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Who Ya Gonna Call?


Date:  December 18, 2007
Place:  Igen Weyr's Center Bowl
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Walladru's completely responsible for this Candidate 
event. :)  As one of the only Candidates with groundcrew experience, 
Wall gives other members of his class--as well as any Igen folk 
interested, or at least interested in watching, as in Kassi's case--
a demonstration on the use of flamethrowers.  Nobody caught on fire, 
but an interesting time was had by all.

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The Log:

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Okay victims! Its trainin' time! Bring yer funny bone!"

You land just below in the center of the Igen Weyr Bowl.

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles,
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

Beli walks out with Walladru, and she might be caught sending him an
intrigued sidelong glance. Or maybe its just for the contraption he's holding.

Early evening finds a small crowd beginning to gather in the bowl. Several
men and women stand around with buckets and barrels of water ready. Stack
of straw bales are carefully laid out in piles, seperated by several paces.
Circles of stones are in front of each of the fifteen piles of strawbales.
Several roundish metal devices sit near the bales, watched over by a number
of burly types, likely crafters who are responsible for the things. In
between the area where folks are gathering and the collections of
strawbales a single bale stands, propped up on what looks to be a branch. A
barrel with two buckets stands near this bale as does a single one of the
roundish objects. Walladru emerges from the inner caverns, followed by
Beli. He continues across to one of the burly types and says something to
him. The man nods and makes a motion to the group nearest him with the
strawbales. This motion works its way around the setting, those individuals
standing upright and attentive. With a nod, Walladru walks to the bale by
itself and raises his hands for attention.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand their off!"

Every good display of pyromania needs some spectators, and Kassi, whether
as Candidate Coordinator or simply as interested party, has decided to help
fill this role with her Lysseth at her back. The green doesn't object to
being a surface to lean against so long as it's her rider doing the leaning.

Beli and Walladru might be walking together, but Raykini can be seen
following behind the two in a rather leisure gaze. His hands are stuffed
into his pockets, a bored look on his face as he slunks behind the other
two candidates. He slows to a stop, eventually falling into a spot nextto
his best friend. "Need help?" He's quick to ask of his friend.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "they're even...stupid grammar!"

IGEN-> Raykini says, "Bah, no need for grammar :p."

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Grammar is your friend. ;)"

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Grammar is who is married to your Grampar.... *ducks!*"

IGEN-> Raykini Dies.

Beli stops with the rest of the crowd in order to survey the setup - and
those gathered, human and dragon alike - paying particular notice to the
stone circles, as if counting. Walladru will get her attention, too, as the
others start to settle down.

The crowd is still a little unruly, so the fact that Ray approaches his
friend is a welcomed relief. "Actually yes, can you hold this for me?"
Walladru offers Ray a weird looking thing, looks like a cage with an open
end with straps hanging from the corners. Once that is out of his hands he
sticks a pinky finger in each corner of his mouth and blows, a resounding
whistle that gets the attention of some of the folks, others seeming to
catch on to hushing. "Right then!" Walladru calls out. "As you all know,
we're once again assembled to do some basic knowledge training stuff with
the flamethrowers. Some of you will have used these things before." he
takes a couple of steps away from where Ray stands and picks up the disc
like object, with a hose and a tall thin piece with a handle sticking out
of the top. "But some may not. The Weyrwoman wants us to make sure we're
all fully prepared to use these things just in case we are called on for
ground crew duty." His baritone carries well, although any whose ears are
ringing might be having troubles at first.

Raykini holds out his hands to take the contraption, turning it over in his
grip in an attempt to figure out the...thingy...whatever it is. "What's
this supposed to be?" He asks Wall, looking up as the other candidate
starts his speech. He mentally tries to listen to the words, turning his
head slightly to the side. "Hey, Beli, doing all right?" He asks of the
candidate.

The whistle, while deafening some of those around her, is met with unfazed
composure on Beli's part. Raykini's words have her turning to greet him,
and she nods, "Well, thank you, Raykini. Have you used a flamethrower
before?" She does lower her voice to a hush of sorts.

Kassima isn't the only rider present, and a woman in leathers sidles over
to her to engage in murmured conversation. A mark flips through the air,
tossed to Kassi by the other; the greenrider catches it neatly and tips the
brim of her sunhat. The odds that they're betting on whether anyone gets
set on fire? Excellent. Especially since Kassi appends more audibly, "If'n
'tis me, you'll have t'look for Kisai t'pay you back. Be kind, though. Give
her at least a day t'mourn. But who should I pay if'n 'tis you?"

