Neliar hides further behind the sweet root plant hoping Kiyna has not seem him.

Adoran's nose twitches as he smells a new scent. Who's invading his space now he wonders, on his way to investigate.

Kiyna sweeps in her arms loaded down with notes and charts and other odds and ends. The Sr.Apprentice looks harried to say the least. Her hair is messed up and just tied in a knot on her neck her clothes while clean are wrinkled and her eyes have dark circles under them A nod is given to a few people before she dumps the contents of her amrs onto a table and flops inot the chair nearest it

Neliar curses as Kiyna seems intent on staying here to spoil his plans. How is he supposed to creep up on Laurel if there is someone there? He decided on diversionary tactics, namely his dog. Gesture frantically he catches the dogs attention has sends him over to the chair and Kiyna.

Zhaan chirps loudly as he appears from ::between::!

Adoran looks up from the interestingly smelly spot on the floor and wanders over to his humanpet. He gruffs quitely as his master shows him where to go. Ever the obedient pup he wanders over to the chair and the human sitting on it.

Kiyna glances up at the canine one red brow arched "Yes?" comes the low question. A chart of what appears to be the Southern Continent is held in one hand and oh klah in the other. A gulp of it is taken before she sets the mug down dark green eyes still on the canine

Staring up with his great big puppy eyes Adoran places his front paws on the new human and yaps softly at his most appealing. (At least he hopes he is appealing.)

Kiyna isn't in an appealing mood in the least. The pup is pushed gently from her and she glances around for someone to reprimand "Who's canine is this? I've a whole lot of work to do and if everything is to go just perfect I need to get all these charts in order and everything"

Neliar slinks further behind the plant as he hears Kiyna's disapproving voice. "How can she not be moved by the adorable puppy?" he mutters under his breath, everyone /loves/ puppies.

Kiyna frowns the knot of her hair being tossed back over her shoulder in the same instance. The fair of 'lizzen adorning her body are all silent not wanting to raise their mistresses ire it would seem. All save for the one that's right on top of her hair he's crouched and searching a low croon emiting from him before he takes wing. "Umi what are you doing? Oh looking for the pup's owner it is? At least something around here is being helpful"

Adoran whimpers softly not understanding why the human has pushed him away. Is he not so cute that no one can resist him? He tries again this time placing a paw on Kiyna's foot, big eyes looking so sad and rejected.

Neliar sneaks out from behind the sweet root plant on his search for Laurel, he quickly runs to the balcony. Hoping Kiyna does not see him, as he does not want to get into trouble for disturbing her.

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 spring midmorning.
On the cast-iron railings around the great viewer is Tanis.
You see Observatory DistanceViewer and Mural of the Rukbat System here.
Laurel, Kurenai, and Carise are here.

Laurel
With interesting green/blue eyes that watch all that happens, Laurel is an intelligent girl. Light hair frames an open face that reveals a curious and intelligent nature, and it is turned towards the waiting world and skies above. Soft spoken at first, she opens up as you get to know her. Golden hair that glistens when touched by light falls to her shoulders. Tall and slender, she carries grace not usually seen in one her age. Neither slight in frame nor bulky, she has the potential of being an attractive young lady, but she doesn't believe so. For now, her well-rounded figure accentuates her slender body. Her lips are turned slightly upwards, as if she could smile at any moment.
Brown boots with the appearance of suede reach midcalf, covering slender feet. Swirling about with an airy quality, a light skirt of a very soft material that goes from light blue to navy touches her ankles. Adding a darker edge to her soft features, a black shirt that fits her figure well makes her hair seem lighter and her face more mature.
Laurel wears the knot of a StarCraft Apprentice

Kurenai
Tall, slender, in the aesthetic lines of graceful arms and thin limbs ethereal, this beautiful, lithe woman is flawless of skin, pale-white as though born of a dream's deepest shadows. Two pools of violet, her large, slightly tilted eyes mingle brilliance and shadow, fringed with thick lashes beneath the high arcs of her eyebrows. Palely beautiful, finely carven profile sharp as glass, an elfin face drawn in porcelain whiteness but for a small, rouged mouth below a pointed nose, high cheekbones, deep hollows beneath them where blue shadows and her faint smile mingle.
Her hair, a cascade of shining jet, is tied into a high topknot, forelocks framing her face in two winglike raven arcs springing high from her white brow to fall gently past her fine collarbones. And past her thin shoulders, her ponytail arches from its topknot to fall past waist and leg, soft black and yet sharply cut, a dragon's tongue of long, black flame caressed by the wind.
A short robe of silken, deepest red furls her narrow figure tightly, an elegant kimono overlapping in front and bound at her tiny waist by a wide sash of white, like a slender dagger's sheath. Winglike, trailing sleeves conceal her arms and hands in their entirety; the hem of the robe ends just mid-thigh, baring long, thin legs. Swan-slim, her neck is set on proud, slim shoulders, a torso long and lean, narrow waist and a girl's hips; incredibly long legs seem to extend into forever, their lithe, slender length clad from the knee in slim boots of black wherhide.
Argent, starlit silver and the deep vermilion of Rukbat serpentinely twined, silver and red, loop but once on Kurenai's shoulder, the knot of an Apprentice to the Starcraft.

