The World of Pern(tm) is copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. This is a log of roleplay on PernMUSH, available online by permission of Anne McCaffrey, author of the Pern novels, and recorded by A.S. Korra'ti (piper@murkworks.net), player of Mehlani of Telgar Weyr on PernMUSH. This log may be distributed freely as long as this header remains intact. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Log Date: Early-to-Mid January 1998 -- not sure when exactly, but this does take Place before Milleniuth's first rising and Mehlani's first kiss. As with several other logs on my Mehlani archive, this log was contributed by Kassima's player, and was originally from her point of view. I've edited things around a bit to make the actual giving of the horse a bit more from Mehlani's point of view. Log Cast: (People) Mehlani, Kassima, Lyrenna, Ro, Maylia, E'rian (NPC emitted by Kassima), K'tyn, Ryddle, Calalin, Jessamyne (NPC emitted by Kassima), K'star (NPC emitted by Kassima) (Dragons) Milleniuth, Prometh, Tierth, Lysseth (Fire lizards) Holl Log Intro: In the sevendays leading up to her Turnday, Mehlani has found herself the recipient of a great deal of strange attention at Telgar Weyr -- as several young men have seemed to be compelled to bestow gifts upon her. It has even caused some consternation on several sides, as at least on one occasion, the same gift has been given by two different people, Jorenan and Sandar. Mehlani has striven to assure Jorenan that he has not upset her, but still, the lass harbors a great deal of confusion about the reactions she seems to be causing amongst the young men of the Weyr. Now that she is turning fifteen, however, there is a different excuse entirely to bestow gifts upon the girl, and more than one of those at Telgar who care about her are about to demonstrate just that, some in small ways and some in spectacular.... ---------- Mehlani soon has klah, and as the lass gulps down a few mouthfuls of it, pausing between them to let the heat of the stuff soak through her body, she slowly but surely begins to look less wilted. Kassima nods, glancing at the hem in question. "You embroider? I'd think it might suit admirably, but I'm nay the world's best judge of such. Still intending t'go to the Weaver Hall?" Lyrenna adds a dollop of sweetner to the klah in front of her. She stirs it lightly as she gazes about the room. Ro nods "I 'broider. Don' know how to cut stuff out or make seams, though. I don' know if I'll be goin' to weaver hall now that Wyn and Sandy are gone. They were the ones with relatives, and I don' know anyone there." Maylia grins, poking her spoon towards Kassi. "Wear the red, for sure." she advises. Could this have something to do with the fact that her only suitable gather dress is green, with silver accessories." She smiles to Ro. "Did that red dress fit? If it's close, we should see if anyone there can adjust it properly, though someone here probably could. And I've a sister there." Ro shakes her head "It's a little big, but I figure I'll prolly grow into it in another turn, the way things are... growin'" Kassima shrugs and opines, "Don't have t'know anyone. You could always ask for m'cousin, Simian... he might be able to help you. Up t'you. Whether or nay you get to the Hall, though, you really should try Boll sometime... have any of you ever been to the Lava Lounge?" That's directed to all folk within hearing range. To Maylia, she bobs her head once. "Aye, either that or the black--depending on weather, occasion, and mood. The red, the black, and the green might nay have the same meaning as they once did, but... well, shardit, 'tis still Bendenite I consider m'self at heart. Naught wrong with wearing the colors of the Weyr m'dragon Hatched at." Ro shakes her head "Never been there." Mehlani finally looks up wearily over her klah, the conversation beginning to sink in. Kassima eyes Mehlani with a trace of concern and no little curiousity. "Did you sleep poorly yestereve, 'Lani?" Ro notices Mehlani and quickly stands and walks over to her. She hands something small to the other girl. It unfurls to be a deep blue sisal ribbon embroidered with a scrolling pattern of firelizards in bronze thread. Ro murmurs "Sorry I didn' have it with me to give to you last night." Holl reacts more quickly to the ribbon than 'Lani does -- it's shiny! And has bronze in it! But 'Lani, as the ribbon is placed into her free hands, blinks a few times and then lifts a wide-eyed gaze to Ro. She finally smiles timidly and murmurs, "Thank you... it is alright, you can't really have pockets in a bath, after all...!" To Kassima, she adds, "I am alright..." Ro nods and blushes, glancing at her knife. She didn't have a pocket to carry that in, either. Eep. Mehlani sets down her klah for a moment, so that she can inspect the length of ribbon in her hands, and she gives Ro a soft smile. "It is lovely," she asserts. Holl croons, fluttering on her shoulder, craning his head forward to peer at the long length of blue and bronze. Ro murmurs "I tried to make em look like Holl." Mehlani breathes, "You stitched them?" Ro nods and replies softly "Yes." "'Tis a lovely gift, i'truth," Kassi says with a smile as she admires the ribbon in question. "Ro, when you said you embroidered, methinks 'twere understating the case a twinge!" Maylia grins absently to Kassima, watching the interaction between the girls. "No reason not to wear'em at all," she observers. 