Iyanden looks up at the other appy "Mornin guy." His eyes scroll over his work before he places it next to him, turning to them again. "How are you Neliar?" Iyanden doesn't know the other so he just nods.

Neliar walks in, running his hand quickly through is hair in a poor attempt to make it look presentable. "Morning Iyand." he says before flopping in his fav chair. "what's up?" and has he seen Laurel again?

Iyanden looks up at him and shakes his head. "Oh I am just distracted, I got made full appy and I am enjoying it all but I have something personnel to take care of."

Neliar grins, but that mean no ore pranks on Iyand, not that he'd played any, any way but never mind. "That's good, no one can grill out now!" he hums slightly at the next bit of news given to him by Iyand. "Some personal..." would he can to mention what it is?

Iyanden looks over at him as he catches the slight annoyance in his gaze at him only giving him a clue to the discomfort not the whole story. "Oh if I went round telling everyone it wouldn't be very personal now would it?"

Neliar shrugs is shoulders, fine if Iyand wants to be like that then he'll let him. He's isn't going to beg Iyand to tell him if he wants to he can if not then it's not a problem. "Have you seen Linora around recently?" he is beginning to wonder if she's left with out saying goodbye.

Iyanden shrugs his broad shoulder. "Nope haven't seen her today, went stargazing with her a few days ago, but not today."

Neliar hms again, she's probably just busy. "Hows your classes going?" knowing he only needs one more to make Sr Appy.

"Not really had many, I don't mind them though they are quiet fun." He grabs his scroll again and binds it up. "Why do you want to see Linora anyway?" he asks with a sly grin.

Neliar grins back, "now don't go getting any of those ideas, I only like her as a friend, she's a bit old for me. But I like her company and she some times walks Adoran with me." Not that he wouldn't be interested if he were a few turns older.

Iyanden smiles a little and decides to tease. "Well I am a few turns older than you, reckon I should be interested?"

Neliar doesn't rise to the bait, he really has no feeling for Linora other than like a brother would have for a big sister. "yeah, I reckon you'd be good for her." It may even help her get over things.

Jenavia pads on, tail held high, to the Female Apprentice Quarters.

Jenavia
Tall-standing and proud-looking, this canine's got a pure white coat, the hair soft, somewhat long, and quite thick. Purest snow covers her from tip to toe, from her short , squarish head to her long flowing tail. The only color change which marrs her snowy whiteness is a greyish hue to her muzzle, the softest color of smoke dappling the long hair there. Full of personality and a bundle of fun, this female's most definitely a companion to stick by one all through her life, through thick and thin, for better or worse.

Iyanden looks over at him and smiles. "Oh but didn't I tell you Neliar, I am already taken." He looks over at him with a little smirk.

A frown crosses Neliar's face, in only just hopes it's not Laurel he's taken with, and Iyand would have probably told him by now, wanting to gloat. Neliar smiles back at him. "Howe the lucky lady?"

Neliar calls to Jenavia, "hello girl."

Iyanden smiles and catches Neliar's eye. "Nope she is called Azalea, and I am about to go meet her." He stands up and looks over at Jenavia wanting to stay and protect her from Neliar but he has to run. "Will see you late Nel." He walks out his shirt as always forgotten.

Iyanden wanders elegantly to the Main Hall Balcony.

Jenavia woofs at Neliar and wags her tail.

Fade to Observatory

Observatory
Spherical, predictable, much a reflection of the heavens beyond is the temple of this observatory dedicated to the continued survey of the skies. Constructed sturdily and lined with shelves and cabinets necessary for equipment storage, nearly every available space on the smooth plastered walls is hidden by the arrangement of charts, maps and diagrams. A high ceiling arches above, contrived to be fitted with the portals necessary for viewing and carefully fabricated sliding shutters to protect the delicate sky-ward pointed lenses when not in use. On the wall opposite the door, so that all who enter may see it, is a 'mural' of the Rukbat system.
It is a summer before dawn.
On the cast-iron railings around the great viewer is Tanis.
You see Observatory DistanceViewer and Mural of the Rukbat System here.
Carise is here.