IGEN-> Raykini giggles at Kasi.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Hey, V'lien isn't here this time! :p"

Walladru turns and walks back towards Raykini again, eyes still on the
crowd moving amongst some of the faces. Somehow, he manages to stop a pace
or two from Raykini and lifts the flamethrower. "Now you're dying to ask
me, Hey Wall! How do I wear that thing? Well, one way is using this
carrying cage here." he points to the object in Raykini's hands. "If
Raykini will be kind enough to demonstrate how to use it?" He gives Ray a
confident, calm look, holding a hand out for the contraption in his hands.
"It always helps to have a friend to help you with this stuff." he
observes, glacing first at Beli then at others in the assembled, eyes
pausing for a moment on the green dragonlike form in the back he recognizes.

Raykini looks over at Beli, grinning from ear to ear, "Yeah, numerous
times. Mostly back at 'reaches, I was groundcrew for them a few times." He
lifts his shoulders in a indifferent shrug, turning his attention back to
the crowd, seeming unfased by the sheer amount of people. And, as Walladru
motions to him, he easily puts on the cage which is much like a backpack.
His arms reach behind to open the cage for the flamethrower.

IGEN-> Kassima says, "This is awful, but I'm getting this sudden image of
Raykini--thanks to the backpack-thingy--as a Ghostbuster."

IGEN-> Raykini dies.

IGEN-> Raykini nono, 'See, I'm a threadbuster ;P"

IGEN-> Kassima calls dibs on being Egon in this Pernese remake. ;)

IGEN-> Walladru says, "You know, from the description of the thing, that's
about what it's like, a dadgummed proton pack."

IGEN-> Raykini giggles.

IGEN-> Walladru is SO Peter Venkman.

IGEN-> Raykini will be Ray!

IGEN-> Walladru says, "And Beli gets to be Winston, the only one with any
common sense. :)"

IGEN-> Kassima adjusts her glasses and her pompadour. Which, given the
length of Kassi's hair, soars four feet above her head.

IGEN-> Beli is honored.

IGEN-> Walladru just has one question...

IGEN-> Kassima says, "If it's 'Are you a god,' the answer is *yes*."

IGEN-> Walladru says, "I like, but I was wondering more...who is Janine and
who is Slimer?"

"I'll put an extra eighth for triple-or-nothing on it being Walladru who
goes up," the wagering rider asides to Kassima. "Once his hair catches--"

"Now," Kassima informs her conversation partner primly, "you're just being
morbid. Profiting off charred Candidates is strictly against the
Coordinator's code. I'm pretty sure. I can't remember reading aught about
it, specifically, but it has t'be in there somewhere. Shhh, we'll miss the
next bit."

"Oh," is all Beli says, and steps back to watch Walladru and Raykini do
their demonstration. Any bet-placing that's going on doesn't quite catch
her notice, until she perhaps overhears something about 'charred', and then
she sort of glances around a bit. Likely making her own predictions.

The long, black runner-tale on the back of Walladru's head bobs as the rest
of his head does as Raykini clearly demonstrates the proper technique.
"There you go. Now. Notice the straps over the shoulder and this one
here..." he lifts the straps hanging from the bottom corners of the cage.
"...that ties around the middle." He steps around in front of Ray and ties
the strap off, not too tightly. "This secures the cage to your back so it
doesn't come flying off if you have to run for it." A wave of a giggle
passes through the crowd. "Then this..." he lifts the flamethrower again
and gently lowers it into the cage "...goes in here this way and..." he
pulls the frame door down to secure the edge of the flamethrower, leaving
the nozzle and handle clear and easily reachable. "..thats it. Ray, you
want to take a few steps around so everyone can see?" he takes a couple of
steps back.

Raykini is here setting the new fashion in the way of flamethrower carrying
sacks. Just look at how stunning it is, doesn't it sparkle? Isn't it just
/lovely/? He /might/ pose to show off the 'cage' he's wearing, but then he
can't be bothered. And, when Wall asks him to take a few steps, he does to.
taking a few steps forward, turning around like the excellent fashion model
that he is, and walking back to his spot.

IGEN-> Raykini is being silly, don't mind me.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Raykini is SUCH a diva!"

