| Gossip on the Beach |
| 15/02/2002 Logfile from Harpers-Tale Main Beach This long stretch of white sandy beach stands pristine among the beaches around Ista Island. The sand stretches off into the distance on either side of you, disappearing into the horizon. Several large uprooted trees dot the beach where they were most likely felled in a big storm. They look as if they'd make great benches, for people or firelizards alike. To the east, the crystal blue waters of the Hold cove roll up in gentle waves onto the beach, hissing softly as they ebb and flow. To the south, Ista Hold juts out of the cliff. Just west of here, a low bluff leads up to the grassy field that serves as the Hold's main gather grounds. It is an autumn before dawn. In the Hold Courtyard, you see Hoth and Uzasnyth. Curled up in the sand are five firelizards. Brown Xylyth is here. You see Chiarasria here. Kamoku and Miralwyn are here. Miralwyn Thick brown hair frames a heart-shaped face, falling in a gentle wave to just brush her shoulders. Grey eyes appraise the world calmly, although a dry humour often lurks in their depths. The young woman is slim and petite, height rising to a mere 5' 4, with a smooth complexion of olive skin, for the most part free of the lumps and bumps present in many of her age. While delicate in form, she is possessed of a quiet strength, which manifests itself in every movement, although she rarely raises her voice above a low and mellow alto, and travels with sure grace on silent feet. Utilitarian design of her garments places function and comfort far ahead of style, although like the wearer, the clothing is posessed a quiet grace. A light cotton blouse is tucked loosely into grey cloth slacks, the shirt left in it's natural off-white shading, laces tied loosely and permitting the odd glimpse of a small necklace, consisting of a polished seashell strung on a leather cord. Sandals shoe her feet, sturdy leather well broken in through much use, while her hair is tied back into a runner's tail, with temple locks left free to frame her face. Hiding in Miralwyn's hair is Thebes. A grey leather satchel hangs from Miralwyn's shoulder, several interesting bulges apparent. Perched on Miralwyn's left shoulder, Terraverte twines her tail around her neck. Purple and white twine together in a single loop knot. While simple, it's worn with quiet pride by the Healer Apprentice who owns it. She is awake, but has been staring off into space for 3 minutes. Carrying: Thebes Miralwyn's Notebook Grey Leather Satchel Terraverte Miralwyn is 18 Turns, 4 months, and 22 days old. Xylyth Rich shades of soil encompass this brown's towering and imposing form completely, intermingling to form fresh shades and fathoms of earthiness where they fuse. Pale coffee tones spill over an angular muzzle and face seemingly carved from the earth, so fine is their detail, before giving way to muddy colourings that diffuse over well built shoulders and stomach, sleek muscle visible beneath silky hide, finally darkening to almost midnight shades at sweeping wings. Woven into these depths of night, as if by unseen magic, tendrils of deepest aubergine thread their way across the tautly spread membrane, surfacing to form cryptic symbols of colour then disappearing from view once more in a ritualistic dance of hide and seek. Continuing the rhythmic flow of colours, cinnamon and chocolate mix and intermingle over powerful back legs, while hints of gold seep into the shade of a perfectly formed tail. Xylyth's first set of straps are at first apperance, simple well oiled leather, fitting in all the right places. But on closer inspection, Kazra looks to have gone strange with a needle, and purple designs twist and turn in mystical and random patterns. Running down the centre of each strap, above the purple stitching are three thin threads of black, blue and orange, almost invisible against the brown leather unless you look closely. Looks like Kazra's sewing skills are improving. Xylyth is 1 Turn, 5 months, and 15 days old. He is 63 feet (21m) long, with a wingspan of 105 feet (35m). Xylyth senses Kazra looking at him. Xylyth seems to be listening. Kazra Kazra stands tall at her final height of 5'8. Brown hair sweeps back off her face, but there is a new addition to it. Twined among the brown strads are quite a few colourful ribbons, white, red, blue, green and purple. Falling neatly down her back, they reach to her shoulders, giving Kazra's hair a new, colourful look. A small band of leather holds the ribbons and the hair back out of her sparkling blue eyes. Long legs taper upwards