"What's wrong with a few of the females in the weyr actually dressing like *girls*?" Kae replies dryly, turning her head in the direction of his voice and giving him an amused smile. "Would you rather me dress her in wherhide pants, boots, jacket and cap so she can look like all the others?"

With a pat of Sejith's warm side, the dragon only shifts, deep asleep, and T'rell wanders over to the little girl as she plays. "No, but there's a happy medium, you know." He fingers the frills of her collar. "She might catch herself on something," he points out. His fear of frills is eminently reasonable, you see.

"I thought it would be something nice for her to wear for the Gather, being that it's an important day for her mother and all," Kae huffs, giving T'rell a slightly disapproving look. "I refuse to dress our daughter like a little boy."

T'rell winks to Brencia as she glances up at him, then goes back to the very important work of making odd sounds with a set of wood blocks. He tugs a curl, then smiles to Kaeryn. "Hey, I didn't complain about the dress, did I? Besides, for the Gather," he quickly backtracks, "she can dress up a little. Okay? She doesn't have to look like wild boy child. Not all the time, anyway."

Kae relents, a little, as she turns back in the direction of the work the rests in her lap. "I've actually ordered a few playsuits to be ordered for her to wear when she's home and such. Shorts a little shirts and such. Not *boy* clothes, but.."

T'rell raises his eyebrows. "Of course not." He grins, the expression slightly crooked in amusement. "But hopefully practical enough that one spot won't ruin them, right?" He crosses behind the woman, hands first resting lightly on her shoulders and then beginning to rub gently. "How're the preparations coming?"

Kaeryn releases a soft sigh and tilts her chin upwards to look T'rell in the eye, giving him a small, but very tired, grin. "They're coming together. The bakers are working on the dinner, vintners are providing the wine... harpers will do music for the ball, of course, but I still need to get the room decorated. Have to find someone to set up the harper tents beforehand and be sure that someone runs them." With a shrug and a shake of her head, she lets her eyes close. "I'll be glad when it's over."

T'rell kisses Kaeryn's forehead while her eyes are closed. "So will we." Brencia has begun to stare at her parents, and the man gives her a quick wink, causing her to grin at them instead. "I've arranged for G'lish and Ferrenth to ride sweeps for us, so we're at your beck and call for most of the Gather."

"Thank you," the harper mumbles softly, "I don't know if I'll need you to run errands, but it would be nice to have you around." Reaching out, she snaps her book closed and pushes it toward the back of the desk. "Just as long as you're there for the ball, though."

Seeking, massaging fingers find their way through golden hair the length of Kaeryn's neck. "That I wouldn't miss," T'rell assures her. "I think I've even got fancy clothes in one of these old trunks." As he finishes, he gives her a quick hug from behind before moving again, taking a seat on one of the trunks that's as much furniture as storage space.

Kaeryn turns slowly, looking not a little panic striken, her blue eyes opened wide. "A dress. Oh goodness. I didn't even think about it, I've been too busy thinking about everything else. I have the dress I've worn for the past two balls but..." A disappointed frown tugs at her mouth and she shakes her head, "Not even Vivian could throw something together this quickly."

"Whoa there." T'rell reaches for Kaeryn's hand, his thumb tapping on it in accompaniment to his words as he holds it. "I'm sure whatever you have is fine. 'sides," he adds mischievously, "You could always borrow something from Kara."

"And wear the same gown I wore when I was promoted *and* that I wore to the Tillek Masque?" Kae's frown deepens, head shaking again, even as she gives T'rell's hand a squeeze. "As for borrowing something from Kara.." an irritated, or is that jealous, look flashes in her blue eyes, "I prefer to be able to breathe on a regular basis."

T'rell considers. "Breathing's important? Hm. Well, forget most of the ball gowns I've ever seen, then." He grins, eyeing Kaeryn's frown as if to make it go away for lack of company.

"For those of us that care about being able to move and eat and drink and perhaps play the flute or sing, it is," Kae replies shortly, an apologetic frown replacing the scowl as soon as the words come from her mouth.

"Hey, c'mon. I'm sure there's something you'll be happy with. I bet Vivian's got something tucked away that would fit *and* let you breathe." T'rell squeezes Kaeryn's hand and puts it back where he got it, rising from his seat and crossing the rug again as Sejith shifts, gradually showing signs of awakening.

Kaeryn pushes herself to her feet and stretches her arms up above her head, yawning sleepily. "I guess you're right. I'll look for her tomorrow and see if she has anything for me, and try not to worry about it between now and then." With another yawn, which she attempts to hide by covering it with her hand, she moves in the direction of the bedroom. "Would you mind putting 'Cia to bed tonight? I think I'm going to put myself there now."

T'rell pauses to admire Kaeryn's stretching form and smiles to her. "No problem. I just need to fit some straps on Sejith while he's awake, but we'll keep an eye on her," he promises. "Get some rest. You're working yourself too hard again."

With a shake of her head, Kae negates the idea, "I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all. Nothing a good evening's sleep can't fix, I'm sure." Steps are taken one at a time and she pauses at the top, "Goodnight, you three. See you in the morning." Fingers are waved in the directions of rider, dragon, and daughter, and the harper slips up into the bedroom to sleep.

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