Repeating History [Timing It Arrival, OPEN]

[Zen]

BT Month 1 - Arrival
Over Mavros/Beastcrafter Cothold

Talaria :: Green Tanith

The time that stretched out Between was far longer than anything Talaria had ever experienced. She'd counted the normal time out, counted again. She touched at her green's mind, as if afraid she would not find it, but Tanith was still there. She counted again. Finally sensation burst back into existence and Talaria drew in a deep, gasping breath. Around her, the others who were partaking in this crazy mission appeared in the sky. Just as she was sure everyone had made it, the entire group let loose a keen of loss. She looked around, trying to pinpoint just who had not emerged with them.

Dawinith, Tanith supplied somberly, she is lost.

One of the young greens. Any others?

No. She is the only one.

Leaning slightly, Talaria looked down over the side of the green, at the familiar island below. Did we make it? Is it the right time?

We have made it at least, whether the time is correct or not.

That's helpful. She glanced behind her at her passengers, one of the candidates and two support staff crammed awkwardly onto Tanith's back. It wasn't like it was meant to be a long ride, however, so the awkwardness just had to be dealt with. The green was laden with supplies as well, hanging at her sides, and all the added weight was making flight awkward.

There is no one else here. I can sense no one, dragon or human, but for those who came with us.

Land, then. By the beasthold complex. That's where our candidates and support staff will be living while we're here. Best to start getting the place properly set up.

Circling around, Tanith had to wait for a couple of the other greens to make their landings and be freed of their cargo and passengers before she could land as well. Back on the ground, she lowered herself as Talaria released her straps and turned to the boy – Shintasomething? - behind her, “Unstrap yourself and then you can help unload. We're just getting everything into the main cavern for now.” The two women behind him were already lowering themselves from the green's back.

Esko


Novarel

Sitting behind Joia on G'rett's big bronze had been exciting for all sorts of reasons. He hadn't at all been expecting Joia to show up carrying her things with her, ready to go back in time. She'd seemed so against it last night. And then they'd been ushered onto Mastromideth and Novarel marveled at just how huge he was. He was gonna have a big bronze just like this, he was sure of it.

When the entire group winked Between he was ready. He'd done it before, on Nimiath's back when the green and her rider had brought him to Mavros. It was still a frightening sensation, or rather, lack of sensation. There was just... cold, a sort of finality to it. And when this trip lasted so much longer than his first, he wasn't quite sure what to do. What could he do? Only Mastromideth could bring them out. Panic rising, just as he was certain they'd be lost forever in this nothingness, light and sound and the feel of Mastromideth beneath him and Joia in front of him and the woman behind him he'd already sort of forgotten the name of brought him instant relief. They'd made it!

The smaller dragons were landing first, so Novarel squeezed against Joia's back and laughed, enjoying their slightly longer flight, “We made it! We're back in time! …Right? Do you think we are? We did make it, right?” He raised his voice slightly at his question, hoping G'rett might hear him above the wind and have an answer.

Alyx


OOC: Green Dawinith was lost between, obviously with her rider Orina, one candidate, and one of the support staff. So for anyone with a candidate, I suggest you don't reference Dawinith being their ride! XD
You can freely use Green Fealaketh, Green Hawedith, Blue Laverauth, Blue Hiyacraith, and Blue Sabanth as giving your candidate a ride. You may also ask someone with a PC dragon if they could have hitched a ride with them.
With this thread, you are now free to begin roleplaying in the Timing It board.

[Hiko]

“We’ll be landing shortly. Hold on - Doriath isn’t the gentlest.”
“He’s fine,” Caryssin called back her reply with a shiver. “Anything is better than that awful cold.”
T’lyron chuckled, and the girl didn’t know if that was at her expense, or for the shared distaste of between. “It gets better, the more you get used to it.”
“Why do I feel like that’s a lie?”
“Oh ho, you hear Doriath and you’re a smart one. Mollin picked well.”
“And now you’re making fun of me.”
“Ha-ungh!” Doriath’s landing was as every bit as harsh as T’lyron had foretold and ended in a hideous keening, with both rider and candidate jerking forward for the bronze's abrupt grounding.
“Hardly," T'lyron continued after a moment of silence, "We have two young queens. Two likely chances for a golden egg on the sands. You’re an asset.”
“I’m a commodity,” Caryssin replied, rubbing at her ribcage. “I’m useful in potential, not in execution.”
The bronze rider turned to look back at her, and the frown was clear on his face. Whatever he might believe, whatever Mollin and her blue had, Caryssin understood the truth of it.

