Alpha Flight - Pre-Fall - All Wingriders!

[Requiem]

S'rei paced. Salenth watched him from his peripheral vision as he stretched along the riverbank. Selenitas had few dragonriders, but that didn't keep Thread from falling. His Flightsecond had taken two of the wings that made up Alpha Flight, the Sterling and Tempest wings, to work on logistics. In truth, it would have been easier if Martial and Tempest were working together, as Tempest provided the back-up greens and blues that rotated in during fall. But Shmee was not of a temprament to listen to the Flightsecond, which meant Solar and Martial had to train together. Martial flew the higher altitudes, while the queen wing stuck to tradition. It worked out all right, though. Martial and Solar would be involved in the main part of the flaming. His only true worry was the necessity to rearrange the wings. Again. Life was never boring.

Stop pacing. You're distracting me. From what? Not sure. The pacing made me lose my train of thought. Sniffing at the bronze, he stilled nonetheless. All right. The riders should be arriving shortly. Every day, for the last sevenday, they'd met at this time. In fact...he saw a few dragons in the air right now. They'd be landing here for a brief moment before he took the wings into the air.

***

Lauranna and Reysalth were the first to arrive in the clearing not far from the Hatching Grounds. She slid from the green's back, who immediately moved to curl up near her clutchmate of fourteen turns. Reysalth didn't care if he was Aslath's mate. Aslath usually didn't seem to mind her familiarity with him, anyway, as they were just friendly. How could they not be? Hers and His were clutchmates, too! Lauranna bounced over to S'rei, grinning broader as Zephyr popped out of Between. Laurie didn't have to say anything, either. The Weyrleader's disgusted eyeroll said it all.

Wrenth touched down soon after. F'lan was never late for wing training. Nor did he ever bother to dismount. People were such a bother, and he wouldn't put it past them to come up and bother him while he waited for the rest of the wing to arrive. The bluerider glared out over the other dragonriders. Shifting, Wrenth rumbled low in his throat. It wouldn't kill you to talk to someone. Besides, you're wearing my neck raw, always sitting there... Don't bother. Wrenth snorted. Grouch.

Alpha Flight

[glow=orange,1,500]Flightleader: S'rei of Salenth[/glow][glow=brown,1,500]Flighthealer: I'ir of Corth[/glow]

Martial Wing

Wingleader: [glow=orange,4,500]S'rei of Salenth[/glow]
First Wingsecond: [glow=brown,4,500]D'vin of Hiriarth[/glow]Wingriders: 0-1 bronze, 1-2 brown, 2-4 blue, 3-6 green[glow=brown,1,500]D'ran of Thorith[/glow][glow=brown,1,500]Ah'rok of Rathiloth[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]F'con of Jackreth[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Mariyelle of Arvenith[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Mal of Meriath (Maternity Leave)[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Lauranna of Reysalth[/glow] Winghealer: [glow=brown,4,500]I'ir of Corth[/glow]
Second Wingsecond: [glow=orange,1,500]R'ton of Rodonth[/glow]Wingriders: 0-1 bronze, 1-2 brown, 2-4 blue, 3-6 green[glow=orange,4,500]P'nor of Cyanth[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]E'ri of Bazeth[/glow][glow=blue,1,500]Zadari of Sitath[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]F'lan of Wrenth[/glow][glow=green,1,500]J'fer of Ranth[/glow][glow=green,1,500]Ilena of Opeith[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Lura of Anemith[/glow]

Solar Wing (Queen)

Wingleader: [glow=gold,4,500]Shmee of Aslath[/glow]First Wingsecond: [glow=gold,4,500]Kaegan of Millieth[/glow]Second Wingsecond:
None

Wingriders: Weyrlingmasters, Senior Weyrlings, 2 green[glow=brown,4,500]F'rah of Styth[/glow][glow=blue,1,500]Meri of Lenorath[/glow][glow=green,1,500]Robika of Kmarath[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Juliya of Eriannath[/glow]

[glamourie]

From between Eriannath appeared, sweeping around the river edge before coming to settle on the bank delicately. Her wings fluttered at her sides before the green stretched out, resting her head on her claws as her eyes whirled amiably. Her tail curled up next to her and Eriannath looked for all the world as if she belonged there completely, and why shouldn't she? The weather was nice, and it was going to be interesting to see if Shmee and Aslath were as coordinated with their wing as Kamerai, and Eriannath really, really liked the sound of the water racing down the river. It was highly appealing, therefore, she was of the opinion that wing training was a very good thing.

