This should be fun... (CL2: Whers: Osnat, Armind)

[Ivy]

Elisabeta had roped him into helping out with the Candidates who might be interested in Whers. Well, it wasn't Elisabeta herself that had roped him into it - far be it for her to ask for help. No, she'd sent Farryl to do her bidding, and while he wasn't a fan of the Wasteland Candidatemaster (who was?), Farryl was nice enough. Of course he'd help out with those who may want a wher. Of course. So far he was expecting two to show but others may come as well, he'd prepared extra buckets and brushes just in case.

As the sun went down he and Swisk made their way to where he was meeting the Candidates. Setting up the supplies he looked up and saw them walking up. "Hello there! I'm Swithin and this is Swisk. We'll be teaching you more about whers this evening. I'll try to keep this quick, I know you will be up early for whatever Elisabeta has planned for you tomorrow."

Swisk turned this way and that as he looked at the Candidates, the pale wraith-like Blue finally crooned and his tail swayed. He approved of them, they were a nice looking bunch. Swithin walked back and forth a few steps before stopping, "We'll be talking about the anatomy of whers and how it differs from dragons. But first..." He cleared his throat a bit, "I know Elisabeta went over flights this morning - I was there for her little speech. I want to assure you that while some flights are a bit... passionate, and most riders lose their heads to their dragons - you will not be raped every single time if you happen to be around. Flights are nothing to be afraid of, so don't let her putting fear into you. Do you have any questions?"

Swithin's face had gone a shade darker as he spoke about flights. He'd have to cover runs for whers as well, which he wasn't fully comfortable with. However he knew he needed to share any and all information the Candidates would need to know should they Impress (be it dragon OR wher). And Elisabeta's speech earlier that morning had been a bit misleading and lacked a lot of information. Swisk was of course more than just a little amused by his handler's embarrassment - he nudged Swithin's hip and crooned. Funny Swithin, flights and runs were natural! He hadn't been this embarrassed when he'd been involved in them. No need to be embarrassed now.

As Swithin waited to hear if any of the questions the younger Candidates may have he ran a hand through his short brown locks. He hadn't anticipated being this uncomfortable, but then again this was his first time really talking about these sorts of things.

[Rowana]

Kyrstin was only coming to this wher lesson, for one reason: just in case. He had learned that Candidates only stood for dragons until they were twenty turns or so. Rare exceptions did happen, but he would be twenty in less than a turn and soon too old for the proud beasts to be interested. Not that he could blame them. Impressing to someone too old was kinda like agreeing to have a shorter lifespan for a dragon. Though, from what he'd heard, most riders these days didn't live until thirty anyway. Just another cheerful thought for him to add to his list of reasons why he probably shouldn't have come.

On the other hand, it would be helpful to know something of wher anatomy as well as dragons. Just in case someone thought that, as a Healer, he aught to be able to fix anything. He didn't really have an interest in DragonHealer, but someone was bound to confuse him with someone who did one of these days if he stayed around. So here he was, staying up past sunset to see what whers were really like. At least it wasn't a boy teaching them this time. Dy'shi and his strange dragon had rattled him more than he'd like to have admitted.

Pausing with his arms in their usual crossed position, Kyrstin listened to the handler. Though he liked the idea of correcting a woman, he wasn't sure this Swithin had the right idea either. Flights sounded pretty risky from what he'd heard about them so far. Besides, if this man was so sure of his facts, why hadn't he spoken up before? Kyrstin remained stone faced and silent after the little speech. Really, he had no intention of any creature ever taking over his mind during their lustings. That was for weak minding fools, not people with knowledge and willpower like him.

