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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:21 am
Lesson Five - Wing Work Dragon size - Fifty-five percent adult size
The ramp was out again. Actually, they hadn’t bothered to put it back down. With the older Weyrlings only now being made to fly without it, it seemed pointless to pack it away when the younger lot would only need it up again in a few days. It was large and Kila had to rope in a fair few people to get it all set up safely and it was easier just to leave it. Rubbing her hands together Kila waited for the junior Weyrlings to arrive. There was a bit of a chill in the morning air, hopefully none would complain that much, not with the lesson plan. Today was when they would be having their dragons have their first flights. Having them doing the pouncing exercises to work on their jumping and landing wouldn’t be put in place just yet and Kila was thankful for that. Some of the attempted landings she’d seen would have been nothing less than painful had the dragon actually been flying. No, for now they would use the ramp to take off and the lake to land in.
As the Weyrlings arrived and clustered around her at the bottom of the ramp, Kila watched the dawning understanding on some of their faces. It was nice to know that at least some were able to figure it out. “Morning all, about time your dragons took to the air. Well, about time they at least gave it a shot and that’s what today will be.” And que the worried looks from the ones that didn’t get it. “I want your dragon to walk to the top of the ramp, you can go with them if you want. That‘s walk, I don‘t want any dragons falling off the edge.” As Kila spoke Camarith began to climb the large ramp. It didn’t take him long to reach the top. “Start with a glide and then if you think your bonded is ready allow them a little powered flight, but I warn you now. Getting your dragon to try powered flight before they are ready is a bad idea. It can cause some real problems that’ll set you back possibly even a couple months.” Once that point was made Kila began to explain the way she wanted the dragons to jump off the ramp, whilst Camarith went through the instructions step by step before jumping of the ramp. Gliding a while, before a left, then right turn, flapping his wings a while, before diving into the water. “Right, who’s going first?”
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:52 pm
Terrila and Prakath were up and about bright and early that morning, meaning they could spend some quiet time together as Terrila oiled Prakath. She couldn’t believe how fast he and the other Weyrlings were growing, already Prakath was taller than the girl and she was starting to appreciate just how magnificent he would be when he was fully grown. Once he was oiled – a task that now took a rather long time – they headed down to the training ground, Terrila knew they were early but she figured it was better to be early than late.
When they arrived at the training ground Terrila noticed a strange ramp set up next to the edge of the lake, it was a fair height from the ground, high enough that Terrila knew that jumping off would be a bad idea. Yet isn’t that what most ramps were used for? To jump off of? The girl wondered thoughtfully as she nodded a greeting to Kila, staring at the ramp. Wait...she wouldn’t be able to jump off without a painful landing but with the lake just there someone else could jump off of it and be able to land in the lake safely. She glanced at Prakath – automatically glancing down as thought she still expected him to be small, shards they grew fast! – comprehension dawning on her just as the other Weyrlings started to arrive.
She listened intently as Kila explained what the dragons would be doing and a small smile curved her lips, they were finally getting into the air, even if it was only the dragons by themselves. With her hand resting on Prakath she was about to volunteer to go first when she felt Prakath’s reluctance.
What is it my lovely? She asked, staring into his steadily whirling eyes.
I do not want to do this. She was a little surprised, he sounded almost sulky.
But why not, this is what you are meant to do, you are meant to fly!
/We/ are meant to fly. Prakath told her, nudging her and trying to bury his head under her arm as he had been able to do when he was much smaller.
We will do, but first you need to learn how to do it, you are not strong enough to carry me yet. Terrla soothed him, beginning to understand what was causing his reluctance.
Then I will wait until I can. I do not want to do anything without mine. He flopped down onto the ground, staring at her with plaintive eyes as she sighed. She loved him more than anything – how could she not after all – but she had learned that he disliked doing anything without her, or her leaving him.
I can walked up the ramp with you, and I will always be with you, you know that. She told him as another pair volunteered and stepped forward. Prakath merely grumbled softly, still unwilling to do the exercise by himself.
