Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
Jr.Weyrwoman Caden Bronzehandler Piden Bluerider M'kai Bluerider T'ri Greenrider Tenlie Greenhandler Serissa
Posts: 1,524
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Post by Ruby on Nov 21, 2011 16:44:57 GMT -5
Caden tightened her thighs, urging Nitrath into a dive. The gold might be agile and fast for her color, but compared to the wing drilling in the distance, she was the equivalent of a sky-whale. It was K'ian's wing, and Caden and Nitrath had been shadowing them as best they could from a distance, far enough away that it looked like they were simply flying on their own. Honestly, for someone who hadn't drilled with a wing before, the pair was too far away to see what was going on, but Caden had drilled with Smath enough to know the basics. Of course, knowing the basics for a Blue and a knowing the basics for the equivalent of a huge Bronze was kind of a different story, and even though Caden and Nitrath had been shadowing wings and 'drilling' regularly ever since the weyrs re-combined, the Gold hadn't improved much but her muscle tone. Training a Gold like a Blue just wasn't working.
Alright, let's call it an afternoon, Caden said once Nitrath had pulled up (distinctly slower than Caden had hoped) and the wing in the distance began to disband. As they descended, the Gold twisted her head back to look at her rider, her eyes whirling a distressed orange. I am sorry, Girl,[/i] she said, her mental voice filled with disappointment, I know you wish I was fast enough to fight on a Wing. I will keep trying, perhaps someday I will get there. As long as it is only thread, or self-defense,[/i] Nitrath added, sounding somewhat more firm towards the end. I know. Not that they would let us fight anyway, even if we could, Caden grumbled, the bitterness clear in her voice.
Nitrath's landing was nearly fumbled as the Gold practically jumped over herself in an attempt to drown Caden in love. Oh, my lovely girl, I am so sorry I have disappointed you. We can try again, we can ask a Legatus member to give us extra tutoring, or maybe a Bronze, I will do better -[/i] Caden cut her Gold off by unclipping herself and sliding off Nitrath's shoulder, catching herself on the straps just inches from the ground before poking Nitrath in the leg. "Quiet, you. You know you're not the problem, stop trying to take responsibility for everything." That stunned Nitrath into momentary silence (Caden generally treated her like something breakable, despite her size and obvious abilities), and the big Gold settled to the ground to contemplate what her rider had said. Caden, however, was looking to the sky. "Hey, who's that? Someone's coming this way from the wing." I do not know. Should I see if they are looking for us? Whatever. [/i]
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Rowana
Hive Mind
Handler Roivao Rider G'tor Rider Merridan Rider T'ke Rider N'rik Handler Porita Rider Farryl Rider Kyr'n[/color
Posts: 1,550
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Post by Rowana on Nov 28, 2011 11:57:52 GMT -5
It was great to able to do proper drills again. Merridan and Chaoth loved practicing and keeping in shape, something they'd hardly been able to do in the months of hiding. Now with the weyrs united and everyone settling back into routine, they were also getting back into shape. They had a new wingleader, and though Mer had had mix feelings about the former Wastelander at first, their second, C'oar, was at least a familiar face. All in all, it was good to be busy with training again, not to mention all the weyrlings and their antics keeping her and M'ta busy.
Do you think she wishes to join us? Chaoth asked suddenly. "Hmm?" Mer glanced down, noticing for the first time the young queen who was shadowing them. She was doing fairly well, for someone who was flying drills solo. This must be Nitrath, Mer supposed. She hadn't really had a chance to see the new queen much yet. I didn't think queen's usually flew drills, she mused. Chaoth was indifferent to the idea. Makes no difference, he declared. If queen, weyrling, or bronze wanted to better themselves, Chaoth as all for it. Perhaps she would like company.
Mer shrugged. The drill had just finished anyway. Chaoth probably still felt some attachments to queens with Jingth gone. Mer knew it would probably help him if she could forget about it too, but it was hard even with all the new things to keep busy. She just couldn't get those horrible images out of her mind. Chaoth circle down, landing a reasonable distance from the pair so Mer could slide off. Fair skies, Nitrath, the brown greeted passively. You fly well alone, but perhaps you would someone to practice with?
