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Babes In Toyland


Date:  September 6, 2002
Places:  Telgar Weyr's Skyspace; Fort Weyr's Skyspace, Central Bowl, 
and Living Cavern
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Children run rampant in this particular scene, both on-
camera and off:  I'sai goes to Fort to deliver a present to Mylea,
the daughter of his weyrmate M'kon and Weyrwoman Leah.  He kindly
invites Kassi along, who acts rather childlike herself (but he started
it!)--and they proceed not only to chat with several familiar Fort
personages, but also to make the acquaintance of Myk's half-sister
Yvera, and afterwards run into Selandra with her young twins Elahan and
Mydran.  (The second boy was, yes, also sired by M'kon.  It's a long
story.)  

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The Log:

You fly over the rim of the bowl and out over Telgar proper.

<*> Astride Taralyth's neck, I'sai hails with a wave, waiting till
Taralyth's greeting warble has quieted before calling - leaned out for
amplification - "Hoped you wouldn't mind visiting L'nan! Shouldn't take long."

Kassima calls laughingly back, once Lysseth's finished the sweeter-voiced
warble she usually reserves for this particular bronze, "May nay be
visiting! Depends all in all on whether he's about, but we're of a mind
t'travel, so i'truth I'm pleased t'go either way--on your signal, fearless
leader?"

<*> Taralyth's eyes gleam even more brightly - I'sai laughs, and gives her
the signal by way of sticking out his tongue at her, and his dragon
downsweeps for *between*.

<*> Taralyth disappears into Between.

<*> Lysseth disappears into Between.

Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear
nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!

You suddenly emerge...

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

<*> Lysseth follows a heartbeat after that disappearance--a heartbeat after
that *tongue*--with no loss of aplomb; she trumpets to the now-familiar
watchdragon: hello, hello, hello! And only with that politeness done with
does she angle her flight-path to allow Kassi to answer I'sai's earlier
gesture with a rude one of her own, far too much amusement in it for it to
be seriously meant.

<*> Taralyth fleets out of nothingness, warbling to those on watch before
adopting a shallow spiral downward - one that loops around Lysseth's
flight-path, if she lets him, while at a critical moment I'sai ups the
stakes by thumbing his nose.

Dragon> Lysseth and Aisheth sense that Taralyth, arriving, trumpets
wordless, glittering greeting - hello, hello, they're here!

<*> Taralyth spirals down lower into the bowl.

You spiral down lower into the bowl.

<*> Taralyth angles out and over, finally choosing to land near the
caverns' entrance.

<*> Taralyth spirals down towards the Center of the bowl, and backwings to
a landing.

<*> Lysseth seems not amiss to this, shifting her spiral into one more at
harmony with his: an aerial dance of sorts, lending particular grace and
care to what might, normally, be routine. Of course, Kassi placing both
thumbs at her ears and wiggling the fingers at Is in classic 'nyah-nyah'
fashion might detract from the grace a bit.

You spiral down to the ground, and backwing to a landing.

<*> Astride Taralyth's neck, I'sai calls over, "I saw that!" even as he
straps out, slides down.

<*> I'sai slides down from Taralyth's neck.

You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles,
cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully.

Kassima waits until her feet have hit the ground before deigning to reply:
"'Twere meant to! But nay reply gesture? Does that mean I *win*?" Lysseth,
for once, isn't concerned with competition, instead radiating contentment
with a side of smug for a dance well-completed.

Dragon> Aisheth bespoke Lysseth and Taralyth with << I have seen your
arrival. It is good to see you here. You are welcome and I have informed my
rider. He awaits your lifemates within the Weyr. >>

Fort LC> P'ter gets a distant look on his face, then smiles. "We have
visitors."

I'sai has to stop a moment, but then comes up with, "I was only -waiting-
so that you could -see- it," and crosses his eyes. It takes Taralyth's
snort to remind him to grab the hide bag from the latter's straps,
whereupon the young dragon sprawls out in the sunshine with tail a-flick.

I'sai teases, "But you can win anyway."

Fort LC> Jenna laughs. "Well, that gets my packtail taken care of. But then
what am I to eat for lunch?"

Dragon> Lysseth and Aisheth sense that Taralyth sends swift acknowledgement
and, belatedly, << He returns his thanks. >>

Fort LC> "Well, I can find you some fruit," Yvera says with an impish smile
to Jenna before looking toward P'ter. "Visitors?"

