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Rockin' Round Robin


Date:  August 16, 1998
Place:  The Games Tent
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  The Katz Field Gather, held to celebrate the birth of 
the heir to that Hold, is in full swing, and one of the earliest events
scheduled is a round robin contest.  How could Kassi resist attending?
And while her rider's busy talking about women covered in muck, 
Lysseth's only too happy to discuss what oddness lurks in the heart of
males with Falsanath.  Thanks, Shora, for running this event; it was a
lark, and I for one had a wonderful time! :)

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The Log:

Public announcement: Shora announces "The Round Robin is starting so
everyone who's coming hurry up! ;) Take a look at the sign when you come
in. @tel #14980, hold, games tent. Thanks!"

You brush past the flap to enter the Games tent.


---

A round robin is where a person starts a story and tells it until a second
person breaks in to pick up where the other person left off. In a real life
round robin, participants would just break into the story, but it would be
difficult to do that in an on-line enviroment because while the person is
typing in their part of the story the other players cannot see it. Using an
object (the trundlebug toy) to keep time each person will have a certain
amount of time to type in their part of the story. When the toy's bell goes
off the current storyteller has to hit enter. The first person to say "I'm
next" gets to make up the next part of the story.

If you have any questions, please page Shora. Thank you and lets have some
wild stories!

---


Karissma grins. "Oh! You said you needed volunteers...I was, er,
volunteering." she grins broadly now, getting used to the environment.

Alya simply beams at Merellia. "Aye, it's our first. We wanted to wait for
a good occasional--and we couldn't have thought of a better one." She looks
towards Shora, and lowers her voice before replying to the Weyrwoman. "And,
thank you again for the lovely leathers for Arvid."

Merien looks around the tent, eyes adjusting to the lower light level.

Aurian steps in from the ramp.

Telgar Weyr> Asrai eeks, Karissma and Kassima in the same room...

Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "Ooooh is this like the mirror universe in Star
Trek"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima knows. Believe me, I'm not going to be much less
confused than you. :P

Kharty slides into a seat then motions Asrai to take the one next to her.
"C'm here, Asrai. I need to keep watch on my winnings, so sit close to me!"
Smiling she pats the seat beside her.

Merellia chuckles, eyes creasing at the corners. Adjusting herself on the
pillow she's using for cushion as she keeps one ear on the storytelling
process, she says to Alya, "I'm glad you like them." Noticing the baby's
absence, she inquires, "Arvid's down to sleep? You'll get to enjoy your own
gather a bit more freely then, I'm sure."

Shora clucks her tongue and shakes her head at Karissma, "Now, you just
have to wait for me to explain the rules. Give you more time to think of a
/good/ story. Here are the rules, and everyone who doesn't follow them gets
to stand in the corner. Someone can volunteer to go first and that person
begins to tell a story...mind you it has to be a good story. Whenever
another person wants to add to the story, he or she just breaks in. Any
more questions?"

Kassima finds herself a seat also, smoothing her skirts--annoying things,
skirts--and folding her hands in her lap. "This," she comments quietly to
no one in particular, "should be interesting...."

Karissma ohs and nods, smiling at Shora and quieting.

Sharen offers a smile and a nod to Kharty, and then looks back at Shora,
giving he old auntie her attention as she listens quietly.

Orin stays quiet as well, listening.

Merien takes a seat in an empty spot, wriggling around slightly to get
comfortable.

Asrai elbows Kharty lightly, slipping into the seat next to her. "HEre,
give me soem more of that brandy. We'll meet in the middle. You admit that
you deliberately dodged his attempt to get a kiss from you by having
Virroth give it instead....and I'll buy the next bottle of Brandy."

Aurian sits near the other Telgar riders. There to listen but not to
participate.

Iola turns her head to listen to Shora and nods slowly at the rules. "This
should fun." she whispers softly, her soft voice still carrying though. She
moves slightly and is almost glad that Zamira isn't with her, but then the
loneliness of not having her in her hair is seen in her eyes.

Kharty waves over to Sharen, adding a warm smile. "Alright, Kassi, we're
rooting for you! Make Telgar proud with your additions." Jumping a little
at Asrai's elbow, she holds out the bottle of citrus brandy to her friend.
"Hmm. I need to think on that one, Asrai..", she replies with a grin.

Alya settles down onto a cushion and readjusts her skirts. She nods to
Merellia. "He was fussing a bit after the nurse changed his diaper. And,
for one so young, he's got a powerful voice." She laughs lightly, her eyes
shining with maternal pride.

Shora sounds a little crochety as her granddaughter whispers to her again,
"Oh, and whoever tells the best story gets this little trundlebug toy which
my great-nephew made. He's available and very handsome too." She peers
around again, her gaze settling on Karissma, "You wanted to volunteer young
woman?"

Frerick steps in from the ramp.

Sharen whispers something to Kila.

Karissma smiles and thinks a moment, nodding. "Allright." she says

Merien settles down to listen, leaning back on her hands which are set,
elbows locked, on the carpets behind her.

Merellia glances over to Merien, tucking her feet beneath her skirts.
Giving the Istan greenrider a smile, "Merien, have you encountered any of
Fezzik's citron brandy yet? I was hoping to get your opinion on that," she
says before returning her attention to Alya and chuckling. "He must take
after his father with his voice, then--it'll be handy for shouting across
the racing-grounds, I'd guess. When he's older."

