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The Width of Fashion


Date:  April 20(?), 1997
Place:  Telgar Hold's Gather Grounds (Sort Of)
Game:  PernMUSH/TooMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  This log is unique thus far amongst my collection in 
that it did *not* take place on NC.  The game suffered a crash that 
lasted several days just after the scene where Kassi and Meli told 
T'lar about his spawn-to-be; several Pernese refugees ended up on 
TooMUSH, and someone--it may have been Merellia--had the idea to 
RP a Gather at an NPC Hold there in the meanwhile.  Thus, various
characters from various parts of Pern wandered in and out of this
insignificant in the long term but fun in the short term scene.  I
decided to post it mostly because poor Kassi's bemusement in 
shopping for maternity clothes amused me. :)

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The Log:

The rushing murmur of Gather-excited voices fill the air, indeed they do.

Kindre hops off Herath and immediately starts smoothing out the wrinkles of
her dress. Grinning a bit, she gazes around. "Seems busy, hmm? Flying
straight wasn't so bad, Kassi. Think they'll even have kilts here?"

Kassima climbs down from Lysseth's neck, careful of the Gather-straps. The
green--who is here, really she is--watches her rider dismount with eyes
whirling a relaxed sapphrine blue. "I begin to understand," Kassi comments
to Kin, "why more people don't choose to take the scenic route to these
things. I don't see why they wouldn't, if'n there're Weavers about...."

Merellia shrugs out of her riding jacket and helmet, balling them up to
tuck them under Neith's straps where they'll stay nicely before she slides
off the queen's neck, the gold giving a rumble to Tabith and the other
dragons landing nearby before she leaps skywards, winging towards the
Fireheights in a great draft of air. Behind, Merri shields her eyes from
the sun, waiting for Tamma. "Get stuck in your straps?" she calls teasingly
over to the greenrider.

Tamma tucks her jacket closer around her, calling back to Merri, "No," and
then fights one of the buckles, muttering, "Leggo, I said." After a few
moments, she gets it free, and clambers down, "Just looking around.
Really." She scritches Tabith, checking her hide for a quick moment, before
letting the green fly up to join the other dragons.

Merellia twitches the folds of her dress, a rather caftan-like creation
that does an admirable job of hiding her thickening waist, asks rather
hopefully, "You didn't happen to see the bakercraft tent from up there,
then, did you? I /really/ want some of those wheat cakes." Plaintively,
"No-one fixes them at Ista, and E'ryn can't cook, either."

Kassima shucks her psychadelic jacket and helmet and packs them in the
strap-pouch there for just that purpose. "All right, lump, go ahead and get
out of here a'fore you scare the animals." She clouts the green on the
shoulder, and Lyss reluctantly departs. "Where d'you think we should roam
first, Kin? Seems that with a whole Gather to explore, we needn't be in a
hurry for the kilts."

Tamma shakes her head, "No, I can't tell one tent from another. We'll have
to look around." Hopping from one foot to another, she asks, "You're sure
there's no place /warmer/ that makes 'em?"

Kindre finishes stashing her gear in a pouch on Herath before patting her
affectionately. "Go on, follow Lysseth dearheart." That done, she regards
the scene again. "Hmm, do you want to eat or shop first? I've enough marks
to get something nice this time 'round."

"Eat?" asks Kassi hopefully. "I may have had a meatroll on the way here,
but I'm still famished--think they have any lemon bread here? Or roast
porcine, or ovine, or... ach, shells, I'm nay particular. Aught that's
*food* will do."

"Gar wasn't having a Gather today," Merellia replies in a tangential answer
to Tamma's question, stepping back out of the way of another landing dragon
to end up in the shade beneath one tent's awning. Absently, she tries to
lean against the tent wall, then shies forward as the cloth gives beneath
her, and straightens haistily, trying to appear as if all she meant to do
was look around at the nearest tents.

Chuckling, Kindre bobs her head while her eyes flick momentarily to
Kassima's stomach. "Food first sounds perfect to me," she admits before
spying a familiar face. Waving over to the Istan pair, she offers cheery
greetings. "Benden's duties! Oh," she smiles back at the greenrider, "if
they've lemon bread, we've surely gotten lucky this time. I hardly ever see
it outside of Ruatha."

Tamma catches Merri's arm absently, not really fooled, and stands on her
tiptoes to look around. "All the more reason to have gone to Gar," Tamma
murmurs, then says more loudly, "If I were a bakercraft tent, where would I
hide myself?"

Kassima, catching Kin's glance, simply rolls her eyes in an eloquently
silent comment on... well, since it's silent, one can only guess what.
Amused exasperation, perhaps. "'Twould nay be of the same class as
Gwennar's, but I daresay 'twould do better than naught...." Catching Kin's
wave, she duplicates the action with a smile. "Benden's duties to Ista and
her queens, g'day, and all!" is her called salutation. Turning her head,
the greenrider asks Kin, "See anything in colors of red and white? That'd
have to be Bakers," she adds unnecessarily.

Tamma spots the Bendenites, and waves right back, "Ista's duties," and
turns the question to them. "Have you seen where they're hiding the food?"

Merellia slants a glance at Tamma. "If we'd gone to Gar, you might've seen
Merien's da--I don't think Blackrock's /too/ far from there," she says with
a glint of mischeivousness in her glance; hearing the Benden hailing, her
expression brightens with a smile as she catches sight of Kindre. "Ista's
greetings to Benden and her queens," Merellia calls over genially. "Lemon
bread?"

Tamma sighs overdramatically to Merri, "I know."

Kassima shakes her head in negation. "Nay yet, more's the pity... V'dan, go
find the tent for me, won't you?" Kassi's long-suffering and ever-present
greenrider lackey makes a face, but does so, though grumbling all the way.
"Just hope he doesn't get lost; I wouldn't put it past him. How he and
Chymeth ever find their way home, I have *nay* idea... oh, aye!" Kassi
turns her attention from the departing V'dan to the Istan Weyrwoman. "Lemon
bread's the finest treat this side of Ofira's redfruit muffins."

"I wish we could find it," Kindre admits with a bit of a rueful smile. "The
more we talk of food, the hungier I seem to get." Chuckling, she stand on
her tiptoes trying to spot the telltale Baker's colors over the other
canvas tents. "Hmm, I think mayhaps I'm too short to spy it. Oh, lemon
bread. It's the most wonderful treat I've yet to taste. Though usually we
can oly find it at Ruatha..."

Merellia's eyes crinkle at the corners in a laugh at
Tamma's--lovelorn?--attitude. "Actually, I think he's supposed to be
hosting a gather sometime soon, himself, at Blackrock," she says in an
overly-casual tone to the Istan. With a return of her attention to the
Bendenites, "I've had some of Ofira's muffins, I believe--she's a talented
baker. And if this lemon bread's near so good, well." Her lips quirk. "I
might have it and the wheat cakes, too, if I can find them. How go things
at Benden, what with your new weyrlings and all?"

Tamma brightens considerably, but says nothing.

Kindre smiles, "Everything at Benden goes well, especially with the scent
of Spring in the air. The weyrlings are faring well, too. Much as Sionelle
grumbles to the contrary," she smirks. "Everything at Ista well, also, I
hope?"

Kassima grins her agreement, "I'truth! And a mother, now, of a fine son--or
so rumor says. There haven't been many of her muffins around in the
mornings of late, and 'twould explain it well, so I give it credence...."
She heaves an exaggerated sigh, then laughs. "'Tis safe to say that Benden
is well, methinks. The winter weather's been continuing on a bit longer
than usual, but that's nay without its benefits. And as to the 'Lings,
they're coming along well--though that's just my opinion. Even the ones who
*do* make odd heifer-jokes," she asides to Kindre under her breath.

Kindre utters hushed giggles at the latter comment. "Aw, Kassi, I'm sure
she meant it in the best way." Blinking, her eyes widen as her thoughts
catch something. "Oh, did you happen to catch the name of the Ofira's son?
For the life of me, I can't recall it..."

Tamma leans over a little to Merri to whisper, "Who's Ofira?"

Kassima shakes her head, expression apologetic. "Afraid nay, m'friend.
Gir-something, I think... but 'tis all I caught of it. Hrm. Think we should
buy the lad a kilt? I'd wager that the Weavers would make us one in
babe-size, if'n the price is right."

"Very well," Merellia replies easily; "A spate of greenflights seems to
have relaxed a good portion of the Weyr, and tired out the other half," she
says with light good humor, an eyebrow arching faintly as she catches a
couple words of Kassima's aside to Kindre. "And I'm glad to hear that about
your weyrlings--we've just finished settling ours into the wings, mostly,
though Tamma could give you more details on that. --Bakercraft craftsecond
at Benden Weyr," Merellia tells Tamma in an undertone. "Very good at her
craft."

Tamma ahs, and lifts her chin a bit before nodding solemnly, as if she's
known that all along.

