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Luck vs. Skill:  The Never-Ending Controversy Begins


Date:  December 21, 1996
Places:  Ruatha Hold's Dusty Path, Gather Grounds, and Pin the Tail On
the Runner Tent
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  This Gather was fun all around.  On the same day that
Kassi's Kyril won a fire-lizard scavenger hunt, Kassi and Aph took first
place in the three-legged race, and Kassi Impressed her thirteenth green
fire-lizard, Kabitha, the world saw the beginnings of a legend... a 
legendary vendetta, that is.  Some dragon poses related to Lysseth and
Dasanth's walnut fight have been left in, for amusement's sake.

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The Log:

M'rgan descends the ramp, striding over from Ruatha proper.

Handor gathers the little brown up to himself and puts some food in front 
of his face. "Here you go. Nibble on this a little bit. See? Isn't that 
good?" He smiles, stepping off to one side to sit and feed the brown.

Asrai smiles at the understanding, "Shall we go now?"

Lysseth> Dasanth nonchalantly flicks a walnut at Lysseth, hitting her in 
her rump. He carefully looks the other way.

M'rgan wanders through the gates, still straightening his gather finery.

Lysseth> Kytara eeps and avoids flying nuts, ducking about dragons and 
projectiles alike.

Ricklen idely wonders if it safe to talk yet.

Lysseth> Lysseth yelps! and almost jumps, whirling around to see who did 
that. The shift of her bulk causes her to send yet another forty or so 
walnuts flying.

Jalea smiles and says softly so not to disturb the now sleeping blue baby, 
"Guess so.. Is he ok to go between home with me, or will I have to stay 
awhile here?"

Dalad walks southwest, edging around the crafthalls, to reach the gather 
square.

Kassima spots M'rgan and waves to him from where she's seated on the 
ground, a hatchling green on her wrist and a partially decimated plate 
loaded with food on her lap. "Mart, heyla! Benden's duties to the Reaches 
and her queens!"

Galadri hmms. "I think if you wrap him up warm he should be fine."

Azila looks a bit unsure, "Scannall, what do you think?

Mahogony flies into the air and goes *between*. The air rushes in to fill 
the space he was just occupying with a little pop.

Scannall nods and agrees with Galadri. "It should be fine."

Lysseth> Dasanth rumbles softly, his whirling turquoise eyes regarding 
Lysseth with some amusement.

Asrai makes her way to her feet, cradling the tiny sleeping green in one 
arm, her other hand taking her plate. she stops by Handor, "Take good care 
of him." She smiles up at the man.

Kindre turns and waves to M'rgan, too, before her gze falls back to the 
two flits curled about her friends' wrists. "They are both loves, 
honestly."

Jalea smiles to Azila, "Do you have a blanket to wrap him?"

Lysseth> Lysseth grumbles, then settles back down, looking surprised as 
her talons happen to hit a walnut and it goes crunch. She peers down, then 
tries to shake the walnut from her clawtip.

Handor smiles up at Scan and Galadri. "Thanks for the wonderful hatching. 
Glad I could catch the end of this." He looks at Asrai. "I will. Thank 
you. What're you going to name her?" He says, indicating the green.

Ricklen edges closer to the crowd now that the excitement seems to be 
over, to get a closer look at the creatures, "hey they are cute." he says 
quietly this time, but enough to be heard.

Scannall chuckles softly. "The thanks should go to them." he says 
indicating Cayda and Forge.

Kassima stands up, balancing tray and fire-lizard, and nods with a grin. 
"Aye, Kabitha is... though Asrai's is going to be a handful, I can tell." 
She winks to her friend. "Well! Truly *has* been a sharding good day, in 
very deed."

Asrai looks down at the little Green wrapped around her wrist, "Umm.." If 
her look is familiar its because its almost the mirror of the little 
Browns when he first hatched, "I'm not sure yet."
Cayda croons proudly.

M'rgan rocks back on his heels as he waits impatiently for a group of 
cookie-doped miner apprentices to pass. As the last one, a brown-haired 
lad, races after his fellows, he moves forward through the crowd to join 
Kassima and Kindre. "Lysseth's tearing up the courtyard, you know," he 
remarks before saying more formally to Kindre, "High Reaches' duties to 
Benden and her queens."

Lysseth> Dasanth slyly flicks another walnut at the green dragon. It 
deflects off her neckridge and nearly misses a guardsman standing there.

Galadri suddenly notices M'rgan, the only one here she knows. She smiles 
and waves.

Handor pops some more meat into the little brown's mouth, sating the 
hunger. He offers to let Ricklen give him one scrap of wherry. Then he 
looks at Asrai. "My choice is made mostly for me. Has been all the other 
times, 'cept one."

