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: 8/21/96 Log Cast (in order of appearance): Mehlani, daughter of F'hlan and Melora Devlin, son of Krystlin and D'vin, fosterling of Merla Fashaylan, son of F'nar and Shaylar, new Miner apprentice Alyssa, Weyrling, blue Adonith's rider Kindre, Weyrling, gold Herath's rider F'nar, blue Pavanth's rider R'val, blue Vidarth's rider K'nan, green Veyath's rider Log Intro: Mehlani, daughter of F'hlan and Melora, has been a child with a lot on her mind lately. Between trying to decide whether she should return with her mother for her next duty stint at the Harper Hall, or stay at Benden Weyr to not only help Caitria with the Weyr's beast hold but _also_ keeping her father company, trying to decide what she can do for poor nightmare-beset K'tyn in the Weyrling Barracks, and pondering the concern of Revim back at the Harper hall that she try to talk more, she's had quite a lot to consider for a lass who's not yet nine! Thus, perhaps she might be forgiven for not paying attention to the flow of time one night.... ---------- Mehlani(#4177PQace) This is a small girl-child, delicate of build and solemn of regard. Her hair is soft and fine, somewhere in shade between red and auburn. Her eyes, dusty blue-grey, are enormous against the rest of her tiny features. Very rarely does this waif speak; when she does, her voice is shy and sweetly toned. More often than not, though, she simply watches everything in sight, as if she is giving weighty concern to all that meets her gaze. She is 8 Turns, 11 months, and 21 days old. Carrying: Whereth(#11120) Callie(#7160) You head down the low steps into the... South Bowl The southern half of the bowl is the largest. Its expanse stretches out, partitioned into sections by the color of the ground. The shore of the lake stretches out to the southwest. The bowl's patch of wildflowers, gardens and a few small small trees stretching out in that direction also, grading into the Runner Pasture. The rest of the southern bowl is pressed earth as hard as rock, raked with dragon talons from turns of launchings and landings. Towards the weyrling barracks, the ground is scarred in regular patterns from the performance of age-old drills. The rest of the ground is scarred more irregularly, and a large pile of firestone is stacked neatly by the wall. The ground also has black stains from the firestone. The meadow near the lake is strewn with wild flowers, like little stars of pink, yellow, and white. The ground by the the barracks is quite muddy. The skies above are clear, not a cloud in sight as far as the eye can see. Contents: Herath(#5443MOVaepqs) Tyrrath(#1314JOVaeps$) Flannery Lal Areseth(#2299OVaepqs) Kayne's Trader Wagon Obvious exits: Feeding Grounds Runner Pasture Lake Shore Weyrling Barracks North Bowl Weyr Entrance Mehlani steps out of her father's weyr and pads off northward. You walk north. North Bowl(#396RJ$) 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 first few spring flowers are blooming in pots, and what weeds there are have a renewed, clean color. The smell of spring comes in on the west wind. 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 bowl is quiet in the depth of night. Several entrances lead to the junior queenriders' weyrs. Use '+view queenriders' to see them. The skies above are clear, not a cloud in sight as far as the eye can see. Contents: Devlin Rommy Pavanth Vidarth(#353JOQaepqst$) Luth Wereth(#6869Jaes$) Obvious exits: Weyrleaders' Complex South Bowl Hatching Cavern Outer Infirmary Guest Weyr Living Cavern Records Room Devlin looks at you for a moment. Devlin is sitting on the ground, a plate balanced on his knees. Devlin smiles. "Hi Mehlani!" Mehlani padpadpads up from the southern half of the bowl, a wriggling furry something in her arms, and as she draws nearer, the something can be heard to say "Mew!" Mehlani, called, blinkblinks -- then abruptly smiles, quietly, and comes nearer. The cat she's carrying swivels its head around. Devlin peeks at the cat, "What's his-- her?