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What's In a Name?


Date:  January 4, 2004
Places:  High Reaches Weyr's Living Cavern and Western Bowl; Ista 
Weyr's Sandbar
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:  Soooo many options for what to name this log.  It's 
very heavy on the interesting goings-on. :)  Kassima has recently come
into some information that was intended for M'rek.  Due to its nature,
she doesn't waste much time in tracking down the bronzerider to 
deliver it, although a meeting calls him away at first and gives her
time to chat with Caritha.  The name that Kassi holds leads M'rek and 
herself to Ista Weyr, where they don't find what they were looking 
for but *do* find a proddy gold dragon.  M'rek, of course, wins. 
Wouldn't you know. ;)  Leaving Kassi to keep an eye out for their man
alone.  She doesn't find him, but a few other persons of interest 
appear at the Sandbar on this particular evening....

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The Log:

You meander into the tunnel to the living cavern.

Caritha closes her eyes as she takes another sip of her klah, starting to
nod and quickly stopping that as she realizes it makes it worse. She opens
them again, looking up at the bronzerider, "There is an easy cure for it? I
didn't realize quite how strong those drinks were last night... and I left
before I'd finished my third. But combined with dawn sweepsin the rain, I
don't feel too great right now. And of course Marist is mophead, not me;
she's never been able to keep herself well groomed." She manages a grin at
your next words, "Thats a bit pricey, don't you think, even for watching
you get beaten up. Do I get a discount since I was able to arrange a few of
your practice brawls in the past?"

M'rek chortles at Caritha, "I should charge you touble for the scar
tissue." His grin is all ease though as he goes on, "Of course there's a
cure. How else do you think all the rest of us hard core drinkers function
every day? The choices are either suffer all day. Never let yourself sober
up, always a favorite that one if you're thinking of joining the drinking
craft. And then of course, there's the Morning Cure. Get all your suffering
over in about half a candlemark." M'rek stands near Caritha, who is seated
at a table.

It's strange how the magic of the word 'brawl' can summon the darndest
people. But perhaps Kassi was less summoned than coincidentally timely; she
doesn't pelt into the room demanding tickets, after all, but instead hangs
just to the side of the entranceway for a moment to survey the room in
general. "Duties t'High Reaches and her queens," she offers to no one in
particular just prior to having her ear caught by a familiar set of voices.
To judge by her 'ah-hah' expression, one of them might be the one she was
looking for; she alters course to meander towards where Caritha and M'rek
are. "Afternoon," she greets, cheerfully enough and obnoxiously
hangover-free. "Are you talking tincture of asparagus, M'rek? Or does High
Reaches brew a different solution?"

Caritha winces once again at Kassima's cheerful tone - in fact, the Telgar
rider is given a scowl as Caritha mutters something that sounds something
like "Greetings to Telgar... queens" She starts to chuckle at M'rek's words
and then realizes that doesn't help either, "A nice neckrub can help but
P'wert had early duties Igen time and let me at least sleep a little more
so I missed out on that. I don't quite understand how more of the same
would help, though I have noted that is your preferred route. What is the
other other choice? As long as its not going to be dirty or smelly, I'm
willing to try it - even if it tastes noxious. BUt I still think I deserve
half price tickets, since you'd not have had as much practice if I'd not
gotten you in trouble at Bitra a few extra times. Shards, you had to plan
to the fight this time - if you'd not stopped hanging around me, you'd
probably have had good excuses every few sevendays for one." She then looks
back at Kassima, "You ought to feel even worse than I do, since you and
S'rist stayed far longer after I left, from what Dzurath told Semirath."

M'rek tosses the apple he's still holding up and down again, catching it
lightly and not really paying attention to it at all. He half turns so that
he can see Caritha and Kassima now and his grin gets even brighter, "Kassi,
my love! My day is now complete." He winks and then says, "Asparagus?
Haven't tried that one. Nope. Nope. Not a Weyr cure per say as much as my
own personal blend. Will sweat every last remaining bit of alcohol out of
you in record time." There's laughter for Caritha's neckrub idea, "Maybe
he'll be around later. In the meantime, I could whip you up something to
drink. It's just a drink, that's all. Caritha-lass, I had plenty of
brawling experience well before you. No discounts, m'dear."

Kassima just grins at Caritha, unrepentant creature that she is. At least
the grin holds some vestige of sympathy. "I suspect the reason more of the
same works is that when you're drunk out of your skull, you're less likely
t'feel the pain *in* your skull, for what 'tis worth. Half price for what?
There's going to be a fight?" Just watch her interest perk up at that
tidbit. "The things people don't tell me. First I had t'find out about a
certain someone's promotion secondhand, now this. If'n 'tweren't looking
for you for other reasons, M'rek, 'twould be hunting you down t'whap you
upside the head with something for that alone," which doesn't sound like
much of a threat; or if it is one, it's remarkably good-natured. "Feel
worse? Oh, shells nay. I only had a Thread and a Sea Spike... well, and a
Green Dragon... and a Tunnelsnake later... so mayhaps m'head is twinging a
wee bit. *Do* tell me about this blend of yours, sweet-talker," she
suggests, turning amused and gleaming eyes to M'rek now.

Caritha starts to nod to Kassima's words, wincing once more as the movement
just sets things sloshing about in her head yet again. "Tincture of
asparagus you said? Asparagus isn't bad eating... where do I get some of
this stuff, if M'rek isn't going to share his secret cure with me sooner
rather than later, before my head explodes on its own." Its obvious that
the young greenrider hasn't had nearly as much experience with hangovers as
her companions, "In fact, I think M'rek's brawl already took place in my
head or something." She sighs and then puts on one of her sweetest and
brightest smiles on M'rek, the one she used for many turns to get whatever
she wanted out of the weyrleader, "But with the price so high, it might be
too dear for me, and would you really wish to deprive me of the chance to
cheer you on? After all our history together..." The fact that she doesn't
say whether she'd be cheering him for victory or defeat is quite purposeful.

[Editor's Note:  M'rek went work-idle at about this point;
he ended up disconning.]

"I don't have any on me," says Kassi, apologetic. "Your Stores might have
some, though; or the kitchens. Pierron keeps tabs of the supply at Telgar.
Probably just so he can glower self-righteously at those who dip into it
too often. Be kind, M'rek, and give it t'her? I don't want exploded
brain-bits on m'shirt. I *like* this shirt." She makes a show of twitching
a wrinkle from the blouse in question. "All right, so let me see if'n I'm
gathering this correctly: there's t'be a fight, one which involves M'rek,
and one which you have t'pay t'be seeing? *This* sounds promising."

Caritha looks up at M'rek with pleading in her eyes, "Please do. Its really
unfair to be teasing me like this, suggesting you can help and then doing
nothing at all. After all, had you been a proper teacher, back when you
first introduced me to drinking, you ought to have introduced me to the
cure - though I don't remember quite such a roaring headache after the few
times we did get to drink together." She looks back at Kassima, "I'll
definitely go searching for some of that when I feel more up to mving. I
just can't believe I survived early errands today."

Kassima notes, bringing a hand up to flick a stray bit of hair away from
her eyes, "If'n he knows an out-and-out *cure*, I want t'know about it too.
The asparagus only helps--well, at least for me. Could be others have had
better results with it. Dunking your head in the Ice Lake or something else
frigid helps too, if'n you want t'go the semi-masochistic route. Why am I
nay surprised that M'rek would take it upon himself t'teach others
t'drink?" This has the tone of a rhetorical question. And also a rather
amused one.

Caritha picks back up her mug of klah. Its not helping really but its not
hurting and at least it makes her feel like she's trying to do something,
"The drinks he introduced me to never left me feeling this awful. I ought
to have known better than to let Shalyn pick out what to drink - shells,
she probably had no idea what she was ordering. What in Faranth's name was
I thinking of? M'rek is a man of good taste at least." She shakes her head,
a pained expression crossing her brow again at the effect that has, "Never
again."

"At the Lava Lounge, huh? What color was it? If'n she stuck you with a
Monsoon or Tunnelsnake, she is a wicked, wicked woman." Kassima flicks a
laughing glance M'rek-wards. "Good taste 'twill nay argue. But, aye, you've
got t'ease more into the harder drinks... unless you really want t'end up
sprawled out on the Lounge's floor for the night. Which I've done, mind
you. All too many times. I don't particularly recommend it."

Caritha looks about ready to shake her head again but this time, at least,
thinks better of it, "I don't think it was either of those - it was
something fruty tasting and sweet. Should've realized she's too young to
know what she was thinking of. And here I thought my father just ordered
something else instead simply because he's not a fan of fruity drinks. I
just figured he'd have warned me if what I was having was dangerous." She
sighs, rubbing her forehead with a hand, "Really is unfair that something
that tastes so yummy makes you feel so awful."

Kassima supposes, amusement threaded through her voice, "That might have
been exactly why he did it. Given his comment about the fruity drinks for
sweet lasses and other liquor for men. Unless he intended t'be implying
that men can't *handle* the fruit." After a moment's consideration of a
chair, she asks, "Mind if'n I sit? Since I might be here awhile, given that
I don't plan t'leave until I've at least found out more about this fight
business. And probably bought a seat. I wonder whether Vel would like one,
too? 'Twould be a novel sort of present, if'n naught else," and this is
something which appears to please her. "Ah, well, but that's probably the
bartender's plan. T'make it taste good enough that you order several of 'em
ere you realize how hard it hits. And then, if'n you subscribe to the
hair-of-the-canine theory, get you t'drink yet *more* should you wake up
there in the morning."

Caritha shudders at the thought of that, "Thank Faranth I did not wind up
sleeping there. Don't think it could've happened since I'm sure P'wert
would've made sure Dowanth found Semirath." The mention of the Igenite
bronzerider brings a smile back to her face, "He wasn't complaining about
me being a bit tipsy last night but he forgot to warn me about the morning
after too." She waves you towards a chair, answering your question about
that, "Of course. The fight does sound interesting, but the price is rather
dear - though seeing M'rek beaten up... or trying to avoid it, is worth at
least something."

"Funny how many people never seem t'think t'warn about the morning after."
Kassima chuckles under her breath as she sinks into the chair, but her brow
furrows a moment later in thought. "I wonder whether I warned T'bay when we
drank the shots. Y'know, I don't think I did. I'm amazed the man didn't
kill me. What's the price, then?" A soft snort of amusement follows. "I'd
probably rather see M'rek do the beating, but it does depend some on whom
he's fighting. Must be someone good. He isn't beating up a Craftmaster
again, is he?"

Caritha takes another sip of her klah, pointless as it may be - at least
she feels like she's trying to do something to help, "He didn't say with
whom. Just that tickets would be two marks for the brawl, three if you want
the entire 'dinner and a smackdown' package as he referred to it." She is
amused by this and momentarily forgets the condition of her head again,
shaking it and wincing as a result, "I'd have to guess its at Bitra as I
can't picture anyplace else hosting such an affair other than perhaps the
Rusted Hulk. I wonder when it will take place sicne its pretty much
guaranteed to re-open that wingleader spot..."

Kassima repeats with a cross between surprise and fascination, "Two t'three
marks. He must be planning one sharding worthwhile show--or to gyp all of
us; I'd nay put either quite past him. Y'know, methinks 'twill do it.
Purchase a seat. Mayhaps two. I'd wager aught I can find *someone* else
who'd like t'see it even if'n Vel wouldn't--but honestly, how many people
can say they've been to a 'dinner and a smackdown'?" That phrase seems to
entertain her. "I could see the Rusted Hulk doing it. But why would it
re-open the slot? Assuming M'rek survives uncrippled?"

Caritha shrugs, "I don't know. You seem far more knowledgable about all
these matters than I do." She sighs, looking at where the bronzerider had
been standing before, "Too bad the price is so dear as I'm not sure I want
to spend my marks on that when P'wert and I are supposed to be moving weyrs
and will have expenses... but it does indeed sound like something special.
Who do you think he's doing it with?"

"Which matters? Wingleader slots? I should hope so. 'Twould be a sad thing
if'n I'd done it this long and didn't know something. Brawling? That's a
toss-up. I haven't been involved in so many brawls as that." Kassima sounds
wistful about this, Faranth help her. "I never seem t'be the greenrider
whose flights end with half the maleriders sporting a black eye. Ah,
well... you're moving weyrs? Is one of you transferring? I suppose 'tis
possible he'll be sparring Rodric. Or Gerome. Although at that price, I'd
almost think he's going t'duel Lord Vorlin--but nay, for that I'm sure
'twould cost more like ten marks, at the very least."

Caritha shakes her head again, "No no, not transferring. Just that P'wert
is moving ledges at Igen. We stay there in the colder months, though he
spends nights here in the summers. I suppose its the one advantage to
having one's weyrmate in another weyr with radically different weather
patterns." She giggles then, "Well at Semirath's last flight, I understand
that Melata tried to punch R'din while we were in the guest weyr, though I
missed noticing it. I did see P'wert having a shoving match with Elaia
however. I stuck to just throwing firestone but didn't hit anyone in the
head this time. At Semirath's first flight I did nail M'rek solidly on his
head - not that its not hard enough already." She takes another sip of her
klah, "Now if it were Lord Vorlin, I'd find a way to dig up the marks for
the event, for that might really be worth seeing. For that matter, I wonder
if we'd be able to even talk my father into hosting it here at the weyr but
I suppose that would be going a bit far..."

"Huh," says Kassima, curious. "Moving ledges for any particular reason, or
did a better one just open up? 'Twill have t'be taking your word on that
latter point--I've never been weyrmated, although having someone t'be
visiting with in another area is fair interesting even when the weather's
nay so different. Melata tried t'punch R'din?" Her eyes light up at this
news. "Did she manage it? Oh, but I'm guessing nay, since you said 'tried.'
Shells, I miss all the good flight brawls. I haven't even seen anyone get
kneed in Turns. Think you M'rek would be interested in having it here? I
could see that, really, depending on who 'twas. 'Twould if'n naught else be
an interesting spectacle for the Candidates. But mayhaps nay the best role
modelling in the world, more's the pity."

Caritha giggles, "I suppose if he wanted to get rid of that new knot of his
in a jiffy, holding it here would probably be the quickest way. But alas,
as nice as my dad is, I doubt he'd be willing to host a brawl between m'rek
and Lord Vorlin... or a wingleader and anyone from outside the weyr. Though
he's suprised me enough recently that who knows." She grins, "Well if
Lysseth wasn't green, you'd be welcome to chase and enjoy the show that
seems to happen every time Semirath rises. I don't really know R'din, but
somehow he did upset Melata at the flight enough for her to be swinging a
punch. Considering that she lectured me about throwing firestone at riders,
it must've been pretty bad for her to be playing the hypocrite."

Kassima shakes her head, disagreeing, "If'n the Weyrleader agreed to it, I
don't think he'd lose his knot over it, would he? 'Twould think 'twould
only be a problem if'n he caused an Incident, or got himself too badly
injured--or injured the other man too badly. Assuming 'tis a man. I can't
think of any women offhand who seem *likely*." She lapses into some silent
thought for a beat or two, however, as if mentalling considering the
options. "Oh, I do appreciate that. I don't know R'din either, really. Nor
Melata well. But any time I hear about maleriders trying t'hit each other,
it always sounds like a story."

