The Dragonriders of PernŽ is a trademark, Registered U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, of Anne McCaffrey. This is a recorded session, generated by Harper's Tale MOO on Tuesday, January 5th, 1998, for the benefit of members unable to attend. Logged by Pyrene.
A Scary Offer
[Some brats and a pregnant Sen make Pyrene's day]
Pyrene wanders in and raises her brows idly at Asophene, "Aren't you up a little late?" Not that she can be bothered to do anything about it. She wanders over to the table instead, fixing herself a drink of redfuit juice.
Asophene watches the other people go, momentarily forgetting about Salem as she pops up to get some redfruit juice herself. "Late? Iss ear'y.."
Pyrene pauses in the act of pouring, "Early? is it? Did I miss--" she's cut off by the juice spilling over onto her hand and tsks, setting the jug down. With a sigh that turns into a yawn she peers about the table looking for a cloth to wipe it up with.
Imili arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Imili strolls in with a bit of a spring in her step. She looks like she's just had the weight of the world lifted from her shoulders.
Asophene squints at Imili inquisitively as she reaches for her redfruit juice, now extra careful not to spill it. "Yeah. My bedtime is really really really really far from now, isn't it, Nanny Pyrene?"
Imili the child's voice catches at her ear and she glances over with a smile as she pours a mug of klah.
Pyrene gives Imili a bleary-eyed look, "Hello... D'you know what time it is? As in morning or eve-" yawn "-ing?" Digging a handkerchief out of her pocket to mop up the juice she automatically nods to Asophene, then catches herself, "I s'pose it d'pends which way."
Imili glances out the cavern entrance.
Imili nods, "Well it's a few hours before sun up." she notes in that pretty lilt of her's.
Pyrene takes a moment to consider that and looks back at Asophene, "You /are/ up early, you shouldn't have to get up until at least an hour after sunup... Why're you awake?" She peers back at Imili, "For that matter, why's anyone awake? Weshould all be in bed 'cept for the night drudge and the watchrider." It's certainly where she'd like to be.
Asophene shrugs, her insomnia excuse enough - for her, that is. "We'...uhh..."
Imili smiles taking a nearby seat, "Just too wound up to sleep." she notes then takes sip of klah.
Pyrene drops into a chair near Imili and sips her juice, "Oh, yeah, I see..." Wait a minute-- no, she doesn't. "And, er, you are wound up because?"
Imili smiles into her cup then just lets it shine out, "Oh I got authorization to take a little break from my craft and I was honestly expecting to be asked to leave. I can't tell you relieved I am." then she extends her hand, "I don't know that we've met. I'm Imili."
Pyrene takes the hand, "'m Pyrene." force of habit relieving her befogged mind of the necessity to think about greetings and introductions while she instead ponders Imili's other words, "And why's that? About the break part. How'd you get one?" Might be useful to know.
Imili chuckles, "I just told my mentor I wanted some time to be sure I was taking the right path. I just don't know if mind healing is right for me." A shadow seems to drop over her a shoulders, "I just don't have a lot of experience to draw on..."
Pyrene's mind isn't exactly in the most healthy condition itself right now, but that wakes her up, "Mind healing? In a weyr? Would've thought you'd have your work cut out for you..." Belatedly perceiving Imili's sudden depression, she adds in a more comforting tone, "Don't worry too much about what's right for you just yet. After all, if it's...wrong," yeah, that's the word, "then you'll figure it out soon enough and do something else." Philosophy in the middle of the night. Not bad....
Imili smiles at Pyrene, "I just see so much need and there seem to be so many better suited."
Pyrene takes the time to focus on Imili's knot, "You're just an apprentice still, you're learning. You'll be better suited too soon." She smiles gently at the older girl, head angling to see what Asophene's got up to.
Imili looks at her not, "Oh it isn't the crafting I'm worried about." she notes, "I'm must not sure I know enough to help anyone else."
Asophene looks up from her empty cup of juice at Pyrene, caught trying to hide in the shadows but sighing as she wearily shuffles over to a stone seat.
Imili finishes off her klah and stretches, "Maybe I'll give my bed one more go."
Pyrene thinks about that, "Well, I don't know many things, but I do know enough to help the brats sometimes. Even so, I make mistakes," like not realising that it's /way/ past Asophene's bedtime, "but never when it counts. Because when it counts, you just don't."
