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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:13 pm
U'ru had intended on getting to the lessons a little early, but Atosith had other ideas. Having grown quite a bit, the bluerider had a bit more of a time getting the homebody dragon out when he didn't want to go. Over time U'ru was getting the hang of what would best motivate his lifemate, namely baths or swimming. With a little convincing, the pair headed over. U'ru had a good feeling about what they would learn. After all, learning to glide and fly was exciting. The grumpy blue was expressing his doubts and displeasure as he knew best.
"Mine, can't we go back to bed? It is early. I don't know if I want to fly today. Tomorrow maybe?"
Nodding and offering a bit of a wave to Weyrlingmaster F'sey as they approached, U'ru chuckled to himself, patting Atosith on the shoulder. "It's not too early and no, we can't go back to bed. Don't you worry, Atosith. You will do great. Remember, you're a good, strong Blue. You're capable of doing anything you set yourself to. I have faith in you and while I won't be with you in the air at first, I'll always be by your side. Besides, today is yesterday's tomorrow. I know you're getting ready, even if you haven't recognized it yet. I've seen you beating your wings in the wind. Keep in mind what the older blueriders told you. You'll do good." He smiled encouragingly.
The dark blue huffed but nosed his rider's shoulder as they assumed their position, which was nearer to the main group of the other riders than when Atosith was younger, but not by much. He still preferred to have a bit of distance, but didn't mind being near his siblings and their riders as much."Alright, U'ruMine. I remember what Cavaruth and Iawanth told me. I will...try to do you proud."
"You always have and you don't have to try to do that." The rider could tell that Atosith was nervous and somewhat excited somewhere beneath his irritation of having to be there.
They had arrived just shy of being on time, but they didn't miss anything as far as U'ru could tell. What was the purpose of the exercise? The answered already offered up sounded reasonable.
Atosith's fiery orange eyes whirled as he looked over his siblings, folding his wings tight against his back and sitting on his haunches next to his rider, briefly dipping his head to Reneneth. He spotted Sikatcuath edging closer to the males. "Morning, sister."
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:34 pm
Well, Mine is certainly unworried, Uktenath noted, and in that much, he sounded pleased. His had as much faith in him as he himself did - that could mean nothing but good! And Reneneth's own seemed unconcerned as well, which he was also quite pleased with. The dragon began scanning the room, absorbing carefully the composure of dragon and rider alike, putting this information to use in prediction - he should keep an eye on Anidanth, likely, and Ianquith. If sheer swagger meant success, at least Naedreth wasn't going to need anyone to look after him - so long as he didn't get so full of himself that he tried any mid-air tactics, anyway. Ailurath, Asceth, both not concerns. And then there was Sikatcuath....
Uktenath remembered Sikatcuath mostly by vague impressions of her character now, rather than the events which had transpired on the Sands - but it was enough that, when she began inching closer to the males, his head swiveled around to follow her motions. She did not scare him, but she did worry him. The last thing that he wanted was for her to get too close to one of his unsuspecting classmates and lash out.
Were he younger, he would have answered these worries as he once had - a hiss, a warning, a firm threat of action if she should try his patience. But he was older now, and more experienced. He had spoken to many great dragons (or at least, great in his eyes), and learned from them some manner of wisdom. And His especially, giving him a look and sending him a gentle, calming vibe, changed his tactics.
Sikatcuath. The bronze rumbled dimly in his throat - not threat, but murmur. You and Yours are welcome to join me and Mine. It may mean that Uktenath wouldn't be spending time in close proximity with his more favored clutchmates - he sent brief greetings to Ianquith and Ailurath, newly arrived, the respectable Asceth as well - but that was all right. One of the many things he had learned recently was the value of making alliances with unusual people. And if the worst should pass and Sikatcuath be out of control, well... he was far better equipped to manage the problem than any of his clutchmates.
O'asis, meanwhile, was doing everything in his power to suppress his "smartass" instincts. It wasn't easy, though, when F'sey was leaving such openings! But that was just what the Weyrlingmaster was looking for. Testing for weakness, doubtlessly. O'asis's own father had used such tactics on new caravan recruits, singling out the ones that needed their heads smacked into submission. Most of O'asis's friends, along with the blond himself, had fallen into that category, until they'd wisened up and learned to keep their jokes to themselves....
