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An Evening At Benden Hold
Date: March 30, 1998
Places: Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern and Southern Skyspace; Benden
Hold's Fire-Heights, Courtyard, and Great Hall
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: Interesting things tend to happen when Telgarians go
abroad. Though the events of this particular evening were fairly tame
in comparison to some of the past happenings that travelling riders
have brought crashing down on various Holds, they still may prove
interesting to some--which is why, of course, I've posted this log.
Things preceded by <*> take place away from Lysseth while I'm riding
her. Beyond that, all speaks for itself. This log is pretty much
Spam Lite, though I've left in a few knot quips for amusement's
sake. :)
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The Log:
You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern.
Pierron humphs thoughtfully as the wingleader of Thunderbolt arrives.
K'tyn nods back at Pierron, pausing to grab a few rolls and meat pies on
his way past. "Good evening, everyone," he says quietly.
Kindre walks in from the bowl.
D'ton salutes K'tyn as well.
Kassima grunts right back at Pierron in turn, though rather
involuntarily--or at least, so one would guess, given that she's hefting
this rather large and heavy-looking box that would give anyone who wasn't
used to hauling stone around a hernia. "Please tell me Kiat and Kin are in
here?" she asks from behind the obstruction of the large, wrapped
thingamawhatsits. "If'n I have t'carry this blasted thing all the way up
those stairs, I do believe I'll scream."
D'ton starts to turn to Aladis, asking, "Were you down at the Mine.." He
cuts himself off to salute Kindre.
Kerlyn's hands are resting on her hips, and she frowns just slightly at
D'ton, "I don't know, that's why I asked." despite the fact that she
didn't ask, she asserted. "Evening, Sir, Kindre." She nods crisply in
greeting.
Aladis tosses a small package at D'ton. "I certainly was. That's from
Lily. She inquires after your health and that of Kyoteth."
R'val walks in from the bowl.
Kindre enters the cavern in an apparently good mood which is heightened
only by Pierron's omission of his usual leering greeting. "Eve all," she
calls and nods at the salutes, trying hard not to grimace at them.
Fetching herself a glass of wine, she wonders, "Anyone like some wine
while I'm here?"
Meli leans over a nearby table, spearing a roll from someone's plate,
before straightening and listening in on the conversation.
R'val wanders in, waving amiably. He heads towards the Dawnslight table.
D'ton catches the package, which is thankfully a lot smaller than the
Thing that Kassima has just hauled in. "Um, thank you for bringing it," he
says to Aladis before opening the box.
Kassima sighs in relief as she overhears Kerlyn. "Oh, good. They must be
in here." Finally reaching the Thunderbolt table, she sets the Thing down
on it with a heavy *thud*. "Gah. There we go. Evening, sir, Kin, all," she
says with a snappy salute K'tyn-wards. "I hope you don't mind your annual
gifting being a touch late, but Aleinn only finished it yestereve."
Aladis chuckles, "Lily's got us married off and having enough littles to
start a Hold. The least I could do is bring you some cookies, D'ton."
K'tyn beams when Kindre comes in, and he stands to greet her. "Kindre,
hello," he says almost shyly, turning faintly red. "I've a seat here, if
you'd like it." He grins toward Kassima, and waves. "Wingleader Kassima."
D'ton reaches into the box, and brings out what looks like a small brown
rock..no, it is in fact a cookie of some sort. It just looks like a rock.
Then his gaze snaps up at Aladis. "Married?" he says, his voice rising in
a slightly panicked manner, "Littles?"
Aladis laughs, "Surely you can't have missed the overt matchmaking gleam
in her eyes every time she's got the two of us in the same room."
R'val blinks at D'ton, hearing his panicked tone even as he sits with his
klah in hand, "Who's married?" He asks nosily.
Kerlyn's query gets lost in the sudden influx of people into the weyr,
and with another frown, unfortunately timed to co-incide with Kassima's
look in her direction, she turns and heads across the room to the food
tables.
Meli grins around her mouthful of roll, having met Master Lily on one or
two occasions.
Kindre returns the Weyrleader's smile with one equally bright. Moving to
sit beside him, she places her glass of wine on the table and leans
against him long enough to peck his cheek with a small kiss. "I'll sit
next to you any chance I get," she says and grins.
Kassima leans an elbow against the monstrous package, grins, and waves
back. "Weyrleader K'tyn. Heya, and such." Having caught her breath,
presumably, she once more picks up the Thing From Beyond and hauls it over
to the bronzerider and goldrider in question. "Pleeeeeeease say you'll
take this off m'hands, sir, Kin... hrm, what's amiss with the
Weyrlingmaster?" She notices a good deal more than it sometimes seems,
does Kassima--and that includes Kerlyn's frown.
D'ton's hand trembles. He looks down at the Minecraft cookie as if it were
some sort of hideously cunning trap. "Matchmaking?" he echoes, voice
cracking slightly, even though he hasn't even eaten any of the biscuits
yet.
Kassima pretends, however, to be oblivious to any and all mentions of the
M-word that has been one of the banes of her existance.
Aladis pats D'ton's shoulder. "It's okay, dear. I don't bite. And I hadn't
noticed that Lily was having much luck with her matchmaking currently."
K'tyn blinks at Kindre's smile, promptly losing all sense of coherent
thought and reasoning for a good long while. He merely retakes his seat,
smiling that faintly absent smile. Anyone wishing to speak to him will
have to practically poke him to get his attention--at least for a bit.
D'ton blinks, then ventures a smile. "Heh," he says, chuckling weakly and
trying to pass it off.
D'ton holds out the box to Aladis, despite the fact that she's just given
it to him. "Cookie?" he offers, then also asks Kerlyn, who he'd been
speaking to earlier, "Have one?"
Kassima rolls her eyes at the dreamy state of the Weyrleader. When you're
carting about something that seems designed to induce hernias (and, with
the wrapping, bleeding eyes), you don't tend to be all that patient.
Carefully, she sets it down on the floor and seats herself atop the table.
There. *Now* she can be patient.
Kerlyn isn't where she was a few minues ago, having since departed for the
food tables where she's currently filling a bowl with stew.
D'ton just then notices that he's speaking to empty air, stirred slightly
by the Weyrlingmaster's departure, but since he was already flustered,
there is little change in his appearance.
Aladis gladly accepts a cookie from D'ton's package. "I never turn down
miner cookies."
Meli finishes her roll, then brushes crumbs from her shirt and jacket.
"M'lost... we talkin' about miners, or trees?"
"Trees," says D'ton definitively, having decided that this is the safer
subject.
Aladis gives a quiet chuckle and moves away from the bulk of the crowd,
nibbling on the cookie.
Kassima shrugs at Meli from where she's seated on a table, the Thing
resting ominously at her feet. "Nay certain, m'self. I'm just waiting for
the Weyrleader and Kin t'stop staring at each other for a bit."
Meli nods, that issue settled. "So, wha's the point about trees? They
havin' some problem with th'hardwoods near Lemos?"
R'val glances up at the word "Lemos" and frowns attentively.
D'ton takes a huge bite-sized chunk out of one of the cookies, and chews
on it, glancing worriedly at Aladis, for some reason.
"Trees," Kindre wonders suddenly, apparently having been starry-eyed over
K'tyn or, mayhaps, dragged into a conversation my her lifemate.
Kerlyn returns, stew bowl in one hand, and balancing a roll and a mug of
cider with teh other, "Not that I've heard." she says, walking behind Meli
in time to hear, and snagging herself a seat, "It's me that's having the
problems-- you happen to know if the forests there have been there long?"
Meli takes a seat herself, eyeing the stew speculatively. "Th'skybroom? I
think so, but they might have a new stand o'somethin' too?"
K'tyn blinks three times, shaking his head a bit as the sounds of the LC
slowly percolate past the hum that seems to sound everytime Kindre wanders
into view. "Huh?" He looks up and about, quietly trying to get reoriented
with conversation and topics floating about him. He nods knowingly. Yea,
sure. Really. He -was- paying attention.
Kassima listens idly to the tree conversation, but her attention is
immediately drawn to the aforementioned pair when they begin showing signs
of waking up. "Reason number... let's see... which one was that? Reason
number nine, methinks: you don't spend so much time in trances. Anyway,
if'n you've a moment...." She taps the Thing with one foot. "I've a both
belated and early Turnday gift for the pair of you."
In just a few minutes about half the stew bowl and one of the rolls are
gone, and Kerlyn takes a moment to swallow, "Yeah, teh skybrooms. You
wouldn't have anything resembling evidence of that, would you? Records or
somesuch?" After all, most riders run round with useless old hides in
their pockets, don't they?
Kindre blinks a few times as she gazes over the present indicated by the
Wingleader. "A gift for us, Kassi," she wonders while a smile continues to
curl her lips.
Meli grins at the weyrlingmaster, patting at her jacket pockets as if she
actually expected to find something. "Me? Hmm, neh, must've left it in
m'other jacket," she jests, then adds, "I c'n hardly keep track o'what
month it is. But those plantation were started back in Lessa's time, neh?"
Kerlyn spreads her hands apart, "If I knew, I wouldn't be asking. But
that's still reasonaly recently-- I mean, have they .always. been there,
going back several passes."
"Uh? Oh, great shards Kassi," Kiat says at last. "You needn't have..." He
knows his protest is futile, but, it must be made. He turns to look at
Kerlyn absently. "Would it matter, Kerlyn, if the stands were new
planted?"
Meli shrugs, leaning her back against the edge of the table. "Might've,
but I do know tha' they started actually workin' on keepin' them safe
'round then." She then trails off as K'tyn joins the discussion.
Kassima nods affirmatively to Kin. "Aye--the two of you will get t'lug
this thing up to your ledge, instead of me. Believe me when I say I'm nay
sorry for that. You said that a'fore, sir--but believe you me, I'm *nay*
going t'cart this back up to the ledge, so you're unfortunately going t'be
stuck with it." She winks, and slides down from her table perch to pick up
the Thing for what's hopefully the last time. "A dual Turnday gift of
sorts, though I know 'tis rather early for Kin's." She slides a curious
glance back at the tree-discussers as she says this.
"Hmm," Meli adds more to herself than any other, "th'skybroom's have those
thick tops..." She blinks, then awaits Kerlyn's reply.
Kerlyn frowns just slightly, more defensively than in argument. If she
wasn't such a straight-laced drill sergeant, you might think those were
the faintest hints of a blush, "It's somewhat related to a wager." she
admits, as the weyrleader's doing the asking.