Valin ums, and realizes. "Oh, a hatching." He seems to be a little out of 
it...

Kassima laughs. "Aye, I know... and I wish her luck of it, so long as she 
doesn't try to flood the Great Hall with walnuts again. Good t'see you, 
Mart. The Festival's truly been a marvel."

Azila grins at Valin, "Still got that hangover?"

Kindre brushes the dust from her dress and finally stands up herself. 
Blinking a bit, she wonders, "Lysseth is? Jays, Herath must be far enough 
off and asleep." Smiling and bobbing her head, she echoes Kassima, "The 
Festival has been kind to us indeed."

Asrai smiles, her violet eyes snap open, "Flash." she blushes, "Cuz she 
looks like she might be quick to anger."

Valin ers and nods sheepishly. "How did you know," He asks Azila.

Scannall walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Lysseth> Lysseth shakes her head irritably, still trying to get that 
walnut off her claw... then she has an idea, one she no doubt picked up 
from humans. She uses her opposable talon to flick it at Dasanth, then 
assumes the angelic visage that served her so well as a hatchling.

Ricklen helps Handor out with a surpised but thankfull look, "man are they 
tiny. My name is Ricklen." he give the strip of meat to the new flit.

Jalea looks at her blue, not being able to think of a name for him.

M'rgan sees the baker waving at him and he returns the wave before sharply 
glancing at all the hatchlings on his friends' arms. "I'm glad I came 
late," he comments. "Though it isn't the right time for that."
Azila smiles, as she heards Jalea to her cot to get a blantet for her 
blue, "It's with the day's gossip, Valin!"

Azila walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Jalea walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Kassima shakes her head, grinning. "You and your time! If you'd been 
earlier, you could've seen me and Aph run the three-legged race in 
gowns... I'm sure we made a sight. But you're in time to join us in the 
Pin the Tail on the Runner tent, if you're so inclined." Her grin widens 
into full impishness. "I won a bottle of White Lightning off of Gryde 
betting on that the other night."

Valin blinkblinks.

Galadri signals to Cayda, who flutters up and finds a comfy spot in the 
crook of her arm.

Kirany finally scoops up the sleeping bronze, and scampers off to the 
gather square.

Asrai looks over her shoulder at Kassi, then back to the tall man, "Well, 
nice meeting you...take good care of the little one." She then skips over 
to Kassi.

Kirany walks southwest, edging around the crafthalls, to reach the gather 
square.

Handor grins. "Good choice. This little bugger's going to be Orion. Ask me 
if I know why. Go ahead." He grins at Ricklen. "I'm Handor, a cotholder 
here." He looks at Asrai. "I'm sorry. I missed your name, it seems..."

Lysseth> Herath finally pulls out of her deep slumber as some of the 
projectiles roll along their paths close enough to startle her. Snorting 
briefly, she does keep her lids open to watch.

Galadri stands up, brushing some dirt from her skirt.

Valin hmms. "Well.." He blinks again and thinks he had better get inside.

Valin walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Asrai looks over her shoulder back at Handor with a bright smile, "Name's 
Asrai....and Orion is a good name."

Ricklen grins, "Ok, I'll ask why."

Asrai looks to Kassi, "Pin the Tail now??"

Handor smiles and nods to Asrai. Then he looks at Ricklen. "So you're 
asking? Well, the answer is that I have no idea why. One of my other flits 
does all the deciding. I personally would have gone with Minnekin."

Lysseth> Dasanth jerks suddenly as he is nearly beaned in the head. Make 
that walnutted, actually. His sweeping tail crushes a good many of the 
rattling nuts. The rest roll and spray at Lysseth...and the gold beyond 
her.

M'rgan rolls his eyes. "Kassi, you and Aph always make a sight. No matter 
what you are doing." It's difficult to tell from his tone whether he means 
that kindly or not, though that roll of his eyes isn't a good sign. "And 
where is this tent at?" He notes the firelizard on Asrai's arm and then 
the matching green on Kassima's. "Too bad it wasn't another blue for your 
Craft."

Kindre laughs and bobs her head. "True enough," she says with a smirk, 
"The race was quite a sight! Asrai and I met the finish line on our 
bottoms." Grinning at her race partner, she remarks, "You're dying to do 
this, hmm? Well, I supose I am, too, 'less someone sticks -my- nose with a 
pin..."

Galadri quietly slips out of the crowd.

Galadri walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Asrai giggles at Kindre, "Well, suppose it was my fault for tying us 
together backwards...and yes, I like games."

Ricklen chuckles, "a flit decided for you? wow! " he looks around at all 
the people, "Did i walk into a gather or something here?" he asks.