She could hear dragons and make herself be heard - that wasn’t a common talent, and with two golds, every Searchrider worth his or her salt would be looking for the next Weyrwoman of legend. But no one had asked her if that was what she had wanted. She was no little wife, no partner to a Weyrleader, eagerly sitting with a gold while eggs were laid. The entire reason she’d gone along with the Searching dragons was for a chance at something to better herself, not merely appear better. On a fighting dragon, she might prove herself better than her blood. The idea that someone might want her to one day potentially lead a Weyr was preposterous - and not an idea that she planned on cultivating further. So if T’lyron was confused about her demeanor, so be it.

She thought about the blue that had sought her out, told her that she and her brothers had been worthy of something as wonderful as a hatchling. The idea of riding such a creature as him filled her with something she hadn’t felt since Betrol’s attempts to give her a home. A blue at her side, the skies calling - that was something worth dreaming about.
T’lyron dismounted with the relative ease that had to have come from Turns of riding, then offered his hand to her. Caryssin took it and eased off the bronze, offering Doriath the slightest of pats once she had both feet on the ground. The bronze rumbled amusement, as if he’d been listening to her inner monologue.
You are worthy of so much more than a blue.
And you shouldn’t eavesdrop into a private conversation.
Is it a conversation when you are the only one thinking?
The bronze had her there. Grinning, she slung her own bag over her back and began loading her arms with supplies as T’lyron gave them over.

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Melana counted in her mind, trying not to panic at the bitterly cold, black Between. She went over to ten, then twenty, then thirty…. Then sky. Blue, cloudless sky. Open air. Melana drug a quick breath in, fingers flexing on the riding straps. The Keen went up, echoing around them – she couldn’t help the quick glance, picking among the flyers for the other flash of gold. ‘Sularenth?’ The Gold rumbled. Dawinith did not make it.

Normally, the Gold could seem to care less when Dragons lower than a Brown messed up or got hurt. But this time, Sularenth keened along with the others. She was brave, for a Green, to try this. She deserves to be honored. Melana nodded sadly. ‘Any others?’ No, only her. ‘Small victories.’ As the others landed, Sularenth continued to circle, surveying the area that would be their home for the next turn and half or so. It needs work. ‘Well, what did you expect?’ Below them, Melana could see others touching down. ‘Down love.’

Why? Sularenth was enjoying this, Melana could tell. ‘Because we have supplies that you need to drop and the other people on your back would like off I am sure.’ Cowards. Melana rolled her eyes. ‘Well, if one of them pisses themselves, it will be on you. Literally.’ The Gold rumbled, clearly unhappy, and angled a wing to drop toward the landing zone with the others.

G’rett and Bronze Mastromideth

G’rett could still feel the Bronze under him as they hurdled through the dark cold, but he could help worry about those with him; they couldn’t reach for Mastro and know he was still there. The girl behind him worried him the most. Even as they’d packed up, she looked ready to back out – if it hadn’t been for the boy with her, she probably wouldn’t have even gotten on the Bronze’s back. Thankfully, they were out within another blink, and G’rett turned to look back and makes sure the extras he’d left with were still there.

Mastromideth’s keen took him by surprise, almost feeling the sound in his body where it rested against the Bronze’s flesh. ‘Who?’ Dawinith. Green… G’rett felt a moment of grief and pity for Orina and her Green; being lost Between was not a way he’d want to go. ‘That it?’ It seems so. Everyone else is here. ‘Alright, get us on the ground so we can get people settled.’ As the Bronze began to drop past the looming gold form of Sularenth, G’rett turned in the straps. “Okay, hold on. We’ll try to make this as gentle as we can!” The girl behind him was white as a spirit, and she nodded sharply.

The Bronze swung around, picking a more open spot to touch down to avoid colliding with everyone else. Already, Talaria was trying to get them organized, while most of the others looked more confused than anything else. “This is going to be fun.” “You have a strange idea of fun, Bronzerider.” He looked back at the pale girl, then the boy behind has he questioned if they’d made it. “Seems like it. Won’t know for sure until we get on the ground and look around though. Hold on.” Mastro gave a grunt, folding himself down so his passengers could get down.

“Alright, rides over. Everyone on the ground.” G’rett gave them a grin, pulling his own straps to escape first so he could help the others. He eyed the boy… Novelli or something? “Hey, don’t go running off, alright? Not until we’ve had a chance to make sure everything’s safe. Would be pointless to get this far just to get eaten by a wild wher or something.”

Joia

Joia was glad to be on the ground. What in all the Dragons on Pern had she been thinking of doing this?! She’d told Nova she didn’t want to go, she wouldn’t be going, and stalked away to not have to have the conversation again. In the morning, they would be gone, and she could finally go home. That’s what she had wanted, right? Home… back to weaving away from this place and the growing feeling of losing her mind. Back with family; her mother would welcome her back, and she was sure her father would too. Back to making pretty things, for people she loved…

Instead, she’d found herself surprising Nova by popping up at the departure, letting him drag her up on this impossibly big Bronze and… oh, she didn’t want to think about it anymore. She wanted on the ground. Like, turns ago on the ground would be nice? The trip Between had been so much longer then she expected, and she was so numb she barely felt the pressure of Nova’s hand on her back. Where they back? Nova seemed to think so, and G’rett seemed to agree. She had lost her mind doing this!

