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A Little Song and Dance


Date:  January 4, 1997
Place:  Tillek Hold's Courtyard; the WaveRider Tavern.
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:  To celebrate Turnover, Tillek's having a dance at its
WaveRider Tavern, and quite a few Bendenites come to join the 
festivities.  This was a fun log; a bit embarrassing in retrospect, 
because I've since figured out that non-Harpers singing at an Event is 
a tad... strange. ;)  But the Harpers' songs were wonderful!  In fact, 
one of my all-time favorites was sung on this night--just guess which 
one. :)  (It shouldn't be too hard, but I'll give you the hint:  it's 
the one during which Kassi nearly succeeds in mauling M'rgan. ;)

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The Log:

<*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

<*> Torinth circles slowly.

<*> Torinth circles once, then makes a neat landing in the courtyard below.

<*> Lysseth banks her wings and sails into a spiral leading courtyard-wards.

You circle once, then land in the courtyard below.

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.

Deri unbuckles herself from Lysseth's flight straps and climbs back down to
the ground, looking a little disoriented from the flight.

Davidon climbs down from Lysseth's neckridges with the help of her riding
straps, looking grateful to be back on the ground. Lysseth eyes Davidon for
a moment, rumbling quietly, before turning her attention elsewhere.

Torinth wurbles at her rider, and then seeks more roomy places to perch.

Torinth spreads her wings, and launches into the air.

In the sky above, Herath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Deri smiles and pats Lysseth, "Thanks."

Kassima lands on the ground with a thump, and waves over to Ularrith. "Mart
must be here," she comments, ever-so-observantly. "Now, to find this
sharding place... I always have trouble with this."

M'kla glances around, unfastening her helmet again.

In the sky above, Herath circles once, then makes a neat landing in the
courtyard below.

Herath lands on the other side of the courtyard.

M'kla looks up, and grins, "Incomin! Benden's youngest gold."

Davidon squints his eyes against the wind, then hurries over to join the
others.

Lysseth eyes Deri a bit warily at being patted, but Kassi lays a hand on
her lifemate's shoulder and the green turns her head away. "'Tis our
pleasure to do so; don't let Lyss's reaction fool you. As I said, she's nay
overly friendly... ah! Looks like Kindre's here for the festivities as well!"

Gracefully astride Herath, Kindre pulls off her helmet and then waves, idly
pushing some stray locks out of her eyes.

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.

M'kla salutes up to the young goldrider, grinning.

Lysseth> Davidon whispers "THank you for the ride lovely lady."

Kassima doesn't salute, but instead waves enthusiastically. "Kin, heya! Did
you, perchance, bring any wine with you?" Hope springs eternal.

Davidon smiles as he whispers something to Kassi's lifemate in passing.

"Would I miss festivities of any sort," Kindre asks with mock-surprise and
then grins, "Wine? Hmm..." she teases nd then unstraps a skin from Herath's
straps, "as luck would have it, I did."

M'kla chuckles a bit.

Lysseth rumbles to Davidon cordially, settling down comfortably with a
rustling of wings and a flick of her tail. "Wonderful!" is the green's
rider's exclamation.

Davidon waves hello to Kindre.

Benden Weyr> Kindre acks! her first salute since S'riv :b ;)

R'val pages: whassup in the courtyard?

Benden Weyr> W'liam is constitutionally prohibited from saluting anyone. :)

Benden Weyr> W'liam, in fact, promised Jehrina he'd never salute her. Made
her happy. :)

Deri waves softly to the queenrider and cuddles against davi

Benden Weyr> M'kla makes no such promises. she's been here longer than
allayall...she'll salute who she likes! ;)

Kindre winks, "Well, from what I've heard, I thought mayhap something
Benden," she says in a quiet voice, "would be appropriate. Hmm," she looks
around and smiles, "I've never been here before...lovely."

Benden Weyr> M'kla says, "Admittedly, that's only the goldriders, and
P'tran...but hey ;)"

Deri smiles, "Ever think the Firlizard id trying to show us the way?"

Davidon chuckles softly into Deri's hair and puts his arms around her
lightly. "Ah...so, what way is this?"

Kassima beams at Kindre. "Queenrider, you're a lifesaver. I was dreading a
night of drinkless festivities, this being Tillek and all... aye, 'tis, but
'twill nay be easy to find the tavern. I always get lost hereabouts,
m'self, but I *think* 'tis off the docks."

M'kla peers at the firelizard, and shrugs, "Mayhap..."

Benden Weyr> Kassima salutes just about everyone higher ranked than her,
with the exceptions of Kindre and M'kla, just 'cause I don't think y'all
like to be saluted, do you? :)

Deri says "Through the hold doors he went.""

Benden Weyr> M'kla grins a bit. I don't care one way or the other.

"Well, if we get lost," Kindre says and then shrugs, "at least we are well
prepared."

M'kla laughs, and nods, leading on.

In the sky above, Vidarth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Benden Weyr> Kassima does tend to salute people that are really annoyed by
it, mind (like Saer), but only over the knot. ;)

In the sky above, Vidarth circles once, then makes a neat landing in the
courtyard below.

Vidarth lands on the other side of the courtyard.

M'kla crosses the courtyard to the west, and enters the hold.

R'val slides down from Vidarth's back and lands in a crouch.

Deri crosses the courtyard to the west, and enters the hold.

You walk across the cobbles of the courtyard, and enter the hold.

Davidon walks in from the courtyard.

Benden Weyr> Kindre likes saluting S'riv cause it makes him mad ;)

R'val walks in from the courtyard.

Lysseth> Kindre crosses the courtyard to the west, and enters the hold.

R'val hurries after the others, tuking his gloves under his arm, 'you all
headed to the party, then?"

Deri opens the doors to the great hall and walks in.

Kindre opens the doors to the great hall and walks in.

Kassima waves over to R'val, belatedly. "Heya, bluerider... aye, we are. If
we can find this place, mind."

R'val smiles, "I'm with you then.'

Davidon waves hello to R'val.

M'kla opens the doors to the great hall and walks in.

Davidon opens the doors to the great hall and walks in.

Kassima nods and smiles, then peers about. "That leads back where we came,
there's the Great Hall, I don't think the WaveRider is upstairs, so... ach,
guess I'll get lost with all else."

You open the doors to the great hall and walk in.

R'val walks in, closing the doors behind him.

R'val scratches his chin as he enters, "Methinks we're all quite lost.

M'kla snaps her fingers, "Aye...it'll be the WaveRider, I bet."

Kindre chuckles and peers around, "I'll certainly trust you on that...I'm
lost."

R'val peers, "Back to the hall, methinks.:"

Kassima hrms and looks about. "Nay through the kitchen, I remember that
much... most likely, aye, but where's that? I've found it twice before, but
shells if I recall how."

M'kla says "S'on the beach, lass..."

M'kla opens the wooden doors, and steps out into the hallway.

You open the wooden doors, and step out into the hallway.

Deri steps out of the great hall, closing the doors behind her.

You head out into the courtyard.

You head across the courtyard, and through the gates.

You head out onto the ramp.

Kindre walks out onto the ramp from the gates.

Benden Weyr> Kassima aighs, this place is such a maze.

You walk south on the path, tall conifers on your left, and the walls of
the Hold some distance to your right. Before long you reach a junction.

Kindre comes up the path from the ramp, pausing a moment to rest.

You walk down the path in the direction of the ramp.

Through the wide gates to the west, you can see the courtyard of Tillek Hold.

Kindre walks in from the path to the south.

The dusty road slopes down, and to the east, away from the hold.

You head up to the gates.

You continue through the gates and into the courtyard.

You walk across the cobbles of the courtyard, and enter the hold.

You continue south along the hallway.

You walk down the hall, towards the smell and sound of the sea, and enter
the cavern.

Feeling in need of an attitude adjustment, you push through the double
doors and enter the WaveRider.

Jalassa waves a frosted glass and calls out cheerfully, "Hall's and
Tillek's duties to Benden and her queens."

M'kla calls out, above the music, "Benden's regards to Tillek and all!"

Sadira smiles and slows down with the music, her dres swaying as her body
bends slowly back and forth with the music.

Rathenna nods, adding "Harper's duty!" to that.

Kindre comes through the double doors from the cavern.

Simile says "Second verse, first hot sands, then a dance quatrain, then
still again."

 
Simile calls "Hot," before she sings the second verse. She plays and sings
with her original optimistic style and tempo. 
 
        Join their dance on the sands at the hatching, 
        Come and join their dance, sway and step in the heat. 
        Set your heart on a dream you are hatching, 
        Dance now, joy can be complete!
 

R'val flops down in a seat and grins at Kindre as she enters.

