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Misbehavior By Morning


Date:  March 15, 2000
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Southern Bowl and Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  I'm not sure exactly why I waited so long to post this
log.  It seems a pretty entertaining one when I read it now, and I 
dimly recall enjoying the RP, tired as I was; of course, the nostalgia
factor may improve it. :)  An insomnia-beset Kassi and a M'kon fresh 
from watchriding meet up in the Living Cavern, later to be joined by
I'sai--who's been doing something naughty that involves Macami and 
D'ton--and Whinde, who needs a name for her child to come. 

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The Log:

You fly downwards towards the bowl.

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles,
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

Kassima waves after the fly-by Ryialla once she's successfully made it down
from her dragon's neck, somehow managing to dismount without looking like
an *utter* idiot despite the complication of the operation these days.
"Feh," she decides makes a good statement for the situation in general, and
tromps on over LC-wards.

Nioth turns his head to huff cheerfully at Lysseth, stretching his nose out
to the older green in pleasant greeting.

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

Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the Wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives.

Lysseth> Lysseth dutifully watches to make sure her rider reaches the
Living Caverns safely, then turns her focus about to rumble back to the
young bronze amiably enough. Older. Hmph. Rub it in, why doesn't he.

M'kon looks up from pouring himself a mug of klah, looking a bit pink about
the cheeks still, from his turn at watchriding. "Evening...or morning is
it? Kassima..."

Lysseth> Nioth does, with a very light touch to the green's handsome piney
hide: a nuzzle of sorts. Companionable once more, and back to his 'old'
tricks, tail flicking around his craggy hind feet. 

"Is it morning?" Kassi asks, pausing inside the entranceway to wince at the
light within. Rubbing at her eyes, she then answers her own question: "Must
be. Nay that I could tell; haven't slept but a few minutes all night. Did
you just wake up, or haven't you been t'bed yet?"

M'kon chuckles, "Haven't been to bed yet, and it's just three quarters
candlemark to five, so it must be morning. It's only ah...one? Two? at the
Crafthall?" A pause, "Want some klah?"

Lysseth> Flattery will get you everywhere. Lysseth returns the favor with a
brushing glide of green muzzle against bronze hide, then settles in with a
lengthy stretch and gape-jawed yawn, wings extending almost to their limits
before furling back. She must not have gotten much sleep either.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Nioth recommends in shades of earthen tawn and
terra cotta ruddy, a few hastily gulped fish just to feel them wriggle on
the way down, and a long warm laying about under sun's rays. Mindvoice like
audiovisual spice, husky and fragrant.

Kassima repeats, carefully uncovering her eyes to better be able to make
her way to her table, if squintingly, "One. Two. T'be waking at that hour
rather than nay sleeping yet *would* be just plain wrong, I have t'grant.
Thankee, but nay--there's only one time of Turn I drink klah, and Lysseth
is mercifully glowless today."

M'kon chuckles some, "Right...milk or juice then?"

M'kon shrugs, as he waits for the answer, "Watchriding...T'rio's got the
ride after me. And he's almost invariably late to his turn."

"Juice--" Kassi starts to say, then sighs. "Nay, milk. Hate the stuff, but
the Healers do insist 'tis a better thing. And *sometimes* they're right.
I'll humor them. Mayhaps you should threaten t'get Ryi t'sing to him with
Mr. Flibble if'n he's late again?"

Lysseth> Nioth senses that Lysseth's mindtone provides a clear contrast: a
forest of crystal spires under twilight-dark sky, each illuminated with
ebbed radiance. Amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and a blood-red river winding
through beneath. Fish, she flickers back in silver lightning-spark. Are
there fish in the Lake again, then? She'd been given to believe--and here,
a light tease chimes--that she was being blamed for having eaten them all.

M'kon blinks owlishly, and is quick to answer, "I wouldn't wish that on my
worst enemy..." A couple of quick searches produces another mug and the
chilled pitcher of milk. A sniff of it, too, to make sure it's still fresh
before he brings it over. "Here you go...how are you uh...feeling?"
Meaningful glance at a middlesection that's growing still.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Nioth is all innocence, leaking out the
memory-scent of seafoam and succulent, oily deepwater fish. A flash, clear
as a visualization, of hot sun on Shipfish, sand, seagrass, screaming
avians disturbed in a happy romp. A tease of distraction from the question
at hand.

Kassima accepts the mug with a sincere if bleary smile of thanks, ringed
hands curling firmly around it. "Fat," is her succinct answer. "Immensely,
incredibly, enormously, abundantly fat. Thankee for asking, though." A sip
of milk and the subsequent acquiring of a milk-moustache later: "And beyond
that, I suppose I'm all right. Tired, a'course. But that's t'be expected.
What of you? I've heard rumors that your life's been going well of late."

M'kon is quick to settle down into a chair once the mug's been handed over.
A quiet sip of the klah, a gesture he doesn't realize is painfully familiar
to some, as he holds the vessel just /so/. "Settling down...um...nicely,
knock on wood. Almost back to normal...I uh...think."

