Blooming Flora: Lesson Two

[boober]

Aryna all but skipped that morning as she made her way out of the Weyr. It was a drastic change from last lesson, from grumbling, scowling and almost as much complaining as the weyrlings themselves to… what looked like utter joy on the brown rider’s face. She was dressed in her riding gear, minus the heavy jacket and the helmet, her long ebony hair in a braid that swung with her movements. She looked positively bright and rosy. As the weyrlings would very soon find out, this was never a good thing… not with this woman. Dramuth! Call the little darlings out, would you? And remind them, no flits! Despite the last comment, Clover clung tightly to the brown rider’s shoulder, the green ‘mandyr’s tail wrapped around the woman’s bicep tightly. It seemed that the little green had decided Aryna didn’t have permission to go to a lesson without her. But she was in too good a mood to mind the ‘mandyr’s presence at the moment. She wanted to get this show on the road!

Weyrlings! Wake and rise! You are to meet us at the jungle’s edge; if any firelizards or salamandyrs look to you, please leave them in your barracks. As always, the brown was polite but to the point. No flitters were to attend this lesson; it wouldn’t be a problem normally, but today was special. Aryna didn’t want any of the weyrlings’ little pets to help them in this exercise. She would consider it cheating and give a thorough roughing up to anyone who dared. This bonding exercise was for the dragons and their riders, not the little ones. Any who showed up at the lesson were likely to be dismissed by Dramuth. But really, she was too excited to think about that right now; she couldn’t wait to see the looks on the weyrlings’ faces when she told them the lesson plan.

Fortunately, as she and her brown took up their place beneath a large tree just a few paces from the river, Aryna hardly showed her eagerness. She leaned casually back against the tree’s trunk, ankles crossed, one finger tapping idly against her arm from where they were crossed. In her other hand, she was clutching what appeared to be rags. The weyrlings were surely going to be surprised and perplexed by this, and the brown rider couldn’t suppress a chuckle at imagining the looks on their faces. She’d be mightily disappointed if they chose not to show up; ah well, she’d just do the lesson over again and the ones who did show up could beat the snot out of the ones who didn’t for making them do it twice. She chuckled again, sounding vaguely devious this time.

This was going to be fun.

---

Gold
Savitri of Hepaticath

Bronze
K'dran of Risith
R'aro of Idith

Brown
Gl'myr of Silvytreth(APC)
M'ritz of Origoth (Missed 1)

Blue
Roshya of Sheyath
L'nos of Bivroth
As'lin of Stillith
M'kier of Tepidoth
C'ralt of Vomath

Green
J'on of Rinagth
Aminadra of Sairmonath (missed 1)
Liassa of Tiaeth
Lyelle of Pipsissoth (missed 1)
O'dan of Emerith
Celeyn of Foglith

[kysseh]

Savitri gave Hepaticath's hide a last swipe with the oil rag and then stepped back to admire the sheen on Hepaticath's hide. It had taken the better part of a candlemark to coat the growing weyrling, but Savitri was impressed with the result. She could no longer argue with the assessments that Hepaticath was stunning, for the creature really was, despite her youthful gawkiness. She would grow into her bulk with time, but for the moment, her lovely hide made up for her lack of coordination. She leaned forward to scratch the gold's eyeridges, eliciting a pleased croon from the beast. "Yes, you do look lovely. Satisfied?" she inquired.

Very. I no longer itch. Cath told Hers happily, arching her neck lightly with pleased pride. She warbled in quiet surprise when Dramuth's summons reached their hearing, and then she nudged her rider very gently to indicate that she should move. Come, Mine. We must be on time and set a good example. she informed Hers as she stepped around Savitri and toward the open door. Where is the pet-spy?

Shadow was around somewhere, but judging by the images he sent constantly, he was nowhere close. Thus, Sav gave him a gentle nudge to spy on someone, and the little 'mandyr--wherever he was--took to the task with much vigor, leaving both gold and woman free to leave the weyrling barracks and head on their way. It did not take them long to pick their way along the path, and Savitri was relieved to see their weyrlingmaster present and waiting for them to arrive. The brownrider seemed to be more cheerful today, though Savitri was made mildly suspicious by the rag-like things the woman held. This was... different.