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Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:26 pm
Nasath's faceted eyes swirled with excitement. I'll go first! she announced imperiously. Without waiting to see if anyone else wanted to go, she nudged past Prakath, trilling an apology under her breath as the slight brush was rougher than she intended. Keokie followed with nerves pinching at her mind, almost all the way to the edge of the ramp.
Okay, mine... just lean forward and push off. Once you're stable in the air, you can decide what to do. Your extra work should pay off. The young woman's mind voice was encouraging, in spite of how *she* felt. Not that Hers needed it! Keokie had long since discovered how poorly the gold reacted to being bossed, in fact they had an unspoken understanding that they could pick on each other, but supposedly they were equals.
Secretly, Nasath was always looking to prove to herself (and to Hers for that matter) that she was the superior in their relationship. Keokie rarely figured out that's what was going on: she was so besotted with her magnificent gold that she just couldn't see the more conniving motivations behind it all. The one time they had come to a direct clash of wills, the ex Harper apprentice had barely been able to keep her dragon from overfeeding, but had not been able to prevent a massive tantrum- and her head had ached for several candlemarks afterward. It did not bode well for the eventual mating flights.
Nasath flicked her pale buttery wings out almost negligently. Keokie stepped back hastily, giving her extra clearance for her wings, though it wasn't really necessary. One thing about their bond- they each knew precisely where the other was; the nearer to each other they were, the more accurately they knew it. The gold, at least, was not worried about an accident. She stepped up to the edge of the ramp, with the toes of her forefeet curling around its corner. In a fluid motion, she leaned forward and pushed off gently, pulling her forelimbs up against her chest before her hind feet ever left the ramp. She wobbled slightly as an air current eddied around her, but the fledgling gold corrected herself automatically. She quickly bored with simply gliding, and angled her wings to catch as much air as possible so that she slowed drastically. The gold wanted to show off. Of course.
Don't drag it out too much, Keokie called down. She had stepped forward to watch as soon as Hers had gone over the edge. The slight breeze felt good on her face, but she felt it just as strongly through the bond, as it split over and under the dragon's wings. Nasath was happy, more so than she'd ever been since they Impressed. Even her first solo kill had not rivaled this moment.
The pretty gold flapped experimentally, but quickly decided that wasn't engaging enough. She dipped a wing, first the left, then the right, making lazy spirals down toward the water. About halfway down, she tucked her wings and made a shallow dive to build up a bit of speed, leveling out just above the surface like a waterfowl. Her legs came down as though to make a 'landing' on the water, and she skimmed across throwing up splashes on either side of her before the drag became too much for her momentum as her forelegs slid down. She was thrown unceremoniously forward, face-first the rest of the way into the water.
Keokie, meanwhile, was laughing out loud. She covered her face with her hand trying to stifle her mirth. "Did you see that?" she crowed to Terrila, her nearest fellow weyrling. "That's what she gets for showing off!"
Let's see you try it, Nasath said with just a hint of sulk. Her golden head poked up through the water, and she started swimming past Camarith. She bespoke him quickly to apologize for spraying him (though actually it might not have hit him; she was going too fast to see) as she passed him, undulating through the water. It was easier for her to swim that way, with her wings tightly furled, not paddling at all. She climbed up and shot a glare toward the lip of the ramp, where Keokie was getting down and making room for the next weyrling pair. The gold was already planning to make a big deal of the next time Hers had an embarrassing accident.
You did well, really, Keokie sent down, but was still unable to hide her amusement. Will you try more powered flight next time?
Of course, the gold replied breezily. She would keep her irritation hidden away. For now. Until the perfect moment came along. Whenever that is.
"Weyrlingmaster," Keokie said with a hasty salute, "Nasath and I were wondering if she can take another turn after everyone else has gone?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:37 am
T'rel had always hated mornings. He was groggy and tired--and it was too cold to be out from under his bed furs! Though the lesson subject had definitely taken his mind off the warm, cozy place that was his cot. He beamed at Kila, before looking to Mironth. You've been waiting for this, he teased his beloved bronze. Mironth hadn't been the only one; T'rel had been as well. Flight was one of the first major steps (for lack of a better word) to fighting thread. Do you think you can do better? He asked the bronze as he watched Mironth's eyes turn a whirling blue green when Nasath was thrown into the lake, face first.