to a thin waist, broadening out only slightly to her upper body. Arms are slender and well formed, often gesticulating a point. The underlying colour of Kazra's new outfit is brown, but other colours are floating on this earthen sea. Deep blue cascades in a waterfull down the front of her shirt, with white froth decorating her trousered ankles as the waterfall impacts at her feet. Tendrils of green fern snake around one covered arm in intricate patterns, curling down to wrap around her waist with sage strands. Shoulders are mantled in pristine snow white, with frosty icicles dropping downwards over the fabric. Despite the landscape that now adorns her clothing, her feet are still covered by the same old slightly scuffed black boots. Around her waist is a simple leather belt, with her knife hanging from it. Kazra wears a brand new knot, this one of orange and black, twisted into the insignia of an Ista Weyr wingrider. A ribbon of earthy brown indicates her lifemate, Xylyth. On her shoulder as well is the badge of the Sunshower Wing. She is awake and looks alert. You notice Kazra looking at you. Kazra is 24 Turns, 6 months, and 12 days old. Kamoku Dark blue dances over this girls shoulder-length black hair. Bangs end at dark eyebrows. Brown almond-shaped eyes peer through long lashes above high cheekbones. A small nose stands above full red lips. Slim shoulders lead into a thin torso that gives way to short legs. A light tan seems to be peeking out of her pale skin. Though short, and delicate looking, muscles can be seen underlying her smooth skin. Kamoku is wearing a slightly large white tunic, tan pants and worn sandles. A couple of belt bags hang from her brown belt. Perched on Kamoku's shoulder is Kirei. She is awake and looks alert. Carrying: Kirei Kamoku is 14 Turns, 8 months, and 18 days old. Kamoku ignores the other person, until muttering can be heard, She turns a little to see the girl. Tilting her head and frowning, she wonders what's the matter with her. Thinking of just letting her be, curiousity gets the best of her and she slowly rises to walk over to the Healer apprentice. "Having a problem?" she asks quietly. "No." replies Miralwyn briefly. Conversational little thing, isn't she? She continues to mentally poke at the scroll, before allowing that "It is simply that Herbalry should either be outlawed, or it's study restricted to those that actually /care/. I am Miralwyn, in any case." The brown dragon drops neatly to the beach from the air, only pausing to let his rider dismount and remove the riding straps before he hurries into the water with a playful bugle. Kazra slings the riding straps over her shoulder and wanders away from the sea, waving at the others already gathered here and muttering to herself about water loving dragons. "Morning." is her cheerful greeting. Yep, Kazra is chirpy. Kamoku smiles and sits down besides Miralwyn. "Well met Miralwyn, I'm Kamoku. Well, it seems to me, that in able to learn something you want, you always have to learn something you don't." She looks up at Kazra and smiles, noding, "Hello." She can be a cheerful person too. ^_^ Miralwyn represses a mental shudder at the sight and sounds of... *gasp* chirpy people. However the sand is comfortable, and it would be poor form to run screaming, so she gives another of her trim nods. "Good morn to you, Brownrider. And likewise, Kamoku." Kazra tries not to wince obviously at her formal title. "Just Kazra please." she asks. "And the brown lump who thinks he's part dolphin is Xylyth." Kazra drops the straps onto the sand, followed bu herself. Boots are kicked off and place to one side, while the brownrider smiles at the pair. "Hope you don't mind me joining you?" Kamoku grins and shakes her head, "Of course not. Come, sit, share the sand." Okay, so the other person's cheeriness set hers off, but just a little. ^_^ "I'm Kamoku." "Kazra, then." amends Miralwyn. "And it's a public beach." she notes, eyes still scanning over the evil, evil Herbalry scroll. Realizing this isn't the height of politeness, the expressionless apprentice lays it aside, and even attempts to make small talk. "Xylyth, hmm? He looks a fine, sturdy one. My father rides brown." Xylyth senses Kamoku looking at him. "Thanks." Kazra replies with a smile, before adding "Well met Kamoku, Miralwyn." She stretches out slightly, before sitting up again as Miralwyn speaks. "Oh? Can I ask who?" and here her nosy streak is coming to the fore. Xylyth, seeming to have tired of splashing about in the water wanders back up onto the beach, settling down and becoming more beige