[1] Cyclone Wing Drills

[hseru]

It seemed that the good Wingleader and Jr. Weyrleader N'tia was unable to make it to Drills due to business elsewhere, and the obligation was passed to K'roi, as Wingsecond. Of course, no one had deigned to tell him until the day before, so the Bronzerider had quickly summed up a generalized practice for the day, which he wasn’t too happy with and kept changing. Looking over the wing list again, he mentally chewed the names, noting that there were several larger dragons, especially in the green category. Good enough, they'd be able to last longer in a fall. Of course, other than that, he had yet to meet many in his wing due to his own time away, and had gathered only ages in the time since being promoted to his current position. Half of his wing were actually younger than him, only just out of werylinghood, but he had a few experienced dragons too, which he was thankful for. Now the question was, had any of them learned a thing that would prove useful to what he had in mind?

Well, he’d soon see. Carrying a large bag over his shoulder, the bronzerider walked over to where Gareth basked on his ledge, giving the big bronze a good scratch on his eyeridge before nudging him a bit. “Come on Gar, time for us to teach these riders how it’s done.” Giving a low grumble, Gareth rolled himself upright, snapping his wings open and shut a few times to loosen the muscles before offering a leg out to help his bonded. Sakki was left snoozing on the bed, well used to sleeping in while the bronze pair did their daily exercises. Wren perched awake in his always open cage, his tawny feathers fluffed up from the morning bath he'd gotten.

K’roi shortly climbed the proffered foreleg, hefting the bag after him to settle it and himself on the saddle. Securing the bag, the bronzerider had Gareth launch off, heading for the empty hatching sands. He didn’t plan on much altitude flying today, so the heat that constantly radiated upwards from the warm sands would give the dragons some good lift for speedy maneuvering.

While on the way, Gareth bugled, sending out the call.
Triniath, Mirazeth, Jackreth, Azrath, Tekisith, Raiyth, Dasmonth and Emerith. Your presence is needed outside the hatching grounds for Cyclone Wing drills.

K’roi nodded to himself as Gareth came to a loud landing in the wide river side clearing of the hatching sands, his huge wings kicking up gusts of wind and sand. They’d stay off the actual hatching grounds if at all possible, though he fully expected to see a few riders falling to the sands today. Luckily enough, it would be a softer landing than the hard ground, but he didn't envy any of them. Later drills would see them over open water to save broken limbs, but there were likely going to be a fair amount of bruises among the ranks before the day was out.

Jumping nimbly to the ground, K’roi dropped his bag, and began rummaging around in it. He pulled out a large piece of rolled up parchment –the formation- and unrolled it to get a last few ideas for the wing. If the riders worked well enough today, he might just have a good group to work out some interesting maneuvers with. There was no telling what a full wing of capable riders could do when pushed to what he had planned. Of course, he didn't know if they were capable yet. He'd get a good idea through today's exercise though, and they could move on from there. Re-rolling the parchment, he leaned lightly against Gareth's high bronze shoulder, the dragon's tail lashing slowly against the ground as they waited.



Cyclone Wing
Wingleader- N'tia of bronze Kirayuth
Wingsecond- K'roi of bronze Gareth

Sk'ler of brown Triniath
X'vier of brown Mirazeth
F'con of blue Jackreth
Darya of blue Azrath
I'mny of blue Tekisith
K'lear of blue Havinth (NPC)
Fiona of green Raiyth
Gina of green Dasmonth
O'dan of green Emerith
Jassey of green Esith (NPC)

[Tashe]

/Conmine? Conmine?/

"NO I DON'T WANT TO... Guh?" Jerking awake was never a happy experience, but fortunately he wasn't sleeping in a barrack anymore. /Oh Conmine. You're awake now. Gareth calls us to Wing Practice... Do you think we will be able to mock fight today?/ Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, the Bluerider furrowed his brows as his mind registered what his Dragon was saying. Have we ever, in our time at Selenitas, actually done battling other than 'our' solo maneuvers? /Well... no. Not often./ Then don't expect to do some today. Unless whats-his-name is remembering the last threadfall. /Well I still want to hope for it./ Whatever.