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.
You can't tell what she's wearing from this distance. 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. A silver bracelet of chunky links bearing a single charm wraps around her wrist.
Carise wears the knot of a StarCraft Journeywoman.

Neliar creeps quietly into the Observatory wondering if Laurel has hidden in here.

Neliar quickly grabs hold of Adoran to stop him from walking over to Laurel and giving him away.

Carise is leaning against the railing around the big DV, fingers tapping against the railing as she watches the room. Eyeing Neliar, she shakes her head. "Now, just come in and have a seat..." Who care's if they're her students or not? They're in here....

Neliar snaps up at the voice, does she mean him? He was just looking for Laurel.... But he does what he is told and walks over to Laurel. his game will have to wait until another day... sigh.

Laurel grins at Neliar. Sneaky boy. With a pet to his dog, she grins as Adoran gives her a lick. Glancing at the other apprentice who has just walked in, she inclines her head a little, a smile smile on her lips. She doesn't know many people at all.

Neliar looks around, he only recognizes Laurel's face. Well it's time he met a few other Appies. He looks down as Adoran struggles in his grip trying to eat Laurel.

Carise waves her hand slightly as she leans against the railing, tapping continueing. Glancing at the students, she takes a deep breath, frown crossing her face as a young boy in back starts hitting his neighbor with his DV. "Now, that's enough of that..." Shaking her head, she glances at the behaving Apprentices. "What can you tell me about comets? Anything, and feel free to just call it out."

Neliar suddenly becomes the model student and sits very quietly as he hears a question being asked. As he does not have a clue he looks atr the rather interesting floor.....

Tapping fingers on the hide journal in her lap, Kurenai muses, soft voice clear in cadence despite other noise, "They leave considerable trails, and are seen for longer than might be thought for something so bright. Or so's been said, though I've never observed one throughout its duration, myself. Interesting things to be picked up from the tales I suppose."

Neliar thinks back did someone tell him about the tails detaching or was he having those strange dreams again. He decides to answer anyway, what;s the worst that can happen to him? "Do the tail become detached? or something." he mutter not quite feeling confident to shout out aloud.

Carise nods slowly, glancing at Neliar. "Once in a while the tail becomes detachted, but we don't know why... There is somethign that is specific about which way the tail points, however..."

Neliar drops his head down again not know the answer to this question as least he'd given it a go. He quickly scans the room hoping someone else will know the answer.

Carise nods again, as another glare goes to the back of the loud observatory as she rolls her eyes. "It doesn't just point backwards from where it comes from, the tail will always point away from Rukbat, no matter where it is. So, as the comets goes around Rukbat, the tail seems to shift position." Moving around the railing by the DistanceViewer, she continues. "The tail itself is what is left when Rukbat melts the outside of the comet, which is essentially a dirty snowball in space." Pausing once more, she glances around. "Does anyone have any questions?"

Neliar smother a giggles at the image of a giant snowball floating around space. He quickly straightens his features not wanting to gain extra chores. ON hearing Carise's question he shakes his head.

The scritching of Kurenai's quill halts. "A snowball," she repeats, brow arching as she digests this new information. "Interesting. From where?"

Carise waves her hand out at the space above her head. "Past the rest of the planets, from the Oort cloud, or so we believe..." Glancing at Kurenai, "Does that help?" Without wait for a yes or no, she glances around again. "Any more questions?"

Adoran continues his exploration of the new room, all of these new smells make his nose tingle. He emits a rather explosive sneeze over the unfortunate appy in front of him.

Neliar looks around wondering where his pup has got to now, "I bet he's looking for Laurel." he thinks to himself, only half of his attention is fixed on the class. An impressed glance is thrown to the appy who seems to know about comets, where as he knows nothing.

