The following is a log of roleplay from PernMUSH . The World of Pern(tm)' and 'The Dragonriders of Pern(r)' are copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967. This is a recorded online session, by permission of the author but generated on pernMUSH for the benefit of people unable to attend.

8/25/02

Gather Beach of Southern Boll

Waves wash against the shore as the evening settles over Boll. Glowbaskets that hang from the trees are lit, casting soft pools of light on the white sands. The wildflowers bordering the beach are lost in the shadows of the setting sun. The picnic area has many open 'places' to sit as residents move toward the Hold proper for their evening meal. A sign points up the cliff path to where the vine used to be and the 'beach waters' look inviting. The early morning skies are crystal clear as the sun rises over the eastern skies. There seems to be a light breeze coming from the east-northeast and the winter air is is warm with a touch of humidity.

Cheni sits with her knees hugged in her arms, leaning against a tree, looking out at the ocean, unseeingly. She isn't overly happy, and has a basket sitting beside her, with mending, untouched. Occasionally, she mutters the name. "Jearan" under her breath and whoever Jearan is, her tone doesn't speak highly of the man.

Jon happens upon the area as well. Over one shoulder is slung a rather full travel pack, the kind that one can keep many things in and it seems that is exactly what it is doing; finding this weight oppressing, the young man goes to slip it down and set it to the side of him with a pleasant sigh of relief. Arms stretch back and then foreward again as he goes to gaze towards the water; several moments pass in this tranquil moment before his eyes happen upon the form of yon distant female. "Mmm." Is his simple self-grunt. Arms crossed, he muses over the presence of another. Finally, his self battle seemingly won, he goes to grab his pack and work in that direction. As he comes close to Cheni, he drops the pack again and speaks out, "A nice spot you've chosen, dear lady. Mind if I share in its slendor?" Smile and tone of voice pleasant.

Cheni is lost in thoughts, not too nice of thoughts, by the frown that creases her brow but the first soft mmm awakens her to the fact she is not alone on the beach, and she hisses out. "Jearan, Jearan, over here!" She gathers up her basket, shoving mending inside and starts to scramble to her feet, when it dawns on her that it is not Jearan after all, but a stranger. Startled, she looks around the beach then looks to Jon. "Umm, it's not my beach, I'm only waiting for my brother, again. Please, feel free to look all you want to."

Jon motions to the ground and then goes to slide down to sit, against that travel pack that now serves a useful purpose as a seat; "My appreciation." He grunts and holds his arms out to the side and down in a lazy stretch. "Waiting for someone, were you?" Faint amusement present. He goes to glance about as if in search of this person before allowing his gaze on the girl once more. He thumbs at himself, "Well, it looks like I'm not him. But my name is Jon, perhaps I could do just as well?" A rueful grin? Good humour intended.

Cheni looks Jon up and down and then chuckles. "Well, my mother might figure out you weren't her son, no matter how we tried to hide the fact. You'd need to grow another few inches higher and fill out in the shoulders for the ruse to work." She sighs from the hopes that a boring evening of waiting might be not so bad after all and nods. "I'm Cheni, from Braddle Hold, up the road about a candlemark by runner."

Jon smiles and shrugs in a helpless manner; "Well, the offer was made. I'd probably end up screwing up within the first few seconds as well, so.. lets just forgot it." However, he goes to nod his head once in greetings. "A pleasure then, Cheni of Braddle Hold. And I must say, you do indeed have good taste in locale." A sweeping gesture about. "But you seem to be in a ... less than pleasant mood, by the look of things. What troubles you, sweet lady?"

Cheni is flustered by Jon's way of speech and blushes faintly. Laughter does rise up at his reply. "Well, if tomorrow morn holds true as any other time in the last few sevendays, you might be able to pass off the ruse, as my dear brother finds the need to sleep late in the mornings." Her lower lip juts out just a touch and she plays with the sand between her toes, resorting to hugging her knees again with her arms. "He's found a lady love, a serving wench up at Lava Lounge. I am his excuse for coming down here, but he promises me material from the next gather, if I keep to my side of the bargain."

Jon lifts his hand to stroke as his chin as if in thought, listening to this little tale that the girl weaves; "Mmm. I see, intresting to be sure." He goes to clear his throat. "So tell me, why is it that it causes you so much grief that your brother has found a lady to tickle his fancy? Surely you can't be annoyed at having to come out to such a lovely spot; if that holds true.." Pointing at her basket, "I'd much rather do such work away from the stale air of the insides of a hold." He tilts his head slightly, "Perhaps there is more that troubles the lovely lady in front of me? I'd think so. Mm Hm."

