The World of Pern(tm) is copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967. The Dragonriders of Pern is a registered copyright.

This is a log of an online roleplay on PernMUSH. This is not fanfiction, and the characters are copyright their respective players.

SeaCraft Hall - Fisher Beach(#2278RLa)
This long stretch of beach is often used by families and residents from nearby Tillek and Master Sea Holds. A particular favorite of sailors, the pebble-strewn beach forms a grand grey curve between Pern's two largest dockyards, providing a perfect place to watch ships sail out to sea. When the waves pick up, frothy spray crashes against a long breakwater known as the Dragon Rocks, and the thunderous roar of the sea echoes off the jagged cliff backing the gravel-covered shoreline. Another cool autumn night thickens neath a sky unencumbered by cloud.
Tillek Hold's enormous docking cavern anchors the northwest point of the beach, while the bustling shipyards at Master Sea Hold terminate the southeastern tip. A steep path leads up the bluff, away from the 'water' that beats on the shore.
Contents:
Veyath(#3233Jaeqs)
Hearth
Obvious exits:
WAter Tillek Docks Path Seacraft Docks

Dess(#13727PJce)

At 5'8", Dess is neither skinny nor plump, but rather, sleekly built - muscles defined but elongated gracefully beneath her smooth skin. She's obvious well acquainted with the sun, for she has a healthy glow about her, and her long hair, although a natural mahogany, is shot through with streaks of dusky blond. Her face seems made up of angles, her cheekbones sloping down from her pixies jawline, her glittering, green eyes slanted slightly, and her mouth a swollen V above a pointed chin. Even her nose is set at a gentle incline. She carries herself gracefully, and with a self assurity that's born of wealthy blood. She's presently 35 Turns, 9 months, and 12 days old.
Made from a soft, forest green material, the leotard Dess wears is clingy about her figure - stretching taunt against the swell of her bosom and backside, while accentuating her waistline. Short, cropped sleeves cap her shoulders before the garment dips low to expose the faintest shadow between her breasts, curving high over her hips.. not exactly your prim and proper outfit, but suited to the dancing she teaches in it, providing maximum movement. A simple, silver chain with a sparkling emerald settles at the hollow of her throat, and her dark locks have been piled atop her head and stuck through there with a simply carved stick.

For a dragon, this green seems remarkably small...for a dragon. Nineteen meters of lustrous green hide from tail to muzzle shimmer in its many shades, from the lightest green of forest moss spreading across her nearly-translucent wings, reaching out a good thirty meters themselves from wingtip to wingtip, to her belly, the color of the darkest rainforest after a storm. Her lithe frame seems deceptively fragile and delicate, believing her considerable strength and endurance and occasionally leading others to underestimate her abilities. When she chooses to move, (Which she does rarely except when needed, more often simply settling down and watching the goings-on warily) she does so with considerable grace and agility, a beauty to see in flight as well as on the ground. Although she's matured and calmed much since her Hatching, she still seems a bit skittish at times, and can be frightened more easily than most..perhaps all..other dragons. For this and other reasons, she's rarely found away from her rider and lifemate, K'nan. They have been together for 26 Turns, 5 months, and 9 days.
Carrying:
K'nan

The night is calm, the sea rolling easily in from it's deeper beds, lapping as gently as a lover at the shore. Everything would be quite tranquil... peaceful.. a night made for moonlit walks hand in hand.. if not for a scattering of about ten young girls, all in leotards, doing jumping jacks with tormented expressions as a middle-aged woman instructs them cheerfully from the front. "Okay girls! Now up..and down.. and one, two, three, four! Work those legs! Gertrude - no slouching! Do you want to be a dancer, or do you want to be a drudge, girls?!" Bouncing from one bare foot to the other, Dess' artful knot of hair bobs at her neck, her smile stretched wide over her lips. The girls all give a sort of mutual groan and try to keep up with their would be mentor.

