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Post by Zirin on Apr 29, 2012 4:39:32 GMT -4
Stop moping GarMine. It'll be no different than teaching the Nightsingers class. Syphraelth lounged stoically behind his rider, waiting for the proper order from his rider to call the young weyrling they would be teaching. J'degar had no idea how he had landed himself in this position, teaching ONE sharding weyrling, and a mutant of all things. He grumbled, dropping the bag of firestone at his feet and tugging his riding jacket closed all the way.
The early spring air had a slight chill to the air, but J'degar knew it would be much, much colder where they were going today. With a final deep breath he gave his brown the order to call his student for the day. Abyrath. You and Yours are to report for a private lesson. J'degarMine says to come ready for flight. Do not forget your straps and riding gear. The brown yawned, his job done for the time being. Now they simply needed to wait for the amethyst weyrling to arrive.
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Post by twitchie on Apr 29, 2012 4:58:03 GMT -4
Abyrath jerked her head up from her paws.
A private lesson?
Oh how exciting!
Mine? We are called for a lesson. We are to be prepared for flight, saddle and strips and all. [/color]
The amethyst yawned once and snapped her jaws closed. Hers would need her to come to him in their room to be readied. She opened her wings and flew over the weyrbowl to meet Hers.
It was a short flight and soon the purple dragon was walking into their room.
Quickly KaMine! We can't be late!! [/color]
Abyrath's voice took on a higher pitch, an annoying habit that followed impatience.
"I'm...coming!"
Ka'mond came running with the gear, and set it near his dragon.
"Lets get this on..."
Carefully he placed her saddle on, and tightened the straps gingerly.
Tighter. You'll slip right off, Mine. You are too gentle! I'm full grown. You won't break me Ka'mond. [/color]
Abyrath blew in Hers face and he reddened, embarressed.
"B-but you are so much smaller. I am afriad to harm you..."
But he remained quiet and tightened the straps.
Before leaving he pulled on a wool sweater underneath his tunic. Riding in s chilly wind was cold and he wanted to be prepared. Little did he know how cold the lesson would be...
Rider and dragon took off and made their way to the lesson.
It was a good several minuetes of silent flight before they landed near the brown and brownrider.
Ka'mond dismounted and eyed the fire rocks. Abyrath saw the stones and grew excited. Oh! New things!
"Hello, sir."
Ka'mond greeted with a wave. This looked interesting!
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Post by Zirin on Apr 29, 2012 6:12:17 GMT -4
They come. Syphraelth announced, straightening himself to his full height as they waited for the pair to land. They could have been faster. Threadfall waits for no one. J'degar replied, annoyed once more that he got stuck with one of the clutch's mutants. He too, straightened up as the pair landed, making sure he looked as intimidating as always; and why not? He was almost six and a half feet of pure, disciplined muscle, his riding gear cleaned and kept in top condition. J'degar was a man of appearances, he placed high priority on looking the part, and acting the part.
His eyes narrowed as the boy dismounted and looked around at the 'stones before giving a proper greeting. Well, proper was an overstatement. The boy called him Sir, that was one point in the positive, but that was where J'degar's praise ended.
"I am your weyrlingmaster - your superior - not your friend. In the future you will stand up straight, feet together, arm at your side and salute." He stepped towards the pair, his eyes raking over first the boy's riding gear. It was in good enough condition he supposed, there were a few loose threads but nothing J'degar cared to complain about right then and there; he wanted the lesson over with after all. He moved next Abyrath, at first thinking the wrong paired had arrived, but the dragon was clearly fully grown. Shards, as if being a mutant wasn't bad enough, she was a tiny mutant.
"Her straps need to be tighter. Loose straps are a danger to yourself, your dragon, and your wingmates." He leveled a disappointed look at the young rider before glaring up at the purple dragoness. "Amethyst. It is your responsibility to make sure your rider tightens these properly. Well boy? Get tightening!" He stepped away from the pair to watch, using it as an excuse to see how well practiced the pair were. Suffice to say, J'degar didn't trust the teaching abilities of the other weyrlingmasters.
"While you're doing that you will tell me about your training. How are you two in the sky?" He wanted to know their strengths and weaknesses in the air.
