{PRP} The appeal of greens {T'ves & Inolyn + dergs}

[magnadearel]

Earisa

Let me know who your rider/dragon is and I can add them into the title. <3

It didn't feel like eight months had already passed, despite the growing evidence before his eyes. The dark green walking at his side was already over twenty feet long and almost seven foot at her shoulders. T'ves glanced at the green from the corner of his eye. This lesson should prove interesting! Azelth's voice rang in his mind. The teen winced to himself.

"I suppose you would appreciate it." They were getting a lesson of some kind from a greenrider. T'ves stuck his hands in his pockets and sulked slightly. Azelth leaned her head down and bumped his shoulder. Don't be like that. She could have interesting stuff to tell us. Besides greens are gods.

T'ves raised his eyebrow as he stumbled forward a step. "You say so." We can at least listen to what they have to say. That's what the weyrlingmaster wants anyhow.

 

[Earisa]

The request had not been too unusual. In times past, Inolyn had served a couple of Turns as a Weyrlingmaster assistant and always put her hand up to be a wing mentor for those newly graduated. While things had changed, there had been little need until recently to take up the roll again. At first she had thought R'ulfr wanted her to take one of Starleth's clutch under her wing, they were graduating and would be getting their wing placements soon. It wasn't until after she had accepted that she was told it was one of gold Julith's.

Oh.

There was no need to panic, Azelth had so far showed no symptoms or signs of the plague unlike half the clutch. While many were ill lessons still needed to be held, and T'ves had been singled out as being one who might appreciate extra field trips outside the Weyr in preparation for Betweening. Simple enough.

Jenth landed with a heavy thud outside the Barracks to collect their charge, wearing full flying straps with a small bundle tied against her neck ridge. It's good you are excited, Azelth. It should be a fun day! "T'VES?! 20 minutes to gear and strap up before we're heading out!" Inolyn was loud but not aggressive. Her golden firelizard sat quiet and vigilant on her shoulder, as if judging the weyrling pair.


 

[magnadearel]

Earisa

Azelth squealed in delight as the older green appeared suddenly in front of them. There you are Jenth! and in riding straps too! The whirling of her eyes increased as Inolyn barked out orders to her rider. Gear? Yes! We're going flying T'ves! Let's go! We can do it in 10! The green practically picked up her rider by the scruff of his shirt.

The teen jerked back as the adult green landed in front of them and a loud voice called out. They were what? Not that he was really given much choice by his dragon as she practically picked him up and got them to their riding gear. Despite her enthusiasm, he just couldn't see the thrill of going out flying. Where everyone could see him. Astride a green.

With a sigh, he grabbed the straps and wrapped them around the wiggling green. Why? Why was she born a green? Because I am the best T'vesmine. Her eyes whirled yellow until he nodded and tightened them. T'ves grabbed his riding jacket and the pair headed back out to meet up with their mentor.

 

[Earisa]

The older pair waited but didn't interfere, they should know how to buckle straps by now and shouldn't need any inspection outside condition checks. Do you see it, mine? Jenth was right to notice, any Rider would think it odd that a weyrling would drag their feet to go out flying when not being disaplined. Something was a little odd here, and maybe by days end she would figure it out.

"We're flying west down to Fort Sea Hold. It may take a few hours depending on winds and if Azelth handles it well, where we will break before coming back. It's mostly a glide down, but I need you to communicate if there is any discomfort or need to land. Any questions?"

He does not seem excited, is he unwell? Jenth asked the younger green.  

[magnadearel]

Earisa

T'ves listens, picturing in his mind the hold they were flying to. That is a good picture. I bet it would pass. Perhaps, but since we're flying down there, we'll be able to compare for ourselves. He looked at Inolyn, "how high will we be flying?"

Azelth hummed reassuringly at Jenth. No, he's fine. My T'ves would just rather not be where others can see him. She raised her leg to give her rider a boost to her back. T'ves climbs up awkwardly and straps himself in. He nods when he is ready.


 

[Earisa]

"As high as we want to, but since the objective of our flight is to get you used to visualising landmarks we'll need to come down. Fort Hold is on the way, so it would be good to circle it so you get a good idea of it's layout from different angles." If there were no other concerns they were good to go. Sliding her helmet down Inoyln gave a slap on Jenth's neck to move further into the bowl to take off.

I don't know why he doesn't want to be seen, this is a treat the others don't get The larger green took a short running take off, making use of her muscular front legs for a more comfortable take off. Jenth was not a graceful dainty green, Azelth could take a standing leap if she wished. Rising over the lip of the bowl Jenth set a steady pace down the mountain, it wouldn't do to get tired right at the beginning when they still needed to come back at the end. Taking T'ves' question into consideration they kept a high altitude, only descending an hour later when they approached Fort Hold.

