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Minecraft Clearing


Date:  Early January, 1996
Places:  Benden Weyr's Northern Bowl and Southern Bowl; Minecraft 
Hall's Skyspace, Field, and Mine Nexus
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  I couldn't let this log fade into oblivion. :)  Not that
my RP in it was good or anything--in these early logs, when is it 
ever ;)--but I remember having fun with this, which I think was my first
big Weyr-wide event.  A lot about common pose style sure has changed 
since then.  Do you know, I never did find out what Kaylarn had against
Kassi.

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The Log:

You walk north.

Meli looks over the large pile. "Eh, that's a lot of leather... d'ya want
em kept in any sort of order, or just pile em all by the dragons?"

Benden Weyr> Jeshua says, "Um...what's going on?"

R'val walks out of the cavern, "I'm willing to help, if I can."

Aphrael walks here from the south.

Alyssa walks south.

Benden Weyr> Elyandra says, "Minecraft needs a collapsed mine to be cleared
:)"

Taylar says "Ok, Alyssa, Meli, Kassima. The harnesses are over here. Hand
one harness to a rider. One is big enough for each of us to carry."

Taylar walks south.

Benden Weyr> Rickon will come ;)

Benden Bowl> Alyssa carries an armful of harnesses that are carefully
bundled up for travel.

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

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

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

Benden Bowl> Taylar returns carrying a mess of straps. "Here you go. One
per rider."

Benden Weyr> F'hlan .oO (Did I log on just in time to do something useful
and self-sacrificing?)

Benden Bowl> P'tran looks back to Elyandra and nods. "Quite clever,
actually, but I didn't want to make it sound like I was singling out one
candidate for ..." He stops when he sees the others and his expression
becomes more businesslike again

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Come Play!"

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Mine clearing :)"

Benden Weyr> Elyandra says, "Yup, you sure did! Come help clear the mines!"

Benden Weyr> Meli goes quiet cause she's somewhere else tonight too.

Meli grabs one harness, hefting it carefully, and heads back to the south
bowl.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan nobly offers to work himself senseless clearing mines.
A man's gotta get in his overwork somehwere..... :)

Benden Bowl> F'hlan comes down the low steps leading out of Tzornth's weyr.

Benden Bowl> Taylar says "They are made to adjust to the size of your
dragon." He hands his set to the nearest rider. "It's really simple."

Benden Bowl> P'tran peers at the straps with a raised eyebrow. Seeing them
on paper and seeing them 'for real' are two entirely different things. His
expression hints that he's impressed, but other than that he simply nods.

Kassima nods and picks up some harnesses.

Meli walks south.

You walk south.

F'hlan steps into view in the entry of his ground-level weyr, and blinks
out across the Bowl. There were voices out here....

Aphrael walks here from the north.

Benden Weyr> Jeshua says, "What're all the candies a doin?"

P'tran glances up and smiles. "F'hlan, there you are," he says.

Elyandra tries not to giggle, covering her smile as the Weyrleader grows
serious once again. She takes one of the sets of straps from Taylar's
hands, "Okay, let me show you how to put the harnesses on quickly before we
get there." She moves to Zibrith.

Taylar turns to the other strap bearing Candidates. "Pass them out."

Benden Weyr> R'val Has no idea what to do, folks :)

Taylar turns to P'tran. "Can I go as well?"

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Listen to Elyandra, then :)"

Kassima carries more of the harnesses, parcelling them out, one to a rider,
like Taylar instructed her.

Meli returns, carrying one harness carefully, setting it down near one of
the dragons and stepping back to watch Ely and give the rider a view as well.

Alyssa carries a set of straps to N'fan. "Sir?"

Benden Weyr> R'val will, if he can find her 8-)

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "South bowl, R'val."

P'tran nods to Taylar as he receives one of the oversized straps. "Of
course. You helped make these straps, so we'd need you if something went
wrong with them."

F'hlan straightens a bit, and ventures over to the Weyrleader, muttering at
him, "You wanted to see me?"

R'val walks here from the north.

Taylar smiles and begins buttoning his oversized jacket.

Off in Tzornth's weyr, Tzornth himself peeks out, rumbling inquiringly.

R'val moves towards the group.

P'tran nods to F'hlan. "We're heading to clear the firestone mines. Your
bronze is larger and stronger than most and can help clear them faster.

Meli mutters to R'val, "Sorry to... you have... could borrow?"

Elyandra takes the harness, running her hand over the middle until she
finds a buckle." Okay, we hook this buckle to the riding straps, "She does
so, attaching it just under the buckle of the actual riding straps. "The
you take this other buckle around to the other side of your dragon and run
the leather through.... " She does so, "Tightening it to fit your dragon.
Please notice you need to keep the padding facing the inside so as not to
chafe your dragon's hide." She grins.

Jareth lumbers here from the north.

Meli grins.

Aphrael nods and passes the harnesses to nearby riders.

F'hlan glances about, rather taken aback, at the activity and the odd
equipment being handed out. He then blinks, at P'tran, and almost visibly
brightens, except that he doesn't smile.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan watches the thought go through his head, "TZORNTH AND I
ARE NEEDED!" He bbeams. :)

Taylar says "I can help install the straps, if anyone needs assistance."

On Jareth's blue back, Rickon fiddles with the straps, fastening himself in.

Alyssa smiles at F'hlan and carries a second set to him. "Here you are, sir."

R'val nods to Meli, "I'll try."

F'hlan glances off at his dragon. By way of response, Tzornth trumpets
cheerfully, and comes lumbering out into view, eyeing the humans with clear
curiosity.

Tzornth lumbers out of his weyr.

On Jareth's blue back, Jeshua says, "Here!" rather meekly, and tries to
catch Aphrael's eye for a good set of straps.

N'fan wakes up and looks around, somewhat disoriented.

On Jareth's blue back, Starratiel fastens herself n.

P'tran takes a step forward and points to the widest part of the strap on
Zibrith. "So we have to put it right across the chest then. I know normal
straps go a little further forward ..."

F'hlan blinks at Alyssa, blushes a trifle at the 'sir", and murmurs a thank
you at her, before turning to catch what Elyandra had to say about these
straps.

Kassima continues giving out the harnesses, handing a set to R'val and
other riders nearby.

Aphrael nods and wanders over to Jereth quickly, passing up a set of straps
to Jeshua.

Taylar steps up to P'tran and Laerth. "Like this." He stands on his tiptoes
and indicates what he means. He is too short to reach.

Elyandra says "And these," She pulls out another set of straps, "Are the
harnesses actually used to pull the weight of the debris out of the mines.
These slings, "She holds up some large pieces of canvas, "ARe what will be
loaded with the dehbris." She nods to P'tran, "Exactly. Right across the
Chest. We needed the dragons to be able to put their weight into their
work, and this is where they get the most leverage out of the harnesses.""

Laerth gives a rumble of greetings to Tzornth and turns his curious,
whirling eyes at the demonstration.

On Jareth's blue back, Jeshua takes a set from Kassi and watches closely on
how to attach them.

A rider calls from the back "Ely, do we just carry the slings for now, or
fly with them on?"

Zibrith sits proudly, modeling the new harnesses like a queen.

N'fan takes the set from Alyssa and looks at it somewhat dubiously. "I
don't gotta take my riding straps off to put this on?"

R'val takes his set of straps, and tunrs towards Vidarth, turning his head
to reagard Ely over his shoulder as he waits for the answer.

Taylar says "I think the slings might get in the way of landing."

Alyssa shakes her head at N'fan. "No, they attach to the existing
straps...as Zibrith has on, as you can see."

Aphrael watches curiously, standing back a little.

P'tran nods to N'fan. "You still need your normal riding straps. They don't
replace that."

Elyandra shakes her head at N'fan, "Yes, with your own riding straps." She
grins at Taylar, "We'll take the harness off Zibrith and then put them on
again when we get to the Minecraft/

On Jareth's blue back, Jeshua turns around to look with raised eyebrows at
her passengers.

Kassima finishes doling out straps and stands beside Aphrael.

F'hlan, looking all the world like an earnest weyrling trying very hard to
absorb a new lesson, glances from face to face, taking in everything that's
spoken. Behind him, Tzornth eyes Zibrith, then staunchly warbles.

On Jareth's blue back, Rickon looks kinda confused.

P'tran nods to Elyandra. "I think a second demonstration is in order. I
know I need one," he adds with a grin

On Jareth's blue back, Starratiel blinks at Jeshua's expression.

Taylar efficiently bundles Laerth's set up for travel.

Kerlyn walks here from the north.

Taylar nods to Kerlyn. "Ma'am."

Meli steps back near Aph, waiting quietly until everyone is ready to mount.

On Jareth's blue back, Jeshua hands her set to Starr. "Will you hang on to
these until we get to the Minecraft?"

Alyssa stands near F'hlan and seems inordinately pleased the bronzerider is
out and about. She nods to Kerlyn before awaiting her instruction.

On Jareth's blue back, Garsall sits on Jareth's back, looking dazedly at
all the action.

On Jareth's blue back, Starratiel nods. "yes ma'am."

Taylar says "Do we want the demonstration at the Mine?"

P'tran turns to Laerth briefly and the dragon settles back in his haunches,
then crouches downward. P'tran throws the top part of the straps over him.

Elyandra removes the straps from Zibrith and begins again, "Buckle the
right side first to the riding straps." She does so, "The walk around and
connect the left side and adjust the harness to fit your dragon, making
sure the padded side is against the dragon's hide." She demonstrates this,
"Then, when we get to MineCraft I'll show you this again, attach the
harnesses that will pull the debris to the chest strap." She grins,
"Everyone got it?"

F'hlan studies the straps Alyssa handed him, with scrupulous care, then
hurries off into his weyr. He comes back, a few moments later, with
Tzornth's riding straps, and he briskly begins preparing the dragon for
flight.

Taylar says "P'tran? May I ride Laerth?"

P'tran hrms and nods, then has Laerth sit up slightly so his rider can duck
under him and bring the larger part across the chest. He grunts slightly
with the effort to bring the end around, as Laerth is somewhat larger than
Zibrith.

On Jareth's blue back, Jeshua turns to grin at Garsall. "Are you having a
good time?"

Elyandra removes the straps and hands them to Taylar again for repacking.
She looks around, "Kerlyn?"

P'tran hrms? and glances over his shoulder. "Sure, Taylar. Just ... give me
... a minute ... there."

Taylar repacks the straps carefully so as not to tangle them.

Taylar says "Here, let me help."

Alyssa murmurs to F'hlan, "I'd be pleased to help you with the straps,
sir...I've seen Taylar fiddle with them enough."

On Jareth's blue back, Jeshua decides to wait on the straps until they get
to the Minecraft.

P'tran looks over to Taylar as he stands back. "I think I got them on
right. Does it look ok?"

On Jareth's blue back, Garsall returns Jeshua's grin, with a shrug.

F'hlan blinks to Alyssa, then nods solemnly to her. Tzornth peers at her
with his nearer eye, and croons.

R'val does as he saw Ely do, attaching the harness to the right side of his
straps, thn Vidarth's left side, then checks the harness, muttering to
himself as he inspects it.

Taylar looks the arrangement over carefully and nods. "That's it. Ask
Laerth how they feel."

Elyandra takes the first packed straps and secures them to Zibrith's riding
straps. She turns to the others, "Okay, Candidates? Can I have your
attention please?"

Alyssa beams at Tzornth, then shifts her attention to Elyandra.

Kassima nods and listens to Elyandra.

Aphrael stands a bit straighter and nods to Elyandra.

Meli straightens and listens.

N'fan finishes getting the harness onto Reveth, communicating with the
dragon silently as he gets used to making the adjustments. Then he takes
them off again, and bundles them up neatly for the trip.

P'tran quickly whispers to Taylar that Laerth thinks they're a little tight
but that P'tran should b e able to adjust them.

Taylar nods to P'tran and waits for Elyandra.

F'hlan thusly begins making the demonstrated connections, expression intent
in the way it usually only is in Fall, and occasionally glances at Elyandra
to see if he misses any useful ifnormation.

On Jareth's blue back, Rickon leans down to listen.

P'tran quiets so Elyandra can speak.

Elyandra looks to see that all the Candidates are listening, "You will be
helping the Miners with loading the firestone. Since you do not have the
experience inside the mines, you will need to stay outside. Please ask
Kerlyn, Master Susaen, or me if you have any questions."

Elyandra looks from one to the other, "Under no circumstances are we to
find /any/ of you at any point inside the mine. This is a very dangerous
situation."

P'tran makes a final adjustment to Laerth's and the dragon gives a low
croon of satisfaction. He heads over to the other riders to assist them as
much as his limited experience will allow

Meli nods, catching the serious tone, and settles herself to prepare for
some hard work.

Aphrael nods quietly, shifting only slightly.

F'hlan, evidently content at last with the unfamiliar straps, pauses on
Tzornth's knee and listens gravely to Zibrith's rider.

Kassima nods silently.

A lower cavern boy rushes up, dumping a pile of old jackets and gloves on
the ground for the non-riders. He grins and dashes off.

Above, Meroth flies over from the north end of the bowl.

Meroth backwings for a landing.

T'fian quickly slides down Meroth's foreleg and jumps to the ground.

Taylar grabs some gloves.

N'fan attaches the bundled harness to Reveth's straps for transport, and
then leans against the reclining blue until it's time to take off. Got to
relax now, while we have the chance. :)

P'tran says to the other riders, "Elyandra is in charge of this wing, since
she's been coordinating this effort with the Minecraft Hall from the start,
so you will you all follow her orders."

Taylar makes sure all the riders have straps ready for travel.

Alyssa's affectionate smile shifts to Meroth, for she has not seen the blue
in quite some time. She then waits for Elyandra to continue, nodding at
P'tran.

F'hlan nods, a single time, to P'tran.

Meli sorts through the pile, finding a jacket that's about the right size,
comfortable with her own gloves. She pulls out a second one, and hands it
to Aph. "Try this one" she says quietly.

Benden Weyr> T'fian wonders what is happening. :)

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Mine clearing :) Come to the south bowl if
you're interested .."

Benden Weyr> T'fian is there. :)

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "I was going to say... :)"

Aphrael looks up at Meli and grins thanks silently, pulling on the jacket.
It's a little large, but not a bad fit. She also finds some gloves.

T'fian leans against Meroth as he watches.

Kassima moves over to the pile and rummages until she finds a good jacket
and gloves that fit, pulling them on.

Benden Weyr> Aphrael says, "Isnt there meant to be a lecture soonish?"

F'hlan wordlessly starts pulling on his Fall gear. The gloves and his
goggles and helmet will probably be useful.

R'val hands Meli a jacket with a smile, "Do you still need this? It's my
spare."

Benden Weyr> Starratiel says, "Help!"

Benden Weyr> T'fian says, "There is, but it's been delayed for a while."

Taylar picks up an extra set of straps and brings them to T'fian. "Here you
go. Elyandra will demonstate at the mine."

Meli chuckles. "Lemme see if that one fits better, R'val... thanks."

R'val grins sheepishly, "Oh, you already have one..."

Benden Weyr> F'hlan ponders the chances of F'hlan not only successfully
pulling off his share of the work, but not exhausting himself. :)

P'tran looks over to Elyandra. "You mentioned before that we will be
putting on the harnesses again at the mine. This was a practice run, so to
speak."

T'fian nods to Taylar and takes the straps, glancing between them and
Meroth for a moment to check gauge their fit.

Taylar moves back over next to Laerth.

Meli slips on R'val

Meli slips on R'val

Meli slips on R'val's spare jacket :P and nods. "Thanks."

R'val smiles, "More than welcome, "He turns to packing up the straps he was
given into Vidarth's side-pouches.

Alyssa finishes fastening up her own jacket and pulls her helment on,
making sure her braid is secure and not going to catch on the helmet.

Elyandra looks around, "Everyone ready?"
P'tran looks over to Elyandra. "You mentioned before that we will be
putting on the harnesses again at the mine. This was a practice run, so to
speak."

Starratiel is handed down from Jareth's neckridge by Jeshua.

F'hlan by way of reply climbs onto his bronze. Tzornth bugles!