Cheni shoots Jon a rebellious glance, sensing a patronizing tone. She sits up straighter, gathering her basket next to her. "It is rather hard to do mending this time of night, as I have the tendency to stab myself in the finger than stab through the material when it is dark." Haughtily, she gives a shake of her head, her hair, half pinned, comes tumbling down her back. "It is not the lady love that upsets me, nor what he could be doing with the ladylove. It's the fact I have to haul his butt up onto the runner, then pour him into his bed at the end his night. The first while, it was pleasant to sit here, but as this now is once a sevenday, it is becoming taxing." She frowns. "And he holds me now, in some what an awkward position. If our parents knew I was helping him with this charade, I'd be finding myself in the back caverns of the hold, so quickly, my head would spin."

Jon takes that glare in stride and goes to lift a hand to ward it off and ease the tension of the girl, "Oh, I understand that, of course. But is it really such a strenuous pain? I know that I would be very appreciative of a sister who would look out for me so. You never know when you might need him to look out for you." He shrugs then; "Though I do admit I don't have much say in the issue. Only that I would suggest you either take action one way or the other, but not to simply stew in your annoyance." He gives her a faint smile, "Plus, you've company now. Can't be all that bad, can it?"

Cheni takes a deep breath, looking out to the ocean, calming herself, and then takes another. Remembering her manners, albeit, a bit belatedly, she offers Jon a fresh waterskin from her little satchel with an conciliatory, rueful smile. "So far, I've done most of the looking out for him and he is the older sibling. And as far as action goes? I am not quite sure what I could do. If I were to tell my parents of his tryst, I would be considered a tattle, and would be watched even closer by my parents than I am now." Again, she schools her features to a more pleasant expression. "It is nice of you to talk to me, you are Jon but where are you from?"

Jon takes that offered waterskin appreciatively and grunts so; he takes a drink from it as he considers her words, "Aah, yes. The tattler. I know well of this, I've experienced its horrific affects against me. Though, as you point out, I did enjoy my siblings sharing in my misfortune." A grin offered as he settles back. "Mmm, oh, of course. Jon of Fort Hold. Well, originally. I've not been there in some time. And it is a tale saved for another time. But!" He claps his hands together, "I am here now and quite pleased for that fact." He eyes her basket. "Perhaps that could be saved for another time and you could show me about?"

Cheni rummages around in the basket and comes up with a redfruit, not overly squished and a meatroll. "I'm afraid I have not much more to offer, Jon. If I had known I'd have someone to chat with, as I sat, I'd have packed some cheese and bread at least." She listens, her head cocked, eyes sparkling with interest as he tells of his life. When it is a rather vague tale, she hides her disappointment with a shrug. "I am afraid I only know of this area." Releasing her knees and stretching out her legs on the sand, she gestures with one hand to show the immediate area. "I've been to the Hold once or twice, with my family but now, well, I know of the lounge, somewhere in there -" A head nod indicates the jungles "And a bridge over there." Her head bobs to the south. "That's about the extent of my knowledge, I am afraid."

Jon lifts his hand to show his appreciation but denial of that snack. "I'm quite fine, thank you." He considers then and says, "Then, walk with me and show me? In return I can share with you tales of the places that I have been to. A fair exchange in return for a walk with a lovely lady, I'd think." Okay, he is guilty of putting a bit to much charm there, but it is for a good cause, really! He rises up to his feet and offers his hand to help his companion in a friendly manner. "Deal?"

Cheni looks doubtful, highly doubtful as she replaces the snack in her basket, she does so slowly, giving her time to think. "I don't know..." She hesitates. "Jearan could be coming out at any time and if I am not hear, I'd give him worry." Embarrassed, she doesn't look Jon at Jon directly, instead, arranges the basket unnecessarily. "You see, when a man has a lot of ale in him, it doesn't take him long to be come upset and I'd hate for him to storm the hall, looking for me." The offer is tempting however and she slips sandals on her feet but doesn't rise. "You've been many places?"

Jon nods his head to both of those; "Oh? Ale has that kind of affect. I wouldn't know." Heh. He brushes a thumb against his cheek as he says that bold faced lie. A grin though is all it takes to show the truth of the matter. "And if you don't want to, that is fine of course. Figured I'd make the offer." He turns then and takes a few steps towards the sea; "Yeah, I suppose I have. The occaisional odd job and such. Or delivering important messages. I guess I was lucky in that regard. My father is fairly influencial back at Fort and it has allowed me to take on caring important messages; and, of course, important messages only go to intresting places." A placid, friendly smile tossed over his shoulder.

