Central Bowl
Seven spindles brush the clouds -- quite literally -- overhead, a jagged, spired cotillion grey-stoned majesty. The bowl from here is expansively large, extending a full half mile in both directions, and although sometimes a bit of a stretch, most of the hubs of activity can be easily observed. Hard-packed ground shows the common pathways, all of them meandering about the craggy bunch of boulders that form a centerpiece: carven, hand-worn and foothold-full, it gives a bit of centerpoint to the otherwise vast emptiness of the area.
To the north lie the hatching grounds and leadership weyrs, while the lows of herdbeasts mark the feeding pens to the northeast. A flurry of ever-present activity marks the living caverns to the west, and another time-traveled path the ground weyrs just adjacent to the southwest. Southeast, a glint of blue shows the lake, glittering and cold.
It is a summer afternoon.
Clinging to footholds in the boulder-mound are fifteen firelizards.
Green Zoryanth, green Kelitath, brown Revnath, green Miravith, brown Sevareth, blue Decuth, brown Druseth, blue Catiminith, blue Mzadith, and Brown Dsalth are here.
You see a wagonmaster, George Dubya bush, Wagon One, Mara, and Trash n Treasures here.
P'rru is here.

Reiko steps out of the ground weyrs, blinking irritably at the sunlight until her eyes adjust. Spotting P'rru, she inclines her chin in a subtle if marginally civil greeting. When she's near enough to be heard, she adds a quiet, "Morning." It's light out, must be morning, no? A twisted halfsmile curls her lips, and she turns to greet Dsalth as well. "Nice enough day, wouldn't you say?" Oh, making conversation. Someone's clearly had her klah quota for the day.

P'rru is adjusting the leather padding underneath Dsalth's new spiffy straps, tugging, pushing prodding. "Aye, hello there Reiko, yes tis nice enough after sweeps and such I guess" rider seems marginally tired and so flumps against heavy sorrel shoulder. Dsalth pokes his muzzle round for a rudimentry sniff of Reiko. Hello.

Reiko arches an eyebrow, then nods. Oh yes. Sweeps. A low chuckle escapes her as she's sniffed. "Hello to you, too," she murmurs, reaching out to stroke the soft muzzle. Glancing back at P'rru, she shakes her head. "Still holding the Headwoman hostage, is he?" Yes, word travels fast... or maybe it's just that there's not much for residents to do other than gossip and drink klah. The brownrider's flump is noted, but no comment is made.

P'rru coughs "Amalia?" he repeats "Shells how do you know about that?" brownrider shakes his head, glaring at his dragon. "No I took her back early this morning, we she'd had a bit too much of my wine last night" shrug. Dsalth snorts almost smugly into his forepaws. Hehe. Lookit what he did.

Reiko smiles that same twisted halfsmile. "Purr, dear, the entire Weyr knows about it. You didn't think nobody'd notice?" This half to Dsalth, because she thinks he's looking just a bit too smug. "Some say he's collecting a... 'hareem' for you." Emerald eyes sparkle with amusement... could it be she's picturing poor Purr surrounded by women?

P'rru swallows "My reputation is utterly ruined, how can anyone take me seriously now?..it's not as if anyone but Dsalth has been happy with the idea of being weyrmated to an old coot like me" this at least causes a grin from the brownrider who pushes at the sorrel snout roughly. "Oh be quiet lughead"

Reiko shakes her head, regarding P'rru thoughtfully, then a twinkle lights her eyes. "I'm sure he only wants you to be happy." And certainly there are dragons about 'Reaches with more frightening obsessions. She turns an appraising gaze to Dsalth now. "Don't you?" Not really expecting any kind of answer, she arches an eyebrow and turns back to P'rru. "You've just got to get out more." Or something.

