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Mercutio vs. Tybalt, Telgar Style


Date:  March 12, 1998
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern, Southern Bowl, and Lake Shore
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Kassi's at it again!  With Lysseth glowing brightly enough
to rival the moons, our heroine--or villain, as the case may be--acts on
a whim and challenges her mentee Maylia to a sparring match.  Since
Maylia is also proddy, she agrees... and a Shakespearean quote-fest
ensues.  Given that Kassi's proddiness costume was based on Mercutio's
garb in the original Romeo and Juliet movie, I couldn't resist using 
some of his lines in my poses to start with, and things got interesting
from there.  Many thanks to Maylia for playing this, as it was a great
deal of fun! :)  Things prefixed by Lysseth> take place in the Southern
Bowl; all else is from Kassi's perspective.

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The Log:

You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.

Maylia's head swivels around towards the tunnel to the bowl, brows 
furrowed. "She is?" She asks, shaking her head. "-How- do they know? I 
don't even think she's aware of it yet." The young rider exclaims.

K'tyn nods. "Males know. Or Prometh, does. Heya, Kassi! I see--" He 
blinks. "Prometh says Lysseth is looking quite lovely, too."

Erdrick walks here from the Inner Cavern.

For once, Kassi doesn't seem *too* out of sorts on her way in. She looks 
tired, yes, and somewhat as though she's been rolling around in the snow 
for a time. There's a somewhat crude wooden practice-knife in her hand--
which she uses to salute the Weyrleader--and a faint smile flickering on 
her face, at least for now. "Evening," she says in a relatively polite (if 
brief) fashion. "Lysseth? Lovely? Don't know about that. Bloody *proddy* 
she is, but that's all I'm certain of."

Erdrick notices Kassi, tries to stay out of her direct line of sight as he 
pours some klah into his mug.

Maylia scoops up her dangling needle, and starts stitching again, if only 
to cover up her smug grin, as she mutters, "You don't have to be a bronze 
dragon to know that -she-'s proddy!" Louder, so her mentor can hear her 
clearly, "G'deve, Kassi!"

K'tyn takes a sip of his klah, nodding. "Aye, Kassi--tis of no import to 
Prometh, though. I think he discerns no difference, though it may be a 
pain for you."

Erdrick quickly walks towards the kitchen as Buttons starts creeling 
softly in his ear.

Kassima does indeed espy Erdrick; paranoid as she tends to be this time of 
Turn, it's unsurprising that she did so. He receives a look cold enough to 
freeze a glacier to the breaking point before the greenrider turns her 
attention to more important matters. "So 'tis Tierth's go too, eh?" she 
asks bluntly. "I hope she goes up a'fore Lyss. Then mayhaps I'll have an 
excuse t'get out of this fardling ice-hole for awhile. A pain, sir? Oh, 
nay, sir. The migraines and insomnia are *marvelous*." She drawls out that 
word with considerable implied sarcasm. "T'say naught of this grounded 
business, but I'll nay even go there. Thank Faranth for Katari."

K'tyn nods at Erdrick if the young man looks at him. He glances back at 
the pair of greenriders, smiling a little. "Well, Tis small enough 
complaint, I think, hm? It could be worse, Kassi. Much worse." He grins, 
smiling wider. "One might be grounded--" he waves his be-casted arm, "With 
a pair of proddy greenriders, for example."

Erdrick goes deathly pale at Kassi's glance, looking down at the mug she 
bargined for him.

Erdrick walks off towards the kitchen.

Maylia smiles ever so gently towards Kassi, about to say something, before 
catching K'tyn's comment. "Two proddy greenriders? Make that one. I'm not 
proddy." Uh-huh.

From the kitchen, Erdrick takes a large bowl of meat scraps, slightly more 
full then usual, but then he's got another firelizard to feed.

Erdrick walks in from the kitchen.

Telgar Weyr> Maylia still tries to figure out just how Mya's gonna be 
proddy this time...

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Ah, the possibilities.."

Erdrick settles down in his chair, nodding absently at Maylia as he starts 
feeding his firelizards, taking an occasional sip of klah.

Kassima stiffens at that, teeth visibly gritting. "I suppose so. Sir," she 
manages to get out in a reasonable facsimile of a normal--albeit flat--
tone. "Though I daresay that, if'n it didn't keep one from duties for 
longer, a broken arm would be naught to a proddy Lysseth." Taking a deep 
breath before she can say anything else, the greenrider scoops up a stein 
of Black Ruin klah and plunks into her seat with little ceremony.

