Log Date:
	Late July 1994

Log Cast (People):
	Melora, F'hlan, Fahloran, R'till, Salless (NPC), Grainne, S'drel, 
N'fan, Vetak

Log Cast (Dragons):
	Tzornth, Avoth, Reveth, Brandalth

Log Intro:
	S'drel has recently become Weyrleader of Benden Weyr, following the
conflict between Benden and the renegade band led by Malrek -- a conflict that
ended in 26-Turn-old F'hlan, bronze Tzornth's rider, being badly wounded in the
leg, but which also led to F'hlan siring two children very close to one another
shortly before that very fight. It is now nine months later, and at Benden Weyr,
the second child of F'hlan and his weyrmate Melora is about to be born....

----------
Melora comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Melora walks unsteadily out of her quarters... "F'hlan? I think it'll be soon, 
  my water just broke...."
F'hlan halts in his frantic pacing, and looks up sharply, startled by the boy's 
  yell. "Mela...?"
Fahloran pipes happily, "MOMMY!"
F'hlan blinkblinks, and strides to you quickly. He looks rather shaken, and 
  pale. "Wh-what? You mean... now?"

Sioll> Sioll sits up abruptly, blinkblinks, and begins to HUMMMMMMMMM.

Melora smiles a bit wanly at Fahloran... "Hullo son.. you ready to accquire 
  another sibling?" She looks again at F'hlan... "We have a little time yet, 
  but perhaps if you could find Merla or Grainne...?"
Fahloran wrinkles his little nose in confusion. "What's broken water?" He ohs, 
  and brightens at his mother. "Time for the baby?"
F'hlan swallows hard, and then goes absent of eye, muttering, "Talk to me, 
  Tzornth... "

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth muttergrumbles as his rider tries to 
  get his attention. << I don't WANT to talk, F'hlan. >>
Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Avoth snorts. :)

Melora ruffles Fahloran's hair. "Almost, son... very soon now, I hope."

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth SNORTS, and then blinkblinkblinks? << 
  What? Oh... >> To the weyr at large, he inquires, somewhat disgruntledly, << 
  Is Kimbrith awake? >>

F'hlan blurts, "S-sh-shouldn't you be lying down....?"
Fahloran bounces! "Can I watch, Mommy?"

Tzornth> Avoth bespoke Benden Weyr << She was not when I left to take 
  passengers to the Harper concert. >>
Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth distractedly becomes aware of several 
  firelizards abruptly beginning to hum, and he snorts again, directing to 
  F'hlan, << Well, why didn't you SAY so? 
  HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM... >>

Melora is fine, "The contractions haven't started yet, love..." She glances at 
  Fahloran, "If it's all right with your father..." She looks back at F'hlan.
F'hlan nods distractedly, as Fahloran inquires solemnly, "How can you break 
  water, Mommy? It's not hard!"
F'hlan asks Melora earnestly, still looking rather shaken, "A-are you sure? 
  Tzornth says Kimbrith isn't awake... " He blinks again. "He's humming!"
Fahloran giggles happily as his parents' fair, flitting in and out of the 
  cavern, hum on high-pitched notes.
Melora grins a bit, "So are all the firelizards... " A sudden wince crosses her 
  face, and she gasps, "Is Grainne about, then? Or even Selenay?"
F'hlan pales, and says shakily, "I... I can go look for them... but I haven't 
  seen Selenay since she returned from Fort... "
F'hlan looks at Narie and Sioll, sternly, asking them to go find Grainne, and 
  quickly....
Melora nods... "I haven't seen her either, but we need to find someone soon, 
  unless you want to deliver the baby yourself... Surely Grainne is around..."
F'hlan blanches at the notion of delivering the child. Fahloran ooooooooohs! 
  and pipes, "Daddy can do it! Daddy can do anything!"
Narie and Sioll vanish *between*... and re-emerge moments later, chirruping 
  wistfully about their failure to find the Headwoman. F'hlan, looking quite 
  distraught now, mutters, "Faranth, I'll bet they've all gone to the Harper 
  Hall... "
Fahloran bounces eagerly. "You can bring the baby, can't you, Daddy?" he cries.
Melora swallows... "Oh shards, yes, the concert.... I'd completely 
  forgotton..." There is a slightly shrill tone to her voice. "I... I suppose 
  they understand I couldn't be there... But surely they left someone here... 
  one of the birthing women?" she adds doubtfully.
F'hlan nods hastily, and supports you against him. "Surely! Surely they must 
  have... oh, shells...! Fahloran, son, go find Salless, right now!"
Fahloran ohs! His little eyes widen, and he pipes, "Okay, daddy!" Eager to be 
  entrusted with a mission, he scurries off.

Sioll> In the room, Fahloran enters from the Inner Cavern.
Sioll> In the room, R'till emerges from the eastern tunnel, entering this 
  cavern from the Bowl.
Sioll> In the room, Salless waves a hello to the Weyrsecond.
Sioll> In the room, Fahloran comes breathlessly scurrying into the caverns, 
  shrieking at the top of his lungs, "SallessSallessSallessSalless!"
Sioll> In the room, R'till waves to the little one, "What's up?"
Sioll> Sioll HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

F'hlan looks at you anxiously as you wince. "N-Now?"
Melora says shakily, "I think I'd better sit down..."

Sioll> In the room, R'till grins, "I see. Well if anyone can help it's Salless."
Sioll> In the room, Fahloran comes skittering to a halt before R'till, 
  babbling, "Daddy sent me 'cause the firelizards're all humming and Mommy's 
  water broke and she says the baby is coming and I have to bring Salless 
  'cause Daddy asked me to!"
Sioll> In the room, Fahloran bounces up and down in place and blurts to R'till, 
  "Can you help me find Salless huh huh please huh?"
Sioll> In the room, R'till pats Faloran, "Good thing your father. I'll be happy 
  to help."

F'hlan hastens you into your quarters. "C-come on, Mela... you should lie down!"

