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Sexuality, Sadism, and Suspicion, Oh My!

Date:  November 29, 1997
Place:  Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  This is really just a short, fun sort of log that I got
a kick out of.  Who would've thought that Kindre would become protective
of Kassi when she learns just who the father of her second child is?  
Who would've thought that Cav was secretly a sadist?  Who would've 
thought that K'tyn enjoys being hit?  This just goes to show, things are
never quite what you expect at the Weyr....  Since Kindre had to bamf,
the log ends rather abruptly.  I've left some knot chat, a page or two,
at least one @doing, and a set of rumors in for interest's sake; beyond
that, the format here is pretty standard. :)

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The Log:


You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.

Josiah nods, "Yep she sure did. I think she didn't do the drinking from 
the hot springs too good cause they wouldn't let her back in the water. 
And she said that Mud ate that pink.." he darts a quick look around and 
finishes, "thing."

Lysseth> Herath rumbles a mostly friendly greeting to Lysseth and her 
rider before returning her burning stare to the cavern's door and, she 
hopes, the horrible rider who's left her out in the cold in favor of food.

From Tarvin's shoulder, Borth croons piteously at Rashala, probably hoping 
for a bit of bovine. Not that he hasn't already eaten better than Tarvin, 
today.

Tarvin grins. "Good morning, Kassima."

Josiah waves to Kassima with a toothy grin.

Lysseth> Lysseth seems to sense the gold's attitude, and snorts a half-
amused, half-droll agreement with it. She joins Herath in the staring game 
after rumbling an amiable salutation to the younger queen.

Kindre smiles wide, almost relievedly, at Kassima and waves. "Ah, there's 
my favorite Wingsecond," she calls and grins. Motioning down to her plate, 
she notes, "It seems Ofira has graced us with another batch of those 
wonderful kiwi muffins. Faranth only knows how she procured the fruit, but 
I'll not look a gift runner in the mouth." Blinking a few times at Josiah, 
she then slowly nods her head. "Mud -ate- them? Shards...I don't even care 
to envision how that'll come out..."

Rashala says "Morning, Kassi!""

Josiah nods, "That's what Jael said anyways. That he ate it. or them." He 
looks around again, and moves his chair closer to Kindre. She seems to be 
pretty nice. For a grown-up.

Bearing an armful of hidework and a faintly nauseated expression, Kassi 
walks into the room and seats herself with a decided lack of grace. 
"G'morn indeed, all," she greets the others, smiling towards them. "And 
Kin! How're things with m'favorite junior goldrider?" The greenrider 
glances down at the indicated plate, and swallows before shaking her head 
vigorously. "Nay breakfast for me, Kin, thankee... but I hope they're 
still around come eventime. I adore kiwi, y'know."

C'vadan walks in from the bowl.

Kindre chuckles while rolling her eyes. "Honest to all, Josiah, if I never 
see those unmentionables again, it will truly be too soon. If they stay 
gone for the next three Intervals, I'll be more than grateful." Tilting 
her head as she regards her friends, her lips curl slightly with what 
could be concern. "I'm well enough, to be true. You don't look well...are 
you catching a flu or the like?" The sound of the cavern door draws her 
attention for a moment and she smiles a greeting to C'vadan. "Morning 
Cav," is added with a wave.

C'vadan nods to Kindre. "Morning. Just getting something warm to drink 
before heading out," he says.

Kassima chuckles under her breath, tapping her charcoal stick against the 
hide in front of her. "A sort of flu, aye, I've already caught. C'vadan! 
Just the brownrider 'twas hoping t'see!"

Josiah looks away from Kindre to wave at the brownrider, then turns his 
attention back on the woman. "Um," he scoots a bit closer, "Can I ask you 
a question?"

Tarvin smiles at the new arrival, whom he hasn't met yet. "Good morning."

C'vadan pours himself some klah, after sniffing the pitcher first. "Oh, 
Kassima?" he queries, both cautious and curious.

Rashala waves a greeting at the rider.

Tarvin remembers that one of his duties was to serve food, and levers 
himself to his feet. "Can I get anything for anyone?"

"Want me to fetch some tea or the like, Kassi," Kindre inquires with that 
hint of concern in her voice. "I knew we'd get a few more season flus due 
to this change in climate. Unless...no, no." The latter of her words are 
followed by a quick shake of her head, almost a fearful warding-off 
motion. Regarding Josiah brings back her smile, "But of course, 
dearheart."

Rashala grins a bit impishly. "More juice, please, Tarvin."

Kassima drops her charcoal and reaches for her ever-present satchel, 
hauling it up on the table and beginning to rummage through it. Uh-oh. 
"Aye, Cav. I understand your twenty-fifth Turnday was a few days agone?" 
With a flourish, she produces from the satchel the very horror that we all 
saw coming: a parcel wrapped in cloth that's been dyed in an interesting 
amalgam of brown, white, black, and red shades. The green ribbon sets it 
all off so nicely, too. "Didn't think 'twere going t'be escaping a 
gifting, now did you?"

Tarvin laughs. "I don't know if that includes you or not, 'shala, but I'll 
get it anyway."