Lysseth> Nioth senses that Lysseth seizes upon that image as a child might
on a toy, though her touch sends ripples of subtle alteration: Shipfish's
warmth exchanged for the tropical humidity of Boll, lush flowers blossoming
scarlet amongst the fronds that skirt jungle's edges. Starfire sparkles
whirl about it in delight for a bare moment--but then withdraw abruptly
into a flash of smoked garnet irritation. She can't go to either her image
or his, and it's all her *rider's* fault.

"I must remember t'be brewing another pot of the Klah sometime soon," Kassi
murmurs as she watches over the rim of her own cup. "Normal is relative,
but 'twill knock all I can for you. On wood or on the wooden heads of
certain Wingmates of mine, whichever. So you *are* officially cohabitating
now, then?"

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Nioth chuffs in amusement...offers instead,
another culprit. A certain OTHER green's rider, who is more to blame. J'lyn
is rimmed in shades of green and gold, in his mild wickedness.

M'kon hehs a bit and peers into his mug a moment before answering,
"Yeah...they still hadn't put anyone in my old room, so I took it back. For
now, anyhow. Till after the hatching, probably. Aurian says there's a weyr
in Dawnslight's space we can have, if we want to clean it. I haven't been
um. Brave enough to go see the damage."

Lysseth> Nioth senses that Lysseth pounces on this concept with viridian
glee. So true, and so wise this bronze to point it out for her. Perhaps, a
darkly purple flicker suggests, Lorieth would not mind *too* much if she
should, say, happen to accidentally nudge him into that hole in the Bowl as
he walked by? In the lack of snow to fling as yet, that would have to do
for suitable punishment.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Nioth suggests, oh so meekly, perhaps a wait
till after a near-winter rain...mud is as pleasant as snow to fling.

Kassima agrees dryly, reaching to snag a cookie from a plate abandoned
momentarily by a Wingrider who really should have known better, "Rinath
might be objecting a bit if'n her mate strayed too much from her side 'til
then, aye. Is this weyr still full of someone else's things, or just messy?
Could help you sort if'n 'tis the former."

M'kon chuckles some, "Yeah...I know." Trust the weyrbred to know. "That's
why I didn't even try. It can wait a bit."

Lysseth> Nioth senses that Lysseth does give this due thought. Yes, mud
would suit quite well, but the thought is colored with the cold ooze of
water-slimed dirt between talons, the itch of it drying on hide. Mud has
its disadvantages. But it might be worth it. Particularly if he were
wearing those strange pants of his. Whoosh, splat--one clawful of cold mud
to cover those cheek-chillers.

M'kon pauses a moment, to peer out incredulously at his lifemate in the
bowl. Then shakes his head as if to clear it of an unwanted image.

"Patience," Kassi quips, glib, "is a virtue. Which is one of the many
reasons most people would nay consider me terribly virtuous. Good for you
in being able t'be managing it better. Have you started calculating what
your wager on the clutch will be yet?" She seems blissfully ignorant of the
draconic conversation... until, that is, she takes her next sip of milk,
which is promptly snorted out her nose as Lyss helpfully decides to share.

I'sai walks here from the Inner Cavern.

I'sai backs out of the inner caverns in a shuffle of moccasins, a pace
before Whinde and, more importantly, a buzz-winged blue demon from
Slitherith's nether regions; it's initially unclear whether his
hastily-thrust-on oversized shirt is just on backwards or inside out, too..

Whinde walks here from the Inner Cavern.

M'kon starts to open his mouth to answer, but then can only chuckle and
hand over a napkin, "J'lyn's pants?"

Whinde trails Is in, rubbing a hip and walking none to-coordinatedly. She
heads over in the general direction of scraps, yawns, and blinks sleepy
eyes. "Heya" she calls to Kassima and M'kon, gathering up tidbits of meat
stuffs.

Kassima scrubs frantically at her nose, coughing. "J'lyn's pants, plus mud,
plus Lysseth having very *strange* timing on when t'be mentioning the
idea... I have a truly odd lifemate at times." And thus perhaps it's
unsurprising that she seems to welcome distraction. "Whinde, I'sai," she
calls over a bit too brightly and probably still with milk on her face.
"G'morning. I'm taking it you just woke?" That more towards the bronzerider
as she eyes his shirt.

"I didn't know things like that -could- fall asleep," is the sum of what
I'sai mutters, however interrupted by various pauses and whispered
imprecations. Still, the closer they get to the kitchen and scrap-pail, the
slower the little firelizard swoops, and the more marked is the red whirl
of his eyes. Wearily the young man calls over, "Something like that. Hello."

M'kon grins some, then turns back to smile at I'sai. Glances warily at So,
then asks, "Blue's not acting like that, is he?"

Whinde snickers. "You'd be suprised what parts of your body can fall
asleep, I'm sure. G'morning Kassi, M'kon. Sleep is relative these days, so
that's about the sum of it." she keeps her wary distance from So though,
not wanting to become the resting post for a hungry 'lizard during feeding.
But even so, when she finds it, she picks up the scrap pale.