Caritha shrugs, "I'm not at my best while Semirath is in the air so I only
heard about it after the fact." She returns to her klah and the seemingly
more interesting topic of the brawl, "I just don't see my father offering
to host such an even, thats all. Not that he might not have been in brawls
of his own, but in his duties as Weyrleader, it just wouldn't seem in
place. Though I suppose I don't know nearly as much about any sort of
leadership as you do... but shards, I'm still amazed M'rek was made
wingleader in the first place. I do hope my daddy isn't prematurely losing
his mind or something."

"Whether that sort of thing's a problem depends on specifics and
circumstances, sometimes. And on the leaders above. So long as M'rek and
whoever-'tis have both agreed to the fight," Kassi speculates, tapping
fingertips against the table's surface, "I'd nay see a problem with it,
because 'tis all in fun... of a sort. Shouldn't cause problems for High
Reaches or Bitra, if'n 'tis Bitra. A'course, if'n he gets himself hurt too
badly, he's asking t'be yelled at for it, but I doubt he'd mind." Drolly
said, that. "'Tis perfectly possible your father might see it differently.
I'm nay even certain how m'Weyrleader would see it. Why d'you think M'rek
will be such a poor Wingleader?"

Caritha rubs her hand over her forehead again, sighing softly, "I'm not
sure I can think this all through rationally at the moment with my head
aching like this. But Dowanth reports P'wert is off duty for a break so I'm
going to see if a nice shoulder and neck rub will bring me some relief, if
you'll excuse me." The young greenrider stands up, her lunch left untouched
on its plate, her mug of klah half-drunk, "I'll definitely be trying to
procure myself some of that asparagus tincture you recommended if M'rek
won't share his secret cure with me, before I go drinking too much the next
time."

[Editor's Note:  Caritha leaves, and eventually M'rek 
connects again; some time can be assumed to have passed 
in the meanwhile. :) ]

At some point, Caritha must have left the Cavern, since Kassima's no longer
speaking to the younger greenrider--she's struck up a conversation with a
different rider instead, seated at the same table Caritha was and nursing a
glass of wine. Trust Kassi to have found the liquor already.

<Bitra> Gerome hms, so where do we want to do dinner and a smackdown M'rek?
how about HRW?

<Bitra> Gerome says, "or.. hmm.. Igen? Gerome's never been to igen"

<Bitra> M'rek says, "Aye, exactly. Maybe Kassi should be our Don Ho."

<Bitra> Gerome grins..

<Bitra> Gerome says, "thats' not a nice thing to say about Kassi :)"

<Bitra> Cailin watches Kassi bet on Gerome now instead of M'rek ;)

<Bitra> Kassima is admittedly not sure who Don Ho is (though it's vaguely
familiar-sounding), so her instinctive reaction was, "Hey! Not a ho,
thankyouverymuch!" ;)

<Bitra> Gerome says, "Famous Hawaiian singer"

<Bitra> Gerome says, "Unless M'rek ment Don King?"

<Bitra> Kassima says, "Oh, right, the Tiny Bubbles guy."

M'rek gets finally free of the meeting he was dragged off too and he seems
to be chomping at the bit to get back to talking to Kassima based on what
little she got to say to him earlier. He pauses in the entrance from the
lower caverns and then picks the greenrider out with his eyes and hastens
over. Well. As quick as he ever goes with that ease stroll of his.
"Kassi-love. Sorry about that. I hope you found some good entertainment?"
The bronzerider slides onto the bench across from the greenrider. "Now
then. I'm all yours."

<Bitra> M'rek chortles. Don King. Aye, that's him.

Kassima is quick enough to turn about in her chair at the sound of the
familiar voice that she may have been half-listening for it, other
conversation or no. She flashes the rider she was talking to a quick smile,
and he nods amiably and rises to move to another table, sensing the
conversation at an end; manners thus attended, the greenrider answers, "Nay
entertainment could match up t'you and you well know it, but I've somehow
managed t'survive the pain of your absence. 'Tis only m'wish nay t'spill
this wine that keeps me from swooning right here and now at your return,
mind you." The teasing note drops from her voice when she says more
quietly, "What I came hunting you for. I ran into someone in the Lounge
yesterday who had something they wanted t'be selling you."

The grin from M'rek for Kassi's opening words is broad and almost boyish in
it's gleeful quality. "Aye. Well. I do know where the firmest hands for
pouring wait behind the bar." The bronzerider winks and then leans his
elbows on the table. "I'm surprised you survived my absense without the aid
of a healer." Such the flirt, then "Something someone wanted to sell to me?
Animal, vegetable, or mineral?"

Kassima sets her wine down and rests her elbows on the tabletop, lacing her
fingers together into a net of sorts on which her chin can rest. "Firm
hands?" she can't quite manage to purr. Maybe if she weren't trying quite
so much not to laugh. "I'm intrigued. Do tell me more. Pshhh,
*Healers*--nay Healer could make up for that lack, I promise you." Flutter,
flutter go black lashes. "Nay quite any of the above, though... I suspect
animal would be closest. Someone had told them 'twould pay out a fair sum
of marks for a man's name. Sound familiar at all?"

M'rek snickers at that tone from Kassi and then he right out slips into
full laughter before the part of whatever mash is in his head that passes
for the thinking part latches onto the business portion of the discussion.
"Huh?" So elequent. Maybe he'd have done better if she wasn't batting her
eyelashes at him. He's open mouthed a moment and then he laughs again and
rubs a hand over his face. "Wait. Wait. Okay. I'm ready now." As if he gets
a do over on thinking. "Aye. Sounds fairly familiar. I have a couple of
offers out and around as I look to dig up some information about some
things. Faranth. Please tell me this animal told you what the man's name
was in regards to?"

Serious or no--and in discussing the latter matter, she could actually pass
for it--Kassima grins outright at her tablemate's mirth. Quite as if she'd
intended just such a reaction. "I win that round, methinks," she teases,
with a wink. "Anyway. They did mention, and I asked for a detail or two.
'Tis in regards to the man who coveted the lady in green; more
specifically, who sent him. And where that one might be found."

M'rek chortles a bit more, "Aye. Well. You've got an unfair advantage.
You've /always/ got an unfair advantage. And more power to you,
Kassi-darlin." There's a wink and then the bronzerider makes a noise of
acknowledgement, "The Lady in green. Aye. I'm curious to find out about
that one. So, what went down? Do I owe you some marks for this one? I'm
betting that I do. Otherwise. Could just be another blind canyon."

Kassima asks, "Unfair advantage?" with too-wide, too-innocent,
too-guileless eyes. Flutter, flutter. "I can't imagine what you mean.
Enlighten me, do?" Which is followed by a quiet chortle of her own. Then,
"Well, the person in question seemed--nervy. Was particularly keen on
getting the deal closed that night, aye? So. Aye, I bought the name and the
place, and then gave 'em a ride somewhere other than where they'd been
living. Five marks they wanted for it. You can repay me in two seats at
this extravaganza you're putting on, if'n you're so minded." She glances
about once, then leans in to mutter something less audibly.

M'rek chuckles and runs a hand over his head, "Aye. Unfair advantage. And
if I told you how unfair that would just broaden the gap and I need every
scrap of help I can get as it is. Sure. Seems like a fair way to repay
you." He leans in then to listen to what information this greenrider has
purchased on his behalf and the look on his face is deeply serious. After
he's heard the word from Kassi he nods and starts getting to his feet,
"Aye. Sounds plausible enough I think. Coming with me?" He slants a grin at
the greenrider, "Or are you keeping your hands clean?"

Melata comes in from the bowl. "There you are, M'rek!" she barks. One would
almost think /she/ was the Weyrleader, the way M'rek jumps (and as does
most of the other leadership of the Weyr, since the great majority have
come up through her Wing). "I get you all broken in, and 'pffft', there you
go. Like so many before! Well, have you learned what sort of headaches /I/
had with you? Just you wait, I'll make sure the most wherry-headed
Weyrlings are placed in /your/ Wing so you can see firsthand what I deal
with every Hatching cycle!"

"Awww, but *M'rek*. Here you've roused my curiosity and everything." Sigh.
Sigh. Kassima is so woebegone. "Cruel man. Fair deal, then." But there's no
jesting in what she told him, nor in her eyes as she watches him stand;
surprise, though, initially, at the invitation. "With you?" It only
requires a moment's thought. She downs the rest of her wine and follows his
suit. "As clean as possible, let's be saying. Particularly officially. But
far be it from me t'send you chasing alone--" It's a thought that gets
broken off in favor of more surprise, this time of a rather more
dumbfounded sort. She blinks twice at Melata's ranting. "D'you get this
sort of thing often?" she can't help but ask him, sotto voce.

As usual, M'rek has no idea what Melata's talking about until she's half
done with what she's saying. "Huh?" Aye, he's really pulling out all the
conversational stops tonight. "Wherry headed Weyrlings? Oh." See? Now he
gets it. He laughs warmly and gives Melata a wink, "I'll see if I can swipe
at least one of the good ones from you. And. Maybe we can go out and have a
drink or a romantic picnic and squabble for the rest of them, Melata?" He's
on his feet fully now and his laughter includes Kassima as well for her
words. "That's me. Rousing things up and then running away." He pauses and
then nods, that serious look creeping back in again, "Aye. This won't be
official at all. Just a drink at Ista and a quick look around. Or.
Something like that." He nods to Kassi then, "All the time. Life's just
like that."

Melata eyes M'rek, then shakes her head, "Don't know what S'rist sees in
you, to have you at the head of Snowstrike. Now I'll..." she stops, then
sighs, "no, I guess I don't have to replace your dragon in my Wing as an
anchor for the blues and greens. No Thread to worry about, just rope
drills." She pauses, then continues, louder, "And don't you think you'll
get any of the good ones. One of these days (turns...she's been saying this
for a /long/ time) I'll hold on to a decent rider instead of seeing them
off as leadership in other Wings. Maybe once I've /staffed/ all the other
Wings, then I'll keep 'em."

Kassima ducks her head to hide her amusement as best she can. "Romantic
picnics. I really should have thought of that method. But I'd be nigh
afraid t'try a romantic picnic with R'var; wouldn't really do t'seduce
Fax's courtesan--and someday, M'rek-m'dear, you're going t'figure out that
you'd have more fun if'n you left off the 'running away' part. Just a tip.
I can't see aught t'object to in a drink-and-look." She takes to winding
her braid around her head as the others converse, producing pins to secure
it. While she listens to the talk of Wings, she doesn't offer comment,
apparently content to watch the other two hash it out.

M'rek chortles at his former Wingleader and then as she heads off he turns
to Kassi and says with a wink, "I've always been her favorite, as you can
see." And then he motions with one arm to Kassi and seeing that she looks
ready he strolls towards the bowl, pausing now only to get his riding
jacket and to shrug it on. "Let's see what we can dig up at Ista."

M'rek meanders outside to the bowl.

Kassima follows after M'rek with a far-too-amused, "Oh, aye, that much is
self-evident," followed by a cheerfully called, "Duties to the 'Reaches and
her queens, and g'deve!" over her shoulder.

You meander outside to the bowl.

M'rek uses a combination of handholds on the straps and Ulfianth's bent
forelimb to climb up on the ice in summer bronze's back.

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

<*> In the sky directly above, Ulfianth springs powerfully into the sky
from the ground below.

<*> Karimina just shakes her head at Sasha and then turns to Sam. "Your
right I am."

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

You leap into the sky.

<*> Ulfianth disappears into Between.

<*> Lysseth disappears into Between.

Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear
nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Contents:
Ulfianth(#18Jae$)
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!

You suddenly emerge...

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

<*> Ulfianth glides lower into the bowl, his huge size dwarfed by the
immensity of the bowl around him.

The wind is brisk and feels good under your wings, supporting your wings
firmly as you glide lower into the bowl.

You fly west, meeting the headwinds and flying to the corrals.

You fly to the widest part of the beach and land.

<*> M'rek carefully slides down the side of ice in summer bronze Ulfianth,
using the dragon's forelimb as a helpful step on the way.

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles,
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

M'rek steps off the beach into The Sandbar, brushing black sand off his
feet as he disappears inside.

You step into The Sandbar, brushing black sand off your feet as you enter.

M'rek strolls in, easy of gait and speaking to Kassima, "Aye, but the
Healer's Lounge will always hold a tender spot in my heart for the sheer
fact that I'm not sure how many apprentices it takes to get the liquor in
those tiny little bottles."

Delaney wanders in from the beach.

L'cah wanders in from the beach.

Shimshon. muddy but dried, is at the bar giving Kylia the fisheye as he
chats with her at the bar.

Kylia is lounging on the table where Shimshon sits. Not at, mind you, but
on top of it, perched at the end. "Oh, well that was very sweet of you."
Her grin grows at his compliment and she bobs one foot idly. "Gee, thanks.
I'm rather fond of the skirt myself... maybe I should wear them more
often." Dark eyes flicker up as more folks enter and she wiggles her
fingers in a bit of a flirty wave. "Ista's duties," she murmurs.


Kylia:
	Kylia is about five and a half feet tall and in the beginning of her
twentieth turn. She has the build of a dragonrider, broad through the
shoulders and bearing defined muscle through her arms and back. Flat planes
give way to soft curves though, a feminine gentling to the strength in her
form. Her mahogany hair is shorn to less than a fingerlength, leaving
choppy texture and occasional spikes in the place of the previous curls.
Her almond-shaped eyes are sepia, their brown so deep it borders on black,
and rimmed by long lashes- a pleasant contrast to her skin which is a
golden shade of creamed klah. Her jawline is strong and her cheekbones
high, lending her an exotic air that is balanced by a soft mouth.
	Oddly, Kylia is clothed in an outfit both feminine and revealing. A 
blousy shirt of pale cream clings lightly to her form, billowing gently 
with her movements as the lightweight fabric moves. The neckline is an 
almost indecently plunging V, while the sleeves bell out over her hands and 
the hem floats just above her waistline. Beneath that stretch of tanned 
skin a sweeping skirt begins. Rich crimson in hue, and equally lightweight, 
it swirls down along her thighs and then floats outward, ending near her 
feet. When she walks a slit in the right side can be seen, revealing her 
legs far above her knee. There's even a flower tucked behind one ear.


It's almost as easy to tell sometimes when someone is actively trying *not*
to crane their neck and gawk like a tourist as it is to tell when they're
doing it. This is one of those times for Kassima, what with all the
half-fascinated roaming her eyes do over the walls of the bar. "That sounds
like the makings of a raunchy joke," she points out to M'rek. "How many
Apprentices does it take t'fill a bottle. We'll have t'stop by there again
sometime soon, with a new song for Rodric after. The place looks busy
tonight." Observant woman. Her eyes flick over everyone in the bar,
scanning not once, but twice before she returns the greeting in amiable
fashion: "Duties right back t'Ista and her queens."

