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Post by Felina on Jun 3, 2008 17:37:29 GMT -5
((Really, really, really need to get my butt in here. Blah post, but...))
It's hard to keep the truth from a dragon, especially when they're telepathic. Breunth was wriggling excitedly before Felina even awoke, knowing full well what was placed outside the door and what would await. And yet he stayed his mental voice, for it was always fun to watch her when she was surprised. When she did awake, he made an honest effort to be quiet, and still, but she noticed something was up rather quickly.
What is with you today, you silly dear? You're wriggling like a caught fish, and not in a good way.
The brown was rescued by B'kay, voiced by Syth, telling them to get their riders out for lessons. Oh, we have lessons today. And we're not to be late.
Felina's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but she shook her head. It would be a good idea to be on time, as always. She ran a comb quickly through her hair, and then headed for the door, nudged along by an insistent Breunth. Oh! Is that a...
WE FLY TODAY!!!
Of course, it was far easier said than done. The harness was difficult to get oriented properly, though once she got it the right way around, it wasn't too difficult at all to figure out. The problem was, she couldn't quite get it oriented properly; it kept on ending up backwards on Breunth's body, exacerbated by the fact that the brown was having difficulty keeping still. You think we will be any good at all? Or will we be the first ones to fall? Perhaps they will laugh at us... My wings are big, what if it makes it harder to fly?[/color]
It'd help if we just got this thing on you. We'll figure out the rest later.
∆∆∆∆∆∆
A'tair was woken from his dreams by Tristiath's insistent calling. He stumbled sleepily from the bed, stumbled about getting dressed, and stumbled out the door, his shoes still in his hands. Tris, what's this outside? Big leather tangle. I don't recognise it as mine..
Surprise! We're going to learn to fly. I think. It'll be fun! More fun than watching you jump every time I make a bug turn to you.
Yes, well, I still don't like that. Bugs are just... Yech.
He wasn't having a hard time with the harness at all. It made sense, once you looked at the lengths of the various straps. It was all rather obvious- the two smallest around the forelegs, so they were on the sides, largest was the back, as it had to cover the most distance around the dragon's body. It just took a while. And, to be safe, he didn't really want to rush ahead of B'kay. No telling what the consequences for a mistake were.[/size]
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Post by Journye on Jun 3, 2008 19:08:41 GMT -5
Journye chewed lightly on her bottom lip as she watched B'kay's motions, having seen what the completed construction would look like from Green Greylith's harness. She frowned and tilted her head as she concentrated, this could take some getting used to, thankfully Lucaith was sitting still, he was such a good listener when he really wanted to learn something.
~~
H'ter was confused and he knew it showed on his face, but well it was a complicated piece of equipment. Bediverth nudged his rider gently We will get it right mine,[/color] he said reassuringly to his rider. H'ter nodded, but kept his attention on B'kay.
~~
Calysta was confused as well, but thought she stood a chance of learning it, it would just take practice. She nodded to herself now and then as she digested the information being given to her.
~~~
S'lem was fascinated by the workings of the harness, having always enjoyed learning how something worked. He glanced toward Griflith who was fidgeting beside him. He knew that the blue would much rather be playing in the lake then listening to a lesson, but he knew the blue would be still until he knew he could go play.
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Post by B'kay on Jun 3, 2008 19:56:19 GMT -5
Ravyna had Igrainth's neck straps over her ridges, and was frowning at the assembly on the large bronze Syth. She had taken her eyes off B'kay's hands for just a moment as he secured the chest pieces, and she now wasn't sure which strap went where.
He did say he was going to do it more than once, didn't he? she asked her dragon.
I don't know, I wasn't really listening. When do we fly?
The weyrling green rider sighed and looked back at her instructor hopefully.
==
When Syth's harness was completely assembled and fastened securely around his great form, B'kay turned to survey the weyrlings, and found all eyes either on him, or on the harnesses being assembled on the young dragons.
"Good, you're doing fine," he said, his deep baritone carrying over the heads of the young riders. He hadn't expected most of them to get it on the first try, after all.
Syth stretched high on his limbs and raised his wings. Standing still as a demo-dragon was starting to get a bit dull.
