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:
	5/8/98

Log Cast:
	(People) Jaynelle, Halam, Aurian, Asher, R'val, Erdrick, Telear,
Kharty, Maylia, Sandar

	(Dragons) Vidarth, Tierth

	(Firelizards) Serena, Aurian's firelizards, Erdrick's firelizards,
Neiah

Log Intro:
	As the growing group of Candidates at Telgar Weyr settle in for the
long haul of chores and training for the eventual big day to come, Mehlani
is finding herself with far less private time on her hands than she'd 
previously enjoyed. Sleeping in the Candidate Barracks is nothing like
sleeping in the usual Weyr dormitories -- and definitely nothing like her
occasional slumbers in the stables with her horse, or the times she's
fallen asleep in the Records Room. Now, she is finding herself needing to
interact on a regular basis with a group primarily comprised of strangers.
Encouraged by Headwoman Richenda to try her hand at socializing, she
earnestly applies herself to the task, at least after Kassima's proddy green
dragon Lysseth finishes rising, and it's safe for Candidates to show their
faces in the Living Cavern...

----------
Your location's current time: 0:38 on day 31, month 10, Turn 22, of the Tenth 
  Pass. It is a autumn night.

Kitchen
Contents:
The Baker's Guide to Pernese Cuisine
Obvious exits:
Storeroom  Passageway  Living Cavern

From the living cavern, Jaynelle looks over at Aurian, waiting her reply as 
  well.

From the living cavern, Halam walks in from the bowl.

From the living cavern, Jaynelle waves to Halam "Stables clean now?" She 
  grins "I certainly hope so...Jayna and I worked hard out there today."

From the living cavern, Halam strolls in to the caven. Bits of hay stick to 
  his trousers and vest. attesting to the fact he's just come from the stables.

From the living cavern, Aurian stretches a bit, "I was born at Telgar Hold, 
  my father is a Masterminer there. I'm one of thirty, 5 full brothers and the 
  rest of my siblings are from various other mothers, but my father took us 
  all in. Torsanna was not my mother but she took care of us all., " She rests 
  her chin on her fist, "I guess I was about fifteen turns when I left to go 
  to Healer Hall. And for the most part I was there the whole time. As to when 
  I was Searched and what I was doing, I had just come out of the pharmacy 
  having been assigned three extra weeks of cleaning up after the watch-wher, 
  becuase the master I had been mimicking had seen me." She grins a touch, 
  "The next thing I knew everyone was ushered out of the infirmary and into 
  the courtyard. "

From the living cavern, Halam nods "Aye they are. I'd heard you two were 
  working down there......I uhh also heard there was a bit of a disageemet 
  that happened also." he says hesitantly.

You walk into the Living Cavern.
Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern(#750RJM$)
This huge cavern is sufficently roomy to hold a large portion of the Weyr's 
  population without feeling cramped. There's always a bustle of activity 
  here. Fragrant dishes are constantly in prepartion for mealtimes: currently 
  for the late meal. Drudges are always present, either cleaning under 
  Pierron's watchful eye, or helping fetch and carry. A myriad of glowbaskets 
  and many ever-lit hearths make the cavern warm and inviting despite its 
  size. The scents of cooking meats, baking breads and pastries, and the 
  pungent aroma of spices hang mouthwateringly in the air. It is little wonder 
  that those seeking to relax nearly always find their way here to do it.
A short tunnel jaunts northward out to the bowl and the merry sounds of 
  cooking, chores, and laughter echo from the kitchen at the southeast end of 
  the cavern near the easterly passage to the rest of the lower caverns. 
  Within the lower caverns is an entrance to the infirmary weyr to care for 
  injured dragons and riders.
Contents:
Halam(#12245PJcm)
Asher(#15147PAJc)
Aurian
Jaynelle
Pierron
Obvious exits:
Lower Caverns  Kitchen  Bowl

Jaynelle smiles and motions Mehlani over to the tables.

It took forever -- but now, at last, the dishes are done. And from what 
  Mehlani's been able to glean from her scattered fire lizards, Lysseth has 
  risen. Tired, relieved, Mehlani slips out into the lower caverns, peeking at 
  everyone out from under her hat.

Asher smiles softly at Aurian. "But was it a /good/ mimick or a bad one that 
  got you into trouble?"

Jaynelle is over in the corner, not her usual spot "We were discussing our 
  homes and family. It was Aurians' turn. Then Asher's...then yours I guess" 
  She says with a broad smile.

Aurian curves her lips into a slow smile, "A very good mimic, too good a 
  mimic.

Jaynelle looks over at Mehlani "Any problems happen in the kitchen since this 
  morning? I heard about that one."

Aurian says "What happened this morning?"

"Kassima and C'vadan argued a great deal," murmurs Mehlani as she sinks down 
  into a chair, "and several of us washed many dishes... that is about it."

Asher leans back in his chair noiselessly, half-lidding his eyes as he does 
  so. Managing to look cherubic in repose, he gives a tired sigh and lets them 
  chat around him. Occasionally a tendril of coversation tickles his ears and 
  he listens more intently for just the barest of moments.

