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: 4/7/98 Log Cast: (People) Jorenan, Mehlani (Fire lizards) Mehlani's fair Log Intro: In all of her sixteen Turns, Mehlani has never had an experience that made an adult who isn't one of her parents wrathful enough that they'd dare to try to override her father and mother on what they think is good for her -- that is, until now. Hearing about Mehlani and his daughter Ro's little adventure in trying to get an overly intoxicated K'star safely back into his weyr, and having clobbered the insolent brown rider T'gota when the man tried to put his hands on the unwilling Ro, blue rider R'gan has peremptorily declared his intentions to speak with K'tyn about sending both girls away to the Harper Hall -- out of the reach of overly mischievous riders like K'star's wingmates, and lecherous ones like T'gota. Having finally become comfortable at Telgar Weyr -- not to mention having grown progressively closer to a certain few young men there -- Mehlani has taken umbrage at R'gan's insistence that she and Ro should leave, when neither of them want to, and when neither of them have been consulted on the matter. Since she knows F'hlan and Melora respect her ability to live where she's chosen, Mehlani isn't about to go anywhere if she has any say in the matter... and in the meantime, one of those certain young men to whom she's grown close has been trying to digest everything _he's_ heard in the current spate of gossip about Benden's Weyrleader's daughter.... ---------- Your location's current time: 12:01 on day 11, month 6, Turn 22, of the Tenth Pass. It is a summer afternoon. You walk past the lintel and into the wide living cavern. Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern(#750RJM$) Contents: Pierron Obvious exits: Lower Caverns Kitchen Bowl From the kitchen, Jorenan has his back to the living cavern. He's hard at work on some project or another. It seems to involve scrubbing every pot Telgar Weyr owns. Rumpled, looking a bit less strained today -- perhaps since she's just left her runner mare -- Mehlani slips into the cavern. She's got a small colorful trail of fire lizards following her, in addition to her feline Callie, who stoically ignores the winged things as she stalks along after the girl, perhaps in hope of food. From the kitchen, Jorenan glances up from the depths of a gigantic soup cauldron. His hair is afly and his face smudged with pot black, but he doesn't have the scowl he had yesterday. He nods to Mehlani, as solemnly as she ever does, and waves a filthy rag at her. It's probably meant as a greeting and not as an insult. 'Lani pauses in the midst of a flurry of agitated small creatures, none of whom seem inclined to perch on her -- perhaps due to green Arki lurking balefully just behind the girl's neck. She smiles tinily towards Jorenan, though, and then slips towards the kitchen, trying to keep her hungry fair from swarming her too closely. You walk off towards the kitchen. Kitchen Contents: Jorenan The Baker's Guide to Pernese Cuisine Obvious exits: Storeroom Passageway Living Cavern The colorful fair draws Jorenan's attention for a moment, but Mehlani gets the lion's share of the close scrutiny that the boy (man?) gives out. "Hullo," he finally says in a quiet tone. "You look a little better than last I saw of you. Are you all right?" 'Lani considers this. Closer up she still looks somewhat frayed around her edges, but she smiles a little and murmurs, "Mostly... I came to look for some food..." She's answered by several anxious chirples. "For all of these... and my cat..." From the living cavern, Dandelions walks off towards the kitchen. Dandelions enters the kitchen from the living cavern. Dandelions has arrived. Dandelions says "hello" Dandelions looks at you for a moment. Jorenan waves. "Hello." Mehlani is one of two people visible in the kitchen at the moment -- though she is also surrounded by a bevy of fire lizards, a bronze, a brown, two blues, and several greens. Only one of the greens is perched on 'Lani herself, as the girl turns around and blinks in slight startlement at the unfamiliar voice. Dandelions says "I'm sorry to have startled you" Mehlani turns and waves several of the fire lizards out of the way. Bronze Holl chirrs and takes charge of the fair, coaxing them away from their human. Mehlani's mouth flickers for a moment in a shy sort of smile and she murmurs, "Uh... it's alright... hello." Jorenan grins. "That's all right. I'm Jorenan." Dandelions cringes at all the commotion _Most_ of Mehlani's fair duly backs off. There's only the pale-hided green lurking behind her neck now, who peers warily around the girl's head. "Shhh, Arki," 'Lani might be heard to murmur, very, very softly. To the newcomer, Mehlani adds earnestly, "Can... we help you, somehow?" Dandelions says "I'm Dandelions I wanted..." Dandelions