Champions of the Sky [Champions of Legend Weyrling Lesson]

[Zen]

K'ton, M'kal :: Bronze Draveth

K'ton stood once again at the height of the plateau as the Champions of Legend weyrling class gathered at Sorth's call. He'd had the bronze instruct them all to to arrive in full riding gear; they'd be flying with their dragons for the first time today. All but two. His gaze grazed over M'kal, in his riding gear like everyone else, as if he thought he would be flying today. He was sorely mistaken. Him and his partner in crime, that insolent little bluerider. But for now he ignored them both, focusing on the class as a whole, “Today you will be permitted to fly with your dragons for the first time. You will take turns, as your lifemates did when they had their first unmanned flights, fly out over the lake, and circle back to land. After today you will be free to fly with them as you please, but be aware that it will still take them some getting used to, carrying you around, so take it easy for a few days while they adjust and do not try anything stupid.”

He pulled a rolled up hide out and unrolled it, “Before you have your first flights, the Weyrwoman has made your weyr assignments. After you take your flights, you are to pack up any belongings you have from the barracks and move into your respective weyrs. You will have the rest of the day free to settle into your new quarters and continue to fly with your dragons. Tomorrow you will be introduced to your first aerial drills, and from here on out you will be flying messages and errands about the Weyr as part of your chores. Now then,” he looked down at the hide, listing the weyrlings and the weyrs they had been assigned to, reading them off. He rolled the hide up after he'd finished and didn't miss the confused look M'kal tossed at T'vir when neither of their names had been called. Did he really think their punishment was over?

“M'kal! T'vir! You won't be joining your classmates, in the air, or in weyrs of your own. After that little stunt you pulled last month, I'm not sure I can trust you in the air just yet,” he flicked his fingers dismissively at them, “What you can do is run your laps around the lake.”

“What!? Just when do you plan to let us fly then?” M'kal demanded, not to be dismissed so easily, “We'll fall behind!”

“Whenever I please,” K'ton responded cryptically, knowing very well it would incense the young man further, “Did I not warn you, boy? I can make your weyrlinghood very long indeed.” The threat hung, as it had a month ago when he'd first issued it, and M'kal glared at him, but he did offer the two of them a ray of hope, “Next month, your class will have your midpoint exams. If the both of you can manage to keep yourselves from doing anything too idiotic in the mean time, and pass your exams acceptably, perhaps you'll be allowed to fly.” M'kal's face fell at that. Next month? His hands clenched into fists at the satisfied smirk that pulled at the old man's lips, but the weyrlingmaster didn't give the two anymore of his time, “Now, I believe I already gave you both an order.” He returned his attention to the rest of the class, “L'sin, mount your brown and start us out.”

M'kal turned to make his way down from the plateau, seething, but with little other recourse if he didn't want to make things worse for himself. We aren't flying? Draveth's voice broke into his mind and he shook his head as the bronze followed after him, No. Not until NEXT MONTH. This is a load of wherryshit. We're going to fall behind the rest of the class!

Then let's fly anyway.

M'kal ran a hand over his face, the temptation to do just that was strong, but no. No. We can't risk getting in more trouble right now, not if we ever want to graduate and escape that Threadspore of a weyrlingmaster. We'll just have to work extra to catch up.

That shouldn't be hard. I can easily surpass anything my clutchmates can do.

M'kal was in no mood for his dragon's arrogance.

OOC: Whoever wants to go next can feel free to have L'sin and his brown return and have K'ton tell your character to go~
Esko deebear Taxx Hiko (You can toss Mollin in, or K'ton might have just told her her weyr assignment and let her go for the day ;P)

[Taxx]

T'vir and Brauth had shown up as asked, eyes on K'ton as the Weyrlingmaster began the lesson, explaining the way it would be done and then moving on to announce that they'd finally be getting their own weyrs. T'vir perked up, thrilled at the thought of being allowed out of the barracks, even if they'd have to go through several more months of training before they'd be anywhere close to graduating. It couldn't come soon enough.

