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:
	Early-to-Mid January 1998 -- not sure when exactly, but this does take
Place before Milleniuth's first rising and Mehlani's first kiss.
	As with several other logs on my Mehlani archive, this log was contributed 
by Kassima's player, and was originally from her point of view. I've edited 
things around a bit to make the actual giving of the horse a bit more from 
Mehlani's point of view.

Log Cast:
	(People) Mehlani, Kassima, Lyrenna, Ro, Maylia, E'rian (NPC emitted by 
Kassima), K'tyn, Ryddle, Calalin, Jessamyne (NPC emitted by Kassima), K'star
(NPC emitted by Kassima)

	(Dragons) Milleniuth, Prometh, Tierth, Lysseth

	(Fire lizards) Holl

Log Intro:
	In the sevendays leading up to her Turnday, Mehlani has found herself the 
recipient of a great deal of strange attention at Telgar Weyr -- as several 
young men have seemed to be compelled to bestow gifts upon her. It has even 
caused some consternation on several sides, as at least on one occasion, the 
same gift has been given by two different people, Jorenan and Sandar. Mehlani 
has striven to assure Jorenan that he has not upset her, but still, the lass 
harbors a great deal of confusion about the reactions she seems to be causing 
amongst the young men of the Weyr.
	Now that she is turning fifteen, however, there is a different excuse 
entirely to bestow gifts upon the girl, and more than one of those at Telgar who 
care about her are about to demonstrate just that, some in small ways and some 
in spectacular....

----------
Mehlani soon has klah, and as the lass gulps down a few mouthfuls of it, pausing 
between them to let the heat of the stuff soak through her body, she slowly but 
surely begins to look less wilted.

Kassima nods, glancing at the hem in question. "You embroider? I'd think it 
might suit admirably, but I'm nay the world's best judge of such. Still 
intending t'go to the Weaver Hall?"

Lyrenna adds a dollop of sweetner to the klah in front of her. She stirs it 
lightly as she gazes about the room.

Ro nods "I 'broider. Don' know how to cut stuff out or make seams, though. I 
don' know if I'll be goin' to weaver hall now that Wyn and Sandy are gone. They 
were the ones with relatives, and I don' know anyone there."

Maylia grins, poking her spoon towards Kassi. "Wear the red, for sure." she 
advises. Could this have something to do with the fact that her only suitable 
gather dress is green, with silver accessories." She smiles to Ro. "Did that red 
dress fit? If it's close, we should see if anyone there can adjust it properly, 
though someone here probably could. And I've a sister there."

Ro shakes her head "It's a little big, but I figure I'll prolly grow into it in 
another turn, the way things are... growin'"

Kassima shrugs and opines, "Don't have t'know anyone. You could always ask for 
m'cousin, Simian... he might be able to help you. Up t'you. Whether or nay you 
get to the Hall, though, you really should try Boll sometime... have any of you 
ever been to the Lava Lounge?" That's directed to all folk within hearing range. 
To Maylia, she bobs her head once. "Aye, either that or the black--depending on 
weather, occasion, and mood. The red, the black, and the green might nay have 
the same meaning as they once did, but... well, shardit, 'tis still Bendenite I 
consider m'self at heart. Naught wrong with wearing the colors of the Weyr 
m'dragon Hatched at."

Ro shakes her head "Never been there."

Mehlani finally looks up wearily over her klah, the conversation beginning to 
sink in.

Kassima eyes Mehlani with a trace of concern and no little curiousity. "Did you 
sleep poorly yestereve, 'Lani?"

Ro notices Mehlani and quickly stands and walks over to her. She hands something 
small to the other girl. It unfurls to be a deep blue sisal ribbon embroidered 
with a scrolling pattern of firelizards in bronze thread.

Ro murmurs "Sorry I didn' have it with me to give to you last night."

Holl reacts more quickly to the ribbon than 'Lani does -- it's shiny! And has 
bronze in it! But 'Lani, as the ribbon is placed into her free hands, blinks a 
few times and then lifts a wide-eyed gaze to Ro. She finally smiles timidly and 
murmurs, "Thank you... it is alright, you can't really have pockets in a bath, 
after all...!" To Kassima, she adds, "I am alright..."

Ro nods and blushes, glancing at her knife. She didn't have a pocket to carry 
that in, either. Eep.

Mehlani sets down her klah for a moment, so that she can inspect the length of 
ribbon in her hands, and she gives Ro a soft smile. "It is lovely," she asserts. 
Holl croons, fluttering on her shoulder, craning his head forward to peer at the 
long length of blue and bronze.

Ro murmurs "I tried to make em look like Holl."

Mehlani breathes, "You stitched them?"

Ro nods and replies softly "Yes."

"'Tis a lovely gift, i'truth," Kassi says with a smile as she admires the ribbon 
in question. "Ro, when you said you embroidered, methinks 'twere understating 
the case a twinge!"

Maylia grins absently to Kassima, watching the interaction between the girls. 
"No reason not to wear'em at all," she observers.

'Lani's bronze, at the mention of his name, croons again brightly. Mehlani, 
evidently quite touched, considers Ro for a moment and then steps shyly forward, 
offering the younger girl a hug.