Kassima finally gives up the last gasp of dignity and wipes her chin off
with a shirt sleeve. "Things like that? And what's with the 'lizard--oh,
shells. Right. Morning." Clapping a hand over her eyes, she chants, "Must
nay think of meat. Must nay think of feeding. Must nay think of aught t'do
with F-O-O-D. Shhh. Nay anyone make any F-O-O-D sounds."

"No," I'sai says as he follows Whinde to the pail, only it's spoken to
errant So, as if he'd learn better thereby. "-Blue- is a nice, kind,
well-brought-up firelizard who wouldn't -dream- of not waiting till the
real morning instead of the pretend morning before he felt the urge to get
hungry. Unlike some individuals I could name, who think that just because
someone happens to not be flying around as much as they'd like, they have
nothing better than to cater to the whims of silvery-winged mongrels...
Food sounds? I can spell -that- much, you know."

M'kon frowns a bit, then looks towards the bowl with some trepidation.
Kassima, unlike himself, has a Fair.

Whinde holds up the pale, holding it far out from her body. "Oh shards, is
it that time of the mornin' already?" she asks warily, peeking at the door.
"Kassi, how on Pern did you manage to pick up a whole weyrfull of those
things anyway?"

M'kon says after a moment, distracted, "Blue's just sharding lazy...too
lazy to do all that swooping and carrying on."

Kassima does indeed have a Fair, and lo, evidently she did not succeed in
suppressing food-thoughts very well as about ten of them elect to pop from
*between* and circle her head with demanding creels. "Oh, Faranth," she
mourns, with an evil eye shot towards the bronzerider-nanny pair. "They can
sense food thoughts from a mile away--all right, all *right*, you bloody
wher-spawn. 'Twill get you your breakfast a'fore you decide t'be picking
*my* bones clean. Mnementh's bloody family jewels on a sharp fardling stick."

I'sai grabs the tongs and reaches right in, giving So a narrow-eyed
don't-you-even-think-about-it look till the firelizard settles with
questionable demureness to his forearm. And feeds him, careful to avoid
getting blood on his white sleeve; "Fine. Lazy, well-brought-up, close
enough. Be lazy, So, if that's what it takes. And not like... them over
there."

Kassima levers herself out of her chair with some haste, making for the
kitchens, with a downright Hitchcock-esque swarm of blue, green, and a
single gold shape trailing along behind... more popping in to join the
melee until the entire roster of eighteen is accounted for. "This is all
*your* fault," Kassi yells back towards the Cavern, as the muffled yelps of
kitchenfolk can be heard--abruptly stilled and replaced with the sounds of
many, many 'lizards gobbling as fast as their greedy guts will allow. It's
not all that pleasant a noise. "Don't ask me, Whinde," comes another call
over the cacophony. "Must be a masochist, I guess."

"I'm not sure what that's supposed to explain," says Is, relaxing
perceptibly as So eases up. "And not fair - ha ha - that you don't have to
hand-feed 'em yourself. Oh, he'll distract for a dragon-kill, but once it's
cut up... nearly there. Thanks, Whinde."

That mostly unplesant noise might normally not bother the not-so-frail
nanny, but this morning she manages to turn positively green. The greenness
isn't accompanied by her usual reaction this time, however, as Whinde seems
to be able to control her reaction at least somewhat. But a backward glance
at the serving table affirms that she's no longer interested in food. She
nods, lips pressed together, half smiles. "Surely.. I think I'll stick with
ferrets. I don't have it yet, but they're not supposed to be messy. Or so
Jav says."

Kassima is a long time in emerging from the kitchens, but when she does,
she does so covered in bloody meat drippings and stuffed fire-lizards.
Shoulders, arms, head, even the enormous bowl she's carrying is now full of
the creatures. "They've learned that I don't have eighteen hands, so if'n
they don't self-serve, they'll likely never get fed," she retorts. "As
t'ferrets nay being messy, have you ever seen one? The kidlets' ferret
hides toys everywhere, gets in the furniture...."

M'kon chuckles, amused. "Well..could be worse. Could be a duck."

Whinde nods, pondering, and deliberately ignores the mess from the fair.
"Ah well, mayhaps I'll ignore the pet thing alltogether. Maybe it'd be
better, cleaner certainly." she shrugs, letting that pale slip downwards
some, and propping her elbows on her slowly expanding waist.

"I'll try," but I'sai has to grin as he says it. "...Creeling little green
or no. -Are- ducks worse? Anra was saying the other dormies didn't like
hers much, but that might've just been hers."

M'kon ohs, "Speaking of which. Is...Scmitt said she met you down at Igen
while her duck's eggs were hatching..."

"Schmitt?" I'sai visibly mulls it over, wandering over his way to sit; a
beckon welcomes Whinde to join them if she likes. "...Wait, if that's her
duck; that makes her S'more's friend, or something like that."