But when K'ton got through the list without mentioning his or M'kal's name, the bluerider realized that their punishment was still ongoing. A flash of irritation swept through him, fists clenching as a result. What a complete tailfork. There wasn't really anything to say that M'kal didn't already, and he only fired a glance at the older bronzerider as he followed his classmate and the bronze toward the lake with Brauth trotting behind, disappointment radiating from the blue. T'vir reached out to pat him, reminding him of their earlier flight- minus the abrupt ending- and assured him that they'd be able to fly again soon.

At the base of the walkway, T'vir caught sight of Isali hurrying forward, arms clutched around her dragon's straps, but with no dragon in sight. "Missing someone?" he called to her, and she instantly flushed, her eyes narrowing as she glared at him silently.

Pushing past, Isali made her way up to the plateau, steeling herself for the possibility of K'ton's disapproval of her late arrival- and the lack of her green. She'd done her best, really, but Zyrath had been especially disagreeable today, and no amount of ordering or begging had budged her from her couch, while the growls had gotten louder as the attempts had continued. Eventually she'd given up- maybe Sorth could order her brat of a dragon to move, but Isali had failed this time.

She wished Zyrath weren't so strong-willed- she was really looking forward to flying, but she would get the one dragon on Pern who hated all humans and her rider especially so. If it were in any way possible for dragons to survive without the bond, she knew Zyrath would take it in a heartbeat. Sighing as she trudged the last few feet to the class, Isali dropped her straps at her feet, her gaze flicking to L'sin and his brown as they took off together for their very first time.

[Zen]

K'ton :: Bronze Sorth

The commotion of Isali's rushed arrival was not missed by K'ton, but with L'sin and his brown taking flight he ignored her initially. He didn't expect any issues from the brownpair, they fell into the stereotypes of brown and rider quite well, and he was not disappointed. Sorth snorted behind him, displeased at the lack of anything interesting happening as the brown came in to land. “Good, you're dismissed to find your weyr.” He waited until the brownpair had taken to the air again and were far enough away to turn back to the class, his gaze narrowing at Isali.

“I'm so glad you could join us, Isali.... Were you planning on taking flight yourself today?” he eyed the gear she had brought along with her, all of which was rather useless without a dragon to put it on. Sorth rumbled amusement at the idea of a human attempting flight, and at the knowledge that Isali was only here on her own because her green was being particularly difficult for her. Zyrath remains in the barracks. Shall I call her?

Wait. K'ton did not agree with the suggestion right away, his mouth set in an unamused line on his face. “Isali!” he snapped, “If you cannot control your dragon the both of you will end up being a danger to everyone around you come Threadfall. Sorth and I will not always be there to make up for your inadequacy and order her obedience for you. If you ever plan on graduating with your class and joining the fighting Wings I expect to see wild improvement in your ability to get your green to cooperate. You have until the last of your classmates takes their flight to convince your dragon to join us. If she does not, you won't be flying today or moving into your new weyr. Sorth and I are not going to be your easy way out.”

Zyrath either chose Isali because she knew she would be easy to push around, which didn't seem entirely likely to K'ton after seeing them interact previously, or because Isali could actually match the green's intense stubbornness and was just giving up too easily in this instance, which seemed the more likely option. Part of weyrlinghood was learning to work with your dragon. If Isali could not figure that out, she would be a weyrling for quite some time. If she could at least get her dragon here, he might just have mercy on her and allow Sorth to help if the green caused more problems, but so far it didn't seem like the girl understood just how serious her poor relationship with her dragon actually was in the grand scheme of things and he wasn't going to continue to coddle her over the issue. He turned away from the young woman, “Ez'rel! You're up.”

