The Darkness Before The Dawn [Betweening Lesson]

[Zen]

BT Month 17 - Mid Summer
The day is overcast, but warm and humid.

D'rew

D’rew was more nervous about this lesson than any other, though he tried his best not to let it show as the class gathered from Sabanth’s call. It would be his first time taking point in Betweening lessons. K’ton always handled them himself, though an assistant or two was always present to keep an eye on the others while he was taking each weyrling on their first trips. His stomach churned at the thought of losing any of them. Unlike K’ton, D’rew was certain he could never be so… unfeeling about it.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice to be heard, “Today we put all your visualization practice over the last month to use. You’ll all be taking your first trips Between on your dragons. Remember this is a serious lesson, your visualizations are highly important. There are no half measures when it comes to Betweening. You either do it right, or you don’t come back.” He hoped a bit of fear would help deter any sort of messing around. Distraction now could be disastrous.

“So here’s how this is going to work. Sabanth and I are going to take each of you Between individually,” He turned and gestured out to the little island in the bay, “The visualization of the little island I assigned you a couple nights ago in preparation is the one we’ll be using today. You will give your dragon your visualization, your dragon will share it with Sabanth and Sabanth will share it with me. If I find it satisfactory, I will give the signal to Between and we will both go together. From there, we will Between back. Once your turn is over, you will wait for the rest of the class to take their turns and then you will have the rest of the day free. You may not Between without supervision at this point. We will be focusing on Betweening heavily for the next month in preparation to return to our normal time.”

He drew in a deep breath as he turned and mounted his blue, looking over the class from Sabanth’s back, “Now, do I have any volunteers to go first?”

OOC: as usual, whoever posts first can take the first go, you may control D’rew as needed~

Weyrlings are 11 months old and at 65% Full Growth
Tellamuth is at 100% Full Growth
(A) ?? of Bronze Codrath - 49 feet (??)
S'goi of Bronze Ramacuth - 46 feet (Esko )
V'than of Brown Saruth – 44 feet (tovaana )
No'va of Brown Alduntulath - 42 feet (Zen)
(A) ?? of Brown Camachath - 39 feet (??)
E'san of Brown Norioth – 38 feet (Alyx )
T'ren of Brown Ralecheth – 36 feet (NPC)
Vitra of Blue Tucseth – 35 feet (Taxx )
R'tol of Blue Hadryth - 34 feet (NPC)
Maz'ru of Blue Quilath – 33 feet (Muze)
M'kin of Blue Silvagenith - 32 feet (NPC)
I'an of Blue Delphith – 31 feet (NPC)
(A) ?? of Blue Mucalonith – 31 feet (??)
Ny'x of Blue Nimocith - 30 feet (kevna )
Muze of Green Rylath – 29.5 feet (Muze)
C'rys of Green Vorscuth – 28 feet (Hiko )
Ts'lar of Green Serenth - 27 feet (Esko)
Krista of Green Ophiuth – 26.5 feet (NPC)
(A) ?? of Green Laspherith – 26.5 feet (??)
Siorreya of Green Amagetith – 25 feet (Kevna)
Javana of Green Volututh – 24 feet (NPC)
D'lon of Green Catarath – 23.5 feet (NPC)
K'zar of Green Lepsuth - 23 feet - (Taxx)
Joia of White Tellamuth - 20 feet (Alyx)

[Taxx]

Vitra | Blue Tucseth

The practices leading up to this had been intense. It was harder than expected to form and hold a picture of a place in her mind with near-constant distractions, but through guidance and encouragement Vitra had learned and improved. Now, resting on Tucseth's back with Sabanth and D'rew facing them, knowing that in a moment she would be going between on her own and that if she messed up then both she and Tucseth would be lost... she was nervous.

Tucseth, on the other hand, was excited, flush with enthusiasm at the thought, and when D'rew asked for the first volunteer he darted forward, butting past Codrath without so much as a pardon and flaring his wings. We're first! He'd missed the chance on his first flights, but he wasn't going to miss out this time. Picture! he snapped at Vitra, turning to blink at her, and the girl fought to calm herself enough to visualize the island, trying to focus on it hard enough to ignore the apprehension and fear that welled up- at such odds with the excitement that spilled over from Tucseth.

At least the blue was gentle enough to keep from pushing her too fast, giving her time to plant the image in her mind before sharing it with Sabanth and waiting for the older blue's approval. At his signal, Tucseth leaped skyward and the two briefly hovered before, with a single word, Vitra directed him to make the jump. The sheer cold was familiar, the utter darkness, but the rapid beats of her heart and the warmth of her blue beneath her hands were a comfort- the only source of life in this vast emptiness. Light returned, blinding after the pitch dark of between, and relief that she'd made it- that they'd done it- brushed away every bit of worry.

Vitra laughed, leaned forward for a moment to wrap her arms around Tucseth's neck and hugged him. We did it, she sighed, and felt the hum vibrate her blue's throat. Now we return. Ready?

Somehow, having done it once made the thought of doing it again easier. Straightening as she set the return point in her mind, Vitra glanced over at D'rew, waiting again for his signal, and tried not to be too annoyed when Sabanth directed her to clarify it. Too fuzzy, Tucseth snorted in annoyance- but they could only obey. Even high on success, Vitra knew there was risk. Carefully she focused on it, made the point of their return clearer, and sent it on again. He says that one's good, Tucseth relayed. We head back.

Go, Vitra directed, and her hands clenched on her dragon's neck in the moment before they blinked out of sight again, eyes shut tight and teeth gritted as she waited... breath whooshing from her lungs as they emerged again. And that was that. Backwinging to land, head cocked with an air of satisfaction at their achievement, Tucseth regarded the rest of the weyrlings with a momentary disdain, more than happy to hang on to the pride of being the only one of the class to make the jumps for the short time it lasted.

[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

Her hands went carefully over Rylath, sure to itch and itch when requested – but her goal was to find any dry spots she may have missed from yesterday’s cleaning and oiling. Her specked coat was beautiful and she loved different shades hidden in her coat…but the downside was that it was easy to miss spots and it hid dry spots. She’d made the mistake recently, so even with her very thorough oiling, she wanted to make sure she didn’t miss a spot.

Her growing green shuddered and shifted as she ran her hands lightly on her belly. That tickles! “Sorry, just making sure.” Oh yes, thank you. It was strange how easily she could reach her dragon’s stomach. It had seemed not long ago that she had been holding Rylath in her arms, carrying her to her first meal. Now I carry you! Rylath chirped in, her tail swaying back and forth, almost like a pet would when they were happy. “Yes.” She said grinning, striding to her front and reaching up and wrapping her arms around the base of her neck. After the embrace, Muze put on Ryalth’s riding gear and then guided her dragon outside.

A smile seemed to be always dawning her face, if not lightly. She did a skip to catch up with Rylath’s longer stride, walking side by side as they went to their next lesson. She greeted Joia and No’va and hovered near them. She saw her brother approaching with his large brown, but her eyes skimmed around until she spotted Ny’x. She waved at her and motioned for her to join them. She quickly checked her dragon’s straps before mounting Rylath, getting a better vantage point on her green.

When D’rew confirmed what they would be doing that lesson her stomach churned. Going between was no one’s favorite thing to do, but it would be essential for both travel and fighting thread. If they were ever to go back to the time they belonged in, they would need to not only go between spaces, but also time. She sighed, feeling Rylath’s attention on her and her nervous thoughts. ‘Should we go soon?’ If it is what you want! Muze paused, watching the overexcited blue leap to the front. ‘Yes, I think we should. Better sooner than later.’ Okayokay!

