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The Rumor That Would Not Die
Date: January 15, 1998
Place: Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern
Game: PernMUSH
Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.
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Kassi's Note: There must be a law somewhere that states that the more
pernicious a rumor, the longer it takes for it to die. That's certainly
the case with a certain rumor that Channie was once endeavoring to
spread... for even now that she has finally been set straight, the
question over the paternity of Kassi's second spawn continues to pop up.
Will Kassi be able to refrain from strangling Aph, and convince Jh'rin
that the rumor holds not so much as a grain of truth? Stay tuned!
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The Log:
Aphrael walks in from the bowl.
Kassima nearly chokes on her sandwich as Aph walks in, and spends a few
moments coughing before she regains her composure. "Aph! I've been looking
for you for ages!"
Aphrael ambles in, finally managing to undo her jacket, and letting it
hang open, edges towards the hearthside with a wave for the living cavern.
"Evening, everyone." She greets pleasantly.
K'tyn walks in from the bowl.
Pierron waves his arms expansively, driving the cavern's girls before him
like a flock of avians, as he orders them to straighten up for the
weyrleader.
Aphrael pours herself some klah, peering in surprise at Kassima. "You
have, Kassi? I hope it's important enough to choke over!" She teases her
friend, adding sweetner into her klah.
Kassima salutes Kiat with what remains of her monsterous, evil sandwich.
"G'deve, Weyrleader sir," she calls before waving over to Aph. "Come over
here for a second, would you? I've something t'give you, and I don't favor
the notion of tossing it across the Living Cavern."
Her dinner finished, Mehlani slips towards the kitchen to get rid of her
dishes, and while the kitchen girls aren't looking, the lass slips in to
rinse them off herself.
K'tyn blinks at Kassi, looks at Aphrael, and shrugs. What the heck. It
can't be worse than tunnelsnake Filet.
T'saren waves salutes to both Aphrael and K'tyn, taking that brief
diversion to palm the small package in front of Maylia. He leans over to
murmur "I'll be right back, dear" in the greenrider's ear, then stands and
heads into the lower caverns quickly.
T'saren walks towards the inner cavern.
Maylia eyes T'saren with concern for a moment longer, before a flock of
cavern's girls rushes around, altering the Living cavern to the entry of
the Weyrleader. With a sharp salute, she greets him with "Evening,
Weyrleader!" before settling back against T'saren.
Aphrael picks up her klah mug, looking slightly wary. She won't say aloud
that she's been busily avoiding extraneous contact for the past few
sevendays until her Turnday slipped by.. nope. "Sure, Kassi," She answers,
and heads over to join the greenrider.
Makear tilts back her head, draining the last bit of her juice, and then
stands, "I'll be back later for that ride Maylia, but right now I've got
to run." She throughs a brief glance toward those arriving and then walks
back into the inner caverns.
Or... doesn't snuggle...
Makear walks towards the inner cavern.
Out from the depths of Kassi's dread satchel of doom comes... The Thing.
It's the horror we were all anticipating: a small pouch, bound shut with a
mass of curling green ribbon, dyed in streaked shades of red, black,
white, and blue. It is, frankly, hideous. But Kassi's beaming as though
she were offering her friend a priceless treasure. "Happy very, very,
very, *very* belated Turnday, sie!"
K'tyn looks at it. Blinks. "Um, Kassi...you gave me a gift already--
remember?" He smiles, though internally he's wracking his brain--Didn't
she give him something? She must have! "Twas a fine gift, too!"
Kassima blinks at Kiat, and shakes her head. "Nay, sir--'tis nay for you,
'tis for m'sie there. Aph. Hers is the Turnday that I've missed most
recently... well, save for K'nan's," she adds with a sigh. "Glad you liked
the knife, though!"
Aphrael blinks once, twice, then carefully sets down her mug. This is
going to require two hands. "It's um.. very bright, Kassi. Thank you!" She
takes the pouch, peering at it carefully. Debating wether or not it's safe
to open.. surely, in the living cavern? Tugging at the ribbons, she pulls
it open and peeks inside.
---
Upon unlacing the pouch you've been given and tipping it upside
down, a bright ring of silver rolls into your hand. Intricately shaped and
engraved, the band appears to be in the shape of two entwined vines, with
their leaves outspread to embrace the gems that Kassi has seen fit to have
added to the original work: tiny sapphires, just large enough to add a
shimmer of royal blue, have been nestled in each space between vine and
leaf like droplets of dew reflecting back the darkness of a pre-dawn sky.
Tied to the band by a thin loop of green thread is the following note:
'This isn't quite the proper date; for your Turnday, I'm several days
late. But as said someone clever, better late than never, when Turnday
girls you congratulate! Or something like that, anyway. Happy Turnday,
Aph! With best wishes and many plots for future evil, Kassima.'
---
K'tyn looks inordinately relieved. "Aye! The knife. Twas most useful," he
agrees, speedily getting out of the way of Aphrael's Opening of The Gift.
Kassima snorts at Kiat, not fooled for a second. "As though 'twould be
such a horrid thing if'n 'twas a Turnday gift meant for you? I'm hurt,
sir. Wounded to the heart. Or would be, if'n I had a heart." She steals
a glance at her sister-in-evil, wanting to see Aph's reaction to her
gift.
Aphrael tips the pouch upside down, starting as.. a ring falls into her
hand. She apparently had expected something much more frightening, and so
stares at it in surprise for a few moments. "Kassi.. that's.. lovely!
Shards, are they sapphires?" Pausing to read the note, she bursts out
laughing and moves over to hug Kassima, "Oh, it's very fine, Kassi. Thank
you very much!"
K'tyn grins at Kassima, then looks at Aph curiously. What is that....
thing? He tries to edge a little closer, but steps back as the bluerider
hugs Kassima.
T'saren walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Mehlani doesn't catch the gift exchange, off in the kitchen as she is, but
the lass _does_ catch the attention of two of the older kitchen girls who
promptly shoo her out. Clinging to her hat, Mehlani creeps back into the
main cavern.
T'saren comes back into the living cavern just in time to see the ring
Aphrael was gifted with. A small smile crosses his features, but on the
whole he looks remarkably sober as he walks over to stand behind Maylia.
Kassima grins and hugs Aph back, looking relieved that her friend no
longer fears her gift. "Sapphires they are, sie; what stone is better for
a bluerider? I hope it fits; t'be frank, I had to estimate. I'm so glad
that it meets with your approval!"
Maylia grins at the two riders hugging, and tilts her head back to smile
fondly up at T'saren as he stands behind her.
Aphrael fits the ring onto her left ring finger, pulling at it. "A little
lose, but it'll fit just fine on my middle finger," She says delightedly
as she refits the ring. "It's really too grand, Kassi! Now I'll have to
find you something equally appropriate for your own Turnday," She says
impishly, grinning.
"Congrats, Aph. I think she--" K'tyn looks at Kassima, winking, "Had us
both fooled." He laughs, quietly, then turns about to the sideboard,
filling up a plate with foodstuffs and large mug with ale before going to
a nearby seat. He grins at T'saren and Maylia, nodding at them as he comes
near. "How fare you two?" he asks quietly. "All well?"
T'saren returns Maylia's smile, then takes a deep breath and goes to one
knee behind her. "Well, since rings seem to be the gift for the night,
I'll be happy to continue the trend." He swallows and looks down at the
ground for a split second, then back at Maylia, holding out something to
her in his hand. "Maylia, would you and Tierth consider sharing a weyr
with Solarith and I?" He holds his breath, hope shining bright in his
eyes.
Kassima chuckles, grinning up at her friend. "I'm nay worried, Aph. By the
time it rolls around again, you'll indubitably have forgotten that
intention!" She winks back at the Weyrleader, remarking, "Now, that just
leaves Kin and Tria... and thanks to Tria, I've a *fine* idea for Kin
after all." Her rambling halts as Tas kneels before Maylia and offers her
something that is, hopefully, *not* a bovine.
Jayna walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Mehlani peers over at T'saren and Maylia out from under the brim of her
hat, and although the girl is blushing, she also smiles a little, as she
spies what's going on over there.
Aphrael looks up and smiles to K'tyn, chuckling rueful agreement. "Yah,
that she did, sir. Oh, and don't be so sure," She says back to Kassi, eyes
twinkling with amusement. "I may have a bad memory, but some things I
/never/ forget!" She quietens as she hears T'saren, smiling delightedly
for the two as she pauses to hear the greenrider's reaction.
