Harper's Tale-Kaeryn - Tuesday, July 11, 2000, 10:10 PM

Artist's Workshop

Kaeryn (#7720)
female Harper Jman (OOC CM)/DolphinSinger Trainee (Lady Rose)
With a height of about 5 foot 4, this young woman is not exactly overbearing in stature, but the confident air about her makes her seem a little taller. The strands of her golden hair flow fluidly down her back, ending in gentle curls at her waist. Bringing attention to the features of her heart shaped face, which is slightly fuller than normal, are her blue eyes, highlighted with golden flecks, that sparkle mischievously in the light. Her skin is lightly tanned and delicate, tiny freckles powdering her small nose. A mysterious look in her eyes, and the way her pale pink lips upturn in a smile make her seem even more attractive.
A soft, luxurious flaxen dress in a rich shade of blue drapes gracefully from Kae's shoulders. The neckline is gently scalloped, scooping down just enough to show off her slender neck and the thin silver necklace that encircles it. The sleeves are short, ending about a third of the way down to her elbow, and the hem of each is decorated with silver threaded embroidery. The bodice is somewhat-close fitting but flares out just below the bust, flowing over an obviously blossoming belly, to where it ends just above the knees. On her feet is a pair of wherhide sandals that are perfect for the Istan heat and sun, protecting her soles from the hot sand or ground but allowing her feet to stay cool.
IC Age: 25 Turns, 9 months, and 3 days

Kaeryn pokes her head in the door and knocks softly, "Oli? How're you holding up?"

Tolia jumps, whirling to face Kaeryn with a slightly panicked look which fades as a giggle forms. "You scared me. Shards." She sinks onto a stool at her favorite workbench, grinning up at her mentor. "Okay, I think. Did they like it?"

"You did wonderfully," Kae compliments, her voice and smile both sincere. "They were impressed, or so I think, judging by the way they paid attention.. well, all except for sweet, half-deaf Oldeara," she can't help but giggle as she slips down into a nearby seat.

Tolia sighs dramatically. "By Faranth! I guess it was okay to ignore her sometimes, since she did fall asleep, but..." With a tortured roll of her eyes, she steadies herself on the workbench.

Kaeryn holds up the mug of klah that she brought for Tolia and grins, "Maybe this will help a little?" she offers with a shrug, "Should, anyway. And, well, she really does /try/ to be helpful and to pay attention, but she's so /old/."

Tolia sniffs at it. "Klah, huh?" She takes it, but not all that enthusiastically, and sips. After a momentary face at the bitterness, she swallows and then nods, almost surprised. "Not too bad, for right now. Thanks."

"Well, the little splash of cider that I had the barkeep add to it probably helps, both with the taste and the effect," Kae winks playfully and shrugs, "I know how stressful this was for you, but it's over, right? Now, well, you just have to wait and see."

Tolia grins at Kaeryn. "Thanks, you know I don't really like plain klah. The cider's good, though." She sips again, relaxing just a little. "Hard, I guess?"

Kaeryn grins and nods her head, "Of course." A soft chitter comes from the next room, and Kae tilts her head to listen, her lips curling up into a smile as she does, "Sounds like Perry has found a few of his friends. I think he misses Ista as much as I do, sometimes."

Tolia glances at Kaeryn's rather obvious stomach. "With all this delay, are you going to sail with us?"

"I'll have to speak with Master Thorn about how long he expects we'll be out," Kae replies with a soft frown. "I have so much work left to do that I haven't had time for, so I really /need/ to go out, but..."

Tolia nods, then pauses. "Hey, didn't you say you were supposed to see a healer this afternoon?"

Kae cringes slightly but nods her head, "Actually, yes, and I guess I should get up in that direction." Slowly, she gets to her feet and turns toward the door. "I invited T'rell, though I'm not really sure if he can make it or not, depending on sweeps and fall, of course." A slight shrug accents her first step as she leaves the room for the ballroom.

"Maybe he will." Oli grins, following.

Ballroom

"Hey, Kaeryn!" The dragonrider's cheerful call echoes in the open spaces of the ballroom. "Oli! How'd it go?"

Kristiana hugs Oli. "Hey! How are you?!"

