Rotation 1, Lesson 1

[dragon]

Lesson 1

-Welcome to the Weyr! – Things to know about living in a Weyr, things required as candidates, basic needs at a Hatching

---

It was time to teach the newest members of the Candidate ranks, and get them started on the road toward becoming steady Dragonriders that Pern could count upon.

Emoyan rather wanted to break this class up into smaller bits, but he didn't really have the time for a third class at the moment. He just hoped that this newest batch were going to be better behaved than the last batch.

He had sent Rascal and Voyager to round everyone up, as there really was no telling where everyone was at the moment. Hopefully they were all nearby. Both flitters had been equipped with neatly written notes to show to said Candidates. Just to be sure that they didn't just get confused by the flitters trying to impress upon them the notion of going to lessons.

Skink ... she wasn't to be trusted. Likely as not she'd eat the note, and then run off to go find Sylph. So instead he'd set her to guarding a candle flame. She wasn't sure why she had to guard it, but for the moment she was sitting like a statue, snout a mere two inches away from the gently waving flame, watching it like a hawk. It was almost funny ... Emoyan was pretty sure she was going to be partially blind for awhile after she stopped looking at it. But so long as she thought it was a prestigeous task, he was pretty sure she'd keep doing it.

---

Yoalla
Meagen
Nitsa
Kiana
Ariya
Maya
Kevin
Talien
Mihkal
Dmitri
Eikane
Rulven

[Ember]

Eikane brushed down his hair with his hand. Today it was being difficult and this greatly annoyed the Journeyman Harper. As he approached the place where he'd been told candidate lessons took place he gave his hair one last brush before knocking on the door and entering. Ah, that should be the Candidate Master Emoyan. He walked to the man with a friendly smile and extended his hand. "Good day Candidate Master Emoyan. I am Harper Eikane," he said, his rich tenor voice giving no hint to his intentions.

Maybe if Emoyan would humour him - surely he knew of a Harper's insatiable curiosity? - he could return the favour. "I was wondering if I could sit in on lessons? I was sent by the Master Harper," the last two words were said in a way that implied dislike for the man, "to replace some of the Harpers that were killed in the Attack. However, my request to crash your lessons is purely a selfish desire to learn more about the weyr. Perhaps we can work out some way I could repay you if I joined in?"

If he remembered right Emoyan had been a Harper himself. Perhaps together with Dmitri the three could liven up the weyr's entertainment night...or something. Surely the three Journeymen could add a Harper's flair to Selenitas in some way. He would have to see.

[Requiem]

The tall figure that glided in behind Eikane was a creature of delicate grace, and clearly younger. "Ah, Eikane. You left me to the mindhealer. Quite rude you know." Glancing around, a thin brow lifted into his hairline, freckled nose wrinkling mildly. His gaze lighted on Emoyan, and he folded into a half-bow that only made him look like a dancer even more. The harper tugged lightly at his glove to pull it snug. "I thought we were going to approach the Candidatemaster together about becoming candidates." He shot Eikane a neutral glance that his fellow should be able to read as a warning, if he knew Dmitri at all, before smiling down on the dragonless candidatemaster.

"He can be a tad flighty at times." Or most of the time, really. Dmitri fully intended to get a good, close look at these Hatchings, and that could hardly be done from the outskirts. How were you supposed to capture the full experience of something if you didn't experience it fully? He also had to confess that he'd like to see what was so exciting for so many people, and why they changed into the cretins that made up the dragonrider ranks. A little before-and-after comparison would be quite enlightening.

Of course, Dmitri hardly intended to Impress, merely observe. He just knew he wouldn't get anywhere near the clutches unless he counted himself a candidate. So. If Eikane was looking for the same sort of knowledge (which Dmitri rather expected he was) this was the best way to go about it, right?

"I don't suppose you still play or sing on occasion?" Dmitri questioned, his soft smile again predominant on the overly pretty face. "Actually, Eikane and I could use a strong bass. My voice doesn't go quite that low. That or another tenor. I haven't decided. Three voices are always better than one, though." A true question, this, even if he was playing on Emoyan for favor; Dmitri always had a piece in the works, and the one battering about in his head needed to be solidified soon before it drove him half-mad.