Muze glanced at her friends with a smile, before announcing that she could go next. Ryalth moved energetically toward the front and they watched as Tucseth disappeared. Her stomach made another flip. Let’s practice now, before they get back! Rylath said helpfully, trying to help Muze feel less nervous. It was amazing how sensitive and helpful Ryalth was; sure she was a little gullible and naïve, but her intentions were golden. ‘Yes, you’re right.’

So she closed her eyes and brought the spot to mind. It had been frustrating at first because to her, images moved and breathed with the breeze of grass to the bending boughs of trees… but this image needed to be crisp and unmoving. If she overthought it, it was easy to put too much movement in it, so she quickly created it and after remembering a few details, sent it when Tucseth and Vitra returned. I’m going to ask if I can send your image. There was a moment’s pause. Can…I get that image again? There was embarrassment in the reply and Muze was glad that she had quietly held onto the image, so she didn’t have to recreate it. ‘Of course, here.’

Then there was confirmation and both dragons were in the air and Muze gave the command to between. Cold. She liked to pretend it was like taking a dive into the ocean, except in the ocean you could feel the pressure of it around you… there was nothing in the darkness of between. Muze shivered as they came out on the other side, and grinned in relief. She’d done it! They had done it! Both hands went up in the air and she let out a ‘whoop’. Rylath joined in with a bugle. Her eyes skirted over to D’rew and waved at him. Right, now they had to go back.

She created her return image and sent it to Rylath. They left the island quicker than they had gone there. Between and then – they were done. It seemed like such a big ordeal, when in reality they would need to learn how to do it much quicker, especially for thread battle. She let out a slow breath, letting Rylath guide them back to their friends and other clutch siblings.

[kevna]

Ny’x – Blue Nimocith

Getting her growing blue to the lesson had been difficult. The idea of Betweening was not the most fearful part of it, apparently people were scarier to him. She didn’t understand it, but she tried to sympathize. Still, she was nervous for this moment, nervous for the dead cold and uncertainty. Nervous enough not to be annoyed by the slouchy walk-hop her dragon had taken on the way to the lesson.

I don’t understand why we must all gather, if we will fly separately. Why not just be assigned a time to fly with Samanth and His?

'Because this is how classes work, and we can watch and cheer on your siblings. It’ll be fun.' 

I think flying with you is fun, and just you.

'Our time at the island was pretty fun wasn’t it?' She was trying to distract him as they came upon the group, and nervously re-tightened her riding gloves.

It was, and I like our spot. It is very us.

'It is, all those wonderful herbs and smells.' She waved back at Muze, pleased to be invited to join a group, and unsure if Nimocith would go for it. 'Let’s join Muze and Rylath. The closer to the front, the sooner we can go, and then be done.'

She felt the hesitation weeping from the dragon, and tried to bolster him with feelings of courage and confidence. Okay, I guess so.

Ny’x suppressed her pleasant surprise, mounted, and then together they went to join the small group that Muze was a part of, smiling at the others. The lithe brunette was a little disappointed that the handsome brother wasn’t here yet, but decided she should focus on Betweening.

Do you have our spot still?

'Yes, of course silly, I couldn’t forget it if I wanted to.'

But.. you don’t want to, right?

'No! I-it’s just a phrase my love! Look there goes one of your brothers!' They watched Tucseth take to the air, and then after a small time disappear. Waiting for them to reappear seem to last an eternity. Then it was Muze’s turn.

“We’ll go after!” She called out and waved to D’rew and Sabanth, and they waved in return.

Yes, I do believe I am ready. He sounded confident. They had been practicing their shared images for a while, finding unique landmarks and places to Between to for future reference. It had been almost a game to them, as she sat grinding herbs, and they practiced sending images. They waited patiently for Muze to return, Ny’x semi wishing she could start a conversation with one of the other young individuals, and Nimocith perfectly content to watch the sky and pretend they were alone.

After Muze had landed, the blue easily brought them into the air, effortless with his movements.

'You are a perfect student, aren’t you love?' She asked affectionately, patting him as he steadied out, hovering and awaiting the next move. The brunette closed her eyes and pictured their spot on the island, the herbs, trees, and slight hillside from the air view they had gotten for just this moment.

Okay, they want the image now. She sent the image over, waiting for the approval that she felt when Nimo received images. She felt it briefly, but suspected he was too excited for more. She bit her lip and waited.

They gave us the go ahead!! His excitement thrilled her, and she kept the image locked even as the cold of between chilled her to her bones. The relief was palpable as they came out above their spot on the island, and she took a big breath of air. She could just barely smell the herbs wafting up on winds. She raised her hands in the air, enjoying the wind, and the freedom from Between. 

'WE DID IT!!!' She smiled brightly and turned to see D'rew and Sabanth there as well, and waved at them excitedly. 

Yes, they say we did very well, but now it's time to return. It's too bad, I would like to spend more time here. 

'We will, just not now.' She promised, and closed her eyes, picturing their return spot, which she gave to her bonded easily enough. 

Sabanth suggests we come in at slightly a higher altitude, so we have a smoother descent. 

'Right, okay...' She re-imagined their return place, and once again relayed it to her bonded. That's a good one they say, we go now.

And without another moment, they were again between. She would have to make sure that her blue gave her more warning. They returned to their destination, and she smiled again brightly. They landed, and Ny'x looked for Muze, then shouted, "That was amazing!!!"   

[tovaana]

Weyrling V’than :: Brown Saruth

He had fixed Saruth’s riding gear and was riding Saruth to the lesson. His dragon was getting bigger – and bigger meant longer strides. It made it difficult for him to stay in stride with his dragon, even if his walk was an unhurried one. Saruth’s clutchmates were arriving as he did and he spotted Muze and her speckled green already there. He had Saruth stop toward the back to listen to the directions for the day. Another side effect of being one of the larger dragons also meant that he usually lingered in the back, so not to get in the way of the smaller dragons. V’than’s cool green brown eyes scanned the group of riders, intrigued by how the group had gone from meeting within feet of each other, to being spread out just because of the size of their dragons.

‘What do you think Saruth, ready to between?’ He asked, trying as always to break the silence that his brown seemed to enjoy. Yes, I’m ready. He said calmly, his tan muzzle pointed back toward him as he arched his neck to see V’than. The man patted Saruth on the neck, perhaps they would go sooner than later - but then he froze as the first blue came back, a speckled green with a short brunette had stepped in front. He froze, and Saruth paused, feeling his rider’s distress. Is something wrong, V’than? The man didn’t answer his dragon, feeling numb and speechless as his sister prepared to leave. “I, uhm…” He said aloud, forgetting to put his words into mind speak. Saruth waited patiently.

Rylath had jumped into the air and seemingly to the jumping of his stomach as Muze blinked away. ‘It’s fine, right? I mean, D’rew and Sabanth know what they’re doing – they’ll be fine.’ He said, reassuring himself, but feeling slightly light headed. It was silly, Muze would be blinking in and out of the sky when it came time to fight thread… and she had made great progress when it came to being a dragon rider. It was silly that he worried himself sick about whether or not she’d be okay. Yes, she will be okay, came the calming assurance from his dragon. His heart seemed to jump with joy the moment she blinked back, but he couldn’t bring himself to volunteer to go next, he needed a moment to regain composure, especially if they were to do their own travel to the island and back through blackness.

A girl on a blue went next, shouting excitedly when she got back and seeming to be looking in Muze’s direction. This was the last thing he had needed to regain himself, as he realized that Muze was not only an amazing dragon rider, but she was establishing friendships.