Meade slows also, giving both herself and Marjon a break, never a dancer
was she on the dance floor.

Pamela leaps, and dances having a good time

Kassima nods to the room in general and repeats, "Benden's duties to
Tillek, the Harper Hall, Starsmith Hall, the Reaches and her queens...
there, that's all of 'em," she murmurs to herself, and waves to Mart as she
spots him. "Greetings and stuff, brownrider."

Kindre follows up behind Kassima, 'skin in tow. Offering quiet 'duties' as
she catches sight of knots, she takes a seat and tries not to disturb the
song.

M'rgan sways off the dance floor as he sees the Bendenites enter. Still
dancing, he gestures emphatically at them. "Come on. Dance with us. Come
on, greenie."

 
Simile calls "Dance," and sings almost recklessly. 
 
        Dance, dance, some will die in threadfall. 
        Most will live to tell the story. 
        Dance, dance, in this cause united 
        Danger gives us life and vict'ry gives us glory.
 

M'kla trots over to a nearly empty corner of the room, clearing a spot for
any that want to sit with her.

R'val glances at Kindre curiously, "What's in the flask? Drinks?" HE asks,
with a grin.

Davidon edges into the crowd to find a nice and quiet corner, watching the
dancing.

Deri comes through the double doors from the cavern.

Kassima is about to settle down with the rest of the Benden Contingent, but
turns to blink at Mart. "Shells, brownie, I can't dance. Thought everyone
knew that."

 
Simile calls "Still." She plays the verse slowly, and sings with a sad,
puzzled air, until the last line, when her faster tempo and cheery voice
express her approval of the silver shade candidate. 
 
        After the hatch, we all stood still. 
        No warm response to the stranger's glance. 
        Sad we knew not why, shadows stole our will, 
        'Till silver shade maiden led the dance. 
 
Simile ends the dance with an instrumental reprise of the 'Dance' and
'Still' themes, at the optimistic tempo.
 

M'rgan reaches out a hand as if to tug Kassima after him. "You /can/ dance
to this. Come on."

Kindre shakes her head to R'val and smiles, "Wine, o' course." Settling
thee skin on the table, she chuckles, "Me either...I think I've broken more
toes than I care to admit."

Davidon frowns slightly as he listens to the words of the song, as if
trying to puzzle it out.

Deri blinks and looks around as she comes on board.

R'val grins at Kindre, "Benden, of course?"

Pamela chuckles following the dance instructions

Rathenna nods slightly, applauding at the end, then getting a speculative
look on her fce as she sees the riders enter. "Oh, Tale?" she calls out, a
bit thoughtfully, after the song dies away.

Kassima glances around at all the dancing people, and ever-so-articulately
protests, "But... I'd break someone's foot, surely!"

Davidon waves to Deri to get her attention where he's standing out of the way.

Simile puts the Lute away and ties the case.

Taliesin blinks. "Yes, Master 'Thenna?" she says scooting off the counter
and walking over to her Master.

Kindre bobs her head and smiles again, "Of course. Oh Kassi, go on! It
looks like fun."

R'val grins at Kindre, "Will you dance?"

Rathenna looks up, her eyes all innocence. "You've a song I think might
be... amusing." she says. "Care to sing it? I know it was done..."

Deri walks over to Davi and hugs him

"You'd only break mine and I promise not to get mad. Now, com...Shells!
It's over." He grabs hold of Kassi before she can get away. "They might do
another." He looks over the heads of the crowd towards the Harpers, trying
to see what the next song will be.

Davidon hugs Deri back. "I thought you were right behind him.

Davidon laughs, "Ah, me...right behind me I mean."

Taliesin glances at the sudden influx of Riders, and looks abruptly
startled. "Ah...um. D'you mean the song about the Green Riders, Master
'Thenna?" She looks a bit helpless..

Rathenna nods at Tale. "Yes, I meant that one." she says. "I don't *think*
they'll harm you." she adds, her voice highly amused.

Kindre quirks a brow as in disbelief, "Me? Crackdust no. I'm awful," she
feels free to admit if only to get out of the task. "I nearly broke my
brother's toes at his handfasting." Perking up as something catches her
ears, she smiles, "another Greenrider song?"

Meade mutters to Marjon, ""Any... or should we... now?""

R'val chuckles, "surely not kindre. i'll take the risk if you'd like to
dance?"

Kassima looks relieved as the dance ends, then surprised as she is
be-grabbed. "You'd nay get mad if your foot was broken? You're stauncher
than me...." Maybe if she distracts Mart with talking, he'll forget about
this dancing idea.

M'rgan lifts his chin a bit higher, calling out, "Can you dance to it?"

Marjon shrugs. He mutters to Meade, "Whichever... wish." 

Taliesin bites her lip, thinks...and then grins faintly. "Ah..." She
answers finally. "You can dance to it if you're willing to just dance to a
drum and my voice."

Deri chuckles at Davi, I was, but I paused to admire the rear view a bit to
long and blinked to find you gone."

Kindre shakes her head quickly, "Honest, R'val, I'd rather sit out. Mayhap
after a bit of wine I'll be silly enough to try again," she says with a grin.

Pamela chuckles, and moves over to R'val and uses her boot to tap his foot
like an accident, then coughs.

Rathenna settles back, having gotten what *she* wanted to hear. "I'd say
it's a dancing tune." she says.

R'val grins towards Kindre, "Share a drink with me then?" He feels the tap
and looks up at Pam, "Pamela, hey!"

Davidon blinks wildly at Deri, blushing, "Oh? Well...must have been nice."

Sadira takes a seat quietly, watching.

Meade grins, "One more dance and then a drink."

Kassima glacks at the affirmative replies, and tugs on her arm
experimentally, to see if she can somehow flee. No such luck.

Taliesin scrambles up to the counter, picking up her bodhran on the way,
takes several deep breaths to compose her jittery nevers.

M'rgan reluctantly releases Kassima. "I guess since you can't dan...Hmm?!"
His hand snakes out again before she can get too far away. "One dance and
then I'll leave you alone. Sadira? You coming?"

Deri nods, "Mmmm, quite nice, but very distracting. Going to have that view
in my mind all night long."

Pamela grins and acts surprised,"Well what are you doing here?" she smiles
warmly,"How's my drinkin buddy?"

R'val grins at Pam, "good. How're you?"

Simile puts her lute aside and looks around for someone to dance with.

Sadira blinks looking to m'rgan, "Coming where?"

Benden Weyr> Kethran wonders if somebody'd be willing to come with me to
fetch a young woodcrafter?

Davidon chuckles and looks away from Deri to scan the room, "Who is this
person who has you so tranfixed eh?" he asks, trying to search um out.

Pamela gives a bow,"Doing wonderful."

"Surely, R'val. Thant much I can do," Kindre smiles and bobs her head while
speaking. Watching Kassima try to 'escape,' causes her to laugh a bit.

Taliesin smiles, and then she pitches her voice to carry. "Well, since
Master Rathenna seems to think this's appropriate, this is a song I wrote
about Dragonriders, called, 'Green Riders Always Win'."

R'val grins, "drinking's an easy skill," He remarks to Kindre with a wink.

M'rgan uses his eyes to gesture at the dance floor. "I figure that Kassima
will break my left, which means you can break my right."

Benden Weyr> Ursa says, "What exactly are you going to do with this young
woodcrafter, Kethran?"

Kassima's expression turns resigned. "Well... one? I suppose one wouldn't
kill me. Maybe. But if it does, 'tis *all your fault.*" She shakes her
finger at Mart to emphasize this.

Jerethan chuckles at the topic of Taliesin's song from his spot with the
other Harpers.

Benden Weyr> W'liam doesn't think we want to know, Ursa.

Rathenna smiles at Tale's explanation. Appropriate wasn't *quite* the word
she'd have chosen, though.

Benden Weyr> Kethran plplplplplplth at Ursa. I'm planning to commission
something. ;)

Benden Weyr> Jazmin doesnt want to know.

Taliesin starts out drumming a slow four count on her drum, and then she
abruptly launches into a good steady fast beat, around which she improvises
rather floridly.

        Well out there on that blazing sand
                is where the Candidates will stand
        right now, they just don't understand
                Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win.

M'rgan sighs dramatically as a finger is shook in front of his face. "It
always is."

Pamela excuses herself

Deri chuckles, "Well he's about your hieght, and he's got your hair color,
and he was wearing those same clothes, so unless you have a twin Davi, it
must have been you."

Pamela heads out into the cavern.

        The Hatchlings choose a lucky few,
                and some get brown and some get blue
        and there's gold, and bronzes too
                But Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win.

Meade looks aghast, "I won't break any foot." And as the music begins she
tries out the steps.

