You walk through the large entrance to the Living Cavern.
Telgar Weyr's Living Cavern(#750RDJM$)
This huge cavern is sufficiently roomy to hold a large portion of the Weyr's population without feeling cramped. There's always a bustle of activity here. Fragrant dishes are constantly in prepartion for mealtimes: currently for the late meal. Drudges are always present, either cleaning under Pierron's watchful eye, or helping fetch and carry. A myriad of glowbaskets and many ever-lit hearths make the cavern warm and inviting despite its size. The scents of cooking meats, baking breads and pastries, and the pungent aroma of spices hang mouthwateringly in the air. It is little wonder that those seeking to relax nearly always find their way here to do it. The tables are decorated with a multitude of bright spring flowers.
A short tunnel jaunts northward out to the bowl and the merry sounds of cooking, chores, and laughter echo from the kitchen at the southeast end of the cavern near the easterly passage to the rest of the lower caverns. Within the lower caverns is an entrance to the infirmary weyr to care for injured dragons and riders.
Contents:
PLAYERS: Riane Pierron Teryla
OTHER: Winter Sports Rack, Telgar Serving Tables
Obvious Exits:
Inner Caverns Kitchen Bowl
Teryla trudges in, looking weary and beat. Even her shoulders are somewhat slumped, as she flops into a chair. She lifts her gaze and sees Riane, and offers a limp wave. "Evening," she murmurs to the other Candidate.
Riane waves from the klah pot, where she is presently filling up a mug. She waves to Teryla, and offers a smile. This time, she doesn't avert her eyes embarrassedly, though.
"I am /so/ beat," Teryla sighs, slouching back in her chair with a groan. "I don't know how much longer I can bear double-shifts in the nurseries, plus the other chores." She slowly, painstakingly, crosses her legs so that she can reach a foot, which she massages.
Riane winces, seating herself as well. "They've got you doing double shifts *and* other stuff?" she wonders, with a touch of sympathy. "That, I think, is rather harsh, even - " she cuts off and looks down at her klah mug, then starts again awkwardly, "If y'need any help with chores lemme know, I guess."
Teryla quirks her lips in a half grimace, half grin. "Well, not truly, but my name keeps coming up as needing to do regular chores and so folks assume that I deserve it and they should work me hard to teach me how to be a good Candidate." It's said with a great deal of rancor, though the heat isn't there - probably because she's so tired. "I'm learning, I suppose. How to be bone-tired, anyway."
Riane chuckles lightly, "Aweful bad way to make someone learn t'be good, just giving more chores out. Doesn't solve much, I don't think." She shrugs, scooching her chair forward. "What'd you have t'day, other than the nurseries?"
Teryla manages a small smile back. "Running errands. I'm truly not sure if K'ran meant for me to be doing both, but some of the crafters seem to think so." She rolls her eyes, then sighs again. "How about you, what were your chores?"
Riane snorts with a gesture out in the general direction of the bowl, "Stables, again. Second time this sevenday." She raises her shoulders up in a shrug, "Could b'worse things, though. Latrines, or somesuch."
Her eyebrows raised, Teryla looks interested. "Really? I thought Rytran was main person doing stables," she muses, then shrugs, wincing. "I need a soak. I think I can get out of bed check tonight, if I tell them I've got to wash, don't you think?"
Riane bobs her head in agreement, "I thought so, but I'm in there working too." Then she tilts her head to the side, "You c'd, prob'ly. I don't see that washing'd be any cause for alarm, anyways."
Teryla giggles lightly, then stands, looking for all the world like an arthritic auntie. "Want to come?" she asks the younger girl. "Stable work can be stinky..."
"Sure," Riane agrees, with a thoughtful glance down at her klah. She drains it quickly, and hands it to a drudge as she also stands.
Teryla grins and heads for the inner caverns, muttering something about puked up milk and 'roots.
You walk towards the inner cavern.
You enter the tunnel leading out to the steamy springs.
Telgar Steam Baths
Nestled between many rock outcroppings in this immense ceilingless cavern lie three pools of water and several smoothed, flat rocks angled towards the sky. Immediately, the warmth of geothermal heat reaches you, and you see steam rising from the springs pools.
Two smaller pools with another, much larger pool past them, rest here. A cliff rises over one end of the large pool, with steps to climb up to the top.
A large tunnel works its way back into the innards of the Weyr, eventually leading those without wings to the inner caverns. Those who can may fly up and over the rim to Telgar's southern bowl. (Use 'places' to see the various springs.)
Contents:
L'han
Maireth
Kichevio
Saulith
Yashira
Tarlo
Cariath
Mirrari
Ursa
Spineth
Kassima
Lysseth
Obvious exits:
Inner Cavern Bowl
Riane walks in from outside the room.
Ursa looks back at Kassi, then over at L'han again, adding, "Yes, what *have* you done to Rulyn?"
L'han's cheerful blue eyes widen with feigned shock but that expression is much harder to maintain. His broad grin shines behind his moustache and crinkles the corners of his eyes, remarking casually, "Rulyn? Seems a nice lad. Perhaps a tad high-strung."
Kichevio gives Tarlo a mock-terrified look. "Oh Faranth, _two_ of them? Flee for the hills!" Saulith, in-between flirting with Maireth, warbles to the Candidates. Hey, dragon needs scrubbing over here!
Yashira looks up from her work on Cariath's talons. "He doesn't seem scary," she scoffs.
Teryla walks in, preparing to pull off her stained and ragged looking shirt. She pauses midway, though, blinking at the unusually crowded baths. "...puked up on me, and...oh." She's talking to Riane, but stops her speech also.
Ursa resumes her scrubbing with an indignant sound. "I've never head anyone, not a soul, but you refer to Rulyn as high strung. What *did* you do to him?"
Maireth stretches out his neck to warmly nose the little green, then settles in nearby, adding his expectant gaze to the nearby scrubbers.
Mesilne walks in from outside the room.
Riane follows Teryla into the steam baths, almost missing a step as she sees quite a crowd. "Oi," is her response to the older Candidate, as she also slowly begins to undress to enter the baths.
A sullen tinge creeps into L'han's voice, nearly pouting toward his fellow-Brownrider. "I did say a tad."
Kassima hesitantly agrees, "I don't see aught in particular t'be frightened by." She's looking L'han over as she speaks, the sort of glance one might give an opponent on a battle-field: weighing, measuring, trying to find weaknesses. "Does Rulyn mayhaps have some kilt phobia? G'deve, Candidates--" That to the newly-arrived ones. "Methinks Saulith's hinting strongly that she'd like a bathing, if'n you're minded t'help."
Kichevio waves the incoming towards Saulith. "Bathe her? I'll help, and be eternally grateful if you will. How much is a 'tad', L'han? Does it involve a nervous tic, or sweaty palms, or outright screaming and running at the sight of you?"
Ursa eyes that redhead suspiciously, then calls forward to the young candidate still scrubbing Cariath. "Yashira--Is Rulyn high strung?"
L'han latches on quickly to that explanation, reddish locks swinging with the vehement nods of his head, "Phobia! That's it! Boy tried right away to get me into leather pants!"
Tarlo looks up and over. "If you folks are done, I think she's ready for oiling. I'll get planks and buckets." she hauls up with a sigh, heading for just that.
Riane looks at Kassi with a quick smile, whiped away at the mention of dragon-bathing. She looks around for the green among the handful present, "Erm, all right.."
Teryla looks back at Maireth, and sighs. "And here I thought there was a relaxing soak waiting," she murmurs. At Kassima's added request, she turns to look at Saulith, and finally manages to strip out of dirty clothes and climb into the waters, first approaching Saulith. "Evening, riders," she adds as a belated respect.
Looking rather dirty but otherwise cheerful, Mesilne wanders in and, without waiting for a greeting or other comment, immediately begins to peel off his clothes. It's easy to see why...while there're no obvious cakes of mud on him, his skin is significantly darker than usual and his brown curls appear gritty. "Evening, Kassima...d'you mind if I wait a bit?" he asks, his voice momentarily muffled as he pulls his shirt off. "I was hoping to clean up a bit."
