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Hop-Along Kassidy


Date:  December 21, 1996
Place:  Ruatha Hold Pasture
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:  Are three legs better than two?  It seems doubtful, 
given the falls and staggerings of the competing teams in this three-
legged-race, but on the other hand (or foot, as 'twere), there's 
plenty to be said for victory even when it's bound to humiliation. ;)
This is another of the Ruatha Runner Festival events, and kudos are
due to Azila for running it!

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The Log:

You trek north on the path leading to the Beast Holds. Your heels kick up 
small puffs of dust as you travel along.

Kindre treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust 
in her wake.


---

Three Legged Race Rules-Read Me!!!(#1226V)
The rules for this race are=Please register your two person team with Azila. 
If your legs come untied, you must stop and retie them. You must both be 
walking, one constant may not drag the other. I will check all ropes before 
the {If you push another team over, or trip them, you are automatically 
disqualified. (OOC rules... Azila is in charge!!! Please page me your two 
person team. I will make a start pose, then you all may make a pose, the me 
and so on. The best RPing team will be the winner, I will page the team to 
pose that the cross the finish line. Other than that, have fun!)

---


Juliana looks up at Selandra, "Juwiana no get runned over again?"

Kindre blinnks as she catches up and wonders about the obvious, "But...in 
dresses? You two'll kill yourselves..."

Stannis takes a couple of steps back away from the winecrafter and says, 
"Well, I better be finding a partner then, see you around, ma'am." He turns 
to look around.

Aphrael giggles over at Kindre. "That's the idea!" she answers with a 
mischeiveious grin.

Selandra chuckles, and picks up some ties for herself and Juliana. "You just 
run as fast as you can Juliana, and I'll bet no-one can keep up with you.."

Aslana giggles at Stannis' discomfort "I'd like to try this 
race...woodsmith...? What's your name?"

Stannis turns his head around to look over his shoulder and around, "Huh?" 
he asks intelligently.

Aidoann nods to Verita and listens to the whispers

Kassima laughs. "Eh, the humor value will be good at least," she assures 
Kindre. "Besides, 'tis walking, nay running; that should help... one hopes." 
She waves to Sela and Julaina when she sees them out of the corner of her eye.

Aslana asks patiently again "Your name" she says slowly...

Verita calls over to Juliana, "This will be all right, because it won't be 
crowded at the end like the last one was.

Fobok treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust in 
his wake.

Juliana smiles, obviously feeling a bit better now that she knows she won't 
get run over again.

Aidoann waves to Fobok, "Hiya!"

Kindre laughs a bit as she bobs her head to Aphrael's words. Chuckling 
still, she finds a spot now far off to sit and watch in. "Well, true enough 
I suppose Kssi..."

Aphrael waves over as she recognises some people she knows, peering around 
before she spots some ties nearby. Grinning at Kassi, she asks, "You want to 
do the honours?"

Stannis trots back toward Aslana, and extends a hand rather formally, 
"Woodcraft Apprentice Stannis, ma'am." With just a hint of a grin at the 
edges of his mouth he says, "Unless you're asking me to be your partner, 
then I'm just Stas."

Juliana looks at Kindre, she remembers her from somewhere

Fobok, seeing Aidoann's wave, returns it..

Aslana laughs "Stas? Would you be my partner?"

Aidoann smiles, "Heya Red, ol boy"

Verita helps Aidoann up and puts an arm firmly around her waist. "Let's 
practice."

Stannis gives a sheepish grin, "I'd be delighted."

Aidoann nods to Verita

Red barks at Aidoann, wagging his tail

Selandra grins. "Aah, that's Kassima and Aphrael and WW Kindre..." she waves 
to the bendenites before reaching down again to tie her legs up for the 
three-legged race, wondering if Juliana will sit still long enough.

Aslana smiles, linking her arm with Stas' "Well...they've the right 
idea...practicing. How does one do this?"

Kassima grins. "Sure, why nay? This should be interesting...." She picks up 
a tie and hikes up her long skirt just enough to tie it to her leg, but 
definitely not enough to be indecent, nonono. She then gestures for Aph to 
do the same. "If we don't wind up turning ourselves black and blue from 
falling too much, that is!"

Benden Weyr> Asrai waviesnugs :)

Benden Weyr> Kassima wafflesnugs an Asrai! Hey, come watch Aph and I make 
fools of ourselves at the three-legged race. ;)

Juliana watches the real canine with interest, then her attention goes to 
her stuffed canine, she hopes the real canine isn't like Lobani.

Aphrael grins over at Selandra. "Hiya Sela!" She greets, then looks down, 
pulling up her dress as she giggles. "Well, it will be fun whatever happens."

Stannis suggests, "First, lets fix the ties in place? If you're ever having 
trouble with the pace just pick up your outer foot and lean on me, and I'll 
lug you along." He grins, "Sound like a plan?"

Verita and Aidoann begin to walk, leading off with the inside leg, moving 
slowly at first.

Kindre continues to chuckle watching her fellow riders. Spotting Selandra 
and Julina, she waves over, "Luck to you all...I'm content to watch this 
affair."

Benden Weyr> Jalimax says, "we need to go there to see you make fools out of 
yourselves ? ;))"

Aslana grins back and nods "A good plan"

Benden Weyr> Jalimax looks for a ride :)

Kassima ties the tie good and tight, double-checking the knot. "That should 
serve," she reports finally, letting her skirt drop; it naturally looks 
rather odd, being draped over the tie.

