A World Of Freedom [Worlds Apart Weyrling Lesson]

[Zen]

K’ton :: Bronze Sorth

K’ton waited at the height of the plateau, Sorth settled behind him, the bronze’s eyes whirling with interest as the class gathered. Behave. Sorth snorted, I always behave. It is the weyrlings you have to watch out for. You’re not as clever as you think you are. “Congratulations on making it this far without a single one of your class getting caught flying without permission. Your class seems to have a better propensity for obedience than most of the others I’ve taught. So today you will all be flying with your dragons for the first time, which is why Sorth told you all to wear your riding gear. Before we get to that, I have your new weyr assignments,” the old bronzerider unrolled a hide and read out the weyrs each weyrling had been assigned, “After today’s lesson, you will be dismissed to pack up your belongings from the barracks and move into your new quarters. You will be cleared to fly with your dragons as you wish, but if I hear of any of you doing anything foolish in the air you will be grounded.”

He rolled the hide back up and glanced around at them all, “Now, similar to how your dragons first unmanned flights went, each of you will take a turn flying a circuit around the lake and coming back to the plateau. After everyone in the class has had their turn, you are all dismissed. I’m sure the temptation to continue flying will persist for most of you throughout the day, but remember that your dragon needs time to adjust to carrying your weight around, so don’t overdo it. You have the rest of your lives to fly.” His gaze settled on Karo then and he barked, “Karo! You and your brown are first. Hurry up and get in the air.”

Sk’lar :: Blue Ikkamath

Ikkamath was dancing with excitement as K’ton explained the day’s lesson. Finally we can fly together, Sk’lar! The blue had already forgotten about his first flight incident, though Sk’lar was now remembering it quite vividly. Fortunately the blue hadn’t broken anything; there had been twists, sprains, strains, and bruises, but nothing broken. He had been grounded for a sevenday to rest so as not to make his injuries worse, and then been cleared for light flying for the next sevenday before he could really rejoin the class in full. Don’t do anything reckless this time, Ikkamath, or I’ll be joining you in the infirmary, he finally replied to the blue, tone dry. You worry too much.

With a flash of irritation he roughly shoved forward the memories of Ikkamath’s crash landing and the following days of recovery and the very real fear he had felt watching it happen. Ikkamath lowered his head slightly, That won’t happen…. Only if you actually follow directions and don’t do anything reckless! The blue huffed, but was suitably subdued by the memory and didn’t argue further. Can we at least go first? But before either of them could try to claim first go, K’ton assigned it to Karo and Gargerrith. No fair! Maybe we can go second.

[Esko]

Nothing could dampen her mood today. Karo took great comfort in the thought of what the day would hold, and something that she'd been excited for since the beginning. The skies. A brand new domain that she could explore and master. She'd be with her best friend in the entire world, and nobody could hurt either of them there. Karo looked upwards while tugging on her riding straps. Was it really so close? Flying as a real dragonrider? Doing all sorts of noble shit? Karo waited with the growing crowd of her classmates, flashing a grin at Aleni whenever she arrived. And winked. That was something she'd picked up over the months, though she meant it more casually than others might.

When K'ton began to speak, he started with...a compliment? Karo had prepared exasperation but was hard-pressed to deal with the surprise. So none of them had been caught riding their dragons without permission. She had to be honest, she was real tempted, but it was probably better that she'd used what little impulse control she had. Gar hadn't wanted to deal with scolding or her resulting anguish at the punishment, so they were all here now, being complimented by K'ton. Weird how the world worked, sometimes. Oh, they had their new weyr assignments! That was strange as well, and Karo knew that she and Aleni would be separated. Goldriders had their own weyrs. It was a bit disappointing, and hopefully she could still chill in her goldriding friend's weyr sometimes.

But she was paired with Mizao, which was lovely too! And it made sense with the browns being twins. Gar tapped his feet a little, and Karo tried to catch Mizao's gaze with a lopsided grin. After today's lesson, they could fly anywhere. Go anywhere, see anything. Karo had only thin, very poor glimpses of Pern outside of raids -she shuddered at the thought now- and Mavros. Maybe she and the other girls could brainstorm places to go. That would be fun, wouldn't it?

As soon as she caught where the course to fly would be, Karo tuned out. At least, until K'ton barked her name. Her nose scrunched as soon as she interpreted the clear insult through his emphasis on the word brown. Her bond to a brown was abnormal, right. Very easy to forget that over the sounds of her very normal and healthy dragon. A hot jet of air shot from her nose and she lifted her chin, turning to board her lifemate as was seen. I know what you're thinking. We can insult him as soon as we're not his problem.

