Grounding a Greenrider

Meli strides in, tosses her jacket onto a peg near the entrance, and vtols it towards Kassi. Seating herself, she waves over a server, and orders a hearty meal and a mug of cider.

Juliath> Alyssa slides down the beautiful purplish blue flank of her lifemate to come to a rest on the ground, Adonith swinging his head around to regard her adoringly.

Meli's dinner arrives, a plate full of wherry, mashed tubers, gravy, and steamed greens. With her mug alongside, she's all set, and her face reflects her hunger and desire for this meal. Spotting Alyssa, she gives the bluerider a wave towards her table. "Evenin', 'lys!"

Alyssa smiles briefly at Kassima before she crosses the floor directly to Meli. "Do you have a moment?"

Alyssa turns toward the bowl, nodding in replacement of a gesture. "Juliath's holding her left wing a little up and away from her. I was wondering if you could ask her if I might have a look at it?"

Meli glances out at the bowl. "Still?" she replies, then nods at the dragon healer. "I thought it was better by now... we've been /tryin'/ t'watch it th'last week or so." Momentarily going blank, she relays the message, then shovels a few quick bites into her mouth. "Mmph.." Swallow. "Lemme come w'you."

Alyssa frowns at the words "for the last week or so" and inquires, "How long has she been like that?"

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Ilseth begins her complaining even if she never stopped. <<This is so unjust! I wanted to see warmer areas and they won't let me and m rider leave!

Meli wipes at her mouth with her napkin, rising from the bench. "OH, 'bout ten or twelve days. Pulled somethin' during weyrling practice. We've been rubbin' it, and keepin' it warm, an' no long flights, an' no cold *between*."

Dragon> Ilseth bespoke Green dragons with << No. My rider told me it is because I'm in such a bad mood. I'm not in a bad mood! I'm just tired of males constantly crooning over me. >>

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Tabith does her best to sound wise, << It is always the males' fault. They always get us greens in trouble. >>

Ofira walks in slowly, hand pressed to the small of her back and greets her rider friends, "Good evening."

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Ilseth sounds with complete agreement << Yes they do! Always getting us in trouble when we don't want trouble! Stupid males. They are all from wherry stocks! >>

"Fine, fine..." Alyssa murmurs, heading again for the bowl, clearly in Dragonhealer Mode.

Juliath> Above, Meroth leaps into the air from Meroth and Quinath's Ledge high up the north bowl's west wall.

Meli waves at Ofira, and moves off after Alyssa. "Hey, Ofira, I'll be back in a bit. Keep Kassi company, eh? She looks s'if she's goin' t'fall asleep in her dinner."

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Tabith sounds enthusiastic over this, << I agree! >> Agreeing is what she's good at.

Benden LC> Ofira watches Alyssa and Meli go and turns to Kassima, "Something I said?"

Dragon> Ilseth bespoke Green dragons with << Why can't they just leave us alone when we want to be left alone? Always crooning over the silliest things...like colour! >>

Alyssa is purposefully crossing the bowl toward Juliath, though she's not so wrapped up in her mindframe that she forgets to salute T'fian and greet Meroth affectionately.

Benden LC> Kassima snaps out of a long conversation with her lifemate, and turns to Ofira, blinking in bewilderment. "Was what something you said? Evening, Ofira, too--sorry I didn't see you come in earlier."

Benden LC> Ofira smiles and maneuvers herself into a chair, sitting heavily, "I'm not sure how you could miss me!"

T'fian glances at the wingsecond, then at Meli's green. He looks thoughtful for a moment, then asks, "Something wrong?"

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Juliath rumbles half-sleepily. << Color? What about color? >>

Dragon> Ilseth bespoke Green dragons with << Yes. All the males are constantly crooning over my colour. Silly males! >>

Benden LC> Kassima chuckles wryly and jerks a thumb in the direction of the Bowl. "Her Ladyship," she explains. "Lysseth was of a mind for a good, long discussion on fire-lizards, m'arm, straps, a new flight manuever she's been trying, and just about anything else."

Alyssa moves directly up to Juliath and places hands on her flank to caress her gently. "She's holding her wing a little away from her body, T'fian. Juliath, love, can you lie down me? I'm not quite that tall, and I need to look at your shoulder."