Benden Weyr> Aphrael has this mental image of what's going to happen, and is 
giggling RL. And pthbts Jali! :)

Benden Weyr> Kassima snorts. :) Oh, just +go ruatha-cy and claim you got a 
ride with someone or something.... :)

Benden Weyr> Kindre is laughing, too, and the thought :) hee

Benden Weyr> Jalimax says, "and then ? :)"

Stannis decides to test the theory by slipping an arm around Aslana's waist 
and picking her off the ground to carry her to get the ties. Once there, he 
says solemnly, "Just had to be sure I could do it, ma'am."

Asrai treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust in 
her wake.

Selandra smiles. "Well, at least we've some more riders to join us in this 
tomfoolery." she guestures over at Aph and Kassi.. "But Fort's duty's to 
Benden." she notes, before turning to Jul briefly. "You want me to put him 
away somewhere safe while we race?" she asks of the stuffed canine.

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Dusty Path, then Runner Pasture. :)"

Aphrael pulls experimentally at the knot, still holding up her dress with 
one hand to keep it from getting entangled in the tie. She bounces a little 
nervously, pering around at the other teams.

Jalimax treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust 
in his wake.

Aslana laughs a little, blushing a lot "Well...one must always be sure"

Juliana smiles at Sleandra as the rope is tied

Asrai skips up waving to her friends, "Kassi! Aph!"

Kassima grins and waves. "Benden's duties to Fort and her queens, too." She 
glacks as Aph's pulling on the tie tugs at her leg. "Careful, Aph, or you'll 
knock me off-balance before the race even starts."

Verita says "All right, let's try taking longer strides, especially with the 
outside foot. We need to match stride length as well as matching our timing."

Valin treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust in 
his wake.

Azila watches the teams warming up, waiting for anylatecomers.

Kindre spots Asrai and waves her over, "Hi there...you're just in time..." 
Grinning, she bobs her head and returns to Selandra, "And Benden's to Fort's 
and her queens."

Fobok just finds a place to sit and watch..

Aidoann walks with Verita, rather clumsily at first, but then finally gets 
the hang of it

Aphrael giggles over at Asrai, waving carefully. She's tied by one of her 
ankles to Kassi, currently. "Hiya Asrai.. gong to join in the race?" she 
asks, then merps at Kassi. "Sorry.. just checking it."

Jalimax chuckles and watches the Benden riders about to race. He waves at 
Kindre and Kassi, as well as Aphrael.

Kassima waves to Asrai and Jali, then tilts her head and asks, "Should we 
try a few practice steps, Aph?"

Asrai makes her way over to Kindre=Are you going to join in?

Aphrael spots Jalimax as he comes in, and groans softly. "More people to 
witness us making fools of ourselves?" she says to Kassi, grinning slightly, 
then nodding. "Aye.. maybe we should."

Jalimax winks at Aphrael, "I can make a song out of it for the weyr, if 
you'd like."

Azila says "I'll be starting in five minutes, are there any other teams?"

Verita and Aidoann speed up gradually, taking longer strides. "All right, 
let's try to run, but keep it matched."

Kassima nods. "On the count of three, then... left, right, left, right sound 
good t'you? Or right, left?"

Stannis makes sure the ties are tight and not likely to give way during the 
race, "That too tight, ma'am?"

Aidoann nods to Verita and speeds up, trying to match steps.

Aphrael gasps at Jalimax. "You wouldn't dare!" she pauses, then admits, "Yes 
you would! Shards and shells."

Kindre blinks a bit, "We'll surely brek our necks, but would you like to try 
this, Asraai?"

Jalimax smiles sweeting at Aph, and just grins.

Kassima hmmms as she glances down at their tied legs. "Actually, that 
wouldn't work. Hrm. Okay, let's try this... outside, inside, outside, 
inside. Make better sense that way?"

Selandra tests the ties the rope neatly and grins. "That's not too tight is 
it?" she asks lifting the little girl to her feet as she gets up herself. 
"Just say and I'll loosen it."

Asrai giggles, "Us?" Then she looks over at Kassi and Aph, "Well...what have 
we got to lose? Umm...who do we tell?"

Aphrael takes a step forward with her right foot as Kassi says yes, then her 
left as Kassi says right. It doesn't appear to be working to well. "Umm.. 
which one!?" she asks, desperately.

Juliana says "It not too tight"

Verita and Aidoann break into a ragged run. "Stop!" says Verita. They stop, 
and she whispers some more.

Aslana shakes her head, taking a step to test "No...not really"

Aphrael, in a really mature gesture, sticks her togue out at Jalimax, "You 
try it then, Jali!" she calls over with a giggle.

Stannis's leg is jerked along with Aslana's and he bends to whisper loudly 
in his partner's ear, "Great. Only, next time warn me?"

Aidoann stops as requested of Verita and listens to the whispers, nodding 
now and again.

Aslana grins sheepishly back at Stannis "Sorry"

Kassima starts giggling, answering, "Start with the inside foot, then the 
outside one..." as soon as she's got her composure back. "And make sure the 
skirts don't get in the way, eh? Last thing we need's to trip...." She lifts 
her skirts about three inches off the ground in demonstration, holding them 
that way with her hands and looking a bit ridiculous.

Asrai calls over to Kassi...not realizing she's prolly ruining the rider's 
concentration at an important moment, "Kassi! Who do Kindre and I tell we 
want to join??"

Kindre shrugs, "I'm not sure..." then calls over to Kassima nd Aphrael, "Who 
do we talk to to join up? I think I'll attempt to black nd blue myself, 
too." She chuckles to AAsrai as she stnds.

