R3: Lesson 1

[Ruby]

As the candidates who weren't in a lesson rotation yet might have noticed, there was another large announcement for the second rotation's next lesson posted in the main room. However, this time, another announcement- almost identical- followed it. There had been enough new searches that a new lesson rotation was starting once again- today. It was nearly time, but the room was, once again, almost empty. It seemed that no matter what she did, Kemma couldn't get people to show up to a new lesson rotation on time- probably no one wanted to be the first there. She didn't totally blame them. At least SHE'D done this before.

But there were a few already in the room. There were close to twenty desks laid out in rows, even though Kemma knew there was no way she'd need so many. With a motherly smile for those candidates already present, she commented, "Thank you all for being early. I'd really like to start on time, so I can get you all out of here as soon as possible." Tucking a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear, she paced around to the far side of the desk, briefly thumbing through a sheaf of hides. Everyone would be here soon, and then the impatient Candidatemaster could get started. This would be a short lesson- all she needed was students.

To pass the time, Kemma asked all the present Candidates their names in turn, checking them against an attendance sheet she had drawn up from the records. "Anyone I didn't call?" she asked, noting the strays. They must have been newly arrived. Making a note to herself to go add them to the lists later, Kemma put down her writing implement and stood up straight again, returning to the front of the desk, watching as more candidates filed in, taking seats at the individual desks spread throughout the room. "Does anyone have any questions before we get started?" she asked, crossing her arms. No doubt there were questions- Kemma was just curious about what they would ask.

Present
Alifyr
Brulen
Kalina
Kariel
Keloran
Kishanner
Niera
Trilesn
Trulurve
Vashti

[neeuqtar]

Vashti was never late. Arriving on time also counted as "late." Vashti was always there ten minutes early. She lounged in one of the seats next to the wall, golden hair braided tight against her skull, though curvy wavelets escaped the severity of her hairdo to frame her vixenish face. Turquoise eyes watched Kemma distrustfully from under hooded lids smudged with smoky ochre and lined with black along the upper lashes. Her pale lashes needed all the help they could get, and Vashti was not above painting her face if she wasn't going to be going into the water.

The harper crossed her legs and leaned forward as the woman began to speak. She was here for a reason, and no matter how much she wanted to return to Blossom, there was little place for an untrained woman there. Dolphineering took long years of training, often starting in childhood, and she had spent those years being forced (at least externally) into a mold. Dragonriding would give her freedom, at least...

"Weyrdrummer Vashti," the young woman said concisely as Kemma got around to her. Shards if she was going to link herself in any fashion to the children in this room. Bad enough that she was assigned a dorm with someone. That was easily gotten around by sleeping in her official position's quarters in the drumtower. The run and climb was good for her, after all, and if she did become a weyrling, she would have to be in top shape. It would be useless to Impress and not be the best in her class.

"I have a question," Vashti drawled after utter silence met the Candidatemaster's request. "How are we expected to understand the full spectrum of the studies of the Candidate when there is so little time left until the Hatching? I know I have duties to the Weyr, which combined with the Candidacy chores keep me rather too busy to study outside of class."

[felina]

Niera slid quietly into one of the many empty chairs near the center of the room just as the Candidatemaster began to speak. Neither too late nor too early, though she'd cut that one pretty close; she'd have to watch what she was doing around here to avoid any unwanted attention. Especially from a Rider, regardless of all the assurances she'd received that they didn't bite. Or stab, mutilate, or otherwise willfully harm people. Usually. She felt naked here, unsure what the protocol was and how things worked. That was what the lessons were for, she supposed. However, the young Northerner woman's eyes slid over to the ominous stack of hides. Hides she would probably have trouble reading if it came to that, and even more trouble writing on.

Either way, though, it still appeared that she was much better off than some of the others here. Some of them were absolutely tiny little things, barely more than twelve. The dragonets would probably accidentally step on and squish them, if the size of the full-grown dragons was anything to go by. Her mental cataloging of the other candidates was interrupted when she realized that the person sitting next to her had just spoken his name.

"I'm Niera," she said, nodding her head slightly. Odd habit of hers, that, one she'd tried to eradicate for Turns but never really succeeded. As a slightly haughty blonde woman asked about keeping their lessons straight with duties, she realized that she didn't actually know when the Hatching was even going to occur. "Actually, I have a question for y'all as well. When's the Hatching? All I know's that I was brought here to be a Candidate, but nobody ain't told me nothing else yet."