'Lani's bronze, at the mention of his name, croons again brightly. Mehlani, evidently quite touched, considers Ro for a moment and then steps shyly forward, offering the younger girl a hug. Ro hugs Mehlani, saying "I'm glad you like it. It was real hard to think of somethin' special. Then she turns toward Kassi and murmurs "Ma taught me, when I was little." She looks sad for a moment, but the expression is fleeting "I just kept doin' it because it was somethin to do." "As good a reason for doing something as any," is Kassima's response. The greenrider chuckles a bit. "Especially if'n 'tis something you enjoy, at least a little." "I could not do this," murmurs Mehlani, gazing in quiet fascination down at the miniscule fire lizards tracked along the ribbon's length. Ro nods and looks toward the bowl entrance, with a far off look in her eyes. In the entranceway, a whirling blue dragon-eye suddenly puts in an appearance, the green hide around it just barely visible. "Get your sharding huge head out of the way, Mil," a young man's voice says, barely audible over the rumble of the green as she reluctantly withdraws. Without further ado, E'rian squeezes his way past his dragon and strides into the room with a sure step and a decidedly mischievous grin. His hazel eyes scan the room in search of someone, even as he tosses off a leisurely wave to the room in general. "Is Mehlani about, by any chance?" the greenrider calls. Mehlani freezes. Ro blinks, for a moment, greatly startled by the dragon's appearance at the opening, her eyes sparkling, though only for a second before she, blinks again, looking down and walking over and sitting by Maylia. E'rian seems unfazed by the immediate lack of reply. He knows Mehlani too well to have expected one, really. Still grinning like a loon from ear to ear, he catches sight of Kassi and winks at his cousin, a wink she returns with a grin that mirrors his. Mouthing, 'Over there,' the Wingsecond nods discreetly in 'Lani's direction--and Eyr, with a nod of thanks, heads that way at once. "There you are, Turnday girl. I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but... I've got a bit of a surprise for you." Holl sits up on Mehlani's shoulder, tilting out slightly so he does not bonk the top of his head against the girl's hat, and lets out a piping, brassy warble in the direction of the young green rider. 'Lani slowly swivels her head to follow her bronze pet's gaze, her own falling with trepidation on the figure of E'rian. She is struck with a sudden urge to hide behind the klah pot, but too late, he's spotted her. "You do?" she says, her voice very small. K'tyn walks in from the bowl. K'tyn has arrived. Pierron waves his arms expansively, driving the cavern's girls before him like a flock of avians, as he orders them to straighten up for the weyrleader. Ro catches a glimpse of the weyrleader out of the corner of her eye and moves quickly, saying "May I get you something, sir? Maylia looks up from her contemplation of a kiwi muffin as a gaggle of kitchen girls swarms about, stirred up by Pierron. Thus warned, her salute to the Weyrleader is not with a muffin in hand. Kassima salutes the Weyrleader with one of her citron and garlic-soaked kiwi muffins. E'rian does the same, in a less revolting and somewhat more preoccupied fashion, before returning his attention to Mehlani. "Well... K'star and I do," honesty compells him to admit. "And Cousin Kassi, sort of. D'you think you could be lured outside for a moment, by any chance?" Ro on her way by Kassi, she also pulls out her knife and hands it to the greenrider, murmuring "Would you hold onto this til I can get a sheath and all for it, please?" _Outside?!_ Mehlani blinks, decidedly taken aback, but she gives E'rian a slow and hesitant nod. "Um... alright..." K'tyn blinks, returning salutes directed at him. "Get me something? Ah... certes, Ro--some food ad drink?" Kassima blinks, but nods, accepting the knife and slipping it into a sheath in the inner panel of her riding jacket. That she'd equip even her maternity jacket with a hidden place for a knife says a lot about the rider. "A'course, Ro. I'll see, too, whether I can find any sheaths t'spare in m'collection for you." E'rian bobs his head in confirmation, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Outside. And... you'll have to close your eyes. We want it t'be a surprise." "But if I close my eyes how can I get out..." Mehlani swallows a little, and then finishes, "... side?" Holl peers intently at E'rian, and puts in an inquisitive trill. K'tyn frowns at Mehlani's expression and at E'rian's mischievous one. Ah Ha. Kassima watches the spectacle of her cousin and Mehlani with a grin of her own, not at all mischief-free. Hoisting herself out of her seat, she walks over to wherever the Weyrleader is. "Worry nay, sir," she murmurs to him. "I know what the lad has in mind, and 'tis perfectly benign." "Trust me," E'rian assures her with a wink. "I can lead you out, if you like... or, just close your eyes once you get near the exit. Whichever suits you, Turnday girl." K'tyn nods, though the alert expression doesn't leave his face. Turnday. Ah. Ryddle walks here from the Inner Cavern. Ryddle has arrived. Mehlani pinkens under E'rian's twinkling gaze, and