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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:20 pm
A medium sized dark skinned boy walked dragging his feet toward the cold water near Fort Hold. He was so used to answering the MasterHealer's questions quickly during lessons and today he could not think of a simple answer, one his brother spouted off quickly and confidently. Mathyn belittled himself and grumbled pulling at the neck of his tunic in the mid day warmth. The weather was fair and warm and it gave him an excuse to wander to the clear water.
"Shells, you'll never be a healer at this rate," he grumbled thinking of Milan's confident and shy smile. Mathyn loved and admired his older brother and secretly wanted to be just as calm and well spoken as the other boy.
Thinking of the days ahead Mathyn formed a game, seeing how far he could toss small pebbles into the water, he would practice and challenge his brother to the game, and of course win! Tugging his hands through tangled hair to be able to see Mathyn started looking for stones to practice with.
(Not used to playing anything but lions...epp!)
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:03 pm
Wow. Another day, another Search. Apparently, there were only some seventy Candidates left. Gasp. Teh noes! The eggs didn’t nearly have enough choices now! Never mind that the Weyr was already over capacity for everyone. It was a delicate situation… on one hand, if even one dragon went between, it would be a great tragedy. On the other hand… on the other hand, C’ren wasn’t an idiot. He could see which way the wind was blowing, could see the rising tensions between Weyrfolk and Holdfolk. Tithes were going up every Turn, even without Thread falling. The fight at the Gather had only emphasized the anger bubbling between the two groups.
Something would break and soon.
Ceylith snaked her head over her shoulder before sighing at C’ren, recognizing the signs as easily as ever. He was already getting all… err… well, ‘wenchy’, to say it politely. And Ceylith always tried to be polite. Although, she wasn’t exactly sure what the protocol was in this case. Normally, as she understood it, Healer Hall was typically beholden only to Fort Weyr, not Ista Weyr. But, given the unusual circumstances of the clutches on the Sands, Ista Weyr had been given permission… just this once.
It would be a shame if C’ren ruined that by getting into a fight with someone.
C’reeeen… I have a crazy idea. How about we don’t get into a fight with someone else over something so petty and instead focus on finding Candidates? How about we actually do our jobs? Isn’t that a crazy thought? If these words had been from anyone else, they might have been unkind, but Ceylith simply lacked that edge.
She made a few passes over the Craft hold, bugling to announce her presence before landing. Because that was just considered polite.
By the time her talons hit the floor, Ceylith had already gathered a small audience, which the Green thoroughly enjoyed. C’ren was less enthusiastic and slid down with as much dignity as he could muster. He pushed up his goggles and, instead, put on his little thin glasses. Nodding to some random Holder, he said, “Greenrider C’ren and Green Ceylith are here on Search.” Which basically just meant everyone of the appropriate age had to gather in the Hold so they could be stared at by Ceylith.
And glared at by C’ren, but that wasn’t really part of the Search.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:16 pm
Mathyn pulled himself from 'practicing' his new way of beating his brother in competition and turned his attention towards the sky. A dragon! Mathyn knew of the clutches on the sands, but did not know they would be looking into Fort Hold, or any where near him for that matter. Didn't the weyrfolk already have many possibly candidates amongst themselves?
Excitedly he started to run in an all out adolescent boy gait arms flailing as he ran, he wanted to be there! Wanted to see if they were searching, and of course his thoughts turned to showing up his peers and being picked by a dragon!
Huffing and puffing the chubby lad covered the distance, tangled brown hair clinging to his forehead in thick sweaty strips. Lining up along with others his age, and some much older Mathyn tried very hard to straighten his tunic and look important.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:34 pm
C’ren waited as patiently as he could for the motley group to gather. The younger ones were ignored outright, since, right now, there was a demand for older Candidates. When Thread started to fall, they’d need someone in the skies who wouldn’t panic. Or be distracted by something sparkly. Once the possible Candidates had gathered, the rider simply stood back and ignored them.
This was Ceylith’s show now.
For her part, the Green relished the attention. In a Weyr, a Green was just another Green, nothing special unless she was Rising. But here, on Search, she was important and essential to the mission. It really did wonders for her self-esteem. She looked over the group sedately, her eyes momentarily fixing on each individual young adult before passing them over for some reason.
Eventually her blue eyes settled on one particular boy, one who had yet to outgrow the baby-fat stage of life. She leaned even closer, apparently sniffing him. Either that, or she was just really near-sighted or something.
She leaned back on her haunches once more and nodded at C’ren, an unmistakeable signal.
C’ren was far less enthusiastic about this. …That one. Really. Tell me, Ceylith, do you really hate those poor hatchlings? Well, he hated doubting Ceylith’s talents. She’d picked out proverbial winners before.