The moonlight's filtered through spread wingsail as high above a dragon emerges from the chill depths of Between -- Veyath's lithe form soaring through the night skies and circling the Seacraft Hall once, twice, and then glides down towards the sands that her rider remembers so well. The group of girls there is noted, and the green dragon backwings to a careful landing away from them, sand swirling around her as it's kicked up.

Dess, all too fixated on the girls she's training, continues to perform jumping jacks while calling out orders. "Good job, Gwenneth, dear! But get that knee to your chest.. it's ample enough, child, shouldn't be a problem!" The indicated girl flushes a deep rose and tucks her head down, trying her best to draw her knee further up towards her bosom. It's only when one young girl at the back, perhaps nine turns at best, suddenly stops what she's doing and points with a startled, "A dragon! A dragon!", that Dess notices the form looming downwards. "Okay.. ignore the dragon, dearlings! It's of no great importance..." She tries in vain to recall the children's lost attention, frowning slightly as they all, gradually, stop their bouncings. With a lofty sigh, she shoots a glare towards the green, then waves at the lot of children with a stern, "Go get yourselves a tea at the hearth, girls! Lessons will restart in a few moments, so keep those feet moving!" When no one hurries to her liking, she claps her hands sharply and the little ones all fade up towards the hearth with mournful looks, trying to jog a little on their way. Dess, turns towards the dragon, and begins stalking towards it.

K'nan climbs down from Veyath's neck, and arrives on the ground.

Now mature, this rider has lost nothing to age save for a scattering of grey threads mingled with the light brown of the rest of his hair, all of it held back and tied with a piece of hide to keep it from his face and being a burden during flight. Perhaps there's a few more laugh lines in his handsome face around those eyes, as sky-blue and warm as the first day he arrived, but his smile comes as easy and readily as it ever did.
Midnight black leather encompasses K'nan's muscled legs, hugging them tight as they lead your eye over his lower half. Catching the light, a violet undertone plays along the surface of the leather, whispering its soft caress over K'nan's skin. The pants are sliced up both sides, then laced back together with thick black cord. A glimpse of flesh shows between the lacing, and nothing else.
His upper body is clothed in a black shirt of hugging knots, all joined together to form a mesh like material. These tiny knots hide most of his lean stomach from view, but catching the right light, the knots take on an almost translucent appearance, teasing your eyes before he turns away. The shirt has no sleeves, and his tanned arms are there for clear viewing. A small lavender and white label inside the neckline of the shirt and the waistband of the pants marks this as one of Katlynn's creations.

The green (on the small side even for her kind, although enormous to a human) settles in, tail flicking a little back and forth as she settles into the sands -- K'nan slides down from his lifemate's back, down onto an extended knee and then a short hop takes him to the ground, straightening again a moment later and brushing one hand back through his hair, taking a deep breath of the sea air. It's then that he notices someone stalking his way.

Dess puckers her lips in reluctant admiration as she watches the rider vault from his dragon with decent grace, a sad little shake of her head following suit. He could have been a -grand- dancer, no doubt.. tsk. Such a waste. Still, there is a small matter to attend to, and she raises one hand to give an artful little wave, green eyes luminous as she comes closer and glancing with slight concern towards the towering green. "Helllooo!" she sing-songs, patty-patting stray strands of hair back into place with her free hand. "Hello, excuse me? I should like to have a word with you, Sir!"

K'nan's eyebrows tick upwards, one then the other, and he considers the woman as she heads along his way -- blue eyes dropping down to her feet then working their way back up -- and it's with an easy smile that he strolls along over towards the woman to meet her half-way. "'Evening," he greets warmly, "What can I do for y', lass?"

Dess doesn't pause a second in her chattering, seeming not to notice the long look she receives. Instead, she turns her mossy gaze towards the girls gathered about the hearth, checking on them briefly as she gestures their way. "Well.. I don't mean to sound abrupt, Rider, but really! Could you have interrupted my class with any more efficiency? The girls are working very hard to train up to their standards and--" She trails off as she hooks her attention back up to K'nan's, her expression shifting quickly from exasperation to uncertainty. Flushing slightly, she presses a hand to her chest, taken aback by something in his gaze, and lets out a little huff of breath. "And why in the world are you looking at me like that?" she asks with a disgruntled sniff, not quite realizing she's doing it as she reaches back with her free hand to adjust the curve of one hip band lower.

