Post by 4horseshowgirl4 on Mar 1, 2009 18:43:05 GMT -5
Name: L'ven [leh-VEHN]
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Location: Dalibor Weyr
Rank: Jr. Weyrleader, Wingleader of Midnight Wing
Personality:
L'ven is ambitious, to put it bluntly. He's driven by his own desperate desire to succeed. He dreams of achieving rank, power, renown. He thirsts for the day where his deeds have made him an everyday name. He wants a reputation. It's his only purpose in life, simply to do better than how he's doing now.
Because he's so motivated by success, failure hits him doubly hard. It's his one true phobia. Once he's committed to something, he follows through with it almost fervently, simply to ensure that he won't fail. Also, L'ven has a pretty good sense of humor when it comes to most jokes and teasings, but he will lose his temper in a second if anyone hints that he's a failure.
In addition, L'ven is driven enough that he despises being passive. He always has to be doing something, and is cranky and stir-crazy whenever he's prevented from doing something. He loathes idle chatter. When he's talking to people, he at least wants to be working on chores or taking a walk (to improve his physical fitness for Dragonriding, of course). Likewise, L'ven's not much of a night owl. He's up and ready to go first thing in the morning, but he usually runs out of fuel shortly after Rukbat sets in the summer.
L'ven is also possessed with an incredible work ethic and determination. He gets a level of satisfaction out of completing a task that makes laziness unbearable. This is quite the advantage to the Dragonrider, as he is not intimidated by either the rigorous physical or demanding mental work that comes with Dragonriding.
L'ven's thirst for success is matched only by his thirst for knowledge. He loves to learn, but there's also a bit of a selfish motive behind that: he likes to know more than the other person. Studying is something of a therapy for him, as he finds that stuffing facts into his head forces him to forsake his worries for a few candlemarks.
Highly logical, L'ven is skilled with figures and patterns. He has a habit of over-analyzing everything. However, he's not good with others' emotions. Blunt and honest to a fault, L'ven has an annoying habit of inadvertantly insulting others. He doesn't mean to, but he's certainly not afraid to give his opinion and he doesn't hesitate into leaping into a debate.
L'ven often puts on an overly confident, superior air. In truth, he lacks very much self-esteem, as he doesn't think he's done much at all to think well of himself. However, he finds that, as long as he remains humble enough to admit when he's wrong and doesn't insult people, others are more likely to think of him as an accomplished person, and therefore more likely to follow him, when he acts braver than he is. In truth, L'ven loves to lead. When he can get someone to do what he says, he deduces that this is because the other person knows that L'ven is capable. Each opportunity to get a group as a whole to achieve something is a success in itself. It makes L'ven stop feeling like a lowly Candidate for a little while.
Likewise, L'ven hates being bossed around himself. He has authority issues. The one person to whom he'll listen is any teacher: other than that, he balks at whatever's being asked of him.
Appearance:
L'ven is generally a non-descript young man. He's an average height, about five-ten, and weighs about a hundred and seventy pounds. He's built leanly, without much muscle bulk. His skin is pale compared to some, so L'ven is careful when going into the summer sun, as he burns easily.
L'ven has plain brown hair, which he keeps short. As he often trims it himself, it's often quite erraticly cut. His face is lean, with a faint squareness to it. His eyes are his one interesting feature, as they are a striking, piercing light grey.
Family:
Mother, Lucille -- 45
Father, Saven -- 46
Both of his parents are Journeypeople Harpers living at the Harperhall. He has no siblings, and the rest of his family live outside of the Harperhall, so he doesn't know them.
Pets:
Green firelizard Sibilance (001500)
Appearance:
Sibilance's color is so dark green that it appears Black at first glance, and, in fact, L'ven did mistake her for a Black when she first Hatched, and as will many who are not familiar with firelizards. However, she is a large Green, much too big to be a Black. In addition, she has an unmistakably feminine appearance, with slim muscling, a refined, delicate head, and slender limbs, tail, and wings. Her wings are an average span, but their undersides are a much lighter green, a color that is actually recognizable as green.
Personality:
Sibilance is easily put off by many things, and she's very vocal about people, objects, other creatures, or events that scare or annoy her-- she'll hiss, loudly and incessently. She's extremely 'sibilant,' hence her name. She's bold and outgoing, and she knows what she wants and how to best get it. She's especially food-oriented, which makes it far easier for L'ven to train her.
History:
Luven was born as the son of two Harpers in the northern Harperhall. The Harpers, Lucille and Saven, were drawn together, not by what each other had, but what they hadn't. Both of them had been raised in obsolete cotholds. While they had never met as children, they had shared a similar dream: to be a Master Harper. They were both talented enough, but the isolation of their home meant that they had had to train themselves as best as they could, trying to tune themselves while singing what few songs they knew. Lucille had been brought to the Harperhall at fifteen as an apprentice, while Saven hadn't been able to convince his parents that his future lie outside the cothold until he was sixteen.
