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That's Right, We're Evil!


Date:  April 16, 2001
Place:  Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  I blame the makers of Mystery Science Theater 3000 for
the title of this log. ;)  Kassi is drawn down to the Living Caverns
by the irresistable pull of being publically discussed; once there, 
she does a bit of bargaining, a bit of teasing, a bit of yelping, a 
bit of corruption, a bit of milk-spitting--oh, and she accidentally 
slips up and admits that she and I'sai are indeed expecting a child,
too.  (Darn that tricky K'ran!)  She does *not*, however, and this is
very important to note, do *any* measuring.  None whatsoever.

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The Log:

TGW-LC>> "Broth," K'ran decides. "Some kind of broth. That'll be terribly
hard for me to foul up." He leans back in his chair amid these musings, and
after a drink from his mug, half-turns towards Tarlo. "You seen much of
Kassima, lately?"

TGW-LC>> Tarlo grins. "You don't have to if you don't want to." she
assures, and then grins wryly. "No. And she owes me marks."

TGW-LC>> M'teh finishes off his mug and stands up. "I've got to be going.
Daruth says it's starting to rain, and I need to go get that Threadfall
chart I left outside back to my weyr before the ink starts ot run." He's
about to go out into the Bowl, but he comments before he does, upon hearing
Kassi's name, "Oh - Kassi? Saw her in the Records Room a few days ago,
with... what's his name... Pynor. Clear skies - though it's not very clear
at the moment!"

TGW-LC>> M'teh walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "I sign on at the best times.... ;)"

TGW-LC>> K'ran's brows lift, amusement finding its way into his eyes.
"That'd be a change -- Kassima owing someone marks, rather than the other
way around," he laughs. "No, reason I asked is because she didn't lead
Thunderbolt through the last Fall. Wondered if she's alright."

TGW-LC>> Tarlo says innocently, "I want my cut." Then she frowns. "I'd
heard something about that. Thought about having Cariath bespeak Lysseth to
see if she's alright."

TGW-LC>> "Could do that," K'ran agrees, pleasant enough. "On the other
hand, it might be more fun to start a rumor -- she's grounded because she's
pregnant by I'sai after Lysseth's last flight, say." Pause. "You know,
that'd be amazingly ironic, if it were true."

TGW-LC>> Tarlo's eyes widen. "You think?" she says, mouth turning into a
little 'o'.

TGW-LC>> K'ran lifts one shoulder in a mild shrug. "Well, you know, she had
this bet going on I'sai," he explains, pausing to sip idly from his mug.
"That he'd have eight children. And he just hit seven, with Laila's boy."

TGW-LC>> Tarlo smirks. "You're pulling my leg. She wouldn't go that far
just to win a bet."

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.

TGW-LC>> Talisha walks in from the bowl.

TGW-LC>> Talisha wanders into the cavern, taking a quick peek around first
before trundling all the way across to the serving table. One hand is
lifted in a quick wave K'ran and Tarlo-wards. "Afternoon."

TGW-LC>> Tarlo smiles. "Hey, Tali. Do you remember anything that happened
at the Lounge after I left?"

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

You spring from Lysseth's ledge with one downsweep of your wings, soaring
into the sky above the Northern Bowl.

You fly downwards towards the 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.

Kassima slides down from Lysseth's neck, giving said neck a fond slap
before meandering on towards the Happy Fun Caverns of Death. Lysseth,
tucking wings in, rumbles a cordial greeting to all concerned.

You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.

Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the Wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives.

"I didn't say it'd be -deliberate-," K'ran protests lightly to Tarlo,
before lifting a hand in a wave towards Talisha. "Hullo, Tali!"

L'nan walks in from the bowl.

Talisha finishes pouring out a glass of juice, then turns promptly on her
heel to face towards the other two. "Ahh.." Her cheeks, as always, suddenly
turn bright red and she lifts a hand to fidget with bits of her hair. "Ahh,
well...I remember some things." Choosing a seat for herself, she slips into
it and proceeds to swallow the entire contents of her drink in one gulp.

L'nan walks in, dark circles under his eyes and what little hair he's got
rather rumpled. All in all, he looks miserable, and it's topped with a
frown. "Fort's duties," he calls hesitantly, voice trailing off when he
spots Talisha and Tarlo.

She tried to resist the lure, you know. She really did. But there's
*something* about being publically talked about that just draws the subject
in like a vtol to a glow, and so here enters Kassi in all her cheerful
glory, complete with satchel full of hides and entirely too-pleased smile.
"Oh, stuff it, Pierron. Heyla, all; anyone feel like gambling today? I've
got a whole list of pools I'm still taking marks on, and plenty t'bet with,
thanks to a certain prolific pair I could name. Tarlo, K'ran, I could kiss
you. Only the Wingmates would have a field day with that... oh, hey,
L'nan," she adds with a glance back over her shoulder. "Duties t'Fort and
her queens."

Tarlo furrows her brows. "Oh, dear." she stands and walks over to L'nan.
"Telgar's duties. Are you alright?"

K'ran clearly hadn't expected quite -that- reaction from Talisha to Tarlo's
question, and, curious, rocks back on the rear legs of his chair to begin
polishing a purloined redfruit against one of his sleeves. "L'nan," he
greets the Fort bluerider, congenial enough, and favors Kassima with an
equally-pleasant wave.

"Heyla L'nan." Talisha calls through a choke which leaves her eyes
watering. Swiping them away with two fingers, she tips her head to peer at
Kassi, then offers her a wave in greeting as well. "Afternoon." Attention
flicking back to Tarlo, she shrugs, nose wrinkling. "Let's just say my weyr
ended up pretty full at the end of the night."

L'nan winces slightly at Kassima's entirely too happy voice, and he nods
back at her greeting. "'M'just not feelin' the greatest t'day," he informs
Tarlo sulkily. "I've never puk.. uh.. flyin' jus' wasn't fun today." He
sighs and tromps over to the meal table for some klah. At Talisha's call,
he turns, reddens, and mutters something.

"You should name the child Kalessisharynna," Kassi stage-whispers to
Talisha, passing by the younger greenrider on her own way to the food
table. "And L'nan, you owe me a mark, by the by... d'you need some tincture
of asparagus or the like?"

Tarlo snorts. "And that reminds me, Kassi." she tells the Wingleader. "Pay
up." she holds out her hand.

K'ran's gaze jumps from Talisha to L'nan to Kassima and back again; though
a bit of a smirk tugs one corner of his mouth upwards at Tarlo's demand of
the Thunderbolt Wingleader, he asks, quietly, of L'nan, "What -happened-?"

"I'm not ever going to have a baby so I've no use for any such name."
Talisha says towards Kassima, a little tartly. Oh my. Somebody must still
have quite the headache. A glance goes to L'nan, and she pipes up with,
"/He/ passed out before the fun really started."

L'nan reaches down into his pockets, then groans. "Kassi.. can I pay up in
a sevenday or so? I , uh, spent all my marks.. an' I hafta go earn s'more
before I can pay you back." He gives her a guilty look, before finding a
seat. "And do I need some what of /what/?" A severely annoyed look gets
aimed at Talisha. "I remember somethin' about a ribbon. An' K'ryn sayin'
yes to stayin' in your weyr. With Alessi." Hah. So there.

Just the words to puncture Kassi's blissful mood. She pulls a mournful face
Tarlo's way. "Oh, *must* I?" But she's setting down her poured mug of milk
to rummage through her satchel even now. "Let's see, let's see... mrph.
Will three marks do? Nay *quite* a full quarter, but thirteen and
three-sixteenths is such a messy number to divide precisely." The roll is
stowed; the mug is reclaimed, and she steals a share of cheese-bread as
well. "Keep measuring men," she murmurs Talisha-wards, "and the first part
of that statement might have trouble staying true."

Kassima then heaves an exaggerated sigh, settling herself and her food at
her Wing's table. "Oh, I *suppose* you can. And since 'tis your first bet,
I'll even be generous and nay charge interest." Yes, she's kidding.
Probably. Hopefully. "Tincture of asparagus. 'Tis a hangover remedy--do
they use something different at Fort?"

Tarlo arches a brow. "How much did you actually win?"

"Thirteen and three-sixteenths," Kassi reports cheerily. "On the
combination of m'pool on whether you'd announce your firstborn a'fore the
end of this Turn, and several independant bets on precisely which month. I
lost a mark and an eighth--there were a couple of 'eighth-month' bets in
there--but the profit's still good, don't you think?"