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Juliath dragonchuckles. << Ah, yes. That is true. All males are Silly Males. They cannot help it. >>

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Lysseth yawns and rumbles as the conversation draws her attention. << All males are Silly, even if my clutchsister *does* say so. >>

Dragon> Tabith bespoke Green dragons with << But you are green, like you always have been. Like all of us. That /is/ extremely silly of them! >>

Meli relays this message, and in a quick moment Juliath has crouched down towards the bluerider.

Dragon> Ilseth bespoke Green dragons with << Silly males could never understand us and how we feel about all this attention. I actually had to threaten my talons to one who wanted to get too close to me. Of all the nerve! >>

T'fian watches the bluerider and her patient for a moment longer, then turns and heads into the living cavern.

Benden LC> Ofira shifts her weight as the baby kicks. "Oh? And what is her opinion on all of the above?" she grins.

Dragon> Juliath bespoke Green dragons with << Ah, Lysseth, Skinnybutt. Awake finally? >>

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Tabith inquires first, curiously, << Skinnybutt? >> before she turns her thoughts Ilseth-wards, << They just don't take a hint. >>

Dragon> Ilseth bespoke Green dragons with << Never have and never will...What does skinnybutt mean? >>

Benden LC> Kassima laughs and ticks things off on her fingers. "The fire-lizards are annoying, my arm still isn't healed enough that she'll even let me consider going *between*, her straps could use some oiling tonight, she's going to have to practice the manuever more on the morrow, and as to the rest--well, her opinions vary on everything." Grinning, she shifts in her seat to salute T'fian snappily. "G'day t'you, sir."

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Lysseth snorts at Juliath. << Yes, Lard-Legs. I've been awake longer than you have, I warrant. >>

Benden LC> T'fian nods to Salless and greets the other people in the cavern. "Master, Greenrider," he says towards Ofira and Kassima.

Dragon> Ilseth bespoke Green dragons with << They are males. They will always will be more the wherry brain than us. >>

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Juliath sends an image of a very scrawny Lysseth, just out of the egg, an image thoroughly fogged by long Turns. << /That/ is a Skinnybutt >> she replies, describing her clutchmate.

Benden LC> Ofira waves languidly at T'fian, one hand on her very large abdomen, "'Evening T'fian."

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Ilseth almost sounds like she is laughing..if not at all amused even more << Oh! >>

Sionelle walks over from the south, rubbing at the back of her neck, and stretching the muscles of her shoulders as she approaches.

Alyssa's hands move in an expert and gentle manner across Juliath's shoulder, frowning in concentration as she feels under the wing and its supporting muscles and tendons. The frown increases, both in concentration and concern. "Some swelling here, Meli. She's not been complaining about it?"

Benden LC> T'fian smiles at Ofira and asks, "When are you expecting, Master?" he asks. "If I'm not interrupting."

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Lysseth explains, << My rider says that lard is part of what makes animals so fat. Not to mention dragons as well. >> This, she directs mostly towards her clutchmate.

Meli's expression moves from casual interest to concern, leaning forward to look. "No, she hasn't really. Thought it was healin' ok."

Benden LC> Ofira smiles, "Not interrupting at all...I think Kassima and Lysseth are in deep conversation, actually, and I'm the one interupting. Some time in the next two sevendays, or so the healers tell me. I certainly feel ready!"

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Tabith mulls this over, and mentions, << I have never seen a fat dragon. >>

Benden LC> Kassima takes opportunity of the break in conversation to leave her chair and go questing out refreshments, dishing herself up a plate of stuffed mushrooms, ribs, pepper salad, and baked pudding. "'Twere nay interrupting, Ofira," she assures the Baker with a grin flashed over her shoulder. "She finally ran out of things to comment on for the nonce. 'Twould just about take being beaned on the head by a flying bovine to interrupt, when I'm buried in discussion with her."

Alyssa shakes her head and runs a finger down the deltoid. "Strained, though not badly. The only way you'll get her healed is to keep her grounded." She espies Sionelle and beckons her closer. "For at least a fortnight."

Benden LC> Ofira laughs, "Well...Emlyn seems to find me very much like a bovine these days, but no, I can't say I've been flying anytime lately."

Dragon> Juliath senses that Lysseth rumbles curiously as she watches Alyssa at work. << Did you hurt yourself worse than my rider says that your rider mentioned, runner-rear? >>

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Juliath rumblesnorts. << I am not fat. You are just skinny >> to Lysseth, then adds on the prior topic, << And all males are Silly, and often get in the way. >>

Benden LC> T'fian chuckles at the dialogue between greenrider and Master as he makes his way over to the regional specialties table.