"However bad ducks are, they can't be worse than the ferret, or Khari's
porcine, or these *'lizards*," Kassi opines with fond disgust as she sets
down the bowl and scoops a fire-lizard from it. "Back to the weyr with you,
go on. Shoo." It does take some time, but eventually most of the 'lizards
are hastened along their way, minus Kyril and Zabreneva who take up their
shoulder-stations. "But what is all this about ducks? I still don't
understand it."

M'kon nods a bit, "Yeah. She's Macami's new weyrmate...she said she met you
when her duck's eggs hatched. 'Cami said that the man that's impersonating
D'ton was there too...you didn't see anyone doing that, did you?"

I'sai's distracted by watching the disappearances with approval, while So
meanders up his arm to curl about his neck like a satin and good-humoredly
humming ruff; "New, another one? Well - D'ton? Oh! D'ton." He glances
around, as if the man could appear from behind him; "Hmm, you could say so.
Thought I said."

M'kon lifts a brow, "Said what? You know who it was? D'ton's still hotter
than threadscore over it."

Kassima repeats, now thoroughly confused, "Someone's been impersonating
D'ton?" as she resettles into her chair. "Why would someone impersonate
D'ton? Macami's had quite a few weyrmates over the Turns, if'n I've heard
the Igen scuttlebutt aright--though I don't have any contacts left these
days, so Faranth alone knows. Schmitt, though? That's interesting."

M'kon nods to Kassima's observation about Macami, then shrugs at Kassima,
"Not sure...but they got Cami in a real tizzy, whoever it was. Being rude."

I'sai knuckles his brow; ruefully, "How'd he find out? And still? It
must've been seasons ago..." or maybe just feels like it. "Of course I know
who it was. Wouldn't've - that's the thing, Kassima, it just, er, slipped
out." He clears his throat. "Well, she was rude first."

Whinde props her chin on hand, elbow on table, and just sits nearby, mostly
content to just listen. "Ducks... Is it another dragonrider, or just some
foolhardy person who feels like being clever?"

I'sai supplies, "Both, you could say."

"That's... very strange," Kassi decides is safe to say. "T'be impersonating
a particular dragonrider. And how would you do it? I have a terrible time
convincing Lysseth t'pretend her name's Lyrsith when I want t'go somewhere
in disguise. She still can't really do it, but I suppose she must get the
other dragons in on the conspiracy somehow." A suspicious look is slanted
I'sai-wards. "'Twasn't you, was it?"

M'kon shakse his head, and responds to Whinde, "No...it was a rider...a
bronzerider even, wearing a Telgar knot..." If he heard I'sai's comment, it
doesn't seem to register. Then, "Well, Cami can be sharp, but that's no
reason to lie about who he is with the excuse of being rude back."

I'sai sits back a little on the bench, under the guise of prying So's
muzzle out from his ear, pale eyes dropped. "Who'd believe I was D'ton,
Kassima. Hard to find anyone who looks less like him. ...Of course, no
point in saying someone like T'saren; -that's- not worth any sort of
gamble, Ryi'd probably say."

M'kon pauses a moment, with a dumbfounded look. Then says, "Someone that'd
never met D'ton, just knew his name from hearing me talk about him."

Kassima suggests, watching I'sai with that expression that suggests she's
whirling puzzle pieces about in her head to try and make them fit, "Someone
who didn't know D'ton t'be knowing what else he looked like? T'saren
doesn't look much more similar, after all, saving for the hair. And his
knot would be all wrong. Macami'd know a Weyrsecond's knot from a
bronzerider's."

Whinde pitches in "And someone that never knew you?" in the general
direction of I'sai

I'sai says thinly, "I didn't know you'd talked about him," as if it should
make some difference; "And... and, that too, knot and never-knew and such.
S'more was even there, and it's not as if Taralyth could - or would! - pass
for Kyoteth..."

M'kon says in a reproachful tone. Disappointed even, "/I'sai/...she didn't
know you from Faranth's mate's lifemate! She certainly didn't know D'ton to
know any better. Now she thinks D'ton's a perfect cad. And she thinks the
world of you, even though she doesn't know you're you...from what I've
said!" It all comes out in a sort of incredulous blurt. Oh, this is going
to be awkward.

"But if'n Macami didn't think t'be asking Tivuketh whether the bronze you
rode in on was Kyoteth..." Kassi prompts, propping her chin up on one fist.
She's beginning to look somewhat fascinated by this entire situation. "So
let me get this straight. You pretended t'be D'ton t'be getting away with
being rude to an Igen Wingsecond, only now D'ton's wanting t'be having your
liver for a chew toy and Macami thinks she's never seen you, but that
you're fantastic, while D'ton is now considered rude and horrendous for
something he never did? Is that the gist of it?"

Whinde nods, grinning. "O'course, one tends to assume a rider rode their
own dragon in, not a reason really to ask if Taralyth was Kyoteth, aye?"
she lifts her eyebrows, letting them fall again. "And if S'more just kept
quiet that he might've known who you were..."