Jaynelle nods briefly and turns back to Aurian "Mimic? I think I missed 
  something."

Halam heads over to the hearth, pours himself a cup of klah and walks to his 
  usual corner seat. "So tell me Jaynelle, was what I heard true? You and 
  Jayna got into it in the gallaries?"

Aurian starts to open her mouth to say something to Asher, then she glances 
  to Jaynelle. "I haven't done any mimicking here... yet.. getting caught 
  would be *bad*."

Jaynelle looks even more confused at the response "I still don't understand. 
  Yes Halam, we did have an argument over chores at the stable. It is ok now" 
  she adds without looking over.

Aurian glances about, "Mimic, I would make some of the apprentices laugh by 
  well mimicking some of the master.

R'val walks in from the bowl.
R'val has arrived.
R'val ambles into the cavern.

Asher's head droops forward towards his chest and than rebounds, only to sink 
  again, like any sleepy child will. His feet, propped up on a chair opposite 
  himself, are in danger of slipping off thier resting place themselves.

Jaynelle smiles and waves to r'val.

R'val smiles brightly at Jaynelle as he walks in, fills a klah mug, and finds 
  a seat.

Aurian glances to Asher, "Well Jaynelle and I have talked, its your turn."

Jaynelle grins "Seems Asher is falling asleep. Who was next?"
Jaynelle yawns slightly but seems unwilling to move. "Anything else to talk 
  about?"

Asher jerks in his sleep, lifting both hands with a start. The chair tips, 
  the wood creaks. *THUMP* He blinks, staring up at the cieling. "Hello, was 
  that there before?" He rests his hands on the arms of the chair he's still 
  sitting on....while it lays on it's back on the ground.

Jaynelle chuckles and quietly says "He is asking for a prannk, but I think we 
  should be nice right now."

Aurian leans over the table with a laugh so she can peer down at Asher, "Are 
  you alright?"

Halam smiles to take the sting out of his last question. "Well what ever 
  happened. I don't care. What matters is the stables look better than they 
  ever have. You two did a great job!"

Asher blinks his vacant green eyes at Aurian. "You look very different from 
  this angle. Pardon me if I don't get up, won't you?" He settles back to eye 
  her blatantly and shamelessly from there.

Jaynelle smiles happily back at Halam "Thank you. I will tell Jayna the next 
  time I see her. She will be happy to hear that. We really did work hard 
  there."

Aurian turns a rather vivid shade of pink as she blushes. She sits back in 
  her chair and quickly hides her face behind her mass of hair.

Asher hrms at the girl's reaction. With a kick of his legs for ballast, he 
  tumbles out of the chair and stands up, righting the poor piece of abused 
  furniture. He drops into the chiar again, backwards, and folds his arms over 
  the back, rests his chin on his arms, and smiles at Aurian.

Halam grins "Well it shows...and if either of you don't end up lucky on the 
  sands I'll welcome you to stay and help in the stables."

Mehlani, after sitting long enough to get her breath back, smiles a little at 
  the exchange between Asher and Aurian, taking off her ever-present brown hat 
  to undo her braid and try to get her hair back into a semblance of order.

Aurian moves her hair out of her eyes, she blinks as she notices Asher is 
  looking at her again. Her mug of klah now becomes part of her means of 
  hiding.

Jaynelle smiles back to Halam "Thanks. It is nice to be appreciated."

Asher speaks slowly and gravely, voice low and sincere. "Aurian," he begins, 
  using her name most reverently, "I need to tell you something."

"What?" Aurian tilts her head with a hint of suspicion in her eyes. Her hands 
  already readjusting her hair to proper position.

Jaynelle chuckles tiredly and suppresses a yawn.

Asher looks down at his own pale hands, folding them carefully on the back of 
  the chair he's sitting backwards in. "But you must promise not to be upset 
  or angry over my candid words. I'm going to be very, very honest with you." 
  He looks up at her again.

"Your welcome." Halam answers. "If any other candidates would like to feel 
  appreciated, your welcome to come to the stables and work. I'll appreciated 
  you." he says with a chuckle.

Aurian raises her eyebrows straight up, "I can't promise unless I know what 
  has been said."

Asher sighs sorrowfully at Aurian. Well, he might as well be out with it and 
  get it over. She can only kill him once for being open with her, after all. 
  And things like this should be out in the open, when so many people are 
  forced to live with each other in close quarters. He lifts a hand to his 
  mouth, grimacing slightly and scrubbing at his own teeth with a finger, 
  indicating that she should do the same. "You have a bit of...yuk or some 
  such on your teeth."

Jaynelle smiles and chuckles back at Halam "I'm glad. I think stables might 
  become more popular. Many of our tasks aren't really appreciated." Her 
  attention rivets back to Asher as he speaks.

Aurian closes her mouth and sucks on her teeth for a moment. She runs her 
  tounge over her teeth, "That better?"

Mehlani, her hat off and in her lap now, runs her dainty fingers through her 
  wavy tresses, and after wrestling it back into at least a passing 
  acquaintance with order, begins winding it back up into a braid. At the 
  exchange between Aurian and Asher, she briefly crinkles her nose, but offers 
  no other commentary. A slightly more apparent, and probably pleased if the 
  smile that flickers across her mouth is any sign, reaction is what she gives 
  to Halam and Jaynelle's talk of the stables.