'I'm not gonna do it. Was just thinkin about it.' Karo settled herself into her seat and latched in, double and triple checking that she was absolutely secure. The last thing she would do was fail. Gar shifted in anticipation, before spreading his wings open, feeling the slight wind under them. Oh yeah. Karo patted his hide and his wings beat, and he lifted off. Gaining altitude. He was gaining altitude! Karo tried to ignore the flips her stomach was currently performing to marvel at her dragon. Sheesh, you're heavier than I thought. Maybe I can't fly~

'Shut up, I'm teenie.' A snort from the brown as he began to circle around the lake. Wind through her hair, Karo sat up fully to feel the air. And, bracing herself, she looked down. The stupidest grin that she could've ever put on was shining on her face. Gar didn't need any pointers from her to steer himself, but she didn't mind. She'd rather revel in this moment, anyway. Alas, before she knew it they were honing back into the plateau, Gar preparing to land. This was their prime moment to fuck it all up, but she'd see to it that she wiped any smugness off of K'ton's face. Best way to do that was to be perfect.

And they were on the ground. Gar moved out of the way for the next classmate to take flight. Karo's eyes were wide and awestruck. She loved the ocean with all of her heart, but the sky got pretty close to her favorite place to be.

( Taxx and Zen for aleni and mizao mentions)

[tovaana]

Weyrling Cirene :: Blue Imperath

Cirene listened politely to K’ton. He was a frustrating instructor, being overly negative and cynical in general, but he knew his stuff. It didn’t matter, as long as she learned the material and excelled – he wouldn’t matter as soon as they graduated and were done being instructed by him. She withheld a wistful sigh at the thought of graduating. It was irritating enough that there was suddenly a class ahead of them, having done their training back in time. Today, though, marked the beginning of the end.

An eyebrow rose when he mentioned new weyr assignments. Then grimaced at the same time Imperath growled audibly. I will not share a weyr with a brown. ‘Can we…not do this right now?’ Cirene growled mentally. ‘This is supposed to be a happy occasion. We finally get to fly together.’ Imperath had not relaxed the curl in his lip, his eyes whirling yellow and red. Make them change it. ‘It could have been bronze. Or, would you rather room with Ikkamath?’ Cirene knew that she wouldn’t mind that, but knew Imperath’s opinion of the blue was less than that of other blues. He’s a fool, but not a self righteous brown or bronze. He turned a whirling gaze on her. Change it. Her jaw tightened, looking back at the weyrlingmaster to try and focus on the lesson. She knew she probably could talk to someone, but she didn’t care enough to. It was better to be content rather to stir the pot.

Imperath fumed, and Cirene tried to block it out as K’ton called out Karo with enough venom in his voice to be noticed. She was glad that even though she was a blue rider, he had the brown riders to take his anger out on. It made her look better, ironically enough.

‘We’ll volunteer next.’ She told him. I won’t if you don’t do something about our weyr situation. ‘Fine, I’ll talk to someone.’ She lied, not wanting his bad attitude to affect their first flight. She’d talk sense into him, somehow.

As Karo and her brown were close to finishing, she spoke up. “We’ll go next.” She quickly checked her straps, before easily mounting her smaller blue and clipping herself on. Her lips curved in a pleasant smile. Despite her cool nature, there was excitement bubbling in her stomach. She’d flown before, but this was in her control. Our control, mostly mine. Imperath reminded her and she ignored him. He wasn't going to ruin this for her.

As soon as Karo and her brown got out of the way, Imperath jerked forward and rushed into flight. ‘What the shards was that?’ She hissed mentally, leaning into the air that rushed at her. He obviously was still itching with irritation. He simply huffed and flew the course and she could sense urgency radiating off the blue, as if getting back quicker meant she could talk to someone quicker about changing weyrs. With a calming breath she tried to ignore the blue and enjoy the wind pulling at her as they sliced through the air. It was satisfying that all she had done so far had landed her there on the best blue dragon in Mavros – and now she was flying. Her thoughts seemed to calm her blue and their landing was a lot smoother than their liftoff. Imperath didn’t even bug her about their new weyr.