K'tyn nods quietly, saying no more to Maylia for the moment, though the 
hint of a smile turns the corners of his mouth upward. He takes another, 
longer sip of his klah. "Hmf. Either I'm getting used to this, or this 
tastes almost good," he mutters. "Ah, what Kassi? Oh? Well, tis not 
something I'd recommend that you do. Tis bloody annoying in the least of 
it, this broken arm. I can barely feed myself, for one! And getting 
dressed requires more hands--" He holds up one with the mug. "Than I 
currently have. Ah well, twill be off, soon enough, I think."

Maylia keeps stitching away with care at the straps on her lap, the 
flickering firelight from the hearth dancing across the shiney black 
strap. She rather forcibly keeps smiling. Now that it's been pointed out 
to her what state her lifemate is soon to be in, she's determined to _not_ 
be proddy. But that's kind of like trying to stop a tsunami.

Kassima states dryly, "I'm hardly so fond of pain that I'd do it to m'self 
a'purpose, sir. I recall the inconveniences of only having one hand t'work 
with." She rolls up her left sleeve with some effort, since it's a tight 
sleeve, to display a pale scar that extends from her wrist to about three 
inches below her elbow, crossing the major vein; it in turn is intersected 
by a jagged pair of scars from... teethmarks? "I've had the experience, 
though in a different fashion."

K'tyn shakes his head. "Enough of that, hm? Did you both hear? T'saren's 
bronze caught Phediath at Ista." K'tyn beams. "Twas good to see that the 
Telgar Reputation is being upheld."

Erdrick chuckles slightly to himself at the mention of the Ista flight, 
still feeding his four flits.

K'tyn blinks at Kassima's display, his own words tumbling out around hers. 
"Ack. that's a nasty mark," he says as he peers at the scarring. "My 
sympathies on it."

"I'm not proddy, I'm not proddy," comes muttered from Maylia as she 
rethreads her needle. Which clatters to the ground at the reminder of an 
absent weyrmate. The young rider, who never seems to glare at anyone, 
sends a fair appoximation of Kassi's glacier-breaking glare towards 
K'tyn.

Erdrick blinks at Maylia then glances very quickly at Kassi from the 
corners of his eyes, muttering, "Oh boy, two."

Kerlyn walks in from the bowl.

Pierron twirls his moustache at the weyrlingmaster.

Kassima covers the knife-scar again and picks up her klah mug, gulping 
down some of the steaming and probably lethal stuff. "'Twas there," she 
replies shortly. "Won a mark and a box. The clutch will be strong with 
Benden blood; Solarith has three quarters of it, and Phediath's the 
granddaughter of one Benden beast and the great-granddaughter of two. 
What, that? 'Twas nay deep; naught but a flesh wound, really."

Erdrick nods absently at Kerlyn, still hasn't said a word since he came 
in, goes back to feeding his four flits.

Kerlyn brushes some snow off her shoulders as she enters the bowl. The 
snow, interestingly enough, is bright blue. At least, it looks like snow. 
A rivulet of blue trickles down one cheek, as she crosses the cavern to 
pour herself a mug of steaming cider. Erdrick's nod is returned a little 
absenntly.

Kassima eyes Kerlyn's blue snow for a moment, and immediately turns to 
Maylia. "Tell me you've nay given that dye to any more weyrbrats."

Erdrick blinks at Kerlyn, actually startled into asking, "Blue?"

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "Huh?"

K'tyn is peering at Kassima's old scar intently, nodding as she speaks. 
"Still, it looks nasty. Painful, for all its shallowness." He looks up and 
over, hearing the trailed whispers of "Blue" and "Blue snow" that reach 
his ears. "Kerlyn," he says with quiet respect, blinking a bit at her 
state of being. "You've got blue on you..." he breaks off, clearing his 
throat.

Asrai walks in from the bowl.

Maylia breaks off her glare to look questioningly at Kassi. Which turns 
into a glare. "Dye?" She innocently asks, shaking her head. "What dye'd 
that be?" Something might indicate that she'd like to cause Kassi to -die- 
at revealing her part in that.

