--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reach For the Stars


Date:  May 16, 2003
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Lake Shore, Skyspace, Star Stones, and Southern 
Bowl
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:  I was in such spam mode during this scene.  Thankfully,
Gay seemed to forgive me. :)  Kassi and Gay meet up again, and talk
about this and that--girly frills and Lysseth's preferences in males
included--before the greenrider offers to fulfill the Candidate's 
desire to visit the Star Stones and see the view from there.  It 
turns out that Gay hasn't been on a dragon before either, so Lysseth
gets the privelege of giving her first ride. :)  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Log:

Gay heads over from the central bowl.

Gay walks over from the bowl, face turned skyward to watch the stars as she
does. Her steps are unhurried, her frame relaxed - work's done for today,
and she's no need to rush anywhere.

Kassima has once again forsaken the rock that's usually her favorite perch
in favor of a seat in the meadow bordering the shore, with Lysseth just
behind her; perhaps the way this allows her to stretch out her legs is why,
or perhaps it's the proximity to flowers, since she's currently engaged in
braiding a flower wreath. Several small blossoms have been tucked here and
there in her braid, and a few petals dust the violet of her dress despite
herself. She hasn't much care for anything else around her, yet--Lyss,
despite the soft blue of her eyes and the slowness of their whirling that
might suggest she's less than completely alert, has more, and affords a
barely-audible rumble to the wandering Candidate.

Gay turns at the quiet rumble from the green, offering her a bright, wide
smile - she said -hello-, even! She angles soft steps towards Kassima,
eyeing the profusion of blossoms as she does. "Evening," she calls over,
though none too loudly. The night's not one for shouting just yet. "Do you
mind company? Either of you?"

"Evening, yourself," Kassima returns, looking up from her chain to smile at
the younger woman. Lysseth can't, of course, smile; but she doesn't twitch
or seem particularly wary of the other's approach. "Promise nay t'tell
anyone 'twas weaving flowers and you're welcome enough. Methinks most
people who know me would find it a bit too amusing. Have a seat? What has
you wandering out here this late?"

Gay drops to the nearby grass without ceremony, glancing sidelong at
Lysseth with some interest. "Does she mind just watching you?" she asks,
tone curious. "Or do you two 'talk'? And I won't tell anyone, though why
would anyone be that amused?" She leans over to look at the flowers. "Oh,
nothing much. It's just been a long, tunnel-snake-hunting day, and I wanted
some quiet. I rather like the lake as well. It's pretty."

Lysseth's long, slender head turns so that she can regard Gay for a moment,
gaze level and rather distant, but brief--she evidently doesn't feel the
Candidate's any danger to her or hers, since soon enough she's back to her
silent relaxing. Kassi laughs quietly at the question. "She isn't really
watching me so much as the Lake, the sky, the wind through the grass... but
nay, she doesn't mind too much. For awhile. We aren't talking right *now*;
we don't have to always, 'tis enough t'be together, y'know? But sometimes
we do. Or she might be talking to other dragons. I know she and Taralyth
have conversations sometimes, but I don't think she's talking t'him now;
mayhaps another, though." The dragon shows no visible reaction to the
quizzical look Kassi tosses back towards her. "Why? Probably because
flowers are such a girly thing. I don't think I'm perceived as the type,
though I could be wrong there." Her fingers, still reasonably nimble if a
bit swollen now, thread another stem through the half-woven crown. "Did you
get many tunnelsnakes? I don't blame you for that. Apart from the Star
Stones or a ledge, 'tis likely the best place for stargazing,
too--something about the water being here makes it tranquil at night. If'n
nay always by day."

Gay stretches out her legs in front of her, knocking her boots together
idly. "Ah, all right. I suppose it's like - just sitting in the same room
as family or something." She smiles, if a bit wistfully. "Oh - I guess it
might be kind of - girly. Or thought to be. I'm not a big one for girly
stuff either - but the flowers're pretty and at least you're doing
something -with- them. Going to wear them? Ot give them to one of your
kids? Or Lysseth?" A flash of a grin, then; "One or two. Yselle and I
weren't too bad at it. But couldn't scare up too many. As for the Star
Stones -" Here, a glance in their direction, "I hope I can get up there
some day."

