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 Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:04 am
Quote: Session 1: Butchering; Learning to cut meat for your growing dragonet. - Dragon hygiene; keeping their bodies well oiled, and spotting for cracks in the skin. - Human hygiene; care of the human body- and their living area. - Dragon anatomy. - Weyr etiquette. - Mindspeaking and identifying the difference between yourself and your dragon - How to deal with an overfed dragon --- In the wake of the Hatching, spirits are high, but there is still a great deal to learn and to do, especially for the new Weyrlings, no small number of which are entirely new to life in Ista Weyr, let alone caring for a swiftly growing dragon. To ensure that the dragonet's grow up well, and the Weyrlings become skilled riders, lessons begin, to educate the newly bonded in the amount of work they will be doing for some time to come. Bronzerider S'kagi, an stark figure with unusually long hair for a dragon rider, which falls covering one side of his face, obscuring criss crossing scars, obviously not from long absent thread, though he makes no move to explain them, even to the curious. Surrounded by an interesting collection of objects, he checks and double checks the things he's gathered together to start the new Weyrlings learning how to care for their new partners.
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:14 pm
What a lovely twist of fate it was that S’kagi would be the one to teach her how to be a proper dragonrider. Oddly enough, it didn’t bother Emori as much as she thought it would, though she had a hard time looking him in the eye when she and her green dragonet reported for lessons. She hoped she wouldn't disappoint him and embarrass herself, though with Inannath's extreme "look-at-me" complex, there was no way to predict what would go down.
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:49 pm
Gh'lan was up early.
Khunoth was up early.
Neither of them were happy about it either.
Khunoth glared balefully up at S'kaji as the brown and his rider ambled to a stop not far from the bronzerider and his collection of dragon torture instruments. Gh'lan was rubbing at his eyes, though his lack of sleep was hardly due to excitement over Impression. No, Tada had taken exception to losing her pride of place in Gh'lan's bed, and while Khunoth did not outright SAY that he preferred to stay in his rider's constant physical company throughout the night, the brown had made it ear splittingly clear once Tada had nibbled on his nose. The ensuing chaos took a few minutes to die down, and ended up with Gh'lan sporting a few deep red marks running down his arms and across his chest from when he had finally grabbed Tada and shoved her under his shirt in a foolhardy attempt to quell the noise.
Naturally, the little green was wide awake and cheerful this morning, and for it Gh'lan had left her back in the barracks.
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:51 pm
So. Here they were, C’ym and Hanumanth, on the first day of the rest of their lives. Nether male had slept very well the last night, mostly because Hanumanth kept getting hungry and then determinedly trying to get himself some food rather than wake up C’ym. But, even a small dragon can be quite noisy, especially at the toddling stage. The young man had lost count of how many times he had to retrieve a bucket or a shirt from poor Hanumanth’s head while the little Bronze was mewling in fright.
And the mewls! The same way a pigeon seemed utterly incapable of walking without bobbing its head, Hanumanth was unable to move without making some sort of noise. Throughout the night, C’ym had been treated to a series of mewls, mews, trills, rumbles, and even the occasional growl when the dragon had gotten utterly tangled in some newly washed bedclothes.
And now was their first Weyrling lesson… C’ym shifted uneasily in his seat, unsure of how to react. Just yesterday he had been a Candidate. Now he had to readjust his mind towards catering to this new and magnificent creature in his life. It was the first time in his life that C’ym actually had to do everything himself. Well, alright, there was Lytah, the Green firelizard, but she wasn’t nearly as demanding as Hanumanth.
Even now little trills of excitement left Hanumanth’s mouth as he looked around the area with wide open eyes. Everything was new and amazing to a little dragonet like himself. Even to a Bronze. Actually, the big Bronze was probably the most amazing thing Hanumanth had seen yet. The already wide blue eyes went even wider as he took in the bulk of the brindled Bronze.
Mine. Mine! he prodded C’ym with his nose while staring at the huge Bronze. Noticing the stripes for the first time, he glanced down at his own striped hide. The little dragonet looked back and forth several times, still mewling occasionally. Look at that! He has stripes, just like me! But… he’s so big… Hanumanth couldn’t imagine anything bigger than that! Alright, so he had seen his own mother and all, but… well, those memories were already fading from the Bronze’s mind.
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:12 pm
La was tired. She didn't begruge her noisy, enthusiastic, hungry dragon her constant, unexpected, late-night feedings, but she was tired nonetheless. It was good practice for Threadfall, she supposed, and shuddered as the thought crossed her mind. Isonth, sensing her rider's concern and crooning softly, bumped her muzzle against La's waist, stuffing her head under her arm and trilling as they approached the other pairs already lined up. La laughed at her and adjusted so she could loop an arm loosely around her dragonet.