Azila waves her hand, "You tell me!"

Kassima swivels her head to call over to Asrai, "Azila's in cha--aye, what 
she said!"

Juliana holds onto Selandra and tries to take a step.

Aphrael nods after a moment at Kassi. "Okay, outside, inside.. no wait, 
start inside?" she's sounding a little confused, her hands holding up one 
side of her dress still, the other almost touching the ground. "Inside, then 
outside," she mutters to herself.

Kassima turns back to Aph and suggests, "Maybe we should link inner elbows, 
too, so we can keep our dresses up without hitting each other with our arms 
all the time?"

Stannis laughs and slips his arm back into place around Aslana's waist, "The 
others have the right of it, you have to get into a pattern. I say we just 
do step-and-step-and-step-and-step," He taps out the time with his outer 
foot, "Starting with the inner leg."

Asrai smiles and tugs Kindre over to the clearing in her enthusiasm, making 
her way over to Azila, "We're going to try."

Kindre grins as she nods her head once, "Benden's duty to Ruatha...Asrai nd 
I'd like to join up. Is there rope left?"

Kassima nods. "Inside, outside. I comes before O, so it makes sense. Inside, 
outside, inside, outside...." She chants this repeatedly, committing it to 
memory.

Azila grins at both teams, Plenty of rope left, it's in the pile over there."

Aslana nods, her expression one of concentration as she tries it out, 
catching her own arm around Stannis to keep herself upright.

Aphrael chuckles and shrugs, throwing away any sense of decency as she hikes 
up her dress out of the way. "Much better!" Taking Kassi's suggestion, she 
reaches over to link her arm with her friend's for better balance.

Verita says "Here's what we'll do, all right? We'll sing a song we both know 
inside our heads to help us keep pace. Do you know the miner's song?"

Selandra grins over at Kassi and Aph.. "You realise I have to maintain the 
standing of the oldest Weyr on Pern." she winks at her friends.

Jalimax grins and chuckles.

Stannis stops his partner after a moment or two of practice to shake his 
head, "You've got the energy right, you just have to relax, you're making me 
work too hard to keep us both standing."

Aidoann says "Not sure, I think so, Verita.""

Asrai runs over to get a length of rope, handing it to Kindre, "Here you 
go...umm Kindre...what exactly are we suposed to do?"

Azila ahems, "Would everyone pleasre line up on the starting line!"

Roma flies down from the vast Ruathan sky.

Aslana makes a face, then giggles "Sorry" She relaxes a moment, waiting for 
Stas to start.

Aphrael nods in her in time with Kassi's chanting. "Inside, outside. Got 
it!" she annouces finally. Looking over at Sela, she giggles. "You can try!" 
she answers with a grin.

Kindre bobs her head and smiles wide. "Well Asrai, let's get ourselved roped 
up and practice a bit." Snickering when Asrai gets it, she shrugs, "Um, from 
the looks of things we have to tie our legs together and try not to break 
them!"

Kassima links her arm through Aph's and pulls up her skirts just enough to 
make walking easier... say, by about a foot. "Shall we, Aph? Remember: 
inside, outside...."

Juliana waits for Selandra to start towards the starting line

Verita says "All right, a step on every beat. Ready, set, go!""

Aidoann and Verita take a step, rather small for the moment

Benden Weyr> Kindre says, "this may be too funny :)"

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "No such thing, Shroomqueen. :)"

Benden Weyr> Jalimax will make a song about the loosers ;)

Benden Weyr> Kindre giggles :) hee

Stannis laughs, hefting Aslana against him as he totters over to the 
starting line and groans, "Okay, here goes nothing." He grins, "Remember, 
we'll get a bath basket if we win." He winks, "Inner foot first!"

Selandra walks forward towards the line, carrying the girl most of the way, 
then as they step closer puts her down and whispers soething in her ear.

Benden Weyr> Kassima will club you over the head with the FL perch she won 
if you try, Jali. ;)

Verita and Aidoann do even worse with this trick, and stop trying. They line 
up at the starting line.

Aphrael grins and nods at her partner, carefully taking the first step.. 
inside, as it happens. She actually got it right this time. "If its this 
hard to get to the starting line, imagine how it will be during the race!" 
she mutters softly as she heads towards the line with Kassi.

Asrai nods after the moment it takes that piece of information to make it to 
her brain, "Got it, right...we better hurry!" She bends over and begins to 
tie the ropes around Kindre and her leg...only she's facing the wrong way.

Jalimax finds himself a good place to watch and sit.

Aslana nods and repeats to herself "Inner first...inner first..."

Juliana waits at the starting line

Azila says "Is everyone ready? I'll give you the mark..."

Kassima nods. "Aye, but 'tis the same for everyone... inner, outer, inner, 
outer, inner, outer." She continues chanting this, rather like someone might 
chant a mantra, as they get to the starting line without mishap somehow.

"Asrai wait, wrong..." Kindre tries to say even as she lifts up her skirts. 
Laughing, she rolls her eyes, "we've nno time to practice...Faranth help us..."

Stannis cajoles, "Listen, if you just relax I promise I'll buy you a mug of 
cider afterwards, okay?"

Verita waves ready to Azila

Aidoann nods, "Ready"

Aslana laughs "Ok..." and she relaxes some.

Aphrael looks up and over at Azila, watching her carefully after she nods. 
"I'm ready.. I think." she's still listening to Kassi though, reminding 
herself which step to take first.

Juliana looks up at Selandra and wrinkles her face into a cute lil smile

Stannis looks forward, "We're ready then."