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Karissma says "One upon a time,there was greenrider anme tirkia, she was
young and hopelessly in love with a bronzerider and a blue rider,
unfortunately all of them were at diffrent weyrs and rarely got to see each
other except at gathers and then the"

Asrai smirks, taking the brandy and tipping it back for a sip. She hands it
back to her friend. "Think all you like, but in the end you'll find its a
perfectly fair offer. And you'll not get better, that I promise you." she
gives Kharty a wink, quieting down for the contest to begin. "Make us proud
Kassi!"

Merellia settles her elbows on her knees, linking her hands together and
settling her chin in cupped palms as she listens to the story begin.

Ofira steps in from the ramp.

Merien nods and says, "Yes, I tried some of Kharty's. I think I may have to
part with some of my hard-earned marks before I leave." She quiets too,
listening to the story.

Ofira peers in.

Karissma stops as the bell chimes and grins, looking about at the other
people gathered, hoping one of them will take up the story.

Alya follows the Weyrwoman's glance and gives Merien a warm smile of
welcome. The smile flickers a bit as she catches sight of Frerick out of
the corners of her eyes, but her lips hold it firmly in place as she turns
to listen to the story-telling.

Orin continues to listen quietly.

Julasha steps outside.

Kila leans back towards Sharen. She mutters to Sharen, "... sands..."  she
murmurs, with a knowing arch of an eyebrow.

Merellia looks over as the flap shifts to let Ofira in, and sends a smile
to the Baker Craftmaster. "Master Ofira," she says solemnly, laughter
lightening the green of her eyes, "You're late--and there's a forfeit."

Karissma raises a brow when no one chimes in.

Sharen grins quietly at Kila and nudges her to take a turn at the telling.

Aurian rubs her knee idly.

Shora leans back in her chair with both hands on her cane listening to the
first story fragment. After Karissma seems to taper off, she looks around
to say something. As Merellia speaks, Shora smiles with glee, "Yes, you're
next!"

Ofira looks at Merellia in surprise, "A forfeit? I was just looking for one
of my apprentices.He seems to have run off!"

Iola listens for a moment, then stops as she starts to speak.

Asrai blinks, standing quickly. "Forgive me Kharty, I have to go. HEre, buy
youself another bottle of brandy on me." She hands over two marks and
dissapears through the tent.

Asrai steps outside.

Kassima laces her fingers together as she listens, a grin lighting up her
expression as the onus falls on the hapless Ofira.

Merellia says questioningly, "Serious matter, Master Ofira? Or," with a
smile, "do you have time to pay a forfeit of a few seconds of storytelling
before you move on?"

Kharty blinks at the two marks then smiles broadly. Sliding them into her
pouch, she nods, almost a smirk on her lips, considering herself scoring a
win at the bet.

G'har steps in from the ramp.

Aurian mutters to Kharty, "... another..."

Ofira laughs, "No more serious than him finding a pretty girl to dance
with, I'm sure. Story telling?" She smiles doubtfully. "I can try..."

Merellia's smile widens as Ofira agrees, and she glances over to Shora. "I
think she's your next, then?" the Weyrwoman suggests with a chuckle in her
tone.

Kharty smiles at Aurian as she holds out the bottle. Whispering back,
though not as quietly, she replies, "For a friend? Sure!"

G'har heaves a sigh of relief as the tent flap closes behind him. Of
course, then he notices Kassima, and any existing relief beats a hasty
retreat.

Nisey steps in from the ramp.

Aurian grins at Kharty and takes the bottle, she takes a careful swallow
but ends up coughing again. She then passes it back to the bluerider.

Shora peers at Ofira, saying doubtfully, "Well, you like like you might
have a good story or two in you. I suppose I accept you. Make sure it's a
/good/ one, mind."

Alya shifts her position a bit, to incline her head in greeting towards
Master Ofira, and then to watch her expectantly.

Frerick moves across the tent after entering to find a vacant place and
relaxes there. His head tilts as he listens, hands folded across his waist.

Kharty catches sight of Ofira, sliding down in her seat a little. "Oh oh..
wonder if she noticed her cookies were gone..", she whispers to Aurian very
very softly.

Ofira looks suitably worried at Shora's remark, though her smile lingers,
"Alright. I'll see what I can do. I'm not looking forward to the penalties
if it's not quite acceptable."

Kassima brightens further at the arrival of a certain bronzerider, eyes
immediately scanning him for any sign of a box, bag, or whatever that might
just contain knives. She waves to the younger man cheerfully... probably
too cheerfully for his peace of mind.

"G'har, would you like to--" Merellia begins, then, upon seeing Nisey
enters, comes to a sudden pause, studying the woman searchingly with a
faint line between her brows. After a moment, she shakes her head, then
continues to G'har, "Join in with the storytelling?"

Aurian grins and murmurs to Kharty, "I'm sure she knows."

Merien waves to G'har, but stays silent, listening.

G'har doesn't happen to be carrying a bag, box, or whatever that might just
contain knives. Perhaps it isn't just chance that he nods, moving quickly
towards Merri. "Storytelling? Uh...sure."

Karissma sits quietly now, looking hopeful that someone will continue with
the game...

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Nisey walks up behind G'har and reaches up to put her hands over his eyes.
She whispers into his ear, "Tell your fortune, young man?"