Soon enough, she got her wish –the Bronze under them found footing on the ground, and his rider slipped off, offering hands to help them down. Since Joia couldn’t feel most of her limbs, she took the help. Her gloved hand caught the rider’s, letting him guide her down the massive Bronze’s leg to the ground. “I think this is one of the single stupidest things I have ever done. My mother is going to kill me.” G’rett cracked a grin. “Well, seeing as the younger you is still at home, I don’t think she’ll mind.” Joia blinked at the man like he’d grown a second head… then laughed. He had a point, after all….

Haella and Green Tsulocanth

They bust from the cold Between, Tsulocanth greeting the sky with a bugle first, then a soft keen. The pain of lose knifed Haella’s being, and she knew without asking that they’d lost at least one. Dawinith! Come back!! Oh, poor Orina. Haella closed her eyes, mourning her fellow greenie for a silent moment as the slender dancer of a Green keened under her. If only Tully’s words would work, and the lost Green would pop out near them just a moment later. But Haella knew that was silly – it didn’t work that way.

“Everyone okay?” She glanced over her shoulder at the boys behind her, and the one kitchen helper she’d been assigned to back. “What was that sound?” Haella frowned at the boy closest to her. “A Keen. They do it when another dragon dies. We lost one of our Greens in the Jump.” The boy seemed to pale and then nodded softly. “My condolences.” Haella managed a sad smile. “Thank you. Now let’s get on the ground.” With a thought, Haella sent Tsulocanth dropping from the sky toward the ground below them.

The Green glided over the others, then touched down without jarring her passengers. She pivoted on the stop, prancing back to the gathered dragons like a high-bred runner, all smoothness and grace. ‘Here’s good, Tul.’ The Green paused, then folded down so that Haella and the others could slip to the ground. Can we go back for Dawinith? Haella bit her lip as she dropped to the grass, reaching a hand to rest against the Green’s nose. ‘Later, Tully.’ With luck, the Green would forget this as fast as she did everything else.

Eissan

His own dismount was not as graceful as the rider he’d been flying with, but at least he didn’t end up on his rear. His boots touched the ground, and he turned to offer a hand to the other people riding with them. “Hand me your bag, Vavithan.” He didn’t really know the other boy beyond names at this point, but might as well be polite.

[Deleted]

C'mor was feeling pretty jittery as the dragonriders collected for their current... trip? Nobody would be surprised at that (being a nervous wreck was basically the only thing the bluerider was known for), but even considering the bulky load squashing around all the passengers, C'mor felt a distinct twinge of fear pulsing at the edge of his mind.

After all, if he couldn't even handle his first SHORT Threadfall without getting rescued (and by the scorching Weyrwoman, no less)--the literal job that dragonriders were supposed to do--how was he going to feel any better about full-blown time-travel? It was one thing to hear about it in the ballads, that particular instance of Weyrwoman Lessa's trip to bring the Weyrs forward, but doing it himself?

Time to go, Zardilath said as their fellows started taking off, and the blue sprang up to follow them as C'mor held the coordinates in their mind: Mavros, but... earlier.

The time between was entirely too long for his liking. Nobody really liked between, but he was counting the normal time over and over, and for a queasy moment he wondered if he'd gotten them lost. But finally they were out in the sky, back to the colors and Zardilath's shoulders under him, and being able to feel again.

"We're back we're back we're back!" C'mor sprawled out over his dragon's shoulder, not caring what his passengers thought of his very un-rider-like reaction. "Oh thank Faranth, we did something right!" He hugged as tight as he could. "Come on, Zardilath, let's land and never, ever do this again until next Turn--"

Wait. "Zardilath?"

He couldn't hear anything right now, but the dragons--his own blue included--were open-mouthed as they descended to land, and Zardilath's eyes were gray with mourning.

Zardilath? What's wrong?

Dawinith is gone, Zardilath keened, his voice barely audible even in C'mor's mind.

Well.

Accomplishment was good while it lasted.

[tovaana]

MUZE;

“No. No, no, no, no, no.” The person who had gently pushed her in the direction of the gold dragon had gone to instruct the next candidate. She took a step backward, looking up at the daunting gold and turned away. No one would know if she switched places with another candidate, but as her dark brown eyes searched the backs of dragons that were loading up, there didn’t seem to be a way to slip away without being detected. Well, where there was a will, there was a way. She was about to head toward a green dragon with her small bag of belongings when she saw her tall brother. She froze midstep. He had been watching her curiously. When she caught his gentle gaze he smiled, eyebrows rising as he motioned with his head in a jerk toward the gold. She could almost hear his voice. ‘Nice ride!’ She shrugged and smiled coyly, turning back toward the gold. Great. Now she couldn’t get out without her brother knowing she had done something, and she knew he wouldn’t believe an excuse about candidates changing rides… they were leaving now.

