The following is a log of roleplay on Star Stones MOO, logged by Dallaney.
All references to the world and characters of Pern™ based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction
are copyright© 1967 by Anne McCaffrey, all rights reserved. The Dragonriders of Pern® is
registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey and used here with
permission.
Main Living Cavern
The careless glitter of rose quartz reflects and refracts the light from within its bed of
granite, each beam bringing a new shifting, a new subtlty of sight. Rows of long trestle
table are seated in orderly awareness under the carven vault of the ceiling, centered
around a great dais upon which sits the best-made one; this, too, shows the roughness of
the others, but a roughness smoothed by time, and accented by the complexity of beams that
show Turns-taken tesselation in their upward arch. Neither tapestries nor coverings mar
the marbling of wild beauty, leaving unadorned grandeur that in naturalistic simplicity
provides comfort to the occupants of the cavern.
One archway, the only covered by a drape of black and gold, shields the entrance to the
bowl from the blow of sand; another, almost unobtrusive, marks the entrance to the lower
caverns through a short, winding and uncarefully-carved tunnel.
Perched somewhere up high, you see Maraithe, Shaman, and Zippo.
Scud is here.
From here you can go:
Bowl Lower Caverns Infirmary
Scud
Standing around average height Scud seems to be able to stick out from everyone else.
Walking with a manner that seems to say, 'Look at me', he holds his head high no matter
what. Hazel hair is cropped close to his head and pushed forward, chin, however is adorned
with fuzz, or what he calls his 'goatee'
Off white shirt hangs loosely off of Scud's frame. Sleeves pulled up around his elbows
show forearms that are big, but not huge. Well worn pants also hang loosely off his legs,
however when not standing still, one can see his thighs and calfs are also built up, from
many a day running.
He is awake and looks alert.
Scud just looked at you.
Scud looks up slowly from his resting place against a rock only to see Dallaney. Instantly
he groans as the thought of a werybrat doesn't exactly make his day any better..especially
after just waking up. "oohhh.." he groans, this time outload as he watches her.
Dallaney wanders in from the caverns, scrubbing at bleary eyes. A faint
"Morning." is mumbled to Scud as she fuzzily notes a figure on her way to the
food platters.
Scud nods wearily to Dallaney as he continues to try to awaken "Morning.." he
restates as he slowly rises from his seat..noting the direction of the klah pots he heads
over that way. Not as steadily as he might normally be but steady enought to make it there
in one piece mind you.
Dallaney stares sharply at the klah pot from her viewpoint, roughly at eye level with the
table. Some more irritated murmurings escape her lips before 'brat pushes off towards
Scud's side. Looking up innocently she manages a smile. Looks like the nannies /have/
taught her something.
Scud can only manage a week smile as he looks down on Dallaney "Wha? You want some
too?" he asks as he slowly takes out another mug and pours the kidlet some klah. Mind
you only half-full but still..klah is klah "Now don't drink it too fast or you'll
burn your mouth.." he says, as he winks at the girl on his way back to his table.
Dallaney gets confused, reflected in dark forehead wrinkled up at the man. Did niceness
actually get her somewhere? "O-kay." She decides, giving it a small head-shake.
"Thank-you." Lips repeat as she's heard other people say. And she quickly
plunges into the mug, all but burying bobbing curls into the liquid.
Scud shakes his head slowly as he watches Dallaney "Your welcome little one.."
he says, smiling as he slowly sips his klah. Much better this way..much better so savor it
/slowly/ and not just dive into it. Afterall if you just dive into it how're you supposed
to enjoy the aoroma, the taste, the...well okay maybe the only real reason for sipping is
so you don't burn your mouth.
Dallaney knows better than to scald her tongue, oh-yes she does. So it comes as a surprise
when the strong scent of the klah and its heat reaches her head, 'brat reeling back with a
disgusted scowl on the small face. "Yeeks!" She calls out, snapping her mouth
open and shut rhythmically as angrily as any 'lizard. "All your fault!" is
snapped at the man when she cools sufficiently to /talk/.
Scud blinks at the girl as he slowly sets his mug down "Wha? What'd I do?" he
asks as he doesn't see what he /did/ do wrong. Afterall she did look like she wanted
some..true he didn't give her enough time to respond but he was drinking klah when he was
her age so..
Dallaney sniffs, up and up at him. Disgruntled, she shuts her mouth and tries another
small sip, not answering. She's drunk klah before, but it was his fault for offering her
the hot brew in the first place, despite the advice. A small finger jabs in his direction
with that thought as she concentrates for the present on finishing the shallow contents.