And of course So would pick this moment to lick I'sai's ear. 'Consolingly.'
Which doesn't mean it doesn't earn him a grimace, at which point the
firelizard vanishes off to a more temperate locale; the young man's swift
to repent that, at least, but he's gone, and now there's not even a
firelizard to hide behind. So pale eyes fix more-or-less on M'kon's broad
shoulder, the unknotted one; and he admits, "Sort of, Kassi, ...only it
wasn't all -that- bad, not that I really remember, it's been so long... and
yeah, S'more, but I didn't expect anything like this to happen. How was I
to know she'd get all up in arms over a little blip like that?" but a few
breaths later even that defensiveness fades, going back to first and most
important and thinner yet: "I -am- awful sorry, Myk. Didn't mean for you..."

M'kon sighs a bit, after a moment, "I know you didn't /mean/ to I'sai...but
Cami's got a lot of respect at Igen...and now they think D'ton's a big
wher...and she's gonna be on me like white on rice...not to mention D'ton's
not gonna be real happy either." He frowns some, unable to get past the
logic of it.

"What in Faranth's name did you *say*?" Kassi wants to know, curiousity
warring with satisfaction at her own deduction and worry in those eyes of
hers. "And why'd you pick *D'ton* t'be saying 'twere? There are
bronzeriders out there less apt t'be kicking your rump for stunts like
that, y'know. Shells and shards. Mayhaps you should be dyeing your hair and
going about in disguise for true for a time once D'ton and Macami find out."

Whinde nods agreement "Aye, maybe spend some time down south and get a tan
to help, but you can't hide Taralyth so easily." she laments, shifting
positions again. "Why _did_ you do it anyway?"

I'sai answers M'kon's shoulder, otherwise known as Whinde, first again;
it's easier. Considerably. If it still doesn't help with the logic of it
all. "It seemed like a goo - an idea at the time? ...And do you really
think dye would help? If she'd only not gone and told half her Weyr," as if
that had been violating some rule of the game. "D'ton... D'ton, um, he
keeps to himself maybe. Except for Myri, and -she'd- know the difference..."

"If'n nay, we could get those hairpieces Ryi wore when doing the Flibble
dance for you, and tell everyone you're Isaina. Or better yet, Insaina.
They might buy that more readily." Ever willing to offer helpful
suggestions, is Kassi.

M'kon chuckles despite himself, then suggests out of the blue, "I think you
should probably apologize to at least D'ton and Macami."

Whinde snurges "And perhaps come up with a reason along the lines of pro...
Nah, that wont work."

I'sai folds his arms. "I'm not doing the Flibble dance," as if that was
even what she asked for; with at least a little less truculence, "And
D'ton's one thing, that, yeah... but ... it's not right her going around
making as if she's going to go slobber on Ryi. Or telling strangers to go
slobber on -you-, either."

I'sai grants, "I'd apologize to D'ton."

Kassima snaps her fingers. "Well, sharditall, I'sai--you won't wear the
buttless pants; you won't do the Flibble dance. You really aren't much fun,
are you?" The light tone to her lilt gives away the tease--then disappears
beneath puzzlement as she wonders, "Macami wants to slobber on Ryi and Myk?
Does she have a strange drool-controlling problem?"

M'kon is the one staring at Kassima after that, "Is..." He looks back to
his weyrmate. "You have buttless pants /too/?"

"I'm -not- wearing them," I'sai indirectly confirms, "And he can't make
me." A pleading glance to the others, "He can't, can he? It's not like
'having to' wear good wherhide in Fall..."

And never mind the drool.

Whinde peers at Kassi "The buttless pants? How many pairs of those are
there floating around here? And what's with the drool?"

M'kon blinks at I'sai a few more times, "J'lyn gave you buttless pants?"

Kassima takes a moment to direct a sweet, sweet smile towards I'sai. Woe
betide him if he thought that mint stick to the forehead would be her
*only* revenge for that Lava Lounge comment. "Oh, aye," she informs M'kon.
"J'lyn gave them to him. Very tight pants with nay seat at all. J'lyn
probably *could* make you. Just don't tempt him t'be making you. Give 'em
to someone with an even better rump, would be my advice."

I'sai's gaze has left shoulderland by now, wide to match his nod, "To go
with Kassima's. They're, uh. In our room... How come he can? That's not
-right-."

I'sai adds to Kassima, "Can't. They wouldn't fit him if they fit me."

M'kon seems to have forgotten D'ton, Macami, and all the rest. He's too
busy giving I'sai a bemused look.

"Which I really need t'find a man with thin legs t'gift with, so Jal can be
distracted from trying t'make *me* wear 'em," Kassima muses. "Anyone know
any men with thin legs? And don't ask *me*. How come he can ground me so
that I can't fly anywhere without an escort when I've proven m'self a fully
capable rider and borne three healthy children t'boot?"

Kassima then suggests, "And I do have a Tanner cousin who could probably
re-size 'em, Is, if'n we could find people who'd be willing t'wear the
things. Whom Jal would be pleased enough t'see in 'em that he'd nay hassle
us. That's the hard part."

M'kon frowns a bit, suddenly, "J'lyn's put an escort on you? For no reason?"