"This is when in other circumstances I'd whistle, and mayhaps throw a mark
piece, and yell something about 'baby, shake that thing,' but I'm fair sure
there's something against killing 'em with embarrassment in the code too,"
Kassi sighs from the peanut gallery.

IGEN-> Raykini dies at Kassi.

IGEN-> Kassima misses the days of Weaver fashion shows, when Kassi would
whistle at fellow models from behind the curtain. ;)

IGEN-> Raykini giggles.

IGEN-> Raykini says, "We could put on a fashion show XD."

Beli seems slightly mortified on behalf of Raykini, which is a new look for
her, so she just smiles and looks down a bit. She does seem to have at
least attempted to follow all the setup of straps and assorted items.

IGEN-> Kassima says, "That's sort of tempting. The new looks for Igen this
fall!"

Wally shakes his head and motions for Ray to come back over. "Thanks, Ray."
taking the flamethrower from the cage he steps back. "You can go ahead and
take that thing off." Smiling he steps a couple of steps away from his
friend. "Most of the time, however, you will be hurried and have to strap
the flamethrower on quickly." he demonstrates by running his arms through
the straps and shrugging the flamethrower up against his back. "You'll
notice these straps work the same as the cage, right over the centers of
the shoulders." He retrieves the straps for the waist and gets it tired to
himself. "The more you have to do this, the easier it will get. Just
remember, there is always going to be someone around to help you."

IGEN-> Beli says, "Sounds like fun!"

IGEN-> Kassima says, "I think we should ask Josilina to pick out the outfits!"

IGEN-> Walladru grins.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "I look lousy in polka dots...gimme some nice
vertical stripes though..."

Raykini is more than happy to unshoulder the silly thing from his back, but
he can't help but look amused at something or another. Maybe it was his
acting, or maybe it was something else. Who knows. The man can be rather
odd at times. He wraps his arms over his stomach, shooting a grin over at
Beli as he listens to the rest of the lesson.

IGEN-> Beli says, "Josilina should design them all. It would be blinding."

IGEN-> Raykini says, "they would have to be purple."

IGEN-> Raykini thinks we should wear purple robes for the hatching instead
of white ones :3.

Kassima shakes her head sorrowfully. "He needs t'stop feeding me lines. The
temptation t'be calling, 'take it off, take it all off'--but this is me,
y'see, refraining. Full of restraint and virtue am I." Little wonder,
really, that the woman in leathers edges a bit away, or that Lysseth heaves
such a sigh. For all her heckling, Kassi isn't trying much to be heard and
distract from what's a genuinely important subject.

IGEN-> Kassima has always wanted a purple and orange jumpsuit and bright
pink turban to call her very own.

IGEN-> Raykini thinks everyone would see you coming then ;P.

Beli sends a sort of laughing smile back to return Raykini's, and looks
back toward Walladru. She murmurs something to her neighbor, who doesn't
seem to have heard her whatsoever.

Wall reaches over his shoulder and pulls the nozzle around to the front.
"This is the nozzle. The exit point of the flame. When you have it drawn
you have to be aware of where it points. You don't want to flame anyone."
he holds the nozzle out and points. "You may not be able to see this now,
but you will when you get a chance to put one of these on. This is your
safety. When this is pressed in this way, nothing will get out if you
accidently squeeze the trigger. But..." his thumb presses a small button on
the nozzle "When it is this way, then it will come out." The nozzle
continuously points upwards.

Raykini tilts his head aside, now that he's 'behaving', so to say. Well,
behaving the best he can giving what the lesson is about. He leans lightly
on one of his legs, tapping the toe of his boot against the ground.
"Wouldn't wanna catch on flame." He quickly agrees with Wall.

Despite having a wager on about this very thing--or perhaps because of it;
she bet against anyone going up in flames, didn't she?--Kassi watches this
part of the demonstration with some concern, shifting her weight, folding
her arms across her chest. "Any Candidate," she finds it germane to
mention, "who incinerates another Candidate, themselves, or anyone else
will be neck-deep in the latrines 'til the clutch Hatches. Assuming they
survive."

"Hey!" protests the lady who bet on just that.

Beli looks like she's trying to memorize every detail and instruction
Walladru gives the crowd, but it's a detached study - her head slightly
tilted, her expression intent and vacant all at once. Kassima's words
aren't exactly confidence boosters, but there is a certain reassurance to
be had, it seems.