Swinging his legs out from under his furs, the Bluerider arched his back before getting up. He was still tired, but his nap would have to wait for after practice. Preparing for Wing Drills was something he was used to. Pants, shirt, riding leathers, boots... it was a humdrum process that no longer held much excitement for F'con. He'd been doing it for around nine years now, and only recently for Selenitas. He could actually take some time to prepare himself, instead of the toss on the clothes and out the door whirlwind that was required at Fort. But as he moved to strap up Jackreth, the Bluerider began to wonder which Weyr he really did prefer.

It didn't take long for F'con to attach all the straps, buckles and loops that the harness required, easing himself into them after having checked them again. Alright my Friend. Lets go. The hatching grounds were an interesting place to hold drills to say the least. In all his years, the Bluerider hadn't heard of a practice being held even near there. It proved, at least supported, the idea that this particular meeting would be an interesting one. Sharing an image with Jackreth, F'con relaxed himself before they side slipped into the Between, the freezing cold surrounded them at once.

Appearing over the hatching arena, the Bluepair settled out into a circle, wheeling about before picking a spot to land. Jackreth folded his wings at an angle as they landed, taking a few strides to slow himself before coming to a stop opposite from Gareth. Taking in the Bronzerider with silent amusement, F'con unstrapped himself from the leathers and slid down with the help of his Bonded. Once again, he was going to be riding under the direction of someone younger than he. Rolling up his sleeves as he stepped around to Jackreth's head, the Bluerider hooked his thumbs into the tops of his riding leathers, flipping his long hair out of his face. "F'con of Jackreth Reporting as called."

[Tashe]

Her Green was pissy. And it wasn't the normal Dasmonth anger, it was as if the pissyness was on drugs. Gina was vaguely amused by the attitude of her Dragon, if only by the fact the Female actually believed she'd be put into the Heatwave Wing this time around. It wasn't exactly rainbows and flitters having a Dragon who believed she was a Queen, and it constantly ebbed at the woman's nerves. But today, rather than being as crabby as her Green, Gina was calm despite the screeching going on in her mind. /I was willing to forgive them for their mistake last time. But this time it is unforgivable! I am a QUEEN. I should be in the QUEEN'S Wing!/ Dasmo-- /Gimine you NEED to inform them of their mistake! I will NOT stand for this any longer!/ Love I -- /We must do it immediately! We are supposed to be in Heatwave not Cyclone!/ DASMONTH. /What. Is. It./ I will talk to them when I can but you need to calm down. We'll get this sorted out, and until we do, we need to practice with the Cyclone Wing.[color=LimeGreen] /But I don't want to! I will be transfered anyways, and if we practice with them their formations will be thrown off and we need my Dragons as precise as possible./[/color] Thoughtful of you Dasmonth, but still... The Weyrleaders command it, so we will. Don't worry I'll talk to them. /Fine! Oh, and Gareth has called./

Now? But... but she was in the middle of a row! She hated having to stop her knitting when she wasn't finished with a certain portion of it. "Argyle honey, watch my knitting will you? I don't want Saraina coming in and messing with it." Giving her older Flitter a smile as she peeped sleepily at her from the kitting basket, the Greenrider picked out a tunic and pants before stuffing her body into them. Leathers came next, then her flying Jacket and goggles. /FASTER./ Keeping her pace the same just to spite Dasmonth, Gina crossed out onto her landing ledge, where her unusually large Green sat unhappily. Staring intently at the Green until she bent down, the young Rider began to strap on all of the fixings the Harness called for.