Kindre chuckles a bit as she nods. "I'm glad to hear things go well. I've
been meaning to slip out of Benden and visit Ista and its enviable warmth,
to be true." Wrinkling her lips, she bobs her head again, this time towards
Kassima. "Hmm, I don't see why they couldn't make a tiny quilt. Might as
well start the lad off dressing well!"

Kassima chuckles. "A true spate, eh? We've actually hit a lull, there, ever
since the last few went up... thanks be t'Faranth for that." She sighs,
then smiles. "Well, ours have just started to fly without riders--but I'm
sure the time a'fore they're full riders will pass in a flash. For us,
anyway; 'twould nay make the same claim for them."

"I thought I'd never graduate," Kinddre rolls her eyes and grins. "Still
feels like it took us more than a simple turn before we were in wings. I'm
sure this class feels much the same."

Merellia, her brow creasing dubiously, questions, "Kilt?" of the
Bendenites, then gives a smile to Kindre. "You'd be welcome any time a
gold's not due to rise," she says with a flash of amusement in her gaze,
nodding to Kassima to include her in the invitation as well. "We were
heading towards the Bakercraft tent--if we could find it; perhaps the
Weavers might be nearby? Sewing seems like it'd be about as hungry an
occupation as teaching weyrlings," Merellia adds, flicking a glance to Tamma.

Tamma says doubtfully, "I think teaching weyrlings would be hungrier."
She's just got to contradict the statement.

"Kilts are all the rage at Benden," Kassi is quick to explain. "Though some
of the men have to be cajoled into them." 'Chased around the Weyr with them
until it's less embarassing to put the sharding things on' might be more
accurate, but Lysseth's rider blithely skips over that part. "'Twould be
dead in the black to say that I'd love to visit someplace warm, but the
straight flight is such a bothersome distance. Still, what else are days
off for? As to the Baker tent...." Frowning, Kassi scans the area for any
sign of V'dan. "I guess V'dan didn't have any luck finding it. Either that,
or he was waylaid by the food."

Kindre grins, the curl of her lips a bit lopsided. "Kilts, yes...short
skirts of sorts with odd, bright patterns. Seems," she notes, one brow
arching, "to be quite the current trend. Wonderful, then. I hope to invade
the balmy shores soon." Her eyes again flick across the tents as she seeks
to find the betraying colors of Weavercrafts lavender and white. Grinning,
she nods to Kassima, "Exactly...a nice, long flight would be nice,
especially to view Ista."

Tamma says, "The longer you spend flying, the longer you get to hang about
on the beach and rest," as she shifts her weight from foot to foot again.

Merellia doesn't quite say that Jh'rin's been practicing his own form of
skirt-wearing at Ista, but comes close enough that she bites down on her
lower lip to hold back a grin, distracting herself by asking Tamma, "Was
there anything in particular you'd like to look for?" Another mention of
Torien hangs all-but-said, Merellia nodding to the Bendenites as she begins
to walk slowly down the nearest row of gaily-colored Gather tents. "Kilts
don't seem to've caught on at Ista yet--I've seen none there, you, Tamma?
Though I probably saw some at Herath's hatching, and just didn't note them,
then," she adds to Kindre and Kassima with a quick smile.

"Sounds like a perfect plan, indeed," Kindre grins. Bobbing her heads, she
remarks, "Actually I did wear one for the Hatching, though with all that
was going on, I doubt it was more than vaguely noted." Spying what she
thinks is the Weavers tent, she points towards that direction. "Kassi," she
inquires, her eyes squinting a bit, "think that's it? With the light in my
eyes it's hard to be sure..."

Tamma shakes her head to Merellia, "Aside from a couple of good-looking
guys, y'mean? No, nothing. And I haven't seen any kilts." She pauses,
debating mentioning Jh'rin, but deciding not to. "No, no kilts."

Kassima laughs and gestures to Kin. "Both she and Mart both wore 'em! I
couldn't believe it; I'd thought we'd never con the brownie into wearing
another, but I suppose stranger things *have* happened. I just can't think
of any offhand." Kassi raises one hand to shield her eyes from sunlight,
peering off in the indicated distance. "I think that looks like the
Weavers--can't make out that tent next to it, quite. Is that the Bakers'?"

Margret walks up, her arm still in a sling (she flew straight with merri
she did)

Kindre smirks a bit, "I think, mayhaps, Mart thinks kilts are good
luck...just mayhaps." Giggling a moment, she continues gazing off. "Could
be Baker's at that...I'm just not sure." Catching sight of Margret, she
smiles, recogizing her. "Benden' duties," is said warmly before her eyes
fall to notice the sling.

Margret waves her left arm in a jaunty wave and a bright smile, "G'day, an
Ista's t'Benden."

Merellia squints into the distance along the direction indicated by Kindre.
"I think it's perhaps Smithcraft," she says doubtfully. "But--I imagine
that's one you'd like to look into, Meg?" Merellia asks as the brownrider
comes by. "Just as long as I can find the Bakercraft eventually. "Too bad
this isn't the 'Reaches--llama roast would be nice and warm about now,
too." She chuckles, saying to Tamma, "Maybe we could get you a kilt and see
if any guys come along after that?"

Kassima rolls her eyes exaggeratedly. "What? Mart, the skill advocate
extrordinaire, believing in luck? Just because he *happened* to be wearing
a kilt when Ularrith caught Herath? Faranth forfend." A grin tugs one
corner of her mouth upwards as she nods to the Istan Wingleader. "Benden's
duties to Ista and her queens," she greets, then breaks off to blink at
Merellia. "Llama roast?"

Margret hmms at Merellia and wasn't really listening. "Smithcraft?"

Tamma flashes Meg a smile, then wrinkles her nose to Merri. "The day you
get me into a skirt, by /any/ name, is the day I go *between* without help
from Tabith." She stands on tiptoes to look for the tent. "Which one are we
looking at?"

Kindre laughs, "Very true. Mart'll never admit to placing faith in luck,"
she shakes her head. "Oh, hmm, I don't believe I've had llama, either...?"

Margret takes a look at her gard. Normal pants and tunic. "Well, s'hard
'nough t'get on Aberuth w'a dress or one arm 'lone. I'd ruther not tackle
both at once."

<Pern> Caitria has joined this channel.

<Pern> Kindre says "TRIA! moooo :)"

<Pern> Margret grins at all the folx.

"I didn't even know 'twas roastable," Kassi admits, smoothing her sable
skirts absently. "Well, I've nay real objection to visiting one tent or the
other first, so long as Baker's an *eventual* stop; too much longer without
a food, and I think I'd eat an entire llama, roast or nay!" She grins.

<Pern> Caitria wants NC back. *sigh* Hiya, folks. :)

<Pern> Kassima snugsaTria! Heya, hiya, hoya, Atria Snarfmonster, Rogue
Herder Woman and Moobabe Extrordinaire. ;)

<Pern> Margret thinks we all do, but it's a nice (if enforced) vacation.

"I had it once at the 'Reaches, a few turns ago. It's rather like ovine
meat, more or less--the beasts stand the cold there better, I understand,"
Merellia explains, "That and some flavored snow; it was very good. I guess,
though, you'd have snow-dishes rather often at Benden?" she asks the
Bendenites with an arching of her eyebrows, then, holding back a laugh at
Tamma's reply, "The red-and-green striped tent down there.

<Pern> Tamma snugs Meg and Caitria both!

<Pern> Merellia smiles, "Hey, Caitria!"

Margret hmms and is a frequent visitor of the reaches. Weyr. "Aye, Llama's
nah so bad. S'good w'mint, I think." She chuckles, "Oh, Telgar gather's
r'always a fair fun."

<Pern> Caitria wellyeahs at Meg. But I don't like it when the enforced
vacation coincides with my 5-hour shift babysitting the computer lab. :P :)

"Mostly when the dragons get to tossing the white stuff at each other,"
Kindre chuckles, "though occasionally." Bobbing her head slowly, she kicks
a few pebbles with her boot-toe idly. "I'm not partial to where we visit
first, either, so long as we hit food along the way."

Tamma says, "I can't see it," so simply stops looking. Then she mutters
something under her breath about Gathers in general.

<Pern> Caitria oohs! But we do have -Istans- here. ;)

<Pern> Merellia grins. "Lucky, lucky!" ;)

<Pern> Krieger says "There goes the neighborhood. ;)"

<Pern> Margret says "Well..of course you have istan's! (merri emailed me to
come over)"

Kassima hrms and looks puzzled as she shakes her head slowly. "Insofar as I
know, nay anyone's thought of *flavoring* the snow. Nay certain why nay; I
might suggest that when I get home. I've been dumped in it up to my head,
hit with it, and had it fall on me from above, but I can't say I've ever
eaten it. 'Tis aught like the Reaches' iced-cream? T'gar brought some of
that over for a celebration once, and 'twas a finer treat than even the
lemon bread--which is saying a lot." Kicking off a pebble or two that
landed on her boots as a result of Kin's kicking, she nudges her goldrider
friend lightly. "If'n y'don't stop talking of food, Kin, even folks' pet
felines will start to look appetizing!"