Juliath> I bespoke Lysseth with << I do not know. It does not *ache* much, but it does not feel quite right. >>

Dragon> Green dragons sense that Lysseth adds to her sister's words, << Though some blues and bronzes can be all right, mind. >>

Benden LC> T'fian slides a square of the Baked Rivergrain Pudding onto his plate.

"A fortnight more?" Meli replies, moving forward to rest her hand against Juliath's side. "I didn't realize... I rubbed it like I was s'posed to, thought it was ok!" she ends on a rising note, her concern evident in her voice.

Benden LC> Kassima snorts at Ofira, waving a forkful of salad at her before sliding back into her seat. "You are *nay* a bovine," she says firmly. Her eyes twinkle as she appends to that, "For if'n 'twere, you'd have black and white patches or some such thing!"

Alyssa removes her hands from the strained muscle on Juliath's left shoulder to nod to Sionelle. "Weyrlingmaster, I was just telling your assistant here that Juliath's left deltoid's been overly strained. She has to be grounded for it to mend properly. I know you're drilling now..."

Sionelle nods, running her own critical gaze over the indicated shoulder. "We are," she says flatly. "But there's no need to risk further injury. There are plenty of rider who can take her place for a fortnight."

Benden LC> Ofira looks as if she is about to take offense and then her frown turns to a laugh, "Or you'd get me a dress like the one you did Caitria! At least Padraig doesn't seem to mind the way I look right now."

Benden LC> T'fian carries his plate of Igen rivergrain pudding over to the Skyfire table, pausing to get himself a mug of cold citron juice. He carefully sets the plate down at the table before sitting and extracting his satchel of hides from his clothing.

Meli continues to keep her hand on Juliath, peering at the muscle in question. At Sionelle's words, she cocks her head and glances back at the Weyrlingmaster. "Oh, we c'n still help out, jus' from th'ground an' all. An' chewin' 'stone will be ok, won't it?" she asks Alyssa.

Benden LC> Kassima peers over at T'fian's plate, and shakes her head. "That all you're going to eat, sir? Nay that 'tis nay good, mind, but the ribs are excellent today...." She grins over at Ofira, and winks briefly at the Baker. "Indeed! And 'twas just jesting with you, y'know that; i'truth, you're hardly a bovine. Now, if'n 'twere carrying six or *seven* babes at once, *then* maybe you might look a trifle bovine-ish...."

Alyssa continues caressing Juliath's green hide lightly, fondly, as she answers, "Well...not for a few days. Mastication can involve more muscles than you think, especially with firestone. I'll have to get you some liniment. Oh...and keep her from the hot springs for a few days as well. The heat would compound the swelling."

Benden LC> T'fian chews for a moment, looking a bit chagrined at having been caught with his mouth full. Unwilling to speak in such a state he simply nods until he's finally ready to swallow. After doing so, he smiles and says, "Yeah. There's already been some flooding in the upper Bitra Valley with the rising snow line, so Thread's not far off."

"But she'll be ok, right?" Meli asks, though it's obviously not a major injury, looking more for reassurance than anything else. "I'm sorry, Sionelle, s'a bad time f'this to happen."

"You're certainly welcome to help out with the interior work, Meli. Classes, chores and the like. But it would probably be better for everyone involved if you and Juliath stay out of the flight training and the rest of the drilling." Sionelle finally turns to face her assistant, and her expression is one of quiet expectation. Expectation that Meli will either protest vehemently, or take it all in stride.

Benden LC> Ofira laughs. "Faranth forbid! One healthy one will be quite enough for me!" She sobers at bit at T'fian's reply and nods, "The cold is passing already?" she says, surprised.

Benden LC> Kassima nods thoughtfully, twiddling a roast rib around in her fingers. "Nay far...." She glances down at her left arm absently, and hrms. "A couple sevendays, mayhaps? 'Tis about time, really; much as the break's likely done us all well, 'twill still be good t'be back up in the air and unimpeded by snow."

Benden LC> T'fian chuckles at Kassima. "I grew up on this. My Da' was a rivergrain farmer, so you could probably guess how often I had this in the thirteen turns until I was shipped up to Crom."

Benden LC> Ofira sighs. "I feel as if I've missed an entire season. I look forward to getting back outside again too," she nods.