Kindre grins at the bluerider, "Exactly, much easier than attempting to
dance. Oh, I think I like this one," she utters while shifting to get more
comfortble in her seat.

Sadira smiles at m'rgan, "I think i'll break your other leg later." she
teases.

Benden Weyr> Ursa says, "Last time I took some one to the woodcraft, they
fell off my dragon and broke their leg. SO! Kethran, ready to go??? :)"

Kassima turns her head at mention of the song's title, and grins. "This
should be a good one. And so true, too...." She swivels her attention back
to Mart, raising an eyebrow. "Okay, so. What's to this dancing business?"

R'val grins at Kindre, "Will you excuse me? O

Simile sways in place to the lively tune.

Taliesin's fingers and drumstick dance across the skin of her bodhran,
whipping off the rhythm nice and fast as she sings.

R'val ...."I'ev an errand to run, but i should be back soon."

Meade mutters to Marjon, "Marjon,... a... I... forget to ask... you
really... greenriders?"

Davidon pulls Deri close to him and grins at her, "Gah!! You were looking
at /me/ like that?" he asks and then laughs, his face coloring brightly.

Kindre bobs her head, "Of course, R'val," and then turns her attentions
back to the dancers and the song.

        When later on the Hatchling's grown
                and claimed the rider as its own
        Well, who's got less to oil alone?
                Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win.

R'val winks at Kindre, :Be back soon!"

Rathenna chuckles, and settles back, a hand tapping lightly on one knee.

Benden Weyr> Kindre chuckles! :) hee Ursa :)

Benden Weyr> W'liam ooohs. Point for Ursa.

R'val heads out into the cavern.

Benden Weyr> Kassima high42s Ursa! :)

M'rgan smiles at Sadira a bit sadly before pulling Kassima into his arms
and whirling her about madly for a second as they step onto the dance
floor. "That foot here and this foot there," he says as he demonstrates,
starting the dance.

Taliesin is valiantly keeping the blush on her face out of her voice; the
song carries over the noise of the crowd as she continues to drum fiercely.

        Later, queens take too the air
                Scattering bronzes everywhere
        but of their eggs, they must take care
                Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win.

Marjon sighs, wandering back to his seat. "Don't.... start, Meade."

Simile stops swaying, for she's blushing and giggling too much.

Kassima glacks again, looking a bit dizzy already, as she tries to follow
along. "That foot here and this foot there...." Feet, feet, everywhere. She
somehow, miraculously, manages to step on M'rgan's feet only a few times...
but then, the dance has just started.

Meade follows Marjons back and is very quiet. She murmers, "I'm sorry." and
then just listens to the music and watches everyone else dance.

Taliesin flubs a fingering, catches herself, and keeps going, although the
twinkle in her eye suggests that she would very much like to stop and just
laugh.

        The Bronzes, browns, and also blues
                chase greens and golds as they so choose,
        But oh the groaning when they lose!
                Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win.

Deri smiles at Davi, "Yep, sure was. I like that view on you."

Simile's giggling becomes a full-blown laugh.

Rathenna chuckles again, settling back in amusement, her eyes dancing.

Kindre's chin rests in the palm of her hand while she watches. A bright
smile is on her lips while the words flow with the beat. "Oh, Jays I'm
rude, either of you care for some of this," she asks and offers a taste of
the wine to Davidon and Deri.

"Oomph!!!" That's the first word M'rgan's said since the dance started but
it's quickly followed by a few more. "Left! Left! There you go." Each foot
barely touches the floor before he sends it lightly into the next step.

Taliesin takes a deep breath, her blush vanishes, and her voice soars as
her fingers go off into a very complicated riff that rattles her drumstick
around the edge of her bodhran.

        Now greens go once a month to fly
                And they can't loose, and we know why
        They're always caught up in the sky
                Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win.

Kassima can't step on Mart's feet with them moving so fast, fortunately for
him. "Left, left! Right, got it...." For someone who has pretty obviously
never danced in her life, she's not doing *that* badly. Mart may come out
of this with only a toe broken, rather than a foot... maybe. "Hey, this
isn't so very hard!" the greenrider adds brightly, then chortles a bit at
the verses of the song.

Jerethan actually finds himself chuckling -- and then exceeding chuckling
to full-blown laughter -- as he watches Kassima and Martigan.

Rathenna grins at the words, then smiles watching the dancing. Or attempts
at dancing, as the case may be."

Taliesin's drumming slows slightly as a prelude to the end of the song, and
her voice drops back to her normal octave.

        So watch the riders when it grows late
                After the Flight, they mourn their fate
        But the Green-Riders join us late --
                Green Riders always win,
                oh, Green Riders always win!

Sadira smiles and laughs watching, kassima and m'rgan, happily listening to
the song.

Taliesin's drumstick rattles around the edge of her bodhran, and she ends
with a complicated and abrupt flourish.

M'rgan ducks his head to miss a lashing blow from Kassima's braid as the
dance takes them into a particularly fast spin. "Brownriders always win,"
he shouts with a laugh.

Cavin stands up from the cot.

Rathenna applauds loudly for Tale, then glances around for other reactions.

Taliesin's face is bright red as she carefully lowers her bodhran and waits
to see what her audience's reaction is.

Cavin slips in the door, glancing about swiftly and taking a seat in one
corner.

Simile claps along with Rathenna.

Jalassa laughs, putting down her glass to beat her hands on the table.
"Very nice!"

Jerethan laughs at Taliesin's song, and nods emphatic approval, applauding
all the while.

Kindre is barely able to applaud as Kassima and M'rgan's antics break her
up into laughter. Calming a bit, though, she echoes the sentiments,
"Wonderful song!"

Meade watches the dance and laughs a little as the others joke around.

Kassima snorts. "'Tis nay so, Mart--everyone knows 'tis greenriders that
do! Haven't you been listening to the song?" Trying to say this and spin at
the same time causes her to nearly fall on her rump, but she manages to
keep her balance somehow, and grins dizzily.

Taliesin lets out a relieved sigh, and bows from the waist from where she's
sitting. "Thank you," she says softly.

Sadira smiles and shakes with laughter, trying to clap as she watches.

Rathenna grins at Tale. "See, you're still alive." she says, her voice
still laughing.

Jalassa tilts back again in her chair, managing to fill her glass again
without spilling a drop.

Deri snuggles and smiles at Davi

M'rgan bows deeply to Kassima as the song ends before turning and clapping
loudly for the Harper. A fine sheen of sweat dots his face and his breath
comes out much faster than before. "We both survived," he chuckles.

Davidon kisses Deri's brow, "So...um...nice music."

Taliesin takes a deep breath. "Well, I'm out of material that my Masters
feel is fit for consumption, but *they* all know more songs than I do, so
what would you like to hear now?"

Rathenna glances around, then grimaces at Tale's comment. "Perhaps we do..."

Kassima manages a bow, shakily, still swaying a bit from that dizzying spin
at the end. "'Twould seem so, amazingly," she quips wryly, then adds her
applause to the brownrider's. "Didn't break any of your toes, either? Now
that's truly miraculous!"

M'rgan glances down at his feet, noting the scuff marks. He wiggles his
toes for a moment. "And nothing broken, I don't think."

Meade sighs and nods at the harper, still in good enough humor.

Deri chuckles, "I do know how to dance love.

Rathenna glances around. "Tale's comment's worthwhile, though." she says.
"What *would* you like to hear?"

Davidon grins at Deri and then chuckles, "Well...um...I don't."

Jerethan grins. "I could always do a mushy love-song, Thenna!" he suggests.
"Or something else."

Simile says "All I have to offer is funny, or funnier. Love songs are
probably better."

Kassima hrms. "Well, just as well that 'twas only one dance, or you'd be
pushing your luck past the point of possibility."

Deri giggles, "Hmmm, I'll have to make sure you learn."

Kindre wrinkles her lips up in thought and then chuckles at Jerethan's
comment. Taking another small sip from the 'skin, she says, "Love song?"

M'rgan walks with Kassima off of the dance floor. "I'm sure I would have.
Though I've been awfully luck lately." He can't resist winking at the
Benden goldrider.

Davidon looks down at Deri, "I'm not very graceful..." he says softly.

Rathenna hmms at Simile. "I've one... well, light hearted. And one love
song." She considers. "They're both fairly old, though..."

Jalassa smiles, "I have a love song..."

Simile says "Everybody has a love song except me. That's my outrageous
wish, that I have the experience to write a love song by next turnover."

Deri smiles and wiggles her eyebrows, "Just a matter of learning the
right...rythym."

Kassima nudges Mart and can't resist teasing a bit with, "Now you'll
finally get that love song you were asking to hear back when your ladies
were glowing, though nay from me... oh, posh. You still owe me a favor or
three, y'know." She turns to Kindre and asks, hopefully, "Might I beg a sip
from that wineskin? This dancing stuff is thirsty work."

