The World of Pern(tm) is copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) 1967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. This is a log of roleplay on PernMUSH, available online by permission of Anne McCaffrey, author of the Pern novels, and recorded by A.S. Korra'ti (piper@murkworks.net), player of Mehlani of Telgar Weyr on PernMUSH. This log may be distributed freely as long as this header remains intact. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Log Date: July 4, 1995 Log Cast (People): F'hlan, Melora, Fahloran, Mehlani, Jehrina, P'tran, W'liam, Salless (NPC), Anwyn, Caitlyn, M'kla, Lance, Dwane, Drek, Alisanda, Rafael, J'rus, Jaen, Halia, R'val, Elyandra, Tarugana Log Cast (Dragons): Tzornth, Tidranth, Zibrith, Leilanth, Brandalth, Rodrith, Notreth, Laerth, Sleath, Vidarth, Tagenth, Pavanth Log Intro: It has been perhaps a Turn and a half, perhaps two Turns, since F'hlan, bronze Tzornth's rider, was sent from his home Weyr of Benden to the Southern Continent. With two old injuries - a bad blow to his skull and a more recent, nasty knife wound to his left leg - catching up with him, F'hlan had begun to falter in Threadfall. By the advice of the Benden healers, F'hlan grudgingly allowed himself to be placed on medical leave, and left his fighting Wing, Thunderbolt, in the hands of P'tran, bronze Laerth's rider - now Weyrleader of Benden. On the Southern continent, F'hlan, his weyrmate Melora, and their two children Fahloran and Mehlani go to stay with Melora's family. F'hlan shelters near the Hold instead of directly in it, giving his bronze dragon room enough to hunt and fly while not crowding the residents. In the meantime, his weyrmate becomes pregnant with their third child... but even this does not prevent her from taking on a long-term assignment with the Harper Hall. Melora does not tell F'hlan and the children much about what she is doing, and they see very little of her until she comes home to give birth to tiny Anra, her and F'hlan's second daughter. Six months after Anra's birth, Melora finally returns from her assignment. But to her dismay, she receives troubling news that F'hlan has fallen into a deep depression; neither his dragon nor the children can lift him out of it. And if Tzornth knows what has caused this depression, he doesn't communicate it, leaving the worried Fahloran and Mehlani to bring Melora to their father.... ---------- It's a sunny enough day near Melora's family's hold... the sunlight glimmers on the hide of bronze Tzornth, and F'hlan's dark auburn hair. The rider leans against his dragon, staring morosely skyward, some short distance away from where his mate and his children linger quietly. Tzornth's nearer eye shifts from his rider to the observing humans, and he utters a low rumble. Melora, having finally finished her report, comes out and finds her family. She kneels down as Fahloran rushed towards her, "Mommy!". Melora hugs her son, and listens as he whispers something in her ear. She looks up at F'hlan when Fahloran finishes, and studies his face carefully. Mehlani, a child of few words, doesn't yell, but she rushes towards Melora with equal speed, and wraps her small arms around her mother's leg. Melora wraps an arm about Mehlani, hugging her close, and the two childern have an earnest conference. Melora listens, but her eyes are still on F'hlan's face. What has happened to F'hlan in these last few months? He looks... wrong. Hi face is too pale for the Southern sun, his eyes lifeless, lightless, even in proximity to the bronze dragon who keeps a keen watch on the humans in his sight. Mehlani, while her brother babbles urgently to their mother, says only, in a tiny piping whisper, "Daddy's sad." Melora rises, and taking the children by the hand, walks over towards F'hlan. She looks into his eyes. "The children tell me you haven't been taking care of yourself. I see I've been away too long." She tries to keep her voice light, but the look in his eyes worries her. F'hlan looks up as Melora and the children draw near; the motion doesn't have much enthusiasm in it. He smiles faintly, but that, too, seems strangely muted. In a voice that sounds almost rusty from disuse, he says quietly, "They're... good children." Tzornth rumbles, eyes whirling yellow over his rider's head. Mehlani disengages from her mother and wordlessly wraps around her father's knee; F'hlan's smile wavers as he reaches down to pat the child's head. Melora looks over at Tzornth, searching for some clue. She looks back at F'hlan. "It seems Tzornth agrees with the children..." She lets go of their hands to hug F'hlan. F'hlan straightens, stiffly, and embraces his mate. Melora pulls back, looking at him again. "I'm worried, love. What's wrong?" F'hlan blinks. And for a brief instant looks shamed and embarrassed. Cornered by Melora's expectant gaze, the plaintive eyes of the children, and the stern regard of his dragon, he cannot stammer a disclaimer. In fact, his mouth works for a moment without sound before he drops his gaze. F'hlan whispers, "I.... I'm sorry, Mela, I am not giving you the welcome you deserve... " Melora waits for the usual, "I'm fine," but it doesn't come. Her worry increases. But he doesn't seem to have anything physically wrong with him.... "Oh, F'hlan!" She cries, and hugs him again. F'hlan is taken aback before he awkwardly returns the hug. Melora wonders, perhaps if he's homesick. "I'm done here, and I should make my report to Jalassa in person. Wouldn't you like to go back to Benden?" The two children hug their parents as best they can. Fahloran for once is as quiet as his sister, both boy and girl quietly hoping their mother can lighten their father's spirits. Sudden anguish flashes across F'hlan's face. "No!" he blurts out, jerking his gaze sideways. Melora is startled at his vehemence. Confused, she stammers, "But why not?" and then, more steadily, "The change would probably do you good. Southern air doesn't seem to have the healing effect it once did..." She looks over towards Tzornth for support. The dragon beside the humans shifts; Tzornth's head swings around so that he can regard his rider balefully. F'hlan turns away from both mate and dragon, head bowed. He mutters, "I... I can't, Mela... I... just can't... " Mehlani's little face crumples. She makes no sound, but it's clear her father's distress upsets her. Melora can't hide her confusion. "But why not, love? They must miss you there." She again looks to Tzornth to confirm this statement, and help persuade you. F'hlan doesn't answer. His stance stiffens. Tzornth's eyes whirl orange, irritably. F'hlan then growls only, "Shut up, Tzornth." Tzornth snorts loudly, the aggravated hue of his eyes deepening. Melora looks at F'hlan, "I really don't understand, love." She looks at Tzornth, "Will he listen to *you*? Do *you* know what's wrong?" Fahloran says in a tiny but determined voice, "Daddy keeps looking at the Red Star, Mama!" F'hlan starts to whirl on his son, but catches himself just before saying anything. His face has tightened in a look of apparent grief. Then, he turns away again, blushing. Melora looks thoughtfully at Fahloran, "Does he now?" and then at F'hlan... Her eyes are filled with concern, and compassion. Mehlani nods mutely in support of her brother. Melora says "Your leg.... is it still hard for you to ride?" Fahloran says stubbornly, frightened of his father's wrath but determined to help somehow, "'Specially when the Weyrs are flying Fall. Granpa made him come inside!" F'hlan doesn't answer Melora, but his left hand clenches at his leg reflexively. Melora kneels down to talk to the one person who seems willing to clue her in, then. "What does Daddy say during fall, dear, do you know?" Fahloran, looking rather remarkably like his father in one of F'hlan's more stubborn moods, pipes, "He doesn't say anything, Mama. He just looks sad." Melora sighs, "I see." She looks at F'hlan, then at Tzornth, then back at F'hlan. "I still think you should go back to visit Benden, love. You're obviously fretting about here, with nothing to do." One of F'hlan's fire lizards - green Aeyri - pops out of *between*, takes one look at her human, and vanishes again with a plaintive chirp. F'hlan says tonelessly, "There would be nothing for me to do at Benden." Melora mms. "Can you ride?" She asks this point blank, and from her expression, it is clear that she won't settle for silence as an answer. Fahloran hurries to his father's side and says hopefully, "You could fight Thread, Daddy!" Dragon> Tidranth bespoke Tzornth with << Leilanth says that you are my Grandsire. Whyfor are you concerned about your Rider? >> F'hlan's eyes clench shut. Melora asks again, "Can you ride? At all?" Tzornth> Tidranth senses that Tzornth's mind is hard to reach for a weyrling dragon, so far away, but it is there. And evidently irritated. But the older dragon turns his attention to you, and says brusquely, << My rider is being an idiot. >> F'hlan says hoarsely, eyes still closed, "Not... enough to matter." Fahloran does his best to scowl fiercely, but it comes out looking more like a pout. His huge eyes turn liquid as he tries to decide whether to yell at his Daddy or remind him that of COURSE he can ride, he's a bronze rider and a Wingleader and a Weyrleader and everything! Tzornth snorts again, gaze going slightly distant in a 'Wake me when my rider regains his senses' manner. Melora's eyes are bright as she sees F'hlan's obvious distress. "At all is enough to matter, love..." she murmurs softly, as she takes his hand. "Come back north with me. Please?" F'hlan whispers roughly, "I can't... " Melora sighs deeply, and turns to Tzornth. "I'm sorry Tzornth, I can't convince him alone... Can you get Merla or Jehrina down here? Maybe they can convince him he isn't useless..." Fahloran stares up at his father, face flooding with disappointment. F'hlan opens his eyes, glances at his children... and at Melora's last word his face twists. Wordlessly, he whirls, and stalks off to head for the nearest trail into the trees. Melora whispers to Fahloran, "Follow Daddy, will you, sweatheart? I'll be there as soon as I can." As her father stalks away, Mehlani's face crumples further, her eyes filling with tears. Fahloran continues to scowl, not wanting to cry - he's BIG, after all, not like Mehlani - but his look is dejected as he glances after F'hlan. Fahloran says plaintively, "Daddy can so ride, can't he, Mama?" Melora says to Fahloran, "Yes, he can, dear. He just needs to remember it." Tzornth, that spark of orange still swirling in his gaze, shifts again. And this time, his head is pointed decidedly north. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth reaches out from afar, trying to touch the minds of the Benden dragons. Dragon> Zibrith bespoke Benden dragons with << I can hear you Tzornth. >> Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << Tzornth, how is the southern continent? >> Dragon> Tidranth bespoke Benden dragons with << Hello, Tzornth. Whyfor is your Rider an idiot? >> Fahloran straightens, and nods firmly to his mother. "I'll find him, Mama!" He turns and dashes off... and after a moment, so does Mehlani, still crying, but she makes no sound as she follows her brother. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Leilanth rumbles at Tidranth. << Behave, young one. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth rumbles disgruntedly, << He thinks he cannot ride. I cannot tell him otherwise. cannot tell him otherwise, either. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tidranth rumbles curiously at Leilanth. << Tzornth told me that his Rider was an idiot. I do not understand. >> Melora waits by Tzornth, but her eyes follow her family, and she bites her lip as the children vanish after their father. Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << Of course he can ride. He rode to Southern. >> Dragon> Tidranth bespoke Benden dragons with << My Rider also says he may not Ride. Is he thus an Idiot as well? >> Dragon> Brandalth bespoke Benden dragons with << Hi Tzornth. >> Dragon> Tzornth bespoke Benden dragons with << I haven't _met_ your rider, Tidranth. Can't say that I know. He thinks he cannot ride _now_, Leilanth. He will not even get on my back. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Leilanth rumbles aggravatedly. << Of course he can ride. All he has to do is get in the straps. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth's contact softens slightly at Brandalth's greeting, which he acknowledges, then he tells Leilanth, << Do you want to tell him that? He is not listening to me. He is being an idiot. >> Melora paces back and forth, glancing between the woods, the sky, and Tzornth... Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << Of course. My rider thinks much of him. She will tell him. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth's thoughts turn relieved. << Good. wants to come home. I want to come home. I am bored. >> Tzornth's eyes abruptly take on a satisfied tinge of blue. Jehrina has arrived. Melora looks up, and sees Leilanth in the sky. She looks relieved. Jehrina and Leilanth arrive out of *between* and fly down for a landing. Tzornth rears up from where he has settled himself, and bugles a greeting! Melora runs over to where the gold has landed. "Jehrina! Maybe *you* can talk some sense into him, he won't talk to me..." Jehrina quickly slides out of her straps. "Melora!" She grins at Leilanth bugles to Tzornth. "Hello to you too." Tzornth seems hale and well-fed, his color strong, and he greets Leilanth with the enthusiasm of a dragon who hasn't seen another one, seemingly, in a long time. Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << Then you should come home. And drag him with you. Perhaps while he is sleeping. >> In the trees surrounding this wide clearing in the mountains around the hold, there come the sound of running footsteps, from small feet. And moments later, Fahloran bursts out of the trees, closely followed by Mehlani. The boy yells enthusiastically, "Jehrina! Jehrina!" Jehrina raises an eyebrow, "All Leilanth's saying is that Tzornth says F'hlan is being an idiot."She yipes!, and snatches up Fahloran in a hug. "Well hello. I'm happy to see you too." The sturdy small boy squeals delightedly as he hugs Jehrina; the little redheaded girl just hugs the gold rider, a lot more quietly than her brother. Tzornth rumblesnorts eloquently, his eyes whirling his opinion on the status of his rider. Melora looks as if she'd agree with that assessment, though she only says, "He won't come back north... He's miserable here with nothing to do, and he's now convinced he can't do *anything*... Mehlani informs Jehrina gravely, simply, "Daddy's sad." Jehrina leans down, and hugs Mehlani as well, "Why don't you two go play with Leilanth while I talk to your mom?" She nods to Melora, and then to Mehlani, "I know. I'm going to try to fix that." Fahloran pouts, glancing off into the woods. "Daddy doesn't think he can ride! Are you gonna ask him to come back to Benden, Jehrina?" Jehrina says "If he wants to, Fahloran. We miss him." Mehlani's blue eyes go very, VERY wide at the sight of the gold. Fahloran, as Jehrina puts him down, grins at his sister, takes her small hand, and tugs her over. "C'mon, 'Lani, she's even bigger'n'Tzornth!" The two children scurry over to the dragons. Melora asks Fahloran, before he is completely absorbed by the new arrival, "Which direction did Daddy go?" Jehrina just shakes her head, quietly murmuring, "And I thought Jehran ran me ragged." Fahloran points off into the trees in the appropriate direction. Jehrina grins at the children, and then says, "Now.. what's he being stubborn about this time?" Tzornth croons to Leilanth, as the children come scurrying over, and he turns an indulgent gaze down to them. Jehrina A young woman of about 23 turns. She is of middle height, approximately five and a half feet tall. She has short, dark hair, and green eyes that sparkle mischeviously. Her eyes wander a lot, watching everything, or trying to, it seems. Jehrina is wearing a light brown skirt that trails all the way to the floor, barely allowing the tips of a pair of dark, almost mud brown boots to show at the hem. Her tunic is off white, and long sleeved, tied at the wrists. Over this is a vest dyed in harper blue, unbuttoned. She wears a blue hilted knife at her waist, and a ring on her right hand. On her right shoulder is a knot, marking her as the Sr. Weyrwoman at Benden Weyr. On her right hand she wears a ring that you could see the details of if you looked closely enough. Leilanth warbles softly, settling down. Melora walks slowly over with Jehrina in the direction Fahloran pointed... "I've just finished up something for the Hall, so I haven't been around much... But he's miserable, Jehrina, and restless. I think he wants to fight thread again, but his leg...." Jehrina nods slowly, "Has it gotten any better since he's been down here?" A small *pop* heralds the arrival of a fire lizard out of *between*. Bronze Sioll trills at Jehrina, and back by the dragons, several other fire lizards start arriving, drawn by the visiting dragon. Jehrina looks up, and smiles. "Sioll. I remember you." Melora says earnestly, "He won't say if it has or hasn't, you know how he is about that... But he *can* ride, I know, so it isn't hopeless... but I think he thinks it is..." Melora is clearly extremely concerned about his state of mind. The path leads through trees towards the sound of trickling water... a stream that eventually leads down into the Hold. Sioll flits in circles around the two women before darting off through the trees. Jehrina nods, slowly, "So he's being typical F'hlan. Stubborn as anything. HAs he seen the healers about that leg since he's been down here?" Melora says in a low voice, "I can't get him to talk about it... I though maybe you... as a rider... could maybe get something out of him... I don't know if he's seen healers, he hasn't said much to me since I got back..." Jehrina snorts. "Not being able to ride at all. That's ridiculous. Only pregnant women, and people who are severely injured can't ride." Melora nods, "I think it's been the inactivity, Jehrina. I think he feels he's useless..." Jehrina hmms softly, "Fit enough to be a normal person. But not enough to be what he should be. A fighter. Think that's it?" Melora recalls how he looked when she said that she'd get someone to convince him he wasn't useless... "I think so... But I'm not sure. He won't talk to me..." Melora looks up at Jehrina, "I was away too long, I should have known he was getting like this." The space between the trees widens out ahead, and the sound of running water can be heard more loudly. Sioll's bronze hide glints in the sunlight - the little creature has perched on an unmistakable shoulder. F'hlan has settled awkwardly on a rock at the side of the distant stream. Jehrina smiles softly, and nods, "I know how that feels. We've had a few problems at Benden. P'tran's feeling a bit ... inadequate to the job. Must be my week to convince bronzeriders they're worth something." Melora manages a small smile. "Well, I hope you succeed with this one..." Jehrina looks across the clearing. "Leilanth didn't choose me for nothing. She likes F'hlan too. She won't shut up until he listens." Ahead, and still not quite within earshot, F'hlan sits as though an entire dragon's weight were bowing down his shoulders. His head turns slightly at the bronze fire lizard on his shoulder, revealing a glimpse of his pale, haggard face. Jehrina takes off her boots, and walks quietly through the grass. She watches the bronzerider carefully as she walks towards the water, making shushing motions at Sioll. Eventually she comes to the edge of the water, and sits, her feet dangling just enough to get wet. Jehrina wriggles her toes a bit, "H'lo, F'hlan." Melora wades through the stream after Jehrina. Her slippers, unheeded, are soaked as she sits quietly on the bank, just within earshot. She watches anxiously. F'hlan's head lifts slightly, as he notes Jehrina's motions. He glances her way long enough to note who has arrived, but he says nothing. Up close, F'hlan looks much older than he should, his face more lined, a few strands of his shaggy dark hair silvered. Sioll croons hopefully, twining his tail around F'hlan's neck. At last, with a shadow of his usual politeness, F'hlan inclines his head a single time. His voice is lifeless as he acknowledges, "Jehrina." Jehrina hmphs, "That's hardly an enthusiastic greeting." Jehrina says "A body would think you didn't want to see her." F'hlan blushes slightly, not meeting the younger rider's gaze. "I... am sorry." Jehrina looks over, raising an eyebrow just a tiny bit. "That's a little better. Now say you're happy to see me. Faranth knows we hardly get to see you and Melora and the children." F'hlan says only, "Tzornth sent for you?" Jehrina looks back over her shoulder, to where Leilanth would be. She shakes her head. "He's kept in touch a bit. I wanted to get out of Benden for a little bit. The weyrlings are practicing projecting their thoughts. And P'tran's in a bit of a bout of self-doubt, or something." F'hlan's head remains bowed; his thick forelock hangs past his nose. "The young dragons are growing well?" Jehrina nods, "Kimbrith clutched thirty-five. They're young yet though. I just hope they get into less trouble than the last group. We've got one, who never ever can get all his questions answered. F'hlan listlessly nods. "Kimbrith is a fine dragon." Jehrina peers at the bronzerider closely, "You know, you'd definitely not give the lower caverns girls anything to swoon over right now." With no change in his expression or tone, F'hlan replies distantly, "There are worthier riders for their attentions." Jehrina chuckles softly, "This, from Benden's handsomest bronzerider? Please, F'hlan. I know your dragons' got an ego the size of a weyr, but it's not like you to go completely opposite him." F'hlan doesn't blink, doesn't even stir, doesn't look at Jehrina. Jehrina looks back at her toes, and idly splashes a few drops, "Alright, F'hlan. Former Weyrleader, rider to Bronze Tzornth. You're not the same F'hlan I remember. the one who paniced when I offered to help him up to his weyr when his four greens rose. The one who I defied a weyrleader for when he cornered a renegade. You're a better man than you look right now. Right now, you look like you'd turn over and fall alseep if your greens rose." F'hlan says only, "I know." Jehrina looks up again, "Well?" F'hlan finally looks at Jehrina levelly. His dark eyes are dull behind the forelock that dangles before them. "What do you want to know, gold rider?" Jehrina hmms softly, and then states, "F'hlan. You look as awful right now, as you did after Tiamanth and Krystlin went Between. Or worse. and I didn't thihnk that was possible. You're making your weyrmate scared, and upset. Your children are afraid, and your dragon is exasperated with you." She pauses, long enough to give the last word emphasis, "Why?" F'hlan looks away, and says heavily, "I... know... " Jehrina stands up, and moves directly in front of the older man, "You know. But that doesn't tell me why you're being like this." On F'hlan's shoulder, Sioll croons plaintively, nuzzling at F'hlan's gaunt cheek. The rider's eyes tighten shut, and his head droops once more. "I... " Jehrina reaches forward, tentatively, "F'hlan. I know you better than this. I'm the weyrwoman, for Faranth's sake. It's supposed to be my job to make sure my riders are happy. And you're not. And I can't have that." She drops down, sitting in the ground in front of the rock. "Look at me, you." F'hlan mutters something that sounds suspiciously like "Not worth your trouble." Jehrina snorts. "Right. And neither are Melora and Fahloran, who's busily dragging Mehlani all over that gold lump of mine. I suppose I should just give up, and leave you all to your misery, hm?" F'hlan, still not meeting Jehrina's gaze, shakes a little. Jehrina reaches up a hand to tap the bronzerider's chin gently, "Look at me, or I'l have Leilanth sing songs at you until you do." F'hlan raises his gaze reluctantly. Face to face, the tiny lines around his eyes are evident, as is the occasional strand of silver in his sun-streaked hair. Jehrina hmms, her eyes flickering over minute details, "You look terrible. Don't they feed you here?" Jehrina says "I'm sure Tzornth does, but he can't eat for you both." F'hlan says huskily, "Melora's mother... cooks well." Jehrina's lips compress into a line, "That's not what I asked." Jehrina looks at you for a moment. F'hlan blushes, compelled to honestly admit, "I... have not eaten much lately... " Jehrina smiles slightly, "At least you can still blush. That's still like you. you're going to make yourself sick, you know." F'hlan shrugs slightly, half-heartedly. Jehrina raises an eyebrow, "My, you're a muckbin full of answers. What's the story, Hm? If Melora and the children and Tzornth worry about you, then I have to also. And I can't help you, if I don't know what's the matter, F'hlan. All I see right now, is a shadow of a man who I value more than most I know. And respect." F'hlan's face twists embarrassedly. At least one other thing about F'hlan is still the same - much more than he would like, his eyes and his expression broadcast far more about his state of mind than he allows himself to speak. And his look now runs far past his usual modesty; his is the look of a man who loathes himself. Jehrina says "Talk to me, F'hlan. I'd like to think I was a friend, at the least. I can't go back to Benden, knowing you're miserable here. And you're not being fair to your children by being this miserable around them." F'hlan's left hand clenches on his left thigh, unconsciously, as he mutters anguishedly, "The children... I... " Jehrina's eyes flicker down to the injured leg, then back up, "You what? They need you. They don't know what's making Daddy sad. That was the first thing Mehlani said to me. 