K'tyn blinks, then grins at Maylia and T'saren. "Is it something in the
air?" he asks rhetorically, looking about with a grin on his face. "Aye,
where -is- Kindre?" He nods affably in greeting to Jayna.
Jayna grins and waves a heya, with a respectful nod to the Weyrleader.
Rennick walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Pierron straightens up and adjusts his apron as the steward arrives.
Maylia turns around on the bench she is seated on as the rider she's
smiling at actually -kneels-. The Weyrleader's question is completely
lost to her, as all her attention is focussed on T'saren, an amazed
expression upon her face. "Share- I'd love to!" In a flash, amazement
turns to joy.
Rennick steps into the living cavern and looks around. He spots T'saren on
his knee, looks at Maylia, and rolls his eyes. "Why do they bother?" he
mutters to himself, catching what's going on, then walks over to Pierron.
Jayna glances around curiously to see who's talking to whom, who's doing
what, and with whom. . . .she casually fils a cup of klah.
Maylia's eyes unfocus briefly, and she ammends her statement softly, "We
would love to, both Tierth and I."
"If'n there is," Kassi comments under her breath, "remind me nay
t'breathe... but, shells, 'tis marvelous news, you two! Felicitations!"
K'tyn beams at the newly paired couple, smirking a little as he bends to
eat his meal.
T'saren's grin is big enough to split his face as he takes Maylia's hand
and puts a ring on her finger. "That's wonderful, since I don't know what
I'd do with this ring if you refused." He winks at her, then enfolds the
young greenrider in an enormous hug, still on his knees.
T'saren puts down a ring.
Maylia picks up a ring.
Jayna , figuring out what's going on, breaks into a huge smile.
Aphrael grins widely, smiling towards the pair. "Congratulations, Tas,
Maylia!" Abrutly realising that her klah is getting cold, she absently
reaches down and takes it back up again.
Rennick glances over his shoulder as he grabs himself a plate and shakes
his head again. "Rings?" He'd throw up his hands in disgust if he didn't
have a plate in them. He comments to Pierron, "Like they'll still be
together by the time the next green rises." He then turns away and walks
over to a quiet table by the hearths.
Maylia leans forward, wrapping her arms around T'saren, hardly even
looking at the ring at first. Absolutely speechless, she kisses him
soundly, then remembers, ah. the ring. Upon her finger glitters a
beautiful ring set with a sparkling amythest, and she kisses him softly
again. "It's wonderful!" she whispers.
Telgar Weyr> Maylia has to giggle at Rennick :)
Kassima sighs with mock-remorse, shaking her head. "There goes another
greenrider's better judgment," she teases. "And the single ranks are down
by one, alas! Ah, well. G'luck, you two." She nods respectfully to the
Steward, since protocol demands it, then polishes off her Perfectly
Abnormal Sandwich and gestures to a seat. "Sit with me, Aph? 'Twould be a
fine thing t'sit and speak with someone who isn't going t'make me gag with
nausea... or at least, I hope will nay. Or have you caught the sickness,
too?"
Jayna takes a seat at an unoccupied table, eyeing the steward a bit
nervously. She sips her klah and leans forward, again focusing her
attention on Maylia and T'saren. She sighs, entranced.
T'saren gets up from his knees quickly, not breaking the contact between
himself and Maylia. "I'm so glad you like it, love. That's what I spent so
much time haggling over at the gather." He blushes slightly. "I told you
it was something to put in my weyr, at least indirectly."
Mehlani takes the opportunity to slip quietly out, while nobody is
looking.
Mehlani walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
K'tyn looks at Aphrael, pausing midbite. Caught the sickness?
Consternation flashes across his face as he awaits the bluerider's
answer.
Rennick mutters into his mug of wine, in his typical play-by-play fashion,
"Something to put in his weyr. Aye. With all the other.... uh, conquests."
Telgar Weyr> Rennick waits for the day when his mouth gets him into real
trouble. :)
Telgar Weyr> T'saren is too happy to whup Rennick's rump for that. ;)
Aphrael edges over closer to Kassima, klah in hand. A grimace crosses her
face, and she laughs ruefully, "Shards, but I hope not! I've seen you go
through it twice now, and even /watching/ is horrifying enough." She winks
to Kassima, adding, "So when are you due?"
Telgar Weyr> K'tyn grins. Oo, good one, Ren.
Maylia rises to her feet with T'saren, her arms still wrapped around the
bronzerider. "You mean you were... while I was... " she stutters. "I had
no idea!" Stunnen, she kisses him yet again.
Kassima assures the Weyrleader hastily, seeing his expression, "I meant
love, sir, nay the Flu. Though one seems nearly as prevalent as the other
these days... a bit over a sevenday now, sie. Gives me just enough time
t'polish the Emasculator." She winks, quite plainly jesting about that
last.
K'tyn looks immoderately relieved, though he shakes his head at Kassi's
idea of a jest. "Remind me to go to Igen in a sevenday, Aph!"
T'saren chuckles, waving Maylia back to her seat as he sits back on the
bench. "Aye," he murmurs. "I'd hoped you wouldn't see what I was doing so
it would be a surprise."
Maylia finally notices the audience they'd acquired, and blushes as she
sits down again.
Aphrael bursts out laughing at Kassi. "I'd like to be there, though sie,"
She adds with a quick smile, she's obviously been talking to Channie, "Who
are you going to use it on? Jh'rin, or M'rgan?" She bursts out laughing at
the Weyrleader's words, "Oh, but sir, it'll be fun to watch. And /you'll/
be safe.. as long as you haven't fathered her child?" She peers just a bit
closer, just in case.
Telgar Weyr> Kassima comes back from checking something in a log, only to
see Aph's pose and nearly die on the spot. Thanks, sie. :P :)
Telgar Weyr> Aphrael giggles. Aph's got a vested interest. It might be her
second foster-grandchild in there. ;)
K'tyn raises both brows at Aphrael's suggestion that he be the father of
Kassima's child. "Ah, no, Aphrael. I value my..." He pauses, suggestively.
"Parts rather more than that. Kassi, no disrespect meant to you, but...you
are far too handy with knives for my taste."
*Clang.* That would be the sound of Kassi's jaw dropping, accompanied by a
widening of eyes that makes her irises look like small green dinner-
plates. "*What* did you just ask me?" she asks when she's finally managed
to snap out of her shock enough to make speech possible. "You've been
talking to Channie, haven't you? Oh, none taken, Kiat-sir. 'Tis hardly an
uncommon opinion."
Aphrael bites her lip to cover an open laugh at K'tyn's response. "Oh,
that she definitely is. That's why I'm glad she's /teaching/ me to use
knives, and not using them /on/ me." She beams back to Kassima, all
innocence. "Who were you going to use it on? Isn't it true you're nay
/positively/ sure who the father was? Channie, oh, no!" Kemith, perhaps,
through Prefeth, but nope, not Channie.
"I would think *you*, at least, would know me better than that," Kassi
groans, rubbing her temples as though to massage away the onset of a
headache. "Aph, listen t'me, and believe me as Channie would nay, won't
you? That flight was over a Turn agone. I'm *more* than positive that I
know who fathered m'child. Great Faranth's golden gallstones rolling on a
platter, *why* does this question keep popping up?"
Jayna drains her klah. She quietly smiles to everyone and wanders out
toward the bowl to finish some work outside.
Jayna walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Aphrael tilts her head thoughtfully, considering Kassima's words
carefully. "M'rgan seems to believe it, though. And he was there too, if'n
you remember." Sure, she believes Kassima, but this is just too much of a
fun opportunity to pass up. As long as it doesn't bring her friend into
labour early, that is. "It's only fair to invite him to the birthing too,
just in case."
Rennick finishes off the small plate of rivergrains and rises to his feet.
He vanishes into the lower caverns.
Rennick walks towards the inner cavern.
Kassima just stares at Aph for a moment, 'Why me?' etched as clearly on
her features as if it had been written there in ink. "Where, too?" she
demands. "And believe me, he knows he's nay the spawnlet's sire, just as I
do. Just as *Nie* does, now. D'you trust me so little that you'd nay take
m'word as truth?"
