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The Best Girlfriend M'rek Never Had


Date:  December 28, 2004
Place:  South Boll's Lava Lounge
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:  Kassima gets a chance to learn more about what happened
to Kasedy when her path and M'rek's cross in the Lava Lounge (where 
else?).  That's not the only revelation that the bronzerider has for 
her, though!  No, soon she's finding out that she has competition for
Rodric's heart from a quarter she never expected, and it's a miracle
that she's not drinking in grief at the impossibility of ever matching
this other, perfect love by the end of the scene.

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The Log:

M'rek climbs up from the caves below.

It's really never a good sign--for somebody, at least--when Kassima's
counting out mark pieces and chortling to herself over them. It may even be
a worse sign when she's doing this at a bar with an exasperated Marcus
looking on. "Eight and a quarter!" she carols to the uncaring barkeeper.
"Isn't the fifteen-plus from the other sevenday, but 'tisn't bad either.
Pass me another Lava Twist, man, would you?"

A'course, it could be worse if Kassi were /behind/ the bar as well, holding
all that lovely liquor hostage. M'rek arrives on the scene, and if he's the
devil's favorite messenger then tonight's message must be something like
'leather is in this season' or even 'The well shaved head gathers no moss'.
Whatever the glad tidings are, M'rek is here to deliver them with his usual
panache. It's about time he earned his moniker of 'Trouble' again. "And a
Lava Twist for me as well. And make it a double."

Surely you jest? If Kassi were behind the bar, there wouldn't be much
liquor left to be hostage at all. Though, come to think of it, she does
have a certain hoarding practicality that might lead her to foolishly leave
some for another day. "M'rek!" she's greeting even before she's turned
around to see him. "Let me pay for one of those. In celebration of m'latest
victory in the realm of 'impossibly stupid bar bets'--wait a moment. Wait.
Wait." She looks him up and down, taking in the fine leathers and, perhaps
most of all, the seeming sobriety. "Something's either very wrong or very
right, I'm nay sure which. Was there a formal dinner?"

Liquor held hostage is all the sweeter for it's liberation. M'rek slides
onto the stool beside his most favorite Telgari and grins to shame that
devil. "Aye. It's been at least 12 hours since M'last drink. Might need to
make it a treble if you can afford it, as I'm sure you can, Kassi-love."
That grin stays plastered on, "I was going to make a full report over at
the harper hall, but I didn't quite make it. Must have been that left at
Fort that did me in. So. Here I am. Turned up like a bad mark. Speaking of
bad marks. Want to schedule a poker game? High stakes. We'll pick out a
couple of fat suckers, just ripe for the fleecing."

And given the frequency with which they liberate it, they probably needn't
fear being the ones up against the wall when the booze revolution comes.
Kassi slants him a half-amused, half-suspicious look through green eyes,
but nudges the appropriate mark amount over to Marcus regardless. "Trust
you t'take advantage of m'generosity," she says with more laughter than
rancor. "And trust me t'be sure t'get you t'pay for drinks the very next
chance I get. 'Twere going t'talk t'Rodric, then?" The leathers get another
look. "All dressed up for him? Shells. Mayhaps I should start worrying.
Since I," she teases, "could certes never compete with you--fat suckers,
eh? Hmm-mmm. I'm intrigued. What kind of stakes are we talking?"

M'rek snickers at this, "What, did he actually tell you that I was a better
kisser?" There's laughter from the bronzerider, "A'course I'll return the
favor sometime, just as soon as you like. Maybe even tonight. Though. I'm
feeling the desire to get up to some sort of trouble. I need only work out
what that will be to quell my desire for mischief. Aye. I got all cleaned
up. Thought I'd go have a nice chat with 'Ric and then head over to Bitra
and bend Vor's ear for awhile." My, isn't he informal this evening. "

"Should I have expected him to?" Kassi's surprised at the idea at first,
but it can't help but entertain her. "So *that's* why you're at the Hall so
oft, the real reason. I should've figured it. How long has this torrid
affair been going on? I deny, however, being an inferior kisser t'any
bronzerider, thankee muchly," a sentiment which she toasts with her Lava
Twist as soon as it arrives. "Trouble sounds most promising... and look at
m'luck, mayhaps onhand t'witness or even help. That may just trump the
eight-marks luck. Unless mayhaps the trouble you get into involves this
bending of ears on either part, depending on what you have t'say and what
the likelihood is that whatever 'tis would get the noses of helpless,
innocent spectators broken."

