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.

02-12-00: Picture
Fenella watches a new face emerge from the dormitory, she looks at the girl. Shes been here for almost 2...

Fenella watches a new face emerge from the dormitory, she looks at the girl. Shes been here for almost 2 turns and she's never seen Hanneke before. She says, "Never seen you around before, you must be new, I'm Fenella." She extends her hand.

Hanneke, for a moment, regards that hand blankly. It appears to take her a moment to grasp what it's doing there, before her own hand snakes out, taking hold of Fenella's, shaking slowly. "Hi. I'm Hanneke. I'm new. I'm an Apprentice." I'm also slightly stupid.

Fenella shakes her hand, "Come with me, if you don't mind." She smiles warmly, she heads towards the stairs.

Hanneke follows, diligently. Oh, this makes it all so much easier. If only she could follow someone everywhere..."Okay!"

Fenella heads down the grand main staircase, to the north.

You venture down the nice, wide, really rather steep staircase. Down and down and down some more, into the blue-laced white of the main hall.

Fenella waits for Hanneke, "Do you know your way around?" She sees the obvious look on Hanneke's face that she doesn't..., "Don't worry if you don't, if your ever hungry this is the way to the food." She points to the dining hall.

Hanneke follows, hurrying to keep up with her slightly shorter legs. "I can't seem to be able to remember which way to go. Ever. I'm always horribly lost." She regards the door, nodding, "This way to food, right." She'll have forgotten within moments, but at least she knows where she is for now.

Fenella moves under the eastern archway and into the dining hall.

Pushing the door aside, you pass into redolent chaos.

Davad sits there in front of the fire, playing a rather interesting ditty you've never heard before upon a magnificently beautiful black flute...

Fenella walks into the room with grace, she points to the oblong tables, "those are for the apprentices, and those tables over there, are for the journeymen, and those are for the Masters, remember that...its most important you never sit there unless you've got the rank." She gives a warning look at Hanneke, off towards the kitchen her eyes wonder, "Thats where we get the food, be sure to thank the cooks." Finally she walks over towards Davad, and sits at the apprentice tables listening to him play.

Davad stops as the two enter, looking at them momentarilly, his face showing absolutely no emotion whatsoever...he finally turns back to look at the fire...

Hanneke is duly warned, and regards those tables with some fervourish nodding. Smiling brightly -- this seems to be a common thing -- she hurries to catch up with Fenella, stopping short, almost tripping over a table leg, to listen to Davad. Her nose wrinkles slightly; whatever reason it was she came to the Hall, it doesn't appear to be because she appreciates music.

Fenella holds in a giggle at hanneke's reaction, then kindly says, "Go grab something to eat, Harper Halls is a big place and will take time for a tour." She looks at Davad, and says, "hi there, I'm not sure I've seen you either, egg shards, there are a lot of new faces in the hall." She means that in a good way of course.

Mickleflit takes a deep breath, squares his shoulders, and plunges ::between::!

Davad simply nods once, still watching the fire...shards, but it feels strange talking to a stone wall, doesn't it?

Hanneke ohs, nodding her head quickly. "Oh! Of course. Food, yes, that's a very good thing. " She scuttles (quite literally) towards the kitchens, from which she returns, carrying a bowl of stew. Pausing at the doorway, the probationary apprentice glances about. For a moment, she begins to walk towards the Master's table, but quickly swerves away as a dirty look is sent in her direction. Oops. In one ear, out the other.

Fenella crosses her arms, and looks very displeased at Davad's reaction, then says, "Excuse me, I'm not trying to be nosy, but whats the matter?" Harper Halls supposed to be a happy hall, so she trys her best to make everyone feel that way. Then she catches Hanneke almost sitting at a master's table, she shakes her head, but a grin is upon her face, all must learn from there own mistakes.

Hanneke is going to make a lot of mistakes. And she's probably not going to learn from them, either. The young girl rejoins the other two, a faintly confuzzled look upon her visage, as if she's no idea what she just did. Clutching at her bowl, she sinks into a seat, regarding Davad, and then Fenella again.

