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

Purple's Such a Lovely Color, Isn't It?


Date:  March 16, 1998
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern, Southern Bowl, and Upper Skyspace,
Seacraft Hall's Fisher Beach, and the Rusted Hulk
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:  Remember that dye Kassi picked up as part of a bargain
with Grego?  Here's where she finally puts it to its first use--and
what better time to do so than during a visit by the dread Telgar
Contingent to the Rusted Hulk?  Brandy, dye, broken stools, wherry
skewers, flying pants, and the Closet make for an interesting 
combination... and the miraculous thing is, no one got thrown out before
the night was over!

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


The Log:

A'lex shakes his head, "Oh, no, I just thought I was you. We all know that 
YOU are more of a man than I, so it wasn't too hard to imagine."

Jorenan grins at Kassi. "Extra lessons in spices and herbs. Master Lathen 
clearly thinks I need to know the stuff." He smacks a particularly aged 
tome with the flat of his hand, sending up a small puff of dust. "In great 
detail." He takes his seat and begins his reading.

Maylia walks in from the bowl.

A'lex looks over and slautes Maylia, "Evening May!"

Maylia heads intothe living cavern, a smile adorning her face, at least 
until she sees Kassi. Her features are quite quickly graced by a blush, 
then. "Evening, all." She calls, sounding perhaps a little uncertain.

Taral says "Hello."

Kassima repeats, slowly, "You think I'm more of a man than you, eh?" She 
actually flashes a grin at that. "If'n you weren't weyrmated, 'Lex, I'd 
*almost* be tempted t'prove t'you that I'm nay so masculine as all of 
that; as 'tis, I'll simply take that as meaning you consider yourself 
quite the female at heart!" Maylia's entrance is met by a sheepish smile 
from the rider, and she gestures her mentee over to the table. "G'deve, 
Maylia... 'twas hoping t'see you ere too long; I suspect I owe you an 
apology, and I don't like letting such things lie."

Jorenan glances up from his reading and gives Maylia a quick wave. 
"Evening," he says.

Jayna walks here from the Inner Cavern.

A'lex darts a quick eye from Maylia to Kassi and back, not sure of what to 
make of the change in expression. Of course at Kassi's 'offer' he takes on 
quite a blush himself. "Oh, dear."

Kassima then tilts her head, inquiring curiously of Jorenan, "Master 
Lathen? I know him. He's the Craftsecond with such interesting tales t'be 
telling about yeast, 'tis nay so?"

A'lex quickly turns and looks to Jayna, "Evening Jayna!" Mmmmm, subject 
change.

Maylia hardly nods to Teval and Jorenan, her own smile rivaling Kassi's 
for sheepishness. Luckily, that's the only part about her that seems to 
rival Kassi anymore. "Nonsense, it's I that owes the appology, Kassi."

Taral looks around at all the people arriving. "My, my, my..."

Jayna looks around, whistling. She smiles at everyone and saunters to the 
food table.

Jorenan considers. "Yeast. Well, I'm not sure. He dealt the hand that 
changed Seacraft's course forever, though." He seems to think that's worth 
noting. He waves to Jayna with a quick grin.

Kassima just waggles her eyebrows at 'Lex. She really must be in a most 
remarkable good temper, to be as playful as that. "Feh! 'Tis nay so, 
Maylia; you're nay the one who called me out--nor the one who called me a 
bloody wherry-hen, either. If'n you're willing t'forgive and forget all 
about that mess, I'd certes be glad to."

A'lex just stops and stares at Kassi.

Taral raises his eyebrows. This might be interesting to listen to.

Jayna deftly cuts cheese and bread, listening to the activity in the 
cavern. She looks up. Wherry-hen?

Maylia slides into a seat next to her mentor, forgoeing klah for the 
moment. "No, but I'm the one who acted like a bloody wherry-hen. Wait." 
She furrows her brows. "You called me what? I don't remember that." She 
shrugs. "Let's just hope they," and her head bobs towards the bowl, "Don't 
do that t'us again."

Kassima once more turns her attention Jorenan-wards for a time, switching 
back and forth between conversations with relative ease. "The one wherein 
Master Tiemar put his knot up as the stakes, y'mean? I'd nay heard the 
details of that game... and I didn't even know that the Craftsecond played 
poker, come t'be thinking on it." Back to Maylia, the greenrider admits, 
"'Twas right a'fore Lyss rose, when you went back into the 'Cavern; I 
doubt you heard me. With any luck, they won't indeed. I'm grateful we 
didn't bare actual steel at each other; K'nan and I did, once, but he 
stormed out a'fore aught came of it--for which I, believe you me, am 
grateful."

A'lex shakes his head, just letting that whole train of thought go...

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "There are some trains that it's better to miss 
entirely, eh 'Lex? ;)"

Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Aye lass..."

Mehlani walks in from the bowl.

Maylia grimaces, shuddering. "Wooden blades were bad enough. Kassi, you're 
really good at that." The greenrider admits. And again, she blushes. 
"Let's sometime brave the dangers of the Rusted Hulk together, hmmm? Then 
we can laugh at each other as we both get booted out."

A'lex sees another opportunity to change the topic of conversation, "Heyla 
Mehlani!"

Jayna waves at Mehlani from the table where she's fixing bread and cheese. 
"Heya, Mehlani, 'evening," she smiles.

Jorenan nods. "That's the one, Kassi." He doesn't seem to mind the 
conversation switches, either, even though he appears to be reading. 
"Master Lathen dealt the hand. Dealt himself four fives and a face card, 
dealt each of the other two Wedding Gathers. Amazing, that."

Mehlani slips in quietly as per usual from outside, and pauses to smile a 
little, nervously, as her name is called out. She's got one of her blues 
on her shoulder tonight, blue Enri, who is watching his surroundings with 
a look that might almost be called dignified if he weren't a small blue 
fire lizard.

Jorenan gives Mehlani a bit of a wave, and comments, probably to Maylia, 
"The Rusted Hulk is interesting. They make excellent beer." 'Interesting' 
is probably the most understated thing Jorenan has said in his life.

Kassima laughs and unfolds her arms long enough to offer Maylia her hand. 
"A bargain made, Maylia. I think you'd like the Hulk; they've the best 
brandy in the world there, and so long as Master Jacob isn't present, I 
think we could get away with a visit. Avoid the closet, though... 'tis an 
evil, evil thing. And thankee--but I can't claim all the credit. Da 
trained me with the blades from m'eighth Turn 'til I left the Hold, and 
I've practiced when I can since." She simply shakes her head in amazement 
at Jorenan's report of the hands. "Wedding Gathers? I've never even *seen* 
one yet, so rare are they. Wish I'd been there t'see two, and at once nay 
less."

Enri emits a deep-throated, liquid sort of chirp for a flit his size, as 
Mehlani approaches the others, giving Jorenan and A'lex and Maylia all a 
hesitant small nod.

Jayna takes her plate and sinks to a table. "I've heard of the Rusted 
Hulk, but I've never seen it," she comments. "What's it like?" she asks, 
conversationally.

A'lex says "Closet? I don't remember that? Of course I don't remember much 
else, either..."

The bargain is sealed, as Maylia clasps her mentor's hand, breathing a 
sigh of relief. "Since you'd eight turns? My. I'd never even tried before 
that day." The blush returns. "Now that -was- a wherry-headed idea."

Kassima belatedly directs an affable nod to Mehlani as well. "'Tis like 
nay other tavern on Pern, I can safely say. You really can't explain it 
with any accuracy... it has t'be experienced t'be understood, methinks. 
You've been to the Hulk, 'Lex? Then, when next you go, you *must* ask 
about the closet. 'Tis an education in itself."

A'lex shakes his head, "No, wait... was it the Hulk, or the Lounge... No, 
it HAD to be the Lounge..." He's not really sure still.

Kassima then rolls her eyes at Maylia, folding her arms over the chair-
back again. "The wher-brain was me, mentee. I shouldn't have challenged 
you. Still, you've a true natural hand at the art; if'n you wish, and have 
the time, I'd be glad t'lesson you a bit whenever we're both off-duty. Did 
it have writing on the walls, 'Lex? And did the barkeep moon incessantly 
over Aphrael? If'n so, 'twas the Lounge."

Maylia cocks her head at A'lex. "That time Kindre, D'ton, J'lyn, and oh, a 
bunch of us went off?" She asks A'lex with a grin. "It was the lava 
lounge. And shards, if I didn't have a headache the next day."

Jorenan just keeps quiet. All he did was drink a beer and watch incipient 
fist fights. Perhaps that -is- like every other tavern on Pern.

A'lex shakes his head, "Aye, I had a headache too, and a severe absence of 
memory."

Mehlani, unsurprisingly, has very little to say about taverns and beer, 
and barkeeps that moon over anyone. The lass moves quietly over to get 
herself some klah, while her blue studies everyone she passes, 
measuringly, like a master sizing up apprentices.

Now that offer caught Maylia's attention. "Really, Kassi? I'd love to 
learn how to not get m'self killed, nor make a fool of myself." She 
chuckles at A'lex. "If I recall, Channie had difficulties saying your 
name. A'lesh, if I recall?"

Kassima seems to consider something for a moment, before speaking up again 
with a proposal: "Actually, so long as we're all here and off-duty--I take 
it you are? If'n so, we could probably head over there now and you could 
see for yourself. Nay liquor connisseur's education is complete without a 
taste of Hugh's brandy." She can say this with surety, having a background 
of getting sloshed at least once in several taverns on Pern. "And I quite 
meant it, Maylia. Fighting, 'throwing, or both, your choice; teaching 
would help *me* t'practice, so we'd both win."

A'lex laughs outloud as the memory returns, "Should have been A'lush!"

Jayna fingers a piece of cheese onto a hunk of bread. She smiles at 
Mehlani's firelizard. "He's a beauty, Mehlani."

Jorenan waves to the blue, since it would appear he's one of the ones 
under study. Seems a lot of masters have been doing that to him recently. 
Or so it would seem from the nonchalant, yeah-another-one nature of the 
wave.

Enri croons throatily, while Mehlani gives a small shy smile to both Jayna 
and Jorenan. "Thank you," she murmurs to the former.

Maylia looks quite tempted, and drums her fingers on her knee, eyes 
dancing over to A'lex. "Sounds like fun to me, how 'bout you, A'lex?"

A'lex grins, "You know me, any port in a storm. Or any ale, or other 
wine..."

Kassima claps her hands, delighted by the other riders' assent. "Splendid! 
'Twill be an outing, then! What of you, Jayna, Taral, Jorenan, Mehlani? 
Care to accompany us to the Hulk?"

Taral says, "Oh, why not. It can't be all that bad." He grins.

Mehlani blinkblinks, looking up from her klah, and over the head of Enri, 
as the little fellow peers critically into her mug. What?

Jayna laughs. "Well, I've gotta say, I never mind a little adventure. How 
about you all?"

A'lex chuckles at Taral, "Oh yes it can, but rest asured, it would be 
fun!"

R'val enters from the Bowl.

Kassima repeats for the benefit of the bemused-looking 'Lani, "Some of us 
are headed to the Hulk, 'Lani... care t'be joining us? 'Twould be an 
experience for you, and the more who come along, the merrier." Can she 
actually see 'Lani going bar-hopping with them? Apparently so.

Taral smiles. "I'm afraid I wasn't paying much attention, however. Care to 
tell me what the Hulk _is_ exactly?"

A'lex nods, "Sure Mehlani! Nraith has been dying to give you a proper 
ride!"

Jayna nudges Mehlani. "Come on, Mehlani. It'll be fun," she smiles. "How 
'bout you, Jorenan?"

Jorenan looks a little stunned. "Back to the Hulk?" He looks at his 
studies. "Err."

R'val blinks, slipping off his helmet, "Where is everyone going?" he asks.

A'lex turns to R'val and whips off a salute, "The Hulk..."

"I... um... I'm not sure I should," mumbles Mehlani, at about the same 
time Jorenan makes his comment as well. Enri lifts his head again and 
peers intently at the assorted individuals who appear to be discomfiting 
his human.

Jayna grins. "Did you trash the place last time, or something, Jorenan?"

Kassima gets up out of her chair, turning it right-way 'round again. "A 
tavern, at the Seacraft Hall--rather famed for its brandy, y'know. And its 
dragonpoker games." She winks at Jorenan, at that. "If'n we find nay the 
latter, at least we'll be certain of finding the former. Have you early 
morning duties then, 'Lani?" she asks shrewdly.

Jorenan shakes his head slowly. "No.... I just sampled the beer. Which was 
excellent. It just seemed like a rather odd place."

Taral says "Actually, can I join you all there later? I'm afraid I just 
realized that I have to go get something first."

"Well... I ride Nightsong in the morning," Mehlani murmurs awkwardly, 
shrinking down a little and trying to dip her gaze down to hide it between 
her hat brim and her klah.

A'lex smiles at Mehlani, "I'll keep you from drinking too much if you keep 
me from doing the same..."

Jayna polishes off the last of her bread and cheese and hands the plate to 
one of the workers on kitchen duty, with a smile of thanks.