F'hlan climbs up and settles into place on Tzornth's bronze back.

Elyandra nods to P'tran, "Exactly."

Alyssa looks up at F'hlan and asks quietly, "Might I, sir?"

Elyandra grins, "Okay, who's riding with me?"

T'fian grins and raises his hand for a moment before putting it back down.

Aphrael pulls on a helmet and takes a deep breath, glancing over her
shoulder at the others. She steps forwards to Elyandra, "May I?"

On Tzornth's back, F'hlan looks down, and gravely nods, leaning a hand down
for Alyssa to clasp to get up onto the bronze dragon. Tzornth glances at
her again, rumbling affably, and shifts himself so that he can climb onto
her leg.

P'tran nods. He takes a few moments to unfasten the harness and fold it up
again, tying it to the side of his regular riding straps.

Meli glances around, wondering which dragon she'll end up on.

Elyandra nods, "Surely, Aphrael."

Elyandra steps up on Zibrith's thoughtfully extended forleg and climbs
quickly up on her neck, seating herself securly between her dragon's
neckridges.

R'val uses Vidarth's side straps to mount up agilely, settling onto the
little blue's back and straightening, petting his head once as Vidarth
thrums excitedly, ready to fly.

Alyssa smiles and takes the offered hand launching herself up with ease.

Alyssa climbs up and settles into place on Tzornth's bronze back.

Taylar glances at P'tran and Laerth.

Astride Zibrith, Elyandra calls to Meli, "Okay, why don't you come with me
as well?"

P'tran turns to Taylar. "You're riding with me then. Wait til I get up first."

T'fian quickly climbs up Meroth's foreleg, giving the blue dragon an
affectionate scritch as he settles between the neckridges.

P'tran climbs up onto Laerth in one smooth motion.

Meli grins. "Thanks, Ely."

Taylar says "Yes, sir"

From atop Laerth, P'tran secures his own straps and reaches an arm down to
assist Taylar

Meli steps up onto Zibrith's extended forleg and sits carefully between the
Green's neckridges and into the riding straps.

Aphrael steps up onto Zibrith's extended forleg and sits carefully between
the Green's neckridges and into the riding straps.

Astride Meroth, T'fian straps himself securely into Meroth's riding straps.

From Vidarth's back, R'val calls out, "I've room up here."

Taylar carefully climbs atop Laerth's neck and settles between the neckridges.

N'fan climbs up onto Reveth's back, aided by an extended forelimb and by
the riding straps fastened about the base of the blue dragon's long neck.

On Tzornth's back, F'hlan turns to glance at his passenger, and silently
pulls Tzornth's straps into her reach, for her to buckle.

From atop Laerth, P'tran calls out as he assists Taylar. "I can take
another if someone else needs a ride there."

Astride Zibrith, Elyandra turns and watches the Candidates buckle
themselves in, "Perfect. You two ready?"

Between Meroth's neckridges, T'fian pulls his goggles down over his eyes
and then puts on his helmet, fastening the chin strap securely.

High atop Reveth, N'fan calls out, "I got room for two more."

From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Meli pats at Zibrith's back after she
straps in. "I'm ready."

From atop Laerth, Taylar carefully buckles in.

On Tzornth's back, Alyssa fastens her belt to her jacket efficiently, then
says to F'hlan quietly, "All secured here, sir. Thank you."

Kassima looks up and walks over to R'val. "May I ride with you?" she asks.

From atop Laerth, P'tran turns and helps secure Taylar into the straps

Laerth instinctively starts to move out into a point ahead of the other
dragons like he's used to in Fall, but P'tran shakes his head. "No, Laerth,
follow behind Zibrith."

Rickon is handed down from Jareth's neckridge by Jeshua.

You climb up Vidarth's straps to his back and settle in.

Vidarth
You sit upon the back of Vidarth, and are impressed by the view from his
back, a sight to see even from the ground. He shifts beneath you tensely,
eager to fly.
Contents:
R'val

R'val grins and turns to help Kassima strap in, "Dont' worry. He won't dunk
you on this occasion. "He winks.

Away from Vidarth, Astride Zibrith, Elyandra looks around for ready signs
from the other riders.

Away from Vidarth, High atop Reveth, N'fan securely fastens Reveth's riding
straps to himself.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, F'hlan once more blushes a bit at
Alyssa, but nods to her quietly. Tzornth rumbles, making his flesh vibrate
under his passengers. His rider gives Elyandra the hand signal of
acknowledgement -- again, from Fall.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran turns to face forward again and
sweeps the bowl with his gaze, again as he's used to doing when assembling
for Fall, but he says nothing and lets Elyandra dictate the formation.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran nods to Elyandra and raises an
arm towards her briefly to signal he's ready. Laerth has moved neatly
behind Zibrith

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Aphrael grins and
holds onto the riding straps.

Away from Vidarth, Rickon says "Can somebody take me?"

R'val turns once he is satisfied that Kassima is strapped in properly and
indicates his readiness to Elyandra.

Away from Vidarth, Astride Zibrith, Elyandra calls out to P'tran, 'Got room
for Rickon?"

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, F'hlan nods down to Rickon, quickly,
motioning him up onto Tzornth.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, Taylar says "Don't forget Rickon."

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran glances over the side and calls
out. "Hurry up!" He reaches down an arm to Rickon

Away from Vidarth, Rickon carefully climbs atop Laerth's neck and settles
between the neckridges.

Away from Vidarth, Atop Meroth, T'fian, about to raise his arm to signal
his readiness, looks down at Rickon. "I've room," he says.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, Rickon scrambles up the bronze.
"Thanks..." He straps himself in quickly.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, F'hlan nods, then, letting P'tran get
Rickon, and he shifts to wait for Elyandra's call aloft.

Away from Vidarth, Zibrith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the
bowl to carry her aloft.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran turns to assist Rickon and
makes sure he's secure before raising an arm towards elyandra

Away from Vidarth, Reveth leaps into the air with a powerful thrust of his
hind legs, giving himself enough clearance for that first crucial downflap
of wings.

Away from Vidarth, Reveth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the
bowl to carry him aloft.

Away from Vidarth, Meroth leaps into the air on a downstroke of his wings,
leaving eddies of dust swirling beneath him.

Away from Vidarth, Meroth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the
bowl to carry him aloft.

Away from Vidarth, Laerth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the
bowl to carry him aloft.

You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor
to carry you aloft.

Benden Weyr> Elyandra says, "Did we lose F'hlan?"

Away from Vidarth, Tzornth rises up from the bowl.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan says, "Nope. F'hlan's just lagging."

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "No, I think we're just a little lagged :)"

Away from Vidarth, Zibrith disappears into Between.

Away from Vidarth, Laerth disappears into Between.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa swoons for F'hlan, lagged or no. :)

Away from Vidarth, Meroth disappears into Between.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, Alyssa takes a deep breath
automatically.

Away from Vidarth, Vidarth disappears into Between.

Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear
nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!

Benden Weyr> F'hlan says, "Hey, no swooning in *between!*"

You suddenly emerge...

Sky above the Minecraft Hall(#8072RJe)
The entire Minecraft Hall is spread out below you. You can make out the
tall, imposing cliff that holds the doors to it's impressive Great Hall and
the small, lush green courtyard. The gather grounds are off in one
direction, whilst towards another are the rolling hills and the mines area,
which look to be seconds away, if you were to fly there. Below you are the
fields, where most dragons settle down to let their riders and passengers
pursue their business at the Minecraft Hall.
Contents:
Meroth
Laerth
Zibrith
Obvious exits:
Sky over High Reaches Area  Down  

Away from Vidarth, Vidarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Away from Vidarth, Tzornth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran glances around as the other
riders and dragons come out of *between*, not able to break that habit, at
least

Away from Vidarth, Tzornth bugles cheerfully.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, Rickon gasps from the cold. "Do you
/ever/ get used to that?"

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, Taylar remembers to breathe.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran takes a mental count and nods
when he sees all reappear

Away from Vidarth, Vidarth gives a strident bugle as he emerges from between!

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, Alyssa lets out the deep breath,
grinning. She does love to fly....

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Meli nearly whoops,
but controls herself, although she does lean forward to yell something to
Aphrael.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, F'hlan, rather habitual as well, does
the same glance P'tran does.

Away from Vidarth, Zibrith wings into the field.

Away from Vidarth, From down below, Zibrith swoops down gracefully to a
landing.

Away from Vidarth, Reveth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Kassima shivers and looks down. 'Tis a great view from up here.

Away from Vidarth, Tzornth wings into the field.

Away from Vidarth, From down below, Tzornth swoops down gracefully to a
landing.

R'val turns to shout against the wind, "You allright back there, Kassima?"

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran smirks slightly at his
passengers. "You do, and very quickly."

Away from Vidarth, Meroth wings into the field.

Away from Vidarth, From down below, Meroth swoops down gracefully to a
landing.

Away from Vidarth, Laerth wings into the field.

Away from Vidarth, From down below, Laerth swoops down gracefully to a
landing.

Kassima calls, "Aye, I'm fine, thanks!"

You slowly wing down into the minecraft fields.

Field in front of the MineCraft Hall(#1721RJ)
You stand before the mighty Minecraft Hall of Crom, built into the cliff
facing east. It is a large, broad two-story stone structure against the
base of the cliff, and continues on into the stone wall behind it. The
doors are tall and wide, and ornately carved with stonework decorations,
like the rest of the hall's exterior.
The MineCraft Hall is directly west from here while the area for the mines
is south.
Contents:
Laerth
Meroth
Tzornth
Zibrith
Thadius
Obvious exits:
Mountain Road  Mine Nexus  Courtyard  

Away from Vidarth, From above, Reveth wings into the field.

Away from Vidarth, Reveth swoops down gracefully to a landing.

Away from Vidarth, Tzornth settles without so much as a bump, and looks
about, his eyes whirling brightly.

Away from Vidarth, Astride Zibrith, Elyandra smiles, "Everyone okay?"

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Aphrael laughs softly
in agreement with Meli still holding onto the straps carefully.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, F'hlan glances at Alyssa behind him,
questioningly.

Away from Vidarth, High atop Reveth, N'fan removes the straps from himself,
preparing to dismount.

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Meli nods. "Fine,
fine!" she says, eyes bright.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, Taylar unbuckles the straps and slides
to the ground.

Away from Vidarth, Taylar carefully climbs down from Laerth's neck.

Away from Vidarth, From atop Laerth, P'tran looks back to Taylar and Rickon
and helps unfasten their straps

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Aphrael nods at Ely,
"Fine, thank you."

Away from Vidarth, Between Meroth's neckridges, T'fian undoes the buckles
and riding straps that secures him to Meroth.

Away from Vidarth, Taylar turns and pats Laerth. "Thanks for the ride."

R'val slides down Vidarth's side, landing in a crouch on his feet next to
his dragon.

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Aphrael quickly undoes
her straps, looking around with curiousity.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, F'hlan unbuckles himself and holds
his hand briefly over the buckles, to see whether Alyssa needs assistance.

Away from Vidarth, On Tzornth's back, Alyssa unbuckles her straps quickly
and smoothly, then smiles at F'hlan and slide down carefully; this is the
largest dragon she has ridden!

Away from Vidarth, Laerth turns his head and regards Taylar for a moment
before giving a low rumble, eyes whirling quickly with excitement.

Away from Vidarth, Alyssa climbs down to Tzornth's foreleg, then jumps to
the ground.

Away from Vidarth, F'hlan climbs down to Tzornth's foreleg, then jumps to
the ground.

Away from Vidarth, N'fan climbs down from Reveth's back, aided by a
thoughtfully extended forelimb.

Away from Vidarth, From Zibrith's lower neck ridges, Meli unbuckles, still
smiling. "So, this is the minecraft hall" she murmurs.

You scoot down Vidarth's back, landing neatly on your feet.

T'fian quickly slides down Meroth's foreleg and jumps to the ground.

Aphrael clings to Zibrith's riding straps and slides down her extended
forlimb, landing on the ground beside the great Green dragon.

Reveth rumbles softly and settles down a bit closer to the ground.

From atop Laerth, P'tran glances at Rickon. "Need help getting down?"

Tzornth croons smoothly to Alyssa, preening.

From above, Sorath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Alyssa rubs Tzornth's flank for a moment. "Thank you," she murmurs to the
dragon.

From atop Laerth, P'tran unfastens his own straps and prepares to dismount

Taylar moves out of Rickon's way.

From above, Sorath wings into the field.

Sorath swoops down gracefully to a landing.

Benden Weyr> Brooke waves..but warns, I'm really laggy.:(

F'hlan almost grins at Tzornth. Almost. No, he couldn't have, this is
solemn F'hlan.

Taylar says "Hand me the straps."

Tzornth croons to Alyssa, once more.

Elyandra swings gracefully from Zibrith's neck, using a thoughtfully
extended forleg, she slides to the ground. Her eyes are distant as she
speaks silently to her dragon before giving her an affectionate rub on her
neck.

Aphrael turns to Zibrith, and Elandra, "Thank you."

P'tran comes down from Laerth's neck in one smooth motion.

Meli clings to Zibrith's riding straps and slides down her extended
forlimb, landing on the ground beside the great Green dragon.

Alyssa grins at Tzornth and his rider, her normal diffidence transformed by
the sheer pleasure of flight. "Thank you, sir, for the honor," she says to
F'hlan.

P'tran helps Rickon dismount and then unties the folded harness from the
straps. He looks around for Elyandra.

From her dragons neck, Kerlyn unfastens Sorath's straps, and swings down to
the ground.

Kerlyn dismounts, and gives Sorath an affectionate scritch once her feet
reach the ground.

Elyandra says "Let's all head this way, shall we?""

Elyandra walks towards the mine workings area.

Zibrith glides down to the Mine Nexus.

F'hlan smiles a bit, sheepishly, to Alyssa, then follows Elyandra.

Rickon carefully climbs down from Laerth's neck.

R'val nods to Elyandra, turning from his dragon to walk after her.

Rickon attempts to vault gracefully from Laerth, mis-judges it and falls on
his butt.

Meli flaps her arms around herself a moment to warm them. "C'n we help with
the straps, or should we just stay out o'the way for now?"

T'fian walks towards the mine workings area.

P'tran nods and follows, tucking the harness under his arm

P'tran walks towards the mine workings area.

Meroth glides down to the Mine Nexus.

Laerth glides down to the Mine Nexus.

Kerlyn walks towards the mine workings area.

Meli walks towards the mine workings area.

Taylar hides a chuckle at Rickon.

Alyssa walks towards the mine workings area.

Taylar walks towards the mine workings area.

Sorath glides down to the Mine Nexus.

Vidarth glides down to the Mine Nexus.

R'val walks towards the mine workings area.

You walk towards the mine workings area.

Mine Nexus
This is a large area devoted to housing the main mines of the Minecraft.
Small tunnel openings disappear in various directions. Apprentices rush
around, and tools are easily found if wanted. The nexus is a very large
area beneath the mountains, lited from the systematically placed glow baskets.
The main exit from the nexus is to the north, going directly out to the
fields.
Contents:
R'val
Vidarth
Sorath
Taylar
Alyssa
Meli
Kerlyn
Laerth
Meroth
P'tran
T'fian
Zibrith
Elyandra
Kaylarn
Tareen
Lily
Susaen
Obvious exits:
Fields  

F'hlan walks into the mines area from the fields.

Aphrael walks into the mines area from the fields.

Lily blushes nearly as red as her hair. "Oh, no, Master." She turns at the
arrival of the riders and dragons, waving to Taylar.

Tzornth glides in from the fields.

Tareen backs up, she didn't think so many people were going to be here.

Kaylarn opens his mouth to say something, but then gives up as a troup of
people tramp in.

Laerth refolds his wings as he touches down from his brief glide and
rumbles loudly, eyes whirling quickly. P'tran grins at his dragon slightly
before turning and nodding to Susaen. "Master Susaen."

Alyssa unstraps her riding helmet and carries it under her arm, still
walking at F'hlan's side. The bronzerider's reserve seems to suit her as well.

N'fan walks into the mines area from the fields.

Rickon walks into the mines area from the fields.