Kindre shakes her head again, in a more normal fashion, to Tarvin. "I'm 
well set, thank you." A chuckle escapes her as she eyes the oh-so-familiar 
packaging in Kassima's hands. "Happy belated Cav."

Josiah is apparently thinking about what he's going to say, for he pauses 
a long moment, then asks, "You're a woman, ain't you?"

Tarvin quickly pours some juice for 'shala and quickly mimes pouring it in 
her lap before handing to to her with a grin and a flourish.

Rashala takes the glass with a smile. "Thanks, Tarvin." She takes a 
satisfied sip.

C'vadan's expression morphs from concern to pleasure to concern again. 
"Oh, thank you, Kassi." He crosses the living cavern to where the generous 
greenrider sits. "You really didn't have to, you know."

Kindre laughs before looking over her person. "Last time I checked, 
Josiah. I think that's a safe assumption." Her brows lift a bit as her 
expression becomes curious.

Josiah glances from left to right, then looks back at the weyrwoman, "That 
makes you a girl too, doesn't it?"

Kassima quirks up an eyebrow at Kin, and grins. "Unless...? As to the tea, 
I'd certes appreciate some--Richenda's been sending it up to m'weyr in the 
mornings of late, but when tea's all you can have, it tends to disappear 
rather quickly. There's nay need for you to trouble yourself, though. I've 
two perfectly functioning legs; I can get it m'self!" Turning her 
attention back to the victi--ahem, brownrider, she laughs and shakes her 
head. "You know me better'n that, I should think. But you may want t'save 
the thanks until you've seen what you're getting. Go on, take it! How many 
times will I have t'reassure folk that m'gifts don't tend to leap up and 
go for their recipients' throats?"

Tarvin looks around for a minute, locating the teapot. He pours a cup for 
Kassi, then remembers her meal of the last night and brings over the pot, 
as well. He sets them down on the table near her with a grin.

C'vadan was momentarily looking at Kindre as she discusses her sexuality, 
then returns his attention to Kassima. "Thank you, Kassi," he says as he 
accept the gift.

"I suppose it does," Kindre bobs her head to Josiah and grins. She slides 
her seat back to fetch some tea and then smiles as Tarvin beats her to the 
task. "Unless nothing," she says with a shrug, "I'm just letting my 
thoughts run rampant as usual." Chuckling a bit at those very thoughts, 
she then peers over to see C'vadan unwrap his turnday gift.

Telgar Weyr> Kindre thbts at Cav :)

Josiah is intent on Kindre, and doesnt' even notice the wrapped package. 
"So.. you like know stuff about girls and women, you know, since you are 
one, you know?" There seems to be a method to his questions.

Kassima blinks up at Tarvin, and flashes the lad a grateful smile. 
"M'thanks, Tarvin, but i'truth you didn't have to bestir yourself on my 
account!" As the package leaves her hands, she leans back in her chair to 
watch and see whether or not it will kill Cav to open it. "Rampant 
thoughts are the most fun thoughts, Kin! I'd have thought you'd know that 
by now. Besides, 'tis nay fair to whet a person's curiousity and then 
refuse to explain!"

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan hmmms at Kindre?

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Goldriders discuss their sexuality... on the 
next Geraldo! ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Kindre laughs! "And what they're actually doing behind The 
Curtain!" ;)

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan says, "If I was quick enough, Kin, I would have told 
Josiah that I've seen you nekkid on several occasions and know you are 
indeed a girl :)"

Telgar Weyr> Rashala blinks innocently. "You mean, Weyr folk have sex?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima .o0(Pay no attention to the weyrwoman behind the 
curtain. No, really. You're much better off not knowing; trust me on this 
one.)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Nah, Rashala. They just drink the Water. Ask 
Kassi about that sometime."

C'vadan does indeed open it, despite his promise to Caitria that he would 
wait for her should the greenrider hold true to her generous tradition.

Telgar Weyr> Tarvin says, "They just drink the water??"

Telgar Weyr> Rashala grins, and snaps her fingers. "I'll have to do that."

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan has a flask or two of the Benden Water, if anyone 
needs it. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima nodnodnods! This is why Kassi was so horrified when 
Jaeleka tried to drink water from the Springs, you see.... ;)

Telgar Weyr> Josiah says, "Ohh so that's it, Kassi ;)"


---

        Smooth, polished mahogany with streaks of black and lighter tan 
has been flawlessly carved into the image that you see before you: a brown 
dragon, a rider, and a woman. That is the first impression you get, but 
further study reveals the impeccable details of the sculpture. Standing 
just a bit taller than a woman's hand, the brown dragon with his glinting 
emerald-chip eyes stretches his wings protectively over the two smaller 
figures, curling his tail around them to both keep them safe and mark them 
as his. Proud, he is not, but wary--and ever vigilant, for his high-held 
head seems to watch even you as you regard this work. Below are the two 
humans of the scene, readily recognizable as yourself and your weyrmate, 
Caitria, for such are the details in the wood that they could never be 
mistaken for any other. Arm-in-arm, the two gaze off into the same 
distance as the dragon, a slight smile at the face of each; whatever they 
see, it is something joyous to behold. You could almost get the feeling 
that they must be watching their children at play somewhere beyond your 
view. The rock they stand on mimics the claw-scarred and timeworn surface 
of a dragon's ledge impeccably; on the side of said surface are engraved 
three tiny sigils to represent Dawnslight Wing, the Beastcraft, and Telgar 
Weyr.