[archenstone]

Kalina was finally able to find her way around most of the Weyr and was happy to be here early. She had a light smile and her hair was tied back with a bright red braid. She wasn't sure what the lesson was about but had already decided it would be more interesting than copying hides. She sat in a chair near the front. Seeing only too other girls who she thought where slightly older she wondered if anyone else was going to come.

The two older girls had already spoken so she said, "I'm Kalina." She thought for a moment then asked, "What are some of the topics we'll study? Does any of it involve going outside?" As the days moved on here she had realized that staying inside the Weyr was harder than she thought. She was hoping to back out again soon.

[wirevix]

Kariel slunk in late enough to only hear the tail end of Kalina telling her name. The Weyr was a labyrinth of unpleasant surprises for the young man, every new thing that he uncovered on his way to finding his classes had been yet another miniature panic attack. At least here were just people, and not too big people either, finally folks not too much older than himself.

He slipped into the back of the class and hid himself in a corner desk, as far away from the others as he could get. Just because they didn't look dangerous didn't mean they couldn't do something unpleasant if he was too close. It was just safer to sit in the back and stare up at the teacher from where he was. He could still hear fine, so it was okay.

"...'m Kariel..." he mumbled finally, figuring he probably ought to announce his name just so he didn't get marked absent. That would just be his luck, force himself to go here out in the middle of everyone else with no hiding places and then not even get noticed enough for it to count.

He had no questions about what they would be learning, because he figured that would be covered soon enough. The person in charge always told you what they wanted, and you had to be quick enough on the uptake to get it done before they got mad. That was how it worked, so he didn't understand the point of asking questions.

[shadowreine]

Keloran was also slightly late, albeit for a different reason from that delaying the nervous Kariel. Yes, he knew how important it was to be on time for lessons, but he had had so much on his mind...well... He'd forgotten that he had been placed in this group, with the newest Searchees. He supposed it was a good idea. Hatchings did not happen so often that remembering everything was easy. Even if one bothered.

Right now, the brownrider's son was not sure he did bother. What was the point? He would only get left Standing again, and if he did Impress, would he survive weyrlinghood? Would he live long as a rider? By the egg, what was the point of any of it. Maybe if all of the riders, all of them, refused to fight, the madness up north would stop. Maybe. He knew exactly how likely that was.

Yet, here he was again, taking a place at the back of the room. Said place happened to be next to Kariel, who looked so much worse than he felt that it actually perked the boy up little, caused him to sit straighter.

"Candidate Keloran is present," he said, so as to make sure his arrival was properly noticed. After all, he would not be allowed to Stand if he was marked as absent. Tardy, he hoped he could get away with. "And no questions yet, but I bet I'll find a few once people start talking."

Then, he glanced at the terrified boy. "Buck up. The teachers here have never bitten me, so I doubt they'll sink their teeth into you." He didn't ask Kariel's name, having...albeit barely...heard it when the boy gave it. He also didn't feel the need to repeat his own.

Then, his attention went front and center. At least visibly. Inwardly, he was back to that cycle of fear and doubt. Was he worthy? Did he even want to be?

[ladybug]

Alifyr was sitting near the middle of the room, hoping to seem inconspicuous. He knew next to nothing about the Weyr, and he didn't want to seem stupid. He was sure that if he sat near the front, just the look on his face would clue the Candidate Master in to his ignorance. He wasn't ashamed to be a rookie at this, but he didn't want to be singled out for not knowing anything, either.

"I'm Alifyr," he introduced himself when the roll call went around. As for questions, he had them, that was for sure. But he had no idea where to start asking. He wanted to ask about Weyr culture, politics, rules, everything! Even really basic stuff about dragons that everyone else probably knew already. "Uh...no questions." Hopefully the issues he wondered about would be addressed in the lecture, and he would be able to narrow things down enough to formulate a few questions.

[wirevix]

Trulurve came rushing into the room and almost managed to run into a desk, avoiding a collision only by skidding a little on the floor. He just grinned anyway, panting slightly from having run the whole way there, still holding the pack he'd brought with him from when he'd been Searched; being something of a late arrival, he didn't think he'd even have time to put his things away before he got busy, and it looked like he'd been right.

He flopped into a chair right beside Niera, because he didn't want to sit in the back but he also would rather sit beside someone so that meant he couldn't sit clear up in the front because nobody was there. He fidgeted and smiled brightly, stuffing his pack under his chair so it would be out of the way. Once he'd finally seemed to have situated himself, he spoke.