You go into Melora's Bedroom.
Melora's Workroom(#11379RJ)
This is Melora's bedroom, which doubles as her workroom. There is a bed off in 
  one corner. In another, there is a desk covered with scrolls. Near the desk, 
  a sandtable stands, a piece of glass protecting the scribling on it. There is 
  a small perch for firelizards near the bed.
Contents:
Taminella
Featherstone
Sweetums
Popover
Master Melora's Harp Case(#27078Vs)
Obvious exits:
teaching room  Craft Cavern  

Melora comes in from the craft cavern.
Melora sits on the bed...
F'hlan says shakily, "Someone'll come.... soon, I-I-I'm sure... it doesn't 
  hurt?!"
Melora breathes slowly... And winces again... "Still a little time, but second 
  one quicker they say," she pants... "Can still talk anyway..."
Grainne comes in from the craft cavern.
F'hlan stands by Melora, clasping her hand; Melora has sank onto the bed, and 
  it's rather difficult to tell at first glance who looks more pale and shaken.
Fahloran comes in from the craft cavern.
Grainne shoos humming fire-lizards right and left and deposits her bag next to 
  the bed, "How is she?"
Melora looks relieved as Grainne comes in... "Glad to see you, but I think 
  F'hlan's even gladder... thought he'd have to do it himself..."
Fahloran runrunrunruns in! "I found Grainne an' Salless is coming, Daddy!" he 
  pipes importantly.
F'hlan looks for a moment as if his legs are about to buckle under him, so 
  relieved is the expression on his face. "By the first Shell," he breathes 
  unsteadily.
Grainne laughs and carefully clears off a worktable and spreads some things 
  from her bag out over it. "Shards, I wish Selenay were here..."
Fahloran comes up to his father and informs him solemnly, "You should sit down, 
  Daddy!"
Grainne nods, "Before you fall down, F'hlan.."
Melora grins a bit crookedly at Grainne, "Can't be right away if I can still 
  talk, eh? Water bro..." she trails off with another grimace, panting.
Grainne rolls up her sleeves and sits down on the side of the bed, letting 
  Melora grip one of her hands, "Breathe, Melora..."
Fahloran pats F'hlan's left leg. The bronze rider smiles wanly, and starts as 
  he sees Melora wince
You say "I-I should help..."
Fahloran shakes his head! "Uh-uh! Nanny said Zonf was sad so you gotta rest, 
  Daddy!"
Salless bustles in with a basin and towels, trailed by drudges bearing a pot of 
  water and a carafe of wine.
Melora nods, as the contraction passes... "Easy for you to say, Grainne, your 
  lungs aren't squashed..."
Fahloran beams happily as Salless arrives, just as he promised. He tells 
  Salless brightly, "Mommy's gonna have a baby!"
Grainne chuckles, "Oh but they have been, dear...I do remember what it feels 
  like. Oh! Salless! Good....set the basin down on the worktable and fill it 
  up...and get some of that wine into F'hlan before he goes up the wall."
F'hlan protests, "I-I'm fine... "
Salless chuckles wryly and does as instructed, giving Fahloran towels to carry 
  over to give him something to do.
Salless comes in from the craft cavern.
Fahloran's face lights up and he solemnly holds onto the towels Salless has 
  given him. He has no idea where to PUT them, but he holds them!
Melora adds, "Not so bad... yet..." Then concentrates on squeezing a hand as 
  she grimaces again...
F'hlan, looking rather daunted now as the small room fills with women, 
  blinkblinks.
Grainne checks Melora over carefully, running down everything Robar ever taught 
  her about doing this, making sure everything is relatively stable.
Salless shuffles in quickly, "Sorry I'm late. Bad leg." She grabs the towels, 
  "How far along are you, Melora?"
Grainne puts Melora's hand around F'hlan's and goes back to the worktable. She 
  washes her hands in the basin and then redworts them from a jar out of her 
  bag.
Grainne looks over to Melora, "About how far are the pains apart now?"
Melora says distractedly, "Coming faster than that one did." She gestures 
  towards Fahloran... "Not much warning this time..." And pants again as she 
  squeezes F'hlan's hand rather hard.
F'hlan snaps his attention back as he feels his hand clasped. Not finding a 
  chair near the bed, he gets somewhat awkwardly to his knees. Fahloran comes 
  over beside him and tells his mother forthrightly, "We're watching, Mommy!"
Salless dips a towel into the pitcher of cold water and hands it to Faloran, 
  "Here. Wipe your mother's head with this."
F'hlan curls his other hand round Melora's and tries to pretend he's not 
  shaking.
Melora manages a smile for her son..."sure you want to?"
Fahloran looks infinitely calmer than his father. Happily he climbs up on the 
  bed beside Melora and nodnodnods!, reaching over with small childish hands to 
  pat at her face.
Grainne nods and lays out needlethorn, sinew, and a sterile knife from her bag.
F'hlan grins raggedly at his son, managing to look proud.
Salless pours a small glass of wine, "Drink this. It will help." She has that 
  stern look on her face. [She hands it to F'hlan.]
Fahloran says happily to Melora, "I'll help real good!"
Melora looks a bit alarmed at the needlethorn, and, forgetting to breath 
  properly, cries out a bit at the next contraction...
F'hlan blinks up at Salless and says automatically, "I'm fine... " And as both 
  his hands are tightly clasping Melora's, he looks a little blank about how 
  exactly he's supposed to drink the wine. But, as the old woman's even 
  maternal gaze remains on him, he lifts one hand for the glass, and gulps down 
  its contents.
Melora pants a bit, and says anxiously, "You aren't planning to use that on me, 
  are you Grainne?"
Grainne grins and moves over to sit beside Melora again, placing gentle hands 
  on her belly. "Breathe..." she admonishes softly, a look of mild 
  concentration on her face as she uses her hands to determine where the child 
  has currently shifted to.
Fahloran wrinkles his little nose and pipes, "Breathe, Mommy!" He's not exactly 
  sure what this means, but the grownups are saying it, so it must be important.

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Avoth returns! :)

Grainne says "Only if necessary, Melora...don't worry about it right now. You 
  have other things to think about."