Margret leans over to mutter to Tamma, "S'lon ... Tabith's ... we're safe."

<Pern> Caitria glacks. Kassi's still spammy here, tho. ;)

Tamma turns and smacks Meg's good arm real hard. "You just shut up."

<Pern> Kassima says "Can you honestly say you're surprised, Cai-Too
Tri-Too? ;)"

Kindre laughs and bobs her head. "True enough, Kassi...oh," she catches
sight of Caitria, "'Tria! H'lo there."

Margret laughs brightly, in a good mood, "Ah, where's yerhumor, Tamma?"

Caitria gets dropped off by N'thren, the world's favorite NPC, and saunters
over to the Benden crowd, cheerfully not paying any attention to those
Istans over there. "Heyla Kin, Kassi. Nice day for a Gather, eh?"

Tamma wrinkles her nose at Margret, "Left it back in the Beasthall."

Merellia's glance idles over some of the handcrafted scrimshaw bracelets
spread out to catch the sunlight at one gather stall's display before she
turns back to Kindre, chuckling. "My sister--Belaryth's rider Silora at
'Reaches--told me once that their weyrling dragons go skate-sliding on the
lake ice there when it's cold enough. One of the advantages of a cooler
climate, that and snow, if you like the both," she says with an amiable
smile, one that fades as she gives an inquiring look to Tamma and Margret,
a brow arching. "Placing bets on something?"

Kassima smiles broadly as she waves to hail the Weyrherder. "Tria! Good
t'see that you made it after all... 'tis a fair one, I'd say, though summer
would've been better for straight-flying."

Margret chuckles at Tamma and then shakes her head at Merri, "Bets...No.
Jus remeberin a gather is all." Meg smirks.

Kassima chuckles and comments, "Lysseth and her sibs used to do a bit of
that, when they were very small and the ice was very thick. 'Twas amusing
to watch, though now the ice is populated only by human skaters--which is
also humorous t'see."

Caitria peers quizzically at Kassi, that particular bit of gossip not
having filtered its way down to her just yet. "Straight flying?"

"I met Silora," Kindre smiles, "when she was at Fort, Belaryth helping
Lrisseth guard their eggs. To be true, I've tried skating when Benden's
lake is frozen. Though," is admitted while a wide grin reaches high into
her cheeks, "I'd caution to say the dragons are more fun to watch..."

Margret grins, "I do miss Ice skatin, twas al'ays fun. Aber's still
confused about how th'water gets solid." Meg rolls her eyes,"S'matter how
manytimes I tell him."

Tamma goes out of her way to kick Meg's ankle, too, and says to Merri,
"Never mind, nothing."

Margret yipes and jumps a bit, "Ow!"

Merellia says equably enough as Catria approaches the group, "Ista's duties
to the Beastcraft," before shooting a glance to Margret and Tamma. "If it's
a certain gather, save it for later," she murmurs to the two, tone losing a
bit of its humor. "Neith's wanted to do that, but doesn't trust the ice to
hold her well enough," Merellia returns to Kindre, mustering a cheerful
grin. "Or, as she phrases it, she's better things to do then look like a
weyrling dragonet again."

Kassima nods to Tria in affirmation, one dark brow arching upwards. "You
hadn't heard the latest bit of news, then? I'd have thought the entire Weyr
would have found out by now, given Salless's propensity for gossip...
according to Lysseth," she explains, with a faint smile, "'twould seem to
have... let me see, how'd she put it? Ah, aye--swallowed an egg."

Kassima flashes Kindre a grin. "I still say you're a masochist to try it!
A'course, I try it too--but nay when others are *watching*; even I'm nay
*that* masochistic."

Caitria inclines her head to Merellia, politely enough, but whatever she
was about to say is lost as she blinks at Kassi. "Swallowed an egg? Ahm.
O...kay." She murmurs something under her breath that isn't quite heard,
then says to Merellia, "Beastcraft's duty, Weyrwoman."

Tamma keeps her mouth shut and steps away from Meg, carefully listening
instead of saying anything, at Merri's rebuke.

Margret makes a face at Tamma but nods at Merellia. "Aye, later..." She
nods at Catria and smiles in a good mood.

Kassima's grin widens a bit as she elucidates: "Her phrase for having the
Benden Flu, Tria."

Kindre laughs to Merellia, her head bobbing as her expression betrays a
touch of familiarity. "Herath," she notes, "will do nearly anything that
garnishes her attention. Of couse she -means- to slip and lose her graceful
balance..." Her eyes roll and she chuckles again. "Oh, it's fun...well,
until the following day when your knees and rump remind you of the falls,
Kassi."

<Pern> F'nar says "Funny how 'the pern channel' has almost become 'The
Benden Weyr Channel,' neh? :)"

<Pern> Margret says "Bit your tounge."

<Pern> Caitria snugs FNAR.

<Pern> Ardeth says "Speak for yourself :)"

<Pern> Tamma isn't Benden! I'll have to start spamming you all just to make
sure it's the Ista channel!

Caitria blinks again, then peers at Kassi's abdomen. "And you're....happy
about this?" She grins. "I knew it would happen someday; I'm just glad I'm
still at Benden to see it."

<Pern> Kindre says "heyla Ardeth :)"

<Pern> Caitria ack. Please. Not a spam contest.

<Pern> Ardeth wavies :)

<Pern> F'nar sees Chia Tria, Kassi (who he had to discount by 17 marks
before she'd sell), and then Kindre.

<Pern> Kassima *whaps* F'nar! Hey. You're *evil.* ;)

<Pern> Ardeth peers. How does one set an alias for the channel?

<Pern> F'nar looks innocent. Honest. Oops, did I let our little secret out
to scattered Pern? Oops. O:-)

"Tamma," Merellia begins again, some tension in her shoulders relaxing,
"Was it you who'd gone to that gather at Crom a turn or two ago, where they
were doing those snow sculptures?" Glancing back to Kindre, she laughs at
the other's remark. "Sounds like a gold," she acknowledges with an
upcurving to her lips.

<Pern> Merellia says "&pern_alias me=<whatever> :)"

<Pern> A'deth tests.

Kassima laughs and points out to Kindre, "But embarrassing, unless the
other skaters are as... unpracticed as you, would you nay agree?" Turning
to Tria, she lifts one shoulder in a shrug; still, her grin--more of a
beam, really--would suggest she's happy enough. "'Twas somewhat shocked at
first, i'truth, but what can I say? Meli and T'lar's enthusiasms are
infectuous." At the last comment, she loses some of her mirth. "Still at
Benden? D'you mean that you're leaving?"

Caitria shakes her head. "Not for long. I'm going to spend a while at the
Hall, once I get everything in order at Benden. Help get the new animals
settled." She gestures vaguely towards the Istans.

Tamma shakes her head, "No, not me. I don't think I've ever been to Crom.
Y'must be thinking of someone else."

<Pern> Kindre says "woo, it's a party :)"

Margret scoots over to one of the stalls and engages herself in arather
fast paced barganing over a a flavored snow-cone. While the price is fairly
cheep, Meg is delighting in pointing out that the flavor isn't as strong as
Ghoram makes it, while the vendor replies that it's richer. The challange
goes on untill they make a settlement.

Kassima ahs and nods, relieved. "So you're nay leaving for *good*, then."
She glances curiously at the Istans, not being up to date on this whole
settlement deal, but makes no comment. "Cav will nay doubt miss you, just
as the rest of us will."

Caitria nods. "He'll visit," she says, with a slight smile, murmuring
something about the advantages of dragons. "And I'll pop back to Benden
from time to time, no doubt."

Kindre bobs her head to the greenrider's comment. "Kassi's right, we'll
certainly miss you around the Weyr, though will visit, I'm sure."

Kassima inquires of the Weyrwoman, "Snow-sculptures? I'd nay heard of that
as a Gather event, though I know the 'Reaches tend to have an ice-sculpting
contest at their annual Winter Festival. That turned out interestingly a
Turn ago, though I didn't see the results of this Turn's contestant's
efforts."

Kindre smirks a bit. "We certainly...shocked them with that sculpture, eh
Kassi? I didn't make it to the festival this turn, either. I wonder if they
held the same contest?"

Merellia's brow puckers momentarily at Tamma's reply. Catching Caitria's
gesture, she nods to the Beastcrafter. "Not too long before that's
underway," is her comment. In response to Tamma's remark, "Maybe it was
Pelli, then--they'd been having a snowball fight, the people had, when the
dragons tried to join in," Merellia explains to the Bendenites. "Only they
used the sculptures, since those had bigger pieces of snow." Her mouth
tilts upwards at one corner in an uneven smile. "It was rather messy, to
say the least."

