-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Painted Desert Seranade Date: February 7(?), 1998 Places: Telgar Weyr's Southern Bowl and Living Cavern; Igen Weyr's Main Entrance Field and Living Cavern Game: PernMUSH Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kassi's Note: Now that I read over this log, I know just why S'dar would later sing to Kassi about blood and woo thangs: revenge! If you've ever wondered how S'dar gained his secret identity as Sandrina Sweetbuns, here's the place to find out: a large number of Telgar folk have headed to Igen Weyr to visit with the Telgarian Candidates due to Stand there, and, as is common when the Telgar Contingent is involved, it quickly devolves into chaos. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: You backwing for a landing on sands of the bowl. Dragon> Lysseth and Tierth sense that Kyoteth rumbles. 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. Tierth warbles a greeting to the other dragons, fanning her wings a little as she moves aside to make room. Lysseth> Kyoteth and Tierth sense that Lysseth rumblerumbles. << Heya and good evening to you both. >> D'ton looks about before waving to Kassima. "Oy, the sky's crowded." he says. Kassima laughs her agreement, sliding down to the ground to land lightly at Lysseth's side. "Yea verily," she concurs. "I'm just here to grab a quick meatroll a'fore I head to Igen, m'self; 'twould nay be polite, I figure, t'go there as famished as if'n I'd just got off of watch. Never mind that I did." D'ton raises both his eyebrows, not being extremely adept at raising only one. "Hm. Well, since we're both going to Igen, I'll wait right here and fly with you, if you hurry about that meatroll." Kassima's left eyebrow arches upwards, followed by her right. "Fair deal. Give me half a second, and I'll have m'meatroll and be back out in a flash." Dragon> Lysseth and Kyoteth sense that Tierth rumbles, sending an image of brightly twinkling stars, fresh summer wind gently caressing puffy clouds, and dragon's wings. << And good evening to you. >> You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Pierron adjusts his apron and tugs on his moustache. Maylia takes another long sip of her klah, sighing as she eases back into her chair. "Evening, Kassi!" She calls as she sights her mentor entering the living cavern. Makear glances about the cavern and gives a slight grin to those people she spots and knows. Her path takes her to the serving table where she grabs a small cup of juice and then she walks over toward Maylia. R'val glances over at Maylia and smiles, "How're you doing today, Maylia?" Kassima trots into the room, helmet and gloves still on her person; she apparently doesn't intend to stay long. "G'deve, all," she hails, tossing a stray salute M'kla's way. "Don't mind me. Just grabbing a meatroll a'fore I head to Igen with D'ton. Got t'see the Candidates a'fore the Hatching to wish 'em luck and such, y'know." Upon reaching the basket, she starts rummaging around for the perfect, flawless meatroll. M'kla glances up at Kassima and chuckles, "Goin to Igen to see Candidates? Oh...that's right...some of em be Telgari..." Maylia grins at her twin before answering R'val. "Fine thanks, and how're you and Vidarth this evening?" On hearing Kassi's plan, she raises her eyebrows. "Heading to Igen? Care for more company?" Dragon> Lysseth and Tierth sense that Kyoteth sends back an image of the three of them flying up and around puffy clouds, cool air and warm sunlight around them. Dragon> Kyoteth bespoke Lysseth and Tierth with << But night-flying is fun too. >> R'val smiles, turning back to his klah, "Fine, fine..." Lysseth> Kyoteth and Tierth sense that Lysseth contemplates that image, turning it about in her head and changing it to one somewhat more fanciful; the sky takes on a hint of heart-of-amethyst purple, and the setting sun limns dragon wings with streaks of gold and flaming red. << A good evening indeed, >> she decides, << to travel. >> Makear stops at Maylia's shoulder and says to her sister, "Everything well I hope?" Her attention is breifly diverted at the mention of Igen, "are the eggs supposed to hatch soon at Igen?" she asks. R'val nods to Makear, "Last I heard, they were estimating a sevenday or less.' "Aye, M'kla. Alwyn, Sandar, Calalin, Davi, and a few others," Kassima confirms. Finding the meatroll of her dreams, she takes a hearty bite. "I'd certainly nay mind more company," she adds to Maylia once the thing has cleared her throat. "The more, the merrier; Faranth forfend we shouldn't keep up the grand old tradition of invading wherever we go. We're heading out as soon as I finish this roll." She chomps on the poor thing again, for emphasis. R'val adds his own voice, finishing his cup of klah, "I'd be glad to accompany you lot as well, I haven't been to Igen in ages." M'kla snorts a bit, "I hope they think it's fair game if we gew and take some of those back come our next Search!" Maylia smiles up at Makear, nodding agreement with R'val. "Much better, now that my hands are healed up." She waggles bandage-free fingers as proof, then takes a quick gulp of her klah. "Care to come?" She asks her twin. R'val grins,' Your hands look vastly improved." Makear sips at her juice and then smiles at R'val, "I guess I'll have to make plans to go, I can never resist a hatching." At Kassi's words she perks up, "I'd be up for going if I someone wouldn't mind taking me." R'val grins at Makear, "If you're about when it happens, Vidarth and I would love to transport ya, Makear." Lysseth> From atop Kyoteth, D'ton yawns and stretches. Ro sips her juice, just listening to the conversation. Kassima snorts her agreement with the Weyrsecond. "'Twould be too hypocritical by far if'n they didn't! Suit yourself, R'val. Makear, you're certes welcome as well." She polishes off the last of the roll and scrubs her hands off on her slacks, managing a grin when her mouth is no longer full of meat. "M'kla? Ro? Either of you feel like coming, too?" M'kla ehs and looks at her stack of hidework, "I dan't suppose a fair of lizards will eat these while I'm gone?" She sounds oddly hopeful. M'kla tosses her pen down, and rises, dusting herself off. "Aye. I suppose Torinth'd like to go bake herself s'more." Ro shakes her head "I need to do some cleanin' in the infirmary." Makear's smile grows bigger, "That would be much appreciated R'val." she glances at maylia's hands and shakes her head, "I'm just glad I didn't get that nasty rash." Maylia grins wryly at R'val. "Much better. And not many caught it from me, either." She grimaces, before letting that subject drop. "Makear, Tierth'd be glad to give you a ride, any time. She likes showing off her abilities, if you can stomach the ride." "Smear 'em in meat oil," Kassima promises, "and I swear t'you, m'fair probably would. 'Twould nay surprise me in the least... 'tany rate, shall we, then? D'ton's still waiting outside, and likely bored t'death." R'val winks at Makear amiably, "We live to serve.' He chortles at Maylia, with a satisfied nod, "Good!" M'kla chuckles some, "Does him some guld, no doubt." M'kla grabs up her jacket and flings it on with her usual one handed manner. Makear can't help but chuckle at the memory of her last trip on Tierth, "I think I would be delighted to ride on Tierth, Maylia, I need some more excitment in my day." Maylia downs the last of her klah, and grabs her riding helm from where she left it on the bench beside her. "You comming tonight?" She asks Makear, pulling her flight jacket shut. "If so, grab your jacket - it'll be hot there, but the trip'll be cold." Kassima gives a visible shudder. "How could boredom ever do anyone any good?" she wants to know, looking faintly horrified by the very thought even as she turns to stride back towards the exit. M'kla says "It teaches patience...and gives ye time to figure out some entertainment, lass." M'kla walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. M'kla sighs to herself, and starts the long trek up to her ledge from the bowl floor, to join the lazy Torinth, who predictably, doesn't want to move down. M'kla climbs the fourty feet or so up to Torinth's weyr. Above, Torinth leaps from Torinth's Ledge and flies into the air. You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly. You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered foreleg. <*> R'val comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. <*> R'val uses Vidarth's side straps to mount up agilely, settling onto the little blue's back and straightening. He pets his lifemate's head once as Vidarth rumbles excitedly, ready to fly. <*> From atop Kyoteth, D'ton calls, "So, we ready to go, Kassi?" <*> Makear comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Kassima buckles herself into place, muttering something about patience being useful but only dubiously worth the price. "Some folk are going t'be joining us," she calls over to D'ton. "Should be an interesting invasion." <*> From atop Kyoteth, D'ton nods. "Righto," he replies, "I'll leave when you go." <*> Makear pulls on her jacket as she walks out of the Living cavern. She stops and glances behind her waiting for Maylia to appear. <*> Maylia comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Kassima gives D'ton a thumb's-up sign, then turns to watch the Living Cavern entranceway expectantly. <*> Jayna comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. <*> Jayna grins excitedly. "Will I be too much for Tierth?" she asks Maylia, worriedly. <*> Tierth rumbles to her lifemate as she appears, taking a few steps forward in eager anticipation. The young rider beams a grin at the dragon before climbing aboard. <*> Maylia swings up to her place astride Tierth, her lifemate welcoming her with a rumble. <*> Tierth crouches down infront of Makear and Jayna, as if to answer the girl's question. <*> Makear scrambles up Tierth's side making use of the politely offered leg as the dragon watches curiously. <*> Jayna laughs and steps up. <*> Jayna scrambles up Tierth's side making use of the politely offered leg as the dragon watches curiously. Kassima waits for Tierth's various passengers to climb aboard before hollering over to her mentee, "All ready?" <*> From atop Kyoteth, D'ton frowns for a moment, then calls out to Kassima, "I've got to go make a pickup first. I'll meet you there!" <*> Seated between Tierth's lower neck ridges, Makear settles into her seat on the dragon and then waits readily for the upcoming lunge. <*> Tierth extends her wings, sending swirls of sand whirling about as she fusses, ready to be off while her rider helps the passengers with thier straps. That done, Maylia waves to Kassima. "All set!" <*> Seated between Tierth's lower neck ridges, Jayna settles herself, heart pounding. Kassima nods, yelling to D'ton, "Righteo! See you and your passenger at Igen!" She then raises one fist in the air with a call of, "Let's go, a'fore the eggs actually start rocking!" Dragon> Vidarth, Lysseth, and Tierth sense that Kyoteth repeats for his rider, just in case. <<We will go fetch someone for an errand, and meet you at (Image of Igen).>> <*> Lysseth spreads her wings to their full extent, bringing them down with a rush of wind as she leaps nimbly into the air. You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor to carry you aloft. The rim of the bowl falls away from you and you soar into the open skies. <*> Lysseth disappears into Between. Between You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats... Black... Blacker... Blackest! You suddenly emerge... <*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! You furl your wings slightly to glide lower into the Bowl. You carefully wing lower into the Bowl. You land just below in the center of the Igen Weyr Bowl. You head over towards the field to the southeast. 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. Zmeth flips his tail to twine with Erbith's. He whooshes warm air along her neck as he whuffles warmly. Tierth lands carefully. Vidarth settles down after whuffling to greet the other dragons, curling his tail about himself. M'kla grins a bit as the rest of the Telgar contigent arrives. R'val dusts off his jacket idly, and glances around, "Been a while," He comments, t houghtfully, "Shall we head straight to the Stands, then?" J'lyn says "You know, I feel almost sorry for them." Seated between Tierth's lower neck ridges, Makear shivers slightly as she undoes her straps and then goes to get off Tierth. M'kla chuckles some, "Them? WE live with these...people." Makear swings her leg over, and slides to the ground with the aid of a foreleg. Tierth very carefully drops to the ground, with elegance, as if she didn't just spiral at dizzying speeds down from up high. She turns a curious eye back to her passengers, crooning slightly. Seated between Tierth's lower neck ridges, Jayna grins and whews. She undoes her straps. M'kla grins brightly, looking up at the new arrivals. Jayna swings her leg over, and slides to the ground with the aid of a foreleg. Maylia slides to the ground, giving Tierth a parting caress and a tender smile. Kassima grins as she espies M'kla and J'lyn, tossing off a wave to both. "Hail, hail, the gang's all here? Or will be in a minute, anyway, when--oh, there they are." She nods to the two Igen dragons, and Lysseth rumbles a cordial greeting of her own. "Actually, I'd been hoping t'meet first with some of the Candidates. Been a canine's age since I've seen Davi, Sandar, Alwyn, and the others... what think you lot?" Jayna pats Tierth. "Thank you so much!" she grins happily, removing her jacket in the heat. M'kla grins some, "Dan't look at me. I were bringing Torinth to bake. I'll just follow along." R'val smiles, "I think I'm mostly here to see the eggs, and that's where I'm headed." He removes his gloves and helmet methodically. Zmeth blinks, looking up from Erbith. He rumbles a greeting to the Telgar dragons. Erbith rumbles a greeting, distractedly, to the other dragons. But right now, she's much more interested in cuddling with Zmeth. J'lyn grins. "I'm here.... just because I'm old and I can do whatever I want." M'kla pfts at J'lyn. R'val laughs, "Wanna come egg-oggling then, J'lyn?" Tierth hmmms softly, then warbles a greeting to the other dragons, flipping her wings delicately to her back before settling herself down. Makear basks in the warmth and then strips of her jacket and stows it under an arm, against her waist. She smiles at Tierth and pats the green, "thanks for the flight Tierth." "Suit yourself," Kassi repeats to R'val, and flashes J'lyn a grin. "Age brings along the power t'do whatever suits us? Remind me nay t'feel so badly about m'own encroaching venerability, then. Methinks I'm for the Living Cavern, though if'n the rest of you are for the eggs...?" Torinth, being much enthralled with the concept of soaking up Igen's infamous heat, splays right out, spread dragon, and wurbles contentedly to her greying self. Jayna smiles, rather shyly, at Maylia. "Thank you so much for dragging me along. I haven't ridden that many dragons, but Tierth was definitely one of the best!" J'lyn grins at R'val, but shakes his head. "I think I need to get something cool to drink first, then I'll be in to see the eggs." Zmeth glances upwards then croons contentedly as he returns to nuzzling Erbith. R'val hmms, glancing at the caverns, "A cool drink..." Lysseth watches Torinth splay on the Sands with some fascination, and, after a moment's thought, mimics the elder green's posture. There's something to be said for being out of the Telgarian chill, after all. Jayna grins at Makear. "You're Makear, right? We met when Kimbreth's eggs were hardening, back at Benden." Her face clouds a bit; she looks unsure. Maylia chuckles, stripping off her helmet, gloves and jacket quickly. "Any time, Jayna. So long as you're alright with her... ah... antics." She winks at Makear. "Nothing this time like when we came here before, with Tas, huh?" Kassima bobs