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Post by B'kay on May 26, 2008 14:11:29 GMT -5
Ooc: This is going to jump out of time just slightly, all ... but it's not really an issue, just moving dragon development forward so we can get to the fun stuffs.... :-)
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B'kay stretched and yawned as he scraped his stubble with the blade in front of the glass, taking care not to slice the uneven flesh over his threadscore.
They are more than ready! His dragon, shifting from foot to foot in uncharacteristic excitement on the ledge, urged him to shave faster.
I know, I know, my One, B'kay responded, and wiped his face on a soft towel. He tightened his breeches and pulled a tunic over his head as he approached Syth. The dragon's whirling eyes caused him to grin. We just had to make sure their first harnesses were ready to go ... they're growing so fast it was hard to be sure we'd have the right assortment of sizes.
Those harnesses now hung on pegs outside the individual weyrs, waiting to surprise the weyrlings as they rose this morning. The Weyrlingmaster had recruited a small army of drudges to prepare the leathers in secret, under his watchful eyes, making sure each set was fully adjustable to be sure of a good fit. Fitting the leathers would probably take longer than the rest of the day's lessons.
B'kay stood on his ledge as Rukbat's rays blasted full force above the rim of the Weyr, glistening on the lake for a moment before turning the smooth surface of the water into sudden blazing sunrise-fire. The air was crisp and clear, with very little wind playing through the Bowl. A perfect day for First Flight.
He had set up equipment along the shore of the lake, determined to make sure that first flight was over the water in case a young rider took a fall. There were leatherworking tools, though he was pretty sure they wouldn't be needed, and a healer's table as well. He could see several kitchen drudges, as well, setting up a table with klah pots and baskets of sweetbreads and fruit for the hungry riders to enjoy while they watched the harnessing demonstration.
Syth's own harness, which would be used for that purpose, hung cleanly polished and repaired on its pegs. He'd put out the word through the Weyr for other riders who had the morning free to join the harnessing instruction, as well, and wondered who might respond.
"Well, my heart," the dark bronzerider said at last, after filling his lungs with a deep, clean breath. "Wake them up!"
Dragons! Syth called out, barely able to hide his excitement. Wake your riders. Have them dress quickly. On the way out of your weyrs, your riders are to collect the harness which now hangs by their doors, and we will all meet at the near shore of the lake. Quickly now! This is one lesson you do not wish to be late for!
Satisfied with Syth's summons, B'kay pulled his own harnesses off the pegs, and, as the dark bronze dragon bent as low as he could, threw them over the neck ridges before climbing aboard. He'd fly to the bowl without them ... and of course soundly thrash any weyrling he caught doing the same.
As he signaled Syth to glide downward, Griz popped from between, a stolen sweet roll grasped in his mouth. The little brown had healed well from his mating flight injuries, though would always bear several long white scars on his wing leather.
B'kay raised his arm to allow the flitter to land, as Syth launched and the world dropped out from under them. Griz had finished his purloined breakfast, and B'kay was halfway through his first mug of klah, before the first of the weyrlings approached.
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Post by Flamewolf on May 26, 2008 16:37:20 GMT -5
The brown had been out on the ledge by his sleeping quarters, laying down and staring out at the morning sky. His wings were spread out, soaking in the soft sunlight, when suddenly the message drifted his way. His head lifted immediately, having been resting on the stone, and he quickly got up. He walked over to where his rider's weyr joined with his part of the rooms. Keldara, love, awaken! he called out gently, but his voice was laced with excitement.
The girl immediately was up, yawning and stretching before turning towards the large umber head peeking out at her. "Yes, Galahanth?" she inquired.
Syth's has called us for a weyrling lesson. He said to get dressed; quickly. The brown pulled his head back as Keldara obediently got up and dressed.
As she pulled on her boots, she called out, "What is the lesson, do you know?" A blast of between alerted her of another presence, and she smiled welcomingly as Rudd, her bronze flit, landed on her shoulder.
Yes. Oh, grab the harness outside of the weyr, the large, young dragon added, almost having forgotten.
"Harness?" Confused, she walked outside of the weyr and turned to see the harness on the peg. Her eyes widened. "That's a riding harness! Our first flight!" Excited, she quickly grabbed the harness and turned to see Galahanth waiting for her. She grinned and they quickly left for the lake, which was where they were supposed to go, Rudd launching off of her shoulder and flowing by air, winging about in happy circles.