Ofira takes a deep breath, picking up where the last storyteller left off,
"and then the greenrider Tirikia's overprotective mother Rika, who was a
junior assistant headwoman at a very hidebound hold would insist on
escorting her and watching over her..."

Sharen grins, obviously identifying with this part of the story.

Karissma glances at all the faces, waiting to hear who will pipe up next
and continue the story.

G'har blinks, then reaches up to grab Nisey's hands, with a chuckle.
"Should I be afraid of what you'll tell?"

Ofira shakes her head ruefully, "The best part was still coming..."

Merellia stifles a laugh as Nisey approaches G'har, briefly covering her
face with her hands. "I'll go next," she volunteers, letting her hands
fall. Her features are quite composed, except for a tremble at the corner
of her mouth.

Nisey tilts her head to the side, "Ah, a strong young lad like you would
never be afeared of what I a little thing like me would be saying to him."

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

G'har mutters, "He would if he was a -smart- strong young lad." But he
seems rather amused by the proceedings; apparently, he's had worse things
happen to him than offers to have his fortune told.

Merellia is silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts, and then beings,
"They were at a gather one day--it was actually here at Katz, but this was
during the old holder's time, Fezzik's father--when Tirikia and her mother
met up with both the bronzerider /and/ the bluerider. The bronzerider
greeted them first. "My dear Rika," he declared extravagantly, raising her
hand to his lips and kissing her on the knuckles, "You have the most--""

Sharen laughs. "I'll have my go then, if I may?"

Karissma grins now, liking how this is going.

Orin grins. "I want to go after Sharen."

Shora nods her head, listening the stories, "Yes, yes. You just go when you
want to."

Ofira hovers by the tent flap, glancing out briefly, "I'm sure Matuk will
be fine a few more minutes..." she murmurs to herself, one ear on the story.

Alya laughs appreciatively, her eyes dancing.

Frerick bursts into a grin and laughs as he listens to Merellia's twist on
the story. A hand rubs over his beard as he nods his approval.

Iola steps outside.

Aurian leans over to her friend. She reaches for the brandy as she speaks.
She mutters to Kharty, "Maybe we should find... else..." 

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Sharen continues from Merellia, "The most lovely eyes. And who is this? It
must be your sister." Well, Rika blushed to the roots of her hair, not
being used to such compliments. And then, the bluerider took over from
there, slipping up behind the young greenrider and putting his hands over
her eyes, his expression rather impish. Tirikia yelped then, causing her
'lizard to take wing right *into* the bronzerider's face. Needless to say,
Rika wasn't blushing much more, as the air was full of lizard wings. The
entire square stopped to look at the foursome, and the bronzerider and the
blue were beginning to bristle faintly..."

Nisey puts her hands on her hips, which only accentuates the smallness of
her waist in comparision to others things wich are ever so much larger. She
appears uh, miffed, "Have you ever seen anyone come away from being with me
with other than a smile upon their face, young bronzerider? And are you
having any personal experience with me? I must say your *fortune* must be
of piddling size and of smallish strength." Humph.

Karissma grins broadly now, loving how the story is going.

Kharty relinquishes the bottle to Aurian, leaning over to hear her whisper.
"If.. want..", she answers back.

Aurian sips at the drink managing not to cough this time, "I don't know."

Kassima tries not to laugh, though whether her mirth is caused more by the
story or by G'har's predicament is anyone's guess.

Shora peers at Nisey who appears to be upstaging her story telling, "You
girl! You have to wait your turn like the rest of them. If you have
something to add, tell it in a story."

Merellia's glance slips sidelong to Nisey, her ears reddening faintly at
the tips before she catches the path of Sharen's continuation of the story
and laughs.

Merien eyes Nisey from where she sits, eyebrows pulled down low.

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Orin grins. "Er...well...And then the Lord Holder - the one here - came out
from the Hold, and wanted to know what had caused all the lizards to get
into such a fuss. And then the bluerider, whose name was O'in," Hmm...
"said, 'Why, I could not do such a thing!'"

G'har tsks at Nisey, though the tips of his ears redden--and he typed that
before Merri's pose came through, really. His speech is quiet, to avoid
disturbing the story. "Hey, now! I don't think it's necessary to make
disparaging remarks about my, uh, fortune." Shaking his head, he adds,
"But, no, I've never seen anybody less than pleased with
your...fortune-telling." At Shora's words, he blinks, apparently not
wanting to hear any stories about bronzeriders and fame and fortune.

Kassima laughs and offers, "I'll continue next, if'n nay anyone else wishes
to."

Alya continues to smile at the story, clearly enjoying it. She's distracted
a bit by Nisey's words, and glances around look the other woman up and
down, her cheeks reddening even as her eyes narrow disapprovingly.

Shanzena steps in from the ramp.

Ofira grins at Kassima, and remarks to the crowd, "You've got Telgar's
master storyteller there..."

Karissma giggles at Orin, a smile on her face after the fit passes. Her own
Bronze and Blue Firelizards croon in appreciation of the story.

Merien is really frowning. She clears her throat, disapprovingly, which is
her usual response to Nisey's... mannerisms.

Nisey crosses her arms underneath her cleavage, which only elevates the uh
fruit of her springish manner. She smiles at Shora and then makes a
shushing noise at G'har, "Listen to the story."