M'rek chortles brightly and pulls his drink in, giving it a courtesy look
over before he takes that first deep drink. Glass back down once more he
nods his head a bit and then says, "He never told you that story? Well,
he's been holding out on you then. He and I have been a hot item for quite
some time now." He laughs a little harder at this and then nods once more,
"Aye, I'm thinking it's likely you would be much better kiss than any other
bronzerider. Hmm. Well, I could bend ears, or I could break noses. I'm not
in much of a mood for fighting of late."

Kassima denies, "He never did. So fill me in? When did you two first get it
on; how long have you been seeing each other? Should I worry about catching
the two of you when I visit him? Now there's a mental image t'make all the
good little Apprentices faint." Pause. "Or swoon, depending on their bent.
I do thankee for this certainty in m'prowess. You haven't been?" This gets
him a quirked eyebrow from the greenrider. She turns about on the stool to
better face him, scooping her marks from the counter to slip them into her
pocket. "That have aught t'do with recent events? But mayhaps I shouldn't
bring that up. You actually look t'be in a good mood, and Faranth forfend I
spoil that."

M'rek takes another deep swallow from his drink and nods, "Aye. I'm in a
good enough mood tonight. Maybe I'm starting to feel more inclined to
action again. Tho. I admit, I've been discouraged. I just have to think how
to turn it all to the advantage. But anyway. Rodric never told you about
that time when I rocked his world?" He snickers. "So. one night I picked
the lock on Edris' room at Bitra and went in and fell asleep on the pillows
she's always got on the floor..."

"If'n there's a way t'do it, you'd be the man t'find it. 'Twill admit
though," Kassi says after a moment, "that I'm confused--if'n the point was
t'prevent an alliance between her and Vorlin, then her being dead is a
problem how? Apart from the many things *inherently* wrong with it." A gulp
of drink drowns that thread of shadow, at least for the moment. "I'm glad
at any rate t'hear you say that. Because a M'rek without action is like a
man with the head of a bovine: unnatural and nay t'be desired. Sadly, he's
been keeping me in the dark. Mayhaps so 'twill never despair at the
hopelessness of living up t'whatever you did." She gives him a brief
eyelash-flutter. "--You picked her lock? So you could sleep on her pillows?
That sounds like a story itself, but do go on."

M'rek shakes his head, "I'd convinced her to throw him over. She was going
to be against Vorlin in all things. Bah. All that time and effort, and I
was already too pulled to many directions to begin with. But. That
opportunity." He shakes his head, "I guess I misjudged and mores the pity
for she's dead now. But anyway. Aye. I sometimes catch a nap in Edris' room
and so I was that fate-filled night. Sleeping peacefully like a babe. And
then there was a presence in the room. And a snuggling form. And lips to
mine. And then. Stubble and a chest, well. Not what I'd imagine Edris'
chest to be like once bared. Was our own harper friend. Surprise, surprise."

Kassima's low whistle is definitely one of surprise. "Must've been a piece
of work. She certes seemed t'want him enough the one time I ever met her. I
begin t'see what you meant too with implying it could've been you, if'n
someone knows what 'twere up to. You know who did the thing?" After a
moment, she mutters, "Can't believe I'm talking about someone's death like
'tis only a game play. Nay that I knew her. Might nay have misjudged the
lass; if'n someone hadn't found out--?" She's not reluctant to leave that
topic temporarily behind to listen again to the tale, albeit with an
entertained, disbelieving snort at the very phrase 'like a babe' used to
describe M'rek. "Well, well, *well*. That must've been a shock, and for him
too. Question is," all innocence, "was it a bad surprise, or a good surprise?"