If we were to return to the Weyr, what is the image you would use Jenth asked as Inolyn gave the signal to circle the Hold.  

[magnadearel]

Earisa

T'ves was surprised when she practically gave him the choice on how high to fly. He had expected her to tell them a certain height. What do you think? I think this will be fun no matter how high we are! "Yes ma'am." Let's go high enough we can use the winds to aid your flying, but not high enough that'll it tire you out unnecessarily. He pulled on his helmet.

Azelth padded after the larger green, letting her take off then launching her up to follow. Perhaps other weyrlings would consider this a treat, but mine doesn't see it that way. So then is it really a treat? She spread her wings to glide and reveled in the freedom of the skies with her rider. Despite not doing much flapping, gliding still took a lot of effort and she knew she'd be ready for that break.

Circle around again please. Azelth promptly turned as he leaned over so they could get a good view. Mine, Jenth asks what image we would use to return to the weyr. T'ves promptly called up the image and had Azelth relay it to the green.

 

[Earisa]

Jenth took the image, giving one back from Inolyn. Their visual was good, but too low. If most experienced riders would be cutting it close at that that height, there was no way the Weyrlingmaster would accept it as safe for any of his charges. Inolyn was lax but she was not going to encourage reckless behavior. Jenth hovered as the young pair did another circle. They fly well, Azelth was in good form for her age, Inolyn thought and Jenth rumbled in agreement.

If you don't need to rest you will be setting the pace west towards the sea. We will signal if you are off course or where we plan to land. It was a test for the pair to see if they understood their limits. They had not been flying together for that long but strength and endurance was not gained without work, but being over cautious and too reserved would not help them either.  

[magnadearel]

Earisa

Did you get a good enough look? The green asked her rider. She would do another circle if he needed it. Yes I think so. He was sure they would test them on this at some point. Good. Jenth says if we don't need to rest, we can set the pace toward the sea. She looked back over her shoulder at him.

How are you feeling? Do you want to stop for a short rest? I would like a short rest, she said meekly. T'ves nodded. Ok. Jenth we would like to rest for 15 minutes. Azelth fluttered down to the hold to land on the highest spot possible; sending her rider a wave of love when he sighed.

The green peered curiously down at the hold as the people of the hold tried to peer curiously up at her. After the requested 15 minutes, Azelth took off once more. She waited for Jenth then set off. How high should we go? Whatever height that suits you. She nodded and went to a comfortable cruising altitude. It felt so right to her, if only her rider could see it too with an open heart and mind.

 

[Earisa]

Jenth gave the all clear for them to land, but instead of joining them on the ridges glide further down to the watch tower to check in. No nothing was wrong, just a short rest for the weyrling they were escorting. No they didn't need anything, no trouble to report? She would pass the message on. Inolyn spent the whole time chatting until her dragon said it was time to go, vaulting onto Jenth's back and rising to fall in line with Azelth.

The older pair couldn't find any real fault with their flying, Azelth wasn't over exerting herself. It was good that she was a calm green, as Jenth was sure the younger dragon was flying without instruction. It was troubling, but sometimes the dragon knew best.

As the shoreline approached, Jenth picked up speed to pull ahead. Follow me! Instead of approaching the Hold they wheeled towards the south and its empty beaches. The salty sea breeze was still chilled despite the sun high in the sky, but it would make a nice spot to take lunch. Inolyn even unbuckled the straps to let Jenth play in the sand and surf while she handed out the rolls stuffs with cold meat and skin full of red fruit juice.

"Pleasant day for a flight, handling it alright? Butt didn't fall asleep?" It did happen on the longer flights.  

[magnadearel]

Earisa

Being in front had a feeling of exhilaration for the green, which she shared with her rider. Isn't this the best?! It doesn't feel bad. T'ves had to admit as Azelth excitement was slightly infectious. If this was how it could be every flight with them in the lead and not trailing after the larger colors like lost chicks...... We never were lost chicks mine. It can always feel like this. The position we fly in the wing doesn't matter. Her words were soft lest she ruin the moment.

Instead of the usual retort a comment like that prompted, T'ves sat thoughtfully. He didn't want to be just some rider. He wanted to be the best. Second to none. How could he accomplish that? His thoughts were rudely interrupted when the older green pulled ahead of them. He carefully kept his thoughts from his expression. It really is to be expected, Azelth soothed. We will be the best. Together.

The pair, slightly baffled by the sudden change in direction, followed Jenth's lead toward the empty beaches south of the actual hold. Azelth landed daintily in the sand next to the larger dragon. T'ves, seeing Inolyn unbuckling her straps, slid down and also too the straps off his green. Go relax. You flew well. Azelth hummed with pleasure and dove into the water too.

He eyed the provender she pulled out of her pack; he hadn't expected a picnic of sorts. T'ves nodded to her first question. "No, I think the rest at the hold helped." Maybe he was a little numb, but he wasn't going to mention it. It would have time to work itself off before they had to leave again. It was the flight back up, that he was more worried about.

