|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:28 pm
Veyes scrambled along the hallways up the levels towards the Dragon Rider weyrs. He had an eager look on his face as the thoughts of the most recent rumor buzzed through his head. Those rumors being...a gold firelizard might have laid a clutch on the beach far below. Well, this of course reminded Veyes that L'thor had promised awhile back to take him to the beach if they had a chance to do such and search for flit eggs. But between lice, flu, and other issues that Veyes only wished he could forget; the beach adventuring had never happened. However, now that he was lice-free and healthy, he really wanted to pursue this adventure while the rumor was fresh! Heck, mysteries like this spurred on the imagination more than anything in his world. They should be investigated!
The last few halls to L'thor's weyr almost had him running as he scooted inside and looked for his mentor. "L'thor!!" he called out with boyish exuberance, "Are you here??! I heard there might be flit eggs on the beach!" It took a few seconds after calling out to catch his breath because he almost forgot his secondary reason for coming; his most recent set of riding strap stitches. Lately, he had become a little obessesed with the damned needle and thread proven by the fingers which still hurt from the constant poking when he missed. But in his own mind, he would succeed with sewing especially when he didn't have many other ways to occupy his time beyond chores and candidate lessons that had become rather repetitive. Geesh...he could probably teach the newbies.
As he stared down at his line of stitches, he was sure this time he had them perfect along a cut strap. With L'thor's lessons, he'd be better off than most weyrlings if he did impress! It was inspiring to say the least and fortunate for him, Raith didn't mind being the dragon model for the lessons. She seemed to love the attention lavished upon her during these periods and seem offer sound dragon advice when she wanted to insert her opinions.
During these times, Veyes was determined to make every moment count especially as time started slipping by...one turn down...a few more to go. At least, he had more time than Firyal but one day, he'd be in her shoes...close to the end; if he didn't get lucky. However, when he thought of that he abruptly refocused away from his awful luck and instead seized the winnings that skill and hard work had brought him so far. In his own imagination, he would be successful but reality was a much harder struggle.
The past setbacks gave him all the more reason to fight forward and strive against that which was trying to push him down. The only problem was that the challenges were driven and ruthless task masters. Each time he turned, it always seemed like something got in his way. Today, even though the rumors were about the flit, which was incredibly fun and good news the other side of the coin was much darker. Someone had been stealing stuff around the Weyr beyond the noticed supplies that weren't coming in. Veyes worried that someone might point the finger at him or one of his lakeside friends...but he wasn't too sure what to do about it except try to keep a clean nose, stay way out of the way, and maybe seek out the culprit himself...yes...he had thought about that. But for now, he tired to push that further back in his head and focus on the gold flit and her eggs; a prize waiting to be found!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:22 pm
L'thor blinked awake as the excited voice rang out, and sat up rubbing his face. He was out on the ledge, shaded from the sun by Raith's body enough to avoid burning but not so much that he couldn't build up his nice all over tan. An all over tan, of course, required all skin to be exposed and so when he realised it was Veyes calling him rather than V'kain he was very glad he'd brought his clothes out to lie on; he didn't want to embarrass his young friend after all!
"I'm here," he called in reply, suppressing a yawn, "just give me a moment." Nudging Raith to raise a wing, L'thor got to his feet and dressed swiftly before stepping out from behind the screen of his lifemate's pinions and into the weyr. "Don't mind me," he said as another yawn ambushed him, "I was just catching a little beauty sleep, not that I actually need it of course, but a doze is still pleasant. How're you doing today?" The youth looked well, very well considering how things were going right now. He might have to suggest to the lad that he keep any really precious possessions up here where they would be safe from whoever was stealing things... He did hope it wasn't River. He was pretty sure the scale of this spate of thefts was beyond his kleptomaniac blue, but you never could tell with River.