---


Telgar Weyr> Rashala says, "So what *do* I have to do to find out about 
this Water? :-)"

Kindre regards Josiah almost nervously for a moment before chuckling. "I 
would think I know a certain amount about being a girl or woman and all 
that stuff, Josiah. What seems to be on your mind?" She's now likely as 
curious as to the questions as Josiah is for the answers. Laughing towards 
her friend, she waves a hand. "I thought mayhaps you were, but it's not 
possible." Another quick, hopeful shake of her head before she grins. 
"It's been too long since Lysseth's last flight. I think. Oh, but feh. 
I've not asked of Kay! How is that charming lass of yours?"

Telgar Weyr> Kindre says, "ask Kassi...then fear Rashala ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Tarvin laughs. "Sounds like a good story."

Telgar Weyr> Kindre also belatedly @baps Cav, just for fun :)

C'vadan wows at the figurine "How did you... When did you... Wow, Kassima. 
Thank you," he finally says in all sincerity.

Josiah frowns, his brow furrowed in thought. "Ok. So if you're a girl and 
you understand other girls, then can you tell me why Jaeleka kissed me? 
You 'member? And then said I made her do it?" He makes a face and wipes 
his mouth again, "That was nasty, I dont' like kisses."

Tarvin grins, and quickly hides it behind a mug of klah.

Most of Kassi's attention is on watching Cav open his gift, but she does 
take a moment to slide a rather rueful grin Kindre-wards. "Will you tell 
the Healers that, then, so that they'll rescind m'grounding and let me 
drink wine again? Kaylira's marvelous--almost two, now, and becoming more 
of a handful for poor Sima every day." Returning her focus to the 
victim/Turnday brownrider, she grins again, evidently pleased by the fact 
that he didn't run from the room screaming at the sight of the gift. 
"Quite welcome, quite welcome! 'Twas the least I could do; after all, if'n 
I'm nay on your good side, how'm I ever supposed to convince you to make 
any more bets with servitude as the stakes? Nay that I really *need* 
another servant, with V'dan going crazy t'try and bribe me out of writing 
a song about him, but I digress... you *do* like it, then?"

C'vadan hears what Josiah says and manages to keep his expression still 
joyful over the gift. However, he cannot help commenting. "Josiah, women 
are marvelous and curious creatures. Here I am twenty-five turns and I 
still don't understand them. You just accept them because the alternative 
isn't as pleasant." He sets down the gift on the table for all to see. 
"Unless you like men, of course."

Josiah's brow wrinkles again as he looks at the brownrider. "What's an 
aterlatibe?"

Kassima nods in sage agreement. "'Tis the same from our point of view, 
regarding men. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em, and you can't 
just make 'em all eunuchs and resolve the dilemma that way."

Josiah blinks again and asks, "What's an ewnik?

Rashala listens curiously to the talk.

C'vadan gives Kassima a bleak look. "Josiah, the alternative is you like 
men, which some riders do. Or you stay alone, which some also do. Me, I 
prefer the abuse of being with a woman."

Kassima looks thoughtful for a moment, no doubt pondering just what the 
best way to explain this would be. "A man who's managed to seriously anger 
a woman," she decides to say.

Kindre can't help but laugh at the scrunching up of Josiah's face when he 
mentions the kiss. Composing herself, she simply smiles at him and shrugs. 
"Well, mayhaps she kissed you just because of that? She knows you don't 
like them and, well," she taps his nose twice with a finger, "it seems 
she's gotten the reaction she wanted. I think she likes you, but you made 
her angry. She, I guess, wanted to get you back for that?" Chuckling and 
nodding at C'vadan's words and she returns her attention to her friend. 
Her bit of musing completed, Kassima's words finally seem to sink in. 
"Grounding? No wine...Great Faranth's ghost!" Wide silvery-blue eyes fall 
to Kassi's stomach, "You're not."

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan says, "If Kassi is, it is NOT my fault!"

Telgar Weyr> Kindre says, "Yeah, right Cav. :)"

Telgar Weyr> Tarvin laughs!

Telgar Weyr> Rashala says, "That's what they all say..."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima LOLs!

Telgar Weyr> Josiah rofls :)

Josiah grimaces, "Well i know she don't like kisses neitehr but i dont' 
wanna kiss her to get her back. That'd be nasty."

Tarvin grins. "You'll figure out something, I'm sure, Josiah."

Tarvin says "Tease her about going for a swim in the pools."

Kassima just grins at Kin, amused by her friend's reaction... not that 
it's any less startled than *hers* was, but she's had time to get used to 
they idea. "Tell that to the Healers," she repeats. "And Lysseth, while 
you're at it. Neither one of 'em are taking any arguments from me on the 
subject!"

C'vadan says "Josiah, is it... Josiah, the best revenge when dealing with 
a woman is to ignore her. They *hate* that."