P'rru snorts this time it's his turn as Dsalth peers back at Reiko. "I'm just glad everyone has been such sports about it...well perhaps Kinecha took it more harshly but that was not her fault.." being soggy and wet on a ledge trapped by a dragon wasn't fun on anyone's account. "Amalia took it just as well I think dear woman"

"Did she?" Reiko's expression is bemused. Well, perhaps that will cure the guard of her rather irrational attraction to Dsalth. Or not. "I'm sure she'll recover nicely." A nod acknowledges P'rru's assessment of Amalia's reaction, but no comment is made, since Reiko knows the headwoman by sight only. The twisted halfsmile returns as she glances sidelong at the big brown, idly wondering who'll be next. Returning her gaze to P'rru, she ventures to change the subject. "How's the little one -- Kaorru?" Seems ages ago she went to Ista to visit; now she hears the whole brood has moved to 'Reaches?

P'rru says, "Aye tis wonderful to have him a few ledges away" Rider notes, settling into the change of topic with almost relief. "He's a marvelous boy, less...how can I say...obnoxious than the rest of Kwa's lot?" grin. "Dsalth is fair taking a liking too him aswell...of course Skylark might ahve something to do with that..." Purr trails off as he repositions himself against the dragon's shoulder comfortably. "How's it in the infirmary?""

Reiko chuckles, not really sure if she's met any of 'Kwa's lot' but everlastingly glad she didn't choose nannying as an occupation. The longer she's in the Weyr the more frightening weyrbrats become. "Goooood." The word is drawn out thoughtfully. "And the infirmary is fine. Elehu's been teaching me some of the basics... " She shrugs lightly. "It's been pretty quiet, though." No life-threatening injuries, births or other emergencies. In a word, dull.

"I like Elehu" Purr states "She's a good woman, good for the infirmary to have her aswell- your not hinking about leaving us to join the healer's are you?" sudden idea pops into the rider's head and he visibly grimaces. Dsalth too perks up, blinking at the assistant. "I'm suprised there's been less births about actually, I thought there was a rash of pregnancies- though awhile ago I do admit"

Zhaan blinks in from ::between::!

Reiko laughs outright at that. "Apprentice? /Me/?" There are a couple of reasons why that wouldn't work out so well. She shakes her head. "I don't think so." Even if she were to *gasp* change her mind, with two journeyman healers right at the Weyr she'd hardly have to leave for the Healer Hall. Then she hears the rest of the rider's words and chuckles. "Something in the water? Perhaps they don't have the decency to give birth while I'm on duty." Or maybe in a few sevendays we'll have babies coming out our ears? Who can say...?

P'rru grins "Fancy some klah? I could do with a mug of the stuff right now" rider offers, blinking up to survey the sky. "Then I'll have to really get stuck into fitting those straps for Dsalth properly" as if the dragon cares, practically snoozing away in the sunny spot of the bowl.

Reiko's eyes light up as P'rru says the magic word. "Love some, thanks." She glances over at the sleepy dragon, noticing the straps for the first time. "New set? Nice." Someone's been busy sewing. Glad it wasn't herself. She turns back to P'rru with a twisted little smile, waiting for him to walk with her to the caverns.

P'rru clips to the Caverns.

Zhaan glides in from the Central Bowl.

P'rru doesn't hesitate to bring a full pot of klah and a couple of mugs towards one of the bigger tables. "Here we are, dear..." he notes setting himself down. "Been a long day hasn't it?" yawn. "Oh well nevermind"

Ceridwin arrives from deeper in the Weyr.

Reiko sinks gratefully into a chair opposite P'rru and fills one of the mugs for herself... and, after a beat, fills the other as well. "Thanks." Long day? Hm. Reiko decides not to mention that she's only been awake a few hours. Maybe it's /not/ really morning after all? From the corner of her eye she notices Ceri entering and gives a nod in greeting. "Morning."

Tevya arrives from deeper in the Weyr.

Ceridwin slides with grace to the side tables and picks over the fruit.. and grabs a mug of juice and then hedges and grabs some cheese as we. "Hmmm?" Turning around at the voices.. "Oh, hey Reiko, P'rru.. Howa re you both today?"

