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 Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:47 am
Khunoth stared at Alcherath for a moment, digesting the greens... queerness. Are you daft between the headknobs? The brown asked bluntly, looking like he was almost afraid of the answer. Gh'lan, who overheard the rude question, started and hissed a warning at his brown. "Khunoth! Stop that!" He daren't say more, not with the weyrlingmaster obviously all to happy to call on 'volunteers.' All he could do was look over at L'an and try to express his apologies for his brown through a quick look and a hand gesture.
I am not being mean? It is an honest question!
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:51 am
Her original companion gone up to the front of the room, La cast about for people she knew who weren't particularly engaged. Emori and her noisy little green were already up front, C'ym was gone, and L'an was chatting with someone. E'rik seemed occupied. So that ruled out the vast majority of people she knew already. But she did catch sight of a certain latecomer and his bronze, and as he sat not too far from her, she grinned and moved stealthily sideways while S'kagi was otherwise engaged.
As her rider wormed out from under her, Isonth pulled her head back and regarded La with curiosity. Are we going somewhere, Mine? Are you escaping? she asked, half-playful, and La couldn't help but smile wryly in a reflection of the dragonet's emotions. So Isonth was picking things up from her; wry humour had certainly not been in the dragonet's mind the night before. That was an interesting thought.
"No, sweetheart," she murmured, barely moving her lips and thinking it loudly at the same time in hopes that Isonth would understand even if she couldn't necessarily hear it. "We're just going to visit a friend."
Lovely! Is it that one, with the other bronze who isn't Hanumanth? Let's go say hello! Isonth unfolded boldly from where she had sat and stretched, totally destroying any stealth La might have previously had. La thumped her forehead with the heel of her hand at that, but decided at this point, there was nothing she could do. Moving the rest of the way over, she sank down beside Hesen, whose new, shortened name she hadn't learned yet.
"Hello again," she said, hopefully quietly enough that she wouldn't get in trouble for speaking, and flashed him a bright smile. "Congratulations on that handsome fellow. A bronze and everything. Fine job!"
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:23 pm
You've raised some hackles, I think.
Coriath pointed out, although S'kagi had already planned for this.
I know. But they don't need me to be their best friend right now, they need to learn how to do this and they need to learn how to work with their dragons. And with each other.
If thread actually fell, or if something happened, someone in this room might even take over from him as Wingleader. He wanted them to be ready.
Although... they clearly weren't ready for skinning yet. Or some of them weren't.
"....No. No it's not."
Although there were far worse things C'ym could have perforated, the ooze did not smell nice, and S'kagi reached out to take C'yms hand by the wrist, demonstratively puppeting him. "Like this." He explained. "If you puncture the wrong organ you -will- clear this gathering." He warned. "Feel the difference?" He tried to demonstrate, without totally taking over, the difference in pressure needed to make the first cuts for skinning.
"Talking to each other IS on the lesson plan, but since I'll be partnering you all off shortly, you might want to try and keep your eyes on the skinning." He called out to the rest.
Gossips. Shards. They were going to end up fleeing a stink from at least one Wherry before this morning was over weren't they?
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:15 pm
While the smell of the carcass didn't bother Kallista, she had seen such things on a run, the actual look of the dead beast made her a little queasy. She was glad that S'kagi had not called her up to the front. Unlike many of the students in the class, she was paying very close attention to the older bronze rider and everything he was saying. Thank her dragon's shell she had a fantastic memory.
I wish you would get out more. I do not know any of my clutch mates. Astarteth grumbled.
Shush dear. I promise we will get out more. Right now you need to listen to S'kagi and his dragon. Kallista scolded her love gently. Reaching down to rub her green's head, she almost laughed as the rider of the striped bronze turned an interesting shade. Of course, she did not envy him in his position.
The others whine. I do not whine. I am pretty and good. Was Astarteth's random response.
