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: 9/27/96
Log Cast:
	(Humans) Mehlani, Jehrina, F'hlan, Darin (NPC dragonhealer),
Ryialla, Lal, K'tyn, Kindre, R'val, Kassima, Kethran, S'riv, Devlin,
Kenai, Matellan, Sayra
	(Dragons) Tzornth, Lysseth, Dulath, Adonith, Vidarth, Pliarth
Log Intro:
	It is just after the rising of green Asabeth of Thunderbolt Wing --
a flight in which, much to the alarm of his rider, bronze Tzornth has
gotten lightly wounded by a near-collision with blue Vidarth, who
clawed at the bronze's muzzle. Tzornth, in his efforts to avoid the
blue, grazed his head against the rim of the Weyr Bowl; although he
made it back to his weyr, the bronze is now quite dazed, and he and his
rider suffer from the dragon-sized headache as well as the effects of
the aborted flight.
	Witnessing her father's premature leaving of the flight, Mehlani
anxiously hurries to him and Tzornth; finding neither rider nor dragon
particularly coherent, the little girl then hurries off to find another
source of help....

----------
You walk up the long staircase.
Weyrwoman's Ledge(#5250RJ$)
This is the ledge of the senior queen of Benden Weyr. It is easily large 
  enough to accomodate two dragons. It catches the sun most of the day, and 
  gold Leilanth spends much of her time sunning here.
There is not a cloud in the sky, and you can see clear to the horizon.
Contents:
Jehrina
Laerth
Leilanth(#4201Vaepqs$)
Dragonpoker Tapestry(#10939Vm$)
Sign: NO-ANGST ZONE
Weyrlizards
Obvious exits:
Hatching Cavern  Ledge  Weyrleader's Ledge  Bowl

Mehlani comes hurrying up the stairs, her feet light and fast, calling, 
  "Jeh-*sniffle*-rina?"

Jehrina is sitting at her desk, reading over something, and then looks up, 
  "Aye? Mehlani? Is that you?"

Mehlani pants, once she reaches the top of the stairs, and she stands there 
  breathing heavily, blinking tearily. Her head bobs up and down.

Jehrina drops the hide she's reading, and grabs a handkerchief as she 
  stands, "Come in, what's the matter?"

Mehlani comes hastening up, little face struggling between sobs and the 
  attempt to look solemn. "Tzornth *sniffle* got hurt inna flight," she gasps 
  huskily, breathing hard between several of her words. "Please help!"

Jehrina's eyes go wide as she hands over the kerchief, "Oh Faranth. How bad 
  is he? Why didn't someone come get me sooner..?"

Mehlani mops at her face and pipes miserably, "Da didn't TALK to me for a 
  little bit, I-I had to wake him up, an' Tzornth's muzzle is scratched an' he 
  ran into the edge of the Bowl, please come please..." Clinging to the 
  kerchief, the little girl scurries off.

[As Mehlani anxiously leads Jehrina out through the Bowl, Areseth rumbles for
 a moment at the passing anxious child, but Mehlani barely notices; the little
 girl is too caught up on her urgent mission to hear. She and the Weyrwoman
 hurry for F'hlan and Tzornth's weyr....]

You head up the low steps into Tzornth's weyr.
Tzornth's Weyr(#8157RJ$)
This is a smallish weyr, and one whose walls are roughly hewn, suggesting 
  it might have been one of the last ones cut into the walls of Benden Weyr. 
  The stone floor, too, is less smooth than in other parts of the Weyr, 
  tilting very slightly towards the dragon-shaped depression near one wall. 
  Higher up along the walls are several nooks and tiny ledges where fire 
  lizards can roost.
There are two exits out of this chamber, one out to the Bowl, and another 
  into a smaller chamber towards the back of the weyr, obviously intended as 
  personal quarters for whatever rider resides here.

There is not a cloud in the sky, and you can see clear to the horizon.
Contents:
F'hlan
Tzornth
Aeyri
Obvious exits:
Quarters Bowl

Jehrina comes up the steps from the Bowl outside.
Jehrina has arrived.

F'hlan leans heavily into Tzornth's side, clutching at the dragon; the 
  bronze is lying curled up miserably. Two long clawmarks cross one side of 
  his muzzle, and his eyes are barely whirling, a very faint shade of yellow.
F'hlan himself is pale, and his eyes are clenched shut.

Mehlani bursts into the weyr, lingering only to see that Jehrina has 
  followed, before darting to her father's side.

Jehrina trots up, towed behind Mehlani. She stops, taking in the state of 
  the wounded dragon, "Tzornth.. next time, call for Leilanth, would you?" 
  With a grimace, she glances back towards the bowl for a brief moment before 
  stepping up to examine the scratches.

F'hlan lifts his head slowly, then winces at the sound of his child's 
  running feet. "Healer?" he mumbles. Then frowns vaguely, at Jehrina. "He... 
  his head hurts." From the sound of him, F'hlan's head isn't in that great of 
  shape either. Unsteadily, the rider drops to one knee, hugging his daughter, 
  before he mumbles more or less in Jehrina's direction. "Hit it, when Vidarth 
  scored him...."

Tzornth creels, plaintively. The claw marks ooze ichor; there's a blanket 
  on the floor, stained a bit with it, suggesting F'hlan's already tried to 
  dab at the wound.

Jehrina nods stiffly, and drops to one knee at F'hlan's side, "It's not too 
  terrible. It's a good scratch though. Just sit, F'hlan, you look like you're 
  in worse shape than he is."
Jehrina looks up again, and then nods, faintly.

F'hlan grimaces; as Mehlani tugs his arm, he allows himself to sink down at 
  his dragon's side, as he mutters thickly, "Felt him strike... head's still 
  ringing. Mine, an' his..."

Mehlani whispers, "I'm gonna get Father's tea." With that, she creeps off 
  into F'hlan's room.
Mehlani steps through the curtains to the back quarters.
Mehlani has left.

Jehrina nods after Mehlani, "A step ahead of me, she is. I've called a 
  Dragonhealer."

F'hlan starts to nod, grimaces again, and leans back against Tzornth's 
  flank as the dragon creels again. "No business... all those young, small 
  dragons... stupid, Tzornth, stupid..." His voice comes out in a croak.

Scant moments later, Darin appears up the stairs, a pair of sleepy-eyed 
  trainees. Darin takes one look at Tzornth, and sighs, "Flights. Do more 
  damage than 'fall." Not another comment is offered as he brusquely as he 
  begins to work on the injured bronze.

Groggily, Tzornth eyes the arriving healer, and rumbles threadily as his 
  muzzle is cleaned.