Susaen waves, smiling, "Hello, Rider Elyandra. We're glad to see you. For
some reason, we thought you might be bringing harpers. We're glad to see
you and the dragons."

Lily looks at the dragons with admiration, and at the riders with something
akin to fear as she stand next to the Masters.

Steryn stands protectively beside Lily.

Kerlyn stays to one side of the group of riders, her eyes picking out the
various candidates in the crowd.

Susaen has her hands on her hips. There is a bussle of miners over by the
entrance to the first collapsed firestone mine. They're all gaping now and
then at the dragons.

Reveth glides in from the fields.

P'tran raises an eyebrow and wonders why on Pern they'd bring harpers? but
decides not to pursue it and hides a grin.

Taylar stands close to Laerth hoping that Master Susaen realizes he is not
miner material.

F'hlan remains quietly behind the Weyrleader and Elyandra, earnestly
listening in, and waiting to be briefed.

T'fian leans up against Meroth's flank, his eyes scanning the miners and
candidates.

Tareen brushes her braid over a shoulder, trying 'not' to gape, too much.

Elyandra blinks, "Harpers? No, ma'am. No harpers. We did bring Candidates
and residents though. To help outside the mine."

P'tran sees F'hlan come up from behind him and gestures for the other
riders to come over as well.

Susaen realizes no such thing, Taylar. However, she's busy with Elyandra
now and asks, "Did you bring the new straps?'

Elyandra mutters to Susaen, "... and residents... ordered to help...
mine... don't... experience."

Benden Weyr> F'hlan peers at Alyssa and wonders if he's getting a shadow
here. :)

Elyandra nods, "We brought the harnesses and slings Taylar designed."

T'fian sees P'tran's gesture and walks over to him.

Lily smiles at Taylar, "I'm glad you could come on temporary duty, and that
the journeyman at Benden let you help us here."

Benden Weyr> Alyssa whistles innocently. Now, F'hlan, you -know- I blush as
much as you, only without the panache your years of practice allow. :)

Susaen says, "Taylar? Where is he?"

Laerth cranes his neck and casts a large eye on the harness that his rider
is still holding. He then peers at the mine entrance and cocks his head to
one side slightly

Taylar steps forward. "Here, Master Susaen."

N'fan stands back, arms folded across his chest as he looks over everyone's
heads to take in the situation. He listens to the conversations to get an
idea of what's going on here, and what his part in all this will be.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan peers at Alyssa. Well, okay, just as long as there's no
swooning.

Learth's gesture scares the hell out of half a dozen miner apprentices who
bravely rush inside and disappear around the bend.

Benden Weyr> P'tran posts a NO-SWOONING ZONE sign :)

Benden Weyr> F'hlan thanks his Wingleader solemnly.

Meli finds a spot to stand, resting while she can, waiting til they're
needed. She quirks a grin at Laerth's antics.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa sigh as P'tran posts his edict. Amen, Sela, so be it. :)

Lily points to Taylar, taking a step toward Susaen. "He's over there,
Master." She gapes, watching Laerth.

Laerth raises his head and snorts in amusement.

Benden Weyr> Yarra looks disappointed

Benden Weyr> F'hlan .oO (Man just can't do proper work when he's being
swooned at.)

Susaen waves Taylar over and says, "Well, let's have a look at the straps."
If they're on the dragons, she can't see them.

Zibrith sits down with a SNORT, swirling dust around and causing her rider
to sneeze.

Susaen gives a good look at Taylar's shoulder, though.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa snickers. I'm not sure Susaen can see them if she's
holding them, Taylar. :)

Tareen jumps, almost dropping her pick as she moves back a little.

P'tran rolls his eyes slightly at his dragon and turns to Elyandra and
Susaen. "The Benden riders are at your disposal, as well as the candidates
and residents," he says to the both of them

Taylar comes to stand near Elyandra and Master Susaen. "Each rider has a
set of straps. They will put them on when ready.

Elyandra nods to Taylar, "You can show them to Master Susaen and put them
on Zibrith."

Lily takes an involuntary step backward at Zibrith's snort, backing into
Steryn.

Tzornth RUMBLES, by way of punctuation to P'tran's statement. Beside him,
F'hlan gravely inclines his head to the master.

Susaen nods approval to Elyandra's words and calls out, "Lily, Tareen, come
forward."

Steryn blinks, putting his arms around lily to stop them both falling over.

Susaen jumps at Tzornth and looks around frightend.

Meroth sits back up on his haunches and cranes his neck, trying to look
around at everything with whirling blue-green eyes.

Taylar says "Yes, Elyandra." He moves back over to Zibrith and looks back
to Elyandra. "Zibrith will let me?""

Aphrael stays back near the group of canidates, out of the way until they
are needed.

Tareen walks up to Master Susaen. "yes?"

Susaen shouts, by accident, "Lily!"

P'tran watches Taylar approach Zibrith with some interest.

Reveth lumbers up behind N'fan, giving his rider a whuffle in the middle of
his back that almost forces him to take a step forward to keep his balance.
He grins and scritches the blue between his nostrils.

F'hlan glances sternly at his dragon. Tzornth settles into silence, but
there's a vivid swirl of amused blue in his eyes.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "I don't think Master Susaen can see the end of
her nose. :)"

Elyandra nods, "She'll let you Taylar."

Tareen covers and ear.

Lily approaches Susaen, stepping out of Steryn's embrace, her cheeks
flaming. "Yes, Master?"

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "WhatEVER gave you THAT idea :)"

Vidarth cranes his neck forward to regard the miners, eyes whirling
interestedly.

Rickon looks around him, and straightens slightly.

Taylar nods and takes down the straps. "Zibrith, could you lower down a
bit, please?"

Benden Weyr> P'tran personally thinks the way she RPs her character is cool :)

Sorath rumbles, lumbering away from the majority of the crowd, and curling
his tail up around him. He watched the crowd unblinkingly.

Kaylarn just stands there staring at all the goings on, a slightly bemused
expression on his face.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "She's fun once you figure out how to take her."

Zibrith rumbles, regarding Taylar momentarily befor laying down.

Taylar says "Thank you."

Susaen points Tareen toward Taylar, "Stick to him like glue. You need to
learn about those straps." Since Taylar has wandered out of Susaen's range
of vision she winds up pointing at N'fan. To Lily she instructs, "Organize
the candidates and the residents, explain to them about stacking firestone."

Steryn wanders after Lily, not entirely thrilled to lose her from his arms.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa recommends the grain of salt approach. :)

Taylar quickly attaches the straps and adjusts them accordingly. He then
attaches the sling.

Tareen quirks a smile and bows politely, following the person her master
pointed since she knows no ones name.

There is alot more bussiness going on near the mine opening as apprentices
carry out stone and stack it. They're waiting for orders to stop, but
Master Susaen isn't paying attention.

Taylar says "Master Susaen? If you wish to inspect the straps, I suggest
you come over closer to Zibrith."

Alyssa watches Taylar, absently reaching for Tzornth's flank to rub his
hide as she listens and watches closely.

P'tran shifts his gaze from Taylar to Susaen and you can tell he's doing
his best not to grin at Susaen despite the seriousness of the situation. He
then decides it better to focuse his attention exclusively on Zibrith and
the harness

Benden Weyr> Alyssa snickers at P'tran. Good example you're setting, o
mighty WL. :)

Tzornth gives a very low croon. Softly. Mustn't startle anyone.

Taylar smiles at Tareen. "Any questions?"

Susaen follows Taylar, wondering where in tarnation Tareen has gotten to.
She's suppose to be following Taylar. She walks up to the big dragon and
then stops. She bravely stands as still as rock, afraid to move.

Tareen looks from N'fan to Taylar, "Ah...who is Taylar?"

Lily listens to Susaen, following her point toward N'fan. She nods,
"Organize them and explain about the stacking. Yes, Master." She takes a
deep breath and approaches N'fan with a smile. "So do you know how to stack
firestone?"

Elyandra turns to Master Susaen, "As you can ... um... see." She grins a
bit, "The straps are padded for the safety of the dragons and the walls of
the mine.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan falls over laughing at Lily's question to N'fan.

P'tran notices Tareen and points out Taylar to her.

The real Taylar, not N'fan, that is

Alyssa hears Lily's question and feels her jaw sag. Do Candidates know how
to stack firestone?!

Benden Weyr> P'tran laughs :)

Meli steps over towards N'fan and the miner, and smiles. "Evening...
m'name's Meli... the candidates and residents are over there..." she points.

Tareen sighs, and makes a small smile at P'tran before turning on her heel,
"thank you."

Susaen stutters toward Taylar, "Where are the straps?"

Aphrael blinks in surprise as she looks back and forth.

Tareen hurries over to Taylar, "Ah--sorry, show me again?"

Taylar puts his hand up on the dragon's chest. "Here, ma'am>"

Lily peers at Meli, "A Candidate? So you're used to waiting on people and
stuff? So do you know how to stack the 'stone? It's not at all hard. Rather
fun, actually."

N'fan seems somewhat confused. "I thought Reveth was gonna help clear out
the mine..that's what I brought the harness for.." He glances at Elyandra
briefly.

Taylar smiles at Tareen and quickly shows her how the straps work.

P'tran ahems and takes a step forward. "Master Susaen, just take a few more
steps forward and you'll see for youself that Taylar did a good job with
the straps."

T'fian grins, wondering to himself how Miners get anything done, and covers
a grin with his hand.

Benden Weyr> Brooke says, "Where are all you guys?"

F'hlan quirks both dark eyebrows, and decides rather confusedly that
staying put till he receives a direct order is probably his best option at
the moment. Quietly, he lingers beside his bronze.

Tareen nods as her eyes follow what Taylar is showing her.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan says, "At the Minecraft Hall, Brooke."

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Hiding from you? :)"

Aphrael coughs slighlt at Lily's statement and nods.

R'val crosses his arms over his chest, and watches the proceedings patiently.

Kassima tries not to chuckle at the question and nods, too.

Elyandra nods, "And you need not fear this green statue here, Master
Susaen. She's behaving like I ordered her to." She pats Zibrith's side.

Kaylarn sighs at all these people milling about uselessly. Until these
riders turned up everything was progressing quite nicely and in an
organised fasion, /now/ look at it!

Taylar says "The straps adjust to fit each dragon. The sling can haul the
stone."

Susaen takes two steps forward as P'tran asks her to, and wonder upon
wonder, the straps loom into view. She smiles, "Wonderful. How long are
they? I mean, can I call in the miners to take them down into the tunnel?"

Benden Weyr> Brooke sighs, and is stuck over here.:(

Alyssa smiles despite herself and continues rubbing Tzornth's flank,
interested and amused by the goings-on.

Meli nods, quirking a slight smile. "Yah, we've stacked some 'stone... just
show us where, an' we'll get started."

Susaen shouts to the Head Apprentice to get a dozen strong ones up
immediately. They all arrive in short order with pasty faces and dirty
hands. Some of them are blantanty oogling the female riders.

Lily smiles brightly, "That's very good to hear, then. She peers at N'fan.
Are you one of the Riders? Or a Candidate? Candidates & folks are supposed
to stack." She points to the piles of 'stone where several minecraft
apprentices are busily at work stacking stone. "See what they're doing?
Just follow along with them."

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Brooke, I set Laerth jump_ok. @tel #3464, then
'dismount'"

Benden Weyr> Jazmin chucks brownies at Kassiima, snugs Alyssa and waves.

Tareen nods again, "And they're just going to pull the rocks with that?"
she points to the sling Taylar showed her.

Aphrael turns to look where Lily poings and nods, walking in the indicated
direction.

N'fan pats Reveth's snout. The huge blue is right behind him, looking over
his shoulder at Lily, his oversized eyes whirling with blues and greens.

Zibrith swings her head down to the nearest group of ooglers and rumbles at
them. What are /you/ looking at?

Taylar nods. "The straps are long enough to reach into the mines. The
dragons can then use their leg strenght to pull the load out.

T'fian looks at Lily and N'fan, his eyes stopping briefly at Reveth. He
shakes his head, trying to keep from laughing.

Meli nods again at Lily, grinning. She gives N'fan a smile and moves back
over to the clump of Bendenites, pointing out where they're to work.

The ooglers tremble, but pick up Zibriths' long straps and quickly move off
toward the tunel entrance. Susaen proclaims, "We can do two or three at a
time."

Tareen coughs, "Are you sure they can do it?" She look up at one of the
dragons.

Kassima bites her lip to keep from chuckling and follows Aph to the place.

Taylar says "Elyandra, perhaps Zibrith should move closer."

P'tran folds his arms and awaits Master Susaen's final assesment of the
preparations, his mouth turned in a very slight grin

Tzornth looks right back down at Tareen and RUMBLES.

Shastar walks into the mines area from the fields.

Lily looks up at the large blue head with the very large whirling eyes.
"Umm...is he yours? Or does he just like you?" She smiles as she sees the
nice Appr...er, Candidates getting to work.

Taylar smiles. "Of course, they can. They have strength proportionate to
their size."

Kaylarn wanders over to N'fan and Reveth, peering at the blue and hrming
curiously to himself.

Tareen looks up at the dragon and nods. "Okay then"

Shastar blinks..."Boy was I right."

P'tran glances at Tareen and grins more fully. On a silent command from
him, Laerth moves his larger bulk forward and peers at her.

Alyssa looks up at the bronze head above her. "Tzornth," she chuckles,
rubbing harder than ever.

Susaen starts walking in what she thinks is the direction of the mine, but
is in the opposite direction. All her shouting is strange, since the people
to shout at hare starting to become few and far between.

Elyandra smiles and nods, "Exactly, Master. We can." She looks at the
riders, "Okay, lets get the dragons facing the right direction.

P'tran adds, "I think they're large and strong enough to do the job."

F'hlan inclines his head solemnly to Elyandra, then turns and slaps Tzornth
lightly. The bronze shifts about, to settle himself in the right direction.

Taylar moves from dragon to dragon checking the straps. Making sure the
riders okay his inspection first.

Tareen lifts her chin a little, "eer...well, alright, I think so."

T'fian watches Master Susaen confusedly.

Steryn is still, naturally, standing behind Lily.

Shastar goes over to Tareen curiously, asking her something quietly.

P'tran nods to Elyandra. Laerth withdraws slightly and refolds his wings
against his sides, then turns around in the same direction as Zibrith

Vidarth cranes his neck further out, curiously eyeing thr proceedings.

N'fan smiles a little at Lily. "He's..uh, mine," not sure how else to put
it. "His name's Reveth." The dragon rumbles quietly as he's introduced, and
stretches his neck to get a closer look at Lily.

Shastar mutters to Tareen, "... is going on?"

The miner apprentices seem to be doing just fine without Susaen's
directions as they make their way to the nearest dragons fearfully and pick
up straps, beginning to walk off toward the entrance to the mine.

Alyssa takes Master Susaen's elbow and turns her, saying politely, "The
mine is this way, ma'am..."

Meli tugs on her gloves again, and moves over to the line of apprentices
stacking, and starts to work, quickly getting into the rhythm.

Shastar blinks , finally seeing Kassima.

Kaylarn glances at N'fan, "Are you sure?"

Tareen mutters to Shastar, "the... and the riders are..."

Taylar moves over to Laerth. "May I, P'tran?"

Tareen looks from Shastar and Kassima and turns back to her work.

Shastar ahs, looking to Tareen..."Good.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa did not know the Keystone Kops were in charge of Pern's
mines. :) ;)

Rickon joins the other Candidates, working quickly and barely seeming to
notice the weight.

Susaen is successfully turned around and continues walking without pause,
as if nothings wrong. She says, "Billy, take make sure the hide is around
the corners so the straps don't wear down.

Lily glances curiously over toward the moving dragons, and then toward
Kaylarn. She returns her glance to N'fan. "He is yours?" She looks up at
Reveth and smiles. "Umm...hi there, Reveth." She takes a step back as the
blue steps forward.

Laerth snorts in acknowledgement of a silent command and moves towards the
center of the group of dragons. His rider starts to unfold the harness and
prepare to place it on the dragon as he did before

Meroth rumbles and turns away from the mines, his wings held close to his
body, and moves next to the much larger bronze Laerth.