she only bobs her head -- a less than useful response to his suggestions, but then again, it's not surprising, considering 'Lani. Cautiously curling Ro's gifted ribbon into a neat blue-and-bronze circle in her hands, Mehlani creeps towards the exit, and once near it, nervously closes her eyes. Ro nods and moves to load a tray with dishes of food: stew, fruit, bread, wine, roast wherry, and to top things off, a kiwi muffin. She carries this over to the weyrleader, making no sound other than a soft russle of skirts. E'rian follows 'Lani out, still grinning like a loon and practically bouncing in his steps. One might wonder whether the young greenrider has had too much klah for his own good. "Go ahead and step out, 'Lani. I'll make sure you don't run into anything." K'tyn sinks into a chair, looking away from Mehlani for the moment. Skirts, hm? "A new outfit, Ro?" he says looking at her, and beaming. "Thank you for bringing me m'lunch. 'Lani slips the coiled ribbon into a pocket, leaving both her hands free, now. She can feel a breeze from outside on her face, and she bobs her head tinily to E'rian. Stretching forth a hand just to make sure she doesn't collide with any incoming riders or anyone else, she creeps cautiously out. Mehlani walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. Mehlani has left. Eyr follows 'Lani out of the room, watching after her to make sure that, indeed, her path is free of obstacles. Ro blushes softly and nods "My old clothes didn' fit right." Of note she doesn't say that they were too small, just that they didn't fit right. "And, you're welcome, sir. Please let me know if you want anythin' else." Her manner seems rather subdued today. Kassima watches her cousin and the young girl go with a downright gleeful chuckle. "Oh, I *do* hope she'll be as pleased as I think she will be." K'tyn nods, munching away happily. "That I will, Ro. Will you not sit--" he gestures at a chair near to him. "Happy? What is it that you've brought for her, Kassi?" Calalin walks here from the Inner Cavern. Calalin has arrived. Kassima laughs, shaking her head. "'Twas nay my idea, and nay I who bought it; I only contributed a mark or two. The lads chose the gift. They know," she explains, a bit cryptically, "how much 'Lani loves runners...." Calalin walks into the cavern, overflowing basket of laundry in hand. Glancing about, she finds a suitable spot at a mostly empty table. Maylia ahs, finally realizing what her two clutchmates have in store for 'Lani. K'tyn grins at Kassi. "A runner? Oh dear." He nods amiably at Calalin as he plows though his food. Ro pauses for a moment before sitting next to the weyrleader. K'tyn raises a brow at the batter-dipped wherry bits on his plate. "These are quite good, methinks. Mayhaps I have more for my second plateful, hm?" He winks at Ro. "You seem in quiet spirits, young one! What is it?" Ryddle hmms and sis down setting a pack on the floor Kassima nods to the Weyrleader, a confirmation of his guess. "Uncle Aleinn's wife Jessamyne brought her up here for us. She's one of the finest of her stock, runnerbeasts being her special area of concern." Calalin gets an amused look on her face when she spots K'tyn. She begins rummaging through the clothing, picking out pieces, folding them, and setting them aside. After a few moments, she says, "Ah ha." A tunic is summarily pulled from the basket, folded carefully, and presented to the weyrleader. "Here's that tunic, sir. It's mended, though I still can't for the life of me figure out how you managed to tear it *there*." Ro murmurs "Things. Nothin' important." and she moves swiftly, heaping a plate with the desired wherry bits and returning, seeming to be gone no more than a second. K'tyn smiles at Calalin. "Thank you, my dear! And if you must know, I was...practicing knife tricks. In bed." Kassima's attention is immediately drawn back to Kiat by that statement. "You were doing *what*? In *where*? Nay. Nay, nevermind... I'm wholly convinced that I am far, far better off nay knowing." Calalin rolls her eyes, and smirks, "I hope you didn't have anyone with you. That would be most... disconcerting." K'tyn laughs, delightedly at Kassi's statement, mopping up the remains of his dinner with a hunk of bread. "Company in bed? Me?" He widens his eyes, looking innocently about. "Never!" Maylia's mind is still far too young and inexperienced to conjure up anything more interesting than the following idea: "Imagine if you'd slipped worse! 'twould've been a sight, everyone trying to figure out who managed to murder the weyrleader in his own bed!" Ro looks at the mended tunic, listens to the weyrleader with widened eyes, and says "You didn' get hurt, did you, sir?" "Kindre would probably be ever so disappointed t'hear you say that, sir," Kassi remarks drolly. Calalin rolls her eyes again, walking back over to the basket of clothes. "Right. And that's why you have how many children?" Ro blushes deeply. Perhaps she is still just a little young for this conversation. K'tyn raises a brow at Kassi. "Who's to say it was not she who was in my bed, hm?" Truly though, it happened when I was ill and m'knife slipped from the tray and tore my shirt as I was cutting my food." K'tyn winks at Calalin. "I've three children. Tis not so many as some." Calalin mmhmms, "Right. Like F'hlan. His are all from flights or his weyrmate I hear." She snickers, and pulls a few more articles out of the basket. It's Kassi's turn to flutter her eyelashes in a look of innocence. "Well, you said you would *never* have company, which I assumed would include Kindre... 