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Kassima thinks for a moment, then says, "And the Lord Holder said, 'Aye,
right--and the sun rose in the North this evening.' He dragged off both of
the riders, much against their protest, because *everyone* knows that
blueriders and bronzeriders are naught but trouble. Tirikia was mortified.
Fortunately, though, she'd managed t'ditch Rika; the woman had gone off
with a handsome young brownrider she'd seen across the way, leaving the
greenrider to her own defenses. So she decided t'follow the advice of the
old, drunk fortune-teller she'd seen earlier and go to the Herders
t'discuss a matter of wine...."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles his amusement. << My rider
would like to make it clear to yours that she needn't tell of his exploits
with Ularrith's rider at this Gather. >>

Orin has his back to the entrance, and thereore Nisey. Good for him.

Karissma grins at Kassima as she continues the story.

G'har coughs quietly as Kassi mentions fortune-telling, his own
conversation bringing a whole new meaning to her snippet of the story, but
doesn't comment, instead murmuring to Nisey, with a quick grin, "Yes, ma'am."

Ofira laughs and applauds lightly, "Good for Rika!"

Merien laughs at Kassima's addition. "Sounds familiar!"

Merellia's face crinkles in a chuckle of appreciation as Kassima continues.

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth's mindvoice is tinged with laughter
as she asks, << Is he sure? I'm certain my rider will be ever so
disappointed, even though she's been keeping herself busy telling everyone
all about how Nraith's rider has ditched Ularrith's rider and is out to
seduce Bhalth's rider. >>

Shora gives a firm nod Kassima's way, stomping her cane on the floor again,
"Now that's a good story. I like you, young woman!"

Aurian chuckles at Kassima.

Shanzena moves to sit at the back of the tent.

Kassima grins, abashed, and ducks her head modestly. "'Twas a bit inspired
by the fortune teller we spoke with earlier," she explains. "But thankee!"

Karissma looks about wondering if any more riders will chime in.

Dragon> Falsanath bespoke Lysseth with << He's quite sure. I don't see why
he's bothered so much. >>

Alya looks a moment more at Nisey, her lips pursing as if she'd tasted
something sour, and then turns her attention back to the storytelling,
smiling once more.

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth asks, << Is he shy? Some riders
don't seem to appreciate having their flights discussed in the open. >>
Gee, you don't say?

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles quietly, sounding thoughtful.
<< I don't think so. He seems open enough about most of his flights. He
seemed bothered that Ularrith's rider is a male. >>

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Aurian stands already flushed in the face from all the brandy she has had,
"It was near the herders that she collided with a harper by the name of
Bernan, they fell over in a tangle of firelizard, guitar, and legs. He
started to laugh and all she could do was smack him trying to get out from
under him....

Nisey favors the Katz Field Lady with one of her brazen smiles. She then
slowly winks one eye languidly. She whispers to G'har, "A lovely woman, the
Lady is."

Sharen murmurs something quietly to Orin and Kila, and then quietly excuses
herself from the tent.

Sharen steps outside.

Aurian sits back down and rakes her hands through her hair.

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth considers this, rumbling hrmishly.
<< Open about flights... now, that's a novelty. Perhaps he has a point.
Male dragons do not fly male dragons, after all. I did not think there were
any rules about it with riders. >> A ripple of amusement resounds through
her thoughts at the very picture of several blues and browns chasing a
*bronze* in mating flight.

Karissma says "I wanna go again, can I?"

G'har's eyes unfocus briefly, and then he blinks several times, gaze
flickering towards Kassima. "I'm sure she is," he agrees to Nisey,
flickering a quick look and a polite nod to the Lady.

Merien looks quickly to see if the Lady Holder looks offended.

Alya continues to smile--though it looks a bit forced--at the telling, her
chin lifted slightly. It lifts a bit more at Nisey's words.

Frerick seems awfully bemused by Nisey and hides the smile with his fist.

Shora purses her lips at Karissma then bobs her head up and down, "Yes,
yes. You may go again."

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Karissma says "And when she looked down in horror at the poor harper he was
clutching his nose and talking oddly. Rushing about to try and find
something to help him with the bloody nose she stepped on a firelizard's
tail and went sprawkling toward the herder's pig pens. She managed to stop,
but not before getting incredibly dirty with muck. Getting up she went back
and found a clean cloth and handed it to the wounded man."

Kassima looks perfectly, perfectly innocent. Really. She's just listening
to the stories, minding her own business... nothing amiss here, sir. Of
course, if you look closely enough, you might realize that she's fighting
to restrain a grin.

Ofira peeks out of the tent again, quickly, laughing softly as she listens.

Shora breaks out into a benevolent smile, "Ahhhh, no story is complete
without a little muck."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles his amusement. << You know,
that doesn't seem like an especially likely happening. Why would I, for
example, choose to chase males, when the females are so lovely? >>

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth admits cheerfully, without the
slightest trace of modesty, << Beats the shells out of me. I've yet to meet
a male who would prefer the company of another of his color to that of a
green. >> Unless the green is proddy and threatening to tear his throat
out, of course.... << It is one of the things that makes humans so odd. >>

Karissma glances about for someone to take up the story and continue.

G'har offers, also glancing about the tent, "I could go, if you like?"

Nisey reaches over and runs a finger down G'har's arm, "Why don't you say
something? I'm sure you'd be quite good." Seems her pique has faded.