Oh, but he had so many good replies he could give, it was just killing him!
Uktenath saved him, though. Show restraint, O'asismine. If you lose your focus, I may lose mine.
It was an empty threat, surely - O'asis had never once seen the bronze be distracted from his goals. But it was a sobering concern all the same. Instead of speaking, the bronzerider crossed his arms in front of him, planted his feet, and listened, looking nearly stern for the sudden seriousness with which he was approaching the lesson.
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 4:36 pm
It seemed waiting a little longer had paid off. One by one, members of the clutch began to trickle in, some much more excited than others (though F'sey was fairly certain no one would be able to top that bubbly Queenrider of his). The Weyrlingmaster couldn't help but wonder if, perhaps, anticipation had gotten the better of some of them and encouraged them to waste some time. Ah, well. No use pondering that now. It wasn't really essential.
"You look like you have something to say, O'asis." F'sey smiled then, something absolutely wicked, just daring the young bronzerider to try his luck. His personal vendetta against bronzes certainly didn't stop here, not with the pair of adders rivaling against each other. Of course, O'asis himself didn't help matters much, the greenrider had absolutely no use for smart-assery. It was still fun to bait, though.
"Now, I trust you have all been exercising your dragons, letting them swim, strengthening their wings and whatnot. They'll need that to get themselves some altitude and then they will glide, more or less, to the ground. It ought to be controlled and there will be absolutely no showing off, yes?" A stupid question, but F'sey was fairly certain he'd regret not throwing that disclaimer out. "Once your dragons can glide, that can practice shifting heights, maneuvering and, once efficient at that, they can learn to hunt on their own. As some of you have mentioned, some are a little more natural at this than others." He mentally tapped his dragon, making sure the mottled green was awake. "Ialluth will now demonstrate a glide."
Ialluth stepped away from the group then before stretching open her wings and jumping forward, kicking up a cloud of sand as she pushed her wings and lifted herself into the sky. Remembering these were only babies, Ialluth made sure not to climb too high before she stretched her wings to their fullest and let herself slowly ride the air back to the ground, beating back once as she landed.
"There. It looks easy, but don't underestimate it. Remember, you need to remain calm in case your dragon starts to panic and make sure you squash any needs to show off!" F'sey looked over his group. Who to start? Not someone nervous. Not those bronzes, either, picking one of them to go first might spark their rivalry. Ah. Yes.
"Nandeli. Would Reneneth mind leading the way?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:27 pm
The blue rider shifted his weight a bit when the Weyrlingmaster began speaking, wrapping an arm around Atosith's neck loosely, patting his dragon absently as he listened. His dark honey eyes glanced between F'sey and O'asis, before refocusing himself on the lesson.
U'ru smiled a little crooked grin at the mention of exercising their dragons. Atosith would be quite content to swim every day given the chance to do so. In fact, they had swam most days. If they had time, they'd be in the water. Atosith stretched in the morning and beat his wings in particularly strong breezes. The rider quirked a brow, his smile fading to a neutral little frown, at the mention of showing off. Who in their right minds would want a novice flyer to show off? It was a recipe for disaster, that's what it was.
"Don't worry mine. I have no intention of showing off. I won't do anything unnecessary."
The rider smiled, casting a glance to his dark blue lifemate. He rubbed Atosith's brow ridge. "Good. I don't want you getting hurt. I'll be calm for you when it is your turn up there." The blue snorted into his hair, blowing it in all different directions. U'ru bit back a chuckle and took to smoothing his hair back into place as Iallith took to the air to demonstrate how to glide. "Pay attention now, Atosith. What how she moves and how she lands."
The pair watched closely. U'ru smiled and folded his arms across his chest when the green landed. "That doesn't look too bad. You can do it."
Atosith watched Ialluth keenly with fiery orange eyes, taking notes of how she carried herself on the wind and how she came in for a landing. The blue gave a look to his rider. "I don't know if I can. What if I mess up and fall? What if I'm not strong enough?" He could have continued but U'ru nudged him with an elbow and gave him a silent 'Shush'.
"You will do wonderfully. I have faith that you can. You're a blue, after all. You can do just about anything. Don't think about what could go wrong. If it'll make you feel more comfortable, think of it like swimming. It's not something to be feared. Think of it as something you'll enjoy." The blue's worries were quelled for the time being with his rider's soothing.
