Weyrling Lesson Two (Junior)

[Requiem]

Salenth stretched his wings, yawning widely. Another day dawned. His was not particularly happy this day, as both Weyrlingmasters were unable to hold lessons and Aslath's was forcing him to take one of them. The bronze really didn't mind. They would be drilling this afternoon with the wings, but it wasn't like the lessons would be that tiring, not this early on. The truth of the matter was that S'rei was not a morning person. His mind-voice rose to thunder throughout the barracks where all the hatchlings were now quartered, decidedly deeper and louder than Styth's would ever get, sinking into the minds of the young riders as well as their dragons. Up and to the classroom, weyrlings. You won't want to upset Mine by being late.

S'rei was perched on the desk at the moment, running a hand over his face as he tried to wake up. It had only been half an hour, which meant he was still a ways off. Waking up to Shmee usually wasn't unpleasant. Except when she decided that telling him about his part in the lessons wasn't important until right before they were to take place. After a bit of very sleepy arguing - at least on his part - she'd made it clear that he'd better do as she said. Women really did have all the power. Conniving creatures. He'd scrawled some nearly unintelligible gibberish on the board behind him. It slanted off to the right and downward, like he'd drifted off in the middle of writing it. Which wasn't far from the truth. No matter. As long as he could read it...S'rei covered a yawn.

Ah, some of the weyrlings were beginning to finally shuffle in. So much for the hope that they'd all be sick with something. The Weyrleader gestured vaguely to the desks, muttering, "Take a seat," at a volume that likely never reached their ears. He blinked at them owlishly. The bronzerider didn't look all that bad - courtesy of Shmee, who was decidedly quicker to wake up than he - but there was definitely some fuzziness to his manner. Maintaining his silence until most of the weyrlings had filtered in, he raised a hand for quiet. S'rei wasn't about to talk over everyone. Once the buzz had disappeared, a slight, ironic smile touched his lips.

"As you can see, F'rah won't be directing your lesson today." He paused, glancing at his notes. No, he hadn't forgotten what the lesson was supposed to be on today already. Of course not. "We will be doing some basic exercises outside once the morning heats up a little. For now, though, it's time to talk about the bond riders share with their dragons. I'm sure you've noticed how your emotions can effect each other. The purpose of the exercises we'll be going over is to strengthen your sensitivity to one another - and to work on masking some of the more distressing feelings you might otherwise project. The dragons are young right now. You'll be getting the full impact of their emotions, worries and concerns. But they don't need to be burdened by yours."

His eyes swept the room, lingering for a moment on a few that Lauranna had described for him. "We also need to work on self-control and the control over your dragons. Fighting is unacceptable. You are responsible for any violence your dragon exhibits toward another, and they should not be reflecting your hostilities toward other riders. I don't want to hear about any more fighting in the barracks." Then, standing, he finally smiled, the tall bronzerider making a sweeping gesture with one arm. "Now, clear the desks to the edges of the room, and we'll begin."

Jr. Weyrlings[glow=orange,4,500]Tsanarth, rider J'hal[/glow][glow=orange,4,500]Elazrith, rider K'ran[/glow][glow=orange,4,500]Minoath, rider C'lryns[/glow][glow=brown,4,500]Leweleth, rider T'kal[/glow][glow=brown,4,500]Zyloth, rider S'may[/glow][glow=brown,4,500]Xenorath, rider D'ton[/glow][glow=brown,4,500]Yiminth, rider R'lor[/glow][glow=brown,1,500]Triniath, rider Sk'ler[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]Ellath, rider G'eon[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]Karath, rider M'ly[/glow][glow=blue,1,500]Krikith, rider J'rew[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]Thoth, rider Beka[/glow][glow=blue,1,500]Byrith, rider M'vorn[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]Hokth, rider Saraina[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]Milipsith, rider S'ylon[/glow][glow=blue,4,500]Firianth, rider M'meer[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Jeminorth, rider Rielana[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Dasmonth, rider Gina[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Nelorth, rider R'zaz[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Ith, rider Religna[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Camith, rider F'lel[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Calistoth, rider K'lir[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Snowquith, rider L'ar[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Alayith, rider Rilliana[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Brennath, rider Cezine[/glow][glow=green,4,500]Amith, rider Lennae[/glow]

[missa]

Must you always sleep like this? Is it odd? Thoth asked, nudging Beka's arm, of course, as per normal, His grumbled and rolled over. Though usually, Thoth would keep trying, curiousity sparked his eyes as he pushed Ania off Beka's side, causing the Green to screech in displeasure, which, by extension, woke Beka with a start.
"Anai, Thoth!" She snapped tiredly, pushing both away so she could get up.

No, she hated waking up so early, and as an extension, wasn't always the best person to talk to for the first few moments. Those passed, and Beka was her normal self once more... Though only a few would notice any difference in her. Eyes steadily on the ground as she sat without even looking up at the teacher, Thoth sedately following to sit next to her. Once again, he seemed calm, steady, a stable and calm companion, always questioning. Pressing closer to Beka's leg, teh Blue turned his head to observe the door, no doubt waiting for Calistoth to come through. He actually liked that Green.