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

Melora looks relieved, and manages to chuckle a bit at her son...

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Avoth blinkblinks? << Who's hatching? >>

Salless take the glass from F'hlan, and gets another towel to wipe Melora 
  forehead off, if only to show Faloran how.
Grainne presses gently at Melora's lower abdomen and nods to herself, seeming 
  satisfied. "I don't think it'll be long now."

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth, sounding rather less irritable than 
  he had a while earlier, rumbles proudly, << The Singing One is having her 
  hatchling! >>

Grainne says "Salless, this'll be easier for her if we prop her up a little 
  with pillows..."
F'hlan watches Melora's face entreatingly, once more clasping her hand in both 
  of his.

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Avoth ose! Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Melora pants through the next contraction.... "hope not, anyway.... mother said 
  I took almost a full day..." she says when it has passed... "not that 
  patient..."

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Reveth warbles inquisitively. << The Singing 
  One? >> He pauses a moment, apparently conferring with N'fan. << Oh, Melora. 
  She is nice. N'fan says so. >>

Fahloran patpatpats Melora's head with all the dignity a three-Turns-old 
  entrusted with an Important Task can muster.

Tzornth> Avoth bespoke Benden Weyr << My rider wonders if he's needed to help? 
  Like keep Tzornth's rider calm? :) >>

F'hlan's legs wobble under him a little more.
Grainne smiles and moves around with a couple of pillows. "F'hlan, could you 
  help her sit up a little?"
You say "Wha-wha? Oh..."

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth rumblesnickers, sensing all sorts of 
  rattled emotions from his rider.

Salless helps Faloran's hand, "Gently now son. Just wipe your mother's head 
  slowly."
Melora pants through the desire to scream... it passes more slowly now... She 
  looks at F'hlan... "You can bear our next one," she mutters when it's over.

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Brandalth helps by hmmmming along.

F'hlan gives a choked little laugh to Melora, still clutching at her hand like 
  a drowning man clinging to an offered rope.
Fahloran says sagely, "Daddy's had a tough day!"
Grainne stifles a laugh and slides the pillows under Melora's back, raising her 
  a bit with F'hlan's rather distracted help.
Salless smiles brightly at Fahloran, "Yes he has, and now he going to need you 
  to help your mommy."
Melora says petulantly, "Back hurts..."
Fahloran nodnodnodnodnods enthusiastically. He pats his mother's head VERY 
  slowly, exactly as Salless says!
Grainne shushes with gentle amusement, remembering this herself. "Yes, I know 
  it hurts...it'll feel much better after this is over."

Sioll> Sioll HUMMMMMMMMM!
Sioll> S'drel goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

S'drel comes in from the craft cavern.
Salless nods to Melora, and folds a towel up and slides it under the small of 
  her back, "This will help support you."
Melora wriggles uncomfortably... Another spasm crosses her face...
Grainne looks up and instantly clicks into 'crowded infirmary' mode that would 
  do Selenay proud. "This is not a hatching..please don't get in Salless' way, 
  dear.."

Sioll> N'fan walks in from the south.
Sioll> N'fan goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

N'fan comes in from the craft cavern.
S'drel comes through, following the humming firelizards. "Avoth just relayed 
  what's going on and... I should have knocked.
Fahloran beams at S'drel and waves!, temporarily forgetting to pat his mother's 
  head.
N'fan follows behind S'drel and looks around, his eyes finally lighting on 
  Melora. "Reveth says somebody's havin..a hatchling.."
F'hlan blinkblinks, realizing only after Grainne has snapped out orders that 
  others have arrived in the room. He looks up dazedly.
Grainne looks to Melora, ever mindful of the harper's privacy. "Maybe you'd 
  better wait out in the living area.."
Salless looks a little frustrated, "I'm sure Melora doesn't need the whole Weyr 
  here S'drel and N'fan."
N'fan blinks and takes a step back from Salless. "Oh..sorry...I just thought 
  maybe.."
S'drel nods, redirecting N'fan out. "We'll ... wait outside. Yeah."
S'drel heads out into the craft cavern.

Sioll> S'drel comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.

Grainne throws Salless a look. "Salless, take care of Melora...the Weyrleader 
  and N'fan we're just leaving."
Grainne smiles. "Weren't you both?" :)
Melora mutters "Sorry, concert's tomorrow...." She pants and grimaces again... 
  the contractions are taking longer....
F'hlan, looking rather like he's not quite comprehending what's going on, keeps 
  clinging to Melora's hand.
N'fan sighs and suffers himself to be escorted outside.
N'fan heads out into the craft cavern.

Sioll> N'fan comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Sioll> Sioll HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
Sioll> N'fan sighs.
Sioll> Sioll HUMMMMMMS, his eyes whirling brilliantly blue, and his head held 
  up proudly.
Sioll> S'drel finds a bench and sits. "Nothing to do but wait, now."

Salless nods, "That's better now." She goes back to mopping Melora's head, "Did 
  the towel help at all love."
Grainne moves down and shakes her head, murmuring something about everything 
  thinking they can gawk like it's a clutch of eggs...

Sioll> N'fan slumps nearby. "I ain't never seen nobody havin a kid 
  before...guess I ain't gonna start now, neither." *sigh*
Sioll> Sioll humHUMhumHUMhumHUMhum.

Melora nods distractedly, then groans.

Sioll> N'fan smiles at the little humming 'lizard, letting it cheer him up some.
Sioll> Aeyri comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Sioll> Aeyri hum!

Grainne watches Melora and then glances to F'hlan.
Grainne murmurs something to Salless.
F'hlan's quite whitefaced, and is doing a good impression of a man who's been 
  belted by a board.
Salless looks down at Faloran and whispers, "How are you doing little one?"

Sioll> S'drel chuckles. "It's alright. The 'during' is not as enjoyable to 
  watch as the 'after'."

Fahloran declares overloudly, "This is fun!"

Sioll> N'fan wows. Another. He smiles at them all, lidding his eyes slowly and 
  relaxing into his seat. He nods and murmurs a response to S'drel's 
  reassurances. "Yeah.."
Sioll> Twyr comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Sioll> Koei comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.