N'fan glances briefly at Steryn, then quickly takes in the rest of the
surroundings. He looks distracted for a moment, then suddenly hurries to
Reveth's side. "I gotta put this harness on him.." He reaches up to get the
bundle from his straps and unpacks it, stretching the harness along
Reveth's length.

Tzornth swivels his head closer to Meroth, Laerth, and Reveth curiously,
thoroughly inspecting everything they're doing.

Elyandra does a quick check of Zibrith's straps as Laerth, Meroth, and
Reveth face the front, their tails to the mine so that the harnesses can be
loaded with debris.

Tareen moves out of the wayy, so she doesn't get stepped on.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan, being a polite and well-mannered man, refrains from
commenting about it being a wonder we get any firestone at all. :)

Shastar nods seeing everyone working, asks the Headwoman of the ca craft in
the kichen.

Shastar waves to Kasi and Tareen..

Alyssa then joins the other Candidates where she is supposed to work,
trying not to worry too much about the dragons around her and muttering
that liniment might be a good thing for them tomorrow.

Shastar walks into the fields to the north.

Susaen calls to Lily, "Stop cavorting with the riders and organize the
residents." She thinks Lily is susseptable to Rider machinations.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan checks out Laerth. Ah, Tzornth IS bigger.

Taylar watches the installation of the harnesses.

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Laerth is a small bronze, about 35."

Tareen says "Do you need my help Taylar?"

Kaylarn, upon hearing Susaen's call replies in a loud voice, "I'm not a
rider, we decided that at Benden, don't be silly. He left, remember?"

Benden Weyr> T'fian says, "Meroth is only 25. :)"

Kassima bends down beside the other Candidates and apprentices, working
with them to stack the 'stone.

P'tran looks over to Elyandra. "Just a suggestion that perhaps Tzornth
should take the center position. He's a little bigger than Laerth."

T'fian watches the three dragons, eyeing Meroth in particular, as they line
up.

Chaeth glides in from the fields.

Jazmin slides off Chaeth to land on the ground.

N'fan reattaches the harness to Reveth as he did in the practice session
back at the Weyr, and waits for the signal to move Reveth into place.

Alyssa strips off her hide jacket -- too heavy for this work -- waves to
Chaeth and Jazmin before getting to work in a quiet, efficient manner.

Lily turns to peer at Steryn, confused, and then toward N'fan. She nods,
"Okay, then. I'll go help them get going." She saunters over toward the
Candidates. "So how's it going? Don't stack too loosely...yes, just like
that. You're doing a good job, actually. For first timers."

Taylar smiles at Tareen. "The dragons prefer their riders to mess with
them. But if you want to watch for future information, that would be fine.
Just ask the rider before touching a dragon.

Rickon says "We do all the bagging at the Weyr..."

Steryn ambles off after Lily, looking very much like an adoring puppy.

R'val turns to begin attaching the harness to Vidarth, mimicking the
training session done earlier.

T'fian checks the harness attached to Meroth critically and nods in
satisfaction as it is secure. He looks at Elyandra and Zibrih.

Jazmin waves to Alyssa as she glances around for someone to direct her and
Chaeth.

Meli manages a grin at Lily between grunts. *oof* "Thanks, miner." first
timers..ha

Susaen is busilly directing people to do all the wrong things, but
amazingly enough, people seem to compensate for her blindness and know what
she means.

Kassima grins to Lily. "Most of us have stacked 'stone before," she
comments, continuing her work.

Taylar waves Jazmin over. "Did you bring a set of straps? I can show you
how to put them on."

Aphrael watches the apprentices for a while, and bends down, stacking the
firestone just as they are doing.

Lily doesn't notice Steryn as she peers at Rickon. "You do? So yo do all
the work for them? Do you even get to sleep?"

P'tran sees some other riders arrive late, having just returned from patrol
duty. "Taylar, can you help the other riders please?"

Rickon says "Nope."

Taylar nods to P'tran. "Yes, sir."

F'hlan waits for his and Tzornth's turn, studying the three dragons getting
prepared. His gaze is critically intent.

Rickon says "Well, I might, but I have young firelizards."

Steryn snorts, "Don't listen to them, Lily, they're just trying to seem
important."

Susaen squints at Taylar and says, "Ed, come here."

P'tran throws the upper part of the harness over Laerth's form and then has
the dragon sit up enough for him to duck underneath and reattach the chest
piece.

Taylar removes his flight jacket and gloves and lays them aside.

Jazmin nods to Taylar, "C'mon over and giive me a hand if you would."

Kaylarn continues to peer curiously at Reveth, that looks an awful lot like
that runaway dragon.

Rickon laughs at Steryn, stacking another piece. "I'm not important."

Lily shakes her head pityingly, "And you got swept up from your holds and
crafthalls to do all that. Are yo u sure you wouldn't rather be Miners?"

R'val finishes attaching the harness and checks it over carefully, nodding
in satisfaction to himself.

Taylar moves over to Jazmin and Chaeth. "Hi, Jazmin, Chaeth. Here, this is
easy. Does Chaeth mind if I mess with his straps?"

Rickon laughs again. "Nobody swept me up from anywhere."

Susaen sees Lily and calls to her. "Go get Ed." She points to Taylar. "He's
forgotten his knot."

Jazmin shakes her head, "Chae doens't mind."

*thunk* another piece is stacked. "And spend all m'time underground in
th'dark? Neh." Meli replies to Lily.

Alyssa stacks the stone neatly and efficiently, surprised at the wiry
muscles that the recent days of work have developed in her arms.
"Candidates are lower-class drudges," she winks to Rickon.

Rickon says "No...Candidates are drudges, the only difference is that it's
for a limited length of time."

Aphrael laughs softly and shakes her head, "Hard, but good fun. Especially
the dragon dunkings." She adds.

F'hlan, as he waits, catches snippets of the apprentices' conversation with
the Candidates, and he frowns slightly to himself. Does the Minecraft
_really_ think it's so awful to be a rider? He doesn't comment, though.

P'tran comes out from beneathe Laerth in time to see Susaen direct Lily to
find someone named Ed and then raises an eyebrow when she sees her indicate
Taylar. Knot?

Kassima takes off her jacket and ties it around her waist, looking up with
a grin. "Important? Us? Nah, we're just Candies." She watches Taylar and
Master Susaen, and smothers a chuckle.

T'fian looks over sharply at Alyssa and then back at Elyandra.

Taylar unpacks the straps and attaches them to Chaeth's riding straps. He
asks Chaeth to move as needed out loud.

Elyandra looks around and calls out, "Okay, Candidates, remember do not go
INSIDE the mine! Stay in the riders sight at all times!"

Tareen is fillowing Taylar around, watching what he's doing with those straps.

Lily shakes her head, "Not all your time. Just until you've caught your
first tunnelsnake. I'm a Jeweller." She nods to Susaen, follows her glance
and trots over to pat Taylar on the shoulder. "Hey, Master Susaen wants
you. What happened to your knot."

Kassima laughs and nods to Aphrael. "Aye, especially those!" She piles some
more stone.

Susaen sends half a dozen apprentices over to Reveth and N'fan to help them
with the straps going down into the mine. She asks Elyandra, "We can do
three at a time."

Alyssa clears her throat and says, sombrely, to T'fian, "Sorry sir...I just
wanted them to know we're no better or worse than anyone here. Just hard
workers." She goes back to work in silence.

Taylar says "Tareen. Attach that end while I attach this end. Chaeth, you
don't mind, do you?"

Rickon says "First tunnelsnake? I've lost track of the number I've caught."

Meli laughs at the mention of tunnelsnakes, winking at the other candidates.

Chaeth warbles and shifts as needed.

Aphrael nods solemly to Elyandra and keeps stacking the firestone, pausing
briefly to take a breather now and then.

Tareen gulps as she takes the strap, looking up at the dragon. "you SURE
it's alright?"

Taylar turns to Lily. "What knot?" He looks at his shoulder and it's knots.
"My knots are here."

Steryn snorts again, "Candies with no idea what minings about."

Rickon grins. "Straps and tunnelsnakes." For some reason, two Candidates
near him burst into helpless laughter.

N'fan is somewhat apprehensive at first, but he settles into directing the
apprentices and the dragon so they work well together. Reveth moves into
position by the other two dragons, and waits for N'fan to give the signal.

Alyssa does not seem to find the tunnelsnake chat amusing and continues
stacking in silence, all semblance of amusement chased from her lips.

Lily frowns at Taylar, taking his arm. "Not all of them, Ed. You'd best
come and talk to Master Susaen."

Jazmin chuckles and nods, "Dont worry.. he just ate." she winks.

Kerrick mutters back "Miners with no idea what candidates do."

P'tran has to turn away from Taylar and Susaen for a moment. "Too tight?"
he says to Laerth, who croons. With a grunt, P'tran adjusts one of the
larger buckles

Taylar looks over at Master Susaen. "Ed?"

F'hlan looks faintly disappointed for no apparent reason, and leans
restlessly against Tzornth. His brown gaze drifts across the various
pockets of activity.

Rickon somehow manages to stack just as fast as everyone else and talk at
the same time.

Taylar puts the last buckle straight on Chaeth. "There you go. Excuse me."
He moves over to Master Susaen.

R'val watches from his position standing beside Vidarth, occasionally
fiddling with the harness, restlessly checking it again and again.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan considers whether the Candidates here at the Minehall
would be horrified if F'hlan tried to pitch in and help them stack
firestone. :)

Kaylarn catches that comment of Kerricks and laughs, "you'd be surprised,
actually. I probably know more about both than you. Keep stacking."

Susaen walks up to Taylar and pins a (only mildly crumbed) apprentice knot
on his sho ulder. "You forgot your knot again, Ed." And then she walks off,
asking Elyandra, "Which dragon is next?"

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Go for it."

Kassima somehow maintains a straight face, watching Lily and "Ed." She
continues her stacking, wiping dust on her slacks every now and then.

Benden Weyr> P'tran grins. What Taylar said :)

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "Woowoo!"

Meli pauses to take off her jacket, then continues stacking in rhythm,
trying to keep her movements smooth to avoid any sudden pulls on her muscles.

Rickon carries on laughing and stacking.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa promises...no swooning.

Taylar looks down at the new knot in confusion. Then he looks after the
retreating Master Miner.

Kerlyn is leaning back against a curious looking Sorath, her own function
apparenltly more oriented towards keeping tabs on the candidates. After a
bit of this, she changes her mind and strides over, helping heft sacks of
firestone.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan .oO (Must! Have! Useful! Work!) *twitch*

Benden Weyr> T'fian chuckles at apprentice miner Taylar. :)

A harried Journeyman comes out of the mine calling, "We have Zibrith's
loaded!"

Lily smies brightly at "Ed". "Now it looks right. You know, with all the
work you've been doing, you'll make Journeyman soon."

Rickon is really struggling to keep working now, he just can't stop
laughing. His stack still grows, though.

Taylar laughs at Lily. "Is she really that confused?"

P'tran sighs and says, "How's that, Laerth?" Laerth moves to one side and
the other and then croons again, this time in contentment. "Good." He turns
to Taylar. "taylar, just a note that the chest strap piece is a little hard
to adjust sometimes ..." He eyes the new knot on his shoulder and raises an
eyebrow

F'hlan glances at Kerlyn, and apparently decides she's got the right idea.
Without a word, he slips into an open space among the 'stone stackers, and
starts assisting.

Alyssa starts as F'hlan steps beside her, then she smiles and continues
working, her mood lifted again.

Kassima looks at Rickon. "What's so funny?" she asks.

Lily peers at Taylar. "Who? Master Susaen? Really, Ed. You've got to be
more respectful to the Masters."

Taylar looks down at the knot and then back at P'tran. He shrugs. "I told
you she was after me."

Kerlyn flashes F'hlan a quick smile, glancing up a moment without
slackening her pace.

T'fian goes over the harness one more time, feeling it every now and then,
and, same as the first three checks, finds them acceptable.

Benden Weyr> Kerlyn ers. I'd typed that before I saw the knot convo,
honest. :)

P'tran pauses a moment and then chuckles. He grins and says quietly to him,
"Leave it on for now to make her happy."

Kassima is laughing some herself, at "Ed." She keeps stacking, but
occasionally a quiet chuckle escapes.

F'hlan's brown gaze lightens a trifle, and he stacks the firestone with a
rhythm suggesting long Turns of practice.

Jazmin gives Chaeth's harness a critical examiination, adjusting one of the
buckles.

P'tran adds, "Consider it a lesson in Weyr-Hall relations."

Susaen is less confused than she actually looks. She directs a dozen miners
toward F'hlan and his dragon.

Tareen chuckles and looks at Taylar's new knot before turning back to what
she's doing.

Kaylarn finally decides that Reveth's really not that interesting after
all, and pays mroe obvious attention to the goings on around and about.

Rickon manages to stop laughing, and stacks quickly, smoothly, with a good
rhythm.

Aphrael keeeps stacking, only partly paying attention to the conversation.
She chuckles softly, and says, "I think a good dragon washing/candidate
dunking'll be in order after this lot. She indicates her pile.

Taylar nods to P'tran. He moves over to the firestone stacking and gets busy.

Alyssa stacks stones neatly, not as quickly, perhaps, as the stronger
Candidates and the riders, but at least as gamely. And she cannot stop
smiling at F'hlan's mood for being so active.

P'tran looks up. "Laerth's harness is secured," he announces to Elyandra.

Susaen has a very smug look on her face. She says to Elyandra, "We're ready
for your dragon to give a good pull."

Lily shakes her head, and follows Taylar back over to help supervise the
Candidates. "Did you really say something about dragon dunking?"

Taylar says "Heh, Alyssa, look, I'm a miner." He points to the knot.
"What'ya think?"

R'val seems to have fidgetted enough with the calm blue's new harness, and
crosses the room to do something productive, joining the line of stackers.

Kaylarn wanders over to the stacking team to pat Taylar on the shoulder,
"Congratulations lad, I'm sure you'll be most happy in the craft. Good to
have you as one of us finally."

Benden Weyr> P'tran thinks the net took Ely away again

Alyssa pauses enough to look at Taylar's shoulder and drops the stone she
was holding. "Taylar...!"

Taylar smiles at Kaylarn. "Thank you."

Benden Weyr> Alyssa can @emit her, if that's OK.

Kassima laughs softly. "Aye, well, 'tis to be hoped." She looks up. "Oh,
aye, the dragons sometimes dunk us when we help wash them." She grins.
"Being half-drowned is great fun."

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Only if you're sure she wouldn't mind"

Aphrael stops just for a moment to look up at Lily with a smile, "Yes.. its
one of the hightlights." She goes back to stacking.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "I don't think she would, but if it's OK I would
rather wait to see if she turns back up. :)"

Rickon grins. "You can't be a Candidate without /loving/ water-fights."

Kaylarn frowns at some Firestone he almost stumbles over as he heads off
again, and stacks it up with the rest.

Jazmin snickers softly as she gives Kaylarn a poke in the ribs as she
passes by him.

R'val flashes a grin in Kassima's direction, busily stacking, 'ONly you
would think that."

Tareen follows along behind Lilly and Taylar.

N'fan peers into the tunnel, waiting for some signal that they're ready in
there for Reveth to pull.

F'hlan OOC unidles, and IC, when the miners request his attention, he
immediately turns to pay it.

Taylar says "You know......I was......doing this.....yesterday." heave
grunt "I think I could do this in my sleep."

Lily smiles brightly at Taylar, "You do want to be a jeweler, don't you?"

Alyssa says very quietly to Taylar, "What are you doing with that knot?" as
she picks up the fallen stone and resumes her work.

Kassima nods enthusiastically. "They're the best! Sometimes the dragons
will have splash-fights and the washers get caught between 'em--that's
terrific. There's no better way to get soaked." She continues piling the
firestone, humming under her breath.

Kaylarn eepth and pokes his tongue out at Jazmin, "Oi."

Lily ohs, peering at Aphrael, and looking over toward Reveth. "Does he dunk
you?" she asks, pointing.

Kassima grins. "Well, 'tis true--being a splashing victim is one of my
favorite things, for true and certain."

Tzornth RUMBLES with satisfaction. Oh good. His turn.