Carise
Dark hair falls lightly down her back, deep brown waves reaching to her waist. Icy blue eyes are surrounded by thick black lashes while thin brows arch across her high forehead. A small nose still has shadows of freckles spotting her face, remnants of her early years, while rosy pink dyes well-formed lips. She isn't extremely tall, but not short either, having reached a normal height. Her figure has finally filled out, curves flowing along her still thin, though not frail, body. Small yet well-toned muscles move under skin tanned by the Istan Sun, she's plenty able to take care of herself. A bit of a rushed appearance surrounds her, her work as a Journeywoman never seeming to end.
She wears a simple yet elegant skirt, the blue material falling lightly to touch the ground, its sleekness forming into waves around her legs. A loose sky blue tunic, long sleeves hiding her hands and disguising her figure. Occasionally, lightweight brown sandals peek out from under the long skirt while beaded bracelets jingle, obscured by her sleeves. Perched on Carise's shoulder is Talyn. Perched on Carise's shoulder is Crais.
Carise is wearing a thin Silver Ring. This Silver ring has a beautifull Saphire centered on it, it also has a design painted around the outside that you can't quite follow with your eyes, or else, you wind up with a splitting headache.
Carise wears the knot of a StarCraft Journeywoman.

Kezzra walks with a light step, in from the Main Hall Balcony.
Kezzra
Large and curious hazel eyes, usually greenish in colour, change depending on Kezzra's surroundings, reaching new depths of blues, browns, and greens to match her clothing or the weather as they flit around the room, picking up every detail. An indistinct nose then leads to thin, tender lips that break clear of Kezzra's lightly tanned skin with their pink tinge. Falling straight about her face, hair then tumbles into curls, eventually ending over her shoulders. The sort of brown that catches shining red highlights from any source of light, and can never be replicated by dye, the silky mass is enough to catch the attention of many. All together a radiant glow seems to diffuse from Kezzra's face, something in-descript that adds an extra sense glow to her visage. Petite in shape and height by nature, Kezzra is a slender girl, standing not quite five feet tall, with soft curves flowing throughout her body.
Pale blue with white accents would describe this dress in simple perfection, except for the fact that it's not all that plain and simple. The bodice of the dress is tight, sleeves start as they are just about to slip off the shoulders and the square neck line dips down, but not too far, just enough so that there is just the beginnings of something to be seen. Sleeves too are tight until reaching just above the elbow where a delicate piece of dainty white lace is inserted between two pieces of the smooth blue material of the dress. After this insert the sleeve become gradually looser, the fabric folding softly across the arm till reaching the wrist and finally ends in another band of delicate white lace. Tiny, white, rounded shell buttons secure the back, shimmering with an iridescent glow. Skirt cascades down from a white sash that encircles the waist, like a crystalline waterfall, ending just before it brushes the ground. Small white flowers twine along a pale green vine embroidered around the hem of the skirt.
The band she wears on her finger is silver and has slivers of amythest laid into it as intricate gold inlays trace across the band in the pattern of vines. Sapphire flecks are laid in the silver, nestled against the vine to resemble leaves. Opal specks dot the ring, proving to be the many colored coronas of the amethyst petaled flowers that gently flow acrost the vine.

Neliar wonders into the Observatory, hide in hand ready to learn. He walks to the closest seat and makes himself comfortable. "Hi Carise." he greets with a big grin.

Mayala walks ever so softly in from the Main Hall Balcony.

Mayala
Her long brown hair hangs down her back, past her shoulders, in a long thing braid. However, a few small strands escape from the braid and curl around her face, and blonde streaks can be spotted in the right kind of light. Her icy blue eyes reflect the smile on her face, and make her seem friendly, but very strong in her will and thoughts. A small, straight nose sit centered on her face, and is speckled with freckles. Her tall, lean, athletic body is slighty tanned, although for what reason cannot be discerned. From what can be seen, she has no scars or recent cuts.
She is wearing a short, new light brown wherhide skirt that goes to mid thigh. A brown top that covers to just above the belly button and cuts low across the chest, revealing a little cleavage, is also being worn. She has on dark brown wherhide boots that go to just above the ankles. Perched on Mayala's left shoulder is Velorek. Perched on Mayala's right shoulder is Zhaan. Mala's Pack hangs heavily from Mayala's shoulder.
Mayala wears the knot of a StarCraft Senior Apprentice.

Carise is leaning against the railing around the DV, a bit of a grin on her face as her fingers tap lightly against the metal. A nod to Neliar, she tucks a bit of hair behind her ear. "Hey Neliar."

Iyanden wanders elegantly in from the Main Hall Balcony.