Yashira shakes her head at Ursa. "Not really. Not considering circumstances." She eyes Tarlo. "Want help with the buckets and stuff?"
Saulith croons pleasantly, fluttering ice-green wings and deliberately making herself as unthreatening and cute as possible. See? Not a hard job.
Riane follows Teryla in quickly, after surveying the cavern once more, looking down, turning slightly red, then undressing as fast as she can. Might as well get it over with. She heads over towards Saulith and begins washing the green hide slowly, not really buying into the whole 'cute' thing.
L'han makes quick work of the rest of his clothing, folding it all neatly to stack against a wall before approaching Kichevio, "I've not touched his palms, but nervous, most definitely. And always somewhat..addled." It seems he may have been about to say something else entirely, but now his voice is suddenly gentle, addressing the greenrider. "Maireth says I should help you with Saulith, myself."
Kassima lifts one shoulder, to which her wet clings tenaciously, in an amiable half-shrug. "Nay skin off my ears; 'tisn't Lyss who's being demanding." At mention of planks and buckets, she adds under her breath, "Thank goodness. If'n I had t'oil you at this time of night, beast...."
Ursa finishes up scrubbing Spineth, and the brown settles into deeper water, sinking until he's mostly submerged. Ursa strips off the small clothes she's been wearing for scrubbing, and heads for the ledge where she can sit and enjoy the water. However, she pauses, not sitting. "You're saying my son is *addled*?" she asks, her voice dropping to a dangerously softer tone.
Teryla gives a tired smile to the cute Saulith, then gets busily to work at diving, coming up with handfuls of sand, and scrubbing. She also gets in a few scrubs on her own body, and that seems to put her in a better mood. Clean Teryla=happiness.
Kichevio half-curtsies to L'han, which looks rather odd in waist-deep water. "All help is appreciated. It shouldn't take too long, we weren't on any dirty duties today. Kassi, _don't_ mention oil...too late. I'll oil you tomorrow, Saulith, cross my heart."
Saulith seems mildly disappointed, but is soon soothed by the attentions of Riane and Teryla, humming as she is *ahem* attended to.
L'han explains again, with infinite patience, eyes drifting to Ursa up on her ledge, "I said 'somewhat'." One might seriously begin to wonder if the poor boy is always so frighteningly without Clue.
Kassima reluctantly shifts from her comfortable leaning-place to a higher sitting ledge beneath the water, so that she's only waist-deep in the pool; no surprise, she's worn a towel into the water, as always. A quick rummage procures a silver comb from among her things, lying nearby, and she begins to rake this through her hair. "Ursa," she calls over, idly, "I've knives here you can borrow, if'n you feel the need."
There's a low, resonant 'mmmmmm...' in the chamber as Mesilne slips into the water with a minimum of splashing. Only a split second thereafter, though, he quickly reaches for some soapsand and begins to attack the dirt on his skin, paying particular attention to all the dried up mud that's attached onto his hair. "What's all this about Rulyn?" he asks before submersing his head underwater to rinse out his locks.
Tarlo nods to Yashira. "That'd be fine." she says. "We'll each take a side...again, let me do her head. The skin around her talons is a bit like the skin just under your fingernails - when we're finished oiling, they'll need a salve."
Riane looks curiously up at the green's head from the corner of her eye as she scrubs near the tail, diving then resurfacing repeatedly. She comments to tthe Candidate helping her wash the green, "T'think some of the Candidates'll be having one of their own t'do this for, it's strange.."
Kichevio laughs as she joins the group with her own arsenal of sweetsand. "It's time-consuming. But you do it because they love it--and because if you don't, you feel _their_ itches. Which isn't fun."
Yashira's head bobs. She takes another glance around, blinking and nodding to Teryla and Riane and Mesilne, too. "Hey, guys." Slogging out of the water, breeches and tunic plastered to her, she moves to fetch buckets and planks with Tarlo.
Teryla grins back at Riane. "It is.. but I promise I'll help wash yours," she adds with a wink. She approaches a wingtip and peers up at Saulith's eyes. "Can I stretch it out just a little, to clean it?" she asks Kichevio. "Sometimes they don't mind, but some are touchy..."
Mesilne raises a hand above the water to wave idly towards Yashira. "Hey," he calls towards her retreating form.
Riane blinks and looks up at Kich, "You can *feel* it?" She waves to Yashira, and then turns back to Kichevio. "So you can feel everything they feel?"
L'han takes a leisurely, lingering look over Kichevio, and her scarlet triangles, staying a step or two behind the activity. "Well if you ever should be in need of your own scrubber.."
Teryla adds a wave when she runs out of sweetsand in one hand, calling, Hey Yashira..."
Saulith doesn't even wait for her rider to speak for her, but extends her wing slightly, brushing past Maireth.
Ursa's voice continues to be soft. This is the voice that sends certain wingriders fleeing. "L'han," she says, drawing his attention from Kichevio and back to her. "You're telling me that my good-natured, even-tempered son is nervous and always somewhat addled." She moves to sit on the edge by Kassima, not accepting her offer of knives right now, but rather placing herself in close proximity to the offer. "I don't know what it is you've done to the boy, but I suggest, in the future, you don't even think about doing it again. Not during the day, not during the darkest period of night when you're half asleep. You make sure that I don't hear even a whisper of you being anywhere *near* my son. Rulyn will not make any more mention to me of a redheaded madman."
Kichevio grins over her shoulder. "Ask nicely. And in a less crowded place and time."
Teryla pauses, one hand laying lightly on one of Saulith's wings. She looks over at Kichevio. "So.. should I leave her wing alone then, since it's so crowded?"
Long distance to Kichevio: Teryla acks, sorry.. didn't see Saulith's pose there.
Teryla then realizes that the green wing has been extended, and she carefully scrubs away at the sails, being as gentle and firm as she can as she makes her way up the wing.
Kassima makes a sound between laughter and an exasperated snort upon overhearing L'han, and rolls her eyes towards the sky... but her mirth fades as Ursa begins to speak. No commentary does she offer, though to judge from her expression her sympathies lie with Spineth's rider in this matter. "Rulyn *isn't* addled," she throws in quietly. "Nay that I've ever seen."
Kichevio blinks at Teryla, then realizes what she sounded like. "Sorry, I was...distracted. No no, go on ahead. She trusts you." Saulith punctuates this with a rumblecroon.
L'han shifts his weight a bit in the water, watching his hands a few moments just there, under the surface. When he finally does speak, there's a hint of petulance to the tone, "Aww, Ursa. How can I help what the boy says of me, hmm? I didn't lay a finger on him, I swear."
Riane stifles an amused grin, looking from Kichevio to L'han to Teryla, "Think she was talking to him." 'Him' is indicated with a head tossed back in L'han's general direction, but she continues scrubbing.
Tarlo peers from where she'd dragged buckets over, and begins slathering generous amounts across Cariath's hide. She wisely keeps out of the whole conversation.
Yashira stations herself on Cariath's other side, dunking her plank into her oil and beginning to slather.
Teryla smiles to herself, still scrubbing at the wing. She nods to Riane, but otherwise keeps quiet, lost in thought as she reaches as much of the under-wing as possible, then starts on the top portion.
Dragon> Teryla senses that Saulith gleams a warm wash of sunset red-and-gold. << Thank you very much. >>
Mesilne's splashings becomes somewhat less rigorous as he strains to piece the conversation together into some sort of logical framework. Finally satisfied that he's rid of all the mud he'll be able to coax off, he pulls himself out of the water and uses his shirt to cast off excess water. Slipping back into his trousers, unmindful of residual wetness, he moves to help Yashira and Tarlo with Cariath.
Kichevio is _not_ getting involved in any conversation where Kassi and Ursa are near knives, and so continues washing her dragon, ears almost visibly perked for future developments.
Ursa nods once. "Lucky for you," she concludes, adding, "And you won't. Since you won't be anywhere near the lad." Kassi's assessment gets a glance of appreciation, and she slides into the water, confident the matter is settled.