Azila cups her hands to her mouth to shout, "On your mark..........Get 
set.........GO!!!"

Asrai looks up, too late to change things now, "What's wrong? the legs are 
together." She tries to rove it by taking a step towards the starting 
line...course it doesn't quite work.

Juliana takes off in a slow run for the moment, Selandra matching her pace 
rather nicely.

Verita and Aidoann step off in a brisk walk, with a fairly long stride, and 
look around to see how they're doing.

Asrai acks and looks up, "Kindre...I don't see how this is suposed to work!" 
She says in pure frustration....yet since Kindre is faced the 'right' way, 
Asrai starts by taking a step backwards, pulling/tugging Kindre with her.

Kassima and Aphrael start off, the former still chanting her mantra to 
herself, and trying to ignore the several fire-lizards following along 
behind them, chitterlaughing mercilessly.

At the word go, Stannis and Aslana in a rare fit of luck manage to start at 
the same time! Unfortunately for the two of them, it happens to be with 
different feet. Stannis groans, "I said inner first!" The two end up nearly 
tottering forward, and Stannis practically hugs Aslana to avoid falling 
forward. Eventually they get it together enough to begin moving forward, 
already behind the other pairs.

Selandra smiles. "Come on Juliana, we can do this." as the girl breaks into 
a fast trot she lengthens her stride imperceptibly, laughing as they creep 
forwards past some of the others.

Azila looks, and sees that Verita and Aidoann are tied with Kassima and 
Aphrael, Stannis and Aslana right behind.

Aidoann and Verita look around to see that they are doing quite well, for 
now, they continue their brsk walk, slowly gaining speed

Kindre, laughing hard enough to topple herself and Asrai, brely gets out, 
"You're facing the wrong...jays, no matter now...try not to topple 
backwards..." As they lurch across the field, it seems almost obvious the 
two may never see the finish line without trouble.

Aphrael stumbles for a moment, nearly pulling Kassi with her as she tries to 
ward off a firelizard that dives a little close for comfort. "Sharding 
'lizards," Aph mutters, both riders keeping pace with Kassima's chanting. 
"Inner, outer."

Aslana and Stannis stumble along, she clinging to him for dear life. They 
wander back and forth across the race path, trying to avoid collision with 
other racers, and actually...amazingly are able to keep upright and moving 
forward.

Jalimax grins and watches.

Azila laughs at the racers and can bareky get out, "Aslan and Stannis are 
ahead, with the others close behind!"

"C'mon, Aph," Kassi encourages, breaking off her mantra for a second. "We 
can do everything *else* at the same time, so this makes perfect sense... 
inner, outer, inner, outer--get *away*, shard it, Zhailene!" She waves her 
arm at the green fire-lizard, then drops her skirt and has to sort of 
hop-walk to keep up with Aph and still fumble to pick it back up. It would 
be reminiscent to anyone who's ever seen a Hatching of the fabled Dance of 
the Hot Hatching Grounds Sands.

Verita whispers, "Speed it up, eye, ow, eye, ow" . She and Aidoann are just 
on the edge of running. Verita throws a worried glance at the firelizards in 
the race as she lengthens her stride to catch up with the leaders.

Juliana steps, quickly but rhythmically, "Inner, outer, inner, outer."

As if that were the ultimate jinx, Aslana and Stannis, distracted by the 
pronouncement from the race's referee get off on their steps, and Aslana 
immediately tenses up. Stannis growls, "Relax, Aslana, remember, you relax, 
okay? I said I'd by you cider if you did..." They begin to get back into 
step, Stannis chanting, "Ci-der, ci-der, ci-der," to set the pace.

Asrai actually does rather well .....for a while.Then I'm afraid the 
inevitable happens...she trips. In a whirlwind of arms and legs Kindre and 
Asrai go tumbling...surprisingly they head at least in the right 
direction...actually gaining some ground. when they come up for air, Asrai's 
hair is a mass of tangles around her face, momentarily blinding 
her...something she can't seem to fix while Kindre is dragging her to her 
feet once more.

Azila sees that as Aslan and Stannis stumble, Kassima and Aphrel actually 
catch up a bit.

Aidoann says to her partner, "We can do it." Their steps quicken, to a slow 
run for the moment, gaining speed little by little.

Aslana urges "Hurry!" She looks back "They're gaining" Of course, she 
increases her speed, but not as fast as Stannis. They stumble a little more, 
losing a precious few moments until getting in stride again.

Aphrael and Kassima see that their actually doing well, and they both speed 
up the pace a little. Suddenly, Aphrael's dress, which she is no longer 
holding up, comes unhitched. As Aphrael and Kassima take their 'outer' step, 
the former steps on the edge of her dress. With Kassi still trying to pick 
up her own skirt.. disaster, as the pair lose their balance and go sprawling 
uncerimoniously on the ground.

Kindre half-brushes the dust from her skirts and half-drags Asrai bck to her 
feet. "You okay," is asked quickly aas she adds, "we can catch up...I 
think...if we avoid any more trips..." comes out in a rushed voice aas the 
pair continues to look like a hurt runnerbeast hobbling cross the grounds.

As the racers get closer to the finish, Aphrel and Kassima, Stannis and 
ASLAN, AND Kindre and Asrai are neck and neck, with the others right behind.