Unlike her girl, Isonth was in a terrific mood. She had been fed, she was awake, and she was going to be spending time with other dragons. She was excited to see her clutchsiblings, and also for Hers. Lanakirene was very excited, and the overall excitement of the other dragons was also contagious. Tipping her head back and forth, she caught sight of C'ym and his bronze and trilled happily, striding straight up to the bronze. La, her arm still around Isonth's neck, really had no choice in the matter. As Isonth made her leggy, somewhat stumbly way over to Hanumanth, La got tugged along.
"Um, hi," she said when Isonth's path brought her straight into C'ym. She smiled at him, then turned to look at S'kagi and gave him an apologetic smile. "Isonth," she murmured, tugging at the dragon, who was already trying to get her bronze brother's attention, "c'mon."
But I want to say hello, Lanamine, Isonth replied, turning her head to La. The motion of her head allowed La to tug on her and pull her (reluctantly, but not struggling) away from her brother for the time-being.
"Not now, sweetheart," she murmured, petting Isonth's muzzle to distract her. "Later."
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:32 pm
Will it be much longer? Inannath had whined, butting her head against Emori’s leg. I weary of this uninteresting— and that was when the boys showed up. As her rider dreaded she might, the bitty dragonet made an attempt to plough right over to them, but she was ready and caught her bonded before she got far. That didn’t stop her from babbling, though.
Oh, yes, that brown is a handsome specimen, and isn’t that striped bronze just too dear for words? The weather is just lovely today, can we swim later? Why do you keep sneaking looks at that S'kagi fellow, and by the way, do you smell food? OH FARANTH, HERE COMES ANOTHER GREEN! And off she went again. It was all Emori could do to duck her head in embarrassment and apologize to S’kagi and the other weyrlings for the antics of her talkative green.
In all this, oddly enough, Inannath had completely missed Coriath. Maybe he was just too big for her to see as anything more than four treetrunk legs.
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:07 pm
Isonth didn’t have to work very hard to get her Bronze brother’s attention. At the moment, he had the attention span of a firelizard full of klah. Besides, he felt that he had to protect everyone. What better way to start that than to get to know his clutchsiblings? With a curious trill, he pushed his way towards his sister, eventually touching noses with her.
Some vague memories bubbled forth, but nothing specific; he remembered that she was important, though, that she had given him a nuzzle back before he had found his Mine. Besides, she had a good feel about her. There was just something comforting about being around the long-necked Green, something that the protective and loyal Hanumanth could fully appreciate. Hi again! Do you remember me?
C’ym didn’t even have enough time to react to Han’s sudden change in interest. All he knew was that, suddenly, his little Bronze was lunging towards another dragonet. With a strangled noise in the back of his throat, C’ym attempted to hold the striped dragonet back, but failed. Already the little Bronze was growing larger, strong enough to pull against his rider’s muscles.
Looking apologetically at both S’kagi and La, C’ym attempted a small smile. “Hi, La. Um… congrats on your Impression. Your Isonath is gorgeous.” It sounded like the polite thing to say. And, honestly, he was happy for his friend. At least he thought of La as a friend. At least, she teased him as much as Elae did. “Has Isonath been keeping you up too? Hanumanth has been keeping me awake… not that I blame him at all.”
Alright, so maybe he did a little. C’ym enjoyed his sleep, thank you very much, and occasionally had grumbled about getting someone else to feed the little dragonet.
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:59 pm
Lessons! At last...L'an was surprised to feel so excited about learning for once. Not that usually he loathed education, but rather he was...middling about it. Learning was fine, but work was...well any teen would know how he felt. It didn't occur to him that the main of his excitement was coming from Alcherath through their bond. Despite her dazed attitude and outward aloofness, she was something like aware inside. The world was huge and new to her, and by connecting L'an had found himself finding wonder in things he'd found ordinary until that day weeks ago on the sands.
One example was how, even on the walk to lessons, a bird flew by and rather than dismiss it L'an caught himself staring after it wistfully. When would he be able to fly...Er. When would Alcherath be able to fly. With him. Funny, he'd certainly thought about flying himself...He shrugged it off though, and waved to several friends, La and Isonth included, as he entered the training area. Sadly she seemed to have found a seat already, so he redirected himself...
And the only seat that no one seemed to be eyeing right then was the one beside Gh'lan and Khunoth. He offered a slight nod to the other boy and noted the marks. "Firelizard?" He surely knew how that was. Almost as if on command, the blue Nogard appeared overhead, spiraling down to perch on his shoulder. Interestingly, under the influence of dreamy Alcherath the blue had calmed immensely. He seemed completely content to just sit and watch quietly.
...Oh, hello. I'm...Alcherath? the green offered dazedly to Khunoth. The greeting was half hearted and quiet. The green was already a bit spacy, and that mixed with being sleepy still...
