so thoughtfully placed on the
floor.

After making up his mind, Coren wiggles his large hunk of meat in front of
the bumbling little blue, who mightn't even notice the food yet.

Gregarious Dwarven Blue Hatchling stumbles towards Xaeylia.

Sani walks in and blinks, spotting what's happening and immediately grabs a
meat bowl in case anyone hasn't gotten any, then joins the group, looking
at those that are left in the group, settling in to watch, maybe even
offering a tidbit of meat or two to whomever comes her way.

Desdinova ambles out from the inner caverns.

Xaeylia blinks as the blue wanders over, her brow quirking before she leans
down and plucks him up with her free hand. One final bite to her meatroll
and she begins feeding the little blue with amusement.

A'deth squints at Cyme's knot. "So you are. Would you like some wine, too,
so you can forget all about my gaffe?" Kassima gets a crooked grin for her
mock-indignation-- but he doesn't spare Lanisa, either. "You can both be my
paramours, then. And fight each other. It'll be a grand evening."

And, with the one blue having made up his mind, Coren redoubles his effort
to attract the smaller blue. "C'mere, little one.., " he grunts while
leaning further forward.

His new friend finally sated, Kynvelin turns his attention to the remaining
hatchlings and those trying to attract them. He murmurs something inaudible
as he watches Coren, his eyes darting between the man and the blue he's
trying to Impress.

Quiet Forest Egg shudders, then cracks into multiple leaf-shaped shards,
falling away from the hatchling within.


This lithe green is all gangly limbs, elongated bone structure giving her
an angular, disproportionate body. Her hide is a pale glowing green, almost
resembling the color of glow fungus, a ghostly shade that darkens into the
fresh pale green of new leaves along the neckridges and wingsails. Her eyes
are the only bright thing about her, standing out against her pale coloring
and whirling sedately. Looking closely at her hide, you can pick out faint
gold-green swirls along her sides, blending in so closely that they seem to
disappear at random.


Niena notices someone going for the blue and instead directs her attention
to the brown firelizard, though she still looks over longingly toward the
blue.

Into the chaos of a cavern beset by hatching firelizards comes Desdinova,
who drifts through te crowd with an air of almost obliviousness, though it
could perhaps just be that she's tired. A mug of hot klah is aquired and
half drained before she notices that Something Is Happening. She focuses
her gaze on the tableu of the hatchlings, just in time to see the green
tumble free from her egg. She blinks a moment, then glances around to see
if she can spot Kyana in the throng.

Braggart Brown Hatchling peers around, his eyes whirling blue as he surveys
the room, mantling his wings again.

Lanisa's meat keeps wiggling though she turns a speculative gaze on Kassi,
"Hmm, now that would be something we've never gotten around to before. What
do you think, Kassi?"

Fool of a Took Blue Hatchling warbles and bumbles around, snapping at
random globs of meat, although connecting with none at the moment.

Cyme has the grace to look sligtly embarrassed when she lifts her violet
gaze to A'deth, but she does nod once to the man. "Yes, please, sir. But
not much. I don't want to get in trouble with the Master." Murmur-murmur.
And now that her wee brown is done eating, he begins to scratch at his
drying hide. And to her suprise, the starsmith finds her own skin echoing
his a little, too. "Ahm...what do riders use for their skin. Oh! I mean
hide. He's -itchy-."

Witch of the Woods Green Hatchling lets out a small chirp, almost of
surprise at being thrust into this bright world.

Sani smiles at the group of hatchlings and tilts her head, switching out
the meat she has for something more fresh. "hmmm, not much of a selection."

Niena resumes her steady hand, holding out the meat still in contrast to
all of the wriggling and thrown. She looks between the blue and the brown,
murmuring to one how cute he is and to the other how handsome. She hasn't
seen the green yet.

Not finding the woman she is looking for, Desdinova has a sudeen moment of
looking uncomfortable in the crwod. But it is short lived, hidden quickly
under a bright smile as she makes her way closer to have a better vantage
point to watch the events. Finding a table near to the hearth the eggs have
been residing in, she leans against it, watching with undisguised amusement
while taking careful drinks from the mug.

Coren keeps trying to entice the little blue and switches for another,
larger piece, though the efforts seem almost futile as it trips over its
wings again, and wanders around still. He then tries Elianne's approach,
and makes little whistles to grab the blue's attention.

Kassima shakes her head slightly, coming to her senses and backing away
from the clutch. "Lani always gets m'men," she sighs, "I've given up
fighting it. Just don't ask me t'be at the wedding. I've never fancied
being the one who attends all in black and weeps brokenheartedly--too much
melodrama. There's oil," she answers Cyme on a more serious subject. "Here,
hold on, I keep a jar for grousing fire-lizard emergencies. You'll need
t'get your own supply in the longer term--they're as bad as dragons, they
want oiled every day." Some fishing in one of her belt pouches produces a
small, squat oil jar, mostly depleted.

Fool of a Took Blue Hatchling lets out a startled warble at the whistle,
then turns, focusing in on where the sound came from.

Kynvelin smiles when Coren whistles, getting the blue's attention in the
process. He's stroking the bronze's belly absently, it being massively
rotund thanks to the excessive feeding the hatchling has just received. The
bronze fidgets and his leg twitches in his half-doze, and Kyn hastens to
scratch the offending itch, finger searching for the right spot to soothe
the lizard.

Fool of a Took Blue Hatchling stumbles towards Coren.

Witch of the Woods Green Hatchling warbles as her blue clutchmate
impresses, and she minces around the basket distractedly.