Asher squints as he leans forward, tipping the chair on two legs, inspecting 
  her teeth. He nods approvingly. "Goodness, yes."

Jaynelle chuckles but remains quiet herself.

Aurian looks about secretively, "Ok I'm going to do something and you can't 
  tell any one. Becuase I can think of certain folks that would skin me if 
  they caught me."

Asher blinks at Aurian, leaning back a little, gripping the chair in both 
  hands as he does so. "Oh, of course," he vows, tilting his streaked head to 
  the side curiously.

Aurian looks about to the others.

Jaynelle chuckles and looks more intenetly at Aurian and Asher

Aurian says "Well?"
Aurian stands slowly and steels herself.
With a slight shift of her shoulders, Aurian seems to get a touch defiant and 
  imperious all at the same time. Included in the mix is just a touch of anger 
  to seem to change again. Then she speaks in a rather cold voice, "If'n you 
  think I'm nay paranoid enough t'detect such things, you might want t'realign 
  your viewpoint post haste." A few seconds later, she spins about on her 
  bootheel and looks at Asher eye to eye, "And don't call me ma'am." The 
  impression of the formerly proddy green rider is complete. She drops back 
  into her seat and sips at her now cool mug of klah.

Asher stares at Aurian and than hoots aloud, slapping his hand on his knee. 
  "Now throw something at me!" he pleads.

Mehlani pauses in her attempts to braid her hair, blinking in initial 
  startlement, then she crinkles her nose again. A somewhat uncertain 
  almost-smile curves her mouth for a moment, then, gravely, she returns to 
  her braiding.

Jaynelle takes a shock back with her upper body and looks rather surprised as 
  she glances up at Mehlani."
Jaynelle laughs rather belatedly...apparently the joke is on her this time.

Aurian snorts and leans back in her chair with a slightly smug expression, 
  "I'm a healer. I don't throw things."

Asher fights a terrible fit of the giggles, wiping at his dark green eyes 
  free of tears. "Oh, oh oh!" he manages to gasp, voice quavering. "Oh, dear, 
  darling, /lovely/ Aurian!"

Jaynelle laughs herself "You had me fooled!"

Aurian grins and glances over to Jaynelle, "What? Oh please.. Its not the 
  best I've done. Master Snider was a masterpiece."

Mehlani finally ties off her restored braid, and glances about in slight 
  bemusement at the others before placing her hat back on her head where it 
  generally resides. Her features returned to her hat brim's customary shadow, 
  she rises then, and pads silently for the klah.

Serena glides in from the bowl.
Serena has arrived.

Jaynelle seems to be taking mehlani's cue and starts working through her hair 
  with a small wooden brush.

Asher seems to have himself under control now. He takes a shaking breath and 
  gives Aurian a very severe gaze. "That, Aurian, was excellant. I had 
  shivers."

Aurian runs her hands through her hair. The mass of it shifting over one 
  shoulder.

Jaynelle nods briefly to herself as she attepts to get her long auburn locks 
  under control "It was great Aurian. I was fooled too."

Halam just sits and shakes his head at the candidates antics.

Jaynelle gives Halam a wink as she notices him looking over in their 
  direction.

Aurian smiles at Jaynelle, "Thank you." She pulls her legs onto the chair 
  with her.

Serena croons softly hand glides down from her perch to hover above the 
  table..eyeing teh plate of wherry meat that was just brought out by a drudge

Pouring herself a mug of klah, 'Lani glances over her shoulder at the others, 
  quietly. She turns then, where she stands, her expression unsure.

Asher settles back into thought than, a finger at his lips as if he were 
  asking someone to shush. Vacant gaze grows emptier and he stares at the 
  space, things, and people before him as if there's nothing to see. While 
  that was an excellant imitation, it seems to have made him revert into a 
  moody pout.

Jaynelle chuckles and tosses Serena a small piece of meatroll "There you go, 
  little one."
Jaynelle yawns again "Wow, it is late. Soon my day will be over!"

Serena dives on the meatroll trapping it in her claws...she begins to pick at 
  it..swallowing bit by bit..

Aurian blinks as a thought suddenly occurs to her, "I'm rather hungry. 
  Hmmmmm."

Pierron puffs with pride as Aurian gives him the chance to demonstrate his 
  skill.

Mehlani returns to her chair, then, her klah mug cradled in her hands. Blue 
  gaze moving from face to face, she seems wrestling with a fit of shyness all 
  of a sudden, and she says nothing, only sinks down into her seat.

Pierron uses a spatula to pry a flakey gold fishroll from a tray for Aurian.

Serena looks up and cheeps...she lowers herself to all four legs/arms and 
  walks over to Jaynelle..

Aurian nibbles at the roll daintily. Her eyes watching the folks about the 
  room. She winks playfully at Mehlani.

Jaynelle chuckles and adds "My twin's flit." She holds out another small 
  piece of meat and speaks to Serena "Now, I know you are being fed you little 
  scavenger."