Melora is covered in sweat... sheshe groans again, bearing down... panting 
  heavily, she says, "Fun.. sure..."

Sioll> S'drel says "Aeyri... Twyr... Ah, there's Koei. :)"
Sioll> N'fan shakes his head, chuckling a little. "Sheesh..they don't want 
  nobody in there.."
Sioll> Narie comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Sioll> Sioll and the rest of F'hlan's entire fair come out to perch happily, 
  each one humming as if their lives depended on it.
Sioll> S'drel says "They kicked you out as well, Narie?"

Salless stands uo from Melora and walks over to F'hlan, "Let's go. You are 
  going to faint if you keep this up. Grainne and Faloran can take care of 
  things here."
Melora seems less and less inclined to talk.... Her hand grips F'hlan's hard.
Grainne grimaces and very gently reaches into Melora's body with her fingers, 
  checking dilation. "I'm sorry, dear, I know my hands are cold."
F'hlan blinkblinks, muttering, "Wha...?" as he is hauled to his feet by the 
  sturdy Salless.

Sioll> N'fan lets himself relax again, and he finds himself actually humming 
  along with the 'lizards, with that awkward voice of adolescense, somewhere 
  between the soprano of a child and the tenor of an adult.

Grainne frowns in concentration for a moment, her hands becoming her eyes. She 
  presses one hand gently against Melora's abdomen, gauging the feel of things 
  between her hands. "You're almost there, sweet.."
Salless pats Faloran's head, "You hold your mommy's hand and let her squeeze 
  it."
Grainne says "Don't push just yet..."
Melora doesn't let F'hlan's hand go.... She groans as she fights the urge to 
  bear down again...
Fahloran nodnodnods and wraps his little hands around his mother's other one, 
  since his father has a strong grip on her first.
F'hlan looks confusedly between Salless and Melora, and finally sinks to his 
  knees again, still clutching Melora's hand.
Salless guides F'hlan away, or tries to if Melora will let go, "Let Fsloran 
  take over. F'hlan needs some fresh air dear."
Grainne nods and smiles distractedly, "That's a good lad, stay right there with 
  your mother."

Sioll> Aeyri hum!
Sioll> Twyr hum!
Sioll> Koei hum!

Grainne looks to F'hlan. "Go keep S'drel and N'fan company for a bit, 
  F'hlan...I'll call you before it's time."
Melora seems oblivious to most of the talking around her as she struggles not 
  to push... Her hand relaxes as the contraction passes...
F'hlan blinkblinks, and finally, dazedly, stumbles backwards out of the room.
You head out into the craft cavern.
Salless comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Salless says "Come along."
Salless opens the door and exits the room.
N'fan suddenly catches himself and stops humming. He looks up at Salless and 
  F'hlan.
F'hlan stumbles dazedly out of Melora's quarters, escorted briskly by Salless.

[Salless proceeds to escort F'hlan to the living cavern.]

You walk a few feet down a passage and emerge into the gigantic Living Cavern.
Benden Weyr's Living Cavern(#9000RJM)
This is the immense living cavern of Benden Weyr. Tables capable of seating 
  several hundred are arranged in neat rows, with chairs pushed neatly against 
  them. Three large hearths plus a smaller night hearth line the southeastern 
  wall, and trestle tables occupy the northeastern side. The western edge of 
  the room has a raised dais where the weyrleaders and other notables sit. 
A wide opening to the east goes out into the bowl. A narrower passage to the 
  north leads into the Inner Cavern. This cavern extends southwest to a kitchen 
  area.
Contents:
Salless
Terra
Lower Cavern Resident Directory
Klah pot
Tapestry: The Finger Points... (Benden Weyr)
Bulletin Board
Benden Weyr's Firelizard Perch
Obvious exits:
Gaming Corner  Bowl  Inner Cavern  Kitchen  Night Hearth  

Sioll> S'drel chuckles.

F'hlan protests, "I-I should be in there...!"

Sioll> N'fan shrugs and lets his eyes close again, relaxing in the waves of 
  sound flowing over him. After a short while, he starts humming unconsciously 
  again.
Sioll> Narie croons something regal-sounding to Sioll. She blips *between*, 
  while the bronze remains, to keep an eye on the three greens.

Salless pours some wine for F'hlan, "You were taking it to hard. Now drink this 
  and stay. I'm needed back there. Things will be ok."
F'hlan's gold Narie appears out of *between* and circles down to land regally 
  on his shoulder, crooning to him.
Salless says "We'll .let you know when it's over."
F'hlan blinks as the glass is pressed into his hand. "Oh... " he mumbles.
Salless says "Now just stay here."
Salless walks north, into the inner cavern.

Sioll> Salless walks in from the south.
Sioll> Salless goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

On F'hlan's shoulder, Narie hummmmmmmms, while nuzzling her human comfortingly.

Sioll> Sioll HUMMMMM!
Sioll> N'fan doesn't even seem to notice Salless this time as she bustles 
  through. He blinks at the light breeze that flows over his face, and stirs 
  just a little, but his eyes remain mostly lidded, and he continues to hum 
  contentedly.
Sioll> S'drel jes' sits and waits.
Sioll> The three little greens hum pipingly, with Aeyri's voice the sweetest of 
  them. Sioll croons, and hums,and warbles, and hums.
Sioll> Koei chirpleskitters back into the room.
Sioll> Koei goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

Koei> Salless smiles at Melora, "F'hlan is in the LC now. He'll be ok."

Sioll> N'fan's voice starts cracking. He sits up straighter and shakes his 
  head, looking a little embarrassed when he sees that S'drel is still sidding 
  there.

Koei> Fahloran says importantly, "Daddy's a wreck!" He's not quite sure what 
  THIS means, either, but it sounds like the right thing to say.
Koei> Grainne withdraws her hand and wipes it absently on a towel lying next to 
  her on the bed.
Koei> Melora nods silently, and bears down with a groan....

