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 -- not sure exactly when, but am 
fairly sure this log takes place right before belt-knife-fiasco.txt, also on 
this archive.
	This log was contributed to my archive by Kassima and is from her point 
of view.

Log Cast:
	(People) Ofira, Mehlani, Tinya, Caitria, R'val, Ceria, Kassima, Kharisma 
(NPC emitted by Kassima), Jorenan, Xin

	(Fire lizards) Holl

Log Intro:
	Ever since Mehlani set foot in Telgar Weyr, she has been receiving 
considerable amounts of attention from the young men of the Weyr, a few of whom 
have begun to present her with gifts as tokens of their affection. It's all 
very confusing for the poor girl, and the more gifts she receives, the more she 
cannot help but wonder exactly why she's getting this sort of treatment – 
though to date, the efforts have mostly been from K'star and E'rian, the young 
cousins of greenrider Kassima. There's one other lad who has taken a 
significant interest in Mehlani, however, even aside from the pointed efforts 
of his Master Ofira to point him in the girl's direction. And Jorenan's methods 
of gift-giving are a bit more subtle than that of riders....

----------
You walk through the large entrance to the Living Cavern.

Pierron sits down and wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead with a big red 
handkerchief.

Ofira smiles, "Kassima!"

Mehlani, who is en route towards simply fetching a small lunch, flicks a 
startled glance at Ofira and quickly shakes her behatted head at the 
Masterbaker.

Tinya turns at Ofira's greeting, and waves to the greenrider. "Heyla, Kassi!" 
she calls.

Caitria nods an agreement to Ofira, with a quirk of her lips. Spotting Kassi--
and, more important, her daughter--she chuckles, murmuring, "Well, this could 
make the decision interesting." Raising her voice, she calls a greeting to the 
newly-unbefatted greenrider.

R'val waves amiably towards Kassima as she enters.

Ceria smiles at Kassima as she enters the cavern.

Kassima pokes her head into the room, brightening as she espies lots of people, 
among them the person she was looking for. "Afternoon, all," she hails 
cheerfully, padding into the room with Khari held in the crook of one arm and a 
rather large box held under the other. "Forgive the intrusion, but I really 
thought I should deliver this a'fore certain Turndays get any farther into the 
past." She nods towards the box, which is wrapped in a quite hideous, garish 
fashion, as per usual.

Lunch -- a small lunch, consisting only of a couple of meatrolls, a hunk of 
bread, and a mug of juice -- acquired, Mehlani claims a seat by one of the 
cavern walls, out of the way. The lass might be espied to smile tinily at the 
sight of the baby in Kassima's grasp, but this relies upon someone looking her 
way.

Caitria beams as, yup, she does see the kiddo. "Oh, she's lovely--despite being 
the image of her father." She winks.

Kassima snorts cheerfully, walking on over to the table at which Tria sits and 
depositing the white, yellow, and black-streaked package--complete with the 
ever-present flamboyant bow of curling green ribbon--near the Herder 
Craftsecond. "You're nay going t'have any disagreement from me on that score, 
a'course. Khari, this is your Aunt Tria." The baby looks singularly unimpressed 
and perhaps a bit befuddled by this. "How fares with you lot?" she inquires of 
the room in general, hoisting herself up to a temporary seat on the table.

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

Ceria smiles at Jorenan.

Ofira smiles at Khari, gazing at her and then replies to Kassima, "Oh, fine, 
fine. Had something I wanted to ask you actually."

Caitria eyes the package for a moment, but is too busy wiggling her fingers at 
Khari, making the obligatory silly faces.

Jorenan trudges in. He's likely coming from a recent bath, for he's clean and 
damp behind the ears. Or perhaps he's just young and always looks like that. He 
nods to Ofira and Ceria, them being his superiors in the Craft, and then grins 
at all the others in the area. "Hullo," he says quietly.