Talisha whirls around on her seat to face in the general direction of the
Fort bluerider, her eyes going wide as her jaw practically drops to the
floor. And there she stays, gaping for several long moments. "What?"
splutter. "How do you remember that? You were passed out." And here she
pouts at having the news spread into the living cavern. "What's the bet
about?"

K'ran latches onto the one element of the conversation that's -not- totally
incomprehensible: Kassima's betting pool. "Shards, you'd think people were
concerned that one or the other of us were sterile, with that much money
flying around."

Tarlo's nose - well, it starts twitching. You can take the girl out of the
traders..."Three marks when you made -that- much? No, no. We did all the
work, and there's the interest from incubation," she pats her still flat
belly, "to consider. I'm thinking you'll have to part with no less then
four and three sixteenths." She arches a brow. Volley to Kassima.

L'nan looks rather pleased with himself, shrugs to Talisha vaguely, then
turns to the bronzerider. He mutters to K'ran, "... an'... came,... an'
eventually... for... Tali an'... me... lessons."  Though he's red when it
starts, he's positively purple with embarassment by the end.

Kassima gives K'ran a mock-dirty look. "'Twould have worked even better
if'n you'd nay gone and spoiled that *lovely* rumor I started about you
being impotent. As 'twas, I had t'count on most of 'em thinking you'd wait
a bit longer. Leaned on the idea of weyrmated couples nay being in any sort
of hurry, y'know." Wink. Grin. She clarifies for Talisha, "Just when these
two would announce their first spawning. Lucrative, hey? And hey! *Tarlo*!
You're lucky t'be getting a cut at all." She affects a stern expression,
slipping easily into bargaining mode. "This will only be the second cut
I've offered, first I've actually given. You insult m'generosity. After
that, I'm thinking you'll have t'be content with one mark and a quarter."

Talisha rubs at her temples with two fingertips, head shaking from side to
side. "You won marks cause those two are having a baby?" Brows twitch
downwards, but Tali's too busy brooding to think of something else to say.
Another glance is shot L'nan before she stands up, carrying chair and all
to shift it across to where he and K'ran sit. "Spill it. What you just
said, and why your blushing like your about to die."

Explanation at last: while L'nan's expression fills with an embarassed
flush, K'ran's grin turns positively cheshire. "Lovely girls, hm?" he
commisserates with the younger man, with a gesture for Talisha -- one which
encompasses not just her, but her partner in crime as well. "Little wonder
that they've half the weyr wrapped around -- mm? Oh, no, Talisha. He's just
telling me how hospitable you and Alessi were towards him, just past
graduation and vulnerable."

Tarlo gasps, and puts a hand to her chest. "Kassima, how can you -say-
that? Are you forgetting the time and investment this child will require
for us, all while you'll get the satisfaction of being -right-? No, no,
no." she says firmly. "Three and two sixteenths is perfectly reasonable to
me, don't you think so, K'ran?"

Question asked of him, K'ran's attention drifts once again; still he's
polishing that redfruit against his sleeve, as if he's forgotten what his
hands are about. "Perfectly," he agrees.

Kassima replies breezily, "A'course. That's how I make at least a quarter
of m'winnings, on spawning pools. I'll get twelve when I win that I'sai
bet. *Should* be more, but d'you know how hard 'tis t'be getting people
t'bet against eight spawn for the man?" She exhales a plaintive sigh. And
then it's back to the battle. "The satisfaction of being right, I'll grant
you, but the rest is your *own* fault. Or are you going t'claim you didn't
try for it?" She slides a look between the weyrmated two. "Somehow, I'm nay
buying that. Nay 'tall. Yet out of the goodness, the very extensive
goodness of m'heart, I *suppose* I could forgive you enough t'offer...
mmm... two marks. And an eighth. But you'd have t'name the kidlet something
starting with K, mind!"

L'nan is glaring down at his klah. It kind of looks like he's trying to
hide in it, shrink or something. At K'ran's words, he nods soundlessly,
finally getting up the nerve to look at Talisha. After a moment, he says
honestly, "Jus' tellin'm the truth, Tali... though I haven't gotten t'the
measurin' part yet." Oh, so maybe he /does/ have a revenge streak.

Kassima, overhearing this after her own comment, stifles a snicker behind
that mug of milk. "*Which* measuring part?" she mutters, loud enough to be
heard. "Or rather--which part measured?"

Tarlo pehs. "We don't know if we're going with a 'K' name or not, but I
think if you want to see us even consider one favorably, no less then
three." Waitaminute. Wasn't that what Kassi proposed originally? Tarlo
looks like she's having a marvelous time, though. Ah, well. Humour the
pregnant woman.

Talisha starts to just stare between L'nan and K'ran again this time, gaze
going out of focus. "Measuring with ribbons. Measuring /K'ryn/." she
murmurs by way of reply to Kassi, "That cute bluerider from Fort.." a
pause, "Sorry, the /other/ cute bluerider from Fort."

"They grow them cute, there," K'ran puts in, helpfully; and finally,
finally, crunches into that well-polished redfruit. "Measuring for any
particular reason, Tali?" he prompts, while chewing. "Or just for, you
know, the sake of science?"

Yes, do humor the pregnant woman. Kassi purses her mouth. "Two and
three-quarters?" she offers. "That's marks you're getting for something
you'd have done *anyway* sooner or later, y'know. But... I might make it
three, might, if'n you'll strongly consider that K and teach me your trick
of getting money for *naught*. I need t'be learning that!" No doubt. Kassi
props her chin on her palm's heel, and grins sidelong at Talisha.
"Mmm-hmmm. Alessi mentioned that. And another measuring that didn't,
perhaps, involve ribbons...?"

L'nan takes a deep breath, trying to get rid of them red cheeks he's been
cursed with. "There were other measurements, I heard," he murmurs. At being
called cute, he wrinkles his nose, though he doesn't look displeased,
exactly. "An' oh," he murmurs to K'ran, "I'd say Tali had her own reasons.
Ask'r about measuring Alessi."

Now K'ran's gaze slides over towards Talisha, and he adopts a more pleasant
grin. "Measuring Alessi? And no one invited me?"

Talisha turns her head to aim a glare at Kassi. Make that Kassima-the-evil.
Kassi-the-/very/-evil. She coughs politedly into her hand, attempting to
cool away the burning flush in her cheeks. "With our hands." She supplies,
and that's all their going to get.

Tarlo sighs, and hems, and haws, and finally says, "You're stripping us,
Kassima, but out of the goodness of our hearts, and in consideration of our
names, three is an acceptable price." She giggles then, clearly delighted.

L'nan grins. "Yep. With they're hands," he confirms. Then, quieting, he
sips from his mug, looking from the bargainers over to K'ran, and finally
to Talisha. "I only remember bits'n pieces, an' got filled in on the rest,"
he admits.

Kassima-the-evil? No, no, no. Kassi-the-*innocent*, with such wide, wide
eyes, such an earnest, guileless expression. "Your hands, Alessi's hands,
K'ryn's hands all three? Goodness," she marvels. "I hadn't realized it'd
gone *that* far. I'd ask about your findings, but that's nay really my
point of interest. Nay offense." Her smile broadens into a full grin as she
turns it on Tarlo, eyes dancing. "Bargain struck," she intones. "Heard and
witnessed." And lo, three one-mark pieces of Tanner, Smith, and Weaver
branding respectively are produced and carried over to Tarlo. "Pleasure
doing business with you. Though nay my pleasure as much as yours,
considering the nature of the business."

"Yes, all of our hands were used for measuring." Talisha confirms, and here
her lips curl into something of an impish grin. "And the findings, since
you didn't want to know, were all /perfect/." And despite the fact that her
cheeks are still stained to blazing, she doesn't look quite so embarrassed
now. "Your just sore that you missed out on coming back to my weyr." That
last is whispered to L'nan, followed by a wink.

"Heard and witnessed." echoes Tarlo, and grins. "If you want to know the
real secret...it was all in the food." she winks, and goes back to sit next
to K'ran, satisfied all around.

"Perfect," Kassi duly repeats, with a slightly crinkled nose. "And you're
*positive* you couldn't possibly be spawning by this K'ryn fellow? Poor
Tali. Sounds as though you missed out." My, someone *is* in a mischievous
mood today. Flopping back into her chair, she prompts Tarlo, "*Do* tell?
Did you drink the Water, then?"

Kassima then thinks to add to L'nan, in a stage whisper, "You shouldn't
pass out around evil greenriders so oft, y'know. One day you'll wake up in
some brownrider's weyr, surrounded by half-naked women and wearing pink
lingerie that won't close properly. 'Tis true."