Sioll> N'fan considers changing sidding to sitting, but likes sidding better. :)
Sioll> S'drel has his eyes closed, resting.

Koei> Koei is of the opinion that there just aren't enough humming firelizards 
  in here. Hum!
Koei> Grainne watches carefully.."That's it...you're doing just fine, Melora.."

Sioll> S'drel's feet are crossed, and tap to the concert's music.

Koei> Melora grips whatever hand is in hers very hard indeed... As it ends, she 
  pants heavily and leans back exhausted...

Sioll> Aeyri peers cutely at S'drel. Hum?

Koei> Salless holds Melora's hand and chuckles slightly, "You are quite grown 
  up little one."

Sioll> S'drel went to Harper Hall for a concert earlier. :)

Koei> Fahloran tries very very VERY hard not to bounce on the bed since it 
  looks like Mommy is hurting, and he remembers he wasn't supposed to bounce on 
  the bed when Daddy's leg was hurt!

Sioll> N'fan relaxes...but only a little...hoping S'drel didn't notice his 
  little crackup. But he doesn't start humming again.

Koei> Salless wipes Melora's head with her free hand, "There lass."

Sioll> Aeyri and Twyr look at S'drel with the cutest little firelizard eyes you 
  ever saw on Pern. Hum! Hum! Hum!

Koei> Grainne says "Should be another one any minute now...try to push as hard 
  as you can.."

Sioll> Sioll looks at N'fan! Hum?

Koei> Melora looks up at her son, smiling tiredly, but the smile doesn't last 
  long as she pushes hard with a loud cry-like groan....
Koei> Fahloran wraps his little arms around Melora's entire forearm and hugs it 
  tightly.

Sioll> N'fan looks at Sioll and smiles softly. He wordlessly shrugs, cocking 
  his head towards S'drel, as if in explanation of why he stopped humming. He 
  hopes the little lizard will understand. :)
Sioll> S'drel has his eyes closed, relaxing, still, and thus is safe from the 
  cutest little firelizard eyes you ever saw on Pern. :)
Sioll> Sioll looks pointedly at N'fan. Hummmmmmmmmmmm!
Sioll> Aeyri flitflutterflits near S'drel and hums to him, inordinately cutely. 
  Hey, don't you know there's a baby being born?

Koei> Grainne smiles, feeling the shifting under her hand on Melora's belly, 
  "Good...good...scream if you need to, Melora...it's all right.."

Sioll> N'fan stifles a chuckle, hiding a silly grin behind his hand.
Sioll> S'drel knows.

Koei> Melora collapses back on the bed again... Her hand pats Fahloran 
  reassuringly.

Sioll> Chevalier emerges from /between/ close to the ground, pulling up to 
  hover in midair as his momentum passes. He glances around for dangers, flying 
  to a perch with a wide view.
Sioll> Chevalier has arrived.
Sioll> Aeyri peeps in satisfaction, her eyes whirling a very pretty shade of 
  pale blue. HumHUMhumHUMcoo!

Koei> Melora pants to Grainne, "Isn't it here yet?"
Koei> Salless smiles at Faloran, "That's good lad." She looks over to Grainne.
Koei> Grainne spreads out clean towels under and around Melora and sets a 
  large, thick towel aside nearby.
Koei> Fahloran beams happily at the praise and prattles to his mother all about 
  how the new baby will want to play with him and 'Lana!
Koei> Grainne says "Almost..."

Sioll> Chevalier arrives, sensing that his pet's proximity was approached. :) 
  For his pet: Hum!
Sioll> Aeyri cooooooooos!
Sioll> Twyr ohgoods! Another firelizard! Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Sioll> N'fan smiles at the new 'lizard arrival and leans back again, but his 
  eyes are a bit more alert...they almost twinkle merrily, but not quite.

Koei> Melora swallows, and, as the contraction starts, pushes again, as hard as 
  she can...
Koei> Grainne murmurs soothingly to Melora, patting her leg gently.
Koei> Grainne says "There! You're doing wonderfully, lass...I see the little 
  one now...push a little harder...you can do it."
Koei> Melora falls back panting.... "Where's.... F'hlan....?"
Koei> Melora doesn't have time to hear an answer, though, as she bears down 
  again, crying out with the effort.
Koei> Fahloran oooohs! Can he see? He tries to stand up on the bed, not wanting 
  to relinquish the Important Task of holding his mother's hand, but wanting to 
  see the baby!
Koei> Grainne says "Fahloran, go get your daddy...the baby's almost here..."
Koei> Salless smiles down at Melora, "He's in the LC, love. He was getting 
  quite white."
Koei> Fahloran ohs! and happily leaps down off the bed. "I'll go get Daddy!" he 
  promises.
Koei> Fahloran heads out into the craft cavern.

Sioll> Fahloran comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.

Koei> Grainne says "Hurry"

Sioll> Fahloran runrunrunruns out, yelling happily, "Daddydaddydaddydaddydaddy!"
Sioll> N'fan blinks and sits up with a start. Just when he was starting to 
  relax again. :)
Sioll> Fahloran pipes, "Is my daddy out here? I have to find my daddy!"
Sioll> S'drel still has his eyes closed, and points. "Living cavern, kiddo."

Koei> Melora has tears streaming from her eyes as she pushes again.... her 
  hardest....

Sioll> Fahloran okays! and scurries off.

Koei> Grainne grimaces at the pain in Melora's cry and encourages her, "The 
  head's there, Melora...you're doing fine and F'hlan will be here 
  immediately.."