Having just ducked under for more handfuls of sweetsand, Teryla surfaces and stands to reach upwards on Saulith's neck. She's about to slap a handful of sweetsand onto the green hide when she stops in her tracks, the sand dropping into the water with two *plops* as the Candidate stares up at Saulith for a moment. Then, in slow motion, she continues her scrubbing as in a daze.
Saulith blinks once, and obligingly curves her neck down so Teryla and Riane can reach the itchy spots.
Riane looks to Teryla with a small amount of concern, then seeing that her work continues normally she also turns back to scrubbing the hide without saying anything. Her movements are still slow and awkward scrubbing with the soapsands as she moves upwards to reach her neck.
L'han may look fairly stupid..okay, he tends to sound fairly stupid, as well..but still! he does know when to retreat, and that he does, putting as much of Saulith's green form between himself and his..former friend as possible, all energy funneled into scrubbing at her haunch.
Seeking a slightly lighter topic, Kassi eventually settles on, "I did want t'be asking, Ursa--in some seriousness, d'you think 'twould be a poor idea t'get a kilt for Rulyn? I rather like the notion--and they *are* good luck--but I still don't know enough of him t'judge whether he might be bothered." Lysseth finally becomes restless enough due to all the cossetting the other dragons are getting to dip her slim muzzle within scritching range for her rider, never mind that said rider is busy with the comb. Kassi, sighing with fond frustration, complies.
"You know.... life would be easier if there was some sort of cleaning oil," Yashira remarks. "Just one thing to do."
Tarlo grins over to Yashira. "Not sure I want to touch that." she comments.
You sense Kichevio saw that startlement, and says quietly, "If she scared you, I apologize--she'll pop out and talk to someone at the oddest times."
Donovyn walks in from outside the room.
Kichevio makes room for L'han, the fugitive from Annoyed-Mother justice. "You're safe here, but if the knives appear, Saulith and I are out of here. Evening, Donny."
Mesilne puzzles over Yashira's comment as he slathers, still trying to understand the difference between 'too much' and 'too little.' Tucking some wet hair behind his ear, he says, "You'll always need t'rinse, though. Who wants to keep dirt close?" Leaning in a bit to catch her attention, he tosses a questiong glance towards Ursa's general direction...any clue what's going on?
Yashira peers over at Tarlo. "Why n---?" A blink. She nods to Mesilne. "Oh. That's a point."
Ursa looks at Kassi, easily allowing herself to be distracted. "Rulyn... in a kilt?" she asks. She catches a questioning glance from a candidate she doesn't know, and assumes he's equally puzzled by the concept of Rulyn in a kilt. "It's not an image that comes easily to the mind," she admits to the greenrider.
L'han just stares at Kichevio a moment before his brilliant smile returns, "Cut and run? I see how it is." He sets back to his task, trilling a pretty little tune under his breath.
Kichevio senses "Teryla replies with a little tremor of a smile and a minute shake of the head. "Tell her I say she's welcome?" she whispers."
You sense Kichevio grins and nods. "Done."
Riane,overhearing Yashira and Mesilne, calls behind her, "Well, all y'd have to do then was get into the water, no scrubbing or anything?"
Kichevio shrugs at L'han, up on her tiptoes to reach a rough patch. "Living here, my self-preservation skills have been honed. I flee knives."
Teryla has a little smile on her face as she continues her work, getting nearer to Saulith's green head. She rinses her hands of sand and then reaches up, wiggling her fingers in offers of a scritch. "But that'd take the fun out of washing them," she murmurs to Riane.
Gears seem to be cranking along rather noisily in L'han's mind, his eyes drifting from green hide to red strings. "Is that so? I always found them useful, myself." A drip of water is cuffed from his chin, only to leave a few bubbles clinging to his whiskers.
Kassima calls over to her Wingrider, "Kich, Kich, what sort of greenrider *are* you?" It's a tease, openly so. "Mmm. Aye, it might be hard t'talk him into it. And I have nay particular reason t'want t'wreak any particular mischief on the lad. It just seems like a fitting sort of welcome-t'Telgar gift."
Riane pauses a second, then looks back at Teryla with a slight hint of skepticism, "Fun?" She looks at the dragon a moment, then the rider. "Er, yeah, guess you're right." She doesn't sound too convinced.
Saulith sticks her head right under Teryla's hand, eyes deep turquoise with contentment. Kichevio murmurs something that sounds like "Shameless hedonist", but it's said with affection.
Teryla manages, somehow, to settle comfortably. Seated and relaxing, she's nevertheless also carefully scritching Saulith, smiling at the obvious friendliness and eagerness for the touch. Even though she looks tired and sore, Teryla continues the scritch with a smile. "Fun," she affirms to Riane as she watches Saulith's eyes.
Ursa shrugs easily. "They're your marks, should you choose to waste 'em. I would recall, though, he's Emlyn's son as much as mine. As eventempered as he is, he can be stubborn. Just like her."
Kichevio finally, belatedly, answers Kassi. "I learned everything from you, Kassi. Which would make me either the best kind of greenrider, or the most scary. Possibly both."
"I don't think he wants a kilt," Yashira calls over.
Riane watches the Candidate and green together for a second, then continues still to lather clumsily.
Rytran walks in from outside the room.
"But," Kassi observes, pausing her hair-combing long enough to lift one finger, "he does nay constantly make metaphors involving bovines--so there's some difference. You're sure, Yashira?" Kassi seems rather disappointed by this. "I suppose 'twill pass the idea by, then. A pity. Kich, Kich, how could you have learned all you know from me and yet *fear* knives?"
Rytran strides in casually, bearing a towel slung about his shoulders. He has already stripped everything off, and stands stark naked for all to see. "Evening, all!" he calls cheerily.
Kichevio clarifies, amazed she could have forgotten that detail. "I meant _your_ knives, Kassi."
Tarlo calls out from where she's oiling one of Cariath's sides, "Evening, Rytan."
"He's not fond of kilts," Yashira informs Kassima. "They're essentially a skirt; I can see why." She slathers more oil on Cariath's other side. A frown, and she glances over at Rytran. "Mmph."
L'han's face is now openly glowing, and the whistling returns, a bit louder and a shade more lusty.
Mesilne raises an oil-coated hand to wave towards Rytran. "Evening, Rytran. Jump on in, the water's fine." He resumes his duties, kneeling down to gently smother Cariath's hide. He perks an odd smile after noting Yashira's reaction, but keeps his mouth firmly shut.
Riane looks up to greet Rytran, then averts her eyes again. "Er, hi..." She complains then a little softer, almost under her breath, "Never could get used t'that. The... publicity." Shrugging, she adds, "Though, I guess I've kind of had to accept it as normal."
Kassima relaxes right into a sunny smile. "Oh. Well. *That's* all right, then. But you likely needn't fear; 'tis rare I use 'em against another greenrider." After waving her comb Rytran-wards--briefly; she averts her eyes soon enough--she defends, "'Twas nay suggesting a kilt with lace on it or any such horror. I like kilts. But if'n he doesn't, and I'm intending a nice gesture rather than a wicked, 'twill have t'abandon the notion."
Alona walks in from outside the room.
Rytran gets a running start, a flying leap, and lands tucked tightly in a ball - unfortunately, though, he has misjudged his angle of descent and ends up landing right on his back. The splash is tremendous. Rytran screams, "OW!" as his back splaps against the surface tension of the pool.
Yashira's head bobs toward Kassima. "Maybe a nice knife or something? Or would that scare him?"
Tarlo looks up and over, to see what all the fuss is about, and then proceeds to use Cariath so Rytran doesn't hear her laugh her head off.
Alona slips into the rather crowded baths at the moment, towel over one shoulder. Arching an eyebrow at just how many are here, she takes a moment to look for a farmiliar face...
Kichevio watches Rytran, winces in sympathy, and says calmly, "I give it six marks out of ten. Good initial form, but he flubbed the landing."
Teryla is busily scritching Saulith's eyeridges, and she glances up to see Rytran. She snorts rather loudly, then murmurs for Saulith and Riane to hear, "Big attitude to make up for something else?" It's quietly said though, and she quickly gets back to work scritching.
Yashira's lips twitch into a smirk.
