Admin
Administrator 
brect[M:-2154]
Posts: 3,754
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2011 2:21:44 GMT -5
I don't want to be the one to say goodbye,
But I will, I will, I will,
And I don't wanna sit on the pavement while you fly,
But I will, I will, oh yes I will.
Today, this fine morning, my young friends, you fly! Kerath's announcement came with vigor and enthusiasm. Truthfully, the young dragonets had been gliding and already knew the basics of flight. However, that fine late winter day was the day that the months of wing strengthening and coordination exercises would finally pay off. Today was the first day the dragonets would carry their riders up into the air. Today was the first and only time they would be taught to hunt. It was an important day and that was why Kerath was so excited. Of course, the purple was generally fairly excitable; his enthusiastic nature suited him. Perched upon his dragon's back, W'al grinned and gave the cheerful beast's shoulder a pat as he continued to speak. Tell your riders to be quick, dress simply, and bring your straps! Your riders have been working very hard on them. Now you both get to show them off!
W'al looked over his charges as they came out. The two whites were still tiny, part of the reason he'd slightly delayed teaching manned flight to the class, but the Kings were starting to get quite impressive in size. He was proud of them, even if he had only recently taken over as their master. Or not so recently. After all, he'd been lovingly overseeing them learning to construct riding straps for the past month with the assistance of some of the Weyr's journeyman tanners. They weren't something that could be overlooked; straps were what would keep the weyrlings alive in fall and fire. He eyed the equipment that the young dragonriders carried. Though relaxed and jovial, he was critical about his duties, mind churning behind his easygoing expression. He wasn't about to let any of them kill themselves. Besides that, just waiting for them to gather was boring.
"Alright! As Kerath said, you're flying today. All of you. First manned flights. Fun stuff;" W'al said as soon as the last of his students had appeared. He remained comfortably perched on his dragon's back; it made it easy to see everyone. "First things first! On the tables behind us, you'll find proper riding gear. They're temporary and have junior knots. The tanners will be making you all custom sets, but those take time to prepare, so these will do. Pick a helmet, jacket, pants, and boots that fit. Not too loose, not too tight. There should be plenty." Kerath swept his wings, previously relaxed but extended, into his sides, revealing tables stacked with all the trappings of a real rider. None of the clothes were new, but they were all durable, ranging in color from greenish yellow to grayish blue to deep brown. "Now gear up! Straps on and then report to me"
W'al let them scramble off, supervising as necessary, and waited with Kerath for the first pairs to finish up and get back to him. By giving the class a couple of things to do, he hoped to create some sort of organized chaos and manage to get a few moments to personally guide each pair through their first flights together. Besides that, watching them scramble to find clothing was pretty amusing. He felt bad for the souls who hadn't heeded Kerath's warning to dress simply. The purple had been quite kind to relay that, given that the purple's more mischievous side would have preferred them all to show up in two sweaters and a coat each to watch them struggle to change the fastest. He, a lover of the air, couldn't understand why any of them would want to change slowly. He only let W'al put on his straps those days to be a good example dragon.
When the first pair arrived, W'al beamed across at the weyrling, exuding confidence and enthusiasm. "You're up!" He slipped from his purple's back, finally abandoning his point of observation. He'd be fine. He could mount his tall purple at his full height quicker than any of these whippersnappers, probably because he wasn't too much older than any of them and had more than twice as experienced. "Check your straps, then I'll check them, and we'll get you going. Just a short glide this time. A few flaps;" W'al instructed, grinning from ear to ear as he eyed the student's gear. While his rider went about the business of setting the human side of the pair up, Kerath instructed the dragon side with all the dignity he could muster. It will be hard to fly with your rider at first. You must be careful to try to balance them. Leap high. Flap strong. Be ready to land.
Oh, the only way to really know is to really let it go,
Maybe you're gonna come back,
You're gonna come back,
You're gonna come back to me. |
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Lan
Weyrlingmaster 
lanct[M:-1025]
Nomming ALL the kidpets!