As Tarlo rejoins him, K'ran makes to slide an arm about her shoulders.
"Keara's cooking, actually," he explains, with a chuckle, to Kassima. But
back to the measurers: "You could do worse, L'nan, than to make sure you're
sober enough to go back to her weyr, next time there's an offer at hand. A
lot worse."

And just when it'd about gone, the flush is back on L'nan's cheeks. "Naw,"
he denies half-heartedly. "Really, I enjoyed wakin' up with a throbbin'
headache, on a beach. With sand... everywhere." And as the barage of adult
advice hits him, his face matches that of K'ran's polished redfruit. A
mortified glare is awarded to Kassima. "A mark says it'll never happens."
Silly. Silly boy.

Oooh. Watch Kassi's eyes widen as the 'avarice,' 'mischief,' and 'evil to
blueriders' impulses all kick into high gear at once. "Deal!" *Very* silly
boy.

Tarlo beams at K'ran, and kisses his cheek, and suddenly pauses. She gets
the oddest look on her face, and suddenly her hand clamps to her mouth, she
rises, and scrambles for the privy. Lucky K'ran's no doubt stocked up on
peppermint sticks.

"I have pink lingerie." Talisha offers quietly, then fixes her attention on
something far off on the wall of the cavern. Such an interesting splotch of
dirt.

"Will it fit on a man?" is Kassi's first murmured question to Talisha.
Followed soon by, "And if'n you do this, can it be a local brownrider so I
can come watch the reaction when he wakes up?" Yes, she knows L'nan's still
in the room, really. The young bluerider gets a sunny smile before she
winces after Tarlo, and absently tugs a mint stick from her own pocket.
"Poor woman," she mutters around the sweet.

L'nan coughs slightly, and frowns. "Hey.. y'said I had to be surrounded by
half-naked women, too." What kind of response is that? He doesn't seem to
know, and a 'help me' look is thrown towards K'ran.

K'ran's lips purse into a frown as he watches Tarlo go; and while his eyes
are lit by sympathy for his weyrmate, he retains enough attention to aside,
to L'nan, "You mustn't encourage the greenriders. Or, if you're going to,
at least wait until they're proddy."

Kassima nods solemn affirmation. "Aye. We put 'em in red and black lingerie
last time, but if'n you've other favorite colors, that could be taken into
account?" Kassi then turns her head, giving K'ran a terribly sad look. "But
we'd have less fun if'n people didn't encourage us!"

Talisha draws her eyes back into focus, blinking around the cavern. "Who's
proddy?" she asks, catching only that word from K'ran. Glance to Kassi,
glance to L'nan. "You could do it in Fort colours."

L'nan shakes his head. "No, no... I will /not/ wear that... stuff." He
shudders. "Never. An' what'd I be doin' in a brownriders..." Here, he
stops, blinking as if remembering something. He reaches into his pants
pocket and pulls out a folded piece of hide, eyes darting from it to
Talisha before he hastily starts to put it away.

K'ran aims a congenial-enough smile towards Kassima, pulling out of his
thoughtful stare after Tarlo. "I'm just trying to give him the benefit of
all my experience," he offers. "Much as I -hate- to rob you of your fun,
I'd like him to keep coming back here, rather than shudder at the word
'Telgar'."

"Is that that letter from Divya?" Talisha leans right across to try and
sneak a look at the hide L'nan is slipping back into his pocket. "The one
who wanted to teach you how t'please a woman?"

Kassima crinkles her nose. "*Brown* lingerie? Glad 'tis someone else who'd
be wearing it this time, but I've a cousin who does make such things--well,
nay me. And 'twill nay be for quite some time, so I guess he must mean
you." An amused headshake ensues. Poor L'nan. Poor, doomed L'nan. That mark
is hers already. "Welladay, I'll agree with that. But there must be some
sort of compromise, between us losing our fun and total terror."

Kassima then wonders, attention caught, "Divya wanted t'teach him *what*?"

L'nan growls at Talisha something utterly incomprehensible. Then, he
quickly shakes his head. "No. No, it's not." What a bad liar. "An' she said
I could show /her/ how well I could ... please..." He trails off, not sure
his correction is helping his situation any.

"It /Is/!" Talisha's lips pull into a smug little grin as she leans back,
arms folding over her chest. "That Divya rider person wanted to show him
how to please a /woman/ cause Aless and I were teaching him to kiss like
K'nan and--" and here she stops. Oops. Blush.

A hint of puzzlement lifts K'ran's brows as he leans back in his chair.
"Kiss like K'nan? Oh, for Faranth's sake." And with a shake of his head, he
settles his attention on L'nan. "Why by the shards of the first egg is
-Divya- after you?"

Kassima's grin, already present and slightly wicked, grows even wickeder.
"You don't *say*. Does K'nan kiss in some special fashion, then? He never
taught *me* this technique when he was m'mentor. That's heinously unfair."
She leans back in her chair, toying with a slice of cheese-bread. "D'you
know K'nan for a bad kisser, then?" she just has to ask K'ran.

"Is not, an' her 'zact words were to come over to 'Reaches an' I could
show'r how well I could do it!" L'nan retorts. A smirk follows at Tali's
slip. He explains readily to K'ran, "Alessi kissed me, 'cuz we both fell on
the floor, an' then Tali got _jealous_ an' said she hadta teach me how
K'nan kisses." He grins at Kassima. "It's quite a... uh, technique."

That's it, Talisha pushes out from the table and saunters off to the one
piled up with food. After grabbing a few crunchy vegetables to munch on,
she offers--"And L'nan learnt how t'do it very well." wandering back, she
slips into a seat. "S'too bad for alla you that we didn't teach you too."
Another look is pinned on L'nan, "I thought she said she wanted to teach
/you/ how to please..not the other way 'round."

L'nan adds, in explanation to K'ran, "An' Divya walked in when all this
kissin' was happenin', an' Tali said somethin' about teaching me to please
women, an' Divya gave me this," he points to the safely hidden hide, "An'
said when I was sober come see her at 'Reaches. To show'r." He shakes his
head at Tali, adamant. "She said t'show'r!"

Kassima tsks lightly. "And I just wouldn't feel right about kissing the man
t'learn for m'self. Pity. Be sure t'bring Divya a present in the form of an
alcoholic beverage, L'nan? I'm sure she'll appreciate that, in exchange for
the teaching." This woman is swinging between oozing innocence and oozing
wickedness, really. She alternates crunches of mint stick with bites of
cheese-bread. Yummy.

K'ran holds up his hands. "I have no perspective on how good a kisser K'nan
is," he states carefully. "Nor do I -want- any. But he can't be the only
man at Telgar who makes women weak-kneed, or such."

Kichevio walks in from the bowl.

L'nan looks at Kassima wearily. "None've /your/ alcoholic beverages,
thanks..." he murmurs carefully. And, having perhaps gotten over the
blush-at-the-mention of women thing, he tells K'ran, "Well, now there's at
least two've us at Fort who do... weak kneed, yep. That's what Tali was
when she learned to kiss from Alessi, I'd say..." He scooches farther away
from Tali.

"No.." Talisha feels the need to correct, and leans across to nudge L'nan
in the arm as she does so, "/I/ taight Alessi to kiss like K'nan. Your
getting it all wrong. It was that, and /then/ we kissed just 'cause."

Kichevio comes in on the tail end of the fascinating conversation. She's
good at that. "Alessi's giving kissing lessons? Does she need an assistant?
Evening Kassi, K'ran, Tali, L'nan. Is someo green rising, L'nan, or are you
here on innocent business this time?" All this said while she's getting her
dinner.

"They didn't kill you. I can't imagine why you're so down on them," Kassi
sighs, affecting a mien of great sorrow and patheticness. Sniffle. Poor,
poor pitiful she. "Remind me t'go along another time when you lot get drunk
together," she instructs Talisha. "I don't want in on this kissing, but I
*do* want in on this blackmail, and hey, there, Kich. The only man? I doubt
that. Though I'd have t'be polling the women t'be sure."

K'ran nods sagely along with L'nan. "And there's at -least- one, here,
beside K'nan," he allows. "Probably a dozen or more. Why, half of
Dawnslight's men -- g'd'eve, Kich -- could probably manage close enough for
a wager."

"I'sai too." Talisha whispers towards K'ran and L'nan, "He makes the girl
weak-kneed."

L'nan just smirks at Talisha, before turning to wave to Kichevio. "Sorta
innocent," he admits. "I'm recovering from bein' liquored up by Tali'n
Alessi. M'headaches almost gone," he adds, as if surprised. "An' I can kiss
now." This last is stated rather sheepishly, if proudly.