~*~

"Oh my darling, it be time to open those wonderful jeweled eyes of yours. Come on my baby, time for lessons." Rielana's chirpy sing-song voice would have woken anyone near to her, just the pure happiness in that tone. Like nothing would drag her down, though at this early time in the morning, it was more likely to get on ones nerves, though Jeminorth and Fiel certainly responded positively, flitt and Dragon chirping and getting up from respective beds.

"We will learn something new today my sweetling." Rielana laughed softly as she petted the Green's eye ridges, earning a croon as Jeminorth pressed close to her.
I don't want to go though, I'm still sleepy RieMine.
"Oh deary, I know, but we have to keep going. Think, it will be fun my jewel, and Fiel will keep us company this time. It is very rare he does. And we have to take advantage of that, don't we my jewel?"

Jeminorth was obviously in a better mood as she entered the classroom, her head held high as she hummed happily beside Hers. Obviously, Rielana's morningness was rubbing off on those she was bonded to.
"Morning sir!" Rielana chirped as she moved to a seat, Jeminorth trilling in laughter.
Good morning, Mine says I call you Sir, so sir it is.

~*~

Religna was up as soon as they were called, nudging Ith awake with her foot as she changed. The Green woke easily, shifting in her sleep before fully waking, looking up at Hers with softly whirling eyes.
I am awake, RelignaMine. Shall we go to lessons then? Always mvoing on from the here and now, wasn't she, a fond smile for her Green as she nodded.

She'd have to seek Rawign out later too, she missed her brother, and she'd only just found him again, oh, and he hadn't met Ith yet. Oh poor him, she was such a wonderful dragon, who wouldn't want to know her? Smiling fondly at her dragon as she entered the class room, she sat, eyes drawn to her green over and over. How had she gotten so lucky?

[glamourie]

MINE! Up! Up, Salenth is teaching us, GET UP!

Clearly, Calistoth was quite pleased by the idea of being taught by the Weyrleader and his bronze, going so far as to primp and preen as K'lir fell out of his bed and hit the floor. She ruffled her wings prettily and then sat down, blatantly impatient. Hers was taking so long. Why? Why was he taking so long? She growled, trying to rush K'lir as he scurried about.

Unfortunately for Calistoth, all the dragons on Pern couldn't make K'lir a morning person. At least it wasn't F'rah with that sharding bell of his as K'lir had seriously considered the pros and cons of shoving it where Rukbat didn't shine. He was willing to bet he could just drug F'rah first, then shove the bell up his back side. Oooh. That was so annoying. But then, so was getting up so sharding early, though he was lucky in that he'd begun going to sleep early in anticipation of Weyrling lessons. Thus he'd gotten enough sleep, though being woken up did not put him in a good mood, even if it was by someone who his dragon liked... a lot. Actually, she liked Styth too. And Thoth. And... virtually any male dragon she'd found, the flirt.

After he finger-brushed his hair, K'lir stretched, cracking his back twice. He was dressed, though it was clear he till resembled a zombie as he finally allowed Calistoth to rush him off to the room where their lessons would take place. And rush him she did, going so far as to actually bite the side of his shirt and haul him forward when she felt that he wasn't walking fast enough. She actually hauled him into the class, over to the seat they usually had, and then released K'lir before flopping down right next to Thoth... who she had apparently claimed as her blue. Her wings clamped at her sides and she crooned to the Weyrleader, soft and sweet; look how cute she was. Good morning.

"Morning," K'lir mumbled, considerably less cheery as he flopped down. When the Weyrleader launched into an explanation about fighting, he actually froze though, letting a hint of annoyance drip into his eyes. That wasn't his fault. That stupid brown should not have insulted Calistoth, she hadn't insulted him. He raised one hand slowly, before asking, "I don't suppose under the category of 'no fighting' you could tell certain people that it is improper to let their dragons insult other riders and other dragons so blatantly, sir?" Because he'd just barely managed to keep Calistoth from killing Leweleth after he insulted her, though she did not appear to remember, aside from a dislike of the brown. K'lir was doing his best to keep that knowledge from her, too. He'd been trying to stop the fighting... he really had. Ugh!

* * *

Unlike K'lir, K'ran had fully embraced getting up early, even dressing quite quickly once Salenth's message was relayed to him. He was one of the first people in the class, with Elazrith stretching out next to him, excited about being taught by the Weyrleader as well. He liked Styth and F'rah, but he also liked his sire and S'rei. Actually, Elazrith generally liked everyone, especially if it meant that he would get the chance to show off and impress others. Yes, impressing other people was high on the list of priorities the young bronze possessed, and he was thrilled at a chance to do so. He crooned to the other Weyrlings as they arrived and then turned his full attention onto the Weyrleader, listening.

Pay attention, mine, Elazrith stated blandly, when he felt K'ran's attention starting to drift. The taller boy straightened up, and if dragons could properly sigh, Elazrith would. These lessons are very important. You should be giving them your full attention.

What does he mean, any more fighting?

