Tidal Weyrlings (Lesson 11)

[Rei]

Lesson 11:
Classroom: Rider Signing Test and Special Training; Mating Flights
Training Field: Formations up from Three to Nine; Riders Given Straight Flight Assignments Throughout Pern

Sel’n leaned back in his desk and sighed. The test had not gone as well as he had hoped. To be truthful he hadn’t expected much more from the two brown riders. Tr’esn had done exceptionally well. Which he also had expected. The real problem was he had no idea how to address the issue without further alienating his two troublesome weyrlings.

Sel’n ran a hand through his hair and shifted his weight only now realizing that his sling was currently empty of Vanity. The demonic witch was probably hanging out in the infirmary with her mate. Unfortunately that meant he had to deal with Kalierre if the green made herself a nuisance. The brown rider prayed that, for once, the mander would behave herself. Alright Kaao no more putting it off please call in the weyrlings. The brown rumbled from his sprawled position outside and reached for the Tidal weyrlings.

Tidal weyrlings please make your way to class. Riders to the classrooms and dragons to the field. The dragons would get to sun a bit before today’s lesson. A fact which Kaaoloth was sure would appeal to them.

As the first dragon descended, Kaaoloth crooned a welcome. Welcome young ones. While yours are being lectured you may spread out and enjoy the sun. When your riders return you will allow them to fasten your straps and we will begin the next part of the lesson.

Sel’n ruffled a few papers and waited until the weyrling’s had seated themselves. Rising from the desk he took his place at the head of the classroom. “I could go on and on about the disrespect some of you showed with the previous test but I realize there is no point. If you prefer to learn through example instead of paperwork than that is your choice. This lesson however will not be played out. Unless you prefer to do it on your own time.” He paused briefly to examine the expressions of his students.

“The first topic we will broach to day is on mating flights. With Millieth beginning to glow, the timing is perfect for this lesson. The male dragons in the classroom are of age to chase. Yes, some of your dragons may seek to chase our queen. The bronze in your clutch will have no choice but to chase if he is around when Millieth rises. Bronzes, unless taken from the weyr, will instinctively rise after the queen. Browns may rise also but they are not compelled to as bronzes are. Before I launch into an explanation about flights in general, I would like the know what you already know about them? Anyone willing to volunteer?” The older rider looked straight at R’wign figuring he was the likeliest candidate for voicing his opinions on the topic.


Roll Call Tidal
Ki’ner of Bronze Aberath
M’ta of Brown Behruth
R’wign of Brown Checkoth
F’neth of Blue Kloth
Raila of Blue Imprith
K’iel of Blue Qualuth
V’neti of Blue Glenth (APC)
Vashti of Green Wymeth
Tr’esn of Green Oquith
Kalina of Green Uminth

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[Avu]

Hurry, hurry, Tr'esnMine!

"I'm going!" came the instant reply, as Tr'esn squirmed out of his shirt. It was a nice shirt, really, and he would have just kept it on, but it was far too big for him, dangling almost to his knees, and covered in white cat fur, courtesy of Moth, who found the fact that she had a whole weyr to call her own positively delightful. Tr'esn had had to lock the bathingroom door to keep her from drowning -- he was paranoid, Oquith informed him -- and the kitten was currently curled contentedly in his furs, a little puff of scruffy white fur, her emerald eyes mere slits as she purred, wriggling around to get comfortable as the human that had adopted her tore madly across his weyr, halfway through pulling on a new shirt while he flung his old one towards the bed and grabbed the riding straps on the way to the weyrledge, where Oquith was prancing impatiently. The shirt neatly caught Moth across the face, and the kitten squeaked in alarm as she fell backwards, squirming madly in the shirt.

