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:
	8/14/98

Log Cast:
	(People) Neliea, Mehlani, Maylia, Saskia, R'val, Aurian, Jayna,
N'kshar, K'nan, Kharty, Carrell, Hamari, Kassima, K'tyn

	(Dragons) Xylath, Tierth, Vidarth, Azeth, Veyath, Sioneth, Kvasith,
Virroth, Lysseth, Prometh

Log Intro:
	Well into her 17th Turn, the Hatching for which she'd Stood behind her,
Mehlani's biggest challenges these days are trying to decide whether to try
to join a Craft; as has been the case through much of her young life, she's
strongly torn between the Harpers and the Herders. And even more of a dilemma
is how she should choose between Jorenan and K'star, both of whom have 
confessed love to her, and both of whom Mehlani herself is very, very fond.
	However, when one has four green firelizards all apt to go proddy at
the same time, life's dilemmas can diminish as rapidly as it takes a green
to start glowing. And once Rianet, Arki, Elsi, and Wili start in on Mehlani's
third round of experience with proddiness, the young woman shelves all her
other problems in favor of trying to keep herself occupied until the mating
cycle is over.
	However, Mehlani's former fellow Candidate and now blue-riding
Weyrling Neliea has other plans in mind. Long familiarity with Mehlani
has taught Neliea that the shy young hat-wearing girl is all too apt to
hide herself in the midst of work when there's something fun going on...

----------
Your location's current time: 23:08 on day 26, month 12, Turn 23, of the Tenth 
  Pass. It is a winter evening.

Neliea comes in from the runner pasture.
Neliea has arrived.
Neliea peers around the corner and smiles, "Hi Lani!"

It's fairly quiet in the beasthold -- at least in so much as Mehlani herself 
  isn't making much noise. But she's in obvious sight, trudging out of 
  Nightsong's stall with a bucket in her dainty hand, and she blinks and looks 
  up at Neilea's call. The girl pauses and shoves her hat slightly back on her 
  head; there's a bit of a wild look to her eyes, but she smiles lopsidedly 
  anyway. "Hello..."

Neliea steps from behind the entrance to the beasthold and says, "Want to come 
  with some of us to Shipfish? It's a chance to get out of this cold and all 
  you have to do is agree to it." Cheerful seems to be her middle name tonight 
  as she leans against a post mischeviously.

Blue eyes blink under Mehlani's hat brim. "Go?" she echoes blankly. "To a 
  shipfish...?" The lass must be tired; the concept doesn't seem to be getting 
  through to her. To be sure, there's a hint of strain around 'Lani's delicate 
  features.

Neliea notices the strain as she makes her way over to Mehlani. "Oh, come on. 
  You need a break and don't tell me that you have something else to do." 
  There's no way that she's going to take no for an answer right now.

"Well... Nightsong is brushed, but Tsornin..." Indeed, the stallion is peering 
  expectantly out of his stall, as if demanding Mehlani's presence Right Now. 
  Mehlani blinks vaguely at him, and then at the young blue rider, and 
  finishes, "There's always something to do...."

Neliea shakes her head and moves behind the girl, placing both hands on her 
  shoulder. "You can get to that when we get back. Right now you, and your 
  flits are comming with me and Xylath..now!" That said, she just pushes her 
  friend (and fellow runner-lover) outside.

The bucket clatters out of Mehlani's hands, leaving the lass to fumble to keep 
  her hat on straight. Oddly enough, absolutely _none_ of her fair is anywhere 
  in sight, but Mehlani doesn't seem to think to comment on this, as she's 
  hustled out of the stable, looking deeply confused.

You head out towards the pasture.
Runner Pasture
Contents:
Alydar(#9965MQVae$)
Obvious exits:
Feeding Grounds  Beast Hold  Bowl  

Neliea emerges from the beast hold.
Neliea has arrived.
Neliea keeps on pushing 'Lani towards the bowl....

You open the gate and head northwest towards the main Bowl.
Central Bowl(#298RL$)
Contents:
Xylath
WeaverCraft Tent(#2588JOe$)
Phrase Contest Registration!
BeastCraft Pens
Jericho
Obvious exits:
Weyrling Barracks  Southern Bowl  Lake Shore  Hatching Cavern  Feeding Grounds 
   Runner Pasture  Weyr Entrance  

Neliea comes here from the direction of the runner pasture.
Neliea has arrived.

"But..." is all that Mehlani manages to gasp out, as Neliea briskly tugs her 
  along. She points once or twice off to the beasthold, back over her 
  shoulder, as she goes.

Neliea grins and points to Xylath, who's warbling excitedly. "Okay, just climb 
  up Xy after me and hold on. I know that you're going to have a great time!" 
  Yes, she's babbling, but what better way to get a person going?
Neliea easily climbs up Xylath's back with the help of a forearm as she takes 
  hold of the straps, settling down between his neckridges.
Neliea has left.

Mehlani blinks. Seven or eight times. But the excited blue dragon seems to 
  make it through whatever cloud Mehlani's head is in, at the moment, and she 
  bemusedly climbs on in Neliea's wake.

Xylath
Contents:
Neliea
Xylath raises a forearm to help you up.

Neliea grins, "Okay, hold on!"

[Black, blacker, blackest... the young blue rider and her dragon convey
 Mehlani up over the Telgar Weyr Bowl and then *between*, and in heartbeats 
 they emerge, spiraling down for a landing...]

You spiral down towards the strip of sand facing the bay.
Shipfish Island - Fine Sand Beach
Tall, slim-trunked trees creep through the sandy soil almost down to the 
  beachfront, where slender sea grasses and bright green withies populate the 
  narrow stretch of sand. The warm breeze carries a whisper of southern clime 
  to your senses as you stroll along the oceanside. The sand here is perfectly 
  fine and smooth, unmarred by brush or rocks. Driftwood lies scattered 
  randomly across the shore, worn smooth and bleached by the sun, and every so 
  often a small seabird will dodge the wavelets in its pursuit of prey. The 
  winter sunset hangs in the sky as a soft breeze ruffles your hair beneath 
  the clear skies. 
A small, winding, and almost grown-over path leads away to the west into the 
  dense forest, while to the south the beach grows rocky, hiding all manners 
  of almost inaccesible nooks and crevices within its stony, sea-worn grasp. 
+view is available here.
Contents:
Aurian
Maylia(#15669PJc)
N'kshar(#15337PJYce$)
Azeth
Saskia
Jayna
Tierth(#7707JQaempqs$)
Sioneth
Kvasith
Razzelth(#16004J)
Obvious exits:
Stone Shelter  Shale Beach  Overgrown Path  

<*> Maylia, her boots and socks off, begins shucking the rest of her clothing. 
  Wher hide trousers and a warm winter tunic join her jacket in the sand, 
  leaving her in what looks remarkably like a bikini. As she fetches a length 
  of fabric out of her pack and wraps it 'round her waist, Tierth croons, and 
  wallows off towards the water. "Hey! wait Tierth - your straps!" the 
  greenrider calls after her, and with protest, she waits.

<*> Xylath lands without much sand as Neliea waves down to the others. "Sorry 
  for being late, but look who I managed to bring!"

<*> Saskia looks up at Xylath and smiles, "Hi Neliea and 'Lani."

<*> Vidarth circles down from above, and sends up a flurry of sand when he 
  touches down.

<*> R'val slides down from Vidarth's back and lands in a crouch.

Looking rather startled and disoriented, Mehlani is holding a somewhat dubious 
  place on Xylath's back, and she blinks owlishly down at the assembly on the 
  beach.

<*> R'val hops to his feet, smiling, pleased, "Goodness. Vidarth said there 
  was a group here...HOw're you doing, gang?" He waves cheerfully.

Neliea looks over her shoulder, still grinning. "Okay, off you go and be 
  careful. Xy's going to help you down."

<*> Saskia's smile brightens, "Hey R'val. We're all going for a swim."

<*> R'val grins at Saskia, "A swim, eh? Think I'll join in that, if no one 
  minds. Just got off sweeps, m'self."

<*> Aurian finishes undressing and sits in just the thin shift.

<*> Jayna grins at Mehlani and starts to pull off her clothes, revealing the 
  swimwear beneath. "I can't wait." She eyes Sioneth, out in the water. 
  "Dragon, you behave!" she shouts.

"I know how to get off a dragon," Mehlani mumbles, sounding distracted. 
  Despite the claim, however, she more or less mostly slides down the blue's 
  side.

<*> Azeth warbles after Tierth, quickly chasing after her clutchsibling, 
  leaving Nikh sprawled on the sand. "Oh, fine, just drop me right here!" Nikh 
  says with a laugh, brushign himself off.

Xylath lowers himself closer to the ground and raises a forearm to help you 
  down.
Shipfish Island - Fine Sand Beach
Contents:
R'val
Vidarth(#353JMOQaepqst$)
Xylath
Aurian
Maylia(#15669PJc)
N'kshar(#15337PJYce$)
Azeth
Saskia
Jayna
Tierth(#7707JQaempqs$)
Sioneth
Kvasith
Razzelth(#16004J)
Obvious exits:
Stone Shelter  Shale Beach  Overgrown Path  

Neliea nimbly climbs down from Xylath's neckridges, pausing to gently brushes 
  a hand along her lifemate's muzzle as he turns a large light blue muzzle to 
  his lifemate, wuffling her hair gently in return.
Neliea has arrived.

N'kshar waves to R'val. "Heya there!"
N'kshar waves to Mehlani as well.

Saskia strips down to her swimsuit then stretches out her arms feeling the hot 
  sun shine down on them, "What's up, Lani?"

Jayna drops the basket of food and drink to the ground. "There you go, all," 
  she grins. "Wine, cheese, bread. Oh, and juice," she adds, running toward 
  the water.

Mehlani might be seen to swallow, as she darts a nervous-seeming blue glance 
  in all directions. She manages a slight, shy smile at those who offer 
  greetings her way, and she murmurs towards Saskia, "I, uh, don't really 
  know, Neliea just... brought me..."

Aurian leans back in the sand, "Oh this is toooo nice."

Maylia quickly heads to Tierth, and removes the dragon's straps with ease of 
  practise. With a gratefuly grumble, the green wades into the water, white 
  splashes frothing up before her as she charges in. With a warble over her 
  shoulder at Azeth, Tierth heads for deep water. Meanwhile, her rider adjusts 
  the length of batik that's been knotted around her as a skirt, and heads 
  back to her pack. "I brought a couple skins of wine, myself."

R'val grins, waving amiably to Neliea and Mehlania as he removes his vest, 
  whistling quietly to himself.

Jayna laughs from the water's edge. "We're a bunch of lushes," she says.

Saskia nods to Mehlani, "We're all going for a swim. You seem a bit dazed. Is 
  everything okay?" and peers closely at the girl with her own blue gaze.

Neliea moves to unfasten Xylath's straps, trying more that ever to dodge a 
  gentle wuffle. No sand, not today...please. In her hair that is. "Oh, okay 
  my silly blue. Those straps are off...."

R'val glances at Maylia with a grin, rattling his belt at her. There's three 
  skins attached, "YOu and I both. Always come prepared, that's my motto."

Mehlani seems inclined to linger near Xylath -- perhaps because he's a nice, 
  sturdy blue wall right beside -- though Neliea moving to get those straps 
  startles her into moving away from the dragon. 'Lani blinks a few more times 
  to Saskia, and pipes, "I'm fine..."

Maylia sheds her sarong without a second thought, simply ensuring that the 
  wine's not going to get -too- hot. That done, she heads for the cool, blue 
  water, grinning back at R'val. "Though, I'm glad someone thought to be 
  prepared with food to accompany the wine." She acknowledges. On her way to 
  the water, a fair of firelizards arrives from between, and circles 'round 
  her once before seeking warm sand, waves to sport in, or greens to chase.

Jayna jogs back to the dragons, and the basket, and leans over, getting wine 
  glasses. She passes them around. "Well, since we've brought it, should we 
  drink some of it?" she asks.

N'kshar strips off his shirt and pants, leaving him wearing only a pair of 
  shorts. With a bright smile, he heads out toward the water. "Hey, you big 
  lump! Wait for me!"

R'val tugs a flask from his removed belt and tosses the belt aside, grinning 
  at Maylia. "Food goes well with wine, tis true. And yes, Jayna...let's 
  drink!"

Veyath spirals down from above, and sends up a flurry of sand when she touches 
  down.
Veyath has arrived.

Aurian watches Kvasith swim as she rests. She tucks a curl of hair behind her 
  ear.

Sioneth uses his wings to float. As other dragons enter the water, he 
  hides...or tries to, lying in wait to splash.

Veyath flashes out of *Between* in the sky, then spirals down to land in the 
  massively overpopulated beach, adding to the spam with a cheerful warble as 
  her lifemate just blinks at everyone here... murmuring to himself, "Oh my."

Maylia wades into the water, kicking splashes ahead of her. "Oh, lovely 
  temperature!" She exclaims, and grins as she sees Nikh racing towards her. 
  "Hey! Who're you calling a lump?" she deliberately misinterprets.

Mehlani, without the benefit of Xylath beside her, opts for inching over to a 
  tree instead, against which she leans as she peeks bemusedly around at 
  everyone.

Azeth swims blissfully out on the ocean as her rider swims out after her.

From Veyath's back, K'nan has left.
K'nan climbs down from Veyath's neck, and arrives on the ground.
K'nan has arrived.

Neliea sets Xy's straps onto the sand with a small bag. Removing her leathers, 
  reveals her own swimsuit as she reaches for her shawl that's quickly tied 
  around her waist. Meanwhile, Xylath's already into the water splashing a 
  certain brown nearby. Um, Kvasith?

Sioneth whuffles the water near Azeth, the first dragon to follow him into the 
  water.

K'nan leaps down, landing lightly in the sand and straightening again, swiftly 
  shrugging off his flight gear and peering about... Faranth. Enough people 
  here?

R'val slumps to a seat in the sand, and grins, "K'nan!" He tosses a wineskin 
  at the greenrider.

N'kshar grins at Maylia's question. "Why, you of course!" He laughs and digs 
  his toes into the sand. "I was just telling Az to wait up for me, actually, 
  but you can take that anyway you wish."

Neliea glances over at K'nan and waves. "Hi K'nan! Came to join us," she calls 
  over as she settles onto the sand next to Aurian.

Jayna drops to the sand, holding her wine. She takes a swallow. "It's 
  like....summer!" she notes, unnecessarily.

Tierth dives beneath the darker blue waves further out, deeper water than 
  nearby the shore, and far ahead of her rider. Maylia, just now getting up to 
  her waist in the refreshing ocean, waits till Nikh's close enough to splash, 
  as that's clearly her intent.

K'nan acks and steps back quickly to catch the flying wineskin... chuckling, 
  "Yes, under protest. I figured I should be social -sometime-.."

Kvasith swims happily.

R'val grins, "YOu certainly should be, K'nan.' He eyes the greenrider, "So 
  long as Veyath's not proddy..."

Mehlani might be seen to swallow again. She inches slowly around to the side 
  of the tree against which she's backed up.

Azeth returns Sioneth's whuffling, then rolls over on her back, fully enjoying 
  the warm sun. Nikh grins and decides to stop chasing his lifemate, lest he 
  get caught in a dragon splash-session. Instead, his course takes him right 
  within splashing distance of Maylia.

K'nan rolls his eyes, accompanied by Veyath's snort before she moves to settle 
  -well- out of the way of all this crowd. "No, I'm hardly proddy."

Neliea glancing over at where she thinks 'Lani's, um hiding? She stands and 
  makes her way over to the girl and smiles and whispers quietly, "What's the 
  matter?" The only danger here is being splashed.