Jehrina grimaces, "Can't stop a stubborn dragon, and you know Tzornth's one 
  of the worst, F'hlan."

F'hlan blinks once, then twice, at the female of the trainee pair, then 
  jerks his gaze away with an effort that makes him grimace again. "Know," he 
  mumbles.

Darin mutters instructions on the application of disinfectants to his 
  trainees. A few words are offered to the Weyrwoman and groggy rider, "Looks 
  like he got banged on the drum pretty hard, but the damage is definitely 
  reparable."

F'hlan focuses on the man, again with an effort, and croaks 
  acknowledgement. "Make him rest?"

Jehrina snorts softly, "You both will. I just hope this doesn't trigger one 
  of your headaches for the next few days, F'hlan."

"Too late," the bronze rider mumbles. He presses the bridge of his nose 
  with his fingers.

Darin smiles faintly at the Weyrwoman and then tilts his head at the 
  bronzerider, "Your bronze is not to go *between* for a sevenday. That should 
  be long enough for it to mostly heal over. And if there's any kind of head 
  injury beneath the skin, that'll give you both enough time to recover."

F'hlan doesn't try to nod, this time, but he does manage to groan out, 
  "Acknowledged. Thanks."

Mehlani peeks out of the back room, from which is beginning to waft the 
  scent of herbs boiling over a fire.

Darin nods again, and begins applying heavy bandages to the scratches, 
  "Good thing he missed the eye."

F'hlan, at that, abruptly shudders, giving an audible whimper. His dragon 
  utters an uncharacteristically pitiful creel.

Jehrina smiles faintly in Mehlani's direction, softly calling, "They'll be 
  alright, 'lani." She then blinks, dropping her attention to the bronzerider 
  again, "F'hlan?"

F'hlan reddens, and mutters, "S... sorry. Just th' thought of..." He flicks 
  aglazed look up at Tzornth's nearest eye, the one over the scores.

Darin pulls his hands back quickly, eyeing Tzornth speculatively. "Easy 
  now. Faranth knows what you and your rider mean to this weyr." After a 
  moment, he continues with his work.

F'hlan manages a ghost of a smile, then huddles against Tzornth's flank, 
  shaking.

Jehrina snorts softly, glancing up in the direction Mehlani disappeared. 
  "That's the truth."

After a time, 'Lani comes padding quickly out of the back room, carrying a 
  steaming mug.
Mehlani whispers, "I made the tea," as she reaches Jehrina's side. She 
  holds the cup out to the gold rider.

Tzornth drops his eyelids shut, as the healer attends him.

Jehrina takes the cup in one hand, and gives the girl a quick hug with the 
  other arm, "You did right to come get me. Don't you ever worry about that." 
  She turns her head towards F'hlan, "Have some of the tea, please? If your 
  head stops ringing, it'll help you both out."

F'hlan shifts himself enough to accept the mug, ignoring the heat radiating 
  out of it into his palms. He starts gulping at the stuff, brows tightening, 
  then slowly beginning to relax. "A start," he whispers. "'Lani, th... thank 
  you..."

Darin steps back, giving a final nod, setting a jar of numbweed on a table, 
  "This should do you for the night, and part of tomorrow. If he complains 
  about his head ringing in the morning, I want to know /immediately/. If you 
  can't find me, call for Elyandra or Alyssa, they'll have my report."

Mehlani looks gravely up at the healer and notes the location of the 
  numbweed, and the bandages on the bronze's snout.

F'hlan pauses to mumble another acknowledgement to the healer.

Darin nods to the Weyrwoman, and with a final look at F'hlan, hauls his 
  apprentices out of the weyr.

Jehrina shakes her head, "The scrapes you get into, F'hlan. I'm definitely 
  going to have a word with R'val about controlling that dragon of his."

F'hlan splutters a little. "Nine... in the flight... can't blame him..." 
  His voice roughens for a moment, with barely suppressed longing, before he 
  returns to gulping down tea.

Jehrina nods slightly, "Good showing." A pause, and then a question, "Are 
  you alright?"

F'hlan sighs, then moans roughly, "I... am not alright, no; will be, 
  tomor... tomorrow. Probably."

Jehrina nods, "I can imagine. Do you want to stay here with Tzornth? I'll 
  find you a blanket if you do."

F'hlan flicks the Weyrwoman a plaintive gaze, and says in a tone that, were 
  it an octave and a half higher, would sound like his daughter's, "Have to 
  stay here...!"

Mehlani slips over to her father and curls up to hug him.

Jehrina graps F'hlan's forearm briefly, and then stands, rummaging about to 
  find a blanket. Eventually, she comes up with one, and tucks it gently 
  around bronzerider and daughter. "You make sure he drinks all that tea, and 
  don't hesitate for a moment to come get me if you think it's necessary, 
  Mehlani, ok?"

Mehlani pipes tinily, "Daddy needs Momma."

Jehrina considers, and then nods, "I can get a rider to send for Melora, if 
  you'd like, F'hlan. It won't take long."

F'hlan winces a little, and mumbles, "Shards... she can't leave Anra..."

Helping to drape the blankt around her sire, Mehlani bites her lip, and 
  looks at Jehrina anxiously.

Jehrina says "I'll send a nanny with the rider. One Anra knows."

F'hlan hugs Mehlani and mumbles, "Something... Mela, or wine... I'll be 
  alright, 'Lani..."

Jehrina nods, "I'll have one of the boys bring up some wine, and I'll send 
  for Melora. You know where to find me, 'lani."
Jehrina stands, and turns to carry out her statement.

F'hlan mutters a thank-you to the Weyrwoman, as she goes.

Jehrina heads down the low steps to the Bowl outside.
Jehrina has left.

[After a short while, an anxious Melora arrives, brought by F'hlan's wingmate
 Faarla; with her father safely in her mother's care, Mehlani creeps off out
 of the weyr to leave the grownups be. But she herself is tired, and tense,
 and worried about her Da and his dragon....]