“Let’s go.” He whispered, excusing himself to move past Saruth’s siblings to the front where he sent an image to Saruth to sent to Sabanth. He says that is good, and that we can go now. Saruth said simply, clearly focused on the task on hand. ‘Let’s go then!’ He responded and a moment later they were in the cold feelingless realm. In just a few short icy breaths later, they were at the island and V’than found himself grinning. “Great job, wow.” He glanced back where they had just been, amazed at the dragon’s ability to skip through space.

Should we go back? V’than was still feeling the rush of the trip and was surprised at the idea of leaving so soon. He had to remind himself that this was a lesson, not a trip – and there was still much practice to be done. “Of course.” He said, struggling a bit more with the return image. There was a moment pause and he heard Saruth telling him that the image was not quite right. “Sorry, rushed that a bit.” He took a couple of breaths and then tried again once he could focus a bit better. It would be nice when creating the images were more second nature. He says that is good. ‘Let’s go back, then!’ Saruth’s tan muzzle bobbed and they lifted off the ground before blinking away and coming back in the air and flapping to a stop.

He nodded thanks and acknowledgement to D’rew before guiding Saruth to head in Muze’s direction. Perhaps he should make a friend – like Muze had seemed to have done. He had been so focused on making sure Muze was okay (which she clearly seemed to be), that he had neglected his own social life. Perhaps next time… He gave a short wave to Muze, “hey Muze and Rylath, nice job!” He glanced at the blue female rider, “you too.” He settled more comfortably on Saruth’s back, glancing around to see had stepped up next to practice betweening.

Weyrling Maz'ru :: Blue Quilath

They had been flying a lot, so much in fact that he had started to have dreams of flying – both with and without Quilath. His dragon’s frosty look almost blended into the sky during certain parts of the day and the sky was lighter. It was almost as if he weren’t on a dragon – as if he himself could fly. If it weren’t for the daily lesson reminders that they would be flying to fight thread or the intense lessons on learning how to focus on an image so they could between… he probably would get caught up in glory of being a dragon rider… but no, there was no real glory without risk – but flying was still a blissful feeling for Maz – after a few times of getting fully used to it anyways.

Now as they gathered he wondered what sort of lesson or practice they would be doing. D’rew looked less excited about the lesson, and as soon as he started to announce what it was, he felt a cold moment of dread. At least there would be no thread in the sky… At least it was just one of his worries about flying. One dreaded thing at a time.

Mimic seemed to sense Maz’ru’s troubled thoughts and came to land on the front of his riding gear, pushing her pale green little wedge face into his hands. He chuckled, feeling immediately better by the distraction. He glanced around half heartedly to see if he could see Sio - but with all the larger growing dragons it was getting increasingly difficult to see everyone in a large group.

You are worried about going between? Quilath asked, a little late to his thoughts. He blinked from the green flit to the pale speckled blue under his hands. ‘Sorta. It seems… like one of the more dangerous things we’ve learned so far.’ You’ve practiced images with me many times, we are ready. Quilath’s way to comfort Maz’ru was drastically different from Mimic’s calming presence, or even from his high energy blonde friend.

Maybe we should be thinking about the island, start thinking about it and practice giving it to me while my siblings go. Maz’ru wasn’t sure if this was Quilath continuing to try and make him feel better, or if he was just a perfectionist – because it seemed they did a lot of practice… Which, he could not argue with the results, since Quilath seemed to always pick up what they were learning rather quickly, or made sure he did sooner than later.

‘Right.’ He said, shifting his thoughts to the time they visited the island. He imagined the image in his mind, thinking about as many details about the spot as he could. His light green eyes closed to focus, trying to ignore the trembling in his heart each time a fellow weyrling blinked away.

He felt Quilath moving under him without his direction, he assumed to get closer to the front of the group when it was their turn.

That image was good I think, we should go next with that one. It didn’t allow Maz’ru much time to argue, as when he opened his eyes they were in position to go next after brown Saruth returned. They stood back while the dragons landed and allowed room for them to take their place. Sabanth says that the image is good, but from experience from other classmates to have the image higher to give us more room to land. That made sense and with some embarrassment he ignored the redness that surfaced to his cheeks as he closed his eyes to shift the image in his head. It was harder than he thought it would be and took a moment longer than he wanted it to be. Apparently for Quilath as well. Do you have it yet? ‘I’m working on it, Quilath. I’d rather get to the island in one piece, wouldn’t you?’ He tried not to get flustered as he worked on the image and sent it to Quilath.

Good, we go at your word. ‘Let’s go now!’ He responded and they flapped into the sky and then blinked away. He’d been so worried about the image he had almost forgotten that they would be going ‘between’. He groaned as the cold nothingness surrounded him and was glad of the short trip to the island. There was a friendly chirping at his hands, as he had almost forgotten Mimic – but he was glad she had tagged along. He gave her a pet and offered her a place on his shoulders for the return trip.

“Nice!” He said aloud, glancing over at D’rew and Sabanth with a grin.

Yes, it was good. We should try to get a return image to Sabanth quicker. Maz’ru sighed, ‘I can celebrate if I want, Quilath. But yes, I’ll get you that image.’ He pictured the background of where they would reenter the air and got it to Quilath. Much better, he said pleased in his mind. It didn’t take long for them to return back to the group, allowing the next clutchmate to take their turn.

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Siorreya swept the wisps of blonde that had escaped her braid. They had gone for an exciting flight before the lesson, getting up early and stretching the wings of the green. Ama was perfect, quick, fast, and agile, and they loved their flights together, though they had to keep them short. The one downside of greens was their lack of endurance, so they had kept it even shorter than normal this morning. It didn’t keep them from being late though.

This will be good. We can go farther without me tiring. More fun to be had.

'Yes, love, more fun to be had. Are you ready?'

Yes yes, it’s a very simple concept.

The small blonde chuckled and patted the darker green of her bonded’s neck. They joined the fray of dragons milling about, looking around to see who she could see. She supposed she needed to make more friends, instead of always looking for Maz. There were so many large dragons, it took her a moment to realize she probably wouldn’t find him with so many large dragons congregating. Sio could practically feel the wheels turning in the greens mind as she studied her siblings, as if trying to decide who would be her next victim.

'Err let’s practice our visualizations.'

Huh, why? We have it down.

'So you don’t get into trouble. And maybe I need the practice.' 

No you don’t. But fine.

They practiced for a little while until Siorreya was distracted by Quilath taking to the air. She clapped excitedly and pointed. “Look, look! It’s Maz and Quil! Oh, come on, let’s move to the front! I don’t want to wait anymore.”

Oh, finally. It’s a good thing I’m small.

The playful green showed this off to advantage as she wreathed around others to get them to the front. Sio could have sworn Ama tried tripping one or two of her siblings during their foray to the front, but Sio pretended not to notice. They passed the handsome brownrider V’than, who finished before Maz’ru. She waved, “great job V’than.” But she was distracted by Quilath reappearing. When they landed she waved to D’rew, indicating her readiness, excitement thrumming through the young pair.

Great job Quilath, now we shall take your place! Sabanth, we are joining you in the sky!

“How was it??” This time Amagetith was good enough to wait before launching to the sky to give Maz a chance to answer.

Then they were in the sky, and the wonderful feeling of wind and freedom overcame the small blonde. As soon as they were level with D’rew and Sabanth, Siorreya prepared her mental image of the island. They had picked a pretty cove where they had gone for a swim.

Sabanth says he is ready for our visualization.

The weyrling sent the picture to her dragon, and waited, tightening her grip on the riding leathers, and wiggled impatiently.

He said it was perfect. We are a go. Ready?

The tension and excitement in the mind speak was almost palpable. With the visualization clear in their minds, and their minds linked closely, they went between. It was as if time stopped for her, and just the link between the young woman and her bonded dragon, stabilized her, kept her in the reality of the moment. They came out of between over the cove, and Sio shouted in triumph, Ama bugling to mirror her human’s thrill.