Kassima chuckles. "Sounds good to me, Asrai. We can finish eating in 
there. Kindre? Mart?" She wrinkles her nose at the latter. "Feh. Well, I 
suppose being noticeable is better'n being dull, eh? 'Tis up at the 
Grounds... and aye, but thirty and three make a good representation of the 
Blue Fire-Lizard Craft, methinks!"

Kassima grins at Kindre. "Nay, that's reserved for the attendants. Trust 
me." Possibly two of the more dangerous words on Pern, when Kassi's saying 
them.

Scannall descends the ramp, striding over from Ruatha proper.
Handor nods. "Yup. Well, almost. The gather's over in the square. Here." 
He tosses hime a 1/32 mark piece. "Have a bubbly pie, on me." He smiles 
and stands. "I'm going to get some klah in a more quiet place. Perhaps 
I'll see you later."

Lysseth> Lysseth spreads her wing up to deflect the walnuts from her head, 
and warbles with high amusement. Though she *does* look a bit concerned as 
she glances at Herath.

Kytara strolls around the crafthalls, coming from the southwest.

Lysseth> Galadri eeps, and ducks away from the tree.

Kytara walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Ricklen stares dumbly at the mark, then shackes his head and quickly 
stashes it. "Thanks!" Bubblie pies, look out!

Scannall walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

M'rgan motions Kassima towards the gather square with an exaggerated bow. 
"After you, my dears." While in his bent over position, he winks at both 
Kindre and Asrai.

Lysseth> Dasanth's mouth drops open with dismay as a few of the walnuts 
bounce on the gold.

Kindre smiles while idly brushing the last last bits of clingy dirt from 
her dress. "It made the race more...interesting that way," she grins at 
Asrai, "We finished, which is all that counts." Looking at Kassima 
wearily, she says, "Well, I'll trust you...I do need to get back soon, 
though. I promised Jehrina I'd start early to make up for not finishing 
today."

Dragon> Dasanth bespoke Lysseth with << Oh no. >>

Handor walks east and begins to ascend the ramp.

Ricklen can't resist geting that bubbly pie, so he waves bue and heads to 
the hold.

Ricklen walks southwest, edging around the crafthalls, to reach the gather 
square.

Kassima returns Mart's exaggerated bow with an equally exaggerated 
curtsey, and turns to smile at Kindre. "Aye, a'course... but you have time 
for *one* round, aye?"

Lysseth> I bespoke Dasanth with << Best hope she was drowsing again... 
Herath has a bit of a temper sometimes. >>

A corner of Kindre's lips curl up, "I don't see how one more game could 
hurt."

Kassima nods, and sweeps off towards the Gather Grounds, still balancing 
her half-emptied plate and glass.

You walk southwest, edging around the crafthalls, to reach the gather 
square.

Lysseth> Dasanth nearly sighs with relief as the gold didn't seem to 
notice. He snorts forcefully, sending some rolling at the humans there. 
And aims a bit more carefully, flicking a walnut at Lysseth's rump again.

Dalad wanders slowly toward the hold.

Dragon> Dasanth bespoke Lysseth with << I think /all/ golds are like 
that..She doesn't seem to have noticed though. >>

Lysseth> Lysseth grumbles and sits up, folding her wings back to try to 
protect her rump and sweeping a fresh clawful of walnuts towards Dasanth.

M'rgan walks around the crafthalls from the northwest.

Lysseth> Herath snorts a bit louder this time. She's usually not this 
placid, especilly after being woken. Peering to see if any of these...
-things-...are near enough, she finds and then lobs one with decided 
*umph* behind it back out from where it came.

Lysseth> Dasanth senses that Lysseth rumbles with relief. << That's good. 
Herath is even more temperamental than most.... >> She tries not to sound 
amused as Herath proves this point, but fails miserably.

Lysseth> Galadri chuckles, and nods. "But I was surprised, actually."

You enter the tent from the Gather Square.

Asrai enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Asrai's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni manages to spin Asrai about several times once her relaxes a bit. 
Asrai extends her hands in front of her body, waving them about as if to 
feel her way to the canvas picture.

Asrai wobbles over to the canvas picture, and ends up sticking the tail 
into the runner's neck. Asrai lifts the blindfold up over one eye, peers 
out, then removes the cloth completely, shaking her head.

Asrai giggles, "Not bad for a first try...hey, where'd everyone go?"

Kindre enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Lysseth> Dasanth ducks, but it's sort of hard to duck when you're 28 
meters long so he is pelted with walnuts from both the Benden dragons. He 
rumblessnorts, and settles back down...crushing about 100 walnuts in the 
process.