K'tyn is drawn back to Kassima and blinks again. "Uh, Kassi? You're taste
is impeccable, tis true, but tell me--what is it that you've lugged in
here?" He grins at Meli. "Dinna let me cut you off. I was just curious, is
all."
D'ton leans forward at K'tyn's question. This he has to hear the answer
to.
Kindre can't help but chuckle at Kassima as she warily gazes over the
package. "How in Faranth's name are we going to..." she begins to lament
before grinning wide and waving her hands. "Ah, we'll manage, but shards
o'esteemed Wingleader Ma'am," is an added quip to her friend, "you truly
didn't have to." She, too, turns an ear to the conversation of trees and
the like. "Wager? On skybrooms?"
Kassima eyes the terribly garish wrapping, resplendantly hideous in its
bright shades of white, black, red, bronze, and gold. The green ribbon
wrapped over it clashes horribly, of course. "'Tis the first time anyone's
ever said that a'fore actually seeing what's *in* the package," she
observes. "Go ahead and unwrap it if'n you wish t'be knowing, sir."
Meli shakes her head with a rueful grin. "Neh, s'okay, jus' trying to
dredge up all they stuffed in m'head when I was little... growin' up at
Greenfields." She peers at the gift momentarily, then just smiles
further.
Kassima immediately makes a face at Kin. "Start with that ma'aming
business, m'friend, and I'll ma'am you back; 'twould be more proper than
vice-versa, anyway!"
Kindre nudges K'tyn and grins. "You unwrap it," she suggests before
sipping at her wine. Kassima's retort causes her to nearly choke on her
wine before she adds, "Shards, I have to toss in a few ma'ams just for
fun."
"A wager Kerlyn? Huh. Well, as long as I don't have to be fronting for
you, I've no worries about it." Kiat grins at Kindre. "I think we have to
do it, aye, love. You'll take the left, then? and me the right?" He nods
at the package, indicating with a hand gesture the division.
"Best keep tha' a secret, 'fore Kassi hears you mention wagerin'," Meli
stage-whispers to Kerlyn.
Kindre stands to move beside the decoratively wrapped gift and nods to the
Weyrleader. "Sounds like a plan to me," she replies and begins to tug at
the ribbon.
---
Golden wood has been used in the making of this cabinet, smoothed,
stained, and polished until it glows with a rare beauty. For that alone,
this would surely be a lovely piece that is fit to occupy any weyr... but
the artist who created it hardly stopped there. The three-foot-high,
exquisitely crafted floor cabinet is one with two doors, fitted to the
sides with gleaming brass hinges--and engraved richly with the detailed
carving that truly makes it a prize.
Two great dragons lounge on the craggy surface of a ledge. Tails
coiled and wings slightly extended, they seem at peace with the world and
its creatures; the faceted glass that is set in each whirling eye has been
dyed the verdant shade of a summer's plain, indicating a playful and
contented temperament. It might be noted that the one on the left is the
larger of the two, and has had only the faintest and most subtle of stains
rubbed into its wooden hide: a hint of richer gold, with the merest
whisper of rose deepening the queenly hue. Beside this representation of
Herath, the dark red-tinged bronze that delineates her ledgemate Prometh
is all the more striking. The mutually admiring pair have their necks
arched coquettishly, muzzles touching... so that, in the curve of their
sinuous selves, a heart's shape is formed that frames the shining brass of
the twin door handles.
If you should open the cabinet, you will find a note lying within:
"To riders of bronze and of gold: now that you're becoming old, I present
this chest, and hopes for the best; may your future Turns much joy hold!
All right, so technically it isn't a chest per se--but I defy you to come
up with a suitable rhyme for 'cabinet.' With fond regards, best wishes,
highest respects, and all the rest of that sentimental stuff, Kassima."
---
Aladis slips out while the converstaion flies over her head.
Aladis walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
K'tyn blinks, looking at the cabinet. "This is... amazing, Kassi! Truly."
He runs a hand over the carved surface. "I thank you. Now, we'll have a
place for all those scrolls and maps."
Kindre is, obviously, awe-struck by the beautiful cabinet standing in the
midst of the living cavern. "Great Faranth's ghost," is about all the
goldrider can seem to muster as far as words so far. Following K'tyn's
lead by rubbing her hand along the smooth wooden surface...the carved gold
and bronze dragons in particular...and she sighs. "This is glorious,
Kassi! You must've spent a fair share of marks for it...shards and
shells...thank you!" Her enthusiastic words are followed by a hug of the
Wingleader.
Kassima grins, folding her arms and nodding to the Weyrleader. "Quite
welcome, sir. Again, I apologize for the belatedness of it, but--oof!"
Laughing, she opens her arms to hug Kin back. "Nay so much as all of that;
I told you I did well at the High Reaches Hatching, didn't I? If'n you
like it, 'tis all the thanks I need--cliche as that statement may be."
K'tyn grins. "Well tis thanks and more I say. Thanks Kassi. Tis lovely."
He looks at the cabinet more closely, trying to find the identity of the
master who made it. "Was this commissioned from the Woodcraft Hall,
Kassi?" His voice is muffled from within.
Kindre bobs her head several times while moving back to look over the
cabinet. "Lords and Ladies, Kassi, I don't think we can thank you enough,"
she remarks and peers over K'tyn's shoulder to look inside as well. "It
will work wonderfully for all of our things lying about in the weyr...and
it's just so beautiful!
Kassima helpfully points towards the small sigil of crossed carving knives
in one corner of the cabinet. "Aye and nay, sir. 'Tis the work of another
of m'cousins--Aleinn, a Journeyman Woodcrafter. He hopes this work will
help him get his promotion to Master, and I personally think it couldn't
do aught but. He'll be quite pleased t'be knowing you like it, I'm
certain!"
"Please give Aleinn our grateful thanks," Kindre remarks quickly while
pulling away from peeking inside the cabinet. "It's truly a glorious piece
of furniture," she adds before peering at the cavern door. "I think either
Hera or Prom will be able to get it onto the ledge, don't you," is queried
of K'tyn.
K'tyn peers around the cabinet to grin. "He'll be one, and soon, if he
keeps this up, tis true. Now... For the getting it up to the weyr..." He
laughs at Kindre as they seem to share a braincell or three. "Aye--We'll
wrap it with blankets to protect the surface from scrathes, and that
should be that."
Kassima nods towards the wrapping on the floor. "You could use that, too--
or I could take it back; either's fine by me. Really, two people should be
able t'manage. 'Tis nay so bad as a pair of firestone sacks." Grinning,
she glances idly around the rest of the room. "Y'know," she quips, "I
think Benden Hold's having one of its dinner shindigs tonight. Anyone
planning on attending?"
Kindre bobs her head a few times at K'tyn. "That should likely work...
Herath is napping beside the feeding pens after a meal," she notes after a
slightly glazed-over look. "Think Prometh would mind? I can help you, too,
if you'd like?"
K'tyn grins at Kassi. "I'll be there. Rather have to, I think, to show
Rodin that I've no animosity toward him. I've heard the strangest rumours
that he finds me...of all things, arrogant." He tries lifting the cabinet.
"Hm! This isna heavy at all, despite that it looks like it was made from
iron wood," K'tyn comments. "I can manage this up to the weyr."
"I was hoping to go," the goldrider remarks and smiles. "Even though they
are not in our coverage any longer, I do like to chat with Lord Rodin now
and again. Nevermind visit Lara," she remarks honestly.
Kassima suggests, "If'n you're done with the records for the night, Kin,
'twas intending t'go m'self--t'see Lara, and Kathall as well. Since I
finished writing up the duty rosters ere I came down here, there's nay
pressing reason to detain me."
"Me either," Kindre agrees, "I'm finished with the records for the eve and
once K'tyn gets the cabinet settled into out weyr he'll likely come join
us."
K'tyn hefts the cabinet with only a slight grunt of effort. Nodding at a
nearby old uncle, he commandeers the old one to lead the way out the bowl
and toward the shared weyr. "Thank you, Downen. I'll get it up there--I
just need help getting it out of here without running over someone. Oh
Kin? I'll be up at the weyr, and then join..." A low chuckles escapes his
lips as he wanders out. Aye, they do share a braincell or three.
K'tyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Kassima laughs and salutes after the Weyrleader, nodding. "Then, shall we
hasten hence? 'Twould be best t'get there ere the best of the feast is
eaten!"
R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Kindre agrees and heads out towards the bowl.
Kindre walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
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.
<*> Kindre gives Herath a soft, loving pat on the side. Humbling her
oft high-held muzzle, Herath dips close to the ground and Kindre half-steps,
half-tugs herself up with courtly ease. An unusally easy and contented
glint is in her eyes as her lifemate bestrides her.
<*> Herath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry
her aloft.
<*> Above, Spineth bellows loudly in greeting as he arrives from off his
ledge.
<*> Lysseth spreads her wings to their full extent, bringing them down
with a rush of wind as she leaps nimbly into the air.
You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor
to carry you aloft.
<*> Herath bugles a greeting to Spineth as her rider waves a greeting.
<*> Lysseth trumpets her own greeting as she rises up to join the two,
Kassima saluting the Weyrsecond pair in turn. "Headed to Benden,
perchance?" she shouts over.
<*> Atop Spineth, Ursa is actually dressed in a skirt over her riding
trousers, and there's a scarf keeping her hair neat from the wind, instead
of her long braid shoved under a helmet as usual. "On my way!" she agrees.
Spineth falls into formation behind the gold dragon.
<*> From her gold Herath, "We're all ready," her rider calls across while
Herath continues to hover.
Kassima, who wears only her standard riding gear, nods once. "Ready when
you are, Kin," she then calls over to the hovering gold's rider.
<*> Herath disappears into Between.
<*> Spineth disappears into Between.
<*> Lysseth disappears into Between.
Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear
nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!
You suddenly emerge...
<*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!
<*> Herath glides down to a landing on the fireheights.
<*> Spineth emerges again directly behind the gold dragon. A sense of duty
or an fondness for gold dragons, he stays perfectly in formation behind
her.
<*> Spineth glides down to a landing on the fireheights.
<*> Lysseth bugles an identification and greeting to the local
watchdragon, spiralling down in a tightening circle towards the fire-
heights just below.
A gentle wind current caresses your wings as you glide down to a landing
on the fireheights.
<*> Kindre gives Herath's neck a loving rub before she slips down with the
polished ease of familiarity. The gold's eyes seem to burn through Kindre
until she is certain her lifemate is sure-footed on the ground, then turn
equally as hot to the surroundings in a quick survey.
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.
Ursa climbs carefully down with the assistance of Spineth's extended
forelimb.
Ursa climbs down the stairs to the courtyard.
