The World of Pern(tm) is copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967. 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: Late December 1997/Early January 1998; when exactly this took place, I haven't been able to narrow down more closely. I do know it's between when Mehlani got Rianet from E'rian, and before E'rian kissed her under the influence of his dragon's first rising. Like several other logs of mine, this one has been generously contributed to my archive by Kassima's player. Log Cast: (People) Jorenan, Kassima, K'tyn, Mehlani, Nimiriel, Aphrael, V'leo (NPC rider), Kiani (NPC emitted by Nimiriel?), Sandar, K'star (NPC emitted by Kassima) (Dragons) Indyth (Fire lizards) Holl, Rianet, Vachon Log Intro: Mehlani of Telgar Weyr has never been a particularly outspoken girl, taking after her father F'hlan in shyness and then some. Though she found the bravery to move to a brand new Weyr, her shy demeanor has found itself mightily challenged since practically the first day she set foot in Telgar. Particularly by the young men of Telgar Weyr -- who are beginning to show an alarming tendency to want to shower her with gifts. And the matter only escalates when Jorenan presents her with a belt knife, all unknowing that someone else in the Weyr is about to have a very similar idea.... ---------- Jorenan stares after the heavyset man, though it doesn't appear he really wanted an answer. He turns back in time to hear Mehlani's answer, and a slight smile crosses his face. Maybe all of this will work out all right after all. Of course, he'll have to be seen talking to Mehlani, but he won't mind that a bit. And maybe that will be enugh to satisfy Ofira. As for what would satisfy Jorenan, well, probably he doesn't know the answer to that himself. Kassima's curly-toed pink wherry shoes, with their little wings, can be heard slapping against the Cavern floor just a moment before the greenrider herself arrives--hair still wet, rather hastily dressed, and with her satchel in hand. "Evening, all," she says, with a sharp salute to K'tyn. "Chymeth informed Lysseth that you were in here, sir; might I borrow a moment of your time, when you have it free?" K'tyn grins at Mehlani, then at Jorenan, blinking a little in confusion as the older man passes through. "Busy place this afternoon, hm? and aye, Kassi, You've all my attention now, if you wish it. Need we go to a more private place?" He looks at the greenrider inquisitively. Kassima shakes her head, pulling a package out of her hide-stuffed satchel. As usual, it's brightly colored: loudly bronze cloth vies for the flamboyantly green ribbon that ties it closed for color, with the splotches of black, red, and white all over it making it look almost diseased somehow. "Nay unless you'd rather nay open your Turnday gift in front of people, sir," she replies, tossing him the parcel. Jorenan sits back in his chair, relaxing. Perhaps he thinks he's out of hot water for the moment, anyway. Mehlani never answered the crucial question of when, of course. But she's likely not forgotten, and will get to it eventually. Mehlani blinks, straightening in her chair and staring at K'tyn in startlement. "Turnday?" she breathes. K'tyn looks a little flustered. "Kassima, you really needn't go to all this trouble," he says as he takes the gift. "I do appreciate the effort to which you've gone, that's certain." He turns faintly red-tinged cheeks to Mehlani. "Ah, yes. It was." "Several days ago, actually," Kassi says somewhat apologetically, flicking her wet bangs out of her face rather absently. "Trouble, schmouble. 'Tis nay trouble--and a'fore you get all red with horror, try opening it. I promise, 'twill nay be half so bad as m'gift from Aunt Simerva." She points in the general direction of her shoes, sticking one pink wherry-clad foot out for emphasis. Mehlani murmurs softly, "I forgot. Happy Turnday...!" She gets shyly to her feet, and steps to K'tyn, suddenly and impulsively hugging him. The Young weyrleader's cheeks brighten a bit further as he's hugged by Mehlani. "I...Thank you," he says rather lamely, returning the hug before tackling the brightly wrapped gift. Slowly, he unwraps it, not quite able to hide the boyish curiosity peeping from his expression. "Still, Kassi, should not have done it," he mutters. Whoever heard of a knife made of solid bronze? Perhaps you never have... but there can be no doubt that you see one before you now. A slim, tapered blade roughly a handspan long spears out from a black leather-wrapped hilt stitched with