Mehlani protests to A'lex, "But... I don't drink at all...!"

A'lex says "Well, that makes *MY* job a might easier, doesn't it!"

Kassima suggests guilelessly, "I'm certain Eyr would be willing to 
exercise her for you, if'n you wished t'make the trip. He has quite the 
skilled hand with runners even yet--and afternoon sweeps on the morrow, 
t'boot."

Jayna grins at Kassi's strategy and watches, appraisingly. Her marks are 
on Kassi.

Jorenan figures out absolutely nothing to say that won't make him look 
like a complete weenie. Which is, of course, unacceptable.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima ROTFLs at Jorenan. :)

Telgar Weyr> M'kla giggles.

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan grins.

"I... well..." 'Lani glances around from face to face, not at all sure 
that this is a good idea; Jorenan in particular gets an anxious look, as 
if the Baker lad's opinion carries a little more weight for her. "For a 
while, maybe... but, oh, no, E'rian doesn't need to bestir himself..."

A'lex fehs, "He's been getting off light with afternoon dutys, let him get 
up early for once."

Kassima flashes 'Lani her brightest smile. "Oh, but he'd be thrilled! I 
think he misses runners, y'know. 'Tis settled, then! Shall we parcel out 
rides? Lyss can carry two, or three if'n the need's imperative...."

A'lex nods, "Nraith can handle two others easily, three almost as easily. 
I don't have strapping for four though..."

Jorenan takes a deep breath. If Mehlani thinks he should go (for so he 
interprets her look), then he'll go. "I..." he pauses, considering. "I'd 
like it if you went, Mehlani."

A'lex raises an eyebrow at Jorenan, impressed with HIS tactics.

Mehlani finishes off her klah, then nervously returns the mug to the 
kitchen, as the riders discuss who will ride with whom. Enri huddles 
protectively close to her neck, blue tail curled round to touch her far 
shoulder. Coming back, then, the lass smiles timidly to Jorenan and 
murmurs, "Alright..."

Jayna pumps her arm, with a mumbled, "yes!" She chuckles and wanders over 
to the riders.

A'lex grins, "Good then, you coming R'val? Or do fatherly duties have you 
busy?"

R'val hmmmmms, "I suppose I could come. I haven't been to the Hulk in 
ages."

Jorenan gives her a quick nod. The sort that means one of two things. 
Either he's happy to get to spend the evening with her, or he's 
congratulating her bravery. He looks over his studies for a moment, and 
then leaves them behind without a backward glance.

Maylia smiles triumphantly as Mehlani agrees to come, and adds, "Tierth, 
of course, can carry passengers."

Kassima looks increasingly pleased at each agreement to make the trip, and 
is--unsurprisingly--whistling again by the time she turns to head out to 
the Bowl. "Last person there gets a glass of water dumped over their 
head!" she calls back over her shoulder.

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

Telgar-LC> A'lex swears and bolts for the door.

A'lex comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

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.

<*> R'val comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

<*> A'lex climbs up Nraith's riding straps, with a bit of assistance from 
a graciously extended foreleg. He settles in between two forward 
neckridges and straps himself in.

Telgar-LC> Maylia gives everyone a startled look, and races for the door!

<*> Maylia comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Telgar-LC> Jayna laughs. "I'm scared now." She rushes for the bowl.

<*> Jayna comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

<*> R'val uses Vidarth's side straps to mount up agilely, settling onto 
the little blue's back and straightening. He pets his lifemate's head once 
as Vidarth rumbles excitedly, ready to fly.

<*> Maylia swings up to her place astride Tierth, her lifemate welcoming 
her with a rumble.

Telgar-LC> Mehlani lets out a tiny cry, and runs off, Enri's wings 
flashing.

<*> Astride Nraith, A'lex quickly waves whomever up...

<*> Mehlani comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

<*> Jorenan comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

<*> From astride Tierth, Maylia gives a flying leap for Tierth's shoulder, 
the green rumbling with amusement as she spreads her wings, preparing to 
leap skywards.

Kassima yells to the people down on the Bowl, "Get up! Get up! I don't 
feel like getting wet *again* today!" She waves any who might wish to 
travel with her aboard Lyss, hurriedly.

<*> Jayna runs over toward Lysseth and Kassi. "Mind a passenger, Lysseth?" 
she calls.

<*> Nraith whuffs at Mehlani.

<*> Jorenan dashes out after the rest, jacket barely half on. He pauses, 
trying to figure out which dragon to mount.

<*> High atop Nraith, A'lex says "Just pick one, we're all friends here!"

<*> Jayna climbs up.

Jayna accepts Kassima's proffered hand and swings up onto Lysseth's lower 
neckridges, settling herself behind Kassima carefully. Kassi grins and 
reassures the dubious Lysseth that Jayna is safe, and the green faces 
forward as her rider gets ready to fly.

<*> Mehlani pauses uncertainly, actually smiling a little at the impromptu 
race, then turns to bronze Nraith, her smile steadying. Enri PEERS up at 
the bigcousin, warbling in a sort of << Who are you and what are your 
intentions towards my human? >> tone. He sounds almost paternal.

<*> Nraith rumbles reassuringly to the little blue.

<*> Mehlani, in the meantime, tentatively approaches the bronze while 
casting a look over her shoulder at Jorenan. Finally, up to A'lex, she 
asks, "Um... can you take Jorenan and me?"

<*> Jorenan grabs ahold of Nraith's riding straps and hauls himself up the 
great Bronze neck.

<*> From betwixt Nraith's neckridges, A'lex nods, "Of course!"

Kassima buckles herself in rapidly, nodding for Jayna to do the same. Upon 
seeing that Jorenan and Mehlani seem to have claimed a ride, she signals 
Lyss to take off and get a head-start!

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

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

Jayna settles down in the riding straps and idly pats Lysseth's back. She 
grins, excited.

The rim of the bowl falls away from you and you soar into the open skies.

Kassima yells over her shoulder, "Brace yourself for the trip *between*!"
Jayna nods, holding tightly.

<*> Lysseth disappears into Between.

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

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

You spiral gracefully downward to a gentle landing.

<*> In the sky above, Tierth emerges from Between with a blast of cold 
air!

Jayna shivers, but grins broadly.

<*> In the sky above, Tierth circles downwards, wings filling with the 
cool, salty sea air.

Kassima laughs as Lyss lands on the shore with a showy spray of foam and 
sand, thus assuring that her rider won't end up with water over her head 
after all. "C'mon," she encourages. "We'd best be on the ground, or they 
mightn't count it!"

<*> Tierth flies in.

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.

Jayna climbs down from Lysseth's neckridges with the help of her riding 
straps, looking grateful to be back on the ground. Lysseth eyes Jayna for 
a moment, rumbling quietly, before turning her attention elsewhere.

Maylia slides to the ground, giving Tierth a parting caress and a tender 
smile.

In the sky above, Nraith emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Jayna shakes her head, laughing. "Thank you, Lysseth, that was wonderful."

Nraith flies in.

Kassima immediately turns, upon landing, to fish a cup--a battered thing 
that she probably carries around for just this purpose--out of Lysseth's 
straps and dip it into the ocean waters. "Who wants t'do the honors?" she 
inquires mischievously, looking up at Nraith and his passengers.

From betwixt Nraith's neckridges, A'lex grins, "We made it before 
R'val..."

Astride Nraith, Mehlani smiles gravely to A'lex, apparently unbothered.

Lysseth rumbles agreeably enough to Jayna, looking rather pleased to have 
yet another chance to lounge about on a beach today.

Seated atop Nraith, A'lex indicates to his passengers that they should 
dismount before him.

Maylia heads towards the other two, glancing up as Nraith arrives, 
clucking her tongue. "Slow bronzes." She mutters, jokingly. She gives 
Kassi a rather sideways look. "Honours?"

Jayna chuckles. "It was your idea, Kassi...."

Kassima hmmmms, looking down at her cup. "Point taken. Maylia, would you 
like t'dump the water over R'val's head when he gets here?" She proffers 
forth the cup, with a half-bow.

Dragon> Nraith bespoke Lysseth and Tierth with << I am not the last. 
Vidarth has yet to arrive. >>

Astride Nraith, Mehlani turns to unbuckle the straps that had held her, 
checking Enri as he's clinging to her shoulder, then instinctively 
checking her hat as she turns to climb down.

Seated atop Nraith, Jorenan grins. "Good catch, A'lex." Then he, too, is 
dismounting.

Jorenan lowers himself back to the ground using Nraith's riding straps.

A'lex slides down Nraith's riding straps and lands carefully beside him. 

Nraith rumbles quietly as A'lex pats his side in thanks.

Maylia looks quite eager now, and nods with glee. "Over his head? Oh, for 
sure!"

Lysseth> Nraith and Tierth sense that Lysseth rumbles agreeably, << Yes. 
Blues must have lead weights in their tails, to be so very slow. >>

A'lex says "Not me! R'val! Douse R'val!"

In the sky above, Vidarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

A'lex points up, "Ha! There!"

Mehlani climbs down from Nraith's neck using his riding straps. Nraith 
watches her carefully the whole time.

Maylia gives A'lex a considering glance, before smiling wickedly. "Oh, I 
s'pose it'll wait for R'val. He won't be expecting it, I'd expect, unlike 
you." She holds the cup close, waiting.

Vidarth flies in.

Nraith bugles a rather overly joyed greeting to Vidarth.

R'val slides down from Vidarth's back and lands in a crouch.

A'lex says "You ARE evil..."

R'val jumps to his feet, grinning as Vidarth responds.

Kassima passes over the cup quite gladly, impishness writ clearly in the 
gleam of her dark emerald eyes. "Please, be m'guest!"

Once off Nraith, Mehlani looks around shyly, then inches carefully out of 
the way of the riders.

Maylia takes a few paces towards R'val, smiling happily. "Glad you could 
make it. What took you so long," she asks on her way over.

A'lex rolls his eyes, Greenriders...

R'val grins at Maylia, "I just had to go back to the cavern for a moment, 
that's lal."

Jorenan stands in the midst of the riders, watching the goings on. He 
grins very faintly, and steps out of the way of any trajectories that he 
thinks are likely.

Jayna grins and hangs back. Far back.

A'lex also moves causiously back.

Nraith rumbles happily.

Kassima stays well, well, well out of range as well, thank you. She sticks 
close to Lysseth, who looks most distinctly amused by all of this.

A'lex bites his lip trying not to smile.

Maylia nods, smiling still, perhaps a little gleam to her eye as she turns 
to walk beside the bluerider, indicating the group waiting. "Ah, we were 
wondering." As she speaks, she moves her arm behind R'val, is she going to 
give him a hug?

Jayna uh-ohs, grinning.

Hovering over the lip of the cup in Maylia's outstretched hand, the cold 
sea water trembles a little before cascading down towards R'val's head.

As the entire contingent moves back, Jorenan doesn't move back quite 
quickly enough to keep up with everyone else, and so is closer to the 
front of the crowd than he'd probably prefer to be.

A'lex chuckles even though he's still biting that lip... it's gotta hurt.

R'val YELPS! and turns on Maylia, tickling her, "How dare you soak me, you 
evil woman!" He cries.

A'lex now allows himself a full guffaw at R'val's expression. "Hope no one 
else shows up Maylia, or you owe him one..."

R'val hmphs at A'lex, "Now what was /that/ all about..."

Jayna laughs.

Maylia eeeeks!, tripping and landing on sand as a dripping R'val attacks 
her. "Nonononono!" She protests the tickles, giggling despite herself. 
"T'wasn't my idea!"

Mehlani lifts a hand to hide her mouth. She might, just _might_ be 
smiling.

R'val continues tickling, "Oh yeah? Wasn't it??" He savages Maylia!

A'lex says "You heard Kassi, last one here gets wet!"

Kassima decides that she'd be best off fleeing before Maylia can mention 
whose idea it was. "Last one to the Hulk has t'sit on the barstool with 
all the splinters in it!" she challenges this time.

A'lex says "Oh no... I don't know the way there! Not fair!"

Jayna chuckles, hiding behind A'lex. At Kassi's challenge, though, she 
stops laughing and starts hoofing!

You trudge up to the top of the bluff, following the steep path away from 
the beach.

You go down to the Seacraft Courtyard.

You wander over to the The Rusted Hulk.

Mehlani wanders in.

Jorenan wanders in.

A'lex wanders in.

Maylia races in, panting and out of breath.

A'lex says "Am I late?"

Mehlani peers around uncertainly as she enters the place.

Kassima dashes in just a step behind, leaping for one of the barstools--
hopefully not the splintery one.

Kassima sits down on a rickety looking bar stool. The wood creaks in 
protest.

R'val sits down on the barstool and perches there with confidence.

Maylia flies towards a barstool, thankfully a smooth, unsplintered one, 
still wiping drips of seawater from herself. After all, she was right next 
to R'val and didn't wholly escape.

Jorenan motions Mehlani over to a pair of barstools he knows aren't 
splintered. After all, he's sat in them before. "What're you drinking, 
Mehlani?" he asks.