Iyanden walks into the area where the voices are coming from. "Hey can I join you all?" He looks at the journeyman for permission not Neliar. "Is it a lesson?"

Mayala enters the Observatory, her notebook in one arm and another book...apparently about distanceviewers and optics, in the other. She smiles at all gathered and sits at the back of the class. She's gonna study before she even dare's to teach!

Neliar looks around as the room fills up, wow quite a good turn out for this class. He waves over to Mayala and Iyand. "Hi." he almost shouts to be heard over the general chat.

Carise taps her fingers lightly against the rail waving Iyanden in. "Come on and sit down. And pay attention." Gaze sweeps across the class as she pushes herself to her feet, starting to pace back and forth in front of the DV platform. "Now... what can you name that's in the sky?"

Neliar turns back to face the front as soon as Carise starts talking. Quickly getting out his stylus and some bit of hide to write down some notes. "Erm stars?" wondering if this is a trick question.

Carise nods, waving her head. "Yes, stars... What else, it's not that hard. Just call out anything you see in the sky."

Iyanden looks around from his seating place and listens carefully. "Planets and comets?" he says up towards Carise.

Iyanden sits down at the back and answers the questions thrown at him. "Comets and planets and moons......."

Carise nods. "So we have stars, moons, comets, planets. What else?"

Mayala watches Carise teach and such while she prepares a few notes and tries to figure out just how to start her class out. She goes through the optics book and copies down a few things to her own notebook. Yeah. That should be good. Mala looks around a bit nervously at the class before looking back at the book.

Neliar grins at Iyand, thinking he's covered about everything until

Carise asks for more, what else could there be. "Erm dust?" he's grasping at straws here!

Iyanden looks up again holding his hand up for some reason as he says more. "Oh oh errrrr The redstar and the snort cloud." He looks proudly about he has been reading up.

Carise nods again, giggling a bit at Iyanden. "Oort cloud, not Snort cloud." A roll of her eyes and she grins. "What's obvious? Its out during the day..." Waiting for a moment, she glances around the room hopefully.

Neliar ahs! Now he knows what Carise is going on about. "the sun" he blurts out hopefully he's on the right tracks.

Iyanden looks down at his feet again, his finger digging into his palm at such a silly mistake. "Rukbat?" he says looking down at his hand still and a little low for anyone else to hear.

Mayala thinks maybe she should've tried to teach this class instead of the Optics and DV. It might've been easier...oh well. She shrugs to herself and goes back to writing and stuff. Yeah. She's the special one.

Carise nods with a grin. "Aye, Rukbat, or the sun. Whatever you want to call it." A thought for a second and she look at Mayala. "There's one thing they're missing. Actually its three things. But we'll count it as one. Do you know what it is?"

Mayala looks up. Is Carise talking to her? She sets her stylus down for a moment just to be sure. She opens her mouth and..."Me?" Yup. She wants to be sure.

Carise nods pointing her finger at the Senior. "Yep, you." Raising an eyebrow, she stops her pacing to lean against the railing.

Iyanden looks about and just blurts out "constellations?" The only thing he has been reading about and learning properly since he got to the hall. "oh no they aren't really there" he says with a sigh as his brow cresses in thought.

Mayala tries to think of what they went over already. What could they be missing? Um...comets? No...um..."The Red Star?" she says, shrugging and trying to think of lessons from a looong time ago.

Neliar knows the answer to that, he can't believe he forgot to mention it! The Dawn Sisters. or at least he thinks he knows the answer. Seeing

Mayala stumbling he blurts it out "the dawn sisters?"

Carise shakes her head, tapping her fingers lightly. "No... We said that. And then, she looks at Neliar with a grin. Score one for her mentee. "That's right! The Dawn Sisters.... And since we're talking about them, who can tell me what they are?
"

Iyanden looks about he doesn't even have a mentor, not that he knows of anyway. "They are tin cans!" He smiles a little.

Mayala sighs softly as she hears what Neliar said. 'Thank you!' is what her glance at him seems to say. Why couldn't she remember?! Well...this class was the first one she had and that was...what? a Turn ago? She shakes her head to clear it and goes back to writing down a few things...making sure to have a side note saying, 'Always sit as far back as possible and in the shadows.' Yeah. That should do it.