Kerlyn looks down at the blue streak on her hand, caused by wiping the 
small trickle off her forehead, "Aye sir." she admits quietly to K'tyn, 
cheeks a rosy red-- not caused by the cold. "I'm sure it'll wash off 
handily. At least, I hope so. " There's a bit of silence following, rather 
than a more complete explanation. "I didn't intend to interrupt 
anything.." she tacks on, hopefully.

Asrai comes striding into the cavern, covered with freshly fallen snow. 
Giving a shake, much like a canine, Asrai rids herself of most of the 
white stuff.b "Hello all!" She says brightly to the room at large."

Kassima agrees tersely, "'Twas. But since it kept me grounded long enough 
nay t'lose Kaylira, I suppose it had one benefit." Maylia, in turn, 
receives a far-too-sweet smile--sweet enough to sicken even a sugar-hungry 
child. "Oh, I think *you* know. The one that turns... snow... blue."

Erdrick grins at Asrai, "Hello."

K'tyn nods to Asrai as she enters, his attention on Kerlyn. "Ah, I hope 
so. Whilst it would be quite coordinated colorwise of you to be that 
color, I am sure that'd you'd prefer a less vibrant shade."

Oh dear. The battle of the proddy greenriders begins? Even if one won't 
admit she's proddy. Maylia maintains her hard look at Kassi, not realizing 
she's probably digging herself in deeper. Eyebrows raise. "Paint'd be more 
effective for snow, wouldn't it?" She asks, her own voice sweet enough to 
give someone a headache.

Asrai blinks at Kerlyn, but then hides a giggle behind one hand. "Rope 
drills, ma'am?" She asks of the WeyrlingMaster. She gives a wave to 

Erdrick before fetching herself some hot mulled cider. The wisps of steam 
contain a hint of cloves, citron and cinnomen to anyone near.

Kerlyn's feet shift just slightly, "Indeed, I'm afraid it wasn't a matter 
of preference, however. I didn't quite duck fast enough is all." She nods 
ruefully to Asrai, then nods towards Kassima and Maylia, "Who burnt their 
breakfasts this morning? I'm starting to feel like I'm back in teh 
candidate's barracks."

Kassima leans the point of her wooden practice-blade against the table, 
folding her hands over the pommel and propping her chin up on the hands. 
"Probably," she agrees in that same saccharine voice. A stray rider or two 
at her table starts to edge away; a sweet-sounding Kassi is usually a 
Kassi at her worst. "You'll have t'ask Josiah why he didn't try that 
method instead."

Erdrick hands the now empty bowl of meat scraps to a passing drudge as 
Talina and Darin fall asleep, sated.

K'tyn glances out into the bowl, then at the pair of greenrider. He looks 
back at Kerlyn, and sniffs, significantly.

Telgar Weyr> Maylia giggles so hard she can't pose!!!!

Telgar Weyr> Kassima is oddly reminded by the sniffing Kiat of Nynaeve 
al'Meara. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "Who?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "A character from a book who sniffed a lot."

[Editor's Note:  To give credit where it's due, Nynaeve al'Meara is from
the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.]

Asrai returns to her spot at the FireStorm table. She doesn't know exactly 
what the two proddy green riders are talking about...but she is smart 
enough to stay out of the middle of it. "So sir," she asks K'tyn, "How are 
things going with you? Ever present Kin with that poem?"

Telgar Weyr> K'tyn grins. Thanks Kassi! Nynaeve's a cool character

Telgar Weyr> K'nan says, "LOL!"

K'tyn blinks at Asrai. "Um, well," he hedges. "I...meant to do so."

The scrape of Maylia's chair echoes across the cavern as she moves it to 
look more squarely at her mentor. She's not gonna back down, wooden knife 
or no. So long as it's wood. She's too intent on her staring to notice 
either Asrai, or Kerlyn. "Perhaps." She says, or perhaps growls. "But 
after all, he is a weyrbrat. Can't tell why they do some things."

Kerlyn's stong suit has never been subtlty, and she glances around 
uncertainly, wondering if she oughtn't have bathed before looking for food 
after a long day's drilling. Her expression clears suddenly though, and 
she finds herself fighting a smirk, "Best keep breakables out of the way 
then." she replies quietly.

Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "Where's the action today, Kassi, Erd?"

Telgar Weyr> Nimiriel laughs, always thought Nynaeve had the monopoly on 
making sniffing an art form. :)

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "Living Cavern, two proddy riders talking to 
each other"

Telgar Weyr> Maylia says, "The clash of the titans begins in the LC, 
Ro... ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "Kassi vs Maylia"

Telgar Weyr> Ro blinks "Wuh oh."

