'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.

You walk over to the Courtyard.

Kayjay thinks for a minute. "Then again,I have found lots of surprising things that dragons do, that I never thought of before."

Imara nods. "It'd have to be a pretty big puddle, especially for a queen." She waves to the greenrider. "Hi Auralia."

Auralia pauses, turning around as she hears her name. She was just walking, just walking..."Oh, heya Imara, Kayjay."

Kayjay waves at Auralia as well.

Imara smiles at Auralia. "How have you and Iesath been?"

Auralia pauses for a moment, smiling, "We're doing alright, thank you Imara. And yourself and..." She pauses for only a moment, and then continues smoothly, "Yishenth? And what about you, Kayjay? No more dreams?"

Kayjay shakes her head slowly. "No.. not many at least."

Imara smiles proudly. "Yishenth and I are doing great."

Auralia smiles, slowly, "I'm glad to hear that, Kayjay," before adding to Imara, "I'm glad. You're quite used to weyrlinghood now, I have no doubt? Both of you?"

Kayjay chuckles."I can't imagine life without Suriath" She pauses. "Or the runs, or the chores or the... do I need to go on?"

Imara nods. "I guess so. Chores, drills, lectures... I'm getting used to the routine, at least."

Kayjay looks thoughtful. "I do love the runs though. I hope we get to load more weights in our packs soon."

Auralia snickers, shaking her head with a faint grin, "Oh yes, I remember the runs, and the chores, and the mucking and cleaning and...No, you don't need to go on." Both get a smile, as she adds, "Yes, you get used to bits of it. Other bits...never. But no, I don't think anyone would go back."

Kayjay looks at Auralia. "Did you ever think you couldn't do it?"

Auralia pauses, considering. It's obvious that the question struck her off beat, "Well. I guess I had my doubts. And lots of them. But I knew I'd do it, and Iesath is always so wise and confident and all knowing, she wouldn't let me doubt for long."

Kayjay nods. "Suriath keeps on telling me that we will grow and learn together. I am believing him more and more."

Imara smiles. "Yishenth is a bit of a worrier sometimes, but only about little things. Never about us or about if we could do something."

Kayjay grins. "I have no doubt in Suriath. He can do just about anything.."

Auralia smiles, nodding firmly, "They're all that way, aren't they? Believe in him all you will." Imara gets a nod, "Good. Don't let her ever worry about something as sure as being alright."

Starr strides over from the lush, Lakeside Meadow.

Kayjay smiles, waving Starr over.

Imara shakes her head firmly. "I won't. But she knows that we'll both be okay as long as we're together." She waves at Starr.

"Starr! Mentee!" Auralia grins, waving the greenling over, "Good to see you." The others get a grin, and she nods towards Imara, "Good."

Starr walks along in quick bursts, stopping to starever her shoulder, then walk again. Doing this she nearly runs into her mentor, Auralia. But jumps as she is called to and grins nervously. "huh? OH! Hello Auralia." she says, relaxing a bit.

"Whoa, Starr!" Auralia grins, "Careful, there. How're you and Jiazith doing, then?" Eyes glance around the area, and she adds, "Looks like this is the meeting place for you weyrling types, huh? Or something like that."

Kayjay grins."I was writing a letter home but got distracted."

Starr nibbles her lower lip, glancing over her shoulder to the meadow. "Oh, we're fine. But I was needing a walk and no one said that Jia could come with me..." she says, swallowing a little. "Is it odd to not want to leave them?"

"No, not at all. Perfectly normal." Auralia nods, firmly, adding, "She probably could, but never mind. It is good to get away every so often, you know? More healthy." She grins, adding to Kayjay, "I'm glad to hear that you people write home. I doubt my parents know even yet that I Impressed. Or where I am. I should've told them, huh?"

Starr gives a little sigh at the mention of parents too. "I have absolutely no idea how to get back in contact with mine..." she says, then suddenly grins and giggles. "I suppose your write Aura...Jia says not to worry so much."

Imara grins. "I was taking a little walk since Yishenth is asleep and I had nothingelse to do. And then I got distracted."

