The Dragonriders of PernŽ is a trademark, Registered U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, of Anne McCaffrey. This is a recorded session, generated by Harper's Tale MOO in December, 1998, for the benefit of members unable to attend. Logged by Pyrene.
The Runaway
Pyrene slips through the curtain and peeks at Flarra, "You awake?"
Flarra slowly sits up from her cot and rubs her eyes, blinking at the sudden light and noise, "Uh.. Huh? Pyrene? What? What time is it?" She asks, suddenly standing up and looking around quietly, hmm.. Must have slept in again.. *sigh* She's been doing that alot lately.. "Yeah.. I'm awake I think.. Just how late is it? I hope I didn't sleep for /too/ long.."
Pyrene squeezes her cousin's shoulder, "I'm sorry if I woke you, did you sleep right through dinner then?"
Flarra blinks and looks slightly startled, "Dinner? Its dinner time already?" She asks quietly, still somewhat shocked.. Last time she was up its was just after breakfast and she didn't eat then because she wasn't hungry.. Now.. *two hungry creels come from her shoulders* Now she's /really/ hungry and so are they.. "I'm sorry for sleeping so late.. You should have woken me.. I could have done something today instead of just sleep.."
Pyrene grins wryly at Flarra, "I know you could have done something, but with all the things I was doing I didn't have the heart to wake you. I should probably have fed that pair though." She regards the hungry lizards, as does Wal who then appears to confer with her in a series of chirps.
Flarra just shakes her head, "I don't know.. I've just been sleeping really weird lately.. Not so much now that I'm up at the Weyr but.. I don't know.. Tossing and turning.. Maybe nightmares but I can't remember dreaming.." She says softly, almost appologeticly as she reaches up a hand to scritch blue and brown eyeridges in hopes of quieting them down but it only works somewhat, "Yeah.. They're really hungry now.. Though you don't have to feed them, its my fault for not being awake to care for them.." Nervermind the fact that they could probably hunt very well on their own.. Or at least Taman could.. "But if I had been awake I could have probably helped with the chores and stuff.."
Pyrene nods and holds out a hand to help Flarra up, "C'mon, I've got some mending to do anyway. May as well do it in the Living Cavern."
Flarra nods quietly as she takes the offered hand and fully stands up, "Oh.. Thank you.. The Living Cavern? There's food out there too?" She asks quietly, trying to hide her eagerness and blushing a deep red when her stomach rumbles quite audibly at the thought of food.. Ok, so she's hungry too.. "Ooh.. Excuse me.."
Pyrene grins, "There's always food. All those hungry dragonriders remember?" And she slips out.
Night or day, Klah can always be found warming on the High Reaches Hearth...
Living Caverns
The rough-hewn majesty of this cavern far outpaces any delight in the multitudes of curves that form its enclosure. The glabrous grey granite is shot through with translucent obsidian, lending subtly-veined sparkle to the walls and the foot-trodden smoothness of the floor that shows centuries-old placements of the scarred trestle tables; carven hollows give homes for the glow baskets and the coat-pegs that line the walls. No mosaics, no painting, no tiles: just a few well-done tapestries mark the pathway that lead to the kitchen to the north and the inner caverns to the west, and frame the nighthearth's stew and snacks, while a heavier strip of oiled canvas shields the unwary from the wind in the bowl.
Tucked into a glowlit niche are Kate, Han, Sobrinita, Gwen, Shavira, Tristano, Mercutio, Kynance, Pacem, Noropolo, Phoenix, Dougal, Rift, Bob, Tategoto, and Mack.
You see Jarrelle's handcarved dragon dice and Dione's Sketchpad here.
Dione is here.
Obvious exits:
Bowl Kitchens Inner Caverns Crafting Area
Flarra arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Pyrene settles herself by the fire with various clothes all looking a little the worse for wear and a needle and thread. "I may as well be an old auntie," she mutters in disgust. She nods to dione, but isn't in enough of a kidloving mood to do more than that.