When the two had got to the Harperhall, they were embarrassed by the much younger apprentices who were already much further ahead in their training. Both Lucille and Saven tried their best, but it was difficult to attain the same level of mastery of music because they had started at such a late age. Finally, they graduated and became a Journeywoman and Journeyman, respectively. Just a year after Saven had become a Journeyman, Lucille caught his eye. They befriended quickly, each urging the other on in his or her Master studies. After several years, however, it became apparent that neither had the talent that comes from learning a craft at a younger age. Neither would ever reach Master.
It was difficult for them to give up their childhood dreams. Somehow, they decided that if they couldn't do it, then having a child who could do what they couldn't would be the next best thing. Though neither felt any romantical love for each other, they had a son, Luven. From day one, it was decided that he would be the Master Harper that neither of them could be. His parents were a team. When one attended to his or her duties, the other would care for the infant, always singing or reading to him. They were euphoric when his first word was ''Ar'er!' which couldn't be anything but a garbled version of 'Harper.'
So little Luven grew up into a swaggering toddler, sure in his young way that he would be, not only a Master, but the Masterharper of Pern. He was always singing, and though he was never in tune, his parents gently corrected him, pleased that he was trying and sure that time and practice would tune his voice and train his ear. The parents were ambitious for their son's future, and Luven fed off of that ambition, taking it and magnifying it as his own trait.
Still, it became woefully apparent in later years that Luven would never be a Harper. Even when his parents had been informally training him for ten Turns, preteen Luven was still as hopelessly out of tune as ever. His rhythm, if anything, was even worse-- the poems he had tried to write were awful. He himself was oblivious to his plight. He worked hard because he wanted to achieve a high post as a Harper, and he was naive enough at that age that he couldn't imagine that hard work does not always guarantee success.
He was rejected as an apprentice. It was the first real time that Luven had been slapped in the face with the hand that is reality, and his parents were too distraught to bother shielding him. If anything, they disowned him. Luven was horrified. After all the work he'd done, how dare they reject him? He stopped singing. No one wanted to listen to it, anyway, he thought angrily. Never again would he try to make music. That mood lasted about a day, in which Luven worked off his feelings by doing the one aspect of Harpering he was good at: memorizing the songs and poems. He did just that, and returned to whoever-was-in-charge-of-finding-apprentices a sevenday later, reciting an impressive array of Pernese literature for a twelve-Turn-year.
It didn't matter. Memorization skills did not equal a Harper. Luven was furious. It wouldn't be until he grew up and cooled down a little bit that he realized that he wouldn't have accepted himself as an apprentice, either. His fury was a coverup for a huge hole, a huge worry that Luven was feeling: that he wouldn't amount to anything. He was facing a similar crushing of dreams that his parents had felt, but he was too young to deal with it. His self-esteem took a huge hit, and he stopped trying at anything for fear of failing again.
Luven descended to the underbelly of the Hall, where he wasn't the worst one any more. He was an insufferable little brat for a few months, bossing around the drudges. He learned about running a kitchen, and though he refused to try to cook (he decided, in his strange twelve-Turn-old way, that art was stupid), he hastily learned how to run a kitchen: how much to order of what, how to count and deal with money, and when to start what dish so everything would be ready at the same time. He was a strange sight, a young boy ordering everyone in the kitchen around. What was even stranger, though, was that he was actually being an asset with his quick mind and near-photographic memory, the only skills he had acquired from long years of studying music. It was nice to be doing something right, and Luven regained some of his confidence and all of his ambition plus some. He wanted to be the best at something. He just had to decide what that something was.
In the end, it wasn't his decision. A dragon and its 'Rider stopped by the Hall one day to conduct a Search for Fort Weyr's next clutch. To everyone's surprised, the fortuitous person that was taken that day was the bossy kitchen boy, the failed Harper, Luven.
In the Weyr, Luven rekindled his determination and his ambition. He simply threw himself into Candidacy. He volunteered for extra chores, he learned all the dragonlore he could, and he developed an annoying habit of interrogating Dragonriders about small, nitpicky questions on the magnificent creatures they rode. He learned to control his temper as soon as he learned that hatchlings liked to maul those that had that certain trait.
Finally, the day of his first Hatching came. And went.
Again, Luven was wracked with a kind of grief for not Impressing. He secluded himself for months, giving his Weyrling friends a cold shoulder. Again, he found solace in cramming bits of Harper literature into his head until he could recite it perfectly. He didn't come out of his funk until one of the Assistant Candidatemasters, the same Dragonrider that had Searched Luven and had been promoted shortly after, approached him and told him that not many Impressed on their first try, especially at such a big Weyr. Luven wasn't consoled, but it was enough to spur him back into his frenzy of work.
