Lesson 12 - Tropicals

[reqqy]

Lesson 12:
Classroom: Thread Pattern Construction Project (done during individual jumps)
Training Field: Guided Individual Between Jumps with Weyrlingmaster; Three-Man Teams Fly Straight to Assigned Area, then Jump Back to Selenitas

Just three left to go! So far, so good. No one had been lost Between, and Lauranna had to admit that was a very real concern for her, as a couple from her own weyrling class hadn't made it through that first jump. What do you expect? I taught them, Reysalth commented drolly. And I suppose I'm just along for the ride? Of course. She softened slightly beneath Laurie's pointed look. Well, I suppose you did help a little. Quite right.

Ushering the bluerider in before her with a triumphant grin, Laurie cast a glance around the room. "I trust everyone's still working on the different Threadfall maps I assigned? I know how difficult it is to keep on task when I'm not here, but remember, this is very important. Being able to take a geographical region and work back through archival charts and astronomical projections to predict when and where Thread will fall is something every rider should know. It's not just for our future wingleaders and wingseconds out there, although you'll never lead anything if you can't do this. Now hop to it! I know you're not finished yet!"

Wending through large stacks of scrolls and tomes and starcharts (she'd had to practically promise favors to wheedle all of these out of the archivists) Lauranna bounced up to Fiona. "Your turn, dear." Raiyth, are you ready? As they exited the classroom, Laurie began to talk in low, serious tones. "Now it's just like we've always practiced. Reysalth and I will be jumping right along with you, so, when we give you the image, all you have to do is hold it firmly in your head. You've seen Selenitas Hold a million times, and you know what it's like to go Between since Reysalth and I have ferried you in the past. This isn't difficult. You just need to focus."

In short order, Lauranna was mounted and ready, pulling down her goggles and giving the signal to take to the air. We'll be with you the entire way, Raiyth dear. The image was passed, and then Laurie signaled the jump. Reysalth and Lauranna passed through Between yet again, coming out above Selenitas Hold, the greenrider holding her breath as she waited for Fiona and Raiyth to emerge as well.

T'nmor of Jedirth
S'adi of Sitieth - NPC
Q'in of Russeth - NPC
N'tian of Elleoth - NPC
A'viar of Brenath - NPC
L'ron of Fortith
T'ra of Gartoth - NPC
D'niel of Zorith - NPC
Devai of Zendreth - NPC
Janisi of Storith
Sikowy of Linoth - NPC
Fiona of Raiyth

[kysseh]

Fiona would have had difficulties focusing without the added pressure of knowing her first between jump would come soon, but that only magnified her frustration. She knew how to study, surely, but going over things unceasingly wore on her nerves and made her anxious. It had taken a good few moments of meditation--she had been mastering some calming techniques--before she had gotten control over herself to work. Betweening both excited and worried her, and she still worried over it, even as she looked over the charts and maps and lists before her. This predictions thing was just not coming easily to her. Letters and words were not her forte. Emotions... another matter entirely, they were.

She jumped as Laurie approached, startled out of her concentration. Her curls bounced as she whirled to look at the weyrlingmaster, attempting to remain composed and not go right back to fretting. Today was for calm. Raiyth needed her to be calm and composed and reliable, and she nodded at Laurie and followed her out the door with as much confidence as she could muster. Selenitas Hold... she had grown up there! She would be just fine with this. There was absolutely no need to fret. No, no need at all, Mine. We shall be fine. Raiyth reiterated to her nervous bonded, and Fiona sent as much affection as she could to the cheerful green, her small rock of sanity. I am ready, Reysalth. I am very, very ready.

Keeping her mind firmly focused on the concept, the greenweyrling jogged to her dragon and checked over Raiyth's straps, mindful of the green's minor fidgeting. Raiyth was excited. Focused, but still excited, and Fiona took heart from that. After quickly satisfying herself that all was secure, she stepped on Raiyth's extended foreleg and mounted up, strapping herself on with much care. She did not take her time, no, but she was thorough and cautious. Falling off was very, very bad! Her goggles were snapped down into place, and she nodded at Laurie, signalling Raiyth into the air.

Once airborne, Raiyth crooned softly in affirmation to Reysalth, receiving the picture from the older green and passing it on to Hers. Here it is, Mine. she said, relaying it to the girl astride her neck. Fiona fixed it in her mind, and then the greenpair signalled the jump. Raiyth followed, and Fiona had to fight to keep the panic from rising as the cold, dark oblivion took them, though the image never wavered by sheer force of will. Then, suddenly, it was day again, and she looked to her right to see Reysalth and Laurie, her heart thumping right out of her chest. She could not even bring herself to garble but managed to release her white-knuckled grip on the straps long enough to signal that she was all right. We have made it! That was... not so very hard. May we wait a moment before returning, though? Mine is easily made nervous and needs to calm herself. Raiyth told Reysalth, radiating comfort and affection toward Hers while Fiona worked on calming down. It is all right, Mine. We are fine!

((Sorry for the utter suck. x.o))

[reqqy]

Take all the time you need, Raiyth-love.

Laurie threw propriety - and hand signals - out the window to wave back at her adorable greenpair cheerfully. These had honestly had her worried. They'd done quite well in everything, yes, but they weren't naturals. They had to work hard. Nothing wrong with that, except you didn't get a second chance with Betweening. The assistant weyrlingmaster would have been depressed for quite awhile if she lost this pair, as she could only blame it on her teaching.

Another moment or two, and Laurie nudged Reysalth. All right. Time to pop back now. Again they went through the entire procedure, taking their time, and before long Selenitas stretched beneath them.

Lauranna leapt down, waiting for Fiona to join her, then slipped an arm around the girl and bounded through the barracks with a broad grin. Two more successful Between jumps later, the greenrider was more than pleased with her class of weyrlings, as was evidenced by the giant smile on her face when she flounced before the class. "Come, lovelies. Clear everything up. Neat piles! Neat piles now! Pass in your maps. We'll talk about these some later time. All right, break into your mini wings. If you don't remember...Jedirth, Storith and Raiyth...Sitieth-" She continued to list them off as she helped gather volumes and scrolls to set them to one side.

Once the room was tidied and everyone was outside and readying their dragons, Lauranna announced, "We're all going to be flying straight to Selenitas Hold. All at once, in our mini wings! This is the time for our mini wingleaders to get creative. Have your wings turn, or invert...climb or dip in altitude. Whatever you want so long as you don't get in the Flightpath of another wing. Reysalth and I will watch and judge the best wing, and they'll get a prize afterwards! Isn't that delightful? All right, hop to it!"

In moments, Lauranna was mounted, Reysalth surging into the air with a nimble spring. Join us when your wing is ready, she cooed to her lovely weyrlings. The greenpair set out toward Selenitas Hold, circling high to watch the playing wings and make sure no accidents happened.