Maylia wrinkles her nose, and does indeed splash at her clutchsib, giggling. 
  He might not get into a dragon splash session, but a smaller scale human 
  splash session's quite likely.

R'val chuckles, "One has to ask frequently with you, K'nan." He eyes the 
  greenrider, "Especially if one has been the brunt of your proddiness!"

N'kshar laughs, and pretends to be suprised. "Oh, well then! If that's how it 
  is..." He says, directing a splash right back at Maylia.

Xylath settles out into the water, spreading his multicolored blue wings into 
  the water. Ever mischevious, he starts to look for a possible splashee.

Mehlani peeks sideways at Neliea, and pulls in a breath, and tries to smile. 
  "I'm... I've just been half-*between* today, don't worry, I'm fine...!" 
  Though at R'val's call, she jerks slightly again.

Aurian calls lightly, "Someone pass a wineskin?"

Virroth descends down from above, and sends up a flurry of sand when he 
  touches down.
Virroth has arrived.

From Virroth's back, Kharty unbuckles herself the turns to her passengers. 
  "Shipfish! Ready for a party?"

From Virroth's back, Carrell casually glances over the side of the dragon as 
  they spiral down. "Ahh, shipfish." He sounds as if the place is at least 
  somewhat familiar."

Jayna grins and tosses her clutchsib a skin. "There you go, Aurian," she says, 
  leaning back in the sand.

From Virroth's back, Carrell unslings his gitar, grasping it carefully by the 
  base of the neck. "After you, bluerider."

R'val's eyes widen at the sight of the gitar, "Oooh. Music."

Maylia ducks under the splash, her hair now dripping. "Oooh," she laughs, and 
  launches herself for Nikh. "You're asking for it!" Uh. Never mind that she 
  started the splashing in the first place.

Neliea arches an eyebrow as she looks over her shoulder, "You're sure, 'Lani?" 
  Seeing the arrival of harpers, she chuckles. True party now.

"Still have that knife, R'val?" K'nan says sweetly, then takes a swig from the 
  windskin.. kkeeping back from the others and looking over everyone talking 
  and all - a bit wistful perhaps.

Kharty swings her leg over Virroth's neck then slides down the blue's side, 
  pausing to give him an affectionate pat.
Kharty has arrived.

Mehlani nods to Neliea. Several times. Swiftly. "I'm fine," she murmurs 
  staunchly.

Kharty holds up a hand to offer to her passengers. "Gitar, Carrell?"

From Virroth's back, Hamari is just stunnned...

R'val eyes K'nan with a touch of fear, "yeah. It's on my belt. So keep your 
  distance, proddy boy!"

Jayna watches Neliea and Mehlani curiously. " 'Lani? No firelizards?" she 
  asks, puzzled.

From Virroth's back, Carrell hands the instrument down, then spins, sliding 
  down just after.
Carrell swings his leg over Virroth's neck and slides down his side, bending 
  his knees as he impacts the ground safely.
Carrell has arrived.

Mehlani starts again, slightly, and blinks to Jayna. "What?" she blurts.

Kharty holds the gitar to Carrell. "There you go."

Hamari swings her leg over Virroth's neck and slides down his side, bending 
  her knees as she impacts the ground safely.
Hamari has arrived.

Virroth
        Deepwater blue swirls silkily about as an undertone to the whole of 
  his soft matte hide, its rippling undercurrents sliding over his svelte 
  body. Deepest purple streaks faintly throughout: over membranous wings, over 
  slim shoulders, and down attenuated limbs, circling hidden around the 
  lithesome tail. When admired more intimately, the purple blurring takes on a 
  more stable appearance, with delicate and more powder-soft colors patterned 
  down his dark hide by turns. About his large, inquisitive eyes and balanced 
  headknobs lie pale lavender drops, dappling accents against his dark-sky 
  skin.
        Virroth wears the black and white colors of Telgar weyr, and is 
  lifemate to Kharty. 
Virroth is 1 Turns, 10 months, and 8 days old.

Jayna raises her eyebrows. "I've just...I've just never seen you without at 
  least -one-, 'Lani. Well, not often, anyway," she corrects, taking a swallow 
  of wine.

K'nan just chuckles softly, "Go flirt, bluerider boy."

Hamari clambers carefully off blue Virroth, silently patting him in thanks for 
  a safe trip...

Kharty waves her gloved hand over to the group. "Well, now! Great party going 
  I see! I've brought a harper, Carrell, and his friend, Hamari!"

N'kshar laughs full-heartedly, and continues splashing Maylia, using his 
  entire arm to create small tidal waves, which are promptly set on their way 
  toward his clutchsib.

Neliea smiles as she glances towards the newest arrivals. Seeing that 'Lani is 
  fairly in talkative company, she makes her way back to the group.

"They're... busy," mumbles Mehlani to Jayna, reddening.

R'val eyes K'nan, fearfully, then lies back in the sand and slurps his wine.

Maylia's too busy trying to dunk her clutchsib to notice the arrival of Kharty 
  and her passengers. Now getting rather deep into the water, she tries to 
  retaliate agains the tidal waves, but gives up, and dives beneath the 
  surface.

Virroth whips his head backwards, eyeing the girl. "It's ok, Virroth!", Khar 
  calls out over the voices of her friends, smiling at the girl.

K'nan shakes his head in amusement at the bluerider's antics - then moves off 
  towards the trees, finding a shady spot to slide down and settle against it, 
  wineskin in hand as he watches the chatter and play with a quiet smile.

Hamari slowly follows Kharty, trying to see eveerything at once, and failing 
  miserably...

R'val beams, "Kharty! Harper! Welcome to the party, gang."

Carrell nods to the assembled people. "Harper's duties..." His tone is casual, 
  although the formality apparently required in his mind.

Mehlani, her gaze slightly scattered, slightly distracted, blinkblinks in the 
  Harper's direction.

Carrell
Carrell is a dark complected young man who stands just under six feet tall and 
  weighs about 160 pounds. His black hair is wavy and rarely in place and he 
  looks about with deepset hazel eyes atop prominant cheekbones. His overall 
  build is lean and athletic and he appears to be in his early twenties.
Carrell proudly wears the knot of a Senior Apprentice Harper, fastened with a 
  pin indicating that he is the special apprentice of the Composition Master. 
  He is usually carring a Notecase and a Gitar (+detail on each)
He wears a deep blue tunic which comes to just below the tops of his thighs 
  with silver/grey pants and thin black boots reaching up past his ankles.

Neliea waves to the two harper as she approaches and makes her way back to her 
  lifemates straps and her bag. Nodding to Carrell, she smiles. "And Telgar's 
  the the Harper Hall." That's about all the formalities for the evening.

N'kshar crouches down in the water enough that only his head is above the 
  water, just waiting for Maylia to surface, arm pulled back for a monster 
  splash.

Aurian sips at a wine skin and hmms lightly.

R'val stands and tugs his shirt over his shoulder, kicks off his trousers. He 
  bares his swimming trunks, and walks into the water, "Swim time!"

Jayna glances at her friend with concern. "Well, 'Lani, are they alright? Not 
  ill, or anything, I hope?" She sips her wine.

Her soft voice coming out a bit higher than normal, Mehlani shakes her head 
  several times to Jayna, warbling, "No... they're... fine. Yes. Fine. Just 
  busy..."

Hamari looks back at Viddarth, and says in a low, clear voice, "Thank you, 
  Blue Viddarth, for the ride."

Carrell scans the assembled faces, looking for familiarity. "I think I saw 
  some of you all at the festival, didn't I?" A general question, probably for 
  lack of anything better to say.

Hamari
        Average, so average, is the best word to describe the appearance of 
  this girl. Not short, not tall, she's a moderately slim 5'6", well-muscled, 
  and tanned from outdoor work. Her curly brown hair is held back with a 
  patterned kerchief that matches the shaded greens of the blouse visible 
  under her lined wool jacket.
        She walks with a firm step, belying the slightly anxious air that 
  lurks in her dark eyes, and she gazes about herself constantly, as though 
  trying to see everything, miss nothing. Trail dust covers her soft-soled 
  boots, and has settled into the creases of her brown trousers. She smiles 
  tentatively at the folks she meets, clutches a worn leather bag with one 
  hand, and with the other, steadies in place on her shoulder two baby 
  firelizards.
Hamari is 16 Turns, 6 months, and 2 days old, (and has +detail).
Carrying:
Iris

Maylia does indeed soon resurface, her arms extending before her to preceed 
  her arrival with an enormous splash, though a little misdirected.

Aurian stands finally and heads to the water, she tosses herself in easily and 
  starts to swim out.

Jayna smiles as the harper and friend arrive. "That you might have done," she 
  says, lifting her glass. "I'm Jayna, brown Sioneth's rider." She glances at 
  the water, from her spot in the sound, where she's lounging in her swimwear. 
  "That lump out there, the one about to sneak up on that green? That's Sio."

Virroth again whuffles Hamari's face with warm air then his bejeweled eyes 
  look outward, anxious to get into the water.

Neliea rumages through her bag finding a towel as she spreads it out onto the 
  sand. Sitting and almost streching out, she nods to Carrell. "You probably 
  did," she confirms. "And I'm Neliea, blue Xylath's rider," she adds in to 
  the harpers.

Hamari nods shyly to the group, saying the names over to herself, hoping to 
  remember them...

Kharty calls out over the beach to her friends, "This is Hamari. She is 
  thinking of becoming a harper's apprentice like Carrell. Brought her along 
  too!"

Carrell nods to each as they introduce themselves. "Jayna. Neliea. I'm 
  Carrell. ANd this is...Hamari, right?" He pauses for possible correction. "A 
  prospective apprentice whom I was speaking with when your illustrious 
  bluerider came to call."

R'val grins, "Glad to meet you, Hamari! HEy Kharty! How goes?" He waves his 
  flask of wine at her as he wades into th ewater.

N'kshar, who just happened to glance in the direction of Azeth, turns around 
  just in time to get a face full of water. He quickly dives under the water, 
  letting out a quick, "Ack!"

Mehlani leans against that tree beside her, looking a bit as if she needs its 
  support. She gives Carrell and Hamari a sort of small, wan smile, holding it 
  until the Harper and the potential Harper look in her direction, though she 
  doesn't hold the expression long.

K'nan, being his usual asocial and withdrawn self, takes a swig of his 
  wineskin and continues to watch, one leg stretching out and the other bent 
  at the knee, arm laying across it. A bit away, Veyath lays, also away from 
  the others, watching the dragons with a softly whirling gaze.

Hamari looks at you for a moment.

Aurian calls polightly to the harpers, "I'm Aurian, brown Kvasith's rider."

Hamari nods shyly to them all. "Pleased to meet you all. This is a beautiful 
  place, for sure."

Jayna watches 'Lani warily, draining her wine and looking for a skin. "Lani, 
  what are they busy with?" she asks. "Did they learn to sew or something?" 
  she jokes.

R'val scoops up a handful of water and dumps it on his hair, "Isn't it just? 
  One of the loveliest places on Pern, without a doubt!"

Hamari smiles at Carrell, "Yes, you had the name right.

Kharty reaches up to where she's attached a skin of benden red to Virroth's 
  side, tugging it off. Undoing his buckles, the blue bugles loudly then makes 
  for the warm water, eyes whirling with excitement.

Maylia laughs, triumphantly, and stretches out in an easy glide through the 
  water, at the surface.

"Well, um, it's..." Mehlani's throat flutters in another swallow, and she 
  shrinks down slightly against the tree's support. "... the greens, 
  mostly..." And she trails off tinily.

Jayna leans over. "R'val, toss me that skin, will you?" she says indolently.

Carrell tucks his gitar behind him in case of an ill timed and errant splash. 
  Nodding, he greets. "Aurian."

Kharty waves her skin up in the air, wine sloshing about inside it. "Heya, 
  R'val. I see you all got here before me. Left me some food, did you?", she 
  calls out gayly.

Neliea waves over to Kharty, glancing back to the water wistfully. Not too 
  wistful though. She's waiting for her blue to get comfortable before even 
  -thinking- about going into the water. Though, she just trying to put off 
  the envitable. Splashing.

N'kshar surfaces slowly, on the other side of Maylia. Drawing his arm back 
  slowly, his levels a splash, right at Maylia as she floats.

Kharty walks over to plop down in the sand next to the group. Patting the 
  sands, she motions for Carrell and Hamari to join her. "Just going to stand 
  there? Come on over! Would you like some benden? Excellent quality I assure 
  you!"

Jayna grins. "So, Carrell, going to play for us?" she asks, pouring another 
  glass of wine.

Maylia, gently floating as she stares up into the clear sky, suddenly finds a 
  wave washing over her. Spluttering, she gets upright, treading water. "Oh, 
  you!" The greenrider lays back again, and -kicks- up a frothy wave in Nikh's 
  direction.

R'val floats in the water, staying far away from maylia and N'kshar, the 
  splash demons. He grins over at Jayna, "Music would help, huh?"

Hamari is still looking around at all the activity, as she slowly walks over 
  to the group.

Carrell relaxes noticeably. "I thought you'd never ask." He finally moves 
  forward - away from the water, to sit, half leaning against a rock. "Just 
  make sure there's sufficient wine left for a parched throat, and I should be 
  OK."

Xylath warbles in relief as he sinks deeper into the warmer waters, lowering 
  his muzzle towards the water. Turning his head towards the shore, he 
  questionly looks in his lifemates direction. Neliea just shakes her head, 
  prefering the warm sand instead of water just yet. Digging through that 
  bag..(she brought a lot didn't she?) she actually finds a skin of juice 
  attatched belatedly to those unfastened straps.

R'val wiggles a flask meaningfully at Carrell, "We Telgarites never leave a 
  singing harper without liquor, friend. Play away!"

Mehlani sinks, still leaning against the tree, slowly down to curl up at the 
  tree's base. Her arms wrap around her knees, drawing them up towards her 
  chin, and her behatted head bows slightly down towards those knees.

Kharty doesn't even open the skin, just tosses it to the harper. "Well then, 
  have a few sips. I'm sure it'll free your throat up a good bit, that's for 
  sure."

Jayna chuckles. "Music -always- helps," she says. Looking up at Hamari, she 
  smiles. "I hope you heard my name...if not, I'm Jayna, brown Sioneth's rider 
  from Telgar, and I'm pleased to meet you."

Carrell catches the skin with a practiced motion, stowing it behind him on the 
  rock. Nimble fingers caress the strings, tuning quickly. "So then. What's 
  the mood? Anything in particular, or just background stuff?"

Hamari smiles in anticipation of songs, and finds a seat nearby. She grins 
  over at Jayna as she does so. "Hello Jayna, yes, and you showed Sioneth over 
  there in the water. I'm just a bit overwhelmed, is all. Pleased to meet you."

N'kshar dodges the splash sent at him deftly... Only to be hit directly in the 
  face by a large wave kicked up by a splashing dragon.

Jayna glances around. "Your call, harper," she grins. "What do dragons like to 
  swim to? Oh, Hamari, I'm glad," she smiles. "Can I pour you a glass of wine?"

Hamari sets her bag on the sand, "Yes, thank you, Jayna, I'd love one. "

Carrell strokes his chin, thinking. "Ahh, to make them dance or laugh or 
  cry..." He smiles, his fingers picking seemingly random chords as he chooses.

Kharty stands up to walk over to Carrell. Placing one boot on either side of 
  his legs, she stands here with hands on hips, looking down, grinning. 
  "Keeping that wine to yourself are you, harper? If you're not gonna swig, 
  then put it here." Her hand is held out, palm up.

R'val grins, "let's have something lively, harper, if you can..."