"Mayhaps more than that. Depends on how close you are with your family
members," Kassima supposes, tipping her head back so that it rests,
momentarily, against Lysseth's side. "It might be more like just being with
a dear friend, or a beloved; but family can be both of those things."
Smiling, she lets her fingers idly stroke the flower petals for a moment.
"I wore flowers in m'hair t'my Weyrling graduation; don't know if'n I've
done it *publically* since. But something about being pregnant or having a
newborn makes me feel girly. I wove flowers when Kiss was a few months old,
too. Some girly things I like--I'm mad for jewelry," and she wiggles her
fingers a bit to let the bands and stones there catch at what moonlight
exists, "and I've gowns enough, but lace? Flower embroidery? Odd cosmetic
things and scents and all? I usually don't see the *point*. Methinks 'twill
wear these, since Kim's nay much the sort and Kiss is a bit in trouble.
Lyss might tolerate a flower-crown, but she's scarcely going t'get enthused
about the notion." *That* does win an amused sound from the green's throat.
Her rider grins back. "Good! I don't suppose either of you have
fire-lizards? They can be helpful, though 'tisn't as fun t'hunt that way.
And a'course some of the 'snakes make good food for 'em. Have you nay asked
a rider t'be taking you?"

"Close enough - I do miss them," Gay admits, looking out over the water.
"As much as my brothers irritate me, they're still good friends and decent
people, all things considered. But I imagine it's different, having someone
in your head." She peers over as the jewelry catches the light, admiring
the rings. "Oh, lovely... And I'm not much of a fan of lace m'self. Or
dresses. Mum says that'll change. I'll see." The amused sound draws a
glance from the girl and a grin. "Lysseth's not much for girly stuff
either?" she supposes. "And no 'lizards. And I hadn't yet - not much time,
and didn't want to be a bother."

"Will they be at the Hatching?" Kassi inquires, almost gently. "Nay that
you'd have time t'see them then, but methinks 'twould be a joy, t'have
family there on your day--whether you Impress or nay, because if'n you
don't, they'd be there t'comfort you. Aye, though, there's naught quite
like having a lifemate. Needless t'say. She knows me like nay anyone else
can, more than I know me sometimes, and so do I know her." The grin she
flashes at the admiration of her jewelry is sheepish; still,
"Thankee--gifts, most of 'em. And the one's m'graduation ring, a'course.
Most riders seem t'have one. Pshhh t'your mother--it might change, aye, but
it mightn't, and there's scarcely aught *wrong* if'n it doesn't. A good set
of dress leathers can be more practical than any dress, even for Gathers,
and... nay, nay precisely." The greenrider twists a fond look up at her
dragon, of which Lyss seems to take no more note than she did of the
quizzical look earlier. "She can be feminine when it suits her. With the
right males, or more oft male singular in her case. But much of the time
she doesn't see any reason t'bother with that sort of thing--flirting,
preening, y'know. A shame about the 'lizards. I suppose I could take you,
if'n you wanted t'be seeing; scarcely a difficult trip."

Gay nods slowly, answering, "I think they will be - if they can manage to
get here. They're not unhappy about my being here, though I think they'd
have preferred one of my brothers. But, it was me, and that's more than all
right." She smiles slightly, glancing at the green as well as she notes,
"That must be - something else. Someone knowing you like that - though
dress leathers? How're those different than the regular ones? And she
prefers one male to the others? I suppose it makes sense." At the last, she
protests, "It's awfully nice of you - but I wouldn't want you to get up,
not while you're all weaving and such."

Kassima gives a very quiet snort. "Preferred one of your brothers? I should
give the benefit of the doubt and assume there's a good reason, but I have
t'wonder what 'twould be? 'Something else' is one term for it. I can't
really imagine, anymore... I know 'twill likely sound mad, but I don't half
remember what 'tis like t'be alive without it. Sometimes the memory of how
I lived before Lyss is fuzzy--always has been, since I Impressed, so 'tis
nay only that it's been awhile. 'Tis almost as if'n life started over when
she found me." She knots the last stem, completing the crown, and gingerly
sets it atop her head: "What think you? Does it suit? Dress leathers aren't
much different; they might just--well, m'set isn't true *riding* leathers
as such. 'Tis leather slacks, and a leather sleeveless jacket over a sisal
blouse, with red and silver embroidery, d'you ken? So 'tisn't frilly or
feminine, and 'tis fairly durable, but 'tis also fancy enough that I don't
feel I'm shaming the Weyr or m'Wing by appearing a'fore Lords and their ilk
in it. Aye, Lyss does. Always has. The male changes sometimes. Adonith was
her first favorite; Sharath might count as the second. They talked quite a
bit, back when... but I don't know that he really counts, since they
weren't all that cozy really. Taralyth's been her favorite for nigh on
fourteen Turns now, 'twould be saying." Tilting her head as much as she
dares, lest the crown be dislodged, she points out, "'Tisn't really any
trouble; you're sure? I'm nay going t'insist on it, particularly if'n you'd
rather stay by the Lake, but if'n you do want t'go there's nay reason we
couldn't. I've finished m'crown and all."