Flarra quietly walks in, following right behind Pyrene and stopping suddenly as she suddenly realizes Pyrene isn't in front of her anymore, rather by the fire instead.. Ok, so she's a lot more tired then she thought, "Ok.. *more creels from her shoulder* Where would I find something to feed these two? Anymore creeling and I'm likely to lose my hearing.." She says quietly, peering around the room in search of something edible while reaching up a hand to scritch brown and blue eyridges in hopes of placating them.. At least until she gets some food into them..
You release Gunwalloe, who launches into the air.
Kynance answers Flarra by swooping over to a plate of fish and warbling brightly at her. And of course while she's feeding them, she may as well do him too. Wal seconds that motion as he abandons Pyrene's shoulder to take his own place by the fish.
Flarra chuckles slightly as she follows the little brown and approaches the plate of fish, "Ahh.. Good, they like fish.." Or at least she thinks so, though from their creeling she's pretty sure they'd eat anything.. The chorus of creeling gets even louder as the aroma of fish drifts up their way and they hop off of her shoulder and practicly attacks the fish, not even waiting to be served, "Ok.. Well, I guess I won't have to bother with them, though Wal and Ky seem rather hungry.. You don't mind if I feed them do you?"
Pyrene mutters an oath as she pricks her finger. Sticking it in her mouth she looks over at Flarra and mumbles around it, "Oh, no, doethn't matter-- er, ith you don't mind?"
Cinnemaera arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Pyrene continues sewing, with greater care for her fingers now. "Don't see why they can't just make new clothes for us, it'd be easier," she mutters, patching one ruined elbow. Catching Cinnemaera's entrance out of the corner of one eye, she waves her needle at her vaguely.
Cinnemaera walks out with a smile on her face, flipping the ends of her hair back over her shoulders.
Cinnemaera
Blunt honesty and open warmth are apparent in the marked Keroon accent of her alto voice. She is tall and raw-boned of build, with a coltish, long-limbed grace and a thin, boldly-featured face. Neither plain nor pretty, she instead lies somewhere in between, all angles and lines and dazzling smile, with eyes the exact, clear shade of aquamarines and waist-length, copper-streaked chestnut hair.
She has on a pair of sturdy brown trous tucked into a pair of scuffed brown boots. Her tunic is dark green and plain, its only decoration the lacing at the collar. Brilliant autumn-bronze twines around one shoulder, the song and rhyme of Carolan.
She is awake, but has been staring off into space for 3 minutes.
Cinnemaera is 17 Turns and 5 days old.
Gunwalloe finishes feeding and watches the newcomer while casually grooming himself. A stranger... with a bronze lizard. He files the information away chirruping softly. Pyrene keeps right on attacking the sleeve as if it was her worst enemy's head.
Twined about Cinnemaera's shoulder, Carolan rocks back and forth, wingsails shifting as he stares about with alery eyes. He is still young, after all. Cinne says "Good evening," cheerfully and flops into a seat, long limbs all akimbo.
Pyrene eyes Cinnemaera's relaxed attitude jealously before holding up the sleeve and peering at it, lips pursed. "Does that look done to you? So it won't fray I mean." May as well get the other girl to do something constructive. Some people might introduce themselves first, but not Pyrene.
Cinnemaera leans forward to look, gathering herself up a bit. "I think so," she answer confidently. This does not mean that she knows anything about sewing, though.
Pyrene brightens for a few seconds. Then she sees the knees of the trous that Ewyrpin was doing indoor ice skating in, "And this'll need a patch." While she rummages around in the scraps she brought with her she has time for a bit of small talk. "So, who are you anyway? I'm Pyrene... Ow!" She's found the pin she dropped earlier at any rate.
"Cinnemaera," is tossed out carelessly, casually. "Careful! Don't wanna hurt yourself." She doesn't offer to help, eithe,r though, keeping her fingers laced while she watches in bemusement.