K'tyn looks over at Rennick, frowning as the man leaves just as he wished
to speak to him. "Pardon me, everyone, Got to clear some tallies with that
rather exasperating man."
K'tyn walks towards the inner cavern.
Aphrael offers calmly, "At the flight, when Ularrith won." She snorts a
little, waving her hand. "Still and all, one can never tell. Sure, sie, I
take your word, but you /are/ pregnant, and pregnant women have known to
be emotional at times. You could just be denying the truth, and I wouldn't
be a friend if I ignored that." See? Simple.
"Will no one tell this woman," Kassi demands plaintively, "that the flight
was *over a Turn ago*? Fifteen months, for Faranth's sake! Do I look like
a medical anomaly t'you?"
T'saren absently listens to the conversations around him, snuggled against
Maylia. He suddenly sighs and leans over to murmur in his new weyrmate's
ear. He mutters to Maylia, "I've... getting... love. Would... to come...
me?"
Aphrael waves her hand negligently, as ever, paying little heed to that
little 'time' thing. She can barely remember how long ago she Impressed,
let alone when a little flight was. "So.. maybe you're overdue? That can
happen, you know. Especially if you're trying to deny the truth."
Maylia blinks, lifting her head, and realizing that while she sat there,
cuddled with T'saren, life and conversations did indeed go on. At her
weyrmate's question, she smiles, and nods.
Kassima just buries her head in her hands and wails, "I know I look like a
bloody barn, but *six months overdue*? Sieeeeeeee!" Poor, poor greenrider.
If she hadn't already been driven out of her mind long ago, this would
probably do it.
Ro walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Ro smiles warmly at Kassi, Maylia, and T'saren, and politely to Aphrael.
T'saren kisses Maylia softly and stands, holding out his hands to her
while addressing the others. "Clear skies, everyone. We've got to go find
a weyr big enough for two." He winks mischieviously.
A measure of how far gone Maylia is might be that she simply -looks- at
Aph, not piping in with her former-healer-apprentice quips. She just rises
to her feet, clasping her new weyrmate's hands.
Kassima would probably wave to Ro, if she could see her. As it is, she's
sitting in her chair with her head in her hands, looking as though she
might finally have snapped. "Clear skies and such, Tas, Maylia," she
manages to say, her voice muffled.
T'saren walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Maylia walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Aphrael pats Kassima on the back, her work well done. It could be
considered return for Aph fearing Kassima's present all these sevendays.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm certain the child will be just fine, sie." She
quirks a grin, and waves after the two leaving riders.
Upon seeing Maylia and T'saren head out, Ro plops herself down next to
Kassi. She eyes Aphrael curiously.
Kassima raises her head just to give Aph a *look* with baleful green eyes.
"Aye, a'course the evil-spawn will be fine. 'Tis what you're trying t'do
to its hapless mother that I'm worried about. Oh, heya, Ro."
Ro blinks, looking back and fourth from Kassi to Aphrael, finally fixing a
level gaze on Aph "What are you tryin' to do to Kassi." she says
defensively.
Aphrael smiles over to Ro, taking a gulp of her klah, now slightly cold.
"Oh, the hapless mother will survive, no doubt." Intact? Well, Kassi
already lacked sanity in any case.
Ro looks at Aph, her eyes growing cold "Much the same could be said about
-your- manners, it would seem."
"Survive, aye," Kassi replies gloomily, "until Mart decides throttling me
after all would be the best way t'finally halt these rumors... well, all
right, so mayhaps nay--but still!" Blinking, she shakes her head at Ro.
"Ach, Ro, she's just teasing me. Wickedly, aye, but I doubt she means any
more harm by it than I do when, say, 'twas saying I wouldn't object
t'getting m'knives stained with Tas's blood awhile back."
Aphrael winks to Ro, saying casually, "I'm being a sie to her - which is
my duty one might say."
Ro look to the greenrider "No one'll hurt you while I'm around, Kassi.
I'll make sure of it." Then to Aph "A sie?", but her attention wanders
as she pulls out a bundle for Kassi and says softly "This is for your
girl."
Kassima smiles at Ro, clearly touched by the sentiment. "Well, believe you
me when I say that the thought's appreciated--and if'n there's a time when
I can't look after m'self, the defense will be, too. A sie," she explains,
flashing Aph a rueful grin, "is a sister-in-evil. 'Tis our sworn duty t'be
evil to each other, y'see." Blinking with surprise at the bundle--this is
a day for presents, it seems--she accepts and asks, "For Kaylira? May I
open it, or should she?"
Aphrael blinks a little in surprise at Ro's look and abruptly falls
silent, though grins in return to Kassima.
Ro nods "Sure. It still needs some work, b'cause I don't actually know how
to -sew-. I was thinking you might have someone sew it onto a quilt."
Curiousity clearly whetted by that statement, Kassi lays the bundle on the
table in front of her and begins to open it. "A quilt would be a good
idea," she agrees. "I'll have t'see about getting one, now that I've
hopefully all the clothes 'twill be needing from Stores."
---
As the bundle unfurls it reveals itself to be a large piece of light blue
cloth, perhaps 5'x 8', and as the folds come to like a brown dragon can be
seen to be embroidered on it, perhaps 3'x 5'....quite large for an
embroidered piece, anyhow. As you look at the swirls and whorls stitched
on the brown, you realize it bears a remarkable resemblance to Rhonneth.
---
Ro bites her lips as she waits for reaction...any reaction.
Kassima blinks, this time with amazement as the artistry of the piece is
revealed. "Why, 'tis Rhonneth in miniature!" she exclaims. "Kaylira will
adore this! Ro, you're marvelous. Positively marvelous. Thankee ever so
much!"
Ro blinks for a moment, then blushes "Rhonneth helped, too. He posed for
me."
Aphrael clamps her hands about her mug, gulping down the rest of the klah
and heading over to the hearthside to refill it. She grabs a plate and
piles it with some wherry meat before heading back to her seat.
Kassima laughs, still admiring the work. "He must be proud t'be so well
portrayed. Thankee, Ro. I'll see to it that Kay knows who 'tis from, and
I'll wager a pretty mark piece that she'll want t'thank you, too. Have you
ever seen a better-stitched dragon, sie?" She turns the embroidery so that
Aph can see, beaming like a madwoman.
Aphrael stabs a bit of wherry with her fork, pausing with it halfway to
her mouth as she leans to take a look, eyes widening. "Oh, that's very
well done!" Not that she knows about such things. "It's very nice, Ro!"
Ro blushes "You don' need to tell her it was me. I was goin' to 'broider a
tunic for her, but I didn' know what size, so I did this instead. Figured
she'd be able to keep it longer, anyhow."
"Nonsense. I want her t'have proper manners, after all, and this is the
sort of thing one should be thanked for," Kassi says firmly, but not
without a smile. "She will indeed, and I honestly think she'll be
thrilled. She's been *mad* for brown dragons nearly all her life--nay
doubt due t'that stuffed one Mart got her, which she drags around all the
time. If'n 'twere alive, I'd feel horribly sorry for the poor thing."
Ro smiles "Mayhap she'll impress a brown firelizard some day."
Ro changes the subject, as if to remove herself from the limelight,
somewhat.
Aphrael mutters under her breath, "Or a whole fair of greens.."
Kassima nods. "Or a brown dragon, Faranth help us all. 'Twill be awhile
ere 'tis seen what she'll decide t'be... Aph, don't even *think* about
it."
Aphrael abruptly looks innocent. "I wouldn't do that. We had a deal,
remember?"
Ro giggles, though apparently she hasn't worked up to coming up to
thoughts of impressing dragons herself. Nope, just firelizards for now.
A flash of confusion crosses Kassi's face for a moment; obviously, she
*doesn't* remember. But she suppresses that swiftly and just stares at Aph
with narrowed eyes. "Aye, but whether you'd honor it...."
Aphrael quietly chews on another mouthful of the wherry, eyes wide. "I'd
always honor a deal with you, Kassi." If she notices that her sie seems
not to remember, she pays no heed, concentrating instead on her food.
Ro looks at the two riders again, and barely suppresses an eye roll....
"Right," Kassi says, nodding firmly. Okay, so she still doesn't remember.
But she's not about to admit the fact. "So long as you don't even *think*
about trying t'get Kay to Impress a bunch of greens, I'll be happy. Which
reminds me, how fares your fair? And your little bronze, Ro?"