Fresh from a hasty feast at the caverns, Delaney seems intent on assuaging
a second hunger- the liquid kind. Apparently Timor has been a taxing wing
for this brownrider. Or perhaps its just been a long day in the neckridges.
Either way, a perfunctory greeting grunt and head bob is given familiar
faces of Kylia and Shimshon, about as warm a greeting as the stoic lass
will give. Still, slanting a jaded eye at the massed patronage, she shakes
her short, caramel-headed top, and heads for the Istans in the crowd.
"Flaming shards, all I wanted was a drink in peace," she grimaces as she
settles near them.

P'wert wanders in from the beach.

Moyra wanders in from the beach.

L'cah's slow stroll brings him eventually along the beach and into the
Sandbar, his blue gaze tumbling across the faces enjoying the place, in
search, probably, of one in particular that is not found. A call of duties
is heard from a familiar face, though and L'cah pauses by a table to
return, "Igen's duties, Berella, how is your brother?" Pleasantries are
exchanged and the Igenite moves on, slowly winding his way towards the bar.

Shimshon regards the influx of dragonriders and then looks back at Kylia,
"Oh, nice cleavage too," he murmers and then looks impishly at Delaney,
"Not tonight, kiddo. It's all downhill from here." He looks a bit pleased
at the hordes. "Claia popped out her kid the other day, by the way." Random
bit of info there for Delaney.

P'wert leads Moyra to the sand bar, smiling to her leisurely, "Have you
ever been here before? Some of the drinks, here, I warn you, pack a mighty
punch - beware of the between. Learned that one first hand." He gives the
bar a quick glance, noting L'cah rather amusedly, but leaving the lad be
for the moment.

Kylia eyes each of the incoming with a predatory light in her eyes, then
she blinks down at Shimshon. "Do you think? Thank you." She seems
inordinantly pleased by the crass compliment which would ordinarily have
earned him a swift swat. Delaney gets a charming smile then and Kylia leans
a bit toward her. "Poor girl, the bar isn't a peaceful place tonight it seems"

M'rek is here on business, and it might be discerned from the tense quality
around his shoulders and neck even though he's all charming smile and easy
banter with Kassima. He laughs about the joke, "Aye. That's a good one. Hm.
Aye, we should write him a new tune. Though, I haven't seen him in months
and months. I suppose I should catch The Harper up on some things sooner or
later. This place does tend to be busy. Perfect if you are looking to hire
a kidnapper." As M'rek looks over the patrons for the suspect he and Kassi
are after he makes Shimshon's table and nods in greeting before his eyes
make Kylia and a whistle is stolen from him, via his lips. He actually
looks around to see what idiot is whistling before he realizes it's him. "I
think that's Kylia." Said for Kassima's benefit as if her brain would be
derailed by a girl such a skirt on a table as well.

Moyra nods to P'wert, and grins a tad. "I'll be sure to look out for it
then." she says, following him over to the bar, and then smiling a tad bit
more. "But then, don't drink much at all, so something a little lighter for
now? Still have things to look up." she asks P'wert, taking herself a seat
next to him and casting a look around.

Delaney sips her personal beverage of choice, something a little more
girlish than she likes to admit. Sedately sipping her detestably girlish
Cherry Berry Madness, hands cupped protectively about its sides (the better
to not discern it's telltale purpley color), she hunches elbows on the
table, regarding Shimshon's news with a raised brow of surprise. "Really?
Well... good to hear it," she sounds a bit unsure of the proper
congratulatory sayings. "He's probably a stout lad, if he's Alaner's get."
And with that complimentary remark, she returns to the purpley drink. More
and more entering people recieve another grunt. "Shells, didn't know the
fruity drinks here were so popular with the Northerners," she notes aside
to Kylia, hiding said fruity drink in hand. But with the look she notes
another familiar face, she narrows eyes L'cah's way. "So, you survived
Th'deus, did you?" A small smile lurks at his expense.

Shimshon smirks at Kylia and then waves a hand at M'rek and Kassima, "Maybe
I should start taking bets, or clean up for the leftovers," he says
generally at Delaney. That said, the dirty herder makes no move to do
anything, instead he sips his beer and watches the gathering, "Claia named
him Clane, or something, so she's thinking it's Alaner's. Personally, I
don't think you can tell 'till their older, unless they're like my sister."

Kassima agrees with her bronzerider companion: "You should. Should go out
drinking with him, mayhaps--get back in touch. And mayhaps invite me along,
because I'm tired unto death of hearing about these crazy lootings and
pillagings of liquor that I didn't get t'take part in." Her eyes meanwhile
note the various arrivals. Each one gets a friendly enough nod, but no more
than a moment of attention initially. "Are such business arrangements often
made here?" she asks M'rek under her breath, before following the direction
of his gaze. She makes an amused sound. "Down, man." That said as she
returns Shimshon's wave. "I don't think she qualifies as forty and balding."

Public announcement: Kylia announces "Good evening everyone! Essieth's
maiden flight will be commencing in about 30 minutes. If you'd like a bit
of pre-flight RP, please head over to #4182 (Ista's Sandbar)! Otherwise I
will see you at Ista's Corrals (#1253) in half an hour. All bronzes and
browns (PC and NPC) are welcome."

P'wert glances at the list rather idly, and orders something light for the
lady, and, as he glances briefly at Kylia, not really registering who she
is just yet at the distance, orders a Weyrwoman's Kiss. As he waits for the
drinks, he glances around once more, smiling at Moyra, "Of course, Moyra.
Wouldn't want to get you drunk with hidework left to do." M'rek's whistle
catches his attention, and draws it to the goldrider. "My, my. Is /that/
Kylia?" He asks, staring.

P'wert receives a salute from L'cah when the weyrling spots the assistant
weyrlingmaster. A drink order is placed before his gaze shifts to the Istan
brownrider who addressed him, his cheeks touching with a blush, "Survived?
Ah, yes, ma'am, I believe that would be the term." He reaches up a hand to
rub at the back of his neck and it's then that Kylia is noticed and he
rather blinks in surprise at the woman's dress, hmming softly to himself.
"I see you survived the evening after notably unscarred, ma'am." He notes
before moving over to Delaney and offering a hand, "L'cah, weyrling with
brown Tiernoth, Igen Weyr. Duties to Ista and her queens."

J'lisin wanders in from the beach.

M'rek feels someone move past him from behind and he tears his attention
from Kylia and grins at all the other arrivals as he answer Kassima, "I
never considered this that kind of a place. Usually you need. Well. More
walls for one thing." He laughs and then points towards the bar, "But for
some reason this is where Gerome thought the poor sod was hired from. So."
He shrugs and then says, "We can lean on the bar. Drink. And watch for
balding men in their forties who look stupid. I'm fully expecting this guy
to be a dim glow all the way." Sure, his eyes stray back to Kylia but M'rek
still does make it to the bar relatively safe.

Kylia finally seems to take in all of the attention she's receiving, and
she tips her head coyly, darks eyes flickering from one man to the next.
"Kylia it is, rider of Essieth and all that. Surely you remember me,
P'wert?" She actually bats her lashes, but a desire to be flirtacious
doesn't necessarily mean skill at the same. The usually tomboyish girl ends
up looking like she has a bit of dust in her eye or something, though her
smile is sensual. L'cah's arrival gains him a smile as well and she offers
a hand, leaning forward more than really necessary to do so. "Well met L'cah."

<Bitra> Gerome laughs, "Imagine that. a flight.. and M'rek is ALREADY at
the sand bar :)"

Lexiana walks in with Acadia and makes a dead stop at the door. "Wow there
are a lot of people here." This normally outgoing person seems to be a bit
intimidated by the crowd.

Shimshon waves a hand at L'cah, "If we're lucky, she'll remember this in
the morning, and be horrible ashamed at her dirty dirty ways." He chuckles,
"Oh this is fun."

<Bitra> M'rek is starting from the right side this time.

<Bitra> Gerome says, "sober? or drunk as a skunk?"

<Bitra> M'rek says, "Drinking with a greenrider?"

Delaney snickers into her mug at Shimshon's oh-so-honorable willingness to
take a hit for the collective team. "You're so thoughtful, Shim.." she
placates with a real grin stretching those usually compressed lips. She
favors L'cah with a snicker and takes the hand, shaking with firm
carpenter's grip. "Ah, we were the lucky few to escape that... fate. Well
met. I'm Delaney, brown Mraneth's." By this time, halfway through a mug,
stoicism is unbending a smidge. At the numerous whistles and appreciative
sounds directed her clutchsib's way, she makes to nudge Kylia's ribs. "A
skirt, Ky? Very daring in this crowd," she teases mercilessly.

<Bitra> Cailin grins :)

Kassima asks M'rek, "This wasn't where they found him, is it?" and sounds
vaguely disturbed by the prospect. "That'd put anyone off their drink.
Tallies with what 'twas told, though, if'n 'tis so. After you. If'n you can
make it to the bar without being too distracted by the goldrider." Oh, yes,
there's amusement behind that. She follows his lead with rather less
distraction, giving P'wert an extra waggle of fingers in greeting once
she's there; him, she recognizes. "Awful lot of maleriders here," she
murmurs. "Is this the usual way? Or--Faranth. You don't suppose...."

<Bitra> Gerome laughs.. yes.. a good way to start ;)

L'cah's hand moves to cover Kylia's after discharging the pleasantries with
Delaney, and his eyes are, helplessly, drawn to what Kylia's lean gives him
a better sight of, his adam's apple bobbing as he swallows hard, clearing
his throat before murmuring, "Well met, ma'am. Might I say you're one of
the most stunning women I've ever met." Well, it's not the drinks, since he
hasn't had any yet, but sub-conscious dragon feelings can be quite
intoxicating. His eyes jerk abruptly back up to her face and his blush is
deep as he takes a few steps back, quickly finding a pretense of collecting
his drink from the bartender to cover up the 'retreat'.

<Bitra> Kassima says, "Poor Kassi. Her thought processes are something
like: 'Wait a second. Flirty goldrider lounging on the furniture. A bunch
of drooling maleriders. I'm at an Ista goldflight again, aren't I?' ;)"

Moyra ahs and nods, and smiles her thanks to P'wert, and glances about some
more, and then back at P'wert, "Who is that?" She asks, hearing his
exclamation, and rather curious as to its cause, other than the way she is
dressed. She smiles to those faces she has seen before, even if she doesn't
know, or recall the names that go with them.

Acadia looks toward Lexiana. "What's wrong with her?" She inclines her head
toward Kylia. "She's acting kinda like she had too much to drink, but she's
still talking clearly."

P'wert eyes Kylia up and down, blushing softly, "I remember you, of course,
Kylia . . ." P'wert forces his eyes upwards from the V and locks onto her
face, his eyes flicker now and the back down, "But not like this." He says
almost reverantly. Since he's /mostly/ looking at her eyes . . . "Forgive
my rudeness, weyrwoman . . . and my staring. I just can't seem to help
myself, I'm sorry. I am trying." He says desperately, "Igen's duties to
Ista by the by - and Telgar," He notes, noticing Kassima and M'rek, "And to
High reaces as well." He turns to Moyra, smiling deeply, "That's Kylia,
Essieth's rider . . . the most beautiful . . . I mean, one of the weyrwoman
here."

Riding gloves come off, next followed by a new-looking flight jacket.
J'lisin walks into the tavern, slinging the jacket over his arm and heading
towards the bar. He grabs himself a stool, riding gloves slapping the
benchtop as he drops them and signals the bartender for a pitcher of the
something cold. Obligingly, the man returns with one right away - J'lisin
pouring himself a glass. He spies Kylia, the center of attention, in the
midst of many males and females. Scowling slightly, he makes his way over -
pushing past some people and standing in the general semi-circle that has
formed. Younger than most, it's an arduous task to be noticed amongst the
bustle of bodies, but he has one advantage - his height. The Fortian
bronzer raises a hand in greeting, struggling to lift his voice over the
general hum of chatter in the room, "Kylia! Hello there!" That is, of
course, if she even remembers him. Bumping another, he apologises rather
profusely, finding himeslf now next the bar, and nearer to Kylia.

<Bitra> Gerome laughs

<Bitra> Gerome says, "that' usually the way it goes yeah :)"

Kylia meets L'cah's eyes boldly for a moment, her fingers lingering in his.
"Why thank you, L'cah... you /are/ sweet." Then she blinks blankly down at
Shimshon, brows rising. "Why wouldn't I remember it? And you should talk
about being dirty, all covered in mud as you are." A thought occurs and her
lips slide into a smirk. "Maybe I should haul you off to the bathing
caverns to take care of that, mmm?" But then even that thought is torn away
by P'wert's stammering. She simply laughs lightly and leans over to lightly
pat his arm. "No worries, I've been told this skirt is hot so of course I
understand." Or something- did I mention she's not much of a flirt
normally? Then there is a finger-waggling wave for J'lisin and a bright
smile as well. "Hello there J'lisin. Goodness but it's busy in here
tonight." Not that she minds of course, leaning back to prop up on one
elbow as she lounges on top of Shim's table.

Moyra smiles to Kylia, "Tillek's duties Ma'am." She says to her, and then
looks back at P'wert, and glances at him carefully as she sips at the juice
that her escort ordered for her. She glances once more at P'wert, and then
in a mostly quiet voice, "Most beautiful eh? I thought you was weyrmated
and all that, and don't chase after any pretty woman you met." She asks,
looking levely at P'wert as if she isn't sure he is as trustworthy as he
claims.

Shimshon leans back as the goldrider sucks up the ambient attention in the
room. "Heh, this is going to be an interesting night." He lifts his mug to
Delaney, "Think your Mraneth has a chance?" He lets Kylia's comment go
unreplied to, as she's all over the place today.

M'rek tips a look at Kassima and nods, "Aye. That's what I heard. Horrific
stuff there." Yet M'rek doesn't shudder even if his tone of voice implies
that a shudder would be acceptable. "Me? Distracted by the goldrider?" He
proves the point by staring at Kylia again. "It's a nice skirt. You have to
say. I don't think she was dressed like that last time I saw her. A lot of
maleriders?" Duh. M'rek rubs a hand over his head and sighs, "Sharding
Shards." So creative in swearing. And then, "P'wert. Good to see you."

Lexiana frowns a bit and inches her way away from the door to give the
goldrider a long curious look. "I am not sure, but she does seem to be the
center of attention." This young lady seems not to have notices the way
that Kylia's legs look underneath that shirt or the way that the dress hugs
her body just right.... or has she? A slight blush comes to her face as she
quickly looks away.

Ah, the beauty of being the girl with the 'good personality'. Delaney can't
help a roll of coppery eyes at the numerous and stuttered compliments
parading around their table. Still, she leaves the goldrider to the
obviously patent flirtations of the males, preferring her purpley beverage
at the moment. "Shells Shim, have you ever heard wherry-heads like that?"
Thumb pokes at a skinny blueriding man from Benden who appears enamored of
'view' as well. "I mean, you don't have to dip to such levels, do you?"
Freckled nose wrinkles at some befuzzled rider to near her, nudging him off
forcefully with a less than petite elbow. "Eh... I'm not the betting kind.
But we have the home turf advantage," she winks saucily.

