New Clothes

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=22 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040000d2egerdp.gif"> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=145 BGCOLOR="#333399" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03fa2c00erkjzj.gif"> <div> <A HREF="id147.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grand Appearance"><U>Grand Appearance</U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700a000ccff00.gif" HEIGHT="11" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">New Clothes</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id145.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The First Lie"><U>The First Lie</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ice Shaving"><U>Ice Shaving</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hissy Fit 1"><U>Hissy Fit #1</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hissy Fit 2"><U>Hissy Fit #2</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id143.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Numbweed"><U>Numbweed</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=458 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IBRoadRunR"><U><IMG SRC="2aa26300.gif" border=0 width="38" height="48" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>  </FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336600" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>IBRoadRunR</I><I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#663399" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT> |    <B> </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Logs"><U><B><IMG SRC="0f40e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B> </B><B>Logs</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="04107040.gif" border=0 width="263" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>New Clothes</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>THE BRAT'S NEW CLOTHES, PART I</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Living Caverns - Ista Weyr</B></div> <div> Vibrant environs enclosed by smooth stone walls, these caverns are the very heart of bustling Weyr life. The largest is massive and designed to house almost the entire population of the Weyr at once, with tables and benches arranged in perfectly neat rows that run almost the entire length of the half-circle cave. Tapestries are flung from the ceiling, draping down in bright hues of Istan black and gold as well as colorful scenes of past heroics detailing all the fiery glory of Pernese history. Hearths line the walls, at least one of which constantly burning with a pot of stew and a pitcher of klah set there to keep warm.</div> <div> Tunnels branch off from these central caverns, leading deeper into various parts of the Weyr. To the east lie the infirmaries, both human and draconic, beyond a small wooden door to minimize the noise that will filter through. West are the kitchens and the storerooms from which emanate delectable smells at nearly all hours of the day or night, drudges bustling to and from with dishes and platters. Stairs lead down into the lower caverns while a man-sized tunnel cuts through the stone and back out to the bowl. Smaller tunnels diverge here and there as well.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> David is wandering through the room, looking at all of ther tapestries and such.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi heads in from the stairs, fanning her face impatiently with a free hand. There's just a hint of a frown on her lips, but ... that's fairly normal. The girl pauses as she passes a drudge, calling off some drink request -- order -- and adding a detached, "And do hurry, please," to the end. The drudge departs, and Shansi stands there a moment to survey the cavern: taking in the view, looking for any familiar faces.</div> <bR> <div> David looks up at the girl studies her a moment. He's seen her type at Harper Hall. Probably the child or grandchild of an important holder. But David always managed to make friends with them after a while, just like everything else. He makes his way over towards her and gives a bow, "Greetings."</div> <bR> <div> Shansi turns toward the boy as he approaches, eyes narrowing just faintly in appraisal before a smile appears at the greeting. A faint curtsy echoes the bow, head inclined only just a bit -- almost regally. "Heyla," she offers cooly, still watching him carefully. The girl pauses then, expectent. Clearly not going to introduce herself first.</div> <bR> <div> David runs a hand through his hair. "I'm David. Dave if you want. Harper apprentice." He points to the knot on his shoulder.</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala comes up the flight of stairs from the inner caverns.</div> <div> Sirrala has arrived.</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala wanders into the main cavern, bundle of cloth in her hand. She is trailed by a pair of Weyrbrats who are chattering away to her, she just smiles before heading over to the main table, "So you want a green dragon outfit? And you want a brown dragon outfit?" she chuckles, waving to those present.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi smiles again, this time with a hint of amusement, before responding, "Well met, David." Formalities, she adores. "I'm Shansi." A pause, then: "Daughter to Lord and Lady Holder of High Reaches, current resident...here" She flicks her wrist in an absent gesture about the caverns, then spares the newly entered woman a brief gaze. The glance quickly spreads to the children, and the girl's brows lift just a notch, in what could possibly be disdain. Maybe not.</div> <bR> <div> David turns his gaze to Sirrala and smiles warmly. He waves to her and gives a friendly nod. He turns back to Shansi. "I figured you were the child of a Lord Holder. We got a few of those at the Hall. My father is a Holder, but just a small forest hold. Nothing like High Reaches."