"Sorrysorrysorry!" Tr'esn backtracked hastily, tugging the kitten from the shirt and setting her down on the furs with a quick pat before he positively launched himself onto Oquith, securing the straps as quickly as he could and strapping himself in. He hated, above all, how his stomach would drop and tighten when the green edged off the 'ledge as she was prone to doing, and when she dove. It was silly and simple, and he'd probably get used to it, but that didn't keep him from closing his eyes tightly and gripping onto the harness as tightly as he possibly could, knuckles turning white as the green crooned reassuringly, her wings extending and flapping experimentally before she slid off the weyrledge. For a moment she fell and Tr'esn gulped audibly, and then the wind caught her wings and Oquith rapidly ascended. Turning was, as usual, not nearly as smooth as the other dragons' twisting; Oquith had become accustomed to merely closing one wing.

She dropped, as usual, but her open wing swung her about, and as soon as the green had herself facing the right direction, she unfurled the other wing, catching her fall and working to gain altitude again. I don't think, she admitted, That I like turning so much. I can't wait till we go /between/. Is that what we're doing, today? Tr'esn squinted cautiously through his lashes, and then exhaled, slumping slightly as the world sped below emerald green wings. Umm, sorry, I don't think so. I think there's a talk about...um, about Mating Flights... The greenweyrling couldn't help squirming slightly. He was, after all, a virgin, and the concept of a Flight was an uncertain one for him, Holdborn and bred as he was. Mating Flights? For Millieth's Rising? Umm, I guess? Maybe. It's part of the regular lessons anyway. He didn't want to think about Oquith's Rising. He just...didn't. It was awkward. Just...awkward.

As the green backwinged to land carefully next to Kaaoloth, she crooned softly, though she didn't speak to the brown. Mating Flights. Did that mean...did that mean she had to favor a male over the others? Oquith squirmed nervously. Often, very often, she offered shinies to the weyrling dragons of her clutch: Qualuth and Wymeth received them most, but she was sure -- though she wasn't sure exactly anymore -- that she'd given them to the others as well, before, so they wouldn't be left out. Hadn't she? The tiny green crouched thoughtlessly so that Tr'esn could dismount, the weyrlingrider flopping slightly against the green's shoulder in his landing, loosing his balance in the rain-slicked grass as he undid the straps, shouldering them, and flopped barefoot towards the lessons room as Oquith backed away to a respectable distance from Kaaoloth and then, at his words, sprawled obediently against the ground, her wings sliding into a familiar, unfurled position as her eyes closed lightly, the first lid only slipping over the whirling jewels.

Upon entering, Tr'esn merely sat down in the nearest chair, tucking his chin slightly towards his chest and blinking slightly at Sel'n, biting at his lip nervously. Would they get the test results, today? He...thought he'd done well enough, but...in retrospect...he squirmed, felt Oquith brush against his mind reassuringly. I'm quite certain you did perfectly, Mine, the little green crooned lovingly, and then Tr'esn turned his attention to Sel'n as the man began to speak. Wait. What? Disrespect? To the...the test? His stomach dropped uneasily, uncertain how to take that; fortunately, the Weyrlingmaster moved on to the actual lesson soon after. Mating Flights. ...fun! Tr'esn automatically flicked his head slightly to one side, letting his hair cover his face and cheeks so that the faint blush that was growing there would be rendered invisible. He didn't...want to be labeled as a prude, but he...couldn't really help it. The question made him flinch, but he merely pressed his lips together, not answering.

He just didn't know anything...

[Requiem]

Flutterbye flutterbye - Flit flit flit flit! Flutterbye flutterbye - Flit flit flit flit! Flutterbye flutterbye - Flit flit flit flit! "Flitter flutter flitter flutter -" BYE!

Coming down from a dramatic leap, the bright purple skirt flared in a nimbus around M'ta's trousers and his arms swept up in a pose that likely would have had any sane person laughing their lungs right out of their chest. Fortunately, none of the creatures in this weyr were remotely close to sane. Even Jabari was fluting along with the rest, perched atop a heap of gleaming eggshells, while PMS did a little jig on Behruth's head. The brown crooned lovingly to Pretty Mandyr Shiny. The shiny from the clouds! Clearly he was a sky shiny. You just had to look at him, which was really easy with the little shiny bouncing on his snout, to see the truth. It had taken him the better part of a candlemark to get PMS to sing the flits at the right place. He had the "BYE" right away.