Kassima semi-echoes P'wert with, "Duties t'Igen, aye; and Ista, and High
Reaches, and... everywhere there are dragons, by the looks of it." Her eyes
are taking on a distinctly entertained gleam. She, after all, can afford to
be amused. "It is a nice skirt. Which I'm probably thinking for different
reasons than *you* are, mind you... y'know, this happens every time I visit
Ista with a bronzerider. I swear it does. Rather uncanny, really. Think you
that I should bet on Ulfianth? Or against?"

P'wert hesitates, "It's okay to look, Moyra, even if one is weyrmated. But
you're right, something's not right here . . ." P'wert shakes his head,
stunned as Kylia pats his arm, "Uhhh, Kylia, are you alright? Don't
remember you acting like this before." P'wert glances over to M'rek,
"Hello, M'rek . . " Suddently he hears the calls on betting, "Oh, shards
and shells." He turns to Moyra, "Remember when I was telling you about gold
flights? Looks like you'll have a chance to experience it first hand."

In the way a jealous man would react, J'lisin merely stares at this L'cah.
Well he can be sweeter should the need arise. His head is tipped in a
formal greeting to P'wert, "Hello there, P'wert, seems we are always
meeting up at Ista isn't it?" Of course, the jibe particularly refers to
the last flight they both competed in, J'lisin sending the rider a
particularly fiendish grin. Pausing, he now delgates an elbow to shove
another out of the way, a look of pure appreciation spared for the young
woman, particularly that skirt. He leans in closer, "Can I get you a
drink?" Of course, he's being completely obnoxious, but with good reason -
there could be a reward at the end of all this. Spying a seat that's now
being vacated, he slides himself in - still rather visible with that overly
tall frame of his. His fingetips are on the table now, drumming repeatedly
upon the surface as he watches Kylia's face, only allowin gaze to slip when
he knows she won't spot it.

Acadia listens to the talk in the room, and her own cheeks turn a nice
shade of pink. "Ahhh, I don't think she's drunk, Lexiana. Or at least not
only drunk. I think tonight I'm going to be glad to be riding green." After
a pause she admits, "That skirt does look good on her, and the slit on the
side is great. I bet the guys like it."

Shimshon ehs at Delaney, "I don't drool and waddle after the ladies, if
that's what you mean." He elbows at the brownrider, "Well, best of luck.
I'd like to be a vtol on that wall, eh."

Lexiana frowns as this little lady finally understand what is going on.
With a loud moan, she closes her eyes. "Nooooooo, not again..." then she
makes a be-line to the bar and orders the strongest drink she can get.

Kylia chuckles lightly, letting her fingers linger on P'wert's arm for a
brief moment. "Didn't I? Perhaps I'm just having a better evening... and of
course I'm more at home here." Her dark gaze flickers over to J'lisin and
she dips a quick nod. "Oh would you? I think a Bronzer would be just
delightful." She winks cheekily at him, then sighs happily and just looks
around her admirers. "I think I need to get out of Ista more often... just
look at all the lovely people we have running around here."

M'rek slants a look at Kassima and laughs, "Against. Shards. I'll give you
a couple marks to put against him as well. That one? Too much talking and
not enough flying." The bald bronzerider nods his head sagely and yet
there's a fond grin for his lifemate. "Huh. You know. I think I recognize
some of the maleriders from another flight. I didn't even bring my cards
with me and we haven't even been up to see L'vor yet to get m'flask
refilled." Another laugh comes and then M'rek orders an ale, "What can I
get you, Kassi? Or are you going to stay sober to make sure you collect
your marks?"

The Bartender seems to be just cleaning up. HE's having a great night.

Kylia finally registers all the talk of gold flights, a phrase here and
there sinking through the haze of flitation to finally reach her brain.
"Gold flight? It's about sharding time Aerianth went up, but I should
probably get Essieth out of here if that's the case." She tsks softly then
lets her gaze linger first on P'wert, then J'lisin. "Maybe I should go to
Fort or Igen, mmm?" And then up to M'rek. "Or maybe Reaches... then again I
could just steal one of /you/ away to some other secluded place... or
both." This last taking in Shim and Delaney, a special smile offered to the
latter.

Delaney stifles a laugh, waggling fingers at the bartender for a refill on
her mug. "That's true enough.. I hear they're often waddling after you.
Don't you favor the... er... fluffy ones?" Innocent copper eyes turn on the
weyrherder before burying gaze back at purpley drink. Pulling a glance
aside, she eyes the room. "Though, I don't mind telling you, Mraneth's got
some plans in mind to take down some of those bronze clowns," she admits,
sotto voice towards the man, slipping gaze serripitously left and right in
secretive planning. Kylia's sly rejoinder is eyed with a slightly... scared
look. "Er.. Maybe in a bit, Ky.."

Moyra ahs as she hears P'wert's explination of her question, and she nods.
"Well, I suppose, I heard rules are different here." She says, agreeing to
what he said. She starts to drink her juice. She is listening to the rest
of what he has to say, and she hears the Goldflight, and coughs, but with
the juice being drunk, turns it into a chance for P'wert to get covered in
Moyra's fruit juice. After a second, she stands back up, "So thats why you
agreed to bring me over now, instead of earlier, you knew about this didn't
you?" She accusing the Bronzerider, her finger out and pointing at him.

Kassima suggests to M'rek only too cheerfully, "Tell you what: 'twill take
a wager against Ulfianth m'self, just because then you'll win either way.
Never say I never do aught for you. He doesn't fly badly, as I very hazily
recall." She permits herself a snicker, and digs in a pocket of her jacket
until she comes up with a careworn box of the right size to hold a deck of
cards. "Lose any of these and die. 'Tis m'lucky deck. I can't help you with
the flask, though. I don't know what they serve here... just give me
something interesting, hmm? Since I'm doubting 'twill need t'stay that
clear-minded, really. I *never* forget wagers, and if'n the bald man shows
up tonight, he's insane." She wonders after a moment, "Any ideas on which
of these males I should bet on? If'n you've flown with 'em a'fore? At least
answer that question a'fore you get dragged off someplace secluded."

J'lisin looks at P'wert, sending him a rather rude glance - then swiveling
on his seat to order Kylia the drink she'd allowed him to purchase for her.
Speaking briefly to the bartender, he then turns back around - remarking in
his best attempt at smooth talking, "There we go, Kylia. Won't be too
long." He grins broadly, flashing pearly whites her way. He leans in on one
arm, gaze still focused up on her, only flickering away as the drink
arrives. He pushes it over towards the young woman, murmuring, "Fort would
be more than pleased to have you at any time, Kylia." He shoots a look over
to P'wert, then to M'rel, "And the climate is much more agreeable. I can
show you a few of my favourite places.. Down by the lake." The murmur grows
deeper, J'lisin's intentions blatantly clear. Whatever that cool drink was,
it obviously had some alcoholic contents. Luckily enough for him, he's a
bit of an expert at handling his drinks after the liquor P'wert gave him
for winning that green flight.

Acadia chuckles and follows Lexiana to the bar and orders a Weyrleader's
Shirt. She sips carefully, enjoying the cordial taste. Then she leans back
and watches the men cluster around the lady in the red skirt who is so
obviously enjoying their attentions.

P'wert eyes Kylia consideringly, "A bit too good of a night, me thinks."
P'wert shivers delightfully, however, as her fingers linger there. A
statled and stunned gasp comes from the bronzerider as he's covered in cold
fruit juice, "/Moyra/!" P'wert says almost like a curse. "Shards and
shells, of course I didn't know . . ." And he looks at J'lisin with a
smirk, "What's a matter, J'lisin? Afraid this meeting'll go more like the
one at Fort than the last at Ista?" Distractedly, his attention is brought
back to Moyra, "Really, I didn't. Shards. I can see if there's someone who
can get you of the weyr . . . just remember not to do anything stupid!"

Shimshon misses Kylia's comment by virtue of Delaney's 'fluffly ones' one.
"Fluffy? if you mean," at this point he holds his hands out to indicate
generous bossoms, he nods, "Hey, you know, my room's not far from the guest
weyrs, if you're unlucky, Delaney."

M'rek waggles his eyebrows over Kylia's way as he's glanced at and then he
picks up his mug of ale, orders Kassima something that's midnight blue in
hue and sure to take the paint of the walls of any ledge before he says to
the greenrider from the side of his mouth. "That one over there. His
dragon's a strong one. Though. I'm not sure. Maybe put some marks on one of
the browns." He looks at the cards and then shakes his head, "Faranth. I'll
lose them for sure. My own deck is still missing the sharding three of
holds and I can't find it anywhere."

Lexiana downs her drink in one long gulp before she turns back around to
face the madness that is a goldrider. Cocking her head as she sighs and
gives Acadia a look that clearly reads. 'I sorry.' and moves closer to the
mayhem. Smiling at Kylia, she moves up next to J'lisin (Fortian must stick
together.), "I agree, Fort is a lovely place." she says sweetly. "I would
love to show you around."

L'vor wanders in from the beach.

L'vor comes into the tavern and makes his way towards the bar, "Skin of
wine, cheap and strong... that's what I'm going to need tonight." He looks
back out towards the door and mutters something about willful lifemates.

J'lisin grins over at Lexiana, though the grin lasts only momentarily,
after all - Lexiana is competition. He murmurs over to P'wert, "Not at all
P'wert! I seem to have a better record than you in Istan skies. I'd happily
trade you off the Fort women, for this gem." He winks at Kylia, unaware it
would seem of his sleaziness. The red skirt is marvelled at again, "Really
Kylia, it's your colour." Of course, right now he's picturing her in
something a little shorter than this skirt. Perhaps that's the reason for
the broad grin he's now sporting. He takes another sip at his own drink,
swallowing the liquid with a gulp. He then adds to P'wert, "So, how is
Leeana?"

Kassima, no fool when it comes to drinking with bronzeriders, sips at the
midnight blue drink rather than gulping. All the same, she nearly chokes.
"Shells! M'rek, are you *trying* t'knock me unconscious?" This is, of
course, not to say that she leaves the drink sit after that. She takes
another sip instead. Of course she does. "Hmm-mmm. I see what you mean.
What about--" She gestures towards one of the brownriders. "I've heard they
have a good record. If'n you're sure, then." The cards are returned to her
pocket. "Ironically, I have a dragonpoker deck I've been meaning t'sell you
out with Lyss, but 'twould be nay less shame t'lose a piece of that. Did
you have it for Lhiannonth's? Someone told me you played cards then."

Delaney chokes, spasmic fits of laughter filtering through the coughing.
"Er.. Yes, well, I'll keep you in mind as a last resort.." she promises
sweetly, a twist of lips softening the retort. "Besides, aren't you due for
a new bedframe? I heard from a laundress just last sevenday it's full
notched up..." Perhaps a less than clutch-sisterly gaze is slanted towards
Kylia briefly. Yes, later... but hopefully not /too/ later, by the look of
the copper gaze directed that daring slit in the much-mentioned skirt.
Methinks the brownrider protests too much...

Shimshon tilts his head, "Well, you think that over, Delaney, I'm going to
clean up before this night gets too far in."

Shimshon heads toward the beach.

Kylia takes a long drink of the Bronzer she holds, then sighs lightly. "If
later works better for you Del, that works for me." Then her eyes dart
between J'lisin and P'wert and a bit of a pout touches her lips. "You
really should go back to fighting over me instead of Griere you know. Just
because Aerianth's rising doesn't make me chopped liver you know." She
sniffs, then takes another long sip.

Lexiana frowns at the two bronzeriders that flank her and step up in front
of them closer to the golden jewel. "I think you are wonderful." she says
to Kylia in a slight longing whisper.

Moyra looks hard at P'wert, her finger still pointing right at him. "Uhuh.
I'm sure." She says, looking around, and then back, "And who might you
suggest, could be trying to set me up, I remember how you acted after that
last flight." She says, and she takes a sip of her juice to wet her lips.
"And what do you mean by do something stupid? Handled that last one I was
here for just fine."

M'rek nods to Kassima and laughs, "Aye. I think that's when I lost the
card. Was playing with P'wert and someone. Hard to remember sometimes
during flights. Head gets all foggy." Like his head needs any help in the
being foggy deparment. "Shards. Well. If Lord Ulf, who has just headed out
to start blooding, is determined. You'll have to hang about and watch for
our man without me, Kassi. I really do want to know who this guy is." He
rolls his eyes then, "Oh charming. Lord Ulf is full of himself tonight." He
must be if /M'rek/ is embarrased.

P'wert grabs his drink, still quite wet from the fruit juice, "Kylia, I
believe you /are/ most mistaken. I know you thoguht she would be next . . .
But Dowanth seems far to interested in Essieth for it to be Aerianth."
J'lisin gets another competitive glances, "We'll see about that. Might not
be a weyrling anymore, J'lisin, but you and Jaath still have a lot to learn
about flights. Watch and Learn, Dowanth will teach you nicely." Giving
imself a shake, he looks back at Moyra, "Hmm. You mean that green flight?
Th'deus's? That was a green, Moyra. Remember I was trying to explain to you
how golds are different? They project louder. Don't do anything stupid like
going into a man's arms, or whatever." He ponders, "I could get a female
rider to take you home, but, then again, any of the ones around here,
wouldn't know if they, well . . ." He blushes.

Doing a good job of being unobtrusive for the moment, and certainly looking
both slightly uncomfortable and completely confused, L'cah leans against
the bar, his first drink vanishing as the moments pass. Here he remains,
though his sapphire gaze stays fixedly on the goldrider - his eyes sliding
over her form with no effort made to hide his observation of her.

Kassima laughs. "V'lano, methinks," she supplies. "He's the one who told
me. I'm in awe you can keep it together enough t'play in the first place.
Better you than me. What's he doing?" She had to ask. How could she not? "I
guess I can be doing that. Although you do realize, if'n I *do* see our
guy, but only at the end of the flight and when I see him he's surrounded
by pawing, lusty maleriders? I am going t'be laughing far and away too hard
t'actually *do* aught about it."

Kylia's eyes widen as realization fully hits her and she pales beneath the
darkness of her klah-colored skin. "Oh... shards." Her gaze slips into the
distance and touches her just waking lifemate and a hand flies to her
throat. "No, no way. She's not supposed to rise for another turn at least!
Are you sure?" Even as she speaks she gasps as the gold rouses fully and
her new emotions course through her. "Oh sweet Faranth. I need to-" she
breaks off, looking around the leering males as if searching for help. "I
don't know what to do." Her mask of flirtation drops away for an instant,
leaving her looking vulnerable and confused.

Delaney shakes a shortly-shorn head of caramel hair at the retreating
weyrherder before refocusing attention back to the slim gril next to her.
Perhaps its that second Cherry Berry Madness, or perhaps its the surging
influx of thoughts, feelings, and lucid images from her brown lifemate that
turn those copper eyes warmer, bordering on hot as they regard her
tablemate. "Ky.. Essieth is-?" She states it with less question than she
does saccharine knowing, and she nudges the girl, gulping past Mraneth's
flood of male thoughts. "Aren't you supposed to go somewhere? The.. guest
weyr, right?" See, she's an old hand, been in two, count 'em, /two/ flights
already. Expert, at least. She stands, pointing door-wards, helpfully. Good
Delaney.