This was what she had wanted, right? Tears welled up in her eyes, though she wasn’t sure if it was happiness or fright from doing something so terrifying. Vavithan didn’t look scared, so why should she be?

With a deep breath and blinking away tears before they fell, Muze arrived at the great Gold. She wasn’t allowed the time to gawk at the creature or take her time admiring the curves and shades of gold…Before she knew it they had tossed her on and they were rising. “Oh no…” She groaned, squeezing her eyes tightly shut as wind whirled around her and shuffled her hair that was tied back. Her words were wisped away and lost in the sky, moments before they went between.

Even though she had gone between once before, it did not help or prepare her for the second time. In fact, it almost made it worst that she knew what was coming. At least before she had felt a sort of gentleness from the blue rider, this gold rider had hardly tried to get to know them. And why should she? She was a gold. Muze was just a candidate. And of the candidates, she knew the least of all of them. Even her brother had more years on her.

Her eyes opened, but it was still dark, and she hadn’t realized that she had opened her mouth the scream – but the lack of air stole the noise from the mouth. She closed her mouth and ground her teeth together, clinging on to whatever it was in front of her that she could not feel. She hated between. Would it make her less of a dragon rider for fearing it? Muze didn’t have time to think long on the subject, for as long as the coldness dragged on, it was suddenly gone and there was light surrounding and blinding her unadjusted eyes. Then there was a sad noise, almost as horrible as it was beautiful. A keening noise. Under her the gold dragon vibrated with the noise.

A fast green motion caught her eyes and she glanced to her left where Coyli flapped hard to keep up with the gold dragon. She could not hear her flit's little voice, but the sadness suddenly hit her hard, something deep and innate. Loss. Instinctively she looked around at the other dragons to see who was lost, but suddenly felt silly… she didn’t know all of the dragons that had gone with them, so she didn’t know which would be missing…. and how had she known there was someone missing? She looked back at Coyli and watched her and the other dragons start to drop low to land.

Then she remembered that they were in the sky. Her hands pressed down on the gold’s silky smooth back, willing the creature to land with the others, but instead she felt her body dragged through the air, following the inertia of the great gold. Distraction. Whenever she felt overwhelmed, which had not happened often in the boring little sea-hold, she found something to distract her. Her brown eyes looked up into the unending blue and finally found where it met the deeper blue sea. Then she looked down on the other side of the dragon, ignoring the way her stomach was rebelling against the movement, and started to find glory in the tops of the trees and other details in the land that were quite different as it was not inhabited yet. Fast, too fast. Her eyes closed again, waiting for impact with her heart in her throat.

Vavithan;

While everyone was worried about with whom they would be riding between, Vavithan eagerly watched everyone put things together. He had tried to insert himself to help the packing, but found that his help was not needed, except to help tie and strap things on the dragons. Tying ropes he had done from brat-hood, something he could do in his sleep. He had gotten a few admiring wide-eyed looks at the quick sturdy knots he had provided. Otherwise he just stood there, people watching. People who were frustrated at something not fitting properly or people who were scared – and then there were the people who seemed to be newer, like he, and then the ones who felt comfortable talking with acquaintances or friends.

As he scanned the crowds and as they were loading on, he found Muze who had been assigned to ride one of the queens. She had taken a step away and turned as if to leave. He blinked, glancing to the queen and then to Muze. She was not so young, but he knew that this change would be hard for both of them… but perhaps more so for Muze. He had had the opportunity to be a fosterling when he was younger; Muze had always been in their small hold. She caught his gaze and he motioned to the gold with a positive and encouraging gesture. Then she turned quickly away from him, as if she were hiding something. His brow furrowed and he sighed, shaking his head slightly when he heard the order to get on the dragons. This was it!

The green rider that he was riding with reminded him of his sister – at least in age. Actually, he tried to imagine what she would be like as a rider; perhaps gain confidence, but not too much. Perhaps the world was not quite ready for her strong will. For too long her father had repressed his sister and he wanted to see her thrive. But as he took note of the dragon rider and the other candidate, not once did he wonder about the dragon he might impress. It had been the mere opportunity to escape the small world of fishing and boating, and to keep an eye on Muze, that had drawn him away to this new world.

They quickly loaded up, doing small introductions between the other candidate and the rider, and then they were in the sky. Since he was riding in the back, he felt free to smile like a boy with all the bubbly pies. Flying…Flying was something he could get used to. His stomach dropped as they lifted, but he was sure his body would soon adjust. Still, between… that was something he could do without, but it wasn’t the end of the world, it just felt like it was. Darkness enveloped the group of riders and their passengers and between froze the joints in his fingers. ‘The worst part’ he thought grimly, ‘is how I can’t feel a sharding thing.’ He gulped and counted, but this darkness seemed longer than the first time he had gone between… What if they were lost? What if they didn’t make it? Hadn’t he heard of horror stories of dragons lost between?