North Bowl(#396RJ$)
The light spills over the over-arching mountains and into the bowl. It 
  illuminates the patched ground, covered with gravel and fine sand. Here and 
  there, the odd piece of greenery struggles up from the ash-based soil. 
  Scattered leaves have tumbled into corners of the bowl, and are stuck in 
  cracks on the edge of the rock. They have bright colors: orange, gold, and 
  brown. The northern half of the crater is smaller than the southern one, but 
  still immense. To the west is an opening into the Living Cavern of the weyr. 
  Other openings in the northern cavern lead into the weyrs of the junior 
  queens, weyrleaders, and the massive Hatching Grounds. Storage bunkers of 
  various sorts are stacked against the rough rock walls. The bowl is quiet in 
  the depth of night.
Several entrances lead to the junior queenriders' weyrs. Use '+view 
  queenriders' to see them.
There is not a cloud in the sky, and you can see clear to the horizon.
Contents:
Adonith(#5355JOaepqs$)
Dulath
Prometh(#3353JOaes$)
Vidarth(#353JMOQaepqst$)
Lilith(#4466MOVaes)
Erinyth
Lysseth
Brynarth
Kayne's Trader Wagon
Obvious exits:
Weyrleaders' Complex  South Bowl  Hatching Cavern  Outer Infirmary  Guest Weyr 
  Living Cavern  Records Room

Mehlani, little face strained and tear-streaked, comes padding up from the 
  south bowl.

Lysseth cracks open her outmost eyelid and rumbles to Mehlani very quietly.

Dulath warbles softly to the girl.

Adonith lowers his snout and regards Mehlani with whirling eyes.

Mehlani scrubs a hand across her teary eyes, and blinkblinkblinks up at the 
  dragons.

Vidarth rumbles a low note at Mehlani, peering at her with whirling, 
  enormous eyes.

Dulath lowers his head to the ground and lightly whuffles the girl.

Adonith looks faintly distressed at the girl's tears and rouses himself 
  from his steadfast regard of the greens to pad closer to Mehlani.

Lysseth raises up her other eyelids, bright eyes glowing a soft blue in the 
  dark. She croons, or as close to a croon as Lysseth ever manages, inclining 
  her head to peer curiously at the girl.

Mehlani is clutching her stuffed wher in both arms. She stands there crying 
  noiselessly, features radiating a mix of exhaustion and upsetness.

Adonith encircles Mehlani with his tail and draws her close in a sort of 
  dragony embrace.

Above, Pliarth leaps from Pliarth's Ledge and flies into the air.
Pliarth backwings for a landing.
Pliarth has arrived.

Ryialla undoes the buckles and straps tying her to Pliarth.
Atop Pliarth, Ryialla has left.
Ryialla quickly slides down Pliarth's foreleg and jumps to the ground. She 
  turns to pet Pliarth's muzzle and grins as she gets soundly whuffled.
Ryialla has arrived.

Lysseth warbles deep in her throat, a sucker for kids in distress. She 
  lowers her head to gently whuffle the girl, with that standard dragon breath 
  laced with the scent of firestone.

Mehlani stumbles a little towards Adonith, then huddles up against him, and 
  sniffles.

Dulath changes from a warble to a soft croon to the sad girl.

Mehlani, ringed not only by Adonith but three other curious dragon heads, 
  blinks liquidly at her audience.

Ryialla starts towards the living cavern, and stops at a sniffle. She looks 
  about.."Hello?"

Adonith hugs Mehlani closer and presents her with the dragon version of a 
  kiss, a little flickered lick on her temple. His eyes radiate concern and 
  affection for the girl.

Ryialla peers at the small shape near Adonith. She calls out softly, 
  "Mehlani? Is that you?"

Mehlani, more or less obscured by the young blue's head, sniffles again, 
  then says timidly, "Uh-huh..."

Ryialla starts toward her, then stops. "Are you okay? You sound snuffly."

Mehlani says in plaintive utter honesty, "'Scause *sniffle* I'm crying..."

Jehrina comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.
Jehrina has arrived.

Ryialla says, in a brillant flash of intutition, "Oh."
Ryialla salutes Jehrina, then turns back to Mehlani. "Um..you want to talk? 
  Or anything?"

Jehrina makes her way back out from the caverns, coming to a halt at sight 
  of greenrider and child.

If Mehlani nods, it can't really be seen with Adonith's head in the way. 
  She inches forward, though, and peeks around the blue's nose.

Ryialla gives Mehlani her best comforting smile.

Dulath is torn between his concern for the girl and his duty to the 
  weyrwoman. He decides on the latter and rises up to attention.

Adonith lifts his head again to croon a greeting to Jehrina before 
  whuffling Mehlani again, his tail hugging her snugly to him again.

Mehlani sniffles again, and pipes tinily, "Tzornth got hurt an' Daddy has a 
  really nasty headache. Faarla an' Lanneth went t' get Momma, so I had to 
  leave Momma with Daddy so they could do alone-time things." She heaves a 
  gigantic sigh for so small a child, and punctuates it with another sniffle, 
  then hugs her toy wher.

Jehrina looks up at her ledge, and groans softly. Barely audible are the 
  words, "I wish I had as much confidence as you all seem to have in me." With 
  a soft sigh, she nods to Ryialla, and then steps towards Adonith, dropping 
  to a knee in front of Mehlani. "It's alright, 'lani. Daddy'll be fine, and 
  so will Tzornth."

Ryialla's eyes go wide. "Tzornth? Hurt? I hope not too badly.." She smiles 
  as the girl continues. "Your dad'll be fine, Mehlani."

Adonith whuffles Jehrina adoringly before cronning some encouragement to 
  Mehlani.

Pliarth crooons to Mehlani.

Mehlani tries extremely hard to look grown-up and understanding, though 
  what she succeeds in is more 'tired child trying very hard to look grown-up 
  and understanding." Blinking tears aside, encircled by blue dragonflesh, she 
  bobs her head mutely at the two dragonwomen, and the dragons peering down at 
  her.

Another conscience presses a bit into yours and tries, winningly, to raise 
  your spirits.

Jehrina nods to Ryialla, "Scratch, and a good knock on the head from 
  Vidarth. Asabeth's risen." She looks back at Mehlani, and smiles, "Want to 
  come in and have some of Salless's bubblies?"

Ryialla makes a face. "How on Pern did Vidarth manage -that- one?

Mehlani blinkblinks up at Adonith, tearily.

Ryialla says "Probably cut it too close. Flights. Argh." She turns back to 
  'Lani, and smiles. "I think Jehrina's got a wonderful suggestion, there. 
  Bubblies cure many ails.""

Adonith returns Mehlani's regard with that wide, innocent look he pulls off 
  as well as a drunk fisherman walks a straight line.

Jehrina shakes her head slightly, "No idea." She reaches forth a hand to 
  the girl, "Let's go inside. I bet salless can find a special one for you."

Adonith whimperwarbles at Jehrina.

Mehlani blinkblinks damply again, looking back and forth between the 
  grownups and the affectionate young blue.

Ryialla chuckles at Adonith. "You could always back up to the entrance and 
  stick your tail in, if you're so bent on being cuddly.."

Jehrina smirks, "If he can convince Salless to not step on his tail. Come 
  on 'lani. Adonith can control himself for a bit while you have something to 
  eat."