Kassima dips her chin in affirmation. "Aye, Myk, 'tis so. He up and decided
that since these children happen t'be his, I shouldn't be allowed t'fly
anywhere other than m'ledge without a bloody *escort*. Nay even to the
fragging Lake, though I've risked that a couple of times. Lyss can be
impatient when she decides she wants a soak."

"Because you didn't sleep with anyone else so he knows they're his," I'sai
informs her near-simultaneously. "And never mind resizing, I'd just as soon
not see..." He tries on a smile for M'kon, for the look as well as the,
"Part of what I'd been doing. Escort when she needed it."

M'kon frowns...that funny frown, that bodes something akin to a small
storm. "He's abusing his privilages and rank, to put riders that might
better go to some other use...just to watch a grown woman? Kassima, I can't
believe you tolerate that! Weyrsecond or not! That's not /right/!"

Whinde snorts. "Men. If they're not so sure the kids a son, they're making
sure you're not going to trip over the dust speck across the room."

I'sai'd been nodding for all that not-right-ness and such, but then, "Hey!"
That to Whinde.

Whinde glances Is-wards "Oh, I mean fathers-to-be. Not all men in general."
she corrects, grinning sheepishly.

I'sai just doesn't look mollified. "Ryi's -much- too coordinated to trip
over -dust-." Aside from, oh, the last season or so.

"Rather *expensive* escort," Kassi mutters, "but aye, and don't think I'm
ungrateful. Still. An *escort*. And me riding nigh as long as either of you
have been alive. Myk, I don't *like* it, but d'you know how much arguing it
took just t'get him t'let me travel escorted? He wasn't going t'let me go
anywhere or do aught at all!" A hint of old panic there. Kassi doesn't take
well to being caged. "I'd appeal to A'lex, but after M'hryn wouldn't even
let me do *hidework*, I didn't really want t'be risking his attention. And
chastity isn't t'blame for this, Is. Really. I wish people would stop
blaming every problem in m'life on celibacy; 'tis downright uncanny how
often that happens."

M'kon snaps, "I'll tell A'lex if you won't. That's uncalled for. J'lyn,
father he might be, has absolutely NO right to be doing that." Ah-hah...he
/does/ have some of his mother's temper after all! Not so placid, on the
topic. "That's foolish and a waste. He wouldn't do it for his own
wingriders...that sort of favoritism only weakens the Weyr."

I'sai may nod to Kassima, but then - well! - distraction; no doubt it helps
not to have said temper focused on -him-, but still I'sai watches with
fascination.

Kassima waves one hand in a somewhat weary gesture. "If'n you like, go
right ahead. I'truth, Lysseth will probably still keep me ground-bound
regardless now that she's gotten it into her head that 'tis For My Own
Good. And she throws the worst fits if'n I dare think about riding another
dragon...." A pause, and she actually takes in M'kon's expression. "Myk,
mayhaps you should reconsider. I quite agree with you, but you're going
t'be getting yourself in trouble, and after the point's become moot t'boot."

Whinde agrees heartily, and then here eyes cloud over with mischeif. "Aye,
and could cause problems in the wings if one twere needed for something
else. Why, if you planned something with, say, Is or Myk here so that
during the midst of something important you 'needed' an escort, why what
would they think of J'lyn then?"

M'kon settles back, just a bit, "The point isn't that you're grounded,
Kassima. The point is, J'lyn's using his rank for his own pleasure...not
for the good of the Weyr...not to say that losing you to something stupid
wouldn't be bad for the Weyr...That's just...selfish."

M'kon points to Whinde as she speaks, "Exactly."

Kassima has to admit, "Well, but I'd nay do that--take a Wingrider away
from something important, I mean." More dryly, "I should hope I'm nay so
arrogant as t'think providing me with an escort is more important than
flying sweeps, say. 'Tis just a bloody pain. I can't even keep Lysseth in
good flight shape without having someone there t'be watching me. Or
couldn't; I can't fly with her very well at this point anyway."

I'sai'd been staying relatively quiet, but, "Besides, if you're miserable,
and she wasn't in good shape as you say, how's that good for your wing -or-
you."

"Well, shards if'n *I* know!" Some of Kassi's frustration is starting to
leak through despite her attempts to keep her grumblings mild. "I never
understood it. But 'Lex is one of those who hovers over spawning women,
too. As if'n the second a woman gets pregnant, she loses all ability t'take
care of herself in any capacity. Do me a favor, both of you, and promise
you'll never treat any women you happen t'spawn with in that fashion? 'Tis
fardling *demeaning*, 'tis what 'tis, as well as the rest."

Whinde quietly wonders "How do they treat the kidlings, once birthed?"

M'kon gives Kassima a look. Another thing he must have inherited,
"/Kassima/...." Exasperation in a mild tone. "Who was my Ma?" You're
kidding, right?

I'sai murmurs, "F'hlan."