Kayjay grins."My parents would come down here and skin me alive if I didn' make contact at least once a month."

Imara thinks for a moment. "I can't even remember whether I wrote my parents the first time I was Searched. I don't think so. I did write to my sister when I Impressed, though. I supposed she'll tell my parents if they need to know."

Auralia chuckles, shaking her head lightly, "I'm glad for that, Kayjay. Good to hear from home, too." Starr gets a frown, and Aura adds, "If you give me a message,

could I deliver it? I'd hate for you to not be able to contact them, when you want to. Contact is important." Which comes from Auralia. Which is strange. But no matter.

Kayjay grins slightly."Jiazith has company.. Suriath is with her."

Starr shrugs a shoulder at Auralia. "I suppose I could try and describe the area. They are holdless remember." she says, glancing once again back at the meadow.

Auralia hides a laugh at Kayjay's comment, adding mildly, "And so are all the others, I'm sure." A nod towards Starr, the greenrider adding, "Yes, I remember. But you'll know the area around where they are. And I can search. Perhaps during sweeps some time...." The many ways in which to avoid boring sweeps.

Starr begins to brighten noticably. "Really? I sure could! I remember it very well, it's a ways down the coast. An inclosed cove with a dotting of caves mainly. You either have to climb or boat out of it...or go dragonback I suppose."

Imara listens for a little while, then stands. "Uh oh, I'd better go. Yishenth just woke up. She says she's got a nasty itch on her right shoulder. G'night," she says with a wave."

Auralia smiles, listening carefuly, "An inclosed cove, right. Down the coast. Any distingusing features about your folk? I mean, any animals? Or what else?" A pause, and she nods to Imara, "Alright, G'night."

Kayjay nods and waves to Imara.

Starr smiles at Imara and waggles her fingers, then turns back to Aura and frowns to think. "Uuhhhmmmm...When I left we had closed off one of the caves slightly to keep wherry's...that might still be there."

Imara strides over to the Lakeside Meadow.

Auralia nods, memorizing this carefuly as she places a hand on her hip. "Right. I'll do my best to check it out next time I've sweeps down that way. Which should be within the next few days, I have no doubt."

Starr smiles brightly at Auralia and nods. "Oh! Thank you Aura! That means a lot to me. If they don't come out at first, just tell them you have a message from me. That will get their attention."

Auralia smiles warmly back towards Starr, "The least I can do. I'm sure it does mean a lot, and I'm glad I can help with it."

Starr glances at Kayjay with a grin, then looks back to Aura even happier. "Thank you!!!" she says in an excited tone. "If they want to...could you bring them back to visit?"

Kayjay giggles. "They are cute, aren't they?" She turns to Auralia. "Suriath and Jiazith seem to be cuddling down for a nap.

Auralia hides a grin, with a nod, "Of course! I'd love to bring my mentee's parents back here for a while." A pause, and she bursts out laughing, "Really? How cute!"

Kayjay grins, and rolls up her hide. "I think I will grab something to eat while Suriath is visiting."

Starr smiles even more brightly her face might break. "Ooohhhh Auralia!" she says, not thinking and reaching to give the other rider a big squeeze. She may be small, but she is strong!

Kayjay walks toward the bustling Weyrhall.

Auralia winces slightly at the squeeze, pulling away slightly. So she's not the most emotional person. But nevertheless, she's beaming from ear to ear, and looks slightly emotional. For once. "Oh, Starr!"

"What is this, I mean why did you hug Auralia there and everything, I mean is there something that I should know about" is the way that C'ley's arrival is noticed "I mean, what is going on, is it cool?"

Kayjay comes back with a tray full of fruit and other finger food.

Starr releases Auralia and blushes. "Sorry." she amends, then turns to smile at C'ley. "hello C'ley!" she chimes.

Kayjay brings the tray to the table. "Help yourself."

Kayjay says "Sandalwood? Why would Suriath be wanting me to bring him Sandalwood?"

Auralia shakes her head, smiling broadly at Starr, "No, its alright." C'ley brings her back to earth. Or something, and she adds, "Oh, heya C'ley. Just helping Starr with something." She frowns, wondering, "Sandalwood? Don't tell me they're into nice smells already?"