Asrai tilts her head as she regards K'tyn. *tsk**tsk* "For shame sir. Why 
didn't you present her with it? No use coming up with these wonderfully 
romantic ideas if you don't follow through. What if she heard about you 
having this love poem, not that anyone told her I'm sure. But what if she 
heard about it..then you never gave it to /her/. What if she starts to 
wonder just whom you gave it too?"

Ro walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Erdrick grins over at Ro, "Hello."

K'tyn nods sagely at Kerlyn and leans back against the hearthstones, 
smirking just slightlly. He glances back at Asrai uncertainly. "Well, I 
wanted to read it aloud to her. We've just not had the same schedule, 
unfortunately."

Kassima's mouth curves up in a smile that has little of humor in it, but a 
great many teeth. "Mmm-hmm. And a *male* weyrbrat, at that." The tone she 
uses in saying 'male' would be more fitting to saying, oh, 'porcine dung.' 
"I can't blame Jaeleka for taking the chance you so kindly handed to her. 
And really, I *must* thank you for it m'self. But, if'n the color was from 
rope-drills... I'd *presume* it didn't come about in quite the same 
fashion as the blue snow." One would certainly *hope* not. At the mention 
of breakables, she casts Kerlyn a sharp look, but says nothing.

Asrai sniffs, she can play this game too. "You should /make/ the time 
then."

Ro wanders into the room, the scroll she is reading in her hands. Upon 
hearing her name, however, she looks up and about, gaze finally coming to 
rest upon Erdrick "Oh, um, hello."

Kerlyn's shoulders shift against the wall she's leaning against, and she 
finds something interesting on teh other side of the cavern to look at, 
right about the same time as K'tyn lamants Kindre's schedule. Her glance 
around coincides with Kassima's glance, and she just raises one eyebrow.

K'tyn grins. "I've tried. Tis she who's been busy--oh! Kerlyn. I hear tell 
from Emlyn that you've my goldrider in some project that seems to be 
draining her free time--may I have the details on that project? And would 
you be interested in my helping with it?"

Erdrick grins at Ro, eyes full of mischief, "Not wearing your knife 
today?"

Asrai grumbles, mumbling something about the records room and free time. 
Very softly, of course.

Kerlyn turns back to look at the weyrleader, feet shifting slightly again. 
"Oh, Emlyn mentioned that, did she?" She clears her throat, "It's nothing 
really, and if the whole thing weren't currently on hold, I'm sure we'd be 
delighted to have your assistance.. I wouldn't be suprised if that's why 
Emlyn brought it up." her voice is just teh slightest bit flat at the last 
phrase.

"Reason number whatever the shards 'tis nay t'have a weyrmate," Kassi 
meanwhile growls under her breath, turning her attention to her mug of 
pitch-black klah with slightly narrowed eyes. "Someone's always trying 
t'claim that you're *theirs*, when the only creature you can *belong* to 
is your dragon." She tips the mug to sip from it. One would swear that, 
when a drop falls on the table, it begins to smoke and smolder.

Ro says "Sure I am." and she extends her leg just enough to expose a boot-
top with a sheathed knife in it. It would appear that the sheath has been 
especially designed to go with the boot.

Erdrick chuckles, "I think it looked better where it used to be." Grins 
impishly.

Ro rolls her eyes and says in an exasperated voice "BOYS, really!"

Asrai rolls her eyes at Kassi's remark.

Erdrick leans back in his chair, chuckling as he sips his klah.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai says, "Eyeballs rolling everywhere in the LC..careful 
where you walk. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "At least it's better then dropped colons"

Telgar Weyr> Jehrina says, "I hate it when I drop my colon. Oh.. owait."

Telgar Weyr> Sionelle . o O ( That comment brought to you by Jehrina the 
Leper. )

Telgar Weyr> Ceria giggles.

Telgar Weyr> Sionelle <-- entirely tasteless.

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick laughs, "I didn't mean to drop a colon there."

Telgar Weyr> Nimiriel does NOT want to hear about this. :)

Asrai sips at her cider, having let it cooled somewhat first. She looks 
over at Kerlyn and shakes her head slightly, "Both going up so close to 
one another. I think we're all in trouble."

Emlyn walks in from the bowl.