Kindre brushes clingy bits of sky from herself before smiling. As Ursa
descends to the courtyard, she chuckles. "I suppose we should follow her,"
she remarks before doing so.
Kindre climbs down the stairs to the courtyard.
"I hope," Kassima comments, glancing down at her comfortably worn
leathers, "that they don't mind casual dress--and that Kathall's there
with some of her kiwi bread." Smiling at that thought, she follows after
the departing Weyrsecond.
You climb down the stairs to the courtyard.
Ursa has left her riding gear with Spineth, and she is still tugging the
scarf from her hair, smoothing as she does.
"Kiwi what," Kindre wonders having barely caught Kassima's words on their
way down. "Though, truth be told, I'll eat nearly anything with kiwi in
it," is her added quip. Gazing towards the main hall, she wonders, "There,
I'd assume?"
Kassima flicks her fingers through the heavy drape of her bangs, clearing
them from her eyes. "D'you imagine they might be serving any of that new
pressing 'twere showing off at the Winecraft Gather with dinner?" she
inquires rather hopefully.
Ursa replies with gusto, replying to Kindre, "There it is, then." She
starts to stride towards the hall, then remembers she's not in riding
boots nor on Weyr business, and walks more circumspectly.
Ursa opens the metal doors and steps into the Great Hall.
Kindre opens the metal doors and steps into the Great Hall.
The metal doors slide open at your touch, and you step into the Great
Hall.
Flynn shrugs, "Maybe nothing, maybe everything."
Ursa has been in this hall countless times on Weyr duty, back when she was
a Benden Rider, but tonight she takes a long look around, as if seeing it
for the first time. She smooths her skirt as the door closes behind her
and the other riders. She is still holding the scarf in her hands, and she
fiddles with it absently.
"Kiwi *aught*," Kassi elucidates for Kin on her way into the room. "Though
the bread would be best, methinks--especially with wine." Pausing briefly
on the threshhold, she raises her voice to a more carrying level to call a
cheerful, "Duties t'Benden Hold, her Lord, and her Lady!"
Kathall mutters to Sarra, "It's a stampede. Here we go." She climbs to her
feet and calls over from their dinner-side circle, "Benden and baker
hospitality to Telgar, riders. We've herdbeast stew, herb bread, klah, and
wine; and you can warm by the fire and join us in talk."
Sarra sets her spoon down again, standing much more quickly and moving to
the bowls, muttering her 'duties' as she hurries. "Here Kathall," she
says, plunking down a stack of bowls.
Kindre moves into the hall beside the Weyrsecond and Wingleader, a wide
smile on her face as she offers, "Telgar's duties to Benden Hold and the
Bakercraft," formally. Her grin does not wane as she glances at the faces
inside. "Everything looks as wonderful as I fondly recall." Nodding to
Kathall, she bobs her head and takes in the scents. "I heard rumors that
someone cooks kiwis?"
R'val smiles at the incoming Telgarites, and continues to eat his stew,
peering about the cavern
Flynn nods in greeting, but keeps rleativley quiet.
Ursa defers to Kindre, letting her formal duties do for herself, as well.
The scarf winds up wrapping around her hand as she strides... no, steps
over to the fire to join the crowd at the invitation.
Kathall starts unstacking the bowls, with a muttered 'thanks' to Sarra.
"Kiwis?" she echoes, slicing a look at Kassima. "Well, I've made kiwi
bread before -- which /shouldn't/ be eaten with ketchup, either, by the
way -- but usually I just give the raw fruit to Kassima there."
Kindre chuckles a bit. Having seen Kassima eat all sorts of odd
combination of foods in the past few turns or so, she simply bobs her head
in knowing agreement. "I promise you I never eat kiwi with anything but
the bread or muffin in which they are cooked," she remarks while moving
closer to the fire. "Everything smells wonderful. Oh, shards, forgive my
manners, I'm Kindre by the way."
Kassima inclines her head in a nod to Kathall, accompanied by a half-grin.
"Most gladly, Kathall, and with many thanks. Ketchup? Ugh; believe me, I
wouldn't even think of eating it with ketchup. I'm nay pregnant anymore,
y'know. Dare I hope that some of those plentiful kiwi 'twere mentioning
a'fore have found their way onto your tables?"
Sarra helps Kathall with serving up dinner to the riders, quiet with the
quiet of awe.
"Kathall," the apprentice baker returns, diffidently not quite looking at
the weyrwoman, and offers a bowl of the steaming, vegetable-chunky stew.
"Please, have a seat. --Did you get the bushel I promised, Kassima?" She
sets out more bowls, pulls over the bread baskets, and glances at Ursa,
although she doesn't press that rider into the conversational crush. Nice
to be on the periphery.
Ursa is frequently the ranking member of the group, and she's actually
enjoying travelling with Kindre and deferring to the goldrider's lead.
Since Kindre's going ahead with introduction, she inserts her own name
without preamble, "Ursa. Telgar's Weyrsecond." and then adds, out of
politeness, "It's always a pleasure to enjoy Benden hospitality."
R'val finds a seat for himself, leaning back in it as he slurps on his
stew.
Kathall repeats her name to the Weyrsecond. "I think we met once at
Benden, with M'kla and some weyrlings. Have some stew, bread -- wine,
anyone? The vintners just celebrated their new pressings."
"Thank you, Kathall," Kindre says while taking the proffered bowl of stew
as well as a seat. Inhaling the warmth of the spicy scents, she grins
wide. "Shells, this smells delightful...Ursa, you really should try some."
Nodding, then, to Ursa's words, she adds, "Despite our transfers to
Telgar, Benden remains a favorite place to visit."
Sarra almost happily fades into the background and her seat. She glances
at the riders every so often when she feels they aren't watching.
Kassima's grin broadens urther at that. "In very deed, Kathall, and
thankee... oh, this stew looks magnificent. The bushel will be most
appreciated--by me and the younglings, I should imagine. Kay and Khari
both have a taste for kiwi. The wine *is* of the new pressing, then?" That
definitely has her looking pleased, until the introductions prompt her to
recall better manners. "The name's Kassima, by the by," she offers to any
who might be listening. "Green Lysseth's rider; Thunderbolt Wingleader,
if'n you wish t'be getting technical. Well met, and g'deve."
Ursa grins at Kindre, drawling, "Can't say no to good stew." She's a
chronic stew-eater, and she scoops herself a generous bowl. She nods
politely to Kathall, repeating the woman's name, but admitting, "I don't
think I remember that. But good to meet you again."
Kathall murmurs pleasantly back to Ursa and takes a seat with Sarra. "New
pressing, yes, Kassima; at least, the red is. I can't vouch for anything
else." She finds her piece of nibbled bread, but doesn't resume the
nervous bites. "I did invite Telgar to the dinners, didn't I? I just
didn't imagine you'd /come,/ forgive me."
Kindre takes a few bites of the stew and smiles. That, however, does not
last. Blinking a few time, she suddenly wonders, "Are there mushrooms in
this? I tastes wonderful, but I have a terrible reaction to them 'tis
all." Letting her spoon sit idle in the bowl, she echoes Kassima's pleased
look. "Wine would be wonderful," is remarked with a wide smile. "Neither
can I, Ursa," the goldrider agrees with a bob of her head. "Will Emlyn be
joining us later? Or is she still on sweeps?"
R'val smiles towards Kathall, "We're full of surprises. 'He winks.
Kassima sighs with contentment, turning to find herself a glass of the
aforementioned pressing. "As 'Red is what I prefer, that suits me quite
well. You did indeed--I hope our presence isn't an unwelcome surprise?
Kindre, Ursa, would you like a glass too while I'm over here?"
Ursa pauses before taking a bit of stew, looking almost caught by Kindre's
casual question. "Actually, I doubt it, Kindre," she says. "Emlyn's
off..." she hesitates, scowls, even, "On a private errand." She waves a
hand towards Kassima, declining the offer.
"I'd love one, Kassi," Kindre calls over before glancing back to Kathall.
"Oh, agreed, we didn't mean to add to what will likely be a large event as
it is. It's just so nice to come back here for a lot of us, we can hardly
resist," she explains and smiles.
"Not unpleasant, no," Kathall allows, although she does slew a quick look
around at the Bendenites for confirmation. "And no, no mushrooms,
Kindre -- may I call you 'Kindre'? Just the herdbeast, spices, and
vegetables."
Kathall says then, "I do understand. About coming back, I mean, and you
/are/ welcome."
Alin finishes off his drink, setting the mug down he glances out the door,
seeing the darkness of the night, he nods to those nearby him, and says
quiet g'nights as hurries on back to his place before it gets to late.
Alin opens the metal doors and walks out into the courtyard.
R'val finishes his bowl and puts it aside with a contented smile,
"Delightful, Kathall..And your bread is very good."
Kindre's brow knit a little bit as she looks curiously at Ursa. "A private
errand," she wonders, her words coming slowly. After recent events and
'projects' she hardly expected Emlyn to be venturing off. Turning back to
Kathall, she bobs her head several times while regaining her smile.
"Wonderful...and, yes, Kindre will do just fine. My Dah liked it enough, I
suppose, so it should be used."
Kassima smiles faintly at that, handing a glass over to Kindre. "Pleasant
indeed. I'd nay miss such a fair chance as this. Have you and the other
folk of the Hold been well?" she wonders, glancing over to the quieter
Bendenites and raising a brow in curious query to them.
Ursa turns away from Kindre, neglecting to comment anymore on the errand.
She looks around nonchalantly, and her eyes fall on Flynn. She watches him
for a moment, and then says, with calculated casual tones, "A redhead.
What's your name?" She really does mean to be polite, even if it comes out
more abruptly than she intended.
Flynn turns his look down to his empty stew bowl and fidgets slightly.
"Thank you, R'val," Kathall replies with only the slightest hitch before
her words, and leaps immediately towards Kassima's question, to listen
while she nibbles.
Flynn looks up suddenly, "Huh? Oh, Flynn."
Ursa nods amiably at Flynn, saying, "Well met. I'm Ursa, from Telgar." In
case he missed this. She tumbles on, continuing the conversation with
another direct question. "What do you do here at Benden?"
Kassima listens idly to the other conversation, setting to her meal with
an enthusiasm just restrained by the bounds of manners. Between bites, she
quietly asks Kathall, "You're certain we're nay interrupting aught? 'Tis a
bit quiet, I notice."
Sarra seems to have run out of stew...nothing to hide behind now.
Flynn picks absently at the table's surface, and glances up only slightly,
"I work down in the Orchards, Ma'am."
