The cast:

Amarese  (SurfBlaster Wingrider, Igen Weyr - rider of green Cvyarth)
Marion  (lost 2 Turn old little girl)
Resa  (Harper Sr. Apprentice, Crom Hold)
Hynavu  (Harper Apprentice, Crom Hold)
Strethan  (Probationary Apprentice Healer, Crom Hold)

Also seen:

Imberite  (Harper Apprentice, Crom Hold)
Veili  (Weaver Crafthead Second)

Firelizards:

Frosty  (blue)
Eirekki  (bronze)
Duskwing  (blue)
Trouble  (brown)

Cyvarth lands lightly on the ground and furls her wings.

Amarese swings from Cyvarth's back, by use of a handy foreleg.

Amarese lands onto the ground with a half-audible thump. Standing straight,
 leathers are dusted off, and the rider makes it a point to straighten out her
 attire. Icy blue eyes look up from her task, and a rather surprised blink is
 offered once Marion is spotted. "Oh. H'lo there." she says, sort of absently.

Marion looks up at Amarese, knuckling her eyes, "h'wo"

Amarese tilts her head a bit to the side, smiling slightly. "D'you live here?"
 she questions, sending a glance towards the central bowl area.

Marion shakes her head, sniffling, "I live with my mama, and dada...they take
 me here and go byebye..."

Amarese just looked at you.

Amarese frowns now, crouching down to be on level with the young girl. "Your
 parents don't live with you?" she questions, after a moment's silence.
 Apparently, this is the first thing to pop in the greenrider's mind.

Marion sniffs, looking confused..."My mama and dada live with me...but they go
 byebye...they don't come back for a loong time!"  her eyes widen to show just
 how long it was.

Amarese frowns even deeper. No motion is made, the greenrider just staying how
 she is; thinking. "A long time? How long is that?" Amar questions softly. Not
 that she's expecting an accurate answer from a two turn old or anything.

Marion frowns, "A wooooooong time!!" She holds her hands as far apart as
 they'll go,  "They left me there!"  she says pointing vauguely to the road at
 the entrance to the weyr.

Amarese bobs her head slowly. The frown hasn't even lightened up. "Well," sigh
 "whose been watching you?" This is important, of course. Green dragon, who
 had been standing in the background, listening, now lets off a soft,
 reassuring croon. Of course, define reassuring to a two turn old.

Marion looks up amazed at the green dragon, then with wide eyes at Amerese,
 "You mad at me?"  then she points at the green dragon, "He mad at me?"

Amarese shakes her head, widening her eyes a bit. "Oh, no, of course not. Just
 trying to figure things out." she explains. A glance is sent back to the
 green dragon, a slight grin tugging the corners of her mouth, despite the
 situation. "No, Cyvarth's not mad at you. She's just concerned."

Marion looks up at the biiig dragon, and smiles, "He's not?"  she says,
 pleased, with herself, and noticing Amarese's smile, she grins, saying, "Your
 not?"

Amarese shakes her head firmly. "No, she's not. And neither am I." Why should
 they be? Amar obviously knows better than to ask. She fidgets for a moment;
 thinking. "Well.. I'm on my way to the Hold. Would you like to come with me?"
 Apparently, she doubts the return of Marion's parents.

Marion nodsnods, then looks around, "It's dark here...it's scary!"  she says,
 then sticks her fingers in her mouth, looking up at the dragon.

Amarese smiles faintly at the little girl, nodding. "Yes, well. I suppose it
 would be." She moves forward a bit, to gather up the small girl.

Lhanath slinks, swishing svelte tail rhythmically toward Western Curve.

Marion reaches out her hands for her new caretaker, letting herself be picked
 up.

Amarese picks up the girl carefully, frowning all over again as she realizes
 that Marion's shoeless. Dismissing it from her mind, she shakes her head.
 "Well, then. I guess it would help if you knew my name. I'm Amarese. And that
 is Cyvarth." the rider introduces, head nodded towards the patiently waiting
 dragon. Original business at the weyr has long been forgotten.

Marion looks up at the dragon and waves timidly, "H'wo cievath!" then she
 grins, "And h'wo am'rese!"

Amarese grins at that. "You can call me Am, if you want. And Cyv doesn't mind
 being called Cyv, either." is informed. Having reached the dragon's side,
 here comes a problem. "I'm going to pass you up, okay? Grab on tight to that
 there" she indicates a strap "until I get up. Okay?"

Marion noddles, and does exactly what Am tells her to, and grins, "Tankoo!"

Amarese swings up to Cyvarth's neck and firmly straps herself in.

Astride Cyvarth, Marion giggles, "Pretty cyv!"

Astride Cyvarth, Amarese swings up behind Marion, settling the child gently
 before her. Straps done quickly and firmly, the greenrider smiles at the
 compliment. "Cyv is pretty." rider affirms, a warble rumbling up from the
 dragon below her. "Alright." Frown. "You've never gone between, have you?"

Astride Cyvarth, Marion looks up at Am, confused-like, "Don't know..."

Astride Cyvarth, Amarese purses her lips, shaking her head. "Well, alright
 then. I don't think you have. You would've remembered, no doubt. We're going
 to go to a place where everything's gone. Just count to three slowly, and
 know that Cyv and I are here with you. Okay?"

Astride Cyvarth, Marion looks up at Am with wide and nods, patting Cyv, "Cyv
 take care me!  I'll count one...two...three, and Cyv takes care of me!"  she
 says counting on her fingers.

Astride Cyvarth, Amarese smiles and nods. Taking a deep breath, giving the
 little child a squeeze, she nods her head in the okay signal for Cyvarth to
 take off and head between.

Sky Above Northern Curve of the Bowl

your mossy form slip ::between::

::between::

You hang in the freezing blackness of ::between::...

It's dark here.  Very dark.  Where did Pern go?
It's also rather cold.  Extremely cold in fact.
And you can't breathe.  Or move.
When is it going to end...?

Sky Above the Hold Courtyard

your mossy form slip from ::between::, bugling a greeting to any nearby
 dragon.

Astride Cyvarth, Marion starts breathing very hard and pats Cyv saying, "Cyv
 took care of me...and Am took care of me!"  she's nodding.  Then she looks at
 her hands, "Forgot to count..."

Immediately upon emergence, a reassuring squeeze is offered to the little.
 Smile quirks the corner of Amarese's mouth. "Yes, Cyv took care of you. And I
 did." she says. A grin splits at the comment. "That's alright, really. Now
 Cyv's going to backwing and land.." she warns, just as the green moves to do
 so.

Hold Courtyard

Imberite quietly tunes his drums as he looks around the courtyard, he smiles
 as he hears the green dragon bugle as he looks up excitedly to watch the
 green dragon leand.

Astride Cyvarth, Marion giggles as the dragon lands, "It's fun on Cyv! "
 completely forgetting that she just went between...in that strange way that
 only littles can.

Astride Cyvarth, Amarese grins, shrugging slightly. She'd be the first one to
 agree-- but then again, that dragon beneath her is the other half of her
 soul. "Alrighty then. We're going to swing down, okay? Ready?" Imberite
 hasn't been noticed quite yet-- greenrider's busy with the little in front of
 her.

Astride Cyvarth, Marion nodsnods, "ready!" she says grabbing Am's arms.

Hold Courtyard

Amarese swings from Cyvarth's back, by use of a handy foreleg.

Imberite smiles as he waves with drum in between his legs and face up, "'Ello
 both of you, and Welcome ta Crom!" He's being the little friendly one isn't
 he?

Marion wavels at Imberite, "H'wo!  Cyv's fun!  And Cyv's pretty!"  she says,
 completely wrapped up in the big green dragon.

Avaly quietly walks in with a smile out from the Hold.

Amarese swings from the dragon's back, carefully landing onto the ground, with
 the slightest creasing of knees to rid the shock. The little is set down
 then, Amarese stretching up. Speech is the first indication that there's
 another. Icy gaze shifts over to Imberite, and she nods a greeting. Grin
 spreading across her face, she absently bobs her head in agreement with
 Marion. "Yes, well." To Imberite: "Amarese and Cyvarth of Igen Weyr." she
 states, in introduction.

Resa merrily pounces along out from the Hold.

Marion looks at the green dragon with shining eyes, "Cyv's BIIIG too!!"  she
 says.

Avaly pads out humming not giving the situation a second thought as she passes
 through.

Bourbon has arrived.

Avaly drops Bourbon.

Avaly quietly walks in with a smile toward Crom Road.

Resa bounces out of the Hold, headed... for nowhere's it seems.  She just
 wants to escape from classes for a little while.  She offers a wave and a
 smile as she spots the dragons and riders.

Marion looks around at the people around her and says, "Look at Cyv, he's
 pretty!  He took care of me, and so did Am!"  she's /really/
 excited...perhaps she's never seen a dragon before...