M'rek nods his head solemnly and drinks more of his twist. "Aye. She had a
deal with him, and I showed her a way to get what she wanted without him
and set it all in motion. Even talked to the Holder, got her to retire in
such a fashion that her chosen heir could have been the lass in question
easy enough." Clearly, he did a lot of work on this deal. "And. I got Kase
herself to mend some of her ways. Well. At least I think I did. She did
seem like she was coming along nicely." He shakes his head, "Aye. It could
have been me. Should have been me. You know? I found out because they sent
me a lock of her hair and the other key to her cottage. And. A'course,
that's where I found her. All laid out peaceful like. At least he was
considerate in that way." He laughs then and says with all humor, "Was a
kiss that changed my life, that's for sure. He's the best girlfriend I
never had, Rodric is."

"You do realize that makes it sound like you're the one who got Naomi
pregnant," Kassima drawls, quirking a brow at him. "That would have t'be
taking the cake for devotion t'doty, I must say. How very interesting. Will
it be of benefit or detriment t'Keroon, think you? I don't know a thing
about this new Lord. Beyond that he probably can't make a marriage-alliance
with Naomi's fiance," which is deadpan. "Could have been you. Shouldn't
have by their lights, because that wouldn't have put her out of the way. I
don't know whether I want t'ask who 'they' was or nay, but... I'm guessing
the Lord was definitely behind it?" She asks this hesitantly, and only
after a swallow of her drink. Still, her grin at the last is genuine
enough: "Can tell you never got beyond kissing with him, though,
M'rek-m'dear, else you'd never, ever call him a *girlfriend*."

M'rek makes a snorting noise about the pregnancy and waves one hand
dismissively as he remains hunched over his drink, then he laughs, "The new
one is a twit. But. I guess time will tell if he's got any spine to him at
all. Faranth knows I meddled in Keroon up to my eyeballs. I did all I
could. Well. Without me, she'd have been back under his thumb. She had
trouble resisting him, and she did get herself into the most assinine
agreement with him. I mean. Really." He snorts again and shakes his head,
"Aye. I'd say the lord was behind it, and he just doled out the assignment
to one of his regulars. But. Not wise to tell you too much on that score. I
can't be putting anyone else in such danger. And. There'd be danger
indeed." Then he laughs as well, "What? You think I'd want to be the girl
for him. Nay. He's not that good of a kisser."

Kassima can't help but drawl with a certain amusement, "You do tend t'have
have the best opinions of Lords. Mayhaps Keroon can disassociate with Bitra
now. Mayhaps. Nay so surprised she didn't resist well; the way she changed
how she spoke for him--what was the agreement?" She'd have to be curious.
She'd not be Kassima otherwise. "Welladay. T'your discretion 'twill leave
it; I've nay wish t'wake up to a slit throat, although I fancy I can defend
m'self better than some. *Oh*--" Red climbs into her cheeks as she takes in
that phrasing, but she throws her head back to laugh all the same: "I see
the problem! Nay, I can't imagine you in, err. That position. *Or* him, for
that matter. Which I'm sure means your love is doomed t'never be
consummated, and someday his Harpers will be writing a tragic ballad about
it."

"A child. That was the agreement. A child of Bitra and Keroon." M'rek just
shakes his head, "And the fool agreed to it. Well. She was short sighted
like that." He snorts derisively, he's so opinionated on this matter it
would seem..and so serious as well. "Anyway. It's all over now. She's dead
and Keroon has changed hands, and I'm back to square one there." As if he
were a concern all to himself, not even representing any group in
particular as he does. "Aye. I know you're not one to be taken lightly,
Kassi. But. He's truely the most physically dangerous man I know, and I
wouldn't want to have to think about you in that kind of predicament." He
shakes his head a bit and runs a hand over the top of it before dropping
his fingers back to his drink. "Aye. Well. It was a funny thing. And we
joke about it often enough."

Kassima's brows rise together, slowly, until one disappears under her
forelock. "This from a woman who commented herself on her Keroon blood
doing her nay favors at Bitra? And she'd have had her heir be *his*? Or did
she think--well, and I'm assuming she'd be wrong t'think, from your
reaction, though I know the minds of Bitrans about as well as I know the
mind of cottage cheese. At least Keroon's new Lord can't be making any such
agreements with Bitra's unless there's something about him that's nay
immediately obvious." She says this in a rather deadpan fashion, though the
rest of her commentary has been sober enough. Sober conversation in the
Lava Lounge. What a concept. "Could you even try aught again? Since the
Bitrans know your mind. And does that compromise your position now, or--I
appreciate it, M'rek. I don't argue the point. But I do thankee, for nay
wanting t'think on it." She flashes him a smile that holds a wry sort of
warmth. "Nay reason nay to. Shells, but 'tis beautiful. I don't suppose
Edris walked in on the two of you too, and got a shock of her own?"