Rathenna chuckles at Simile. "Ah, mine's not from my own experience." she
says. "It was a request from my cousin, who felt that for some unknown
reason, I'd a chance of saying what *she* felt..."

Simile chuckles at Deri.

Jalassa cheers Simile, and empties half her glass.

Kindre is tempted to stick out her tongue at M'rgan, but settles to offer
her just a good-natured sneer. "Ah, though that should run out soon
enough...didn't win at poker the other eve." Smiling at Kassi, she claps,
too, "That was great, by the way! Oh, sure," she then hands the skin over.

Davidon blink-blink-sputters at Deri, turning a fine redfruite color as he
just 'looks' at her.

Simile says "Then I wish the same for my cousins, too. We all need it."

Jalassa murmurs laughingly to the people at her table, "It's not about two
humans though, it's about Flying At Midnight.

Meade mutters to Marjon, "... some air?... looks... at the ground after...
expression."

Marjon nods slowly, standing.

Deri laughs softly, "Come on, let's teach the people who don't know how to
dance, to dance."

Rathenna smiles over at Simile, then eyes Jalassa thoughtfully. "Dare I
ask?" she says, then decides she's better off not doing so.

M'rgan quirks an eyebrow at the two Benden women. "Perhaps I wanted to
lose." He steps over to the side, towards Sadira. "Did you want anything to
drink?"

Jerethan grins at Kindre. "I've a love song, indeed, but I think Jalassa's
would be far better."

Jalassa grins at Thenna. "I was Weyrharper a long time. I tried to capture
what it must be like, that bond..."

Kassima accepts the skin gratefully and takes a pretty long sip, then sighs
happily. "Excellent wine, Kindre; my thanks. I imagine we provided some
comic relief," she adds with a grin at M'rgan. "If I'd known dancing was
that amusing, I might've tried it ere this. Now why, I must ask, would you
want to lose? And how can that affect a game of dragonpoker, anyway? 'Tis
all chance." She returns the skin to Kindre, and turns to hear the next song.

Simile picks up her lute and edges toward the door, as the time for a funny
song has passed and she's an early-to-bed type, anyway.

Rathenna nods at Jalassa. "I can understand..." she says. "Maybe someday
I'll try that..."

Davidon chuckles, "I'll give it a try!" he tells Deri, then looks up, "When
they start playing again anyway."

Meade gets their coats and they leave.

Meade heads out into the cavern.

Marjon heads out into the cavern.

Tellnar comes through the double doors from the cavern.

Sadira shakes her head to m'rgan, "No thankyou..." and whispers something
to him.

Tellnar wanders in from out in the cavern and smiles at everyone.

Simile heads out into the cavern.

Kindre bobs her head at Jerethan, "I always defer to a Harper's opinion."
Blinking as the skin reappears in her sights, she agrees with the
greenrider, "True enough...cards are more chance, whether you want to lose
or not." She takes another small sip and turns to listen to the next song.

Jalassa lets her chair fall back onto all four feet and gets to her own.
"This song is about love. Love of a lifemate, love of flying, love of the
night sky. It's called...We Fly at Midnight. And it's dedicated to my
friend, Kildas, who inspired it one late night at Ista.

M'rgan says to the Benden riders with a wink, "You'd be surprised," before
leaning down to hear Sadira's whisper. "You sure? I can take you back. It
wouldn't be but a moment."

Jalassa sings in a soft, almost eerie voice, like the night wind rustling
through the leaves.

        The moons in radiant splendor
        Cast light upon my face,
        The soft, deep cloak of evening
        Falls gently into place.

        A wind from some horizon,
        The keen, sweet smell of sea,
        Wind all around my darling,
        The one who carries me.

Jalassa's voice lifts a bit higher, love and wonderment warming the tone.

        Her wings brush through the darkness,
        A sighing song in air,
        A gentle flash of color
        That seems to hover there.

        Small glow lights in the blackness,
        A secret treasure save,
        They flicker in the depths
        And frolic in the waves.

Rathenna settles back, now quiet as she listens to Jalassa's voice.

Kassima snorts good-naturedly. "You'd be surprised what doesn't surprise
me." She quiets down, though, as the song begins, listening with interest.

Voice filled with secret yearning, Jalassa soars with the song,

        We are become the shadows,
        Where life's true meaning lies,
        We are the night's embrace
        We are the deep black skies.

Deri smiles and starts showing Davi how to dance, infinitly patiant."

Jalassa's voice fills with a drowsy contentment, warm as a softly glowing
fire,

        And when we home at dawning,
        The sun dispels the dream,
        We sleep, we wake, we wander
        The night's majestic stream.

        Beloved mine, my heartling,
        Your wings become my bow,
        To shoot to heights of glory,
        And slip our bonds below.

Jalassa holds the last note a long time, then the sound fades away like an
escaping breeze over the sea.

M'rgan half-listens to the song as he hurries across the room to retrieve
his and Sadira's jacket. As he walks back he slips his on, and then holds
hers open as he reaches her side, ready to help her put it on.

Davidon gulps nervously, putting his arms around Deri as he looks down at
her, his movements akward and halting as he tries to get the hang of
this...but too soon the song is over, even before he got a real feel for
dancing.

Deri chuckles, and waits for the next song to start, "You did very good my
heart."

Jalassa steps back, and sinks back into her seat, tilting her head to rest
it against the rock wall.

Jasmyn pops out of *between* and gracefully finds a place to land.

Davidon chuckles softly and touches Deri's jawline softly, "I didn't squish
you yet anyway." he teases.

Tellnar shrugs as Dart takes flight from his shoulder.

Blinking a bit at the beautifully deescriptive verses, Kindre then smiles
wide. "Those words are lovely...as is the sentiment," she says before
laying the skin down to rest on the table and clapping. Quirking a brow,
she wonders, "Everything okay," to the High Reaches riders.

Sadira smiles and slips into the jacket, murmurring a thanks to
m'rgan,fixing her hair slightly. "Ready?"

Deri laughs, "With as tall as I am love, I doubt much that you could be
squishing me."

Rathenna applauds that quietly, then glances around, her hand covering her
mouth as she yawns. "That was fantastic, Jalassa." she says quietly, then
adds. "However, I was up early, and I probably should get back..."

Jalassa smiles at Rathenna, "Thanks for coming, I know how busy you are
these days."

Kassima nods in agreement with Kindre. "Aye... 'tis dead in the black, what
you speak." She claps quietly, too, leaning back in her seat and
occasionally sipping from the wineskin.

Davidon picks Deri up and spins around and round with her.

M'rgan smiles as he looks over his shoulder. "Everything's fine. I just
need to take Sadira back to Ruatha."

Jalassa murmurs thanks to the riders, and sips at her wine, watching the
rest of the harpers with interest.

Deri giggles and holds tight to Davi, "Dizzy is a different story!"

Rathenna smiles at Jalassa. "Busy doesn't begin to describe it..." she
says, though more in amusement. "I needed to get out though, and this was
wonderful." She glances around at the other apprentics. "Anyone else coming?"

Taliesin stretches. "Master Rathenna? Can I come back with you? I've got
the first stretch on the drum heights tomorrow, and I don't want to be
asleep for it."

Kassima ahs and nods, raising her skin in a sort of informal farewell. "See
you when you return, then, if you plan to do so. Benden's duties to
Ruatha," she adds to Sadira.

Jerethan applauds the end of Master Jalassa's song, and smiles quietly. "So
what would people like to hear now? Something funny? Sad? Reflective? Or
another love song?" he asks, a questioning note in his voice as he leans
away from the table that has been supporting his weight. Settling his drink
onto a table, he moves his gitar into a more reasonable position for
playing once again.

Davidon chuckles and keeps spinning Deri for a moment or two and settles
her down, clapping for the end of the song.

"I'll be back." M'rgan tugs his gloves on before smiling at Sadira. "Ready."

Sadira replies quickly to kassima "Ruatha's duty to benden and her
queens.." as she heads out, wrapping her jacket tightly about her heads out
with m'rgan.

Sadira heads out into the cavern.

M'rgan heads out into the cavern.

Taliesin snags her riding jacket and picks up her cased bodhran. "I'm
ready, Master 'Thenna."

Rathenna glances over at the other Harpers. "I think it'd do you all good
to perform." she says, eyeing various apprentices, then nodding at Tale.
"Good night, all, and thank you Jalassa, for doing this."

Taliesin waves. "G'night Master Jas."

Jalassa smiles, "Clear skies!"

Kindre watches the two depart and then pulls the skin to her lips again.
"Benden's duty to the Harpers," she calls after a swallow and then turns to
Kassima, "I wonder where R'val wandered off to."