Cath had no hesitations, even if this was different from their normal lesson. She crooned a pleasant greeting to the rider and settled a short distance away, nuzzling Savitri until her eyeridges were appropriately attended to. This could be fun, being outside, though the jungle made her cautious after Savitri's last adventure. She did not want Hers to be eaten or hurt, though she knew the weyrlingmaster was more sensible than that. Dramuth's would not put Hers in danger, or Cath would be very, very upset.

Despite her misgivings, Savitri nodded politely and offered up a polite, "Good morning, weyrlingmaster," to the woman. She still was not sure about the idea of being in the jungle again, especially since she had not been able to convince someone to give her a proper lesson in self-defense... or taught her how to throw the knife she kept in her boot. Either one would be much appreciated, really. For the moment, however, she just waited patiently for an explanation, as well as for the rest of her fellow weyrlings to arrive.

[ryanne]

Liassa rubbed her stomach absentmindedly as she thought. She was pregnant. She went back and forth between being happy about it and being upset. It was going to hard and long and she was going to have to hope that against all odds, she managed to get through the pregnancy without her weyrling duties being severely impaired. And then she would have a babe. She would be expected to foster the child out, but she wasn’t sure if she could. She couldn’t imagine having a child then turning around and giving him or her up. It was her flesh and blood. She carried the child in her body, fed her when she fed herself. How could she turn her raising over to someone else?

She would need some help, of course. She couldn’t do this alone. She had yet to tell Swithin so she didn’t know if he’d be willing to help. Liassa didn’t even know if she wanted to dump any other responsibilities on someone else. Before she could think too far into it, though, a dragon’s voice chimed in her head that wasn’t her own. Time for lessons in the jungle? That wasn’t…expected. But that was okay. She could roll with the punches. Tiaethlove, it’s time to wake up, she called, trying to wake the dragon gently.

Lessons?[/i] she asked, bolting awake immediately. She liked going to lessons because then she got to see all of her clutchsiblings. Laughing, she nodded in the affirmative, rolling off of bed and fixing her tunic so that it wasn’t tight around her midsection. She had yet to talk to her Weyrling Master yet and she would hate to have the matter come out by someone noticing the characteristic budge before she’d gotten the chance to explain it to her teacher. Not that her bump was that large, it was barely noticeable with the tunic falling tightly over it, but if someone was familiar with pregnancies, they might just maybe notice it.

Let’s go![/i] she urged, wanting to get there as soon as possible. Lia grinned, hurrying to the door, opening it so that they both could get through. They were at the edge of the jungle in no time at all and standing beside Savitri. Smiling her ‘hello’ to first Aryna and then Savitri, she waited for the lesson to begin.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

C’ralt was not happy about being summoned. He didn’t really want to have lessons today. He had plans with Vomath to go swimming. He rarely got a chance to just be alone with his dragon when he wasn’t bone-tired from chores. And now he had to go to a lesson. He was not happy, but he just sighed and shook his head. It’s time to go, he called to his dragon wearily. The blue was curled up on his dragoncouch, napping after the large meal they’d just had.

Vomath snorted gingerly, unwrapping his tail from around his body and opening his eyes. Okay, Mine. No swimming?[/i] he asked practically, rolling of his couch and moving fluidly onto the ground. He wasn’t one of the clumsy hatchlings. Even though he was still rapidly growing, he had very good control over his limbs and he hated looking awkward so he was careful when he moved and made sure that his steps were sure and stable.