spiralling sisal cords of heart's-blood red and lightning-bright white, with silver quillions that are shaped like two gracefully branching, curving Ys. Sharpened to a fare-thee-well and engraved with a blood groove down the length of the blade, *this* ornamental weapon is one that would suffice to defend yourself with in a fight for all that it's not as strong as one made of steel. That's all right, though, because it's primary purpose is meant to be symbolic. It is a lovely and unusual trinket... yet it is also deadly, which goes to show that one should never be deceived by appearances. You might realize that it is a perfect match to Kindre's knife of solid gold--another flash of whimsical symbolitry, perhaps? Wrapped around the hilt of the knife is a note, scripted in Kassima's florid, flourish-filled handwriting: 'For Telgar's Weyrleader true: fighting may be forbidden to you, but this blade will suffice if you should want to slice up a piece of roast wherry or two! (Please don't use the knife on me just for that rhyme; if I'm going to get stabbed by someone one of these days, I'd like to deserve it more than that!) With many wishes for a fine Turnday with many marvelous Turns to follow, Kassima.' Kassima snorts cheerfully, folding her arms and watching the Weyrleader open his gift. "You should've learned by now that only rarely can you escape getting a gift from me, sir. Really, you may as well give up all hope here and now." Jorenan looks from Kassima's pink... footwear to K'tyn's flamboyantly wrapped present. He quirks an eyebrow thoughtfully, and glances towards the serving tables. A few unusual sweets and treats reside there, though he'll never mention them aloud. K'tyn blinks at the gift, revealing to all the solid bronze blade. "Speaking of knives...Kassi! I cannot help but protest this extravagance--but you may be sure tis a gift I'll use often." Mehlani steps back from K'tyn, letting him open the gift unhindered, and she smiles a little -- knives, indeed. She blushes again, and softly shakes her head for a moment, wonderingly. Kassima laughs, resting a hand for a moment on the hilt of her own favorite knife--favorite besides the wherry-skewer, that is. "Oh, I'm certain you shall-- and if'n naught else, well, it can serve as an ornament. 'Tis what Kin's was for, but bronze is a bit less soft than gold and more fitting to a knife's actual purpose. You do like it, then?" K'tyn admires the darkly gleaming blade, laughing at the inscription. "Tis lovely, and aye, I do like it," he says softly, admiring the clean lines of the blade. Kassima smiles, nodding in satisfaction. "Good. Now, that gives me a full Turn a'fore I have t'think of something *else*. But a'fore that, there're Aph, K'nan... Kin, in just two months... gah." She grins ruefully. "Somehow, I will find the perfect present! Anyway, didn't mean to interrupt; I just wanted t'give you that ere 'twas any more belated." K'tyn laughs, and slips the new dagger into the sheath of his old--the other blade, worn thin with whet and wear, is on the table. "Tis the season for turndays, it seems. Today's Kiani's own turnday. I hope she likes the small toy I have for her." Nimiriel walks in from the bowl. Nimiriel has arrived. "A merry Turnday to her, then," Kassi says, smiling. "How old is she now? Three Turns?" The wings on her wherry shoes seem to flap as their wearer shuffles to the food displays, taking a peek at the sweets and whatnot. "Is there any hot sauce about?" she wonders. "Or cucumbers? Or both?" Jorenan hides a small smile. "Hot sauce on the table next to the roast herdbeast, Kassi, and cucumber in the salad." Perhaps he looks mildly surprised that the request is so normal. Mehlani steps back out of the way, slipping back to her hidework, falling quite silent now that the room is filling with more adults. Kassima smiles sweetly at Jorenan, picking up a cup of custard. Several slices of cucumber go into this, along with a dash of hot-sauce; the entire is mixed together swiftly and topped by a dash of salt. "This will go quite well with all of the fruit Nie brought me. Duties to Igen and her queens, weyrwoman," she adds to Nimiriel, with a respectful nod. Nimiriel walks in from the outside, rubbing at her cheeks. "Igen's duties," she calls out cheerfully, skimming the cavern for two familiar and beloved faces. K'tyn is placing his turnday gift into its sheath at his belt as he answers Kassima, "Oh, not three turns, I hope. Two, I think?" A waft of cold air from the bowl entrance catches his attention. "Nimiriel! You've