Tinya rises to her feet. "I'd better be getting on with my errands, if I'm going 
to get done at a reasonable hour." To R'val, she says, "I'll come by and see 
your tapestry when I get back," then waves to the others and heads out of the 
cavern.

Xin waves to Jorenan, "Hey.."

Ofira waves to Tinya, and then nods to Jorenan, "'Afternoon," she says 
cheerfully.

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

Out of the way in her seat by the wall, Mehlani smiles momentarily as Caitria is 
presented with her... colorful gift, and then, as Jorenan arrives on the scene, 
offers him a shy bob of her head before promptly ducking her gaze to her lunch. 
Holl, on her shoulder, croons once at the youth, then flitters over to perch 
somewhere to get a better look at the smallhuman Kassima is toting around.

Kassima flashes Mehlani a quick smile, then nods to Ofira. "Ask away. Clear 
skies, Tinya," she calls to the departing bluerider, then turns to offer Jorenan 
a wave with her newly-freed hand. The other is holding a baby comfortably close 
to her person, presumably Kharisma; the child is studying Tria with no small 
amount of fascination. She likes funny faces, see.

Caitria, seeing that she's actually got the kiddo's attention, continues making 
a fool of herself for Khari's benefit.

Ofira smiles at Kassima, "Well, it was Tinya's idea, sort of. You see, I need to 
get to High Reaches, for the berry festival, but of course, I can't go 
*between*. And I was saying that I couldn't take a rider from duty for all the 
time it takes to fly straight. And she pointed out that there were some not on 
full duty yet, and I wondered if you might want to go with me, if you feel you 
could be away that long?"

Jorenan gets himself a mug of klah and takes a seat somewhere in the vicinity of 
where he always sits. He flashes Mehlani a slightly amused and mostly 
understanding gron and comments, "Good lunch?" Then he leans over to get a 
better look at Kharisma. "Bright-eyed, isn't she?" is his comment about the 
baby. To Ofira's comment, he looks surprised, but pleased that she's thought of 
a way to attend.

Mehlani only bobs her head silently to Jorenan, whilst daintily nibbling at her 
bread.

Kharisma is distracted for a moment from watching the really weird lady by the 
appearance of the fluttering bronze thing. Obligingly, Kassi adjusts the baby in 
her arms so that she can see both woman and fire-lizard, if this is possible. 
"To High Reaches for a berry festival?" the greenrider wonders of Ofira, looking 
thoughtful. "A long trip, that. But it'd do Lysseth sharding good t'get a chance 
to exercise her wings and mayhaps get a bit of her condition back. 'Tis... what, 
three days t'get there, and three back?"

Perched on the back of the nearest chair, Holl cranes his head over, peering 
with greenly whirling eyes at the infant. Chirrup?

Ofira shakes her head, "I'm not sure. Tinya thought a bit shorter than that. 
More like two."

Caitria chuckles and leans back in her chair, watching the bronze and the baby 
as she absently rubs her jaw with two fingers.

Ofira glances at Caitria watching the baby and smiles slightly.

Ceria listens to Ofira and Kassima as she sits drinking her juice.

Caitria catches Ofira's glance and grins rather ruefully at her before returning 
her attention to Kharisma.

Kassima grins at Jorenan, her smile as broad as it always is when someone 
compliments her child. More like a full-out beam, really. "She's getting a bit 
less muzzy, aye, now that she's starting t'catch the hang of focusing." And 
focused the infant is, on the thing with the bright green eyes. That'd be Holl. 
His chirrup is replied to by a spit-bubble; how charming. "Going to open your 
present, Tria?" Kassi asks, turning her gaze away from the spectacle of baby and 
fire-lizard but not losing her grin.

R'val moves from his seat, to Ofira's side, clutching his klah mug. He favours 
her with a smile, "Hey. Mind if I sit with you?"

Ofira smiles at R'val, "Of course not. Make yourself comfortable."