Again, again, and again, Luven walked off of the Sands alone, each time burying his frustration in more study and more work, giving himself the rationalization that he simply hadn't put in enough effort the time before. However, it was hard for him to learn not to be jealous of his friends that had managed to Impress. Gradually, he managed to keep the friendships he had made after the Hatching was over.
That one Assistant Candidatemaster was still worried about him. His own dragon had Searched Luven, and he knew that His couldn't be wrong. When he heard about Dalibor's opening, he recommended that Luven be transferred. Perhaps the stressed-out Candidate just needed a change of scenery and a lack of competition to relax, and, hopefully, Impress before he was too old.
Eighth time's a charm, right?
At first, things seemed against Luven. An Iron was the first to hatch, marking a lucky Hatching. Many dragons came and went, none Impressing to Luven. The Queen egg of the clutch hatched, and, moments later, a Bronze followed her, seeming to escort her to the female Candidates. When she Impressed to Avalle, the Bronze's attention turned back to the male Candidates. Slowly, he worked his way through the rows, near Impression twice. However, neither of the boys seemed to make the cut.
Finally, the Bronze was standing in front of Luven. Eye contact was made. Impression was made. Isn't golden Callistath so beautiful, L'venMine? Your Valleth certainly thinks she is![/color] That magical voice meant that all of L'ven's dreams had come true. He was ecstatic: not only had he Impressed, but he had Impressed a big, healthy Bronze! From that moment on, he was Luven, failure, no more. He was L'ven of Bronze Valleth, his name forever linked to that of his lifemate. His name forever marked his rank as a Dragonrider, the supreme accomplishment.
Their first few months of Weyrlinghood were uneventful, and it was not until Valleth was nearly a Turn old did drama spark up. One of L'ven's classmates was a young woman named Lynx, who had Impressed a Green named Gneith. Just prior to Kalith's Hatching, at a party thrown by another classmate named Pratyba, Lynx had flirted openly with both L'ven and the Ironrider of the group, a young man named K'ber. In the end, it had been a drunk K'ber (then Kimber), who had weaseled his way into dancing with Lynx, and L'ven (then Luven) had been disappointed but not devastated. Through the end of his Candidacy and his early Weyrlinghood, L'ven had not paid much attention to Lynx, but their dragons were beginning to reach the age where crushes were allowable again.
L'ven had fallen for Lynx. Hard. Fortunately, her interest in him had been renewed as well. Unfortunately, he had to divide her attention between himself and K'ber, who was also still enraptured by her. They had never been friends, but they tolerated each other; however, this was the beginning of a serious rivalry. Not much later, L'ven was made Wingsecond of the Weyrling wing along with Avalle and Gold Callistath, and instead of K'ber and Iron Detritath. L'ven was absolutely ecstatic to reach his first position of rank, unimportant though it really was, but it only furthered K'ber's resentful opinion of him.
Then, O'ris of Cyan Rhyolith, another one of their classmates, announced the Hatching of his Green firelizard, Lira. Valleth urged L'ven to get a flitter baby, as almost all of the important people of the Weyr had a firelizard, and it was almost impossible to keep in touch with his parents at the Harperhall without one. K'ber came as well, and Lynx arrived as a spectator. L'ven bonded to a Green, which he named Sibilance because of her tendency to hiss at everything she disliked. He bid a reluctant goodbye to Lynx and left the Sands, new pet cupped protectively in his hands.
Months later, before he and the rest of his classmates had even graduated Weyrlinghood, an Orange dragoness by the name of Nikianeth Rose for her maiden Flight. Many dragons rose to Chase her, and to everyone's surprise, especially L'ven's, Valleth was one of them, at barely eighteen months old, six months before he was supposed to be able to Chase. He lost to a Brown named Duareth, but the effort did not go unnoticed, especially by Lynx and her Green Gneith, whom both of the Bronzepair were pursuing. Their relationship between them was damaged but not destroyed, and they kept the Greenpair out of the arms of K'ber and Iron Detritath for a little bit longer.
They graduated and became Wingseconds of one of the upper wings. Valleth managed to refrain himself from Chasing any other females, knowing that Gneith would not give him a second chance. Eventually, she Rose for her maiden Flight, the first of their recently-graduated Weyrling class to do so. Valleth gave her his all, but it was not enough. Gneith chose Detritath. Lynx, however, in a highly unusual split, chose L'ven. L'ven was ecstatic, but Valleth was crushed. Detritath abandoned Gneith before they had even hit the ground, furious at her 'rider for not choosing K'ber instead of L'ven. Valleth got over the disappointment and vowed to remain faithful to his females (now whittled down to only Gold Callistath now that Gneith had rejected him). Gneith did not. Both of the Greenpair were distraught in the morning, the beginning of what would become a rocky relationship.