Aphrael can't but help as a little smile escapes her. "The very idea is
far from my mind." She answers casually, spearing another bit of food. She
does so love that wherry.
Kassima doesn't look as though she trusts her sie, but she gives a wary
nod. "All right, then. Say... I don't suppose you could spare a bit of
that wherry? I didn't have any earlier, with m'sandwich."
Ro smiles "Thunder is sleepin' on my cot. He's doin' good."
Kassima grins at Ro. "That's a fine thing, then. It's been a time since I
last Impressed, but I definitely remember one thing: young fire-lizards
are royal pains. Adorable pains, but still, pains. I imagine he's gotten
past the stage of eating everything in sight, though, aye?"
Aphrael pauses, another mouthful halfway to her mouth. She eyes her sie
ruefully, then pushes the plate across. "Help yourself, Kassi. I guess you
are eating for two."
Kassima flashes Aph a grateful smile before digging into the wherry with
enthusiasm, for once not bothering to mix it with some ungodly thing.
"Thankee, Aph," she remembers to say between mouthfuls.
Ro says "He has, though he still packs away quite a bit."
"*That* much, they always do," Kassi remarks dryly after pausing a moment
to actually swallow. She seems oblivious to the fact that she is doing the
same herself.
Aphrael eyes the rest of the food wistfully, but sets the fork away and
returns to her klah. She grins sardonically at Kassi's comment,
spluttering a little in her klah. Quietly, of course.
In the space of a heartbeat, the plate has been scraped clean, down to
even the smallest crumbs. Kassi certainly looks a lot happier, though her
fire-lizards are markedly disappointed by the lack of leftovers.
"M'compliments to Ofira! Have you ever tasted such a marvelous roast,
Aph?"
Aphrael blinks a little, peering dubiously at the plate. "I could have
sworn that was full a moment ago--" The expression is gone in a flash as
she stares at Kassima, then clears her throat. "Ah, no. It was very good
indeed." At least she knows who to go to now with her leftovers.
That's Kassima for you, the human garbage disposal. "Well, 'twas," she
admits, "but as I said, I didn't have any wherry a'fore... have you tried
the pickled packtail? 'Tis magnificent!"
Aphrael claps a hand over her mouth to cover the expression of distaste.
"*muffle*" She pauses to remove her hand - good move, that - and tries
again. "Pickled /packtail/? Er, no, I'm afraid I haven't. I think I may
stick with wherry, however."
"'Tis divinely good," Kassima explains, oblivious to Aph's disgust.
"Especially with mushrooms, hot sauce, blueberry syrup, roast kiwi, and
cloves! That's what I had for m'sandwich, earlier."
Aphrael grimces, then peers in horror at Kassima. "You ate /that/!" The
poor, poor child inside Kassi. To be subjected to all that. "I'm glad I
missed it," She mutters under her breath.
Kassima tries to look wounded, with a modicum of success. "'Twas
delicious, sie! Besides, 'twas naught compared t'some of the things I've
eaten. Remember the garlic, vinegar, and rivergrain pudding I had the
night ere I bore Kay? I'm still convinced that mix was responsible."
Aphrael wrinkles her nose, then her eyes widen abruptly. "I hope that
doesn't mean you're going to spawn soon then. Neither Jh'rin nor M'rgan
are her--" She breaks off on that thought, deciding not to earn another
glare from Ro.
Kassima reaches out one hand, looking momentarily as though she really is
going to take hold of Aph's throat and strangle her here and now. However,
somehow--Faranth only knows how--she manages to restrain herself. "Now
*don't* start that again. I think you've little t'fear, sie. 'Tis still
over a sevenday to m'due-date, after all."
Aphrael continues somewhat blithely, "Well, you know, stressful situations
can bring on an early labour." She considers that. Does she really want to
witness another birth. Hrm. "Can I get you anything else, sie? Food?
Drink? A pillow?"
Kassima gives Aph the sort of look that would kill, if looks could. Or at
least, make her spontaneously combust. Take your pick. "Just ate, thankee,
and I don't think I'll be needing a pillow... though, I'll admit, some
kiwi juice might be marvelous. I've nay been having nightmares about kiwi
*juice*, just the whole fruit."
Jh'rin walks in from the bowl.
Jh'rin pokes his head in, looks around.
Aphrael opens her mouth, and pauses. She hadn't expected Kassi to say that
she actually /wanted/ something. "Kiwi juice?" She repeats dubiously.
Hearing Jh'rin's entrance, she beams. "Oh, look! Here's one of--er, the
father. G'evening to you, Jh'rin, and Telgar's duties to Ista."
"Which is actually a good thing, since I don't even want t'think about
what mutant killer cannibal kiwi *juice* would be like," Kassima adds
thoughtfully. She looks about to say more on the subject (Faranth help us
all), when she is fortunately forestalled. "Jh'rin!" she calls, grinning
broadly. "Duties to Ista and her queens, and g'deve!"
Jh'rin moves himself the rest of the way into the living cavern, basket of
fruit under one arm, flowers in the other hand. "Hey, Ista's duty and all
that."
Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Aph, may I throttle you now, or should I wait
until later? Heya, A'lex! :)"
Telgar Weyr> Aphrael tries to stop herself, really she does. :) *snugs
'Lex*
Telgar Weyr> A'lex smiles, "Hi kiddies!"
Aphrael mutters under her breath, something about never, ever getting
pregnant. "Any kiwi juice in that there basket, Jh'rin?" She asks the
greenrider hopefully. "Kassi's wanting some, y'see." And it'd save her a
trip, too.
Kassima discreetly indulges in aiming a kick towards Aph's leg under the
table, without giving the bluerider so much as a glance. She'll kill her
later, when there are no witnesses. "And all that," she agrees, still
smiling. "Shells! The Southern Continent must be nigh bare of flowers by
now," she observes when her eyes hit the bouquet. Which is not to say she
sounds displeased, of course. "Have a seat?"
"I got kiwis in it..." Jhor says thoughtfully, looking at the basket
before he sets it down and offers the flowers to Kassima. "You're
looking...ah...er...radiant sounds so trite. I should say yer lookin'...
glowing."
Aphrael winces, jumping slightly as the neatly placed kick hits her. She
bites her lip to keep from yelping aloud, though does, thankfully, fall
silent.
Jayna walks in from the bowl.
Jayna enters cheerfully, a hungry blue firelizard, eyes whirling, on her
shoulder. She waves heya and wanders toward Pierron, to beg a scrap.
Pierron puffs with pride as Jayna gives him the chance to demonstrate his
skill.
Ro walks towards the inner cavern.
Pierron humphs and hunts around for a scrap for Jayna to give a
firelizard, finally coming up with a wriggling spiderclaw.
"I look," Kassi says, laughing under her breath as she nudges the empty
plate, bundle of cloth, and satchel full of knives aside and reaches to
accept the flowers, "like a beached shipfish that has been bloating for a
sevenday, and is about ready to explode--but I appreciate the chivalry.
Oooh! Y'brought kiwi, too?" Nightmares be danged; she *likes* kiwi. "As
circumstances would have it, I'm fresh out."
Jayna smiles her thanks to Pierron and sits down to feed Shadow, glancing
around curiously to see who's in the living cavern.
Jh'rin's grin is crooked as he answers, "Well, I heard something 'bout
that," while giving Kassima's cheek a buss. "How're y'doing? And hey,
Aphrael. You're looking prettier than a spring morning after a full winter
of frost."
Kassima chuckles, tucking one flower behind her ear. "Truth be told, I'm
well enough--just finished dinner, which is fortunate for you since you
won't have to see me eat. I've driven eighteen drudges from the room this
sevenday with m'breakfasts alone. You fare equally well, I hope?"
Aphrael reaches down surrupticiously and rubs at her leg, beaming brightly
at Jh'rin. "Nice t'see you again, Jh'rin. How's that lovely green of yours
doing today?"
Jh'rin answers while sitting down at Kassima's side, "She's just perfect,
thanks. Happy to have her mate back. Or whom she thinks as her mate. Who's
the pretty girl there with the firelizard, by the by?"
Aphrael abruptly straightens, peering out to the bowl. "Oh, good," She
says, somewhat distractedly. "I've got to see what Prefeth's talking
about; I'll be right back."