[Alyx]

E'rik and Brown Anatath

Our own weyr! E’rik smiled at the Brown, marveling at how the simplest things could make Anatath happy. ‘It isn’t really ours alone, Anatath. We are sharing it.’ I know, but still, it’s a weyr, a real weyr! Not just the barracks, with the flooding and the drafts! The dragon had him there. Anatath sat next to him, rocked back on his haunches like a big canine, his head tilted left, and then back to the right. But I will miss being able to play in the puddles. ‘I won’t.’ E’rik didn’t know Sk’lar especially well, or his Blue, but he really hoped that they were ready for the hyper happy Brown.

K’ton’s sharp voice pulled the pale-haired weyrling from his thoughts. E’rik couldn’t help the frown – the tone in his voice when he called on Karo and her dragon made no doubt on his views on the pairing. E’rik still didn’t get what was wrong with it, but clearly the Bronzerider thought there was. No one in the class seemed to dodge the disapproving look of the man, but the female Brownriders seemed to get the worse looks.

Can we go next?? E’rik watched the pair take off, pleased to see they did so without issues. ‘We will see. It looks like K’ton is calling the order.’ Aww… but come I want to fly! ‘You fly all the time.’ But I get to fly with you this time. The sheer, simple ‘happy’ in the Brown’s tone gripped E’rik’s heart. ‘I know, Ani. Wait a moment though, okay? Soon, I promise.’ The duel toned Brown turned and nosed the young man’s snow colored hair. Alright, E’rik.

Anatath sat as still as he could, shifting a little back and forth almost without thinking about it as Gargerrith touched down, then Cirene and her Blue stepped forward to go next. Can we ask to go next? Please? The voice was a plea, squeaky just at the edges, the dragon tilting his head to look down at his rider. Pretty please? The smile slipped over E’rik’s lips again. ‘Sure. Just let Imperath land.’ Yea!!

E’rik turned, checking over the Brown’s straps as the Blue pair sailed over the course that had been laid out for them, tugging the leather harness to make sure it wouldn’t shift under his weight. He didn’t need to watch for the pair to land, the moment the Blue touched down, Anatath lunged to his feet. Us next! Us next! E’rik looked over toward K’ton, giving the Bronzer a nod before he swung up on the Brown’s shoulders.

Anatath did his best to stay still as E’rik tied himself in. Ready? Testing the last strap, E’rik nodded as he leaned forward, patting the Dragon’s neck. ‘Ready.’ Anatath trotted, well…. bounced forward to be clear of the others, then launched them into the sky. The take-off was rougher then E’rik expected, and he gasped as the Brown powered up into the open air. We are flying, E’rik! ‘I noticed.’ The man could do little more than hold on, his heart pounding against his ribs as the smaller Brown raced along the course.

It didn’t feel long enough! It was like they just took off, and in a blink, they were winging their way back from the lake toward their classmates. I should have flown slower. Anatath’s pouting tone got a laugh from his rider. ‘Don’t worry. We can keep practicing – and remember, we have to fly to our weyr.’ Oh, yea! Anatath came in a little too fast, and the landing was almost as rough as the takeoff. Oops. ‘It’s okay, We just need practice.’ Yes! ‘But not now; off to the side, Anatath. Others are waiting.’ Oh, sorry!

The Brown scooted a step to the right, then a couple to the left, before really committing back to the right and trotting back to the spot they had been before they took their turn so E’rik could dismount and check him over.

[Taxx]

Today was the day! And it was truly a day of mixed emotion; on the one hand, Aleni was absolutely bubbling over the idea of getting to take her very first ride on her gold, of experiencing this first time taking flight on her own lifemate, instead of relying on others to ferry her when she had to go somewhere else. Vitra might be disappointed, she mused with a faint smile- her sister had quite enjoyed taking her to Jask for the wedding/Gather, but that wouldn't be necessary any more. And they would be able to fly together now. Once this very first flight was over, that was.

It was less heartening to know that she was losing a roommate. She and Riyo would be on their own in a large new weyr, a revelation that made the gold as unhappy as her rider. Karo and Mizao, and their twin browns, would have each other at least, which she was glad for. We could invite them over any time? Riyobith suggested, leaning her shoulder gently against Aleni's, the softest touch of her nose against her rider's dark hair turning into a nuzzle as Aleni nodded, a visual reply to the comment.

The two waited, calmly enough, for the others to take their turns. Riyo was watching more avidly than her rider, her wings twitching each time one of her clutchmates took to the air for the first time with their riders mounted, tracking them as they flew and quivering each time as they came to land before relaxing as they did so with no mishaps. No deadly mishaps, anyway; there were of course the clumsy take-offs and landings of dragons unfamiliar with the weight of their riders, but nothing worth getting worked up over. And as Anatath came in to land- dancing to one side and then the other before making up his mind- Aleni lifted her own hand to put herself and Riyobith forward next. Agreeably, the gold clambered to her feet and then crouched, her eyes whirling a cheery blue as Aleni made a last quick check of the security of the straps and then pulled herself up.