Kindre, having chosen a seat beside Ursa and Sarra, decides not to press
the issue of Emlyn's private errand any further. "That's a lovely dress,
Ursa," she remarks before quieting to let the Weyrsecond continue her
conversation with Flynn. Turning to Sarra, she wonders a similiar
questions. "Did you help prepare the meal for this evening? Everything
smells so wonderful, I fear I may have to be rolled out of here if I'm not
careful."
Kathall refrains from eyeing Sarra, but answers Kassima candidly, "Too
many of you at once, and very impressive you's, too. I can't speak for
everyone, but I don't often dine with weyrwomen, Weyrseconds, and
wingleaders, y'know?"
Ursa brushes a hand self-consciously across her skirt at Kindre's comment,
then smooths the hem of her tunic. The tunic gives her quite a bit of
pride. "Hard work, that, I'm sure," she says to Flynn.
Sarra stammers a bit at being addressed. "I...I helped with the stew..
ma'am."
Flynn rubs the back of a calloused, scratched hand, "Aye, sometimes."
"We're just visitors to your Hall," Kindre interjects and grins as she
looks at Kathall. "We're glad enough to be able to visit and enjoy such
kind company, to be true," she adds genuinely. Replying to Sarra, she
smiles and says, "Please, call me Kindre. I don't believe I caught your
name..." Her words idle a moment before she takes another bite of stew.
"Fine work on this, it's wonderful."
Kassima blinks at Kathall, a touch taken aback. "Impressive, us?" One
would think that simply hadn't occured to her. "Faranth... well, 'twas nay
our intent to, ah, overwhelm per se." Looking over from her meal, she
notes to Sarra with enthusiasm, "Excellent stew 'tis, too, if'n you don't
mind me saying so."
Sarra stammers again. "I...I'm Sarra, ma'am....uh, Kindre."
Ursa's stew sits forgotten for the moment, only a few bites taken. "I grew
up round Igen, hardly a tree in sight there," she drawls. "What sort of
work's done in the orchards this time of the season?" She leans forward as
she asks, sounding quite sincere in her curiosity.
Kathall buries a bemused smile at the green rider. She mutters to Kassima,
"... forget... They're... though,... good."
You sense Kathall buries a bemused smile at the green rider. "I suppose
you forget the effect you have on us mere ground-bound, Kassima. They're
easing, though, so that's good."
Sarra actually smiles at Kassima. "Thank you. It was my first time to
help."
Kathall puts in loyally, "For one of these dinners, at least. You do a lot
of work in the kitchen, Sarra, every day."
Kindre smiles and nods her head a few times. "Well met, then, Sarra. I
agree with Kassima here," she nods to her friend, "it's wonderful stew.
Pierron, our head chef, would likely pay a few marks to get the recipe, I
gather."
Flynn looking like he's relaxing somewhat, "Pulling weeds, cutting away
dead branches, pruning, things like that."
Ursa overhears the compliments on the stew and, absently, picks up her
spoon again and starts eating. Eating stew is such a habit from home that
she's already quite forgotten to appreciate it as a specially prepared
dish. She nods towards Flynn's hands. "The work leaves its mark, doesn't
it?"
Kassima snorts good-naturedly. She mutters to Kathall, "... People...
one... about... disreputable... as... I'll... in..." Turning her
attention back to Sarra, she grins brightly. "All the more impressive,
then. I used t'help quite a bit in the kitchens back home--primarily
because Mum couldn't cook aught that wouldn't leave one choking."
Kathall senses that Kassima snorts good-naturedly. "Mere, schmere. People
are people, and I for one am about as disreputable and unrespectable as
they come. I'll try t'keep it in mind, though."
Sarra blushes and looks towards Kathall for help, any help. "Thank you.
I'll see if the cooks would be willing to write it down?"
Flynn smiles, "Aye, mostly during Spring."
Kathall swallows a grin at Kassima's words, to tell Sarra gravely, "Since
I took the recipe from one of Master Ofira's own, along with the bread, I
think Pierron already has it. We can write it down and check, though.
Maybe fly up there yourself, Sarra, to give it to him?"
Sarra squeaks, "Me? Going to a Weyr? Shards! I wouldn't know how to act or
what to say or anything!"
Kathall's head draws back over her half-nibbled bread. "Sure you would.
It's just another place where people live. With dragons, it's true,
but..."
Kindre bobs her head a few times at Kathall's suggestion. "What a grand
idea. I'm not sure that Ofira shares all of her better recipes with
Pierron," she says before lowering her voice, "Wonderful cook, but rather
crusty around the edges if you get my meaning." Chuckling a bit at Sarra's
reaction, she adds, "You act and say as you see fit."
Sarra just nods her head, still looking as if she's been hit by a board.
"Yes'm."
Kassima chuckles at that, quirking a wry half-grin. "How to act? Oh,
acting like yourself would do, I'd imagine. Faranth knows that we've
visitors enough t'be used t'nigh everything!"
Ursa scrapes the bottom of her stew bowl. "Are you born and bred Benden
stock?" she asks the young man, without any apparent reason for the
subject change.
Kathall leans over and tells Sarra, "I couldn't even move away from the
wall, the first time I visited a Weyr. But you get over it, really.
Weyrfolk are used to it."
"Have you been at Benden a long time, Sarra," Kindre wonders before taking
a few more spoonfuls of stew.
Flynn says "I'm from just North of Greenfields Hold, ma'am."
Sarra nodnodnods her head at Kathall's comment.
Kathall mutters to Kassima, "See? You've... her, and... girl... out...
got..."
Kathall whispers "See? You've petrified her, and she's a girl who's gone
out of her way to tip over herdbeasts that got /in/ her way."
Kassima perks up at the name of Greenfields. "Greenfields? I've a friend
from there--Meli, Juliath's rider. I don't suppose you've ever met her?"
she asks curiously of the younger man. Glancing back at Kathall, she just
grimaces almost comically in response.
Kathall leans over again. She mutters to Sarra, "... like... There...
good... the..."
Sarra hmmms and nods her head slowly. She mutters to Kathall, "You
might... right,... Getting... mother... or..."
Flynn thinks for a moment, "It's south from Crom and a little east of
Nabol."
Kathall nods sharply back and sits away again. "How /is/ Telgar?" she asks
Kindre politely through the other conversation's break. "Well, I
suppose?"
Kindre washes down the rest of her stew with some of the red wine. Smiling
wide at the apparently pleasing flavor, she then sighs. "Truly, Sarra, you
should come visit sometime. Weyrs are just big mountains with bigger
beasts. Kind of like an oversized Beastcraft when you get right down to
it," she offers and smiles.
Ursa nods absently, repeating, "Greenfield," and nodding some more as he
clarifies where it is. "I overfly the area every other sevenday, or so,"
she comments.
Sarra manages a smail and no stammer. "I think I might like to visit
sometime, ma'am."
Kindre bobs her head several times to Kathall and smiles. "Telgar fares
very well indeed, thank you for asking. We're heading into our second
spring there, which was well anticipated. Nice to see the flowers again.
Everything here is equally good, I hope?"
Flynn says "It's a really small hold, and I'm actually from an outlying
cothold."
Kassima takes a few more bites of the most excellent stew before
continuing her conversation. "I take it you've never been to a Weyr?" she
asks Sarra. "It really isn't so bad as the tales paint it. One thing you
can say about it is that life's always interesting. If'n you ever do wish
a visit, send a 'lizard with a missive; I'll deploy V'dan t'come down and
bring you up if'n I can't m'self."
Ursa nods. "We rarely need to send riders in to check with the grounds
crews there or anything," she agrees.
Kathall says "Well, you missed our gardener -- Alin; he left -- but I
suppose we're blooming properly and all that. The Winecraft festival last
month, of course. It's been quiet, mostly. A good thing, hmm?"
Sarra shakes her head, then nods her head. "No ma'am.,....yes ma'am. I
mean I've been to Telgar hold. I was fostered near there, but I've never
been to the Weyr. Any Weyr."
Flynn turns towards Sarra, "Nor have I, go out and take what the world
owes you, see?"
Ursa just can't help asking, "And just what does the world owe you?"
Sarra nods to Flynn. "Maybe you could come with me? Just so I'd know
someone?"
"Quiet is always good," Kindre agrees with a bob of her head. "Though it
seems we all get it so rarely, hmm," she wonders of Kathall and grins.
Overhearing Sarra, she offers, "Well, if you'd like to come visit, do send
a firelizard or words somehow. You can give Pierron some lessons on making
a good stew."
Kassima wrinkles her nose good-naturedly. "Ma'am? Feh--please, just call
me Kassima or Kassi. Whichever suits your favor. You're originally from
the Telgarian range, then? If'n you don't mind m'asking, what brought you
down here?"
Lara steps out of the meeting hall to the north, letting the heavy door
slide shut behind her.
Lara practically stomps into the Hall, a fair of excited firelizards
swirling around her. Pointing to the large door that is open a fraction to
the Courtyard, she glares at the bundle of wings and tails while speaking
firmly and with a trace of impatience, "Out with you, right this moment.
Go on, get. When I get ahold of your master, he is in big trouble."
Watching the annoyances streak through the Hall, her features reflect
mortification when she finally sees what company just witnessed her little
scene.
Sarra nods. "Kassi....I'm from here. I was just fostered with my mother's
sister. All she had were boys."
R'val sips his klah quietly, and looks about the hall. As Lara enters, he
spots her, and hiding a grin at her reaction to the firelizard horde.
Flynn looks to Ursa, "Me? Nothing. I've done the things I'm going to do
and seen the things I'm going to see."
Hearing the siwng of a door turns Kindre's head almost automatically.
Chuckling a bit at the fair of 'lizards surrounding Lara, she composes
herself and offers a beaming smile. "Good evening and Telgar's duties
Headwoman," she says first, formally, before adding, "It's grand to see
you, Lara! I was hoping you'd be about while we were here."
Kassima makes a face at that. "Ach, the poor woman! All I have are girls,
and believe you me, I don't regret it for a moment. What'd you think of
your foster-area, then? Other than that 'twas blooming cold, like the
rest of Telgar's space?" Lara's arrival, irate fire-lizards and all,
elicits an enthusiastic wave from Kassi. "Headwoman Lara, duties and
g'deve t'you!"
Ursa is distracted by the headwoman's entrance, but she turns back to
Flynn. "Done everything and seen everything?" she echoes. "And now you're
busy pruning orchards. How many children have you sired?"
Lara clears her throat and puts on a smile, which warms the more at ease
she gets. "Benden's duties to Telgar and her queens," she says politely to
the visitors before moving closer. "How nice to have you visit us again. I
apologize for that entrance." A nod and a smile is given to each person in
turn, even the residents.