Light did come, but his smile didn’t return as readily. The noise? There was a crooning noise that the dragon made, that ALL the dragons made, and a slight vibration from the green under him. He didn’t have to voice the question; the other candidate did it for him. His eyes widened, mouth parting slightly. A green, they were riding a green. Could it have happened to any of them? His stomach squirmed and he felt the impulse to look around to see if he could find the gold Muze had been riding. He looked up when she was not around or below and found the gold. With a sigh he let himself relax and enjoy the descent, trying not to think about all the things that could have gone wrong – because everything else was fine.

Vavithan untied and then tossed Eissan his bag when he offered, smiling in gratitude. He noticed how easily the rider had dismounted her green and he tried not to look like a fool as he got down awkwardly. His marbled gaze looked around as he offered to take his bag back with a hand extended. “So, this is our home for the next while…” He had a half smile on, he was excited to start with raw materials…He was excited to work with his hands and build and create their new home. He turned to the green rider, “how can I help?”

[Taxx]

Ishal and Sleeduth burst from between with an overpowering sense of relief. They'd made it! And yet, it was quickly turned somber with the keen of loss that spilled from each dragon, acknowledging the one green who had been lost forever. Poor Dawinith and Hers, the two thought together, momentarily one-minded as they mourned the loss. But there was no time to linger, and Ishal gently pushed the thought of all those who had made it into her green's mind, lifting the sorrowful mood. Now we must land, she requested, and Sleeduth rumbled agreement as she dove for the ground.

She landed as gently as she could, just the slightest jar as her hind and then front feet touched down, and then she sank with a sigh into the sand, rolling just a bit to one side to make it easier for her passengers to dismount. Ishal did so first, before turning to watch as her single passenger unhooked herself and slid down the green's side. She gave Ishal a smile before heading off to join the other Candidates, and the greenrider began unloading the supplies tied to Sleeduth's back. One jumped as she grabbed it, and both she and Sleeduth eyed it in surprise- had they managed to somehow catch a tunnelsnake? Or maybe a pet?

Carefully, Ishal released the knot holding the flap closed, and a brown firelizard zipped past with a reedy shriek, soaring over the heads of the gathered humans and dragons and heading straight for the woods. Nobody called after him; Ishal watched the brown until it had disappeared and then continued unloading. "He got into this food," she muttered, poking through the bits of smoked meat left and wondering if they were still edible.

--

As soon as he was given the okay, Kalzen released himself and swung a leg over to slide down the bronze's side; he staggered, just managing to keep from face-planting into the sand, and then straightened as though that hadn't happened. He glanced back up at the younger boy and the girl, and then at the bronzer. Wild whers? He'd never known they could be wild- but then, he had never seen one before Mavros, and he'd assumed them to be like dragons, reliant on humans to survive. Apparently not. That was great news.

"What do we do now?" he asked G'rett, keeping an ear out for the answer even as he glanced around at the dragons who'd come, their riders and the Candidates and staff: all of them making up Mavros in the past. It was strange- to imagine himself ten Turns younger in this time, and yet to be right here. He'd be on the Bronzer right now, he mused, watching Kalahan and mimicking his father... "Here, you're not doing anything," a voice broke in, and a sack was pushed into his arms. "Might as well make use of yourself."

Biting back a retort, Kalzen just grunted, heaved the sack over a shoulder, and carried it to where a pile of supplies was forming.

--

Vitra could hardly contain her excitement- this was such a great adventure! She'd never expected this when Rachel and Aslith had Searched her, but it was an opportunity she had no intention letting pass her by. How could she be a rider, if she refused to go with the golds who were on the verge of rising? She'd been all too eager to give her agreement in going- she hadn't even had to pack, with all her clothes still in the pack she'd brought with her from Benden Hold, and she clung to it as she made her way toward Sabanth.

Going between was the most frightening part; Vitra had been there before, but the trip this time took so long that she'd all but decided that somehow, it'd gone wrong- until it gave way once more to light and warmth, and the fear was forgotten. The girl spared just a moment of sadness for the lost dragon, but no more. There was nothing she could do to bring her back, but she did give a brief croon in her throat, mimicking the dragons' keen for the loss- and then she put that behind her too.

Safely on the ground, D'rew slid down first before giving a hand to Vitra, which she took gladly as she made her way down from the blue. "Can I help?" she asked, and then took the knotted-together bundle of blankets before heading off. There was a lot to do before nightfall, and she was more than willing to jump right into the middle and offer her aid.