Riyobith's wide shoulders supported her with ease, and as she rose to her full height- rocking Aleni a bit at the motion- the young woman strapped herself in. Wings spreading carefully to both sides, Riyo took the few strides to the edge of the cliff and then the muscles beneath Aleni tensed in the moment before she sprang, one strong leap hurling them both into nothingness with a jerk that tore the breath from Aleni's throat and made her heart race. She dropped her body lower over Riyo's neck, tightened her knees, and clung to the supporting straps with both hands. Wind whipped her hair about her face- briefly came the thought that she should have tied it back- but it was hardly enough to distract herself.

Joy flooded the two, shared back and forth, and Aleni couldn't resist leaning to one side, peering past Riyo's body at the lake below, glimmering in the sun. On the other side, the shore sped past as Riyo made her loop, following the curve of the shore in a wide circle; a flash of paler blue out of the corner of her eye made her lift her eyes, a grin spreading over her face at the sight of her younger sister on her own dragon, hovering in the middle of the lake, well out of the gold's way but still present- witness to this first for the goldrider. Riyo glanced toward the blue but did not acknowledge him, focusing back on the ledge she'd be landing on.

She was determined to make this landing as perfect as possible- not in the attempt to show off but merely to prove to herself that it could be done, and she checked her speed as she neared, wings sweeping forward to slow herself as she reached solid ground and then dropping, hind feet finding stone before her front feet did, and delight at the landing filled her. She didn't give Aleni a chance to dismount, merely turned to the next dragon and rider stepping forward to take their turn and giving them a nod of her head and a rumble as she moved out of the way.

[Deleted]

F'ang and Bronze Gaburuth

As well as F’ang could hide his nervousness from others, his mind was an open book to Gaburuth. ‘You are tense,’ his Bronze sent to him. ‘We will go nowhere as long as you are afraid to hurt me.’ F’ang tries to ease some of his own tension by stroking the adolescent Bronze’s shoulder just ahead of his harness. We are heavier, Gaburuth, he thought, idly tightening a strap before clambering up the dragon's shoulder. ‘You are heavier. I am bigger,’ Gaburuth sends, nudging his great body against F’ang as he busies himself by strapping himself in. ‘We will be fine. Feel me as I feel you and we will be fine.’

F’ang feels Gaburuth twitch and tense beneath him, the anticipation of both Rider and Dragon settling in. F’ang takes a deep breath and holds it for a moment, ‘Ruth imitating him perfectly as they settle into their routine of synchronization and giving F’ang the moment he needs to still and clear his mind. From here, they would have no more words. Words were too slow for dragonflight.

F’ang recalls a memory of Gaburuth taking a running start to catch air, a memory from the dragon’s first flight when he was unused to his own weight as he could tell the Bronze was unused to having near enough to three hundred pounds of man and gear combined atop him. As F’ang thought, Gaburuth acted, powerful legs and talons digging in and sending great clods of Pernese soil and grass before leaping with enough force F’ang was certain his stomach had just dropped out of his body entirely.

Pure, unadulterated joy feeds back in a loop between the two; in Gaburuth for his youth and desire to be with his Rider, in F’ang for experiencing the joys of a youth he’d denied himself and the Bond they shared.

Through their bond, he could feel muscles working he knew he didn’t have. Could feel the great Bronze dragon’s wingbeats. The lurch that comes with unfamiliar weight straining still growing muscle. FlapFlapFlapGlide, FlapFlapFlapGlide- he lurches, g-forces pressing him against the back of the Bronze in his riding harness as the dragon pulls up sharply- weightlessness as they reach the apex, the lurch of gravity re-asserting its dominance over the pair as wings are tucked in, Gaburuth’s body twisting in the air and stretching his wings wide to fall back into a lazy glide to complete their circuit around the lake.

In the very back of F’ang’s mind, he knew he should have asserted more direct control over Gaburuth since this was a lesson, other Riders were waiting, and he would eventually have to control Gaburuth. Still, he appreciated the dragon’s care in not being reckless. He knew Gaburuth wouldn’t put his Rider at risk. Still. Landing was another issue entirely. As he flew a semicircle around the rest of the gathered Riders, he pictured Gaburuth landing just far enough away that he’d have clearance for his wingspan and using his tail as a guide to figure the distance to the ground, and, as he pictured, Gaburuth acted, though not without a wince when his forelegs his the ground and F’ang bloodied his nose on the back of his dragon’s neck.