Kichevio snickers at the mention of I'sai, grinning like a cheshire cat.
"When they can understand what he's talking about," she qualifies, before
giving L'nan an interested look. "And Alessi and Tali taught you? The
things I miss out on."

L'nan adds to Kassima, "No, but they could've. An' /no/ blackmail on me."
As if /that/ will keep her at bay.

Kassima points out with pride, "Thunderbolt's, too. Else we couldn't be the
Spawning Wing." Grinning, but making no comment, at the overheard whisper
of I'sai's name, she settles for approving, "Probably a useful talent,
L'nan--and what, *none*? None 'tall? There's nay one little thing I could
dig up about you?"

K'ran turns a sad look on Kichevio, and nods. "Me, -too-," he protests.
"They went to the Lounge without us."

Talisha lifts one hand in a wave towards Kich as she notices her, grinning
impishly now that the all the other stuff is out in the open. "We taught
him good and proper. Though he missed out on all the measuring business.
Poor thing." A glance goes to K'ran, "Could measure you up later and see
how you compare."

"Why not now?" K'ran ventures, that sad look evaporating as he turns a
brilliant smile on Talisha. "Though, you know, I'd've thought you'd've
-already- measured me."

At the word 'now,' Kassi gives a yelp and immediately covers her eyes.
"Hey! There *are* people trying t'eat in here, y'know--"

L'nan gives a sorrowful shrug to Kich and K'ran. "Alessi came t'see me at
Fort, an' then said I was a wherry if I didn't go to the Lounge with'r." He
grins. "Couldn't let'r call me a wherry!" At the mention of measuring, he
surpresses gape; at K'ran's quick agreement, his jaw practically drops as
he looks around, turned red again. "/Here/?" he hisses.

Kichevio looks intrigued. "What could we use to measure? And why not here?
Kassi could witness."

"I have a ribbon." Talisha offers straight up, whipping said piece from
around her hair. "Drop your pants, K'ran." Maybe the events in the lava
lounge helped shut down her shyness or conservative nature. Whichever
works. "And I /haven't/ measured it before K'ran, y'know..like, really
measured." OKay, so she's still blushing.

Kassima says in low, measured--no pun intended--tones, and all without
opening her eyes, "I. Am nay. Witnessing. *That*."

L'nan is with Kassima on this one. "Me neither," he says quickly, though he
adds, "Unless you're gonna measure all the women, too." He grins a rather
innocently wicked grin, the looks over at Kich. "There're /kids/ here..."

Never one to be outdone, K'ran rises from where he sits and begins to
unbuckle the belt that holds his trous up. "Oh, come on, Kassima," he
pressures with a smile. "I mean, admittedly, it might frighten children, or
cause the faint of heart a visit to the infirmary, but I'd've expected more
from -you-."

"If Alessi and Tali taught you to kiss, you're not a kid anymore," Kich
corrects cheerfully.

L'nan gives Kich an agreeable nod. "I didn't mean _me_," he explains. "I
meant them." He points to the small crowd of children playing by the
aunties near the hearth. He looks incredulously up at K'ran. "You can't
mean it..."

Talisha still not sitting, bounces up on the tips of her toes, grinning
madly. "Oh go on K'ran, don't listen to Kassima, you know she really wants
to see it." Okay, that might not be exactly true, but she keeps standing
there wiggling and waving the ribbon in the air.

The sound to escape Kassi's throat is something like a cross between a
yell, a sheep's bleat, and a fire-lizard's squawk. "Nay measuring *all* the
women!" Oh, just look at that *blush*. "K'ran, K'ran, I don't mean t'be
insulting you or aught, but I *am* a prude. So methinks 'twill just hide
under this table, here. Someone give me a yell when 'tis done?"

Kichevio gives Kassi a beseeching look. "Oh _please_, noble Wingleader,
stay and witness this, otherwise no one will believe us!" She looks
critically at Tali's ribbon. "You figure that's long enough?"

Kassima starts to say, "You couldn't *pay* me enough to--" But she breaks.
Pauses. "...Wait. Would you be willing t'bribe me?"

K'ran breathes an exaggerated, disconsolate sigh, particularly in response
to the nearness of that gaggle of little ones rather than Kassima's
protests. A glance over first one shoulder and then the other, he steps
right up close to Talisha, affording her and her alone a view of the
contents of his trousers.

Kichevio looks like she could make a black market deal or three as she
sidles up to Kassi. "Okay, what'll it take--?" And then she says sharply,
"Hey, K'ran! Not fair for those of us on this side of the cavern!"

Talisha lifts the ribbon--it's bright pink--a little higher in the air and
shrugs to Kich. "Seems long enough to--" she starts, head tipping down as
K'ran steps up close. The ribbon promptly slips from her fingers and
flutters to the ground, while she's just caught staring, open-mouthed for a
moment. "Hey!" Pout, pout. "That wasn't fair." And here she looks up at
K'ran's face. "You have underthings on."

"How many marks are you prepared t'offer?" Kassi mutters back to Kich,
while keeping a wary eye on yon bronzerider stripper-type. "If'n the
figure's high enough, we may have a deal, but if'n I require Mindhealer
treatment as a result 'twill cost you double."

L'nan watches as K'ran actually does it, aghast. At Kich's declaration, he
groans, and then it turns into a chuckle. He points to where the aunties,
giving K'ran good and healthy dirty looks, shoo the wee ones out of the
caverns. "You're safe, now..." He smirks at Talisha, but keeps quiet. No
need to call attention to the only other rider in the area who /hasn't/
been measured.

K'ran shrugs helplessly at Talisha as he refastens his trous, buckles his
belt once again, and protests, "It's drafty in here." But then aims a quick
grin over to Kichevio as he reclaims his chair. "I'll give a more public
showing next time we all get to the Lounge, alright? Or next time everyone
ends up in Talisha's weyr."

Kichevio humphs softly. "You have enough of my marks already, what with
Kiyoth's flight, and that...other bet. I have maybe three I could spare for
a bribe." Then slumps into a pout as K'ran ends the showing.

Kassima starts to say something, perhaps to agree... but then K'ran puts
his pants back in place. She sighs. "Shardit. That would've been a tale for
m'grandchildren, if'n I could say I'd been paid t'look at a naked man."

Talisha kerplunks into a chair, "Next time we all go to the lava lounge and
end up in my weyr? Hey! It /was/ only three of us." arms cross over her
chest as she gives a look to L'nan, "And he missed out."

L'nan grins at Kassi, looks at K'ran thoughtfully. "So," he ventures,
"What's this about Tarlo 'n you gettin' a special dinner'n your weyr, an'
things gettin' messy?" He tilts his head, managing to keep a straight face,
bar the glare - slightly jealous? - he shoots at Talisha.

Kichevio is unpouted by L'nan's question, and adds, "I heard that there's
been an unexpected bonus from that dinner, too."

"Thirteen and three-sixteenths of a mark," Kassi sighs with happiness.
"Minus three. Tarlo demanded a *cut*, the evil woman."

One corner of K'ran's mouth quirks upwards into an amused smile. "Tarlo got
together with Keara," he explains, with a gesture kitchenwards, "who
concocted this... meal. Everything was for dipping, or eating with fingers,
and she and I got rather playful." He'll let L'nan use his imagination,
there. "Tarlo'd stopped taking her tea, and so she's about a month along,
now, to hear Nadja say it."

Kichevio applauds softly, grinning. "Congratulations!"

"Details, K'ran, details." Talisha says before nodding her head, "Congrats.
I think I told Tarlo that.. but I can't quite remember."

Kassima supposes, "'Twill like as nay be a spring baby, then? I do
congratulate you both, K'ran--got caught up in the monetary side of things,
but really, 'twould be wonderful even if'n I'd lost marks. I'll have t'be
congratulating Tarlo, too."

L'nan does use his imagination, apparently, and reddens slightly. "Yeah,
congratulations," he recovers, grinning. "Sounds like some dinner." Eyes
dart to Talisha and, not seeing any ribbon, he seems to relax. "Do they
know if it's a boy or girl, yet?"

Alessandra walks in from the bowl.

"Probably very early spring, or late winter," allows K'ran, and -- "Not
yet, L'nan; Indrath hasn't the nose for it. May be a little early, yet. But
thank you, all of you." And abruptly his smile widens with mischief, and he
rubs his hands together conspiratorially. "Only six more to go, to catch up
with I'sai."

Alessandra wanders in, still looking to be in the last grips of a hangover
that has managed to hold on all day. "Hi, everyone." She doesn't notice
anything out fo sorts just yet.