Coren gasps and nearly crushes the hatchling when he leans too far forward,
and falls. The blue, though, happily lets Coren pick him up, Er no, he then
goes for the bowl of meat Coren left back on his abandoned seat. Coren
scoops him up a second time, after the bowl is toppled off the seat,
"Sorry! Sorry!" he says, but his apologies are rather out of habit. He then
picks up most of the meat, to feed his voracious little blue. After a
moment, the blue stops to actually swallow, and gives a little chirp
/oddly/ enough like the hapless tune Coren was whistling earlier.

Braggart Brown Hatchling bugles again, wandering around the basket,
sniffing his clutchsister once on the way around.

Niena moves forward slightly, holding her meat imploringly toward the
little brown. "Come on, handsome -- time to eat."

A'deth slides off the table, after a courteous bow -- and a wry grin -- to
Kassima and Lanisa, and fetches a few more glasses and another skin of
wine. Upon his return, he fills one glass for Cyme-- not too much. "I'll
fetch you a jar. Most oil will do, as long as it's not rank, because no one
wants to smell like dead fish."

"Always, do I?" Lani lofts a brow, "Always is it?" She tips her head and
then her shoulder in a shrug that dips meat closer to the floor, "Just with
Trii. No, I think we needn't have you in black, nor weeping." A grin, and
then, "One's enough for me anyway."

"Well done," Kynvelin says to Coren when the blue goes to him, and the
Telgari man grins broadly at the other man's success. The bronze in his
arms has stopped his twitching now, and has settled into a deeper slumber.
Carefully, Kyn lifts the bowl of meat from his lap and puts it on the
table, out of the way.

Sani smiles. "On such a wonderful little green, she sighs and holds out one
handfull of food to the green, and one to the brown. "MMM, Maybe I should
have brought some spiderclaws with me." Shaking her head. "I'll have to
remember that when I'm fishing next time."

The little blue keeps eating though, and Coren's stomach growls loudly -
probably to show the blue's hunger too - but it is ignored, and he keeps
dropping meat pieces, and the other meatroll he had, into the miniscule
void of a maw the blue has. And stopping the blue from falling off his lap,
when the blue is foolish enough to try to resettle himself.

Cyme gives Kassima another rare, full smile, accepting the vial from her
with dextrous fingers. "Thank you, and I -will-" the tall woman murmurs in
gratitude, then setting the thing into her lap for a moment. The depleted
food bowl is settled next to her abandoned mug, and then the crafter is
undoing the lid of the phial to drip oil over her brown's twitching hide,
and rub it in with gentle fingertips. Much crooning and sighing ensues,
most of it from the firelizard. And then Cyme's suddenly gasping as Coren
almost squishes his own new friend - her own brown trumpeting in shared
alarm. Sighing in relief wen the tiny blue is safe, the young woman settles
her pet again, then wiping her left hand's fingers off on her trous to
accept A'deth's offering. "Oh! Thank you, sir. You don't have to, really."
She stops, thinks that over for a moment. "Actually, you probably -do-,
though. I'm here without anything more than what I'm wearing for the
viewing tonight." A tender little smile down at her belly-up brown. "He
can't wait for food or oil, after all."

Desdinova watches the blue find an owner and smiles a bit more, watching
the boy and lizard bonding. "Interesting." She says, mostly to herself. She
looks back to the unattached hatchlings at the basket, canting her head
slightly to one side as she examnes them. "They're a lot smaller than I
would have expected." She nudges a nearby person. "So can they fly this
young? From what I've heard of dragons, it takes a long time before they
can, so is it the same for firelizards?" She doesn't eally wait for an
answer, though, leaning forward to peer closer at the hatchlings curiously.

Braggart Brown Hatchling heads towards a likely piece of meat, puffing his
chest all the way.

Braggart Brown Hatchling stumbles towards Niena.

"True," Kassima reflects, "you didn't steal the husband I'm sure of, Lani,
but I don't think that counts quite the same way, what with him being your
father. 'Twould be really, really, endlessly disturbing beyond all measure
if'n you had." Although certainly a wedding to remember. She falls back
into the chair she had before things began, sipping wine, watching
Impressions, smiling and calling, "Oh, congrats--" to each.

A'deth bows to Cyme, too, and then straightens. "I've some in the
infirmary-- and he raises his voice. "Does anyone else need a jar of oil?
Some of you came here without reckoning on such things, no point in sending
you on home without supplies." To Desdinova, he asides, "They can fly as
soon as they hatch, but they tired out easily. However, dragons need to
grow so much larger, and their weight puts too much stress on their
developing wings to fly at first."

Witch of the Woods Green Hatchling peers around, seeming to deflate a bit
as she is abandoned by her clutchmates for the pink-things. A soft creel
emerges from her dainty throat.

Sani offers a smile to those that have impressed, then turns her gaze back
to the one firlizard is left. "Aww you poor thing. Here. I'll protect you."
With that, she brings forth the bowl filled with good food.

Xaeylia suddenly rises with the new blue of hers and strides out of the
caverns, head tilted upwards in a slightly arrogant manner.

Witch of the Woods Green Hatchling eyes the meat eagerly, stepping forward
almost hesitantly and stretching her pale wings.

"Really? I guess thatmakes sense. Kinda like how some animals can walk
right away, and some take time to grow intoit, like people." Desdinova
replies, her attention still on the little hatchlings. As the brown
Impresses and someone is corting the green, there is much to watch. Still,
she spares a glance at A'deth, and straightens after doing so, offering a
polite curtsey. "Sir." She says, smiling. "Thank you for answering.

Witch of the Woods Green Hatchling stumbles towards Sani.