[dragon]

Emoyan looked over as two young lads came into the lessons ... neither of which he had been expecting. Neither of them were Candidates. Funny, how non candidates knew about lesson times better than actual Candidates did ... and responded faster, too. That ... was mildly frustrating, to be sure. But it didn't show on the man's face.

"Good day, Eikane." He greeted, amiably with a small smile and nod, before turning his attention to the second lad. Who failed to introduce himself. When the introduction failed to come, he shifted his attention back to Eikane to listen to what he had to say.

He smiled slightly at the request, and nodded. "I don't mind at all if you sit in." Emoyan's attention shifted again, back to the second lad, and his comments. Scathing, belittling, and arrogant. And casting a whole other image from that Eikane had presented. Rather than sitting in, this one wanted to be a Candidate? "Either of you." He added, graciously. "But;" He added, looking to the second youth. "Candidacy is no easy thing. You have to do more than sit in on lessons. You have to learn them, remember them, take care of the assignments given you, and above all be prepared for Impression." Emoyan warned. He didn't mind non-searched people trying out for Candidacy. Quite a few Weyr youths Impressed, never having been Searched. And a few wandering Holders, too, for that matter.

But then the youth then asked about music. "I do still play." Emoyan admitted, with a small smile. "I recently acquired a few new instruments, even." He told the lad. "I've a gitar, a floor harp, hand harp, and two drums. But I do not sing lessons, if that is what you are asking." He said, just to be clear. "I usually only sing at gathers and other such functions." He'd certainly had more time for Harpering since he'd lost his dragon ... it had helped keep his mind off the loss, that was for sure.

[zoie]

Nitsa thought that she was bright and early for today's candidate Lesson. She had gotten ready and everything, and when the Cnadidatemaster's fire lizard found her, she had gotten to the classroom quickly.

Not quickly enough, it seemed. The Cnadidatemanster (Emoyan, she thought) was already talking to two young men. She had a distinct feeling hat neither were candidates. She waited for him to stop talking, before saying, "Here for hte candidate Lesson, sir."

She took a seat at a table, eyeing the other two speculatively. Harpers? What were they doing here? Whatever. If they didn''t get in the way, she wouldn't do anything about it. She was here to learn, she thought.

[Kisha-Ra]

Yoalla had the misfortune to have been in the baths when the firelizard borne note reached her, so she arrived rather damp, hastily dressed, and slightly irritable to start with. She was not best pleased to see and hear harpers first thing upon arriving in the room. She hoped the lessons would at least be written or something, if she was expected to sing she’d probably fail the class.

To her further annoyance music was the discussion topic between those two and the candidate master, that and sitting in on lessons anyway. Just wonderful, any folly in this room would probably find a new life as a comic song. Yoalla sighed deeply and took a languid pose, leaning against the doorframe. ‘Excuse me, I’m none too musically minded, so do you mind telling me now who I have to sleep with to get out of these classes?’ She was probably going to be in trouble before the lesson even started, she realised as the words left her mouth, but at least the harper lads would be too embarrassed to write this into a song.

[Ember]

Eikane chuckled at Dmitri's greeting. "I'm sure with your charms the mindhealer was no trouble at all," the older of the two Harper's said with dry amusement. The warning glance slid by with no comment or reaction, but it was noted. Dmitri could complain all he liked, Eikane had his own agenda most of the time and was quite willing to carry out his own wishes should his companion prove too unruly for him. Bumbling about with his behaviour towards the Candidatemaster. Eikane tolerantly let it be. Besides, was there any real harm done now that they were both there? In the slight pause a girl entered and greeted Emoyan before taking a seat. Hmm, where were all his other students?