Talisha tilts her head towards K'ran, another grin spreading across her
lips. "Remember my offer?" and then she winks before sinking lower into her
seat. The ribbon is out of sight around, wrapped 'round her hair.

"A month along, peobably even dragons can't tell," Kichevio says with a
little sigh--she's curious too. K'ran's last comment just gets a disdainful
look. "Down, boy...evening, Alessi. Need some cold water?"

L'nan rolls his eyes. "Not only will Telgar be known for the it's scary
greenriders," he eyes Kich, Kassima, and Talisha, then turns to include
Alessi with a grin. "But for... uh, bountiful breeding bronzes?"

"Six more?" Kassima asks, blinking; her expression is suddenly rather
bland. "I'd heard that he reached *seven*, but wouldn't that make only five
more t'go? G'deve, there, Alessi."

Alessandra just plunks down in a chair, offering a smile up Kichevio's way.
Only if you get it for me."

"I remember," is K'ran's laughing answer to Talisha, and then informs
Kassima, with the same mischief, "Eight. You see, I've started a rumor that
he's impregnated you, and that's the reason you've been grounded."

Alessandra suddenly chokes, flicking a look Kassima's way after K'ran's
last words. P'raps it's a good thing she -doesn't- have a drink yet.

It's really very unfortunate that Kassi had just taken a sip of milk at
this moment. It's particularly unfortunate for V'dan, whose left shoulder
takes the brunt of the abrupt milk-spray that issues from her spit-take.
"You've *what*?"

Talisha slants her gaze towards Alessi for a moment, flushes, and sinks
even lower in her chair. "Afternoon." she offers, quietly-quietly, then
turns to blink at K'ran first, then Kassima. "I was just saying last night
that I thought Is had a crush on you."

L'nan's eyes widen, and he decides now's the time to remain quiet, ever the
innocent bluerider from Fort, sipping from his klah. Eyes dart from person
to person, intrigued.

Kichevio is just snickering in her chair, not contributing anything useful.
Except offering V'dan a napkin.

K'ran likewise dissolves into snickering. "Perfectly timed," he compliments
himself quietly. "Well. It's not -much- of a rumor. I've mentioned it to
Pierron, and -he- --" The cook earns a glare. "He won't spread it around.
So I suppose you're safe."

Awww, man, first she spits, now she chokes. "You said *what*?" This must be
Kassi's favorite phrase of the evening. Although this time it's even more
downright aghast. Before she can process that, though, she wheels towards
K'ran (and never mind V'dan; he can take care of himself). "So 'tis *your*
fault I haven't been able t'get anyone t'take that bet recently! Shardit,
man, d'you know how difficult 'tis t'hide something like that for two
months? And t'think you've been undoing all my good work--" Pause. Flush.
"...Oh. It hasn't, ah, spread, you say. Never mind that, then. I didn't say
a thing. Carry on."

Alessandra just starts cackling, letting her head fall back as she just
/laughs/. Oh no. She won't say anything. She's laughing just too hard.

Kichevio holds up her hands. "This was not my fault. None of this was my
fault. Never say _I_ let anything slip, Kassi, you're doing fine on your
own." She's grinning again.

Talisha blinks another few times, then dissolves to a giggling little lump
in her chair. She tips her gaze towards K'ran, then leans across to nudge
L'nan in the side. "Be thankful your not in the spawn-wars."

L'nan laughs along with Talisha, shaking his head. "I, uh.. don't think I'd
be able to match up to the 'breeding bronzers' over here," he manages,
before laughing again.

Alessandra takes complete advantage of the situation to eye Talisha, giving
the other greenrider a sultry little wink before turning away. She didn't
do -anything-, nope.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima oohs. Spawn Wars. Can I be Darth Spawner? ;)

And snickering fades to smugness as K'ran levers himself out of his seat.
Never one to gloat in victory -- well, not much, at least -- he lifts his
shoulders in a shrug and simply states, "The best gossip's the stuff that
could just as well be true." He produces the second palmed redfruit from
the pocket of his jacket, and sets about polishing it against his sleeve.
"Think I'll go check in on Tarlo, and make certain she hasn't sicked up her
stomach or something. G'd'eve, all -- and thanks for the visit, L'nan."

Telgar Weyr> Talisha grins. That would just suit you soooo well Kassi.

L'nan looks up and grins at K'ran. "Anytime," he answers. "An' tell Tarlo I
hope she feels better!" He turns in time to catch the wink from Alessi to
Tali, and smirks.

"Be sure to tell her the latest news," Kichevio says by way of farewell.
"I'm sure she'll be fascinated to hear."

Kassima turns back to her table, and lets her forehead fall onto its
surface with a quiet *thump*. "Life isn't *fair*," she moans, muffled.
"I'll get you for this, K'ran. The only reason I won't kill you was that
the plot t'fleece more marks wasn't working very well, anyway." Turning her
head, she glares at Kichevio--and Talisha, as an afterthought. "You," she
prounounces, "are both evil."

"Make sure you feed her lots of dry bread." Talisha offers to K'ran,
seemingly her only advice for helping pregnant woman. She catches that wink
from Alessandra--it was kind of hard to miss--and after looking both ways
to check if anyone is watching, sends it back with a grin. Attention then
is fixed upon Kassima with a snort. "I'm not evil."

Kichevio beams at Tali. "If _Kassi_ says we're evil, then we definitely
are. Good for us!"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima grins. And Is can be Luke Skyspawner. "Luke... you are
a father." "*Again*?" "Yes, again. It's not *my* fault this is the
eighty-seventh time you've heard this, you know." ;)

Alessandra waggles her fingers K'ran's way. "Tell Tarlo I say hi!"

Telgar Weyr> Kindre loves logging into things such as this ;)

Telgar Weyr> Alessandra chokes.

Telgar Weyr> Talisha /laughs/.

Telgar Weyr> Kichevio is giggling hysterically here...

With a last wave over his shoulder, K'ran ambles easily out of the living
cavern.

K'ran walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Telgar Weyr> Shylana giggles... what a weird world I live in...

Alessandra giggles quietly, rising and plunking herself down next to
Talisha. "Kassi, you know there's no sacred secret in this Weyr."

L'nan seems to realize that he's alone with the scary Telgari. More the
reason to keep quiet, and he does so, tipping back his mug klah until he
realizes it's empty. He stands to get more, and asks hesitantly, "Anyone
want anythin' from the meal table?"

Kassima adds in a mutter, pushing herself away from the table, "Dry bread,
chamomile tea, and mint," and never mind that K'ran's now vanished. "Plenty
of milk, fresh fruit, *healthy* food, don't forget that. I know, Alessi, I
know, but that lie about the wing sprain was working so *well*."

Talisha grins at Alessi before turning her head towards L'nan. "Oh, is
there any sweetrolls left up there?" she calls, crossing her legs together
at the knee. "I feel like something sweet tonight." And nevermind the look
she gives the poor young bluerider as she says /that/.

Kichevio grins sidelong at Kassi, and clears her throat significantly. "Oh,
it was?"

Alessandra calls L'nan's way as well, "And any of that fine bread, too?"

L'nan nods quickly, then tells Talisha in what he hopes is a whisper,
"What, teh other night wasn't sweet enough for you?" Then, in a louder
voice, he calls over, "Sweetrolls, check.. got two'v'm. Fine bread, uh...
there's a bit left. Kassi? Kich? Anythin'?"

"Nay m'fault 'twere there t'see me refuse wine, Kich," Kassi mutters in an
aside. "Nor t'drag poor Is off, either. Mmm. Are there any spiderclaws up
there, L'nan? And any ketchup?"

K'ryn walks in from the bowl.

Alessandra looks up, spots K'ryn, and suddenly turns a very bright, very
noticable red, and sinks down lower in her chair.

Kichevio adds her order. "Just klah, please. Spiderclaws and _ketchup_,
Kassi? Ew." And on that note--"Hi, K'ryn."

L'nan is at the meal table, with two plates balanced on one arm, and he's
trying to load up a third with... "Ew, spiderclaws an' ketchup? Gross." He
loads up the plate anyhow, and balances it all over to the ladies' table.
At Alessi's blush, he turns and grins. "Oh, look... the gangs all here..."

Talisha, seated next to Alessandra and already a slight shade of crimson,
turns her head towards the entrance barely long enough to catch sight of
K'ryn before she too, is sinking down in her chair. She snags one of the
sweetrolls from the tray L'nan sets down, and goes about nibbling at it and
trying to hide.

K'ryn strides on in, perfectly casual, his jacket hanging open partway.
Greeted, he greets back, waving. "Heya... all. Fort's duties and all that."
So formal.