-- name?" Mehlani comes up to the older child, within easy talking range, then, and she whispers, "Callie. She's a she." The young cat flicks an ear at Devlin. Fashaylan comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Fashaylan has arrived. Callie mews. Fashaylan A young boy of about 11 turns smiles back at you. His mop of unruly red curls and mischevious hazel eyes make for a perfectly impish look, and he shouts happily as he runs about gathering all the dirt from around Pern. Fashaylan, called Fash by friends and family, runs about in his dusty brown tunic and blue trousers. His once off-white boots are covered in dust and dirt, but, strangely, his hands and face are neatly scrubbed clean. At his feet, a small black feline trails, pouncing occasionally on scuffed boots and causing Fash to tumble to the ground in a fit of giggles. Carrying: Fashaylan's BPC Fashaylan bounds in and catches up Rommy in a squeeze. Fashaylan grins, "Hey Dev! Guess what." Mehlani looks up, blinks at another feline's sounds nearby, and takes a step backwards. The fleeting smile on her face flickers uncertainly. Fashaylan sets the black kitten down. Callie alertly swivels her head to peer at the other feline. Mew? Rommy mews loudly at Callie, and pads over to Mehlani's feet. Mehlani blinkblinkblinks, unsurely lifting that foot a little. Callie's tail lashes from the girl's arm, and Mehlani starts paying attention to trying to keep her cat in her grasp. Devlin looks from Mehlani to Fashaylan. "What?" Fashaylan grins, and shows off his new knot, "I'm a miner!" Rommy mews softer and rubs up against Mehlani's legs, leaving behind a trail of long black hairs. Devlin nods, with a smile. "Congratulations." Vachon peeks out at Mehlani, trilling a greeting to her as Devlin speaks to Fash. Mehlani looks up shyly at Fashaylan's declaration, then, eeps a little, as Callie leaps out of her grip. Callie pounces down playfully towards the other cat. A trifle taken aback, it would seem, 'Lani blinkblinks between the two boys, then to Devlin's brown. Fashaylan beams, and then notices Mehlani, "Hiya..." Rommy pounces happily after Callie, glad for a new playmate. Devlin sets his plate to one side, as Vachon takes that as an invitation to hop to Dev's knees. Mehlani bobs her head slowly at the be-Miner-knotted lad. Alyssa comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Alyssa has arrived. Fashaylan grins, "Um, I'm Fash...well, Fashaylan. You can call me Fash. You a friend of Dev's? Alyssa walks south. Alyssa has left. Devlin says "This is Mehlani, Fash." Fashaylan looks at you for a moment. Mehlani, as Devlin speaks up, nods gravely to his introduction. Devlin grins at Mehlani, "How've you been?" Mehlani starts to nod, then seems to realize that won't be an adequate answer. Her brow furrows slightly, and she offers in a very soft voice, "Thinking." She seems slightly bemused, perhaps aware that's more an answer to 'What have you been doing?' rather than 'How have you been?' Devlin considers Mehlani, "Thinkin' 'bout what?" Fashaylan smiles at Mehlani, "Well met, Mehlani. Like your feline. So does Rommy, I suppose. What's her name?" Benden Weyr> Mehlani uh-oh, Devlin asked 'Lani a non-yes-no question. I gotta TALK... Benden Weyr> Kindre GASPS! Mehlani, no.... Fashaylan notices he's interuped a conversation...well, sorta, and waits patiently. "Callie," ventures Mehlani to the red-haired lad, then to Devlin, she ponders, and finally goes on somberly, "About whether I should stay with Daddy when Anra and Fahloran go away, and about the Weyrlings, and, um..." She trails off. Devlin tilts his head slightly, "Thinking about going away then." There is, perhaps, a note of disappointment in his voice. Rommy romps about with CAllie, and then jumps onto his favorite rock for a nap. Fashaylan smiles at the girl, and wrinkles his nose in thought, staring at Mehlani and Devlin. Benden Weyr> Devlin says, "She's not a girl, Fash. :) Too young. :) So Dev doesn't have to not like her. :)" Benden Weyr> Fashaylan ahs, "Was wondering. She's actually kinda cute." Benden Weyr> Mehlani, taking after her sainted father, blushes. Benden Weyr> Lily hrms. "You got