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Post by thewicked on Jun 17, 2009 13:46:45 GMT -5
A turn... that is how long it took Delano to get inside Araelen Weyr. But he was here at last, disguised as a runnerbeast tender, getting his first foothold on his ultimate goal.
Delano had been introduced to the various runnerbeasts in the stables and had already been assigned his duties for his first day there. Leading a few of the beasts out into a small paddock, Delano returned to their stalls with a shovel and began to remove the old, soiled straw. The barn reeked of ammonia, but Delano didn't mind. He'd grown up on a farm his whole life, and was used to the smell and the work. Grabbing a bucket, he began scooping up water and filling each of the beasts' pales. After, he spread new straw on the floors for bedding, and forked hay into a corner of each stall. Returning the runnerbeasts to their homes, Delano sat down on a bale of straw and breathed deeply. He was nervous. He knew he shouldn't be. He had to control himself. Work helped to keep his mind focussed, but he was running short on things to do. He sat there, fiddling with a hoof pick in his hand, listening to the runnerbeasts masticating their fresh feed. Delano was restless, eager to take action now, but he knew it was far too soon.
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Post by .K.aci on Jun 18, 2009 14:20:56 GMT -5
Sally, take my hand We'll travel south cross land Put out the fire And don't look past my shoulder. ;;For one young man, chore's today would be actually... Fun. H'aze enjoyed being a Senior Weyrling - it meant that the responsiblity was not only more, but more extensive. Easy chores were there for teh young candidates - as a Weyrling, he was more often in charge, and as a Wingsecond still as a Senior Weyrling? The young man had changed since he first arrived a the weyr, so much for the better. MineOwn, we did it together. The Bronze in his head was right, and H'aze looked upwards to see the creature flying to the ledges to sun. I agree, Dart. Wingseconds - it's a huge step. The Bronze only gave a curt agreement, and landed on the ledge - he was sulking again. The young man who had Impressed the Bronze rolled his eyes. Dartagnath was still sulking - he had taken his loss of Gwynevith harder than H'aze had expected. It hadn't been easy for him, either. H'aze had liked Alana for a long time, and yet Dartagnath had been knocked from the Flight early by a wrenched wing. His flight was only just coming back to parr... But his pride seemed as though it would never be back. The Bronze had heard his thoughts, connected as they were, and only spoke a few words. I lost to a Brown. The last word was hissed, spat out like something foul. We lost them. That was true, and H'aze tipped his head away rather than think about it. His Bronze's words were sad now, remorseful and echoy... A sadness that H'aze felt was his fault. Dart was young, so young... He wasn't even fully grown, and yet he had tried.
;;The Wingsecond was busy, as he always was, but more so now. He had requested more chores, despite lessons and learning from D'gellin. The poor man had had to teach his Wingsecond from scratch - but everyone started out young, and he was patient. Now, even with all of the responsibilities, the young man had still requested this. A runnerbeast foal had been orphaned not two candlemark's ago - H'aze had overheard them talking about it, and had taken charge of the young filly. She would need to be cared for extensively, considering how young she was, but he needed to keep busy. Without that... H'aze wasn't sure he could make it through the next sevendays. Dartagnath? His dragon knew he was talking to him, but merely streached out farther on the ledge to get sun. His would talk to him anyway. It wasn't your fault, my Love. You were rolling to get out of the way of something that could hurt you - she will Rise again.
;;The dragon ignored him, and even from where he stood now H'aze could see that his eyes were whirring a blood red color. Fine, ignore me. His dragon was too proud, too bold... He regretted the loss just as well, but Dartagnath was taking it too hard. Shaking the thoughts away from his mind, H'aze turned his six foot four frame to the stables where he would be spending his next few sevendays. At his side paced a feline - Amora was nearly at his hip - and on his shoulder perched a dark Brown flitt with wings far too big for his body. Ritan was afraid of everything, but refused to leave His's side for anything. H'aze found it amusing that Ritan wasn't afraid of him - after all, he was a scary looking man. At twenty turns, H'aze was all grown up... But he still bore the scars of a childhood nightmare. He was the most noticable person in the weyr, for thick black and scarlet tattoo's ran around his body - they started under his left eye, down the side of his neck, and went down fully to the right heel of his foot. He had it curling down like a long tunnelsnake on his right arm as well, a elegant pattern of swirls and loops.