Kassima gives Kichevio a helpless look. "If'n the ruddy secret's out,
there's nay reason t'try and suppress cravings anymore, is there?" she
reasons, taking up a fork. L'nan receives a genuine and quite bright smile.
"Thankee most kindly. I appreciate this more than I can say... duties
t'Fort and her queens, K'ryn. Here t'be measuring Kichevio now?"

Alessandra squawks and spills the drink in her hands -- thankfully, just
water -- and shoots Kassima a Death Glare.

Kichevio gives Kassi a Look, then checks K'ryn out and finally decides, "If
he's doing the measuring, I definitely won't complain."

L'nan snickers to himself, then rolls his eyes. He snags one of the
sweetrolls for himself, then sits next to Kich, watching Kassima eat with
disgusted interest.

K'ryn lets out a laugh, as he nears, hearing that. Ok, well, obviously the
tales of adventure at the Lava Lounge have gotten out, so there's no use
trying to cover it up. "Y'know, I was just planning on a social call... You
haven't all been drinking too much, have you?" Wary look. Although Kich
gets a grin, "That so?" Tempting, yes.

Kichevio holds up her klah mug. "Only this. My judgement's not impaired in
the least."

Talisha just wrinkles up her nose. "Make sure he warms his hands up first
then." she offers towards Kich, grinning only slightly. K'ryn is just given
a look. "Evening."

And eat Kassima does, cracking the spiderclaws to extract the meat inside
and, yes, dip it in the ketchup before taking a bite. She looks blissfully
content. "A bit of kiwi would make this perfect," she murmurs, "but this is
really quite wonderful. M'compliments t'Keara... what, Alessi? What? Nay
drinking here, K'ryn. I promise you."

L'nan shakes his head with a grimace. "Nooo, no. No drinkin' here.
'Specially not with her around makin' bets about me," he adds, nodding
towards Kassima with a half fearful, half accusing look.

Alessandra grumbles idly, standing up and mopping her pants off. Harrumph.
"No, not yet, though if Kassi keeps that up I may go get myself quietly
drunk." Instead of noisily drunk, like last night.

K'ryn wanders still, to finally find a seat, somewhere in the midst of the
group. Another, broader grin, "Hmm, without being drunk, even." He must be
getting better. Or at least, his ego's getting bigger. "And I've learned
better than to drink with you, Kassima. Out of my league, still." Then,
continuing on with his roundabout conversation, "Hey Tali, Alessandra." A
particuar reason he greets them last?

Kassima mourns, "But that's nay fair, K'ryn. You haven't even drunk with me
once yet, only drunk in m'presence, which isn't at all the same--*hey*.
L'nan! *You're* the one who proposed that bet, y'know!"

Kichevio adds to Kassi's blandishments, winking at K'ryn. "And you _did_
survive the Bottle. I don't think she has anything in that chest of hers
more dangerous than that."

L'nan grimaces at Kassima. "But that's 'cuz I didn't think you'd start to
plot around gettin' it to /happen/!" he protests.

"The bottle?" Talisha questions, blinking owlishly. "What's that?" She
slants her gaze toward K'ryn more than a few times, immediatly flicking it
back off to concentrate on the oh-so-hard task of eating her sweetroll.

"Then 'tis still your fault for underestimating greenrider wiles!" Kassima
chides, waggling a spiderclaw-and-ketchup-laden fork at him. "Someone has
t'teach you better, and who better than me? ...Nay, Kich, I've naught worse
*yet*. Still working on it. The Bottle's a brew of mine that people keep
claiming I'm trying t'kill 'em with, but I swear, that's only a rumor."

Alessandra nibbles as well, though her bread is slightly soaked with water.
Not that she quite notices.

"Well, maybe I'll have to sit down and drink with you for real, some time.
T'would only be proper." K'ryn gives Kassima a playfully challenging sort
of look, then leans back a bit, in his chosen seat. "L'nan, you were
alright, weren't you? The other night? I didn't get a chance to check up on
ya in the morning." Wonder why.

L'nan sighs resignedly, then shakes his head. "Well, I think I'll live up
t'my end. No /way/," he reasserts. Polishing off the sweetroll, he stands,
brushing hands off on pants. "Yeah, had sand up the.. well, everywhere, but
I was fine. Next time, dump me in the corner of whoever's weyr you go to?"
He eyes Alessi and Tali, grinning.

Kassima lifts her glass of milk in a toast to K'ryn. "See me in a few
months," she advises, "and we'll make arrangements. I promise that I won't
start *measuring* you, nay matter how drunk I get." Mischievously, she
adds, "Besides, you'll probably be unconscious under the table ere I'm even
fractionally tipsy. Would you really have wanted t'wake up and *see* that,
L'nan?"

Kichevio protests innocently. "Measuring can be fun! Right, Tali?"

Alessandra listens silently, nibbling on soggy bread and trying hard not to
turn even brighter red. She was -innocent-. Honest. (Was.)

L'nan gives Kassima a long look, settling to reply with, "Well... not
K'ryn, no. But Tali an' Alessi?" He again eyes the two. "I sure woulda."
His gaze lingers, then he shakes his head. "I gotta say, never thought I'd
see'm both blush so much. More'n me, even!"

Talisha drags her legs up onto the chair, hugging her knees close to her
body, and resting her head upon them. "Measuring is fun, right right." And
here she gives Alessi a sidelong look before grinning. "Especially when you
use your hands." Ahem, just ignore the blushing, it'll go away soon.

"Might've been a bit crowded," K'ryn replies to L'nan, chuckling a little.
"But next time, sure, I'll make sure you don't get sand in your pants." To
Kassima, he can only nod. "If you drink the stuff you brew, I probably
wouldn't last long, no." Ok, so his ego isn't -totally- overblown. Just a
little. Then more laughter, "Measuring, indeed. If I had a drink now I'd
toast to it."

Kassima can only shudder. "I suppose 'twould depend on what they all were
doing," she mutters, "but 'twouldn't think anyone would want t'see, unless
'twere voyeurs... all right, for the record, I'm going t'vote this
conversation *nay* lead to another measuring in the Living Cavern this
time. Please. Pretty please. Unless I get paid; then I'd live." She's a
woman of *priorities*! And a woman who beams to K'ryn at this
acknowledgment of the evils of her brewing.

Alessandra, while the other greenie is occupied, leans up and plants a
smooch on Talisha's cheek, then settles quickly back into her chair. Yes,
she's innocent. Really. Measuring? Nevermind that she still has last
night's ribbon...

"Like I said," Kichevio says airily, "I have three marks to contribute to
the bribe fund. And you _did_ say it'd be a thing to tell your
grandchildren about."

L'nan seems to be moving again towards the meal table... he seems to
gravitate away whenever they start mentioning the measuring thing again.
"Uh... anyone want anything else?" Such a polite boy...

The colouring in Talisha's cheeks suddenly flares to bright red again, skin
ultra-hot after that smooch from Alessi. She doesn't say a word however,
just sits there trying not to smile or blush further. After a moment or two
she leans across whispering, "Whatever happened to that darned ribbon?
We've got to hang it on the wall, remember?" A grin is sent toward Kassi,
"Let me know next time your brewing, I'd like to try a bit."

Kassima agrees, breeze to Kichevio's air, "One must add to one's share of
stories when one can. However, this would be one episode I would *nay*
commission either painting or tapestry about." No, really? Breaking into a
grin, she nods to Talisha. "Hardly a problem. I could provide you with some
of m'liquors right now, if'n you liked." Uh-oh.

Alessandra reaches into her back pocket, producing the ribbon with just an
insouciant grin and letting it fall into Tali's lap. A pause, then her
shoulders tighten. "Actually, I think Tali's not quite ready for your
stuff, yet."

Kichevio tries to hide her grin. "I think it would make a _fascinating_
tapestry."

"Yeah, for Fort's pride," K'ryn states. Regarding the missing ribbon. Then
a glance off after L'nan, and he shakes his head. "Grabbed a bite before."
Then, a more general survey of the whole group. "Hmm, wait, there's money
involved now? " This evokes a very strange look, and he suddenly falls to
chuckling a bit. "Be interesting to see measuring sober, that's all I can
say." Not that -he- was that drunk, the other night. "Ugh, Kassi's stuff
should be used to help fight thread. I'm sure it'd work."

