'The World of Pern(tm)' and 'The Dragonriders of Pern(r)' are copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967, 2000. This is a recorded online session, by permission of the author but generated on SouCon MUSH for the benefit of people unable to attend.

It is currently 8:50 p.m. on day 24 of month 11 in Turn 28 of the 10th Pass. The season is currently summer. (Remember we are in the southern hemisphere!)

You walk over to the Lakeside Meadow.

Starr is jogging in laps around the meadow, Jiazith attempting to keep up. On her back she has a small backpack, likely added weight.

Auralia wanders along from the courtyard, idly humming. She pauses, watching Starr with a faint smile on her face, shaking her head, "Looks good, Mentee mine. You look better at it than I ever was."

Starr stops on her next go around before Auralia, sweaty, smelly and panting. "Hi...there...Aura...lia..."she says in between gasps. "Just...keeping...up...with...everyone..."

Auralia shakes her head, smile still there and brighter than ever, "You look all tired out." How easy it is to be sympathetic when you're nice and sweet smelling and clean. Iesath watches, lazily, stretched out under the moon.

Starr continues to catch her breath, nodding her head in agreement. Bent over slightly, hands on knees to brace her. Jiazith comes up behind Starr and croons, though she too looks like she had a good work out. Though by no means how Starr is.

Auralia frowns, watching this for a moment, "Shards but you're in a bad shape, huh?" Smile returns for a moment, "How about taking a break? Can't catch up to the others too quickly, you know."

Tiarnath cranes her head to the little green and weyrling, offering a helpful warble -- there, see, made it all better, just like a kiss from mommy!

Jiazith looks up at the green, then the gold and croons in a twittering fashion in return. The green's voice light and having a touch of melodic.

Starr nods a few times, really quickly, though she is grinning. "Yeah...sounds good. Catching my breath now." she agrees. "Whew! I though N'all was just doing it to show off! It's actually really good for ya!" she says, grinning brightly as she slips the pack off. It lands with a loud thud and she stands up finaly. "Ohhhh..." her noce wrinkles. "But I do need a bath..."

Auralia rolls her eyes, while Iesath warbles softly to the little green, and the much bigger gold. "A bath? Why not come to the lake. I could do with a bit of relaxing soak myself. And yes, it is good for you. Hard work, as annoying as...anything, but good for you." The look on her face would perhaps indicate that she doesn't miss it much.

Starr perks up at that, grinning and nodding her head. "Sounds lovely, actually." she says, Jiazith warbling her approval in the background. "I think both of us would enjoy that!"

Auralia chuckles, "And Iesath would, too. Swimming my moonlight is by far her favourite activity, unless its lying in moonlight. Alright, lets get going then."

Starr turns to the lakeside and waves Jia to follow her. Like the green needed any encouragement, she trollops off ahead of them all, though she makes an odd show of it.

Starr walks toward White Sands Beach.

Jiazith moves towards White Sands Beach.

Jiazith has left.

You walk over to White Sands Beach.

Iesath ambles across from the lakeside meadow.

Jiazith goes tromping off for the lake, crooning and warbling her happiness to be allowed in it again. "Don't go too deep!"

Auralia follows down towards the beach, stretching out happily, "Ah, I love this place. Love water. Alright, lets get on in there, huh?" Riding jacket is stripped, as are boots, and she continues with the other few odds and ends. Iesath waddles after Jiazith - being the 'mother', while Aura laughs, "Sath says she'll look after Jiazith, no worries."

Starr smiles and nods as she too strips, making a face at the spotty tunic that smells strongly. "I don't want to put /that/ back on!"

Jiazith :splashes on in, getting deeper until she can totaly submerge. Then leaping out, subermerging, leaping out and so on.

Iesath waddles closer to the water, daintily following Jiazith in somewhat. Halfway up her back, indeed. Just like a human mother, watching on. Aura chuckles, tossing off a few more clothes, "Weyrling uniforms are the pits, aren't they?"

Starr shrugs and grins, slipping out of her sandals, then shorts. "it's what I used to wear before, so it's not that bad at all."

"No, I suppose not. I didn't mind it much before, but I guess I've grown up since I was a 'ling. Looks horrible to me, now," comments Aura, heading closer to the water and daintily dipping her feet in, "Mmm, nice and refreshing."

Starr nods agreeably as she too slips into the water. "Not too cold, not too warm. And I don't know what you mean you'de look awful in that outfit. Your as in shape as I am, and taller."

Auralia chuckles gently, stepping in deeper, "Mmm-hmmm. I know. I guess you're probably right. I'm just...used to my leathers now, I suppose." A wry grin, and she adds, "You'll see, you'll probably feel the same."

Starr nods a bit, looking at you a tad enviously. "You don't sweat too much in those do ya?" she asks, running her hands through the water. Jiazith, on the other hand, is busy playing shipfish in slightly deeper waters. Jumping in and out of the water and swimming around happily.

