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 Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:04 pm
Having listened quietly, A'dan rather felt he had a fairly good measure of te woman Lyveana and her demeanor. She did seem to be a fair leader, after all, and there had been worse; for all the color of her dragon, she seemed to have the skill and the force necessary. Still, more than a little would out when it came time to fly, even in drills. He supposed that would be the measure of her skill as wingleader, whether she could fly with precision and accuracy while still leading.
After a moment, A'dan stood, having been quietly listening with his usual calm certainty. "Well said, Wingleader," he said, voice rumbling softly and making itself quite heard without much effort. "I and Mine will follow." His grey eyes narrowed as he looked about the small and somewhat motley gathering that made up their wing, focusing on each as if memorizing their stance, appraising. He had had his own misgivings, but despite his pride, having a female and a green leading the wing, he rather thought that it meant the rest of them would simply have to be more, excel further. Offering a small bow and a somewhat grave smile despite the faint sparkle in his grey eyes, A'dan paused, then spoke again, choosing his words carefully. "Perhaps those who speak loudly are simply afraid and uncertain in their own abilities."
Listening to his dragon's pride and amusement washing over him mentally, bolstering him, A'dan let his big, rough hands hook into the belt-loops on his trousers. He should not have said that, he'd wager. Still, he half-wondered if the blue rider, whose name he had not caught, would rise to the challenge.
Mine, half-chortled Sigranth, you are learning.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:06 pm
Mella’s opinion of the handsome bluerider took a sharp turn for the worse shortly after he opened his mouth. Although she agreed with the general gist of his concerns, she found his delivery distasteful and the insults both offensive and concerning. They were a Wing, and expected to work as such; that one man’s misgivings – or arrogance, since she couldn’t really tell – threatened the efficiency of their Wing made Mella restless. Realizing that her fingers had began to drum out a faint, but agitated rhythm on the table, she clasped her hands on the table.
“ I have a question.” She said, her voice clear, but quiet and slow as she measured her words.
“ What of dragon obedience? I thought dragons had a… pecking order.” She unclasped one hand long enough to wave it vaguely, indicating her uncertainty about her choice of words. “ What will be done in the case of a rider that can’t reign in their dragon? And what of those that can but won’t? I thought Greens were not in a position to influence dragons of other colors.”
Mella’s eyes did not stray from the Wingleader as she spoke and the volume at which she spoke did not fluctuate, but the tension in her shoulder made it clear that she anticipated such a problem arising. Had the circumstances been otherwise, she might have made her accusation more forward – she did not trust A’ras – but as it was she didn’t want to create further potential problems for her Wing.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:02 pm
The blond was enjoying studying the females of the group, however his fun was ruined not by his lifemate, quite surprisingly, but instead by the pretty boy over playing Mr. Aloof as soon as the other rider opened his mouth. Scowling slightly, Z'ven turned around in his seat and leaned back, both elbows resting on the table behind him, and listened to how their wingleader handled this situation. True, her first statements were rather.. rather...
"Ignorant? Forceful?" Supplied his bonded, to which he mentally shook his head. No, those weren't right.. Oh well, the specific word didn't matter. Tiarenth understood the feeling, and that was enough.
After a few others commented, he half-raised a hand, the elbow still resting on the table. "I and mine will follow, as well. You sound like a fine leader from what you've said thus far, and I hope your actions later will support that opinion," the greenrider said as he stood. "All of us, I'm sure, will rise to whatever challenges you throw at us." None of them would do perfectly the first time, or first few times, of that he was certain; but that was why they'd practice and work on drills and everything, so that they would do perfectly come Threadfall.
"Until later, wingleader Lyveana. Wingsecond R'than," he said, saluting both and offering the latter a bright smile, and with that he turned and left the dining hall. He didn't care to stay and hear whatever retort that fancy-hair came up with; he'd rather keep his breakfast down, thank you very much.
"I'd like you to keep it down too, I don't need to see that. ...although, Mine, you could stand to lose some weight," the marbled green teased playfully, to which her rider merely chuckled.
"At least I'm not the size of half a dozen herdbeasts like someone I know."
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:16 pm
A'ras listened and was actually polite to allow her to finish. At least, he'd give her a chance to stand up for herself even if he had already found that this group had caused him to wonder why the were all just so eager to accept this unusual circumstance. He couldn't believe he was the only one that had the courage to stand up to something that was so undeniable out of place.