Jayna nods, and turns, stretching to reach the basket. "Oof." She grins and 
  gets up to her knees. "Couldn't quite manage." Crossing to the basket, she 
  draws out a glass and fills it with a deep Benden red. She knees her way to 
  Hamari and carefully hands the glass to the girl. "There you go," she says, 
  with a flourish.

Aurian climbes out of the water. She sits on one of the rocks and tilts her 
  head waiting for the harpers to begin

Hamari accepts the glass, a slightly embarrassed look on her face, that she 
  had someone wait on her that way. "Thank you. Uh, I guess I should have 
  asked, and got the glass and brought it over to you." She takes a sip, and 
  sighs, slowly relaxing a bit.

Jayna grins. "Don't be silly," she chides, jokingly. "I was closer." She lifts 
  her glass in a toast.

Carrell nods to the aquatic bluerider. "Very well then." He shifts his music, 
  a lively beat immediately emerging. With a smile, he taps his foot in time 
  as the melody is played, the instrument's clear tone carrying well despite 
  the light wind. At length, as the music doubles back on itself for another 
  round, he sings.

Fly on the wings of the dragon,
Sit in a swamp like a log,
Prey with the cunning of hunters,
Peer through the mist and the fog.
Cry with the eyes of the poor boy,
Yell with the strength of the crowd,
Ride with the best of the riders,
Stand with the tall and the proud.

R'val taps his hand against the water and drinks, listening with a grin to the 
  harper.

Aurian smiles delightedly as she hears the song, she stretches happily as she 
  listens.

Neliea sits up and listens to the song, pulling her knees up to her as she 
  pulls that towel around her shoulders.

The music seems to accomplish what little else on hand seems to do: start 
  calming Mehlani, at least somewhat. The quiet girl in the battered brown hat 
  latches onto the sound of Carrell's voice and gitar as if to gain support 
  not unlike that of the tree at her back.

Hamari eyes light up, as she enjoys the lively song, one hand unconsciously 
  drumming on her knee, in time to the music.

Carrell completely ignores Kharty, standing before him, leaning to look past 
  her as he sings.

R'val's eyes fall on Hamari and he smiles, "I don't think I introduced myself. 
  I'm R'val, blue Vidarth's rider..."

As the music begins, K'nan takes one last swig of wine and draws himself 
  easily to his feet... giving a silent wave, likely unnoticed, to the general 
  crowd and walking through the sand towards his lifemate.

Hamari looks over as she hears R'val's voice. "Hello, sir! I'm Hamari. Pleased 
  to meet you! "

Aurian tosses her hair back a bit, her eyes wide as she listens. Maybe some 
  envy fills those eyes, as anyone has heard she has less than a delightful 
  singing voice.

Carrell smiles at the brownrider whose name escapes him at the moment, still 
  trying very hard to both concentrate on his singing AND ignore Kharty. The 
  instrumental introduction is replayed as an interlude between verses, 
  embellished somewhat, but still very recognizeable. Still tapping in time, 
  Carrell is silent for now.

Kharty hrmphs at the harper ignoring her, kicking the sand gently so that all 
  of it hits it's mark. Right into his boot. Walking around him, she grasps 
  the skin and goes back to her seat.

R'val laughs softly, "Sir? Please, R'val will do, my dear!" He grins at the 
  girl, "Where are you from?"

Carrell frowns as /his/ wine is stolen from him. Oh well, it's time for the 
  next verse anyway.

Smile with the joy of the children,
Sing with the voice of the trees,
Walk with the sad little peddler,
Slumber in undisturbed peace.
Twirl with the grace of a dancer,
Trumpet a sad, mourning tone.
Soon whisked away from your dreamworld,
Awake in your room all alone.

Hamari speaks quietly under the music. "I've journeyed here from Bitra Valley. 
  Took a while, came with Traders. I've applied to the Harper Hall, and just 
  wait to hear if they will accept me. You ride with Kharty?"

R'val smiles, "I ride with Kharty? Well, I suppose I do, from time to time. 
  I'm a member of Dawnslight wing. So you travelled with the Traders? Sounds 
  exciting."

Jayna grins. "I feel like dancing," she says, draining her wine and looking 
  around for a likely victim.

Neliea watches Kharty under an amused glance as she brushes her hair over her 
  shoulder. Chuckling softly, she makes her way over to her friend ans settles 
  on a rock nearby. "What's with the wine, Khar," she murmurs humorously as 
  she hears Jayna in passing. Dancing? The day's looking better...

Hamari grins suddenly at some memories. "Well, sometimes. One good thing about 
  holds, no need to always be checking the Threadfall patterns.

Again, the instrumental interlude, same melody but shifted a key to the lower 
  minor. Not quite mournfully rendered, Carrell's fingers complete the full 
  verse again, then end on a final arpeggio chord.

Aurian reaches for someone's untended skin of wine and takes a careful sip. 
  She smiles brightly at the song.

R'val laughs, "I suppose not. And travelling with the traders, I hear, is fun."

K'nan reaches Veyath's side, and with a touch gets the green to her feet, some 
  sand sliding down in waves from her legs as she moves so her rider can mount 
  - and he does, climbing up onto the green's back.
K'nan pulls himself up onto Veyath's neck using the flight straps and her 
  extended foreleg.
K'nan has left.
From Veyath's back, K'nan has arrived.

Carrell chuckles, rechecking his gitar's tune and tweeking one string as he 
  asks Hamari. "Ever run into Hannah, of the Dalegards? I'm sure you'd know if 
  you had."

Aurian stands and silently fills a glass of wine. She places it next to the 
  harper and wanders back to her seat. "After that one should have a drink."

Hamari tilts her head thoughtfully, as she mulls over Carrell's query. "No, I 
  don't think I ever did. Met a guy named Xydren, tho', seeking his uncle, he 
  was. They get to meet a lot of folks, going from place to place, but have 
  their own worries. As everyone every where seems to. I stopped at Igen for a 
  bit too, made some friends there."

R'val smiles, "Aye, well done, Carrell!" he applauds lightly, and smiles at 
  Hamari, "Igen? Lovely place. I was there for a bit, a temporary transfer and 
  all."

After a good deal of splashing his clutchsib, N'kshar heads back onto the 
  beach, collecting his clothing. "Well, I've got to get myself back to the 
  Weyr. Have fun all you."

N'kshar easily makes the climb onto Azeth, using her extended forelimb. The 
  green regards him with a croon and slowly whirling eyes, receiving a loving 
  thump on the side.
N'kshar has left.

Azeth launches up up into the sea air, and soars high above the island.
Azeth has left.

Carrell lifts the glass. "Cheers. Aurian, is it?" He drinks half down first 
  then sets it aside. Nodding to Hamari, he asks Jayna. "Something quicker 
  then? Or a slow dance?"

R'val hmms, "How about something a bit more mellow, but not quite a slow 
  dance, hm?"

From Veyath's back, K'nan lifts one hand again in a vaguely regretful salute 
  once he's settled in, then pats Veyath's neck, the green crouching then 
  leaping to lift off from the beach.

Veyath wings and ascends up into the sea air, and soars high above the island.
Veyath has left.

Hamari looks up, eyes following the dragons, as some folks leave. "The first 
  song was great, Carrell."

Aurian nods to Carrell, "That it is, and cheers." She leans back on her 
  sunwarmed rock and sighs happily.

Mehlani rests her chin on her knees, but smiles timidly, taking a measure of 
  comfort from the music and conversation.

Jayna grins. "Alright, who wants to dance?" she asks, refilling her glass. 
  "Thanks for the music, Carrell," she adds.

R'val beams, "Well, a dance tune will do me fine if you're up for a dance with 
  a lonely ol' bluerider, Jayna?"

Carrell taps his nose. "I think I know the piece." His gaze returns to the 
  gitar's strings as his hands produce a slow, steady, quiet song. Not quite 
  sad, but haunting, swaying...longing. NOdding to Jayna and Aurian, he begins 
  the next song, the instrumental much shorter.

She's captured my heart with her laughter,
She's stolen my thoughts with a glance,
Her face fills my nights and my dreaming
Of our nights filled with joy and romance.
Yet how foolish can I be to love her!
To seek what I can't hope to win,
To really be one with my lover
And compete with the dragon within.

Jayna grins. "Sure, R'val," she says, jumping up and brushing off the sand. 
  She takes another swallow of wine and gently deposits the glass on the 
  ground.

The new song, however, apparently sits a little less comfortably with Mehlani. 
  The behatted lass swallows again, her attention drifting, a frown furrowing 
  her brow.

Hamari smiles and taps steadily on her knee, along with the rhythm of the tune.

R'val offers his arm to Jayna with a jaunty grin, "It'd be my pleasure."

Hamari notices Mehlani off to one side, shifts over, and whispers to her. 
  "What's wrong, anything we can help with?"

Carrell nods during the instrumental that follows. "I'll do the next faster, 
  sorry I misunderstood." A deep breath later, he follows with the second 
  verse.

To be one with her mind for a second,
A moment that's ever denied.
To love with a pure understanding,
To BE without reason to hide.
My heart, it defies my own reason.
Another will always be there.
I know I can never possess her.
I know I am outside the pair.

Mehlani blinkblinks up at Hamari from where she sits, smiles weakly, and 
  shakes her head a few times. "No... thank you..." A blush begins to stain 
  her cheeks, though it's a bit hard to tell with that curved hat brim 
  shadowing her features.

Carrell looks at you for a moment.

Saskia has left.

Grinning, Jayna rests her arm lightly on R'val's. "Shall we?" she asks.

R'val touches Jayna's hand and then moves to put his hands lightly on her 
  hips, grinning, "We surely shall!"

Hamari smiles gently, "Okay. It's just I can see something is not quite right, 
  and it's rude not to offer an assist."

Aurian listens silently, her hands resting on her legs.

Mehlani coughs delicately, and murmurs sheepishly, "I... just a little problem 
  with my fi... fire lizards, it's alright..."

Carrell watches Mehlani, studying her reaction. His hands slow, throwing the 
  rhythm of the song without actually missing a note. He catches, recovers and 
  completes the final verse, still watching her.

I'll take what she's willing to give me.
I'll share what she's willing to share.
I'll love her despite my own judgement,
I find that I can't help but care.
She's captured my heart with her laughter,
Though her true love I'll ere be denied.
I'll never be all of her lover,
Or compete with the dragon inside.

Neliea leans against the rock that's become her perch, quietly listening to 
  the music.

Hamari 's eye's widen, and a look of comprehension fills them. "Errr, yes, I 
  see." She blushes slightly, and gives Mehlani a look of sympathy. "Huh. 
  Well, good thing is, it passes."

Carrell finishes with the lead in instrumental, the ending a soft fade this 
  time to a single, almost silent chord. "Miss?" He calls to Mehlani. "Might 
  that ribben be Harper blue rather than just plain blue?" As much as 
  anything, conversation helps clear the mind. And also tends to get 
  firelizards to behave better...

The battered brown hat atop Mehlani's head bobs a bit as she nods unsteadily 
  to Hamari -- and then Carrell's voice makes her start. "I-I beg your 
  pardon?" she blurts.

Carrell points, right hand coming off of the gitar. "YOur ribbon. Common 
  apparel with young, female apprentices. I was wondering if you were 
  affiliated with the Hall is all."

Aurian looks at you for a moment.

Jayna smiles at R'val. When the music stops, she does too. Glancing at her 
  partner quizzically, she looks over at Carrell. "Maybe we'll dance in a 
  minute?" she grins.

Mehlani blinks owlishly to Carrell, and then murmurs gravely, "My... um... my 
  mother is a Harper... m-my sister now, as well..."

R'val grins at Jayna, "I'm sure we will, so don't run off, hm?"

Carrell grins and nods to Jayna, immediately beginning a sprightly jig. 
  Instrumental, this, no singing. Quite commonly played at gathers and such.

Hamari sets her half-forgotten wine glass down, and drums the rhythm with her 
  hands, sheer pleasure in the beat reflected in her face.

R'val takes Jayna's hand and grins, "A dance! Shall we??

Carrell nods and grins at Mehlani. "I thought so!" He chuckles, his fingers 
  dancing just as much as the music he's playing. "Well, get to it then!" He 
  calls over to R'val and Jayna. "You too, Aurian. Find a partner!"

Jayna laughs, taking R'val's hand. "C'mon, work faster," she grins, dancing.

Kharty grins at Neliea as she takes yet another sip of the wine. "Mmmm.. This 
  is absolutely wonderful, I'd say. Thank K'tyn for getting it out for us." 
  Eyes flick to the harper, somewhat of a scowl on her face while muttering 
  quietly under her breath, "Insolent harper.. offer him wine and what'd ya 
  get? Kinda like that Keagan one. Must have the same sires."

R'val grins and links arms with Jayna, moving in a circle, "Ye haw!" He calls 
  out, dancing.

Carrell's fingers are busy, but not his tongue. "What?" He looks at Kharty. 
  "I'm playing. /You/ are the one not dancing!"

Mehlani smiles tinily and timidly to Carrell, though she's still blushing, and 
  she stays curled up there at the foot of the tree.

Aurian blinks, "Uh dancing... um no.. I prefer to listen."

Jayna laughs, flushing. "Hey, I didn't forget all I ever knew about dancing," 
  she says, in a wondering tone.

R'val winks at Jayna, "I can see that." he spins her out, and reels her in 
  again with a flourish.

Kharty tucks up her legs underneath her, probably somewhat defiantly, then 
  wrinkles her nose at Carrell. "I'm drinking, I am. You blind, man?", she 
  calls over, a hint of playfulness in her voice but not much.

Neliea runs a hand though her hair, glancing between the harper and her 
  friend. A faint smile tugged at her lips at the mention of the latter half 
  of Kharty's comment, but on a better thought, she just watches. Nevermind 
  that her eyes are twinking amusedly.

Kharty catches Nel's faint smile then asks with a grin, "What? Something 
  funny, Nel?"

Round and round the music spins! Festive and happy, bouncy and alive. It's as 
  if the gitar has split into several, Carrell's intricate workings of the 
  trickier parts polished to perfection with turns of practice, each line of 
  the melody working and intertwining to support and enhance the other.

Aurian can't help to smile at the music. She tilts her head.

Hamari grins happily at all the by-play, rejoicing at just being around folks 
  enjoying themselves...

Jayna grins, as R'val reels. She dips backward dramatically, then comes up 
  smiling, holding onto the bluerider's hand and spinning.

R'val laughs as Jayna spins and he circles, pulling her lose and dipping her.

Carrell chuckles. "One can drink in a silent room. You're not dancing. How can 
  I not help but take offense or be hurt?" His pout is almost perfect, only 
  the slightest hint that it's a complete sham. "Feet moving, rider.' He barks.

Neliea glances at Khar and chuckles. "Funny? Um, maybe," she attempts as she 
  tries to turn her attention to the newest tune. Nah, she's not going to say 
  anything else. And to further this point, she glances curiouly towards 
  Xylath, who's planning something from the way his mind feels at the moment.

Jayna laughs. "I haven't danced in forever," she confesses.

Aurian laughs at the harper, "Only my complete lack of rhythm keeps me from 
  the dance."

R'val grins at Jayna cheerfully, "You're doing fine, so don't worry!" he dips 
  her again.

Kharty calls over to Jayna, her hand cupped around her mouth so the rider can 
  hear her over the music and the sound of the waves, "You shoulda been sold, 
  Jayna!"

Carrell tosses his head. "I promise not to notice. I promise to be hurt if you 
  don't." He grins at Aurian. "Up!"

Neliea looks over at Jayna and giggles. "Better you than me Jayna!" Not like 
  /she/ would have been sold...