R'val grins at Maylia and tickles her as she sits. ONly briefly, mind you.

A'lex sits on one that LOOKS safe...

A'lex sits down on a rickety looking bar stool. The wood creaks in 
protest.

Maylia swats a hand at the tickling.

Maylia grabs a bar stool with confidence and sits on it, regardless of its 
questionable state of togetherness. There is a loud creak as she puts her 
full weight onto the chair. First one leg of the barstool gives out, then 
another, followed by a loud *OUCH* as she falls to the ground, surrounded 
by splintered wood.

Mehlani sits down on a rickety looking bar stool. The wood creaks in 
protest.

A'lex howls at THAT. "Gues you lost that one Maylia."

Mehlani gingerly sits down, while flicking Jorenan a small uncertain 
smile. "I don't know..."

R'val blinks at Maylia, "WHOA! Are you ok?"

A'lex stops laughing, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't even think to ask THAT. 
What a Bronzerider I am..."

Maylia winces, not moving for a moment. "Alright, I'm not that heavy." She 
says to the remains of the stool, picking herself up. "Seems to happen a 
lot lately, ending up on my rear."

Mehlani turns around and blinks anxiously at Tierth's rider; so does Enri.
Jayna wanders in.

Kassima grins broadly as it seems she's managed to avoid getting splinters 
in her rump after all. "Nay if'n you leap quickly, 'Lex! What think you of 
the Hulk, m'friends? Isn't it something el--oops, Maylia!" She cringes, 
while trying her best *not* to laugh at the sight of her mentee's rear end 
hitting the floor. "Shells... this place hasn't changed since 'twas last 
was here. And Master Jacob doesn't look t'be around, so we may be safe."

A'lex waves Jayna over, "It's okay Jayna, Maylia found the bad stool 
already."

Taral wanders in. "Sorry I'm so late... It took a while to find this 
place."

R'val grins, "Poor dear."

Maylia picks herself up, brandishing a stool leg at anyone who even 
appears to be giggling at her. She refrains from rubbing her poor, bruised 
rear. "And I was finally able to sit, again." She states.

Jayna laughs, out of breath. "Got a little lost, there. Thanks for saving 
my butt from the splinters, Maylia." She looks around.

It's quite obvious that Mehlani is entirely out of her element, aand she 
only sits there quietly, glancing from face to face, rather than saying 
anything. Enri mutters low croonings in her ear.

Jorenan jumps at Maylia's crash, since he wasn't looking in that 
direction. He turns around and winces at the mess Maylia seemsto have 
made. Not thatit matters, in here. To Mehlani, he says, "Don't drink the 
brandy. They serve milk, if you want that."

A'lex orders 'bubbly pie'

Hugh grabs a Bubbly pie from a Tray, and tosses it at A'lex. "Here, 
Catch!" he says.

Kassima turns to look over the menu, leaning forward against the bar. 
"Mmmm... methinks 'twill have the brandy and fried spiderclaws m'self, for 
starters. Watch out about asking for wine here... they only serve Tillek 
Swill." She's diplomatic enough to lower her voice when saying that last, 
making the advice confidential.

A'lex catches, "Ow! Ow! Hot!!"

Kassima orders 'brandy'

Hugh slowly pours a bit of fine, aged brandy into a mug, and hands it to 
Kassima.

Taral looks over at Maylia. "I didn't even hear you fall as I came in. 
This thing is pretty impervious to sound." He raps the wall.

A'lex says "You probably couldn't hear it over my laughter..."

Jayna looks at Jorenan. "You said the ale's good here?"

Taral orders 'klah'

Hugh draws a piping hot mug of klah and carefully hands it to Taral.

Taral mmms at the wonderful smell.

Mehlani crinkles her nose in thought, and glances to Jayna, then to 
Jorenan, silently.

Kitrell wanders in.

Kassima raises her mug of brandy in a toast. "To the splintered stools, 
the hall closet, and the jelly-beans; may the Hulk always remain rich in 
each! 'Lani, d'you like fish?" she inquires, perhaps suspecting the girl's 
dilemma. "They make wonderful fish and chips here, or so I've heard."

Taral says "So what _did_ happen just now?"

Maylia tests a stool, checking out it's legs thoroughly. "I think I was 
too stunned to say much," She tells Taral, threatening A'lex with the 
broken stool leg and a grin. A rather evil grin. Much like the one on her 
face just before R'val found himself drenched. "This one might just seem 
stable..." She sounds uncertain.

Mehlani looks over to Kassima and bobs her head earnestly.

Maylia grabs a bar stool with confidence and sits on it, regardless of its 
questionable state of togetherness. There is a loud creak as she puts her 
full weight onto the chair. First one leg of the barstool gives out, then 
another, followed by a loud *OUCH* as she falls to the ground, surrounded 
by splintered wood.

R'val wiggles his eyebrows at Maylia, "Only one way to find out..." He 
laughs as she does it again!

Telgar Weyr> Maylia laughs, and gives up!!!!

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Maylia, the stools just plain hate you. ;)"

A'lex tries REALLY REALLY hard not to laugh...

He doesn't succeed.

Jorenan nods to Jayna. "Like drinking molasses," he says. "Except 
chewier."

Jayna laughs. "Oh, that I -have- to try."

Taral looks at another stool. "Very doubtful construction... I shall have 
to see what kind of stool I can dig up somewhere else to bring here for 
next time." He leans against the wall.

A'lex raises his bubbly in toast to Kassima.

Kitrell steps into the dimly lit bar with a frown on his face... not a 
really deep frown or even a really fearsome looking one... just a frown. 
He nods pleasantly to a few seamen standing about and raises an arm high 
into the air. Doesn't wave or anything... just raises it. Why? Well, for 
one thing, by the time the tall man has reached the bacr, a foaming mug of 
the 'Hulk's finest is waiting for him.

Maylia blinks! as she finds herself in the middle of another pile of 
broken, splintered wood. The leg in her hand gets thrown at A'lex.

Kassima starts at the second crash, thankfully not enough to spill her 
brandy--and nearly chokes on a laugh, too. Her voice is rather strangled 
as she advises Mehlani, "Just ask Hugh, then... oh! Duties to the Seacraft 
and her Masters, sir," the greenrider belatedly offers, catching sight of 
the newly-entered Personage.

A'lex ducks, but not in time, ast he leg clocks him one. "Hey! I didn't 
MAKE you sit there!"

Mehlani orders 'fish n chips'

Hugh drops some breaded fish sticks and tuber wedges into some hot oil to 
cook. When they are done cooking he takes the 'fish n chips' and drops 
them into a basket in front of Mehlani with some tartar sauce.

Jayna glances around, as she orders an ale. It's starting to look like a 
bonfire around here, she notes, clinically.

A'lex turns and notices the tall man, "Telgar's duties."

R'val regards Maylia thoughtfully, "You really do need to lose weight."

A'lex doh's at R'val's comment.

Taral smiles to himself.

Jorenan ends up with one of the glasses of ale he's been talking about. 
Apparently Hugh remembered him. Or at least, remembered the brew that 
Lathen always drinks. He nods to Kitrell, since the man may misremember 
him as a Seacraft Apprentice.

Mehlani softly requests her order, and then turns to follow everyone 
else's glances. She doesn't speak, shyness overtaking her, but she bobs 
her head gravely to Kitrell nevertheless.

Maylia grins, less evilly. "No, but you laughed." Somehow, she picks 
herself up, and the slight young rider gives R'val a look that might 
suggest she wishes she still had that stool leg in her hand.

A'lex snerks, "Oh, and you wouldn't have if 'twer me sitting atop a pile 
of kindling?"

R'val grins at Maylia impishly. Revenge...:)

Kitrell scoops up his heavy tankard with the ease of long years of 
practice and skill, lifting it directly to his lips for a long, deep pull. 
He turns then, noticing some of the 'riders present and nods in a rather 
curt manner, grunting something rather unintelligable to the assembled... 
probably a greeting of some kind. It's then that he notes the broken stool 
and his frown deepens, only for an instant. "Hmmm... don't sit on that 
one," he says gruffly to Maylia... face stern and rather straight.

Taral wanders around the room, testing stools, then finds one which will 
bear his weight. "Here, try this one, Maylia."

A'lex says "Yea, try that one!"

Maylia smiles her thanks to Taral, shaking her head. "My thanks, I'll 
stand." A second pile of wood graces the floor by the bar, and she tells 
the newcommer, "Nor that one." With a wry grin that says she learned that 
one by experience, as well. "Telgar's duties, sir."

Kassima raises her mug back to A'lex, winking at the bronzerider. "She 
probably would've," the rider allows. "But greenriders have the right 
t'laugh at aught, y'know. Comes with the dragon!" Tipping the mug back, 
she closes her eyes in what looks to be sheer bliss as the first drop of 
the brandy touches her lips. "Now," she sighs once she's taken a long, 
savoring sip of the stuff, "I recall what 'twas missing by nay returning 
sooner. A shame there're nay High Reachians here t'be playing against, 
while we're visiting."

Telgar Weyr> Kindre rewaves :)

Taral shrugs his shoulders and sits down on the stool. It bears his weight 
without even a creak.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Kin! We're at the Rusted Hulk, and we haven't 
gotten kicked out yet! ;)"

Kitrell leans against the bartop then, alemug still firmly held in one 
hand as he balances against the wooden top. It's easy to notice that he 
doesn't make any movements toward any of the standing stools.... probably 
learned his lesson as a 'prentice. "Aye," he mutters gruffly to Maylia, 
hazarding a small grin her direction. "My thanks... Seacraft duties t'
ye." Another sip of the ale and Kitrell's former frown seems to be 
dissapating, enough so that when Taral finally finds a perch that supports 
him, the large crafter smiles slightly... well, more like a smirk than a 
smile, but still....

A'lex looks at Kassi. "But what do Bronzeriders get with their Dragons? 
Oh, yea, women." He grins and winks.

Telgar Weyr> Kindre says, "then you're doing it wrong! ;)"

Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Yet."

Jorenan takes a small sip of his ale. He rolls it around in his mouth for 
a moment, and then swallows. He looks right pleased with his choice.

A'lex orders 'brandy'

Hugh slowly pours a bit of fine, aged brandy into a mug, and hands it to 
A'lex.

Mehlani nibbles silently at her food, then quietly nudges the plate 
towards Jorenan, as if in offering.

A'lex sips, "Oh Kassi, this is exquisite!"

Mehlani feeds a bit of fish to Enri, as well; the blue fire lizard on her 
shoulder seems to approve, and deftly scarfs the tidbit out of the girl's 
fingers.

A'lex grins, "Bubblys and Brandy. N'er before have two finer things met in 
my stomach."

Jorenan steals a bit of fish from Mehlani's plate, a quick grin her 
thanks. Then he asks her, "Did you want something to drink?"

Taral continues drinking his klah, ignoring the brandy.

Kassima snorts at A'lex, her grin turning her expression to one of sheer 
gamin. "Only if'n they don't insist on claiming that women are more manly 
than they, laddybuck. I've something here that'll heighten the flavor for 
you, I think... would you be willing t'try?" She leans forward to confide 
this last to the bronzerider sotto voce; whatever it is, she seems to want 
to keep it secret.

A'lex nods eagerly.

Jayna shakes the cobwebs out of her head and takes a sip of her ale. She 
splutters. "Oh, my. By the wart on Faranth's golden....." she coughs. 
"That's -nasty-!" She stops, shrugs, and takes another sip. "Well, maybe I 
could get used to it."

Mehlani considers Jorenan's ale dubiously, and casts a less than assured 
glance at the drinks the others are ordering up. She murmurs sidelong to 
the young Baker, "Maybe... I should just have some juice, or something?"

Taral says "Try the klah. It's wonderful."

Kassima pulls a pair of small vials from a hidden jacket-pocket with a 
flourish. One is transparent white; the other is... purple? Yep, purple. 
Deep, dark purple. With a sidelong grin at the bronzerider, she pours a 
measure of each into the mug and passes it back. "Try it now," she 
invites.

Maylia casts a questionning glance at Kassi and A'lex, then shrugs, 
adapting the bar-leaning pose favoured by Kitrell. "R'val? Care for 
anything?" She offers, as she decides for herself.

Kindre wanders in.

R'val hrms at Maylia, "I think I'm going to have an ale, Maylia..."

A'lex takes another sip, "Whooo! That's got a kick... but what a color..."

Kassima lies glibly, "The color is what gives it the flavor." She tucks 
the two vials safely back out of sight, raising her own undoctored mug in 
greeting to Kindre. "Heya, queenrider! Lyss told me you'd decided t'join 
us--going t'help me tell the tale of why these folk should stay far, far 
away from yonder closet, perchance?"

Maylia quickly offers, "I'll bring it to you." Seems the girl is feeling a 
bit guilty 'bout the water-prank? Turning her back to the bluerider, she 
requests a sturdy mug of ale for him, and a brandy for herself.