Amarese chuckles, nodding. "Yes, she is. Most dragon's tend to be." This proud
 rider isn't about to admit that her green is among the smaller of the
 creatures. Resa spotted-- identified as a new entrant- the rider goes through
 her introductions again. "Amarese and Cyvarth of Igen Weyr." Robot. Why don't
 we just program that into her skull? Marion is grinned at yet again.

Imberite quietly notes to the rider, "Oh yes, Igen wonderful place to
 vacation." He nods before tuning his drum a bit, "So what 'cha here for?"

Marion looks around wondering...alot of new people are around, she wanders
 over the the man with the drum, "I'm Mawon...I'm this many!" she says,
 holding up two fingers, "Who're you!?"

Imberite bows politely toward the little girl, "Oh hello Mawon." He tries to
 get the voice right, "I am Imberite, Harper Apprentice here at the hall of
 Crom. You can call me Imber, it's a lot easier to say."

Imberite just looked at you.

Resa sees the wave and decides to wander over, a special smile given to the
 greendragon.  "Hello... I'm Resa.

Amarese smiles at Imberite, nodding. "I just found that out for myself about
 three sevendays ago." she informs. "What brings me here?" She pizzles a
 moment. "Oh, yes. Imberite, right?" She had just caught the name. "Here to
 speak with a.." memory is searched "Tarene." she says, smiling faintly.
 "Messaging service." she explains. As if anyone even asked. Marion is watched
 carefully a moment; no use loosing the little. Resa's introduction is met
 with a smile. "'lo, Resa." Seeing the special attention to her, Cyvarth
 twists her head around to regard the girl placidly.

Bourbon chitters quietly to everyone as he stares in awe at the big dragons.

Marion grins at Imber, "Hi Amber!!  And Hi Rees'!

Marion starts exploring her surroundings, eyeing everything with curiosity,
 before returning to Am, and then wandering off to explore some more.

Resa turns, giving the small girl a smile too, "And hello to you too!  "  Her
 glance never really leaves the dragon though... yep, this harper has dragon
 fever. Turning to the rider, she asks curiously her dragon's name.  "She's
 beautiful...."  Wow...

Imberite smiles, "Tarene, well I've only seen her once. Resa... I have ta go
 take a message to the drumheights, maybe you could help Amarese with whatever
 she needs?" He wanders out to the Hold doors.

Imberite snugs Marion! Marion is snugged!

Marion waves at Imber, "Byebye!!!"

Marion giggles at Resa, "That's Cyv!  He took care of me...he'll take care of
 you too if you need it I bet!"

Resa nods to Imber, waving to him as he leaves.  Turning back to the little
 girl, she listens, "Cyv, huh?  And she took care of you too? You're lucky to
 have such a friend!"

Amarese mms, watching everything in silence for a while. She's still situated
 next to her dragon; the closeness allowing the rider to lay a hand on her
 lifemate's side. At Resa's question and compliment, Amar smiles. "Her name's
 Cyvarth." Apparently all those introductions weren't enough. Ah, well. Eyes
 track after the wandering little a moment. Smile is flashed at the girl's
 giggle before attention swerves to Resa. Imber's exit gets an absent wave, as
 well. "Ah.. well. You wouldn't have happened to have seen Tarene, now would
 you?" she questions.

Marion giggles and then grows very serious, "We went to the scary black place,
 but I knew that Cyv would take care of me!  ANd Am too!"

Resa splits her attention between the little girl and the rider, nodding to
 the first before replying, "Hmm, not today, but I've been holed up in classes
 most of the day. Sorry! Wish I could help more!"

Bourbon flitters into the Hold.

Amarese doesn't mind split attention. Really. Glancing down at Marion, having
 barely heard Resa, the frown reappears. "Ah, well. I guess I can just leave
 it for her for later, then." she says, shrugging. Eyes don't leave the
 little, yet nothing else is said.

Marion suddenly finds a patch of flowers!  Oh how wonderful!  "Oh!   Mawon
 /loves/ flowers!"  she squeals and proceeds to fill her pockets with the
 fragrant purple flowers.

Resa nods, "That you can do...  "  A smile is again offered to the rider.
 turning as she hears Marion squeal. "You too Marion? I think most girls like
 them."

Amarese giggles faintly at the use of third person, her eyes still following
 after the poor little girl. "Don't take too many now." she warns, still
 giggling quietly. She mms at Resa, nodding faintly. Nose is wrinkled at the
 generalization; apparent, Amar's going to disagree, whether she really likes
 them or not. Go figure.

Marion stops gathering flowers and picks an especially pretty one and toddles
 over to Am, holding it up to her with one hand and sticking the other one in
 her mouth as she grins.

Resa grins, watching Marion.

Amarese tilts her head at Marion, smiling. Flower taken from the little, rider
 murmurs her thanks. Maybe she doesn't dislike flowers so bad.

Marion giggles up at Am, "you like pretty flow'rs?"  she asks.

Amarese uh-ohs. Can't fib, now, can we? "Sure, I like pretty flow'rs." Let's
 just tell a slight lie-- no, misdirection. Being half-allergic to them
 doesn't mean she has to dislike them.

Resa chuckles softly as she watches the rider's face, wondering at the
 expressions that cross it.  In the meantime, she steps closer to the green,
 eyes taking in the color variations of her hide.  Wow...

Marion giggles at Amarese and runs off to look for other interesting stuff to
 look at.

Cyvarth warbles quietly over to Resa, opalescent eyes regarding the young
 harper with a touch of curiousity.

Resa chuckles again, offering the pretty dragon a scritch if she wants one.
 Should be easier scritching Cyvarth than it is Gaderith!

Marion looks over at the dragon, hearing him, then giggles, "Silly Cyv, what
 noise you makin'?"  and, seeing a pretty blue rock, she picks it up, gazing
 at it, and grinning, "pretty!"

Amarese grins at Marion, eyeing the flower. Cyvarth croons at the harper,
 leaning into the scritches a little bit. Eye tilts towards the little at the
 question, but the dragon doesn't particulary answer.

Resa smiles, scritching along the green's eyeridges then back towards the
 headknobs, hoping they're some of the same itchy spots that Gaderith has.

Cyvarth croons again, head ducking down all the way to rest on her forepaws.
 Wedged head is tilted towards Resa; oh yes, there's itchy spots. And the
 Harper's found one, too.

Marion grins at Cyv and mumbles, "Silly silly Cyv, laying on the ground," but
 she continues to stare at the pretty little blue rock...oops! there it goes,
 into her pocket with the flowers!

Resa laughs, taking her cues from the green and moves her scitching hands were
 they're needed.

Amarese is torn between watching her dragon and watching the little girl.
 Since the dragon seems to be able to take care of herself, the battle is won,
 eyes resting on Marion. A chuckle is hidden behind an upraised hand, icy blue
 flickering for a moment.

Marion suddenly looks over at Am, worried-like "Am?  Is mama and papa gonna
 come get me?"

Diamath snorts softly as something or other wakes him, his eyes unlidding
 slowly and having a quick looksee.

Amarese freezes at that question. Simple enough, it has a rather complicated
 answer. "I don't really think so, Mawon." rider replies, quietly. Bronze
 dragon is eyed a moment, but the rider pretty much disregards him.

Marion looks at Am quizzically, "You gonna take me to 'em?  And why you say my
 name funny?"

Resa jumps as the bronze snorts, turning to look at him as she scritches the
 green's head.  One ear is kept turned to the conversation between Am and
 Marion as she wonders why the little girls parents aren't going to come get
 her....

Amarese wrinkles her nose a bit. "That's the only way I know to say it, dear."
 she says, slowly, with a shrug. "I can take you to them. But only if you tell
 me who they are."

From Sky Above the Hold Courtyard, Yrewth is out of ::between:: with only a
 swish of cold air and a soft trumpet his warning.

Yrewth lands lightly on the ground and furls his wings.

Astride Yrewth, H'rul says, "Here we are, safe and sound!  You can 'dismount'
 when ready."

With H'rul waving from behind, Veili departs Yrewth's shoulder and slides to
 the ground.

Veili slips down from the rider's dragon, a grimace on her face.  Feet
 clumsily find footing, and she places a hand on her stomach, letting out a
 whoooshing sigh.

Marion looks at the newcomers, but then looks up at Am, frustrated, "Theyre
 mama and papa,  Is who they are!  and my name is Ma-rwon"  she
 says.../almost/ getting it right, but not quite...

H'rul and Yrewth prepare to return to their post.

Yrewth launches powerfully into the air!

From Sky Above the Hold Courtyard, Shadows lingering in his wake, Yrewth is
 ::between:: with no warning given.

Amarese frowns at Marion, shaking her head. "Well, do you know where Mama and
 Papa are?" Apparently, the rider's getting a might bit frustrated herself,
 though she's trying to hide this. "Ma-rwon? Maron?" Keep trying, Amar.