One cue, the small flitt appeared and landed on his shoulder: was he done being boring now? He was! Happiness! River trilled cheerfully, and a moment later Rust and Dancer appeared as well. Dusk, who was basking on his mini-ledge, didn't bother to get up: the sun was nice, and he could get fuss later on. L'thor had to blink a few times to banish his focus on the images and feelings the flitts were sending his way; it did get rather confusing with four of them sometimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:57 pm
Hearing his mentor's response, Veyes popped around the corner to catch sight of L'thor. He smiled brightly and noticed the tan across the riders frame. "Mm...You've been sunning yourself." He guessed that L'thor had been...naked and that thought caused the a blush to creep to the boy's cheeks. He also sported his own tan but...it probably wasn't as even as L'thor's. He didn't have time for beauty naps but occassionally as he got more used to the casual lifestyle of the Weyr, the idea of naked flesh didn't bother him nearly as much. Especially after the day of 'drawing' which reminded him that the artist never did give them copies. Oh well...artists could be so flighty.
"I've been doing pretty good for the most part. Been trying to stay out of trouble. Finished up this strap complete with stitches. I wanted you to take a look." He handed the man the strap and the stitches he had taken many times over to precisely stitch. "I think it's my best so far. Might even be ready to move to the next level of study if you think I'm ready for it." He was hopeful that L'thor would agree because he was really eager to try something new and add to the skills he had already learned.
Looking up he smiled over at Raith never forgetting how much she liked to be noticed, "Hi Raith! You're looking lovely today. Looks like your sporting some fresh rubbed oil." Of course speaking to her suddenly reminded him of his first reason for coming to visit!
"OH!!" he excitedly chimed out practically bouncing as he spoke, "There's a rumor going around the Weyr that a little gold flit might have laid eggs on the sands! I was wondering if the three of us could fly down and take a look around!" He crossed his fingers that the man didn't have other plans because he thought it might be something they'd have fun doing together. "Ok...maybe more than just the three of us." He laughed as he saw the flits starting to appear out of nowhere. The man had an army of flits now...poor guy. Veyes had to wonder how L'thor could keep all of his 'kids' in line when he could hardly take care of himself at times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:36 pm
L'thor took the straps, a thoughtful frown lining his brow as he simultaneously inspected them, and told River that they were not for chewing. Once he had accomplished both of these tasks he gave a satisfied nod and looked back up at Veyes. "This looks good for me; no point keeping you at this level any longer, you never learn anything by repeating things you can already do. We can start working on cutting out the pieces next, and I'll show you how to check that a piece of prepared hide is suitable, even the best tanners turn out a dud once in a while."
It was nice to have an enthusiastic student to teach; if all candidates were as willing as Veyes he could see himself enjoying being a weyrling master. Haha, not that he had the record you needed for that. He might do his duty well, but there were plenty who did that and played by the rules off duty as well; those boring sods were the ones who got high ranking posts, not fun people like himself... Oh dear. Had Veyes said something else?
"He observed that I am looking lovely and well oiled Mine," Raith said with a rumble of amusement, "He also said that a gold firelizard has supposedly laid a clutch somewhere on the beach, he would like to go and search with is."
"Oh!" L'thor grinned and shook his head rapidly. "I was turns away there, sorry. Yes though, a trip to the beach sounds good, I'm not needed anywhere until the meeting this evening with my wing. Maybe these four will actually be some good for once eh?" he raised an amused eyebrow at Dancer, and the young brown chirrped in a 'Who? Me?' tone of voice: he was useful all the time! He made people happy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:51 pm
Veyes waiting patiently as L'thor looked over his work and bit his bottom lip in the process. Most of the time, L'thor had at least one or two good observations when something needed work but this time he hoped that all the practicing had finally paid off. When he heard L'thor's words he was overjoyed! He had been waiting for this moment, now he'd learn the other piece to the riding straps...cutting...and that probably included fitting. Well, that meant Raith would be getting her fair share of attention and some soon!
"Thank you! I can't wait to get started on the next step and learn something new!" If it weren't for the other fun that he had discovered he might have asked to start on that now, however, a chance at free flit eggs may not come that often so, upon hearing L'thor agree his smile could have popped right off his face. "YAY! I bet you have the best chance of finding them if they are down there. You and your flit army." Beside that...Veyes liked spending time with L'thor. Sometimes it was still weird to think they got off on such a bad foot but that seemed way back in the distance now.