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Post by twitchie on Apr 29, 2012 21:20:41 GMT -4
Ka'mond's smile faded at the serious and downright grumpy weyrlingmaster's words. He swallowed hard and stole a glance at Abyrath.
"Yes sir."
He said, spirits clearly dampened. This didn't seem as fun as he'd thought.
"I've tightened-"
His mouth clamped shut. Don't argue!
My fault KaMine. I should have made you make it tighter! [/color]
The amethyst felt guilty.. and sensed J'degar's dislike of her. That look he gave them both was so sour! How could someone be so upset? What had she done?
Ka'mond tightened the straps again, pulling it snug against his dragon's hide. He had to do good... This mattered so much!
"We.. we fly quite a bit. As much as possible actually. Abyrath is really agile and quick."
Pride was clear in the boy's voice.
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Post by Zirin on Apr 29, 2012 21:48:45 GMT -4
J'degar leveled a look at the boy as he started to argue back, but nodded approvingly as Ka'mond kept his opinions to himself. Perhaps this boy wasn't as bad as he had initially assumed. The weyrling was also quick to answer, lacking in detail perhaps, but at least he answered confidently. As he listened, he looked over the straps again, nodding in approval now that they were fixed.
"I expect you both to ensure your straps are properly tightened from now on." He added before beginning to examine the straps themselves for any rips or tears. He didn't want the straps to snap after in the cold of between. So far so good, the boy seemed to take good care of his straps. "Your straps could use a good oiling, but they look to be in good shape. Well done." Despite his grumpy appearance, J'degar knew he had to compliment occasionally.
"We will be covering two topics today." He stated, making his way back to Syphraelth to do a final check of his own straps; more for show than anything else. Despite keeping his gear in tip top shape at all times, cockiness could be a downfall, so he always made sure to do a final check before flights. He hoped Ka'mond would do the same in his future. "First we will be covering between. I trust your previous Weyrlingmasters have covered the basics?" It was more a statement than a question. By the end of their first Turn of training, all weyrling pairs would have begun learning how to envision their destinations in their minds and would have spent many lessons learning a number of key points for jumping between, such as the star stones.
"Amethyst. As your rider answers my question, you will fly a warm-up lap around the Weyrbowl. Don't keep us waiting." He wanted to make sure the amethyst was ready to do this jump. Syphraelth kept his eyes on the young dragoness, waiting to see her in the air.
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Post by twitchie on Apr 30, 2012 9:34:14 GMT -4
Ka'mond wiped his forehead, caressing Abyrath's face a moment. Atleast J'degar seemed somewhat pleased now... Maybe this would go ok after all?
"B-between?"
Ka'mond choked and gaped a moment.
"I-i think I understand the basics... I've read about it."
Abyrath blew Ka'mond's hair playfully, a habit she had. Then she stepped away from Hers. So they wanted her to fly? They better watch closely! This was her chance to shine!
Her wings snapped out, her oiled hide almost seeming to shine metallic in the sun. She let out a short roar and sprang easily into the air.
Her wings beat the air gracefully, and she shot like an arrow. Faster! Faster!
Abyrath increased her altitude and then let herself fall. She angled her wings so she tore through the sir like lightning. The wind ripped past her, sliced by her lithe body. Look at her! Look!
She turned sharply and suddenly and pulled up, wings snapping again to stop her fall. She backwinged and flew back to J'degar. Her flanks rose from her flight and her blood rushed through her body. And she landed with grace.
Ka'mond checked the straps again, trying to hide his shaky hands. Between! They were going between! Wasn't Abyrath too small for this? Would the cold hurt her? Oh! His dragon was so fragile!
KaMine, I'll be fine. Dragons are made for between. I'm stronger than you think. I'd let you know if I couldn't do something... Relax alittle. You are tense as a gold queen. [/color]
Ka'mond flushed and smiled faintly. His dragon was right! He was being foolish!
His cheeks were warm as he faced J'degar.
"What next, J'degar, sir?"
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Post by Zirin on May 3, 2012 16:36:30 GMT -4
You are quite beautiful in the sky, Little One. Syphraelth commented, watching the amethyst's natural skill in the air. Remember to fly conservatively at times. You will run out of energy quickly in Threadfall. His voice was warm and praising in her mind as she landed, his eyes whirling contently. J'degar remained quiet through the flight, not even answering Ka'mond's nervous confirmation. He had explained the lesson, he wasn't going to do it again. He nodded in approval as he checked the straps again, noting the way he shook; like most weyrlings, he was nervous.
