--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Les Poissons, Les Poissons


Date:  February 7, 2001
Places:  High Reaches Weyr's Skyspace, Western 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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kassi's Note:  While Kassi and Lyss were lounging about their weyr at 
Telgar, probably working on reports or some such thing in the former's
case, I'sai's Taralyth invited them (via Lyss) to join his rider and
Xylath's in some activity involving brandy and knots; Kassi was unable
to resist the magic call of the B-word, and this log--which begins as
they emerge from *between* at High Reaches--is of the RP that resulted.
(And how's that for a run-on sentence?)  Many thanks again to Master
Benrak for the kind and generous gift. ;)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Log:

<*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

<*> On the Star Stones, Ulanoth warbles a greeting to Green Lysseth of
Telgar Weyr.

<*> Xylath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

<*> On the Star Stones, Ulanoth warbles a greeting to Blue Xylath of Telgar
Weyr.

<*> Taralyth fans his wings, waiting till the two wingleading dragons have
reappeared before returning Ulanoth's warble and swinging on down.

<*> Lysseth sweeps a similar swath through the sky, trumpeting once,
spiralling once, and on down into the bowl that lies waiting.

<*> Taralyth dives in the bowl, towards the western wall.

<*> Kiyoth circles lower in the bowl, towards the western wall.

You dive in the bowl, towards the west wall.

<*> Above you, Xylath spirals downward in the bowl, towards the western wall.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth confides, << Xylath has convinced his
rider that special-colored straps will make him more -interesting-. >>

<*> Taralyth warbles lightly to Dahlth, winging down through an errant gust
into a clear space nearby.

<*> Taralyth swoops down to a landing on the ground.


Xylath:
     Faded blue, encompassing the different shades of an afternoon sky
ripple along his now fully grown and oiled hide. Lazily traced patterns of
silvery clouds of gray along his headknobs, trail along his back and ridges
like an artist waving a paintbrush in a wavering pattern. Dashes of
fanciful yet periodic bronze make their mark along his extensive,
translucent wings subtly matching claws of the same bronze, just deeper in
shade. Finally, a striking difference of intense azure running along this
blue's underbelly blending into a gentle sapphire around his haunches shows
just how different he is. As unpredictable as the colors brushed along his
hide, he shows an impassive look to everything though his eyes might be the
key to finding answers.
	Black Wherhide straps make a striking contrast against pale blue hide,
carefully stitched into the work-worn hide are the colors of Telgar Weyr's
white along the already black edges. Otherwise, like everything else about
this pair, simplistic design rules over anything else. 
	Xylath looks to be about 12 Turns, 7 months, and 29 days and is 30 meters
long with a wingspan of 49.98 meters.

You wing down to a quick landing on the ground.

<*> In the sky directly above, Xylath glides to a swift landing on the ground.

<*> In the sky directly above, Kiyoth wings down to a quick landing on the
ground.

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth supposes after some dubious scrutiny,
<< They might be nearly as striking as my special straps, >> and no, she's
not immodest, why? << but I do not see why he needs straps to make him more
interesting. >>

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.

Neliea nimbly climbs down from Xylath's neckridges, pausing to gently brush
a hand along her lifemate's muzzle as he turns a large light blue muzzle to
his lifemate, wuffling her hair gently in return.

I'sai, already strapped out and swung down, teases upward, "Free at last!"
to the more junior greenrider; he mentions to the others, "That-a-way.
We're, uh, only a little late. I think. I hope."

Alessandra sticks her tongue out at I'sai, then positively beams at Kassi.
"I got cleared to go between for a few months, see?"

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth glints a good-question: << He believes
so, and perhaps it is that which matters. ...Or, perhaps, he has convinced
his rider that he believes so, hmm? >>

Kassima doesn't wait for Lysseth's greeting rumble to fade before sliding
down the slope of her shoulder, ending with a faint thump and puff of dust.
"Methinks I'm afraid," she mutters to herself. "*Knots*, after all--you're
in the safe zone now, Alessi? Congratulations! Enjoy it while it lasts, and
while 'tis still a'fore you've started t'waddle t'boot."

"First you waddle, then you talk twaddle," I'sai teases on his way in -
though he startles at the seacrafter's bellow that echoes even here.

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth accepts this with merriment's gentle
glow. << That last would make the most sense; very clever of him, if it is
true. Think you I should try that with my rider? >>

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth wonders, << What would you try, if you
have such fine straps already? >>

I'sai wanders into the tunnel to the living cavern.

Alessandra strides through the archway, into the lower caverns.

You stride into the tunnel to the living cavern.

Alessandra wanders into the cavern from the lower caverns.

I'sai peeks into even that bellow's echoes, if somewhat, well, _furtively_.

Rilsa lifts her free hand in greeting to the Telgari that arrive. "'Reaches
duties to Telgar." she calls out. "Welcome to theour lesson on how to
bellow properly." It's obvious she is teasing about the lesson topic.

Benrak crosses his arms, eyeing the bunch of weyrfolk with a sharp,
critical eye. "Alright, now! For the next little while, you will be
learning about the most honorable, the glorious, the noble! profession that
is the Seacraft. My name is Benrak, but you all can call me 'Master, sir'!
Everybody got that?"

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth suggests, white as innocence and
snow, << Why, I could say to her that I fear myself drab and uninteresting
when I do not wear these special straps. Perhaps then I could don them for
more than the rare Gather. >> And perhaps, perhaps there is a touch of
pride that she still fits into these straps made in late Weyrlinghood, just
as a woman might be proud to fit yet into her wedding gown.

Matheny oos and aahs as Benrak barks, then she claps politely, "That was
very good." Glancing around to see what everyone else thought she notices
the arrivals and waves in greeting, "High Reaches duties, please have a
chair and join us!"

From the back, a bluerider calls out. "Get one with it, Benny!"

"I hope the brandy comes into things speedily if'n that's the lesson,"
Kassi murmurs for the ears of those nearest. "Naught's better t'soothe the
ravaged throat--duties to the 'Reaches and her queens!" Rather more
audible, that.

Ceres hmms softly, "I usually only say Master sir in bed.. I don't think
this qualifies."

A chorus of less than sober Blueriders call out, "Yes, Master, Sir!"

Alessandra follows after I'sai, looking around with wide eyes. "So what
exactly is going on?"

Casmira waves a hello to the newcomers, to nervous about the bellowing
seacrafter to take her eyes off of him for long.

I'sai eases in a few more steps once the wingleader's joined them, his
"Behave -properly-?" both wide-eyed and wistful. "...Um. Right. Telgar's
duties. Master-sir."

Benrak licks his lips, moistening them before he near-bellows again. "For
those of you who have -no- idea how the things you take for granted get to
you - such as your tapestries, your leather, your wood, your whatever...
one mode of transportation for these things are by ship. And that is part
of what the Seacraft does. We haul your things around. It doesn't just
appear here. We haul it around, and then it arrives here by wagon.
Everybody understand? It's very simple, really."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth dallies starry within the dark:
Lysseth? Drab? Uninteresting? and dares her rider to believe -that-,
well-fitting straps or no.

Kassima wiggles her fingers in return for the various waves, still staying
behind I'sai and Alessi. It's safer that way. "*Bellow* properly," she
corrects. "A rather less daunting prospect." Bracing her nerves, she
forsakes her hiding place to steal into one of those offered chairs, the
better to listen to Master-sir.