"Well aye, if I were to steal, that wouldn't be the thievery I'd engage in,
would I?" Disturbing, on the whole, Lanisa is not. Wine gets sipped, those
with hatchings gain grins and words of congratulations and those remaining?
well, the meet still dangles in an attempt to entice.

Coren hears something about a jar of oil, and speaks up "Yeah, now that my
little blue.. (hmm, I still dunno bout the name.. but I suppose it'll come
eventually) is done eat- er, gorging, and now I filled my stomach too, I
/feel/ he needs some oiling too." and stands up, carefully carrying the
little curled blue with him.

Sani smiles at the green. "That's it, youngster, You're such a beautiful
shade of green. " Gently, she scoops up the little green and begins to feed
her choice bits from the meat bowl. "You're adorable."

Kyana comes wandering into the room, looking around at the crowd of people
and bowls of meat. "Nooooo...." she sighs as she makes her way over to the
hearth, noticing the baby firelizards. "I can't /believe/ it!" she fumes,
grabbing the drum body and sifting through the sand with her fingertips.
"They all hatched?"

Kynvelin looks a bit disappointed when all the eggs have hatched, the
fire-lizards Impressed, but after such an exciting event, the
disappointment won't last for long. "I should probably get back to Telgar,"
he murmurs to himself, looking interested in A'deth's offer but not
speaking up. When Kyana comes over, he watches her bemusedly.

A'deth opens his mouth to answer Desdinova, and then turns swiftly towards
Kyana, delayed in both his answer and in going to the infirmary to fetch
some jars. "I saved you one! It's not hatched yet."

Niena nods toward Kyana. "I'm sorry, but they did. Not too sorry, though"
she smiles fondly at the little brown she's cradling.

Kassima shakes her head. Emphatically. "I should certes hope nay. The
children would have five eyes." And she must pause to try and picture that,
the widening of her eyes--just two, thank you!--suggesting it's not an
altogether pleasant pastime. "They all Impressed, Kyana," she calls to the
nanny. "Nay casualties, everyone seemed happy."

Sani looks up, still feeding her green. "I believe so." she smiles. "You
think she'll like Ista?"

Cyme is all rare smiles, right now, tending quietly to her firelizard, and
sipping sparingly from that delicious glass of white A'deth was kind enough
to pour her. The crafter quiets, enjoying her surroundings and even the
people about, even if she's more used to being a hermit.

Kyana looks over at A'deth gratefully. "Really? You did that for me?" she
says with a smile at the greenrider. "I could /kiss/ you!" and the nanny
starts to make her way over towards A'deth, then seems to reconsider as she
notices all the people around.

Desdinova gives a laugh as Kyana approaches, waving to her with a look
almost of relief. "I'd've come looking for you, but I only just got here,
and I wouldn't have a clue where to look anyway." A'deth's commentary does
draw an intruiged look. "How'd you keep it from hatching? I assumed that
when htye were ready, they'd just... Go. Like wherries. If one didn't,
wouldn't it most likely be, y'know, meant for ea... Err. A dud?"

A'deth beams at Kyana, as usual amiably, and indiscriminately, lecherous.
"Of course I did, I remember last time, and now you've gone tromping about
twice for the things. And you may." And he looks to Desdinova again. "I
didn't. I saved a few, and put them in front of the hearth, er, elsewhere.
I think it might be a little cooler. Jaelith says they're still sleeping in
there."

Cyme walks out to the Bowl.

Coren starts to scratch himself more, and repeats "Who was it with the oil?
My blue needs some, and for how itchy I am, /I/ might need some too."

Kyana grins at A'deth, then nods. "This hearth is hotter..." she says with
a smile, then a shrug at Desdinova. "It's alright; the nursery.." she
starts, then sighs. "It was...intense."

Sani smiles as her little green gives a burp and collapses on her forearm,
tummy stuffed to bulging. "Well this was an interesting trip. I come over
here on a fishing boat from Ista and I'm going back with a firelizard." she
chuckles. "This could get interesting." she bows to those in the LC. "If
you'll excuse me, I have to get back or they'll sail without me."

Niena perks as she hears "nursery". Glancing at Kyana, she asks "Nanny or
parent?"

"Five eyes. Now that would be something though. Not that I'm inclined to be
a part of it." Lani tells Kassi, her bait tossed aside, her hand getting
wiped on her pant leg before she stands and takes a proper seat. "At least
I'll have more time for my hide work, eh?"

Sani sneaks out of the cavern and back home.

Sani walks out to the Bowl.

Kyana grins at Niena. "Nanny..." she says with a shake of her head. "One of
the kids spread pigments /everywhere/..." she says, sighing. "We'll be
cleaning it up for a week!"

"Another reason I avoid children. Sewing is never intense, and cooking
rarely is." Des replies, giving Kyana a sympathetic smile. But most of her
attention remains on A'deth and his explanation. "Oh, well, I guess that
makes sense. I don't think it would have occured to anyone back home to do
that with the food birds, since, y'know, there's not much reason to keep
them from hatching." somewhere in the back of her mind, manners stir. "I'm
Desdinova, by the way. Only been here about a day now." She grins again at
Kyana, "Kyana has been nice enough to help me get settled."

Kynvelin gets to his feet with care, though his 'lizard is so out of it
it's unlikely to be disturbed by the movement. And it isn't, much to Kyn's
relief. "Right...back to Telgar. How am I going to explain /you/...?" And
out to the bowl he wanders, oil forgotten in lieu of getting his ride back
to Telgar before the rider gives up and goes home.

Niena gives a sympathetic smile. "I was a nanny before Masoth found me."