come. Kiani's been asking for you." Jorenan's look of surprise fades into an amused look instead. He nods to the newcomer, though he doesn't know her. He, too, falls quiet now that so many others are in the room. There's a stack of Baker hides to be read, after all, and only so many hours in the day to read them. Nimiriel smiles, making her way to K'tyn's side. "Surely the little scamp knows that I wouldn't miss her turnday." Kassima hrms at Kiat. "Is it two? I'd thought for some reason that she was older than Kaylira... I could easily be wrong, though, I'll confess it." Kassi tosses on a couple of grapes to the bizarre custard conglomeration, before heading back to the 'Springs with a spoon, a cheerful wave, and the requisite salute to Kiat. K'tyn laughs, looking about for the black tousled mop of hair that is the hallmark of this feisty one. "She was just here--shall I get her for you-and perhaps you might answer Kassima..." He shakes his head as the greenrider leaves. "Or not--Kiani--she's but two turns, is she not? And Kyris, my eldest. He's nearly four turns. Mayhap that is what was so confusing." Nimiriel looks around the cavern, too, smiling in anticipation. "She's just two, but..." She glances up to K'tyn as Kassima leaves. "Where is she? I can go myself, I might like to surprise her." [OOC Note: Aphrael must have come into the Living Cavern at this point; Kassima's log doesn't show it, unfortunately.] Mehlani blinkblinks at the clearly ailing Aphrael, and nods bemusedly to her. Evening not only of adults, it would seem, but also of hides. Nimiriel smiles at Aphrael, offering a quiet, "Igen's duty." She rests a hand on K'tyn's shoulder and shakes her head, "I'll go look. Here's someone meant to see you." That said, she disappears into the inner caverns and stays gone for a few minutes. K'tyn accepts the reports almost absently, tucking them under his arm. "My thanks on your promptness, Aph, but...what are you doing looking so ill, and wandering about?" He asks, his voice concerned. "You need to go to your w--" Sighing, he frowns slightly as the Igen Goldrider leaves. "Goodness," he mutters. "I can't seem to keep them in the same room with me for more than a minute." Jorenan looks up at the sneeze. His quiet reaction is to put a mug of hot broth near the woman's hand and then disappear back into the study of sauces used to flavor game. Aphrael turns away abruptly to sneeze twice, sighing. "Sharding spring colds.. oh, Telgar's duties to Igen too, weyrwoman," She belatedly answers Nimiriel. "I didn't mean to interrupt, I was just--" She pauses as Nimiriel leaves, and offers a rueful grin to K'tyn. "Nothing else to do while cooped up in my weyr, sir. Healer's order's, y'see. I had to get out, though, I hate being cooped up worse than anything." Absently, she picks up the mug of broth, smiling gratefully to Jorenan. A native Telgar greenrider laughs at something overheard and says to his companion, "I heard that's not the only thing he can keep for more than a minute." Mehlani settles into trying to do her copying work, though the lass is clearly distracted by... something. Her brow is furrowed under hat brim, and she retains a bit of a blush as she forces herself to concentrate on the work at hand. K'tyn eyes the Telgar Greenrider, and then laughs. "Wouldn't you like to know, V'leo, hm?" A cheerful pair of squeals, one very young, and one not quite so young, herald the Igen junior's return to the cavern, with her daughter in her arms. "--missed you so much, dearling," is heard as she walks fully back into the cavern, smiling widely. "You knew I'd be here, I promised." Aphrael takes a sip, eyes fading as she peers towards the inner caverns. "Thank you for the broth," She says gratefully to Jorenan, "If you would all excuse me, there's someone I need to talk to." She offers a wave, a sneeze, and trots off towards the inner caverns. V'leo looks up, clearly surprised by the Weyrleader's words. He stammers out an apology, "Oh, suh-sorry, sir. I was tuh-talking with M'lorn about, uh..." he scrambles for a suitable something, then shrugs as he can't think of anything. "Uhm, something." K'tyn nods at Aphrael, directing her to the warmer part of the hearth. His spot. "Sit, then, and keep yourself warm. Twill help you ward that cold off. Ah!" he turns to the squealing Kiani. "There she is!" Aphrael walks towards the inner cavern. Aphrael has left. Jorenan glances up at the sound of the squeals. A slight grin crosses his face. When his eyes happen on Mehlani, a slight matching