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Starlight Express


Date:  September 2, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr Lake Shore
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:  It was verrry tempting to name this one 'Spam (In the
Place Where I Live)' instead, given the length of some of my poses 
here. :P  Bless Gay for being so tolerant!  Anyway:  Kassi and Gay
get a moment of quality mentor/mentee time, in which flights are 
once more discussed, but so are the nature of the moons and stars.
It should be noted that there's a time oddity with this log; Gay 
says here that she had not yet had her *between* lesson, but that
lesson was later timewarped, so that ICly she would indeed have 
gone *between* by this time.  The log's continuity isn't messed up
too much, but the reader should be warned that it's inaccurate in
this respect. :)

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The Log:

Liabeth lumbers in from the central bowl.

Gay heads over from the central bowl.

You know, there's something about the peace of the Lake Shore late at night
in winter--when the waters are frozen over and frosted with snow; when the
moons are dimmed by clouds; when everything's still except for the wind,
and almost everyone's gone to bed. Fortunately or unfortunately, though,
this isn't quite one of those evenings, since one particular greenrider has
decided to put the ice, a pair of ice skates, and her lungs to good use,
taking advantage of all those sleeping people to practice her backwards
skating while singing all too cheerfully for the hour: "Anyone can see the
road that they walk on is paved with gold; it's always summer, they'll
never get cold, they'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and
grey...." Not exactly a song suiting the surroundings, either. Lysseth's
all too willing to turn her attention away from the spectacle her rider
insists on being to rumble a greeting to Liabeth and her rider; and if that
rumble sounds slightly long-suffering, can she really be blamed?

There's a shape circling idly in the sky, neither rider nor dragon entirely
visible in the dark night til they're just overhead. Liabeth lands gently
and gracefully, sweeping her wings back as she cames to a stop near the
green. Her rumble is consoling in return; they are an odd sort, yes? Gay
slides from Liabeth's back, still a little tentative, given the distance to
the ground. She shivers, wrapping her jacket more tightly about herself as
she heads to ice's edge. "That's not one I've heard," she calls.

Lysseth answers with a sigh that, since it is after all *her* rider who's
acting like an idiot, is more fond and amused than actually disgusted. Odd
is putting it mildly sometimes. Kassi flicks a *look* over her shoulder
towards the green, along with an unrepentant grin. "It doesn't really make
much sense," she calls to Gay, adjusting her skating course so that a last
long loop brings her to a good place to skid to a stop. "Which may be why;
it lacks the moral of a Teaching Song or the easy comprehensibility of
'What D'You Do With a Drunken Rider?' But I like it." After adjusting her
splashy-colored scarf, which was threatening to slip and leave her neck
unprotected, she asks, "How're you both? Apart from cold, apparently."

Liabeth settles herself down, taking her time about it. She turns to watch
Lysseth with a companionable rumble, then turns to regard the riders with
vague interest. Gay's grinning as Kassi skids to a stop. "I really need to
practice this skating thing. And I guess the song gives you something to
think about, then? I like that sort of thing." She shrugs a little, then
considers the question. "We're unwinding. Considering flights and such,
after Dianneth. And yes, cold, but I think I'm finally getting used to it.
This winter's not feeling near as cold."

"You should," Kassi immediately agrees, grinning back. "I sometimes think
'tis the one thing Telgar's good for in winter--besides having enough snow
t'keep the Thread dead, I mean. Just a moment; these things are awkward to
stand on--" There's a boulder near the shoreline where she's stopped,
though, and she picks her way over to it, the better to climb up and sit.
"After a fashion it does. 'Tis about a pair of people... well, or a group,
'tisn't exactly clear... who decide one day t'leave all their lives behind
'em and go, without knowing where they're going or what they're going
towards. Interesting t'think about, if'n somewhat impractical t'emulate.
D'you have enough warm weather gear? And is that consideration more of a
dreading, more of a looking forward to, or neither?"

"I will, then - but maybe when no one can see me, at first. Less
embarrassing." Gay nods, following the greenrider along the shore, and
finding a likely nearby rock of her own. Clapping her mittened hands
together to try and warm them, she tilts her head to one side, eyes
narrowed as she considers the idea. "I think I - actually, we both might
like that. Impractical - there is that, but you could do it on a rest day
or something - just fly and see where you get to..." She trails off,
appearing rather enamoured with the idea. "I do - Well, if anyone's some
trousers of a decent length, that might be helpful. I've grown out of some
of mine. And... Neither, right now. Some of it sounds brilliant, but it
seems pretty confusing and messy as a whole."