[Fahloran runs to the lower caverns, and finds his father... ]

You walk north into the Craft Cavern.
Craft Cavern(#2321RJ)
This large cavern combines a somewhat comfortable living space with efficient 
  working space. At the far end of the room, furniture has been haphazardly 
  arranged in front of a large fireplace. Couches and chairs of all shapes and 
  colors seem to have migrated here from somewhere. A large table and chairs 
  sit in the center of the room, and at one time you could find the top of the 
  table. But now it is covered with scraps of paper and woodchips along with 
  mugs of klah, in varying stages of emptiness. 
Ample work areas for each crafter take up the larger part of the cavern. A 
  small closed door is in the work area of the weyr harper and young voices can 
  be heard reciting the teaching balads.
From where you stand at the entrance to the room, you can see a 'hall'way to 
  your right, leading to individual bedrooms. Opposite to your left is a 
  depression in the wall containing a small 'hearth' for both simple cooking 
  needs and warmth.
Contents:
Fahloran
Chevalier
Twyr(#8255IQes)
N'fan
S'drel
Sioll(#4879IQeps)
Obvious exits:
Cavern  

Koei> Salless wipes Melora's face, "It'll be over quickly,"
Koei> Melora barely has time to take a breath before she bears down again....

Fahloran returns moments later, tugging a rather white-faced F'hlan behind him. 
  "C'mon daddy! Time for baby now!"
N'fan looks at Sioll again and shrugs. What the hey, I'll play. He starts 
  humming loudly, almost playfully, but suddenly stops short when he sees 
  F'hlan.
S'drel opens one eye. "You going to be alright, F'hlan?"
Chevalier Hum!

Koei> Grainne supports the child's head in her hand carefully as Melora's push 
  frees it. "One more, Melora...come on...you can do it.."

N'fan blinks a couple times, then leans back, and avoids meeting anybody's gaze.
F'hlan blinkblinkblinks as he tries to keep up with his son. From the faintly 
  flushed look on his face, it's evident F'hlan has had wine - probably from 
  the hand of the maternal Salless. "It - uh - i-i-it's time?"
Fahloran tugtugtugs at his father's hand. "Come ON, Daddy! Hurry up!"
On F'hlan's shoulder, Narie hums regally, her tail twined 'round F'hlan's neck.
F'hlan, a man who has stood firm in the face of Threadfall, looks at the moment 
  far less composed than his son, as the three-Turns-old determinedly tugs him 
  into the room.
Fahloran goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

Koei> Fahloran comes in from the craft cavern.
Koei> Salless quickly makes sure there are enough clean towels without letting 
  go of Melora's hand.
Koei> Melora gathers what remains of her strength for that final push...

You go into Melora's Bedroom.
F'hlan, tugged into the room by Fahloran, looks around wide-eyedly.
Fahloran pipes, "I FOUND DADDY!" and pushes him towards the bed.

Sioll> N'fan looked almost excited there for a moment, but he finally sighs, 
  looking almost deflated as he slumps back into his seat.
Sioll> S'drel chuckles.
Sioll> S'drel says "Almost over."

Salless smiles, "Good lad, good." She turns to F'hlan, "It's almost over."
F'hlan can't quite seem to decide whether to be pale from the excitement, or 
  flushed from the wine Salless made him drink. Anxiously, he stumbles to the 
  beside.
Fahloran runs to the end of the bed, trying to get a good look at the baby.

Sioll> Sioll HUM!
Sioll> Aeyri hum!
Sioll> Twyr hum!
Sioll> N'fan says "Does it always take this long?"

Grainne looks up briefly and looks back down to Melora, "There...you're almost 
  done, Melora...one more.."
F'hlan makes a tiny anxious noise, once more clutching at Melora's hand as he 
  finds it after the second try.
Melora summons all her effort for that final push....
Melora gives a final push, and a newborn baby enters the world.
Grainne smiles as Melora delivers her second child into her careful hands, 
  supporting the baby gently and pulling it away from Melora's body to lay it 
  on the clean towels in front of her.
Salless smiles at F'hlan, "It'll be ok soon. Melora has done the hard part 
  already"
Fahloran shrieks happily!
Melora grrs...
F'hlan looks wide-eyed up at Grainne and Salless, and down at the child....
Grainne grins, "Congratulations....meet your new daughter.."

Sioll> Sioll and the rest of the firelizards in the cavern suddenly pipe out 
  with a flurry of excited croonings.

F'hlan's face, very slowly, is lit by a ragged smile. "A... a... girl?"
Fahloran oooo! "I got 'nother sister?"

Sioll> S'drel says "And that would be that it's over. :)"

Grainne smiles and clears the child's nose and mouth, setting off a rather loud 
  squall..
Grainne eeshes. "Healthy lungs, that's for sure..."
Fahloran bouncebouncebouncebounce! "I wanna see I wanna see I wanna see!"

Sioll> N'fan sits up again. "It is?" He pauses a moment, and continues in a 
  subdued voice. "Um..they gonna let us in now?"

Melora collapses... "Girl...." she mutters....
Grainne calms Fahloran, "Hold on a minute..."
Fahloran stops bouncing, and tries to stand on his tiptoes to get a look.
Grainne takes up the sinew and ties off the birth cord before cutting it 
  quickly and neatly with the knife.
F'hlan, still grinning dazedly, mumbles to Melora, "A... a girl!"
Melora gives one final push to expell the placenta, but she hardly seems to 
  notice she did it.... She looks wonderingly at F'hlan... "girl...."
Fahloran heads out into the craft cavern.

Sioll> Fahloran comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Sioll> Fahloran runs out happily and yells, "I gotta 'nother sister! I gotta 
  'nother sister!"
Sioll> Vetak decides it is too warm by the hearth, and walks away.

Grainne lays the knife aside and gently takes up a soft towel, wiping off the 
  child's body and face, smiling all the while.

Sioll> Fahloran giggles and bounces and runs right back into the bedroom.
Sioll> Fahloran goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

Fahloran comes in from the craft cavern.

Sioll> N'fan can't help but smile at the child's enthusiasm.

Fahloran giggles delightedly and wants to see his sister.

Sioll> Vetak smiling "A baby??

F'hlan is still clutching for dear life to Melora's hand, still grinning 
  foggily.
newborn baby girl cries "waaaaahhhhh! mmmmmmmm! aaaaaah!"

Sioll> Sioll croooooooooooooooooooooooons!

newborn baby girl
With several mewling cries, this newborn baby greets the world. she sports a 
  rather dark, wet head of hair, and that general newborn look.