*~*
Minelli! Minelli, wake! The cry of her dragon's voice made her jolt awake and proceed to fall off of her bed.
"Elainuth," she sighed. "What was the need for that?" She gently rubbed her head as she got to her feet and turned with a frown to the excited green in the doorway.
A weyrling lesson has been called, and we mustn't be late, of course! the dreamer responded with an impatient flutter of forest-colored wings.
Minelli chuckled as she started to dress. "Of course. What shall this lesson be of, hm?"
Come outside and you shall see. Now Elainuth's voice was woven with dramatic mystery. Minelli paused and turned to her, but she had already gone to wait for her outside. Shrugging to herself, she finished shrugging on the shirt and walked outside. Don't forget the harness, the green chided as Minelli started to walk down the stairs.
The girl froze before slowly turning around. "By the first egg! A riding harness! How did that..." She paused. "Oh my. The lesson. It's the first flight!!" She gently took it off of the peg and looked at it before turning to her green who, if she could, would have been grinning. "Elainuth! Why didn't you just tell me?" the girl said with a sigh.
It was better this way. Now come, before Syth's gets angry at us for being late. We wouldn't want to do that, now would we? We still have to flaunt our skills to the others. They started down.
"You are so dramatic at times," the ex-harper said with a laugh.
*~*
This time, K'ji was up. He was laying down in his bed, already dressed, when his sleeping dragon got the message. His mind was mulling things over, so busy and racing with thoughts, that in the jumble of all of those things his dragon's quiet, sleepy voice was thrown to the wind. Finally, the green gave a gigantum yawn and stood up.
K'ji, she repeated for the fifth time. The weyrling didn't hear her once again. Sighing, she twisted her neck around to where she could see him through the small doorway. Her tail reached out and tapped him on the shoulder, making him look over.
"Yeah, Blancheurth?" he questioned, not looking sleepy at all.
Dear, no wonder you never get to sleep. Your mind is running faster than a terrified wherry. You didn't even hear me,[/i] the green pointed out with a worried expression.
K'ji smiled slightly. "Sorry. What were you going to say?"
B'kay has called a weyrling lesson, she said. Blancheurth always called other riders by their first names, and knew all of them. It was a wonder to K'ji how she could remember all of that. We are to fly for the first time today.
"Seriously?" Totally serious now, the boy sat up and looked at Blancheurth closely. "No jokes?"
The green gave a snort of amusement. Dear, when do I ever joke about that? Now quickly, before we are late. The harness is outside of the weyr. She stood, gave one last yawn, stretched out her wings, then leaped down to meet her bonded at the base of the weyrs.
K'ji got up, conveniently dressed, and walked outside. He took a few moments to truly appreciate the harness before carefully taking it off of its peg, then walked down to meet Blancheurth. With a silent nod, he rested a hand on her neck while rubbing the soft leather with his other hand as they started off to the shore of the lake.
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Post by Journye on May 26, 2008 17:33:16 GMT -5
H'ter mine, you really must get out of bed now, Syth calls us to a lesson,[/color] Bediverth informed his sleepy rider. H'ter rubbed sleep from his eyes as he sat up, yawning widely as he did so.
Do you know what the lesson is Bediverth? he asked as he dressed quickly, not wishing to be reprimanded for being late. Bediverth stretched as he stood from his couch and H'ter smiled and reched out to trace his fingers over the earth brown color beside his brown's eyes, they and the same colored spots on his wings stand out against his sandy brown hide.
Bediverth indulged in his rider's caress for a long moment before straightening and once again H'ter was surprised by how quickly his brown was growing, no longer small enough for him to hug easily.
We are to go to the lake shore and be sure to grab the harness out side the door on the peg,[/color] he informed his rider as they made their way out. H'ter paused and looked his his life mate "Harness? You mean we're going to learn to fly?!" he asked, a wide smile plastering itself to his face. He scooped up the harness and ran his fingers along the leather, chuckling. He had to jog to catch up with Bediverth as they made their way to the lake.
His two fire lizards appeared circling above his head and chattering cheerfully.