The bronze rider was half asleep, really. He was blinking rapidly, not even the telepathic link between he and his dragon could keep him awake. He nodded once or twice before Mironth nudged him roughly with his snout.
FLYING! THREAD! DANGER! The dragon mentally bugled. That made T'rel jerk awake so fast he nearly fell over. His eyes flew open and he stared at his dragon, clearly startled. "Thread?" he repeated groggily. "Where? Flying. Oh, right." The bronze rider seemed to realize the lesson was still going. He looked at Kila apologetically. "Mironth'll go next," he offered.
The bronze was agreeable. He did not seem to mind going after the gold--in fact, he seemed determined to prove himself better. He climbed up the ramp with slow pride; clearly he wanted nothing more than to show off. How strong and bold and wonderful and brave was Mironth! How cunning, how brilliant--and soon he was at the top of the ramp, preparing to jump.
Be careful, T'rel warned the bronze. Powered flight can be dangerous. Don't strain yourself, and we won't have to--
The dragon cut him off by leaping off the ramp and starting off at a glide. His wings spread their full extent, Mironth was a sight to behold, and it seemed the young dragon knew it. He held the glide for a short time before he brought his wings closer to him, and flapped. The dragon was a natural flier, one could tell by the strides of his wings. So steady, so... It was as if the dragon were not the thing moving, rather that it were the things around him that were moving instead. After going only a bit farther, (he stopped reluctantly only because he knew he wouldn't be able to stand it if T'rel's begging for him not to strain himself became any more pitiful. Didn't T'rel understand that flying was no strain? Flying was what he was born to do!) he renewed his glide, and though the glide was smooth, his landing was not. He made a great splash; only his rider could hear his mental grumblings.
Well. You were doing great, until the landing! T'rel couldn't help but tease his beloved dragon. You did excellently, love. I'm proud of you.
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:22 am
He had decided that standing was really a waste of his time. He had nothing he really needed to be ready for except climbing the ramp with Quirath, if Quirath even wanted him too. It wasn't like he really had any purpose. This lesson was for the dragons more than it was for the Weyrlings. Well, all they really needed to do was make sure the dragons didn't ahead of themselves and hurt something. So he sat in the grass, plucking strands from the earth, laughing occassionally as the dragons made their landings. None of them had done as nicely Camarith, but that was to be expected. This was the first time. The first time was proving to be really funny! The boy was on the brink of tears, giggling to himself where he sat in the grass. A sudden nudge from his blue however, and the boy fell to silently staring the creature in the eyes.
"Puckmine, let's go next!" The blue gave Puck a hard nudge with his nose, the multifaceted eyes swirling with excitement before gave his boy another hard nudge. "Please Puckmine? Before someone else takes our place?" With another nudge from the blue, puck rose from the grass and brushed off his dirty trousers beforee he followed the blue skittering up the ramp, despite Kila's warnings to walk. The blue however, did stop at the end, proving his intentions were to listen.
Quirath watched over his shoulder as Puck made the climb before he turned to face the lake. He coiled into his haunches before swinging forward, leaping off the ramp as he spread his wings to catch the air. Puck merely watched as the blue form retreated over the lake, wobbling as the dragon tried his best to correct his balance. Puck watched, his mouth dipped open as he did. Quirath was certainly clumsy, but Puck didn't laugh. This was his dragon so of course things would be different. And Quirath would probably take the laughter the wrong way.
The blue's gliding was hardly perfect and he was unable to find the way to straighten his path. So the blue folded his wings and prepared to meet the water, crashing beneith the surface uncerimoneously. "Kila, we want to try again!" Puck announced, picking his way off the ramp before hoping off. "Come on Quirath, we have to get in line again!"