Patience, my friend, patience, the rider said, and stroked the great shoulder lovingly. "Now then, taking the harness off without making a tangled mess is also important. Leave yours at whatever stage you've reached, please, and observe. I'll be redoing the harness again, so you can continue to follow the assembly. I suspect most of you will be fully tacked by the end of this demonstration ... and then we'll check fastenings to make sure they're secure."
And then, you fly, Syth teased.
===
Gaylen had not quite got Alabanth's stretched and warn trappings fully secured when she looked up and, to her slight dismay, saw that the Weyrlingmaster was well on his way to unharnessing his bronze.
Ah well, 'Banth, she said quietly, We'll just keep going at our own pace.
The old blue rumbled contentedly and stretched his long neck out in the warming sun.
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Post by Shikai on Jun 4, 2008 16:52:36 GMT -5
Shikai listened intently as B’kay demonstrated, her eyes taking note of each movement of his hands. Her eyes clicked to her own dragon and the harness in her hands from time to time, visualizing how she would put the harness on Dinaedth. Can’t you just put it on and we’ll fly already? The brown interjected in her thoughts, his tone a mix of impatience to finally be airborne and boredom watching the demonstration. Be quiet, you! I’m trying to concentrate. She chided, endeavoring to push the voice from her mind as she tried to focus. We’ll be fine! I’m not going to drop you…most likely. Dinaedth responded anyway, a playful gleam in his eye. I swear, Dinaedth, if you intentionally dump me in the lake… Shikai answered, but the fact that she was chuckling under her breath made it an empty threat.
Decently confident in her knowledge of how the harness was to be properly fastened, she turned to Dinaedth and began working. Alright then. This goes here, that goes through there… She thought to herself as she worked, and for once Dinaedth cooperated fully, making no efforts to sabotage her work. After all, he wished to get into the air soon! They had both been waiting far too long to fly together.
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Post by Flamewolf on Jun 4, 2008 17:09:15 GMT -5
Minelli took the harness as B'kay started to take apart his painstakingly slow. She tried to put herself in the mindset of him at that moment, facing the exact same way and imaging every piece he touched was one piece that she held in her hands. Hurry up! I want to fly and show them all how good we are, Elainuth said, eyes bright with excitement.
The ex-harper looked over to her in slight amusement. "We will in due time. I'd rather learn how to do this now than to not and fall off of you later," she said as her gaze turned back down to the harness. She frowned.
You'll never be able to figure it out that fast,[/color] the green protested.
"I'd be able to do it faster if you'd be patient," the weyrling responded lightly. The dragon paused, then decided that this time, Minelli was right. She settled down, causing her rider to chuckle again, as Mini started to hum a song that helped her along.
*~*
K'ji had watched B'kay but hadn't touched the harness, not missing one detail of the assembly. Then, when he was finished, he walked over to Blancheurth, who'd also been watching curiously, and started up with the harness. She watched him for a while, silent, until he started to have problems with one of the buckles. Over there, dear, the gentle green said.
"Where?" K'ji said with a frown.
A tail gently tapped one clasped buckle. That one,[/color] she responded. A click sounded and the straps were put into place.
He laughed. "Oh." He continued figuring it out. "Good thing you were paying attention too." The green rumbled in amusement as he continued.
*~*
Keldara was staring at the harness, overwhelmed. There is no way I'm going to be able to do this without messing something up, she thought to herself as she slowly turned it over in her hands.
You'll be fine, the brown's voice said immediately. I'll help you. Turn it so it's upright, Galahanth said.
His voice calmed her down a little and she turned it the right way. Okay good. Rest it on me, then unbuckle all of the ones that the Weyrling Master did, he continued, and she did as she was told. He continued to guide her through it, tapping at areas with his tail when needed, or just allowing her to probe it until they got the right one.