Taliesin heads out into the cavern.

Davidon grins, not looking as though he cares that music is being played
next. He looks up and waves after the people heading out.

Rathenna heads out into the cavern.

Deri waves and snuggles into Davi

Davidon snuggles Deri and then tickles her, "Thirsty?"

Puck comes through the double doors from the cavern.

Jerethan's fingers stroke the strings briefly, and then he strikes them,
his fingers crafting a delicate mixture of emotion: passion and love,
hunger and hunger's satisfaction.
        Within the throes of my desire,
        Of passions, yearning, lust,
        The voice of reason calls to me,
        Then quickly turns to dust.

Dart has left.

Tellnar smiles as Dart flies over and lands on his shoulder.

Tellnar heads out into the cavern.

        My mind is lost before the surge
        Of frantic energy.
        My thoughts are gone upon the wind,
        Of Passion's Destiny.

The music takes on a sadder tone, and a tittering melody like soft,
suppressed giggles of ridiculing laughter join the cadences. The music
brings to mind the suppressed, helpless rage of being mocked, of being
embarassed, a low, discordant rumbling of sound.
        Through the tears of my disgrace,
        Of fearful, tearing pain,
        The whispers of an inner voice,
        Attempt to keep me sane.

Davidon pulls Deri against him, and smiles innocently down at her as he
listens to the song.

Kassima hrms, only half-listening to the song. "Nay sure; did he say? I
think I missed his leaving, in fact...."

        Ignore the agony, it says,
        Return to sanity!
        It disappears within the cloud
        Of Passion's Cruelty.

Kindre wrinkles up her lips as she tries to recall. "Duty, I believe...I
was distracted by the dancing." Recalling it, actually, brings a fresh grin
across her lips.

The discordant cadences fade, replaced by a soothing arpeggio that
gradually displaces the burning sounds of the passionate emotions, with a
hint of rational resolve. The music settles down into a more normal
pattern, chords resolving properly, like a fire whose embers have been
quenched, and which is cooling slowly, letting the heat and steam dissipate
over time.
        With time returns the blissful calm,
        Of peaceful, tearless grace.
        My mind forgets as rage departs,
        Behind left not a trace.


        But when I think of what how I felt --
        Remember truthfully,
        I wonder how I can partake
        Of Passion's Mastery.

Jalassa smiles, lifting a glass to Josef in greeting as she listens to the
song.

Jerethan plays a final few quiescent chords that gradually fade to silence,
and then opens his eyes.

Jalassa murmurs a quiet phrase of approval, and shifts, just slightly.

Kelset enters the room quietly, not disturbing the Harper as he ends his
performance.

Cavin applauds quietly from the very back of the room.

Deri claps softly as she sits down on the deck.

Kassima chuckles. "Glad we were so amusing, Kindre," she says with a wry
grin, then turns to applaud Jereth's song.

Kelset sees his fellow apprentice at the back of the room, and walks over
to that end, taking a seat near Cavin.

Jerethan blushes a bit at the applause, then glances over toward Cavin,
smiling slightly. "You're on, apprentice, if you'd like."

Kindre claps quietly, "Another beautiful song, though it makes me feel a
bit sad." Nudging Kassima, she says, "I didn't mean that, but it was fun to
watch. Heh, I'd do worse, honestly. That's why I simply sat here."

A gaggle of youngsters, some barely past a single digit in age, burst into
the room and run through, depositing little baskets full of candies and
dried flower bouquets before each person. They then run out again, calling
out as they go, "Happy Turnover!!!"

Cavin nods at Kelset, standing up just as he sits. He nods to Jerethan as
well, moving up towards the front of the room. He takes his place, clearing
his throat, and peering about for a moment.

Kindre blinks, and nearly fall back off of her seat at the abrupt entrance
and gifts from the youngsters. "What...my," she exclaims and begins to
laugh with amussement.

Kassima chuckles, amused. "Oh, I know we must've been a sight! What else to
expect? After all, I'd nay danced a'fore...." She shrugs, and half-grins.
"You'll have to try sometime; it's nay so very bad, and really rather fun
if you don't mind being tired and dizzy and stepping on someone else's foot
all the time... oh!" That last she exclaims in surprise as the younglings
run through.

Jalassa chuckles, "I think they rehearsed that all afternoon."

Cavin glances about for a second, getting a measure of the audience. "The
song I'm about to perform was written by a Master Chapin, a good hundred
Turns ago. It's called 'The Shortest Story.'"

Kindre peers over the small baskets deposited on the table even as she
speaks, "I may at that...can't be harder then other things I've tried
recently." Looking up, she bobs her head as Cavin prepares the next song.

Josef settles near the back of the room.

Cavin clasps his hands in front of him, apparently using no instrument. He
takes a breath, then begins, his deep voice filled almost with wonder as he
sings the words.

        I am born today
        The sun burns a promise in my eyes
        Mama strikes me, and I draw a breath to cry
        Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky
        I am glad.. to be alive.

Cavin smiles gently as he changes his tone slightly, it becoming a bit
darker, perhaps sadder.

        It is my seventh day,
        I taste the hunger, and I cry.
        My brother and sister, cling to mama's side,
        She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide.
        Someone weeps, I fall asleep.

Cavin loses his smile as he glances about the room, his gaze very dark. His
voice is filled with remorse as he gently sings the final stanza:

        It's 20 days today,
        Mama does not hold me, anymore..
        I open my mouth, but I am too weak to cry.
        Above me, a bird slowly crawls across the sky,
        Why is there nothing now to do.. but die?

Cavin clears his throat again, finishing the song, looking about for a
moment before slowly walking back to his seat.

Kindre shudders a bit as the song ends. "That was rather...dark," she notes
slowly, but applauds just the same. "Well done," she offers before drawing
the tabled wineskin to her lips again.

Jalassa mmmms, "I see I'm not the only one who's into dark songs."

Kelset applauds quietly, appreciating the mood of the song.

Cavin smiles at the applause, and takes a sip of the wine someone places in
front of him.

Jerethan applauds Cavin, though he nods thoughtfully at the ending of the
song. "Dark, indeed, but sometimes those can be appropriate, as well."

Josef's deep voice says clearly from the back, "Life is too hard already to
be wanting for dark songs at a gathering. Something brighter?"

Kelset nods quietly, agreeing with Jerethan. "Often true, Jerethan."

Kassima nods to Kindre in agreement, clapping very quietly and shifting
back in her chair a bit.

Kindre smiles before bobbing her head, "True enough...while a lovely
collection of verses, something 'fun' might be nice?" Her voice in somewhat
tentitive and hopeful.

Kelset stands up, bringing his gitar down from the strap it hangs on from
his shoulder. "I have a song that's a bit brighter," he offers.

Jalassa works her way through another glass of wine, looking slightly
drowsy...and that's it. She smiles at Kelset, and tilts back again.

Kelset takes the smile from Jalassa as one of confirmation, and strums the
opening chords of the song. "This is a song of the plains, which I learned
while growing up in Keroon." He says quietly, then begins to sing the song,
his voice low and resonant, the minor notes of the song speaking more of
vast, open places than of sadness.

"Hiyo, Heyla,
 Hiyo, Heyla,
 The darkness now is closing in,
 The sun will soon be setting,
 The darkness now is closing in,
 It's time I should be getting,
 Into bed, off to sleep,
 I cannot, I can but keep,
 Gazing out o'er the plains of Keroon."

Kelset enters the second verse of the song, his voice remaining rich and
resonant, the thin chording of his apprentice gitar managing to grow to the
performance, sounding lyrical and sweet.

"Hiyo, Heyla,
 Hiyo, Heyla,
 The double moons are hanging bright,
 The sandy plains are silent,
 The double moons are hanging bright,
 I guess it's time that I went,
 Into bed, off to sleep,
 I cannot, I can but keep,
 Gazing out o'er the plains of Keroon."

Kindre nods her head a bit to the beat and smiles as the words linger in
her mind.

Kelset makes the transition into the traditional solo of the song, his
voice moving up into his more natural tenor range, his notes high and light.

"Times will change and so must I,
 I may leave this beauteous sky.
 It may not be quick, it may not be soon,
 But I'll come back to my home in Keroon."

Kelset enters the final verse of the song, reverting to the original deep,
minor chording, his voice coming forth in a rich, vibrant tone. The lilting
chords of the song seem to almost transport one to the vast, empty plains
of the area of Keroon.

"Hiyo, Heyla,
 Hiyo, Heyla,
 The morning sun is rising fast,
 The runnerbeasts are moving,
 The morning sun is rising fast,
 Long ago I should have been,
 Into bed, off to sleep,
 I could not, I could but keep,
 Gazing out o'er the plains of Keroon."