Kassima's mouth curves in a rueful grin. "Likely wise. If'n you're aught
like me, you'll end up on your rump on the ice a lot. Mayhaps even *after*
you learn." The wooden blades of her skates click against each other as she
taps her boot-toes together. "The idea in the song is a more permanent
abandonment, but methinks I agree with you about the temporary--t'just
leave everything behind for a day; nay tell anyone where you're going, what
you're doing, just leave with your lifemate and see what you can see. When
push comes t'shove, though, I doubt I could manage it without at least
leaving a note for someone. If'n I didn't, sure as stars all seven children
and all m'Wingmates beside would have some sort of dire crisis requiring
m'immediate intervention all at once." She rolls her eyes skyward,
good-natured about the necessity--but possibly a bit regretful too. "There
would likely be some in Stores, too long if'n nay long enough. Someone
could probably hem the legs for you. What parts are the brilliant-sounding
parts? I can't be denying the confusing and messy, necessarily. Confusing's
almost a given, and the blooding at least is always messy."

Gay grins likewise, noting, "Likely. Especially if I get much taller. I'm
not -that- clumsy, but still. I guess it's just how you have to learn -
like anythng else. Take the scrapes along the way." She pauses to glance
over and ask, "Is that the way it tends to go? I guess it would. Oh, well.
There's always songs to sing and daydreams." A nod for the pants, then; "Oh
- Ys said they were - the same - so she could feel flying - like, what it's
like to fly. That sounds - like something else. The rest, not so sure about
just yet, but it'll happen whether I like it or not." Her tone is firm, as
if reminding herself of the fact.

"You can be tall and still skate," assures Kassi, who's not that short
herself, with some amusement, "but if'n you're still getting used to the
height it might complicate things. There's a certain truth to that. Like
how when learning poker--which I still have t'teach you, don't let me
forget--you usually lose a lot of games before you get the knack. 'Course,
there," she reflects, "you're apt t'keep losing sometimes anyway with luck
so involved, so 'tisn't the best parallel. *You* could still just get out
and fly, y'know, on a free day. The trick's t'be doing it a'fore you've
gotten to a place where you can't. And I may still do it sometime. Even
if'n I do have to leave word with someone, it might be worth the trying."
Her eyes go up again to follow the moon for a moment, as though to plot the
sky-path she'd take; they return to her mentee soon enough. "There's that.
You feel what your lady does... the flying and glory of that, and her
emotions, which in my case means a great deal of triumph, scorn,
superiority, and anger along the way. Might be different for Yselle or you,
depending on how your dragon feels about the chase. You're right about the
inevitability, though. In a way, all the same, you might be better off than
your green clutchmates--Liabeth's nay likely t'rise very often, nay at this
time of the Pass."

"Yeah, it's that getting used to bit that I'm not always the best at." Gay
wrinkles her nose, lifting a hand to mime falling down. Boom. "And I will
remind you! As for the flying - we do get out. I've been taking time for us
just to be together - it helps. I've been finding that not wasting our time
worrying over everything is making it easier to just -do- things. " She
follows Kassima's gaze for a moment, then turns to eye Liabeth meditatively
as she replies, "I guess I won't know what she's like until she does rise.
And she will, at some point. You're right on the time I have - but Iguess
it was just Dianneth and talking to Ys that got me going on it, yeah? My
friends... It's weird."

There's another grin from Kassi at the pantomime. "I'm going t'be obnoxious
and say 'Give yourself time.' As if'n there's aught else you *could* do
about it, really. 'Tis a sound idea--I recall that towards the end of
m'Weyrlinghood, I didn't spend so much time alone with Lyss as that, but I
did go out with m'clutchmates t'relax, see places, do things, when duties
permitted. I've never thought it healthy t'think of naught but work."
Although she, too, looks towards Liabeth for a moment, her eyes slide
almost automatically to her own green nearby. "Really drives it home that
it might be *you* someday, aye, more than when the older dragons rise? And
seeing Yselle proddy was certainly... an experience. I hope she's nay too
bothered by it. She was fortunate t'have T'van trying t'keep her from doing
what she'd regret later."