Months later, Gold Callistath Rose for her maiden Flight. For the third time in his short life, Valleth flew after her. Third time was a charm. Valleth triumphed over four other dragons, including his Wingleader at the time, and caught Callistath, making him and L'ven Jr. Weyrleaders. Unfortunately, Callistath's 'rider, Avalle, was weyrmated with Cyanrider O'ris, leaving her unavailable for the victor. L'ven jumped the nearest available person, who was, to his great embarrassment, male Brownrider J'mes.
Dragon Name: Valleth
Dragon Age: 4 Turns
Dragon Color: Bronze (A67D3D)
Dragon Length: 46.5 feet
Dragon Personality:
Valleth's most obvious characteristic is that females catch his attention. Females in general. As in, pretty much every single female on which Valleth lays eyes. He is easily enraptured, whether it be by a dragon's beauty or something kind she said to him. A typical Bronze, his mind is always on how to pass his genes to the next generation. He's one to jump at the opportunity to Chase whenever the chance arises, and he'll put forth as much effort to win the heart of a Green as he does a Gold. However, he tries to remain somewhat steady in his affections. If there happens to be a female who returns his feelings, he does his best to keep his eyes from the other ones; that is, unless there's a Flight, which changes everything, in Valleth's mind.
However, Valleth shows his affections through chivalry rather than flirtatiousness. He does his best to be dignified, and it would be quite beneath a dragon so fine as him to fool around and act silly just to gain a girl's attention! Rather, he'll simply stick by her side until she notices him, making polite, complimentary small talk, and protecting her from all evils. He can be almost condescending and overprotective; at least, until he finds someone else on which to lavish his attentions.
Valleth has a healthy ego; however, he pays quite a bit of attention to what others say about him and His. It's not that he lets gossip or rumors bother him, but if there's truth in those words, he would consider trying to fix the problem. Likewise, if it's just lies and slander, he'll do his best to stop the spread of information. He can't have his good reputation ruined, can he? He thinks highly in himself. He's confident that he can do whatever he puts his mind to. He's a bit ambitious, not so much as L'ven, but enough that he will occasionally dream of power, and he's quite willing to go along with L'ven in whatever the young man wants them to achieve.
Valleth is brave, and he's one to put his pride before his own safety. He stubbornly refuses to back down from any challenge, even one that will result in him or His getting unnecessarily hurt. He'll always do his best to protect others, even abandoning his own task to ensure that no one else comes to harm. He's loyal to his Weyr and to his Queens above all else.
Despite his efforts to always be dignified and valiant, however, Valleth is not entirely serious. Especially when surrounded predominantly by other males, Valleth can be much more relaxed and cheerful. He's not above teasing others or poking fun where fun should be poked, especially in the privacy of L'ven's mind.
Dragon Appearance:
Valleth is a large Bronze. His hide has more undertones of dusty brown than it does green; however, there is no denying his metallic hide. His chest and underbelly are a slightly darker shade of that color, and he has a few errant spots of a yellowish color on his right earknob. Other than that, his hide is consistent, and, because of his young age, unscarred. He carries himself like the King he knows he is, standing tall and straight, never slouching.
Dragon History:
Valleth was the second King to hatch of Kalith's first clutch, and the first clutch of Dalibor Weyr. His was the first hatching after Gold Callistath's, and his first few minutes of life were spent following the Queen and making sure she Impressed successfully before he moved on to his own lifemate. Like she had, he moved methodically down the line of boys, considering each and giving two a longer look before finally choosing L'ven with those immortal words, Isn't golden Callistath so beautiful, L'venMine? Your Valleth certainly thinks she is![/color]
His Weyrlinghood was an eventful one. He quickly fell head-over-heels for first Gold Callistath and then Green Gneith. He formed an impressive rivalry with Iron Detritath, with whom he would eventually compete for both female's affections. However, it was to his triumph that he was chosen as wingsecond of their Weyrling wing along with Avalle and Callistath, over K'ber and Detritath. Six months from graduation, Orange Nikianeth Rose. Surprising everyone, Valleth Chased. He lost, but it damaged his relationships with Gneith and, to some extent, Callistath.
They graduated, and Gneith Rose. Valleth Chased, but he fell to a victorious Detritath. He was furious at himself for losing. He knew why-- Gneith wanted a steady, stalwart mate, not one that flirted with every female that caught his eye (which was most of them). L'ven, however, did win Gneith's 'rider, a young lady named Lynx. Valleth realized that he was not more crushed by the loss because L'ven loved Lynx more strongly than he loved Gneith. The Bronze turned his sights forwards on the female that had been his love since the minute he'd been born: Callistath.