Ursa nods towards the young huntress. "If anyone would know, it would be Yashira. The lad seems to talk to her." She shrugs, adding, "And you're right about the bovine references. I think being weyrbred, he didn't get the same bovine-saturation that Em did."
Riane looks back at Rytran. "Oi," she remarks between weak attempts not to laugh. She also waves to Alona as she enters, helping to scrub off green Saulith.
Kichevio suddenly snerks at Teryla, eyes dancing.
"Best learn to temper your enthusiasm with reason, Rytran," Mesilne calls out, his mouth set into a stately frown to cover up the threatening grin.
Teryla gives Kich her best innocent look, then catches sight of another Candidate. "Come help scrub, Alona!" she calls to the girl. She also eyes Rytran's acrobatics, and rolls her eyes.
Kassima shakes her head fractionally. "Nay, nay," she denies, regretful, "methinks 'twill leave the idea entirely, at least for now... erk." That's her reaction to Rytran. "I'd say... hmmm... more like four point seven."
Rytran takes a moment to regain his bearings - and being underwater, mercifully misses most of the mirth and merriment thrown his way after his little mishap. When he surfaces, he paddles over to join the other candidates. "What's going on in here? Why are there so many people...and dragons...and shells! Firelizards!" He watches as various firelizards of the assembled dive far more gracefully than he did into the steaming water.
Spotting Teryla, and hearing the girls call, Alona's smile widens and she lifts a hand to wave, both in greeting and in a signal to show she's heard and is coming. As she moves, she offers silent nods by way of greeting other candidates, and those she's farmiliar with. Approaching to what is a reasonable distance to talk from, she offers, "Having fun?"
Yashira tosses an oiling paddle up to wave to Alona amiably.
Saulith croons politely to Alona, and Kichevio waves. "It seems to be the night of dragon-scrubbing. You're welcome to grab a paddle or some sweetsand and join in."
Kade walks in from outside the room.
Kassima's fire-lizards at least aren't diving; they're perched or sprawled at intervals near Kassi's belongings, glistening with fresh oil. Spoiled brats, all of them. "I can't say I mind the lack," she continues on the previous topic. "Nay that I minded the bovine quotes either, but when she compared me to a heifer when 'twas first pregnant, I admit 'twas a bit nonplussed."
L'han pauses his open appreciation of greenrider bikinis to give Kade a wave. "Evening."
Teryla lifts her hands from Saulith's headknobs and wiggles her fingers again. "I'm going to scrub myself now... give my hands a little break, all right?" Yes, she's talking to the dragon. She glances around with a self-conscious look, and commences self-cleaning.
Rytran waves to the trader who has just entered as if he knew the man. "Hallo! You there! You got any tubs of oil???"
Ursa finds herself just giggling at the heifer comment, all over again. "You know she was giving you the highest compliment she knew. Did you overhear her tell Lady Reaches what her father had said about the Lady's, ah, milkers?"
Rytran pricks up his ears at Ursa's comment. "Lady Reaches? What about Lady Reaches?"
Saulith looks wistful, and nuzzles Teryla gently before moving her head away. Kichevio bursts out laughing, waving to the incomer as best she can. "Teryla, she wants to know if we can keep you as her personal attendant.
Kade makes his way into the area and the person showing him here departs. "Evening" he offers L'han with a smile of greeting and makes his way in with appropriate bathing ware as well as a small bag to hold other things. He hears Rytran call out and then calls back.. "Perhaps.. perhaps.."
"If it gets me out of double-shifts at the nursery, done!" Teryla answers Kichevio without missing a beat. Then she pauses, flushes, and murmurs, "But don't think certain others'd be too pleased..."
Kassima manages not to choke, but narrowly avoids dropping her comb in the water. "I didn't--she *didn't*! Shells, I know I'm going t'regret this, but I have t'be asking--what *did* he say about the... ah... milkers?" The Trader gets a nod by way of greeting, amiable if a bit distracted.
L'han sticks his head around Saulith's back end, just STARING at Ursa, slack-jawed and everything.
Kichevio grins at Teryla. "After the Hatching, if you don't Impress, come talk to us. Saulith's always wanted a bodyservant...her *whats*, Ursa?" She joins L'han in the slack-jawed staring department.
Rytran swims over to the side of the pool, picking out his towel and rummaging through a small coin bag that he has wrapped up inside the towel for safekeeping. He then makes his way, still submerged to his neck, over to the trader. "Here!" he extends a few soggy coins. "Will this be enough?"
Riane perks up at the mention of Reaches, as well, but Rytran's question leaves her with nothing to add to the inquiry. She scoots up and works a little quicker on scrubbing, as though trying to make up for the lost assistant but saying nothing to verify it as her intention.
Yashira sighs at the mention of milkers, shaking her head. She spreads a good swath of oil over Cariath's hide.
Ursa is up to her head in water, but a hand appears from the water to wave nonchalantly. "Oh, methinks he said she had the finest set of milkers he'd ever seen, and Emlyn, introduced to Lady Reaches, made sure she passed on the compliment. Emlyn's father Held a minor hold for Reaches, you know." She's talking to Kassi, now, and hasn't yet noticed the dropped jaws surrounding her.
Mesilne rolls his eyes towards Yashira. "Yeah," he agrees sympathetically, leaving it at that.
Kade steps over to the side of the pool and sets down his bag to have a look through it.. "salve.. medicine.. ahh oils... " he descides on one and then hands it over to Rytran.. accepting the coins in return. "I'm sure that will be fine.. thank you kind sir."
L'han starts shaking a finger at Ursa's general direction, water and 'sand flinging furiously, "Why I...if you think! Payback...your precious son!"
Kichevio just leans her forehead against Saulith's convenient flank and _howls_.
Rytran takes the oil with a grateful smile. He picks up an unattended paddle and swims, with paddle and pail held high, over to the nearest larged winged thing and begins to slather like a good candidate. He calls over to Kade, "Thanks, trader! Hey, come on in! The water's fine! I'm Rytran, this is the gang!"
"Medicines?" Mesilne calls towards Kade, perking up. "Y'have anything for sore throats? We had some lozenges back at the Healer Hall, but I haven't seen a single one 'round here."
Kassima, on the other hand, has noticed the various reactions. Her own eyes dance with amusement at them, but her attention remains focused on Ursa's story. "One has t'wonder what Lady Reaches had t'say t'Emlyn's father after that," she drawls. "And what Emlyn's Da had t'say t'his daughter for sharing!" L'han's gibbering earns him a curious, mildly surprised glance. Where's the popcorn when she needs it?
Riane peers at Kichevio, "Um?" She blinks, still scrubbing half-heartedly with one hand. She shrugs at the greenrider's response, then turns back to the green hide directly in front of her needing a scrub.
Rytran belatedly hears Ursa's comment about milkers - uh oh, he's been spending too much time in the stables, the muck must be getting to him - and calls to her, brows knit in puzzlement. "Milkers? You mean she had some dairy girls to milk the herdbeasts?"
Tarlo sings from where she' hiding somewhere on the opposite side of Cariath. Oh, don't mind her.
Kade calls back to Mesilne.. "need more steam in the hot springs.. that would help the throat.. give me a moment and I might find something.." He settles on a ledge to sit and relax a moment, slipping of his vest and getting more comfortable in the warmth of the area.
Teryla washes quietly, listening to all but mostly watching Saulith and the continuing scrubbing of the green. Once she's satisfied that her skin's clean from whatever was dirtying it, she starts on her hair. She pauses in this endeavour, however, throwing Rytran a 'you're lame' look.
"And they were the fairest maidens in the entire Reaches," Mesilne says to Rytran. "Yeah, I've been sneakin' in whenever I can...I'd appreciate anything y'have," he answers back to Kade.
Yashira blinks rapidly at Rytran.
Ursa watches L'han and that shaking finger of his. "Emlyn was merely passing on a compliment," she says dryly. To Kassi, she answers, "I'm afraid Emlyn's father wasn't about to know his compliment had been conveyed. What I wouldn't give to have been at the next meeting of Minor Holders." Ursa makes the assumption that Rytran is being silly to garner attention, and pointedly ignores his question.