Resa takes a guess at the little girl's name as she glances over the newcomer,
 "Perhaps Marion?"

Marion shakes her head at Am, "They're at home,"  she apparently can't figure
 out why her new friend doesn't know where 'home' is.  She tries again to say
 her name, "Ma WEE ON"  she says slowly and deliberately.

Marion nodnods at Resa..."Tha's it!!"  giggles.  Wee!  Someone figured it out!

Resa takes a guess at the little girl's name as she glances over the newcomer,
 "Perhaps Marion?" she tries after hearing both Marion's attempts and Am's
 guess.

Amarese purses her lips a bit, barely hearing Resa. Don't get mad at her.
 She's just concerned. Yah, that's it. "At home. But where's home?" she asks,
 trying to dig out an answer. Where there probably isn't one. "Mar-i-on?
 Marion?" Never ask this rider to solve a puzzle.

Veili regains composure--and glances to the crowd over yonder.  With a flick
 of fingers through her hair, she saunters over, lips persing as she waits for
 a pause in the conversation.

Resa smiling, she tries to help Am again, "Well, Marion, do you know what
 other's call your Mama and Papa when they go to your house?"    Resa may
 never have had any siblings, but she was usually good with the neighbor's
 kids.

Amarese has never been good with any kids. Not even her own daughter. Smiling
 thankfully at Resa, she lets teh Harper ask the questions; Amar is very
 obviously clueless. Newcomer isn't noticed-- yes, this rider's becoming that
 oblivious.

Hynavu rumbles along easily and slowly out from the Hold.

Veili isn't oblivious--but she's quite impatient.  Her foot taps softly on the
 courtyard stone, fingers 'idly' playing with her knot.  She sniffs primly,
 giving another toss of her head as she holds onto polite waiting by her
 fingernails.

Resa glances back up towards the newcomer as she waits for an answer from the
 little girl.  Hands were busy scritching the green before getting involved
 with the puzzle.  "Good eve... I'm Resa."

Marion looks up at Veila, her mouth open, then she asks, "You mad?"
 forgetting to answer Resa's question.

Hynavu drifts to a halt, abruptly rocking back on his heels as the presence of
 sundry dragons and a small crowd of people is taken into account.  "Evening,
 all," he says softly, glancing from one face to another.  Full attention,
 however, is given to the dragons, eyes drinking them in, marking every
 feature and line.
Amarese is standing in the courtyard next to her lifemate, trying to talk to
 Marion, with the assitance of Resa. Veili's tapping is caught with the rather
 attentive ears, and the rider throws a glance over her shoulder.  Nothing is
 said. What is there to say? Oh, yeah. "Evenin'." Hynavu is included in this.
 Cyvarth doesn't seem to dislike the attention in the least. On the contrary,
 she stretches out her wings, mindful of the people below them, showing off.
 Amar nudges her. "Stop, Cyv."

Diamath flips his wings to his back and settles his head on his forepaws, eyes
 slowly closing one lid at a time.

Veili flicks her hand away from the knot; that gets them every time.  Or at
 least, it does with apprentices.  Thin fingers smooth her silver-streaked
 hair and she assumes her authoritive postion, "Good evening. I," she pauses
 dramatically, "..am Veili, Weaver Craftsecond. I'm here to look for some
 runaways..." That, at least is answered to all.  Marion is given a raised
 brow, "Annoyed, child, but not mad."

Marion looks up at Cyv, then back at Veili, asking insistently, "you're mad?
 Yes you are!" she finally decides and goes over to croutch behind one of
 Cyv's legs, "Cyv'll take care of me!" she says with a decisive little nod of
 her pretty red-head.

Hynavu shakes his head.  "No, no, that's okay.  The veining on her wings is
 really remarkable ... she's beautiful," he says in quiet sincerity.  He bows
 his head to Veili.  "My duty to you, ma'am," he adds deferentially.

Marion hugs Cyv's leg and squints her eyes shut, holding on as if to a
 life-raft.

Resa blinks? Apprentice sighs, a wave going to Hynavu as she turns back to the
 Weaver.  "Runaways? Can we help you in any way?"  Her glance goes to the
 little girl, still trying to figure her out.

Amarese purses her lips into a thin line, watching Veili. Her look isn't
 exactly unkind, but first impressions don't look too wonderful for this
 rider. "Well met, then. Amarese of Igen Weyr." she returns, pausing.
 "Runaways?" Question nearly echos Resa's. Cyvarth warbles protectingly at the
 little girl, simultaneously giving Hynavu the quickest of calculating looks.
 Wings hang out for a moment longer before folding again, to rest on her back.

Marion just hangs on to the big dragon resting her head on the big leg, and
 squints her eyes shut as if waiting for something to happen...

Hynavu shifts his sundry burdens subtly, bringing the sketchpad against his
 lower chest.  He listens intently, never taking his listening ear off the
 humans or his gaze off the dragons, though sketchhand moves into first slow,
 and then more rapid motion as lines build on each other.  He doesn't ask
 about the runaways, given that they're not trying for a round here.

Veili lets her eyes roam over Hynavu for a moment; flickering from judging to
 considering, before she returns to business--regretfully.  She sighs, and
 nods impatiently, "Run..aways." It's repeated slowly, perhaps they didn't get
 it the first time?  "And I have word that they came here.  Two girls, young,
 horrible sense in color, often caught mixing dyes in an /awful/ manner.
 One's blond, plump and dark-skinned--her name is Neisha.  The other, well..
 scrawny, looks like a boy.  Black hair.  Her name is Albria. Have you seen
 them?"

Resa frowns for a  moment, thinking over the descriptions before slowly
 shaking her head, "Sorry Master Veili, can't say that I have... sorry.  I
 /have/ been really busy with classes lately and haven't gotten out of the
 Hall much.  If I do see them, I'll let you know.  "  She whispers softly to
 Marion, letting the child know everything is ok....

Hynavu's mind flashes back to Aire and Ofia, but he knows the two sets of
 girls have nothing to do with each other.  "I ... I can't say that I have.
 I'm sorry.  I'm sure I would have noticed them if we had crossed paths."  He
 looks at Resa questioning, eyes clearly wondering if ... no, that would be
 silly.

Marion cringes as she feels someone come closer to her...is she actually
 trembling?  Perhaps...never mind who it is that's coming toward her...

Kylis walks out from the Hold.

Deed walks out from the Hold.

Kylis walks toward Hold Gardens.

Veili isn't dumb--though her mind does tend to think about one thing, and one
 thing only; that being men.  But, she looks consideringly from Hynavu to
 Resa, pondering that questioning gaze.  After all, she's had to winnow things
 out of apprentices many times before; her tactics have developed. "There
 parents are willing to pay for their return--and I'm willing to reward, as
 well.  They've not only run, but they have stolen some goods." Her face sets
 in a grimace. That's an admission she'd rather not make.

Deed walks toward Hold Gardens.

Hynavu doesn't know this, and wouldn't consider himself a man worth thinking
 about, or he'd be seriously flustered by now.  As it is, however, he is
 happily oblivious, sketching away to capture and embody the dragons as well
 as he can.  "I understand, ma'am," he says.

Deed disappears suddenly for parts unknown.

Resa blinks, having not quite caught Hynavu's glance.  She shrugs, "I really
 don't think I've noticed them around here.  " A frown does begin to tug at
 the cornors of her mouth as she wonders if they'd have anything to do with
 the pranks around the Hall... nah, you'd have to be a Harper for sure to have
 pulled some of them off. "What sort of things did they take?" is asked
 curiously.

Marion starts petting Cyv's leg, "You take care of me Cyv?  You nice Cyv!
 Pretty Cyv!  You take care of Marion?  Huh?  You take care me?"  she
 continues mumbling with her eyes squinched and her head resting on the
 dragons leg.

Veili idly dusts non-exsistent lint from her shirt, tilting her gaze downward
 so her anger isn't seen.  Scowls mar one's features, see  Fingers pluck at
 the sisal shirt, and she answers, voice tight.  "Bolts of cloth, fine new
 dyes--not large amounts, true, they would have never made it out of the weyr,
 unnoticed--enough to trade for certain things.  That's what we get for
 letting ruffians into the craft."

Hynavu shivers a little.  "Do you, ah ... have you recovered anything?  Maybe
 they've sold some of it, and you can find out if they said anything near
 their buyer ..."  He bites his lip a bit.  "What's to become of them?"
 There, he's asked it.

Marion lets her eyes open just a slit to see if the mad lady is still there,
 she eeps, spotting her and squints her eyes shut, now she is definitely
 trembling...
 