Jorenan grins at Mehlani. "Probably a wise choice," he says. "You're 
welcome to taste my ale, but..." he shrugs at Jayna's reaction. "Some 
people won't like it the first time around." He leaves the glass within 
her easy reach, though.

"Telgar's duties to the Seacraft," Kindre calls cheerfully as she strides 
into the familiar tavern. "And good eve, dear friends," she adds while 
crossing the distance between herself and the latter. Unbuckling her 
jacket, she finds herself and seat and grins wide. "So, what have you all 
been trying? I'll likely have a bit of catching up to do, eh," she wonders 
and chuckles.

R'val beams at Maylia, "Very kind of you!" He takes the ale when it's 
delivered and drinks from it. Ahhhhhh. "I do like this ale. It's the best 
thing about visiting."

Sitting quietly next to Jorenan at the bar, Mehlani doesn't see Kindre 
immediately upon the gold rider's arrival, but the blue fire lizard on her 
shoulder does. And once Enri spots her, issuing his deep almost brassy 
chirp, Mehlani glances in Kindre's direction and smiles timidly to her. 
Then, back to Jorenan, she blinkblinks at him and leans slightly forward 
to peer at his ale, rather as Enri had been peering at her klah back at 
Telgar. She sets the fire lizard down on the bar itself, letting him have 
a few more fish tidbits, and asks Jorenan hesitantly, "What does it taste 
like?"

Maylia awaits the beverages, hands in her pockets. As the drinks arrive 
on the bar before her, they are indeed momentarily concealed, and she 
reaches for a tray, delivering the dark ale with a flourish.

Jayna holds up her ale, looking at it in the light. "The first mouthful's 
kinda rough, but the second one's pretty good," she grins.

A'lex waves to Kindre, "Hey, R'val, looks like you WERN'T the last one 
here."

R'val grins at A'lex, "I wasn't?" he turns to the door and smiles, "Ah, 
Kindre!"

Kitrell turns about from his lounging position at the bar and leans back 
into an even more lazy looking pose, his elbows holding him up, and his 
hand resting his alemug comfortably on his chest. He nods pleasantly to 
Kindre as she enters, his silent greeting much more usual considering the 
hubbub and general noise of the dim room.

Jorenan considers Mehlani's question for a moment. "Well," he finally 
says. "If you took klah, and you made it a little effervescent. And then 
you added a -little- sweetener, and a little yeast. Then... it might take 
something like ale." He frowns. "Why don't you just taste it?"

Mehlani nods slowly, takes up Jorenan's mug, and takes a cautious small 
sip of its contents.

Jayna waves to Kindre, spilling ale. She rolls her eyes at her own 
sloppiness and grabs a rag to mop up the spillage.

A'lex chuckles at the expression on R'val's face...

Jorenan watches Mehlani's reaction carefully. "You don't have to like it, 
just so you konw."

Kassima grimaces as she overhears 'Lani inquiring about the taste of ale, 
but decides not to tell the girl the truth of how horrible it is. She can 
find that out for herself. "Brandy and roast spiderclaws, Kin--with a few 
jelly-beans, a'course. Help yourself to a stool; just watch out... they 
break." She watches A'lex carefully out of the corner of her eye... or 
rather, the mug. Could she possibly be monitoring his brandy intake for 
some sinister purpose?

Hugh pauses on his way to collect a few drained mugs to oversee Jayna's 
cleanup. When she's finished wiping the floor down, he nods once, rather 
sharply and gives a deep throated grunt, obviously in approval, before 
continuing on his way.

Maylia looks quite contrite as she leans against the bar again, not 
trusting the stools anymore with her life. Watching the bluerider 
carefully as he takes a sip, she smiles. "So, perhaps, just maybe does the 
drink make up for the water?"

Mehlani's nose crinkles up, and then her mouth, and then the corners of 
her eyes. She lowers the mug again, and says, very softly, "Ick." Then she 
offers Jorenan a small rueful smile, and his mug back.

A'lex sips more of the WONDERFUL doctored Brandy...

Kindre smirks a bit, unable to help adding, "So long as Master Jacob isn't 
about, anything here is the best thing about visiting." Enri's kind 
greeting causes Kindre to smile wide. "Growing up just lovely, Mehlani, 
those little ones of yours." Looking over the half-filled glasses around 
the tables, she seems to land on her choice of drink for the eve. "I'll 
try some brandy," is called before she giggles a bit at Jayna. "My, we've 
the whole gang here. I'm glad I could sneak out and rain on your gather, 
so to speak. Oh, Kassi, you know how I love these jelly beans." Turning 
around to regard Kitrell, she grins. "I envy you for living in such a 
lively environment. I'm Kindre, by the way. Worked a night or two here, in 
fact, before being Searched."

Giggling at Mehlani's reaction to the Ale, A'lex finishes up the Bubbly he 
was eating, and chases it with Brandy. "MMmmmmmm."

Jorenan nods to Mehlani. "That's about what you should expect, the first 
time." He shrugs. "Give it ten Turns of small sips, then you'll probably 
like it."

Jayna glances at Kassi. "The spiderclaws are good, you said, Kassi?" She 
takes another swallow of beer.

A'lex smacks himself on the forehead, "Manners...." He nods to Kitrell, 
"A'lex. Well met."

Jorenan watches Kindre work the crowd with a small amount of awe. "She's 
-really- good at that," he says to Mehlani.

Kassima's smile broadens bit by bit as A'lex drinks up the doctored drink. 
In fact, were she given to smirking, she probably would be doing so right 
now. "You're never a rain on our Gather, Kin," she calls over. "If'n you 
hurry, there should be some yellow ones left... oh, shards, where *are* 
m'manners? I'm Kassima, by the by. Green Lysseth's rider; duties, well 
met, and all of that." Belatedly, she hisses to Kindre, "Don't say That 
Name--y'might wind up jinxing us! Aye, Jayna, they're excellent--in my 
admittedly biased opinion, anyway."

Mehlani peers at Kindre, then back to Jorenan, and murmurs doubtfully to 
him, "Do _you_ like it?" She bobs her behatted head at the ale.

A'lex orders 'meatroll'

Hugh grabs a Meatroll from a Tray, and tosses it at A'lex. "Here, Catch!" 
he says.

A'lex catches, "Hey! Why do you keep throwing things at me?"

Maylia introduces herself in turn, "Maylia, rider of green Tierth." As 
she does her best to not smirk at R'val. Interesting, perhaps her 
expression is very close to that on Kassi's face. Before her face can 
crack into a grin, she hides her mouth behind her glass of brandy, and 
takes a sip.

Kitrell smiles slightly and nods to Kindre as the woman approaches and 
rolls out a deep throated chuckle. "'Course I remember lass," he says 
amiably, his smile widening as he shakes his head slightly at her, "Never 
forget the hatching either... always good to see when someone from the 
craft impresses to a gold, and such a fine one too. Herath, iff'n I'm not 
mistaken, aye?"

Jayna puts her hand over her mouth. "Oh, Master, I'm sorry," she 
apologizes to Kitrell, "I didn't see you back there. No disrespect 
intended! I'm Jayna, from Telgar."

Jayna decides to take Kassi's advice, and orders some spiderclaws.

Jayna orders 'fried spiderclaws'

Hugh grins at Jayna and serves up a plate of Fried Spiderclaws.

A'lex harrumphs as the spiderclaws aren't thrown at Jayna.

Kindre does indeed pluck a few of the yellow jelly beans for herself, 
letting the small pile sit snugly in her palm. Picking one out, she pops 
it into her mouth. The flying meatroll gets her attention for a moment 
before she chuckles. "It is Hugh's charm, 'Lex dear," she remarks. Nodding 
to Kassima, she adds, "I promise, my lips will remain sealed on our last 
visit." Her eyes widen a bit as she nods quickly to Kitrell. "Yes, Herath 
it is. Alas, I never did make apprentice. I was snatched up just before, 
though I still find this one of my favorite places on Pern. How fares all 
here? Well, I hope?"

Enri nibbles down a few of Mehlani's chips along with the fish tidbits 
she's given him, and, that accomplished, the blue settles down on the bar 
to sternly eye the humans.

Hugh looks towards A'lex and frowns deeply, face darkening slightly. 
"Aye," he grumbles out in a deep bass, "She asked nicer th'n you." He nods 
again in his curt way and goes on to fill another order.

Jorenan considers the ale for a long moment. "Aye," he says. "I do like 
it. Took me Turns and Turns of drinking my Uncle and Da's glasses a little 
sip at a time before I did, though." He pauses. "And a couple of right 
sore heads the next morning, a couple of times while I was still trading 
with my Uncle." He's fallen back into the speech patterns he had when he 
first arrived at Benden as he rmembers that part of his life.

Jayna smiles sweetly at A'lex, blinking. She laughs as she drags the 
spiderclaws over and tries one. "Oh, hot!"

A'lex takes a moment from sipping brandy to frown at THAT. Then he trades 
stares with Enri for a while.

R'val slurps his ale. Finishing the first, he orders a second, glancing 
around, "I haven't been here in /so/ long..."he remarks.

"A'course he throws things at you, 'Lex! You're a bronzerider--and I think 
that means being a target more than it does having women thrown at you," 
Kassima teases. The brandy is increasing her already-excellent mood, it 
would seem, to the point where she's downright near effervescent. "Ever 
tried looking in the Closet, by the by?" She holds out her mug to have it 
replenished, patting her mark-pouch first to ensure that she can afford 
the expense.

Mehlani listens gravely to Jorenan, bobbing her head a little at him as he 
talks, and she smiles a little at him at the mention of sore heads.

A'lex brakes off from staring at the flit, "Closet?"

Blue Enri STARES at A'lex.

Kitrell smiles over Kindre's shoulder at Jayna and nods to the lass as she 
order the spiderclaws. "Aye... hot, but definitely th' best on Pern, mark 
my words." His smile widens at that, his eyes crinkling around the edges 
as he smiles. Turning that same smile towards the goldrider, he nods a few 
times and purses his lips. "Oh aye... same as usual. Spring brings the 
schools... and there's work t' be done. That and we just had a passing of 
the Craftmaster's position, so many hereabout are waiting t' see how the 
new Master holds the Hall togther." He chuckles as he trails off with a 
sip of his ale, though how he can sip and chuckle is beyond many.

A'lex returns his gaze to the flit to find himself being stared at. He 
sips again and stares back.

Jayna blows on a spiderclaw and drains her beer. She orders a second, 
glancing around for this imfamous closet she keeps hearing about.

Telgar Weyr> Emlyn says, "Eeek! It's Telgar night at Seacraft?"

Telgar Weyr> Richenda says, "Apparently."

Telgar Weyr> A'lex laughs evilly... we're going to get thrown out of every 
hall on Pern soon!

Jorenan watches the eating, drinking, and general merriment that's going 
on around them. He's heard about how the Craft changed, and who it changed 
to, so he chuckles into his ale at Kitrell's words.

Kassima grins at Jayna, murmuring, "'Tis as I told you! The fish and chips 
are excellent, too... as you'd expect." To A'lex, she affirms, "The 
closet. 'Tis... something else, I warrant you'd agree."

Enri has a very _good_ stare, and he looks exactly like a small 
Craftmaster, if Craftmasters might be said to have wings and be blue. It's 
helped that his markings almost make him look like he has a tiny beard. 
Keeping that stare on A'lex, the fire lizard doesn't flinch.

Maylia can't quite suppress a smile of glee as R'val finishes the ale. The 
girl can't be -that- satisfied that he seemed to appreciate the ale, can 
she? Alright, perhaps. With a satisfied nod, the young greenrider requests 
some spiderclaws, still leaning against the bar. "So, what's in the 
closet?" she ventures to ask.

A'lex shakes his head with a, "You win," to the flit. Looking back to 
Kassi, and draining his brandy mug he says, "Something else, eh? In what 
way?"

Kassima shakes her head once. "I can't explain it," she intones 
mysteriously. "You must experience it for yourselves, a'fore you can truly 
appreciate the wonders of... the closet."

Taral dares the wonders of... the closet.

Taral enters the closet casually, the door closing behind with an ominous 
crack.

A'lex stands, "Ok, first the closet, then more brandy..."

Lathen wanders in.

Lathen steps in, an arm around a dockhand's shoulder. They lean on one 
another, and it's a good thing, or both would be laid out on Hugh's 
none-too-clean floor. Unfortunately, the baker is singing with the 
dockhand. "An Faranth bless Charlie Mops, the man who invented beer, beer, 
beer."

Hugh, while moving about on his duties as barkeep, opens a door on the far 
wall, obviously the closet everyone is speaking about. Taking out a broom 
and bucket, he moves away from the open portal, slamming the door shut 
with the rear of a booted foot, right behind the poor carcass of Taral.

Bobbing her head along with the Craftmaster's words, Kindre says to Jayna, 
"They are enough to melt the coldest of hearts, but incredibly good if you 
can eat them." Pausing only to shift the jelly beans from one palm to 
another, Kindre nods then to Kitrell. "I had heard of the change in 
Craftmasters. Please forgive my manners," she says genuinely and offers a 
bit of an apologetic smile, "I've yet to offer her my congratulations 
there. I'm sure you will hold the Hall together quite well." A vaguely 
wistful expression crosses her face as she sighs. "I recall the seasons 
all to well, Master; I grew up at Half Circle and lived that life for 
fifteen wonderful turns. I'll easily admit to missing it."