A shift in chord, a shift in speed. The ornery harper ups the ante with the 
  tempo, the music a spinning, frenzied dervish at this point. Can the riders 
  keep up?

Kharty hehs as she tips the wine skin to her lips again. "You were 'almost' 
  sold, Nel! If I had more marks, you'd have been up on that block with 
  Kassi's whip pointed at your rear!"

Aurian wrinkles her nose at the harper and hmmmms... decisions descisions. 
  Abject humiliation.... or sit it out.

Jayna laughs, calling to Kharty. "Nobody would've had marks left, from what I 
  heard," she winks mischievously. Putting her arm around R'val's shoulders, 
  she leans back as he dips her, and smiles...but the music gets mighty 
  fast......

R'val pulls Jayna lightly up and kicks his heels, dancing in a wild, rapid 
  circle with her!

Watching, listening, Mehlani darts her gaze back and forth amongst the dancing 
  figures; her color is still high, and though she's not exerting herself, one 
  might suspect that the lass is a trifle breathless.

Kharty lifts her skin up in the air, shaking it slightly to get Jayna's 
  attention. "What? I 'think' there were plenty of marks left... well, hmm. 
  Maybe." Laughing, her boots twist in the sand in time to the music.

Neliea blinks and then just -stares- at Kharty, "You'd do what!?" Not that's 
  -not- a pleseant thought.

Jayna laughs, reeling, switching from foot to foot and kicking, in a wild 
  dance. "This might kill me. And I've got sweeps tomorrow. Guys, save me some 
  of that wine," she hollers, flushed and breathless.

R'val laughs, and dips Jayna, spinning her about with his arm securely about 
  her, "I've got wine, we won't run out, fear not!" He grins down at jayna 
  impishly.

Aurian finally starts to dance and tries frantically not to humiliate herself.

At long last, the music lets up. In fact, ceases completely. "Well done!" 
  Carrell calls to the dancers.

R'val stops, breathing hard, and kisses Jayna's cheek, grinning, "That was 
  FUN!, Jayna!" he offers her his wineflask with a wink.

Hamari claps softly. "Hey, that was super! Both the playing, and the dancing! "

R'val grins at Hamari, "Weren't you dancing...?

Kharty grins at Nel after yet another sip. Wiping her mouth off, she says, 
  "Get you up on that block, girl! You forgot I was betting? I had already 
  been sold." Looking more closely at Nel's face, she queries, "You didn't 
  know I was offering marks for a partner for you?"

Aurian whews and dashes back to her rock for safety.

Carrell asks the group. "A rest for a bit then back to the dancing? Hamari, 
  I'm sure you could drum along to this one. It's an old teaching ballad from 
  last Pass."

R'val gulps back some wine, "Mmph. A rest is a good idea. Carrell, my good 
  Harper, do you need a drink?"

Aurian nods to Carrell as she hears about the rest. She takes a cup of wine 
  from someone else, tis proably Jayna's.

Carrell just shakes his head, grinning, at the clearly decadent talk of riders 
  selling each other for Faranth knows what purpose. "Aye, what harper do you 
  know that doesn't?"

Khartyquickly answers for Carrell, "No he doesn't. Guess he's not thirsty, 
  R'val."

Jayna grins and kisses the bluerider on the cheek. "Yes, it was," she says, 
  wandering to the wineskins. "And I need a refill! Oh, thank you, Carrell," 
  she smiles.

R'val hands Carrell a skin, with a smile, "Benden Red. Only the finest, for 
  such wonderful playing." He winks at Kharty, "Too late!"
R'val wiggles his flask, "Got some here if you want, Jayna....?"

Neliea chuckles at Khar, "I glanced over at your expression a few times and 
  knew -something- was up."

Carrell sticks his tongue out at Miss lack-of-helpful and takes a long swig of 
  the red. It's set behind him again, nestled right up against the small of 
  his back.

Hamari grins cheerfuly up at R'val. "No, I wasn't dancing. I don't, usually. I 
  drum." She grins over at Carrell, as he refreshes his throat. "I'd be happy 
  to. Can I use my own hand-drum? It's not a Harper one, just one I made 
  myself."

Jayna nods. "Sure, R'val," she smiles, dropping cross legged to the sand and 
  reaching for the flask.

Kharty leans over towards Nel. "Look at him! Hogging the skins again! Now what 
  in Faranth's name did I pick 'him' up for?" Shaking her head, she lifts the 
  skin to her mouth.

Carrell chuckles, smiling at Hamari. "YOu can use a stick on a rock for all I 
  care. I'm just tired of being up here under all these watchful eyes all by 
  myself. Lessa's ride, you know that one?"

R'val sits with Jayna, sipping his skin. He grins at her, "You're quite the 
  dancer."

Hamari nods quickly, it was taught by the Harper at Bitra Hold, and Bitrans 
  hold their own loyalty to Benden. "Sure!"

Jayna grins at Kharty. "Want a glass, Khar?" she says, pointing to the basket. 
  "Oh, R'val, thanks," she says, leaning back on her elbows, after taking a 
  long swallow of her wine. "I like dancing. And you're not at all bad 
  yourself."

Carrell begins playing, strummed chords, plain chords of C / E-minor and 
  A-minor, then returning. Twice he goes through the basic, simple theme, 
  catchy as all teaching ballads are, before beginning to sing.

Long as time remembers,
        Thread's been coming down.
Clouds of silver fallin',
        Confusion on the ground.
Six Weyrs through the ages,
        Now there's only one.
And I wonder, still I wonder,
        Who'll stop the rain?

Hamari digs briefly in her bag pulling out a small hand-drum, and keeping the 
  rhythm softly, with one hand and fingers.

R'val laughs, "I'm not?" He grins," You're sweet to say so."

Neliea glances at Khar and shakes her head before tilting her head listening 
  her her lifemate briefly. Blinking she leans over to murmur to her friend.

Kharty blinks several times at Jayna, then at the skin. Tilting her head 
  curiously, she yells back to Jayna, "What for? Works good enough for me to 
  just tilt the thing." Giving a quick look to Aurian as if saying 'is the 
  girl daft'? she takes another drink.

Carrell just shakes his head at the banter, his fingers quite capable of 
  playing the song without conscious thought. Another run through the 
  introduction as an interlude between verses, then the second comes:

I went down to Benden
        Seeking shelter 'fore the storm
Caught up with the Holders
        When F'lar made them turn
Lessa made her entrance
        On Ramoth's golden mane
But I wonder, still I wonder
        Who'll stop the rain

Jayna winks at R'val as she drinks her wine. She eyes Hamari and Carrell, 
  tapping her fingers on the sand, near the group again, having stopped 
  dancing. Legs extended, she crosses them at the ankle. " 'Lani?" she asks, 
  suddenly looking around.

Aurian curls her legs to the side as she listens to the song.

Mehlani starts at Jayna's calling of her name. "Wh...?"

Jayna grins. "I'm sorry, 'Lani, I got to drinking, and dancing, and kind of 
  lost myself..... So, the fair. They're not ill, are they?" she asks again, a 
  bright smile pasted on her face.

Immediately, Mehlani's face flushes pink. She shakes her head a few times, 
  making her hat give a single bit of a quiver before it settles back into 
  place, at a slightly rakish tilt along her brow.

R'val winks at jayna, licking the wine from his lips, "Delicious! Do you like 
  Red best?"

Simplicity, these teaching ballads. Carrell's foot taps the same beat as 
  Hamari's drum as the chord progression heads between verses again. An 
  upshift in the key announces the third and final verse.

Heard the Harpers singing
        The question song the score
Lessa found the answer
        The weyrs she brought to fore
'Timers from the last pass
        Fourhundred turns they came
Noone wondered, question answered
        Who'll stop the rain

Jayna grins at R'val. "Red, white. I like 'em both." She takes another sip, 
  and looks at Mehlani. "So...not sick. Are they busy for a -good- reason, 
  then?" she asks.

"Well, they're... um..." Mehlani turns pinker, and mumbles, "... proddy..."

Jayna raises her eyebrows. "You're firelizards are proddy?" she asks, rather 
  loudly. Wine'll do that. "Shards, 'Lani, I'm sorry."

R'val grins, "Prefer red, personally, but hey..."
R'val erks, 'Proddy!"

Carrell grins toothily at his accompanyment, leaning over to tell her. "You're 
  good, Hamari!" The chords continue the verse progression, fading slowly as 
  the song comes to its end.

Hamari slows the beat, then muffles the drum completely with her hands, as the 
  song ends. "Thanks, Carrell. I know I've lots to learn, yet."

Kharty claps her hands, fingers clutching the skin as she does. "Well done! 
  Wonderful song!", she calls out with vigor.

Neliea also starts to applaud happily as the song ends.

Carrell looks over at Kharty. "One last dance, then I'd best be back to the 
  hall..." A quick hand snakes behind his back, drawing the skin to his mouth 
  for several deep swollows. "Ahhh..." It is replaced in its rightful location 
  just as fast. "Singing is such thirsty work."

Aurian applauds, "Best I've ever heard that piece played." She grins.

Carrell bows as he sits. "I'm fatt..er, flattered. Thank you all."

R'val grins, "Need another skin, harper/"

Veyath circles down from above, and sends up a flurry of sand when she touches 
  down.
Veyath has arrived.

Carrell's eyes light up at R'val's words. "Hang on!" Again, the hand snakes 
  behind him, lifting. Glug! Ahhhh... He tosses the empty to Kharty. "I do 
  now!"

Hamari looks a little wistfully down at her drum, then up suddenly as another 
  dragon arrives...

Jayna grins, draining her wine and looking around for yet another refill.

R'val tosses it, grinning, "Good on ya man."

With an almost reluctant flash of emerald green, Veyath returns, settling away 
  from everyone else. K'nan slips down to the sands once more, taking a breath 
  and looking up at his lifemate with a, 'Why am I here' expression.

From Veyath's back, K'nan has left.
K'nan climbs down from Veyath's neck, and arrives on the ground.
K'nan has arrived.

Hamari chuckles at Carrell's diligent efforts to obtain the maximum of liquid 
  refreshment...

Carrell hands the full one to Hamari. "Here. You break this one in first."

Kharty nods, eyeing where Carrell places the skin. "I'd be glad to take you 
  home." Then more quietly, she adds, "very glad.. Arg!", she yells out, 
  trying to catch the wineskin as it sails through the air. Whap! Right in the 
  sand it goes, sending a small spray overtop of her. "Shards, man!", she 
  glares at the harper.

Neliea glances over at Veyath returning and shoots a -glance- to her blue. 
  What's going on in that blue head of his. Looking over at K'nan, she waves. 
  "Care to join us," she calls over indicating her and Kharty.

R'val fills jayna's cup, grinning, 'Here."

Carrell tsks. "Some wingleader ought to have her catching firestone bags more 
  often. Clearly she's out of practice from candidacy and weyrlinghood." A 
  shake of the head before he announces, "Who's for dancing again?"

Aurian blinks at Kharty, "Calm down. Its not like he through a full one that 
  was open at you."

Xylath warbles a greeting to the green as she returns, returing his lifemate 
  gaze with an 'I'm innocent, honest' look.

Jayna smiles. "Thanks, R'val," she says, raising her glass. "I hope Sioneth's 
  feeling good tongight," she confesses, "Because I'm starting to feel a 
  little dizzy."

R'val laughs, "From the dancing, or liquor?" He asks Jayna with a playful wink.

Hamari takes the full wineskin, opens it and takes a good swallow, then hands 
  it back to Carrell. "Here you go, and thanks! "

Carrell grins at Kharty, setting the skin this time just to the inside of his 
  thigh - quite in plain view.

Jayna laughs. "Both!" She eyes the crowd. "More dancing, eh?"

R'val laughs, "Wanna dance again?"

K'nan hesitates reluctantly for a moment... then with one more glance up at 
  Veyath sighs and heads over towards Neliea and Kharty... "Hey. Sorry Vey was 
  bothering Xylath..."

Kharty grumbles at the harper, "Well if you woulda tossed it right, I woulda 
  caught it right." Her eyes watch Carrell, half slitted and a little misted 
  from the wine.
Kharty turns to wave to K'nan. "Heya!", she calls out pleasantly. "Come have a 
  seat!"

Jayna grins. "I don't know, R'val. I think I need a rest. At least for a song 
  or two. Oh, Carrell, Hamari, that was -great-," she says.

R'val grins, "Come drink, K'nan..."

Carrell begins his song, a bouncy, catchy number, not a solomn or sad note to 
  it. Staccoto plucks of the strings like raindrops or the clip clops of 
  hooves mark the cheery melody. Bump bum, ba-da-dump bum!

Neliea chuckles and shakes her head, "Bother? I don't think that he never 
  -bothers- anyone. It's more like he's planning something that he's not going 
  to tell me." Tilting her head to the direction of the soon to be music, she 
  asks Khar, "Did he say last dance?"

R'val laughs, "Might as well Jayna..."

Hamari listens for a few bars, then taps out a matching rhythm, softly, on her 
  hand-drum.

Kharty nods to Nel, "Well, I think he did, so if you've a mind to dance, I'd 
  do it now."

Aurian wraps her arms about her legs as she listens to the harper start to 
  play again. She smiles and almost hums but catches herself in time.

K'nan chuckles softly, "Probably...." He shakes his head, "Don't let me bother 
  you two either, really, don't want to be in the way. I know this old 
  greenrider isn't much fun to hang around sometimes."

Carrell calls above the notes as he plays a full chorus of the song in 
  introduction. "I came from a holder background, so you'll forgive me if my 
  songs, unlike most Harpers, don't all sing the praises of Pern's glorious 
  riders? This one, in particular, was inspired by my brother, a rider of a 
  different sort.

Aurian smiles, "That's fine."

Kharty circles her hand about in the air. "C'mon, K'nan, have a seat with us! 
  Plenty of room and plenty of wine.."

Neliea grins, ever as much like her lifemate. Turning to K'nan, "Well are you 
  just quiet? Or can you actually dance?" Hmm, guess who's going to be 
  dancing...

Carrell sings:

We wander the streambeds together 
        Through canyons and mountainous trails 
Our path may be tortured and rocky 
        But your sure sense of footing prevails

K'nan blinks at that, in surprise, "Dance? I dance now and then.. 
  occasionally..." Oh no, they're going to make him dance.

Veyath rises again to her feet and slowly pads through the sand over towards 
  the water's edge, leaning down to whuffle at it for a moment before sliding 
  into the rippling waves, heading out where it's deep enough to matter for 
  her.

Neliea smiles as she hops up, "Good. You're dancing with me then. I haven't 
  danced and I need a partner, there's no sharding way that I'm dancing by 
  myself." Hauling (or dragging?) K'nan towards the dancers, she chuckles. "I 
  won't hut you," she promises.

The interlude between verses is long, passing quickly with the sprightly, 
  bright notes of the song. Carrell encourages the other idle folk to stand as 
  best he can with eye contact and various scowls and looks. At length, it's 
  time again to sing:

Oh graceful and sure you are runner 
        But your thoughts must be those of a child 
Your strength and your speed they are legend 
        But your temperment's gentle and mild

Kvasith stretches in the water, he rolls back onto his stomach and swims 
  towards the shore.

Hamari smiles to herself as she keeps a steady beat, enjoying this song...

Jayna grins, finishing her wine. "Alright, harpers, you're playing, I'm 
  dancing. R'val? Aurian?" She pauses. "Mehlani?" she asks, invitingly, 
  standing.

K'nan is pulled, dragged, and otherwise coerced along towards the dancing, 
  chucklling, "Alright, alright.. but it's been awhile, I warn you."