Kassima overhears Aslana and Stannis and gets an idea. "Aph," she puffs, "if 
we don't win, I'll make you drink Tillek Swill. Till-ek, Till-ek...." Of 
course, she then joins in the unceremonious tumble-fest with a loud "Glack!" 
Scrambling up as fast as she can and getting a grip on her skirts, she hauls 
Aph up as well, links their elbows again, and away they go! "If you ripped 
this dress, Aph, I'll nay only make you drink the Swill, I'll sic Slithereth 
on you...." Having concluded this dire threat, the greenrider starts 
chanting the Wine Mantra again, and manages to continue in this vein for 
quite some time before returning to the old one. She breaks in this long 
enough to growl at a blue fire-lizard who sees her bobbing head as a good 
place to get a free ride.

Selandra chuckles, and keeps half an eye on the not so distant finish line, 
and the winecraft/woodcraft pair in front of them, as thshe and her small 
parntner step forwards quickly. Urging Juliana on, she steps faster and 
faster in perfect time with the young Nabol girl, even though it's really 
the girl setting the pace, the pair seem perfectly matched despite the size 
differences. ""Not too much farther now Juliana."

Verita giggles as the girls in dresses trip and stumble. She whispers to 
Aidoann. "C'mon, let's us win the fancy makeup. Run!" They speed up, and 
miracle of miracles, manage to run without losing balance or pace.

Asrai's arms whirlwind as Kindre obviously decides they have a chance to win 
this thing...not really taking into account that Asrai still faces 
backwards. One of Asrai's arms hokks around Kindre's neck...ahh much 
safer...and more steady. she leaves it there for balence, still blinded by a 
mass of hair, her short legs backpeddling surprisingly enough. o O <Prolly 
that self preservation coming to bare>..at the same pae as 
Kindre's...propelling the pair forward...not prettily, but forward.

Stannis urges, "C'mon, the end's in sight now!" It's sharding near hopeless 
at this point, though. Aslana is staggering, stepping with her outside foot 
as Stannis lifts his interior one. Aslana mills her arms, losing her grip on 
Stannis for support and issues a loud, "W-w-whoa!" as she begins to pitch 
forward. Nearly taking a plunge, Stannis hisses, "You come back here, Whiny, 
or I'll sick your sister on you!" Strong arms clasp the winecrafter firmly 
against him as he carries her full weight along with every step his left leg 
takes. Sweat beads form on the young woodcraft apprentice's forehead but he 
blunders forward forcing out, "Gonna...make it...gonna...make it."

Kristine treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust 
in her wake.

Red barks and wags his tail as Kristine arrives.

Kristine pats Red between his ears.

Fobok looks up at Kristine, smiles, and waves.

Fobok is sitting on the ground, watching the race..

Azila covers her eyes to grimice at the racers, but not before noticing that 
Aslan and Stannis ans Aphrael and Kassima have taken the lead.

Kristine wraps the blanket tighter around Krystal.

Juliana speeds up rapidly, her little legs running for all they're worth, 
she weaves her partner and herself in between Ver and Aid and the other 
leaders while they watch Aph and Kass.

Lopsidedly tottering towards where she...nd only she seeing s Asrai is not 
only facing the wrong way, but lso blinded by her own mass of 
tresses...Kindre attempts to drag them closer despite a dull ache in her 
rear from the previous fall. "We're almost there, I swear it Asrai...just a 
bit farther..." she says before laughing aloud and guaging the progress of 
the other teams.

Aphrael's face takes on a horrified expression at Kassima's threats, and 
somehow (perhaps for fear of drinking Tillek Swill), she actually manages to 
get her feet under her and hobble forward along to Kassima's chant. 
"Anything! But! Tillek! Swill!" Aphrael manages to gasp in response. Not 
even the Slithereth threat is quite as scary to her as the Tillek one. The 
pair actually seem to be making good time as they hobble-walk-hop forward, 
surprisingly enough.

Juliana carries the pace given her by Verita, her strides long and quick, 
she glances at the others to get a bearing of where the finish is.

Aslana is dragged along by Stannis in a daze, arms around him, holding on 
tight. She starts running again, actually matching his stride and giving him 
a quick smile as it appears that she has gotten the hand of it.

Aidoann carries the pace given her by Verita, her strides long and quick, 
she glances at the others to get a bearing of where the finish is.

Azila runs out alon the racers to the finish line, noticing that so far, 
Kassima and Aphrael are leading, with Stannis and Aslana right behind, and 
the others not too far from them.

Verita chants at the pair's running pace, "They .. might .. yet .. fall .. 
and .. we .. might .. win. Go!"

Jalimax smiles.

Asrai continues to cling to Kindre's back, as that's the way she's facing. 
she calls out loudly through her hair, "No problem, Kindre!" Asrai continues 
to strive...not to win, but instread not to cause another spill like the 
last one. Its amazing how much wanting to live can do to your 
concentration...The rather backwards apir finally hits a steady rythem...but 
will it be in time?

Kassima nods vigorously. "Aye! Tillek! Swill! C'mon, Aph! Inner, outer, 
inner, outer *puff puff*...." Between the chanting and the 
hop-walk-run-hobble, it's really little wonder that she's out of breath. 
"Tillek Swill that's fermented *badly*, even!" Spurred on by the nearly 
hysterical chittering laughter of dozens of fire-lizards, and not really 
wanting to have to touch Swill in order to force Aph to drink it, Kassi 
manages to find a new energy reserve and hobble-walk at a pace matching 
Aph's towards the finish line.

Aidoann chants with Verita, "We...can...do...it!" She weaves in and out of 
those in front of her, running quickly for the finish line.