than brown with the sand that sticks to his damp hide. Caitilin walks in from the Ista Sea Hall Courtyard. Kamoku looks at the brown and smiles. She doesn't have much to contribute to this, seeing as she's rarely ever met a dragonrider. She just continues to watch Xylyth, never having been this close to a dragon before. She listens to the conversation being talked around her, always ready to add something if the time presents itself. Caitilin stops short in her run as she spies the dragon and his rider. Kamoku has disconnected. Kamoku falls asleep. Caitilin Caitilin is easily the tallest female in her family at 5' 9 1/4". She keeps her long dusty blonde hair braided neatly down her back, and her sharp blue eyes seem to look everywhere at once. Caitilin is slender and her skin is lightly bronzed from the sun and wind of the traces. Caitilin favors wearing clothing appropriate for running. She will go barefoot whenever she isn't on the traces. There she Always wears the thinly made and spiked shoes of any messenger. She is awake and looks alert. Carrying: $note Caitilin is 21 Turns, 4 months, and 6 days old. You notice Caitilin looking at you. Miralwyn stretches out her legs on front of her, and crosses them neatly at the ankles, wriggling her toes slightly, and gazling out at the big brown's aquatic ballet. Or perhaps galumphing is a better phrase. Dragons never as graceful on land as they are in the air. She indulges the 'rider's curiosity. "M'ral, rider of brown Bneth of Benden Weyr. And if you'd been a greenrider, you'd probably have met him by now." A slightly-fond headshake, the reserved girl amusedly tolerant of her sire's foibles. Caitilin takes a half step, as if to run, then stops once more to stare in open wonder at Xylyth Kamoku has connected. Kamoku wakes up. Miralwyn stretches out her legs on front of her, and crosses them neatly at the ankles, wriggling her toes slightly, and gazling out at the big brown's aquatic ballet. Or perhaps galumphing is a better phrase. Dragons never as graceful on land as they are in the air. She indulges the 'rider's curiosity. "M'ral, rider of brown Bneth of Benden Weyr. And if you'd been a greenrider, you'd probably have met him by now." A slightly-fond headshake, the reserved girl amusedly tolerant of her sire's foibles. *repose for Kam* Kazra nods to the name given. "Ah." is her only comment. "I can't say as I've met him, but then I've only visited Benden when practising betweening." Xylyth is aware of the looks being directed at him, and decides to return them in kind. "Don't scare them now Xy." Kazra warns, half jokingly as the brown moves closer. Xylyth rumbles. Who could be scared of him? Caitilin chuckles as Xylyth starts to move closer, "He's an ever living beauty," she says softly. Kamoku blinks as the brown moves closer. She never realised how /big/ dragons really were. She grins and then notices Caitilin as she speaks. She nods in agreement. Miralwyn gives a quiet laugh at Caitilin's comment. "Good thing he's not a blue, or Kazra would have an ego case on her hands. He certainly looks well, though. One of the newer clutch, are you?" inquires the ex-weyrbrat, small talk coming more easily on more familiar territory. Caitilin has disconnected. Caitilin falls asleep. Kazra seems to be a bit suprised by all the attention, but Xylyth seems to be enjoying the attention. "Yes, we are. Dhiammarath and Tynabith's clutch. We've only just recently graduated and got our weyr." She gives a laugh at the ego comment. "Xy manages to take these things in his stride. Besides, Suith, one of his clutchsibs quite often brings him back down to size." Kamoku laughs. She can relate to that. She nods, continueing to listen to the conversation. Miralwyn gives a nod. "Congratulations on that, then. Had a weyrwarming yet? I am only down from Benden for Healer training, and so haven't done much exploring, but the few I managed to gate crash back home were good times... The fact that we get so much good wine in tithe /might/ have something to do with that, however." she trails off, eyes idly following the big brown at his play. Caitilin walks in from the Ista Sea Hall Courtyard. Kamoku goes home. Kazra grins. "I'm busy plotting one at the moment." she admits. "Hopefully some of my old friends from Reaches will be able to come and visit as well." Yes, she's one of the daft Reachians. "You'd be very welcome at ours, when I get it organised." And Xylyth adds a rumble in agreement. Any friend of Kazra's is a friend of his." Having shuffled far enough, he settles himself down near to the group, his tail