M'rek shrugs his shoulder, "Wouldn't matter if such a child was named heir
to either hold, just the existance of he or she. Well. Would be a weapon,
poor lamb. My guess would be that the idea would be for Vorlin to have his
progeny one day holding Keroon. At least. That would be Vorlin's desire, I
don't doubt. Who knows what Kasedy thought would happen. That and, well,
having her bear his child. That's a psychological thing. She was already
having trouble standing up to him before, I would think that would have
made it so much the worse for her." He considers and then says, "I don't
know that I'll ever find that kind of situation again. I kind of just..fell
into it when something else was going wrong for me. Oh. I suspect all the
right, or wrong as it may be, already knew my mind well before the
situation with Kasedy. So. No telling if I lost any ground there. Though.
I'm going to have to have a talk with the assassin." He rests his elbows on
the bar and then turns back to that lighter subject, "Edris. She did indeed
witness. I don't know how many days it took her to stop laughing, but she
was very amused."

"What I wondered was if'n she thought 'twould be her progeny ruling Bitra
and that she might've gained somehow by it. But 'twould be a foolish
assumption, wouldn't it?" Kassima wonders, waving her glass of liquor
vaguely. "Between Cain and the unlikelihood--if'n she was so easily
manipulated as that, relatively--that she'd be able t'be the ruling
influence. Who knows. I'm guessing she was nay exactly a Cailin." She
slants a quizzical look his way. "Something else going wrong? That's...
interesting, if'n they do know. And confusing. That you'd be bound so much
t'someone, both of you knowing how you feel about each other, and yet
you're both still there. You sounded the once as if'n you admired him, in a
way. Good luck if'n 'tis the lady of the boots--which isn't, note, me
asking whether 'tis. I really don't want to know." She does have some
filament of self-preservation, in the end. "Oh-ho--when did she come in,
then? In time t'see the most passionate liplock of our age? Or more in time
for whatever steamy rompings came after?" she teases.

"Aye. I like him a great deal. We're..good friends. Could be best friends,
you know? Maybe we actually are." M'rek's features take on a musing look as
he talks, "Or maybe that's just how it seems when I'm with him. I tend to
do that. Become what the other person needs me to be for the bond to form."
He shrugs and then says, "Irony. Irony. You know? I made a deal with Vorlin
on his behalf and that's the only reason he's probably alive." He still
doesn't put the name on the man that killed Kasedy in all likelihood. "I
guess I just didn't expect for his next job to be what it was. I guess
Vorlin must be feeling pretty sharding smug about the whole thing. I about
owe Vorlin the moon for him, and he had to kill Kasedy."

With a wry-twisted smile and a hint of understanding, Kassi murmurs, "The
mask and the mirror. Aye. And d'you ever start feeling like you don't know
who you are without the masks, anymore?" It's not a question she really
seems to expect an answer to, although her tone is thoughtful, not
rhetorical. "'Twould be an odd best friendship. T'be opposed, too, as it
sounds you are. But 'twould be a *strong* friendship if'n it could endure
such a thing as that. He's--?" She's not so slow as that, though, to miss
the implication of who the 'he' is in deed if not name; she gives a slow
nod. "'Tis starting t'sound as if'n deals with Lord Vorlin have a way of
turning back in your hand t'sink fangs into your wrist. What are you going
t'do?"

M'rek considers that and then shakes his head, "No. Not really. I always
feel like me. It's just the way I am. Oh. I do get lost sometimes and I
need a little fixing, but you know, it works out in the end. And. It's not
like I ever feel like I'm not myself, it's just that I feel like the best
parts of me get buried in favor of the worst parts. But aye, it's a strong
friendship. He saved my life once in all likelihood after all. And we did
have a sharding good time camping together. Aye. Such fangs they are too.
Well, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Talk to a harper for starter I
guess."

