All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.

You walk over to the Lakeside Meadow.

Kovayir nods thoughtfully. "Well, might as well relax in the meantime. Enjoy the time off." He lifts a hand to wave to Auralia.

Auralia, Iesath-The-Mop, and an armful of plums emerge from the Southern Weyrs, heading towards the candidate barracks. She stops, staring at Kovayir. "Hullo. Who's you?"

Sienna also notices Auralia and suddenly becomes the old, shy Sienna. "Hello," she says her voise low.

<Southern Weyr> Kayjay peers. AUralia the P one isn't planning on moving intothe barracks is she?
<Southern Weyr> Auralia says, "Um, yes? ;)"

Kovayir blinks, and fakes a sniffle. "You don't remember? Sis, remind me to work on my charm after this is all over, eh? I'm Vay," he adds, finally answering.

Auralia peers at Kovayir hazily, holding tight to her plums. "No, I don't 'member. Don't think I've ever met you. But Hullo, Vay. I'm Auralia." Sienna is give a big, beaming smile, "Hullo, to you, too. Wanna plum?"
Auralia adds, pointing to the mop in her hand, "This is Iesath. She's a mop, but I pretend she's a dragon."

Sienna bites her lip and glances at Vay. "I...see..." A pause. "My name is Sienna. A plum? Sure," she holds out her hand, choosing to ignore the mop comment.

Kovayir starts to smile, reaching out. "Sure, that'd be..." He blinks, and looks just a wee bit scared. "Um... right."

Auralia wiggles her arms, trying to loosen one without loosening the plums. It doesn't work. They go everyone. "Oops." Picture a child caught with hands in the cookie jar. "Oops." She smiles at Sienna again, adding, "Nice t'meet you. Are you a candidate, too?" If one looks, they can see that Auralia wears the knot of a candidate on her own shoulder. Oddly enough.

Kovayir blinks, and goes forward on his knees to gather up plums with a chuckle.

Sienna also helps gather the plums and says sadly, "no. I'm not a candidate."

Auralia sets the mop down very carefuly, smoothing it's plum-juice stained handle as she does so, and begins to pick up plums herself. "You're not? Oh. I am! Soon, Iesath won't need to be a mop. I'll have my own lifemate."

Sienna pauses. "Uh-huh...I'd like a dragon too, someday," she says, trying to change the subject as she bites into a plum.

Kovayir offers Auralia a polite smile as well as the gathered plums. "I'm sure that'll be a momentous occasion."

Aithne blinks out of her reverie to help out, losing her voice to whisper, 'Don't mind her...She's P-R-O-D-D-Y' As if spelling it makes a difference

Leonette walks over from the Southern Courtyard.
Leonette has arrived.

Auralia bites into a plum with a quick nod, "Oh it will be." Sienna gets a big smile, "Would you? I can't wait." Her head turns, and the greenrider-turned-candidate peers at Aithne. "P-R-O--Proddy? What's that?"

Sienna mutters to Aithne, "... really proddy?... lifemate... mop... is just scary!"

Aithne holds up a plum, 'Your Plummy?...She? Look at all the plums you have.'

Auralia ohs! She grins, still more. It's getting repetitive. "I am, aren't I? I just love plums. Almost as much as I love Iesath. Only, she's a mop, and you can't eat her."

Kovayir is trying hard not to laugh at this point as he sits back down, biting into a plum. "We will endeavor not to feast upon your mop, Auralia."

Steila walks over from the Southern Courtyard.
Steila has arrived.

Sienna mutters to Kovayir, "... think she's really proddy !"

"Phew. I don't think she'd much like that, do you?" Auralia drops her plum thoughtfuly, grabbing up the mop protectively all the same.

Sienna notices Leonette. "Hi, um, she was just explaining about how Iesath...or something, is a mop..." she points to Auralia.

Kovayir grins, finishing off his plum, and gets to his feet, dusting off his hands. "Probably not," he agrees.

Leonette comes in just in time to hear the end of Kovayir's comment, and grins, waving at Sienna, "How'd you like to learn to dance?"

Sienna is also finished her plum, and answers, "dance? Oh! Is that for the queen? Weren't you guys talking about that a while ago, when Jayla apprenticed me?"

Auralia sits back on her legs, watching the group of people with wide eyes. The candidate...greenrider? Piles up the plums, holding tight to Iesath, and explaining just in case everyone didn't realize, "She's a good mop, but that's all."

Kovayir gives Leonette a scared look. "Hmmmm. I do believe I hear my cot calling." He beats a hasty retreat.
Kovayir walks toward the Candidate Barracks.
Kovayir has left.

Aithne muses over the edible broom for a few moments, 'Maybe if we made a soupstock...then we could?'

Leonette grins at Sienna, then nods, but then she hears Aithne comment and giggles, hoping she doesn't set Auralia off or anything.