Jayna pushes the plate toward Mehlani and Jorenan. "Want to try these? 
They're really good," she grins, slurping sauce. She grabs a napkin and 
wipes her mouth, then washes the spiderclaw down with ale. She watches, 
hypnotized, to see if Taral comes back from the closet.

Chirruping with a satisfied sort of air, Enri swings his gaze around to 
stare at someone else, while Mehlani puts on an expression that might 
almost be said to be a grin, as she looks around the place in general 
bemusement. Then, finally, back to Jorenan, she whispers, "Do you know 
about the closet?"

A'lex just stares at the door...

A'lex says "Where'd he go?"

Kassima hides another fully mischievous grin behind her mug, though her 
dancing eyes give her away anyway. Muwahahaha, they say, clear for all to 
read. "Go on, go on!" she encourages. "Don't tell me you're afraid t'go in 
without someone t'hold your hand, 'Lex!"

Lathen makes his unstead way to the bar, his arm still draped around his 
companion's shoulder. Once they have solid wood to lean against, the 
bakercraft craftsecond slurs, "Hugh, I shoo like to purch's a glass a' yr 
fines' for my *learned* colleage." The man in question has one eye closed 
and is listing sharply to port.

Maylia stares at the door as well, then at A'lex, then at her mentor. "Ah, 
did you two see what I just saw?" she asks.

Kitrell furrows his brow and shakes his head gravely a few times towards 
Kindre, as if to ward off her apologies, "Ahhh, don't ye worry about it... 
I'm not exactly familiar with th' idea myself," he says with a slowly 
increasing smile spreading across his face, "And I remeber that th' most 
about you Kindre. Half Circle bred... same as I was. Good blood from that 
Hold." His voice takes on a hint of amusement at that... his eyes suddenly 
moving to look at a point over Kindre's shoulder, towards the door. The 
Master's smile widens.

A'lex snarfs in Kassi's general direction, "I'll find him." Boy, she 
surely knows how to push his buttons, doesn't she?

Jorenan blinks. He knows that voice. His back goes slightly stiffer than 
it already was, and then he turns towards the door. "Oh dear Faranth," he 
mutters quietly. He completely misses Jayna's offer and Mehlani's 
question. "Oh no."

Maylia knows well that look from Kassi. She relaxes back against the bar, 
sipping her brandy appreciatively. "Alright, so are you going, A'lex? 
Never knew a bronzerider who'd back down."

Kassima eyes Lathen with a surprise that wipes *some* of the sadistic glee 
from her face. Turning to Hugh, she asks, "What has he been drinking, and 
where can I find some?" Maylia doesn't get an answer beyond a single, 
wicked wink.

A'lex enters the closet casually, the door closing behind with an ominous 
crack.

Mehlani blinks, too, at Jorenan's murmur, peering first at the him, and 
then in the direction his gaze has gone, inquiringly.

Jayna raises an eyebrow. "You're going -in- there, A'lex?"

Dalynn walks in and looks around and grabs an ale from Hugh and leans 
aginst the bar, taking a healty swig of the liquid.

Hugh brings out something dusty from under the bar, blows the residue from 
the bottle neck, then pours something for the baker and his learned 
companion. Lathen picks up his glass, waiting for the dockhand to do the 
same. Once they've done that, Lathen says, "Y'were righ', Sir. I -can't- 
remember a recipe for simp' loaf bread after 9 pin'." They knock back 
their drinks.

Hugh peers at Kassima with one eye out of his grizzled face and pulls his 
mouth out in a straight line... "Ah, dunno lass. Probably drinkin' some of 
that Benden swill." he shrugs then, and pauses to turn a wink towards 
Kassima before moving off to give Lathen and his companion some full 
mugs.. only slightly watered down.

Jorenan's face has gone very still. Suddenly, he's absorbing things very, 
-very- rapidly. "No, 'Lani," he says, "I have no idea what they mean about 
the closet. And thanks, but no thanks on the spiderclaws..." His voice is 
somewhat distant.

Kindre would wave a greeting to the familiar Baker Craftsecond, but he 
seems to be in spirits she likely can't interupt. "Telgar's duties," she 
does call his way to be polite. A blush swims in and out of her cheeks as 
she nods her head a few times. "Well, I should have at least given my 
respects. Thank you, too, for your kindness. I can understand, a bit, how 
you feel about not being used to a new position. My parents and brothers 
are still at there. Jerrin returned not long after we had come here...
shards, must be almost nine turns ago." Finished, it would seem, with her 
slight babbling, she turns to regard the same spot the Craftmaster appears 
to be gazing over.

Mehlani frowns tinily at Jorenan, and hesitantly lifts a hand to touch his 
shoulder.

Mehlani mutters to Jorenan, "Are..."

Jayna watches the closet door, sipping her beer, spiderclaws forgotten for 
the moment. "Uh, Kassi...what's in there?" she asks, obviously not sure 
she really wants to know.

Kassima rattles her tongue in dismay. "Ach! Nay a chance of getting a 
taste of good Benden here, is there? I'll simply have t'hope that brandy 
has the same effect." She lifts her mug in a toast to the barkeep, 
returning the wink before pouring a generous dollop of the stuff down her 
throat. "You don't want t'know," she affirms to Jayna with a slight rasp 
in her voice after swallowing.

Dalynn chuckles quietly to himself.

Maylia watches the closet door with amusement sparkling in her eyes. "That 
bad?" She asks Kassi, knowing that when Kassi's this entertained by 
something, it's something she'd rather sit back and watch.

Jorenan shakes himself. Or perhaps he was just jumping out of his skin at 
Mehlani's touch. He gives her a quick, somewhat bemused grin, and then his 
attention goes back to Lathen. Then he's laughing. It takes a minute for 
anyone to realize it, but his shoulders -are- shaking. It's a very, very 
quiet laugh. After a moment, he says to Mehlani, "Aye... I think I'm just 
fine."

Kassima nods gravely to Maylia. "Worse. I've been in there... and you just 
wouldn't believe what's in there. Gave me nightmares for Turns."

When the baker and dockhand have returned their empty glasses to the bar, 
the two companions decide they should have another. Hugh appears dubious. 
In fact, he wants to see some marks. Lathen's participation in that 
legendary dragonpoker game has generated doubts about his solvency. The 
baker pats his tunic, "I've got a poke here some'ere." He turns an 
involuntary circle, as if the pouch -not- on his hip will be -just- over 
there. His eyes fall on Jorenan.

Kitrell's eyes follow Lathen and his companion over to where they finally 
collapse against the bar, grinning widely at the unlikely pair. He mutters 
softly, under his breath to Kindre, "Ah now... that's Formil there with 
the Baker... has t' be on duty t'morrow morn. I'd better remind 'im." With 
a slight wink and a rather mischevious smirk towards the goldrider, 

Kitrell moves the few feet towards the pair and pauses for effect, taking 
in a deep breath and preparing for a dock-bellow it would seem.

Apparently relieved, Mehlani bobs her head to Jorenan, smiling a bit more, 
and she drops her hand from her companion's shoulder to take up a fish 
stick instead. This, she solemnly offers the young Baker.

Jorenan nods to the Craftsecond gravely. "Evening, sir," he says. 
"Everything all right?"

Mehlani then looks up as Jorenan's attention diverts, blue eyes widening a 
trifle under the brim of her battered brown hat.

The Baker lad takes the fish stick and, in a moment of brilliance, holds 
it up to Baker Craftsecond. "Interesting recipe, sir."

Lathen has no inkling of Kitrell's nearness, nor his intent. He attempts 
to straighten himself, "Ah. Jrenan." Sniff as he straightens his tunic. 
"Respee?"

Telgar Weyr> Jorenan watches Jorenan get into trouble. Hee hee hee. (What 
trouble? Who knows. But he and Lathen -always- seem to get into it...)

Telgar Weyr> Mehlani Fears this, as she's sitting next to you. ;)

Kindre nods her head to the departing Craftmaster, "Of course. Duties and 
such," she remarks before popping another yellow jelly bean into her 
mouth. Moving back to her previous spot near her friends, she manages to 
catch up on the conversation. "I still have nightmares of that closet," is 
piped in before she shudders a bit.

Maylia nudges R'val, leaning down to his ear. "So what's in there?" She 
asks, hoping to get a straight answer from him.

Kassima inquires a bit hesitantly, "Think we should go in to rescue him, 
Kin? I mean... at least we know what t'be expecting."

Telgar Weyr> Kindre says, "Hey, Kassi, won't it be cool to watch someone 
else get tossed out?? ;)"

R'val blinks at Maylia, "In there? I don't know, I've never been inside. 
From what I hear, I don't want to be, either!"

Jorenan nods. "The fish, sir." He pauses. "I'm sure you had a hand in its 
development." Another pause. "I'd like to see the recipe, when you've got 
a moment. Perhaps tomorrow, if right now isn't convenient."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Ayep! Though I doubt they'll have to be thrown 
bodily out the door as we were. ;)"

Dalynn smiles "Its a nasty place in there."

Taral rubs his eyes as he wanders out of the closet.

Taral says "Does anyone realize what's in there?!?"

Mehlani shifts her earnest blue gaze from the Baker who's sitting beside 
her to the Baker who's approached, not saying anything, though apparently 
willing enough to let Jorenan swipe part of her dinner.

"I...don't know..." Kindre drawls slowly as she peers over the closet in 
questions door. She bobs her agreement with Dalynn before returning her 
eyes to Kassima. "Mayhaps we should give them some more time...make sure 
they are truly lost before attempting to save them," she offers cowardly, 
but grins.

Kassima nods in vigorous agreement, a shudder travelling down her frame. 
"I'll be needing more brandy t'fortify me ere I can face what's in 
*there*," she mutters. Whoa. If Kassi's not willing to dare it, it's *got* 
to be pretty bad. "One more drink, and then we'll try and rescue them?" 
she ventures.

Kitrell waits until just the proper moment, with the dockhand handily 
keeping the Baker from falling over before reaching out a large hand to 
lay heavily on the seaman's shoulder. "Seaman Formil!" he barks in a 
sudden voice, his not quite bellow sounding surely alltogether too loud to 
the drunken man. When the lad lurhces and attempts to pay attention to the 
Craftmaster, Lathen, suddenly finds himself standing alone, with no 
support. "T' Work!" he bellows again at the poor 'hand, jerking his thumb 
at the door. Instantly sobered, at least for the moment, the man runs 
from the 'Hulk at top clip, only barely missing careening into the 
doorjam.

Lathen has some trouble bringing an operating eyeball to peer at the 
fishstick Jorenan is displaying. When he does finally get a good look at 
it (which involves some odd stretching of his jaw and leaning to one 
side), the baker recoils. "Travesty! Scorched waste of flour, fish, AND 
grease." Lathen jumps despite himself when Kitrell bellows.

Dalynn spits his ale out in a frothy mess all over his shirt, and coughs 
"What the!"

Kindre bobs her head slowly. "Mayhaps two or three more brandies. That 
should give us the courage, I think..." She can't help but turn out the 
raised voice. Lathen's reaction does cause her to chuckle a bit.

"It's been very good so far, sir," Mehlani puts in, in apparent utmost 
earnestness. Her blue fire lizard on the bar nearby swings his steady gaze 
around to consider the man swaying there near his young human.

Jorenan nods at Lathen's response. "Aye sir, all of that. And tasty, too."

Kassima beams beatifically at Kin, nodding. "'Twill be drinking to that, 
m'friend!" she agrees, and does indeed. Her tolerance really must be 
amazing. Aside from a bit of giddiness, she doesn't seem affected by the 
brandy much. This woman is definitely, or was at one point in her life, an 
experienced lush.

Lathen considers Jorenan, then grins and lays a finger on the tip of his 
nose. "I love 'em, but I don' eat'm in public. Any idiot with a bucket of 
grease and a flame can make 'em."

Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Cool closet! Crashed my whole computer!!"

Maylia settles down to her brandy and spiderclaws, deciding quite firmly 
that she's -not- going in there. Fairly firmly.

Telgar Weyr> Emlyn laughs maniacally. What's in the closet is .... a 
scrambled ini file!
Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Don't say I didn't warn you, CD! ;)"

Taral says "Go on Maylia. You'd enjoy it. And if you get lost, just 
holler. We'll hear."

Kindre, too, raises her glass before tossing back a few swallows of 
brandy. A wide smile betrays her obvious enjoyment of the liquid before 
she slides fully onto a stool. "Mayhaps we can just wait here and see how 
many drinks we can finish before they find their way out," she wonders of 
Kassima as a means of staying clear of it; they'd likely be passed out and 
asleep before the adventurers find daylight again.

Dalynn wips the spilled ale off his shirt and smiles as Hugh hands him a 
new one. He walks over to where Kitrell is and smiles "Eve, Kitrell."

