Heatwave Wing Drills

[Tashe]

Faranath. Whoever thought to influence a Queen to choose her, had to have a twisted sense of humor. She wasn't a military commander, she was a diplomat! /Stop being so wiggly. You're embarrassing me in front of Styth and His./ Looking up from the skins in front of her, Kaegan realized she must have looked sick to her stomach or at least something close to it. "S-sorry. What did you say?" She had zoned the Brownrider out, missing whatever he had said in the last minute or so.

"I said, you should really think of using R'fuin first instead of Virenna. His blue is older, stronger and more experienced. And, S'rei has been re-assigned to our wing. Which will change your placings a little."

"Oh..." Furrowing her brows, Kaegan smudged out the names of a few Riders, re-arranging them according to the new addition to her Wing. She was better at planning and setting the Wing, but she hoped that somehow, she could gain the respect of the older Riders. "S'rei will go there, R'fuin here, W'ri there..." Trailing off as she reorganized her flight pattern, the Weyrwoman bit the side of her thumb as her mind ran through the names of her Riders. /Shall I call them?/ Please do Millieth, I think I'm pretty much done.

/Hepaticath, Salenth, Taclenth, Angth, Ylonth, Timmeroth, Bolonth, Amith, Rinagth, and Phremath. Report to the edge of the Jungle, Wing training will begin shortly. Do not be late./

Although F'rah believed that S'rei would be an asset to their Wing, the Goldrider had her doubts. Personally, she didn't know if he was over the passing of Shmee or not. Those feelings might just effect his performance and ability to smoothly work with the others in the wing. And that was the thing Kaegan wanted from her Wing. Smoothness. She wanted the Riders to feel comfortable with each other, be able to trust the other Riders so that their formation shifts could transition without fear of bumping into each other. Not only did she want a type of fluidity, she also wanted to have her wing battle ready. She wasn't about to forget the last threadfall. Heatwave needed to be ready to switch from thread fighting to Dragon Fighting. But first, they needed to gain a sense of each other, to see how everyone worked. Rolling up the skins, after rechecking them with the Brownrider, Kaegan sighed nervously as she waited for the first of the Dragons to arrive.

--

Heatwave Wing

Wingleader: Kaegan of Gold Millieth
Wingsecond: Savitri of Gold Hepaticath

Wingriders:

S'rei of Bronze Salenth
F'rah of Brown Styth
X'eni of Brown Taclenth [NPC]
W'ri of Blue Angth
R'fuin of Blue Ylonth
N'len of Blue Timmeroth [NPC]
Virenna of Green Bolonth [NPC]
Lennae of green Amith
J'on of green Rinagth
Kalierre of green Phremath

[Requiem]

The two arrived practically at the same time, the little green immediately winking Between a second time to avoid a collision with Salenth. This brought on an amused huff from the bronze, as there was no way he and Phremath could collide in so much open space, but he didn't make a big deal of it. Only natural to be a little skittish around a dragon that much bigger than you.

Naturally, Phremath landed first, coming back out of Between less than ten feet above the earth and dropping to ground quite daintily. She shifted a bit uneasily, though, as Hers dismounted, perhaps worried that Kalierre's rather abrasive mood of late would get them in trouble. The dragonhealer paused by her beloved's head and ran a hand up the length of her jaw in silent reassurance, before stalking across the small distance separating her from Kaegan. Technically, this wasn't during her shift, but Kalierre didn't like being called away from the infirmary at all of late, and that displeasure was clearly reflected in her gait though her face remained placid and her words polite enough. "Kalierre of Phremath." She even managed a smile for Kaegan, then, as she remembered the woman and did have some small affection for her.

More curious was the second figure that stalked - yes, their gaits were markedly similar - in Kalierre's wake. He'd tugged off his helmet and was surveying the others of the wing who had already arrived with a rather tight expression. S'rei tossed off a wave to Laurie's F'rah, though, a flicker of warmth entering his gaze before that flicker guttered out. He was, easily, in the best shape of his life since coming south, and those signs of sleeplessness were markedly absent. The gray eyes fell on Kaegan expressionlessly. S'rei's salute was nothing if not militaristically perfect, fist thudding into chest solidly, and his quiet tones came out with a brusqueness that suggested he wanted to be done with the formalities as soon as possible. "Salenth and S'rei, reporting for Heatwave." One of his odd idiosyncrasies, that. The bronzerider always put his dragon first when reporting or when introductions were in order.