Kassima stage-whispers to Josiah, "Actually, we love it, but we make 
*them* think we hate it just so they'll keep doing it."

Josiah blinks and looks closely at C'vadan. "You mean like, pretend they 
aren't there? Like they're little firelizards?"

From Rashala's shoulder, Harah sticks her head out, looking at the new (to 
her) folks.

C'vadan sips at his klah. "Yup. But be prepared for her to get angry."

Josiah swivels his head around to look doubtfully at Kassima. He's getting 
pretty confused.

Tarvin shakes his head, chuckling.

Josiah is now pretty worried. "But what if she gets mad and kisses me 
again? What'll i do then? I dont like it when she gets mad at me, she hits 
me." He thinks and adds, "Really really hard."

C'vadan hmms at this. "Girls are like that. When they don't get what they 
want, they turn to violence. I would just protect yourself as best as you 
can. In the end, she will leave you alone."

Kindre giggles. "You both could always try to be friends," she offers to 
Josiah before rolling her eyes at that notion. These two being friends 
doesn't seem likely for at least ten turns. Blinking at C'vadan, she 
chuckles again. The realization, though, of Kassima's condition brings her 
attentions full-back to the Wingsecond. "But...but...how? I mean, Lysseth 
rose a few months ago...Oh good Robinton..." Her eyes are wide again 
before she shakes her head. "It can't be Mart's...it just can't...but 
who..." Blink. Blink blink blink. No. "Not...?"

"Angry women are the foremost cause of eunuchs," Kassi can't resist 
quipping, more to Cav than to Josiah.

Josiah sighs at Kindre, "i'm trying to be her friend but she keeps getting 
mad at me for no reason." Shaking his head at the complexity of women.
Tarvin grins. "Don't worry, Josiah, you won't really start understanding 
them in the next six Turns, I can tell you that."

C'vadan snorts over his klah. "You will never understand them."

"Likely," the goldrider reports with a bit of a crooked smile, "she likes 
you and isn't sure how to show that. Or maybe she just likes to tease 
you." A shrug follows her words and she grins. A nod of agreement goes to 
Tarvin before she speaks again. "True enough. I'm twenty-three turns and 
still play the same games Jaeleka does, Josiah. I likely will until I'm 
well past my hundreth turn."

Rashala laughs, then takes a drink of her juice.

"Want t'be betting on that, brownrider?" Kassima further remarks, her 
ever-heckling nature making it impossible for her to be silent. With 
another grin of pure sadistic glee, she turns back to the stunned Kindre. 
"Nay, 'tis nay Mart's; if'n 'twere, I'd already have spawned, by 
m'reckoning." She does sober up some at the last question. Regarding the 
goldrider in silence for a moment, she nods once in silent confirmation.

Josiah blinks in some astonishment. "You hit K'tyn?"

Rashala almost chokes on her juice.

Tarvin grins at Josiah, the boy having saved him from very nearly asking 
the same question.

C'vadan murmurs curtly, "Why not, Jehrina does."

Josiah's eyes are as big as plates, "She does?!?"

Kindre's jaw simply falls agape at her friend's words. Ever so slowly, her 
head shakes from side to side. "That silver-tongued rogue of an Istan 
rider? I'll have his charming, slick-worded hide for a snack..." is 
mumbled mostly to herself before she attempts a smile. "Are you certain? 
Does he know, Kassi? Are you alright?" Turning back to Josiah, she blinks 
a bit. "Hmm? Oh, no, I never hit Kiat...other things, but not hit." She's 
obviously more distracted with the news from Kassima to think out her 
other words.

Josiah tugs on Kindre's shirt, "Does Jehrina hit K'tyn then? Do you let 
her do it?" he frowns and pauses before asking worriedly, "Does he *like* 
being hit?"

C'vadan chuckles. So Kassima got herself pregnant with that Ista fool? 
More's the pity for the child. "Congratulations, Kassima," he says 
sweetly.

Kindre, feeling the tug, looks sincerely at Josiah. "I...I don't know what 
goes on between the Weyrleaders, so it's not really my place to let or not 
let the Weyrwoman do a thing. As to whether or not he likes it, well, if 
he did I'm sure he would've let me know." A bit of a wicked grin curls her 
lips briefly before her thoughts whirl back to the other news at hand. 
Giving C'vadan a look, she bobs her head absently. "Oh, yes, 
congratulations, but...does he know?" This is, obviously, foremost of her 
concerns.

"That would be the man, aye," Kassi affirms, toying idly with her stick of 
charcoal. "Aye, I'm certain--'twould take a medical miracle for it t'be 
otherwise, as you can likely guess, knowing me. And nay... nay, he doesn't 
know yet. But I'm all right--so long as I don't touch food a'fore the 
evening hours, anyway." Cav's comment elicits a suspicious look from the 
greenrider. There's something rather insincere about gushing brownriders. 
"Thankee, Cav. I think."

Rashala smiles tentatively at the rider. "Congratulations, Kassi."

Josiah slumps back in his chair, pondering all these quite astonishing 
revelations.

C'vadan is calm on the outside, all smiles and pleasantries. On the 
inside, he is cackling madly at this news of Kassima's.