Looking towards Mathyn, the rider said, without enthusiasm, “Ceylith says you’ll do. What do you think?” Or, more precisely, did he think at all? The rider’s choice of words insinuated that he did not share his dragon’s opinions.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:43 pm
Mathyn held his breath at the approaching dragon, what in the world was it doing? Fear was struck in the adolescents mind as she seemed to be inhaling his scent.
I'll do? Mathyn blinked up a the older man taking in what had just been spoken. He'll do! Not Milan, not any of the other boys being chosen, him! The tan boy felt his heart flutter rapidly in his chest.
"Yes, of..of course! I mean if she thinks I'll work," Mathyn's eyes drifted back along the green's body and to the rider, he had never in his life been this close to a dragon, and now? He'll have the chance to be near them quite a bit. He tried to stay composed, not wanting to shame himself by showing too much emotion, he resisted the urge to put his hand to his lip, a habit he tried very hard not to show.
"What, what happens now?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:54 pm
Now this was important. C’ren’s gray eyes watched the boy’s reaction carefully; he was perfectly prepared to retract that offer if the boy didn’t react in what he considered to be the ‘proper way’. After all, he had a reputation to maintain; Ceylith was getting a small amount of repute as a good Searchdragon and he did not want to ruin that.
Luckily, the boy reacted… well… more or less normally. None of this traipsing about shouting, ‘in your face’ to other children or something. “Well, things can go one of two ways. Either I take you back to the Weyr now, or you go talk to your parents first. While the former has its advantages---I hate dealing with teary goodbyes, they’re always messy---it would count as kidnapping, I’ve been informed. This is apparently frowned on in polite society. So you probably ought to go talk to your family first.”
Assuming he had one, of course. The words were clipped, in a way, as if each one was perfectly measured for its place in a sentence. Very… stuffy, really.
Ceylith snorted and sent a withering glare at her rider. He always had to act like this! They were supposed to be a good example of the Weyr and look at him! Still, at least he hadn’t started any real fights…
C’ren. Be nice! He’s just a kid… she pointed out, trying to encourage her rider to be a kinder gentler a**. Or at least pretend to be polite. It couldn’t be that hard, right? She knew he had a good heart underneath it all. If only he let others see it too. While the humans talked, the dragon shuffled off to examine the other gathered kids, just in case there were any more.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:03 pm
The thought he would have to inform his mother had for the moment slipped his mind, she was so adamant about her boys becoming good proud healers. Mathyn had never felt the calling like his brother, never felt any inclination towards saving a life, he understood the need, but there were so many other healers! What would mother think of him being flown off to a Weyr on an island far away?
"I should tell my mother, and of course my family," he nodded incontrol of himself and thoughts. He wondered what was like for C'ren to hear someone else inside of his had, wondered what the dragon sounded like, perhaps he would know soon enough.
"After that I will go to the Weyr?" he hated having to ask so many questions, how long did the goodbye take, did it have to be today? Would the gruff rider come back if asked? Mathyn searched the rider for answers his eyes darting back and forth, being out of control made the adolescent feel vulnerable and like the loser of a race.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:16 pm
If Mathyn hoped for the dragonrider to yell ‘psych’, he would be in for a sore disappointment. Neither was the rider wreathed in smiles. He simply returned the glance blankly, blinking rarely. “No, actually. I was planning on just leaving you here, only sporadically returning to pick you up whenever there’s a Hatching. Because, you know, we dragonriders totally have all the time in the world to play chauffeur for Candidates.” Yeah. That was sarcasm there.
Oh! C’ren was being friendly today!
And Ceylith didn’t like it. She let out a loud snort, one that nearly sent a small boy tumbling over. Oh! I’m so sorry… she said, forgetting that she was still just speaking to C’ren. C’ren. It wouldn’t kill you to be nice, you know. I’m almost certain it wouldn’t. The Green moved elegantly back to her rider, apparently passing over the remaining possible Candidates. Pickings were slim now; Fort Weyr still had first dibs on the people here and all.
But it might. It might kill me, my dear. Alright. So maybe Ceylith had a point… the kid hadn’t done anything yet. He would in the future, of course, but for now he hadn’t done anything. “Also, I’ll need your name. It’s for the records, you understand. And I hope you’re not afraid of heights. We’ll be flying back. Go get packed and dress warmly.”