Pyrene drags out a small scrap of fabric, "Red? Oh, that's close enough to green." she uses the offending pin to stick it in place while she rethreads her needle, "Cinnemaera, hmm? And where'd you come from?"
Cinnemaera shrugs. "Keroon." It's clear enough in her accent. "Before I was here. I've /been/ here for a few sevendays," she adds, a bit defensively.
Pyrene begins sewing, rather neatly until the tone in Cinnemaera's voice causes her head to jerk up, blushing, "I'm sorry, I've been busy just lately and haven't noticed who's been around. I'm from the Tillek peninsula myself, and /I've/ been here a few turns." Although sewing patches on bratling trous wasn't quite how she envisioned weyr life.
Cinnemaera ducks her head and blushes a little bit. "I've not been in here /too/ often, anyway."
Pyrene grins impishly at her, "Well, believe me, here is better than the nurseries. Why're you at the weyr then?" needle rests in her lap for the moment, either forgotten or ignored.
Queenie blinks in from ::between::!
Corenne arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Queenie
This molten green firelizard is as proud and arrogant as her name suggests. Head held proud, her eyes whirl as she makes herself know in the room. Her wings are constantly changing so that the movements make her more noticeable. Her hide is a shade darker under her belly and her tail is flicked with a golden green. She has a small habit of moving around the room so that everyone notices her and gives her a compliament or a treat.
Queenie is 2 Turns, 1 month, and 5 days old.
Queenie is awake and seems alert.
Corenne
Corenne's wild, shoulder-length, firey, red hair frames a fair, oval face. Her petite body suits her quiet smile and her sparkling, secrective, green eyes well. The red of her hair, and her green eyes combined creates a stunning contrast, at her waist is a small belt-knife which her hand rarely strays far from - even with friends. With her youthful face, green eyes, red hair and petite body she proves quite attractive. Corenne's laughing voice fits her out-going personality - unless she's angered. She will always willingly take time from her day to cheer someone up, or to flirt with a young man.
A pale yellow cotton undertunic fits tightly down to her wrists. Over it, a darker gold flax tunic is draped loosely. Her brown draw-string trousers appear comfortably worn. On her feet are ankle-high leather boots, died dark gold, with a slight heel increasing her diminutive stature. Corenne's brown hair is drawn back in a short runner-tail, secured with a leather thong.
She is awake and looks alert.
Corenne is 13 Turns, 4 months, and 14 days old.
Corenne waves
Queenie chirps as she glides out of ::between::. She sees the one her pet has been searching for and lands swiftly on her shoulder.
Pyrene blinks at the entrance of the green lizard, "Don't recognise her..." Noticing Corenne she waves, "Hello... Am I in a different weyr all of a sudden? I don't recongise anything anymore." Exaggerrations, tsk! She appeals to her cousin who the liard seems to know at least, "Flarra? You didn't tell me you had a green!And she's older than Pol!"
Queenie chrips at Flarra rather insistantly.
Corenne smiles happily, "No, no...Just moved in a few days ago..."
Flarra quietly continues feeding her pair of flitters, not noticing the little green at first until she lands on her shoulder, "Hmm? A green? Oh! Its.. Queenie?" She asks softly, voice barely a whisper as she stands suddenly, almost tipping the tray of fish in her haste, "Pyrene.. It's /her/ flitter.. Mother! Err.. The Journeywoman! Damista.."
Cinnemaera pushes her hair back and grins. "M'brother lives here. And I came to visit and stayed." She pushes hair back a bit. "He's Karedelan." Family of Long Names.
Queenie clutches Flarra's shoulder, though she squawks as she tries not to lose her balance.
Pyrene decides matters are far too confusing to sew, "Damista's? What does she want?" Wal and Ky twitter excitedly and incoherently at Queenie, while Pyrene just looks around at everybody in bewilderment. Finally she shrugs at Cinnemaera and Corenne (who she also assumes is fairly new) "Welcome to the weyr! Now, Flarra? What's going on?"