The boy rushed up to meet his partner as the blue crawled up onto the shore. In a fit of giggles Puck wrapped his arms around the blue neck, soaking his clothes but seemingly not minding. "Quirath will do better next time!"
"I will do much better next time."
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:28 pm
Come on Prakath! Terrila insisted as the other Weyrlings slowly had their turns. She was starting to get a little impatient with her beloved blue. Look all the other dragons are doing their flights just fine, now it’s your turn. She watched at Quirath climbed out the water before turning back to her own blue and setting her mind. Prakath!
Very well Terrmine, if you insist, I will not disappoint you. Prakath’s mental voice was unhappy as he plodded his way up the ramp dejectedly. Terrila hurried up next to him, mentally reassuring him and praising him which did help to raise his spirits a little. Still, when he reached the top of the ramp he stared out over the lack without enthusiasm and she had to encourage him again.
Come on my lovely, you have to do this first, before we can fly together. Remember that, soon we will fly together and we will never have to separate again! That reassurance helped the blue to muster his enthusiasm, crouch down on the edge of the ramp, then finally launch forward.
He shot swiftly through the air for a moment before he extended his wings to catch the air and begin his glide. He dipped his wings just slightly from side to side, experimenting with that before flapping his wings for the first time. As he went further the blue found himself enjoying it and flapped his wings again, enjoying the feeling of such freedom.
Terrila watched grinning from the ramp as all went well, proud of her beautful blue. That was until Prakath decided to look back, wondering how far he had gone. As he craned his head back he glanced Terrila standing on the ramp alone and he suddenly panicked, realising he was all by himself. He pitched forward suddenly and rolled tail over muzzle to land back first in the water.
Terrila hurried down to meet her blue as he clambered out the water and dashed over to her, almost knocking her over in his need to be close to her. Crooning and whining softly, he nudged her insistently as she laughed, soothing him gently.
Slowly leading him back up to the rest she smiled at the other Weyrlings, “seems landing is the tricky bit.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:50 pm
Cold air blew from Risth's snout as he and his rider watched the other dragons take that first step towards flying. He was more than ready to take to the skies since there would be more games he could play with himself and the others (though he doubted the imperious Nasath would ever want to play with him). Besides, while he was more than ready, he didn't want anything to happen to R'nith, whom for all his love and devotion, didn't have wings yet.
R'nith was a little nervous but did his best to hide it. A dragon was sensitive to its rider's moods and if he showed uncertainty, so would Risth. It was silly for him to be thus. He'd grown up around dragonriders and well shards, dragons were born to fly! Look at Kalla who came out of the egg flying. Still, he wasn't sure how much the blue understood this was an exercise and not a game.
Remember, just glide and don't put too much of a strain on your wings, R'nith admonished him, then gave him an assuring pat on the head. We'll have plenty of time to practice. You are lucky though, my darling. I wish I could fly too.
After bronze Mironth (who was obviously showing off for the gold) it was, Risth's turn. His faceted eyes whirled with happy colors. He climbed the ramp, craned his sinuous neck around as of to say "here I go" and with a gleeful dragon laugh, lept from the ramp and for a few heart-in-the-throat seconds, plummeted straight down.
R'nith gasped "Risth, fly!" Then he heard what sounded like "whee" and the blue spread his wings. R'nith was torn between anger at his dragon's careless antics and pride that Risth had that kind of skill (or luck) at such a young age. He didn't want to see the look on the weyrlingmaster's face, but he knew there would be consequences.
Don't ever do that again, Risth, R'nith ordered, his heart still hammering away through his chest. You could hurt yourself and what would happen to me?
I'm sorry my love! I would never hurt myself or you, came Risth plaintively. I want you to be proud of me.
Oh my darling Risth, I am proud of you. And indeed R'nith was, though he had to school his face in a mask of dismay for all to see. But Risth had to learn that not everything was a game.
R'nith, R'nith, the air tickles my wings up here! I can see you and you look so small! Risth glided leisurely for a little while, hoping for something a little more interesting than just gliding around, and there--what was that by the water--R'nith love, I see a pretty pebble for you to wear! I'm going to get it right now.