Auralia backs away, which is hard since she's on her knees, which means she basically trips backwards. "NONONONONO! You can't hurt Iesath. She's my friend!" Whimper, wail, cry. "Aunty Kayjay would never let you do that! I'm telling."

Sienna chooses to ignore the proddy greenrider-gone-candie. "Sure. Anyone else learnign with us? Who's teaching? Where are we going? When will we preform?" She spills out her questions.

Leonette laughs at Sienna, "Not so fast! I'm teaching anyone who wants to learn! and we're going to perform whenever we're ready, and I'm teaching!"

Steila stands, just listening and watching, a little wide-eyed at jokes and comments she just doesnt seem to follow.

Sienna nods at Leonette, but can't help stare at the mop.

Aithne ohhhs, 'Then we won't eat Iesath then.' SHe notes before nodding to Leo,'I'll try'

Auralia doesn't follow anything, and just stares at Aithne for a moment, and sucks her thumb, craddling the mop.

Suriath wuffles the greenrider, crooning softly, soothingly.

Leonette grins at Auralia, "I'm sure no one is going to eat your mop!" then she grins at Aithne, "That'd be great!"

Auralia peers up at Suriath, and whimpers, rocking Iesath. "I won't let them hurt you, Iesath. I won't, I won't." She peers across at the people, and sniffles, "I know you're really real, Iesath. You're just stuck in a mop. I bet you can search, too."

Sienna raises an eyebrow at the Search comment...uh-oh, what's this leading to?!

Aithne nods her head quickly, 'I saw Iesath search Largon with my own eyes...she can search'

Leonette looks around at the non-Candidate members of the group in the Clearing.

Sienna raises her eyebrow even higher. "Oh?"

Auralia nods, quickly. "Of course Iesath can search. Suriath agreed with her, didn't you?" She glances at Suriath, nodding her head, "Didn't you?"

Suriath rumbles agreeably, blinking at Auralia.

Steila looks between Auralia and Suriath, scratching her head a little before shrugging and going back to listening.

Auralia continues to look at Suriath. "So if she Searches again, then you'll agree again, too, huh? Because she can Search."

Suriath settles his head against the hard ground and slumbers off in response.

Aithne snickers as she turns to Leo.

Auralia pouts at Suriath, but shrugs, and wobbles to her feet, wading through plums towards the candidates and others. "Sienna, huh? Iesath's a good search dragon. She wants you to have a dragon, too. Will you?" But it's somewhat different, this time. Because Auralia is giggling, and raising the mop to her ear. Is it real? Or is it play?

Sienna just shakes her head.
Sienna sighs. "I severely doubt you're really Searching me," she adds.

Aithne peers at the mop, then at Sienna.

Auralia bursts into tears, sniffles, and runs off, "No one believes me! She was right last time. Why not this time?" Sniffle, sniffle.

Leonette looks at Auralia and grins, cocking an eyebrow, "I wouldn't be so sure about that...I didn't think it was possible for me to be searched...and she /did/ search Largon...but then she does kind of look like she's playing..."

Steila comments quietly, "Because it's a mop?" she asks the air.

Sienna laughs. "I don't think I could be searched by a mop. if a real dragon was here..."

Since the air doesn't answer, Aithne does,'Stranger things have happened.'

"Just a mop," says Auralia slowly, "She's just a mop. There is no Iesath." She turns around, looking at the people, hanging her head, "I'm sorry. I--" There isn't an answer. So she just stands there, tears running down her cheeks.

Suriath snorts in his sleep, his tail twitching lightly.

Iesath ambles across from the Southern Weyrs.
Iesath has arrived.

Leonette rushes over to Auralia, and tentatively moves to put her arm around the girl, comforting her...

There is no Iesath. No, Iesath just arrived. Weird. Auralia stares at the green dragon, and turns her head, half-smiling at Leonette, letting the arm go around her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Aithne smiles as she sees the green, 'Oh..hey look who just arrived.'

Sienna eeks a little at Iesath...

Suriath wakes up suddenly, a low rumble of appreciation croons from his very middle as he looks at the attractive green.

Leonette shakes her head, "No you don't need to be sorry, it's not your fault," her eyes go to Iesath, then to Sienna, perhaps it was real??? Maybe, maybe not...she'd find out sure enough...
Leonette (soon enough)

Iesath settles herself down, tail flicking, and looking at Auralia. Just a green. Not Iesath. Or is she? Suriath gets a bright warble from the ever so slightly glowing green. If it's not Iesath...someone else is Pro--that word, anyway. Auralia nods, and then shakes her head, all at the same time. "Yes it is. It's all my fault. They're right, I'm horrible." Her eyes move back to Iesath, and she watches the green, "Hello, greenie."