Kalierre flicked a glance over her shoulder at him, but otherwise the two didn't communicate, which was quite indicative of their respective moods had anyone known them well enough to read it. Kalierre and S'rei had arrived at Selenitas together and still had a close - if sometimes strained - friendship. Yet neither seemed interested in catching up. Indeed, Kalierre set to cleaning the dirt from under her nails with the tip of her dagger and S'rei somehow managed to fade back without looking like he was retreating, until he stood mostly on his own, staring out toward the falls in brooding silence.

Salenth and Phremath exchanged glances, then, in unspoken agreement, both settled to the earth to wait for the rest to show up.

[kysseh]

Hepaticath crooned softly as she came in at a gentle dive angle, headed for a large open space that would put her down a safe distance from the rest of the dragons. She was still young enough that coordination was occasionally a problem, as her big frame had some filling out left to do. Still, there was no denying that the young queen was fully grown and quite capable of flying. It was merely landing that could get... challenging. This time, she managed to set herself down without any ungainly trips, scrabbles, or wobbles. No, Hepaticath was proud to note that she had done no damage to anything around her, and she rumbled softly at the thought that emanated from Hers in response. The queen did, though, neglect to answer.

Good day to you all. Hepaticath was nothing short of pleasant to all, unless provoked, and there was no falseness in her greeting to all of those present. Her honeycomb-patterned head turned to eye the single bronze present, and she uttered a curious croon. Hello... Salenth, is it not? I can not remember if we have met before. she added apologetically to the bronze as she lowered her shining neck to allow Hers to dismount, whuffing in quiet amusement as SavitriHers cursed quietly about stumbling upon hitting the ground. Hers was very vertically-challenged and often got annoyed that Hepaticath's neck was so far from the ground. I am sorry, Mine. I will go lower next time.

"If you went any lower, your chin would smack the ground," Savitri tartly informed her dragon as she removed her helmet, the neat ends of her hair brushing along her jawline. When Hepaticath crooned in affectionate response, the young woman raised a hand to pat her gold's neck and then approached their wingleader. She wondered if it should grate on her nerves that Kaegan was above and ahead of her now, over her head in rankings. While she never had any personal problems with the other goldrider, she did wonder if Kaegan was up to the task. Maybe so. Savitri did enjoy being pleasantly surprised on occasion. The other members of their wing did not escape her attention, and she nodded pleasantly at both Kaegan and at F'rah, adding an extra flicker of a smile for her former weyrlingmaster. She remembered him... and his temperamental outburst. It was still a secret.

Her attention was grabbed by the lone bronzerider present, and her expression clearly belied her confusion. Why was S'rei in their wing? The former weyrleader was far from incompetent, though she was unsure as to his mental state following Shmee's demise. Aliscia had spoken to him, she knew, and the greenrider had not wanted to discuss him. Savitri had respected that, but now she had to wonder. That was Kaegan's place to inquire, though, given her status as wingleader. Instead, the young woman just nodded at S'rei and then aimed a friendly smile at Kalierre. A friend, if Savitri could call anyone her friend. She trusted Kalierre with her life.

Her gaze wandered again, and her eyebrow raised at the otherwise empty gathering area. Humph. Their wing was not this small, was it? Where were the others?

[Kisha-Ra]

Rinagth spiralled downward, insolently slow despite her rider’s clear impatience. J’on glared at the back of his green’s skull and rolled his eyes, he would have thought that Rinagth might just let whatever issues she had with queens drop once she was mature. Fat chance. Apparently being assigned to the queen’s wing was the very worst insult there could possibly be to the green’s abilities, J’on forbore to comment that Rinagth’s concentration was broken by any attractive male dragon.

Apparently in response to Hepaticath’s presence, Rinagth had been silently in competition with her clutchsister since they were hatched though J’on doubted the gold noticed, Rinagth made the most dramatic landing she possibly could then looked around for admiration. J’on slammed his bootheel into his dragon’s shoulder. Stop. Now. Please. This is serious. It is NOT an opportunity for you to challenge Hepaticath and show off for any dragon who happens to be watching you. J’on used as much force as he could in this assertion, he didn’t want to be watching out of the corner of his eye the whole session wondering what Rinagth was up to.