To Emoyan Eikane gve an amused wink at the flighty comment. "Guilty as charged...on occasion at least." The simple fact was that he and Dmitri often did the same thing in a different way. With a mock sigh at the youth Eikane added on to what the boy had said, "Dmitri's a little more ambitious. I want to do everything but Stand. I'll gladly just take a front row in the Stands during Hatching." No need to get his pretty face mauled by a dragonet and he wouldn't have to concentrate on tooth and claw while drawing if he was in the Stands.

Dmitri did bring up the topic of music at the very least. Beaten to the punch! Eikane was well pleased at the list of instruments. Perhaps he could ask for a loan of the floor harp. Such a thing was a bit too heavy to drag down to the South with him. His own gitar had come but that was it. At least Dmitri, of the two of them, could write decent music. Eikane had never understood why he himself could not. About to answer the singing lessons comment the Harper turned at the voice of another girl. His amusement showed clearly on his face at her question. For the benefit of both her and Emoyan he said, "I have no intention to teach these lessons by singing nor do I intend to pressure your Candidatemaster into doing so."

[dragon]

Facing the doorway as he was, Emoyan noticed when students finally started arriving. He nodded to Nitsa as she arrived, reaching down to put a tick mark next to her name on a list on the table. There were enough Candidates rolling around that he'd had to resort to list keeping to keep track of them all! But that only worked if he could keep Skink away from them, though...

He also noticed when another girl arrived, looking rather sodden. Swimming, apparently. And in a rather foul mood. Yoalla, he recognized her. To her name, he also added a tick. "You aren't going to be required to sleep with anyone, miss, nor are you going to be required to participate in any songs." He told her, gently. He gestured to the chairs in the common room closest to where he'd set up his table and the parchments he'd laid out. "If you girls would sit over here in the lesson area, I'd be much obliged." Emoyan instructed.

While waiting for more students to arrive and for the girls to get situated, he turned his attention back to Eikane. "Alright, I have no problem with that, either." He assured the lad, before gesturing again at the nearer seats. He didn't like having to yell all the way across the hall to teach a class, and thus preferred if his students made themselves comfortable in the near end of the room.

"Lessons will begin very shortly, now." He warned, picking up a stack of parchments off the end of the table. Those who missed the lesson were simply going to be bumped into the next class. Emoyan didn't graduate delinquents.

[Requiem]

To Eikane's flippant comment, Dmitri merely shrugged. More ambitious? Quite probably. He met Emoyan's gaze in perfect innocence, for once. As the boy hadn't even introduced himself, much less made any formal request to become a candidate, he hadn't expected an answer. The comment was more intended to clue Eikane in on what he was thinking than anything else.

Clearly, though, southerners (or perhaps simply dragonriders) operated on a different level than the people he was used to. Something to keep in mind. "Thanks?" Kind of. A bit condescending there, but Dmitri was hardly the sort to call anyone out on such behavior. Yes. He'd just sit in on lessons and allow them to go in one ear and out the other. If nothing else, his curiosity had to be reliable. And what was that comment about singing lessons?

Just another one of those older harpers who couldn't seem to have a normal conversation with a younger one. Sure, he was a teenager, but he was still a journeyman, wasn't he? Oh well. It was the Candidatemaster's loss.

"I was actually thinking of putting something together for the entertainment value. Let me know if you're interested. If you ask for Dmitri, they'll know who you're talking about." And he'd leave it at that. Dmitri figured that if Emoyan wanted to keep them at arm's length, he'd be more than willing to let him. Besides, the girl who had a bad case of 'open mouth, insert foot' syndome was far more interesting.

Dmitri drifted toward the part of the classroom indicated and settled himself in a chair, looking over the other 'pupils' with veiled interest. Southern women were an oddity to him, to say the least.

[rii]

Was this it?

Rulven eyed the group currently clogging the front of the classroom, seeming to be engaging the Candidate Master--or who he assumed to be the Master--in conversation, or just bunching close enough to brush against each other. Rulven didn't know, did not really care to know, but they were all in his way. He was not the type of build to daintily sneak in and slither his way through the young candidates. Plowing through them would be more fitting, but manners prevented Rulven from such an action.