Then dragon and rider looked over towards Nandeli and Reneneth when F'sey picked them to go first.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:30 pm
Reneneth let her gaze wander, taking a mental tally of the dragons as they arrived. Atosith looked as though he and His had been running late, but that was to be expected. Not everyone could be on time for the lesson. Of course she and Hers had to be on time, but that was easy to do. Nandeli was always up early badgering someone to tell her what they knew about the cute new candidate who was bunking in room four, and thus Reneneth was awake as well. The only time problems arose was when Hers got stuck talking to someone exciting. Very little could pry the Nose away from a potential friend, but it was one of things she admired about her rider.
"What are you thinking about?" Nandeli murmured, glancing at her dragon out of the corner of her eye. F'sey was taking a shot at O'asis but she doubted it was something the bronzerider couldn't take. He was tough. She had tested her toughness herself in their last pillow fight.
Nothing. I am listening to Ialluth's, as you should be. The gold gave her rider the equivalent of a disapproving look. Nan simply smiled back and scratched her eyeridges. It was hard to resist her when she did that, so Reneneth simply enjoyed the touch while she watched Ialluth. So the green opened her wings and jumped, using her wings to propel herself upwards and then to cushion her fall when she came back down. It certainly looked easy enough. If she watched the others she might be able to get a feel for how hard it was- or not. Ialluth's had volunteered them to go first. Well, she was a queen. It was her job to set an example.
"Certainly not Weyrlingmaster! We would be honoured!" Nandeli flashed F'sey a winning smile before she and Reneneth made their way away form the main group. She didn't want to poke Uktenath's eye out, after all. The Nose stepped back to give the gold her room, but not before giving her a double thumbs up. Reneneth simply nodded graciously and opened her wings. Large wings seemed to be beneficial for a change. The gold gave a test hop before throwing herself up into the air and giving a powerful flap of her wings. For a moment it looked as though she wasn't going to last but when Nandeli crossed her fingers Reneneth flapped her wings several more times and managed to stay airborne for several minutes before landing neatly on the ground.
"Woohoo! You did it! Atta girl Ren!"
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:23 pm
While the room was still buzzing with excitement, he decided that he could get away with it. A discreet cough in J'riar's direction - "the-purpose-is-so-the-brownnosers-can-lodge-themselves-more-properly-up-his-a**" - never mind the fact that there weren't any brownnosers in this group, he just couldn't let the line go unsaid for so long! Then O'asis, too, cheered for the gold's successful glide, in what he no doubt thought of as the perfect alibi - "Way to show 'em how it's done, Reneneth!"
Though he probably should have been busy chastising his, Uktenath was too busy to bother. He had watched the Queen very carefully, observing how the gold coordinated her wings, trying to uncover the way that it was done so that, when his turn came, he could mimic her. She'd done well, of course - the bronze would expect no less from such an observant gold! - and he thought that he understood how she'd accomplished it well enough.
But of course, there was always Yansanth's words in the back of his mind now, remaining even as the memory of their visit was growing hazy in his dragon's memory. A good bronze should not be afraid to ask for help....
You did well, Reneneth, Uktenath murmured to her quietly, after a suitable interval had passed so that she could enjoy her congratulations. But I see that you had difficulty at first. Will you tell me why, so that I may try to avoid it?
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:13 pm
Oh! Ianquith said in awe as the golden queen struggled for a moment, then launched herself into the air as though it had been effortless. Clearly impressed, the little green ducked her head demurely, hesitating wildly for a moment before--R-Reneneth... Y-You did so well... It was to be expected, for she was the queen! ...Oh, but Ianquith hoped she could only do half as well.
J'ri clapped appreciatively with the rest of them, grinning to himself. Looks like those big wings had made themselves useful, had they? Good for her, and her rider, too! Nandeli, was it? You're going to do just as well, Ianquith, don't get yourself flustered. Think about it; you're tiny, so your weight should help you! The green fidgeted for a moment more before she seemed to relax.
I... cannot fail with you helping me, Mine.
He was about to croon something stupidly at her before he realized a certain wherry was running his mouth, straightening with a sly, lazy sort of smile. "O'asis, why didn't you speak up then? Surely latrine duty helped you prepare for that sort of thing!" But he was teasing and let his friend know with a broad grin.
...But Uktenath is a bronze, Mine...