"Well. One good reason, in their mind - they were fixing to make a good
match for me - and for them, truth be told." Gay shrugs a little, seeming
as if she doesn't think it's -that- big a deal. "and it doesn't sound mad.
You've been together for some time." The crown warrants a wide smile from
the girl, as she tilts her head critically. "Looks nice," she says, adding,
"And I think I know what you're gettng at - certainly sounds better than
some fussy dress." Then, carefully; "Does - does that mean you like the
rider too? Or is it completely separate? I mean, other than the flight..."
A blush begins to creep up her neck, slowly. "Not that you have to answer.
And... well... If you're sure it's not any trouble?"

"Oh, that." Kassima makes a face. "I understand that. 'Twasn't old enough
when I left home that m'parents were seriously thinking about it yet, but
Mum was beginning t'hint a little. 'Tisn't 'tall why I left, but I still
crinkled m'nose at the idea. We have--nay that long as riders go, but at
the same time, an awfully long time. Given the Pass and that Thread's been
Falling since a'fore I Impressed, our surviving this long is mayhaps
reasonably respectable, even if'n the age isn't. Thankee." That's for the
crown, and she grins along with it. "Exactly so! More practical for Gather
games, too. I'd like t'see someone play tug-of-war, or ride a bronco, or
chase a greased porcine, or mud-wrestle, or do an obstacle course in a
dress. Nay that I don't wear gowns sometimes, but nay if'n I think I'm
going t'miss out on that sort of fun by doing so. And I don't mind
answering." A slow grin replaces her earlier one, this one a touch rueful,
but also a touch amused. "Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Alyssa
and I were friends only--I don't favor women that way, and neither did she,
as best I know. Ev and I were... close. For a time. Until he left me. Is
and I, now; you could say I do. Certes he's m'best friend. I care very much
for him, about him. But I don't think he sees me that way, if'n you get me.
So I don't know if'n you could say 'like' in that sense." She lifts one
shoulder in a slightly uncomfortable shrug. "Digression. Nay, it's nay
trouble--just let me get up and get on, and we can take you for a short
jaunt at least. Lower your neck for me, would you, Lyss?"

"More than respectable," Gay says, pushing herself to her feet. "Says
something for your skill - and hers." She lifts her chin towards Lysseth.
"I really dislike dresses - but I think it's more bacuse I was forced into
them. If it'd been my choice, I might not be so - adamant about not wearing
'em." At the woman's shrug, she offers one of her own, with a quiet, "Ah.
It sounds - complicated." A pause, then; "All right, then!" Change of
subject's always good!

The greenrider grins at that, and--once she's stood--turns to give her
lifemate's shoulder a fond thumping. "More hers than mine, methinks. When
we're in the air, 'tis almost all her, at least when it comes t'keeping
*us* alive. Watching over and ordering our Wingmates is part her and part
me. Y'know, that might be so--I can't think of anyone who's in love with
something 'twere forced into when push comes t'shove. They really aren't so
bad, but I won't blame you a whit for nay liking 'em. And anyone who tries
t'get me t'prance around in one daily is asking for a grape up their nose."
Pause. She glances ruefully down at herself. "Current attire to the
contrary. But right now, a dress is easier than pants, so... complicated's
a word. A good word." Lysseth has meanwhile stretched out and lowered her
neck, as requested, so Kassi only has to do a bit of struggling to climb
into place. There are no straps, which may be why Lyss retains this less
than dignified position as Kassi invites, holding out a hand, "C'mon up
behind me? And y'might want t'hold onto me or something, if'n you're nervy
in flying, since there aren't any straps."

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.

Gay accepts Kassima's proffered hand and swings up onto Lysseth's lower
neckridges, settling herself behind Kassima carefully. Kassi grins and
reassures the dubious Lysseth that Gay is safe, and the green faces forward
as her rider gets ready to fly.