Benrak leans forward, planting his hands on the table in front of him.
Fixing his gaze upon each set of eyes in turn, he says, "We also get your
fish for you. That's right, the things you and your dragon eat, besides
heardbest and wherry. Fish. Fish is good for you." He nods sharply. "We'll
discuss fish in depth later. For now... I've been requested to teach you
something of knots. I'll need a volunteer for this."

Casmira sighs and gets herself some wine, while offering some to Matheny.
This lisstening to bellowing is dry work....

Rilsa smirks. "There's your cue." She murmurs to Ceres.

Ceres waves her hand and grins, "How about me?"

I'sai, with that, snags two neighboring seats likewise, though he holds
Aless' out for her before he, too, sits - if the more quickly at the
mention of volunteers, and with murmured apologies to those who might be
behind them.

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth streaks a glimmer of galaxy-silver
through the starred sky, her delight at the compliment shining treasure to
any astronomy-bent mind. She drapes shadow in a brief moue: oh, he is too
kind. Too kind to dare so.

Benrak's eyes land on Ceres, and his face splits into a broad grin. "Ah!
Good. Just the person I was hoping for." He pulls out a chair, and sets it
down heavily in front of the table. "Come here. Have a seat."

Ceres chuckles and stands up, "Just be gentle.. I bruise easily." She heads
over to the chair and sits down.

Matheny nods agreeably to Casmira for the wine, listening is thirsty work
indeed.

Alessandra smiles up at I'sai, then settles into the seat and listens
silently.

Rilsa chuckles at Benrak's reaction. "Be careful, Master Benny. Ceres may
end up tying you in knots instead." She eyes the table curiously, however.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth ripples fond amusement - and, teasing
even as she, allows as how he _is_, isn't he? My.

Benrak scrunches up his face. "I wouldn't worry about that... this won't
hurt.." Then he pauses, his eyes gleaming with mirth, adding, "Much." He
reaches back, taking a short length of rope from the table. He holds the
rope over his head, addressing the crowd again. "This is rope. Rrrrrrrope,"
he repeats as if speaking to children.

Kassima leans in to murmur to her neighbors, "First wine-tasting, then
banner-making, now bondage... I have t'be wondering what they'll think of
next." Amusement gleams in her eyes as she watches these procedings and
duly repeats, "Rope." Can we say rope? I think we can.

"Rope. Rrrrrrope," I'sai automatically responds, as behooves a good little
- though he does more quietly worry, "...Bruises?" and sharpen his glance
at the assistant weyrlingmaster.

"Rope," Alessandra responds, following the leader as it were.

Rilsa glances over at Kassi and I'sai, chuckling. "Well, the Telgari can
pronounce it."

Casmira hears Kassima, and giggles....

Ceres is completely relaxed in the chair as she watches Benrak, "I am
familiar with rope."

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth taps his thought with a silver chide.
Chiming, still-bright, and laughter beneath: oh, so he *admits* it?

T'risch sits quietly, smiling.

I'sai deadpans to the weyrsecond, "Many, many Turns of practice. It took a
while not to make three whole syllables out of it."

Benrak beams, looking proud of his little class. "Good! I'm glad you all
know that word." Yes, he's also patronizing. "Alright, now I'll be showing
you a simple little knot called the fisherman's knot. It's not too terribly
difficult, and I think you can all learn how to do it." He wraps the length
of rope around Ceres and the back of the chair, then crosses the two ends
in front of her chest. "Now watch carefully, I'm not going to do this
again." He then moves into action, his hands twisting the rope around and
around, almost too quickly to follow - is it out of spite? - and in seconds
he has Ceres tied to the chair.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth, at the tap, tinks. (Do it again!)

Ceres hmms softly and looks down at the knot, "Looks strong enough."

"Remind me to use that knot when greenriders are proddy and present." Rilsa
murmurs to no one in particular. "Safer than dodging daggers."

Casmira wonders..."does she get to tie him up, too? After all, she's got to
practice, right?"

Benrak nods at Ceres. "It is. I use it all the time on insolent
apprentices. Now..." He reaches down, picking the chair - and Ceres along
with it - up, moving it out of the way. "Next lesson..."

Matheny watches the knot, "So that's what you use to tie up fishermen
then?" She sips lightly at her wine.

"'Twas a bronzer who first taught me the word," Kassi replies, also
straight-faced. "Along with 'straps' and 'oil' and 'ouch, what did you hit
me for?'" With a wink, she looks back towards Master-sir to smile a
response to that beam. Patronizing or not, he seems to bellow less when
he's happy. "Erk," is her articulate response to the speed of the
demonstration.

Ceres hrms softly as she is put aside, "This was not what I had in mind.."

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth obliges: tap, tap, tap. Anyone home?
(Perhaps she should try other places to tap, other notes. Perhaps, with
enough practice, she could discover a new musical art.)

Benrak moves back to the front of the group, and gestures to a small
bucket, Cere's comment falling on deaf ears. "Now we get down to the guts
of the Craft. Fish! I'll need another volunteer for this." His eyes scan
the less-than-enthusiastic crowd.

I'sai, at the mention of daggers-dodging - not to mention, 'ouch' -
carefully does not look at the Thunderbolt wingleader: no, those pale eyes
are all for Ceres and her removal, as he slinks lower, lower,
no-volunteers-here lower in his seat.

Ceres smiles, "Ah.. at least I didn't have to volunteer for that.. Psst..
Rilsa."

Benrak reaches out, his finger pointing out at someone in the crowd. "You!
Come up here." He's pointing at I'sai. "Yeah, you, the one that seems to
have trouble sitting up straight."

Matheny is suddenly busy swirling her wine around in her glass, eyes intent
on that until Benrak has safely picken an involunteer.

Kassima helpfully points to I'sai, and it's her turn to beam when he
becomes the next contestant on the Fish Is Right. "Have fun," she wishes
him brightly. Not without a concerned glance towards Ceres, still tied up
in that chair.

Alessandra slinks down in her chair -- do not tie up the pregnant woman.
Dark eyes start dancing merrily as Benrak picks out I'sai, the greenrider
grinning merrily at him.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth tink-tink-crystal-clinks! (If not,
precisely, in tune - )

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth has the grace not to cover her ears.
Which she doesn't have anyway. Perhaps if she changed her taps, now
striking--gently!--*here* and *here*--

I'sai, spotted, freezes. Until - "Ah, thank you... and don't leave for home
without me?" as his last request as he levers himself out of that seat and
towards that Benrak fellow.

Rilsa rocks the foot that is on the seat of the chair in front of her as
she watches the next victim approach the front.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Taralyth wiggles in a glitter-shimmer: that
-tickles-!

Lysseth> Taralyth senses that Lysseth turns to a creature of pure delight,
immediately repeating the action that caused that intriguing shimmer, that
glittering wiggle. How pretty! And how evil to tickle, but that's beside
the point.

Benrak has picked up a gutting knife, one that has a long, slim blade.
"Good! Come right on up." He holds the knife out to I'sai. "This will be
your tool." Reaching into the bucket, he wriggles his hand around until he
manages to grab the fish inside. "And here is your subject." He plunks the
flopping redfin down on the table. "Gutting fish is quite simple. First,
you hack the head off." He gestures to I'sai. "Go ahead."

Casmira sips her wine, and wonders what will happen next....

Rilsa calls out helpfully. "Mind your fingers, Telgari."

The redfin flops around madly on the table like a.. well, like a fish out
of water.