Tolia beams as she turns toward the familiar voice. "T'rell! See, I told you he'd make it. Kristiana! You too..." She looks at all the faces, without spotting Brina.

Kaeryn turns toward the stairs and steps up to the first one, pausing to look over her shoulder, "You can join me, if you want to see how the baby's doing, if you'd like," she invites Oli, nodding her head in the direction of the stairs. She starts to take another step, and stops at the sound of T'rell's voice. "T'rell!" she exclaims happily, turning carefully and moving not-quite-so-quickly across the ballroom in this direction.

T'rell (#5123)
male Ista Weyr Wavecutter Wingrider
A small fellow, his shoulders are broad, his hands well-calloused, and his form compact and fit. His dirt-brown eyes sparkle with mischief and humor to lend a joke to his short and wavy hair, which has become quite a remarkable shade of light grey. His features are unlined except when he's laughing and are free and mobile with his expressions, such that all his five feet and four inches of height are alight with a juvenile and contagious spirit.
A short beard is trimmed more or less neatly, the light brown-grey adding definition to a firm jawline.
A well-worn, ash-scarred wherhide jacket hangs well on his shoulders over a plain shirt, his wingrider's knot slightly frayed at the edges but otherwise neat with its bronze strand winding unevenly through the orange and black of Ista. Work trousers end at sturdy brown boots, patched here and there but with several turns to go.
IC Age: 36 Turns, 4 months, and 27 days

Kristiana motions toward Lythande. "Tolia, this is Lythande. I met her outside of the Cothold. She's new here, too."

T'rell grins, intercepting Kaeryn before she can get too far. "Didn't think I'd get here, did you. Well, I had to make a quick stop, but I figured it'd be okay."

Tolia grins to Lythande as well. "Glad to meet you. Just arrived?" She extends her hand in greeting.

T'rell makes a quick, not-too-subtle hand gesture to Brina behind his back.

Lythande shakes her hand "new enough I guess"

Brina silently giggles to herself while looking at the warm face of Kaeryn.

Brina (#20013)
female Tillek Hold Resident
With strawberry-blond hair that curls to her shoulders and her wide inquisitive blue-grey eyes, Brina has the look of a girl that is always looking for something to do. Rukbat's warm rays have blessed her small nose with many tiny freckles, and her sun-bleached lashes enhance the color of her eyes. her Sun-kissed cheeks make her 12 turns seem young as she is at a slightly smaller stature than her peers.
Brina is wearing a sundress whose color is heather grey a little darker than the color of a dolphin. Thick straps of fabric cover her shoulders and moves into a scoop neck where it flows to right above her knees. Upon her feet are sandles that are a slightly darker hue, but match her outfit perfectly. Her hair is braided with 5 strands with three strands having a ribbon added to make the simple necessity of her hair being pulled back from her face a pretty and detailed design.
IC Age: 12 Turns, 4 months, and 23 days

Kaeryn's smile brightens dramatically as T'rell reaches her side and she leans in to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so glad you could make it," she whispers softly before glancing over to the side and grinning at her cousin. "Hi there, Bri!" she says happily before turning back to the stairs. "There's a healer waiting, so we need to get upstairs," she explains, not trying to be rude.

"Welcome, then. How do you like it so far?" Oli asks, folding her hands behind her back in the absense of pockets.

T'rell grins at Brina. "You coming too, or you want to hang out down here a while?" he wonders, starting up the stairs. "Wouldn't want to keep the healer waiting."

Evanorah walks in through an arch from the great hall.

Brina looks to T'rell and then steps out into the view of Kaeryn and says "Didn't think you would get to see me did you? You look great, Kae! Yeah, I think I might come with you."

Kristiana looks intently at Oli. "So when will you find out?"

Tolia catches Brina just long enough to give her a quick hello. "Come back when you're done!"

"And make them two come back, too," Oli adds, calling up the stairs to them.

Brina glances at Tolia with a smile on her face and quick nod of her head. "I definitely will!"

"Up we go then," Kae nods her head and takes slow, careful steps to move up the stairs. "I'm going to be in serious trouble getting up and down the stairs when it's closer to time for the birthing," she notes in between steps.