Carrell chuckles at K'nan. "Not much time, rider. This harper has practice 
  just past breakfast back at the hall. And the wine's quite going to have me 
  asleep before long." Another chord shift, a subtle increase in speed as the 
  third verse arrives.

R'val watches K'nan and Neliea, grinning, "Sure thing, Jayna!"

No matter which trails we may travel 
        No matter which meadows we roam 
I trust in you, runner beneath me 
        Your strength and your grace bring me home

R'val stands, offering Jayna his hand.

Aurian scowls at Jayna, "You'd step on my feet. I know you.

Kharty seems as if she's temporarily forgotten her distaste for this harper 
  fellow. Boots tap against each other lightly as her fingertips drum on her 
  stomach. Relaxing again, she tips the skin, letting the warm liquid flow 
  down her throat.

Maylia wades out of the water, having finished giving Tierth the scrubbing 
  that was demanded. Her wet feet and legs get covered in sand as she heads 
  for her pack, but get brushed off as she dries herself with a towel she'd 
  stashed away. Soon, she's wrapped the batik sarong 'round her waist, and 
  found one of the wineskins she'd hidden away.

Neliea turns and faces K'nan, "I don't mind, just as long as you /don't/ step 
  on my feet." He's leading, since there's a noticalbe height difference here.

Jayna grins, lightly resting her hand in R'val's. "I'm game if you are," she 
  says, depositing her glass on the sand.

K'nan takes a breath, then chuckles as he moves to get ready to lead, "I make 
  no promises...."

Carrell continues instrumentally for some time in the new key, reluctant to 
  end the dancing as nearly everyone is up and moving. Nearly. Scowls are sent 
  to the few holdouts.

Veyath finally is out in the water, and with a brief playful splash she pushes 
  off... spreading her wings over the waves as she floats out.

R'val lays his hand on Jayna's and guides her to the area that's open, "Ready 
  when you are!"

Aurian peers at Maylia, "What wineskin did you manage to scrounge up...?"

Neliea chuckles and nods, "I guess that works."

Kharty calls out to K'nan teasingly, "Tip her feet a bit, K'nan! She's sturdy 
  boots, and her toes are little enough that it wouldn't do much damage if'n 
  you did!"

Sioneth edges closer to Veyath, lifting a wing and considering a gentle 
  splash. He must be getting older. He used to just splash without thinking.

Maylia gives Aurian a slightly evil grin. "One from my sack." She replies, as 
  if this is the most natural place for a wine skin to hide. "I knew you 
  greedy lushes would finish off what you'd brought before Tierth figured she 
  was clean enough. So I kept mine apart."

Xylath warbles over to Veyath from his nearly submerged place in the water. 
  Wings outstreched and muzzle in the water, he's an unsusal sight.

Jayna grins, mock-curtseying. It looks rather silly, since she's wearing her 
  swimming clothes. "What are we dancing?" she asks R'val, putting one arm on 
  his shoulder and resting the other in his hand.

Aurian sticks her tounge out at Maylia, "Wretch."

Neliea just glances over at Khar as she passes by and chuckles wryly as she 
  calls out, "That's not true Khar! It would hurt!"

R'val grins at Jayna, "A slow dance?"

K'nan chuckles at Kharty's call... "I'm not -that- heavy."

Carrell just continues to play...

Maylia drops to the sand, flashing a grin towards the Harper and the girl with 
  a drum. She jokingly makes a posessive show over the wine skin, then hands 
  it over to Aurian. "Sip?" She offers.

Kharty waves to her cousin with a fluorish. "Heyla, Maylia! You were out there 
  so far when I came I didn't think you'd heard my greeting. Have fun at the 
  Festival?" Lifting her hand, she waves to K'nan then winks at him.

Jayna smiles. "Whatever our kind harpers play, I suppose," she says, winking 
  at Carrell. "There we go. A slow one." She moves close to R'val, nearly 
  resting her head on his shoulder.

Neliea shakes her head, grinning up at the greenrider. "I'd rather not find 
  out in any case, K'nan. I like my toes just the way they are right now."

K'nan chuckles again - and steps in closer, "Then watch your feet." He winks 
  back down at Neliea, taking hold of her gently and... stepping into the 
  dance. Might as well.

Aurian nods, "Ahhh yes much appreciated, thank you very..." She takes the sip, 
  "much." Then takes another sip before handing it back to Maylia.

Veyath looks over to Sioneth and warbles softly hello, dipping her muzzle into 
  the water and splashing at him a very little bit. Somewhat subdued, as usual.

Maylia lifts a hand to wave to her cousin, grinning. "Heyla! I saw Virroth 
  come down to land, between getting soaked by Nikh and seeking refuge 
  underwater!" She reaches for the wineskin with a smile for Aurian, and takes 
  a sip herself. "Enjoy? Well, being auctionned off like a herd of runners was 
  an... experience." she jokes.

R'val smiles, gently slipping his arm around Jayna, "Here we are...a slow 
  one.' He murmurs.

Neliea smiles as she follows the pace set by K'nan, not really kicking up any 
  sand. She can't, not if she wants to keep a focus on her toes.

Aurian snorts, "You went for a great deal of marks, you should be rather 
  pleased with your self." She curves a slight grin.

Kharty grins at Maylia, "Boy, you said it. I must say the ordeal was fun!"

Aurian calls to Kharty, "You seemed to do rather well for yourself. Looks like 
  you ended up with a superb dancer."

Hamari just watches wide-eyed at this strange talk of selling each other, but 
  little gears click over wagers on said sales...

Jayna smiles, enjoying the rhythm of the music and matching her paces to 
  R'val's.

Maylia laughs, and nods. "Once I got over the pure shock of the 'price'." The 
  greenrider admits. "I'd be pleased with myself if I thought it really had 
  anything to do with me. But I certainly was impressed with N'ren, handing me 
  over to Tas."

Carrell doesn't stop playing but /shifts/ the music, slowling, easing, 
  blending to minor chords. A swaying, misty tune emerges, the softly strummed 
  melody perfect for slow dancing with a partner.

Kharty grins then blushes at Aurian. "Who? Keagan? Yeah, and I got flowers and 
  a suncatcher as well.. He's.. well.. alright I guess." Then hastily, she 
  adds, "At times."

Hamari slows her drum beats, timing them...

Such wonder grows inside my soul,
        As I look out into the night.
All life is hushed and sound enhanced,
        And snow glows softly in dim light.

Aurian gives a slow nod to Kharty, "Uhhuh." She then tilts her head back to 
  her friend, "I was glad I didn't have to prod N'ren to do it."

K'nan's pace, of course, slows as the music does... his steps moving slowly 
  and lightly with Neliea's as he dances with her, leaning down to whisper 
  conspiratorially, "Have I made a fool of myself yet?"

R'val swings Jayna gently and slowly, enjoying the slow dance, "YOu're good, 
  see? I told you you were fine..."

Jayna grins. "Well, I'm wildly out of practice. Weyrlinghood'll do that to 
  you." She steps lightly, despite the sand and the wine she's drunk, although 
  her movements are a little more expansive than usual, perhaps.

Neliea slowly shakes her head, smiling and slowing with the music as well as 
  she murmurs, "Hmm you're still dancing and my toes are doing fine..You're 
  actually doing well in my opinion."

Maylia chuckles, and gives Aurian a nudge, offering her the wineskin again. 
  "Thanks," she says, softly. That said, she flashes Kharty a mischevous grin. 
  "At times, hmmm?"

Carrell smiles, eyes a bit glassy from wine settling on an empty stomach. 
  Still, his playing doesn't falter as the second verse flows forth!

The radiant moons shine from on high,
        A million stars are glittering.
Shadows lie across the drifts,
        And distant lights are flickering.

R'val laughs, "No dancing classes in weyrlinghood, huh?" He teases, with a 
  wink.

Jayna leans back in R'val's arms and looks at him, with a grin. "Sure. But 
  only three steps. Bend, lift, toss. Bend, lift, toss. Guess that made it a 
  waltz."

Mehlani huddles back up against the tree, having fallen into silence as the 
  others continue their music and revel. She keeps trying to smile, but it's 
  clear that she's nervous -- Jayna's question and sympathy about her fair 
  undoubtedly has unsettled her.

Aurian chuckles as she takes the wineskin, she takes a long swallow. Then 
  passes it back to Maylia.

K'nan chuckles softly and continues to lead Neliea in the slow steps of the 
  dance, murmuring, "Just let me know if I do, eh?" A wink, then he's back 
  into the casual grace of dancing...

R'val laughs and bends Jayna, then lifts her with a wink, "You, m'dear, waltz 
  well..."

Maylia accepts the skin back, and takes a long drink from it, leaning just 
  slightly against her friend.

Lysseth spirals down from above, and sends up a flurry of sand when she 
  touches down.
Lysseth has arrived.

Kharty waggles her eyebrows at Maylia then laughs. "Well, he was nice at 
  Greystones. We took two bottles and went to sit and talk. Sometimes he's not 
  bad.. once you bet past the bragging."

Jayna chuckles, inhaling quickly as she's lifted. She smiles. "Well, yes, we 
  do the firestone waltz fairly well," she confesses, winking.

R'val laughs, "Oh dear, well, that's an easy one to learn. I broke my nose 
  learning the firestone waltz." He admits ruefully, dipping Jayna.

Mehlani peeks uncertainly over at Kharty, at the mention of Greystones.

Kharty lifts her wineskin up into the air toward Kassi. "Hey, Kassi!", she 
  calls out loudly as Lysseth lands.

Lysseth lands as daintily as she can near a few of the other dragons, furling 
  her wings tightly to her sides before offering a greeting warble to those 
  nearby. "Word has it," Kassima calls down, unbuckling herself from the 
  straps, "that you lot could use more wine?"

Kassima slides down from Lysseth's neckridges to land beside her with ease. 
  Lysseth cocks her head at her rider, rumbling quietly as Kassi gives her 
  eyeridges a grateful scratching.
Kassima has arrived.

Neliea chuckles as she looks up at K'nan and nods, "Fair agreement." Following 
  into the slowers steps, she momentarily doesn't see Kassi land. Yet.

Kharty smiles over at her wingleader. "More yes. This.. harper.. has taken it 
  upon himself to drink it all.", she teases.

Aurian smiles at Maylia gently. She reaches up and tugs on one of her friend's 
  curls lightly.

Maylia gives Kharty a raised eyebrow. "Uh-huh? Went to that island with him, 
  hmmm?" she teases. The greenrider grins widely as her mentor lands. 
  "Evening, Kassi! And yes, my horde's in dire jeopordy of being snatched!" 
  She calls.

Jayna grins at Kassi from where she's dancing with R'val. "Yes, indeed!" she 
  says. "More wine."

Mehlani shifts in her impromptu seat at the tree's base, and smiles tinily to 
  Kassima, keeping quiet where she's curled up.

Carrell winds the song around and around, lengthing it somewhat from the 
  standard length for this well known piece. The dancers are having fun and 
  he's not going to deny them their time. At length, the third verse does 
  arrive:

The silence has a quality
        Of restfulness and gentle peace,
To soothe a tired mind and bring
        An end to cares in sleep's release.

R'val laughs and abruptly /dips/ Jayna and reels her in, "Hee hee!"

K'nan smiles down at Neliea as he dances, slowly, to the music with 
  her.."So..um.." He's not used to being social, nope, not at all...

"That tends t'be the case," Kassima agrees drolly, nodding to the Harper with 
  a grin. "A good thing I brought a sampling, then, 'tis nay? Only a bit of 
  each kind, but for some, Faranth knos that's enough. Why in Faranth's name 
  are people dancing, if'n I might ask?"

Hamari softens the beats on the pale leather, ending as the chords of 
  Carrell's gitar fade.

Kharty grins at Kassi. "I went looking for a harper for our party, Kassi. I 
  came back with Carrell here and Hamari came along. She's interested in 
  applying at Harper."

Maylia giggles, as Aurian pulls one of her curls. "More wine?" She offers, 
  despite her jesting gripe of her friends stealing her wine. "They're dancing 
  'cause Carrell's been so kind as to play for us. And I'm going to drag 
  Aurian up to dance if he plays again!" This is called to her mentor, with a 
  bright smile for the harper.

Carrell calls over to Kassima. "Because they're happy and not late arriving 
  sticks in the mud! The question, more appropriately should be, why /aren't/ 
  you dancing?" Despite his words, the tone is teasing and respectful. As only 
  a Harper could make it.

Jayna smiles as the dance ends, and kisses R'val on the cheek again. "Thanks 
  once more!" she says, turning to stride back to her spot by her friends. She 
  drops to the sand, still in her swimming things, and refills her wine glass.

Kassima removes one of the strap-pouches from her dragon's neck, flipping it 
  open to reveal, indeed, a case of small bottles and such. "Stick? A stick am 
  I none, but I *don't* dance, and I question the sanity of those who do so at 
  this time of evening. Still, what use has the world for sanity?"

Aurian takes the wine and wrinkles her nose playfully at the greenrider, she 
  takes another long swallow. "Just so long as its a very slow dance."

Neliea grins, still echoing the dance steps and surprisingly all toes are 
  intact. Well, well, K'nan can dance it seems. "'So, um,'what," she returns 
  amusedly. Not social? Everyone has -something- to talk about.

Kharty watches Jayna filling her glass and simply laughs. "Girl, don't ya 
  know, all you have to do is pop the top and lift. No glasses needed."

R'val grins, and moves after Jayna to join the group, "That was thirsty 
  work..."

Mehlani, definitely not dancing, flicks Kassima a nervous sympathic look out 
  from under her hat brim.

Not this greenrider, it seems. K'nan chuckles as he moves along with Neliea, 
  certainly a better dancer than he claims, "I don't know. It's been so long 
  since I danced I have no idea what to talk about..."

Maylia chuckles soflty, batting at the red curls of her friends' hair. "A very 
  slow one? Is that so we dont step on each other's toes? I should warn you, 
  I'm an awful dancer."

Jayna laughs at Kharty. "Oh, I guess that's one of the things you learn after 
  you -win- a flight," she teases. "I'm un-won, so I still use a glass." She 
  sips from it, eyes twinkling at her friend.

Aurian passes the wine back to Maylia, "Very slow so I can fake that I have a 
  sense of rhythm."

Kharty stands up, anxious to get the wine theiving harper back to his Hall. 
  "Ready?" she asks, clearly and distinctly to Carrell.

Hamari jumps up too, to go back to the Hall...

Kassima calls over to Jayna, "Drinking from a 'skin is something you learn 
  after the first time you get yourself utterly sloshed, I had thought! May, 
  Auri, get out there if'n you wish it; you're any odder a couple than some 
  others. What should I pour you, while you're dancing?"

Neliea smiles as the music comes to a stop, "Best topic to talk about? In this 
  case Veyath." There's something to talk about.

Kassima suggests, only half-facetiously, "If'n the Harper's leaving--and 
  duties t'your Hall, Harper--then mayhaps 'Lani could sing t'provide you with 
  music. Better she than me, methinks 'twould agree."

Carrell grabs the skin still sitting on his thigh. "Ready as I'm going to be!"

Sioneth absently splashes at Veyath, not using enough force to drench 
  her...more of a gesture than anything else.

Mehlani starts. "Wh-what?"

Maylia looks rather regretful, and shakes her head. "We waited too long, our 
  Harper's leaving. We'll have to supply our own rhythm." She sighs, but 
  brightens at Kassi's suggestion. "There! Lani? Are you up for a song or two?"

Hamari bows to the assembled. "Thank you all, it was great to be able to come, 
  and share this fun time." She follows Kharty and Carrell

Aurian calls to Lani, "Please Lani!"

Kharty walks over to the water to watch as Virroth splashes back to the shore. 
  "Time to go.. big fella..", she calls out. As he comes up on the shore, she 
  grins at her friends. "I'll be back."