Ceres stops wiggling on the chair to watch I'sai and the fish, "Okay, I am
thinking I got off easy now."

Kassima eyes that knife with an admiration that borders on longing. "I need
one like that," she decides, muttering. "Kill, I'sai! Kill, kill, kill!"

Rilsa corrects Kassima a bit primly. "The proper term is slaughter like a
bronzer needs to be." She winks over at the Telgar greenrider.

Casmira says "Do we get to cook the fish, too?"

Alessandra just chokes, giggling at the scene before her. "No, Kassima,"
she whispers to her wingleader, knowing that look. "You do not need another
knife."

I'sai's mouth hooks; "Ah, ...bare-handed? Don't you have anything so my
hands don't get so, um, fishy? I can't -possibly- use my riding gloves."
Rilsa gets a sharp look of her very own, and at further comments, he at
least reaches for the knife: best he have it and not certain greenriders.

Rilsa gives I'sai a wide-eyed innocent look. He doesn't know her well
enough not to believe it, right?

Benrak glances over at Casmira's question. "Well, I'm not overly concerned
about little details like that.. but if you like, you can. Later, though."
He looks back at I'sai, and he frowns, not looking pleased at all. "What's
the matter, afraid to get your hands dirty? -Some- of us have to work, you
know! How else would you ever get to eat that delicious fish dinner?"

Kassima affects an expression of proper chastisement. "I'm terribly sorry,
Rilsa; I don't know *what* I was thinking." She returns the wink, then
swivels in her chair to inform Alessandra earnestly, "You can never have
enough knives! *I'sai*. Quick, get that knife out, he wants you t'cut its
head off!"

"I hate eating fish," I'sai whines under all those looks. "Keara cooks it
all the time. I hate eating it, and I hate cooking it, and I hate - uh."
Benrak is standing awfully close, isn't he? "But I'm grateful. To the
Seacraft. For catching such wonderful fish! Yes I am! Very grateful!
Here..." and he pushes up his sleeves, gives the fish a look of distaste,
and... *hack*. There's a reason why he'd never made journeyman.

Elie strolls into the cavern from the lower caverns.

The fish's head gets neatly detached from its body, and the mouth gapes
open and shut one final time. The tail flops weakly, once, twice... and
stops. Yep, it's dead.

Elie bounces in, spots T'risch and, naturally, makes a beeline in that
direction. "Hey!" she says, grinning cheerfully. "Wow, look at all the
people! What's going on?"

Rilsa applauds I'sai's work. "Well done." she says.

Casmira claps for I'sai...

"Good!" Benrak exclaims. "Now. To gut it. To do that, you insert the point
of the knife into the base of the tail. Not too deep, mind you, just enough
to split the skin. And then you cut it to the throat. And then you reach in
and pull out the innards." He stands back, arms crossed, watching the Telgari.

Ceres is sitting in a chair neatly tied up or else she would wave to Elie,
"We are -learning-."

Casmira smiles and waves hello to the newcomer....

T'risch smiles up at Elie, pushing out a chair, "Learning knots and fish
killing."

Kassima bites her lip most hard to keep from laughing. She applauds the
fish's death with genuine appreciation, too. "Well-decapitated, I'sai," she
calls, and leans forward to watch avidly. The question is: Will He Gut It?

"I see he's been taking lessons from you, Kassi." Rilsa says over her
shoulder.

Wild-eyed I'sai has that knife lifted triumphantly over his prey as Elie
enters, fish goo slicked wetly down its blade, and there's that distinct
salt-smell to boot. "Mm-hmm," he says, knife wiggle-waggling as if to
strike again... but in lieu of the more glorious hacking, he instead just
reaches down and - after slipping on the scales a few times - gets a
decent-enough grip. Slices. Reaches. And out come the fish-guts,
gooey-gooey-fish-guts, in a spill of reddish-silver on the table-top. "So
the next person gets to eat them?"

"Fish killing? Ew." Elie wrinkles up her nose. "Icky. It's not that hard
really, though, all you have to do is.. what he did." She points at I'sai,
then gives him a closer look. Oh, it's /that/ guy. "Hi!" she calls, and waves.

I'sai waves back at her with the knife-hand. Unfortunately, he hadn't
cleaned it off first.

Alessandra settles her chin on one hand, eyes dancing as she watches I'sai.
"I think she's right, Is must have been learning from you, Kassi," Alessi
agrees.

Kassima ducks any splatters of blood or fish-bits that might come flying
from that knife. "Nay yet," she replies to Rilsa with a modest tone and
headshake. "Nay yet. But he may; he asked me t'teach him knife-throwing
sometime back. This business with chopping heads must just be natural talent."

Casmira says "um....shouldn't he have some paper on the table or something,
so as not to make a mess?"

Rilsa shifts her chair over, away from the fish gut flight path. "Quite
natural then." she agrees.

Benrak offers polite applause. "Good work. We'll make a honorary Seacrafter
out of you yet - I'sai, was it?" He points to the bucket. "You can just
toss the guts in there. And here's a rag to clean off the knife." He digs a
rag out of his pocket and hands it to I'sai. "Splendid work. Give him a
round of applause. Oh, and you can cut that one loose now if you want." He
gestures to Ceres.

Kallrina wanders into the cavern from the lower caverns.

Casmira claps again, as asked...

Ceres grins at I'sai, "It is okay, you can clean up a bit before you cut me
loose."

Kallrina smiles and nods hello

The boisterous bluerider in the back calls out to I'sai. "She's lying. She
enjoys being tied up!"

Elie giggles as people start to clap. "He's the one whose dragon won
Mauroth's flight," she reports to T'risch, not bothering to lower her voice
much; it carries. "He's from Telgar, but he's nice."

I'sai murmurs an I'm-not-worthy Benrak's way, and tosses the guts as
directed; they land in a small, sodden thunk. A quick grin to Ceres, "You
sure? You're not in so much a hurry? Or - " he straightens, and just stares
across the cavern for a long moment; eventually, blankly, "Why would she
like a thing like that?"

After applauding most cheerfully and boisterously, Kassi suggests, "You
could eat the guts yourself, I'sai, if'n they look tasty t'you." Watch her
now as she tries to keep a straight face in the wake of the bluerider's
comment.

T'risch pats the chair, speaking quietly, "Have a seat hon." He smiles.

Elie plops into the chair. "Why is she tied up?" she asks, gesturing toward
Ceres.

Ceres shouts back to the bluerider, "You watch it or I won't untie you next
time for a long time."

T'risch smiles, "Master benrak was showing aus a fisherman's knot."

Casmira laughs at Ceres's threats...

Elie ohs as comprehension washes over her. "I guess I'm glad I missed that
part."

_That_ reply of Ceres is enough to unfreeze I'sai, get him hands-cleaning,
knife-cleaning, and headed her way; he angles to try and use the part of
the blade nearest the hilt so as not to dull the rest, murmuring, "Sure you
can't just be untied? Seems like a waste of rope," quietly to clear Benrak
for the next victim.

The bluerider retorts. "Promises. Promises."

Kallrina grabs a mug of cider and sits smiling.

Ceres smiles at I'sai, "Actually, if you just tug on one end it should come
loose."

Benrak leans his hip against the table, his weight making it skid just a
tad across the floor as he gets settled. "Does anyone else wanna gut a fish
before we continue?"

Kassima, unable to quite help herself, raises her hand.