smiles at the firelizards Dandelions as if wondering what in the world has she done Dandelions says "I guess your busy. Maybe I'll go wander around a bit..." Jorenan says "We're not really busy. What did you want?" Led by the bronze, the 'lizards stream somewhat reluctantly out into the living cavern, apparently willing to leave Mehlani alone for the moment. But, looking confused, the girl in the hat blinks first at Dandelions, then glances to Jorenan as he speaks, and finally back to the newcomer. "We can try to help," she affirms, in her soft voice. Dandelions says "I didn't really want anything. Just lonely" Jorenan grins. "Well then! Companionship is easy enough to find. Have a seat. I was just scrubbing some pots." Dandelions says "want some help?" "I never thought you'd ask," says Jorenan with an easy smile. He hands Dandelions a pot and some scrubbing sand. "There you go!" Dandelions accepts the pot and scrubbing sand and goes to Dandelions looks at you for a moment. Jorenan gives Mehlani a grin and answers her question from before. "There's scraps in teh bowl over there." To Dandelions he says, "Thanks for the help. What did you say your name was?" Dandelions says "Dandelions." Jorenan blinks. "Interesting name," he says. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Like I said, I'm Jorenan and this is Mehlani." Dandelions says "My grandmother told me I was given my name because I was born in them" Dandelions says "pleased to meet you" Mehlani smiles shyly; perhaps she's a bit nervous around total strangers, for all she does for the moment is smile. But there's certainly nothing hostile or unwelcoming about her. She just bobs her head slightly, apparently in approval of the other girl's presence, or perhaps to Jorenan's pointing out of the food, and she moves off to fetch the scraps in question. Claiming an unoccupied chair, she settles down to coax the green behind her neck out into view for some of the scraps. Dandelions smiles at Mehlani, she understands about being shy Dandelions short blonde 15 turn female from Half-Circle Hold wearing a dark lavender tunic and a faded skirt that goes almost to her toes. Both of these OAitems are somewhat ill-fitting and give the definite impression of being hand-me downsThere is something shy and reticent about her Dandelions takes another pot and some scrubbing sand. Jorenan leans into his work; he's currently scrubbing a truly filthy cauldron. "So where are you from, Dandelions?" His glance at Mehlani carries just a faint grin; he knows about her shyness plenty well. 'Lani's green lets out a low noise that doesn't sound particularly friendly, and her eyes are whirling yellow, but the little green restricts herself to her human's arm as 'Lani lets her eat. Mehlani still doesn't say anything, though she's clearly listening, from the glances she casts the other two young people. Dandelions says "I'm from Half -Circle Hold" Dandelions adds " but I'm living at healer hall now with my old auntie." Mehlani can be seen to blink a little, under the brim of her battered hat. As the green grudgingly accepts the scraps from her fingers, 'Lani murmurs softly, "What brings you to Telgar?" Dandelions says "Good question" Jorenan grins slowly. "I like it, myself. So what's the answer?" Dandelions adds uncomfortably "Guess my Old Aunti e isn't so easy to deal with sometimes... I needed a breather Dandelions says ""Is it all right that I am here for a bit?" Mehlani looks rather noticeably confused. "Well... if you had a dragonrider bring you... and you have someone to take you back... _we_ certainly can't tell you not to be here...." She smiles unsurely. Dandelions smiles uncomfortably Dandelions sighes Mehlani goes on earnestly, "I mean, Healer Hall's an awfully long way away." She tries another smile, then glances down to Arki to make sure the green's fed enough. Dandelions say "Yes, it sure is." pose looks at her feet Dandelions walks into the Living Cavern. Dandelions has left. From the living cavern, Dandelions walks in from the kitchen. From the living cavern, Dandelions walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Mehlani blinks, taken aback as the girl... leaves? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Message 17 Date Received: Tue Apr 7 12:59:30 1998 From: Fahloran To: Melora, Mehlani Cc: Siara, Fahloran Subject: Letter from Fahloran ============================================================================== Dear Mother, Father and Mehlani, This is just a quick note to let you know that I am doing well, as is Siara. And that we now have a beautiful baby daughter we have named Sahra. The circumstances behind her actual birth were a little harrowing, but everyone is doing well. I do hope you can come visit your new granddaughter/niece soon. Love, Fah Fahloran, Igen Dragonhealer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jorenan watches Dandelions leave with a pot and scrubbing sand. "Err." He blinks a couple of times. "Maybe she really liked that pot?" Mehlani asks, abashedly, "Was it... something I said?" Jorenan shakes his head. "I don't think so," he says. "You were perfectly nice. I think she was just uncomfortable." He shrugs and goes back to scrubbing his pot. "So, you're doing a little better, you said?" Arki seems sated, so Mehlani sets her up on her shoulder, and concentrates a moment to draw the rest of her fair back to her. In twos and threes, Holl and the other 'lizards wing in to rejoin her, as 'Lani glances to Jorenan and nods slowly. "Mostly," she murmurs. Jorenan watches the 'lizards for a moment, leaning a hand on his thigh for a moment's rest. Then he begins scrubbing again. "I... heard rumors about what happened. I'm glad they weren't right." Mehlani's expression goes still, and she then pales, and finally she blushes, dropping her gaze. "There have been... many rumors, yes," she murmurs. She's got a lapful of 'lizards now, Enri and Munki and Elsi taking their turns at getting fed. His eyes stay fixed on the pot, but Jorenan's mouth crinkles into a slow grin. "Aye, well. Listening to rumors is fun, but usually not all that accurate." "But these rumors... got Ro in trouble," Mehlani murmurs, sounding distressed. Her lizards shift around, Holl and Rianet coming in for their share of the food she's found them. The grin wanders away again, and Jorenan says, "Well. That's why one's not supposed to gossip. I'm sorry she got in trouble. Is she all right?" That particular part of the pot has gotten rather thoroughly clean by now. He shifts it to a new position abruptly. "Did you get in trouble, too?" Mehlani doesn't look up. "Ro's father wants to send us away," she murmurs tinily. Holl and Rianet both creel a little, distracted from their food by the sound of her voice. Some of the other 'lizards begin to wander off to play, now that they are fed. The scrubbing stops altogether for a long, long moment. "Oh," says Jorenan. His voice is somewhat constricted for some reason. "I..." Another pause. "I'd be sorry to see you leave. Very sorry." Mehlani lifts her head a little, and can be seen to be nibbling at her lower lip. "I don't _want_ to go... and neither does Ro! I _told_ R'gan I'm sixteen now, but he said he was going to talk to K'tyn and my mother and father anyway..." The man glances up and mets Mehlani's eyes for a moment. Reluctantly, he says, "You know, I'll get promoted one of these days. And then I'll get posted off into the back of beyond. Master Lathen thinks I need to learn how things are at the smaller Holds." "Ohhh...." 'Lani sits up, shooing her lap free of flits, though Holl insistently lingers about anyway, trading chitters for Arki's hisses, as the little green stoically clings to the back of Mehlani's neck. 'Lani's brow crinkles under her hat, and she blurts, "Oh, but you... I can _talk_ to you...!" This is why he hadn't brought it up before. Jorenan grimaces and looks as unhappy as he ever does. "I know," he says quietly. "I..." He shakes his head. "I like to talk to you, too. I'd miss you if I had to leave. I got Master Ofira mad at me yesterday," and he holds up a pot as proof, "so maybe it won't be soon. I told her I wanted to stay here. I have so much more to learn! And I don't want to leave the people I care about." This being more than he's said about any such thing before, his eartips turn a startling pink. "Well... I... expect you can't really argue with your Craft," 'Lani murmurs uncertainly. Her eyes have started going limpid -- perhaps she notes that pinkening of her companion's ears. "You... _will_ tell me, what... if... when they decided?" Only Holl and Arki now remain perched on her, the rest of the fair having gone off to play flit-tag with a couple of the caverns children, while her feline Callie curls up in the corner and dozes. The man scowls at his pot for a long moment, and then nods. "Aye. Of course I'll tell you. And maybe it won't happen..." Mehlani smiles, shy but earnest, and leans slightly forward in her chair. This dislodges Holl, but the bronze flaps and steadies himself, as 'Lani says softly, "We'll see what happens--" "Mehlani! Lani lass!" The girl's head snaps around, then, at the call of one of the caverns women. Then, back to Jorenan, she adds, 'I'd better go see what Belsha wants... please excuse me...?" Jorenan nods, though he clearly wanted to hear what she had to say. "Of course," he says. "She'll call 'till the bovines come to evening milking if you don't." Stress brings out the Emlynesque in him? Apparently so. Mehlani rises, lifting up Holl to let him perch on her shoulder even if this does annoy Arki, who slinks disgruntledly around to her other one. She smiles once more at the young Baker, and then hurries off with