T'rell patiently helps, at Kaeryn's elbow. "Just don't use stairs," he recommends. "The smiths have this cabled car that they pull freight up and down with."

Bully squawks at Kaeryn and pictures an impatient Healer pacing back and forth to her.

Kaeryn cringes at Bully and nods her head, "Coming, I'm not moving /that/ quickly right now."

Guest Room

Jathen (#11583)
male Healer Journeyman and Dolphinhealer Trainee
As Jathen turns to face you, the first thing you notice are his piercing dark green eyes that lock you in their grip. They have an almost flinty appearance to them. As the initial glance wears off, you notice that he has dark brown hair that has a tendency to hang in his face. His tan forearms are laced with very nasty looking threadscores. His face remains pleasant and his look is friendly. His look is often sarcastic. He is just above average height. His arms, legs and chest are obviously muscular but he retains the soft, gentle hands of a Healer. His fingers themselves seem a bit longer than they should be but perfectly in proportion with the rest of his body. He carries himself with a very casual look. He usually gives a smile and a nod to everyone.
Jathen wears a pair of dark green weyrhide pants that are a bit too large for him, but are fastened with a fairly nice leather belt. He also wears simlpe, long sleeved, loose shirt of an off white color. On his shoulders hangs a dark brown jacket that comes down to his ankles. As he walks it swirl around him like a cape.
Jathen wears the knot of Journeyman. He is a Healer.
IC Age: 24 Turns and 13 days

Kaeryn walks in, taking slow, deliberate steps. "I apologize I'm later than we'd planned," she says quietly as she enters the room.

T'rell closes the door after he enters. "And so were we," he takes a good part of the blame. "Hope it's not a problem."

Jathen quits his pacing and picks up a record hide, "Well, it's been over three months since you've seen me, so I just hope you've been seeing someone else..." He flips through the hides and shakes his head slowly.

T'rell, not good with the whole medical thing, falls silent.

Kaeryn takes another step inside the room and nods her head to Jathen, her face growing quite serious as she replies, "Yes sir, I have. Being on the Lady Rose, I'm in different places constantly, but I have been seeing a healer at every port, as I promised."

Brina looks around silently just hoping that she will get to stay this time with her cousin and T'rell for Kae's appointment.

Jathen scowls deeply, "I'll have those reports sent to me personally at the Hall if you don't mind..." He writes on the record and coughs lightly as he sets it down, "Alright, sit down if you will..." He puts the hide away momentarily while he puts his listening tube in his ears and washes up with redwort.

T'rell remains standing, thank-you. He leans over to whisper to Brina, "Ever seen anything like this before?"

"I don't mind at all," Kae shakes her head as she moves to have a seat, as instructed. Hands are folded in her lap as she waits to see what she'll next be instructed to do.

Brina whispering to T'rell, "Nope, I sure haven't. What is he gonna do?"

T'rell shrugs as he whispers back, "Dunno. Last time I couldn't bear to watch." He gives the girl a wink, though he is certainly uncomfortable.

Giving a look at T'rell, Brina whispers, "I hope it doesn't get too bad!"

Jathen flicks a glow tube and puts it on his ear and takes a mallet along with him, walking over to Kaeryn, "Alright..." He heaves the hide back out of his back, "Morning sickness, dizzy spells, dragon rider trying to make you late for appointments...?" He rambles off a bunch of symptoms.

T'rell gives Jathen an odd look for a moment, quirking an eyebrow.

Kae sits up as straight and tall as she can when Jathen moves toward her, and listens carefully. At the mention of the first two symptoms, she shakes her head, but at the third, she can't help but smile. "No more sickness or dizziness, though I am tired quite often. As for the dragon rider, well, he can't help it sometimes," she winks at T'rell and gives the healer a smile.

Brina starts to giggle but composes herself and whispers to T'rell. "I didn't think that could be a symptom."

Jathen nods slowly, "Ankles swelling any? Cousins collaborating with dragon rider to make you late?" He hasn't taken his eyes off the hide.

T'rell shrugs to Brina, looking innocent.