[Esko]

F'mol and bronze Zenoth

To be frank, F'mol still wasn't sure about what they were doing, even as he boarded Zenoth's back. How could the young Harper lad of five Turns prior know exactly what he'd be getting into by Standing? Even then, F'mol as a Weyrling wouldn't have ever guessed that part of bronzeriding would end up being a trip backwards in time to save a Weyrhold. Everyone knew of Lessa's legend, but legends were generally bogus. He had no idea if he was sending his dragon, his passengers, and himself right to death's door. The image you gave me is usable, F'mol. I know where to go.

'Yes, but how do I know it'll be safe?' F'mol cast a last glance at the candidates and support staff crammed onto the bronze's back. Fargo and Intago flapped in the frigid air, while Rego laid on his lap -not out of inability, but more of sheer laziness. Migo clutched herself to F'mol's jacket, where he had rigged some extra straps to hold her to him. 'Alright, are we ready?' He presented the image to Zenoth and his airborne lizards, all three sending confirmation that the image was good. Anxiety gripped at his gut as the departing dragons rose into the air, ready to receive the signal to between. We will be safe, because you're with me.

'Great.' F'mol sighed as the dragons blinked between.

One of the few things he felt were Rego's startled claws gripping into his legs and Migo's terrified presence in his mind. F'mol began to count, and instinctual fear began to grip him when the number went past eight. We are not lost. Zenoth stated firmly, but F'mol doubted that very much. At least, until they finally burst into clear sky. Rego began complaining very loudly about the trip, and Migo's small body trembled wildly in the harness. A hand instantly shot to try and comfort her, petting her fur. "Are we alright?" F'mol called to his charges. He got some shocked nods in response. It didn't take long for Zenoth to land, but then a keening rang through the air. Zenoth spared a short burst of sound. 'What happened? Who didn't make it?'

Dawinith and Hers. Zenoth rumbled sadly. Dawinith, Dawinith...one of the younger ones? F'mol's heart broke; he hated it when young people died, when they had so much to live for. Everyone else is here.

Thank Faranth, he thought, before unclipping himself and sliding down, offering a hand to anyone who needed it. One of the candidates slipped down without any aid, and turned to face him with wide eyes. He recognized the expression very well; the natural Holdbred reverence of bronzeriders. He had that feeling once, until he became one and saw that bronzeriders weren't very different from everyone else. F'mol offered her a smile. "If you could help unload supplies, that'd be lovely." He chirped, his mirth somewhat rejuvenated at the realization that most everyone survived. Besides Dawinith's loss, this mission was a success so far.

The girl nodded and immediately set to helping the support staff unload.

Shintagoi

At first, he'd outright refused to go on this venture. Risk his life, going back in time while following some silly story? Never! But then he'd thought about it more. Was this, perhaps, Destiny's calling? To go back in time, Impress bronze, and come back to save Mavros? Wasn't that the very thing he came here to do, to save the Weyrhold and turn it into something presentable? Maybe, just maybe this was the crucial step in doing that! So, here he found himself, in the skies and over a deserted Weyrhold.

Of course, it'd be much more triumphant if he wasn't forced to sit aback a green. He'd poured effort into getting a seat on one of the four bronzes, and then one of the golds when that venture failed. To add insult to injury, they pushed him towards a woman rider! If he wasn't doing this for a great cause, he'd have jumped off and run back to the Barracks. And to top it all off, he was shoved in with two more women. He hoped that the ride wouldn't be long. He held his breath when the green went between; not even he, a dragonman and woman's son, would ever be used to the emptiness of between- not that he would admit it, of course. How long was the ride supposed to be again? Were trips between times supposed to be longer?

And then they were above in the sky, no longer in complete blackness, and Shin breathed in fresh air. Good, he was alive. That was a good step in this whole thing. But then the dragons keened, and Shin looked around to see which dragon was missing. The golds were there, the bronzes were there, so it was one of the blues and greens. So it wasn't much of a loss then. But, dragons keened for even the littlest of losses. With a small snort, Shin looked forward to when the stupid green would land and he could get off.

And then she landed. Thank Faranth, she finally landed. Shin didn't wait for anyone's permission before sliding off, instinct leading him down the dragon's leg. Just before he could head off, though, the rider ordered him around. Shin turned his head and narrowed his eyes. Then, while his eyes were on her, he grabbed a parcel and hauled it off. Good riddance. Soon enough, he'd be ordering her around, as he should be already.

Tselari

She hated between so much, oh, she hated it so! Being stuck in that empty space was like something from a nightmare; unable to feel or see anything, not even the bronze she was sitting on. Her hands were trembling when they exited the cold space and lowered to the ground, the keening of dragons that soon followed tearing at her insides. Soon enough though, they landed and Tselari slipped down, pausing to look at the bronzerider that she came here with. He didn't look the part, funny enough; all the Harper tales told of strappingly handsome men that rode bronze. Then again, she wasn't one to judge, was she?