Caitria asks, as she rather reluctantly turns away from the kidlet, "Is that 
what that is? I thought some mad apprentice weaver had got hold of one of the 
calves." She grins, moving to open the package--very, very slowly. ;)

Kassima then replies to Ofira, after a moment's thought, "If'n I brought plenty 
of supplies and such for the children, and if'n you'd nay mind if'n I brought 
them along, then I think that would be workable. I'll check with the bosses, 
though, t'be certain."

Xin has disconnected.

        Lifting several pieces of wrapping-cloth out of the box in which your 
present is nestled, you find within... a bucket. Or, to be more precise, a pail. 
The absolute nit-pickers might insist on classifying it solely as a milking 
pail. Gleaming metal--steel, by the look--has been crafted into this good-sized 
container, which is relatively practical in its simplicity. No bells, bangles, 
or whistles here. The handle is simple, braided metal, guaranteed to withstand 
the weight of the bucket when it has been filled; the bottom is similarly solid 
in design.
        Upon pulling it out of the box, though, you see that it is *not* plain 
and simple--or at least, not so much so as you might have first thought; 
embossed herds of bovines prance, snore, amble, and chew their cud all over the 
surface of the thing. No two cow-scenes are entirely alike, but all have been 
rendered with the obsession for detail found only in those who are being well-
paid, are insane, or both. In the bottom of the bucket has been placed the 
following note: 'So long as your bovine's not male, then surely you can never 
fail to get excellent milk from your beasts and your ilk, when it's gathered up 
in this fine pail! Yes, I know that was horrible. But what can I say? I've never 
had to write a poem about milking bovines before. With hopes that she'll never 
have to do so again, and for a happy Turnday for you as well, Kassima.'

Ofira nods, "I could bring Girad, actually. I hadn't thought of that." She 
smiles. "I think it could work out fine. But only if you really want to. It's 
not till next sevenday, so theres' time to let me know."

R'val sits at Ofira's side silently, unwilling perhaps, to interrupt this 
planning session.

Caitria blinks as she pulls out what appears to be a milking-pail, embossed with 
bovine scenes. She pulls a small note from the bottom of the pail and reads it, 
chuckling here or there. "Horrible isn't quite the word," she comments, holding 
the pail close so she can peer at the embossings.

There's a sound from Mehlani's direction that might, just might, be a giggle, at 
the sight of the unwrapped pail.

Ofira smiles, looking at the pail.

Jorenan listens to the conversations around him for a moment and then, 
concluding that all is right with the world, begins studying a hide. If anyone 
were to care to look over his shoulder at it, they'd discover that it's a 
somewhat advanced text on the preparation of foods using herbs and spices, and 
the healing properties of said foods for use in medical emergencies.

Ceria smiles as the pail is unwrapped.

Kassima grins and assures Ofira, "I truly doubt 'twill be a problem. You're 
entitled to having the services of a rider for such a task, and really, 'twould 
be better t'send one who isn't on duty and who might benefit from the trip also. 
Besides, I'd dearly love t'go to High Reaches. Haven't seen most of the folk 
there in ages." To Tria, she quips, "Nay quite. I just like m'gifts t'be... 
ah... personalized, as 'twere. I'm sorry 'tis nay so useful as an Emasculator 
sheath, but I thought it might suit." Khari turns her blue gaze on the pale, 
now, and her tiny brow crinkles a bit before she loses interest in it entirely.

R'val blinks, regarding the pail with some surprise.

Ofira smiles, quite pleased with the prospect of the trip. "I hope we won't be 
too much for Lysseth, with all we'll be carrying."

Caitria's lips quirk at the mention of the sheath, which she's actually wearing 
even now. "I think Cav will like this gift better, though," she comments, 
running a thumb over one of the bovines. "Thank you." As Ofira speaks again, she 
quiets, murmuring something about finding her children and maybe trying out her 
gift.

Kassima shakes her head. "I don't think so. I'll just tell her that the kidlets 
and supplies will be light, and she'll manage. It might take three days after 
all, though," she warns. "She's nay been on an extended flight since the trip we 
took to Greystones." Some imp of the perverse makes her inquire, "By the by, 
how'd that plan t'get a present for some hapless maid or other go...? Quite 
welcome, Tria. Use it in good health." She quirks an eyebrow at the last murmur, 
perhaps wondering whether Tria means the pail or the Emasculator sheath.