a girl already, Fash?" Devlin looks at you for a moment. Benden Weyr> Mehlani is about to earn her apprentice blushcrafter's knot, you see. Benden Weyr> Mehlani got a good start on it when she heard Revim wrote a song about her, she can tell you! Benden Weyr> Fashaylan blinks, "What girl. I thought she wan't a girl..." Benden Weyr> Devlin eyes Fash. Hey, back off! :) Mehlani, eyes somewhat troubled, explains to Devlin, "Anra needs to be with Momma, and Fahloran wants to study to be a dragonhealer, and if Momma goes back to the Harper Hall, this means Father will be all alone." Benden Weyr> Fashaylan grins, and raises his hands ina gesture of askance. I'm only 11. Shards. The pressure! Benden Weyr> Devlin grins. Benden Weyr> Mehlani is only seven days shy of nine. Like she has any ideas what you guys are talking about? :) Devlin nods thoughtfully. "He'd be sad about that, huh?" Fashaylan notices that the conversation turns a bit serious, and he slips away quietly, fingering his new knot and glancing back at the two young persons. Benden Weyr> Devlin isn't talking about anything. :) He's just found one person of the female persuasion who doesn't confuse the living daylights out of him and he's going to be possessive over it. :) Mehlani bobbobs her head. Her eyes are still large and liquid and thoughtful, and now that her cat is no longer in her arms, she hugs Whereth in both of them. Devlin says "Well...then, I guess you have to go if you have to. If, um...if you did, I could maybe try to watch out for him." Kindre comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. Kindre has arrived. F'nar comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. F'nar has arrived. F'nar climbs aboard Pavanth, fastening the riding straps about his waist. F'nar has left. From atop Pavanth's neck, F'nar has arrived. Pavanth leaps into the air for a short flight upwards to Pavanth's and Adonith's Ledge. Pavanth has left. Kindre smiles on her way to her demanding lifemate, "Hi Mehlani..." Mehlani murmurs shyly to Devlin, "I dunno if I need to go or not..." She trails off shyly as the grownups go by, as if daunted. Kindre walks south. Kindre has left. Devlin's eyes track the adults until they're gone. "Wanna talk about it?" Callie now that Rommy and Fashaylan are gone returns to Mehlani, mewing for attention. The girl blinkblinks, then starts to nod, even as she admits timidly, "I don't talk well." Devlin grins. "That's okay. I think you talk just fine. You just need practice." Mehlani's brow furrows a little, but she nods, slowly. Devlin says "So...where would you go if you didn't have to worry about your dad?" Mehlani says softly, "The Harper Hall maybe... but I'm too little to be a 'prentice..." R'val comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern. R'val has arrived. Devlin nods thoughtfully. "Is that what you want to do? I mean, if you were old enough and stuff and didn't have to worry about your dad." Above, From the Benden Star Stones, M'nar's mint green Gelth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to green Pliarth and her rider, Ryialla, welcoming them home. Above, Pliarth glides down from above. Above, Pliarth lands on Pliarth's Ledge. Mehlani, unaccountedly, blushes softly. "I..." Mehlani sits down slowly next to Devlin, looking rather flabbergasted by the question. Mehlani finally says timidly, "I dunno what I want to do... I want to... help, but..." Devlin says "But what?" Mehlani hugs Whereth in her arms, tight, and murmurs, "Harpers have to TALK!" Devlin nods. "That's true. But then, there isn't anything that doesn't require you talking." The girl's eyes go rather more liquid, and she hugs Whereth tighter. Devlin hesitates a moment, then touches Mehlani's shoulder. "Seriously, though, you can do anything you want. You can even talk. You're talking to me, after all." Mehlani says around the top of her toy, "Talking's scary." R'val has left. R'val has arrived. Vidarth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Vidarth has left. Above, Vidarth rises up from the bowl. Devlin says "How come?" Above, Veyath leaps from