Expelling an audible sigh, Rulven forced an uncertain smile onto his features and carefully stepped his way around the girl leaning in the doorway. He skirted around the chatty harpers and moved to claim a seat half-way to the back of the room. As he sat down and stretched his long legs, Rulven curiously looked around the room. He did not know what to expect, having never attended a lesson in all his life. His teachings came from his Uncle and five sisters; and their knowledge may as well differ greatly from the rest of the world; especially a Weyr.

Folding his arms over the table, Rulven set his chin on his heavily scarred forearm and quietly observed the others; waiting for something of interest to happen.

[Kisha-Ra]

There was something in Emoyan’s tone that both annoyed and challenged Yoalla, so much so that she focused solely on him rather than anyone else in the room, she was glad to hear him say that singing was not mandatory but not so much that she forgot her irritation. ‘Oh and here I was offering something for free.’ She murmured as she strutted, most unsubtly indeed, past the man and folded gracefully into a chair that would probably prove to be hellishly uncomfortable within the next few minutes.

Though she took, quite deliberately, a disconcertingly attentive pose for someone who’d been leaning in the doorway moments ago, Yoalla made certain she also used all those little hints of invitation she’d so carefully practiced, and once again she focused solely on Emoyan. She’d seen him mark her off on a list, which meant he knew who she was. Perhaps, if he knew she’d been a doxie, she could get his attention and get out of these lessons.

[dragon]

Emoyan nodded slightly to Dmitri. "Entertaining is always fun. I look forward to looking over what you've got." He answered, as the youth moved to a seat. He waited a moment as the rest that had arrived filtered to thier seats. Well ... this was a surprisingly small class. Somehow, it always astounded him to realize just how many dragon candidates weren't really interested in the position. Why were they here, then? The supposedly free food?

He cast Yoalla a strange look for a moment, before he realized what it was she was doing, and what her probable background was. And then he didn't pay her any more mind, shifting his attention back to the lesson at hand. "Alright. This is your first lesson as Candidates. Before we begin, I'd like to welcome you all to Selenitas Weyr. If you have trouble finding anything, or with any other matter, feel free to come forward with it. I'd be delighted to help you."

"Our first item today, is that you need to know that a Weyr is unlike any other place you'll find on the face of Pern. In some cases, Weyrs are stark contrasts to Holds. Things run a bit differently here, and it can be a bit disturbing at first if you're not prepared for it. The leadership in a Weyr changes regularly, with very few rare exceptions. This means that the people in charge were not born into that role, and in a single short Turn, may no longer be the person in charge any more. This is all decided by the dragons. Hard to understand, I'm sure, but there is method to the madness. The only exception to this rule are the Weyrwomen. The Sr. Weyrwoman is in charge, permanently, until the day she and or her dragon dies. At which time the torch is passed on to the rider of the next Queen to rise. This is the only instance in which a Jr. Weyrwoman can ascend to the rank of Sr. Weyrwoman. The Weyrleaders, the Wingleaders ... they all change out fairly regularly. About once every turn. A new Weyrleader comes into power and inevitibly they have to play stirr the pot with the wings. But that is how things are. Another point that will stand out a great deal. In a Weyr, people are not nearly as modest as they are elsewhere. There will be some very strange seeming pairings going on, and sometimes even people running around completely nude ... possibly even whacking each other as they go. Just ... stay out of thier way, don't bother them. You could get hurt if you try. Sometimes they are not possessed of thier senses when this happens - thier dragons have a keen hold on thier minds at certain times of the year and it makes them do some really strange things. So just stay out of thier way and you'll be alright."

"Unlike other Weyrs, Selenitas has a river running through the middle of it, bisecting it into two halves. Included is a waterfall. Swimming in the river below the falls is allowed. I do not suggest entering the water above the falls ... you can all too easily go over the fall and die upon landing. There are sharp rocks and powerful undertows at the bottom. The water at the top is also quite powerful and even strong swimmers are hard pressed to escape its grasp in time. So do be careful of the river. There are boat and docks at intervals on the rivers, equipped with oars. And sometimes even rowers. Use them. They are a safe means by way to travel across the river."