;;That tattoo was so much apart of him now that H'aze didn't even think about it. The ex-trader had been used to stares, and now he was even more so - a Bronze rider had his name known in the Hold's across Pern, after all. But none of that mattered to the young man. H'aze was more worried about the young black and white piebald filly he was currently staring at over her stall door. He had slipped in the side door of the stables, not wanting to bother anyone... She was sleeping, curled in hay and so tiny. With a shake of his head, he walked down the hall, silent as always. A large hand ran through thick white blond hair as he tried to figure out exactly where to start... A person was sitting there!
;;H'aze froze, staring at him, while Ritan squeaked and threw up his too big wings. He had found that they made a useful hiding place, of the mind that if he couldn't see the scary thing, the thing couldn't see him. Of course, His would protect him. Amora - bored of the whole ordeal - sat down and proceeded to yawn, showing off large fangs, while H'aze spoke quietly. "Hello. I'm Wingsecond H'aze of Bronze Dartagnath and" - no need to point out he was only a Weyrling right now - "I was wondering if you could help me for a moment." He took that few seconds to look at him, trying to memorize his features. Crystal blue eyes took in the green eyes, the much stockier man, the brown hair and the obvious signs of scars. H'aze wasn't really dark, so his own scars were hidden - he managed to have made sure he hadn't broken his face, at least. The man was shorter than he - he could tell although he sat down - but he was so much larger. H'aze wasn't that much of a wide person - he was a rapier to the man's broadsword. But his eyes betrayed nothing of his thoughts about the man's appearance as he waited for words. He just needed help with the filly. The Bronze rumbled on his ledge, tipping his face to the spring sun.
The exodus is here The happy ones are near Let's get together Before we get much older.
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Post by thewicked on Jun 19, 2009 18:51:53 GMT -5
Delano heaved a great sigh, looking out across the volcanic bowl that was the Weyr. He rested his chin upon his balled up fist with his arm propped up on his knee and contemplated the coming days at the Weyr. He was very lost in his thoughts that he almost didn't acknowledge the young man addressing him. A bit startled, Delano snapped to attention and rose swiftly from his seat. He whirled around in one fluid motion, taking a half-defensive stance, before realizing it was merely a dragonrider here to pester him. Delano relaxed as much as he could around one of the riders, but his muscles remained taut and his fingers tapped a wooden post to the right of him.
"Aye, what d'ya need help with?" he asked, not politely, but also without being rude. He looked at H'aze with little interest, pretending he was just like anyone else he had to deal with.
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Post by Spiffy .th ! on Jun 20, 2009 15:21:07 GMT -5
This was all so new, so strange, to the dark stranger as he passed through the myriad of caverns that connected the various parts of the Weyr to others. This particular passage, at this time, was the only one he knew of for sure so far. It ran from the beast stables to the system that was the candidates area, he had come through it that morning. The blue rider had barely given him time to make sure that Dusk was in the paddock before he whisked him, though some resistance was met, to the barracks.
How had he gotten himself into this mess? For a mess it surely was, now he was stuck here in the Weyr with no way to get out again, fore surely he would not be allowed to simply wander back to the mainland, as a candidate anyway. Being closed in troubled him deeply, accustomed as he was to the freedom and open air of a Trading Caravan. He would have to adjust quickly, for he knew that the hatching was nigh, and soon he would be tied here more firmly than he had ever been tied. Allegedly, and that was only if he did indeed Impress at all. He still had his doubts.