K'lir seemed to answer that a moment later and K'ran quirked an eyebrow before glancing around. Who had gotten into a fight with Calistoth? Was it Jeminorth? They seemed to hate each other although Calistoth was usually the one to provoke that, even K'lir was willing to admit that much aloud. Biting his tongue, he cast a casual glance down to Elazrith, clearly wanting to know what had happened, though his bronze gave him no answer. Now was not the time for gossip and he should be paying attention!

[lennae]

The unfamiliar boom of Salenth’s voice woke Amith with a start. Those Styth, F’rah and his bell hadn’t been any more pleasant to wake up to, the green had been expecting it again, and so was frightened by this strange voice, calling for all of them to wake up. She and her mine didn’t have much time before the lesson started, therefore Amith’s usual rituals, such as a ten-minute stretch and a lengthy stretch from Lennae, were cut dreadfully short as the weyrlings quickly devised a plan to wake her rider that would contain the least grumpiness.

Unfortunately, there seemed to be no need for any such plotting, for as Amith moved to take a step down from her couch, she tripped, over her own tail no less, and suddenly, there was a tumbling dragon, crashing right into the sleeping form of Lennae. The young woman was up within seconds, a knife in one hand as she looked around with bleary eyes for her imagined intruder.

Sorry mine. I didn't mean to. I was just getting ready to wake you up. Lessons are about to begin. It's someone different this time. At Amith’s words, Lennae relaxed visibly, placing the knife back under her pillow. Weyrling lessons? Again? She sighed and quickly tied her hair back, then picked up the first clothes she found. It would not do to be late. Especially if it was someone else, someone new, who would be judging them all over again for the very first time at this lesson.

"Alright love, lets go," Lennae spoke fondly, striding out the door that Amith had been waiting by while Lennae got ready for the day before them. The two hurried down to the lesson room, Amith hanging back so that she stayed right near her bonded’s feet. They entered the room, a breath of relief let out from Lennae as she realized that she were not late. In fact, only a few had entered before him. Amith cowered behind Lennae as she spotted the man who was to be teaching their lesson, and as her rider moved to take a seat, the fragile green clung to Lennae’s legs.

"It’s okay darling," Lennae murmered in reassurance, though she quickly focused her attention on the man as her began to talk, going over what they would be learning today. Improving the bond between rider and dragon? Well, this certainly sounded interesting. She straightened in her seat, full attention now placed on the man speaking. She had just begun to stand so as to push her desk to the edge of the room when a familiar voice rang out with a question referring to the least bit that S’rei had said, something about fighting.

Turning in her chair, she spotted K’lir and his green. Were they the ones that S’rei had been speaking of when he said no fighting? She certainly wouldn’t be surprised. After all, K’lir did have the kind of personality that could easily rub a person the wrong way. Still, she hoped that it wasn’t him, for if it was, and it continued to occur, surely, he would be punished, and she would hate to see that happen.

[saberlin]

Rilliana was startled to see someone else teaching their lesson. She had never met the bronze rider before, though she had seen his beast flying around a little bit. She had no idea what on earth the man was talking about with fighting. She had not been doing any fighting and she KNEW Alayith hadn't either. In fact, Alayith seemed to want to just love the world to death. Which was some what refreshing with all the bad that sometimes happened around a Weyr. Rilliana looked around the classroom and wondered who had been fighting in order to warrant such a talk.

Following the man's instructions, with a happy and helpful Alayith at her side Rilliana began to push the heavy tables aside, instantly glad that they were made of wood and not stone. Stone would be impossible to move at her size and weight, especially seeing as how she did not possess a great deal of upper body strength.

You don't need to be strong, thats why I am here!

With that Alayith popped up onto her hind feet and latched her hands onto a side of the table and helped to push the great thing aside.

[serenity]

If there was something more shocking than the sudden and unannounced intrusion of a random, detached voice in one’s mind, G’eon couldn’t name what it was. Having said voice (which was very much not his dragon’s voice by the way) announce the need for his waking so early in the morning would have been enough for the young man to send back affronted thoughts in return had he not realized just to whom the voice belonged. Yeah, that would not have been a good idea. G’eon was pretty sure that the Senior Bronze wouldn’t have been very amused by the idea. I don’t think amused would be the term that would describe the situation accurately. came the sudden and much more welcome voice in his head. Turning over, G’eon wrapped an arm around Ellath’s middle, preparing to snuggle up against the blue dragon and fall back asleep, instead he received a sharp jab in his side, courtesy of a wingtip and he yelped in response.

“Alright! I’m up!” He announced, flinging the furs back and moving to dress quickly. He most certainly didn’t want to be late for this lesson, a thought made much more apparentl by his wake mind and realization he’d been prepared to sleep straight through most of the day. Let us go, I am hungry. he was told in no uncertain terms by the Weyrling dragon who stared at him unwaveringly until they left.

Taking a seat, G’eon watched the Weyrleader as he began speaking, beginning to grow excited for the lesson’s they’d be covering. Outside exercises! How fun would that be. Ellath was also looking forward to this, though much more so towards eating something. The man continued to speak, however, and G’eon’s eyebrows shot up at the implied meaning behind his words. What the… Who had been fighting? He’d missed something! Resisting the urge to glare at his dragon accusingly, as if Ellath had kept the information from him purposely, G’eon forced himself to remain still and shield those thoughts from all but himself. Really, the man was handsome when he smiled. Ahh, too bad. Jumping up, G’eon helped move the desks around, pushing them towards the outer walls.