Selandra grins down at the youngster running all out beside her and deftly 
swtches her pacing to slightly lengthen the young girls stride without 
tiring her overly much. She giggles as she catches Kassi and Aphs' dialogue, 
as they pass yet another pair of racers. She grins, and wonders if she can 
get away with picking Juliana up and running for the race line, short legs 
notwithstanding, and they slip past yet another uncoordinated pair, 
grinning. "Ok, Juliana, here goes." As they get within a few paces of the 
leaders and the finsh line, Sela dives, lifting the Nabol child up and away 
from the grounand shielding her gently as they fall over the line and away 
from the other runners. Sitting up she glares at the stone that tripped her, 
then asks Juliana if she's alright.

Kindre, seeing the finish so close nd pirs still before them, starts to 
quicken her pace. In the haste, she forgets Asrai's hold on her neck until 
she distances the shorter girl enough to give herself a nice choke. Startled 
bit, her quick pace and reaction, nevermind a pepple at the worst moment, 
trip up her free leg. Trying to compensate for it with the tied once, it is 
her now who sends the pair butt-skidding cross the ground.

For all Stannis' talk of relaxing, he's the one that is red-faced with 
concentration. But plod on he and Aslana do, there steps matched as the two 
grow used to each other as partners. Triumphantly, they look at each other 
to share an excited smile as they charge forward. They're moving, they're 
gaining, they're surging onward! Go team, go! Everything is going 
splendidly! Stannis has kept his steps small enough to accomodate the 
smaller winecrafter's, and grins, "Could I just give you the bath bucket or 
whatever its called instead of cider?" he pants out. Shame neither of them 
has the foresight to think about that rock sitting up ahead in there path, 
right on the finish line. But then again, ignorance is bliss, and so they 
blissfully give it their all, moving in a synchronization neither of them 
would have imagined possible at the start of the race.

Mortimar treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust 
in his wake.

Kristine waves to Timmy from across the pasture.

Mortimar comes walking along the path, heading towards the stables and 
notices a large crowd of people. Curious he walks over to investigate

Mortimar walks over towards Kris and nods to the other people. When he 
reaches her he whispers in her ear, "you sure you are well enough to be out 
here?..."

Fobok stands up, and walks closer to Kristine and Mortimar..

Kristine sighs. "I had to get out, and the healer said that as long as she 
was bundled up well......"

Mortimar frowns a bit, and looks over to Fobok, nodding to him he turns his 
head back to Kris. He doens't say anything but he obviously doesn't seem to 
approve.

Juliana nods to Selandra and giggleclaps, "That was fun."

Aphrael and Kassima stagger across the finish line, both of them collapsing 
in a heap from exhaustion. "No.. Tillek.. swill?" Aphrael gasps, 
disbelievingly as she peers around, trying to untangle herself from her 
partner.

Aidoann says to Verita, "Good race. 'twas right fun." She kneels to untie 
the rope around their legs.

Kristine looks up at Timmy. "I won't stay long. Okay?"

Selandra chuckles, relieved that she's alright. "I'm glad you enjoyed 
yourself then. Shall we go find Felista now?" she leans over and starts to 
undo the ties.

Mortimar nods, and moves to her side a bit and turns to face the crowd. He 
isn't goign to leave her alone.

Verita grins as she helps with the knots. "Yes, we'll have to practice some 
for next turn."

Asrai and Kindre manage ...somehow...to make it across the line...ok so it 
was in a tangle of arms and legs. Asrai finally moves her hair out of her 
face and looks over at Kindre who is now facing her, "Did we finish?"

Juliana nods and giggleclaps somemore, "Mama Fewista gunna buy Juwiana a 
sheep."

Kassima's fire-lizards all chirrup in disappointment as they see their pet 
actually manage to come in *first*; who would've thought it? Kassi sticks 
her tongue out at them once she's righted herself from collapsing, and 
shakes her head, brushing her forelock out of her eyes. "Nay... Swill," she 
pants. "Nay unless you *want* some, so... in other words, still nay Swill."

Fobok grins, and asks Kristine, "Hey..finally gave birth?"

Aidoann nods to Verita

Kindre laughs as her head bobs, "Just barely, but yes...thanks, that was fun!"

Public announcement: Azila announces "I'm happy to announce that Aphrael and 
Kassima have won the Three Legged Race at Ruatha!"

Selandra grins, and lreleases the knots finally. "A sheep.. a lamb? You're 
very lucky then." she grins.

Though Aslana and Stannis strain ahead, it isn't enough as they cross the 
line a few paces behind Kassima and Aphrael. Aslana stops, but Stannis 
doesn't. They both fall, Aslana letting out a small shriek as she lands on 
top of Stannis.

Rakan treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust in 
his wake.

Asrai giggles and struggles to undo the knot...but seeing how that is near 
impossible it takes her a while. she does however make it to her feet, 
helping Kindre up as well.

Aslana shakes her head, peering down and breathing hard, realizing where she 
landed "Oh my!" she blushes.

Kindre is still laughing, "You okay, Asrai? It is amazing we didn't break 
nything." Looking over at the other Benden riders, she calls, "'Grats you two!"

Jalimax grins and chuckles.

Azila dropped Elegant Bath Basket.

Stannis oofs as the thin girl lands on top of him and once he's had the 
several seconds it takes to realize what has happened, he blushes to the 
very roots of his hair, apologizing in a great hurry, "Jays, you alright? 
I'm sorry, I'm such a clutz..."

Aphrael lies still sprawled on the ground, giggling with giddiness as she 
yells, "No Tillek!!" As she does this, many of her own firelizards come 
swirling around her, and she bats at them. "Gettaway.. No you *cant* have 
your own three legged race.."

