Weyrling lessons Begin...

[Tashe]

It was early ... around the crack of dawn. The sun's position just barely rose above the horizon, and only a few people were up and about trying to start their daily jobs around the Weyr. Black traction boots silently shoved their way forward with a purpose, while the man they belonged to let a slow grudgingly happy grin spread across his face. Today was the beginning of a long grueling process for both the man and the fourteen sleeping and unaware pairs that were about to get a rude awakening. Today was the first day of the all important Weyrling lessons, and as soon as they started F'rah would no longer be on fatherly terms with the Weyrlings ... he would be their teacher and mentor. Although this year would not only be harder on the children that he was going to teach, but on he himself too. Fath's last clutch had emerged with undesirable results, and some of the newest impressed pairs would have to deal with mutations.

If this man's intent was to break the silent peace of the morning that lay softly around the Barracks, then the large bell in his tanned left hand would do the trick. Gliding down the hall with the greatest of ease, the Weyrlingmaster swung the loud, high pitched, and obnoxious sounding bell up and down with a vengeance. Between the hated bell swings, F'rah's deep and melodic voice rang out with an unusual bite to its words.

"WAKE UP YOU LOUSY EXCUSE FOR WEYRLINGS." A pause and then another few seconds of bell ringing erupted before his voice was heard again. "WEYRLING LESSONS ARE STARTING... NOW."

Above the bell and the Weyrlingmaster's loud remarks, a Dragon's roar could be heard, almost as if it was enforcing the last word of the man's sentence. As a final reminder that he meant business, he quickly walked up and then down the hall, letting his fist fall on each of the fourteen doors that led to occupied rooms.

------

It wasn't one of Styth's favorable times of the morning, in fact the large dark chocolate brown severely hated the Dawn and this, along with the agitating ringing of the bell, made him throw in his own wake up to the Weyrling Dragons. His rider could take care of the Humans, but it was Styth's self appointed duty to get the young dragons up with the sun, if he had to be up then they should share this spiteful time with him.

Snaking his head as close as he could get it to the Weyrling barracks, the well sized brown opened his jaw and let out a mighty roar which almost matched the bell's volume. Letting the roar last for around four seconds, Styth then retracted his head and sought his way into the minds of all the young dragons that lay below him.

/WAKE. You are about to start the first step in your growing process! SO WAKE. Do not make your rider drag you from bed… If you choose not to attend the Lesson you and your rider shall be punished accordingly. Regardless if Your's attends and you do not./

Lifting his large wings off of his back, the Brown's eyes just barely swirled a reddish orange ... he hated this time of morning. Snorting unhappily as Styth moved into a more commanding position, he let his mind jab at his rider's.

/I don't like you Mine. Why did WE have to wake up before Dawn! This is crazy and so are you .../

---

Slowly making his way to the nearest wall, the Weyrlingmaster let his body lean against the cold, hard stones. Running a hand through his honey brown, shoulder length hair, F'rah smiled as he heard the loud clamoring of the Weyrlings as they hurried to slip into their attires and wake their dragons. Though through this enjoyment a feeling of unhappiness squirmed its way through into his mind.
/I'm sorry Styth my friend. I promise we won't wake this early tomorrow morning ... I just felt like the Weyrlings needed to know that I'm not going to go easy on them. Mutations or not. They all are going to go through this training, and they all are going to obey what I ask of them./

A few seconds passed before a mummer of agreement drifted off of his dragon and into him.

/Fine. I trust everything you do is to build their stamina and so forth and what not Mine. I'm just not a morning dragon./

Laughing slightly the Weyrlingmaster happily agreed with his Brown, but as the doors started to open and the Weyrlings started to file quickly out of them, F'rah crossed his arms and reduced his laugh to merely a vacant grin. Not moving from his position against the wall, the man waited for the Weyrlings to find him and fully assemble before he announced what his plans were for them on this fine early morning.

Its time for them to leap and not look back ...

[Requiem]

First on the scene, not surprisingly, were Kalierre and Phremath. Phremath was half-running, the green eager in everything, but mostly in that elusive flight that her particular handicap made seemingly impossible. She would overcome it, though! She was, after all, the best-looking, healthiest, most determined green weyrling there was! Isn't that just a bit smug, heart? Phremath glanced over her shoulder at her bonded. Yes. But it's true. Kalierre chuckled, shaking her head.

Despite the amusement at Phremath's antics, Kalierre certainly wasn't amused at the Weyrlingmaster's timing. It had been her turn to pull the night shift at the infirmary. In fact, the dragonpair had just been on their way back to the weyrling barracks. Weyrling training of course carried precedence, and Kalierre served a double role, as this training required a healer's presence in the event of any mistakes on the weyrlings' part. Still, she hoped F'rah would keep this session short.