flush returns to his face, as well. He nods after Aphrael, a quiet, "You're welcome" following her as she leaves. K'tyn grins at V'leo. "I am sure that you were," he says lightly, clearly not taking offense, for he is in far too good a mood. "Nim--something warm to drink, hm?" Nimiriel and Kiani return to K'tyn's side, the goldrider bouncing the child on her lap when she sits. "Please," she murmurs, at K'tyn's question. "It's gearing up to get really hot at Igen, as usual, and I'm not used to this cold." She dips her head, blonde hair mingling with her daughter's dark curls, and asks, "How do you like Telgar, little one?" Sandar walks here from the Inner Cavern. Sandar has arrived. K'tyn watchs mother and daughter for a long moment before remembering his quest- -to fing a warm drink for Nimiriel--serving up a small mug of mulled cider for Kiani and a larger one for her mother. He nods a greeting at Sandar, "Heya." Sandar bows politely to the Weyrleader and the Igen goldrider. "Good evening." Sandar also waves to Jorenan and Mehlani. As he passes by on his way to a bench, he slaps Pierron a high-five. Jorenan takes a sip of his klah, nods to Sandar, and then looks back down at his hides. He's still aware of the caverns and its occupants, but at a slight distance. Not so close that he'd have to flee out into the cold. Nimiriel bounces her daughter on one knee, curling her fingers around the mug of cider brought by K'tyn. Smiling gratefully up at him, she murmurs quiet thanks, while still listening to Kiani talk about Prometh. Mehlani looks up briefly at Sandar's arrival and nods to him, timidly, before hastily ducking her gaze once more. The lass is busily scribing away at a hide now, recopying the old and ragged one before her. Sandar waves to Mehlani, "oh... Mehlani, I have something for you," he says. Nimiriel smiles, too, at Sandar, pausing to take a sip of the cider. "Mmm. We don't have anything like this at Igen. Not warmed, anyway." Mehlani blinks, her head lifting. What? Jorenan looks up at Sandar speaks to Mehlani. Anything but a knife. He'll survive anything but someone else giving her a belt knife, after all of this. K'tyn hooks a chair with his foot and takes a seat. Almost idly he blinks at Sandar, as the lad states he's got something for the Benden Bronzerider's young daughter. He looks back at Nimiriel. "Tis good to warm one up," he agrees quietly, pulling a small cloth wrapped object from his pocket. "Kiani," he says quietly, hopin to gain the little one's attention. Sandar reaches under his bench and pulls out the basket he's been working on for the past several days. It's been woven with strands of thin wood and wicker, multicolored, with great precision; indeed, the basket looks very pretty. Inside are a bunch of glows of different sizes. "I know you like to work late into the evening, so I figured you could use this glowbasket. Here," he says as he walks over and hands it to her. Mehlani blinks. Seven or eight times. She had in fact noticed Sandar working on the basket the other day -- but she'd had no idea.... "I... th... thank you," she murmurs blankly, staring at the lad in what seems to be shock. Sandar nods to Mehlani. "No problem," he replies, as though it's no big thing. However, you do know that he's been putting quite a lot of time into giving the basket quality craftsmanship, with what Weaver skills he picked up from his father in his youth. Jorenan looks relieved. A basket is fine. Just fine. "Nice basket," he says to Sandar. "Looks like it was a lot of work." Sandar beams proudly at Jorenan's compliment. "Eh, not that hard," he grins. Kiani looks away from her mother, that endless stream of babble pausing, at least for the time being. "What?" K'tyn smiles just a little as he observes the interactions nearby. He bites his lip, to refrain from comment. Sandar pauses, "oh! Mehlani, there are some loose ends there." He hands her a shiny beltknife. "Just in case you need to cut stray ends, hold onto that," the boy says. K'tyn looks at his little girl, and grins. "You open it, and find out," he says with and impish grin. "I think you might like it." Indeed she might, for it is, as those who are looking at this small tableau, a wooden doll, carved and painted to look like Kiani herself. Mehlani's eyes turn round, and she blinks first at the knife, then at Sandar, then at Jorenan, and finally back at Sandar again. Her mouth opens and closes again, but not a sound emerges from her. Jorenan's eyes fairly drop out of his head. He gathers his hides