"So where do you think we should start on the beach? I'm guessing you've scoped out the lay of the land before for possible clutch sites?" He knew that the last time they had talked it seemed like L'thor had done searchings down there before so it seemed reasonable he'd have a better notion of where to go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:51 pm
Now it was L'thor's turn to bite his lip as he frowned thoughtfully. Flitts. Well. For someone who owned so many he knew almost nothing about wild behaviour. "Well. Rust you know is River's get, I found his egg on the northeastern coast... I suppose that's a good place to start, it's sheltered and everything... but then flitts are most common on the southern continent, the north coast where they lay is exposed to the sea so... I suppose we could start anywhere really. It'd be helpful if the rumors were more specific... What do you boys think?" The flitt wing, of course, thought very little save that it would be fun to go to the beach. Ah well, it was asking a bit much.
"Let's start off northeast," L'thor said eventually with a shrug, "finding Rust there isn't a lot to go on but it's something; there were quite a few nice sheltered coves and caves there that a little queen might choose to lay in. Come on Raith, we're going on an adventure!" A small one yes, but it would be a fun one. "Wine," he said with a thoughtful frown, "wine and meatrolls and some fruit... Oh, do you still not drink wine? Can get some fruit juice instead if you'd prefer. I'll need to write a little slate to ask for the supplies anyway so the change to what I usually ask for to drink is no problem. Ha, they might be a pain but that is an advantage to my flitt faire; they can carry a picnic for two between them no trouble. Well, provided V'kain isn't one of the two," he allowed with a chuckle, "that man eats enough for three and he hardly comes up to my shoulder!" He wasn't quite sure where it all went, V'kain was strong, sure, but he was so short that surely there shouldn't be enough room for all of that food inside him. One of life's great mysteries, he supposed.
"An adventure," the green yawned and stretched luxuriantly before sitting up and yawing again, "How exciting Mine. I do hope you don't mean to collect any more flitts. They are very sweet, but enough is enough. If you find and egg for yourself, sell it and spend the marks one something nice for both of us. Buy a fat herdbeast: I'll kill it, then let you carve off a nice steak before eating the rest. We both need some good meat Mine. Times are not good."
That was true, truer than he would like. It wasn't as if anyone was starving, but he didn't like the quality of the meat he was eating, and he despised having to watch his beloved Raith eat such stringy, skinny beasts. She deserved the best, but until things changed drastically she wasn't even getting mediocre. It was unacceptable, pure and simple... But for now it was time to forget that and sharding well have fun, an uplifting little adventure in the midst of worries would do all of them good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:35 pm
Veyes nodded as he listened to L'thor's words and the possible locations to look. He didn't have as many clues about the flit eggs but where ever they looked there probably had to be a reasonable amount of sun to keep the eggs warm while hardening. Heck, since it was a rumor there would be only a few ways of really guessing what to expect. The eggs may not even be out there but Veyes was willing to scour rocks and beaches for an opportunity. Plus, with all of the flits and Raith included there would be a ton of eyes all over the sands!
"Ok, so Northeast it is. We can just walk our way south from there and who knows what we will find. I'm guessing anywhere warm and safe is going to be a prime target for little queen." Then he paused as L'thor spoke about the drinks. He'd been thinking about his choice to not drink any wine and wondered if it really was worth it at all. It wasn't like he was drunk when he made off with the 2 skins. And well it didn't solve anything with Con anyhow. So what did it matter? How many ways should he punish himself for losing a friend...for that matter the trust of the ones in the kitchen.
Really, in the end, everyone was getting on with their own lives and probably didn't think about it much after all. Heck, a girl could run through the hatching grounds and touch soft eggs without any real punishment at all except not being able to be on the sands for one hatching...while he suffered the wrath of the unhappy candidates cleaning in latrines over 2 wineskins! Lately, with all the other problems, he had to wonder if those in charge really had any sense of justice at all.
"You know L'thor, its ok...the Wine is fine with me if you bring it but I think I'd rather have just water. The beach is going to be really hot and alchohol is not so great when you're hot on the sands. I want to be alert as I look for eggs. But the pinic sounds like a blast!" he said with smile that slipped into a thoughtful tone. "Also, I think I made the wrong decision about not drinking wine. It wasn't the wine that was the problem at the time. I made a mistake and I've learned my lesson. Can't change the past...I can just look on to the future."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:55 pm
L'thor canted his head thoughtfully for a moment before smiling and shaking it. "No. I think not drinking for a time was the right decision for you because of the mess the stuff got you into; having a temporary aversion to it is understandable. Water though, far more sensible so I'll get some of that for you, and ignore good sense myself as I always do when I fancy doing something not entirely bright. Just one moment and we shall have our picnic!"