Kassima sighs, eyeing her newly-refilled brandy ruefully. "I suppose we 
should, by rights, go after him. What say you, Maylia? I'll go if'n you 
do, if'n I can take m'brandy with me." After all, it's bound to be more 
fun when you're tipsy, right?

Jayna peers at the closet door. She glances at Taral. He still seems a 
little pale. She finishes her second ale. Hmmm.

Jorenan laughs. "Aye, sir. I think I can understand why." He takes a bite 
of the fish stick, having apparently made peace with Lathen for the 
evening. He sits back and takes a sip of his ale.

A'lex appears from around a corner . . .

R'val spots A'lex, "Where'd you run off to?"

A'lex stumbles in from outside. How he got there, he has no clue...

Maylia considers the offer from Kassi, looking as though Kassi had just 
asked her if she'd like to wade through an ash-pit right after fall, then 
take a dive into the weyrling's pits for other uses... "In THERE?" She 
asks, and swallows the rest of her drink. "You've got to be joking. Ah - 
could I have another brandy, please?"

Lathen notes Jorenan's ale, which reminds him that he was in the midst of 
a transaction. "Jrenan. Do you have a thirtys'd, by chance? I think my 
poke fell in the harbor."

A'lex says "Kassima, may I have a WORD with you?"

A'lex does NOT look happy. Oh no, not a bit.

Jorenan is absolutely entirely unsurprsed by this lack of funds. "Aye 
sir," he says with a grin. "I just so happen to have one. What was it you 
were wanting?" He gives Mehlani a quick grin.

Attention diverted from peering at the closet door, Jayna glances at 
A'lex. She suspects he's not happy.

Kassima opens her mouth to reply to Maylia, when A'lex's query reaches her 
ears. Masterfully, she manages to suppress both cringe and hysterical 
laughter, and turns around to face him with only the hint of a grin 
playing on her face. "Ah, I see you survived, 'Lex. Was it the experience 
I said 'twould be?"

Kindre's eyes widen considerably as A'lex emerges from the closet. Looking 
at her glass...still the first poured for her...she looks back at him and 
blinks. "How in Faranth's name did you get out so soon," she wonders. His 
expression quickly dulls her into quick silence.

Mehlani dips her be-hatted head slightly, just enough to shadow her eyes, 
but not enough to hide the small shy grin she gives to Jorenan.

A'lex says "The closet was nothing... a maze... I found a way outside..."

R'val grins at A'lex, "So /that's/ what's in there. Why on earth put a 
maze in a closet?"

A'lex mutters to Kassima, "... when... go to... bathroom, I... purple!"

A'lex whispers "But when I stopped to go to the bathroom, I was whizzing 
purple!"

Taral laughs!

Taral says "Purple? Would that have anything to do with your drink?"

Lathen indicates the bar as he takes a seat at Jorenan and Mehlani's 
table. "Go give that to Hugh and bring me back a klah. Or juice. Or 
water."

Kassima is now *definitely* trying to hide a grin, and at A'lex's mutter, 
she bursts out laughing so hard that she falls right off the barstool. Her 
hoots of glee make it pretty impossible for her to respond in any 
civilized fashion.

A'lex says "Greenrider. You. Die. Soon."

R'val gives A'lex a bit of an odd glance at his mutter, as he walks 
towards the water closet himself...

Dalynn chuckles and walks over to the riders table and smiles "evening 
riders."

Taral holds his sides from the pain of laughing so hard. "Oh, poor 
A'lex..." He goes about cracking up again.

Maylia snorts a giggle, overhearing just a little of A'lex's comment. 
"Purple?" She stares at Kassi. "But... how'd you get purple?" She asks 
before she can stop herself. Hmmmm. Think she knows something about this?

A'lex just snaps a rather unhappy glance at Taral, not wanting to bark at 
someone he barely knows.

Jorenan nods. "Aye sir. KLah, juice, or water." He seems relieved at the 
Craftsecond's choices. He gets up and leaves Mehlani and Lathen to their 
own devices for a moment. When he returns, he's carrying a big pitcher of 
juice. "Enough to feed all of us," he says. Though in honesty, he expects 
Lathen will need most of it.

A'lex just slowly cranes his neck, and the pops are clearly audible. He 
sits back down at the bar.

Taral's laughing slowly subsides. "I'm sorry A'lex. I shouldn't have 
laughed. But you must understand, it was impossible to contain."

Kassima manages to get out, "Made... a deal... with Grego," between her 
hysterical giggles. She's now sprawled on the floor in an inelegant, 
undecorous, and decidedly amused heap. "At least I die for a good cause!" 
she cackles. Yeah, she's enjoying this. Quite a bit, actually.

A'lex orders 'ale'

Hugh slowly pours a bit of fine, aged ale into a mug, and hands it to 
A'lex.

Jayna carefully doesn't say a word about anything purple. She looks at her 
empty mug and wonders about another.

Kindre is trying not to giggle. She's still a bit in awe that the young 
bronzerider managed to escape the shadowy depths of the closet so quickly. 
At Dalynn's greeting, she smiles and says, "Evening to you as well." Her 
brows quirk a bit oddly as her lips wrinkle. She adds the question, "We've 
met before, haven't we? I'd swear I know you."

Lathen motions to Kitrell. "Craf'mas'er. Come meet a -real- apprentice." 
He gives Jorenan a significant nod, then winks at Mehlani.

Maylia can't help giggling herself, holding her sides and trying not to 
land on the floor yet again.

A'lex looks over at Taral, "You're just lucky I don't have anything to 
throw at you like Maylia did at me. Speaking of which, YOU must have had 
something to do with this." That's logic, ALL Greenriders are guilty.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima can't stop laughing RL now, 'Lex, and just snorted 
Dew out of her nose. Thank you oh so much.

Mehlani flashes a wide-eyed glance over to A'lex and Kassima, smiles 
tinily once more, and then looks back to Jorenan and Lathen, nibbling down 
the last of her meal.

Hugh pauses in giving A'lex's ale to him to peer down at the floor at 
Kassima. He frowns again, in his usual manner and takes a deep breath, 
watching her convulse there. Finally, he shrugs almost to himself and 
looks at A'lex with a grin.

Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "My job here is done."

Taral isn't a greenrider, however.

R'val returns from the bathroom, his expression dismayed.

Hugh says to A'lex, "'Least she's wipin' down the floor with herself... 
more than many o' these louts kin do."

Taral notices R'val. "Oh, dear R'val. Not you too."

A'lex snorts, "Ye may want te wash it down again after she's thru."

Jorenan starts to look mildly fearful. But then again, Mehlani's watching, 
so not -all- that fearful. He pours juice for Mehlani and Lathen.

Kassima curls up in a little ball on the floor, wheezing and giggling and 
trying to breath without a great deal of success. "Purple!" she hoots 
occasionally, which sends her into whole new paroxysms of laughter. 
Considering that she isn't even drunk, whatever happened to A'lex must be 
a real riot to her.

Taral hands a bucket of water to A'lex.

Kitrell raises an eyebrow and pushes off the bartop with his elbows, the 
first movement, besides drinking and ordering more drinks, that he's made 
in a while. He heads purposefully towards the Baker.

Maylia tries very hard not to look at A'lex, nor R'val for that matter. 
She seems incapable of stopping giggling.

R'val nods to Taral, his expression Afeared, "It's..it's..BLUE!"

Lathen pushes a chair out for Kitrell. "Master Kitrell, this is Jrenan, a 
baker 'prentice. He's on verge of promotion." The baker turns to the young 
man. "Tell 'm somethin' bout spices."

Hugh looks up at A'lex and arches his brows at the bronzerider just a 
moment, his eyes beginning to twinkle with amusement. Finally, he seems 
that he can't contain it any more and reaches out a huge hand to clap the 
'rider heavily on the shoulder, making him start. His bellows of laughter 
cut across the bar as he roars with mirth, still laughing moments later as 
he walks back to hsi place behind the bar, "'Nother washing after!" he 
exclaims with high amusement, "That's rich!"

Maylia holds her breath, just knowing that if she lets it out, she's going 
to guffaw loudly. Now. Kassi's already admitted guilt for the purple. 
What's going to happen with the blue?

Taral musters all his will to stop himself from exploding with laughter in 
R'val's face. "I'm sorry." He quickly turns to the bar, a noise escaping 
him as he does so.

Jorenan finishes pouring the juice carefully, sets the pitcher down, and 
says, quietly but clearly, "Spices are critical to the flavor of truly 
good food. They enhance the natural flavors, but should never, ever, mask 
those flavors."

A'lex tries very hard not to smile at all the laughter, "This better not 
be permanent, or I'll be using your Weyr as a latrine, m'lady."

Jayna slowly flushes, with the effort to contain herself. "Excuse me, a 
minute," she mumbles. "Need some air." She strides toward the door. From 
outside come loud noises that sound suspiciously like peals of laughter. 
Or maybe not so suspiciously.

Dalynn walks up behind Kitrell and taps the Masters shoulder and smiles 
"Evening Kitrell."

R'val spots Maylia's expression and glares at her, "YOU did it, I know you 
did!" He hmphs, "Don't try to deny it, I know you greenriders all too 
well!"

Kassima manages, somehow, to get to her feet long enough to lean over and 
say something to her bronzeriding victim. She mutters to A'lex, "... this 
just proves I'm... man than... all... even I can't write... purple!"  
Cackle, cackle, and Kassi slumps back to the floor again, giggling for all 
she's worth. She makes no statement about whether or not it's permanent, 
which probably isn't that great a sign.

A'lex senses Kassima manages, somehow, to get to her feet long enough to 
lean over and say something to her bronzeriding victim. "See, now, this 
just proves I'm nay more of a man than you after all... even I can't write 
in the snow in purple!" Cackle, cackle, and Kassi slumps back to the floor 
again, giggling for all she's worth. She makes no statement about whether 
or not it's permanent, which probably isn't that great a sign.

Taral scratches his head and looks wonderingly at Maylia.

Taral says "R'val, isn't it Maylia who oddly offered to bring you an ale?"
Jayna wanders over to the Courtyard.

A'lex says "Nay, nor can you write it on your walls..."

A'lex kicks back the rest of his ale.

Taral says "A'lex: You can probably find a smith in Chemistry who can fix 
your problem."

Lathen nods significantly to Kitrell, eyebrows up near his hairline.

Kassima peers up at 'Lex with mirth-filled green eyes. "You wouldn't want 
t'do that, now, 'Lex. Nay with m'fire-lizards guarding the place. They've 
very sharp claws...." She takes a long gulp of brandy to try and calm 
herself down, but only succeeds in narrowly missing snorting some out her 
nose.

Maylia tries her best innocent expression on her face, but giggles leak 
through despite her best efforts.

Kitrell stops before the Baker apprentice and nods to him, clearly not 
recognizing him as the lad who he accosted just a few days before. He nods 
pleasantly at the man, seemingly very interested in stuff about spices and 
turns to Lathen to nod pleasantly in return to the BakerSecond. Right in 
the middle of the young man's discourse though, a tap comes to Kitrell's 
shoulder and the Craftmaster spins about to face... "Dalynn! Ah now, when 
did you get back, lad?" he asks, clapping the Journeyman heartily on the 
shoulder.

R'val flicks Maylia's nose, and eyes her, "C'mon. Admit it!" he tickles 
her lightly, "YOu did it! I'm peeing blue cuz of you, you evil 
greenrider."

A'lex turns to look at Taral, "Oh, no, if'n it's permanent, I **WANT** it 
to stay that way. Yonder Greenrider will be afearin purple afore 
springtime. Mark my words." In his current mental state, the rather odd 
accent of his parents is starting to creep back into his voice.

Jorenan doesn't look offended in the slightest. In fact, he grins at the 
Craftmaster's back. Politely, he says to said back, "It was my pleasure, 
sir." Then he turns back to Lathen. "i've been reading your reports on 
spices, sir. Enlightening."

Taral grins. "I'm planning to apprentice myself into the smithcraft as a 
chemist... If you ever change you're mind..."

Taral says "Oh, and the offer is open to you too, R'val."

Dalynn chuckles almost loosing a second drink to the craftmaster. "Ah, I'm 
well sir, just got back a day or so ago, wasw out for a wee bit and 
thought that now would be a good time as any to have my craft haulded out 
of the ater and check over for repairs."

Taral is showing obvious signs of strain, probably from keeping himself 
from bursting with laughter again.

Kassima whaps A'lex's leg--all she can reach from her giggling seat on the 
floor--in a friendly fashion. "Oh, c'mon, now! 'Tis nay permanent... and 
if'n you tried aught, Lyss would object strenuously. She doesn't like 
*her* living space being used as a purple latrine."

R'val eyes Taral, "I was rather hoping this would go away on it's own!"

A'lex starts to settle back down a bit and finds his now cold meatroll. He 
looks to Kassima and with his sweetest smile just says, "Fear me."

THAT out of the way, A'lex returns to his ale.