Ro hugs Mehlani, saying "I'm glad you like it. It was real hard to think of 
somethin' special. Then she turns toward Kassi and murmurs "Ma taught me, when I 
was little." She looks sad for a moment, but the expression is fleeting "I just 
kept doin' it because it was somethin to do."

"As good a reason for doing something as any," is Kassima's response. The 
greenrider chuckles a bit. "Especially if'n 'tis something you enjoy, at least a 
little."

"I could not do this," murmurs Mehlani, gazing in quiet fascination down at the 
miniscule fire lizards tracked along the ribbon's length.

Ro nods and looks toward the bowl entrance, with a far off look in her eyes.
In the entranceway, a whirling blue dragon-eye suddenly puts in an appearance, 
the green hide around it just barely visible. "Get your sharding huge head out 
of the way, Mil," a young man's voice says, barely audible over the rumble of 
the green as she reluctantly withdraws. Without further ado, E'rian squeezes his 
way past his dragon and strides into the room with a sure step and a decidedly 
mischievous grin. His hazel eyes scan the room in search of someone, even as he 
tosses off a leisurely wave to the room in general. "Is Mehlani about, by any 
chance?" the greenrider calls.

Mehlani freezes.

Ro blinks, for a moment, greatly startled by the dragon's appearance at the 
opening, her eyes sparkling, though only for a second before she, blinks again, 
looking down and walking over and sitting by Maylia.

E'rian seems unfazed by the immediate lack of reply. He knows Mehlani too well 
to have expected one, really. Still grinning like a loon from ear to ear, he 
catches sight of Kassi and winks at his cousin, a wink she returns with a grin 
that mirrors his. Mouthing, 'Over there,' the Wingsecond nods discreetly in 
'Lani's direction--and Eyr, with a nod of thanks, heads that way at once. "There 
you are, Turnday girl. I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but... I've got a 
bit of a surprise for you."

Holl sits up on Mehlani's shoulder, tilting out slightly so he does not bonk the 
top of his head against the girl's hat, and lets out a piping, brassy warble in 
the direction of the young green rider. 'Lani slowly swivels her head to follow 
her bronze pet's gaze, her own falling with trepidation on the figure of E'rian. 
She is struck with a sudden urge to hide behind the klah pot, but too late, he's 
spotted her. "You do?" she says, her voice very small.

K'tyn walks in from the bowl.
K'tyn has arrived.

Pierron waves his arms expansively, driving the cavern's girls before him like a 
flock of avians, as he orders them to straighten up for the weyrleader.
Ro catches a glimpse of the weyrleader out of the corner of her eye and moves 
quickly, saying "May I get you something, sir?

Maylia looks up from her contemplation of a kiwi muffin as a gaggle of kitchen 
girls swarms about, stirred up by Pierron. Thus warned, her salute to the 
Weyrleader is not with a muffin in hand.

Kassima salutes the Weyrleader with one of her citron and garlic-soaked kiwi 
muffins. E'rian does the same, in a less revolting and somewhat more preoccupied 
fashion, before returning his attention to Mehlani. "Well... K'star and I do," 
honesty compells him to admit. "And Cousin Kassi, sort of. D'you think you could 
be lured outside for a moment, by any chance?"

Ro on her way by Kassi, she also pulls out her knife and hands it to the 
greenrider, murmuring "Would you hold onto this til I can get a sheath and all 
for it, please?"

_Outside?!_ Mehlani blinks, decidedly taken aback, but she gives E'rian a slow 
and hesitant nod. "Um... alright..."

K'tyn blinks, returning salutes directed at him. "Get me something? Ah... 
certes, Ro--some food ad drink?"

Kassima blinks, but nods, accepting the knife and slipping it into a sheath in 
the inner panel of her riding jacket. That she'd equip even her maternity jacket 
with a hidden place for a knife says a lot about the rider. "A'course, Ro. I'll 
see, too, whether I can find any sheaths t'spare in m'collection for you."

E'rian bobs his head in confirmation, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Outside. 
And... you'll have to close your eyes. We want it t'be a surprise."

"But if I close my eyes how can I get out..." Mehlani swallows a little, and 
then finishes, "... side?" Holl peers intently at E'rian, and puts in an 
inquisitive trill.

K'tyn frowns at Mehlani's expression and at E'rian's mischievous one. Ah Ha.

Kassima watches the spectacle of her cousin and Mehlani with a grin of her own, 
not at all mischief-free. Hoisting herself out of her seat, she walks over to 
wherever the Weyrleader is. "Worry nay, sir," she murmurs to him. "I know what 
the lad has in mind, and 'tis perfectly benign."

"Trust me," E'rian assures her with a wink. "I can lead you out, if you like... 
or, just close your eyes once you get near the exit. Whichever suits you, 
Turnday girl."

K'tyn nods, though the alert expression doesn't leave his face. Turnday. Ah.

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

Mehlani pinkens under E'rian's twinkling gaze, and she only bobs her head -- a 
less than useful response to his suggestions, but then again, it's not 
surprising, considering 'Lani. Cautiously curling Ro's gifted ribbon into a neat 
blue-and-bronze circle in her hands, Mehlani creeps towards the exit, and once 
near it, nervously closes her eyes.