Adonith pulls Mehlani closer to him still, not yet willing to release his 
  prize.

Mehlani blinks, a little startled now at the tightness of Adonith's 
  tail-hug.

Ryialla holds out her hand as well. "Or would you rather have cookies?"
Ryialla smiles.

Adonith regards Jehrina for a moment -- this *is* the rider of his dam, 
  after all -- and slowly relinquishes his hold on Mehlani, looking a bit 
  contrite. Just a bit.

Mehlani carefully gets to her feet, then pauses, and hugs the very end of 
  Adonith's muzzle. "Don't be sad because you didn't win," she whispers. "I 
  like you."

Jehrina raises an eyebrow at Adonith, "You asked Leilanth, now will you let 
  me do what you asked, please?"

Mehlani turns, then, and snifflingly bobs her head to Jehrina and Ryialla.

Adonith ducks his head and moves away, looking fairly much like a little 
  boy caught with the bubblies in the kitchen.

Jehrina starts slightly, and looks at Adonith. After a loooong moment, she 
  turns, resting a light hand on Mehlani's shoulder as she walks back inside.
Jehrina walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.
Jehrina has left.

Ryialla follows behind Jehrina and Mehlani.

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 late 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.
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:
Jehrina
Alyssa
Salless
Lal
K'tyn
Kindre
Kethran
R'val
Kassima
Spicy Food Contest Prize
Spicy Meal Table
Spicy Vegetable Dip
Maps
Obvious exits:
Lower Caverns Kitchen Bowl

Ryialla walks in from the bowl.
Ryialla has arrived.

Lal blinks at all the people arriving, "Allo," she says.

Mehlani, looking tired and teary, is escorted in by Jehrina and Ryialla. 
  Her arms are wrapped around her toy brown wher.

K'tyn nods. "I know what you mean. It's enough to nearly make me wish I 
  could be like Prometh. Forget, and just live for the day."

Kindre laaughs at Kassima, "Stop it...for true?" Her eyes are wide as she 
  continues to giggle, "Well, hmm, I've nothing quite that...public...to 
  repost on them...'cept when my father decided the best way to cure me of sea 
  sickness was to throw me on a vessel headed to Ista." She frowns a little, 
  "No fun tossing your noontime meal in front of welcoming Seacrafters..." She 
  salutes the Weyrwoman and then smiles to the collective group.

R'val glances towards Mehlani and looks momentarily concerned at the girl's 
  state.

Alyssa rises as Mehlani enters with Ryialla and Jehrina, forgetting to 
  salute the Weyrwoman as she tenders Jehrina the most astonishing of looks.

Lal's face goes dour upon seeing Mehlani. "Y'awright, girlie?"

Ryialla says "Bubblies or cookies?"

R'val chuckles, "I'd imagine that wasn't much fun Kindre, "He supposes.

Jehrina walks in beside Mehlani and Ryialla. Her eyes meet Alyssa's for a 
  moment, an eyebrow raised. Then she turns to Mehlani, "Come and have a seat. 
  Salless? Can we get whatever Mehlani'd like? She's deserved it tonight."

Mehlani sniffles a little, blushes just a bit under the weight of several 
  grownup gazes swung in her direction, then padpads over to the seat Jehrina 
  commandeers for her.

Lal gets up from her chair, leaving K'tyn and Kethran to gossip. "Wha 
  happened? Oh...I think I know...." She sits at Mehlani's table.

Kindre shakes her head at R'val and then her mouth curls down a little as 
  she sees Mehlani, "You and your kitten okay, 'Lani?"

Kassima salutes Jehrina and waves to Mehlani and Ryi, blinking a bit at 
  'Lani's teary appearance. "G'deve, Ryi, 'Lani, ma'am... eh, Kindre, I 
  believe that wouldn't be much fun! But there's the time m'cousins got a 
  bunch of snow and pummeled me with it until I was a walking snow-statue, 
  then, while I was still dazed, packed more snow on and I wound up being a 
  snowgirl for true. Complete to the stones for eyes and stick arms. Caught 
  the worst cold after that."

Mehlani bobs her head silently to Kindre's question, and Lal's.

Alyssa nods slowly at Jehrina's raised brow and turns to look at the bowl 
  with stark surprise. "Well, I'll be," she mutters to herself and plops down 
  again.

R'val blinks at Kassima, shocked, "You're kidding.'

K'tyn sits up in his chair, his face long. He doesn't say much, but tries 
  to give the small girl an encouraging glance and reassuring smile.

Ryialla returns waves and such.

Mehlani asks you tinily, She mutters to Ryialla.
Ryialla senses "Mehlani asks you tinily, "C'n I have a cookie, please?""

Kassima chuckles and shakes her head. "Nay 'tall! Things got boring in 
  wintertime, and bored cousins can be dangerous. Mum was furious. And I 
  wasn't too happy m'self, especially when Mum decided to make me lots of 
  wherry soup until I recovered. Mum's cooking is like broiled dust."

Kindre blinks at Kassima, "No...well, at least we didn't have snow, though 
  my brothers found equal tortures for me," she half-shudders, "Raulen 
  convinced me that firelizard eggs...which I'd never seen...lay at the sea's 
  bottom, and sent me diving for them. Was out there half a day, which got me 
  a sever reaming for missing chores..." She grins a little, "Luckily, though, 
  I didn't get sick."

Ryialla smiles and nods a Mehlani, and pops into the kitchen. She comes 
  back with a plateful of cookies. "Uh..I didn't know what kind you like 
  best..so I got a sample."

Kethran sighs, and leans over to whisper to K'tyn again, his face 
  unreadable.

Mehlani blinkblinks, sniffles once, then peeps a very tiny thank-you to 
  Ryialla. The child uncurls an arm from her wher long enough to select a 
  sugar cookie, which she sets to nibbling, slowly.

The tip of a vividly blue snout appears in the entrace to the living 
  cavern, emitting a soft little croon.

Lal says "Hey Ryialla, might I have three o'those cookies? Cin I have some 
  Lani?"

Kassima laughs. "Well, that never worked for me, 'cause my cozzes knew that 
  Yvani wouldn't be allowing me to have any fire-lizards. She's the one who's 
  afraid of dragons and their kin; 'swhy I hadn't even seen any until 'twas in 
  my late fourteenth Turn, but I did make up for *that* with a vengeance."

Ryialla grins at Lal. "Better ask 'Lani. They're hers."

R'val glances expressionlessly around the cavern, stands abruptly, and 
  walks out.
R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
R'val has left.

S'riv walks in from the bowl.
S'riv has arrived.

Mehlani bobbobs her head to Lal, gravely.