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Give her another few minutes and then emit her
if she doesn't get back on"

Another Journeyman Miner runs up to N'fan and says, "Have Reveth pull now!"

Taylar smiles at Lily. "Well, actually, I want to be a dragonrider. I think
Master Susaen got me confused with someone else."

Jazmin grins at Kaylarn before digging in to help stack.

Kaylarn starts to walk off again, and finds more of that silly stone under
his foot. He stacks it along with the rest of the stuff, and shouts in
Susaen's direction, "We need to get better behaved firestone."

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "Okeydoke."

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Emit who? Too much spam."

Tzornth's rider gets to work once more, this time quietly interacting with
the miners to get the bronze appropriately strapped up. He seems to
straighten a bit, unconsciously, and his voice gains a bit of volume and
clarity.

Taylar probably doesn't know that after turns and turns, Susaen still
insists that T'garrick is a miner and not a rider.

Lily peers cautiously at the very large dragons, and then turns to Taylar.
She shakes her head, "Don't be silly. Look at your knot. You're a miner."

T'fian glances at the Journeyman Miner and then at N'fan, then at P'tran.

Aphrael turns to look in the indicated direction, at Reveth, "No, actually.
Reveth doesnt." She smiles, and reaches out a hand to stop the pile from
tipping.

Taylar turns his other shoulder toward Lily. "But this one says Benden
Candidate."

Kaylarn oh nos! at Taylar, "Identity crisis."

Susaen is waiting to see how Reveth is doing.

Meli wipes the back of her wrist across her forehead, then stacks some
more. "Eh, is there water available while we're working?" she asks the
nearest miner apprentice.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa wonders if it's inhaling firestone fumes all the time
that muddles their brains...

P'tran looks over to the other riders and grins, then turns back to the
miners. "Has Laerth's been filled yet? Or are we to wait til all of them
are filled before pulling."

N'fan nods at the journeyman, startled out of some sort of reverie. He
seemed to be staring off into space, over to where people are stacking..
But he climbs up on Reveth's back, looking over his shoulder, watching
behind him as Reveth lumbers slowly forward.

Benden Weyr> Nich just peers.

Benden Weyr> R'val says, "N'ch!"

Kaylarn shakes his head, "No, no water on hand. Maybe we should get some?"

Elyandra peers at Zibrith. "She says she's ready to pull too."

Benden Weyr> Nich didn't log in to talk to any of you, so don't you feel
special. :)

Jazmin heaves stone with the best of the candidates, she's got a lot of
strength in her arms.

Benden Weyr> Jazmin sniffles.

Meli nods back at the man. "Yah, don' want anyone to pass out" with a
quirky grin.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan watches his confidence take a nose-dive. *sniff* he's
not special...!

P'tran glances over as he sees Reveth starts to move when ordered and
forces himself to remain patient and a follower in this rather than a leader.

Alyssa pauses again, rubbing her arms, already sore, then she gamely goes
back to work.

Benden Weyr> R'val is special. He's an Evil Bluerider.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "You're more than special, F'hlan. You're unique,"

Rickon continues to stack stone, methodical, rhythmic, no problems here.

Susaen nods to P'tran and Elyandra, "You can have your dragons start
pulling now, too."

Kaylarn nodsnods, "True, true, quite true.", he sends off a small group of
miners to get some water, idling stacking some more of the misbehaving
firestone.

T'fian nods to Master Susaen and looks instictively at P'tran before
remembering that Elyandra is in charge of this.

Tareen helps with the piling of stones, moving where there are a few less
people before going to work.

Taylar stacks firestone. "You know, Lily. I'm a tanner that lives at Benden
Weyr and is considered a miner. I don't know if I'm coming or going."

Lily shakes her head again, frowning at Taylar. "Ed, you've got to stop
wearing all those fake knots. People will get confused." She glances over
toward the lumbering dragons, watching the progress before returning her
attention to the stacking of the 'stone.

Benden Weyr> Elyandra finally! gets her loging.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan blinkblinks guilelessly at Alyssa. But, but, but....

Benden Weyr> P'tran hands Elyandra a flamethrower to use on her net

Benden Weyr> Elyandra says, "Login, even."

P'tran nods to Master Susaen and looks briefly to Elyandra for confirmation
first.

Elyandra nods and looks up at Zibrith, her eyes fading as the green dragon
begins to pull along with Laerth.

Aphrael gently takes her heand away, making sure that her pile is steady
before starting a new one.

P'tran gives Laerth an affectionate slap on his neck. "Ok, Laerth, pull!"

The 'stone-filled bundle at the end of Reveth's harness comes into view,
dragging jerkily along the floor of the tunnel.

Kassima chuckles at Taylar. "Poor confused Candidate," she says, laughing
breathlessly. "You're not coming *or* going--you're staying here and
stacking firestone, aye?" She grins and finishes one pile, beginning another.

Laerth gives a loud snort and angles forward, the lines trailing behind the
harness into the mines snapping taut.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa pats F'hlan's cheek. Just stack firestone, sweetie.

Meli glances at Kaylarn as she works. "So, we...oof.. just stack it all
here now...-thunk- an' someone moves it again later?"

Tzornth does his level best not to rustle himself and shake the miners
carefully arranging his straps. Mostly.

Meroth rumbles and slowly starts pulling with the other dragons, his steps
relatively short as he feels his burden. The blue half extends his wings
for more balance, careful not to hit Laerth with them.

Lily looks at Taylar and frowns. "You're a Tanner? And a Candidate? And a
Miner? Aren't you busy?"

Tareen says "and skillfull too!!"

Tareen smiles at Taylar

Susaen wrings her hands with excitement as Reveths' harness comes into
view. A raft of pasty miner apprentices run forward, motioning candidates
and residents to join them in unloading.

Zibrith grunts just a bit with the effort, pulling the same load as the
larger dragons but with an effort.

Kaylarn waves Meli toward the approaching apprentices that bring the hoped
for water, someone else must have thought of it already, they'd not have
had time to go there and back yet. He nods, "We'll bring you back to sack
it all up in a sevenday or so. Since we've seen how much you all enjoy it,
laughing and joking away.", he smiles brightly at her as he stacks some more.

T'fian watches Meroth, worry in his eyes, as the small blue valiantly pulls
with all his strength.

Taylar says "I was born the son of a tanner who wanted me to follow in his
craft. I'm a Candidate because a dragon picked me out. And I'm a miner
because Master Susaen is confused."

Rickon grins. "Better than latrines."

Alyssa gives up on stacking stones for a moment, stretching her back and
sighing as she looks around, smiling at Taylar's plight even if she's not
quite sure what's happening.

Taylar says "Thanks, Tareen."

Laerth snorts again as he makes no progress at first. "Laerth, put your
weight into it more," P'tran says. The dragon repeats Meroth's action,
spreading his wings partway and giving a thrust forward. There's a rocklike
rumbling sound as his burden starts to drag forward finally.

Jazmin sticks her tongue out at Kaylarn, "Think again sweetie." she grins.

Tareen pulls her eyes away from Taylar with an effort and goes back to
piling stones.

Aphrael groans as she hear Kaylarn, "Well.. at least it doesnt rain in here.."

Meli manages a soft laugh. "M'name's Meli.." She doesn't offer a hand, as
both are rather busy.

Kassima chuckles silently again and nods. "Anything's better than latrines,
Rickon--well, most anything."

Lily grins as she sees Reveth's harness coming up and rushes forward to
help unload. She looks up at the blue, "You've got nice eyes." And shakes
her head at Taylar, "Don't be silly, Master Susaen isn't confused."

P'tran smiles at Laerth proudly, but his face does show signs of concern as
he watches Laerth's muscles bulge along the wingshoulders and flanks with
the effort. Laerth gives another small lunge forward and starts to pull a
little more steadily

Kaylarn smiles innocently at Jazmin, "What about?", he chuckles and nods to
Meli, "Kaylarn's me, nice to, uhm, stack with you."

N'fan hops down from Reveth and helps unload the 'stone in his harness,
glancing at Lily and smiling a little as she comes up to help with the
unloading.

Reveth rumbles softly and settles down a bit closer to the ground.

Taylar shakes his head. The mines must affect all miners mental abilities.

Jazmin laughs and considers chucking stone at Kaylarn, but she just stacks
it for now, heading over to help unload Reveth.

Susaen says, "Who isn't pulling?" She blinks in the wrong direction, toward
the apprentices, who cringe. They expect she might ask them to pull up a
harness like that.

Elyandra smiles at Zibrith and gives her muzzle an affectionate rub on her
muzzle as the sling appears and she lowers her head, nudging Elyandra's
shoulder.

F'hlan, when at last Tzornth looks ready to take his turn, nods solemn
thanks to the miners who'd helped prepare him.

Meroth steadily, albeit slowly, pulls forward, the straps descending into
the mines pulled taut behind him. The blue's muscles along his flanks seem
to mirror the tautness of the straps behind him.

Alyssa takes a deep breath and resumes her place in line, even though her
muscles are aching from the heaviness of the unbroken stone.

Taylar helps unload the slings and stack the stone out of the way.

Tareen helps to unload the rocks, glancing towards Lily and Taylar while
she works.

Meli pauses a moment to grab a dipperful of water, sipping slowly rather
than gulping.

Kassima sighs and wipes the back of one hand across her forehead and closed
eyes. Unfortunately, the dust on the gloves wipes off and makes her look
like she's wearing a mask. Not that she realizes this.

Taylar says "Lily. We never...uh.....thud......got that mutual project off
the ground.""

Kaylarn frowns at Alyssa, "Don't over do things.", he admonishes as he
continues to move the lovely smelling stone around, "Don't want you
straining something."

Susaen walks up to N'fan, saying, "Nice work, rider."

Jazmin tosses her jacket and sweater aside to work in just her tunic and
leggings, looking to almost delight in good solid physical labour.

Taylar smiles at Lily and Tareen. "Didn't know so many lovely ladies were
here at the mines. Nice."

Lily works quickly and efficiently, directing a couple of much heftier
apprentices, smiling absently at N'fan. She turns to Taylar. "Project...no
a little more to the left...what project?"

N'fan grabs the largest chunk, handling it without much difficulty. He
pauses when Susaen speaks to him, and replies, "Um..thank you, Master,"
noting her rank from the knot she wears.

Alyssa nods to Kaylarn, murmuring something about being a little stronger
and not have to cause such worry constantly over her health.

Aphrael crouches down near the ground, head bowed as she rests for a
moment. Finally she looks up and decides to continue stacking, more slowly
and carefully this time.

Laerth moves his load in spurts now rather than as one fluid movement, his
rider growing more concerned when each lunge seems a little less than the
one before.

Alyssa adds, lounder, "Thank you," to Kaylarn.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan, informed that it's time to go get the spouse and go
home from work, does so. Must bamf. I'll be back as fast as I can! *bamf*

Taylar sees Laerth's problems. He goes over to P'tran. "Problem, sir?"

Meli looks over her sweaty dusty friends, and steps out of the line a
moment, moving down the line seeing if anyone needs a drink of water yet.

Susaen backs up and backs up. If someone doesn't stop her, she's going to
back right into Laerth. Oh what a disaster that would be.

Meroth seems to mirror Laerth, pulling valiantly in small spurts as he
feels the weight behind him. T'fian holds his breath watching the blue.

Jazmin glances over and puts a hand behind Susaen, "Careful there m'am."

Taylar gets between Master Susaen and the dragon. "Careful, Master."

Alyssa looks over her shoulder at P'tran and Laerth, worriedly.

Kaylarn pauses a moment to peer at Alyssa, "Seriously."

Lily peers at Taylar and then looks around herself, "Are you talking to me?"

Susaen smiles at Taylar, "Thank you, Ed." Her eyes twinkle. She smiles at
Jazmyn, too, looking over her shoulder: even she can't miss the large
dragon at this distance. She asks Jazmyn, "Are your dragon's straps down
below?"

Alyssa seems to wrestle with a thought for a moment, then she stops and
steps away from the stone, reaching up to wipe her forehead.

Aphrael looks over and spots Meli, calling her over with the water. She
appears greatful for the interruption, "Is there any left for me?"

Jazmin nods to the master, "Yep, I'm not sure if he's been loaded up yet."

Meli nods at Aph, holding out the dipper of water. "There's plenty... more
in th'bucket too"

Elyandra watches Laerth intently, raising an eyebrow and moving closer to
them.

Taylar says "P'tran? How's Laerth?"

Rickon stops stacking and heads over to the water.

Lily takes a deep breath, resting for a moment, wiping back a wisp of hair
that escaped its ties. She bends to take a drink of water from the nearby
bucket.

Kassima continyes stacking the stone wearily, looking somewhat tired and
somewhat like a raccoon.

Aphrael accepts the offered water and drinks slowly, but with relief. She
hands it back with a greatful smile, "Thanks, I needed that."

Benden Weyr> Taylar is having an identity crisis.

Benden Weyr> K'nan says, "Anyone know where one can get a better account
than mine in the wastelands of CT so I can remain online after this month?"

Grabbing another drink, Meli manages a small smile at Aph, then at Rickon
as he comes near.

Taylar says "P'tran? How's Laerth?"

Rickon finds a spare dipper, scoops out some water and downs it.
"Phew...hot work."

Susaen overhears people's concerns about Laerth and looks at him. She walks
closer to have a better look.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa does not mean to be angsty, but Alyssa has the upper
body strength of a hatchling firelizard. :) Someone has to give out. :)

N'fan glances back at the tunnel to see if there's room for Reveth to go
back and bring up another load. Until a way is cleared, he'll take
advantage of the opportunity to get a drink for himself, as well.

Lily pauses, cup in hand. She smiles hesitantly at N'fan. "Want a drink?"

Taylar puts a hand on Master Susaen to prevent her from getting to close to
the dragon. "Careful, Master. Laerth might not want us too close."

Alyssa, while she rests, continues watching Laerth and the weyrleader,
attentively.

Reveth cranes his neck around to see what the humans are doing back there
behind him. He seems somewhat amused by it, and starts turning his body
around to get a better look.

Jazmin gives anoter couple of chunks of stone the heave ho onto a stack and
then glances around, hands on hips, looking for something new to haul.

Benden Weyr> Kassima turns on her blowtorch and melts Spiritlink into
Spirit-slag. @Whee.

Susaen walks up to all the commotion near P'tran.

A journeyman miner, Billy, walks up to Jazmin, "Can Chaeth start pulling?"

P'tran * tries to pick this up from where he left off ...

R'val continues to haul stone and stack it carefully, pausing to drink.

Kaylarn steps lightly over to poke Jazmin in the side.

N'fan comes up beside Lily and looks for a dipper. There don't seem to be
any available right now. When she asks him if he wants a drink, he smiles a
little and nods. "Can I use that when you're done with it?" he asks,
gesturing at her cup.

Meli drops the dipper back into the bucket, rolls her shoulders a few
times, and heads back to the piles. She squats to lift the next bit of
stone, levering it into place more carefully than before.

Rickon goes back to working.

Kassima gratefully takes a drink of the water before returning to her
piling. The dust on her face is starting to run down her nose, making her
look even weirder than before.

Steryn looks a little jealously at N'fan and Lily as he finds himself
caught up in stacking. he sighs to himself and turns his attention back to
the task at hand.

Vidarth tugs upon the straps secured about him with all his might, muscles
rippling as he inches forward.

Jazmin nods to Billy and turns to grin at Kaylarn, "Hi ya.. Why didnt' you
tell me mining was fun?"

Jazmin nods to Billy and turns to grin at Kaylarn, "Hi ya.. Why didnt' you
tell me mining was fun?"

Lily blinks, and then smiles at N'fan, looking down at the mug in her hand.
"You want to use the mug? Sure...here you go." She dips the mug into the
pail of water and holds it out.

Aphrael watches the dragons with barely concealed intrest as she rests for
a short while.

Kaylarn waves a hand at the candidates, "Y'all seem to have the wrong
opinion forced into before a miner gets near you, not worth the effort
usually."