Starr turns to peer at Kayjay and shrugs. "I don't know, but Jiazith likes this fruity, flowery one I've been using."

Kayjay giggles. "He says he doesn' want to smell like flowers.."

"Something, are you helping Starr with sandlewood, I mean is that what you are talking about." C'ley says in full confusion "Well, uhm, that is to say ... well, I really don't know but still."

Kayjay giggles. "Hello C'ley. Help yourself.. plenty of snacking food here."

Starr stops moving a moment, eyes going a bit distant. "Mystery solved, he wants the sandalwood oil. Jiazith is telling him she thinks he would smell good with it." she says, a chuckle in her voice.

"In the courtyard, well I guess that is as good as anyother place, I mean it is outside and everything so I guess it is okay." C'ley says before taking the food "So why is there food outside, well I mean other then the fruit on the trees and the fish in the water and whatnot."

Kayjay eyes twinkle. "I was hungry and thought a snack outside was a fun idea."

Auralia smiles, "I think its a good idea." A pause, and she adds, "Sandalwood for dragons. Hmmm, shall we get the traders out marketing a new range?"

Starr smiles at Aura and giggles. "Well, I had some scented oils for Patch, and I use a little on Jiazith each time. I also have this sandalwood one, very nice."

Kayjay grins. "He just likes Jia... I don't think he knows what it smells like"

Auralia chuckles, "Young love, then? Sounds lovely."

C'ley looks at Kayjay as her eyes twinkle "Are you sure that is just it, I mean you look like there is something more then that, so uhm, well that is to say there most be something else, are you going on a picnic or something?"

Starr eyes Aura a very long moment.

Kayjay blinks. "I don't think so.. He's too young isn't he?"

Auralia shakes her head, laughing, "No, don't worry. They're just friends. Don't know about love and mating and that kind of things, yet."

Kayjay grins. "No, C'ley.. This is as far away from Suriath as I get these days."

Starr looks a little relieved at Auralia, then nods to Kayjay. "i think it's kind of like when siblings cuddel together for comfort and warmth?"

Auralia smiles, "Just like siblings, I guess, yes. For now, anyway."

Kayjay sighs with relief "Thats what I thought too. He likes Jia's voice though. I don't know much about dragons, except what I have learned so far"

Fiona wanders up from the road, carting a package under one arm. She gives a quick wave of greeting, grinning

Kayjay catches a glance of Fiona and jumps up from her seat. She runs to give her a hug. "Fiona!"

Starr is talking with Aura and Kayjay, smiling. Of course, when she hear's Kayjay's hollar she turns. Wide eyes are displayed and a big grin. "FIONA!" she says even louder, moving to run and hug the weaver. "OH! I didn't get to see you after the hatching! How are you? What have you been up to? Did you go to the gather?{"

Auralia turns around at all this noise, and grins broadly, "Hello, Fiona."

Fiona staggers back a few steps as she is pounced and hugged. She laughs, returning the embraces of her friends. "I've been rather busy - back to the crafthall. Yes, I went to the gather. I've been manning the tent there." she replies.

Kayjay pats Fiona on the back. "Can you sit for a bit?"

Starr pulls back and continues her bright smiling. "Oh! it is very good to see you again! Hey, you didn't get to meet Jiazith did you?" she says in sudden realization. This seems to make her even more energetic and she claps her hands excitedly.

Fiona laughs. "I can sit for a bit," she says, nodding to Kayjay. And then raising an eyebrow to Starr. "Jiazith? Is that her name? I didn't get a chance to catch it - too much going on on the sands."

Kayjay smiles dreamily. "When you came across the meadow you probably saw Suriath and Jiazith curled up together, having a nap.

Fiona oh's, and gives a delighted smile. "Those two are your lifemates then.....they were lovely of course," she replies.

Kayjay waves at Finn. "Look who's here!"

Finn grins.

Auralia simply smiles, moving backwards to take a seat at the table, with all the food. Let the ex-candidates have their little chat together. She listens, of course. And eats.