A snowball - or an imitation of one - soars through the air, a sheet of weed paper crumpled and tossed with glee from one of the younger apprentices. Almost without glancing backward, though inadvertently Kurenai ducks, bowing her head over her journal to peruse her notes. Luck. Said 'snowball' sails on.

Carise turns and continues on with her information as no other questions are directed at her. Nearly tripping over the paper as it lands in her path, she picks it up, keeping it in her hand until after the class when she can deal with it. "Comets move very fast in space, however to us they seem to just hover. The motion can only be discovered after several sevendays worth of watching. Repeated observations can lead to the discovery that the tail is either curving, making it hard to see, or that it has detacted. Each comet has its own peculiarities, only detectable by careful observation. No one knows why each comet is so different."

Tris walks in from the Main Hall Balcony.

Tris
Shoulder-length black hair is pulled into a strict bun below her ears, with a few stubborn locks refusing to stay in the crude leather strap she uses to pull her hair back. The style makes her heart-shaped face with sunken cheek bones stand out, her gray-green eyes shaped like teardrops with the round parts facing her high-bridged nose. Her wide lips mask very wide gap in between her front teeth, an imperfection that she attempts to keep hidden at all comedic occasions. Her dark ebony skin unfortunately doesn't help concealing the defect. Abnormally tall height forces her to tilt her head downwards to meet your eyes. Uneven legs cripple her slightly, one being an obvious bit shorter. The limp disables her from riding runners properly.
A dark brown wher-hide knee skirt bares the tops of Tris' boots, which are quite simple in design but nevertheless attractive. A light aquamarine tunic brushes the top of the skirt, and the collar bares her dark neck and accents her high cheek bones. Barely noticable underneath her shirt, an old, rusty blade from her days on the ocean is suspended by its sheath, but it is rather useless for it is too rusty to be of any aid.
Tris wears the knot of a StarCraft Probationary Apprentice.

Neliar belatedly gets out a scrape of paper and starts to take notes as he realises he'll never remember all of this if he doesn't. His attention is distracted by the 'snowball' winging it's way to the front of the class. Neliar tries successfully to control his urge to laugh.

Kurenai lets the slightest sniff escape her at this juvenile behaviour, though her own violet gaze is as...controlled as ever, her hand scribbling notes at the same speed. "Sevendays of observation?" A pause at that, as if the image conjured up a stay at the Distance Viewer for an entire sevenday. "What sorts of peculiarities besides detaching tails, if I may ask?" Quill-in-hand, the tall girl leans back, tilting her head curiously. Behind her the gaggle of troublemakers seem engaged in toying with the 'tails' of several of their fellow female apprentices, eliciting a few indignant squeals.

Carise hms slowly. "Tails change size, different tail colors, and shapes. It depends on the shape of the actual snowball." A shrug and she glances at the back of the room, paper ball tossed back in that direction. Later, deal with them later. For now, she has to finish. "One more thing, we believe that comets have an orbit similar to the Red Star. Because of this, they may pass Pern repeatedly as they go from the Oort Cloud to Rukbat, and back. So some of the comets we see now may have been seen by sky watchers hundreds of turns ago." With a flourish of her hand, she glances around, rolling her eyes at the noise emitted by one of the apprentices who just happened to get hit with the 'snowball'. "Any questions?"
Tris walks in and takes a seat, mumbling an apology for distracting the class. She hastily takes out a notebook and a writing utensil and facuses on what is being said so she can scrawl it down. She grins as she belatedly notices the fooling around going on next to her.

Neliar grins as a fellow appy 'yelps' as the snowball hits them. "It serves them right." he mutters to himself, as he would /never/ do a thing like that.

At length, the pale-featured Kurenai offers, "Hundreds of turns old comets." She jerks her own high ponytail from the hands of a curious fourteen-Turn old, shaking her head so he's slapped in the face with her length of raven hair instead. "Are there any in particular that you've kept records of, returning in orbit?"

Neliar's hand goes to the back of his head as he feels something rather wet land there. He sighs with relief when he realizes it's just his pup licking his head not something unspeakable thrown by another appy.

Carise shakes her head slowly with a shrug. "I don't know for sure, you'd have to talk to one of the other Journeymen." One of the comet freaks. Another glance around and she smiles. "If that's all, you can go. Any other questions you can ask me seperately. And you..." A glare is given to the rowdy group in the back. "You are going to come with me to Urtelo's office."

Neliar quickly stands up to leave the room not wanting to be mistaken for one of the rowdy crown at the back. "Thank you for the class." he throws at Carise on the way out, gathering his pup in his arms as he goes.


harpers tale - Wednesday, July 11,