Humming happily to himself, he made for the table in the middle of the weyr and scooped up slate and charcoal. After scribbling a brief note complete with pleases and thank yous, he handed it over to Rust. As the brown vanished, he gave Dusk a mental poke and headed over to where a leather bag hung on a peg. This he passed to River and Dancer, who were shortly joined by the sleepy dark blue. The three cheeped in unison before following his nudge towards the kitchens, knowing full well that they'd be able to wangle some food out of their doting owner later on.
"There," L'thor grinned and clapped his hands together, "we'll have meatrolls and drink in no time, and if there's fruit to spare we'll have that too. Now, let's get Raith harnessed up shall we?... You can have a go putting it on actually if you like, best way to learn is by doing, right?" Veyes had seen him do it enough times to get it more or less right; honestly there wasn't too far wrong you could go. The harness went where it went, and buckled up where it buckled and that was that; you always had to check it was secure of course but really the only thing that ever needed adjusting were the straps that held down rider and passengers. Well, he grinned to himself, unless you were so poor at keeping your dragon's feeding in check that its weight fluctuated a lot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:19 pm
Veyes nodded, "Maybe you're right, L'thor. I didn't think of it that way." He smiled after a short bit and dragged his fingers through his locks. "Ok...but if you get drunk on the sands, Raith and I are going to laugh our tails off together at you." His grin had broadened and he poked L'thor in the ribs having a little bit of fun.
Watching his friend corral the flits together for the food run made him wonder how many ways a flit might make his life easier. Of course that depended on if he got a flit that was amicable and not the biting type like Numenor and Aeron. It always seemed like he found either the most grouchy or friendly ones and maybe that was because he was looking at the flit world from the outside. After a full turn of living at the Weyr, he was beginning to think that it would be possible to handle the responsiblity. He didn't know if he'd ever impress but why wait another 5 turns if he happened to find one earlier.
The idea of meat rolls and fruit for the picnic would have normally kept his attention for a few moments however, When L'thor offered for him to put the straps on to Raith he about burst in half with joy and excitement!!! "REALLY!?? I can!" his voice rose with giddy glee! He hadn't expected it but he was certainly more than willing to do the job. After watching L'thor so many times, he had studied the proper placement and what straps hooked to what buckles at least on Raith.
He got up quickly and went to where L'thor kept the riding gear and pulled out the proper straps and then looked them over every inch carefully making sure that each strap was in good shape and all the buckles were still in working order prior to him getting close to Raith. "Looks like the straps are in good shape. Can I put them on her now?" He said with a never ending grin even though his mind was seriously focused on doing the job right the first time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:09 am
Well he hadn't expected quite this much excitement; Veyes was as giddy as he'd been the first time he'd ridden a dragon. L'thor grinned and nodded; "Yes, go ahead; do get up and stop being a lazy lump, Raith m'love, Veyes might explode from excitement if you keep him waiting."
"Well we wouldn't want that," the green said with a rumble as she rose into the crouch that made it easiest to put on her harness, "it would be very messy, you'd be cleaning up all day and all night and you'd have no time to pay attention to me."
"You brute!" L'thor responded as he burst out laughing. "Raith is being silly," he informed Veyes, "she said it would be messy if you exploded and that it would distract me from making a fuss of her."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:13 am
If it were possible for Veyes to explode there probably would have been bits of him everywhere but since it wasn't he just vibrated quite a bit and took the straps over to Raith after she got up.
"Ewh...um...that would be messy!" he said as he got next to Raith and started to pull on the harness. He watched himself each step of the way making sure
to get the right straps in the right locations then working around to cinch each buckle. He stepped around making sure that each strap was flat and smooth against Raith's green skin making only a couple of small adjustments. Then looked over each strap one more time to make sure he didn't miss anything.