~~~
S'lem frowned as he felt his cot shaking and struggled to fight back the sleep. He opened one eye and saw a blue blur. He groaned and laid his head back down "I'm awake Griflith," he muttered, wishing his playful blue would just bespeak him to wake him.
Griflith crooned lovingly and nudged the edge of the bed once more before stepping back so that his rider could stand. Syth and his rider say we need to be at the lake shore and hurry. Also grab the harness outside the door,[/color]Griflith informed his rider as S'lem dressed.
S'lem looked at his blue and arched an eyebrow "A harness? A riding harness?" he asked, but his Griflith was already heading out the door. S'lem chuckled softly and shook his head before following Griflith out the door, snatching up the harness on the peg. He smiled, a flying lesson was what all the weyrlings were looking forward to.
He paused briefly, wondering if he should get his siter, but decided against it, she would be there and was possibly already there.
~~~
Journye was already awake and making a list of things needed in the infirmary, one thing was sure, they needed to make a numbweed batch soon. She was roused from her thoughts by the sleepy brush of Lucaith's mind. She smiled and sent him warm and loving thoughts as he came more fully awake.
Mine Journye, Syth and his rider want us to be at the lake for a lesson. I hope we can go swimming after! Oh! Oh! Don't forget the harness on the peg! Whats a harness? What does it do? [/color] he asked as he got up. Journye chuckled "If we are able to go swimming after I shall let you and well there are different types of harnesses," she said as she stood, setting aside her notes.
"If my guess is right, the harness is probably for a riding lesson," she explained, feeling excitement. She smiled brightly when she saw that it was indeed a riding harness. Lucaith sniffed lightly at the leather work then headed out toward the lake. Journye smiled and followed as Reryu appeared to land on Lucaith's head, the blue didn't mind and greatly enjoyed the fire lizard's company.
~~~
Calysta dear, Syth says we are to go to the lake shore for a lesson and to bring the harness outside the door[/color] the green informed her rider.
Calysta mumbled something and rolled over, pulling the covers over her head. Luneth sighed and stood from her couch, reaching over to grab a muzzle full of blanket to pull it off of her rider. "Luneth!" Calysta yelled as she was tugged out of the bed with the blanket.
Calysta groaned and sat up gingerly, making a face at her green who simply stood there looking at her rider, but sending her apologetic and loving thoughts. Calysta sighed and got up and began to get dressed. She paused half way into her pants "Wait, did you say harness?" she asked as she looked at Luneth. The green nodded her real looking head Yes mine, the harness,[/color].
Calysta giggled and got dressed quickly and flung open her door to look at the riding harness hanging on the peg. She grabbed it and held it close "Lets go Luneth!" she said cheerfully as the green came out to follow her rider to the lake.
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Post by B'kay on May 26, 2008 18:14:05 GMT -5
A large emerald eye swirled with excitement in front of her face as Ravyna roused from a troubled sleep. The emotion pouring in from her dragon startled her. Shards, had she had one of THOSE dreams again? There was one thing about being a weyrling that Ravyna was having a hard time with, and....
Syth has called us, Mine. He said harness. That means flying. Yes?
Flying? Ravyna leaped out of bed, tumbling to the floor as her feet tangled in the blankets. No wonder her dragon was so excited!
"Yes, my dearheart, that means flying!"
I fly well, I am a very good hunter. The young green held her head high, and Ravyna was once again startled by the way Igrainth had grown. I shall fly even better with my rider along!
Ravyna hopped on one foot across the room as she pulled on her trousers, then grabbed the tunic she'd laid out the night before from the back of a chair. Jamming her feet into boots, she wondered what else ....
Long black hair flew into her face as she spun around the room in a growing frenzy. She ran a comb through it, yanking out several strands painfully, and tied it back from her face with a ribbon. Helmet, goggles? Jacket? Where had she put them? It was so long ago that B'kay had sent them all to stores to be fitted....
Mine? The dragon, growing impatient, called her up short. I do not think we shall be going between today. Syth just said harness. She tilted her head, and gave a little snort. The others will be done and swimming in the lake before we get there.
"Oh, yes, of course," the young woman exhaled long and slow, and tried to ease her racing heart. Tugging her tunic straight, she squared her shoulders and strolled nobly from the weyr.