Jorenan looks up for a moment. On realizing that everyone is entirely otherwise 
occupied, he slips a pleasant looking little belt knife onto the table and over 
towards Mehlani. There, hopefully no one noticed that.

R'val murmurs, "See you later." to Ofira, waves at large, and wanders out.
R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
R'val has left.

Caitria, with a final silly face for Kharisma, get to her feet and collects her 
gift, calling a farewell to the folks in the room.

Ofira glances quickly at Mehlani and Jorenan, and merely says, "Oh, three days. 
That sounds very nice, really."
Ofira waves to Caitria, "See you later."

Caitria walks towards the inner cavern.
Caitria has left.

Holl continues to peer at the baby, then eventually loses interest -- the 
smallhuman doesn't seem to do much -- and flutters back over to HIS human, who 
after all, has lunch that he clearly must assist her in eating. As he wings 
over, Mehlani glances up... and only then notices the object that has appeared 
in her immediate vicinity.

Kassima sighs in relief, waving after Tria. "There. Now that just leaves Kindre, 
and then the Turnday spree will be over for a time. We'll see how nice 'twill be 
t'fly for three days with three children, Ofira--but methinks I'm up to the 
challenge." She winks, then grins at the departure of the fire-lizard. Little 
does he realize how fortuitous he was that Khari is too young to have developed 
a fascination for yanking on 'lizard-tails just yet.

Ofira laughs, "Well, I'll pack us plenty of food, all those healthy things 
mothers and children need. And it /will/ be nice to be back at High Reaches, and 
see Bryena and everyone."

Bemused, Mehlani turns from her plate, reaching with one slender hand to take up 
the little sheathed blade, her eyes widening as she begins to inspect it; then, 
she lifts her head, glancing around the room. Perhaps looking to see who might 
have left the thing beside her.

Jorenan is deeply absorbed in his utterly fascinating text on herbs. He's 
started taking notes on a separate hide, and hasn't glanced up in quite some 
time.

Ceria notices Jorenan slide the knife over the table. She watches Mehlani's 
reaction.

Ofira yawns a little and stretches, "Oh, I haven't gotten over the tiredness, I 
see," she sighs.

Kassima espies 'Lani's gift, and gives a low whistle of appreciation. Since 
she's sitting rather far away, and is--miracle of miracles!--carrying no visible 
knives, it probably isn't her at fault, nope nope. "Nice knife there, 'Lani," 
she calls, before bobbing her head to Ofira. "That would be marvelous. Just, 
please... if'n you bring kiwi, don't bring ketchup too?" That's said in a 
downright pleading voice. "Mayhaps while I'm at the 'Reaches, I'll get a chance 
t'see whether certain rumors are still floating around... and quell 'em, if'n 
so."

Ofira laughs and then looks over at Mehlani when Kassima whistles and sees the 
knife. She smiles.

Ceria glances over at Ofira and then back to Mehlani.

Jorenan is probably the only person who doesn't look up at Kassima's comment. 
Then, realizing his mistake, he looks up, too.

Ofira watches Jorenan too, a little smile on her lips, before she quickly looks 
down.

Kassima comments, tickling Kharisma's chin while still looking at the knife, "I 
don't think I've many as fine as that, m'self. How long is it now until you're 
due, Ofira?"

Ofira smiles, "Oh, quite some time yet. I'm not even through the first third."

"But... this..." Mehlani stares at the blade, apparently finding it rather more 
fascinating upon closer inspection. She meets everyone's eyes, and blurts, "This 
is for me...?"

Holl stares for a few moments at the new and interesting shinything that has 
appeared by his human. If the bronze noticed whose hand left the knife beside 
'Lani, he isn't saying -- if nothing else, because fire lizards do not talk, and 
because he now is scarfing down the remnants of 'Lani's second meatroll.