C’ralt thought his small vanities were endearing, especially since he made sure to be so crisp and cold in so many other things. Vomath ignored those thoughts, focusing instead on nosing open the door. C’ralt laughed, wishing the blue had just asked him for help. Pushing open the door, they left and headed to the jungle’s edge for the lesson. It promised to at least be interesting.
[/size]

[Ruby]

As'lin and Stillith were just coming back from a walk when Dramuth's now familiar voice entered their heads. At first, Stil seemed excited, but almost immediately his draconic face dropped from excitement to slight horror. What is it? As'lin asked, a little worried.

Oh... it's nothing, mine. Hurry up and put on more sensible pants, short ones won't do for lessons.

As'lin stopped and turned, effectively blocking Stil's progress back into their room. Tell me what it is.[/b]

The blue tried a couple of times to dodge around his rider, to no avail. Finally he met As'lin's eyes, then dropped them in embarassment. I was hoping for an oiling after our walk, and a nap. Now... I am not shiny, and I am getting sleepy, and we must go to lessons. That is all. Stil continued looking down, his head dorrping lower.

"Oh, Stillith," As'lin said aloud, lifting the blue's head. "You'll be just fine, I promise. But we can't waste any more time or we'll be late. Here- why don't you put your head down for a second while I change?" he asked, leading the Blue into his room. Stil was looking a little dull, he realized, hoping he wouldn't be chided for it at lesson. Oh well, nothing he could do about it now.

Stillith and As'lin weren't exactly late, but they weren't exactly early either. Well, at least they weren't there first, like last time. With a wave for Liassa , C'ralt, and Aryna by association, As'lin headed directly for Savitri, placing himself at her side. He lifted his chin at her in greeting, as both of his hands were suddenly filled with Stil's head. "'morning, Savitri. And Hepaticath, of course." Adjusting so he could lean over without disturbing Stillith, As'lin did, murmuring to Savitri, "What d'you think those rags are for?"

[Kisha-Ra]

‘Why doesn’t she want the little ones along?’ J’on wondered as he gave Wraith a final stroke before walking out into the corridor where Rinagth, O’dan, and Emerith were waiting for him to sort his pet out.

‘Isn’t it obvious?’ O’dan asked his friend rhetorically. When J’on just rolled his eyes the blond boy shrugged and continued. ‘Remember how Janisi told us about her weyrling lessons, they got blindfolded and lead around by their dragons…’

‘And Storith turned out not to know her left from right!’ J’on chortled remembering the amusing tale. Then he thought of something. ‘Rina, love, you do know your left and right don’t you?’ Rinagth turned her head and blinked at him. What are those?[/color] the green asked curiously, J’on just groaned and covered his eyes. ‘I think I’m going to have that problem too.’

This time it was O’dan’s turn to roll his eyes. ‘Well tell her which side is which deadglow.’ He said in a tone that suggested that J’on was being pretty stupid. ‘If you know what’s going to happen you can prepare for it.’ Emmy, you know don’t you? he silently asked his dragon. Emerith dipped her head once in affirmation. Yes I learned and I remembered for you.[/color] The bulky green replied cheerfully This is my right wing and this is the left one. I knew you’d be happy I learned that.[/color] Emerith wriggled the appropriate wings as she spoke.

Look the side I’m on is your left side and the other one is your right. J’on explained to his green. This is right?[/color] Rinagth asked lifting her right forefoot. yes But what if your on the other side of me? Does that side become left?[/color] The green asked anxiously as the quartet headed approached the jungle. No Rina, this side of you is always left, the other side is always right. J’on replied tapping Rinagth’s left flank as he spoke.

I don’t understand[/color] Rinagth spoke to Emerith in confusion, if the other green understood then why couldn’t she? Emerith looked at Rinagth for a moment. Tell yours you’ve got it now. I’ll tell you when you need to know, then you will learn it too and Yours will be happy too.[/color] Emerith answered her sister cheerfully.


Lessons my R’aro. The little ones must stay.[/color] Idith came awake instantly and almost oozed off his couch. R’aro’s trio of flitters instantly occupied the couch with smug sounds. ‘I did hear Dramuth you know.’ R’aro commented. ‘Is there anything we need?’