her head to J'lyn. "An assuredly wise idea. This place is enough t'set m'brain to melting--so if'n you see grey goo running from m'ears at some point, that's why." Makear nods to Jayna, "Yup, that we did." she then laughs at Maylia's comment, "Nope, nothing like last time, but that becuase she wasn't showing off for Solarith this time." Tierth watches the older two Telgari greens, splayed out in the sand, with curiosity, and fascination. Slowly, gracefully, she streches out her body and wings, rumbling with satisfaction as she reaches a similar posture. J'lyn nods to Kassima. "You can count on me, Kassi." M'kla glances at the greens, and grins to herself for no discernable reason, suddenly seeming much younger than she is. Jayna wipes her forehead and rolls up her sleeves. She grins, glancing around in excitement. "So, this is Igen," she says, obviously, to no one in particular. Kassima grins and, goaded by some imp of perversity, sketches a quick bow to J'lyn before whirling on her heel and pacing off in the direction she seems to remember the LC being in. "Don't be baking *your* brains to the melting point, Lyss," she calls over her shoulder to her dragon. "Faranth only knows how we'd get home if'n you had liquid where your wits should be!" J'lyn blinks in the evil heat, sweat pouring down his face. "I don't know about you youngsters, but I'm going in." J'lyn heads through the main entrance, into the Weyr's Living Cavern. You head into the Igen Weyr Living Cavern. Lysseth> Maylia grimaces at Kassi's overly descriptive comment about grey brains, and heads towards the living cavern, beckoning Jayna and Makear along. "C'mon, let's get something cool t'drink. Cathedra doesn't look reassured, but reclaims her seat hesitantly anyways. Alwyn blinks, "Ma'am?" he looks to Kassima. Wyn's grin widens, "Kassima, G'deve to you." Makear comes in from the Bowl. J'lyn wanders in, glad for the relative cool of the Cavern. "Evening, folks. Telgar's duties to Igen and her queens." Maylia comes in from the Bowl. Siara peers at the gash on Rashmael's head, "Why'd she throw something at you? What'd she throw?" she asks, with more interest in Shayne's methods than sympathy for Rashmael. Lysseth> Jayna nods emphatically, following the twins. Jayna comes in from the Bowl. Makear wipes some of the sweat from her brow and then blinks at the darkness, before her eyes adjust to the dim light. She then glances about seeing if she recognizes anyone. Corwinna glances up from her food at the new arrivals, and waves quietly. Alwyn beams, "Makear!" he waves, Rashmael chuckles, setting a plate down. "Becuase I suggested sleep in place of whimpering. She threw a boot at me. One of those silly ones with heels." Jayna glances around, curiosity warring with manners. Kassima opens her mouth to call duties and greetings, but pauses to make a face at Alwyn. "Ma'am? Again with this bloody ma'aming business? Stop that, I say, or you'll make people think I'm respectable or something." With a shudder at the very idea, she grins. "Duties to Igen and her queens, Candidate, all... and g'deve and such, too." Out of habit's sake, she half-waves, half-salutes to the room in general. Siara looks over as the crowd comes in, and waves, looking curiously at their knots. "Welcome Telgar." Jayna smiles at Wyn, and waves. M'kla comes in from the Bowl. Alane waves shyly to Kassima. Alvar blinks at the sudden influx of foreign riders. M'kla comes in at the rear, towering over most of her Telgarian companions. Maylia walks in, wiping sweat from her brow and fanning her tunic a little. "Telgar's duties to Igen and her Queens," the young rider calls, grinning at Kassi. A broad smile is directed towards those candidates she knows, bobbing her head in greeting. Alane looks up at you with big gray eyes. Whispy bangs frame a sweet oval face, a button nose, and highboned cheeks. Tiny little gold studs decorate her ears. Her sun-bleached hair falls below her shoulders, pulled back with a dragon shaped clasp. &rHer sleeveless, high-waisted gather dress is made of a lightweight material of dark blue. Bright pink flowers growing on whispy green vines are embroidered around the hem. Wherhide ankle boots cover her feet. Alane is nine years old. Makear looks about as she hears her name, she spots Alwyn and waves back. Alane waves to M'kla. Jayna grins. "Telgar's residents duties' to Igen and her queens." she smiles. "What a lovely place!" she comments, to no one in particular. Alwyn grins at Kassima, "How are you and your newborn then, Kassima?" Wyn takes a moment to lead some cooks out as they bring a roasted porcine out of the kitchen. The smell is too good to be true. "I think you came at the right time, I'm hosting dinner tonight." Cathedra watches the Telgarians enter, remaining in her corner as she offers quiet greetings and duties on behalf of Igen Weyr, Weaver Hall and Misty hold, since she's still unsure which of them are proper. Johanna stops as she's busy popping a piece of cheese in her mouth from the table of food. "Igndoody," she gets out in a mumble. Rashmael eyes every single one of these new people as he lays out plate after plate. Cuckling, he pauses near Cathedra to ask her something. Argelian strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns. Rashmael mutters to Cathedra, "... trust... you've... in... shall be... dance from..." Faerysa ambles out from the inner caverns. Alwyn nods to M'kla respectfully, and grins at Maylia, "Evening Maylia, how's Tierth been?" J'lyn looks at Alwyn, a small smirk on his face. "What, no hello for me?" M'kla keeps with the clutch of foreign riders, offering little in the way of conversation. Kassima flashes Alane a smile, apparently recognizing the girl. She wiggles her fingers in greeting before meandering over to where Alwyn is so that she won't have to shout. "Dinner, y'say? And here I ate a meatroll just so 'twould nay have the poor manners t'be hunting for food on a visit! I'm well enough, Khari's absolutely beautiful, Lyss is frying her brains out, and the Swarm is probably feasting on M'kla's hidework by now. Lots of Candidates about," she belatedly observes. "Looks like we're in time to wish the lot of you some luck, then." Alwyn grins at J'lyn, "Nope." he chuckles softly, "I'm kidding. How are you J'lyn?" Alane ambles over to where Alwyn and M'kla are. Maylia beams a smile at Alwyn, setting her jacket down so it's not on her shoulder anymore. "Tierth's fine, just fine, thanks. How's Igen treating you?" She bobs her head to the entering candidates. Faerysa makes her way in, scraping her fingers through her hair. She stops dead at the amount of people, gathers herself again and continues in with a thin little smile. J'lyn grins. "I'm fine, lad. Jessalyn sends a hello." Alwyn grins, "Jessie..How is she? And Richenda?" Alane tugs at M'kla's clothing. "Your M'kla aren't you?" Cathedra gives Rashmael a glance as if he's reminded her of something. "Oh..no I haven't," she replies to him, flustered. D'ton comes in from the Bowl. M'kla glances down at the tug, and grins a bit. Why she's being asked this question by a youngster seems to confuse her, but she nods, "Aye, I am lass. Weyrsecond to K'tyn." Ariy comes in from the Bowl. Alwyn grins at Maylia, "Igen's treating me fine. In fact..." Wyn pauses, unsure if he really wants to tell the Telgari this, right at this moment, but shrugs and does it anyways, "I have decided I'm going to stay here no matter what happens at the Hatching. I would rather have a Dragon choose for me, but if I do not Impress I'm going to stay here and begin training in DragonHealing. Rashmael whistles innocently as he moves away from the weaver, taking the stack of plates from the top of his head and carefully laying them out...carefully but quickly. He gives Cathedra a reproving glance. "Well, you'll simply have to hurry. And if these new ladies are going to stay for the hatching, than you'll have to tell them as well." Siara waves to Faerysa over the crowd. She comments to Rashmael, "Just a boot? That's not so bad." J'lyn smiles at Wyn. "She's fine. They're both fine." Ariy nods politely to the people she knows in the crowd as she heads for the infirmary. Ariy enters the Infirmary. Bzyraide comes in from the Bowl. Kassima folds her arms, watching the interactions between the others for a moment with a slight grin. "I'd almost forgotten how busy Caverns get around Hatching-time," she comments to some of the other Telgarian riders in an undertone. Alwyn's words cause her to steal a glance at him. "Really? Well, then. Felicitations t'you on finding your life's path, Alwyn--and if'n you don't see your way clear t'visit, whenever 'tis that you're able, I'll skin you soles t'skull and use your hide for target practice." She sounds like she's only jesting about that. Probably. Rashmael stammers, "Just a boot? Has lady Shayne ever thrown any sort of projectile at you? She's alarmingly acurate!" D'ton pulls at his collar for a moment, then gives Telgar's greetings to everyone here who's not from Telgar. Following that, he sneaks towards the juice. Alwyn bows, "That's wonderful," Wyn grins, "Will you stay for dinner? I've prepared some wonderful great Roasted Porcine and some sauce like you wouldn't believe." Wyn laughs and nods to Kassima, "Aye, Kassi, I'll visit." Bzyraide strolls in, his gangling loose-jointed limbs covering the ground quickly despite an apparent laziness in his nature. Nodding at various and sundry riders, he wanders up to the hearth. Siara grins at Rashmael, "Maybe she would have if we'd been weyrmates. But since she's refused to ever be more than my friend, I guess I wouldnt' know too much about her aim. But having seen her fly thread, I'm not surprised. Most riders have very good aim." Alane says "My Auntie says you were there when my brothers were borned. I'm Alane." Cathedra rises, setting aside her sewing across the seat she vacates. She moves towards Alwyn, "Wyn, do you need any help?" Evayne comes out from the spicy-scented kitchen. M'kla cocks her head a little, and kneels down to be on the girl's level. She chuckles, "Did I lass? Who's yer Ma? I've delivered a lot of babes in my time." Johanna was about to eat supper or a snack (it'd have to be a good-sized snack) when the deluge of people began; guiltily she puts aside her own food and asserts herself to help too. "Yes, we can help. Thedra and I can, that is. Oh, and Evayne can too." Alvar grins< "Evayne, hey!" Kassima gives Alwyn an ironic bow, her grin decidedly impish. "We shall await your visits with baited breath," she informs him solemnly. "Whatever that means. If'n it means that we'll have breath that smells like bait, though, you can forget it; I'm nay going to eat grubs until you visit... did you say roast porcine?" Alvar waves towards Evayne, cheerfully, as he calls out her name in greeting. Alwyn nods to Cath, "Please, Cath, can you give anyone who wants to eat a plate, please?" he glances around and beams as he sees Evayne, "Evy!!" Faerysa's eyes cant towards the newest entrant, giving a faint nod as she weaves between the many people to a seat. She finds one and hoards it closely. /Her/ place. Evayne enters and blinks at the crowd in the cavern, looking at Jo quickly as her name is mentioned. "Hello.." She says sliding to her accustomed place. Siara gives both Evayne and Bzyraide a waves. Rashmael hums to himself as he puts down his plates, one after another. Alwyn nods to Kassima, "Aye," he points to the large roasted porcine, "It's ready to be eaten. Please help yourself when you want, everyone, after a moment I'd like to say something...But only when everyone is settled." Bzyraide joins the queue in front of the nearest hearth, then carefully selects a few choice cuts of herdbeast and a few tubers. Topping the heaped plate off with a thick slice of bread, he delicately balances the plate for a moment to send a smile and wave at Siara, then heads for a relatively unoccupied table. Alane smiles shyly. "My Mama was Alea. My Papa's B'rin and my Auntie is Cellia. My brothers are Mykeal and Alyn. They're a pain sometimes, but they're four. I'm nine and I just got a green firelizard. Her name is Gwen." Nothing like a little information. Cathedra nods to Alwyn, moving towards one of the invading riders and inquiring what she'd like to eat. A cross between hostess and waitress, she also points out empty seats to anyone who may be searching for one. Johanna does whatever assistance she can, of course, but for the most part she hangs in the background in Alwyn's shadow, almost mirroring what he's doing. Safer that way. Alvar stands, moving towards the infirmary. Evayne looks cautiously over at Alwyn. "What have I missed so far? And what can I do to help?" Siara gets up to look over the food and fill a plate. "You made all of it yourself Alwyn?" she asks, impressed. Alvar enters the Infirmary. M'kla grins broadly at that, "Is that so! I remember yer Ma and those boys...I were visiting to bring some records when she decided to have me." Kassima eyes the roast on the table, clearly torn. "'Twould nay be fitting t'do anyone out of a share," she murmurs, but doesn't sound very convincing. She steps a bit farther back, trying to distance herself from the temptation. As if she has a snowball's chance in the desert of succeeding. Jayna drops into an empty seat near the edge of events, glancing left to right like a child at her first gather. Faerysa stays solidly seated; she's not offering to help anymore than she must -- although if she's /asked/, maybe.... Alwyn grins at Siara, "Most of it. When I was doing chores however I had some cooks and drudges and even a candidate or two looking over the food to see it didn't burn or whatever. They're all recipes of my mother's mother, one of my kinder relatives." Alane grins. "I'm glad to meet you. You wouldn't like 'em now. They're pests. They don't get to go to the hatching, but I do, cause I'm big now. Are you going to come to the hatching?" D'ton allows himself to be shown to a seat by Cathedra. M'kla chuckles some, "If I'm nay busy or fighting Thread, I wager I will. I like Hatchings." Rashmael hands Rysa a plate, saying, "I will look for you directly after the dancing, as soon as the harpers begin thier playing, Lady." Alwyn nods to M'kla, "Good. I hope some Telgari do come, when it happens." Siara nods to Alwyn, "Well, it all looks very nice." Pale, and swallowing hard, she heaps a plate and goes over to take a seat again, somewhere in the crowd, finding herself near Faerysa. Alane beams with pride. "Minya's gonna let me go to the 'ledges' with her. I had to promise to stay away from the edges though." M'kla grins and glances up at Alwyn's voice, "Aye...there will be. I jest hope Igen returns the favor and lets us nab a few of theirs when the time comes." Evayne resettles near Rysa and Siara, giving the Rider a close look. "Ma'am, are you alright?" Kassima inquires drolly of M'kla, "Going t'wear your kilt for the occasion? 