It didn't take too long for the girl to get into her harness, but it obviously was longer than Dasmonth wanted it to be. For as soon as Gina had clipped herself in, the Greenpair was up in the air. Grabbing at the picture her haughty Green sent her, the young woman let Dasmonth know she was ready. Slipping into and then out of the Void, Gina shivered because of the sudden change in air temperature. Look, there is Jackreth and F'con. Feeling the Green angle to make a landing, she lifted herself out of the saddle slightly to absorb the shock of landing.

Dasmonth had to take a few strides to reduce her momentum, coming to a stop next to the Blue and his rider. Swinging herself out of the riding leathers, Gina slid down to the ground with assistance from her Dragon. Moving to mimic her cousin's position, the Greenrider smiled at the Wingsecond before speaking. "Gina of Green --" /Queen./ Her Dragon corrected. "-- Dasmonth here for duty." Turing her head to flash her kin a smile, Gina crossed her arms, knowing too well what the look on F'con's face could mean.

Drawing her body to it's full height, the Green did her best to look as regal as she felt. Her gaze crossed over Gareth and Jackreth before settling back onto the Bronze. /Greetings Gareth, hello Jackreth./[/size]

[kysseh]

Come, Mine! Up, Mine! We fly with the wing today, and we will be late! Hurry, hurry, my love, my dear. Raiyth's mental tones echoed in what could have been the mental version of a trill. The green was practically dancing around her line, and there was more enthusiasm than real impatience about it. Raiyth was positively delighted to go fly in formation. She and Fiona had always struggled more than the others in the weyrling classes, and they had had to work much harder to graduate. Now it would take them far longer to master wing formations, both of the pair were sure. That deterred Raiyth very little, though. She was a dragon! Dragons flew Thread, right?

Her rider was not feeling quite so optimistic about things. While Raiyth was enthusiastic about the learning, Fiona was panicking at what their wingleader's reaction would be to getting such an odd greenpair. They were unique, to be sure. Fiona tucked some writing implements and scraps of hide into her belt pouch before running to retrieve her helmet. Oops. Almost forgot the helmet. She carefully placed it on her head and adjusted the fit before checking over her wherhide riding gear. It dawned on her then that she should've checked her gear before putting on the helmet, but it was too late for that. Why bother over what was in the past, hmm?!

Her stomach all aflutter with nerves, Fiona scooted over to her dragon and waited until Raiyth finished a little dance step. The green held out her foreleg and ever-so-patiently waited for Fiona to jump up and secure herself. Ready? All ready, yes? Readyready? Let us go, my dearie! Raiyth chirruped with absolute delight before throwing herself off the weyrledge. The air caught beneath her wings, and she glided effortlessly toward the outside of the hatching grounds, warbling happily upon the sight of others already present. Ohh, a nice big bronze, a blue, and a pretty green... all possible new friends in Raiyth's cheerful mindset. The green dipped her wings and dove, pulling up at the last minute to backwing and carefully settle herself on the sands. She was far from the other dragons, having maintained distance to keep from spraying them with sand. Now, though, she hopped closer and then let Hers dismount, crooning happily at the others. Hello! Mine and I are here now. she announced cheerfully.

It took a moment for Fiona to get her feet on the ground, but she stepped forward and pulled off her helmet, tossing back unruly black curls to give their wingsecond and her fellow riders a cheerful, if nervous, smile. This was positively frightening. "Hi. Err... Fiona and green Raiyth reporting... sir." She tacked on the last bit as an afterthought, nervously shifting her weight from foot to foot. This could get interesting. Who were the others, she wondered? She had missed their introductions.

((Sucks, sorry. x.x Up to my ears in homework.))

[Kisha-Ra]

‘Of all the times!’ Darya wasn’t taking the news of the wing drill very well. ‘Why does everything have to happen when I’m trying to have a bath?’ She demanded grabbing up a towel with one hand while the other waved around to emphasise her complaints to her somewhat less than interested audience. Loud. Imp complained. You choose the wrong times to try and have a bath?[/color] Azrath suggested mildly, not pointing out that she knew there were to be wing drills today. That was why she’d gone over their fighting straps the day before.