The harness bundled lovingly in the rider's arms, Ravyna and Igrainth strode with long, proud strides toward the gathering weyrlings by the lake.
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I do not believe they meant us, Mine, the old blue dragon said with growing concern.
"They said harness demonstration, we can do a harness demonstration as well as anyone!" Gaylen replied impatiently, turning about in the weyr as if looking for something. She scowled for a moment, growing frustrated.
It is on the pegs, where it always is, Alabanth guided her, But I really do not think--
"Nonsense!" the woman said, and tied back her long graying hair. She stretched to gather the harness from the pegs, and nearly fell backward as it caught for a moment, and then gave way.
Memory, perched on Alabanth's head, chirped in alarm.
We should really stay here, Gaylen. The dragon's eyes whirled a slow yellow of apprehension.
"I'm still the rider!" She replied sharply. "I say we help today! I'm tired of sitting around, useless..."
You are not useless. You have helped in the infirmary stores, and the children love your stories, and....
"I'm a dragonrider!" Gaylen said, tears starting to glisten in her eyes, "Not a stockwoman or storyteller! I'm a DRAGONRIDER, shell it!"
Yes, the old blue said softly, Yes, Mine, you are a dragonrider. Come, then, and he finished, silently, to himself, How bad can it be?
Gaylen fumbled with the harness, old and tattered, stretched thin in places, torn through in others. Memory tugged and pulled as well as she could as the dragon helped his rider lift the heavy leather across his neck. Steadier than she'd been in recent weeks, Gaylen managed to mount without much trouble, and the old blue glided gently toward the lake, landing as light as a feather several dragonlengths down-shore of Syth.
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B'kay, alerted by Syth, turned to see the elder blue landing, his shaky rider clutching neck ridge and harness. He groaned softly and took a long, hot swallow of klah.
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Post by D'gellin on May 26, 2008 22:15:04 GMT -5
D'gellin could hear the stirring around him before he was fully aware of it. Absently he scratched his green fire-lizard's head where she lay on his stomach. Oh, she was heavy on his ribs, the fat wherry...But he didn't want to move or open his eyes; stuck in that space between awake and asleep, the furs around him perfectly comfortable...
TODAY...WE FLY!!
The weyrling shot up, eyes frantically searching for Lancetoth with startled confusion. Mother twittered about above him, sending him unhappy messages. "Excuse me?" D'gellin squeaked.
Isn't that what harnesses are for? Silly Mine! Come now, time is wasting! We have weyrling lessons to attend! Seeing the incomprehension still etched on D'gellin's face, he heaved a draconic sigh and added Syth says to dress quickly and that there's a harness on the door and- THAT'S THE SPIRIT, D'GELLINMINE!! For the young man had just launched himself out of bed. Without a moment to change his clothing he half ran half stumbled and half tumbled over to the waiting harness.
For all his rush he handled the leather with great care, gently taking it off the peg and holding it like an ancient artifact. Glittering blue eyes roaved over the harness with a curious hand. Oh shards if only I knew how to put it on you... D'gellin lamented. Wouldn't it be famous if we came in flying? His eyes were alight with rekindled mischief, smile impish with delight at the idea.
Greatly so! Lancetoth returned with equal enthusiasm.
D'gellin turned back to the harness before sighing and heading off. Perhaps we'll learn things the right way first... He said at length. Shall we, my friend? He added, excitement spiking. They, D'gellin and Lancetoth, were going to fly. FLY! Between over-eagerness and forgetting to change out of his bed things, hair flying in a bedhead mess, and smile streatching from ear to ear, D'gellin and Lancetoth were among the first of the weyrlings to appear.
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Post by Kitari on May 27, 2008 16:21:06 GMT -5
A brown fire lizard lay snoozing in the crook of B'rec's arm, as the young man was sprawled on the floor of his weyr with furs piled beneath and on top of him. Dagonth's head rested an inch away, and the whoosh of air that brushed the hair on B'rec's head was the only warning as Dagonth raised his head to stare out into the Bowl. Suddenly...
