Weyrling Training: 'We Hunt!'

[B'kay]

B'kay, making note of how quickly young Luneth had learned to protect her eyes, looked over the weyrlings who had completed their morning hunt. Very few of them had come out without minor injuries.

Syth, we might want to see if the Healer is available to come take a stroll around the group. I don't see any major injuries, but it's good to be safe.

The deep bronze dragon raised his head and reached for C'lyn's green Greylith. Pardon the intrusion, but is your rider free to pay a visit to the feeding area? There is nothing wrong, we just wish to have him look over a few scratches.

[C'lyn]

Greylith looked up sleepily as Syth spoke to her. She yawned and stretched before relaying the message to C'lyn who had been up for a little while Mine, Syth and his would like you to come by the new pens where the little ones have been training.[/color]

C'lyn glanced up from the hides on his desk Tell him I will be there in a moment, He said as she stood, stretching himself. He made a face at the series of pops and cracks that went along with it then moved to collect his bag of supplies. He slung it over his shoulder then glanced around. He wasn't sure where Gaylen was this morning, but Alabanth was with her and the Blue would call if he was needed.

Greylith shifted into a more comfortable position as she spoke to Syth My rider is on the way. He is curious to see how well the young ones are doing.[/color]

C'lyn made his way down to the new pens and looked around at the weyrlings eating their first self caught breakfast and nodded to himself, noting the scrapes and scratches. He spotted B'kay and waved to him as he headed over "Good morning B'kay. They have done well I see," he said as he turned to look at the group. "I don't see anything worse then a good bandaging will fix thankfully, they learned quickly. You have a fine group to train Weyrling Master," he said with a grin.

[.K.aci]

[short and nasty, because I have to go to play practice, but just so I can pull Crown out....]

;;it was upon her to fall back, let strawberry blonde hair fall into her eyes, head dipped down. she of course could stay eager and watching, but she was here on her own punishment, her own reasons, and it was no one but her owns fault if she didn't at least keep to herself. crown had to stay as a drudge, for at least a bit longer, until some searchrider would come along and let her stand to impress her Bronze. then she would go back and show that c ocky little holdbrat that just because he was going to run the hold someday, people could be better then him.

;;crown had dipped back to stand quietly, letting toes dig in the dirt. she had been a runner for some time, and thick callused feet were the product of forgetting her shoes over and over again. but she wouldn't let that bother her. no mam'mam, she wouldn't, because this perdiciment wasn't her fault. it was her lazy, lieing, no-good brother who had the common decency to promise something, and then not follow up on it. we'd be a family together her butt. he had ditched them first chance he saw, and after she went and showed off her bronze to the hold, then she'd have him sniff out Hauze. the liar deserved to get flamed.

;;so entrapped with her self-engineered thoughts of anger and loathing, she had forgotten that she was around the very creatures she wanted to impress. now, the nudge of the small exoticly colored green knocked her back to reality, and anger flecked eyes looked at her, unseeing, for a moment. then she realized that it was nothing but the sweet dragonette, and with a furtive look, kneeled down in to-big breeches.

"Hello."

;;she murmured, letting a clean hand snake up to scratch the eyeridges of the dragonette again.

"You truely are a very pretty girl, Igrainth. Can I tell you a secret?"

;;something had screamed out to her that the dragonette was trustworthy. after all, nothing Crown could say would mean anything to the dragonette who was a defender of pern, and the ramblings of a drudge would mean nothing anyway. it was just, sometimes, all she wanted to do was be heard, stand up and take pride in herself, do something more productive then wash dishes and sweep under tables.

"I'm gonna ride someday to. I want to impress a bronze."

;;not one to think about her words and what meanings they could have, such as insulting others, she meant no ill intent towards the green.

"I'm going to do it."

;;it was half whispered to herself determinedly, although lighter blue eyes stared eagerly into the whirling green's. her hand never idle as she caressed the eager dragonette, footsteps behind her made her look around. a smaller drudge, usefull for dishes, stared wonder-eyed at the dragons, and managed to stutter out,

'C-c-c-rown, h-h-h-headwoman wants t-t-t' see yer.'

;;with a tiny sigh and an imperious nod to the child who scrambled away, she turned back to the green.

"It was lovely meeting you, Igrainth. Please tell your Bonded I said it was nice to meet her also."

;;with a gentle smile that didn't cross the hardened girl's face very often, and one last scratch, she rose up to put the rolls next to the klah. a bob to the weyrlingmaster (who was busy anywhoo, after all), and she was off, back up to the weyr and the miles and miles of meaningless work that awaited her.

[/blockquote]

[Flamewolf]

A catchy song strung into the sleepy mind of a certain ex-harper when the summons reached her bonded dragon. Oh bonded-dearest! We have a lesson to go to!! The voice made the song whisk away on a happy note, making the girl's eyes open. Blue eyes peered at the ceiling of the barracks before she sat up and turned to the dragon that was at the side of her bed, eyes bright.