We did it! It was as easy as I thought it would be.

“Yes! We did do it! We did it D’rew!!”

She looked over the see the bluerider smiling and nodding, and then giving her a thumbs up.

Sabanth says we did do a very good job, and now it is time to return. But we must be careful, and not get too confident. We are not over-confident, we are just good at it. It is not so very hard.

The blonde had to agree with both dragons, it was not so very hard, but one mistake could be deadly, and they couldn’t be too over-confident, because one mistake would mean their lives.

'He just wants us to be careful, because one mistake would be our lives.' She reminded gently, and felt her dragon soften a little.

Yes of course. Can I have my image please?

Siorreya took a moment to clearly see their return spot and gave the image over freely.

It is again, perfect. Let’s go.

Siorreya clenched the leather straps, preparing for the cold of between. It seemed to be much shorter this time, and they arrived over the group. She wiggled again, excited at how well they had done, and trying not to feel too much pride.

'Tell D’rew and Sabanth thank you for me.'

They say we are welcome, and that they are very proud of us. There was something in Amagetith’s voice, pride, pleasure, joy, maybe all of them mixed? Sio couldn’t put her finger on it, but she waved to Sabanth and his rider as they landed.

“Maz!” Sio shouted, waving her arms excitedly! “We did it, can you believe it?? It was AMAZING!!!”

They moved over to join the blue and the auburn-haired man. Habits were just so hard to break. 

[Zen]

No'va :: Brown Alduntulath

When D’rew explained the day’s lesson, No’va only felt excited anticipation. Learning to Between meant they were nearly ready to return to home, and then he could show his father how he’d Impressed to the best dragon ever. He’d never have to go back and learn some dumb craft he was only half interested in, never have to go back and be treated differently just because of who his family was.

They missed their chance to go first as Vitra and Tucseth took it and No’va sat back with an impatient huff. Work on your visualizations. You know you have a hard time with them. Because it’s boring. We cannot Between without good visualizations. That is what Sabanth’s says. No’va stuck out his tongue at the back of his dragon’s head, to which Aldy turned to eye him briefly and then shifted about to jostle him in his seat. “Hey!”

There was a rumble of amusement from the brown, and then he insisted, Practice or I will not fly. “Ugh!” He set about picturing the island for the gazillionth time, started wondering how his father might react to Aldy being part black, and his dragon jostled him again, Wonder later, practice now. Stop doing that, it’s making me feel like my brain’s rattling around in my head! Perhaps when it stops rattling it will be able to focus better. Hah hah. There was a tinge of uncharacteristic bitterness in his tone and Aldy went silent, considering.

No’va felt the unusual sensation of the brown sifting through his memories curiously. What are you doing? It seems I have offended you. You have always had trouble focusing? No’va stiffened and stared hard at the black hide on the backside of his dragon’s neck, and then sighed in resignation, Yeah…. It’s… always been really hard. I am sorry. I will not make jokes about it. Feeling stupid as he felt tears burn at the corner of his eyes, he wiped at them quickly and took a deep breath, Thanks. Send me the images and I will send them back. No’va nodded and they continued the back and forth as others continued to take their turns. It helped to have someone else participating in the activity with him rather than just trying to do it by himself.

I think you’re doing well, Alduntulath said at last, Are you ready? The brown turned his gaze toward Amagetith where the green was coming in to land from her turn. No’va nodded, Yeah, let’s go! Sabanth, we will take our turn now. He leaped into the air and joined the older blue, Image? Right, right. Here. No’va did his best to picture the island with the details the two of them had picked out as major focal points and all but shoved it at his dragon. Aldy rumbled and sent it to Sabanth, while No’va waited anxiously, sure it probably wasn’t good enough. Sabanth says we may go. Really? He supposed their last minute practice might have actually paid off.

In a heartbeat blackness enveloped them, nothingness, a burning cold, and then they were out in the light again and No’va welcomed the humidity on his skin. “We did it!” he grinned, gave his dragon’s neck a triumphant slap and felt the brown’s pride. Of course. Now we must return. No’va’s stomach dropped. They hadn’t practiced the return visuals while they’d waited. R-right. My rider needs a moment, Aldy informed their blue teacher, and then, Sabanth says take your time. Better to do it right than rush it. No’va nodded numbly and glanced back the way they’d come. It took some more back and forth between him and his dragon before he felt confident enough to let the brown send the image to Sabanth. The blue sent back a correction and No’va fixed the new image in his mind. We can go now. And so they did, back into the nothing of Between, and were soon flying above their class once more. No’va breathed a sigh of relief. Sabanth says his rider will speak with you after the lesson is over. What? Why? What did I do? Aldy rumbled, amused at his rider’s sudden panic, He noticed your trouble. I believe he just wants to help.

Tipping his wings, the brown came in for a landing and padded back over to Tellamuth and Joia. No’va wriggled on his dragon’s back, unsure about the conversation he was soon to have with their teacher. Do not worry so much. Easy for you to say, he doesn’t wanna talk to you.

[Hiko]

Have we loitered long enough? Vorscuth asked, watching with her usual scrutinizing gaze as their peers went one after another between.
I… I suppose we have, C’rys replied, hesitation clear in her thoughts.
Oh? Do you not think us ready yet?
It’s not that, Vorscuth. This is more dangerous than anything else we’ve done to date. There’s a large margin of error to be concerned with, and I don’t want to lose you.
So you do not believe us prepared. The green’s tone was one of bruised ego.
No, I don’t think I’m ready. There’s a lot riding on this, and I only want to insure your safety.
Don’t be so sentimental, C’rys. You are adequately intelligent for this journey. If you were not, I would not have chosen you.
I suppose that’s fair, C’rys responded, more amused than chagrined.

Sighing, she tugged at the riding straps in a nonverbal command to the green. Once aligned with Sabanth, Vorscuth sent along C’rys’ concerned, if firmly planted, visuals to the blue dragon.

Between turned C’rys’ stomach in a way it never had before. Actually being the rider this time and no longer the pedestrian, it allowed her to focus on just how much nothing there was. Vorscuth was hardly the coddling type, and offered no confirmation of her presence with her rider, leaving C’rys to briefly wonder if she had lost herself between, dragonless.
Don’t be so stupid, Vorscuth chided. I didn’t expect you to be so cowardly.
It’s not cowardly to fear one’s own mortality. It’s expecting the worst outcome and deciding how to handle it.
A pessimistic outlook? I approve.

And just like that, they came out, safe and together. Another trip, still whole.
C’rys tried not to consider the shaking of her hands as Vorscuth chided once more.

[Alyx]

Joia and White Tellamuth

Joia had expected this lesson to be the one that terrified her. The thought of dropping back into the cold, inky nothingness again was a cold knot in her stomach, but at the same time, it wasn’t as all-consuming as she expected it would be? Around her, her classmates whispered and cringed a bit, the girl found herself watching them with a strange, unusual detachment. Why wasn’t she bothered by this when so many others were? She knew sharding well that messing this lesson up meant death – they’d had it explained to them many, many times before this. So then, why did it not bother her?

Because I am here. The Voice was there, smart-alec tone and all. Joia smirked, leaning forward to push gently at the back of the White Dragon’s head. ‘How can you have such an ego for someone so tiny?’ Hey, I’m not tiny anymore. ‘Tell that to D’rew.’ Tellamuth groaned in her head. She dropped forward, flopping over the arch of his perfect neck, and wrapped her arms around his throat in a hug, her cheek pressing against the pale, warm skin. ‘At least he doesn’t look at you with that look as much now?’ Oh, he still does, just when he thinks we won’t notice. ‘Poor Baby… you just can’t win.’