Sighing, Kallista wondered how long it would take before either Emori or C'ym lost their breakfast.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:34 pm
E'rik watched as the others paired off and was not completely surprised to discover that he was one of the last to do so. He approached the Weyrling who had Impressed to the Bongo egg and asked in an undertone if they wouldn't mind working with him on this project. His partner agreed and asked with a slightly green cast to her face whether he wouldn't mind doing the honors.
"You're going to have to learn to do this yourself, you know," he murmured to the bondmate of the petite green. "Even if it's just to please our present taskmaster."
She looked briefly miserable and the green tinge became more pronounced, but she took the knife he offered her with a shaking hand. She touched it to the carcass, not hard enough to pierce the flesh, before uttering a soft moan and dropping it, paler than before.
"I can't, she whimpered, causing her dragon to bump her knees in affectionate reassurance. "I really can't."
It occurred to E'rik that he could comfort her at this juncture. It would probably be an appropriate action, but he didn't really feel like it. She was behaving stupidly. He could recognize the relative hypocrisy of his feelings, since he had come close to fainting on the Hatching Ground, but the point was that he hadn't. He had somehow remained conscious long enough for Daramulath to find him, and after that, his illness had abated noticeably. Actually, he had still yet to experiment as to whether he would still experience stage-fright with Daramulath sharing his mind, but that could wait for another time.
"Why? You're a dragonrider, so you shouldn't have to do unpleasant things? I pity you. You will be forever beholden to others because you won't even try to make a stand. I hope your dragon rises often, so you will always have someone to take care of you, and I hope it is not my dragon who flies her."
Well. That had probably made him a permanent enemy. But the cruelty had served its purpose. The former Weaver picked up her knife again and set about butchering the carcass as shown with quick, angry motions that gave E'rik the idea she was imagining cutting into him, rather than a wherry. Himself, he proceeded more slowly, taking time to do the unfamiliar task correctly.
Was that necessary? Daramulath asked. Her dragon says she's very upset.
E'rik wasn't going to justify himself while the girl could hear him, and since he had not really gotten the hang of communicating telepathically with his bondmate, he had no recourse but to wait until later. The slightly censorious tone of his dragon's question told him, however, that he probably should not have been so harsh. He would have to apologize later.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:33 pm
L'an blinked at the look and gesture from Gh'lan. He hadn't heard the brown's words, and seeing as he wasn't feeling any negative emotions from Alche, he simply waved the other lad off. No point in getting upset over something silly said between what essentially were children, right? Leaving the green to replay or not as she chose to, he tried to focus on the demonstration. It wasn't exactly like scaling and boning fish, which surprised him. Seemed there was a bit more to it after all.
A beat passed before Alche turned to regard Khunoth. I'm sorry...what? Oh, right...No, I don't think I am. She offered a bit of a smile and licked her lips, the smell of the birds' blood hitting her nose. Thank you for asking though. And with that she too turned back to watch. L'an...can we try that soon? I think I'm hungry...or maybe itchy...no, hungry..
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:18 pm
Why was everyone talking so loudly? Shouldn’t they have been paying attention? Actually, C’ym realized it was a bit of a good thing they weren’t paying too much attention to the demonstration. At least then he could keep some of his pride. As the stench hit his nose, C’ym put his arm over his face and backed away. Well, at least he learned his lesson: Don’t poke the organs, please! He sent a baleful glare at S’kagi as the man insisted on leading him step-by-step through this.
Logically, he knew it was for the better and all. At least he would learn how to do this right. But, sharditall, he was still annoyed that he had been picked on, despite the fact that he was there on time and everything! It was so unfair! At least he managed to get through the next few cuts without screwing things up too badly.
At least he didn’t stab any more organs, that is. Still, it took a long time because he was trying to be extra careful. Finally, he was able to put the knife down with relief and try to find something to wipe his hands on.
Unfortunately, in the time that it took C’ym to finish making those cuts, Hanumanth had gotten bored and began to toddle off. Hopefully, he could find someone to scratch him or something. Or maybe feed him. Or maybe… ohhh… his eyes went even wider at the sight of Coriath, as if he hadn’t seen the huge Bronze just a few moments ago.