Erdrick nods at Emlyn, "Hello."

K'tyn blinks as a sudden and intense 'conversation' with Prometh ends. 
"Kerlyn --" he looks about for the Weyrlingmaster. "Perhaps we might 
adjourn to a more quiet place? I'd like to hear more details, if you 
please." There is steel in his voice. "Ah, Emlyn -- perhaps you might be 
wishing to accompany me, as well?"

Ro pours herself a mug of cider and finds herself a seat somewhat near 
the weyrleader. It actually seems to be one of the safer places in the 
cavern.

Erdrick's eyebrows raise at K'tyn.

Emlyn hums quietly to herself as she enters. The greenrider makes her way 
to get a drink of something hot, smiling a greeting to Erdrick as she 
passes him. She has a mug in her hand when the weyrleader speaks her name. 
"Accompany you, Sir?"

Emlyn adds, "Er, I'm in Dawnslight wing."

Asrai blinks, but with a shrug, turns back to the others. Lots of people 
to watch tonight."

Kerlyn's smile is now nonexistant, "I'm sure she'd just be absolutely 
delighted to hear whatever you've got to say, Sir. Emlyn's very keen that 
way."

K'tyn purses his lips. "Aye. About this project--" he glances at Kerlyn, 
then back again to meet the Ursa's Weyrmate's gaze. "You've mentioned."

"Nay trouble so long as she doesn't try rising when Lysseth does," Kassima 
informs Asrai in clipped tones. "*That* would be trouble." Shrewd green 
eyes turn towards the Weyrleader and those he speaks to, narrowing 
again... though with thought this time, rather than suspicion.

Emlyn's mouth forms a little 'o'. "Oh. Er, yes, of course, Sir." She looks 
left and right, then simply hands Asrai the mug she poured herself. It's 
broth.

Erdrick blinks, wondering what on Pern is going on now.

K'tyn moves for the bowl, his striding through--expecting them to follow.

K'tyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Kerlyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Emlyn follows, of course.

Emlyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Asrai takes the mug, a little suprised, but she can roll with the flow. 
"Oh, thanks Emlyn." She looks to Kassi and the others, just shrugging. 
With a quizical look she peers into the mug to see what she was handed.

Erdrick quietly says, "I wonder what that was about."

Kassima grates, "Clearly, 'twas none of our bloody business what 'twas 
about." Most of her prior good mood has dissipated at this point, leaving 
a frown in place of her smile and no light in her eyes. Tugging a black 
kerchief from some hidden pocket, she mops her face with it as she rises 
to her feet and saunters--yes, *saunters*--over to the food tables.

Ro's eyes follow Kassi warily.

Asrai shakes her head. "Kassi, have you had a chance to do any throwing 
today? Perhaps you can work out some of that..pent up energy."

Erdrick shrugs, not wanting to get into an argument with the green rider, 
"Doesn't stop one from wondering."

Kassima shakes her head curtly, gathering up a bowl of what could only be 
wine-soaked meat--the Bakers here know her so well--and returning to her 
chair. "Sparring, aye. Throwing, nay. 'Tis why 'twas grateful Katari was 
here. She puts up a bloody good fight, does m'cousin. Beat me a pair of 
times t'my once."

Asrai nods, "Nothing like your ow bloodkin to place their lives on the 
line to lighten your day."

Kassima snorts, this time with amusement of the sardonic variety. "Katari? 
Do aught to brighten one's day? Hardly. That woman makes Lysseth look warm 
and loving by contrast. She only did it for the exercise, nay more."

Asrai smiles, "Well, did the exercise give you something to do other then 
linger on your headaches and lack of sleep? Perhaps I spoke wrong, 
perhaps I shoudl have said she lightened /our/ day." Meaning the weyrfolk, 
of course. she sips absently at the mug in her hand, blinking as she 
tastes broth instead of the expected cider. With a shrug she drinks some 
more.

Erdrick quietly decides he probably would prefer even the proddy Kassi to 
the afore mentioned Katari. Takes a long drink of his klah.

Kassima favors Asrai with a glare nearly as dark as her klah. "It did 
better for me than the reminders of them I receive from *others*, aye."

Maylia just settles for doing her repairs on Tierth's straps, and for the 
occasional glare Kassi-wards. One might guess she'll get her revenge, 
eventually.

Asrai smiles softly at Kassi, "I'm sorry..forgive me for teasing you, 
Kassi."