snaking out to keep contact with Kazra. "I'd be pleased to attend." smiles Miralwyn in return. "Although I suppose the Apprentice Rules would get in the way of serious fun." Rules are meant to be broken though, right? "And 'Reaches? Stopped over there briefly on my way here... Nice place. The people are... lively." Caitilin walks back to the beach, having finished her run. She has to stay in shape you know, wouldn't do for her to lose her stamina. Never know when she might be asked to run half way across Pern. "Lively is one word to describe them." Insane could be another. "But Ista can be just a lively, especially with candidates." her group especially. A wave is given to Caitilin as she returns to the beach, before Kazra returns to the conversation. "Apprentice rules? What the masters don't know about, they can't tell you off for." she suggests. Caitilin chuckles softly, "I've heard any number of 'prentices say just that back at the dolphinhall." She chuckles again, as she heads for the hold. Caitilin walks off the beach towards the courtyard. Miralwyn arches an eyebrow at the 'rider's words, sketching a brief wave in Caitilin's direction as she does so. "Kazra, I think I like the way your mind works." she intones with a dry humour. "So were you an apprentice, before you Impressed, to know the ins and outs of the game?" Kazra stifles what looks to be an evil smile. "No, but I was a candidate. Its amazing how much you could get away with if no-one knew who was doing what, or what you were doing." she settles herself more comfortably on the sand. "But I've talked to others who were apprentices. Its amazing what you pick up just by listening." "Ah yes, discretion is the key to getting away with murder." intones Wyn sagely. Or as sagely as a pretty young woman of eighteen can ever be. And then she pulls a perfectly innocent and serene expression. "Not of course, that I'd know the first thing about it..." "Of course not." Kazra grins. "And of course, I know nothing about any pranks that were pulled." Innocence. Heh. "How could such charming women such as ourselves know about such underhand things." And surprisingly enough, Kazra manages to say all this with a straight face. "Why naturally," replies Miralwyn, equally deadpan. "We are simply the embodiment of feminine sweetness and grace personified. I have /no/ idea how we could even be /suspected/ of such knowledge." And if Alain were listening, he'd no doubt be dead from an overdose of laughter. She uncrosses her ankles, only to recross them the opposite way. Kazra's calm and innocent facade cracks now as she erupts in a fit of the giggles. Xylyth just eyes his giggling rider, eyes whirling gently. When Kazra manages to calm herself enough to speak, its just to utter the one word. "indeed." before she's off again in giggles. Miralwyn's eyes twinkle, although she avoids joining in the gale of giggles. Wyn doesn't... do... giggling, it appears, although she'll tolerate the weakness in others. "So... what sort of things did /you/ pull?" she inquires, into a pause for breath. Kazra finally manages to calm herself and bully her vocal cords into speaking and not giggling. She takes a quick glance around to make sure that no..elders.. are around before she speaks. "Sticking the chairs of the Weyrs living Caverns to the walls is one thing that I can think of off-hand." she says. "But the stuff we used for that got /everywhere/. How about you?" Miralwyn arches an eyebrow. "Nice..." she allows. "Mine are a good bit more reserved, as I usually act independantly... However the last time I collaborated, we spread numbweed along the seats of all the privies..." Kazra oohs in approval. "We never thought of that. I'll have to remember it." And watch out for it next time there are candidates around. "What sort of reaction did you get? And where you caught?" Kazra grins. "A most salutory one," allows Miralwyn, looking just the faintest bit pleased with herself. "And while some of the others were, I managed to get off. The secret to getting away with things is to blend in with the rest of the victims." Kazra applauds, letting her hands do the congratulating for her. "Mind you, with us, we went masked whenever we wanted to pull a prank." she grins. "We each had our own alias." And a smile flickers across her face in rememberance. "That confused the candidatemaster slightly." Miralwyn arches an eyebrow. "I should think it rather would..." she muses, ticking away that idea for future reference. "So who was who...? Or is it still a trade secret?" Kazra grins. "Well, we didn't really tell each other