Rytran blinks pleasantly at Mesilne, smiling a bit as he dunks his head backward in the water. He then proceeds to slather some more oil on the neck of the dragon he is attending, whose name he does not know.
Snapping her attention back to those scrubbing the dragon, Alona chuckles and nods. "Sorry...off in my own little world for a moment there." she offers, and dropping her towel (ew, it's going to be wet!), she moves about to get into the baths herself and come up with some of the sand.
Kade finds something for Mesilne, tossing it out to him. "Take that, it may help.. though in any case it will also help the breath.." he smiles with a soft chuckle. Then he notices Teryla starting on her hair, and waves something to get her attention.. "this will help to keep hair smooth if you would like.."
Teryla is just rinsing her hair when Kade makes his sales-pitch to her. She eyes the trader and asks wryly, "Saying my hair's not smooth enough?" Though, at the moment, it's just draped on top of her head all sloppy-like, anything but smooth.
Mesilne tries to catch the tossed packet, but finds that it slips through his oiled fingers far too easily. Fumbling with it momentarily with a muttered apology to Cariath for being so unattentive, he manages to peer down on it. "Hey, thanks. Umm, anyone with dry hands want to find a couple of marks from my vest? I'm afraid to touch it, might ruin the fabric for good."
Yashira fumbles her oil pot, sloshing some down her arm. "Yech..."
"I'd be interested," Kichevio says to Kade as she works on the last not-quite-clean bits of Saulith, "but I have no marks on me. No pockets in this bathing suit, y'know."
L'han apparently has at least one topic that rattles him senseless, and by all appearances the discussion of his mother's breasts in the midst of hordes of nekkid strangers is it! He blurts out a few more nonsensical syllables to Ursa, turns flaming red, and finally stalks to his cringing dragon, pulling up without so much as a glance to his pile of clothes.
L'han climbs up onto Maireth's back, using his foreleg as a step.
Rytran smiles sweetly to Yashira, "Here, lass, have some of mine...." He extends the oil pail toward her.
Maireth rises up from the steamy waters heading north over the rim of the Weyr.
Alona comes up moments later with a rather general handful of sands with which to scrub at Saulith's hide. "Where would you like it, oh great one?" she asks, grinning up into the great eye. Hopefully the beast doesn't take offense to her teasing.
Kassima murmurs, "If'n nay the sort of compliment one would pay t'her *face*... I assume. 'Milkers.'" She snorts with laughter again, with a quick headshake. "Faranth. That's nigh as bad as 'wineskins'--" Craning her head back as the comb pulls through her hair, she adds, "I'd have loved t'be a vtol on that wall m'self. Did Emlyn often or her father oftne comment on, ah... goodness. That brownrider seemed terribly unsettled, didn't he?"
Rytran blinks as the big brown with his nekkid rider takes off over the bowl. "Shards! Hope they don't try to go *Between*. He'll freeze his starstones off...." He lets out a guffaw.
Yashira eyes Rytran balefully. "I hardly need more oil to spill on myself."
Kade smiles and raises his hands in a defensive posture.. "I wouldn't know from this distance, though I am sure if closer I would have known the beauty of your hair from closer examination.." He then glances to where Kichevio calls from, "I do accept words of promise.. that have whitness.." he smiles out to her as well. Then he glances about, not realizing how much business would come of a relaxing evening.
Kichevio grins at Alona. "There's onr last itchy spot, there at the base of her neck..." She points to the offending patch of hide. "I'd love you forever if you could get it, because we need to go home soon."
Riane flushes even brighter red, biting a lip as she pulls away to scrub herself a little. "It's bad enough with layers of clothes..." is an agreement she finds okay to make with Rytran.
Tarlo pops up from over Cariath. "What's he selling?" she calls out in belated interest.
"Y'could use the sand to clean up," Mesilne suggests, digging his toes in and flinging some of it up helpfully, with the unfortunate side effect of catching the side Yashira's ear. "Jays! Sorry!"
Teryla blinks at Kade's response, then mumbles, "They always have such /slick/ words," as she makes her way trader-wards. "How much, and will it be all oily in my hair, and a pain to apply?" she asks Kade, peering at his bag-o-goodies.
Rytran shrugs lightly, setting his pail on the edge of the pool. "Suit yourself, Yashira - but it's there if you need some...." On hearing Kade's flattery toward Teryla, however, he darts a glance over at the trader, eyes wide in alarm, and mouths the words, "No! No! Doooon't....." Rytran has had recent experience with flattering the girls of Telgar, you see.
Alona glances over towards Kichevio, and grinning in return, she nods. Sloshing through the water, she very carefully (Oh, alright, not so carefully) applies the sand and begins scrubbing, her hands moving in oval-ish circle-like patters, with the odd squiggle or diagonal movement thrown in for good measure.
Ursa watches L'han go, and manages to look mildly penitent. "L'han's the daughter of Lady phoenix, you know." Ursa smirks, drawling, "You know, it's been turns since Dare took over from her, and every one still knows who I mean when I say Lady Reaches. Methinks Corem is not the only one impressed by her milkers." She rolls her eyes, then answers, "No, I don't think I heard Emlyn or Corem talk about bosums that frequently. I do think Emlyn was just nervous to meet such a celebrity. She was barely graduated, at the time."
Yashira yelps, starting - bucket swinging again, and splashing her arm again. "Shells!"
Rytran peers at Riane, having caught only half of her last comment. "What was that, Riane? What's easier with clothes on?" He really didn't mean for that to come out the way it sounded...
Saulith croons, eyes half-lidding briefly. Kichevio rolls her eyes and says out loud, "No, Saulith, you may not adopt her. We need her and Teryla as Candidates first."
Kade is sitting at the edge of the pool anyway, so shakes his head with a smile, "It is not difficult at all. You can try it once now, and then you could descide if you would like to obtain more. I would not want to sell such a charming individual something they did not like.." he offers with another smile, then a side glance over to Rytran' scomment.
Mesilne positively winces, his hands curling up into little oil-dripping fists. Clumsily, he reaches forward with his forearm to steady the swinging bucket, at the same time trying to arch out of the path of splashing oil. Nonetheless, he is not spared from a splash of the stuff in the face, causing him to splutter momentarily.
Yashira grimaces down at Mesilne. "Ech. That's... well."
Riane coughs, eyes widening slightly as she hears this. "Oh. Oh, what I said. Um." Could her face get redder? Let's see - yes, it can. And it does. "Going Between, I meant." She flickers a sheepish smile.
Alona shakes her head slightly, adding a light pat into her scratching. "But I thank you most kindly for the thought, Saulith." she offers, taking a half step back to perform a half-bow. Straightening, and continuing with her scrubbing, she looks up a moment later. "Better, or do you want more?"
Kassima's eyes widen, and she--well, splutters is the only word. Audibly. Visibly. "Ursa," she says at last, admiration dawning slowly upon her voice and face alike, "that was a play worthy of a greenrider. Beautiful in its wickedness, just beautiful... though for what 'tis worth, I knew who you meant, even though I have nay particular opinion of her milkers." Pause. "I can't believe I just said such a thing; Da would wash m'mouth with soapsand. Strange, isn't it? How much more commonplace it seems t'meet Lords and Ladies and who all after a time." Her eyes flick towards the Trader and those speaking with him, curious, but absent still.
Rytran just stares at Kade in amazement, glances over at his female barracks-mates, then looks back at Kade again. "Why doesn't /he/ get slugged whenever he pays a female around here a compliment?" he mutters to himself.
Tarlo calls out, a bit louder, "What's he selling?"
Perhaps Kade's aura of pleasant personality and handsome demeanor has something to do with his appeal as a salesman as well as a gentleman.. perhaps..
Kichevio shakes her head to Alona, already shrugging into her clothing. "She's been pampered enough for one night, my thanks to you all. And I think I've reached my limit of weirdness..." Kassi's comment tips her scale o'oddities, and she mounts Saulith with a laugh. "I need to get back to some semblance of sanity. Good night, everyone!"
Kichevio disappears up onto Saulith's spring-green back.