[Tashe]

It didn't take long before Saraina woke up, but rather than Salenth's baritone interrupting her sleep, it was the unhappy hiss from her Blue. "Shaaard it all." Grunting as she pulled herself from her furs, the Junior Weyrling began to throw her clothes onto a chair before finally picking out an outfit she felt like. Yawing as she pulled on her shoes and a peddler cap, Sara gave her all black attire not another thought as Hokth bumped into the back of her legs. /I'm going to hurt these ones. We must sleep.../

Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, the Blueweyrling let herself be lead out of the room and to the lesson by the young male. Sitting down in her now claimed seat by the window, Sara paid the Weyrleader only a scant more amount of attention than she usually gave F'rah, silently registering a little more than half of what he said. /Hungery.... Mine. Are you hungry? Can we ditch a class and go sunbathing?/ 'Yes ...and... No ...'

Although her mind speech was rather unclear and shaky, this pair had been practicing in their spare time under the direction of F'rah himself. Gina had also been to these practices, and was doing as well as she was, this was one of the advantages of having the Weyrlingmaster as a guardian. /But Saramine. I don't like Salenth or his rider at all. They are annoying... even if they are Weyrleaders.../ 'Meant ... SHH... Hokth love..'

Unhappily standing as the Bronzerider asked the lot of them to move the desks, Saraina simply leaned against her desk, causing it to slide to the wall. Repeating this action with the desks around her that were empty, the young woman watched as Hokth moved one to.

----

She had been up for a long time already when the call for class aroused her from a slight dose, she had been looking after her ailing flitter and had hardly slept. It wasn't often that Argyle got sick, but when she did she got sick, and Gina always feared for her health. Quietly cradling her large Green, the young woman stood and drowsily brushed out the wrinkles from her tunic and breaches before waking her dragon. 'Up... up... Dasmonth.' /I don't want to! Leave me alone Mine./ Watching her color confused female roll over and snort, Gina growled loudly before putting more feeling into her words. "I SAID UP! NOW!" Grabbing a hold of the dragon's tail the Green Weyrling pulled until the female jumped up and whined in a high pitch. /FINE./

Dragging herself and her Green to the classroom, Gina made sure her firelizard was safely tucked into her scarf before entering. She was determined to stay with Argyle every moment, or at least have her near her most of the time. Starting slightly at the sight of the Weyrleader standing in front of F'rah's desk, Gina blinked before sitting down near the middle of the desks by direction of her Green. Sitting down for what seemed like only a few minutes, the young woman let out a gravely sigh as she helped push the desks around, moving her fair share of the desks with no help from Dasmonth.

Leaning quietly against one of the desks next to Saraina, Gina nodded to Rilliana and her female before nodding to her friend. "Argyle is doing better..."

/Hokth./ /Dasmonth./ /.../ /Are you well?/ /Quite. And yourself?/ / Fair. Annoyed with these teachers... they can between for all I care./

[Requiem]

S'rei's gaze flicked to the greenrider whose green seemed to be trying to appear as innocent as possible. Almost reminded him of a mischievous Laurie trying to convince everyone she was an angel when they were younger. Calistoth and K'lir, Mine. The bronzerider's mouth twitched. They're my hatchlings. Of course I know them, and their riders. As you should. Shooting a glare at his unseen bonded for calling him out on that, S'rei let the annoyance go. Salenth was right. He should know. And there were some people missing by the looks of it. Right. He knew he'd forgotten something. Attendance.

The question asked by Calistoth's? Shard-blasted woman! Shmee knew he didn't wake up for a good hour! How was he supposed to lead a class? He could hardly keep anything straight in his head!

As the desks began sliding across the floor, S'rei directed a tight, ironic smile at the short lad. "I believe that sort of discussion is best saved for a time where such matters can be addressed privately, K'lir. However, it would be best to note that, no matter how nice you are to other people, you will eventually run into criticism and insults. Learn to deal with it." He then came to address the entire room. "While any fighting is discouraged, verbally or physically, open violence will be severely punished. Keep that in mind. Most of you - if you don't die sometime in your training - will be depending on the people to your right and left. They will save your lives, and you will save theirs. Any animosity between you will only make things more dangerous. Try to keep your minds focused on the bigger picture."

That particular action was one the bronzerider had never had trouble with. After fourteen turns as a dragonrider, five of which he'd fought in the northern wars and four as a wingleader - ever since Thread began falling - the Weyrleader actually had a hard time thinking of anything else. S'rei seemed entirely oblivious to the animosity directed his way from some of the weyrlings. In truth, he really didn't notice. If he'd been awake enough to, however, he would have responded in much the same way. Leaders and teachers weren't meant to be liked all the time, and they shouldn't expect it.