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Post by D'gellin on Jun 7, 2008 21:37:49 GMT -5
"Okay, and this one goes here, then this one...er...like this...I think..." D'gellin glanced up at B'kay and Syth, back to the leather in his hands, over at the fully harness Greylith, back to his leather and novice hands. Lanny, did you see how he did that last buckle? D'gellin asked, distressed, as he found himself falling behind. Everyone else seemed to be having more luck than him. A few buckles in and the proud harness looked more like a misshapen mess than a proper dragon harness. Of course I saw! Lancetoth declared enthusiastically. The young rider's face lit up. Great! Then if you could tell me- Well I don't remember how exactly he did it...[/color] D'gellin hung his head, not wanting to look back and see how sadly they'd fallen behind. But I'm sure however you put it together I'll look positively famous in it. Lancetoth added helpfully, misunderstanding D'gellin's distress. D'gellin bit his lip, tapping his foot anxiously as he looked around. That weyrling seemed to know what they were doing. The young man leaned forward to see past Lancetoth's bulk at his more capable-looking peer, trying to imitate the buckles but without luck. They were already too far ahead.
Mercifully, B'kay spoke up. And D'gellin found his eyes narrowing. 'Good, you're doing fine.' the Weyrlingmaster said. D'gellin had to fight the urge to throw the failed attempt at a harness right at the older man's face. That would be childish... D'gellinmine! The weyrling looked back at Lancetoth with wide eyes. What? He lowered his arms, feeling guilty. I'm trying to put the harness together. Honestly. He looked back up at B'kay, standing straighter than he normally would have, blushing lightly as he muttered a thanks to Lancetoth for catching his temper before he could do anything to embarrass himself. But as soon as Syth said the word 'fly', Lancetoth nosed the harness excitedly, nearly shoving it out of his bonded's hands. Weren't you paying attention, D'gellinmine?! The sooner we get this thing together, the sooner we can fly!! WE HAVE TO FLYYY!! I know that.[/i] D'gellin pulled the harness away, looking miffed. As B'kay restarted the demonstration, the weyrling tried his best to readjust his hopeless harness to match the Weyrlingmaster's while attempting to fight off Lancetoth's over-eager nose.
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Post by B'kay on Jun 11, 2008 15:20:16 GMT -5
Once B'kay had slowly tacked up his dragon again, and had gone around to inspect the weyrlings' progress, he hopped lightly to Syth's foreleg, and then to stand once again on his back.
"It appears that everyone is harnessed ... at least well enough to keep you astride for one swoop across the narrow end of the lake. You've watched other riders mount dozens of times, so I'm assuming you'll be able to get astride your dragons," he really had to struggle to repress the grin he felt inside. He then sat firmly in his place between Syth's neck ridges, and held up the two security straps.
"These are easy ... unless of course our harness is upside down." (Syth rumbled with draconic amusement.) "Very self explanatory" -- he buckled the belt around his waist and secured it tight. "And absolutely mandatory! Now!"
At a mental command from B'kay, and with a powerful thrust of his massive hind legs, Syth was airborne, dragon-length high, and soaring lightly across the water to land on the other side.
"Once across," B'kay shouted and allowed Syth to echo the words to the dragons' minds, then, as Syth leapt again, he added, "And back!"
"Each rider must wait till the one before him returns. If you find your straps aren't as secure as you thought, make your adjustment after you land on the other side ... or after your dragon plucks you of the water."
This time he did chuckle out loud, before edging Syth back to make room for the weyrlings' first flight.
They will not really fall? Syth said, somewhat concerned.
No, it's a short flight they'll be fine ... I hope!
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Post by Shikai on Jun 11, 2008 21:44:51 GMT -5
Finally, the moment had come. Dinaedth could hardly contain his excitement, and his eyes whirled like brilliant turquoise stones, surrounded by rich mahogany colored hide. Shikai echoed his emotions, her own eyes blazing with excitement as she paid rapt attention to B’kay’s demonstration. How long she had been waiting to vault to her own dragon’s neck! Her eyes followed every motion of his hands in a manner reminiscent of a predatory bird, committing the steps to memory. Awe tinged her expression as she watched Syth take off, powerful haunches propelling the bronze into the air in one great movement. She had seen dragons take off before on numerous occasions, of course, but knowing that she would be doing the same herself in but moments made it an entirely new experience.