"He will soon enough," is a whispered promise from the goldrider before 
her voice raises to its normal level. "Are you sure you're alright? Do the 
Healers know how far...feh, nevermind. I can guess that one myself." 
Shaking her head a few more times, she glances at Pierron. "What-ever- do 
you put in that sharding wine?"

Telgar Weyr> Kindre says, "ooo, Cav, you are sooooo evil! ;)"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "Cav, should I Fear you?"

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan just smiles 0:)

Kassima's smile to Rashala is considerably less wary. "Thankee too, 
Rashala. Ach, Kin, I'm all right--honest, I am. 'Tis nay as though I've 
nay been pregnant a'fore. That Water's powerful stuff." She shoots a 
halfhearted glare at Cav as she says that. "Don't blame Pierron for the 
wine, though. I got that from K'rick--wager winnings, d'you recall? Remind 
me to never, ever again accept any form of drink from a rider still at 
Benden."

Rashala looks confused. "Water? What does Water have to do with being 
pregnant?"

Tarvin looks curiously at Kassima. "Water?"

Josiah looks aroudn in confusion. "Someone's clutching?"

C'vadan takes a seat and just smiles.

"Who's firelizard is it? I dont' have one."

"Benden Water," Kassima explains, readily taking up one of her favorite 
topics, "spreads the Benden Flu. Drinking it makes a woman more apt to 
catch the Flu, or a man more apt t'cause it. It's long been *hoped* that 
it might someday cause a man t'be pregnant--but so far, nay luck. A shame. 
I know just who I'd use it on if'n that were the case." Knowing Kassi, 
said people would include all the men in the Weyr, and several from other 
Weyrs for good measure.

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan says, "Well, one good thing comes from this news, 
Kassi. I don't have to worry about Duly catching Lysseth."

Kindre's lips wrinkle a bit, but she finally nods. "Well, if you say 
you're alright, then. And, true enough, you have gone through this once 
before." Chuckling a bit as The Water is mentioned, she quiets to ponder 
just how she'll drag that good-for-nothing, sweeter-than-Southern-cane, 
silver-laden-tongued Istan rider to Telgar.

Tarvin reminds himself never, never to drink any of the water, here.

Rashala looks suspiciously at her glass of juice.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima hrms. Is that good news for you, Cav, or for me? ;) 
Heya, E'ryn. :)

Telgar Weyr> E'ryn says, "Hey Kassi :) Kindre :)"

Telgar Weyr> C'vadan says, "Both, I think, Kassi ;)"

Kassima laces her fingers together, then unlaces them again to keep 
fidgeting with that stick of charcoal. "You're right that he'll need t'be 
finding out, though. I *do* intend t'tell him--'tis just a matter of 
working up the nerve, I suppose." With a sigh, she adds, "Last time, Meli 
took care of this particular detail."

C'vadan finishes his klah. "I'll tell him, if you want," he offers to his 
friend.

Josiah sighs and shakes his head. "Girls are weird. Why can't they be like 
boys?"

Tarvin grins. "That really wouldn't be any fun, Josiah. Take a longer 
view."

C'vadan grins at Josiah's observation. "Believe me, there will be times 
when you are glad they are not, Josiah."

Josiah snorts, "Oh yeah? When?"

Kindre bobs her head thoughtfully. "Well, I've been meaning to get out to 
Ista anyway, so mayhaps if I run into him I'll mention it." Yeah right. 
She's more likely to drag the charmster by his ear to Telgar. Chuckling, 
then, at C'vadan, she nods her agreement. "Well, to us boys are weird. 
It's more fun that way, honest Josiah."

Kassima eyes Cav thoughtfully, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. 
One might get the feeling that, for whatever reason, she doesn't entirely 
trust the brownrider. "I can't deny that I'd be grateful, Cav," she 
finally says, and sounds as though she means it, "but I think I'd best do 
this m'self. If'n I clam up, though, when he comes here... whenever that 
is... well, feel free to enlighten him." Oh, yeah. Like Kassi's ever had a 
problem finding words to try and explain something? Of course, she's never 
had a problem dithering and digressing until her audience is totally 
confused, either.

Josiah frowns at Kindre. "I"m not weird. Am i?" he asks uncertainly.

"Not to me," Kindre smiles to Josiah, "but mayhaps to Jaeleka. Things that 
we don't understand are often thougt of as weird." Nodding to Kassima, she 
fakes a sigh of agreement. "True enough. Hopefully he'll have occasion to 
visit us again soon."

Jayna walks here from the Inner Cavern.

Jayna juggles her stack of glow baskets to wave at the folks in the 
cavern.

Rashala smiles. "Hello, Jayna."

Josiah nods with a bit of relief, a grin on his face. "Good. I don't wanna 
be weird. Or stoopid either." He turns and waves his spoon at Jayna, 
flipping globs of tepid cereal here and there."

Jayna smiles. "How are you today? Settling in?"

Tarvin grins, and waves to Jayna. "Hi!"

Jayna spreads her baskets out on a counter and glances furtively at 
Josiah. Is he wearing pants today?

Tarvin neatly avoids a flying cereal glob.