Laerth continues to try to pull his load. He rears up for a another lunge
forward and then gives a loud rumble of annoyance when the straps spring
taut and his foreclaws dangle in the air for a few moments. The dragon can
be seen to be clearly struggling to move forward, muscles bulging visibly

Alyssa watches Laerth breathlessly, everything else in the area lost to her.

P'tran frowns and moves to one side as Laerth spreads his wings in
frustration and tries again to pull his load forward, but this time the
straps simply grow tighter and start making stretching sounds. "Whoa, whoa!
Stop, LAerth, the straps are going to break."

Kaylarn looks over at Laerth at the rumble and frowns, wandering over, "Has
someone been packing firestone too heavily for our helpers?"

Vidarth gives a powerful tug upon the straps, scrabbling for a purchase in
the rock as he pushes his way forward, rippling muscles upon his chest and
sides with the effort of his movements.

Taylar says "P'tran. Please stop Laerth before he get hurt."

Rickon stops working and looks at Laerth, concern flashing in his blue eyes.

Lily looks over toward Laerth, "He's not hurt, is he?"

Laerth SNORTS loudly and takes a few steps back, letting the straps slacken
and fall to the ground.

Kassima turns to watch the dragons, concern flashing across her winded
expression.

Jazmin shrugs to Kay, "Apparently I didnt." she turns to watch Laerth and
shakes her head, "I thinkk that one was overloaded." she comments needlessly.

T'fian lets out his breath as Meroth makes one final lunge forward and the
sling comes into view. T'fian runs over the blue which almost collapses,
the straps between the harness and the sling slacken and fall to the ground.

P'tran shakes his head. "No, not hurt, just annoyed. He can't move it
forward for some reason."

Taylar goes over and follows the straps down into the mine.

N'fan smiles a little as he takes the water from Lily and thinks to murmur
a 'thanks' just before downing the water in one swig.

Susaen sees that the straps my break and runs toward the mine. Well, she
walks fast really. Fast. She calls down, "Tell everyone to get out of the
way, just in case." She might be blind and confused, but she has people's
safety as a number one item on her List.

Laerth cranes his neck towards his rider, eyes whirling with flecks of
orange-red.

Alyssa bites her lip and turns back to her firestone stacking, though her
attention is clearly on Laerth still.

Rickon says "Maybe it's caught on something."

Then, Susaen walks toward Laerth and P'tran, "He thinks it's caught?" The
hide might be taught, but Susaen can't see this very well.

P'tran gives Laerth a reassuring pat on the flank. "Relax for a few
minutes, Laerth. It must be caught on something, his load isn't any bigger
than the others."

P'tran nods to Susaen. "That's what it feel like to him, Master Susaen."

Jazmin heads over to Meroth to start unloading that load and stacking it.

Kaylarn continues frowning at the scene, seeing others have it mostly in
hand he turns his attention to the other helpers, supposedly doing things
like stacking. He calls out to them, "Pick, watch or stack, do both and
you'll hurt someone, or cause a mess."

A few miners prevent Taylar from getting too far into the mine. When they
see his knot, though, they let him by.

Lily smiles at N'fan, "You're welcome. Is your dragon doing okay?" She
glances over his shoulder, from Laerth to Reveth.

Benden Weyr> P'tran thinks it was Pern's site that was lagged. All my other
Sprintlink connections were fine

Benden Weyr> R'val nods. It's Pern, I think. There's so many more people on
than usual...

Benden Weyr> R'val says, "Or so much more activity going on."

Benden Weyr> P'tran notes that astral is also a website, so it could have
been anything

N'fan nods at Lily. "Yeah, he's fine. Just waiting for a spot to open up so
he can get reloaded and pull up some more 'stone." He dips the empty cup in
the water again and drinks a bit more slowly this time.

Kassima returns to her stone stacking, casting glances in the direction of
Laerth and the other dragons frequently.

Benden Weyr> R'val hrms. True enough.

Benden Weyr> R'val says, "But it's been doing this a great deal lately."

Benden Weyr> Taylar grumbles. My desc is getting messed up.

Benden Weyr> K'nan says, "What you mean 'was', 'could have been'?? 'is',
for me anyway...."

P'tran hmms as he watches. "Think any of the candidates could be useful to
help out? So long as they don't venture deep into the mines." He looks over
to Elyandra for an ok

Meroth weakly cranes his neck around to watch Jazmin and some miners
unloading the sling, a look of almost gratitude whirling in his eyes. His
pale chest heaves as he turns back at his rider and lowers himself to the
ground, unable to find the energy to stand.

Elyandra nods, "I think so, sir."

Meli concentrates on stacking, moving more slowly and methodically now with
an occasional grunt, trying to make sure she doesn't drop the stone.

Susaen says warily, "I don't know. They're not used to mines." After a
thought, "How about if we pair them up with miners. That way we have more
hands to help but it might be safer."

Rickon goes back to stacking.

Kaylarn rolls his eyes, "Well, it'd be better than having them drop
firestone on their feet, like she's going to.", he says waving in Kassima's
direction.

Alyssa's eyes flicker toward Meroth, and she chews on her lip in concern.

Susaen squints at a Journeyman who comes trotting righ tover.

Jazmin gives Meroth a gentle pat before hefting more stone. She starts to
hum softly as she works.

Vidarth tugs his sling into view with one last loud, reverberating grunt of
effort, and collapses onto the ground, breathing heavily, his head weakly
raised to regard his rider as he hurries over.

P'tran nods in reply to Elyandra and says to Susaen, "Most of the
candidates have enough sense not to get themselves into serious trouble and
they can watch the ones that don't. Elyandra will keep an eye on them in
any case."

Taylar backs out the the mine hurriedly. His face is a bit pale.

Lily nods at N'fan, "That's good...he looks very nice. I'd hate to see him
get hurt." She looks over to Susaen and calls, "Want me to take some of
them in?"

Half a dozen miners run up to Vidarth, asking his rider if they can help.

T'fian pats Meroth, looking at him worridly, his eyes distant. Finally he
nods and moves to help Jazmin unload, still glancing over his shoulder at
the blue.

Chaeth rumbles a bit, impatient to start pulling.

P'tran hears Lily and adds, "Yes, having the miners go down with them as
well would be better."

P'tran stops himself when he realizes he's 'taking over' and silently
defers to Elyandra

Kassima would snort, but she doesn't have the breath. She's not going to
drop firestone on anyone.

Alyssa gives up on her now-feeble attempts at stacking stone with burning
muscles and strides toward Vidarth, as much to get people away from the
fatigued dragon as anything.

Taylar leans against a pile of firestone, breathing raggedly.

Elyandra nods to P'tran, "Go right ahead, sir." She gestures to the
weyrleader.

Billy trots up and points to Kassima, Alyssa and Rickon. "You three, come
on with me. We'll go in and see if we can help."

R'val nods quickly to the miners, his voice strained with tiredness, and
moves to aid unload.

Rickon sighs and stops, shaking his arms out to loosen up the muscles.
"Shards..."

P'tran pauses a moment, as if making sure, and then nods and turns back to
Master Susaen.

N'fan nods at Lily, smiling a little, and turns to look at the blue topic
of discussion. "Yeah. He's been hurt before, but he don't even remember
it." He pauses a moment, then adds, "I do."

Jazmin grins to T'fian, sweating as she strains to heave a chunk of stone
bigger than the rest. She's gonna need help with this one.

Kaylarn keeps an eye on Kassima as he helps unload one of the piles pulled
up, he's seen enough over-confident apprentices that think far too much of
themselves to pick the signs when he sees them. Even if they're a candidate.

Kassima pauses for a moment and looks over at Taylar. "Something wrong,
Taylar?" she asks, after she catches her breath. She puts the last stone on
her stack and stands.

Taylar says "I..I...I don't think I like mines."

P'tran catches Taylar out of the corner of his eye and raises an eyebrow in
concern. "Taylar, you didn't go deep into the mine, did you? The candidates
were to stay outside unless told to go in."

Lily winces and wrinkles her nose. "You remember it...and something as big
as Reveth doesn't remember it? How come?"

Aphrael stops and watches the candidates move off, before turning to the
pile, critically eyeing it. She sighs and crouches down, stacking slowly
again.

Alyssa stops short as someone calls to her, looking around for the source
of her name.

Taylar says "Uh, no sir. I just followed the straps a bit, but it's kinda
dark and crowded feeling in there."

T'fian sees Jazmin with a large chunk of stone. He moves to the other side
of it and bends his knees, his hands underneath the stone. "Whenever you're
ready," he says to his wingmate.

The Real Ed walks up to Taylar, Aphrael and Meli, saying, "Follow me."

Billy waves his hand again toward the Candidates. "Follow me and stay
close. Don't wander off, some areas are still unstable."

P'tran nods to Taylar. "All right. The candidates can go in, but *not*
*too* *far*. And follow the miners' lead."

Meli exhales deeply as she sets a piece down on the top of one stack, and
steps back nodding at Ed, not having enough breath left to reply audibly.

Taylar shakes his head at Ed. "No thanks. I'll stay outside."

Rickon moves to follow Billy.

Jazmin crouches and nods to T'fian, "Ok.." she ooofs with the effort but
she gets her side off the ground.

Susaen pats Taylar on the back. Be a man, son. She grins and hands him her
own pick! "In case of tunnel snakes," she adds.

Alyssa, relatively certain the dragons are tired and not injured, followed
the ubiquitous Billy.

Kassima nods, dusts off her hands, and follows after Billy with Alyssa and
Rickon.

Kaylarn catches Billy on his way back past and mutters something to him.

N'fan shrugs at Lily. "Dragons just don't remember stuff for a long time. I
guess that's why they keep fighting Thread all the time, 'cause otherwise
they might be scared. Least, that's what I was told." He shrugs again. "I
don't know if I'm explaining it real good."

Taylar takes the pick reflexively. "Yes, ma'am." He follows Ed into the
mine. He looks really pale.

Aphrael pauses for a moment, then drops the firestone in her hands
carefully into place before turning. She looks from Meli to Taylar, and
begins to follow hesitantly, having heard Elyandra and the Weyleader
okaying it.

Billy pauses near Kaylarn, listening to directions and nodding, one hand on
the oversized pick he carries over one shoulder.

P'tran sees Susaen's gesture and nearly rolls his eyes but doesn't. Behind
him, Laerth setttles down and watches the proceedings with detached interest.

Kaylarn points at Kassima as he finishes his comments to Billy.

Meli pulls off a glove to rub at her eyes as she follows the others.

T'fian heaves with Jazmin, lifting his end off the ground. He waits for
Jazmin's lead. "Where are we putting this," he says with some strain.

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "Elyandra had to bamf to go to work, so I'll try
and managed this and bring it to a conclusion :)"

Susaen might not be a man, but she is a miner. She walks toward the mine,
of course going to surpervise. She's so helpful. The Journeymen are
probably already cringing at the thought of it.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Go for it."

Lily listens to the explanation and nods. "That makes sense, kinda. Thread
can be scary." She looks cautiously over at Susaen, "I..er..think I should
be going to help out."

Meli mutters to Aphrael, "Shards,... are... I..."

Jazmin moves slowly over to beside an established stack not to far away,
"As close as possible, Shards! This sucker is heavy!"

Benden Weyr> Kerlyn kicks at her net with enthusiasm, and tries to see if
she can coax a pose out of it.

Lysbeth walks into the mines area from the fields.

Alyssa ventures into the mine, ducking her head a bit reflexively.
"Couldn't be worse than hunting tunnelsnakes," she says to herself.

Susaen goes into the mine, walking into the inky black darkness, motioning
for the candidates and the other miner apprentices to wait, "Let the ones
below free it up, and then you guys give a short, strong pull, all
together." When the going gets tough, Susaen gets bossy.

Aphrael follows Ed slowly as they head into the mine, leaning close, She
mutters to Meli, "... think... mine.... something..." 

Kassima rubs her arms--it's been a long time since she last had to haul
this much stone--and watches impassively, waiting besides the others. She
grins wearily to Alyssa. "Probably not."

T'fian nods, walking sideways in very small steps. "You're not kidding," he
mutters.

P'tran takes a few steps towards the mine entrance to get a better look for
himself, but its difficult to see more than a few feet inside at that distance

Taylar follows Susaen. He glances at the miner knot and shakes his head.

Aphrael takes a deep breath as she stops, turning to look behind her at the
exit, almost to reassure herself. She nods and waits to get ready to pull.

Lily smiles brightly at Taylar. "C'mon, Apprentice, let's get going." She
follows susaen, waiting at a distance.

Jazmin acks, "I'm loosing my grip over here.. can we set it down for a sec..."

Meli blinks and nods as she ventures near the blackness, pulling her glove
back on and flexing her fist a few times.

Taylar looks at Lily. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?

Alyssa takes a deep breath as she moves farther into the mine, the glows
reflecting faintly off of her blonde braid before she disappears.

P'tran hrms and suggests, "perhaps its caught on something in the mineshaft?"

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Look, it's a Kerlyn yo-yo. hehe"

Kaylarn watches Billy and his group head in, frowning slightly at the idea
of letting such over-confident young people in. He shrugs, the healers are
arounds somewhere probably. He turns around, "Anyone else have a pressing
need to go down, find yourself a journeyrank escort."

T'fian nods and bends down, attempting to carry the weight until Jazmin can
set her end down.

Rickon follows Billy.

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "How much longer do people want to carry the RP?
I was thinking of asking that we start to wrap it up, but I don't want to
be a party-pooper :)"

N'fan downs the rest of his water and sets down the empty mug. He wanders
over to the mouth of the tunnel, just behind Lily. He's tall enough to see
over her head easily, but that doesn't dispel the darkness.

Lily blinks at Taylar, "Of course I am. Aren't you? After all, this is
mining."

Benden Weyr> Alyssa is ready when you are, P'tran. Getting late.

Kassima walks cautiously after Alyssa, curious as to what a mine looks like
but wary about actually walking into one.

Meli leans down, testing the portion of strap at the edge of the entrance
to see where she can get a good grip, once the others below have freed it
up some.

Benden Weyr> Kassima nods agreement. Whenever's fine.

Taylar shakes his head violently. "I can live in Hold and Weyr, but
mines....." He shivers. "I feel like it's closing in on me."

Jazmin frowns in concentration as she managees to shift her grip without
dropping it, "Ok.. got it.. Thank Faranth it's not much farther."

Benden Weyr> P'tran nods. Ok

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Anytime."

Kaylarn sighs to himself, there goes one most likely to get herself hurt.
Might teach her a lesson. He moves quickly over to help Jazmin and T'fian.

Kassima murmurs to Alyssa, "Can you see anything yet?"

Lily rolls her eyes at Taylar, "We don't .live. in the mines, silly." She
looks behind her to N'fan, "Just like you don't live on the back of your
dragons, right?"

Alyssa shakes her head as her eyes adjust to the dark, then puts her hand
lightly on the strap and follows it forward.

T'fian nods and shifts his arms to regain his balance and, walking with
Jazmin, carries his end backwards over towards the pile of firestone.

Taylar says "Yeah, but having to work in here. I'd rather hunt tunnelsnakes
in the back corridors of the weyr or scrub pots."

P'tran heads over and stops at the entrance to the mine to keep an eye on
the candidates, even though he knows Kerlyn is most likely watching them
like a hawk as it is.

Lily says "Hunt tunnelsnakes? You like hunting tunnelsnakes? You'll make
journeyman in no time."

N'fan chuckles. "No..spend lots of time there though.."

Meli nods wearily at the weyrleader as he stops by her group, no buoyant
enthusiasm from her now.

Kyril's eyes gleam in the darkness as Kassi fingers the strap and follows,
watching where she places her feet. Who knows how many loose rocks are down
here?

Aphrael reaches out, and feels the strap brush her hand. She gingerly takes
a lightly hold of it, readying herself to pull.

Lysbeth stands back from the crowd, looking on with curiousity.

Kerlyn's usually neat attire is covered in firestone dust, as part of the
bagging crew, but she is, indeed, watching the various candidates. Her
manner might even be similar to one of a bird of prey. She smiles briefly
to the weyrleader, spotting his eyes on what she considers to be her
candidate crew.

Alyssa calls back, voice echoing from inside the mine, "There's a large
slab that has slid down somewhat, blocking the way. A few minutes with some
picks should reduce it enough to slide the rocks out again."

