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

Simple Watercolor Memories


Dates:  November 30 and December 1, 2003
Place:  Lysseth and Kassima's Weyr
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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

Kassi's Note:  This log is placed a bit out of OOC chronological 
order, because it was timewarped backwards--Ys wanted to visit Kassi
and Kai and bring them a gift, but had to be away from the computer
for a few days just after he was born.  So we decided to do the 
scene when she got back, and play that it had been done a few days
after the birth. :)  We ended up having two sessions to complete 
the scene, but I think it reads smoothly regardless.

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


The Log:

It's probably not a shock of shocks that at this point of the Turn--autumn
just verging on winter--Lysseth's ledge is not only quiet, but empty, with
the green electing to spend her time curled up warm in her couch within. Of
course, it could always be her protective instinct that keeps her inside
instead. Inside is where her rider is, and her rider's hatchling: tucked
into Kassi's enormous heirloom bed, looking only a *bit* the worse for wear
after all the joys of childbirth, really. Some kind soul must have brought
Kassi some food, since she's doing her level, merry best to cheerfully
demolish a pudding.

All the more room for Dianneth's trademark hair-raising landing. The green
bugles an 'I'm here' as she settles herself on the ledge, and then lowers
her neck to allow her rider to slide off, laughing as she always does at
the acrobatics. "Kassi!" Yselle calls her own greeting, whilst she rummages
through the saddlepacks for a small package. "Can I come in?"

There's a more muted rumble in response from within the Weyr: Lysseth's
return of the greeting. Kassi's response is likewise just loud enough to be
heard beyond the entrance curtain, carefully pitched so as not to be a
bellow and disturb baby ears: "Aye, nay use freezing out there! C'mon in
and welcome!"

Yselle skips in quickly enough, grinning. "Kassi," she says, peering of
course, to get a glimpse of the baby. "I heard... congratulations." She's
now carrying the small cloth-wrapped package. "Wow, how are you? Did
everything go okay? Did you really set I'sai on fire?"

The baby in question is being held protectively within the circle of his
mother's left arm, his body supported by hers; she's propped up in the bed
by several pillows, and grins at the other greenrider as she sets her
pudding spoon down. "I'm fine," she answers quietly. There's just a hint of
telltale hoarseness to her voice still. "And he's fine, and beautiful.
I'sai's fine--I didn't *really* set him on fire, nay; he was too wonderful
for that, but he said I could spread the rumor and so I did. Even the
bloody Healer survived, if'n you can believe it. Quick, 'twas, but a wee
bit taxing." She looks down at her son, and a silly smile tugs at a corner
of her mouth. "Worth it, though. Couldn't be else. What's that you're
carrying?"

Eagerly, Yselle approaches the bed, and offers the package to Kassima. "I
wasn't sure what to get you. I mean, you've had kids before, and well,
you've probably got everything already. I didn't want you to think I'd
forgotten you though." When Kassima opens the present, she'll find a
elegantly carved plaque with the baby's name, and date and hour of birth,
carved into it. The names of the parents, and their dragons are engraved on
the border, and even in smaller print, the name of the healer who delivered
him. It's finely laquered, and bears the mark of a journeyman woodcrafter.

"I have a lot. Kich and Meri both got new blankets," Kassi admits with a
rueful grin, "which I *didn't* tell either one of 'em--they're both lovely
blankets, after all, and 'twill doubtless use both, but I didn't want
either of 'em t'think the gift was redundant. Any gifts are appreciated any
road; even if'n I have blankets and clothing and such, 'tis nice for the
bairn t'have something special and just his own...." She's adjusting her
hold on Kaisan as she talks, so that he's lying more in her lap--once the
bowl of pudding has been set to the side, of course--so that her hands are
free for the opening. She's as bad as any small child when it comes to
presents: be slow in opening one? Never! "Oh!" is the soft exclamation that
follows. "Oh, I definitely *don't* have one of these... Ys, I love it!
'Twill look lovely in the nursery, and someday he can learn t'read his name
from it, I'd wager. Thankee! Whatever gave you such a neat idea?"

