-------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Top of Spaghetti Date: January 12, 2004 Place: Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern Game: PernMUSH Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kassi's Note: Nobody loses their poor meatball in this log, but it isn't, in the case of some of our heroes, for any lack of trying. 0:) (As a side note, I was actually eating spaghetti and meatballs when I edited this log--and had forgotten that part of its contents. Made my dinner experience a little more surreal, I don't mind telling you.) A short log, but entertaining enough to win a place in the archive anyway: J'lyn is proddy and D'san is visiting, while Kassi's seeking someone to do her the favor of homicide. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the Wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives. "...frankly don't *care* whether you've never had a chance t'fly point; there's a good reason for that, y'know. Like that you're *still* nay efficient as you should be in a dive," Kassima is explaining to Maidil in an exasperated tone as the pair enter; the greenrider is looking harried, and the splotch of purple paint down her cheek may have something to do with it. "If'n you want V'dan's place, then work on that weak point. End of report." The disgruntled bluerider nods, mouth thinned, and heads for her Wing's table. Kassi elects to aim for food. "Some days," she mentions to the trio as she passes them, "I'd like someone t'shoot me. D'you think you could do me that favor?" "Got my 'thrower, but can't see -that- as being real pleasant," Gay calls cheerily to Kassima, standing at the edge of I'sai and J'lyn's table. "Been there, though." Back to the table, she offers a little wave. "'Lo. How're you two?" Those candidates at the table get another swift look, and her voice is lowered to add, "There're a bunch that're way older than me. It's kind of weird." I'sai watches Maidil go till her back's turned and, as long as her wingleader had asked - and he's playing with his food anyway - mashes up a bit of bread-crust so he can flick the resultant ball in Kassima's direction. "That any better? ...Pull up a seat, Gay, and Kassi too if you'd like. Actually, have mine." He uses his getting up, sliding the chair out so either can have easy access, to cover his equally quiet, "But do they act like they're older'n you? Ceria, now, _she_ did..." Kassima agrees with a sigh, "Pleasant, hardly; but it might be *quick*. Or at the very least distracting. And perhaps while 'twas on fire I could do a jig or something, just t'ensure m'death was altogether memorable." She hooks the jug of citron and pours herself a brimming glass, giving the serving table a long look for good measure... but ah! Here's food, and it's headed straight towards her! She tries to snap it up with a click of teeth; gets it in the eye instead. "Much," she drawls. "I see where your son gets his propensity t'bean me with things now, and... oh, gladly, but you're going?" she asks, settling in as she asks. Jal's outfit gets a quick, wary glance, but give her credit: she doesn't ask whether being at the table is *safe*. "At least I've heard naught about dye or underwear yet--" is her murmurs on the subject of Candidates. J'lyn smirks at Gay. "Send them to me if they get uppity. They can't get away with that sort of thing. Remember that you're a goldrider, girly." By damn, SOMEONE in this Weyr will accept him calling her that! Telgar Weyr> Yselle eyes +where. I'sai has a harem. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Uh..." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Maybe J'lyn has a harem, and I'sai is a prospective buyer." Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "You're unfindable, Jal, so she prolly doesn't mean you. ;)" Telgar Weyr> I'sai says, "It's all Pierron." Telgar Weyr> I'sai says, "Oh, right, I'd forgotten about the unfindable! Yeah." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Oh! I didn't realize I was unfindable. Sorry, my bad." Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Oh you're there too? RIght. You're Pierron's bit on the side, Is?" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn nods. Pierron's gonna put a bun in I'sai's oven, too. Happens to all the WLMs. Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "No wonder he rolls that moustache." Telgar Weyr> I'sai fears. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn is old. Let me have my delusions. Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Hey, hey! I have dibs on impregnating I'sai. After he did it to me twice, I deserve to be the one to make him suffer. ;)" Telgar Weyr> I'sai clears his throat. "...So, is it snowy where you all are? Yselle excepted." Telgar Weyr> Yselle makes Is suffer without impregnating him! Anyway, Is, you know, I should really be pregnant. After all, remember all those times we walked past eachother? Telgar Weyr> Lanisa shakes her head, "Dad's in trouble again." ;) Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Hey now, it was snowing near where I was a few days back." Gay leaves I'sai's seat for Kassi, pulling up one of her own with a loud scrape of wood against stone. "Some of 'em do - act older, that is. It's almost creepy." As she sits, she finally gets a good look at J'lyn, and manages to remain relatively impassive. "Aw, they're not real uppity yet. But I'll keep the offer in mind." Neither girly nor goldrider are protested - she's pretty much both. To Kassi; "Nothing about pranks yet, I think. Hope. And we could set you on fire in here - that'd be memorable." So helpful! D'san walks here from the Inner Cavern. "As if Kisai doesn't, and have better aim besides," I'sai says with a pretense of offense, but moves to push in her seat to leaven it; he adds, "Aye, I've got to see you-know-who about you-know-what," regardless of whether she actually does. To the others, "'Creepy.' Well. If they're not doing too much in the way of pranks, I wouldn't push it, and just fly Simone to the Lounge or something, sometime, and take the load off. She hasn't that many Turns herself, does she?" J'lyn looks around, suddenly aware of the fact that there's at least one malerider near. Uh. Bad. Badbad. I'sai doesn't smile, though it's a close call. "You could," Kassima graciously allows, "only, y'know, the stench. Of burning skin and all this *hair*... put people quite off their food, 'twould, even if'n they did have the presence of mind t'bring out bits of meat t'roast on sticks over m'corpse." And this is such better dinner table conversation, really. "She does," the greenrider allows, "but she hasn't gotten paint on m'face in Turns, at least--" The leavening's evidently accepted; she eyes him with droll amusement, but flashes a smile for the chair nevertheless. And, "I know who? I know what?" Evidently she doesn't. Or perhaps is just baiting him. "--Nay pranks, nay pranks, that's something t'thank the first queen and all her little green descendants for. Imagine Gay when they Impress and are ma'aming you, still older!" D'san walks in cautiously, adjusting to the change in light, "Hello..", he offers to a brownrider just inside the entrance. D'san awkwardly shifts out of the way with an apologetic smile and slips inside. "Reaches duty to Telgar.. and her queens..", he says, loud enough for the closest knot of people to hear him. Telgar Weyr> Isawen thought is might be fun to have a fashion contest of sorts. With mystery judges that mingle with the crowd while everyone tries to figure out who they are. I don't know... Telgar Weyr> Gay still thinks it's a good idea, Isawen. :) "Brilliant idea," I'sai claims, "But I still don't think it'd put off the firelizards. And, well, this wasn't exactly paint, and... what other things were we talking about?" He pauses, making as if he's counting on his fingers, and decides, "Oh, right. Not the thing you weren't thinking about, the other thing. And it could be worse, Gay, it could be your - " he's distracted into turning a little to look through the increasing crowd, "Who said something about 'Reaches?" Gay pulls a face at Kassima and the idea on the 'ma'am'ing - "I wasn't that good at it when I was a weyrl- er, I mean, I was always perfect and never forgot. Clearly." Clearly, as I'sai's at the table! "Don't think Simone's older by much. Lounge might be an idea though, especially since I haven't been yet. Could be my -? Brothers? Thought of -that-, trust me." The greetings from D'san finally sink in, and she turns and answers automatically, "Telgar's duties to 'Reaches and her queens! Welcome!" Londers walks here from the Inner Cavern. Kassima asks, "Is it the burning me alive part that's brilliant, or the face-painting, or...?" Speaking of which, she takes another swipe at the purple splotch. Nope. It's not going anywhere. "'Twere talking about how you'd decided t'divulge the deepest, darkest secrets