Gay lets out a laugh, nodding. "True - I mean, even if I could just stop
moving altogether, it'd never get any better." She kicks out her feet to
cross her legs at the ankles, looking back to her mentor. "Or worry about
nothing but work. It's passing. And I do get out with the others, see the
others - but sometimes it's nice to be quiet." Perhaps a surprising
admission from a girl who's never seemed to have a problem speaking. And
speaking. "Yeah, it does. It's more -there- than it was. And I think she's
a little bothered, but I told her no one'd blame her for much of it. It
can't be helped and everyone's used to it."

Kassima doesn't turn away from the regard of her dragon yet, but shifts a
sidelong glance towards her mentee: "Do you worry often about work?" she
asks. "It is. Here and the Stones are good for that, or that island off
Greystones if'n you want t'get more exotic... or Red Butte, when your
mood's pensive. Methinks I tried t'tell her that in advance--about the
proddiness, I mean." The greenrider's expression shifts to one of
reflecting. "I can't quite recall; I hope so. We *are* used to it, and
'twasn't her fault. I don't doubt the maleriders she flirted with weren't a
bit surprised t'see her doing that--or in the dress!--but next time
everyone will know better what t'be expecting, and I doubt anyone will hold
it against her either. 'Tis well for her that a male whose rider she
already knew and liked," which is said just a touch drolly, "won. I know
she was worried about that."

"I did," Gay admits, looking across the ice, where the wind drifts a cloud
of snow from one shore to the other. "I'm getting better about it. I was
sort of - freezing - and they didn't want me betweening right away. Fair
enough." But there's a flush creeping up her neck. She shakes her head a
little, continuing, "Anyway, those all sounds nice. And I do like the
Stones - have since you two took me up." She flashes the Wingleader a grin,
brushing a stray curl out of her eyes. "I tried to tell her all of that. I
think so of it got into her head, which is good. And better to know what to
expect than not... In a way, I'll be glad to know." A brow arches, then
cautiously; "Well. We didn't talk much about all of that. I really don't
know much, but I guess that'd make it easier."

"Fair enough," Kassima gently repeats. "Better t'be waiting and staying a
Weyrling longer than taking the risk. *Between* isn't a thing t'be playing
with; jump with the wrong emotion, and... well, you'd nay want t'be
repeating Kyriath and Ambar. Only you've nay doubt heard all that a'fore.
It reflects better on you that you wait than if'n you'd done something
stupid and tried the jump anyway; some Weyrlings would probably be rash
enough for that." She moves to other subjects, voice changing back to
casual conversational mode. "You should go up sometime when 'tis snowing,
if'n you can manage," she suggests, echoing the grin. "The white stuff's
more beautiful from a height. Aye, you've the right of it; in that sense,
and in some others, the first time's always the worst, just for nay
*knowing* what t'expect. Even if'n you know, you can't *know* how 'twill be
with you, with your dragon, until you've been through it once. So." She
inclines her head a fraction. "I'd say it does. I've never had the
misfortune t'be waking with someone I avidly disliked; but strangers, aye,
and I'd usually take the friend or acquaintance any time. It can make
things awkward with the friendship for a time, mind you. I can't guess what
'twould be like t'have one won by a man who's already your lover, but that
may be easiest of all and I'm glad for Ys if'n 'tis so."

Gay nods slowly as Kassima speaks, glancing up to offer a grin. "Thanks.
And I hear 'soon' more these days, so..." She lifts her hand: crossed
fingers. "Oh, snowing. I've been in it during the day - it's like what
being inside a star'd be like, I think... Not at night yet. Soon." A sigh,
quiet, then; "Well, I'll know eventually. I just hope it's nothing too
horrible - from either of us. And that's good - the not-disliking bit. As
for the rest, well. I don't know. I just hope it won't be awful. That way,
I'm not likely to be disappointed." Her eyes are bright with amusement.

Kassima flashes a grin back, and holds up both hands to cross her own
fingers briefly. "They'd know, so if'n you hear 'soon' you can probably
trust it. I don't know if'n being inside a star would be so peaceful--they
burn, stars. It might be more like being inside a great, blinding fire;
beautiful, but nay *peaceful*. Mayhaps more like how being on one of the
moons would be, if'n they're so white as they look from here." Pause. "Nay
that they look like much right *now*, with those clouds in the way. It
really shouldn't be horrible, y'know. In some ways it can't be... the
blooding, the forcing her t'blood, that's the greatest ordeal of it. But
when it happens--you're with her, and then whoever catches, *she'll* have a
joy and passion in it and so therefore will you. Methinks 'tis impossible
in most cases t'*nay* enjoy the flight itself, whatever comes after. If'n
that's any reassurance at all."