Months later, she Rose. Valleth was finally triumphant, making him and His the Jr. Weyrleaders. [/font]
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Location: Dalibor Weyr
Rank: Jr. Weyrleader, Wingleader of Midnight Wing
Personality:
L'ven is ambitious, to put it bluntly. He's driven by his own desperate desire to succeed. He dreams of achieving rank, power, renown. He thirsts for the day where his deeds have made him an everyday name. He wants a reputation. It's his only purpose in life, simply to do better than how he's doing now.
Because he's so motivated by success, failure hits him doubly hard. It's his one true phobia. Once he's committed to something, he follows through with it almost fervently, simply to ensure that he won't fail. Also, L'ven has a pretty good sense of humor when it comes to most jokes and teasings, but he will lose his temper in a second if anyone hints that he's a failure.
In addition, L'ven is driven enough that he despises being passive. He always has to be doing something, and is cranky and stir-crazy whenever he's prevented from doing something. He loathes idle chatter. When he's talking to people, he at least wants to be working on chores or taking a walk (to improve his physical fitness for Dragonriding, of course). Likewise, L'ven's not much of a night owl. He's up and ready to go first thing in the morning, but he usually runs out of fuel shortly after Rukbat sets in the summer.
L'ven is also possessed with an incredible work ethic and determination. He gets a level of satisfaction out of completing a task that makes laziness unbearable. This is quite the advantage to the Dragonrider, as he is not intimidated by either the rigorous physical or demanding mental work that comes with Dragonriding.
L'ven's thirst for success is matched only by his thirst for knowledge. He loves to learn, but there's also a bit of a selfish motive behind that: he likes to know more than the other person. Studying is something of a therapy for him, as he finds that stuffing facts into his head forces him to forsake his worries for a few candlemarks.
Highly logical, L'ven is skilled with figures and patterns. He has a habit of over-analyzing everything. However, he's not good with others' emotions. Blunt and honest to a fault, L'ven has an annoying habit of inadvertantly insulting others. He doesn't mean to, but he's certainly not afraid to give his opinion and he doesn't hesitate into leaping into a debate.
L'ven often puts on an overly confident, superior air. In truth, he lacks very much self-esteem, as he doesn't think he's done much at all to think well of himself. However, he finds that, as long as he remains humble enough to admit when he's wrong and doesn't insult people, others are more likely to think of him as an accomplished person, and therefore more likely to follow him, when he acts braver than he is. In truth, L'ven loves to lead. When he can get someone to do what he says, he deduces that this is because the other person knows that L'ven is capable. Each opportunity to get a group as a whole to achieve something is a success in itself. It makes L'ven stop feeling like a lowly Candidate for a little while.
Likewise, L'ven hates being bossed around himself. He has authority issues. The one person to whom he'll listen is any teacher: other than that, he balks at whatever's being asked of him.
Appearance:
L'ven is generally a non-descript young man. He's an average height, about five-ten, and weighs about a hundred and seventy pounds. He's built leanly, without much muscle bulk. His skin is pale compared to some, so L'ven is careful when going into the summer sun, as he burns easily.
L'ven has plain brown hair, which he keeps short. As he often trims it himself, it's often quite erraticly cut. His face is lean, with a faint squareness to it. His eyes are his one interesting feature, as they are a striking, piercing light grey.
Family:
Mother, Lucille -- 45
Father, Saven -- 46
Both of his parents are Journeypeople Harpers living at the Harperhall. He has no siblings, and the rest of his family live outside of the Harperhall, so he doesn't know them.
Pets:
Green firelizard Sibilance (001500)
Appearance:
Sibilance's color is so dark green that it appears Black at first glance, and, in fact, L'ven did mistake her for a Black when she first Hatched, and as will many who are not familiar with firelizards. However, she is a large Green, much too big to be a Black. In addition, she has an unmistakably feminine appearance, with slim muscling, a refined, delicate head, and slender limbs, tail, and wings. Her wings are an average span, but their undersides are a much lighter green, a color that is actually recognizable as green.
Personality:
Sibilance is easily put off by many things, and she's very vocal about people, objects, other creatures, or events that scare or annoy her-- she'll hiss, loudly and incessently. She's extremely 'sibilant,' hence her name. She's bold and outgoing, and she knows what she wants and how to best get it. She's especially food-oriented, which makes it far easier for L'ven to train her.
History:
Luven was born as the son of two Harpers in the northern Harperhall. The Harpers, Lucille and Saven, were drawn together, not by what each other had, but what they hadn't. Both of them had been raised in obsolete cotholds. While they had never met as children, they had shared a similar dream: to be a Master Harper. They were both talented enough, but the isolation of their home meant that they had had to train themselves as best as they could, trying to tune themselves while singing what few songs they knew. Lucille had been brought to the Harperhall at fifteen as an apprentice, while Saven hadn't been able to convince his parents that his future lie outside the cothold until he was sixteen.