Scud quirks his brow at the child once more "Wha, well..if your going to say 'Why'd I
give you the klah?' That's easy..'cause you looked like you wanted it, and well..."
he says, smirking as he watches her drink it's contents "You seem to be enjoying it
anyways." he says, as he slowly lifts his mug to his lips, cautiously draining it's
contents.
Dallaney sips the last droplet off the rim, ignoring the decided sizzle as it goes down.
"I did /not/ look like I wanted it. I came down for--" a frown of doubt, but
Dallan continues. "--A meatroll." Yes, that's what it was. Unfriendly sneer
tilts her lips. "I had to accept, 'cause that's what I am /supposed/ to do. What are
you doing here, anyway?" She puts in at the end of the explanation-cum-argument.
Scud blinks at the girls statements or argument "..well then why didn't you tell me
you didn't want that? You don't /have/ to ever take anything if you don't want to."
he says as he slowly sets his mug down "All you had to do was tell me you would
rather have a meatroll and I would've gotten you one. And why'm I here? Well because I
want to be? Is there anything wrong with that?" he asks as he slowly leans towards
the girl.
Dallaney backs away warily. The person is, after all, much taller--and stronger than her.
And there aren't any allies around too. She simply shakes her head, as ever unwilling to
admit any mistake, expression freezing into one of tenseness. "But you don't have a
knot." she protests vehemently. Or perhaps she just doesn't see one around, on him.
Scud nods as he looks to his shoulder "Aye I /don't/ have a knot. But who says the
only people allowed in the Weyrs are people with knots? I am..afterall a traveler and
well..do travellers have knots?" he asks as he slowly leans back in his chair, eyes
still resting on Dallaney.
Dallaney accepts the explanation mutely, tilting sharp chin and head to meet his eyes in a
glare maybe /slightly/ less rebellious than before. "Where did you travel from?"
As if for proof of some kind.
Scud looks to the girl and states simply "Keroon.." as he crosses his arms
across his chest "Why does it matter?" he then asks after making sure he's good
and comfortable.
Dallaney mumbles, icy glance following Scud's movements. "Just checking."
'Bratling doesn't like strangers running about, that's why. Then. "That's very far.
What is there here that is better than Keroon?" she wonders, half to herself, and
temper still simmering.
Scud smirks smartly as he continues to stare unblinking at Dallaney "/Not/ my
parents." he states simply as he beings to slowly wonder. Just how many questions
/is/ she going to ask? And why hasn't she gone to get a meatroll if that's what she
wanted?
Dallaney rudely clanks the mug down on the table beside her and sticks her arms at her
sides, seeming more girl than boy for the moment. But she doesn't stop to think about it.
"Oh." is the quick answer she returns, glancing elsewhere haughtily. The
meatrolls can wait.
Scud nods to the girl "Ayup.." he says, smirking as he just guess what's running
through her head. "So then what're /you/ doin over here?" he asks to the girl,
wondering how she'll answer it.
Dallaney peers back at him. "It's /morning/." And she wonders at his denseness.
"Time to wake up. All the others are, too." She nods to a kid just wandering in,
then smirks sullenly at Scud. What else did he expect from her?
Scud blinks at Dallaney and then suddenly nods slowly, hands reaching up to rub wearily at
his eyes "..I know that..but well..nevemind," he says, waving a hand at the girl
as he slowly rests his head on the table.
"Is anything the matter?" Dallaney asks, blinking back in feigned bewilderment.
Not too transparent, she hopes. She, too, attempts the action, but turns out to be a head
too short and ends up holding herself aloft for one long moment before again dropping to
the floor in a careless stunt.
Scud shakes his head slowly as he slowly peers over the edge of the table at the girl
"Are you allright?" he asks as he looks down on the poor child. Why'd she go and
try something like /that/ couldn't she tell she wasn't going to actually make the table?
Dallaney'd landed on her feet, which had folded beneath her. "Fooled ya!" she
squawks in the dignified manner of a wherry, leaping to her feet and prancing about in
complete well-being. So there. "I have to keep in shape, you know." she adds to
him, solemnly.
Scud can only manage a somewhat dignified chortle "I see..well it's good to keep in
shape you know." he says, smirking at her as he slowly leans back in his chair, eyes
still darting down to the girl every so often.
Slovenly wakes up from his nap.
Slovenly dozes off...
Dallaney squirts off the table-side rather restlessly, the hasty pace taking her towards
the wall, which she leans against. That support down, she ponders, shooting an occasional
glance to Scud as well.
Scud shrugs at the girls actions as he slowly rises from his chair "Well time for me
to be off..nice meeting you litte one," he says, to the girl as he slowly pushes in
his chair. Having done that Scud slowly turns on his heels and heads for the exit.
Scud has disconnected.
Dallaney's only reply is a snort as she turns too, striding deeper into the caverns.