'Daddy's sad.' Your voice gives it up even if you're still too sharded stubborn to admit it." F'hlan finally, shakily nods, as Melora slips quietly off into the trees to check on the children in question. "Mehlani... sees a lot... " A ghost of paternal pride flickers across F'hlan's face, as he thinks of his tiny daughter. Jehrina says "She's a little girl. Little children remember the things you least want them to see. And if she sees, then you know that other people are too." She nods her head after Melora, "She's worried. She's blaming herself for not seeing the changes in you, F'hlan." F'hlan nods, crestfallen. F'hlan's listless mask of an expression cracks a little. "I... don't want them... ashamed of me... " Jehrina smiles, "F'hlan. They're not. They're worried about you, because you're not happy. They adore you." Jehrina says "Anyone can see that they're worried about you, and that's all. What would they have to be ashamed about?" F'hlan by way of reply fumbles at the ragged symbols on his jacket sleeve, muttering, "Can't do my job... " Jehrina ahhs. "I see. Because you had the bad taste to get injured, you refuse to get up on your dragon at all now." F'hlan stiffens, his expression closing up, and he starts to turn away from you. On F'hlan's shoulder, Sioll creels, flapping to keep his perch. Jehrina's voice hardens. "Well. At least there's still some of that pride I remember left. F'hlan, what condition is that leg in, hm?" F'hlan growls, "Hurts." Jehrina says "Talked to a healer recently? Are you working it at all, to keep it from being too bad?" F'hlan, as if the word is forcibly dragged out of him, barks out gruffly, "No." After a beat, blushing furiously, he adds, "Head hurts, too." Jehrina says "Well with the way you're scrunching your forehead up, I'm amazed you don't have headaches all the time. And how in the name of faranth do you expect the leg to get better if you don't work it? And don't see a healer?" Sioll creels again, nuzzling tentatively at F'hlan's nearer temple. F'hlan mumbles, "Do. Almost." Jehrina says "You are the most insufferably stubborn man I have ever met. Why haven't you taken care of it?" F'hlan tosses a short gesture in the direction of the hold, turning away again, refusing to face you. "Don't have a healer here." Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth pauses in his play with the children, listening to the roil of his rider's thoughts. << He won't talk about his headaches. >> Dragon> Tzornth senses that Leilanth rumbles softly, concerned. << Why? >> Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth creels deeply, reminded of something in his rider's mind. << I had forgotten. But I hear him think it now. His head hurts if he rides too long. >> Jehrina gets up, and steps in front of you again, "Then why not send for one? We'd send ours. Selenay would come, for you. Any of Benden's healers would. I'd go myself, and bring one." Dragon> Tzornth senses that Leilanth warbles acknowledgement. << That is not good. Is that why he will not ride? >> F'hlan mutters, "Benden's healers sent me down here, remember?" Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth concentrates, trying not to press into his rider's thoughts, but F'hlan's emotions are as bright as a watchfire to the dragon's perceptions. << He is ashamed of himself. >> Tzornth snorts. Jehrina says "well. Is there some place you'd rather be?" Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << My rider remembers Chiloth's. He was injured, and could not fly. He did not like it. >> F'hlan looks for a moment as if he's struggling to hold down tears. Unable to admit that where he _wants_ to be is on Tzornth's back, in Fall, doing what a rider is _supposed_ to be doing, he clenches both fists, visibly shaking now. Jehrina says, softly, "Come on, F'hlan. you've known me since before Leilanth chose me on the sands. Since before I met P'tran. Seven turns, F'hlan. I'm not going until you let me help you." F'hlan at last bursts out harshly, "There's nothing to be done! I... I can't..." Jehrina says "Can't what? Can't work that leg out? Can't talk to a healer? Can't pick up the pieces of what you have, and make them into a whole, again? I know better. You do too, but you refuse to admit it. Tzornth knows better." F'hlan cries, voice rough and ragged, "Can't sharding ride if my head...!" He cuts off, again blushing vehemently. Jehrina says "What? The headaches? Any idea why you get them? Or are you too stubborn to find out why?" Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth warbles, uncharacteristically tinily. << He remembers. The time of . He couldn't talk to me then. That is when he hit his head. >> Dragon> Tzornth senses that Leilanth croons, confused. << I do not understand. He hit his head? >> Jehrina says "Are you that unhappy here?" Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << I... do not like to remember it. He was hurt! He did not remember me... he hit his head. He is remembering that now... >> Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << My rider does not know about this. Does Kimbrith's? >> F'hlan whispers, mournfully, "I... " He scowls vaguely. "Shut up, Tzornth... " Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << It... happened a very long time ago. >> Jehrina looks over, off into the distance, towards where Leilanth is. When she looks back, her voice is quieter, "Your dragon talks a lot. What happened?" F'hlan freezes. Jehrina waits, silently. You say "What happened... when?" Jehrina says "Lei says something about what might be causeing your headaches. She says Tzornth doesn't like thinking about it." F'hlan pales. And mutters, "Tzornth has... the luxury of... forgetting." Jehrina says "I know that. But since you remember something, he does too. If vaguely. So what was it?" F'hlan reflexively rubs at the back of his head. "It was... a long time ago." Jehrina nods, slowly, "Want to bring those darling children of yours to see the new weyrlings, and talk about it at home? P'tran'd be happy to see you. And Merla. And M'kla." You say "I..." F'hlan abashedly looks down at his unkempt appearance. Jehrina chuckles softly, "Well, go change then. I'm sure you've got something you can stand to be seen in." Jehrina says "Not that the lower caverns girls would mind. They'll swoon no matter what you're in." F'hlan blurts, "NOW?" Jehrina leans back a bit, and then smiles. "Well, is there a better time for you?" F'hlan goes white, looking overwhelmed. He tries to speak, but nothing emerges. Jehrina hmms, trying hard not to grin. "Nervous?" F'hlan, to that, turns crimson, while Sioll flutters and chirps on his shoulder, bronze wings fanning his hair. Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth rumblesnorts, suddenly sounding hopeful, though his mental voice is sarcastic as he tells you, << Your rider shouldn't give mine a chance to change clothes. He'd go hide. >> Jehrina chuckles, softly. "F'hlan. You're more than welcome to 'visit'. Come home for a visit, at least. Merla would be happy to see you. Salless has all sorts of things to tell you. And I imagine she'd feed you. And make you eat. You could certainly use it." F'hlan cries, aghast, in the dragons' direction, "Tzornth!" Then he blinks at you, clearly torn, clearly embarrassed, and still blushing. "I... " Jehrina tries, very hard, not to grin. "Your dragon's got a loud mind." Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << Would he hide? Maybe we should carry him off. >> F'hlan's brown eyes go wide as his dragon projects a VERY clear image of grabbing F'hlan in his claws. Something about that makes him blush even more deeply. Jehrina can't stop herself, and grins. "Speechless? He'd do it, you know he would." On F'hlan's shoulder, Sioll grows more excited, as F'hlan's horrified expression suggests that yes, he knows that exactly about his dragon. "I... I... " Jehrina says "You.. you.... stubborn bronzerider. That's what you are. Now come home with me." F'hlan's eyes abruptly turn liquid on the word 'home'. Sioll chatters excitedly now, as F'hlan weakly protests, "I... don't know if I can... " Jehrina looks over, once again, towards where her dragon is, "We miss you, F'hlan. You'll always be a Benden rider. Wherever you are. You can. You know you can. I belive it, Melora belives it, and Tzornth believes it. Your children believe it. What more do you need? Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << I think you rider should just make him come home. >> Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << She is trying. She isn't quite sure how to deal with him though. >> Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth projects that image of picking up F'hlan again in his claws. Dragon> Tzornth senses that Leilanth rumbles amusedly. << Her claws are not that big. >> Jehrina reaches her hand out again, offering, "Come home, F'hlan." Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << But they are a gold rider's. She should just grab him and haul him to us. I know my rider. Trust me. >> Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << Will he listen? He is very stubborn, she says. >> Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << My rider needs a good wing-whapping. >> F'hlan regards the hand despondently... Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << He does. He is insufferable, she says. >> Jehrina looks up at the sky, "Do I have to drag you off?" She laughs. "The Benden Weyrwoman, dragging off a poor bronzerider. What will everyone say?" F'hlan almost squeaks, "You wouldn't... " Jehrina smiles. Innocently. "Oh?" She reaches down, "Try me." F'hlan instinctively tries to scoot away, startledly... Jehrina shakes her head, and lunges. "No good." She grabs hold of an arm, "Come home with me, or I'll tell Tzornth to sing about M'kla's klah for the rest of the Turn." F'hlan is hauled with surprising ease to his feet - hasn't this man been eating ANYTHING? - as he protests, "Dragons can't sing... " Jehrina says "Tell Tzornth that when he tries to do it anyway." She turns, keeping a firm grip, "You're coming home." F'hlan in short order is hauled back down the path, to where the dragons await expectantly. He stumbles occasionally on his bad leg, but is forced, for once, to move quickly - something he hasn't done in several months. Melora looks up when the riders arrive, a flash of hope in her eyes. The children are crawling across Leilanth's tail, but Fahloran looks up too, and shouts, "Daddy!" Jehrina stops by Tzornth. "Up." Jehrina winks over at Tzornth and the children. Fahloran cheers! "Daddy's gonna ride? Daddy's gonna ride!" Mehlani stares wide-eyedly, and says nothing, but starts to bounce hopefully. Melora briskly shooes the boy and girl away from the dragons, and pauses, eyeing F'hlan searchingly.... Tzornth turns his head around to PEER at F'hlan expectantly. F'hlan pales, realizing _someone_ had gone and gotten his riding straps for the dragon. Melora very carefully keeps a neutral expression, hiding her small smile when F'hlan looks uncertainly in her direction. The fire lizards in the clearing stir up a racket, chattering happily. Jehrina tries hard not to grin. She stands, "Up, rider." F'hlan, finding himself wondering when Jehrina had perfected that "Stern Weyrwoman" tone, turns to his bronze. Tzornth had never looked so big before.... Jehrina smiles at Melora, and looks over at Leilanth for a moment. She then turns back to F'hlan, waiting. F'hlan grabs hesitantly at the straps... he can't embarrass himself again. Not in front of Mela... and the children. And as he hesitates, Tzornth shifts, bringing his foreleg around for his rider, his great eyes turned a strangely gentle shade of green. F'hlan grits his teeth... and his face tightens in discomfort as, painfully, he hauls himself up onto his dragon. Jehrina nods, and smiles. Jehrina climbs up onto Leilanth, using her extended foreleg as support. Jehrina has left. Around Tzornth, From atop Leilanth, Jehrina offers Fahloran help up onto her dragon. Around Tzornth, Fahloran's eyes widen hopefully, but Melora shakes her head gently, mouthing, "He needs to do this alone" at Jehrina as F'hlan pauses, breathless and shaken, on his dragon's back. Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Tzornth with << This is a start, at least. >> Around Tzornth, Leilanth rumbles, looking up at the sky. F'hlan glances sheepishly at Jehrina. F'hlan turns back... and suddenly, making him yelp in startlement and hastily grab at the straps to secure himself in, Tzornth launches himself into the air. Around Tzornth, Tzornth suddenly bugles, flapping his great wings, and Fahloran looks annoyed that his mother pulls him out of the way... but ecstatic to see his father finally mounted up again. Tzornth> Leilanth senses that Tzornth's mind comes alive with excitement and relief and pride. << A start! Let us fly! >> Around Tzornth, From atop Leilanth, Jehrina grins down at Melora, and family as she thumps Leilanth's side. The queen rumbles loudly, and launches into the air after Tzornth. F'hlan lets out another startled yell, as his dragon climbs higher... and, without warning, the dragon vanishes *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... Air Above Benden Weyr You are flying in the skies directly above Benden Weyr. The Weyr iteself is a large caldera directly below you. Its size is impressive; a small Hold could easily fit within its bowl with room left over. Stretching roughly to the north and south is the mountain range of which the Weyr is part, rugged peaks of bare rock and stone. You can see the expanse of Benden territory to the east and west. From here you can fly downwards to the 'North Bowl' or 'South Bowl', or you can land 'Outside Benden Weyr' near the Entrance Tunnel. A grey overcast covers Benden, and the air feels very humid. Obvious exits: Sky Above Benden Outside Benden Weyr Around Tzornth, Tzornth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Around Tzornth, From the North, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to bronze Tzornth and his rider, F'hlan, welcoming them home. Around Tzornth, Leilanth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! Around Tzornth, From the North, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to gold Leilanth and her rider, Jehrina, welcoming them home. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth TRUMPETS! Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Leilanth rumbles loudly. << Welcome home, Tzornth. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Rodrith BUGLES! Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Zibrith BUGLES in responze to Tzornth and Leilanth. Around Tzornth, Leilanth bugles back to Gelth, and circles high above the bowl. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Notreth trumpets! Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth circles grandly above the Weyr, until he descends into the Bowl. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Torinth wakes up with a snort then BUGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Torinth coughs quietly afterwards. You fly downwards towards the north end of the bowl. Northern Bowl Airspace You hover above the northern half of the Benden Weyr bowl. The great walls of the Weyr surround you on three sides, the only open air to the south where the bowl extends towards the Weyr lake. To the east and west the walls are dotted with the cavelike openings to the dragonweyrs. On a few the ledges you spot dragons lauching into flight or winging carefully in for a landing. For a list of landing areas, '+view landing sites'. You can see the dragonweyrs of Thunderbolt and Skyfire wings. Use '+view thunderbolt' or '+view skyfire' to see them. A grey overcast covers Benden, and the air feels very humid. Obvious exits: Star Stones You fly downwards towards the ground. North Bowl(#396RJ) The light spills over the over-arching mountains and into the bowl. It illuminates the patched ground, covered with gravel and fine sand. Here and there, the odd piece of greenery struggles up from the ash-based soil. The odor of pickling and preserves emerging from the Living Cavern is strong, a sure sign that the summer fruits and vegetables are being stored for the winter. The northern half of the crater is smaller than the southern one, but still immense. To the west is an opening into the Living Cavern of the weyr. Other openings in the northern cavern lead into the weyrs of the junior queens, weyrleaders, and the massive Hatching Grounds. Storage bunkers of various sorts are stacked against the rough rock walls. The murmur of voices and the clatter of pots and chairs drifts from the Living Cavern, where the evening meal is being served. Several entrances lead to the junior queenriders' weyrs. Use '+view queenriders' to see them. A grey overcast covers Benden, and the air feels very humid. Contents: Notreth Laerth Kayne's Trader Wagon Obvious exits: Weyrleaders' Complex South Bowl Hatching Cavern Outer Infirmary Guest Weyr Living Cavern Records Room You backwing for a landing on sands of the bowl. Tzornth(#742IMQaes) With shoulder ridges before and behind you, and wide, strong wings out to either side, you are perched on the back of the dragon Tzornth. His reddish-bronze hide is soft and smooth to the touch over well-proportioned muscle, and gleams brilliantly with the sheen of many oilings. Riding straps cross Tzornth's back among the nearest shoulder ridges, to hold you and any other passengers safely in place. Type 'dhelp' to see what commands you may use here. Around Tzornth, Tzornth bugles in loud satisfaction as he settles himself on the ground. Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << We are HOME! >> Around Tzornth, Laerth opens his eyelids and yawns as he awakens from a nap Dragon> Tzornth senses that Leilanth rumbles happily. << It is good to have you here. >> Around Tzornth, Above, Leilanth glides down from above. Around Tzornth, Leilanth backwings for a landing. F'hlan slumps across Tzornth's neck, pale and shaken. Around Tzornth, Jehrina slides down Leilanth's foreleg as she carefully lowers it to the ground. Around Tzornth, Laerth croons a greeting to Leilanth, then looks over and recognized Tzornth and rumbles a pleasant greeting to him Around Tzornth, Jehrina slides down, and hops lightly over to Tzornth's side. Around Tzornth, Tzornth croons brightly to Leilanth as she lands beside him, craning his neck in all directions to see everything at once about the Weyr. He bugles again, to Laerth, then rumbles at his rider? Around Tzornth, Jehrina looks over at Laerth, "Tell your oaf rider I need him." Around Tzornth, Notreth swings his head around to look at Tzornth, eyes whirling bright green. F'hlan is clutching the riding straps in a death-grip; Tzornth hadn't given him time to put on gloves before vanishing *between*. His eyes are screwed tightly shut in evident pain. Notreth Faint reddish highlights streak along the brown-black hide of this dragon, curling over his wingshoulders and trailing back across his hindquarters and down his tail. Dark brown wingbones offset his mottled red-and-brown wings. He looks about with an imperious air, forming opinions on all around him, rarely settling for less than he considers his due. At 31 meters long with a wingspan nearing 65 meters, Notreth is a smaller brown dragon, a fast and agile flyer. Notreth is 2 Turns, 9 months old. Notreth notices your regard, swinging his head around to peer at you with cheerfully whirling aquamarine eyes. Around Tzornth, Jehrina says "F'hlan? We're at Benden. Um.. let go of the straps." Around Tzornth, Laerth looks quizzically at Jehrina and then snorts and nuzzles her slightly before looking up to his ledge Around Tzornth, Jehrina smiles at Laerth again, and flings a hand out to stop a pasing weyrling. "Go make some of Selenay's headache tea for me?" F'hlan lifts his head with an effort. His face has blanched of what little color it had. But he stares up and around himself with much the same wonder as his dragon, as if he can scarcely believe where he is. Around Tzornth, P'tran comes down the stairs from the Weyrwoman's Ledge. Around Tzornth, Above, Sleath leaps from the Star Stones to sail over the Bowl. Around Tzornth, P'tran comes down from the weyr, still putting his shirt on. "All right, what's the big rush?" Around Tzornth, The weyrling nods, scurrying off. Around Tzornth, Jehrina smiles, and nods to Tzornth, the slumping F'hlan on his back, "It followed me home. Can I keep it?" Around Tzornth, Notreth rumblechuckles. F'hlan blinks, finally registering P'tran's presence. Around Tzornth, Laerth rumbles to his rider and P'tran looks over to him for a moment and then blinks, finally looking over and recognizing Tzornth. He grins at Jehrina and gives her a little hug before looking up at F'hlan. Around Tzornth, P'tran smiles. "F'hlan! You've come for a visit?" Around Tzornth, Jehrina hmphs. "More than that, I hope. But for now, at least a visit." F'hlan stiffly and slowly releases his clamp on his riding straps; just as stiffly, he starts to climb off his dragon, but winds up more falling. P'tran chuckles to Jehrina and looks back up at F'hlan and raises an eyebrow. "You okay, F'hlan?" He rushes over to help him as he sees him started to descend a bit rapidly frmo his dragon Jehrina jumps forward, to help ease the slip, "Carefully. Melora'd never forgive me if I broke you." F'hlan lands on his left foot, blanches, and mutters to P'tran, "Jehrina... was not in the mood to... argue... " Dragon> Laerth bespoke Tzornth with << Oh? I was told his rider had to go to Southern for his health. That is no longer true? >> Above, Sleath flies into the entrance to the Hatching Grounds cavern. Above, Sleath emerges from the hatching caverns. Sleath backwings for a landing. Sleath has arrived. Tzornth> Laerth senses that Tzornth snorts. << My rider has not been letting Southern help his health. >> Jehrina gives her weyrmate a pointed look,m and then looks at F'hlan, "I've had enough aruing with stubborn bronzeriders the last two days." Perched atop Sleath, W'liam has left. W'liam slides down Sleath's side, bounces off his leg, and lands on his feet with a thump. W'liam has arrived. P'tran grins at Jehrina and then smiles at F'hlan. "F'hlan, its been some time since we last talked." W'liam hmms, nodding briefly before heading inside. F'hlan, propped between the young Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, almost smiles, but his gaze is shadowed. "Yes... " W'liam walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern. W'liam has left. W'liam comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. W'liam has arrived. P'tran looks over to W'liam and grins. "Evening, W'liam." W'liam has the distinct feeling he's lost something.... excuse me. W'liam walks south. W'liam has left. Sleath moves off, and goes after his rider. Sleath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Sleath has left. Above, Sleath rises up from the bowl. F'hlan reflexively straightens, instincts making him struggle to appear as proper as possible despite his ragged condition. Above, Sleath flies towards the south end of the bowl. P'tran raises an eyebrow and refrains from saying 'you mean your sanity?' and then turns back to F'hlan and Jehrina. Above, Sleath disappears into Between. P'tran smiles at F'hlan again. "How long are you staying at Benden? Or does that depend on how long Jehrina wants to keep you?" he chuckle. Notreth looks at you for a moment. You say "I-I hadn't thought about it..." F'hlan, still looking white of face, strives to bury his evident embarrassment. Jehrina hmphs. "He's staying until Merla gets to talk to him. And he eats a whole meal. Several of them." P'tran ohs? and raises an eyebrow, looking back to F'hlan. "Are you feeling well, F'hlan?" F'hlan shoots a half-frantic gaze between the other two riders and his dragon, but Tzornth's orange-tinged whirling eyes suggest the dragon is informing him he'd better NOT try to claim he's fine. Mutely, F'hlan gives a tiny shake of