Kassima switches her attention back to the Herder for a time. "How long
will you be gone? Nay too long, I'd hope, for Cav's sake as well as ours.
At least you'll finally be able to get that chicken, eh?" This is,
apparently, some sort of obscure reference; the greenrider seems to
understand it, and even find it amusing.

Tamma shifts her weight slightly, not at all comfortable with that turn of
conversation, so concentrates on Merri's snow story, and smiles slightly.

Caitria nods somewhat amiably to Merellia, then laughs at Kassi. "One
should hope so, yes. And I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. Depends on the
quality of the animals." She doesn't look very encouraging.

Kassima blinks, and bursts out laughing. "Dragons throwing sculptures! In
Faranth's name, I can just see that--Veyath would *love* it. She'd pick 'em
up and toss 'em from above in a trice."

Margret tilts her head at Merellia, and listens, sucking on her flavored
snow, but keeping silent.

[Editor's Note:  For fun, and because it entertained me, I've left Tria's desc
in the log. ;) ]


Caitria:
        Black hair. Green eyes. Whopping big BDW Herder/Herder C2 knot.
(What do you expect? I can't get to the -real- desc! :P ;)


<Pern> Katany says "Something like that."

Kindre laughs, "Hera'd snort indignantly, I 'd guess, before tossing along
with the others! Oh," she shakes her head, "I'm sorry to have missed that."

Merellia's eyes glimmer with amusement. "It was definitely a sight, or so I
understand," she says wryly, then--having noted Margret's acquisition--with
a murmured excuse, heads over to the flavored-snow stall herself.

Kassima hmmms and nods to Tria. "Well, mayhaps 'twill pay a visit m'self on
one of my off-days. I hope Lysseth's prepared to get plenty of flying
exercise even outside of drills!" The greenrider looks towards the
fire-heights upon which her dragon rests, and quirks a smile at something
unheard.

Margret smiles, her lips a bright red from the treat. "Dinan pay more'n a
fourth mark, Weyrwoman, n'matter what ol Vayar says."

<Pern> Merien waves!

<Pern> Margret says "MEIRENEI! Erm..merien!"

<Pern> Caitria eek. More Istans. ;)

<Pern> Tamma snuggles Merien hi! And then disappears.

Caitria comments, "Keroon's quite a flight from Benden, Kassi, but I'd
surely welcome a visit." She doesn't comment about whether her CM would
feel the same.

Tamma steps back from the group, and then wanders off, presumably in search
of the Bakercraft tent.

"I'll admit, flying straight is actually rather nice when you're not in a
hurry," Kindre notes, her eyes following Kassima's to glance at her own,
dozing lifemate. "Just a quartermark, did you say Margret?"

Margret smiles, 'He's /wanting/ t'charge a half, b'I know moren that. Vayar
/always/ thins tha cause I'm Istan I dinna r'member how cheep they be."

Kassima eyes the flavored snow stall with the same look that a dragon who
hasn't eaten in nine days might give a particularly plump and juicy bovine.
Snapping out of it, she shakes her head and mutters, "I wish V'dan had
found that Bakers' tent. A quarter-mark, y'say? 'Tis nay a bad price...."
Her fingers dart to her belt-pouch, already rummaging around in the mark
pieces as she sidles towards the ice-booth and waits in the line.

<Pern> A'deth wants a Fortian or two :)

Kindre chuckles at Margret. "I'll be sure to inform...Vayar? that I'll not
give more than a quarter mark, then. Kassi? Want me to get you one?"

Kassima grins at Tria and asks, "Think I could pick up another--what was
it? Eviscerator? Nay, that's nay it... well, *you* know what I mean. I
think 'twould make a fine gift for F'nar, don't you?"

Margret grins, "Aye, b'tell'm tha I tol ye tis what I paid. He'd prlly try
th'same overpricein w'ye." Meg waves her hand, airliy, "I used t'lesson
w'him turns back."

Merien approaches the Istans, pulling her riding gloves off, looking around
at the people.

<Pern> Kassima waffles belatedly to Merien. :)

Caitria says promptly, "Emasculator. And I don't know that Leara would part
with another." She grins.

Kassima chuckles at Kin from where she waits in line. "Either you can get
me one, I can get you one, or we can each get our own. Any of those are
fine by me; I'm adaptable."

Kassima clicks her tongue. "Tsk, that's a shame. There are so many men I
can think of that I'd like to gift with one. A sort of symbolic gesture,
if'n y'will." She winks at the Craftsecond, grinning impishly.

Caitria snickers quietly. "Symbolic, eh? Yeah. I don't suppose you'd
torture poor Mart with one of those, hmm? Or have you already?"

Margret looks at Caitria, "Do they work on dragons?" she asks, impishly,
with a glance to the fireheights.

Kindre laughs, striding over to join Kassima in line. "Ema-what," she
inquires before her eyes widen with a look of sudden enlightenment. "You
mean that...thing...you gave Mart on his turnday?"

Caitria winces a bit and says to Meg, "I don't think we make them -quite-
that big. And it'd probably be a bit messy...." A bit?

Margret shrugs, "I dunno, ifn it worked I prolly get a lot more work done
w'out that randy brown o;mine chasin anythin that moves..."

Up on teh fireheights, Aberuth is quite happily flirting with all the
greens and golds in sight. And some out of sight.

Kassima flutters her eyelashes at Tria. "You know I would, Tria! I gave him
one, but I haven't gotten to use it yet. More's the pity." She actually
fakes a pout for a moment. "Besides, knives are more fun... Emasculator,
Kin, and that's the very thing."

<Pern> Aislinn says "MEG!"

<Pern> Margret looks around, "Where!?"

Caitria gives Meg an honest-to-Faranth smile. (Record keepers, take note.
She smiled at an Istan. ;) "Well, I'm afraid I can't help you there." She
chuckles at Kassi. "I'm sure Kena would appreciate it if you kept it that
way."

<Pern> Merien promtly idled forever. Sorry! She hugs Ais. :)

Kindre grins lopsidedly, "Ah, yes, Emasculator. I recall his reaction..." a
vaguely smug? look works its way across her face before a snow treat enters
her sights. Pointing to Margret, she mumbles something to the vendor. His
frown appears just before he takes the quartermark.

<Pern> Kassima, being an amateur Archivist, takes note of that, Tria. ;)

Margret smiles back. (taking note, duley) She's one of the few Istan's who
can't seem to be afraid by beastcrafters. Annoyed? Well no more than
Istan's annoy her. "Ah well, I'll jus have t'threatin him w'early sweeps
again. He's worse t'wake up'n Carissea is."

<Pern> Kindre *scritchscritch* <-- adding to her
if-anyone-sees-this-notebook-they'll-find-me-certifiable notes :)

<Pern> Margret smooches Merien and Ais!

Kassima sighs long-sufferingly. "At this rate, I'll never be able to get
revenge on him," she gripes. "And according to Cav, he deserves it too.
Mayhaps when Kena's in the midst of having her babe, I can get her to agree
to let me do it...." Her grin turns positively wicked. "Think that'd work?"
Finally getting to the head of the queue, she proceeds to bargain with the
vendor. Well, bargain is really not the word; what she does is actually
stubbornly insist that the price is a quarter-mark until the poor man gives
up and passes her the lemon ice.

Caitria grins and, once Kassi has returned with her ice, says, "That's
exactly the time."

Margret has a feeling Voyan is going to kill her...

Aislinn wanders amongst the displays and booths, dark eyes in search of
something or other. What she finds is likely not what she was originally
looking for, but she brightens, calling out as she waves, "Meg! Meri!"

<Pern> Merien acts as if she just got here. :)

Merien smiles to Aislinn as she stuffs her gloves into her pocket.
"Aislinn! Heyla!"

"Never argue over the price of food with a starving greenrider," Kassi
quotes someone as she walks over with her ice, trying without success to
just nibble it slowly. "Mayhaps I'll have to get V'dan to go over and
extract the promise. I'm certain he'd be more'n glad to."

Margret smiles at Meri and Ais, her lips a bright red from the red-flavored
snow in her hand, "Heya, Ais, Merri. Come t'see th'snow."

Kassima turns to close one eye in a brief wink at Kindre. "Well worth the
price of it, wouldn't you say? I'm just sorry he didn't stay long enough
for me to give it to him while he was still wearing the kilt! He always
said that we were only trying to get him to wear that thing so we could
castrate him more easily...." She pauses in this track of conversation to
decimate her ice some more.

"More just bored of being at Ista, to tell the truth. Been trying to be
good about not betweening, really I have, how bout you all?" Aislinn says,
eyes going back to scanning mode, "Either of you seen anything L'tan might
like?"

Kindre chuckles, wiping some colored ice from her lips. Grinning, she nods,
"His face, to be true, was simply priceless!"