'Twill have t'be hauling mine out of wherever in Faranth's name I stashed it. I've nay had any excuse for wearing it since the move." Yes. Talk about kilts is good. It'll keep her from drooling over the food, which would be rather undignified. Faerysa arches an eyebrow at Rashmael giving him an eloquent look and a none-too-delicate snort. She does accept the plate with a nod. though, and a hint of characteristic wry humor. M'kla looks back at Alane and nods solemnly, "Aye, that'd be a good idea. You're a bit big to be a hat...which is what you'd be, falling on someone's head from that height." Makear continues to stand by the entranceway, her eyes flicking from person to person, one of her soft smiles are on her face as she just seems to be taking in the friendly atmosphere and warmth. But finally she notices some of the others take seats and she does so to, droping into a spot by Jayna. Alwyn grins as Alane says that, remembering something, then glances at M'kla and nods, "Great." R'val wipes his forehead as he enters the cavern, "Oy, hot even in the Stands," He comments, moving to sit with the other Igenites, and pour himself a cool cup of juice. Alane looks over at Kassima. "What's a kilt?" Maylia shakes her head, declining food. "I've already eaten, thanks," she murmurs. Instead, she takes a seat, content just to watch and listen for now. Bzyraide quickly eats, the food vanishing from his plate, his head bowed over the table in apparent concentration. After scrubbing his plate with the last of the large hunk of bread, he pops it in his mouth, an expression of contentment stealing over his face as he leans back on the bench with his mug of klah firmly in hand. Cathedra bustles around, fixing plates for people. Alane giggles. "I don't think Gwen liked all the people. She's still really young." Yeah, and Alane's a whole nine turns. Alwyn nods to R'val, "Evening R'val," he smiles and looks about, nodding as people begin to eat, still standing in the center with his apron on. Cathedra fades into the background. Jayna grins at Makear. "Lots going on, eh?" she asks, her eye caught by a passing kitchen worker carrying a tray of decidedly un-Telgarlike foods. At least, she hopes they're foods. "A short skirt of plaid material," is Kassima's response to Alane, accompanied by a smile. "Usually in two or three colors. 'Twas a bit of a tradition, once, for Bendenites t'wear 'em to Hatchings. Methinks 'tis one of those traditions there's nay reason nay to continue." Rashmael smiles at Faerysa's indelicate little almost-refusal and inclines his head to her as he goes about setting up plates. M'kla grins some, and nods, "Aye, firelizards can be almost as big a pest as younger brothers, that way..." She looks around, and then back to Alane, "D'ye mind if I have dinner here tonight? You wouldn't happen to knae what we're havin, do you?" Siara leans over to Faerysa, pushing her food around on her plate. "What was that all about?' she asks curiously. Alane beams at Kassima. "That sounds pretty. I wonder if Auntie would let me get one." Sandar ambles out from the inner caverns. M'kla chuckles and points, "All ye really have to do is ask Kassima there. She delights in getting people intae kilts." Telgar Weyr> Sandar says, "Telgar in effect at Igen!" Evayne waves to Sandar, motioning him over. "Sandy!" Alane nods at M'kla. "Roasted porcine. Alwyn's been cooking all day, and everyone is welcome at Igen." J'lyn grins at Kassima. "A very good point, Kassi. And one that I plan to continue with. As well as getting as many new riders to follow as I can." Makear nods to Jayna, looking at all the talking groups. She then turns to the other girl and asks lighty, but still loud enough to be heard above the noise, "So what are you doing at Telgar? Anything special?" Rashmael whips his head towards the entrance cavern. "Sandar!" he calls to lift the candidate's head. "Here!" Like a discus, he whirls a plate at the man, "catch! Get something to eat!" M'kla mms appreciatively, "Porcine...now I've not had that in a while. Where's a guld place to sit?" Faerysa shakes a head lightly, leaning over to Siara to murmur an answer. "Evidently, an invitation to dance latwr." A pause. "ACtually, it was less of an invitation than a telling me." And that's probably what got her goat. Candra chucles as she enters and looks around the busy room. Alane giggles. "I would think any empty chair at this point, Ma'am. Chairs are filling up fast. Alwyn cooks good!" Sandar wanders in with a cheerful wave for all. He looks around the Cavern, and, spotting Telgarians, blinks! "Hey th..." he starts, when a plate comes soaring across the room to him! Deftly he lifts his hand and snags it out of the air. "Hey there!" he continues. Kassima assures Alane, with a laugh, "Can't think why she wouldn't. I got one for m'elder lass when she was about a Turn old, and you're a good deal older than that! J'lyn, I'll be glad t'have your assistance in maintaining that tradition. 'Twill nay be without its difficulties, but we shall overcome!" She strikes a noble pose for a moment. "Besides, they're good luck. There's nay harm in spreading a bit of luck about. Ah... d'you think 'twould be minded if'n I had just a wee touch m'self? That meatroll was good, but--Sandar!" She waves cheerfully to the ex-Assistant Steward, espying his entrance. Alane looks over at Kassima. "I think I better ask Auntie first." M'kla laughs some, and nods, "Aye...he used to live at Telgar...." She rises, and makes for a pair of seats...just in case the girl wants to dawndle along after her. Candra nods and smiles in agreement to that and heads for the food table. Rashmael chuckles at Sandar, motioning at the tables. "Come and feed yourself." Alane follows along after M'kla, like a stuck shadow. Lucky M'kla? Siara nods to Faerysa, glancing across the room at Rashmael, "Shayne made an interesting choice, didn't she? I wish he'd asked me!" Jayna nods, smiling. "I'm training to be a dragonhealer, with Richenda." She's glancing around, fascinated by the activity. Telgar Weyr> Ro grins "Hmm, maybe I will actually have to make my way there, if'n I can think of an IC way." Telgar Weyr> Mehlani is going there for the Hatching tomorrow, Ro. Telgar Weyr> Mehlani is going with her father, you could always bum a ride on Tzornth. :) Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "That's what NPC riders are for. ;)" Candra fills her plate and gets a glass of juice and heads for an empty chair at the table by the bowl. Jayna spots Sandar. "Sandy!" she says, joyfully. She waves happily and turns back toward Makear. "What have you been up to? You kind of vanished after the Hatching. I'd figured you'd gone home." Faerysa's lips twist. "I suppose," she says doubtfully. "He's definitely /interesting/." And if that's positive or not is anyone's guess. Siara waves to Candra, from where she sits near Faerysa, with a plate full of food. Sandar grins and nods to Rashmael. "Food, yes," he agrees, and heads over to the table to pick somewhat daintily from the offerings. He avoids the greens, almost picks up some roast wherry, then decides against it, and finally settles on some sweetrolls and redfruit preserves, which he's been seen eating all day. He stands at the food table with his food, looking around at the differet tables full of friends, wondering where to direct his attentions first. Finally he raises a fingers as though to say 'one moment' to the Candidates and goes over to greet those from Telgar who hasn't seen in so long. Siara nods to Faerysa, "And cute. And knowing Shayne...he has other good qualities as well." Candra smiles and waves at Siara with her free hand. Kassima nods amiably enough to Alane, hooking her foot through a stray chair and pulling it out just enough to seat herself in. "'Twould probably be best, aye. Sandar, lad, get your rump over here and spill it--how's Candidacy been treating you? I see you've plenty of companions in the everlasting delight of latrine-cleaning and suchlike." Telgar Weyr> Ro considers "Like V'dan?" Makear's brows arch as she just barely hears Jayna's response, "That sounds intresting.... Oh I got picked up to Fort then, stood there and then headed toward Telgar since thats were everyone I knew was. Now I'm just a resident, I'm surprised I haven't seen you around more." Alwyn grins as he watches everyone, nodding to himself, "Good, good." J'lyn settles into a place beside Kassi after getting himself a glass of very cold redfruit juice. Rashmael runs out of plates to set tables with. With a heavy sigh, he weaves his way around the tables, looking to see iif there's anything else he can do with his worthless self before going up to his sick little rider again. Maylia watches plates of food get served, and starts to reconsider. "On second thought... might I have just a bit?" She asks a nearby candidate on serving duty. That requested, she grins across at Jayna. "You started? That's wonderful - I'd like to get into dragonhealing, but not until I've settled a bit in my present duties." Candra quietly begins to feed the grrdy little bandit on her arm. He is all mouth and eyes! M'kla settles into place with a couple of plates, one for each. She didn't skimp on Alane's portions either. "Eat up lass...helps ye grow." R'val mutters to himself as he grabs a skin of juice, "I'm gonna go look at the eggs, now...' R'val walks out to the Bowl. Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Yeah, sure, the geek would suit. Or any NPC you can think of. R'der and Teleporth, T'xi and Cabbeth, etc. :)" Faerysa allows her full regard to settle on Rashmael as she leans over towards Siara. a bit of a grin quirkign her lips, this time. "REally now. I suppose it might be interesting to figure out what those are, hmm?" Her fingers disentangle the ill-tempered green that hoards her shoulder from her hairt and she adds, "At leats to a certain extent." Alane fairly bounces in her seat. "My foster Mom is standing this time." To Kassima she smiles. "I don't think she would say no, but Auntie likes to be asked first. Maybe I'll surprise you when you see me on the ledges. Didya hear that I get to be on the ledges?" Telgar Weyr> D'ton laughs. Telgar Weyr> M'kla says, "You can put my son M'larr and his lazy bronze to work too, if you like ;)" M'kla grins at the youngster's enthusiasm. Alane applies herself to the food provided like any growing girl. "Didn't I tell ya he cooks good?" Sandar weaves his way toward the last person who asked him a question - that would be Kassi - and fwumps down beside her. "Well," he answers, "it's been pretty hard, but fun too. The chores are hard. But it's neat to have met all sorts of different people, and I've made a lot of friends." He furrows his brow as though trying to think of a better way to explain that, as though his three sentence answer didn't nearly sum up the experiences he's had at Igen. Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "R'gan and Darrath? (my NPC dad)" Telgar Weyr> Mehlani says, "Heck, Kassi might even loan you one of her cousins. ;)" Alwyn waits until everyone has their food, not eating himself, not just yet. Wyn watches everyone, helping in any way he can. He grins at Sandy, agreeing with him silently. Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "Ah, I'm sure they wouldn't want to go unless you went, Lani." Alane nudges M'kla. "Don't let him fool you. They been havin' a great time. Didya hear about the icing in the lake. Well, Sandar didn't do that, but there's been lotsa stuff going on." Telgar Weyr> M'kla just waits for one of Kassima's coz's on Supercalifagililouth... Siara grins back at Faerysa,. "Shayne has some pretty good qualities of her own..." She takes a bite of the porcine and chews and swallows slowly. "Are you enjoying the food?" Telgar Weyr> Mehlani is on a campaign of Boy Avoidance, Kes and Eyr included. ;) She's going with her father. :) Kassima eyes J'lyn's redfruit juice with something approaching longing. "Ohhhh, that looks good. Where'd you get it, and is there any chance I might be able to wheedle a glass from you?" She gives her co-Wingsecond her most entreating look, before grinning broadly to Alane. "Aye, I heard!" She has sharper ears than most give her credit for. "I fully intend t'be there, m'self, so mayhaps you can join me in m'favorite game: color-guessing. Will you be staying here too, regardless of outcome, when the Hatching's done?" That's directed to Sandar, of course. "Or will you return to Rennick, who's been grousing so about the lack of your aid?" M'kla chuckles some, "Icing in the lake? Nay, I didn't...I take it the Candidates are as well behaved as ever." Telgar Weyr> Kassima snerks. I'll have to save that one for Karxarylnim, M'kla. ;) J'lyn points. "Over there in that pitcher. It's fantastic." Telgar Weyr> M'kla girns. Evayne sips some wine quietly, looking around the room, watching the different groupings of people. Jayna grins at Makear. "I'm here and there. . . usually in the store rooms or some other place that needs cleaning. Welcome back to Telgar, then, belatedly," she offers, snagging a meatroll from a tray on the table. D'ton nods, listening to Sandar and KAssima, since that's the conversatio noccuring nearest to him. Alwyn says "If I can get anything else to drink for anyone just call my name. There's some tea available if anyone wants that." Rashmael finds another stack of plates and picks the entire thing up, weighing it in his hands. Than, deciding it's alright, places them atop his head and balances them there, using his now-free hands to gather up eating utensils to go with the plates. Cathedra overhears Kassima's request for juice and quickly brings some to her before she can get it for herself. She's playing hostess as best she can, trying to help Alwyn out. Alane shrugs. "I don't know but if you look at Siara, I guess they been drivin' her crazy as a proddy green." Johanna, apparently not particularly needed to assist with the guests, meaders over to where Faerysa and Evayne are sitting and joins them with a sigh. Argelian ambles out from the inner caverns. Bzyraide slowly scans the huge cavern at irregular intervals, his dark gaze skipping here and there, lingering on a greenrider here, pausing on a crafter there. The level of klah in his mug goes down at a moderate pace. Faerysa stops, peering at the meat impaled on her own fork. "It /is/ good," she allows, and grins to the comment about Shayne. "Many riders do, though," Rysa agrees. M'kla chuckles at the apt appelation. "One imagines." Alane grins at Kassi. "I guess eggs pretty good." Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "Well, at least dinner is made so I can pay attention to the computer. Beware Igen, here I come." Alvar walks out of the infirmary. Ariy walks out of the infirmary. Alvar walks into the cavern with Ariy at his side, and finds a table, pulling a chair out for her, "Here we go. Wanna drink?" Telgar Weyr> Jorenan goes back to looking for his age. Evayne waves to Argelian, "This way Arg.." Alane shrugs. "Auntie told me not to get in trouble with 'em." Ariy nods uncertainly, looking around at the crowded cavern. Telgar Weyr> Mehlani would suggest you take your 'birthsecs' attribute, Jorenan, and throw it through the age() function. :) Sandar hops up to fetch Kassi some redfruit juice as though serving drinks was second nature to him. "I've got it," he tells J'lyn pleasantly. To Kassi, he starts. "Well... I've given it a lot of thought." He looks around at the Living Cavern for a moment before he picks up the pitcher and starts to pour a glass of the juice. Telgar Weyr> Mehlani says, "You should have your birthsecs set on you from when you were created in the database." Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "Don't dispair, Jore. Some pernese live to be 122." M'kla says around a small mouthful of food, "Yer Auntie sounds like a wise woman." Jayna glances at Sandar and Kassi. They're close enough in this crowd that she can talk without shouting. Barely. She doesn't want to interrupt the conversation, though, so she simply watches for a moment. Alvar returns with a cup of juice, and sits at Ariy's side, smiling around the cavern. He says, quietly to her, "It's a bit crowded, but don't let that get to you." Kassima starts to stand, but blinks as the juice is brought to her. She looks rather abashed. "Ach, didn't mean to imply that I couldn't get it m'self--m'thanks, though... um... Candidate." She crooks a sheepish smile, clearly coming up at a loss for the girl's name. "Do you, then? A shame you're probably nay old enough t'be wagering, then," the greenrider sighs to Alane. Argelian lumbers in and heads to get more juice, after doing his chores he's parched. She blinks at Evayne, and lumbers over? Makear smiles a thankyou to Jayna and then snags a mug of sometime of beverage from a passing candidate that is handing them out. She looks at it for a second, before dowing a sip and then grinning, "Redfruit juice." she mutters to herslef happily. Telgar Weyr> Jorenan does that. And gets 122, yep. D'ton glances sideways at Jayna, who appears to be doing very much the same thing he is, and grins wryly. Telgar Weyr> Jorenan says, "Ah ha!! Change the v to a u and we get the much more likely 18." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Did you do v(age(birthsecs)) instead of age(v(birthsecs))?" Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "What happens when you use the same number of hatchsecs instead of birthsecs?"" Ariy sits down at Alvar's side, sipping her juice. "Thank you, sir" Faerysa turns to give Johanna a brief smile, finger stealing to remove the new green from her shoulder. Maylia smiles her thanks as a plate is brought to her, and asks her twin, "So, Makear, are you going to find any job in particular at the Weyr?" Then, on a moments thought, "Hopefully not cooking.... please tell me you'll stay out of the kitchen?" Evayne scoots over, giving Arg some room. "Sit down, please Arg.." Evy motions to an empty place nearby. "How are you doing?" Alane nods at M'kla. "I just love Auntie Cellia." To Kassima she grins. "I don't have any marks...yet." There's a gleam of the future in her gray eyes. "Cathedra," the candidate quietly supplies Kassima with. "And I'm more than happy to help if I can, rider." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Nada, so long as you adjust the code. You don't have to call 'em birthsecs. You can call 'em watersecs, if you want." Telgar Weyr> L'mis . o O ( Not bloody likely. ) M'kla chuckles some at that, and looks down at Alane. Siara nods to Johanna pleasantly, as she sits down near Faerysa and therefore near her. Argelian does as he's asked, sitting next to Evayne, "Umm, okay, nervous." Very muchly already. Sandar wanders back to Kassima with the glass of redfruit juice. Noticing someone's already brought her some, he slyly makes it look like he got it for himself by taking a sip of it. He smiles at Cathedra who's standing near Kassima. "Evening, Cath," he offers. M'kla winks, and digs into her belt pouch, pulling out a tiny little bag. From that green bag, she produces a few rounds of wood. Ro comes in from the Bowl. Johanna glances toward the riders and Alwyn and mumbles, "We supposed to be helping?" Siara gets a nod back, but it's not pleasant. Just polite. M'kla sorts through the wooden disks, and then lays one down next to Alane. "Here. For good luck lass, till yer next Turnday." Ro walks in, looking around for those she knows. Alane smiles innocently at M'kla before turning back to her food. Cathedra turns, seeing Sandar for the first time. She smiles to him brightly, tucking her hands away into pockets, "G'eve Sandy." Telgar Weyr> Jorenan did age(v(*jorenan/birthsecs)) to get 122, and the same thing with a u to get the right number. Alvar grins at Ariy, "So, waht do you think of Igen so far?" Alane looks up at M'kla. "For me?" Siara nods pleasantly to Johanna, as she sits down nearby. Rashmael sets a plate before Johanna, saying, "Help? Not on your life. And for you, rider, and you, *darling" 'Rysa, dear." Clink clink clink as the plates are set down. M'kla nudges the disk towards Alane, and grins a bit, "Aye, for you. For guld luck till your next turnday." Telgar Weyr> Mehlani hmms. Telgar Weyr> Mehlani hrmms. Telgar Weyr> Mehlani grins. And eeks, you're 18? Wu oh. :) Makear glances at Maylia over the rim of her mug and then sets it down, showing mischevious smirk, "Afraid I'll poisen the whole Weyr? Or are you just afraid I'll slaughter to many tubers?" Ariy shrugs. "I've been here once before, sir, delivering fish... It wasn't as crowded then..." Telgar Weyr> Mehlani also lags. And huhs. >I< do an age(v(birthsecs)), and it works for me. Weird. Kassima nods to Sandar, apparently understanding this. "After this has been your home for a number of months, well, I can comprehend that. I'd have stayed at Benden even if'n I hadn't Impressed, if'n they'd have been willing to let me stay on rather than kicking me out on m'rump. Can't say I'd blame 'em for choosing the latter course." One dark green eye closes in a wink. To Cathedra, then, she nods. "Well met, Cathedra," the greenrider says with a smile. "I'm called Kassima, or Kassi--green Lysseth's slave for life. 'Tis a pleasure t'be making your acquaintance." Alvar hmmms, "Well, there's a lot of visitors tonight..." Telgar Weyr> Kassima nods to 'Lani. That's what I do, also. Alane pockets the disc. No fool she. "Thank you very much. It's almost here, ya know and then I'll be ten turns!" Ariy nods, a bit taken aback by the presence of so many people. Alwyn sighs softly and nods, "Well, I might as well begin by saying Hello to all the Telgari here, it is a surprise to see you all here, but I thank you for coming. I organized this dinner because I wanted to show the Candidates' appreciation of Siara and Kyleri, the Candidate Coordinators. They have worked hard for us, giving us things to do, and bearing with our ...little pranks. I also organized this dinner for _us_ The Candidates. And I want everyone to be happy, mingle, have fun. And from what I hear, there'll be dancing afterwards...Everyone eat." Telgar Weyr> Jorenan hms. Yeah, that works for me, too. Sandar waves to Ro, over by Kassima, D'ton, Jayna and Cathedra, to whom he smiles at her greeting. He takes a moment to scan the occupants of the Living Cavern, a somewhat confused expression on his face. "The old friends and the new," he tells D'ton out of the blue. "It's very strange to see them all together. I felt the same way at the Benden Hold dinner." He then quirks a grin at Kassima's anecdote. "I've been thinking about it, and I have come to enjoy living at Igen. But I do believe I'd come back to Telgar if'n I didn't Impress." Telgar Weyr> L'mis says, "Back in my day we didn't have a birthsecs() or hatchsecs() function." Argelian blinks, dancing? He'll have to find something else to do for that time. M'kla grins some, "Aye, well...perhaps if you're well lucky enow, you'll get anaer, for the next Turn too." A flash of pure anger glints across Rysa's face before that bland mask snaps down again, smoothing her expression, though the eyes glint cool steel. Narrowed, she nods to Rashmael, just eyeing the plate. Johanna's given a faint look, that's it; Siara as well, though with a questioning eyebrow. Telgar Weyr> Jorenan is 18 and not yet gainfully employed. :) What a life. Cathedra glances at Sandar from the corner of her eye as if to question him: he's staying if he doesn't Impress? She hadn't heard from him either way on that point yet. She smiles again to Kassima. "Well met, indeed," she offers politely with a smile that shows less nervousness than before, though a bit of shyness sneaks in. Sandar's mentioning returning to Telgar is given a nod. Siara grins at Alwyn, "Never thougth I'd get thanked for making people clean latrines and shovel muck." Kassima can't resist waggling her eyebrows at Alane. "Looks like you have marks now. But," she relents, chuckling, "I'd still nay offer t'take them off your hands. 'Twould be rather less than sporting of me. And I'm naught if'n nay totally fair." Were this Telgar, half the Living Cavern would probably turn to gape at her in disbelief at that statement. She lifts the glass of juice given to her in a toast to Alwyn's statement, with the faintest of shudders at the mention of dancing. "'Twill have t'flee ere that begins," she mutters. Maylia snorts at her sister, vaguely waving her meat-laden fork in her direction. "Both. Those poor, poor tubers, they don't deserve the treatment you give them!" She says, with mock-earnesty. A smile brightens Ro's face "Sandy!" Cathedra fades into the background. Dark eyes glance over at the greenrider named Kassima for a moment, then Bzyraide seems to smile to himself for some reason. Draining his klah with a quick flip of the head, he rises, nods at the masses thronging the great cavern, then strolls out the exit. Siara catches Faerysa's look. "What?" Johanna listens quietly to Alwyn, manages to give Siara a small smile, then ducks her head to study her plate and begin playing with her food. Evayne smiles over at Wyn, nodding her head in appreciation to him. "Tonight is truly well-done Wyn! But.. promise me later to intruduce me to your friends?" Bzyraide walks out to the Bowl. Alane looks at Kassima slyly. "Well, ya know it wouldn't be unfair considerin' that's it's Igen sands and I've had plenty of time to watch the eggs. I /know/ what color will hatch from each egg." Brave words for a nine turn old. Faerysa asks, of Siara, "Would you like him?" The glance indicates Rashmael. Alane turns to wink at M'kla with an impish grin on her face. Rashmael seems perfectly delighted by that flush of anger in Faerysa's face, and gives her a smile all the more bright for it. Waving a finger, he claims, "I'll capture that look in paint yet." His eyes slide over to the lady next to her. "Ah, and I will see you tomorrow as well, Lady rider. Please save a few songs for me." With that, he takes the rest of his plates and slips away. Kassima remarks sympathetically to Sandar, "We'll be glad t'have you back if'n 'tis so, but you'd do best t'brace yourself for Rennick's ire if'n the situation warrants your return. You know how he can be...." She squints after the departing, dark-eyed man, having apparently caught a glimpse of those eyes looking towards her. "Who's he?" she wants to know. Argelian sits, uncomfortable in this large crowd, though he hides it fairly well, just sitting there sipping his juice, quiet, not speaking unless spoken to, all the good ideas for an apprentice to be. Alane answers Kassima. "Rashmael. He paints stuff." D'ton says to Sandar, "Can't say I've ever had that sort of experience, but I imagine it must feel strange." Faerysa rounds onto Rashmael, :You will not," she says with a bit of scorn, "paint me unless I give you leave." Her tone smooths, mellows, without inflection but still firm nevertheless: "Not without leave." Telgar Weyr> Mehlani says, "What, being a Baker Apprentice and scaring the bejeezus out of me isn't gainful enough employment for you? :)" Ro smiles mischieviously at Kassi "You just have to know how to handle Renny." Kassima lifts a single eyebrow at those bold words from Alane. "You wish t'be making a wager, then?" she asks over the rim of her glass, before shaking her head. "Nay... at least, I think nay. The one who just left is the one I meant; was that him?" Makear snorts slightly at Maylia and then adds in the same tone her sister used, "Those tubers did too deserve it. If it weren't for me they would have gotten off unpunished." She seems to deffinatly be in an odd mood tonight. Kassima nearly chokes at *that*. "Renny?" she repeats incredulously. "*Renny*? He'd have your eyes strung on a pair of wires and used for earrings if'n he heard you call him that!" Siara grins, watchign Faerysa and Rashmael, "Sure I'd like him, but it looks like it's you he wants. Good luck with Shayne. She's...interesting when she's jealous." Sandar nods to Kassima. "I've not seen Rennick fly yet, but I'm sure if he had to do it to come drag me back to Telgar, he'd do it." He nods to D'ton. "It's very strange. It's like I have two homes. I felt a bit like this when I left the Weavercrafthall as a lad, but not to this extent." He suddenly laughs. "Renny?" he utters. "Oh dear." Alane nods at the Telgar greenrider. "He made a picture of me to give to my Papa. A wager?" She blinks. "Jays, I dunno. How do you wager?" Ro grins and winks at Kassi and Sandy. Rashmael bursts into laughter, quickly stopping, and drops his head into a bow, taking up her hand. He proclaims in a lordly manner, "My dear lady Faerysa, not until you give me leave. But I trust you will. Now, if you are very through with throwing daggers with your eyes,..." he backs away. Telgar Weyr> Jorenan grins. Well... D'ton says to Kassima, "That's why she called him that *here*." Maylia waggles a finger at Makear, saying firmly, "It is my belief that those tubers were framed. The fowl eggs are to blame, and should be beaten thoroughly." She actually manages to say this straight-faced; seems she's in as odd a mood as her twin. Johanna puts her hand atop Rysa's and leans close to her. She mutters to Faerysa, "... apple... You're..." Siara smiles at Rashmael, "So you /do/ like women who throw things at you." Ro smiles at D'ton "A very wise man is what you are, D'ton." Alvar Finishes his klah with a look of satisfaction, pushing the mug away. He nudges Ariy gently, "Hungry?" Alwyn smiles as everyone is eating and mingly, he waves to Ro. "Ro!" he beams, "Would you like to meet a friend of mine?" Rashmael smiles sweetly at Siara, calling, "It's mearly a matter of dodge or catch, lady!" "I can throw daggers with more than my eyes," Faerysa informs Rashmael. "Go paint Shayne." Siara gets an indelicate snort. "Little worry; I shan't take it." She takes a drink, and chokes at Johanna's comment, giving her a streaming-eyed glare. J'lyn chuckles to Kassi and D'ton, with a sly grin at Ro. "And if she knows what's good for her, bribes could probably be arranged." Ro hears her name and looks around, finally spotting Alwyn. "Wyn! How've you been?" she calls out as the makes her way over toward him. Sandar ohs! at Alwyn's offer to introduce some of his friends to the Telgarians. "I'm dreadfully rude," he admits. "Here, you simply *must* meet..." he heads over to Alwyn to help with the introductions. Siara beams at Rashmael. "I'm glad Shayne picked you and brought you here. I like you." "Renny," Kassima repeats in a disbelieving mutter. "Ro, I admire your utter fearlessness in the face of inevitable death, should you ever call him that back at Telgar. If'n you're lucky, Sandar, he won't clap you in chains and bind you to the Storerooms for life if'n you do return." Shaking her head, she watches the carving of the roast for a moment before replying to Alane. "Interesting, that; I've nay met any artists for a time, save a'course for m'cousin Syraemia. A wager is when you say that you'll put money on the outcome of something. Like, oh, say... if'n I bet a quarter mark that a certain egg would be blue, I'd have t'give you the money if'n I lost. Make sense?" D'ton gets a terribly wistful expression on his face, "Wise. Someone called me wise," he says, and chuckles. "I should pop out and take a look at that clutch. Which way's the stands, Sandar?" Evayne leans forward to Rashmael. "Pardon me, but Faerysa might not like her portrait done, but perhaps I might comission one?" Johanna pushes away her food, distressed by Rysa's attitude and glare, and mumbles, "'Scuse me, gotta go get. Um. Something. Ariy nods to the weyrhealer. She hasn't eaten all day... The amount of talk and activity in the cavern made her forget there was food. Johanna strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns. Telgar Weyr> N'kshar blinks at all the Telgarians at Igen... Alvar stands, looking thoughtful, "I'm gonna have some stew. What shall I get ya, Ariy?" Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "They're invading :)" Siara looks after Johanna. "What were yo utalking about?" she asks Faerysa. Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "We're invading, Nikh! Come invade with us!" Telgar Weyr> D'ton says, "We're invading." Rashmael ahs, looking down to Evayne's face. "Certainly, of course. What of?" Telgar Weyr> D'ton oys at R'val. Gimme back the Braincell! Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "GOMH, flounder-boy." Alwyn grins at Ro and hugs her fiercely, "It's good to see you Ro," he smiles, "I'd like you to meet some of my friends, Candidates here." Wyn looks to Evayne, "Ro, this is Evy, Evy, Ro.." "And that's Cathedra, Ox, Faerysa, and Jo just left.." Evayne smiles enigmatically. "Oh I have a person or two in mind. Perhaps later we could discuss details?" Ariy stands up abruptly. "Oh, no sir. I can get my own plate. Thank you." she smile at the weyrhealer. Telgar Weyr> L'mis says, "Even if L'mis was more social, there's no real IC reason to flock to a Weyr more than a full day before eggs start rocking. Not when I'm not friends with any candidates." Sandar returns to D'ton, "Oh, out that way, forward a bit, then to the left, and... well, thataways." He grins. "I can show you if you like." Telgar Weyr> M'kla wishes her mom would not call so frequently :P Alane ponders Kassima's explanation. "Oh, so if I tell you that I think a certain egg will be green and it is then you give me a quarter mark, but if it's not then I gotta give you mine?" Alvar grins at Ariy, nodding, "Ok then." Argelian hears his name and shifts a little, "Hallo" he chances. Evayne nods to Ro politely. "Well met." Makear's serious expression breaks just slightly at Maylia's comment about the eggs, but she tries to continue on with the conversation, "Oh, it wasn't the eggs and you know it! Those to tubers were evil to the root and I gave them exactly what they wanted." she pauses and then adds, "But you know, the roast wherry could have had a wing in it." Ariy follows alvar to the serving table. Telgar Weyr> Sandar sniffles at L'mis and gives him puppy-eyes. Faerysa wipes at her eyes, and gathers her dignity around her like a grand cloak. "She was just making comments to me on my mood," she tells Siara. Her shoulders square, her back straightens: she takes a drink and a bit of food. cool and contained. Ro oofs and utters a breathless "Good t' meet you Evy." Candra eats quietly and observes all the activity and people, enjoying it immensely. Telgar Weyr> M'kla grins. Telgar Weyr> M'kla says, "That's okay. L'mis can't have friends. It's against his contract ;)" Alwyn grins at Ro, "Ro is a good friend of mine from Telgar, Evayne," Rashmael smiles and bobs his head, backing away from Evayne. He ducks under a drudge's arm and squares his broad shoulders as he straightens up to look easily over the heads of most in the crowd. D'ton grins, "Thataways, eh? Well, if I can't find it, I'll backtrack and ask again." Alvar Ladles out a bowl of stew for himself, inahling it's rich aroma with a smile. Ro catches her breath and smiles to each person in turn, murmuring hellos. Telgar Weyr> R'val is at Igen, but avoiding the cavern. Waaaaay too much spam :) Kassima nods, grinning at how fast the girl has picked up the concept of betting. "Dead in the black; 'tis the way of things exactly. It doesn't always have t'be marks, a'course. I once bet a kilt against a small keg of peach brandy." Ariy picks up a bowl and serves herself, mimicking Alvar's actions. Siara laughs. "Oh, you mean the way you act like you're better than everyone? I don't think that's as bad as the way she keeps saying how she's so worthless, so she can get people to be nice to her and pay attention to her. I mean, you both are doing the same thing, I think, but your way makes more sense." Sandar nods to D'ton. "Make sure you look over to just to the right of the third crack in the far wall," he suggests. "A particularly bright patch of eggs that at this time of night seem to sparkle with their own light somehow." Obviously he's watched the eggs a goodly bit before this night. Evayne flashes a bright smile at Ro. "It's nice to meet you. Alwyn has been full of stories of his friends from Telgar." Telgar Weyr> Sandar watches Kassi corrupt youth :) Telgar Weyr> Mehlani says, "She's good at that. :)" Faerysa;'s eyebrows rush together and then the expression clears again. "I do not vonsider myself better than everyone," she informs Siara firmly. She doesn't say anything about Johanna. Alwyn grins at Evayne, and continues to stand, "The woman with the long braid of blue-black hair," he nods to Kassima. "Is Kassima..." He points to J'lyn, "That's J'lyn," he nudges in the direction of Maylia, "That's Maylia, a Green Rider.." he nods to Makear, "That's her twin, Makear," he nods to M'kla, "Weyrsecond, M'kla," he looks about and nods to D'ton, "And that's D'ton." Alane ponders this. "Shells, I dunno. I just got this mark. If I'm wrong..." She blinks "Oh, well say if I lost I promised to clean your weyr or watch your littles sometime, would that do?" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "So speaks the voice of experience." Telgar Weyr> Mehlani is NOT corrupt. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Yet." Telgar Weyr> L'mis might renegotiate his contract before the new season. Maylia finally looses it. The young greenrider giggles, but manages to recover her serious expresison quickly. "You think? I'm sure the fingerroots were dug deep into it too. But I think they might've gotten out of the scrape intact." A grin tugs at her lips... she's not gonna be able to do this much longer. Telgar Weyr> M'kla grins. Ro eyes Alwyn and groans "Nothing too horrible, I hope." she says to Evaye. Argelian hopes there isn't gonna be a quiz on this stuff, Ox tries to memorize faces and names, uttering each one under his breath. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn eyes L'mis sideways-like. Alvar sits back down, eyeing the crowded cavern as he eats. Telgar Weyr> Kassima takes a bow. I live for corruption. ;) Rashmael finds himself convieniently out of the crowd, and possibly out of view. Wide smile melts from his face, and his sweet manners drip away. Setting down the plates he's yet holding, he pulls his pipe out of his pocket and walks with long strides out of the cavern, red head bowed down. Siara grins at Faerysa, "Sure. Okay." Evayne shakes her head, a slight chuckle escaping. "No, Wyn has been very proud where Telgar is concerned." Rashmael walks out to the Bowl. D'ton sticks his hands in his pockets and wanders out, murmuring apologies to everyone he bumps on the way. D'ton walks out to the Bowl. Faerysa just looks at Siara. Just /looks/ at her. Sandar grins at Evayne. Telgar Weyr> L'mis says, "After all, I have a turnday coming up and I'm due for arbitration." Telgar Weyr> M'kla grins. Alwyn nods to Evayne, grinning, "Of course there was that time when Ro..." Wyn laughs softly at Ro, "I'm teasing. What have you been up to, Ro?" Evayne winks at Sandar in return. Telgar Weyr> Mehlani .oO (....) Hmmm.... Kassima looks up at the mention of her name, absently wiggling her fingers in greeting to those Alwyn is talking to. "Huh... well, that'd work. You're old enough t'look after Kaylira at least, I think. What would you consider t'be an equivalent of those favors? I can hardly offer t'look after *your* children, after all." Her grin is one of pure mischief. A'lex comes in from the Bowl. Alwyn blinks, "A'lex!" he bellows out. M'kla chuckles, "Nay, but ye could be forced to baby sit her brothers for a similiar amount of time." A'lex wanders in, surprised at the numerous hoardes of peoples. Siara smiles at all the candidates in the room, as she gets up. "I'm going for a swim. Remember to get to bed early. It's going to be any time now..." Jayna waves from her quiet corner at A'lex. A'lex says "Telgar's Duties to Igen and her Queen!" Alane tugs at Kassima's sleeve. "I'm real responsible, that's why Elif said I could have a firelizard. I could watch your littles for you. I watch my brothers allatime." She considers an exchange. "I'd like to see Telgar Weyr. Would you take me and show me around?" Alwyn gives Siara a nervous nod, "Oh..okay.." Sandar waves! "And that's A'lex," he tells Evayne, though Alwyn's outburst makes the introduction unnecessary. "A'lex!!" he adds to Alwyn's call. Ro says to Evayne "Yes, but some pretty.... 'interesting' things happened from time to time." Evayne waves to Siara's retreating form. "Good night Siara." Alwyn waves to Siara, "Good night to you, Siara," Telgar Weyr> L'mis says, "In my defense, I do have friends. Too bad they're all NPCs so far. Well, and a couple others." M'kla glances up at all the fuss, and chuckles. Alane nods at M'kla. "Yes that would be could too. They think they're so big." She makes a face. A'lex looks for the sources of the "A'lex"'s, then grins at Sandar and Alwyn, "Hello!" Sandar waves a goodnight to Siara. "Thank you, ma'am," he says to her. "Sleep well." M'kla says "Well, if it isnt' the next head of the Weyrcouncil!" Alwyn walks to A'lex, and openly hugs him fiercely, "How are you WingSecond?" Wyn grins at A'lex. M'kla grins at the fuss A'lex's arrival brings, teasing him a bit. Faerysa ejaculates fervently, "Thank Faranth." Makear's lips, too, try to tug into a smile, but she resists it and continues. "Yes the fingeroots could've maybe had a small part, but other then theose wretched tubers, I believe the packtail were very deep in the whole matter. But they got away unharmed." the last word comes out with a strangled laugh, she is about to crack! Siara smiles, "Thank you Alwyn, for the nice dinner." Siara walks out to the Bowl. Ro says to Alwyn "With Davidon gone Richenda is havin' me study to be a dragonhealer." Alane pipes up. "That's what I wanna be. A dragon healer!" Kassima groans to M'kla. "Faranth help me. Four-Turn-old twin lads! I've nay been near the like for... well, ever, that I can recall. There're only two sets of twins in m'family, after all. A'lex, heya! Took you long enough!" Chewing her lower lip thoughtfully, she nods to Alane. "I'm certain you are, but Kharisma--that's m'second daughter--is still very young yet. I barely trust Simaeva with her half of the time, truth be told. I'd certes be glad t'show you around Telgar when duties permit, if'n that's all you'd want in exchange. What shall we make the wager on? The color of the first dragonet to hatch?" Alwyn blinks, "That's great Ro!" "I've got a couple dragonhealer friends myself. And I'll probably train myself." Candra looks over as she hears the words Dragonhealer... A'lex 's head snaps around at M'kla's comment, "The next WHAT?" Of course this is interrupted by Alwyn's hug, which is returned just as fiercely after A'lex reassures himself he's not being beaten, "How goes?" Sandar looks over at Ro. "Really! Why, that's great!" he says enthusiastically. He looks around, then says in a very low voice to her, "... do you study dragon poop? One of the Candidates here is an expert at dragon poop." Alwyn grins, "It's doing well. Nervous, excited, and antsy...but nonetheless, it goes well. And you?" Alane blinks. "No! Ya can't tell that, but I can tell you what color will hatch from what egg." M'kla chuckles some, "Well, I suppose I could call ye Lord High Bronzerider, instead!" Candra chuckles at Sandars comment. Alwyn sighs, "Sandy, get off Dragon poop, you're _not_ going to ask the same question you asked Fah." he grins at his best friend and looks back to A'lex, A'lex says "Exhausted. What with paperwork, and Nraith actually starting to WIN flights-- Ok, who's been letting M'kla sniff the ageenohthree?"" Maylia, while still trying to think up another food conspirator, watches Kassi try to engage the young girl in wagering. "Careful there! I once fed all of her firelizards for a sevenday, for a mere mark! You'd best watch out!" She calls out her warning, but with a good natured grin. Finally, Makear answers her, and the greenrider must purse her lips to keep from laughing. "I fear I must suspect the motives of the tubers in the matter, they don't seem to be very ap-pealing. The parsley, on the other hand, is rather flakey, and only seems above suspiscion." Johanna ambles out from the inner caverns. Alwyn blinks, "Nraith won a flight?" Alwyn says "Congratulations then. Which Green?" Evayne sneaks outside. Alane hesitates. "Maybe you should see the eggs before we bet anything." She grins at Maylia. This little never bets unless it's a sure thing. Ro says to Sandar "Nope. Mostly I just clean the infirmary and the instruments, and do stuff with redwort and numbweed." Evayne walks out to the Bowl. Sandar grins at A'lex, going over to greet him in a manner similar to Alwyn's. "Nraith winning flights? I've always wanted to know," he asks youthfully. "What do you do when you _win_ flights? I know that when you _lose_ flights you drink a lot of wine, which seems to me like it might be fun. But what if you _win_ flights? Can that be fun too?" A'lex grins, "First Milenniuth, then Tiarith..." A'lex says "Yes Sandar, it's quite fun actually..." Faerysa shakes her head slightly, and pushes herself impatiently to her feet. She really doens't even murmur an excuse -- she just /goes/. Kassima informs M'kla gravely, "The proper title is 'Most Esteemed and Exalted Pinnacle of Leadership, All Hail His August Grace, Lord-Wingsecond A'lex of Skyfire Wing *sir.* He's been known to insist on it and grouse when 'tis nay said precisely right." There. That'll serve 'Lex right for hassling her about misreciting it once or twice. "Oh, c'mon, Maylia! Was the feeding of the Swarm *that* bad? All right, Alane. Pick out an egg, and we'll make a wager on the Hatching day." Faerysa walks out to the Bowl. Johanna comes back in, locates something sweet to munch on, then hides in the corner. The corner seems to be a good place to watch. Alwyn blinks, "That's great, A'lex!" Alane looks over at Sandra catching his remark. "They stay all night in the guest weyr silly." Sandar blinks. "Milenniuth??" he asks. "Speaking of Milenniuth, how's Mehlani? Last I saw of her she seemed to have taken a sauce for Milenniuth's rider." M'kla snorts at the youngster, "Impertinant snip. I should turn ye over my knee." Alane nods at Kassima. "Whenever you want to see 'em. I can show you which eggs will be green." Brave words from a gray eyed nine turn old. Candra rises slowly and nods farewell to Alwyn and slips quietly out the dorr. Makear makes it to the end of Maylia's reply before finally caving. She doubles over with laughter, a few minutes go by before she finally controls her self and after wiping her eys dry she says to Maylia, "I give you win. Your jokes were worse then mine, err I mean better." Candra walks out to the Bowl. A'lex grins at M'kla, then turns back to Sandar, "Well, I'm not sure where they stand exactly... he's been avoiding me since the Flight." Alane blinks at M'kla. "What did I do? I know which eggs will be green. My Mama was a greenrider." Kassima snorts drolly and quips to A'lex, "'Twill be certain t'tell E'rian that you said so. I'm certain he'll be... ah... flattered." Okay, so mortified is more like it, but she lives to torture her relatives. "How many green eggs are there?" she asks of Alane, sounding quite interested in the answer. Sandar nods to Alane. "Guest Weyr," he muses. He can't seem to find anything fun about cooping up in the Guest Weyr while the other riders are downstairs drinking lots of wine. He shrugs with a grin. Maylia makes a face at Kassi in answer. "Sixty firelizards to the swarm. A sevenday of feeding them. I'd say 'twasn't worth just a mark." she chuckles, breaking into giggles at Makear. "I won? C'mon - you had me chucling the last two, that counts!" Ryvel ambles out from the inner caverns. A'lex looks at Kassima, "Wait wait wait, tell him WHAT?" M'kla looks at Alane, and cocks her head, "Not YOU lass, but that snip of a bronzerider over there!" She points to A'lex. Alwyn waves, "Ryvel!" Johanna perks up and even gets to her feet, calling Ryvel's name with a mark of pleasure in her tone. Sandar nods to A'lex. "He has? How odd. I've seen a lot of riders become really close friends after one of them wins the other's flight. Or Weyrmates even." Sandar grins. "Hiya Ryvel." Argelian wiggles thick fingers in a wave to Ryvel. M'kla gets up from her seat, and moves over so she can loom above A'lex and torment him some more, as Kassima's leaving for a bit. Kassima winks at the younger greenrider. "*You* offered, mentee-mine; I did naught but accept! Oh, only that you mentioned how fun winning flights can be, A'lex. Why? What did you think I'd tell him?" She gives the bronzerider her most innocent look... the look identifiable as Kassi at her absolute worst. All newcomers to the room have a wave directed in their general direction. A'lex snorts, "I've got me a weyrmate already." Alane smiles at M'kla. "Oh, I thought