Kassima pulls up her skirt and starts tugging at the knot, which managed to 
tighten further still between all the falling and stumbling and hobbling. 
"Um... Aph? Did you bring a knife?"

Azila dropped Luxurious Bath Basket.

Mortimar looks down at the little kid in Kris's arms and whispers, He 
mutters to Kristine, "... the..."  he grins.

Aslana shakes her head, trying to roll off, "That's ok...it's my fault" she 
stammers out.

Selandra chuckles, and starts to congratulate the winners and mentions a few 
"good race"'s to the others.

Azila grins at the winners, wating to motion them over until the get untied.

Verita looks up at Aphrael's lizards. "Lizards wanting to have a 
three-legged race? I wonder how that would work..."

Kristine smiles at Timmy. "I think she's hungry. Want to find some place warm?"

Juliana goes to get her blankie and stuffed canine, Blue isn't where she 
left him, she looks around trying to find out who took her stuffed canine.

Mortimar nods and smiles back. "I think that would be a good idea."

Aphrael blinks dumbly at Kassi. "Um.. no.. nowhere to put one," she replies, 
peering down at her dress, then back up at Kassi. "You can't get it undone?"

Mortimar continues, "After all.. it is rather late. Perhaps you should put 
her to bed?"

Asrai brushes off her dress, trying her best to get off all the dust from 
the various tumbles. She hobbles over to Aph and Kassi a bit sore and offer, 
"Need some help?"

Kassima waves over to Kindre and Asrai. "Thanks!" she manages to wheeze out, 
still battling with the knot. Finally, she recalls her own knife in her 
belt, and draws it, giving Aph a rather mischievous grin. "D'you trust me?"

Aidoann offers the winners a small beltknife that she has

Fobok blinks, then shrugs slightly to himself as he realizes Kristine didn't 
hear him..seeing that she and Mortimar are now talking, he doesn't interrupt..

Selandra materialises Blue from his hidey-hole. "This who you're looking 
for.. He's been waiting for you to find him."

Juliana smiles and nods, "Juwiana's Bwoo"

Mortimar looks over in Fobok's direction. "Coming?" he invites.

Selandra smiles, and brushes him off slightly, handing him back. "Safe and 
sound." she notes.

Fobok grins slightly, and shrugs, "Sure.."

Kindre is dusting the clingy bits of ground from her dress before she joins 
Asrai in the hobble-walk of the wounded. "You two stuck together," she asks 
with a chuckle as Kassi pulls out a knife.

Aidoann sees that there is already a knife being used, she tucks hers back 
into her belt.

Aphrael grins at Kindre. "Thanks. Now if only Kassi would undo this 
sharding.." she eyes the knife in her friend's hand warily, mentally doing 
some addition. "Hrm, yeah, its been only a while since Lyss' last flight!" 
she says with a grin.

Mortimar says, "Well then. Shall we?" he looks from Kris to Fobok and 
gestures off towards the Great Hall.

Rakan shakes his head, a grin splitting his face as he watches the 
spectactle. A hand moves up, fingers raking his hair back out of his face.

Aslana unfortunately decides to roll off the wrong side. Stannis gives a 
startled yelp as he's carried with her, the two partners now wriggling 
facing each other and securely held there by the ties on their legs. Stannis 
covers his face with one hand to hide his embarrassment as he utters in a 
strangled voice, "Can somebody help us out over here?"

Kristine kicks up puffs of dust as she disappears down the winding path.

Fobok kicks up puffs of dust as he disappears down the winding path.

Mortimar kicks up puffs of dust as he disappears down the winding path.

Kassima smiles at all the offers of help and explains, "Forgot about 
th'knife hidden in m'skirt folds...." She displays said knife, then laughs 
at Aph. "Nay *that* long, but she's nay proddy, so... I think you're safe." 
She slices down with the knife, skillfully cutting rope rather than legs, 
and staggers to her feet. "Aigh. I feel as though I've been kicked across a 
river."

Azila motions Aphrel and Kassima over to the baskets, "There are two 
baskets, you may fight it out between youselves."

Aidoann giggles at the spectacle of Stannis and Aslana

Aslana can't help but laugh, seemingly trapped in this position as she calls 
"Anyone have a knife?"

Aidoann offers her knife to Aslan and Stannis, "Here ya go"

Asrai tugs on Kassi's sleave, pointing over to the tangled pair, "I think 
they might need your help, Kassi."

Asrai giggles, "Oh, nevermind."

Kindre laughs and bobs her head, "I feel like I've been dropped and kicked 
around a bit myself, to be true," she says. Distracted a moment by 
something, she looks back at Asrai, "I didn't hurt you, di I?"

Aphrael drags herself to her feet, groaning just slightly. "However I feel.. 
its better than how I *would* have felt if you made me drink that Swill," 
she mutters under her breah, then heads over to Azila with a smile. "Oh! 
Thank you!"

Stannis clears his throat, "Can you bring it /closer/? Can't exactly reach 
it." His cheeks are nearly purple, and he carefully avoids looking as Aslana.

Aidoann walks to the pair and skillfully removes the rope from their legs

Kassima grins at Azila, offering Aph a hand up. "Thankee, very muchly! 
They're lovely!" She snorts at her partner, but acknowledges, "Especially 
since I intended you to drink enough to get a Swill hangover."

Asrai looks over to Kindre and gives her a bright smile, "Oh no..I'm 
alright. Sure you're ok?"

Benden Weyr> Kassima blinks as she realizes that Tillek Swill may be good 
for something after all, Aph... we sorta owe our victory to it, in a 
roundabout way. ;)

Verita waves to her racing partner Aidoann as she goes to put the ropes and 
geode tray away.