Gay says, with some embarrassment, "Actually - I haven't really be
a-dragonback before..." She looks over the side of the green, a tad
nervously. "I'm not sure if I'm nervy or not."

Kassima can't really turn around much--her seat on her dragon's neck is
somewhat awkward as it is--but she casts a sympathetic grin over her
shoulder as best she can. "Well, then, 'tis our honor t'give you your first
ride. But you'll definitely want t'hang on. Lysseth's takeoffs are a bit
abrupt, though she'll be more gentle right now--she's protective of me,
y'see. It won't be a long trip, and I do promise neither of us will let you
fall off."

<*> Lysseth, for her part, rumbles a noncommital comment to this accusation
of abruptness; to her credit, she's slow about raising her neck up to its
proper position, and rocking back on her haunches with wings outspread in
the classic preparation for flight.

"I trust you," Gay answers, loud enough for rider and dragon to hear,
though she does grasp onto the woman's shoulders - her middle's a bit wide
for wrapping arms about it - and lets out a breath. "Okay,' she calls,
sounding both nervous and excited all at once.

Kassima's flower-festooned head bobs in a decisive nod. "All right,
then--Lysseth, you heard her!" The green seems to take this as a signal:
without any vocal prelude, she jumps, wings flashing out to sweep the air
with charcoal.

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

You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor
to carry you aloft.

Gay gasps as Lysseth leaps into the air, grip tightening on Kassi's
shoulder for a moment. But as the green flies higher, the grip isn't as
tight, and there's obvious wonder in her voice as she calls above the wind,
"It looks so different - and I don't -feel- like I'll fall!"

<*> Lysseth holds true to her rider's promise, making as gentle an ascent
as she can--which still isn't *that* gentle. She's no hulk of a dragon to
be slow to gain the air. Once she's reached a suitable height, she flattens
her sails into a glide, curving just so to begin a single wide, slow
circle. "Thought you might like a chance t'take a look around, while we're
up here," Kassi explains, her voice raised to carry over the mild wind-rush
that her dragon's flight inevitably causes. "You should see it in the day,
especially now! The sun glints off the Lake just so, and the flowers are
just specks--people just specks, if'n you get high enough. So long as you
don't start leaning over too far or aught foolish, she won't let you fall!"
She doesn't seem to mind the grip, tightened or loosened; maybe she's used
to that sort of thing. "Ready t'head to the Stones?"

There's a long moment before Gay answers, passed in awed silence as -
presumably - she looks over the night-darkened landscape. "I'd like to see
that," she calls back. "In the day, I mean." Then, almost reluctantly, "I'm
ready."

Kassima lets that silence reign with no signs of impatience, nor does
Lysseth seem to mind making the circuit. The rider answers once Gay's
spoken, "If'n you don't Impress, and haven't had the chance to by then, and
decide t'leave the Weyr, send word t'me first and we'll bring you up so you
can. If'n you do, a'course, you'll see more of it than you ever want to
during drills! And 'twill ask Lyss t'go slow--" She laughs, suddenly. "Or
as slow as she can. She's fast, is my lady. We'll go!"

You fly towards the south end of the bowl.

You fly over towards the Star Stones.

Gay's only a little shaky as Lysseth lands, not letting go of Kassima just
yet. "I - I will." She pauses for a moment, hands slipping from the other
woman's shoulders as she admits quietly, "I hope I get to see more of it
than I'd ever like to, Kassi. I want to stay, and it'd be so much easier to
stay that way." A glance around, then; "You can see near as much from here
as you can from the air..."

<*> Lysseth has more luck with a delicate descent than a delicate ascent.
Her hindclaws click against the stone first, wingsails belling as she
backwings and cups the air to slow herself, and only once she's firmly
perched does she greet Pteynth. "There's nay shame in wanting that," Kassi
murmurs back. "I hope that you can stay on, too, in one way or another. But
I haven't a clue what makes a dragon choose someone, so I can't offer
assurances like 'Methinks 'twill'--whether or nay 'twas true, I'd be doing
you a disservice t'say it. Because it's so easy t'be wrong." Her smile
can't be seen, faced forward as she is, but it can perhaps be heard in her
voice as she agrees, "You can--and 'tis usually only the watchpair up here,
so there's peace... silence, for thinking, or stargazing, or breaking in
practicing music if'n that's one's intent. Or I've occasionally used it as
a perch from which t'throw fish heads down on people, proddy. I don't think
that's normal, though. D'you want t'get down and look about, or keep to the
view from here?"