Davad simply watches the fire...

Fenella puts up her hands, then shakes her head. Then turning to get Davad to talk she says, "I'm Fenella, Apprentice Harper, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, you just looked like you need someone to talk to." She looks back at hanneke, "Thats the best.." She points to the stew then looks back at davad with concern written on her face.

Hanneke, seemingly settled in now, waggles her spoon in Davad's direction. "Shy, I'll bet. I know loads of them, back at the Hold. Mother always said that all they needed was a good education, which is probably why he's here." She nods her head enthusiastically, digging her spoon back into the stew. "It is nice. Almost as good as what we had at home. Mother says that the Lemos cooks are some of the best."

Davad glances at the rather conversational woman out of the corner of his eye, then looks back at the fire...his face seems like one that has been around many a campfire, and the apprentice knot seems odd on his clothing...

Fenella nods at Hanneke's comment, she then glares at the fire, almost wishing it where put out so he would not stare so blankly at it. She shrugs, "Your from lemos, wow, thats a long way. How did you dicide you wanted to become a Harper." She looks towards hanneke, keeping in a rude remark aimed at Davad.

Davad seems to be merely...sitting there. You find it somewhat disconcerting that someone that close to a hearth could generate such a feeling of cold distance...

Hanneke doesn't seem to be concerned about Davad, rather, her concentration has been placed upon her meal, and, because she really does love to talk, Fenella. "Oh, yes, from Lemos. Although, I -was- born here. I don't really remember it; I was just a child, but still, it counts, doesn't it? Mother said I needed to learn how to think."

Mirax emerges from the main hall.

Fenella raises an eyebrow, "how do you learn to think...??" She shakes her head as if to clear the question from thought. "How is lemos, I've never been there..." She eyes Davad out of the cornner of her eye, then she notices Mirax, then her attention drifts back to Davad, and she says outloud so all can here, "We all Have problems at times, but must over come them, and i think the best way is to talk to people....I had problems when I arrived here, but some how this hall made me realize that my problems could be over come..." She sighs, hoping to get a reation out of Davad...

Mirax shuffles in, bent back and reddened fingers certifying to her weary look. Heading for the table now, /with/ klah and bread, she slips onto the bench and watches with a mouthful of food.

"I don't know!" admits Hanneke, as cheerful as ever. She doesn't know much, so it's not much of a change. Still spooning her stew into her mouth, and waving that same spoon about at random intervals, she shrugs, "Lemos is Lemos. Mother says that Lemos is a great place to grow up, because the atmosphere is right for learning." She glances quisically at Fenella, as the girl speaks, "Huh?"

Mirax looks up, slightly annoyed by the interruption of her meal, late though it is. "Telgar's okay." She offers plainly, looking at Davad curiously.

Davad glances over as Fenella speaks, then looks back at the fire as she mentions talking it out...if anything, the only reaction you get is a bit more emotionlessness from him...

Mirax looks at Fenella, "Fenella, right?" She gestures with her piece of bread, which abruptly waves at Hanneke. "And you're one of them new girls."

Hanneke glances up at Mirax, only now noticing the other girl. "Hi. I'm Hanneke, and I'm new here. Who're you?" She bobs her head, "Yes, I'm one of them new girls." Her spoon is waved in the other girl's direction, perhaps to match the bread.

Spoon and bread...Which would win? Mirax chews thoughtfully before answering, "Mirax. Harper 'prentice." The bread gets given an extra waggle in the direction of Davad, "What's yer name?"

Fenella looks at Mirax, what..she nods at Mirax, "yes your right." She looks at Davad, and he reminds her of an old childhood friend, who always was silent and depressed, sadly he took of at a young age, never to be seen again. She looks from Davad to Mirax, back to Davad, "yes thats what i want to know too."

Davad sits there for a moment, before realizing the question is directed at him...(he was busy trying to ignore the conversation...) He pauses for a moment longer, then without turning to look, says simply, "...Davad."