Ro nods and moves to load a tray with dishes of food: stew, fruit, bread, wine, 
roast wherry, and to top things off, a kiwi muffin. She carries this over to the 
weyrleader, making no sound other than a soft russle of skirts.

E'rian follows 'Lani out, still grinning like a loon and practically bouncing in 
his steps. One might wonder whether the young greenrider has had too much klah 
for his own good. "Go ahead and step out, 'Lani. I'll make sure you don't run 
into anything."

K'tyn sinks into a chair, looking away from Mehlani for the moment. Skirts, hm? 
"A new outfit, Ro?" he says looking at her, and beaming. "Thank you for bringing 
me m'lunch.

'Lani slips the coiled ribbon into a pocket, leaving both her hands free, now. 
She can feel a breeze from outside on her face, and she bobs her head tinily to 
E'rian. Stretching forth a hand just to make sure she doesn't collide with any 
incoming riders or anyone else, she creeps cautiously out.

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

Eyr follows 'Lani out of the room, watching after her to make sure that, indeed, 
her path is free of obstacles.

Ro blushes softly and nods "My old clothes didn' fit right." Of note she doesn't 
say that they were too small, just that they didn't fit right. "And, you're 
welcome, sir. Please let me know if you want anythin' else." Her manner seems 
rather subdued today.

Kassima watches her cousin and the young girl go with a downright gleeful 
chuckle. "Oh, I *do* hope she'll be as pleased as I think she will be."

K'tyn nods, munching away happily. "That I will, Ro. Will you not sit--" he 
gestures at a chair near to him. "Happy? What is it that you've brought for her, 
Kassi?"

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

Kassima laughs, shaking her head. "'Twas nay my idea, and nay I who bought it; I 
only contributed a mark or two. The lads chose the gift. They know," she 
explains, a bit cryptically, "how much 'Lani loves runners...."

Calalin walks into the cavern, overflowing basket of laundry in hand. Glancing 
about, she finds a suitable spot at a mostly empty table.

Maylia ahs, finally realizing what her two clutchmates have in store for 'Lani.

K'tyn grins at Kassi. "A runner? Oh dear." He nods amiably at Calalin as he 
plows though his food.

Ro pauses for a moment before sitting next to the weyrleader.

K'tyn raises a brow at the batter-dipped wherry bits on his plate. "These are 
quite good, methinks. Mayhaps I have more for my second plateful, hm?" He winks 
at Ro. "You seem in quiet spirits, young one! What is it?"

Ryddle hmms and sis down setting a pack on the floor

Kassima nods to the Weyrleader, a confirmation of his guess. "Uncle Aleinn's 
wife Jessamyne brought her up here for us. She's one of the finest of her stock, 
runnerbeasts being her special area of concern."

Calalin gets an amused look on her face when she spots K'tyn. She begins 
rummaging through the clothing, picking out pieces, folding them, and setting 
them aside. After a few moments, she says, "Ah ha." A tunic is summarily pulled 
from the basket, folded carefully, and presented to the weyrleader. "Here's that 
tunic, sir. It's mended, though I still can't for the life of me figure out how 
you managed to tear it *there*."

Ro murmurs "Things. Nothin' important." and she moves swiftly, heaping a plate 
with the desired wherry bits and returning, seeming to be gone no more than a 
second.

K'tyn smiles at Calalin. "Thank you, my dear! And if you must know, I 
was...practicing knife tricks. In bed."

Kassima's attention is immediately drawn back to Kiat by that statement. "You 
were doing *what*? In *where*? Nay. Nay, nevermind... I'm wholly convinced that 
I am far, far better off nay knowing."

Calalin rolls her eyes, and smirks, "I hope you didn't have anyone with you. 
That would be most... disconcerting."

K'tyn laughs, delightedly at Kassi's statement, mopping up the remains of his 
dinner with a hunk of bread. "Company in bed? Me?" He widens his eyes, looking 
innocently about. "Never!"

Maylia's mind is still far too young and inexperienced to conjure up anything 
more interesting than the following idea: "Imagine if you'd slipped worse! 
'twould've been a sight, everyone trying to figure out who managed to murder the 
weyrleader in his own bed!"

Ro looks at the mended tunic, listens to the weyrleader with widened eyes, and 
says "You didn' get hurt, did you, sir?"

"Kindre would probably be ever so disappointed t'hear you say that, sir," Kassi 
remarks drolly.

Calalin rolls her eyes again, walking back over to the basket of clothes. 
"Right. And that's why you have how many children?"

Ro blushes deeply. Perhaps she is still just a little young for this 
conversation.

K'tyn raises a brow at Kassi. "Who's to say it was not she who was in my bed, 
hm?" Truly though, it happened when I was ill and m'knife slipped from the tray 
and tore my shirt as I was cutting my food."
K'tyn winks at Calalin. "I've three children. Tis not so many as some."

Calalin mmhmms, "Right. Like F'hlan. His are all from flights or his weyrmate I 
hear." She snickers, and pulls a few more articles out of the basket.

It's Kassi's turn to flutter her eyelashes in a look of innocence. "Well, you 
said you would *never* have company, which I assumed would include Kindre... 
'tis why I figure she'd be so disappointed." With a wink, she notes to Calalin, 
"Had you heard that he's expecting another? His eighth, I believe."