a bounce of her braid and a flutter of fire lizard wings. [And later that day, in the dormitories...] Your location's current time: 21:30 on day 11, month 6, Turn 22, of the Tenth Pass. It is a summer evening. Jorenan walks in from the inner cavern. Jorenan has arrived. Jorenan skids to a halt, though he very nearly runs Mehlani over in the course of heading towards the public areas. "Oh!" he says. "Hullo. Sorry." Mehlani is just coming in, herself, a stack of folded clothes in her arms. She pauses and smiles, having managed to step back and avoid the collision, though her hat obscured who she avoided colliding with till she reached up to push the brim out of her eyes. "Hello," she murmurs back. Jorenan is obviously on his way somewhere and probably can't stay all that long, but he pauses nonetheless. "Err," he says. The look on his face suggests that he's not pleased with the brilliance of that opening, and so he tries again. "You started to say something earlier, but then you were called away." "Oh..." Mehlani looks a trifle confused for a moment, until comprehension dawns, and she says earnestly, "I just meant... that I guess we'll see what happens... with your Craft, and with Ro's father talking to the Weyrleader." She offers forth an awkward little smile. The apprehensive look on Jorenan's face smoothes itself out into something else. Disappointment? Perhaps that, yes. Or perhaps it's just that the reminder has made him unhappy again. He nods slowly and then tries to make light of it. "Ro's father said the Harper Hall? Maybe I'll get posted there, too." "Perhaps... and..." Mehlani straightens, looking a little more confident, for once. "Perhaps K'tyn will not make me go. I _am_ sixteen now." This is delivered with her usual earnestness, but the concept seems to also give her a kind of strength. "And R'gan is not _my_ father." "You said that before," Jorenan notes. His eyes join his face in grinning; confidence is always a good thing and he recognizes it in Mehlani. "Is there something important about it to you?" "It's almost a grownup age, isn't it?" the lass points out gravely. The consideration on the other side of the conversation is just as grave. "Well," Jorenan finally says, "When I was sixteen I'd been a Candidate and been all over Pern. I felt pretty grown up." The fact that his ears were nearly permanently pink from embarassment then is conveniently overlooked. Mehlani bobs her head musingly. "Father was Searched and Impressed Tzornth when he was seventeen," she ventures. "So." Jorenan considers for a long moment. "D'you feel grown up?" Mehlani purses her lips at that thought, her brows and nose crinkling slightly to punctuate her pondering. "I'm not sure," she finally replies, as firm as anything she ever says. "I don't... feel too much different than I ever have, except that..." And she abruptly blushes, ducking her gaze shyly. He's not completely clueless, this man-boy of a Baker. Somewhat, though. And in this case, he doesn't know how that sentence ends. So he asks,"Except that what?" He tries to catch Mehlani's eye and give her a reassuring look. "Well... aside from being taller than I used to be... and... boys treating me differently," Mehlani murmurs, very softly. Jorenan chuckles. "D'you know, that might be us boys as much as you being different? Takes us a few Turns to figure out who's nice and who's not, after all, and most of the ones around here have only known you for sixteen Turns or so." Mehlani glances up again, and smiles a little more. "Well, not really," she corrects earnestly. "Just the ones that came from Benden, and there's not too many of those... I mean, that I've _always_ known..." Jorenan laughs aloud. "You've caught me. But I still think it might not just be you." Then he goes a bit more serious, and adds, "And maybe it's partly that you're not quite so shy anymore? I mean, seems to me you can talk to people a little better than you used to. So they get to know you more, and find out they like you." Ro has connected. Jorenan and Mehlani are standing as though they ran into each other on their way to different places. They're chatting. Just chatting. Almost like normal people, rather than their shy selves. Mehlani, still standing there holding her armload of folded garments, smiles tentatively to Jorenan's observations. "I've been... trying," she murmurs. Jorenan grins, and then gives Mehlani's arm a quick, tentative squeeze. "I'm glad of it. I like it, myself." He gives Ro a grin and a nod, and says, "I'd best be off towards my cot. Kitchen duty's earliy and I've got to scrub all the pots again." Mehlani bobs her head to Jorenan, smiling a bit more, and she murmurs, "Good night, then..." Jorenan gives a cheerful wave and heads towards his cot and press. Soon he's deep towards sleep. Jorenan sits down on a spartan cot. Jorenan has left. [End log.]