P'wert pats Kylia's arm gently, "It'll be okay, Kylia. When she awakens,
stay with her. Make sure she only bloods, and doesn't eat any flesh. Not
that height is as important with the pass being over, but still, she should
not." P'wert glances over at Moyra, then back to Kylia, "Which way to the
guest weyr? We should probably get you there." He withdraws his hand now,
"I'm sure, Kylia. It'll be okay."

Acadia pokes a rider near her, choosing him by his Istan knot. "Tell her to
go to the Guest Weyr, will you?" His glazed eyes show his attention is
elsewhere, and the young Fortian rider snorts in disgust. Luckily P'wert
and Delaney step in to provided much-needed direction.

J'lisin laughs over P'wert's way, "Don't be ridiculous man! You and I both
know how this one will end." Of course, both the alcohol and Jaath are
adding to the spurt of anger, "You forget to easily!" His words aren't
quite slurred yet, but are nearing such a state. He looks over to Kylia,
grinning, "Oh, Kylia. Don't worry yourself. I'm here." Yes, he's definitely
drunk. He leans forward, staring up at the woman with adoring eyes. He then
flickers gaze back to P'wert, mumbling underbreath, "Stop touching her." In
other words, he wants too. Taking the cue, he reaches out to pat her leg,
stopping in mid movement as another wave of emotion comes from Jaath. He
hurriedly takes another drink, even a bead of sweat forming on his
forehead. Darn Fort riding gear.

Kylia's vulnerably knocks Lexiana back into her ownself. Reaching out to
protect Kylia from all these leering boys. "It will be okay. P'wert is
right. We should get you to the guest weyr." the last part of the sentence
is said more softly. "away from these boys."

Kylia slips down off the bar, steadying herself with one hand and looking
around uncertainly. "The guest weyr... right. It's off the bowl." She
swallows, then her eyes go distant once more. "We should hurry," she
mumbles, then pushes past the grasping males and females and nearly runs
for the door.

P'wert nods slowly, and offers his arm to Kylia, carefully controlling the
lustful look he gives her, keeping it only in his eyes. Can't blame a boy
for trying. His voice, however, contains no hint of the conflicting
emotions, "Come on, then. Hurrying is good, unless we want a spectacle in
the bar." Whether she takes his arm or not, he starts to head for the bowl.

Lexiana nods and follows the fleeing goldrider out the door.

[Editor's Note:  Kylia and the maleriders @tel out.]

Acadia watches as the room empties rather quickly. She sees the few people
remaining and lifts what's left of her drink in salute.

Kassima can only shake her head as the maleriders stream out, including
M'rek. "That man," she announces to no one in particular, after a gulp of
her toxic drink, "is going t'owe me *so* much for this. Words can nay
describe."

Moyra looks around, standing were she is, her finger still out as she
watches with some disbelief as P'wert just walks out on her, without so
much as a by your leave. She glances about, seeing two others left behind,
and then sits back down, "Could I get some wine please?" She asks the
bartender, once more looking about with a tinge of worry in her eyes from
what she recalls of what they have told her.

Acadia walks in the direction of the Telgar rider with the red cord in her
knot. "Why will he owe you, ma'am? Did he do something wrong?"

"Nay intentionally." Kassima gives Acadia a wry grin as she approaches. "He
wasn't *meaning* t'lead me into a goldflight, or leave me with the task of
looking for the person we're hoping t'find while he makes googly eyes over
the goldrider. And I'm nay really miffed with him. Amusing coincidence,
though, and if'n by bizarre chance I end up having t'whap any maleriders
upside the head with a wineskin, I'm never, ever going t'let him forget it.
But please--Kassima or Kassi's what I'm called, never that other."

Moyra continues to look around, seeing just two remaining people in the
bar. She gets her wine, and takes a sip at it, glancing down at it, and
muttering something about it being Benden, and not Tillek pressing, but she
drinks it anyways.

Acadia changes her empty drink glass for a cherry berry madness and sips
appreciatively. "I'm Acadia, Inneth's rider from Fort weyr. I came with
Lexiana to check out the bar, and well, you saw what happened."

Kassima likewise scans the bar every minute or so; neither Moyra nor Acadia
must be the person she's watching for, for better or worse. "Kassima, green
Lysseth's at Telgar," she introduces in turn. "I've never been here a'fore
either. Which is odd, really. Seems a pleasant enough place, but right
a'fore a goldflight is an interesting time t'get your first impression of a
place."

Moyra glances over towards Kassima mentions first impressions, and can't
help putting her quartermark into the pot as it was, "You don't say." She
says, grumbling a tad, "P'wert is so in trouble." She says softly.

Acadia is surprised into a laugh. "That's an understatement! I'll have to
bring Lexi back another time. If Danielle's lecture was right, she won't
remember this night too clearly and can get a first impression all over
again."

"P'wert's the one that brought you over, huh?" Kassi deduces, not without
sympathy. "He probably didn't expect it either. Although, I swear, going by
the rumors about how oft Dowanth chases, you'd think he'd be expecting
flights everywhere he goes by now." She says this with a friendly sort of
amusement, rather than as if she's truly mocking the bronzerider. "'Twould
nay be in the least surprised if'n she does come away a bit fuzzy.
Especially if'n she hasn't chased often ere this, mayhaps."

Moyra nods to Kassima as she deduces that, and she nods in agreement.
"Well, be that as it may." she starts, pausing to take a sip, and she looks
around once more. "I might forgive. Maybe." She finishes, and then sets the
glass down. "But not sure I should. Might give me something to use agianst
him if this isn't as bad as I heard."

Acadia thinks for a few minutes before answering. "I think she said this is
her second flight since graduation. Her brown apparently was ready before
my green. Inneth still thinks of dragons as cuddle partners and not
possible mates."

Kassima asks of Moyra, "What, being about during and after a goldflight? It
may nay be. In a bar's probably a good place t'wait one out... you can
drink and get fuzz-minded yourself, which can be a good thing if'n you
start feeling odd, and if'n the maleriders head this way then there's
plenty of alcohol for 'em. Nay a bad arrangement 'tall." She looks back
towards Acadia, offering the younger greenrider a grin. "Naught wrong with
that. I'd almost say, enjoy it while it lasts."

Acadia finishes off her drink. "I plan to do just that, at Fort. I'll make
an escape before a bunch of, um, excited men storm in here. Clear skies to
you both!"

Moyra nods to Kassima as she hears her suggestions, and glances down to the
wine, "Well, then I hope I don't do anything dumb, the last thing I need to
that to happen." She says, glancing over to the other rider that is talking
to Kassima, and then she smiles, "Sorry, rude of me.. Moyra, Records Keeper
at Tillek Hold." she says, introducing herself to both of the riders.

Kassima laughs under her breath. "Probably nay a bad idea. Good luck in
your escape, Acadia--a pleasure 'twas t'be meeting you, and I hope your
next trip here is less chaotic." Moyra gets a friendly nod. She introduces
herself again: "Kassima, green Lysseth's, riding at Telgar. Also a pleasure."

Acadia gives Moyra a wave and says, "Fort's duties to Tillek, and I'll stop
by to see you another time!" Then she hurries out before it's too late.

Acadia heads toward the beach.

Kaimi wanders in from the beach.

Moyra waves to the departing Acadia, and then smiles to Kassima as well.
"Ah, well met and all." She says, grinning as she glosses over the usuall
polite way of making introductions. She glances up as she sees Kaimi, and
she smiles to her as well, "Hello Ma'am, nice seeing you agian." She says
to the baker.

L'cah wanders in from the beach.

Kassima doesn't seem to mind the lack of formality. She just grins, and
nods, and assures, "Likewise." Motion at the entranceway catches her
attention--she's still fairly alert despite the fact that her glass of blue
poison is down to its dregs--and she throws a glance that way, with a smile
when she sees who's there. "Duties to the Bakers and her Masters,
Craftsecond."

Kaimi's entrance is slow and filled with backward glances as she pauses in
the doorway to look up at the sky. The first use of a title doesn't seem to
sink in, for it doesn't serve to catch her attention as well as it might.
Or maybe she's just that distracted. Regardless. She can't stay in the
doorway forever, and so moves farther into the room. Her gaze taking in
now, who's present, just in time to catch the second greeting, "Ista and
Bakers duties." She replies, almost in the automatic. But then with a
blink, she takes a second look at 'who' and smiles in greeting, "Come to
get warm? Or view the evenings...entertainment?"

Moyra laughs softly, and shakes her head, holding her glass of wine, and
smiles. "No, trying to avoid it I hope, P'wert brought me over like the
rider he is, thinking he could get one by me." She says, sitting at the bar.

"Trust me," Kassima assures, wry, "my presence for this form of
entertainment is entirely accidental. Came here t'look someone up with
M'rek, only it isn't quite working out as we planned. Nay that he might end
up complaining. How're you?" She slants a curious look Moyra's way. "You
really think he did it on purpose?"

<Bitra> Kassima says, "Whee! I won marks from M'rek, I won marks from
M'rek! ;)"

<Bitra> Gerome says, "who won?"

"Get one what by you?" Kaimi asks innocently enough, then gives a smile to
each before ordering a drink from the bartender. AS she turns back, she
gives a moments pause, then ohs, "M'rek. Yes. I know him. He's not caught
up in -that- too, is he?""

<Bitra> Kassima says, "M'rek. ;)"

<Bitra> Gerome grins, congrats M'rek.. you're now the proud owner of shiny
bronze rider syndrom :)

<Bitra> Cailin woots! Go SM! :)

Moyra looks over to Kassima, and hrms thoughtfully. "Well, he is a
Bronzerider. And I have heard stories about them." She says, thinking
still. "But all in all, he seems to be at least somewhat trustworthy." She
adds, glancing back at Kaimi, and nods. "Well, if he is that sort of rider
that is. Bringing me over here hoping I might get all caught up, and he
might get lucky when he looses." She says, and she grins a tad, "But as I
said, not too certian he is that sort."

<Bitra> M'rek says, "It was the princess bride thing. :)"

<Bitra> Vahara says, "Yay M'rek!"

Th'deus wanders in from the beach.

L'cah slips into the Sandbar looking rather bedraggled, his hands rubbing
at his temples. He lets his feet lead him to the bar where he mutters
something to the barkeep and waits for his drink. He lifts the glass as
soon as it comes - observing the change in color in the glass and then
begins swallowing it down. He turns to lean his back against the bar, his
sapphire gaze parusing the faces still occupying the place in a critical
sort of manner, flicking from one to another. Finally it comes to rest on
Moyra and company and he slowly makes his way over towards the table, "Ah,
Mo--Moyera wasn't it?" He questions, getting the name wrong, but he didn't
meet the girl in the best of mental states. He flashes a hesitant smile to
all three women, "Igen's duties." He offers.

Delaney wanders in from the beach.

Kassima tells Kaimi, "If'n by 'that' you mean the goldflight--aye, he is."
There's a pause, and her alertness fades as her eyes momentarily glaze
over. "In fact... what d'you know. I won some marks. And I don't think he's
going t'make it back t'look for this man with me tonight, somehow. Shells,
this should be interesting." She shakes her head in something like
disbelief. "Ach, stories are just that. Stories. All bronzers aren't the
same, however much I tease 'em about it sometimes. P'wert has a weyrmate as
last I heard, so if'n he brought anyone with that sort of ending in mind,
methinks 'twould be her."

Delaney is looking rather... worse for the wear. Mraneth, apparently
cooling his veritable heels in the ocean, has had litle effect for the
irritation and other emotions plaguing his rider. She fairly stomps to the
bar, ordering up a stout drink with a mutter before plunking herself at a
table. "And I didn't even /want/ to... with.. augh.." she grumps to a
nearby patron, looking entirely too put out by her brown's loss.

Th'deus slips in apparently for a much needed drink, the greenrider not
looking at a soul as he heads to the bar and slides into a seat there
murmuring something low to the 'tender, and then a rather clear "Keep them
coming..." with a touch of firmness bespeaking volumes. He isn't kidding.
He really doesn't seem not notice the goings on around him, even as he
plucks up his drink freshly served and lifts it to his lips.

Kaimi nods as she accepts her drink and moves towards them, "Mind if I join
you?" She gives only the barest pause before continuing, "Well, some
stories about bronzeriders are more true than others I've found. I can name
a few that would be called both typical and not. As well as a few that
might be one way to some, and another, to another." Kassima gets a nod,
"Yes. That's what I mean." She looks about to ask something more, then with
a soft flush seems to think better of the question before the other sinks
in, "You mean he won then?"

Moyra nods slowly as she hears both of the other women, and then the
arrival of more riders, and most importantly, the state they are in. she
doesn't say anything else for the moment, staying where she is, and if
anything, moving a tad to be more out of sight of the rest of the
establishment.

"I don't mind," says Kassima, gesturing towards an open chair. "Nay sure
how long I'm staying, I have t'confess. Since m'companion's going t'be
preoccupied for awhile. Question is more, should I go back t'Telgar or back
to High Reaches... aye, aye, that's what Lyss tells me. The man's having
some sort of streak."

L'cah's attention strays as his approach isn't noticed and his sapphire
eyes find Delaney, making his way over to her, "You too?" He asks, thunking
- uninvited down into a chair across from her, letting more of the brightly
colored drink be swallowed down. His gaze slides across the room again and
they land on the greenrider at the bar, a low 'hrm' coming from deep in his
throat. "Who did win?" He asks of the Istan brownrider.

"Well I'll keep you company for a bit then, at least while your here."
Kaimi pauses a moment, giving a lightly puzzled look, "What's there to see
at Reaches then? That you might go there instead?" The baker slides into a
seat, not paying the arriving riders much mind as she sips from her glass,
"What sort of streak?"

A baleful eye regards all those unsuffering souls in the establishment,
Delaney preferring to make no statement and swallow a large mouthful of her
drink before regarding L'cah as he takes a chair at the table. "Me too..."
she sighs, looking momentarily forlorn by the thought. "Oh.. A 'Reaches
bronzer. M'rek and Ulfianth? Darned bronzers..." she mutters, before
casting an apologetic copper eye L'cah's way. "No offense, that is." Browny
looks only slightly repentant, looking glaringly at an oogling bluerider
across the way before returning gaze to the bar's other occupants. Hrm, is
right...

Th'deus continues not to notice anyone, even as he slams back his drink,
the thick length of his braid swaying back and forth behind the seat of his
stool. He taps the empty glass back across the counter towards the
bartender with one slightly long nail, before rapping his knuckles softly
upon the worn weathered counter. "Another..." he mutters, slender shoulders
sulking a bit before his next drink arrives, almost immediately wrapping a
hand around it.

L'cah raises a brow as she apologizes, finishing off his drink. "Why? Not
like I'm one of them." He replies with a snort and shrug of his shoulders,
one finger raising to touch the loop of brown through his weyrling knot.
"Tier's all mad at me for making him stop." He gives a little sigh before
he pushes up, "I need another drink." Sapphire gaze slides to Th'deus at
the bar and then back to Delaney, asking, "Can I get you anything? Another
drink?"