Zhaan chirps and watches silently. He's not hungry just yet..he's only curious. Don't pay attention to the little blue who seems to be following people around. He clings to the wall and hunkers his little body down to watch in the shaddows.

Ceridwin snags a chair and sits, eating with a casual disregard, as if the food really isn't all that important.

"What is that smell?" Tevya's voice asks, drifiting into the caverns, moments before she actually does. "Can you smell it?" She asks the others, before giving a small smile in way of greeting.. "I'm sorry..it's just /that/ smell!" And she steps inside to futher investigate what led her here.

P'rru takes his mug, sipping gratefully. "I'm faring just fine, Ceridwin, how are you?" the rider asks, giving the woman an easy smile" Purr, hearing Tevya, sniffs at the air "Can't smell anything far out of the ordinary" he notes, head cocked to one side as he regards her. "What are you talking about?"

Reiko looks over the rim of her mug through narrowed eyes at Tevya, about to echo P'rru's question but deciding against it at the last moment. Instead she decides to answer Ceri's question. "Well enough, thanks. You?"

Ceridwin says, "oh, me? I'm fine thanks." Flashes a smile to both P'rru and Reiko.. "Sorry Tev, I can't smell anything unusual."

"I dont know..it's -" she sniffs the air, before shrugging, "I thought it came from in here. It's just a strange smell is all." She abandons her search of the smell before heading to the hearth and pouring herself a mug of juice. "Sorry about that..must've been something outside." She then takes up a table nearer the others, periodically sniffing the air for that pugnent smell that led her here.

Zhaan suddenly disappears ::between::!

P'rru chuckles hoarsely to himself. "Aye, perhaps carried in from the bowl" something do pong a bit out there. "Ah well, nevermind, lass" and brownrider resigns himself to more klah intake...gee the days you could just use an IV line.

Mumbling her good days, Ceri rather abruptly stands and heads out to the bowl.

Ceridwin exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.

Carver arrives from deeper in the Weyr.

Carver exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.

Reiko hms softly to herself. "I hadn't noticed." Of course, one can become accustomed to just about anything. Another long sip later, she looks over at Tev. "Morning." Evidently Reiko has decided it's time for a proper greeting, rather than a discussion about various odors.

"Afternoon, Reiko, P'rru." Tev grins softly before leaning back in her chair. Things did tend to happen like that..and she had carried on like it was a big deal. "How've things been?" Of course, the comment was directed at both people present, and Tevya takes the time to sip from her mug. "Good I hope?" The last is added after she wipes her mouth with thumb and forefinger, then sets her mug down on the table.

P'rru has disconnected.
P'rru falls asleep.

Reiko shrugs lightly, deciding to ignore the fact that she's being corrected - again - on the time of day. "Fine. Quiet." She arches an eyebrow. "What have you been up to?"

"Cleaning under my cot, keeping my area of the dorms clean. Not much really." Her gaze faulters slightly, but that was only normal. Tev could only be brave in so many situations. "It has been unusually quite though, these past few sevendays." An idle observation, but one that hasn't gone unnoticed.

Reiko fixes a twisted halfsmile on Tevya. "If you think there's nothing unusual about the headwoman being spirited away to Dsalth's ledge..." Now that P'rru's not around, she can be candid, right?

"What?!" Tevya rocks forward, glancing around the caverns, "Dsalth abducted the headwoman?" A flash of something flickers across her face..renewed fear in Dsalth? Could be.. "But P'rru said Dsalth was harmless..that he.." And she actually got a ride on Dsalth.. "Is she still there?"

Reiko shakes her head, one thin eyebrow disappearing behind her thick fringe of bangs. "Brought home this morning, none the worse for wear... or so P'rru says." She lifts her mug for another long sip, draining it, and returns it to the table with a soft thud. "Dsalth looked just a bit ... smug, if you ask me."

"Dsalth actually took, /our/ headwoman?" Tev shakes her own head in silent thought, if the headwoman wasnt safe, who was? "So he did bring her back..did she act, okay?" What Tev wanted to know was..was she all there..like no missing limbs and the likes. But she couldn't ask that..not with out risking looking like a fool.

