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Storm Gathering


Date:  August 30, 2008
Place:  Igen Weyr's Rim
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:  I owe a lot of people thanks for their help with this
event. :)  E'vrin inspired the idea with something he wrote to Kassi 
long ago.  Sylotra, Jaecar, Sria, and Naara all submitted some of the 
atmospheric @emits that ran throughout.  Sylotra, R'din, Josilina, and 
A'deth contributed gifts to the grab bag.  Kaimi desced up the gorgeous 
feast, and many Candidates and Weyrfolk came out to play, which above 
all made it a success. :)

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The Log:

As yet the storm is a threat, not a reality: dark clouds drawing together
over the far desert, though here there's plenty of late afternoon sunlight.
It has an odd cast, perhaps, due to the water vapor in the air and the
shadows cast by wisps of cloud streaming overhead to join the rest.
Kassima's trying to make sure everything's just *so*. Blankets? Check!
Cushions? Check! Glowbaskets? Food? She snitches a grape before she thinks
anyone can see. Check, and yum!

Neiravi is dropped off by a lean young brown and his rider, who gives her
and everyone else a rakish wink. "J'har, *behave* yourself--" He just
laughs and wings off on some other errand. She sighs, smiling and shaking
her head, and walks over to peer with equal interest at the grab bag and
the food. "Will the dragons be serving as extra weather protection, if it's
necessary?"

Daianth appears from the side of the Weyr Rim, curving upwards before
landing easily on the Rim, well away from the gathering people, moving into
a low crouch to allow his passengers off. R'din unbuckles himself, swinging
off the blue, landing with his knees bent, peering about.

Kaveshun nearly missed this picnic. He would have, too, if a young
greenrider didn't grab onto his arm and nearly shoved him onto his small
green dragon. Thankfully it was a direct flight, even if Kav ended up
clinging in fear to young G'ran. "That wasn't funny," Kav growls as he
makes his way off the dragon, trying not to look shaken up in front of
everyone. G'ran, of course, was laughing at the boy's fears. The candidate
brushes off, sweeps red hair off his face, and quickly moves away from the
dragon and all the others and towards the inviting blankets for security.

Hector isn't particularly experienced hitching rides on dragons. In fact,
he has only done it a couple times, and he still isn't particularly used to
it. Since R'din and Daianth were nice enough to give him a ride, though, he
can't really complain. Even when he practically lands on his face when
trying to get off the blue. "Shells. How do you do that without breaking
your neck?" He brushes the dust from his hands and then his clothing.

Jaelith alights quickly, pale green wings shedding wispy vapor trails.
A'deth swings down stiffly and strides toward Kassima, and his pale green
settles herself somewhere suitably solitary to watch the eventual stormy
tableau.

Kassima glances up at the sky, gauging the look of it. "'Tisn't supposed
t'be raining this far," she says, "but since 'supposed to' doesn't always
work with weather--" Lysseth's settled herself somewhere away from the
picnic spread, and turns her head to just eye her rider. "--We'll get
drenched and suffer a'fore we even think of asking you t'put yourself out,
Your Ladyship. Naturally. Methinks we'll be all right, Neiravi, but I did
haul up blankets in case the wind gets a bit much." One last fuss with the
cushions and she gives it up; people are gathering, so here's hoping
everything's as good as it needs to be. "Go ahead and help yourselves to
the food, all--Kaimi's t'be thanked for it! And her assistants too. Glad
t'see you, beloved." That's her softer greeting to A'deth, and the smile
she gives him is his alone.

Neiravi likes her spleen right where it is, thanks, and so would never
dream of asking Lysseth to do anything she didn't feel inclined to. "Good
to know. The wind feels fine right now." She lifts her chin, catching a
cool gust just right, and lets herself relax a bit. She also waves at
Hector, and offers Kaveshun a sympathetic smile. "Tell G'ran he left your
stomach down in the Bowl."

R'din smiles, looking at Hector, "Well, when you dismount a dragon, you
want to bend your knees, that way they absorb the impact instead of you
falling face-flat." He winks, motioning for Hector and Iesia to join him in
joining the rest of the people, strolling into the gathering, "Kaimi! Now
there's a name I haven't heard in a while... Hey, grapes!" And the
bluerider goes straight for them!

Dark clouds gather over the horizon, beginning to spin slowly as they
thicken and darken. Every so often there's a flash that might be lightning,
but the resulting rumbles are at least twenty seconds behind and sound more
like a feline's purr than a thunder's roll. The air is heavy and hot, like
the luncheon soup condensed in the atmosphere. The stone in places crackles
with the heavy static electricity. The storm is alive, but sleeping yet.

Hector makes a face at R'din. "That's easy for you to say," he says
regarding the advice about dismounting. "You're still having to go from all
the way up there--" he points to the top of Daianth-- "to here." And he
points to the ground. He smiles and waves to the others gathered around.
"Wow, you really get a good view of the storm clouds from here, don't you?"
He looks out over the desert for a moment, before he gets distracted by the
picnic.

A brown dragon waits hiw turn to alight on the rim, crouching down low to
allow his passengers, Desdinova and Josilina, to dismount easily. The girl
scampers down first, a bit awkwardly and clearly not accustomed to being
dragonback. ONce her feet are on solid ground, though, she turns and offers
a hand out to the other passenger, should the woman desire a stadying hand
in getting down. Des's attention, however, is mostly on the growing crowd,
and the clouds that are reolling in over the desert.

Iesia slides down from the back of a young green. She glances first towards
the storm, and then towards the gathering crowd. But as she walks away from
her ride, it's not the cushions and the food that she heads towards, but
rather the large blue Daianth.

"We've enough dragons up here even without Her Ladyship--" A'deth drawls to
Kassima, as he leans in to kiss her cheek-- now, isn't he frightfully
domestic? "--To provide a canopy of dragonwings for those who can't stand
to get wet."

Kaveshun's slightly green face turns towards Neiravi when he finds a spot
he deems safely away from all the landing dragons. He doesn't want to get
squished. "It ain't /that/ bad," he lies. "My stomach ain't gonna be
bothered by that little flight." His pale face and jerky glances towards
the arriving dragons say otherwise, but he even tries to show off by moving
towards the laid out food. "Mmm, now this is a meal." He plucks a grape but
only holds onto it, nodding his head to any familiar face he might see.

Jaireth backwings to land neatly.

B'yan vaults down Jaireth's side to the ground, using his foreleg as a step.

Josilina makes use of Desdinova's offered hand, but from her light touch
the girl might guess it's a courtesy rather than a necessity, as the
Weyrwoman dismounts with ease. "Thank you," she says, polite, running an
eye across the growing crowd. "Oh, /pillows/," she notes with approval.
"And food. Quite the setup," she observes to no one in particular, though
she keeps an eye on her companion.

Salitra looks at the storm clouds, watching them circle. After a few
minutes, she goes to the food and takes some Wherry and some grapes,
settling down. Listening to the storm and the talk of the other Salitra
eats her food, paying heed to anyone who would like to go past her.

IGEN-> Salitra laughs, "I've never seen so many people in one place at once."

IGEN-> R'din grins. Just wait until the Hatching. ;)

Kassima beams at Hector. "That's the idea. 'Tis every bit what I hoped
'twould be, at least so far. You can smell the rain even from here!" And
one can, after a fashion... the air carries a definite tang of ozone. She
turns into A'deth's kiss; she returns it, nauseating as they are, and
shares a beam with him too before remembering a thing: "And, Candidates,
there's a gift for each of you in that big black bag. Draw it at random,
see what you get, whenever suits you. I packed it full m'self so I can be
promising everything Vijaya's been saying about donating thongs shaped like
herdbeasts? Lies. All lies, thank *Faranth*."

IGEN-> Salitra says, "I don't think I would like to see that JUST yet. That
would be too many people.:)"

IGEN-> R'din has to say that he's impressed at how orderly it's been so
far. ;)

Desdinova's gaze moves back from the cloud to the crowd, and there is a
too-obvious falter in her step at it. "Shards." She says, under her breath.
But the presence and scruitiny of Josilina leaves little room for
cowardice, and after a glance at the goldrider she moves towards the food
laid out. "May I get you anything, ma'am?" She says, voice straining to be
heard over the din of the packed rim.

IGEN-> Salitra laughs. "Is it usuaklly worse than this?"

It's not common that the Weyrleader would show up fashionably late, for
B'yan is certainly dressed up for some occasion: Off-white collared shirt
with beige pants. Dismounting with a show of noble grace, he gives the
bronze one slap before moving away. Those closest to him are able to get
his nodded greeting as he moves toward the crowd and clearly looks around
for something. Perhaps a table full of wine.

Neiravi grins sidelong at Kaveshun. "And we have plenty of time to eat it,
so those with delicate stomachs can settle themselves." For her part,
she'll let the food be (for now) and look thoughtfully at that grab bag.
"But you never know when you'll *need* a herdbeast-shaped thong..." She
cuts the sentence off as the Weyrleader makes an appearance, and pretends
to be very, very interested in something. Anything.

That flash of lightning doesn't fail to get R'din's attention, and it does
as he reaches the bowl of grapes, popping one into his mouth, watching it.
"Yummy for both the eyes and mouth. Heh." The last is directed at Hector's
words to him, "Then I guess you'd be glad that Daianth's not a bronze." He
teases. Speaking of the blue, Daianth notices Iesia making his way towards
him when most others are going the other way, offering the Candidate a
rumble, giving her a small nudge with the side of his head.

IGEN-> R'din says, "Well, the pace is nice. :) Hatchings, you can barely
read what's going past. *blink*"

Reaching her hand out, Iesia happily scratches at Daianth's eyeridge after
he nudges her. "Hello, Daianth," she offers him quietly. She's careful to
keep her dress from getting oily, or gooey (Dragon slobber, ya know).
"Enjoy the storm," she tells him before heading back towards the group,
gaze searching.

IGEN-> Neiravi is always grateful for the Hatching logs.

IGEN-> Salitra says, "Well then, I'll take your word on it. My mom used to
play, and she told me Hatchings can get pretty bad. She said that people
would type so much, that it would stop the game, and when it started
showing everything people typed, you would have many different types of
answers."

Lanisa's taken up a place off a bit to the side, two cushions she's
hoarding to herself at either end of her lanky frame. No blue in sight, of
her own at least, Tisiath off somewhere after presumably dropping the
Weyrsecond at some point. Her eyes at least are open, for all that she's
still...A bread twist as yet unnibbled in one of the hands folded over her
chest.

Kaveshun stands up a bit straighter as he glances back towards Neiravi. "I
don't /have/ a delicate stomach! 'm a strong man!" A bit too defensive,
isn't he? He pops the grape into his mouth and tries not to look like he
wanted to be sick right there, and failing some. He turns a bit greener and
looks away instead. When he finally forces the bit of food down, he takes a
few deep breaths. "Gifts? What kinda gifts? I ain't got no use for girly
things..."

Hector sits down with the others, grabbing a redfruit and some cheese. "A
little rain never hurt anyone, if the storm happens to come this way. Helps
keep the dust down." The flashes of lightning are entrancing, and even
though he listens to what the others are talking about, he has a hard time
taking his eyes from the storm. "If Daianth was a bronze, I probably would
still be up there. I'd never be able to get down, and I'd probably grow old
and die clinging to his riding straps. Runnerbeasts, now they're easy to
get on and off of. Why can't you be the size of a runner?" he asks in
Daianth's direction, even though he doesn't know if the dragon is even
listening.

The sizzling sun squints through the dominating blankets of cloud. The sky
grows darker moment by moment, the deep purple and grey-blue contrasting
the orangey-reds of the vanishing Rukbat. All is still for a moment, or so
it seems from a distance, but nothing stays stagnant for long. Soon, sand
glitters as its jostled up from the ground by a playful wind and flung into
the air to shimmer in little swirls before rejoining its brethren on the
endless Igen sands.

Josilina flicks a glance - just a glance - over at the landing bronze
before turning away to hide a smile. "On time as ever, B'yan," she calls to
her Weyrleader. Nevermind that she only just arrived. "Oh, if they've some
fruit, I'd love some. Thank you." she answers Desdinova. "You needn't stay
with an old lady like me though," she teases the candidate a little. "I
imagine you've friends up here?" she guesses, scanning the crowd again, and
familiar faces get nods: Lanisa, Kassima, A'deth among them.

Salitra takes in a deep breath, smelling the air. Letting her gaze fall
across the crowd, she looks at some people she's seen before, but doesn't
really know, giving some people who look her way a polite nod before going
for another grape. Over hearing Hector, Salitra laughs slightly and looks
at Daianth.

A'deth gives Josilina an airy little wave, and seems content to lounge
about laconically... well, almost content. "To /Between/ with fruit. Did
anyone," he inquires wistfully of no one in particular, "Bring any wine?
It's not a civilised party without wine. Grapes don't count, they're too
far from the bottle to impart any sort of proper satisfaction."

Desdinova makes up a small plate of various fruits, heavy on the citrus
fruit, and carries it back to Josilina. "It's no problem, ma'am." She says,
offering it out. "truth be told, it's easier to enjoy things like this if I
have something to do. I'm still pretty uncomfortable when things get
crowded. It was a /very/ small hold that I grew up in." She does look
around though, and Hector and R'din get bright smiles and a faint wave,
though that's likely easily overlooked.