Melora looks enquiringly at F'hlan.... "Mehlani? Isn't that what we decided?" 
  she murmurs exhaustedly.

Sioll> S'drel says "Idano... if we can be let in. :)"

Grainne gently scoops up the tiny girl and wraps her in the thick towel she 
  laid aside for her. With a grin, she climbs carefully off the bed and moves 
  around, depositing the wailing newborn in Melora's arms, making sure she has 
  the strength to support her.
F'hlan beams at Grainne. "A-a-a little girl.... " He beams at Melora again, 
  clearly not in much of a mood to argue with anything.

Sioll> N'fan sighs and folds his arms across his chest, deflating back into his 
  seat. "Guess they's gonna come out here when they wants us in there...or if

F'hlan grins lopsidedly to Melora, agreeing slurrily, "M-Mehlani!"

Sioll> N'fan elaborates. "If is closer than when, I guess.."
Sioll> S'drel smirks.

Grainne moves back down and with a damp cloth, cleans Melora up.
Fahloran pushes closer. "Her name's M'lani, Mommy?"
Melora takes the baby.... "Mehlani... she's adorable! See your new sister, 
  Fahloran?" She shows the child off, then sets her to her breast after she is 
  wiped down.
Grainne scoops up all the soiled towels and puts them in a basket, sending them 
  off with a drudge to the infirmary.
F'hlan gazes at Melora and the infant, and rather looks like he's going to fall 
  over.
Grainne takes up a towel to wipe her own hands and grins, "I'd better tell 
  S'drel and N'fan before they die of curiosity."
Grainne heads out into the craft cavern.

Sioll> Grainne comes out of the Harper's Bedroom.
Sioll> Vetak opens the door and exits the room.
Sioll> S'drel smiles.
Sioll> N'fan looks up at Grainne and scoots to the edge of his seat expectantly.
Sioll> Grainne steps out, wiping hands red with redwort and blood on a towel. 
  She grins. "It's a girl."

Melora squeezes F'hlan's hand with her free one.... "Looks just like you...."
F'hlan blurts suddenly, "I-I-I got something...! I got something for the baby!" 
  He starts to try to rise, but his legs won't support him.

Sioll> Grainne says "They've named her Mehlani."
Sioll> S'drel smiles, and stands to hug Grainne.
Sioll> Grainne smiles.
Sioll> Grainne hugs S'drel warmly, careful not to touch him with her hands.

Tzornth> Benden Weyr senses that Tzornth rumbles amusedly, << My rider says 
  there is something in the weyr he forgot. Can someone get it? >>

Sioll> N'fan peers at the red hands and blinks a couple times, but the 
  excitement overcomes his slight revulsion at the sight. He smiles a little. 
  "A girl.."
Sioll> Grainne smiles and nodnods. "I need to get back in there now...I think 
  you can come in and see her."

Sioll> Grainne goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

Grainne comes in from the craft cavern.

Sioll> S'drel goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

S'drel comes in from the craft cavern.

Sioll> N'fan jumps out of his seat. "Really?"
Sioll> N'fan goes into the Harper's Bedroom.

N'fan comes in from the craft cavern.
Grainne comes back in and washes her hands in the basin, drying them on a clean 
  towel.
N'fan rushes in, but slows abruptly just inside the door. He doesn't want to 
  seem too anxious. :)
F'hlan sits staring down at Melora and the new infant, grinning hugely and 
  foolishly, while Fahloran giggles happily and tries to get a really good look 
  at the baby.
Fahloran pipes happily, "I gotta new sister 'n' her name's 'Lani!"
Grainne grins and covers Melora up warmly now with a blanket.
F'hlan blurts, "Blanket! I-I-I got 'er a blanket!"
Grainne chuckles. "And a lovely one too, F'hlan.."
N'fan looks into Melora's face, from some distance away from the bed. He smiles 
  and nods to her in a gesture of congratulations that seems to be unusually 
  mature for the young lad.
Mehlani wails a bit, as if to make her presence known, then goes back to 
  feeding.
Melora looks fairly radiant for one so exhausted...
F'hlan stammers, "A-A-A blanket, for my daughter... " His brow furrows. "'Sin 
  my quarters... " He seems torn again, between trying to rise and staying 
  right there gazing big-eyed at the new baby.
On F'hlan's shoulder, Narie CHEEPS! suddenly and blips *between*.
Grainne laughs..
S'drel pushes F'hlan towards the baby, and goes to have Chev find the blanket. 
  But then again, as F'hlan's fair erupt between... :)
Grainne pours a glass of redfruit juice from a pitcher brought in with the rest 
  of the things and comes back to the bed, sitting down on the side of it and 
  holding the glass for Melora to take. "Here, drink this, dear..."
Chevalier emerges from /between/ close to the ground, pulling up to hover in 
  midair as his momentum passes. He glances around for dangers, flying to a 
  perch with a wide view.
F'hlan's five firelizards, as well as the Weyrleader's blue, emerge from 
  *between*, carrying between them a delicate little baby blanket. All except 
  Koei, that is, who seems quite put out that Narie doesn't let her anywhere 
  near the thing.
F'hlan laughs raggedly.
Grainne giggles.
Narie lays down a baby's blanket, smoothing out the folds.
N'fan seems only slightly distracted by all the fire lizard activity around 
  him. Most of his attention seems to be devoted to getting a better look at 
  the new infant, standing on tip-toe and peering unobtrusively.
Melora lets go of F'hlan's hand, and takes the juice as she sits up a bit, 
  trying not to disturn the half-sleeping infant. She drinks gratefully.
F'hlan beams giddily at his fair, and his face lights up as the blanket is 
  gently dropped right on Melora's belly.
Grainne wipes Melora's face with a damp cloth and smiles.
Fahloran says "Looklooklook Mommy!"
S'drel moves to hug Grainne and whisper to her before stepping back. 
  "Congratulations."
Fahloran holds up a corner of the blanket!