Ofira ducks out of the tent, "Matuk, Matuk! Did I say you could go off and
leave the pies unattended? Just how do youthink I can make a baker of you
if you...." As she hurries off, she turns and smiles at the crowd, "Be sure
to come over for bubblies and punch whenyou're finished here!"

Ofira steps outside.

Merellia sighs gently. "Porcines. Some peoples' fortunes," she glances
mischeviously sidelong to Nisey and G'har, "just seem to incline them
towards those creatures. I understand they're quite congenial
bedfellows--warm and all."

Alya lifts her arm slightly. "I'll go next."

Shora grins at Alya, showing off a few gaps in her smile, "You're after
this fine handsome lad over here, Holder's Wife." For a moment her head
leans forward and a quiet snore can be heard before she jerks up and blinks.

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

G'har flashes a quick grin to Nisey, murmuring something about thinking
alike. Merri's words elicit a short laugh, and he quickly starts to speak.
"Uhh, the Harper took the cloth, and was quite nice about the fact that the
woman was covered in porcine muck, though he couldn't quite keep from
holding his nose--and those of you who've smelled porcine muck would know
why. "I'm just fine," he said, wiping his nose. "But what was taking you
here in such a hurry that you ran into me?"

Alya smiles at Shora, and listens to G'har.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbles an amused agreement. << Among
many other things, yes. Your rider, for example, makes mine quite uneasy.
Odd. She wouldn't harm him. >>

Kreolin steps in from the ramp.

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Alya thinks for a moment, and then takes up the tale. "Well, there was a
bluerider and a bronzerider... oh, nevermind, I'm sure you wouldn't be
interested," the greenrider--I'm sorry, I've forgotten her name--replied,
and hurried off to find the Herders, prompty forgetting the unfortunate
Harper. Unfortunately, the Harper found he could not forget her..."

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth assures, << Oh, of course she
wouldn't. I don't believe my rider has ever harmed anyone, but for some
reason, people tend to get the impression that she would... I won't claim
to understand it. >> She's quite certain that the knives, Emasculator, and
all have *nothing* to do with it. That's pure coincidence.

A Katz Fielder standing near Frerick's shoulder laughs, and ejaculates,
"Sure as I'm standing here, lovely ladies covered in muck aren't easy
things to forget--however much you as might want to!"

Kassima offers, glancing towards the heckler, "I can continue, if'n nay
anyone else wishes to?"

The Katz Fielder fellow mumbles to himself, plucking at his lower lip.

Frerick guffaws in response to the Fielder near him and nods his head,
commenting "And they're ever so much fun to clean off."

Nisey says "I'd like to go if I could?"

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath rumbleshrugs. << Humans are odd.
Sometimes they're just beyond understanding. >>

G'har, with a grin, murmurs to Nisey, "I'm sure you'd be quite good."

Aurian rests her chin on her knees. She listens in silence.

Shora grins at Nisey with a wink, "You're after that girl over there, but
only if you add something with a little fire!"

Alya looks towards the holder, and laughs slightly, her eyes sparkling at
the man's words. She notices Frerick again, and the warmth of her smile
drops a few degrees.

The Katz Fielder perks up at Frerick's comment, whispering to him.
"...clean...your tongue!"

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Kassima grins and continues, "So, he went to the fortune teller t'find out
where his one true love was. What *she* told him was to forget her and
marry a Herder so that he'd never go hungry. But surely the woman *was* a
Herder, thought he? She was covered in muck, after all. Perhaps the only
way t'find her was t'go seek out the Herders himself, and cover himself in
muck, so that she'd surely see they were *meant* for one another. That's
just what he did, and with the fumes radiating from him like hormones from
a bronzerider, he climbed to the top of the fire-heights and called, 'I'm
here, my love, my one true love, my lifelong partner in muckishness! I'm
coming for you!' Needless t'say, Tirikia wanted t'die... or kill him,
whichever came first. So she borrowed a hoof-knife from an accomodating
Herder lad she'd been flirting with and...."

Frerick returns his sister-by-marriage's smile as warmly as possible, and
nods his head toward Alya.

Merien bursts out laughing at Kassima's addition and raises her hand to get
in line for a piece of the story.

Karissma covers her mouth, trying to choke down the laughter, but doesn't
succeed.

Alya looks at Frerick in a manner that suggests she'd not ever consider him
a brother, marriage or no, and turns her head away in time to catch
Kassima's addition to the tale. She laughs outright.

G'har shoots a look of amused protest at Kassi, for her
bronzerider-hormones addition. He mutters to himself, "... not -all-... "

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth agrees, << I gave up trying to
understand mine long ago. Even male dragons make more sense. >>

Nisey says "And she approaches the harper. She brandished the hoofpick and
said, "Get down from there you fool." The harper looked at her and said,
"Who are you?" for he was so stunned by the beauty of the muck princess
that he had forgotten all other women entirely. For the muck princess she
had red hair and we all know about red heads."

Shora gives Kassima a look of admiration and demands loudly, "What's your
name girl? I like you!"

Kreolin raises her hand. "I'm nest!"

The apprentice beside the cookie contest jar smiles at Kreolin. "Your guess
is 56 cookies?" She scribbles it down on a scrap of hide.

Merien looks to Shora. "My turn now?"

