Fear lesson six

[Kisha-Ra]

As she did all too often Darya stood in the corner of the classroom, a pale, lean, ghost in dark clothing that lend her purposefully sinister air. She liked to keep her students off balance, but she was never sure how well it worked. Some of them managed to keep her off balance a lot more than she suspected she did them.

Well if anything the set up for this lesson should keep them off balance. Darya had shoved the normally separate desks together in the middle of the room so the class could work as a group, and scattered on those desks haphazardly were rolls of charts. Call the children then Azrath, and have the dragons go outside with you, get them warming up. I’m sure knowing their mindmates are waiting will get them working on these charts. Or t least I hope so. Besides, the dragons are getting far too big to be in here with us.

Azrath rumbled softly, amused by the way his chosen expressed herself. If you’re hoping they’ll have some kind of innate understanding I think you will be disappointed.[/color] The dragon pointed out, knowing that was what Darya would like best, and also knowing that she fully expected to have one of her heads after this lesson. Nevertheless I shall call them for you. Better get this done before the day really heats up again. We don’t want our whole class coming down with sun sickness.[/color]

Indeed not. Darya agreed vehemently as Azrath spoke to the weyrling dragons and riders. Report to the classroom weyrlingriders. Dragons, report to me outside.[/color] Azrath decided to keep things simple.

‘Good morning. Probably.’ Darya greeted the first of the class as they began trickling into the room. ‘Find a seat everyone. We’ve got a great deal to cover this morning.’

[Requiem]

Quarter sleeves and lighter cotton pants in a soft tan didn't do much to stave off the heat. Neither did gathering the slightly longish hair back at his nape - though it was better than nothing, he supposed. It was fortunate that Minnie was obedient; rumor held that many of the smaller draconids were succumbing to the heat, and she was still a baby yet. He'd supplied her with a cool bowl of water to curl up in during the hottest hours of the day to help her maintain her body temperature, and was meticulous with her care - only Eveyth received more attention. (Ironically, the green appeared to be wholly uneffected by this heat, and might even be more energetic.) X'rx himself found the temperature to be...negligible...though he was southern enough to know to increase fluid intake even if he personally didn't feel miserable.

The little green - who was quickly growing into a not-so-little green, trotted up to Azrath and immediately flopped down at his feet to wait, nuzzling his leg and crooning a greeting. Teacher Azrath, what are we doing today? Please, please tell me. I promise to keep it secret forever and evers. Or at least until she forgot it, which in effect ensured that she'd keep her promise. Ironically enough.

X'rx settled into a seat awkwardly, staring at the charts for a long moment. Lessons with Dy and Meagen simply hadn't happened - or they'd gone ahead and done it without him - and the markings looked just like that to him - like markings. Completely indecipherable lines. X'rx mentally shrugged, glancing up at Darya. "I can't really...read these," he told her quietly.

[Rei]

Feyrianth nudged Erilena’s shoulder to point her in the right direction. Classrooms Lena love. I have to stay out here. She said softly. The weyrling clung to her dragon’s muzzle for a moment. I don’t want to go. Can’t I just stay with you? Huffing softly Feyrianth nudged her a bit more firmly. You know you can’t. I promise I will be right here waiting when you get back love. If you hurry you will be with me sooner than you know. Alright. The girl agreed reluctantly before stepping across the field and entering the classroom.

Upon entering Erilena kept her eyes focused on the floor and moved automatically to do as Darya asked. She offered no greeting and slid into an unoccupied seat, eyes flitting across the charts on front of her. She awaited instruction, hands clasped in her, lap eyes remaining riveted to the paper in front of her. She just couldn’t bare to look at them. She was sick of being pitied. None of them got it anyway. Maybe if she just pretended none of them where here.