No, just ourselves.[/color] Idith shook one of his back legs furiously as a discarded shirt caught on his talons, R’aro sighed and went to untangle the bronze wondering if his dragon would ever outgrow his clumsiness. However once freed from the offending garment Idith was happy to lope along with his rider, avoiding any further incidents.

Good day Weyrlingmaster.[/color] ‘Hello, we’re not late are we?’ Idith respectful greeting and R’aro’s vaguely concerned one overlapped each othe in an amusing manner. Idith chose to stand near Hepaticath but other than that seemed to ignore the gold; once again R’aro was forced to wonder what was going on his dragon’s head.


Sheyath trotted along, his pale hide shimmering wonderfully in the morning’s light. The sight of her dragon moving so gracefully and looking so good made Roshya grin with ridiculous pride. It did make all the time spent oiling him seem well worth it though, no one would be able to see a mark on Sheyth’s hide.

The diminutive blue looked sideways at his chosen with blue green eyes and said nothing at all. Roshya was learning that her dragon didn’t waste words, but that was alright. Sometimes you didn’t need words, and if Sheyath wasn’t saying he itched then his hide was as good as it looked.

‘Morning all’ Roshya called out as she approached the crowd of humans and young dragons.



((Uh…Boober, I’m pretty sure O’dan hasn’t missed a lesson…*flails around in archive*))

[flupine]

Celeyn woke up to the incessant nudging of her arm. For some strange reason she was dreaming that her arm was flopping from one side of her body to the other. But why would it be doing something as silly as that? Probably because Foglith was all but headbutting it. Mine....Mine? Miiiine. Mine Mine Mine Mine. Mine!!! UP NOW! (sound like the seagulls in Nemo? just a little)

And somehow, Celeyn managed to drag herself up to a conscious level of thinking, somehow, she would figure it out later. Looking like some sort of sea monster, Celeyn sat on her bed for a moment, her hair throw in wild disarray, more like a mane of a wild feline than a human head. Which caused the little Green to give a draconoc laugh, like a growling sneeze. Smiling affectionately, Celeyn sat dumbfounded in the bed before beginning to scratch her ribs. Then her head. Then her legs. She simply scratched until she woke up. And she did that too, eventually. But it took nearly everything in Foglith to convince Hers that they needed to go to the lesson. On time. No mistakes, no time for breakfast, And if mine does not hurry up, then there will be no time for brushing your hair either. Celeyn raised up from her bed, tossing Foglith a look of disgust for bein so cheery in the morning before leaving to find a latrine. With Foglith following everystep of the way.

Somehow with moments, the pair were both exciting the Weyrling Barracks, looking pretty spiffy, if Foglith did say so. She had coerced and pushed hers into everything but they would be on time to the lesson for sure. They had to be. and Foglith was still harping on Celeyn to hurry, even pushing Hers at times to make her walk faster. Where we off to, Fog? Celeyn asked sleepily, trailing off on a yawn. The Jungle. So we must hurry. Foglith seemed to be on a mission to be on time this morning so Celeyn fell quiet, letting herself be pushed toward the Jungle, her mind still thinking of the food she could be eating in the Mainhall. As her stomach growled in protest, so far the only thought other than location which would process was, By the first Shell.

Arriving still yawning with an entirely too chipper Foglith, demandingly shoving her toward the Jungle, Celeyn stopped wide eyed as the reached the Jungle's edge. The Jungle.. why were they at the Jungle. There could not possibly be a lesson here. Slowing down even farther, Celeyn approached the gathering Weyrling class with a great amount of trepidation. What were they going to be doing? And why was that ghastly woman of a Weyrling Master, so happy? Unsure but agreeable from sleep she managed to find a tree to lean against while Foglith headed off to find more social beings in the morning.

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Weyrlings! Wake and rise! You are to meet us at the jungle’s edge; if any firelizards or salamandyrs look to you, please leave them in your barracks.