M'rgan enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Ricklen enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Kassima grins. "Ach, nay bad indeed... I think they're coming along, 
mayhaps? Aye," she adds as Kindre makes an appearance, and smiles at the 
goldrider. "Your turn next, eh? I've got to go run over and get 
m'things...." Which she does, setting down her plate and running over to 
the Baker tent to return with her basket, perch, and mirror. Really she 
does.

Aphrael enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Ricklen enters slowly, looking about.

M'rgan trails in after Kindre, kind-of, sort-of using her body as a shield 
between him and Kassima. Just in case. "You're done?" he asks in extreme 
relief before watching her race out of the tent and then race back in. 
Typical Kassima.

Asrai gives a cheerful wave to Aph as she enters behind the others, "You 
going to play too Aph?"

Kindre blinks as this sinks in, "Hmm? My turn? I'm not even sure I know 
how it works..." she says with the intention of idling to watch a bit.

Ricklen smiles tentivily, "umm .... Hi!"

Kassima hmmms? "Nay, I haven't gone yet. I wanted to wait 'til you were 
here so I could stick the pin into your nose," she adds with a perfectly 
serious voice and straight face, then punches his arm lightly. "Quit 
worrying! I haven't hit anyone with one of those things yet."

Aphrael wanders in, grinning over at Asrai curiously. "Pin the tail, you 
mean? Umm.. that can get rather.. dangerous," she says, eyeing the pins 
with an amount of wariness.

Kassima ohs, and nods to Kindre, setting the heavy wooden perch and not-
so-heavy basket and hand mirror down. "Guard," she directs Darvan, then 
grins at the goldrider. "Well, I suppose I can go ahead then."

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Kassima's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a 
cloth and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival 
guest.

Renni manages to spin Kassima about several times once her relaxes a bit. 
Kassima extends her hands in front of her body, waving them about as if to 
feel her way to the canvas picture.

Kassima wobbles over to the canvas picture, and ends up sticking the tail 
into the runner's neck. Kassima lifts the blindfold up over one eye, peers 
out, then removes the cloth completely, shaking her head.

Asrai giggles, truely enjoying this gather, "Well Kindre, no time like the 
present to learn." She gives the stranger..well to her anyway..a small 
smile of greeting, bold perhaps because of all her friends around.

Kassima nods to Ricklen. "Benden's duties t'you and your hold," she says 
absently, still looking a bit dizzy. "See?" This, she directs at her 
friends. "Said I wouldn't hit anyone...."

Kirin enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Asrai giggles, "Your turn Aph!"

Kirin quietly slips in.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Aphrael's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a 
cloth and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival 
guest.

Renni manages to spin Aphrael about several times once her relaxes a bit. 
Aphrael extends her hands in front of her body, waving them about as if to 
feel her way to the canvas picture.

Aphrael accidentally jabs the pin into her finger and give a soft yelp. 
After recovering, she walks hesitantly over to the canvas and sticks the 
errant tail into the runner's withers. She pulls off the cloth and sucks 
on the injured finger.

M'rgan rubs his arm. "Then it's probably about time you did. And with my 
luck it'll..." His whining abruptly ends as the game attendant puts the 
pin in Kassima's hand. He watches her cautiously, ready to dart away, and 
then laughs and claps as it is the runner that is the one who's stabbed.

"Hi again, Aphrael," Kindre says to her when she sees her. "I suppose it 
seems easy enough..."

Kassima grimaces. "Ouch, Aph... you okay?" She wrinkles her nose at Mart, 
then, just for the heck of it, reaches up to tweak his nose too. "Fine! If 
you're *wanting* me to jab you in the nose with a pin, I won't miss next 
time."

Ricklen blushes, "my thanks, and Misty's duties to you. Im Ricklen, 
formerly of Misty hold."

Aphrael sighs and shakes her finger, grimacing. "See?" She asks Asrai. "I 
told you it was dangrous!" She grins over at Kindre and winks.

Asrai tries not to laugh as she asks, "Aph...how did you manage to stick 
yourself??"

M'rgan slaps both hands over his nose. "That's okay. Kena wouldn't like me 
to come back with a ring in my nose."

Aphrael replies, just a touch defensively, "Well.. its hard to see with 
the blindfold on!"

Kassima nods, turning her head to give Ricklen a faint smile. "Well met. 
I'm Kassima, green Lysseth's rider of Benden Weyr. Pleased to make your 
acquaintance and all that... ring, who said anything about a ring?" This 
is obviously directed at Mart. "Just a fake runner's tail, that's all. Nay 
any rings."

M'rgan hmms as he listens to his own words. "Course, then again, she 
might."

Ricklen asks, "could i give this a try, looks like fun."

Asrai bites her lips, trying to look abashed, she almost pulls it off, 
"I'm sorry Aph, I didn't mean to laugh."