In fact, that's what first had awoken M'ta, grumbling curses and stumbling across the weyr, as if that would somehow make the voices in his mind go away. After ten minutes of insanity, the weyrling had decided that if he was still to be coherent, he'd best just join in. R'wign's skirt seemed overwhelmingly appropriate given the situation. At first it was just to be sarcastic about it, but before long he was actually...having...fun. Scary. Behruth and PMS were going to drive him stark raving mad.

Before they could enter into their crazy song and dance one more time, though, the call came to go to lessons and Behruth nudged His. Unfortunately, M'ta wasn't particularly well-balanced at the moment and tumbled in a heap of skirts. Ruth crooned his apology. Kaaolath. Time to go. The brownweyrling struggled up and tugged on his boots, hurrying to get the straps on Behruth. He'd forgotten. How, he wasn't sure, but the salamandyr was messing with his head. Everything was that little blue's fault. Of course, PMS chose that moment to drop from Behruth and snuggle up against his neck. Bye, he stated affectionately, nuzzling M'ta. The boy rolled his eyes. How could you be mad at something like that?

Coaxing PMS further down his shirt, he buttoned up the collar then slid on his riding jacket, only then remembering the skirt. Oh well. The belt was under the riding jacket and it was entirely too much effort to take it all off when they were already going to be late because he'd forgotten. M'ta grinned suddenly. What would Sel'n say about that?

The brownpair landed a short distance away from Kaaolath and immediately moved to plop down beside the larger brown the moment M'ta had him out of his straps. I have a sky shiny, Behruth told the older dragon happily. He sings very, very well. Would you like Pretty Mandyr Shiny and I to sing for you after lessons? M'ta cast a glance over his shoulder at the silly brown, unfastening the riding jacket. He figured he'd play this up. After all, then he could say he'd meant to come in a skirt and it wasn't just because he was dancing in the weyr and forgot he had it on. The truth was definitely the more embarrassing.

M'ta flounced into the classroom, the long skirt swirling around his ankles and the jacket thrown up over one shoulder. The sashay was quite exagerrated down the aisle of desks. Batting his lashes at Sel'n (he was really entirely too good at this) he turned in place and settled daintily into a desk near the front, crossing his legs. There. Too bad R'wign wasn't here to see his entrance, though. Now there was someone who could appreciate it.

At mention of the tests, M'ta's pleasant smile didn't waver, though he dropped his head coquettishly to look up at Sel'n past his eyelashes. No. He hadn't taken the test. What was the weyrlingmaster going to do about it? Nothing, probably. The smile faded immediately at mention of Flights. Sel'n was doing this on purpose, wasn't he?! (He conveniently ignored the fact that I'fael had warned them.) M'ta eyed Sel'n in silence.

This was probably not the best day to wear a skirt.

[ravenmane]

K'iel, time for lessons. Qualuth replied cheerfully, and K'iel glanced at him warily. "Promise you won't make me late again?" Yes. CRASH. But I can't say that for Mushu. Both dragon and rider cringed as they looked at the broken pottery Mushu was looking at curiously. "I should have moved that." K'iel muttered and grasped his newest piece of furniture, a broom that would become his best friend.

Bad Pot. Bad Pot touch Mushu. Mushu hit. The Bronze salamandyr proclaimed as he scuttled (it was more like tripping really) across K'iel's desk. "Stay put, Mushu." Higher. Mushu go Higher. The Bronze defiantly opened his frill a little as he scampered up to K'iel's small bookshelf. Little cousin, we have to go. There are higher places where we are going. Qualuth knew just what button to push to make Mushu think it was entirely his idea. Sadly, it didn't always work because of the mandyr's stubbornness, but today was the pair's very lucky day. The silly creature decided that he would go see these "higher" places, and if he liked them, they would be his!