While Iesath keeps a motherly eye on Jiazith - don't ask why she does it - Auralia splashes a little herself, laughing, "Nope, not much. But hey, you'll get there. And I think weyrlinghood isn't all that bad, you know. Not as much expected of you. And you make all those close friends..."

Starr nods happily, grinning. "Oh yes! I do love it...well, not in that sense. Sometimes it is tedious and boring, but it's for apurpose. That purpose is flying, protecting Pern and being a rider. You got to have the know if your going to go."

Auralia sinks further into the water, shaking her hair out for a moment, before laughing, and pulling herself somewhat upright, "Uh huh. There is a reason for it, and that makes it worthwhile, I felt the same way. And you know that the end is going to be worth it."

Starr turns to grin at the fellow greeny and nods. "Yeah! Worth it to the last!" she says, slapping the water emphaticly. Just, coincidently, as Jiazith dives back under.

Jiazith suddenly comes up, bugling happily, at the squirming thing held in her front claws. Looking up at Iesath she croons, warbles, bugles, then attempts to swim to Starr. The progress being slow, with the wiggling fish.

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << Look! Look what I caught! >>

Auralia giggles, leaning her head back to get her hair wet, and watching the greenling. "And who would give back their lifemate, anyway? That probably is the thing that really makes it worth...Oh!" Iesath warbles gently, while Aura laughs, "Fish! Oh dear."

Iesath> Jiazith senses that Iesath's wise, sultry tones sound slightly surprised <<You caught fish?>>

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << I did! Is that what it is called? It is big and wiggles around! I want to show Starr, help me bring it to her? >>

Starr sits up, grinning brightly. "Fish? WHat have you caught my sweetling?" she asks, standing and moving a bit deeper for a better look. The green is still a little ways out, making slow progreess.

Iesath> Jiazith senses that Iesath seems to be considering this. She's slightly setback <<Well, if you think she'd like it....>> Never ask her history with wish.

Iesath gently nudges the fish with her nose, attempting to help bring it back, while Auralia watches, "Fish. Don't tell anyone, but Iesath never, ever learnt how to catch them. Always had to have Sahath do it for her."

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << OH! She says she loves these things and they taste good! I want to try it, it looks good. Bigger than the chunks of wherry I've been eating. >>

Starr aaahhhhsss and grins, watching as the smaller green finaly makes it to shore, waddling oddly up to Starr to show off her prize. The croon that issues forth is proud and demanding of attention. A proud smile is given to the green and she carresses an eye ridge. "it's a big one too! Good catch my dear. Of course you can try it! Maybe you would consider sharing it with Iesath?" she asks, glancing at Auralia to see if this is a good suggestion.

Iesath> Jiazith senses that Iesath comments, thoughtfuly, her wise once again regaining its wise, rich, tones <<They taste very good. Have you eaten recently, or are you hungry? Don't eat it if it makes you feel full.>>

Auralia smiles, "She'd love that. She really would. But if Jiazith wants it, she can have it. Iesath usually only eats every four days, on the dot. But sometimes...."

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << I can eat, I am not very full. I ate awhile ago and am slightly hungry. >>

Jiazith looks up at Iesath and croons in a questioning manner, sitting there on her haunches. Eyes whirl slowly and in pretty blues.

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << Oh yes! I would very much like to share, I just want to taste it. Since Starr says it is good. >>

Iesath> Jiazith senses that Iesath's voice is warm, and full <<Then eat it, young one. Taste your first fish!>> Slyly, softly <<Thank you, I would like that.>>

Iesath leans back further into the water, with a light splash, her head however leans forward, sniffing at the fish. Yum.

Starr glances at Aura again, then back to her preening lifemate. Suddenly the green opens her mouth wide and takes a big bite. Chews a moment and if a dragon could make a face she would. A violent shake of her head is given and she rejects the bitten chunk forcefully. Her bugle is one of indignant disdain.

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Starr and Iesath with << It's YUCKY! >>

Jiazith quickly holds the no longer squirming fish towards the other green. Her head dipping below the water to rinse her mouth.

Iesath looks more than puzzled, and Aura looks completely amazed, "What? Iesath loves fish...I thought...Oh dear, I am sorry." Not that its all her fault, but...The older green reaches out her neck, and grabs the fish, chewing and swallowing with great speed. Yum.

Starr looks sympatheticly at her green, kneeling in the water to give her comfort. "Oh, I am sorry love. I really think it tastes good. It's allright darling, we'll get you some wherry when we're done bathing ok? Yes, I know you'll never eat it again. It's ok, you don't have to like it." she says, smiling at Aura. "Not your fault, never knew she wouldn't like the taste. I guess it's aquired." she says, cooing softly till the yellow in Jia's eyes fade away.