"Morning, Jayna," Kindre says and finally manages to take a bit of 
nutrition from her kiwi muffin. "I don't think you're weird or stupid, 
Josiah, even if you are a boy." Adding a wink and grin to her words, she 
then quiets to finish her breakfast.

Kassima chuckles under her breath. "I hope so, aye. Think you that there's 
much chance of that?" The greenrider seems blithely oblivious to Kindre's 
plans to ambush the hapless Istan.

Jayna grins at Tarvin. "Heya, there, Tarvin."

Jayna takes a look at Josiah's bowl. "Is that cereal? It looks good. Maybe 
I'll have some of that."

Kindre simply grins in that fake innocent fashion that she's getting good 
at. "Oh, I think he'll stop here again soon. Didn't he say he would? Plus 
he's family here, I believe he mentioned."

C'vadan sets his cup in a tub. "Well, I am off," he says, tugging on his 
gloves. He picks up the figurine. "Thank you again, Kassima."

Josiah glances at Kindre and grins, then does a double take. "Is your 
muffin *green*?" he asks incredulously.

Kindre lifts a hand to wave her farewell to C'vadan. "Clear skies to you 
and Dulath Cav."

Josiah waves to C'vadan, "I'll try ignorin her but if i get a bloody nose, 
it's your fault."

Tarvin waves to C'vadan, as well.

Rashala waves in farewell.

Kassima's brow furrows as she peers at Kin, apparently able to recognize 
fake innocence when she sees it. "Mayhaps you know best," she agrees 
dubiously, before turning to wave to Cav. "Many thanks, Cav, and clear 
skies t'you and Dulath both. Give Tria m'regards, if'n you'd be so kind?"

C'vadan laughs. "I will accept the responsibility, Josiah."

C'vadan nods to Kassima and heads outside.

C'vadan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Jayna fills a bowl with cereal and pushes aside the glow baskets for a 
moment. She spoons in a generous amount of sweetener.

Kindre chuckles. "Shards, Kassi, I'm just worried for you, albeit 
needlessly. I'm certain he will come back. If," she can't help but smirk, 
"only to get our esteemed Weyrleader all hot under the collar."

Tarvin grins. "Shards, Jayna, would you like some cereal with that 
sweetener?"

Jayna snorts. "I can't help it. I've got a big sweet tooth!"

Jayna smiles. "I probably should have been a baker."

Kassima laughs, relaxing enough that she finally ceases her charcoal-
fidgeting and lets the poor thing drop to the table at last. "I do 
appreciate the concern, Kin, but unless you can cure nausea and weariness, 
I'm afraid there's naught you can do for me as yet. Though, I warn you, I 
may try and plead with you t'find someone who could bring kiwi and whatnay 
to the Weyr--be warned! I do think you're right," she adds, swapping 
subjects again. "He and the Weyrleader did seem to get off on an odd foot, 
eh? Speaking of which, Kin, how *are* things with you and Kiat?"

Tarvin laughs. "No, you shouldn't have. None of the sweetener would have 
made it into the muffins."

Jayna laughs and chucks a crumb at Tarvin.

Rashala giggles.

Rashala finishes her juice, and sets the empty glass on the table.

Rashala says "Well, I'd best be off... I think I have to help in the 
kitchens today. All your talk about baking reminded me."

Josiah idly stirs his cold cereal, sighing now and again.

Rashala stands up, and starts out of the cavern, waving a farewell to all.

Tarvin says "Ooo! I'll have to remember to be here on time for the next 
meal, then."

Jayna looks up from her cereal. "In the kitchens, eh? Planning anything 
good for later?"

Kindre bobs her head. "I know just where to get good kiwi and will be glad 
to fetch some whenever you want it. Oh," she quiets and offers a single-
shoulder shrug. "Kiat's been busy, as well as I. We've had a few moments 
but, well, feels like the same old, same old."

Tarvin says "See you later, 'shala."

Rashala grins. "I dunno, Jayna... it's my first day, after all. They're 
hardly letting me plan the meals."

Josiah smiles and waves, "Bye Rashala"

Jayna grins. "I'll probably be down later to help."

Rashala waves once more, and ducks down the passage to the kitchens.

Rashala walks off towards the kitchen.

"Is same-old same-old so bad, then?" Kassi questions. "A few moments are 
better'n none, as Da would say... and a few Records gone over are better 
than none, t'use the corollary! Kin, you're by far and away too kind 
t'me." Smiling with genuine warmth at the goldrider, she waves after 
Rashala, rather belatedly.

Tarvin says "What's your job for today, Jayna?"

Jayna swallows and wipes her mouth. "Well, I'm replenishing glows for the 
moment. Then later there's a storeroom I'm going to help clean out." She 
takes her bowl to the counter. "What about you?"

Kindre chuckles and rolls her eyes. "True enough. After six turns, what 
can I truly expect?" Picking apart the remainder of her muffin, she grins. 
"Ah, well, you know I like to get out of here. My Mah is actually 
beginning to try to grow kiwis, though the climate at Half Circle just 
doesn't seem to be right for them."

Tarvin plucks off another clump of herdbeast hair, and adds, "They have me 
feeding the various animals...As if you couldn't tell."

Jayna laughs. "I thought maybe you'd slept in the stables."