R'nith ran to the edge of the ramp, his dragon's happy laughter echoing as he held his breath. No Risth, just land by the water and I'll join you. We'll get the pebble later.
Risth was torn. The pebble was so pretty, but R'nith was so insistent. But he was a dragon and he was supposed to fly. Still, he turned from his goal on an elegant wing and sailed slowly down to the water's edge. Just because he could, Risth backwinged his landing and his feet landed in the soft grass by the water's edge.
There, he crowed to both the bronze and the gold. Do that!
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 1:49 pm
For the first part of the lesson, Alloth was quite enjoying watching the other dragons fly. She always loved watching them, hoping for their happiness, silently wishing them well, although she was never so proud as to think she could have any affect on them whatsoever. It was only when she noticed Neri shuffling closer and closer to the ramp, looking around with a certain sense of purpose, that the question of her actually flying came to mind. Oh! she whined suddenly. I'm not sure if I am able to do this yet, Neri. Couldn't you ask Kila? I could try in a few days. I'm sure I will be stronger then. You'll be quite safe, Alloth. Nerissa assured her. If you fall, you'll only fall in the lake. she said, even as Prakath did a roll and landed back-first with a splash.
But now that she couldn't stop thinking about flying herself, Alloth started watching the others with a growing sense of anxeity and Neri decided if she wanted to get Alloth to do this at all, sooner would be better. She look down at Alloth, who still managed to make herself look quite small, despite her increasing size. Like every time she looked at her, Nerissa was overcome with the desire to protect her, do anything to make her feel safe and self-assured. "Alloth, you don't have to do well. I only want you to try. If you do that you would make me just as happy as if you were the finest flier in all of Pern." she told her firmly, then turned to Kila. "Me and Alloth will go next!" she announced and began moving through the crowd of weyrlings to the front, with Alloth in tow.
Since Neri had spoken, Alloth ceased her complaints and steeled herself for the imminent flight, and what Alloth was sure would be an imminent disaster. She looked terribly scared, but in her eyes there was a brave endurance that said she would try her very best, if that was what Nerissa wanted from her. Only the idea of others watching her while she flew cause her to pause, but with light encouragement, she overcame her shyness and continued. They walked up the ramp together and Neri showed her how to stand at the edge and push off. Though Alloth was watching all the others do it, she needed encouragement to implement it herself. It's okay Alloth, I'll be here with you every step of the way. Neri encouraged her, speaking through her mind to show her how they would always be together.
With a last pat of encouragement Alloth took off and was surprised to find herself unusually light. Her huge wings filled with air and the wind lifted her slight frame with ease. In fact, Neri didn't know what she was worried about. Surely it would be quite difficult for her not to fly, with so large wings and light body? Despite how effortlessly she flew, Alloth did not look comfortable in the air at all. She kept moving her legs around, never sure where to put them, and she glanced back nervously. I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, Neri. How do I look?
On the ramp, Neri held a hand to her eyes and watched her fly. Her huge wings carried her with a delicate grace, like a moth in the wind, and her jeweled hide glistened in the sunlight. She seemed to glow with the sun, she glowed brighter than it. "You look beautiful Alloth!" Neri shouted, laughing. But since she asked honestly, Neri gave her an honest answer. Being so light, Alloth was gaining altitude a little too quickly. Ease up, heart. Try shifting you wings down a little. Remember how you saw the others doing it? Neri suggested.
Like this? she tried, tipping her wings down. But that only made her soar downwards in a semi-dive. It seemed like even the tinniest adjustment caused a huge change in her movements, and now she was rushing downwards, losing altitude fast. No, not like that! Pull up, Alloth, quick! But in a panic, Alloth pulled her wings up too much, causing her to stall and fall quicker. Her slight frame seemed to crumple as she fell, before melting and reforming into a slick arodynamic dive, only moments from hitting the water. Neri breathed a sigh of releif, but still ran towards the water.