"Oh, if you want to rely on -facts-, I suppose they do burn," Gay says
exaggeratedly, shaking her head as if exasperated. A grin, then; "There is
that. The moon's likely better actually - I meant all swirly and bright and
cold." Her hands mimic the swirling before dropping into her lap. "I think
it is some reassurance. I'm not as worked up about it as I thought I might
be, actually. Maybe it's the inevitability - or maybe it's just the
curiousity. I can't know what it's like til it happens - and I really want
to know what it's like." She shrugs, looking perhaps a little embarrassed.
"Don't know why."

"Far be it from me to *always* rely on facts, but cold, snowy stars do go
against the grain," Kassi teases back, laughing. "Cold *moons*, now--that I
could see. I wonder if'n they are cold. They look cold, pale as they are."
She starts to draw her legs up so that she can prop her chin on her knees,
but the skates interfere somewhat with this; making a face, she reaches to
work at unbinding them. "'Tis doubtless better t'go into it with curiosity
than fear. You might enjoy it more--but that might depend on Liabeth, too;
how she reacts to the glowing. Why shouldn't you want t'know? 'Tis an
experience. And one the great majority of Pern can never know. Even
Weyrfolk can't fully grasp it if'n they don't ride. Is it more the
proddiness that you wonder about, the general emotion of it, or the sexual
aspects?" She pauses a beat, then adds, "That's a personal sort of
question. You don't have t'answer it if'n you'd rather nay."

"Pale and cold and barren, but bright..." Gay nods slowly, tucking her hair
behind her ears, watching Kassi unbind the blades from her feet. "Well, not
-much- fear. So far. And do they give you any hints as to how they'll be?
Did Lysseth? Or is just as unpredictable as the rider? - And I don't know
why I shouldn't want to - it just seems - wrong, somehow. Guess takes
awhile to get the holder out - no matter how you work at it." She pauses as
well, quiet. Then, slowly; "A little about all of it, really. And I don't
mind - you've the right to ask personal questions, I think. A perk of the
mentor arrangement."

"I suppose they are barren. But that might nay matter, for a moon... the
light might be beauty enough, without a cloak of trees and beasts as Pern
has." Kassi finishes with the blades, and lets them fall to the snowy
ground with a soft thump and clatter. "Some do; mayhaps most do. And the
rider often reflects the mood of the dragon, so you can sometimes predict
the rider too. Taking Dianneth as the most recent example: given how she is
normally, wanting Yselle t'care for her looks and be more the center than
ever in the shadows, 'tisn't a great surprise that Yselle ended up
flamboyant and flashy; y'ken? Tyrrath's such a vicious green normally,
Flannery's cleaver-intensive rages aren't incomprehensible either, whereas
with Saulith, she's always happy enough t'see the males, and Kich being
flirtatious when the glow takes her could be foretold. But then there's
Veyath, sweet and shy normally but as vicious and snappish as aught a'fore
rising, while K'nan's possibly as much flirtatious as he is violent while
she glows. 'Twasn't really sure, with Lysseth. She's always had a temper,
but when she was young she seemed more... innocent, playful. And I really
didn't want t'think about it or try t'guess." There's a soft chuckle then.
"I'd say something about nay all Holder mentalities being terrible
t'have--but you shouldn't be letting it make you embarrassed about how you
feel about flights, nay. Curiosity's healthy. And if'n you find you *like*
them, there's nay shame in that either." She listens to this last in
silence, giving a slow nod after it's said. "Well, true. Only 'twouldn't
want you feeling you *have* t'tell me aught you're nay comfortable speaking
of. Curiosity's all the better an approach if'n you're a maiden,
methinks--I can't speak, but I'd warrant it has t'be better than dread of it."