K'iel rolled his eyes at the pathetic Bronze and rechecked Qualuth's straps. "We're ready, Mushu." He didn't bother to acknowledge the weight that attached itself to his leg while he mounted Qualuth. Mushu had been doing that from day one, and honestly, K'iel didn't really care as long as the mandyr didn't rip his clothing to shreds which had not happened as of yet. Mushu hissed though as he was climbing up K'iel's leg and Qualuth just "happened" to drop off his weyrledge at that moment. It felt like his leg was being stabbed with how tightly Mushu was clinging to his leg.

When Qualuth settled into a smooth flight pattern, Mushu continued up onto K'iel's head where he began scolding the Blue for annoying him. Bad broke b'ue. Badbadbad broke broke b'ue. K'iel ignored his pet while Qualuth pretended to be contrite and apologize to Mushu. He knew that the Bronze would eventually pronounce some of the words properly when he was older, but K'iel enjoyed the mispronunciation of words.

I see Oquith! Qualuth cried happily and promptly tucked in his wings so that he plummeted towards the ground. K'iel and Mushu both clung on, K'iel to his straps and Mushu to his head. Ouch. Qualuth did manage to spread out his wings in time so he didn't turn himself, his rider, and their new friend into wheatcakes. Calm down, Qua. You'll get to see Qui soon. K'iel patted the wiggling Blue, and while Qualuth stood still, K'iel slid down his side, but the moment he was off, Qualuth was bouncing up to Oquith like she was back from the grave.

Hello, Oquith! The Blue crooned happily and nuzzled the Green's neck. K'iel had to race after his mindmate to get his straps off. Qua, that is not what I meant. I need the straps too. Qualuth wilted visibly and hunkered down to let His unbuckle the riding straps and pull them off. Shaking a warning finger at his Blue, K'iel retreated into the class room while Qualuth snuggled up against one of his favorite sisters. In the classroom, K'iel chose the seat next to Tr'esn, but he quickly ended up sinking down in it as WeyrlingMaster Sel'n mentioned Mating Flights and M'ta flounced into the room with a skirt on. The sight was enough to make K'iel want to disappear. QUIET, BROKE, QUIET! Mushu screeched PMS and opened his entire frill to make him look intimidating while he was... perched on Sel'n's head... Could someone please end K'iel's misery now?

[glamourie]

He should have needled him. He deserved it.

As far as R’wign was concerned, everyone involved with the two salamandyr runs that had pretty much demolished the Infirmary was on his doo-doo list. Specifically, the salamandyr owners and C’oar. He exempted himself on account of decidedly not being affected by the Runs taking place and he’d gone to the Infirmary to help. Saeo and Sel’n had caused utter chaos with their behavior and he wanted to smack them both for not doing any research on the effects a salamandyr had on their owner, more Saeo than the brown rider but still! C’oar was also not high on his list of people to be friendly with since he’d made it worse, though his intentions were good. Twitch twitch. It wasn’t a good situation though; R’wign did not like that he’d had to explain everything to Checkoth, that the infirmary was under lockdown mode to keep a girl from being mauled and more. He was pretty sure Selenitas did not have a single healer that was in good spirits after that.

It probably would come as little surprise when, as he and Checkoth arrived to their respective places, they had totally opposite responses to the lesson. Checkoth waddled right over and flopped down next to Behruth, crooning to his clutch brother, before bespeaking Kaaolath, R’wignmine is very, very angry with Yours. I’m sorry. He’s really mad about the worms Running. You maybe should warn Yours. R’wignmine doesn’t get mad often and it is scary.

R’wign himself was not nearly so cheery. He ambled into the classroom and sat down next to M’ta, slouching back with a look of vivid distaste. It melted upon noticing a flash of purple and he raised an eyebrow before turning to raise an eyebrow at M’ta. “I knew you were trying to get up my skirt,” he said quite seriously, but inside was very very grateful for the distraction from the cold rage brewing inside of him. He wanted to stand up and hug the other brown rider, but he was saved from the urge by Sel’n speaking. The lecture made him twitch, and he stared pointedly at their teacher as he dared to look at him to talk about mating flights. Definitely a mistake. R’wign was already hypersensitive on the subject. The look on his face became a rapidly predatory smile and be drummed his fingers on his bottom lip before raising an eyebrow.