 

[Earisa]

"Good, because it'll be harder on the way up. If the winds are with us we'll try going straight back to the Weyr with no stopping, I've been easy on you so far and if they think I'm too soft I might not get to mentor any more." Inolyn gave the young man a firm slap on the shoulder before clearing a spot on the ground to sit down to watch the dragons.

Jenth was hardly graceful, carrying herself as if she were a larger dragon digging a deep wallow in the sands to dry off later before pushing through the surf with large splashes. Sand would be a problem later, but she knew from experience how to not get too covered that stuborn grains would scratch under her straps later. You did well, Azelth, was yours paying attention? If the rider was being lazy, it could be dangerous in the future. Jenth did not want to see anyone get hurt.

Inolyn let the boy eat for a bit in silence, let him recover and set his thoughts straight. Once he had finished his roll she stood and dusted herself off. "So, got anything to get off your chest? It was pretty clear when we started you would rather have avoided this, why? This isn't a punishment."  

[magnadearel]

Earisa

As he expected. T'ves looked towards the dragons playing in the surf. Clever. Despite taking it easy on the way down and even letting them rest, she'd let her dragon go play in the water. Thereby inviting the younger green to go play with her. So even if they hadn't used up a lot of stamina on the trip down, she was still wearing herself out. Azelth, come back in and rest. I doubt we'll have an easy time on the way back. The green didn't nearly have as much stamina as the older dragon.

While she followed his reasoning, Azelth was a bit sad to leave the water. Alright, if you think it's best. It was awkward when she gave him a slap on the shoulder. T'ves tried not to show it. He didn't favor contact with people much anymore, particularly with riders. The green waddled out of the fun surf and shook herself off. She headed back up towards the riders and curled up not far from them. Thank you Jenth. Yes he was. It was a very easy ride though. He asked if I needed a rest.

Sitting in the sun, he let his mind wander a bit while they ate. Sitting here in silence, practically alone except for one other rider wasn't so bad. T'ves didn't feel like he was constantly being judge for the color of his dragon. If only they could stay out here. If only they didn't have to go back. But they did. Azelth wasn't anywhere near full grown yet.

He was startled when she stood up and popped a question on him. All his inner turmoil came flooding back. Why did she have to ruin it? What was he to say? Could she understand? Would she? Did she like riding a green? Had she had hopes and dreams of riding another color? His fist clenched before a soothing voice flooded his mind. If you don't tell her, how is she to understand? Blue eyes whirled with love and understanding.

T'ves wanted to say no. It was pretty unlikely she'd let the subject drop now. "I don't want to be around others." His voice was tight and the look in his eyes hard. That's not exactly very expansive. He took a deep breath. "I don't want others to see me." Not other riders, not the holders of the holds they'd flown over.

 

[Earisa]

Inolyn was very puzzled as to why he would think like that. "Don't want others to see you? Do you not get along with the others, that they will pick on you for being given special treatment?" That was what this was after all. Normally a class stayed together or would work in small groups, one-on-one wasn't common though it wasn't too much of a stretch to believe it was because one needed extra lessons.

"R'ulfr said you were doing very well, and had even chewed firestone. Now that isn't my place to comment, we have more then enough breeding greens and I'm not Weyrleader to say it was the wrong choice. Proper greens are fighting greens, but I am from an older time when things were different." If no more greens chewed then how long until they were outnumbered? True there was no Thread to fight yet, but unless some of them practiced now it would be harder to work them back into Wings and be effective when the time came.

"He told me you were one of the best in your class, but something was holding you back. A green should be able to fly circles around the others, so why are you not working with Azelth?"  

[magnadearel]

Earisa

He rose to stand up, his whole body tense. No, she didn't understand. How could she? T'ves shook his head mutely. Every time he saw someone looking at him, all he could see was them judging him based on the color of his dragon, whether they were or not. When he'd wanted to fly so high, but then fall so hard. Or was he the only one judging? All his dreams had shattered in a single instant and he was left holding the broken shards in his bleeding hands.

Azelth held her head low and whined, yellow thickly threading her eyes. He hurts Jenth, and I do not know how to fix it. I cannot change my color.

T'ves shook his head sharply once. He was glad that she didn't harp that he shouldn't have let his dragon chew firestone. "Is it truly different?" Did people really view greens differently now than say 15 or 20 Turns ago? He half turned toward the young green. She who was his other half. The one who lived just for him. He wanted to reach out to her, but something held him back.

Why?

Why had she hatched as a green? I am what I am and nothing else. The pain in her voice brought tears to his eyes and a sob to his throat. I know. Slowly T'ves walked to his dragon and laid a hand on her head. They were the most mismatched pair ever. To work with Azelth he had to stop holding back.