'tis why I figure she'd be so disappointed." With a wink, she notes to Calalin, "Had you heard that he's expecting another? His eighth, I believe." K'tyn shakes his head, popping the last bit of bread in his mouth. "There's no comparison between eight and three." Ro makes a mental note that if the weyrleader is sick again, to cut up all the food before bringing it to him. Calalin shrugs, "I've seen just as bad. Poor man must be fertile as a freshly manuered meadow." Kassima comments, "'Tis Tzornth who's the virile one, I suspect. He catches so many greens that F'hlan doesn't have a chance." Calalin says "You don't get pregnant every time Lysseth rises, do you? I wouldn't just blame the flights." K'tyn snorts, muttering, "And I don't impregnate every time Prometh rises, thanks be to Faranth." At the talk of getting pregnant from flights, Maylia shifts uncomfortably, surreptitiously crossing her fingers and shaking her head. No. Anything but that. Calalin eyes K'tyn speculatively. "Prometh rises? Now *that* I'd love to see." Ro blushes deeper, and tries not to draw any attention to herself. Yup, she is still -quite- young for this sort of thing. K'tyn grins. "Aye, he rises after greens, true as can be." Kassima snorts, shaking her head in denial. "Hardly! Only when Lyss rises, is caught by a dragon with a male rider--which has only happened thrice, I might add--and I've drunk the Water. Which has happened once, and which is why I have Kaylira. Flights and Water are a lethal combination." Calalin shrugs. "Water's water. Nothing unusual about that." She grins at K'tyn, "Well, that's not quite the same as him rising." Kassima grins at Calalin. "Water's water, unless 'tis Benden Water... which, I've heard rumor say, has infected the water here. But what I meant was that with Tzornth giving him so many, hrm, *opportunities*, as 'twere, he has that much more chance of having children. So t'speak." K'tyn laughs, pointng his empty fork at Calalin. "You know what I meant, young woman, and Aye, Kassi. I am glad that Prometh is a bit more discriminating--or less responsive, tis true." Calalin snorts, "There's not enough water left at Benden to take care of the people there, much less do anything here." She shrugs, "Though I've heard Tzornth is particularly prodigious at catching greens." She finishes the last bit of folding, and wanders off to the kitchen. "I'm hungry." "Ah, but some people have brought some of it over here, trading equal amounts of water from elsewhere for it. I'm nay the only superstitious one," Kassi explains. "Anyway, I'm rather glad that Lyss doesn't rise so oft as many greens- -though risk or nay, I could live with her being caught by more dragons ridden by men than women. Two children will be enough for me for a time, methinks." K'tyn nods at Kassima. "That's understandable, but...I think I might need to wander out to the bowl. Prometh's eyeing Mehlani's gift a little too closely, methinks. Calalin wanders into the kitchen, commenting as she goes. Something to the effect of 'trading water. ... stupidest.. heard.' To mollify herself, she fetches a gigantic bowl of mashed tubers, drowning them with gravy. After she fetches a spoon, she wanders back out and sits by the freshly folded laundry. K'tyn stands, stretches and wanders toward the door. "I'll be back, in a moment." K'tyn walks down the short tunnel and out into the bowl. K'tyn has left. Ro nods and her attention wanders elsewhere. She stares off into space looking thoughtful. Kassima laughs under her breath. "So Lyss has told me," she remarks, saluting after the departing Weyrleader and resuming her seat with a relieved sigh. "Calalin, you say that now--but 'tis because you've never seen it *work*. Which it does! Ask Ofira. Ask Tria. Ask Asrai. Ask Mart and Kena. We all know about the Water." Calalin shrugs at K'tyn. Her attention becomes focused on the lovely, heaping bowl of oh-so-fluffy mashed tubers. Gravy slides off the mountains of fluffines. A veritable heart attack waitoing to happen. She peers up at Kassima over a spoonful of the stuff. "If that was true, then why doesn't the Weyrwoman have six or twelve kids? You can't say she would argue over having a child by her weyrmate, especially when his dragon caught her every time she rose except the last time?" Maylia blushes, ducking her head. Ever so quietly, she says, "Never thought I'd say this, but in that case I'm quite glad we're not at Benden." Her voice sounds tinged with hopefulness. Kassima quirks an eyebrow at Maylia, giving her mentee a scrutinizing look. "Can't say I blame you for nay wanting children so early," is all she says before turning to regard Calalin. When she sees the bowl of tubers, she gulps, her color going two shades paler. "Oh, ugh. My guess would be that being grounded for awhile *does* help. 'Tis likely the third part of the equation: a flight, Water, and a grounding." Calalin shovels big spoonfuls into her mouth, being sure to swipe up some of that gravy with each bite. After one particularly large swallow, she says, "And the weyrwoman's not the mos likelt person to be on the ground for long periods of time? Far more likely than a dragon in a fighting wing, I'd think. What with drills and sweeps and all." Kassima flicks her fingers dismissively. "Even Weyrwomen travel, don't they? And go *between* in 'Fall? Besides, I'll admit that the Water doesn't work for *everyone*. 