Mer trotted over to Caden, waving absently as she drew near. "You must be Caden, right?" Mer hadn't really met the girl before she'd left, but it had to be her. Only two golds at Selenitas right now so it had to be her. "I'm Mer. Chaoth wanted to say 'hi.' Hope that's ok." She spoke in a matter of fact tone. She'd never really felt that queenriders should be treated any different, maybe because Meira had been in her class. If Caden wanted her to go away, she would and no feelings ruffled either.
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Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
Jr.Weyrwoman Caden Bronzehandler Piden Bluerider M'kai Bluerider T'ri Greenrider Tenlie Greenhandler Serissa
Posts: 1,524
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Post by Ruby on Dec 9, 2011 2:09:55 GMT -5
Fair skies indeed, Nitrath replied, her mindvoice as bright as her hide as she flicked a shining wing at the sky, indicating the cloudless day. Chaoth, isn't it?[/i] she asked, even though she knew. It never hurt a soul to be polite, and it also never hurt to know the names of every dragon she would someday lead. Nitrath already knew most of the Old Selenitas dragons, by sight if not personally; adding the New Selenitas dragons to that had been simple enough. Millieth had suggested the task, and Nitrath had taken to it immediately. The Senior Gold was a wise dragon, even if Caden had yet to be convinced. Caden wasn't convinced about Kaegan, either, despite the fact that she couldn't help but like the older goldrider. At least she was better than Arga and Pariah and the other Benden goldriders.
Caden and Nitrath's nonverbal, mental exchange lasted a mere split second before the gold turned her attention back to her brown companion (with one last pleasant pulse for her rider). Stretching her wings, she practically beamed at the brown, I thank you for the complement, but I would love some help, if you are willing. My girl knows some things about flying, but she insists that a Bronze or a large Brown - such as yourself - would be a better teacher than she...[/i] Surging to her feet, the Gold stretched her wings (careful as always of her spikes), eager to be back in the air. I can not figure out how to pull out of a dive with any sort of speed. Would you have any pointers?[/i]
For her part, Caden returned Merridan's wave with a slightly bemused casual salute. "Caden. Yeah." And even if Caden hadn't put near as much work into memorizing the Riders of the Weyr as Nitrath did the dragons, she knew this rider before Merridan - Mer, apparently - introduced herself. There was only one female brownrider, after all, someone who had intrigued Caden since she found out about her. They even looked a bit a like, although Caden was taller. "'Course it's ok. Most people don't, except Bronzeriders," the Goldrider said, reaching up to ruffle her short hair. "'Fraid I usually disappoint them." Caden's mouth drew sideways into a wry smile, indicating the joke.
When Nitrath got to her feet, though, Caden raised an eyebrow at the gold. Leaving me alone, are you? she asked, some very confused emotion somewhere between panic and interest in her voice. Yes, it is always good for you to meet new people. You are too quiet, girl. Caden gave Nitrath the mental equivalent of a shrug, then turned back to Merridan. "Guess we're being left alone." After just the briefest of pauses, she added, "You're one of those that escaped with the rebels, right? Burimyans?" Caden herself had very nearly gone to the rebel Weyr, but if she had, she wouldn't have impressed Nitrath. Still, everything about the exiles intrigued her - enough that she wanted to keep Mer in conversation, a rare thing for Caden.
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Rowana
Hive Mind
Handler Roivao Rider G'tor Rider Merridan Rider T'ke Rider N'rik Handler Porita Rider Farryl Rider Kyr'n[/color
Posts: 1,550
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Post by Rowana on Jan 3, 2012 17:24:35 GMT -5
It is, Chaoth confirmed, pleased to be remembered despite himself. He stretched his wings to work out some kinks. It would be a pleasure to help you, he agreed readily, watching her movements and gazing her size. He was a believer that all dragons were strong if they wanted to be. Asking for help had no shame either if you needed it. Though how good a teacher I am has yet to be tested. Behruth mostly taught the younglings, after all.