Carise glances around, tapping her fingers lightly before shaking her head. "Well, the Dawn Sisters are a trio of stars that are always in the same spot in the sky. They are most easily seen at Dawn and Dusk, the farther south you are, the easier they are too see."
I don't understand that.

Iyanden stares at Carise as she talks taking in the information. "Wow so they don't move?" his face is scrunched in not confusion.

Neliar nods his head and quickly scribbles this new piece of information down. "that's strange isn't it, stars normally move don't they."

Carise nods to the apprentices, shrugging a bit. "Usually they move, at least turn over the sky. But these three are an anomaly, they are always in the same spot." A tap of her fingers and she continues. "Now, you mentioned the moons. What can you tell me about them?"
I don't understand that.

Neliar shrugs he doesn't know much about moons, "there's two of them?" that's about all he knows.

Iyanden smiles and states the obvious. "They are round there are two of them and the move in the sky."

Carise nods, with a grin. "Aye, there are 2 of them. Do you know their names?"

Iyanden looks up and tries to pronounce the names he has only read in a book. "Belinos?"

Neliar looks at Mayala maybe she'll know the name of the other moon.

Carise wiggles her hand back and forth slightly. "Almost... Belior's one. Timor is the other." A bit of a shrug and she looks around evilly. "Care to tell us which one is actually bigger, Mayala, and why?"

Iyanden looks over at Mayala waiting for her answer with baited breath totally enthralled in the lesson.

"Timo!" Rasha calls in one of her giggly, bubbly voices. She may be three but she knows some things. Kezzra make an attempt to hold the girl back as she runs to Carise. "Timo, Rees. Timo."

Carise grins, clapping her hands. "Exactly! Timor's bigger, but farther away, so it seems smaller. Together, Belior and Timor cause the tides, but we don't know why. And now, can someone tell me about stars?"

Rasha just leaves the hand. She'll cling to Carise's leg for a moment and give her friend a hug first. The girl then grins up at the instructing Journeywoman, "I's right Kessa." she beams as Kezzra slips in the door after her. "I hope she's not interrupting."

Iyanden looks up and answers with a smile. "They are nice and small, oh and far away and they make nice patterns in the sky?" His eyes sparkle as he churns up random things as thy come to him.

Neliar grins at Iyand as he rambles about stars. "they're planets aren't they?" he voice full of question.

Carise nods at Iyanden, before shaking her head at Neliar. "Nope, they are just like Rukbat, only much farther away. They sometimes form constellations, which will be covered in the nightskies class.

Mayala sighs and smiles as she goes back to her notes. Hmmm...what should she start out with...she scribbles a few things down and nods in satisfactory before going over a few more things in the optics book.

Iyanden nods and his eyes peer at Kezzra's little kid with a smile before he concentrates again.

Neliar shakes he head as he writes down more notes, learning has never come easy to him. And boy does it show!

Carise giggles, shaking her head slightly at Kezzra. "Not at all, might push these Apprentices a bit harder, give them some competition." Turning to the apprentices, she grins. "Well... what about our own space? We have Rukbat, but what else?"

Iyanden shrugs and just randomly spurts words. "Moons, planets a Redstar and a Snort cloud?"

Neliar smiles, "we have quite a few constellations, two moons and the redstar."

Carise glances at Iyanden, rolling her eyes. "Oort cloud." It was cute the first time, but not anymore. A glance at Iyanden and she nods. "Tell me about the planets... how many there are." A glance at Neliar and she shakes her head. "Constellations are far away, planets and stuff are close."

Mayala chuckles at Iyanden's answer. He just can't seem to get over calling the Oort cloud the snort cloud. She stops chuckling and gets back to work. Maybe she shouldn't be so nervous about class...after all...she knows Neliar and Iyanden, and Carise is really nice as well as Kezzra. This could work..yeah.

"Five." Rasha states matter of factly, holding up a hand to Carise before she bursts into giggles again. Well when you're three anything and everything can be funny. "Want see me count zem?"

Iyanden looks at Carise and his eyes widen, he tries to look round at the mural but it is above his head, on the wall he leans against so he can't see it without giving it away that he doesn't know. "errr Five?"

Neliar rolls his eyes and gives up. It'll take him forever to learn everything he needs to know! "what they said." cause he doesn't really know!