Sarra opens her mouth to answer and then turns as everyone's attnetion
shifts. She smiles at Lara and then answers Kassima's question. "I loved
it. The woods with lovely all turn long."
Flynn shaking his head, "None."
Telgar Weyr> Kassima *laughs* at Ursa's question! You're marvelously
forthright, Bear. :)
Telgar Weyr> Kindre just snickers, Ursa! I may have to log this ;)
Telgar Weyr> R'val says, "Go Ursa, Go Ursa go...;)"
Kathall nods to Lara, too, but she seems more intent on keeping her head
up, not dozy-nodding again.
R'val favours Lara with a smile, and murmurs in return, "And Telgar's duty
to your Hold. A fine feast you have here tonight."
Lara turns a proud smile on Kathall at R'val's words. "Yes, Kathall can
always be counted on to turn out a wonderful meal. I'm very glad to have
her back from Igen."
Kassima tilts her head, her smile abruptly gone impish. "Nay need to
apologize, Lara. For my part, I've certes entered a room that way enough
times m'self. 'Tis a pleasure t'be here, and t'sample Benden's
incomparable epicurean delights and sparkling company." Turning back to
Sarra, she nods thoughtfully at that. "I suppose 'tis a bonus, aye. 'Twas
nay something I'd considered. I'm from Greystones originally, m'self, and
moving from the Snowy Wastes to the Icy Wastes was a bit of a shock. Have
you ever been to the warmer areas of Pern? Boll, Nerat, Shipfish Island?"
Ursa clucks her tongue. "Dear me," she says absently. "Those orchards must
keep you far too busy."
Kathall twitches a smile. A pathetic little smile, but a smile
nonetheless. "Thank you, Headwoman. It's good to be back."
Flynn turns to look off in the distance, blushing slightly, "Aye."
Sarra shakes her head again. "No ma'a...Kassima. I've only been to Telgar
and here. And the places in between."
R'val grins at Lara, "And rightly so, she's quite the cook."
Ursa asks directly, "Is that a blush? Not for want of trying, then?"
Kathall mutters, "I only helped with the bread." She scrubs a hand through
her hair, sighs. "But thank you. Again, R'val. Will you have some,
Headwoman?"
Flynn shakes his head, his blush now matching his hair, "No, I just been
busy is all."
Lara briefly lays a supportive hand on Sarra's shoulder as she passes
behind her in order to take a chair near the Telgar riders. "No thank you,
Kathall. I ate earlier in the kitchen while you were rushing around."
R'val smiles at Kathall, "And excellent bread it was..."
Ursa nods, suspicions confirmed that it is, truly, a genuine blush. "Well,
certainly those orchards don't keep you that busy in winter, do they?" She
adds, "I mean, at the weyr, even winter's a busy time, even with less
Thread, but it always seems that my wing's got its share of greenriders
that can't make it through the winter without taking leave for pregnancy."
Kathall's eyes linger on R'val a moment, dark and pensive, then drop into
her lap, with her intertwined fingers. "Thank you," she says again,
softer. "And how is young Rylan?"
Sarra smiles up at Lara. "Lara, ma'am? Kassima has invited me to Telgar
sometime. Would it be okay with you if I go? Not right now of course." She
looks at the dirty dishes and sighs.
Kassima peers at Ursa with surprise, unable to totally miss *that* line of
questioning even amidst her preoccupation. She just shakes her head, her
expression clearly saying, 'I'm *not* going to ask.' "Interesting... is it
a desire t'travel that you lack, or the means? There's naught wrong with
staying home, a'course--I go nigh mad whenever I'm confined to one space
for long, but that's just me. May I try some of that bread, Kathall?"
Leaning back in her chair, she smiles over to the Headwoman. "I hope you
and yours have been well of late, Headwoman. The Hold certes appears
prosperous."
Flynn turns his gaze back down to the table and starts picking at it
again, "I stay pretty busy," very quietly.
R'val winces at the mention of Rylan, but gazes steadily at Kathall, "he's
fine. He had a bit of a hangover the next day, mind you."
Ursa shrugs. "Maybe next winter," she says simply.
"Yes, I imagine he would," Kathall responds, just as level, and passes
over a half-emptied bread basket to Kassima. "Made with rosemary, see? I
learned it in a lesson at the High Reaches training center. Were you there
for that one, Kassima?"
Flynn turns and looks in the direction of some imagined noise behind him.
Lara replies to Sarra with a nod and distracted smile, her gaze on the
flustered Flynn. "Of course, Sarra. As long as you've your chores done,
it's no problem at all." Kassima's compliment, bring her to full
attention. "Thank you, Kassima. It's doing well, as am I and my family.
Such a lovely Spring we're having. Is it the same at Telgar?"
Kassima accepts the bread basket with a nod of thanks, lifting out a piece
for herself. "Rosemary," she repeats. "Does it make much of a difference
in the flavor, rosemary? I don't believe I was; I missed several lessons
while 'twas carrying Khari, and that was likely one of them." Passing the
basket back along, she bobs her head affirmatively to Lara. "A bit wet--
and chill, a'course--but lovely on the whole. As Lysseth would be sure
t'mention, the water-lilies are quite plentiful. The only negative is that
it means the return of more live Thread, a'course."
Kathall replies, "Makes it taste like something more than bread, anyway,
and it suits the stew, I think." She stretches out to snag klah, to sit
and stew with it while she listens, heavy-lidded.
Ursa turns to look at Kindre, to see if she's been listening at all. She
drawls to the goldrider beside her, "Seems there's more to the story we're
not hearing, doesn't it?"
Lara frowns just briefly at the mention of that horrid thread, but quickly
turns the topic to another part of Kassi's response and is smiling again.
"Water-lilies? I'd love to have a look at them. Perhaps I should venture
out of the Hold some time."
Kassima nibbles the bread tentatively. "I would have to agree," she
finally decides. "The wine, also. I take it this is one of Ofira's recipes
too? Oh, that's excellent--" she belatedly says in response to Lara's
granted permission. "We'll be looking forward t'seeing you at Telgar then,
Sarra."
Sarra smiles, seeming a bit more at ease. "Thank you, Kassima. Maybe Lara
will send a message when I have some free time."
Ursa finds that Kindre wasn't listening, and, in fact, is so distracted
that she didn't even hear the comment. So she says it to Flynn, instead,
"Is there more to the story than that? Just busy?"
Kathall confirms, "I take most of the recipes from the Masterbaker," in
her very best polite-baker tone to Kassima. "With some changes here and
there, but Sarra and I could write them down for her and Pierron, I'm
sure."
"Either that, or I could drop by just after Lysseth's had her bath," Kassi
quips drolly. "She has an odd fascination with the things--tends t'get
herself covered in 'em, too. Right after bathing time, when she lifts off,
a slew of flowers fall off and stream after her. Rather amusing, really.
And you're quite welcome, Sarra; I'm certain one of our riders, if'n nay
V'dan, will find himself or herself able t'make a quick stop when she
does."
Flynn shrugs and look down at the table, "I'm pretty busy, sure."
Kassima grins to Kathall, quite content with this topic of discussion.
"Ofira's often experimenting, so 'twould nay surprise me if'n she were
quite appreciative. I take it you've heard about the birth of her second
son?"
Lara finds herself smiling while visualizing a water-lily bedecked dragon.
Sarra enters her mind and she suggests, "Perhaps we should go together,
Sarra? I'm sure Styphnal would like me to have a chaperone, of sorts." In
an aside to Kassima, she explains, "He can get jealous."
Kathall says "Um. No. We don't hear much here, not that an apprentice
would be privy, anyway." She peeks at R'val. "Congratulations, though."
R'val grins at the mention of Ofira and Iraval, looking quite pleased with
himself.
Sarra smiles at the suggestion. "I'd like that, Lara. We can chaparone
each other that way. Just to keep my mother happy."
Ursa has had her questions avoided twice now, so she figures she'd better
back off. Both possess an empty stew bowl, so she drawls. "Good stew,
wasn't it?"
Flynn smiles quietly, "Aye, stew around here is top notch."
Kassima nods sagely to Lara. "Reason number sixty-four on the List," she
comments cryptically. "Richenda would likely welcome having another
Headwoman t'discuss... well... Headwomaning things with." With a rueful
smile, she turns back to Kathall. "I suppose growing up and then living in
gossip mills all m'life has spoiled me. He's a bonny, fine lad; she's
named him Iraval."
Kathall directs a banked look at Flynn and Ursa, although she stays mute
on that count. "I should start cleaning up," she apologizes, rising and
going for the bowls. "Pardon me, please."
Sarra starts to rise also. "Do you need help, Kathall?"
Kathall shakes her head. "I can do it; stay and relax, Sarra. It's fine."
Lara soundlessly repeats 'number sixty-four', but decides now is probably
not the time to ask. "Thank you, Kathall," she says to the retreating
baker.
Kassima looks up to the Baker Apprentice. "A'course, Kathall. Duties
t'your Craft and her Masters--and fair be the wind t'you as well."
Sarra sits back down slowly.
Kathall grins uncertainly at Kassima's farewell, but nods to them all and
takes the first round of dirty dishes away.
Kathall walks under the wide archway to the west, going into the kitchen.
Kassima answers the unasked question regardless, quite familiar with the
look of people who don't know about the List. "On m'list of reasons nay
t'have a weyrmate," she clarifies. "The List works just as well for
handfastings or any other long term relationship, in a good many places."
Lara ahhhs at the explanation, but hasn't a comment to make as she's a
'great' endorser of handfastings. She turns to the Telgar troup, smiling
at each person in turn while making small talk. "Were any of you able to
attend the recent Wine festival? It was a great success, from what I
heard."
Ursa's stew bowl vanishes with the apprentice baker, and with it, her
topic of conversation. Her questioning seems to have hit a stone wall, so
instead she answers Lara's question. "I was there," and a nod towards
Kassima, "Kassi was too. Plenty of folks around, plenty to drink."
Flynn says "Good fun, the Festival. I made it out there during the first
day."
R'val nods towards Ursa, "Aye, it was quite the enjoyable festival..."
"Aye, 'twas there," Kassi says, nodding to Ursa as she confirms what the
Weyrsecond said. "The new pressing was excellent. Aphrael had good things
t'say about the ale, too, but that's nay m'drink of choice."
Ursa adds, "Twas quite late when I got there, but they still had more to
drink than you see after a goldflight."
R'val grins at Ursa's comparison, "Which is quite a lot indeed."
Flynn absently, "I bet that is a sight to behold..."
