Post by Zen on Sept 11, 2018 0:58:21 GMT -5
Turn 2761, Month 1
Candidate Master S'bol, Assistant Weyrlingmaster D'rew
S'bol had woken the candidates earlier than usual to be ferried up to the weyrling barracks on dragon back for their lesson today. A conversation with D'rew had led to the idea for the lesson. When the last of the candidates had been delivered to their destination, S'bol finally explained what they'd be doing today while D'rew went to ensure the weyrlings were waking up to tend their dragons and call them together.
“Today you'll be shadowing our new weyrlings to see just what your life will be like, should you Impress at our next Hatching. At this age, there is little difference between Impressing green, gold, or any color, other than the amount of dragon you have to wash and the amount of food it takes to fill them up, so don't fixate on spending time only with weyrlings Impressed to colors you're hoping for. I encourage you to spend a little time with a weyrling of every color. You'll be spending all day with our newest weyrling class and helping them with the care of their dragons for the day, so you'll have plenty of chances to spend time with several of them. Listen to them, they are your teachers today. And just like weyrlings, you won't get your morning meals until the dragons have been properly seen to, so I suggest you listen well.” With that, S'bol led them into the beast hold's great cavern, where several herdbeasts had already been dispatched for butchering by the weyrlings.
While S'bol explained the plan for the day to the candidates, D'rew had Sabanth call the youngest Weyrlings together to do the same, “You'll have company while you care for your dragons today. The candidates will be joining you to see what being a weyrling is really like. They are meant to help you, but that doesn't give you a free pass to sit back and let them do your work for you, nor should you want to. These are your lifemates and ensuring they are properly cared for should be your highest priority. The candidates will have no such priorities. Also keep a close watch on your dragons, they are young yet and may have varying levels of comfort with strangers. If they aren't comfortable with something, make sure any candidates know immediately to back off. This will be a decent exercise in your bond.”
He gestured toward the hall leading to the great cavern then, “You can start by showing them how to properly butcher herdbeast and cut properly sized meat for your lifemates. After your dragons have been fed, continue with your normal routine. Bathing and then oiling. Allow the candidates to assist you if your dragon will let them. Answer any questions they have to the best of your ability.” Here he grinned, “And get to being asked a lot of questions about your dragon. When you eventually leave the Weyr on whatever business you'll have in future as graduated riders, you'll get plenty. After you've seen to your lifemates, you can settle them in and take your breakfast with the candidates. They don't get to eat until your dragons are seen to either, so they should be eager to help.” He released them to start their day, following them into the great cavern.