Mesilne busily wipes his mouth against his sleeve, trying to scrub away the oil. "Yeah," he agrees with Yashira, his own grimace firmly set. "It really is. Uh...sorry." Scrub. "Oh, just some oils and medicines and stuff, Tarlo." Scrub, scrub.
Teryla happens to hear Rytran's comment, and says sweetly to Kade, "I'm so glad you don't make me feel like meat, Trader. And.. could I really try some of your hair stuff? Does it smell funny?" She adds a smile for the 'charming individual' bit.
Kade hears the shout and calls back out the the mysterious voice, "What I sell is herbs, spices, and jewelry mostly.. but I only have a few things with me at the moment by dear!" he calls.
Kassima lifts her hand as Kichevio ascends, calling, "Clear skies and fair winds--see you at morning drills, don't be forgetting!"
Tarlo ooh's. "Got any hair scent?" she asks of the man, pausing in her oiling.
On Saulith, Kichevio sighs loudly, nods, and is gone.
Saulith rises up from the steamy waters heading north over the rim of the Weyr.
Yashira winces, eyeing Mesilne's face. "Well. At least you'll have, um... very smooth skin?"
Alona steps back to allow the spoiled dragon to take off, and she then turns to move off towards where Teryla's taken to keeping herself. As she further gets wet, she grins. "So...how have you taken to nursery duty? Getting any easier?" A wicked gleam forms in her eyes as she watches for a reacon.
Riane wades over to the edge of the pool, now strangely empty in the absense of green dragon. "Can I see some'f what you're selling? Mum wouldn't approve, but 'slong as I'm here, and so's a trader..."
Mesilne presses his lips into a weak smile, trying his best to see the bright side of things. "Well, yes. I suppose so." He wipes his mouth one more time against his sleeve before awkwardly leaning a hand against Cariath, putting the spilled oil to some decent use.
Yashira considers this, and then swipes her oily sleeve over Cariath. "There?"
Rytran waves to Kichevio from the water. "Buh bye!"
Kade bows his head with a warm smile to Teryla, "of course.. but I'll have to find my best for you my dear.. hmm.." he rumages a moment and draws out a curved flask. "This should be the one for you.. hold out your hands.." he offers, then makes a slow glance around as more people all talk to him at once, drawing out a warm smile and nod to each individual.
Tyrrath flies over the edges of rock and lands on the far end of the springs.
Kade calls out to Tarlo.. "many fine perfumes, though not all with me at the moment.. but some."
Tyrrath creates a stiff breeze across the water as she backwings into the now-choppy waves of the pool. She bugles a greeting to all.
Teryla turns a weary, grimace-y look at Alona. "They're /awful/, thanks for asking." Then, turning so that she can hear all of Kade's words. She does as bidden and holds out her hands, adding, "My name is Teryla, by the way.. oooh." This as she peers at the flask of hair-goo.
Flannery has arrived.
Ursa tries to look innocent, but she does bask a bit in Kassima's praise. "Well, thanks," she draws. "And it is interesting. A turn later, and Emlyn could have met the famous Lady Reaches without mortifying herself, her lover, her entire family, and the Lady herself."
Flannery is still fully clothed on Tyrrath's back as her lifemate enters the pool. She hollers, "Love! Please! At least let me take my clotthes off first...." She is busily pulling off various pieces of leather as she makes this comment.
Alona wades over to Teryla's side, and turns her own attention to the hair-goo. She'll tease the other candidate later...maybe trade her latrine duty with Teryla's nursery....oh, yeah! "What is this...stuff?"
Lysseth tucks in her wings a trifle to avoid being too bestirred by Tyrrath's landing. Her rumble to her fellow green is amiable; Kassi's wave in the pair's direction is likewise. "G'deve, Flan," she calls. "Don't tell me you're seeking Candidate labor too--ach, Ursa, but then you'd nay have this *story* t'be telling."
Kade holds out the molded flask and lets a trickle of the substance pool into Teryla's hands. "Teryla, and not sunshine? though Teryla must mean sunshine in some language.." he offers with a soft smile as he stoppers up the glassblown flask and slips it away. "Kade is my name, and it is a pleasure to meet the fine people of this place." He gets cut off with the buffet of the landing and his warm eyes watch the area with warmth.. "such a nice bunch."
Rytran picks up his bucket, like a dutiful son, and paddles over with it to Tyrrath's side. "Hello, lass, fine evening, eh?" he murmurs to his old friend as he slathers some oil on her neckridges.
Mesilne nods firmly towards Yashira, finally cracking a grin. "Yes. Oil on dragon, not on Candidates." That said, he winces noticeably having overheard Kade's oozing comment. "Oh, give it a rest," he mutters to himself as he resumes oiling, a sour expression on his face.
Tarlo hrms. "Visit the galleries some time." she calls to the trader. "I might be interested in getting some."
Kade explains to Alona.. "It is like soap, though smoother with some herbs and perfumes.. something special I make.. hold out your hand.." he smiles, unstoppering the bottle again.
Alona arches an eyebrow, looking up at Kade. She doesn't respond verbally to ask whether or not he has a smooth flattering comment to go along with his sales pitch to her or not, but instead extends her hand.
Teryla takes the 'stuff' and sniffs it. It seems all right, so she applies it to her hair, eyeing Kade all the while. "Do they teach you to say all that in Trader-training?" she giggles, rolling her eyes. Her glance lands on Mesilne and she smirks.
Riane snorts at the silver-tongued trader, tracing figure-eights in the water, then looks up at Flannery's green with a stifled wince. "Y'need help, ma'am?" She asks, mixed emotions spread over her face at recognition of both dragon and rider.
Flannery slides into the water, at last free of enough clothing that she is able to swim. She breaststrokes over to where the more senior members of the weyr are floating. "H'lo, Kassi....Ursa. Yes, it's nice to have all these willing oil paddles, eh?" She gestures toward the candidates. "I was hoping to get some rest tonight..."
Rytran is just about to greet his mother when he hears Kade's latest comment to Teryla. Besides the ole green-eyed monster that has taken hold of him at the moment, he just gapes in astonishment at the other man's apparent finesse with the ladies. His mouth falls open in shock and dismay.
Yashira stretches to nab a spot up by Cariath's wing. "How's Caraith feeling about the oiling job?"
Lifting her own hand to sniff at the goop in her hand, Alona's nose wrinkles slightly. Well, it isn't awful, to start with. Not quite ready to put it in her own hair or not, as she'd really rather not find out it has a nasty side effect no one knows of that causes ones hair to fall out, she quickly smooths her share onto Teryla's head then mutters, "I think we're being called though not openly..." She cocks her head towards the new arrivals. "So much for soaking sore backs, eh?" she adds with a grin.
Riane snatches a paddle for the green, and smiles as she heads over to the dragon. "'allo, Tyrrath... we're on okay terms now, I hope?" She attempts conversing with the dragon as she begins.
Flannery smiles at Riane, gesturing toward Tyrrath. "Well, Riane...that's your name, isn't it? I remember from the night you were searched....You're welcome to go help Rytran spread oil on Tyrrath if you want to! Just mine the threadscores - they're a little sensitive when she gets into hot water." In her current state of undress, Flannery's own long, torso-bisecting threadscore scar is clearly visible.
Kassima is settled on a ledge just beneath the water, a forest green towel wrapped around her body and her calf-length hair mostly at this point combed straight and settled on the poolside behind her. The lack of grey in it probably proves that she's not *that* senior. "Lysseth's never cared t'have strangers washing or oiling her, which includes Candidates, so I can't say it makes a difference t'me; 'tis interesting t'be observing the bustle, though. And methinks there's someone over there selling things or some such."
Teryla turns at finally deciphering other noises in the bathing area, particularly the voice of Flannery. She's just in time to see Rytran's gape, and she self-consciously touches her hair. "It's that bad?" She spins in the water, glaring at Kade. "Why's he looking at me like that?" And Alona's extra handful makes her gasp. "No.. wait, it's doing something awful.."
Tyrrath spies a young female human with oil that the girl is prepared to spread on her back, and she croons musically, her great green head snaking about to whuffle the girl softly.