Resa ahs, nodding her head, "Well, I can deffinately say I haven't seen them
 around the Hall. Around Crom, they could be anywhere's.  Again, if I should
 see them, I'll send my blue flit to you."  She waves to the rider as she goes
 off to find Tarene, "Hope you find them!"  Harper kneels, looking under Cyv
 at Marion. "Hey, it's ok... she's not mad at you Marion, just at a couple of
 girls who were bad."

Veili often strikes fear into the hearts of others--see the little girl over
 there?  That same little girl is given a quizzical look and Vei shakes her
 head.  Yet another reason to not have children. Simply unstable things, they
 are.  She smoothes her features and turns to Hynavu, cruel smile twisting her
 lips, "It's a craft secret," she mentions heavily.  "You... wouldn't want to
 know what else Weaver's use needles for."

Marion squints open her eyes at Resa, but shakes her head and hides her face
 in Cyv's leg.

Hynavu flinches, stumbling back a step and going pale.  "Ahh ... err ... isn't
 that a little drastic?" he asks weakly.  "Who are the parents?"  He resolves
 inwardly, if he has a choice, to somehow get the goods back to the weavers
 and the children, well ... away from needles.

Resa hums a little song under her breath, hoping it's jaunty little tune will
 sooth the child who trembles under the dragon.  She keeps one ear listening
 to the other two discuss the run-aways. She decides to distract Marion with
 the question she'd asked her earlier. "So, Marion, do you remember what other
 people call your Mom and Dad when they talk to them?"

Veili's voice takes on a quoting tone, "Drastic situations call... for drastic
 measures.  They've committed heinous crimes against our craft; their very
 presence with our items means they could give out secrets taught to them.
 What would happen to us then?"  Veili makes a vexed sound, coming very near
 to stamping a foot.  "They need teaching, and not just in how to weave cloth."

Marion shakes her head keeping her face hidden in the dragon's leg, but she's
 stopped trembling now, cause nothing's gotten her so far...

Hynavu nods gravely.  "I understand," he says softly, doing nothing whatsoever
 of the sort.  "However, I'd be curious to know what sort of parents would
 raise children who then do this."

Marion looks out from behind the dragon's leg at Veili, "Mad lady ain't gonna
 hit me?  SHe mad at me!"  she seems perplexed...

Resa wanders herself why would two runaway from their craft in the first
 place, but doesn't say anything. Instead, she turns back to Marion, "No,
 she's not mad at you Marion... just at two other girls who did something bad.
 "

Veili glances over at Marion, furrowing a brow.  Obviously, she doesn't
 connect herself with being 'Mad Lady'.  She grimaces at the girl, turning
 back to Hynavu and taking a small breath before speaking.  "They are traders,
 came to the weyr, and craft, with their daughters in tow while on a train
 through the area.  Swarthy people, really."  Her nose wrinkles; high-bred
 snobbery showing through.  "But they /are/ willing to pay for their return."

Hynavu nods a bit.  "Traders can have a different take on life," he says,
 quite diplomatically.  "It even varies from caravan to caravan.  Which one
 was this?"  He's trying his best ...

Marion looks over at Veili, "She's gonna hit the two girls then?"  hmm...what
 kind of thing for a two turn old to say?

Resa shrugs to Marion, "I dunno... they /did/ do something bad.  "  She holds
 out her hand to Marion, "Here, I'll protect and won't let anything happen to
 you, just like Cyv if you come out here. "

Marion seems indesicive for a moment, then nods and rushes over to Resa,
 hugging her and looking up, "You take care of me?  don't let mad lady hit
 me?"

Marion then looks over at Veili, seeming mad, "She shouldn't hit girls...hit's
 bad"

Veili will do more than just hit them--but that's not what's on her mind right
 now.  Not exactly.  "Oh, Star...Star something," she replies vaguely, open
 scowl on her face.  "Stardawn?  Dawnstar?  I haven't a clue."  She clicks her
 tongue, shaking her head.  "It matters very little, however.  Any information
 you may have, send to /me/.  Or, the Crafthead.  Tamany."  With a decisive
 nod, Veili thins her eyes to the hold, murmuring, "I should.. speak.. with
 the Lord Holder."

Resa almost goes over as she is rushed by Marion. "No... I won't let her hit
 you."  She seems a little surprised at Marion's outburst, "Sometimes it is
 Marion. And hitting too much is always bad.  " The harper is a little
 tongue-tied, not knowing exactly what to say...

Hynavu inclines his head, apparently respectful, but more to hide the look on
 his features.  "I ... I'll pass the message along?" he offers, and looks a
 little horrified at himself.  He's treading on thin ice, and he knows it.

Marion looks /extremely/ mad at Veili now, "She /won't/ hit /anyone!/  Girls
 aren't bad!  They just run 'way from bein' hit!  Don't let her hit!  Rees'
 don't let her hit!!!"

Veili saunters closer to Hynavu, giving him a stern look; though that's hard
 with her cherubic features.  "Yes, see that you do.  I want those apprentices
 to quiver in their filched boots."  She casts a look back to Marion, and
 tsks, "See a healer about sedatives for that poor child.  Hysterics so early
 in life are a bad sign."  With that, Veili flounces off towards the hold.

Marion looks at Resa, "Wa's hiserics?  I ain't got that!  I jus don't want her
 hit!  And I don't wan' no sayives neither!"

Resa blinks, glancing between the little girl's angry outburst which is
 getting louder, and the Master Weaver, then to Hynavu. Help?  "Hmmm.... Yes
 Marion...  " She holds the girl close, patting her back, trying her best to
 calm Marion down.  She doesn't seem to hear the Master Weaver's words, too
 worried  about Marion.

Veili walks into the Hold.

Hynavu shakes his head, hurrying over to them.  "They're not going to get
 hit," he says quite firmly ... not loudly enough to possibly be overheard by
 the retreated weaver, however.

Marion looks around at Hynavu, and sniffles, "They not?" she asks in a little
 voice.

Hynavu nods solemnly.  "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure they
 just go back to their families."  Well, he's really put his foot into it
 *now*.

Resa looks up, question in her eyes, before she turns back to Marion, "No,
 they're not..  I don't think their parents would allow that to happen.  "
 She pulls out a handkerchief from a pocket, handing it to Marion, "Here ya
 go.."

Marion smiles at Hynavu, and reaches out for a hug, and says, in quite an
 authoritive voice for such a small girl, "You take care of them.  You don't
 let her hit!"  she looks at the handkerchief and back at Resa, not sure what
 to do...after all she's only 2 turns...

Resa smiles, "Anyway, Hyn, this little firey girl is Marion, my new friend.
 Marion, this is another friend of mine, Hynavu..."  She looks to Marion,
 "Just call him Hyn.."

Marion grins, "Hi hinvo!  um...Hyn!  Tankoo for takin' care of girls!"

Resa sees the bewildered look, "Here, I'll help ya..."  She reaches out,
 wiping the tears from Marion's face, then holds the Handkerchief to the
 girl's nose, "Blow your nose..."

Hynavu smiles down at the girl.  "Hi, Marion.  They'll be just fine, you'll
 see."  And you, too, he adds silently.

Resa laughs, nodding, trying to get the conversation onto something a little
 more lighthearted.  "Well, we were sitting here trying to figure out Marion's
 parent's names....  "  Curiously, she wonders how the rider ended up with
 Marion in the first place if she didn't know the girl's parents.

Amarese snugs Marion! Marion is snugged!

Cyvarth dozes off...

Marion blows into the handkerchief.

Resa smiles, wiping Marion's nose after she blows, "There now, don't you feel
 a little better? "   Thus said, she steals one of the flowers peeking from
 the girl's pocket and tucks it behind Marion's ear. "Ahhhh.. now, there's a
 pretty girl!"

Resa just looked at you.

Marion grins at Resa, "Tankoo!  I pretty?"  she asks quietly.

Taran wakes up from his nap.

Resa laughs, nodding, "Aye, very pretty!  " Small Harper leans down to whisper
 to the little girl, "You know, I used to always wish my hair was the color of
 yours!"

Hynavu just looked at you.

Hynavu smiles as he regards the pair, a small shake of his head given.  He
 clutches the sketchpad more tightly than it appears, mind whirling as he
 tries to figure out exactly how to keep the good-as-promise.

Marion beams up at Resa, "Weally?  Wow!"  and she giggles,  "Cyv pretty too!"
 the she giggles again, "Big Cyv and little Mawion! We go together!"

Resa laughs and nods, "Aye...  "

Marion runs over to Hynavu, "Hine?  What'cha doin'?"  Oh, well, she never did
 say names quite right...just be glad she's quit using descriptive terms
 instead of names...

Hynavu doesn't seem bothered, smiling at her still.  Is his face stuck?.  "I'm
 drawing, Marion ... drawing Cyvarth and you," he explains.

Marion gasps, "You dwawin'?  Me and Cyv?  Can I see?"  she seems really
 surprised that so many people are taking an interest in her.