Walladru keeps the nozzle aimed skywards, but raises his hand. "Now, there
is one last thing you need to do to have one of these things ready to go."
he reaches back and puts a hand on the handle. "You have to pump it up." he
starts to do just that. A few good pumps and he shrugs his shoulders a
little to adjust the weight of the flamethrower. "Alright. Now, you ask, is
it really ready?"

Raykini purses his lips, now considering his friend with a strict gaze. The
nozzle is eyed as the man continues to demonstrate to the crowd. Ray moves
to shift over to Beli, leaning over tot he female and lowering his voice,
"Hopefully Wall doesn't end up hurting himself."

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Where are Hans and Franz when we need them?
</obligatory Saturday Night Live reference>"

IGEN-> Raykini says, "Who are they?"

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Characters played by Dana Carvey and Kevin... Nealon?
I'm not sure how to spell his last name. On SNL. They were parodies of
Arnold Schwarzenegger and one of their characteristic lines was, "Ve're
going to pahmp *clap, point* you up!""

Whether it's reassuring probably depends on whether one is the would-be
incinerator or the would-rather-not-be incineratee. Kassi eyes the group,
seeking out potential firebugs but spotting none for the moment. She nudges
her hat back to better watch the show.

IGEN-> Raykini giggles.

Beli says to Raykini, "At least he knows what he's doing. I think he's less
likely than some to hurt himself." She says that as if it's inevitable that
someone /will/.

The forward part of the crowd repeats the question back to Wall. He smiles
broadly. "I was hoping someone would ask." he steps back a couple of steps
and turns to face the isolated strawbale. Bracing himself, he pulls the
trigger, a tongue of flame erupts forward, the ends of its tendrils
catching the strawbale, sending it up in a quickly spreading puff of flame.
The big man takes a couple of steps back and his hand moves to reset the
safety on the nozzle, though it continues to aim upwards. Two women move in
and grab buckets in preparation to deal with the fire if it gets out of
hand. "Dangerous. Just imagine if one were to accidently flame another. A
friend. A fellow." somblerly he returns the nozzle to its holster on his
back. "At the same time, this is necessary as yes, thread can and does get
through the brave lines of dragons and riders in the skies and it must be
flamed before it has a chance to do any real harm." he takes a step further
back and starts to shrug out of the thrower. "We have fifteen people here
who know these things inside and out. It is important that all of you at
least take a few minutes to watch another use one if you don't yourself.
One never knows when it will be come necessary."

Raykini nods his head in agreement, "Aye, he does know what he's doing at
least. They're not hard to use after you've used them a few times. It just
takes practice, as with everything else." His eyes scan the crowd, looking
for a few who might not know what they're doing, nodding in agreement to
Wall's words.

Beli glances at Raykini, but just nods - and when the time is right, sets
off to seek out one of those aforementioned experts, and continues to do
her best not to get singed. Or, perhaps more likely, not to singe anyone
else. Or burn them to a crispy potato chip.

IGEN-> Kassima says, "...I want potato chips now. Thanks, Beli. ;)"

IGEN-> Raykini says, "people chips!"

IGEN-> Beli does her best ;) 'Night all!

IGEN-> Walladru also needs to be bailing out. Thanks for the turnout gang :)

Kassima applauds the burst of flame, even when it's so well-handled and
safely contained--the quiet clapping goes on long enough that some of it
may be for the demonstrator as well as the pyromania, but then again, maybe
she appreciates fire very, very much. "True. 'Tis dangerous, honorable, and
necessary all three for some t'be serving on groundcrew. We couldn't keep
the land fully safe without 'em."

IGEN-> Raykini says, "thanks for the RP Wall, it was fun ^^"

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Yay verily!"

IGEN-> Kassima says, "Thank you for the event! And apologies for the peanut
gallery. :)"

IGEN-> Raykini says, "It was amusing though!"

IGEN-> Raykini was laughing, needed that after today.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "The peanut gallery was perfect. :)"

Walladru is about to step up to one of the lines when someone catches his
arm. He stops and leans down to listen then, nodding, heads off with the
person.

Walladru heads towards the main entrance to the inner Weyr.

IGEN-> Walladru says, "Night all! :)"

IGEN-> Raykini says, "Nini Wall ^^"

Raykini turns his attention to Wall when the man suddenly runs out,
offering a quick appologetic murmur before he follows after his best friend
to see what's going on.

You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.

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

You spring into the air of the Bowl!