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Southern Weyrling Wing with << Fish is YUCKY! >>

Dragon> Tiarnath bespoke Southern Weyrling Wing with << Why so? >>

Dragon> Tiarnath bespoke Southern Weyrling Wing with << I'll admit they can be a pain to catch, they wriggle so much, scooping them up in your mouth works a little better. >>

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Southern Weyrling Wing with << It tastes yucky...it tastes like...Fish! Yucky...yucktyuckyuck >>

Dragon> Southern Weyrling Wing sense that Breidith sends drowsily, << The little little ones will catch them for you. >>

Auralia smiles dipping her hands deeper into the water, "I guess the taste isn't for everyone. Never mind, I guess you'll know know not to give her fish. Iesath, on the other hand, is always a big fan. Especially," she adds, with a wry grin, "When she's proddy." That green drops the carcass of the fish, crooning softly towards the younger green. Its alright, really.

Starr pulls back as Jiazith settles down, though the green snorts and flicks a little water at her lifemate. Then croons at Iesath and moves back out into deeper regions.

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << If you like fish, though, I will catch them for you. It is fun catching them, though not eating them. Would you like me to? >>

Starr catches something, a second later, and turns to frown at Auralia. "She's proddy?"

Iesath> I bespoke Jiazith with << I would like that very much>> Ack? Is that Iesath sounding in awe of another? <<Fish are nice. You are very nice to offer that. >>

Iesath follows Jiazith out, while Auralia firmly shakes her head, "Not yet, thank goodness. But it won't be long. Say..." she calculates on her fingers, "Exactly 16 days from now. She's easy to calculate when."

Dragon> Jiazith bespoke Iesath with << I like to swim, I like to catch them, you like to eat them. It makes sense. I will catch you many fish then! >>

Starr raises a brow, tilting her head. "Are all of them that easy to calculate?"

Iesath> I bespoke Jiazith with << Thank you, little one>> Back to normal, she's just as wise and as full as the moon <<I will look forward to many fish. >>

Auralia shakes her head, sighing, "Apparently not. Iesath's funny like that, everything comes in an exact time. She eats every four days, flies every three months, and does everything in a cycle. Bit like the moons, I guess."

Jiazith trollops off into the deeper water, disapearing beneath the dark surface. Though the faint glow of her jeweled eyes can be seen below the water. Darting this way and that, sometimes the glowing flickers or goes away a moment. After about two minutes the green erupts from the surface by Iesath, another whopper in her claws.

Starr smiles at the greens, resting her head on a hand. "I wonder what Jiazith will be like, then...do you get any clues beforehand?" she asks, turning to glance in your direction.

Iesath warbles loudly, obviously thrilled to bits, as her talons dart out to grab at the fish. Auralia treads water for a moment, considering this thoughtfuly, "Not usually. Iesath wasobsessed with order, and cycles even as a little one, so I guess I could have guessed in advance, but I didn't. If not how often, and when, you might be able to know for sure how she'll act, and therefore how you'll act, which is something I certainly can't. It all depends on the green."

Starr nods slowly, swimming out a little to watch jiazith croon and then dissapear below again. "I've been wondering...it's a very curious topic. I think N'all will be talking to us about it soon." she says.

Jiazith whips about beneath the surface, a quick little dragonet that uses everything at her dispense to get what she wants. Right now she wants the biggest fish. Which are also the easiest for her to catch, for they are slow. So up she comes again just as Iesath finishes the first one.

"No doubt he will. But," she pauses, finally adding, "if you ever have any questions, about what its like, or whatever, I know you'll get lectured on it, but still, feel free to ask. Thats what I'm here for. other than the fact that I'm your friend." A warm smile, and she wiggles slightly in the water, while Iesath lets out another warble, graciously accepting this second fish. "Don't eat too much, Sath," Aura warns, and then laughs, "I know you know better than that. You know better than anything, but still."

Starr smiles brightly at Auralia and nods. "Friend, right!" she chimes, glancing out at the bigger green and giggling. "I think they may just make a good team." she says, letting herself relax and float to the surface. "All I know is that Jiazith is into everything and moves /so/ fast. She wants to do everything now and quickly, but is very efficient about it.

Auralia chuckles, "She's at that age, although she may never grow out of it. And yes, they make a wonderful team. She's a lovely one, Starr." She dips under the water for a moment, coming up with hair all over her face, which she wipes back with a wet hand.

Starr giggles at the shaggy Auralia, then nods. "No...she's been like that since she hatched." she says, eyeing the green as one more fish is caught and displayed. "She also likes to tease everyone, even just playfully." and indeed she does. For just as Iesath might grab the fish, she ducks underwater and out of range, a warble much like a giggle emiting before the shallow dive. A few meters away she bobs up, still holding the fish.

Dragon> Iesath senses that Jiazith is being just a little bit of a brat for a moment, she can't help it obviously.