Hi! I’m Hanumanth! he said cheerily. And you have stripes too!
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:07 am
In order to better watch C'ym to see what she'd be expected to do, Emori had stepped up to the table with Inannath. The little green wouldn't put up with anymore grabbing of her headknobs, so the girl just picked her up and held her so that she'd be distracted by the sight and scent of the dead wherry. The limp bird looked very unappetizing to Emori, and smelled even worse, but she swallowed down her disgust and paid attention as S'kagi walked the male weyrling through the cuts.
Oh, hurry up! the dragonet cried, swinging her head back and forth, eyes flecked with red. I'm liable to die of hunger! Oh, promise me you'll cut faster than this boy when it's your turn!
"Don't exaggerate. I fed you earlier, remember? And I will cut as fast as I can," Emori assured her, stroking Inannath's waving neck. "You'll have to sit still, though. I'll need both my hands when the time comes."
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:42 am
Of course La found him. Well, supposed H'dek, it could be worse. It could be the teacher getting after him for his egotistical dragon. Yeah. At least they were friends. The weyrling mustered up a weak smile, biting a little as his insides coiled. Yes. Friends. That was it.
"Hullo, Miz La," he replied as quietly as he could. "Right lovely to see y'all again. N' with yer own lil' dragon, to boot." His smile grew wider as he twisted around to get a peek at the little green. Quite large for a green, he thought, much larger than Emori's Iannath. Or maybe Iannath was just small? He wasn't really sure, he hadn't been in the Weyr but a month. These were the first hatchlings he'd ever laid eyes on! "How're you, La?"
Who are they? Bondyeth demanded, staying firmly rooted by His side. He hardly had any interest in another green, unless this one shared Iannath's notion of how completely magnificent he was.
"You can ask yourself," H'dek said, frowning at his bronze. Isn't that how dragons operated. "It's okay, they're friends."
Bondyeth was not convinced. The bronze simply snorted and headbutted his, ready to be scratched again. H'dek sighed and shook his head; why was his dragon so complicated? Oh well. At least he wasn't complaining about the other bronze anymore.
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:45 pm
R'dan watched as the two 'volunteers' headed up towards the strung up wherry. He was glad he hadn't been selected. He was having a hard enough time convincing Coatlicueth that she'd just eaten not all that long ago and that she wasn't going to starve in the next two minutes, as much as she may think otherwise.
He's ruining it! The green butted her head against her rider. And it was such a good wherry, too... Maybe that bronze won't want it... surely there's some pieces still good, right? I could eat those. It would be better than nothing and I'm so hungry...
R'dan sighed and stroked the green's head. "You'll get fed soon, I promise."
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:46 am
Tipping her head slightly at H'dek's less than thrilled reaction to her, she shrugged and assumed he was just nervous about being singled out. At this point, she wouldn't have blamed him. As the scent of whatever C'ym had done reached them, she wrinkled her nose. Isonth, who was far more interested in making sure Bondyeth was all right, strolled on past La and sat down closer to the bronze.
Hullo, she said sweetly, looking him over with mild draconic concern. Why was he being so strange? Most dragons were happy to greet her, at least...that was the impression she had gotten. This one didn't seem particularly interested in her at all. This miffed her slightly, and after a moment, she returned to La and lay down, pushing her head under La's arm and projecting itchiness at her. Loudly.
Giving a little shudder and scratching the back of her own neck, La shook her head and scratched Isonth just behind the headknobs. Isonth rumbled happily, and La looked back at H'dek. "I'm good," she answered his question (finally) with a smile. "Tired, though. Itchy dragons are itchy when they decide is a good time. And two hours past midnight is a fine hour for them." She shook her head and grinned. Maybe eventually, her sleep schedule would return to normal. But she couldn't count on it.
"How about you? Holding up well?" she asked. "Your handsome fellow there looks like he could be a handful and a half if he set his mind to it."
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:46 pm
With most of the class exchanging pleasantries, in spite of his comment, he was glad for Kallista's attention, queasy as it was.