[Editor's Note:  This seems a good place to put the +mail 
with the desc of the lovely blanket Kichevio sent. :) ]


---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message 55                            Date Received: Sat Nov 22 15:18:32 2003
From:      Kichevio
To:        Kassima
Subject:   A small gift. :)
==============================================================================
A bundle of wool is tied neatly into a square with black cord. Unfolded,
it's a soft blanket of blue and red, the checkerboard pattern bright enough
to capture a baby's attention. The small black pattern around the edges can
be discerned as alternating between Telgar's wheat and Benden's numeral II.
And wrapped inside the blanket is a little pouch of...raisins? A scribbled
note reads "Swamped in work--will visit as soon as I can--hope I'sai's
burns not too serious--Kichevio"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---


"I know it's not /useful/," Yselle says a bit self-consciously. "But I
thought you might like to put it somewhere as a reminder." After a moment
she adds "It almost said Raisin. Well," in answer to the question, she
explains, "I guess I just remember how important all those memories are to
me, you know?" She edges towards the bed and adds "You can do what you like
with it. I would have come sooner you know, but I wanted that finished
first, and it took a bit longer than I expected." She's peeking at the baby
of course. "Oh wow, he looks so beautiful, Kassi," she breathes.

Kassima curls her left arm around her son again, now that she no longer
needs that hand; the right remains on the plaque, her fingertips lightly
tracing each carved word. "Useful is as useful does--but," she says, making
a face, "I'm nay going t'mourn that it *doesn't* say Raisin, if'n 'tis all
right with you; *Ky*-*sahn* and *ray*-*sihn* are very different words,
whatever Kich says. And nay anyone could mistake this bonny boy for a
wrinkled piece of fruit!" Okay, so he's still rather ruddy from birth, and
he *is* all wrinkled-looking yet, but details, details! "Memories... you
should only see the keepsake drawers of m'dresser. So many sketches and
drawings and fingerpaintings that I just can't bear t'throw out. Shells,
don't worry about sooner--the wait was worth it, on this," and she taps the
plaque gently, smiling, "and you didn't have t'visit at all; I appreciate
that you did." Speaking of Kaisan: he's somewhere between awake and asleep,
having the contented look of a baby who's been very recently fed and
changed and now intends to let his mother go an hour without being screamed
at, at least. His eyes aren't quite closed, though; long lashes hover above
his plump, flushed cheeks, permitting glimpses to and from the misty blue
eyes beneath. "Beyond beautiful," Kassima softly agrees. "He's completely
perfect."

Yselle sighs, looking at the baby; the longing is naked in her face for
once. "I've got every painting Levarn ever made," she confesses. "Every
flower he's given me -- he likes to give me flowers now -- is pressed and
safe in a box. I love him so much." After a moment, she grins and says
"Well I heard his name /was/ Raisin, which seemed kind of weird, since it
didn't start with K, and plus it's an odd name for a kid." She looks back
up at Kassima "Of course I had to visit. I feel bad that I haven't been
able to be of any help. I know how hard it is when they're so little."

The smile Kassi wears, her only comment to this longing, is sympathetic
rather than amused. Her fingers trace lightly across Kaisan's cheek, and he
turns his head towards them: food? No? Drat. "I don't have *everything*,"
she admits. "I would that I did, but things get lost, and Simaeva, Mart,
and Kena have some of the things... as is only right. Some things went to
their fathers, too, for some of 'em. With eight, 'tis just hard t'keep
every last memory physically and I can't begrudge the others who've helped
raise them their own mementos--though sometimes, between us, I'd half like
to." The snort that follows *is* decidedly amused. "V'dan getting it mixed
up again, nay doubt. He's t'blame for it--feel bad? Faranth, Ys, why should
you?" she asks, shaking her head. "*You're* nay his father, t'feel obliged.
Nay that I don't appreciate the thought. I won't deny it won't be a picnic,
but everyone's been offering t'look after Kazy for me; that should help
some. A two-Turn-old and a newborn at once are a bit imposing t'think
about. And Is and m'Wingmates have been wonderful. V'dan's so sorry for
starting the Raisin thing, he's been bringing up food, probably in hopes
that I won't throttle him."

"...oh," Yselle seems a little disappointed. "You're very lucky, Kassi."
But enough of being maudlin. "I guess I don't have /everything/ he ever
made, you know? I have everything I've been given. I've got his art
plastered all over my walls, and... well, I'm sure I'sai will do his best
for the two of you. Really, that was V'dan that started that? She perches,
if Kassi will let her, on the edge of the bed, and looks at the baby again.
"You seem very happy," she says.