In that case, Mine, I’ll be fascinated by your death. Be nice. Or else I shall make some more vague threats at you in the future. She was tempted to apologize for her rider, but it was always awkward reaching out to another mind. It just felt… wrong. Like trespassing. Especially if the Candidate one day Impressed. It was touching something that wasn’t hers.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:28 pm
Heat flooded and ran through the young boy's face causing a deep crimson to spread across his cheeks. Did you take a drought of fellis this morning along with your klah?! He scolded himself. "I'm sorry, I'll hurry, I promise." He felt ashamed for asking questions, but even more for not knowing all of the answers, his resistance from rubbing his lip was fading causing his hand to hover over them. Ceylith's snort started him and he winced back trying to stand his ground, another move he would look back on foolishly, this was not turning out to be the day of every hold boy's dream after all! He wished the dragon would turn back, somehow he hoped at least she was on his side, at least she chose him.
"My name is Mathyn," he said slowly, "I'll be back here." He walked quickly, the route home ingrained into his mind, mother would be pleased..he hoped or at least kind and happy that he was excited.
-------
His mother had taken the news happily, and the look on Milan's face was enough to restore some of the waning confidence the boy held. Mathyn walked a little straighter in his warm clothing, and held tightly to his pack of small belongings. Yet again he was left with a feeling of 'now what?' and he waited for the gruff rider to bark an order.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:38 pm
Nice one, C’ren. You just made a small boy feel ashamed of yourself. You must be very proud of yourself right now. It was rare that Ceylith was actually openly annoyed with her rider---dismay was common enough, but not actual annoyance---but it held true in her voice now. After ten years of dealing with him, she felt she had the right.
No wonder no one believed her when she told them that he was actually a good man deep down. He has to learn to deal with it somehow, C’ren pointed out. By the time he Impresses, there’ll be more… drama, for lack of a better word, between the Holds and the Weyrs. He’ll have to learn how to deal with difficult people. See? I’m actually helping him. And amusing myself. It’s a win-win situation. The name was recorded on a piece of hide. ~.~
While Mathyn was off saying good-bye to his family, C’ren checked the straps around Ceylith, making sure that they were good and strong. Just one mislaid strap would mean death in between. At least the boy had the decency to say good-bye to his family elsewhere; the rider really did hate dealing with all of those tears and pleadings of ‘oh please don’t go!’. Also, there was always the risk of being punched in the face and he did so abhor punchings.
He nodded at Mathyn, at least acknowledging his presence. “Good, you’re back. Watch me carefully; Ceylith will help you onto her back, but try not to make any mistakes anyway. See, you have to grab onto these straps here. Ceylith, be a dear and lift a leg, will you?”
Ceylith simply snorted again and looked away from C’ren, apparently disinclined to be a dear today. Not until you apologize.
…Ok, fine. C’ren didn’t need a leg-up anyway. He sent Mathyn a withering look. “She’s being difficult. Don’t mind her.” At least he was experienced enough to shimmy up the straps until he was comfortably situated on the dragon’s back. The glasses disappeared and were replaced by the flight goggles.
Well, fine! Now Ceylith offered a leg to Mathyn, to help him get up her back if he needed it. She wouldn’t talk to him, but at least she would help him along since C’ren didn’t feel like being helpful.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:52 pm
Mathyn did not want to embarrass himself anymore than needed so he did not speak and would not unless the rider asked him a completely direct question. A technique he picked up when he did not know the answer during lessons, no matter how much he wanted to know he was still young and there were many gaps in his general knowledge.
Difficult? Did dragons and their riders fight and get in arguments Mathyn was always under he impression the worked as a united unite, one soul as many people said they were partners, one being. Scrambling the short stout boy made his way to her back, wincing at the thought that his pudgy weight could hurt her, how foolish to think.
"Could you, I mean would you mind telling her thank you?" he spoke sheepishly, not knowing the etiquette of speaking directly to a dragon. He sat where directed and did not make eye contact with C'ren. "She's the most beautiful dragon I've ever seen." he added, really she was the only one he'd seen this close and not from afar where he could not admire their skin and features.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:03 pm
Oh, yes. People always imagined that dragons and riders worked together in perfect unity, like a dog and its master. But that just wasn’t the way things were. Dragons were intelligent, sentient beings with their own opinions and thoughts. Some were just more opinionated than others. C’ren patted Ceylith’s neck anyway, deciding that the extra attention could totally pass for an apology for now.
Ceylith let out a soft rumble, the draconic version of a chuckle. Poor Mathyn… he clearly had no idea that dragons could understand spoken words. Poor boy. He had a lot of education before him. Oh! He thinks I’m pretty! C’ren, please thank him for me. She always enjoyed hearing that sort of thing.
His next words to Mathyn were dry. “She can understand you easily, you know. Don’t underestimate their intelligence just because they can’t respond in kind.” It always rankled him when Holdfolk assumed that dragons were some dumb beast. Not that his opinion of them had been much different before he first encountered dragons… “She thanks you, by the way.”