D’rew’s words did draw up a bit of uncomfortable apparition in her gut, but because of the lesson. “We will be focusing on Betweening heavily for the next month in preparation to return to our normal time.” Normal time... that seemed a lifetime ago!! She wondered what it would be like, going back… she wasn’t even close to the same person she was when she left! If what they said was true, they would be back on the evening they left. That meant only a handful of hours would have passed for their friends and family, while almost two turns had flown by for them.

Many of her friends were here; Muze, No'va… but those left behind? She hoped Tak'ril would forgive her. She fingered the bracelet on her wrist a moment, wondering how he was handling the day he was living while she was back here. Was he worried? Angry? No, she didn’t think he had it in him to be mad at her. Her mind turned to ‘other’ friends… what had Aleni thought? Mizao? Karo? Joia bit her lip softly, drawing in a deep, rough breath.

Tellamuth shifted under her, bouncing her a bit. Muze and Rylath are going. Joia pushed up, watching the little green and her rider move forward. Joia gave a whistle, waving encouraging to the pair as they pushed off, joining D’rew and his Blue above them. It didn’t take long, and they were touching back down. Joia gave her friend a thumbs up. Well done, Rylath. Ny’x and Nimocith were next, and Joia’s mind started to wander a little again. Bored? ‘A Little? Just…waiting is dull.’ She tried not to sound whiny as Nimocith returned to the class and V’than and his brown took off.

Well you did say I had to let others go first. ‘I meant like you couldn’t be the first to go this time, I didn’t mean you had to wait for everyone!’ Her tone was full of exasperation, and Tellamuth all much cackled in her mind. Well, you should clarify that then. ‘Butt.’ Yes, I have a very nice one. So do you. Joia growled, shoving the White’s head again playfully. Alduntulath is going. That pulled Joia out of her bored fluff thoughts. They will do fine. ‘Oh I know that, but its No'va.’ Indeed. The Brown pair took a bit longer than the others, making Joia a little more concerned. Was everything okay? When they finally did appear, it took no prompting on her part for Tell to step forward, reaching for his brown sibling. Everything okay, Alduntulath? She smiled as the pair trotted in their direction, waving a welcome. Something in No'va’s eyes though made her smile wilt a touch. “You good?”

We should go. Joia frowned at the White, then sighed and glanced at No'va. “Hold that thought. Tellamuth wants to get this done.” She waved quickly, the White stepping off from the Brown’s side to he could launch. Joia? ‘Yea?’ Straps? ‘Oh, right!’ Joia reached down, yanking the straps tight over her thighs. ‘Good to go.’ Wouldn’t that have been fun. ‘What would have?’ Joia held on as Tellamuth’s slender frame bunched under her, then launched into the air. Oh D’rew’s reaction. Yes, teacher, we know this lesson is a hard one, but we figured we’d add the change of doing it bareback with no straps. Joia choked. ‘He would have grounded us.’ Try to. We need to do this to go home, remember? ‘Hm... point.’

Joia pulled up the image D’rew had had Sabanth give them days before. She’d practiced it as best she could, wanting it perfect for their first jump so nothing would be to chance. She sent it to the White, letting him send I one to the Blue and their instructor for final approval. He says we are good. Joia was thrilled, shifting in her seat to watch for the Bluerider’s signal. She tightened her fingers on the straps, leaning over Tellamuth’s neck, then with a nod, they were gone.

Cold black slapped her in the face, and she felt her heart jump. I am here. ‘I know.’ She shook a hand free of the straps, pressing her palm against the warmth of the White’s neck under her. She counted off seconds like they’d been told. One… two… three…. She ducked her head, closing her eyes. Four…. Five….. six….. seven… her heart rattled against her ribs, but Tellamuth’s calm presence pressed into her thoughts. We are fine. Nine… ten… eleven… her lungs burned. ‘Tell…’ Fourteen…. Fifteen…. Sixteen… seven-

The count was cut off with a flash of light as the sky opened up around them. Warm, fresh air slapped her face, Joia gasping like a fish to fill her lungs. She was shaking, taking a few moments to get her bearings before she glanced around her, expecting D’rew’s scowled features. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but she was pretty sure she was in trouble. But the sky around the was empty; no Blue Sabanth, no D’rew. Oh no… Had they? What? She turned in the straps, looking around frantically. ‘Tell??’ Yes? ‘D’rew? Sabanth?’

The White wheeled around to look back toward the lake. Empty. Where was everyone?! Joia felt the panic rise up in her throat, her body shaking. After a moment, Tell responded. Sabanth is sunning. He said D’rew speaking with the Goldriders. The others are bathing. He seemed totally unbothered by the whole thing; only worried that for some reason Joia was very bothered. ‘But…’ it didn’t make sense. What had happened? You gave me the image, I took us there. ‘Then where are the others?’ Tellamuth was quiet for a moment.

Perhaps the question should be less where and more when? Joia went cold inside. When? Oh no. ‘No.’ Joia. Stop. ‘No…nonono. Take us back! Now!’ Tellamuth made a noise, wheeling back around. Joia drug up the image, fast in her mind, messy in her panic, throwing D’rew and Sabanth into the image and all but flung it at the dragon. ‘GO! NOW!’ Tellamuth reacted instantly to her growing distress, throwing the pair back into the black ofBetween. Joia tried to remember not to breath, trying to count regularly as to not give in to the panic that she might not be able to get back to where she was supposed to be.

Cold, numb. She couldn’t feel her arms, her fingers, her feet when they finally burst through back into the sky. Almost the moment they appeared, her eyes darted to the air around her. Sabanth’s blue form was circling back around, seeming to rush back toward them, Joia dropped over in relief, her whole body draped over Tellamuth’s neck. She didn’t look as she felt the wingbeats of the Blue as he came alongside the gliding White. Her head hurt, her body was core cold, and all she could hear was her heartbeat and Tellamuth’s voice as he replied to the Blue.

We got sidetracked…. ‘Understatement.’ Joia felt the wash of concern and love from the White, but she didn't try to sit up.

OOC: PLEASE READ!! YES Joia and Tell did just screw up and time back three days before coming back to present time. YES it was approved by Zen. NO they haven't landed yet, Zen gets to react first with D'rew before I can go on with them. They have not landed, so please wait for her to verbally kick my a*ss before taking another round! THANK YOU!!

[Zen]

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

Alduntulath rumbled consideringly at his smaller brother’s inquiry upon their return. It will be, yes, the brown replied, sure that Sabanth’s would help No’va to overcome this challenge. When Joia likewise questioned No’va, the boy grinned just as one would expect from him, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yup. Just fine,” he insisted, and was glad when Joia and Tell took to the air to take their turn. Why did you lie? I don’t want her to worry about it. It’s not her problem and there’s nothing she can do to fix me. And I don’t like talking about it. Fix you? No’va clenched his jaw and shook his head stubbornly, Nevermind. Alduntulath fell into a thoughtful silence as Tellamuth and Joia disappeared with their teachers.

A few heartbeats later, Sabanth reappeared… but Tellamuth did not. Strange.

No’va glanced off toward where his friend should be and felt a rising panic when he didn’t see her. Strange? What do you mean strange? Where is she? Where’s Joia!?

Calm down, they are not lost to us. I can feel Tellamuth, but it has a strange distance to it.

What the shell does that mean?

I do not know. I have never felt it before.

You’re not making any sense. They’re not dead, right?

No, they most certainly aren’t.

No’va's grip on his riding straps tightened even though they were on the ground as he watched the general air space around where Sabanth was circling. Come on Joia… you’ve gotta come back. And then they were and No’va released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Thank Faranth.