Aphrael walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Jayna smiles at the rider and half-rises, respectfully. "I'm Jayna,
sir... at least, I hope you're talking to me!" She grins.
Kassima pulls a kiwi free from the basket and nibbles on it, apparently
unable to help herself. "Cirameth?" she hazards, before glancing Jayna's
way and smiling. "That's Jayna--right, as she said. I don't believe I know
the name of the fire-lizard, though."
Jh'rin rises in return and offers a small bow. "I certainly was, lass.
Name's Jh'rin, Jhor to my friends, and don't believe half o'what y'might
hear 'bout me from this lady. Yeah, Cirameth. Ellie and I...ah...well."
Jayna tries to turn the blue firelizard around, but he refuses to take his
attention away from the spiderclaws he's inhaling. "This greedy slob..."
she offers, in disgust, "is Shadow."
Jayna scritches the firelizard's eyeridges affectionately. She's resigned
to the fact that he'll just never have the best table manners.
Kassima blinks, immediately assuming an angelic look of wide-eyed
innocence. "Really, Jh'rin! What in Faranth's name d'you think I'd be
saying about you that's so unbelievable as that? There's naught I ever say
that's nay one-hundred percent truth." Her various wingmates at the table
give her an incredulous look. "Well, all right... mayhaps that's
stretching it a bit. Fifty-percent truth?" she tries. Again with the
look. "All right, all right. Twenty percent. But still!" She smiles
slightly at the final statement, as it were, and nods. "I think I know
what y'mean, aye."
Jh'rin glances about him, smile uncomfortably, and rubs the back of his
neck as he eyes the wingmates of this greenrider with some considerable
concern. "Well, ah. Well. Erm. Jayna. Nice t'meet ya."
Jayna says "You too, sir," she offers, smiling at the Wingsecond and
smiling at Kassi's shrinking percentages."
Most of said wingmates have turned back to their dragonpoker game, though
V'dan--who sports a notable milk moustache--looks about ready to open his
mouth to say something. He stops abruptly when Kassi kicks him before he
can say a word. "Pay them nay heed, Jh'rin; they all have it in for me,
y'see. Some of 'em have this idea that I'm a raving lunatic. Can't imagine
why. Want a kiwi?"
Jh'rin grins loosely. "Ah...no. I try really hard not t'eat anything
healthy unless it's covered in gravy. Thanks, love. When are you...ah...
y'know. Due?"
A'lex walks in from the bowl.
Pierron makes a thundering chopping noise as he annihilates a fingerroot.
A'lex strolls in, whisteling happily...
Jayna ducks as a stray bit of fingerroot comes flying through the air from
where Pierron is chopping so enthusiastically.
Jayna shifts the munching blue firelizard and waves heya to A'lex.
"Gravy!" Kassi exclaims, brightening perceptibly. "What a marvelous
notion! I truly will have t'try that. Mayhaps the kiwi muffins in gravy,
with... whipped cream? Or would that be too much? Mayhaps with a bit of
tomato paste... ach, but I digress; pay me nay heed." The green faces of
some of the others close enough to hear prove that it may be too late for
that, alas. "By the Healers' words, ten days from now, or thereabouts...
though Lyss doesn't think that's right. Refuses t'tell me which way she
thinks 'tis *wrong*, though. Hey, Most Honorable and Exalted Lord-
Wingsecond A'lex of Skyfire *sir*, All Hail His August Grace!" She
salutes, as crisply as fresh lettuce.
A'lex grins, "You got that wrong Kassi, I believe it's "Most Esteemed and
Exalted Pinnacle of Leadership, All Hail His August Grace, Lord-Wingsecond
A'lex of Skyfire Wing *sir*.""
Jh'rin gets to his feet -- again, and offers the Wingsecond a hand.
"Ista's duty to y'sir. Good to see you and that find bronze again, or so
Sia tells me."
At the sound of Kassi's gravied, kiwi-ed delicacies, Jayna turns a bit
green and swallows loudly.
A'lex smiles at Jh'rin, "Telgar's to you as well! Welcome!"
"Oh, right." Kassi looks rather disconcerted at having forgotten the full
title. "Well, surely everyone's allowed a bit of leeway *once* in awhile.
V'dan, could you...?" The greenrider, only too eager to escape the
nauseating woman, dashes off to prepare what she just mentioned wanting
with a complexion of literal olive. "How fares with you and Nraith, Your
Impeccable Grandioseness?"
Jh'rin glances with some moderate concern at Kassima, takes his seat once
again, and grows quiet, contenting himself with observing Jayna and her
firelizard.
A'lex mock frowns, "If yer gonna do it do it right... We're doing well,
how's Lysseth?"
A'lex grins.
Jayna stuffs another spiderclaw into Shadow, who's starting to lose
momentum.
Once the plate of... well, it's better not to think *what* it's a plate
of... is set in front of Kassi, she takes up a fork and skewers a gooey
bite for herself. "I'd ask if'n you want some, Jhor, save that I've
learned that nay anyone ever does. Have y'been to that Gather I hear
they're holding, down Igen's way? Oh, Lysseth's fine, 'Lex. As grumpy and
grouchy as ever. The nightmares, y'know."
A'lex says "Nightmares?"
Shadow gives a tiny burp and looks comically surprised. He glances around,
almost as if to see if anyone noticed his bad manners.
Kassima nods, chewing blissfully on the Unmentionable Food-Substance for a
moment before explaining herself. "About the living cannibal killer attack
kiwi, y'see. I keep having these dreams where they fly around, biting the
throats of anyone who ever eats kiwi fruit. Horrid, just horrid."
A'lex just nods, "Oh." Humor her. That's all humor her and she'll just
stay there eating WHATEVER that is on that plate.
Jh'rin peers rather closely at Kassima, glances at A'lex and Jayna in a
quizzical manner, and queries of Kassima, "Yer certain all's well?"
A'lex snerks, "As well as can be for Kassi..."
Jayna sighs as the flit relaxes back onto his haunches. His eyes are
swirling with sated contentment. Hmm. That's a thought. She looks up at
Kassi to see if /her/ eyes are swirling, too, carefully avoiding a glance
at the plate in front of the rider.
Kassima polishes off another few bites of What's In the Bowl, pausing here
and there to wipe her mouth; gravy-covered kiwi are messy. "Weeeell... as
well as can be expected, I suppose. Nay counting backache, swollen ankles,
headache, exhaustion, occasional false labor, and general beached-
shipfishness. All of that's normal, though." With a reassuring smile, she
covers the other greenrider's hand briefly with hers. "Don't worry too
much. Is all well with you? I'truth, you don't quite seem your usual
self... oh!" Like a vtol, Kassi's attention flits from topic to topic.
"Speaking of Jayna, did I mention the wonderful stuffed dragon she made
for the spawnlet?"
Malyn walks in from the kitchen.
Jh'rin shakes his head mutely and does his darnedest to ignore the bowl
and its remnants.
Lyrenna walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Lyrenna wanders in wearily. She runs a hand through her hair.
Jayna smiles. "I hope she. . . or he. . . .enjoys it as much as I liked
making it. Made me think of home."
A'lex grins at Malyn and Lyrenna as they enter, "Heyla."
Malyn bows and mumbles a "Hello."
Jayna smiles at the other girls. "Even' to you both." She pushes the
sleepy blue firelizard aside to make room, if they'd like a seat.
A'lex grins, "Telgar's duties to you."
Malyn takes the offered seat beside thelady
Lyrenna grins and nods. "Evening." She wanders over to the klah pitcher
and pours herself a mug.
Kassima frowns in concern, mercifully nudging the bowl and its contents
away. "You're so quiet, Jh'rin," she observes with some wonder, tilting
her head. "Is there aught I can do t'aid you? I hope you'll forgive
m'saying so, but you look... troubled."
Jayna leans forward. "I don't think we've met. I'm Jayna, and this fat
wherry" she gestures affectionately to the sleeping firelizard, "is
Shadow."
A'lex looks over to Jh'rin with a raised eyebrow.
Malyn looks at Jayna, "Hello, I am Malyn." She looks at the firelizard,
"Hello Shadow."
Jh'rin, shrugging, takes Kassima's hand and pats it gently. "No, I'm fine,
honest. I'm...ah...look. I was at High Reaches a sevenday ago, and someone
said something about you and M'rgan."