Posts: 1,266 
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Post by Lan on May 19, 2011 15:45:28 GMT -5
As the voice of the purple, via Poseith, entered his head F'ton ceased the fiddling with his hands. The half-carved model of a playful Poseith and Eriputh (or, rather, of Eriputh playing with Poseith while he stared at her incredulously) fell onto his cot as he stood to respond to the call. Flying. Today they were going to fly? Of course, he knew the day would come eventually, but it seemed like there had been no time at all. One turn had passed in the blink of an eye. Poseith also stood, his size now that of an average brown. It was remarkable how large he was getting, especially since F'ton knew the king would still be growing for several months more. The iron was beginning to get rather big for his dwelling and was no longer the dragonet that could wrestle with a green without causing much damage to the furniture in the room he shared with his bonded.
The two of them, Echelon being forced to stay behind this time, made their way out to meet Kerath and W'al after bringing the required items. There was some anxiety in F'ton's chest as W'al gave them instructions on what to do. First he made his way to the tables to get riding gear. Being of moderately average size, it didn't take him long to find a helmet, jacket, pants, and boots that fit him. He managed to get ready before most of his class, Poseith watching over him quietly and patiently. As soon as they returned W'al beamed at him, not helping his nerves much. Still, he managed a quiet smile back. He was up? Shards... he tried to maintain his composure as he checked the straps on Poseith's great girth and on his own person.
Do not worry, F'tonMine, Poseith spoke to his rider, a strong, unyielding mental presence in the weyrling's mind. F'ton smiled at the iron, then at W'al, and nodded for his straps to be checked. Poseith, meanwhile, listened to Kerath's advice quietly, trying to internalize what he had to do. He invisioned his jump. He felt his rider on his back and noted how precious his cargo was. He felt his muscles in his wings and his legs and prepared to jump. Now, he would just have to do these actions. When W'al would give the go-ahead, he would jump... but until then he worked on mentally preparing himself.
As he waited he glanced into the crowd to look for Eriputh and hers, an act that was following his rider's own intentions. F'ton wanted to see how Fahra was doing... but perhaps both he and his dragon should have been paying more attention. For some reason, the green pair distracted the iron weyrlings without fail, even though most of the time they were so astute and focused. But it was only for a second that they looked over at their peers, before they were focused and ready again. F'ton gave W'al and nervous smile and waited for the verdict.
We fly today, S'in. Nemeth roused her rider, eyeing him from her couch in a cool humor. The boy jolted awake, nearly cracking his head open on the wall near his bed in the process. He cursed loudly, rubbing where his head had made contact with the wall and glanced over at the collected green. She merely looked away, staring at the riding straps S'in had made with the help of W'al and the tanners around the Weyr. He hopped out of the cot and pulled on trousers and a shirt. He would have pulled on a jacket, but Nemeth interjected, No, S'in. Kerath says to dress simply. The boy nodded and tossed the jacket aside, making for the door. The green hissed and stayed put.
Riding straps, S'in. You're not thinking. While she approved of her rider most of the time, in the mornings he was simply stupid. S'in grunted, shaking his head as if to rid himself of the green's reprimands. Still, he managed a cocky smile at his green dragon and strode back into the room to grab the neglected riding straps. Only then did green and rider head out of the barracks together.
When W'al told the weyrlings to get their gear, S'in was the first to the tables. However, he was probably one of the last to leave. He went through jacket after jacket and helment after helmet, trying to find one that fit. Nemeth watched with apathy, occasionally her attentions moving toward her clutchsiblings. Even the less satisfactory dragons and their riders were moving faster than hers was. It was frustrating, but she ignored it. Those others who had finished first probably didn't pick the right sizing of gears. S'in, at the very least, would have gear that fit him more properly... and that would be important if they were going to achieve flying together.