Ursa takes Flynn's comment quite literally, "After a goldflight? Sure is.
Though pretty soon, the drinks all vanish and the folks do too, and
there's nothing left to see in public."
Kassima rattles her tongue in dismay. "Y'mean it went on for more than one
day? Shells! Wish I'd known; I'd have tried t'make it out earlier." She
overhears Flynn's comment, and chooses to respond to it. "'Tis something
else, all right. The wagering on 'em tends t'be heavier than on
greenflights, too." Trust her to bring that up.
Sarra slips out of her seat, gathering a few more bowls. "Is there
anything I can get anymore?"
Flynn spins his hands together, "I meant the goldflight."
Lara nods, pleased apparently. She falls silent while absorbing all the
talk about behind the scenes at goldflights, curious and intersted. "I've
never been to a flight, gold or green," she comments.
Flynn turning in the direction of the Headwoman, "Nor I. I've seen a Green
up close, when Shayne was down last."
Ursa looks at Flynn, saying merely, "Oh," as she realizes her mistake. She
continues, addressing Lara's comment, "If you stay at a weyr for more'n a
day or so, you might have the priveledge of watching a green flight. Those
greens seem to be going up all the time." She grins at Kassima, since she
rides green, then adds with a dramatic roll of her eyes, "Don't know how
I'm supposed to keep the wing together when its half greens and there's
always one bound to be proddy."
Sarra shrugs as no answers come and heads into teh kitchens with her dirty
dishes, not looking forwards to her chores.
Sarra walks under the wide archway to the west, going into the kitchen.
Telgar Weyr> Ursa says, "Well, darn, I'd hoped to elicit another blush
here, bringing up goldflights. No go. :)"
Flynn incredulously, "They mate /that/ often?"
Ursa chuckles. "Well, not each one of them, but we've got..." she turns to
Kassima, and asks, "Just how many greens would you say Telgar has?
Roughly?"
Kassima shrugs at that. "Rather like a greenflight, really, except with
nay blue chasers--and it tends t'last longer. If'n 'tis a senior flight,
a'course, nigh everyone who's nay involved with the flight itself
watches." Her head turns back to Lara, and her grin is one that turns her
expression to pure gamin. "Should you come up to the Weyr, Headwoman, you
likely will. Rare are the times some green or other isn't lighting up the
evenings, and you can't spend much time at a Weyr without witnessing a
flight or two... thousand. Would you be so good, Sarra, as t'tell me what
there is for desse--oh, fardles. I always do that." She heaves an
exaggerated sigh, then mirrors Ursa's grin. "I just hope Lorieth and
Lysseth never get proddy at the same time. *That'd* land Thunderbolt in a
royal mess, wouldn't it? I think there're about one hundred and twenty
right now, though that's a rounded number a'course."
Ursa adds with a snort, "Perhaps I should ask R'val. Vidarth would know."
Then she scowls, "Just a hundred twenty? Naw, it's got to be more than
that."
Flynn's mouth drops agape at the matter-of-fact mentioning of that
/number/ of dragons. Not thinking that that many could exists on the whole
of Pern.
Ursa shakes her head. "Could have sworn we had upwards of a thousand green
dragons," she says with a wink. "Must be cause they're so speedy... you
just see them more."
Lara actually has a bit of a wide-eyed look to her, absosbing all these
details and comparing them with what she's heard through the grapevine.
"My goodness," she murmurs upon hearing the numbers being tossed around.
R'val chortles at Ursa, "Hey now...Vidarth hasn't chased in sevendays."
Flynn suddenly thinks his tail is being pulled and that there aren't
/near/ that many.
Kassima laughs, taking a sip of her wine. "That and the flights make it
seem like they're everywhere, I agree. There's rarely a day I don't thank
Faranth that Lysseth's green, for various reasons--and most of those rare
days come around when she's proddy, so." Thinking that Lara's surprised by
the relatively low number, she assures the Headwoman, "Oh, there'll be
more once the queens' clutches have built Telgar back up to full fighting
strength."
Flynn asking, still wide-eyed, "How many is that?"
Ursa looks upwards, doing her own little math, then comments, "Well, if
we've only a hundred and some, then they mustn't be daily... it must just
seem like it. A few in a sevenday, though."
Ursa finishes, clarifying, "Greenflights, I mean."
Lara opens her mouth, about to ask a question that would no doubt show her
lack of knowledge when it comes to weyrlife, but is luckily saved from
embarassment by an assistant that's slid up behind her to whisper a
question in her ear. Shaking her head, she sends the girl on her way, then
turns to the visitors. "Would you please excuse me a moment?" she asks
while rising. "And I wasn't thinking the number to be low, Kassima. Quite
the opposite, in fact."
Kassima squints, considering. "For Telgar, 'twould be less than Benden.
Likely somewhere around four-hundred--dragons, I mean, nay greens. 'Twould
be around one-hundred and sixty greens or so. They generally make up at
least a third of the Weyr's fighting force," she adds with some pride.
"Aye... though some rise rather frequently. I'm glad Lyss isn't one of
'em. Excuse you? A'course, Lara--and thankee for the pleasure of your
company this evening."
Flynn tries to absorb all this information, holding dragons akin to gods,
"Four-HUNDRED?!"
Ursa gives the Headwoman a gracious nod. "Thanks for your hospitality
tonight," she says before the woman can leave.
Flynn says "And that is just at Telgar?!"
Lara pauses before leaving to smile once again at the Telgar visitors. "If
I can't get back before you leave, let me thank you now for visiting us
and bringing some excitement to the evening. As always, you are most
welcome at Benden. Good eve."
Lara pushes open the northern door and steps into the meeting hall.
Ursa nods calmly to Flynn. "Right. Fortunately most of the other weyrs are
up to full strength, except Benden these days." She wrinkles her nose,
Benden Weyr's plight is never pleasing to talk about.
Flynn says "What's happened at Benden Weyr?"
Kassima waggles her hand in the universal gesture of iffiness. "That's a
very rough estimate, a'course. It might well be more; it might well be
less. We'll only see when the queens have started filling the place up in
earnest... ah, aye. Except Benden." Judging by the face she makes, she's
not that happy about what happened to the Weyr she loved either. "Our--
well, their, but 'twas our at the time--water supply ran low. Word has it
'tis stabilized now, but 'twill still be a long time ere they've as much
water as we once had access to."
Flynn says "What happened to the water?"
Flynn frowns, "It seems like these days, if it didn't happen in my
orchard, I won't hear about it."
Kassima suggests drolly, "Come on up t'Telgar sometime, then. Believe you
me, you'll have an earful of rumor ere you can even tell your name."
Ursa sighs heavily. "I suppose the Smiths know what happened. Our lake ran
dry, the springs were sparse, there's just not enough water there anymore
to support a weyr at full strength." Kasimma's comment elicits a dry
chuckle.
Flynn sits thoughtfully, "Maybe I will come up some day. Weyr life sounds
interesting to say the least."
Kassima promises, "The one thing you can *always* say about Weyrlife is
that 'tis very rarely boring. Aye... the Lake was nigh mud, and the
Springs dangerous t'be bathing in, when we left. At least that may let the
population booms slack off a bit there. 'Course, since someone seems to
have infected *our* water supply with the Water...."
Flynn looks rather as if his whole world has just come crashing down
around his head.
Ursa looks at Kassima, "I doubt he'll be visiting the weyr anytime soon.
He's far too *busy*." She gives Flynn a calm half-smile.
Flynn rather weakly, "I'm sure I could get away for a short visit, maybe."
Kassima suppresses a grin at that. "Oh, a'course... I'd nigh forgotten.
Well, Flynn--mayhaps, if'n you're lucky, you'll come up with that free
moment just in time t'see a greenflight. Or goldflight. Rumor has it,
y'know, that either Leilanth or Beneth is likely due."
Flynn wistfully, "Boy I bet that would be a site t'behold."
Ursa laughs, a low, deep chuckle. "To hear you talk," she drawls, "You're
awfully busy, Flynn." She just smiles at the change in the conversation,
"Gold flights truly are spectacular...if you're detached enough to
watch."
Flynn raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Kassima advises, "If'n you're ever around for one, look around for
whomever's dispensing the alcohol. Being muddled dampens the effects
somewhat; 'tis the technique I always use, with general success."
Flynn seemingly completely clueless to Weyr life, "What effects?"
Ursa eyes Flynn. She gets used to life in the weyr and doesn't always
remember that the holders aren't accustomed to the same things. She begins
by explaining, "At times, my big brown lifemate out there will try to
chase a gold. When he does, I find myself rather involved in the flight...
not too busy watching it." She turns to Kassima, deferring Flynn's second
question to her.
Kassima takes up her wine glass and leans back in the chair, toying idly
with the stem of the chalice. "Well, Lyss hasn't chased a queen yet--
despite Tria's claim that she'd sire a great clutch," she grins. "The
effects? 'Tis simple enough. Most folk who hang about near a rising queen
feel a rather insistant urge to... ah... rise, themselves. So t'speak.
Some feel the same around a green, but golds affect nigh *everyone*, up to
and including the non-chasing riders."
Flynn suddenly wishes he were /anywhere/ but here, "Oh! I ..uh....I...
<ahem>...Ididn't know that."
Kassima asks affably, "How could you, if'n you've never been around flying
dragons a'fore? 'Tis much stronger for the riders *involved* a'course,
which is why you'll oft see the riders of the dragons who didn't win the
flight, if'n they don't seek out companionship, coming into the Living
Cavern t'down enough drinks t'get themselves good and sloshed. One of the
bonuses of being a greenrider is that we don't have t'worry about that."
Ursa peers at Flynn, and she comments, "You blushed deeper when I asked
you if you'd sired any children."
Flynn absent-mindedly rubs the scar on his chin, when he's real nervous,
"I did? Well, I've just been busy is all, yeah. Busy."
Kassima just has to ask, "Ursa if'n you don't mind my inquiring--why *did*
you ask if'n he'd sired any children, anyway?"
Flynn says "I dunno, maybe it'd be for the best if'n I just stayed
here..."
Ursa smiles simply at Kassima. "Making conversation--isn't that what you
do at fancy dinner events like these?" She gestures her hand broadly
around to indicate the general company.
"Aye, I suppose so," Kassima agrees, glancing about the room. "Just seemed
an unusual thing to ask, is all. Ach, Flynn--your chances of arriving
during a goldflight are actually fairly slim. A greenflight's more likely,
but those aren't half so bad; a'course, keep in mind that I don't feel
aught from any green but Lysseth anymore."