K'nan chuckles softly to himself, finally stopping as the music ends.. "What 
  about her?"

Mehlani practically squeaks, "M-me?", while involuntarily scooting back up 
  against the tree behind her.

Carrell turns to Hamari. "Will you be staying? I'm sure you can get a ride 
  back to the Hold. I hate to drag you back in the middle of the fun, but I've 
  practice come morning."

Jayna grins. "Carrell, Hamari, well met, and clear skies to both of you. Thank 
  you!"

Veyath ducks her head a bit at the splashing... and then splashes back a bit 
  with a soft warble, wings patting the waves happily.

Hamari says "Farewell, All! :)"

Kassima grins. "I pipe while you sing?" she suggests to 'Lani. "That should 
  suffice for their dancing, don't you think?"

Maylia lifts her hand to waves as the musicians head off towards Virroth, 
  before turning back to Mehlani. "Please?" she wheedles. "Just a couple of 
  songs? Aurian and I'll look rediculous enough dancing, nevermind dancing 
  without music!"

Aurian waves to the harpers as they prepare to mount Virroth the Virile.

Kharty reaches up to take a firm grasp on Virroth's riding straps, and swings 
  up into the seat between his neckridges with the help of his foreleg.
Kharty has left.

Carrell reaches up to take a firm grasp on Virroth's riding straps, then, with 
  the help of the blue's foreleg, swings up into the seat between his 
  neckridges behind Kharty.
Carrell has left.

R'val laughs, "Dancing without music is possible. I suppose."

Hamari reaches up to take a firm grasp on Virroth's riding straps, then, with 
  the help of the blue's foreleg, swings up into the seat between his 
  neckridges behind Kharty.
Hamari has left.

From Virroth's back, Hamari waves ti everyone!

Aurian nods to the behatted girl, "Please please Lani."

From Virroth's back, Kharty leans back at her passengers. "Buckled and ready?"

"W-well, if Kassima has brought pipes, singing isn't... isn't needed, is it?" 
  Mehlani is practically babbling, her eyes gone wide under her hat brim, and 
  she may even be shaking.

From Virroth's back, Hamari fumbles a little, but buckles in...

From Virroth's back, Carrell nods, turning to make sure Hamari is strapped in 
  properly.
From Virroth's back, Carrell calls, "Ready."

Jayna grins and waves to Hamari.

Kassima snorts and says, laughing, "With *my* piping, 'tis. I'm woefully out 
  of practice... suited for accompaniment only."

R'val waves< "Bye, thanks for the music. Seeya!" He grins.

"C'mon, 'Lani," Maylia coaxes. "You've such a lovely voice, you know."

From Virroth's back, Kharty gives a last wave to her friends. "Later!", she 
  calls out as Virroth prepares to spring.

Virroth launches up up into the sea air, and soars high above the island.
Virroth has left.

Aurian nods echoing Maylia, "Please please Lani."

Mehlani peers at Maylia, mumbling, "But when... when did you hear... um..."

Neliea smiles as she folds her hands behind her, but waves to the muscians 
  before then leave. Maybe she was a bit late? To K'nan, she grins. "Anything 
  about her?"

R'val grins, "She's evil. Like K'nan himself." He raises his winecup to the 
  greenrider.

K'nan waves after the harper as well, then lets his hand drop and steps back 
  from R'val... chuckling softly, "She's... well... Veyath."

Maylia, of course, was only trying to persuade the behatted girl to sing, 
  never having heard her. "I... I've been told. And, your speaking voice is 
  lovely, so it stands to reason that your singing would be wonderful." 
  Somebody hand her a shovel.

Aurian chuckles, "Lani please. Kes seems to be unable to rave about you with 
  out saying how lovely your voice is."

Reaching out for the basket of cheese, Jayna snags a roll. She smiles. "I'd 
  love to hear 'Lani sing," she says, adding her vote.

Mehlani stares at Aurian even harder. K'star was raving to Aurian? About her 
  voice? Blink blink blink?

Neliea chuckles as she glances over to the green in question. "But she looks 
  nice right now," she comments. Of course we're not talking proddy here.

R'val glances thoughtfully at Mehlani, "If you can sing, why not? I'm sure you 
  have a lovely voice.'

"I-I-I don't think I, um... know anything... apt," Mehlani mumbles, turning 
  crimson.

Maylia takes another long drink from her wineskin, and struggles to her feet. 
  "We'll dance without music, if you don't. And that's just plain sad." She 
  says, first handing the skin to Aurian, then extending her hand in a 
  flourish to her friend. "Shall we?"

Both members of that green-pair would be acting a lot different if she was 
  proddy. K'nan glances out into the waters, and smiles softly, "Yeah. She's 
  beautiful, and wonderful and all. Always thinks she knows what's best for 
  me, though."

Mehlani turns even more crimson, and now looks rather woebegone to boot, as if 
  keenly ashamed of her own embarrassent.

Kassima asks Mehlani, rather regretfully, "Nay songs? Nay 'Three Holderfolk 
  and a Greenflight', nor 'Liquor and Poker All Night,' nor ''It Was a Dark 
  and Stormy Night'?"

R'val offers, helpfully, "I'll sing if ya like." He grins naughtily.

Kassima snorts at R'val. "I'm sure they'd rather here *me* sing a'fore you," 
  she teases, "and that's saying a lot!"

Aurian takes the wine skin and takes Maylia's hand in her free hand, "Oh lets."

R'val bats his lashes, "But Kassi, I have a DELIGHTFUl singing voice." He lies.

Kassima replies firmly, "Nay, you don't, and you're nay singing. I'm sure we 
  can find something 'Lani knows."

R'val grumps, "You take all the fun out of tormenting people, Kassi."

By now, Mehlani looks about ready to hide behind the tree.

Maylia gives Aurian a *tug*, pulling the shorter girl to her feet. She seems a 
  bit awkward, and confused as to how to 'hold' her friend. "Um. Okay, who 
  leads?" And how does one lead without a beat?

Jayna grins, watching Maylia and Aurian.

Aurian calls as she stumbles against Maylia, "Could someone please play some 
  music." She grins.

Neliea smiles, "I think that every dragon seems to know what's best for their 
  rider. Xy's just...Well, when he thinks something is good for me, he'll act 
  on his own and sometimes -won't- tell me. Veyath must be a handful at 
  times," she says complimentingly. She hears the other converstaion, but just 
  how could she get into that? Easily, she doesn't. Kassi's enought over there 
  to be a complets wing of encouragement.

Maylia gigglies, and takes Aurian's hand in hers, and slips her arm 'round the 
  older girl's waist. "I'm taller, I'll lead first?" She suggests, when she 
  can, through her giggles. "So, 'Lani, what will you sing for us to dance 
  to?" the giggling greenrider asks. Not will you sing, nor if you sing, but 
  assuming the behatted one will sing.

K'nan chuckles softly, "Not really.. Vey's too sweet to be a handful, she's a 
  quiet one most of the time. Xy seems much more..outspoken."

R'val grumps, "Sweet? Vidarth's forgotten, but I can remember 
  how...sweet..Veyath can be."

Mehlani flicks Maylia a rather panic-stricken look, and it apparently doesn't 
  help her much that the state of K'nan's dragon is under discussion either, 
  for she also peers skittishly at the rider and his green.

K'nan casts a 'shut up, bluerider, or I get the wine bottle and knife' look at 
  R'val.

Aurian grins at Maylia, "Ok that's fair enough.." She positions her hands 
  carefully and chuckles.

R'val sticks his tongue out at K'nan.

Kvasith stretches out on the sands.

Kassima suggests reluctantly, "I do know a song or two, May, though m'singing 
  voice isn't as fine as 'Lani's. If'n you can convince her t'sing, 'twould be 
  better, but if'n you can't and need music, the offer's open." That said, she 
  starts to investigate her storage of liquor to find something to drink.

Neliea can't help but laughing at the word 'outspoken', "That has to be the 
  -lightest- word that I've heard used to describe Xy. But you're absolutely 
  right."

Aurian notes that her positioning is a little bit tricky since she still holds 
  a skin of wine.

Maylia grins, and calls over to the others. "Perhaps she'll feel compelled to 
  sing if more dance? K'nan?" Over red curls, she smiles to Mehlani. "It'll be 
  easy, once you get started. I know, it's hard to start, but give it a try?"

K'nan chuckles softly after a glance to his lifemate, looking back to Neliea, 
  "Well, some word has to fit..."

"I... I...." Blushing furiously, not having the slightest idea why four or 
  five people are making a deal over the possibility of her singing, and 
  uneasy at the same time that she might be putting Kassima on the spot, 
  Mehlani mumbles, "I-I guess I know 'A Dark and Stormy Night'..."

"Marvelous choice!" Maylia approves of the song. Though, at this point she'd 
  aprove of any song, as she's standing on a beach with Aurian in her arms. 
  Must look rather entertaining. The wineskin undoubtably helps the picture.

Prometh dives down from above, and sends up a flurry of sand when he touches 
  down.
Prometh has arrived.

Kassima grins encouragingly at Mehlani, waving a bottle of Black Gold at her 
  before uncorking it to pour herself a glass. "Then sing it, sing it! 'Tis a 
  good song, and worth the hearing."

Neliea nods to K'nan, "Some word, but I don't think that there is one to fit 
  just exactly what /is/ Xylath."

K'nan winks, "Sure there is. 'Xylath'."

Prometh rumbles greetings as he lands, and K'tyn calls out hellos, as well.

K'tyn climbs down from Prometh's neck.
K'tyn has arrived.

Aurian nuzzles Maylia's neck with a laugh, "Just get to the music!"

"G'deve, Markmeister," Kassi calls over to K'tyn by way of greeting.

Xylath looks over at the newest arrival and warbles a cheerful greeting to 
  Prometh.

Prometh's and K'tyn's arrival under any other circumstances might be 
  comforting to Mehlani. As it stands, right now the girl looks as if she's 
  about to sink into the ground. She gets up from where she's sitting, though, 
  knowing she shouldn't be trying to sing when sitting down, and she sucks in 
  a big nervous breath, trying to steady herself. And she scrunches her eyes 
  closed.

Kvasith rolls on his back in the sand snuzing happily.

Maylia gives Kassi a rather appreciative look, or perhaps the look is for the 
  bottle of Black Gold. At Aurian's nuzzling, she giggles, and holds her good 
  friend close, preparing to swing through the breeze and the sand with her.

Neliea laughs, "Of course. I should have known...Xylath says it all." Looking 
  over at K'tyn, she smiles. "Heya K'tyn," she calls over as another glance 
  goes to the blue in question. Her blue that's floating in the water. Still.

Mehlani then, her eyes still closed, Mehlani begins to sing in a soft and 
  slightly unsteady voice:

It was a dark and stormy night -- or so the Harpers say --
And lightning striking constantly transformed the night to day
The thunder roared all round the Hold -- or thusly runs the tale
And rising from the northeast wing there came a fearful wail

Aurian takes a swig of the wine skin she clutches in one hand as she murmurs 
  to Maylia her mouth rather close to the greenrider's ear.

"Meister? What is that? And what is this, Lani? You're going to sing?" Firing 
  out the questions rapidly, K'tyn laughs as he unloads several wineskins with 
  quite good stamps on them. "Please, don't stop on my account. I've just 
  gotten back in from Benden Hold, Y'see--With largesse a'plenty." He moves 
  over to settle on the ground near the others as Mehlani starts to sing, 
  eagerly unstoppering said 'skin.

Maylia tries her best to get her feet to match the rhythm of 'Lani's song. 
  With gentle pressure on Aurian's waist, and a firm lead with her arm, she 
  swings her friend into the dance.

Kassima replies, sipping at her glass of purplish-goldish-brownish liquor, "A 
  corruption of Master, methinks. One of m'relatives uses it a lot." She 
  settles back then to listen to 'Lani's singing, one foot already tapping out 
  the beat to this familiar ballad.

K'nan lifts his hand in a casual wave towards the ex-Weyrleader, then lets his 
  hand drop.. chuckling softly to himself and dropping quiet.

Aurian chuckles as she starts to dance with the soon to be Thunderbolt rider. 
  oddly enough they move rather well together.

The tune is a spry one, and although Mehlani's voice is hoarse, her pitch is 
  true. Her volume stays low, though, and she seems to be pouring every ounce 
  of her concentration into controlling her breath, producing the words:

It was no fearsome beast aprowl, the Holderfolk knew well
Nor prisoner in agony, or madman dark and fell
No little caught in nightmare, nor soul in mortal fright --
'Twas just the Lady 'singing' -- for she practiced every night

While Maylia does stumble a bit through this 'leading' buisiness, she picks up 
  the hang of it fairly easily. With a gentle lift of her arm, she leads 
  Aurian under in a twirl, and brings her back close, murmuring something in 
  her ear.

Neliea shakes her head as K'nan goes quiet again. Hmm. Arching an eyebrow at 
  the greenrider, she catches herself in a yawn. "I'd ask you to dance K'nan, 
  but I think that I know why Xy's been floating so long. I'm going to get 
  back to the Weyr, so I'll just see you later." Making a wave to those she 
  passes, she gathers her gear and restraps her lifemate once he's out of the 
  water that is.

His voice roughly in tune, K'tyn hums along with the music -- though that 
  breaks off into chuckles as Maylia and Aurian lead each other about. Shaking 
  his head, he grins and waves as Neliea makes an exit.

K'nan turns back to Neliea at that, and smiles softly.. "S'alright - take 
  care, Neliea, was lovely dancing with you." He waves to her as she heads 
  off, then turns and looks about the gathering... mostly lost again. Hm.

Neliea easily climbs up Xylath's back with the help of a forearm as she takes 
  hold of the straps, settling down between his neckridges.
Neliea has left.

Xylath launches up up into the sea air, and soars high above the island.
Xylath has left.

Kassima grins faintly at Kiat, asking, "You know this song, too? Oh--and I've 
  some of the green stuff you seem t'like, if'n you wish it." Indeed, she 
  seems to have a veritable mini-bar packed in the case in front of her.

_Kes -really- raved about my singing?!_ thinks Mehlani wildly to herself. 
  Dangerous thought, that. Distracts from the task of actually trying to sing, 
  especially when thinking of K'star brings on impromptu flashes of his rugged 
  young face. Her voice steadies some, though, by the third verse:

The Lady Holder swore to all that she was Harper-born
And thus she left the lives of all the Holderfolk forlorn
For they must listen to her sing, and smile at what they heard
And swear she had a golden voice that rivaled any bird

Aurian giggles as Maylia whispers to her, "How true." She moves one of her 
  hands slowly up her friend's back.

K'nan listens to the singing for a few moiments longer... then glances out 
  towards the green of his lifemate out in the water, silently. After a 
  minute, said dragon starts heading back shorewards.

Kassima asks K'nan with faint surprise, "Leaving, mentor mine?"

Maylia leads Aurian 'round the sandy area that's serving as a dance floor, 
  swirling 'round and 'round. Carefully, her arms lending her friend support, 
  she dips Aurian at a timely phrase of the song, and pulls her back to 
  continue dancing, and comments something to her, softly.

The Lady was convinced that she had wedded 'neath her state
And so the worst lot fell upon her meek and mild mate
Not only must the Lord each night endure her every song
But suffer silent her abuse, be blamed for every wrong

_Keep singing,_ Mehlani advises herself as she goes through the fourth verse. 
  _Not too hard, right? Thinking about singing. Not fire lizards. Not green 
  fire lizards. Not green glowing fi--_

K'nan looks over to Kassima and smiles faintly, "You know I never do well at 
  these things - I don't have a circle of friends to enjoy it with, and Asrai 
  isn't here, so."

