Learning is Fun! - Weyrling Lesson 1

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I'm learning to fall,
I can't hardly breathe,
When I'm going down,
Don't worry about me,
Don't try this at home.

It felt like floating, like floating in the ocean except that it tasted like fresh water because there wasn't any salt to it. He was surrounded by the cool, cleansing embrace of another presence. However, it wasn't through water. Even though it didn't move as much as any river, lake, or ocean he'd ever seen, because it was more solid than that, it had so much more life to it than any such place or creature too. It didn't have one taste, feel, look, smell, or emotion, because it was more than something physical for all of its solidness. For all that it wanted to be the same every moment, it was ever changing, but he found such comfort in that. It was that fact that made it so solid. It was going to bend before it would break, but it wasn't going to bend until forced. It was going to always be there and know what to do when it came down to it.

That was Detritath. That was his Detritath.

Last night, the night that he'd Impressed, the shaggy, brown haired boy had walked to the barrack with the others alongside an iron dragonet that refused to show any sign that he was tired. Like the name of his color and the appearance of his hide made him seem, he was a metallic sentinel, marching in time with his new rider. He did not tire. He slept when it was necessary. Until then, he was awake and thus had to pay attention to what was going on, even if his belly was full of meat that made him feel warm inside like the hot sands of the place where he had hatched made him feel warm outside. He was pleased when his rider picked an empty room and settled him into a bed. He still hadn't slept then; he had waited until K'ber was settled into his. After that, they had both drifted into a calm, exhausted sleep, together and in sync though unaware.

The light of day came, and, with it, morning.

K'ber rose, slowly but surely, from the peace of his dreams with it. He started to get to his feet, peering around to confirm that his precious lifemate lay there still. Even though he was already entirely awake when Altith bugled far in the distance, it didn't keep Detritath from demanding he get out of bed and get ready immediately. The young iron strode right out of his bed and proceeded to give his already sitting up rider several firm prods. He didn't say anything, but he made it infinitely clear he would not be pleased if they were late. It would be shameful. His would get dress right at that very moment, or he would be deeply disappointed. Eyes widening, the ex-dolphineer scrambled to get clothes. He didn't exactly have much choice, so he just grabbed what he found. Then he marched on outside with Detritath.

They were not late. They fell in line with the twenty-two other pairs in their class.

K'ber listened intently to all that was said. He filed it away; it was simple, basic information. It was important though, and he refused to miss any little detail of the anatomy, of their positions, of their future responsibilities. His eyes widened when he found the Weyrlingmaster looking directly at him as the changes Impression could wreak on a new rider were described. Was he going to change? The flash of worry was soothed as he realized that F'del was just looking at everyone, and a prod from Detritath. It was unnecessary to worry. Just as Altith's said about how every bond was different, theirs wouldn't be anything like they describe. Detritath had dully listened to F'del, and closely listened to Altith, though he had not felt as if he had learned anything, but he was not voraciously curious. He even kept his hunger in check. Sort of.

The young King hurried his Mine along at a quick march once Altith's, who used far too many words to explain things, was done, towards the carcasses. However, K'ber slowed in his step, his eyes scanning among the scattering weyrlings. He spotted Lynx, looking determined and heading towards F'del. He hurriedly ducked his head. Detritath gave him another prod, watching His carefully with calm eyes. They joined Valleth, Callistath, L'ven, and Avalle by one of the bodies. He frowned slightly when the bronzerider didn't seem to recognize him, but he nodded in greeting to the two other royal riding weyrlings. Mine and I are quite well; Detritath responded to Callistath, with utter politeness. Those were the only words he had said that entire morning, and that was all he said. He was better than his at least, who hadn't said anything at all.

The teenager expertly chopped off nice bits of meat, and started stripping them to feed his dragon, who promptly set to properly eating. He'd been eight when he'd learned how to prepare food. He was better with fish than red meat, but most dolphins wouldn't say no to eating herdbeast if that was what was offered to them. Dolphins were finickier about that than dragons seemed to be. That didn't keep him from focusing on the work presented to him. Their group of three seemed to have much less conversation than the majority of the sets of two roommates around. He didn't mind. He wanted to stay immersed in his work. That way, he couldn't think too hard about what Lynx was doing, or why L'ven didn't seem to remember him. He at least wasn't remembered for anything embarrassing. Embarrassing, Mine? Maybe Detritath did have some curiosity.

Words screaming in my head,
Why did you leave?
And I can't stop dreaming,
Watching you and him,
When it should have been.