Kade seems to weather the snorts as well as jests pretty well, as they must teach him to have a thick skin in trader training school also.. "I would love to see the gallerys in time." he answers to Tarlo with a curious and thoughtful look. Then he pours some of the substance into Alona's cupped hand, "I do hope you like it also, as I for one would never want to bring a frown in place of that smile.." he comments to her with sincerety, though just loud enough perhaps to draw more snorts from the others again.
Ursa just has to laugh at Kassi's comment. "No, I would not," she agrees. Then a good-natured, "Good evening, Flannery." To Kassima, she comments. "The first time I met Corem--Emlyn's father--I had a black eye and a split lip. Of course he asked about it, and you know what he said?" Ursa doesn't wait before asnwering herself, "If all conflicts were meant to be settled peacably, the bull wouldn't have horns."
Kade chuckles, "they are only teasing my dear, just lather it in and then rinse it out.. " he mentions, hoping Teryla is not offput by the scent of lavender.
Riane smiles uncertainly again to Tyrrath, and then begins, "All right then, I guess..." Since she seems to have no objections... She spreads on the oil over the green hide, unsure of herself.
Kassima can't keep from grinning, nor does she try too hard. "That sounds a bit like something m'own Da would say. A shame mayhaps that I never met the man, as far as I know. Were the eye and the lip both from that brawl?"
Tyrrath warbles softly to Riane, sending soft waves undulating around her benefactress and benefactor (Rytran) by curling her long green neck to dip her head into the water repeatedly, shivering happily as the hot liquid trickles soothingly over her eyeridges.
Ursa nods, her braids swishing through the water as she does. "Yes, from that brawl. Pleiath's first flight was before the pair graduated, you might recall, and it was soon after that Emlyn had the freedom to fly to her old home for the first time since impressing." Her shoulders bob under the water. "Anyhow, I mentioned that, because you can see quite clearly where Emlyn got all those sayings."
"C'mon...duty calls." Alona insists, this time actually taking hold of the slightly older candidates arm and beginning to tug her towards Tyrrath. "Let's go."
Teryla leans down and rinses the 'stuff' out of her hair with more zest than necessary, finally lifting her head up and blinking at Kade. "Well?" she murmurs doubtfully. She turns to glance at the others, and then paddles towards Cariath, shrugging loose of Alona's grasp, apparently not intending to go near Tyrrath or Flannery.
Rytran rises from the steam baths, abruptly heading for the door. "Shards! I forgot I was supposed to do the dishes tonight! Gotta go..."
Rytran walks off towards the Inner Cavern.
Alona blinks, pausing as Teryla pulls away from her. Frowning slightly, she moves to follow her, and speaks quietly as she does.
Alona whispers "What's wrong?"
Kade slips the flask away as all seem to be leaving his immediate area. He glances at Teryla and smiles to her, "It will flow with the wind as well as your spirit. May your evening go well." He then glances about and notices more departing, so relaxes for a moment, watching the people and dragons.
Kade lays down upon the sunning rocks.
"Much as Zuseth's was," Kassi concurs through a grimace. One last tangle, and then she tucks the comb back away with a relieved sigh. "What was it like, t'meet with her sire? I've nay had extended meetings with the parents of any of m'children's sires, which is as close as I've gotten t'being in the same situation. It seems like something that could be awkward." She waves after Rytran, never mind that he's surely fleeing too fast to see.
Teryla just paddles Cariath-wards and looks at the golden hide. She decides that there's probably not much for her to do, since there's already oil shining there. Instead, she sinks into the water up to her chin and sighs, relaxing. She looks at Alona and just shrugs, shaking her head.
Yashira pauses in her oiling, paddle dropping to her side as she covers up a yawn.
Kade watches Teryla and Alona, wondering if they seem to enjoy their clean and perfumed hair.. though also wondering what it is they are about. He glances to the others as well, watching what is being done and staying out of the way.
Ursa's grimace matches Kassi's at the mention of Zuseth's untimely flight. "Ah," she contemplates the greenrider's question. "I actually imagined it to be much worse than it was. Emlyn's family was much more gracious than I'd expected. They took me in without much of a hesitation." With a grin, she adds, "Despite the black eye and cut lip. Or perhaps because of it... Emlyn convinced them it was in defense of her." She rolls her eyes, slightly, "Only marginally true. My parents weren't nearly as gracious."
Riane slops on more of the hot oil to the green, being very consciencious of the threadscores on her hide. She seems very shaky, but as she goes along becomes less and less awkward, smoother.
Teryla lifts a hand to touch her hair, then sends Kade a smile. With a quick yawn, she leans back to rinse her hair once more and then makes her way to a place she can sit at comfortably, eyes watching the comings and goings and oilings.
"I think we're about done," Mesilne comments to Yashira, giving himself a moment or two to rest by plopping down onto the ground. He absently smooths out some oil with his paddle, calling over to Tarlo. "What does Cariath think?"
Tarlo observes the preening Cariath with a smile. "She's very pleased, and ready to go back to the gallery." she smiles at the pair. "Thank you. And tell Khelmor and anyone else who helped and I missed thank you too!"
Kade seems to have a nice spot to enjoy the view, and noticing Teryla's glance about, with a wave and motion, he offers her a place on the rocks also.
"I've been told that I'sai's mother wants t'meet me at some point." Kassi reaches back to begin the process of braiding her hair. Her tone is rather neutral, likely due to the subject matter. "Because of m'relationship t'Kisai. I have a sneaking suspicion that won't go quite so well if'n it ever does come to pass. Anyway--I'm glad it went well for you both, at least in half. Should I ask what your parents did?" Catching a glimpse of Yashira's yawn, she points out, "You could likely sneak off t'sleep, y'know--oh, Tarlo, headed off? G'deve t'you, then, and clear skies... or warm sands, mayhaps I should wish."
Riane pauses to rub the sleep from her eyes, yawns, then continues at a bit of a slower pace. "G'night, um, Tarlo," she nods to the goldrider, and glances back to the inner caverns. "Sleep...?"
Alona sighs softly, stopping a short ways away from Teryla herself. She watches the other girl for a short moment before tentatively reaching a hand out and lightly poking her shoulder. "Are you sure?"
Mesilne grins slowly, giving Tarlo a firm nod. "I think sleep sounds good to just about everyone, Riane," he answers to the fellow Candidate. "Last one to the Barracks trades for extra latrine duty, huh?"
Spineth has been dozing in the water, nonplussed. When the gold is ready to leave, though, his eyes opens, and he rumbles a deep-toned friendly tribute in farewell.
Kade offers a light soft wave to those departing, offering them a good night. not calling out though, since he knows so few names.
Yashira's head bobs. "Great. I'll, um, see you both soon, I guess." A crooked smile. "That... well. Haven't been this tired in a while."
"G'night," Kassi bids the departing Candidates, with a brief but full smile. "'Tis good work you've done with those dragons, if'n I'm any judge; you've earned the sleep, hey?"
Teryla catches Kade's offer and smiles, nodding. At Alona's question and questioning poke, she sighs wearily. "I'm fine, just tired," she assures teh other Candidate. Then, paddling to nab a towel, she dries herself and clambers onto the rocks to take a seat by the trader, waving to those leaving.
Riane pats Tyrrath's flank, "I think I'll be off, if that's all right?" she calls to the rider, before slipping totally out of the water. She stands, concealing her revealed self with arms and such, searching for her clothes. "Where..." She grabs a towel as she passes by it, wrapping herself in it, then stalks along the baths. "Where'd my clothes go?"
Ursa takes a moment, watching her lifemate, who is watching the gold. Then she turns to Kassi, clucking her tongue amusedly. "That woman--I'sai's mother-- has been blessed with a bounty of grandchildren, hasn't she? I'm sure it will go fine, if she has no delusions about your relationship with her son." Then she explains, "That was my mom's issue--or one of them. Grandchildren. Emlyn was just clearly all wrong for that situation. She needn't have worried, eh?" She looks up to see people readying themselves for departure, and she lifts a hand, calling, "Good night!"
"G'night," Mesilne calls over his shoulder, dragging himself up off the ground and stumbling to his vest, package of throat lozenges clasped firmly in his hand. "See y'all in the morning," he further mumbles, though the extent of it is lost as he meanders out.