With a smile, the bronzer asked -asked, not told- her to help unload, and Tselari didn't hesitate in beginning the task.

[Rhush]

Srunae :: Gold Danovelith

I hope this works.

Don't worry so much darling, your idea is brilliant - this will work to perfection.

Sometimes I wonder how you can be so confident, Dano. Srunae chuckled darkly as she finished helping the last of the support staff onto her gold's back. Casting her gaze back across the many straps the laced Danovelith's creamy yellow form, she stepped back over to a strap that she didn't like the tautness of.

It isn't so hard to believe in you, Srunae. I am not sure how you have such trouble being confident in your own choices.

Srunae cast her green-hazel gaze up to the candidates, staff, and cargo, so many loaded in and prepared to move upon the one dragon nearly guaranteed to make it back in time, to make the mark that proved they could do it; the mark that had helped to sway the council into agreeing to the harebrained plans of a half-dreaming bookworm.

There are too many lives on the line to not at least be worried, assured of success or not. Danovelith supposed she could give her rider that, turning a whirling gaze upon her passengers before turning back to the fore, where the other dragons of her weyr shifted in anticipation of the call between. Taking a deep breath, Srunae hefted herself up onto her gold, a wave of encouragement passing between them before they went over the image of the past in their heads once again; each blade of grass, unfinished cut of stone, and the rays of the light above. For a brief moment Srunae looked back towards the present day weyr they were leaving, hoping that A'zael would be able to keep the peace until they returned later that day - and a few turns older.

Danovelith rose into the sky among the first group of dragons, her hide shining in the light as the call went out - and then they were gone, the air that was once full of dragon bodies suddenly devoid of them, as if they had never been there.

The time that stretched out Between was far longer than anything Srunae had ever experienced or had ever hoped to experience. She counted nearly nine beats, until at last sensation burst back into her limbs, and Srunae drew in a deep, nerve-clearing breath as she heard each and every person behind her take in the same air. Around her, more and more dragons burst back into existence, a rush of the cold temperatures of between left in their wake....

And then the keen began.

Srunae had known it wouldn't be perfect. She had known that someone would be lost; this was far too risky a maneuver for there to be no casualties.

Dano?

Dawinith and her passengers are no longer with us. Srunae took in another deep, cleansing breath, and rubbed faintly at her eyes. They had been a young pair, one that Srunae had half-hoped wouldn't want try this, wouldn't put themselves at risk - and with them had been a candidate and another staff member. As the dragons touched down, the keening slowed, then stopped altogether, though Srunae found little relief in the knowledge that the young greenpair were the only ones lost. She would have to ensure their families were notified, never mind the paperwork surrounding the shifting of rations, the calculations for housing... Perhaps they could hold a burial for the three lost, to help people put themselves at greater ease and keep their dragons calmer...

Stony-faced but for a faint smile at each of the people that slipped off her dragon's back, Srunae helped to unload the gold while turning over her plans in her mind. She threw a glance over at Melana and Sularenth as Danovelith acknowledged her sister, and wondered if Melana would be willing to help her arrange something simple.

(Feel free to be a candidate on Dano's back, if you haven't already picked a dragon to come on!)

[kevna]

Siorreya - Candidate

She didn't understand this feeling, what exactly was it? Fear? Could that be it? She felt...

Subdued.

The word popped into her head, and it surprised her. She couldn't remember the last time she had been subdued or nervous. It had been a while. But if any moment was right for the feeling, this one was it. She had been selected as a possible candidate to impress the most majestic creature in all of Pern. She watched the hustle and bustle as the loading and preparations were finalized. She was directed to Danovelith, the smaller, leaner of the two gold sisters. Siorreya stood next to the dragon, who though small for a gold still loomed over her brilliantly. She sure was beautiful. 

It would be nice to have a...

She forcefully stopped mid-thought. She couldn't decide what kind of dragon she really wanted, but a Gold? They were pretty, and with them came prestige and power, but.. She loved to adventure, loved to try new things, to be a free bird, and having that kind of responsibility would be near on impossible. She could admit to herself that she had a bit of rebellious streak. No, probably not a Queen. Although if she happened to impress a queen, having one as lean and athletic looking as Danovelith would be prime. She shrugged off the thought and allowed others to help her small frame onto the dragon. It was nice that Srunae was about her height, as the straps were more conducive for assisting her small size to climb on. She sat more towards the back of the dragon, and watched as the Junior Weyrwoman adjusted a strap with precision. 

The time was coming where she could be doing something similar with her own bondmate. Having silent conversations, adjusting straps, loading items for journeys and adventures, with someone who understood and unconditionally loved her. 

"Way better option than people." 