his head. Jehrina takes another appraising look at the older bronzerider. "He will be." P'tran nods and his smile is replaced with a look of concern. "Do you need the Weyrhealer to look at you F'hlan? Anything you need, just ask, please." Jehrina says "What I think he needs, is a good meal, first. Then we can stick the healer on him. P'tran. We'll need to send a rider down to Southern, to ler Melora know he's here. She's prolly in a panic about now." F'hlan seems uncharacteristically reticent, even for him; his expression is strangely embarrassed, as Jehrina firmly steps in to answer P'tran's question. P'tran blinks. "Wait, Melora doesn't know he's hear. I'm getting the feeling that something is happening around here that I don't know about." You hear him very softly add the word 'again'. P'tran says "I'll dispatch someone right away, of course, but later I think I'll want to know some more details of what's going on" Jehrina grins. "Tzornth took it upon himself to surprise us. I think he prolly picked up the visual from Leilanth." Tzornth looks extremely smug, rumbling in satisfaction. Tzornth> I bespoke Leilanth with << Wherryfeathers. I remembered it myself. >> Jehrina winks at Tzornth. "Yes dear. After he eats." P'tran nods and pretends to understand for now. "Well, anyway, there's time enough for questions later ... " He turns back to F'hlan. "Would you like something to eat now?" Dragon> Tzornth senses that Leilanth rumbles amusedly, << She doesn't have to know that. >> P'tran smiles slightly. "I'm sure Salless would not mind making anything you wanted." F'hlan mumbles that he hasn't had much appetite as of late.... Jehrina cocks an eyebrow. "Mmmhmm, that's nice. Now get inside and sit down, before you fall down." Jehrina turns towards the living caverns. P'tran nods to Jehrina. "And if you really don't have much of an appetite, we'll have the healer looking at you sooner, si ... uh, F'hlan." F'hlan blushes, and ventures into the caverns as if afraid the place will fall in on him. You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Benden Weyr's Living Cavern(#750RJM) This huge cavern is sufficently roomy to hold a large portion of the Weyr's population without feeling cramped. There's always a bustle of activity here. Fragrant dishes are constantly in prepartion for mealtimes: currently for the evening meal. Drudges are always present, either cleaning under Salless' watchful eye, or helping fetch and carry. A myriad of glowbaskets and many ever-lit hearths make the cavern warm and inviting despite its size. The scents of cooking meats, baking breads and pastries, and the pungent aroma of spices hang mouthwateringly in the air. It is little wonder that those seeking to relax nearly always find their way here to do it. Dark summer blooms of vivid hue decorate the tables. A short tunnel jaunts eastward out to the bowl and the merry sounds of cooking, chores, and laughter echo from the kitchen at the southwest end of the cavern near the westerly passage to the rest of the lower caverns. To the southeast is an entrance to the infirmary weyr to care for injured dragons and riders. Contents: Caitlyn Anwyn Salless Katrina Obvious exits: Lower Caverns Kitchen Bowl Jehrina walks in from the bowl. Jehrina has arrived. Salless bobs her head to the weyrwoman. P'tran walks in from the bowl. P'tran has arrived. Salless tells her girls to look sharp when the weyrleader walks in. Jehrina smiles at Salless, "See what I brought?" P'tran nods as he walks in and smiles slightly. "Evening all." Anwyn nods quietly, shyly. Caitlyn glances up from her work and gives half a wave before returning to some scrolls. F'hlan, briskly escorted into view by Jehrina and P'tran, eyes the wide chamber before him with a measure of wordless trepidation. As heads begin to turn towards him, he nods as politely as he can manage, but it's clear he is uneasy. Salless nods to the people as they come in, then does a double take as she recognizes someone. "F'hlan!" A gaggle of lower caverns girls start, and turn. Giggles and titters are heard in the kitchens. F'hlan doesn't quite manage a wan smile as he says lowly, politely, "Salless..." Salless smiles broadly at F'hlan. "F'hlan, how are you? Welcome back to Benden Weyr!" She then looks at him more closely and blinks. "When was the last time you had a decent meal, for Faranth's sake?" P'tran grins at Salless' reaction and pauses briefly to fill a mug of klah. Anwyn sits down at the quiet table by the night hearth. F'hlan promptly blushes, beginning to wonder just how awful he does look, and starts to protest, "I, ah, haven't had much appetite, Salless... " Jehrina says "So I hope you've got something special, Salless." Caitlyn arches an eyebrow as she listens unobtrusively, giving half an ear. Anwyn finds a quiet corner, and curls up in it shyly. F'hlan's brown gaze darts restlessly about the cavern, and his blush deepens as he catches the distant giggles. Salless shakes her head. "Nonsense. You'll have plenty of appetite after *I* make something for you. Here, sit down!" She promptly shoos away from loafing riders from a table. They grumble a bit, but a rider from Tbolt promptly recognized the man he served under and blinks, scrambling away as 'ordered' immediately. Anwyn looks at you for a moment. P'tran smiles and takes a sip of his klah. "Salless, go easy on him." M'kla walks in from the bowl. M'kla has arrived. F'hlan looks uncannily like a Weyrling as the mistress of the kitchens hauls him to the nearest chair, though no Weyrling is as weathered as this lean man is, and no Weyrling has bits of grey in his hair. M'kla strides in quietly, pulling her helmet off, "Long time no see, stranger." Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Notreth blinkblinks at all the attention this bronze is getting. P'tran looks over and smiles to M'kla. "Evening, M'kla." Dragon> Vidarth bespoke Benden dragons with << What bronze? Where? Hmph. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth preens. Attention is his due; he is, after all, Tzornth. Dragon> Laerth bespoke Benden dragons with << He's a bronze that was part of Benden Weyr for a long time >> M'kla nods quietly to P'tran. Salless cleans off the table before the bronzerider and sets about preparing a meal for him. Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << His rider is special. >> F'hlan looks up at M'kla, managing a startled nod of greeting. Dragon> Laerth bespoke Benden dragons with << Yes, my rider admires him very much. >> Dragon> Rodrith bespoke Benden dragons with << J'rus is special. >> Dragon> Torinth bespoke Benden dragons with << As does mine. >> Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << As does mine. >> Dragon> Zibrith bespoke Benden dragons with << Can we admire the great bronze? I mean other than Laerth and Rodrith. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Notreth rumbles in disgust. M'kla chuckles to herself, and wanders to a table nearby, clunking her helmet on the table. Jehrina settles into a seat, and grins at M'kla. Dragon> Laerth bespoke Benden dragons with << You have to understand, Notreth. His rider was both wingleader and Weyrleader, and he is well-liked about the Weyr >> Salless hums to herself as she cooks. "By the way, F'hlan. My Tobin is now a bronzerider," she says with a broad grin. M'kla pipes up, "And my M'larr..." M'kla settles back down, and quietly pulls a silver flask from her pocket, looking a little like a foolish girl for a moment. Dragon> Tzornth bespoke Benden dragons with << Right now, my rider is being a foolish wherry, and requires food. >> P'tran grins at M'kla and nods. "True." Dragon> Notreth bespoke Benden dragons with << My rider will respect him as well, if he is worth respect. >> F'hlan glances awkwardly from Salless to M'kla and back again, murmuring, "Congratulations... " before blinking dauntedly at the size of the bowl of stew with which Salless presents him. Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << HE was the leader of your wing, before Laerth was, Notreth. >> M'kla takes a small sip of her flask, then puts it away again. Anwyn gets out her tools and quietly returns to carving buttons. Tzornth> Leilanth rumbles smugly, settling down comfortably in the bowl. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth trumpets proudly about the dragons of Thunderbolt Wing, and his intention to get his rider flying back where he belongs. << It's been too long. >> Lance has arrived. Salless continues to hum to herself and stirs the stew a few times so it doesn't burn, occassionally taking a taste to make sure its seasoned correctly Lance wanders in Dragon> Laerth bespoke Benden dragons with << I agree. You should be flying again. >> Dragon> Leilanth bespoke Benden dragons with << Tell his rider that. >> P'tran nods to Lance as he sips his klah, taking a seat near Jehrina and F'hlan Anwyn nods to Lance, gesturing for him to join her at her table. F'hlan sits poised on his chair with a nervous, taunt stance suggesting he's about to flee at a moment's notice, but he keeps himself tensely in place. M'kla unfastens her jacket a little. Dragon> Rodrith bespoke Tzornth with << Welcome back to Benden. >> Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth warbles in smooth acknowledgement to Rodrith, << Thank you. There are young dragons here I do not know. But many of you sound familiar. >> Salless sets out a bowl before F'hlan and fills it to the brim with stew. She orders a drudge to fetch some fresh bread from the kitchens Jehrina sits at F'hlan's side, smiling, but with the obvious intent of not letting F'hlan go anywhere. Lance smiles and nods to P'tran and wanders over to Anwyn's table Lance sits down at the quiet table by the night hearth. Dragon> Zibrith bespoke Benden dragons with << We would like to come meet you, but we are not allowed in the North Bowl yet. >> Salless says to F'hlan in a quiet voice, "Now, eat, bronzerider, that's an order." She winks at him. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth will come meet you! His rider is getting fed now. F'hlan somewhat listlessly sets to the food, all too conscious of the scrutiny. P'tran grins as Salless serves up the stew. "Would you like some klah, F'hlan?" Salless says sagely, "He wants klah. The boy doesn't look like he's been fed in a Turn." M'kla looks at you for a moment. F'hlan, looking cornered, manages a shrug and a defeated nod. F'hlan(#7796PHOce) With a lean, slim build that accentuates his otherwise unremarkable height, this man seems made more for quickness than strength, though the unconscious sureness of his movements suggests discipline enough to make up for any lack of physical fortitude. Sunstreaked dark reddish-brown hair frames his lean, weathered face, long enough to reach his shoulderblades in back, and to leave a thick lock habitually dangling in his solemn brown eyes. One or two strands of that hair, given the youthfulness of his face, are prematurely silvered. His demeanor is customarily gravely polite. When he walks, he does so with a pronounced limp, and frequently has a look of strain about him as if from a serious headache. He is clad in garments with a Southern Continent look about them: a loosely cut off-white tunic, pale brown breeches, light calf-high leather boots. Over this he's wearing a slightly ragged-looking flying jacket, on which are visible the sigils of Benden Weyr and the Thunderbolt Wing of dragonriders. His unruly hair is held out of his eyes by a brown-and-gold leather headband. He is 31 Turns, 4 months, and 26 days old. Caitlyn rolls up her scroll, shoving it under her arm and meanders through a few crowded tables on her way out. Caitlyn walks towards the inner cavern. Caitlyn has left. Lance watches F'hlan curiously now and then Lance A young man standing around 5'10". He has light brown hair and deep blue eyes that seem to view the world around him with an open curiousity. He is wearing a light leather jerkin and deep blue pants. He has on high leather boots and a dark leather belt. Around his neck is a silver chain nothing hanging from it. When he sees you looking he flashes you a friendly smile. Carrying: Valiant(#1945V) Tempest(#1946V) Mist(#9776V) Anwyn is not watching F'hlan, being to intent on her haggling. P'tran grins at Salless' words and heads over to the klah pot. He fills a mug with klah and brings it back to the table, placing it next to F'hlan just as Salless serves up some bread and cheese. P'tran says quietly to F'hlan. "Sorry if we seem like we're