Hynavu grins at her.  "Sure, if you like."  He tilts it for inspection.  "The
 only thing is, it's just a bunch of lines now ... no color.  See?  But that's
 what it'll be.  Do you draw, Marion?"

Marion giggles, "I drew mama one time..." but then her lips puckered, "She got
 mad and gave it ta Grun'"

Resa just smiles, watching the young harper with the little girl... now if
 only /she/ could draw!

Marion looks closely at the drawing again, and gasps, "That /does/ looks like
 me!  But not like me..."  she looks frustrated, not knowing how to say what
 she means...

Hynavu cocks his head.  "Grun?" he echoes in confusion.  "Why would she get
 mad?"  He peers over.  "Ahh, well, it's not done yet," he says.

Resa laughs, "Well, it'll be more like you when it's finished and Hyn has a
 chance to color it. "  Another frown pulls out her mouth, for the more she
 hears from Marion, the less she wants to actually find the little girl's
 parents.

Marion looks up at Hyn, "'Grun's mine!  Or he's not, but he's apposed to
 be...Aunty gave him to me.  He's my canine!"  she looks sad, "Mawon misses
 Grun..."

Marion looks up at Hyn with shiny eyes, "You gonna dwaw the flow'r in my hair?
 Pretty, purple flow'r?"

Resa smiles, "Hey.... hold on one little sec ok Marion?  She looks to
 Hyn..."I'll be right back..."

Hynavu practically melts.  You can tell by the dripping along the edges.  "Of
 course," he says, "can't forget the flower ..."  He nods to Resa.

Resa merrily pounces along into the Hold.

Resa returns quickly enough, this time with something in her arms.

Eidolon has arrived.

Marion waves at Resa!  then turns her attention to Hyn,  "Hine!  Your gonna
 dwaw a flow'r!  Mawon /loves/ flow'rs!"

Marion looks over at Resa, "Rees'?  wha's that?"

Eidolon barks at Marion

Eidolon squirms to get out of Resa's hands, barking softly. He's off as soon
 as his feet hit the ground, sniffing here and there before padding up to the
 little girl.

Marion giggles!  "He's pretty!" she rushes over and hugs the cute little
 thing,

Marion looks up at Resa, "Who's he?"  obviously, she means what's his name...

Resa laughs, starts to give Marion the dogs name, but decides on the shorten
 version. "I call him Eddie...  "

Eidolon snuffles the girl's hair as she hugs him, wiggling in her arms.
 Looking up at her, he almost seems to grin.  Hoping up, he licks her face
 then runs off a few steps, wanting to play.

Marion toddles after the tiny thing, deciding she would /really/ like playing
 with him, then she says to him, "Eadie's a cute baby!  Very pretty!  You
 wanna play!  Mawon will play!

Eidolon whuffles softly, not being a loud dog.  He bounces forward, licks the
 girls hand, then bounces off a few steps.  Resa ohs, remembering the ball in
 her hand. "Hey Marion! He likes to play with this!" She walks over, handing
 the bright red ball to the girl, "If you throw it, he'll go get it and bring
 it back to you."

Marion giggles and takes the ball, throwing it a few feet which is about as
 far as her tiny hands can make it, and says, "Eadie get the ball?  Eadie
 bring Mawon ball?"  then she giggles again.

Eidolon whuffles again, pouncing on the ball when it stops.  Clamping the ball
 in his mouth, he practically prances back to the girl, dropping it at her
 feet before running back, crouching low to wait for the ball again.

Hynavu starts sketching again as Marion and Eidolon play, happy as anything.
 He shakes his head.  "Seems very happy here ..." he murmurs.

Marion giggles.  Oh she's in heaven!  A little canine to play with!  Oh joy!
 Laughing at the bright ball she picks it up with both hands and throws it
 again.

Resa moves off, standing besides Hyn, watching his quick fingers bring the
 picture to reality.  She whispers quietly to him as she watches, "I don't
 know how the rider came to be wither her, but seems that Am was trying to
 figure out who the girl's family was.  I think she's lost herself... but I'm
 beginning to wonder if she should be returned.... think we could hide her in
 the dorm?"

Eidolon is in heaven too, for Resa has been too busy lately to really play
 with him. He pounces on the ball, mock-growling at it as he swings his head a
 few times, then brings it back to Marion.

Hynavu blinks a little.  "For the evenings, certainly, but during the day?
 And also, I don't know that we should ..."  He bites his lip.

Resa frowns, nodding her head, "I know....  but...  " She sighs, trying to
 figure out what to do.

Marion giggles at the little canine playing with the ball, "Sittly Eadie!
 You'll eat the ball all up!"

Marion turns to Resa and gets serious, or as serious as a two turn old can be,
 "My mama and papa took me here and went byebye," then she turns to Hyn and
 says the same thing, then goes back to playing.

Marion giggles at the puppy as he's playing, and is now oblivious to Hyn and
 Resa, "You pretty Eadie!  You'll stay with me? You play with me forever and
 ever!"  she giggles once again.

Eidolon whuffs, hopping up to lick at Marion's face before racing off to wait
 for the ball again.

Marion giggles and wipes at her face, puppy kisses!  yea!  "Yes! you bring me
 ball Eadie!  I'll throw it agin!"

Hynavu laughs softly to himself.  "Such a darling one ..."  His face shadows
 as he turns back to Resa.  "What did she say?"

Resa shrugs, "Well, she obviously got really upset about Master Veili hitting
 those girls, and hid as soon as she thought that she was mad at her.  Just...
 something doens't seem right here.

Hynavu shakes his head.  "You're right.  Something feels wrong, and I wish I
 could put a finger on what and why."

Resa bends over a little sheet of paper and begins penning a letter.

Marion looks over at Resa, "Whatcha doin?" she asks suddenly.

Resa looks up from her letter and ties it to the leg of a waiting firelizard
 who promptly goes ::between:: with the message.

Resa blinks, "Just talking with Hyn as he draws you and Eddie...."

Resa bends over a little sheet of paper and begins penning a letter.

Resa looks up from her letter and ties it to the leg of a waiting firelizard
 who promptly goes ::between:: with the message.

Eidolon lays down on the ground, head laying atop little paws, watching
 Marion. Tail wags, taptaping on the ground.

Marion grins at the puppy and giggles as she tries to imitate him, "Silly
 Eadie!  Silly Mawon!!"

Eidolon rolls over on his back, little feet kicking in the air, begging to be
 scritched.

Marion giggles and scratches at her puppy.  Yes, she now considers him /her/
 puppy!

Resa laughs at the two, then looks at the time as she hears her own tummy make
 itself known.  "hmm... Marion, you hungry?"

Marion looks up at Resa, and nodsnods, "Oh yes!  Mawon /very/ hungry!  You get
 Mawon food?"

Resa smiles and nods, "Well, let's take Eddie back to my room then we'll go
 get something to eat.  Ok?"

Marion grins and noddles, but then looks worried, "We'll go get him when we're
 done, right?"

Resa nods, "Oh yes... we'll go play with him some more if you want."

Hynavu smiles at them both.  "I'll go in and order?" he interjects.

Resa nods, "Ok, we'll meet you in the 'Wings then..."

Marion grins and giggles, "Okay, we go feed Mawon now?"

Resa nods, reaching her hand out to take Marion's. "Ok, let's go put Eddie up,
 then we'll go eat... what's your favorite thing to eat?"

Marion takes Resa's hand and grins, "Mashed tubers!" and then grins bigger,
 "With butter!"

Resa takes the little girl's hand, and heads into the hold.

Resa merrily pounces along into the Hold.

Hynavu rumbles along easily and slowly in from the Courtyard.

Hynavu rumbles along easily and slowly toward The Golden Wings .

Resa merrily pounces along toward The Golden Wings .
The Golden Wings

Resa leads the little girl into the 'Wings, looking around for Hyn as she
 enters.

Marion skips along in her clumsy little way, and holds Resa's hand.

Hynavu waves them to where he's nabbed a table, food, and a few pitchers ...
 take your pick.

Resa heads towards Hyn when she spots him, helping the girl into one of the
 chairs before sitting herself.

Marion sits down in the chair, barely reaching the top of the table and puts
 her hands into her lap...automatically going into good table-manners mode.

Resa hmms, seeing that Marion is too short and asks a passing drudge if she
 could borrow a small pot to put in the chair.  The drudge nods, goes to the
 kitchen and returns with a pot, "Ya be sure 'n return it now.."

Resa gets Marion to slip out of the chair, places the pot upside down then
 helps her back on the chair.

Marion looks up at Resa, "Tankoo!"  now she can see over to Hyn!!

Hynavu chuckles softly at the child.  "What would you like to drink, Marion?"
 he asks quite politely.