Gay shrugs a little, peering up at the clouds balefully. "The light's
enough, it's true. Moonlight feels different to me - there's something
peaceful about it. Quiet. Near secretive, sometimes." She settles back onto
her elbows as she listens, watching the cloubs move slowly, nodding now and
again. "Right - well, yes. I can't say it was a shocker to see Ys act that
way - she said Dianneth would have her be like that all the time. So -
difficult to tell. I'd imagine she might get fussy about how she looks,
vain as she is-" There's a rumble from the gold - indignant, yes, but
there's nothing that sounds like a denial. "Other than that, we'll have to
see. And... I know it's good to wonder about things, ask questions. It just
still feels - odd. Do people like them? So many seem a little less than
enthused." She wrinkles her nose, only flushing a little at the last. "I
know. I'll let you know if I'm uncomfortable. It is sort of nice to talk
about, though. And that - that was my thought. I mean - if that's the first
time - well. That's the way it happens." A nervous laugh, as she turns her
gaze to the skates glinting in the snow.

Kassima admits, turning her eyes upward, "Sometimes I find it uncanny. As
if'n the moons are great eyes, watching--benevolent sometimes, remote
others, and occasionally cold, but only rarely. In some ways I prefer it
t'sunlight. Sunlight's better for *doing* things in; moonlight's better for
thinking." She has to curve a rueful grin. "I bet Dianneth would. It seems
t'me the main difference in how some females act is whether she fights
it--as Lyss does; she doesn't want any part of males a'fore rising, or
while flying, though on rare occasions she's tolerated flattery. She's
determined nay t'be caught until the very end of it. Whereas other females
go more with the flow and welcome or at least tolerate the attentions, and
revel in the flying for its ending as well as its freedom. A'course, every
dragon's different, and some probably don't fall exactly either way, but
y'know what I mean? Mayhaps Liabeth will enjoy having browns and bronzes
paying attention t'her, if'n attention she enjoys. Or mayhaps she'll think
herself too fine for any of 'em and wish 'em gone." Her shrug is
good-naturedly helpless. "--Some do. 'Tis another thing that just depends
on the rider. 'Tis the ones most sexual by nature who usually seem t'look
forward t'risings and chasings, but there are likely exceptions even to
that. If'n 'tis the first time," she mentions, a hint of sympathy audible,
"in some ways that could be a good thing. For a woman, as I understand
it--m'first was a flight, so I don't know the alternative from
experience--the first isn't always very pleasant; in a flight, though, the
pain business is simply immaterial and you're nearly guaranteed a," cough,
"satisfactory conclusion. The downside is that if'n you wait for a flight,
you can't choose your partner. Which way is better's a personal sort of view."

"Never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. Thinking; doing. Or the
doing is less obvious at night, maybe." Gay considers this for a moment,
head tilted towards the sky, before continuing, "I'm not sure if she'd
fight it. It doesn't seem that she would be the fighting sort, but maybe.
All she'll ever say is that she'll fly fast and far." Her grin's a fond
one, and she spares a glance for Liabeth. A nod - and an amused and
slightly embarrassed glance for that cough, then; "I don't know what's
better, really. Guess I might have a different opinion if I had a
preference." She swings her legs over one side of the rock she's on, easing
herself down. "Which may or may not appear in the meantime. Right now, boys
are kind of silly." She grins up at the greenrider, shrugging. "Heard
that'll change too. Anyway, I should be getting us into bed. Early morning
- but, thanks. It's - good to hear all of it."

"Less public at night, certainly," Kassima assents, "and mayhaps more
subtle, depending on the person." It's her turn to turn a thoughtful look
on Liabeth--and then to snort in amusement. "I don't doubt that she will.
But should I get a chance, 'twill put marks on it now that I've heard it
from the source. If'n you've nay preference, and nay anyone you'd
particularly *object* to," she opines, looking back to Gay, "then you'll
probably be fine, if'n the first works out that way. But as you say,
there's time yet t'be seeing. And methinks boys are *always* kind of silly.
'Tis just that some of 'em manage t'make up for it." That's said with a
grin. "Shells, aye, 'tis late enough for sleeping--and you're welcome,
a'course. Always welcome. If'n you ever want t'talk about it more, or about
aught else in particular, y'know that's what I'm here for."

"Put marks on it? Shards, I guess people'd bet on it - they bet on
everything else." Gay twists a wry grin, as she heads towards Liabeth,
who's taking time to stretch our limbs and wings both before heading back
to the barracks. "-Object-. Well. There's people I'd prefer not to - be in
that position with -" And she's pink again, beneath the freckles. "But not
really object - I guess. And I guess I haven't seen any of 'em make up for
it yet?" She laughs, lifting a hand to salute. "I know. And it's a good
thing that you are. I think so, anyway." Smiling over, she nods to Lysseth
as well as her rider and heads over into the bowl. "Night!"