I wasn't 'on my best behavior'. I been tryin' like Elif and Auntie would want me to. What with so many visitors and all." Alwyn blinks, "You do?" Wyn asks A'lex. Ro looks around through the press of bodies, trying to locate the table with the beverages. Alane turns to look at A'lex. "Him?" Ryvel steps into the living cavern, blinks at the number of people, waves to everyone he knows, and then quickly skirts around the edges of the room toward the exit to the bowl. He pauses a second as he notices Johanna, then nods toward the exit as he makes his way toward it. A'lex ahhhhh's to Kassima, then turns back to Alwyn, "Oh Faranth! I've not seen you since! Yea, Channie and I are weyrmated!" Ryvel walks out to the Bowl. Jayna stands suddenly. "I need some air, if there's any to be had." She fans herself and makes toward the bowl. M'kla grins after Alane, "And yer doin' a fine job, lassie." Sandar blinks! "Hey, that's great!" he tells A'lex. "Channie's lots of fun." M'kla turns back, "Speakin o Channie, A'lex, has she made it to Telgar yet? I've net seen her on the lists." Alwyn blinks at A'lex, "Great!!" And yet again, Wyn fiercely hugs A'lex, "I knew you two made a great couple." Ariy sits down in a chair near the bowl entrance, balancing a bowl of stew on one thigh and a cup of juice on the other. A'lex glances at M'kla, "Well, not exactly, it's sorta an Inter-weyr-weyrmating. Kinda confusing." He turns and glances at Kassima, "Now don't go embarassing poor E'rian, it's hard enough for him since 'Lani barely speaks, and speaks less when he's around." Jayna walks out to the Bowl. Johanna mutters, "And I bathed today and everything. Twice, even," as Ryvel passes right by her. She tucks her legs under her and watches the Telgarians chat, a vaguely lost expression on her face. Sandar waves to Jayna. "I'll be out in a bit to talk to you," he promises. "Lots to catch up on." Makear shakes her head a few stray giggles still escaping her, "No no, you win!" She gulps down the rest of her forgotten juice and then looks at the group of people that had been trying to bet on eggs before, "Are you placing any wages on the eggs?" she asks Maylia. Alvar finishes his stew and pushes the bowl aside, "Mm! Delish, eh Ariy?" Kassima quips to Alwyn, "A nauseating couple's more like it! But then, 'tis as I always say--the more two people make me retch, the stronger a pair they surely must be. Weyrmates, feh." She shakes her head, an amused smile playing across her features as she gets up and heads over to serve herself a portion of porcine. Rashmael comes in from the Bowl. M'kla chuckles a bit. A'lex sticks his tongue out at Kassima. Rashmael scrubs a hand through his hair, weaving through the press of bodies and between chiar, having forgotten Shayne's supper on a talbe somewhere. Alwyn nods again to himself as he watches everyone, Sandar waves to Rashmael. "Hi again," he calls out. Alwyn mutters to Sandar, "... couldn't... better.... cook,... you?"" Maylia thinks a moment before answering Makear. "I haven't yet, but I might tomorrow. I've a few marks," she hastily adds, "But that one I earned from Kassi's sacred. How about you?" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn scrolls back up to read. Yeesh, you people talk a lot! :) Alane tilts her head at Kassima, taking in her wisdom. "Why do they make you do that?" Rashmael dutifully picks up a dragon-shaped cookie at Sandar's call and holds it up. "I haven't forgotten you, Cloud!" he calls, setting it down on Shayne's half-made plate. Argelian shifts a bit in his seat, finishing his juice and pulling himself to a stand at his full height and heading over to get more juice. "Anyone?" he asks the room in general. Sandar goes over to see what the painter's doing, weaving around people right after him. A conversation nearby nearly catches his attention... Alwyn's... and he grins at his friend. "I didn't. I'm impressed," he grins. Alwyn grins, "Thanks," Makear shakes her head, rousing a few sleepy 'lizards to protest, but she ignores the hisses and simply says, "I don't have that many extra marks, but who knows if the mod strikes me." Kassima is certainly not too dignified to return A'lex's gesture, pthbting soundly at him. "You know full well that I'm right, laddybuck. And if'n I don't embarrass E'rian, who will? 'Tis what relatives are for, and that lad could *use* a bit of humiliation!" She is only too glad to explain the way of things to Alane. "Oh, they're always drooling all over each other, kissing and cuddling and being all sappily sweet. 'Tis enough mental sugar t'turn your stomach, I swear it." Rashmael pulls apart some soft bits of bread, good peices of wherry, and some gravey for his sick weyrmate. He's completely lost her mug, and searches instead for the juice. Alane ponders this. "Is that like handfasting? I saw the Lord Holder of Igen Hold get handfasted. They went inside to get 'heirs'. Nobody will tell me what 'heirs' are." Ariy nods to the weyrhealer and smiles. "Yessir." Johanna gets hit with a strong streak of shyness and slips outside to follow the other candidates. Johanna walks out to the Bowl. Alvar grins at Ariy amiably, and pours himself a cup of klah. Rashmael pours a glass of redfruit and than picks up Shayne's plate. Smile, nod, and than get away. Frost forces an eye open and stretches, then just..lies there. Argelian shrugs, guessing no one else needs juice, he slides back into his seat by Evayne and concentrates on that juice, yep. Kassima wrinkles her nose as another Candidate runs off. "Hrmph... if'n I didn't know better, I'd think we were driving them away. Which wasn't m'intent--nay until I'd spoken to them of the glories of sewing a bit of kilt t'your Candie robe for luck. Heirs are children, Alane, though children are usually only called heirs when they're the get of Lords or Ladies." Catalina comes in from the Bowl. Bzyraide comes in from the Bowl. Alane blinks. "I got Heirlooms from Mama. Does that mean I'm an 'heir'?" Telgar Weyr> Rennick says, "Is everybody on Pern at Igen's LC?" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Nope. Just Telgari." Telgar Weyr> Ro says, "I dunno, Renny, but I'm here." Telgar Weyr> R'val isn't, simply because there's about 20 people in there. Kassima considers this, toying with a stray scrap of porcine. "Heir to what she had, I suppose. In that much, most children can be called heirs. I imagine I'll wind up with some of Mum and Da's things when they're gone--though nay the cothold, a'course." She shrugs. "The firstborn son--usually son, anyway--of a Lord is formally referred to as an heir, though, since he'll be the next Lord after." Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "No Rennick, only the cool ones." Alwyn says "Can I get anyone anything? " Wyn asks loudly, so that everyone can hear. He still wears an apron, and has yet to eat. "Food or Beverage or whatever..?" Bzyraide walks in and immediately heads for a hearth, his pace a little more hurried than usual. Grabbing a pitcher of redfruit juice, he pours himself a large helping and gulps it down. "Heat of the Sands kinda sucks the water right out of a person", he declares to the cavern at large. Makear finally stands and stretches, "I think I need some fresh air, too." and with that she heads toward the bowl exit. Makear walks out to the Bowl. Catalina eeps. Lotsa dragons outside, and lotsa people inside! Yikes. She looks around and whews at the sight of people who she knows, then looks over at Rash and puts her hands on her hips, grinning. "Now Rash, why did you leave so abrubtly in the middle of dancing with me, hm? What, am I a bad dancer?" A'lex raises his hand and waves to Alwyn, "Yes. Both." Telgar Weyr> Sandar grins. Telgar Weyr> L'mis considers bringing Bartal and his uncle Cl'rek (as an NPC) to the hatching. Ro says "I'll take some juice, Wynnie." Kassima agrees with the stranger, "It dehydrates almost as efficiently as it melts brains, aye... Wynnie? *Wynnie*?" Sandar smirks. Wynnie. "Why didn't I think of that," he mumbles to Ro. A'lex snorts, "Wynnie?" Catalina grins. "Well, 'Wynnie,' guess that's your new name!" Ro smiles at A'lex "Should I come up with somethin' to call you, too?" Bzyraide grins at Kassi's quip and nods emphatically. "Aye", he says, the quenching of his thirst apparently closing down his speech center as well. Alane frowns. "Jays, all I got is brothers. I'm the only girl, but I got Mama's necklace and bracelet." Telgar Weyr> Kassima sings, "He's Wynnie the Pooh, Wynnie the Pooh, chubby little tubby all stuffed with fluff...." ;) A'lex grins at Ro, "I'm sure it won't be something I've not been called before." Sandar goes to help Wynnie bring foodstuffs to the hungry, and topping peoples glasses of juice up with a pitcher he carries around in his left hand. Rashmael carries the little barely filled plate of food for Shayne and her glass. He calls out at random, "Need any more work done, before I go back up?" Rennick comes in from the Bowl. Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Did you guys see Brainey the Pooh today? BAHAHAHAHAAA!" Alvar nudges Ariy, "Wanna go to the beach?" Argelian gets rather uncomfortable sudenly as even more people arrive, and ponders an escape route. Alane frowns. "I'm not given Mama's stuff to the Twins." Telgar Weyr> Sandar runs and hides. Catalina smiles and looks at Rashmael. "I know what we could call Rash. The artist who'll dance with Cat but won't answer any questions!" M'kla glances up, and stares a bit, at the steward from Telgar being in the 'wrong' living cavern. How unique. Kassima repeats, shaking her head, "Wynnie. Poor lad... Ro, you should call him Dances-With-Veils. 'Tis what I call him. It goes well with Runs-Naked-With-Shrooms over there." She gestures vaguely towards Wynnie, turning that into a wave to Rennick. "I don't know whether the lads would want jewelry, Alane. You probably needn't fear having t'give those up." Sandar sees Rennick, and gives him a sheepish grin. "Evening, sir," he says as casually as he can muster. "Can I get you some..." he looks down at his pitcher, "redfruit juice?" Maylia quietly excuses herself as well, murmuring to those nearby that she's off to see the eggs. Maylia walks out to the Bowl. Ro smiles at the Telgar steward and manages a somewhat graceful curtsy. Telgar Weyr> Maylia hasta idle... Kassima blinks and amends, "Dances-With-Scarves, rather--unless you dance with veils also, A'lex?" Alwyn smirks at Kassima, shaking her head. A'lex shakes his head at Kassima, "I dance with whatever you tell me to oh Great Green One." Argelian walks out to the Bowl. Bzyraide continues his smile at Kassima, expands it to cover the entire cavern, then chuckles to himself and turns to head back out. Rashmael notes the utter lack of reply. Turning away, he picks up the cookie that he grabbed for his own supper and puts it in his mouth and goes to eat it in the lower weyr. Rashmael strides through the passageway into the Inner Caverns. Ariy finishes her stew and whispers to Alvar. Alwyn smirks at Kassima, shaking his head at her. Alane smiles at M'kla and Kassima. "I'm glad to meet you both, but I gotta go. I wanna see Elif before I go to bed." Alane walks out to the Bowl. Catalina looks confused at Rash's retreat. "What's with him?" Kassima seems even more puzzled this time as she watches Bzyraide depart. "I don't *think* I know him..." she mutters under her breath. Being smiled at by strangers is not something she's all that accustomed to. "Oh, do you now?" That's directed to 'Lex, of course. "Would you dance in a dress if'n I told you to?" Alvar cocks his head, listening to Ariy. A'lex says "No." Bzyraide walks out to the Bowl. M'kla chuckles a bit. Ro says "What would you do Lexie?" Alane comes in from the Bowl. Alane walks out to the Bowl. Rennick steps into the crowded Igen living cavern and pauses in the entrance to look around. He stops and blinks as he sees M'kla. "How many of you are there?" he demands. "If I went to High Reaches would I find another M'kla... or Kassima? Ah! Sandar. There you are. Where in Faranth's name is that comission of cloth from the Weavers?" Sandar looks up in Kassima. "If he does, I'll have a nice white one I won't need after a few days or sevendays from now," he puts in. "I can add frills to it, too." Heck, the Candidate's robe is enough like a dress, may as well do something useful with it after the Hatching. M'kla grins a bit, from where she sits near A'lex, "Us, Steward? Far too many, would be my guess...I brought Torinth to bake and nothing moe." A'lex looks at Sandar, "I can have Nraith speak to the Queens about keeping you off the Sands, boy." Kassima widens her eyes artfully, shooting 'Lex her most effective pleading look: the one of the Dread Baby-Canine Eyes. "Oh, *please*, 'Lex? I'd be ever so thankful if'n you provided me with the entertainment, even if'n only for a moment...?" Grinning at Sandar, she quips, "I think blue would be more his color, actually--and there's only one of me that I'm aware of, sir." That's to Rennick, naturally. "If'n I'm also at the High Reaches, then I would want t'give me the sharp side of m'tongue, since that would imply timing and I shouldn't be stupid enough t'try such." M'kla gives A'lex a sharp look, "That's none of your business, lad. Don't EVEN threaten it." Sandar jumps a bit at Rennick's query. "Well... I don't know, sir," he replies, not having been in a position to acquire that sort of information. "Perhaps it's in transit? Or have you checked in that spot under the shelves where they seem to like to stick the bundles of cloth when nobody's around to accept them properly?" A'lex winks at M'kla, "You know I wouldn't." M'kla eyes the young bronzerider sharply, but nods. A'lex turns back to Kassima, "No dresses, sorry, Kilt is as close as I get." M'kla says "Aye...likely ocause the queens would eat Nraith for dinner." A'lex laughs, "Most likely... he's not all THAT brave." Ariy gets up from her chair and deposits bowl and cup with the dirty dishes. She heads for the bowl... Ariy walks out to the Bowl. Alvar walks out to the Bowl. Alwyn smiles and finally sits down in his usual spot, and begins to dish out some of the porcine, packtail and other such food onto his plate. Sandar grumbles at the mention of kilts. "I ain't wearin' no skirt," he puts in in a voice just loud enough for Kassi and J'lyn to hear. Rennick looks around the cavern, with a long, suffering sigh. "Right," he mutters. "In transit. What good are you to me, if you're here lazing around during tithing? And when will those sharding eggs hatch so you can get back to actual working?" He walks over to the young candidate. Kassima makes a face at the bronzerider. "Fine, fine--make me do it the hard way, why don't you?" That probably doesn't bode at all well for Nraith's rider, for all that she doesn't elucidate the comment. "Who was that young woman? Besides being the person D'ton brought over, I mean. And Sandar, if'n you want t'forgo the luck of a kilt, well... 