Veyath and Prefeth's Ledge and flies into the air. Veyath backwings for a landing. Veyath has arrived. From Veyath's back, K'nan has left. K'nan climbs down from Veyath's neck, and arrives on the ground. K'nan has arrived. Mehlani inches back a bit as dragons and riders keep going by, and blinks at Devlin past the toy in her arms. K'nan climbs down from Veyath's back and hops off her leg, landing lightly next to her in a crouch, he rises, patting his lifemate's neck fondly as he looks around the bowl. Spotting Mehlani, he smiles over a little, "Heya, Mehlani." Callie pads up to Devlin, and bats at him with a curious paw, wondering if he twitches like the big moving bronze thing she was playing with before. Mehlani, at the green rider's approach, looks up shyly. She's sitting by Devlin on the grassy earth, and hugging her toy wher rather fiercely. By way of greeting, she only nods. Devlin starts as the kitten bats him, not having noticed that the kitten snuck up on him. He reaches down and scritches the kitten lightly. Callie starts to purr, high-pitched. K'nan smiles, returning the quiet nod as he continues on by, not wanting to disturb the two. K'nan walks south. K'nan has left. Above, Vidarth disappears into Between. Devlin says "So, how come talking is scary?" Mehlani, once grownups are out of the way, scoots a little nearer to her companion and whispers timidly, "'Cause I'm..." She trails off, then leans to Devlin's ear close enough to whisper in it directly. Mehlani mutters to Devlin, "... I'm... went to..." You whisper "'Cause I'm scared of making people unhappy like daddy when he went to souther." to Devlin. Mehlani then immediately leans back again, and hugs her wher. Devlin considers, "I don't think you'd make people unhappy, Mehlani." Mehlani murmurs meekly, "I try not to... I don't like people to be unhappy!" Devlin grins. "You're really nice. I bet your dad would be really happy to hear you talking." Mehlani blinkblinkblinks rapidly, looking fully at the dark-haired boy, then. The notion of pleasing her father seems to kindle a hopeful light in her face. "You think so?" she whispers. Devlin says "I *bet* so. I bet he'd be real happy and proud." Mehlani offers, voice very serious, "I like when Father is happy." Apparently Devlin has seized her attention with this concept, for she continues to look at him directly. Devlin nods, "As you should. I wish I could know my own dad. But since I can't, might as well help make yours happy. Right?" He flashes a grin. Mehlani starts to bob her head in earnest, rapid reply, still silent -- then she seems to make a conscious decision to add, "Father says D'vin was a really good Weyrleader." Devlin nods thoughtfully. "That's what people tell me." He tugs on the sleeve of his jacket. "This was his." Benden Weyr> Mehlani does something scary and... volunteers Unsolicited Information in a conversation! Benden Weyr> N'fan oooos. That's Pern-shattering.. Benden Weyr> Devlin takes a bow. :) Benden Weyr> Mehlani says, "Devlin just told Mehlani it would make her father proud if she practiced talking. ;)" Mehlani respectfully studies the old riding jacket, is silent a beat or two again, then offers hesitantly -- clearly not sure how to just talk for the sake of talking -- "Daddy still has his Weyrsecond's knot from when he was D'vin's Weyrsecond... and he says Kedranth was a really big bronze and the only bronze that could beat Tzornth for Tiamanth." The words tumble out of her in a rapid, sudden spurt. Benden Weyr> Mehlani moves Devlin over to the list of Safe People for Lani to Talk To :) Devlin smiles and nods, "Yeah. I've seen some tapestries with Kedranth and Tiamanth on them. Tzornth won Tiamanth, too." Callie mews once, distressed that she is not getting sufficient amounts of attention, and promptly drapes herself across Mehlani's knee. The girl blinkblinks, then smiles unsurely. Mehlani opens her mouth as if to speak again, and pauses like that, as if thinking very hard for something to say and not sure what to utter next. Mehlani at last pipes earnestly, "Tzornth hasn't caught a gold inna long long time!" Devlin chuckles. "Go ahead and say the first thing that pops in your head. You're young. They have to not mind." Mehlani promptly and anxiously replies, "I don't know what to say," and her gaze turns beseeching. Callie pokes a white paw at Mehlani's hand. Pet me. Benden Weyr> Merla waves :). You're still here, Devlin!? Devlin says "With me? Anything you want to. No matter how silly you might think it is. With others, well...say what seems appropriate, I guess." Benden Weyr> Merla eyes her fosterling. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" Benden Weyr> Devlin says, "Still? I've only been on for a couple hours. :)" Mehlani blinks, moves her fingers to obey her cat's poked order, and keeps looking at Devlin, big blue eyes anxioius. Benden Weyr> Devlin grins. He's in the bowl with Mehlani, getting her to talk. Benden Weyr> Merla says, "Well, you were on last time I logged in...around noonish, I think. ;)" Benden Weyr> Mehlani has focused the full force of Earnest Blue Mehlani Eyes on your fosterling, Merla. Benden Weyr> Merla says, "Didn't I tell you to stay away from her ;)?" Benden Weyr> Merla grins at Devlin :) Benden Weyr> Merla tsk tsk tsks..."Well, I warned him. Truly I did." Mehlani considers this information, then tries, "Daddy has two new fire lizards..." Benden Weyr> Devlin laughs. "She's perfectly harmless, Merla!" :) Benden Weyr> Merla will have to have words with F'hlan and Melora about controlling their children ;). Benden Weyr> Mehlani sits here in the bowl and glows out of sheer virtue. Devlin says "Really? That's good! What color? Do they make him happier now?" Benden Weyr> Devlin laughs. You'd think Merla didn't want him talking to not-girls. :) Maybe she's afraid he'll turn out like his dad. :) Mehlani says shyly, "A green... Daddy has a lot of greens... and her name is Wrey, an', um... a brown, he's never had a brown before, an' his name is Ged..." Benden Weyr> Mehlani is the perfect picture of mophaired, waif-eyed, one-sevenday-shy-of-nine-Turns innocence. Devlin couldn't be safer in her presence than if he were a babe in a cradle. Really! :) Vachon chitters as the discussion turns to firelizards, as if a reminder that he deserves attention. Benden Weyr> Merla says, "NO! "Over my dead body ;). Devar already fell into that one. He's gonna be just like his mom..except for the obvious :). A pillar of virtue! (Don't listen to those dinos chortling at that ;)." Benden Weyr> Merla says, "Mehlani is a not-girl?" Devlin grins. "So...you should offer to help him oil the little ones. I bet he'd like that." He considers, "You could even talk to him about Harper Hall." Benden Weyr> Devlin says, "Well, Girls are icky. They have cooties. Mehlani's too young to be a Girl. So she's okay. :)" Benden Weyr> Merla says, "Oh, I see :)." Mehlani pipes, a little more boldly, "I already help Daddy with his fair... and Tzornth, too, 'cause Daddy has trouble climbing with his bad leg..." Mehlani glances at Vachon, smiles shyly, and goes on -- practically chattering, though her words are still paced with her deliberate care -- "I don't know what to think about Harper Hall yet..." Devlin says "I bet you climb wonderfully." He pauses, listening, then says, "Well. You could figure that out. Talking with your dad might help. You've got years yet before you have to choose." Benden Weyr> Merla considers sending Devlin to some crafthall somewhere to get him away from Mehlani. Benden Weyr> Mehlani says, "Better not send him to the Harper Hall, then. :)" Benden Weyr> Mehlani says, "Or the Healer Hall. ;)" Benden Weyr> Devlin acks. "I don't *wanna* be a crafter. I'm gonna be a bronzerider." Benden Weyr> Merla could see it...I send him to a crafthall...he makes such a horrible apprentice he gets sent back. *sigh* Veyath lumbers south. Veyath has left. Benden Weyr> Mehlani's brother is about to try to apprentice to become a dragonhealer, and Momma works at the Harper Hall. ;) Benden Weyr> Merla aiieees at Devlin. "You and Devar both. Why do all my fosterlings turn out this way ;)?" Benden Weyr> Devlin sniffs, hurt. She's got no faith in him at