‘I hate you Azrath, and I really hate you when you’re right.’ Darya said with a smile, applying the towel vigorously to her hair. No you don’t, you’re just saying that to make me feel better.[/color] Azrath replied tolerant of his rider’s strange moods. Darya’s answer was an amused snort as she pulled on a shirt and some trousers.

Darya moved over to her dragon with fighting straps held loosely in one hand while the other arm bore her boots, helmet, and gloves. She dropped half her burdens untidly on the floor and held up Azrath’s harness for the blue to shove his head through and shrug down his neck. Darya Stamped her feet into her boots then moved quickly around her dragon fastening buckles with the ease of many turns practice. Comfortable? She inquired as she did up her boots and jacket. Azrath shrugged a few times and unfurled his wings for a test flap. Yes.[/color] He decided.

‘Then let’s move our tails.’ Darya suggested jamming on the last of her gear and gesturing grandly for Azrath to precede her onto the weyrledge. You’re in a very strange mood today Darya, I seriously suggest covering it up while we’re working. [/color] The blue recommended. {I]I didn’t get my full cold bath.[/I] Darya replied with only a hint of amusement. Let’s go As you command[/color]

The hatching sands seemed an odd place for a drill, Darya reflected as Azrath settled neatly on the ground near the other dragons. Good day everyone.[/color] Darya heard him greet the other dragons. Go on then, socialise. I think there’s going to be talking first. She slapped Azrath lightly on the neck and moved off to report to K’roi. ‘Darya of Azrath reporting.’ She threw a sloppy salute and a slight smile. ‘I’d ask what we’re up to here but I’m sure you’ll get to it soon enough.’

[hseru]

K'roi gazed upwards as the first dragonpairs appeared, remaining in his relaxed position against Gareth for the time being. A bluepair, soon introduced as F'con and Jackreth, were the first to show, and the bronzerider noted that this was one of his older riders. He'd have to gather his experienced riders together to see what they thought of the drill and the wing in general afterwards. Their input could prove invaluable. He nodded a greeting to the older rider.

Next came two of their greenpairs, one of which was the recently graduated weyrling. He'd be keeping an eye on her, to see that she and her green were able to keep up. He nodded and smiled to the both of them, a habitual action. Then another bluepair, and he had to give a real smile back to Darya and her 'salute'. Cheeky, but he didn't particularly care so long as she kept her mind in the air. "Indeed, we'll be getting to it shortly." Two more dragonpairs landed then, in close proximity to each other, introduced as K'lear of blue Havinth, and Jassey of green Esith. That made eight of their total twelve riders accounted for, including himself.

Gareth made no indication that he even acknowledged the presence of the riders, but he greeted each dragon upon landing with a nod and a civil response and greeting. Welcome, Jackreth, and Greetings Dasmonth. His displeasure at being around other humans, even those bonded to his kin, was kept to a minimum, and only broadcast to his own bonded in a quiet stream of unhappiness. Raiyth, hello, and good day to you, Azrath. Greetings Havinth and Esith. I trust you are all well? The last question was directed to all dragons present.

A faint frown formed on the bronzerider's face as the minutes passed and no other riders seemed inclined to appear. Well, late or not, he had seven able bodied dragonpairs here, and he wasn't going to waste their time by waiting further. He lightly clapped his hands together, signaling a start. He pushed off of Gareth, and move a few paces closer to his assembled wing.