'tis your business." Her voice implies that she feels it a foolish business, too. Catalina grins and walks over to pinch Sandar's cheek. "Oh, but you'd be so BEAUTIFUL in a skirt." A'lex says "A Kilt is NOT a skirt." Kassima murmurs in an undertone to Sandar, "Told y'so," before looking up at Catalina and grinning in delighted agreement. "Wouldn't he, though! Nay gold dragon would ever have looked finer. He'd be a credit to Leilanth--y'know, the queen he's been known to imitate. Wouldn't you imagine, Sandar?" Sandar backs up a bit as Rennick approaches him, coming to a stop as he starts trying to back up through the person directly behind him - that'd be M'kla. "Well... I'm not really lazing around, sir," he stammers. "I've been doing chores 'n things. I helped out with Igen's tithing, since I knew how it was done," he puts in in as helpful a voice as he can muster. Alwyn watches Catalina and Sandar and smirks. Wyn sighs deeply as he begins eating. "Ro, come sit with me, hm?" Catalina grins. "Aw, we're just teasin' ya Sandy!" Rennick eyes Catalina for a moment as she pinches his former assistant's cheek, then leans close to the young candidate. He mutters to Sandar, "I... the... hatch,... the... see... dragon." Kassima asks, affecting surprise, "We are?" Catalina shakes her head and looks serious. "No, I was lying." Upon hearing her name Ro again looks in Wyn's direction and moves lithely to sit next to him, a mischievious smile on her face. Sandar winces as Rennick approaches him, and all through what the Steward has to say to him. Afterwards, he blinks, and looks up. "R... really sir?" he replies. "Well... thank you. That's awful kind of you." The look of surprise coupled with that of relief washes over his features. Catalina turns to look at Sandar, a serious expression planted on her face. "We really do think you'd be stunning in a skirt." A'lex says "Kilt! It's a Kilt, not a skirt! SHeesh!" Kassima nods in perfect somberness to Catalina. "I was afraid," she explains, "that I had been misconstrued. I may joke, tease, jest, taunt, fib, and outright lie--but I never, ever kid. *Especially* nay about kilts." Rashmael ambles out from the inner caverns. Catalina grins at A'lex. "Yeah, I know. I'm just saying how nice he'd look in a skirt. Don't you think?" Rennick, task finished, gives Sandar and everybody else a glare. "I certainly hope, Weyrsecond, your riders will be able to assist with some of the more delicate tasks, such as transporting ice down from the higher mountains when you deign to return to your own Weyr," he says to M'kla, then strides out. Rennick walks out to the Bowl. Rashmael marches back in, the remains of a broken plate in his hands. Head held low as he lances through the crowd, he head s with the broken pottery for he kitchen. Rashmael wanders into the Weyr's kitchens. A'lex looks at Sandar, "No, boney knees." J'lyn hrms. "No, a kilt is not a skirt, and I happen to think that I look VERY good in mine." Stretching his large arms high above his head, his joints popping, he looks calmly around the cavern. Catalina contemplates this. "Well, what about a dress then? A long one to cover 'em up?" Sandar gives Catalina a grin, in a good mood after Rennick's words. "I ain't wearin' no skirt," he reiterates. "Though thanks for the vote of confidence... or whatever you'd call telling a boy he'd look good in a skirt." At A'lex's comment of bony knees, he grins. Kassima quirks an eyebrow at the departing Steward, shaking her head. "If'n 'tis a crime t'leave Telgar Weyr when your duties are done," she mutters under her breath, "then Faranth help me if'n I don't apply for a transfer first chance." Sighing, she regards Sandar speculatively for a long moment. "He would look good in lavendar, I think," she opines to Catalina. "With lace. Lots of lace." Telgar Weyr> M'kla says, "Yes, but other greenriders don't pull your arms out of their sockets for losing." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Let the Wookie win." Sandar gulps. "Lavendar? LACE?" Ro tilts her head just so "Well, your knees are a bit bony, Sandy, but I'm sure you'll grow out of it when you're a grown-up." Catalina nods. "Yup, you're right. With beautiful slippers to match." Kassima flashes J'lyn a grin. "You tell 'em, Jal. Wouldn't you rather be in a kilt than lavendar and lace, Sandar? Or should I say... Sandrina?" Sandar blushes at Ro's comment about growing up. "Bony? Slippers? S... Sandrina???" He cowers. Catalina bursts out laughing. "Oh yes, beautiful lacy Sandrina!" Sandar bleats. "Bu... but I don't wanna be Sandrina..." A'lex gust shakes his head, keeping out of this one. "With ribbons in her hair," Kassi sing-songs, "once 'tis grown out enough t'curl properly! You'll be a legendary beauty when we're done with you, Sandrina. Have nay fear of that!" Alwyn grins, "Better run, Sandy, they're gonna get worse." Catalina smiles and wipes tears from her eyes from laughing so hard. "Yes, and we'll grow your hair long down to your...rear...and then braid it. Riders will come to court you from all over pern.." Ro sighs "Sure does get hot here. I almost think I could melt. Sandar nodnods to Alwyn, the peril evident in his eyes. Alwyn grins at Ro, "I actually like it. The lake here is great for cooling off, Ro." J'lyn chuckles. "Leave the poor boy alone, you ladies. And you too Kassi. If he doesn't want to, he doesn't have to." Turning to look at Sandar, he says, "However, if you ever end up a Telgar rider by some twist of fate, you'll end up in Thunderbolt, and in Thunderbolt, it's the required formalwear." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn almost said Required Dress Uniform, but figured that that would just start it all off again. Catalina whips out a piece of charcoal from her pocket along with a scratch sheet of paper from the other one and quickly sketches something, then holds it up and grins. "There ya go...SANDRINA!!" A'lex snorts at J'lyn's choice of words. Sandar peers at J'lyn. "You wear skirts a'dragonback?" he asks. "But don't they... blow up when you're flyin' around?" He peers at the sketch Catalina has made. "Oh dear, no. Nono. Nonono." Ro considers "On the good side of things, if they're courtin' Sandy then they won' be botherin' me." Kassima moves to kneel at Sandar's feet, placing one hand over her heart. "I can just imagine the ballads they'll compose, too!" Clearing her throat, she starts to warble in her rather melodic voice, "My Sandrina... my Sandrina... I have sought thee, sung thee, dreamed thee, my Sandrina!" The effect of this is spoiled when she turns around to stick her tongue out at J'lyn. "You're nay fun, Wingsecond." Nimiriel comes down the stairway. J'lyn looks down to the young boy, a flat look in his eyes. "They. Are. Not. SKIRTS." Telgar Weyr> Sandar gets serenaded!!! Telgar Weyr> Kassima cackles. Just *cackles.* Catalina grins. "Yes, and you'll look beautiful astride a gold dragon with your braided hair and slippers and lavender skirt. Won't he ladies?" Telgar Weyr> A'lex says, "Is seranaded by a loony counted?" Nimiriel tugs the braid out of her hair as she wanders down the stairs, looking as preoccupied as ever. This time, however, she notices the visitors and murmurs a quiet, "Igen's duty." M'kla just...watches quietly as her fellow riders make a good baffoonery of themselves in another Queen's weyr...who needs Harpers for entertainment? Sandar watches Kassi fearfully. "What are you... oh goodness gracious glows." M'kla smiles to Nimiriel, and rises, offering a formal, "Telgar's duties and salutations to Igen and her Queens, and the eggs on the Sands." J'lyn grins, and salutes, kinda, towards Nimiriel. "And Telgar's back to Igen, ma'am." Telgar Weyr> Rennick watches the IgenW-LC, and was just thinking the same thing, M'kla. :) Having made her point to J'lyn, or so she thinks, Kassi returns to serenading Sandar. She's kneeling at the poor lad's feet in perfect mimicry of a lovestruck lunatic's worshipful pose. "If'n I reach out to thee," she sings, "do nay tremble and shrink from the touch of m'hand on thy hair... let m'fingers but see thou'rt warm and alive, and nay phantom t'fade in the air... my Sandrina! My San--oh, heya, weyrwoman." That is said, rather than sung, to Nimiriel, and accompanied by a hasty salute. A'lex jerks his head up at M'kla's statement, and stands, joining her in honoring the Goldrider. Catalina stands up and twirls around in circles around poor tortured Sandar(ina?), repeating Kassima's line over and over again. Telgar Weyr> Kassima makes good use of the ever-ubiquitous song 'Dulcinea', from Man of La Mancha. ;) M'kla smiles quietly, "And might I thank you for your Weyr's patient and most pleasant hosptiality...especially since we've that one in tow." She gestures apologetically towards the Wingsecond. Alwyn chuckles softly at the antics of the Telgari, he bows his head respectfully to Nim, "G'deve Nimiriel." Nimiriel smiles, if absently, to M'kla and J'lyn as she makes her way to a seat, though she waves off the salutes she receives. "Welcome. Please let me know if there is anything else we might do to make your stay more pleasant." Ro giggles and looks around, spotting the beverages now that the crowd has thinned a bit. She quickly moves to pour herself a large mug of juice and drinks it, quickly. Sandar looks completely baffled, not quite knowing how to address Kassima's sweet tender words so blatantly inappropriately addressed to him. Not to mention that he doesn't quite understand what they mean. "But... but I'm not Sandrina, and... are you... but see I..." Catalina grabs Sandar's hand and looks into his eyes mock passionately, then says in a deep voice, "Dance with me Sandrina, I lo...OH! Um, good evening Weyrwoman. Ehem. Uh, I was just..." Rashmael comes out from the spicy-scented kitchen. Nimiriel smiles at Alwyn, though something seems to click as she focuses on him. Instead of saying anything, though, her attention drifts across the cavern. Rashmael dusts his hands together as he steps out of the kitchen. Kassima laughs and gets to her feet, bowing deeply to the Lady Sandrina. "Why, all the young lads will be swooned at your feet when we've completed the transformation, Sandrina. You'll be the envy of lasses from High Reaches to Benden--I promise you!" Sandar moans, "but I don't _wanna_ be an envy." Catalina smiles at Rashmael and chuckles. "Well, if Sandrina won't dance with me, will you kindly continue what you started earlier today Rash? I was having fun!" Nimiriel's brow furrows as she watches Sandar and Kassima. Dryly, she remarks, "Sandy, you certainly seem to...have a way with people." Ro giggles, spluttering her juice a little. J'lyn just sighs and shakes his head. "Kassi, sometimes, I swear, we can't take you anywhere without causing some poor child to start crying." Sandar, chin pressed against his chest, turns his eyes upward to look through straggles of hair at Nimiriel. Alwyn grins, and bows to everyone, quietly slipping out, calling out, "Have a good evening everyone." With the host's duties done, Wyn leaves. Kassima snorts, folding her arms. "A'course you do! What woman doesn't want t'be envied and admired? Besides me, I mean. You'll have nay lack of beaus, in your lavendar gown with the frothy lace. Don't you think amethyst ribbons in his braids would set off the color of his eyes?" she asks Catalina. J'lyn does, however, chuckle. Alwyn walks out to the Bowl. Telgar Weyr> Kassima LOLs at J'lyn and will have to use that as a quote on one of her pages someday. :) Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "The crying child comment?" Nimiriel taps her chin thoughtfully as she watches Alwyn leave, but shakes her head and looks back to Sandar. Trying to hide a grin, she just gives a slight shrug and one of those 'what can I do?' looks. Rashmael lifts a brow when he hears his name. Ah, Catalina. Than he looks at Sandar. Ah. Sandrina. He strides across the room quickly and with a twist of his arm drags Sandar to his feet. Voice low, he says, "Catalina, I will dance with you later. For now, I am busy." He sweeps the poor candidate away with a wink. Catalina spins a few more circles around Sandar, singing, "Oh Sandrina, m'love. I come from far across Pern to take you away with me, I love you Sandrina, please say you'll spend the rest of your life with me!" She looks at Kassima, but keeps dancing, leaping right in front of Sandar to look at his eyes, then grins and nods. "Gorgeous, absolutely stunning. Amethyst would be perfect! Kassima explains cheerfully to Nimiriel, "We were just informing Sandrina here how marvelous she'd look in a gown of lavender, weyrwoman. J'lyn, please! Since when do I cause children to cry?" She causes grown men to scream and flee, yes, but that's an entirely different story. "Ah, Sandrina, I suppose you won't need any beaus after all. The love of your life has already found you, and I'm certain you'll make a *marvelously* gagsome couple." She curtseys to the two, as well as one can curtsey while wearing riding leathers. Nimiriel blinks a little and looks up at Kassima, then laughs. "You know," she says, looking over Sandar thoughtfully, "I do have a rather lovely gown upstairs in just that color." Sandar mouths to Nimiriel what looks like it might be "h-e-l-p m-e," but it's interrupted by Rashmael. "I don't understand," he tells the painter. "Did someone bring a vat of Flirk's klah in here?" Catalina takes Sandar's hand and grins evilly at him. "Come away with me to my home where we can get away from all the ruckus of Pern! Come my love!" M'kla just...puts her head in her hands and tries NOT to laugh overmuch. Rashmael sighs unhappily as Catalina takes away his dancing partner. Sandar blinks at Nimiriel's utterance. "But I don't WANT to look lovely!!" he blurts. Catalina winks at Kassima. "Shall we sing our praises to Sandrina?" "But," Igen's young weyrwoman states, getting to her feet, "I doubt it would fit." Making her way to Catalina and Sandar, she puts on a rather pretty pout. "Sandar, you still owe /me/ a dance, if you recall?" Rashmael frowns at Catalina. "You can call him anything you like; he's staying here at Igen for the rest of his life to bake cookies in any case." "And I believe I could probably find some ribbons and jewelry for him. In fact, I have the *perfect* amethyst earrings..." Kassima muses, suppressing the urge to laugh herself to death only by extreme force of effort. "Oh, surely! I must have one more chance t'lay m'heart at the fair damsel's feet a'fore you take her away from me forevermore." Nimiriel grins at Sandy, "You'd rather look dashing and handsome, is that it?" Catalina snatches Sandar and giggles at Nimiriel. "You can't have Sandrina, she's mine!" Sandar nods to the goldrider, tearing himself away from all the insanity and positively hurling himself into her arms. He twists his head to look behind him fearfully at those who would have him wear lavendar and lace. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn absolutely CAN NOT wait to read this log! Nimiriel smiles rather sweetly at Catalina, "Ah, but young Sandar here--" She breaks off as she's hit full force by a fleeing Candidate, takes a step backward, and brings her arms up to keep both him and herself from falling over. "Well. That was rather decisive." Rashmael smiles wryly and turns away, hands in his pockets and by-passes the foods tables, having learned his lesson about bringing Shayne food. Telgar Weyr> R'val idly wonders what's going on? Kassima kneels again, apparently convinced that the only way to properly serenade someone is on your knees. "M'lady's eyes are like the skies," she begins, "shining with green and blue; nay other fair could half compare in sweet midsummer hue. M'lady's eyes can nay disguise her tender, gentle heart; she can nay feign--she feels m'pain, whenever we must part!" Raising the back of one hand to her forehead, she falls over in a perfectly executed swoon. Ro says "At least I'm not 'fraid of lace and such. Fraidy Cat."" Telgar Weyr> D'ton wonders too. Telgar Weyr> Kassima is probably demolishing whatever good reputation Telgar may have had at Igen. ;) Rashmael walks out to the Bowl. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn grins. Say hello to Sandrina. In Lavender satin and lace. :) Telgar Weyr> R'val ohnos... "They're all hooked on Flirk's," Sandy tells Nimiriel, momentarily forgetting that the goldrider herself just offered him a gown. "They filled the Hot Springs with it and now they've come to take me away." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "With amethyst ribbons laced through her curls, and everyone swooning at her feet. ;)" M'kla chuckles quietly, "Nay...we're just possessed of Kassima, who is enough to strike terror into the hearts of all men." Catalina kneels next to Kassima. "M'love, my love is as gold as a queen's perfect hide, my heart beats with each sound of your name...Sandrina, m'love, Sandrina, m'life, Sandrina...stay with me and together we shall soar higher than dragons!" Nimiriel smothers a grin and keeps an arm around Sandy's shoulders. "We won't let them take you, have no fear of that. Not unless you'd like to leave, that is. Nor will anyone let them put you in a gown, no matter what I may have said. What's this, though, about Flirk's?" Sandar nodnods to M'kla. "Men! Yes, men," he quivers, trying to hold on to whatever semblance of manly pride he has left. To Ro, he heys! "I'm not afraid to wear lace," he snorts. Though then he suddenly erps. "Though that doesn't mean I'm going to do it." "I haven't had any Flirk's klah in months," Kassi informs Sandar from where she lies slumped on the ground, without opening her eyes. "Nay since that one evening, remember? I can't *find* anymore... ah, M'kla, you flatter me. But can you nay see that Sandrina would be a fairer target for sweet words?" At that, she does crack open her eyes to regard Catalina appreciatively. "Say, you're really rather good at this." Telgar Weyr> Kassima beams. M'kla, how sweet it is of you to say that! :) Catalina grins and shrugs. "I just act lovesick." "I just mimic weyrmated couples," Kassi remarks dryly. "Lovesickness I may know naught of, but how far off can I be? The name's Kassima, by the by. Green Lysseth's rider. Worshipper of Sandrina the Incomparably Fair." A'lex smirks at Sandar, "Now that you've said it, you're doomed." Nimiriel arches a brow and eyes Kassima on the floor of the cavern, "Are you quite comfortable down there?" Sandar nooooooooooos to A'lex. Nimiriel grins at A'lex, "Hmm, somehow, I think you're right." Nimiriel adds, "I get the feeling that no one is going to let him live this one down." Catalina stands and winks at Kassima, then starts humming some tune she makes up as she goes along. It starts slow, and she starts singing with no words, just sound. As she sings, her feet start moving to the steadily increasing tempo, moving slowly and gracefully at first, then speeding up and spinning and leaping in the space she's giving herself. Channie comes in from the Bowl. A'lex smiles at the Goldrider, "If Kassi is involved, I am." Kassima grins up at Nimiriel, propping herself up on one elbow. "How could I be aught but comfortable, with the epitome of feminine beauty in m'sights?" She gestures to 'Sandrina,' just in case there was any doubt of who she intended to torment. "Mind, I'm personally more inclined t'swoon at males, but how else am I t'demonstrate for her what she can expect from all the men of Pern once her transformation is complete?" A'lex sees Channie come through the door to the bowl, "Hey there Brownrider!" Sandar gives Channie a smile as the 'Reaches rider enters, squinting at her eyes in what might be an attempt to discern if the rider is infected with whatever the Telgarians seem to be afflicted with. With luck, the insanity hasn't spread all the way west yet. "Hiya, Channie," he mumbles. Channie ducks into the living cavern, "'Reaches duty to Igen and her queens! And the clutch on the sands too." She waves. "A'lex! 'Reaches duty to Telgar too." She waves to all the people she knows with a giggle. "Invation of Igen this evening? Nimiriel grins, "Well, you know, I must insist that transformations wait at least until after the Hatching. After all, fair Sandrina the bronzerider just doesn't ring very well, does it?" Glancing up, she smiles politely to Channie, "Igen's duty." Nimiriel remarks absently, "Though...I suppose it wouldn't matter as much with any other color." Catalina realizes she's the only one spinning, but she's on a roll, so she speeds up. She's not singing anymore, but moving more to a tune in her head. Yeah buddy she's having fun! Ro says in a mock hurt voice "If'n you don' like satin and lace I guess I just won' let you see me in my new dress." Kassima just rolls her eyes at A'lex, after nodding a greeting to Nie. "What? You think 'tis *my* fault that Sandrina would look smashing in lavendar and lace? Do I look like her mum, t'be given any credit for such a thing?" She watches Catalina dance for a moment, then shakes her head. "I believe I'll stop at dancing, though. I'd probably trip over m'own feet; I can't dance worth half a shard, y'know. I think fair Sandrina the goldrider might have a nice ring...." Nimiriel stifles a snicker and says to Ro, "I get the feeling he might /like/ satin and lace on someone else." Argelian comes in from the Bowl. Ro shakes her head "Nope, he's just a fraidy cat at heart. I've known him long enough." Sandar slumps down into a chair. For a young man becoming very interested in trying to look swoonable for the ladies, this evening has been an utter blow. His eyes look somewhat glazed as he watches the people around him. Argelian peeks in, and counts heads, is it safe now? Channie blinks at Catalina and sidles over to A'lex to give the bronzerider a hug. "Sandrina??" Nimiriel pats Sandar's shoulder lightly, flashing a grin at the Candidate before she returns to her seat. A'lex gets all mushy with Channie just to make Kassi nauseous (and cause he likes it). Catalina whips her little brown 'lizard off the table in one clean and swift motion, then tosses the poor thing in the air. He chirps angrily for a minute, then decides this looks like fun and starts diving and spinning on his own. Catalina giggles and claps, then resumes dancing. Kassima gets to her feet, brushing her slacks off idly. "Aye," she confirms to Channie. "Fair Sandrina, the epitome of feminine loveliness." She nods her head once towards Sandar, the poor man. "She'll be breaking men's hearts within the sevenday, I warra... oh, 'Lex, Nie, *must* you? 'Twould nay do much for inter-Weyr relations if'n 'twas sick on the floor, you realize!" A'lex just grins. Channie hugs onto A'lex with a dreamy smile, or maybe she wants the bronzerider to protect her from the dancing girl. "Huh Kassi? What have you been drinking? More of that Telgar--Klah stuff?" Catalina puts her hands on her hips and starts doing...something...with her feet. Whatever it is, it's amazing she isn't face-down on the floor right now. She suddenly wraps one leg around the other and whips around in one place, picking up speed until she's a blur, then slows down until she's stopped. Channie gives Sandar a look of sympathy. The brownrider doesn't know why they're being so mean to him. A'lex just keeps quiet, if they're picking on Sandar, they're not picking on him. Sandar gives Channie puppy-eyes at the look of sympathy. Kassima shudders and averts her eyes from the nauseating duo. "Nay, Nie; I've nay been drinking aught, besides a glass of juice earlier. 'Twere simply discussing kilts, 'tis all, and when Sandar--Sandrina, rather--said she'd nay wear a skirt, well, we thought dresses might suit better instead." She pauses to just watch Catalina, eyebrows rising in unison. Now there's something you don't see every day. Sandar blinks. "Oh, Kassi, I'd gladly wear a kilt instead of a dress," he bemoans. Yes, it took some work, but maybe Kassi will get the lad in a kilt after all. Anything but this!! Nimiriel brightens, smiling, and glances out toward the bowl. She rises and murmurs something about Daelyth, the rim, and stars. Catalina pants and holds her chest to catch her breath, but the biggest grin is plastered on her face. She notices Kassi looking at her strangely and grins. "Don't look at me that way...it's fun!" She chuckles. Nimiriel walks out to the Bowl. Channie still looks puzzled, averting her eyes from Catalina. "Can you wear a kilt to a hatching as a candidate?" Catalina grins. "Sandrina can." Kassima blinks at Sandar, taken aback. And to think, she was only teasing him for the sheer fun of it. "You will? Good! That's marvelous! Next time I come t'visit," she avows, "I'll bring you one, and you can show it off for us." Catalina receives a dubious look. "Fun for you, mayhaps. I can't dance a single step without threatening m'partner's toes--and if'n I'm dancing alone, that means m'own. I've nay liking for broken feet." J'lyn yawns mightily. In a single agile movement Ro walks over to Sandar and sinks to her knees, her skirts fanned out around her. She places her hands upon the boy's knee, and her chin upon her hands, so that it is near unavoidable for him to look at her. With her eyes the soft grey of clouds she looks up and says "What's wrong, Sandy?" Argelian blinks, kilts, skirts, dresses, does he even want to know? Probably not, he averts his gaze from each and every person, watching the ground as he walks. J'lyn shakes himself. "I should get back to Telgar while I can still get back there awake." Sandar stands up to join Nimiriel. "I'd wear two kilts. One o'er my legs and one on my head, but nay this," he tells Kassima. He starts walking out the exit. "Show it off. Yes, I'll do that," he tells Kassima. "Just a kilt, mind. No dresses or frills. A plain kilt." and that's it! He escapes. Sandar walks out to the Bowl. Catalina nods gravely to Argelian and says something to him about Sandar having a gender mix-up at birth and we just now realized he's a girl. Catalina grins and winks. Telgar Weyr> Sandar takes a moment to fear Catalina. Telgar Weyr> R'val wonders why...? Catalina watches Sandar depart. "Aw, poor sport, that one." Kassima laughs and claps in sheer glee, beaming from ear to ear. "I knew I'd find a way! Did you hear that, Jal? Sandar's going to wear a kilt!" Argelian blinks, and really doesn't want to know now, on he shuffles, over to the beverage table, snagging a glass of juice and a few dragon cookies. J'lyn stands up and waves. "Kassi, I'll see you back at the Weyr, and yes, I heard. G'nite, all." J'lyn walks out to the Bowl. Channie tsks, "Kass, that is just plain mean! Making the boy think he's a girl an' all. He's a might fine looking young lad. Now he's going to have a complex or something." Catalina grins at Channie. "A little confusion never hurt anyone." She chuckles and winks. Kassima puts her hands on her hips, shaking her head at Nie. "You just don't see the fun of it, m'friend. Besides, did it do either R'val or Mart lasting harm when I helped t'dress them up as women?" Channie giggles at Kassi, "Well, M'rgan and R'val are /not/ the same thing at all. Sandar is an innocent young candi while the other two, well they are time hardened riders." Catalina laughs and leans over to Kassima. Catalina mutters to Kassima, "... for..." Catalina whispers "Didja stuff their dresses for authenticity?" Kassima flashes the Igenite a wicked grin. She mutters to Catalina, "... Martina's,... on..." Catalina senses Kassima flashes the Igenite a wicked grin. "I stuffed Martina's, aye. With Rivalla, there weren't any usable materials on hand--more's the pity!" Catalina snaps her fingers in disappointment and grins. "I'm sure -she- would have looked beautiful big ches...er...that way." Kassima waggles her finger at Channie. "If'n Sandar's going t'be a rider, he'll have t'learn to handle things time-hardened riders would. Besides, how d'you think riders *become* time-hardened, anyway? Better he become used t'lunacy now than later!" Kassima laughs, winking at the substitution of one phrase for another. "Mart looked downright phenomenal as a woman, and don't let him ever tell you differently. I do have t'wonder whether the effects on Rivalla would've been half so remarkable." A'lex says "Time hardned, is that like Crusty?" Channie shakes her head quickly, "no no no kassi! You can't go confusing them before they impress! You have to wait till their dragons are older and then lay it on them. It's the flights that does it." She giggles at A'lex. "yeah, that's it. Like me!" She leers at him, a pretty good leer from such a small brownrider. Catalina grins. Ro sighs and decides to go for a walk now that it has cooled down somewhat outside. She wanders out of the lc with little more warning than a rustle of skirts. Kassima rolls her eyes at Nie. "Oh, c'mon, now--this way, I'm assured of getting to aid in their ultimate confusion. There's nay guarantee that the first flight his dragon would fly in, if'n male, would be Lysseth's--so I have to have *some* other way t'bemuse him. Just be glad I didn't ask 'Lex t'dance for him with those scarves of his." Catalina clears her throat. "Normal is boring," she says seriously. "If everyone was sane, which there is no such thing, I might add, everything would get so dull we might as well stand out in Threadfall and end it all." She grins. "Ya gotta be insane ONCE in a while at the very LEAST or you'll simply cease to exist, deteriorated into a little gray glob of goo. Thank you." Argelian walks out to the Bowl. Ro walks out to the Bowl. Channie sighs dreamily, "I don't think he would have been able to control himself seeing A'lex with the scarves." Giggling she listens to Catalina, "Ah...." Kassima's eyes widen a bit. "Y'know, if'n your hair were black, red, or darker brown, and you were older, I'd take you for a relative of mine. You've just spoken the philosophy of most of m'family." She then asks interestedly of Nie, "D'you think he would have swooned?" "It makes me swoon..." Nie says innocently, "Then again...lots of things A'lex does makes me swoon so maybe I wouldn't be good to ask." Pale green eyes stay on Catalina. "you might have to go live with Kassi's-clan you know." Catalina grins and winks. "Ya sure I'm not a cousin?" She whips out the charcoal and draws streaks on her face in odd places for no reason, then grins. "Odd enough for you?" "You're a touch too close t'blonde, I think... there's nay been a blonde born in m'family for seven generations, going on eight," Kassi reports regretfully. "But then, Kes and Eyr both have brown hair nearly as light; I suppose all things are *possible.* D'you come from around Greystones way?" She didn't need drawn streaks for proof. Anyone who'd laud Sandar as a woman is weird enough for her, oh yes. "Doesn't make *me* swoon. But then, I did only see a snippet of it," the greenrider remarks thoughtfully. "And aye, I do believe you'd find m'kindred... interesting. T'say the least." Channie nods slowly, "oh, that's odd. Not the oddest I've seen mind you. But odd. You've some work t'do to outdo Telgar folk." Channie walks over to Kassi and flops down into a chair beside her. "So, now that you have drive off everyone from the living cavern, what is your next conquest oh greenrider?" Kassima sighs, glancing around the mostly empty 'Cavern. "I'm tempted," she says, "t'go and take a gander at the eggs, but given how folk have been running from me this eve, I think it might be better t'leave those who are already doing so in peace. I suppose I'll try High Reaches next, Nie. Think Mart would appreciate it if'n I serenaded him and spoke of what a beautiful woman he'd make?" Channie leans over and gives Kassi a sniff, "you don't smell funny." The brownrider shrugs, "Well, if you haven't seen the eggs yet have you? Or have you? Either way I'll tag along if you don't mind. A'lex can catch up, or I'll just see him this evening when I get 'home'." Kassima wrinkles her nose at Nie as the brownrider sniffs at her. "Thanks... I think. Nay, I've nay seen 'em yet. I heard there's a gold, though?" Channie nods to Kassima, "There is! I saw them when they were first being clutched. C'mon, lets go gawk at them like tourists." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn ums. What wing is D'ton in? Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Firestorm." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Wait, no. Dawnslight." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "It scares me that you answered that so quickly..." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "D'thon is Firestorm. I confuse them sometimes, I admit it. :P" Telgar Weyr> Maylia nodnods, dawnslight. Channie stands up and motions for Kassi to come with her and heads for the bowl. Channie walks out to the Bowl. Kassima laughs and shakes her head. "Actually, I'd best head home, but--" She breaks off and runs after Nie as the brownrider disappears. You walk out into the Bowl.