B'recmine, B'recmine, B'recmine! An unusually high-pitched squeal erupted in the drowsing rider's mind, and his eyes had barely had time to flash open before a blue form went rumbling over, swinging tail barely missing his face. Griffin screeched in dismay, attempting to take flight while Dagonth was still passing over the prone figures and being buffeted back by the sapphire tail. The brown fire lizard found himself now lying on B'rec's leg instead of his arm, and his indignant cries filled the air as he struggled to rise. Finally in the air, the flit disappeared between, and B'rec doubted that he would see him again today.
"Dagonth!" he cried, arms still shielding his face where he lay on the floor. "What was that all about?! You frightened poor Griffin nearly to death, and I'm not doing much better right now..." Easily frightened at the best of times, B'rec could feel his heart racing faster than a herdbeast being chased by a dragon.
I just wanted to make sure it was really here! an unusually excited tone replied. B'rec raised his head and stared dumbfoundedly at the blue dragon on the weyr ledge staring in wonderment at the wall. Whirling eyes said it all; whatever Dagonth was looking at must be very thrilling indeed.
"To see if what is really here?" B'rec queried, curiousity beginning to overwhelm his anxiety. He hauled himself off the floor and began to stroll over.
I certainly hope that we do better than that silly Griffin... Do you know that he hit my tail? It showed just how fond Dagonth was of the blue flitter that he actually remembered the creature's name.
"Do better at what?" The young rider was starting to grow exasperated with his questions being unanswered. Finally, though, all became clear, as his brown eyes locked upon the object of Dagonth's admiration: a harness. A few moments of amazed silence followed, and then B'rec had dressed quickly and snatched the harness, however gently, and was bounding off to the Lake where he could see others gathering. "We're going to fly, Dagonth! We're going to fly!"
Not without me, you aren't! the blue huffed, trotting after his rider.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A similar situation was unlikely to unfold in Kitari's weyr, for she was sprawled on her bed and not at all within reach of Lefayeth's potential exuberance. Her blue Falcon was equally sprawled out on her stomach, the clingy blue unwilling to let go even when she rolled over on occasion, choosing instead to tighten his little clawed grip to encourage her back to her original position. It was an uncomfortable sleeping arrangement, but the Weyrling was not quick to complain. The little fire lizard seemed easily hurt by such things, so Kitari had decided to tolerate the peculiarity.
Thus, when Lefayeth's mind touched her own, instinct told the girl not to move too suddenly. Kitari, you must awaken immediately! the call came, and a pair of whirling eyes appeared in her doorway to emphasize this point. The girl reluctantly opened her eyes and yawned, slowly sliding Falcon off her stomach onto the furs. There's no time to spare his feelings today, we must hurry! Lefayeth sounded unusually impatient for lessons. After all, they were rarely that exciting anymore.
"Did I sleep in? I really don't think we're late, Lefayeth, otherwise Syth would be on our ledge glaring at us...he's not, is he?"
We will be late if you don't get out of that bed! To think, late for our first flying lesson because of a silly little flitter.
That got Kitari into action. Falcon was snatched off, his indignant squawk ignored, and the girl leapt out of bed to dress quickly. Hurry, hurry, hurry! Lefayeth's head bobbed up and down with her restrained excitement, and she turned eagerly to follow Kitari as she proceeded to the Bowl. Don't forget the harness!
Kitari paused to hold the leather with reverence, her eyes tracing its intricate form and fingers delighting in its soft touch. Are you going to stare at it all day or shall we actually use it? Kitari snapped out of her daze, racing to the Bowl once again with Lefayeth right behind.
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Post by B'kay on May 27, 2008 20:03:11 GMT -5
B'kay suppressed a smile as he watched the weyrlings approach. Today, they seemed to be moving much faster than in recent weeks. He noted with satisfaction that they all carried the harness with reverence.
Syth watched, also, nose lowered to the ground at his rider's side, so B'kay's head was even with the great eye that whirled with anticipation. This is going to be fun, the dragon said.
"Mmm hmmm," the rider whispered. "Once they've gathered round and grabbed themselves some breakfast, we'll demonstrate the harness for them. Hopefully some other riders will join us, to make sure all the weyrlings have a good view."
Alabanth and His are here, the dragon said, tilting his head slightly toward the old blue and the woman.
Yes, so they are, B'kay responded with apprehension, and glanced at the older woman, who was scowling at the tangle of her ancient harness as she attempted to sort out the straps.