Ursa smiles wanly. "Even Spineth doesn't turn his eyes to the skies
everytime a green goes up, thankfully."
Flynn, to no one in particular, "Yeah, that would be for the best. I
really got a lot of things to do, it'd be some while before I had the
time, really."
R'val rises to his feet, "Excuse me..I must be going." He salutes Kassima
and Ursa and exits.
R'val opens the metal doors and walks out into the courtyard.
Kassima chuckles. "What, nay going t'catch a lift with Lara and Sarra,
whenever they come up? A pity. Really, the Weyr's an interesting place...
very interesting, at times. Ask Pierron about it, if'n you ever do visit."
Flynn scootches around in his chir as if trying to get out of the corner
he seems to be in, "I dunno, I mean I haven't.......er, what I mean to say
is, I'm just real busy and all."
Ursa laughs suddenly, a loud, hearty, deep-set laugh. "You're not going to
get pounced upon the moment you walk into the weyr, you know. There's
plenty of men already there."
Kassima is really trying her hardest to keep from grinning, and *almost*
succeeds. "Funny," she quips. "Thought you said you could find a minute,
nay so very long ago. But, if'n you're sure... well. Faranth forfend we
should take you away from your orchards, if'n they're keeping you busy!"
Flynn looks at Ursa as if he'd just been slapped, blushing deeply, "Well,
it's just, it's just I been busy."
Ursa just looks terribly pleased. "Look!" she says to Kassima, "I managed
to get that blush back again. D'you see? His face matches his hair
beautifully."
Flynn suddenly feeling to be the butt of the joke everyone understood but
him, he stares down at the table picking at the surface, grinding his
teeth audibly.
Kassima just *has* to laugh at that. "Ursa! Well, you're right--'tis a
good match, and I've nay seen a better blush on anyone other than mayhaps
F'hlan or Mehlani. You wouldn't believe how red F'hlan turned when Asrai
and I mentioned those Cavern-lasses who'd go down to the Lake to talk
about him and chant his name and all sorts of odd things. One wonders what
Salless was putting in their food." Taking pity, she smiles with real
sympathy at Flynn. "Ach, now, don't take us too seriously. We're crazy,
that's all. At least, I am... I won't speak for the Weyrsecond, here."
Flynn turns sideways in his chair to better hide more of his face.
Ursa glances at Kassi, "Hrm? Oh, me, crazy?" She shrugs, "Isn't the most
recent definition I've come up with..." she looks at Flynn and adds, "But
seriously, I didn't say that to make you feel bad. It really was a
delightful blush."
Flynn taking slow, deep breaths to relax enough to talk, "I hadn't thought
so, I guess. I just hadn't thought life in a Weyr was like that, I duno I
guess."
Kassima nods in affirmation. "'Twas, i'truth. If'n it makes you feel any
better... um... did I ever catch your name? Well, anyway, I've been known
t'blush a shade that's almost dark enough t'be purple. Rather hideous,
really. Like what?" she now wants to know, honestly curious.
Ursa opens her mouth to say something, but she pauses, waiting to hear the
answer to Kassima's question, first.
Flynn shrugs simply, "I dunno, I just never would have thought it was like
you described."
"We've used several words t'describe it," Kassi points out logically.
"Interesting, rumor-filled... several others too, I'm certain. You'd
really have t'see for yourself t'know what 'tis like. What it seems like
to us may differ from what 'twould seem like t'you."
Ursa chuckles gently. "Well, we're not out there making babies all day and
all night, if that's what you're thinking now. It's a lot of hard work and
now that Kassima's a Wingleader, too, she can tell you as easily as I can
that much of our effort is spent in making sure we fly Fall as safely as
we can with as little loss of life and dragonlimb as possible. When we're
not working, we lighten up. Just like you Hold folk do. It's quite simple.
You can't spend all your time in the day thinking about Fall."
Ursa adds with a small snort. "Though my weyrmate might beg to differ. She
doesn't think I think about anything but." After a moment, she feels the
need to clarify, and does so. "But fall, I mean."
Flynn shrugs again, "I dunno, it's just that I have always thought of
dragons as such noble, elegant creatures. Sometimes it's hard to remember
that they have human counterparts and friends and the like. I never would
have guessed that dragon and rider were /that/ close. They always seemed
to me to be above such things, I guess because they can fly."
Kassima snorts at the very idea. "What a morbid way t'live. Weyrs have a
serious job t'do, aye, and we do it well--little other choice when the
alternative means death, eh? Doesn't mean we spend every hour of the day
worrying about it, though. That'd just drive us mad, and Pern needs us
sane... as sane as any rider can be, anyway." She takes another sip of
wine, and then nearly chokes on it at the description of dragons as noble
and elegant. "You've never met Lysseth, have you?" she asks between
coughs.
Flynn shaking his head, "No, tthe only dragon I have ever met was Shayne's
Asperth. She was soo beautiful." Rubbing at the scar on his chin
unknowingly, "She seemed to me the most beautiful thing I had ever layed
eyes on, but I couldn't bring myself to be near her."
Ursa smiles softly. Another holder gets his draconic myths punched wide
open. "You should see them flying Fall--though few ever do. That's
definately a noble and elegant sight." She frowns, then shakes her head.
"Don't believe I've ever met the pair."
Kassima's eyes narrow thoughtfully. "Asperth... aye, I've seen her. I
don't know her rider personally, but I know *of* her--she's an Igen
Wingleader, nay? Asperth's a lovely dragon. Lyss would argue that all
greens are lovely, save mayhaps for Chymeth--and even she has her moments.
But *noble*? Bright stars, some of 'em are about as noble as a piece of
toast!"
Kassima amends, "Well, that's outside of Fall. In Fall, they're noble...
nay always elegant--when it comes to efficiency or elegance, you'd best
believe any dragonpair with a jot of sense will take efficiency--but 'tis
certainly stirring, for all of that."
Flynn realizing what he is doing, he puts his hand down and smiles weakly,
"I guess it takes all kinds, just like with people."
Flynn defending his noble elegance thought, "As long as I have lived here
some 7 Turns now, not once have I ever seen Thread touch the soil."
Ursa smiles sadly, "A turn or two ago, I could take that as a personal
compliment. My wing no longer flies your skies here, though."
Flynn smiles, "How long have you both been Riders now?
"Certes. Dragons aren't huge, flying vtols... they've each a personality
of their own. My Lysseth is an obstinant, single-minded, grouchy mother-
hen who happens t'have a thing for water, snow, lilies, and small
children." Kassima smiles fondly as she lists off her lifemate's quirks.
"Then there's... let's see... well, there's Herath, who's just plain
temperamental. Adonith's a lady's-dragon, Prefeth's a prankster, Guarith
acts like he has a stick up his rump--all kinds." Her expression turns
into a cross between proud and wistful as she next states, "Aye...
Benden's Wings are oft beyond reproach, and I'm certain Igen's are nearly
as good. I've been paired t'Lyss for nigh ten and a half Turns now, and
been a full rider for... what, nine of that? A bit less."
Ursa looks at Kassima, "Must be ten turns by now, isn't it?" she asks. To
Flynn, she adds, "Kassima and I both were in the barracks together." It
doesn't occur to her that "the barracks" may mean something completely
different to a hold dweller. "Right. We impressed 'bout ten and a half
ago."
Flynn says "That was about the time I first came to Benden to Apprentice
in the Woodcraft."
Kassima elucidates, "Our dragons were clutchmates, y'see. Shells, can you
believe its been that long?" That comment is directed to Ursa. "Half the
time, it seems like I've been with Lyss forever; the other half, I keep
feeling like the teenage Holder-lass I was ere Chaeth found me."
Ursa chuckles--the nostalgia is contagious. "Exactly--it seems like I've
been a rider all my life. But then, it just takes an earful of an Igen
drawl and I'm back in the rivergrain fields--or trying to escape the
rivergrain fields."
Flynn begins to drink this in almost like alcohol, "It must be fascinating
to watch. The Weyr itself I mean, all those dragons flying around and
such."
Kassima chuckles. "Whenever I go home, it seems both like I've never left
and like ages have passed since 'twas last there. For one, *someone* new
always turns up pregnant. My family is worse than a whole Weyr full of
bronzeriders and Cavern-lasses. But I can't bring Lyss or the 'lizards
near the cothold, a'course, so in that sense... there're less reminders
that 'tis nay longer where I belong." Leaning forward to snag another
slice of bread from the abandoned basket, she tilts her head. "I suppose
'tis, at that. You get used to it over time."
Ursa grins. Her reply is simple. "You can imagine that my first turn at
the Weyr, I was always looking up." With a sniff, she adds, "When I wasn't
mucking out the barracks, of course."
Kassima asks, grinning, "Or being drowned by Vidarth, or cleaning the
latrines? That's one thing about being a Candidate or Weyrling: they keep
you too busy to do much gaping and gawking."
Flynn shakes his head, "I would never be able to get used to it. The raw
power and grace that a dragon holds. The strentgh it would take to lift
such an enormous body into the air and keep it there, not like a clumsy
vtol mind you, but a firelizards of immense proportions!" Holding his
hands out like wings, "The aerial acrobatics that Shayne told me they can
do....Fabulous!"
Ursa grins. "And greens can be terrible show offs," she comments. "At
least Pleiath is."
Flynn says "My crops would probably die in the fields if I went to a Weyr,
I'd probably forget to eat myself and just watch them until I faded away
to nothing." Smiling sadly, "But Telgar is soo far away, it would take me
forever to get there."
Kassima confirms, "Aerial displays can be pretty sharding spectacular,
aye--and nay just t'watch, but t'be in. I love riding in 'em, and Lyss
enjoys it--even though she's too big t'be as adept at aerobatics as most
of her sisters." Quirking a brow, she reminds Flynn, "That invitation to
Sarra holds for you too, y'know. If'n I can't find a rider willing t'run a
short errand over here in return for, say, some of Kathall's bread, I'll
eat m'riding helmet."
Ursa snorts. "If you were pregnant or proddy, Kassi, I'd not be surprised
in the least to see you eating that."
Flynn shaking his head, his hand comes almost automatically back to the
scar on his chin, snickering at Ursa's comment, "Oh, I couldn't /possibly/
get /on/ one. I'm too terrified of them and of heights."
Kassima snorts back. "Nay," she replies cheerfully. "If'n 'twere proddy,
the leather's nay close enough to raw meat--and if'n 'twere pregnant,
'twould munch on it only if'n 'twere coated in ketchup and redfruit
preserves!"
Flynn laughs out loud, putting his hand down quickly.