K'tyn shakes his head, popping the last bit of bread in his mouth. "There's no 
comparison between eight and three."

Ro makes a mental note that if the weyrleader is sick again, to cut up all the 
food before bringing it to him.

Calalin shrugs, "I've seen just as bad. Poor man must be fertile as a freshly 
manuered meadow."

Kassima comments, "'Tis Tzornth who's the virile one, I suspect. He catches so 
many greens that F'hlan doesn't have a chance."

Calalin says "You don't get pregnant every time Lysseth rises, do you? I 
wouldn't just blame the flights."

K'tyn snorts, muttering, "And I don't impregnate every time Prometh rises, 
thanks be to Faranth."

At the talk of getting pregnant from flights, Maylia shifts uncomfortably, 
surreptitiously crossing her fingers and shaking her head. No. Anything but 
that.

Calalin eyes K'tyn speculatively. "Prometh rises? Now *that* I'd love to see."

Ro blushes deeper, and tries not to draw any attention to herself. Yup, she is 
still -quite- young for this sort of thing.

K'tyn grins. "Aye, he rises after greens, true as can be."

Kassima snorts, shaking her head in denial. "Hardly! Only when Lyss rises, is 
caught by a dragon with a male rider--which has only happened thrice, I might 
add--and I've drunk the Water. Which has happened once, and which is why I have 
Kaylira. Flights and Water are a lethal combination."

Calalin shrugs. "Water's water. Nothing unusual about that." She grins at K'tyn, 
"Well, that's not quite the same as him rising."

Kassima grins at Calalin. "Water's water, unless 'tis Benden Water... which, 
I've heard rumor say, has infected the water here. But what I meant was that 
with Tzornth giving him so many, hrm, *opportunities*, as 'twere, he has that 
much more chance of having children. So t'speak."

K'tyn laughs, pointng his empty fork at Calalin. "You know what I meant, young 
woman, and Aye, Kassi. I am glad that Prometh is a bit more discriminating--or 
less responsive, tis true."

Calalin snorts, "There's not enough water left at Benden to take care of the 
people there, much less do anything here." She shrugs, "Though I've heard 
Tzornth is particularly prodigious at catching greens." She finishes the last 
bit of folding, and wanders off to the kitchen. "I'm hungry."

"Ah, but some people have brought some of it over here, trading equal amounts of 
water from elsewhere for it. I'm nay the only superstitious one," Kassi 
explains. "Anyway, I'm rather glad that Lyss doesn't rise so oft as many greens-
-though risk or nay, I could live with her being caught by more dragons ridden 
by men than women. Two children will be enough for me for a time, methinks."

K'tyn nods at Kassima. "That's understandable, but...I think I might need to 
wander out to the bowl. Prometh's eyeing Mehlani's gift a little too closely, 
methinks.

Calalin wanders into the kitchen, commenting as she goes. Something to the 
effect of 'trading water. ... stupidest.. heard.' To mollify herself, she 
fetches a gigantic bowl of mashed tubers, drowning them with gravy. After she 
fetches a spoon, she wanders back out and sits by the freshly folded laundry.

K'tyn stands, stretches and wanders toward the door. "I'll be back, in a 
moment."
K'tyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl.
K'tyn has left.

Ro nods and her attention wanders elsewhere. She stares off into space looking 
thoughtful.

Kassima laughs under her breath. "So Lyss has told me," she remarks, saluting 
after the departing Weyrleader and resuming her seat with a relieved sigh. 
"Calalin, you say that now--but 'tis because you've never seen it *work*. Which 
it does! Ask Ofira. Ask Tria. Ask Asrai. Ask Mart and Kena. We all know about 
the Water."

Calalin shrugs at K'tyn. Her attention becomes focused on the lovely, heaping 
bowl of oh-so-fluffy mashed tubers. Gravy slides off the mountains of fluffines. 
A veritable heart attack waitoing to happen. She peers up at Kassima over a 
spoonful of the stuff. "If that was true, then why doesn't the Weyrwoman have 
six or twelve kids? You can't say she would argue over having a child by her 
weyrmate, especially when his dragon caught her every time she rose except the 
last time?"

Maylia blushes, ducking her head. Ever so quietly, she says, "Never thought I'd 
say this, but in that case I'm quite glad we're not at Benden." Her voice sounds 
tinged with hopefulness.

Kassima quirks an eyebrow at Maylia, giving her mentee a scrutinizing look. 
"Can't say I blame you for nay wanting children so early," is all she says 
before turning to regard Calalin. When she sees the bowl of tubers, she gulps, 
her color going two shades paler. "Oh, ugh. My guess would be that being 
grounded for awhile *does* help. 'Tis likely the third part of the equation: a 
flight, Water, and a grounding."

Calalin shovels big spoonfuls into her mouth, being sure to swipe up some of 
that gravy with each bite. After one particularly large swallow, she says, "And 
the weyrwoman's not the mos likelt person to be on the ground for long periods 
of time? Far more likely than a dragon in a fighting wing, I'd think. What with 
drills and sweeps and all."