Reiko shrugs. "I didn't actually see her," she admits, having heard the story from P'rru. "But I assume we'd have heard if she weren't." Okay, that is. Reiko's complete unconcern is in direct contrast to Tevya's nervousness, but the infirmary assistant seems oblivious to this fact.

"Oh.." Tevyas soft comment is followed by a gulp from her mug. "Dsalth seemed well enough when he and P'rru gave me a ride to Ista." Shards, she'd have no idea what she'd have done if they'd landed else where. "Wonder why he took her though..there had to be some reason?" Or not, Tev was meerly curious.

"Welllll," Reiko refills her mug from the pot on the table and fixes a teasing gaze on Tevya. "I heard a rumor he's collecting a hareem for poor Purr." Volunteers, anyone? Mwaha.

"What? Do dragons actually do that?" Still, she cant help but let a grin escape her, "What does P'rru say about this?" Oh, gossip in it's worse form. "That would explain the abductions though.."

Reiko smiles that twisted halfsmile. "He's mortified, of course." She shakes her head. "Really, it can't be /that/ difficult to find a nice girl." Reiko ought to know, after all.

Tevya has to laugh at that, "He cant stop Dsalth either? Now thats amazing." She peers around once more before asking, "Who else did Dsalth take? This is the first I've ever heard about it.." Tev doesnt reply to the latter..she knows to many people who'd agree with her..especially the 'Reaches very own walking pick-up line.

Reiko chuckles. "Kinecha." The irony of that little incident is not lost on Reiko.

"Kinecha! But she's a guard..and..well she's a guard!" Add that to the list of unbelievables Tevs faced today and she's struck dumbfounded. "Now that must've really embarassed P'rru."

She's also the last person on Pern who'd want to be weyrmated to a male rider, but Reiko doesn't bother to mention that bit of information. "I gather she was there for several days before Dsalth would let her leave - left P'rru standing on the lakeshore and refused to pick him up!" Emerald eyes twinkle with amusement. "And wouldn't let any other dragons land on his ledge." Fun.

Tevya snorts loudly as she laughs, "Now that is interesting." For many reasons, as Tev does remember several Reiko and Kinecha interactions, but she remains silent there, respecting their privacy. "And Dsalth finally let her leave? Poor P'rru..I'd have been furious if that'd happened to me." A slight nod before she leans back in her chair.

Reiko nods, obviously undisturbed by the entire incident. "Yes... although I've not seen her since. I imagine she's got some work to catch up with." Recruits to torment, hidework.... some such nonsense. "P'rru is definitely beside himself." She snorts lightly, nearly a laugh. "He should just go find himself a nice young lady and have done with it."

Tevya grins, "Or maybe Dsalth will manage to." She grins at that last remark..the entire situation was rather amusing..though she wasnt in P'rru's position. "Where would he find one anyway? I mean, there's really not much of an opportunity around here." Tev asks.

Reiko arches an eyebrow. "The Weyr is /full/ of women." Riders, weyrfolk... "Not to mention the crafters he's always mingling with." Vintners, StarCrafters, Dolphineers. She shrugs expressively, then returns to her klah.

Tevya nods, "Yes, but when are they actually out in about, in an..available manner. Wouldn't it be easier with a Weyr party of some sorts?" Tevya grins, not meaning she'd actually attempt throwing one..but the idea was interesting.

Reiko shrugs lightly. "There've been several." Weyrling graduation for one. Purr's turnday for another. "He was interested in a particular StarCrafter for a while, but I heard she was handfasted recently."

Tevya frowns, "Well that's got to be bad..hmm..I guess if he wants to find someone he will, though Dsalth seems more intent upon it." She grins once more before picking her mug back up.

Reiko drains her mug and gets to her feet. "I'm sure they'll work it out," she says vaguely. "I should be getting to the infirmary, though." Probably some important bottles to dust. Or something.

Tevya nods as she settles back once more, "Well then, have a pleasant day."