Merridan glanced over at her brown, shrugging as he made indications to leave. He did like practicing that was certain, and it wouldn't hurt for him to have a partner. "Oh?" Mer wrinkled her nose curiously and looked Caden up and down. The concept of mostly bronzeriders speaking to queenriders had never really sunk into her. But then, Meira had been in her class and Chaoth had caught Jingth, so perhaps that was why. Mer smirked at Caden's smile just the same. "They don't know what they're missing."
"That's right," Mer answered, with only a slight tense. They were all friends now, but that didn't mean she would forget all that was lost during the exile. It had been a hard time for everyone. "I'm afraid I missed your Impression, but I'm glad you didn't," she grinned at Nitrath. "We need strong leaders." Of course, she didn't know Caden well, but they did seem to have some things in common. "How do you like the home we found?" she asked, waving at the Weyr around them.
Chaoth took off after a little run to gather momentum. Some of the smaller dragons could take off straight from the ground, but it was a struggle for him to get his bulk to high so fast. He rose higher, watching for Nitrath to follow him when she was ready. Dives were a good place to start, and harder than most dragons thought. True, he was no expert at them, but at least he could manage not to land his nose in the dirt. If you unfurl your wings part way as you fall, you can better control a dive. Then you can spread them more quickly at the end, instead of catching all the air at once and slowing you down. He did a small dive to demonstrate. It was far from the skilled ones that smaller dragons could do so quickly, but it was respectable enough. Would you like to try?
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Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
Jr.Weyrwoman Caden Bronzehandler Piden Bluerider M'kai Bluerider T'ri Greenrider Tenlie Greenhandler Serissa
Posts: 1,524
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Post by Ruby on Jan 8, 2012 1:21:52 GMT -5
Oh, Chaoth was just delightful, wasn't he? Of course Nitrath found nearly every dragon delightful, but this brown was quite polite, and also willing to help. I am sure you will be wonderful,[/i] she said, quite sincere. And then... they were off! Nitrath took a step or two more than Chaoth did, needing the extra momentum to get in the air. She wasn't self conscious about it, though; Chaoth was large for a brown, and he needed a head start too. Surely he understood. As they ascended, she sent a pulse of genuine thanks his way. Once again, I appreciate your help, especially when you have been at drills all day. You must be tired. She didn't really expect a response, but if Chaoth wanted to chat, he was welcome to pick up the thread of conversation.
Once they'd reached altitude, Nitrath took a moment to glance down. They were lower than she usually started her dives, but not low enough to make her uncomfortable. Plenty of room to pull up if needed. Circling higher while Chaoth executed a beautiful dive, Nitrath watched and listened carefully, sending little affirmative pulses when needed. I would like to try,[/i] Nitrath replied, starting a dive... and pulling up almost immediately. With her silvery laugh, she did another circle. In a second. So I flare my wings like this?[/i] she asked, demonstrating by tipping downwards just slightly and showing Chaoth the position of her spiked wings as gravity began to take it's toll. Before she started going too fast, though, she pulled up again, steadying herself as Chaoth made any corrections. Once he had, she ducked her head, easing into a shallow dive. Unfurling her wings, though, sent her somewhat off course, and she had to pull out slowly, as always. How quickly do you flare them? Ease them out, or all at once?[/i]
Caden snorted at Mer's assertion, ruffling her chopped-off hair. "Guess we can't all be delicate flowers or red-headed beauties or whatever Queenriders are supposed to be," she quipped. "Nitrath claims it's more interesting that way." Whether Caden agreed was up for debate, but she was quickly warming up to Merridan, far more quickly than she'd warmed up to pretty much anyone else at the Weyr. With a smirk like that, it seemed like Mer was warming up to her, too. This was good, Caden figured. More friends couldn't hurt, especially now that she wasn't on a wing and all her weyrling class was, or was still in training. Too much free time had always been bad for the Goldrider.