Resa grins, "You're welcome Marion!  My mom use to do it all the time for me
 when we'd go to other people's houses. "

Marion looks over at Hyn confused...obviously this isn't what she's used to!
 "juice?"  she says timidly.

Resa smiles, "Well, do you have a favorite juice?"

Rell dozes off...

Marion looks over at Resa and shrugs, not knowing what to say.  "Just juice..."

Duckie dozes off...

Resa smiles, "What if i give you some of my favorite then?  I love redfruit
 juice!"

Marion grins, "Mawon like what Resa likes!"

Hynavu grins at Resa as he pours the redfruit juice and slides it carefully
 over.  "Seems like you've got an admirer."

Shakespeare  wishes that the gala would never end, but is forced to bow out by
 the drooping of heavy lids.

Resa laughs!  "Well, it /is/ good juice!  "  She ponders something for a
 little while, then whispers something to Hyn...

Marion drinks her juice without paying any attention to whispering.
You overhear Resa whisper "... ... ... ... her ... the dorm ... ... ... can
 ... ... ... ... ... is."  to Hynavu.

Resa helps dish up a plate for Marion, sure to include the girl's favorite,
 mashed tubers with the meatroll.

Marion grins at the food, seeing her favorite and digs in with relish, but
 extremely good manners for a two turn old little girl.

Resa smiles, then fixes her own plate, digging in with relish for once again,
 this harper has forgotten to eat all day.

Marion looks around, and seeing a cotton towel, she grabs it, wipes her face
 with it, then sets it back down.

Resa watches Marion, noting her good table manners.  "Everything ok with the
 food Marion? Need anything?"

Marion looks up at Resa, shaking her head, carefully not saying anything, then
 continueing with the food she is obviously enjoying.

Resa smiles, nodding her head ok, then turns back to eating once more, pausing
 every so often to talk with Hynavu about something to do with classes.

Hynavu nods, speaks intermittently, and mostly sketches, only nibbling at the
 food.

Marion looks up at Hyn curiously as he draws but doesn't say anything, but
 clearly she's wondering why he would want to draw and eat at the same time!

Resa looks over Marion, for once, noticing the little girl doesn't have any
 shoes on, only socks!  Frowning, she has to wonder, what sort of parent would
 let the little one out without shoes?

Marion looks down at her feet, wondering what's wrong, but she doesn't ask,
 just eats.

Marion finishes eating and puts her hands in her lap, watching Resa and Hyn
 while they eat.

Resa hmms, maybe Marion took them off? "Marion, where's you shoes?"

Resa smiles, "You finished? Do you want more? There's plenty!"

Marion looks down at her feet, "Don't got no shoes."  Then she looks up at
 Resa and smiles big, "I have more??" she says expectantly.

Hynavu grins over at her.  "You can have as much as you want ..."  He looks up
 at Resa, blinking.  No shoes?

Resa frowns, just briefly at hearing Marion doens't have any shoes, but gives
 the girl  a smile, nodding, "Oh yes... you can have more! "  She fills the
 girls plate up again, adding more mashed tubers and a few more meatrolls,
 then fills the girl's cup up again.

Marion grins widely and starts eating again.  Mashed tubers first!

Resa watches Marion for a moment, her mind already pondering the shoe
 situation, for the little girl can't go without shoes for long!

Marion now starts on her meatrolls, carefully picking them apart and popping
 the pieces into her mouth, then chewing and swallowing before taking another
 piece.

Hynavu glances at Resa.  "I bet anyone who makes shoes could figure out what
 size from the socks ..."

Marion looks at her feet shrugs and continues eating.  She doesn't know what
 all the fuss is over her shoes.  But then she's two...she probably doesn't
 care...

Resa nods her head to Hyn, "That's what I was thinking...  "

Resa grins, as she looks over the little girl, "After we eat, we can go to the
 bathing chambers and play in the water...."  She hopes that the little girl
 doesn't mind taking baths. :>

Marion grins at Resa.  Baths!  Yea!  She gets to play in the water!  But
 strangely enough, even though she looks /really/ excited, she doesn't say
 anything.  She just grins up at Resa.

Resa smiles, then quirks an eyebrow at Hynavu.

Hynavu chuckles.  "When I was her age - well, a little older - I was deathly
 afraid I was going to drown," he murmurs to Resa, well out of Marion's
 earshot.  He leans back to peer at the other apprentice.  "Hmmm, what?"

Marion starts eating faster so she can hurry up and play in the water!

Resa laughs, "Hmm.. you going to join us?"  She giggles, "Not me... my parents
 used to joke that I was going to turn into a fish one day."

Hynavu shrugs his shoulders.  "Not me.  Was the only kid who would never go in
 the water.  I sat on the shore drawing 'people' in the sand."

Resa laughs again, "Well...  I can see you doing that, but then again, it's
 what you do most of the time anyway!"

Hynavu laughs sheepishly.  "When I've drawn everything in Crom twice over,
 then I might slow down a little."

Marion looks up at Resa, and swallows, looking all goggly-eyed at the comment
 of her turning into a fish!  Imagine that!

Marion starts eating again, but keeps her eyes on Resa this time...she isn't
 going to let her turn into a fish if /she/ can help it!!

Resa chuckles, "And you'd still find something new to draw!" She looks over at
 Marion, seeing that she's watching her, "Everything ok?"

Marion continues to look at Resa, but nods, she hasn't started to turn into a
 fish but if she does, Marion's here to help!

Hynavu whistles softly to himself as he starts drawing a picture in the corner
 of his page of yes, a Resafish.

Resa giggles, and pulls in her cheeks, puckering her lips... a fish face. :>

Marion gasps at Resa, Oh no!  She's starting to really turn into a fish!  She
 quickly gets out of her seat and climbs into Resa's lap...so much for her
 table-manners, and starts poking at Resa's face, "No no!  You /can't/ turn
 into a fish!  You gotta take care 'a me!!"

Resa can't hold her 'fishface' for long, and starts laughing, giving the
 little girl a hug, "Ah... I was just teasing you Marion! I'm not going to
 turn into a fish....  "  Resa's bright eyes look over at Hyn for a moment
 before she starts laughing again!

Marion looks up confused at Resa, "You weren't?"  she asks quietly.

Hynavu chuckles deep and low, shaking his head.  "Couldn't let her do that.
 She has chores to do."

Resa giggles, looking down at Marion, "Nah, it was just something my parents
 use to say 'cause I liked to play in the water so much.  They'd have to
 /make/ me get out and come into the house during the summer.  "

Strethan has arrived.

Resa is sitting at a table with Hyn, Marion in her lap.

Marion looks up at Resa and starts to giggle, saying, "You tricked me!"  then
 suddenly she stops, looking a little scared and climbs down and back onto her
 seat...sitting there with her hands in her lap and looking around as if the
 boogie man would jump out of the shadows...

Strethan strolls right on into the 'Wings like he owns the place. Looks like
 someone is in high spirits today. He wends his way between tables, heading
 for Resa and Hynavu, and their new friend.

Resa laughs, then hmms? as Marion climbs back out her lap.  "What's wrong
 Marion?  It's ok... you could have stayed if you wanted..."

Resa holds her arms out, hoping the little girl climbs back.

Marion looks up at Resa and looks around, as if she wants to, but for some
 reason can't, and shakes her head...and goes a little pale at the
 suggestion...

Hynavu nods quietly to Strethan.  "Evening," he calls, watching Marion a bit
 worriedly.  Best not to spring another person on the child, but what's going
 on?

Resa awws, laughing again, "But... what if I start turning into a fish again?
 Who's gonna stop me?"  She looks all sad, like she's gonna cry, trying to
 cheer the little girl up.

Strethan ambles up to the table, giving everyone a friendly smile, including
 Marion. "Don't you go growing fish lips on me, Resa..." he admonishes, then
 turns his smile more fully on Marion. "And who's your new friend?"

Marion looks over at Strethan then around at the shadows in the corners of the
 rooms, and looks like /she's/ gonna cry!  She /wants/ to sit in Resa's lap!
 And what if she /does/ turn into a fish!?

Resa starts to screw her face back into her 'fishface' but stops as Strethan
 gets to the table. Smiling up at him, she introduces him to Marion, "Well,
 this is my new friend Marion, who's gonna help me not turn into a fish!" She
 turns to Marion, giving the little girl a wink, "And this is my friend
 Strethan.  He's learning to be a Healer."  Watching Marion, Resa decides to
 scoot her chair over closer to the girl, offering Strethan the extra chair at
 the table.

Frosty pops in from ::between::

Frosty chatter loudly for /someone/ forgot to wake him when she came by the
 dorm! He circles through the tables, darting around people till he finds
 Resa.  Landing on her shoulder, he chatters softly to her.  Food?

Hynavu cocks his head.  "Resa, I think that firelizard could smell food
 cooking if it were in High Reaches ..." he remarks, blinking.