“I think this class should be moved to sooner. And I think you should cover salamandyr runs as well, Weyrlingmaster.” If that didn’t make it clear he was annoyed, nothing would. “I don’t know what it is you’re asking me - are you wanting to hear all about my sexual exploits? I’d rather hear about yours after your little monster and Saeo’s put the infirmary into such utter chaos. Did you know C’oar moved her and led to Jermayan and Kalierre sleeping together outside the infirmary?” He stood up languidly, the entire class surely able to see his little tantrum. “E’rro probably hurt himself trying to get in through the infirmary door, and that’s the minor injuries. You want to know what I know about them? I know you didn’t warn the other class that Impressing salamandyrs was probably a gigantic mistake, same with candidates, and now the infirmary door is damaged, we’ve got a hurt weyrling brown rider, likely a very confused blue, and I spent a candle mark explaining sex to my dragon. Don’t look at me to explain anything. I’m very angry with you right now.”

Scowling, R’wign kicked his desk and flopped back down, ignoring that his gigantic tantrum was probably ill-founded. It wasn’t like Sel’n could stop his salamandyr from Running, but it made him angry nonetheless. “I’d like to take this time to point out I’m in a foul mood, if it isn’t already obvious.” Twitchity twitch twitch. Salamandyrs. He hated salamandyrs…

[Rei]

Sel’n was less than pleased with M’ta’s appearance but he steadfastly ignored the lad. As ridiculous as he looked, the Weyrling master was positive a reaction was what the lad wanted. Well he wasn’t going to get one from him.

R’wign’s entrance and rant could not be ignored (Thankfully Kaaoloth was able to give him a short warning. Thanks to Checkoth.) and he politely waited until the lad had finished. He opened his mouth to reply when something stopped him. The scrambling of claws against his hair and the cry of Mushu made him visibly flinch. The last thing he wanted to see was a mandyr at his time.

Fortunately for Mushu he was spared Sel’n’s anger. Unfortunately he was about to receive someone else’s.

Vanity streaked across the room in a flash of green. GET OFF. MINE! The green hurriedly scampered up hers and aimed a vicious nip at the small bronze. You go. I maulbitedieboom Dunghead. Big head ugly. Vanity queen kill. Sel’n snarled and reached up a hand to grab Mushu, saving the little hatchling from Vanity’s fury. He would deal with her shortly.

He thrust the bronze mander at K’iel with a warning. “Get him out of here and do not bring him to class again.” Having rid himself of the bronze he snatched Vanity. This elicited a pained squeal from her. Bad! Dunghead Ugly cripple mine. The mandyr screeched, sinking her fangs into the brown riders hand. Ignoring her he strode to the window, opened it, and flung her out. “Go find someone else to bother you annoying little harpy. Go back to the infirmary for awhile.” Slamming the window shut he again turned to face the class.

“Now where were we. Ah yes R’wign you were chewing me out. I dare say I do deserve a good tongue lashing. I also want to let it be known that in light of this little incident, the owners of the mandyr queens are going to be notified that no weyrling or candidate will ever be allowed at a mandyr hatching again. Those of you with mandyrs in my class, you are lucky. Your dragons are of age, so you are immune to the rule. The other weyrling class is going to be directed by I’fael in forming support groups to keep them safe if their mandyrs run. I had no idea that Vanity would run while Freckle was also running. Bad timing on her part. To be truthful our errant Weyrleader or Weyrwoman should have made rules like this sooner. I apologize to you for making life harder R’wign.” Sel’n gave a sigh and shook his head.

“What is done cannot be undone. On to the lesson. Since R’wign is unwilling to tell us what he knows about flights I will just have to launch into an explanation. Everyone here has by now probably has witnessed, or at least has an idea, about what goes on in a dragon flight. The female rises and the males give chase. Eventually she will pick one to twine with and you will be involved sexually with that dragon’s rider. That’s the simple version of it. I could go into detail but I am sure no one wants to dive to deeply into this topic. My advice to you? Don’t go into your first flight as a virgin. It will be that much rougher on you if you do. Your dragon is mentally able to handle you being sexual now, so take advantage of it. Flights are something you should learn to enjoy, not dread. If you dread it so will your dragon, and he or she is bound to feel bad for upsetting you. To be truthful that isn’t fair. Mating urges are not something your dragon has control over. It is something they instinctively have to accomplish.” Sel’n paused to let them digest the information for a minute.