"As Candidates, you will be expected to attend lessons. If you do not attend lessons, then you will never graduate. If you do not graduate, you can not stand for Impression. The only exception to this rule is if you arrive at the Weyr just prior to a Hatching, and have attended lessons faithfully but did not manage the full roster before Hatching. Studiousness and fidelity are rewarded."

"As Candidates, you will also be expected to perform simple tasks. They are termed chores ... for obvious reasons. The chores vary from group to group, and each task has its own specialties. For instance, if you find yourself tasked in the Archives, then pay attention to and obey the Archivist. These chores are important and are not to be skipped. Not only in performing these tasks are you helping in keeping the Weyr functioning, but you are also learning important skills that you will need later on in life as a potential Dragon Rider. They also give you a sense of resepect for the people who keep the Weyr running, as you will know just exactly what those people do, day in and day out, to make sure things happen as they should. They say that without Dragons and riders, a Weyr would not exist. But it is also just as true that without Drudges and Weyrfolk, a Weyr can not exist, nor operate. At all. We need these people, treat them with the respect they deserve. They are not to be put down, trodden upon, or otherwise abused. At current standing, as Candidates, you are conversely both the lowest ranked individuals in the Weyr and the most important individuals. Without Candidates, new dragons would not live past thier hatching days. Without new dragons, a Weyr is inevitably doomed. But keep in mind you are also very inexperienced and have a lot to learn."

"When Hatching day comes, you will need a few basic things. These will be found in each of your trunks. There you will find a white Hatching gown. If it does not fit, take it to the Headwoman, and she will get you one that does fit. It is imperative that you do this before the fated day, unless you want to run onto the sands wearing a sack ... or not be able to get into it at all. When Hatching day comes, you will know it. The dragons and flitters will all be humming fit to vibrate the stone out from underneath you. When the time comes, I will come get you - you had best be prepared by the time I do. And I will take you to the sands, where you will first pay respect to the Queen mother, and then you will take your place upon the sands. Then, you will either Impress or not. If you don't, don't worry. There is always another Hatching later on."

"I have here some overviews of some of what I've covered, plus some other things, as well as written lists of who the current important people are, in the Weyr." Emoyan said, moving amongst them and giving each of them a peice of parchment. Each page was covered in small, orderly, close script in neat hand. "If any of you have questions, feel free to ask them." He said, as he returned to the table and resumed leaning back against the edge of it. Having been anticipating quite a few more Candidates in this lesson, he had quite a few parchments left to lay back down on the surface. Skink peeped, and jumped up and down on the table, throwing her tail up over her head and flaring her frill. But then she glared at the candle she was supposed to be guarding.

[Ember]

Eikane gave Emoyan a gracious nod as he commented that lessons were ready to start very soon. He watched his partner go sit down and another male candidate enter as well before quietly adding, "I look forward to the chance of playing with you." He drfited off to find a seat of his own before the man began his lesson. The Southern Boll born man took a seat one row behind the closest the Emoyan. There were far more desks than needed though and his vision was unimpeded from where he sat.

Eikane listened as a dutiful apprentice might listen to their Master as Emoyan explained some of the inner workings of the weyr. It was interesting to an outsider genuinely seeking to learn more about it but he suspected some of the candidates to be quite bored. Though the Candidatemaster didn't touch on Craft Halls the principle was the same. A Master was much like a Lord Holder. The position was passed down to the most suitable candidate, although Lord Holders counted Blood as a desirable thing. The weyr leadership was entirely up to the dragons. That seemed...dangerous. It had nearly worked against them once. Eikane had heard about C'leon bringing his bronze beast South to attempt to catch the Senior Queen. What would have been the fate of this weyr if Morsrath had caught Aslath?

Heh, imagine that. Eikane was certain the 'people running around nude' were people whose dragons were participating in a Flight. The lesson coinciding with where Eikane's thoughts had turned brought him back on track rather effectively. The river safety tip was taken to heart. The Journeyman Harper had no intentions of beign swept to his death over a waterfall, thank you. The lessons and rank part of the talk was not ignored but the Harper didn't think much of that. While he did intend to attend lessons that was by his own choice and not just a con to being Searched. Plus as Journeyman Harper he outranked the people he was sitting with. He wasn't just a candidate...or faux candidate.