"I think I'll stay, if Lysseth doesn't mind - I'd like this whole 'flying
on a dragon' thing to last as long as it can. Memories are better that way,
I guess." Gay pats the green's side hesitantly and gently, answering,
"Thank you - and I wouldn't want just some empty reassurance. If it
happens, it happens. If it doesn't - well. It's been good to be here, and I
got to meet all of you, and fly to the Star Stones and have -friends- that
aren't related to me." There's a moment or two that pass, then she can't
help but ask, "Fish heads?"

Lysseth's hide is warm to the touch, and soft. She tolerates the gesture--a
rumble acknowledges it, perhaps sets her hide to vibrating gently, but the
sound isn't displeased. "She doesn't mind," Kassima translates. "Since you
hadn't the bad manners t'throw up on her or aught. She's really never going
t'forgive Tasayli for that... well, anyway. For what 'tis worth, I'm sure
you've heard the whole 'if'n you don't Impress it just means your dragon
wasn't here' thing by now. It probably sounds like schtick. But there's
some truth to it. If'n you remember how I said I'd a daughter riding brown
at Ista--she Stood twice a'fore, once at Ista and once here, a'fore Pheirth
found her; so 'tisn't always schtick, and there are plenty of riders about
who Stood more than once who could tell you the same." A low chuckle
follows, just barely audible. "I think sometimes even if'n Lysseth had been
in a different clutch, or hadn't been born at all, I'd nay have regretted
m'Candidacy for just those reasons you mention. 'Tis an experience. Oh,
fish heads--" Does she blush? It's nearly impossible to see; the back of
her neck might be visible past the braid, a bit, but as dark as this the
flush would still be hidden. There's a hint of it in her voice, though.
"When Lysseth's proddy, and I am, we tend to be... ah... violent.
Emphatically so. It makes me feel a bit better t'hunt and kill
things--tunnelsnakes, fish. I've been known t'take the fish I've speared
and clean 'em up here, and throw their heads down at people, out of petty
spite I guess."

Gay sounds somewhere between astounded and amused, stifling a laugh.
"Tasayli -threw up- on her. Oh -my-. I wouldn't have been happy with that
either! I really don't blame her." A pause, then, "You know, it doesn't.
I've actually had riders tell me just that - they've Stood once or twice
before they came here and found their lifemates - so there's proof. And
yeah." The smile is there in her words, as she adds, "It's been nice to be
around girls, even. I didn't know too many at home." Then, quieter, "Oh. Er
- violent. Right - Javi'd said something about Kich having knives."
Tenatively, "Not everyone gets that way, do they?"

"Mmm-hmm." Kassi sounds decidedly amused. "It's been a few Turns, but Lyss
remembers enough t'know she's opposed to being thrown up on on principle.
'Tis all the more reason t'stay on, hey? I mean, if'n you went back to
Lemos, but were meant to Impress, Search dragons from somewhere would
probably find you. But if'n you stay on, it might be more certain. Several
of those who Stood again and again and again and finally did Impress were
Weyr-dwellers, whether they'd been born in one or nay." Shifting subjects:
"You seemed t'get along well with Yselle and Javinia, at the dinner? And
there are probably others. Others you get along with, I mean; I know there
are others period! Ah, nay." Sheepishness, thy name be Kassima. "Nay quite.
'Tis one of the two more common variants, 'twould hazard. Many, mayhaps
most, greenriders get... well, a bit sex-obsessed, when proddy, which is
probably understandable given what proddiness *is*. Some of 'em sleep with
anyone who'll let 'em; others flirt up a storm but won't actually let
themselves be touched; yet others go around in transparent clothing, or
some such--and then there are the violent ones, who spend most of the time
angry and would as soon skewer you as look at you. Besides those, there are
some who get airheaded or silly or foolish, some who seem t'spend most of
the time being hungry, some who scarcely notice aught at all, some who are
happy or carefree or anxious. I could go on all night, really. Proddiness
can be very particular to an individual pair."