The little green emerged from the lake, managing to look even smaller and more forlorn. She wouldn't even meet Neri's eyes, sure now that she was truly worthless and Neri wouldn't even want to look at her. Neri met her at the water and quickly put her arms around her, not caring if she got wet. Alloth, I'm so sorry. That was all my fault! She shouldn't have nit-picked. She should have known Alloth wouldn't take it well. Alloth finally looked up at her, astonished. No, Nerissa! You were very right. I'll do better next time. I'll get it right, I promise. Will you try again? Neri asked. For me? Not today, Neri. I don't think I can do it.. Alright. You don't have to do it today. Neri said. For now she wouldn't push her. She rubbed Alloth's eye ridges down to her chin, lifting her head and pulling it into a hug. But you did well. You hear me? You did really well. Neri smiled and raising her up, led Alloth back to the other weyrlings.
"We're done for today!" she said aloud, rubbing Alloth's head affectionately. "I hope that's alright. Alloth is just too tired to try again just now." she said, addressing the Telgar weyrling master with a salute. Kila had never said that they had to go more than once, but given how many people were getting back in line, she somehow felt like she needed explain.
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:58 pm
Risth looked over at poor Alloth.
Are you okay, R'nith asked, his eyes following his dragon's as he scratched the blue's eye ridges.
Alloth looks sad that she didn't fly as well. Maybe I should have made a mistake too. I will go over and talk to her. Maybe Alloth will want to swim with me.
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 7:34 pm
After Nerissa had spoken to Kila she backed away, carefully manoeuvring her and Alloth towards the back to give her a little space to regain her composure. Alloth was starring off into space, replaying every moment of her flight in her mind, as she obsessed over what could have been done and what shouldn't have. Neri had seen this before. Sometimes Alloth would get stuck on something and not be able to get her mind off of it, even for days, becoming even more withdrawn. In those cases, Neri would have to intervene and reroute her train of thought, but usually it was best just to give her a moment to work things through in her mind. Though she always came to the same conclusion -that it was her fault and she should to do better next time- it did at least seem to give her some peace.
From closer the front she spotted the last pair to have gone, R'nith and Risith, staring at them. Neri lifted a hand a waved at R'nith, not sure why he was looking at them, but wanting to be friendly. After all, Ista kids had to stick together, right? She did do a little side-step, subtly, though. To move in front of Alloth, who hated to be the object of attention. "Hey!" she called, smiling. "You and Risith looked pretty slick out there. Great job!"
Meanwhile, Alloth started at being spoken to. She quickly averted her eyes downwards and turned her head. If a dragon could blush, Neri swore Alloth's hide would be bright red. She hunched her shoulders and lowered her head, moving her wings up and forwards to hide her face. Neri rested a hand on her neck, encouraging her and reassuring her that she was there. More than anything, Nerissa was always saying how she wanted Alloth to have friends. Alloth tried, and indeed lots of dragons seemed to be interested in her, at first, but she always managed to do something to mess it up and scare them away. H-hello! ..there... she stammered to Risith. Her voice was very high-pitched, reminiscent of the way a flute squeaks when its player is nervous, but trailed off to almost nothing.
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:37 pm
R'nith walked over to where Nerissa stood. His smile was warm, to put her at ease. He'd had precious little time to chat with his fellow weyrlings, but it was important that they get to know each other, since they'd be fighting Thread together. Not to mention, he just liked making new friends.
He pointed at Risth. "I know the Weyrlingmaster is going to flame my hide for that little stunt of Risth's", talking about the freefall drop, "But I had no idea he was going to do that."
Meanwhile, Risth siad to Alloth, You shouldn't worry yourself. It was your first time flying and I'll bet the next time, you'll do better than all of us! Would you like to swim with me? We can play a game and maybe use our wings? I'm sure my R'nith will not mind.