silently, says, very, very quietly, "I think I'd best find somewhere else to work." His face has turned a dreadful shade of red. Jorenan walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Jorenan has left. Kiani opens the package, squealing with delight as she finally gets a good look at the doll now in her hands. "Oooh, it's me!" Nim smiles, running her fingers through her daughter's hair, as she looks at K'tyn. "It's lovely." Sandar watches Jorenan go. "Bye..." he says cluelessly. Mehlani rises to her feet, glancing after Jorenan in more than a little dismay, now. A sound that might be a gasp if it were louder escapes her, and her hand lifts to her mouth. K'tyn blinks as Jorenan leaves, noting the other lad's dark face. He looks quickly at Nimiriel, murmuring to her. Sandar didn't notice Jorenan's sullen reaction to his giving Mehlani a beltknife, which was more as an afterthought than anything else. In fact, as Sandar heads back to his bench, he's thinking of taking a crack at making his own seabeachplum wine, or at least, he's licking his lips as though he had a glass. "I can't... I can't let this happen... oh no...." Words finally escape Mehlani, and tears start to well up in her eyes. She fumbles to gather her own hides, as well as the pen and ink she'd had on the table. The basket and Sandar's guilelessly offered knife are considered for a moment, before Mehlani blurts to him, "Th-thank you, but... I-I can't... I just can't...!" And the girl promptly flees, out into the Bowl. [And out Mehlani goes, from the Bowl to her inevitable refuge of the Records Room...] A brown dragon nose appears at the entrance to the Records Room, whuffling curiously. The nose goes unnoticed. Within the Records Room, a hat and a vest and a silver and opal pendant on the floor before her, Mehlani just sobs. A brown dragon nose appears at the entrance to the Records Room, whuffling curiously. It is replaced after a moment by a curious, swirling blue eye tinged with a hint of concerned yellow. The rumble from Indyth's throat is quiet, but still loud enough to be heard in the mostly-silent room. After a moment, eye *and* nose are both pushed aside to allow a concerned and somewhat harried- looking young man to pass through. "Mehlani?" the baritone voice of the brown's rider can be heard to softly call. Still no answer. Mehlani is sitting on the floor, her arms curled around her knees, her face buried against them, and she weeps brokenly. K'star flips open a glow basket, sprinting over to where the huddled shape of Mehlani sits. He sets it down on the stone floor as he crouches beside her. "Mehlani, Mehlani," he murmurs, concern for her pain written on every handsome feature of his face beneath his fedora's brim. "Whatever's upset you so?" He starts to put an arm around her, but pauses mid-motion, perhaps realizing that this might not be the wisest course of action. Holl, Rianet, and brown Vachon have, unsurprisingly, already found the girl. The fire lizards are curled around Mehlani's left side, each trying to comfort her with tiny croons and nuzzlings, but the girl barely seems to notice them. Only when K'star kneels before her does she lift her head a little, and at the sight of him, she only sobs all the harder. Propriety be sharded. Kes can't stand the sight of Mehlani so upset, and does indeed put his arm around her--though lightly, so that she can shake it off if she wants to. Gingerly, he tugs a kerchief from his pocket to offer to her. "Hey, hey... 'sallright, 'Lani, 'sallright. 'Tis just me, Kes--here, dry your eyes. You look for all the world as though your very heart was broken!" Holl trills lowly, trying to encourage the young brown rider in his efforts; Mehlani, in the meantime, as that arm curls gently around her, can be felt to be trembling as well as crying hysterically. She doesn't try to shake off Kes's grasp, but a fresh wave of tears rolls down her face, as she wails, "I-I can't any more, I just can't, it's not ri-i-i-ight..." "Nay anyone will make y'do aught y'don't want to," K'star states quite firmly, his brogue becoming more noticeable in his own distress on 'Lani's behalf. "Nay anyone will force you so long as I might prevent it, I promise you that. 