"Hi! I'm Trulurve! I just got here and I'm sorry I'm late I was in Blossom just a few hours ago but a dragonrider came and picked me up so here I am now!" he spouted in a single breath, his words running together a bit from his eagerness to explain his lateness. That message conveyed, however hurriedly, he turned his attention to Niera and smiled at her, just waving a little, before shifting back to pay attention to the Candidatemaster.



Kariel, meanwhile, was busy shrinking in his desk to hopefully make Keloran not notice him again, staring at the boy that had spoken to him. He knew the teachers weren't likely to bite but that didn't mean the students wouldn't, he wasn't sure who could be trusted yet. He wished he could just get up and move to a different desk somewhere else but that would probably get him in trouble, moving and fussing around during class.

He finally swallowed and whispered, "It's not the teacher I'm scared of." Although, if the Candidatemaster came after him, he would assuredly be petrified. He just didn't think it was quite as likely as one of the candidates deciding to get rowdy and have a little more malicious fun.

[dreamer]

Brulen quietly entered the room behind Trulurve and stopped, looking around the room for a moment, impressed by a room so large and nice set up to teach candidates. Individual seats for everyone, not benches! So many wooden desks! He'd have to sit up and pay attention, everyone ws in plain with this set up. Probably that was the point?


As far as he could tell there wasn't anyplace he was supposed to sit, so he slid into a desk behind the others. He was pretty sure he shouldn't yell out his name like the little kid just had, he'd wait for the woman in front to call on him if she needed to know anything. Shards he was tired.


He'd gotten to the Weyr late in the night night and then had to get clothing and a bunk before he could sleep. He'd barely gotten a short nap before everyone started their day. It all felt unreal still, like he was having a very good dream. The bright blue shirt he was wearing was soft and smelled like herbs, he kept wondering if they'd made a mistake? He was used to rough woven brown cloth to work in.

[felina]

Kishanner stood in the doorway, rather dismayed at how many of the other Candidates had made it to the ever-important lessons before he did. He did have a knack for being in the right place at the wrong time, it seemed, and now he was only just catching the tail end of the introductions. How lovely. He slowly walked to a seat in the front left corner of the room, wincing as the legs scraped against the stone floor as he pulled it out. Such a horrid sound it was, and rather louder than he would have liked. Before sitting, though, he bowed slightly, more an incline of his head than a real bow, to the Candidatemaster.

"Sorry I'm late," he said carefully. "It was my fault. I should have left earlier than I did. I'm Kishanner." It was true. He knew how he tended to be deliberate about things, and how that reflected in his rather slow walk and, often, speech. He'd spent too much time trying to decide whether it would seem pretentious to wear his nicer clothes, and in the end had settled upon the same clothes he wore when he was working in the shop. Comfortable clothes, perhaps a tad stained on the end of the sleeves where different dyes had come into contact with them, and perhaps a bit more worn than what was worn by some of the others, but he liked them. They fit, something that was a rarity for him.

He had no questions. Likely he wouldn't have any until well after the lesson had ended, after he'd had the opportunity to really think about everything that was being told him. Hopefully the Candidatemaster wouldn't be too difficult to approach later on. She looked to be a severe woman, businesslike and possibly snappish, but Kishanner knew better than anyone not to judge on looks alone.

[Avu]

His footsteps dragged along the hall as Trilesn approached the lessons' room warily, eyes hooded, head down, his thick curls completely obscuring his vision. He went by memory alone - anything he could see would be himself. His awkward, awkward clothing. It never ceased to sting him to notice that most Candidates seemed to at least vaguely fit into whatever they were supposed to wear - he looked as if he was drowning. Trilesn scoffed slightly under his breath, kicking at a protruding cobblestone. He'd forgotten he was barefoot. "OW!" he blurted, jumping forward and clutching his foot, which warned him in throbs that rocks that were glued to the ground were not to be kicked unless he was willing to pay the price. Trilesn swore under his breath as he put his foot back down, half-limping to the room in which lessons were held.

As he pushed the door open, he still didn't raise his eyes, still hoping his hair would entirely conceal the fact that he looked nothing like the strong, confident young man a Dragonrider ought. Since there was such a tangle of it, that, at least, was easily achieved. Trilesn slid to the nearest empty desk, located opportunely in a lovely little dark spot, shadows cast over the entire desk, and pushed his hair out of his eyes, raising them at last to scan the room nervously. People. So many people. Older than he - or at least, they looked it. (But then, he looked more like eleven, so he couldn't exactly be talking.) Oh, his name. He had to give his name? "Trilesn," he replied quietly, although his voice was quite clear. Better speak clearly than be asked for a repeat. He bowed, too, inclining his entire upper body to the Candidatemaster before he sank into his seat, carefully arranging his curls as not to be seen staring as he glanced around at his classmates.