"You're only doing it to steal that blade." Rilsa accuses the Telgari woman
with a grin.

"Yes'm," I'sai returns as quietly as before, cautious about getting his
still-fishy hands near that white blouse of hers; setting down the knife by
his foot, he looks to find the end before... "There." Tug. "Better?"

Benrak points out to Kassima. "Ah, yes. You..." He motions to her. "I'sai,
c'mon, give her the knife. We don't have all night. I'sai? Quit flirting."

Ceres smiles, "Thank you.. I don't think we have met, I am Ceres."

Elie leans back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest and
watching the proceedings with much amusement.

Kassima bounces up out of her chair, enthusiasm incarnate. "I wouldn't
*steal* it," she protests. "I'm just going t'use it for a little while...
can I have the knife, I'sai, pretty-pretty please?" One would think she
were a small child asking for her Turnover present.

Matheny spent the first 14 or so turns of her life gutting fish, so she
takes the opportunity to freshen her glass, wary of course of stray fish
parts.

"'-Ceres-,'" I'sai begins to repeat before - "Hey!" he protests, blond head
lifting. "I wasn't. Was not. Not at all. And don't say I didn't warn you,
about giving her that knife..." passing that to Kassima hilt-first. "Since
you asked so -very- nicely."

Alessandra snickers in her place, eyeing Kassima with no small amusement.
"Kassi, you scare me sometimes."

Rilsa tsktsks toward Ceres, chuckling as she comments to her friend. "A
bronzerider that wasn't flirting with you, Ceres? You're losing your touch,
darlin'."

Benrak reaches into the bucket again - yes, he knows there are slimy bloody
slippery fish guts in there - and he brings out another gasping redfin.
Depositing it unceremonially on the table, he steps back. "Kassima, is that
right? I think you know what to do, if you've been paying attention at all.
Which I think you were." He gestures for her to go ahead and do her thing.

Ceres looks a little put out that I'sai's attention is distracted from her
so easily. She stands up to plop back beside Rilsa, "Tell me about it..
guess I shall have to practice more or something."

Casmira freshens her glass of wine, too, and sips it....

Kassima not only accepts the knife, but she doesn't try to slice his hand
with it as she takes it. Will wonders never cease. "Thankee," she replies
with a grave bob of her head. And then she turns towards the waiting fun
and games. Cheerfully confirming, "Kassima, Master-sir," she steps forth,
places her hand on the flopping body with no hesitation at all, and...
*thwack*. Such grace. Such enthusiasm. Maybe a little too much; it's the
sort of enthusiasm that might, just might, send a fish-head flying out into
the audience, say.

The fish flops around on the table, its wet body making *smack smack smack*
noises before Kassima descends on it with the knife.

I'sai, meanwhile, slinks past Ceres and Rilsa back towards his seat, hands
held carefully away from his body, even if it does mean the fish-smell
wafts that much more; he does pause by Elie and T'risch to whisper, "Which
way do I go to wash up again? I forgot and, well, um. I think it'd be safer
to. Wash. Soon."

Ceres pipes up, "I can show you where the water caverns are."

T'risch smiles, speaking lowly to I'sai, pointing towards the lower cavern,
"Down through there."

Rilsa chuckles. "Down girl." she murmurs.

Elie hops out of her chair, too ready to assist. "I'll bring you if you
want," she offers on the heels of Ceres and T'risch.

Benrak's eyes watch the flight path of the fish head. He lets out a low,
appreciative whistle. "Niiiiiiice. You got some skill there, girl. Why'd
you have to be a rider? You coulda been of such good use to the Seacraft."

Casmira sees the fish head coming towards her and, rising slightly, she
backhands it back the way it came...over various people heads...where it
lands back on the worktable. "Two pints."

Casmira sighs and meant *points*.

Benrak would've gone for the ale instead. ;)

I'sai flashes a smile Ceres' way, "Thank you, very kii - " duck, "...ind!"
and a double-speed, "That's-all-right, got-it-no - " emphasis on _ow_ as
the fish flies back, "...ow," to Elie before escaping over where T'risch
had directed him and disappearing within those caverns.

Kassima beams broadly both at Rilsa's murmur and at the compliment, eyes
lighting up. "Chaeth picked me up while 'twas making m'mind up what I
wanted t'do," she explains apologetically. "So I didn't have much chance,
you see--" While she says this, she shifts her hand on the fish's slippery
corpse to expose the soft belly and slide her knife through it, the
intestines slipping free with a delicate *splorp*. The fish head, now back
on the table, can only watch this desecration with glazed little fishy eyes
and a mouth gaping in horror. Or just death, but one could imagine horror.

Elie shrugs. "Guess he doesn't need to be shown the way," she concludes and
wanders over to the serving table to find something to drink. "Want
anything?" she calls over her shoulder to T'risch when she's halfway across
the room.

T'risch says "More juice please."

Benrak's eyebrows go up at that. "You know Jazmin, then? Good lass, that
one. Them Bitrans are shifty fellers, though, but she's one of the nice
ones." He beams at Kassima's ever-so-skillful gutting of the fish. "Nicely
done. Just toss the guts over there in that bucket." He turns back to the
crowd. "I was going to have sailing lessons... but unfortunately, the skiff
that was to be here didn't arrive in time. Would anyone here be interested
in sailing?"

Elie sloshes juice into two mugs and scampers back to T'risch's table,
electing to perch on it instead of in the chair, the better to see the
action. "Here you go," she says, plunking one mug down in front of him.
"What'd I miss?"

T'risch smiles, "Thanks hon. Nothing really."

I'sai eventually returns, hands nice and shiny-clean: red about the
knuckles, too, as if they've been scrubbed and then some.

Rilsa chuckles, "Sailing is always entertaining."

"She's an old friend," Kassi confirms, grin broadening. "And a *wonderful*
hand with a knife. Thankee, Master-sir." She pauses to wipe the blade
clean--knife-care is a priority with her--before scooping up the innards
and lobbing them neatly over. Her hands get scrubbed off on her pants as
she skips back down to her seat. Poor pants. "Would killing aught be
involved?" she wonders hopefully.

Ceres smiles, "I prefer just sunbathing."

Elie blinks at I'sai, her eyes widening slightly. "You didn't wash in the
tub with the pink dye, did you?"

Kallrina walks outside to the bowl.

I'sai's steps slow from saunter to rather something more... slow-motion.
Hesitantly, veering Elie's way, "...Pink dye?"

Benrak accepts the knife back. "Actually, Kassima, I was thinking about
letting you keep this knife, since you handled it so well." Evil, oh evil
yes he is! "And yes, I've seen Jazmin throw her knives. She's a very good
hand with these. Sorry, though, no killing. Unless you accidentally bean
someone with the jib." He looks the crowd over. "I could offer to take
y'all sailing... I think you all would fit on my sloop if we all flew over
to Seacraft right now. But I'm sure you are all comfortable and don't want
to get up, so I could postpone that for another time."

Lysseth> In the sky directly above, Eidanth backwings to a neat landing on
the ground.

Lysseth> Taralyth dips his muzzle, turning sparkling eyes on the arrival.

Ceres smiles at Benrak, "Do you offer private lessons?"

Benrak nods over at Ceres. "Sure do, if it's worth my time."

Elie nods. "Yes, the one with the babies' tunics in it? Off to the right of
the entrance? We left them to soak overnight." She glances at I'sai's hands
in concern.

Amazingly enough, more than half of the riders in the room groan at the
offer of the knife to Kassima.

Lysseth> Kiani clambers down Eidanth's side to the ground, as the dragon
rumbles softly.

T'risch chuckles, covering his face with his hand.

"Oh, I think a few of us would fly out to tortu ... to take a lesson or
two." Rilsa says with a grin.

Lysseth> Eidanth rumbles a greeting to those dragons assembled, as Kiani
slides down his neckridges. She waves, briefly, as she heads for the living
cavern.

Ceres grins at Rilsa then looks back to Benrak, "Yeah.. we could have a lot
of fun."

Kiani meanders in from the tunnel to the bowl.

"Babies' tunics," I'sai repeats in a hushed voice. "I don't think - that
is, I don't _think_... It _looked_ clean..."

Benrak clears his throat. "Just so you know, there will be a crew of eight
people on my sloop, all at my command. So you don't get any ideas about
tormenting this poor old Master."

Ceres smiles, "I wasn't thinking actual.. 'torment' really."

Rilsa quirks a grin at the Master. "Oh come now, Master Benny. You're
getting paranoid again."

Kassima brightens. Oh, watch her brighten, like sun coming out after a
cloudy morning--and she wasn't that gloomy to begin with. "Sir, that's
*terribly* gracious of you... 'twould be an honor t'be telling m'children
about, t'have earned a Seacraft knife." Just ignore her while she turns to
stick her tongue out at all those groaners. "That sounds like an adventure,
rather. Even *without* killing."

Elie slips out of her chair and closes the gap between them. "Let me see
your hands," she requests.

Lysseth> Taralyth's dark head lifts, turns - and he sends the younger
dragon a pleased warble, wings fanning back over his hindquarters.

Casmira waves hello to Kiani.

Lysseth> In the sky directly above, Indrath wings down and lands lightly on
the ground.

I'sai twitches a glance Kassima and Rilsa's way - but then meekly holds out
his hands for Elie's perusal, palms up.

Jaycen wanders in from the bowl, looking around with a crooked grin on his
face. He slings the pack off of his shoulder and onto a table with a thump,
fills a mug with a warm drink, and sits, glancing around to make sure
nobody's looking askance in his direction.

Benrak reaches for the leather sheath, slipping the slim gutting knife into
it, and makes his way through the crowd to Kassima. "Here you go, lass." He
puts the sheath, knife and all, in her hands. Maybe it's just a way of
getting back at these insolent riders.

Kiani walks into the living cavern, looking vaguely pink-cheeked, and waves
a greeting to all present. "Evening, and 'Reaches duties," is offered, as
the tall, young bluerider makes her way toward the klah pot.

Benrak quips at Ceres, "We'll see about that. When were you thinking about
taking these lessons?"

Ceres hmms and waves a hand, "Not sure.. Never know who.. er what I will be
doing and when really."

T'risch chuckles at Ceres and watches Elie, grinning.

I'sai may fidget, but he doesn't free his hands to wave, murmuring a
subdued, "Telgar's duties," to both in lieu.

Lysseth> Indrath glides down on the late evening breeze, backwinging to a
graceful landing not too far distant from the remainder of the Telgari
enclave. He sings a quiet baritone note of greeting, almost just a rumble,
as his rider dismounts.

Lysseth> K'ran eases down from Indrath's back.

Elie sighs with barely-suppressed exasperation. "You did! Couldn't you have
picked any other tub? I hope you didn't get fish guts on the clothes. No--
don't touch your clothes. Go wash again, in the hottest water you can
stand. Then rinse in cold water. That should get rid of it."

Lysseth> Eidanth rumbles a greeting, too, to Indrath as he arrives. The
young Reachian blue settles down and watches the entrance to the living
cavern almost too intently.

Kassima curls her fingers around the sheath, and bows, having stood to
receive it. "Thankee, Master-sir." Expressions just don't get much more
delighted than hers. "'Twill be a most proud addition t'my collection." She
slides a glance towards Ceres, half-curious, half-disturbed. Oh, dear.

Rilsa chuckles at Ceres then calls out to the SeaCrafter. "How many tosses
overboard do your private lessons include, Master Benny?"

Jaycen nods to Kiani, and then I'sai, looking a wee bit more relaxed.

Benrak nods at Ceres. "Alright, then. We'll work something out to your
convenience." He glances over at Rilsa's question. "Eh? Well.. it depends
on the person who's doing the learning. If he or she is enough of an
imbecile... over they go!"

Lysseth> Kallrina smiles. "Reaches duties. May I help ye?"

Lysseth> Lysseth dredges herself from indolence and rider
sense-sharing--ah, that lovely smell of fish heads in the evening--to
rumble contralto echo, low-voiced.

Jaycen tunes in on the conversation and kind of squints at Benrak as he
speaks, then laughs quietly into his mug before taking another sip.

Rilsa chuckles. "Well, then I'm safe for the most part. I'll take a private
lesson at your earliest convenience." She has plenty of ideas in mind for
the poor man.

Lysseth> Once on the ground, K'ran gives Indrath a reassuring pat on the
shoulder. "And Telgar's duties to High Reaches and her queens," he answers
Kallrina pleasantly. "I understand there's a Seacraft class, tonight; I
thought I'd attend."

Kassima cranes her head towards Rilsa to wonder in all innocence, "Private
lesson in what?"

Benrak reaches out to pat Kassima on the shoulder, nodding, and returns to
the table so he can listen to Rilsa and Ceres at his leisure. "Whenever you
like, then. I'm available most of the time, ever since I retired from being
apprentice master.. I don't have to deal with these brats anymore. So, you
pick the time and we'll get started."

Ceres grins at Rilsa, "Can I watch.. I bet I could learn something."

Rilsa returns the innocent look to Kassima. "Why sailing, of course. What
were you thinking?"

Lysseth> Kallrina smiles and nods. "Aye, right in the Living Caverns. Do ye
know the way?" she nods at the dragon. "Duties to you to"

Lysseth> Taralyth tilts his muzzle equably towards that newest, silent but
for the whisper of stretching wings, of talons tasting night-darkened
earth; he shifts from his crouch to prowl.

Kiani, catching Rilsa's all too innocent comment, bites back a grin. "Oh,
*sure*," she mutters, behind her mug.

Casmira smiles, but stays diplomatically silent...

Benrak blinks as he realizes he's let himself get way off subject. He bangs
on the table again for attention. "Alright! Since we're not going sailing
tonight, I'm open to any questions y'all might have about the Craft. Any
takers?"

"Hot water. Cold water," I'sai grimaces. "The sweetsand, it's safe, right?
I heard about people 'round here turning blue."

Elie rolls her eyes. "Yes, of course it is!" she assures I'sai. "Now hurry,
before you drip."

Lysseth> K'ran nods easily, tugging off riding gloves and taking a few
dancing steps in the direction of the cavern's entrance. "Been here plenty
of times before," he says. Then, a bit more soberly, "Maybe too many
times." With that, he turns, and makes for the living cavern in earnest.

Jaycen turns his head to look at I'sal. Puzzlement. Hm. Must not've quite
caught up, yet.

K'ran strides in from the tunnel to the bowl.

Lysseth> Kallrina smiles and nods. "okay then"

T'risch starts to snicker just as I'sai turns to go wash again.

Ceres calls over to I'sai, "We only do that to goldriders."