Queenie takes a bit of Flarra's hair in her talons, careful not to hurt the herder girl.
Corenne waves a quick goodbye, "Off to bed I go...night all"
Corenne steps into the shadows that lead back into the Weyr.
Flarra swallows quietly, not quite sure what to do and turning to her little cousin with a pleading lok on her face.. Umm.. Help?, "What could she possibly want from me? I don't have anything.. And I hope she's not agitated or anything.." She says quietly, voice trembling slighty as she turns to look at the little green, still not quite sure what to do, or anything at all for that matter and remembering the last time Queenie got near.. Ouch.. Painful memory..
Gunwalloe squawks at Queenie as she seems to get more persistent. He flits to over Flarra's head and scolds the green vigorously.
Queenie chrips out with an air of command, but lets loose of Flarra's hair. She sinks her talons into the herder's clothing and pulls.
Pyrene puts aside her sewing and crosses over to Flarra, "Hush Wal, pest! Um, maybe she'd calm down with some fish?" Hopefully she swipes some scraps left by the other lizards and holds them out to the determined green, "Settle down a little now..." Kynance doesn't help as he leaps onto Pyrene's outstretched arm in an effort to steal the fish.
Queenie pulls harder, ignoring the fish. Her eyes whirl a worried orange.
Images from Queenie suggest: << My pet wants this pet home. >>
Gunwalloe ignores Pyrene to continue his ear-piercing shrieks toward Queenie.
You project: <<Flarrapet come here! here home!>>
Flarra blinks but still resists, giving a quick nod to Pyrene.. Good thinking! "But.. I don't /have/ anything.. Why can't you just go?" She asks the little green, still afraid but her fear lessening as she speaks.. Trying, perhaps in vain to explain to this little green, "And if you do go back.. I'm not here.." She mutters softly.. Nope, she's going to stay hidden, she wasn't expecting to get found at all, much less by a flitter..
Cinnemaera falls asleep.
Taman gives a quiet chitter from his Pet's shoulder and turns whirling eyes towards the littel green
Images from Taman suggest: << Dragon place home! Not runner place! >>
Pyrene swats at Ky then gives up and lets him have the fish since Queenie obviously isn't interested, "I don't know Flarra, flits are terrible tattletales... She's bound to image this place to Damista, and after the runner trail she'll know it well enough for sharp pictures too. I think you've been caught."
Queenie finally rips off a piece of Flarra shirt and heads to the air.
Images from Queenie suggest: << No my pet needs this one. My pet worry. My pet love. >>
Flarra shakes her head, face paleing slightly as she moves to talk, "Oh no! Caught? That means.. She knows where I am.. *gulp* She'll be mad.. That I ran.. No!" She says quietly, tears starting to appear in her eyes.. No! She will be mad.. Very very mad at her.. She can't be found.. Not now, "Pyrene.. Hide me?" She asks softly, almost pleading again as she gives one last look at the green, "Please?"
Pyrene has to laugh at that, even if the sitution isn't all that funny for flarra, "/I'm/ not patching that! You'll have to at least send a message or something with her I think Flarra. It's not as if we can very well stop her going back to Damista. Hide you?? Umm, Let me think..." Wal meanwhile has abruptly calmed down, deciding the green isn't a threat and is crooning worriedly.
Queenie chirps as she takes the cloth and disappears ::between::.
Queenie suddenly disappears ::between::!
Kynance cocks his head at all the fuss.
Images from Kynance suggest: << Herder cousin go? Hide? >>
Pyrene watches the lizard go and panics, "If Damista gets a dragon she could be here any minute!! We have to hide /now/... not in the nursery, too many people have noticed you... Not outside... umm, somewhere dark?
Taman chirples and turns whirling yellow eyes towards Pyrene..