Finally S'in seemed ready and together green and boy stood, waiting their turn. Nemeth itched to get out into the sky. The ground had kept her contained for too long. A dragon that couldn't fly was a disgrace. A dragon that couldn't fly was weak. Nemeth was not weak. She would fly with her S'in and they would fly better than anyone else in this class of theirs. Of this, the green was confident. But, until that time, she waited her turn like a honorable dragon would. |
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Reky
Alphahandler
rekyct[M:-999]
SO PRO
Posts: 1,554
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Post by Reky on May 20, 2011 17:44:20 GMT -5
Oh OH OH! E'rin! Miiine! Kerath says things, oh yes, he DOES and they are GOOD THINGS! We get to fly today, FlyingE'rin! Jarith squealed with genuine delight and pranced around their room. She pranced and sparkled and pranced and sparkled until E'rin managed to roll himself out of bed. His birthday had been a few days ago, and he was twelve now, one Turn from teenagerhood but already acting like it in some respects. He found it increasingly hard to wake up, simply because he didn't want to, and he had also encountered his first armpit hairs. He didn't like it. He didn't want to get old and smelly and weird. Jarith, at least, didn't care about any of it and was just plain ol' happy Jarith all day, every day.
E'rin sat up. A glittery white muzzle stuck into his chest, and he winced briefly before wrapping his arms around the white's head. He grabbed onto her headknobs, and she snorted and snuffed and nuzzled his bony ribs. E'rinE'rinE'rinE'rinE'rinFlyyyyyyy, she purred, stretching out her white wings. She knocked brown Levi's perch and he squawked and fluttered off. He landed by green Lana, paying her absolutely no attention. She regarded him with simple, tired indifference. Oh. It was Levi again. He didn't like her... oh well.
As every morning was, E'rin's room was akin to a zoo as he tried to get ready. Jarith was constantly moving, admiring herself, strutting, and talking to him, and his two firelizards watched him like a curious green mouse and a grumpy brown wherry. He took out food for them both, and then some smelly little fish for Mitzi and Merps. The pillies were excited; they sloshed around in their home by the foot of his bed, climbing up the side of the basin. It was a really, really nice bucket, and it had been a birthday present to him from F'lan. There weren't even any holes in it, and it was made of clean metal. He dropped the fish in and the pillies ate happily. Mrpmrrrrrp! Merps projected, and Mitzi let out a satisfied Maaaaaa~ and give E'rin's hand a hug with her six little legs. Then, the boy stood, and said goodbye to his pets. Lana watched him and Jarith leave.
His head was filled with happy variations on the word 'fly' as he walked out to meet W'al and Kerath. His scrawny arms were filled with straps; one of the long strips of leather dragged behind him, but he knew if he tried to pick it up he'd probably drop all of it instead. Jarith bounced along behind him, nearly blinding in the morning light. She reflected little droplets of sun onto the ground like a Terran disco ball. Even if she was incredibly tiny compared to the now-impressive kings, she kept striking poses, hoping someone would catch interest.
He dumped the straps next to Jarith when the finally claimed a spot for their own. She was wiggling with excitement, but E'rin seemed more worried than anything else. W'al gave them instructions and then let them get busy, and the boy turned to the table of riding gear. He was hesitant to try it one. Still, though, he moved to the bundles and sifted through them until he found a jacket and a pair of trousers that fit him. They were an awkward combination; tarnished yellow green on top and dirty blue on the bottom. He grabbed and helmet and goggles and went back to Jarith.
Mid-way through putting on the riding straps, he realized that he had done something wrong and had no idea what it was. He had practiced so many times! He thought he had it memorized! With a frustrated groan, he came to terms with that fact that he did not have it memorized, and took the straps off and started over. E'rinStrapsDoerLove! It will be okay! You're so gruuuumppyyyy, be HAPPY INSTEAD. We fly! Flying! Flight! Flap! Flip! Flop! FLUN! Hee-hee! Fun! She wiggled with anticipation, which actually made his job harder, but eventually he got the straps done and checked them. With a sigh of heavy relief, he leaned against his sparkling dragon and raised his hand.