Kassima grins again, winks at all bronzeriders in the vicinity in a 'No
offense meant' sort of fashion, then replies to Shora, "Kassima,
ma'am--green Lysseth's rider. 'Tis honored I am t'hear that!"

Shora nods her head and pounds her cane, "I said so didn't I? These young
people, always thinking I'm senile..."

Karissma squints at Nisey and grins and mutters, "Sure...know about...like
me." she grins though.

Aurian gets an indigant look about the redhead comment.

Karissma twirls one of her red curls.

Merellia looks like she's trying valiantly to hold back laughter as she
listens to the story and its surrounding byplay; though the exchange
between Alya and Frerick gets a curious glance for a moment before her gaze
passes on, interestedly, to Merien.

The apprentice beside the cookie contest jar smiles at Shanzena. "Your
guess is 80 cookies?" She scribbles it down on a scrap of hide.

Nisey flips her own red hair back from her face.

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Merien takes a deep breath then speaks quickly. "Blinded by the woman's red
hair, the poor harper didn't notice the two shadows looming over him.
Behind him, larger than life, stood both the bluerider and the brownrider.
And they weren't at all pleased. 'How dare you!' said the bluerider, and
the brownrider just shook his head in disbelief. 'A herder! Trying for our
own girl!' Of course, when he heard this, the harper turned and said,
'Herder? What herder?' I was only trying to get the young lady to..."

Kila gives a quiet laugh. "Ista's attracting redheads like bubblies attract
littles," she remarks.

Lysseth> Falsanath, for no apparent reason, leans over to nudge Lysseth,
with an amused rumble.

The apprentice beside the cookie contest jar smiles at Aurian. "Your guess
is 76 cookies?" She scribbles it down on a scrap of hide.

Dragon> Falsanath bespoke Lysseth with << Male dragons aren't that bad,
now. You females can be ever so much worse. >>

Karissma giggles as the story goes on.

Lysseth> Neith turns her head to regard Falsanath a moment with
slow-swirling eyes. Then, with a flanks-slimming exhalation of breath, she
curves her neck around in a graceful movement to preen the hard-to-reach
spot between her wings.

Frerick gives Ayla an unconcerned look and another smile -- as if to
indicate her disdain bothers him not at all. He turns then and whispers to
the ielder next to him.

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Kreolin says "Well, now, what the harper didn't realize was that his 'muck
princess' was in actualaty the other girl, and the two riders were
extremely angry at the impertinence of a herder"

Lysseth> Lysseth rumblechuckles back at the bronze, eyes whirling a bright
blue. She favors him with a light whuffle in turn.

The Katz Field idler brays a hoarse laugh at what Frerick says, one which
increases in tone as the story continues. "But where's the ma! I bet she'd
have something to say about this turn of events!"

Lysseth> I bespoke Falsanath with << Are we so very bad, then? It seems to
me that I make perfect sense, whereas some males... well. All that huffing
and puffing about size, and whatnot. It's very confusing. >>

Lysseth> Falsanath accepts the whuffle with another quiet, pleased rumble,
then warbles towards Neith, just to let her know that, yes, he did notice
that graceful curve of her neck.

Dragon> Falsanath bespoke Lysseth with << Well, there have been females who
have been caught by -other- males than I. >> As egotistical as his words
are, it sounds somewhat like he's poking fun at himself. << That doesn't
seem to make much sense to me. >> >>

Karissma grins and nods "If I may go again?"

Shora rolls her eyes and sounds exasperated, "Of course. Young people never
seem to be able to follow directions...you just /go/!" She quiets after her
granddaughter gives her a look, but mutters softly to herself.

An elderly Katz Field woman slips into the tent, and looks around for a
moment before spotting the Lady Holder. Slipping over to Ayla's side, she
tugs at the Lady's sleeve, and murmurs quietly to her. Ayla, with a look of
disappointment, rises to her feet, and both exit the tent.

Alya steps outside.

Lysseth> Neith half-shutters all her eyelids as she continues to preen,
only a slip of green showing to indicate the tenor of her thoughts. She
rumbles deeply, for a moment, in the depths of her throat--glance resting
on Falsanath all the meanwhile, teasingly, enticingly, as she continues to
display that slim curve of her golden neck as she preens.

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth points out with logical,
matter-of-fact amusement, << You cannot chase *every* female, you know, or
you would be too tired to catch *any*! If we are caught by different
dragons-- >> 'We' meaning the Sisterhood of Green Evil, probably. << Well,
then, that means that we all get fresh, strong mates for ourselves instead
of worn-out ones. It makes perfect sense to me. >>

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Karissma grins broadly. "Well, thent he largest shadow of them all loomed
up, The greenrider mother. Her hands flashed out and grabbed both blue and
bronze riders by the ears and told them in no uncertain tones. "No one
bickers over my daughter! Do you hear me?" both riders looks totaly
admonished and looked to Tarikia for who

Dragon> Falsanath bespoke Lysseth with << But I haven't even caught all of
those that I have chased, let alone -all- females. >>

A pair of youngsters, no more than eight Turns old from the look of them,
slip into the tent quietly and sit down to listen with wide eyes. From
their furtive manner, they've escaped from their minder, and from the look
of their clothing, they're going to be in trouble later for mussing up
their Gather finery.

Kreolin says "Can I go again?"

Lysseth> Falsanath watches Neith with frank admiration--he is not, after
all, blind. A very quiet croon voices that admiration, his long, whippy
tail sliding closer to the gold.