Images from Taman suggest: << Yes! Hide Human-pet! Quick! >>
Pyrene beckons urgently to Flarra, "This way!"
You call to Gunwalloe, who flies over and pounces on your shoulder.
Deeper, darker, narrower... passages kink and twist into the Weyr.
Inner Caverns
Ancient caverns unfold in an endless maze of tunnels and stairs, the Weyr's cavities a labyrinth to the uninitiated. Here, trimmed by the last of the stone cutters, arched walls and vaulted ceilings retain the soapy smoothness of well-worn stone, as do the endless tunnel floors kept clear and tidy. Shadows creep and flicker across these glowlit mountain walls, creatures of non-light wending their way east to the main caverns and bowl, or branching out in a web of caves to the Weyr's living spaces.
Shadowed on stone-smooth ledge is Pharangese.
You see Kylantre here.
Obvious exits:
Living Caverns Hallway Dorms Barracks Baths Brat Cave Infirmary Guests' Quarters
Flarra moves in from the Caverns.
If nowhere else in the Reaches, the baths always promise to be warm...
Baths
Steam enshrouds, a misty curtain that veils the room. Pools abound, water constantly swirling, warm and inviting; soapsand waits on nearby ledges for easy access. Racks of clothes stand by the door, freshly washed clothing hang from some, and bundles of yet to be washed clothes fill mutliple baskets beneath. Large cupboard doors open to reveal multitude of fresh, soft towels, and plenty of bathing items -- sponges, pumice stones, and back scrubbers.
You notice Baestia and Kelvren asleep here.
Obvious exits:
Caverns
Flarra is but a blurr in the steam, moving quietly in from the caverns.
Pyrene runs over to the cupboard, pulling towels off the shelves, "D'you think you can fit in here? It's dark enough to give a fire lizard problems, specially if we fill the gaps with towels." Let's just hope her cousin isn't claustrophobic.
Dione is but a blurr in the steam, moving quietly in from the caverns.
Pyrene jumps nervously as Dione enters, "Dione, it's you... Help us hide Flarra!" She continues clearing a space on the biggest shelf, "Maybe if you curled up into a ball?"
Queenie blinks in from ::between::!
Flarra nods quickly and moves towards Pyrene and the cupboard, "Hmm.. Are you sure I can fit? I think I'm too big.." She says quietly, though tone betraying the worry and perhaps fear in her voice and she looks down at herself, frowning a bit at the torn shirt but then turning back to the shelfs, "Ok.. I'll try it.. Just hope I don't get stuck.."
Queenie returns without the bit of cloth. She looks almost smug.
Pyrene all but throws Flarra into the cupboard trying to block Queenie's sight with her own body, "C'mon Dione, time for your bath, that's all we're in her for, right Wal?"
From Pyrene's shoulder, Gunwalloe chitters in some confusion but dives from shoulder to water readily enough.
Queenie already caught sigh of Flarra and tilts her head at the girl. She chrips and settles herself on the top of the cupbaord.
You release Gunwalloe, who launches into the air.
Pyrene picks up the scattered towels, "We're probably going to make a lot of mess, so we'll need this whole shelfful." She strips nervously and enters the water, washing herself with more care than she's done for months. Wal, not above flirting, chirps invitingly to Queenie.
Flarra sqweezes as best she can into the little cupboard, trying not to make a sound and think of *between*.. Hey! She'd heard that was a way for a flitter to not notice you.. Don't remember where but that doesn't exactly matter at the moment does it? Hopefully it will work, but all she can do is sit and wait as all she sees is darkness on each side and then Pyrene's back on the one other side.. Whew! Hot and stuffy in here..
Queenie settles herself on the cupboard and preens a little. She tilts her head as she watches the people moving around.
A bugle of a dragon rings through the Weyr.
Kynance slips out of ::between:: and pauses to take in the situation.