"Mount up. We will fly a lap together around the Weyrbowl in a loose wing formation. Once we are in the air you will take commands from Syphraelth." He paused to look down at Ka'mond. "I cannot stress enough the importance of following commands. Going between is dangerous, especially for the untrained. Do what Syphraelth tells you and you will be fine.[/i] He turned and pulled himself up onto Syphraelth, buckling himself in and waiting for Ka'mond to be the same. He lifted his arm up, gave a final glance to Abyrath, and dropped his arm in the signal to launch.
Follow me, Little One Syphraelth called back to Abyrath as he took off and began a slow trail around the Weyrbowl. You lessons will have done this before, but it is always good practice to look over the Weyrbowl. Take note of important landmarks, things change so always update your references.
They flew past the star stones and swerved away from the Weyr, flying a few minutes before Syphraelth finally spoke again. Our first jump will be to the star stones. I will give you your reference image for the first jump and we will go together. He gave the amethyst an image of the star stones. Make sure your rider knows the image. Ready? We will jump in three, two, one -
The cold of between engulphed J'degar, and he found himself shivering from the absolute cold even with his protective clothing. Within a few moments though, he could feel the warmth of the sun on his back again and see the star stones below him. He looked behind him, his eyes searching for Ka'mond.
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Post by twitchie on May 3, 2012 23:54:23 GMT -4
The little amethyst visibly swelled at the Brown's praise, gliding in gently next to Hers. She cocked her head at Ka'mond a moment, sensing his tense body and shaking hands.
Worriedly she poked his back with her nose and he jumped, clearly startled.
KaMine, relax. We are going to do amazing. You'll see. But if you're tense as a rock there's no way we can preform or fly easily or even safely. Trust me. Please? [/color]
Hers had always seemed so brave but now he was no better than a wherry! Abyrath loved Ka'mond so much, but he seemed so... worried and over-protective lately...
Ka'mond rolled his shoulders and nodded to Abyrath, giving her a quick eye-ridge scratch. Then he checked the straps- double checked to be positive, and mounted his small dragon.
The amethyst rose easily, her legs and wings surprisingly strong from her 'sandbag and river' training. See? It paid off!
Ka'mond gazed at the Weyrbowl with keen, studying eyes. He burned the scene below him into his mind as best he could.
Be ready Mine. We will between to the star stones. Here. [/color]
Abyrath shared the image, tilting her body to follow Syphraelth's flight.
Then the brown and rider vanished! Gone!
"We're next..."
Focusing, Abyrath felt the chill creep into the air and sudden nothingness engulf them both.
Ka'mond felt as if he couldn't breath and he actually screamed but the sound was ripped from his throat. He shivered, hugging Abyrath's neck tightly.
The few seconds it took the two to reappear were like hours in that cold nothingness...
Suddenly - warmth! Light! Below sat the star stones and above them hovered J'degar and Syphraelth.
Ka'mond was pale and tingling with numbness from his cold shock and fear. But norther were injuryed.
Ka'mond knew J'degar would see how terrified he had been. And likely back some snappy stinging comment too.. Shardit... Oh well..
Ka'mond took a moment to catch his breath and looked up at his teacher.
"W-what now...?"
His voice quivered and cracked in the end but otherwise held strong.
You did great, Mine. We did it. See? I told you so. I knew we'd be wonderful! We're a team! [/color]
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Post by Zirin on May 4, 2012 4:43:42 GMT -4
This was one of the parts of the job he hated most. J’degar could tolerate stupid children and annoying dragonets. He could tolerate the endless droning of the lessons, and the extra work that came with being a ‘master. But, like most weyrlingmasters, the first trip between was a nerve-wracking experience. It was even worse this time around, since he hadn’t seen the weyrling before. He didn’t know the level of training he had received, or the abilities of his images… he had simply hoped the dragoness would follow his instructions perfectly.