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:23 am
It was safe to say that Brynne wasn't a morning person. Previously, she'd never have gotten up before lunch, and even then only reluctantly! But now she had actual lessons to attend, and that mean an early rise. One, needless to say, she wasn't all that fond of. Ixtabth, however, wasn't fond for a different reason.
We could get hurt, Brynnemine! The world's always out to get us, and a big crowd in the same room is always going to end in pain and sorrow!" pleaded the Green, as she followed her Rider somewhat reluctantly, though was sure not to fall behind. Brynne sighed, dropping a hand to her side, to which Ixtabth instinctively extended her neck, pressing her nose into the hand with a small quiver. It had become an automatic sign of sorts, even in the very few days since the Impression. It comforted Ixtabth to know that Brynne was really there. "We won't get hurt. The lesson will be supervised, and we have to go - there'll be trouble if we don't turn up."
Ixtabth continued quivering a little, and Brynne stopped, turning to scratch the Dragonet's eyeridges in a reassuring manner, "You can hide under the table, okay?"
A small croon was released from Ixtabth's lips, which Brynne took as a yes, the pair entering the classroom a few moments later. Ixtabth cowered behind Brynne, attempting to remain inconspicuous and hidden as Brynne made her way over to an empty desk, one which Ixtabth quickly proceeded to hide herself under as best she could. Admittedly, despite her scrawny figure she couldn't fit her whole body under the table, so was forced to rest her head on Brynne's lap - which didn't turn out too badly, since the female automatically began to scratch the youngsters eyeridge, which calmed her a little.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:31 am
T'ka had learned by now it was always best to be near an exit when she had Haanyath. That way, were the a commotion, at least she could drag the little green out before it got too bad. While she didn't try to create a scene, Haanyath had a habit of making one anyone. She was the most aggressive dragon T'ka had ever heard of, was adamant, and lacked any sort of tact. She could be extremely abrasive, and T'ka tried not to let her socialize too much. It only ever spelled trouble.
Haanyath, independent and aloof about T'ka as she was, was at least respectful enough to stay by her side when ordered. T'ka didn't want to look like a complete idiot on the first day of Weyrling lessons. She scratched Haanyath's eye-ridges, trying to soothe her while giving her incentive to stay and behave. Behave. Probably the word T'ka used most when talking to Haanyath. Unfortunately, it didn't always work. Haanyath had a mind of her own.
So, as it was, the pair lingered in the back, T'ka not wanting to call attention to themselves. If Haanyath had her way, they'd be up in the front, but T'ka didn't want to cause a fuss. There still seemed to be lingering whispers and distrust circulating about the little green who'd spilled blood at the hatching.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:32 am
S'kagi and Coriath waited a few moments, allowing the sleep deprived candidates to sort out where they were sitting, greet and compliment each other, and so on and so forth.
"Good morning and welcome to the first day of your weyrling lessons. I am Wingleader S'kagi, and this is Coriath." He spoke up, with a nod to the great, patient bronze, placing both hands on an large, heavy wooden table he'd had set up, waving slightly for some drudges to enter, carrying, not pots of hit Klah as many of them might have been hoping, but a freshly killed wherry, limp and still smelling like uncooked meat. For those Weyrling's who had handled this sort of duty in the past, it might be surprising, but not horrifying, but for those who had never had to handle meat in any pre-butchered form, it was likely nothing that needed seen at this hour of the morning. Neither were the array of knives he lifted a cloth off of.
"Now is when the really hard part begins, and you start learning the difficult aspects of being a weyrling." He promised. "So before we begin, lets set some ground rules. If I have to come and get anyone who oversleeps, they'll clean up after the lessons. Also if any of you brought firelizards with you, take it back to your rooms -now-, and then come back. They'll only get in the way." He noted this, giving a serious look around the room. "Are we ready to begin?"
((OOC: People who did not have time to enter when this was set up can decide if they arrived with the rest or if they arrived late.))
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:01 am
Isonth was delighted when Han responded to her, and her eyes whirled blue as she touched noses with the bronze. Hullo, yes! You're my clutchsib, she got out merrily before La finally managed to tug her away. Grumbling slightly, she looked plaintively up at La, but the girl was having none of it. As C'ym spoke, she grinned.
"Thank you so much," she said, "and I've never seen a little bronze as handsome as Hanumanth. Congratulations yourself." She couldn't help the happiness that bubbled up speaking to the boy; she was beginning to think of a great deal of her fellow weyrlings as friends already, and it was a nice thought. At the question, she tipped her head and looked down at Isonth, who had caught sight of Ixtabth and was watching her and crooning softly, flecks of yellow swirling in her eyes. Tightening her hold on Isonth's neck slightly, she looked back at C'ym and nodded. "She woke me a lot, yes, but she ate quick and had done with it, so at least that was good." She had been about to say more, but S'kagi began to speak, and La immediately sank into a seat, clutching Isonth gently around the neck. Happily, Isonth reared up and put her forefeet in La's lap, resting her chin on the top of the girl's head and ignoring the mumbled protests La gave.