Picking up the length of ribbon from her lap, Talisha tilts her head to
Alessi for a moment. "Why aren't I ready to try Kassi's stuff?" she asks,
peering at her through dark lashes. "It can't be *that* bad, can it?" Of
course, anything regarding Kassi is never quite what it seems. Rising to
her feet, she starts off through the cavern to search out a suitable patch
of wall. "For Fort's pride." She agrees with a smirk to K'ryn, "D'you think
anyone'll mind much?"

L'nan groans slightly, and warns, "Tali... really, don't. Her stuff is
dangerous!" His eyes go to the ribbon again, and he looks out towards the
bowl pleadingly. Since he evidently gets no saving response, he returns to
the table with another mug of klah, stealing Tali's seat.

"Kich will pay me three marks t'witness a measuring, evidently," Kassi
affirms. "Nay a way of making money that I'd thought of *a'fore*, but one
does what one must, and I *do* need funds t'buy certain things now."
Setting down her fork, she stands, the better to rummage in the series of
pockets that line the inside of her riding jacket. Three small vials of
liquor are produced, one murky, one a clear blue-green, and one rather
bronze in color. "Take your pick," she invites. "The middle one's the
Bottle, though, so you might beware of it."

Kichevio prepares to spectate, encourage, and be Tali's glamorous
assistant, should the need arise. "Fort's pride, hmmmm? Can't wait to see."

Alessandra peeks as L'nan slides into the seat next to her, winking
outrageously at him before her expression goes nonchalant once more.

"I dunno anyone who would really have reason to complain," K'ryn replies,
to Tali, quickly grinning. "And I could care less. So it's up to you, I
guess." His eyes -zip- over to Kassi as she sets out her goods, again. "Oh
my. You carry those with you everywhere? Or just for special occasions?"
Like gatherings in the living cavern. Very special.

L'nan happens to be grimacing at Kich for some reason, and catches Alessi's
wink. "I swear..." he mutters, grinning. He doesn't complete the statement,
but instead winks back before turning to watch the events.

Talisha searches out a nice bit of wall--but upon recieving a glare from
Pierron--quickly stuffs the ribbon into a pocket. She'll likely hang it in
her weyr later, y'know, memories sake. "Ooh, those are pretty colours." She
trails back over to the table, reaching out with one hand to scruffle up
L'nan blonde locks. "Stole my seat." she grins at him, then shrugs. "Kich
help me decide. And /how/ did you make these Kassi, that's what I'd like to
know."

Alessandra watches quietly, content to keep from getting drunk. At the
moment. Maybe later.

Kassima darts a wicked grin over her shoulder, towards K'ryn. "Everywhere,"
she responds, "in small doses. M'Weaver cousin was a dear and put extra
pockets in this jacket for me t'carry alcohol in. Y'never know when you'll
meet up with some flight-lost male in need of assistance, hey?" Turning
back to Talisha, she presses one palm to the table's surface to lean
against. "I started out in m'younger days throwing different kinds of
liquor together t'see what would work. That's still m'method now for the
most part--though a lot of taste-testing and experimenting has given me a
better sense of what will and won't go together. Marcus at the Lava Lounge
usually supplies m'liquors, on the provision that I'm careful about brewing
in *there*. I burned his eyebrows off once, see. He's a bit wary of me."

Kichevio has been distracted by her own thoughts, but looks up alertly.
"Remind me what I'm helping you decide, Tali?"

"Watch out for the Bottle, Tali, that's all the advice I can give." It
being the beverage which had K'ryn gasping for breath, and stumbling around
into Kich. Tsk tsk. "It'll make all the stuff you drank last night seem
like so much water."

L'nan squirms in his chair, viewing those bottles. "Ugh. Tali, really...
have y'ever felt what it's like to have live crawlers in your head'n feet
an' arms? That's what it feels like. Except," he adds, "The day after. Then
it's like dead crawlers." He blinks, looking out towards the bowl. "Shells,
I forgot I was supposta meet'r..." he mutters, standing. Then, in an
apologetic hurry, "I gotta go. See y'guys another time, all right?"

Alessandra waves L'nan's way, still relatively quietly. "Take care, hon,
see you later!"

Kassima's beam only becomes brighter at all these descriptions. There has
got to be something very wrong with this woman. "You're both entirely too
kind--a'course, L'nan, a'course. Duties t'Fort and her queens, and fair
winds t'you and t'Alirath."

Talisha leans forward, placing one hand on the table as she eyes each of
the bottles carefully. "Crawlies? _Ew_." Shudder. She waves at the young
bluerider before blowing him a kiss, "Ta-ta!" And then she nods to Kich,
"Helping me decide which one to try?"

Kichevio waves good-night to L'nan, saying idly to Tali, "Well, since
K'ryn's the last one here--oh, you meant the _drinks_." Silly her. "Well,
_don't_ try the Bottle. What's the bronze-colored stuff, Kassi?"

L'nan pauses on his way out, then comes back and fidgets for a moment. He
mutters to Alessandra, "... for... second?... promise it... take..." 

K'ryn casts a quick grin toward his wingmate. "See you back home, eh L'nan?
Clear skies." Then to Tali, "Start slow. Trust me. Or you'll be way past
the mood for measurements without all the fun inbetween."

"That's--well, I call it Bronze Bolt," Kassi admits, a bit sheepishly.
"Since 'tis mostly a Bollian Bronze Dragon mixed with quantities of White
Lightning. Nay enough t'dilute out the color, mind."

Alessandra looks up, then rises and follows L'nan out.

Alessandra walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

With a last wave and a "Clear skies!", L'nan leaves.

L'nan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

Talisha watches Alessi and L'nan make their departure, then flicks her gaze
back down to the bottles. "Bronze bolt eh? I think maybe I'll try just a
little sip of that. I don't want t'go getting drunk two nights in a row
afterall." That would just be bad. A sidelong glance at K'ryn and she
laughs. "Oh no, it wouldn't be fun without all the in-between stuff. You
should come with us next time, you two." With a smile to Kassi and Kich.

Kassima nods agreeably, and reaches to reclaim the other two vials and
replace them in their hiding places. She does not, at any point, mention
that White Lightning is pretty much purely raw alcohol. Let Tali find that
out for herself. "If'n the next time's in a few months," she wryly replies,
"and 'twill still get paid if'n I have t'witness any measuring going on,
then 'twill do so."

K'ryn laughs, and quickly bobs his head in agreement with Talisha. "The
more the merrier, indeed." Then a little mock-scowl at Kassi. "Well that's
no fun. We'll be out of marks in no time, at that rate."

Kichevio nods, marking that down on her mental calendar. "Lava Lounge, in a
few months, with Kassi, Tali, K'ryn, L'nan, and anyone else that wants to
come."

Talisha reaches to take the vial of bronze bolt, still eyeing it carefully.
"Are you sure this isn't going to kill me or anything?" that question is
clearly aimed at the maker of the concoction. "Here goes." she un-screws
the top, and takes the teeniest, tiniest sip she possibly can before
stumbling back into a seat, eyes watering up. "Kassi." she chokes after a
moment to get her breath back, "That. Is. Hot." Hot being the feeling of
the alcohol making her throat feel raw.

Kichevio just watches, looking mildly smug. None for her, thanks.

K'ryn chuckles a little, watching Tali's reaction. "No, that one won't kill
you. But it'll... yeah, gives you a new appreciation for our firebreathing
friends, eh? The Bottle, now that I imagine could kill a person. I'm
thankful to be standing here tonight."

"Shouldn't!" is Kassima's cheerful, less than one-hundred percent
reassuring reply. The Wingleader watches avidly as Talisha drinks, and the
reaction wins her broadest smile. "Good! Then 'tis a well-brewed batch
after all! You can go ahead and finish off the vial, if'n you like."
Ever-generous, this one. "It hasn't killed anyone *yet*," she chides K'ryn,
with great amusement. "Turned K'nan purple, aye. Knocked K'ryo unconscious,
aye. Inspired I'sai t'want t'do experiments on its flammable properties,
aye. Killed anyone? Nay yet."

"Finish it off?" Talisha lifts the vial up to her lips then, and in a
moment of insanity, drinks. All of it, then sets the vial back on the table
top. "Faranth." She states after another session of choking back tears and
swallowing hard. "If the Bottle is anything like that stuff, it's no wonder
Is wanted to do experiments with it."

Kichevio murmurs, "Now you can char Thread with Imanath, next Fall."

Kassima takes the empty vial, caps it, and slips it back into her jacket.
"The Bottle? Like that?" she asks, entirely too innocent to bode well. "I
shouldn't be thinking so. That's one of the two mildest drinks I make!"

Alessandra walks in from the bowl.

"And made me forget I had feet," K'ryn adds, to the drink's list of various
accomplishments. He keeps his eyes on Tali, now, seeing if she'll pass out
and fall over, or anything of the sort.