An unthinking smile crosses Kassima's face as she answers, "A friend of
mine is the clutchsire there. I visit, from time t'time." Her tone shades
wry. "Probably too often. He insists that I'm nay making a pest of m'self,
but sometimes 'tis hard t'credit. A winning streak--well, sort of; he just
got promoted t'Wingleader at High Reaches, I've heard." At which point she
makes a face. "Which means the Weyrleaders will probably be thrilled t'have
him out of action awhile. Shells, though, but that's almost funny. I don't
think that man can get a break without it turning odd in *some* way."

Delaney is coincidentally beverage-less, and she tips her empty mug towards
her eye to look at it curiously. Strange. "Well, the ocean's nice and cold
if you go out into the currents, Mraneth says," she offers politely for his
Tiernoth's sake. "Sure, I'll take anything," she returns to the
brownrider's offer of a beverage, eyes slanting perhaps a trifle less than
innocently over him at the words, before sliding back to the random people
in the bar. "I have it on good authority that the lower caverns are a....
welcoming place... to visiting riders after a flight," she notes casually,
eyeing the slim pickings of the place. Note to self...

Wincing visibly as he tips back that second drink of his, it doesn't seem
to stop the Istan greenrider from once again slipping an empty glass across
the counter even as he swallowing the stinging fluid down his throat.
Th'deus doesn't even have to make a single motion towards the barkeep this
time, instead another single shot glass of some dark honey colored beverage
is delivered and the empty removed. Smiling most faintly and rather feebly
the redhead nods silently before the glass is lifted and its contents
consumed.

Apheri wanders in from the beach.

Moyra glances to both Kassima and Kaimi, watching the crowd appear to
attempt to begin the process of drinking the bar dry. She says to both, or
rather, asks, "Is this typical, the need for everyone to get stone drunk as
fast as possible?" She asks, as she watches the small collection of riders
drink an amount that would leave her out cold twice over. Which doesn't say
much for her capacity for alcohol.

"He's flying off his extra energy and mood, but thank Mraneth for that -
I'll be sure to tell him when he's willing to-- er, well, nevermind." L'cah
cuts off, as often he does when trying to explain the innerworkings of his
lifemate's mind. "And-ah, thanks. I'll keep that in mind for the future.
Most lower caverns seem to be that way." Perhaps he's some experience with
that, rubbing the back of his neck as he moves towards the bar, trying to
get there and place a hand on the wrist of hand that holds the next shot
Th'deus is intending to do, "Strong or no?" He calls over his shoulder to
Delaney before he looks down to the greenrider. If he didn't actually get
ahold of the man's wrist before he drank down the shot, hopefully his
attempt will have at least gotten Theid's attetion. L'cah's other hand sets
his glass down on the counter, saying, "Another, and --" And he waits for
Del's response before ordering another drink.

"Well if he says your not making a pest, then I'd take him at his word for
it." Course, Kaimi would. For the next bit of news, she's giggling, "He was
only just promoted. and now he's stuck here? Maybe he should arrange a wing
exchange so that he can still keep his drilling. Though I'm not sure how
many Istan's will want to head North this time of turn." A smile for Moyra,
"Typical? Well, typical enough. Along with a few other...choices."

Apheri meanders in, picking her way around the bronze and brownriders who
are drinking heavily, and makes her way up to the bar, greeting the folks
she knows on the way.

"Oh.. strong," Delaney affirms L'cah's question with a nod as she scouts
the darker corners of the bar. Prim carpenter turned raving predator of the
innocent male cavern workers! See, see what dragonriding will turn a person
to? The horrors... As the brownrider orders up another drink, her attention
is captured by a visiting sailor off one of the many docked ships, giving
him a saucy wink.

L'cah's hand to his wrist does indeed stop the greenrider's attempt to
consume his forth shot of whatever it is he ordered, and that's when his
brows furrow deeply over mismatched eyes. Somewhere in his already liquor
dulled mind he makes an excuse to try and once again lift his hand with the
drink attached but yet again finds that impossible. Perplexed, Th'deus
slowly lifts his head and turns his gaze upon the Igenite brownrider. He
has to blink a few times before it seems to actually register who it is
he's looking at and then he just stares like an idiot.

"Typical enough," Kassima agrees on the heels of Kaimi's own statement. "A
flight-lost rider usually feels--well, you must know, since 'twere worrying
about it. Getting drunk dulls that, or taking a dip in extremely cold
water. Or finding a willing companion." She nods to the Baker Craftsecond,
but it's an uncertain sort of gesture. "Would he say that just t'be nice,
though? Well, mayhaps nay. He's fair honest. But a gentleman. Isn't that
wild? As bad as Vel's situation--he hadn't even been tapped when *he*
caught, so his Wingleader had t'tap him already knowing he'd be absent a
time," she shares, with a laugh. "K'ran was so overjoyed. At the very
least, I'd nigh wager that he'll invite the Snowstrike riders down here for
drinking. Wager it with the marks he owes me now from our flight-bet,
because it seems fitting."

Delaney glances with more and more frequency at the muscle-bound, tanned
sailor at the far table. Amid much jibing from his buddies at the table, he
returns her stare with one that, if isn't overly bright, is at least
interested. "Um, I think I'll take that drink later, L'cah," she drawls
idly even as she stands from her table, waggling fingers absently to the
rider as she heads unerringly for the sailor, nabbing his arm and fair
dragging him from bar, tall lass on a mission. Well...

Apheri orders herself a tall glass of a fruited iced tea, and just stays at
the bar where she is. Easier to keep an eye on everything from there, it's
unlikely she'll get puked or passed out on, and well, the bartender's cute.

Delaney heads toward the beach.

Moyra nods to both women she is with once more, taking her drink in hand
and finishing it, and setting down the glass, "Well, as long as they
behave, I don't see it should be too big a problem right?" She asks, half
curious, half keeping a eye out on everyone just in case.

"Something strong. You heard the lady. Delivered over there." L'cah
gestures the barkeep towards Delaney before he offers a soft sort of smile
down to Theid, "Hi." His voice is as gentle as his smile to the
liquor-affected greenrider. "Now, why, pray tell, are -you- drinking
heavily tonight and not seducing some nice young rider who just lost a
flight, hm?" He offers a friendly smile to Apheri over the head of the
greenrider as she moves to the bar, his free hand drawing his now refilled
drink to his lips.


---

28   Kylia             Tue Jan  4 22:39 2005 Essieth Caught!

On day 11, month 10 of the 51st Turn, dragons from all corners of Pern
arrived at Ista on various errands, and many of the riders stopped off at
the Sandbar for a drink before going about their tasks. This was either
excellent timing or horrid timing depending on how you see it, as all
encountered a proddy Kylia dressed revealingly and flirting (not well) with
everyone in sight. Shortly Essieth took off and led a merry chase, pursued
by an amazing group of browns and bronzes. In the end M'rek's bronze
Ulfianth caught the pale gold and will be the sire of the impending clutch.

OOC: Thank you so much to the chasers: Ista's Delaney with brown Mraneth
and Lvor with brown Nezzerth, Igen's P'wert with bronze Dowanth and L'cah
with brown Tiernoth, Fort's Lexiana with brown Duerth, J'lisin with bronze
Jaath, and V'yse with bronze Adevath, Th'deus who NPCed D'mer and brown
Xyrinth and of course M'rek. You were all so wonderful and the flight was
/excellent/.

Istans, welcome M'rek and Ulfianth who will be with us for the next few
months. Be sure to tort...er... be nice to them and get out and RP with
them as well!
......................................ISW.....................................

---


Kaimi takes a sip from her glass, then smiles gently, "Would he encourage
you to visit if he had little or no wish to see you? Gentleman or no?" The
baker's expression shadows slightly, despite her smile, and that's hidden
soon behind another quick sip before she chuckles, "Is that so? Hadn't even
been tapped? Now that's something." The glass is set on the table then, and
she giggles, "He did strike me as a man with quite a tolerance. I could
well see him inviting them all for drinks." The baker gives a glance at the
riders in question and then chuckles softly, "Your likely safe enough if
you don't invite trouble. At least with this crowd. Sometimes hard to know
how any of them might behave, even if you've seen them before. But some are
easier to be sure of than others."

"There was a flight?" Th'deus asked, apparently not the brightest glow in
the basket presently, his gaze falling from the pleasant smile on L'cah's
face his own expression not so guarded as he would probably like. Appearing
rather torn, the greenrider happens to look over to Apheri around the same
time the brownrider does and he gives a little wave to her. Miserable or
no, one can't be rude even when intoxicated.

Apheri sips from her iced tea, and returns L'cah's smile and Th'deus' wave.
She's uncharacteristically quiet tonight, just taking in the sights.

Telgar Weyr> Ursa says, "Anybody round here fight forest fires?"

Telgar Weyr> Simone looks at her baker knot. Nope. I try not to start them
in the first place.

Kassima shakes her head by way of agreement. "Shouldn't be. Now and then,
very rarely, you do see someone who's a bit slow t'get the 'nay' clue, but
it doesn't look as if'n that's going t'be a problem. If'n someone does give
you the eye, just wave alcohol at them. Works like a charm." She says this
with droll amusement; this may be something she knows from experience. "I'd
like t'think nay, Craftsecond, but you know how 'tis. Always doubts even
when the doubts have naught t'do with logic." Her own smile softens, but
it's hard to say whether or not it's from sympathy. "Truth. He caught Lyss
straight after graduation, and then went and caught the High Reaches queen
nay long after *that*. Interesting life he's had so far. M'rek's tolerance
is, methinks, legendary."

Telgar Weyr> T'bay only thinks he can breathe fire when he's been drinking
with Kassima. x.x

Telgar Weyr> Kassima beams at T'bay.

"Yep. Lots of men getting thuroughly sloshed around here. Kylia's Essieth
rose." L'cah murmurs helpfully to the greenrider. "Igen's duties." He
offers with another smile to Apheri, politeness not lost on him for all
that he's becoming increasingly mellow - likely one of the effects of his
drink - which, half-finished he sets on the bar a moment. "So, Theid, why
are you drinking yourself silly, hm?"

Telgar Weyr> Simone makes a note to go drinking with Kassima sometime.

Telgar Weyr> M'tri wants to breathe fire! I feel betrayed, Kassi.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "You didn't let me rummage in your pockets, so
you didn't get to breathe fire. QED."

Telgar Weyr> Simone says, "has rummageble pockets."

Moyra nods slowly, and smiles in agreement, "Aye, it would seem that would
be the case tonight. Probably better than I was left here, than say, in the
caverns, heard its worse the effects of a flight the closer to the weyr
proper. As you said Kassima." She says, nodding to her as she says so.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "And lest that sound too dirty, Kassi wanted to
'find' his Wing patch in his pocket, for his tapping. But he didn't play
along, so she put it in an empty ale mug and gave it to him saying he got
that instead of liquor because he was a spoilsport. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Ursa says, "Aw, Kassi, I liked it better when it sounded too
dirty."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima reserves her other pocket rummaging for a select few.
Which does not include her cheating wife.

Th'deus slides his eyes to the drink that L'cah apparently won't let him
have, frowning just a touch at the corner of his lips before he simply
shrugs a bit at the brownrider's words, "You know better than anyone that
I'm not interested in 'lots of men'." he murmurs very low indeed, but
probably loud enough to be over heard considering his own much more
advanced state of drunkenness. "That's Apheri, she's the mother of one of
my sons..." he says suddenly offhandedly, having seen L'cah's smile to the
woman apparently.

Telgar Weyr> Simone says, "My pockets aren't dirty, just full of baking
implements."

Apheri sets her tea on the bar and smiles to L'cah. "Ista's duties." she
returns, and grins at Theid. "The mother of his eldest son, actually. What
can I say, I was sixteen and he was proddy, and his dragon's a great big
flirt." she smiles, though, so apparently it's not a sore spot.

L'cah's brows furrow a bit and he hrms softly, "Well, no, actually, I
hadn't realized that you weren't interested in lots of men." This is
returned to the greenrider in hushed tones. The hand on Theid's wrist is
replaced by the other hand so that the Igenite can simultaneously keep him
from drinking the drink and move behind him to offer his free hand to
Apheri - one of his warm charming smiles offered up to her, "Well, this is
certainly a pleasure, ma'am. I've heard only good things about you. I'm
L'cah, lifemate to brown Tiernoth." The comments about being proddy earn an
amused look, but he holds his tongue.

"Or it'll have them chasing you." Kaimi murmurs softly at Kassima's mention
of waving alcohol at them, as a solution. The baker nods though for the
statement that follows, "Yes. I know well about doubts and how they take
their toll in due course. Even when logic ought to win out without
contest." She lets out a slow breath for that, then smiles, "Did he now?
Caught green then gold in that short of time? A versatile fellow that one.
As for M'rek. My introduction to him was right here actually." Shocking no?
"Drowning his problems in a pitcher of ale if I remember right." She
brushes back a curl, tucking it behind her ear as she nods, "Or at least,
the riders in the worst shape, might not stray as far from the guest weyr.
But again, I'd not count on that. Kairad's father came all the way here
from losing a gold flight at Telgar." She cuts herself off there. Not
saying more, at least immediately.

Apheri shakes the offered hand with a grin. "Well-met, L'cah of Igen. You
might know my brother, B'rel, brown Seyenth's?"

Moyra hrms and nods, taking mental notes of the ways to distract the riders
from making any unwelcome attempts on her, and she smiles. "Well, Have to
take some risk I suppose, but I think it might be the best way to go about
it." She says, tapping her finger agianst her glass lightly.

Wincing at the mention of proddiness, Th'deus falls very quiet indeed for
one reason or another there for a while, simply staring down at the drink
L'cah won't let him have. Too far gone to realize that he could just as
easily use his free hand to get at the amber hued liquor still present in
his restrained grasp, the greenrider just ends up shaking his head for one
reason or another before he simply sulks and drops his chin into that free
palm of his, elbow resting on the counter.

Kassima murmurs in dry exchange, "Never had them chasing me. But t'be
honest, I never had much trouble with chasing in the first place. Nay the
sort, I imagine." She nudges her glass aside and scans the room, not for
the first time, but it's absent now. "What Kaimi said," she answers Moyra.
"The closer you are to the guest weyr, the more apt you are t'run into
someone, like as nay. But flight-lost riders end up all over the place. At
least if'n you meet 'em at a bar, it *probably* means they're after alcohol
instead of the other. Probably. With exceptions." Back to the Craftsecond.
"He truly did. A skilled flier, Volath. Why doesn't that surprise me? I
first really met him in the Lava Lounge, methinks, though we'd run into
each other at least one other time."

Telgar Weyr> T'bay nudges Vel, bets Kassi's list includes him.

Telgar Weyr> V'lano doesn't clean Kassi's pockets. I just sharpen her knives.

Telgar Weyr> V'lano nods solemnly, with grave innocence.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "And a very skilled knife-sharpener he is, too. ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "You should just see the things he can do with a
honing strap."