Stella walks over from the Southern Courtyard.
Stella has arrived.
Stella walks toward the Candidate Barracks.
Stella has left.

Aithne shakes her head,'No...No No, You are not horrible.' Aithne hastily reassures the rider.

Leonette hugs the girl, "You are /not/ horrible!!"

Sienna shakes her head, too. "Yeah, you're not horrible!"

"I'm not horrible," agrees Auralia, going silent. "Okay." Once again, she's stopped everything that is going on. This is a trend. Iesath moves away from all the people, and Suriath, too, warily hissing. But amused. Oh so amused.

<Southern Weyr> Aithne snickers as she imagines a warily hissing, yet amused green ;)

Aithne just looks at the green, as if trying to understand what she is thinking.

<Southern Weyr> Auralia says, "Iesath is good at multi tasking. ;)"

Suriath snorts, waggling his eyeridge at the fiesty green. Hubba Hubba.

Leonette grins, "Maybe /you/ could learn to dance! Would you like that!

<Southern Weyr> Leonette giggles at Suriath!

Auralia peers at Iesath, her attention heading towards the green for another moment. "Can't remember her name. She's not happy. Poor green. Won'er who her rider is." This said, and hopefuly, the green cheered up (Yeah, right) she looks back at the group. "Do you think so?" Iesath glares at Suriath, and turns her head away. Hubba nothing.

<Southern Weyr> Auralia says, "Suriath is just tooo cute."

Leonette looks at Auralia and says, "Yes I think you'll be wonderful!" but then she looks at Ieseth and Suriath, then turns her full attention on Auralia again.

Aithne giggles and noddles,'I think so to' she notes as she joins Leo.

Auralia drops the mop in her hand, smiling almost shyly, "I'd like that."

Steila frowns, puzzled looking between the two dragons.

Leonette grins, "OK! We'll start right now! How about you try doing this?" and she turns her feet out, heels touching and her arms curved out in front of her.

Iesath dozes off to sleep, although her tail flicks silently, and her rider peers around. She tries turning her feet, and ends up on the ground. Oops. "Oops," she says, giggling, her tears forgotten completely.

Sienna copies Leonette.

Leonette grins at Auralia, and offers her a hand to help her up, "Don't try turning out your feet too much...it's hard to balance that way!" and she grins some more.

Auralia ohs, and tries again. With more success. "Oh! This is fun! I can do this!" Childish joy. Sigh. Such memories.

Leonette grins, "Yes you are! Now try this!" and she slides her right foot over, hopping a little, and bringing her left foot over to join the right in the original position. "That's called a Gleesade."

Aithne giggles as she watches Auralia before she tries with a bit of success, she completes the move with little grace to speak of.

Auralia tries, fails, and pouts, sitting down again. Heavy, clunky boots are removed, and the candidate-greenrider stands up, and tries again. Much better. "Glesade? Weird name."

Steila follows Leonette's directions from her spot a little way away, still observing the group without really bein part of it.

Leonette looks over at Steila, "You might be able to see better if you come over here!" then she nods at Auralia, "I'm not sure where the name came from...but that's what it's called!"

Auralia tries again, wobbling slightly, but still fairly steady. "Cool! I'll have to show Aunty Kayjay an' everyone. It's cool fun!"

Sienna attempts to do the move, but trips and falls practically right on top of the proddy green!

Leonette gasps, Oh no! "Sienna, are you okay?"

Iesath hisses. And hisses loudly. Not only awakened, but her lovely hide -touched-. This is turning out to be a bad day. She moves to her feet, looking down at Sienna with whirling eyes. Better move quick, because that swatting tail is coming closer. At least the talons are well away.

Aithne blinks as she holds her breath, waiting for the next action.

Sienna stumbles, but probably isn't moving quick enough!

Alianne walks over from the Candidate Barracks.
Alianne has arrived.

Iesath wacks her tail towards Sienna. Luckily, half asleep as she is, she misses.

Leonette moves quickly in from of Sienna, "Iesath, leave her alone!" uh-oh...what is it her friends have been saying about not looking for trouble?

Sienna finally gets out of the way and leaps behing Leonette with a muffled cry of surprise.

Alianne walks slowly out of the candidate barracks, hmming quietly. As another restday has befallen her, she's quite rested and unmarked from the rigors of choring, and she peers curiously, and quite awake, at everyone gathered on the meadow.

Leonette continues to protect her friend from the proddy green, hoping that she isn't going to be wacked...that would /not/ be good!

Sienna whews. "I thought she was going to get me!" SHe exclaims, moving backwards.

Auralia stares at Iesath, horrified, and shakes her head, dropping to the ground, "Don't! She'll hurt me! The horrible green!" Up to her feet she goes again, and dashes for the candidate barracks. She -is- a candidate, after all. Iesath glowers, simmers, and glows, but does nothing.

You walk toward the Candidate Barracks.