Jayna says "Nice to meet you, Malyn." She smiles. "What brings you to the
weyr?"
Aphrael walks in from the bowl.
N'kshar walks in from the bowl.
A'lex nods to Aph an Nikh as they enter.
"Oh, *shells*," Kassima groans, her expression decidedly pained. "That
fardling rumor *again*? Will it *never* die? Never mind; 'tis a rhetorical
question." She sighs, running the fingers of her other hand through her
overgrown forelock after shaking her head dislodges some of it into her
eyes. "That's utter nonsense, spawned by someone who refused t'believe
me when I said that flight was over a Turn agone. I swear it t'you,
Jh'rin."
Aphrael enters the living cavern, shaking her head amusedly. "Blues!" She
says, rolling her eyes a little. She offers a wave to A'lex and everyone
else, edging back towards her klah mug.
Jayna smiles to the riders as they enter.
Jh'rin studies the gentle lines of Kassima's hand, tracing his finger over
the palm and across the thumb. "Someone there was pretty sure this was his
baby," he points out quietly.
Lyrenna sips lightly at her klah. Her eyes drift about the room before
taking a seat at one of the tables.
N'kshar makes a vtol-line straight for the klah, filling himself a mug.
"G'deve, everyone." He says generally to the cavern, pulling off his
riding jacket, and heading towards his usual seat at the Thunderbolt
table.
Aphrael hears Kassima and Jh'rin's conversation, and at the last minute
veers away, deciding she doesn't want to be within kicking distance.
Instead, she angles back towards the hearthside.
Jayna smiles at the other girl, with the long blond hair. "I'm sorry, I
don't think I've met you either. I'm Jayna."
A'lex rolls his eyes at mention of the whole Mart Kassi thingy.
Kassima, quite unusually for her, pays no heed to the various folk
entering the room; her attention is entirely on Jh'rin. "Nay, nay...
listen, love; that was just a rumor that Channie started, because... well,
knowing me, she assumed any child I bore would *have* t'be the result of a
flight." She shrugs. "She apparently spread it around the 'Reaches, too.
But 'tis naught but an untruth. This child is *yours*, Jhor; it couldn't
be anyone else's. The Healers would've made me a case study if'n 'twere
otherwise."
Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Remind me, again, to kill Nie. It's like
something out of an MST3K-style movie: The Rumor That Would Not
Die. :P ;)"
Jh'rin's quirky grin reappears, hope springing into his eyes. "Really?
Honest, now."
Meli walks in from the bowl.
Meli steps in, fanning a hand before her face as she peruses the cavern.
"Evenin'," she murmurs abstractly. "Hot t'night."
Aphrael busies herself filling another plate of wherry - after all, she
only ate part of her first - and sneaks a new mug of klah. Angling for the
Skyfire table, she waves her hand, mug and all, in Meli's direction.
"Heya, Meli!"
A'lex nods, "Aye, that it is Meli. How fares?"
Kassima grins back, placing her free hand over her heart. "I swear on the
shell of Lysseth's egg, by the First Queen and her descendants, on the
twin moons and on the honor of greenriders everywhere that you are the
father of m'child. Will that satisfy you, or should I work a few more
oaths in there somehow?"
A smile grows slowly across Meli's face, as the sweat dries and she
catches the welcoming words of her friends. "Goes well, wha's good
f'dinner?" she adds, stepping further in.
"I think that'll suffice." Laughing, Jh'rin gives the inside of Kassima's
wrist a kiss. "I was a bit worried. Thanks."
A'lex tries really hard to stifle an "Awwwwwwww."
Aphrael answers Meli hastily, "Wherry's good. Don't ask Kassima though;
she's eating something like picked packtail with kiwi juice, or similar."
Meli swishes her skirt out of the way as she takes a seat at Skyfire near
Aph. A quick glance at Jh'rin's gallantry, and an auburn eyebrow rises
inquiringly.
A'lex says "Oh yuck, Aph, I just ate..."
Jayna stretches and stands up. "Well, I'm taking us off for a bit. Good
even' to you all. Nice to have met you, Wingsecond," she adds,
respectfully, to Jh'rin.
Jayna walks towards the inner cavern.
Aphrael settles her plate down on the table, grinning at A'lex. "Scary
isn't it? S'why I'm glad I've never been pregnant. Did you eat that sort
of thing when you were pregnant with Tamlin, Meli?"
Meli's nose wrinkles, but since she's well familiar with Kassi's...
weyrdness... she just eyes the wherry. "Hmm. Tha' sounds fine. Oh, well, I
did have a few cravin's, but nothin' too bizarre. Chicken, once, s'I
recall."
Caitria walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Kassima laughs and leans over to kiss Jh'rin's nose. "Well, don't be. As I
had t'tell that messenger of yours--did anyone ever give him the flaying
he deserved, by the by?--I'm nay the sort who'd nay know who fathered her
children. There's absolutely nay doubt in m'mind, so you've naught t'worry
about. I promise you." With a wink, she lifts her hand to wave to her
various friends. "G'deve, Meli, Tria, all!"
A'lex blinks and shakes his head as he finds himself absently staring at
Jh'rin... "I'm sorry Aph, what did you say?"
Channie walks in from the bowl.
Caitria lifts a hand in greeting as she comes into the living cavern.
"Klah," she announces, moving to get some of that beverage.
Channie skips into the cavern, curls bouncing as she moves, "'Reaches duty
to Telgar and her queens."
A'lex looks up at Channie's entrance, "Nie! Nraith didn't tell me you were
here!"
Jh'rin glances toward the bowl, a brow cocked. "Faranth, my green's all
over yer bronze, A'lex. Sorry 'bout that. He then stands up and says to
the arriving herder, "Master Caitria. Good t'see you again. And Ista's
duty t'the Reaches."
Meli leans forward to skewer some wherry onto her plate, calling over a
greeting to Kassi without even glancing in that direction til her work is
done. "Y'know," she states, "I can't help thinkin' this new hatchlin'
should be related t'Tamlin somehow. I mean, I know s'not, but still seems
like it ought t'be, neh?" She settles herself with her food and grins at
Aph and A'lex.
Aphrael relaxes a little, nudging her plate over a little towards Meli.
"Here, have some," She offers, spearing a bit with her fork and chewing.
"Oh, chicken's okay, I suppose.. as long as it's not one of the
Craftmaster's." She flashes a grin to Meli, before tiling her head at
A'lex. "So.. A'lex. How's things in the wing going for you?" She waves
over at Channie's entrance.
Caitria gives Jh'rin a look of mock horror. "Oh, dear. An Istan." She
chuckles, lifting her mug in greeting, and heads for a seat.
Jh'rin coughs. "You haven't heard about our visit last night t'Beastcraft,
have y'Master Caitria?"
"And speak of the wherry..." Kassi mutters under her breath, but she
doesn't sound upset--just resigned. "Heya, Channie--duties to the 'Reaches
and her queens. Good t'see you visiting again. Mayhaps they could be
honorary sibs, Meli? After all, if'n Kay and Tamlin are honorary
twins...." She grins ruefully, then glances out towards the Bowl. "Never
knew Nraith had such a way with the lasses of dragondom a'fore."
Caitria's eyebrows arch, and she suddenly looks a little less pleased.
"Nooooo, can't say that I have. Did the Craftmaster hurt anyone?"
A'lex snorts at Aph, "There's more paperwork than when I was Wingleader of
Dawnchaser!"
Channie giggles at A'lex, "That's because he's all curled up with some
pretty green in the bowl." she winks at the bronzerider then waves to
Aphrae, Kassi, and anyone else she might know who's around the room.
Meli grins back at Aph, but keeps pondering a bit. "Hmm. Kay is Tam's half
sister... this one'll be Kay's half-somethin'... does that transfer?" she
murmurs to herself, before attacking the craftily spiced meat. Jh'rin's
mention of a trip to Beastcraft draws another cocked brow, but it doesn't
go off.
Jh'rin answers Caitria carefully, rubbing the back of his neck again, "No,
can't say as we saw Master Leara, ma'am."
A'lex shakes his head, "I didn't know he did either Kassi. My apologies
Jh'rin."
Caitria sighs, wrinkling her nose. "The dragons didn't get the stock
upset, did they?"
Aphrael looks mightily confused at all these mentions of relatives. "Urg.