"Alright people, first things first. If any of you are uncertain about who I am, my name is K'roi, and this is Gareth." He gestured behind him to the great wall of bronze. "We are your Wingseconds. N'tia of Kirayuth is our Wingleader, but he could not make drills today, so I am taking over. Now, I'm sure many of you have been wondering why we're going to be flying over the hatching grounds. To put it bluntly, it's possible that some of you may lose your seat today, and I'm sure you would prefer to land in the sand rather than a tree or a nice rock. I don't really see it happening if you all have your straps on correctly -" At this, he glanced specifically at the youngsters in the group. "- but we're planning for the eventuality. Either way, this may be our only opportunity to take advantage of the updrafts coming from this area so close to the ground." He tapped the rolled up parchment with his hand, bringing attention to it. "This is the initial pattern we will be working on, and our general flight pattern other than the typical forward Vee, which we will work on at a later date. As such, it will receive the most practice today. I want you all to take a look at it." He began passing it around, starting with F'con. "I have the largest greens taking the first half of a fall, with their seconds switching out as soon as they're done. As for the blues, we'll see how they feel today, and if they can last a fall, all four will remain. If not, they will switch out like the greens, leaving two forward Vees with four dragons a piece." He paused then, allowing the parchment to start its circulation.

"While you are all perusing the pattern, are there any issues any of you wish to bring to the table? Anything that would be a deterrent to you or your dragon in the air, I want you to either tell me, or have your dragon ask Gareth for time afterwards if you wish it to remain unsaid within the group. If not, please state your name, the name of your dragon, and how long you have been flying to the group so that those who are new, or have been absent may learn them. Afterwards, once you feel you have a good idea of your position in the pattern, get ready to fly. We'll be running the pattern initially at mid altitude, and once I feel you guys have a good grasp of it- " He paused for a moment, glancing around. "- I have a much more interesting drill for us to run."

[Kisha-Ra]

Emerith made desperate plaintive sound as her rider (finally) threw himself at her side, nearly missed his footing on her foreleg, and scrambled up her neck awkwardly. Emmy I’m so, sorry love, I know you hate to be late, I didn’t think it would take so long to return Trouble’s thievings I didn’t think he’d bite me either. O’dan apologised to his dragon profusely as he clipped up the safety straps, normally he wouldn’t have bothered for a flight this short but since he was probably late now thanks to his salamandyr O’dan figured on not putting another foot wrong.

Emerith leapt off her weyrledge and put on her fastest speed to the hatching grounds. I know O’danlove, I know. At least you got me ready before attending to the Trouble in our lives. Maybe next time you could wait until he forgets about what he’s stolen. Those bite don’t look good.[/color] O’dan had to agree with his green, in addition to not looking good the three bites his pet had given him, including one over his cheekbone that still bled, also hurt like fury. Emerith landed with a total lack of grace, thumping down to the ground and running a few steps to regain her balance in her haste to join the group. Hello. Very sorry we’re late.[/color] If Emerith were human she would have been gasping with nerves and breathlessness, as it was her voice simply sounded worried and apologetic as she spoke to Gareth. O’dan was bitten by his salamandyr.[/color]

O’dan winced as he relesed himself from Emerith’s neck and slid down, with the same lack of grace as Emerith, and ran over to the group with an apologetic glace at K’roi, he hoped Gareth would pass on Emerith’s message and apologies, though maybe not the part about Troublemaker biting him. Having arrived in time to hear K’roi’s comment about having your straps on correctly and breathed a sigh of relief that at least he’d managed that much.

When the scroll showing the wing pattern got around to him O’dan studied it carefully. He and Emerith would be on the outside of the wing formation, taking the first half of the fall, almost a given after K’roi said the biggest greens, Emerith was pretty big. So: behind Gareth, opposite Havinth, and switching out with Esith. He was pretty sure he had it now. What did K’roi mean by a more interesting drill though?


Darya nodded to those of her wingmates she recognised, and returned K’roi’s smile with a broader one of her own, so this bronzerider had a sense of humour did he? The arrival of one of the missing dragonpairs, a large green and her rider, both made clumsy by haste momentarily distracted her, not for long but long enough that she missed the opportunity to ask what ailed N’tia.