Telinda walks over from the Landing Field.

Telinda strides over, hands in her pockets, attention elsewhere for the moment.

Finn nods to Telinda

Kayjay hugs Fiona again."So tell me the news of the gather?"

Starr turns and sighs. "I need to attend somethig. I'll be back, don't go without syaing goodbye." she says, before trotting off for the barracks.

Telinda looks up, especially at all the voices, and waves, heading over to the small gathering of people, "Good evening, folks!"

Auralia leans back in her chair, idly pouring herself a mug of juice, watching the conversation silently. Telinda gets a short nod, and a brief smile, as the greenrider considers, "Oh, Evening Telinda!"

Kayjay smiles at Telinda. "Hello again."

Fiona gives a quick wave to Finn as well, finally setting her wrapped bundle on a table, and then she smiles to Kayjay. "It's been rather busy. I've spent most of my time working, so I havne't seen much but..." She gives a light laugh. "There's games and lots of food, and lots of tents..." Her voice trails off and she turns to give Telinda a quick wave of greeting.

Thockler looks around, and tries to siddle his way into the gathering at people.

Telinda hrms, "Any of that juice left?" she asks Auralia, flashing the greenrider a bright smile before turning to grin at Fiona, "Nice of you to visit, Fiona, glad as always to have you here." Her eyes continue to scan across the gathering and alight on Thockler. "Hello, and welcome to the weyr, apprentice."

"Of course. Shall I pour you some, while I've got it?" replies Auralia, smiling brightly back to Telinda, already reaching for a glass. Finally noticing Thockler, she adds, "Southern's Duties to your craft. Seeing as I'm on juice duty, or seem to be, would you like some?"

Kayjay smiles at the young lad.

Thockler smiles back at the Weyrwomen, then notices the knots on her shoulder and starts to regard her with a bit more respect.

Telinda nods, "Please, Auralia, that would be wonderful!"

Thockler looks at the juice thirstily and replies, "Please, thank you." in as calm a voice as possible, given his thirst.

Auralia pours the juice, glancing around the vicinity, "Anyone else for juice? Its still cold, and seems to be pretty fresh. If it wasn't fruit, I'd say it wasn't dead yet." Thockler gets a grin, and she pours another glass, handing both of them out.

"I wouldn't mind some - if you're pouring," Fiona says with a soft smile.

Thockler takes a hearty gulp of the juice in front of him... and ends up with juice mustache.

Telinda wrinkles her nose, "Now that's a thought I wouldn't like to postulate on. Undead juice. The thought is positively frightening!"

Auralia hides a laugh, and fails, letting out a giggle as she pours some for Fiona, "Isn't it but? Think of it going down inside of you...still alive." She shudders, laughingly, taking a sip of her own juice.

Thockler likewise grimaces at the thought, oblivious to the juice all over his face.

Fiona eyes her juice cup with an amused grin, and then takes a quick swallow. "Rather an interesting mental image, I'd think."

Telinda tips the edge of her glass in a salute to Auralia, "I think I'll leave that thought up to you, I really don't want to think about it any more!"

Auralia raises her hands in a mock gesture of disbelief, "As you wish. I just think its good to realize how lucky we have it that our juice is dead." A broad smile, and she says, "Alright, I'll quit it now."

Kayjay blinks. "I am sorry, Suriath needs me."

Kayjay smiles at Fiona. "Was great seeing you again!" She nods to the rest and heads out

Telinda grins at Kayjay, "Run, run, or Tia will have him rolling in mud!" she calls out, snorting at Auralia.

Thockler smiles after the departing rider...

Fiona waves belatedly to Kayjay, draining her cup, and then sighs. She pats the bundle beside her with a crooked smile. "I'd best deliver this and be off." she murmurs, picking it up again. "It was nice to see allof you again," she calls as she heads for the weyrs.

Thockler smiles after the other departing member of the gathering. "w

Auralia nods to Fiona, adding, "Come back and visit them again, will you? I think they all miss you."

Telinda waves cheerfully to Fiona, "Come visit again soon!"