Erdrick suddenly has the image of Kassi flaming thread herself from 
Lysseth's back, blinks and looks down at his klah suspiciously.

Kassima slides suspicious looks towards Maylia from time to time. At one 
point, her look meets with one of her mentee's glares, and her mouth 
stretches in another teeth-baring grin. "By the by, Maylia, I don't 
suppose *you* ever spar?" she inquires airily. "For enjoyment's sake, I 
mean, nay in true combat. Wooden knives and all."

Kassima blinks at Asrai, rather taken aback by the bluerider's apology; a 
trace of surprise flickers to life in her shadowed green eyes. "Ah... 
well. Nay harm done, I suppose," she offers magnanimously, if rather 
grudgingly.

Maylia's own mouth turns into a smile, once again, sickeningly sweet. 
Drunk on the sweet wine of Tierth's influence, she's ready to accept any 
challenge, even foolish ones. "Why, Kassi, -Any-time!" She answers. 
Nevermind that she's never sparred once in her life.

Asrai inclines her head towards Kassi in acceptance. For the time being 
she seems content to drink the broth handed her earlier and let the flow 
of conversation swirl around her.

Telgar Weyr> Maylia giggles.... and is gonna be in trou-ble should Kassi 
take her up on this...

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick agrees with Maylia, remembering what Grego called 
Kassi.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Oh? What'd he call me?"

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "Don't you remember? He called you the "crazy 
green rider""

Telgar Weyr> Maylia says, "That describes most of us, Erd..."

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "Ah, but he brought knives especially for her"

Telgar Weyr> Ceria laughs.

Telgar Weyr> Erdrick says, "And instructed his apprentice to let him 
bargin with Kassi"

Kassima's smile is more wicked, and something akin to triumph glints in 
her eyes now. "Marvelous. I've *so* been looking for someone good t'be 
practicing with. I've a knife you could use; would the ground by the Lake 
Shore do?"

Erdrick blinks.

The chair Maylia's been sitting on gets shoved backwards, scraping on the 
rock floor beneath, and tumbling over as the young rider stands. She sets 
down her straps with a phwomp. "That'd suit me just fine, mentor-mine." 
Somehow the noun doesn't carry the same tone as it usually does. Foolish 
girl.

Erdrick glances from Asrai to Ro to Maylia finally ending up at Kassi, 
blinks.

Kassima takes no such hurry, rising to her feet with almost langorous 
slowness. The grin she flashes the younger woman is nearly venomous. 
"Then, mentee mine... shall we proceed? There's nay time like the present, 
as they say." From out of a hidden pocket in her loose outer vest, she 
draws a second scarred wooden knife; a casual flick of her wrist sends it 
flying towards Maylia's table. Once landed, it spins widdershins a few 
times before coming to a halt.

Maylia's attitude might be reminiscent of a young male having had too much 
to drink, and foolishly thinking he can best'em all. Unfortunatly, said 
drunk usually ends up regretting it. Without hesitation, she claims the 
knife as if it hadn't been offered, as if she was just taking it. "Let's 
do." She states, chin in the air.

Asrai shakes her head, observing the pair over the rim of her mug. "I just 
hope no one gets seriously hurt..."

Erdrick nods at Asrai, quietly standing up and filling his klah mug.

Kassima nods once, sharply, to the younger woman. Whirling, she strides 
out to the Bowl in a purposeful flurry of black cloth.

You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Telgar-LC> Maylia's exit isn't quite so dramatic, but she waits just long 
enough that she's not following; she's just heading out into the bowl of 
her own accord, straight-backed and confident.

Maylia comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Telgar-LC> Erdrick looks at Asrai, "I'll keep an eye on them."

Telgar-LC> Erdrick nods to both Ro and Asrai and walks out.

Telgar-LC> Ro decides to curl up in a seat near the fire. Somewhere out of 
the way of the recent weyrdness.

Erdrick comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

One can almost hear the drumbeats as Kassi strides out of the Bowl, 
purpose written in her every step and a wooden knife held comfortably in 
her left hand. She shoots one glance back over her shoulder to ensure that 
Maylia is following; when it becomes apparent that she is indeed, the 
Wingsecond turns sharply to head in the general direction of the Lake.

You walk north.

Telgar-LC> Asrai smirks, "Wonder what he thinks he's going to do..other 
then get himself hurt too. He steps into the middle and they'll both turn 
on him, mark my words."