'Tis just that many of those who do come down with the Benden Flu have drunk of it." Calalin shakes her head, confused, "No, but none of the weyrwomen spend as much time between as the rest of the riders do. I mean, if a queen has to go between, it really means someone up above missed something pretty serious, doesn't it?" She pauses, "And if they lived at Benden, what other water could they drink? You could just as easily blame it on wearing clothes. *Everyone* does it." "They have t'go *between* to get to and from the 'Fall site," Kassi remarks, "and if'n injured, which does happen. Ask Kindre sometime. But the thing is, nay everyone drinks Water plain, or klah; 'tis safe enough in juice or wine form, but those two... they're tricky. Save for M'kla's, which is really made with agenothree rather than Water at all." Calalin says "Flirk's was worse, she says." Kassima snorts in agreement. "Flirk's is demonic. Evil, I tell you. Evil. I don't know *what's* in it, but 'tis lethal in a way different from M'kla's: M'kla's threatens your physical health. Flirk's, your mental." Calalin smirks. "Don't drink the stuff." "Lucky you, then," Kassi quips with a mock-grimace. "It didn't really do me any harm, per se, since I didn't drown in that bowl of oatmeal after all... but seeing Alwyn running around the place stark naked is something I could've done without. Nay offense meant t'him, mind. 'Twas just rather a deranged thing t'be seeing." Calalin snickers, "He's got nohing to look at anyway." Kassima lets her eyebrows arch fractionally, giving Calalin an odd look. "You know from experience, I take it? Since I don't recall seeing you there when he was on his streaking spree." Calalin shakes her head, "Why would I want to be? Besides, he's been in the hot springs before. Havn't you? How many folks wear their clothes in there?" Ro blinks, becoming aware of the conversation and -blushing-. "Nay many," Kassi admits breezily. "Though several do wear *something*--I prefer a towel, m'self. Aye, I've been in the 'Springs, and I've seen him there. I suppose I've just never had the urge to watch him undress." Calalin nods, "Not that I've watched him undress either. But it's hard not to notice people around you in the spring. INtending to look or no." "True enough," Kassi admits, "most of the time. I'm usually scrubbing Lyss or something, m'self, so I'm often too preoccupied to look at 'em 'til they're already under the water. Depends on circumstance, and all of that." Calalin snickers, "Though I'm sure it was sharded odd to see him running naked through the caverns." Kassima agrees wryly, "'Twas. And with a mushroom in an unspeakable place, nay less." Calalin says "Ugh. Well, couldn't be any worse than where they grow the things."" Ro blushes through an entire range of shades, each comment reminding her of one thing our another. Kassima grimaces and holds up her hands. "Please, I think I'm better off *nay* knowing. There are some things even my stomach can't tolerate, and I like mushrooms too well t'want t'know where they come from." Calalin says "They're dirtier than tubers. At least tubers just grow underground." Ro does her best to change the subject before she faints "Um, Kassi? What there somethin' you wanted 'broidered?" she says in a noticeably strained voice. "Dirtier, but naught's more evil or disgusting than tubers," Kassi mutters. Ro's strained query wins her a surprised look from Kassi. "Are you all right, Ro? Something embroidered? Hrm... well, actually, Kay could use a new Gather tunic. If'n I find something suitable in the trunk, 'twould need t'be embroidered somewhere with the appropriate colors." Calalin snickers again, finishing off the last of her delicious bowl of tubers. Ro nods "I found a lot of different threads in one of the trunks, just perfect for 'broidery. Lots of different colors, too." Her cheeks seem to be returning to a more normal color. Calalin takes her bowl off to the kitchen, handing it to one of the folks working in there today to be washed. "The colors needed would be black, red, green, bronze, and white," Kassi explains. "I usually trade m'cousin Simian a seashell or two for the favor of embroidering a rope of those colors around the collar of Kay's shirts. It doesn't have t'be aught fancy. Though, *she* might appreciate having something t'wear with a brown dragon on it. The girl's brown-mad." Ro nods, filing this information away in her mind. Calalin yawns, picking up all the folded laundry, sorting it cerfully as she sets it back in the basket. "Time to get these put away." Calalin walks towards the inner cavern. Calalin has left. Kassima waves after Calalin, too late of course. "I think I'll have t'get a look at those babe-clothes as soon as I can," she muses. "I'll have t'get V'dan to help me with the trunk. I've only a month left t'be getting things ready." [And meanwhile, out in the Bowl...] Prometh backwings for a landing. Prometh has arrived. Prometh rumbles quietly to the other dragons, settling down comfortably in the bowl Hidden behind Lysseth, out of sight of the various other dragons around