Spoon. Harder, more durable, and not prone to being covered in mould. "Well met, Mirax. I'm a Harper apprentice, too!" Only, she seems to have mislaid her Badge, so it's not obvious. "Davad? Hi, Davad! Well met. Isn't this a great place? Everyone's just so friendly, and sociable."

[That was Hanneke]

Bread. Edible, prone to being toasted to a nice crispy texture. "Well met, Hanneke." Mirax replies, dipping the bread--squidginess, no!--in her klah. "Well met, Davad."

Mirax gestures at Hanneke's clothes, "Not wearing the standard issue? Lucky."

Hanneke eyes the bread, which is probably soggy breadcrumbs floating in klah now, with some disgust, and nods her head. Well met, indeed. She glances at her clothing, and then at Mirax. "Most of my things were put in storage. Am I required to wear a uniform, then?" She looks horrified at the thought.

Fenella finds questions pleauging her mind aboout everyone, but simply becomes silent. She gets up from her seat and heads for the food set up, and gets three cups of klah, then carefully balancing then puts one down infront of Hanneke, then one where she sits, and finally she walks up to the fireplace, and puts one down infront of Davad, and smiles, then returning to her seat sips her klah.

Davad doesn't respond...however, he does reach into his pouch and produces an old flask and wooden goblet that appears hand-made by a proffessional...He removes the stopper from the flask, pours himself a glass, and simply sits there, sipping from his goblet as he watches the flames...

Karec emerges from the main hall.

"Not required. I didn't have any other clothes part from my fish traders stuff, and I wasn't gonna wear that, soooo..." Mirax eyes Davad, soprano grating in annoyance, "You don't have many manners, do you?"

Karec strides in with easy grace, Karec quietly whistles a faamliar tune as he enters. He stops and picks up a mug and fills it from the klah pitcher. Karec puts in a discrete amount of sweetner. Satisfied with his klah, he turns and walks to a vacant table, an nod of greetings is given to the others as he makes himself at home in a vacant seat.

Hanneke does look relieved. -Very- relieved. "Perhaps you could borrow some of mine?" suggests the girl, brow furrowing. "It will all be in storage, otherwise." All those clothes. How horrible for them. Probitionary apprentice glances up to notice Karec, issuing a warm smile, before her spoon is waved about again. -It's- still solid. The bread probably isn't.

Fenella looks up and sees Karec come in, and its quiet clear he's not from Fort. She smiles his way, then sips her klah, listening to the conversations about her.

The bread isn't. It's floating around in Mirax's klah, but the girl doesn't seem to care. She uses her /hand/ to wave at Karec, "Hey." Nudging her klah away with one hand, she tilts back a little--slouches a little more--and starts /drumming/ on the tabletop.

Hanneke's spoon wins the day. As always. Spoons forever. This is waved about again, then dug back into her meal. There's not an awful lot to say.

Karec gives Fenella his most charming and hopelessly lost smile. He quietly slips his pack to his lap and rummages through it secretly. Finding what he seeks, he crosses his legs and lays a small book on his lap. Karec taps a long pulls from his mug and lays it before him. Taking a small chunk of charcoal, Karec dives once again into his hidden work.

"Not required. I didn't have any other clothes part from my fish traders stuff, and I wasn't gonna wear that, soooo..." Mirax eyes Davad, soprano grating in annoyance, "You don't have many manners, do you?" (repose)

Fenella eyes Karec her mug covering her face as she drinks, then she puts it down, and smiles at Karec, knowing full well what he's doing. She still glances at Davad from time to time, but it seems she can't do anything to make him talk...

Davad blinks at Mirax...then takes a sip from his goblet...

Hanneke eyes Karec a moment more, her spoon dribbling stew about the table as she waves it about, asking, "What're you doing? What is he doing?" He's a boy, too, which means he earns extra attention.

Mirax shrugs at Davad, "Suit yourself." She mutters, en route once more to the klah pitchers and left over food.