Kynvelin walks out to the Bowl.

"I did, I'll fetch that now," A'deth informs Coren. "But do take a bath if
you're itching in unusual places. Or visit a healer, if you've any pustules
and boils coming up." To Kyana, he inclines his head, and to Desdinova, he
states, "It wasn't on purpose, but I'm selfish-- having helped her find
these, I'm minded to make gifts of some. My name is A'deth, my dragon is
Jaelith, well met, and I'll be right back. Talk to the others, they're good
sorts." And he whirls and strides for the infirmary.

"If'n anyone ever spawns with her father, Lani, 'twill nay be you." Now
there's a ringing character endorsement. Sincerely meant, though! Kassima
grins at the Weyrsecond. "Or more time for something else. Hunting?
Drinking? How long has it been since 'twere at the Lounge last? --I'm nigh
afraid t'be asking what happened, Kyana."

"I'd have said the opposite, truly. Last thing I've ever wanted, eh?" That
with a certain earnest quality and Lanisa stretches a bit as she leans back
in her seat and briefly closes her eyes. "Hunting would be good. Or
drinking, maybe the two together, but in the proper order of course. And
the Lounge? Shards but it's been an age..."

Niena says politely "Reaches' duty.", then slips out.

Niena walks out to the Bowl.

Desdinova winces at Kyana's explanation. "Well, that is not going to be
fun. Where'd they get pigments from to spread around? That seems a
dangerous combination to me." She nods at A'deth, but he's gone before she
can answer and so she turns to survey the remaining people in the
now-dwindling crowd. "He says that like it's easy to do." She says, with a
slight wince.

Kassima grins, only that, and finishes off her wine, setting the glass on
the table; she reaches for the hide she abandoned before the Hatching
started, and the charcoal stick behind her ear. Not that she does anything
with them yet, unless drumming the latter on the table counts. "Drinking
after hunting," she agrees. "Drinking during is straight out. You end up
weaving from side t'side and the wherries laugh at you. Should we make an
appointment?"

"After, definitely after." Lani replies between sips. Her hide she carried
is set on the table, disregarded and ignored for the time being. "An
appointment? for hunting and then drinking? Oh aye. I think we must, really."

A'deth returns soon enough with several small jars, which he sets down in
easy reach of those who with to take one. Desdinova's reticence is noted,
and he reaches out very cautiously to touch her elbow. "Come-- by the fire,
where the others are, I'll be pleased to make introductions if you haven't
already."

It's only when A'deth toucher her arm that she realises that the one person
she knows, Kyana, had managed to slip away. The word spoken under her
breath is one that is likely common on a small farm, but is nowhere near
polite. She turns an almost-real smile at A'deth and nods slowly. "I would
appreciate it. I grew up pretty much knowing everyone around. Meeting new
people when I don't know anyone is... Challenging." She looks towards the
hearth and takes a deep breath before moving towards the knot of people there.

Coren quickly shakes his head, "No no.. I'm sure it's my firelizard.. " and
he grumbles something about 'i do bathe..'. 
"But please, and thank you," and he is quick to rub the oil into the little
blue's skin thoroughly. With someone's reproach about 'gentle!', he slows,
and massages it in gently, even though the blue is still dead asleep. After
relief, he goes over to the table, and starts back up the meal he started -
what was probably hours ago.

"For drinking, at least," Kassima agrees, "certes for drinking. Y'know what
we should do, you and I? Tour the bars. Lava Lounge, Dawn Sisters, Rusted
Hulk, Waverider, Benden's Tasting Hall, and Beastcraft's Lounge even if'n
it just isn't the same since Learan--nay the Weyr bars if'n 'tis all right
with you, but if'n we get through all those and still aren't unconscious we
can start making the round again." And when they're found dead of alcohol
poisoning, at least they'll have drunken smiles on their faces? The
greenrider glances up at the approaching two, flicking a quick smile.

"A tour? Aye, a tour then, those outside of the weyrs to be sure. Will be
more fun to be those odd riders standing out than part of the passing
crowd, eh?" Lani gives her assent to the plan and caps it off with a salute
of her glass before draining it.

Whether Des is actually accompanied or not, she comes to rest before the
others and offers a polite curtsey to them. "Ma'am's." She says, letting
polite dignity cover her uncertainty. "I'm told that I should introduce
myself, and as I am not inclined to be rude to my hosts, here I am."
Realising she is babbling, she pauses to take a deep breath. "Anyway. I'm
Desdinova, only recently arrived from a small hold noone's likely to have
heard of. It's a pleasure to meet you."

A'deth follows a pace behind Desdinova, and to the side. "Weyrsecond
Lanisa, Assistant Weyrlingmaster Kassima, this is-- ah, there she goes.
Where are you from?" His tone is cheerfully mild, pitched to be soothing.
"Desdinova, Lanisa and Kassima. They're very nice. Shall I get you some
wine, too?" And he looks over at Coren, too. "For you too, lad, if you want
it. It's a day to celebrate, after all." And to Kassima, he notes, "We
spoke of hunting at the last hatching. You and Lanisa were going to show
off your knifework to me."