Imili gives Pyrene a long look then smiles, "I'll keep that in mind." she says softly and slips away toward the healer's area.
Imili steps into the shadows that lead back into the Weyr.
Pyrene yawns and puts her feet up on Imili's vacated chair. "Did I just give advice or gibberish?" she wonders of Asophene, unable to remember a word of the conversation herself.
Asophene shakes her head, not quite sure. "I don' know, n'nny Pyrene. I am pas' my bedtime an I'm tired.."
Pyrene blinks, "You forgot to go to sleep too? I'll remind you to go to bed extra early tonight then." Maybe she's not as tired as she looks.
Asophene, having forgotten about her 'early' argument, pours herself another messy cup of redfruit juice, actually having taken a five-hour nap that afternoon since she'd waken up early the night before, so a few hours of sleep to do made up for it.
Pyrene passes Asophene her handkerchief helpfully, "Here, this's good for getting up juice." It's still a little damp from her own accident, but at least for once it's just juice on there.
Neola arrives from deeper in the Weyr.
Pyrene nods absently to Neola, "Been keeping out of the lake, I hope."
Neola quietly skitters into the room, searching around quietly before eye's rest on vic- Err.. Nanny, Pyrene and her Partn- Err.. Good freind, Asophene, "Hullo.." She offers quietly, skittering closer and shrugging off the lake incident, "Aww.. Lakes aren't much fun anyhow.. Silly greens. Hrph.." She says quietly, pouting even at that but only momentarily before looking back up, eyes glinting slightly in the dim light, "So.. Whats everyone up to? Any cookies?" As if she needs anymore sugar with her skittering and everything..
Asophene pulls her secret cake stash from her bag, careful not to let vic-err, nanny Pyrene see it as she hands it to partn-err, wonderful friend Neola. "Hi."
Pyrene remembers the time and stares levelly at Neola, "we were just talking about how late it was, and how we should go to bed extra early tonight to make up for it." the second 'we' being used in it's lesser known 'you' sense of course.
Neola oohs and takes a bit of the cake, quickly stuffing it down before giving Pyrene a wide, cake crumb covered grin, "Going to bed early? Why? Don't need sleep, I'm not even tired.." She says quietly, skittering closer to Phene for help, support and possibly more cake, "I'm wide awake."
Pyrene yawns and closes her eyes, dangerous as that may be, "'Kay then. And if anybody asks tomorrow, I told you not to eat that cake." This is one nanny who can't be bothered just now.
Asophene giggles as she breaks off another piece of that cake, in complete ignorance of the warning as she offers some more to her older companion. "I'm not sleepy either." Yawn.
Pyrene is sleepy, very sleepy. But she can't go to bed yet, matter of pride. Nannies always stay up longer than weyrbrats, it's a fact. It's also a fact that she's currently too tired to force them to their cots. So she'll just have to outwait them instead.
Neola giggles softly as she watches her Nanny and then turns to stuff another piece of cake in her mouth.. Ahh, a waiting game eh? Well.. We'll see.. Heh! "Are you sure you aren't tired Pyrene?" She asks, eyes glinting again in the dim light as she watches her nanny and then turns to give her partner a wink, "It /is/ awfully late and everything. We'll be good. Won't get into trouble." Yeah.. Sure..
Pyrene sighs, "Mnot ti'ed. Jus' res'ing m'eyes a minute." And under no circumstances does she ever trust weyrbrats who say: "we'll be good."
Asophene watches Pyrene's eyes flicker with weariness, the prospect of sending her to bed removing any trace of that same weariness from her own eyes. "Yah, Pyrene, 's wate. Izzen it?"
Sen grins saucily as she perambulates.... in from the Central Bowl.
Pyrene nods, "It's very late. Very late indeed. Makes you very tired." She hopes that's working on the brats as well as it's working on her.
Sen wanders into the cavern, humming softly to herself, moving to find some fruit juice and a plate of food, a selection of orange root and fresh greens and a small amount of meat and bread and cheese. Searching out a table, she spots the three girls and smiles "Pyrene..who are your friends?" she greets, setting down plate and glass.
Pyrene blinks her eyes open upon hearing a more mature voice than she was expecting, "Sen, hi! Umm, these are Neola and... As... Asophene." Yeah, it's late.