Kae peers over a little and looks at her ankles, and shakes her head, "Not much swelling, only if I've had to stand a good deal on a certain day," Kae responds in her usual soft, smooth voice, "but if I put my feet up, that usually goes away." Another glance is sent in T'rell and Brina's direction and she tries to not laugh.

Brina gives a look to the healer of slight amusement.

T'rell winks covertly to Kaeryn as he catches her eye, but he just stands quietly, thumbs hooked in his belt, conspiring with Brina.

Jathen continues to make notes, "Alright..." He throws the record back into his bag, "Let's start...Open your mouth and give me a good solid note...preferably in the higher register..." He raises a brow, shining the glow tube in her mouth.

Kaeryn raises an eyebrow in slight confusion, but she does as instructed. Mouth is opened, she takes a deep breath, and a sweet, pure note sounds from her throat, holding it as long as needed.

"I don't think the last healer asked for that," T'rell tells Brina. "Though it sounds a lot better than the usual 'say Ahhh'."

With a whisper, Brina agrees with T'rell. "Yeah, it does sound better!"

Jathen puts a finger up to her chin to close her mouth, "Very nice..." He turns her head gently to the side to look in one ear and then the other ear, "Alright..." He walks back to make a couple notes, speaking allowed as he does, "Has brains...very easily distracted by dragon rider, who thinks the Healer is odd..." He makes a few more marks before walking back and warming up his listening tube.

T'rell hmms thoughtfully to Brina. "Sounds about accurate, what do you think?"

Kae chews on her lower lip in a desperate attempt to keep a straight face, but fails miserably when she erupts in a fit of happy giggles. Quickly regaining control of herself, she licks her lips and sits up straight again, careful to keep her gaze from falling on the 'rider' that is in the corner, as if to prove that she isn't /that/ easily distracted.

Brina agrees with T'rell. "Yep, it sounds just about right. I think he might need more emphasis on the easily distracted point." she says in a whisper trying not to let Kae know what she just said.

T'rell nods solemnly to Brina, giving a quick wink in Kaeryn's direction to try for more distraction.

Jathen kneels a little and places the listening pad over Kae's heart and then frown slightly and then moves it again. He picks up he wrist to find a pulse and can't find one and then moves the pad again and finally hears the pulse of the heart. If some key people would have talked a little louder he might have diagnosed Kaeryn as dead! He shoots a glance at the pair before moving the pad down to Kae's stomach...

Kae concentrates on just breathing normally and being still while Jathen uses his listening pad on her and searches for her pulse. At his frown, her interest in that little mechanism grows, and she watches it being moved all over, searching for her heartbeat. As it touches her stomach, she smiles a little more brightly.

T'rell turns at Jathen's look, exaggeratedly shushing Brina with a silent motion.

Jathen closes his eyes, trying to block everything else out. He moves it over her stomach and then removes it, his face impassive and unemotional. It's a nack these healers have. He picks up the hide and begins to write again and frowns, putting his things back in his bag and taking out a small throwing knife, "Alright..." He brings up a chair for himself and sits cross legged, "Good news, or bad news first, Kaeryn?"

With a look of innocence on her face, Brina straightens up and tries to be quiet as the healer speaks.

At the possiblity of bad news, T'rell straightens and pays a good deal more attention."

Kaeryn's face grows very pale just at the words 'bad news', apparently every bad thing that could possibly happen flashing through her mind at once. After sitting quietly for a moment, she licks her lips again and replies, "Bad?"

Jathen frowns and shakes his head, "I'm afraid that...the rider and your cousin are driving me wherry with all the noise they're making..." He says slowly as if telling her someone's dead.

Kaeryn releases the deep breath that she'd been holding, and the color quickly returns to her face, "That's the bad news? I can handle /that/...and them. What about the good?"

Jathen scowls a tad deeper and stands, "The good news is that I'm not going to kill them and your the picture of health and so's the babe as far as I can tell, just no going between until you've birthed that babe..." He winks and goes to shoulder his pack and twirls his knife and holsters it in one of his coat pockets.

T'rell chuckles under his breath. He'd half figured it'd be something like that, and rolls his eyes.

Brina starts to giggle at the healer and quickly shuts her mouth.