Kassima mutters, "I know very well when 'twill need a herdbeast thong.
Never. Ever, ever, *ever*." She gives a theatrical shudder. Finding herself
a plate to fill, she raids the picnic with enthusiastic efficiency, ending
up with grapes, bananas, peppers, an ovine kabob, one of the pan bagna
sandwiches, more peppers... gee, could she be expecting someone with a
pepper fetish to steal off her plate? Or perhaps she's trying for exactly
that. "G'deve, Josilina," she calls over a muted rumble. "Depends what you
draw, Kaveshun, but there aren't any lace-covered underpants in there
either. A'course there's wine!" Not quite a full table of it, but 'skins of
water, juice, wine, and one glass bottle of something amber-colored sit at
one edge of the picnic cloth. No klah, with no way to keep it warm here.

If he couldn't find the table, it was just as well - B'yan has his own cup
in hand, weaving slowly through the crowd with a plastered smile on his
face as those stop to pass words with him. He looks the picture quality of
good public relations. Somehow, as he sidles up to Josilina, his cup is
filled. Tossing a genteel nod in the Weyrwoman's company's direction, "And
here I wanted to be a party crasher," gets murmured to Josilina, his
lopsided smile near infectious. Straightening, "Of course I'm on time," he
says this a little more loudly. "Got dressed up and everything. Evening,"
and this last given to those nearby enough to hear it, along with a
punctuated lift and drink from his cup.

Seeing as she is by herself, Salitra sits down with a cup of juice,
lowering her gaze slightly, though flicking her eyes up every once in
awhile, just to see the clouds circle again.

Neiravi is content to be overlooked when it comes to thongs. "Can we draw
something now?" she asks in Kassima's general direction. Hector's complaint
to Daianth has her laughing, softly.

R'din realizes that he's already eaten about fifteen grapes by now, looking
down at the bowl. Deciding to be sociable, R'din takes a couple of handfuls
of grapes on a plate, leaving the majority for the rest of the people.
"Don't want to get thrown off the Rim..." He says out aloud to himself,
casting the grapes a longing look before moving to find a cushion for
himself. He snickers at Hector's words, returning the smile to Desdinova,
"Hey, Des! Good to see you." Nod, moving away from the table. That is,
until Iesia's dress catches his eye, not the storm. "Hey!" He gives the
Candidate a wide smile as Daianth happily accepts her attention, eyeing
Hector afterwards, responding with a smug rumble before turning his
attention back to the storm.

Constant flickers of hidden lightning highlight the broad streaks of dark
grey clouds as they flow across the sky like some graceful tangle of dragon
wing and limb, banking, gliding slowly across the desert sky. Softer blues
and pale purples blend along the outer edges of the storm front. The sandy
slopes beneath the flickering skyscape almost seem to glow with an eerie
red-orange as Igen's late afternoon light is quickly swallowed up by the
coming storm.

Josilina adjusts her hat against what's left of the sun - it's not as loud
as her usual, but has plenty of ribbons trailing from the brim. "That's
understandable - and thank you," she nods to Desdinova, taking some fruit.
"It's a sight, isn't it?" she nods out to the storm, careful to look out
but not down. "They're so rare, hereabouts." She flashes a sidelong smile
to B'yan, "Aren't you /always/ a party crasher?" she retorts, offering him
a fruit slice. "Dressed," she twists his words, teasing. "An accomplishment
for you?" She winks, and edges to one side - away from the edge - to let
someone pass. "Oh, and this is Desdinova," she introduces him. "Desdinova,
Weyrleader B'yan."

"Is it fashionable t'be on time?" Lanisa asks, likely in response to those
words overheard from B'yan. "I always thought the trendy were late." She's
quiet again after that for a moment, watching the mostly hidden lightning,
and more likely, because she finally takes a bite from her twisty bread.

Ahah! Iesia grins, and slides through the crowd towards R'din, returning
his greeting with a casual little shrug and a quick, "Hello." Desdinova is
given a brief glance, but her expression is neutral. Indifferent. "Why am I
not surprised to see you have already devoured half the grapes?" she asks,
her attention back on the bluerider. "Hello, Hector," she tells her fellow
candidate, giving him a brief smile as well.

"Oooh, how thoughtful." A'deth beams at Kassima, and heads for the table,
and considers. The amber stuff, or the wine? It's a good thing that he's a
reprobate, and thus eschews moderation: he absconds with a skin of his
favored white /and/ the bottle /and/ several glasses, minded to either play
lush or bartender... or both. "And what do you mean, no lace-covered
underpants? There's always room for lacy underpants. Even on these lovely
untouchables! Deprivation, I hear, is good for the soul. Pesky things.
...Is this brandy?"

Hector gives a smile and a wave to Desdinova when he sees her smile in his
direction. He scots a little closer to her so they can actually have a
conversation. "What do you suppose is in that bag?" he asks, leaning a
little closer to Desdinova. "Did I hear Kassima right that it's all
underwear?" He could easily be wrong in that. Iesia catches his attention
and he gives her a grin. "Hey there. Some storm, huh?"

Kaveshun has yet to sit down on the ground so that he can shuffle back and
forth, keeping out of the way. Eventually his face (and stomach) settles
enough to grab himself a kabob and then shuffles towards the bag. "Nothing
frilly and lacy and ugly? Can we switch the gifts with others?" He eyes it
warily before pulling off a large chunk of ovine and chewing on it noisily.
Shrugging a shoulder in Neiravi's direction at her question to the
greenrider, he doesn't really wait for an answer before reaching in to pull
something out of the bag with his cleaner hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, sir." Desdinova replies politely, offering him a
smile. "And thank you and Jaireth for the oppertunity to be a Candidate."
The comment on being dressed up has her looking over the weyrleader, and
then at a few of the other people present, a flush creeping along her
cheeks. "I feel decidedly underdressed, though." She comments, uncosciously
straighting her rather plain outfit. R'din gets a glance, "Hello!" But her
attention auickly moves away from him when Iesia claims his attention, a
frown touching her lips briefly.

"Absolutely," Kassima tells Neiravi, bobbing her head for good measure.
It's a balancing act to keep her food-weighted plate on one hand and filch
a cushion for herself with the other; she manages, and sinks down to sit,
and eat, and watch the sky churn like a Candidate's stomach. "I encourage
it, in fact. Since I'm shamelessly curious about what you'll all get.
...Shells, A'deth, you never mentioned t'me 'twere a lace sort of man. If'n
I'd known--" It's a good thing she doesn't finish the sentence. "Aye,
brandy. Once you've drawn," she tells Kaveshun "'tis yours, so if'n you
find someone wanting t'swap I guess you could."

Neiravi is with Desdinova in the poor-underdressed-me camp. "If I'd known
there would be so many illustrious names attending," she agrees, "I'd have
changed before catching my ride. Oh well, maybe whatever I draw will add
some flair to my outfit." She shoots one wistful glance at the white wine
A'deth has stolen--she'll have to live with red--and quickly snatches
something out of the black bag, right after Kaveshun.

R'din overhears Lanisa's words, and he can't help but butt in with, "If
anyone ever tried that trendy excuse with Thread or drills, they wouldn't
make it out intact." Having put in his two bits, R'din simply grins at
Iesia, popping a grape into his mouth in response to her words,
"Naturally." Chew chew. Swallow. He steps back, motioning to his own
clothes, "What do ya think? I figured my Gather clothes would be a nice fit
for this little rare event." And with that, he turns his eyes towards the
storm, giving it a moment of his undivided attention. Quietly, perhaps a
passing person would be able to overhear him, "Love to be riding in that..."

Kaveshun pulls out her little sculpture, frowning at it. "A fake bubbly?"
is his first impression, before he sees all the carving.

Storm? What storm? B'yan seems to be oblivious of it for the moment. "It's
gracious of you to notice, my good Weyrsecond," he drawls this to Lanisa's
words, a brief raise of his cup in approval. "I aim to not disappoint."
Eyes flicking over to Josilina now, regarding the offered fruit and her
words with a quirk of lips, "I'm a smuggler, too," he's open to add on
crashing parties. "Got an official title and everything." The cup gets
raised again in indication. And while he could add more, words perhaps not
appropriate for all in his vicinity, it's just as well the Weyrleader cuts
them off to turn towards the young woman she introduces with a more kinder
smile. "Desdinova, is it? Well met. Please, just B'yan," he's brisk to wave
away the 'sir' in good humor. As to her glance towards his clothes, a hand
lifts up to rub at the back of his head and chuckles. "Well, uh, force of
habit for me," he states with a quick glance the Weyrwoman's way. His nod
is also sent towards Neiravi and Hector as they come near, offering a
quick, "Evening to you, and you."

IGEN-> Salitra sighs and says, "I've got to go."

Hector gets another little grin, and a nod of Iesia's head. "Yes. Sure is
something," she says of the storm, giving it her attention for a moment as
well. Those big names are ignored, and Iesia turns her attention back to
the grape-popping dragonrider. "Very nice," she decides, arching an eyebrow
at his outfit. "A wonderful storm-watching outfit." As he turns his
attention towards said storm, Iesia moves half a step closer and slides her
arms casually around his. "And get struck by lightening? Hm. Not one of
your better ideas," she teases.

IGEN-> R'din aws! Glad you came! :)

IGEN-> Lanisa wavers, "Take care." :)

IGEN-> B'yan says, "Take care, Salitra!"

IGEN-> Salitra says, "Thanks! Bye everyone!"

IGEN-> Salitra waves goodbye and goes home

IGEN-> Hector says, "Aw, see you later!"

Kaveshun pulls out her little sculpture, frowning at it. "A fake bubbly?"
is his first impression, before he sees all the carving. He doesn't seem
too impressed by it all. The same way all the lightning and pretty colors
weren't really drawing his attention, either. He holds the carving every
which way before shrugging. "You'd think they'd give us more useful gifts
to help us with chores or something," he comments towards Neiravi. He gives
his clothes and everyone else's a glance, shrugging his shoulders when he
realizes it was the same old rags compared to some of the finer attires. He
moves back to the closest blanket and the food, finally folding his legs
under himself to sit.

"In/deed/," A'deth says gravely to Kassima, and absconds with a pillow,
too, and settles down beside her. To R'din, he exclaims, "Are you daft,
man? You can't ride in that. If the updrafts and downdrafts don't blow
Daianth's wings to little bloody broken bits, the lightning'll fry you
crispier than these absolutely delicious--" And he does indeed filch
something from Kassima's plate, "--pepper things here." And to Neiravi, he
just beams.

"Oh, did he Search you?" Josilina wonders of Desdinova. She seems to be
comfortable to listen to the crowd, more than participate, nodding to any -
candidates or otherwise - who approach or direct their attention this way.
She does offer, though, to underdressed Desdinova: "Would you like my hat?"
She nibbles at another slice of fruit, eyeing the colors of the sky. "It'd
make a lovely painting."

"Hello sir," Hector says to B'yan, trying not to sound too awkward. He has
seen the Weyrleader around, but they have never actually had a
conversation. The flashes of lightning and roiling dark clouds continue to
distract him, though he tries not to shut out everyone else completely.

So distant, one can't hear the falling rain over the hiss of wind that's
begun to pick up even here, sufficiently strong to blow one's hair about if
not to disrupt the party. Not all the change in ground color is from the
storm's shadow now; water pounds down, seeps in, swallowed eagerly by
sun-blasted earth that hasn't yet drunk its fill. Blurred bands of lighter
and deeper grey streak between the darkness of sky and the darkness of land.

Lanisa tips her head back to cast a grin B'yan's way. With no drink to
toast with, it's her snack that gets raised in recognition, "One tries,
eh." It's once that's said she searches out where R'din's voice had
traveled from and grins his way. "Aye, well. Doesn't stop some from
thinking they are above such trifles as maneuvers that might save their
hides, eh? If I were callous I'd say they weed themselves out for us."

Neiravi is admiring the beautiful sketch of the clutch she grabbed out.
"It's one of Sylotra's too," she says, quite pleased. "Wherever I end up,
I'll have something to hang on my wall. We all need nice little things,
Kav, even if they're not useful." She curtsies to B'yan, and might be ready
to go steal the white back from A'deth.

Desdinova gives Neiravi a bright grin. "We can be underdressed together.
Then it's a fashion trend, not just two people eho either forgot, or
couldn't afford, to really dres to the nines!" She looks back to Josilina
at her offer, eyes focusin on the hat the woman wears. "I am not sure that
wouldn't clash horribly with what I .am. wearing, ma'am, no offense. I
don't think I can really pull that off." And to B'yan, "Most people call me
Des, or Nova. My parents were rather fond of long names, I fear. But I
encourage people to just shorten it." Hector's arrival draws a smile, "Hi,
Hector! Enjoying the show?" She motions at the clouds.

IGEN-> Neiravi must relinquish the computer. But have a great storm, everyone!

IGEN-> A'deth XD Evening.

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "Seeya! It was nice to have you. :)"

R'din looks at A'deth, "Hm? Southern gets storms during Fall once in a
while. We fly above them. Or at least, I used to." And there's his
response, grinning at Lanisa, nodding in agreement bevfore blinking as
Iesia's arms slip into his, "Careful, don't make me spill my grapes."
Another grin and pop of a grape. "And thank you for the compliment. Come,
let's go get a couple of cushions, eh?"