"Ready," he said, voice rather monotone. He would rather be sleeping... [/blockquote] |
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Post by purnip on May 20, 2011 21:01:17 GMT -5
Awfully familiar greeting from a dragon who earned little to none of Demeth's attention or respect. The Tan stirred to make sure she would do the responsible thing and relay this to her rider. This system of receiving telepathic messages whist barely awake taxed the creature's solid patience. Everyone was in such a hurry these days. She couldn't understand it. The world wasn't going to start spinning faster just because you want it to. What was so wrong with letting time take its course? What was wrong with waking up with the morning rather than for it? Demeth gave a yawn and turned her head towards the cot. Her rider was up already, fixing her sheets. The feline was rubbing herself against the Weyrling's ankles, mewling for her breakfast.
"Hold your runners, Arty. Brekki's coming." Ah, brekki. Lovely brekki; short for 'breakfast'. Even the time of day was given its own nickname.
That Purple calls. He suggests Mine dresses simply, for today we are to fly together.
Pan all but stopped breathing when she heard that last bit. She spun around, causing a startled Artemis to dash under the bed. "Really? Awesome! Finally!" She strode over to Demeth and took the Tan's wedge-shaped head in her hands, nuzzling the dragon on the nose. "See, I told you it'd be the next lesson," she hummed. Flying. Pan was anxious to give it a go. Watching Demeth practice gliding about was a thrill, even if she could only imagine sitting on her dragon's back. "I'll have to feed Arty later then, won't I? I better close the door so she doesn't try to stick her nose in a dog bowl."
Finding something simple to wear was a little bit of a chore. Pan normally dressed in a practical yet comfortable and stylish fashion--even within the restrictions--but during the winter she was forced to wear shapeless clothing that only served to protect her from the bitter cold. It didn't get that cold in Dalibor though. The Western Continent suffered somewhat harsher conditions. But that left Pan with the option of dressing in nicer outfits that still kept her from turning blue. Oh well. She didn't fret about it. Finding that shapeless old thing she attained as part of Dalibor's care package sent to all Weyrlings, she dressed herself up 'simply' and made a start for the door.
We'll be needing the straps this morning, Demeth added, just before she was about to glide out.
"Oh! That's right!" Pan turned back inside to pluck them up from on top of the dresser. During one month of lessons, W'al and the resident tanners spent time teaching them how to make and mend their own straps. Pan chose some lovely greens to decorate them with. She wanted to make sure she chose colors that would distinguish her from her fellow Weyrlings, but more importantly, were colors she personally loved.
Demeth got there as soon as Pan made her way. The Tan waited for her, as opposed to going on ahead. Pananarie was still pleasantly surprised by this even if she ought to have expected it by now. Lately the dragon cared to be punctual without any rush. It appeared as if they arrived just on time. The last of the class was showing up, and W'al was about to address the lot of them when Kerath turned to face them. Pananarie was crawling out of her skin. Oh! There was F'ton! Arty's uncle! And oh! There was S'in and E'rin! She waved at them in turn, as well as a few others she recognized. She almost had everyone in the class down by now, even if she only had a second to say hello and remember names. She started to inch towards F'ton though since she knew him first. He was the one with the big Iron after all--she couldn't miss him if she tried. The only dragon she was really wary of however was Herath. As long as they could keep a safe distance from that Red, everything would be well...mostly alright.
Once W'al was done talking, Pan was quick to move towards the equipment to make sure she got things that matched. She learned quickly that it was going to be impossible and took comfort in the fact that they would be made or making custom sets in the future. She wouldn't mind making, even if she wasn't the most talented at those sorts of activities. By the time she picked everything out, there were a few people ahead of her in line. Demeth made her way over to stay close, though she minded having enough space to move if she needed to. Pan was still struggling to get the helmet on correctly, and she could only imagine how silly she looked with it on.
Better to be silly than sorry.
The Tanrider beamed. "Absolutely."