Juliya did not share her green's sentiment, though she settled down next to her and leaned back against the dragon with a calm nod in the direction of S'rei. She was not in any hurry to come up and greet the rest of the Selenitas riders. She was new and she wasn't part of their Weyr yet. Maybe some day she would be, but that foreign feeling in her mind caused her to hold her distance. As more people arrived, she would go up and talk to the others, if they so chose to speak to her. Otherwise, she'd follow the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman's instructions completely. She was used to flying in a queen's wing and nothing could change that the process of that was similar no matter what Weyr was spoken of. Queens always fought with flamethrowers, and the other dragons on their wings kept a distance and flew around making sure that the queen's perfect golden hide never got marred. The same went for the junior queens. There was no avoiding that the role would be the same she'd played before. She was okay with that, though.. at least they hadn't kicked her out.

You worry too much. We have a lot of experience, and we mean nothing but good. I am sure that the Queen and that Salenth will see soon enough that we will make ourselves useful. I am looking forward to this; why aren't you?

There's just.. so much... it's going to be different and the same at once, Juliya replied with a shrug as she looked down at her feet. There's so much green to protect. So much green, and I know from experience that that much green at a Weyr is always a pain. And there's not enough dragons, my love, no where near enough. Somehow Selenitas has less than Fort; I do not know why, I do not care to know, but it is going to be dangerous. And.. the Weyrwoman is young. She may mean well and have the best of intentions, but she is young, and she is inexperienced. She is new to this, newer than we are accustomed to dealing with... and... well, she is not Kamerai. While that wasn't an insult, it wasn't a compliment, either. Shmee was a child herself, in her own way, and while Juliya liked her well enough, she could not honestly say she respected her. It would take some doing. Respect was something earned, not given freely, and just because Shmee Impressed a queen didn't mean she was deserving. She'd find out soon enough whether she was or wasn't...

[ravenmane]

Cyanth burst from /between/, releasing an excited bugle. He loved to practice fighting Thread because it meant that there would be no additions to his thread-scars. The dark copper beast lazily circled over the river, happily taking his time to reach the ground. As he descended, Cyanth surveyed the land below him. Salenth, Wrenth, and Reysalth had already arrived along, and they were accompanied by a dainty Green that Cyanth had never seen until now. The large beast landed heavily, swiftly turning in the new Green's direction. P'nor could wait until Cyanth had met the pretty newcomer.

Cyanth meandered over to the Green, his eyes a welcoming blue-green. The Bronze plopped down beside her without a care of how he looked. //Hello, Green Lady. I am named Cyanth and my life-mate is P'nor.// Cyanth turned his head to look at the woman leaning against the newcomer, carefully examining her with a giant blue eye.

A mutter of curses drifted down from the dragon's back as a disgruntled man slid out of the saddle. Walking around to the front of his beast, P'nor glared up at Cyanth. "You could have let me dismount before bothering a Green. Let them settle in before trying to impress them, you bloody beast." Just as he finished rebuking his Bronze, P'nor noticed that the Green's rider was present.

Just Great. I've embarrassed myself in front of a woman I don't even now! Thanks a lot, Cy! //You're welcome.//P'nor approached the Greenrider, a welcoming smile on his face. "Hello there, Miss. I am P'nor and this dolt of a dragon is Cyanth." The man gestured to his beast before turning back to the unknown lady. "May I know your name, Ma'am?"