D’rew :: Blue Sabanth

So far, so good, D’rew remarked privately to his blue, with some relief over how it was all going. He hadn’t expected No’va to be so hesitant, the boy seemed fearless, and so he was determined to speak with him and figure out just where that had come from, but other than that all the weyrlings thus far had performed just fine. Sure most of them were nervous but they had a right to be. He was nervous too.

C’rys and her black-green accomplished the task and then Tellamuth was rising to join them. Shells, would Tellamuth be able to do this? He knew nothing about white dragons and wished not for the first time that Tellamuth had hatched back in current time so they could try to find any records about them somewhere so he wasn’t teaching them blind. Mavros had hatched out a white dragon before, though the pair had died in one of their first Falls, if he remembered what he’d heard correctly. It had only been in passing, nothing that had seemed relevant to remember overall at the time. Now he wished he had tried to learn more about them.

Sabanth rumbled under him, giving him the image the white had sent, and D’rew clung to it, perhaps trying too hard to find error in it, just to be safe, but there was nothing he could see wrong with it. Tell them the image is good. Sabanth relayed the message and D’rew gave the signal to Between. A few heartbeats and they were back out of nothingness. Only Tellamuth and Joia weren’t with them. D’rew’s stomach seemed to drop to his toes as he looked wildly around. Sabanth, where are they?

I do not know.... They have a feeling similar to the rest of the Weyr.

What…? What do you mean, the rest of the Weyr?

The ones we left behind to come here. They are very distant. It is difficult, but I can tell they are still there, in general. Tellamuth has that distant feeling.

They… they went back forward? To our normal time?

I do not know.

You’re no help, are you!? D’rew flinched at his own tone as Sabanth seemed to mentally recoil from his panicked anger, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I just-

And then the whitepair was back. Sabanth circled around, picking up speed to join the younger pair, Where were you? Sabanth snorted at the white’s response. Sidetracked. You scared D’rew half to death.

“Both of you, land, now!” D’rew called, not quite able to keep the remnants of his panic out of his voice. The strange mixture of panic and relief was making him nauseous. Sabanth tell them… tell them I’ll speak with them after the others have gone. They’re alright, aren’t they? We should… we should continue the lesson.

They do not seem too out of sorts. Well, Tellamuth at least. Are you sure you are well enough to continue?

I”ll be fine, the bluerider took a few deep breaths, nodded, I’ve got this.

You don’t sound very convincing, the blue teased.

Just tell them, dratted beast, D’rew returned, the insult half hearted.

Sabanth spoke to Tellamuth once more, D’rew will speak with yours after the lesson is over. You will wait with the others until then.

OOC: Alyx I figure we can do that D’rew/Joia chat in our own thread so we don’t run away with this one xD

[Alyx]

Joia and White Tellamuth

Where were you? We got sidetracked… You scared D’rew half to death.

Joia winced at the tone in the Blue’s voice, her focus on the dragon making it painfully clear she was in trouble. She was cold, shaken, and her new control slipped just enough to send tears spilling past her lashes and down her cheeks to soak Tellamuth’s pale neck. Her arms tightened around his throat as he rumbled, the anger flaring at the Blue for no reason other than the fact his rider was upset. It Wasn’t On Purpose. The White’s voice was sharp, unhappy that it felt like the Sabanth was making it sound as they had taken their little side-trip on purpose just to scare the Bluerider.

‘Broken.’ NOT Broken. The White was quick to cut off the thought, rumbling again as D’rew called for them to land. Joia could almost feel the rebellion roll up in the White as if Tellamuth thought for a moment that remaining in the air would prove something. ‘No… no, it's okay.’ No, it’s not. I did it, not you, he shouldn’t be yelling at you! Joia hugged the dragon’s neck again, gentler than before, and turned her head to push her cheek against the warmth of his hide. ‘I know. But fighting here will get us no place. Maybe we can explain…’ Joia didn’t know if she could fix this.

D’rew will speak with yours after the lesson is over. You will wait with the others until then. Tellamuth bristled in her mind a little but tilted a wing to drop down toward the others. ‘Tell him okay.’ It isn’t like there is a choice. ‘Tellamuth… please…’ Joia pushed a bit on the white, not liking him angry with the Blue or his rider. Tellamuth huffed, then sent a wash of love back at his rider. Joia says we will wait then. Joia smiled, feeling very much that in a turn of words, Tellamuth had made it sound like it was her idea for them to wait to speak with their teacher.

Joia pulled her attention from the Blue, finally untangling her arms from around Tell’s neck to sit up as they near the ground. The White touched down with his normal grace, none the worse for their little jaunt back in time. Joia, on the other hand, was pale, still shaking a bit as her dragon trotted slowly over to rejoin No’va and Alduntulath to await whatever punishment might be coming their way. She pulled at the straps, all but falling off the White’s back as she climbed down.

She didn’t glance at No’va or Muze; or anyone. She checked over the White quickly, and then ran her hand over his neck; Tellamuth laid down, making space for Joia to sit at his side. Smiling weakly, she tucked herself against his barrel, right behind the hollow of his front leg. Tellamuth shifted his head around, resting his chin in her lap easily. Even as the thought started, her fingers dancing over his muzzle, he reminded her.

Not Broken. ‘I know. But something, I still feel that way.’

(Will get E'san and Casanova up after someone else posts.)

[deebear]

Riana & Camachath

A chill slid over Riana's skin when D'rew said they would be going Between for the first time that lesson. She had known it was coming, all the visualization lessons they had made it obvious. But she was still suddenly full of anxiety. <We will be fine>, Camachath told her, his voice as calm as always but his eyes whirled with growing traces of yellow, reflecting his riders concerns. 'How do you know?', Ri asked, slightly amused but still nervous. <Because I trust us. Do you not?> Riana felt a moment of shame which was replaced with a wash of love. She smiled, instantly feeling better. 'Of course I trust us. I am just...nervous. This is really, very important and dangerous too.' She didn't want anything to happen to Camachath, she wouldn't survive it well, if it all. Cam's love was a constant reassurance in the back of her mind, however, and his steadiness helped ease her worry some. <We can do this, Riana, we can do anything!> Ri couldn't help but smile as she gave the brown a loving pat, then returned her attention to D'rew.

Her gaze had flicked to the island when D'rew spoke of it. It suddenly seemed so much farther away than it truly was. <It is no further than it was before.> 'Thank you Mr. Rational.', Ri replied dryly, though there was a trace of amusement there as well. She couldn't be upset with him for only speaking the truth. The fact that the visualization had to pass through to D'rew first helped eased some of her worries. He wouldn't let them go Between if the directions weren't clear. Not that she honestly thought he would have let them go without checking first.

She and Camachath watched as their classmates went, one at a time. All making it to the island, all returning. With each jump that was made Ri started to feel better. The knot of nerves in her chest loosened up some, which made the brown beneath her very happy, though he didn't exactly show it, just the slowly swirling blue and purple eyes, no longer showing any hints of yellow.

Then it happened.

It was Joia and her Tellamuth's turn to go. They went up with no trouble at all, they were given the go-ahead from D'rew and they vanished. But unlike the rest of the group, they did not immediately reappear with D'rew and Sabanth. Hazel eyes went wide as panic slowly welled up. 'Cam??' <They are... fine.> The pause in his tone the only indication of his concern for his tiny sibling and his rider. 'What do you mean? Where are they?' <I don't know. They feel different, but they are okay.> "Oh, shells....", was all she said as she searched and searched the sky. Where had they gone? The bluerider kept circling, and then suddenly there was Tellamuth and Joia reappeared from Between and Riana was certain she hadn't been breathing but with the amount of air she huffed out in relief at seeing the pair rejoin them, she knew she had been. I told you. But I am glad they have returned. 'As am I.', she replied quietly, nerves on edge again. But they had to do this or they could not go home, nerves or not.