Kelset lets the chords echo around the room, the strings of the gitar
vibrating under his fingers. After a moment, he breaks into a smile,
retreating to his seat.

Jalassa puts down the empty glass and applauds heartily.

Cavin grins at Kelset, applauding quietly. "Well done," he says when his
fellow Apprentice is close enough.

Kelset smiles thankfully at Cavin, then turns back to the group, blushing
slightly, almost surprised that the song is well received.

Kindre displays her wide smile again at the conclusion of the song. Leaning
up in her seat and against the table, she claps and offers, "I like that
one very much!"

Jerethan chuckles and applauds Kelset, nodding approval. "And, if the
others don't mind, I've another that I've written some time ago, but would
like to play again."

Kassima grins her agreement as she applauds. "Aye, 'tis a right good tune,
that!" She snags the wine skin from the table, sipping at it and looking,
overall, quite content with the world.

Kelset answers Kindre, his smile speaking of his true thanks at the
compliment. "I really love it. It describes my love for my home very well,"
he says. Hearing Jerethan speak, he quiets down, nodding to Kindre before
returning his look to Jerethan.

Kindre returns a nod to Kelset, "That I understand indeed, as I've the same
love for my own home." Turning her gaze unto Jerethan, she quiets as well.

Deri listens to everyone quietly, not saying much., "The song was wonderful."

R'val slides down from Vidarth's back and lands in a crouch.

R'val rushes back in and waves cheerfully, "Hey all! Sorry to have rushed
out...."

Deri waves, "Hi R'val."

Jalassa asks that if you enjoyed any of the harpers' performances,
especially the apprentices, that you +mail Natalia and Cao with your
comments, it helps them advance. :)

R'val hurries over and sits next to kindre and Kassi, murmuring to the
goldrider, 'how's the party going?" He grins at Deri.

Kindre smiles when she sees the bluerider enter. "R'val, -there- you are,"
she grins, "Thought mayhap we'd lost you." Nodding over towards Jerethan,
she says, "I believe he's about to do a song..."

R'val grins at Kindre impishly, "I'm not lost that easily, kindre! Did I
miss much?"

Jerethan plays a gentle cadence on his gitar, a wavering series of notes
that vibrate up and down the scale. Each run is different somehow, yet
echoes the same theme. Then, finally, the patterns settle down into a
simple cycle, one that brings to mind the passing of the seasons.

        Winter comes, and winter goes
        Seasons pass us by.
        The heat of summer dawns and fades
        With autumn drawing nigh.
        Births and deaths, endless circles,
        As time proceeds to fly.
        Constant change, changing constants
        And still somehow we try...

Jerethan caresses his gitar strings for a moment, holding the note,
sustaining the feeling, the emotion for a few moments, and then resolving
it into a triumphant cadence, a cascading chorus of major chords that lend
strength to his words.

        To live in a world of our own making
        Free from the tides and endless shaking.
        Free from the lies and endless faking,
        Together in truth and never alone.

Jerethan's voice holds the last note with his crystal-clear baritone, and
then abruptly is still again. His fingers stroke the strings, and the
cyclical progression returns, though this time it has a bit of constancy, a
feeling of reliability, of predictability that makes it pleasant to
contemplate -- reassuring, in a way.

        Youth will come, and youth will pass
        Yet timeless are our lives.
        Fires blaze then turn to ashes,
        But yet our love survives.
        Journeys start with single steps,
        But no one ever arrives
        At a place where love can fade to sorrow,
        Where change can touch our lives!

Again, Jerethan's voice holds the final word, his baritone resonating in
time with the chords from his instrument. He closes his eyes, and this
time, the transition is brighter somehow, the melodies piercing, yet not
unpleasant. Two cadences join into one, and the result is a melody that
repeats, that displays the cycles so common in nature and in our lives, yet
is somehow new and different, exciting each time it is played and heard. 

        To live in a world of our own making
        Free from the tides and endless shaking.
        Free from the lies and endless faking,
        Together in truth and never alone.

Now, Jerethan's fingers mute the strings, and his voice holds the final
note, blending perfectly with the gitar as both fade toward a serene silence.

Kindre motions to the baskets sitting atop the table near the wineskin,
"Some children arrived to deposit these and wish all a happy Gather. Oh,
and a few songs, but mayhap you've heard them at other gatherings...other
than that, I suppose not much." Quieting her rmblings, she turns to listen
to Jerethan.

R'val peers at the basket, "What's in 'em," HE asks, idly, of kindre.

Kassima chuckles. "A few songs, aye, R'val." She turns to listen to the
song currently played, tapping her foot lightly along and applauding when
it's done.

Kindre adds her applauds before shrugging, "Candies and flowers, I
believe," she grins, "I didn't pick through it too much. Kassima, can you
slide over the skin? I'm feeling parched," is her joking excuse for more of
the vintage.

R'val grins, "candies, eh?" he roots through the basket idly, "Skin?
Wineskin?" HE looks up and lis

Kassima laughs. "Far be it from me to deny you a sip from your own skin,
Kindre!" She passes the wine over, and nudges R'val. "Leave some in there
for the rest of us, eh?"

R'val sticks his tongue out at KAssi, "I'd not drink it all, you silly."

Kindre snickers, "-Our- skin," she corrects, "I'd not have known to bring
it without your stories! Better not," she nudges R'val in kid.

Jalassa pushes back from the table, waving to all as she wanders out, "I
think I'll go for a walk on the beach, see the moons up. Happiest of
Turnovers, all."

R'val leans over and idly tikles kindre, with a grin, "Greedy goldrider!"

Jalassa heads out into the cavern.

Kelset smiles softly after Jalassa, turning back to the occupants of the
room with a contented look.

Kassima grins. "Well, point; I'd normally deny that and say 'tis yours
alone, but, well, *'tis* good wine."

Kindre rests her chin in the palms of her hands again. Smiling, she notes,
"Well, I was sure to grab a full one, despite Salless' somewhat frowning
gaze." Her curiousity with the baskets renewed, she picks through for some
candy.

R'val grins, "one can't listen to salless. she's always frowning.' He
plucks out a candy, and offers it to kindre with a grin.

Kassima chuckles and leans over to nab a piece or two herself. "Almost
always, aye. One can never do anything right around her...."

Kindre takes the candy, "Thank you...true enough of Salless but," she
shrugs as a sheepish grin crosses her face, "She's so...well, wise. Heh,
didn't keep me from taking the skin, 'least."

R'val grins, "I don't know about wise, Kindre. SEnsible is a better word
for it, I'd think."

Kassima grins. "She's lived with all of us for so many Turns; she's got to
be wise, after that. Or at least, knowledgeable enough about what we lot
are like."

R'val smiles at KAssi, "Aye, that's accusaver."

"True enough there," Kindre exclaims before popping the candy into her
mouth. Pushing it into her cheek, she wonders idly, "Are there going to be
more songs this evening, you think?"

R'val shrugs one shoulder towards Kindre with a grin, "We could sing?"

Benden Weyr> C'vadan blinks at flights. "Boy, log off and they change."

Benden Weyr> Ursa says, "There was a code freaky, wasn't there?"

Benden Weyr> <C'vadan> Dulath rumbles. << Lysseth *and* Herath?! Oh boy oh
boy oh boy... >>

Kindre chuckles, "If I attempted that," she shakes her head, "I'd clear the
room. Seems I'm lacking in more talents other than dancing."

Mairin comes through the double doors from the cavern.

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "AIGH."

Benden Weyr> <F'hlan> Tzornth << WHOO HOO! >>

Benden Weyr> Alyssa hides Adonith.

Jaiya comes through the double doors from the cavern.

R'val smiles at Kindre, "nonsense! I'm sure we ould do it."

Mairin glances around shly.

Benden Weyr> <Alyssa> Adonith snorts and latches onto Lysseth. << Mine Mine
Mine. >>

Kylee comes through the double doors from the cavern.

Benden Weyr> Kassima grins. And Zuseth, when Maarie puts her flight back
up. Wizzes had to delete 'em to fix the +flights thing. ;)

Jaiya trots along behind the older apprentices, her eyes wide open as she
takes every thing she sees in.

Benden Weyr> R'val says, "Vidarth k nows better than to chase lysseth, he
can't catch that one..."

Benden Weyr> <Kindre> Herath snnickers evilly << Lysseth and Torinth have
been giving me pointers, too >>

Benden Weyr> <C'vadan> Dulath whacks Adonith with his tail. << You caught
her last time, brother. >>

Kylee's eyes settle on the plate of sweetrolls first.

Mairin smiles, "WeaverHall's duties."

Benden Weyr> <R'val> Vidarth> <<And he'll catch her again, no doubt. >>

Benden Weyr> <Alyssa> Your point being?