the Bowl, something can be heard to snort with vague unease. There's a murmur of voices as something else--people, presumably--sooth the snorting thing. Tierth eyes the older green with curiousity, weaving her head back and forth, trying to get a peek at what she's hiding. For a moment, only the sounds of lounging dragons can be heard... but then, another sound is audible: footsteps, one might guess, though they're rather odd for human steps. E'rian steps out of the tunnel only a moment after 'Lani, standing beside her and waiting for a few moments before he whispers, "All right... you can open your eyes now." Prometh rumblesnorts, almost sneezing. Mehlani waves her hand around slightly as she emerges into the Bowl, just to make sure she doesn't bump into anything; Holl, on her shoulder, chirrups with what sounds like mounting excitement, and the little bronze may well in fact be trying to guide the girl. Mehlani does open her eyes, then, at Eyr's urging... The sight that meets the eyes is an interesting one. Standing not far away are two people, one of whom is a tall, smiling woman with deep blue eyes, touseled brown hair confined by a runner's-tail, and the yellow and white knot of a Journeywoman Herder. Beside her is K'star, readily identifiable by his fedora. The latter is holding a piece of rope... or rather, a lead to the young, coal- black runnerbeast mare of obvious fine breeding who stands to the left of him. "Happy Turnday, 'Lani!" he and E'rian chorus in practiced unison. Prometh looks over the runnerbeast with a practiced eye. Mmm. Tasty. Lysseth snorts at Prometh, raising one wing as though to ward off any thoughts of eating her rider's cousins' gift. Look, but don't drool. Mehlani blinks, unable, apparently, to comprehend what she's seeing before her. K'star she of course recognizes, but her gaze goes then to the unfamiliar Herder... and then to the mare. Her mouth comes open, but no sound emerges from her. Upon close inspection, the mare--who is young indeed, surely not much over three Turns--can be seen to be truly black, without a speck of white on her, and standing at about fifteen hands high. A pedigreed beast, there can be no doubt-- and one well cared-for, if her sleek coat and the lack of any ounce of fat underneath that coat are any indication. "She's our gift to you, 'Lani," K'star explains, his grin a match for his brothers. "Ours and Kassi's. Cousin Jessamyne brought her up here for us." The Journeywoman--Jessamyne, apparently--nods a smiling confirmation. "Her name is Nightsong," E'rian chips in. "Though you could change that, of course. Do you like her?" Prometh snakes his head closer, surrepticiously sniffing at the beast as his long forked tongue tastes the air. Holl, however, is not struck dumb like his human, and of the things Holl has learned rank on the list of things Mehlani cherishes, runnerbeasts are most definitely included. His eyes whirling brightly blue, the bronze wings up off 'Lani's shoulder and over to inspect the black mare, while Mehlani finally manages to find her voice. "She's... mine...? Oh..." She takes a few steps towards the gorgeous creature, thunderstruck. Lysseth coils her tail in a protective ring around the creature, while Indyth and Milleniuth sidle beside her to join in the runner's honor guard. If *they* were told they'd be made into dragonskin accessories if they so much as sniffed the creature, then by Faranth, the same should hold true for every dragon. The dark mare extends her muzzle to whuff curiously at Mehlani, nudging the girl's fedora lightly. "She's yours," Jessamyne confirms. "Paid for in full. You should know that she's been broken to saddle and bridle, and should make a good riding beast... but she's not fully trained just yet. You might have some work to do with her, but I promise you that she's as gentle as any spirited creature can be." Mehlani just... stares, for several long seconds, before lifting tentative hands to Nightsong's ebon nose. As her fingertips connect with the silken coat, the girl's expression begins to kindle, and in wonder, she breathes out the runner's name. Nightsong whickers lightly, accepting the caress and sniffing at Mehlani inquisitively. Eyr and Kes, standing to either side of her, watch the meeting of girl and runner with identical broad, pleased smiles. "I hope she's to your liking, 'Lani," Kes says. "We wanted to get you something you'd really like for your Turnday...." E'rian finishes his brother's sentence with, "And we know you like runners." K'tyn saunters out. "Lani?" He calls out, craning his head about to looks for her. Ah! There's Prometh, and nearby must be the runner. "But... a runner... so many marks..." Mehlani tears her gaze away from the black muzzle and dark eyes studying her, but not her hands, as she blurts to the pair of young riders and the Herder, "She's...." Only then does she hear K'tyn's call, and her blue gaze flashes in the Weyrleader's direction. K'tyn waves, stepping over. "E'rian, K'star, Herder," he greets. "So, this is the gift I did hear so much about, hm? She looks in very fine fettle." Jessamyne rolls her eyes and shakes her head, her wavy bangs flopping in her eyes. "Hah. Not a chance of that. I was gypped horribly in the bargain for this girl." She winks, and reaches out to ruffle Eyr's hair playfully--something he seems to endure