Ryialla waves. "Heyla, Saer."

S'riv yawns and stretches as he enters, saluting his sister as he does so, 
  "G'deve Ryi."

Kindre chuckles again, "Ah...well, to bee honest, the first hatcing of 
  'lizards I saw was the other night...the stories they told me were, well, 
  hmm...." she thinks of the right word, "colorful?" She turns at the 
  door-sound again and begins to salute S'riv before catching herself, 
  "Evening," she smiles.

Jehrina smiles over at S'riv.

S'riv grumbles something about obnoxious blues and finds a seat.

Lal smiles to Ryialla and Lani. "I did ask, yeh just didna hear me...." She 
  winks, and begins to toss one of the cookies into the air.
Lal waves to S'riv. "Allo."

K'tyn shakes his head, weariness settling in. He yawns, widely, showing 
  lots of white teeth as he salutes S'riv.

"Adonith!" Alyssa sighs. "Salless is going to smack you with a wooden spoon 
  one day, and it will smark, trust me. Back into the bowl." With a sad little 
  sigh the nose withdraws.

Ryialla blinks, nonplussed. "Really? Oh, okay."

S'riv smiles slightly, and salutes Kindre before taking his seat.
S'riv says "g'deve ta ya as well, m'am."

Jehrina grins at S'riv. "Be nice to Kindre, or I'll tell her not to let you 
  out of things."

Lal begins tossing two cookies in the air, pretending to be very casual 
  about it, like this is perfectly normal.

Mehlani peeks outside at the brief glimmer of blue, then brightens just a 
  bit as she watches Lal deftly lift the cookies.

Kindre blinks, "Jays, is this my pay back, Sir?" She smiles at Jehrina, 
  "Thaank you, Weyrwoman..."

Kassima hmmms. "Now this I'd like to hear, Kindre... I'd heard that they 
  only eat live insects, and you have to catch them and offer them to the 
  hatchlings still wriggling. The more disgusting, the better. 'Twas good to 
  find out that was false. Aph told me... but 'tis a longish story." She waves 
  to Saer and adds, "I think 'twas Simian--he's a Weaver now--who said that 
  they especially liked living tunnelsnakes."

Jehrina perches with one hip on the table, watching Lal.

S'riv grins to his sister, "O' course m'am, ya know I would ne'er do 
  anythin' ta make life less than pleasant for any o' yer worships." He grins, 
  "Ya donna call me sir, m'am. I just be S'riv, or Saer if ya like."

Lal begins to whistle off-tune (equally casually) and toss the last of her 
  cookies. Three cookies of different variety are flying through the air.

Ryialla heads towards the klah pot. "Anyone want a refill while I'm over 
  here?"
Ryialla also rolls her eyes in S'riv's general direction.

Jehrina rolls her eyes.

Devlin walks in from the bowl.
Devlin has arrived.

Mehlani sniffles once more, but much more softly, and watches with wide and 
  teary blue eyes Lal's sleight of hand. She continues to nibble her own 
  cookie, wordlessly.

Alyssa carries her mishmoshed, uneaten food and bread to the bin to be 
  returned to the kitchen as she tells Ryilla, "Thanks, no. I should be in bed 
  soon."

S'riv is the very model of decorum, yup yup yup

Devlin paces quietly into the LC, subdued. He skirts the crowd, making for 
  the sideboard.

S'riv plops into a chair, making sure he hasn't missed anyone he needs to 
  salute in his old age.

Kenai walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Kenai has arrived.

"What's this about worships. Ach, none o'me business. See Lani, how I'm 
  takin' these cookies an' kinda weavin' 'em between each other like that? 
  This is what yeh wanna do." Lal is schooling Lani while the cookies toss.

Kindre's eyes widen at Kassima, "For true? Jays, nearly as bad," she clears 
  her throat to offer, "I've three older, crueler brothers. Beyond the 
  'hatching under water,' I was told the eggs had darts that shot out if you 
  got too close before they were ready to hatch, they only ate canine ears," 
  she shudders at a momory of tryig to free those from one furry animal as a 
  six turn old, "and that they would tear out your eyes should you not be the 
  one they wanted."

Jehrina glances down at Mehlani.

Mehlani doesn't spot Devlin, or anyone else wandering into the cavern, at 
  the moment. She blinks tired and liquid eyes at Lal's handiwork, and bobs 
  her head mutely.

Kenai sneaks in and blinks in surprise at all the people.

Alyssa sighs. "Oh, all right," she snaps in the direction of the bowl 
  before asking Mehlani, "Are you feeling better? Your large blue friend 
  outside is worried."

Kassima grimaces. "Shards, your brothers *were* cruel. My cousins weren't 
  nearly as bad! Though, Kaliawynne once teased me and said that if they 
  didn't want you, they'd shriek fit to waken the dead and deafen the living 
  so everyone would know you'd been rejected. I knew she was teasing, 
  though... 'Wynne was one of my nicer cousins. Must've had to be nice to make 
  up for her awful, unpronounceable name."

Lal continues to juggle casually. "See, if the start gettin' away from yeh, 
  there's a problem. Yeh makes sure they'r ein front o'yeh, like so." Lal 
  catches a cookie in her mouth. "Otherwise," she says, mouth full, yeh get 
  t'eatin' instead o'jugglin'."

K'tyn shakes his head as all the conversations start to become one. He 
  stands with a sigh and looks about the table. "Feel like soaking for a bit, 
  anyone? Keth? I know you would."

Devlin looks up at the mention of 'Lani's name, peering through the crowd. 
  The frown deepens a bit as he sees her looking upset. Food once again 
  forgotten, he moves across the room towards 'Lani.

Lal winks at Mehlani. She eats the cookie she caught.

Mehlani blinkblinks up at Alyssa, then outside again, and pipes in a soft 
  and husky voice, "I'm fine...." She doesn't quite certain. But she giggles a 
  bit at Lal.

Kethran grins. "You know me too well, m'friend," he admits, rising to his 
  feet and stretching. "OR rather, you know what kind of day I've had." He 
  glances around at the others with an inviting smile.

Lal calls after K'tyn and Keth. "I may come. Watch out."

Mehlani then, as Devlin draws near, blinks several times at him, limpidly.

Kindre continues to giggle, "Kassima, you're family may out-do mine at 
  that...though I've no cousins who'd even bother to speak to me..."

S'riv grins, and begins to sing another old bawdy balad about the 
  bronzerider and the new weyrwomans...er...education...

Ryialla grins at Lys and turns to walk to a table..then turns back. 
  Something..different about Lys today. Hm.

Matellan walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Matellan has arrived.