Taxx

[Taxx]

Isali had fully expected K'ton's displeasure at her tardy arrival and the complete absence of her green at a lesson where she could not continue without Zyrath. It wasn't like she hadn't tried to exert her will on her dragon, but Zyrath was not a weak-willed sort and even on her worst days she was an even match for Isali. Chance had put the two together; luck had prevented the green from choosing someone who wasn't as strong as Isali- and even Isali lost as many fights as she won.

Arms crossing, the weyrling stared at K'ton, keeping her words silent in her mind but making no secret of her annoyance at his denouncement of her. Her scowl deepened as he insinuated her failure as inadequacy, her hands tightening to fists. She had hoped he or Sorth might wrangle the green into obeying, but he refused to help her and told her that it was her responsibility. Sucking in a breath, she let it out in a huff as the Weyrlingmaster turned away again and told another pair to take their flight. Great.

Zy-

No.

Frustration built further and the young woman spent the next minute fighting to bend the green to her will. If that was how she wanted it, instead of agreeably doing as asked, then this was how she could have it. Not that she gave easily- Isali rarely pushed this hard; Zyrath either decided to do what she was told or Isali gave up when Zyrath refused. Neither was willing to give this time, however, and the young woman had her first biggest test: making her dragon listen.

She pushed, more and more as Zyrath tried to fight her off, eyes squeezed shut and hands clenched tight, pressed to her sides as physical signs of the internal struggle. And she won. But she had to keep that force on the green; when she started to ease off, believing Zyrath to have got the message, the dragon took her chance and tried to push back, requiring Isali to claw for control once more. A minute later, the green was finally there, her eyes whirling rapid red as she stoutly refused to look at her rider, a growl unceasing as she crouched, wings half spread and body tensed as if she were about to hurl herself into flight at any minute.

Only when Isali approached with the straps did Zyrath look at her, the growl rising in volume and the curl of her lip showing sharp fangs. Stop that, Isali ordered, thrilled when the green listened, but she still felt Zyrath coiled to fight at the slightest inch of give on Isali’s part. It almost felt wrong to have to have to exert such control over her dragon, and it hurt to feel the green’s hate, knowing it was directed at her. But this was their life and if this was how she had to get anything done…

Quickly, the weyrling slid the straps into place, checking their soundness, tightening the ones around Zyrath’s chest a bit and then taking just a moment to ensure she’d done it correctly. Then she mounted, turned to see K’ton’s eyes on her, momentarily unsure if she had his approval- ha, she’d think to herself later.

He gave her a nod and she gave Zyrath the command to walk to the edge of the plateau, to spread her wings, to fly. Then they were airborne, wind streaming through her hair, managing to feel a thrill even as she kept her tight hold on Zyrath. The green was quiet, stony silent throughout the flight, making a wide circle around the lake as told before heading back to solid ground once more and landing- a bit harder than necessary, perhaps, but Isali wasn’t going to poke at it. She was just happy she’d managed to actually have the experience. Not exactly how she’d wanted it, but close enough.

She had just set her feet on the ground when Zyrath heavily body-checked her, knocking her off balance and onto her hands and knees; her control slipped, as she knew Zyrath had planned for; the green, straps still secure around her body, was gone in the next second. Picking herself up, rubbing her hands against each other, Isali flashed a glance at K’ton, daring- and expecting- him to have something to say about the flight, and how it had ended.

[deebear]

She was a wreck. She was a complete wreck, even though Sonath was vibrating with excitement as she hobble-walked beside her rider. She knew Sonath was ready to fly, but Mari constantly worried that her body wasn't as strong as her beautiful green thought it was. <Fly!>, Sonath whispered excitedly at her rider, and despite her worry, she couldn't help but laugh. 'Yes, love. Fly.'

They arrived with a few others, and as usual, stood off to the side but close enough that she had no trouble seeing or hearing, K'ton. She had figured that being in full riding gear, her and Sonath, had meant they would be flying together for the first time. So why was she so worried. He wouldn't have included them if he thought they weren't ready.. right? Sonath was overjoyed and practically radiated that joy in all directions so that Mari was almost overwhelmed by it. How could she be so worried when her dragon was so excited, so ready to prove herself to her rider and to everyone else that she WAS a good dragon.