Kindre chuckles softly, "Somehow I believe we'll find a way to make this 
game more interesting than it mayhap is meant to be." Waving Ricklen ahead 
of her, she's delighted to idle more at trying, "Be my guest...I'm Kindre, 
by the way, Herath's rider."

Kassima shrugs. "'Tis a free tent." She glances at Mart and Kindre, and 
adds, "But you two truly will have to have a go of it, so the rest of us 
can be amused."

Aphrael bites her lower lip, then gives into the temptation and sticks her 
toungue out at Asrai. "You try it, then!"

"As if Asrai and myself tied backward and falling on our rumps wasn't 
amusement enought?" Kindre says with a smirk and wide eyes.

Asrai giggles, and nods, "Alright..soon as everyone else has had a try 
first."

Ricklen remembers his manners, "Greeting riders, may your dargons have 
much health!" He grabs a -Tail-, and ties a blindfold on.

Kassima rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "Feh! Who could see that? 'Twas too 
busy trying nay to trip over Aph's skirt, to say naught of m'own." She 
flashes a grin at Aph and can't resist chanting, "Till-ek, Till-ek...."

M'rgan smiles teasingly at Kassima. "I am here but to serve. And I'll try 
in my humble best to amuse you." He turns to watch Ricklen for a moment 
until Kassima's chant pulls his attention back that way. "What's this?"

Ricklen starts trying to find the target, he manages to bump into someone, 
"Opps your a person! " he moves off sortof in the right direction....

Kindre laughs, "I swear -that- is most of the reason you both won! With a 
threat such as that I'd fear crossing the finish line anything but first."

Aphrael smirks over at Kassi, rolling her eyes. "You're lucky we won. If I 
had to drink that Tillek Swill, I wouldn't let you go without having the 
honour too."

Kassima grins and winks. "'Tis how we won the three-legged race. I 
threatened Aph with having to drink Tillek Swill--Aph! You would nay! I'd 
sic m'fire-lizards on you, I would, and Slithereth too...!"

Ricklen gets closer and closer to the target, it lokks like he may 
actually get there, then suddenly he turns, and reaches out with the 
-tail- pinning to a nice secure tent pole.

Aphrael bursts out laughing at Kassi' indignation. "I would *so*! As if 
firelizards and Slithereth is as half as bad as Tillek Swill."

Asrai grins clapping, "Least you didn't hit anyone...so...Kindre...ready?"

Kassima chuckles. "Ah, but," she says, waggling one forefinger at Aph, 
"Swill *plus* the Swarm and Slithereth... oh, nay," she assures Asrai. 
"'Tis Mart's turn, isn't it, O Amusing One?"

M'rgan shakes his finger at the Benden riders. "None of that now. If Lord 
Caervel was to wander in here and see me with you all talking about his 
wine like that, R'lym would have my head." He lowers his voice, "Though 
it's a good thing that I don't drink so I don't actually have to partake 
of the tithe and pretend to enjoy it."

Kindre, after watching the young man's attempt, chuckles. Jumping upon 
Kassima's words, she nods quickly. "True...it is his turn, I'm sure of 
it."

Asrai smiles and nods, "Of course...Mart...my name's Asrai...just thought 
you should know."

M'rgan blinks. "What?!!! It's her...Asrai's turn. She's closer."

Aphrael shakes her head, grinning idly. "But you forgot that Slithereth 
lives in the wine cabinet in mine and K'nan's weyr now.. convieniently 
keeping a certain foster daughter out of there." she winks.

Asrai shakes her head, "Nope..I had a turn, before the rest got in here."

Kassima snorts. "Ach, I suppose you've a point... but 'tis *still* Swill. 
Nay, nay--Asrai's already gone! Your turn, Mart, and be sure to amuse us 
all as you said you would, eh?"

Kirin suddenly sneezes, and promptly tries to sink into the ground.
Asrai mutters to Aphrael.

Kindre simply smirks at the banter, glad her turn has been pushed back, if 
only for the moment.

Kassima pthbts at Aph. "Does nay." Wonderfully mature, is Kassi. "He lives 
in the latrines and the Hot Springs!"

M'rgan sighs as he gets pushed over towards the attendant. "I'll do my 
best, Kassi."

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around M'rgan's head, making sure he can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni then spins him around three times, until he staggers slightly and 
nearly falls over. Renni gleefully steadies M'rgan, aiming his in the 
general direction of the drawing.

M'rgan seems to make a beeline directly towards the appropriate portion of 
the runner's anatomy, sticking the tail on firmly and removing the 
blindfold with a fluorish.

Asrai's mouth drops open.

Ricklen blinks tiredly, "i need to find a sleeping tent. G'even riders, 
and all." He smiles as he waves.