Alessandra walks back in, giggling softly to herself as she settles back
down in a seat. Not the one she vacated just a few moments ago. "Tali,
honey, you look like you swallowed a nettle-thorn plant."

"I think I pratically /did/." Talisha breathes across to Alessandra, still
struggling to stop her eyes from watering and her throat from feeling dry.
She waves at one of the serving drudges for a drink, and down the glass of
water in one hit. "Much better. If that's a mild one, I'd hate to find out
what your /worst/ is like Kassi. Sometimes I wonder about you.."

Dragon> Lysseth, Kiyoth, Saulith, and Imanath sense that Alirath's cloudly,
soft blues trickle into your minds. << Farewell for now to the four
prettyiest greens at Telgar... whose riders scare mine past all belief. We
will meet again soon! >> And the clouds trail out just as quickly.

Alessandra blinks, then casts an impish look towards her fellow
greenriders. "We scare L'nan, it appears. I'll drink to that. Only -- not
of your brewing, Kassima." A drudge, knowing Alessi's tastes too well,
brings her a glass of her favorite wine.

"You wonder about me? What do you wonder?" Kassi slips back into her chair,
taking up her fork again to finish off the rest of her interesting meal.
"Anyway, there's a reason I mostly reserve these for m'self and the
flight-lost... congratulations, Alessi. You've learned one of the primary
greenrider arts: scaring the men." And, yes, she *does* smile sweetly at
K'ryn as she says so.

K'ryn moves to sit by Talisha, chuckling a bit still. "The worst is pretty
bad. Well, assuming that stuff she gave me before was her worst. Like she
said, it turns people colors and makes them forget body parts. I think
Alessi has the right idea, there, for casual drinking." Kassi's comment
draws his attention, and he smirks. "Ain't scared yet."

"Ooh, those are fighting words," Alessi jibes back K'ryn's way. "Especially
when you're surrounded by four of the most notorious Telgari greenies."

Talisha leans across to try and poke--yes poke--K'ryn in the arm. "You just
watch yerself lil' boy--right what Alessi said." she grins at him, then
shrugs one shoulder up to Kassi. "Well, your eating the /strangest/ meal
ever, you didn't deny the rumour about I'sai spawning with you, -and- you
know how to scare the men." Which is an art Tali has yet to learn.

Kassima suggests to K'ryn, though mercifully with a grin to let him know
she's *probably* not serious, "If'n you push your chair out a bit from that
table and spread your knees apart, I could land a knife an inch from your,
ah, measurements? Would that scare you?" What a question. Her replies to
Talisha are logically-voiced: "For the first, I take it you've never seen
me eat frosted cabbage or a fried egg-chili-chutney sandwich with whipped
cream and raisin garnish; for the second, I can't, since 'tis true; for the
third... well. You're right about that, and too kind t'say so."

K'ryn grins. "I might rate Kassi as scary, sure. 'Cause she brews deadly
liquors and probably drinks like a man twice her size." Then a quick laugh,
and he certainly doesn't move, in the instructed manner. "And she throws
knives, apparently." Eep. Then an oh-so-sweet smile at Tali, as she pokes,
"Think you need to take lessons from her."

Alessandra quietly slips out.

Alessandra walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

"Kassima, those are just disgusting." Talisha wrinkles her nose as the list
of strange foods goes on and on, "I mean, those are worse than the
spiderclaws your eating right now." Firm nod. Then her face falls, "You
really /are/ pregnant with I'sai then? Really, truly, no joking around in
all honesty?" She narrows her gaze on the elder greenrider for a moment,
then whirls around in her chair to face K'ryn with a laugh. "You think I
should /try/ for scariness? I'm quite happy being the little innocent
greenrider. Even if it does mean I don't have a pair of buttless leather
pants to call my own."

Kichevio seems quite content to just watch Tali and K'ryn, although her
brow keeps furrowing. Saulith is apparently trying to talk her into something.

"And only the tip of the glacier," Kassi promises, oh-so-sweetly. "One
benefit of four pregnancies--well, four and a quarter now--is many, many
horror stories to tell." That reaction, specifically the falling of face,
brings her own expression down to one of bemused concern. "Aye--'tis so,
really and truly, and don't say a word about me doing aught t'win a bet;
this wasn't *planned*. Is something amiss, Talisha?" Dryly, as an
afterthought, "And you're welcome t'have m'pair, if'n you like."

Kassima then turns enough to flash a grin to K'ryn. "Thankee. I do
try--both with the scariness and with the drinking."

Kichevio shakes her head, sighing as she stands and heads for the exit.
"Please excuse me. Saulith insists on taking a trip." She winks at Talisha.
"Measure him good."

Kichevio walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

K'ryn chuckles, and gives Talisha a good looking-over, as if he'd -somehow-
not managed this already, in their sorted escapades. "Mm, yeah, I think I
like you better uh... innocent." Right, very innocent, she is. "Butless
pants?" A sudden burst of laughter, even as the talk of I'sai spawn goes
over his head.

Kassima adds as another afterthought, even dryer than the first, "And I
should correct your phrasing a bit; I'm pregnant *by* I'sai, nay with,
since if'n I'sai is the child of me and himself... well, that's just
terribly disturbing." That's one word for it. She grimaces at another
mention of the BLPs. "A strange quirk of J'lyn's. He seems t'like t'gift
random people with leather pants from which pertinent parts are missing.
'Twas one of his first victims--Is was the other, come t'be thinking on
it--but m'pair are buried deep, deep beneath the sands of Shipfish Island."
She calls rather belatedly, "G'deve, Kichevio!"

"Nothing is the matter. But with /I'sai/?" Talisha's brow lift almost all
the way into her hairline for all she's shocked that this -is- actually the
truth. "I mean, that's just.../scarey/. I wonder what you'll call it..."
she trails off as thoughts invade her head--maybe that doesn't happen
often--then waves, belatedly, after Kichevio. "Have fun." A sigh escapes
her lips, and she leans forward, propping both elbows on the table. "I'd
really love some of those pants, can you imagine the looks I'd get in
them?" To K'ryn, she simply grins. "And I'm /oh/ so innocent too. Just like
you." With a blown kiss his way.

K'ryn makes a show of catching the blown kiss. "Yes, I imagine you'd look
marvellous in a pair of those. Not that you really need that much help, but
still. Mmm." He considers the possibility. Then, looking between them, he
decides to ask, "-Why- is it so scary?" Since he doesn't know I'sai.

"Lysseth's last flight was won by Taralyth," Kassi explains with a shrug,
taking a sip of her milk and managing--this time--not to spit it. "Nay
really surprising, that; those two *are* close as dragons go. And, well,
y'know how flights work." She manages to keep to only a *mild* blush.
"We've nay discussed names yet, though. We've still six and a half months,
thank Faranth--i'truth, I just caught him t'tell him on the night of
Kiyoth's flight, which is the real reason I resorted t'lying about why
'twas grounded. Why don't you ask J'lyn? You ride green; he'd likely give
you a pair." She'll just let Tali answer the question of scariness, yep yep
yep.

"/I'sai/ is scarey because well...he's -strange-." Talisha flutters her
lashes cutely at the bluerider, then laughs and turns back to looking at
the oh-so-interesting woodgrain of the table. "And him spawning with
Kassima, can you imagine their child? No offence to you Kassi of course,
but..help. Fear it, K'ryn, fear." She rises up to standing and starts
heading toward the exit, "I may ask J'lyn for a pair then, but until that
time.. you'll all just have to resort to viewing my lovely toosh in these
tight leathers." And with a wink, she heads out.

Talisha walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.

"I'sai isn't that strange," Kassi murmurs in protest. "Nor frightening, I'd
say. I do hope they don't tease him too much about this."

K'ryn laughs. "I imagine the kid'd be able to drink, that's one thing." He
watches Talisha go, indeed 'admiring' her rear in the tight leathers, and
then turns back, and rises. "I should probably be heading home myself. But
just think, you got through the night without anyone attempting measurements."

Kassima grants, with a wry grin, "Oh, he--or she--should be. We'll see."
She does not take note of Talisha's rear, of course. Not her cup of tea. So
to speak. "Talisha *did* try t'measure K'ran, but it didn't work and we
didn't see aught improper. Thankfully. Clear skies t'you and your lifemate
on your way back--oh, and duties t'Fort and her queens, a'course."

K'ryn smiles, as he steps away, deciding not to comment on K'ran. "Have a
nice night, yourself." With that, he turns, and heads out.

K'ryn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.