"Cool. What for?" She stood up, Elainuth quickly stepping away to let her quickly get dressed.

Hunting lesson. Minelli, pulling her her shirt, paused to look at her dragon bonded, whose eyes were bright. She smiled before starting to pull her shirt on.

"Hunting? You can't even glide yet, dear!" the harper thought privately to her dragon.

Elainuth huffed and fluffed her wings. I'm working on it! And just because I can't fly doesn't mean I can't hunt. Now let's hurry before Syth's gets angry. Minelli got her shirt on to see her green by the door. She laughed and they left.

*~*

They got there to catch the end of Luneth's hunt. They waited to the side as the other green left the pen. They waited, glanced around to see others off eating their catch. My turn, I guess.[/color] Elainuth made her way to the smaller pen. Minelli, wringing her hands slightly (she had seen the scratches on the other dragons), walked to the fence and leaned against it.

Before the wherry was release, she turned to the B'kay. "Hello, Weyrling Master," she greeted. Then she heard the chute being opened, and turned back just in time to see a smaller wherry scurrying into the pen. Quieter than the others, it looked at Elainuth with a pathetic look in its beady eyes.

The green stared in shock at the creature. She had expected the thing to be fierce, brutish, ugly; and yet there it was, hunched over, cowering even, scared out of its....feathers. Her claws, having been clenched in the dirt, suddenly relaxed. Her eyes whirled in confusion. The dragon swiveled her head around to gaze at her rider.

"What's wrong?" the Weyrling asked, slightly confused.

He's helpless![/color] The weyrling looked very distressed.

Minelli was surprised. She was pitying....a wherry? Oh bother. "Dear, the thing's ill. He's probably very old and suffering. Killing-"

Don't say that! Elainuth's wings shivered.

The Weyrling leaned over the fence a tad more, watching the wherry from the corner of her eye, where it hadn't moved. She sighed. "Okay. If you don't ki- I mean, put him out of his misery, won't you feel guilty for making him suffer more? If another dragon comes in here, he'll probably be frightened out of his wits."

The dreamer green thought about it for a moment then nodded. You're right. Well...here it goes. With a gulp, she turned to the wherry. Briefly she closed her eyes, mind whirling, then opened again. Her claws curled against the earth before she calmly walked over to the wherry. She stared down at it for a moment. I'm sorry, Minelli heard before Elainuth ended the wherry's life with a swift bite.

She walked out of the pen with it clamped in her jaws, eyes whirling calmlier now but looking a slightly bit troubled. Minelli immediately came over to her and gave her a gentle hug. "You did fine. He'd probably thank you," she said.

He probably would, wouldn't he? Her eyes brightened. Shadow was a very brave wherry not to run, too. Minelli blinked. Shadow? She named the wherry! She smiled slightly, glancing to B'kay, then shook her head and pulled her off to the side.

((Boy I had fun with that. Lol.))

[B'kay]

B'kay greeted the healer courteously.

"Thank you for taking a look at the young ones, C'lyn. I'm relieved to know for certain that none of the scratches look too serious. And yes, I'm pretty content with the class ... all are catching their fill of wherry. They show promise."

***

Igrainth, loving the eye-ridge rubs, blinked slightly when she heard the girl with the kind hands say that she hoped to Impress bronze. She knew all of the bronze dragonets in her clutch had males for partners ... but she didn't let her confusion detract from the lovely massage.

When Crown moved away, leaving her with kind words, the little green said to her rider, She gives good scratches. I think she should have her own dragon some day.

Surprised, Ravyna rubbed her lifemate's face affectionately. Really, my love? Are you showing search dragon talents already?

No, the little green pressed her muzzle against her rider's chest. I just like the scratches.


***

B'kay nodded, "'Morning...." to the young green rider, trying to recall her name. His thoughts leaned toward Syth.

Elainuth's rider, the dragon whispered, eyes fixed on the little green with interest.

Oh yes ... "... Minelli," he finished without skipping a beat. He was getting better at associating dragon with rider, but often needed a nudge on the dragon part to get it right.

Then, the young green's behavior gained his full attention. His dark brows raised, and he made no effort to mask the surprise at Elainuth's actions. Syth? What's going on here?

I believe she feels sorry for it, the dark bronze replied, his head tilted to the side in curiosity, eyes whirling with amusement.

Sorry? For her breakfast?


Even dragons have feelings, Mine, Syth teased.

Then, a decision appeared to have been made, a moment later dragon and meal were exiting the pen together, and the young rider had glanced over at him, apparently as surprised as he was.

"Well," he said, suppressing the smile that wanted to come to his lips, "That was ... unique. Thank you."

He paused before writing in his notes, trying to think of what to say. Finally, he jotted, "Hunt concluded without injury," and resisted adding, "... to either party," as a lark.

[Kitari]

((OOC: lol!!! Good 'un B'kay, Flamewolf. That was too funny to read...))

