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 Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:06 pm
Delicately leaning just the barest fraction of his weight upon the fence to the wherry pens, Fuxith watched the beasts within with a contemplative air. His actual thoughts were a little less noble, as he was attempting to discern how to best take off for the hunt so that both he and his target would avoid crash landing in a tangled heap. He insisted on moving with grace and care, holding himself above the clumsy fumblings of his clutchmates.
With a sigh and a shake of her head, Zara leaned against the fence as well. "You know, mistakes are normal. Nobody's going to expect you to be perfect when you're still learning." Faranth help her, but as perfect as he was to her, he insisted on being perfect to all. "Your technique is good, but you won't get better unless you make a few mistakes practicing."
A wash of irritation flooded Fuxith, but he suppressed it. It would not be seemly for him to snap at His when she was concerned for him. Please don't say things like that when everyone can hear. Someone could be watching. With a tiny snort he added, They will not expect me to be perfect, but they would be pleased by it. I do not like to make mistakes.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:53 pm
Yes indeed, one never did know who might be watching... or listening, for that matter. N'ron tactfully slowed upon hearing the traces of the one-sided conversation, rolling his feet so that they made less noise as he continued to approach the pen. Hey, he wasn't eavesdropping on the Jr Weyrling at all! He was here for a reason, and the girl just happened to be in his general area for comprehensive noise intake. A small, gruff noise announced his presence as he cleared his throat politely.
"Good afternoon, young lady." He greeted as he came to stand a respectable distance away from the two along the fence. His eyes roved over the little dragonet, a blue. He was pleased. "Come to watch the wherries? You may be in for a show."
Not a few minutes later, the sky seemed to have dropped a piece of itself, drifting down as soft as a summer breeze. Erevuth spread his wings wide to catch the bare traces of wind as he dropped down toward the ground. He was a passing shadow, a faint stir of air, and a hiss of wind. Hardly a noise until he flapped his great wings hard to create a backwind to steady him. And by then he had caught an unsuspecting wherry in his claws, swinging his body picking up the silly creature and tossing it farther ahead where it fell squalling, rolling head over heels. The blue dropped to the ground once he had decreased his momentum enough, hind legs first before rolling right into a prowl. He was an old hand at this, metaphorically speaking. Wherries were not much of a challenge, but they were fun, not to mention palatable. Erevuth took his time.
The giant bird scrambled to get a stance back on its awkward legs, wings frayed with impact and distress. The older dragon stalked after it smoothly, using a mere flap of a wing to send his prey tumbling forward again. The appendages were folded then, claws batting the avian playfully to yank out feathers and really send it careening off. With eyes deep red, Erevuth watched it hurry off, tail twitching. Once it got a certain distance away, the dragon moved forward swiftly, muscles jerking to pull it along before coiling and allowing the great body to spring forward. The claws on both forepaws pinned the wherry to the ground, weight following behind from the landing, and it was no more. Erevuth fed, heedless of the squalling bunch that had gone scattering off to the far side of the pen. He'd have them when he wanted them.
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Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:37 am
Told you so, Fuxith quipped, neatly folding his wings against his back. He'd only recently grown large enough to carry Zara in flight, but his hindquarters were powerful enough to hold him more or less upright with little actual weight being placed on the wooden fence. It was sturdily built to contain panicking beasts, but somehow Zara doubted it would hold up if the blue placed his full weight upon it. Delicate-looking he might be, but Fuxith was growing well.
Yes, you did. Thank you. Zara's mental tone was about as deadpan as her face as she turned to face N'ron, although her mouth quickly quirked into a slight smile. "Good afternoon, Wingrider. I suppose we are...Fuxith likes to take his time hunting."
Fuxith's eyes whirled quickly in interest as Erevuth dropped from the sky like an azure shadow, and the railing creaked slightly as he unconciously leaned forward. He observed in rapt silence as the frosty blue toyed with his prey with ruthless grace and efficiency, letting out a croon of approval when the beast lay lifeless. You hunt well.
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:06 pm
"Not at all a bad thing," Bright, sapphire eyes lingered on Fuxith a moment, "Considering that the poor wretches have nowhere to go. One can afford to be as choosy as one wishes... Or as dilatory. Erevuth prefers to take his time as well." This final statement drew his gaze across the field to his own dragon, a small frown on his lips.