"These bonding exercises may seem a little silly at first, but the point is to bring you to a place where it becomes second nature to see and feel just as your lifemate is seeing and feeling. Your dragonets are at the stage where they will begin rifling through your memories. Let them. Answer their questions if you want your past to remain private - they will ask other dragons if they're not satisfied. If you are uncomfortable with certain memories, offer them the ones that you feel comfortable speaking of and explaining. And remember: you are never alone. Your anger, your lust, your strongest passions will erupt in their heads, and they won't know why at first. Can you imagine enduring an emotion with no obvious source? Keep yourself out of those situations. It distresses them. When you become drunk or pass out, your partner will feel as if a hole has been torn through the center of their being, leaving only a vacuum. They will panic. That is the reason for most of our rules. None of the rules are here to be a bother."

S'rei's smile was rather distant. "This first exercise is simple. Salenth will be giving your dragonets a word. They will relay the word to their riders. You are to allow your minds to open, so that the dragonets may see the image that goes with that word. For now, the hatchlings will be sending that image back to their riders and to Salenth. Understood? Good." Go ahead whenever you're ready.

Salenth shifted on his perch, mind reaching out to gently touch that of his hatchlings. They would start with common words for things the little ones hadn't seen. The first word is 'ocean,' children. Remember to send the images Yours give you back to me.

[glamourie]

K'lir nodded silently. He didn't intend to discuss anything privately, but S'rei's reaction told him that something was done. He didn't care to know what, just that something was handled. And he did not take offense at S'rei's words because in his opinion, he'd handled that situation admirably. He'd prevented a fight, and he'd been trying to prevent two riders from fighting as well. He'd even thrown himself on Calistoth to keep her from becoming violent when his own pleading didn't work. She'd grow out of that some - hopefully - but for the moment her temper was still rough, and K'lir knew that. He'd known that going in, and Leweleth and his rider found out just how bad her temper could be. In his opinion, the fact that he'd been willing to risk injury to prevent a fight, and had been trying to create peace, proved he knew the rules. He had nothing to be ashamed of. He'd done things right. He didn't really care what the other riders thought of Calistoth, either. His problem was people deliberately provoking fights, but he got the feeling that the Weyrleader knew that. Commenting further on it wouldn't do any good.

The instructions that S'rei gave were listened to by K'lir even if he didn't outwardly acknowledge it. He'd placed a hand on Calistoth to keep her calm, though she was ignoring S'rei herself, mostly paying attention to Elazrith and Thoth on either side of her. Only when Salenth spoke to her did the little green look up, and she looked to K'lir in confusion before relaying the word as instructed.

Ocean, mine? What is an ocean?

The ocean is the great bodies of salt water that separate the northern and southern continents, K'lir replied, trying to think of a time when he'd actually seen the ocean. Unfortunately, that took some doing as he didn't go visit it that often. He'd been raised in the Weyr and almost never left it; had he ever actually been to the shoreline? Surely he must have, though not everyone in the Weyr would have. Ocean might not have been the best word to start with, though he did not point that out. It wasn't his place.

Like the lake by the river?
Bigger, love, far bigger, and not as sweet to the tongue. Drink salt water and you'll only be thirstier.
Show me?

Nodding to Calistoth, K'lir thought of the ocean... and then the one and only time he'd truly seen it. His view was from Raeneth's back, as he'd been a small child and Salira had taken him and K'ran both on a ride with her green as reward for them behaving well. The image came clear to his mind, the blue-green waves crashing up against a rock at sea, water as far as the eye could see, churning and twisting in waves. That image was focused on in his mind's eye, and he could feel Calistoth's astonishment as she regarded it. Bratty though she could be at times, she recognized beauty when she saw it, and little compared to the ocean in its primal state as far as beauty was concerned.

Calistoth memorized that image before sending it back to Salenth as best she could, as well as to her rider, before crooning. Pretty, mine. Let's go to the ocean sometime.

* * *

Oooh. K'ran's eyes widened as S'rei spoke and he turned to look at K'lir, fully expecting his brother to explode in fury. The calm composure that K'lir possessed actually made K'ran tilt his head in confusion, but he was pleased nonetheless, as the idea of his older brother getting humiliated in front of an entire class for that temper of his was not appealing to the bronzerider. People could say what they wanted, but that green was a good influence on his brother, and that made K'ran like her. She managed to, in some ways, keep K'lir from losing his temper all the time. Probably because she was so hot-headed and snitty, actually. K'lir probably had to develop some kind of tolerance to make up for her, but K'ran approved. Whatever it was, K'lir seemed genuinely happy of late, happy with his life, happy with that green of his -- just, happy. As his younger brother, K'ran was very happy about that.

He turned his full attention on S'rei, before Elazrith lost his temper and started scratching the floor or something. The Weyrleader's instructions earned an enthusiastic pair of nods from both K'ran and his young bronze and then he turned sideways to look at the young dragon, who crooned to him. Elazrith was pleased that his lifemate was finally paying attention to his instructions. It was getting tedious, reminding him to do so.

"Right, so, I get to send you a picture. Let's do it then," K'ran whispered, excitement recognizable in his voice. "Go on then."

Salenth said our word is 'Ocean'!