When the two had got to the Harperhall, they were embarrassed by the much younger apprentices who were already much further ahead in their training. Both Lucille and Saven tried their best, but it was difficult to attain the same level of mastery of music because they had started at such a late age. Finally, they graduated and became a Journeywoman and Journeyman, respectively. Just a year after Saven had become a Journeyman, Lucille caught his eye. They befriended quickly, each urging the other on in his or her Master studies. After several years, however, it became apparent that neither had the talent that comes from learning a craft at a younger age. Neither would ever reach Master.
It was difficult for them to give up their childhood dreams. Somehow, they decided that if they couldn't do it, then having a child who could do what they couldn't would be the next best thing. Though neither felt any romantical love for each other, they had a son, Luven. From day one, it was decided that he would be the Master Harper that neither of them could be. His parents were a team. When one attended to his or her duties, the other would care for the infant, always singing or reading to him. They were euphoric when his first word was ''Ar'er!' which couldn't be anything but a garbled version of 'Harper.'
So little Luven grew up into a swaggering toddler, sure in his young way that he would be, not only a Master, but the Masterharper of Pern. He was always singing, and though he was never in tune, his parents gently corrected him, pleased that he was trying and sure that time and practice would tune his voice and train his ear. The parents were ambitious for their son's future, and Luven fed off of that ambition, taking it and magnifying it as his own trait.
Still, it became woefully apparent in later years that Luven would never be a Harper. Even when his parents had been informally training him for ten Turns, preteen Luven was still as hopelessly out of tune as ever. His rhythm, if anything, was even worse-- the poems he had tried to write were awful. He himself was oblivious to his plight. He worked hard because he wanted to achieve a high post as a Harper, and he was naive enough at that age that he couldn't imagine that hard work does not always guarantee success.
He was rejected as an apprentice. It was the first real time that Luven had been slapped in the face with the hand that is reality, and his parents were too distraught to bother shielding him. If anything, they disowned him. Luven was horrified. After all the work he'd done, how dare they reject him? He stopped singing. No one wanted to listen to it, anyway, he thought angrily. Never again would he try to make music. That mood lasted about a day, in which Luven worked off his feelings by doing the one aspect of Harpering he was good at: memorizing the songs and poems. He did just that, and returned to whoever-was-in-charge-of-finding-apprentices a sevenday later, reciting an impressive array of Pernese literature for a twelve-Turn-year.
It didn't matter. Memorization skills did not equal a Harper. Luven was furious. It wouldn't be until he grew up and cooled down a little bit that he realized that he wouldn't have accepted himself as an apprentice, either. His fury was a coverup for a huge hole, a huge worry that Luven was feeling: that he wouldn't amount to anything. He was facing a similar crushing of dreams that his parents had felt, but he was too young to deal with it. His self-esteem took a huge hit, and he stopped trying at anything for fear of failing again.
Luven descended to the underbelly of the Hall, where he wasn't the worst one any more. He was an insufferable little brat for a few months, bossing around the drudges. He learned about running a kitchen, and though he refused to try to cook (he decided, in his strange twelve-Turn-old way, that art was stupid), he hastily learned how to run a kitchen: how much to order of what, how to count and deal with money, and when to start what dish so everything would be ready at the same time. He was a strange sight, a young boy ordering everyone in the kitchen around. What was even stranger, though, was that he was actually being an asset with his quick mind and near-photographic memory, the only skills he had acquired from long years of studying music. It was nice to be doing something right, and Luven regained some of his confidence and all of his ambition plus some. He wanted to be the best at something. He just had to decide what that something was.
In the end, it wasn't his decision. A dragon and its 'Rider stopped by the Hall one day to conduct a Search for Fort Weyr's next clutch. To everyone's surprised, the fortuitous person that was taken that day was the bossy kitchen boy, the failed Harper, Luven.
In the Weyr, Luven rekindled his determination and his ambition. He simply threw himself into Candidacy. He volunteered for extra chores, he learned all the dragonlore he could, and he developed an annoying habit of interrogating Dragonriders about small, nitpicky questions on the magnificent creatures they rode. He learned to control his temper as soon as he learned that hatchlings liked to maul those that had that certain trait.
Finally, the day of his first Hatching came. And went.
Again, Luven was wracked with a kind of grief for not Impressing. He secluded himself for months, giving his Weyrling friends a cold shoulder. Again, he found solace in cramming bits of Harper literature into his head until he could recite it perfectly. He didn't come out of his funk until one of the Assistant Candidatemasters, the same Dragonrider that had Searched Luven and had been promoted shortly after, approached him and told him that not many Impressed on their first try, especially at such a big Weyr. Luven wasn't consoled, but it was enough to spur him back into his frenzy of work.