"Ok, how did I do, L'thor? Did I get it right??" questioned Veyes as he stood back looking at what he had done. Hopefully, after all the watching and studying he had gotten it right but it was possible to make a mistake. Better to do it now than before he was really a dragon rider.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:39 pm
L'thor stepped forward and ran both hands and eyes over all of the joins. "Pretty well perfect," he confirmed with a smile after a moment. "Time to test it out I feel," he added with a grin, pulling himself astride Raith's neck as she stretched out a foreleg for him. In his accustomed spot, L'thor wriggled with a thoughtfully frown and looked at the straps once more before giving another nod. "Yes, no problems here," he elaborated as he strapped himself down, "we're good to go once our food arrives."
As if on cue, River reappeared beating his wings frantically under the weight of two full skins. L'thor chuckled and relieved him of his burden, doing the same for the three flitts that appeared a moment later with the leather bag now containing food. "Right then," L'thor put the skins in the bag and swung it over one shoulder, "we'll not be flying long or fast so no need for riding gear. Time to be off a'flitt hunting, eh?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:50 pm
Veyes waited with anticipation as L'thor strapped himself in. He had hoped to have done well at the job but even after all that cross-examining he still crossed his fingers. As L'thor wriggled around, Veyes started to smile again as the straps held in place and seemed to do everything they were suppose to. But was was better was L'thor's praise! "Thank you! I'm so glad I got it right!" he said with a broad smile as his fingers straightened back out from behind his back.
This was the first time he had put straps on since the day he had taken his favorite draft beast out with his homemade straps. He wondered if they were still hanging on their peg in the barn...waiting for him to return. Although, he doubted he'd ever return to stay but next time he did go home, he'd compare his old draftbeast straps to the ones he was learning how to make. Everything had moved so much further away from that day in the fields and the moment he saw Raith flying overhead. It was almost a distant dream now...
But his reminiscing was soon distracted by the sounds of flapping tiny wings and came back down to earth realizing that they were off to have some fun "Oh yes...the food and drinks!" he exclaimed as he pulled himself up behind L'thor and started strapping himself in. "It's a great day for flit hunting!" he returned after he got the straps on tight and gave L'thor a big hug!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:04 am
L'thor grinned as the flitts grasped onto various handholds, and nodded to Veyes' statement. "An excellent day! Off we go!" Raith rumbled her agreement and moved to the edge of the ledge, pausing for a moment to look about herself before stepping off and spreading her wings. "We'll go between just to save time," L'thor said as they began to gain height once more, "we'll soon warm up again when we come out the other side. Here we go now!"
This said, L'thor visualized the spot where he had discovered Rust's egg. Once Raith had confirmed that she knew where they were going, the green made the jump. The chill bit into him right away, and L'thor shuddered unhappily; he really did dislike between, it was unpleasant and very hard on the skin. Oiling for both Raith and himself was in order later, he decided. As ever though the trip was over in moments, and he relaxed as warm sun touched his skin once more.
"We'll land and go along the beach," L'thor said, turning to address Veyes. "The flitts will stay quite low with us, and Raith will stay up high to tell us about any likely looking coves ahead. Sound good?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:40 pm
"Alright! Between sounds good." responded Veyes as the started to approach the ledge. He wasn't about to avoid another opportunity to make sure that no lice had actually returned to his hair. Even though he hadn't been itching in quite awhile, the occasional flights between only made sure of it. The more the Weyr had issues, the more Veyes sought ways to take care of himself at least.
Veyes held on tight as they took off from the ledge; taking a brief look down to see the bottom of the bowl as she started to rise. It was an exhilarating feeling that he couldn't quite describe. He had only ever ridden on Raith so he wondered if every dragon would have this sort of speedy take off. As they scooted between Veyes shivered slightly but ever since the lice incident he had a healthy appreciation for the space between. It was only the shift that he hadn't quite gotten used to. However, in time if he got a dragon, he'd learn to get over it.
Once they appeared over the beach, Veyes glanced around again. "Sounds great L'thor. This looks like a fine start point for us." He pointed over to a spot that looked open enough for Raith to land. Then let his eyes track along the sands plotting out his own path to start the treasure hunt! "I sure hope we have some good luck!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