Dione glances about and tries to pretend that she is in here for her bath
Outside the baths a voice is heard ringing through the caverns. A few words can be heard, "...daughter......green.....home."
Kynance chitters at Pyrene with great agitation. Pyrene gasps nervously and all but tugs him underwater. "I think you need a bit of a wash too, don't you? Because that's what we're doing, washing!"
Pyrene casts one anxious glance toward the cupboard door and then the door to the caverns. She'd probably feel braver if she'd left her clothes on, but for the look of the thing... Gesturing to Dione to make some attempt at washing herself, she begins to lather her own hair.
Damista is but a blurr in the steam, moving quietly in from the caverns.
Flarra shivers slightly as she hears the voice, though muffled, she definately knows who's that is.. Ok.. Between.. Dark.. Cold.. Nothing.. Have to keep thinking of between.. Mustn't let anyone know she's here.. And hopefully Pyrene's washing thing will work.. At least she hopes..
Pyrene spies the figure entering and tries to sink lower in the steam and water, maybe she can get away without even being recognised.
Damista strides in with a rider, her brillant eyes flashing as she looks around. Her eyes fix on Queenie. The rider clears his throat, "We are looking for an Apprentice."
Dione quietly skitters into the bath forgetting to take her clothes off and starts washing her hair. uhhu she's really doing this, ayup.
Pyrene rolls her eyes slightly at Dione, the little girl definitely needs more training. Still she's young yet... To the rider she shakes soapy hair, "No apprentices here..." she squeaks out. Just two little kids having their bath, yep. Lower in the water, need to get /lower/!
Oh no! She's here.. Mustn't make a sound.. And she has a rider with her too? Oh no.. No.. Flarra's not here.. Can't be seen, nor heard.. She is gone, no Apprentice here.. That much at least is the truth, she's not an Apprentice.. Not really, her home is here.. With her cousin.. Though it /is/ getting really stuffy in here.. Still, can't move or make a sound, think between..
Dione dives under the water not wanting to be seen my the angry person.
Damista looks at Pyrene closely and then walks to the edge of the tub. Her eyes are filled with worry as her voice shakes as she asks, "You are Flarra's cousin? Please," her voice cracks, "I must find her."
Gunwalloe sticks his head underwater worriedly to monitor Dione. Just as well, since Pyrene's too distracted to pay attention to the girl. Biting her lip she stares back at Damista, "I-- I don't know where she is..." Lying is second nature to a weyrbrat, although she's feeling definite conscience twinges right now. Still her first allegiance in this instance is to Flarra.
Dione peeks her head up trying to stay invisible, really she just always takes her bath with her clothes on.
The rider clears his throat again, "Pyrene, we need to find this Apprentice. This woman is her mother and she is very worried about the girl. If we find out you are lying....there will be punishments..."
Flarra curls up into a tighter ball.. She's right outside of the cupboard.. Can't make a sound only listen.. Listen.. What? Hmm, perhaps its the towels blocking her hearing but she could have sworn she heard the Journeywoman's voice crack.. She's worried? Maybe? Nah.. Her imagination.. Must be.. She'd usually be angry at this point.. Especially for her leaving and then staying away so long.. Nope, she's not going to be found.. Not yet anyway.. She's staying!
Pyrene winces at the mention of punishments but doesn't back down. She's used to punishments, she just hopes that this doesn't step up the search for nanny. "Please, really, I can't tell you where Flarra is!" That at least is closer to the truth, although she does pull Dione to her for moral support.
Damista sighs and walks to Queenie. She takes hold of the little green but Queenie moves out of Dami's hands to stay on top of the cupboard.
Kynance and Wal croon nervously and swim closer to Pyrene anticipating what's coming next.
Dione doesn't struggle as she is pulled next to Pyrene. Her little hands play with the edge of her clothes quite nervous.