Coren /yyawwns/ and slumps down in his chair, with the meal well finished.
He looks around, and sees everybody has settled down, all (maybe) talking
quietly amongst themselves. Then he hears A'deth's invitation, and with a
deep breath (or really, another yawn, but disguised) he gets up, with the
customary extreme care of his firelizard, and joins them. "Sure, it is a
great day, isn't it

Kassima makes a sound that's part-amused, part not. "That and I haven't
much interest in Ista and High Reaches," she admits. "I want t'get cheerful
drunk! Play the glass hats! Leave sailors and Starsmiths and who knows who
else in our wake, passed out with 'I'm Paying the Tab' written on their
foreheads. I can't take credit for that idea, that's M'rek." Such a
conversation to walk into. Kassi, though, turns in her seat to focus on
Desdinova and A'deth readily, with only a twitch: "Nay a ma'am. Never ever
ever! Kassima only, or Kassi if'n you're informal, I don't mind--well met.
You're staying on at Igen?" She glances to A'deth, too, for confirmation.
"I seem t'recall 'twas going t'be knifework all around. You aren't getting
out of demonstrating your skills, y'know."

"M'rek has some fine ideas," Lani agrees with a sigh of contentment as she
places glass beside hide and then her attention is caught, "Well met,
Desdinova and... Sorry, didn't catch your name?" The last getting aimed
towards Coren. The bluerider leans forward and gives a grin before asking,
"Recently arrived to stay? Or is it a visit you're having then?" Nevermind
it overlaps Kassima's own question and she reverses another bit, "And Lani
is fine, Lanisa if you're feeling formal."

"Kassima. Lanisa." Des says, committing the names to memory. "Weyrsecond
and Weyrlingmaster's assistant. And, I guess I don't really know, yet,
though I am inclined to hope so. So far, it's a very pleasant place, and a
lot less... Tense and unhappy than my home was. I've been trying to track
down the headwoman, but naturually she is a very busy person." She glances
back at A'deth. "I think... A glass of wine would be lovely. Thank you, if
it's not an imposition."

Coren says, "Oh, of course, th' name's Coren; I guess that hatching went
too fast for me to say. And I forget afterward, of course." He nods, and
sorta falls out of conversation, since he doesn't sound too included yet.
He pays attention again with the mentioning of names though, if not their
ranks.

A'deth nods agreeably to Coren, and pours wine for he and Desdinova.
"Hello, Coren. It is a lovely day. No imposition at all, Desdinova, I feel
less guilty about being drunk if others are, too-- you're just doing me a
favor. And I'm happy to show my knifework, Kassima, to anyone who asks."
There's a sort of bland edge to his lazy Igenite drawl on that last
sentence, but does he just make such comments because it's habitual now,
expected?

Kassima's eyebrows inch towards the ceiling on hearing 'tense' and
'unhappy' as descriptors. "I should hope 'tisn't so," she says honestly.
"I'm sorry you're nay leaving better circumstances. Welcome t'Igen, anyway,
long-term or short-term." She bobs her head to Coren, too. "Are we getting
drunk?" she asks A'deth. "Nay only drinking? People need t'tell me these
things. I could've brought the hard stuff down from the weyr; 'tis going
t'take forever t'get drunk on wine." There's so much she could do with the
greenrider's last sentence. She considers it--considers him, but lets it
go, shaking her head and grinning a little. "Too easy." Pause. "Nay pun
intended."

Desdinova takes the glass from A'deth, and snorts a little. "Not going to
drink /that/ much. Something tells me being in a new place where I don't
really know anyone isn't the time to be dulling my senses with excess." She
looks to Kassima and nods a little. "It's been a hard few turns back home,
and doesn't look to be getting much better any time soon. Enough siblings
to make it clear there wasn't much future for me in my family's cothold,
and there wasn't much of a chance for marriage, so..." She waves around,
"Here I am." She looks over at Coren, "You new too?"

"Oh aye, she can be a tough one to find, that Headwoman of ours. I'm sure
you'll manage it before horribly long though. Or one of her assistants, if
not her." Lanisa listens on and nods, "I understand that's much the way of
it in many smaller holdings. Plenty of room here though, if it suits." She
grins then, "Well met then, Coren. It's quite true that hatchings have that
effect."

Coren gladly accepts the wine, but then glances uncomfortably at A'deth,
with the mention of drinking And knives. He then responds to Desdinova,
"Nah, I made it for the firelizard hatching - by a fortunate connection -
and I managed to make it over in time with J'rom, (brownrider from Fort,
and a good friend of mine). I'd expect him to beat us to intoxication
though - him having started not long after we arrived, so I'm probably
spending the night. - All the better for a night of getting drunk, eh?"

A'deth laughs, short and sharp, at Kassima's remark. "Of course not. And
getting drunk, dear Kassima, is as important a part of the journey as the
destination." Desdinova gets a sidelong glance. "We'll keep you safe, never
fear. Anyone who'd accost a drunken woman here'll get a thrashing. And
latrine duty. Delicate bits cut off. Truly--" And then Coren speaks up.
"J'rom from Fort, really? Is he handsome? I don't think I remember him."

"People breed like insects," Kassima agrees, as sympathetic as Lani if,
perhaps, more colorful about it. "They do in Weyrs, too, but they don't do
anyone out by it. I'm nay the Headwoman, but I'd lay a mark on more hands
always being welcome." Of course she chuckles quietly for a tale of
intoxicated brownriders; excuses herself then, to collect another 'skin
from the supply and refresh her glass with Red. "Then may the journey be
interesting," she murmurs. "I can do the thrashing. Although really, Lani,
you should get to; that'd be a distraction from hidework just as effective
as liquor."

A drink from her glass delays Desdinova's reply, but she gives A'deth a
slight smirk. "All fine and proper responses, but none would undo it. I
prefer to remain responsible for my own boundaries. But I do thank you for
the reassurance." She nods at Coren, slowly. "Interesting. Long way to go
for a pet, I'd think, but I'm sure you have other reasons." She glances
around and finds a chair, moving to settle onto it. "And I am sure I an
find ways to remain useful. I helped out some in the kitchens earlier, as I
am decent with a skillet, and they seemed to welcome the help."