Ocean, eh? K'ran crinkled his nose, thinking back. Unlike K'lir, it didn't take him any time to recall the trip Raeneth had taken them on, but his problem was summoning up more than just the talking that had taken place. K'lir had teased him so bad at the time, because he'd been worried he'd fall off of Raeneth into the waves below. Raeneth hadn't replied, but Salira called them both wherrybrains and flicked K'lir in the ear for being distracting and teasing his brother. So she'd claimed. Really, K'ran was convinced she'd only done it because she felt obligated, but that was okay, he didn't mind.

What is the ocean? And why were you and Raeneth and Calistoth's there?
It's ummm this big body of water, between all the continents, it keeps them apart. Salt water.
Salt water?
You can't drink it; it makes you thirsty. Raeneth's rider is my mother. She took K'lir and I to go flying when we were small.
Why?
Because we'd been good.

Crooning, Elazrith regarded K'ran as he picked up the image in K'ran's mind. Unlike Lir, K'ran did not remember the details, just the color of the waves, blue green and white froth, as well as Salira's scolding voice, and his arms wrapped around K'lir as they looked down. But it was enough that Elazrith got a decent picture, and he sent it back to Salenth as well as to K'ran, hoping to impress them with how fast he'd 'learned.'

[missa]

Ocean, Mine. Ocean. Calm as ever, Thoth repeated the word dutifully, watching His' face colour with confusion, or was it embarrassment, spreading her hands to him as she shifted uncomfortably.
I don't know Thoth. I've never seen it. The idea that she might fail due to the way she'd been brought up didn't help Beka's temper any. Though she merely allowed her gaze to drop to the floor, Thoth's eyes whirling in confusion,
Salenth...? Mine... Can't give me a picture... She has never seen the ocean... A pause as the Blue expected a rebuffal, only to have Beka suddenly look up at the Weyrleader with a glare.

Of course it had taken her that long to sort through each and every word, and it's meaning. She was more concerned about what they were doing right now, and staying away from that other hideous weyrling. Show them their memories huh? Open up to them? Not sharding likely. When she wanted to frighten Thoth between, she'd show him her childhood.
What? Why? I'm old enough.
No, you're not. Worry about the lesson dear one.
Calistoth... Could you please ask Yours something for me? Could you... Please ask him if Mine was really that sad, she won't tell me anything... A pause before he crooned softly, tilting his head. Were you oiled before we came Calistoth? You have a very pretty shine about you.

~*~

Jeminorth looked displeased at the lesson, looking quite bored for the moment before sighing and relaying the word to her Bonded, cheering up when Rielana laughed.
Ocean is it my love? She whispered sweetly in Jeminorth's mind, placing a hand on Jeminorth's head, eyes bright with laughter as she sent Jeminorth an image of one of the few times she'd been to the ocean. The water appeared almost red-golden with Rukbat setting, but Jeminorth accepted it.

Carefully remembering it, Jeminorth requested that Rielana send it again, sweetly adoring, before sending it on to Salenth. Of course Hers would do that well.
That was a very pretty picture MineOwn. Can I see the ocean some time?
When you're big my sweetling, there will be nothing that can stop us.

~*~

Religna smiled happily at the word, of course, there were many she could pick, beng from nerat. Oh but a nice picture, sometimes it was hard to see the ocean with nothing but wate,r but she found one, showing Ith silently as the Green nudged ehr gently, waiting patiently while Hers got the details right before sending her the image. Which was promptly passed on.

Ith snorted lightly as she passed the image on, memorizing it lightly before settling down with a soft croon. She was willing to wait, always willing.
We visit your home one day?
No.
What? Why not?
I don't want to go back. Ever.

[lennae]

Salenth says the first word is ocean. Lennae turned when Amith spoke, having just finished pushing her desk back. She raised an eyebrow at Salenth’s choice of words, though made no other comment than a sigh. Her memories of the ocean were far from fond, and she certainly didn’t wish for Amith to ever experience the horrors of seasickness. Unfortunately, that was all she could remember.

Get ready love, she warned before slowly recalling the rocking of the boat, the never-ending nausea that accompanied it. She remembered bending over the railing, emptying her stomach of its contents, though the urge remained strong. From what she could see of the ocean, it was lovely, a beautiful deep and dark mix of blues and greens. Waves lapped at the sides of their boat, and the soft whooshing sound that accompanied the ocean filled her ears. Beautiful as it may have been, Lennae felt only resentment and anger toward it for having made her miserable throughout her voyage to the South.

Where were you coming from? The green knew her mine had not been from around here, but she hadn’t realized that she had come from so far away. While she could feel her rider’s hate for the ocean, and understood the reason behind it being the sickness, she managed to look past it and see only the beauty. May we visit your home someday? I'd love to see the ocean.

Lennae sighed. She knew this was coming, and while she couldn’t tell Amith yet, someday. I came from the North sweetheart. I’ll save the conversation for another time. She dearly hoped that the green wouldn’t pry too much, not that she would be able to discover much. Lennae had been careful not to tell anyone of who she really was, leaving Amith with no one to interrogate, not that the shy green would do so.

Amith, sensing that the conversation was over, dutifully sent her image of an ocean back to Salenth. She even included the bits about seasickness, perhaps as a bit of a joke, though the green was never one for tricks. Mission accomplished, she turned back to her mine, resting her light frame against Lennae’s legs.