"Kassi, I've heard most of them. This one's a favorite, though, I must say," 
  Kiat says easily. "And aye, I'll have some o' that green stuff, if you'll 
  give me a bit. Not too much though, as I'm wanting to be able to walk, 
  y'see." Mehlani's next verse is sweetly tuneful and the bronzerider smiles 
  at her in appreciation, turning to look at K'nan inquisitively. "K'nan, You 
  needn't leave. We're all friends and more here," he says quietly.

Aurian laughs delightedly in her friend's arms, she flicks her hair back 
  playfully. She mutters to Maylia, "Oh... would be... But... rather..." 

Maylia, while she might be rather absorbed with her dancing partner, does call 
  out to K'nan. "Oh, dont leave! We won't bite!"

Kassima shakes her head sadly, remarking, "You can't find friends unless you 
  socialize, K'nan... but I understand somewhat, mayhaps." There was, after 
  all, a time long-forgotten by most when Kassi was a shy and not thoroughly 
  social Holder-girl. "Aside from which, I didn't know 'twere any here who 
  wouldn't call you friend...."
Kassima does reach forward to snag the bottle of Green and one of the small 
  glasses, filling it full. "And we're nay wishing for you t'be calling for 
  butt-wiggling again," she can't help but tease as she hands the glass over. 
  "Heard most of 'em? You'd be surprised; every time I think Uncle Keyssar and 
  Grandsire Keyssin taught me most songs there were t'hear, another new one 
  crops up. This one's familiar, though."

K'nan chuckles wryly, "Kassi, before you and Kiat got here, I barely knew 
  anyone's -name- who was here." He shakes his head, "I forgot how to 
  socialize awhile ago.. and maybe it's for the best, eh?" A quick smile, 
  "Night all."

Aurian leans closer to Maylia as they dance, she calls to the rider who is 
  about to leave, "Please stay and enjoy Lani's singing."

Mehlani slits open an eye, not oblivious to the conversation going on, and she 
  wonders for a moment if she should keep going. But she doesn't miss her 
  tempo as she continues on:

It was a dark and stormy night -- or so the Harpers vow --
And so perhaps that was the reason why there was no row
When suddenly the "music" ceased; so when dawn raised his head
Within her chamber the Holdfolk found their Lady stiff and dead

"Only if'n you *wish* nay t'know people," is Kassima's rhetoric. "Still... 
  if'n you truly *must* go, g'night, as you say, and clear skies t'you and 
  t'Veyath. Will you give Asrai m'regards?"

Maylia's steps lead the pair of young women round and round, and she can't 
  help but chuckle softly.

K'nan bods slightly, "Sure, I'll tell her you said heyla.."
K'nan pulls himself up onto Veyath's neck using the flight straps and her 
  extended foreleg.
K'nan has left.
From Veyath's back, K'nan has arrived.

The Harpers came at once to judge if there had been foul play
They questioned all most carefully to hear what they would say
And one fact most astounding to them quickly came to light --
That every moment of the Lord was vouched for on that night

By now, Mehlani's voice has picked up strength and better tone. Clear, with 
  more force than she ever uses for the simple act of talking, the girl in the 
  hat continues the ballad.

Aurian whispers again to Maylia, her lips almost brushing the greenrider's 
  ear. Did she maybe possibly touch those lips to that ear.

As Veyath and her rider leave, K'tyn offers the rider a wave and then sips at 
  the potent green liqueur, sighing as the song becomes more intent. Rapt, he 
  rests his chin on his knees as he watches the young woman in the hat, 
  remembering other places, other people.

If they did, Maylia either didn't notice, or doesn't mind. She nods, murmuring 
  back what sounds much like "I agree," as she gently keeps guiding the steps.

Veyath circles upwards up into the sea air, and soars high above the island.
Veyath has left.

Aurian moves closer to Maylia, her arms maybe tightening about the younger 
  rider's waist.

The Holderfolk by ones and twos came forward on their own
To swear their Lord had never once that night been all alone
So though their Lady's chambeer had but two keys to the door --
One his, one hers -- the Lord was plain absolved of guilt for sure

At length the Harpers then pronounced her death a "suicide"
And all within the Hold proclaimed themselves quite satisfied
It was a verdict, after all, that none wished to refute
Though no one could imagine why she tried to eat her lute!

And with that, Mehlani concludes the ballad, standing there looking a bit 
  stunned as she finds herself abruptly silent again. Now that her breath 
  isn't being applied to singing anymore, it takes her a few moments to let it 
  shakily out, and she doesn't dare yet to open her eyes.

Kassima sets down her glass in order to applaud, grinning a grin that shows 
  her appreciation clearly. "See, I *knew* m'cousin was a good judge of 
  singing voices!" she can't resist calling.

Maylia can't resist a laugh, as with the final words she dips Aurian. Rising 
  again, she reclaims her hands to applaund 'Lani. "Well sung! I told you so!"

Aurian laughs and applauds the shy girl as well, "He was right Lani!"

Maylia then half-bows to her dancing partner, batting her eyelashes 
  coquettishly. "And well danced, my lady!"

Aurian giggles and curtsies to Maylia, "You are too kind."

Mehlani peeks out from under her hat brim, flushing scarlet, and smiling 
  weakly.

K'tyn joins in with Kassima's applause. "Lani, you sounded lovely. Tis one of 
  my favorite songs." Overhearing Maylia's comment, he laughs, teasing the 
  pair with: "It was, aye. Twould be better if one of you learned to lead more 
  reliably, however,"

Aurian sniffs at K'tyn playfully, "Ohhh now really. Well then someone had best 
  teach her to lead."

Maylia smiles over Aurian's head towards Kiat. "Well, I must say I prefer to 
  be led in a dance," she says, chuckling. Following Aurian's cue, she flashes 
  her friend a grin. "Ah, perhaps you'd like to give me an example of reliable 
  leading, K'tyn?"

Aurian chuckles and blows a curls out of her eyes.

Kassima shakes her head, amused by her friends. "Why anyone would want 
  t'dance, I swear I don't know... but watching isn't so bad. Nay as amusing 
  as when the toss-dancers are all falling down on their rumps, but nay bad."

Maylia giggles, and in the spirit of the dancing reaches for Aurian's waist, 
  threatening to try to toss her. "Well, now. That'd be a less painful dance 
  to do here, than on a proper dance floor!"

Mehlani stumbles back slightly, catches herself against the tree, and leans 
  against it, her attention flicking from face to face.

Maylia giggles, and in the spirit of the dancing reaches for Aurian's waist, 
  threatening to try to toss her. "Well, now. That'd be a less painful dance 
  to do here, than on a proper dance floor!"

Aurian erks as Maylia threatens to toss her, scarily enough the greenrider 
  coul probably toss her rather high.

"Her? Why her? I would think, Aurian, that you'd be the one to... And how did 
  I know that was going to be asked, hm?" The bronzerider laughs. "May, I 
  should love to, but... I fear that I have imbibed a bit too much of this 
  stuff of Kassi's to stand for the moment. Perhaps a bit later?" K'tyn 
  returns his gaze to Mehlani, grinning. "You look like your Da--you know 
  that, lass? I traded words with him earlier today. A fine man. He wondered 
  how you were getting on -- and with whom."

Mehlani shoots a glance around to K'tyn, and squeaks, "Y-you... saw my father?"

Maylia turns the threatened toss into a brief hug, laughing. "Ah, that's 
  alright, Kiat. I'm in need of a drink, myself." She states, dropping to the 
  sand by K'tyn and Kassi.

K'tyn stretches a bit, downing the last of the green brew, grinning as May 
  sits near him. "Aye, I did say that. He looked in fine health, I must say. 
  Oh! His question about you --I told him--ah! That you were doing well. And 
  that you'd hopeful prospects from at least three lads."

Kassima simply snorts again at May, though she's grinning. "Toss-dancing, 
  indeed! Kiat, I didn't give you enough t'make a *vtol* drunk... well, all 
  right, so mayhaps that's an exaggeration. What's your pleasure, May?" She 
  gestures to the case with the hand not holding her glass of Black Gold.

Aurian snugs May back then heads to join in the drinking, "And do you know how 
  silly I would look leading someone that much taller than me K'tyn?" Though 
  she does seem to wonder what the bronzerider was going to say.

"Oh," mumbles Mehlani, still quite, quite crimson. That seems to be about all 
  she has to say on the matter of young men, and if anything, she looks even 
  more nervous. And she's now clinging to that tree behind her.

A small fair of wild firelizard bronzes, browns, and blues seems to be 
  hovering about the area.

Maylia grins to her mentor, stretching out in the still warm sand. "Oh, I'd 
  love some of that black gold you're always going on about," the greenrider 
  requests.

Aurian peers at the substance that was just mentioned, "What is that?"

Not only wild firelizards. Some banded with Telgar's colours and green hover 
  amongst the fair.

Blithely talking on, (for he does get that way when tipsy) Kiat shakes his 
  head. "He laughed, and thought it a fine thing. He told me that he missed 
  you, as well. I'm to bring you to see him, when we can." Feeling no pain, 
  K'tyn looks at Aurian and asks, "What does size have to do with anything?"

Belatedly, Mehlani realizes that she's been abandoned by the dragonrider who 
  brought her here; not knowing what to do now, since the remaining 
  dragonriders appear to be quite involved in the consumption of alcohol, the 
  sole remaining non-rider huddles back against the tree that's propping her 
  up. Her gaze flits restlessly around the beach, lighting on K'tyn long 
  enough for her to bob her head shakily at him, then moving on, catching 
  sight of some of those fire lizards... fire lizards. Green ones. Mehlani 
  pales.

Aurian peers at the obviously blissful bronzer, "Their are somethings that 
  size doesn't matter and then there are others in which size does."

"Black Gold," Kassi says, as she pours Maylia a shot glass, "is a combination 
  of the Bollian Gold Dragon and blackberry liqueur. I invented it m'self 
  t'give F'hlan for one of his Turndays; I tried t'make it taste as good as I 
  could, but 'tis still a bit peculiar. Pleasant effect, though." May is 
  handed her glass just in time for Kassi not to spill any from laughing at 
  Kiat's comment. "Just like a man t'be saying that," she mutters under her 
  breath. "'Lani, did you want aught t'drink?"

"What?" Mehlani blurts, to Kassima, as her attention jerks away from a green 
  fire lizard perched on a branch on another nearby tree.

Aurian wriggles her toes contentedly on the sand.

Maylia leans onto the support of her arm, fingers burried in the sand, as she 
  accepts the shot glass. "Mmmm," is murmured as she sips. "Peculiar, though 
  not unpleasant, I'd say." She comments.

"Drink," Kassima repeats patiently. "As in liquor? You're certes old enough 
  t'drink if'n you wish to."

Brows lifting, the ex-WL shakes his head. "Trust me, Aurian, size matters very 
  little in the scheme of things." He looks over to Kassima and May and then 
  at the concoction in Maylia's hand. "It smells interesting," Kiat agrees, 
  moving a little closer to Maylia. "What was it again? Cinnamon and 
  blackberry?"

Aurian rolls her eyes at K'tyn, "Tell me that next time I'm alone trying to 
  get something off an upper shelf." She glances at the liqour, "Could I try 
  some?"

Maylia tastes the liqueur again, thoughtfully. "No, not cinnamon," She states, 
  thoughtfully, and offers the glass to K'tyn. "Care to taste a bit?" the 
  greenrider offers, leaning a little closer to him.

Kassima shakes her head in negation. "Gold Dragon and blackberry, hence the 
  name: Black Gold. I don't know what's in that... I don't *think* 'tis 
  cinnamon, though I suppose 'tis possible. Did you want a glass too? I've 
  only the four glasses, but so long as nay anyone's sick, I don't see what 
  sharing 'em would matter." She takes the last empty one and fills it with 
  the liquor for Aurian. The bottle has, perhaps, enough left for two more 
  glasses' worth, no more; the bottles in the case are not overly-large. "I 
  suppose size isn't that important when compared to other things," she 
  concurs. "Still, there've been times I wish 'twas taller, or that Lysseth 
  were bigger, just so she'd nay get so tired flying full 'Falls."

Mehlani swallows tensely, listening to Kassima, and then finally murmurs 
  awkwardly, "If... I could have something... light... maybe...?"

Aurian nods as she sips at the dark liquid, "Tis good." She hmmms, "I don't 
  mind Kvasith being one of the smaller browns at the weyr. Makes us more a 
  match." She grins at the brown who is unconcious twitching his tailtip.

Maylia chuckles, and shrugs. "Well, while Tierth gets tired in full falls, 
  she's far more agile than the larger dragons." she comments, as her 
  attention turns back to 'Lani. "Come and sit, then. No need to hide in the 
  trees, now."

"Why not?" K'tyn agrees. "I'll taste it -- and if I want more, I'll take Kassi 
  up on her offer. Tis interesting, to say the least." He drapes a 
  companionable arm about Maylia's shoulders as he leans over to have a small 
  swallow of the drink in question. "Fly a whole fall? Kassi, that's not 
  anything to want, trust me. Tis exhausting." He grins a bit, then offers his 
  glass back to the greenrider/bartender. "I'd like a little of that Black 
  Gold for myself, if you please. Not much, but it is tasty."

Mehlani rises hesitantly, drawing nearer to Maylia, and nodding tinily.

Aurian nods to 'Lani as she sips at the BlackGold, "You could have some of the 
  wine."

Maylia leans closer towards K'tyn, offering 'Lani a smile as she scoots over 
  to give the behatted young woman a bit of room. "It is, good, isn't it?" is 
  her comment directed towards Kiat.

Kassima nods to Mehlani, considering what she has in the case. "Wine, 
  a'course," she agrees, "but that's too commonplace. I've... let's see. 
  'Fire's strong, but Harper's Folly might suit if'n you had but the one 
  glass. Kiat, what's a Wingleader supposed t'do, leave the Wing halfway 
  through? That'd be a mess, wouldn't it?" She fills the appropriate glasses, 
  draining her own before pouring the blue stuff into it for 'Lani.
Kassima does eye the arm-around-the-shoulder with a vague wariness for a brief 
  moment, but elects not to comment.

Harper's Folly? Mehlani crinkles her nose, and then peers down at the blue 
  beverage with which she is presented. "This," she murmurs in consternation, 
  "is blue..."

K'tyn grins. "It's what your seconds are for, Kassi. Use them that way, and 
  spare yourself the worry."

Aurian takes a sip of her drink with a slightly amused grin.

Maylia swallows the sip of black gold, and nods agreement with Kiat. 
  Apparently the bronzerider voiced what she was about to tell her soon to be 
  wingleader.

"Need a glass? I'll just finish this off, then, and you can have mine, hm? 
  I've three or four wineskins about--and this one I opened is still quite 
  full." K'tyn drains the glass again, giggling a little as he leans back too 
  far and nearly topples.

Maylia laughs, and reaches out an arm to try to stablize K'tyn before he falls 
  over, and brings her with him.

Mehlani pauses to stare at K'tyn for a while, apparently deeply bemused by 
  seeing Prometh's rider inebriated. Then she peers down at the blue 
  concoction she's holding, and gives it a tentative taste.

Aurian laughs at Kiat. She leans back grinning happily.

"Second, singular, and he's green too," Kassi replies ruefully. "Nay, nay... 
  if'n M'kla and Torinth can do it, so can Lyss and I. Aye, 'Lani--'tis why 
  'tis named after Harpers, for the color."