Kassima flicks her fingers dismissively. "Even Weyrwomen travel, don't they? And 
go *between* in 'Fall? Besides, I'll admit that the Water doesn't work for 
*everyone*. 'Tis just that many of those who do come down with the Benden Flu 
have drunk of it."

Calalin shakes her head, confused, "No, but none of the weyrwomen spend as much 
time between as the rest of the riders do. I mean, if a queen has to go between, 
it really means someone up above missed something pretty serious, doesn't it?" 
She pauses, "And if they lived at Benden, what other water could they drink? You 
could just as easily blame it on wearing clothes. *Everyone* does it."

"They have t'go *between* to get to and from the 'Fall site," Kassi remarks, 
"and if'n injured, which does happen. Ask Kindre sometime. But the thing is, nay 
everyone drinks Water plain, or klah; 'tis safe enough in juice or wine form, 
but those two... they're tricky. Save for M'kla's, which is really made with 
agenothree rather than Water at all."

Calalin says "Flirk's was worse, she says."

Kassima snorts in agreement. "Flirk's is demonic. Evil, I tell you. Evil. I 
don't know *what's* in it, but 'tis lethal in a way different from M'kla's: 
M'kla's threatens your physical health. Flirk's, your mental."

Calalin smirks. "Don't drink the stuff."

"Lucky you, then," Kassi quips with a mock-grimace. "It didn't really do me any 
harm, per se, since I didn't drown in that bowl of oatmeal after all... but 
seeing Alwyn running around the place stark naked is something I could've done 
without. Nay offense meant t'him, mind. 'Twas just rather a deranged thing t'be 
seeing."

Calalin snickers, "He's got nohing to look at anyway."

Kassima lets her eyebrows arch fractionally, giving Calalin an odd look. "You 
know from experience, I take it? Since I don't recall seeing you there when he 
was on his streaking spree."

Calalin shakes her head, "Why would I want to be? Besides, he's been in the hot 
springs before. Havn't you? How many folks wear their clothes in there?"

Ro blinks, becoming aware of the conversation and -blushing-.

"Nay many," Kassi admits breezily. "Though several do wear *something*--I prefer 
a towel, m'self. Aye, I've been in the 'Springs, and I've seen him there. I 
suppose I've just never had the urge to watch him undress."

Calalin nods, "Not that I've watched him undress either. But it's hard not to 
notice people around you in the spring. INtending to look or no."

"True enough," Kassi admits, "most of the time. I'm usually scrubbing Lyss or 
something, m'self, so I'm often too preoccupied to look at 'em 'til they're 
already under the water. Depends on circumstance, and all of that."

Calalin snickers, "Though I'm sure it was sharded odd to see him running naked 
through the caverns."

Kassima agrees wryly, "'Twas. And with a mushroom in an unspeakable place, nay 
less."

Calalin says "Ugh. Well, couldn't be any worse than where they grow the 
things.""

Ro blushes through an entire range of shades, each comment reminding her of one 
thing our another.

Kassima grimaces and holds up her hands. "Please, I think I'm better off *nay* 
knowing. There are some things even my stomach can't tolerate, and I like 
mushrooms too well t'want t'know where they come from."

Calalin says "They're dirtier than tubers. At least tubers just grow 
underground."

Ro does her best to change the subject before she faints "Um, Kassi? What there 
somethin' you wanted 'broidered?" she says in a noticeably strained voice.

"Dirtier, but naught's more evil or disgusting than tubers," Kassi mutters. Ro's 
strained query wins her a surprised look from Kassi. "Are you all right, Ro? 
Something embroidered? Hrm... well, actually, Kay could use a new Gather tunic. 
If'n I find something suitable in the trunk, 'twould need t'be embroidered 
somewhere with the appropriate colors."

Calalin snickers again, finishing off the last of her delicious bowl of tubers.

Ro nods "I found a lot of different threads in one of the trunks, just perfect 
for 'broidery. Lots of different colors, too." Her cheeks seem to be returning 
to a more normal color.

Calalin takes her bowl off to the kitchen, handing it to one of the folks 
working in there today to be washed.

"The colors needed would be black, red, green, bronze, and white," Kassi 
explains. "I usually trade m'cousin Simian a seashell or two for the favor of 
embroidering a rope of those colors around the collar of Kay's shirts. It 
doesn't have t'be aught fancy. Though, *she* might appreciate having something 
t'wear with a brown dragon on it. The girl's brown-mad."

Ro nods, filing this information away in her mind.

Calalin yawns, picking up all the folded laundry, sorting it cerfully as she 
sets it back in the basket. "Time to get these put away."
Calalin walks towards the inner cavern.
Calalin has left.

Kassima waves after Calalin, too late of course. "I think I'll have t'get a look 
at those babe-clothes as soon as I can," she muses. "I'll have t'get V'dan to 
help me with the trunk. I've only a month left t'be getting things ready."

[And meanwhile, out in the Bowl...]

Prometh backwings for a landing.
Prometh has arrived.
Prometh rumbles quietly to the other dragons, settling down comfortably in the 
bowl

Hidden behind Lysseth, out of sight of the various other dragons around the 
Bowl, something can be heard to snort with vague unease. There's a murmur of 
voices as something else--people, presumably--sooth the snorting thing.