I'm just glad my family's simple. Well, relatively," she adds with a
rueful grin. Snorting amusedly at A'lex, she adds, "Yah, and less sleep
almost. Don't let any of those wingriders tell you what to do, either.
Especially H'kler!"
Lyrenna walks towards the inner cavern.
"Half-sister also," Kassi tells Meli, nudging a chair out with her foot.
"Have a seat? V'dan seems to have run off... can't imagine why. Perhaps
quarter-sibs, if such a thing exists?" Under her breath, she mutters,
"Leara, Leara... she's the other one fabled for carrying an Emasculator
around, isn't she?"
"The dragons didn't upset anyone," says Jhor to Caitria, then he grins at
A'lex as if happy for the change of topic. "Siaroth's happy. Don't worry
about i....E-mas-culator?????"
A'lex shakes his head, "I had S'jeet and Nikh to deal with, H'kler will be
cake..." He grins over at the dozing Greenrider.
Meli snorts, managing not to spew meat onto the table, then wipes her
mouth and chuckles at Jhor's expression.
Caitria flashes a grin to Kassi. "Wouldn't surprise me at all." To Jh'rin,
she nods, patting the Kassi-gifted sheath in which her own emasculator
rests. "Never leave home without it. So what -did- happen at the
Beastcraft, that you'd mention it."
A'lex rolls his eyes at yet ANOTHER mention of the E-bad-thingy.
Kassima grins with positive wickedness. She *never* gets tired of the male
reaction to that word. "Tria, would you be willing t'show him? I fear
mine's still on the wall up in the weyr, though I *could* ask the Swarm
t'fetch it for me."
A'lex waves Channie over to the Skyfire table.
Telgar Weyr> Meli feels so proud to have actually USED an emasculator IRL.
Do I win anything? :)
Telgar Weyr> A'lex AAAAAAAAKKKKKs!
Telgar Weyr> Maylia ahs... no... other than my fear...
Telgar Weyr> Caitria looks very jealous, Meli. On what?
Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Tell me it was on an animal..."
Telgar Weyr> Lyrenna blinks, "What?
Jh'rin crosses his legs rather tightly and leans forward, trying to look
casual despite the Siaroth-like tint to his complexion.
Telgar Weyr> R'val ohmygawds, Meli. *runs*
Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "You can join the merry band of Emasculatrices,
Meli, if you like. ;)"
Aphrael flashes a wicked grin to A'lex. "Just wait 'till his green rises."
She grins over to Channie, then pauses to listen to Kassi and Jh'rin's
conversation with amusement.
Telgar Weyr> Aphrael lol at Meli!
Telgar Weyr> Meli says, "Six month old calves --> steers. :)"
Telgar Weyr> A'lex breathes a sigh of relief.
Channie grins back at Aph as she walks closer to A'lex where he's sitting.
"Wouldn't 'that' be interesting?"
Caitria watches Jh'rin, her expression mingling amusement and concern as
she waits to find out what happened.
Telgar Weyr> Meli <-- veterinarian, among other things. Now back to our
regularly scheduled apocalypse.
A'lex pales a bit and whispers to Aph, "Not any time soon I hope..."
Jh'rin tells Caitria, voice cracking at the onset, "I...ahem, sorry,
ma'am. It was just one of our riders being a little more vocal than he
should have been. I'm told he apologized through a note, and...well, I
think that was the right thing to do."
Kassima confides to Jh'rin, hiding her amusement rather well, "I've
decided t'get Kin one for her Turnday, y'know. We're hoping t'make 'em a
fad among femaleriders here." Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Telgar Weyr> R'val has to wonder if that's an appropriate thing to tell
the knot. Yuck ;)
Caitria ahhhhhs, her expression clearing. "That's not a problem.
Considering some of the Masters at Herder Hall, that's not especially
surprising." She beams at Kassi's comment.
Jh'rin whimpers.
Telgar Weyr> A'lex nods, quite so... added to the... Drama? of the moment.
Meli catches the fear from the greenrider father-to-be, and in her best
matter-of-fact voice, calls over "Y'keepin' it sharp, or revertin' to
th'crush method now?"
A'lex pales again....
Xellia walks in from the bowl.
A'lex says "Can we PLEASE change the topic?"
Jh'rin nods rapidly in concurrence with A'lex.
Kassima adds brightly, "'Twill even have gold leather on the handle, with
her name soldered in it! D'you think they might become popular at Ista,
if'n 'twere introduced there?" To Meli, she calls back, "Sharp, a'course.
Aught else just isn't m'style... oh, certes, 'Lex. I suppose we could.
If'n you insist."
Aphrael chokes over laughter, doing her best to keep it under check, but
apparently she's highly enjoying this conversation.
Xellia bows politely to those present. "Good evening, all."
Caitria gives the males a rather amused look. "I've only used them on
bovines, gentlemen." She can't speak for the others, though. Hiding her
expression behind her klah mug, she watches, gray-green eyes glinting with
amusement.
Jh'rin would continue telling Caitria about the night at Beastcraft, but
right now he just can't manage to talk.
A'lex shakes his head affirmatively, "I'm not only insisting, I'm
begging..."
Meli chuckles once more, then lets it drop, from her end at least. "S'any
redfruit around?" she remarks, rising in search of such.
T'saren walks in from the bowl.
Maylia walks in from the bowl.
Kassima admits with some reluctance, "And I've never used mine at all.
Really, lads, 'tis naught but a showpiece... y'know that. Hmmm, Meli? Oh,
I've nary a clue. I've been rather preoccupied with kiwi, m'self." She
draws one out of the basket that sits next to the flowers Jh'rin brought,
and beams.
R'val enters from the Bowl.
Pierron tells a lower cavern's girl to hurry up with the dishes.
R'val wanders in, waving amiably, "Evening, gang."
A'lex mutters, "There's a first time for everything, Greenrider, and I
hope I'm not around when that first time comes..."
Meli glances over as R'val enters, then blinks. "S'raining?"
Maylia pushes back raindrops coursing down her face, as she hurries out of
the rain after T'saren.
Caitria eyes the incomers. "Still raining, eh?" My, she's gifted.
R'val nods his head, slipping off his helmet and gloves, "Uh-huh,
raining.' he plops into a seat.
Kassima shakes her head serenely. "Fear nay, A'lex. I've long promised
Mart that if'n I ever use the...." She glances at the discomfited males in
the room and mercifully says, "E-word, 'twill be on him. Evening, Maylia,
T'sar! Any luck finding a weyr?"
T'saren nods a hello to everyone as he bolts in from outside, shaking his
head and sending droplets flying. "G'eve all. Beautiful weather we're
having, if you're a fish."
Channie changes her path to get a mug of cider. "Can I get anyone else
something here?" She adds a warm wave to those coming in. "And I thought
it was summer."
Aphrael grimace as she peers outside. "Well, I guess I won't be heading up
to my weyr anytime soon," She says drolly, chewing contentedly on her
wherry.
Caitria smiles, muttering something about the joys of an inside exit.
A'lex laughs, "Sure, Nie. Toss me a meatroll or five, will ya?"
Meli, still rummaging for redfruit, calls over to Channie, "F'you find any
fruit that's not kiwi, lemme know, neh?"
Xellia glances outside. "A little rain never hurt anyone. A flood
however..." She trails off.
Channie looks around for some fruit, "Kiwi, kiwi, kiwi,oh, here's some
redfruit Meli, you care for this instead?" As she waits for an answer she
picks out some meatrolls and places them on a plate balanced on the cider
mug.
T'saren nods to Kassi, reaching out to capture Maylia's hand. "We were
having a bit of luck, until the rain started coming down harder. Some of
those big weyrs on the south end leak." He shrugs absently, still brushing
water from his face and hair with his free hand. "We found one that might
work though, and it's certainly big enough. Looks like it hasn't been used
in a dragon's age."
Meli grins at Channie, giving her a slight bow as she steps over to take
the fruit. "Perfect!" Before biting into it, however, she de-focuses
momentarily, then states "Jul says th'rain's stopped f'now. Still windy,
though."
Kassima eyes her bowl of glop, and shudders. Cold, it doesn't look half as
appetizing. "Ah... nay, Nie. I'm fine. I've kiwi galore, right here. How
bad's the rain? Lyss still hasn't woken, the slugabed, so I *presume* 'tis
nay too serious... oh, that's good news, Tas. You'll have a horrid time
cleaning it out, though."