Telgar Weyr> V'lano coughs politely. ;)

"Yes." L'cah nods his head once, "I've had the - ahm - pleasure. How do you
fare, Apheri, and your son, um, Pheide, isn't it?" Certainly doesn't quite
sound like he means 'pleasure' when he says it, but he flashes another
smiles ot Apheri and then moves back to the other side of Theid in order to
pick up his drink again, leaning down to murmur something in the
greenrider's ear.

"Well. I was just a newly posted apprentice then. S'r... A former
Weyrleader here was offering to make me fat. I kept giving him more wine,
but really, it was Weyrwoman Fluria taking him over her shoulder that
allowed me my escape. Anyway. I took to hiding after that for awhile." And
yes, as earnestly as she tells it, it's likely true. Kaimi flushes as she
finishes, and seems quite willing to take on the other subject. "Somehow
I'm not at all surprised that was where you met him. The Lava Lounge you
say? Oh but it's been turns since I've been there."

Apheri moves to a booth now that a few folk have left for elsewhere,
putting her feet upon the opposite seat and leaning back. "Let me guess?
Did he steal some girl out from under you or something? He's a nice guy but
he can be a cad." she grins. "Pheide, yes. He's well, has a turnday soon."

Telgar Weyr> T'bay says, "So, how about those cinnamon buns?"

Telgar Weyr> Simone says, "Isn't that my department?"

Kassima's eyebrows try to climb up into her hair. "S'ris?" she guesses,
fighting a laugh only briefly before she surrenders to it. "Trust S'ris.
Met *him* at the Lava Lounge too, I do believe, when he was a paramour of
Tali's. Lost flights are an only too effective way t'become fat in that
manner, I can say with some experience." There's a bare hint of redness to
her cheekbones, but it might be from the liquor. "Aye. He came across me
while 'twas working on a new liquor concoction. You should go! Or so say I,
a biased woman, who stops in only too frequently."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Okay, there is no excuse for the fact that
T'bay's comment made me suddenly picture him with a cinnamon bun over each
ear a la Princess Leia, given that I am not drunk."

Telgar Weyr> Simone will have the cinnamon buns ready when you come back
from Ista that drunk, tho. *G*

Gerome wanders in from the beach.

Vahara wanders in from the beach.


Gerome:
Aside from his build, which is on the slender side, this young man could
only be described as average. Average height, brown hair, brown eyes and
plain features - regular in appearance, but of no particular
attractiveness. His age is indeterminate, could be anywhere between his
late twenties and early thirties - no tell-tale signs of gray in his hair
or lines on his face to place him more on one side or the other of the
range. He dresses in simple clothing: white shirt laced at the neck through
an unadorned placket, brown workman's wherhide vest and sturdy brown
trousers tucked into equally sturdy brown hide boots. A small pouch and two
large blades are strapped to a belt, held together with a simple H buckle.

Vahara:
There is frequent laughter in Vahara, so much of life amuses her, and yet,
when not actually laughing she appears to be a serious looking young woman.
Stunning in a statuesque fashion, she's built with a fine bone structure
and is slender of limb and waist while not lacking in the appropriate
curves. Her hair is as black as any Cromcoal and under the hat that covers
her head, she wears her locks woven into a thick braid that hangs down her
back. Her eyes are a very striking emerald color and add much to the
seriousness of her look for they hint at intelligence and wit. Vahara is
dressed in a rather common looking holder dress that consists of a homespun
shift and a bodice.


Closing his eyes around the time that L'cah moves back to his side proper,
a shiver overtakes the greenrider's slender frame stilling only when the
brownrider stoops to murmur in his ear and that's when Th'deus just drops
his hand from his chin and lowers his head, muttering back under his breath
as he swallows thickly. Talk of his son however brings him back from the
look of misery and he slides reddened eyes to Apheri, "Seems like only
yesterday, he was born..." he says with a great sadness, "All my babies are
growing up so fast..."

Apheri laughs a bit. "Oh, tell me about it. I can't beleive he's so big,
and Deris is what, four or five turns?"

Kaimi's flush doesn't fade as she nods agreement at the name Kassima
mentions and then she sighs, "As I well know. Both my eldest and youngest
are the results of getting 'fat' in that manner, though with someone else.
I really do need to keep clear of that man after..." She trails off and
then nods however. "We had fun the last we went. Yes. I should go again.
Maybe I'll ask Kat to take me sometime."

Gerome looks aroudn the room, as he steps under the thatched roof. He turns
to his companion, "Jezel, I do think this will be a good spot as any ta
find some work. Why don't ya get us some ales, while I try and find .. jus'
the right kind o man.. " He slaps "Jezel" on her merry way towards the
bar.. as he looks about the bar, looking for.. someone.

L'cah's hand tenses around his drink, bringing it to his lips swallowing
down some of the liquid within, "Well, no, not exactly. It's rather
complicated." It's likely only the consumption of alcohol that has enabled
him to say that much, then he glances from Theid to Apheri, "A turnday? How
old is he going to be?" He moves to place a hand on the greenrider's
shoulder, giving it a comforting-sort of squeeze. "Ah, kids do that,
Theid." L'cah is standing at the bar beside Th'deus, a hand on the
greenrider's wrist, keeping an amber-colored shot from coming off the
bartop. In one hand is held an interesting-colored drink, three-quarters
gone. Apheri is on the other side of Theid.

Kassima thinks to tell Kaimi, in what's probably an attempt to be
reassuring, "For what 'tis worth, the night I met him, S'ris and Talisha
somehow had a baby with one of the tables... or something. So you are
certes nay the only recipient of S'ris-oddity. You're probably more like
part of a proud sisterhood." Ah, the comfort inherent in that. "You see
what I mean about nay all bronzeriders perfectly fitting stereotype," she
adds to Moyra. "If'n there's a stereotype t'describe *that* sort of thing,
I've never quite heard it. I've only one child from a lost flight, truth be
known... how is Kat these days?" She's another who's seated at the bar, an
empty glass nearby; Moyra and Kaimi would be the persons nearest, or at
least the persons with whom she's been speaking.

Vahara is playing the part of 'Jezel' it would seem..for that's who Gerome
is addressing and sending to the bar for ale. She jumps a little bit as
she's swatted and then she laughs..one single moment of a silvery laugh
before her hand is over her mouth to choke the sound off and without
looking around at anyone, Vahara, makes her way to the bar and tries to
quietly order two ales. For anyone who knows her..she's dressed like a
common holder instead of her usual state of dress.

Moyra hrms lightly as she listens in a moment longer, and then she smiles
to both Kassima and Kaimi, "Well, thanks for the advice, but I really do
need to get some things done while I am here. Thanks for your time and
all." she says, and smiles to both, waving as she heads out of the bar.

Th'deus looks a bit out of sorts as he strains to look over his shoulder at
Apheri as he thinks, pursing his lips a moment before his brows knit again,
"Five now I believe...Meika is thirteen..." he says before moistening his
lips and once more eying the drink that L'cah simply won't let him have.
Apparently a source of frustration, the greenrider flickers his intoxicated
gaze up towards the brownrider and tries to pout, ending up just looking
silly.

Moyra heads toward the beach.

Apheri hasn't really noticed the two newcomers, as the bar is pretty
crowded. "He's going to be six," she notes to L'cah, and takes a long drink
of her tea, fishing out one of the fat strawberries from the glass and
eating it. "I know, I can't beleive Meika is so big, either. She's not
really a little girl anymore." It's like old home week at the Sandbar tonight.

<Bitra> M'rek hits the hay and hopes it won't hit back like Kassi would. :)

<Bitra> Gerome says, "oh.. but you like when she hits back :)"

Gerome makes his way towards a group of rough and tumble looking sailor
types. "Evenin gents.. mind if'n me and me woman join ya?" He asks, they
look at him a little warily, but then they notice his woman.. and chairs
slide aside to make room for two more. "Thank ya much lads.. thank ya
much.." He calls over to Vahara, "Jezel.. make it 5 ales.. and try nat ta
spill none.. "

Apheri wrinkles her nose a bit at the way Jezel's being bossed around, but
doesn't say anything as it's none of her business, after all.

"Hmm. I can't say I'm surprised I'm not the only one. I think, in hind
sight, it was rather amusing." Kaimi waves after Moyra, then answers
Kassima, "My middle one, well. She's not at least. And it's not something I
do often, just the timing was just right I suppose. -- Kat? Oh. He's doing
well. Digging out from under all the hide work that came with his new
position. And..." She hesitates before she puts on a smile that manages
only to be slightly strained, "He's a father again, apparently."

<Bitra> Cailin grins :)

"No." L'cah murmurs softly to the greenrider, "You don't need another
drink, Th'deus. You'll make yourself sick." He clicks his tongue for that
as he finishes off his drink and sets the glass back on the bar. "Six. Wow,
that's getting there. Still lots to do with them before they grow up and
leave home though. You could always be like my Mother and make me come back
from apprenticing to be close to home." He snorts. Ah, the things that
being loosened up by drink can coax out of someone. He catches sight of the
woman approaching the bar and he flashes her a smile, just as he has any
other pretty girl who's come in here, charming. He blinks a bit and then
simply looks back to Theid and Apheri. "You know, Theid, if you wanted more
children, you could -have- more children."

Vahara wrinkles her nose as well a little bit about being bossed
around..she's really not used to that. She's the one who wanted to come
along though..it was her hair brained idea..and so she flashes a sunny
smile towards Gerome and then ups the ale order to five and then spends
some time trying to figure out how she's going to carry them.

Kassima may have subsided somewhat out of Alert Mode, but there's still a
slight, lingering edginess--enough that her attention automatically
twitches towards the direction of a laugh she could swear is familiar. The
pair get something of a long look; her offered, "Telgar's duties," is
polite rather than familiar, however. And she's soon enough turning back to
Kaimi, although not with a second glance flicked from the corner of her
eyes. "The timing thing happens. You won't hear an argument from me there."
She falls silent for a moment. "Aye," she says then, "I thought mayhaps,
for all that he didn't think t'actually *tell* me. At least if'n 'tis the
bairn I'm thinking of. Does the child's name start with K?"

Apheri nods a bit to L'cah. "He wants to be a Harper in the worst way,
thankfully, I think he's got the talent." she grins at the thought of more
babies. "That could be arranged. Maybe. Well, I don't know if I /want/ any
more babies. Maybe." She doesn't sound too sure, does she?

<Bitra> Vahara just giggles...night two of Bitran TV..and I get to be in a
bad disguise.

<Bitra> Cailin giggles :)

<Bitra> Gerome says, "it's SO bad :)"

<Bitra> Kassima is too entertained by the braid. I have to approve of a
long black braid and emerald green eyes as char-descing choices. ;)

<Bitra> Vahara laughs..yes you do. ;)

<Bitra> Gerome does admit, he could just stare at v's desc.. endlessly :)

<Bitra> Vahara will have to disguise herself as a greenrider next time. ;)

<Bitra> Gerome laughs.

Noticing the attention that L'cah is lavishing on some of the pretty girls,
he ends up scowling at the Igenite brownrider, "Its not that easy." he says
with a deep frown and attempts to draw his wrist out from under L'cah's
hand so as to get at the alcohol he's been told he can't have. "Some of us
can't just jump the bones of the nearest girl just because we could. I may
be a greenrider but I do have morals." Yeah right. He looks to Apheri and
blinks a few times, "Don't tell me Pheide's been listening to his sister
again. Meika's been bugging me for more sibs for turns now."

<Bitra> Kassima can see that working. ;)

If Kaimi notices the second look some of the arrivals get from the
Telgarian, she gives it no recognition. Maybe her mind is just caught up in
the other, or she's just not observant. "True. It does happen. So like I
said, better I just avoid that man, with my luck." A wry smile and then Kai
arches a brow, "No K for the boy. A T in this case. Trisden."

Apheri grins. "No, he's fine with his multitude of cousins, espeically his
newest one over at Igen."

"So, what ship ya lads from." Asks Gerome of his new companions. "The
Star's Guide.. That's fine ship I hear.. Master Frederick no?" The men look
both pleased, and surprised that the man knew the name of their Ship's
Master. He's relaxing into the setting, chatting away about the various
local fishermen and longhaulmen.. He looks over at Vahara, then noticing
she's just about to bring the ales, he turns back to his companions.

Vahara opens her mouth to respond to Kassima's greeting..it's automatic for
her..just like that laugh. She controls herself though until she looks
over..sees that it's Kassima..and then Vahara lowers her head a bit to try
and work even harder at being..nondescript. Finally she manages to get two
mugs in one hand and three in the other..and then there's just that slow,
careful walk to the table, trying not to look at anyone and also not spill
anything at the same time. So far..Vahara manages to not say anything at
all. She reaches the table at last and sets all the mugs down, only
spilling the ale of one of them onto a man's hand and for that..she curves
her mouth in a smile and bats her eyes twice as if that will make all
forgiven.

L'cah's gaze flicks again to Vahara and his brows furrow a bit, "Igen's
duties, miss. You'll pardon my lost-flight muddled mind, but, do I know you
from somewhere?" This is though, as she walks away, so she mightn't hear
him. His hand tightens gently around the greenrider's wrist. "That's not
what I said, Theid. I said if you wanted a child, I'm sure you could find
someone to carry it for you, and I'm sure you could find someone to want to
raise it with you if you wanted someone." There's something more than just
words here. Then he looks to Apheri and raises a brow, "New cousin at Igen?
Harpering is a very respectable profession. My mother is a retired Harper."

Apheri finishes off her tea. "I'll say. Makes his granfa not too happy, as
we're a family of beastholders and herders, but to each his own. And yes,
well, mostly new cousin. Six months old or so. Flight baby, named Joel."

"At least he's nay the one who tried t'butter up a woman's pair of pants so
he could fit into 'em." This is an absentminded comment from Kassima, which
might explain the non-sequitor quality it has. Some of her attention is
still on the newest pair to arrive, although she has the grace to not be
entirely obvious about it. "A son, is it? Kat with a son. Now that scares
me. Kat with a K-less son scares me more, or rather inspires me t'find him
sometime so I can whap him upside the head." Such respect she has for
Weyrleaders, really. Her eyes drift back towards Gerome and 'Jezel.' "Huh.
D'you happen t'know those two?"

"Do you //really// want to have //that// discussion right now Lucah?"
Th'deus asks softly, a touch more discreet then the brownrider who's hand
encases his rather slim wrist, a deeper frown pulling the corners of his
overly generous lips downwards. The topic of his breeding again clearly not
his favorite, the greenrider instead falls quiet and wriggles the fingers
wrapped around that shot glass as if trying to get his circulation flowing
or some sort.

Vahara turns a little bit to look at L'cah when he speaks to her but she
only meets his eyes for one bare second before she looks away..shakes her
head..and then is over at the table with Gerome and the sailors.
She's..really not going to last too much longer undetected at this rate
especially not with her heart beating like a cornered woodland creature.

The Igenite brownrider catches the look from the woman and his eyes blink,
and blink again, and he simply looks back to Th'deus. "Yes. Let's go
somewhere else to have it though." L'cah replies quite readily to the
greenrider, his hand sliding to the shot glass, meaning to take it and down
the contents of it before smiling to Apheri, "Do excuse us, won't you? Was
a -real- delight to meet you, Apheri."