The woman didn't much relish only a couple of hours of sleep. Once the Master Healer returned - only a few more days now - she could see about taking leave until after the training unless it was an emergency, but for now they needed all the journeymen they could get. Don't be so fussy, Phremath chided. She skid to a halt at a respectful distance from the Weyrlingmaster and great Styth, staring at the brown in anticipation. Kalierre smiled wearily, dipping her head. She looked like she'd been up for the twelve hours that she had.

***

Styth's bugling sent Jessereth in a mad skitter for Z'hin, who had rolled over in his sleep, no longer touching the brown hatchling. Of course he wasn't nearly as far away as the sturdy male thought. Z'hin awoke, not to the bugling and the ringing of the bells, but to a great clawed foreleg in his side, grunting as Jessereth tripped over him and he caught a tail in the face.

"Wha-?"

It's Styth, HinMine! The young man propped himself up, rubbing at his eyes. He listened to the Weyrlingmaster's bellowing with an expression of distaste. So early? Though he was accustomed to waking with the sun when he spent his night outdoors, since coming to the weyr his schedule had shifted more to match those of his fellows, and it seemed far too early to be awake. We should probably get out there, Jessereth stated dryly. Now that he had recovered from his startlement, the brown's tone was its usual complacent tambour.

Z'hin was every bit as 'slow and steady' as his dragon. He tugged on his tunic, taking the time to lace it up, and even honored the occasion by pulling on his much detested and seldom worn boots. As one of the older candidates, he knew the boys would likely look up to him and Jessereth, so he even briefly considered running a razor over his face, but then discarded the idea. Let him look a little scruffy. Better a day's stubble than coming late. He did, however, pull a comb through the soft curls that he still hadn't quite cut to their usual, more manageable length.

When the weyrling pair stepped through the door, they were not the first, but certainly not the last, either. And they made quite the handsome pair. Jessereth's hide had been oiled just the night before, and anyway, he was a sturdy, obviously healthy brown, the chocolate hue with it's rivulets of darker brown seeming to flow down his hide eye-catching in that unobtrusive way. Z'hin, dressed in clean and properly arranged clothing, even managed to pull off the stubble on his face to good effect - after all, most saw him cleanshaven. It wasn't as if he simply neglected that particular matter of hygiene. He just happened to grow hair rather fast - as the overlong curls that nestled against the back of his neck indicated.

They walked unhurriedly to join the gathering weyrlings before F'rah.

[missa]

A nudge about his head was what sort of woke E'nor, the young Weyrling grunting softly, and rolling over. Clestioth rumbled softly in amusement, nudging His' shoulder now. How odd, His was still asleep, when after the big dragon had shouted, Clestioth had been wide awake. Ready for the lessons, but His was sleepy, maybe he should go, and leave His to sleep.
MineLove? You have to wake up now, it is time for out lessons, and we must attend, yes we must. COme on Miiine Tail swished and twitched in a rather feline manner, wings rufflingf before spreading slightly. His awoke, and promptly fell off the bed, which caused Clestioth to first stumble back, before racing forward to check His was alright.

E'nor blinked a couple of times, at first wondering why he was on the floor and why Clestioth was gazing down at him with worry. Then he remembered, hadn't Clestiothsaid something about lessons? Oh joy, not only was he going to be late, but lessons meant every one had to go, which meant alot of people. Joys, but if he had Clestioth, everything would be fine, absolutely fine.
"Kel?" E'nor's voice was husky with sleep as he pushed himself up, hunting around for the brown flitt that both he and Clestioth adored so much. A chirp from under the furs answered him, and E'nor relaxed. So he hadn't squished him.

Why was His on the floor, and the blue thing staring at him so? Oh, no, His was up. Now racing about trying to get what he needed, hadn't Clestioth said something about a lesson? Well, it was too early, Kel would stay right here, and sleep some more.

~

W'liam had woken slightly at the first sound of the bell, though was wide awake when said bell startled Rinth into falling off his bed with a loud crash. The poor bronze, after that there was the Weyrling Master's voice, and then the bell again. Normally fairly easy going, W'liam found it amazing how tempting it was to want shove that bell somewhere extrememly uncomfortable. Even Willow had woken, and her loud chirps were rather peeved, as thogh this alone would stop it.

Mine, I suppose we must go to lessons now? Yes? Well, if we must, do you think you could help me? The bronze had attempted to get up, only to get tangled in the sheet W'liam had placed over him last night, afraid he'd get cold. With the help of His, he managed to get free, only to trip moments later.
"Rinth, just stay still for a moment while I dress." An affectionate pat was given to the large dragonet, and obiediantly, he sat. Why was His rushing like that? Surely they had plenty of time, that silly dragon woke them to tell them nonesense, of course they would come, at least, he would. Interesting, wasn't it?