((Are Senior Weyrlings supposed to be posted here?))

[Requiem]

Not this round. xD

[lilliana]

Today was wing training. Oh, goody. I'ir sighed heavily, closing his eyes for the briefest of moments as he leaned back on his brown, before finally opening them and slapping the dragon's flank fondly. Comeon, Corth. Today we get to practice for the wings. Despite his sudden decision to hurry up and get there, dread and the most obvious boredom threaded through his mindvoice. I will never understand it, Mine. You don't seem to dislike wing training while you're there, but the prospect bores you and you dread going. All the while, the brown rose into the air, beating his wings with a steady, comfortable pace that seemed to relax I'ir, though he couldn't ever say how or why.

You should know that I hate the idea of having to socialize with the lackwit green and blue riders, not to mention the haughty bronzers and the quiet brown riders. Despite the fact that I am one of those quiet brown riders. The winghealer sighed heavily, watching as they neared their wingmates. At least we have the Fall to look forward to, though. Well, maybe not look forward to...but, at least we have it to focus on. Although the aftermath will certainly keep me busy. He sighed again, undoing the riding straps moments before Corth landed and slinging a wherhide bag chock-full of healing supplies over his shoulder. This was wing training, true, but there was always that dragonpair that wanted to show off.

It will start soon, mine. Be patient, and stay by me. No one should bother you, as long as Salenth's sees you and I are here. Nodding in agreement, I'ir leaned against his dragon's flank, awaiting the start of the training.

---

Mariyelle landed about the same time I'ir did, although their thoughts were quite different. Although she wasn't necessarily looking forward to the people, the training would be interesting, and she couldn't wait. Patting her green's bright hide affectionately, the rider glanced about her, judging the number of people here to the number of people in the wings, and therefore how long it would be till the training began. Sighing as she realized how many people were still needed, the green rider stayed mounted.

The last thing she wanted -- or needed -- was for someone to come up and greet her. Best follow F'lan's example.

[Tashe]

Watching as the cold colorless dimension shifted to the one that F'rah knew to well, the Weyrlingmaster let out his breath as they glided down to Terra firma. At least he wasn't as late as he thought he would be, he had been doing paperwork since he had missed a few of his classes, coming down sick was not something that he had expected to do. Giving a small sigh, F'rah rested his forehead against the leather pommel before closing his eyes. His head still hurt from the illness, but for some reason the trip between had cleared it up just a little bit.

Sliding down from Styth's back, the Weyrlingmaster watched as two dragons appeared simultaneously from the between. Shaking his throbbing head, F'rah cautiously made his way over to the Weyrleader and Lauranna. Saluting to S'rei, the Brownrider stood next to his Greenrider friend with a finger at his temple. /You are going to be alright... rightmine?/ 'Yesyes. I will be fine.'

--

It was a pleasant glide into and through the 'between', and by some miraculous event, the Golden Queen was not complaining about something. Today was wing training, it as finally time to do something that required a group, something that she was good at. Watching as the ground beneath them began to rise up, Kaegan began to chew on her pinkie nail. It was her first flight with the Selenitas wings, that was the only thing that made her nervous about today's training, she didn't know many people despite Shmee's prompting to do so. /Do not worry. We have Aslath and Weyrwoman Shmee, and Styth and Weyrlingmaster F'rah in our wing. You'll be fine Kaeganmine./

Nodding quietly to herself as she shifted her weight in her saddle, the young Queenrider looked down at everyone that had gathered. For the moment she as quite content to wait up in her saddle, if only for the moment.

---

Coming out of the between just as the Queen dragon did, if not after, F'con made sure to steer his blue well away from any of the metallics. Wing training... Selenitas would most likely have different wing formations then that of Fort, so what ever was to come would be new for the Bluerider. Touching down near the edge of the group, Jackreth flared his wings in protest before settling down with a unhappy glance at his Rider's brother's dragon. /F'conMine... lets rule the skies today./ 'You said it pal...'