Lysseth> Maylia stomps through the snow, it's the only way to go in the 
less-beaten path she chooses, in order to not be following right behind 
Kassi. She won't be led. Her own hand clasped around a knife similar to 
Kassi's.

Maylia walks here from the south.

Erdrick walks here from the south.

You head in the direction of the shimmering lake, leaving the central bowl 
area of the Weyr.

Maylia heads over from the central bowl.

Erdrick heads over from the central bowl.

Kassima steps within a circle of trampled snow, grass and muck showing 
through clearly where feet have recently been scuffling. The ground itself 
attests to its recent hard usage. Tapping one slippered foot impatiently, 
the greenrider awaits her opponent with ill-concealed eagerness... and 
little wonder; if there's one thing Kassi loves to do when she's proddy, 
it's fight. "Shall we go one round," she drawls, "or best two from three?"

Erdrick walks in, staying near the boulder and hopefully out of sight.

Maylia heads down from the bowl, arrogence itself in her walk, hardly 
noticing the little poofs of snow that scoot ahead of her boots. She 
herself looks quite eager. Mimicing her mentor's drawl, she answers 
slowly, "Best two of three, perhpas? Better judgement of skill?" Like the 
young rider has -any- skill at this.

Kassima quite likely does possess a modicum of skill; those who know much 
of her will have heard her casual mention of beginning knife-fighting 
lessons at age eight, though 'throwing remains her true talent. So, 
perhaps it's no wonder that she holds herself with a haughty poise that 
just *exudes* self-confidence. "This," she says, holding up her blade, 
"shall determine that. Will you pluck your blade from its pilcher by the 
ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out!"

Maylia doesn't even bat an eyelash, her own blade, albeit wooden, 
brandished. By some miracle she holds it in a fair approximation of form. 
Saying nothing, she half, crouches, testing the balance of her feet.

Kassima slips into a fighter's crouch without thinking, bouncing a bit on 
the balls of her feet and holding her knife in guard position. Almost 
absently, she draws the long wherry-skewer from her belt, holds it up, and 
places it with great care on the boulder--just in case her mentee 
shouldn't trust her, which she takes for granted given that she certainly 
wouldn't trust her mentee. Rather than feinting or carrying the attack, 
she waits, poised with the sort of patience she has for few activities 
outside of this.

Erdrick scoots back around the curve of the boulder as Kassi places her 
knife on it, then goes back to his watching position, using the boulder to 
stay out of sight.

Maylia nods sharply as she takes note of the wherry skewer, her eyes 
narrowed. She knows from experience that this is not the only blade the 
woman has on her. But, she tests her grip on her knife, light, not too 
tight, and crouches, appearing ready to spring. "I am for you," She nearly 
hisses.

Kassima merely laughs, more than a hint of mockery in the sound. "Come, 
mentee! I'll have naught of you but one of your three lives; that I mean 
t'make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest 
of the two!" She beckons to the younger greenrider, mouth curving upwards 
in a smirk... and eyes glinting a rather dangerous green above it.

Maylia's attitude makes it clear that the love she bears her mentor can 
afford no better term than this: She is a Villain. At least when the two 
of them are in this state. Green eyes meet green eyes, in a glare as icy 
as the air around them. Without a word, the young greenrider begins to 
circle, not yet realizing her disadvantage.

Kassima saunters towards her circling mentee, blade extended; here's her 
fiddlestick! Here's what shall make the younger greenrider dance! Zounds, 
that she should consort with such a one? The music that rings out is the 
tap of knife against knife, as Kassi strikes Maylia's blade in what's 
nearly a gesture of play.

From one of Erdrick's pockets, Talina looks curiously at the duelers.

The seriousness with which Maylia responds to the overtures given by Kassi 
indicates that this is beyond sparring for her. This is proving something. 
But even this shall not excuse the injuries that her mentor has done her, 
even done while proddy. She circles, light on her feet, returning the 
testing taps, with an icy silence.

Kassima's smile is as cold as the grounds beneath their feet, but her eyes 
have gone shrewd; combat is her element--and as men's eyes were made to 
look, so let them gaze; she shall not move for no man's pleasure, she! 
Raising her weaponless left arm in a defensive posture--better that the 
arm should be struck, after all, than something more vital--she darts out 
with her slim wooden blade, striking like black lightning for the 
midsection of her mentee. The heart, she knows well, is too thoroughly 
protected by the ribcage to be a worthwhile target.