Maylia just cluckes her tongue at Kassi - free with her advice while she's not 
  yet flying in Kassi's wing. "Why only the one, then? Many wings have two 
  wingseconds, and that would aid you in your problem." She snorts a laugh. 
  "And yes, M'kla and Torinth did it, and paid the price too, if you ask me. 
  She should've stopped that practice long before she did."

"So name another second," Kiat allows himself to fall backwards, Maylia's 
  efforts notwithstanding. "You've got several that are worthy. Pick one of 
  them!"

Alright, this doesn't seem too frightening. _This kind of thing helps Father,_ 
  Mehlani muses, pondering the fruity tang of the blue stuff. It's... sweet. 
  Her thoughts wander, and it takes her some effort to try to keep her mind 
  out of dangerous areas. Focus instead on just drinking, slowly, and 
  listening to the others. Not too hard, is it?

Aurian shifts a bit so she can stretches out on the sand. She leans over and 
  pokes 'Lani.

Mehlani, poked, starts. And then blinks startledly to Aurian, between cautious 
  sips of her drink. Her brows crinkle in query.

Flat on his back, Kiat looks up at Kassi and Mehlani and just grins. "Here's 
  your glass," he says as he proffers the glass back, his gaze unfocusing and 
  then focusing on things -- A tree nearby, the sand all around them, and the 
  sky above.

Kassima's right eyebrow arches upwards, and she shakes her head. "You don't 
  know Thunderbolt's riders as I do, Kiat. None of 'em will suit right now. 
  Ylysse is capable, but just that; she's the perfect Wingrider. Jirel is too 
  impetuous; S'cot, too careless; C'row, nay serious enough about his duties; 
  V'dan, too bloody out of his mind... you get the idea. I'd rather wait than 
  promote someone who might do me more harm than good. M'kla's price is one 
  I'll pay. After all," she adds, with a grin that has nothing but amusement to 
  it, "chances are that I won't live long enough t'*have* her problem, so why 
  worry? Thankee, Kiat."

Aurian waggles a hand infront of Kiat's face vaguely wondering if he knows how 
  many fingers she's waggling in his face.

Maylia manages to remain somewhat upright, despite the support of the bronzer 
  falling backwards. With a grin, one hand trails over his stomach, but a 
  flicker of emotion crosses her features. "You and Lysseth are a good team, 
  Kassima. No reason t'expect not to live until the end of the pass, let alone 
  keep fighting through to it." Is her quiet comment.

K'tyn bats at Aurian's hand, turning to look at the quiet Mehlani. "So, 
  Lani... tell me who you're apt to pick, hm? Kes, or whatever his na--Ack, 
  May! That does tickle." Chuckling, he captures the ex-awlm's hand and moves 
  it from his mid-section.

Aurian's poke unexplained, Mehlani peers unsurely at her friend, then 
  considers the warmth beginning to slowly creep through her -- perhaps from 
  the sand on which she now sits, and perhaps from the stuff she's begun 
  drinking. It occurs to her that she is beginning to feel a little better, 
  and this, she decides, is a good thing. She sips some more of the blue brew 
  -- at least until K'tyn returns his attention to her, and she coughs 
  delicately mid-swallow. "Wh-what?"

Aurian chuckles at K'tyn, "Smashed as my father would say." She takes a final 
  sip from the now empty glass and peers at 'Lani curiously, "Excellent 
  question Kiat."

"Tis a simple enough question, lass. Who'll you be having, hm? You can't leave 
  them all dangling. Tisn't fair. Who'll it be? If it were me, I'd favor the 
  older lad, but..." Kiat breaks off. "And y'needn't fear that I'll kill the 
  lad in question. I wouldna, if he doesn't break your heart."

Maylia laughs, a bit of glee returning to her voice at the unexpected bonus of 
  having tickled Kiat without meaning to, and the effort of remaining upright 
  as her balance is shifted. To 'Lani, she smiles. "That's right, Kes, or 
  Jorenan... or... who else?"

Kassima chuckles at that, sipping from her glass. "Oh, mayhaps. We've been 
  lucky so far... nay a score in over ten Turns, but that's luck. I don't 
  expect t'die, but I don't deny the fact I might, either... say, speaking of 
  dying, as 'twere, has T'saren forgiven me for conning you into the auction? 
  And has he forgiven you for nay buying him?" Yeah, it's totally coincidence 
  that she decides to ask about May's weyrmate while she's busy tickling 
  another man. Totally. Ayep.

Beginning to blush again, Mehlani mumbles, "I... well... I... I... don't know 
  yet...!" Oh dear. This is even worse than being asked to sing, and it's with 
  immense gratitude that she trails off, letting Kassima's words distract 
  attention. She hopes.

Aurian peers at 'Lani curiously, "Or is it someone else."

Maylia, still fully expecting an answer from Mehlani, wrinkles her nose at 
  Kassi. "Nah, he's forgiven you, especially after what N'ren did. Though 
  forgiven me? I'm not certain." She shrugs, chuckling. "I was just trying to 
  keep.. well. You know." Sure she's jealous still of Maddy. Sure, she's 
  tickling Kiat, but that's another story. Nor does she pull her hand free of 
  his grasp.

K'tyn shakes his head at Mehlani. "If you don't know, then you don't. But I 
  thought that you might? I've heard rumors," he says pragmatically. "But I 
  know there's nothing to them, unless you wish to confirm?" To Kassima, Kiat 
  says nothing -- though he does grin a bit.

"I-I-I... rumors?" Mehlani croaks. "What rumors?"

"What rumors, indeed." Kiat lifts the hand that has Maylia's fingers in it and 
  scratches his chin absently with them before settling said hand back into 
  the sand. "There's so many -- I think I heard that a certain Bakerlad was in 
  the lead, but I could be mistaken."

Aurian finds a wineskin and opens it, "I heard you were all going to be living 
  in Kes' weyr."

Mehlani stares at K'tyn, mortified. And then stares at Aurian. And then 
  glances at Maylia and Kassima, as if fearing that they'll chime in rumors of 
  their own.

"Keep someone else from laying a hand on your weyrmate?" Kassima asks, 
  amusement coloring her tone. "I imagine he'd have prevented the same, if'n 
  he could've, but I don't blame him for dropping out of *that* bidding spree. 
  Great gold Faranth's brain matter on a stick. I suppose Kerlyn won't ever 
  forgive me, though." She just shakes her head at 'Lani. "Nay rumors here," 
  she reports, though whether that means she doesn't have any to tell because 
  she hasn't heard any or because she knows the truth and thus disregards them 
  is a matter for thought.

Aurian takes a long sip of the benden, she just watches the poor behatted lass.

'Lani, finally, peers plaintively down at what remains of her Harper's Folly. 
  Then, she abruptly lifts the glass and gulps down what it holds, not pausing 
  for breath until she's done. Only then does she murmur weakly, "I don't know 
  what to do yet..."

Maylia shakes her head, before leaning back. Not snuggling up to K'tyn, but 
  not moving away, either, just supporting herself on an elbow. "Now, now. Not 
  so much someone else, just that someone else." the young greenrider 
  clarifies. "Can I help it if I'm petty and jealous?" She's clearly taking 
  this lightly, at least. "And Kerlyn'll get over it. It's about time Tierth 
  and I returned to the fighting wings, after all."

Kassima grins at Maylia, and comments, "Well, 'twas harmless, in this 
  instance. I can't say I understand it very well, but harmless 'twas... aye, 
  'tis t'be hoped, but I still doubt she'll be pleased at me luring away one 
  of her assistants. Especially with reasons that're hard to explain. 'Well, 
  Kerlyn, someone decided to buy her at one-hundred and ten marks at an 
  auction, and she'd made this statement....'"

Maylia lets herself laugh outright at this. "Well, now. I think she'll never 
  forgive me for setting a price on my services!"

Aurian says "But at least it was a very high price."

"You'll know, eventually," K'tyn says to Mehlani, his voice quiet all of a 
  sudden, and sort of serious. "Just make sure to be honest with the others, 
  hm? I know that you will, for you're that way, but I wanted to be sure to 
  remind you. Tis nothing to be frightened of, that's true." Laughing at 
  Aurian, Kassima and Maylia, the bronzerider shakes his head. "And do you 
  know, I was going to do the very same thing that N'ren did. But the wretched 
  man has far too many marks for me to do it."

"I don't think I've ever possessed that many marks in m'life," Kassima admits. 
  "A'course, I *do* tend t'spend 'em nearly as fast as I get 'em, save for 
  those I put away for the spawn... and those I'm saving for G'har's knives, 
  at the moment. I can't figure out why a rider would save money like that. 
  Mayhaps he's planning on leaving it all t'someone."

Most of the conversation around her, Mehlani realizes, is making very little 
  sense to her. She peers at the riders, and wonders if their lack of 
  intelligibility has anything to do with the ever so slight veil that appears 
  to have drifted down between her and reality. And then she blinks, wondering 
  if _that_ has anything to do with the increased warmth in her belly, 
  undoubtedly from the blue drink she's downed. She considers all of this in 
  utmost concern, then realizes K'tyn had said something to her, and she 
  smiles tremulously at him.

Kassima watches the other two conk out, then laughs abruptly and puts her 
  empty glass away. "I haven't had enough wine for it, but... methinks 'twill 
  follow their suit. 'Tis warm, and as good a place t'sleep as any, with Lyss 
  t'wake me at dawn." Leaving the case behind, she gets up and relocates by 
  her dragon, leaning back against the green's hide and closing her eyes. 
  "Don't empty *too* much of the case, lasses," she cautions through a stifled 
  yawn. "The stuff's nay that cheap."

Aurian nods and playfully salutes Kassima, "Night to you."

Mehlani blinks a few times as Kassima moves off, and mumbles, "But I wasn't..."

Aurian yawns, "Feel like heading back to the weyr?"

Kvasith rolls and awakens. He stretches his wings.

Mehlani considers, and slowly, very carefully, rises to her knees, to move 
  towards Kassima's case of beverages. With great deliberation, she sets the 
  glass she'd used down beside it, and then murmurs solemnly, "I think that I 
  may want to lie down soon..."

Aurian nods, "Right, we'll take you back. Then I think maybe someone had 
  better check on you for the night.. should I drop you with Jore or Kes?"
Aurian walks to Kvasith and starts attatching his dark straps.

Mehlani blushes, and gasps out huskily, "Aurian, I... I'm not... I'm not... 
  doing _that_ yet...!" She's still on her knees, and her eyes have gone wide.

Aurian grins at 'Lani as she tightens a strap, "You sang well tonight." She 
  then wordlessly pulls herself up Kvasith.
Aurian pulls herself up onto Kvasith, carefully. Her fingers grip at the 
  straps as she eases herself onto his back.
Aurian has left.

Mehlani stumbles up to her feet, belatedly following the brown rider, 
  nervously approaching her dragon.
"Kvasith... will you, um... permit me?" Mehlani murmurs shyly.

Kvasith rumbles with amusement and leans down to wuffle at the girl. Aurian 
  calls down, "He thinks you should get on him before you fall asleep."
Kvasith
Contents:
Aurian

You scramble quickly up Kvasith's side, with the aid of a rather thoughtfully 
  offered foreleg and the riding straps.

"I'm not.... sleepy," Mehlani murmurs uncertainly as she makes a slow trek up 
  onto the dragon. "Not exactly... I..." She pauses, then breathes a thanks to 
  the brown as she's finally on board, and then belatedly she adds to Aurian, 
  "Thank you too... I-I mean... about my singing..."

Aurian smiles back at her friend, "Simply the truth. Though I should let you 
  know.. I lied about K'star talking about your singing voice....he's talked 
  about your ah... other attributes."

You launch up up into the sea air, and soars high above the island.
Sky Above Shipfish Island
Obvious exits:
Narrow Beach with Dock  Wide Beach  Forest Clearing  Bay  

Mehlani makes a small choked little noise, sounding aghast. "He... no... no, I 
  don't want to know," she babbles hoarsely. "Not right now..."

Aurian nods to Mehlani, "Are you ready? Lani he's in love you. He didn't say 
  anything crude."

>>> Kvasith disappears into Between.

Between
You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear 
  nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats...
Black...
Blacker...
Blackest!
You suddenly emerge...

Air Above Telgar Weyr
Obvious exits:
Sky Above Telgar  Outside Telgar Weyr  

>>> Kvasith emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

>>> From the North, From the Telgar Star Stones, Kl'loh's brick-brown Yoxath 
  rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to brown Kvasith and his rider, 
  Aurian, welcoming them home.

Mehlani blows out a breath -- which is halted a moment as the dragon and his 
  passengers go *between* -- and when they emerge again, 'Lani blurts, "Oh... 
  Oh... well, I-I knew that..."

Aurian doesn't wait for a reply of course, "Would you prefer the central bowl 
  or the southern bowl?"

"Um... well... I-I should just go to my cot," mumbles Mehlani. "Dormitories... 
  you know... southern bowl...."

[Brownrider and Weyrleader's daughter ride Kvasith down, then, and in
 moments...]

You fly downwards towards the ground.
Southern Bowl(#396RJL$)
Towering above, the bowl wall rises in a curving three pointed arc as it 
  shelters this southernmost point of Telgar Weyr's great cauldera. Sloping 
  down to the north to a slight degree, the floor of the bowl channeled so 
  that runoff might drain down to the lake beyond. There are several 
  strategically placed evergreens that serve to baffle the biting mountain 
  winds away from the southern entrance into the living Caverns. Drifts of 
  snow and the heavy tracks of large dragon feet and bellies cross the expanse 
  of the bowl. Rocks and crags are hung with the purest white. Northward, the 
  center of the bowl spreads hugely, leading to the feeding pens, hatching 
  grounds, weyrling barracks and the Telgar Weyr lake. The ground-level weyrs 
  of the queenriders dot the mountain to the northwest. Use '+view 
  queenriders' to view them. The early morning sun warms the sands of the 
  bowl. The clatter of pots and chairs and the murmur of voices drifts from 
  the Living Cavern, where breakfast is being served.
Snow falls silently but heavily around you.
Contents:
Kemith(#3500JOUaes$)
Juliath
Telgar Area Festival Prize Tent
Obvious exits:
Living Cavern  Central Bowl  Outer Infirmary  Guest Weyr  Records Room  

You backwing for a landing on sands of the bowl.

Aurian says "Here we are safe and sound.."

Mehlani exhales, slow and shaky, and nods a few times to Aurian's 
  proclamation... absorbing the same information from the brown dragon's 
  landing. 'Lani peeks open her eyes -- she'd closed them, she only realizes 
  now, and she finds herself wondering why, only to discover that that veil 
  still remains on her perceptions. "Thank you..."

Aurian offers a hand to ease her friend down, "Anytime.. and 'Lani.. pick who 
  will make you happy." She says this as if something close to that has been 
  on her mind lately.

Mehlani bites her lip, but manages a small uneasy smile, as she accepts the 
  hand to help her down.

You shift over and slide quickly off the brown dragon.
Southern Bowl(#396RJL$)
Contents:
Kvasith
Kemith(#3500JOUaes$)
Juliath
Telgar Area Festival Prize Tent
Obvious exits:
Living Cavern  Central Bowl  Outer Infirmary  Guest Weyr  Records Room  

"I... need to think about it... a-a lot..." But later. When the greens aren't 
  glowing... Mehlani blows out a breath, blinks a few more times, and then 
  turns to look soulfully up at her friend and her dragon.

From upon Kvasith, Aurian nods, "Take care Lani I don't like to see you so 
  looped."

"I'll be alright..." _In a few more days, after they've risen..._ Mehlani 
  manages a larger and more earnest smile, and after a lingering touch to 
  Kvasith's brown nose, she waves goodbye to both rider and dragon, and slips 
  off into the living cavern, moving at a slow and cautious pace.

[End log.]