As he returned, she prepared to mount her own dragon, stomach churning with anticipation. Finally! Let’s go, come on![/color] Dinaedth exclaimed, impatient, and Shikai grinned, chiding her dragon. “Just a minute more! Got to make sure the harness is set…yes, check. Alright, don’t move, I’m coming up!” She announced, and Dinaedth extended the nearest foreleg for her eagerly. Taking a deep breath, she took a great step up on to it, holding on to him as she climbed up. Thank Faranth they were still weyrlings! She certainly wouldn’t want her first experience mounting her brown to occur when he was full-sized, for it was interesting enough trying to get up for the first time at his present size. However, in two steps, she was at his neck, and swung her leg over as she settled herself into the saddle. Shikai breathed out her pent up breath, smiling in exhilaration. She was seated at Dinaedth’s neck, like a real dragonrider! Well, you are a real dragonrider![/color] Dinaedth interjected. Yes, but now I actually feel like one! She replied, and fastened herself in as she had seen B’kay do. It all feels secure! She announced to Dinaedth, who rumbled happily. Perfect! Let’s GO![/color] He exclaimed, and walked forward toward the lake.
It was the strangest sensation riding Dinaedth as he walked, feeling how his body shifted with every powerful step. Dinaedth turned his head back to look at her, facets increasing in speed as he prepared to take flight with his rider for the first time. You ready?[/color] “Whenever you are!” She replied, and tightened her grip with her legs and hands as she felt Dinaedth recline part way back onto his haunches, and then pushed off with a powerful surge of energy, throwing himself away from the ground. His wings immediately extended to catch the air, holding them aloft as he climbed to about a dragonlength as Syth had done.
Shikai’s eyes were wide open with excitement, her mouth open in a massive grin of exhilaration. At last! So this was what it was like to fly with her very own dragon. Dinaedth! We can fly whenever we want! We could go anywhere! Not now, of course, but after this! She exclaimed, excitedly. A new world of possibilities seemed to be opening up for her and her dragon. The brown echoed her emotions as he continued to fly, skimming above the water of the lake. Shikai looked down, marveling at it’s appearance seen from such a new perspective. She watched Dinaedth’s wings, keeping them airborne with strong motions. They were flying together! The emotion was indescribable.
Reluctantly, Dinaedth landed, and Shikai spared only a moment to hastily check over her straps, then silently reprimanded herself for doing so and checked them again, more carefully, to Dinaedth’s annoyance. He wanted to be back in the air! I do too, Dinaedth, but give me just a minute here! I don’t want to fall off! She remarked, and, finding the straps sufficiently safe, they took off again, flying back across the lake. It was a short flight indeed, but what a thrill! Now, finally, she thought as they landed, she was becoming worthy of the title of Dragonrider.
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Post by Journye on Jun 12, 2008 14:06:53 GMT -5
S'lem watched Syth's example and then watched as Shikai made her flight. He looked over at Griflith who was shifting from foot to foot beside him. He shook his head nad let out a slow breath, it was a wonder he had even gotten the harness on the bouncy little blue who had barely stood still long enough for him to buckle to straps onto him.
Griflith turned his head to look at his rider We can fly now mine! This will be fun![/color] S'lem couldn't help but smile as his blue's enthusiasm. Yes we will Griflith, but we have to do as the Weyrlingmaster instructed, he said gently.
Griflith had already turned his attention back toward the course they were to fly. S'lem sighed softly and stepped onto Griflith's offered forearm, mounting as he had watched the riders do. He was amazed by how much his blue had grown, but he was still thankful he wasn't full grown for this first flight.
S'lem tilted his head as Griflith walked forward, the motion felt different then that of a runner, but he enjoyed being astride his wonderful blue. He quickly buckled his two straps as he had watched the Weyrlingmaster do. He shifted more fully into the 'saddle' of the harness and felt Griflith crouching down.
S'lem grasped the straps tightly just as the blue launched himself into the air. S'lem grinned at the feeling, but kept tight hold on the straps Griflith this is amazing! he said and let out an excited whoop of joy as he and Griflith made their way to the other shore Okay Griflith land so I can make some adjustments to the straps.
Griflith reluctantly landed, but kept shifting from foot to foot, bouncing. S'lem was jostled in the harness and chuckled, this would take some getting used to. He tightened the straps and patted Griflith on the neck, grinning at the constant stream of chatter running through his mind, most of it running together and hard to make out, but he shared his blue's excitement.