The piercing wood at bold Maylia's midsection, who, all as hot turns point 
to point, and with a martial scorn, with one hand beat cold death aside. 
With the other, blade held lightly, she thrusts, herself not as 
knowledgable, towards her opponent's chest. She had but newly entertained 
revenge, and to't they go like lightning.

Kassima's eyes glint sharply with malice, and she parries away the lashing 
blow with a strike of her blade that sends the sound of the wood's retort 
ringing across the lake. Her eye is as full of quarreling as an egg is 
full of meat, and none shall tutor her from quarreling, nor buy the fee 
simple of *her* life for an hour and a quarter! As there are two such, it 
is a fine thing that the blades are not steel, or one should surely kill 
the other. Taunting all aside, Kassi thrusts weariness away and begins to 
fight with earnest, deadly skill. Away to heaven respective lenity, and 
fiery fury be her conduct now!

An sorry Maylia's skill is naught but arrogence borne of sweet 
intoxication, a flimsy illusion, that! And met with the practiced blows, 
again and again, of Kassi's blade, though her agile arm beats down the 
wooden point, tis as though some twenty fought her in this black strife!

Erdrick gulps nervously, watching as he hides behind the curve of the 
boulder.

Kassima is as soon moved to be moody as she is moody to be moved, and 
these near-misses only seem to inflame the heat of her temper; there is 
naught on this world that should make her effeminate, and in that temper 
soften valor's steel. An envious thrust from Kassi seeks to hit the life 
of Maylia; if she is twenty, she *will* kill one life. The blade seeks 
justice, which her skill must give--Maylia took the challenge; Maylia must 
not live.

And so, the two beginners of this fray do circle about, fending blow for 
blow, one the better skilled, the other's skill from inner depths comes. 
But Maylia's vengeful will is no match for better practice, and twixt them 
rushes, underneath her arm, the wooden point by Kassi's hand to find it's 
mark.

Kassima dances away the moment her blade hits home, wind-whipped hair 
flying wildly to frame a face of ghostly pallor. Like an uncivil night, 
the sober-suited lady all in black, she shall *not* learn herself how to 
lose a winning match--for this match is not played by a pair of stainless 
maidens, but by warriors in deadly earnest. "One," she speaks softly, eyes 
shining like two of the coldest stars in all the heavens. As Maylia falls, 
Kassi does not turn and fly; this is the truth, or let all justice die. 
"Shall we again?" No mercy has she; attend her will. Mercy but murders, 
pardoning those that kill.

Maylia clasps her hand to her breast, and tears her eyes from her 
opponent's. Fromst her lips comes the whispered word, "One." the bitter 
admission tasting rank in on her tongue. But with this gentle breath, and 
calm look, her knees refuse to humbly bow, she can not make truce with the 
unruly spleen of Kassi, deaf to peace. "Aye," she agrees. "Again." And 
foolishly takes the stance.

Kassima takes a deep breath, gazing long upon the visage of her enemy. 
Patience perforce with willful choler meeting make her flesh tremble in 
their different greeting; should Maylia's blood for her rude brawls lie 
a-bleeding, the Weyrleaders should amerce such a fine.... With that 
thought, she puts her rapier up--but to meet Maylia's, rather than away. 
This day's black fate on more duels doth depend; that last began the work 
she now must end.

Maylia raises her blade, fierce determination in her eyes, no sign of 
cowardice, nor for that matter of sense. And lowers it, not the bitter 
taste of defeat curdling her assuredness of earler, but some form of sense 
come over her. "Nay." She states, standing proud and true. "Yours is the 
better skill, at this."

Maylia adds, voice strong and true, "We need no second fight to prove't."

Kassima halts mid-thrust, anger flashing in her eyes like heat-lightning--
O calm, dishonorable, vile submission! But she draws back, sliding her 
knife back into its hiding place. "Yours is an innate skill of cheveril, 
that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad. Should you have more 
training, we should likely be well-matched."

Erdrick starts backing away slowly, keeping the boulder between him and 
the duelers.

Telgar Weyr> Maylia waves and snugs! and don't worry, both Kassi and 
Maylia are unharmed ;)

[Editor's Note:  At this point, Maylia had to go, so we assumed that our 
duelists left the field and lived Shakespeareanly ever after. ;) ]