Thockler says ""Well, It was fun while it lasted""

Auralia pauses, taking another long sip at her juice, asking politely of Thockler, "So, what brings you to Southern?"

Thockler mulls a moment, caught with a question with his mouth draining his cup of juice. "Well," he says, "really, just to look around. I'm a bit new to the area, and given that Healer Hall is right over the ridge I thought I'd drop by."

Auralia sets down her own mug, smiling brightly, "Oh, good to see. We like getting visitors. I'm Auralia, by the way. Green Iesath's."

Thockler takes another swig of his juice, then introduces himself. "Well, I'm Thockler. I'm not quite an apprentice down at Healer Hall." The boy looks a bit sheepish at his subordinate status.

Auralia's fingers curl around the edge of her glass, and she nods, smiling, "A wonderful way to be, in my opinion. Free to do anything, almost. Well met, Thockler."

Telinda peers down into her juice mug, sipping the contents, "Oh, to be free again, I wish!"

Thockler raises an eyebrow at that. "I'd think a weyrwoman would have all the freedom in the world," he comments, a bit surprised, after observing the woman's knot.

Auralia smiles at Telinda, "Rank has its priviliges, and its responsibilities, I guess." She shakes her head at Thockler, "Too much work, I'd guess. Not enough time in the day to be free."

Thockler's face turns toward a bit of an odd smile. "And I have had the most horrendous time trying to figure out how I can make myself a bit less free."

Auralia chuckles, shaking her head lightly, "Isn't that always the way? Me, I'm in between. Got free time, but not too much. Perfect."

Thockler looks carefully at the rider. "Do you spend a lot of free time just with your dragon," he queries.

Auralia crosses her legs calmly, "Certainly I do. Iesath is great company. Sometimes we just fly together, other times we just sit and talk. That kind of thing. And then, I often come and talk to other people, too."

Thockler sits up a bit and takes another gulp of juice. "Are the people here at Southern really fun to talk?"

Auralia retakes her own glass, sipping it slowly, "Yes, I think so. A lot of them are really interesting. And a lot of them are my friends." She shrugs, "Same as anywhere, I guess."

Thockler looks up from his glass and notices its empty. He stumbles on his conversation path..."Well... What wing do you fly in?"

Auralia holds out the pitcher of juice, indicating his glass with a questioning look, and then smiles, "I'm a Starflame Wingrider. Its the green and blue only wing."

Thockler looks inquisitive..."Why seperate rdagon wings by colors?"

Auralia wiggles to get comfortable in her chair, shaking her head, "Not for most of the time, but in this case they did. Because greens and blues can't last a full fall, its easier if its a green and blue only wing. So that when they have to go back, the rest of the wing can come. Or something like that, anyway. The rest of the wings are mixed though. Its just ours."

Thockler "ahh"s for a few moments. "When's the last threadfall you rode?"

Auralia considers, "Yesterday. We flew fall yesterday, I do believe." Funny how the days all roll together once they've finished.

Thockler looks as impressed as a 15 turn hold boy should. "Is it scary?"

Auralia shudders, involuntarily, "Yes. It's scary." For some reason, she doesn't elaborate.

Thockler looks sobered, and quiets down a bit.

Auralia adds, softly, "If you have a chance, you should ground crew some time. Its a worthwhile experience to know what its like to be out in threadfall."

Thockler looks a bit scared at that prospect. "Well, I'm sure that if I ever become a Healer that I'll be doing a lot of that."

Auralia nods, "I'm sure you would be. Healers have to be around for injuries, I guess, but they're there."

Thockler looks around, and notices its getting a bit late. "Well," he says reluctantly, "I think its a bit late. I think its time to be getting back to Healer Hall. Its been great talking to you."

Telinda smiles to the healer type, "Well, nice to see you, come back and visit soon!" she calls out from over the shoulder of another rider she was chatting to.

Auralia nods, slowly, "Sure, it was good to meet you. And talk. And all that. No doubt I'll meet you again at some stage."

Thockler smiles at both ladies, and then makes his exit.

(A few minutes later)

Kinoa walks over from the Northern Weyrs.