Flarra sits as still as possible and even forgets to breathe a couple times and only proceeds to get herself a bit dizzy, though she still doesn't make a sound.. Whew! Dark all around, hot and stuffy.. Suddenly, one more small dizzy spell goes over her, probably due to the lack of oxygen and a small cheep is given.. Oh no! Taman.. No! He's going to give her away.. She tried to shoo him but he insisted on hiding with her.. Now with that last dizzy spell he chirps out in worry and snuggles in closer, making the feeling of suffication stronger.. Nope.. But she still doesn't move, hoping against all hope that the chirp wasn't loud enough to be audible outside of the cupboard..
Pyrene's lizards heard the chirp and it's all Pyrene can do not to look at the cupboard. She can't look at Damista or the rider either, and so she busies herself with wiping soap from Dione's face.
Damista lifts her head as she thought she heard something. She looks around slowly. Queenie nestles in her spot on the cupboard and the rider looks at the Journeyman questioningly. Dami looks down at the cupboard, sizing it in her mind.
Flarra sighs silently, making sure she breathes this time.. In.. Out.. In.. Out.. Breathe.. Can't pass out.. Can't make a sound.. Perhaps the Journeywoman will give up soon? That is.. Unless she heard the chirp.. Must stay quite though, just wait..
Damista looks at the cupboard again and then touches the door, opening it slightly.
Dione sees the mad woman opening the door and sinks back under the water again.
Gunwalloe chirrs softly, eyes starting to whirl orange as he concentrates on the cupboard, even though Pyren has turned that wedge shaped head firmly waterward.
Flarra blinks at the sudden light and takes a deep breath as fresh air suddenly rushes in.. Damp and humid air but fresh air just the same.. Though she's careful to stay silent, thanking Pyrene silently for stacking the towels all around her.. Hopefully the towels will hide her from immediate view.. But again, all she can do is wait.. Wait and hope..
Pyrene apparently stares at Dione lost in thought. In reality her whole vision has narrowed to that corner of her eye where the cupboard is. Beside her Wal croons with some relief as it he senses from Taman that Flarra is getting fresh air again. Ky presses against the two girls trembling as he picks up on /their/ fear.
Queenie takes to the air and flies into the cupboard as it opens, knocking the towels out. She chrips as she presses her little face into Flarra's cheek.
Damista takes a step back as the green flies into the mounds of towels. She peers in and cries out as she sees Flarra.
Pyrene sees the game is up, and with self conscious glances at the rider, she moves to the pile of towels she left by the edge of the pool, slithering out and wrapping one around herself more or less at the same time. She turns back to the water, holding out one arm to assist Dione, "C'mon, Di. It's OK, you've done nothing wrong."
The rider looks at Pyrene sternly. "You better head to your room young lady. I will inform the Weyr Nanny about this."
Dione slowly follows Pyrene out of the water and glances down at her dripping clothes.
Flarra blinks and then oofs softly as the little green dives in and into her cheek.. *sigh* She's been discovered, well.. Might as well get out now.. That is she /can/ get out.. Flarra slowly starts to uncurl from her cramped position and over does it just a bit, as the cupboard door suddenly flies all the way open and she rolls out in a small heap on the baths floor, "Ooh.. Ouch.." She says softly, though stiff and almost unable to get out of her curled up position, however she does notice Pyrene going to leave and practicly shouts out, though voice slightly harsh and wavering slightly, "No! Pyrene.. Don't leave me here.. Please?"
Damista looks at Flarra as she says, "No, no punishments...." She holds out her hand to the young girl she has mentored and mothered.
Pyrene nods, biting her lip, "I'm sorry... journeywoman Damista... it's just that I promised Flarra..." She hesitates not wanting to get Flarra in trouble too. Hearing Flarra's shout, she mumbles something about getting Dione out of her wet clothes and retreats to a corner to attend to the little girl while lending some moral support to the older one.