...Yes, that must have slipped my notice, love.
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:40 pm
"She flies rather well," Naedreth said to his rider before addressing the young queen herself; "Well flown, Reneneth!" It was encouraging to see the first of them succeed, perhaps all of them would! He didn't wish harm on anyone here, even Uktenath, though he did hope the other bronze embarrassed himself a little; that one needed to be taken down a little, he thought too much of himself and was far too stubborn. One day he would get himself, His, or someone else hurt by being so obtuse.
C'mor smiled as the gold alighted and turned to Nandeli with a broad smile. "Reneneth flew wonderfully." He didn't know the girl well enough to say anything beyond that, and besides, it was lesson time, not chatting time. They all needed to keep focused on the task at hand in order to match the standard that had been set.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:19 pm
F'sey watched Reneneth as Nandeli escorted her a safe distance from the group, nodding his silent approval. It made him feel just a fraction better, not having to get after the first weyrlings to make sure they had enough space should the dragon struggle getting off the ground. Of course, Nandeli would give her dragon a thumbs up like that, but the Weyrlingmaster supposed her optimism was much better than worrying the young gold.
The greenrider watched in silence; the Queen was doing relatively fine all on her own and there was no use shouting and breaking her concentration if no one needed any vital information. He didn't move an inch until Reneneth was safely back on the ground and her rider was cheering for her. Offering a simple nod of approval, he set his eyes back to the rest of the group.
"A very good first glide. So, who's next?" He glanced around, not waiting for someone to offer themselves (or someone's dragon to offer up their rider) and motioned to J'riar. "Ianquith can go next." No use letting an anxious dragon sit and watch until she worked herself into a tizzy.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:54 pm
"I wish we were next Mine, that looks so exciting, and I want to try it! Flying Mine, like I will when I am grown... well, actually not at all like I will when I am grown, but still!" His wings itched. For so long now he had trained the muscles as best he could on the ground with flapping and with swimming, and he wanted to try!
It would have been quite nice to go next, but it was probably best that the jumpy green went before she could get any more nervous than she already was. Annidanth was another who might benefit from an early turn from what he knew, she seemed shy of everyone and everything but her rider... but no matter when she was told to fly she would need encouragement from Merya.
He still hoped they got their turn soon but even if they were left until last it wasn't the end of the world. They could wait for as long as was needed, at least he could, and could persuade Naedreth to do the same. No matter when they went, some time this sun Naedreth would soar, and his mother, his blood parents, and his friend Kella along with Gilden would be watching. It was worth waiting for good things, they could be patient.
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:11 am
U'ru smiled as Reneneth took to the sky and safely returned to the ground with little trouble. "Nice work!" He had little doubt in his mind that his Atosith would do great with all of their swimming and his flapping in the gusts of wind. His eyes shifted to Ianquith and her rider. He wished the best of luck to them.
Atosith watched the young queen fight to get into the air and her ease of returning back to the ground. He could feel U'ru confidence in him. The dark blue fidgeted a bit, letting the tip of his tail thump against the ground, tapping out his nerves, his body taut and held ridged.
"Relax, Atosith. Breathe deep and don't tense up," The bluerider soothed to his lifemate, getting the gist of his dragon's posture. "Slow and deep. Think of the waves on the shore."
The blue looked to Ianquith and Reneneth, before turning his whirling gaze to his rider. Atosith gave a long, slow exhale, sounding vaguely like a soft hiss. His eyes closed and he gave a stretch, his wings first then the rest of him. After giving a bit of a shake, he reopened his eyes to look up at the clear skies. Maybe His was right. He didn't have anything to fret over. Not really. "Thank you, Mine."
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:26 pm
Nandeli was quite pleased by the cheers as she and Reneneth made their way back to the group. For a moment there it had looked like the gold was about to be the first of their class to do a nose dive but she had preserved. She had expected nothing less from the young queen. Ren was just naturally good at these things. She had potential, and the Nose was never wrong about things that had potential. Oh sometimes people denied that they had any potential at all, but they had yet to understand the way that Nan worked her magic. By association with her, she could make them have potential. All they had to do was accept it.