Feyrianth crooned softly to Azrath before settling herself a few lengths away from him. Eveyth was offered a croon of greeting as well but nothing else. The four-winged green was far too concerned with how hers was doing to really pay any real attention to her siblings.

~~~

Cr’oph strode into the room in an obvious good mood. He offered X’rx a smile before choosing a seat close to the greenrider. Leaning back in his chair he examined the charts on front of him. Tucking his braided hair back behind him, the bronzeweyrling nudged his companion in the side. “I can. Need help?” Really he had no clue that the greenrider didn’t know how to read. He could help if it was needed. Maybe even offer lessons? He offered a small wave to Erilena and slightly frowned when she didn’t even seem to notice. It made him feel slightly awkward knowing what happened but not being able to do anything about it.

Mavenath approached his siblings and teacher with a confident step. Good morning Azrath. To Eveyth he offered a croon and nuzzle. Morning Evie. Flicking his wings he touched Feyrianth’s mind also lightly. Hello Feyrianth. Greetings done he settled to wait out the rest of his siblings.

[Ember]

Being from the south didn't seem to give Dy'shi and resistance to the heat. It was the humidity that really killed him. The boy trudged towards the lesson room, dreading the time spent in the stuffy classroom. Sadly, lessons had to go on despite the insane heat. The boy parted from Chakraith with a quick half-hug of her muzzle. Normally he would have watched someone walk away before doing so but the blue generally waited for him to go first. The boy arrived at the class and entered.

He immediately winced when he saw the charts on the combined desks. Dy'shi had gotten all of one lesson with Meagen before the girl had seemingly dropped off the surface of Pern. He approached the table almost warily. He came up next to X'rx and smiled slightly. At least they were in this together? He'd listen to the others as they talked and that would give him an idea of was going on.

Chakraith made her way over to Azrath and her clutchsiblings. She gently brushed the minds of all present in greeting but she had something to do before she could sit and wait. She went up to Azrath and sat in front of him. Azrath, Mine and I were brought together before he had a chance to learn to understand writings. He would not admit it, so I am informing you. That said she waited calmly for a response.

[mierce]

By now, Cer'c enthusiasm for lessons had dwindled to be nearly negligible. This wasn't really surprising for him, but the reality was that the heat simply didn't make it any easier to concentrate. Thus, Azrath's message though expected, was simply met with a groan from the boy. He pondered whether it would be all right to simply.... skip a lesson.

Harmonyth stared at him, her eyes a somewhat menacing shade of red. We go. Cer'c knew she wasn't really angry with him, but it was scary nonetheless.

A few long minutes later, Harmonyth, arrived to meet with Azrath. She nodded to him in greeting, and settled down on the ground to await instruction. Cer'c, too, made his way to the classroom. "Hi everyone~~!" he said cheerfully and made his way over to a desk. It was only after he sat down that he realized what a jumble the furniture had become, and that there was a mess of paper scattered across their surface. "What's this for?"

[Kisha-Ra]

Darya gave X’rx one of her best exasperated raised eyebrow looks, misunderstanding the meaning of the lad’s confession. ‘That’s what you’re going to be learning this morning before you get to go out and play with your green.’ She replied taking his comment to mean that he couldn’t read the charts rather than that he couldn’t read at all. Fortunately the arrival of the second student into the room silenced Darya for a moment, had Eirlena ever looked like that before? Ah, her salamandyr had been one of those to succumb to heat sickness hadn’t he? Not much she could do about that unfortunately, the only thing that would help the girl was time, and maybe a shoulder to cry on but Darya was hardly the right person for that.

‘Oh don’t look like that Dy’shi, wait until I’ve started teaching before you pull faces. Believe me you’ll have more than enough to pull them at.’ Cr’oph was ignored apart from a slight wave of acknowledgement in favour of half heartedly scolding the younger boy. ‘That, Cer’c, would be for the lesson.’ Darya replied with a deadpan look.

Azrath rumbled softly and nudged Eveyth’s shoulder playfully with his muzzle. It’s no secret, Eveyth. If it was secret then how would you learn it? Hiding in the shadows perhaps? His rider always associated whispering in the shadows with secrets I think I’d better wait until everyone is here, everyone should know what we’re doing.[/I]

The next dragon to arrive earned a sympathetic croon from the blue, While he personally didn’t have to support a bereaved mind mate there were plenty of dragons in her situation at the moment, including Azrath’s partner in crime Ylonth, so the blue had heard enough recently to be concerned. If it helps mine says time is the great healer. The blue offered a word of comfort privately. Mind you she often says that is a cold comfort. he added thoughtfully before wisely tapering off into silence.