Asher plants one foot on the floor slowly and firmly, and than shoves. The 
  chair he's in slides across the floor to stop just beside Mehlani. Without 
  looking at her, Asher lifts a brow and asks, "Don't choke on us, dear. Are 
  you alright?"

Serena croons softly with a twinkle in her eye that reminds you of Thaniel 
  himself..she takes the meat and gulps it down greedily

Mehlani starts, swallows down her current gulp of klah, and then murmurs 
  softly, "Yes... thank you."

Jaynelle glances up at the latest activities "Ok?"

Asher quirks the other brow. "Your hands are shaking."

Mehlani's blue gaze settles on her hands; she considers them, then steadies 
  her gaze on her cup. "They do that sometimes," she murmurs in reply.

Asher still hasn't looked at the girl. "If you're not careful, you'll spill 
  your klah." He rests his chin on the back of the chair. "Tell me again how 
  there's /nothing/ wrong?"

"Well," says Mehlani uncertainly, "there _isn't_, really..."

Asher blinks and rolls his eyes to look at Mehlani. "Do we make you nervous?" 
  he asks, entirely too pushy.

The girl in the battered brown hat blinks at this, and nibbles her lower lip 
  a moment. She considers, then answers earnestly, "No more than many things 
  do..."

Aurian tilts her head as she listens oto Mehlani and Asher.

Halam's eyes track from one person to the next as he just sits quietly in his 
  corner and takes it all in.

Jaynelle gives a comforting look over to Mehlani "We all are a little 
  disquieted at times. I guess some of us show it more. Anything we can do to 
  help?"

Aurian smiles at Mehlani, "We're all here for you, even Asher.." She grins 
  evilly at that.

Asher picks at the black cloth of his sleeve. "Well," he decides, speaking 
  firmly, "You know where to find me. Just look for Red-and-Black hair." 
  Leaning sideways, he kisses Mehlani's soft cheek gently even as he stands.

"Well... Headwoman Richenda thinks that I should... um... socialize," Mehlani 
  confesses, very softly, blushing lightly pink. Apparently, socializing is 
  not one of this girl's greater skills. Nor is handling kisses on her cheek 
  with much aplomb, for Asher's kiss makes her blush more deeply.

Jaynelle smiles back at Mehlani "You will do just fine. Remember we are 
  fellow candidates, not big bad wolves..." She looks over to where Imuna sat 
  a while ago a nd adds "Well most of us aren't"

Asher sees Jaynelle's glance and scolds her with, "She's a very nice girl, and 
  goodness, don't start a fight with her just because you're picky."

Jaynelle glances back at Asher with a small laugh "I won't, but why do you 
  think she is nice?"

Mehlani nibbles her lip again, and smiles awkwardly to Jaynelle. She's still 
  cradling her klah mug in both her dainty hands, though, trying to listen, 
  trying to pay attention. Conversation. Can't be that hard, can it?

Aurian smiles at Mehlani, "Don't socialize too much or you'll be like my 
  sister," She runs a hanr through her hair, "She was shy once now she can't 
  shush at all."

Glancing to Aurian, Mehlani actually grins at that.

Asher gives Jaynelle a look the questions her sanity. "Are you silly? Haven't 
  you /looked/ at the girl?"

Jaynelle looks rather confused "Yes? What are you talking about? She is fairly 
  pretty, but she thinks she is in charge."

Asher makes a noncommittal noise deep in his throat. "Haden't noticed."

Aurian reaches over and gives Mehlani a playful tug on the hat, she glances at 
  Imuna, then adds her opinion. "Yestderday she demanded I make my firelizards 
  sleep outside. She felt they were just to noisy for her to complete her 
  letter."

Mehlani grins a bit more, then ventures, "I, um, have been making my fire 
  lizards sleep elsewhere... since I have so many... there _are_ an awful lot 
  in the Barracks..."

Jaynelle shakes her head with a smile and mutters "men" under her breath. She 
  places a hand very gently on Mehlani's shoulder and leans in to whisper "IF 
  you have questions, or just want to talk to someone your age .... I'm happy 
  to help, just ask." She looks up and over at Aurian before continuing 
  towards the exit "See Asher. "

Mehlani bobs her head gravely to Jaynelle.

Jaynelle looks over the other candidates "Valor won't leave me. I probably 
  shouldn't admit it, but it it is true. He is quiet though."
Jaynelle waves as she heads out the door "Night all. I will see you later."

Asher retorts, "I didn't see anything! Ooo, can I braid your hair?" With a 
  grin, he follows Jaynelle, reaching for a handful of hair.

Jaynelle laughs then 'ouches' as Asher accidently gets a strand.
Jaynelle walks towards the inner cavern.
Jaynelle has left.

Asher looks at the curling hair between his fingers, holding it up before his 
  face. "You can't braid just one," he complains, throwing it over his 
  shoulder disdainfully.

Aurian steps out of armsreach of Asher just to make sure that he doesn't get 
  any hairbrained ideas.

Asher eyes the two victims he has left. A brillant smile appears on his face 
  as he declares, "I am going to go to sleep now, on my cot, in the barracks. 
  I'll just go now, shall I?" Beaming like a idiot savant, he bounces for the 
  exit. Scheming, scheming!
Asher walks towards the inner cavern.
Asher has left.

