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Welcome To Your Doom


Date:  January 25, 2003
Place:  Telgar Weyr's Hot Springs
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:  This is a quick little log:  Kassima runs into M'rten in
the hot springs, and, after a few questions about his ambitions and 
thoughts for the future, shanghais him into her horrific domain of 
neverending torments!  Okay, so she just taps him into Thunderbolt.  
But it sounded more dramatic the other way, didn't it?

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The Log:

M'rten walks in from outside the room.

M'rten wanders in slowly, looking a little weary as he knuckles his back
and rubs a hand across his face.

"...Well, nay, a'course I didn't *tell* her it was a stone wench of a
situation; 'twould scarcely have won me *points*. Besides, if'n she can't
figure that out on her own...." Kassima has tucked herself in a
cross-legged seat near the dragon pool, where Lysseth is soaking; she is
not soaking, however, instead working industriously on a set of straps. "It
only goes t'show the way of life, though. But you'd know all about that.
One of these days we should just get out of here, take a month's holiday,
say t'the Star with all of it for awhile--hmm?" The green's rumble is a
decidedly amused confirmation, and is followed, a beat later, by a brief
note of greeting for the incoming rider-type.

M'rten waves as he looks over, giving Lysseth a polite nod. "Running away?"
he asks as he drops heavily to sit on the ground and begin loosening his
boots.

Kassima looks up and over from her work, her expression somewhat wry.
"Given that I haven't had a vacation, barring pregnancy, in nigh on twenty
Turns, I'd prefer t'call it taking a well-deserved leave of absence," is
her rueful response. "But you've just summed up why it probably wouldn't
work. Nay rest for the wicked. In for a soak without Mariloth?"

M'rten shrugs, leaning back and looking quite grateful just to have his
boots off and his feet free to the air. "She wanted to stretch her wings a
little bit. Should be coming to join us before long. Hey, if you want I
could put on a wig and pretend to be you while you go south for a while."

"Do they make wigs that long?" Kassi reaches back to give her braid an
experimental tug. "If'n so, out of *what*, I wonder? But I don't think that
would quite work." Very drolly indeed, "At least, I hope nay, since if'n I
look so much like a man that a wig would be sufficient disguise...." She
lets that trail off; gives a quiet, amused snort. "Is this another of your
plots t'get authority over people? Like offering t'assist the
Weyrlingmasters, at the graduation?"

M'rten laughs softly, "Well, it wasn't at first but now that you mention
it..." He shakes his head slowly. "These days I think all I'm really eager
to get is a bigger weyr. Power can wait."

Kassima casts her eyes up skywards as if in a silent plea for patience,
though the gesture seems amused--and another rumble of laughter can be
heard from Lysseth's direction. "Faranth help us all." Looking back down,
she eyes him sidelong for a moment. "Wait how long? D'you think you'll be
discontent, if'n you end up in a Wing that's nay apt t'promote you any time
in the near future--if'n ever? Most of the Wings are well-settled with
regards t'who's in charge, y'know. Nay that much raging call for random
replacements."

M'rten just grins as he strips and climbs quickly into one of the pools
with a much relieved expression. "Actually, I think I'm learning patience.
Mainly because I heard a rumor that once you get power they expect you to
be responsible and all. That can definitely wait."

Kassima, by reflex, averts her eyes politely at the stripping; all these
Turns, and she's still as much of a prude as Weyrlife will allow sometimes.
Amazing. "You aren't just whistling a quaint regional melody," she confirms
with definite amusement in her voice, glancing back. "Would you believe,
they expect you t'go t'*meetings* and fill out *paperwork* and deal with
*Healers* on a regular basis? T'say naught of never having the time you'd
like for fun. You'd have t'be fricking insane t'want it already. And if'n
you don't mind saying so, I'm just as glad you're nay. Given the givens and
all."

M'rten shudders gently, unbinding his hair and dipping himself low to soak
it. "How horrible. I guess that's what turned you into such a crotchety old
woman." His grin almost painfully wide, he slips completely under the water
for a few moments.

Kassima lifts first one dark eyebrow, then the other, in an expression just
brimming with... well, there is amusement there, but darkness lies not far
beneath it. Still, she suppresses that quickly enough and inquires,
lightly, "You *do* realize that as your Wingleader, I could put you on dawn
sweeps for the next seven Turns in exchange for that remark?"

Mariloth flies over the edges of rock and lands on the far end of the springs.

M'rten looks over, just his head out of the water now as Mariloth glides
in, looking quite pleased with herself. "Is that a threat or an
announcement?" The green slips into the water of the large pool, her rider
focused on Kassima.

"Technically," Kassi answers, after an amiable wave of her awl Mariloth's
way in greeting, "I'd say 'tis an invitation. I can phrase it more formally
if'n you'd rather? The Weyrleaders have invited me t'fly with you,
etceteras?" She grins over at him. "Though I have t'be saying, this is
already fairly formal compared t'my *last* tapping. That was M'silne, and
he was covered in vomit at the time. Thankee for nay making a tradition out
of that."