"'Twasn't sure *what* t'be thinking," Kassi demurely replies. "Where you're
concerned, Rilsa; could be lessons in how t'cut things' heads off, or...."
But she'll trail off there, shall she? Particularly with Benrak providing
distraction. "Sir," she asks, raising her hand at the same time, "I've a
question."

Benrak mms, his lips pursing together. "Ah, yes, the prodigal student. Go
ahead."

Jaycen shakes his head as if to clear it. Maybe it's the weather. Another
sip of klah and he settles back in his seat and looks up at the roof of the
cavern, an ear still on the conversation.

I'sai might not have either, hands pink from perhaps more than simple
washing - and shoulders squinched in at that snicker; still, his head lifts
at Ceres' comment, and he dares, "Them blue, these pink - who's purple?"

Kassima grins at the title, then wonders, "I've heard Seacrafters get
special discounts on Hugh's brandy, at the Hulk. And that the new
Apprentices get locked in that closet of theirs and have t'find their way
back a'fore dawn, or they're kicked out of the Craft--are either of those
rumors true?"

Ceres smiles, "We have to keep some things secret."

Casmira offers a polite greeting and good evening to the newly arrived
bronzerider...

"Telgar's duties to High Reaches," K'ran calls, upon stepping past the
threshold and into the cavern -- though his voice pitched low, so as not to
make for an interruption of classes deeper inside. Storm-blue eyes survey
the place quickly as he threads riding gloves back through the epaulet loop
on his right shoulder; his gaze finding Kassima and I'sai and Alessandra,
he puts on a pleasant smile and makes his way towards them.

Benrak snorts back a bellyful of laughter, and shakes his head. "Half of
that is true. Hugh doesn't give any discounts, especially not to those who
trash his tavern..." he trails off, looking sheepish for the first time
tonight. "But yes, we do toss the apprentices in there, still."

T'risch starts snickering louder at I'sai's musings.

Rilsa chuckles at the questions. "They toss more than apprentices in that
closet, Kassi."

Elie shakes her head and weaves her way back to T'risch, and her juice mug
that's still on the table. "I can't believe he washed in the dye!" she can
be heard to mutter by those nearest.

Ceres turns to smile at Rilsa, "I had forgotten about the closet.. Did I
tell you about the time K'nder and I were tossed in there?"

Benrak rolls his eyes wistfully at Ceres, and sighs softly. "Any other
questions?"

"No." Rilsa says, shaking her head. "I remember when G'son and I were
thrown in there though. We lost a bet to a Bitran."

Casmira nods..."What is the best treatment for seasickness?"

Ceres phfts, "G'son couldn't find his way out of his weyr most of the time."

T'risch says "Throwing up."

"An' secrets get found out," I'sai calls back and, though he nods towards
K'ran at the rider's approach, strides swiftly towards Elie's caverns to
disappear yet again.

Casmira ewwws...."Besides *that*."

Looking lost in the flurry of conversations, Kiani finally finds an
unoccupied table at which to sit. Her eyes glaze over briefly, then she
glances toward the living cavern's entrance. No comment is made, however,
as Casmira's question catches her attention, and she looks to the
Seacrafters as she awaits the answer.

Kassima looks sheepish, too, at the mention of trashing the tavern. Go
figure. "I've never been able t'talk a discount out of him," she mourns,
"nay matter how many times I try. Good t'know I'm nay the only one. Has
anyone ever gotten lost and died in that closet? I thought I heard some
crunchings underfoot, once, that could've been bones." She dips her chin in
a nod to K'ran as he arrives, waving her brand new and fortunately sheathed
gutting knife to him for good measure.

S'rist walks in from the tunnel to the bowl.

Rilsa hey nows, stepping up to defend her clutchmate. "He wasn't _that_
bad." she retorts, then amends. "Okay, but still."

Benrak chuckles, and points to T'risch. "He's mostly right there, girl."
Shaking his head. "There isn't anything you can really do most of the time.
Some sailors I know brew nasty things to drink, but as far as I know, these
don't really work. The only thing to hope for is that you get accustomed to
it over time, which most people do. Until then, just keep your head over
the railing so you don't mess up the decks."

S'rist slips in and makes his way around slowly to get a seat over next to
Matheny.

Casmira rises to curtsey to the Weyrleader, and wishes hima good evening....

S'rist smiles and gives a nod towards the young girl as he slips into his
seat, helping himself to a glass of something from the table.

Elie aims an elbow at T'risch's side. "Anyways, how was your dinner and
all?" she asks him.

Casmira says "Well, I don't know if I'd be sick or not as I've never tried
it. I just thought it would be good to know, in case. Thanks.""

Ceres manages to hear I'sai's reply over the din and grins as she leans
back so she can see him, "Well if you ever want to know I will show you in
private sometime." She looks at Rilsa, "And that dragon of his was worse.. "

Matheny turns back from her conversation and sees S'rist has arrived she
smiles and gives him a peck on the cheek.

Benrak claps his hands together. "If that's all, this class is adjourned.
See me if you have any further questions or if you wanna arrange further
lessons." He turns back to the table to start collecting up his things.

T'risch moves his arm down so as not to take the point of Elie's elbow,
speaking lowly again, "Good good."

S'rist smiles and slips an arm around Matheny's back, returning the peck
then sitting back to sip on his glass.

Rilsa waves toward S'rist. She calls over to Benrak. "I'll send a note with
some times that may work for me, Master Benny." She nods. "Tell me about
it, Ceres."

With polite attention to Benrak's answer, K'ran finds a seat -- not too far
from Kassima, but certainly with a wary look towards her knife. When the
Seacrafter adjourns the class, he exhales a quiet sigh and shakes his head
ruefully. "This is twice," he mutters, with wry humor, and lets his gaze
stray back out over the cavern.

Elie mutters to T'risch, "... Mallea..."

Ceres sighs softly, "I miss him and his silly dragon too."

"You're jinxed, K'ran," Kassi quips, facetiousness itself, though her
salute to the incoming Weyrleader at least is not facetious.

T'risch mutters to Elie, "... turned... early."

Benrak nods at Rilsa as he turns back to face her. "Sounds good. Just let
me know. I do hope you and that other one... Ceres... follow through. So
many people say they'll opt for the lessons and then forget about it."

"You don't know the half of it, Kassima," K'ran says -- a murmur, really, a
thought given voice, when his eyes find Kiani amid the crowd.

Rilsa flashes a smile at the Seacrafter. "I do need to learn if I cam going
to win the wager, Master Benny." she says, promising to follow through.

Ceres smiles at Benrak and Rilsa, "Wager?"

Elie grins. She mutters to T'risch, "Well... a... fun." 

I'sai wanders back with a cavalier air, as if to compensate for the now-dry
- the still-red hands - hands knotted neatly behind his back.

Benrak arches an eyebrow at the mention of a wager. "Yes, what wager?" he
asks, his curiosity piqued.

T'risch looks at Elie, They mutters to Elie, "... in... go?" 

Kiani remarks, to one of her wing members at the table, "My timing is
perfect, as usual, isn't it?" With a thin, self-deprecating smile, she
starts to lift the mug of klah up to her lips, but it pauses halfway there,
as she spots K'ran. The upward motion of her hand stops--briefly--before
she nods a greeting to the bronzerider.

Ceres is a bit distracted as she watches I'sai wander back to his seat but
is still listening to Rilsa and Benrak.