Rinagth turned her head to look at her chosen reproachfully. You kicked me.[/color] she said in a hurt little voice. Didn’t J’on understand? She was far better than those silly shiny queens, she needed to show everyone. J’on, however, was totally unmoved by Rinagth’s attempt to make him feel guilty. I didn’t hurt you. I want you to listen. Behave yourself, if you’re too busy showing off to pay attention we’ll be in the queen’s wing forever. He didn’t mind being with the queen’s wing himself but J’on wasn’t above using Rinagth’s dislike of it to get good behaviour. I’ll listen. Do you think Timmeroth is more handsome than Kaaoloth?[/color]

J’on rolled his eyes for what felt like the millionth time since Millieth had called the wing and dropped from his green’s neck. She’d been comparing every dragon to Kaaoloth since her Flight but her seeming affection for the brown didn’t stop her flirting with every male dragon that crossed her path.


Ylonth and R’fuin arrived as one the recently graduated greens and her rider were apparently arguing, or at any rate the was R’fuin’s guess from the expressions they were wearing. Ylonth landed a respectful distance away with an ease that R’fuin was pleased to note. Though it had been some time since the blue was injured R’fuin worried about Ylonth yet.

Ylonth flicked his tail impatiently as his rider dismounted. I am fine. Stop worrying.[/color] ‘You just want scars to impress the greens don’t you?’ R’fuin teased his dragon affectionately, turning away to join the small knot of riders. Ylonth snorted and wandered off to find a sunny spot to lounge in until he was needed.

[Tashe]

Turning from her Dragon's muzzle as the first of her wing began to arrive, Kaegan glanced at F'rah before watching Phremath and Salenth land. She really did wonder what had gone through T'rid's head when he decided to assign S'rei to her wing, he was far more suited to a high altitude wing, he'd be incredibly bored and most likely restless. But what was done was done. A small rumble from Millieth drove her from musing, looking up from her scroll in time to see Kalierre stop a few paces away.

The Goldrider nodded, returning the Greenrider's smile, if not a little more warmly. Kaegan still remembered her first trip to the infirmary, when Kalierre had patched up her arm from the tumble she had taken off of her Queen when they had first arrived. Then S'rei appeared next to the Greenrider, saluting her in the traditional fashion, of which she hadn't seen much of at Selenitas. "Greetings, to both of you." /Greetings Phremath, Salenth./ But her attention was distracted once more at the arrival of the Junior Queen. Good... eight of the twelve dragons were there. Nodding at her Wingsecond as she wondered in closer, Kaegan searched the skies. And as if on cue, two more Dragons arrived, a Green and a Blue.

/Greetings Hepaticath, Ylonth and Rinagth./

Waiting for the Riders to draw in closer, Kaegan bit the inside of her lip, wondering if she should allow more time to pass before starting on her plans. She was missing two Dragons... oh well. They would have to be out of the loop for today, she hoped they could play catch up well. "If I could have everyone's attention please." Kaegan paused until the others were ready. "As you know, this is a low altitude wing. We are back up for the High Altitude Wings, catching and destroying any Thread that they miss. We have a perfect amount of those who need to switch, and those of us who can fly the whole Fall. There for, I have planned a simple yet effective wing formation." Handing the scroll to Kalierre to pass around, she continued.

"In this formation, there will be two staggered Vees. Savitri and I will be on point, and will be flanked by one Green and one Blue. There will be three levels to this formation. F'rah and S'rei, you are given free range above the main body, I intend for both of you to be the early warning system if a large chunk of Thread has been missed. Under them, I will lead the first Vee. Under my team will be Savitri's." Crossing her arms with a small frown, Kaegan continued. "R'fuin, J'on, N'len and the absent Lennae, you are the first rotation. "Kalierre, X'eni, Virenna, and... the absent W'ri, will be the second rotation. If you look, there are marks by your name corresponding with the person you will rotate with." A pause. "Are there any questions you wish answered?"

Side view of Formation

---

Crossing his hands behind his back as the rest of the wing began to arrive, the Brownrider tracked both Kalierre and S'rei's progress over the span of land between them. Acknowledging the Bronzeriders wave with one of his own, F'rah took a few steps forward, moving to stand closer to his own Dragon until it was time to speak of the formation. /Rahmine. I do hope this Fall won't end up in fighting like it did the last time. I did not like fighting brethren, even if they are from a different blood line./ We all hope that too, Styth. I'm sure, that if there is an attack, we will be ready. Stepping backward to balance himself as the Brown nudged him affectionately, the Wingrider used his height to reach as far up Styth's head as he could, returning the feelings.