Oh, so it's to be a duel of sweet smiles, is it? Kassi puts on her best 
one, the one that shows lots and lots of teeth--and flutters her eyelashes 
to boot. "Fear *me*," she corrects. "If'n you're a wise man, anyway."

Lathen is pleased with Jorenan's choice of adjective. Kitrell is 
forgotten, or lost in an alcoholic fog, more likely. "That's why we write 
'em. That sor' research I just love, too." He carefully picks up some 
juice and drinks. "Haven' had time to talk wi' Bryena or 'fira yet. 'Bout 
gettin' you to a hold, I mean."

Maylia's legs give out, and the young rider does indeed find herself on 
the floor, yet again, not too far from where her mentor sits. "When did 
you? How? But that's PURPLE!" She manages, still not denying nor 
admitting to anything.

A'lex blows a kiss to Kassi. "I already *DO* fear you. So I've got a head 
start!"

Taral starts thinking about who he's going to tell first in the Weyr.

Kindre chuckles quietly as she turns to listen to an accusation here, some 
laughter there. Even her own lips curl up with decided humor as she hears 
all the goings-on. Finishing her own single brandy, she pops the four 
remaining jelly beans into her mouth and slides off her stool. "Many 
thanks for an enjoyable eve, Hugh. As always the brandy was dreamy," she 
remarks quietly to the barkeep before moving to stand beside her friends. 
"Believe me when I say I hate to leave such an interesting gather, but I 
should get back to Telgar." Kneeling to be eye-level to Kassima, she says 
quietly, "Remind the young bronzerider of Wherry heads and things we've 
done to Mart. He'll quiet up. If that doesn't work, I'm sure you'll find 
something equally fearful." Winking before she stands again, she buckles 
up her jacket and waves. "Craftmaster Kitrell, it was truly a pleasure to 
see and speak with you. I hope to do so sometime soon. Telgar's duties and 
clear skies all." The latter is called as she heads back out into the 
courtyard.

Kindre wanders over to the Courtyard.

Kitrell nods pleasantly to Dalynn and pulls the Journeyman forward slowly 
to stand with him at the table with Lathen and Jorenan, "That's an 
excellent idea Dalynn... good t' give 'er a good scraping t' clean the 
barnicles and apply a fresh coat of tar'n paint..." A sudden idea flashes 
across his features as he faces the rather sauced BakerSecond and his 
apprentice, "Ah, Dalynn, I was wondering if'n you'd had a chance to meet 
Lathen and... ahh..." He pauses then, for just a moment, before smiling in 
what could almost be described as 'sweetly' and saying, "And Joreem'n." 
Still smiling, you might note that the end of that sentence was muttered 
softly....

A'lex snorts at Kindre as she leaves.

Kassima grins and drags the purple vial out of her jacket pocket. "Purple, 
purple!" she sing-songs. "Made a deal with Grego; he doctored it up for 
me! Works like a charm, too, apparently." She tucks it safely away before 
'Lex can manage to break it somehow, then pretends to swoon at the 
bronzerider's blown kiss. You know Kassi's getting tipsy when.... "Well," 
she answers logically, "if'n you fear *me*, I've nary a need t'fear 
*you*--oh, good call, Kin!" She grins broadly at her friend and calls out 
in a reasonable facsimile of her normal voice, "Fair be the wind, Kindr--
oh, shardit, missed again."

Jorenan nods to Lathenn. "Aye, sir, I know you're busy." He asks, rather 
pursuing that subject, "What was it that you said about not remembering 
the bread recipe?"

Taral, standing near Kassima, wonders what this bit about wherry heads 
is...

A'lex grins, "Ok, then don't fear me." He chuckles to himself.

Lathen doesn't hear Jorenan's question because there are two seacrafters 
at the table. "Ah, pleased to meet you. Charmed. Have a seat, feel free." 
He looks back at Jorenan. "Bread recipe?"

A pair of pants flits in.

Kassima assures 'Lex gladly enough, "Don't worry; 'twill nay. If'n you did 
aught t'make it seem like I should, why, I'd just chase you 'round the 
beach with this here skewer until you surrendered. That's rather a fun 
game, actually. Have you ever tried it?" she asks of Maylia... or the 
stool. It's hard to tell which.

A pair of pants blows into the room on a gust of wind, then settles in a 
heap at Kassima's toes.

J'lor wanders in.

Dalynn smiles at Kitrell and chuckles "a pleasure to meet you."

Jorenan nods to Dalynn. "Jorenan," he repeats, just in case he couldn't 
hear the Craftmaster. "Well met."

The collapsed heap of giggles that is Maylia manages to get herself 
sitting upright, and unaided. She seems to be spending a lot of time on 
the floor of the Hulk. "Oh, dear. That was good. Tried it?"

R'val hmphs at Maylia and sits back down on his seat, "Ya meany."

J'lor runs in, quite flustered, and quickly snatches up the pair of pants. 
"Oh gads... er," he starts, looking down at his knees. "I have NO idea how 
that happened. I uh... they were just on, you see, and..."

Taral reaches down to Kassima and helps her up. "Ok now?"

Kassima just *blinks* as the pants arrive, landing at her feet. She stares 
into her brandy mug, then at the pants again. "Aye," she states gravely. 
"This confirms it. I am indeed losing m'sobriety. The pants are flying 
again--oh, hey, J'lor! Yep, Maylia. Tried chasing a rider 'round the beach 
with a skewer, I mean."

A'lex smiles, "Yes, let's play sometime." He glances towards the door. 
"J'lor."

Kitrell pauses at the sound of fluttering cloth and turns his head 
slightly to catch the sight of first a pair of pants, and then a 
breechless rider. "Hmmm," he mutters gravely, before turning back to his 
drink with a shrug, as if this sort of thing were rather commonplace in 
this room.

Kassima suggests brightly to J'lor, "Perhaps they wished t'come in and 
have a drink?" With Taral's help, she does manage to get back to her feet, 
and even up onto her previous stool. "As okay as I ever am!" she answers 
gaily. This is not saying a great deal.

Taral says "Chasing a rider around the beach with a skewer? Tell me about 
it."

Taral grins.

Maylia manages now to stop giggling, shaking her head. "Skewer? No, in 
fact I've never chased a rider 'round the - oh. ooops, yes I have, but no 
skewer." She starts giggling again.

Taral thinks it would probably be more interesting with a skewer.

Dalynn smiles at Kitrell "Sounds like ye've been drink a wee bit tonight 
sir."

Kassima grins and confides to Maylia, "'Tis never half so fun as with a 
skewer. They turn the most amazing shade of white, and run so fast, you 
can scarce believe!" Eyeing A'lex, she wonders, "Think you'd be willing 
t'be the subject of a rider-chasing-with-skewer lesson for m'mentee here, 
'Lex?"

A'lex grins, "Maybe after we've played a couple times, sure."

J'lor quickly heads behind a keg of ale - as he goes, you notice he's 
wearing a pair of boxers with little gitars on them, with "String me 
along" embroidered right on the butt. However, you lose sight of them 
quickly, as, *ruffle* one leg, then *ruffle* the other, the pants go on. 
He heads back from behind the ale, pulling the breeches up, and takes a 
seat beside some Thunderbolt riders. "That's better. It gets cold," he 
notes. "Without pants, that is."

Taral says "Played?"

Kitrell turns to Dalynn and raises both eyebrows, "Eh? How d'ye figure 
that?" he asks rather innocently, eyebrows steepled.

Taral rummages around the hulk and produces a nice long skewer. "Here you 
go, Kassi."

Kassima quirks her brows up at 'Lex. "Played what?" she wants to know. "I 
thought that *was* what we were going t'play? How goes the life of an 
expectant father, J'lor?"

Kassima jerks her thumb towards Maylia. "Give it t'her, thankee, Taral... 
I've one of m'own."

Was that a giggle heard from Mehlani's direction? Surely not. For those 
who happen to look in her direction, it's clear that it was the trill of 
one of the firelizards who festoon her shoulders. Mehlani herself is 
silent as ever.

Taral hands the skewer to Maylia.

Taral looks at A'lex. "I hope you can run fast," he says rather dryly.

J'lor grumbles a bit at Kassima. "Not bad," he answers. "Hopefully they 
won't all pop out on the same day. That would be bad, 'cause I only have 
two hands, and they have all told me they want me holding their hands at 
the birthing." He thinks for a minute. "Actually, perhaps two of them can 
hold feet, worst comes to worst. But I doubt it'll come to that."

Dalynn has it wrong. -Lathen- is the master crafter who's had a wee bit to 
drink. He proves it by passing out rather suddenly. The man's head falls 
to his folded arms, and as quick as you can say 'pease porridge in a pot', 
Lathen is fast asleep.

A'lex shakes his head, "We as in You and I."

R'val chuckles, "I have some idea how you feel, J'lor..."

Dalynn chuckles "Oh just the ususal sir, slurred voice, erratic movemts. 
The usual."

Maylia accepts the skewer, with a skeptical look on her face. She 
brandishes it with much less adeptness than her mentor. "Alright, so I 
chase A'lex with this? Oh - but we have to get to the beach, first." 
Either she's had too much to drink, or she's playing along. "Usually when 
I chase a rider on the beach, I'd rather he didn't run away too hard."

A'lex looks at Maylia, "You used to be such a sweet girl. Look what you've 
done Kassima!" He shakes his head sadly, supressing a grin.

Jorenan considers his drunken Craftsecond for a bare moment. Then he 
shrugs and turns to watch the other goings-on of the evening.

Taral shouts, "Hey! Where's the nearest beach!"

Taral has probably had a few drinks himself, although no-one noticed him.

Dalynn laughs and yells "Right out side!"

Kassima winces sympathetically at J'lor. "Ouch. Four broken extremeties... 
that'd *have* t'be hurting. Ah! Well, 'Lex, that's easy enough; I've 
m'skewer, you've your feet. Shall I give you a brief headstart?"

Taral begins to push A'lex towards the door. "Go on."

Kassima then nods to Maylia. "Aye, y'do indeed. Just let me get him warmed 
up a little first, if'n that's what he wants--he'll be good and tired by 
the time you chase after him, don't worry."

A'lex shakes his head, "No just yet... it'd not be fair with you so... 
happy. Wait till we're both sober."

Maylia aims the wavering skewer at A'lex. "A'course, we could add in 
chasing the rider to the beach..." She's getting rather serious about 
this. Now is the skewer wavering due to her lack of experience with it, or 
the number of brandies the young rider had downed.

Kassima shakes her head stubbornly. "Nay, nay--that won't do. The only 
solution is for *you* t'get drunk too, and then the odds will be even. 
Want s'more purple brandy?"

J'lor looks absolutely sober, but you never can tell with that guy. "So 
how're things at Telgar?" he asks the room at large. "Benden's well, I 
expect... I have been importing water from a nearby hold, 'cause seven's 
quite enough, I should think, and if rumor serves correct there's babies 
in the water." He pauses for a moment, then hrmmrs to himself.

Kitrell barks out a laugh in Dalynn's direction and lifts his half full 
tankard up to eye height, as if to show if to the Journeyman. "Now wait a 
moment here Dalynn, there 'ere is only my fifth..." he pauses and furrows 
his brow a moment before shaking his head and muttering in an almost 
confused sort of voice, "Wait.. no, sixth. But," he says quickly and 
loudly, as if to cover his previous words, "It is by no means enough to 
have me...." and he trails off, waving an expressive hand at Lathen's 
prone form to have the sentence finished for him.

R'val grins at J'lor, "Telgar's doing much better nowadays. How is 
Benden?"

J'lor grins at R'val. "It's springing into action," he answers. Then, 
nudges the bluerider, and adds, "that's a little pun on words. It's 
springtime," he explains quite needlessly. "Anyways we're airing the old 
place out. The gray and gloom of winter clings to those spongy rock walls 
like you'd never guess. Well, actually, I guess all the transplants would 
know."

A'lex grins evilly at Maylia, "No, that's quite all right."

Kassima beams at J'lor, the beam of someone who's quite happy with the 
world, and tipsy to boot. "Well enough, well enough! Wise of you to avoid 
the Water; 'tis evil, evil stuff. Evil, evil, evil, evil..." she starts 
singing, drawing her skewer and waving it about to help her keep the time. 
No, she doesn't come close to cutting anybody with the thing. It would 
take several more drinks for her to be *that* out of it.

Telgar Weyr> A'lex tilts his head back and swears at the sinuses that keep 
him from breathing. I have to go down some serious stuff for my snout 
kiddies. Assume A'lex gets pleasantly drunk at the hulk, and makes his way 
home when the rest of you do. No skewering him when I'm not around though.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima awwwwws and snugs. Dang! Well, we'll skewer you 
later, I suppose. :)

Dalynn laughs and claps Kitrell on the shoulder and smiles. "Ah yes Isee 
Kitrell, no matter, and I'll be wagering that you'll prolly have a few 
more fore the nights through."

Taral says "Hey, Kassima. I know exactly what you should do. Start poking 
him with it."

Jorenan gives Lathen a thoughtful glance, and then asks, "What's it take 
to get you into this state, sir?" he gestures to Lathen's unmoving form.