The rush of words has brought quite the amused expression to the greenrider's face as he watches her, tanned and muscular arms folding 'cross his chest as he listens to her questioning him. A lopsided grin tumbles across his lips at that one final query, and an eyebrow lifts again - blue eyes meeting green as he replies to the entire inquisition at once. "I most certainly could've interrupted 'em more efficiently, lass," he chuckles, "An' you've a fine taste in colour I have to say -- green's a lovely hue, on you especially, brings out your eyes well an' all." He's a touch biased on the color issue.

"Well of course green is a lovely color!" Dess replies aggrevatedly, somewhat distracted by the rider, her gaze darting up then down, then up again, "It's my favorite color and I've quite the best taste, I assure you, furthermor--oh." She's caught sight again of his dragon beyond, and suddenly it hits her just where the humor lies in the riders assurance of her choice in colors. "Oh.. well.." She huffs, not entirely certain how to take this - for once at a loss of words. For a moment, she can only blink in silent befuddlement at K'nan, then all at once she's in motion, moving to try and capture his arm in one, swift, graceful movement. "Well!" She sounds as if she's made a decision, and her little chin is tucked up towards the moon, green eyes glinting determinedly."Then you can just come and join us, can't you dear? There's a good man.. I'm /sure/ the girls will be /quite/ happy to do their exercises if the object of their intrigue is along. Yes yes.. quite so. Come along then, wouldn't want anyone to get the impression riders don't clean up their messes, hmm?" A faint smile touches her lips.

The sudden capture of his arm by the 'dancer instructor' brings a touch of surprise to those blue eyes as hers slip through his. K'nan blinks down to the woman, pauses, and then lets a low, full laugh roll from his lips, reaching up his other hand to pat hers lightly. "I think I could do that," he says with a tilt of his chin towards the sky, a lock of hair brushing down over his brow and a grin spreading wider over his place, "As y'say.. we riders do have t'clean up our own messes."

"Right. Good, then." Dess nods sharply, dragging the poor fellow down the beach and motioning absently at the girls near the hearth. The teens and young ones alike all give each other empathetic, half-hearted smiles.. as if to say "Well.. we tried and lost. Better luck next time on escaping her." They all trudge down the beach until they're scattered about their mentor and the rider she's captured. One of the younger ones, perhaps six turns along, looks up to K'nan with wide, clear blue eyes - full of childlike concern. With a little shake of her head, she tugs on his breeches, and stage whispers softly to him, "If I was you, mister.. I'd run 'way! She's fast but gives up if you jump in the harbor!" Having imparted this bit of wisdom, she steps back with a resigned sigh, and resumes her position in the sand. "Right then! Here now.. straighten out!" Unleashing the rider, Dess steps back up to the front and gives a sharp clap of her hands. "Two more sets, then ten laps to the raft and back! You know the drill, girls.. and gentleman.. lets go!" And with that, she jumps into the air, counting off the rhythm.

The stage-whisper of the young girl cautioning him about the taskmistress's cruelty brings a smile to the greenrider's lips, one hand reaching over to ruffle the girl's hair before she darts off. He has to deal with far worse than this when he has drills, and thus it's with no problem whatsoever that he drops into 'line' with the others and leaps into the air to match the woman's rhythm. His grin might be because he's enjoying this, is amused by it.. or perhaps he's savouring the lovely view that Dess presents as she bounces up and down. Probably all three.