'Lani, you're shaking as though 'twere caught out in the ice! Relax, lass, relax... and tell me what's wrong. We'll see about setting it to rights." Jorenan strides in from the bowl. Jorenan has arrived. Jorenan steps in quietly and looks around for a long moment. "I... I..." Mehlani risks a mournful look up at K'star, her face and eyes wet, her gaze indeed heartbroken. "It's not r-right for me to be t-taking things... not when p-people are getting hurt..." As Jorenan slips in, she can be seen to be huddled on the floor, K'star crouched before her; the young brown rider has a gentle arm about the girl. On the floor, in an untidy pile, are the hat Kes had given Mehlani, as well as the black vest from E'rian... and glimmering against the vest is the silver and opal pendant the green rider had also given her. Mehlani's fire lizard fair is huddled up against her, and uttering small anxious warbles in punctuation of her hoarsely wailed words. K'star, the young, fedora-wearing rider of brown Indyth, is sitting next to Mehlani, who is sitting on the floor and crying. His arm is around her, and he seems to be bent on murmuring comforting nonsense. At Jorenan's arrival, he looks up and nods once to the man--rather absently. His attention is pretty much focused on 'Lani. Jorenan nods back at K'star; he looks unsurprised to see the rider here. He takes a deep breath. "Mehlani," he says, his voice as quiet it ever is. "I'm sorry I upset you. I'm no good at this. I didn't mean to. You should take the belt knife Sandar gave you." His face is pale, now, rather than flushed. "I'll leave you alone from now on. I'm... I'm sorry." And his head drops; he didn't want to say that. But he seems to think it was right. "Oh, Mehlani..." K'star sighs, letting his glance travel over the abandoned gifts. "So we started this, did Eyr and I? Faranth--the Weyrleader said we'd hurt you without meaning to, but... I guess I didn't credit it. 'Lani, please don't cry. None of us would want to see you cry over this, I think I can safely be saying." He looks up as Jorenan speaks, going silent to let him get in a word. Mehlani's head shoots up at the sound of Jorenan's voice, and yet another wave of tears streams down the lass's cheeks as she shoots a stricken glance from him to K'star and back again. Rianet, the one animate gift Mehlani has received as of late, starts trying to wriggle into the girl's lap, determined to comfort her, and the green creels pipingly. Jorenan swallows hard, and nods at K'star's words. He didn't want to be part of this either. He shifts a little, not sure whether he should flee again or not. "I'm sorry," he repeats, his voice a strangle of repressed emotion. "I'll... I'll leave you alone." The sight of Mehlani's tears decides him. He's just causing her hurt, so he'd best disappear. "G-good-bye." Jorenan slips out of the records cavern. Jorenan has left. Mehlani's face crumples up, and she starts sobbing again. Even crying hysterically, she barely makes a sound. K'star sighs, tipping his fedora up as he considers what ways there might be of solving this muddle. He watches Jorenan go without a word, though he does gnaw his lip--until, of course, Mehlani starts crying again. "'Lani, 'Lani, don't cry! He's only upset because it's hurting *you*, don't you see? He doesn't want to hurt you--none of us do. That was *never* the intention, and it breaks m'heart to see you crying like this. Please...." He trails off, awkwardly. His experience at comforting crying maidens is rather limited, you see. "B-but nobody should be getting so... so upset over me, it's not right, I'm not worth... I'm not... I'm not....!" Mehlani sniffles, and tries to curl up in a ball where she's sitting, never mind that she'd squish Rianet if she curled up too far. This doesn't seem to faze Rianet, though, who clambers her way up 'Lani's shirt to her shoulder, cooing tinily. K'star hugs 'Lani more tightly for a moment, declaring forcefully, "You *are* worth it, 'Lani. You *are*. You're sweet, nice, intelligent, thoughtful, beautiful, all-around wonderful--how could you *not be worth it? Don't you even think such a thing! Shhhh, now... just because you've charmed half the men of the weyr is no need to cry," he adds more softly, and with a slight smile. "Most lasses would be rather proud, I'm told." Mehlani peeks tearily up at Kes at his string of compliments; she's already blushing violently, in addition to her reddened eyes and nose, but if anything, the praise of her intelligence seems to startle her even more than the praise of her beauty and sweetness. Tears are still streaking her face and welling across her eyes, but at least for an instant, Indyth's rider appears to break through her despondency... and once that instant has occurred, she keeps looking up, doleful though her gaze remains. "I don't want Jorenan to be hurt because of me," she