There was some degree of argument, which sounded as though it were coming from E'rik's corner of things, but he had to put off dealing with it long enough to finish helping C'ym through the initial cuts without the boy cutting open something worse inside the Wherry.
"If you haven't found a partner yet, please do so." He repeated, when he finally let go of C'yms hands, gesturing Emori over, and then inspecting to make sure other Wherry's had been set up, and that people were starting to mimic his cuts. "Once you've made the initial cuts as I demonstrated, you're going to work on peeling back the skin, carefully He indicated that it was Emori's turn to take over as he explained. "You and your partner should alternate if possible, though you'll all have plenty more chances for this in the future, this is good practice."
I am Coriath. The grown dragon noted to C'yms partner, his tone displaying his pride at who he was. I see you do as well. You will be a fine partner. He added this with a degree of certainty.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:20 pm
Kallista looked around to see who was pairing up with whom. Astarteth was right, even though she would admit it, about not getting out to socialize. Out of the whole weyrling class, the only person she really spoke to was Tseka. It was T'ka now, Kallista remembered. Shaking her head, the green rider noticed another person who looked rather put out. The new gold's bonded. Annalie.
Sliding down from her stool, Kallista approached the girl carefully. She wasn't sure how her dragon would react but they both needed a partner. Her hazel eyes gave the girl a once over. They both had something major in common. C'ren had Searched them both and Ceylith had been right about their ability to Impress. Briefly, Kallista wondered if Astarteth hadn't chose her, if the queen would have picked her.
I picked you. No one else can have you. Mine. Mine. Mine. You need a pretty and fast green. Not a slow going gold. Was Astarteth's response to those thoughts.
I would never give you up! You are everything I want to complete my life. I love you. Kallista replied silently. Outloud she questioned Annelie. "Um... Hello there, wanna be partners?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:56 pm
At the bronze rider's instructions for everyone to find a partner, Annelie visibly seemed to deflate even more. Not socializing much really did suck in the long run, and the only person she knew in the class was Cil -- C'ym, she corrected herself -- and he was already working up front. With a small, yet audible, sigh, she glanced down at Yansanth and then looked around the room in nervousness.
Annelieee... what are you doing? Is something wrong? You seem worried... Yansanth looked at Hers and abandoned the little pebble on the floor. She pushed her nose against the young woman's leg and looked up at her, faceted eyes swirling with a light shade of yellow. She didn't like seeing Hers worried or nervous, even though she herself often felt the same.
With a suddenly quirked brow, Anne looked down at the little gold and gave a small smile. She extended her hand downward and Yansanth lifted her head to her fingers, then gave a happy rumble and croon as her eyeridges got rubbed.
"It's nothing, Yansanth... don't wo -- Oh!" Anne suddenly broke off and looked up at Kallista, the unfamiliar girl's offer still fresh in her ears. She glanced back down at her bonded, who looked up at her in the same manner. "Ye-yeah, sure. Ok, I'd like that. Thank you..." she paused, then extended her hand in a tentative manner.
"I'm Annelie... this is Yansanth."
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:16 pm
As Emori moved to take her place in front of the wherry, she found herself facing the rest of the class. She hadn't turned around to see who had come or try to socialize outside of curbing her dragonet, so her eyes now wandered over the gathered weyrlings. She recognized Lanakirene and H'dek and his Bondyeth, and the rider of the little queen... Anney? Something like that. The others were mostly unknown to her, except by their faces.
Inannath's insistent whining brought her back to the task at hand: a stinking mess of meat and other yuck. It looked and smelled even more disgusting up close. She wished she could just rip the skin quickly and get it over with, but S'kagi had specifically said to do it carefully. Holdng her breath, Emori gingerly tugged at the flap of skin that had been cut. She tried not to look at it too often, or pay attention to the noise it made as she pulled. Oh, it was gross. Her stomach heaved, but she managed not to be sick. She'd be proud of that later, but for now, she just wanted this lesson to be over.
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