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:32 pm
Risth flies well, Mironth commented, watching his clutchmate contentedly. That was, until the blue saw fit to challenge the bronze. That was Risth's fatal--or perhaps not so fatal--mistake. I, bronze Mironth, fly better than any-- the bronze began, eyes instantly going from the whirling blue green they had been to an angry orange. How dare Risth challenge him? Didn't Risth know that he, bronze Mironth, was the greatest flier Pern had ever seen? Just because he had landed in the water, while the blue had landed in the grass--
It isn't worth it, T'rel said, sensing his dragon's distress. You flew beautifully! A blue's smaller, of course they're going to seem more graceful. Of course they're going to have a little more control. They're not nearly as powerful as you are.
I flew well, Mironth decided, clearly pleased with his rider's messege. Green Alloth also is flying well, the bronze focused on his green sister. She is small. She will improve, he added, with confidence. The bronze apparently had a certain soft spot for the little green--or perhaps it was with all greens. He seemed to have one for Wridith, too.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:54 am
Alloth didn't hear most of what Risith was saying, she was too focused on controlling her breathing as her heart was racing nervously, but she perked up at the offer of swimming together. She did not know why he would invite someone like her, whether it was out of pity or he was playing a joke on her, but even though she was suspicious she was still immensely grateful I- I like to swim! she announced, a little too eagerly, desperate to make a good impression. Her voice was timid but determined, and her eyes were fixed firmly on the ground, though she addressed it with a serious expression. I can swim very well. Well, not very well, but I do know how.. Um.. She lifted her head and gazed into space, trying to think of something to say of the subject. Swimming is.. good for your wings. I've noticed that of the other weyrlings, the ones who swim well in the lake are most often the ones fly best in the air. She finished speaking and glanced briefly at Risith, though she quickly got embarrassed and looked down again.
Neri laughed at R'nith's explanation for the stunt. "Yeah. I've found that half the time they do just about what they please, and are only so kind as to inform us of it afterwards." Neri paused for a moment, a patient expression passing over her face as she listened to Alloth's anxieties. "I hear you and Risith are going swimming later. Would you mind if me and Alloth join you?" she asked "Or perhaps this is one of those times" she said, wondering if he knew anything about it.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:44 pm
"I think there's plenty of water for all of us," R'nith said, looking at Neri and at Alloth. "Risth says that Alloth sounds like she could use a friend."
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 5:04 pm
Kila watched as the young gold led the lesson by going first. Well, she was a queen, if one day she became a senior she'd be leading everyone. She might as well start the leading now. She was quick to take off, which was good. Tucked up a little too fast. Kila noted her quickly corrected wobble, but was immediately aware when the gold started to slow, this did not bode well. She had had enough of showing off hatchlings to last a lifetime. Sure enough after some basic maneuvers the gold tried something she wasn't ready for and paid the price for it. At least she was above the water when she had done it. Kila said nothing as Camarith acknowledge Nasath's apology with a silent nod. She was quite sure he'd been too far away for it to trouble him, but humility isn't a bad thing. When Keokie asked if Nasath could go again Kila nodded. "Of course, of course. Now Nasath, your take off was fluid, but you may be tucking up too early, give it maybe a second more. Also perhaps we should leave the more advanced moves until we've fully grasped the basics. Hm? Overall though it was a good first flight, until that last part."
Kila turned her head to the junior Bronzerider and raised an eyebrow at his behaviour. If he couldn't stay awake in lessons then maybe his curfew need be reviewed. As the bronze headed up the ramp Kila waited patiently for his take off, only for it to not have much waiting time at all. The take off was clean and the glide wasn't a disaster. Perhaps a little shaky, but everyone's was. Though his wing beats were steady Kila noticed his dipping in altitude, he had the motion, but not the strength to support it. The landing was not a graceful affair, but they did have to press on. "A very good take off, Mironth. You're going to want to improve your wing strength or you'll lose too much height relying on only powered flight. Practicing your landings during free time might also be worth considering."