Happily patting his partner in crime on the neck, F'con tugged on his fingerless riding gloves. He wanted to see these Selenitas riders in thread fall, in fact he was interested to see how the small numbers of this Weyr compair against the thread fighting tactics of Fort.

[Administrator]

Shmee was... apprehensive. Yes, she trusted S'rei, of course, but it did nothing to quell her worry. She had practiced a lot, but she hadn't actually had the chance to fly Thread yet. Now, it would be her and Kaegan flying the queen's wing, following S'rei's instructions. She trusted him as Weyrleader, but still... She sighed. She wasn't sure. She'd probably feel better after drilling. That settled, she smiled over at S'rei with determination. She had drilled before, she knew what she was doing... But her experience with the actual Thread was non-existent. This was probably what was making her so anxious today. Well, this was what she'd been raised to do. This was her job as dragonrider, and she was proud to do it. This firm understanding in her head, she felt a rush of confidence. She could do this.

I will char this Thread from the sky,[/color] Aslath growled.

"All right, everyone!" she called happily, bounding around to the meager beginnings of the Queen's Wing. Giving P'nor a stern look, she said, "Socializing later. Sorry, we don't want to waste time. Can you please go join your own wing? Thanks!" Casting an apologetic look at Juliya, she chuckled slightly. "Sorry about that. I don't want them so distracted when Threadfall is so close." She shook her dark hair, pulling her riding cap over it. Deciding not to mention anything about her firsthand experience with Thread (or lack thereof), she looked around, frowning. Now there was Kaegan and F'rah... Her wing was growing!

--

D'vin smiled, coming around to join the Martial Wing. A wingsecond... how peculiar that he, a man from Fort, would be a wingsecond, especially one so new to the Weyr. No matter, if it got him into higher power and closer contact with the Weyrleader, it might be able to spur his duties into motion. His real duties. Now there was a dark thought. He should probably get to talking with S'rei, he supposed. After the training, of course. D'vin took things on a one-step-at-a-time basis. He could probably arrange a meeting with S'rei at some point this sevenday... If he did well today, of course. Bringing dragonless slaves over, spying on both sides, and only one loyalty.

Looking around, he frowned. When did Juliya come here? He didn't know her well, of course, and only her name. She had gotten into the queen's wing somehow in Fort, which was the only reason he remembered her. Hopefully, he wouldn't be recognized. Well, it wouldn't matter, right? He worked right beneath D'loro back in Fort. That might knock a bit of trust back, but S'rei had known, right? Shards, he couldn't remember.

--

Lura looked around sulkily. She rarely left Liralla for anything, yet here she was, paying Beka half a mark to watch over her little daughter for practice. At least Liralla liked Beka, which was a relief. She still didn't like being away from her daughter for so long, though... She sighed. She couldn't imagine being without her daughter for so long. Looking over at I'ir, she tried to smile slightly, but was too anxious. Anemith had begun to glow, which wasn't a good thing. She was still raging mad at Corth, and had proceeded to flirt with every male she set eyes on.

Speaking of which... Crooning, Anemith looked over to Jackreth, who was in her wing and probably could do a bit of quick socializing before needing to take to the air. Hello, handsome blue. Think you will last the whole practice without resting?[/color] she asked mischievously. Lura sighed. Damned proddy creatures.

--

E'ri was having trouble concentrating. He would so rather be with Mal right now, taking care of the twins, but he had other obligations. He needed to be ready for Threadfall. Then he could come back and enjoy being with Mal and their children... Lately, since their birth, he had been rolling about with a dizzying sort of ecstasy. The little music he'd been able to write lately had all expressed happiness at their births. He doubted he'd ever been so happy in his life. Those long hours spent with Mal during her labor, the months of her pregnancy... They were all worth it to see the little pink faces of their babes.

He yawned, looking around his wing, his unusual good mood radiating from him. He was going to have to force himself to pay attention, he thought with amusement.