P'tran calls into the mine, "FInd what's causing it to get stuck?"

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "yeah, Kerlyn!"

Lily blinks, looking up at N'fan. "Do you like being on his back?" She
turns back to the mine, directing a couple of apprentices to move forward
with their heavy picks.

You say "Is that what caught the straps, then?"

P'tran is starting to look tired, either himself or reflecting his dragon's
weariness, its hard to tell

Benden Weyr> Kerlyn faints in shock. One of her poses came through?

Taylar stands out of the way, clutching Master Susaen's pick.

P'tran looks up at the sound of Kassima's voice and peers.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "It sure did. The Candidates are now quaking in
their boots."

Steryn sighs at his bad luck, caught staking while Lily flirts with that
rider. Great.

Benden Weyr> P'tran grins :)

Jazmin glances behind T'fian, "Ok.. here's good.. down she goes so I can
get blood back in my fingers."

P'tran says "What was it then?"

N'fan shrugs at Lily. He's never really thought about that. "Guess you
could say that. S'just part of my life is all."

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "23 people, including dragons at the mine. No
wonder there's spam."

Benden Weyr> Kerlyn says, "Hey! Who issued them boots?"

T'fian laughs and gingerly sets his end down on his fingers, but not
minding the pressure on them for a few moments until he pulls them from
beneath it.

Alyssa emerges after a moment, wiping her dusty fingers and brushing dust
from her eyes. "There's a stone slab that's slid down, blocking the left
side, sir. It needs to be broken down."

Kassima calls, "Probably this slab, sir. Alyssa spotted it; it's blocking
the way some."

Meli shifts around so that she's on the opposite side from Aph, then squats
to wait til the slab is broken up, her arms hanging down loose between her
knees.

T'fian stands back up and looks towards the mine entrance.

Susaen comments, "That'll be alot of work. Perhaps we should quit for the
day, and let the Journeyman have at it."

Benden Weyr> Taylar wipes his boot toes on the backs of his legs.

Jazmin almost drops her side of the stone and flexes her hands for a moment
before grinning, "Ok.. time for more."

Aphrael wraps the strap lightly around her hand as she waits to be told to
pull. Scuffing her boots on the ground she gets ready, trying to see
further into the mine as her eyes slowly adjusts to the dark.

Kaylarn decides Jazmin and T'fian didn't need his help after all and finds
himself a drink of water.

P'tran nods as he hears this. "All right then, we have to either break the
slab or get the harness out from around it."

Taylar says "Let's disconnect if from Laerth and move it when we have the
slack."

Kaylarn sits himself on a pile of rock and chuckles. Ahh, confusion,
nothing like it.

Rickon glances towards the entrance, then goes back to working.

Four hefty apprentice Miners pause near Susaen, the foremost among them
looking toward her questioningly. "Ya want us to go in now, Master?"

Alyssa says, uncertainly, "I'd recommend breaking it up because the strap
breaking would be a mess...but I am no miner."

P'tran glances over to Susaen. "If you're sure about that. I wouldn't want
to leave you stuck if we have just the one load remaining to get out."

T'fian nods to Jazmin and moves over to the sling again to get some more
'stone.

Kassima emerges from the mine, blinking to reaccustom her eyes. She hmmmms.
"I didn't see a way to remove it without breaking it, sir, but Alyssa was
closer to it than I was."

Lysbeth moves to Kaylarn and sits beside him. She whispers, "Whats going on?"

Susaen nods to the 'boys'. "Yes." To P'tran she says, "There's a few more
loads I'm afriad, but we'll try breaking it up first."

Kaylarn laughs at Kassima's comment.

P'tran nods to Alyssa. "Maybe one of the miners can go in and check. They'd
know best what can be broken and what can't."

Jazmin heads back over to Meroth's sling and starts hefting more stone,
back to humming again.

Susaen blinks and says, "I think it's a bad idea to have candidates in the
mine." Why, they don't even have picks!

Kaylarn smiles as he takes another sip of his water, then replies to
Lysbeth, "We're clearingout one of the collapsed mines, or trying to."

Meli finally turns her head as something she heard registers on her brain.
She waits quietly to see if they're going to pull or wait.

N'fan hms and looks around himself as he hears the verdict. "Guess there's
still some 'stone here to stack..maybe we can get that done, come back and
finish tomorrow..?"

Alyssa nods her complete agreement to P'tran...not that she wanted to go
back in! She brushes off her clothes in vain, realizing she needs yet
another bath.

Kaylarn calls out to N'fan, "You all be rested up by then?"

Lysbeth ahs, and nods.

P'tran grins at Susaen slightly. "Don't worry, Master Susaen, the
candidates are not going back in, they only went in to help find what the
problem was. I"ll leave it to your experience crew to handle it."

The apprentices nod to Susaen and move quickly but carefully into the mine.
Grunting and muted swearing can be heard for several minutes.

Taylar leaves the mine post haste.

Susaen nods to P'tran, "Good."

Lily shakes her head pityingly at Taylar. "You've got to get over that, you
know."

Aphrael shrugs slightly, not even sure Meli can see her gesture in the
dark. She keeps her hand slightly on the strap and follows it back to the
entrance, blinking quickly.

P'tran turns back to the candidates. "Get back from the mine. Good work
finding the problem."

Kassima listens to the swearing with interest, and backs away from the mine
willingly.

Rickon comes back to the entrance, and blinks. "Shards, that's almost as
bad as between." He backs away.

Taylar hands the pick back to Master Susaen. "Thank you, but I don't need it."

N'fan looks over at Kaylarn and nods. "I think so. I was just suggesting is
all." He glances at P'tran instinctively, then at Elyandra, who's really in
charge of the riders on this operation.

Alyssa quite cheerfully and readily moves toward the dragons again -- ah,
familiar ground -- and stays away from the mine.

Susaen takes the pick back and grins at Taylar. "Nope, it doesn't look like
you do, young man."

P'tran heads back over to Laerth and the dragon looks up. He gives a rumble
of anticipation and moves back into his former position, ready to have
another go at it when given the word.

Kaylarn chuckles at all these people hurrying away from what is, after all,
just a mine.

Bruised and covered in dust, the apprentices emerge, grinning widely.
"Think it's cleared now," one of them says, bowing deferentially to Susaen.

Jazmin just keeps stacking stone, she's enjoying this, hummiing contendedly
as she works.

Lysbeth sets her elbows on her knees, and her chin in her palms. She
watches like a little child.

P'tran glances over as he hears this and nods. "All right, I"ll have Laerth
try again, but slowly in case its still snagged."

Taylar follows the straps back up toward Laerth, checking for possible weak
spots. "Looks like the strap's ok."

Susaen nods to the apprentice, patting him on the shoulder, "Good work." To
P'tran she calls out, "Let'm go."

Meli straightens from her squant, stepping away quickly.

P'tran nods to Taylar. "I want you and the other candidates to watch the
straps carefully and warn if they start stretching

Chaeth rumblewarbles to the bronze.

Lily watches the movements as she returns to stacking the stone. She
whistles absently as she works, keeping one eye on Laerth.

Alyssa looks at Laerth and the others about to clear the last bit, and with
a sigh of relief she leans against Chaeth's familiar flank to watch the
straps.

Taylar nods to P'tran.

T'fian pauses in his stacking to look at the Weyrleader and his dragon for
a moment, then glancing to Meroth.

Kassima wipes dust away from her eyes and watches the straps.

Aphrael nods and stands back, keeping an eye on the straps.

Kaylarn settles back to watch the next attempt, still keeping an eye on
what Kassima's doing.

N'fan glances over to where he knows people have been stacking 'stone, and
seems surprised to see so much of it done already. "Wow..this shouldn't
take much longer.." He's not sure what else he can do right now, so he
starts stacking like most everyone else.

Laerth snorts and starts to move forward. The straps become taut, then very
taut, then almost to the point where they were stretching before, Laerth
still straining. Then all at once Laerth surges forward and his load slides
forward and out of the shaft

Susaen's shoulders sag significantly as she relaxes upon seeing Laerth's
success. One mine nearly cleared. Production will be speeding forward.

Alyssa cannot resist applauding for the bronze's success and, indeed, for
the success of the efforts this evening. "Well done, Laerth!" she cries.

Aphrael almost cheers, then remembers herself and simply smiles.

Benden Weyr> R'val dies of lag. Sorry if I'm not posing much. I'm just
going to stay quiet, I'm so lagged I can't be of any use anyway.

Taylar moves over and checks Reveth's straps for signs of overuse.

Lily stops in her stacking to watch Laerth, her cheeks dimpling in a smile
as his batch of 'stone comes out.

P'tran smiles broadly and pats Laerth on his side. "Very good, Laerth. Well
done," he says with genuine affection in his voice.

Kassima grins with relief as the straps don't break or anything, yet, and
keeps a careful eye on them just in case.

Benden Weyr> P'tran says, "We're wrapping it up anyway :)"

Chaeth warbles.

Meli shakes herself slightly and moves back over to the stone piles,
prepared to stack this last load if necessary, though she rubs at her left
shoulder as she does so.

Benden Weyr> R'val nods. Sorry to be useless here, gang :(

Benden Weyr> R'val says, "Oh yeesh. NOW my lag lets up. *grumble* :}"

N'fan smiles and stands up from his stacking, and jogs over to the bundle
just pulled by Laerth from the mine to help unload it.

Susaen recovers, "Everyone, unload Laerths firestone and then we'll call it
a day."

Jazmin gets the last stone out of Meroth's sling as Laerth brings more to
stack. She chuckles, "Good timing." she murmers.

Taylar checks Meroth's straps. He stops and fingers one of the joins.
"T'fian. Please don't pull again with these straps. I found a flaw. It
could snap under pressure."

P'tran moves around LAerth's side and remerges into view. He nods to
Susaen. "I think that's a good plan. Everybody here looks exhausted,
including me."

P'tran adds, "And especially the dragons.":

Susaen adds, "And me."

Kaylarn wrinkles his nose at all these people that seem slightly the worse
for wear, they've not stacked /that/ much, and colls out "But don't over do
things, I don't want to have to deal with irate healers because you didn't
take it easy enough."

Taylar checks Meroth's straps. He stops and fingers one of the joins.
"T'fian. Please don't pull again with these straps. I found a flaw. It
could snap under pressure."

Alyssa moves to Laerth and uses her final energy to help unload the last of
the stones.

Jazmin stretches, listening to a few joints protest before she heads over
to stack more stone, "You're worse than a gold dragon Kay." she grins.

Lily waves Steryn and a few of the others over, sighing and brushing her
hair back as she starts helping remove the stone. "Me too."

T'fian looks over at Taylar. "What?"

Susaen walks up to Elyandra and P'tran and says, "Thanks for your help. It
was very worthwhile."

Aphrael takes a deep breath and nods, moving forward to help with Laerth's
stack.

Taylar says "There is a flaw here in this strap. Let's remove them. I'll
fix them back at the weyr."

Meroth lifts his head and cranes his neck around to look at Taylar.

P'tran nods to Master Susaen and smiles wearily. "Glad to be of assistance.
Can your people handle the rest of this?"

Kaylarn rolls his eyes at Jazmin, "Well, it's less of a problem with
miners, but have .you. had to deal with annoyed Healers?"

Meli blinks a few times as she stacks, rubbing her hand across her cheek
and leaving a black smudge not -quite- as large as Kassi's.

Taylar smiles at Meroth. "At least it lasted for what you did."

Alyssa looks at Jazmin, almost daring her to answer in the negative.

Susaen puts her hands on her hips again, like Janeway on the Bridge and
nods to P'tran, "Yes, of course."

T'fian grimaces. "Shards. I should have seen any problems with them," he
mutters, then walks over and starts loosening the buckles of the harness
and removing it.

Jazmin laughs and nods, "More than you can imagine." she grins and hefts a
goodly siized bit of stone.

Kaylarn chuckles and shrugs, draining his cup. He nods, "Good point, on
second thought, you probably have."

Taylar says "I think the strain found a flaw in the stitching. Probably
looked ok until Meroth pulled."

P'tran grins at Susaen. He looks over to the others from Benden. "All
right, we're calling this a day. Nice work, everyone."

Alyssa lets out a deep breath and retrieves her hide jacket, wondering when
she was last this tired.

Taylar takes the straps from T'fian and bundles them up. "I'll take care of
them."

Jazmin returns to her hummiing as she gives a couple more pieces a shift,
she got there later so isnt' as tired.

Benden Weyr> P'tran acks at the time and REALLY has to get going. Someone
+tidy me and Laerth home when its all over ...

Meli places her last stone, then slumps against the stack a moment before
she bends over to grab her own borrowed jacket, brushing at it with
deadened arms to get the dust off.

Kassima unties her jacket from around her waste and slips it back on. She
blinks at Meli. "Um, Meli, you've a large smudge of 'stone-dust on your
cheek."

T'fian nods. "Thanks for finding the flaw."

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "My pleasure, sir. :)"

Taylar gets his coat, gloves and the straps and heads back over to Laerth
and P'tran for the ride home.

Benden Weyr> T'fian says, "Bye, boss. :)"

Chaeth wuffles Alyssa.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Night, boss."

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Zhai'helleva. :)"

After a pause, Meli turns her head to look at Kassi. "Eh?" she starts to
say, then a slow smile spreads across her face. "Kassi, you look a sight."

Lily relaxes tiredly, wrinkling her nose at the smell of firestone that
sticks to her hands. Ah well, the life of a miner. She grins over at
Susaen, "We did it...with some very important help."

Susaen turns to her miners, telling them, "Just finish cleaning up, and
then we can all go have some Benden Red."

P'tran * has to go but Icly directs everyone heading back to the Weyr, etc etc

Alyssa also retrieves her helmet and begins to don it when several large
flecks of dust cascade from her braid. "Oh, no," she sighs... "I just
washed it."

Taylar nods to T'fian. "No problem, sir.

Kassima hmmms? "I do?" she asks.

Aphrael nods and lets out a breath of relief, wandering over to retrieve
her flight gear near the stacked pile of firestone.

Kaylarn smiles rising to his feet and walking over to Susaen, "When are we
all going to do the next mine then?"

Susaen puts her hand on Lily's shoulder, "We did at that. People working
together can complish amazing things." Wait until Tiercel gets a whiff of
Susaen. She'll have to sleepon the sofa tonight.

N'fan stacks one more rock onto the others before standing up and bending
backwards a little, hands on hips, relieving a bit of mild back pain.

T'fian shrugs and stretches his neck. He walks next to Meroth and pats his
flank. "You okay, guy?" he asks the blue who warbles a response. Meroth's
hide has a definite greyish tint, but it is slowly fading back to it's
natural pale blue.

Jazmin gives the apprentices a hand with some of the clearing up before
retrieving hher sweater and jacket, not putting the sweater on and leaving
her jacket open for now.

Susaen says, "Oh, I'll talk to P'tran and Elyandra about the second mine."

Alyssa looks uo at Chaeth and asks, leaning against his warm and secure
brown hide, "Care to give me a ride back to Benden, my love?"

Meli pulls on the jacket, wincing slightly as she shifts her shoulders to
get her arms in the sleeves. "yah, you've dust all across your eyes and
runnin' down your nose too"

Taylar moves over to Master Susaen. "Glad we could help, Master."

Lily smiles brightly, rubbing her nose and leaving a smudge. "People,
Master. And dragons."

Chaeth warbles to Alyssa.

T'fian looks around. "Who needs a ride back to the Weyr," he asks to the
Candidates and residents?

Susaen smiles at Taylar. "I'm glad you all could, too." Her voice is kind.
Too bad she's so blind.

Alyssa looks toward Jazmin. "Might I get a lift back with you two?"

You say "My nose, and eyes? Great... well, it doesn't matter. I'll get it
when we get back."

Jazmin heads over to Susaen, "Chaeth and I'll be back for the next one.."
she promises.

Lily rubs her nose again and looks over at Taylar, "Well, you did good work
with those straps." She looks to N'fan, "Will you be back too?"

Susaen smiles warmly at Jazmin. "Good to know."

Taylar says "Thanks, Lily. Hope to see you soon."