On the more fortunate side, K'dran was already awake with the rising Rukbat, having formed the habit to awaken early from years in the Kitchens. Indeed, it was Risith who was struggling to wake up this morning. Risith simply could not see the logic in him waking up so early. Nope. There would not be one single reason on Pern that would call for the mighty Risith to wake himself at this unheard of hour. K'dran crouched down by his bonded, an expression of pain, similar even to Celeyn's, as he tried to poke and prod Risith into waking. Come one Risith! We need to be on the way to class! Not sitting in here, watching you sleep. Why not? You are a lazy flitter, you know that?

Risith immidiatly jumped upwards, his eyes whirling madly as His for daring to compare him to some sharding firelizard! If he could have been able to flame yet, he would have roasted K'dran. As it was, the Bronze would settle for ignoring the upstart and regally climb down from his ledge. Holding his wings out for inspection, Risith waited patiently. What now, Risith? Clean Me. K'dran's eyes widened in disbelief. He simply could not believe his luck. Surely Risith would not be like this every morning? Because they definitely need to find a new morning routine. Now, Risith? Not bothering to respond, Risith simply shook his wings out once more. Frustrated with him, K'dran jerked out the oil and began working his hide into a gleam. All the while calling Risith as many names as he could think of.

It seemed like turns later when they finally managed to make it to the requested Lesson area. Thank Faranth, he did not have any pesky little flitters to bother worrying about for this lesson, whatever it was. Nudging Risith forward with a knee the two entered the obvious "lesson area" with as much enthusiasm and regalness as Risith could manage. At this unheard of hour. The little bonze was obviously going to be a problem and K'dran could only hope that it would not be this way for every lesson. Hello Weyrling Master. K'dran greeted before stepping back to find someone he could talk to. Someone Risith wouldn't start problems with.

[darcy]

L'nos would have been quite content to sleep all morning, but thought better of that idea. Sleeping made him drowsy, and if this lesson was to be anything like the last, namely including sharp pointy cutting implements, he would having nothing to do with it if her was less than fully awake. His time as a weyrling had taught him not to sleep less, per se, but to sleep strategically. He had memorized the days he had lessons, chores and made sure Bivroth woke him up earlier on those days. When he didn’t have any pressing commitments, he slept as long and as deeply as he could; until Bivroth needed feeding anyway. Of course, there were some complications with that plan, most stemming from Bivroth’s unassuming nature. On the days L’nos did sleep in, he often found himself sleeping through till the middle of the day, without Bivroth waking him. The little blue, despite his hunger and discomfort, often refused to wake the weyrling up. Unlike L’nos he would often be awake before Rubkat had risen, and simply stayed by the cot, eyes watching and whirring slowly until the weyrling awoke. L’nos had, at first, berated the dragon for not thinking of himself first, but soon learnt that that approach had very little effect on Bivroth, who stoically accepted his words – and then proceeded to do the very same thing the next morning. So, to rectify the situation, L’nos had set about becoming more in touch with his beautiful creature, giving the blue the things he would not ask for.

This morning he had dressed before the announcement came, quite an achievement. Grinning, he wondered vaguely why the little creatures were not permitted to come today, but did not let his thoughts linger for very long. He turned his gaze to Bivroth, well fed and oiled he was staring eagerly at His, obviously equally as keen to begin the lesson. The two made their way to river, with little misadventure. The blue seemed hesitant as they approached his clutchmates, shrinking somewhat. L’nos scratched the dragon’s eyeridge, attempting to emit a sense of calm and love. The blue was not frightened by the others, but rather felt intimidated by being unable to communicate with them. He found conversation difficult and stressful, and because of this avoided it where he could. L'nos often chuckled over the difference between rider and dragon; the weyrling often found himself uncomfortable and stressed when he couldn't be in contact with other humans. With a small, inwards laugh, he turned to Aryna and was somewhat relieved to see rags. Certainly today would be hard work, he had no doubt of that; yet he found himself oddly comforted by the fact that armed with a rag it was very unlikely he could slice a finger off.