[Requiem]

That wasn't a very good one, ReiMine. Not all the riders have seen the ocean. Why don't you pick them, then? the bronzerider returned testily. You know I'm only half-awake.

It's all right, Thoth. Then, in a general broadcast, A good start. Next, the Selenitas dining hall... They went through a few others, before Salenth mentally nudged S'rei who had - well, in all honesty, he'd dozed off leaning against the wall. We're done, Mine. You let me fall asleep? You seemed tired, Salenth replied innocently.

The Weyrleader stirred from his position, attempting to play it off as him just resting his eyes. "All right. You can do this with each other by giving your dragons images, and then asking them to send it back to you. A lot will ride on your being able to send a clear picture and the dragonet being capable of recreating that picture down to the smallest detail." He pinched his nose, trying to remember what he'd planned next. Outside, Mine. Firestone. The exercises with the young ones. Right, right. A pause. Wasn't I going to do something in the center of this room? You were going to show them what to look for in the firestone, but you forgot to bring it inside. Oh. Well then. I guess pushing the desks around didn't hurt them. The equivalent of a draconic chuckle sounded in his head.

"It should be warm enough to move outside now. Don't dally. We've still got quite a bit to go over." S'rei strode briskly for the door, catching his foot on something, though he managed to keep the stumble from turning into a faceplant. The man continued out the door as if nothing had happened. I'm making a fool of myself again. Yup! Salenth responded cheerfully. At least they'll have some fond memories when you come around to your grouchy self. I'm not grouchy.

Yes, there was the wheelbarrow of firestone he'd collected just minutes before walking into the classroom. Waiting until riders and hatchlings had all congregated outside, he made a dramatic show of dumping the firestone out along the ground, kicking at some of the higher piles. "Most of you will recognize this stone. If you don't, I'll save you the embarrassment by telling you this is firestone. Now, these are unsorted. Who knows the most important thing about sorting firestone for your dragon?"

[glamourie]

Calistoth crooned to Thoth before turning to look up at K'lir. Lirmine, why is Thoth's unwilling to tell him about her past? Her head tilted as she regarded K'lir for a moment. He was willing to tell her anything she wanted to know, so why would Thoth's be unwilling to? It seemed odd. Then again, maybe Thoth's was just broken or kind of dim. She did seem to be, with all her yelling. It annoyed Calistoth too that the girl spoke to hers all the time. How dare she, as though she had any right to even speak to her Lir!

K'lir looked down at Calistoth before glancing to Thoth and Beka. His response was slightly shaky, as he wasn't sure how much of that was good to tell, though he could feel Calistoth's interest and the memory of when he'd first met Beka flashed through his mind like clockwork. In a way that answered Calistoth's question perfectly, but young as she was, she did not understand. Perhaps as a dragon she never would. But K'lir owed her a better explanation than a foggy memory she would not truly understand. Just... how to go about explaining that in a way a hatchling could understand? It was a riddle he had no answer for, so K'lir tried for gentleness, though it was not in his nature. Beka... was hurt badly as a child. She was mistreated by people she trusted. I don't know who it was to her, but someone hurt her and her mother a lot. She probably doesn't want to tell Thoth because she is afraid he is too young to understand and might be hurt by it right now. When he's older, I'm sure that she will.

Thoth, Lirmine says that yours was hurt as a child in a way that you cannot understand yet. When you are older she will explain. She does not want to hurt you.

Those words were the last she offered before Calistoth and K'lir went through the words Salenth instructed them, though K'lir peered at S'rei from time to time. Was the Weyrleader asleep? Sure enough, by the time they were done, S'rei was stirring again. He listened to the Weyrleader's instructions before nodding curtly and rising to his feet, one hand gestured at Calistoth before they made their way outside. His eyes rested on the firestone, blinking as one of the stones was kicked before looking around, though he didn't know the answer to the question immediately, so he chose not to answer. Besides, he'd done enough public speaking. Lir didn't even like talking to begin with.

* * *

Back and forth K'ran and Elazrith went, the young bronze quite content with how they were doing. His eyes whirled and by the time S'rei was woken back up, K'ran was wide awake and excited, beaming. There was something extremely fun about that and he decided to make a point of playing games with Elazrith later, where he mentioned a word and K'ran found an image to match it, sort of like a scavenger hunt. It would help them get better at sharing images like that too. Weren't those images extremely important to betweening? It seemed like a good idea to get better at that, and even Elazrith thought so, crooning his approval. Finally his lifemate was showing some kind of interest!

The two made their way outside easily enough, settling near K'lir and Calistoth, with Elazrith nudging her lightly in acknowledgment. Then he turned his attention to the firestone piles, his eyes whirling his curiosity. When they were older they'd flame and destroy thread by chewing that and belching the flames. He made a point to memorize the firestone as a result, for it was very important.

S'rei's question made K'ran raise his hand, though he didn't really know whether his answer was correct or not. "Umm, at a guess... the size of the pieces, sir?" It seemed like a relatively decent guess as if the pieces were too big the dragons would not be able to chew them at all, and a dragon like Calistoth, smaller, as greens were won't to be, would need smaller pieces than a large bronze like, say, Tsanarth. Different sized pieces for different sized dragons, right? Well, what did it hurt. If he was wrong, he was wrong. He'd been wrong before, he'd be wrong again. The best way to find out something was to ask, and K'ran was willing to embrace the idea of not knowing something. No one else had spoken up, which was really the only reason he did.