When the carcass was brought in, La wasn't particularly surprised. Butchering meat for a baby dragon was an important part of being a weyrling, and it wasn't like she hadn't known this was going to happen. A happy rumble from Isonth at the sight of the wherry made La murmur a soft warning, but Isonth made no move toward the meat. She had more tact than that.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:07 am
In all reality, Annelie and Yansanth had been... well... A little late to the first class, though Anne hoped that by hanging in the back anyways, it would somehow make it seem as if she had indeed been there on time. It wasn't that the pair had been dreadfully tired, since Yansanth actually slept like a rock for a few hours and Anne was used to going to bed late and waking up at the butt-crack of dawn, but that both had well.... lallygagged due to uncertainty and general nervousness of having to be in the presence of an older dragon rider and a huge bronze. ...the latter affecting the little Queen more than Hers.
Annelieee....The bronze.... he's so scary! Do we have to be here? Can't we learn this at some other time? I just want to go plaaayy... The dragonet pushed her nose into Hers leg and made a small whine.
A hand rested on the little Queen's head and rubbed at the dragonet's eyeridges, but Anne said nothing in response. She didn't want to be here either, and she felt an increase in some sort of anxiety as the Rider went on with the lesson... but she had to be...
She continued to listen, the dead thud and the site of the limp wherry not bothering her at all. She'd dealt with tons of those before, so hopefully the whole lesson would be simple enough. Her attention on the subject though was starting to skitter off, though, and Yansanth moved out from under her hand to sniff at a rock near her feet.
Anneeelieeeeeeeeeeeee.... this rock's really cool. It's all... black and shiney -- can I keep it?
Yansanth, pay attention...
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:49 am
C’ym immediately quieted down when the older Bronzerider started to speak, wondering what they would learn today. Perhaps how to mend harnesses or maybe they would learn about dragon anatomy or maybe something even better than that! The new Weyrling wished he had thought to ask previous Weyrlings what these lessons were about… ah well. He’d just have to be surprised.
And surprised he was! His nose immediately crinkled at the smell of that uncooked flesh and blood. At least he hadn’t eaten anything for breakfast yet; that at least saved his stomach from churning. Seriously, butchering? What the Shards? They were not here to learn how to become butchers! Admittedly, Wingleader S’kagi had yet to say that’s what they were doing, but it hardly took a genius to figure it out. There was a dead wherry and some knives. Lots of knives, at least one for each new Junior Weyrling. Gee, wonder what that could mean…
All C’ym could keep thinking about was why. After all, there were plenty of other folk who could butcher the meat for him. Why did he have to do this gruntwork?
As the Wingleader spoke, Han spared one last moment to nuzzle at Isonth before returning to C’ym’s side and listen. His eyes swirled blue and green at the sight of the meat; his new rumble of delight nearly shook his whole body. But, at the signs of distress and disgust from his new lifepartner, the dragonet stopped. What’s wrong, Mine? Isn’t this what we’re supposed to do? We’re supposed to be good, right?
He wasn’t quite sure, but he was vaguely aware that Bronzes were supposed to be important. And he was a Bronze, so he had to be the best. Or at least try his best. If he didn’t, he was doing it wrong.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:48 pm
H'dra had risen extra early that morning so that he and his blue would not be late for their lessons. Dievath, despite being a little wobbly on his legs, took everything in stride and was wide away by the time they made their way into the lesson room. While the young rider kept his hands in his pockets and his eyes down, the blue bounded from dragon to dragon, and then back to his rider, crooning to each as he passed them by. Ixtabth earned an especially loud greeting as he nudged her gently with his snout, a reassurance of sorts. She would be alright, especially since he was here!
Finally finishing his circuit, he returned to his rider, who had settled down near the back of the class. 'This spot isn't very good for meeting other people, Mine,' Dievath observed as he draped as much of his body as he could into H'dra's lap, acting very much like a dog who didn't know he was too big to sit in his master's lap. 'I can't see everybody!' And that was very bad indeed.
"You can meet them all when the class is finished. We have to play attention. This is important stuff!" H'dra didn't want to miss a word that was said by the Weyrlingmaster. He had become very aware of the fact that caring for a dragon was much more complex than caring for sheep, and so he was going to do everything in his power to learn how best to care for the blue. If he forgot anything he'd been taught he could put Dievath in serious danger. He sat up straighter when the Weyrlingmaster began, eyes instantly on the dead wherry. Looks like the lessons were beginning.
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