I am glad you had faith in me, Mine. The gold was very pleased herself, as was evident by the slight proud arch in her neck when she settled back down in her previous place. She had not expected to do that well, and if it had not been for her rider's firm belief in her abilities she was certain she would have barely got off the ground. It made her very happy indeed to know that Nandeli thought she had potential. She was still enjoying her small bubble of happiness when Uktenath spoke to her. Tilting her head to the side, she considered his question for a moment.
It is harder to get off the ground than I expected. My wings are big but my body is also very heavy. If you jump up you have to flap hard to make sure you stay up, otherwise you will come right back down. You will do well, though. Yours believes in you. If belief was all dragons needed to fly than the whole weyrling class would be up in the air by now, but Reneneth had faith in the little bronze. He would fly well. Naedreth received a 'thank you' for his praise, as did Ianquith. She would not have troubled the shy little green further, however she felt that a little added praise was needed when Ialluth's decided that she would go next. You will fly well too, Ianquith. Your heart is big and your wings are strong.
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:27 pm
If there was something J'riar had learned about his little love, she was always willing to do what she said she would--until she was unexpectedly put on the spot. Even now, he watched as the little dragon practically shrank with surprise, her eyes a sickly yellow that began to whirl faster and faster.
E-Eh? Ianquith's voice was a mere squeak, and the little green was beginning to grow flustered indeed.
Looked like F'sey really did have a point. "Right then, darling." He crooned at his green, resting a steady hand on her neck. "Don't get yourself in a tizzy, you're a dragon, flying will be easy for you!"
Ianquith was more than a little shocked, however, when the queen herself made to address her, her limbs folding as though to make herself smaller in front of the other. T-Thank you... She wouldn't dare protest that Reneneth might be wrong, and though her eyes were yellow, the whirling was beginning to slow. She couldn't disappoint the Queen, or Hers! Spreading her wings awkwardly at first, the green struggled for a moment with what to do. There was so much of her, and not enough air!
Though her first leap nearly had her crashing back to the ground, Ianquith shoved hard against the soil in slight panic, a noisy flap her wings signaling that she'd managed to get herself up in the air. For several minutes, she glided about in little circles before landing with a shaky thump at J'ri's feet, crooning up at him with embarrassment and delight as he scritched at her eyeridges.
"That's my girl! What did I tell you, hm? My little love, champion of the skies!" Shards, he loved that little green.
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 2:07 pm
N'tos stared in admiration after the gold-rider had finished her task with the queen -- quite wonderfully, he might add! Meanwhile, Asceth had been observing her flight, trying to conceptualize the basics of flight. He thought he understood it, watching her as she landed. Both rider and dragon shared the opinion that Ialluth had made a wonderful first choice in setting an example to the group. Silently, he flashed a smile while waiting for Nandeli and hers to come back and for F'sey's next orders.
When she did come back, and the next order was issued, N'tos raised an eyebrow. Scanning the group, his gaze rested on little Ianquith, knowing that she would do well. Under J'riar, and his unfailing patience, the green had nothing to fear. And it turned out well, N'tos surmised as he watched the green circle in the air smoothly just as Reneneth had.
Good job. Asceth said quietly to Ianquith when she landed on the ground, giving her a quiet nod. "Lets hope we can do half as well, huh?" N'tos laughed at the praise J'riar was giving, giving them both a wave to signify his congratulations!
Of course. His tailed flickered reassuringly, exhaling even breaths. There was nothing to worry about after all. That's Asceth for you.., N'tos thought affectionately. He lifted his attention from Asceth back to F'sey to see who would be chosen next to fly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:18 pm
Atosith lowered his head and rested his chin against his rider as he watched Ianquith take her turn to go for the sky. He was still feeling a little fidgety, both nervous and excited about the chance to potentially fly, well glide. He wanted to do his rider proud. Judging by the two who had gone already, the hard part was actually getting up into the air. Atosith made a note of that.
U'ru offered the green and her rider an encouraging clap, smiling as she successfully completed the exercise. He blinked and looked to his lifemate when the dark blue dragon rested his chin against him. He rubbed Atosith's muzzle, scratching his eye ridges.
"U'ruMine, I'm kind of worried..."
"About what?"
"What if I don't have the strength to get off of the ground? I am getting big..."
U'ru grinned and gave his partner a squeeze. "You've been practicing so much. Besides, you'll be like a fish to water."
The blue grunted in vague appeasement and glanced over to Ianquith. "You did well, Ianquith. Nice work..."
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