Karec reaches over his shoulder and scratches Theiron's eyeridge evoking an approving croon. Dropping his hand to his lap, he suddenly feels all eyes on him, "Me?" Embarrassment colours his face as he shuts his book with a snap, "Nothing, just drinking and relaxing, nothing illegal like."

Davad finally actually turns his head to face the others around him...he looks first at Hanneke, then at Fenella, and finally at the returning Mirax...he then turns around and notices Karec, raising an eyebrow before once again staring into the fire, his face again emotionless...

Hanneke looks somewhat disappointed, and flutters her eyelashes demurely, lowering eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interupt." She pushes her spoon back into almost empty bowl, reclining into her seat with a long, sweet sigh, her curls fluttering about her shoulders. "This is -soo- much nicer than at home."

Fenella gives Hanneke an odd look, then shrugs an drinks more klah, and from the looks of it Davad never even say her put a mug a klah near him. Her eyes sparkle, as they look toward Karec, then in a gental voice she says, "I'm Fenella, Apprentice harper, and who may you be knid sir."

Mirax returns klah and stew in hand, "Doesn't talk much, does he." She comments sourly to Hanneke and Fenella, spooning - Yes, a spoon! - stew into her mouth. "Why's it nicer than home?"

Karec places the book and charcoal on the table before him, "The names Karec, I hang out down at Southern Boll." He takes a quick sip from his mug, and holds it in his lap. Theiron eyes Fenella and strokes his muzzle against Karec's cheek trying to regain his attentions. "I don't have a title or anything fancy like that, I am just me."

Spoons unite, of course. "Because there are -people-! Social people." She's ignoring, or has forgotten, about Davad. Go figure. "Mother says that a place must be a good place if there are people who will talk frankly with each other." She probably didn't mean socially, but Hanneke doesn't know that. "Well met, Karec!" she calls, in addition, eyelashes still fluttering slightly.

Davad sighs...

Karec rises from his seat and walks to the large plate of stickie buns. "The pleasure is all mine." He snags one up and turns to his seat, but stops in mid-step to smile at Hanneke, "Do you have a name miss, or does one have to pry it from you?"

Fenella nods towards Karec, then smiles, picking up her mug and sipping from it, the girl beside her is making her laugh inside with this fork spoon stuff. She says to Karec after he gets his food, "You've travelled very far, how come?"

Hanneke returns the smile, beaming graciously, "I'm Hanneke." She tosses her curls over her shoulder, crossing one leg over the other. "Indeed, why did you travel so far, just to visit here?" She attempts to retake her spoon, but only managed to make it slip into the bowl. Lost forever, because Hanneke would never fish it out, she returns hands to her lap. Well, bother.

Hail the spoons. Mirax waves her own at Hanneke, taunting. "Chatty, and silent." Hanneke and Davad, well yay!

Karec takes a large and hungry bite from the bun. Holding one finger up, he motions to let him chew lest he do the horrible deed of talking with his mouth full. Swallowing mightily, he takes a long slug from his mug and finally composes himself, "I got bilked into bringing missives from the Hold harper, well actually, I am getting a few marks for it. Guy has got to work you know." He seats himself to face his speakers, "So what are you ladies? Both apprentices?"

Hanneke returns to Mirax, oblivious to the taunting intention, "Well, indeed. Some are always going to be silent." She'd forgotten Davad, so it comes slowly, almost as a surprise. "But chatty is awfully fun, don't you think?" Her attention is returned to Karec; a chatty mail is always a good thing, and she ahs: "That sounds--" she fails to find a word, and continues without it, "An apprentice, yes. Brand new."

Mirax returns spoon to stew and watches. And: "/He/'s just annoying." She pokes the spoon, stew covered as it is, in Davad's direction. "Why don't you talk?"

Fenella nods, "interesting...Yes I'm an apprentice, have been for over two turns now." She smiles and holds her mug of klah in her hands, letting it warm them, then she looks up and watches Mirax question Davad, she feels almost sorry for him.