So taking in her words, he mulled them through his mind; a calm before the storm. How long she might stand in the eye of the hurricane was only chained by his will alone. He could follow down that path of logic and see where the leadership was going but still couldn't believe that they'd experiment with their lives like this. Sure, a break would be nice but the current leaders had never seen thread! How could the leadership even determine this would work? There certainly was a reason why the structure had been put into place as it was by their forefathers. Any sane man wouldn't have to read to far into history to see that! At other times the Weyrs probably had large numbers of dragons! This wasn't a first...couldn't be.
This was one of the most perplexing situations he had been in but he wouldn't let this one see it upon his face. He didn't see a leader in front of him; her strategy didn't bring cohesiveness to this group. Of course, he couldn't speak for the submissive ones in the group. Ok...maybe that was everyone but him! It seemed he was the odd man out but that would suit him fine.
There were several things he wanted to say and ask after she saluted and brought the meeting to a close. It was a part of him that was dismayed by the entire event and gave him cause to be concerned for the future beyond the thread that could fall. He internally started to question the leadership of this Weyr and that was something that did bring a tightening in his chest. Beyond this oddity...but other things that were being slipped under the rug like an 800 pound herdbeast...the over-filled Weyr. There was a time he'd trust any of the Weyr with is life, but not today.
His eyes may have betrayed a slight shift of concern as his lips were about to respond however, that wasn't to be as another spoke...
To the Wingleader, she could have seen the shift as the brilliant smile masked him; losing any moment of possible connection. The predator stoked by the other; a wolfish smile that never left his face as the bronze rider opened his mouth. A'ras' intense eyes had been firmly on the Wingleader, and maybe he blinked just once capturing the essence of the words spoken from behind. It was a fool's calling. But...he had just been challenged. Ah, how to answer and should he care? Why should he care what they thought of him? He'd gladly be the black sheep in this bunch because he'd never bow to any he couldn't respect. But still...It was a bronze rider; even if a fool, he deserved an answer. Oh yes.
Tilting his head as his body turned graceful, he captured the rider in his considering gaze. Walking with the confidence that he bore from years of these irresistible games, soon he closed in on the man taking that distance between them and making it intimate because he was so amazed that this bronze rider could be so easily swayed to a bow. Oh he almost loved the notion of handling this one...so many possibilities crossed his mind! His words slow...and well-measured from his tongue to his lips. "You know, rider...let's hope that's not the case because you might have to depend on me one day."
Not bothering to wait for an answer...not caring what this rider had to say, his comment needed no explanation - he strode out of the cavern.
"Cav, get me the shards out of here!" he thought quickly as his skin prickled from the impassioned anger that was rising faster than the bile at his throat. He was stunned by what he just witnessed and wouldn't give any of them the pleasure of seeing him lose his cool.
"As you wish, A'ras" returned his Cavaruth with a tone of concern to the fine mental notes. Cav knew they wouldn't be staying in the Weyr tonight.
"Anywhere but here!" A'ras said as he leapt up to his dragon's shoulder and slipped on the straps. Springing out to the heavens, the blue took them high fast and blinked out.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:52 pm
Egh. A'ras was going to be trouble. Big trouble. Smart mouth, but without the sense to speak in a way that would get his opinions respected. As the blue rider flounced off, he shook his head slightly and sighed. This was never going to work if A'ras insisted on such behavior, he would have to address that in short order. At least Z'ven was being vaguely sane, though he didn't share his weyrmate... weyrcompaion... weyrfriend... the person who shared his weyr's beliefs about Lyveana. He didn't see her as a leader. Leaders had to be consistent, but she'd blown that out of the sky already.
Mella's questions made sense at least. He had heard that Ruinnth was an... abnormal green, but he wasn't sure how far it went. Honestly, what he had been told thus far of her gave him the creeps. He wanted to get away. For now, perhaps she would cope, but he couldn't see it working forever. They Weyr would split, there would be fewer riders, when the Thread came there would be casualties and they would have to fly for longer. Lyveana and Ruinnth would not be able to do it. He would have to make up for her failings when they came. Somehow. He and Garith would make it happen, would deal with anyone who treated members of his wing badly because of who led it. If the people who had appointed Lyveana thought she was going to be the only one getting a hard time they were off by a long shot. None of them deserved the scorn they were probably going to get, not even bratty A'ras.
"We will manage," Garith said firmly, "We will Mine, and we will manage with honor and dignity. None shall be able to criticize us, or any member of our wing. Not even Lyveana. Whatever we have to do, we will do... we must make it work. We will not fail. For as long as we are of most use here Mine, we must remain."
Yes. Until they would be of better use elsewhere. They would manage, not just manage they would excel. They had always striven to be the best they could be, and they would continue to do so. Nothing, no superior, no subordinate, no rider from another wing could stop them.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:19 pm
Well, that was certainly one way to break the ice.