Syphraelth’s eyes scanned the skies as J’degar kept his own gaze pinned to where the weyrling should be reappearing. The seconds ticked off before a sudden blast of cold air alerted dragon and rider of the reappearance of his pupil. You have done well on your first jump. Mine is proud of you both. The brown moved under Abyrath so his rider could be as close as possible to the other pair.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, brat!” He called up, needing to yell to be heard over the wind. Truth be told, he couldn’t fault the boy for being scared; most weyrlings had the same pale look about them after their first trip between. “We’ll fly a lap, get your nerves under control, we’re going to skip again.” He rose again, letting Syphraelth do the rest of the relay. When you are ready to go again, you will picture the star stones on your own. Send the image to me for approval. Mine says you are not to jump until you get my approval.
J’degar knew the time and place for being rude, and between training was not it; he’d make up for lost time when they started on flaming.
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Post by twitchie on May 4, 2012 5:19:22 GMT -4
Ka'mind grit his teeth, closing his eyes. Oh God. This day could not ever be over soon enough.
Between scared him. No, terrified him. The thought of being trapped in that cold, dark, silent world made his lungs seem to shrink and his heart forget to beat. His head was still pounding with adrineline from his sudden fear..
He did not fear for Abyrath anymore or at the moment; he feared for himself!
The boy slowed his breathing carefully, to slow his rocketing heartrate. He clung to Abyrath as if his life depended upon it. Man, he was embarrassed to be so frightened...
Abyrath crooned a soft, motherly noise to Ka'mond, turning her neck just enough to nuzzle him. She could do nothing to comfort Hers besides make sure they were both perfectly safe.
Her yellow-green gaze stared intently at the star stones, imprinting the structure into her memory.
They should be proud; they'd done it's Ha! J'degar may not like mutations but he had to admit Abyrath was strong and well-trained...
Focus! The amethyst brought the image to mind and pressed it toward Syphraelth's mind.
She beat her wings, taking a moment of joy-riding and getting some breeze onto Hers's face. She was terrified Ka'mond would pass out cold on her back... or scare himsef to death.Hers would have to trust her.
Abyrath was prepared to go between again, whereas Ka'mond had calmed a bit...
I'm... I look like a fool Abyrath... I've screwed us up...
Training is not focused on being best or strongest or perfect. Its about paying attention and learning. We're at a dis-advantage. But we'll make do. Don't we always? [/color]
Ka'mond wanted to cry as he once again was covered by his Bonded's undieing love and comfort.
I love you, Abyrath. You.. you are truely amazing...
He rubbed his dragon's neck and hugged her..
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Post by Zirin on May 9, 2012 17:42:18 GMT -4
They spent a fair bit of time circling, J'degar knew it would take this particular pair a while to calm down. They were lucky this was their first betweening lesson; it was the only time J'degar would go easy on them. Well, assuming they hurried up with this fraidy-cat business. It WAS getting a little rediculous. Quiet GarMine. You were just as scared your first time too. The brown said to his rider in a matter-of-fact tone. I hid it, better than this brat.
Syphraelth passed the image on to his rider for confirmation, but J'degar shook his head. J'degar wants you to try again. Please make sure it is Ka'mond who prepares the image. A human memory is much stronger than a dragon's. They said the same thing to every pair, regardless of how good the image may have been. It was always better to be safe than sorry when it came to between. Not only that, but both dragon and rider could see that Ka'mond was still shaking. Try again please, Ka'mond. You both are doing wonderfully.
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Post by twitchie on May 10, 2012 22:28:18 GMT -4
Ka'mond took a deep breath, finally somewhat able to slow his heartbeat. His palms were sweaty, and angrily he rubbed them on his pants.
He glanced back at the brownrider, his teacher. Ugh. He hated that smug and bitter coolness the man displayed...
Don't be angry, Mine. He's not a mean man. B-but... he doesn't like me-us. We...We're mutations remember? I... I thought that maybe things would change.. that we'd grow to be respected but...but.... [/color]
The purple dragon shook her head, dropping several feet in the air suddenly from her sadness.
Ka'mond chewed his lip, and stared at the Starstones, anger and a new coolness in his gaze. He would show everyone. They would. Did the color of his dragon's hide make them weak? Worthless? Useless? Hell.No.