Kassima awwws and actually pouts. "Mart! 'Tis nay funny if you hit the 
target first try! How'd y'*do* that, anyway?"

M'rgan stares at the picture for a moment before spinning around in 
triumph, the blindfold waving in his hand. "Skill. Pure skill."

Kassima *snorts.* "Luck," she retorts, "pure luck!"

Asrai waves absently at Ricklen, her eyes still wide, "That's not fair."

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Kirin's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni takes Kirin by the shoulders, turning her about once, twice, three 
times. Kirin starts to head off to the outside exit, but Renni turns her 
around again towards the game board.

Kirin wanders around the tent for a moment, nearly running into several 
onlookers, who quickly jump out of the way. Finally, after some gentle 
steering from Renni, she jabs the tail onto the front leg of the runner, 
just above the fetlock.

Kindre rolls her eyes and laughs. "I'll provide more amusement, I'm 
certain on my try, fear not."

Ricklen returns to the Gather Square after moving the mesh aside.

Kirin sneaks in her turn while they're discussing M'rgan's amazing feat, 
then goes back to her spot by the back of the tent.

M'rgan extends the blindfold to Kindre as he moves over to join the group 
of Bendenites. "When you've got it, Kassi, you've got it. And I guess some 
of us just have it. And some don't."

Asrai manages to duck under one of Kirin's passes, "Go one Kindre...your 
turn now.."

Kassima wrinkles her nose. "Hey," she says defensively, "I've hit the 
target before, too, y'know! Twice in a row, yestereve; 'tis how I won 
m'wager with Gryde. And I daresay that y'won't be hitting it *next* turn 
you've got."

"How humble of you to note," Kindre says with a humorous grin as she takes 
the blindfold. "Wish me luck, I believe I'll be needing it," she adds.

Kirin leaves just as quietly as she came in.

Kirin returns to the Gather Square after moving the mesh aside.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Kindre's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni manages to spin Kindre about several times once her relaxes a bit. 
Kindre extends her hands in front of her body, waving them about as if to 
feel her way to the canvas picture.

Kindre wanders around the tent for a moment, nearly running into several 
onlookers, who quickly jump out of the way. Finally, after some gentle 
steering from Renni, she jabs the tail onto the front leg of the runner, 
just above the fetlock.

Kytara enters the tent from the Gather Square.

Kassima chuckles and applauds Kindre. "Hey, y'didn't hit anyone! Nor the 
runner in the right place, but pickers can't be anything but compost."

M'rgan presses back against the Bendies as Kindre starts towards them, pin 
in hand. "Not bad," he calls out in the arrogant way that only someone who 
got really lucky can.

Kindre pulls the blindfold after hitting something. Smirking first, she 
shrugs, "True enough...'least I made it to the picture despite the 
spinning of my head." Holding out the blindfold, she wonders, "Who's 
next?"

Kassima flicks her finger towards Asrai. "'Tis Asrai's turn, I believe."

Kytara has a phobia for sharp ojects so just grins, duckingr back out 
again.

Kytara returns to the Gather Square after moving the mesh aside.

M'rgan shakes his head slightly. "I don't know about that. You were doing 
some pretty big bragging just a moment ago, Kassi. Twice in a row you were 
saying."

Kassima nods. "Aye, but before then, I said 'twas sheer luck, did I nay? 
It follows that I was saying 'twas just very lucky. Which I was."

Asrai giggles, "Oh great...now I'll prolly hit some poor spectator.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Asrai's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni then spins her around three times, until she staggers slightly and 
nearly falls over. Renni gleefully steadies Asrai, aiming her in the 
general direction of the drawing.

Asrai wobbles over to the canvas picture, and ends up sticking the tail 
into the runner's neck. Asrai lifts the blindfold up over one eye, peers 
out, then removes the cloth completely, shaking her head.

Asrai acks, "Why can I not hit anything but his poor neck?

M'rgan chortles. "You're just like a blooding dragon, I guess. You know 
what you want and you go for it."

"Aw, it's okay, Asrai...crackdust, I barely managed to get his leg," 
Kindre comments and then smiles sincerely.

Kassima adds thoughtfully, "Either that, or having good aim from all those 
Turns of knife-throwing helped... nay, 'twas probably luck." She chuckles. 
"And now, 'tis time to prove that my luck's bad with this game tonight yet 
again. Take heart! For you shall surely do as bad as I, next go-round." 
She grins, and adds, "Sure you don't want me to spear your nose this 
time?"

Asrai grins, rejoining the others, holding out the blindfold to the next 
person.

M'rgan vigorously shakes his head. "Maybe next time." He turns to look 
over his shoulder at the three other women. "Any bets?"

Kassima accepts the blindfold from Asrai, and steps up to meet her runner-
stabbing destiny.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Kassima's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a 
cloth and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival 
guest.