“Millieth’s flight is coming up and you were all around when Aslath, may she rest in peace, rose last. Gold flights are famous for broadcasting their effects on spectators. If you have not lost your virginity yet, Millieth’s flight might be a good time to find a partner you trust to accomplish the act. Don’t pick a losing rider, that would be disastrous. Pick a person you trust who is not involved in the flight and Millieth’s emotional broadcasts will help loosen the tension. While we are on the topic of intimacy, some of you might want to start experimenting with someone of the opposite sex so you will know what to except. It is too much to hope that your dragons will always pick a mate who has a bonded of the opposite gender as yourself. Get used to the idea that you all may have to eventually bed with a male. It happens. To everyone. I think every bronze rider in the weyr has bedded with a male before. Better to get used to it on your own time and not in the heat of flight lust. Who knows, some of you may actually find you prefer those of the same sex. Now are there any questions? If not we can proceed to the next part of the lesson. ”

---

Kaaoloth watched the weyrling’s enter and yawned massively. He rumbled happily as Behruth flopped next to him. A sky shiny you say? It sounds very interesting. You may to sing to me with your shiny if you wish Behruth. I would like to hear it. The large brown’s eyes whirled in happy blues. The young ones made him so happy. He was fond of them all even if his bonded was less than fond of some of their riders.

Checkoth’s explanation drew a croon for the other brown and he lowered his head. You do not have to apologize Checkoth. Thank you for the warning I will let mine know. I was not pleased with the worm either. She has made a huge mess of things. Kaaoloth snorted. Enough unpleasant thoughts, it is sunny and we should enjoy what sun we can. He nodded decisively and lowered his head back to the ground, keeping one watchful eye on the young dragons.

[Avu]

Tr'esn nearly choked as he snuck a glance around, eyes falling upon M'ta. The greenweyrling peered disbelievingly at the other weyrlingrider for a moment, and then a grin that was half-nervous and half-amused crossed his face, and he bit his lip to stifle the vertible wave of laughter that threatened to emerge. He...had never really considered wearing a dress before. It was...strange, the thought. Absently crossing his ankles beneath the table, Tr'esn snuck another glance towards M'ta, one eyebrow arching quizzically in the brownweyrling's direction. Why...was he wearing a skirt, anyway? And a very long, very purple one it was, too -- bright enough to be extremely eyecatching, standing out against the colors of the desk and floor. Was it M'ta's choice of a joke, wearing the skirt for their...discussion on Flights? But no; he didn't look too happy with the subject of that day's lessons, a fact which drew a slight grin from Tr'esn, though he hid it, staring at his desk and carefully arranging his features into something less...obviously amused.

And K'iel! The blueweyrling's arrival was preceded by the wave of delight and affection from Oquith, and Tr'esn wriggled slightly, amused as he glanced towards the door in time to catch K'iel's entrance. It was extremely...sweet, and amusing, how much Oquith loved her two clutchsiblings, and how excited she always was to see them -- despite the fact that the three of them lived in neighboring weyrs, and that their weyrledges were practically touching. The boy flashed K'iel a smile of greeting, the blueweyrling being one of the people he was absolutely comfortable around -- but, reasonably, M'ta seemed to be a nice little distraction and Tr'esn couldn't repress the awkward grin as K'iel...sunk down into his seat at the mention of mating Flights. It was...oddly comforting, to know that his friend was as uncomfortable about it as he was.