When talk turned to Burimyu, Mer seemed to get a bit more guarded, but Caden didn't spend a lot of time noticing. Many of the Exiles were like this, walking on eggshells. Caden didn't blame them. "Mmhm. I almost did, very nearly got out with a rider. Didn't quite make it, though. Good thing. Losing a gold... that would have been a nightmare for the weyr," she said, eyes flicking up to Nitrath as she rested a hand on her knife. "What if she'd gone to a Wastelander?" Mer was surely a safe person to share her hatred with. "And it's great. Really easy to defend, I bet. Much better than Old Selenitas. What was it like, here, with so few people? Musta been quiet."
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Rowana
Hive Mind
Handler Roivao Rider G'tor Rider Merridan Rider T'ke Rider N'rik Handler Porita Rider Farryl Rider Kyr'n[/color
Posts: 1,550
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Post by Rowana on Jan 25, 2012 22:21:55 GMT -5
Chaoth watched Nitrath carefully. Her size was her greatest obstacle in doing tricks like these, but she would have terrific strength and endurance for longer flights. He bobbed his head. Just like that, he confirmed her first action. Flaring seemed to give her trouble though. More slowly, he explained, demonstrating another dive. Otherwise you will catch too much air and slow down. Blues and greens, of course, could do sharp dives like that, but not them.
Merridan chuckled slightly. "I agree," she replied with a wry smile. "I think it's good to mix things up." Caden was fun to talk to, Mer realized. She wasn't at all like Kaegan, though being closer in age probably helped. She did miss Meira though, for all she and Caden were almost nothing alike. "I am glad you were there," Mer went on, more seriously. "I don't think I could stand a Wasteland queen." She stretched and moved to sit down. "Looks like we could be here a while," she said, nodding at the sky. "It was quiet at times," she went on, musing. "Mostly it was the waiting that got to me. Chaoth is too big for sneaking around. Not a whole lot we could do without people noticing."
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Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
Jr.Weyrwoman Caden Bronzehandler Piden Bluerider M'kai Bluerider T'ri Greenrider Tenlie Greenhandler Serissa
Posts: 1,524
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Post by Ruby on Feb 5, 2012 5:36:50 GMT -5
Alright, let me try again,[/i] Nitrath said, determined. Climbing higher, the gold tilted forward again, falling into a dive. As soon as she felt herself in freefall, she started flaring her wings... and ended up twisting off course again, rolling twice before climbing once again. Not quite. Maybe one of my wings is bigger than the other, she offered, with self-deprecating humor. One more try, though, showed some improvement, which made Nitrath do a spontaneous slow loop of joy. Look at that! Better already. Anything else you have to show me, Chaoth?[/i] she asked, then swung back his direction. Or I can keep practicing, and you can take a break. We can always pick up again later. Unless...[/i] She trailed off, looking at the brown expectantly. He was a Weyrlingmaster, after all, and he worked primarily on the flight portion, since Behruth didn't have the wings for it. Nitrath had been excused from the higher-end flight lessons, but maybe Chaoth would be willing to help her in his down time?
Caden joined Mer on the ground, folding her longer legs up into the circle of her arms. Mer's description of Burimyu made Caden bark out a laugh, though. "Sounds like Selenitas under Wasteland rule, except for the quiet bit," Caden admitted. "Doing anything felt like sneaking around, even if you were just going to Weyrling lessons. And waiting. We were always waiting for you all to come and save us, especially us Weyrlings," she admitted, a little bit shy about it. She didn't like admitting to inaction, but it was the truth, and it was excusable if you had a baby dragon, right?
Talk of Nitrath's hatching reminded her of something, though. "Not that we did nothing. Z'ves... well, he disappeared before you all found us, so I guess you never knew him. He was the worst type of Bendener, the sadistic kind. There were more than a few of those." Oops, said more than she'd meant to. "I mean among the Wastelanders. There were lots of sadistic ones among the Wastelanders." Not at Benden Weyr, of course not. "Anyway, he was the one who caught me when we were trying to get out. I dyed his straps and his shirts pink."
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