Renni takes Kassima by the shoulders, turning her about once, twice, three 
times. Kassima starts to head off to the outside exit, but Renni turns her 
around again towards the game board.

Kassima wanders around the tent for a moment, nearly running into several 
onlookers, who quickly jump out of the way. Finally, after some gentle 
steering from Renni, she jabs the tail onto the front leg of the runner, 
just above the fetlock.

Asrai looks over to M'rgan, "Bets?"

Kassima makes a face. "Well, that's nay any good! Sheesh. For some reason, 
I have the rump and the front confused... first the neck, now the leg. If 
'twere just on the *other* side of the picture...." She continues to 
mumble to herself about the runner poster's anatomy, passing the blindfold 
to whoever's next.

Kindre claps and smirks when Kassima moves wy from the picture and she 
catches sight of where the tail landed. "Not far from my ill-attempt," she 
remarks, "though at least you've made it a few times. I'll bet next one, 
M'rgan?"

"Where she'd end up," M'rgan says. "Though it's good that she was so quick 
cause I thought she'd pin it's hoof...Is that me next or betting next?"

Aphrael settles herself into a seat, content to watch the others prick 
themselves.. or whatever.. with the pins as she grins.

Kassima shakes her head and points to Aph. "'Tis her turn, isn't it, Aph?"
Asrai nods, "You are going to try again aren't you, Aph?"

Aphrael lifts her hands up in protest. "Oh no, that's okay. You go right 
ahead!"

Kassima makes a face at Aphrael, but hmmms. "Your turn, then, Mart...." 
She stage-whispers to the other females, "I say he'll nay even hit the 
poster."

Aphrael waves her injuired finger as if that keeps her from having her 
turn. "I'm injured!"

Kindre chuckles, "Come on, Aphrael..." she attempts to coax before turning 
with a shrug, "I'll just bet on one, if you stil want to, M'rgan."

M'rgan grabs the blindfold from Kassima. "I'll bet that I pin it's tail 
again."

Asrai giggles, trying her bes tto hide it behind her hand...but nothing 
can stop her violet eyes from dancing merrily.

Kindre crosses her arms on her chest, "I doubt anyone can get so lucky 
twice...well, let's hope not anyhow," she winks.

M'rgan turns blue eyes to Kindre, determination etching his still-young 
features. "I'll bet a mark that I do. Unless you want to bet something 
other than marks?"

Asrai pulls her hand down, "you're serious...what would you bet?"

Kindre's chin lifts up just a bit, "You're on..." dangling her pouch to 
weigh its contents, she smiles, "A mark'll do fine."

Kassima arches an eyebrow and looks *really* tempted to make some sort of 
wisecrack here, but doesn't give in to the temptation. She acts ladylike 
and just rolls her eyes.

M'rgan hands the blindfold to the attendant before standing stiffly before 
her, back ramrod straight. He takes a deep breath as Renni covers his 
eyes. He's in for it now.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around M'rgan's head, making sure he can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni takes M'rgan by the shoulders, turning his about once, twice, three 
times. M'rgan starts to head off to the outside exit, but Renni turns his 
around again towards the game board.

M'rgan seems to make a beeline directly towards the appropriate portion of 
the runner's anatomy, sticking the tail on firmly and removing the 
blindfold with a fluorish.

Asrai giggles, "Well, go on...no pressure.

Asrai's mouth drops open again.

Kassima's jaw drops, and she demands, "How d'you *do* that, sharditall?"

Kindre's jaw drops wide, "You're peeking," she half-accuses in surprise. 
"There is simply no -way- you've this kind of luck," she stammers.

Aphrael blinkblinks at Mart. "Maybe you should bet on some of the runner 
races.."

Asrai shakes her head in disbelief, "a whole Mark...wow."

Kassima shakes her head firmly. "Nay, nay... if he hadn't done that first 
try, I'd believe it, but...." She eyes Mart and makes a bold wager, "I'll 
drink a mouthful of Swill if you can do that next try."

When M'rgan turns back around he's got the biggest grin on his face. Not 
quite as big as the one he had when Ularrith first touched his mind but 
pretty darn close. "It's all in the visualization."

Asrai takes the blindfold, holding it up to her eyes, "No..you still can't 
see through it."

Kassima *snorts.* She sounds more and more like Lysseth every day, yes she 
does. "Uh-huh...."

Kindre blinks at Kassima, "Not even I've those kind of nerves..." she 
notes while pulling mark from her pouch and holding it out for the 
brownrider. "Won fair enough, I suppose," she says but smiles.

M'rgan shakes his head at Kassima as he proudly strides over to collect 
his bet from Kindre. "I'd better not. I wouldn't want you to have to drink 
that stuff. Being friends and all." He takes the mark from the goldrider 
with a bow. "Pleasure doing business with you."