IGEN-> Lanisa wavers!

IGEN-> R'din waves!

IGEN-> Kassima zhaiwaffles! Thank you for coming. :)

IGEN-> B'yan says, "Take care, Neiravi!"

Kassima's brows draw together, watching Kaveshun. A slight shake of her
head and she turns to Neiravi instead--and that Candidate's reaction wins a
grin from the greenrider. "She got Sylotra's sketch," she mentions, in case
anyone's listening to her even though there are far more interesting things
to listen to tonight. "I'm thinking you're right, Josilina. I wonder if'n
Sylotra's here t'see it now," but a quick scan of the crowd doesn't reveal
the girl. She asks A'deth, "Have you ever painted something like this?" No
protest for the pepper theft, she just grins again to herself and nibbles
the edge of her skewered ovine bits.

"Enjoying the storm?" B'yan delivers toward Hector as he finishes off his
drink, the easy demeanor and familiarity he gives the candidate comes more
from his personality than from ever having sat down with the young man.
Even Neiravi's curtsy gets an amused smile; pleased. "Is this your subtle
way of saying you don't like my attire?" he sends towards Lanisa in feigned
serious, two fingers picking at his collar. "I'll have you know, I got it
on discount. Far more durable up there," and his gaze lifts briefly to the
darkening sky, then turns on Desdinova. "Des. Nova. Now you leave me in a
quandry!" Frowning slightly as if this thought deserved heavy
contemplation, "Leaving me to choose which to call you is a dangerous
thing," he seems to warn, but in good nature. "Last person that gave me
that power, I named her after the place she was running from."

A'deth nods to Kassima. "Not from here. I may, to commemorate." Neiravi's
wandering /away/ from his wineskin makes him 'hrmph', for some reason, and
he instead sets to pouring himself a glass. And he calls over to B'yan and
Lanisa, "I think his attire's /splendid/. We should arrange ourselves like
bookends 'round some lucky recipient, he and I, why, we're practically
opposites."

Kaveshun studies his little gift for a moment before setting it on the
side. "Nice, but still /pretty/ things. And those are more for gals." The
wind stirs up the bit of loose hair that escaped his pony tail, which he
continually brushes away while he chews apart the rest of his kabob. He
stretches out on the blanket, taking a lot of room, his amber eyes
occasionally darting up to the sky.

Hector grins at Desdinova. "Yeah, I've never seen a storm like this before.
Certainly not from such a good viewpoint. Usually I'm stuck underneath the
clouds, getting soaked." He grabs one of the kabobs to have something to
nibble on. "Have you pulled a gift from the bag yet? I wonder what all is
in there." Of course, he could just pick a gift himself, but he rather
likes extending the anticipation. He smiles at B'yan and nods. "The storm
is really something. I don't think I want that lightning to come any
closer, though." They'd likely be like a bunch of lightning rods out on
this tall cliff.

Josilina fusses a bit with the hat, "None taken," she assures Des.
"Sometimes I'm not sure -I- can pull it off." And yet, this doesn't stop
her. She picks her way through the crowd, lighting on a free spot near
Lanisa. "Mind if I sit by you?" she wonders of the Weyrsecond. "Are you
having them sketch?" she calls to Kassima, hearing talk of someone's sketch.

"I won't touch your grapes," Iesia assures him. Of course, as soon as she's
said this, she reaches over and nicks one for herself, popping it in her
mouth quickly. There's the barest of glances for A'deth, and a pursing of
her lips, but Iesia keeps her mouth shut. Her attention turns back to the
storm, a quiet contemplation of the rain and rolling clouds. "Oh, let's,"
she decides of the cushions.

"Good thing I am not running, then, sir." Des replies, with a cheeky grin.
"Ad you pull it off as much as is possible, ma'am." She says to Josilina's
retreating back, though it's a far cry from saying its a nice hat. She
turns her attention to Hector and offers him a smile full of mischief.
"I'll make you a deal, since we're both a bit timid about picking. How
about, you pick one out for me, and I will pick one out for you? Then it's
like we're giving each other a present, more than just taking something for
ourselves."

Lanisa's brow might arch slightly at something, but as B'yan replies a
smile coyly tugs up one corner of her mouth and she shifts on her cushions
to turn and see him better. That done, her expression shifts again as she
regards him to give a through going over to his attire and then with a
barely there flick of a grin she then announces just as seriously intended,
"It'll do." A beat, maybe two later and she nods Jos's way, "Not at all.
Who is it then that's sketching?"

Kassima raises her voice to call back to Josilina, "Nay having--but
A'deth's saying he might paint it!" The delight in her voice audible even
over a moment's rush of wind makes it clear enough she likes the idea.
"'Tis worth preserving. I should've worn m'gown with the lightning bolts
all over it, even though I'd look half a fool. 'Twill never be more
appropriate than this."

R'din smirks as Iesia steals one of his grapes, "Thief in the night." He
informs her as he leads the short distance to the cushions and blankets,
choosing two overly large and quite plush cushions, "Oh, yeah, this will
do." He nods, grinning as he waves an hand for Iesia to seat herself first
before seating himself.

B'yan waves out a hand towards A'deth, catching his called comment with an
open laugh. "My good man, I thank you," he calls back in jest, then turns
to finally regards the beautiful view of the storm with narrowed eyes.
While in viewing this, "Nor I," he readily agrees with Hector, nodding.
"Always stayed out a good storm's way, back when I was out there. B'yan, by
the way," he turns to look at him now with an incline of head and briefly
watches Josilina walk off towards the Weyrsecond. Desdinova's response gets
a short chuckle at that and a, "I'm good at working around with what I got,
Des," he drawls, choosing one of the options instead of making one up of
his own. It's at that point he catches Lanisa's study, bringing himself to
full height. He snorts at her response and returns, "Tough crowd I got
working with me," in mock-dryness.

Hector considers Desinova's suggestion to trade gifts and then nods. "All
right, sounds like a good plan. Then at least we'll have picked." And it
might double the chance of drawing something interesting, even though he
might have to trade it to someone else. He leans towards the bag and
reaches in to grab a gift.

Josilina shakes her head at Lanisa when Kassima answers, "I don't know. I
thought I saw people sketching. How have you been? - He should paint it!"
she raises her voice for the last. Then, more toward A'deth, "I didn't know
you painted!" She observes to Lanisa, "It'd be tough to get the colors
exactly right, but if he could it'd be magnificent."

Twin streaks of hot, blue-white fire twist and fork from a single spot in
the storm above, washing the clouds over the desert with a halo of lavender
that fades quickly into darker shades. The resulting thunder from the
oh-so-close lightning cracks like the amplified sound of a hundred dragon
eggs breaking at once and then rumbles through the Weyr like settling
rockfall.

It takes a bit of management for Iesia to gather her skirt around her legs
and plop herself down onto the cushion in a fashion that is both polite and
dignified, but she does so. She carefully tucks her legs up beside her,
leaning heavily onto one arm to balance herself. B'yan is give a glance,
and she narrows her eyes at the Weyrleader from her cushioned seat. Hm.
Once R'din has seated himself, Iesia asks him, "Did you ever ask whether or
not I could get a ride on Daianth?"

Desdinova almost looks dissapointed as B'yan chooses a 'boring' nickname
for her, and she offers a cheeky grin in return. "It looks like my
fearlessness has paid off, though one could be curious as to what other
name you might have chosen." She takes a step back, so that she can reach
the grab bag, leaning over and drawing out a present from within. She
straightens, and looks over it with a smile, then turns towards Hector. She
reaches out, trying to pin the present on him, a carved wooden Candidate
knot. "Solid. A good choice for you, I think." She says, smiling.

A'deth pours himself a glass of brandy, too. "I should've brought paint
along," he remarks to Kassima. "Could've painted lightning-bolts on
everyone, since they've already all been struck once." And to Josilina, he
shrugs amiably. "I've been working on a set of cross-sections of a dragon's
chest cavity. All from old hides, of course. I particularly like the new
sorts of paints making the rounds, lately, the ground glass in it offers up
the most realistic sheen to represented muscle tissue... I might need to
ransom my grandchildren to buy more, alas, though I hear renegades pay good
coin for wayward youths."

Lost in the storm's sudden display of power, R'din grins at it the loud
cracks, reaching up to wiggle a finger in his ears, "Nice!" Another pop of
a grape, chewing before blinking at Iesia, "Ah, yes." The bluerider leans
back until he's looking at Kassima upside-down, "Hey, Kassi. Iesia'd like a
ride on Daianth before Hatching. We'd stay above the Weyr. That all right?"

"I know better than to' go easy on a bronzerider, oh fearless leader."
Lanisa quips playfully before filling her mouth with another bite from her
snack. She turns then to Josilina and says on, "One would have to be a
quick study, I'd think, to sketch much of this. Unless one simply took
liberties." She glances A'deth's way and gives a little wave to both he and
Kassima before saying on, "Aye. It'd be quite the work. I'd love t'see it
if it gets done."

Draining his cup, B'yan takes the lull in the crowd to scan the faces about
him. One of them, one of the smaller and younger candidates, latched onto
him with greetings and pleasantries. When one of the older candidates
manage to steer the boy off towards the food table, "I wouldn't count you
out of the woods just yet," he sends towards Desdinova with a quick wry
glance. Whether he manages to catch Iesia's glare, he does scan in that
general direction, very little could be gleaned from his neutral demeanor.
Lanisa's given a bow, however - some would say it's a mockery of one - but
his good humor stays in his eyes.

Hector accepts the gift from Desdinova, looking it over. "Wow, it's made
out of wood!" Which is a little obvious a statement, but he still likes it.
It looks like it would be a nice keepsake, no matter how this time in his
life turns out. "This one's for you," he says, presenting Desdinova with
what he drew from the bag, which was a necklace with a beautiful natural
crystal. "I think that suits you more than it does me anyway."

Kassima reaches for a 'skin of wine for herself--and if she pauses a moment
at A'deth's comment, it's brief, easy to miss. The glass she chooses is a
tall one and she fills it full. "There was a Gather once--nay, twice,
though one was a Turnday party rather than a Gather. But they had
face-painting. I got lightning bolts on m'cheeks," she reminisces. "Or was
that when I painted m'self with dye when 'twas sharding drunk? It might've
been both." A forkful of banana gets waved Lanisa's way. "That's cold,
A'deth. Terribly cold. The thing t'be doing's selling someone else's
grandchild." Naturally! She calls to upside-down-R'din, "Stay above Igen
Weyr grounds and I've nay objections! Same goes for any Candidate if'n it
should come up."

Josilina sucks in her breath at the forks of lightning, or maybe the
following boom. She murmurs, "I hope it doesn't hurt the eggs." She
chuckles at Lanisa's words, "/Never/ go easy on a bronzerider. Or a
brownrider, for that matter. Advice for life," she says, solemn. Her 'brows
raise at A'deth's description, "Glass in paint? You know, I haven't seen
that - been some time since I ordered new ones. I'd love to see some of the
work you've done with it. - That's beautiful," she observes the last,
catching sight of the necklace Hector presents to Desdinova. "It'd look
fetching on either of you, I imagine," she adds, playful.

Desdinova's eyes light up at the necklace Hector presents. "I don't think
you are wrong there, but that's because I am selfish. That is gorgeous!"
She reaches out to take the crystal pendant. "I'll need to find a tailor."
She says, grinning. "I've managed to squirrel away a few marks, and I will
need something nice to wear with this." She rakes her gaze over the crowd,
puasing on B'yan. "I relish the danger." She comments, but her attention is
off him, instead finding Kassima. "Shall we go thank Kassima, Hector?" She
offers her arm to him.

Iesia is quickly ignoring B'yan, whether or not he notices. She considers
the storm now, appreciative. "Certainly makes me glad that it is out there,
and not overhead." She tips her head towards Kassima as well (not up-side
down, however), and smirks just a little at the answer. "There, then. No
excuses."

There's laughter in Lanisa's gaze as well as the chuckle that slips from
her lips, "You'll do." She tells B'yan and his bow again. This time there
is an earnestness to her tone, approval of some sort won perhaps as she
then turns again, asking Kassi of the waving fork, "Those good?" Her
teasing apparently toned down some before she responds to Josilina, "Can't
see how it could. They're all tucked in their warm nests of sand." But
after a pause the other brings a smile, "Aye, I guess you'd know about that
too. But brownriders, hmm? That one of yours in particular? Or your sister?"

A'deth gives Lanisa a bland smile. "You've got to be brutal with
bronzeriders, Lanisa. And Faranth forbid I not take liberties... and--" And
to her and Josilina: "I'll make the living cavern my gallery, then! I'll
leave buckets at the entrances for those most delicate-of-stomach." To
Kassima, he inquires pleasantly, "Are you offering up your own?" And he
sweeps a hand out over the gathering. "All of these youngsters can't be
sold off... well, not for a few more sevendays, anyway. They might be worth
a few bottles of paint, don't you think? Yours are probably worth more,
what with that natural aptitude for knives."

R'din grins at Kassima, offering her an upside-down salute, "Gotcha!
Thanks." And he rights himself, leaning back further into the cushy
cushion, grinning at Iesia, "There's your answer. Nope, no more excuses."
He agrees with Iesia, noticing Hector's gift. "Hm." Then his eyes go to the
grab bag, looking over at Iesia, "Want to go pick out yours?"