Leaving the cavern network just before the stables he walked over to the paddock and cast he green eyes over the field, absently pulling a piece of dark hair out from in front of his face. He spotted Dusk at the far side of the field, somewhat near the middle of the fence that bordered the area. Increasing his pace to a quick jog he jumped up onto the bottom rail, raised his hands to his mouth and whistled sharply. Dusk raised her head at the sound, and whinnied back to him, before trotting over. He couldn't help but notice that she was still a little unsure of herself, not going as fast as she usually would, so he guessed that the fellis they had given her for the journey over to the island had not yet fully worn off. Maybe he should put her in the stable. He should probably feed her too, as it had been a while since he had done so.
Giving her a stroke first, he placed his hand on her nose and clicked his tongue, started to walk toward the gate. As he had taught her to do, she followed him to the gate, through that and from there into the stable. Going through the main door into the barn, hand still on Dusk's nose, he looked around for a free stable; there were quite a few. But there were also two people there, the second jumping up as he entered, but he appeared to have been startled by the larger man rather than by himself. Nodding to them on his way past, he led Dusk into a stable not far from the door, or from the other pair for that matter, though that factor had not featured in his choice.
He had missed most of their conversation probably, or maybe it had only just begun. He had been in time to hear the smaller of the two - the one who had jumped up - say something about "need help with," noting the wary questioning emphasis that he have it.
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Post by thewicked on Jul 7, 2009 16:28:53 GMT -5
While Delano waited for the young man to respond, he caught a flash of movement in the corner of his eye. He saw another young man leading one of the runnerbeasts into a stall. Delano heaved a sigh of irritation and marched over to the newcomer. "Excuse me, sir," he said in a very harsh tone of voice. "Ther runnerbeasts are to be out in the field for grazing right now. There is a set schedule that is to be followed, and I cannot have people coming in here and randomly changing things how they wish!" he hissed, taking ahold of a halter and preparing to slip it onto Dusk to return her to the field. Delano was completely unamused by the processions of these Weyr people. They had an attitude he couldn't help but despise. Cocky, introverted, and so naive. This was going to make for a very long day...
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Post by Spiffy .th ! on Jul 8, 2009 7:13:03 GMT -5
Remmekk turned his head at the sound of a harsh voice coming up from behind him. Seeing he smaller of the two men approaching him, obviously irritated but that was no excuse for his brashness, he turned to him fully. He was irked by the others attitude, but hid it behind a cool superior attitude.
"I would apologise for not knowing of this schedule that you're talking about, as I and Dusk here only arrived early this morning. But she has been out in the paddock all day without feed and this is the first chance I've had to tend to her properly since we arrived. And besides," he began to glare at the presumptuous man who had grabbed a halter and was advancing towards Dusk, placing himself in Delano's way, "she is still recovering from her dose of fellis. I was under the impression that the stalls would be open for me to use until she has fully recovered." He slowed for the last few words, adding weight to them, making his glare a little questioning by raising one brow slightly. As it was he knew very little of how the stables here worked, but he wasn't going to look like a complete imbecile in front of his antagonist, who he couldn't even look down on as he was the same height as Remmekk. But he had been told by the bluerider that he could stable her if he liked until she was recovered from her fellis, and that was what he fully intended to do, as the blasted candidate master had kept him busy and away from her for as long as he could so far.
He looked around at the other man standing by the stalls, noting the knot on his shoulder for what it was. Ah, he would know, a wingseconds word carried much more weight than whatever this prat was. "Isn't that right, dragonrider?" he inquired, louder than before to make sure that he was heard by the rider. Surely he was entitled to the use of a stable?