Mehlani glances after Asher, looking rather unsure as of yet. And just a 
  trifle uneasy. "Oh dear," she murmurs.

Halam waves good night as he strolls out
Halam walks towards the inner cavern.
Halam has left.

Aurian nods to Mehlani, "I think you said it."

Mehlani turns back in her chair to face Aurian again, looking decidedly 
  bemused now. She dips her gaze slightly down to her klah as she sips it, a 
  bit of a blush still lingering about her face.

Aurian notices the forgotten fishroll on a table, she takes it and breaks it 
  into several pieces.

"This," Mehlani finally muses plaintively, "is not helping me socialize very 
  much..."

2 greens and a blue poke their heads out from under Aurian's tumbled mass of 
  hair. They snatch the bits of roll from her.

Aurian chuckles, "Probably not, but at least you spoke and didn't just blush 
  and look away."

"Not as much as I used to," the girl in the hat agrees earnestly. "I... hardly 
  talked at all, when I was little..."

Erdrick walks here from the Inner Cavern.
Erdrick has arrived.
Erdrick walks in, yawning, heading straight for the klah pot.

Mehlani can be seen sitting near Aurian, cradling a mug in her slender hands.

Aurian tilts her head at Mehlani, "How old are you?"

'Lani's behatted head tilts back. "I have sixteen Turns," she answers softly.

Aurian nods, "older than I thought..

Erdrick's eyebrows raise slightly, pouring himself a cup of klah.

Mehlani makes a noise that, if it were louder, or more prolonged, just might 
  be a chuckle. "I guess I seem that way," she agrees, absently reaching to 
  straighten her hat.

Erdrick glances over at Lani, noting the ever present hat and sits down with 
  his klah, taking a deep drink. "Ahhh, that's good."

Mehlani glances up, and smiles a little to Erdrick, bobbing her head to him.

Erdrick grins back at Lani, Buttons chirping a comment to his pet.
Erdrick looks at his flits, who are now starting to creel with hunger, 
  "Alright alright, I'll feed you." Mutters affectionatly, "Bottomless pits 
  for stomachs." Stands up, klah mug in hand.
Erdrick walks off towards the kitchen.
Erdrick has left.
From the kitchen, Erdrick enters the kitchen from the living cavern.
From the kitchen, Erdrick grabs a large bowl of scraps to feed his firelizards.

Mehlani smiles a bit, once more, into her klah.

From the kitchen, Erdrick walks into the Living Cavern.
Erdrick walks in from the kitchen.
Erdrick has arrived.

R'val rises to his feet, "Mmm. I'm off to the Springs with Vidarth. Anyone 
  want to come?"

Aurian rests her head wearily on her fist.

Erdrick blinks, "The hot springs?"

Mehlani lifts her head at R'val's offer. "Does he need a wash?" she asks 
  solemnly.

Erdrick starts parceling meat out to his four hungry flits.

R'val grins at Mehlani, nodding, "Aye, he does. But you don't /have/ to help 
  if you dont' want to..."

Erdrick glances from R'val to Mehlani then back to his flits, still feeding 
  them.

Mehlani finishes her klah, then rises, saying, "I'd be happy to help..."

Erdrick says "Hmmm, might drop in after I finish feeding my flits."

R'val smiles, nodding pleasantly. He turns, moving towards the springs.
R'val walks towards the inner cavern.
R'val has left.

Mehlani moves off to slip into the kitchen to return her mug to the dirty 
  dishes, and calls quietly to R'val, "I will meet you there."

Aurian stands, "I'd better go to sleep." She yawns wearily..
Aurian places her mug into the bin near the door as she wanders through.
Aurian walks towards the inner cavern.
Aurian has left.

[And soon...]

Mehlani(#4177POaceq)
This teenaged girl stands at 5'4" in height, and is of a delicate but sweetly 
  curved build. Her skin is pale, speaking of unfamiliarity with Pern's 
  sunnier climes; her auburn hair long, held in check by a long braid in the 
  back, yet with a few rogue tendrils escaping to spill across her brow and 
  dangle loosely before her ears. Seldom does this lass speak; when she does, 
  her voice is soft and gravely toned. But far more often than not, she simply 
  fixes her liquid blue gaze on an object or person of interest, and keeps it 
  there with an intense attention that suggests the weight of her world rides 
  upon her drinking in every detail of her surroundings through her guileless 
  eyes.
She is clad in nothing but a simple white shift for swimming, leaving her arms
  bare, and a short pair of pants cut off and hemmed just above her knees.

You enter the tunnel leading out to the steamy springs.
Telgar Hot Springs
Contents:
Vidarth(#353JMOQaepqst$)
R'val
Obvious exits:
Inner Cavern  Bowl  

Mehlani pads in, eventually, bearing a towel and a robe, a bucket and a brush.

R'val removes his clothing and tosses it into a heap near the pool, sliding in 
  with Vidarth. He smiles over at Mehlani, 'Vidarth says he'd love it if you 
  helped.'