Resa rolls her eyes, nodding to Hyn, "I know, especially if I was there
 eating!"

Strethan slides into the chair and turns up the wattage on his patented 'I'm
 your best friend on Pern' smile, leaning closer in Marion's direction. "Hello
 there, Marion, pleased to meetcha! Like Resa said, I'm learning to be a
 Healer... want to be my helper? We can make sure Resa doesn't turn into a
 fish!"

Hynavu covertly hides his Resafish drawing, and makes a mental note to finish
 it later.  "He's a wonderful healer," he adds to the girl.  "I'm sure you
 both can do it."

Marion smiles at Strethan and waves timidly, then scoots away from the
 fire-lizard that popped out of the bad black place...

Resa laughs at Strethan, then introduces Marion to Frosty, "And this is my
 flit Frosty...   "  The blue hears  his name, then notices the little girl.
 Hmm, he doesn't know this humanpet.  He hops to Resa's other shoulder, head
 tilted all funnily as he looks at her. He warbles softly, wondering who this
 little humanpet is.

Strethan nods solemnly to Marion, and gives her a reassuring wink. He has to
 chuckle at Hynavu's support.

Resa patpats Marion's leg, "It's ok... he's nice to my friends.  And he can
 sing really pretty too.  He's like... hmm... a little Cyv."

Strethan stage-whispers, "He's a belly with wings, that's what he is!"

Hynavu's eyes widen at Strethan.  "He's only one belly?"

Resa chuckles at botht the guys, "Hey, he's a cute adorable flying stomach,
 thank you!"

Marion goggles at Strethan, then at Frosty, then timidly she almost whispers,
 "Pretty Cyv...and pretty Frosty!" then she's real quiet as she watches this
 new stranger she just met...

Frosty turns, seeming to understand the two males. Hmmph! Yeah, I'm cute! Hmmm
 Food?

Resa picks up a meatroll, breaking a piece and handing it up to Frosty who
 gladly takes it.  She offers the other piece to Marion, "Want to feed him?"

Eirekki slithers into view like a sly feline as he sees meatrolls being torn
 into pieces.  Might this involve him, perchance?  He stays low to the table,
 like a cat ready to pounce, bronze form pressed against it.  Nope ... you
 don't see him ... nope ... he's going to *sneak* up.

Strethan holds up his hands a foot apart. "One -big- one," he intones to
 Hynavu.

Marion shakes her head.  Then looks over at Eirekki...wondering what this new
 little creature was.

Eirekki freezes, peering at Marion like a deer caught in headlights.  He's
 been spotted ...

Marion is now sitting with her hands in her lap, quietly watching the little
 creature who was now just standing there...

Resa nods, and doesn't push the little girl, "Ok then... but I think Frosty
 likes you!"  She holds up the piece of meatroll, letting the blue take it
 from her fingers.  Frosty eats the food, then goes back to looking at Marion.
 Humanpet is little that's for sure.

Resa giggles, "That's Hyn's flit..... he's trying to sneak and steal a
 meatroll."  She reaches out, picks up a meatroll, and gives it to the bronze.

Marion looks over at Frosty, the little thing not taking up much attention now
 that it froze.  That Frosty's teeth sure are sharp...

Eirekki takes the meatroll and dashes over the side of the table.  He drops
 out of view and scuttles under Marion's chair, tail brushing her legs as he
 goes.  He curls up there with all the air of a hunting feline with a
 successful catch to devour.

Frosty titls his head, eyes whirling different shades.  He licks his muzzle,
 cleaning off sticky crumbs then warbles questioning.

Strethan says, "Giving him food is a GOOD way to make sure he likes you."

Strethan winks again, reassuringly at Marion.

Marion screams as Eirekki's tail hits her leg!  She stands up on her chair and
 looks down!  But she keeps screaming.../something/ touched her leg!

Kayrelen walks in from Crom Hall.

Resa hmms, "Well, that's for sure...  "  She laughs, "Hmm...  now, weren't we
 also talking about a bath...?"  Resa jumps up as Marion starts screaming,
 Frosty lifting into the air to flitter nervously as Resa gathers the girl
 into her arms, "It's ok...  "

Marion grabs hold of Resa for dear life but screams all the more at the dark
 figure flitting about her head!

Eirekki yelps and bursts into the air, wings spread.  The firelizard backwings
 frantically over the table, nearly managing to plaster himself, back first,
 to his human's face.

Frosty rises higher, chattering at Eirekki for scaring the little humapet.

Marion buries her face in Resa as she sees yet another something flying at
 her!  She's now screaming something about her mama and papa, and hitting...or
 something like that...

Resa pats the little girl, holding her in her arms, "Shhhh..  it was only
 Eirekki...  They won't hurt you Marion.  They're like Cyv, only little.  They
 wouldn't hurt you at all Marion..."  The harper patpats the little girls
 back, trying to calm her down.

Strethan rises to his feet, startled by the sudden and unexpected fit
 screaming-bloody-murder. Without really thinking about it, he grabs for the
 first thing that might help, a fresh glass of juice to offer Marion in the
 hopes of distracting her and calming her down.

Frosty chitters and chatter from the rafters, eyes swirling brightly as he
 watches, trying to see what's making the little one scream still.

Strethan frowns, expression darkening at the decidedly disatasteful sound of
 that... whatever the parent/hitting connection could be, it's not something a
 young'un like marion should ever have to connect in her mind. He shoots Resa
 a mixed look of questioning and concern.

Hynavu coughs through firelizard hide and manages to peel Eirekki off and calm
 him down enough that he's not starting off in all new fits of chattering.
 Gaze tracks over to Resa and the child, worriedly, though guilty as well.

Marion buries her face all the more into Resa...now she's just quietly crying,
 every once in awhile looking up, sniffling,  just to bury herself in Resa's
 shirt front again.

Resa gives Strethan a look over the little girls head, promising to tell him
 everything later . She huggles Marion tightly, "Ssshhh... it's ok Marion.  No
 one is going to hit you here. I promise!" The last is said very seriously, as
 the harper girl decides to help the little girl. "You can stay with me and
 Hyn, ok?"

Marion looks up at Resa, "Promise,  no hit?" sniff sniff...knuckling of eyes.

Strethan nods faintly to resa, and offers the juice again. Maybe something
 cool and sweet will reassure her.

Kayrelen can't contain the horrid yawn anymore and as she enters, eyes close,
 mouth opens and feet once again twist about below her making the poor
 apprentic topple to the ground. "YIPE!" Is all thatthe poor girl can get out
 before her body his the floor with a soft thud. For once books nor utensiles
 are in her arms so the floor only gets her body smacked against it. "Um...
 has anyone seen Dawnsky's egg? I couldn't find it anywhere this morning when
 I was thinking about breakfast." Is she serious or just playing around? By
 that look on her face I'd say she was quite serious... gulp... and still the
 apprentic sits on the floor, eyeing all those in the room. Someone should
 have seen that horrid little egg!

Resa tries to sidetrack Marion more, then nods as she looks into her face, "No
 hitting here.  I promise!"  She thanks Strethan for the cup, holding it
 towards Marion before digging in her pocket for that handkerchief again.

Marion looks around at the shadows again, "mama and papa will come...they say
 that its bad for me to get out of my seat 'fore them...or to cry...mama and
 papa ain't gonna be coming, Rees'?  Mama and papa stay 'way?"

Marion takes the cup and takes a big long drink before giving it back to Resa.

Resa shakes her head, "No...  or at least I hope not!  And it's fine for you
 to get up from your seat if you want, as long as you have eaten, ok?  Shards,
 crying is fine too... even I cry sometimes!"

Strethan turns at the sound of a meaty thump, and winces at the sight. Does
 Kayrelen make those entrances on PURPOSE? he tsks and shakes his head
 ruefully, marvelling that she hasn't broken anything that he's heard about.
 Hmmm, Dawnsky's egg... her flit? And... wait-a-second, the egg has been
 missing since breakfast?? He turns a vaguely horrified gaze on Kayrelen. No,
 he has to be mistaken, doesn't he? Not even by accident could someone have...?

Hynavu stares at the child, the words refusing to click in his mind.  His eyes
 dart towards Liona, then take in Strethan's expression.  "I don't even the
 densest cook could confuse the two."

Resa turns, caught between taking care of Marion and trying to calm flits, she
 misses Kay's entrance, untill she hears the *thunk* Turning with Marion still
 in her arms, she looks, "Kayrelen! You ok? Dawn's egg's missing?  Do you
 think she's hid it in the dorm again?"

Strethan blinks, choosing to agree with Hynavu and forcefully dispel THAT
 little horror of a concept from his mind. "Your flit hiding eggs, kayrelen?"