Shora offers Kreolin a friendly smile after her granddaughter elbows her
light. She says mildly, "Of course you may go, young woman. I'm sure you'll
do very well." She shoots her granddaughter a look as if to say "See? I can
be good."

Lysseth> I bespoke Falsanath with << Perhaps luck *does* have something to
do with it? It's not as though we let ourselves be caught, after all. The
winds just turn traitor. >> That's her story, and she's sticking to it. <<
My rider is a great believer in luck, and I have to admit that it has its
merits. Besides, there is no male dragon alive lucky, skillful, or clever
enough to catch *every* female on which he sets his sights. >>

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Kreolin says "Well, they looked at Tarika for who she chose. But then she
spied her the man she had always loved secretly-a plain herder journeyman.
She said "I chose...None of you""

Merellia, who has been listening intently, nods, "I'll go next, then, if I
may." The trace of a smile hovers at the corners of her mouth.

Kreolin smiles at her part in the story, and steps back. She's done, now
that she's done this much to the story. She gases intently at Merellia,
waiting for the next part.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Falsanath sounds quite thoughtful. << Well,
obviously -I- can't do that now, as there have been some females unlucky
enough to evade me, but I can certainly try--and I should think that skill
has something to do with it. >>

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Merellia looks quite impish as she takes voice to continue. "Rika was quite
irate. "Don't you know there are certain procedures you have to follow?"
"--But Mother!" Tirikia wailed, "I want the Harper!" Rika ignored her,
continuing, "That's what mothers are for, especially where you riders are
concerned! You can't pay court to her--and of course considering she rides
a green, her choice can be overruled--unless I say you can. And I say you
can /only/ if you pass my standards...after spinning a night with me." "But
mother!" Tirikia wailed, "I want the Harper!" And, unfortunately, the
Holder of Katz, who had been seeking out Rika and come upon her and her
daughter and the two riders just then, stopped in flabbergastment.
"But--but--" he floundered. "The fourtune-teller said I was to make you my
third wife! And you want to consort with /riders/?""

Aurian giggles.

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth agrees, << Something, yes. But it
isn't everything, or, as you say, the same males would catch the females
over and over and over. >> She doesn't comment on the 'unlucky' bit, though
there's a faint flicker of undeniable amusement buried in the depths of her
mindvoice.

Kreolin lookes confused. Harper or herder? Oh, well. Good story, anyway.

The Katz holder laughs again. "Spinning!" He nudges Frerick in the side.
"Spinning more than stories, I'll tell you!"

Merien laughs and leans forward, looking toward Shora.

Kassima laughs outright at that one, decidedly amused by this twist. "If'n
'tis t'continue further," she offers, "I've an idea for an ending."

Frerick snorts a bemused laugh out and nods after he rubs his side where he
was elbowed. "Quite, quite."

**A tiny bell jingles musically.**

Aurian glances over with interest at what Kassima has to say, "I'd like to
hear it.

Kassima leans back before beginning, "At this time, the Lord of the
muck-pile stood up and declared, "It doesn't matter what all of you want!
For I have fallen in love again with the fair lady here--even though she
*is* too old for me by far--and I shall take her to m'muckpile, where we
shall live happily ever after!" He dragged Rika off, much to her delight,
I'm sure, leaving Tirikia to head off with her Harper love. As to the
riders and the Holder? Why, the Lord decided that he'd quite the thing for
them both, and they were secretly together the rest of their days."

Aurian leans her head against her knees and starts to laugh.

Karissma laughs loudy and claps her hands in appreciation of the ending.
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

Nisey smiles and then says, "See, G'har, the message of the story is that
you can't fight attraction."

Shanzena laughs from her spot in the back.

Shora gives a rusty sounding chuckle and heaves herself off of her chair,
"The lot of you didn't do /too/ badly. We'll have to decide on the best
piece of the story. And don't forget my great nephew made the prize..and
that he's available."

Merellia's face crumples with silent laughter at the ending; but at Nisey's
comment, it breaks aloud.

Frerick's laughter joins in with Merellia's as he slaps his thigh with one
hand.

Kreolin laughs. "Good ending!" She laughs so hard, she gets a stitch in her
side, and has to stop and take a deep breath.

Kharty claps and smiles brightly as the story comes to an end. "Excellent!
Excellent!"

Lysseth> Falsanath senses that Lysseth asks, as a side-note, << Is your
rider *sure* he doesn't want any mention made of his relationship with
Ularrith's rider? No matter how persistent certain women get? >> She's been
listening in with Kassima's ears, apparently.

Kreolin steps outside.

Kila, who has been luaghing silently all through, wipes damp eyes and joins
in the applause. "Wonderful, aye."

Kassima has to laugh at the interpretation of the 'moral' (so to speak).
"Something like that," she agrees.

G'har, laughing, flashes a quick grin to Nisey. "That's the message, is it?
Would that be my fortune, too, then?"

Nisey smiles back at G'har, "Of course. What else would it be?"

Merien watches Nisey somewhat warily, but grins to Kassima. "Great ending!"

Telgar Weyr> Kharty says, "Can we vote multiple times? Go Kassi Go! :)"

G'har looks like he's got a possible answer to that, but just shakes his
head. "I can't imagine, truly."