hanging over you. It's just that we consider you a friend." Anwyn offers her hand to Lance to shake. Lance shakes Anwyn's hand F'hlan eats slowly, and without much enthusiasm, but the stern looks from Jehrina and Salless - as well as the simple etiquette of not wishing to insult the offer of food - keep him at it. At P'tran's words, F'hlan's gaze again darts about the cavern, noting the number of unfamiliar faces, and he nods, strangely shy for a rider. P'tran decides not to press the matter any further and instead turns to more mundane matters. "You came to visit at the right time. The weather at Benden has been fairly pleasant this summer. Nothing like those storms we had Turn or two back." F'hlan swallows down a mouthful and murmurs huskily, "Glad to hear it... " Lance looks at you for a moment. P'tran nods to F'hlan and sips his klah, wanting to say a thousand other things to him but refraining with some effort so as not to pummel him with inquiries. "Though we've had some erratic patterns recently with regards to Fall, though we've been looking into that." M'kla glances up at that, "Sir? I didn't get the last batch of new charts on that...do I need to borrow yours?" _That_ seems to spark a bit of life in F'hlan's brown eyes, as he asks gravely, "The... charts are not holding?" P'tran glances over to M'kla and nods. "I just have to look over the last set of annotations I made. If you can stop by my weyr later tonight I can give you the latest." He looks back to F'hlan. "Well, we've been seeing some occassional deviations, and we're trying to see if there's a pattern to it." M'kla nods to P'tran, and goes back to quietly studying her boots. F'hlan frowns vaguely to himself, as if the discussion of Fall patterns is something unusual to him, but he says absently as Salless orders him back to his food, "Check the old records on the last Pass... there were deviancies then, too... " P'tran nods to F'hlan, sensing his interest. "In fact, J'lor showed me some older records he found along those lines in the form of some charts made some Turns back. During Search we had the candidates reading Threadfall reports and charts and trying to find a pattern. It was their project. They came up with some information but the investigation is incomplete." F'hlan says tonelessly, "Can't look at just one Pass... the patterns go larger than that." He doesn't meet P'trans gaze, seeming relieved to be occupied by the still-hot meal. P'tran takes a drink of his klah and is momentarily distracted by a wingrider that remembered something he had to tell him when he mentioned about charts. He turns back to F'hlan. "The only thing that really worried me was that we would occassionally have these Falls that were a lot heavier than expected. THough we're handling them much better thanks to some new formations that M'kla came up with." M'kla glances back up at the mention of her name. F'hlan nods slowly, glancing at M'kla. Dwane walks here from the Inner Cavern. Dwane has arrived. M'kla says "Oh...P'tran. That was something else...I've noticed if we keep the larger of the greens and blues on the lower levels...it leaves the smaller, more agile ones to head up...more room to turn, more Thread to burn." Dwane smiles cheerfully and nods as he walks through. P'tran nods to Dwane as he arrives and then looks over to M'kla and nods. "I was thinking something similar, though I want to make sure the lighter ones don't bear too much of the brunt of the Fall that way." F'hlan drinks at klah, some slight measure of nervousness leaving his eyes as he listens to P'tran and M'kla, the look of a starving man rediscovering food. "Intersperse the smaller browns," he says quietly. M'kla nods, "Still..most of them are able to take it...put the more experienced dragons up there. Leave the middle ranks for the newer ones and the Weyrlings." M'kla nods to F'hlan, "That might work too." Caitlyn walks here from the Inner Cavern. Caitlyn has arrived. P'tran nods and hmms? at F'hlan and the nods. "Actually the gist of M'kla's formation is to place according to relative size rather than color, since, for instance you have some large greens that are the same size as small blues" Drek walks here from the Inner Cavern. Drek has arrived. Caitlyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Caitlyn has left. P'tran nods to Caitlyn as she arrives. And Drek too Dwane walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Dwane has left. Drek walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Drek has left. Alisanda wanders in... P'tran looks over and nods to Alisanda as she walks in. "Evening, Alisanda." Alisanda waves, fetching a mug of klah. F'hlan nods wordlessly, finishing off the last of the food Salless has given him, and looking vaguely surprised as if he hadn't realized he was that hungry. Rafael walks in from the bowl. Rafael has arrived. Salless smiles at F'hlan. "That's better. Would you like something else as well?" P'tran nods to Rafael. "Evening." Alisanda waves to Rafael. Rafael blinks at the crowd, his stick tapping across the stone. "Evening, Weyrleader. Everyone else..." F'hlan pulls back a little on the chair he's on, shaking his head quickly to Salless and struck quiet again as more new faces come into the cavern. P'tran looks over to Rafael. "While you're here, Rafael. How is J'rus doing?" Rafael says "Just fine, sir. I assume he's out walking, as I asked him to get some regular exercise. I'm not sure when the original injury was..." he looks to Alisanda." Alisanda smiles at Rafael, sipping her klah and sliding into a seat. P'tran hmms. "Well, the injury was about a little over a sevenday or so ago, I believe." Rafael nods. "Give him another ten days or so." Two has arrived. Rafael leans over to set Two down. The feline decides to take the initiative, and leaps down herself when she's about halfway there. Rafael sits, Two jumping up in his lap. Alisanda sips her klah quietly, enjoying a lack of noise for a change. Lance watches two curiously then turns back to his table P'tran nods to Rafael and smiles slightly. "Good, then. I'm sure J'rus will be glad to be flying again. I know he hates it when he can't fly Thread, if that time he was scored was any indication." M'kla chuckles, "I don't know a rider that does like not being able to fly, sir." Rafael smiles as a drudge brings him klah. "Quiet evening." P'tran nods to M'kla. "Very true." and involuntarily glances over to F'hlan F'hlan abruptly reddens a little, and scoots his chair back slightly, eyeing the exit out into the Bowl. M'kla rubs her good hand over her right arm and sighs faintly. P'tran turns back to F'hlan. "Unless you want something else, you want me to show you to a weyr so you can get settled in?" Alisanda peers at F'hlan curiously. F'hlan coughs, muttering hoarsely, "I... should not stay away from Melora and the children... " Caitlyn walks here from the Inner Cavern. Caitlyn has arrived. Alisanda waves to Caitlyn, "Heya." Alisanda Alisanda stands a mere 5'4" tall, with an athletic build. Her golden tawny brown hair is pulled back into a french braid with a loose ponytail. She is wearing a pair of light brown, comfortable shorts, with a deep green tanktop tucked in and belted. Sandals on her feet made of soft wherhide look both cool and functional. Gold earrings shaped like firelizards in flight match a bracelet on her left wrist. Alisanda is probably in her late 30's. A freshly hatched sparkling emerald green hatchling perches on Alisanda, with either a tail firmly around her neck or claws almost pricking the skin of her shoulder. The firelizard acts as imperious as a Lady Holder, but hides frantically in Ali's hair if anything comes too close. Every so often she flutters her wings to regain balance. <<+fliz>> P'tran shakes his head. "I've already had a rider dispatched to inform her where you are." Alisanda looks at you for a moment. J'rus walks in from the bowl. J'rus has arrived. J'rus walks in slowly. Alisanda waves, "Heya J'rus!" M'kla smiles slightly, turning in her seat, "Speak of the wher..." P'tran looks over and smiles to J'rus. "Evening, J'rus. Good to see you up and around again." F'hlan, as more strangers arrive on the scene, finally and hastily nods to P'tran. J'rus grins and waves, his hair still wet. He starts when he sees Rafael then smiles. "Heya guys. Jaen walks in from the bowl. Jaen has arrived. Alisanda smiles and waves to Jaen. M'kla nods to Jaen too, settles back, fiddling with the flask in her hands. Caitlyn wanders past a few crowded tables and nods to Alisanda. "Howdy rider.. actually needed to ask you a question." Jaen nods with a quick smile to Alisanda, seeing J'rus to a chair. P'tran nods to Jaen as she comes in. "Evening, Jaen." Alisanda ohs at Caitlyn's comment, and finishes her klah quickly, "Sure, shoot." Rafael looks up. "Caity. Evening." He grins. P'tran turns back to F'hlan and nods. He takes another drink of klah and stands. J'rus chuckles as Jaen takes care of him. He looks over and STARES at F'hlan. Jaen nods to P'tran with a careful expression. "G'eve, P'tran." P'tran leans over to F'hlan and whispers to him Halia walks in from the bowl. Halia has arrived. Rafael nods. "J'rus, you swam? Good. Good exercise. Don't overdo it, though." Alisanda smiles and waves to Halia, mildly surprised. P'tran mutters to F'hlan, "... you like to see... now?... believe Rafael..." P'tran whispers "Would you like to see the healer now? I believe Rafael is free right now" J'rus blinks. He smiles, "Yeah, just a bit. Had to get around...I'll keep it up. Halia crosses to Alisanda. "Have /you/ seen Kal?" she asks with a sigh. "I've been trying to find him..." P'tran glances over and blinks and nods to Halia. "Benden's duty to Bitra. Um, I'll be with you in a few moments ..." Rafael nods. "Good, good. Don't overdo it, and you forgot to check out with one of the staffers. Be sure you let them know." Caitlyn walks over to take a seat near Alisanda before hearing her name. She looks up and blinks. "Raf? Oh egads." She catches his shoulder knot. "You're kidding, right?" Alisanda looks at Halia with concern, "Nooo, how long's he been gone?" P'tran overhears about Kalren but his attention is focused on F'hlan at the moment Rafael grins at Caity. "You're doomed, darling. I'll follow you across Pern for love. Or postings. Or something." Halia hms. "A few hours. He went to talk with Alasha, and I haven't seen him since." F'hlan, noting J'rus's scrutiny, nods as levelly as he can manage. At P'tran's whisper, he blinks, reddens again, and mutters back. Alisanda slips on her riding jacket and gloves, "Alasha, eh?" You whisper "I do not want to intrude..." to P'tran. Jaen flashes J'rus a triumphant smile. J'rus smiles and nods respectfully to the ex-weyrleader. It is him. He turns to whisper to Jaen. P'tran shakes his head at F'hlan. "Not at all." Halia nods to Alisanda. P'tran looks over and unobtrusively gestures to Rafael to come over to his and F'hlan's table Alisanda glances at Caitlyn to see if she needs her or not. Alisanda mutters to Halia, "... think I... find him,... at least..." Caitlyn arches an eyebrow at Rafael but settles into her seat without one word. Rafael stands, shouldering his cat again, and moves over to P'tran's table. Anwyn looks over to Halia. Two complains once, a low, muttering yowl. Halia nods. "Can I go with you?" She flickers a glance at Anwyn. "We need to be getting back to Bitra, but I don't want to leave without him." Alisanda nods. Rafael smiles at Caity as he walks by. "Actually, I'm here to replace R'val, as his Search left Master Alsten scrambling." P'tran says to Rafael quietly so as not to make a big fanfare of it. "If you have a moment? I have a potential patient for you .." Caitlyn whees ever so thrilled. "Another Herb Boy to torment." Halia nods to Alisanda. Rafael sits down, nodding, his voice lowering. Alisanda walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Alisanda has left. J'rus is still watching F'hlan. Patient. This could be interesting. Lance chuckles softly at Caitlyn Halia walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Halia has left. Jaen quits fussing over J'rus and sits down herself, watching the harper and healer with interest. Anwyn stands and leaves the quiet table by the night hearth. Anwyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Anwyn has left. P'tran speaks in hushed tones to F'hlan and Rafael F'hlan's stance in his chair turns wary again, and he avoids meeting anyone's gaze. Lance hums softly and stands going over to get some klah