Getting the straps on her dragon was easier, actually. It didn't take too long. Whenever Pan was walled up in her room at night, restless, she practiced putting them on and taking them off Demeth. Not that she always got it on right. It was like she forgot every time. But by now, she was becoming a natural. It was a little loose perhaps, like her boots and her pants. She didn't have the hips for most of these pairs and she wore thin stockings instead of those bloated pairs suggested for nippy weather. But she was confident enough that they would pass inspection. "Ready whenever!" she called out, waving towards W'al. One might have mistaken it for impatience, but excitement was far more accurate.
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Post by theknightwhosaysni on May 24, 2011 5:39:23 GMT -5
The voice of Kerath reached Dorith and the cyan glanced up sharply, a little wiggle of her tail the only immediate sign that she gave that she had heard Kerath. She paused for a moment, tilting her head to gather everything that Kerath was saying before bespeaking Hers, Yo, F'beeMine! Kerath says to be quick, bring your straps and dress simply - we're going flying! Hmmm... Do you think we'll get to go swimming? I want to go swimming! [/i] Dorith chirped happily, a mischievous gleam in her gaze as she turned towards Hers, wriggling delightedly. F'bee tilted his head as well, mirroring Dorith's actions as her words reached him. Right then, the Weyrling had been mulling over a prank idea, as he often was, thinking that maybe some harassing of his fellow Weyrlings was necessary. F'bee hadn't pulled a prank recently, as Dorith took up a lot of his time, but it looked like it wasn't going to be happening today, it seemed. The Weyrling heaved a sigh and got to his feet, knowing that he could plot his pranks the next day or next sevenday or whatever. There would be time, eventually, for pranks and fun, but he would sadly have to put them off for a bit longer. "Aight, Dorith!" F'bee called out, rising slowly to his feet. He already satisfied the dressed simply requirement, and even if he hadn't, F'bee probably wouldn't have changed. His straps were a bit hard to find, but F'bee dug them out from under his bed with a bit of help from Dorith, who generally made a nuisance of herself by poking around in odd places for the straps until they were discovered, a few minutes later. "Ready, Dorith?" F'bee grinned happily, and when Dorith trilled in an affirmative manner, they made their way down to Kerath with Dorith's straps gathered in F'bee's arms. Soon after they arrived, W'al was talking animatedly away, describing what they would be doing. He filed it away for future reference and leaned lazily against Dorith until W'al dismissed them and allowed F'bee to scurry happily off to grab some riding gear. He wasn't one of the first to arrive at the table, but he wasn't one of the last either. Finding stuff that fit him pretty well was fairly easy, though F'bee was hurrying as much as he could to avoid being pushed over by any of the other Weyrlings or something like that. Being pushed kinda sucked, you know. With a triumphant smile, however, F'bee returned to Dorith's side and pulled his flying gear on happily. They were going to fly today! And perhaps, when all of this was said and done, he'd take Dorith down to the lake. Dorith would enjoy it, he figured, and . . . well, he was pretty giddy at the moment. They were going flying! And his jacket, pants, boots and helmet were all on, though F'bee did feel a bit silly about it all. "Time for your straps, Dorith!" And when they finished, F'bee could use the time to plan for a prank or something! F'bee knew that with so many other people who were ready already, he wasn't going to be trying the flying thing any time soon. Dorith was happy to remain still for the bit of time that it took for F'bee to get her straps on, though there were definitely some errors to them. The way F'bee saw it, falling off would be rather funny, and Dorith was too busy daydreaming about swimming and oceans and lots and lots of water to smack Hers into making her straps right. They felt a little bit uncomfortable to Dorith because they were twisted in some places, but she didn't care so much. She wanted to get to go swimming! "We're ready as soon as you are, W'al!" F'bee called out happily, falling into line behind the various other Weyrlings who were already finished. But that was alright. F'bee didn't really want to go first, and waiting was alright, though F'bee wasn't the most patient of people out there. Waiting did mean, however, that F'bee would get some extra time to mull over any pranks that he might pull in the not so distant future.[/size][/blockquote] |
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