I’ver leaned back in his chair, chin tilted upwards and lips clamped in a thoughtful frown. He didn’t like this sort of conflict at all. There was no fun to it, only a misplaced intensity that would surely end in stupidity.
Why does he hate Ruinnth, so, Mine? Hallianth’s uncertain query caused I’ver to blink as he refocused his attention away from the scene unfolding before him. He is a blue… that is not so different from a green. He felt her pause, deep in thought, before she chattered on with new vigor, We could beat him any day in a race, I am sure! And Ruinnth must be much faster still, if she was chosen as Wingleader. The satisfaction that this logic brought to her was catching, and I’ver found himself easily agreeing with her - or at least, with the essence of her thoughts.
What was so wrong with a green leading, after all? The question of stamina was out, as they would never be called upon to fly a full thread fall. And as for the ‘pecking order’ of dragons? I’ver quietly snorted as this was mentioned, although this rider was more reasonable in her tone than the first. Still, were all of those assembled as out of touch with dragon intelligence as the Hold-bound? Pecking orders might be a good rule of thumb, but dragons weren’t such dumb beasts that they would follow them one hundred percent of the time, without question. All they needed was the guidance of a strong leader - and the support of their riders.
The same stubborn riders who seemed intent not to budge an inch.
I’ver shook his head crossly, and was about to settle back into his chair when a familiar figure rose fluidly out of the crowd. A’dan, as calm and strong as always, offering his support without a trace of hesitance. A delighted smile crept across I’ver’s face at the man’s words. It meant a lot, both to the strength of the wing and to I’ver personally, to hear the bronzerider unashamedly stating his faith in a greenrider’s abilities. I’ver stood quickly, about to announce his own similar intentions, when -
We will follow! Bugling her decision so loudly that the whole Weyr was likely to hear, never mind the new wing, Hallianth was a wave of eagerness and tension as she tried to make herself clear. I and mine also, we will follow just like Sigranth and A’dan!
“And like Z’ven and His, also.” I’ver finished, quickly covering for Hallianth’s one-track mind. Mentally wincing as he spoke, he nonetheless could not fault her for her support of their Wingleader - there was nothing out of line about that, at all. Although, it was clear to him that she had been much more interested in declaring her support of Sigranth, which did not help the situation. “We will follow you, Lyveana, and Ruinnth too. As a fellow greenrider, I am more than aware of what they can accomplish, when they set their minds to it.” Offering her an encouraging smile, and flashing a quick grin and eye-roll at the serious face of A’dan, I’ver sat back down. From here he was happy to let others do the more intense debating, if they felt it was necessary.
I do love you, Hallianth. He added, still unable to do anything but be amused by her outburst.
And I love you too, I’ver. Hallianth answered plainly, a warm, happy undercurrent in her thoughts. But, do you think Sigranth heard me?
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:43 pm
A'dan, steady as ever, was less than worried when A'ras approached him, and there was only a brief, mild tightening of his broad shoulders as the other decided to make the intrusion of his personal space intimate. He simply stood his ground, listening unflinchingly to what the arrogant, if handsome, man said with little more than a sardonic arching of one pale brow.
Had A'dan been anyone else, he rather imagined that he would have done a little aesthetic rearranging of the man's pretty face. He had, after all, given insult, and then he'd all but threatened him -- but, he thought, there were better things to worry about than this uppity rider who thought he knew better. Something in his stomach knotted in anger, but with a deep, steadying breath, A'dan let it go.
Just in time to see the familiar wiry, dark-haired form of I'ver spring up. If the way Sigranth reacted at the other end of their mental link was anything to go by, his little green had spoken first, and loudly, as it felt like a ripple of amused shock in his mind. A low, soft chuckle escaped A'dan, and he nodded his head in acknowledgment in the younger rider's direction. He appreciated the allegiance, his friend standing behind him. It would be an asset to the team, that some were of one mind. A'dan could not care less what was thought of him.
Mine, you should have taken that other one down a peg, rumbled Sigranth, low and half-growled. Daring to threaten us! The dragon was furious, though beneath it, he was preening like any vain creature might when attention was drawn to him. If he admitted it, the rather passionate little green's fascination was rather pleasing to him. Still, others should think the same way, and why should he settle only for one?...
Reaching out, Sigranth offered a half-purred, smug thank you to Hallianth. Sure and the entire Weyr had heard her cry her support for him and His, which pleased him. He didn't often think of the little green, but since A'dan and I'ver had spoken that morning, she was still fairly fresh in his mind.
Sighing slightly at his lifemate's incorrigibility, A'dan sank back down into his seat, lopey and lazy as a large feline, to tug thoughtfully at one blond curl.
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