Kassima slides her skewer back into its sheath at her hip, and makes a 
face. "Nay--if'n old Purple Water there doesn't want t'play, then I'll 
wait until I'm sober enough t'convince him as I should!"

Kitrell smiles widely, his face changing quickly to melt into an 
expression completely at odds with the one he just had. Smiling happily, 
he nods, "But of course Dal... of course." Chuckling at that, he turns to 
face Jorenan and grins, chuckling deep in his throat still. "M'lad, all it 
takes to get your Craftsecond into such a state is a good visit to the 
seacraft... didn't ye ever wonder why he enjoyed coming here so much?"

Merdin wanders in, pushing the door shut behind him.

Jorenan grins back at Kitrell. "Sir, I never wonder about my superiors' 
motives. It gets apprentices in trouble to do any such thing." He pauses. 
"I just wondered how long it'd take someone else, say like you, to get 
into the same state."

Saviya wanders in.

Saviya waves hello to all..

Merdin looks around, pausing by where Jacob would be sitting were Jacob 
sitting in that particular spot, and Jacob not being there moves on to 
grab a seat at the bar.

Saviya salutes the riders....."My duty to your Weyrs, and their queens."

Kitrell barks out a laugh, tossing back his head slightly and grinning 
widely, "Me? Well, Jorenan, when you consider that I've been doing this 
for a good deal longer than your poor Master there," he takes in Lathen's 
prone form with a wave of his hand... the one holding the mug of course, 
"You can see that I'd be able t' keep going a good deal longer. Besides, 
he's a habit of drinking just about anything.... easy to see why he gets 
in such a state so often."

Regex says "Ale"

Hugh slowly pours a bit of fine, aged ale into a mug, and hands it to 
Regex.

Regex says "thanks Hugh"

Regex sips his ale and nods.

Saviya salutes any SeaCraft Masters, too.

Regex absently returns a salute.

Jorenan nods slowly. "That would make sense, aye sir." He considers 
Lathen, who's begun to snore, and adds, "I think I'll take your course in 
the matter, as much as I'm able."

Kassima leans over to whisper none-too-conspiratorily to Maylia, "Thankee, 
by the by, for telling me about the dye. I bet the other folk I have in 
mind t'give it to will be just as thrilled as 'Lex!" Now, there's an 
understatement for you.

Merdin takes a red fruit juice from Hugh, and swivels around in his seat 
so he can watch the people coming and going. When he sees Saviya he smiles 
to the other apprentice before taking a sip of his drink.

Taral grins evillly. He mutters to Kassima, "Oh, you... of fun... just 
wait... I... other dyes..." 

You sense Taral grins evillly. "Oh, you think you're having lots of fun 
now? Well, just wait until I find other dyes for you."

Maylia can't resist a grin to Kassima, and answers, "My pleasure." Seeing 
as Kassi's so proud of her trick, and only claims responsibility for the 
purple, let's wonder who did the blue? And while we're at it, perhaps the 
memory of several weyrlings, W'kar included, who were suprised to see blue 
come morning visits to the latrines.

J'lor stands up, looking somewhat weary. "Well, I'm back to cater to the 
every whim of the mothers to be," he says with a slight smile, stroking 
his foo thoughtfully. "But hey... it's been great seeing everyone."

Saviya smiles back at the other apprentice, and waves. Then she gets some 
of her favorite apple wine from Hugh, and finds a seat.....

Kitrell pauses in his speaking with Dalynn and Jorenan to frown, furrowing 
his brow slightly and turning about on a heel, taking in the room, and 
seeing who's in. "Hmmm," he mutters to noone in particular, but loud 
enough so that those around him hear, "I thought I just heard...." He 
trails off, frowning slightly as he continues searching among the busy 
throng.

Kassima waggles her eyebrows at Taral. "Think you could comee up with 
proddy dragon green?" she wonders, before giving J'lor a grin. And, for 
good measure, getting up off her stool to hug her former wingmate. "Give 
m'regards to the folk back home, eh? Fair be the wind t'you and your 
pants, too."

Merdin raises an eyebrow at the farewell and comments to anyone in 
adjacent earshot "and your pants too? new one on me."

J'lor hugs Kassi back. "Thank you," he says sincerely. "Though, I hope the 
wind isn't too fair to my pants. I hate chasing 'em around like that."

Saviya hears too, and blinkies...

R'val grins at J'lor.

Kassima quotes in her most sage voice, "If'n you love something, you must 
let it go free. If'n it then returns t'you, 'tis yours... mayhaps that's 
the Way of the Pants."

Maylia grins at J'lor and Kassi too, then bursts into giggles. "Some men 
just can't control their pants..." She manages, but the rest is lost.

Kitrell aha's, striking out in a seemingly random direction as he 
apparently spots the one he was looking for. In his roundabout way, he 
suddenly finds himself standing before Jacob's table, bending closer to 
mutter something to the Master Fisherman in a muted voice, hands waving 
slightly in the direction of the bar.

Saviya looks at her wine glass, then at whatever Kassima is drinking. Then 
at whatever Maylia is drinking. Is it in the drink, or something? She 
looks at hugh, one eyebrow up....

J'lor thinks about that for a moment. Then grins at Maylia's comment. 
"Aye, 'tis true," he agrees. "And more to the fact, seven expectant women 
at Benden can attest to it, right proper. Perhaps I should switch to... 
shorts?" And with that... he's gone!

J'lor wanders over to the Courtyard.

Taral looks at the space where J'lor just was. "Hmm..."
No, it wasn't in whatever Maylia was drinking, but it's in her pocket. And 
was in R'val's drink. The drink in her hand appears to be fairly innocuous 
brandy.

Kassima just howls at that, falling back into her stool and curling up on 
it to chortle for awhile. "Maylia!" she wheezes. "What would Tas say if'n 
he knew you'd said such a thing in public?"

Hugh looks back at Saviya, and just shakes his head negatively....

Maylia grins, slightly lushfully. "'T'least I didn't say that some men 
have difficuly enough getting into thier own pants, let alone those of 
others." She jokes, with a giggle. Then: "Oops. I guess I did say it... 
well, he'd probably be just as thrilled at my telling you about chasing 
him around a beach..." Thankfully, skewers aren't mentioned, nor alluded 
to.

Merdin watches the riders vagely curiously, eyes going from one to the 
next in turn as they talk.

Taral gauges Kassima's intoxication and asks the question which has been 
bugging him for a while. "Kassima, who exactly _did_ you chase with a 
skewer?"

At Jacob's shake of head, Kitrell frowns and takes in a deep breath, 
letting it out slowly. Finally, he shrugs and his face returns to its 
normal cheerful sort, walking away from jacob's spot and once more weaving 
his way through the crowd. Not that he's really trying to be 
inconspicuous... hard to be when you're that tall.. but still, he meanders 
carefully.

Dalynn downs his ale, and flags hugh down for a refill.

That does it. Kassi really *does* snort brandy out her nose now. "Owww!" 
she complains, rubbing said nose, which was already sunburned and now has 
alcohol in its sinus cavities; how lovely. "I don't know if'n I even want 
t'know who 'twere referring to with that first, Maylia. And what's wrong 
with chasing people around beaches?" Mind, Kassi usually has massacre more 
in mind when she does it than what Maylia was probably thinking of, which 
might be why she's confused. "Hmmm? Oh, Mart of High Reaches. Brownrider. 
We call him Martina, the Femaleman, 'cause we once put him in a dress and 
wig and stuff."

Taral laughs.

Dalynn thanks hugh and meaders to a corner to talk to a group of 
apprentices poking fun at a nother of theri frinds.

Saviya stares at Kassima....she said *what*?

Kitrell finally makes his way to the bar and pauses, setting his alemug 
down on the heavy bartop with a rather hollow sounding *thunk!* 
Approaching Merdin from behind, he takes another deep breath and 
straightens, looking only a little taller, but definitely more imposing. 
"Apprentice Merdin!" he barks out ina quick stacatto voice, the name 
turned commandreverberating about the wooden rafers of the Hulk. "Your 
attention please...." he follows up with, this time in a more normal 
voice, but a commanding one still.

Saviya hears the bark, and turns to look...

Dalynn looks up and clouts the back of one of the younger apprentices to 
pay attention.

Merdin jumps at the thunk and hearing his name called, Kitrell certainly 
has his attention. He jumps up off the bar stool, mother's training taking 
over, "Yes, sir."

Maylia snickers wholeheartedly at the description of Mart, eyes wide. "You 
did what? I know 'bout R'val, but Mart!?" She shakes her head, barely 
managing to ask. "Faranth's golden rear! How'd you do that?" Faranth's 
golden rear? The girl must've been drinking.

Kassima bounces a bit on her stool, quite pleased to have a new audience 
for her story. "He fell asleep in the hot springs, see, and he's a *very* 
sound sleeper--so Kin and I shoved a dress onto him, and when he didn't 
wake up, we added a wig, ribbons, jewelry, and stuffed rags down the dress 
front so he'd look more authentic. He cut quite a figure as a woman," she 
reminisces.

Taral says "Maylia... What about R'val?"

Saviya chokes and splutters on her wine, at hearing Kassima's elaboration 
from behind her....

R'val grumbles, "Don't ask." He says, to Taral.

Kitrell takes another deep breath and places his hands behind his back, 
straightening and pursing his lips, as if sizing the apprentice up and 
down a few times. He doesn't though, just stands there a moment before 
saying with a drawling voice, his words coming slowly, "It has come to my 
attention Apprentice Merdin, that your Master's have certain..." he pauses 
then, as if searching for the right word.. and when he suddenly gets it, 
continues again, slowly, "...concerns about you, and have thus asked me to 
do something about them..."

Maylia snickers, and giggles, holding her sides. Sho bobs her head at 
R'val, adding for Taral's sake, "Too late, he already did! They did the 
same thing t'him, or so I heard!"

Saviya hacks and gasps for air....

"Without the rags down the dress-front, though," Kassima helpfully 
contradicts.

Saviya sets her glass down, almost droping it. She weezes...

Dalynn chuckles and walks closer to where Kitrell and Merdin are standing, 
sipping his ale along the way.

Merdin frowns, his gaze casting over toward his mentors table but since 
Jacob's not here he can only deal with Kitrell in front of him, 
"But...... " He straightens up as if it's possible to stand more than 
ramrod straight. He looks rather bewildered, like he's trying to remember 
something and then continues "I'm sorry if I've disappointed you, Master 
Kitrell. If you tell me what I've done, I'll do my best to correct it, 
sir."

Regex smirks.

Saviya blinkies at Merdin and Kitrell, through watering eyes.....

Kitrell pauses for effect before continuing, making a humming sound deep 
in his throat, almost like one of dissaproval. He nods though, and holds 
up a hand in front of the apprentice, trying to forestall any more words. 
"Now, wait a moment Merdin, just a moment." His hand lowers and he looks 
once more at the apprentice lad with that grim sort of expression. "Now, 
the information that I have gotten from your teachers and masters is that 
you are no longer fit to be an apprentice.... and as such...."

Saviya still weezing and coughing, looks hopeful...

Dalynn says "You get demoted!!" Dalynn yells raising his Mug to the air!!"

Merdin looks momentarily crestfallen at Dalynn's words, not exactly known 
for a great ability to parse a joke, but then he remembers he's in a bar 
and looks back at Kitrell with a sort of stupid dumbfounded expression.

Kitrell trails off, his hand once more coming up and raising into the air 
to quiet the murmurs that leap out of a number of throats in the Hulk, 
mostly sailors and craftsmen, and of course, Dalynn, who gets shushed 
immediately. "And as such!" Kitrell almost yells over the hubbub, "You 
much be promoted to Journeyman, with all the priveledges, honors and 
duties that come with that rank! Congratulations... Journeyman Merdin."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima sighs and must now go. Kindly assume that Kassi 
continued getting drunk until dragged home with everyone else? :)

Saviya gasps again, this time because of the promotion *and* the wine in 
her lungs, and would cheer but all she can manage, in between coughs, is a 
croking "'grats!"

R'val ducks out.

R'val wanders over to the Courtyard.

Taral smiles at Merdin and says, "Congratulations!"

Merdin blinks, looking as surprised as you'd expect from an apprentice who 
hadn't been expecting. He also blushes. "Thank you, Master Kitrell. Thank 
you very much. I'll work real hard so you and my parents if they were here 
and Uncle Jacob and Master Tiemar and Master Murren and um... well and you 
all can know you made a good choice."

Dalynn Yells at the top of his seacrafter voice and thawps Merdin on the 
back good and hard. "congrats, journyman Merdin, though I'll wager in a 
bit you will be wisihing you were an apprentice again. "He looks at 
Kitrell and smmiles "Aye Kitrell?"

Kassima murmurs something that sounds like congrats, but might be yet 
another call for a drink, as she slides from her bar stool. "I'm going 
t'conquer the closet," she informs Maylia bravely, ducking off to that 
place where no man has gone before... and survived the experience without 
any psychological trauma, anyway.

You wander over to the Closet.