She listened with care to K’roi, making her own judgements on what he said and did not say. So what might cause someone to fall from their dragon in a drill, aside from improperly used safety equipment that was? Well the warm air rising off the hatching sands would no doubt be easier for the beasts but was it quite the way to judge how the dragons, especially the new greens, would do in a fall? Do you really need to second guess everything he says?[/color] Azrath neatly interrupted his chosen’s thoughts with a question of his own. Darya ignored him in favour of the scroll that was passed her way. She nodded approvingly, liking the M shaped formation, and the fact that K’roi had a plan to implement if the endurance of the blues should be lacking, not that Azrath’s ever was, it was probably due to all the exercise he got chasing those sweet young greens. She marked their position in the formation in her mind: inner left side, in the V pointed by the absent N’tia and Kirayuth, behind the absent I’mny and Tekisith an in front of the absent Sk’ler and Triniath. Hooray,if it wasn’t for ther greenriders being here she and Azrath would be practicing the entire left side by themselves.

‘Nothing to bring to the table that you can’t see for yourself.’ She said frankly to K’roi, indicating the lack of attendance. ‘What’s your ‘more interesting’ drill?’ Darya inquired, making air quotations with her fingers, leaning toward the bronzerider, intrigued despite herself. Are you flirting Darya? If you are don’t expect me to work on Gareth for you.[/color] Azrath asked seriously. I am NOT flirting Azrath. I’m just curious. Darya corrected her dragon, though she did find the notion of her blue attempting to chat up a bronze quite interesting.

[archenstone]

"What?" X'vier groaned as he turned onto his back. "Are you serious? Wing drills start today?" He opened one eye to see a big Mirazeth head inches from his face. "AHHHHHaaaahhhh!" He flaied out in surprise and landed....in the river. Sputtering out water and now soaked he looked up at Mirazeth wide awake. "Well, now look! You're going to have to take me back to change before we even get to go!" The staccato of noises coming from Mirazeth where just as obvious a sign to the brown's mirth as his mind voice.

Well Mine....I thought you had heard. I didn't realize your snores could drown out a mental call. Mirazeth crouched and offered his rider a leg. Come Mine, I'll get you there and we will see what our Wing plans.

So once X'vier was dried and clothed Mirazeth brought him to the group. It seemed like things had started with out him. Now look! We are late because you like to get me soaked! Mirazeth landed next to O'dan. If you where using your sense you would have known where I was before you opened your eyes.

So X'vier grumbled under his breath and got down from Mirazeth. Please excuse us of our tardiness He spoke to Gareth. Meanwhile X'vier walked up K'roi. "X'vier and Mirazeth reporting." X'vier gave a sharp salute and smiled.

[Tashe]

/Hello Gareth./ Jackreth wasn't exactly chipper about having to serve, again, under the command of a younger dragon. But, as was the life of a lesser colored Dragon.

Taking the plan as it was handed to him, F'con studied it quietly before passing it to Gina. He was in the second bump, two behind K'roi and in front of X'vier. From experience, the Bluerider knew his Jackreth was far more efficient if he was last in the formation and only had one Dragon in line with him to the side. But his blue was flexible and able to work in any pattern. "I am F'con of Blue Jackreth. We have been partnered for Ten years."

What did the man consider interesting? He had run many creative and original drills in his years, so it was going to be hard to impress the Bluerider with uniqueness. Casting a glance over at his cousin, F'con tried to asses how she was handling her mental dragon.

--

Taking the formation from the Bluerider, Gina scanned the page with a smile. She knew Dasmonth was going to fly the longest of the Greens because of her size, sometimes it did pay to have a large female. But then again, when your Dragon thought with all her heart she was a Queen, it presented a problem. In this case, Dasmonth was shrilly scolding the Wingsecond in her mind for calling her a Green. Listening to her Green got tedious and annoying over a long period of time, especially if she was trying to knit in piece and quiet.

Handing the scroll over to the next Rider, the Greenrider looked up at her leader with a smile. "I'm Gina of Dasmonth. We've been together for oh... a little over a year and a half." Glancing around their group, she took note of all the faces, storing them away so she could put names to them later.

/Greetings Gareth./