Caitlyn shoots Jaen a glance and rolls her eyes slightly, quirking a grin. J'rus looks at you for a moment. P'tran sits down at the round table by the lower caverns. You sit down at the round table by the lower caverns. J'rus gets up and walks over toward Ptran F'hlan and Rafael. Jaen watches J'rus, not following. P'tran looks over to J'rus as he approaches and shakes his head briefly J'rus stops. He looks over at the table then back at Jaen and retreats. F'hlan settles down at the table with the Weyrleader, wordlessly. There's a brief *blip*, and a green fire lizard emerges from *between*, a tiny one, though full-grown, daintily made. She trills anxiously, then immediately zips to F'hlan's shoulder and croons to him. Lance takes in the surroundings quietly returning to his seat and leaning back putting his feet up P'tran blinks and grins. "I forgot about all those green FLs of yours, F'hlan." F'hlan almost smiles, as the green coos, working her way into his thick hair, and mutters, "I guess they're all starting to realize where I went... " R'val walks in from the bowl. R'val has arrived. Elyandra walks in from the bowl. Elyandra has arrived. Elyandra smiles and salutes as she walks in. P'tran looks up from his table and nods to the others before turning back to his private conversation with F'hlan R'val strides in. He stops by the door after Ely walks in and snaps off a general salute to all riders in the room. He then sits down. R'val pours himself and Ely a klah, handing her one mug with a smile. "Hello everyone!" Lance watches the two saluting and goes back to petting a brown firelizard At your table, P'tran speaks quietly, "Rafael seems to have gotten tied up with someone. No, seriously, F'hlan. How are you doing?" Elyandra takes the mug from R'val and plops down in a seat, 'Thanks.' She takes a long sip. J'rus simply watches P'tran's table. He /isn't/ staring however. F'hlan can be seen to blush a bit, his head bowed as if in embarrassment. At your table, F'hlan murmurs, "Jehrina... has not spoken with you? Or her dragon to yours?" Elyandra looks over and blinks, raising a eyebrow and glancing at J'rus. R'val sips at his klah, gazing over the rim of the mug at the cavern. His gaze stops at Rafael, and he smiles, "Weyrhealer. How goes it?" At your table, P'tran shakes his head. "No. I didnt want to press her at the time and I only knew of your arrival when I walked into the bowl. Did something happen?" R'val hrms..he was there a minute ago :) Caitlyn crosses her legs, giving R'val and Ely a distracted smile as she continues telling a young woman about her fosterling's progress in classes. F'hlan shakes his head at something P'tran tells him. P'tran hmms and has a bit of a look of disbelief on his face before he leans forward again On F'hlan's shoulder, the green fire lizard coos sweetly, twining her tail around his neck, and nuzzling at the rider's ear as if to assure him that of COURSE everything is alright, she's here. R'val's eyes are drawn to the person everyone is staring at, and he frowns in thought. At your table, P'tran says "Something must be wrong, F'hlan. Face it, you *did* look like you haven't eaten in days." Lance isnt staring at poor F'hlan, he is curiously watching the weyrlings Elyandra follows R'val's gaze and looks at the rider, trying to see if she remembers seeing him before...she shrugs and sips her klah, there've been plenty of unfamiliar riders here before. J'rus sits down at the small table by the bowl entrance. R'val leans hesitatantly towards Elyandra and murmurs in her ear. J'rus figures we might as well play with this table stuff. Start a trend eh P'tran? At your table, F'hlan nods dejectedly, not speaking. Jaen sits down at the small table by the bowl entrance. Elyandra looks at R'val and shrugs, sipping her klah and wondering why everyone is staring at this poor man. At your table, P'tran sighs slightly. "I can't help if I don't know what's wrong," he says simply. R'val continues to eye the man curiously as he nods to Elyandra, leaning back in his chair, glancing around at everyone as they stare at the rider. R'val looks at you for a moment. P'tran pauses to take a sip of his klah as he awaits an answer to a whispered question to F'hlan Lance walks towards the inner cavern. Lance has left. F'hlan, turning a mild shade of crimson as the green on his shoulder trills cutely, tries to ignore the various stares in his direction. Whatever the Weyrleader has said to him has evidently bothered him, for he won't look at P'tran, either. R'val continues to watch the rider very curiously, now. He can't help a low chuckle as the man turns various shades of red. Dragon> Tagenth bespoke Tzornth with << My rider says, don't let them bother you so much. Legends always get stared at. ;) >> J'rus laughs, "Tell me about it Jaen. Jaen grins, a bit embarrassed at whatever she just said but enjoying the response. F'hlan starts, stares outside with the look of a rider listening to his dragon, and abruptly turns a darker hue of red. Tzornth> Tagenth senses that Tzornth croons to you warmly. << I have informed him of this, thank you. >> At your table, P'tran nods. "I think I understand. I guess we never really had as much of a repoir as you and Jehrina." He pauses, looking a little defeated. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to help." At your table, F'hlan mutters gruffly, "There is... I... I don't know, P'tran, I... " At your table, F'hlan, seeming uncharacteristically disoriented and listless, just shrugs a little, troubledly. Jaen squeezes J'rus' hand, rising slowly. "Get back to bed soon, alright?" J'rus grins, "Sure, I prmoise. See ya Jaen... Jaen nods. "I"ll come by after sweeps." Jaen stands and leaves the small table by the bowl entrance. At your table, F'hlan's headband is tugged by the green on his shoulder - identifying her as Koei. F'hlan for once doesn't scold her, indeed doesn't even seem too aware of the green's presence. Jaen walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Jaen has left. At your table, P'tran eyes F'hlan for a moment. "I think we better get you to see the healer before anything else ..." Tarugana walks here from the Inner Cavern. Tarugana has arrived. R'val looks up and smiles, "Tarugana. Nice to see you again." F'hlan's headband is tugged at by the green on his shoulder, who cheeps muffledly around the leather as she flits her wings in satisfaction. F'hlan himself is eyed steadily by a thoughtful P'tran. Tarugana says "greetings" Elyandra looks over at the rider before turning to sit with J'rus and ask him a question. Elyandra sits down at the small table by the bowl entrance. Tarugana walks over to j'rus Tarugana says "you look unwell rider..." Elyandra looks up, 'Hello Tarugana. How are you?" She grins. At your table, F'hlan fidgets, at a loss for words, and finally murmurs resignedly, "As you wish... " Tarugana says "fine..." At your table, P'tran asks in earnest, "Have you been ill, F'hlan?" J'rus looks over to the apprentice healer. "Hmm?" He doesn't wanna say anything all that rude. At your table, F'hlan blushes. "That is why I was sent south, P'tran... " Tarugana says "well...yeah...." P'tran shakes his head suddenly at F'hlan. At your table, P'tran says "No, that's not what I meant ..." At your table, P'tran pauses for a moment and looks thoughtful, as if considering something Elyandra glances at P'tran and the other rider before looking up at Tarugana, 'What's up?' She grins again. P'tran leans back in his seat suddenly, looking thoughtful. J'rus laughs, "Guess I do seem a bit pale," as he holds out his hands, laughing even harder. R'val chuckles, 'Pale, you most certainly are, Jor." F'hlan, abashed, turns slightly away from P'tran in his chair. P'tran leans forward again and speaks in hushed tones to F'hlan. W'liam walks in from the bowl. W'liam has arrived. At your table, P'tran asks point-blank, "F'hlan, do you want to be an active rider again?" W'liam gads. People. Elyandra salutes the assistant weyrlingmaster. P'tran is sitting talking privately with someone with his back to the bowl so he doesnot see W'liam come in immediately W'liam heads in the direction of the klah pot. Caitlyn finishes up a private conversation and excuses herself, giving a nod around on the way out. Caitlyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Caitlyn has left. At your table, F'hlan jerks his head up at that. There's a flash of longing in his gaze, vivid, unmistakable... and promptly followed by a look of profound shame. J'rus smiles, "W'liam.... At your table, P'tran, not one to beat around the bush, asks again, "Do you?" J'rus grins, "Sure am getting there Ma'am," he shrugs, "name's J'rus by the way. At your table, F'hlan nods, miserably. W'liam moves very deliberately, pouring himself a mug. P'tran suddenly breaks into a smile at the table where he is speaking with F'hlan Tarugana says "well j'rus..i don't think you need a healer..you look a bit sick but sevendays is enough time for you to be over the worst of it..." At your table, P'tran says "All you had to do was ask, F'hlan. I would be honored to have you in the ranks of Benden Weyr's fighting wings again." Elyandra glances at J'rus and grins slightly, taking a sip of her klah. At your table, F'hlan looks up suddenly, muttering harshly, "You... don't understand, P'tran. I can't... " Tarugana says "so i will leave you to it...." R'val chuckles softly at Tarugana's words. At your table, P'tran raises an eyebrow. "Can't ask? Or can't fly?" Tarugana says "what r'val he says he's okay he looks a bit pale ...but he's allright...." J'rus chuckles. R'val nods, 'You're correct, Tarugana." At your table, F'hlan admits, roughly, his features tightening at the words, "Can't... fly." At your table, P'tran says "And who said that?" Elyandra looks at Tarugana for a second before glancing at J'rus and sipping her klah again. Tarugana says "well it was nice seeing you again R'val..and nice meeting you J'rus i must go now" F'hlan abruptly bounces his fist on the top of the table where he's sitting, his expression turned rough, harsh. Tarugana says "fare well all" At your table, F'hlan hisses, "I _can't_!" Tarugana walks towards the inner cavern. Tarugana has left. Elyandra jumps and looks over at the rider for a second. P'tran blinks at F'hlan's reaction, and then leans forward again. R'val's eyes widen as he looks over at F'hlan, startled. W'liam sits down quietly, receeding into a dark corner, eyes glinting in the light of a nearby hearth. J'rus blinks and turns to look F'hlan's way. He gets up. At your table, P'tran sets his own expression hard. "If a healer can certify you as all right to fly, then you can fly." J'rus stands and leaves the small table by the bowl entrance. F'hlan promptly looks aghast, painfully aware of the amount of attention on him. At your table, F'hlan growls, "It won't happen. I... " His eyes tighten shut, giving him a look like the one he had when Jehrina brought him here, a look of pain. J'rus is now standing with his arms crossed. He is aware of F'hlan's increased tension. J'rus Standing at a bit under 2 meters in height, this solid-looking and strong willed 20 turn old looks around himself rather confidently, proud to be who he is. Though his ashen blond hair isn't overly long, he keeps it long enough to let it fall down over his fathomless green/hazel eyes, something he's done since childhood. Deep in his eyes, however, shines the light of a second mind, a spark of life which could belong to none other than his draconic lifemate Rodrith. J'rus is dressed in casual uniform, a simple shirt tucked into loose fitting trousers, comfortable weyrhide boots covering his feet. As the result of a recent brawl during the Birtan Gather, however, J'rus came into a nice run-in with a good deal of steel, a final encounter with Rezza... Maeri... leaving him with a nice knife-wound to his side. Right now he's functional, though he does wince occasionally under the pain of the injury. A clean bandage covers his stitches, a clear sign of how well he's being cared for. A braided loop hangs from his right shoulder, Benden's Black and Red intertwined with a thinner metallic cord to rank him as the Rider of a Bronze Dragon. Currently J'rus' firelizard Blink rests on his right shoulder as well, tail wrapped around his neck lovingly. His eyes whirl a soft blue as he rubs up against his pet every now and then, nothing but a whisper of a croon as he nuzzles his pet. Carrying: Blink P'tran shakes his head at F'hlan. Elyandra glances up at