PHWAAAOOOOP

Writers: Akias, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st October 2019

Characters: Kasson, Bilpen, Kassious, Aubrun
Description: The Riverboat Garnet Lady pulls into Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentor Approved!

Bilpen

Bilpen cupped his hands around his mouth. Volume wasn't usually an
issue for him but the boat was still a ways out from the cove. "Ho
Kasson! Is that you?" He thought he recognized the riverboat and it
captain standing on it's prow.

The young man was perched on the bow next to the captain, his Uncle
Aubrun, and smiled at the hail. The MasterCrafter sure had a set of
pipes. Grabbing the speaking cone from it's storage place he lifted it
to his lips to make his reply. "Aye Master! The-"

PHWAAA-OOOOOOO-PHWAAAAAA

The beautiful steam whistle faded away after it's five second greeting
and Kasson took a moment to look back at the pilothouse. There he saw
his father Kassious grinning back at him, one hand still on the
whistle cord. One of the downsides of your old man being the mate of
the riverboat you lived and worked on was that there was always
-something- he could do at precisely the right moment to embarrass
you. Giving his father a salute that said, 'You win this time, but
I'll get you back...', he turned back towards the oncoming
shore,trying to ignore his Uncle's soft laughter. Such was life when
you worked in close proximity to a large proportion of your extended
family.

"The Garnet Lady bids you a good day! It's good to see you again!"
The dock was drawing closer and there was a call from his father in
the pilothouse, easily audible over the noise of the steamboat's
engine and paddles.

"Line handlers, standby!" Passing the speaking cone to Uncle Aubrun,
Kasson reached down and hefted the bow docking line. He could feel the
boat slowing down and knew that he'd be occupied for the next few
moments. Preoccupied with the ropework he only distantly his Uncle
adding his own greeting.

"Master Bilpen! You've been busy since last we left. How fares Barrier Lake?"

Bilpen grinned his giant grin all teeth and jocularity. He directed
the dock workers to scurry down the warf and help secure the boat as
it came gently int to nudge the dock. "Barrier Lake is progressing
apace," he nodded. "What do you bring us today my friend?"

"Mostly wiring for all your nice new accommodations, and some other
equipment that your technicians and smiths must be in need of. Spare
and replacements in case things break, perhaps?" Ropes were tossed,
caught, looped round stanchions, and made fast. The Garnet Lady kissed
the pier softly and came to a halt with a final blast of the whistle.

///PHWOOOOO///

Kasson finished coiling the end of his line and looked up to see his
uncle stepping onto the dock and pass the manifest over to Master
Bilpen.

"We're starting to get used to including you on our route now, aren't
we Kasson?"

"Aye Uncle. Nice to have a Weyr on our route again."

Bilpen grinned at the older man in the pilot house. "Belay that
whistle Kassious," he called. "We've got people sleeping in shifts."
He chuckled and shook his head. "He does love to toot that horn," he
said to Kasson. "Aubrun," he reached out a giant paw to shake the
man's hand then he tilted his head. "We've got brand new storage
caverns especially for the technicians but for now you can unload it
right over there. He pointed to where some other supplies were piled
next to a lower caverns entrance.

"When you're done, we can offer you a hot meal over to the dining
hall," he pointed toward the large building. In the meantime, if you
hear them ring their bell twice then twice again, It's their signal
meal's being served."

"Aye, that's father alright. He'll swear up and down he's just
following standard practice... but I must have gotten my own sense of
humor from somewhere!" Kasson chuckled and stepped down the dock a few
paces to help a few of the other crew members place the broad
gangplank that would facilitate the unloading of passengers and cargo.
Aubrun returned the handshake, nodding in return to the Program
Manager.

"Bilpen. You'll have to forgive my brother, Kasson's got it straight.
Remind me at mealtime and I'll tell you of the time he managed to rig
the whistle to sound every time I sat on my bed." Glancing to the
gangplank, the Captain saw several passengers clustered around the
boat's rail. "We've brought you a few crafters as well. Two smiths, a
weaver, and a healer who wanted a change of scenery, I believe."

"Excellent," Bilpen said. "We can use every one of them." He began to
greet them as they stepped of the boat and then sent them off with an
apprentice to find the Headwoman. "Jayzine will take care of them,"
he grinned. "Let's help you get unloaded."

"Aye, soonest begun is soonest done." A few moments later, coiled wire
by the spool was quickly rolling down the dock to the indicated space
near the indicated entrance to Lower Caverns. As he carefully
maneuvered the last spool off the dock, Kasson couldn't help but feel
that with each visit the Garnet Lady made to Barrier Lake, the place
felt a little more alive and vibrant. Almost like a second home.

Last updated on the October 26th 2019

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PHWAAAOOOOP