Benden Weyr> <Alyssa> Adonith said that, of course. :)

Benden Weyr> <C'vadan> Dulath << There had to be a point? >>

Benden Weyr> Alyssa hopes she can make the flight. It's doubtful. :P :)

Benden Weyr> Rowen says, "Well if you're mating.. err. nevermind."

Benden Weyr> <Kassima> Lysseth just snarls, hisses, and looks irascible...
oh, wait. She can't do that until *Monday.* Never mind.

Benden Weyr> F'hlan chuckles and wanders offline again.

Kylee looks at Mairin, "Don't you think we should count the sweetrolls
first? They're supplies aren't they?"

Benden Weyr> Rowen smiles innocently, hiding the thought behind her back.

Benden Weyr> R'val prolly won't even be there since, as usual, Kassi has
scheduled her flight for a weekend evening :)

Benden Weyr> <C'vadan> Dulath begins assembling his Lysseth armor.

Kindre offers a returned, "And Benden's to the Weavers," before turning a
shocked look to R'val. "You're serious? But I don't know any
songs...especially any that won't cause me to sound like a choking feline..."

Kylee mutters to Mairin, "... a sweetroll?"

Benden Weyr> Kassima *has* to do that. I can't be online very long 'cept
for Fri and Sat nights. :P

Mairin smiles at all the new faces.

Benden Weyr> Kindre growls at Kassi, 7th Guest disk in hand..."Oh, same
with me, Kassi :b"

Deri nods to the newcomers

Jerethan grins at Kindre. "O

Jerethan grins at Kindre. "I'll even accompany you, if you like!"

Benden Weyr> R'valhmphs :)

Mairin whispers to Kylee, "I'll get all sticky and gooy."

R'val regards Kindre thoughtfully, "I know a few....But I'm no singer
either.: He grins, "Not that I'm not willing to try."

Benden Weyr> C'vadan appreciates flights not on Sundays and Wednesdays :)

Kassima chuckles. "I know several, but my singing would probably kill
someone here, and how could I explain that?"

Benden Weyr> R'valappreciates flights on days other than Friday and
SAturday, which is sadly rare :)

Benden Weyr> Alyssa says, "Greenrider's discretion. :)"

Kindre blinks, "But I'm...awful. Truly I am. I'd not want to torture anyone
with this torture that attempts to copy song from my lips..." A grin,
though, quirks her lips as she half considers the idea before laughing at
Kassima, "Say I did it with mine?"

R'val snorts, "I've heard you sing. you're not /that/ bad KAssi."

Benden Weyr> R'val says, "yes, but do they all have to discrete in the same
direction? :)"

R'val Strokes his lips as he grins towards Kindre, "You're underestimating
yourself, I think."

Mairin smothers a giggle and finds a place to sit.

Kylee looks curiously at everyone.

Kindre chuckles befor admitting, "I'm bad mostly at three things; drinking
too much wine, dancing, and singing. But," she rolls her eyes, "if I knew a
tune, I might try..."

R'val grins, "Perhaps we should teach you one."

Mairin nudges Jaiya, "You doing alright?"

Kindre sits quietly, though her wrinkled-up lips indicate she's thinking
still about actually trying this.

Deri chuckles, "I can dance and I can drink, but I've never tried to sing."

R'val watches Kindre with an impish look on his face.

Kassima's expression suddenly perks up, and, grinning, she leans over to
whisper something to Kindre.

R'val glances at Kassi and Kindre somewhat suspiciously as Kasi whispers.

Kindre's eyes widen suddenly as Kassima's quiet words filter in. Bobbingng
her head, she smiles. "I had forgotten that one..." she says before turning
to R'val, "I think we may have one..."

Mairin whispers to Kylee, "I wonder what happens to the food in your
stomach when you go between. Do you suppose it could freeze." She smirks.

R'val regards Kindre cautiously at her sudden willingness, 'oh yes?" He
asks, curiously.

Deri says "chuckles and listens to the chatter and smiles"

Kassima chuckles and nods. "Aye, mayhaps, just mayhaps... Kin, y'want to
start off, or shall I?"

Mairin whispers back, "When I was alittle girl my brother told me that the
food would freeze in your stomach, and you'd have to see a healer to get it
fixed."

"Yes, one that I learned at the runner festival, actually. Oh, " Kindre
waves hand to the greenrider, "do yo minnd starting?"

Mairin smiles.

R'val peers, "What is this song, KAssi, I might know it..."

Cavin yawns, standing up and slipping out the door with a nod to Kelset.

Cavin heads out into the cavern.

Mairin giggles, "It use to scare me to death."

Kylee grins. "Brothers."

Kassima shakes her head. "Nay 'tall... this song, R'val, is called 'The
Game.' You may know it indeed; 'tis an old song, though about what game,
nay anyone can say anymore. So far as I know, there're none to remember."
She pulls out her pipes from her belt pouch, and starts piping a startling
melody: it is a somber, minor tune, but with an unusual speed and rhythm to
it meant to set the nerves of the listeners on edge.

R'val nods his head, "Unfortunately, it sounds unfamiliar.' He smiles
towards kindre apologetically.

Mairin blinks and quiets down listening to the song.

Kassima puts her pipes down to start singing in her lower alto register,
the song sung in a breathy, oddly dischording tone that follows along with
the notes played previous.

        "Let's take the time
        To find out what's inside.
        Away from all this wind and rain--
        The six arrive;
        The fire lights their eyes.
        Invited here to learn to play...
        The Game."

Kindre takes a long swallow of wine and then clers her throat quickly.
Patting R'val's hand, she prepares to take the next verse.

R'val Smiles faintly at kindre and sits bak to listen.

Kassima picks up her pipes again to play the background for Kindre's verse,
her numerous fire-lizards raising their voices to add a haunting, eerie
undertone to the music.

Kindre tries to pick up the rhythm and her voice cracks bit on the
following verses.

        We travel blind,
        And feel along the walls,
        And barely know from where we came...

Mairin shivers slightly as she listens intently to the haunting melody.

Kindre swallows and flushes as her voice falters on the last word. Trying
quickly to recover, she manages the last:

        The paths divide
        The players from the rules
        But we're the ones who chose to play
        The Game.


Deri sighs and listens quietly

Kassima places the pipes down again to add her voice to Kindre's, their
voices not *quite* blending, but instead adding to the off-kilter sound in
their sheer discord.

        "Let's take the time
        To find ourselves again,
        Away from daily stress and pain.
        Though we may find
        We won't come out the same,
        That happens sometimes when we play--
        The Game."

        Holding the last note, the pair eventually let it die, and the rest
is silence.

[Editor's Note:  That song came from the computer game 'The 7th Guest;'
credit and copyright belongs to its producers, distributers, etc. :) ]

Kylee blinks thoughtfully.

Mairin says "That was very nice."

Kindre's flush has faded slightly and she smiles at Kassima. "Wonderfully
playing," and does a half-curtsy before grinning. "A Harper I'm not,
forgive," is offered before she snags another piece of candy from the
basket placed on the table.

Kassima laughs. "Oh, neither am I! Just learned a bit from m'Harper
grandsire... nay much, mind. She picks up a candy, and shakes the wineskin.
"I think we're getting a bit low, Kin."

Deri chuckles and drinks some of the white near by.

Kindre peers at the skin and agrees, "True enough at that...well, 'least we
had it to finish." Grinning, she recalls something, "My brothers -never-
shared whenever they found a good vintage..." Shrugging it off, she snags
another piece of candy. "Not lemonbread, but wonderfully sweet."

R'val smiles at Kindre and nods, "I told you you could sing nicely."

Kindre makes a bit of a face, "Oh, crackdust, I'm awful. But that song it
so mysterious, and fun," she grins, "was worth the public crackling of my
voice."

Kassima laughs and teases, "That may be the one song, Kin, where cracking
your voice *adds* to the music!"

Kindre leans back her head to chuckle her agreement, "Like nails across an
old stone wall, as it were?"

Mairin twists a small piece of ribbon around her fingers as she silently
listens.

Kassima snorts. "You weren't even half that bad, goldrider! I think you're
a good enough singer."

R'val Snorts, "Not /that/ bad, Kindre." HE says, with a half-smile.

Kindre shudders, "Ack, my father said I wold scre the fish away for good if
I tried to sing on the boat! Honest," she chuckles. "G]But thank you, it
was fun, I must admit!"

Deri chuckles and shakes her head, "Kindre it was very nice."

R'val grins, "Sing for yourself, kindre, you'll enjoy it."

Kindre smiles, "Thank you, Deri. It -ws fun, so I suppose I should be glad
enough of that." Quirking a brow, she wonders, "Anyone else know something
cheery after ours?"