"Well," Gay hedges, "If I don't, I'll have to see what my folks say. Rather
stay here, though. There's way more to do and see, and way more people -
and it's just -brilliant- to live here. And I do! Though I rather wish Ys'd
tell T'van to stop going on about how ugly she is. Doesn't help her any.
Javi's great - though better-raised than I was." There's amusement there -
she doesn't seem to mind that she's not quite the proper holder-girl. "Oh -
well... I guess that's good. I try not to worry about it - so sense in
borrowing trouble, yeah? But sometimes, I wonder. Maybe I'd shut up for
once. That'd be a change."

Kassima's head tilts for a moment, before memory strikes: "Oh, right, I
remember you saying that a'fore. Mayhaps your family would be
willing--might depend on how set they are on that match for you, I suppose.
You can't really seek handfasting partners in a Weyr... nay that nay
*anyone* here is handfasted, 'tis just nay so common. I do agree with you
about T'van if'n he's been doing that. On the other hand, if'n she wants
him t'quit that, she might need t'stop teasing him back--or just ask him
t'tease her on something else rather than nay tease her at all. Since
one-sided taunting isn't really fair." Trust her to know. "'Better' is
probably arguable. Being raised with more money doesn't make her better,
nor her raising, though I don't think her parents would have aught
t'complain of in her either. What, you wonder what you'd be like proddy? Or
what 'twould be like t'live around the proddy? Or what 'twould be like if'n
you rode male, and proddiness had new significance?"

"I don't -want- a handfasting, anyway. Boys irritate me, mostly." The tinge
of disgust is there in Gay's voice - likely from beng one girl amid all
those brothers. "And yeah, I suppose she needs to do the standing up, no
one else. It's hard to watch, though. Hard to listen to." A rustle as she
shrugs slightly, covering a quiet yawn. "Well. Not so much the more money.
We've enough. She's likely turned out the way I think my mum sort of wishes
I had. And - I suppose all of it. Though I'm getting used to living
around..." A flush colours her voice, noting, "If I have to worry about it,
I just hope I don't hate - whoever I wind up with." A pause, then, "Anyway.
You have no idea how much I hate to say this, but I should get back to the
barracks. Chores come early."

Kassima has to grin, and the grin's clear when she speaks. "Men at least
have their good points, though I don't know about boys who don't happen
t'be m'sons and thus among the eight most glorious beings on the planet.
Just don't tell 'em I said so. I hope Yselle does prod at him; I know
they're friends, and some friends tease, but that's a fairly harsh thing
t'be teasing about with someone you care for. Feh, what, because she's
girly? I'd nay call that better-raised either. Just different." After Gay
speaks the last, Lysseth starts to unfurl her wings, though whether at the
Candidate's direct words or at a silent prompting from Kassi is impossible
to tell; the rider herself quips, "There's always hoping. I could say more
about that, but we'd definitely be here all night, and aye, 'twould be
better t'get you home. Hang on and we'll head down, aye?"

Gay seems to be grinning a little herself, noting, "I'll see when there're
actually men that're my age. And secret's safe with me. And - different.
Well, without different, things'd be boring for sure, and Faranth knows I
couldn't stand that." Her tone's cheerful enough, as she hangs onto Kassi's
shoulders again, resettling nervously on Lysseth's back. "Another time,
maybe. And okay! I'm ready to go!"

"Variety's the sweetener, spice, and everything nice of life," Kassi
sing-songs, sounding half facetious, as if aware of how cliche this is.
"All right. Away we go!"

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

You spring off the edge of the Star Stones, soaring up over the bowl.

You fly downwards towards the bowl.

Gay unbuckles herself from Lysseth's straps and climbs back down to the
ground, looking a little disoriented from the flight.

<*> Lysseth coasts as much as backwings to a landing this time, her curved
descent slow enough that there's not as much need to lose momentum. The
landing-place she chooses is outside the light thrown out from the Living
Cavern entrance, but only just; it shouldn't be hard to find the way inside
from here. "Methinks this is where we bid you good evening," Kassi says
once Gay's on the ground, offering a grin down. "I for one hear some salted
water for soaking m'ankles in calling. G'night t'you, hey, and g'luck with
those chores tomorrow?"

<*> Gay climbs down when Lysseth's settled herself, perhaps a little
shakily, and grins widely up at Kassi. "Sounds like a good idea. And good
night to you both. And thank you for the ride! It was brilliant." Her gaze
turns to the green's large head. "Thanks, Lysseth. I was only a little
scared." Back to the Wingleader, still grinning. "Good luck? I'll need it
if I'm in the kitchens!" A merry laugh, and she speeds into the caverns and
to bed.