((Robika will come later. xDD I'm trying to figure out how she's feeling right at this moment. ><))[/size]

[saberlin]

Rodonth landed with grace unusual in a bronze, of course he also landed far enough away that the lot of them wouldn't be able to feel the earth rumble beneath him. Astride his back was R'ton, bold and ready for action, especially with Trenlor out of the way. He still wondered who had thrown the killing blade that had stuck into his head. Oh well, there was much to think about and that one thought could be contemplated later. He leaned over his dragons back and hugged the neck ridge putting his face as close to the actual neck as he could. He loved his bronze and his life here at Selenitas, even if he did stay mostly in the background of things. R'ton liked his quiet southern life, and unless called upon by his Weyrleader, he intended to keep it that way.
Finally the rider dismounted and walked over towards P'nor, one of the men in his wing. "Greetings. Are you and Cyanth ready for today?" He asked the man who was still mounted on his great bronze. Rodonth turned his head around and looked at his fellow dragons, nodding in turn to each of them before lowering his head all the way in respect to Gold Aslath.

[Requiem]

S'rei and Laurie were in the middle of what seemed to be a very serious conversation, given their expressions, as the dragonriders filtered in. Drills had been conducted amongst the various wings for awhile now. The formations were sound. There had been, however, a recent shuffling of the wings, as well as a few new dragonpairs to work into the drill, and with Threadfall coming up swiftly...they needed to be prepared. The main problem was the lack of riders. By the weather conditions, Threadfall would be passing over the territory surrounding Southern Hold. Both Alpha Flight and Beta Flight would be deployed, Alpha taking the area closest the hold, and Beta taking over once the human settlement was cleared. Martial, as the High Altitude wing, had to be the best of the best, and S'rei had spent hour upon hour pouring over the records of the various riders that he wasn't personally familiar with. Shmee's Solar Wing was also a concern. She had few riders, but they needed to be seasoned ones.

Yes, the Weyrleader knew his goldriders were greatly inexperienced. Thus he gave them Robika and Kmarath, F'rah and Styth, Meri and Lenorath, and Juliya and Eriannath to steady them. It was a small grouping. He knew Lenorath was one of the blues who could handle a whole Threadfall, and he was counting on Styth to be the main anchoring force. Eriannath was solid, as was Kmarath. As long as Aslath remembered to switch them out, there would be no danger of exhaustion.

In his own wing, he had several veterans, dragonpairs who had flamed Thread since it first started falling. Laurie's Reysalth was one of the best fliers in the weyr, and Mariyelle's Arvenith showed great promise. With Mal out of the picture due to her pregnancy, a lot would rely on those two. Ranth, Opeith and Anemith were also strong, but he didn't know how long they could last, and so would have them on a tight rotation. Both Jackreth and Wrenth were young locomotives. They could last the whole Fall. Bazeth and Sitath would be used for the first part, then traded out when they got tired. Thorith, Corth, Rathiloth and Cyanth had to anchor the wing.

Oddly enough, S'rei's choice of wingseconds were gambles. R'ton was young, and Rodonth had never had this sort of responsibility before. They were good wingriders, though, and he knew them, if imperfectly, from his stay at Benden. Their loyalty to Selenitas was unquestioned. D'vin and Hiriarth? Perhaps the most seasoned brownpair at Selenitas, both in warfare and Threadfall. They made a solid wingsecond. He also knew of their affiliation with Fort's Weyrleader, and that bothered him. No, S'rei and Salenth had argued both sides, back and forth, on that issue. In the end, D'vin and Hiriarth had too much experience to ignore. But S'rei sure as hell wasn't putting them in any wing but his. Keep you friends close and your enemies closer...

With all wingleaders and wingseconds accounted for, S'rei stepped forward, anxious to begin. There was a lot of ground to cover. The wingseconds would see to filling the latecomers in when it came to that. "Dismount." He glanced at the dragonriders who hadn't yet touched ground. "I want all the dragonriders in close. Everyone, inspect your leathers. If we need to repair or make new straps, now is the time to notice. Please check up on your riders. Kaegan. D'vin. R'ton. Make sure those nozzles are clear, Shmee and Kaegan. We don't need any accidents right now. Okay. While you're doing that, let's discuss what we're looking at.