Kassima's expression softens yet further--not that it wasn't pretty soft
already--and she adds, "But a'course if'n you'd *like* t'help... help's
welcome, Ys, don't get me wrong in that, but I'd nay want you feeling
*guilty* over it. Y'ken?" She doesn't seem to mind the perching; it's a big
bed, downright enormous in fact, so there's plenty of room. "And I
understand. I have a lot of what Kaylira made, too, and Khari's early
drawings, but the twins went t'Mart and Kena a'fore 'twere very old at all;
Kris wasn't really that artistic; Kisai, now, she's made up for it, and
Kazy loves playing with colors, so I have more for them. Most of the art's
in the nursery. The whole room's covered with this and that. Aye, Val's
fault; he got mixed up about the name somehow, or Chymeth did. But I'd bet
on Val. 'Tis very like him." Moving her fingers from her son's cheek to
caress the dark wisps of his hair, she says, in quiet sincerity, "I am. I
truly am... would you like t'be holding him, by chance?"

Yselle brightens almost immediately. "Well you know, if there was anything
I could do. I love babies," there's a no brainer. "Levarn /loves/ to paint.
I've no idea whether he's any good or not, he gets it from his father, not
me, you know. Can you believe Tel wanted to be a harper at one point?" She
grins and says "Well right up until the point he found out how much /work/
he'd have to do. Of course, then he apprenticed to the minecraft, so, go
figure." Her smile tugs even more when Kassima offers to let her hold her
baby. "Oh could I? I'd be very careful with him. I'd love to."

"I'd nay mind having someone t'watch him from time t'time, when 'Maeva has
her hands full with Kiss and Kazy," suggests Kassi, hiding a grin, "and
if'n you should ever happen t'be going through Stores or the like and come
across anything wee and in good shape... he's already so big! But 'tis t'be
expected, I suppose, for staying in a half-month longer than he should
have." She tickles his chin at this, and he squirms, active little thing
that he is. "What, T'van's an artist? That I'd never have figured--nay
offense meant t'him, he just isn't much like the other artists I know. And
I know all of two, so. Don't tell me he thought mining would be *less* work
than Harpering?" she inquires with amusement, even as she sits up further
and picks Kai up, carefully, carefully, to gently offer him to the other
woman. "Did he at least pick up good taste in jewels while he studied there?"

Just as carefully, Yselle takes the child from Kassima, supporting his head
securely as she adjusts him in her arms. She beams down at him. "So
beautiful," she says again. Her free hand strokes his hair. "Sure, I can do
that, Kassi. Any time you need some help, have Lysseth ask Dianneth. We'll
come if we can." She laughs at the question about T'van. "I don't think Tel
was a very /good/ artist, he just enjoyed it. Mind you, maybe he just
enjoyed defacing the nursery walls at home, but -- no I don't know, I don't
think it was less work. Tel loves to work with his hands, loves to be
outside. I think the study would have been too hard on him, if he'd joined
the harpercraft, and to be honest," now she looks up from the baby to grin
at Kassima "I'm sure they wouldn't have had him. He was a miner for... less
than a day actually."

It's a pity Kaisan isn't old enough to have his head turned by all these
compliments, or at least to strike a modest pose. As-is, he just wiggles
and wriggles, trying to get himself comfortable and kick his way out of the
blankets that keep him warmly swaddled. The hair-stroking does settle him
down somewhat, at least. "Consider that a deal, then, Ys; and nay guilt
if'n you *can't*, because Faranth knows you're busy and I scarcely expect
you t'be at beck and call." Kassi leans back against her array of pillows
with a sigh. "I wonder if'n you have t'be a *talented* artist t'be an
artist. If'n he loved doing it, and did it regardless, then mayhaps he
should still be accorded the title... hah." She has to echo that grin. "Why
do I think you might be right there? Though y'never know; I've known *some*
Harpers--but what happened? Was he Searched as quickly as that?"

Yselle beams at Kaisan, adjusting the blankets about him more snugly.
"You're a lively little thing, aren't you?" she grins at him. "Does he
sleep with you Kassi? My mother said not to sleep with Levarn, but it was
so much easier to settle him, you know? So in the end I had him with me all
the time. This one's a bit of a wriggler though, isn't he?" She hugs him to
her and says. "Well, so yeah, Tel had been humming and ha-ing for ages
about apprenticing; trust him to do it the day /before/ Telgar came riding
search. I think the sum total of his duties was to report to his master and
carry a message half way to its destination." She frowns and says "To be
honest, I really don't know much about what he did. He was gone when I went
to look for him. I only heard about it later. I wish he'd said goodbye. But
well, anyway, it was a bit awkward, so, I guess it's understandable. As for
the painting, well, maybe it was more vandalism than art. He talked about
being a Lord Holder too, so, who knows?"