Kassima's nod as she takes this in is thoughtful too. "I don't know whether
that's enviable or nay," she finally decides. "Methinks mayhaps 'tis.
There's plenty of good in you, y'know. Else you'd nay take the risks you do
for the goals you hold. Nay that I imagine I'm the first t'be saying that."
Back to deadpan, for just a moment: "I'm sure Roddy said there was nay end
of good in you too, after that kiss. Ahem. You went camping with Lord
Vorlin?" Startlement there, as one might expect, as she blinks at the
mental image. "I have a feeling I've gotten crossed here somewhere. Well,
but whichever way. You'll probably have t'talk with him too. And Rodric.
Are you still mad at him?"

M'rek chuckles and nods, "Aye. It's come up. I suppose it's right as well.
And it's only from time to time when I need help to find the good things in
me." He winks and then drains his glass at last with a backwards motion of
his head, "Not Vorlin, the other one. Though. I've been on the road with
Vorlin as well." He looks amused a moment and then he shakes his head,
"Aye. Well, I'm not a bad kisser." More laughter before he finishes with,
"I don't know. I suppose not. I don't even know why I was mad at him
anyway." And he's not the type likely to stay angry anyway.

"I'm glad of that. And for what 'tis worth, I admire it," Kassi offers,
grinning over at him. "Keeping your essential Star-may-care M'rek-ness nay
matter what. Next time you need help, if'n I can serve, give a yell; I can
if'n naught else remind you of your talent in wheedling the good liquor
from Learan. He broke out another bottle of scotch for me at the Gather,
y'know." Her grin turns wicked at this. Evil woman, taunting him about how
much more time she's had with their mutual beloved. "That must've been a
trip? Hard t'imagine the Lord roughing it somehow. And somehow, I find
that, M'rek-m'dear," 'that' being his claim of good kissery, "rather easy
t'believe." A wink of her own. "'Tis well. 'Twould probably distress
him--Rodric I mean, now--t'have caused anger in you. Did he even know about
this business with Kasedy?"

Kassima adds as an afterthought, "Mind you, I'm still better." That's
probably more about kissing than Kasedy, else it's one surreal non sequitor.

M'rek laughs, "I'll remember your offer, Kassi, for It's always good to
know who I can turn to for straightening out, and I hate to put too much of
that burden all at one door in particular. For. Like it or not they who can
fix me best are often those who have the least amount of time for such
things." His grin is slanted and then he looks appropriately jealous,
"Learan opened another bottle just for you? I might have to go by the
beastcraft and see about that. I do hate to feel left out, you know?" The
laugh that comes now sounds more like a chortle and then, "Tis' easy to
believe, isn't it? And you don't even have to read it on the wall in the
lava lounge. Aye. Maybe it would. He's a good man, Rodric, and if he wasn't
my girlfriend he'd be my father."

Kassima promises with all sincerity, "'Twould at least do m'best--which is
all anyone *could* do when it comes t'straightening you out, I suspect, you
shameless reprobate." There's good humor in her voice, of the sort that
suggests she'd be ruffling his hair about now if he had some. More
seriously, "I joke, but I do mean it. Time can be found for those who need
it. And he *did*," she confirms with great satisfaction. "At the Beastcraft
Gather. Invited me t'sit at his table for dinner and let me have all the
scotch I wanted. If'n m'plate weren't a bit full already and his Liah apt
t'be jealous, I could almost love that man. I don't suppose you might share
any left over you'd have when he's treated you similarly?" Wheedle,
wheedle, shameless wheedle. "Aye, your reputation would certes suggest 'tis
likely. And I'm sure Vorlin would never be in love with a bad kisser.
Father, really? Nay brother?"

M'rek gets to his feet now, only a little slanted for the triple twist,
"Faranth's knees. M'wingleader's looking for me. Aye. Well, I'll look for
you then, next time I get lost, Kassima. And maybe even to share that
beastcrafter's drink, though you know, I'm not used to sharing much." He
winks, "Too old t'be my brother." But not his girlfriend apparantly.