J'rus, then looks over at the weyrleader's table. F'hlan sets his elbows on the table, propping his head in his hands. The fire lizard on his shoulder coos plaintively, trying to comfort him. At your table, P'tran says "Don's say that. The last time you were evaluated it was Turns ago. I'm not garanteeing that you'll fly again, but I think if you want it badly enough, you sure as sharding should go for it." At your table, F'hlan mutters in a lower tone, "I've... tried, P'tran. I... know my own limits. I... I-I can't fly, if my sharding head is exploding... " Dragon> Rodrith bespoke Tzornth with << What upsets your Rider? >> Tzornth> Rodrith senses that Tzornth, his tone rather more subdued than the triumphant bugle he let out when he and Leilanth entered the Weyr, answers you gravely, << He thinks he cannot fly as a rider shoulder. >> At your table, P'tran raises an eyebrow. "Your head? I thought your injury was your leg?" J'rus's eyes haze as his expression goes to a wry grin. OK, so we have to play M'kla and Saer all over again. This'll be fun. Dragon> Rodrith bespoke Tzornth with << Why is that? >> F'hlan nods, then shakes his head, then shrugs, all tensely, still not looking at the Weyrleader. At your table, F'hlan says lowly, roughly, "Check the healer records. They sent me south for the leg, a-and... headaches." Tzornth> Rodrith senses that Tzornth, as he plucks himself a meal out of the milling herd on the feeding grounds, rumbles back, << My rider was injured. It made it hard for him to fly with me very long. It causes him pain. >> At your table, P'tran nods quietly. "T'garrick had a problem like that and he's flying again." he notes. At your table, P'tran says "Anyway, when was the last time a healer looked you over for this?" F'hlan scowls. Dragon> Tzornth senses that Rodrith croons. P'tran continues to speak in earnest with F'hlan despite the fact that he is looking away R'val stands and quietly excuses himself, saluting. R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. R'val has left. At your table, F'hlan says "It's... it's been a Turn and a half. I should have... " He breaks off, and adds, "Melora's family doesn't have a healer stationed at their Hold..." Tzornth> Rodrith senses that Tzornth croons back, evidently troubled over his rider's status, but touched by the inquiry. At your table, P'tran ahs. "Then in that case, you're about due for a healer to look you over" P'tran smiles slightly at F'hlan J'rus shakes his head and returns to his table with Elyandra. F'hlan gives P'tran a defeated look, rather as if the younger man has just offered to hold him headfirst over a firepit. Rafael looks at you for a moment. W'liam . o O ( That doesn't sound all that bad... ) P'tran looks up and sees Rafael is free and calls him over to the table Rafael heads back over, nodding at the drudge who he just bandaged and saying something about 'keeping it dry'. He joins P'tran and F'hlan. Elyandra glances over at the weyrleaders table once more before grinning at J'rus. Dragon> Zibrith bespoke Benden dragons with << Why is it so quiet where my lifemate is? Everyone is staring at the oler rider? >> J'rus sits down at the small table by the bowl entrance. Rafael sits down at the round table by the lower caverns. Rafael joins you. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth can hear him blushing from out in the feeding grounds. He remarks sagely to the younger dragon, << My rider was not expecting to make him come here today. >> At your table, Rafael says "Can I help you, Weyrleader?" Dragon> Zibrith bespoke Benden dragons with << then why did he come? did he have to come? >> Rafael Rafael is not the stereotypical Healer. In fact, he looks more like a Herder...but then again, he was one for ten Turns. His straight red-brown Hair, beginning to silver at the temples, is long and pulled back into a short runnertail, and he has a close-trimmed red beard, also laced with silver. His green eyes are brilliant and humour-filled, despite wheery feet at the corners, and his skin still shows an Igen Weyr tan. He is stocky, no more than 5'9", and strongly muscled from years of hard work, his hands strong and agile, and he walks with a pronounced limp, a legacy of the accident that ended his career in the Ruatha/Katz Field runner circuit as a breaker. Now he reshapes different things, as a Weyr- and Mindhealer. Raf is wearing a fleece pullover in Healer purple, the weave simple and unadorned, and a pair of warm-looking gray denim pants. His feet are in fleecelined gray boots. Raf seems to be in a good mood, smiling softly. Rafael smiles at you through his goatee. At your table, P'tran nods to Rafael. "This is F'hlan, bronze Tzornth's rider. I'd like him to have a full physical at your earliest convenience" At your table, F'hlan glances brusquely at the Healer, not trusting his voice. Dragon> Benden dragons sense that Tzornth rumbles contemplatively. << Did he have to? Well, I think so. He was miserable. >> At your table, Rafael nods, smiling reassuringly at F'hlan. "How are you feeling, rider?" At your table, F'hlan, clearly embarrassed to have to admit it, mutters, ".... less than adequate." At your table, P'tran looks over to F'hlan with an expression that is meant to convey that he can place his trust in Rafael At your table, Rafael nods, his eyes warm and his voice level. "Is this something you can discuss in front of the Weyrleader?" At your table, F'hlan reddens. The presence of the Weyrleader seems less of a problem than the blatantly curious stares from other folk about the cavern directed his way, as he shifts uncomfortably from time to time as he sees someone else looking at him. At your table, P'tran says "He's been telling me a little bit about it, but if he'd like to keep the rest confidential, I have no problem with that" At your table, P'tran notices F'hlan's discomfort. "But we could talk about this somewhere more private ...." At your table, Rafael nods. "I understand, certainly. When would be good, F'hlan? Now?" At your table, F'hlan murmurs, "I have... apparently been ordered... by the Weyrwoman to remain here in the Weyr... " At your table, Rafael raises an eyebrow, plainly looking to P'tran for an explanation, if this is some obscure facet of rider practice he doesn't know. At your table, F'hlan finally adds roughly, "It seems I do not have much choice." His voice is low and barely audible. At your table, P'tran shakes his head at Rafael and decides the Weyrhealer should know the details. "F'hlan has been in the Southern continent until recently. He would like to be an active rider again, but he needs to be examined by a healer first" J'rus grins, "You're a weyrling yet, you'll have your time. At your table, Rafael nods. "Understood. Well, then. We can get you set, I would think." At your table, F'hlan, for a man who wants to be an active rider again, shows remarkably little enthusiasm. W'liam announces, "It's raining," in a sepulchural voice. J'rus LOL. J'rus notes with a raised eyebrow, "Trust me Elyandra, no one who Wenda does not want to have in her cot even gets NEAR it. Elyandra blinks at J'rus and sighs, taking a sip of her klah. J'rus shrugs, "My opinion at least. P'tran leans back in his seat slightly as Rafael gets called away on an emergency Elyandra returns J'rus's shrug and sighs, leaning back in her chair. P'tran looks over to F'hlan. "Let me show you to a guest weyr, since Rafael seems to be quite busy this evening. F'hlan glances with a mixture of unease and relief after the departed Healer. He blinks, then gravely and listlessly nods to P'tran. P'tran stands and leaves the round table by the lower caverns. P'tran has departed. J'rus watches F'hlan as he gets up. You stand and leave the round table by the lower caverns. P'tran looks over to the others and nods. "Unless anyone needs me, I'll be retiring for the evening in a little while." Elyandra watches the rider and glances at P'tran, 'Yes, sir.' J'rus nods ot P'tran. F'hlan moves after P'tran, favoring his left leg as he walks, and exits the cavern. You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. North Bowl(#396RJ) The light spills over the over-arching mountains and into the bowl. It illuminates the patched ground, covered with gravel and fine sand. Here and there, the odd piece of greenery struggles up from the ash-based soil. The odor of pickling and preserves emerging from the Living Cavern is strong, a sure sign that the summer fruits and vegetables are being stored for the winter. The northern half of the crater is smaller than the southern one, but still immense. To the west is an opening into the Living Cavern of the weyr. Other openings in the northern cavern lead into the weyrs of the junior queens, weyrleaders, and the massive Hatching Grounds. Storage bunkers of various sorts are stacked against the rough rock walls. The murmur of voices and the clatter of pots and chairs drifts from the Living Cavern, where the evening meal is being served. Several entrances lead to the junior queenriders' weyrs. Use '+view queenriders' to see them. Rain falls lightly around you, alternating between rainfall and a heavy mist. Contents: Rodrith Torinth Leilanth Laerth Kayne's Trader Wagon Obvious exits: Weyrleaders' Complex South Bowl Hatching Cavern Outer Infirmary Guest Weyr Living Cavern Records Room P'tran comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. P'tran has arrived. Above, Pavanth leaps from Pavanth's Ledge and flies into the air. Above, Pavanth flies towards the south end of the bowl. F'hlan limps along beside P'tran, brow furrowed. He doesn't speak. Above, Pavanth flies over from the south end of the bowl. P'tran looks over to F'hlan and smiles. "You won't mind using a ground-level weyr for a little while?" F'hlan nods shakily. "That... that will be fine." Above, Pavanth lands on Pavanth's Ledge. P'tran nods. "Well, I only mean that your visit was unexpected, and ... hmm." He decides to shut up rather than say something else that may embarrass him. "All right then, we can use this one over here ..." He starts walking towards a largish ground level weyr just below the junior queens' ledges P'tran moves down a short passage and past a curtain, moving out of sight as he enters the Guest Weyr. P'tran has left. You push aside the curtain and enter the weyr. Guest (Ground-floor) Weyr This is a large, ground level weyr not far from the junior queen's weyrs. The stone couch is covered by several thick blankets, and is very comfortable while providing a soft place to rest. Several glowbaskets give off light, and the floor has been worn very smooth. A passages leads out into the bowl. Contents: P'tran Small basket filled with sand Larger basket filled with sand Obvious exits: Bowl A small basket that has been filled with sand and put near the fireplace to warm. You notice a clutch of firelizard eggs here. (OOC: Type 'clutch help' for help. If you have won an egg, you will also need a free quota to make an object and a pen and piece of paper to write the firelizard desc on. For an example of some firelizard code, ex Miko or make up your own. BPC's are located on the Firelizard Machine in the Code Room off of #75. And, congratulations!) This is a larger basket that has been filled with sand and put near the fireplace to keep warm. You see a firelizard clutch in the sand, and Aotearoa is sitting right in the middle of it. She also seems to be keeping an eye on the smaller basket as well. (OOC: Type 'clutch help' for help. For further necessary OOC info look at the small basket, then ask Ryialla.) P'tran hmms as he looks around. "I think the places needs a few more glowbaskets .." F'hlan blinks at the unmistakable fire lizard clutches nearby, mutters something about hoping those aren't greens, and looks unutterably relieved to be out of observation. P'tran glances over atthe baskets and rolls his eyes. "Sorry about that ... I can have them moved if they'd be in the way ..." F'hlan shakes his head, seeming exhausted, drained. P'tran nods to F'hlan. "Actually, this is probably better. Just rest first and we can worry about the healer exam another day. Is there anything I can get for you before I head off for the night myself?" F'hlan whispers tiredly, "Melora," as he lowers himself stiffly into a cot. P'tran nods and sighs. "I can have a rider bring her over if you like, but I understand ..." P'tran decides to take his leave before saying anything else to depress him even more ... P'tran leaves the weyr and heads out into the bowl. P'tran has left. [End log.]