"Oh aye, anyone tries to pull anything of the sort, I'll tie them to the
practice bale I use for my knives and make a point to them I'm not yet
sober enough to take a proper aim and measure of my tosses." Lanisa
responds, adding wryly, "Not a distraction I'd welcome, but I'd make sure
they had the fear put in them, to be certain." She nods then, "We never
turn down willing hands here abouts."

After a good deal of chuckling, Coren says "Not that I'd really know, but I
think J'rom's not too handsome, but he is more of a rogueish type." He
gestures to one dark haired man at another table, who is freely imbibing
himself and laughing - not very uproariously, but with as much raucous
style. "And you don't know him?? I am certain he's been around though, and
met most everyone on Pern.." and he shrugs diffidently. 
"Well, it was a bit of luck. I think J'rom just knew there'd be a party,
and wanted to make it to it. So I got to tag along," Coren smirks, in
response to Desdinova. "I have wanted one of these little guys," and he
pats his still-sleeping blue, "but this was my first good chance to get
one." With a bit of guilt from hearing her help, Coren adds, "Yeah, I'd be
glad to help afterward.. Not many other people want to help in the cleaning
up." Of course, he smirks again in the fact that he would probably be out
cold, after the intended drinking.

A'deth resumes his perch on the table, and holds his own glass out for
Kassima to fill. "Then remain responsible," he murmurs carelessly to
Desdinova. "I'll be debauched enough for us both. Another glass, Kassima,
of that red now if you please."

Kassima inclines her head to the other greenrider and pours for him,
without further comment. "Igen has the honor of being home t'one of Baker's
Craftmasters," she instead tells Desdinova. "If'n skillets interest you.
There're worse places t'be honing the skill a bit, I'm thinking. Can't say
I've met him m'self--" That's J'rom, presumably. "But truth be told, I
don't get out much. Let me know if'n you do terrify anyone, Lani.
'Twouldn't want t'be missing it."

Coren then realizes his glass is empty. When did that happen?!. "Oh, could
I have more too, please? I could take the skin, if you want." He takes a
seat, and frees his other arm by setting the snoozing blue into his lap.

"Well." Desdinova comments, a touch dryly as she watches A'deth. "It's good
to know at least some of the stories told seem to be true. Almost...
Reassuring." She looks back to Kassima, a bit surprised. "Really? I'd
missed that fact, but that does sound interesting. I know I'm far too old
to join a craft, but I do enjoy the precision of cooking, and it wouldbe
silly to pass up a chance to learn near someone so accomplished." Her own
glas nears empty, but she swirls the dregs at the bottom, making no move to
refill it.

"Good of J'rom to share the news of a party, eh?" Lanisa says with a wink
before leaning back once again and grinning to Kassima, "Oh shards,
wouldn't dream of doing so without giving you a front row seat. Perhaps we
should take turns with the knives?" Of course, share the fun. "Too old to
join a craft? Is there such a thing? I always thought life experience
counted if one wanted to try later... But still, Kassima's right. One
needn't be a baker to work in the kitchen run by one."

A'deth arches a brow at Desdinova. "I didn't used to be a stereotype... oh,
well, nevermind how long ago that was. But I've found it far more
satisfying to embrace it. Kassima, now, she's a noble sort. Indulges me now
and then, but modest as you please. And no." That last is for Coren. "No
getting drunk for you, you've a baby firelizard to feed in a few hours."

Kassima shakes her head, but in response to Coren's offer, not his request:
she fills his glass, then glances to Desdinova and tilts her head in silent
query. "Craftmaster Kaimi, aye. She has a talent--mayhaps she'd talk shop
with you if'n you'd like t'be learning. I should do that m'self," she
muses, an undertone directed more at herself. "Lani, you are as ever too
good t'me. ...A'deth," she says at last, "lives up t'some of the stories,
true; and he lives beyond others. Untruthful, though. I'm nay so much
noble. And 'tisn't," to the greenrider directly, a smile quirking one
corner of her mouth, "solely indulgence."

Coren grumbles jokingly to A'deth. He then scratches his side a bit, then
realizes it's his firelizard, and oils the blue on his lap along its sides.
But of course, he wakes up now, and starts crooning and begging for food.
"Of course, of course! So soon though?.. " and he gets back up and goes
over to the table for food, cradling the firelizard along with him.

Desdinova looks between Kassima and A'deth a moment, clearly trying to
figure out the subtext passing between them. Failing, she stays on the
topic she can actually understand. "Yes, I will keep an eye out for her, as
well as the Headwoman. Thank you all for the advice. I imagine there' sno
actual rule on age, but I'm just on two decades old, which is a good deal
behind. I don't fancy being consigned to life with people half my age." She
grins a bit and leans back in her seat. "It's too early to tell, though,
really."

"One good turn and all that." Lanisa says on while taking the chance to
nudge her glass towards Kassima to be filled as she adds, "Well, no harm in
asking what your options are if there is a direction which you favor,
Desdinova."

A'deth just shrugs slightly. "You're not too old for your endeavors here,
Desdinova, nor can you ask too many questions. We're no Hall, but able
hands and willing hearts, as has been said, are welcome. There's enough to
do that you'll find something to do. Speak to Celane if you want opinions
on that-- she's older than you, one of our cooks, has a particular talent
for making bubbly pies. Not a baker, but skilled."