Meli catches Sionelle's attitude, and straightens herself, nearly to full attention "Yes, ma'am!"

Alyssa looks from Meli to Sionelle and concentrates on the former. "She'll be *fine*, Meli. After a rest, some liberal application of liniment, and some loving care. Questions?"

Meli's eyes flick back over to Alyssa, and she replies, still facing Sionelle, "No, 'lys, I think I've got it. Lots o'liniment, an' rest." Back to Sionelle, expectantly.

Benden LC> T'fian nods to Ofira. "Well, up here, I figure there'll be maybe another winter storm. At least the snow level right now will continue to fluctuate, probably between six hundred and fifteen hundred meters. Down south though... from Bayhead on down, expect 'Fall any day." He pauses. "Speaking of which I ought to familiarize myself with the charts for the next few sevendays."

"Speaking of liniment," Sionelle says, which is probably not what Meli is expecting, "What've you got for sore -rider- shoulders?" She turns to Alyssa, back to rubbing her neck.

Meli's spine loosens a touch, and she clasps her hands behind her back, stepping back a minute amount, rather carefully and surruptitiously, til she can feel Juliath behind her.

Benden LC> Ofira nods, taking in the wingleaders explanation. "So even though we'll have winter here a bit longer, thread will be falling where it's warmer already," she says, recalling this from previous years and sighing. "Well, it can't be avoided I suppose."

Alyssa regards Sionelle pensively, then indicates the infirmary. "This way, please, each of you," she murmurs.

Benden LC> T'fian shakes his head. "Not for another thirty or so Turns," he agrees.

Sionelle turns back to Meli with a quirked eyebrow and a frown. The sort of frown that says 'Great. The Weyr Mommy wants to lecture us.' Then she follows.

Meli inclines her head, rubs a hand along Juliath's flank, and steps off towards the infirmary.

Benden LC> Ofira nods, "Well, by the time you all are out flying thread, I'll be back on my feet and able to see to it that there's always something hot and nourishing when you come back. It's not much, but it's all the kitchen can do for you."

Meli nearly marches in, then stops as she spots the dissected snake. Clearing her throat, she moves past it towards Alyssa and Sionelle.

Alyssa removes from the tallest press a jar that she presents to Meli, instructing her quietly, "Rub this into her shoulder morning, midday, nightfall for the next five days, then have her come back so I can look at her again, please."

Benden LC> T'fian laughs. "Well, without the kitchen, and its wonderful Bakers, I figure we really wouldn't be able to fly 'Fall," he comments. "Or at least, it wouldn't be worth it without this wonderful food."

Benden LC> Ofira smiles, "A reason to live!" she laughs. "It's kind of you to say, but hardly true. Still we do what we can, each in our own way."

Sionelle leans against one of the low cupboards, one finger idly stirring at a mixture in a mortar as she waits for her turn to be lectured.

Benden LC> T'fian looks at his pudding. "I don't know. I think it's rather true," he smiles.

Meli takes the jar quietly, nodding as she listens, and then eyes it a moment longer before letting her hand drop to her side, jar carefully tucked in the palm.

Benden LC> Ofira looks towards T'fian's plate. "I'm glad to know you like rivergrain pudding. I'll have to keep that in mind. I'm eager to get back to tryingout new recipes."

After resting a reassuring hand on Meli's arm, Alyssa shifts her focus onto Sionelle. "What's bothering you precisely, Sionelle?"

Benden LC> From the kitchen, Taira walks out of the passageway that leads down to the storerooms.

Sionelle pulls her finger out of the pot, and wipes it on her pants. "Just what I said. My shoulders. I dove out of the way of one of the less aerodynamic weyrlings, and I think I pulled a muscle rolling to a stop."

Benden LC> T'fian grins. "It reminds me of my childhood," he says, indicating his plate. "But I think I'm still more fond of any variation of herdbeast."

Benden LC> Ofira shifts uncomfortably as the baby turns again, "Yes...I find my favorite foods are the ones mother used to cook..I still don't have much of a taste for herdbeast or wherry, but perhaps it will return after the baby is born."

Benden LC> From the kitchen, Taira pauses out of the way, closing her eyes and inhaling through her nose... letting the scents catch around her as she smiles. "Mmmm..." Opening her eyes again and blinking, she gets out of the way of a huge pot and makes her way to the living cavern.