</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala raises a brow to Shansi, "A holder's daughter, eh?" she grins, "I knew a few of them back at Telgar. Nice sort they were," she looks over the girls outfit. "Very nice, almost as fashionable as mine," she grins.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi lifts one brow this time, and with a pleased look about her, "Are you..?" At David's downplay, she murmurs, "Oh, well, that something anyway." She waves one hand in faint dismissal, then smiles at the woman, "Yes, indeed. Oh, Telgar? I don't believe I've met all of the family there." The children receive another quick glance, then she looks back to the unidentified woman. "What did you say your name was...?"</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala laughs, "I don't think I said my name. It is Sirrala, I'm a seamstress here," she says the title with infinate pride.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi beams back at her -- Sirrala. "Well met, indeed. Seamstress?" Delight enters the girl's voice, now, unadulterated. "Please tell me you're not too occupied to squeeze me into your schedules, then. The weather here is simply *too* hot for much of what I brought." She frowns, full lips just bordering on a pout, and continues, "And many of my finest outfits were simply -ruined- by that wretched storm..."</div> <bR> <div> David smiles to Sirrala. He points to his own knot. "I'm a harper. Well, apprentice harper at least. I hope to earn my journeyman's knot withen a year." He shrugs.</div> <bR> <div> Golden-brown eyes flick back to David, linger there a moment. But Shansi's more intent on finding out about her own potential wardrobe assistance than interrupting her most recent question with a new one. So, the girl merely watches a moment and then turns her attention back to Sirrala.</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala nods, "Of course. I loved making outfits and with your shape, well some of the latest fashions can be fitted on," she positively glows, "I'll just finish making dragon costumes for these two and then I'll kit you out in the best fabrics I can find,"</div> <bR> <div> David reaches into a pouch he is carrying and pulls out a set of small reed pipes. He grins at the two children and says, "Want to hear a song?"</div> <bR> <div> The two children dash from Sirra's side over to the harper, "Oh, please, please, please," they speak in chorus, almost in a strange harmony.</div> <bR> <div> And ... what do you know ... Shansi's nearly glowing with happiness, as well, having received her wishes and a compliment all at once. "Oh, good. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to find someone here to let me in on the latest fashions. It is *so* different from High Reaches, after all. And a Weyr besides." The last added in a faintly superior tone. "I certainly appreciate this, Sirrala. And my parents will be pleased to hear I'm getting along well, too. It is so nice to meet someone with an eye for fashion..."</div> <bR> <div> Belena comes up the flight of stairs from the inner caverns.</div> <div> Belena has arrived.</div> <bR> <div> Belena climbs the stairs and remains in the doorway, looking at the people in the room</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala nods, "The clothes here are simply wonderful though I must say some styles are strange. Do you have a bikini? I simply must make you one, they're wonderful,"</div> <bR> <div> Shansi smiles charmingly, "You don't say..." And then, "A bikini? No, I can't say I own one. I'm sure father would be a bit surprised, even." The smile deepens in purely feminine pleasure, "But I'm sure I would love you to make me one." She glances down at her own figure, imagining this new apparel, then looks up again, "Yes, that would look quite nice."</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala smiles and looks at the girl, "What's your favorite color?"</div> <bR> <div> David smiles to the two children and hmms. He puts the pipes to his mouth and begins to play a familiar learning song.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi tilts her head to the side a moment, then responds, "Oh, blue. Any shade of blue is just so flattering, you know. But then, most colors are, if you've got the looks to begin with." Casually confident, that. The girl's head turns when pipes are played, though, and she smiles at Sirrala, "That's charming, isn't it? I do enjoy good music..."</div> <bR> <div> Sirrala nods, "Definately blue," she smiles, "A light shade I think," she grins, cocking an ear to the pipes, "Very nice,"</div> <bR> <div> Belena continues to watch the scene before her, a slight smirk on her face.</div> <bR> <div> David continues to play, the song getting more complicated as he adds little trills and such, perhaps to show off as much as anything else. He closes his eyes as he plays.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi simply watches the harper apprentice with the pleased look of an art fan, as well as hints of a critic's alertness. Voice lowered so as not to interrupt, she comments to the seamstress, "I never really learned to play, myself, as we were always far too busy with other things to practice pipes, or even voice, but one of my cousins joined the craft and is simply wonderful." Belena remains unnoticed by this one, at the least.</div> <bR> <div> David finishes the song and opens his eyes. He smiles to the children adn winks to Sirralla and Shansi. He smiles over to Belena as well.</div> <bR> <div> Belena nods her head to David and smiles for the osng.</div> <bR> <div> Shansi smiles a bit oddly in response to the wink, then frowns suddenly. "Excuse me...it seems I shall have to chase down that drudge again, as he doesn't seem inclined to bring my drink to me, as he was told." A faint roll of eyes indicates that she's not amused by this, but that's typical. And then she's striding off, eyes narrowed as she looks for the poor drudge.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>