mumbles sadly. K'star meets Mehlani's gaze calmly, some of his concern fading as her tears slow. "Mehlani... I know you wouldn't. No one worth knowing likes seeing people hurt because of them. But there are times... there're times when you can't help it. This isn't your fault, though it seems so to you--it's the fault of us. The boys, I mean. We're idiots sometimes, you know," he tells her with a crooked smile. "You can't blame yourself though, 'Lani, because your pain only hurts him more. *He* doesn't want to hurt *you* any more than you want to hurt him." "It _is_ my fault," Mehlani whimpers. "Master Ofira _told_ him to get me something, a-an-and I don't know why, but it must be my..." She trails off into another sniffle. "No it mustn't," K'star repeats gently. "I know you're a compassionate girl, 'Lani, but you're too smart not to see that Ofira's pushing him at you is probably what started all of this. You're *not* at fault for being the sort of girl that Ofira wants to see her apprentice with. Unless you really think there's something blameworthy about being who you are?" Mehlani blinks a few times, and sniffles again, her attention held by that hazel gaze resting on her. As Holl trills again, putting in his own eighth-marks' worth, the lass furrows her brow, and then shakes her head, tinily. "Good," K'star states. "Because if you tried to change who you were, you wouldn't be Mehlani anymore, and I'd miss her terribly. Sometimes, people do get hurt through no fault of your own. You can't kick yourself for it. It's like... oh... when I Impressed Indyth, and some of my friends were left Standing, it hurt to see *their* pain--but I knew it wouldn't do them any good to kick myself for my good fortune. That's a horrible analogy, but it's the only one I can think of." 'Lani, as Rianet deliberately nuzzles at her wet cheek, simply gazes damply up at Kes, and when he finally finishes, she nods, just as tinily as the shaking of her head had been. She says nothing, though; her features crumple once or twice, as she struggles to regain her composure, and to stop crying. She's not entirely successful. Kes hesitates a moment before reaching out with his kerchiefed hand to wipe some of 'Lani's tears. "Perhaps," he suggests quietly, "you should talk to Jorenan about this sometime, and get it straightened out, so that you won't be hurting each other anymore." Mehlani sniffles a little, and once more tinily bobs her head. K'star smiles, giving 'Lani's shoulders another squeeze before he nods in turn. "Think you'll be all right now?" "I don't... I don't know," Mehlani whispers, around another sniffle. "Anything I can do to help?" K'star asks softly, hazel eyes still locked on the girl. Mehlani considers a moment or two. Then, startling Rianet with the suddenness of her movement, and provoking little cheeps out of Holl and Vachon, the lass abruptly moves to hug the young rider. K'star is surprised to be hugged, of course, since this *is* Mehlani--but he's not displeased. Oh, no. After a moment, he hugs her back tightly, beaming like an idiot--which, fortunately, 'Lani probably can't see. Indeed not; Mehlani's face is pointed in that instant at Kes's shoulder, though she doesn't quite rest her head there. An instant later, she's pulling back, looking down shyly, still sniffling a little. "Th-thank you," she whispers shakily. K'star manages to tone down his grin somewhat by the time 'Lani pulls away, though his smile is still warm as he looks down at her. "You don't need to thank me, 'Lani. 'Tis what I'm here for." Mehlani lifts a hand to scrub its back across her eyes, regaining enough of her composure to begin to be deeply embarrassed by sobbing so in front of K'star. "F-for making me feel better?" she mumbles timidly. "For being here for you, aye," K'star agrees, still smiling. "'Tis what friends do... and we are friends, aren't we, 'Lani?" This time, her nod is more sure, as Mehlani peeks again up at Kes. "Yes," she whispers. Her face is still damp and splotched with red... but her tears have stopped. "Good," K'star says again. And again, he hesitates for a moment before leaning down just enough to kiss 'Lani lightly on the cheek, if she doesn't pull away. "I'm glad. I can't think of a friend I'd rather have than you, 'Lani." He smiles ruefully as honesty forces him to admit, "Save Indyth, of course." She doesn't pull away, but she does gasp a bit, and immediately, shyly, down goes her still teary gaze. A fresh blush pinkens her cheeks. "Now there I've gone and made you blush again," Kes observes, a touch ruefully-- though not without a crooked smile. 