The edge of the greenrider's hunger dulled a bit by about half of the ice,
Kassi manages to pry her mind away from that track and back to a previous
one. "Were we going to go to the Weavercraft tent first, or Smithcraft?"

Margret rolls her eyes, in a delightfully good mood, "Ista's nah so bad, I
was strollin 'round w'Carissea earlier tho. Clothes, bracelt...useless
do-dad?"

Aislinn makes a face, "I don't think L'tan's really the bracelet type, but
you never know. How is Carissea?"

Margret smiles brightly, "She's doin fine. Hadda teach a class
th'safternoon, s'I was gonna wonder 'round till she was done."

Merien laughs and tilts her head back toward a booth displaying belts and
pouches. "The tanner had a pouch in a shade just about like Habrith's hide."

Kassima adds as she switches hands so that the other won't be frozen solid
by the colored ice, "Either's fine by me, but I definitely want a look at
the kilts a'fore we go back; I want to stock up on Turnday gifts so that I
can avoid missing any, even if'n I can't shop so often. Knives and kilts
both make great gifts, I'd say... which is better, though, is a matter of
debate. Which think you, Kin?"

Aislinn nods to Merien, "I was thinking something more like that - like a
satchel maybe, to replace that old worn out one he has." Aislinn's eyes fix
on the fruit ices and she rubs her lips together, "Those look good."

Margret smiles, finishing hers, "G'wan an get one. Voyan makes /great/ uns,
bu he likes t'charge a lot. Dinna let'm go fer more'n a fourth make."

<Pern> C'vadan has joined this channel.

Kindre blinks, "Hmm? Forgive...mind went 'tween there a moment." Taking
another mushy bite from her treat, she shrugs. "Either is fine with me,
Kassi."

<Pern> C'vadan says "Testing?"

<Pern> Caitria smooches Cav. Yay, another Bendenite! ;)

Aislinn continues to eye the booth speculatively, "I guess I could...you
two already had one?"

<Pern> Merellia smiles and waves to C'vadan! :)

<Pern> Kassima wafflesnugs Cav! :)

<Pern> Kindre deidles & woo's Cav! :)

Merien nods again, and rubs her arms, shivering. "If he has just a pouch in
that color, I imagine he could make a satchel for you." She eyes the frozen
dessert and says, "How can you even think of eating something so... cold!
Just looking at it makes me shiver." She shivers again as if to prove what
she said.

Margret laughs brightly at Merien, "I had one Ais, b'thanks." She points
with her good arm up to the hills, "Merien, see th'hills there?"

C'vadan makes his way through the crowds to Caitria's side. "Shardin' silly
brown," he mumbles as he kisses the Weyrherder's cheek.

Caitria chuckles as she slips an arm around her weyrmate's waist. "What did
he do?"

Kassima polishes off the rest of her ice in fairly short order, which is
wholly unsurprising given the rate she's been eating. "Well, I suppose
Weaver might do. There're always interesting things t'be seen there, and
sometimes sharding peculiar items. I'm amiable to either, though." She
espies Cav and hails him with, "Greetings, oh purveyor of Pern's most dread
liquid discovered to date."

C'vadan just shakes his head. "Saw a green he thought was glowing. Turns
out she was painted for this Gather."

Nodding to Meg as if humoring her, Merien says, "Yes, I do."

Margret smiles, "Kin y'see th'peak what's like a talon?" And there isone,
off to the west a bit.

C'vadan grins at Kassima. "Hey there, greenrider. Gain any weight recently?"

"But definately," Kindre adds, "we must get to Weavers to see if the kilt
tren' made it here, too." Smiling, she waves at C'vadan. "Hi there, Cav!
Thought you'd be about here somewhere." Chuckling at Kassima's greeting,
she shakes her head.

Aislinn meanders away from the pair of hill-watching Istan's, approaching
the fruit ice booth in a roundabout way, looping around groups standing
gathered and talking.

Jaria slides off the Reaches blue easily, just hearing C'vadan's words to
Kassi. "Gaining weight, Kass?" she calls over and then greets with a smile.
"How's you?"

Caitria chuckles quietly at Cav's explanation, and shakes her head.

Kassima snorts at Cav. "Nay yet! But give me a couple months, and I'm
certain I'll oblige you." She smiles as Jaria puts in an appearance, and
waves the Healer over. "Well enough, all things considered! Oh, and
Benden's duties to Healer Hall and all of that sort of thing."

Merien nods again. "I think I see the one you mean."

<Pern> Amy has joined this channel.

Margret nods and rubs her leg, "Tha's where I grew up, Merien. Cold's
nuthin new. We used t'eat icicles all winter."

C'vadan 's dark eyes scan the activity of the Gather. "So, Cait, see
anything you liked here?" he asks softly.

Caitria shakes her head. "Haven't done much looking. I've not been here all
that long, myself."

C'vadan ahs. "Just visitin' then, eh?"

Jaria chuckles at the formalities, "Reaches and Healers duties to Benden."
she replies, "What's this about gaining weight?" she asks teasingly.

Aislinn steps right up to the counter being manned by Voyan, and requests
her fruit ice boldly. The vendor laughs at the Istan bluerider's initial
price, and they settle on a half mark.

Kassima mutters to herself, "I'll... find... hallucinogenic herbs...
tent... for revenge, but..." She smiles far-too-sweetly at Cav, and flicks
her bangs out of her eyes. "All right then, Kin; shall we? I've nay so very
many marks to spend, but I've enough for a thing or two...."

Margret's eyes slide to Voyan...she's going to have to talk with her old
friend...

Kassima turns her attention to Jaria and quirks a half-smile. "*He,*" she
explains, jerking her thumb towards C'vadan, "tricked me into drinking most
of a flask of Benden Water." She seems to feel that's explanation enough.

C'vadan misses Kassima's mutter. He got his revenge. There's nothing she
can do to top his.

Merien laughs and says, "Well, Meg, that's just fine for you. But I was
born under the Istan sun, and by Faranth, that's where I'm staying."

C'vadan smiles rather smugly.

Caitria does not miss Kassi's mutter, and sighs.

Kindre finishes the rather large swallow of the snow treat she managed to
fit into her mouth. Smiling, she dabs her lower lip with her sleeve and
echoes the formalities. "Benden's duties to Healer Hall," is said with a
nod of her head. "Surely, Kassi. That bit of food should tide me over for
shopping."

<Pern> Kassima .o0(Wanna bet, Cav? ;)

Jaria arches a brow, guessing, but perversely enjoying Kassi's explanation,
"And...?"

Margret grins at Merien, "Well y'know, tis a lot warmer, up north, ifn
y''got someun t'keep ye warm."

<Pern> C'vadan says "Take your best shot, Kassi :)"

Merien nods and says, her smile not fading but her tone brisk, "I imagine
it is."

Kassima chuckles and elucidates a bit further, "And, Benden Water's the
carrier of Pern's most dread disease, y'know.... Care to come along with us
in exploring the Weaver tent?" She asks this not only of Jaria, but of
Tria, Cav, and anyone else who happens to be listening as well. "It might
even be warmer in there," she adds in an almost certainly vain hope.

Aislinn is on her return path toward her fellow Istan riders when a man
telling a story with exagerated arm movements sends her off balance with an
accidental nudge, and a chunk of fruit ice gets unsituated, disembarking
from the whole in the direction of a group of Bendenites.

<Pern> Kassima says "When we get back to NC, Cav, you just bet I will.
Several of my best shots. I'm not just going to let it rest at one--that
wouldn't be adequate. :)"

<Pern> C'vadan grins and has a few surprises awaiting you, too, Kassi.
Bwahahaha.

Margret grins and streches (yes her arm is still in it's sling), "Ais,
y'dinna let Voyan charge ye a half mark did ye?"

<Pern> Margret mutters about having to tell someone something when they get
back...yeah..

<Pern> Kassima says "You've already done your worst, Cav. You can't top
that last one. :P :)"

Caitria hms at Kassi. "Why not. Cail's going to run out of shirts soon, the
way he's going through them."

<Pern> C'vadan says "Oh yes I can, Kassi :)"

It takes a bit for Jaria to understand that comment and then a sly smile
curves her face, "Oh really?" she fortunately decides to let it pass for
now..for now, and nods, "Weaver tent it is..I need a new sweater."

Kindre grins, "I'm just looking for a new kilt. Just one," she says while
smirking, "is never enough."

C'vadan chuckles. "Faranth knows that boy is shooting up like a weed. Gets
that from Cait's side of the family."

Aislinn has to cover for herself here, the bargaining Bitran in her not
ready to admit defeat, "Oh, no, no of course not."

Merien takes a seat at a table, and looks toward the center to see what the
beverage choices are.