The blood first drained from his face at the mention of Salamandyr Runs -- he, like most of the other dragonfolk, he heard about it -- and he hastily raised his hand to cover his face, squirming sideways to get closer to K'iel as he tilted his head towards the other boy, whispering, "Didn't you get a bronze at the last Hatching?" Oquith had said something to that effect, but he hadn't officially met Mushu yet, so he wasn't sure if the tiny green was just dreaming or if she'd been actually factual. A foul mood, R'wign finished with. You don't say. Tr'esn immediately dropped his eyes, not wanting to stare at the brownweyrling. He wasn't particularly friends with R'wign, and he didn't want to come across as rude to him, or nosy, though he did wonder at the fact that he'd so easily commented on the fact that Kalierre and Jermayan had...slept together. Outside the Infirmary.

As a little green Salamandyr shot up Sel'n's side towards the red-bronze form that was settled there, Tr'esn twitched noticeably. Was that -- was that K'iel's bronze? It was, as displayed by Sel'n grabbing the Salamandyr and thrusting him at K'iel. Tr'esn's glance was sympathetic towards the blueweyrling, but he bit his lip softly, nervous about interrupting Sel'n. He didn't like the Weyrlingmaster -- did anybody ever? -- but he did have some level of respect for him and the thought of getting a tongue-lashing set him on edge. As the brownrider began to speak again, Tr'esn leaned his elbow against the desk, propping his chin up against a curled fist. And abruptly, his face colored again, and he ducked his head shyly, unwilling to meet anybody's eyes. Virginity. Virginity? They had to -- to loose that? He couldn't. He couldn't just ask someone. It'd be so horribly awkward and...no. He just couldn't. It...just no. You could ask K'iel, Oquith offered reasonably. Or Vashti?

But not them, either. He just couldn't ask. It was too awkward.

No. No questions. He didn't want to think about it. At all. Oquith's Flight would be coming soon, and...and there was a question, too. He raised his hand uncertainly, and quietly, asked, "When -- did you say? -- when could we expect the greens in this clutch to start Rising?"

Oquith crooned loudly as Qualuth landed, her wings extending in her excitement, her eyes sparkling as she positively sprang to her feet at the blue's approach. She paused, though, to croon at K'iel, too -- she was fond of him -- and commented both to the dragon and rider, Hi, Qualuth, K'iel! How are you? The green flopped trustingly against her blue clutchbrother, her tongue flickering out to touch his neck affectionately as she rubbed her neck against his shoulder. Do you know if Wymeth and Vashti are coming? she added, eyes closing contentedly as her head came to rest on top of the blue's back. Mine would like to see them at lessons, I think.

[Requiem]

M'ta winked playfully at R'wign, but didn't respond in any other way, unless you counted the way he smoothed his skirt so it draped around the entire chair. The brownweyrling didn't really care if Sel'n decided to ignore him. Clearly his little ruse had worked; the Weyrlingmaster must think it was on purpose if he was being so prickly and silent about it. Victory. Not so much of a victory that it had K'iel cringing, but Tr'esn had looked about to burst. He glanced over his shoulder and waved at the greenrider, blowing him a kiss...turning at Sel'n's voice. He frowned slightly as R'wign went off. Again. This was beginning to become a habit. That wasn't to say they weren't legitimate concerns (he was quite glad he hadn't been there for the salamandyr fiasco!) but his former roommate definitely seemed to be getting increasingly ornery as time went on. Maybe...he didn't bother to speculate.

Mostly because the bronze mandyr babe was shrieking, and PMS had sunk his little claws into the skin of M'ta's stomach in surprise. The teen stared as a green - the one causing all the trouble R'wign had just described - stampeded in. These things were nuisances, they were! He was actually just a bit proud of the creature quivering against his stomach at this moment. PMS, at least, wasn't given to displays of violence and threats. Then he felt a wave of anxiety and quickly placed a hand over the mandyr, trapping it lightly against him before the blue could peek out and try to make nice with the other two mandyrs. Sel'n was, at this point, literally tossing the green out the window. M'ta blinked in shock. Much as he was generally annoyed with everything about PMS, he never would have considered simply chunking him. What sort of person did that to a creature they were bonded to?