"And who did that?" Kaimi asks, eyes wide with a hint of amusement
returning. Not that it remains as she picks up her glass again to down
another swallow, "A boy, yes. And he's not so bad with a son. He helps me
with Kairad, quite often." She asserts herself a little however, rare as
that might be, "Don't whap him for it, hmm? The name is what it is." As if
she expects that to be the end of that. It takes her a minute before she
looks, then shakes her head. "Never seen either of them before that I recall."

Gerome grins, and kicks a chair back with his foot for Vahara to sit,
"gentlemen.. this be my woman.. Jezel.. I'm thinking of signing on with a
local Master .. and Jezel here.. well she'd be stayin home.. pickin up the
extra work.. ya know.. mending nets.. and the.. like.." The sailor who had
ale sloshed onto him, doesn't seem to really mind, and when she bestows on
him that smile.. he just beams at her. "Do ya fella's know a man.. bout so
tall .. bald. with a slight greyish crown?"

"Indeed, and yourself, L'cah. Pleasant evening to you both," Apheri smiles.
"I think I'll be heading back up to the weyr, myself." She puts a tip in
the cute bartender's tip dish and slides off her barstool.

Kassima reports with a certain relish, "K'ran, if'n you can credit it. I do
have t'admire his sense of humor sometimes. I *suspect* he did it more for
the amusement factor than because he really, really wanted t'prance around
in a pair of women's pants." There's still a hint of dubiousness to her
voice, whatever she says, but it might well be affected. "I can probably
refrain. At least 'tis nay his firstborn. For the firstborn nay t'have a K
is the worst luck." Ah, but now a magical B-word catches her ears. Not
'brawl,' for once, but 'bald.' "Excuse me just a minute?" she asks Kaimi,
picking up her emptied glass and meandering to a clear section of bar to
try and catch the bartender's attention. That this clear section of bar
happens to be nearer where the others are talking than her previous seat is
pure coincidence, surely.

Apheri heads toward the beach.

Getting his hand back finally, Th'deus rolls his wrist with his other hand
and just looks a bit miffed by all that's going on. As soon as L'cah takes
his drink away, the greenrider takes that opportunity to slide free from
his bar stool to his sandaled feet. "I'll be outside." he says flatly,
following Apheri outside or at least that's what it might seem.

Vahara smiles at all the sailors in turn and then settles into the chair
that Gerome has..so thoughtfully..kicked out for her. She holds her tongue
and merely nods to the others at the table as her alleged future work is
discussed and the mysterious bald man is asked about. Catching a certain
grace in her own posture..Vahara tries to slouch a little more with a
moderate amount of success and she just looks into her mug of ale.

L'cah downs the shot quickly, tosses a tip to the bartender and then slips
out of the Sandbar after the greenrider.

L'cah heads toward the beach.

Th'deus heads toward the beach.

"K'ran did? In truth?" Now that does earn a giggle from the baker as Kaimi
forgets the other in favor of this, at least for the moment. "Yes, well.
Both his daughters do have their K to be sure. Right up front so none
should miss it. I'm just as pleased we could name Kaitria for his mother as
well." For the last, she just nods and settles back to quietly enjoy her
drink while she waits.

"Why'n ya askin' bout him?" Asks one of the sailors, suddenly a bit.. edgy.
"A friend of mine.. from Tillek, told me that if I was looking for some
quck work.. he might be a good man to contact.. and well. Me and the woman
didn't make it out of our last hold with much.. ya know.. she caught the
Lord's fancy.." Gerome says with a knowing tone. "Sae we had ta high tail
it.. and well.. barely have 'nough ta pay for the ales.. if ya know what I
mean.." There's a nod of understanding.. after all .. everyone know what
Lord Holders are like.. "Well.. I've seen him around.. though not often..
what.. last month? and before that.. was when.. two months ago.. when we
were in port?" Another of the sailors nods, "Aye.. prolly won't be back
round for a little bit.."

Kassima calls over her shoulder to Kaimi, "And 'twould wager Tria was happy
about it, too; 'tis an honor for her, and I can't imagine she doesn't see
it that way. I thought 'twas rather sweet m'self." Whatever order she
places must take awhile to make; she's left with some time, and uses it to
amble a little closer to the gathering of men. "'Scuse me," she greets,
casual and with a half-smile. "Don't mean t'intrude, but I wanted t'be
asking--this man you speak of. He in his forties? Pays money for... odd jobs?"

Kaimi's answer to that is a warm smile that could likely mean an agreement
that it was taken, just as that. But the Baker's reply is only an easy,
"Well. I thought it a nice thing to do too. And it is a lovely name." Her
gaze follows Kassima's path to her new destination. And she gives the group
at the table a cursory look over, but turns away before really paying them
any real mind.

Vahara's eyes widen at Kassima's words..she recognizes the voice and then
looks over her shoulder to the rider and meets her eyes but doesn't say
anything. Vahara's expression is then one of deep curiousity to hear the
Telgari Greenrider speak to knowing something about this particular man.
After that look from her she drops her eyes back to her ale..and just waits
to see what will happen.

"Wah's it to you.. Telgari.. " Asks one of the sailors, as all the men at
the table, Gerome included.. get that clamshell look to them. "The weyr not
treatin you well enough.. ya want to pick up some extra marks.. " says
another sailor. Clearly, the question didn't quite go over well, coming
from a well dressed green rider..

"Shells, nay. Nay for *me*," Kassi agrees, with a snort and gesture of her
hand. "I don't need t'know. 'Tis an acquaintance who's interested--I owed
him a favor, said I'd keep an eye out for the man." She rolls her shoulders
in a lazy shrug. "Since he's too busy gold-digging elsewhere t'be here
himself." She does flick a glance towards the other green-eyed woman, but
if she recognizes her, there's no outward sign.

<Bitra> Gerome cackles.. too busy gold digging

<Bitra> Gerome says, "oh, thats' a good one Kass"

<Bitra> Cailin laughs!

<Bitra> Kassima takes a bow. ;) Thanks. :)

<Bitra> Vahara giggles...yes..that's a great one.

Vahara is sitting at a table with Gerome and a few sailors and Kassima has
come up to speak with the whole group. Vahara is keeping very, very quiet
and she doesn't bother drinking from the mug of ale that's in front of her.
If she's feeling relief that Kassima hasn't unmasked her..that doesn't show
either.

Kaimi slides to her feet while Kassima's preoccupied elsewhere and makes
her way over to the bar. Her glass is returned, and a new one given in it's
place. Drink renewed, she makes her way back over to her seat.

Gerome looks over and up at Kassima, then back at the sailors, shrugging.
One of them eyes the rider, "Aye.. that's him.. " The others look a little
uncomfortable.. after all there was.. the incident a while back.. and well.
"He.. should be back 'round early part of next month.." The four men, seem
to take that cue to all drink from their ales.

Kassima nods to this, accepting it readily enough. "'Twill pass that on,"
she says, "thankee. Mayhaps I can get m'friend t'do his own job-seeking by
then, although I'm nay bloody well counting on it." The bartender finally
serves her a glass of that noxious midnight blue stuff, and she tips it in
salute to the men at the table, then drifts back to her seat without a
further glance or apparent further interest.

Gerome returns to his drinking, and chatting, and using Jezel as bait.. For
the next few hours the group is involved in some heavy drinking, and
discussion on the various ship masters, and which ones.. are best to work
for. Sometime during the late night.. Gerome and Jezel will extricate
themselves from the group.. and leave.. for parts.. unknown.

<Bitra> Gerome says, "alright folks.. I'm off to bed"

<Bitra> Cailin says, "G'nighty :)"

<Bitra> Kassima says, "G'night, Arrow-neous One. Thanks for the sceneage. :)"

<Bitra> Gerome says, "you're welcome kassi :)"

<Bitra> Vahara offers a good night as well from the fluffy window dressing. ;)

<Bitra> Kassima snickersnugs a Vahara. ;)

<Bitra> Cailin snugs Nighters :)

Kaimi's settled back in, quite as if she's been there the whole time, other
than the magically filled glass of course. What ever her beverage of choice
is, it must not need mixing. "You know them, then?" A easy enough question,
and the belated response to the one asked of her.

"Mayhaps," Kassi answers, tone as vague as the content. "Might've seen 'em
a'fore, anyway, if'n 'tis the same people. But if'n so, only distant
acquaintances. Thought mayhaps 'twere talking about that man m'friend's
interested in looking up." Some of this vagueness has to be deliberate,
given that she wasn't being particularly stealthy about who she's here with
before. "Nay important matter. Or d'you mean, do I know Tria?"

Course vagueness is sort of a way of life for Kai. Always missing
something, "Oh. Well. I hope your friends all find their friend.. Or, um.
Well whomever they seek." Poor baker. "Well. I rather thought you had to
know Tria. I mean. Seeing as she gave Kat your K." At least she catches
some things easy enough.

"I suspect they'll find him. Sooner or later." Kassi can at least say that
much with personal certainty. "True enough. Methinks that was her
notion--although, y'know, I don't think I ever did ask her and Cav directly
which of 'em decided t'do it. Seems more like Tria, but Cav does sometimes
show a perverse sense of humor."

Kaimi nods in regards to the friend and then gives a smile. "Of course." An
easy summary for that. The baker tips her head, "I wonder if Kat knows
which of them did it. I might ask him that sometime. Or Tria when we take
Kaitria for a visit sometime. Usually Kat just takes her, but if I'm free,
I do like to tag along."

Kassima smiles at this. "Makes sense enough. I've been, sometimes, when
I'sai takes the younglings t'see his mother, and once or twice when Ozy
took Kazy t'visit with his kin. Probably Tria's glad t'have met you and
know a little about you. I recall when Cav took Tria t'meet his parents the
first time--after Cail was born and he was able t'travel again. 'Twas their
escort, since he was still a Weyrling."

"G'rad does that some with his two. Or at least, more so with Aira. I don't
really go -with- him though. I already know Ofira just fine after all."
Kaimi flushes a little, "To tell you the truth. I was a bit afraid to meet
her. Kat, well. Kat's rather fond of his mother after all." Surely she
means more than fond, judging from her expression and tone. "He was still a
weyrling? Really? Isn't that sort of unusual?"

"Idolizes?" Kassi supplies in lieu, grinning at the Baker. "Probably so. I
can imagine her as formidable, too, when she wants t'be. But she's been a
good friend t'me almost since I met her when she was first posted t'Benden.
Cav and I have the rockier friendship, but he's a good one too--I'm
guessing you've met him as well?" Then a nod. "Rather so, thankfully. Tria
was pregnant while he was a Candidate. She got that way a'forehand,
a'course, but. So the first time he had the chance t'meet them with her was
when he was a Weyrling, after he and Dulath were cleared for travel."

Kaimi just smiles for that, but it's answer enough of agreement. "Well I
hoped at least for at least a measure of approval. Silly as that may seem."
Or not so silly, considering. "Kat's never seemed quite so high on him
either. I sometimes think from what he said that they are maybe both too
much and too little alike to be overly close." Observant creature, isn't
she? When the subject matters to her. "She was living at the Hall then? She
couldn't come to him so he might meet sooner?"

Kassima shakes her head at this. "Why silly? I hope that Saiya at least
finds me nay completely appalling as a mother of her grandchildren too.
If'n I ever meet the parents of any man I'm involved with, children or nay,
I hope they'll like me all right. It seems natural enough t'me." By the nod
she gives next, this news doesn't surprise her. "I can imagine that. They
aren't very alike on the surface; scratch past that, and there are
similarities. Nay that I know Kat as well as you do, really. I knew him
when he was growing up, but I don't know how well I know him now, as an
adult man. The adult is often different from the child you remember. Nay,
nay--" Another headshake. This one is vigorous. "I've gotten the story
tangled somewhere. *Cav* met his son as soon as he was born. She was posted
at the Weyr. I suppose she could've gotten a ride t'Benden Hold--that's
where Cav's parents were--t'meet them on her own, but methinks she and Cav
both wanted for her t'meet them with him."

Kaimi looks relieved at that answer and smiles. "Well I'm glad I'm not the
only one then. I'm not sure it really matters to Jascela, for example. But
then. I'm not sure if they've met..." Kai looks puzzled a moment as she
considers that, then shrugs as her smile returns, "Kat is more than he lets
on, on the surface. Though he'd likely not appreciate me blowing his cover.
I think Reye rather did that. Appointing him as she did." She falls silent
then, before she 'Oh's' softly and nods, "I see. No. Like as not I just got
it confused."

Kassima lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. "If'n it doesn't matter t'her,
'tis her priority, I guess. I haven't met all the parents of m'children's
fathers either, if'n truth be known. Some of those fathers have more
involvement with their children than others, or less contact with their own
families, aye? Doesn't make you wrong or weird to care, though, nay 'tall.
I suppose Kat probably has met her father at least--she's J'cot's daughter,
isn't she?" A grin blossoms when talk turns back to K'tdan. "I just bet.
Most people are, probably, but he's definitely more than he sometimes
seems. T'be honest, that appointment surprised me too somewhat... I don't
know if'n I'd ever have guessed he'd end up a Weyrleader, nay offense meant
t'him. But it actually surprised me less than Weyrlingmaster. I never knew
he had a knack for teaching. All goes back t'nay knowing him so well now
that he's grown, I guess."

"That's true. And I've never really thought it amiss he's not 'really' met
my mother. But then, she's not as accepting of weyrlife as she could be.
And yes. I'm sure he knows J'cot." Kai gives a little smile for that,
"Sometimes I think he doesn't always enjoy that people think it surprising.
But he still keeps up the facade."

"Aye. 'Twas a strangeness for Mum and Da t'come t'terms with the fact that
their grandchildren had different fathers and that 'twas never matched
t'those fathers," Kassi readily admits, looking somewhat sheepish about
this. "Probably nay. For what 'tis worth, it doesn't surprise me in the
least that he's intelligent enough for it or aught like that. He has a good
mind and good heart. But I don't think he comes across as someone who'd
relish responsibility--nay publically, at least. Be capable with it once he
had it? That I can believe."

"I'm not sure my mother will ever fully adjust. Not, or at least until, she
thinks I've settled down." Since Kaimi's clearly so wild, "Well. It'd be
misleading of me to imply he doesn't enjoy his downtime." The baker doesn't
elaborate, but her smile does some of that telling for her, "As much as I
hate to go. I should think things quiet enough, mayhap I can sneak back in
and check on my kids. It was good to see you again, Kassima."

Kassima looks rather thoughtful before she says, "M'father took it better,
methinks, but Mum really has been fair understanding about it given the
givens. She'd *sooner* 'twas as close as I could get t'married, but so long
as she has plenty of grandchildren, she's happy. I've obliged her in that.
'Twere both a bit uncomfortable with Ozy being so young, methinks, but...."
A helpless shrug; they're her parents, and so she just can't blame them.
"There is much," she agrees with a moment's grin, "t'be said for downtime.
I should see about getting back too... too late methinks t'see Vel, but
that gives me more chance t'peek in on m'own lads. M'rek is going t'be so
teased when I see him next. Clear skies, Kaimi--'tis always a delight."

[Editor's Note:  Kaimi had to go, so the log ends here. :) ]