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Post by .K.aci on Jul 8, 2009 13:12:06 GMT -5
MineOwn, I have had a thought. H'aze tipped an ear up to the Bronze on the ledge, but Dartagnath suddenly rejected it. No - I change my mind. It was listening to his dragon that H'aze had missed the movement, and shifted himself, dropping a hand down to his belt where the dagger was and spreading his stance wider - the better to take a hit and still stay stable. Thankfully, the man relaxed back up, and H'aze dropped his hand - but still wondered what a stableman was doing taking stances that were taught to warriors. He didn't seem to relax, but H'aze understood that much - he was tighter wound than most knew, even with Dartagnath. Curling his fingers around the Brown that had squeaked and dug his claws into his tunic, H'aze lifted Ritan down to cuddle the trembling creature while he waited for the man to speak, trying to soothe his charge.
'Aye, what d'ya need help with?' But even as he was speaking it was H'aze's turn to whirl around, one hand and arm curled around Ritan while the other dropped to his dagger. He shifted as he did it, putting his back up hard against a wooden door that dug cruelly into his skin, but he was too used to pain to listen to the message. Dartagnath was on his feet as well - Mine? Are you alright? The brash young dragon would not hesitate to take down the whole stable if His was in danger... And while Amora yawned and began to wash a paw, H'aze felt like an idiot. It was just a young man walking in with his runner - silly of him to react as though he was still at his old home. This was his home now - his siblings were safe, and the Weyr was his safe haven, tucked next to Dartagnath.
Of course, in the time it had taken him to shift around, the stableman had realized what was going on as well. He brushed past H'aze, who was straightening up, and started speaking to the newcomer harshly. 'Excuse me, sir.' But this was none of his business, so the quiet young man bit his lip and waited. 'The runnerbeasts are to be out in the field for grazing right now. There is a set schedule that is to be followed, and I cannot have people coming in here and randomly changing things how they wish!' It was a hiss, and H'aze was a little taken aback by the way that he seemed so hostile about it - especially that he would dare touch this man's runner without his permission. But it was still none of his business, even as he took a few steps closer to the pair of them and opened his mouth, trying to figure out what to say.
d**n his tongue and his inability to converse with people! Thankfully, the young man with the runner was speaking now, with a cool superiority H'aze slightly envied. Mine, why do you not stop this? You are a Bronzerider - you are above the ranking of them both! You need to protect those weaker than you, and not let bullies like this man take charge! H'aze agreed with his charge - but even then... He seems to be handling it himself. Listen.
'I would apologize for not knowing of this schedule that you're talking about, as I and Dusk here only arrived early this morning. But she has been out in the paddock all day without feed and this is the first chance I've had to tend to her properly since we arrived. And besides, she is still recovering from her dose of fellis. I was under the impression that the stalls would be open for me to use until she has fully recovered.' H'aze could tell it was a bluff - but it was a good bluff, and it was only his years of learning the shift in people's faces that made him understand he was putting on a brave face. And then, the man was looking at him. Raising a slim pale eyebrow, H'aze waited it out, petting Ritan again. The poor creature wasn't liking all the activity.
'Isn't that right, dragonrider?' He would give props to the young man - he had walked in here after his introduction, and had only the knots to go by - he knew the knots well for a candidate. That is your cue to help him. His Bronze was firm on this, and H'aze took the unwilling steps forward, inbetween the two men and placing a restraining hand on the halter. He didn't put weight on it - he only placed his hand there as a barrier, to be knocked away. It would be a firm insult if the stableman did anything but drop his hand. "I believe this candidate has a clear point, sir. Please, calm down. Dusk here," he glanced over the beast with a quick eye, "Has just been transported, I am guessing. I'm sure the Stablemaster wouldn't mind the rules being bent one day, and if he does, tell him I allowed it." It was the first time the young man had really pulled rank - it was odd.
Anyway... "Pardon me. I am H'aze, of Bronze Dartagnath. By chance... Has your Dusk foaled before?" He kept an eye on the stableman as he tried to steer the conversation away, but make sure he didn't leave - he still needed his help.