At least Sel'n had the good sense not to do the same with K'iel's bronze, or the boy wouldn't have kept his tongue. As it was, he found himself half-standing even though he hadn't remembered rising. M'ta slipped back down into the seat and eyed Sel'n warily, mentally urging PMS to stay. Better if the Weyrlingmaster didn't notice the little blue beneath M'ta's clothing, but if he did and tried to throw the brownweyrling's salamandyr, the boy would make him regret it, Weyrlingmaster or not. He only half-listened to the longwinded semi-apology, noting that at least Sel'n didn't get blustery.

Wrinkling his nose at the statement about R'wign being unwilling, M'ta again asserted a fair amount of restraint. The healer hardly had to do the Weyrlingmaster's job for him, now did he? No one cared to tell Sel'n 'what they knew.' They'd all been through candidate classes and through a gold flight, at the very least. It wasn't as if any of them was completely clueless. Feeling decidedly grumpy, the boy resorted to glaring daggers at Sel'n and seeing if that would make the man drop dead where he stood. Nope. No such luck.

Listening to the ramble with just half an ear, M'ta grinned nastily at mention of getting yourself used to the idea of being with another male. His mind wasn't lingering on that, however. Rather, he'd latched onto 'opposite sex,' and was tearing the lecture apart in his mind. Either Sel'n didn't realize that opposite sex meant female, or he thought they should experiment with females and...get used to the idea of males simply by thinking about it? Maybe picking their noses would help, too. Shards, but this man was an idiot. Why do you want to pick your nose? Behruth asked, the brown's intrusion startling M'ta out of his grumpy musings. I don't. There was a long, confused pause. You are strange sometimes, M'taMine.

At least he'd mostly ignored mention of Millieth's flight and virginity. Yay for defense mechanisms. Even if that happened to be brattiness. Of course, there was one thing he'd rather like to know that Sel'n had left out. The Weyrlingmaster just couldn't get it right the first time, could he? "How long?" the boy demanded brusquely. Then, figuring that Sel'n was probably too stupid to follow him, he clarified. "How long should we expect to have before the greens start rising?" No, he wasn't a greenrider, but once again Sel'n was completely overlooking Tr'esn, and that was beginning to very much grate on M'ta's nerves.

We will sing very pretty for you, Kaaoloth! Behruth chimed, crooning thunderously at both browns. He edged closer to Checkoth so they were touching and rubbed his head along the brown's neck. Hello Checkbrother. We get to fly again today. Isn't that nice? I like flying. Yours is upset, Mine says. That isn't very good.

[ravenmane]

K'iel didn't pay much attention to R'wign's ranting. Everyone knew about the dual salamandyr Run. It had gone all over the Weyr with several lust controlled people trying to break into the Infirmary. Now he just had to hope that his pet wasn't interested in any of the females salamandyrs that would eventually Run. Qualuth was worried him enough in that sense already.

The Weyrling leaned his head towards Tr'esn as his friend spoke. "Yeah. Him." K'iel whispered back with a nod towards the idiotic salamandyr standing on the WeyrlingMaster's head. His eyes widened drastically as a green thing streaked into the classroom screeching at his 'mandyr, and when Sel'n thrust the Bronze at him, K'iel flinched visibly away, but reached for the squirming creature anyway. Bad Dunghead. Big Dunghead Ugly broke! Mushu snarled at Vanity while K'iel clutched him in his hands and sprinted out of the room.

Are you alright, K'iel? Did Kaaoloth's hurt you? Qualuth crooned anxiously as he lowered his head to gently press it against his rider. "I'm fine, Qua. You know I'm fine." But he scared you, K'ielmine. I'm fine, Qualuth. Just watch Mushu for me, please? Okay, K'iel. The boy pressed himself against the Blue for a moment and then darted back to class. He was slipped into his seat and sunk down slowly as Sel'n spoke about losing one's Virginity. K'iel didn't have to worry about that, but from Tr'esn's reaction and the fact that he rode a Green, it wasn't too hard to realize that Tr'esn would have to bottom. A lot. Yeah for riding a Blue?