Apprently, someone has kicked Jorenan under the table, for he jumps and then 
says to Mehlani, "We never had time to go look at them. I, err, hope you like 
it. The Miner said you could trade if there was something else you'd like more."

Kassima lifts one shoulder in a shrug to 'Lani. "I'd say 'tis probably s--ah, 
there!" She smiles her approval at Jorenan. Apparently, she thinks a knife is a 
marvelous sort of gift.

Mehlani turns to Jorenan, then, a hesitant smile peeking out from under her hat 
brim. She lifts a hand to shove the hat slightly back on her head, so that she 
can peer shyly in the young baker's direction, and in what is clearly startled 
pleasure, she says softly, "Thank you...!"

Jorenan grins back at Mehlani. He's lost a lot of his shyness in the last couple 
of Turns, though his ears are a slightly suspicious shade of pink. "You're 
welcome," he says. "Use it in good health."

Ofira observes this interaction, smiling.

R'val has arrived.
R'val enters from the Bowl.
R'val wanders back in, smiling and looking pleased with himself. He returns to a 
seat near OFira, if one is free, and smiles at the occupants of the cavern, 
"G'day. Again."

Ofira nods to R'val, ", still watching Jorenan and Mehlani with a slight smile.

The girl in the battered brown hat gives Jorenan a slightly longer-lasting 
smile, and settles down to inspect the knife in earnest, slipping it carefully 
free of its sheath and turning it slowly about in her fingers. Her lunch, 
forgotten, falls in defeat to the vigorous campaign of little bronze Holl's 
hunger.

Jorenan watches Mehlani for a moment, grins, and then goes back to reading his 
herbs text.

Kassima chuckles and murmurs under her breath to Ofira, "If'n there's one thing 
that almost makes me wish I'd had suitors as a lass, 'tis that 'twould mayhaps 
have been a good chance to expand m'knife collection. By the by, thankee muchly 
for all of the soups. They've truly made a pleasant change."

Ofira smiles, "Oh, I'm glad to hear that." She adds softly, "They /do/ make an 
adorable couple, don't they?"

Ceria glances over at Ofira and then goes back to staring into her empty mug.

"Of friends, aye," Kassi replies pleasantly, her own voice low. "Nigh as 
adorable as she and Kes... but nay quite."

Probably mercifully, Mehlani does not appear to hear Kassima's and Ofira's lowly 
exchanged words; quite raptly, she is studying her new knife in earnest 
concentration, apparently bent on memorizing its every detail. If the slight 
widening of her eyes is any indication, she is quite floored.

Ofira laughs, "Well, just as you say Kassima," she says agreeably.

R'val walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
R'val has left.

Jorenan looks up at Ofira, somewhat startled. Him, part of an adorable couple? 
Yoiks. This is the same boy who still thinks of himself as not quite put 
together. He shakes his head and goes back to his herbs. Mutter, mutter. 
Something about insane Craftmasters, perhaps.

Ceria puts down her mug and stands up. She heads for the lower caverns.

Kassima nods amiably, stifling a grin at Jorenan's muttering. "Aye, 'tis so." 
Sliding down off the table, she remarks, "I'd best get back. 'Maeva's going 
t'send Kay over in a bit; I promised t'tell her the story of the Wandering 
Pastel Lettuce and her battles against the Hot Sauce of Smoldering Doom."

Ofira smiles, "And i need to be off to work in the kitchen," she says, getting 
up as well. Could her goal be to leave a certain apprentice alone with a certain 
young girl.

Ceria walks towards the inner cavern.
Ceria has left.

Ofira walks off towards the kitchen.
Ofira has left.

Right on cue, Kharisma stirs in her blanket, starting to whimper--the prelude to 
an inevitable wail. "Lunch time, too. Clear skies, you lot!" Kassi hastens to 
flee the room before the wail can turn into an all-out scream of demand.

[End log.]