Lysseth> Aisheth and Taralyth sense that Lysseth responds in light and
chiming tones, each word a flicker of blue-green within crystal: << We are
surely thankful for the hospitality, Aisheth. And mine reminds me, >>
stickler that she can be, << to offer our duties to Fort and her queens. As
if she won't do that *herself*. Honestly. >>

Fort LC> P'ter gives Jenna a wide smile, "I could always take you out
somewhere you know. If you wanted. I'm sure we could find something,
somewhere."

Fort LC> P'ter says "Yes Yvera, visitors. Aisheth tells me. Kassima and
I'sai I do believe."

Fort LC> Yvera glances between Jenna and P'ter and blatantly asks, "Are you
trying to get her to go off with you alone? Because if you want, I won't go
up to the weyr for my nap and then you can be alone." She thinks for a
moment, shrugging as she doesn't recognize the names. She tries not to look
disappointed that it isn't people from Igen who miss her.

Fort LC> Jenna's eyes flicker faintly. "Going out sounds like -" then she
blinks. "Yvera! I just don't want packtail for lunch."

Kassima parries crossed eyes with a flourishing, one-handed gesture, which
turns into a salute of sorts--if not one her Weyrlingmaster ever would have
approved of. "I *do* appreciate the courtesy," she informs him, "and the
win--which a'course you don't need t'*give* me; I can be winning on m'own,
or would you argue that?" She *tries* to sound put out; it just doesn't
work. At all. Particularly not with her green stretching out behind her,
not quite sprawling, but uncurling enough to let the sun warm as much of
her hide as dignity might allow.

Fort LC> P'ter stares at Yvera, and then laughs. "Oh my no, I'm not trying
to be alone. I'm trying to get Jenna a nice lunch."

I'sai inquires on a laugh, "Would you believe me if I said no, I couldn't
argue just about anything?" and tosses her a light kiss as payback before
wandering on inside, sack swaying at his side.

I'sai heads into the Living caverns.

You head into the Living Caverns.

I'sai wanders inside, swinging a hide sack by one hand; it's moderately
bulky but, by the way he's treating it, not especially breakable. Once his
companion's made it in likewise, he greets, "'Lo, Fort. Telgar's duties."

Yvera looks the picture of innocence. She was just trying to help! She
wants her foster mum and her new Weyrleader to like her. "Oh. You're the
type who only likes to be alone when the dragons play tag then. HEY! I can
go find you some sweetsticks. If you put enough of them on it, you can eat
anything. Even wherry meat when it's cooked too much. They call it
'blackened' or something, but that's jsut a nice way to say they forgot to
turn it when they cooked it.

"I would nay," Kassi informs I'sai pertly, following just a step behind him
and looking entirely pleased. "In my experience, you can argue just about
*everything*. More a case of 'would' than 'could.' Duties t'Fort and her
queens," she echoes then, a touch more formally and accompanied by an
amiable nod towards the room at large.

Jenna clears her throat. "I appreciate that, Yvera. And Fort's duties to
Telgar and her queens. You're just in time for lunch. Packtail," she
informs the entering riders.

Yvera peers at the incoming riders and cranes her neck to look around them.
"Where is she?" she asks the pair, eyes darting this way and that.
Remembering she's supposed to be on her best manners, she tells them,
"Ig--er, Fort Weyr's duties and things, hi I'm Yv and I live here now."

P'ter grins at Jenna, "Don't call visiting riders Packtail Jenna. Its
Kassima and I'sai." Then to those indicated he smiles, "Fort's duties to
Telgar, and more especially, to you both. Have you come for lunch?"

I'sai dutifully repeats, if on a sigh, "...And her queens. - And good. I
feel greatly vindicated." To the Fortians, carefully not looking at the
Telgar wingleader now, "Packtail. Thank you but, ah, I think I'm fine just
now. Kassi might like some, though?" and smiles very brightly indeed.

Kassima darts a look behind herself. "Who's she?" she asks Yvera, her
expression, yes, mildly confused. "I didn't know 'twere supposed t'be
bringing someone else. But 'tis a pleasure t'meet you, Yv. I'm Kassima, or
Kassi, whichever you prefer; just visiting, though. Nay for lunch," she
turns to answer P'ter with a quick-flashed grin. "Accompanying Is on
errand, more like. And I've always seen m'self as more a sparkler than a
packtail--or is that you, Is? I could be a yellowfin instead... but in any
event, thankee, but I ate back at Telgar. Stuffed mushrooms."

Jenna rolls her eyes goodnaturedly at P'ter. "Vindicated?" This question
goes to I'sai. "Dare I ask? - And are you sure you won't have some juice or
something?" This to both riders, eyebrows arched questioningly, missing
Yvera's question.