Hector got distracted by the storm and lightning for a moment or two there,
before he realizes that Desdinova is offering him her arm. "Oh, of course.
Let's go." He hooks his arm into hers and gives her a winning smile. Thank
Kassima? Well sure, though at the moment, he feels like he would step off
the Star Stones with Des if she suggested it. "A new outfit would be
interesting," he agrees. "Or you could wear the necklace on Hatching day
for luck."

It was when B'yan was openly in search of more drink that one of his
wingriders stepped to his side. Opening his mouth to answer Desdinova - and
managing to overhear Josilina's remark towards Lanisa with a feigned
affronted look - all his stalled at the murmured words from the brownrider
at his side. Lips pursing for a moment as he looks H'tel's way, "Very
well," he sends with little disdain, gesturing sharply with his head
towards their waiting dragons. Back towards Desdinova, "Relish away," is
his parting shot, and couldn't resist to do so as he steps away from her.
"Enjoy the party." The smile is sent her way, towards Josilina's and
Lanisa's way as well before the last three words are thoroughly repeated on
his way through the crowd. It doesn't take long to catch the Weyrleader and
H'tel quickly mounting their dragons, the former exchanging swift words
before their dragons drop from the sky.

B'yan hops up onto Jaireth's back, using his foreleg as a step.

Jaireth leaps out over the Igen Weyr Bowl!

Desdinova leads Hector towards the coordinator, replying to Hector along
the way. "Can't wear it onto the sands. Just our robes and sandals, and
that's it. It's a lovely idea, though." She stops when the pair come up to
their hostess. "Kassima." She says, an unspoken 'ma'am' in her tone. "We
just pulled our presents from the bag. Well, he pulled mine and I pulled
his, but the end result..." A shrug, and a bright smile as she holds up the
crystal necklace. "It is... Well, it's the prettiest thing I have ever
known. Thank you very much."

There's a brief glance, and grin, for the bluerider before Iesia turns her
attention back to the storms. It takes her another moment to realize she's
been spoken to, and she glance towards R'din, and then the bag. "Mine?" she
asks, frowning. "Oh. I suppose I could." More navigating, a bit of fussing,
and Iesia manages to stand without flashing anyone. She steps carefully
over the cushions towards the bag, dips her hand in, and pulls out... a
rather large hat. A green hat, at that, with embellishments and ribbons.
"Oh..." is all she says as she frowns at her gift.

"The vibrations from the sound," Josilina explains, but the worry-crease
between her 'brows stays small. "Either? Both? In my experience, they're
all quite weird. More trouble than bronzeriders, most of the time. With
bronzeriders, it's almost all reputation, no -actual- trouble. Even that
one," she nods to B'yan, grinning and pitching her voice to carry, but he's
already on his way. "You should!" she agrees with A'deth. "With the
buckets, even. Surely someone will appreciate them."

Like one giant glow basket, the next bolt of lightning doesn't streak, but
instead shoots through one set of puffy purple cloud in the dark sky,
setting it a glow for only a moment. Moments later thunder is crackling
across the storm-stirred sands to onlookers' ears. There's a silence
afterward so profound that the far whisperings of 'shhhhhh' from the rain
reach the Weyr after all as it batters evenly into the absorbing sands.

"Excellent," Kassima assures Lanisa. "I thought I'd miss the curried
caprine when I saw 'twasn't any--'twould make a royal mess if'n the wind
knocked it over, a'course, but have you tried these sandwiches? They're
remarkably good for something with nay meat in it." Suiting deed to word,
she bites into her pan bagna. The first answer A'deth gets is thus,
"Mrrph." Then, post-swallow, "Certainly nay! For one, fewer of 'em than I
care t'think about count as 'youth' anymore; for two, if'n anyone sells
them 'twill be *me*. I'm too fond t'do it. You'll have t'sire one of
m'children a'fore you get t'sell one." Well, there's a form of
entrepreneurship Pern has not previously seen. Kassi greets both
approaching Candidates with a wide smile of pleasure. "You got the quartz.
Oh, good, 'twas hoping 'twould go t'someone who liked it... I almost didn't
want t'give it up. You picked--was it the knot, Hector? That's R'din's
giving, and I believe he made it himself."

R'din stays where he is at the moment, finding extreme amusement at Iesia's
skilled fidgeting to stand, watching with upraised eyebrows. However, at
Iesia's gift, R'din can't help but burst out in laughter, doubled over as
he slaps a thigh with a hand, the other one pointing at the hat. At the
moment, he's unable to speak. that is, until that loud thunder and flash of
light causes him to jump slightly, turning his eyes to the storm, "Shells."

Lanisa chuckles openly to A'deth, "Life in my family taught me that well
enough, eh. Never met a bronzer that couldn't stand to to be taken to task
over something." She winks and then nods to what Josilina replies, "I don't
think it'd trouble them. Dragonhealers would have more to say than I
though. Hmm. Not as many browns in the ole tree, though I've been exposed
to enough of them. Browns, trouble or no, at least seem more consistent,
eh?" To Kassi a grin, "I'll have to filch a few. Promised Trii I would for
him, if he didn't make it."

Hector smiles and nods to Kassima. "Thank you for the gifts. It's a very
well-made knot. I like it. I think R'din's name is on it, too. I want to
thank him, but I didn't want to interrupt." He isn't quite sure if he wants
to bother R'din and Iesia. "Oh, it looks like Iesia got a hat. It's...
um... very green." He tilts his head slightly as he looks at it, and his
expression looks like the hat reminds him of something.

"I do, very much!" Desdinova replies, with a smile that could replace the
sun. "I've not a thing to match it in my wardrobe, as I was just saying to
Hector, so I will have to get something amde. A bit late, perhaps, but
apparently Candidates should be prepared for sudden engagements of a
formal, or at least nicer than normal, nature." She looks at Hector and the
knot he wears. "I think it suits him. Very groundey, for someone reliable.
And it will match a brown nicely, should he Impress." The next bolt of
lightening silences her as it does most, her attention snapping to the
desert storm. "That's intense." She comments, pointedly not following
Hector's conversation topic.

Not *nearly* as amused as R'din is, Iesia stands there with her hat in her
hand, handling it as gingerly as she can. It's given a thorough inspection,
though her eyes lift from the present to the bluerider so that she can give
him a proper scowl for his amusement. She rolls her eyes, re-traces her
steps, and returns to her cushion. "Here," she tells him, plopping the hat
solidly onto R'din's head. "I think it suits you better than me. There's
even fruit on it." She taps the little imitation fruits sewn onto it, and
grins. "I suppose it is better than the tattered thing I usually wear, but
I am not certain how I feel about the flower."

Kassima is a moment in answering. The sky's taken her attention, her eyes
fixed to it with wonder and fascination. Only the deep silence after the
thunderclap calls her back to the here and now. "It looks as if'n Iesia's
gone t'get her gift," she offers to Hector. "'Twould probably be a good
time. She got Josilina's hat! Isn't it...." The woman searches for words.
For some reason, none quite seem to fit the object in question. "...I'd
wear it, anyway. This is as formal as 'twill get, methinks, Desdinova, and
I hadn't any idea anyone would dress up. Something in light grey, though.
Mayhaps 'twould suit?"

Josilina considers 'consistent', and while she does Iesia's hat catches her
eye, "Oh! You got the hat!" she observes, delighted. "Don't you love it?" -
"I don't know about consistent," she directs to Lanisa. "I suppose. More
than bronzeriders. What are you filching?" she glances between Kassi and
Lanisa.

A'deth opens his mouth, and then thunder roars, so he tilts his head back
and closes his eyes until the tintamarre passes. When all's reasonably
quiet, he straightens. And beams at Josilina, but it's Lanisa whom he next
addresses. "I knew one who liked to be taken to task with pink straps. A
Weyrleader, can you imagine? They'd look lovely on B'yan's skin, don't you
think? Shame he doesn't seem like the type." He sighs softly, and then
turns to Kassima. "Breed? Us? We couldn't even come up with names for them
that aren't unspeakable in polite company." And of that wooden knot of
Hector's: "R'din, do you paint your carvings? I have an idea."

R'din's head finds itself a hat! Blinking at the sudden plopping, R'din
bounces his head so that the brim of the hat flops all around him, "Hey,
yeah! Just the thing for me! Green goes oh-so-very-nicely with my blue." He
agrees with Iesia, reaching up to pat the imitation fruit, "Pity they're
not real." And the rider stands up to experiment on how the hat stands up
while walking, watching the brim, blowing around the extra lengths of
fabric hanging off it before turning his attention to A'deth, "Hm? Yeah, I
do, but I'm no expert, wood's my forte. That knot was easy enough for me to
do." He smiles towards Hector.

The movement of the far-distant storm is becoming harder to discern as the
night blackens the sky, stars not daring to surface beyond the swooping,
foggy line overhead. The clouds at storm's point are only visible when
bright, violent lightning decides to reveal them: at first via jagged
spears, cutting swiftly across rain-drenched navy, tinged green at the
edges as if ill; then through muted, kinder flashes, cloaked by thick cloud
cover, illuminating the veil in deep, shadowy violet.

Groundey? Reliable? Are those words that match Hector? Ugh. "I don't want
to be 'groundey' or reliable. Those sound like things that would match my
father," Hector says quite firmly. "I'd rather be non-groundey. And brown
dragons are too big. They're, like, enormous. How would you even get up
there? It doesn't seem possible." Of course, all of the dragons are
enormous to Hector, even if he did believe that he would Impress. He pats
Desdinova's hand, since he still has his arm hooked in hers. "Want to go
get a closer look at Iesia's hat?" And he can talk to R'din.

Lanisa had reverted to watching the sky again in those moments between, but
now she chuckles as her attention is drawn to the hatch, "Fetching." Her
statement there and then she says on, "Some snacks. Sandwiches, mayhap
bananas. My weyrmate's all tied up in his duties. But I've not had much to
eat yet myself. Thought I'd wait for him." She shrugs, then gives a tip of
her head as she considers as well, "I'd say definitely more so than
bronzeriders." - "Pink straps?" That quick she's looking back A'deth's way,
laughter in her eyes again for all it only adds a richer tone to her voice,
"Really? Though I agree not likely our Weyrleader would be so inclined."

Kassima waves her much-demolished pan bagna at Josilina. "One of these
sandwiches! There's garlic, whiteroot, peppers, olives, probably more I
haven't identified yet." But another hearty bite attests to the fact that
whatever it is, she approves. Kassi chews in silence for a few beats,
listening to the hum of conversation, the wind, the thunder, and relishing
the wind pulling at the stray threads of hair that have escaped her braid.
She leans in to nudge A'deth shoulder with her own, companionable and
amused: "Does it matter when we're selling 'em t'renegades? Renegades
aren't polite company."

"Don't eat your hat," Iesia advises, grinning. She steps back as he stands,
and tilts her head to the side. "Hm. A bit of a clash with your red hair.
All that pink," she tells him. The new burst of lightening out in the
desert draws her eye, and her expression turns serious once more as she
watches the storm. And if she should happen to reach out for R'din's hand,
well, coincidence, right?

"Reliable is a good thing." Nova replies, startled at his declination. "I
trust you, and that's a good thing, isn't it? Shouldn't I?" She looks over
at Kassima and wrinkles her nose a little. "Grey might match, but... I
dunno. It's such a boring color. I think maybe something in purple."
Hector's query causes her to visibly tense, though, and she gives a quick
shake of her head. "I think I need a drink, actually. You go on over and
fawn on her, perhaps I will catch up with you later."

Josilina shifts so she's sitting with her legs tucked under her. "Sounds
like a stew," she says of Kassima's sandwich. "Does it really all fit in
there?" She keeps her eyes mostly on the storm, tracking the lines of
darkening color. "Aren't they always?" she remarks to Lanisa, of weyrmates
and duties. "Mine slacks like his Wingleader's ordered him to, and yet any
time I go up to surprise him, he's running sweeps. I'd almost suspect a
conspiracy. - Might I get a closer look at your necklace?" she calls to
Desdinova, beckoning the girl over.

"I guess being trustworthy isn't too bad a thing," Hector says. "Being
reliable is a little boring, though." He gives Des a odd look. "Fawn?" he
echoes. Hector clearly doesn't understand girls or their secret messages.
"Sure, I'll catch up with you later." He leans close to her in half a hug
before he lets her go. He moves over closer to R'din to get a better look
at the hat. "That's some hat. Iesia gave it to you?" He wasn't sure if he
would be able to get rid of a hat like that if he had been given it, but
then again, he wasn't sure if he would be able to wear it, either. "I like
the knot a lot, by the way. I didn't know you were such a skilled woodworker."

"Either he is, or I. I suppose it evens out as far as who's busy when,
though it seems the timing when we're not is rarely matched." Lanisa falls
silent a moment and then she notes, "I've seen the same happen to yours
though. He and I have bumped into each other a time or two here when he was
looking for you. Though not lately, I admit. Slacks though? Hmm, I've heard
that about him too. He's friends with da, but you would know that I expect."