of your soul, and then give us all your marks, and get up on this table t'sing the Ballad of Moreta's Ride for our amusement?" she tries. "That's what *'twas* thinking about, so you mean that? Perfect, Gay, a'course 'twere. Never aught else." Of course never. Turning her head, she nods amiably to the newcomer. "Duties to the 'Reaches and her queens right back, and be welcomed to the Icy Wastes. But," she stage-whispers, "be wary of the proddy greenrider." Londers ambles sleepily toward the meal table and takes a mug of klah which he filled. Once he drank it, he noticed people in the room. "Hello" he waves, a bit too late though Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Hee, J'lyn's proddy?" Telgar Weyr> C'vadan fears. Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "*DING!* Got it in one." Telgar Weyr> Yselle eyes +flights, coughs, pretends she's with it, really. J'lyn glares at Kassima. "*YOU* have the jewels to say that in my presence, Little Miss Kill Everything And Eat It With Insane Sauce?!" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "New at the Telgar Deli! Insane Sauce!" Telgar Weyr> Gay bwahs! Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Yum." "Blood is nay an *insane sauce*!" Kassi protests, wide-eyed and innocent. Reflective, she adds, "And I don't *think* I have jewels. Didn't last I checked. If'n I do now, something's seriously wrong with this citron." D'san smiles, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything..." He raises an eyebrow at the mention of being burned alive. He comments, "Some interesting things on the menu tonight is there?" "I can't stay long.", he says, somewhat disappointedly as his eyes mark I'sai and the others he knows and he flashes a bright grin, ".. but I must say, it's always interesting to walk in here.. even if I am here on other business. Nothing official mind you." "Just came to see how some of our Candidates were coming along..." Telgar Weyr> Kassima wants to see Jared advertise *that*. While foaming at the mouth. ;) Isawen walks here from the Inner Cavern. "Clearly. Also, clearly, your brothers," I'sai deadpans, and reaches down to pick up his plate and fork. "I'd better put these away... oh, and J'lyn, I thought Kassi had plenty of jewels. Wears 'em in her ears, even," and with that bright comment, he moves nimbly out of the way. "Hello, D'san, welcome, D'san, and go say hello to J'lyn over there, would you? I think he'd like it," he adds before disappearing with a last nod to those, like Londers, he passes on his way out. I'sai walks off towards the kitchen. J'lyn looks at the unfamiliar 'Reaches rider. "What do you ride?" Blunt? Jaly?! Say it ain't so! Clutch those pearls, sister! Ooh, jewels! "Yeah, Kassi, I seem to remember plenty of jewels that you have. I even gave you some!" Londers takes a tray and loads it heavily as usual, he, then, slips soundlessly toward a table as people seems quite busy discussing. "I'm starting to be -glad- Liabeth's taking her own sweet time..." Gay mutters, eyeing J'lyn and Kassima warily. She offers Londers a wave, then turns 'round to speak to the Reaches bluerider. "I can tell you about any of 'em, if you'll let me know why you're asking. Not 'cause I -need- to know, but just due to curiousity." She flashes a bright grin, "I'm Gay. Well met." I'sai's retreating back gets a face made at it - whether he notices or not is apparently of no concequence. Kassima gives D'san a grave and solemn nod. "Roast greenrider and mostly-dead things with insane sauce. See that over there? That's the intestines and, uh, jewels of the last malerider who ran afoul of Jal." She points towards the spaghetti and meatballs with a perfectly straight face. "So tragic. So sad. So *messy*... Is!" she yells after the departing bronzerider. "You weren't supposed t'tell *them* that! I only wear *those* earrings special for you!" Uh-huh. "--Oh, *those* kind of jewels. You're right, I do, and you did. I wore the opal pair just yesterday in fact. But then Kai got ahold of 'em and nigh yanked m'ear off, evil spawn that he is." She wiggles her fingers in greeting to Londers, sips at her citron, and notes, "Just imagine, Gay. Someday people may tell tales of the horrors of *you* when she glows." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Yes, but Gay -also- has BLPs." Telgar Weyr> J'lyn halos. Isawen scoots in with a scrap of hide that she presents to Pierron. While he's looking it over, she stealthily makes her way towards the food before he can think of another errand to send her on. At least she tries to be stealthy, but her height is a hindrance to that. Ducking to hide behind one of the kitchen helpers, she manages to get a few things on her plate before dashing past Pierron again to find a place to sit. Telgar Weyr> Gay says, "I do indeed. And am trying to figure out how to get her in 'em. ;)" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Proddy desc!" Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "That fashion show of Isawen's? 0:)" Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Moons over Telgar!" Telgar Weyr> Gay snerks! Telgar Weyr> J'lyn says, "Gay, make sure when you wear yours to have K'ran show off his." Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "I vote, Gay, you and I let J'lyn get us drunk, and we'll all prance around in the BLPs." D'san chuckles, "Might I have some intestines then?", he offers with a sardonic wink. He returns Gay's greeting with a nod, "Perone, I think, is the one Candidate best known to me... though not as well as I would have liked before she left us." He takes a seat, with a curious glance towards J'yn, laced with due amounts of caution. Telgar Weyr> Gay says, "Hey, there you go." Telgar Weyr> C'vadan decides to stay waaaaaaaaaaay over here. Telgar Weyr> Yselle says, "Oh now, you have no BLPs? Shame." Telgar Weyr> C'vadan says, "If you are referring to me, Ys, I'm a bit on the conservative side. :)" Londers walks towards the inner cavern. J'lyn stands up, taking his Crap-In-A-Bottle with him. He glares around. "I swear. A man's just not safe around women. Or maleriders." He stomps off, butt wiggling. J'lyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. "You're welcome t'slurp up all the intestines you like!" Kassi's such a magnanimous soul. "They're especially excellent with the sauce. Made from the heart's blood of disemboweled brownriders, y'know. Very tasty. Stains the teeth a bit, though." Spotting Isawen, she gives that Candidate, too, a cheerful wave. "You're only *just* figuring this out now, Jal?" she calls after the greenrider when he departs; shaking her head in amusement, she pushes back from the table herself. "Actually, as much as the intestines tempt me too, I shouldn't leave Kaswyn and Kaisan alone with Kisai too long. She's apt t'cut off all their hair and then say she was just practicing her hairdressing." Gay smirks over at Kassima, noting, "Oh yeah. I'm looking forward to that. It'll be -brilliant-. Though, you know - there's a few maleriders who could use the spaghetti and meatballs treatment." She jerks a thumb to indicate the plate. To D'san; "Perone. Nice enough. I met her before she got searched, the night Meri's weyr got snowballed. Last I checked, she doing good. Getting her work done, not compaining overmuch." J'lyn's departure is watched with widened eyes. "Well. Can't say he's -wrong-. But, who's that leave to be safe 'round?" Isawen returns waves and greetings, muttering a "Good evening" herself. She spots a table with enough people to shield her from view of some errand givers and claims a seat. She glances over at a word that catches her attention. "Perone? Who's talking about Perone?" Gay wrinkles her nose at the idea of children and haircutting both. "Well - I'll see you later then, Kassi? Good luck with that - hair-thing - and say hi to them, and Lysseth." D'san says, "I was, only because she's someone I know... we met before she was Searched here.", he explains, careful to keep his voice non-committal. He says to Gay, "Myrdinth is safe... mostly, as long as there's not a good mud wallow around... then it's best to keep your distance." He stops as he realizes she's leaving, "Nice to meet you.", he offers, instead. Kassima gives her eyebrows an exaggerated waggling. "Why, then, you should give it to 'em, Gay. Only make sure I get t'*watch*." She tips her glass back to drain its dregs, and ambles over to set it where such things belong; then, "Male greenriders, I guess, only *that* makes nay sense. I've nay met a male greenrider yet I considered safe. A'course, that's coming from someone with three children by such, so y'may want t'use a whopping grain of salt there... g'deve! Duties again to the 'Reaches, too; likewise a pleasure, clear skies, all that--will do, Gay, thankee--" and she pushes her chair back in before making her exit. You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.