Rotation 1, Lesson 1

[dragon]

As the students perused thier papers, Emoyan nodded to Eikane as the question was set forth. "This ... this is Skink. She is of a species of draconic unique to the South ... and so far as I can tell, unique to this Weyr. I have not seen them bonded to any Holders yet, though undoubtedly it will happen eventually." And what a mess that would make! Holders bonded to creatures that affected them just like dragons did. No ... Holders would not like that one bit.

"We call them Salamandyrs ... but people also just call them mandyrs." Emoyan reached over, and stroked Skink, and the little green blot of mandyr arched her body upwards into it.

"Where they came from, I don't know. But they're not like flitters, other than being draconic. They can breed with flitters, but that only produces a crossed clutch that has both flitters and mandyrs in it. No mutations or strangeness like that." Emoyan said.

"Salamandyrs are a lot like dragons, actually. On the level of bond that they have with thier humans. Their emotions and thoughts can really have a heavy impact on a person, and can make them act just as strangely. They will bond to anyone, so far as I can tell. One young woman around here has two of them, as well as a dragon. It is strongly advised against Candidates impressing a Salamandyr for the dragon-like qualities that they have. If a Candidate wants one, they should wait until after they Impress a dragon, and after that dragon is grown. As mandyrs mature far more quickly, and thier dragon-like minds can seriously put a stress on the dragons at certain times. Such as runs and what not. If a Candidate does somehow end up impressing one, lessons on how to train and deal with a mandyr are mandatory. Those lessons are led by K'lir."

Who ... was a weyrling again. How odd was that?

"A word to the wise ... mandyrs are not benevolent creatures. So far as I can tell, they're all extroverted egomaniacs. Some do some of the meanest things, just for the fun of it." He warned. "This one, for instance ... if I or my flitters don't keep a close eye on her ... she'll shred every scrap of paper I own. And then blame it on any flitter she can. And yes ... they do talk. But in broken thoughts and words."

Skink not do! Skink not do! Skink good, not eat paper! Paper not taste bad! Skink protested to the whole room, bouncing up and down on all four legs. Which made for a rather hilarious sight ... a leaf sized green thing bouncing up and down as if she intended to be taken seriously.

[rii]

Names Rulven could learn over time, and the Candidate Master had spoken that the leadership frequently changed so those were not of high importance. The lesson had been relatively simple, making the over review unnecessary. It was the plus some other things that concerned the smith. He mulled over the paper a third time with an inner frown creasing his brow.

The sensation of something hovering, peering over his shoulder drew Rulven out of his brooding. With a wakening blink hazel eyes flicked side-long to examine his new visitor. Rulven laid the paper on the table while deciding that no, the information was not that interesting. Any information that Emoyan had not verbally gone over would eventually be learned during time spent at the Weyr.

Rulven took a moment to fully digest Dmitri's words--making a second decision that he did not like the manner of the boy's questioning. It gave off the impression that the other male was delving for specific information. The slight tensing in his shoulders was the silent, subtle indication of his discomfort. Rulven didn't like that, or rather truthfully, did not like the direction the inquiries would undoubtedly lead. A sore subject and Dmitri had unknowingly jabbed his probing finger into the healing bruise.

Regardless, Rulven still put on a friendly smile; one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I came here to work my craft for the Weyr."

The Salamandyrs' outburst drew Rulven's attention to the front of the room. A fine cue as any to take his leave. Rulven stood, glancing one last time at the harper. "Nothing is ever certain either. Change happens, so I best keep my options open." And with that the smith brushed past Dmitri and headed out of the room to avoid any follow-up questions.

[Kisha-Ra]

Yoalla allowed herself a small sulky pout as Emoyan pointedly ignored her and began the lesson. So much for getting out of it… She settled back into her chair and listened. Since was the first lesson it was bound to also be the most important. She privately thought she’d pass on asking the candidatemaster anything much though.