"I'm mighty tempted to, though." is R'din's answer to Iesia's advice,
grinning as he gently pulls the hat off with one hand, placing it on top of
Iesia's head, "There, much more coordinated than with my red hair. Now
you're Boll's finest, like me." He winks as his hand is taken up by
Iesia's, giving her a little squeeze. He gives the storm a glance, watching
it for a few quiet moments. That is, until Hector comes over to him and the
bluerider gives the Candidate a little smirk, "I wish. I'll have to ask
Josilina if she could get me one as well. I'd wear it proudly." And he
would. Chuckle, "Ah, I'm glad you like it, I was hoping it'd go to someone
who appreciated it. My father and other family members started me on
Woodcrafting since I was five Turns old. Been doing it ever since."

"I'll look you up later, then." A'deth inclines his head to R'din, his
expression rather pleased. "I'll bring the marks. You can bring the wine.
It'll be glorious." To Lanisa, he shrugs a shoulder-- the right. "Straps,
anyway. I think they were pink. It makes for a better story if they are."
And to Kassima, against whom he leans very, very slightly after that nudge,
"They might want to knock a few marks off. Can you imagine the
negotiations? 'Well, he looks fine and strapping, but with a name like
'Kassdeth' -- I'm not holding the 'k' only because this is a respectable
evening, you understand -- I can't give you more than three. Not three
marks, mind. Three-thirtyseconds! Nobody'll take a renegade called that
seriously. He'll try to cut someone's purse and they'll be too busy
pointing and laughing to listen.'"

Desdinova returns the hug awkwardly, but doesn't clarify on her commentary.
Thankfully, there is a saviour there in the form of Josilina, who draws her
attention away from Hector, Iesia, and R'din. "Of course, ma'am." She says,
voice eager. She moves over to where she sits and offers the bauble out,
the raw quartz glinting in the faint light. "Isn't it gorgeous? I can't
imagine anything I'd like more coming from the bag."

"You and Josilina may have something in common," Kassi quips to Desdinova.
"I agree 'twould look striking with purple. 'Twould suit this occasion,
too, wouldn't it?" She points her sandwich to the distant violence of
light. "Purple and flashing white, clear like rain if'n 'tis turned another
way." In answer to Josilina, she pries the fragment of sandwich she has
left apart to display where the toppings are nestled between the
baguettes... of course with most of it eaten, it's not the most effective
visual display. "I should ask Kaimi if'n you could do an even spicier
variant." She has an interest in spicy foods these days, and she's pleased
to lean gently back against the reason. "T'name our son proper t'be a
renegade," she regretfully agrees, "we should really call him
'Dethtoriders,' say, but for that t'work I'd have t'rename m'self
Katoridersima. Can't say I'm voting for that."

Chain lightning connects cloud to cloud with purple violence, shining
blinding white at its heart. For all that it makes conversation easier it's
eerier, somehow, when the lights are silent, as if the storm keeps secrets,
as if the wind and crashes are bluster and the real power lurks in its core.

Josilina gives Lanisa a sympathetic half-smile, "It's rough," she agrees.
"Oh? I didn't realize you two had met - I mean, outside the
sometimes-official things. Is he?" Some surprise registers, for a brief
moment. "Oh," she nods, face clearing, "I suppose, yes, I knew they were
friendly. I'd forgot; he - R'sel - Impressed from Lhia and Taralyth's,
though." She throws Desdinova a smile as she approaches, "I don't suppose I
can conince you to call me Josilina? Oh!" as the bauble catches the light,
"it's beautiful! Nice pick. That'll look nice with anything, really, but
you can -never- go wrong with purple. You could wear it to the Hatching
feast."

And now it is Iesia who has a hat. She wears it much more self consciously
than R'din did, and clears her throat once or twice as she attempts to look
dignified. But who can look dignified with *that* hat on her head? She
sighs. "Oh," she tells Hector, "He can have it. Though it seems he doesn't
want it." R'din's squeeze is returned, and Iesia sighs again under the
elaborate green hat. "He is a marvelous woodcrafter," she informs Hector,
almost boastful. "You should see some of the things he has made. Boxes, and
little figures." Another glance is given to the distant storm, and Iesia
scoots herself ever-so-slowly towards the bluerider.

Hector holds up the wooden knot to look at it again. "Ah, well I like it
even more, now that I know you made it with a skill that's a family
tradition. I know that means a lot." Which seems to suggest that Hector is
a bit more steady and reliable than he will admit to. There's a wicked
flash of lightning amid the clouds that lights up the sky, and he starts
slightly at the thunder. "Is it my imagination, or are the storm clouds
moving closer?" It could very well be his imagination. He nods to Iesia as
she brags for R'din. "I bet he has made a lot of nice things. He has made
things for you, then?" An innocent question, of course.

"Yes, I am hoping to do so. Purple is my favourite color, and this would
offset it well. Maybe a simple purple dress, properly fitted... Should be
inexpensive, but effective. Definately will have to find a tailor!"
Desdinova grins, "I can try to remember, but it's taken me ages to learn to
call Kassima anything other than ma'am. It just seems disrespectful." She
shoots a grin at Kassima. "Thank you, again, really."

R'din grins at A'deth, "I'll be glad to do it. Wine, carving, and painting.
Terrific time to be had indeed." Nod, turning as A'deth's attention is
taken elsewhere, returning his own to Iesia and Hector, smirking at the
name of Kassima and A'deth's kid when he overhears it. At Iesia's boasting
of him, he blinks, turning to her to consider her momentarily before
smiling, saying nothing. "Thank you, Hector. I told you that I did go to
the Woodcraft Hall, but no Master ever saw me. The Senior Journeyman put me
in classes with beginners, and I got frustrated enough to leave the Hall.
Don't regret it one bit." At his question, however, R'din turns to regard
the storm, "Looks like it." answers the bluerider, not sounding worried.

"T'is quite lovely," Lanisa agrees, since she's now in a position to see
the necklace Des found as her present, though she goes on to Jos, "Aye. A
time or two, as I said." She chuckles then, leaning back into her pillows
once more, "Aye. I remember. Ma brought me over to view the eggs and visit
da. I missed that hatching though. But I recall the clutch and saw the
weyrlings after. Not sure they noted me, of course."

"Or could call him Assardeth," A'deth remarks cheerfully to Kassima,
rattling on as he begins to empty out first one glass, then the other.
"Turn it into a game. 'Assardeth!' 'Or death? What kind of a choice is
that?' 'What do you mean, what choice?' 'I don't like either, you tell me?'
'I'm inclined to run out of the first if you don't shut up about the
second!' He'd be infamous for his temper, I'm sure." And he toasts R'din at
the other man's approval of his plan. "Superb!"

IGEN-> Naara says, "Hey all! :) Am I too late to join in?"

IGEN-> R'din says, "Not at all! :)"

IGEN-> A'deth says, "Nope!"

IGEN-> Kassima waffles! Nope, nope, @tel on up. :)

IGEN-> Lanisa wavers, "What they said." :)

In response to Hector's question, Iesia says, "Not that I know of." There's
no pretense or suggestion in that little statement, either, just fact. A
glance for the storm, and then Hector again, and Iesia shrugs. "It may be,
yes. But that does not mean it will make it all the way to the Weyr." Or
she can hope. She's scooted close enough to R'din that her arm is against
his, and she leans her head ever-so-casually against his shoulder.

Kassima can only agree, "If'n you named me Assardeth, I'd be temperamental
too." She grins and tilts her head down, lightly head-butting his shoulder
as best she can. "But how can you run out of... I don't want t'know. Never
mind, I never asked that question. I'm also nay asking what you're going
t'be asking R'din t'carve. Mark me!" Considering the skies, "I don't think
'tis any closer, but with everything so dark...." When it became too dark
to see some helpful souls ran around opening the glowbaskets scattered
around, so there's light, but not the kind of light that can reach to the
far sky and tell what's happening there--that's left to the lightning flashes.

Every new flash shows the storm boiling against the black of night. The
wind roars a crescendo--it drowns out even the booms of thunder--one
glowbasket is tossed so violently the glows within spray out and blow down,
down, over the rim, tumbling down and lost.

"Is it? It's mine too!" Josilina's all preteen-delight. Without being a
preteen. "Well," she amends, "one of them, at least. I like most of the
others, too, but I'm -really- fond of purple. You know the Candidates last
time did a whole purple fashion thing? It was fabulous to see." She nods,
"I used to feel it was disrepectful too - I mean, before I Impressed and
graduated. But, really, we're people, same as anyone." She nods to Lanisa,
"You were pretty young then, if I remember right. Long time ago." She
grimaces, "I'd rather not even think of -how- long!" Thunder swallows the
end of that, and she shakes her head. "Haven't seen a storm like this in
ages."

"You aren't, though." Desdinova replies, thogh she doesn't stop smiling.
"You're not like other people. You're the Weyrwoman. But, that said, if you
prefer josilina, then ti would be rude of me to say otherwise." The
flashing lightning glints off the crystal, drawing Nova's gaze to it.
"Puple would set off the black of the cord of this, I think. Maybe
something with black edging? Or would that be too gharish?"

Hector gives Iesia a slightly suspicious look at her answer to his rather
straight-forward question. "Either you know or you don't. You sounded like
you were speaking from experience, so I was just asking." He feels like he
is coming up against the thorny side of Iesia's personality again. He
imagines a super-crabby dragon, whatever color it is, its hide is like
too-tart, unripe fruit. "Ah, anyway. I'm going to go see what Des found to
drink." He starts backing up, nearly tripping twice on a pile of pillows.

Lanisa's watching the scattered glows as they fall, murmuring 'Look out
below...' before she glances sideways at Jos and then gives a dry chuckle
at the preteen version of the goldrider beside her. The last bite of her
bread twist vanishes and it's after it's truly gone she answers, "To young
to stand myself, true. But hardly a toddler. If that helps." She nods
though and asserts with due gravity, "Well. Most of us are people like most
anyone. Don't ask about the others though."

R'din returns A'deth's toast with a thumbs-up of his own, snickering at the
names until the flashes show the storm coming closer and closer... As the
storm finally comes to the Rim, R'din looks up thoughtfully at the storm
before looking back down at Hector, "No, I haven't made her anything." He
confirms, grinning as he almost trips, "Careful there."

A'deth listens to the other conversations, quiet for a brief moment. And
then he says, "Lhiannonth breeds. Greens do not. Josilina, therefore, is
the metaphorical mother to the Weyr. Do women somehow become not like
anyone else when they become mothers? Children look to their mothers, and
so dragons look to Lhiannonth. We riders must, therefore, look to her
rider. But different? Precious, to perpetuate our lines. But different?"

Tucked away in a back corner of the group, Naara--for once with no sign of
a Riike in sight--draws small, simple patterns in the dust and sand. The
conversation, tossed back and forth among the candidates mostly flies quite
amiably over her head. She hums tunelessly to herself, her head swaying
side to side as she listens to the rumbling thunder drawing nearer. Every
now and again she looks up, but each glance is a reaction timed to catch a
glimpse of the lightning rather than the people around her.

Josilina looks like she's biting back some lengthier reply as she nods, "I
appreciate that. I do prefer my name - oh! With black? It's be beautiful.
Just a thin stripe, maybe at the waist and hem and neckline? /Or/ you could
do dark green. Though that might be much, with the necklace, and the black
would match the cord," she looks at it appraisingly. "It would look
/beautiful/. There might be something in the Stores you could get altered."
For Lanisa's 'others' she snorts softly, and then shoots A'deth a curious
look. "It's centered on the dragon," she agrees after a moment. "Doesn't
really change who the person is."

A little frown, and Iesia turns her head up towards R'din, asking, "What
did I say?" as Hector retreats. As the glows go flying, Iesia lifts her
head and watches them tumble, slightly more concerned than Lanisa seems to
be. "Hm," she says, tipping her head back to look up at the sky overhead.

Kassima calls Josilina's way, "Tell her about the poofy pants!" because any
mention of the purple fashion show demands it. She just manages the words
before the roar of wind steals anything else she might say. It nearly
steals her glass of wine besides, and a few crumbs do go scattering from
her plate. "Bloody shells," she mutters. Brushing debris away and popping a
grape into her mouth before *it* can get any ideas about blowing off the
Rim keeps her from much commentary. But, "Mothers are entirely human.
Naara," this call softer than hers to Josilina, timed in a lull in the
thunder. "Have you chosen your gift yet?"

"I've a coupe marks saved, and I've never actually had my own clothes, just
handoffs from my older sisters and brothers. So, I think I'd like to try to
indulge myself." Nova blushes a little. "I guess that's a bit selfish, and
maybe frivolous, but I just want to look good at the hatching feast. Come
what may, at least I'll have that to look forwad to." a slight movement out
of the corner of her eyes has her turning her head, spotting Naara. "Oh!
Naara!" She waves at the girl, beckoning her over, "C'mere! Have you met
the Weyrwoman?"

Hector is embarrassed at almost tripping, but he puts on an
I-meant-to-do-that expression. Which is a good excuse to turn his attention
to someone else. "Hey, Naara!" he calls as he hears someone else call her
name. He doesn't know the girl very well, but he likes her well enough. He
slides over to Desdinova to stand next to her. "Did you find any wine to
drink?" he asks her.

R'din shrugs the shoulder that Iesia's head isn't on, "Don't know. People
are funny." And that's all he says on the subject, glancing upwards as his
hair starts to blow about in the wind before looking down, turning to
direct his face towards the gusts so no hair gets into his face. "Better
hold on to your hat, Iesia." Left alone, R'din turns his head slightly to
whisper into Iesia's ear.