Kila appreciated Quirath's flight. The blue didn't attempt to show off and seemed more concerned with the basics, which was what this lesson was about. Again the take off was good, but there was no denying that he was unsteady in the air. It wasn't surprising or in any way worrying. Through practice the blue would find his balance, he would find a position that suited his traits. When the blue emerged and Puck seemed so adamant to go again Kila smiled. "Yes, yes, you can go again. Loving the landing, Quirath." She couldn't help but find the Bluerider's attitude infectious.
When she looked back to the ramp though her smile faulted slightly, the blue certainly didn't look happy to be attempting his first flight. Usually it was hard to keep dragons on the ground. Whatever the problem was it seemed to be rectified enough for Prakath to take off. The blue kept his wings closed longer than the others had, whether it was purposeful and he wasn't as doubtful, or merely by chance it allowed the blue to pick up decent speed. Overall the flight was going rather well until the blue looked back. Immediately Kila knew what the problem was, it happened from time to time. Just a dragon that was still too uncertain to leave their bonded. Kila cringed slightly as the sound of the blue hitting the water reached her. Luckily, given the speed he got to his bonded, the blue was overall fine. "A very good flight, Prakath. Terrila, confidence is the problem here. If you want I can help with that."
The next blue's stunt did not go down well with Kila. The other's had shown off above the water, where it was safe to do so, Risth had not. The blue was lucky he didn't smack into the ground. His flight was the usual amount of shakiness that was to be expected from someone his age and there was nothing extraordinarily wrong with his movements. His turn to come back toward the group was wider than an adult dragon's would have been, but again age could solve that. The blue's crow was drowned out by Camarith's deeper disapproving bellow from the water. Given by her folded arms and displeased expression Kila was less than impressed. "Risth, your instructions were to glide from the ramp and land in the water. Neither of these did you manage to accomplish. R'nith, do you know how much force Risth would've just landed with?" Kila turned her attention to the rest of the group. "In my last class I had a Brownrider who decided that I did not know what I was talking about when I told him not to do something. He was told his dragon could not support his weight. He decided to ignore that and Camarith and I had to go out in the dead of night and retrieve him after the two had decided to try paired flight. His dragon ended up straining himself and he ended up in three weeks of confinement. Let me make this perfectly clear: If I give you an instruction, you follow it. Because no matter how ready you think your dragon is, unless I tell you they are, they're not." Kila looked at each pair individually, just to be sure the severity of the point was gotten across without any fuzziness.
With that bit of unpleasantness out of the way Kila waved on the next pair. Alloth and Nerissa. The green's take off and glide were very delicate looking. Very light, a bit too light actually. The wind was taking her up a bit higher than Kila was comfortable with. Although the sudden change was much less preferred. The green began to plummet and didn't seem capable of rearranging herself in a way that allowed her to regain her altitude. Kila was expected a rather painful sound as the green hit the water, but she managed to straighten out fast enough for her to dive cleanly into the water. "That's perfectly fine, many dragons don't go twice on the first day. Now Alloth's main problem is that she is very light, it means she'll be a good flier, but she is going to have to be very precise about her movements so we don't get a repeat of that. Although I'm glad some were listening when I said about diving."
((Just two points I feel I need to make here. 1. Getting things right the first time. I'd rather you didn't. Many of the lessons I do require some form of physical effort or new skill. Take this for example; these dragons will never have had to support their weight on these appendages. They aren't gonna know how to do fancy maneuvers or much at all since all Camarith showed was constant speed and a basic turn. Think of it like your first steps. I've certainly never seen a kid get up and walk for the first time without falling over. (And birds don't fly perfectly instinctively before you jump that on me.) It is also very boring for me and others involved if either I have to write an evaluation of a flawless flight or they have to deal with something I consider to be godmoding. Bottom line: You ain't perfect, neither's your character. If you don't have any faults I will put them in. 2. Posting order. I like posting orders, it makes things simple and easy to follow. So, please keep to the posting order. If you posted your flight second, you went second. Similarly, if someone has said something in a conversation you cannot then have said something before them which would change the conversation. Time hopping is not appreciated and makes conversations and events hard to follow. Respect these points or I will hit with my point-hammer.))
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