As B'rec stood valiantly facing the Weyrlingmaster, fearful thoughts darted through his mind, but his resolve did not crumble. The Weyr had already demonstrated itself to be harsh and swift in its judgments, and the lad doubted this dark rider would be any different. However, B'rec realized, no punishment would be too severe for him. The only way they could hurt him would be to take away Dagonth, and obviously they could not do that. Thus, he was prepared for however B'kay chose to respond.

Still, as prepared as he believed himself to be, B'rec was left with his eyes wide and his jaw slightly parted at the unexpected compliment. The nod of dismissal went unnoticed for quite a few moments before the Weyrling was finally able to tear himself away and return to Dagonth. Kneeling by his blue, he continued tending to the hastily addressed injuries, but his mind was elsewhere. The dragonrider's words had struck him more keenly than such simple kindness could, as the comments touched on a matter often present in his mind. Fear. The very idea that he should not be ashamed of himself for his fear, that his ability to turn it aside on the rare occasion warranted pride...that was certainly something to ponder.

Dagonth was still eagerly tearing into the wherry, quite pleased with himself and unaware of B'rec's latest emotional turmoil, when he jerked in surprise at Syth's address. Hastily swallowing a chunk that was unpleasantly coated in feathers, he swung his muzzle about to face the bronze. His eyes began to whirl even more brightly with blues and greens of delight, for here was a mighty bronze addressing him, little Dagonth, with words of praise. Overall, the dragonet felt that the lesson had gone extremely well.

---------------------

Kitari had dressed hastily upon hearing the summons through Lefayeth, and the pair stood in a group with the others, watching the waiting Weyrlings dwindle as more and more successful hunts occurred. It seemed that the task was not too difficult for any, although some injuries were sustained, and there were at least two reluctant dragonets in the other pen. All in all, it seemed like the Weyrlings were ready to advance, and Lefayeth was definitely one of them.

Neither of the pair even glanced at the smaller corral when it was their turn to begin. Although Kitari was certain some would think Lefayeth, as a diminutive gold, might be better off with the smaller wherries, both dragon and rider knew that Lefayeth was capable of rivaling the browns, bronzes, and even the other gold. They strode forward, proud and confident, and Kitari climbed onto the lower railing of the fence for a better view. Good luck, my heart, she whispered in her mind, allowing only the slightest hesitance to enter her thoughts.

Hunting is not about luck, mine, Lefayeth replied, her tone slightly chiding but also teasing. It requires skill, strength, and determination, of course. Kitari couldn't help but grin at her little gold's bold words, not bothering to explain the complexities of the human concept of 'luck'. Instead, she projected a wash of confidence and warmth to Lefayeth, for that was something the dragonet was sure to understand.

Both tensed as the countdown concluded and the chute gate swung open. Immediately, Lefayeth darted to the side, not wanting to leave herself as an obvious target in the otherwise empty corral. The flash of gold drew the wherry's eye, but the direction countered its own movement outward, causing it to nearly stumble and fall in an attempt to keep the predator in sight. Lefayeth was pleased by this effect, deciding to continue her speedy antics while she could. The gold began using her lithe form as an advantage, leaping inwards to slash at the wherry before slipping away to the side, wings tucked close to prevent entanglement.

The wherry was not about to let the gold win in such a manner, slowly weakening it without an all-out attack, and it screeched in defiance. Lefayeth, growing overly confident, bugled back and leaped in once again, only to find the wherry throw itself at her with all of its strength. The gold was knocked to the ground with the wherry on top of her, and she was scratched repeatedly by claws scrabbling for purchase. Angrily, she lashed back with her own talons, although she covered her head with her wings, not daring to expose her face at such a time. Finally, she was able to heave the bird off her form, and it slammed into the fence before dropping to the ground.

Lefayeth was on her feet instantly, racing in for the kill, but the wherry was still not defeated. It clambered up and snapped viciously with its beak, warning the dragonet off. She was tired of this game, however, and it was time for the foolish creature to die. Her speed did not slow, and Lefayeth decided to try the wherry's tactics, leaping and flapping her wings about her to head to ward off the wherry's questing beak while slamming the creature hard into the fence. Her jaws found their target, and she chomped down into its fragile spine, severing it easily. The wherry crumpled beneath her, and she dragged it from the corral while it continued to twitch.

"Good job!" Kitari cried, jubilant, as she joined Lefayeth to move some distance away. "I am so proud of you." She scratched her dear one's eye ridges affectionately, then immediately pulled out numbweed to begin tending to Lefayeth's battle wounds.

I knew I could do it, the gold replied, her cockiness overshadowing the glimmer of insecurity she too had experienced. Although it was a little frightening when it was on top of me. Silly thing. She shook her head vigorously to send wherry bits flying everywhere as an emphasis of these words. Kitari merely chuckled, continuing to apply the numbweed, an exceedingly proud rider.