K'tyn shrugs, then grins. "I'll be waiting for you, Lal."

Kethran grins. "Feel free, Lal," he says, smiling quietly.

Lal shakes her head. "Aw naw yeh willna."

Matellan smiles as he enters, "Wow, a packed hall."

Devlin looks for a place near Mehlani to sit. "How've you been, 'Lani?"

K'tyn grins at Lal, squeezing her shoulder. "Congrats again," he says as he 
  strides outside.

Kindre blinks a moment over at S'riv before her mean-relative stories smile 
  goes back to Kassima, "My brother came up here, actually...s'why -I- am even 
  here."

K'tyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
K'tyn has left.

Kethran walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Kethran has left.

Lal rises from her seat in a grand gesture. She looks at her shoulder. And 
  shrugs. "Enh, bronzeriders."

Kassima taps her feet along with Saer's song, apparently recognizing it. 
  "Actually, some of the funniest things are their *names.* My family's a 
  bunch of masochists. They name their children things unpronounceable. Don't 
  even *ask* what my parents first named me before my relatively sane grandmum 
  convinced them to simplify it. One of my great-great aunts was named 
  Siknimalori. Can't get much worse than that."

Mehlani blinkblinks up at Devlin and tells him plaintively, "Tzornth got 
  hurt so I hadda stay with Daddy till Momma came back fromma Harper Hall."

Lal blinks at Kassima. "Sounds liek me own parents."

Devlin reaches out and pats Mehlani's shoulder. "We've got real fine 
  dragonhealers here. Everything will be all right."

Matellan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Matellan has left.

Alyssa sighs, looking around quietly. "I think I'll take Adonith up to the 
  weyr and get some sleep. I need to have a talk with that fellow. Chattering 
  to the weyrwoman, indeed."

S'riv hits the second verse, even worse than the first one and picks up his 
  tempo, his rich baritone voice actually rising above much of the 
  conversation, a rare thing for saer.

Devlin ventures forth a smile, "I bet your dad was real glad to have you 
  with him."

Ryialla peeers at Lys's jacket, then crows happily. "Skyfire? Skyfire! Oh, 
  congratulations, wingmate!"

Devlin reaches out and pats Mehlani's shoulder. "We've got real fine 
  dragonhealers here. Everything will be all right."

Matellan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Matellan has left.

Alyssa sighs, looking around quietly. "I think I'll take Adonith up to the 
  weyr and get some sleep. I need to have a talk with that fellow. Chattering 
  to the weyrwoman, indeed."

S'riv hits the second verse, even worse than the first one and picks up his 
  tempo, his rich baritone voice actually rising above much of the 
  conversation, a rare thing for saer.

Devlin ventures forth a smile, "I bet your dad was real glad to have you with 
  him."

Ryialla peeers at Lys's jacket, then crows happily. "Skyfire? Skyfire! Oh, 
  congratulations, wingmate!"

Kenai walks towards the inner cavern.
Kenai has left.

Lal taps her foot on the floor, thinking. "Anybody here know what me real name 
  is?"
Lal hmphs at Saer. "Cantcha see there's children about?"

Kassima shakes her head at Lal. "Can't say I do, nay... and I can say, with 
  pride, that nay anyone knows mine. Though I wouldn't say 'tis my real name 
  anymore... haven't been called that since 'twas about two days old, thank 
  Faranth."

S'riv shrugs to Lal as he sings, not missing a beat, but wishing his gitar 
  were around.

Kindre's eyes widen again, "Jays...well, at least my parents were simple with 
  names...just me, Jerrent, Raulen and Kolmer...actually," she shrugs, "they 
  were fond of two-syllables I suppose." Turning to Lal, she shakes her head, 
  decidedly blocking out the lyrical verse, "No, I don't...wht is it?"

Alyssa hrms? at Ryialla, then smiles. Genuinely. "Thank you! I'm so delighted 
  to be in Skyfire I can hardly speak." Her eyes, too, light up with her smile.

Mehlani pauses, torn between looking at Devlin and looking at Lal, and she 
  blinks in what is probably growing exhaustion.

Lal says "Well, if yeh go South, you'll hear me real name. Been thinkin' 
  o'tellin' folks, but I'm fearful."

Ryialla grins merrily. "And like all good Skyfire-types, already sneaking in 
  rest whenever you can. G'night, Lys."

Kindre's shoulders slump a little, "I've never been South, Lal...please 
  share?"

Ryialla grins at Lal. "I'm sure it's not that bad." She peers at her too. "And 
  congratulations are due to you as well, I see."

Alyssa embraces the greenrider gently and tells her, "I'm so delighted and so 
  honoured to be with the likes of you. Thank you, Ryialla."

S'riv smacks his leg as if he just got an idea, "Ryi!" he bellows

Lal says "Oh yah it is, Ryi. An' thankee. I got put on prbation in 
  Thunderbolt. Cinna complain."

Devlin mutters to Mehlani, "You look... want... to... back..."
Devlin whispers "You look tired... want someone to walk you back to your 
  father's weyr?"

Ryialla blushes and mumbles something unintelligible.

Mehlani blinkblinkblinks then suddenly shakes her head at Devlin.

Ryialla returns the embrace, then arches an eyebrow at Saer. "That's my name, 
  ayup."

Mehlani mutters to Devlin, "... go back... 'cause... alone...."
You whisper "I can't go back there 'cause Momma and Daddy are being alone...." 
  to Devlin.

S'riv grins even more, "This be a grand idea....the new weyrwoman has no been 
  south...m' guess be most o' the weyrlin's have no...Ya know what we need 
  lass.."

Lal grins. 'See, me parents they liked th'idea o'combinin' names th'way riders 
  do. But they're feebleminded, an'didna know that yeh make th'name outta 
  PARTS, naw th'WHOLE THING. So I got two names in one. Almost got three."

Ryialla says "Uh-oh.."

Lal says "We need t'go South. T'Honshu t'visit me daw."

Alyssa releases Ryialla and calls to everyone in general, "Night...clear skies 
  all." As she heads for the bowl, she detrours by S'riv's table, gives him a 
  small kiss -- on the lips no less -- and winks, "Night, Saer."
Alyssa walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Alyssa has left.

S'riv
Before you stands a man 6'2" tall, and of muscular build. He has brilliant 
  emerald green eyes that gleam with intelligence as they scan the room, 
  memorizing every detail before him. His slightly longer than shoulder length 
  black hair cascades across his neck and shoulders, as he occasionally pushes 
  back a strand that falls in front of his face.
Saer is dressed in a simple tunic and leggings, his flight leathers close to 
  him at all times.
Saer has a new white bandage on his right arm, from elbow to wrist, a bit of 
  blood seeping into the soft fabric. He limps slightly as he walks, but it 
  doesn't seem to bother him much.
S'riv appears to be about 30 turns old.