stoically. "Anything for Aleinn's family, though. Beastcraft's duties to Telgar and her queens, Weyrleader." With a start, Kes and Eyr both turn to guiltily salute the Weyrleader somewhat belatedly. "Nightsong's one of my best stock," Jessa continues. "She should make a good broodmare someday, if you've a mind to look in that direction, Mehlani." Holl experimentally alights on Nightsong's back, while Mehlani, both her hands still lingering on the mare's black nose, says nothing. But her eyes have started to shine, and there's a glimmer of dampness within them; it would seem that Mehlani has just entered in the beginnings of a beautiful friendship, and it's doubtful whether she actually hears the Journeyman's advice. She's gazing raptly at Nightsong, her fingertips gently searching out where this lovely lady might like to be scritched. K'tyn watches Mehlani's apparent rapture with amusement, waiting for the right moment to perhaps speak up. He leans rather forcefully on Prometh, bluntly blocking the bronze from snuffling the delicate mare. Nightsong lashes her long tail, fidgeting at the unfamiliar sensation of having a 'lizard on her back. However, Mehlani's caresses seem to have a soothing effect on the young mare. In an attempt to aid the girl in her search, the runner dips her head, the better to make her forelock and the space around her ears accessible. A positively enormous smile blossoms out across Mehlani's face, and for a few moments, she enchantedly scritches at that raven forelock and behind those ears. Then, without warning, she turns to E'rian, the nearer of the two young riders, and hugs him, whispering, "Thank you...!" Tears are beginning to stream down her face. K'tyn blinks, looking a little uncomfortable at Mehlani's tears, and that she rushes to E'rian for comfort? or is that thanks. "I--Hm. Mayhaps I'll speak with you later 'Lani," he says awkwardly, looking from the young girl to the young man she's hugging so... enthusisastically. "I've something for you, but... It can wait." K'tyn looks at Prometh, staring at him a long moment, before sauntering back toward the LC. E'rian is, unsurprisingly, mildly astonished to be hugged. But that's not to say he's displeased. His loon's grin broadens a bit as he hugs her back and chides playfully, "Hey, 'Lani, don't cry. If you're *that* disappointed, Jessa could take her to Greystones with her on her trip back." "No... oh no, she's _lovely_, she... oh no...!" Just as abruptly as Mehlani had hugged E'rian, she whirls to hug K'star, too, murmuring her thanks, over and over. Holl, though, appears to notice K'tyn, and the bronze fire lizard launches up again to wing over to the Weyrleader, crooning, and nudging him back towards Mehlani. K'tyn pauses, looking at the tiny bronze. He looks over his shoulder at Mehlani, smiles paternally, and chides the tiny beast. "I can see her any time, tis true. And she seems--otherwise preoccupied." E'rian laughs and does his best not to look envious as Mehlani turns to hug his brother, too. "All right, then. Jessa won't mind having one less thing to worry about on her trip back, I warrant," he grins, while Kes lights up like a veritable glowbasket that's just been unshielded. "Happy Turnday, 'Lani," he says to her, with a crooked smile. Jessamyne just rolls her eyes and grins at all of this sentimentality. "If you don't mind, Weyrleader, Kes, Eyr, all," she begins, "I should probably seek out Craftsecond Caitria and speak to her before I start back. It's a long trip to Greystones--but not so bad as from High Reaches, so I'm not complaining." Journeyman Jessamyne isn't getting away without going unnoticed by Mehlani's rapt gratitude, although the girl doesn't actually hug her. She does breathe huskily, however, "Thank you, too... thank you so much..." Holl wings back to claim Mehlani's shoulder and to nudge the girl's face towards the Weyrleader, then. K'tyn turns back, smiling at the Herder Journeyman. "Please. Feel free to stay the evening or the next day or two, if you might spare the time. Your company is welcome.' Jessamyne holds up her hands, shaking her head. "No problem, Mehlani. It's my job. And I'm glad to see that girl go to someone whom, I somehow suspect, will appreciate her for the fine creature she is." Giving Nightsong's ears a final scritch, she steps back and nods to the Weyrleader. "I'd appreciate that, actually. Aleinn's kinsfolk will no doubt be hounding me for news of the kin up here as soon as I get home, so I'd best get news enough to satisfy them--and a bit of a rest would be most welcome, if it wouldn't be a bother or a strain on your hospitality." Mehlani looks up shyly to K'tyn, her face still aglow, somehow not incongruous with the tears glittering in her eyes, silently urging Prometh's rider to give the Herder the most comfortable sleeping place the Weyr can provide. K'tyn smiles at Jassamyne, bowing her toward the living cavern's entryway. "It isn't and it won't be. Please, make our home yours, if you will." Jessamyne laughs, hooking one thumb through a loop of her belt. "Don't think you want to offer that, Weyrleader. You've already got enough of my kin-by- handfasting living here as-is. But the offer's appreciated, and I'll take you up on it... for a couple of days only, worry not." She winks, and looks over to Mehlani. "If there's anything you want to know about that