Carise grins, nodding slowly. A smile at Rasha and she shakes her head. "Maybe later, Asha." Even as she nods slowly, she grins. "Pern is the 3rd planet. Beyond us there is the 1st asteroid belt, the 4th planet, the 2nd asteroid belt, and then the 5th planet. Beyond that is the Red Star and the Oort cloud." Resuming her pacing slightly, she glances around. "Now, what about Comets?"
.
Iyanden laughs a little. "I don't know what about comets?" He looks a bit miffed, he hasn't read about comets yet and so he sinks back and listens to the others talk about them.

Mayala grins. Comets are Mala's specialty, but she'll just let the others answer. Yeah.

Neliar smiles a little. "some you can't really see move and I think their tail points away from the Rukbat." he thinks.

Carise grins, nodding her head. "That's good enough for us, really, since you do have a whole other class on them." Leaning back against the railing, she taps her fingers lightly. "And now... the Red Star. Just shout out anything you know about it."

Rasha follows Carise. Yep she's gonna be a little teacher today. The girl's eyes light up at the mention of comets. "Snow!" she chirps. She likes playing in the snow with Salth. Okay so comets aren't really big snowballs but it's close enough for a three turn old. Right? And then it's the RedStar. "Kessa." she nods, pointing to Kezzra.(repose)

Iyanden smiles and shouts. "Its Red, its actually a chunk of rock not a star and its where thread comes from?"

Neliar grins, "it looks red." stating the obvious. Echoing Iyand's words.

Carise giggles, nodding the Rasha. "Yep, Kezz." And then she's pushing on. "The Red Star is a planet with an erratic orbit around Rukbat. Every 250 Turns or so, it gets closer to Pern, and it sends Thread upon us. After the first 50 Turns, Thread stops falling and it continues on it's way."

Iyanden nods and listens carefully. "So we are more than halfway through
Neliar nods and writes down more careful notes he doesn't want to have to listen to this class again.

Carise nods. "Just about, a little over half way. And then, we'll be in the Interval, which is the 200 years in which Thread does not fall. Sometimes, the Red Star doesn't pass close enough and we have a long Interval, which is 400 years. How can we predict when Thread will start, does anyone know?"

Neliar shakes his head, he doesnt know about this either, it must be really confusing if the intervals keep changing!

Iyanden looks about and looks at others faces. "Can we just measure the distance between us and the redstar?"

Mayala thinks she has everything she needs for class...but is she ready to teach it now? She doesn't know. It depends. She writes the last couple notes down before closing the optics book as well as her notebook and just watching the class.

Carise shakes her head. "We can't do that... So we use the Star Stones. They are two large stones, the Finger Rock and Eye Rock, that are used to predict when a Pass will begin. Thread would begin to fall in the first warm weather after the time in midwinter when the Red Star appeared bracketed by the Eye Rock and the sun balanced on the Star Stones. There's a set of StarStones in all Weyrs."

Iyanden takes it in and had always wondered what they were for. "I thought they were something to do with the moon but I was wrong. Do we have some starstones here? Shouldn't we have some?"

Neliar nods at least they have some way of predicting thread fall.

Carise shakes her head. "They're only on the rims of the Weyrs, that way they can predict because really they need to know more, and they can spread the information. Besides, where would they put them at a hold?" A shrug and she grins. "One more thing and then we're done, except for questions. Thread is something that comes from the RS and falls upon Pern in regular patterns. It 'eats' anything organic and can only be stopped by water, fire, or rock. It can also be frozen, when its cold during the winter in the northern holds. We use charts to keep track of when falls will occur." Taking a breathe, she glances around. "Any questions?"

Mayala looks up at Carise. Their class isn't over already is it? Mala doesn't know if she's ready to teach! She's...she's...too nervous! She opens the optics book and skims over the material again for good measure. She must be ready when it's time or she'll never get this over with!

Neliar shakes his head as if trying to cram all this information into it. "Not at the minute, but could I see you later if I think of any?"

Iyanden shakes his head at thread. Everyone knows that from there Harper lessons but he nods anyway when looked at. "Only one what is the sn...oort cloud made of?"

Carise shakes her head slightly. "We don't really know what it's made up of." A shrug and she glances at Neliar with a nod. "That's fine."

Neliar smiles at his Mentor, "Thank you for the class."

Carise grins. "And if that's it... Class is dismissed! But... Senior Mayala is going to be instructing about Optics, and you could probably use it."


Friday, August 17, 2001, 3:39 PM