'Lani's rather becoming when she blushes, after all. "Forgive me, but I wanted to beat Eyr to doing that. He thinks you could use a good kiss." He refrains from mentioning his retaliating remark of how Eyr could use a good fist--preferrably, in the jaw. At the mention of E'rian, Mehlani pinkens even further, but Rianet croons and nuzzles at her cheek again. "O-oh," is the lass's intelligent reply. K'star grins, and starts to get to his feet. "I should really get going now... Indyth's been complaining about how much he'd *rather* be sleeping in his couch than out in the Bowl, thank you. Is that offer of yours to help with him still good, perchance?" Mehlani blinkblinks, and slowly stands as well, slowly enough to allow Rianet to keep her perch on her shoulder. "Y-yes... of course," she murmurs. She glances out towards where the dragon must be waiting, takes a step, and then suddenly glances bemusedly down to the floor, where the hat, vest, and pendant still lie. Holl has, in fact, fluttered over to the hat, and beside it, he looks up at Mehlani with quietly whirling eyes. Vachon flits up to claim her other shoulder, however. "His Highness likes to be thoroughly oiled in the morning, you see," K'star explains. "If you're willing, I'd love to have a hand with the task. Perhaps you could let me hear you sing?" He smiles whimsically, then glances down to the abandoned items. His eyebrows quirk up a bit. "Want me to get those for you?" he inquires, his tone quiet. She stares down at the gifts, and at her little bronze, who warbles once, almost in pleading. Then, not quite looking up at the tall young brown rider, she murmurs, "Please..." The flicker of relief across Kes's face is almost too fast to be seen as he stoops to gather the items, flashing Holl a quick grin and a wink. Turning, he straightens and holds the things out to 'Lani, proffering them to her with a slight bow. "Your accoutrements, m'lady." Holl croons warmly, fluttering there on the floor, and Mehlani looks up shyly at Kes as she gravely accepts vest and hat and pendant; the vest she drapes over her arm, and she catches the pendant in one hand before it slips to the floor. The hat she holds in the other, and she looks bemusedly at it for a moment, too. K'star looks down at the hat for a moment too, before noting with a chuckle, "I was right, you know... when I said that hat looked good on you. But you don't have to wear it if you don't want to." Mehlani ponders this; her only reply, then, is to duck her head slightly and to rest the hat there upon it. And when she looks up again with those limpid blue eyes, each corner of her mouth flicks upward, for just a moment. K'star grins, and gallantly offers Mehlani his elbow. "May I escort you out?" The lass bobs her head, shifting her free hand to slip it around that proferred arm. And Vachon and Rianet both croon, pleased to see Mehlani's spirits lifting; Holl wings into the air as the two young people step outside, trailing after them on gleaming red-tinged wings. [And, outside...] As she emerges on K'star's arm into the Bowl, Mehlani casts a decidedly nervous glance towards the living cavern, before glancing round for brown Indyth. K'star smiles with fond exasperation up at Indyth as the large brown lowers his head to whuffle each of the pair, looking pleased--and even rather smug, for a dragon. "Aye, Indyth, I'll finally take you up to the weyr. You won't have to nag me." Turning to Mehlani, he doffs his hat and bows as elegantly as he can to her. "Shall I see you in the morning, fair maid?" "Yes," says Mehlani softly, after she offers Indyth a timid little smile. The two fire lizards claiming her shoulders flutter up at the gust of dragon breath, pressing against her neck under the dubious shelter of her own hat. A pause, and then she adds, "Good night... Kes." The corners of K'star's mouth lift in a slow smile. "Good night, 'Lani. Sleep well... and sweet dreams." With that, he climbs aboard Indyth. The brown rumbles to Mehlani even as Kes lifts his hand to wave, and then both the brown and his rider are flying off to their ledge. Mehlani watches the pair ascend, and only when they're clearly gone and out of sight does she turn to face the entryway of the living caverns. Well, she could, she supposes, cut through the Infirmary to sneak into the dormitories... but she has to do this sooner or later.... Squaring the shoulders on which Vachon and Ria are perching, the girl creeps into the cavern. [End log.]