A'lex grins at T'saren, "Aye, mine was like that. Cleared at least 2 feet
of leaves out of the thing... how they got there though..."
Maylia ducks from the spray her weyrmate is sending out with his head
shaking, laughing. "I don't know 'bout you, but I could use some stew.
Care for a bowl?" she asks T'saren, reaching for his hand. "Luck, aye..."
Her voice trail off as he supplies the details. "I'll need cleaning,
though."
Jh'rin has gotten quiet again and is looking around with the queer sort of
quizzical expression that indicates true confusion.
Xellia walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Channie's eyes get a little dreamy as she heads over to A'lex's seat and
hands him the meatrolls, "You two are looking for a weyr together?" She's
looking at Maylia and T'saren. "Wow, that's so wonderful!"
A'lex grins, "Aye, it's great!"
Meli reseats herself at Skyfire, near Aph and A'lex, adding her
congratulations. "Hope y'can be as happy as E'd'n me have been."
Caitria rouses herself from where she's hovering by the klah pot to call
her congratulations to Maylia and T'saren. "Grego will be pleased," she
muses quietly.
R'val grins at the happy couple.
Kassima murmurs helpfully to Jh'rin, "They're a bunch of bloody looneys. I
think something about Impressing at Benden does this to a person; don't
know if'n 'twill hold true here or nay."
Jh'rin nods to Kassima, saying uncertainly, "I reckon so. But...ah...
well...I should get going on the rest of my errands and get home. If
that's all right w'you?"
T'saren nods to his new weyrmate. "Aye, a bowl of stew would be great,
love." He turns back to the minor crowd and nods to Channie. "Thanks.
Maylia just agreed earlier tonight." He gives the greenrider in question a
fond smile before turning back to the others, chuckling at Kassi's
comment.
Channie tries to supress a sigh, and fails, "Well, I hope you two make the
best of it! You look very happy." She takes one of the meatrolls she got
for A'lex and nibbles on it, eyes sparkling dreamily.
A'lex manages to slip an arm around Channie while the discussion is going
on. "Seems to be the season for falling in love..."
Caitria eyes all the loverly couples, and rolls her eyes juuuust a bit.
"Feh," she intones, rather dryly.
Channie gives a little start at A'lex and leans up closer against him,
"Well, yeah."
Aphrael wrinkles her nose, stabbing another bit of wherry. "Gahhh." She
says. Surrounded by lovey dovey couples, oh my!
Jorenan walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Caitria raises her mug to Aphrael, with another nonsense word involving a
drawn-out vowel.
Jorenan dashes through, riding jacket and helmet half-on. He must be late
for something.
Jorenan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Channie blushes and moves a little bit away from A'lex. "So Aph, how are
you doing? I haven't seen you in awhile."
T'saren is actually beyond happy, but since it probably shows on his face,
declines to comment.
Aphrael peers up at Channie, nope, it's safe. "Who me? Oh, quite well.
Prefeth's rather perversely enjoying the current weather," She rolls her
eyes amusedly.
A'lex gives Nie a peculiar look at her scoot away, but continues to stuff
meatroll in his face, all thoughts of the E-bad-thingy gone from his silly
little wherryhead...
Channie giggles at Aph, "Well, better having him like the weather then
sulking in unhappiness. You could always take a trip over to Southern Boll
for an afternoon."
Channie mutters to A'lex, "I... want... make... But jays,... so..."
Maylia blushes a little at the congratulations, murmuring her thanks as
she heads to prepare the offered bowls. Adding thick slices of bread and
cheese to the tray she assembles, she carries the meals back to the small
group.
Meli nods at Channie's and Aph's comments, then pipes up with her own.
"Jul likes th'rain, but then she always complains 'bout th'mud. Forgets
tha' one tends t'lead to t'other. So I'll spend most o'my free time later
bathin' and oilin' her."
A'lex grins at Channie, and nods, understanding.
"A'course nay, Jh'rin... if'n y'need t'go, y'need t'go," Kassi says,
giving his hand a quick squeeze and then letting go. "'Twas wonderful of
you t'bring the fruit and flowers and whatnay. I'll have t'show Kin a'fore
they wither, just so she'll be satisfied that you do visit." She rolls her
eyes at the foibles of friends, and smiles. "Duties to Ista and her
queens, and all that sort of thing."
T'saren settles himself at a table near the others, making room for Maylia
next to him. He turns from person to person, trying to keep track of the
flying conversations.
Aphrael chuckles amusedly, "True enough, Nie. I've not had a chance to get
away for a while, I'll admit. Perhaps now that I'm sharing some of the
paperwork with A'lex," She grins over in the Wingsecond's direction, "I'll
be able to get away for a bit." Laughing at Meli, she nods, "Pref's a bit
like that.. but he /likes/ the mud. It splashes well, apparently."
"Oh, don' get me wrong," Meli replies, "Jul likes th'mud too, at first.
But then, when she realizes her hides all dirty, she complains. /Ev'ry/
time."
Aphrael grins to Meli, "And she wants her hide cleaned, right this
instant?" She guesses.
A'lex groans, "Oh, don't talk about mud. 'It makes me look dull.' he says.
But show him a waller, and he's in there like a porcine!"
Caitria listens to the rider talk with a quirked smile, and pushes her
chair a little closer to me fire.
Jh'rin stands, takes Kassima's face in his hands, and regards her tenderly
before giving the corner of her mouth a tender kiss. "Have Lysseth bespeak
Siaroth and I'll come running if y'need anything, love."
Meli nods emphatically. "Soon's she's done 'playin' in it, th'light goes
on in her head, an' she's upset. Why couldn't tha' be somethin' she'd
remember 'tween rainstorms?" she chuckles, commiserating with A'lex.
Caitria wonders if Jh'rin might be feeling tender towards Kassi, but
doesn't ask. Instead she smiles faintly as she watches the two.
Channie winks at Aphrael, "You could stick A'lex with extra hides and you
and I could run off to Boll, or some such place and gossip about...
things." her pale eyes twinkle happily as she winks. "Or at least just
drink. A lot."
Aphrael bursts out laughing at Channie's suggestion. "That sounds like
fun. And something we haven't done in a /long/ time." She adds with a
grin. "How long has it been since we all got together?"
Channie shakes her head, "A very very long time! Too long!"
Kassima closes her eyes for a moment, and when she reopens them, her own
green gaze is equally warm. "'Twould hesitate t'bother you, Jh'rin-love--
but if'n something important comes up, rest assured that you'll hear from
me."
A'lex blinks, obviously not finding this NEARLY as funny as the other two,
but he says nothing...
"You and the baby are very important to me," says Jh'rin with utter
gentleness, giving Kassima's cheek a caress with his thumb. "I'll be
waiting to hear from you. Ellwiny won't mind. And clear skies to your
weyr."
Meli rises to her feet, collecting her dirty dishes and redfruit core,
depositing them neatly where they belong. "Well, speakin' o'muddy hides,
looks like m'queenly green's figured it out again," she comments, starting
to make her farewells.
A'lex smiles for apparently no reason. Maybe he really secretly likes
hidework. Nahhhh.
Caitria's eyebrows arch just a little bit at Jh'rin's words, but she
doesn't comment.
Aphrael beams at Channie, the expression wicked. "Maybe we can organise
something soon.. oh!" She grimaces in sympathy for Meli, waving a fork at
her friend. "Take care, greenrider."
A'lex turns, "Night Jh'rin."
Channie waves good evening to those evening, "Clear skies all."
Meli nods and waves jauntily, swirling out towards the bowl.
Meli walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Caitria gets to her feet as well, with a sigh. "I should probably look in
on the kids. G'night, all."
Kassima nods, smiling up at the other greenrider--a suspiciously sweet and
sentimental smile, as she'd be horrified to learn. "Clear skies and fair
winds t'you and Siaroth, Jhor. We'll see you again ere too long."
T'saren gives waves to those leaving, wondering if he still smells bad
from exploring all those dusty, dirty weyrs.
Caitria walks towards the inner cavern.
Channie giggles softly at Aphrael, "Say the word and we'll go! Will this
be a girl's night out? Or just invite a whole troup of people hmm"
Jh'rin winks. "Count on it." He waves to the others and adds, "Regards to
the Weyr once more, and clear skies to all."
Jh'rin walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.