Alyssa glances toward the inner infirmary. "Garant would be a better person to help you than I...but I know he has a few things that can help. Hmm...wait a moment." She rummages through the smaller of presses designated for people healing and comes up with a small jar. "This is what Cerilla used to use."

Meli spends a moment speaking with Juliath, then finds herself unconsciously replicating Sionelle's previous position, holding up the wall of the infirmary with a shoulder.

Benden LC> T'fian grins. "Rosa couldn't eat a thing when she was pregnant. Or rather, she could eat quite a bit, but she couldn't keep anything down at all."

Benden LC> Taira comes out of the kitchen, somewhat shy at first though the warm everpresent smile is indeed everpresent. She has a bundle tucked under one arm and a cloth covered platter held in front of her.

Benden LC> Ofira nods to T'fian, "You know, I seem to remember that. She was expecting right around the time I came here, I think. I made her some broth..."

Benden LC> T'fian looks past Ofira and nods to the unfamiliar Apprentice Baker. "One of yours, Master?" he asks, shifting his gaze back to the Craftmaster.

Benden LC> Taira bows her head, blurting a good natured. "Reaches' duty... and Igen's, and Far Cry's, and... " She pauses, the list getting longer every turn.

Benden LC> Taira moves forward a bit. "Ma'am, sir... Bryena sent me from the training center at Reaches. She has a present for you and.." She grins down at the obvious baby to be. "The little one."

Benden LC> Ofira turns and looks at the young woman who stands holding a tray. "Indeed it is," she nods to T'fian. She smiles at the apprentice, "Did you leave anyone out Apprentice?" Benden LC> T'fian smiles. "Good evening, Apprentice. And welcome to Benden Weyr. I'm T'fian, blue Meroth's rider, and Wingleader of Skyfire Wing... and one of the pickier eaters of the Weyr."

Benden LC> Taira grins at Ofira. "The Baker's duty of course, but they're lucky enough to have you! What else could they ask?"

Benden LC> Ofira laughs, "Well said apprentice," she jokes, "Hmmm...Taira isn't it?" she muses.

Benden LC> Taira nods, blowing a stray curl from her face as she moves forward, the tray first to get it out of her hands before they can blister from the warmth any more. She sets it on a table. "She had all of the apprentices working on this... "

Sionelle takes the offered concoction wtih a suspicious sniff at the contents of the little jar. "Cerilla, you say?"

"I seem to recall her having similar problems," Alyssa comments with a very slight but sincere smile.

Benden LC> Taira turns her head from the unwrapping and grins again. She unwraps it carefully, peeling back the layers of cloth. A pile of sweet rolls, each sweetened and spiced with subtle differences from the homes of the apprentices and kept warm on the hot plate, are revealed.

Benden LC> Taira says "She thought it would be nice to let you see what the apprentices there do with the cuisines of their home holds and weyrs and... well... everywhere we come from." Meli's nose catches a whiff of whatever Alyssa has given Sionelle, and wrinkles perceptibly. Lifting her own jar, she eyes it suspiciously, comparing i's color to that of the Weyrlingmaster's concoction best she can.

Benden LC> Ofira smiles, "Oh...that looks wonderful! Did she send you with any message along with that?"

Benden LC> Ofira catches Taira's remark, "Oh, a good idea. Well, I look forward to sampling these, and I'm sure the rest of the Weyr will enjoy them too. " She turns to T'fian and Kassima, "Please, help yourselves," she gestures.

Alyssa smiles a little more broadly at Meli. "I just make it...the way the herbs smell is not quite my fault, greenrider."

Sionelle nods. "It's a common complaint among weyrlingmasters, I've been told." She pockets the smelly goop. Odds are it doesn't get used.

Benden LC> Taira nods, "And a gift that would be somewhat more lasting, as with the riders about no pack of rolls can last too long." The smile is goodnatured, as is the jibe.

Benden LC> Ofira looks curiously at Taira, "Oh?" She shifts again, trying to find some position that will be comfortable for more than five minutes.

Sionelle nods, and flashes a thoroughly lopsided, smile. "I'll just have to find a willing bronzerider to apply it, then, won't I?" The smile vanishes as abruptly as it appeared. Couldn't have been a real one, at that velocity.

Benden LC> Taira holds out the neatly wrapped packet, whatever in it soft and giving rather than solid.

Benden LC> T'fian shakes his head. "Thank you, no. My pudding's fine for now, Master." He looks at the apprentice and arches a brow, obviously not understanding the jibe.