The part about Hatching day brought a slightly amused grin to the Harper's face. He wouldn't be Standing that day, so no need to use the white robe provided for him. All he'd need that day would be his wits and his sketchbook. With the Candidatemaster's information sheet in hand and the floor open to questions Eikane raised a hand and curiously inquired, "What is that little creature on your desk?" It was very small and quite a strange looking thing. His attention had been brought to it when Emoyan had returned the spare papers - no doubt those had been for the absent candidates - to the desk and the lizard-thing had jumped.

[rii]

Rulven snorted softly into his forearm at the comment concerning the difference between Weyr and Hold life. As a journeyman smith from Hyphen, he did not need to be reminded. The process of becoming comfortable with the new lifestyle would take time--and Rulven did not look forward to adjusting to some of the more peculiar quirks. As Emoyan went on, Rulven mentally simplified the lesson to fit his understanding.

• Weyr was run by the Dragons.
  
• Stay away from naked people.
  
• No swimming. Rulven was more of a fire and earth person, not water. So it didn't matter where swimming was allowed, he wouldn't go. He'd likely sink like a stone.
  
• Do your chores.
  
• Don't be a jerk.
  
• Listen to everyone else.
  
• When flits hum, eggs are hatching, wear white robes
  

Sitting up, Rulven accepted the sheet of parchment and blinked at the fine script. A faint flush crept over his cheekbones and Rulven carefully set the paper aside. The tall youth slowly sank back in his seat, glad he had chosen the back--he could wait for everyone to leave before approaching the Master. In the meanwhile he would debate whether or not what was written on the sheet was information worth knowing. Rulven couldn't exactly read. Oh, he could pick out a word here and there, but his Uncle never taught him those things. Rulven knew numbers, he could count money, he could figure out design plans for projects..

Picking the parchment back up, Rulven pointedly squinted at the words to act as if he was reading it..

[Requiem]

Oh dear, she was one of those wasn't she? Dmitri liked to tell himself he was openminded, but the only thing that came to mind at that knowledge was that the girl was dirty. He decided he'd spent about as much time observing her as he cared to, glanced toward the other, quiet female, then summarily readjusted his attentions to their teacher. At least the man had been somewhat gracious, if rather belatedly. Dmitri didn't much care for being treated as a child any more here than he had back at Harper Hall, secluded for his own 'protection.' He might be lesser than Emoyan as far as matters of Impression, dragonriders and wherhandlers went, but he wasn't lesser in his craft and the patronization wasn't appreciated.

The lecture held precious little of actual interest to Dmitri. He was weyrbred originally, after all, and the bare basics weren't unknown to him. Common sense things such as 'don't swim upstream near the really, really tall waterfall with nasty jagged rocks below just in case the fall doesn't kill you' almost made him want to laugh. The harper had to be certain to school his face so as not to allow the smirk to show. The candidatemaster must think them all idiots.

And if a candidate did happen to be stupid enough to go over, wasn't it better that he was not given up as an option to dragons or whers?

Matters of Impression were of even less interest. He had no intention of doing so. Nor would a creature choose him when he didn't want them. If he wasn't so certain of this truth, he wouldn't have risked going out as a pseudo candidate. Although paying your respects to the clutch mother was of some importance, as it had physical ramifications on one's health if that happened to slip their mind.

Not bothering to ask any questions, Dmitri instead rose from his seat, one of the other candidates having caught his eye. He drifted that direction and peered over the smith's shoulder with curiosity. If he didn't know any better, he'd swear the young man was trying to squint-glare holes through the paper. "I'm sure it can't be all that interesting," Dmitri commented dryly. "So what brings you to brave the judgment of the beasts? You've a good craft, and I'd wager you're decent at it, if your build's any indication. Why leave that for something uncertain?" Yes, the harper was always just a bit too curious, he was.