Mehlani's blanket
This blanket is knitted from the cuddly soft wool of the northern llama. It is 
  small and diamond shaped, just right for a baby or toddler to sleep under. A 
  purled pattern forms the background, the wool dyed a vibrant Harper blue 
  which brings to mind all the familiar tunes of the traditional ballads. In 
  the center, knitted with a raised rib stitch, is the wide ][ symbol of Benden 
  Weyr. The colour is the bronze-gold of the brass in a Harper horn trio, and 
  it stands out strikingly against the blue. Sewn in the top corner is the 
  lavender and white seal of the Weavercraft. It reads Master Crafted.

Grainne snugs S'drel gently and smiles up at her Weyrmate.
Melora looks at the blanket that has mysteriously appeared on her stomach while 
  she was gazing at the baby.... "oh, F'hlan, it's gorgeous! Wrap it around 
  her, love..."
F'hlan, if possible, grins more hugely.
F'hlan covers Mehlani with the warm blanket.
Mehlani snuggles down happily in the soft, comfy blanket.
S'drel turns back to kiss Grainne's forehead gently, and pats F'hlan on the 
  back as he leaves, smiling to Melora and Mehlani.
S'drel heads out into the craft cavern.

[Sketch of the blanket, from the blanket's 'see blanket' command.]
                                  /\ 
                               /  ()  \ 
                            /            \ 
                         /                  \ 
                      /                        \ 
                   /      __________________      \ 
                 /         \######/\######/         \ 
              /             \####/  \####/             \ 
            /               |####|  |####|               \ 
          /                 |####|  |####|                 \ 
          \                 |####|  |####|                 / 
            \               |####|  |####|               / 
              \             /####\  /####\             / 
                 \         /######\/######\         / 
                   \      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~      / 
                      \                        / 
                         \                  / 
                            \            / 
                               \      / 
                                  \/

Grainne smiles happily and squeezes Melora's arm gently.
F'hlan grins dizzily to N'fan and Grainne. "I-I-I have a daughter... another 
  daughter!"
Grainne chuckles, "Yes you do, and a lovely one, F'hlan.."
Melora folds the baby's blanket and picks it up, smiling as her fingers feel 
  its softness.
Fahloran pipes brightly, "Gotta 'nother blanket to give to 'Lana! We're gonna 
  go do that 'cause Daddy c'n fly again!"
N'fan smiles a little and nods to F'hlan. "Mmm hmm..." He turns his gaze back 
  on the child again, his eyes wide and mystified.
Grainne grins and picks Fahloran up on her lap so he can look at his new sister 
  from a bit closer a vantage point.
Fahloran says "Oooooh! She got dark hair like Daddy!"
Melora grins, then looks a touch guilty... "I still have to see Brigid.... I've 
  had something for Brihlana for months now...
Grainne smiles, "It's all right Melora...just rest now."
F'hlan mumbles thickly, "I'll take it... or we both will... "
Melora smiles at F'hlan..." Let's both go when I can... I'd like to give it 
  myself... She looks down at her daughter... "Would you like to hold her, 
  love?"
F'hlan's face lights up, enough of an answer to _that_.
Grainne grins.
Melora gave you Mehlani snuggled in a blanket.

Mehlani snuggled in a blanket
Mehlani is snuggling comfortably under a warm blanket knitted from the cuddly 
  soft wool of the northern llama. A purled pattern forms the background, the 
  wool dyed a vibrant Harper blue which brings to mind all the familiar tunes 
  of the traditional ballads. Rising and falling along Mehlani's body in the 
  center of the blanket is the wide ][ symbol of Benden Weyr, knitted in a 
  raised rib stitch. The colour is the bronze-gold of the brass in a Harper 
  horn trio, and it stands out strikingly against the blue.
Carrying:
Mehlani

You say "She's... she's so little..."
Fahloran leans over and beams.
N'fan reluctantly, it seems, forces his feet to take him out the door. But his 
  gaze remains locked wondrously on the new child, almost unblinkingly.
Grainne smiles gently and shoos N'fan. "I think a few people need some sleep in 
  here.."
Fahloran hugs his father happily, touching a small fingertip to the baby's 
  head. Mehlani sneezes and curls against her father's chest.
N'fan bumps into the door jamb because he's not watching where he's going. He 
  pauses only a moment longer before slipping outside.
N'fan heads out into the craft cavern.
Grainne chuckles and cleans up the worktable, closing vials and stowing things 
  back in her bag.
F'hlan looks up and beams again at Grainne. He looks rather too overwhelmed to 
  talk, but gratitude is quite radiant in his face.
Melora smiles exhaustedly at F'hlan... "No sleep for us tonight, I'll bet..."
The remaining drudge gathers up the basin and pot and the rest of the towels 
  and scuttles back to the kitchen with them at the Headwoman's orders.
Grainne smiles and snugs F'hlan.
Grainne says "Don't worry, Melora...I'll be here and I'll have one of the 
  nannies to come watch for me if I need to take care of something else or 
  sleep."
F'hlan grins at Grainne, at Melora, at both children, at all the firelizards, 
  and at the room at large.
Grainne chuckles at F'hlan's rather uncharacteristic beaming.
Fahloran settles down to prattle forthrightly to Mehlani, "An' Mommy's a 
  harper an' she sings an' Daddy's a dragonrider and Zonf's real big an' bronze
  an' I'm gonna be a dragonrider just like Daddy an'... "
Grainne chuckles and drops tiredly into a chair.
Melora smiles gratefully at Grainne... "Thanks, Grainne, I don't think I'll be 
  able to stay away too much longer... " She grins at Fahloran. "I'm glad he 
  likes being a big brother..."
Grainne sighs, "Shards...guess I'd better go make sure things are getting 
  cleaned up properly in the infirmary.."
Grainne smiles at Melora..."I'll be back as soon as I'm finished."
Melora nods sleepily....
F'hlan listens to his son prattle, while cradling his tiny daughter against him 
  reverently.
Grainne comes over and gently pulls the mound of pillows out from behind 
  Melora, leaving one propped under her for comfort.
Melora snuggles back against them, smiling drowsily to herself as she watches 
  her family.

[End log.]