mare of yours, just come and ask me. I've brought the hides with her pedigree written out for you, too, if you want them." Mehlani bobs her head rapidly to Jessamyne, half her attention already returning to Nightsong, her hand lifting up high to scritch her silken dark coat. But to K'tyn, Mehlani glances again, when Holl nudges her cheek. K'tyn smiles. "I'm sure that I do, since you seem to have given Mehlani something that she treasures. Go, Journeyman. Rest yourself." "The gift's from my husband's cousins, but I'll take advantage of it anyway," Jessa says laconically, smiling. "Duties to you, Weyrleader, in case I don't see you about again 'fore I go." With a last wave--and a hair-ruffling for poor E'rian--she saunters out towards the Beasthold, presumably in search of Caitria. It's more than apparent that Mehlani is beginning to fall absolutely in love with the mare; the girl can't take her hands off that finely arched neck and head, as if needing the tactile input to assure herself that the runner is real. But 'Lani glances shyly to K'tyn again, as Holl keeps delicately bapping her cheek to get her head turned back in the young Weyrleader's direction. K'tyn grins after the journeyman herder, then cocks his head inquisitively at Mehlani. He smiles a little at K'star and E'rian. "I've got something for you. Tisn't so lovely as that mare, but... I thought you might use it, anyway." K'tyn offers his closed fist to the young woman. "Open your hands, hm?" Her eyes are already liquid, and perhaps simply because she's already been overwhelmed by the gift Kes and Eyr have presented her, Mehlani's only response is a shy smile. But she then blinks at K'tyn's prompting, and with a trace of hesitance, she brings her palms down off Nightsong's head to offer them to the bronze rider. K'tyn laughs, and opening his hands, plops the firm round shapes of marks into Mehlani's outstretched palms. "I was at a loss as to what you might like, hence, my humble gift. Buy something pretty with it, Lani." Nightsong, in turn, seems rather fond of Mehlani. The mare brushes her muzzle along Mehlani's cheek, almost like a runner's version of a kiss. Kes and Eyr haven't lost their grins of delight, for all that their cheeks must be starting to hurt. So happy is Eyr, in fact, that he doesn't even notice the marks... and *that* is something truly unusual for this half-Bitran gambling-addict. "Pretty? Oh, K'tyn, I..." Mehlani trails off then, gazing liquidly at the marks, then stepping forward to hug K'tyn, too, surprisingly hard for this slight little girl. And all at once she moves back to hug both K'star and E'rian _again_, breathing out to all three riders, "I have never been so happy....!" And she finishes by throwing her arms around the neck of the mare. K'tyn laughs. "I think we're more happy watching you be happy, Lani. Enjoy your turnday." K'tyn turns, and whistling a little, heads for the caverns. Kes blushes a trifle, while Eyr just chuckles in delight. "Then the gift had the effect we were hoping for," the older, brownriding brother says simply. "To make you happy. That's what Turndays are meant to be about, you know." Embracing Nightsong's neck, Mehlani lifts her tear-bright, rapt gaze back to the boys, focusing it on K'star as he speaks. Her huge smile still lights her face. "Thank you," she breathes yet again. K'star turns faintly redder, but his beam is nonetheless sincere as he nods. "We've got to go, Eyr and I--we promised to go back t'Greystones and assure Jessa's family that she's arrived safely when she did. Besides, I think you and Nightsong need to spend some time getting acquainted." E'rian nods, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "We'll probably be stopping by Benden while we're out and about. Kassi's always pestering us for news from home. Want us to give a message to your father while we're there, if he's around?" Get acquainted with Nightsong....! Yes! The thought veritably shines in the girl's face, as Mehlani glances once more at the mare. As K'star speaks on, though, 'Lani returns her gaze to both boys, her expression settling down; her eyes remain radiant, however, even if the smile begins to leave her lips. "Alright," she murmurs shyly to the two youths. "And... yes... please tell my father... I'll send him a letter? And... also... thank you, for the gift he sent me...?" E'rian bows, and K'star tips his fedora to Mehlani. Their pleasure at her obvious delight in the mare shows in their own faces, though not quite so radiantly. "Your wish is our command, fair damsel," Kes says gallantly. "We'll carry the message to the Weyrleader, and gladly." As he turns to check his Indyth's straps, Eyr inquires, "Anything else we can do for you, fairest of the fair?" Mehlani can be seen to blush at the compliments, and she shakes her head to both boys, demurely. "You've done so much already...!" E'rian grins, and, while his brother's not looking, dips his head to give 'Lani a quick kiss on the cheek, if she doesn't pull away. "Now we're even," he says with a wink. "'Twas the least we could do. May your Turnday be happy!" With that, he sprints up to his green and climbs aboard, signalling to Kes that he's ready to go. Both riders pause long enough to salute the Phantom Wingsecond and wave a last time to 'Lani before signalling their dragons to launch up into the skies. [End log.]