And, of course, C'ren got to feel all proud too. He did enjoy it when others acknowledged Ceylith's obvious beauty.
At least Mathyn didn’t have a long time to wait before the orders started coming. “Now, we’re going to have to travel between. It will not be pleasant. I assume you’ve never been between before. It’ll be extremely cold and, please, try to refrain from barfing or peeing all over Ceylith and me. It’s revolting.” But not an entirely unknown reaction to the abyss of between. “And you’ll want to keep your hands around my waist. It’s very… unsettling. If you fall, you will die. Keep a hold on me or the straps. And remember, no matter how bad between seems at first, it will not last long.”
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:16 pm
Mathyn gulped at Ceylith's rumble, unaccustomed to dragons making noises at all let alone beneath him! "I'm sorry, Ceylith...I well I did not know. I did not think you were unintelligent!" You're acting like you've had your head in numbweed! Mathyn scolded himself and looked at C'ren sheepishly, this rider was doing a very good job of making him feel foolish on a day he should be ecstatic, the tanned boy did not like the idea of having someone around who would make him feel that way. Perhaps they would not meet again after this, but it would make Mathyn sad not to see Ceylith, the wonderful green had picked him, not anyone else him.
Holding tight to the idea of a dragon liking him Mathyn steadied himself for the trip, "I'm ready, I promise I wont void." at least I hope not! He settled his hands around C'ren's waist. Feeling odd and unsure he prepared himself, this was the start of a new life..and mother was pleased, that was a very big thing to think of. Ceylith had chosen him, and mother had been happy.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:34 pm
“And that rumble, by the way, was a happy noise. It’s similar to a laugh. When a dragon is upset, you’ll know.” The swirling red eyes were a clue, of course. But he figured Mathyn would figure that out for himself. If he didn’t, then he clearly didn’t deserve to be a dragonrider anyway. “Don’t worry; she’s very forgiving and rarely takes things personally. Besides. You called her pretty.”
Oh, yes, Ceylith certainly did intend on trying to keep track of this one! It was probably her maternal instincts that made her try to keep track of the Candidate she Searched. Unfortunately, Greens weren’t known for such things and she often forgot about them. But at least she tried. And her memory was better where ‘her’ Candidates were concerned. Occasionally she’d even remember their names.
Mathyn. she told herself. If she repeated it enough times, she’d have to remember. Is he ready? Is he holding on tightly enough? I don’t want to lose him. He’s a very nice boy.
Yes, we’re ready, Ceylith. You can stop babying him now. As if that would ever happen. “Hold on now. She’s going to take off,” he warned the boy.
And take off she did. There was none of that silly flopping around or running. All Ceylith had to do was spread her wings, flap them a few times and just fly. As graceful as she was on the ground, she was downright elegant in the air; just the slightest tilt of a wingtip would change everything. Not to mention fast! She was smaller than average for a Green, but made up for it in sheer speed.
And then there was nothing. Between. The dragon shuddered under the two riders, making her own distress known. The coldness of between seemed to soak into, not only the skin, but the very spirit of a person. It was oblivion. Absolutely nothing. No wonder dragons came here to die…
But, as C’ren had promised, the icy depths only lasted a little while. Then, without warning, they reemerged into the living world of sunlight and warmth. After the cold of between, the heat of Ista was all the more welcome. If Mathyn had been impressed by Ceylith, he would be agog over all the dragons here. More Greens, Blues, Browns… even the occasional flash of Bronze.
Ceylith gave a welcoming bugle to a few dragons that she recognized, who responded in kind. Her landing in the Weyrbowl was delicate, as always. At least she and C’ren could agree on one thing: civilization and elegance. Once again, she lifted a leg to help Mathyn down.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:17 pm
Mathyn did not have time to ponder or think about dragons making different noises to signify different things, his main concern was that he was sitting on a dragon that was moving! Never before had the lad ridden adragonback, obviously and his fear of what was once firm moving out from beneath him was frightening. Clenching his eyes closed he waited holding tightly to C'ren and hoping beyond hope that he would not mess himself all over the wonderful Ceylith.
He exhaled and inhaled quickly once they reemerged from between, his warm clothes had perhaps not been warm enough and he felt cold to his very core. Was it always that cold? There were harper songs and stories about the cold but not having ever been the concept was vague, now he was sure..between was COLD! With a scowl on his face Mathyn peered around him, he was in a Weyr! With many dragons! Ceylith's bugle startled him from his cold stupor.
"You're wonderful!" he could not help but shout excitedly to Ceylith, although he did not specify to whom the compliment was for. "Amazing!"
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