The storm is still distant enough, Lani's lack of apparent concern is apt
to be understandable, though the bluerider seems to get overtly troubled by
few things, "Even people of rank have downtime. Even Lords and Ladies,
Master craftsman, and so with riders, be they of green or gold. And all
have names that they might easily opt to share as the mood strikes."

"It would be pretty lonely," A'deth agrees with Lanisa, "To live on the Rim
all the time, while everyone else partakes of each others' company down
below."

Uh oh... Her name, not once now, but twice--and in a relatively short span
of time. Really, she must need to work on her 'invisible' poses a little
more. They don't seem to work now as well as they used to. A third call of
her name, and--as the saying goes--that seems to be the charm to snap her
out of her thoughts and into some semblance of action. Rising slowly,
carefully, like a filly on her first legs, she picks her way carefully over
to sit a little beside and a little behind Desdinova. "Hey 'Nova," she
murmurs, face lowered and tangled ashy bangs hiding her face from prying
eyes--a shield between Her and Them. To Kassima she turns and nods
slowly--having taken her piece when she was sure no one was looking. Well,
/almost/ sure. Maybe sure. With her recent luck at being invisible, she
very well might have been seen. As if to prove it, she holds out one hand
away from her chest, palm up. Resting there is a small glass triangle full
of sand dyed to match an Igen sunset. Leaning closer towards 'Nova--and
thus towards Safety--she answers the earlier question with a nod and a
mumbled. "Uh-huh. With ah, with you that... d-day in the um. The Lower
Caverns..." A pause as she remembers back. "She--erm, she was uh... sewing
something I think. Because I-I-I told you /I/ could ah, could sew."

Josilina shakes her head, "Not -that- frivolous. I mean, if you've been
saving... what's money for, if not something that'll make you feel nice?"
She looks up as Des calls someone over, and she offers Naara a warm smile,
"Hey there. Naara, is it? That's a pretty glass thing - is it," she looks
ever-so-slightly suspicious, "sand?"

"Ohh, that's pretty, Naara." Nova says, giving her pyramid a close look.
She holds up her own necklace, a large shard of quartz on a black cord. "I
was just talking to Josilina about getting some nice clothes for the
hatching feast, so I can wear it. Have you thought about qhat you will
wear?" There's a gentle urging in her voice as she encourages her friend to
talk. "And I had forgotten about that! It seems so long ago, now." She
looks over to Hector and wrinkles her nose a little, "I never made it over,
but we're not really supposed to drink, even at something like this. Maybe
some juice?" She looks to Josilina, "Maybe the Weyrwoman would like some,
too? And, yeah, I guess that's what marks are for, really, I just keep
waiting for someone to tell me how silly I am."

The sight of Naara's prize brightens Kassi; she nods with pleasure,
flashing a smile at the young woman. "I'm glad," is all she says. All on
the subject of the gift; on the subject of drink, "Everyone's allowed one
glass, same as always. We did get juice for any who don't want t'be
indulging. The view from the Rim is beautiful," she murmurs to A'deth, "but
if'n nay anyone would let you leave, t'get down there and run about in the
rain...."

Before he even says it, Iesia's hand goes flying to the floppy hat on her
head, holding it down tight. "This could get bad," she murmurs to herself,
likely about the storm. Her head tips as he whispers, and she shrugs as
well. "Leave?" she wonders, "Before we're all blown off the Rim by force?"
At another gust of wind, she abandons his hand to grab onto her hat with
both of hers, clamping it tightly to her head.

Hector is momentarily distracted by Naara's necklace. He normally doesn't
go for jewelry, particularly, but the color is striking. "That's a great
color, Naara. Very distinctive." He nods to Nova as he is reminded of what
he virtually volunteered to do. "I think I saw some juice over there. Does
anyone else want some?" He gathers up several glasses. He doesn't trust
himself to pour around any wine, but something non-alcoholic seems safe.

R'din doesn't seem to mind the wind very much, "All right." And the rider
heads towards Daianth, who's looking up thoughtfully at the clouds as well,
turning his head to regard his rider. Passing Hector, he pauses and
apologizes, "Quite sorry I can't be your ride back down, Hector. Thank you
for setting this up, Kassima, it turned out wonderful." He gives a smile to
her.

Iesia follows, holding onto her hat tightly. "Have a good night, Hector,
Naara," she tells them as she passes. A glance towards Kassima and company,
but Iesia doesn't say anything towards them. Just Daianth. "Hello again,
Daianth."

"Welcome, R'din," Kassima replies, matching smile for smile. "I'm glad you
enjoyed it. Take care with Iesia, aye?" As reminders not to misbehave go,
it's not much, and perhaps she trusts them both to know better. Iesia gets
a wiggle of fingers in parting.

"It's not silly," Josilina asserts. "And I'm fine, really. Actually - " she
catches sight of R'din and Iesia preparing to leave, and gets to her feet,
"I'd best be going, too. Lhiannonth's getting fidgety." She half-tips her
ribboned hat to Des, Naara, and Lanisa, "Take care - nice getting to chat
with you all." She lifts a hand to wave to Kassima and A'deth, stepping
away from the crowd and a moment or two later she's picked up by the
brownrider that gave her the lift up.

IGEN-> Josilina had best be going, it's getting late. Take care, all!

IGEN-> Iesia says, "Night!"

Tannusen meanders towards the group from where a rider has just barely
managed to drop him off. His hair is down and catching at the wind like a
live thing; his rarely-seen coat catching too, the bottom of it down just
below the backs of his knees whipping about, open at the front. His hands
are stuffed in the main pockets at the sides, which keeps it from whipping
about /too/ dramatically, and the teenager wanders in close enough to greet
with a faint smile on his face. "Hello all," he purrs, "nice weather we're
having."

IGEN-> Iesia says, "Thanks for the hat!"

IGEN-> Hector says, "Sleep well :)"

IGEN-> Tannusen says, "Night :3"

IGEN-> Kassima zhaiwaffles! Thank you for coming, Jos. :)

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "Sleep well!"

IGEN-> R'din says, "Night!"

Rhythmic though this storm has been, the steadiness of the beat begins to
falter as rain shifts to fall more softly. The cloud cover that clung to
one another to increase its strength now fails to keep hold and loses the
battle to the air currents above, being gradually torn apart to allow the
twinkling of stars out in the black of the desert to wink through and
assure watchers that the war is nearly won.

A'deth seems to like the wind; it whips his silvery hair 'round his head
and makes his desert cloak ripple. He lifts a hand to Tannusen quite
cheerfully. "You're late! Get food and wine and enjoy nature's revenge upon
us before we're all blown over the Rim, lad." And to Naara, of her gift, he
states simply, "It suits you. Desert colors. Perhaps it's where you belong,
after all."

Leaning back far enough to tuck her legs beneath her, Naara shakes her
head. "Probab-ab..." She trails off and makes a face of intense
concentration. "Probably," she gets out fairly smoothly and beams up at
Nova for both the compliment and her own accomlishment. "Probably," she
begins again. "I'll just uh, just wear what...I--always wear...?" Concerned
by the driving winds and satisfied that everyone's gotten enough proof of
her acquisition, Naara closes her fist gently around the pyramid and draws
her hand back to her chest, nodding once to Kassima--in
acknowledgement--and once to Josilina--in a silent sort of answer.
Realizing this may not be sufficient in the dim light, she offers a quiet
'yes ma'am,' as well. Oddly enough, out of the rest of conversation, the
partings and farewells, it is A'deth's simple comment that snatches her
attention, leaving her staring at him long after his observation has died
on the storm winds.

Desdinova continues to determinedly ignore the blurider and candidate,
looking away as they pass to focus on Hector. "No, thank you, I'm
actually... Not really thirsty, I guess." She looks back to Naara, nodding
in agreement with A'deth. "It is very pretty, I think we both got lucky
with our picks tonight." She settles down on a pillow beside the girl,
looking out at the stormclouds and lapsing into quiet, expression relaxing
to neutrality.

"G'night!" The wind snatches the word away, though, and Kassi grimaces to
have missed. She picks up her wine glass and takes a long sip: watching
thunderstorms is thirsty work. Like as not she gets somewhat buffeted by
A'deth's blowing hair, but to all appearances doesn't mind. "G'deve,
Tannusen," she greets the Candidate when she sees him. "Don't be forgetting
t'pick out something from the bag. It still looks fat, there's plenty left
in it."

R'din gives Kassima a wink, "Will do." A little salute to all, turning and
departing their company, heading towards Daianth, who greets Iesia with
another little rumble, crouching down to allow his passengers on. "Up we
go." R'din says to Iesia, grinning as he grabs the straps, pulling his way
up atop the blue, waiting for Iesia to join him.

R'din grabs the straps to pull himself up, swinging his legs over Daianth's
neckridges to settle atop the blue.

Iesia grabs the straps to pull himself up, swinging his legs over Daianth's
neckridges to settle atop the blue.

Hector fails again with Desdinova, which maybe proves that he has no talent
with girls. It's a shame his sister didn't give him better advice about
them. "Well, I tried," he says with a shrug. Waves are sent to Iesia and
R'din, and he thinks that it might be about time for him to be leaving as
well. Provided he can find a ride down to solid ground. "You and me, we'll
talk next time," he tells Desdinova firmly, returning juice and glasses to
where he found them. "Thank you, Kassima, for a lovely party."

Daianth leaps out over the Igen Weyr Bowl!

"Are you sure that it's me that's late, and not that it's all you who were
early?" Tannusen asks cheerfully, nodding out to the storm, "it looks to me
like I've gotten here in time for the guest of honor." At Kassima, he
hesitates a little before inclining his head -- white-gold whips around
just like white-silver, it seems -- and going to reach into the ambiguous
black bag.

Kassima grins at Hector. "You're very welcome," she says to him too. "'Twas
a real pleasure, the more since people seem t'have enjoyed it so far."

IGEN-> Hector says, "G'nite Igen!"

"Fashionably early. That's us." Lanisa quips as she pulls her attention
back out of storm gazing, "We've all decided t'be trend setters and start a
new craze. It'll be the end don't beat all until we tire of it," she
deliverers with a tiny sigh of mock resignation after the last two words,
"I expect."

A'deth tilts his head at Naara, and then inclines slightly from the waist
in a vaguely-formal bow, and his expression is -- for once -- rather
gentle. But instead of saying anything to her, he laughs softly and
remarks, "I'm always fashionable." But, since his fashionably-long hair's
getting Kassima in the face, he reaches up to twist it into a knot at the
nape of his neck. "More surprises," he remarks, of candidates rummaging
through the bag o' many (and often-strange) gifts. "What've you gotten, then?"

Returning A'deth's formal bow with a slow nod of her own, Naara dares to
offer him a gentle smile before yawning and laying her head on Nova's
shoulder to watch the rest of the folk and their going's on.

Kassima admits, "'Twas early, but I had t'be setting up the cushions and
stealing the grapes. Or so I thought. There may still be a few left." Not
inclined to partake of more, she; she's stuffed herself quite full enough
for one stormy evening, and now it's all about the wine. "Stealing isn't
particularly fashionable, so I deny that charge." A'deth's shoulder gets
another gentle nudge with hers--she didn't mind the hair!--but her
attention shifts to Naara. "How've you been? I hear plenty about the
troublemakers, plenty about Dali, poor thing, seeing tunnelsnakes
everywhere, but if'n you're on a great criminal spree nay anyone in Igen
knows of it."

Desdinova offers Hector a bright grin, "Definately. I will look forward to
it." She waves, then looks around at the suddenly sparse crowd. "Looks like
things are winding down." She comments to her companion, Naara. "This was
fun. Bit too many people for my taste, so I can only imagine how /you/
felt, but even still it has been nice." A gust of wind has her shivering,
and she leans over to reach for one of the blankets. "I suppose at least
the rain hasn't decided to come over and rain on us. That would have been
uncomfortable." She seems suprised by Naara's leaning against her shoulder,
but with a one-armed shrug wraps the balnket around them both. She looks
towards Tannusen and offers a smile, "Hello!"

Tannusen doesn't stand near enough to anyone for his hair to catch 
anyone -- in the face or not! He straightens with his hand curled 
carefully around something, and when he partially-uncurls it he quickly 
has to cup the little object so that the sails don't catch in the wind! 
"A little boat," he laughs, "for the drowning victim waiting to happen," 
and he shows any who are curious -- it's very, very detailed and well 
made, down to little ropes and nets, and thus fragile to the wind. The 
blond turns it in his fingers, examining it while shielding it from the 
storm, and adds credit where credit is clearly due, "Made by R'din, it 
looks like."

Lanisa's watching to see what Tannu may find, though her grin she first
casts is for A'deth, "But of course" she tells him. And then she's
examining, from her cushion perch, as much as she might see in the viewing
offered, "Huh.. Didn't know he made things that refined. Drowning victim
though? You don't swim?"

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "Storm still going on?"

IGEN-> Kassima says, "The party is! The storm itself is dying, but we're
still here. :)"

"That's the most devious kind of criminal," remarks A'deth rather brightly.
"She'll go on a mad rampage one day and we'll never see it coming." And he
beams at Lanisa. "I like you. We should talk more. And you still don't give
me enough of your paperwork... was it you who had too much?" Perhaps he's
imbibed too much? Or has senility taken him at last? Well, taken him more,
anyway. He then peers at the boat. "Irony loves you, lad. And he's good
enough to be a crafter, I've heard," he agrees. "And seen. That's no
amateur's work." He steals something from what little's left on Kassima's
plate -- another breaded pepper, evidently - and nibbles at that.