Elazrith crooned at him, reassuring. I think that is a good guess, mine.

[Tashe]

"Imperfections can be harmful for the dragons?" The answer drifted out of the crowd of Werylings, seemingly to come from no where particular, although it was in fact Saraina who had answered. Although the stress on the statement showed more to be question like then absolute, at least it was still an answer. /Saramine. What is firestone?/ 'Its a rock that you eat and then you can breath fire.' /Oh. I see./

Watching silently as Hokth snapped is jaws menacingly at another weyrling dragon as is strayed to close to him and herself, the ex-thief cracked her neck before returning her attention back to the Weyrleader. It was odd that the Bronzerider was teaching the lesson, because F'rah never missed a lesson that he was assigned to, even if he was sick. The only possibility was that he was ordered to take the day off so that the Weyrleader could teach the class... maybe his assistant had to take the day also.

----

"There are two different kinds of firestone?" Like her friend's answer, Gina also had a twist of questioning to it. It annoyed her slightly that she didn't know the answer to the question, because she knew that F'rah had spoken to her about firestones in the past. Sighing slightly as her Green yawned and pushed her way to the front, forcing the human Weyrling to follow, Gina quickly checked on her firelizard before they hit the font line of the class. /Mine. Hokth says that Firestone is for making fire in a dragon's belly... is that true?/ 'Yes. You eat it in thread fall.'

Itching the side of her arm as Dasmonth yawned again, the Greenweyrling apologized to one of her classmates as she bumped into them. She had to go see Muta later on today, it had been a long time since they spoke now that her dragon came into her life. And F'con... she hadn't seen him in a while either... well he always disappeared on her so it was about time she did the same to him.

[boober]

The ocean, Mine. He wants us to picture the ocean. The ocean? Well that was easy enough. Closing her eyes, Cezine lowered her head slightly. Peaceful waves lapped at the sandy beach... the very one that had been not far from her home. The green-white seafoam darkened into a crystalline blue, Rukbat's light sparkling brilliantly off the water that stretched endlessly, clinging to the curvature of the horizon. The local flits darted here and there, and a wave slapped an outcropping of rock, sending seafoam spraying into the air. That is very pretty Mine... I want to see the ocean now. Cezine couldn't help but smile; it /was/ pretty, and for the first time in Turns, she was struck with a pang of homesickness.

Perhaps some day we'll go. Satisfed by this, Brennath relayed the image to Salenth, after which she relayed his message to Hers. The pair was perfectly content to perform this work, but a certain bronze pair wasn't precisely ecstatic... for the same reason many others weren't. C'lryn was mostly asleep, having dragged himself to the lesson late (again... whereas Cezine had taken pains to make sure she was there on time, if not early). He simply was not a morning person and he likely never would be.

The word is ocean, Mine.

What about it?

You're supposed to give me a mind-picture. Minoath was patient as he regarded His expectantly, tail twitching slightly as he waited. C'lryn stared at his dragon. A mind-picture? Of the ocean? What was the Weyrleader trying to do, torture him? It was personal, wasn't it? Shaking his head, C'lryn reached up and rubbed the back of his head somewhat sheepishly.

I've never seen the ocean, Minoath. I've no notion of what it looks like. The dragonet snorted before crouching at his rider's feet.

Have you heard descriptions?

Well.. yeah.

Use your imagination then. Shrugging, C'lryn did just that. No one had ever bothered describing an ocean to him, but he knew the basics... a huge body of saltwater between the continents. With just that basic knowledge to go on, he envisioned something that looked more like an endless lake than a true ocean, but at least he'd tried? The image went to Salenth as it was. Fortunately, the next request C'lryn could have pictured in his sleep. And almost did. Folding his arms, C'lryn leaned against the nearest stable object and closed his eyes. He didn't need to see for this exercise, did he? It was all mind stuff... which could be done with closed eyes. Alas, closed eyes led to other things... like falling asleep on one's feet. Minoath didn't seem to care; he simply picked his rider's mind for the images necessary and sent them on. It wasn't his fault his rider was a wherface.

But the nap didn't last long, for sharp pain bit into his leg, waking him most effectively. Minoath released his calf and looked up at his rider calmly. We are going outside now. Perhaps you'd care to join us. With that, the beast swept out the door, leaving his rider to mutter and shuffle after him. As for Cezine, she was patiently standing by Brennath as the green watched all the males pass out of the room.

This really is silly...

I'm waiting for the crowd to pass was stated simply, but as soon as the last male was out of the room, Brennath swished out the door, leaving Hers to raise an eyebrow and shake her head as she followed. Once assembled outside, the young woman folded her arms and paid rapt attention as the Weyrleader spoke... though anyone paying attention would notice that she didn't volunteer an answer to his question. Neither did C'lryn, but the bronze weyrling's half-closed eyes and dazed stare probably had something to do with that. Morning person C'lryn was not.