Nisey catches the eye off a nice looking young lad who winks at her. She
gives him a smile and then follows him off, linking her arm with his. G'har
doesn't even earn a backwards glance.

Nisey steps outside.

Kassima calls over, "Does his fortune happen t'say aught about forking over
the knives he made a deal with a greenrider for anytime in the near
future?" Okay, so she has a bit of a one-track mind. Turning to Merien, she
grins back, flushing lightly. "M'Da always said that the best story is one
that doesn't end quite as you expect."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima eeks and blushes. Thanks, Kharty... I think. :)

Telgar Weyr> Kharty holds up a sign: Vote Kassi! Pern's Greatest Storyteller!

G'har looks after Nisey with a shrug, then, catching Kassi's words, looks a
bit abashed. "I've been -meaning- to get them to you," he says, crossing to
her. "I've just been, uh, rather busy of late." And, of course, his
busy-ness has nothing to do with his reticence to go to Telgar.

Karissma looks about. "Okay, so who gets the trundle bug?"

Frerick steps forward and says, "I suppose I'll be doing the vote taking
for the best story of tonight." He glances around musingly and smiles. "I
also will be awarding the trundle bug." He starts to collect the votes,
tallying them up in his head. He walks around reluctantly almost, pausing
by each person to hear their decision.

Kassima suggests, trying her darndest not to look as amused as she
indubitably is, "If'n that's the problem, I'm sure I could find a way t'get
down t'Ista sometime and pick them up from you there?"

Aurian tilts her head to Kharty, "We should by some more of that citrus
brandy.

The apprentice beside the cookie contest jar smiles at Kharty. "Your guess
is 90 cookies?" She scribbles it down on a scrap of hide.

G'har nods slowly to Kassima. "Sure, I guess that'd work--if it's not a
bother for you to make the trip." He pauses for a moment, with a small
frown. "How much was it? Ten marks per knife?"

Frerick finally seems to have the results. He steps forward to the front of
the tent and says quietly, "It seems as if the Rider, Kassima, has won the
trundle bug for having the best stories." He smiles in her direction --
leering almost, "Congratulations rider."

Kharty sits more upright then grins at her friend. "Like it, eh? Alright,
I've got Asrai's marks and that's more'n enough. Ready to find that trader
now or want to wait.. Oh! Kassi! Hooray!"

Karissma smiles at Kassi. "Congradulations!"

Merellia claps her hands with a laugh in approval of the choice. "A prize
clockwork trundlebug--just imagine the potential. Congratulations!" Rising
gracefully to her feet, she makes her way out of the tent, humming under
her breath.

Merien grins and says, "Oh, perfect! Just what I thought!"

Merellia steps outside.

Kassima shakes her head leisurely. "I usually go t'Ista every now and again
anyway. Methinks we need t'rebargain the price; you'd offered six, but
given the circumstances, that doesn't seem fai--" She breaks off to just
stare for a moment at Frerick, clearly surprised. So surprised, in fact,
that the near-leer doesn't register. "Me? Well... thankee! The lasses are
sure t'love it, I'd wager."

Aurian smiles at the trundle, "I'm sure one of your daughters will love it
Kassima."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Aurian, get *out* of my head! :)"

Shanzena slips out of the tent once the winner is announced.

Shanzena steps outside.

Telgar Weyr> Aurian says, "NO"

Karissma steps outside.

Frerick grins and starts making shooing motions. "Everyone go and enjoy the
harper," He exclaims.

G'har offers a quick smile to Kassi. "Congratulations--and the
circumstances were less than pleasant, yes...though not quite the topic for
discussion at such a happy occasion." As Frerick speaks, he grins. "There's
good advice."

Kharty gathers up her bottle and pouch then stands, offering Aurian a hand.
"Ok, let's go find more brandy.", she grins.

Merien stands slowly, stretching her back.

Aurian takes Kharty's hand uses the girl's aid to stand..."Were there any
other flavors?"

Kassima picks up the toy, still looking somewhat amazed, and offers G'har a
wry grin. "Just so. So, let's start it afresh, shall we? I believe I'd had
you down t'nine ere that situation came up... a'course, it can wait if'n
you'd rather listen to the Harper. I'm half inclined t'do so, m'self."

Kharty shrugs, "I'm not sure, I just asked for the citrus. Merien? You
headed our way?"

Merien nods and says, "Sure, if you're headed anywhere near wine or
brandy." She grins.

G'har nods agreeably. "I'd rather hear the Harper first--maybe it'll wear
you down a little." He winks at that, then gestures towards the exit.
"Shall we, then?"

Kharty laughs, pumping her hand affirmingly. "Ahh.. a rider after our own
hearts! Let's go then.." She holds the tent flap for them.

"Nary a chance!" Kassi retorts, laughing. "By all means, bronzerider. After
you."

Merien ducks under the tent flap, saying, "Thank you."

Merien steps outside.

G'har pauses to let Kharty and company exit before him, flashing a quick
grin to Kassi. "Hey, it can't hurt to hope."

Kharty steps outside.

Kassima agrees dryly, "Hope springs eternal... but it only summers for a
couple of seconds."

Aurian steps outside.

G'har, with a soft snort, follows the crowd out of the tent. "Ah, but
summers themselves seem eternal at Ista."

G'har steps outside.

You brush past the flap to head onto the ramp again; the sunlight strikes
your eyes with an edgy glare.