Mesilne walks off towards the Inner Cavern.
Kade glances and shakes his head, "I'm sorry m'dear, I am not a tailor.. to hide the beauty spirits have given you. If I hear of one I will pass it on."
Kade offers a wave to Mesilne as he departs then greets Teryla to the rocks with a soft bow of his head in greeting.
Riane mutters something under her breath, then glances after Mesilne. "Oh, shards. I'll look in the morning or something... 'Night, everyone..." She hurries out with a towel covering her.
Riane walks off towards the Inner Cavern.
"Nine thus far that I know of." My, Kassima's tone is dry. "I don't believe she has any... ah, delusions; at least, if'n I'sai is t'be trusted when he implies she knows about him and M'kon." She's a bit tense; it's subtle, evident more in the way she relaxes at the subject-shift. "Strange how things work out. Mum and Da would much rather I had a permanent mate, but they're happy with their grandchildren. Six is a respectable number of offspring even in m'family."
Alona watches as Teryla moves off and out of the water, and with a silent nod, she herself turns away and swims off towards where her towel sits. Pulling herself up and out of the steaming water, she bends to collect her towel and swings it around her back, beginning to dry off.
Teryla returns the nod to Kade and sinks back so that she's lying on the rocks, covered by her towel. "Best not let me fall asleep here," she mutters, snorting at some private joke.
Yashira waves vaguely, trotting off with another yawn.
Yashira walks off towards the Inner Cavern.
Ursa is tempted to say more, but she can read the signs and allows Kassima to change the subject. "My mother would be so ecstatic over six grandchildren from me," she muses. "And they had always wanted a permanent mate for me, too. Emlyn wasn't what they'd pictured, of course, but now that she's gone, they miss her."
Kade watches Alona to see if she will join the rocks also, but then swims off. He turns with a soft smile and nod to Teryla, "I'll be sure to warn you if you do.. though with your company I have no feer of falling asleep myself."
You lay down upon the sunning rocks.
Teryla wrinkles her nose and opens one eye to peer at Kade. "Are you still trying to sell me something?" she asks suspiciously.
Having removed some of the moisture from her upper torso, Alona snuggly wraps the towel around her waist and begins to padd off towards the exit. Seems as if she's had her fill of swimming.
Kade chuckles and shakes his head, "not tonight. I think I'm just going to relax and enjoy the evening."
"You could always start drinking the Water and encouraging Spineth t'chase a lot of male-ridden greens," Kassi suggests, mostly facetiously. Mostly. "If'n you wanted another. Do they try t'cajole you into finding another mate, too, now?" She nods after the departing Candidate.
Teryla gives Kade a thoughtful look, then closes her eyes again. "All right.. then what's with the overly sicky sweet comments?" she asks lightly, half teasing and half curious.
Ursa shrugs. "If I'd wanted another child, I'd have had one," she says simply. "They actually keep pulling for me to mend things with Emlyn. 'For Rulyn's sake,' they say."
Kassima concedes the point with a dip of her chin and a rueful smile. "I forget that some don't need t'leave it t'chance." More hesitantly, "Have you explained to 'em why that's implausible? I'm guessing implausible, going from what you've said of it."
On the rocks, Kade relaxes back and watches the open air for a moment, "I tend to admire spirit and beauty. I travel a lot and often go stretches without having a chance to speak to many people. Perhaps at times I do let thoughts or comments flow to freely. If I offended you I appologize." he explains.
Kade settles back and relaxes, replying to Teryla in soft comments as he stares into space.
Teryla opens her eyes. "No, you didn't," she laughs. "I was just curious if.. well, anyway. Travelling must be very stressful," she muses. "With Fall and everything. Were you born into the trader family?"
Ursa's voice gets soft. Earlier, when threatening L'han, her voice was also soft, but that was her dangerous soft voice. This is entirely different, it's a gentle, quiet, thoughtful soft. The former carries well, despite its apparent softness. The latter does not carry, it just stays close to its place of origin. "Frankly.... Rulyn being here has reminded me so poignantly of Emlyn. Were Spineth not so weyrbound, I might see if I could stop by at Southern and at least talk to her."
On the rocks, Kade hmms and continues to look up to the sky in thought. "I guess I've been travelling from place to place ever since I was young. My uncle was a trader, and since I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle, I did travel a lot."
Teryla shakes her head at Kade. "Can't imagine it... I lived at Igen Hold myself, then moved to the Weyr. I've travelled a little," she adds thoughtfully. "But that sounds like quite the exciting - and nervewracking - life."
Kade's voice picks up a little also to drift out from the rocks, "It was quite an adventure for a long time. Now it is part of my work, but I still like travelling to new places and meeting new people."
"Would he nay be willing t'go, with Cariath's leave, for even so much as an hour?" Kassi's voice, too, is quiet--not quite the same quietness, but there's thoughtfulness to it all the same. "If'n 'twould truly make you happy? If'n he can come here for a washing... it seems like something that might be worthwhile. Even if'n you couldn't be what you were--you could, mayhaps, be something?"
Teryla's eyes drift closed, then she starts, sitting up. Someone's a little sleepy, but she smiles and keeps talking. "Well, that would be nice," she agrees. "But what about getting comfortable in one place, with a community of people? Be it Hold or Weyr or anything else.. that's a nice feeling to have, the feeling of 'home'."
Zaidra walks in from outside the room.
Kade's voice quiets again as he answers..
On the rocks, Kade hmms softly in thought.. "that sounds nice actualy.. but I've never known that feeling.. home to me has always been travelling. Strange I know.."
Ursa chuckles, a genuine sound coming from deep inside her. "You know--there's something *you* said that caught his attention. If he could be grounded long enough for me to have Rulyn, then I can be grounded long enough for him to watch those eggs mature." She smiles slightly. "I think Southern is farther than he'd like to be right now. I've tried writing her a letter... but the words just never come out right. Rulyn's keeping me well supplied with hide scraps as I try to get something written down." She concludes, "The eggs will hatch. I'll get there in good time."
Zaidra slips in wearing soft comfortable clothes, and calling softly through the wafting steam, "I heard there was a crowd in here...am I interrupting?"
On the rocks, Kade reaches over to brush a strand of hair from her face, "don't fall asleep now.." he mentions, keeping her awake as warned.
Ursa beckons to the approaching brownrider. "Certainly not," she calls, "Though the crowd's thinned out, now."
Teryla lifts a shoulder in a shrugging motion. "Strange just because I haven't lived that life," she replies. A hand lifts to wave his away. "I'm not, don't worry. Not very good at falling asleep sitting up, anyhow." She grins, adding, "Though I should head in soon.. surprised none of them," and she indicates the riders, "Have told me to get in for bed check." She makes a face.
Kade chuckles at that and nods, "It is getting late. If you need to go, don't let me keep you. Perhaps we'll talk again another time."
Kade offers a glance and soft wave to Zaidra, ever the freindly trader it seems as he relaxes on the rocks.
Kassima winces. Though that chuckle seems to reassure her somewhat, that doesn't keep her from directing a rueful look towards her friend. "Aye, well... I'm sorry if'n I did you an ill-service there. I should be sticking t'one standard too, I suppose. Well. For what 'tis worth--I'd advise t'keep trying; sometimes correspondance leads places, and 'tis surely worth trying. It shan't be so long either way. Mayhaps she'll even come to the Hatching--think you she might?" She lifts her head and hand both to wave to Zaidra, the gesture made absent through distraction. A quick smile accompanies it. "Interrupting, nay, nay a whit."
Zaidra returns the wave and approaches the warm water. She doesn't undress, just rolls up her trouser legs, kicks off shoes, and sits on the edge to dangle her feet. "If this is the 'thinned out' group, I'm glad I only just managed to join you. I get lost in crowds, still."
Teryla inadvertantly yawns again and murmurs an apology to Kade. "Must be heading to bed.. chores await in the early morn," she adds, grimacing. She stands, towel wrapped firmly around her, and makes her way back to her clothing pile. "Good night," she murmurs to the female riders still gathered.
You travel along the tunnel into the Weyr, leaving drips of water behind you.