With stars in his vision, he leans back in the harness, leather straps pulling taut to keep him from rolling backwards off Gaburuth and raises one hand to signal the next rider, the other pinching the bridge of his nose with a groan. ‘We will be mostly fine,’ the Bronze quips and chortles with amusement, knowing from peering into F’ang’s mind that the injury is superficial and the only real damage done to his pride.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

See, I told you we could have gotten away with it. Tak’ril grumbled, wishing they had at least once stolen away for a secret flight. He found it hard to believe that none of the others had done so, which meant it couldn’t have been too difficult to sneak a quick flight.

Then we wouldn’t be able to show off our very first time in front of everyone.

But no one would have known.

We would. His dragon stated matter of factly, no judgement in the remark.

The larger bronze outsized all in the clutch aside from his golden sister, by Tak’ril’s consideration, so they stuck to the outer skirts of the group. This gave Agureyth optimal space for viewing his siblings and their flights. Tak’ril had finally come to a good place, getting used to Agureyth’s need to watch and learn. His simple vigilance was inspiring at times as there was a wisdom beyond the dragon’s age behind it. But the towering young man was starting to lose that good place he had slowly built with every dragon that went before them. Never had he wanted to be up in the air even half as bad as he did right now. His dragon was cautious, but it killed him watching half the class go before them.

You already know how to fly. He said it dryly, half expecting no answer.

Yes, but you don’t. I am giving you the opportunity to learn. I wouldn’t want you embarrassing me. The teasing helped alleviate some of the tension the youth was beginning to exhibit. Tak’ril gave one of his quirky smiles, and slapped the bronze’s neck companionably.

How hard can it be?

Well, near impossible without wings. No teasing, just a statement, as if Tak’ril didn’t actually know that, and needed telling.

He rolled his hazel eyes. That’s why I have you, silly.

Good thing too. Are you watching? I was serious about the embarrassing thing.

Everyone seemed to be doing just fine, which made Tak’ril even more impatient.

What am I supposed to be watching? No one has had any iss-

Gaburuth landed heavily, and the impatient man watched as the rider swung forward smashing his face. Tak’ril winced, letting out a verbal, “Ooohf” In response to the imaginary pain he fancied proceeded the blood gushing from the nose.

See? That could have been you. You are welcome. Don’t do that.

Really, Tak’ril assumed Aggy was just as relieved to watch something go wrong, only so not to repeat the mistake himself. He would have to land better. Knowing the bronze, he would.

The quirky smile came back, as he saluted his dragon with a, Yes sir, and then motioned to K’ton that they would be going next. Due to the bronze’s size, it took him a great deal longer to get up the momentum to actually get them off the ground. Tak’ril tightened his hands on the riding straps, crouched low and comfortably over his bonded, the wind tousled his hair and the air grew more insistent, trying to drag him back with every preparatory beat his dragon’s wings took.

With a great leap they made it off the ground, and for a moment the wing beats seemed more laborious. The higher they went, the easier it seemed to get for Agureyth as he was able to use the air drafts. He was a natural.

I guess all that practice did you some good, huh Aggy?

You could do with some practice too, don’t you think mine?

Tak’ril smiled, closing his eyes. I could practice all day everyday.

You wouldn’t last.

The young man chuckled, punching downward teasingly.

You’re full of it.

I know. I get it from you.

They had reached the end of the lake, and were on their way back.

I could be up here forever, especially with you.

Well, I could go a lot longer then most of my siblings, but not forever.

I’m sure it will feel like forever when we are fighting thread.

Interesting, why do you think that is?

Tak’ril blinked. Why did he feel that way? Joia came to mind. Muze, V’than, and other friends came to mind.

Do you fear for them?

He swallowed. Yes.

We will watch out for them.

His dragon was so confident, and comforting, and Tak’ril’s lips twitched. For so young a dragon he was a most wise companion.

They were coming in for a landing, and Agureyth reminded him of the Gaburuth and F’ang’s landing. The stubborn youth rolled his eyes, but steadied himself. The last thing he needed was for Aggy to continue to ride him. It was supposed to be the other way anyway, wasn’t it?

They landed smoothly, and Tak’ril ducked his head feeling elated. They settled back on the ground, and Tak’ril missed the air, the height, and the power.

We’ll feel it again. Soon.

That’s a promise.