Erdrick walks in from outside the room.
Erdrick has arrived.
Erdrick walks in with a klah mug and a skin of wine.

'Lani bobs her head. She's removed her hat, but she's wearing a light shift 
  now, and short pants. Wading into the water, she takes up the bucket and 
  brush she's brought, and murmurs to the blue, "Good evening, Vidarth."

Vidarth swivels his wedge-shaped head towards Mehlani, whirling eyes regarding 
  her curiously. He snuffles at her hair.

Erdrick grins impishly at Lani, "No hat?" Chuckles, removing his shirt and 
  setting the wine skin down.

"Not in the water," Mehlani replies earnestly to Erdrick, before looking up to 
  the blue and giggling, very softly.

R'val slaps Vidarth's hide lightly, grinning, "He's being a flirt, says you 
  smell nice. Which is his way of approving I suppose. Start wherever you 
  like, Mehlani.'
R'val begins scrubbing Vidarth's left flank, whistling.

Mehlani blushes a bit, but merely glances with a gentle sort of look up at 
  Vidarth. Peacably enough, she wades round to the dragon's right side, 
  scrutinizing his hide and finally choosing a spot to begin the work.

Erdrick chuckles, his flits flying up and perching about the room. He takes 
  off his pants, revealing a pair of shorts, not quite his normal swimming 
  atire, but then Mehlani is here...

Mehlani's own sizeable fair nowhere in sight, the girl merely settles into the 
  task at hand, beginning to lather up her brush with handfuls of sand, then 
  working them into the blue hide before her.

Erdrick strides down into the large spring, glancing up at Vidarth.

R'val glances around Vidarth at Mehlani briefly, then returns to work, "What 
  chores did you have today, Mehlani..?"

Erdrick slides into the dragon pool.

"Dishes," calls the girl softly in reply.

R'val laughs softly, "I can think of worse chores. As can you, I don't 
  doubt...You've probably had a few by now.'

There's a beat of silence, then a "Yes" from Mehlani that sounds almost... 
  wry. That's all she says, though.

R'val chortles, understanding from such a short reply. He rubs intently at 
  Vidarth's hide.

Erdrick'e eyebrows raise, a sure sign that he thinks he's missing something, 
  shrugs and leans back in the water, enjoying the warmth as he watches them 
  clean Vidarth curiously.

R'val glances down from Vidarth's back, "How's it going, Lani?"

"I'm under his wing," calls Mehlani in reply, rather softer, as if she's 
  speaking out from under Vidarth's wingsails. There are a few soft splashing 
  sounds accompanying her words.

Erdrick swims to the side, trying to see what Lani's doing, never having 
  washed a dragon before.

Most of what can be seen of Mehlani is her bare knees and a bit of her calves, 
  as the girl has apparently indeed worked her way in under Vidarth's wing. 
  Muted sounds of scrubbing can be heard.

Telear walks in from outside the room.
Telear has arrived.

R'val looks over at the new arrival who walks in and nods politely, turning to 
  Mehlani as he perches above her, scrubbing at Vidarth's back, "Good, 
  Mehlani! He says you're doing marvellously."

Telear walks off towards the Inner Cavern.
Telear has left.

Mehlani peeks out from under Vidarth's sails, and calls softly, "Thank you..." 
  And another, softer thanks is given to the dragon, as the lass touches his 
  blue hide for a moment.

Kharty walks in from outside the room.
Kharty has arrived.

Tierth flies over the edges of rock and lands on the far end of the springs.
Tierth has arrived.

Kharty walks into the springs a little haggard. "Heyla all.." she raises a 
  hand in greeting. "Wow has it been a long day.."

R'val smiles from the dragon's back, "Kharty! Hey, wanna help wash Vidarth?" 
  He waves wetly, "Eek, you look a bit tired! What've you been made to do 
  today?"

Tierth drops to the rocks by the springs gracefully, steam sent wafting away 
  by her wings as she lands. A little burble in her throat greets Vidarth, as 
  she waits for her rider to descend.

Erdrick blinks, "Hello, I'm Erdrick."

Maylia slides to the ground, giving Tierth a parting caress and a tender smile.
Maylia has arrived.

Vidarth crooons at the attractive Tierth, enjoying his bath.

Kharty giggles at R'val. "Sure thing! I'd love to.. Uhm.. just what do I do 
  tho?" To Erdrick, she smiles. "Heyla, Kharty here.."

Maylia glances out around the 'springs as she slides to the ground, nodding to 
  some as she begins to remove Tierth's riding straps.

Erdrick nods at Maylia, "Hi Maylia." Turns to Kharty, "Pleased to meet you."

R'val laughs, "Oh, a new one at dragon washin', huh? You c'mon over into the 
  springs, nab some of that nearby sweetsand, and start scrubbing at dirty 
  patches, Vidarth would love you for it."

Mehlani peeks out from under Vidarth's wing, where she's scrubbing the 
  delicate hide at his joints -- a time-consuming job -- to wave a brush by 
  way of greeting to the new arrivals.

Vidarth holds his wing dutifully still for the oh-so helpful Mehlani, and 
  croons, nudging her encouragingly.