Kassima adds to Whinde, "And if'n J'var does that, just let me know and
'twill have a word or two with him. Oh... well, they've always been left
t'me, pretty much. Though T'lar's been good about helping with Kay. And the
others can't be helping; nay their fault...." A blink, and she relaxes
enough to chuckle wryly. "All right, point ma--erk, I'sai, if'n *that* were
true, Myk would be quadruplets."

I'sai just grins at Kassima, and adds for her earlier comment, "Safe.
perfectly safe."

Telgar Weyr> Whinde says, "Hey guys, what do you think of the name Brock?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "It makes me think of (and crave, for that
matter) Brachs candy."

Telgar Weyr> Whinde says, "Or  spelled differently, Braqe?"

Telgar Weyr> I'sai says, "What's the context? Character, RL, ...?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima immediately thinks of the Baroque period of classical
music. ;)

Telgar Weyr> M'kon thinks of bad movies like 'Evil Dead 2' and 'Demon
Knight'...

Telgar Weyr> Whinde pats Whinde's belly. "Baby names."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima somehow misparsed that as 'M'kon thinks you should
name him 'Evil Dead 2' and 'Demon Knight.' I blame the Thin Mints.

Telgar Weyr> I'sai ahhs. Not really honorificable, but... Brock sounds sort
of like a fellow who golfs and drinks lite beer, somehow. I'm trying to
remember if I know any, now.

Telgar Weyr> M'kon grins. Of course...I like traditional names.

Telgar Weyr> M'kon nods. And ifh e impresses...b'ock's just embarrassing.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima snickers. E'ldead2?

Whinde laughs, a smile twinkling across her silver eyes. "I think Jav would
be hesitant about doing that, although Jes.." she pauses "The two
together.." she shakes her head. "I've no lack for attention, that's for
sure. Jes is how I wound up in the healers office in the first place. And
right after threadfall no less."

I'sai's sandy brows lift, "The two toge - ah, _never_ mind. How'd that
happen? The healer part, I mean."

M'kon mphs, quietly, and still faintly incensed. But then says, "Well...why
not just do it the 'old fashioned' way...combine the names?"

Telgar Weyr> Whinde rofl! Mix up Jhavinar and Whinde, and get Whinnar (to
quote Is the other night) :)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Better than Whinnie, a sound horses make."

Telgar Weyr> I'sai says, "So you think it's a whinnar of a name, Kassi?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Or Whiner. Imagine *him* in his terrible twos.
Augh, *Is*. Groan. Groan, groan."

Whinde shakes her head "Nae those two aren't together, they both fawn." she
shrugs "Well, I wasn't feeling too well.. Mornin' sickness or somesuch. She
came in, and I ran for the latrines. And then did it again... What's that
Myk?"

I'sai mutters something about not having to have -morning sickness- to
throw up after Fall.

Telgar Weyr> Whinde says, "Better than Hinie too... :)"

Telgar Weyr> I'sai says, "Hindevar."

M'kon shakes his head abruptly, and then ohs...."Shards...Nioth got in my
head again...what were we talking about again?"

Kassima holds up a finger and announces, "Another major benefit of being
single. The Healers have t'be ambushing you and *dragging* you off if'n
they want t'be getting a look at you." Her nod to M'kon is approving. "'Tis
a good practice. 'Twere just saying that you should combine the parents'
names t'be naming the spawn--good way t'be going. Though, if'n I may say,
you might want t'toss a 'K' on that name even if'n you don't have one. K is
the Fortunate Letter, after all."

M'kon laughs some, "No ma'am...it's M...of course."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima oohs. Endeavir. Is it a baby, or is it a misspelled
starship?

I'sai does point out, "Nobody to cover your trail while you run, either.
Now, what's this about 'K' and 'M'? Aside from, well, your names."

Telgar Weyr> I'sai laughs!

Telgar Weyr> Whinde laughs!

Telgar Weyr> Whinde says, "I like that name tho Kass :)"

M'kon chuckles, then offers after some thought, "Javinde...Wenden for a
boy, maybe?"

Whinde blinks around innocently "Well, what about W? If'n it's a boy, it's
got to be something honorificable, just in case. Can't have the poor fellow
being turned into D'mb or something." and then after a pause, an apparent
thought occurs to her "Oh dear. How's a babe to turn out with two women
acting the mother after him?"

Whinde adds in "And Jav as dad."

"*Myk*. Since when am I a ma'am t'you?" Kassi demands, sounding faintly
appalled. "Kassima or Kassi will always do. Or Auntie, for that matter.
Same things you've always called me." Ah, but now she has a chance to
preach one of her causes, and she turns to explain to I'sai with
enthusiasm, "K is the letter of good fortune! 'Tis a long-held family
tradition, at least on Da's side. Every firstborn child must be named
something starting with K t'be getting his or her fair share of good luck,
and 'tis best if'n they're *all* Ks. Grandsire Keyssin named all of his
children with Ks, and all of their firstborns were Ks, too. That
tradition's half of what got me out of being named Alikassimara--*proof*
that a K is fortunate."

I'sai glints a sideways glance at Whinde, "What's that supposed to mean?
About the two women - " and then Kassima kicks in, as it were. "Er," he
says. "Er?" Rebuttal, anyone?