Dess never once allows her gaze to wander to the greenrider, her eyes neatly focused on the girls around him, instead. Every once in awhile, she calls out a commentary, either praise or criticism, and both are generally met with moans. Only two older girls seem to actually be enjoying themselves, and these as neatly arranged of face and hair as their teacher - probably savoring the chance to show off both newly acquired forms and leotards to the handsome rider. Thus it is, that when Dess gives a hearty little cheer and bounce, motioning out towards the waters, that those two drag behind a bit, glancing coyly at K'nan, until Dess sharply reprimands them and sends them scurrying off to do their laps. With arms crossed beneath her chest, she watches the first waves of younglings dart into the water.

K'nan's lips curl in a crooked little grin as he watches the girls lingering behind and glancing his way -- making sure they notice the glance he offers each in turn -- and then walks along up to stop beside Dess. One hand lifts to rake back through his hair, watching the younglings splashing into the water then glancing sidelong to her, "Y'do this every night, lass?"

"My name is Desstra Shayne Cloviant, Sir, - From the Cloviant Vinyard in High Reaches - and I'd thank you to use it." Dess turns primly to hold her hand out, palm up, in formal greeting. Her jade eyes greet his solidly this time, and she cocks one hip while raising her chin up in that stubborn way. "And I certainly do. These poor girls have had positively no decent training in the ways of social grace. Why.. they didn't even know about sunning oils or a good skin regime before I got here." Looking rather important, the dark haired woman arches one brow expectantly at K'nan. "And you are?"

There's light, ringing laughter from the sea, where the girls more play than actually stroke out their laps. However, they do make some progress, various heads bobbing in the moonlight.

"I'm afraid I've but one name to be called by," replies the greenrider, a rather roguish smile settling upon his expression as he meets those jade eyes with horizon-bright blue, "K'nan, rider of green Veyath, out of Telgar Weyr. A pleasure to meet you, Desstra -- and might I express my hopes that they follow in your example. Since it seems your methods bring results." The subtlest flicker of one eye in a wink, before he turns back away from idle flirtation to watch the girls out in the water.

"Hmm.. Yes, well, it's a....." Dess pauses, once again looking uncertain as she both searches for a word and gives the rider before her a long, quizzical look, "A coincidental affair to have met you, then, K'nan. I'm sure from now on you'll be more careful with where you stop your beastie there. Quite a nice shade on her, but I really cannot have my girls interrupted. They already have a hard road, what with the common drunk wandering about so oft, after a day of performing those disgusting tasks.. gutting or the like.." She crinkles up her nose with the thought, but then the compliment, to for unnoticed, hits her squarely as she turns back to watch the girls, now starting to wade out of the chill waters and search around for their towels. Dess' smile grows a little softer, and she suddenly chuckles, "I'm afraid this wind is a bit chill for my taste, K'nan.. perhaps you'll join me for something to eat and drink after the girls are back up, hmm?" Yes.. flattery will get you /most/ anywhere. Calling the children back up, she sends them off towards the hall, each one taking their turn at staring towards the rider covertly.

"My apologies," K'nan says with a throaty chuckle and a nod of his head over, "There's not usually anyone out here this late in th'evening -- I didn't think I'd be disrupting anything." That smile grows a bit upon his lips, though eyes remain on the girls emerging from the water, "Aye, that'd be nice, Desstra." At last he turns back towards her, blue meeting jade, "A bite t'eat would be appreciated."

Dess carefully eyes the last girl as the youngster beats a path back towards the Hall, then returns her gaze to K'nan, flashing a vague smile up at him. "Well of course it shall be... I've been on those things when they blink about!" She blinks herself, her expression conveying the startlement this little trick gives her, and she waves a hand expansively. "Like as enough to make one's heart swell! I swear every time I'm just -sure- I'm never going to come back out!" Sweeping gracefully across the sands, she bends, plucking up a wrap around sash and knotting it about her middle, adjusting it against her legs. Grabbing up her sandals, she artfully lifts first one leg then the other, sweeping them over her arched foot and tying them off about her ankles.