Galenn casts curious eyes upon the Telgar visitors, but his attention is at
least partially commanded by the tray of cookies on one of those tables at
the far end of the cavern. He remains quiet and, because of his small size,
quite likely invisible among the others arriving to seat themselves for lunch.

Yvera says to Kassima. "Kindy." Yes, Kin. D. Kindy. "I named my firelizard
after her. Sort of. Ekins. E, then kin, then ssss. He hatched a little bit
after Dargoosgoose, and I named him and he's hers." She smiles beamingly.
"And my brother is too busy to come see me, so I don't ask about him
anymore because I never got to be a Weyrleader so I don't know how busy one
is and he's very busy and your Weyrsecond isn't a dimglow." She then pauses
a second and asks, "What errand? Because I can help! I know where the store
rooms are now! One of the kids locked me in one earlier and made me promise
not to tell so he can't get in trouble."

N'lan comes in from the bowl.

N'lan slips in from the bowl, calling out cheerily, "Igen's duties!"

P'ter lifts a hand to wave to N'lan, "And Fort's to you sir. Good to see
you. Have you come for lunch? Its packtail."

"Yellowtail," I'sai decides after a momentary wistful look at the mention
of those mushrooms. "And I'm afraid it'd be a long story, Jenna - you're
Jenna? not Milque, so I figured, and juice would be fine, and - " after
hastily getting out of the doorway so N'lan can more readily get through,
"...which Weyrsecond. We've two, you know."

P'ter just stares at Yvera.

Jenna starts, "N'lan! Fort's - wait!" She swivels to her foster. "/Who/
locked you in stores earlier?" She nods distracted to I'sai, "I'm Jenna,
yes." She gets up automatically, for juice, though lingers to hear Yvera's
answer.

"I'd nay mind juice, if'n 'twouldn't be an abuse of hospitality," Kassi
admits, tugging her riding gloves from her hands. "Yelling taunts at
insolent bronzeriders across the sky is thirsty work." Blinking at Yvera,
she tilts her head to one side. "Kindre?" she tries. "Was she here
visiting, then? I'm afraid she's nay with us today. I can pass on greetings
t'her, though, if'n you want. And you're quite right, our Weyrsecond glows
quite brightly." She doesn't clarify precisely which. "--Is, you're the one
with the errand; tell Yv what 'tis you're doing? Oh," she turns to greet,
"duties t'Igen and her queens, too."

N'lan smiles. "Delivering messages, sir, and visiting, but I wouldn't turn
down packtail, either...Jenna!"

P'ter nods to N'lan, "Whose the message for? Anything you need me to pass
on?" Then he bows to Kassima, "Nothing you ask would be an abuse of
hospitality ma'am." And as Jenna is listening to Yvera and might be busy,
he too heads juicewards. "Yell out if you want juice. Save on the trips."

Yvera, belatedly, closes her mouth and shuts up. She glances at P'ter, then
Jenna, then to the visitors. Nope, mouth is shut and remaining that way.
Well, it was going to remain that way until Kassi asks her question. "No,
she was at Igen. I'm from Igen Weyr but I live here now. At Fort. With my
foster mum." She smiles beamingly, though she glances toward the other
Telgar rider as if silently asking to help. And she's silently hoping Jenna
doesn't ask her again.

Selandra comes up the steps from the Inner Caverns.

Selandra follows a lanky young lad into the living caverns and pauses to
smile and wave. "Kassima?" Another young lad hairs along behind her, as
both boys head straight for the food.

N'lan smiles at Kassima. "And Igen's to Telgar - heard your clutching went
well. The message, sir, is for you, actually..." He turns to the
Weyrleader, only to watch him walk away towards the juice.

I'sai tilts Jenna a brief nod at her reply, caught up in his own hurried
"duties-to-Igen-and-her-queens" quite as if he'd forget such things if he
hadn't Kassi showing him the way; he obligingly wanders over to the young
girl, then, and explains, "M'weyrmate had drills, see, and convinced me to
drop off a few things."

Jenna has apparently forgotten all about juice. And visitors. And just
about everything else, at least for the moment. She asks again, "Who locked
you in stores, Yvera?"

P'ter ahs, looking back over his shoulder to N'lan, "You in a rush? I'll
get you some juice and then you can give me the message? Is it urgent at
all?" Then, "Do you want juice by the way?"