Again, again, and again, Luven walked off of the Sands alone, each time burying his frustration in more study and more work, giving himself the rationalization that he simply hadn't put in enough effort the time before. However, it was hard for him to learn not to be jealous of his friends that had managed to Impress. Gradually, he managed to keep the friendships he had made after the Hatching was over.
That one Assistant Candidatemaster was still worried about him. His own dragon had Searched Luven, and he knew that His couldn't be wrong. When he heard about Dalibor's opening, he recommended that Luven be transferred. Perhaps the stressed-out Candidate just needed a change of scenery and a lack of competition to relax, and, hopefully, Impress before he was too old.
Eighth time's a charm, right?
At first, things seemed against Luven. An Iron was the first to hatch, marking a lucky Hatching. Many dragons came and went, none Impressing to Luven. The Queen egg of the clutch hatched, and, moments later, a Bronze followed her, seeming to escort her to the female Candidates. When she Impressed to Avalle, the Bronze's attention turned back to the male Candidates. Slowly, he worked his way through the rows, near Impression twice. However, neither of the boys seemed to make the cut.
Finally, the Bronze was standing in front of Luven. Eye contact was made. Impression was made. Isn't golden Callistath so beautiful, L'venMine? Your Valleth certainly thinks she is![/color] That magical voice meant that all of L'ven's dreams had come true. He was ecstatic: not only had he Impressed, but he had Impressed a big, healthy Bronze! From that moment on, he was Luven, failure, no more. He was L'ven of Bronze Valleth, his name forever linked to that of his lifemate. His name forever marked his rank as a Dragonrider, the supreme accomplishment.
Their first few months of Weyrlinghood were uneventful, and it was not until Valleth was nearly a Turn old did drama spark up. One of L'ven's classmates was a young woman named Lynx, who had Impressed a Green named Gneith. Just prior to Kalith's Hatching, at a party thrown by another classmate named Pratyba, Lynx had flirted openly with both L'ven and the Ironrider of the group, a young man named K'ber. In the end, it had been a drunk K'ber (then Kimber), who had weaseled his way into dancing with Lynx, and L'ven (then Luven) had been disappointed but not devastated. Through the end of his Candidacy and his early Weyrlinghood, L'ven had not paid much attention to Lynx, but their dragons were beginning to reach the age where crushes were allowable again.
L'ven had fallen for Lynx. Hard. Fortunately, her interest in him had been renewed as well. Unfortunately, he had to divide her attention between himself and K'ber, who was also still enraptured by her. They had never been friends, but they tolerated each other; however, this was the beginning of a serious rivalry. Not much later, L'ven was made Wingsecond of the Weyrling wing along with Avalle and Gold Callistath, and instead of K'ber and Iron Detritath. L'ven was absolutely ecstatic to reach his first position of rank, unimportant though it really was, but it only furthered K'ber's resentful opinion of him.
Then, O'ris of Cyan Rhyolith, another one of their classmates, announced the Hatching of his Green firelizard, Lira. Valleth urged L'ven to get a flitter baby, as almost all of the important people of the Weyr had a firelizard, and it was almost impossible to keep in touch with his parents at the Harperhall without one. K'ber came as well, and Lynx arrived as a spectator. L'ven bonded to a Green, which he named Sibilance because of her tendency to hiss at everything she disliked. He bid a reluctant goodbye to Lynx and left the Sands, new pet cupped protectively in his hands.
Months later, before he and the rest of his classmates had even graduated Weyrlinghood, an Orange dragoness by the name of Nikianeth Rose for her maiden Flight. Many dragons rose to Chase her, and to everyone's surprise, especially L'ven's, Valleth was one of them, at barely eighteen months old, six months before he was supposed to be able to Chase. He lost to a Brown named Duareth, but the effort did not go unnoticed, especially by Lynx and her Green Gneith, whom both of the Bronzepair were pursuing. Their relationship between them was damaged but not destroyed, and they kept the Greenpair out of the arms of K'ber and Iron Detritath for a little bit longer.
They graduated and became Wingseconds of one of the upper wings. Valleth managed to refrain himself from Chasing any other females, knowing that Gneith would not give him a second chance. Eventually, she Rose for her maiden Flight, the first of their recently-graduated Weyrling class to do so. Valleth gave her his all, but it was not enough. Gneith chose Detritath. Lynx, however, in a highly unusual split, chose L'ven. L'ven was ecstatic, but Valleth was crushed. Detritath abandoned Gneith before they had even hit the ground, furious at her 'rider for not choosing K'ber instead of L'ven. Valleth got over the disappointment and vowed to remain faithful to his females (now whittled down to only Gold Callistath now that Gneith had rejected him). Gneith did not. Both of the Greenpair were distraught in the morning, the beginning of what would become a rocky relationship.