"One ne'er really gets used to it," K'nan agrees with a low chuckle, "'Tis chill on th'bones, as well, but that one gets used to. Th'endless nothing, though.." As she bents over to sweep up her clothing, he cranes his neck a bit to appreciate the view (lecher that he's been accused of being in the past) and then rocks back onto his own boots and flashes over a crooked grin, "So what brings one've th'Reaches down here?"

Adjusting herself carefully, making sure no tendril of hair or fold of fabric is out of place, Dess starts back across the sands at a somewhat slower pace this time - somehow still managing to be graceful across the sands even in the platform sandals she wears. Long practice, perhaps giving her aid. A twittering laugh escapes her lips, and she rolls her eyes broadly. "Oh /that/.. Well of course you would notice I don't belong in this home to the wayward.. " She motions about, taking in the sea and everything around it. "Not that I mind the beach so very much.. but truely! Not even teaching their young to apply a good nightly cleaner!" A slight frown of disapproval quirks her little mouth downwards, and with a gusty sigh waves that bit of irritation away. "But.. as you asked.. I'm here because my sire had a little /tiff/, if you will. I'm sure once my dear dam gets a good brandy down his throat he'll get his sense back! The rumors won't last /that/ long.." Sweeping past K'nan, she begins to totter up towards the docks.

K'nan stifles a chuckle that comes unbidden to his lips, as with long-legged strides he follows her along over the sands towards the docks merely a few steps behind the woman. "'Tisn't that bad here," he replies in amiable tones, "My cousins and sister have quite some rank in the Seacraft, an' they've always seemed quite content with how things were. Still, I wish y'luck in your sire getting over that.. little tiff of his."

"Oh, well.. a tuber down ones skirts is never well appreciated by a would-be suiter. But really - the man was a common Stable owner! I don't know /what/ daddy was thinking!" Dess continues to pick her way up to the docks, and when she reaches them, she casts about in a thoughtful way. "Hmm.. You sister and your cousin you say? And who might they be? I've met so many dear people.. rough, but all the same.. I'm sure not /all/ of them are bad, dear, but you can't possibly deny they're not highly refined." She darts a sad little smile, obviously expecting to be outright agreed with, at K'nan - then again casts about as if seeking something.

"Aleria, Dalynn, Caralonn.." K'nan lists off his relatives with the slightest hint of amusement in his tone, following along and pausing beside her near the docks; an eyebrow quirking as he notes, "..I'm not terribly refined m'self. Personally, I find 'refinement' gets in th'way of honesty more often'n not." Gasp. He disagreed with her!

"In the way of honest-Haaahahaha!" Dess laughs outright, her face breaking into a wide smile of mirth and one cheek dimpling as she presses a hand to her chest, leaning back as she gazes up with open amuzement at the rider beside her. She takes a moment to gather herself, stiff sniffing and daubing at her eye daintily, the green threatening to wash out from her mirth. "Oh /dear/ but you're a funny one! Dearling.. the only thing refinement gets in the way of is bad manners and bodily odor! Have you /smelled/ anyone around here, lately?!" She gestures about with brows arched, good humor still written along the soft lines of her face. Without loosing a beat, or waiting for a reply however, she points down the docks and towards Tillek, clearing her throat to be rid of the last of her chuckles. "Speaking of which, do you mind going to Tillek? I really prefer to give that nasty SeaCraft tavern a wide berth.. far too roudy for a lady of any taste."

"I'd love to.." K'nan pauses, then, and clucks his tongue against the roof of his mouth for a moment, offering a rueful smile, "..but, alas, I didn't come here for a social call; I do have someone t'see and duty t'discharge while I'm here. Perhaps another time, Desstra?" An eyebrow lifts in subtle invitation, as he offers over one hand to her.

"Well of course, K'non, dear.. Duty /does/ call, after all!" With a brilliant smile, Dess lays her hand briefly over his before withdrawing and peering up the way. "Hmm.. perhaps I can catch those girls before they go to bed, anyhow. They really should get some stretching in or their muscles will ache in the morrow. Good eve, dear! Another time!" And with tiny steps, she rushes away, hands held carefully at her sides for balance.