Margret snorts and mutters something about Istan's never knowing the true
worth of flavorred ice. She sounds remarkably like Voyan did,

"Really," Kassi affirms with a chuckle. "Or so Lysseth tells me... I
suspect I'm about to learn the joys of flying straight all over the
continent, eh?" Kassi turns her head at the sound of a yelp, only to see
V'dan, returning from an unsuccessful quest to find the Bakercraft tent,
with a piece of ice splattered across his cheek. "V'dan, I don't even
*want* to know how you managed that one," she informs him.

Aislinn pokes her tongue out at Meg and replies, "I'm from Reaches, you
norther than thou wingleader!" She grins, lips tinged a grape color.

Kassima grins at Kin. "A'course nay!" she agrees as she starts walking
towards the distant Weaver tent, with a last glance at V'dan and shake of
her head.

Margret laughs at Aislinn, "Well y'been south too long."

Kindre gives the snow-dotted V'dan a quirky smile before rolling her eyes.
"I swear, he's unluckier than anyone I know...including myself when I don't
curse," she winks. Striding towards the Weaver's tent, she smiles, "I
surely hope I can find something nice...mayhaps even something pretty for
the upcoming Spring?"

"I," replies Aislinn's with a thoroughly faked sniff, "like the south.
Can't beat watching a tropical storm from the star stones or sitting on the
beach on a perfectly warm night, not for all the snow in the Greystones."

Merien takes some hot, spiced cider, and sips it gratefully.

Margret grins. "Oh? wha bout bundeled up in th'furs afor a fire, with
mulled wine..."

Aislinn counters, "Perfect for a rainy night after being out flying thread
over the BeastCraft!"

Margret points out, drolly, "Rain drowns thread, Ais, an how about
ice-skatin? Arm's round eachother..." Meg grins. Ice skating is fun...

Kassima dusts off her hands to make sure the last traces of snow are gone
before lifting up the tent flap. "After you, queenrider?" she offers with a
quirked grin.

Caitria turns her gaze to Aislinn at the mention of the Beastcraft.

Aislinn lifts her lips from the remains of her fruit ice to murmur
thoughtfully, "I don't have a clue if L'tan even knows how to ice skate..."

<Pern> C'vadan sighs and has to run. Hopefully see most of you on NC
tomorrow :)

Margret smiles archly at Aislinn, "Y'could teach him..."

<Pern> Margret says "You will. i KNOW Pern'll be up."

Merien snickers and says, "L'tan on ice. That's something we've all wanted
now and then, I'd say."

<Pern> C'lus waves hello to all Pern....or what of it that's here. :)

<Pern> A'deth wavies :)

Kindre checks her palms to be sure they're not stained too badly from the
ice treat. "Oh, surely...then to Baker's if we can find it?"

<Pern> Kassima snugs Cav, and nods. It *has* to be! :)

<Pern> Kindre snugsa Cav, too :)

<Pern> Merien waves to all of the Pernese refugees. :)

C'vadan disappears as though this was a dream.

Kassima nods a vigorous agreement. "*Definitely*! Kilt-shopping always
makes me hungry, and when I'm hungry to begin with... well, 'tis a good
thing that hunger is the best gravy in the world--or so Da would say." She
glances up towards the main Gather area and calls over to Jaria and Tria,
"You two coming?"

Aislinn just gives Merien a look, before replying to Meg, "Don't suppose
you happened to observe my attempts to teach him how to swim?"

Margret grins and arches an eyebrow, 'He canna swim?"

Kindre rolls her eyes and laughs. "I see where you get your flair for words
from, Kassi," she smirks while noting this. Bobbing her head, she echoes
the invitation. "Then tent has got to be warmer than it is out here...?"

Still laughing a little, Merien says to Aislinn, "I was just joking, you
know."

<Pern> Caitria returns from the land of idle, whee.

Caitria grumbles about weyrmates with duties, and joins the
main-gather-tent-going clan.

Margret is eaither in too good of a mood to notice, or she's oblivious to
Merien's implications.

Aislinn gives Meg a pleading look, "/Please/ don't use that to nettle him?"
She turns toward Merien, curling her lips into a tiny smile, "You have no
idea how many people'd seriously agree with you though, Meri.

Margret frowns a bit, "Aislinn, when d'/I/ tease L'tan? Ever?" she asks,
dryly.

Merien nods to Aislinn and says, right after Meg's words, "I don't tease
him either. Well, not about that sort of thing." She smiles a little slyly
and says, "About other things, maybe."

Aislinn's curiousity about Merien's statement leaves her only giving a
little nod to Meg, "What do you tease him about, Meri? C'mon, tell me!"

Margret is in such a bright and happy mood today, she can't bear to lok
serious for much longer. "Sides, he 'd jus get mad any'ays, ifn I teased
him>" Then she chimes in, 'Teas 'im bout wha?"

Apparently the weaver tent didn't hold much for Jaria, and she soon comes
tripping out, eyeing the bustle and crowd, looking for anyone she knows.
"C'lus." the delight evident in her tone, "Finally another High Reacher."
she winks impishly.

C'lus chuckles and waves over to the 'healer, "Hi Jaria... What's going on
around here, besides the noise?" he smiles.

Merien grins. "Well, when ever he said something rude about relationships,
or Tesith when we were weyrlings, I'd make a sexual innuendo. It still works."

Margret ohs and thinks about weyrling hood, "Y'know, tis been nigh 4'n a
half turns since we was Weyrlin's Merien..."

Jaria gives a wry look around and shrugs, "Not much..just got here m'self,
and looking around." a grimace mars her cheerful countenance a brief
moment, "It's as cold here as it is at the Reaches."

Kassima chuckles as she stands holding the tent-flap open, and gestures to
Kin. "Go on, go on! A'fore my arm starts cramping from all this courtesy.
Ladies first, which assuredly leaves me out."

Aislinn groans, "Stop making me feeling old."

Kindre laughs, making a vaguely flourishing gesture of curtsying, and
enters the tent.

C'lus laughs, "Try flying in the wind if you want cold... Besides, its not
quite as bad here, plus it gives me a chance to get out."

Margret laughs brightly, 'Ah, look't how far we all gotten since then." Meg
smiles, "Ye an L'tan, I'm a wingleader, Meri's a weyrlinmaster..."

Laughing, Merien takes another drink of the cider. "Far in some ways, not
in others."

You enter the Weavercraft Tent.


Weavercraft's Tent
The inside of a wonderfully full Weavercraft tent. It contains tapestries,
clothing, looms, and other items of interest. Kilts. Lots and lots of kilts.
Contents:
Caitria
Kindre


Kassima puts her hands on her hips and surveys the cavern slowly, a smile
spreading across her face. "Just *look* at all of these kilts! There're
bound to be enough for just about anyone--and so much other stuff, too.
What were you looking for again, Tria?"

Caitria smiles. "Shirts for Cail. He's growing like a weed."

Kassima chuckles and agrees, "He certes seems bigger every time I see
him... well, there should be children's stuff 'round here somewhere." She
gestures vaguely, clearly uncertain as to just where that somewhere is.
"Mayhaps you should get him a tiny kilt, Tria?"

Kindre's eyes land on several items before finding the Table O' Kilts. "Oh,
these," she remarks mirthfully, her eyes widening as they take in each
plaid pattern, "are lovely. Does Cail have one, yet?"

Caitria laughs! "Oh, wouldn't Cav just -love- that."

Kassima grins over her shoulder at the Herder, already walking around to
try and find the aforementioned stuff. She pauses here and there to eye
maternity tunics dubiously. "Aren't these things a *bit* overlarge?" she
murmurs, then shakes her head and meanders on. "I think all Weyrchildren
should get one eventually--including Ofira's son; had you heard that she
gave birth a few days agone?"

Caitria nods. "Aye, I did. G...something. And Cail's three; that's old
enough for a kilt, I think." She grins as she sees Kassi with the maternity
tunics. "You'll grow into them."

"I can't recall the name either," Kindre admits of the Baker's new baby
son. "Though, agreed, he should get a kilt, too." Moving away from that
table a moment, she smiles. "Oh, this one isn't so bad, Kassi," is said
while she holds up a pale green tunic and pants set. Pulling the waist
band, she grins. "Look, it ties. Kind of like a...uh..." she stops there.
"It's a good color for you, too."

<Pern> Jaria chuckles. "Maybe she'll just be glad not to have everyone
remind her she's older now." ;)

Kassima shakes her head in disbelief, glancing down at her still stick-thin
self. "Are you certain about that? I mean, they almost look as though
*they* could serve as tents." She's plainly half-jesting, at least, but
still seems a trace incredulous. "Well... I suppose it'll be awhile a'fore
I have to worry about those, anyway. And I suppose I'll have to get a new
jacket, eventually."

Caitria nods at Kassi. "They make them extra-large. And get lots of big
things with ties." She indicates a tunic with some cross-tying that will
allow for expansion.

Kassima hrms and nods, slowly. "Aye... I suspect that'd make sense." A wry
chuckle escapes her as she admits, "Never thought I'd find m'self shopping
for such things, in all truth. Mayhaps I should pick something up for Meli,
too, while I'm here."