Kindre uh-ohs, too, her gaze falling between S'riv and Ryialla.

Devlin's face colors at Mehlani's comment. He mutters to Mehlani, "Um. 
  Okay.... There's room in the... Or... Merla's." 
You sense Devlin's face colors at Mehlani's comment. "Um. Okay. Er. There's 
  room in the infirmary if you're tired. Or probably Merla's."

Lal continues, "Down South, me short name's Leolah. Me full name is.....long."

Kassima grimaces. "Well... my first name had six syllables. 'Twas awful. I'm 
  *quite* glad they changed it to Kassima. Much easier to pronounce!"

S'riv blushes and looses his train of thought for a moment, "Shardin' 
  blueriders.." He regains his thought, "Ryi! We need ta Fly the Weyrs, ta 
  Drink the 9!"

Kindre waves, too, to Alyssa, smiling. "Lal,"she half protests, "what is it?"

"Leolalahulleah." She blushes and frowns.

Kindre smiles, not laughing, but smiling wide, "That's not bad...honest, 
  Lal...though I like the shorter version a little better."

Mehlani blinkblinks first at S'riv's proclamation, again at Lal's name, and 
  finally at Devlin. She then remembers she has a cookie, and looks down at 
  it, wide-eyedly.

Ryialla says "Aye, now -THERE'S- a thought.."
Ryialla gapes at Lal. "Oh, my."

Kindre sits up straighter, her curiousity sated on one issue, "The nine what, 
  Si...S'riv? Ryialla?"

Lal runs a hand through her hair. "Well, I'd rather naw have it spread, see. 
  Drink th' 9?"

S'riv grins, looking rather pleased with himself, "Ohh Ryi, darlin', I be 
  thinkin' we must do this.."

Kassima sighs, and smiles. "Truth, aye, the short one's a bit more 
  pronounceable... just as Kassima's better than Alikassimara." She wrinkles 
  her nose in utter disgust, then both her eyebrows shoot up. "You've nay 
  heard of doing the nine? Flying the nine Weyrs? Singing the Benden Drinking 
  Song, and getting too sloshed to stand?"

Devlin frowns a tiny bit, picking uncertainly at the sleeve of his jacket.

Lal says "Oh! I gotta do that! Cin I do that now?"

Sayra walks in from the bowl.
Sayra has arrived.

Lal asks innocently, then adds. "Alikassimara's better'n Leolalahulleah."

S'riv grins and slaps his knee, "This be too fine an idea."

Kindre's eyes take on her familiar wideness, "No...jays, I've hardly had more 
  than four glasses of wine in one sitting..." though she seems somewhat 
  curious, "Am I allowed? I mean, are we? And I like yur name, Alikassimara," 
  she smiles.

Kassima grimaces. "Don't *ever* call me that, please. 'Tis nay my true name 
  anymore; 'twas only mine for a pair of days. Only my crazed relatives know 
  it, for the most part, and even they politely forget about it."

Sayra steps into the cavern, her face set and expressionless.

S'riv chuckles and stands, bowing to Kindre, "Why m' dear weyrwoman, m'am..the 
  weyr be yers now, ya have the run. O' the continent, o' the world m'am."

Lal says "Shards n'shells, I'm in fer that ride o'th'Weyrs. Yer lucky Kassi. 
  That IS my real name, an' me daw insists upon callin' me it. Everybody else 
  calls me Leolah, which I hate just as much."
Lal says "I got Lal from th'seamen who rode me up from Southern on me way 
  here."

Mehlani frowns befuddledly at the assorted grownups, then turns a little pink, 
  and slips off her chair. She sways, once, tiredly.

Lal hmms as she sees Mehlani. "Girlie, ain't it time fer bed?"

Devlin stands up, hurriedly. He moves to Mehlani's side as she sways, holding 
  out a hand to steady her. "Come on. Let's go get you somewhere to rest, 
  'Lani."

Kindre frowns, obviously a little cross for a moment, "Sir," she starts as a 
  smile begins on her face, "I don't believe I'm that far up, nevermind the 
  Weyrwoman would probably banish me to the record rooms for the rest of my 
  turns if I spent several hours falling down drunk all over the continent.2

Mehlani bobs her head a few times, eyes softening from tiredeness. Still 
  clutching Whereth under one arm, she curls the other around Devlin's.

Lal turns to Kindre with a smirk. "Then dunna get CAUGHT."
Lal grins at Lani. But doesn't say anything.

S'riv laughs, "Ya donna ned worry about bein' caught, yer /riders/. If ya 
  donna shirk duty t ado it, noone will say anythin'."

Devlin leads Mehlani quietly out of the LC, stance proprietary.

S'riv says "asides, I'lltake the blame, I always do."

Kassima chuckles. "Well, y'could just tell 'em Areseth shortened it and 'tis 
  your true name, now. Some females've been known to shorten their full names 
  when they ride, though nay many. And doing the nine 'tis fun... so long, of 
  course, as 'twould still be possible to go to dawn drills." She rolls her 
  eyes long-sufferingly. "Thank Faranth for that miracle hangover remedy."

Lal raises an eyebrow. "Now THAT'S n'offer. When we headin' out, S'riv? I'm in 
  on it like jam on bread."

Mehlani padpads beside Devlin, slightly dazed.

Devlin walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
Devlin has left.

Kassima nods. "Aye! I remember once a whole bunch of us got together--you'll 
  recall this, Ryi, I believe--and tried to do the nine, but wound up just 
  going to taverns all over the North instead. Ended up at Benden Winecraft 
  with the glass hats."

You walk down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
North Bowl(#396RJ$)
The light spills over the over-arching mountains and into the bowl. It 
  illuminates the patched ground, covered with gravel and fine sand. Here and 
  there, the odd piece of greenery struggles up from the ash-based soil. 
  Scattered leaves have tumbled into corners of the bowl, and are stuck in 
  cracks on the edge of the rock. They have bright colors: orange, gold, and 
  brown. The northern half of the crater is smaller than the southern one, but 
  still immense. To the west is an opening into the Living Cavern of the weyr. 
  Other openings in the northern cavern lead into the weyrs of the junior 
  queens, weyrleaders, and the massive Hatching Grounds. Storage bunkers of 
  various sorts are stacked against the rough rock walls. The bowl is quiet in 
  the depth of night.
Several entrances lead to the junior queenriders' weyrs. Use '+view 
  queenriders' to see them.
There is not a cloud in the sky, and you can see clear to the horizon.
Contents:
Devlin
Vilyath(#8013Jaepqs)
Guest4
Pliarth(#3670Jaeps$)
Prometh(#3353JOaes$)
Lilith(#4466MOVaes)
Lysseth
Brynarth
Kayne's Trader Wagon
Obvious exits:
Weyrleaders' Complex  South Bowl  Hatching Cavern  Outer Infirmary  Guest Weyr 
   Living Cavern  Records Room  

Devlin looks down to Mehlani. "Infirmary or somewhere else? I'm figuring the 
  guest weyr is, er, occupied."