"For now," Kassi confirms. "But within a week or two he'll be sleeping in
the cradle there--" She gestures towards a simple, timeworn cradle in good
condition near the room's large, plush chair. "I'm a restless sleeper
m'self, so I figure 'tis better given that; but when they're restless, aye,
sometimes I still let 'em sleep here." Her grin is sheepish. "Ach, but he's
a *terrible* wriggler. Which I should've figured since he was a terrible
kicker, but so was Kazy and *he* doesn't make such a fuss!" Kaisan's not
fazed by comparisons to his brother. He wants free! Free to wreak mayhem!
Wriggle! "Oh, a'course. 'Tis very like him. Have you ever asked him what he
did?" she wonders, curious. "He might tell you... well, assuming you care;
it might nay have been that interesting, over just one day. Wait, wait.
How'd he think he'd be a *Lord Holder*?"

Yselle adjusts Kaisan in her arms, giggling at his wriggling. "I can see
that. He'd be really hard to sleep with. Now Levarn's older, he's a horror.
He'll stretch right across the bed, sort of on an angle so there's nowhere
left for me to sleep. Mostly he sleeps in his own cot, but occasionally
he'll climb in with me -- on the nights he stays with me -- while I'm
sleeping." She grins at the questions about T'van and says "It's kind of a
sore subject, you know? I tease him sometimes, but honestly, he does feel
really bad about leaving me. I guess in the end it was /both/ our fault,
but I don't bring it up much any more. I think in his own way, he's tried
to make up for it, Dad's never forgiven him, but well," she shrugs. "He's
pretty hard for me to stay mad at." She laughs and adds "When we were kids,
we'd play Lord and Lady Holder. We never could agree who was which though,
so in the end I'd be the headwoman, or, depending on how annoying he was
being, head drudge, or he'd be the watchwher keeper. I think though at one
point, he rather fancied himself with a big curly knot, and kept plotting
to find and marry a Lady."

Kassima agrees with a near-silent laugh, "Kick the fire-lizards right out
of the bed, he would, given half the chance. Does he have nightmares? Is
that why he climbs in with you? Some of mine have and haven't... Khari was
the worst, but 'tis t'be expected. After her father died she was a wreck in
dreaming." But on to other topics: "'Tis good of him t'feel remorse, if'n
naught else. There are surely men who wouldn't. Between you and me, I can
see why 'twould be hard t'be angered with him--just don't tell him I said
so! He might take it as some bizarre form of encouragement. D'you know,
though I liked being Lady Holder for a Day the once, I'm nay sure I'd have
known which role I wanted t'play either; the Lord probably gets t'do more
*interesting* things. 'Twill have t'tease T'van about wanting t'be a *Lady*
when I see him next, though." Does she say that with relish? Why, yes, she
does. "Pshhhh. But I suppose I shouldn't dismiss the thought. There've been
Ladies who've chosen the most unlikely husbands, after all, so who knows?
Mayhaps he could have *done* it, and isn't that a scary thought?"

Yselle laughs. "Oh dear, Lord Telvarin, Shells. The hold that had /him/ in
charge would at least have plenty of bloods and half-bloods. Still, who
knows, I never hear complaints from his /wingleader/ although plenty from
his girlfriends -- and boyfriends. He is kind of cute though, isn't he? I
wonder if we could convince him to wear a dress and pretend to be a lady
for a while?" she laughs and suggests "Maybe if he thinks he'll get some
action out of it. He'd do a lot to be bedded, I'm thinking." As for Levarn,
she shrugs and says "It's not nightmares, I think he just likes knowing I'm
around, after being fostered you know. I'm sorry for Khari though. That's
pretty awful." Dianneth rumbles from the ledge, and Yselle frowns. "Oh
Kassi, forgive me, I have to meet L'ha," one of her wingmates "He was sick
in drills this morning and I promised to catch him up. Sounds like he's
feeling up to it now." Carefully, she offers Kaisan back, annointing his
forehead with a kiss first, and then, if Kassi will let her, offering the
greenrider another on the cheek. "Congratulations, I'm so glad you're
okay," she says. She grins and heads over to Dianneth, mounting up and the
two swoop down from the ledge.

Kassima laughs softly at the kiss for Kaisan, and smiles at the kiss for
herself as she cuddles her son close in her arms. "So am I," she says with
complete, if amused, honesty, "and thankee both for that. We should
definitely discuss plots t'get T'van in a dress sometime soon! Mayhaps if'n
we could find out someone he wants t'be bedded by, and convince him they
*like* men who are in touch with their feminine sides... well, but anyway,
best of luck with L'ha, clear skies, and all that. Thankee again for coming
t'see us!" And she finds one of Kai's small hands amidst his swaddling and
moves it in a wave after the greenrider, since he can't exactly do it
himself. *His* form of goodbye is to blow a spit bubble. Ah, babies.