Cheni giggles as she catches Jon in a obvious fib and jumps to her feet. "We could wander down the beach, he could see us that way and the runners will bray when they hear him come, giving me time to get back to help the dear sot onto his seat." She sighs wistfully as she walks towards the water's edge, lifting her skirts to keep them dry from the tide. "My father isn't very influential at all, and this is the furthest I've ever been. Important messages, huh? What sort of interesting places?" She tucks her hair behind an ear as she walks, her other hand lifting her skirts to the ankle.

Jon makes a quick point to add; "Oh, don't get me wrong. Nothing ground breaking. Nothing super important. I'm just another message runner when you get down to it. But then again, if we were always to think like that, how would we ever get anywhere in life?" He smiles in that coy manner as he continues to walk down towards the beach with the girl beside him-- "Oh, a dreamer are you then?" Quickly he stops himself, "But, of course. My own story.." A wistful sound, "Fort is big. Really big. Probably one of the biggest in all of Pern. Oldest too, or so I've heard anyways. Very rich in history. The Lord Holder and his Lady are always very proud of the heritage." A grunt, "I grew up like any other child, really. I had fun and did my share of the work. But as nice as it was I just.. wanted to see the rest of the world. Oh, I know it is dangerous." A gesture upwards, "I'd never be foolish enough to set foot out into the wilds and away from protection. So," He smiles aside to Cheni, "Message running was a natural step. It gave me a chance to leave the Hold." He shifts to walk paralell with the water now, "Started small, really. Just the local holds, dry stuff. But I managed to prove myself and even got a chance to ride a'dragonback. That was something else." Nodding seriously.

Cheni snorts, right behind a soft surprised yip as the cooler waters lap against her bare feet. In between dodging the lapping waves, she glances upwards towards Jon's face. "Oh, I'd say it's maybe not important but it's an adventure. The places you must have seen. And Fort!" She exclaims. "The history and the stories and the sagas that have been written and sung about that hold and weyr!" Giggling at herself, she shakes her head lightly. "But you know all that, don't you." She nods. "Logical progression, and one that should be rewarded, prove yourself responsible with small tasks and you are given larger ones."

Jon muses over that. "Mmm, I suppose it is. It felt like an adventure then, in the beginning. But it.. changed? No, I suppose I just grew used to it. Things are exciting because they are new to us. Your hold.. " He gestures back towards it, "Is new to me. So I find it refreshing and different. However, to you.." He points at her chest, ".. are used to it, so you find it old, boring.. no doubt you wish you were anywhere but here." A faint smile as he continues to walk. "So, what keeps you from leaving on your own... adventure, sweet lady?"

Cheni chuckles. "This isn't my hold, my hold is much smaller, much more remote and the most exciting thing that happened there was when a visiting Holder got seasick the other sevenday when crossing over to our hold across the strait between us." She grins mischievously. "And -that- isn't my hold either, my parents have worked there, my grandparents did and I am expected to as well, I suppose, raise a family, settle down." Her nose wrinkles in distaste. Having to keep her wits about her, as the surf laps up on her feet, she inches her skirts to calf length but continues walking at a steady enough pace. She looks down at herself as she is pointed at and shrugs. "Well, to be honest, right here, is rather nice, right now. Pleasant, intelligent conversation, and no snoring auntie in my ear." At the last question, she pauses. "Second time that's been asked me as of late." She shrugs. "I don't know, what keeps you being a messenger?"

Jon pauses and turns to face the girl, "A good question indeed. What does keep me? I suppose... I'm used to it? Perhaps I am also afraid to give it up for anything else. Perhaps it could be good, or bad. But why risk what you already have?" His smile fades before he goes to shake his head and forget that, "So! Settling down doesn't suit you? But then, leaving doesn't exactly grab at you either. My my, an enigma you are, Cheni. An enigma indeed. For now, I suppose your brother gives you purpose enough?" Teasing her in such a manner.

Cheni runs a hand through her hair, and allows a lock to fall down across her face, an convinent veil. She moves as if watching her feet carefully, but there is nothing in her way but water and sand. "Risk is good, and without risk, you become embittered I think. We are born to risk. I just haven't found anything yet worth the risk of leaving my family and haven't the natural skills to do much more than what I am, a Hold Worker." She looks through her half veil of heavy bangs, before brushing her hair back once again. "An enigma? No." She says softly. "Only ladies of mystery fit that word." She is interupted by the excited neighing of a runner not far behind and the drunken slurred voices and laughter of people leaving Lava Lounge. "I must be going, Jon, if you ever have the need to drop a message up at Braddle, perhaps we'll meet again."

Cheni's name is called and the girl picks up her skirts to the knees now, running at a fast clip across the beach.



*** Disconnected from PernMUSH ***

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