Tierth eyes the older green with curiousity, weaving her head back and forth, 
trying to get a peek at what she's hiding.

For a moment, only the sounds of lounging dragons can be heard... but then, 
another sound is audible: footsteps, one might guess, though they're rather odd 
for human steps. E'rian steps out of the tunnel only a moment after 'Lani, 
standing beside her and waiting for a few moments before he whispers, "All 
right... you can open your eyes now."

Prometh rumblesnorts, almost sneezing.

Mehlani waves her hand around slightly as she emerges into the Bowl, just to 
make sure she doesn't bump into anything; Holl, on her shoulder, chirrups with 
what sounds like mounting excitement, and the little bronze may well in fact be 
trying to guide the girl. Mehlani does open her eyes, then, at Eyr's urging...

The sight that meets the eyes is an interesting one. Standing not far away are 
two people, one of whom is a tall, smiling woman with deep blue eyes, touseled 
brown hair confined by a runner's-tail, and the yellow and white knot of a 
Journeywoman Herder. Beside her is K'star, readily identifiable by his fedora. 
The latter is holding a piece of rope... or rather, a lead to the young, coal-
black runnerbeast mare of obvious fine breeding who stands to the left of him. 
"Happy Turnday, 'Lani!" he and E'rian chorus in practiced unison.

Prometh looks over the runnerbeast with a practiced eye. Mmm. Tasty.

Lysseth snorts at Prometh, raising one wing as though to ward off any thoughts 
of eating her rider's cousins' gift. Look, but don't drool.

Mehlani blinks, unable, apparently, to comprehend what she's seeing before her. 
K'star she of course recognizes, but her gaze goes then to the unfamiliar 
Herder... and then to the mare. Her mouth comes open, but no sound emerges from 
her.

Upon close inspection, the mare--who is young indeed, surely not much over three 
Turns--can be seen to be truly black, without a speck of white on her, and 
standing at about fifteen hands high. A pedigreed beast, there can be no doubt--
and one well cared-for, if her sleek coat and the lack of any ounce of fat 
underneath that coat are any indication. "She's our gift to you, 'Lani," K'star 
explains, his grin a match for his brothers. "Ours and Kassi's. Cousin Jessamyne 
brought her up here for us." The Journeywoman--Jessamyne, apparently--nods a 
smiling confirmation. "Her name is Nightsong," E'rian chips in. "Though you 
could change that, of course. Do you like her?"

Prometh snakes his head closer, surrepticiously sniffing at the beast as his 
long forked tongue tastes the air.

Holl, however, is not struck dumb like his human, and of the things Holl has 
learned rank on the list of things Mehlani cherishes, runnerbeasts are most 
definitely included. His eyes whirling brightly blue, the bronze wings up off 
'Lani's shoulder and over to inspect the black mare, while Mehlani finally 
manages to find her voice. "She's... mine...? Oh..." She takes a few steps 
towards the gorgeous creature, thunderstruck.

Lysseth coils her tail in a protective ring around the creature, while Indyth 
and Milleniuth sidle beside her to join in the runner's honor guard. If *they* 
were told they'd be made into dragonskin accessories if they so much as sniffed 
the creature, then by Faranth, the same should hold true for every dragon.

The dark mare extends her muzzle to whuff curiously at Mehlani, nudging the 
girl's fedora lightly. "She's yours," Jessamyne confirms. "Paid for in full. You 
should know that she's been broken to saddle and bridle, and should make a good 
riding beast... but she's not fully trained just yet. You might have some work 
to do with her, but I promise you that she's as gentle as any spirited creature 
can be."

Mehlani just... stares, for several long seconds, before lifting tentative hands 
to Nightsong's ebon nose. As her fingertips connect with the silken coat, the 
girl's expression begins to kindle, and in wonder, she breathes out the runner's 
name.

Nightsong whickers lightly, accepting the caress and sniffing at Mehlani 
inquisitively. Eyr and Kes, standing to either side of her, watch the meeting of 
girl and runner with identical broad, pleased smiles. "I hope she's to your 
liking, 'Lani," Kes says. "We wanted to get you something you'd really like for 
your Turnday...." E'rian finishes his brother's sentence with, "And we know you 
like runners."

K'tyn saunters out. "Lani?" He calls out, craning his head about to looks for 
her. Ah! There's Prometh, and nearby must be the runner.

"But... a runner... so many marks..." Mehlani tears her gaze away from the black 
muzzle and dark eyes studying her, but not her hands, as she blurts to the pair 
of young riders and the Herder, "She's...." Only then does she hear K'tyn's 
call, and her blue gaze flashes in the Weyrleader's direction.

K'tyn waves, stepping over. "E'rian, K'star, Herder," he greets. "So, this is 
the gift I did hear so much about, hm? She looks in very fine fettle."

Jessamyne rolls her eyes and shakes her head, her wavy bangs flopping in her 
eyes. "Hah. Not a chance of that. I was gypped horribly in the bargain for this 
girl." She winks, and reaches out to ruffle Eyr's hair playfully--something he 
seems to endure stoically. "Anything for Aleinn's family, though. Beastcraft's 
duties to Telgar and her queens, Weyrleader." With a start, Kes and Eyr both 
turn to guiltily salute the Weyrleader somewhat belatedly. "Nightsong's one of 
my best stock," Jessa continues. "She should make a good broodmare someday, if 
you've a mind to look in that direction, Mehlani."