"The Bakers aren't so formal about Apprenticeship and whatnay as other
Crafts, I believe. Nay much living in Barracks with other Apprentices,"
Kassima mentions, brows drawing slightly together for she's not entirely
sure. "Nay that I can recall from knowing Bakers. It might be a thing t'be
asking--if'n 'tis where your interest lies, and let alone if'n it doesn't.
None of us would push you into something." She pours Lanisa's glass full
almost to its brim. "Fire-lizards," she calls to Coren, "eat, and eat, and
eat, and then eat s'more, new-hatched, and he'll probably *creel*. They
eventually develop brains and personalities, though. Most of 'em."

It takes another ludicrous pile of food to quell his blue's hunger, but
quelled it is, and Coren finally can sit back down, with a sated firelizard
in one arm, and a plate of food in the other. "You're right.., he will need
me there to feed him."
"Hmrm.." he thinks to himself, "Ya know... I don't really have a skill
either; At Fort, they pretty much have me in reserves, like for mass
cooking, or cleaning up for a Gather, or Hatching, or whatever. But baking
sounds a possibility for me,(giving back for my feasting, you know?).
 "And Hmph! My little one already has a personality," Coren protests to
Kassima, though the former characteristic is noticably missing.

"I'll look into it" Des says, a bit tersely. "Really. I'm not too worried
about things yet, I've only been here about a day. All things in their
time." She sets the glass on the table, and glances around for a new topic.
Her gaze settles on Kassima, and she lets some curiosity into her voice.
"I've not met any weyrlings, really, that I know of. Is it hard, training
them?"

Lanisa collects the glass while giving a nod, "Rather informal that I know
of. I considered that craft for a time, but never settled on much of
anything before Tisiath." A shrug, though carefully done, so as not to
waste a precious drop. She smiles then, "Aye, plenty of time to decide all
manner of things."

"We're all ambulatory carcasses -- some better preserved than others,
begging your pardon, Lanisa, Kassi -- so please forgive us our reassurances
about your age," A'deth just purrs pleasantly, unruffled by Desdinova's
terseness.

Kassima tops off her own glass, and finally sets the 'skin down. "We don't
have any just now--High Reaches does. I'm thinking one of the ones who left
with a 'lizard had a 'Reaches Weyrling knot. The emotional strain's worse
than the physical." A sip of wine covers her search for the words to
explain. "None of ours died this time; 'tis always that chance they will,
in Fall or first *between* most likely, and the awareness it could well
happen if'n you don't do right by 'em. I'm sure Sria felt it worse than I
did... but there's plenty of grunt work, heavy lifting, figuring out of
this and that. And cleaning up someone's vomit. I can't believe nay anyone
told me about that part a'fore I took the knot." The rider's grimace for
the memory may be exaggerated, just a tinge. "Ambulatory carcasses!" She
snorts. "You're begging t'have M'tri or any number of persons call
challenge on you, implying they're necrophiles like that."

"Doesn't seem to slow you down much." Desdinova replies to A'deth in a
snarky tone, though she flushes after saying it. "Sorry, that was uncalled
for." She looks back to Kassima and listens with interest. "I imagine it
would be hard on them, yeah. Rather a change from, well, anything." She
lapses quiet after that, looking decidedly more uncomfortable than she had
been, picking her empty glass back up to have something to fiddle with with
her fingers.

Lanisa sips enough of her drink to keep it from spilling at every movement,
her gaze falling on Coren, "You could see yourself as a Baker then perhaps?
Mayhap you have an idea of who to look for then, while you're here anyway
to ask your own questions? Though I suppose, there are Bakers most
everywhere, posting out as they do." She chuckles then, We do sound a bit
like we're recruiting for them. Perhaps we can get special treats for every
apprentice found?" She glances up at the others after letting her gaze fall
on her hide work, "Shards... Forgot I need to take that to A'zric... My
apologies to you all." And there she gets to her feat and with her glass,
hide and all heads out.

Lanisa climbs up the stairway onto the balcony.

A'deth's smile is positively beatific. "When life is uncertain, live to
excess. And-- I'm slow when I'm minded to be. I can give you a list.
They've no complaints." If offense was caused, the only sign might be the
slightest tightening of his very long fingers on the very narrow stem of
his wineglass. It's certainly not evident in his tone, or his contentedly
dissolute expression; snapping at a holdbred new girl, even after such a
crack, is not his style. He waves airily after Lanisa, too.

Coren just glances around, having little to say for the conversation. He
just idles himself, stroking his firelizard. When Lanisa talks to him, his
nodded head bobs back up, and responds "Sure, um, ..," though he didn't
seem to catch what the question actually was. 
When she left though, Coren just forgot it, and then perked up again. "It's
late now, isn't it??" He glances over to where J'rom was, but the table was
vacated. Some more scanning, and Coren finds him sitting in one couch, in
some far corner. Scratch that - J'rom is dead asleep too.
 "Well, I guess I am spending the night here after all.
 "Just to know, when would it be fine to take my hatchling back home, if
I'm riding with J'rom and would go *between*? 'Cause I doubt it would be
good for it."

Kassima nods her agreement. "A Guard's training might come closest, in the
same way, oh, a runnerbeast comes closest t'being Lysseth's size when
stacked against a canine and a trundlebug. The Weyrlings have the harder
portion in many ways. I enjoyed being part of it--and I got jewelry out of
it, y'see?" The jewelry is, by her gesture, the brooch pinned to her
blouse, a large rough amethyst surrounded by glinting yellow stones; "The
mate's on m'hat. Hard, though. Definitely. Clear skies! Let me know if'n
you talk Yaz into spawning!" she calls after Lanisa, waving cheerfully
indeed. A'deth? Oh, she grins into her wine glass for the words. At the
same time, however, her free hand reaches to rest on his arm a moment,
should he permit. "Fairly late. I don't see why you shouldn't be able t'go
in the morning, if'n you wish," she answers Coren. "A 'lizard can fly and
go *between* very soon. 'Twill take nay ill."