Verita kicks up puffs of dust as she disappears down the winding path.

Stannis hurriedly maneuvers into a sitting position and then pushes himself 
up to a standing one, clearing his throat yet again.

Rahvin kicks up puffs of dust as he disappears down the winding path.

Azila walks into the stables.

Aslana falls back on her elbows, still laughing...not a bit embarrassed 
about how she landed.

Aidoann safely secures the knife back on her belt, she goes to congratulate 
the winners

Kindre rolls her eyes and chuckles, "Oh, I'm fine...nothing but few minor 
bumps. Worth the fun of it, though!"

Stannis bemoans his fate, He mutters to himself, "... around... ground... 
craftmaster's..." 

Stannis stretches a hand down to help the winecrafter up without looking at 
her.

Juliana clutches tightly her blanket and stuffed canine, thumb of free hand 
goes into her mouth as she stifles a yawn.

Asrai giggles and nods, totally agreeing, "Next time though...perhaps we 
should practice first...or at least get tied correctly.

Aslana laughs as she allows herself to be hauled up "Now...Stannis" she says 
seriously..."About that cider you promised..."

Stannis allows himself a peak at the winecrafter's face, "You still want 
it?" he asks gruffly.

Kindre giggles aloud and agrees with ann inclination of her head. "True 
enough, though we did well considering it all."

Kassima picks up her basket, oohing and ahhhing over the contents, and 
retrieves her fire-lizard perch from Danuta before walking over to Kindre 
and Asrai. "I think after that, I could use something to eat," she says with 
a tired grin. "How about you two? Aph, you hungry?"

Aslana brushes off a few pieces of grass "Of course! After that race, I'm 
parched!" she says, her eyes showing her amusement.

Selandra grins. "Come on then." she offers her hand to Juliana. "Lets see 
what else we can find."

Juliana tugs gently at Selandra's clothing, "You help Juwiana find Mama 
Fewista?"

Kindre places a hand on her stomach, "I am starved..." Peering into the 
baskets, she smiles, "What is in there?"

Stannis lets some of the red recede from his cheeks, "Alright, then, I have 
enough for that, you have to lead though, since you likely know where the 
right tent is."

Aphrael takes her own basket, peering inside and grinning as she mostly 
hobbles over to the others from Benden, grimacing slightly at Kassi. "Food? 
Sounds good, actually."

Asrai smiles and nods, "Aye, me too."

Aslana rolls her eyes, sighing dramatically "I should! I spent most of the 
day there" she grins "C'mon"

Stannis gives a little grin and follows after Aslana.

Juliana says in a tiny voice, "Juwiana hungry too"

Aslana takes Stannis' hand and leads the way to the gather square.

Aslana kicks up puffs of dust as she disappears down the winding path.

Stannis kicks up puffs of dust as he disappears down the winding path.

Asrai reaches up and tries to straighten her hair as best she can.

Kassima holds out her basket for her friends to see. "Isn't it something? 
'Tween this, the perch, and those things from Weaver, I think 'tis safe to 
say today's been a rather good day. Even if I *did* have dawn sweeps!" She 
seems to realize belatedly that there's quite a bit of dust on her skirts, 
and sets to brushing them off, pulling a cloth from another of those many 
hidden pockets to wipe at her face.

Ptodek treks into the pasture along the path, leaving little puffs of dust 
in his wake.

Jalimax grins at Kassi and wanders over, absently pointing out a spot Kassi 
missed on her face, "You missed that spot."!

Aphrael glances down at the basket in her hands, offering it to Kindre for a 
look, "Vials, and cloth bags, and other goodies. I'll have to take a look 
when I get home."

Ptodek grins at the crowd, waving cheerfully.

Selandra smiles. "Hmm, I know a wonderful cook here.. she bakes the most 
delicious cookies." she winks, heading towards the gather grounds.

Asrai peers into the basket, "Wow, I've never seen such fancy stuff like that."

Juliana follows Selandra

Selandra kicks up puffs of dust as she disappears down the winding path.

Juliana kicks up puffs of dust as she disappears down the winding path.

Kindre grins, "Seems a good day indeed for you Kassima! So," she plces her 
hands on her hips and smiles crookedly, "shall we get something to eat 
before my stomach embarrsses me by rumbling louder?" Pausing to look into 
the baskets of the winners again, she smiles, "Wow, those are fancy...I'm 
jealous," she half-kids.

Kassima smiles thankfully at Jali, and wipes off the missed spot. "Thanks, 
Jali... well! Let's go on to have some food, shall we, a'fore my stomach 
reaches up to throttle me for not feeding it?"

Asrai giggles, "I wouldn't even know what to do with them." She nods 
agreeably, ready to follow the others.

Aphrael heads after the others, grinning over at Kindre, "There's more here 
than I could ever use, if you want some."

Ptodek kicks up puffs of dust as he disappears down the winding path.

Rakan turns, heading back the way everybody seems to be going. Maybe 
there'll be something to eat where -they- are.

Rakan kicks up puffs of dust as he disappears down the winding path.

Kindre's eyes widen and she shakes her head. Smiling, she says, "I'd have no 
idea wht to do with most of it myself..." she giggles.

Jalimax mmms. "FOod sounds good.."

Kassima manages to get herself back in order, looking almost like she did 
before she ran the race. Except quite a bit more giddy and exhausted both. 
"Aye, well... I think I hear a roast wherry calling my name. Shall we, all?"

You kick up puffs of dust with your heels as you follow the winding path 
back to Causeway Road.