Kassima's question surprises Naara, her stare interrupted only by another
yawn even as she nestles further into Nova and the blanket.
"N-n-not...much, ma'am." She yawns in the middle of that sentence and
forgets to insert Kassima instead of her fallback ma'am. "Chores...mostly."
An attempt is made to glare at A'deth, but it falls short into the realm of
bleary-eyed stare. "I'm no uh...no criminal."

"That's R'din's work, aye--everything carved, methinks is of his donating."
Kassima admires the boat from a distance. "'Twill tell truth, I don't know
I've ever seen better carving than that on something that size." She's
content to have A'deth steal from her plate; in fact, she sneaks another
stuffed pepper from the bowl of same to add to what's left, just in case.
She flicks a smile to Naara, but corrects, "Kassima, *please*. Nay
ma'aming. All right... let me know, if'n you change your mind and turn
t'stealing or murder or general renegade-like activity. I'd rather be
prepared."

Sylotra slides off the back of an arriving green dragon and waves a thank
you to the rider, who blows her a kiss before sending his dragon back into
the bowl. Lotra pauses on her landing spot and looks around, trying to
figure out the lay of the land.

Desdinova is sitting on some of the pillows, a drowsy Naara resting against
one shoulder with a blanket curled around them. "Don't think Naara's much
the thieving type, though the shy reclusive demeanor would be a good cover,
I guess." She looks over as a dragon brings a late arrival, and smiles
brightly as Sylotra dismounts. "Lotra!" She says, pleased to see her. "You
made it! I was starting to think we wouldn't see you tonight."

IGEN-> K'tel says, "How's the storm going?"

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Tannusen produces a somewhat-frayed cloth out of one of his coat's numerous
pockets -- one never knows when a bit of cloth could come in handy -- and
carefully wraps the little ship up before it can get damaged, before
securing it in some safe inside-pocket or other. "I've learned to swim on
/top/ of the water okay," he says to Lanisa's question, "but if I startle,
I go under, and then I panic." The blond beams, too cheerful for the topic.
"Too many people have tried to toss me into the undertow the river has at
Igen Hold, you see. It's enough to make one a bit edgy." And he waves a
greeting at Sylotra before beaming at A'deth. "Irony /always/ loves me," he
says, facing the storm itself and letting it whip his hair and coat around
-- though he makes sure the ship inside it doesn't get banged into
anything. "I think I may very well be its long-lost love child."

IGEN-> K'tel tosses a lightning bolt at Desdinova. ;)

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "*bzzzzzt*"

IGEN-> K'tel says, "Zmeth is close to Zeus, after all."

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "Zueth?"

IGEN-> K'tel grins, "Nice."

"Aye, we should. Mind you, you should be careful what you ask for." Lanisa
says to A'deth with a teasing wink before she tips her head and regards
Naara a moment before Tannu again distracts, "Ahh, aye. I can't say I've
ever heard of many that thrive with the sink or swim method. And yet there
is always someone still itching to toss folks in, eh?"

A'deth lifts his wineglass to Naara. "Don't look at me like that, now.
That's what a criminal would say." Tannusen's remark makes him laugh
outright. "Some of the dragons have bets going on how many shades he can
turn before he needs to be fished out. Last time, he went for three dead
herbeasts and a live wherry. I suspect Lysseth's influence, for Jaelith
professes absolute innocence." Lanisa's remark makes his eyes widen
slightly. "Of course I'm not careful. I'm never careful. It had better be
scandalous. Or at the very least disconcerted." He sneaks the pepper
Kassi's snuck onto the plate, somehow having failed to notice this-- or, if
he has, he at least seems quite oblivious.

Sylotra grabs a cushion from the supplies and plumps it up as she looks
over the crowd. Her black eye is more purple and green today, not terribly
noticable unless she moves into direct glowlight. She waves at Des when
she's greeted and makes her way over in that direction. She waggles her
fingers in greeting at everyone else as she passes, giving happy hellos to
everyone she knows. She drops her cushion and flumps down with a sigh of
content, "Freedom!" She glances out at what's left of the storm and looks a
little disappointed, mumbling something about killing the smiths.

Kassima comments, "I somehow doubt 'absolute innocence' ever describes
Jaelith," while a spiced ovine kebob loaded with pepper powder and other
such delicacies somehow stealths onto her plate. Oops, how did that get
there? "G'deve, Sylotra," she greets in turn. "Neiravi drew your sketch
earlier. I didn't get a chance t'be asking her directly, but she looked
pleased t'have it."

Averting her gaze from A'deth at his admonition, Naara flushes an
interesting pink color before stifling a yawn and pulling her corner of the
shared blanket tighter around her shoulders. What with the lateness of the
evening, the pleasant warmth and safety of Nova and the background hum of
conversation, it's not long before those yawns and blinkings turn to dozing
and then sleep. Naara; not to be heard from again...until someone wakes her
and sends her back to the barracks, of course.

IGEN-> Naara says, "Nini Igen!"

Desdinova looks at Sylotra, squinting a lottle as she comes closer. "What
happened to your eye, Syl?" She asks, concern in her voice. "Looks like you
got on the wrong end of a runner or something." She pats the cusion next to
her, careful not to disturb the now-sleeping Naara, "Have a seat and fill
me in! I go a sevenday without seeing you, and you get broken. That's unfair!"

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "Nini Naara"

"'Sink or swim' is one way to put it, I suppose," Tannusen just comments to
Lanisa, smiling away. He doesn't add anything further on the subject,
seeming content to just hang out up here at the top nearest he can get to
the storm and, apparently, soak in the chaos.

"Alright, alright, I concede the point..." Lani replies, half laughing as
she nests into her pillows. Though a sympathetic smile is cast Tannu's way
as she says a simple reply there of "Aye."

The last echoes of thunder are slow to fade. The wind, though softer,
continues to scrape its song across the Rim's jagged edges. The lightning
no longer flashes, though; the rain no longer falls; the storm is over, sky
and earth alike left at last to rest.

Sylotra sighs at Des' question, "Short story, I got hit in the face with a
rock that I dislodged while testing out climbing claws." She grins over at
Kassima, "Truly? I'm glad. I'm still working on the drawings for you and
A'deth. The smiths have me working like a crazy headless wherry of late.
They've been competing to see which one can make the most useless
contraption, I think."

A'deth's gaze flicks from one candidate to the next, and then to the other
riders; his expression is briefly sober, and then he seems minded to
rectify that with another shot of lovely, lovely brandy in his
somehow-empty glass. And eats another pepper. "What kept you, then,
Tannusen? Old Aunties determined to gum you again? Did they corner you and
do terrible old people things? Did you have to beat them with sticks to
escape?" Sylotra's mention of his name makes him look back around. "Don't
work yourself tired on my account, please."

"Climbing claws?" Nova replies. "I don't think I am familiar with those,
though I'd assume, by their name and dislodged rock, they are for climbing
walls or something." She wrinkles her nose. "Bruises don't suit you,
though. But I'm glad it's not worse." She gives the girl a cheeky grin,
"And, as a former infirmary aid, I get to dote on you in the meantime. Can
I get you anything?" She glances to her left, where Naara sleeps. "And
would you help me lie her down? Poor thing, I think the crowd really took
it out of her."

Kassima's glass has somehow emptied too! That's easy enough to fix, and she
does. But before she can drink the new-poured Red she blinks at Sylotra.
"Are climbing claws among the useless? I look forward t'seeing the work
very much, but aye, don't put a rush on it when you've got paying
commissions keeping you busy." She stifles a yawn with the back of her
other hand. "D'you ever have scandalous hidework, Lani?"

"Well, you know how I am with the elderly," Tannusen sighs, his excellent
mood fading slowly with the storm, though he's of a mind to at least fake
it somewhat. He smiles, turning to the other people up here now that the
'guest of honor' has retreated. "Climbing claws?" he repeats, too, despite
turning it into some sort of odd echo now. "And they have you /testing/
their contraptions now?"

Sylotra chuckles softly at Nova and shakes her head, "I'm fine, really. Its
a couple days old. And my backside doesn't ache anymore from where I fell
on it. I'll help you lay her down if you'd like. " To A'deth and Kassima,
"Oh, no. I'm enjoying the work on your drawings. I won't overwork myself on
them, though." As to the climbing claws, "The climbing claws aren't
completely useless, I suppose. They just didn't like me. And no, Tannu,
they don't have me testing them...I just decided to try them out for myself."

"Oh aye. Not so often as to make it a regular thing, mind you, eh? But
there was a bit just a pair of sevendays ago. A rider who will remain
nameless turned in a set of reports with his friend's notes t'him still on
the other side of the hides." Lani chuckles then and stretches, "Twas more
than I needed t'know about his downtime. But quite the read."

"Ah, well. You've still got your pretty looks, and it does give you a bit
of a rakish look, I guess. Would you, please?" Des turns a little, trying
to find a way to lie Naara down without waking her up or, worse, dropping
her. "So you've lots of comissions then? That's good." She glances at Lotra
for help, then over at the others, "There really are worse chores than the
elderly." She comments. "I still think the children are worse. Mostly
because they are far more cunning and evil."

A'deth chuckles softly at Tannusen. "Nobody rubs my bunions like you do,
lovely lad." He rises, reaching out to gently caress Kassima's cheek with
the back of his fingertips. "I'll see you later, beloved-- I have a shift."
And to the rest, "If anyone wishes to depart, they may accompany me."

"Oh, oh, let me guess," Kassima suggests, after a gulp of wine. "Let's
see... 'M'darling, I can't live without you. Every moment that passes
without you in m'arms is a torment. I can nigh feel your hair curling
around m'fingers still; feel the warmth of your breath; see your eyes
a'fore me, so deep and liquid and unfathomable. Meet me in the Records Room
at midnight tonight, dearest love, and I shall make you bleat as you've
never bleated a'fore.' Then you turn it around and on the back are ovine
hoofprints." She tilts her head up, leaning lightly into A'deth's touch,
catching his hand long enough to kiss those fingers and then letting him
go. "M'regards to the aides. 'Twill steal a 'skin of the white for you when
I go?"

"I don't mind them," Tannusen shrugs, tucking his hands back into his
pockets. "Faye's fine if you can dodge her sneaky cheek-kissing ways, and
Don is one of the funniest people I've ever met. Intentionally funny, mind
you." And he nods to A'deth, "I may as well, I only came up here to see
what I could of the storm."

Sylotra giggles at Des calling her pretty and she helps the girl lay Naara
gently to the ground, purloining another cushion for the girl's head.
"Rakish? I don't know about that." She keeps her voice soft as to not wake
the sleeping candidate and stifles more giggles at Kassima's rendition o'
scandalous hidework.

"Yes, please. Remind me to find an emerald to put on your pillow." And
A'deth steps away, toward Jaelith. "I've a new lesson for you anyway." He
offers Tannusen a hand up onto Jaelith's back. "For whatever you can
squeeze between your aged paramours -- though Don can chat me up whenever
he likes -- and cleaning diapers, anyway. And send me some of /that/
hidework, Lanisa! Even I get tired of injury reports."

Lanisa chuckles dryly, "Some of them started out a bit like that, Aye. I
was tempted to post them up for others t'read... but he realized it and
came to claim them back before I got the chance. Ahh well." She winks and
then tips her head A'deth's way to reply with a grin, "I will if you have
your lovely there tweak Tisiath's tail and wake the lug up, eh? He's
ignoring me."

"That must have been embarassing for him." Des says offhandidly to Lanisa,
though her real attention remains on carefully lying down the sleeping
candidate. Once Naara is settled, head under Lotra's provided cushion, she
drapes the blanket over her. Freed from her burden, she turns and looks at
Lotra, gaze movingto her bruise. "So, you did have the healers look at it,
right? They've a few poultices that would probably help it fade a bit
faster, and I know a nice cream that would cover it up, if you are feeling
self-conscious."

Kassima wants to know, "Did aught throb in these hides? That's how you know
you've got a winner, the sort of thing you get t'mock that man about
*forever*. He could save a dozen children from death in a blizzard--a
sandstorm, or fight a duel t'save the life of Lady Jeracynn, or go to
you-know-where and tackle Thread singlehanded, and you could *still* tease
him about writing about throbbing because that's a stigma that never goes
away." She grins sidelong to Sylotra, for her laughter; smiles after
A'deth, for being A'deth. "I'm nay likely t'forget an offer like that, you
can be sure." A brief pause. "G'night, Tannusen."

Tannusen pauses on the way to Jaelith and turns back to bow to the group at
large, "Goodnight to those I won't see again before then," he says with
quiet formality, and then makes his way -- with assistance, and after a
smile for the familiar dragon herself -- up onto the green.

Sylotra smiles happily as she tucks a loose corner of the blanket around
Naara's shoulder and shrugs a bit, "I put a couple of raw 'beast steaks on
it the day it happened. It helped. It doesn't really hurt now. Just aches a
little every so often. Though if you have something to cover the bruising a
bit, I'd be glad of it, thank you." She smiles. She lifts her hand in
Tannu's direction in farwell.