"I've no doubt." Desdinova replies, in a carefully polite tone to A'deth.
"And I will take your word on the issue. Certainly, you seem... Popular."
She plays with the glass in her hand some more, and looks after Lanisa as
she departs, too slow to actually give proper goodbyes. Instead, she looks
to Kassmia, squinting a bit at the offered bauble. "It's very pretty." She
says, politely. "A prent?"

A'deth looks over to Coren. "Bundle him under your shirt, and under your
coat, against your chest. A short trip should be fine." To Desdinova, he
snorts, his amusement sharp. "Oh, don't give me that kind of answer, child,
you went there. I've no lascivious designs upon your person, you're too new
and... repressed." He sets his free hand gently, briefly, on Kassima's, and
asks her, "Shall I get the brandy? And you know, you haven't yet made me
oblivion."

"From Sria," Kassima confirms, looking fondly at the piece. "The
Weyrlingmaster, in thanks for service. I'm going t'commission her something
in exchange. 'Tisn't so much the jewel--although I like those--" Needless
to say; she's strung all about with jewelry. "The token and reminder is
nice t'be having." Her fingers squeeze A'deth's arm, very lightly; the
smile she gives him is an openly warm one. "By all means, brandy. I can
fetch Oblivion too if'n you wish. Brain-melting alcohol that leaves nay
soul unscathed," she explains helpfully for Desdinova and Coren. "I've a
bottle only recently mixed."

Coren nods to Kassima's response, and A'deth's reassurance. "Yeah, I
suppose I will then. Just to be sure though, before the wine - or whatever
else -" he adds, for A'deth's suggestion, "takes effect, where's a bed? I'm
not following J'rom's lead to stay out here for the night." He sips more of
his wine, but with the last bit nearing the bottom, he finishes it off.
"Er... I might follow his earlier suggestion, and not try some of that.."

"I will pass on anything more than wine, but thank you for the offer."
Desdinova says, her voice continuing to stay carefully polite. A'deth gets
a slight nod in reply to his commentary. "I am new, yes, though I wouldn't
say repressed so much as... Picky." She looks back to Kassima, offering a
smile. "I'm sure you will find something appopriate for her." She glances
to Coren. "I can show you where the dorms are, if you like."

A'deth points towards the inner caverns. "If it's sleep you want, you'll
want the black and gold room. Lovely bed-- no, I've never used it. Sober,
anyway. But I've been told. You'll sleep very well." And to Desdinova, he
just laughs quietly. And to Kassima: "I'll fetch the brandy. Oblivion's
probably not something to drink in front of such polite company." And he,
once again, slides off the table, striding out with his wineglass in hand
and not a backwards glance.

Kassima matches the smile; her own's a little sheepish, for admitting,
"I've left it late, but I've something in mind I think will please her.
We'll see. Someday," a random thought, "I need t'go and see this black and
gold room; I feel m'Igenite experience hasn't been quite complete without
it." Facetious? Serious? Maybe a bit of both. "Another time," she promises
A'deth, rather amused. Once he's left, "He's a reprobate, nay denying that.
But nay only as he appears. The dragons of Igen are certes grateful for that."

Coren laughs out, as he catches the 'drift' of that, and declines. "er..
I'll try to go with Desdinova's offer. Well, 'polite' mightn't describe me,
but I doubt I have a head or stomach for anything hard yet." The little
blue stirs some on his lap, but not at all to wake up yet "Phew.. I'm
hoping he can stay asleep for the night; how much I fed him could last me
alone for a day or two's worth of meals, I'd wager. 
"I wonder, how could I learn how to train him, or is there someone who
could help me with it?"

"What do you have in mind, if it's ok to ak? Des asks of Kassima, genuine
curisity easing some of her distant tension - though perhaps that's as much
A'deth's departure. She includes Coren in her gaze with a nod, "And it
would be my pleasure to show you where to go. I can sympathise with how
daunting it is to be somewhere where you aren't sure where to go."

"They do stop eating quite so much eventually." Kassima strokes the
eyeridges of the blue still perched on her shoulder, and Kyril accepts the
caress as his rightful due. "Probably there are some around Fort with fairs
who can pass on tips. A lot of it's patience and repetition, in
m'experience. He may nay be very practical until he's grown up some." Sria
isn't here; it's very unlikely anyone who is secretly spies in her employ;
nevertheless, Kassi's voice drops to keep her gift quiet. "I'm thinking a
bracelet, either a single or two wrapped around each other: grey pearls,
since her formal leathers are grey, and there's a bit of a joke in it. And
amethyst beads, for the Weyrling class. Nigh all Lhiannonth's eggs were
purple. It's become sort of symbolic."

Coren nods to Des, replying "Sure, I better get off soon," then nods to
Kassima again about his firelizard. He carefully repositions his blue in
one arm, and stands up, ready for Desdinova to lead him out to a decent bed.

A'deth enters the Infirmary.

Coren starts to follow Desdinova, stumbles only once, and grabs a couple
meatrolls just in case; all the while carefully holding his little
firelizard. "Alright, lead on," and he follows her as she goes out one
tunnel. A muttered thanks can be heard.

Kassima nods amiably, returns the smile; and says of A'deth, "'Twill do so.
G'night, both of you, and clear skies t'you come morning."

Desdinova strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.

Coren strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns.