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

And Baby Makes... Five?


Date:  April 17, 1997
Place:  Benden Weyr Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey
1967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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

Kassi's Note:  It was a dark and stormy night (snow-stormy, anyway), 
when Benden Weyr discovered that the End of the World was truly near and
that the Seventh Sign of the Apocalypse had come to pass.  You are about
to enter another dimension, a dimension of Water, draconic discussion
about egg-swallowing, waddling, and a lot of heifer jokes.  You are about
to enter... the Pregnant Greenriders' Zone.  Doo-dee-doo-doo, doo-dee-
doo-doo.... ;) (As a side note added at Meli's suggestion, it's suspected
that this event was a possible cause of PernMUSH's router going down for
three days.  Who knew that routers could die of fright? :P :)  Anyway, to 
get the technical info covered, all page chat and most knot chat has been 
snipped; all dragon-chat remains.  Enjoy!

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


The Log:

Meli walks in from the bowl.

Kassima shakes her head as she watches the strange lad leave. "What an odd 
individual... Meli! G'devening t'you--some weather we're having, eh?"

Kelset nods towards Morgeth, then sets his spoon down and greets Meli with 
a pleasant smile. As an afterthought, he sends Kassima a slight nod of 
agreement. "Good evening," he offers affably.

Meli gives a shake, wet gloppy snow falling from her hair, her jacket, her 
arms, her pants, her boots. You get the idea. Stomp, Stomp. Shake Shake. 
Finally, with a wipe of her hand across her face, she peers in the cavern 
and replies "Blech."

Lysseth> Juliath senses that Lysseth lifts her head and rumbles in an 
amiable enough greeting, never mind that it's, << Salutations, Broomstick-
tail. >>

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Juliath rumbles unhappily, curling nose 
towards tail, tucked beneath wing. << Greetings, Lard-legs. >>

Kassima grins wryly at her friend. "As ever, you sum things up well and 
concisely. C'mon, have a seat and get yourself some stew! 'Tis good and 
hot t'day, which is something."

Meli nods, inadvertently spilling a final splorp of snow onto Salless' 
nice, clean floor. With a few quick strides, she's over near the other 
greenrider, and the harper. Noticing him, she lifts a brow, then says 
"Greetings!" in a more pleasant, at least for her, voice.

Kelset looks out past Meli, his slight, wry smile obviously showing his 
agreement with Kassima. Lifting a spoonful of stew to his mouth, he chews 
and swallows the meat and tuber quickly as Meli speaks. "Erm," he says, 
clearing his throat. His voice normal, once again, he greets, bringing a 
smile to his lips, "Greetings! I'm Kelt, Jr. Journeyman, currently posted 
here."

Lysseth> Juliath senses that Lysseth asks curiously, << Why do you sound 
so *unhappiness*, Fatty-Flanks? The *snow* and *cold* are not as good as 
*warmth*, but surely nothing to cause distress. >>

Meli extends a hand, then retracts it long enough to pull off a soggy 
glove. Once freed, it reaches out again towards the young man. "Well met, 
Kelt, Journeyman Harper. M'name's Meli, green Juliath's rider."

Kassima laughs as she realizes she's not yet pulled off her own gloves, 
and does so before taking once more to her stew. "How's Juliath t'day, 
Meli? Enjoying the white-out as much as Lyss seems to be? Nay that that's 
saying much, mind."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Juliath gives a mental shake and replies to 
her clutchsib in a less aggrieved tone << We have not been *flying* in a 
long while, and now the *snow* and *wind* will keep us from it longer 
yet. >>

Kelset straightens up, sliding his chair back to reach a hand towards 
Meli. Clasping palms firmly, he replies, "Well met, Meli," smiling 
quietly, before resuming his seat.

"Well!" Meli exclaims, taking a seat. "Glad tha's all over. Now I c'n be a 
bit less formal." Settling herself, she cocks her head at Kelt with a "Did 
someone mention stew?"

Lysseth> Juliath senses that Lysseth's mind-tone is full of agreement with 
that. << My rider says she is glad that she was already on the ground when 
this hit. She wishes that she could go to *Boll*, and I admit that would 
be nice too, though the cold does not bother me as much as her. Why can 
you not fly? Haven't you healed up *yet*? >>

Kelset grins quietly, nodding as he gradually depletes his own stew. 
"Certainly did," he says, gesturing with his spoon towards the serving 
dish.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Juliath's mental tone relaxes further as she 
discusses << I feel *wellness* but my rider says the kind one must look us 
over. >>

Kassima snorts in amusement, grinning up at her friend. "Since when are 
you ever all that formal to begin with? As to that last, aye, I did--" She 
taps her spoon against her bowl, which, by now, is almost empty. "'Tis 
good today, despite the tubers; I think I'll help m'self to a second 
serving, when this is gone."

Meli's face lightens, as her smile grows across it. "Ah, well then!" with 
a reach of her hand for a clean bowl and the dish, ladling up a hearty 
portion. "Kassi, I think someday I'll jus' have t'hold you down an' stuff 
tubers down y'throat til you get over this fear o'yours."

Lysseth> I bespoke Juliath with << The kind one? >> Lysseth's tone is 
puzzled as she ponders this, then abruptly the clouds of pale blue that 
tend to fog her tone when she's distracted clear away. << Oh! My rider 
says that you mean Adonith's rider. She needs to look both of you over? >>

Kelset chuckles a bit, sending a whisper of air across a spoonful of his 
stew, using a bit of discretion this time. "Formality has it's place," he 
comments, grinning a bit.

Dragon> Juliath bespoke Lysseth with << Adonith is a Silly Male, but his 
rider makes much sense. She will look /me/ over, and speak with my 
rider. >>

Kassima shudders at Meli, turning greenish again. "Faranth, even you're nay 
*that* cruel," she protests with a faint grin. "Cav or Mart, though... them, I 
could believe it of." She shoves back her chair and stands, heading back to the 
stewpot to refill her own bowl. "Oh, I know that--I'm needlessly formal many 
times m'self; ask anyone."

Lysseth> Dulath backwings for a landing.

Kelset nods, finishing off the last of his stew with a content sigh. He 
places his spoon into his bowl with a klink and reclines back. "Oh, you 
were perfectly formal, though friendly enough, when I came yesterday. A 
mix of the two's best."

Lysseth> C'vadan slides off Dulath's shoulders to the ground, turning to 
give his lifemate a quick salute and then an affectionate pat on the neck.

Lysseth> Dulath warbles softly to the other dragons. C'vadan grumbles 
something about it being spring.

Lysseth> Juliath senses that Lysseth's rumble displays some of her 
amusement, a ripple of gleaming amethyst making its way through the cool 
blues and greens with their ever-present thread of blazing ruby that 
usually characterize her. << Adonith is all right, for a blue. It is well 
that you do not fly in *this*. You would be grounded for a very long time 
that way. >>

Meli listens to the other two a moment longer, as she makes a sizeable 
dent in her stew, heedless of its heat. After the first rush to fill her 
stomach, she gives a contented sigh, leans back for a pause, and orders a 
mug of hot cider from a passing server.

C'vadan walks in from the bowl.

Salless blows a stray lock out of her eyes and continues polishing a 
table.

Lysseth> Juliath lifts a head from under her wing to warble back, though 
the sound is nearly lost in the gale.

C'vadan stamps the snow off his boots.

Lysseth> Dulath moves closer to the greens, offering his body as a shield 
against the wind and snow.

"Cider?" Kelset says, his eyebrows lifting a bit with interest. He adds 
his order to the server, crossing his arms loosely before him. His eyes 
glancing over to C'vadan, a quick smile comes to his lips. "Good evening."

Firwen walks here from the Inner Cavern.

C'vadan nods. "Hiya," he says to the Harper. He waves to Kassima and Meli.

Meli waves a hand in the air at Cav, once she recognizes him through the 
slush. "Heyla, brownrider, how fares y'today?"

Kassima fills her bowl to the brim, grabbing a mug of cider also as she 
buzzes the food-area. "Thankee for that, I think. I prefer to save true 
formality for when I'm *nay* at home, or for those authority figure 
types." Her teeth flash in a grin for a moment, before she sets her plates 
down with a clatter and settles herself in her place. "C'vadan," she 
greets the brownrider in a cordial enough tone. "Good evening."

Kelset adds a quiet smile towards Firwen, returning C'vadan's greeting as 
well.

Firwen makes her way over to the stew and pours herself a bowl. With this 
and a mug of klah she settles down into a vacant chair with a minimum of 
fuss. Noting Kelset's smile, she nods pleasantly back, eyes crinkling 
warmly.

Lysseth> Lysseth shakes off the snow that layers her hide and takes 
advantage of Dulath's generosity with all due haste. She rumbles a 
greeting as well, if rather belatedly.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Juliath's voice, light and relaxed now, tinges 
with echoes of open air and powerful downstrokes << To *fly* again will be 
a Very Good thing. Even the *weyrlings* are up now - we should be there 
also. >>

Kelset accepts his cider, setting it down before him, smiling pleasantly 
towards Firwen, giving up on the ideal of making introductions to 
everyone. He takes a long sip of the cider, letting out a long, content, 
sigh.

C'vadan gets himself some hot cider and then takes a seat. "Did anyone 
know it is supposed to be spring?" he asks no one in particular. "I'm 
fine, Meli. How are you?"

Lysseth> Juliath senses that Lysseth spreads her wings a bit in response 
to the mention of flight, then folds them close to her body once more. 
<< Yes... it is good to fly. I like flying, and I wish that we could fly 
today. But my rider was content enough to rest for a time, so I am not 
displeased. >>

Meli gives an expressive shrug of her shoulders, followed by an 'Enh'. But 
then her cider arrives, and she relents. "Oh, Cav, m'fine, thanks. Have 
y'met Kelt yet?" she asks, indicating the harper.

Kassima bobs her head in greeting to the vaguely familiar newcomer, then 
chuckles at Cav. "I'd heard rumors, but 'twas nay giving them any credit."

Lysseth> Juliath for once seems to make no protest of Silly Males, moving 
closer to the brown, and even allowing herself to come nearer to Lysseth.

Kelset nods quietly towards C'vadan as Meli introduces him, lifting his 
mug a bit by way of a wave.

C'vadan shakes his head. "Well met, ah, Kelt. I'm C'vadan, rider of brown 
Dulath."

"Well met, C'vadan. A pleasure," Kelset replies, smiling quietly, the 
response nearly reflexive at this point.

And Meli gives Firwen a wave over towards the group, when she spots the 
woman hovering nearby. "Come an' meet th'new harper, if y'haven't 
already!"

Firwen amiably picks up her stew and relocates seats, settling herself 
down with a smoothing of skirts. "Good afternoon, harper," she introduces 
herself in her strong voice. "My name is Firwen."

Kelset sets his mug back down, nearly half empty, and smiles a bit. 
"Afternoon," he returns, shifting to face Firwen. "A pleasure. I'm Kelt, 
as they've mentioned. Recently posted."

Kassima makes a heavy inroad in her stew with a fair amount of speed, 
pausing only to fish out the tuber chunks. "Faranth, but 'twas starved! 
Missing lunch will do that for you--or maybe 'tis the cold, I'm nay 
certain. Which think you, Meli?"

Meli's cider mug soon resembles Kelt's, and she moves back to working on 
her stew. With a biscuit in one hand, a spoon in the other, she's well 
suited to get every last little bit out of the bowl. Between bites, she 
replies "Both" succinctly.

Lysseth> Juliath senses that Lysseth perks up a bit as the wind slackens. 
<< Maybe there is hope that we will be able to *fly* today after all. >>

Firwen eyes Kelset consideringly as she polishess of her food. "You'll be 
teaching the youngsters here?" she inquires.

Kelset lets out a dry chuckle, lifting his mug once again, agreeing with 
Meli. "Put nicely, yes."

Dragon> Lysseth and Dulath sense that Juliath rumbles her appreciation of 
the change in weather. << It is more likely now, Lysseth, but we must 
still wait for *Alyssa* to check my shoulder again. >>

Kelset returns his eyes to Firwen, his smile sobering a bit. "Of course," 
he replies, taking another, smaller, sip of cider. "I'll be helping 
Skye."

Kassima laughs and acknowledges, "Point t'you; there've likely never been 
truer words spoken. I'd like to see a conversation 'tween you and m'Da 
someday--he'd be spouting nonsense, and you'd be as concise as usual. 
Utter opposites."

Firwen smiles, rather grimly. "In that case, you'll be teaching my son, 
Teolin. I hope you have the knack of making youngsters behave."

"A handful?" Kelset asks, chuckling a bit, shifting in his seat slightly. 
"I'm not an expert. This is my first posting, so I haven't dealt with them 
a great deal. I'll keep my eyes open, though. I appreciate the warning."

Lysseth> Juliath and Dulath sense that Lysseth warbles her agreement, 
rustling her wings and peering up at the now-somewhat-visible sky. 
<< Patience is a good thing. An annoying thing to have to have, but a 
good thing. My rider says that Meroth's rider said that the Wing has 
surely been grounded due to the *snow*, so *Alyssa* cannot be too far 
away. >>

With a final swipe with the last of her biscuit, Meli wipes her bowl as 
clean as it started. Tossing back the last of the cider, she pushes both 
bowl and mug away and gives a stretch. "Ahh." Half listening to the 
harper, she turns back to Kassi and asks "How's y'arm?"

C'vadan looks outside then back at those conversation.

Kassima pushes her cleared bowl out of the way, and picks up her mug to 
drain another quarter of the liquid out of it. "Well enough," she reports 
to the greenrider once this is done. "I think 'twill only be another day 
or two at most a'fore 'tis healed fully--thank Faranth for it!" She pulls 
up her sleeve again, and the bandage over her slashed arm is noticeably 
lighter than the one that covered it previously.

Firwen chuckles as she pushes her empty stew bowl away. "Well, he's high 
spirited like most other young boys, but if he gives you too much trouble, 
I'll settle him." Hauling herself to her feet, she nods to the harper and 
says, "I better see if those tubers are finished. Nice to meet you, 
harper."

Kelset lifts the corners of his lips into a pleasant smile, nodding 
towards Firwen. "It was a pleasure, Firwen," he says, chuckling a bit.

C'vadan pulls out his journal from its protective pouch and then his ink 
vial and stylus. He starts writing down some thoughts quietly.

Lysseth> Juliath, ensconced near both Dulath and Lysseth to keep out of 
the wind and snow, gives a loud bugle to Pleiath as she arrives.

Firwen walks off towards the kitchen.

Lysseth> Lysseth settles for a simple rumble towards the young green, 
eyeing her bugling clutchmate with some curiousity.

Lysseth> Emlyn looks up at the sky and laughs at something Pleiath says. 
She answers, aloud, "Well, yes, I -do- like it, but I don't have hide to 
protect me." Juliath's bugle of greeting cuts her off, and she directs a 
salute at the weyrlingmaster's green. Pleiath warbles with dignity to the 
older dragon, almost as if she was echoing the respect Emlyn shows to 
Juliath's rider.

Lysseth> Dulath warbles as warmly as he can in the snow.

"Ah, good, s'good t'hear" Meli replies through several nods. "This weather 
should turn all th'Thread into dust a while longer, but we'll be needin' 
everyone at full strength again soon 'nough."
Kassima tugs the sleeve back over her arm, hiding the white gauze that 
covers it from wrist to inner elbow from view. "What're you writing now, 
Cav?" she asks with some interest, eyeing the journal. Turning to Meli, 
she nods. "Juliath's near to being at full strength, then?"
C'vadan looks up, and smiles at Kassima. "Just stuff," he says non-
committally.

Lysseth> Pleiath digs in the snow with her foreclaws, creating herself a 
wallow. Emlyn watches for a moment, then turns toward the living cavern. 
As she disappears inside, Pleiath reclines gracefully, placing her muzzle 
to best advantage on her forelimbs.

Emlyn walks in from the bowl.

Meli's attention turns to Cav's hides at Kassi's comment, and she replies 
to the other greenrider while still peering "Well, seems t'be. Jus' need a 
dragon healer t'clear us, an' I think we'll be back at regular duties." 
She then turns to Kelt and, with a flick of a thumb towards Cav, tells him 
"Cav here's quite th'scribe. Might be of some help t'you, sometimes."

Emlyn directs a series of crisp salutes at those riders who notice her 
entry.

"Stuff is interesting," Kassi comments. "You should see the stuff my 
family writes to me. Don't suppose any of that stuff is worth reading? 
With naught to do but hole up in that cave by the 'Springs all day, I must 
confess that I'm just getting over the lingering traces of extreme 
boredom...." A brief grin pulls one corner of her mouth upwards, before 
she returns Emlyn's salute crisply. "G'deve, Weyrling."

Kelset looks towards Meli, his eyebrows lifting a bit in curiosity. "Oh?" 
He replies, affably, looking towards C'vadan. "I keep a journal myself. 
Immensely helpful things."

C'vadan salutes Emlyn, then grins at Meli's comment. "I agree," he says to 
Kelset. "My father is a scribner at Benden Hold. I learned it from him."

Meli twists in her seat, spotting Emlyn after Kassi greets her. She gives 
her own salute, eyeing the weyrling critically a moment before returning 
to her normal smile. "Evenin', weyrling. How fares y'an Pleiath?"

C'vadan closes his journal and then puts all of his writing materials in 
the pouch.

Kelset smiles quickly over to Emlyn, then replies to C'vadan, "A scribe?" 
though the comment doesn't seem to ask or say much.

Lysseth> Juliath extends her wings carefully, mindful of her neighbors, 
and angles one towards them.

Kassima watches Cav put his writing implements away with some 
disappointment. "I guess nay, then. Did you ever find that first journal 
that was stolen, by the by?"

Dragon> Juliath bespoke Lysseth, Dulath, and Pleiath with << Does it seem 
*well*? It feels that way, but my rider keeps asking me if it is all 
right. >>

"Your journal was stolen?" Kelset echoes, his expression traced with a bit 
of shock.

Emlyn grins at Meli's question. She can't help it. "Pleiath is thriving, 
Ma'am, and I'm as well as ever. The winter's my favorite season."

C'vadan sighs. "No. So I am twice as careful with all my new ones," he 
says, frowning. It was not much fun hearing things repeated from the 
journal.

Lysseth> Juliath, Dulath, and Pleiath sense that Lysseth watches her 
sister's antics for a moment, then simply has to ask. << Juliath, what are 
you doing? Oh. Your wing looks fine, yes. It looks like... well, like a 
wing. >>

Meli mutters something under her breath about it supposedly being spring, 
but this comment quickly passes. "Well, then, if y've got all y'duties 
done, sit down an' have some stew. S'fine t'night."

Dragon> Lysseth, Juliath, and Dulath sense that Pleiath opines, << It 
bends where mine does. >>

Lysseth> Pleiath lifts her head and turns her head to peer at Juliath's 
wing.

Kelset mumbles under his breath, only a word or two about privacy 
attracting notice.

Dragon> Lysseth, Juliath, and Pleiath sense that Dulath warbles softly. 
<< It is a fine wing, though. >>

Kassima's disappointment seems to increase at that, oddly, before she 
remembers to control her expression better. "Doubly careful with 'em, 
hmm... well. 'Twould be difficult for anyone to nab another, then--
fortunately for you, eh?" She chuckles, and shakes her head at Meli. "I'll 
believe 'tis spring when I see it. For now, I'm counting it as pure 
hearsay."

Dragon> Lysseth, Dulath, and Pleiath sense that Juliath rumble-snorts, 
even as she resettles her wings. << Of course it is a fine wing. I do not 
understand the fuss. But perhaps now *Alyssa* will let us fly again. >> 
Sensations of pleasure accompany this thought, followed closely by a tinge 
of concern << My rider has worried about it too much lately. >>

Emlyn smiles and nods as she turns to get some of the stew. When she 
returns, she takes a seat with the other riders. In her two turns at High 
Reaches and during her nearly two turns now at Benden, she's never really 
noticed that riders tend to seat themselves by wing affiliation, or by 
rank. As a result she's totally unselfconscious as she takes her place.

Dragon> Lysseth, Juliath, and Dulath sense that Pleiath considers this 
idea of worrying about flying. She offers, << Perhaps you are undergoing 
a growth spurt, Juliath. When **loving image of Emlyn** is worried about 
me, I have usually just grown. >>

Lysseth> Juliath, Dulath, and Pleiath sense that Lysseth considers this 
for a moment, then shares one of her theories. << Riders either worry too 
much or not enough, never anything inbetween. I think mine could stand to 
worry more sometimes. >> The slightly-elder green scrutinizes Juliath's 
wing carefully. << And yes, Lard-Legs, I suppose it is a fine wing. >>

Kelset leans back, his expression lightening a bit as he lifts his mug to 
his lips and drains it of the last of his cider.

Emlyn peers over at the young man she doesn't know. She extends her hand, 
palm up. "I'm Emlyn, by the way."

Kelset pushes out his chair a bit, donning a light smile as he reaches his 
own arm over, clasping palms with Emlyn. "Nice to meet you, Emlyn," he 
greets, his normal tenor voice quiet. "I'm Kelt, Jr. Journeyman, recently 
posted here from Harper Hall."

Dragon> Lysseth, Dulath, and Pleiath sense that Juliath's mental tone 
still contemplative, at least for her, she adds << I do not think such 
worry is good for them. They behave strangely, and they swallow strange 
things that sit in their stomachs >>, this last with an impression of what 
a lump of used 'stone feels like sitting in a second stomach before it is 
regurgitated.

Kassima advises the Weyrling with a wry smile, "Be wary of the stew, by 
the by--'tis right fine today, but a bit thick with tubers." She twiddles 
her thumbs for a moment, then inquires of Kelset, "So, what sort of songs 
d'you tend to play, Harper? If'n you're nay minding the inquiry, that 
is."

Meli chuckles. "Yeh, an' what instruments d'you favor?"

Emlyn joins in the deluge of questions, "And do you play frequently? Do 
you know tunes from all Pern?"

Lysseth> Juliath, Dulath, and Pleiath sense that Lysseth warbles 
curiously. << Is *that* what causes such a thing? No, it cannot be; my 
rider doesn't worry, so something else is making her act strangely. >> A 
pause, then the green amends, << More strangely than *usual*, that is. >>

Kelset leans back, looking towards Kassima and Meli with a twinkle in his 
emerald eyes. "Fair enough, I don't mind at all. I try to play all sorts 
of songs, and I try to write different variations. As for instruments, I 
can play most of them, but I'm best, by far, with the gitar and harp. 
Pipes are the only trouble for me. And, for the last, I don't claim a 
gargantuan repetoir, but I do know quite a few."

Kelset adds, chuckling, "And I don't get to play as often as I like, 
performance wise, though up 'till my promotion practice is far beyond 
daily."

"Fair 'nough indeed" Meli echoes. "I like sea chaunts m'self, if y'know 
any o'them I'd love t'hear one sometime. But now, I guess y'should get a 
chance t'ask us some questions too, if y'like." And she rests her elbows 
on the table, cupping her chin in her palms.

Emlyn sets down the spoon she's been using to good effect and asks, "Do 
you know some of the sea chanties from Tillek? There was a harper at the 
Reaches who sang a few of those." She grins over at Meli.

Kassima asks with a trace of wariness, "You don't write songs about proddy 
greenriders, do you? It seems every Harper performance I go to, someone 
pipes up with a song about proddy greenriders...." She rolls her eyes 
expressively. "Mayhaps 'tis some sort of curse. Y'say pipes are what give 
you trouble? Hrm... I play multiple pipes, m'self, though I won't claim to 
play 'em *well.*"

Kelset laughs pleasantly, leaning forward. "All right." He pauses, though, 
to reply to Emlyn, his tone curious, "I'm afraid I don't! Most of my 
songs, the ones I learned as a child, are plains songs, from Keroon." Back 
to Meli, he asks, "First of all, is Kassima's claim about Benden water 
true?" with a grin.

Lysseth> Pleiath lowers her head again. She seems to be surprised by the 
snow accumulating on her forelimbs and snorts. This clears the snow. Her 
lids widen and she peers for a long moment.

Dragon> Lysseth and Pleiath sense that Juliath rumblepuzzles. << This may 
be so. Perhaps being *not flying* for awhile makes them so. >>

Kelset grins quietly at Kassima. "I'm afraid I haven't written any about 
that, I'm afraid. I've never seen a proddy dragon, myself."

Meli's eyes widen, and she breaks into a laugh. 'Oh, well! Y'have been 
here long 'nough, haven't you?' She gives the question a microsecond's 
thought and replies "Yep."

Lysseth> Juliath and Pleiath sense that Lysseth ponders this a good while. 
<< I do not know. Pleiath, your rider has not flown yet, has she? Does she 
have one of these stomach-lumps that Juliath describes? >>

Emlyn shifts at this talk of proddiness. She considers Meli for a moment, 
then frowns and apparently decides not to ask whatever question occurred 
to her.

Kelset leans back, laughing lightly. "All right, a straight answer, at 
least. You know, the weyr could really market this, if it's true. Plenty 
of people who might snatch it up at Gather's and such."

Kassima laughs, shaking her head. "Be certain that 'twill change a'fore 
long, Harper! You can't be at a Weyr long without seeing a greenflight or 
two... thousand," she appends with an impish half-grin.

Meli gives an exaggerated shudder at the mention of Gathers-full of people 
consuming Benden Water, and dutifully rises to collect more cider instead.

Kelset grins towards Kassima, replying, his tone quiet with feigned 
wariness, "Oh, I've been forewarned. I've also heard that it's always a 
good idea to stay out of public areas after the event. Plenty of ways to 
get into trouble, I imagine."

Dragon> Lysseth and Juliath sense that Pleiath replies at once, 
<< **Emlyn** flew before I cracked shell. >> A pause to ponder such an 
impossible event. Emlyn had a life before Pleiath?? She goes on after a 
second, << But we have not flown together. ** She** does not feel this 
**ash-stomach**. She will feel it when we fly together, then? >>

Lysseth> Juliath and Pleiath sense that Lysseth gives a mental head-shake, 
<< I do not think so. My rider and I have flown for Turns before this. >> 
Another moment's pause from the green. << I am not sure how it could be 
explained. I would think it was just the egg, but if your rider has one 
too, Juliath, I may be mistaken. >>

Kassima snorts, albeit good-naturedly. "Ach, nay--that's *gold* flights! 
Few people are affected by greenflights, save for greenriders, male-
riders, and other proddy greens. Take it from someone whose green just 
rose."

Kelset chuckles, nodding slowly. "Another good piece of information. Can't 
learn too much," he says, smiling. "Another question- there'r no rivalries 
with any Holds I should be worried about? Hearing about some of Ista's 
difficulties with the Beastcraft, I'd like to make sure first."

Emlyn frowns and speaks up, "That's not always the case, Kassi. I recall 
being downright .. er .. well, affected, by my foster-sister's green 
rising."

Meli reseats herself, and tilts her head towards Kelt. "Well, oddly 
'nough, that particular trouble's related t'a flight as well. But no, 
nothin' like tha' here."

Kelset looks towards Emlyn, then Meli. "Hm. So the matter's not quite 
clearly drawn," he comments.

Dragon> Lysseth and Pleiath sense that Juliath relaxes a touch, warmth in 
her tone << Ah, if that is all it is, then it will be Well, yes? >>

Kassima hrms at Emlyn, "Really? I seem to remember a bunch of us acting 
irrationally when Wereth rose, once, but I haven't noticed the things much 
for so long... mayhaps 'tis once you get used to it that they lose the 
power to affect you, I've nay clue. I'm certain they're nay so potent--so 
to speak--as goldflights, though." Turning her attention to Kelt for a 
moment, she shakes her head in negation. "Nay, nay--well, naught 
*serious*. We've our differences with the Holders, and there're one or two 
who don't care that much for dragonriders, but naught to the scale of 
Beastcraft's dislike."

Emlyn tells Kelset, "Well, you'll know yourself how much the events affect 
you. Some dragons may have more or less effect on you personally." She 
listens to Kassima, nodding.

Kassima adds after a brief moment's thought, "Plus, some greens do project 
more strongl--aye, as Emlyn says." She nods to the Weyrling in approval, 
then glances outside with a slightly puzzled look. "Shells, but the lump's 
being quiet. Is she calling Juliath names again, Meli?"

Kelset nods towards Emlyn and Kassima. "Fair enough, certainly," he 
repeats. "That's nice to hear, though." He thinks for a moment, 
considering any other inqueries.

Lysseth> Pleiath has been lying very still, watching the snow accumulate 
on her back and tail. Suddenly she jumps to her feet and shakes like a 
canine. The dusting of snow on her wings sails off in a white cloud.

Lysseth> Juliath and Pleiath sense that Lysseth rumbles her agreement, 
<< I suppose so. Is it the same for your rider then, Juliath? >>

Meli's eyes unfocus briefly, her head still tilted to the side, seeming 
almost to stop moving a scant moment. "No, Jul seems quite content at 
th'moment. Strange, since she was semi-agitated earlier. Hang on..." A 
moment more as she asks of her lifemate, then her expression turns 
puzzled. "She says all is Well, that it is just the Egg."

Lysseth> Lysseth spreads her wings to deflect some of the flying snow, 
without as much success as she might like. Flicking it away--mostly onto 
the hapless Dulath--she snorts a blast of the white flakes towards the 
youngest green.

Lysseth> Juliath, caught nearly in the middle, simple settles herself 
further and watches through first-lids.

Kelset's eyes switch back and forth between Kassima and Meli. He chuckles 
a bit - another thing to get used to.

Kassima quirks an eyebrow, similarly bemused. "Egg? What egg? D'you have a 
fire-lizard egg or something that you're looking after these days?"

You can almost hear the capital letters in Juliath's relayed comment, and 
Meli glances out at the bowl, rubbing a finger along her nose. "Neh, 
haven't been near one o'them in ages." Another quick exchange, and she 
glances over at Kassi curiously. "Um, Kassi, mind f'I confirm a rumor I 
heard?"

Lysseth> Pleiath wasn't really aware that her playing would affect her 
fellow dragons. She seems delighted that it has, but doesn't make a 
nuisance of herself. She settles back in, eyes whirling a pleased blue-
green. Her sweet warble at Lysseth is approving and fond.

Dragon> Lysseth and Juliath sense that Pleiath picks back up the 
conversational thread, << So greens do have clutches, then? You said you 
are having an egg? >> The poor dear really wasn't paying attention.

"Confirm a rumor? Don't see why I'd mind... what rumor would this be?" The 
greenrider darts a glance towards the Bowl, the perplexity-furrow in her 
brow deepening. "Egg, egg..." Kassi mutters to herself, trying to puzzle 
out the meaning.

Kelset only continues to listen silently.

Meli clears her throat, and with an apologetic nod to the harper, who is 
doubtlessly confused, asks relatively flatly "I heard tha' Cav made 
y'drink an entire flask o'th'Water 'fore Lyss's last flight. S'at true?"

Emlyn finishes up her stew and looks over at the other two greenriders, 
wondering where this will lead.

Lysseth> Lysseth rumblechuckles in return, to all appearances in fine 
spirits despite all of the white stuff. She would likely be smiling at 
Pleiath, if dragons could smile; as it is, she's restricted to the simple 
rumblechuckle as a means of expressing herself.

Lysseth> Juliath and Pleiath sense that Lysseth's reply is definitely 
negative. << No, we do not. I was speaking of my rider. And Juliath of 
hers, I think. >>

Kelset returns Meli's nod with a slight, thankful smile. Confusion abates 
with time.

Kassima groans and rolls her eyes once again, with a sigh following. "'Tis 
truth, Meli, more's the pity. Sharding brownrider *tricked* me, and he 
said 'twas Mart's idea--I'm going to get both of them for that, let there 
be nay doubt." Green eyes go faintly hazy as Lysseth apparently chooses to 
steal Kassi's attention for a time, and when she comes back to herself, 
the former conversation-thread is lost in her surprise. "Meli! Why'd you 
nay tell me?"

Dragon> Lysseth and Juliath sense that Pleiath seems to remember this just 
as Lysseth corrects her. << Oh, yes. I recall now. >> A moment during 
which she ponders. << I am glad. I do not want to be serious, like the 
gold dragons are when they are guarding clutches. >>

Lysseth> Juliath and Pleiath sense that Lysseth's tone is effervescent 
with draconic laughter. << To say nothing of being confined to the Sands 
for many days, with a Silly Male! >>

"Tell y'what?" Meli replies quickly, with another glance towards the bowl, 
where Juliath undoubtedly must rest. "You're th'one..." And she stops 
dead, jaw slack and hanging open, eyes widening.

Emlyn sits with the other two greenriders and the harper.

Kindre blinks, the voice finally filtering in enough to cause her to stir. 
Sitting up, she smacks her dry lips and rubs her eyes. "Huh," is the young 
rider's prolific utterance.

Emlyn seems perplexed. She exchanges a look with the harper, then looks 
back at Meli. "Is Kassima saying that you're having a calf?"

Kassima's eyebrows lift. "I'm the one what? *You're* the one Lyss says 
Juliath says is... what do you mean, I'm the one?" Suspicion of something 
creeps over her own face, too, though she doesn't quite go drop-jawed as 
Meli has.

Kelset looks over towards Kindre, his brows lowered a bit in confusion. 
"Good evening?" he says, the greeting almost a question.

Emlyn asks Kassima before Meli can answer her question, "You, too, 
Kassima? Faranth's toes! They say herdbeasts make good use of the winter!"

Emlyn's calf comment filters through Meli's brain, jostling her neurons 
loose enough to allow her to close her mouth. "Calf? Calf?" she echoes 
blankly, then gives herself a mental shake. "Kassi, what's Lysseth tellin' 
you?" she asks, eyes tightening "Cause Jul's sayin' somethin' downright 
impossible."

"Who's what," Kindre wonders, her eyes still a bit cloudy with sleep. 
Running her fingers through her air, she suggests to a drudge that he 
bring her some klah. Quick. Turing her attentions back, she mumbles a bit 
grumpily, "Good evening. Now, what in Faranth's name did I wake to?"

"/I/ haven't a clue," Kelset replies, a bit of a grin curling up the edges 
of his mouth. He rises to refull his cider mug, chuckling a bit.

Kassima focuses her attention once more on the dragon outside, and her 
tone is definitely a cross between confused, suspicious, and strained. 
"She says that Juliath tells her you're carrying an egg, just like...." 
Blood drains from Kassi's face in two seconds flat; Jaxom may have been a 
whiterider in his day, but this rider of this time has become a white 
rider of a different sort. "Oh, nay, Lyss--you can't mean... she *can't* 
mean...."

Emlyn is sure of it and says to Kindre, "Meli and Kassima are both going 
to drop litters."

Benden Weyr> Kassima peers at Emlyn. First we're cows, now we're dogs? ;)

Kelset's eyebrows lift a bit as he returns to his seat, his mug full of 
steaming liquid once more.

Meli's head bows, her shoulders shaking as she waves to and fro. One might 
think she were crying, except that after a moment she looks up, waving a 
finger at Kassi and chuckling enough not to be able to respond. This goes 
on a moment longer, until another startled wherry expression lands on her 
face *kapow*. "T'lar" is all that emerges from her mouth then.

Benden Weyr> Emlyn says, "Yep. I should be able to get the whole barnyard 
in, if you give me time."

Klah mug placed in Kindre's outstretched hand is quickly brought to her 
lips. She takes several long gulps, despite it being terribly hot. That 
seeming to bring her fully to her senses, she tries to piece together the 
cryptic sentances filtering through the cavern. One brow quirks as she 
regards Emlyn. "Litters? T'lar -what?-"

Emlyn says to Kindre, helpfully, "Think of T'lar as the bronze dragon. 
Think of Meli as a gold."

"Who" Meli says in an extremely strained voice. A quick cough, a clearing, 
and she tries again. "Who won y'last flight again, Kassi?" she asks, 
though it's clear she knows the answer already.

"You're pregnant, Meli," the goldrider wonders the obvious. Her eyes shift 
to regard Meli's stomach a moment before gazing back up to her face. 
Blinking at her comment, Kindre then looks to Kassima. "Su-surely not 
you...Kassi?"

Kassima buries her head in her hands, shaking it back and forth at the 
same time. "I do *nay* believe this--shard it all, I knew the Water was 
trouble!" Wouldn't you just know that would be her first reaction? At 
Meli's question, she uncovers her face and meets her friend's gaze 
squarely. "Nicoth," is her simple, quiet reply.

Kelset looks between Emlyn, Meli, Kindre, and Kassima, his ears quick to 
catch every word. A smile slowly grows on his lips, not able to miss the 
point of the obvious declarations for long.

Emlyn says to Kindre, once again helpfully, "Think of Kassima as a gold 
dragon. Think of T'lar as a bronze. Think of Kassi's stomach as the 
Hatching Cavern."

Benden Weyr> Kassima laughs hysterically at Emlyn. :)

A gamut of emotions and expressions dance across Meli's face, from panic 
to concern to excitement to downright amusement. One can only guess which 
will win out. "Well," she finally assays "guess we'll have t'stop callin' 
him a sawed-off bronzerider" in a highly mischievous tone.

Kindre smirks just a tiny bit at the Weyrling. "I think I've got it now, 
Emlyn. Just...shocked?" Pondering exactly what she does feel, her smirk 
breaks into full laughter at Meli's comment.

Kelset looks over to Emlyn, an amused chuckle escaping his lips. "I 
thought it was well put," he adds, winking slightly before focusing back 
on the others.

Kassima stares at Meli for a moment, seemingly uncomprehending, but then 
the words register and she bursts out laughing--with a hysterical tinge, 
to be true, but laughing nonetheless. "Aye, mayhaps! Shells... I don't 
think even F'hlan ever managed t'get two women at *once*...." Her giggling 
trails off a bit, expression once more serious. "You... think the dragons 
are right, then?" Something about her voice suggests that *she* does.

Emlyn winks at Kelset, hiding this from the others. She is, after all, 
vastly ranked by her companions.

Kelset grins slightly in response to Emlyn, a silent chuckle escaping his 
lips.

A whoosh of exhaled air, and Meli reaches a hand up to rub at the back of 
her neck. "Dunno, Kassi, I've no idea how well they c'n tell tha' sort 
o'thing." But her expression also belies her own belief. "Still, would 
explain a thing or two lately."

Kindre leans back in her seat, eyeing each greenrider while idly sipping 
from her mug. One could almost hear the whirls of her thoughts if one 
tried. Shift, Kassima. Shift, Meli. Finished, it would seem, with her 
contemplations, she smiles. "So, if I've this right, both of you are 
pregnant...or, most like, are? Should I put in for my transfer to Telgar 
now?" One corner of her lips curl up sharply, if lopsidely, betraying her 
kidding of the latter comment.

Emlyn sits back and takes up her mug of cider. She seems amused by this 
development. She muses to nobody in particular, "Well, back at Four Pines, 
we'd be making wagers about the what features the calves would share, 
since they've a sire in common."

Kassima is starting to regain her normal color, at least enough so that 
she doesn't look quite so much like a wraith. "'Twould... indeed. A thing 
or two, or three, that I've been wondering about... thought it might be 
wound-shock, but so long after I slashed my arm, it makes more sense...." 
Yes, she's babbling. Taking a deep breath, she manages to make sense in 
her next words: "We should... see a Healer. Get it confirmed, before we 
tell him." Her voice leaves no doubt as to just who the him in question 
is. Turning her head, she smiles faintly at Kindre. "So--aye, so 'twould 
seem."

Kelset rises to his feet, chuckling a bit. "Well," he says slowly, 
grinning, "I'd best be off to take care of some more things. Skye'll 
doubtless be starting be in on things sooner than I'd like. 
Congratulations to both of you," he adds, lifting his grin a bit.

"Meli," Kindre says abruptly, "You should go see a Healer right away...you 
can't teach the Weyrlings 'tweening if..." Bobbing her head at Kassima's 
similar suggestions, she says, "Yes, you both should. The sooner the 
better I'd caution to guess." Turning a smile on Kelset, she waves. "Good 
eve to you, Kelt, if I don't see you later into it."

Kelset smiles quietly, nodding towards Kindre. "Good eve to you as well, 
Kindre. Bye!" he calls once again, heading outwards.

Emlyn waves to the harper. "Nice to have met you, Kelset."

Kelset smiles lightly towards Emlyn, over his shoulder, before finally 
heading out of earshot.

Meli waves a distracted hand at the harper, though she's not usually so 
rude. Still, things aren't usually so Pern-shaking either. "Oh, healer, 
right" she replies blankly, then blinks at Kassi. "Right. Check first, 
/then/ tell 'im."

Kindre nods again. "Check soon, both of you. I'll stay mum, that you can 
rely on."

Emlyn once again muses aloud, "The market value of a heifer whose had a 
successful calving nearly doubles." She casts a speculative eye on Meli 
and then Kassima.

This final comment filter through the fog, and Meli's face clears. 
"Weyrling" she says firmly. "We are /not/ livestock."

Kassima snorts at Emlyn, with amusement relayed in the sound. "Calves? 
Now, I know *I'm* nay a bovine, and unless T'lar's *really* nay telling us 
something...." She bobs her head to both Meli and Kindre, not even 
noticing Kelt's departure in her current tangle of shock, amusement, 
worry, et al--and let us not forget, plotting of *dire* revenge on Cav and 
Mart. "I'd certes agree. Think--" She stops, then clears her throat and 
tries again. "Think there's a Healer 'round-about anywhere? Don't know 
about you, but I'd like to find out as soon as possible."

"If not here, perhaps at the Hold," Kindre wonders, "Crackdust, I'll fly 
you both straight to find one. Then," she smirks, "if you both are, I'll 
be packing for the snowy wastes of Telgar."

Emlyn bites her lip as she pushes her teasing too far. She nods quickly at 
Meli, "Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry if I offended, but you and Kassima are just 
such healthy women that I can't imagine anything but health and prosperity 
for you, and that made me a bit more silly than usual." She smiles 
apologetically at Meli and Kassima in turn.

Meli's expression changes again, there's that constant flickering of 
emotions across it as her thought skitter hither and yon. Placing one hand 
on her stomach, even as Emlyn replies contritely, she manages a smile at 
the weyrling to soften her previous words.

Kassima is still, plainly, in something of a shock. She smiles back to 
Emlyn, though, with a trace of her usual gaiety. "Ach, 'tis well--but a 
heifer? I suppose 'tis better than a broodmare, mayhaps... oh, shells, 
Kin. That's generous, but I can still ride. There's got to be a Healer 
around here *somewhere*, anyway. Right?" She turns to Meli, for some 
Faranth-only-knows-what reason assuming that the other greenrider will 
know.

Meli blinks again, though she is ever so slowly regaining her composure, 
as evidenced by her soft smile and more relaxed posture. "Um, haven't seen 
Portock much lately... what's tha' new journeyman's name?"

Emlyn says to Kassima with all seriousness, "A well-bred heifer is the 
second most beautiful creature on Pern."

"Nay, that's runners," is Kassi's absent reply. "Second to dragons, 
a'course... nay, wait, they're third; fire-lizards are second. Garant, 
Meli? I believe 'tis what he's called, though I could be mistaken." A 
sudden thought crosses the greenrider's mind, and she exclaims, "Ach, 
shells! I'll nay get to show you that new vine-swinging trick--y'know, the 
cursing one--after all!"

Emlyn looks over at Kindre as Kassima, of course, notes how being pregnant 
will prevent her from playing on a vine.

Meli glances around the cavern, as if searching for someone. "Jus' as 
well, Kassi - tha' made me ill jus' thinkin' about it anyway." Another 
glance, and her brow furrows. "Shells, it'd be nice t'talk t'Lys or such 
'bout this right now."

"Not for a turn, I'd guess," Kindre agrees, "though I suppose, if it is 
true, you'll both be too occupied to notice." Regarding both greenriders 
again with an odd expression, she sighs, shaking her head. "I still can 
hardly fathom this...though," her smile re-emerges, "I'm so excited for 
you both." Catching Emlyn's glance, she grins.

Kassima grimaces, "Urgh, you do have a point. I'm quite nauseous enough 
without adding somersaults to it... oh, definitely, Meli. Think she'd be 
surprised?" Quite possibly a silly question, and her wry chuckle suggests 
that she's realized this. To Kindre, she grins. "I imagine so... and I'm 
excited too, I think. Either that, or so panicked that my mind has 
convinced me that I'm excited--and what's the difference, really?"

Kindre laughs and rolls her eyes. "You'll be just fine, Kassi. Shards, you 
both will be."

Meli grins, her eyes twinkling. "We /all/ will be" she states firmly, 
growing to the idea.

Emlyn nods and says, in an undertone, "The entire herd loves having 
newborn calves under hoof."

Benden Weyr> Meli groans at Emlyn :b

Benden Weyr> Emlyn says, "Heeheehee"

Kassima chuckles at Meli, "Ach, I'm nay certain of *that*. T'lar just 
might drop dead of shock when we tell him."


Salless looks delighted and bustles over to tell you the latest.
Salless whispers, "Here's what I have heard. I don't believe my own ears! 
Those two greenriders--you know, Meli and Kassima? They were in here the 
other day chatting about something or other, and all of a sudden both of 
'em were babbling nonsense about eggs, T'lar, and whatnot! It confused me, 
I'll tell you, and that green Weyrling's comments about heifers and calves 
didn't improve matters--but from what I can tell, either those greenriders 
are both pregnant, or Master Tria's bovines are! Did you see Nicoth flew 
Lysseth when last she rose? What a commotion! I'd just bet that Juliath's 
rider's none too happy about it. And before the flight that brownrider got 
Kassima to drink some of our famous water. Who knows what might happen 
next?!! Can you believe that Dawnslight Wingsecond? I overheard a 
conversation the other night between her and Veyath's rider and the new 
starsmith, while I was very busy working, and you'll never believe it! She 
agreed to be stripped of all her clothing and painted by a greenrider and 
bluerider, AND the new smith, as long as they use blue paint! Honestly! 
Greenriders today!  I bought the most beautiful dress at the gather -- 
purple with spots!"


Meli laughs, a short, fuzzy sound. "I jus' meant," she says, as she points 
at Kassi's abdomen, and then her own "/WE/ all will be. All four o'us."

Kassima slowly grins, nodding to her friend. "Unless, of course," she 
cannot resist commenting, "you're carrying quintuplets or some such."

"Faranth forbid!" Meli exclaims. "Not even twins, thankee!" Quite enough 
talk of litters for one evening.

Emlyn opens her mouth to make a comment about how frequently the bovines 
at Four Pines do, in fact, have multiple births. She looks at Meli and 
decides against this.

Kassima grins at Meli and teases, "You never know! Nay until the Healer 
says for sure!"

Meli sticks her tongue out at her friend, then giggles, a rare sound from 
her, but perhaps not unexpected given the current emotional upheaval. 
"Shells, might still be wrong after all, neh?"

Kassima laughs, "Ah, possibly. Could still be stress, or wound-shock, 
or... well, something. We'll find out soon enough. Shells, I can only 
imagine what people will say if'n 'tis true...."

Emlyn speaks up, "They'll date events from this date, the way people will 
date events from calamities. My Da, for example, knows how old my brother 
is because in the same season an avalanche killed his best stud." She 
grins.

Meli clenches her hand in her lap, seriously resisting the impulse to give 
Emlyn a playful cuff on the shoulder. Not appropriate. Instead, she just 
says "Avalance, eh? Why don' y'tell us about tha'?"

Kindre blinks out of a conversation with Herath.  She shakes her head 
before rejoining the conversation. "What's this about Avalanche?"

Kassima throws her hands up and demands rhetorically, "Am I going to be 
teased about this for the full nine months? Or will the entire Weyr flee 
to Telgar?" This she asks of Kindre, with a wink in the weyrwoman's 
direction.

"Telgar is my guess...or the Red Star if possible," Kindre quips before 
giggling.

Ofira walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Emlyn says to Kindre, "Oh, just that people will probably compare Kassima 
and Meli's being pregnant at the same time to natural disasters, like 
avalanches, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, out of season 
Threadfall, plagues, your younger brother arriving at your handfasting 
wearing his mucking boots."

Ofira walks in slowly, a slight waddle in her step and waves, "'Evening."

Ofira blinks. "Kassima /and/ Meli are pregnant?"

Ofira looks at Kassima and Meli, smiling with pleasure or amusement, it's 
hard to tell which.

Meli calls over the usual greeting to the baker, a pleasant "Evenin'" but 
then she takes a good look at Ofira again, watching her walk, and 
blanches.

Benden Weyr> Meli grins. "Yay GAME! What timing! Talk about your pregnant 
pauses!" :b

Benden Weyr> Ofira groans! ;)

Benden Weyr> Emlyn says, "Teehees!"

Ofira finds a chair and more or less falls into it.

Emlyn grins with pleasure at Ofira. She says, enthusiastically, "Ma'am, 
you're bursting with beauty and health."

One can just see the thought crossing Kassi's mind as she watches Ofira 
walk in: 'I'm going to be *waddling*?' Nevertheless, she quirks a smile in 
the Baker's direction and answers, "Mayhaps. Hasn't been confirmed yet, 
but the dragons..." she gestures towards the Bowl where said dragons 
sit, "seem to think so."

Ofira laughs, "Well, I'm definitely bursting," she agrees.

Ofira shifts her weight in the chair as the baby kicks and turns, rather 
visibly. "Well, you'll know sooner than I did then. You won't have to wait 
for the mood swings and sickness," she says cheerfully.

Kindre laughs at Emlyn. "Indeed!" Waving to Ofira, she smiles her 
greetings to the Baker before laughing aloud again. "Herath," she says, 
"Wants to know why we have to go to Telgar just as Spring is arriving."

Ofira smiles at Kindre, and gives a wave in her direction.

Emlyn says to Kindre, "You could tell her it will be the safest place on 
the North continent?" She grins

Kassima's joy at hearing that from Ofira is palpable. "Uh... aye," she 
agrees with a sickly expression that might be meant to be a grin. "Mood 
swings and sickness. Sounds... delightful, I'm certain."

Meli glance casts back and forth among the other women, and finally she 
murmurs to Kassi "Shells, why's ev'ryone so sure it's th'end 
o'ev'rything?" with a quirked brow. "I mean, bein' worried bout /you/ 
havin' spawn, I c'n see, but me?" she adds, then grins.

Kindre smirks, "Will there -be- such a place? Mayhaps a jaunt South would 
be better..." she remarks while trying her best to look serious. The 
facade, though, doesn't last too long, as her lips quirk back into a 
grin. "Pleiath flying yet?"

Ofira shakes her head, "No, not really," she says, slightly puzzled at 
Kassima's reply, "But once you know what it is, it's not all that bad. I 
think the mood swings were harder on Padraig than on me...no, I found the 
indigestion and the swollen ankles to be worse, though maybe not as bad as 
now when I need the necessary every five minutes," she says, her smile 
still placid and peaceful.

Emlyn shakes her head gravely. "No, Kindre. There'll be no escape for us."

Kassima swallows audibly as she listens to Ofira's litany, and can't help 
but murmur to Meli, "What have we gotten ourselves into?" She then gives 
her friend a light whap on the shoulder, "Feh! You're every bit as 
worrisome as I, I'll have you know."

Kindre's face droops, her eyes finding focus on the floor as she shakes 
her head. "Well, we'll be too far from here to listen to the screaming. 
I'll take this moment to wish you luck," she giggles.

Ofira glances at Kindre, "What are you running from?" she asks, perplexed.

Ofira glances from Kindre to Emlyn curiously.

Emlyn winks at Ofira. "Er, we're considering the possibility of Kassima 
and Meli pregnant at once. It seems a bit fearsome."

Kassima wrinkles her nose at Kindre. "You needn't run *that* far, surely--
besides, such a fine friend you are to deprive us of victims!" The usual 
grin flashes across her face; she seems to have, for the nonce, come to 
terms with her situation.

Ofira looks back at Kassima and Meli, "More fearsome than me?" she asks, 
looking a bit hurt. She sighs, "I used to be regarded as fairly fearsome 
at least by my apprentices..."

Kindre bobs her head in quick agreement with Emlyn. "We can't decide which 
will be safer; Telgar or the Southern Continent. I think, though, that I'd 
prefer to chance the jungles of the south than the mood swings of these 
two." Chuckles, she wonders, "Oh, so I get to bring the sacrifices rather 
than be one?"

Ofira looks downcast, even though those mood swings are a thing of the 
past, really they are...

Kassima shakes her head, trying to look solemn. "Ah, nay. You get to bring 
'em *and* be one--isn't that good to hear?"

Meli reaches out to rest a hand on Ofira's arm. "Really, s'not somethin' 
to wish for, havin' y'friends near t'faint at th'thought of you actually 
havin' offspring, neh?"

"Be one? I think not," Kindre notes while chuckling, though it could be 
construed as more nervous laughter than the simple, mirthful sort.
Ofira sighs, "I suppose...though I'd hate to think I could no longer 
command the fear...I mean respect," she amends swiftly, "Of others..."

Meli grins at the baker, and winks. "Oh, I'm sure y'still will be able 
to, s'just hard t'manage now I s'pose."

Kassima simply *grins* at Kin, the kind of grin that could be construed 
more as feral than reassuring. One eye closes and then reopens in a brief 
wink, before she shifts in her seat to chuckle at Meli's words. "She does 
have a point," the greenrider confirms.

Emlyn gets up with her empty mug. She indicates it and gives the baker one 
of those, 'can I get you something' looks.

Ofira smiles a little again, somewhat reassured, "Well, it will be nice 
that we'll all be raising children together," she muses. "They'll grown up 
and play together, mine will only be a bit older..." she says, visions of 
happy children at play clearly what she has unrealistically in mind.

Ofira glances at Emlyn and nods, "There's some citrus fruit cut up there, 
I think..."

"Eyeh, raise 'em too!" Meli exclaims, as this additional thought 
registers. "What in Faranth's name m'I doin'?" she asks herself.

Kindre mutters something about packing and safety before the words jumble 
together in hushed, indecipherables. Realizing her thoughts are leaking 
from her lips, she blinks and then flashes all with a wide grin. "Well, 
I'm sure everything will be just fine. Yup. Juuuust fiiiine." Nodding to 
the Weyrling, she says, "Please, Emlyn? I could use a fresh mug of klah, 
if you'd not mind."

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Honey, I'm home!"

Benden Weyr> Deri giggles

Benden Weyr> Meli grins. "Wooga!"

Ofira smiles placidly, rather like one of those bovines Emlyn keeps 
comparing her to. No wonder no one fears her frying pan any more. "It 
makes me so happy to know that I'll be raising my child along with some 
of my oldest friends," she sighs contentedly.

Benden Weyr> Kindre chuckles, "Heyla T'lar" :)

Emlyn smiles and goes to the tables. She brings back a mug of klah for 
Kindre, a fruit cup for Ofira, and a mug of cider for herself. And she 
doesn't even spill.

Benden Weyr> Kassima whaps T'lar with a herring! Oh, wait, he's not the 
mightiest tree in the forest... never mind. ;) *Snugs.* :)

Benden Weyr> T'lar grabs Meli, Kassi, Deri, Kindre, Emlyn and Ofira for a 
great big group smooch.

Benden Weyr> Meli laughs! "Um, better watch it, T-man."

Benden Weyr> Emlyn laughs at Ofira's pose and is careful with T'lar the 
Virulent.

Benden Weyr> Ofira grins. "Hope you have long arms T'lar." ;)

Benden Weyr> T'lar waves to F'nar & M'rgan then realizes the guy to gal 
ratio is great.

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Virulent???"

Lysseth> Nicoth lumbers here from the south.

Kassima grins wryly at Meli. "Could always foster... hrm. Maybe I'll see 
if any of m'family would like to come live up at the Weyr in return for... 
shells, what am *I* talking about now?" She simply shakes her head, and 
makes a face at Kindre.

Lysseth> T'lar slides precipitously down from Nicoth's back.

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "I think she meant Virile, not Virulent :b"

Lysseth> Nicoth snuggles down between Juliath and Lysseth.

"Thank you," Kindre smiles to Emlyn while taking the mug. Taking several 
sips from it, she grins. "Crackdust, so we're going to be up to our knees 
in children, is it?"

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "I knew it was something like that."

T'lar walks in from the bowl.

Lysseth> Juliath lifts a lid long enough to note Nicoth, and settles back 
down with a contented sigh.

Benden Weyr> Emlyn winks. Oh, right. Virile. ;-)

One of the serving girls starts whispering to her friend, pointing at 
T'lar as he enters. Something like 'that's the one' can be heard across 
the wide cavern.

Lysseth> Lysseth trumpets a pleased greeting to the bronze, turning her 
head to regard Juliath for a moment. If she could stick her tongue out at 
the other green, then smirk, one can just bet she darned well would.

Lysseth> Pleiath seems to have fallen asleep at some point.

T'lar wanders in, shucking his heavy coat and gloves. He looks around at 
all the beautiful women and beams. With a puzzled blink, he looks over at 
the serving girl. Shrugging, he heads for his weyrmate.

Ofira devours the fruit cup with frightening speed and sets down the empty 
glass. "Well, it might reassure you to know, that Padraig and Felinar have 
agreed that he's to be one of the Weyr's childminders. He'll be caring for 
our baby when I get back to my duties, and I'm sure he'll be glad to help 
you out too. He's quite good with children. Much more patience than I 
have."

Lysseth> Pleiath starts awake at Nicoth's arrival. The snow that's 
accumulated on her muzzle and back slides off her as she peers around.

"Evening, T'lar," Kindre waves over when she notices him enter. Her gaze 
settles on him curiously for hardly a moment before she decides the klah 
is much more interesting study. "So, Emlyn," she wonders, "How fares 
training?"

Meli turns from speaking to Ofira, noticing T'lar's entrance. She gives a 
mighty swallow, casts a worried glance at Kassi, and plasters a sickly 
smile on her face.

Ofira looks over and waves to T'lar.

Kassima trades glances with Meli, and manages something that *could* be a 
smile. Maybe. If you used your imagination, anyway. Clearing her throat, 
she actually manages *words* as well: "Evening, T'lar."

T'lar pauses just as he's about to say something to the ladies sitting 
together. After a moments thought, he takes a seat next to Meli and kisses 
her on the cheek. "Hello, sweeting. How was your day? Hi, Kassi, Kindre, 
Ofira, Emlyn. Did I interrupt something?"

Ofira smiles cheerfully, "I was just telling Kassima and Meli how Padraig 
will be looking after our baby, and some of the other weyr children, and 
how he coudl look after theirs as well..." she pauses, realizing that this 
is perhaps not the best topic to dwell on at the moment.

T'lar looks at Ofira, mouth open, eyes blank for a long moment. He 
swallows and asks, "Theirs?"

Emlyn directs a crisp salute at T'lar. "No, Sir. We were talking about 
next season's herd." She turns to Kindre to say, "Pleiath is thriving, 
Ma'am. Growing strong and well-proportioned, if I do say so myself."

Ofira blinks, confused, "Well...yes..." she says glancing worriedly back 
at the women.

"Interrupt?" Meli squeaks, then coughs. "Um, no. An', uh, had a fine day. 
Think Jul's muscle's all better, 'lys should clear us f'flyin' soon" she 
starts to babble, then pauses "Well, uh, clear us f'th'injury lists 
anyway."

"Just some women chat, T'lar, though nothing too secretive," Kindre lies. 
Her smile, though, is terribly convincing. She visibly winces at Ofira's 
comment. Hey now, this klah is -such- a lovely shade of brown. So lovely, 
Kindre decides to ponder it's color. Looking up only to smile at Emlyn, 
she nods. "Good, good. I'll have to manage some time away from covering 
my fingers in ink to visit with you both."

Kassima stares at Ofira for a long moment, and then, in that universal 
gesture of people everywhere, slaps her forehead with one hand and covers 
her eyes in the process.

T'lar looks from Kassima to Meli and back again. "Why do I get the feeling 
there's something I don't know?"

Ofira bites her lip and speeds into another topic, "Did anyone see that 
lovely tithe of kiwi fruit that came in today, and there was rindfruit as 
well..."

Giving Kassi a poke in the ribs under the table, Meli turns back to her 
weyrmate. "How was your day? How's Nicoth t'night?"

Kindre grasps onto Ofira's words, nodding nearly furiously. "Oh, I did! 
Helped count them in, to be true. Beautiful. Simply beautiful..."

Kassima yelps at the poke and rapidly shakes her head, pasting a grin onto 
her face. "Something you don't know? Now, how could that be? We were just 
talking about... um... aye! The kiwi! Looks like Taira brought the kiwi 
after all, eh Ofira? Wonderful looking kiwi they are, too...."

Ofira nods eagerly, "Very generous at this time of year and only the ripe 
ones, nothing bruised," she babbles.

Dragon> Lysseth and Nicoth sense that Juliath rumbles sleepily. << Welcome 
back, Silly Bronze. >>

Running one hand through blond curls, T'lar sighs. He stops a serving girl 
and orders an ale. Before she can walk off, he changes it to two ales. 
"Right. Thanks, Kassi. Nicoth's fine and I'm fine. So what's going on?"

Ofira nods, "Taira is a very nice young woman. Good future in the Craft. 
Have you met her?" she asks T'lar.

Kindre continues to nod and smile. "It took a terrible amount of effort 
for me not to sneak one or two off for myself," she admits.

T'lar says "Uh, no, Ofira. I haven't." His eyes remain on his weyrmate. 
"Good to hear she's good at what she does."

Emlyn speaks up, "Kiwi remind me of pregnant bovines, actually, the way 
the skin sort of stretches over the fruit with those little hairs sticking 
straight out." She smiles innocently.

Dragon> Nicoth bespoke Lysseth and Juliath with << I've been gone. I 
forgot. >>

Meli leans over imperceptibly, and speaks in low tones out the side of 
her mouth, which still sports that smile. She mutters to Kassima, "... 
how... think... should tell...? Here...else... " 

"Taira is a relative of Kenai's, is she not," Kindre wonders. Half-glaring 
at Emlyn at first, she ends up hiding her smirk with her klah mug.

Ofira nods to Emlyn "I know just what you mean! And I've craved nothing 
but kiwi and citrus these last sevendays...well, T'lar , I really must 
introduce you next time she's about..."

T'lar downs the first ale in one long draught. He covers his mouth to 
somewhat mask the belch which follows. "Excuse me." He picks up the second 
mug and regards Meli over the rim.

One can just see Kassi's thoughts racing through that spiral labyrinth she 
calls a mind. "What's going on, what's going on... let's see. Did you hear 
that Benden Hold will be hosting a dance soon? And we have these marvelous 
kiwi! Wonderful kiwi, perfect kiwi... abso-sharding-lutely fabulous 
kiwi."

Ofira nods, "Kiwis. That's right. Mmmmhmmm."

T'lar says "Glad you like the kiwi, Kassi. They're a bit fuzzy for me." 
Turning a bit to Ofira, he continues, "Please do, I'd love to meet her."

Meli glares at Kassi, when she doesn't get the sort of response she'd hope 
for. But the expression quickly passes, and she tilts her head to look 
over at T'lar. "Careful, luv, don' want t'get all muddle-headed, um, this 
early in th'evenin'."

Dragon> Lysseth and Nicoth sense that Juliath sends a confused and blurry 
image of something that might under better circumstances represent a kiwi 
fruit << Is this the sort of Egg they swallowed? >>

T'lar says "Well, actually, Meli, I already feel a bit muddleheaded. The 
conversation around here is so, well, I'm definitely in the dark about 
something."

Kassima keeps smiling, somehow, and pauses in her ramblings about the 
splendid kiwi long enough to reply, She mutters to Meli, " Might... well; 
I... can't keep... very long. How,... but... think... something... " 

Kindre turns her regard to Ofira, her eyes twinkling with curiousity. "Can 
you use kiwi in baking? I like it well enough sliced and with other 
fruit...but must wonder what kind of flavor it could add to, oh, mayhaps 
bread? Or pastry?"

Dragon> Nicoth bespoke Lysseth and Juliath with <<  They swallowed an 
egg? >>

Benden Weyr> Alyssa ye gods at the LC and Kassima's mutter.

Ofira braces both hands on the arms of her chair, planting her feet on 
the floor and straining to haul herself out of the chair, "Oh, yes," she 
says to Kindre, "Kiwi pie, kiwi pastry, kiwi strudel..." She grunts a bit, 
trying to get leverage.

Lysseth> Juliath and Nicoth sense that Lysseth sounds dubious. << That 
doesn't look much like any egg I've ever seen, Juliath. >>

T'lar appears to sip on the ale as he carefully watches the two ladies who 
are whispering. "Can I help you, Ofira?"

Emlyn addresses T'lar, "Sir, have you a good eye for bovines?"

Meli pauses in her mutterings with Kassi long enough to look up at the 
Baker as she rises. "Better'n fuzzy coconuts, eh Ofira?" she calls over, 
with a grin and a wink.

Ofira nods gratefully, "If you would be so kind..."

Emlyn hushes as T'lar helps Ofira.

Dragon> Nicoth bespoke Lysseth and Juliath with <<  Are they going to go 
to hatch an egg? >>

Ofira catches Meli's remark and bursts out laughing, and then gasps with 
dismay as something else bursts out as well. "Oh...I knew I waited too 
long for the necessary," she mutters under her breath.

Benden Weyr> Kassima grins at Lys. Gotta love mutter, yep. ;)

Kindre bobs her head. "Ah, I had wondered, Ofira." That seeming to round 
up the deep conversation concerning the fuzzy little fruit, she returns to 
her quiet study of her klah.

Dragon> Lysseth and Nicoth sense that Juliath rumbleponders on this 
thought. << Skinny-butt, did your lifemate say anything about 
'hatching'? >>

T'lar stands and helps Ofira to her feet. "You're getting to that 
overbalance state, I see. Hope you're feeling alright."

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Omigosh, Ofira...."

Dragon> Nicoth bespoke Lysseth and Juliath with <<  My lifemate can't 
hatch eggs. >>

Benden Weyr> Kindre...just....eeks?

Ofira takes T'lar's arm and drags herself up, blushing and hoping no one 
has noticed the problem, "Thank you T'lar," she says hurriedly and waddles 
out at top speed.

Benden Weyr> Meli starts running frantically around the weyr. "Healer! 
Healer!"

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Don't tell me we've got a hatching now???"

Lysseth> Juliath and Nicoth sense that Lysseth's mind clouds with blue-
tinged fog while she thinks, then clears once more when she replies, 
<< Hatching... that doesn't sound familiar, no, but eggs *do* hatch 
eventually, don't they? >>

"Too long...wha?" Her expression bllatantly confused, Kindre's eyes glance 
back up to Ofira. "Um...are you...okay," she manages to query the Baker.

Benden Weyr> Ofira happened to me all the time rl - don't get excited, 
it's not the water breaking. Just typical loss of bladder control. I 
forget that a lot of you have never been pregnant :)

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Well, I know that happens too, but you /are/ very 
very due :b"

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "I could say "Not bloody likely"."

Ofira nods, trying to move faster, "Just fine...I'll be back in a bit."
Ofira walks towards the inner cavern.

Benden Weyr> Ofira grins. Well, she is supposed to give birth tomorrow, 
so perhaps it could be and she just doesn't know.

Benden Weyr> Kindre says, "re-eeks :)"

Benden Weyr> Kindre throws a : in there, too :}

Benden Weyr> Ofira says, "Anyway, I leave you all to talk of kiwis and 
other important matters :) :)"

T'lar nods and retakes his seat. "Okay, now where were we?" He pins Meli 
and then Kassi with an icy, gray gaze. "You two were going to tell me...." 
His eyes go unfocused as he listens to something no one else can hear. 
"Why are Lysseth and Juliath talking about swallowing eggs?"

Benden Weyr> Kassima briefly considers writing a songlike thing about 
kiwi, just for kicks. :)

Meli reseats herself from where she'd half-risen from the bench, glancing 
after Ofira a long moment, a pained expression across her face. With 
another elbow into Kassi's ribs this time, she says flatly to T'lar, "Um, 
think maybe we could go an'talk somewhere?"

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Why am I not surprised, Kassi?"

Benden Weyr> Meli grins. "I can just imagine the log title possibilities 
as well"

Benden Weyr> Ofira laughs and snugs you all goodnight.

Benden Weyr> T'lar snugs Ofira. "Later, lovely lady."

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Bye bye Bakerlady! Don't worry, we'll all Fear 
you again very soon!"

Emlyn looks disappointed when Meli invites T'lar elsewhere for a talk.

Kassima yelps again, and rubs her side. "Meli! If'n y'keep doing that, I'm 
nay going to have any ribs *left*."

T'lar says "What's wrong with talking here? Am I in trouble?" He looks 
genuinely concerned. "I know that Nicoth won Lysseth's flight, but we 
talked about that."

Meli's next comment descends into a coughing fit at the mention of that 
flight. She glances at Kassi, then back at T'lar when she recovers her 
breath. "Um, yeh, well, s'kinda related t'that."

Kindre sits quietly, drinking her klah and regarding the chatting trio now 
and again.

Emlyn has a way of sitting still so that she can be a part of a group 
without drawing attention to herself. She's doing it now. Are her ears 
-actually- longer than usual? Naw..

Kassima is the one to kick Meli under the table this time, still rubbing 
her sore ribs. "Kind of, aye. I think kind of would be safe t'say." She 
doesn't say anything else, apparently more than happy to let Meli 
explain.

T'lar looks at Meli with that same blank expression that he gave Ofira, 
then reaches for the mug of ale and takes a healthy swig. "Okay...Let's 
have it." Suddenly, his eyes widen with realization. "No, that couldn't be 
possible, I mean, it was only one night. Okay, so it was a long night, 
but, I mean. If the dragons are talking about both of you, then...no." He 
downs the rest of the ale in one gulp.

"Ahem," Meli starts again, nodding at T'lalr as he starts to get an 
inkling. "An', uh, kinda related to m'Turnday celebration. Y'know, 
th'night /before/ her flight?"

It's a good thing that the mug is empty or T'lar would be drinking more.

Meli pauses, watching her weyrmate's face for some indication of his 
reaction to this revelation, even if it /hasn't/ actually been formally 
stated.

Kassima mutters something that could be, "Tell that to the *dragons*," if 
you happened to be listening closely.

T'lar sits there, speachless. His eyes flick from Meli to Kassima and 
back. Then, with a groan, he collapes forward onto the table, his head 
cradled on one arm.

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Ok, I'm in shock."

"Well," Kassi can't resist commenting, "I don't think we actually killed 
him. We may all survive this yet, Meli."

Meli's hand reaches out, hovering over T'lar's head, as she can't quite be 
sure whether to leave him be or not at this point. Finally, she sets the 
hand on his shoulder and says softly "T'lar? You ok?"

Emlyn is having a wonderful time. She isn't a gossip and doesn't spread 
tales, but she loves to see a drama unfold, and who wouldn't? She tries 
not to grin and squirm.

Benden Weyr> Meli grins. "Woo woo!"

T'lar's voice is muffled by table and tunic. "Yeah, sure. I've just been 
not told that I got my weyrmate and my best friend pregnant at almost the 
same time. I'm going from zero to two in one fell swoop."

Benden Weyr> Kassima drats. "And I really thought we were going to send 
him into cardiac arrest that time, too!" ;)

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Close."

Kindre's lips wrinkle up a bit at T'lar's response. That's the only 
betrayal of emotion even vaguely readable on her face. Remaining quiet, 
she simply listens.

Meli gives his shoulder a light squeeze. She mutters to herself, "... 
least... Emlyn... litters anymore... " 

Kassima clears her throat and tries to think of something reassuring to 
say. All she manages to come up with is, "Think of it this way--you're 
setting a new record for Benden bronzeriders. Nay even F'hlan ever managed 
two women at the same time...." Okay, so judging by her expression, those 
aren't exactly the sort of reassuring words she was looking for.

Emlyn finally speaks up, "Well, you should be congratulated, T'lar. My 
Da's favorite bull never managed this trick."

"And, um, s'not even f'certain yet" Meli opines, with a nod at Kassi, as 
if by sheer force of head-bobbing she can change the laws of nature.

T'lar lifts his head and looks at each of the woman seated at the table. 
"So, as usual, the guy is the last to know." He throws his hands up in 
surrender. Kassi's words seem to give him pause and a smile creeps across 
his face. "Heh, yeah. It does outdo F'hlan and the others." His smile 
turns into a smug expression of pride.

T'lar says "Wait." He looks at Kassima with fierce intensity. "You sure 
I'm the father of your baby?"

Kassima meets T'lar's gaze levelly as she answers, "Absolutely, one-
hundred percent positive--assuming," she adds, holding up one finger to 
emphasize her point, "that the dragons are right. 'Twould be a medical 
miracle for it to be otherwise, I assure you."

T'lar lets out a whoop that causes every rider in the living cavern to 
look over at his table. "Yahoo! This is great!" He grabs Kassima and gives 
her a kiss he normally wouldn't give a woman other than Meli. Releasing 
her, he grabs his weyrmate and doesn't come up for air for a long time.

Emlyn grins at T'lar's exuberance. She turns and grins at Kindre, then at 
Kassima and the still smooching T'lar and Meli.

When finally released, Meli grins a much more normal grin. Relaxing her 
shoulders, she sighs as the tension drains away. "Oh, good."

Kassima bursts out laughing as soon as she catches her breath, and 
practices her art of stating the obvious as she turns to Meli and comments 
to her friend, "I somehow suspect that he's pleased."

"Well," Kindre begins while pushing up from her seat, "I believe I've been 
shocked, humoured, worried, and pacified enough for one eve." Chuckling at 
the trio, she offers, "I'm beyond happy for all three of you!" Returning 
Emlyn's grin, she waves. "I've got to finish up logging those...heh, kiwi. 
Good eve to you all."

T'lar says "Huh? Oh, bye, Kindre. Did you hear? We're pregnant!"

Meli gives Kindre a salute, her cheeks flushed, still grinning. "Night, 
weyrwoman!"

Kassima grins and waves to Kindre, then gives T'lar a fond cuff on the 
shoulder. "I think the whole Weyr heard!" she laughs.

Emlyn gets up, too. "I need to get back to work, myself. Congratulations, 
everyone."

Kindre laughs, "Yes, T'lar, I think I heard something rumored to that 
effect." Winking, she nods to the salute and waves again. "Oh," is 
exclaimed just before she slips out into the bowl, "I expect to get to be 
Aunt Kin, you know." Chuckling, she really goes.

Kindre walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
'Thanks, Emlyn' Meli says more softly.

T'lar smiles idiotically up at Emlyn. "See ya."

T'lar puts an arm around each woman and gives them a crushing hug. "This 
is so great! I can't wait to tell my parents. They love grandkids. Woo! I 
just can't believe this!"

Benden Weyr> Kindre says, "Pregnant Greenriders, Happy/Drinking 
Bronzerider, all that smooching?? Just ew! ;)"

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

Benden Weyr> T'lar says, "Don't worry, there's angst and worry in the 
future."

"Oof!" Meli replies, then hugs back. "Well, s'strange, but could be 
intriguin' too." She pauses, then adds "Sure do look forward t'askin' 
'Lys a question or two... hundred."

Benden Weyr> K'tyn looks *innocent* I tell you! stop with all that mushy 
stuff.:)

Benden Weyr> Emlyn likes sickening sweet much better than angst and 
worry. :-)

Benden Weyr> Karise peers at K'tyn, and giggles.

Dragon> Nicoth bespoke Lysseth and Juliath with <<  My lifemate is very 
happy. Your lifemates seem to have made him so. >>

Dragon> Juliath bespoke Lysseth and Nicoth with << Yes, my lifemate is 
also *happiness*. But also a little *worry*. She is Very Well, however. 
As am I. >>

Kassima grins--well, beams like an idiot, really--and returns the hug as 
best she can while trying to regain the breath that was squeezed out of 
her. "I can only imagine what Mum and Da will think," she chuckles. "Da 
was *just* here, asking when 'twas going to provide him with a grandchild 
to bounce about on his knee."

T'lar says "You're holdbred, Kassi. That doesn't bother him, does it?"

Lysseth> I bespoke Juliath and Nicoth with << My rider is *happiness* for 
more reasons than one, it seems... she keeps saying that this proves what 
she was saying all along about the water, whatever *that* means. All will 
be Well; I have no doubt of that. >>

Kassima shrugs and replies matter-of-factly, "If'n it does so, he'll just 
have to get used to it, won't he? But I doubt 'twill. Da's a good man, 
even if'n he's crazier than a drunken vtol who's been munching on the 
'special herbs.'"

Meli sighs, rubbing a hand across the back of her neck. "Not sure f'it's 
this new condition, or jus' cause it's late, but I'm bushed. Think I'll 
head up an' get some sleep."

T'lar smiles impishly. "Mind if I join you?" He gives Kassima a kiss on 
the cheek. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Meli chuckles, giving Kassi another hug before rising. "No, luv, I could 
use th'company."

Kassima laughs quietly, nodding to Meli. "I think 'tis mayhaps both, 
though I can't claim t'be tired m'self--a'course, I'm an insomniac." She 
smiles fondly at both of her friends, "And I will--just make certain that 
both of you do the same."

Benden Weyr> Meli says, "Feel free to Fear, everyone. Much panic will 
continue to ensue ;)"

T'lar stands and sweeps Meli off her feet, carrying her to the bowl.

Meli laughs, and lets herself be carried.

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Brave men will faint, children will scream, 
women will flee for the hills.... ;)"

T'lar carries Meli out, laughing quite happily.

T'lar walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Benden Weyr> Kindre is headed for Telgar, yup!! ;)

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

Kassima grins as she watches the duo leave, and shakes her head. "This 
has been such an odd day," she remarks to no one in particular. A passing 
ubiquitous serving-person nods in sage agreement.