"Alright Griflith, lets makes the trip back," he said and Griflith quickly complied, launching himself into the air again, winging his way back to the starting point. He landed with a soft thud that jarred S'lem a bit and he looked back over his shoulder Sorry mine,[/color] he said sheepishly. S'lem smiled "No harm dear heart," he said. He truly felt like a true Dragonrider now, he and Griflith could fly together now! He looked at his sister and smiled, waving to her as he dismounted.
~~~
Calysta laughed as she watched her brother make his first flight with his blue. Beside her Luneth watched closely to the three that had gone before her This will be easy my Calysta and we shall make a graceful flight. Soon you and I will soar through the skies together,[/color] she told her rider, looking over at her with slowly whirling eyes full of love for her life mate.
Calysta smiled and leaned into the warmth of her green, inhaling her spicy scent Yes we will dear one, she said. Luneth knelt and offered her foreleg to her rider and Calysta scrambled up into place, it was harder then it looked and Luneth had grown so much, but she finally managed to get into place and strapped herself into place. She made sure the straps were tightly secured and Luneth waited till her rider was situated before walking forward.
Calysta was surprised at the different feeling of riding astride her green then to astride a runner. The feel of the shifting muscles was different and Calysta smiled, it was wonderful to be astride her lovely green. She reached out and stroked the lovely green neck before her as Luneth took her place. She felt the bunching of the muscles as Luneth crouched back onto her hind legs then they were air borne with a powerful push off.
Calysta let out a soft squeak of surprise as they were in the air a dragon length above the water, then she laughed at the feeling of being in the air. She felt herself slipping side ways slightly and grasped the straps. Thankfully they were to the other side before she slipped off and dismounted once Luneth had settled to the ground.
Well its a good thing we were over the water, she said with a shake of her head as she adjusted the buckles and straps. Luneth turned her head and watched her rider We will get it mine and we will be in the skies together,[/color] she said soothingly to her rider. Calysta nodded and remounted, a little easier this time after figuring out the mechanics of it.
Luneth took to the air again, once more a dragonlength above the water as she made her way back to the other shore, her wing beats steady and sure, she herself having to adjust to the feel of the straps and the weight of her rider in place. She landed gracefully and knelt to allow her rider to slip down to the ground. Calysta was smiling brightly as she waved to her fellow weyrlings, oh it was just wonderful to fly with her Luneth.
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Post by B'kay on Jun 13, 2008 10:18:31 GMT -5
Ravyna's hands shook with excitement, and she could feel Igrainth almost vibrating with expectation, as she carefully tugged at the assembled straps to make sure they were secure. They held firm as she pulled, so she used them as a handhold to help her step to Igrainth's bent foreleg, and then settle between the young green's neck ridges.
Are you ready, Mine? Igrainth asked, her wings lifting for the downward thrust of launch.
Just a moment, I'm not quite strapped in. Ravyna arranged the belt around her waist, snugged it up tight, and attached the two riding straps. She grasped the handholds tightly, and gave her dragon the mental cue to fly.
Her head snapped back as the young dragon's powerful hind limbs launched them into the air, and once again with the first powerful stroke of the long wings. She would have to brace for that from now on, she thought, her neck aching slightly.
But then, as reality hit her, all pains were forgotten. The wind blew her long dark hair back behind her in a glorious stream, as Igrainth's beautiful slender wings carried them lightly across the water. She even had the courage to look down ... the water sparkling below showed the rippling reflection of her dragon's beautiful underbelly in the breeze-tousled surface.
All too soon they had landed, as lightly as a drifting leaf, on the opposite shore.
Oh, I do not want to stop! Igrainth said, and Ravyna could feel her dragon's longing and shared it. I want to take off from here and just fly and fly and fly and make this class be over for today! I want to carry you EVERYWHERE on Pern!
I wish we could, and we shall, my Love! Ravyna encouraged her. But not quite yet, not today. We will have a long lifetime together, and we SHALL fly everywhere on Pern!
The little green bugled her agreement as she launched into the air again to return to her waiting clutchmates.
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