Returning to the small group of riders as the Weyrwoman asked for their attention, F'rah folded his arms, listening quietly as she explained the flight pattern.

[Requiem]

Hello, hello! Phremath greeted both golds cheerfully. She was far too shy to engage a gold or bronze she hadn't really spoken much with before, however the green had no qualms with responding to them when they spoke to her first. Studying Rinagth and Ylonth curiously, the small Phremath attempted a welcoming croon.

Salenth's rumble likely drowned out her softer sound as his gaze fixed peacefully on Millieth. In truth, he wasn't too comfortable in a wing with golds at the head, not after Aslath. That queen, however, was gone, and his grief for her was just as genuine as his irritation had been, so he couldn't think too negatively of the deceased. Which made his unease with Millieth and Hepaticath rather understated. They were really quite young compared to him, too, he thought with some amusement. Extremely young. He felt like his hide should be going gray by comparison.

Well met as always, Millieth. A little formal, but she'd been formal herself and he really hadn't had much dealings with her that he could recall. Hepaticath's greeting caught him a little off-guard in the wake of the older queen's, and he turned his curious gaze on her. Yes. It is Salenth, Hepaticath, and I don't believe we've met either. I'm sure I would remember if we had. Actually, he might not have, but he was going for courtesy here after all.

Returning Savitri's smile with one of her own, Kalierre flicked a glance toward Kaegan and sheathed her knife deliberately. It looked as if they were about to get started here. Even S'rei had drifted close enough to hear the woman, and the dragonhealer took the scroll from Kaegan's hands, scanning it quickly. She figured the goldrider knew of Phremath and her strange mode of flight, but that didn't stop her from asking the question, just in case. "Phremath and I can't always keep formation perfectly. That's not going to throw you off, is it?" In truth, Phremath tended to work better with more freedom; the green's betweening method lent itself to flexibility.

S'rei's eyes, too, scanned the paper for a moment, though he had to admit that he'd been just a bit skeptical when Kaegan announced that her planned wing formation was 'effective.' It wasn't so much that he thought she was incapable of coming up with something that would work. Rather, he wondered how she could know it was effective if she hadn't tried it before - when she had no real experience with any of this. The plan didn't seem like a bad one at first glance, though. Smaller, more manueverable formations...greens and blues to back up the golds if they needed it, given the queens weren't exactly fast or manueverable. And both he and F'rah had both experience and dragons of a large enough size that they could run interference for the rest.

A brief nod of acceptance...which was, in itself, a rather high compliment from the bronzerider given he wasn't in the best of moods at present and hadn't been expecting much from Kaegan at all.

[weaving]

Mine, Millieth is calling. We are to report for Wing drills.

The green’s gentle but urgent voice stirred the young woman from her sleep. She’d been sleeping more than usual lately, having been recovering from illness. What had initially been a simple cold had rapidly turned into more. Jermayan thought that her experiments with the drugs at High Reaches could have weakened her immune system, perhaps for forever. While not pleasant news, at least she knew that keeping an eye on her health was something she should start doing.

We’re late! Wake up! We have to hurry or else Millieth will be quite upset.

Lennae started awake, her eyes blinking quickly as she tried to make sense of what was happening. She’d drifted off unintentionally after Amith’s initial wake up call, which would probably result in some sort of punishment for showing up to wing drills late. The green didn’t need to say anything else as the woman hopped out of bed, quickly throwing on the first clothing she found, not caring what state of cleanliness they were in.

“Alright, let’s get these straps on…” Hands long accustomed to these movements deftly buckled together the leather fighting straps around Amith, who stood patiently, only the tip of her tail twitching in agitation. I do hope that Millieth and the others understand. We didn’t mean to be so late. You’ve been sick and I tried…ooh… The green continued on in her worrying way, clearly distressed by this. The idea of upsetting Millieth, or any of the other higher ranking dragons for that matter, had Amith twitching nervously.

“Hush, everything will be fine. It’s not your fault. Now, off we go.” Lennae mounted smoothly moments before Amith pushed off from their weyrledge. It wasn’t long before the pair neared the assigned meeting place, landing not far from the group. Lennae approached with caution, doing her best not to disrupt Kaegan as she went over what looked to be formations. Quietly, she waited at the edge of the group, studying the chart as it came her way. Looked simple enough, though she hoped that Kaegan had not made any verbal additions to it that she had missed. She’d apologize and alert the goldrider of her presence once it was time to fly. For now, she’d do nothing to interrupt this meeting.