"Thread will be falling over Southern Hold, from west to east. It looks like we're going to be looking at a storm later. High winds. Cold. Some less than predictable gusts. We'll be covering the span from the western shore until the Thread clears the cotholds outside Southern Hold, where A'noan and Beta Flight will take over. It'll be short, but dangerous. Martial. We'll need to flame as much as we can, but remember, there are two wings as part of the middle altitude to get what we can't. Don't play the hero. We don't have enough dragonriders for that. Tempest will be flying support for Sterling and ferrying sacks of firestone. Get one of their dragonriders to bring it to you if you run out. All restocking will be done in flight.

"Solar. This is a hold we're talking about. You can't let anything through, but you shouldn't have much to contend with. Watch for burrows, in particular. Aslath and Millieth, you may be needed to catch an injured dragon if he or she falls, so pay attention to what Salenth and any of the other wingleaders/wingseconds may tell you. We'll help you as much as we can."

"Our senior weyrlings will not be involved in Threadfall this time. The weather is too dangerous for them to take to the air." His eyes scanned his riders as they finished up checking their straps. "Our biggest problem is small numbers, but I chose all of you because you stand out from the crowd. We'll begin with a V formation, but be prepared to fan out to the scatter formation we've been working on, especially if the wind proves to be a problem. We're going Between to the exact location, as best as I can estimate it, that we'll be flying. There will be a rope drill, too. Sterling and Tempest are standing by on site to do that for us. The rope is intended to be thicker than a normal fall. Evasion only. No flaming. We won't actually pass over Southern, either, but the drill will end in sight of it."

He'd already discussed the logistics with Shmee and the wingseconds. This simulation wasn't perfect, but it would be the closest thing to the real deal. Pausing, S'rei rubbed absently at his bound ribs. The numbweed was wearing off again. "Any questions before we begin?"

[missa]

The cold of between surrounrded her, chilling her bones and that of the blue she rode, but in moments it was over, and Sitath was flaring his wings out to land gently. Crouching to allow Zadari to dismount with ease, but where as she might have done so, she merely tapped his neck to tell him she was fine where she was. They'd only have to remount in... Oh fine. When the order came to dismount, Zadari slid from Sitath's neck easily.

A low croon from the Blue as he pressed his nose to her shoulder in some form of comfort. He didn't even know if His was nervous, she shouldn't be. They'd flown before, but she was certainly quieter than what was normal for his rider. Standing still as her hands moved to check the straps with automatic movements. All the while, she listened, Sitath didn't need replacement straps, or she didn't think so anyway.

It was probably a good idea not to involve the weyrlings if it was going to be bad weather, they didn't have enough riders that they could risk even the ones that were mutated.. After all, most could still fly... Eyes resting on the weyrleader for long moments, Zadari merely listened for the time being. She had no questions...

~*~

Thorith made no noise other than that of any otehr dragon landing as he folded his wings and settled his bulk, raising a leg for D'ran to dismount, nuzzling his rider as the man got to the ground. Nudging him gently as D'ran turned to inspect his straps. How he'd hate to be late, was he late? They were checking their straps yes, next time, he was going to lecture Freckles and Shi about chittering for food when they had training. Or he'd get Darith to do it.

Is that different? The senior weyrlings won't be joining us. I would have thought they needed the experience and we need the wing strength. Speaking softly and to his rider alone, Thorith snorted lightly as D'ran petted his neck gently.

Not in strong winds love. They aren't as strong as adults yet. Soon though. Listen now. Though he might have seemed short with teh brown, the affections in D'ran's tone as he spoke told another story. A slight smile twitched his lips upon watchign the weyrleader, Aslath had chosen well in that flight... Or, she'd been flown well in any case. S'rei was a good leader, something Selenitas would need in the coming turns.