Marion looks up at Resa and sniffles, then looks at Frosty, then at the other
 thing, "Bad!  You scared me!" adn shakes her finger at the two.

Frosty warbles? He scared her?  It was that bronze....  Frosty chitters at
 Eirekki. Bad bad bronze!

Eirekki droops, every inch of him melting into a picture of dejection.  Large
 faceted eyes blink mournfully.  I'm sorry.  He extends his neck carefully and
 lies limply on the table.  You can cut off my head now.

Strethan casts a glance at the regretful bronze. At least the little guy has a
 sense of humility.

Resa awws, looking at Eirekki, turning to Marion, "See, he feels bad about
 saring you. Do you think you could forgive him?"  She picks up another
 meatroll, holding it towards Marion, "This would make him feel better if you
 gave it to him I think."

Marion looks up at frosty and says, "No no no!  You were flying at me!  You
 were gonna scratch me!"  then she looks over at the little flit lying on the
 table and she smiles,  "You aint too bad...but you /scared/ me!"

Marion takes the meatroll and tries getting down to get to the little bronze,
 she didn't think he felt /that/ bad about it!

Frosty hmms? He wasn't flying at the little humanpet, just up after Resapet
 moved!

Resa let's the little girl down, watching her carefully.

Eirekki's head perks up just a little bit.  He cocks it against the table
 without picking it up, chirping softly at Marion.  She's not *mad* at him?

Frosty glides down from the rafters, slowly as not to scare Marion, and lites
 back on Resa's shoulder.  At least he didn't /mean/ to scare her.

Marion walks timidly over to the little bronze then shyly holds out the whole
 meatroll for the bronze, sticking her fingers into her mouth...again...

Strethan nods encouragingly to Marion, making a 'go ahead' gesture. He smiles
 as she does just that...

Frosty tilts his head, hanging it down against Resa's chest. What? no meatroll
 for him? *pout*

Eirekki extends his head very carefully and takes the meatroll from her.  He
 drops it between his paws and then licks the nearest finger.  Just getting a
 little taste first ... you try some, too.  He carefully nudges the hand in
 the general direction of the other.

Marion eeps as Eirekki takes the meatroll from her...and then turns around to
 look up at the Frosty, "He want Meatroll too?"

Eirekki nibbles away at the meatroll, happily and sedating ... he's not
 tearing it apart or doing anything showy and fierce-huntery like that.

Resa smiles, nodding at Marion, "He probably does... he's /always/ hugry!"
 Frosty seems to beg?

Marion looks around for a meatroll to give to Frosty, but seems frustrated
 seeing as how she's too short to see what's on the tables...

Resa reaches out, handing Marion the last meatroll from the plate, then takes
 a seat back in her chair so that she can reach Frosty on her shoulder.

Marion smiles as she grabs the meatroll and then reaches up and holdes it out
 to Frosty...practically poking it into his mouth in her zeal to show him
 she's not mad.

Frosty opens his mouth, then hmmphs!  Pulling his head back, eyes whirling
 with happiness as the meatroll sticks out of his mouth.

Resa giggles at Frosty, then thanks Marion, "Aye, you've made him happy now!
 Now.... weren't  me talking about a bath earlier?"  She makes her fish face
 at Marion again.
Marion giggles with happiness as he takes the meatroll out of her hand!

Frosty leads down, holding the meatroll with a claw as he nibbles on the end.
 Yummy!

Marion gasps at Resa, but she can't reach her face!!  "Rees'!  You're turning
 into a fish again!"  and she goes over and grabs onto Resa, trying to climb
 up to poke at  her face...she never did get the idea that Rese was teasing
 her.

Resa giggles, opening and closing her fishlips a few times before laughing
 again!  Smiling, the fishface disappears.  Frosty balances carefully on
 Resa's shoulder as she helps Marion into her lap.  "Well, Marion, do you want
 to go play in the water?"

Marion nods and claps!  Yea!  Rees' /didn't/ turn into a fish!  "Yeah!  Let's
 go play in the water!!"

Resa smiles, then turns to the guys, "Looks like we're off to the bathing
 chambers then!"

Frosty finishes the meatroll, then leans down to gives Marion a lick onna
 cheek... a sort of flit kiss.

Marion giggles, then turns serious, looking up at Resa, "But don't go changin'
 into a fish!!" she waggles her finger.

Marion gasps at Frosty gives her a kiss, then she laughs and gives Frosty a
 kiss right back!

Resa laughs, as she promises not to change into a fish for Marion, "With you
 and Strethan along, I don't think it will happen."

Strethan nods solemnly, "If she does, tell me and I'll Heal her!"

Eirekki chatters loudly.  Does he get a kiss?

Frosty chuuurrrrpps!  The little humanpet likes him better!

Marion grins, "Mawon takes care of Rees'...Rees' takes care of Mawon!!"  she
 seems happy with herself and then turns and sees Eirekki chittering, and
 gives him a kiss too!

Resa giggles, "You can help me give Frosty a bath too, ok?"

Strethan says, "Well now, looks like everyone's friends here."

Strethan grins.

Eirekki glows in delight, fluttering his wings and 'kissing' her back.  Hynavu
 peers at Strethan.  "This doesn't mean *we* have to kiss, too, does it?"

Marion starts talking to both Frosty and Eirekki, "Pretty flitters!  sweet
 flitters!  nice flitters!"  then she nodsnods at Resa...

Frosty looks up, Did someone say bath?  He chirps happily, as he likes to play
 in the water too.
Resa grins at Hyn, "Now that I'd pay marks to see..."  she winks at both of
 them as she gathers little one, flits and other stuff together in preparation
 to leave.

Strethan holds up a finger and looks to Hynavu. "Ah... no."

Strethan listens to Marion sweet-talk the flits, and more than a little
 expects them to visibly swell with stroked ego.

Frosty chirps and chitters at Marion. He's the cutest!

Eirekki puffs right up.  He chirrs smugly to Duskwing.  And here you are,
 hiding away, missing allll the fun.

Strethan nods to himself, there goes Eirekki. he KNEW it.

Frosty chitters happily, quite unlike his usual cold self.

Marion giggles at the fire lizards, and nods, "Yes, pretty flitters!"

Resa smiles, "Well, let's head to the bathing chamber then!"  She holds out
 her hand for Marion, then pads out the doors.

Strethan strolls along with Resa's retinue.

Marion goes with Resa, still murmuring about the pretty flitters.

Resa merrily pounces along toward Crom Hall.

Crom Hall

Hynavu rumbles along easily and slowly in from The Golden Wings .

Resa merrily pounces along toward Stairwell.

Hynavu rumbles along easily and slowly in from Crom Hall.

Resa leaves for the Hold Baths.

Hold Baths

Strethan has arrived.

Marion giggles and claps her hands at the sight of the water!

Frosty pops in from ::between::

Resa smiles, laying down a few items, having stopped by the dorm first of
 course. :>

Resa steps behind a screen and changes into her swimming outfit, knowing that
 she's gonna get wet.. if not from Marion, then from Frosty!

Marion squeels in delight, "We're gonna play in th' water Frosty!!!"

Frosty flitters towards the shallow pool, landing at the edge. He looks back,
 as if to say, "Coming?"
Resa steps back out from around the screen, laughing as she helps Marion.

Marion giggles as she watches the flitter, and nods, "I'm gonna play with
 Fwosty!"

Resa laughs and nods, "Aye, but first......  you can't go into the water
 wearing all your clothes!"

Frosty ducks his head into the water, the picks it back up, lettng the water
 slide down his back. Wing flutter as he shakes, sending water sprinkling all
 over the place.

Marion looks down at her clothes and puckers her lips, no, she can't be
 ruinin' her clothes in the water can she?

Resa giggles, "We'll get a drudge to wash your clothes later... you can wear a
 shirt of mine to sleep in..." Once Marion is stripped down, she walks with
 the girl to the shallow pool,

Resa idlely splashes water towards Strethan and Hynavu.

Marion giggles as she splashes around in the water, sending it everywhere!

Frosty chitters, diving into the water.

Marion splashes Frosty, and then starts singing, "Playin' playin' playin' in
 da' water!!"

Frosty pops up out of the water, just in time to be splashed by Marion.
 Chittering again at her, he shakes, splashing her back.

Eirekki circles in high, lazy circles over the pool, showing off a little and
 waiting for the ideal moment.

Resa laughs, sitting at the edge, watching the flit and girl play. "I told you
 he liked to play in the water!"

Marion squeals as she is splashed!!  then she looks up at Eirekki, and tries
 to splash him too, when he comes close!

Marion nodsnods at Resa, "I's fun here!"

Strethan watches quite bemusedly, but definitely wary of the splashing. he
 tries not to be TOPO obvious about it... that's the surest way to attract
 water. SPlashers can sense weakness you know.

Marion sneaks over close to Reisa...not so unnoticeable, and at just the right