With his eyes flickering briefly in shades of embarrassment Azrath brushed his thoughts politely against Mavenath’s before Chakraith distracted him. Do not worry too much Chakraith. The charts are not like other written things so yours won’t be far behind the others. I would advise that he finds someone to learn from before mine decides to do that written test she often threatens.[/color] Azrath had no idea how humans passed on the knowledge of reading and writing but it had to be quite easy because even young children could learn it. Harpers teach these things.[/color] He added, pleased that he’d recalled that, though really he’d filched the knowledge from Darya’s memory, treating his rider’s mind as a strange encyclopaedia.

When most of the class had turned up Darya picked up a larger copy of the charts that were on the table and unrolled it, carefully pinning it to the wall. ‘Threadfall charts, they aren’t fascinating but they are very important. So you’re going to have to learn to read and understand them, and memorise them eventually. Now this symbol means…’ Darya’s explaination was long, often complex, sometimes boring, and punctuated with many, many, pauses for questions, answers, and sub explanations. The charts tended to be complicated enough without the added worry of only having basic reading skills.

At last Darya wound down and looked back at the class. ‘I hope everyone understands so far, or at least that you’ll come forward and tell me if you don’t, it need not be a public confession though. In any case since I judge our minds and backsides sufficiently numbed by these charts, it’s outside for some ground drill and leaping exercises. You’ll be riding through these exercises, so go and collect your gear and meet outside for the rest of the lesson.’ That said Darya turned and began to roll up her chart. ‘If you take too long I’ll come looking for you.’ She threatened.

[Requiem]

He merely stared at Darya for a long moment. Oh, she thought he meant the charts specifically, didn't she? (That had to be it; he'd never heard of anyone learning to read in a candlemark.) Shifting slightly, he began, "No, I meant -" Nevermind. Just nevermind. She'd already moved on to talk to someone else, and while taking up her time was all well and good while they were the only ones here, he wasn't going to interrupt her when she was involved with someone else. Returning Dy'shi's smile, he frowned back down at the chart, eyes flicking toward Cr'oph. "Thanks," he murmured. "I don't think she really...understood what I meant." Or maybe she didn't care. Who knew? With Darya, it could definitely go either way.

The greenweyrling settled in for what was turning into an exceedingly longwinded explanation considering they were only talking about a set of charts. Dates. Okay, that was easy. Numbers he had no trouble with. The pictures were okay, too, because he knew the region. This was his home. And he could guess what the labels were, at least in the immediate vicinity of Selenitas Weyr, simply because he already knew what was supposed to be there. But farther out along the coastlines, that started to get lost. Scrunching up his nose, he cocked his head to one side, having long since started tuning Darya out. All of the lingo he was familiar with, and only what marks meant what were actually necessary for him to figure out what the charts were attempting to tell them.

Her words drew his head up, and he blew the hair from his face. "Uh, can you go over what the labels are for the region up the coast? I can't read." Maybe this time she'd understand. If not, he could ask Cr'oph. But she should probably know eventually anyway, so why not now? After another moment, he added, "These charts are a turn old, aren't they? Last fall was..." His hand drifted to a different spot. Then he shrugged, hoping she'd answer the question quickly so they could get out. (He'd deliberately waited until after she'd dismissed them so the others wouldn't have to wait around just so he could get the names filed away into memory.)

Is that a good way to learn secrets, Azrath? she asked the blue eagerly, before turning her head toward Maverick and crooning to him. Good morning, Maverick, Fairy and Chakkers! Azrath says that if we hide in shadows we can learn secrets.

[Shiny]

J'ash wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. He had literally run all the way to the lesson and had slipped in as silently as he could in the middle of her speech. As he sat down, he smiled around the classroom, glad to see the familiar - yet still unintroduced - faces of his fellow weyrlings. He sort of had an idea of what the charts were for. At least he could piece it together. The blond was able to read at the speed of molasses, but it was better than being completely illiterate. He wondered who else was able to read the charts; and for that matter, who couldn't. He would offer to help, even if his reading abilities were poor, but he didn't know who was literate and who wasn't.

When Darya ordered them to fetch their gear and get outside, J'ash nearly groaned. He was practically still panting from his panicked running to arrive there - and no sooner had he arrived, he had to leave again!

J'ash quickly left to retrieve his gear, trying to avoid eye contact with Darya. She was rather scary, but it wasn't that he minded (at least, not primarily); he was embarrassed for being late and didn't want to suffer her stabbing gaze.

Craivaruth trotted towards Azrath. Sorry if I kept you waiting. He regarded the other dragons with turquoise eyes. He was not very familiar with any of those present, but he was feeling slightly more social at the time, strangely. Hello, everyone..![/color] An attempt at a somewhat greeting tone. At least he tried.