Sen nods to all three, settling into her chair and spearing orange root slices on her belt knife, nibbling at them delicately "Well met to both" she murmurs "I am Sen..rider of green Sindiath." And hungry pregnant woman.
Pyrene peers closely at Sen, "You're looking well, and hungry..." She's a little out of the gossip loop but she knows the symptoms.
Sen chuckles, amused by the girl's obvious fishing "Does it show?" she murmurs dryly, eyes twinkling "My thanks, however. I am well....and hungry" and she bites off a chunk of cheese "I am eating for two, if you hadn't guessed" she teases.
Neola chuckles softly as she notices the rider enter and her nanny perk up, "Hullo. I'm Neola.." She offer softly, even shyly as she looks up to the older one.. Hmm.. Neola, shy. Thats a bit unusal but.. "You're a rider?"
Sen turns to Neola, grinning, looking down at her garb "Doesn't look it, does it?" she laughs "Well..I have been grounded, as it were. No leathers needed."
Pyrene manages to disguise her wince credibly if not the glazed expression that descends upon her features, "Oh... Congratulations..." Mind now jarred awake she starts using it, "I bet you'll make a wonderful mother, you'll probably give it lots of care and attention..." not want to hand it over to the nurseries until it's at least 16 etc.
Sen pops a slice of meat in her mouth, and smiles, nodding "I would like to keep my child with me for a good while, Pyrene" she assents, than adds with wicked mischief "Perhaps until he..or she is two? Then I will leave the child in your special care.....I am sure you will be a good nanny..." eyes flick to her plate, than back at the girl, watching with delight.....
Neola snickers lightly as she watches her nanny, the prospect of another Weyrbrat around brightens her.. Even though she probably won't be able to plot things with it and help it get into all sorts of mischeif for a couple of turns. But then.. She can wait.. "Is it gonna be boy or a girl? And whatcha going to name it?" She asks, suddenly eager and awake wanting to learn all these new things while she can.. Help sometimes. Nevermind that the poor rider probably doesn't know in the first place, "Can't wait.."
Pyrene's grin manages to get even more fixed, despite being well and truly plastered on with cement already, "I'm... honoured Sen, really, but well, that's three years away isn't it? And who knows what can happen in three years?" She's got a feeling that it might include proving herself untrustworthy around children. And that was before she heard about Sen's baby.
Sen laughs at the little girl, shaking her head "I do not know....not even the dragons know" is teased as she takes a sip from her juice...Pyrene just gets a wicked look "Oh......I am sure you will still be here, caring for the masses of children" she murmurs....evil, evil Sen "we do not like to let a nanny go once we have got here, now do we, Neola?" and she looks to the little girl for agreement. Asophene gets a wink "And you..what do you think?'
Asophene stares at Pyrene from her position by Neola. "No let Pyrene go....go where?"
Pyrene appears to shudder, maybe she's sitting in a draft, "That's nice of you Sen, but I'm not really a very good nanny... this pair should have been in bed hours ago and instead they're in here-- and they were eating cake too! Maybe your baby would be better off with Kostya, she's so much better at it than me. Or even Rade might be willing to foster, all the weyrbrats used to adore her, y'know."
Sen chuckles, patting Pyrene's hand before spearing another piece of meat "no no...J'rant and I have decided...when it is time for our child to foster, with you it shall be. Just think" she beams "A little Sen for you to care for..." And if that doesn't make Pyrene run screaming, nothing will. The little girls get a smile of assurance "Worry not, little ones. You nanny isn't going anywhere..not for a long time."
Pyrene grins, "Ah, J'rant's the father then, and he's taking an interest in the child is he? That's good, and I really don't want to deprive the two of you of the joy of being there when your child loses its first tooth, or when it gets it's first spot. And a mother's touch is definitely needed when it first falls in love..." If not, she can always execute Plan B and strangle Neola or some handy brat where either parents-to-be or their lifemates can see.
Neola grins wickedly as she catches the riders hint and turns to Pyrene, "No.. Never let a nanny go.." She adds, turning to also give her partner a grin, "The rider was just talking about how she's going to have another one. A baby and how Pyrene'd have to watch it and everything.. Then she said that Pyrene wouldn't go or anything, she'd always be a nanny." She informs the other girl, her words short and to the point, or at least how she had taken it, "Will I get to play with it?" She asks, suddenly eager again as she turns to the rider, "I can teach it stuff.." Yeah.. Lots of stuff.. Heh heh!