Once Tellamuth and Joia were back on the ground and she could see they were both, mostly, alright, she urged Cam forward. <Are you sure?> 'No. Yes. I think so. We can do this..right?' <You know we can.> 'Right. Tell Sabanth we will go next.', Riana told him, forcing down her nerves with stubborn resolve. She wanted to get back home and see her family and wanted Cam to be safe with her riding him. They had to do this. <Sabanth says we may go>, he told her as he launched himself into the air. She let the air wash over her as Camachath took them higher, to fly beside D'rew and Sabanth. She took a breath and looked over at the island then remembered her lessons and pulled the image up as clearly as she could and sent it to Cam, who in turn sent it to Sabanth. A moment later Cam said, <Not clear enough, try again> It was a full three tries before D'rew would accept their image, but when he gave the all-clear she was more relieved than she thought to be allowed to make the jump.

The frigid cold of Between was like a harsh slap to her entire body but she made her count as they had been taught, trying not to think about the fact that she couldn't feel anything. By the time she felt her lungs would explode they burst back into the sunshine, over the island. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief and looked over to see Drew and Sabanth flying beside them. She received a nod from D'rew and so she immediately pulled the return image into her mind, sending it to Cam to, again, sent to Sabanth. <Again please.> 'Shells...', she said but cleared her mind of anything but the return image and sent it again. This time D'rew accepted it and they were back in the cold, emptiness of Between. It seemed to take even longer for the return, but soon enough they were there, over their classmates, then circling in descent so they could land.

Ri thought she was going to die of some emotion between terrified and exhilarated. <Don't be ridiculous. You can not die of feelings.>, Camachath told her, amused, as he landed heavily. 'Hardy, har, har.', she huffed at him as she slumped against his neck in relief.

[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Ryalth

She beamed at her brother, adrenalin from the trip on her own still pulsing through her. Each time another classmate blinked away it was like she was reliving when she had done it. Her brown eyes flicked to each one, her heart seemingly frozen in between when each of them went. She’d sigh or grin when they could hear the faint echo of a dragon’s bugle – excitement of success.

Then she watched Joia as she and her white took to the air. Her pulse that had been calming seemed to pick up a bit, excitement for her friend in taking this step as a dragonrider. But then… she never took that breath of relief as she had with the others, and it felt like her heart had been left in between. While she understood what ‘keening’ was when a dragon was lost, she didn’t think about the lack of keening meaning that her friend was okay… all her mind could wrap around was that she had not come back with the blue dragon that had blinked back above them.

“Where…” Her chest shuddered as she took a gasp of air. Rylath shifted under her, sensing her rider’s confusion and letting it intermingle with her own confusion. “…is she.” The question became more of a statement, her mind a daze in the denial she was feeling, despite the hot tears that watered her eyes. She gripped tightly at her riding straps, too lost to seek Rylath’s comfort that she was trying to provide.

But, she is not lost. Rylath spoke, realizing finally that her rider was upset that the worst had happened. It had taken a moment to sift through her upset thoughts to find the root of where it was all coming from. Muzemine, her dragon is not lost – so she maybe isn’t either, don’t – but the comforting words and feelings from her green were lost by the bone thrilling pop as the white and his rider came back.

Muze fell forward into Rylath, hugging her neck and burying her face into her warm green hide. Her eyes closed and she didn’t dare open them or lean back until she had pushed the fear and feelings that had risen. After what seemed like a long minute later, she peeked from behind her wet eyelashes, blinking them dry before looking around to see if she could see where they went – but there were too many larger dragons. ‘They are okay then?’ Yes, and along with that yes she sent her the image of Tell landing and sliding out of view. Muze breathed and glanced at V’than who was watching her with a sympathetic gaze. Her eyes averted, not wanting that kind of look to break her down again. Her eyes focused on her straps, she was no longer interested on who went after Joia. Her mind went back to the conversation she had had with her brother and weyrleader... How serious it was to be a rider - they had talked about thread being a threat - and while in her lessons she had been warned of the serious nature of going between, it wasn't until then the seriousness of it all weighed on her more.

[Alyx]

E'san and Brown Norioth

At least they had managed to make getting to lessons on time a priority, but E’san doubted it was because Norioth wanted to learn anything. In fact, it seemed more and more that the Brown was less interested in the lessons and more interested in eying up the females in the class. At least, finally, E’san could take the small bit of thankfulness in the fact the dragon was turning his interests more to the female dragons, rather than E’san’s female classmates.

Ohhhh, Muze and Rylath are going. Well…. mostly? The Brown seemed to have a particular fondness for the young greenrider; while he had a tendency to try to flirt with anything of the female persuasion, Muze seemed to be a particularly favored target. E’san felt Norioth shift under him. Because she reacts so well to it. She blushes pretty, and she likes to look at you when you don’t see her. ‘She does not. Now stop it.’ Does so, you are just too busy trying not to notice.

E’san frowned, resisting the urge to kick the Brown’s side, instead turned his attention to the greenrider as she lifted off. Of all the lessons, this one bothered him the most. Not because he was worried he couldn’t remember the image or about getting it right… he was more worried Nori wouldn’t be able to keep his thoughts off the girls and on the sharding lesson for once. Oh, you wound me! The Brown’s sullen, smooth tones slipping into the thoughts. I would never do anything that might hurt you, E’san. I’m not that bad! ‘Well, I don’t think you’d do it on purpose, at least.’

Rylath’s green form vanished from over them with D’rew’s Blue, and then appeared at the far end of the bowl, a pair of little colored flexes in the faded sky. After a moment, they returned. As the Green touched down, E’san felt Norioth rumble under him. Beautifully done, Rylath. ‘You are so tacky sometimes.’ Why? I was congratulating her. E’san huffed. ‘It’s your tone. You sound like a used runner merchant.’ I do? E’san resisted the urge to head his face in his hands, his focus shifting to the next in line to fly.

The Lesson progressed fairly uneventfully; dragons went up, dragons flew, dragons landed… and anything with a pulse and female, Norioth made sure to welcome back to the ground. Even some of the blues, with female riders or course, got shaded praise from the Brown charmer. As No’va returned, and Joia and her little white took flight, E’san was beginning to think he wanted to go next; just so he could go back and grab a nap. No naps. ‘Why not?’ Because you should bath me. ‘I bathed you this morning!’ Yes, but they others might be bathing in the afternoon, and that lets me look my best, and I can get you to show off- Not again. ‘Norioth, quit trying to-‘

The Brown’s head came around, turning to toward the sky over them, and made a noise in his throat. E’san looked, watching as only D’rew’s little blue form circled back toward them. ‘Joia?’ I… I’m not sure. They aren’t gone, but they are… away? Norioth sounded genuinely concerned, taking a step or two forward, and stretching his neck as if he thought if he could just get his head a bit higher, he could find them. Moments later, Tellamuth appeared over them. E’san shot a look at No’va, the boy looking as relieved as E’san felt, and manage to remember to breath.

The White didn’t do the return Between, instead gliding to the ground to join them. Joia looked like she was going to be sick, and quickly dismounted to sit on the ground near her dragon. Maybe we should check on her? The Brown’s hopefully tone slipped into his mind. ‘No.’ He answered quickly, and felt Norioth recoil. ‘I mean, not right now? Let her get herself settled, and we’ll see about checking on her after she’s had some time to breathe.’ Oh, good plan. Norioth shifted happily, turning his head as Riana and her brown, Camachath, took a pace forward.