Shardit, there were a lot of them. Questions? The words registered vaguely, but he only shook his head, just to make sure the Candidatemaster knew he was paying attention. He simply had no questions. Or rather, he had too many questions - and none of them a need-to-know. Most just idle curiosity. He would wait.

[Ruby]

So many candidates! After lesson rotations of four and then three, Kemma was momentarily stunned by the sheer size of this class. Ten students? Where did they all come from? With a little mental smack, Kemma figured it out. Of course, Millieth's clutch would be hatching soon, she was such a dimglow. No way would they graduate before the clutch, but that was alright. At least they'd get some of the basics down.

Kemma nodded at each question asked, noting it on a bit of hide as more candidates filled the room. Once they were all settled in, Kemma matched her list to the faces, and counted briefly again. Missing one. "Candidate... in the blue? I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," she said, noting it as Brulen gave it. Tucking that hide into a stack on the desk, she held onto the other, and turned to face the class. Leaning against her desk, she said in a warm voice, "Welcome, all of you. Let me answer your questions, and then we'll begin... Vashti. Candidate lessons are intended for those of you who remain candidates for a span of time- those of you that Impress at Millieth's clutch will learn all you need to know in Weyrling lessons, but the Weyr leadership wants you to have this first lesson before Impression, if possible. Don't worry about the time commitment, it's not that large, and the other lessons in the series are geared toward those of you who will be a Candidate for a month or more, potentially for many years. For Neira and the rest of you that are wondering- the Hatching is not exactly 'scheduled,' so to speak. The Touching will be announced on the same board that Lessons were announced on, although I'm not sure when that will be yet. Soon, surely. After that, the Hatching happens when it happens. Mellith, and no doubt the Clutchmother as well, will inform you when the eggs are to hatch, which can be any time of day or night, but I guarantee you that you will know. I'm sorry there's not a better answer. And finally Kalina- unfortunately all lessons will be taking place inside. We'll cover rules today, Ranks next time, followed by Matings and Graduation. Not to painful, I hope?" she finished, smiling a little. Good bunch- good questions, although some of them looked worryingly frightened. Maybe she'd have to recommend a mindhealer for some of them.

Lesson One

"Alright, now that those are dealt with, it's time. Let's get started," she continued, clapping her hands and standing up straight. "For those of you that don't know me already, I'm Candidatemaster Kemma of Green Mellith. You'll see both of us around, and don't be shy to ask either of us anything. Mellith is very agreeable toward humans- in fact, I think she likes them more than other dragons, so she'll be happy to help out. I suggest especially that Holdfolk have a chat with her about what it means to be a member of a Weyr." Taking a deep breath, Kemma walked around the desk and launched into the meat of the lesson. "First of all, on behalf of Shmee and Ka'rys, welcome to Selenitas Weyr and Candidate Training. No doubt some of you have gone through this training before, but due to the temporary nature of the Candidatemasters in the past, and inconsistencies between Weyrs, you are all required to do the whole set of four lessons over again. Sorry, I know it's annoying, but that's how it is. Clear these lessons, and you never have to take them again, unless you transfer. The end is in sight." She smiled wryly at this. No doubt these candidates would be happy to be out of here as soon as possible, but she didn't mind.

"So. Moving on. First and foremost, I've been told to remind you that you are a Candidate, not a Rider. In the ranks of the Weyr, you are equivalent to unskilled, underage Weyrfolk, even if you are already over age. If a cook asks you to help, you help, no matter what. The only exceptions are if you have a lesson, if you are to attend a Touching, or if a Hatching begins. At those times, you are the most important people in the Weyr, and your first responsibility is to get yourself to to where you need to be. Beyond that, only drudges are below you, and you are still expected to treat them fairly. Candidacy may be stripped from you if there are reports that you do not.

"As candidates, you are restricted to the Candidate Barracks after ten at night and before seven in the morning, unless you make other arrangements with me. Beyond that, stay out of Rider Weyrs, the Hatching Sands and the Weyrling Barracks unless you are explicitly sent there by a Rider or the Headwoman, and have my or Mellith's approval. This holds EVEN if you are being sent to the Weyrwoman for disciplinary purposes. Beyond that, you may go wherever you will during free time, provided you complete your chores and make it back for Curfew. You are also expected to eat three meals a day in the Dining Hall, although you are not required to eat with the other Candidates. I will eat at seven thirty, noon, and six thirty, and you all are invited to join me."