Tarvin grins. "And later, I'm supposed to help serve meals."

Tarvin laughs. "No, no, just was out there early this morning."

Tarvin says "Did you know that it's snowing, out there?"

Jayna looks over at Josiah. "Are you done with that bowl, Josiah? I can 
clean it for you, since I'm doing my own."

Josiah happily offers the bowl, "Gee thanks Jayna."

Jayna looks at Tarvin and shivers. "Snow? I didn't realize. I haven't been 
out to the bowl today."

Tarvin nods. "Does it snow much, here? We get a lot, back in the 
Reaches..."

A dark blue firelizard wings in. He circles the cavern, then settles on 
the countertop in front of Jayna, creeling wildly.

Jayna hastily talks to Pierron about some scraps for Shadow.

Pierron puffs with pride as Jayna gives him the chance to demonstrate his 
skill.

Pierron humphs and hunts around for a scrap for Jayna to give a firelzard, 
finally coming up with a scrap of herdbeast.

Kassima laughs quietly, shaking her head. "Well, anyway... same-old same-
old or however things may seem, you've both m'felicitations, Kin. I think 
'tis marvelous that you'e found each other at last." The greenrider can't 
help but make a face at the second comment. "Aye, I do know. Nearly as 
much as I do, eh? I'll have t'visit places vicariously through you for the 
nonce; I hope you're prepared to be pestered with all kinds of questions 
about your every trip! If'n you go play dragonpoker with Mart, will you 
remember to tease him mercilessly for me?" Grinning, she shakes her head 
at the folly of kiwi-growing, picking up the pot of tea to refresh her 
mug. "Half-Circle and kiwi don't precisely go well together in m'mind, 
nay."

Jayna glances a bit distractedly at Tarvin. "I'm not sure how much snow 
we'll get here, yet." She smiles gratefully to Pierron and quickly starts 
feeding the firelizard.

From Tarvin's shoulder, Borth creels at Shadow, extending his wings.

Jayna grins. "Like old uncles. Do you want some of this herdbeast for 
Borth?"

Tarvin chuckles. "He's been eating all morning, but I guess since he's not 
full grown yet, it won't hurt him to have a bit more..." Borth loudly 
croons his agreement. "Thanks, Jayna."

Josiah wearily gets to his feet, "Well i guess i need to go help in the 
laundry room before that mean old woman back there comes after me," he 
says, referring to the head Laundress.

"Why thank you," Kindre grins. Not able to help but add, "Just another of 
those couples that may get nausiatingly sweet in the living cavern, don't 
you know." Chuckling a bit, she sighs. "Oh, shards no, I don't mind. You 
can do the same for me the next time Hera decides to get all fat with 
eggs. Yes, well, Mah is trying her poor heart out to grow those sharding 
things, but they look more like fuzzy firelizard eggs than kiwi."

Jayna laughs. "Happy laundering to you!"

Tarvin grins. "Have fun, Josiah."

Tarvin takes one of the scraps from Jayna and holds it out for Borth, who 
snatches it from his fingers and devours it.

Josiah trudges toward the lower caverns with a decided lack of enthusiasm. 
"See you guys later."

Josiah walks towards the inner cavern.

Shadow greedily bats at Jayna's hand. He keeps a suspicious eye on the 
other firelizard. That Borth had /better/ not get more than his share of 
this herdbeast!

Kassima wrinkles her nose good-naturedly at her friend. "Just don't be 
*too* nauseating, or I'll be prone to actually gag instead of faking it 
this time--and y'know what watching people retch does to the Weyrleader! 
Fuzzy fire-lizard eggs?" She blinks, rather intrigued by this concept. "Do 
golds or greens ever hover about them, mistaking them for a clutch?"

Jayna points to Borth. "He's a handsome one! Of course, I'm prejudiced in 
favor of this little guy." She looks lovingly at Shadow.

Tarvin grins. "I think everyone likes their own, better."

Jayna nods agreement. "I'm sure you're right."

Tarvin says "Yours is a fine-looking fellow, though. What's his name?"

Kindre laughs aloud while shaking her head. "I'm sure K'tyn is still too 
worried of looking proper and official to allow me to be too nausiating," 
she remarks. "You know, I hadn't asked Mah about that...I'll have to do so 
or look for myself next time I visit home." Glancing at the feeding 
firelizards draws a quiet chuckle from her. "I wonder if my three have 
found their breakfasts yet. They've taken to hovering near Herath when she 
feeds with these hopeful little expressions on their muzzles."

Jayna grins. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is Shadow. Shadow, meet Tarvin."

Tarvin grins, and extends a hand towars Shadow, offering to scratch him if 
the blue is willing. "And mine is Borth."

"Mine have taken to hunting tunnelsnakes again," Kassi remarks. "Ever 
since the feast they had after that incursion, they've developed rather a 
taste for the stuff. Ah, now, Kin--who's t'say that he doesn't enjoy being 
nauseating? He has a spark of evil in him. He'd probably delight in making 
all of us turn green."

Shadow chirples and pushes against Tarvin's hand, managing to continue 
with breakfast at the same time.