Flarra quietly stands up, reaching out to take Damista's hand momentarily for support and balance before slowly backing up into the wall, "What do you want of me? Journeywoman? I've done nothing.. And.. The letter.. The letter explained it all didn't it?" She asks softly, grabbing out for the wall, perhaps for support.. Surely she had made herself clear in that letter.. Or at least she hopes she had.. "I'm not an Apprentice.. I gave up my knot.."
Damista drops A note to Damista...
A note to Damista..
A seemingly ordinary piece of paper with some writing on it, though a closer look shows faint tear stains present as well as some smeared ink, probably also caused by the tears.. Whoever wrote it must have been crying quite heavily at the time as the ink is barely readable to any but those who the note was intended for, and some small script at the bottom explains that once read, the letter should be burned, for the sake of privacy if nothing else..
Mother,
I hate to have to write this, but write this I must. As I would feel wrong to just leave without saying good-bye, even if it has to be on this note and not in person. So, I'm saying it now, Good-bye Mother.. For now and probably forever. Attached to this note is my Sr. Apprentice knot and I hope you can put it to good use, maybe even give it to Ranelly once he earns it, or even burn it if you must, though I'd prefer you to put it to good use before you discard of it. I was also going to leave the charm you had given me, but I can't bare to part with it, even now as I say good-bye.. The memories behind it are just too strong. Also I leave to you my ring I gave you when you left, keep it and wear it for luck. So, in closing of this letter, I say good-bye for the last time and I am off to find my true place in this world.. My true family, where I belong and where I will be loved.. That is, if I can ever find the meaning of such a thing as love.. Never had it in my life until you took me in, and even then I didn't know it.. But things have changed between us and I sense it is not for the better, so I must leave.. I might or might not find it but either way I have to keep searching.. Searching for who I am and for people out there who will love and can love back without worrying.. Good-bye.. Mother..
Flarra
Pyrene crouches in her corner, towelling soap rather ineffectually out of Dione's hair and trying to catch Flarra's eye to let her cousin know that she's here for her.
Damista throws the letter down. "You think I would let you give up so easily? It wasn't so long ago, that I swore never to leave you, never abandan you. Now you do that very thing to me?" She ties the Senior Apprentice knot onto Flarra's shoulder. "You are a Senior Apprentice of the HerderCraft, /sworn/ to obey those who are in authority over you." Her voice cracks again, "I, as a Journeyman of the HerderCraft, ask you to return to your post."
Damista continues, "And I, as your.." her voice breaks again, "mother, ask you to come home."
Gunwalloe and Ky have by now climbed out of the water as well. At Damista's words, they abruptly trumpet loudly, flapping their wings and spraying water in vehement agreement that surprises even Pyrene.
Flarra blinks and then face reddens in embarrasment and perhaps guilt at her Mother's words, "I.. I.. I know.. But.." She stops, appearently at a loss as tears flood to her eyes, "I'm sorry.. I didn't want to leave you like that.. I didn't.. But it felt like what I had to do.. Necessary.. For both of us.." She says quietly, voice trembling slightly, "But.. How can I go back? I can't.. I can't just leave here.. My cousin.. R'sli.. I have people here who need me as well.. Maybe even a dragon too someday as R'sli has told me.. But.. I can't be an Apprentice again.. And I can't go back.. I can't! I want to but.. I can't!" She says quietly, though tone of voice slightly on the firerce side.. She wants to go back so much.. But she can't.. Not with /him/ always there.. The one and only person she detests and the one her Mother loves the most.. "I can't.." She repeats, looking down briefly and then up and around her Mother.. An open doorway.. Perhaps? But.. She can't just run again either.. Oh.. What to do?
The rider stands at the only door, silently gaurding.
Pyrene finishes cleaning up Dione, and wraps a dry towel about the little girl. Standing, she sends an apologetic look towards Flarra and reluctantly slips out, ducking the guard nervously.
Pyrene goes home.
Dione carefully stays hidden in the corner with the towel around her.