Kae smiles brightly, her hands folding gently over her growing belly, and she nods her head. "Thank you, sir, and I promise, no betweening." Tanned fingers lift to her face and brush the golden curl that has fallen into her eyes, and she then gets to her feet. "I'm just not sure how I'm going to be able to walk when it's closer to time for birthing," she admits with a sheepish look as she takes small steps in T'rell's direction.

Jathen looks at the rider and sizes him up, "Have him carry you.." He smirks for the first time, "He's the one that got you into this mess in the first place..."

T'rell eyes Kaeryn dubiously. "Carrying one of her, sure. Two?" he teases.

Kaeryn pauses in her motion in T'rell's direction and /glares/ at him, her arms folding over her chest in a huffing motion as she turns her back to him. A wink is given in Jathen's direction and she shakes her head, as if dismissing the thought.

Jathen nods, "Aye...but whatever you do, be careful with yourself. No fighting, not too much walking or standing, and stay off your feet, and if you don't?" He raises a brow, "I'll recommend to your hall that you're taken off active duty, and guess who they'll listen to..." He grins at his threat.

T'rell grins, well-pleased, as he tugs Kaeryn's hair lightly. "What about sailing?" he asks Jathen.

Jathen looks at T'rell, "So long as she's sitting down and relaxing I don't care if you take her diving with your daffy dragons. Keep he relaxed and warm and healthy or I'll follow through with my threat."

If /any/ threat would do, that would be the one that would work. Kae gulps loudly at the idea of not being able to work, her current frown a real one. "I'll rest as much as I can," she agrees quietly as she takes a step backward to lean against T'rell.

T'rell nods. "Think we'll need a talk with good ol' Thorn?"

Jathen nods and finally bows, "Come see me in two week, Kaeryn..." He walks to the door, but pauses, "And next time, don't let these two dimglows make you late!" He exits.

Jathen walks briskly east.

Putting an arm around Kaeryn's waist -- well, not really _around_ it anymore, but more resting against her side, actually, T'rell chuckles. "Right. Don't listen to us dimglows."

Kaeryn's mouth works silently, looking from T'rell to Jathen and back again as Jathen leaves the room. "Not /work/?" she mumbles unhappily, shaking her head in disbelief. A soft sigh escapes her mouth and she leans into T'rell's embrace, closing her eyes. "The important part is that *we* are healthy, right?"

Nodding her head to her cousin, Brina says "Please stay healthy and don't overwork yourself. You gotta give me someone healthy to play with!" she says with a smile and a giggle.

T'rell chuckles at Brina, and nods to Kaeryn. "Listen to her, even if you don't listen to yourself. She's pretty smart for a squirt."

Kaeryn's stomach grumbles loudly, causing her to laugh and shake her head, "I'd forgotten that I haven't had time for dinner yet, with Oli's presentation followed by this." She nods her head in the direction of the door and smiles, "Anyone up for food?"

T'rell raises his eyebrows. "When am I not?" he wonders, opening the door for the harper and her cousin.

"Food? Sounds good to me!" Brina exclaims to her cousin.

"How does the 'mug sound?" Kae asks as she wanders through the opened door, leading the way out.

A small, simple room. One used by various guests of the Harper Hall. Polished, smooth stone forms the walls, floor, and ceiling. A bed of decent size lies against the far wall. Other than the glowbaskets, no other ornamentation adorns the room.

"Sounds fine to me, though I should check on Sejith if we're going to be staying around longer. He'll probably want a swim and I am _not_," T'rell emphasizes, "going to dry out another set of straps."

Main Hall and Ballroom (#4517)

T'rell, arm in arm with Kaeryn, acts as the harper's balance just in case she happens to need it. "Cold? The water around here ain't cold," he insists. "You've never swum in Fort's lake in winter, I'll wager."

Lythande raises an eyebrow, which is the only movement on her expressionless face

Kae cringes and shakes her head, "And I'm not planning to do that any time soon, not unless I get tossed overboard."

Tegran clicks his tongue, only a breath's wait after his eyes raise to the balcony before Kaeryn comes into view. His grin soon tints with concern, his brows slightly drawing together as he waits for Kaer to finish her descent down the staircase, standing nearly on the complete other side of the Hall.