M'rten blinks several times, looking to be caught quite off balance. "Um,
well, thanks! I'm honored." He glances over at his lifemate, who splashes
happily in the pool. "You're serious?"

That reaction may be just what Kassi was hoping to get, since her amusement
factor increases several visible notches. "Nay," she drawls, "actually,
you're slated for Skyfire, but I thought 'twould get revenge on you for
calling me an old woman by pulling your chain in the most cruel fashion I
could think of." Pause. She lets a couple of beats pass. "Ach, shells, like
you're going t'buy that? I'm serious. I've a knot and patch and weyr for
you--and midday drills tomorrow, and dawn sweeps indeed--if'n you'll have
'em and fly with us."

"Of course I will!" M'rten exclaims, grinning even wider than he was when
making fun of the wingleader. "She's serious!" he tells the dragon, who
cranes her neck and lets out a brief, triumphant bugling.

Telgar Weyr> M'rten does a little shimmy dance.

Telgar Weyr> Yashira shimmies as well.

Kassima wiggles her fingers and makes a vague motion with one hand, and lo,
a knot and patch have somehow appeared there. She sets her straps aside
long enough to get up and amble over to offer them to him. "Then be
welcomed to the Spawning Wing, the Wing of True Terror, the Wing That
Haunts the Night. And nay more cracks about m'age, now, y'got that? Nor any
saluting nor ma'aming, or I might make good on that seven-Turn threat!"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima congratulates M'rten, Thunderbolt's newest victim. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Yashira says, "Go, go Thunderbolt!"

"Yes, ma... Kassima, of course," M'rten stammers out, looking positively
gleeful. Climbing partway from the pool, he shakes his hands dry and takes
the knot and patch, holding them to his shoulder proudly. "I think they'll
look better on my jacket."

"Here's hoping, since pinning the knot t'bare skin would probably be
painful. And 'tisn't as if'n anyone would see it *under* your clothes,
which is where 'twould be, since I don't endorse flying drills or aught in
the nude." Kassi's terribly deadpan. A shame her eyes are dancing too much
to really support the effect. "'Twill be our pleasure t'fly with you, then.
Just remember t'go forth and impregnate many women! 'Tis now your sacred
duty!"

Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Lysseth solemnly presents
Mariloth with her official Thunderbolt togs: a dragon-sized maroon crushed
velvet suit, platform shoes, Ray-Bans, a carnation for the lapel, and a
shiny gold fang. << Welcome to Pimpdaddy Wing! >>

M'rten blinks a couple of times, tossing the knot and patch to land on the
pile of his clothe as he sinks back to into the pool. "Um, alright. I'll
try and do that, then."

Kassima nods in satisfaction, and settles back down with her straps. "Good.
I have a wager on you having at least five spawn within the next ten Turns,
y'see, so you need t'get busy."

Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Decarath does a little jivey
dance in his pimp suit, the gigantic feather on his hat waving.

Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Mariloth struts, Isaac Hayes
playing in the background.

M'rten nods crisply, still grinning like a fool. "I'll do my best."

Kassima flashes a quick grin. "Then we should get along well enough. Let me
know if'n you've any questions, hey? 'Tis m'wish t'get you new ones settled
in as quickly as can be done."

M'rten nods again, quickly. "I'll do that. Definitely. Is there anything I
need to do or start doing right away? I think that's the only question I've
got. You're serious about all this, right?" The words spill out all at
once, the young man's eyes as bright as his lifemates'.

"Is there a sign floating above m'head implying that I'm nay serious?"
Kassi wants to know, tilting her head back as though to search for such a
sign. "I'm serious! Tapping Wingriders is one of the few things I actually
*can* be serious about." Pause. "Well... relatively serious. Given the
injunction about spawning, and M'silne's vomit, and making J'an do a little
dance, and all. You'll likely want t'move your stuff into your weyr
straight out; other than that, show up for drills tomorrow, and go out on
the sweeps you're assigned. You'll have t'write up a sweep report,
a'course, but there shouldn't be any trouble on the route I've marked for
you. Oh--you should know though that 'twill nay be asking you t'fly Fall
with us for a bit. I want t'make sure you're integrated well in with your
Wingmates a'fore that. It shouldn't take long. You'll be in our regular
drills in the meanwhile, and 'twill give you extra drilling time if'n you
seem t'need it."

"Ok," M'rten says, still nodding. "This is great! Thank you!" He climbs
quickly from the pool, patting himself dry and starting to sort his clothes
out. "I'm gonna go start getting my things together, then."

Kassima laughs under her breath. "Your enthusiasm's flattering, 'twill say
that. All right--'twill see you on the morrow; remember! And felicitations
again, t'you and t'Mariloth both. I look forward t'seeing how you do."

Mariloth rolls through the pool as M'rten hurriedly gets himself dressed
again, apparently wanting to enjoy her bath a bit longer than the rider.
Boots in hand, M'rten waves and starts to jog out through the caverns.
"I'll meet you outside," he hollers to the green.