Asrai continues to shake her head, "Wow." Yes sometimes she's a girl of 
few words.

Kassima just shakes her head, still disbelieving. "Kindre, you're up...." 
At Mart, she grimaces. "Ah, but I wouldn't have to. You would. Nay anyone 
could be so lucky as to win *three* times."

Kindre wrinkles up her lips in a mock-sneer...well, mostly mocking one. 
"Yes, yes, 'twas a pleasure I assure you," she sys before smiling, "Mine 
again? Okay..."

Aphrael grins and waves over at M'rgan. "Clear skies!" she calls over.

M'rgan slips the mark into his money pouch before waggling his eyebrows at 
Kassima. "Though you tempt me...Are you leaving, Aph?"

Asrai looks over to Kindre, "Come on...you can show him!"

Kassima sticks out her tongue at Mart and pthbbbts. "Chicken," she 
accuses. "You just don't want to have to drink the Swill yourself."

Aphrael frowns for a moment, shaking her head. "I thought you said you 
were.... er, nevermind," she says, mutting to herself.

Kindre stares at the tailless runner for a long moment before Kassima's 
words break her concentration and she giggles. "Well, I can certainly 
try...cross your fingers I don't pin someone," she adds before moving up 
to take her turn.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Kindre's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni then spins her around three times, until she staggers slightly and 
nearly falls over. Renni gleefully steadies Kindre, aiming her in the 
general direction of the drawing.

Kindre wanders around the tent for a moment, nearly running into several 
onlookers, who quickly jump out of the way. Finally, after some gentle 
steering from Renni, she jabs the tail onto the front leg of the runner, 
just above the fetlock.

Kindre pouts when she pulls the fold from her eyes having expected better. 
"Great Franth, I'm just awful at this..."

Asrai giggles as Kindre almost takes her Mark back from M'rgan in blood, 
"Whoa now."

Kassima chuckles. "Could've been worse," she comments. "Asrai, you can 
show 'im... you can stab that runner's rump, we know you can!"

Asrai grins holding out her hand for the blindfold, "Well...I don't know 
about that...but I can try.."

M'rgan hmms questioningly at Aphrael as he raises himself up to watch 
Kindre's try. An "ooops" from him is quickly followed by a small laugh. 
"Good try." His eyes glaze for a moment as Asrai takes the blindfold.

Renni pulls a dark cloth blindfold from his pocket, tying it quickly 
around Asrai's head, making sure she can't see at all, then hands a cloth 
and runner hair "tail" attached to a straight pin to the festival guest.

Renni takes Asrai by the shoulders, turning her about once, twice, three 
times. Asrai starts to head off to the outside exit, but Renni turns her 
around again towards the game board.

Asrai wanders around the tent for a moment, nearly running into several 
onlookers, who quickly jump out of the way. Finally, after some gentle 
steering from Renni, she jabs the tail onto the front leg of the runner, 
just above the fetlock.

Kassima starts chanting, "Rump! Rump! Rump!" which earns her a few odd 
glances from spectators.

Asrai looks around, "OOPS!"

M'rgan chuckles to himself as he finishes his discussion with his 
lifemate. "Looks like it's me that's leaving after all. Fair be the wind, 
everyone," he calls out as he tucks his marks pouch into his jacket 
pocket.

Kassima clicks her tongue. "Well," she says, "mayhaps I can hit the 
rump...." She strides over to Renni, skirts flaring, to take her turn at 
trying to torture the poor hapless runner picture.

Kindre smirks, again crossing her arms on her chest. "You know," she notes 
matter-of-factly, "he's ruined our luck I think...we did fine all day..." 
Chuckling, she waves, "Was fun, M'rgan, clear skies."

Asrai waves a bright farewell to the Brownrider, "Clear skies M'rgan!"

Kassima pauses in her quest for rump-stabbing glory to wave to Mart. 
"Clear skies, Mart, fair be the wond, and all that. Oh, and Benden's 
duties! See you a'fore Festival's done, most likely?"

Ryialla enters the tent from the Gather Square.

M'rgan pauses at the exit. "That's right. Blame it all on the poor 
brownrider." He smiles and bobs his head. "With luck, both Kena and I'll 
be back tomorrow."

Ryialla calls Miko over to her. The green mrowlchirples happily at being 
able to find the others. Ryi grins. "Heyla, guys."

Kassima laughs. "That's right, Mart! You're a jinx! And then we'll see you 
on the morrow; I know I'll be here, for truth. Clear skies t'you and 
Ularrith."

Kassima returns her attention to her Ultimate Goal: stabbing the runner in 
the behind.