Kassima murmurs to I'sai as he returns, just loudly enough to be overheard,
"'Tis as well 'tweren't taking that lady up on her offer, Is. Last thing
you're needing's *another* Wingleader after your hide for a rug." She
slants a glance filled with open curiousity towards K'ran, but as his
attention seems focused elsewhere, voices nothing.

Rilsa waves a hand absently. "A wager that I can outsail an Istan I know
who insists a woman couldn't do a good job of it." she replies. Giving
Benrak a smile, she looks at him. "I'm sure learning from a Master will
help my cause."

Elie shrugs, grinning impishly at the bluerider. "Nowhere. Just up in the
air, and around. I like flying."

Casmira smiles, hearing Elie's comment..."It must be fun."

Ceres grins at Rilsa, "I would never bet against you I don't think in any
matter."

Benrak blinks at Rilsa's response. "And you expect to learn how to sail
like a seasoned mariner in just a few lessons? You're dreaming. But hey,
maybe you'll get lucky and have a natural knack for it. But still... what
kind of ship were you speaking of sailing in? It makes all the difference."
He tips his head to the side, looking bemused as he watches Rilsa.

Rilsa laughs softly. "Tell him that next time. It would save me the effort
of proving it."

Elie nods to Casmira. "Yeah, I don't get to do it very often though. Just
when someone's nice enough to give me a ride." She eyes T'risch meaningfully.

S'rist mutters to Matheny, "... miss..."

K'ran replaces momentary discomfort in his expression with the usual face
he wears: mischief and mirth, and he returns Kiani's nod. After another
moment he grows bolder, abandons his seat near Kassima, and moves to join
his Weyrwoman's daughter. "Hey," he says, pleasant enough. "How're you doing?"

T'risch smiles, "Flying is lots of fun."

Rilsa gives Benrak a wide-eyed look. "Just how many lessons do I need to
sail a small boat to win in three months?" she asks curiously.

Casmira looks whistful..."I've never tried it."

Benrak purses his lips together, and runs his hand through his hair.
"Well.. if you're talking about a coastrunner like the skiff... not too
long, if you pick up at it quickly. Apprentices always start out on the
skiff. It's not too terribly difficult, it's just a rowboat with a sail."

"Yep," Elie agrees. "So let's go for a ride!" She sets her mug down on the
table with a thump.

T'risch smiles, "Just the three of us?"

"Offer?" I'sai calls Kassima's way, murmuring his excuse-mes as he eases
through the growing crowd; "Which one?"

Alessandra goes home.

Rilsa crosses her arms, looking determined. As a matter of fact, she snorts
at his answer. "I learn quickly, Master Benny. And I always get what I want
and I want to win."

Ceres nods at that, "She certainly does."

From the look on Elie's face, that's not exactly what she had in mind. She
doesn't say anything.

Casmira looks wide eyed..."Now? I mean, me to? I mean....um...."

Benrak nods appeasingly, "Doesn't everybody? Very well, I'll take that task
on if you're willing. Just let me know when is convenient for you and I'll
dig up a skiff for you. We can get started anytime."

T'risch looks at Master Benrak for a moment, smiling, "Rilsa was my
weyrlingmaster and when she gets like this, she is all business."

Rilsa smiles over at Ceres then nods to Benrak. "Alright then, Master
Benny. I'll see you toward the end of the sevenday then." She snerks at
T'risch.

"T'be letting you find out a secret of some sort--methinks; hard t'be
overhearing everything in this melee--" not, you understand, that Kassi
doesn't try, "in private. You'd probably end up with more offspring, the
way your luck's gone."

T'risch smiles, "Up to you, Elie and I can go now. ANd I can owe you a ride
later if you want."

"I'm doing okay," Kiani replies at K'ran's question, setting down the mug.
"Thanks for bringing the letter from my mother. I keep meaning to go visit,
but..." She trails off, lifts one shoulder in a quiet shrug. "How about
yourself?"

Benrak laughs at T'risch, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. We'll see
how she does, then." His eyes go back to Rilsa, and he nods affirmatively.
"Sevenday it is, then. I'll be waiting. Uhm, actually, do you think anybody
can give me a lift back to the Seacraft Hall? I've a meeting. Is the
watchrider on duty?"

Ceres yawns a bit and stands, "I think I am going to head up to bed,
g'night everyone." She mutters under her breath, "As soon as I disengage
someone's attention from a bronze."

Rilsa chuckles. "I'll give you a lift back, Benny."

I'sai's sandy brows slant that much higher - "_Well_," and he diverts the
moment's glance at S'rist over there, before clearing his throat. "As you
say, Kassima. Because, ah, you've the knife, and all... Speaking of which -
" but he breaks off as Rilsa offers instead. "Yes. Later."

Elie smiles hopefully at T'risch.

S'rist gives a wave to those that are starting to drift off, then takes a
long sip from his glass, evidently unwinding from some long conference with
a Lord Holder over tithe amounts, it's that time of turn again.

Benrak smiles at Rilsa. "Thank you kindly, then. Shall we go?" He's got his
things with him, he's all ready and rarin' to go. He tosses up a blithe
wave to everybody present, not that they're paying any attention anyway.

Rilsa wanders outside to the bowl.

Benrak meanders outside to the bowl.

Kassima rests the knife-hilt against her chin. "Speaking of which?" Her
voice is curious, her eyes likewise, though there's a fleeting pensiveness
present. "G'deve, Master-sir!" she calls out across the Cavern.

K'ran waves a dismissive hand, brushing away that thanks. "It wasn't any
trouble," he chuckles. "To be honest, I volunteered to carry it. To, you
know, come by, see how you were doing. Me? Oh, I'm alright. No complaints."
His gaze strays back towards the Seacrafter, and he observes, "You and I
seem to have the same luck for these things."

Ceres strides outside to the bowl.

"The knife reminded me of him, but the Weyrsecond's taking him," I'sai
returns. "Took him. ...That was unexpected. Er, not her taking him, but the
gifting," and he glances 'round about from Kassima to those truly of the
Reaches.

Kiani manages not to blush too badly, but she still ends up a nice shade of
pink. Trying for distraction, she looks out to where the Seacrafter and the
rest have disappeared, and sighs a bit, with that same thin smile. "I never
can seem to get to one of these on time. There's always other stuff to be
doing. And Eidanth...well. You know how they are." This last is said with a
wave of her hand--unfortunately, the one holding the klah mug. A look of
relief comes over the young woman's face as she realizes that none of it
has spilled.

Kassima confesses freely, "'Twasn't expecting it m'self. If'n it happened
regularly, I'd whack the heads off of things more oft." How reassuring.
Absent fingertips trace over the hilt, the narrow sheath, their owner's
mind clearly elsewhere.

Casmira smiles..."You two go ahead. I don't want to be a third wheel."

Elie doesn't have to be told twice. She bounces to her feet, grabbing for
T'risch's hand. "C'mon."

"Oh, I know," K'ran assures, his brave face fracturing a bit at sight of
Kiani's blush. "Still. Even if I'm always late, it's nice of 'Reaches to
host these affairs, and invite us dregs from Telgar." He aims a quick,
smiling glance back over towards I'sai and Kassima.

"For some reason I'm not surprised," I'sai teases - then adds on an
apologetic note, "I should be getting back before, as you say, any other
wingleaders. Excuse me, Kassima," and he turns the long paces back to
T'risch, to Elie. "Tell you what: I won't show you my hands, and we'll call
it even? Good night, you two - and T'risch, no doubt our good headwoman
would want me to say hello."