Davad glances over at the rather rudely inquisitive one out of the corner of his eye; but instead of getting offended, he actually seems to grow slightly ashamed...he slowly starts packing up his stuff, draining his goblet and packing it with his flask...

Mirax licks the stew off, "I give up." She slants a look towards Hanneke and Karec, ooh, and resumes eating her stew.

Karec grimaces as he takes a sip from his now-not-so-warm klah, "I could never do the whole Apprentice thing, I hate being tied to anywhere like that." Settles back and stretches his legs under the table, "So what kind of Harper are you going to be?"

Fenella then seeing pack his things, she says, "Mirax, if he doesn't want to talk, then leave him alone, hes not annoying, he's so quite no one hears him..." she sighs..but its too late he's already going to leave.

Hanneke rolls her eyes: "Some don't like to talk. I think it's a horrible waste of time. Although, Father doesn't talk very much. Father always says that it's best to use words well. I don't know what he could mean, but it can't be important, can it?" Regarding Karec with her pale blue eyes, she pipes up again, "Tied down? We're not tied to anything. I'm going to go home and help Mother with her records." Maybe.

Davad seems to have stopped at the packing, and simply sits there, looking at his amazingly well-crafted black flute...

"I only asked him a question." Mirax defends belatedly, the spoon held up in protection. "My father never talked, just yelled." She offers to Hanneke, scraping the spoon around in her stew.

Karec nods and shrugs his shoulders, "But don't you have to go to class and stuff like that. Personally, I am not a big fan of the whole being on a schedule deal." Finshing the last dregs of his klah, he pushes the mug from him and slyly pulls the book back to his lap,"So what do you do? Sing? Play music? What?"

Fenella shrugs and turns back to Karec, "I'm thinking about the becoming mastered in law..mostly, because I'm not that efficent in music, and singing, but I manage...And Hanneke, you do get tied down here after you've been around long enough..." she looks at mirax..and shrugs...

Davad suddenly turns to Mirax, quite obviously upset...He simply looks at her before saying simply, "...At l-l-least...he c-c-c-could t-t-talk..." Upon saying that, he leaves the room entirely...

Davad heads out into the main hall.

Mirax blinks. Then eats. "Huh?"

Hannekeeyes her spoon mournfully, covered in dark, rich gravy. It would cost her fingers too much to grasp it now. Spoonless, the apprentice nods towards Mirax, "Mine didn't. He's a Mindhealer, and knows an awful lot about people." Bobbing her head, curls flopping, she responds to karec again, "Mother says that schedules are important, to ensure that people know what they're doing." Except Hanneke can't use one anyway. "Do you? I didn't know. It doesn't matter, anyway."

Shendti emerges from the main hall.

Shendti breezes, one arm linked about Araelli's as the two head for the hearth, evidently in search of some klah. "--You sure he said he'd meet you here?" The former, Shendti, asks her companion anxiously.

Fenella hears Davad say that, and wants to rush after him, poor lad..the reason why he doesn't talk is because he's got a studder...she sits there and one of her flits pops into view, then gets a message from Fene then goes between.

Karec 's eyes grow wide and makes his most "shock me" face, "Legists huh? Well now there is a busy profession. Somebody always has an argument." He opens the book in his lap and holds the charcoal in his fingers, his eyes regarding Hanneke, "Schedules are fine if you like structure, but me, I set my own timetables."

Fujin suddenly disappears ::between::!

Mirax chews slowly on her meet, pausing to stare at the apricot covered one. Oh. Her. "I prefer singing and art to all those musty records." She interjects, lifting the spoon, all purpose tool that it is, in greeting to the weaver.

"Mother did some law; she does that and archives," says Hanneke towards Fenella, once again making mention of that mother. At least none of these other apprentices have ever met the woman. "I like to dance, myself. Do you dance, Karec?"