Kemma paused to clear her throat, feeling like she was talking way too much. "Other rules that you should know about... let's see." She contemplated a sheet of notes she had pulled off the desk. "Candidates may not have any physical or mental disability, may not be over the age of 22 unless they want to stand for Whers only, may not be under the age of twelve, and may not stand if they become pregnant. Candidates may not stand if they are recovering from an injury on the day of hatching. Alcohol and other drugs are highly discouraged, as you will not be allowed to drink at all if you manage to impress, from the time your dragon hatches until you graduate Weyrling Training. Fighting is absolutely not allowed, because you may damage your or another candidate's chances at Standing, and that's simply not fair to either of you. Lessons are required, chores are required and will be posted where today's announcement was, the touching is required... let's see, is there anything else I must tell you you can't do?" Smiling wryly once again, she returned to the front of the desk, sitting on it this time.

"I think we're done with the can nots. Now: the reason you are here. You are here to provide hatchling dragons, or Whers, with the chance to bond with a human presence. Whers can live without us, but become feral and quite dangerous. Dragons cannot. They will suicide if they can't find their mate. That is the reason for this training- to provide Selenitas clutches with the most informed, prepared Candidates possible, to prevent as many deaths as possible. I encourage you to ask questions at any time, and no question is 'stupid' here. If you getting the answer means you are more suitable to impress, by all means, ask. I don't like seeing hatchlings between, or whers go wild. Hatchings are magical times, and each and every one of you will present a highly valuable option for future clutches, I am certain. This does not mean you will impress, of course, but not one of you should be worried about that now. When you walk onto the sands, I hope you will do it with conviction, believing you are there to, at the very least, attempt to save a life. If you don't manage to- well, at least you tried, and that is an honor not many receive."

With a final smile, Kemma hopped off the desk again. Rather active, this woman was. "Alright, that's all for today. Your next lesson will be posted on the board, and I may have Mellith call you all to it, once she knows who you are. You may ask questions now, and I will be here for quite some time to answer them. Those of you not from Selenitas are especially encouraged to ask any questions you have now, or to set up a time to meet with me one on one. Homework is to meet a Rider or Wherhandler, and ask them about their Hatching experience. Once people have asked their general-interest questions, I will dismiss you."

((So. You do need to read this, but responses can be way short if you want. "Homework" is optional, but if you want something to talk about with a rider, it's a good start. I encourage you all to stick around and RP, but only if you want))

[archenstone]

The dragon's die if they find no body? The concept just seemed so....sad. Kemma had told them some interesting things that Kalina would never have known in Blossom. She determined that somewhere between chores and lessons she would find some quiet time to go outside and find some where to relax and think.

[shadowreine]

So, that explained why he was having to do this again. They wanted to make sure it was done right. Keloran relaxed at that thought.

He had not done...no. He had done something wrong. He had done it wrong every Hatching, or he would have Impressed by now. He envied the female greenrider. She had her dragon, she had her forever partner. He...he sighed. But then, he had heard...

"Ma'am," he spoke up, quietly but firmly. "You said Mellith would be willing to talk to the holdbred, and I'm not, but I'd..." He paused. "I'd like to talk to her."

If anyone knew whether he should keep standing or give up, wouldn't it be a dragon? She wouldn't have a human agenda...oddly, he trusted the green to give a more honest answer than any human. Especially his father.

What did he do if he gave up? He would have to leave. His father would not allow him to stay at Selenitas as basically a drudge. One other possibility floated into his mind. What about a wher? He dismissed it immediately. He didn't like whers, it wouldn't be fair on the beast. He found them ugly and awkward, and while, sure, bonding to one might change his mind, he didn't want to risk a bad bonding. Bad for him, bad for the wher, bad for the Weyr.

[wirevix]

Kariel sighed faintly when the lesson itself was over. He'd listened to everything said quietly. Even though he'd been born and raised in a Weyr, he'd never really learned such things. No one had cared if he heard about those particular details, after all, he was too shrimpy to even be considered for a dragon back there.

Homework, talking to a Rider? That would be horribly difficult for him. He supposed he had to at least attempt it... even if it would end in a miserable failure. Such a terrifying thought, though.



Trulurve stretched restlessly as the lesson finished, smiling and nodding thoughtfully. The homework didn't worry him in the slightest, he would do okay. And even though the Candidatemaster talked about such grim things as dragon suicides, he simply couldn't believe anything like that would happen. It was just to silly to consider, things wouldn't go that bad! After all, there were lots of wonderful people to choose from.