Caitria nods at Kassi. "Not a bad idea." She hrms. "And T'lar's father to
-both- of the kids? Faranth. Let's hope neither of you have a multiple
birth, or he'll get a litter."

Kindre quirks a brow and chuckles. "Heh, you sound like Emlyn,
'Tria...though she," Kin tries not to smile too much, "kept using her
heifer analogies. Well-meaning, o'course, but remind me to hide from her
should the Water ever curse me," she winks.

Kassima grins ruefully at Tria, before turning to look over a maternity
flight-jacket consideringly. "Aye, he is. Should've heard the whooping
'twas doing when he found out, too... I think 'tis safe to say he was
fairly pleased. We almost shocked him into cardiac arrest, methinks--but
*after* that, he was pleased."

Caitria grins wickedly. "He's trying to populate the weyr. Maybe we should
oblige him."

Kassima bursts out laughing at Tria. "Shells! I daresay Cav would choke to
hear you say that. Besides, I think two children at once are enough for the
poor man; any more, and he *will* drop dead of shock."

Caitria laughs. "More likely, he'd choke -me- if he heard me say that. But
you're right. If only Cav believed that."

Kassima snorts. "Cav plainly thinks the weyr doesn't have enough children
already," she replies dryly. "Else why would he be dosing perfectly
innocent greenriders with Water? Do either of you see anything Meli might
like, by the by?"

Kindre continues her quiet study of the clothing before running her fingers
over some tapestries. "Mayhaps one of these? For above the child's cradle?"

Kassima ponders this for a moment, then shakes her head. "Nay... nay, for
over the cradle, I think I'll commission something for Meli. Something like
my painting, 'cept mayhaps in a tapestry. Think 'twould work? I'll have to
save up my marks, but *that* should be nay problem."

Caitria laughs. "Maybe we could have another auction."

Kindre laughs, "Shells, I don't think I'll participate as more than a buyer
if we do have another."

Kassima rolls her eyes expressively, "Bite your tongue! I'm nay going to
step up on the block again--even if, as Emlyn says," she can't help but
laugh, "the value of a heifer after a successful calving nearly doubles."

Caitria laughs cheerfully. "S'right. Proven breeding stock."

Kassima laughs, and then abruptly stops to hrm thoughtfully. She gently
tugs a pair of tunics from a pile; one is a vibrant scarlet with golden
fire-lizard shapes embroidered at the collar, sleeve-cuffs, and hem. The
other is a match in green and silver. "What think you of these? The green
for me, and red for her? As I recall, gold and red are her favored colors."

Kindre chuckles softly, eyes still on the tapestries. "These, I'll admit,
are certainly my weakness. Hmm, oh," she remarks while turning her gaze to
the tunics. "Lovely...I like them. They're...hmm, cheery? Without being too
cute."

Caitria nods. "And you'd match," she says, with an impish grin. 
. o O ( Christmas. )

Kassima grins and can't help but comment, "A shame maternity kilts would
look ludicrous, or I'd get one of those, too."

Kassima glances over at Kin and suggests, "Why nay get yourself another
one, if there's one there y'like? Naught wrong in spending a mark or two on
yourself sometimes, y'know."

Kindre smiles, "I should...I love how they brighten up my weyr. Though,"
she shrugs, "I -should- be saving my marks." For what she doesn't say. She
chooses instead, to let the subject veer back to children. "Are you hoping
for a son or daughter, Kassi? Oh, and, I know it's early, but have you
considered names 'tall?"

Kassima laughs as she folds up the two tunics, slinging them over her arm.
"Shells, Kin, I hadn't really thought... I suppose 'twill be one or the
other, won't it? Well, either'd be fine like me. So long as he or she grows
up to totally trounce Mart's kid in the vine swing, I'll be content." She
winks at the goldrider. "Such high standards I have, eh? As for names...
ach, nay. Something starting with a K, maybe."

Caitria finds a few shirts that will suit Cail, and starts to dicker with
the weaver apprentice, but keeps an ear on the riders' conversation.

Kindre laughs aloud, nearly dropping a tapestry she had picked up for
closer inspection. "Mayhaps I'll start drinking the Water to have an
offspring to follow my own Mart-thwarting interests." Giggling, she nods,
"Ah, K...of course. Hrm. Well, I'm sure you'll pick something suiting.
Speaking of which, look over there." Her fingers indicate a slatish-black
dress that seems to have red stitching on it, "How about that one?"

Caitria hms. "Could Caidan and Cail be honorary K-children?" she inquires.

"They certainly sound like K's, to be true," Kindre grins. "

Kassima laughs at Kin, bracing her hands against a table behind her so that
she doesn't fall over in her giggling. "I can just see it, Kin! Everyone
with a vendetta against him spawns in order to pass that vendetta on to the
next generation... what a lovely thought!" She swivels her head to nod to
Tria. "Why nay? And you and Cav can be honorary K-people, too," she adds
generously before walking up to inspect the dress. "Hmmmm...." She glances
down at her own red-embroidered black gown, and chuckles. "I do suppose
that I won't be able to fit in this for very long, so I would need something."

Caitria laughs. "Well, thanks. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear that." At
the greenrider's comment, she nods, obviously taking a perverse delight in
Kassi's condition.

Kindre smirks. "Then -they'd- spawn bra...er, children...to continue the
vendetta for turns and turns to come," she giggles, mayhaps a bit too much,
at this thought. "True about the dress...It's a good color, and fancy
enough for a Gather, I'd think..."

Caitria grins impishly. "So when're -you- going to have a kid, Kindre? I
always thought Kassi'd be the last of the lot..."

Kassima grins at the goldrider. "'Tis Benden colors--a'course 'tis a good
color!" she proclaims with some pride. Picking it up, too, she drapes it
over her arm. "Now, riding jackets... that'll be the last thing I need. My
psychadelic jacket's from m'weyrling days--'tis quite a snug enough fit
*now*, so I somehow doubt 'twould serve! I hope they're nay too much; I've
gotten a few more marks from V'dan in wagers, but...." She trails off as
this reminds her of something. "Say, did I mention that I heard that he bet
I'd *never* have children? I could've hit him when he told me. Everyone
knows he always loses every bet he makes."

Kindre's eyes widen as she steps back a few paces. "Me," she asks
rhetorically. "Um, I don't plan on them. Shells, though, sometimes..." She
shakes her head, shrugging, "I'd not make much of a mother, I don't think."

Kassima smiles wickedly. "Just what I always said, Kin, right down to the
letter."

Caitria nods. "And me, four Turns ago. And now look at me. Paragon of
motherhood!" She laughs.

Kindre makes a face at Kassima and then Caitria before laughing. "Well,
Faranth knows. Mayhaps I'll fall in love or it'll happen next flight. Heh,
can you imagine, though? All of our children...if I add to the collective
group, of course...traipsing about to Gathers?"

Caitria grins. "Sounds like fun."

Caitria adds mischievously, "I've given two to the 'cause'. The rest of you
need to do your share."

"I'll be twenty one turns, soon," Kindre muses, "I suppose I -should- think
about kids, hmm? Mah'll leave me be of the subject, at least." A wry smirk
curls her lips. "True, true...I've the Cause to think of..."

Kassima laughs and quips, "I prefer the image of all of our children
trouncing Mart on the swing, or something, but that's still quite a
picture!" She wrinkles her nose at Tria. "Hey, I'm *doing* my share, thankee!"

Kindre grins wide. "At the least they'll be young and sprite enough to
torture Mart well into his eightieth decade...and protect us!"

Kassima confides to Kin, "Twenty-one may be the magic age--why, look at me!
Just drink a bottle of Water right a'fore Herath's next flight, and you'll
be fine." After a moment's thought, she notes, "At least Da will finally be
happy, I hope."

Caitria nods. "Mine were, even if they weren't especially thrilled that I
wasn't sure who Cail's father was." She rolls her eyes.

Kassima makes a face at Tria. "I'm nay sure what mine'll think, in all
honesty. Whenever they asked when 'twas going to have kids, they always
seemed to append that by, 'settle down with someone and'. Ah, well. Mayhaps
Meli and T'lar and I should all go on a circuit to break the news to our
respective parents, and-or offer moral support."

Caitria stifles a laugh. "That could be....interesting."

"I'd caution to guess my parents wouldn't care much, s'long as I was
pregnant," Kindre notes softly. "Only Kinjer has any kids...of the three
brothers." Grinning, she agrees with Caitria. "I'm sure they'll all be
happy...despite the somewhat odd circumstances."

"Well, I'm my parents' only child; Mum had some sort of difficulty, and
couldn't have anymore... the Healers who treated her *did* say it's nay
genetic, though," Kassi adds with a sigh. "Which I'd figured, since the
rest of my kinfolk on both sides have so very many!"