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Post by thewicked on Jul 9, 2009 16:12:05 GMT -5
Delano glared at the bronze rider and Remmekk. He looked upon the hand staying the halter and boiled with fury. What right was it of theirs to feel superior to him? Just because one had a bloody dragon and the other was a candidate made absolutely no difference in rank than himself, Delano figured. Despite wanting to wrench the halter away from the man, throw it on the horse and take it back out into the field, Delano forced himself to comply. Rational thinking overtook his whirlwind of emotions threatening to seep out and engrose him in a tyrannical rage. Delano was still getting used to dealing with people. Growing up on a farm with only a widow for a companion, made life difficult for him amongst a Weyr full of strangers and ridiculous politics. To save his job in the Weyr, Delano withdrew the halter and threw it back onto a hook in the stable's wall. He cursed in his mind, thoroughly displeased with the whole affair. "Leave the beast in the stall! But next time you pass everything by me before messing with any members of the herd," his voice was foul but restrained. He ran a calloused hand through in shoulder length, wavy brown hair. He didn't have the patience developed yet for dealing with dragonriders and their like. Eventually he'd grow more accustomed to them, but for now he was easily irritated. "Now, what did you say you needed help with?" Delano asked H'aze in a voice that lacked emotion. At this point he was avoiding eye contact with both young men, pretending to be concerned with a small smudge on one of the saddles.
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Post by Spiffy .th ! on Jul 10, 2009 14:32:56 GMT -5
Remmekk was relieved when the dragonrider came over to them, it would have been just his luck if he had decided to bugger if somewhere and not get drawn into the stable business he was "discussing" with the handler. He caught the implication of the rider placing his hand on the halter, knowing the insult it would be for the handler to ignore it or push it aside.
"I believe this candidate has a clear point, sir. Please, calm down. Dusk here has just been transported, I am guessing." Remmekk nodded in satisfaction, knowing not to interrupt but still wanting to let the rider who was so kindly helping him (or so he assumed, it still wasn't entirely clear what e was doing) know hat he was correct. After all, it was all to his own advantage, and that was what mattered now. "I'm sure the Stablemaster wouldn't mind the rules being bent one day, and if he does, tell him I allowed it."
Hiding his thoughts and feelings from others was a speciality of Remmekks, but even so he struggled to hide the smug smile that threatened his lips, thought the rest of his face showed no evidence, being as stoney cold as before. Now he had the upper hand on the handler.
Sensing his bonded's satisfaction from afar, Riki appeared in the air behind Remmekk and alighted on his shoulder, slowly whirling eyes swapping their focus from Delano to H'aze and back again. Remmekk merely glanced at his brown, sending calming thoughts to him. He continued watching Delano even as he flung the halter back on its hook, even as Riki saw the action and disappeared, even as the angered man rounded on his again.
"Leave the beast in the stall! But next time you pass everything by me before messing with any members of the herd." I can do what I like with my mare, just don't you try anything with her, bastard. He was just itching to say that to him, but h knew better than to antagonise him further, even while he was ahead. He may not have the rider support next time, especially if he instigated the argument that may result.
It just so happened that that was the time that Riki reappeared, eight seconds later than he had disappeared, and snatched the halter off of the hook, betweening again. One two...
Remmekk turned back to Dusk, making sure that she was fully inside the stable before he closed the door on her carefully. Seven, At that mental count he raised his left hand above his shoulder as he leaned against the stable door, facing H'aze. Eight. Riki reappeared above him, dropping the halter into his raised hand, waited for him to lower it and hang it over the door next to him before settling again on his shoulder, chirping in self satisfaction.
"Now, what did you say you needed help with?"
"Pardon me. I am H'aze, of Bronze Dartagnath. By chance... Has your Dusk foaled before?"
He turned his face to H'aze, inclining his head respectfully to the rider as he introduced himself, perplexed by the question. "Remmekk, candidate," he introduced himself, finally speaking again. Then, to the strange question he replied "No, she hasn't. But she's still young." He turned slightly to better pat the pretty roan, who had broken from rearranging the new straw in the stable and put her head over the door, nuzzling him slightly and nickering.
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