Shendti turns in time to get the spoon's greeting, lifting her mug in reciprocation. "Fenella!" Dear. The weaver heads on over whilst Araelli wrestles with her conscience as to eating stew, or going without

Karec laughs and claps his hands, the book nearly spilling from his lap, "Yeah, like a drunken, boneless sailor. I have the grace of a bull, you know the type, two left feet and no rhythm." Righting his book, he opens it to where he was and begins to absently draw, "My dad could do a good jig when he had a skinfull, but I must have fell far from the tree."

[New_Player] Rynne: byebye kheva

Mirax winces. Dance? "Shendti." Yay, this day is a big bundle of joy. Finishing her stew, she hops off the bench. "I'm gonna call it a night."

Somewhat disappointed, or so it would seem, Hanneke sticks out her lower lip. Tossing her head, she comments, lightly, "I suppose we can't have everything, can we? What do you do, then?" Bowl is pushed away from herself, spoon and all. Sunken treasure.

Fenella looks up at the voice, and waves to Shendti, "Hello Shen!" She gets up, and waves an good-bye to everyone in the room, then heads towards the main hall...enough about parents, she had bad ones, and doesn't like to hear anything about parents...she walks away..

Fenella heads out into the main hall.

Shendti slips onto the bench, in Fenella's recently vacated spot. "So, what're we talking about--Araelli, leave the stew!" She winces as Araelli clatters about on the heart, finally returning with a mug brimming with klah, but no stew. "I'm Shendti, Fort's Journeywoman weaver.--And she's Araelli."

Karec quirks a brow at Fenella's departure and shrugs to himself. "Well, I do have my one thing, but it not something real profound." He drops his eyes to his work, "I can sort of draw, been like this since I was kid." Looks up at Shendti and Arielli, "Hi there, I am Karec of Southern Boll."

Introductions are made commonly this evening, Hanneke most often of all: "Hanneke, Probationary Apprentice Harper. Well met." A bob of a tawny head, attention caught by Karec again: "You draw? That's lovely! I could never draw; Mother said that it was better that I expanded my mind, rather than my non-talents."

Rynne starts paying attention again.

Shendti pounces, "Boll? I used the live there. It rains all the time." Araelli remains mute beside her, klah in hand. "How come you're in Fort...And well met, Hanneke."

Karec chortles as he works, his left hand deftly drawing, "Dad would have preferred I fished like him. But I saw too many hands grow gnarled from the work so I decided to leave that to those who wanted it." His gaze rises from his book to meet Shendti, "Does rain alot doesn't it? But when it is a nice day, it is paradise from back of beyond. I am dropping off missives and waiting for the ones bound for home."

Hanneke, speaking as though it was the most logical thing to say, announces, "I don't like fish. It's far better that you paint rather than fish. Mother says that we have to do what we do best. It rains a lot at Lemos, too. Does it rain here?"

"I never fished. Never." Shendti agrees with Hanneke; the very thought makes her squirm slightly. "I've been weaving since I was 15."--"No, it doesn't rain that often."

Karec grins as he stops to look up, "I have not totally given up fishing. Made my own tackle and everything. I wait for a good moonless night and fish till dawn. I can get a few marks that way." He turns his eyes to Shendti, "Weaver Hall huh? You know, one day I am going to run out of canvas, does the Hall handle things like that?"

In the distance, the drums announce the departure of Dragonrider Mardy.

Shendti shrugs, "We handle all fabric and material of cloth-based substance." She taps a polished nail against his book, "May I see?"

Hanneke smoothes her hands out in front of her: "Thank goodness for that. The rain makes my hair go all frizzy; I was hoping that it would be better here." Regarding the book, as she follows the conversation of the other two, she requests, "Could I, too?"

Karec 's face colours, but he hands the book over, "It is like my travel log. There are folks from all over in it. My dad and mum were my first and I just moved on from there." He sits back and tries to look calm, though biting his lower lip and looking fretful is not convincing, "I still do it from time to time."

Shendti cranes her head, whistling approvingly. "These are really good, Karec." She reaches out to flip the page, looking questioningly at Hanneke to see if she minds.