Kassima twitches. Visibly. "If'n you're going t'ma'am me, Weyrleader, which
isn't appropriate anyway, then I promise 'twill sir you within an inch of
your life. But I do appreciate it." Her eyes flick over a nearby table;
seeing an open chair, she helps herself to it, the better to relax while
following all these conversations. "Ah, now, that makes sense, Yv. None of
m'children are fostered like that, but I've one who's living at a different
weyr now too. Oh, thankee," she responds to the Igen rider, "and it went
well enough. Nay queen, thankfully. Hopefully I'll make a nice profit when
they Hatch. G'deve, there, Sela!"

Yvera looks down at the floor and murmurs the name of a troublemaker bully
type, but she glances up at Kassima and gives her a smile."

Galenn weaves through a few tables and seats himself near Jenna and Yvera.
His head swivels back and forth. As the look of concentration on his face
suggests, he's trying to follow all the conversations at once, and not
really succeeding.

Selandra's two boys - for it is these youngsters that are hairing about the
cavern - pause to look at the fosterling, and both end up standing there
for a moment jostling each other with elbows and shoulders, as their play
turns rougher.

N'lan says "It's not hurry, sir...and, ahh, I wouldn't mind at all."

P'ter pours out a number of glasses of juice, placing them on a tray,
glancing over to Jenna to see if she is ready to handle the juice
situation. Seems she is intent on Yvera, so he starts to do the rounds,
going first to Kassima, handing her a glass. "Here you Kassima ...", he
walks away and when two paces off and his back turned, he adds, ".. ma'am."
Sotto Voice. - He arrives at N'lan's side. "So, what's this message then?
And here, have a juice."

Selandra smiles back at Kassi warmly. "Evening, Fort's duties." as she
casts a glance at her youngests and sighs goodnaturedly.

N'lan pulls a hide from his pouch with one hand, taking the juice glass
with the other. "Thank you, sir - and, here. I don't know what's in it but
I was told it's just routine stuff."

I'sai nods amiably to the mop-haired boy as he nears; "Anyway, I don't
suppose Leah is about? Probably easiest to give it to her for Mylea and -
oh! _Selandra_. Just in time; did Nioth bespeak Abrieth or something, say
we were coming?"

Kassima, after flashing a smile back to Yvera, accepts the glass with a
murmur of thanks, and it's half-raised to her lips when that final word
floats back. Without any regard for maturity, she blows a raspberry after
the Weyrleader's back. "See how you've corrupted me, Is?" she asks in an
aside, lifting her glass a fraction in toast to him; then, "Duties t'Fort
and her queens and all that over again. Are those lads yours, Sela?"

Jenna frowns thoughtfully at Yvera, and then says "Do you know anything
about this, Galenn?" Then, as juice gets around, she gives P'ter a greatful
look. "Um, I think she's in the records room? You can find just about all
of us in there at some point during the day. I can send someone to find her
though, I'sai?"

P'ter takes the message, opening the seal with a thumb. "Lets take a look."
He goes through the contents, grunting occasionally. The grunts vary in
tone, probably linked to the content. "Ah well, okay. I'll get onto this
tommorow. Should have the reply through to Igen by the end of the seven day."

"NO!" Yvera nearly shouts to Jenna, shaking her head. "No, Galenn wasn't
there, why would he know anything about it?" Great. She's gonna look like a
traitor to her potential friends. And Rosmyn still isn't talking to her for
leaving Igen. As if she had a choice. "I can go look if you want," she
offers Kassima, probably not even heard over the general hubbub of the
area. She says it quietly, almost as if she's trying to look polite even as
she slinks into the shadows.

Galenn's attention is again divided. He's pleased to be acknowledged,
smiling a bit at I'sai. Then he peers at P'ter's tray to see if there's any
juice left over for him. But upon hearing his name, he jumps as if
startled. "Huh? Um..about what?" he asks Jenna.

Selandra nods a"She's just told me now. Honestly I think that green has
more fun keeping me off my guard than not these days." she says in response
to I'sai, and nods again at Kassi. "Yes, they just said they were
'starving'" she notes in perfect mimicry of the youth. "I do hope we're not
interrupting anything?" she asks, expanding her question to the weyrleaders
as well.

N'lan nods. "I'll let them know back at Igen, sir."

I'sai visibly winces at the near-shout, murmuring something about
corruption and M'rgan and... he rubs his ears a couple of times before
replying, "Glad she finally got around to it, Sela. He's got, let's see,
it's a jointed something-or-other," and starts rummaging in the sack.