Kharty waves to Mehlani and sends a smile as well. She picks her way over to 
  R'val and smiles at him as she looks for a brush. Spying one, she pushes her 
  way through the water till she is almost to it then <SPLASH>! She's slipped 
  into the water! Yikes!

R'val blinks down at Kharty, "erk! Kharty! Are you ok?"

Kharty giggles as water streams down her face. "Sure am! And after a long hard 
  day, I'm glad for the splashes!"

Erdrick swims towards Kharty, chuckles.

Tierth whuffles her rider, calling a slight warble-rumble to Vidarth as the 
  young green waddles into the dragon pool, splashes accompanied.
Tierth wades through the water, tail briefly wrapping 'round Maylia as she 
  goes. With a snorth, the silver-touched green pokes her nose towards *her* 
  candidate. Well, alright. Torinth isn't here, she might as well be *her* 
  candidate.

R'val laughs, "Kharty...Tierth tells Vidarth she wouldn't mind. Would you like 
  to wash Tierth instead?"

Kharty lifts herself out of the water and giggles some more, splashing R'val 
  with some of the water.

Maylia pauses in her clothing-removal, to stare at her dragon. Her eyes 
  flashing to R'val, brows raised, she continues, shakingher head.

R'val erks, and splashes Kharty, "Impertinent candidate!" He grins.

Mehlani eventually works her way out from under Vidarth's wing, smiling to 
  herself at what she can hear of the antics of the others.

R'val glances at Maylia's expression, "What's wrong?"

Vidarth pays attention to HIS (for the moment) candidate, watching Mehlani 
  contentedly, whuffling her hat occasionally.

Erdrick looks from Tierth to Vidarth, says quietly, "I've never washed a 
  dragon before."

Kharty hears R'val and smiles. "Uhm,." she glances from dragon to dragon. "I 
  guess so.. Maylia..? uhm.." She looks at the rider and tries to smile. 
  "Uhm.."

Sandar walks in from outside the room.
Sandar has arrived.

R'val smiles at Kharty, "There'll be another time! Vidarth says you smell nice 
  and are more than welcome to wash him!"

Maylia presses her lips together, shaking her head still. "Nothing." She 
  answers curtly, before slipping into the springs, clothing left on the 
  rocks. A glance, and a nod towards Kharty - not the most friendly, but then 
  not all riders are know to be friendly to candidates. "She does indeed wish 
  to be scrubbed, if you're in the mood." She offers, nodding to Erdrick to 
  include him. The barest bit of a smile is directed towards Kharty.

Sandar wanders in, looking fatigued, and stands at the lip of the springs. "I 
  interrupting anything?" he asks.

Erdrick looks over at Sandar, "Hi Sandar."

Mehlani smiles quietly up at Vidarth's attentions, occasionally reaching up 
  when he swings his head in range of her hand to silently scritch him, before 
  returning her attentions to the back half of his right side.

Vidarth croons at the occasional scritches, watching Mehlani approvingly.

R'val moves on to Vidarth's tail, whistling.

Erdrick looks towards Tierth curiously, "Um, what should I do?" Buttons 
  chitters at him as he and the rest of Erdrick's flits land in the water next 
  to him.

Sandar takes off his clothes save for some ragged looking shorts, then slips 
  into the hot springs with the others. After a moment, he seems to visibly 
  relax, his shoulders dropping an inch or so. He exhales.

R'val smiles over at Sandar, "Hey Sandar, how's it going?

Kharty approaches Tierth. "Well well.. I've heard great things about you.. 
  lovely one.." To Maylia, she tries a smile, but it doesn't seem to work very 
  well. Hope her dragon's more friendly.

Maylia catches up with Tierth, pulling herself closer by grabbing 'hold of her 
  wing. The green obliges, pulling her lifemate close in the deep, hot water. 
  Hands filled with sweetsand from the bottom, Maylia begins demonstrating. 
  "Easy, just scrb. Hard." A literal swarm of firelizards pops from between, 
  descending on the grassy green ridges to scrub.

Sandar smiles at R'val. "Pretty good, thanks," he replies. "Chores weren't so 
  bad today." He sticks his toes out of the water in front of him.

R'val chuckles, "That's good, what chores did you have?"

Sandar shrugs, "just a bit of scrubbin' pots today. Nothing too bad. I dread 
  the day I see latrine duty on that list."

Erdrick grabs some sweetsand and starts scrubbing Tierth's hide, his 
  firelizards joining the others.

Tierth is indeed more friendly. After all, this is one of *her* candidates. 
  And as such, a wing hovers protectively over Kharty's head.

Atop Tierth's neckridges, close to where Maylia usually sits, golden Neiah 
  lands, and keeps her wings outstreached. The little gold begins ordering the 
  others in a shrill voice, ready to scold, nip, and dive at any firelizard 
  who doesn't obey.

Kharty looks upward and smiles a huge smile. "Oh.. Tierth.. you're a gem!" 
  Remembering herself, she takes her clothes off and tosses them on the side 
  of the pool. Scooping the sweetsand up, she looks to Tierth for direction. 
  "Where to? You tell me.."