Kassima inclines her head in simple, solemn acknowledgment, and turns her
head to flick a wry smile to K'ran in return.

T'risch grins at Casmira as he is jerked to his feet by Elie, "Okay then,
see you laterrr!" He turns and pulls ELie to a stop at the mention of the
Telgari Headwoman, "Oh, how is she doing? How's the baby?"

Elie's impatience at this distraction is ill-concealed, but she stops,
tilting her head and looking to Kassima for the answer to T'risch's question.

Kiani carefully sets the mug down, and folds her hands demurely in her lap,
where they won't get in the way. "It's nice to have the visitors, I think.
It gives us an excuse to relax and be social for a little while."

"Doing baby things," I'sai supposes - "Here, but don't let me keep you;
don't want Elie's face to freeze that way," he teases, and hastens out to
the bowl to escape a swat.

I'sai strides outside to the bowl.

Kassima blinks at that inquiring look, having missed its source: "Forgive
me; did someone ask me something? M'mind was in the clouds--" She gestures
apologetically towards the Bowl, suggesting clouds less, perhaps, than green.

[Editor's Note:  Elie paged me here to let me know that her pose had been a
mis-response; she'd gotten Is's pose and mine confused.]

T'risch grins as I'sai leaves and walks with Elie towards the bowl again,
smiling widely.

T'risch strolls outside to the bowl.

Elie scampers out after T'risch, grinning.

Elie strides outside to the bowl.

"Mmm." K'ran's eyes stray to that mug that Kiani's abandoned as he rakes a
hand back through his hair, awkwardly. "Will you be coming to the
masquerade, at Telgar?" The inquiry's at least half-hopeful.

Cloretta strides in from the busy kitchen.

Kassima shakes her head after the departing duo, brow furrowed in
confusion; after a bit of tinkering with her belt, after which the new
knife has joined its brethren there, she slips from her seat to acquire a
glass of juice from the most convenient source of such. Which is not to say
that she doesn't pause along the way at that overheard mention of
'masquerade.'

Cloretta comes in with a baking sheet rested against her hip, other end
supported with her hand. An apron is around her waist. Quietly she tiptoes
to the meal table and silently begins to unload bubblie pies.

Casmira rises..."Well, I'd best be leaving myself. It is rather late.
Goodnight, everyone."

Kassima bobs her head to Casmira, smiling. "G'deve, lass."

Miralin walks into the cavern from the lower caverns.

Casmira meanders outside to the bowl.

Miralin wanders in a bit bleary-eyed. "Evening."

Kiani blinks a few times at K'ran's question, her gaze flying up to his
face in her surprise. "I...well, I'm not sure. I'd thought about it, but
I'm not sure what the duty roster says yet." She pauses, as if she's not
*quite* finished, but doesn't end up saying anything more. Instead, she
fidgets, then adds, "I'll try, though."

Cloretta smiles over at Miralin, "G'ev'nin."

S'rist gets up from his seat and slips out, rubbing his temple.

S'rist strides outside to the bowl.

Once again K'ran drags that hand back through his hair, the gesture no less
awkward the second time around. "I, ah. Hope your wingleader lets you have
the night off. I'm sure your mother would love to see you."

Miralin pours herself a cup of tea and has a seat, peering into the cup
absently.

Kassima suppresses a sudden grin, and, rather than finish her Quest for
Juice, sets a new course for the exitway. "Should be getting back to the
Weyr," she explains in brief. "Duties again to the 'Reaches and her
queens--and don't get in any trouble now, K'ran."

Kiani's smile turns a bit sad, and she nods. "I know she would. I miss
her," she states, simply. Kassima's statement gets a wave and a, "'Reaches
duties," before she turns her attention back to the conversation at hand.
"I'll talk to Melata, and see."

"Ah, hang on a moment, Kassima," K'ran suggests, distractedly. "I'll head
out with you. Should leave before I outstay my welcome, anyways." A look
back towards Kiani; he favors her with an easy smile. "Remember what I
said, hm? Anything at all." And he unfurls himself from his chair, and tugs
his riding gloves from the shoulder loop on his jacket.

Cloretta shakes her head, "Outstay a welcome.. riiiight." she chuckles.
"Anyone want a bubbly before it gets cold?"

Kassima does pause inside the entranceway, brows lifting together. "All
right, if'n you wish," she agrees, "though as 'twere nay getting up on the
tables t'sing songs about roly-poly fish heads, I doubt your welcome's in
great danger yet."

"I remember," Kiani tells K'ran. "Thanks, and hopefully I'll see you at the
masquerade. Tell my mother I said hello, and...um, clear skies."

K'ran nods once, earnest, to Kiani. "I will. And thanks." As he retreats
towards the entranceway to join Kassima, he aims a smile -- worried, but
nonetheless a smile -- back towards the 'Reachian bluerider.

Kassima casts a glance back that way herself, brows still arched in
curiousity. "Methinks there's a story there you'll have t'be telling me
someday," she murmurs to K'ran as she slips out the exit, with a last call
of, "G'deve, all!"

You wander outside to the bowl.

HRW-LC> And a wince creeps into K'ran's expression as he follows Kassima out.

K'ran strides out of the living cavern.

Rilsa smiles fondly at X'dren before waving to another typcial greenrider.
"Clear skies, Kassi. K'ran."

X'dren waves over at K'ran and Kassima, blush fading.

Tugging on riding gloves as he accompanies Kassima out of the living
cavern, K'ran gives Rilsa a polite nod of thanks. "Hopefully I'll manage to
be on time, next time 'Reaches puts one of these nights together. Thanks
for having us."

Said dubiously typical greenrider waves a still-fishy hand back to Rilsa.
"Clear skies yourself, Rilsa, and good t'be seeing you again--you as well,
X'dren." To K'ran, significantly, "I *saw* that."

X'dren grins at Kassima and shrugs helplessly. "Sorry I haven't had time to
catch up on the news with you two. Sweeps again--got a sick rider in my
half of the wing, and no other substitute."

"Saw what?" K'ran asks, suddenly all wide-eyed innocence. Without another
word he steps to Indrath's side, and assists himself up onto the young
bronze's neck with riding straps.

Kassima grins wryly at the younger greenrider. "Don't I know how *that*
goes; I've ended up on sweeps with L'cher more'n once even now, and him
complaining about losing his underpants again--" Oh, there's a sensible
comment. As she closes her fingers around Lysseth's straps, she retorts to
K'ran, "*You* know. Don't try that innocent look; it suits you nigh like a
ferocious look would suit an ovine."

X'dren smiles, muffling his laughter behind a hand, though his eyes dance
with merriment.

Far be it from K'ran to argue further with the Thunderbolt Wingleader. Why?
He'll almost certainly lose. "I'll explain later," he offers, his
expression turning pained.

K'ran clambers upwards onto Indrath's back.

Rilsa rolls her eyes, chuckling in amusement.

"Please do," Kassi suggests. Flashing a last grin over her shoulder, she
wishes again, "Clear skies t'you both!" prior to climbing up.

X'dren shakes his head, and lifts his free hand to wave to the pair.
"G'night!" he half-chuckles.

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

<*> Rilsa waves to kassima again.

<*> Lysseth stirs herself from her indolent sprawl with a quiet sigh,
leaning back on her haunches before ascending in a flickering beat of wings.

<*> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up
dust as she takes to the skies.

You spring powerfully into the sky.