Tarvin smiles, rubbing at Shadow's eye ridges. "Friendly, too...although 
I'd guess that the herdbeast might have something to do with that."

Jayna laughs. "Food and scritches, all at once. He's about as happy as a 
firelizard can get."

Tarvin says "Yep. They're pretty easy to please."

Kindre chuckles. "True enough...he does have a bit of a streak there. 
Mayhaps when Jh'rin visits, K'tyn will oblige being sickeningly sweet and 
mushy." Laughing, she rolls her eyes. "Shards, I heard about that whole 
tunnelsnake thing." Shuddering, she adds, "I'm very glad I wasn't nearby 
for -that-"

Tarvin brings his hand back to stroke Borth's distended belly. "Well, it 
looks like greedy here has finally had enough to eat for this morning."

Jayna overhears the dragonriders talking about the snake hunt, and 
shudders.

Tarvin asks Jayna, "Was there a bad tunnelsnake incursion, recently? We 
don't get a lot of them in the Reaches...I don't think they like the cold, 
very much.

From afar, Kindre changes her @do O:)

Jayna grimaces. "It was awful. There were hundreds of them, back in 
Stores. Truly disgusting."

Kassima grimaces exaggeratedly at the weyrwoman. "What, in order to send 
me into a retching fit and tell him about the Flu *that* way? There's just 
got t'be a better method. Y'know, Kin, I think you might've enjoyed it. I 
certes did--whoever would've thought that I'd get a chance t'battle 
Slithereth in m'lifetime?"

Player Name        On For Idle  Doing
Kindre              02:23  33s  HuntingSilverTonguedIstanGreenriders O:)
26 Players logged in.

Long distance to Kindre: Kassima ROTFLs! :)

Tarvin shakes his head. "Ugh. They're not a lot of fun to deal with, 
that's for sure."

Kindre laughs, shaking her head both at her friend and Jayna's recount of 
the event. "Mayhaps...I've truly not hunted those dreaded things since my 
days as a Candidate. Wait...-the- Slithereth? You can't be serious?"

Shadow burps and falls asleep, seemingly between one breath and the next.
Jayna looks at the little firelizard. "Hmm. Maybe I'd better take him back 
to the dormitories so he can sleep."

Kassima admits, "I can't be certain 'twas *the* Slithereth, but 'twas nigh 
as big as Slithereth's said t'be, and *I* think the 'snake followed us 
here from Benden! I'm going t'have his head up on m'wall as soon as 
Eryssiara prepares it--and look, look here--" Rolling up her left sleeve, 
she displays the still-healing marks in her arm where two of Slithereth's 
teeth got past her jacket and arm-guard to sink into the skin and tear it. 
"What normal-sized snake has teeth so large?"

Jayna stands, careful not to shift Shadow too suddenly.

Tarvin nods. "Good plan, Jayna. He looks all-in."

Jayna waves to everyone and makes her way to the dormitories.

Tarvin rises from his seat and heads out for the Bowl, to make sure that 
the beasts have enough food, and that the falling snow hasn't covered it 
up.

Jayna walks towards the inner cavern.

Kindre eyes over the teeth-marks and whistles. "Great Faranth's bones, 
-that's- from a tunnelsnake?" Wrinkling her nose a bit, she wonders, 
"You're truly going to hang his head on your...nevermind."

Tarvin walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Kassima nods, pulling her sleeve back down to cover the scars. "Aye, they 
are. That and the leg-gash I got in aiding V'dan with his moving are what 
kept me grounded long enough t'get in this mess. And aye, I am! Can you 
imagine a finer trophy?" she wants to know. "I'm considering even having a 
small celebration in honor of it once 'tis finally up on display!"

Kindre can't help but chuckle while bobbing her head. "It will be, to be 
true, a very interesting hallmark of your triumph over the beast." Sighing 
as she gazes around the cavern and notes it's growing quiet, she shrugs. 
"Well, what sort of trouble can we get into today?" She knows what kind of 
trouble -she'll- be getting into, but that's later and at a much warmer 
Weyr.

"Besides, m'weyr needs more decoration," Kassima laughs. "Somehow, I think 
a large tunnelsnake head hanging there will just say 'Kassima.'" Why she's 
willing to admit this, only Faranth knows. Darting a glance around the 
Cavern herself, she considers the matter with all of the seriousness it 
deserves. "Trouble. Let's see... I could send V'dan and try and get him 
t'blackmail K'rick into giving up some of his Water so that we can start 
selling the stuff to desperate women on the sly?"


Pierron looks up from his cooking to expound to you his opinions on the 
latest news.
"Deplorable rumors, in my opinion. That Thunderbolt Wingsecond! She's 
always talking about how life should never be boring, and I guess she's 
gotten her wish. The girl ran out of here the other evening, all green 
around the gills, and the Skyfire Wingsecond that's such a friend of hers 
piped up that she'll likely be doing that for several months more. We all 
know what *that* means. We may not be at Benden anymore, but the Flu is 
still around! And the father? Well, if what I've heard is correct, it's 
none other than that Istan greenrider who's rumored to be even stranger 
than *she* is!  How many times do I have to tell these riders? Know your 
limits!"


Kindre quietly slips off.