Hanneke leans over to get a look, hair falling across her face, obscuring her eyes. As she pushes it back, her lips push apart, eyes blinking at Shendti. Evidently, the look isn't understand, but there's no objection. "They -are- good."

Shendti looks at the next one, nails tracing the lines oh-so delicately. "Karec, you're a genius." At drawing anyway. Araelli peers over Shendti's shoulder, only to get hit in the chin as Shendti shifts to turn the next page.

Karec smiles coyly and looks a little more than embarrassed at her praise, "I never feel like I give my subjects some justice." He leans forward and turns it back a few pages, "I met this man back home, he had sailed in from Tillek. Could tell the best stories, but I think the fact he was missing a few fingers and still did what he does stuck with me."

Hanneke wiggles closer, nodding her head enthusiastically (although, everything she does seems to be with enthusiasm, or at least with a smile, so that's not unusual): "You're really good. No wonder you don't want to fish." She flicks her eyes upwards to watch Karec as he speaks: "Weird."

"Master Jheli has the worst arthritis now, but she still spins." Shendti flicks another page, laughing a little at this sketch. "You have talent, definitely." Eager to see what he was last sketching, she flips to the last page and gasps with laughter. "Hanneke..." She points wordlessly, at the half-finished Hanneke gracing the page.

Karec covers his mouth as he yawns and thumbs through the drawings, "It is a common thing back at Half-Circle, I saw a hawser take off a man's pinky like it was a dry twig." He sahkes his head at the memory and holds up his left hand, his figers spread,"I was born with a full set and I intend to keep all ten."

Hanneke peeks, as she hears her name, having been momentarily distracted: "What?" Then, she pauses, lips pressing together. "Is that me?" Well, of course it is, but it takes her a moment. "You really -are- good." Which has -got- to be high praise.

Araelli tugs at Shendti arm, and the weaver nods reluctantly. "Sorry, but I'd better leave. It's late and Sabin is /not/ the most accomadating."

Karec hides his discomfort at having his work seen and suddenly speechless. Gathering his composure, he attempts to speak, "Thanks, I do what I can." He quickly thumbs back a few pages, "I caught this guy in a tavern flirting with the barmaid, heard he was some Lord up north, never did find out which one."

Hanneke, nodding her head rapidly, regards the picture, open amusement at the sketch: "I certainly wouldn't have a clue. But he's--nice." 'Realistic' might have been a better word, but she'll never find the right words anyway.

Karec motions to a grudge to collect his long-forgotten mug and plate. He pulls his pack onto his lap and drops the charcoal into it, "Well Hanneke, I must retire, home beckons me." He stands and stretches to his full height, "My return messages are supposed to ready by mid-morning and I have a long ride home."

Hanneke bobs her head slowly, agreeing, "I suppose I ought to sleep myself; Mother says we must all get our beauty sleep." The girl rises, raising her head to add, "It has been a pleasure to make your aquaintance, though, Karec. I hope we will meet again?"

Karec delicately takes his sketchbook from her hand and places it into his pack. He slings it across his shoulders, "I get this way from time to time, so I am sure I will see you about." He clears his throat and smiles shyly, "See you around huh?"

Hanneke nods enthusiastically again, curls tossing about her neck. "See you around, indeed. It's been nice."

On that note, Karec winks and turns to leave. Theiron bobs his head to Karec's stride as they disappear from view.

Date: Sun Dec 3 00:38:14 2000 CST
From: Karec (#18663)
To: Hanneke (#19007)
Subject: Mysterious Package

The next morning after his first meeting Hannake, Karec walks to the stables to retrieve his runnerbeast for the trip home. Leaving his gelding tied outside, he slips in to the Harper Hall dorms and leaves a package outside Hanneke's door. The contents? The sketch from the previous night. Making sure he is not seen, he slips out into the early morning. With great covertness, he leaves Fort, bound home with the missives from the Hold and Hall.
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