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Alander was where he was usually to be found, out in the beast pens, tending the animals. Currently the skinny Candidate was sorting feed into troughs for the beasts, easily side-stepping the large bodies and ducking away from investigating snouts as he moved along the lines. For such a whip-thin figure, he hefted the large feed bags easily. His thick curling black hair was tied up in a sloppy ponytail that had started to unravel soem hours ago as he went about his volentary chores and was now drifting about his slim cheeks like black tendrils.

Emptying the last of the feed he straightened from his position bent over the trough and neatly folded the sack. It would be re-used or recycled later. With the sack tucked under one arm the nubile youth slipped away from the happily eating animals and out of the enclosure. Turning to lean on the railing, he watched them as they munched, their quiet contented sounds and soft rumbling calls were familiar and comforting.

Alander had been so absorbed in watching the beasts that the sudden voice from close behind him made the skinny youth startle, physically flinching as he half-turned, liquid dark eyes wide. "Ah... hello." He offered, the faintest pink tinge colouring pale cheeks as he slowly turned the rest of the way around, so his back was against the fence and he was facing the other youth. He recognised the blond-haired boy as being both candidate and a crechemate. Alander himself had grown up within the care of the weyr creche and while something of a loner, it was impossible to not know the other kids he had grown up with.

"Hi Ionan." he repeated, now that he was no longer jumping out of his skin from the scare. "Thank you..." He answered to the previous praise, looking a little awkward as he dpped his head and ganced back over one shoulder at the beasts behind him in the pen. "I like them. It's peaceful here.. at least when the dragons aren't around." He added with a little smile. Looking back at the other youth he tipped his head slightly. "Did you want to learn?" He asked, hesitantly. While his status as apprentice to the Beasthandler and his familiarity with the BeastMaster, was unofficial, Alander had been working with the beasts for many a turn and knew his tasks well.