Holl experimentally alights on Nightsong's back, while Mehlani, both her hands 
still lingering on the mare's black nose, says nothing. But her eyes have 
started to shine, and there's a glimmer of dampness within them; it would seem 
that Mehlani has just entered in the beginnings of a beautiful friendship, and 
it's doubtful whether she actually hears the Journeyman's advice. She's gazing 
raptly at Nightsong, her fingertips gently searching out where this lovely lady 
might like to be scritched.

K'tyn watches Mehlani's apparent rapture with amusement, waiting for the right 
moment to perhaps speak up. He leans rather forcefully on Prometh, bluntly 
blocking the bronze from snuffling the delicate mare.

Nightsong lashes her long tail, fidgeting at the unfamiliar sensation of having 
a 'lizard on her back. However, Mehlani's caresses seem to have a soothing 
effect on the young mare. In an attempt to aid the girl in her search, the 
runner dips her head, the better to make her forelock and the space around her 
ears accessible.

A positively enormous smile blossoms out across Mehlani's face, and for a few 
moments, she enchantedly scritches at that raven forelock and behind those ears. 
Then, without warning, she turns to E'rian, the nearer of the two young riders, 
and hugs him, whispering, "Thank you...!" Tears are beginning to stream down her 
face.

K'tyn blinks, looking a little uncomfortable at Mehlani's tears, and that she 
rushes to E'rian for comfort? or is that thanks. "I--Hm. Mayhaps I'll speak with 
you later 'Lani," he says awkwardly, looking from the young girl to the young 
man she's hugging so... enthusisastically. "I've something for you, but... It 
can wait."
K'tyn looks at Prometh, staring at him a long moment, before sauntering back 
toward the LC.

E'rian is, unsurprisingly, mildly astonished to be hugged. But that's not to say 
he's displeased. His loon's grin broadens a bit as he hugs her back and chides 
playfully, "Hey, 'Lani, don't cry. If you're *that* disappointed, Jessa could 
take her to Greystones with her on her trip back."

"No... oh no, she's _lovely_, she... oh no...!" Just as abruptly as Mehlani had 
hugged E'rian, she whirls to hug K'star, too, murmuring her thanks, over and 
over. Holl, though, appears to notice K'tyn, and the bronze fire lizard launches 
up again to wing over to the Weyrleader, crooning, and nudging him back towards 
Mehlani.

K'tyn pauses, looking at the tiny bronze. He looks over his shoulder at Mehlani, 
smiles paternally, and chides the tiny beast. "I can see her any time, tis true. 
And she seems--otherwise preoccupied."

E'rian laughs and does his best not to look envious as Mehlani turns to hug his 
brother, too. "All right, then. Jessa won't mind having one less thing to worry 
about on her trip back, I warrant," he grins, while Kes lights up like a 
veritable glowbasket that's just been unshielded. "Happy Turnday, 'Lani," he 
says to her, with a crooked smile. Jessamyne just rolls her eyes and grins at 
all of this sentimentality. "If you don't mind, Weyrleader, Kes, Eyr, all," she 
begins, "I should probably seek out Craftsecond Caitria and speak to her before 
I start back. It's a long trip to Greystones--but not so bad as from High 
Reaches, so I'm not complaining."

Journeyman Jessamyne isn't getting away without going unnoticed by Mehlani's 
rapt gratitude, although the girl doesn't actually hug her. She does breathe 
huskily, however, "Thank you, too... thank you so much..." Holl wings back to 
claim Mehlani's shoulder and to nudge the girl's face towards the Weyrleader, 
then.

K'tyn turns back, smiling at the Herder Journeyman. "Please. Feel free to stay 
the evening or the next day or two, if you might spare the time. Your company is 
welcome.'

Jessamyne holds up her hands, shaking her head. "No problem, Mehlani. It's my 
job. And I'm glad to see that girl go to someone whom, I somehow suspect, will 
appreciate her for the fine creature she is." Giving Nightsong's ears a final 
scritch, she steps back and nods to the Weyrleader. "I'd appreciate that, 
actually. Aleinn's kinsfolk will no doubt be hounding me for news of the kin up 
here as soon as I get home, so I'd best get news enough to satisfy them--and a 
bit of a rest would be most welcome, if it wouldn't be a bother or a strain on 
your hospitality."

Mehlani looks up shyly to K'tyn, her face still aglow, somehow not incongruous 
with the tears glittering in her eyes, silently urging Prometh's rider to give 
the Herder the most comfortable sleeping place the Weyr can provide.

K'tyn smiles at Jassamyne, bowing her toward the living cavern's entryway. "It 
isn't and it won't be. Please, make our home yours, if you will."

Jessamyne laughs, hooking one thumb through a loop of her belt. "Don't think you 
want to offer that, Weyrleader. You've already got enough of my kin-by-
handfasting living here as-is. But the offer's appreciated, and I'll take you up 
on it... for a couple of days only, worry not." She winks, and looks over to 
Mehlani. "If there's anything you want to know about that mare of yours, just 
come and ask me. I've brought the hides with her pedigree written out for you, 
too, if you want them."