Mairin shakes her head shyly, "My ownly talent lies in weaving."

Kassima laughs. "Wouldn't have to be very cheery to be an improvement over
ours... say, Kin, R'val, either of you going to the Festival upon the morrow?"

Jaiya has been following the two weaver apprentices around wordlessly. Like
she's trying not to be noticed or something. She whispers to the weavers,
"You guys been on a boat before?"

"An enviable talent at that," Kindre says and smils over to Mairin. "I do,"
follows as sh looks back to her fellow riders, "I wouldn't miss it despite
the cold."

R'val bobs his head towards Kassima, "I was planning on it..."

R'val grins at Kindre, "THat's the spirit.'

Kassima grins. "Aye, neither will I. Mayhaps I can find a way to make Mart
repay his bets, while I'm there... I've heard rumors of several contests."

Mairin glances at Jaiya and smiles.

Kylee tiptoes out.

Kylee heads out into the cavern.

Mairin smiles, "It was very nice to meet all of you, and your song was
wonderful."

Kassima smiles and nods. "Thankee, and 'twas a pleasure to make your
acquaintance as well. Benden's duties to the Weavercraft."

Kindre rolls her eyes, "Well, he's certainly good at claiming them, to be
true." Crossing her arms on her chest upon hearing the last bit, her eyes
widen, "Contests? Oh, I hope there's truth to that, I'd love to enter
them." Turning back to Mairin, she nods and waves, "Pleasure is ours, too.
Mayhap we'll see you at the Festival. Benden's duty and clear skies to you."

Jaiya nibbles her third... maybe fourth? sweetroll covertly. As if she
expects someone will take it away from her. She nearly doesn't notice the
weavers leaving, so intent is she on watching the folks. Suddenly, they're
gone, and she dashes out after them.

Jaiya heads out into the cavern.

R'val grins at Kindre's remark.

Kassima nods. "Aye, I too! Which reminds me, did Verita get your
strap-clips to you from that geode you won at Ruatha?"

Kindre grins at R'val, "Well, we were lucky enough with the contests at
Ruatha, I think I'd like to try the luck again." Nodding quickly to
Kassima, then, she says, "Yes, mayhap half a sevenday or so ago...they're
just perfect. She turned them into a butterfly and even coated the wings
with touches of silver. Have your gotten yours?"

R'val Grins, "If you need a team member, count me in."

Kassima smiles and flicks a finger towards the earrings currently dangling
from her ears. "She did indeed! And right pleased I am with them, too; she
does fine work. Aye, aye, and aye again; my luck last time has convinced me
that mayhaps 'tis that I'm on a streak. And, maybe there'll be some sort of
tent there with games, and we can redeem our own against Mart, eh? Bet he
can't hit the runner's rump again after that twice in a row business."

Kindre smiles, "Of course, R'val! Oh," is uttered while her head bobs,
"true, I think we've a streak of our own at that. If they do have such a
game, or even one similar, I'll not be betting with him...Jays, if he did
manage to win, I'd hear about it for more turns than I could stand, I
think." Peering closely t he earings dangling from Kassima's lobes, she
whistles, "Beautiful work indeed...they turned out lovely!"

R'val leans in closer to regard kassima's earrings, and wiggles his jaw
thoughtfully, 'Very nice,' he murmurs, after a moment, 'you did these
yourself?"

Kassima grins. "Ach, aye... but if you did bet, and won, think of the fun,
the amusement, the glory, the triumph!" She laughs, then turns to R'val and
shakes her head. "Nay precisely. Y'see, Kin, Asrai, Jali, and I won geodes
for winning the Most Outrageous catagory in the Ruathan
anything-that-floats race for our giant inflated tunnelsnake. Verita, the
miner posted there, made them into various accoutrements for us."

R'val chuckles regretfully, "I see, Kassi. shards, how I wish I could've
been there for that event."

Kassima smiles. "Ach, there'll be others! 'Twas a sight to see, though,
just as was me and Aph winning the three-legged race dressed up in full
Gather gowns of all things... I threatened her with Swill, you see. Kin and
Asrai did a fine job, too." She chuckles. "Maybe we'll all provide similar
comic relief at the Reaches!"

"It was unbelievable fun," Kindre recalls and laughs, "I was all dressed up
and piloting big, inflatable snake! Quite sight I assure you....oh," she
covers her eyes,"Asrai and I managed to tie oursselves backwards for the
three-legged race. But, true enough, I'm sure there'll be equally fun
challenges tomorrow."

R'val grins, "Well, be sure to come get me when you head on the nex one."

Davidon snores quietly in a corner.

Kassima grins. "Sure thing! You'll be there on the morrow, aye? Then you'll
nay doubt be about. Don't know if they'll be single events or team."

Kindre pokes at the near-empty skin, "Hrm, this mayhap this is a sign to
retreat back home. Need to rest up for these events, whatever they may be,"
she chuckles before a yawn grips her. "Jays, you don't mind me slinking off
to home, do you?"

R'val smiles faintly towards Kindre, "IF you must desert us...: He says,
with a casual wink, "see you later."

Kassima hmms? and shakes her head. "Ach, nay... should head in fairly
soonish, m'self. I've certes nay desire to be drinking the Swill when we
run out."

Davidon blinks himself awake and glances around sheepishly to see if anyone
noticed he slipped away.

Deri leans over and kisses Davi's ear as he sleeps.

Davidon chuckles softly at Deri, turning his head to steal his own kiss
from her, "Sorry..." he says sheepishly. "DIdn't mean to drift off like that."

Kindre chuckles, "And he awakes...you looked so peaceful, none of us had
the heart to wake you." Half-dragging herself up, she sighs, "The wine and
song has simply made me sleepy. And I want to be sharp tomorrow...mayhap
scrounge up a blindfold with peekholes," she says and winks.

R'val smiles up at Kindre, "Take care. See you about."

Davidon hms, "Blindfold and peekholes?" he asks, scrubbing one eye with his
knuckle.

Deri chuckles softly, "She was talking about some festival and someone
winning and runner rumps."

Kassima grins and gets up, pocketing a few more candies from the basket.
"I'll be needing all my energy for the morrow, because if I know the
Reaches, this festival will have something to do with snow... and you know
Lyss and snow. Oh, good notion! Can I use that, too?"

Davidon blinks, looking from Deri to Kindre and back, "Oh...I see..."
though he doesn't look too sure of that. "So, I missed all the fun huh?"

Deri shakes her head, "Some festival happening tomorrow."

Kindre grins at Davidon before lughing at Deri's assessment, "Something
like that. Well, friends, I'm off to the comforts of my bed." Bobbing her
head, she concurs, "Snow? Jays, Herath's begun to love the stuff herself.
Of course, assi...I'll sneak it into my layers of clothes I'll likely be
wearing against the chill."

Kassima grins impishly. "Aye, we're all going to win marks from M'rgan by
sticking things on runner's rumps... tails, to be precise. If the tent's
there."

R'val leans back in his seat, tossing a casual wave in kindre's direction
with a grin, "Take care."

Kindre says "I hope the tent is...crckdust, do I." Waving, too, she
wonders, "Coming Kaassi?"

Davidon nods slowly, "I see. Hm...I wonder if I'll be able to finish up my
chores quick enough to attend..." he murmurs and then chuckles "Sounds like
an...interesting game."

Kassima nods. "Aye, I am...." She waves. "I'll see you all come morrow's
time. Maybe win a few marks, too, if'n you're inclined to bet! G'night and
stuff."

Davidon looks around, "ohwait...guess we should get a ride back too huh?"

R'val risees, "Shardit, I'll come too." HE grins towards the others,
"You've reminded me how tired i am.'

Deri smiles, "R'val mind giving us a lift?"

Davidon looks around the room with a sigh, he missed all the eatting and
drinking and dancing.

Kindre chuckles, "We're contagious."

Kassima chuckles. "Interesting... infectuous, indeed!"

Benden Weyr> Kassima says, "Okay, now I'm starting to alliterate and put
assonance in my poses... time for sleep. :)"

R'val grins wryly, 'i will refrain from any comparisons between kassi and a
bad infection." He winks at her.

Benden Weyr> Kindre giggles!

Deri shakes her head with a chuckle, "Let's go home riders."

Kassima snorts cheerfully and returns the wink. "Thankee for refraining, I
think! C'mon, let's try to find our ways back to the courtyard. That'll
take long enough that it may be morn a'fore we see our home again!"

R'val nods to KAssi with an amiable grin and saunters out.

R'val heads out into the cavern.

Having experienced an attitude adjustment, you decide it is time to leave
the tavern.

Kassima waves absently on her way past, whistling some tune or other.

You leave the cavern, entering the hallway into the hold proper.