Erdrick's flits are well trained and well behaved so they obey the strange 
  queen.

R'val whistles softly as he scrubs the tip of Vidarth's lightly flickering 
  tail.

Tierth dips her wing close to Kharty, chufffing lightly. Apparently, here 
  would do nicely.

Sandar yawns slightly, looking guilty that he's not helping to wash the 
  dragons, but then, too tired to do so, what with having to do many of his 
  Assistant Stewardly duties alongside his chores.

Erdrick glances around and feels slightly over dressed, though he's only 
  wearing shorts and continues scrubbing Tierth, pats her hide absently. "Hope 
  I'm doing this right, 'tis my first time scrubbing a dragon you know." 
  absently talking to Tierth.

Kharty reaches out and begins to wash Tierth's wing with a brisk motion, 
  however gentle in the sensitive wing parts. She looks over to Maylia with a 
  few passing glances to see how she takes to the dragon's obvious good 
  feelings.

Maylia for the most part just scrubs at Tierth's hide, sending glances now and 
  then to her lifemate's eyes. Every now and then, she checks on the 
  stablehand and the candidate to see how they're doing, but offers little 
  comment.

Kharty gently tugs Tierth's wing out a little, spreading the intricate parts 
  so that she can reach those inner areas. Using her free hand, she pats 
  Tierth's side. "Doing alright, you beauty?" she asks the dragon.

Tierth just stretches out her neck, an occasional soft warble muted by the 
  water, turned more into a tuneful set of bubbles than anything else, as her 
  nose rests just beneath the water's surface. Jeweled eyes are first lidded, 
  except for when she opens them to eye one or the other of her human 
  scrubbers.

R'val glances across at Mehlani and smiles, "How're you doing over there, 
  Lani?"

The quiet young girl working on Vidarth has made it nearly to his tail by now, 
  and she calls back softly, "I am not done yet."

Erdrick grabs more sweetsand muttering good naturedly about how dragons are 
  much larger then runner beasts, glancing over at the others occasionally.

Kharty does a little hopping up and down, reaching up with her arm to get at 
  the farthest areas. One little slip and she's plopped into the water again! 
  <SPLASH>! The water is clear, but she manages to swim under Tierth to the 
  other side, hiding from the others. One muffled giggle almost gives her away.

R'val smiles, "You're doing marvellously, Lani, we both appreciate it."

Sandar blinks at the splash. He was pretty much asleep. He half-smiles to let 
  the others know he is in fact awake, then starts to drift off again.

Mehlani peeks around Vidarth, and only smiles a little, softly. Her hair's 
  gotten damp -- no surprise, that -- and somewhat sandy, but she doesn't 
  appear to mind.

Maylia peers over Tierth's tail to where her cousin used to be, blinking as 
  she doesn't resurface. The green however turns to watch, on her other side. 
  *whuffff* A wind from her exhalation, hot from her body heat, washes over 
  the girl's head.

Erdrick blinks at Tierth's moving and whuffff, not sure quite what happened 
  from his vantage point and continues scrubbing.

Maylia keeps scrubbing away at Tierth's tail, until all the silver drizzled 
  grassy green lenth is cleaned. She swims past Erdrick, smiling to him in 
  approval of his work, as she aims for Tierth's head.

Kharty feels her wet hair twirl about her head, almost standing on end. 
  "Tierth!" she giggles. "You'll give me away for sure!" Dunking herself down 
  in the water, she pretends to hide from Maylia.

Tierth rolls one bejewelled eye at Kharty, turning her head obligingly so her 
  rider can scrub at her nose and chin, before she lids her eyes in relaxation.

Erdrick grins at Maylia before going back to scrubbing Tierth's side as high 
  as he can reach.

Sandar slips out of the water. "G'nite," he says with a smile as he heads off.

R'val waves amiably, "Take care Sandar!"

Sandar grins.
Sandar walks off towards the Inner Cavern.
Sandar has left.

Kharty swims underwater until she finds herself close to R'val's feet. 
  Reaching out, underwater, she tugs on an ankle, pulling R'val into the water!

R'val YELPS! and is submurged. Turning, he tickles his wet assailant savagely!

Kharty gurbles and giggles under the water, surfacing, only to dive back 
  under, swimming out to Tierth. Enough of this silliness. Time for work.

Maylia keeps rubbing Tierth's jaw, using long, relaxing strokes. With a deep 
  sigh of relief, sending several darting firelizards a-tumble, the green 
  relaxes, her body sinking lower in the water.

Erdrick hears a yelp and half turns toward Vidarth, "What's going on over 
  there?"

R'val wiggles his fingers at Kharty threateningly, grinning, "Try that, why 
  dontcha...?

Vidarth just rumbles at Erdrick, looking confused.

Erdrick chuckles at Vidarth, shrugging and going back to scrubbing Tierth.

Tierth ducks a wing to half cover *her* candidate.

Kharty looks over her shoulder, wet hair swirling. "Try what?" she giggles as 
  the protective wing of Tierth shelters her.

[Mehlani quietly continues to do her part to help wash Vidarth... but as
 the hour grows late, she finally slips off to bed. End log.]