[Lotty]

Osnat showed up. There was no telling why, but it probably had a bit to do with the fact that whers were relate-able. Unlike salamandyrs or even dragons, at least the unless three toed things were posted at just about every hold for protection, so their general existence to her was known if only by way of glimpses into the shadowy dens in which they stayed (yes, a risky endeavor that was conducted in her younger turns, but a dare was a dare and the only way to play with the boys was to show them what for sometimes). On top of that they held a certain appeal to her, the same kind that vtol bugs and gossamer spinners did, they were nasty things that garnered little respect... fascinating considering the fact that a wher could probably eat a person up in one gulp.

So it was safe to say that the girl was staring at Swisk and very little else. Not that she meant to be rude about it or anything , but when one had a choice between yet another sex talk or looking at something just short of grotesque, it was obvious where her honey brown eyes were going to be going. Besides why did everyone have to be so painfully awkward about the subject? R'vor didn't prove to be enlightening and she doubted that this Swithin was going to be any better.... and how was he an expert on the subject? She took another look at Swisk, pouring her eyes over his wings and low slung body. Yeah, looked real graceful in the air... certainly they didn't take to the skies to mate did they? So they couldn't participate in "Flights" right? Ok... it was obvious that it was question time.

Without much doubt she raised her arm into the air, and waved it around as if she could go unnoticed and not be called on. Even then, she still spoke out anyway, asking before even lowering her hand, "So uhm... do these bad boys fly or what? Cuz I'm not seeing how they can get in the sky and do their thing." She'd add on that she was just 'confused' but that should have been readily apparently by the fact that she was asking any questions at all, and in the moment of silence that permeated between those gathered she looked over at Kyrstin in the hope that he showed some sign of shared ignorance or at least interest. Instead all she caught was a impassive face, and to that she had to bite her lip. Was she the only one not on the up and up about this stuff?

[Ivy]

A friendly smile took over the man's features as Osnat asked her question. He'd noticed her studying Swisk while he was talking, she'd no doubt noticed that a wher's body just wasn't really built to fly. There were no dumb questions after all - and he appreciated the fact she had asked something so they hadn't just all stood there in awkward silence. Shaking his head he gave a slight chuckle, "No no, they don't fly. Unlike a dragon flight, whers 'do their thing' on the ground. When a wher mates it is a Run, which in of itself is pretty self explanatory. The female will run away from the males, who will in turn chase her. The key difference to a wher Run and dragon flight - besides the obvious different locale they take place in - is wild wher males may also give chase. Its been known to happen, on more than one occasion. Sometimes the females prefer the wildlings to their domesticated counterparts here in the weyr, sometimes they don't. The choice is ultimately up to the female. Wher Runs can turn violent - if a female feels one of the males is threatening or is being somehow unfair or unruly, she may turn on him. Even if she doesn't, often times one of the other males - most of the time one of the eldest - will put the other male in his place. Sometimes even forcing him out of the Run completely. It can get bloody, whers are passionate creatures."

Done with his little speech, he found this one had been much easier to deliver than he'd thought it would be. Swisk crooned his approval to his bonded before he walked towards the Candidates and nosed at them lightly. The fragile Blue was smaller than most Blues were, really along the size of a Green. But still he had a presence to him, he didn't feel limited at all despite his obvious unfortunate physical condition - and that confidence carried into every step he took and movement he made. "Were there any other questions?"

Swithin paused a moment and waited to see if anyone had something to ask - though he didn't wait long. They could ask whenever they wanted really, and he wanted to let them get to the rest of the things he had for them to do tonight.

"Now then, have either of you ever ridden a wher before?" He looked at Kyrstin and Osnat in turn, gauging their facial expressions before continuing, "Well you will tonight. One at a time though since Swisk can't carry a lot."

Swithin eyed the Candidates again, neither one of them when paired with himself should be too much for Swisk - or at least he hoped. He knew his Blue wasn't in prime condition, really he never had been. But he was healthy and strong enough that a short walk shouldn't be too hard on him. "Which one of you would like to go first?"

As he waited for the Candidates to decide who it would be he worked at fitting the riding straps he had on Swisk - his pair and then an extra set he had. "Don't be shy, he doesn't bite."