who was who. What you didn't know, you couldn't tell. But I know I was the FreakyTree, and Meral, now M'er had a bunny costume. There was a firelizard, a ferret and a tunnelsnale, but they kept their identities well concealed." Rasanne walks in from the Gather Meadow. Rasanne Beauty would not do this fair young woman justice, yet the finely crafted cheek bones, the delicate face structure, and beautifuly big eyes are set in revolving contrast to her obvious tastes. Hair has been cropped very short indeed, the chin length strands dipped in ebon and of such deep raven barely a gloss coats them to reflect light. Shot through the raven hairs are twin streaks of shocking red, a jarring reminder of this girl's free will as the streaks are found on either side of her face and are constantly hooked behind slender ears. Eyes of clear blue peer at the world with a calm sense of purpose. Self confidence and complascence resonates from this young woman, little eliciting any deep emotion on her part. Tall, 5'7 or so, and embodied with pale skin and well proportioned limbs. Slender build, though hardly willowy, her main quirks appearent by the blood red color of her nails and equally firey lips. Adorned in a black leather gown, elegantly laced in a flattering bodice clasped gently at the back, exposing the upper shoulders and breast bone, though cleavage is modestly snugged into place. The hip complimenting material spirals down to form a slender skirt of unique leather and the same dark hue. Resting beneath the eccentric appearal are equally black boots which lace up to her knees and have obviously seen better days. A necklace comprised of black glassy beads falls into the slight groove of her neck and a suspended crystal, unflawed, dangles from its center. She is awake and looks alert. Rasanne is 18 Turns and 1 day old. You notice Rasanne looking at you. Rasanne goes home. Miralwyn nods. "A sound policy." she agrees, and then blinks a couple times. "Ferret? And a Freaky Tree? Where did these costumes /come/ from?" she queries, sounding bemused. "I have no idea." Kazra admits. "The name for mine just popped into my head, and I think the Ferret was based on something she used to do before she was Searched. But then we were all strange." Very strange. Fear. "Then?" queries Miralwyn, with a slightly impish quality to her smile. "So you aren't strange any more? Pity... the world could use a little more strangeness." muses the Mindhealing specialist. "Oh, we're still strange now. But now we've got strange dragons." Prod prod prod. Kazra glances down to note the brown tail prodding her. "I didn't mean you Xylyth." she reassures the brown. "Its Valanth. One of the blues from the clutch." she elaborates to Miralwyn. Miralwyn laughs quietly at the unheard comment from the big brown. "Of course it couldn't be Xylyth." she agrees. "Everyone knows it's the blues that are generally responsible for wackiness... But what is so strange about this Valanth fellow?" "He's obsessed with trees. He tried to give a branch a burial in the waterfall pool back at the weyr. And he has a special friend in the bowl, called "Tree" which is a tree." Kazra explains. "Mind you, the greens can be strange as well. I think that all dragons can be considered strange at one point or another." Miralwyn nods. "I think you're right." she agrees, companionably enough, although she once again picks up her herbalry scroll. "But, I'm sure that dragons probably find people equally strange. Am I right on that, Xylyth?" she inquires, in a non-sequitor to the brown although she doesn't really expect an answer. Above, Rhajath appears suddenly, zooming in from ::between:: Xylyth rumbles an agreement to the question addressed to him and Kazra laughs. "Apparently he finds us all strange, me especially sometimes." she comments. "But he likes strange people. They tell him interesting things. He's quite the one for gossip." Above, Rhajath glides gracefully down to the Courtyard. "Gossip?" queries Miralwyn, with an interested glance over of the brown. "Really... never would've thought. I knew dragons were a chatty lot, but somehow I never thought of gossip. Are they as catty as some of the apprentice girls I've met?" Kazra shakes her head. "No. Its really just the sharing of information around. If you want to know what's happening around the weyr, Xylyth generally knows." she doesn't add herself. "Dragons can be quite chatty on the subjects of what their riders are soing, and their riders have no idea that they're being talked about. Its happened to me a couple of times." Miralwyn arches an