Benden LC> Ofira takes the package curiously, "I can't imagine..." She works at the wrappings.

Alyssa remarks quietly as she moves back toward the press, "I'd help if you'd let me. But perhaps a weyrling could assist. Meli, I'll look forward to seeing you in a few days, then?"

Benden LC> Taira steps back to allow the unwrapping, curious herself as to what will be within.

Benden LC> Ofira lifts out a a finely woven shawl in shades ragning from sea shell pink to silvery rose to deep crimson, "Oh my!" she exclaims, "How beautiful! And it's so soft! What fine wool this is!"

Alyssa returns the salute, though she's not perhaps altogether delighted about it. "Remember, Meli. Grounded completely for a week to ten days, restricted to limited flight for the week after. Take care.:

Benden LC> Taira curls her fingers into the ends of her rough but much loved blue shawl. "Ohhh... it is lovely. I knew she had spent time at the weaver's tent at the winter festival.."

Benden LC> Ofira nods, smiling, "It'll be just the thing when I'm nursing the baby..." she begins to set aside the package, "Oh, look - a blanket for the baby as well," She lifts a blanket in shades of pale green of the same fine wool." She smiles , "Oh, Taira, you must tell her how much I love it! Or better, I'll send a message back with you."

Benden LC> Leda looks around the living cavern, trying to drink in all the details of this new place.

Benden LC> Taira smiles. "At your service, ma'am." She bows politely, then adds. "Bryena said to tell you that anything you needed, help or ingredients or anything, we'd be glad to help while you're spending time with the baby."

Benden LC> From her perch on Leda's shoulder, Kima cheeps inquisitively, examining the large cavern

Benden LC> Ofira nods, smiling. "Considering how much work has fallen on Bryena's shoulders because of me, she's being wonderful." Her manner changes adn becomes more formal, "So Apprentice, how do your lessons at the Training Center go?"

Benden LC> T'fian nods politely to the unfamiliar young woman who just entered. "Excuse me, ma'am," he asks. "Something that we could help you with?"

Benden LC> Taira curls her fingers, putting feeling back into them after all that carrying. "Oh, I like to think I'm doing well. It's hard when there are so many of us to train. I like learning the meals the other students know."

Benden LC> Ofira nods and braces her arms on the sides of the chair, pushing her feet into the floor in a vain effort to get to her feet. "Perhaps you can show me a bit of what you've been learning..."

Benden LC> Leda finally hears the new voice, turns sheepishly to T'fian and nodds. "Well... I really could use some help, rider. I'm a little new here, and I was wondering if it was possible I could stay awhile?"

Benden LC> Taira moves forward to offer the craftmaster a hand... with all her cousins, she's used to pregnant aunts. "Well, one of the rolls there is mine..."

Benden LC> T'fian nods to Leda. "Well, good eve, then. I'm T'fian, the Wingleader of Skyfire Wing, and rider of blue Meroth. I'm sure that we have a place for you to stay, but as our Head Cook, Salless, will attest, you will have to pay for your bed and board with some labor. Where are you from?"

Benden LC> Ofira takes Taira's arm and struggles to her feet. "There!" She heads to the kitchen at full waddle.

Benden LC> Leda nods "I'm perfectly willing to work. I'm used to it. I'm Leda, of Rayeda hold, a very small hold in the Telgar area.

Benden LC> T'fian nods. "Well met, Leda of Rayeda Hold," he replies. "What brings you so far from home? If you don't mind my asking."

Benden LC> T'fian glances towards the entrance and smiles. "Hiya, Alyssa," he calls to his wingsecond. "How's Juliath?"

Benden LC> Leda rises. "Well, my father was a harper there at Rayeda, and he and my mother felt I should go out to see more of pern than that simple small hold, so they persuaded one of the watchriders to take me off, and here i am."

Benden LC> Alyssa foregos the usual salute to T'fian and answers with a little frown, "She'll be fine. It's a minor injury for all intents and purposes but was allowed to sit too long without rest. It's not but it's not really like Meli...she must have something on her mind."

Benden LC> T'fian nods, biting his lip. "Well, I'm sure she's been quite busy as Sionelle's assistant," he says slowly. To Leda he says, "He musta been a Harper to get a watchdragon to take you out of there."

Benden LC> Alyssa smiles a little shyly at Leda before collecting the jacket she left earlier, along with a slice of cheese and some bread.