M'kon chuckles at Kassima, "Oh, she's pulling your leg, Whinde. Better it's
pronouncable, not too long, and shortenable if it's a lad. And you /could/
combine you and your ladylove's names too..."

M'kon ponders, "Jeshinde? Wensha? Ah...maybe not the last one."

I'sai dares to inquire after a moment, "How much do you want him or her to
be teased as a child, to become 'stalwart of character' or what have you?"

Kassima frowns and sets her hands on her... well, sides. She can't easily
find her hips anymore. "Pronounceable, 'twill agree with, but I'm nay doing
any leg-pulling about the K. *Don't* name the poor kid something like
Karxarylnim, though. Or Karmalixani. Or poor Kiralalin... I mean, I'm
sorry, that just sounds like a woman's name t'me. Can't imagine what
Salassin was thinking. Jeshinde's nice, though."

Whinde's eyes cross for a moment. "Oh fardling milk curds. Jeshua plus
Whinde plus Jhavinar plus maybe a K plus my father wantin' -him-, and
everybody so sure it's going to be a him too, to be named with my grandpapa
Havarold and my grams Hicynth in mind...."

I'sai suggests, "Elope."

Whinde blinks "Elope?"

I'sai waves a hand, "Ah, never mind. You were sounding like my sister
planning her handfasting."

Kassima suggests, after entirely too brief a moment's thought,
"Kindeshivaroldynth."

Whinde blinks again. "I..." and turns to stare at Kassi, somewhat
openmouthed "Can you say that a little slower?"

Telgar Weyr> Whinde sniggers. "Sounds like a really long dragons name. :)

I'sai smiles at Whinde - if through a yawn - and then tells Kassima, "Too
close to Taralyth."

Telgar Weyr> M'kon chants "Ghgloenraith. Ghgloenraith. Ghgloenraith!"

"Surely," Kassi agrees brightly. "*Kin*-deh-*shih*-vah-*roll*-dinth. I'sai,
what in Faranth's name are you talking about? Taralyth and
Kindeshivaroldynth don't sound a jot alike. But I suppose it could be
Kindeshivaroldhic, if'n that'd make you feel better."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima *laughs*.

I'sai adds a dollop of gratitude to his tone, "Thank you. Much better."

M'kon chuckles, amused. "Jander."

I'sai does agree, "Better'n Hivhic for short."

Whinde laughs, snickers more like. "Speaking of being teased as a kid, with
that name everyone'd leave him alone, no one could say it to tease him
with." she nods "Although, Jander's nice, and could be J'and mayhaps, twere
impression to happen..."

M'kon says "More like, J'der...if you want J'and, try uh...Jinand."

I'sai assures, "Whinde, they'd find a way. I -know- Ysaira's going to be
creative."

Kassima nods to I'sai in a suitably solemn fashion, then closes her eyes to
think in earnest. "Javinde, Narinde, Narwin, Indivar, Rhine, Avarin,
Avinin, Avinde, Navina, Erindi, Rhinava... plenty of names you can be
getting from such a mix, really."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima sighs sadly. Just one C... and I think they could
spawn Rincewind. ;)

Telgar Weyr> M'kon laughs!

Telgar Weyr> I'sai groans.

Telgar Weyr> I'sai makes Miseth Minceth?

Telgar Weyr> Kassima adds a couple of letters to make her Mincemeath.

Whinde nods "Already is. 'Ya-sire'n me a baby?'" she repeats an already
heard kids taunt from the nursery, even tho the girl's not old enough to
catch on yet. "That boy is scrubbing the nursery walls this sevenday."
Well, see? Whinde *can* punish someone. "Indavhar?"

I'sai sits forward, "What would it take to make that two sevendays?"

Telgar Weyr> I'sai says, "Ysair Ybetcha."

Whinde eyes I'sai a moment "Him doing it again'll land him _another_ two
sevendays." she replies in all seriousness.

I'sai says, "Oh." And then, "He'd better not." Yawns again. Blinks. "Clean
all the whitewash off."

"That sort of thing," Kassi notes seriously, "is why I'm glad m'children
were all fostered privately--nay offense, Whinde. But 'tisn't as though
Khari's name, for one, would take a great deal of effort t'be making fun
of." Stifling her own yawn, she starts the process of getting to her feet.
"All these yawns have reminded me that sleep might be a good thing. So I
believe 'twill stalk some."

M'kon chuckles some, and smiles a bit, "G'night, Kassima..."

I'sai blinks at Kassima a moment more, thoughtful; and then he says, "Good
luck with the, ah. Stalking."

Whinde grins "I actually agree there Kassi. The weyrbr... Weyr children
here *can* be heartless." she wiggle-waves her fingers "G'nite then.."

Kassima returns the smile, the wave, and replies to I'sai serenely, "I
shall stalk the sleep as 'twould stalk a wherry in the Hatching Grounds,
and hopefully bring it t'bay with one shot. G'ni--g'*day*, rather, all."

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