eyebrow. "That sounds like it could have slightly embarassing consequences, depending on circumstance. And might explain how news always seems to fly so fast around a weyr. My father certainly found out far too quickly about some of my escapades, a few times." "Or it could have been firelizards. Some of them are really bad for passing on information, even if it is only through images." And those can be misinterpreted. Then her eyes glaze slightly and she sighs. "Well Miralwyn." she says "Its been very nice talking with you, but Xy's just informed me that drills are soon to start, and I'm needed back at the weyr. Xylyth is clambering upright behind her, and Kazra turns and starts to slip on the riding straps. "See you later." and with that Kazra mounts and with a farewell croon fron Xylyth, the pair are off, hovering in the air before going between. You ascend up Xylyth's side and settle in between earthen ridges, while Xylyth eyes you curiuosly. Xylyth [Main Beach] Rich shades of soil encompass this brown's towering and imposing form completely, intermingling to form fresh shades and fathoms of earthiness where they fuse. Pale coffee tones spill over an angular muzzle and face seemingly carved from the earth, so fine is their detail, before giving way to muddy colourings that diffuse over well built shoulders and stomach, sleek muscle visible beneath silky hide, finally darkening to almost midnight shades at sweeping wings. Woven into these depths of night, as if by unseen magic, tendrils of deepest aubergine thread their way across the tautly spread membrane, surfacing to form cryptic symbols of colour then disappearing from view once more in a ritualistic dance of hide and seek. Continuing the rhythmic flow of colours, cinnamon and chocolate mix and intermingle over powerful back legs, while hints of gold seep into the shade of a perfectly formed tail. Xylyth's first set of straps are at first apperance, simple well oiled leather, fitting in all the right places. But on closer inspection, Kazra looks to have gone strange with a needle, and purple designs twist and turn in mystical and random patterns. Running down the centre of each strap, above the purple stitching are three thin threads of black, blue and orange, almost invisible against the brown leather unless you look closely. Looks like Kazra's sewing skills are improving. Xylyth seems to be listening. Xylyth's Ledge to the Skies A fairly wide ledge juts out from the cliff face, with the entrance to the weyr itself set quite far back, covered by a curtain. The ledge is large enough to hold Xylyth and maybe two or three of his draconic friends. The stone that forms the ledge is fairly smooth, only partially scarred by dragon talons. Looking just like normal stone, when the light catches it from the right direction, the ledge sparkles with specks of blue. On the ledge sits a pot, decorated with inexpert brush strokes in the pattern of the night sky and the stars. In the pot sits a small tree, with a few purple flowers clinging to it. Next to the pot sits a small sign, written in Kazra's writing reading 'Shrub, of the Shrubbery Wing.' It is an autumn before dawn. Obvious exits: Weyr Sky You slide out from between the earthen ridges of Xylyth and land on the ground to the sound of a disappointed rumble. You go to the Kaz and Xy's Hobbiton Habitat. Kaz and Xy's Hobbiton Habitat A deep green curtain covers the entrance to the weyr, easily pushed aside by anyone entering. The floor has been painted a deep blue, and over in Kazra's corner, a woven mat sits. The room is square, with Xylyth's couch taking up one wall, with various items such as pieces of leather, scrubbing brushes and oil scattered beside it. A pile of cushion is heaped up in one corner, with a blanket of orange, black and blue lying on top, showing where Kazra sleeps. A chest of drawers sits against the wall near the cushions, neatly shut. Three of the walls are covered with cloth, Kazra putting her sewing skills to use by embroidering landscapes, soaring mountains, tall forests and deep lakes, on them creating a feeling of space. The other wall, the one that holds the exit to the ledge has been covered in pieces of hide, all showing various sketches of landmark points around Pern, each with Kazra's name written in one corner. While not the most artistic of drawings, the places that she has tried to depict are easily made out. All in all, this is a a very cosy weyr for a brown and his rider. To the south, you see Xylyth. Gliding about is Rorschach. You see Gigi here. Obvious exits: Ledge *** Disconnected *** |