I should have picked a lovely lady too. ‘I can ask if she wants to swap?’ Norioth snorted. The Brown pair took a bit longer than normal, but E’san couldn’t blame them after what felt like nearly losing Joia and her dragon. He was fiercely glad he hadn’t been the one to go right after that! Rylath’s rider is upset. E’san frowned at Norith. ‘No, again. I don’t think she particularly likes me, no matter what you seem to think. And I think YOU make her uncomfortable. Her brother will check on her, you just… please, stop, okay?’ But… ‘Norioth, stop.’

The Brown sent a wave a disappointment and disapproval at his rider but moved a few steps forward as Camachath returned. Wonderfully flown, Camachath. You and your rider looked brilliant. ‘Were you even watching him?’ Well, I was watching them. E’san ducked his chin for a moment to control the laugh, then waved a salute to the female brownrider as Norioth trotted forward so they could take their turn with the cold chilling touch of Between.

The speckled Brown launched smoothly into the air, forever the show-off it, and climbed quickly to join Sabanth and D’rew over the class. Image? E’san pulled up the picture in his mind, closed his eyes, and offered it to the Brown. Norioth took it, and after a moment. Again. Sabanth said it wasn’t clear enough. E’san frowned and pictured the location in his mind again, trying to make it seem… well, clearer? It seemed clear to him before! He offered the image to his dragon. Better. He said we can go now. E’san exhaled, still not understanding, but nodded and waited a moment before sending Norioth Between.

He hadn’t been Between since they had come back in time, and he’d almost forgotten the sheer slap of bone biting cold that was waiting for them. He gasped, grabbing for Norioth’s harness in a split second of panic. You are fine. Norioth didn’t seem bothered in the slightest, and in second they were back out into the light and sound. ‘Ash and Bones, I forgot how sharding cold it was in there!’ Norioth chuckled, seeming unphased by the trip as he wheeled around, passing under the blue form a Sabanth as he did.

Return? ‘Oh, right.’ E’san shook his head, trying to clear the frost from his brain, and pulled up the image of the other side of the bowl, of the class, and gave it to Norioth to offer over to their Teacher and his Blue. First time, this time. Norioth chimed, shifting to line up a jump back. ‘Great. Ready?’ Born Ready. E’san smiled, nodded to D’rew, and sent Norioth back. The cold didn’t catch him quick as off guard this time, but he still felt like his lips were bloody blue when they re-appeared over their classmates.

Norioth trumpeted, spiraling down to land with the others, taking the chance to show off as he did. Not too much, and E’san didn’t bother to scold or correct the dragon this time. The Brown spun gracefully over his classmates before touching down, his chest puffed out just a bit as he strutted back to his spot. ‘You are such a showoff.’ Yes, but you love me. E’san couldn’t disagree.

Tag to tovaana and deebear as the lucky targets of Nori THIS time.

[Taxx]

Weyrling training, as it turned out, was one long series of exercises that scared Lepsuth to her core, reduced her to a state of terror, and required K'zar to assure her that everything would be fine. This one was no different, and since D'rew had informed the weyrlings that they were beginning the visualization practice that would precede their first trip between, she'd been in a near-constant state of panic. When K'zar worked on focusing on an image, he also had to work on calming the green who panicked anew at each mention of between. It was a challenge.

He wouldn't have it any other way.

Still. This was going to be quite possibly the most difficult lesson. Lepsuth was always heavily present in his mind, but he was pretty sure she'd reached a new level today. He remembered the lesson before, their first Flight, which had been done solo since she had been too small to take him during the group lesson- so D'rew had said- and he'd felt her senses meld with his own, heightening his sense of smell and turning his vision blurry. Something he might have to deal with today, too.

There was no reason this time why she shouldn't be able to manage it- physically. So, when E'san and his brown had landed, K'zar had stepped forward, a hand on Lepsuth's shoulder. She followed. Sort of. Her front legs walked, her hind didn't, and when she was on the tips of the claws of her hind feet she simply sagged to her belly and lay there: wide-eyed, irises whirling a deep yellow.

Someone snickered- everyone watched. K'zar shot a glare in the direction of the stifled laugh before turning back to Lepsuth and leaning into her shoulder. "Trouble with your dragon?" someone else laughed; K'zar didn't look this time, only snapped back with his shoulder against the green's.

"Give us a minute. Someone else go." Then, just to Lepsuth, who curled around him the moment he had paused beside her. We can do this. We've practiced. Somewhat. He was ready, and confident- it was just a matter of bolstering Lepsuth to carry him. Far easier said than done, but he'd done it before. Whoever it was piped up again, started to insist they could wait on him, but D'rew cut in and shut them up, telling another pair to go in the meantime.

Fear- more like terror, really- was overpowering enough to tighten K'zar's muscles, sending a chill down his back, increasing his heartrate in instinctive response to what spilled over. Setting off his own fight or flight response, even though his rational mind knew there was no threat. He held his place, took deep breaths and set about soothing the green. It's no big deal. Everyone else has done it. We can too.

Her reply wasn't in words, just a frantic desire to stay right here and she didn't care what anyone said or thought, or if they laughed. Being laughed at was- well, it was hurtful, but it was better than being dead.

We won't be dead. We'll be fine, we'll go and then we'll come back and everything will be fine still. Come on... Gently he encouraged her to her feet, glanced toward D'rew to catch the bluerider's nod, and aimed a glower at T'ren before pulling himself up on Lepsuth's back and securing the straps. Her fear hadn't diminished, not in the slightest, and he could feel her body trembling constantly. She didn't want to do this- she would have much preferred to stay on the ground- or in their weyr- not here in the spotlight, being asked to risk herself and her rider for the sake of a lesson.

She didn't want to. But K'zar urged, assured her, and if she couldn't trust him then who could she trust? If K'zar said they'd be okay... then they would be. He wouldn't ask her to do something dangerous, she was sure of that. He never had before. None of this really eased her fear- this was still a terrifying thing to do- but she trusted that maybe, it would all turn out okay.

It took time- some time to convince the green to get airborne, more time to bolster her enough to send a clear picture of their reference point- several corrections needed before D'rew deemed it sufficient- and then the biggest challenge. Leaned forward, arms linked around the green's neck, K'zar fixed the point firmly and gave the command. For a moment there was no reply, aside from a surge of fear, but with a gentle calm word and a repeat of the word, the two blinked out of sight.

K'zar had been between before; he knew and expected the sheer numb cold and lack of any light. He kept the point in his mind, envisioning their exit, counting heartbeats until... he dragged in a breath, his heart jumping as they emerged again and began to fall; Lepsuth's wings and legs flailing in a moment of panic at the sudden return before she began to flap again. Are we done? she asked, the mix of hope that they could be, and the dread that they weren't, obvious in her voice.

Once more. Just one more. K'zar was no more pleased, really, but they'd done it. And they could do it again. One more time, Lepsuth, and that's it.

She didn't reply in words, but he felt the low moan at his answer- a clear indication of her reluctance before he set the next point in his mind and she passed it along. A few more revisions, the approval that marked the permission, and the second, final, trip. It seemed to stretch on longer this time, a few more seconds than the first, but the first prickle of worry was swept aside when light and air surrounded them again. I want our weyr!

Let's go there, then. Right now. No point in sticking around- if D'rew wanted to scold him for it later then so be it. Lepsuth needed no further permission; she spun toward the weyrs nestled in the cliff and shot toward them, all too eager to escape watchful eyes and the lesson she hadn't wanted any part of in the first place. Solitude, quiet, and the sole company of her rider. Nothing else mattered to her but those, and K'zar had no intention of denying her of them any longer. She'd been through quite enough today, during this one lesson.