"And if anyone tosses you overboard, I'll be tossing him in that cold lake," T'rell assures Kaeryn with a half-grin.

"Hi, Oli! I'm back and you see that I brought these two back with me!" Brina giggles after she speaks and as she continues to walk down the stairs after Kaeryn and T'rell.

Kaeryn makes it to the ballroom floor without a problem, but continues to hold on to T'rell's arm, mostly because she feels comfortable and safe that way. "Is there a ball happening here tonight, or just a random gather?"

Lythande says, "I must take my leave, this traveling orphin needs some sleep. So I'll bid you all good bye"

Tolia beams to Brina, Kaeryn and T'rell. "How'd it go?" she quizzes Kaeryn.

Kristiana smiles at Lyth. "Thanks for accompanying me. See you around?"

Tolia smiles to Lythande. "Sleep well, then." She watches the girl for a few moments, then turns back for Kaeryn's answer.

Lythande shrugs at kristiana "probably"

Kaeryn beams back at Oli, "Both baby and I are absolutely healthy, and positively hungry." Head is cocked to the side toward T'rell and then in the other direction toward Brina and she grins, "but Jathen seems to think these two are dangerous."

T'rell nods to Lythande. "Thanks for the diversion," he adds in parting.

"It was really nice meeting you" Brina says to Lythande. "Good night and thank you for helping us."

Lythande says, "no problem"

Tolia grabs Brina in a quick hug, grinning eye to eye, or a little more, with her uncle as she agrees. "Yeah, I already knew that, didn't you?"

Brina giggles and shakes her head while saying "Nope, not me. I'm not dangerous at all!" with a somewhat cheshire grin on her face.

Tolia waves at the departing Tegran without releasing Brina. "Shells, too bad he couldn't stay longer. He said he had supplies to get," she shrugs, then looks down at Brina with a solemn wink. "Course you are. Now stop arguing."

T'rell feigns innocence, turning to Kaeryn at this accusation from his neice. "What have you been teaching this kid?"

Kae blinks innocently and shakes her head, "All /I/ ever say about /you/ is, well.." she shrugs and blushes slightly. Disgustingly sweet and gushy, perhaps?

T'rell rolls his eyes as he shakes his head. "Sure, sure. Must be my brother's fault," he finally concludes. "So, food?" One-track mind, sure.

"Sure, blame my dad." Oli grins at Brina. "So, you sure you like being associated with this family?" Finally she lets the girl go, and focuses on the mention of food -- not nearly so much as her uncle, but that probably runs in the family, too. "Where were you guys going to go for dinner?"

"Food," Kae repeats, somewhat delayed. "The 'Mug?" she offers as a suggestion for dinner and shakes her head to show that it doesn't really matter to her.

Brina nods her head in agreement with T'rell and looks at Kae. "Let's go get some food. I know Kae has to be famished! You gonna come too, Oli?" Brina ssays.

Tolia nods. "But I want to change," she insists. "I've got stuff in the workshop closet, and I'll bet nobody's in there ... so I'll meet you there in a few minutes," she offers. "Okay?"

T'rell nods, approving of Tolia's outfit. "Thought you looked nicer than usual." He can't resist a tease, even with a compliment attached.

Tolia makes a quick face at T'rell, then strides toward the workshop.

Kaeryn stifles a yawn before heading toward the 'Mug. Food first, then sleep, in that order. "Let's?"

With a dome-shaped ceiling reaching up almost beyond the light cast by numerous glows surrounding the hall, this room can be none other than the Hold's great hall. The floor is solid grey stone, slightly worn from the hundreds of Turns of use it's been through. Four `tapestries' hang around the hall at seemingly random intervals, coloring the otherwise dull hall. An assortment of tables and chairs and couches are strewn about the hall for any who wish to take a rest during their labors, but mostly people are using the great hall as a center for moving to other places. Archways and doors lead everywhere, but the most dominant doors are the great double doors to the east, leading out to the courtyard.

T'rell nods. "I'll be in in a minute, once I find a good corner for those straps." He sends Brina off with Kaeryn, heading for the door.

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