Abyrath had the picture Ka'mond had given her. Despite herself she sent along her confused feeling to Syphraelth. Her sadness and hurt and unsurity of what she'd ever done to J'degar to earn his dislike.
She knew she'd shared too much of her mind, and pulled away, angry and confused and embarressed. She'd screwed up again....
Abyrath beat her violet wings, wishing she could disappear. Worst.day.ever.....
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Post by Zirin on Jun 23, 2012 20:25:16 GMT -4
J’degar looked back in concern as his pupil’s altitude dropped, wondering if there was something genuinely wrong or if the tiny dragon had simply been subject to a change in the air. For the time being he chose to ignore it, after all they were simply flying at this point, so now was the time to make mistakes. Once it was time to between however… She has sent the image GarMine… as well as sadness. Narrowing his eyes, J’degar had the brown share the image as well as the feelings he had received, and with an angry scowl, he whipped around to level a glare at Ka’mond.
“On the ground, NOW!” He barked, Syphraelth quickly banking with a light roar, urging the amethyst pair down to land. His large body landed heavily and J’degar undid his straps to step over to where Ka’mond would be landing if he did as instructed. “Never let your emotions get the better of you in the air boy. Following an image with that much confusion tacked on will only endanger yourself and others.” He crossed his arms, clearly displeased. If the boy had hoped to prove mutantriders were just as capable as regular riders then he was doing a poor job. Of course, J’degar was also a tough critic.
“Well then, boy, either get talking or get out. If you cant get a handle on your emotions then I can’t let you between.”
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Post by twitchie on Jul 3, 2012 23:00:34 GMT -4
Abyrath hissed softly, letting herself dive with a swift swoop. It was only a moment before she landed.
Ka'mond untied himself, fighting with his emotions and Abyrath's.
"Well, Master J'degar, how are we to control emotions when you do not control yours? I can see now it isn't us you hate. Do you ever smile or wipe a scowl from your face? You show your discrimination as if you were a skin."
The boy shouldn't be speaking this way... but this was the last straw.
"What? Because Abyrath is small or a mutation suddenly she's useless? Dumb? Perhaps because her hide is a different color she's nothing better than a wherry?"
Ka'mond advanced.
"No. You are wrong. You may be my teacher but you are not and never will be my role model. You can kick me from this class. Go on. Then be short on dragons when thread hits. We are not idiots. So stop glaring at us like we are slime."
Ka'mond stared back at J'degar, awaiting the worst. He knew this would be punished. But... It had to be done. Abyrath watched Hers and looked ready to stand between the two if a physical fight broke out.
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Post by Zirin on Jul 4, 2012 17:26:34 GMT -4
J'degar listened to the little boy - for that was all the brownrider saw when he looked at Ka'mond - rant and ramble. It was almost amusing, almost, but J'degar didn't have time for little children who believed they were smarter or better than he gave them credit for.
"You're right brat, I don't like you, but I gave you an opportunity to prove me wrong and you failed miserably. She is useless because YOU can't follow instructions, because YOU are so caught up on what other people think that you can't keep your own emotions in check and enable her to be the dragons he could be. This failure is on your hands boy." Despite Ka'mond's belief, J'degar was ocmpletely in control of his emotions; his voice calm and cool with only the vaguest hint of annoyance as he spoke. Yes, he disliked mutants, but only because he was a traditionalist and the arrival of new colours went against everything he knew. In the end, a dragon was a dragon, regardless of size and colour, and if they could prove themselves then that was that. He didn't have to like a dragon to be willing to fly with it after all.
The amethystrider's final words though, that did push Gar past the point of annoyance, though if Ka'mond had hoped to intimidate the brownrider than he was failing. "I'd rather be short one stupid brat than put an entire wing in danger just to make you feel good about yourself. You don't get it do you, this isn't about you, this isn't about me. This is about the wings, about fighting Thread. If I let you between with that idiotic head of yours running amok, you threaten the lives of everyone in your wing." He crossed his arms, glaring down at the boy just as he had been told not to.
"Now you're going to drop and give me twenty pushups and you will calm that empty head of yours and think about how to make me give you the time of day." He growled, cracking his neck, "And while you're at it, you'll come to my office tonight to discuss your punishment. Now, are you done wasting my time or are these instructions too hard for a 'capable' brat like you?"
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