Auralia's sitting at a table, with a half full glass of juice, and a lot of empty glasses. "Evening, Kinoa," she comments, softly, as she notices the other woman arrive, "Pleasent tonight, isn't it?"

Telinda yawns, "I'm sorry, Kinoa" she adds, "I didn't mean to make you think that you make me yawn, though I do think my bed needs me!"

Auralia chuckles, twisting around towards Telinda, "Sleep well, then."

Kinoa looks way too cheerful for this hour of the day. "Evening," she says, giggling at Telinda. "I seem to have that effect on more than one person," she says, then turns to Auralia. "Ah, just the person I was looking for."

Auralia looks mildly interested. Then slightly nervous. A pause, "Me? You're looking for me." Its more a statement, than a question, but the greenrider shrugs, "Well, I guess you've found me then, huh?" Juice makes it to lips, and then back to the table. The glass, anyway.

Telinda waves and heads down towards the landing field

Kinoa waves after Telinda as she heads off and walks over to take a seat near Auralia, smiling in that alarmingly cheerful manner. "I suppose I have," she says agreeably, peering at the juice. "That looks good. I like a woman who appreciates a nice juice." Green eyes sparkle as she makes interminably dull conversation.

Auralia's eyes look questioning, glancing from Kinoa down to the juice in front of her on the table, and the pitcher, "Um, yes. It is a rather nice juice, too. Not to sweet, but not too sour." She's confused. This is a...good thing?

Kinoa folds her arms over her chest and nods. "Mm," she says, then inquires, "How's Iesath?"

Auralia lifts her glass, examining it for a moment, before taking a long sip and settingit down on the table, "She's well, as usual. Lazing out under the moons. Fascinated by them, she is."

Kinoa grins. "Between her and Luiseth, I think they've got the moons and the sun covered." A pause and then she frowns slightly. "She's not out there because she's bored, is she?" she wonders.

Auralia's nose wiggles. She frowns, "Bored? I don't know. I think she just enjoys it. Sometimes she gets bored, I guess. But not watching the moons."

Kinoa cracks her knuckles rapidly and nods again. "Well, that's good. I hope she doesn't get too bored when she's working," she says, that smile flickering at the corner of her mouth. "Because she's going to be working a lot more. Or at least you will."

Auralia bites her lip, eyes looking down at the table. There's a look of intense concentration on her face. Head shoots up, so do her eyes. "I don't get it," she coments, blankly. "What do you mean?" She's certianly not one for asking these burning questions subtly, is she?

Kinoa fumbles absently in her pocket. "I've been watching you," she begins, pulling out a somewhat intricate knot in Southern Weyr colors and arranging it while she talks. "Ever since you were a weyrling. I suppose ever since before that," she says with a grin, "When I searched you. Luiseth always knows." As if aware she's rambling, she sits up and adopts a more formal tone. "Auralia, I'm making you my wingsecond. Can you handle it?" Not a lot of room for argument in her voice, though she smiles.

Auralia's fingers were reaching for her glass again, but for some reason they stop. She looks up, slightly confused, surprised, and any amount of other emotions spreading across her face. "You have? I mean..." She stops, taking a deep breath, eyes tilting up for a moment, "Thats three times you've asked me something like this, isn't it? Yes, I'll do. I'll handle it. I mean, I don't really see like I have any choice in the matter, huh?" A wry grin, and she nods, "I'm honored, Kinoa."

Kinoa's smile broadens and she holds out the knot to be accepted. "Wonderful," she says, reaching over and impulsively giving the other greenrider's shoulder a squeeze. "I know you'll do a good job. You haven't failed me yet, and I don't expect for you to begin any time soon."

Auralia's fingers reach out for the knot, taking it, as her eyes inspect it. She grins, finally, adding, "I hope so. I'd hate to disapoint you. I'll do my best."

Kinoa grins and leans back in her seat. "I know you will. We greenriders have a reputation to maintain, after all." A pause. "As leaders."

Auralia's hand finally makes it back to her glass, and she chuckles, raising her eyebrows, "Of course. As leaders." Stress on that word - leaders.