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Unlike some of his yearmates, N'mol was hardly winded when the first of their Senior Weyrling lessons was completed. It was hard to believe that only a few months ago their dragonets had been less than waist height. Now, Tyeth looked down on him, as he would for the rest of their lives. Only a few months old and already a giant. That boded well for them as a pair.

Certainly my size will give us an advantage, Tyeth agreed. However, N'mol, we should be paying more attention to Suunath or Kheth. Perhaps Suunath. N'mol was aware that after the Halloween debacle, Tyeth made it a point to keep well in contact with Suunath. He made strides with Kheth as well, of course, but he seemed to be more focused on Suunath for now. N'mol knew better than to be concerned about that, though; Tyeth was a Bronze who knew to keep his options open. We will be heading back to our rooms, after all. It would only be polite to offer to walk with them first.

You're right, of course, N'mol agreed. I'm sure Kindra wouldn't mind the company.

He patted Tyeth on the shoulder and then easily walked over to Kindra with Tyeth following just behind him, looking the stereotypical picture of a Bronze who knew how to conduct himself with appropriate measures of good manners and pride.

"Kindra," N'mol said when he was close enough, a smile lighting his features. He had grown another inch in the last few months and was well taller than Kindra by now, so he had to look down slightly to meet her eyes. She was quite pretty, even N'mol had to admit that. "Would it be all right if I walked you back to your room?"

It was no secret that W'lin wanted his new Goldriders to be watched at all times. Who better than a Bronzerider to accompany her? Aside from that, N'mol had had plenty of time to observe his yearmates and interact with them. Most people tended to avoid Kindra if they could.

That was fine for the Blue- and Greenriders, since they would have to have rare contact with her aside from commands. The Bronze- and Brownriders, though, would be dealing with her more closely. In the case of the Bronzeriders, perhaps intimately, if their younger, stronger dragons could beat out W'lin's dragon's experience for Suunath or Kheth's first flights. It made good sense to build a good relationship with her now, so she would know she could depend on him later. After all, Bronzeriders rubbed elbows with Goldriders more often than not. They would all be leading the weyr together someday.

You did well in lessons today, Suunath, Tyeth complimented, eyes a whirl of greens and his temperament overall friendly, though still unfailingly noble. Do you mind that mine is asking to escort you back to your rooms?

It wouldn't be the first time-- they had done it once or twice before, when W'lin's assigned riders hadn't shown up on time, or when the twin Golds had wanted to escort one another (or refused to have an escort, balking at the yolk of authority)-- but it was always good manners to ask.

N'mol let Kindra start them back toward the entrance to the weyrs, after catching their instructor's eye and giving him a short wave. It was still a good idea to make sure the adults knew where they had gone; better than having Tyeth tell him one of the adult Bronzes was demanding to know where the Goldrider was and sending everyone into a panicked frenzy.

"Tyeth was just commenting to Suunath that he admired your grace in lessons today," N'mol commented. "You're picking up the movements very quickly. I won't be surprised if you end up taking over the Queenrider's Wing when Suunath is fully grown." The size issues was not one he discussed with her. She didn't invite it, and N'mol never had any desire to make someone uncomfortable unless it was absolutely necessary. Thankfully, he had heard about that being an issue with other riders and Kindra, and had been able to avoid that pitfall himself. He preferred when conversations went smoothly, anyway. He'd much rather show that he was capable, confident and congenial, than show himself as being crass, confused or clumsy.

"I'm sorry you've found our instructor less than... friendly."

They are as set in their mindsets as their riders, Tyeth offered as a polite response to her trailing thought. I am sure that while the others may not have meant to offend you, they are unfamiliar with how strong you are. It is good that you are keeping an eye on our Clutchmates' progress; I, too, follow them closely during lessons. It is good to know the strengths and weaknesses of those around you, especially when one is going to command, like you will. He gave a slight, deferential inclination of his head as he and Suunath followed their riders across the Bowl.

Tyeth preened slightly at the compliment, arching his neck very slightly. Always good to show his best side, after all. Especially around an appreciative female. It is an honor to hear you say so. Mine and I bring our best to every lesson; I think we are ready, now, to move to the next task. Every lesson brings us all closer to being prepared for Flight. And he would shine as brightly while flying as he did on the ground-- and then some. A thought occurred to him suddenly. Orthoth and Stromath would be receiving the same critical gaze from Suunath as he was. It was unlikely that he would ever be found to be slower in learning than they, but it didn't hurt to give himself a little boost above them now. I do hope Orthoth and Stromath master this task the next time we try it. I would like to know my Bronze brothers are ready to take on the next task, so we may move on soon.

N'mol felt the brief surge of smugness roll down the mental line to him as Suunath complimented Tyeth. A smile crossed his face, but he resisted the urge to glance back.

"And the best is what we'll give him. Do you have lessons with W'lin this afternoon, or will you be able to relax a little?" Despite Tyeth's distraction, N'mol hadn't missed Kindra's yawn. He knew she worked from dawn to dusk most days, either as a rider or as a future Weyrwoman, but despite her outward appearance of being unmoving and rigid, even Kindra needed rest sometime. N'mol might have to request to W'lin that he be allowed to take Kindra to do something one of these afternoon, for her own good. If Kindra got too stress-tensed... well, it was best to keep her in a good mood, and N'mol was all too willing to help.

The soft rebuttal forced Tyeth into reconsidering his angle of attack. His neck lost some of its curvature as he focused solely on the conversation at hand and amended his previous statement. When we are finished growing, we will be some of the most agile and strong fliers, Tyeth replied. But as you say, it would not do to overdo things too early and risk injury. Hopefully, the Weyrlingmaster will see soon that we are ready to try. We will simply have to practice further until then, so that we will be prepared for the day that flight is finally permitted to us.

N'mol adjusted his arm slightly for a better fit as Kindra slipped her arm into his. The bump Tyeth had suffered didn't even echo back to his rider; Tyeth was capable of handling that little misstep on his own. Kindra's reply, of course, was of more interest to him at that moment. Oiling was something he didn't even have to bother W'lin about, because it meant sticking close to the weyrs as it was, and keeping both of them to their tasks.

"Tyeth could use a coat of oil himself," N'mol replied. "If you wouldn't mind company, I could pick up my jar from my weyr and we could oil them together? Conversation tends to make tasks seem shorter, and if you're available after that..." N'mol smiled at her. "We could have an early supper sent up from the kitchens, if Suunath doesn't mind you abstaining from one meal in the mess hall." Isley and Kheth might want them there, or the Gold might prefer her rider be seen as often as possible by the weyrfolk who would someday be hers. N'mol made a counter offer, to offset that possibility. "If not, we could always take supper together in the mess hall. I wasn't needed for any additional work tonight, either."

Tyeth didn't object to this plan at all. His hide gleamed all the more brightly for a recent oiling; his appearance always benefited from such attentions from N'mol.

Unaware of the path Kindra's-- and Suunath's-- thoughts had taken, N'mol allowed Kindra to precede him into the weyr as they made their way down the halls to the Goldrider's weyr. All Weyrling weyrs were on the ground floor, at least, so that the young, flightless dragons could make it there with ease.

"I appreciate the loan." He stepped aside so that a rider could pass them, then moved up beside Kindra again.

With their riders safely inside, Tyeth curved off of his initial path and headed along the edge of the weyr wall, knowing Suunath would stop him when they reached her weyr. Hopefully, there would be enough room for both of them inside. If not, he would take his oiling outside. No harm done there.