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Post by C'lyn on May 29, 2008 9:09:50 GMT -5
C'lyn finished packing a bag with bandages and numbweed and tied it shut carefully. He looked around the hospice room, thankfully empty aside from scrapes and bruises, but he knew it wouldn't last long. He sighed and frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. His Greylith had informed him that the Weyrlings were having a lesson on flying and while it was just the first lesson it never hurt for the healer to be there just in case. He secured his hair at the nape of his neck with a leather tie before lifting the bag to his shoulder.
Greylith was standing outside, looking toward the lake, her harness already in place from early that morning when C'lyn went to check for good spots to find numb weed. C'lyn smiled lovingly and and patted her leg before fastening the bag into place on he straps. He mounted and strapped himself in, it wouldn't do for the Weyrlings to see their Weyrhealer arrive not strapped in and he was sure B'kay would give him a lecture for it as well.
It was a short flight to the lake, Greylith glided for the most part. C'lyn had to do a double take when he saw Alabanth there with Gaylen. He frowned slightly then shook his head, it was Gaylen choice and as long as she was not at risk of being harmed he didn't have the heart to tell her no. Greylith landed gracefully beside her mate and crooned a greeting to him and his rider.
C'lyn smiled brightly to Gaylen before slipping down to go speak to B'kay. He saluted the bronze rider "Good morning Weyrling Master," he greeted, noting the man looking at Gaylen "Alabanth and I will keep an eye on her," he said softly so that his voice would not carry to the older blue rider.
"I brought bandages and numbweed just in case and I was curious about how you would teach the lesson," he said with a grin as he looked toward the Weyrlings, all of them growing fast and health. He nodded to himself then smiled, saluting the excited weyrlings.
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Post by B'kay on May 29, 2008 13:47:55 GMT -5
B'kay felt a wave of relieve when he saw C'lyn and Greylith arrive ... and not only because he knew the Weyrhealer was competent with both human and dragon mishaps. He gave a half smile and nodded gratefully when the greenrider promised to keep watch on his somewhat confused weyrmate.
"Thanks to you, healer," he said softly, "And I'm grateful that you brought Greylith already tacked up."
At that, the Weyrlingmaster took a hop and leap to his dragon's foreleg, and Syth hoisted him up to stand high between wings so deep bronze they were nearly black.
"Weyrlings!" B'kay called out, his voice carrying nicely across the bowl. Our good Weyrhealer has kindly harnessed his green Greylith, and I would like to ask his permission for you to see how it's put together. Feel free to grab a sweet roll and a cup of klah if you like, while we go over the harnessing demonstrations.
"You will note that, despite the fact that I've been pounding the fact that you will be responsible for making and tending your own harness into you for weeks, you all have your first harnesses constructed for you. There are several reasons for this. First, if we had to wait for you to make your own first harnesses, which takes practice and skill, you'd never get off the ground."
Syth rumbled in draconic laughter.
"Second, I'd really rather get the first practice flights into you without the danger of an ill constructed harness breaking and hurling you to the ground."
He shifted a bit where he stood, and Syth rotated slightly, to be sure his words carried toward the most recent arrivals.
"You will also note that there was no instruction to wear a helmet today. This is because your first flights ... indeed, all of today's flights ... will consist of one low, straight, gentle glide at no more than a dragon's height over the surface of the lake. Thus, if you fall you won't have anything to break your skulls on when you land. Also, a helmet-full of water is liable to weigh you down, and I'd prefer that no one drown today."
He scowled for a moment and added, "And on that note, IF ANY OF YOU CANNOT SWIM, YOU'D BETTER CONFESS THE FACT NOW."
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Post by C'lyn on May 29, 2008 16:50:38 GMT -5
C'lyn looked out over the weyrlings, nodding a bit at B'kay's words. He hoped no one would be too proud to admit to being unable to swim, better to admit it now then have someone have to jump in a save their skin.
He looked up at B'kay and nodded "I don't mind at all Weyrling Master B'kay and Greylith is willing to shift and pose however you need her so that you can demonstrate," he said with another salute to the man.
Greylith rumbled a greeting to the Weyrlings, sending encouragements to them. She looked them over with a tilt of her head, they were indeed a fine lot and she would enjoy flying with them when they were clear to fly.
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