Mehlani bobs her head rapidly to Jessamyne, half her attention already returning 
to Nightsong, her hand lifting up high to scritch her silken dark coat. But to 
K'tyn, Mehlani glances again, when Holl nudges her cheek.

K'tyn smiles. "I'm sure that I do, since you seem to have given Mehlani 
something that she treasures. Go, Journeyman. Rest yourself."

"The gift's from my husband's cousins, but I'll take advantage of it anyway," 
Jessa says laconically, smiling. "Duties to you, Weyrleader, in case I don't see 
you about again 'fore I go." With a last wave--and a hair-ruffling for poor 
E'rian--she saunters out towards the Beasthold, presumably in search of Caitria.

It's more than apparent that Mehlani is beginning to fall absolutely in love 
with the mare; the girl can't take her hands off that finely arched neck and 
head, as if needing the tactile input to assure herself that the runner is real. 
But 'Lani glances shyly to K'tyn again, as Holl keeps delicately bapping her 
cheek to get her head turned back in the young Weyrleader's direction.

K'tyn grins after the journeyman herder, then cocks his head inquisitively at 
Mehlani. He smiles a little at K'star and E'rian. "I've got something for you. 
Tisn't so lovely as that mare, but... I thought you might use it, anyway."
K'tyn offers his closed fist to the young woman. "Open your hands, hm?"

Her eyes are already liquid, and perhaps simply because she's already been 
overwhelmed by the gift Kes and Eyr have presented her, Mehlani's only response 
is a shy smile. But she then blinks at K'tyn's prompting, and with a trace of 
hesitance, she brings her palms down off Nightsong's head to offer them to the 
bronze rider.

K'tyn laughs, and opening his hands, plops the firm round shapes of marks into 
Mehlani's outstretched palms. "I was at a loss as to what you might like, hence, 
my humble gift. Buy something pretty with it, Lani."

Nightsong, in turn, seems rather fond of Mehlani. The mare brushes her muzzle 
along Mehlani's cheek, almost like a runner's version of a kiss. Kes and Eyr 
haven't lost their grins of delight, for all that their cheeks must be starting 
to hurt. So happy is Eyr, in fact, that he doesn't even notice the marks... and 
*that* is something truly unusual for this half-Bitran gambling-addict.

"Pretty? Oh, K'tyn, I..." Mehlani trails off then, gazing liquidly at the marks, 
then stepping forward to hug K'tyn, too, surprisingly hard for this slight 
little girl. And all at once she moves back to hug both K'star and E'rian 
_again_, breathing out to all three riders, "I have never been so happy....!" 
And she finishes by throwing her arms around the neck of the mare.

K'tyn laughs. "I think we're more happy watching you be happy, Lani. Enjoy your 
turnday."

K'tyn turns, and whistling a little, heads for the caverns.

Kes blushes a trifle, while Eyr just chuckles in delight. "Then the gift had the 
effect we were hoping for," the older, brownriding brother says simply. "To make 
you happy. That's what Turndays are meant to be about, you know."

Embracing Nightsong's neck, Mehlani lifts her tear-bright, rapt gaze back to the 
boys, focusing it on K'star as he speaks. Her huge smile still lights her face. 
"Thank you," she breathes yet again.

K'star turns faintly redder, but his beam is nonetheless sincere as he nods. 
"We've got to go, Eyr and I--we promised to go back t'Greystones and assure 
Jessa's family that she's arrived safely when she did. Besides, I think you and 
Nightsong need to spend some time getting acquainted." E'rian nods, stuffing his 
hands in his pockets. "We'll probably be stopping by Benden while we're out and 
about. Kassi's always pestering us for news from home. Want us to give a message 
to your father while we're there, if he's around?"

Get acquainted with Nightsong....! Yes! The thought veritably shines in the 
girl's face, as Mehlani glances once more at the mare. As K'star speaks on, 
though, 'Lani returns her gaze to both boys, her expression settling down; her 
eyes remain radiant, however, even if the smile begins to leave her lips. 
"Alright," she murmurs shyly to the two youths. "And... yes... please tell my 
father... I'll send him a letter? And... also... thank you, for the gift he sent 
me...?"

E'rian bows, and K'star tips his fedora to Mehlani. Their pleasure at her 
obvious delight in the mare shows in their own faces, though not quite so 
radiantly. "Your wish is our command, fair damsel," Kes says gallantly. "We'll 
carry the message to the Weyrleader, and gladly." As he turns to check his 
Indyth's straps, Eyr inquires, "Anything else we can do for you, fairest of the 
fair?"

Mehlani can be seen to blush at the compliments, and she shakes her head to 
both boys, demurely. "You've done so much already...!"

E'rian grins, and, while his brother's not looking, dips his head to give 'Lani 
a quick kiss on the cheek, if she doesn't pull away. "Now we're even," he says 
with a wink. "'Twas the least we could do. May your Turnday be happy!" With 
that, he sprints up to his green and climbs aboard, signalling to Kes that he's 
ready to go. Both riders pause long enough to salute the Phantom Wingsecond and 
wave a last time to 'Lani before signalling their dragons to launch up into the 
skies.

[End log.]