When K'ton paused she turned to look at Sonath, who stood to look as proud as she could. She was going to show them all that she and her rider were made of! She dipped her head down to look at Marilsa with one rapidly spinning blue and purple eye. <Mar, fly, me!>, she said slowly, as she always did, but full of quiet energy. Mari reached up and scratched her eyelid gently so that the tiny green crooned softly. 'That's right, love. Think you can do it?' She always asked, just to make sure her dragon was feeling up to any task. They had been practicing and working on building her strength and stamina, though most people thought it was futile, Mari could tell she was getting stronger. She just hoped she was strong enough to carry her, granted she herself was fairly small, she was still extra weight. Can!, Sonath whispered back, as fast as she was able. She was so full of such rare confidence that Mari smiled brightly and hugged the green's nose, then kissed it lightly.

'Alright. Let's hear what else K'ton has to tell us.' Sonath did just that, lifting and angling her head to look at K'ton, rather than at her rider. She had little trouble understanding most things, and she always asked if she didn't. Mari was glad to know they were to be moved from the barracks to an actual weyr, even if it was with a roommate. Neither she nor Sonath took up very much room, so they shouldn't be in the way. She was worried about who they would be paired up with and hoped there wouldn't be any conflicts over Sonath. She understood most of the dragons didn't like her much and everyone expected her to STILL fall over and die any day. Well... If there were issues they would deal with it, one way or the other.

Once they were, almost, all given their weyr assignments, Mari turned from the group and started looking over Sonath's gear again. She would never forgive herself if Sonath was hurt because her gear wasn't on right. She made small adjustments here and there, having Sonath open and close her wings a couple of times, then adjusted again until she was happy and Sonath was comfortable. 'Okay. I think that is good. You good?' <Good>, Sonath answered, happy that her rider was happy and cared so much. She had the best rider and tried to tell her so, but only said, <Best>, and sent all the love and adoration she could at her rider. Mari understood her dragon well enough and said, 'Love you too, Sonath.' Their exchange only lasted a few minutes, but it was enough that she mostly missed out on the exchange between K'ton, M'kal, and T'vir. She had caught the tail end of it and might have flinched just a little.

Now for the flying.

L'sin was told to go first, Mari was not sad that they didn't have to go first. She wished she had a moment to talk to K'ton first, as she was still so worried that she would be too much for her dragon to carry for so far. She would have to do it someday, right? They were to fight thread. She kept her nervous worry from Sonath, refusing to break her dragons spirits and good mood. She watched as L'sin and his brown made a good flight over the lake and landed with no issues. Well, that hadn't looked too difficult, just like when their dragons had flown it alone. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at Isali when the weyrlingmaster spoke. She felt bad for the girl, having such a strong-willed dragon had to be difficult. Having such harsh words flung at her probably didn't help the girl's mood and it left Mari feeling very grateful that she and Sonath got on as well as they did.

Ez'rel was called to fly next and so she reluctantly took her eyes from Isali and watched the pair go up and around the lake. It looked easy enough to her, and Sonath agreed with a quiet warble above her. On the ground, Isali had managed to get her dragon under some kind of control and got her to come out for the lesson. Straps finally on her own green, the pair flying well, leaving Mari to hope the disagreement between dragon and rider was over. Once on the ground, however... Mari flinched at Zyrath knocked her rider to the ground and took off without her. Were dragons supposed to do that? She thought for certain that dragons never hurt humans, especially their riders. <Bad. No. Hurt.> 'That's right, love.' She looked around and since no one else seemed eager she decided there was no time like the present. 'Ready?'

Sonath whistled softly and crouched down so that Mari could climb on. She was more than ready! Once in place and adjusted, Mari made sure she wasn't hurting her dragon, then both rider and dragon looked to K'ton for the go-ahead.