He didn't mean it. He knew of Erevuth's ways, his opinion and treatment of the lives that moved around them. N'ron only had to look disapproving when some of that nastiness made it's way into the open. One could say that Erevuth was just playing with his food, there were plenty of predators that could do that. But his rider knew that it was not merely his prey that the blue enjoyed playing with.
Erevuth lifted his head from his kill, licking at his snout to clear anything away before he looked back to the others. To the little dragonet that addressed him. He gave a soft snort through his nostrils, allowing the praise to sink in. For a moment he considered the other blue.
Thank you, youngling. Will you not come and take your turn?
"I am N'ron, by the way," Said the older man, turning slightly to Zara. He would not ask her how she knew he was a wingrider, well aware of his appearance and how he carefully placed his shoulder knot. "What may I call you?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:36 am
Zara was silent for a moment, letting N'ron's words sink in and turning them over in her mind. "Nowhere to go...like us," she mused. "Also like us, prone to disease and misfortune due to overcrowding." Her eyes flickered to his face, ready to gauge his reaction. Some got defensive at the slightest mention of overcrowding, so set in their opposition to O'asis' movement as they were. She had to be careful with her words, or she'd end up with enough menial make-work as sufficed to fill her free time. "It's sensible to choose carefully these days."
I will, if you permit. Fuxith drew himself up, not allowing himself to show the faintest hint of nervousness at hunting before an older dragon. This was a chance to show what he could do, and it would reflect poorly on him and His if he failed due to a fit of nerves. Leaping into the air was slightly awkward--he was still getting the hang of becoming airborne from a standstill--and his rapid descent towards one of the squalling wherries was not entirely due to preference. His landing was neat enough, flaring his wings wide as one of the healthier beasts broke his fall. With a quick, sharp jerk of his jaws, he ended the creature's terror with a broken neck.
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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:18 am
The older man's head lifted a little as Zara replied to him, dark brows arching with delicate surprise. Not usually what you heard after only a few words exchanged. Then again, he thought to himself, he did have that sort of way about him that made others wish to confide in him. His expression softened slightly, and he seemed to look at her with a new air, something a little more understanding. "My dear, I should not compare us all to wherries, but your sentiment is true nonetheless."
A soft sigh escaped him as he folded his arms across the topmost piece of the fence, leaning upon it near her. His eyes trained on hers as he spoke, a soft and flowing tenor. "Erevuth and I have not been here quite a sevenday yet, but I am well aware of your-- our Weyr's current condition. The news of Ista has reached far, and at Benden we were sympathetic to your plight. These days look dark indeed, as you well know already. I see no sense in denying that a solution needs to be reached quickly." He paused, as if considering. "What sort of choosing do you speak of?"
Erevuth observed his fellow blue at work. Nearly ready to fly, he noticed, and more than ready to train in ground drills. He was not the least bit nostalgic, not like that rider of his. Fuxith was quick to deal a blow, and the older dragon looked on with silent calculation.That was properly done, Fuxith.
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:04 am
Zara wasn't the most outgoing rider in the Weyr, but neither was she a hermit. She simply...watched, and intervened if she needed to. She'd been doing it more often lately, with the overcrowding growing ever more severe. Speaking to others, finding their views...it was needed now. "It's harsh, but sadly true in many ways," she admitted. "While we have the wits to change our circumstance, we still lack the power unless we make sure to be heard." Glancing over, she continued, "The beasts are sometimes diseased or full of parasites, these days. It's a wonder the dragons are faring as well as they are. And the people..."
She shrugged. "I'm sure you've bitten into a burnt roll or two by now."
I try hard. Chest puffing with pride at Erevuth's approval, Fuxith began eating quickly, although his neatness seemed at odds with his hunger. However, he'd sooner fall over of starvation before he allowed himself to become splattered in blood and gore like some...some wher. Muzzle delicately jerking loose thin strips of meat, he chewed each bite thoroughly before going in for another. It is important not to look dirty or barbaric. People would think less of Mine if I was, and would say that she did not teach me properly.
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