Jaelith obliges at a vague-eyed silent request from A'deth: her tail very
delicately snakes out, and flicks daintily over Tisiath's own tail; she
drifts cool snowflake snowscapes over his sleepy mind. "Done," he informs
Lanisa. "Let me know if it worked." Of Sylotra's eye, he remarks, "No need
to be ashamed. Consider it battle-scars acquired whilst testing out the
soundness of one's own work, like any proper craftswoman would do." And
something Kassima says makes him smile-- briefly, unguardedly, unwryly,
just something quietly content. And then he climbs up before Tannusen. "The
storm might break soon, I hope. It's lasted too long already," he remarks
to no one in particular; Jaelith launches herself into the air whilst he's
still in mid-word.

A'deth clambers up onto Jaelith's neckridges with the assistance of the
green dragon's riding-straps.

Tannusen clambers up onto Jaelith's neckridges with the assistance of the
green dragon's riding-straps.

Desdinova waves after Tannusen with a smile, though Kassima's commentary
draws her gaze, not to mention a red flush across her cheeks. "I think I'd
rather not know about anyone writing such things, myself." She says with
amusement. She looks over to Sylotra and reaches out a moment, touching her
fingertips along the edge of the bruise. "Hmm. You've good skin tone, and
even coloring. Yeah, I definately think I can help there. It'll have to be
tommorow, though, as I will have to brrow a mortar and pestle, and some
herbs. But workable." She smiles warmly at the girl, "Just don't make a
habit of it. It's still gonna be a bit different, but will make it less
obvious while it heals."

"Not for him, I gather. It was the author embarrassed. He was only keeping
the peace." Lani says on with a chuckle, then glances slyly Kassi's way,
"Oh Aye... Remind me to fill you in more later." she gives a wink and lifts
a hand to wave after those leaving, "My thanks. I'll do that, A'deth. He's
listening now I think at least, though now pretending he doesn't hear...
Typical." She snorts softly but wears a fond smile.

"Sometimes," Kassi sighs, "when you deal with hidework, you can't avoid it.
Thunderbolt sweep reports of old... if'n I had t'read one more ode to a
Hold lass's feminine attributes. And then one of m'female Wingmates decided
'twasn't fair only the men provided me with poetry, so she did an entire
seventeen-stanza epic poem about a man's... y'know. I still have it
somewhere. Blackmail material. 'Twill remind you," she's quick to promise
Lani, "would I ever forget that?" There is no comment on A'deth's parting
words; there is only a hand raised, a parting wave to all three.

Jaelith leaps out over the Igen Weyr Bowl!

Sylotra holds still while Des checks her bruised eye and smiles her thanks
at the promise of a coverup, "Anything will be appreciated. I'll have to
draw you something in thanks." She then watches as the green catches the
attention of the snoozing dragon and smirks at A'deth's comment about
battlescars. Kassi's comment on the epic poem draws a wide-eyed blush from
the girl. To Des, "Sometimes, I think drawing isn't the best medium for
passionate exposition. Seventeen stanzas? About...that?" She ponders the
possbilities.

"they say a picture is worth a thousand words, though, and having seen you
work I would say that is a great understatement." Desdinova says, smiling
brightly at Sylotra. "And you don't need to draw me anything, though I'd
not object if you did." She leans in, "People keep saying we're going to
get to touch the eggs before the hacthing. If there's something I could
capture a picture of... Well, that's a lot less scarey than the hatching
itself, anyway." She looks over at Kassima, and she too has a red tinge to
her cheeks. "And I am suddenly glad I don't have to deal with such things!
I don't think I could ever be as blase about it as you all are."

"Of course not...of course not." Lani manages between chuckles, her eyes
rest though on the candidates now and she smiles quietly, "You'd be
surprised what you can get used to. Kassi there wasn't weyrbred after all.
And any number of others weren't either. It's just, you run into more
situations that defy explanation to many people's way of thinking when
you're around a Weyr." She Yawns then and gets to her feet, stretching then
before heading to see what's left of the food, "Mind you. Most of us in
weyrs, weyrbred or no, aren't as holder's tales would have us be."

Kassima mutters, "I didn't even know the word 'tumescent' until that day. I
could've done without that vocabulary lesson. An entire stanza," she
informs Sylotra, "an *entire stanza* about which side he dressed on and
what this said about the nascent sensuality of his burgeoning soul. Can
souls burgeon? What would burgeon *from* it?" Aren't these just the
questions people need to be asked so late at night. "I'd die of
embarrassment if'n anyone ever wrote tumescent poetry about me; about
someone I hopefully never, ever met... I drank a lot, and blushed a lot,
and then I curled up in a ball and giggled m'self t'sleep. She rhymed
'tumid' and 'humid,' for Faranth's sake!" A quick flap of her hands in
agreement with Lani: "I'm nay weyrbred. I still blush and still squawk and
I'm still a terrible, terrible prude, but I'm used to the outrageousness of
others. And sometimes 'tis just sharding funny."

Sylotra hmmms, "If you'll let me know when, if you can, I'll see if I can
be in the galleries and I'll draw you a picture of the egg touching. That
will be fun, I think." She listens to Lanisa and says in deadpan, "You mean
there won't be any orgies or strange herdbeast slaughtering rituals?"
Kassima's remembrance of poetry reading hilarity kills her solemn
expression, however and she chuckles.

"Oh, I know." Desdinova replies to the older women. "I wouldn't say I am a
prude, though I'm certainly not the leap into someone's bed type, either.
But there are limits to what I think I'll adjust to!" Desdinova says, face
redder. "I'll try to see if someone with a firelizard will send word when
it happens, if we get warning. Celane, maybe, or Naara's Riike." But
Sylotra's last words leave her gaping, and proving there was a shade of red
she hadn't known existed. "/Sylotra!/" She says, shocked.

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "Are we allowed to use the word I just used or is that
a no no?"

IGEN-> A'deth says, "No. PG-13 basically covers explicit swearwords."

IGEN-> A'deth says, "You can even get away with 'damn' (sorry) now and then
in that kind of movie (see Labyrinth, for example), though I forget
official policy here."

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "Cuz children are still awake in Austrailia...or
Japan...or something. Ah...I won't worry until someone sends their 12 year
old to me and makes me explain what that word means. lol"

IGEN-> Kassima is pretty sure the word's okay. :)

IGEN-> A'deth says, "No, that'd be excessive. This isn't a G-rated game. :)"

IGEN-> Tannusen says, "Thankfully."

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "If it were, I'd love to see how we managed to RP
mating flights without...innuendo."

IGEN-> Lanisa thinks that A'deth's example would fall under not a canon
word for Pern though as there is no religion, however. :)

IGEN-> Desdinova thinks the present company is not apt to be bothered by
things, anyway. :) Now, the characters... ^.^

IGEN-> Tannusen was on a g-rated game. With characters who weren't
typically g-rated (this one for one specific example, with his innuendo and
such). That was /fun/.

IGEN-> A'deth says, "Right, Lanisa."

IGEN-> A'deth says, "I believe 'blasted' was what was used in the books for
that one."

IGEN-> Tannusen nodnods

IGEN-> Lanisa nodders :)

IGEN-> A'deth says, "Or 'bloody'. XD"

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "How about 'shardling dimglow'? Minor curse?"

IGEN-> Kassima nodnods. Kassi curses up a blue streak on a regular basis,
it's just the Pernese swears. ;)

IGEN-> Tannusen XDD

IGEN-> A'deth XD

IGEN-> Desdinova hopes this isn't a prelude to Lotra calling Des a dimglow.
^.^

IGEN-> Sylotra lols.

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "No, but now I have to find someplace in RP to use
that one."

Lanisa chuckles and shakes her head, "Mind you. I'm not apt to tell you
never.." and she winks then before she shrugs again, "But shards. The only
herdbeasts that get slaughtered are for food. And I'm a perfect example of
what may result from weyrlife. On one hand, I'm weyrmated. Trii and I spent
turns before we were together and we still are. We've each been caught up
in flights on occasion, but Tisiath's only caught the once... But, on the
other hand, I've a whole passel of brothers and sisters who are mostly
flight related, so I have a rather huge, convoluted family that each do
things a bit different, I guess you could say."

"A'course there are," Kassima tells Sylotra, perfectly straight-faced.
"They're called 'mating flights.'" She glances to Lanisa and nods
agreeably. "People differ, relationships differ; you've mayhaps got some of
almost everything in a Weyr. One doesn't have t'be promiscuous or whatever
oneself, but you get used t'being around people who are, and knowing
'tisn't the important thing about 'em, and appreciating 'em for what *is*
important." A pause. "Usually. Some make it harder than others. See:
seventeen-verse epic poem."

Sylotra glances over at Des with a wide eyed, innocent look, "What? I'm the
child of a green-rider who grew up in a crafthall. Do you know how many
people asked my mother if I was conceived during an orgy? Or a mating
flight? Maybe that's why she buried herself in her work..." She trails off
in thought. She glances up at Lanisa and nods, "Life in the Weyr is
just...different from the crafthall and the hold, probably because
different things drive the population." She shrugs, looking a bit glaze
eyed as the long day of working and the more serious conversation catches
up with her.

"I guess." Is Des' reply, as she tries to calm her blushing. "And I dunno
why stuff like that still suprises me, you just seem... Well, too young to
know such things, that's all. But I guess you probably know more than me,
truth be told, I just know the few things I've encountered since I got
here." She looks around, self-conscious at the display of her heritage. She
looks to Lanisa isntead, "You've won only the one Flight?"

"Crafthalls are more relaxed than Holds even, but the stories that get
about..." Lani rolls her eyes and finishes packing up the bits of leftovers
she wants to claim, "Anyone need a ride down? The blue lump is awak enough
now he's consenting." She chuckles and nods, "Helps that Tisiath doesn't
see much point in chasing often. I think that time he just did because his
brother did." she wrinkles her nose a little and then smiles, "Flights
aren't really my thing, or his I guess. So we're suited."

Kassima crinkles her nose. "There's nay shame in being a flight-child, but
what a thing t'be asking someone. 'Heyla, what's your name? How were you
conceived?' Remind me t'be wary next time I visit Smithcraft. That's a
question I've always wanted as few details on as possible, i'truth." Her
eyes, flicking to Lanisa, are wry. "I wish Lyss could get away with that. I
should probably pick a weyr and keep the bed warm m'self... d'you think,"
she wonders of the group, "anyone will care if'n I steal food? Since there
isn't much left?"

It's Sylotra's turn to blush. "I wouldn't know half what I know if I wasn't
so good at blending into the background. *No...not eavesdropping...really*
Adults talk a lot when they don't know there are 'little ears' to listen. I
know words that I'm actually afraid to ask the meanings of. Oh, and it was
Minecraft Hall. My mom was a rock scultper." She glances at Des, "Do we
want to wake Naara and hitch a ride down?"

"I don't think you can steal what is freely offered." Nova points out to
Kassima. She looks over at Sylotra and offers a light laugh. "They don't
talk about such things where I am from. Poor training for my life in the
Weyr, say I, but such is life." She gives a nod, turning her gaze to the
sleeping girl, "Yeah, probably should. It's getting late. But I will find
you tommorow? We can catch up, and I can find that cream for you?"

"I'm a flight child. And I see no shame in it. I'm a third generation rider
even." Lani shrugs again and then smiles sympathetically to Kassima, "And
to think, for turns I wanted a green like ma's, and gran's.. and Lyss.
Since it was clear enough a bronze was out." She winks at Kassi then,
brightening her mood before waving a hand at the food, "I don't see why you
couldn't." She makes her way over to Tisiath as he rouses, places her
purloined food in the pouch, then leans against the blue's shoulder to wait
for the girls to sort themselves out.

IGEN-> Lanisa waversnugs out and leaves Kassi in charge. No burning the
weyr down without me though ;)

IGEN-> Sylotra waves, Nini!

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "We'd never deprive you of the fun. ^.^"

IGEN-> A'deth <3

"I've several flight children," Kassi tosses in for her bit. "And
Minecraft--all right, that I can be believing. I've known Minecraft t'be a
bit odd." There's a fondness in her voice; a certain nostalgia. "I should
by rights tidy up here and make sure the gifts left are secured a'fore I
go. *Then* steal the food. I'm glad you could all make it tonight."

Sylotra nods, "I'll definitely find you tomorrow. I'm free of the smiths
tomorrow and plan to get some drawing done that doesn't require notations
and measurements." She chuckles softly at Kassima's assessment of Minecraft
and shakes her head before helping Des wake and escort Naara towards Lanisa
and the waiting blue.

IGEN-> Sylotra says, "Night, Igen!!"

IGEN-> Desdinova says, "Night, Lotra!"

IGEN-> Kassima zhaiwaffles! Thanks for coming out. :)

Desdinova nudges Naara awake enough to stand and, with Sylotra's help,
leads her over to the waiting blue dragon. "Nothing wrong with children,
regardless of where they come from." She opines. "Nothing wrong with me for
being from a hold, for that matter." She smiles to Kassima over her
shoulder, "Thank you again, ma'am." The title is, however, given with a
faintly teasing note.

"Kassima," Kassi reminds, the name a sigh. "I'm really nay kidding about
that. Next time...." And she means it; but this time she lets it go, just
shakes her head ruefully and waves to them as they go. "G'night, g'night,
g'night."