Above, Vidarth flies over from the south end of the bowl.
Vidarth backwings for a landing.
Vidarth has arrived.

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

Vilyath rumbles in greeting.

R'val walks beneath the lintel and disappears into the living cavern.
R'val has left.

Mehlani murmurs tinily, "I don't wanna go to the infirmary, please..." Once 
  away from the unsettling activities of the grownups, she lifts her tired 
  gaze to her young companion gratefully.

Devlin grins a bit, "Well, okay. Where to then? How about the hatching stands? 
  At least until you want to go to bed, then we can make up a cot at Merla's, 
  I think."

Mehlani looks over towards the darkened entrance into the hatching grounds, 
  and nods slowly.

Devlin darts just inside the LC and grabs a glow basket, then leads Mehlani 
  over to the hatching cavern's entrance.
Devlin walks into the hatching cavern.
Devlin has left.

You walk into the hatching cavern.
Galleries(#382RJ$)
Stretching along the eastern wall of the hatching cavern, these tiers of seats 
  have enough room for several hundred spectators for Clutchings and 
  Hatchings. To one side, long shallow steps descend to the entrance. There is 
  also a railing separating the lowest tier of seats from the Hatching Sands 
  themselves. Other parts of the galleries are closed off from the sands by a 
  wall to the north and south. From here you can reenter the bowl, or head for 
  a quieter area of the galleries. There is also a pathway down to the sands. 
  Type 'clutch help' for help with clutch commands.
To see stuff on the sands, 'view sands' or 'view sands <object>'
Contents:
Devlin
Obvious exits:
Sands  Quiet Seating  Bowl  

Mehlani padpads after you, holding Whereth, and trying hard not to yawn.

Devlin grins, catching the yawn. He jogs up to the very top of the stands and 
  fishes out a basket from underneath. The basket holds a blanket and a 
  cushion. "That old bluerider hides these here so his butt can be warm when 
  he has to sit on the hard benches." He offers them to Mehlani.

Mehlani smiles timidly, murmurs, "Thank you," and settles down on the cushion.

Devlin tucks the blanket around Mehlani in a brotherly fashion. "I'm sorry 
  that you got all upset about me and Fahloran, Mehlani." He looks down, voice 
  in a high moment, probably not far from cracking again. "I know that there 
  was lots of teasing when his voice changed. It's hard to remember everything 
  right when you're upset. Neither of us ever wanted to upset you though."

Mehlani abruptly blinks, then leans over, and wraps her small arms around you.

Devlin blinks himself, stiff for a moment, but he relaxes and hugs you tight.

Mehlani hugs you and whispers, "Fah said that he was sorry too and promised it 
  was alright..."

Devlin says "It is alright. I promise. We were never really mad or anything."
Devlin says "How've you been holding up, 'Lani?"
Devlin says "Still worrying about everyone?"

Mehlani loosens her hug a little, but doesn't lean away from you. She says 
  tinily, "I've been helping with the runners."

Devlin keeps an arm wrapped comfortably around Mehlani's side. "Really? Sounds 
  neat. What've you been doing with them?"

"Filling their feed bins," mumbles the little girl, mostly towards your 
  shoulder. "I like Tsornin. He's big an' has a silky nose."

Devlin strokes a lock of hair from Mehlani's forehead, nodding. "You'll have 
  to introduce me. Salless and Merla think I should start taking on some 
  heavier chores now. I've been trying to figure out what to do." He gives a 
  faint sigh, "I think they're hoping I'll find some craft I like."

Mehlani's eyelids drop halfway shut, then open again, and she looks up at you 
  languidly.

Devlin tucks your head against his shoulder. "Why don't you sleep, 'Lani? 
  You're tired."

Mehlani offers, brow furrowed a little, "Revim thinks I should be a Harper, 
  and..." She then blinkblinks, and says, as if it has only just now occurred 
  to her, "I... have a new friend, an' she let me help her make pudding, but I 
  like helping with the animals... I like Tsornin, an' Adonith, and Callie..." 
  She yawns, and snuggles against the offered shoulder.

Devlin says "Do you talk to her? Your new friend I mean."

Mehlani starts to nod, murmuring, "She's nice like a big sister, an'..." Then 
  she blinks, suddenly fretfully. "Her *yawn* her name's.... Krys..." She 
  trails off on a strange note as if not quite sure how to relay this news. 
  Her face screws up, with the look of trying to handle too many thoughts at 
  once.

Devlin's expression is even, as if not surprised by the news. He says, 
  quietly, "Yeah. I saw her in the living caverns when she showed up." He 
  voice is subdued, a hint of sadness in its depths.

Mehlani blinkblinkblinks, scrubbing a hand across her eyes, then her gaze goes 
  very full. "Don't be sad," she whispers anxiously. "Adonith is sad and 
  Tzornth is sad and Daddy's head hurts, I had to m-make his tea, an'..." With 
  that, the girl burrows into another hug.

Devlin hugs Mehlani tightly. "I'm not sad. Not really."
Devlin says "I just... wish that she was around. My mom, I mean."

Mehlani nodnods silently against your shoulder.

Devlin tucks the blanket around her a bit better, "Merla's a good mom though. 
  And I'm glad she has me."

Mehlani murmurs sleepily, "I am too..."

Devlin smiles a bit at that. "Do you want to sleep here, Mehlani, or should we 
  go make up a cot for you?"

Mehlani mumbles tinily, "I'm not sleepy... ", around a yawn.

Devlin grins, widely. "Well, what if I said I was? How about we go make you a 
  cot. We can sit up and talk for a while."

Mehlani bobs her head drowsily.

Devlin hugs 'Lani lightly, looking out at the sands. His expression is briefly 
  wistful.

Mehlani murmurs drowsily, "I like the Stands..."

Devlin says, quietly, "Me too. One of my favorite places."

Mehlani lays her arm on your unoccupied other shoulder.

Devlin gathers Mehlani close to his chest, comforting.

Mehlani's little eyes drop closed.

Devlin gives a faint smile, holding still as 'Lani drifts off.

[End log.]