As she listened to the first part of this probably often given speech Yoalla considered the implications of allowing, so far as she could work out, the mating of dragons, decide the leadership of a Weyr. On one hand, certainly it allowed for change, which was good in most instances, however it also let an element of uncertainty in, there was no guarantee that the man (were weyrleaders always male? As far as she could remember from her lessons they were) with the strongest dragon might not be the best person to lead the Weyr. Also what made the woman who rode the first dragon to mate any worthier than her peers? That could mean that the least experienced goldrider could end up in charge. She shrugged slightly in response to her own thoughts, were blood right or named inheritance any better ways of choosing a leader? Probably not when it came right down to it.

It was implied that these ’strange pairings’ and possibly nude people would be under the influence of their dragons mating. The implication was also there that being hurt might come in the form of rape, a good way to scare the youngsters off without coming right out and saying it. Yoalla approved of these arts of implication, in a vague sort of way.

Yoalla’s dark eyebrow twitched just a little as it was mentioned that chores were supposed to teach them valuable skills. What use were scrubbing floors and chopping stew meat to dragonrider? Once again the answer occurred to her in her own mind, that some children had probably never worked hard in their lives, and looking after a voracious baby dragon would be work indeed.

Hatchings Yoalla thought she had a handle on since she had been to one, almost right after she arrived here. If in doubt copy the person in front of you and hope they’re doing it right. Yoalla took the parchment and skimmed it over, making a mental note to go through it more thoroughly at a later date.

Then someone asked a question she’d neen dying to know the answer to and Yoalla leaned forward to look more closely at the very small and only slightly firelizard like creature. She would argue that not all firelizards were sweetness and light, especially now she’d been around so many, the nice ones were sweet but plenty were annoying. The little green’s outburst was… interesting, and almost on cue as well. She seemed to have the vocabulary of a young child, and the same capacity for denial. Yoalla smiled, amused by the strange little creature. It was a shame Impressing one of them would get her an extra lesson, she thought, almost absentmindedly. Better find out more about them, but not now. Maybe she’d find this K’lir person around somewhere.

[Ember]

As his question was answered Eikane folded up the info sheet - having already looked over the names of importance and memorized them, of course - and listened to the answer. Interesting. No wonder he had never seen one before. They bonded like any other draconic species so it was not surprising they were confined to the South. There was no chance for anyone from the North to bond to one if the clutches were solely within an enemy weyr.

Salamandyrs. It had a nice ring to it. The person who named them had picked a good one. And they could breed with flitters? So that meant they were pretty similar right? At least in some ways. He wondered if anyone had ever tried to bring one to a beastcrafter. Then again, if they bonded more like a dragon as Emoyan said then people might not be willing to let their precious pets be examined.

The ramifications of the 'anyone can bond to them' hit Eikane and he tried very hard not to laugh. He wasn't too succesful. A small chuckle escaped him at the idea of two bronzriders or two queenriders bonding to compatible salamandyrs. Awkward morning that would be. The Harper sighed at the next part though. He'd have to follow that rule too he supposed. If only because it would seem unfair to other candidates. He didn't think the other candidates would be informed about him and Dmitri's odd circumstances.

If the warning from Emoyan was not enough the loud broadcast from the oh-so-tiny thing on the table worked well. The bouncing amused him but...were they always so noisy? A thing randomly shouting at everyone in their mind would be troublesome at best he thought. While curious about them he likely wouldn't be caught near a hatching nest of them, candidate or not.

[ace]

Kevin was hanging out in the kitchens when the lessons were due to begin; he had gotten a little note stating the time from a firelizard- , but was late because of a miss-fortunate run in with the Headwoman. He had gotten quite a bit of a lecture about lazing around while others worked and cooked, and he ended up being recruited for kitchen duty. Kevin stood there silantly and didn't make a fuss at being berated by the woman, and quickly finished his tasks.

By the time he got to the classroom, he didn't realize how late he had become, so he silently slipped into the classroom and tried to take a seat at the back of the room. This attempt was somewhat ruined by the fact that as he tried to sneak in, he towered over many of the other candidates. Taking a seat, he mouthed "Sorry," but said nothing in explanation to his late arrival.

He listened to the lecture attentively, even though it held no interest for him- the only reason he was paying attention was to try to make up for his tardiness. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see if he recognized any of the others.

(museless post)