The words popped out of her, a distracted voice full of bitterness, and she jumped in surprise at the sound of her own voice. They had been quiet, and she hoped no one had noticed with all the bustle. 

Control yourself woman.

She chastised herself, shaking her head, and then her neck snapped back roughly as they launched into the sky.

Ouch. Pay attention.

Great, now I talk to myself. I'm a sun crazed wher on a rainy day. 

They towered high above the ground, and she took a deep breath preparing herself for Between, and then there was nothing. She pinched her eyes closed, waiting for the never ending nothingness to end, and then, when she thought it would never end, they burst into the sunny sky of the past.

Or is it the present, cause I'll be aging? And everyone in the present is now my future, which we'll come back to in a turn and a half, making it my present again. 

Oh just shove off.

She told herself, annoyed, and the came then trumpets of mourning dragons. Her stomach dropped as she realized what it meant. Death. She had only hear that noise once, as a small girl, and her mother had held her and whispered the sad fact to her. She looked around to try to devise who had been lost, and when that didn't work, assessed whether her voice could carry a question through the wind. She decided not, and waited until they had landed before seeking the answer. They loaded off, and as she passed Srunae she paused long enough to ask quickly "Did we... Who did we lose?"

Rhush

[tovaana]

Mazarakru;

While he could not choose which dragon he was going to ride on, he hoped to influence who his company would be by hovering near Siorreya. This whole thing was once in a lifetime, right? To go back in time, come back not even a day later – but come back a turn or two older? It was also dangerous. He tried not to dwell too much on that part of the trip, but if he was going to go back in time and if he was going to die, he would want to be with someone familiar. Hence, he hovered by Siorreya.

He was glad he had, for they guided them to one of the Golds. His eyes discreetly watched Siorreya eye the Gold. He was surprised by her silence. She wasn’t trying to talk to every breathing thing like she had the first time they had met. He smirked at the memory, but was also quickly distracted by the slender creamy lines of the Gold.

Everything else went in a blur; there were short introductions, packing and strapping things to dragons, and then they were launching into the sky. He was left with Siorreya’s words to think about right before they went Between. Life would be this cold and numb without people. He thought, trying to imagine and remember the warmth of the sun they had left behind. Then his thoughts ran out of ways to distract himself from the cold and panic that started to swell up in his chest.

Sunlight burst back into his life. His wavy red hair whipped in the wind, and all of the little sensations of riding that were often annoying became suddenly relieving…until the sound of keening began. He couldn’t remember a time when he had heard the noise before and he was sure that he would remember such a lonely sound if he had. When Siorreya looked around, so did he – but not to see who was lost. He was instead seeing if he could tell if it was one or all of the dragons making the sound. For some reason he hadn’t asked ‘why’ in his brain, not wondering about the keening’s sad source. Sometimes you just had to cry, there wasn’t always a reason…

Then they started to descend and he felt sorry for the ride to be over.

“It’s not true, you know.” He grinned as they touched ground. He had reached out to touch Siorreya lightly on the back to let her know he was talking to her. “People aren’t all so bad.” He winked, leaning a little to the side first so she could see him. It was true that there were plenty of untrustworthy people, plenty of people he would gladly punch if it were appropriate – and plenty of people that didn’t know how to be happy. Unhappy people did what they could to make other people unhappy. However, he found he just had to sift through the unhappy people and block out the unnecessary ones. After having said this to Siorreya with a smile, he made his way down - accepting the help from below to help off the Gold.

He regretted having to leave the slender back of the Gold. “Thank you Danovelith!” He said in a singsong tone, holding his hand on the dragon for a moment as he steadied himself in the sand. As wonderful and terrifying as flying was, he was grateful to be on solid ground. He smiled and nodded at the gold rider, but noticed she seemed to be distracted and he assumed it had to do with the keening that the dragons had made. The noise had faded away as they landed, but the sad tones had stayed in his mind. He had tried to push the sound out, tried not to feel the sadness, but his musically trained mind imagined how to make a noise that would go with the sound anyways… something he could play to join, if just to show the dragons that while they could not empathize – they could sympathize.

As he retrieved his personal bag of belongings he put his hand into the bag slung over his shoulder and fingered his smooth wooden flute inside, finding the holes and rhythm of which he would try out later. He had slowly walked away from the dragon, toward the sun as he worked out the tune’s theoretic existence in his mind. Maz was distracted from this as he spotted Siorreya back toward the Gold dragon still. He backtracked to the Gold dragon where he heard her ask about the keening. Loss. It was a deep monster, one that consumed if you didn’t have something to glide over it. To ignore it completely was ignorance, but you also couldn’t look down the abyss of loss too long. He suddenly felt fortitude in his earlier decision to find a sound and tune that he could hum or play flute along with to be his own keening... perhaps as a tribute to the dragon, dragon rider, and others who had been lost on the Green.