Months later, Gold Callistath Rose for her maiden Flight. For the third time in his short life, Valleth flew after her. Third time was a charm. Valleth triumphed over four other dragons, including his Wingleader at the time, and caught Callistath, making him and L'ven Jr. Weyrleaders. Unfortunately, Callistath's 'rider, Avalle, was weyrmated with Cyanrider O'ris, leaving her unavailable for the victor. L'ven jumped the nearest available person, who was, to his great embarrassment, male Brownrider J'mes.
Dragon Name: Valleth
Dragon Age: 4 Turns
Dragon Color: Bronze (A67D3D)
Dragon Length: 46.5 feet
Dragon Personality:
Valleth's most obvious characteristic is that females catch his attention. Females in general. As in, pretty much every single female on which Valleth lays eyes. He is easily enraptured, whether it be by a dragon's beauty or something kind she said to him. A typical Bronze, his mind is always on how to pass his genes to the next generation. He's one to jump at the opportunity to Chase whenever the chance arises, and he'll put forth as much effort to win the heart of a Green as he does a Gold. However, he tries to remain somewhat steady in his affections. If there happens to be a female who returns his feelings, he does his best to keep his eyes from the other ones; that is, unless there's a Flight, which changes everything, in Valleth's mind.
However, Valleth shows his affections through chivalry rather than flirtatiousness. He does his best to be dignified, and it would be quite beneath a dragon so fine as him to fool around and act silly just to gain a girl's attention! Rather, he'll simply stick by her side until she notices him, making polite, complimentary small talk, and protecting her from all evils. He can be almost condescending and overprotective; at least, until he finds someone else on which to lavish his attentions.
Valleth has a healthy ego; however, he pays quite a bit of attention to what others say about him and His. It's not that he lets gossip or rumors bother him, but if there's truth in those words, he would consider trying to fix the problem. Likewise, if it's just lies and slander, he'll do his best to stop the spread of information. He can't have his good reputation ruined, can he? He thinks highly in himself. He's confident that he can do whatever he puts his mind to. He's a bit ambitious, not so much as L'ven, but enough that he will occasionally dream of power, and he's quite willing to go along with L'ven in whatever the young man wants them to achieve.
Valleth is brave, and he's one to put his pride before his own safety. He stubbornly refuses to back down from any challenge, even one that will result in him or His getting unnecessarily hurt. He'll always do his best to protect others, even abandoning his own task to ensure that no one else comes to harm. He's loyal to his Weyr and to his Queens above all else.
Despite his efforts to always be dignified and valiant, however, Valleth is not entirely serious. Especially when surrounded predominantly by other males, Valleth can be much more relaxed and cheerful. He's not above teasing others or poking fun where fun should be poked, especially in the privacy of L'ven's mind.
Dragon Appearance:
Valleth is a large Bronze. His hide has more undertones of dusty brown than it does green; however, there is no denying his metallic hide. His chest and underbelly are a slightly darker shade of that color, and he has a few errant spots of a yellowish color on his right earknob. Other than that, his hide is consistent, and, because of his young age, unscarred. He carries himself like the King he knows he is, standing tall and straight, never slouching.
Dragon History:
Valleth was the second King to hatch of Kalith's first clutch, and the first clutch of Dalibor Weyr. His was the first hatching after Gold Callistath's, and his first few minutes of life were spent following the Queen and making sure she Impressed successfully before he moved on to his own lifemate. Like she had, he moved methodically down the line of boys, considering each and giving two a longer look before finally choosing L'ven with those immortal words, Isn't golden Callistath so beautiful, L'venMine? Your Valleth certainly thinks she is![/color]
His Weyrlinghood was an eventful one. He quickly fell head-over-heels for first Gold Callistath and then Green Gneith. He formed an impressive rivalry with Iron Detritath, with whom he would eventually compete for both female's affections. However, it was to his triumph that he was chosen as wingsecond of their Weyrling wing along with Avalle and Callistath, over K'ber and Detritath. Six months from graduation, Orange Nikianeth Rose. Surprising everyone, Valleth Chased. He lost, but it damaged his relationships with Gneith and, to some extent, Callistath.
They graduated, and Gneith Rose. Valleth Chased, but he fell to a victorious Detritath. He was furious at himself for losing. He knew why-- Gneith wanted a steady, stalwart mate, not one that flirted with every female that caught his eye (which was most of them). L'ven, however, did win Gneith's 'rider, a young lady named Lynx. Valleth realized that he was not more crushed by the loss because L'ven loved Lynx more strongly than he loved Gneith. The Bronze turned his sights forwards on the female that had been his love since the minute he'd been born: Callistath.
Months later, she Rose. Valleth was finally triumphant, making him and His the Jr. Weyrleaders. [/font]