all. Benden Weyr> Merla says, "At least Amina turned out alright :)" Benden Weyr> Merla notes that she ICly sent Devar to fort so he wouldn't be able to stand at Kimbrith's last clutch. Benden Weyr> Mehlani wonders if she should explain to Devlin that bronze riders get swooned at. By Girls. Benden Weyr> Devlin grins at Mehlani. Benden Weyr> Merla grins at Mehlani too :) Benden Weyr> Merla says, "Not all bronzeriders. I don't think Devlin's father would have quite the same reaction to that that F'hlan has ;)." Above, Veyath disappears into Between. Benden Weyr> Merla pictures it...quite amusing :) Benden Weyr> Devlin's dad was...picky. :) Benden Weyr> Ryialla says, "Nobody can blush like F'hlan. :)" Benden Weyr> Mehlani says, "Devlin's daddy also looked like Pierce Brosnan, though. ;)" Benden Weyr> Merla agrees with Ryialla :). "I don't think the swooning types were his type, Devlin ;). Not that they're F'hlan's...but F'hlan's reaction is befuddlement..I think D'vin's would have been disgust." Benden Weyr> Devlin looks like his daddy. :) Benden Weyr> Merla kewls! Benden Weyr> Devlin says, "Well, I will one day. :)" Benden Weyr> Merla says, "Amina wove a tapestry of him :)." Benden Weyr> Mehlani's typist swoons. :) Benden Weyr> Mehlani says, "D'vin was definitely a lot more F'larlike than F'hlan, to be sure. :)" Benden Weyr> Mehlani says, "At least as far as attitude went." Benden Weyr> Ryialla says, "Pierce Brosnan? Excuse me a moment.. (slobber slobber slurp drool..) There. All better. Just please don't mention anyone you know who looks like Paul McGann... :)" Benden Weyr> Merla says, "D'vin was descended from F'lessan, so it's no wonder :)" Benden Weyr> Devlin has good bloodlines, yepyep. :) Benden Weyr> Mehlani whoas. I'm consorting with F'larspawn! Benden Weyr> Devlin poses like a prize horse. :) Benden Weyr> Mehlani, in blissful ignorance of Devlin's noble bloodlines, just sits here and chatters to him about her father's fire lizards. In so much as 'Lani chatters to ANYBODY. :) Devlin says "You like helping with Tzornth, huh?" Mehlani bobs her head and says softly, "He's a lot of dragon to scrub. Daddy showed me how to hold the brush, and how to tell when the hide isn't flaky anymore, and Daddy needs the help anyway and Tzornth loves us, Daddy said so..." Devlin grins, "Of course he does." Devlin considers. "What kinds of things do you like to do?" Mehlani's mouth curves up at each corner. She pauses again, shyly, but seems encouraged; her eyes have brightened, and she sits up a little straighter, guileless regard still fully on the boy beside her. "Um... I like to read to Whereth... in the Records Room... and, um... play with Callie..." The cat meows. Devlin says "Have you explored the caverns in the Weyr?" Mehlani nods earnestly, confiding, "I like the quiet places sometimes, an' Whereth's a wher so he's scared of the light anyway." She holds her toy up, but with his face still against her chest. Devlin nods solemnly, "Of course. I bet we could find a secret place to hide things. We could leave notes and stuff. Even interesting things we find to talk about." Mehlani, again, bobs her head. Then offers, "I've been practicing with the balls Lal gave me..." Devlin says "Really? Like using them?" Basil comes down the stairs from Kimbrith's weyr, to the north north east. Basil has arrived. Basil sails south. Basil has left. Basil sails here from the south. Basil has arrived. [While Basil closes in on the children, gold Kimbrith, roused by the fire lizard, reaches out to the dragon who looks to little 'Lani's father...] Kimbrith bespeaks Tzornth with << Tzornth....Tzonrth....are you awake? Tzornth...? >> Kimbrith senses that Tzornth's mind is assuredly there, but just as assuredly sleeping. But he rouses groggily. << ? >> Kimbrith bespeaks Tzornth with << I am glad you are here. Is F'hlan awake? >> Kimbrith senses that Tzornth slits open an eye, peers at the pre-dawn darkness outside his weyr, and rumbles back sleepily, << Not yet. >> Kimbrith bespeaks Tzornth with << Merla wishes to know if your rider knows his hatchling is not where she belongs.