Kindre smiles, "I can still hardly believe it, Kassi. Though I'm so happy
for you all! Shells, this should certainly be an interesting several
months," she grins.

Caitria sighs. "I'll have to visit a lot."

Kassima rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "*You* can hardly believe it?
Faranth, I'm still half-convinced I've been dreaming this whole thing!
'Twas certain that I'd never wind up having children, 'tween my own
avoidance of the Water and Lysseth's seeming preference for blues with
female riders." She lifts one shoulder in a shrug, and grins. "Who knew?"

Kindre smiles. "Oh, 'Tria, will you be gone that long?"

Caitria nods. "Ironically enough, I wanted to stay at the Hall for a
breeding season."

Kindre smirks, "While Benden finishes up it's apparent one," she teases.
"Well, we'll be sure to visit you as well. I've only been there that once."

Kassima can't restrain a laugh as she tries to look insulted. "What,
Benden's breeding season is less important?" she teases. "Seriously...
we'll miss you, Tria, but Craft duties would come first. Just be sure that
you do drop by now and again, lest we track you down and drag you back for
a visit kicking and screaming!"

Caitria nods. "Might not be a good idea to visit in large groups," she
suggests delicately. "Leara's not too fond of riders."

Kindre bobs her head. "I suppose we can't blame her for feeling that way..."

Caitria shakes her head. "Oh, this comes from way before the flight." Her
voice trails off, and she says, "But Leara probably wouldn't like me
discussing it."

"Can't say I've ever met the esteemed Craftmaster," Kassi responds, "but if
her attitude's aught like Glynna's, well... I'll be glad we didn't run into
her while Searching Tas, then."

Caitria nods. "You're very glad," she says, somewhat vehemently.

Kindre continues to nod slowly. "Well, I'll be sure to have Hera land far,
far off and be equally discreet. Glynna? Oh," she thinks back, "I don't
believe I've met her, either...though saw her Stand once..."

Caitria nods. "They're not as bad as they seem," she says, after a moment.
"Either of them. They've just had some rough breaks."

Kassima informs Kin wryly, "She's... interesting, i'truth. But if'n she
wants to geld *some* riders, she can't be all bad. Any chance she'll ever
meet up with Mart?"

Kassima hmms as she finally locates a jacket that seems to satisfy her. She
sets the dress and tunics down long enough to pick up a black-dyed wherhide
jacket, whose inner lining of fleece has been dyed a deep forest green.
"What think you? Nay any red, but that might be asking too much from a
non-commissioned piece."

Caitria comments, folding her newly-purchased shirts, "The green suits you
better, though."

Kindre smiles, bobbing her head. "I agree...I've always liked green on
you...just fits," she grins. "I think I'll pass on purchases this time.
I'll wait 'til I collect marks from my favorite brownrider."

Kassima chuckles. "I've been told black, red, and green all suit me
best--lovely coincidence, eh?" Gathering up all of her items, she hails
down a passing Apprentice and starts to dicker over a price.

Caitria grins. "But green -does- suit you the best, Kassi," she comments,
interjecting into the dickering.

"Don't pay much for it, though," Kindre tries to be helpful.

Kassima wrinkles her nose at Kin. "Would I do that? And thankee, Tria...
Lysseth would agree with you." Unfocusing her eyes for a moment, she
reports, "In fact, she does. Would you want to irk my dragon by denying
this?" she asks the hapless apprentice. She manages to come to a reasonable
price-settlement fairly quickly after that. "Well! Now, that just leaves
kilts. Who needs kilts?"

Kassima accepts the wrapped bundle of clothes, shifting it into a one-armed
grip. "If'n y'can't think of anyone who needs kilts, I have to confess that
I can't either," she admits with a sheepish grin. "I'm too hungry to think
of aught at all! Anyone else for going to the Baker tent?"

Caitria nods. "Sounds good," she says, rather smugly indicating the tiny
kilt she got for Cail.

"Oh, I am," Kindre admits, "And as far as kilts, I think I'll save my marks
on those, too. Least for this Gather."

Kassima peers over at the tiny kilt, and bursts out laughing. "Perfect,
Tria! Absolutely perfect! I bet Cav and Cail will both adore it." Her grin
takes on a shade of impishness, as she bows to both women and gestures
towards the tent flap. "Shall we?"

Kindre nods her head quickly. "Let's...I could, forgive this Tria, eat half
a runner, to be true!"

Kassima chuckles and quips, "I could eat *two* runners." She considers,
then adds as an afterthought as she leaves the tent, "*And* a llama!"

You leave the Weavercraft Tent.

Kassima shifts her wrapped parcel to a more comfortable hold, and cranes
her head to try and see the Bakercraft tent. "We never *did* figure out
where that is, did we?"

Kindre laughs, shaking her head. "You know, we didn't. Those ice treats
seemed to satisfy us enough then to not look for it more..."

<Pern> Caitria grins, and got a p-chem problem finished. (Major thing! ;)
And I'm off, now. The lab is empty. The last guy out even fixed the chairs. :)

Kassima snorts wryly, "Speak for yourself! I was just content to go
elsewhere, hardly satisfied... anyway, if I don't eat before I start the
flight home, I'm afraid I might gnaw my own hand off or something."

<Pern> Alyssa hugs Moobabe

<Pern> Kassima snugsnugs Tria! Congrats, and awww, we'll miss you. :)

<Pern> M'rgan has found talking about the game being down to be just as
non-productive as actually RPing on the game. Which is fine with me. I
didn't want to help clean the house anyway. ;)

Kindre laughs, "Well then, by all means we should find it. I'm starved!"

<Pern> Rathenna grins. Well, I was mostly doing game related stuff, but
still...

<Pern> Kindre snugbovinehugs the MooMeister! :) & giggles @ Mart :)

<Pern> Merellia laughs! And has been doing much the same plus a mad affair
with MS Front Page. ;)

<Pern> Caitria wows at all the goodwishes, snugs folks, hees at Mart, and
bamfs.

<Pern> Kassima usually pretends to sleep until two pm in the afternoon to
avoid housework. ;)

<Pern> Merellia says "Later, Caitria!"

<Pern> Jaria grins at Thenna.

<Pern> Kindre's sis is a neat freak...if I leave a mess long enough, she or
her SO clean it up ;) Hee.

Kassima nods a vigorous agreement, and starts walking with a determined
stride, skirts swirling and swishing about her feet. "I'm *going* to find
that tent, or die in the trying!" she swears.

Kindre chuckles and peers around the various tents and displays. "Hmm..is
that it? Oh, no, wrong colors...shard it..."

<Pern> Dizzy says "M'rgan: I hope the people you were supposed to be
helping aren't as unhappy that you're not doing the cleaning as I am about
the person who was supposed to be helping me"

Kassima suddenly comes to a halt, lifting one index finger as a thought
strikes her. "Why don't we follow our noses? There's *got* to be a
food-smell around that tent, after all...."

<Pern> M'rgan is still alive and has all his major body parts so no one was
too upset. ;)

Kindre's eyes widen as one of those 'of -course- expression crosses her
face. Rolling her eyes, she smirks. "So simple we nearly missed it.
Certainly if they've roasted goods, which I'm sure any Gather in this
climate would, we're set!"

<Pern> Merellia grins.

Kassima licks her lips. "Faranth, I *hope* they do," she says almost
desperately. "Chewing my own hand off is starting to sound better all the
time."

Kindre laughs, "Well, don't...how else will you feed that impending bundle
of joy?"

"I'm sure there's plenty of nutrition to be gained by munching on one's own
extremities," is Kassi's dry response. Lifting her head, she starts
sniffing the air, which looks really weird. "I think I get something
faint... to the east? What d'you think, Kin?"

Kindre grins and, too, tilts her nose toward the east while drawing in air.
"I think..." sniffsniff "...mayhaps you're..." sniiiiiff "...right..." A
few onlookers eyes the pair with very odd, curious expressions. "Herdbeast,
is it? I believe that's the smell..."

Kassima tries not to drool *too* obviously as she walks--okay,
sprints--towards the east. "Quick! We've got to find the food!"

Kindre bobs her head quickly and heads towards the supposed direction of
the Baker's tent.

Kassima keeps trying to find the tent by smell, looking oddly like a
certain cereal-touting toucan. "There!" she exclaims as the food smell
becomes very strong--and sure enough, she's standing in front of a red and
white tent. "This is it!"

"Oh, finally," Kindre gasps out, her hands holding her stomach to quiet the
rumblings. "I hope they're fully stocked...I'm preparing to wipe them out!"

Kassima practically dives into the tent; fortunately, it's pretty empty, so
her path to the food table is clear. "Food, food, food!" she chants.

[Editor's Note:  At this point, it was late and we both had to go, so
it can be safely assumed that Kassi and Kin spent the rest of the 
evening stuffing themselves and probably went home afterwards. :) ]