Kassima asks mildly, "And how d'you expect t'get over that, if'n you never
confront the fear? 'Tis hard t'spend much time around dragons and still be
afraid of 'em... unless they're proddy, mayhaps," she does qualify.
Ursa just has to shake her head at Kassi's defense. To Flynn, she
comments, "Surely you wind up climbing some trees in all your orchard
work. Those're heights?"
Flynn says "Aye, but not as high as a dragon flies. The trees are enclosed
with branches, there is nowhere you can fall and not have something to
grab. I can watch them fly and such, I just don't get within reach of
them, they're so /huge/."
Kassima considers this. "That's true," she allows. "Even a small green
outmasses a human by *quite* a respectable margin. What about that makes
'em frightening, though? Plenty of things in life are huge."
Flynn says "Ever since I was about seven, I haven't been able to go near
any animal that outweighed me." Rubbing his scar for effect, "That was
where I got this. The watchwher in Greenfields was old, really old and his
sight wasn't what it used to be. For some reason, as I walked by, it
reached out and hit me in the face with a forepaw. Me Da and uncle had to
sit on me so the Healer could stitch my face shut. Since then I never go
near big animals."
Ursa says quietly. "My dragon lifemate is /not/ a "big animal"." She pulls
herself to her feet. "A good evening to you, Flynn. Thanks for Benden's
hospitality." And she turns to go, heading quickly for the door.
Ursa opens the metal doors and walks out into the courtyard.
Kassima raises one dark brow at that. "Letting one creature's mistake keep
you in fear for your entire life isn't the best way t'be living, I'd
say... and dragons are *nay*, as the Weyrsecond just said, big animals. A
word to the wise--" She half-smiles, to show that no chide is implied by
her following words: "If'n you do come up to the Weyr, don't ever call a
dragon a big animal in front of a rider. 'Tis one of the better ways to
get off on the wrong foot entirely."
Flynn says "Oh dear, I hope I didn't offend her. I didn't mean...really,
it's just that...shells!"
Flynn says "I seem to have this inborn ability to say just the wrong thing
at just the right time." Picking at the table absently, "Mayhap it's best
I stay here until I can get this fear under control. I would hate to upset
anyone."
Kassima chuckles, setting down her wine glass at last. "'Tis a common
enough mistake, I'm afraid. But you'll do better around riders if'n you
think of dragons as fully intelligent creatures--people, if'n you will, in
a rather odd shape and with fairly poor memories. You can't begin to
compare a watchwher to a dragon; you may as well claim that a person is
the same thing as a spit canine."
Telgar Weyr> Ursa says, "Holy camole, it's midnight! Damn RP, keeping me
awake to all ungodly hours of the night."
Kassima adds more seriously, "I'truth, though, you might be better off
avoiding the Weyr if'n you're nay prepared to confront that fear of yours.
There *are* hundreds of dragons about, and they're nay all going t'be
flying around up in the sky. The Bowl's usually thick with 'em, especially
late in the evenings."
Flynn smiles weakly, "Yeah, I was reminded several times tonight that I
have so very much to learn. Sometimes I forget that there is a whole world
outside my orchard. That wqsa why I was telling Sarra to go out and see it
I guess."
Telgar Weyr> <Kassima> The RP sniffles and pouts. "Sure, blame *me* for
everything."
Flynn says "Maybe some part of me that wishes he had been able to get out
and see things."
Flynn says "I sure would like to see a Weyr sometime..."
Kassima laughs, getting to her feet and picking up her plates to take them
to wherever it is that such things belong. "'Tis about time you go out and
see it then, nay? Unless you really want your whole world t'be your
orchard. That's well and good--but if'n you've any wanderlust at all, I'd
wager 'twould be better t'satisfy it than spend your later Turns
regretting."
Flynn smiling, "Aye, I've spent most of my life making sure things got
done that needed doing. I made sure Mikhailos made it into the Woodcraft,
made sure the farm work was done. I can't remember the last time I did
anything just for the saake of doing it."
Flynn smiling again at the thought of his brother, "Mick would give a
whole arm to be able to spend time in a Weyr. He is such a fantastic
carver. He made a marionette of a dragon and rider once. The CraftsMaster
promoted him for it when he was only half finished, it was that good."
Kassima wrinkles her nose. "What a dull way t'live. Doing what needs
doing's important, a'course--and someone certes has t'do it. But can you
honestly tell me that you never have *any* chances for free time at *all*?
Faranth, even Weyrleaders have free time sometimes!"
Flynn says "Oh, I have free time and all, I usually use it to fix things
that need it and..and....and would you listen to me? Here I am after all
this with nothing to show for it except one hell of a nice orchard."
Kassima grins at that. "About time t'be changing that, then, isn't it? I
wish you the best in overcoming your fear of dragons and animals, um...
whatever your name is. Forgive me, but I don't think you ever did tell me.
I have t'be going, 'tany rate; there's a patrol due out at dawn. Duties t'
you and your Hold, her Lord and Lady... and your orchard, too."
Flynn stands smiling widely, "My name is Flynn, and I am so glad to hgave
met you all. I will come out to visit as soon as I can, and that is a
promise. Benden's and my duty to you and yours."
Flynn says "D'you think maybe...I could meet..maybe before you go?
Please?"
Kassima laughs, nodding. "Well met, Flynn. I'm called Kassima; m'dragon is
Lysseth. We'll look forward t'seeing you at Telga--meet Lysseth, is that
what you mean?" She looks surprised, but pleased, too. "A'course you can.
She's up on the heights--probably drowsing, the lazy wench."
Flynn smiles, still taken aback slightly at the mention of a dragon so
casually, "Fantastic, there's no time like the present, eh?"
Flynn says "I mean if I'm to get over this fear, I better take every
chance I can get."
"Dead in the black," Kassi affirms. "I'll tell the Sky-Lady that we're
coming. She'll be on her best behavior, believe you me; she knows I'll
harangue her about it nay end, otherwise."
Leaving the congenial atmosphere of the Hall behind, you open the doors
and walk out into the courtyard.
Flynn opens the doors and walks out of the Great Hall.
You follow the steep staircase up to the fireheights.
Flynn follows the staircase up from the courtyard.
Flynn walks slowly to the top of the steps and pauses, trying to keep
calm.
Kassima walks over quite casually to where her lifemate rests, her dark
grey-green shape made darker by the night's shadows. Brilliant blue eyes
shine as Lysseth turns her head to greet her rider with a quiet, somewhat
drowsy rumble. "C'mon over, Flynn," Kassi invites. "You can hardly see her
from over there, dark as 'tis."
Flynn mutters to himself, "... wont... is..."
Flynn starts advancing hesitantly, mumbling to himself again.
Flynn mutters to himself, "She is an... beautiful dragon."
Flynn walks slowly over to Kassima's side trying to take everything in.
Lysseth eyes Flynn with a hint of wariness, never one to be fully calm in
the presence of strangers no matter how Kassi might vouch for them. She
watches him with cool appraisal. At close range, the scents of firestone
and hide oil are discernable; her breath plumes slightly in the spring
night air. "Easy, lump," Kassima cautions. "He's just here to admire you,
nay more." Reaching up to caress the green neck with obvious affection,
she asks, "She is, isn't she? Nay quite so stunning as some, but she'll
do." That draws a *snort* from Lyss, of course.
Flynn says "Absolutely..." breathily, "marvelous!"
Lysseth relaxes a touch at the compliment, though her manner's still not
what one would consider overly warm and friendly. "She says to thank you,"
Kassima reports--then chuckles, briefly. "Oh, and also that since she's
green, marvelousness is a given. I think she's jesting a bit with that
one, though." The dragon's rumble does sound vaguely amused.
Flynn says "I was right, she is more noble and elegant than anything in
this world."
Flynn looking in abject appreciation, "Nothing could /ever/ come close to
the beauty of a dragon."
Kassima's quiet laughter joins Lysseth's not-so-quiet rumbling. "Noble and
elegant? If'n only you knew her as I do! She *does* have her moments,
though," she hastens to add at a sharp nudge to her shoulder by a green
muzzle. "If'n you think she's magnificent, you should only see the queens.
I don't think they come near Lyss for beauty, but most people are more
impressed by them."
Flynn smiles to himself then chuckles out loud, "Oh how foolish I have
been all these years. I don't know, the only two dragons I have ever seen
have been greens and nothing even compares to the richness of color of
their hides. I think all the green plants on Pern grow that color in
admiration."
Kassima eyes her lifemate rather critically. "Until I see a grey-green
plant, I'll nay comment on that one. A shame you didn't come up here
earlier; you could've seen all colors but bronze, with Herath, Spineth,
and Vidarth here. Just as well. As Lyss might say--" She pauses a moment,
eyes going out of focus. "Aye, she's given her approval to this statement:
in seeing a green, you're seeing dragondom at its best."
Flynn chuckles out loud, "I should have at that. I should have at that."
Kassima leans back against Lysseth's warm green shoulder, reaching
absently to unhook her riding helmet from the flying straps. "Think you'll
be more ready t'visit the Weyr, after this?" she asks with yet another
grin. She seems to grin a lot, does Kassi.
Flynn eyes transfixed, "Huh? Oh yes, yes indeed. I will be out there as
quick as you please."
Flynn, soaking in every detail before dragon and rider depart, "I will
definitely be there, I have so much to do now, so much to /do/!"
Lysseth snorts again, arching her neck to peer at Flynn from a height
considerably above his head. "She says you're nay bad, for a human.
Methinks your admiration of greens won you points." Kassi winks, rolling
the helmet about in her fingers. "Just prepare for the unexpected, when
you do come up. It might be a quiet night, or we might all be talking
about something incredibly bizarre again. Your chances of seeing a glimpse
of something even remotely resembling normality are a bit less than fifty-
fifty."
Kassima finally coils her long braid up into a temporary coronet atop her
head, and pulls her riding helmet on over this before it can fall; she's
had a lot of practice at that. "Clear skies t'you, Flynn of Benden. You're
welcome up at Telgar any time."
Flynn says "It doesn't matter, as long as there be Dragons!" Rubbing his
hand together, staring openly at Lysseth in admiration, "It was absolutely
fabulous having the Telgar here, you really must come and visit more
often, good flight to you, I will see you /soon/! G'deve, Kassima, G'deve
to you, Lysseth."
Flynn turns on his heels and heads for the stairs like a man possessed.
Flynn climbs down the stairs to the courtyard.
You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly.
You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower
neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered
foreleg.
<*> Lysseth spreads her wings to their full extent, bringing them down
with a rush of wind as she leaps nimbly into the air.
Dropping off the cliff and flapping your wings, you begin to fly up into
the sky.