Kassima sets her juice down for the moment, dividing a thoughtful look
between Yvera and I'sai. "That's terribly kind of you t'be offering, Yv; I
guess it depends whether Is wants someone t'go find Leah--what say you,
Is?" Her eyes wander towards Sela's two boys, curiosity lightening their
green. "Which one's--do I have the names right? Elahan and Mydran? Which
one's Myk's lad?"

Jenna waves her hand at Galenn, "Nevermind. Not important." And then Niyath
apparently starts in on things, because her eyes go a bit distant,
conversation flowing on without her.

Selandra gives a glance across at the boy's who've now resolved their
tussle and are munching on some of the sweeter foods. She gives an
affectionate sigh, as she catches Kassi's question. "Hmm, oh Myrdran is
M'k's boy." she notes thoughtfully.

P'ter winces at Yvera's shout. How is it that kids of that age manage to
use ultrasonics when they yell like 'that'. He rubs at his ear on that side
and grimaces at N'lan. "Thanks." He smiles, "You want to eat while your
here? We're about to have lunch. I think."

N'lan smiles. "Might as well - I'm about due for dinner, at home. One
meal's as good as the next..."

P'ter snorts, "Are you kidding? This is Fort. We have good food here." He
grins.

Galenn shrugs at Jenna, glad to be let off the hook. His attention returns
to the flow of conversation, and then back to P'ter's drink tray, and then
back to the conversation. And then he volunteers, out of nowhere, "Packtail."

"I'll go find Leah," Yvera offers with a blinding smile to the Telgar
riders, then P'ter, then Jenna and then everyone else. See? She's on her
Absolute Bestest Behavior.

I'sai keeps rummaging, muttering about down in here _somewhere_ - then
finally gives in and pulls out a finely worked wooden slate with a hinged
cover, asking, "Who'd be able to give this to Mylea? Or Leah, if it'd be
just as easy. After that, I can get Mydran his."

P'ter blinks at Galenn at his utterance of the fish. "Hey, you want juice?"

"I'm knowing that much," Kassi tells Sela with a quick grin. "I meant,
which one of 'em is Mydran? I don't think I've ever seen the lads, which is
a little odd since I know you both... oh, here, Is, give it to Yv? She
wants t'find Leah for you, sounds like. 'Tis quite good of her."

Selandra chuckles. "Oh, the darker of the pair. Elahan has much of his
dad's colouring." she jokes, in somuch as both his dam and sire are redheads.

Galenn wasn't eyeing the drink tray at all. "Juice?" he asks, as if the
idea hadn't occurred to him before. "Sure! Um, I mean--yes, sir."

N'lan grins back. "Better than Igen, even, sir?"

P'ter laughs, "Sure works too you know." He holds out a glass, "Here."

Yvera snags the slate from I'sai and scampers off to find Leah. "Oh, and
thank you for coming, enjoy your visit and don't sit on the wobbly chair!"
she calls to the visiting riders on her way out.

P'ter nods to N'lan, "Yes indeed. Better than Igen. At least where pies are
concerned. - Now, that is of course my personal findings. Others may
disagree with me. But I do find the Fort pie to be really the best pie I've
come across yet."

Yvera walks down the eastern stairs to the Inner Caverns.

Mydran hears something about gifts, with only the incredible hearing a
child can possess, and he clusters around. "What have you got there?" he
asks rudely, before his mother gives him a gentle reprimand. "Sorry Sir.
Leah's this way too." he saysadoring the tall bronzerider.

I'sai waves futilely after the girl, saying to nobody in particular, "She
is, um, trustworthy? Isn't she? ...I hope? - Oh! Be pleased to show you,
lad, but maybe not in this crowd; if you'll excuse us, everyone? Kassi, I
don't know if you got to see this yet - "

N'lan says "Hmm. I'll have to try some, then..."

Selandra chuckles. "I'm told she's M'kon'ssister or something to that
effect." she notes at I'sai. And watches as her son gets an excited look
and tugs at I'sai's hand, leading the bronzerider off with a volley of
excited chattering.

"Probably as trustworthy as any lassling," Kassi reassures I'sai--so to
speak--at her most sunny. "Nay, Is, I don't think I did; you'd nay mind
m'seeing...? Duties again t'Fort and everyone," she offers the room in
general, rising to follow after the departing pair.

Galenn grins happily as he takes the juice. He sips quietly and slowly,
which is rather odd for a boy his age, and continues to listen to pieces of
several conversations. As if any of this is his business.

Reminded, I'sai breathes a last, "Duties!" as Myd drags him off.

I'sai walks down the eastern stairs to the Inner Caverns.

You walk down the stairs, into the Inner Caverns.