Sen laughs "Oh...we shall still be around for those things, Pyrene...but someone must watch the child when we are flying thread, or out on sweeps. And you are just the person." She grins, delighted "And J'rant is very much interested in his child...we are weyrmating, you see."
Asophene ponders this new possibility instantly, curious. "New baby? From where?"
Pyrene with an effort remains sitting straight in her chair. "That /is/ wonderful news Sen," and the sincerity in her voice is because it's inspired her with another excuse, "Maybe in three years I'll be weyrmated and with a child of my own. I'd be too busy to take care of another then." Because she'd be trying to find somebody insane enough to take hers on. Asophene's question is heard and blinked at. Uh oh.
Asophene frowns upon Pyrene's blink, curiosity intensifying with determination as she begins to poke and prod. "Where baby come from? Sen buy 'im fromma BabyCraft?"
"Perhaps you'd better ask her," is Pyrene's weak and cowardly response.
Sen chokes back a laugh, peering at Pyrene expectantly, nibbling at a bit of bread and cheese "Yes, Pyrene..where do babies come from?" she murmurs "As their nanny, it is up to you to give them knowledge...is it not?" Eyes dance as she says this, than leans forward to whisper "I am sure that even when you are weyrmated, you will still enjoy having all of these delightful tots around you...including mine."
Pyrene seems to have tears in her eyes. Ones of joy no doubt, "Umm, well Asophene... Whena man and woman love each other very much, sometimes it's-- um-- enough to make a baby start growing inside the woman. And that's when it /really/ gets interesting, right Sen?" Please?
Sen takes pity, and hoists Asophene into her lap, cuddling the little girl "Truly.....you will know more when you are older, little one. For now, know that a baby does come from a man and a woman together, though the woman holds the child safe here" And she brings the child's hand to her belly "Until it is ready to be born." There. Simple, is it not? She winks at Pyrene "And a man and woman do not necessarily have to be in love, you know. But it is a happier occasion when they are.
Asophene peers from Pyrene to Sen, and then from Sen to Pyrene upon these words. "I wanna know. Iss there a BabyCraft?" And then, when recieved an answer from the strangely crying girl, "Love?" Obviously relating this harshly to the love she was able to feel for her father only for a few second, she dismisses it and concentrates on the other part. "Make a baby? But...babies don't appear out of thin air....do they?"
Asophene turns to Sen as she's lifted into a comfortable lap, pleased with a smile. "But...I'm a big girl, arn I? I haffa be old?"
Pyrene shakes her head, "No they come from the mummy's tummy. Like Sen's see? It's going to get bigger and bigger until the baby's ready to be born." Yes, and that's much more interesting than any part involved with a man, "And you have to be at least my age, otherwise your tummy can't get big enough."
Sen hugs Asophene, and smiles "You are a big girl...but not quite old enough to understand, or to have a child." she ruffles the child's hair "For now, just know that babies are fun to play with?"
Asophene looks up at Pyrene, oh-ing. "Tummy grows really really big? Doesn't that hurt?" She is almost sated enough to quit, but one last curiosity must be mentioned. "Born? Why don't the baby just come ready-made, like Salem did from the herders?"
Pyrene shrugs, "Babies are more complicated than Salem." She's too tired to go into any more explanations.
Asophene ohs, disappointed at the lack of explanation but too tired to protest any more. Soon she lays there, wide awake on Sen's lap...one....two....there.....and a soft sound can be heard coming from Asophene's close-eyed, sleeping direction.
Sen laughs again, and looks over at Pyrene "Perhaps it is bedtime" she murmurs, "For you as well. You look beat, girl." Head turns down, and she turns Asophene, eyes her sternly "Now....you be a good little girl and let Pyrene put you to bed........." She blinks, than looks up, chagrined "Too late...she has fallen asleep on me. Will you take her?"
Pyrene blinks and yawns, getting up, "'kay, take care now, Sen." And that one she does mean. Gathering Asophene into her arms, she smiles sleepily at the rider before heading nurserywards.