Susaen looks warily at Chaeth, but smiles.

Jazmin nods to Alyssa, "Sure thing."

Meli calls out to T'fian. "I do" unable to raise her hand.

Alyssa looks around again at the dragons, worriedly, then sighs and heaves
herself up Chaeth's straps.

Taylar says "I need a ride, sir."

Steryn, having finally finished his stacking moves swiftly over to Lily, to
try and drag her attention away from that rider she seems so enamoured with.

Alyssa hops onto Chaeth, with the aid of the straps to land comfortably
'tween two neck ridges.

Kerlyn lifts a hand as well, walking back over to the crowd, "We can take
some as well." she adds, once in earshot again.

R'val grins towards Kassima, "Coming back with me, then?"

T'fian nods to Meli and Taylar. "Hop on, whenever."

Jazmin hops onto Chaeth, with the aid of the straps to land comfortably
'tween two neck ridges.

Reveth lumbers over towards N'fan, and he glances over his shoulder to give
the dragon a kind smile. Hearing Lily's question, he turns to reply, "Yeah,
we'll be here." Then, a bit more quietly, he adds, "I hope."

T'fian quickly climbs up Meroth's foreleg, giving the blue dragon an
affectionate scritch as he settles between the neckridges.

Taylar climbs onto Meroth's foreleg, then climbs up his riding straps to
sit between his neckridges.

Kassima touches her nose and sighs good-naturedly as her fingers come away
dotted with dust. She nods to R'val. "Aye aye, if Vidarth's amenable to
carrying me."

Meli climbs onto Meroth's foreleg, then climbs up his riding straps to sit
between his neckridges.

R'val uses Vidarth's side straps to mount up agilely, settling onto the
little blue's back and straightening, petting his head once as Vidarth
thrums excitedly, ready to fly.

You climb up Vidarth's straps to his back and settle in.

Away from Vidarth, Vidarth nudges Kassima, a bit more spirited now for his
rest.

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Jazmin calls, "Chaeth's fresh, we
can take more people.."

Away from Vidarth, N'fan glances at Steryn and frowns a little. There
doesn't seem to be anger there, just disappointment. Then he murmurs very
quietly,

R'val turns to help Kassima strap in and smiles gently, 'YOu look as tired
as I feel. And as dirty."

Away from Vidarth, Rickon says "Who can take me?"

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Jazmin grins, "C'mon up Rickon."

Benden Weyr> Baram scratches his head. "We had a tiny DB rollback?"

Kassima grins wearily. "I don't know about the dirty part, though Meli
assures me that's true, but I won't argue with you about being tired."

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "We did?"

Away from Vidarth, Susaen amazingly sees this business with Lily and N'fan.
And Steryn and she calls out, a little sharply, "Lily!"

Away from Vidarth, Atop Meroth, Meli fumbles at the straps with weary
fingers, leaning against the ridge behind her.

Away from Vidarth, Lily doesn't see Steryn as she smiles and waves to
N'fan. "I hope to see you soon, then. You and that pretty dragon of yours
take care."

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Yeah, during the crash today."

R'val laughs, "The hot springs await us all, I'm sure, when we get back."

Away from Vidarth, Kerlyn quirks an eyebrow, looking around the fielfd,
"Who's left? Aphrael?"

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, Taylar straps himself securely into
Meroth's riding straps.

Away from Vidarth, Lily winces at Susaen's voice, turning to her
questioningly. "Yes, Master?"

Away from Vidarth, N'fan murmurs very quietly, "Or maybe not," as he turns
towards Reveth and starts working to remove his harness.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "What did we lose?"

Away from Vidarth, Rickon hops onto Chaeth, with the aid of the straps to
land comfortably 'tween two neck ridges.

Benden Weyr> Rickon says, "Yep...somebody let Tellurians in the server."

Benden Weyr> Thera notes that it lost all chages she made to some things....:P

Away from Vidarth, Between Meroth's neckridges, Meli sighs. "T'fian, I
can't seem to get these... c'n you help? I've not much feeling left in
m'fingers."

Away from Vidarth, Steryn sighs from beside Lily, turning and wandering
morosely off.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen walks over to Lily who is near Reveth and looks
at the rider a little sternly. Don't you dare break my Lily's heart.

Kassima grins. "Now I'm really glad that Slithereth doesn't live in them."

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Jazmin twists i her seat, "Everybody
strapped in?"

R'val laughs, "If he did, he'd have a lot of hot, sweaty people to contend
with.

Benden Weyr> Thera grins. My new alias for one thing.

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Alyssa passes the straps back to
Rickon, already secured in and almost asleep.

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Rickon fastens the straps. "Yep."

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, T'fian straps Meli securely into the
riding straps.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen wishes Lily was younger, so she could pull her by
the ear....

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, Meli nods her thanks, eyes closing.

Benden Weyr> Baram says, "The only thing I notices was the meeting next
Tues was new mail again."

Away from Vidarth, Aphrael eeps and catches up with the others, looking up,
"Who has room?"

Away from Vidarth, Lily takes a brave step forward and reaches out to pat
Reveth gently. "You come back soon."

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Jazmin looks back down, "Anyone else
for a ride?"

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, T'fian makes sure Meli's straps are
secured tightly and nods to her. "No problem. Are you two ready?"

Away from Vidarth, Kerlyn waves APhrael over to Sorath, "Here- we can take
some."

Away from Vidarth, Between Meroth's neckridges, Taylar says "Yes, sir."

Away from Vidarth, Kerlyn gives Sorath an affectionate pat as he offers her
a sturdy forelimb to assist her as she mounts.

Away from Vidarth, Aphrael nods and approaches Kerlyn, "Thank you ma'am."

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, Meli opens her eyes and says "Yes, sir"
before she closes them again/

Away from Vidarth, Aphrael uses Sorath's offered foreleg, grabing hold of
the riding straps and climbs up to settle in between two neckridges.

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Jazmin nods as Aph gets a ride and
grins to her passengers, "Ok guys.. hometime." she waves to Kay, "I'll see
ya later Kay.. stay outta trouble." she winks.

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn stands quietly by, watching all the helpers vanish.

Away from Vidarth, Mounted on her lifemate, Kerlyn readjusts the straps,
turning around to make sure Aphrael's fastened in as securely as she.
"We're not leaving anyone behind?"

Away from Vidarth, Reveth rumbles quietly. N'fan glances at Susaen under
Reveth's neck and asks, "Um..did you need something Master?"

Away from Vidarth, Seated on Sorath's neck, Aphrael quickly straps herself
in, pushing her helmet onto her head.

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Alyssa closes her eyes and yawns,
leaning a bit on Jazmin's sturdy back.

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn waves at Jazmin, "I'll get in no more than you
do, I promise."

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Jazmin looks to the other dragons
and gives Chaeth the signal to take off.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen can be kind. She can also be a curmudgeon. She
shakes her finger at N'fan (well in that general direction, it's more aimed
at Reveth's nose right now). However her words are different than her
actions, "Thank you for your help. We welcome you back any time." Oh, how
sorry she might be to have said those words.

Away from Vidarth, Mounted on her lifemate, Kerlyn turns to see who all's
left, then her eyes fall on T'fian.

R'val turns his head to regard T'fian steadily, awaiting.

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn nods with Susaen, since he's standing roughly
near her and adds, "We always like to improve weyr-craft relations."

Away from Vidarth, N'fansmiles a little and nods at Susaen. "I..we were
glad to help," amending the I to we at the silent behest of his lifemate.

Away from Vidarth, Sorath lumbers up to his feet, limbering his wings a
little, letting out a largish draconian yawn.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen says, "You're both welcome." A glance at Lily.
*sniff*

Away from Vidarth, Lily looks up at the Masters and smiles, "Weyr-craft
relations. That sounds nice." She winks at Reveth.

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, T'fian sighs as he finds several riders
eyeing him. He looks over at N'fan. "Coming?" he calls.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen tells Lily, "Remember what I told you about riders."

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn nods again, "Improve." he repeats.

Away from Vidarth, Reveth warbles and brings his snout around to his huge
eyes seem to take in Lily, Susaen, and Kaylarn. N'fan hides a grin behind
his hand and politely excuses himself. "Um..scuse me. I better get this
harness packed up.."

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Alyssa * will. Poor Jazmin puts up
with this all the time. :)

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn waves at Reveth, "Hi." he says brightly at the
snout.

Away from Vidarth, N'fan calls up to T'fian, "Yeah..be right there."

Away from Vidarth, Susaen steps away from the gigantic dragon, frowning a
little. She murers to Kaylarn, "I don't want Lily running off with some
scandalous blue rider. Why, last time I was at Benden he was scantily
clad." As if the last is the worst sin.

Away from Vidarth, Lily reaches out to patpat the bit blue snout. She turns
back to Susaen, her face freezing. "Yes, Master," she whispers, taking a
step back.

Away from Vidarth, Reveth still looks at the three as N'fan works near the
dragon's tail, bundling up the harness now that he's got it unhooked from
Reveth.

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn nods sagely, "They're all like that at the weyr.
Especially Benden, they're the worst."

Away from Vidarth, N'fan doesn't hear Susaen's accusation, or he might
defend himself..

Away from Vidarth, Seated on Sorath's neck, Aphrael blinkblinks quickly,
trying to remain at least slightly alert.

Away from Vidarth, N'fan gets the harness bundled up and lashes it to
Reveth's straps before climbing on board the dragon.

Kassima stifles a yawn and a chuckle.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen nods sagely, "We don't want our Lily de-flowered."

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Alyssa * ughs at that pun, Susaen

Away from Vidarth, Susaen * couldn't help it. :)

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn * blinks. Only just got that. Oh dear.

Away from Vidarth, Lily ventures a shy smile to Reveth, "I think you're
real pretty." So intent is she on looking at the dragon that she doesn't
hear Susaen's or Kay's comments.

Away from Vidarth, Steryn sits quietly, well almost, on a pile of rocks. He
watches Lily and sighs again.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen sighs a bit, too. She asks Kaylarn, "Can't you do
something?"

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn mutters to Susaen, " Poke... thnk... she'll
fall..."

Away from Vidarth, N'fan climbs up onto Reveth's back, aided by an extended
forelimb and by the riding straps fastened about the base of the blue
dragon's long neck.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen pokes Lily in the side, disbelieving that the
girl is so taken with a *gasp* rider.

Away from Vidarth, Lily jumps at the poke and stumbles, falling backward,
arms flailing.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen says, "We have to marry her off quick." She looks
pointedly at Kaylarn.

Away from Vidarth, High atop Reveth, N'fan securely fastens Reveth's riding
straps to himself.

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn shakes his head, "oh dear me no, You're married
Susaen, we covered this before. You can't marry Lily as well."

Away from Vidarth, Steryn leaps quickly to his feet to try and catch the
stumbling Lily.

Away from Vidarth, Lily falls flat onto her back, peering up at the sky,
laughing to herself.

Away from Vidarth, Astride Meroth, T'fian has partially disconnected.

Away from Vidarth, Between Meroth's neckridges, Meli starts, rubbing at her
eyes wearily. "We home yet?" she mumbles.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen frowns at N'fan again and says to Kay, "Just look
at her. She looks completely besotted." This never figured into Susaen's
plans.

Away from Vidarth, From Chaeth's back, Alyssa leans more solidly against
Jazmin, dozing lightly in her secured spot on Chaeth.

Away from Vidarth, Reveth brings his snout a bit closer to Lily, then lifts
up his head to look at the other dragons. N'fan seems somewhat annoyed and
embarrassed simultaneously, but he doesn't say anything. He just looks at
the other riders to let them know he's ready.

Away from Vidarth, Between Meroth's neckridges, T'fian raises his arm,
signalling the dragons to launch.

Away from Vidarth, Meroth leaps into the air on a downstroke of his wings,
leaving eddies of dust swirling beneath him.

Away from Vidarth, Kaylarn leans over to Susaen again. He mutters to
Susaen, "... okay,... only a blue... pass." 

Away from Vidarth, Meroth glides majestically towards the fields to the north.

Away from Vidarth, Sorath follows Meroth, with a smooth downstroke.

Benden Weyr> T'fian forgot where we were. :)

Away from Vidarth, Sorath glides majestically towards the fields to the north.

Away from Vidarth, Lily smiles at Reveth and scrambles to her feet, dusting
herself off, not at all aware of the murmured conversation between Susaen
and Kay.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen seems to be placated by this murmer. But looking
down at Lily, she's not so sure.

Benden Weyr> Rickon says, "Ahem...Jazmin?"

Benden Weyr> Kerlyn hehs. Me too. :)

Away from Vidarth, Reveth glides majestically towards the fields to the north.

Away from Vidarth, Tareen walks into the mines area from the fields.

Benden Weyr> Taylar says, "Get Susaen to +tidy you guys home."

Benden LC> Baram. nods. "Exactly how did that happen. And, how old is Lival?"

Away from Vidarth, Steryn stops just behind Lily as she scrambles to her
feet, torn between actually reaching out and touching her, and just
standing there dumbly. By default, he chooses just standing.

Away from Vidarth, Tareen waves politely

Benden Weyr> Rickon says, "Is she still online?"

Benden Weyr> Rickon says, "Oh, stuff this...I flew home with Jazmin. Honest."

Away from Vidarth, Susaen waves Tareen over. There's a mob of miners all
over, and stacks and stacks of firestone everywhere.

Away from Vidarth, Lily waves at the departing dragons and turns to Steryn.
"Thanks anyway, I didn't hurt myself." She smiles at Susaen and Kay, "A
good day's work, don't you think?"

Away from Vidarth, Susaen points at Lily. "Just look at that look on her
face."

Benden Weyr> T'fian thought she had come back.

Away from Vidarth, Susaen is still frowning.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa thinks she's lagging.

You glide towards the fields towards the north.

You wing up into the sky.

Away from Vidarth, Vidarth disappears into Between.

Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear
nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!

You suddenly emerge...

Air Above Benden Weyr
You are flying in the skies directly above Benden Weyr. The Weyr iteself is
a large caldera directly below you. Its size is impressive; a small Hold
could easily fit within its bowl with room left over. Stretching roughly to
the north and south is the mountain range of which the Weyr is part, rugged
peaks of bare rock and stone. You can see the expanse of Benden territory
to the east and west. 
 From here you can fly downwards to the 'North Bowl' or 'South Bowl', or
you can land 'Outside Benden Weyr' near the Entrance Tunnel.
The sky is hidden by a grey blanket, and there is a chilly dampness to the
air.
Contents:
Reveth
Vyrinth
Obvious exits:
Sky Above Benden  Outside Benden Weyr  


Away from Vidarth, Vidarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Benden Weyr> Alyssa came back with F'hlan, since she went there with him. :)

Away from Vidarth, From the North, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's
mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to blue Vidarth
and his rider, R'val, welcoming them home.

You fly downwards towards the north end of the bowl.

You fly downwards towards the ground.

You backwing for a landing on sands of the bowl.

R'val helps Kassima out of her straps, tgrinning, "Home at last!"

Kassima grins. "Thanks for the ride, R'val, Vidarth!"

R'val slides down Vidarth's side, landing in a crouch on his feet next to
his dragon.

You scoot down Vidarth's back, landing neatly on your feet.

Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind
legs and bugles a greeting to blue Meroth and his rider, T'fian, welcoming
them home.

Above, Meroth glides down from above.

Meroth backwings for a landing.

You say "Thanks again for the ride, R'val, but sleep calls, I'm afraid. And
I need to get this dratted dust off my face."

Astride Meroth, Meli groans slightly, stiff from the work and the cold.

R'val walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.

Atop Meroth, Taylar undoes the buckles and riding straps that secures him
to Meroth.

Between Meroth's neckridges, T'fian looks back at Meli and Taylar. "You too
okay?"

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

Thera nods to the rider and Alyssa and Kassi.

Baram. smiles. "It's prolly good you restrained yourself."

Kassima waves as she passes through. You get the feeling you shouldn't ask
why she looks like a raccoon. She just does.

Baram. nods to R'val. "Good evening, sir."

R'val walks in and immediately plops into a seat, pouring himself a mug of
klah.

You walk towards the inner cavern.