When both pairs, Rinth and W'liam and Clestioth and E'nor arrived, there were others already there. Clestioth looked like he was dying to go play with his siblings, and instead merely chirped out a hello. While Rinth just tried to look as regal as he could while walked, placing one foot in front of the other with exagerated concentration.
"Good Morning, Sir!" W'liam's voice was already happy, though that came from attempting not to laugh as his Bronze yet again managed to trip over himself, yet got uip, shook himself off and stood beside W'liam. E'nor had looked at him as though he had grown another head, this was not a good morning, was it even morning yet?

[evendar]

N'vis jumped out of bed with a start. "Narn!" he cried, before remembering that his sister was still housed in the Candidate barracks, and that he was in the Weyrling Barracks. Reenith was his next thought, his first being almost instinctual to him to look for his twin. He spotted his dozing green with her skinny body. She had barely filled out at all since Impression, her ribs still clearly visible.

The sickly green's head rose an inch from its sleeping position as she heard Styth's command. But I am so tired, Styth. Mornings and me do not mix. she said in her blunt and oblivious way, her eyes blinking slowly. N'vis ran to her side and scratched her eye ridge.

"Salright my dearest, we'll make sure you do no more than you are able." he assured her as she leaned into his scratching.

[paryal]

Luckily for both Paryal and P'tol, they had been born to a life that demanded early rising. Unluckily for them, they had had grown used to sleeping past dawn at the Weyr, and the clamoring voice calling for them to awake was a brutal shock. Paryal was out of bed before P'tol, forcing herself to fall down onto the stone floor to jolt herself into wakefulness. Aezanth was blinking sleepily, the equally loud voice of the brown dragon having entered her head. How come she had to wake up early? She was Aezanth, a Queen! She should have been able to get up later than her clutchmates, and arrive when she liked. This certainly wasn't fair. I am going back to sleep mine. And you can't stop me. There was the usual stubborn determination in Aezanth's voice that suggested that nothing Paryal could do would ever change her mind on this matter. "Fine then. I'll just leave without you." Despite her regal attitude, Aezanth was still just a baby, and couldn't stand being left alone.

With agonizing slowness (in order to give Aezanth time to think), Paryal slipped into her daily clothes, an outfit simply consisting of a tunic and pants, and some sturdy boots that would hopefully last her some time. "Well, goodbye Aezanth. I'll see you in a couple of hours, I should think. It might take all day then. But you should be fine. I mean, you may be hungry, but that should be fine, right? I'll leave Fairamay with you." Fairamay, hearing her name, chirped once, settling back onto Aezanth's broad golden back. It was amazing how well the green had adapted to life with her bigger cousin. Fairamay even seemed to like Aezanth, though she did tend to like most females. It was males the fire lizard had a problem with. Thank heavens Aezanth wasn't a blue!

Turning out the door, Paryal began to walk slowly, step by step, out the door. She had reached the corridor before Aezanth stood up quickly, dislodging an angry Fairamay, all limbs scrambling as she tried to gain her rider. Mine! You wouldn't really leave me, would you? The little Queen regarded her rider with even wider eyes than normal, a hint of orange distress in their faceted depths. Of course not dear heart. But I had to get you up. With mild grumbling, Aezanth accepted that answer, following closely on Paryal's heels as they began to walk towards where the lessons would be held. Finally they merged with the general crowd, hoping they weren't late. Many had arrived already, but not all. It was hard to appear inconspicious when your dragon was the largest one there, and arguably the most important.

****
P'tol heard the yelling and disregarded it, turning over to go back to sleep. Why was his father yelling now? He had already made breakfast! He grumbled once, sticking his pillow over his head in an attempt to drown out the noise. Wait a minute. He was at the Weyr now. He had Llath. This yelling was important! The newly made greenrider caught only the tail end of the message, though it was enough to understand it was time for his first Weyrling lesson. How exciting! Yet terrifying. P'tol was unsure how to feel. He would have to meet all of his fellow new Weyrlings, but he would be learning things to help Llath. If only the lessons were private. Wait, then he would have to be one on one with the scary sounding Weyrlingmaster. This was for the best.

"Wake up Llath! We can't be late." Llath was already awake, though not by her own violation. Naima had decided that all the yelling meant it was time to get up, and was assuring the much larger green out the door already. I am so hungry mine. Can't we eat first?
"No, sorry love. We need to get there. I'm sure there will be food enough for all of you. And us, hopefully." P'tol was feeling a bit hungry himself. He was nothing without his breakfast. And Naima was adding her own plaintive cries to the mix. She was old enough now to hunt for herself, but she preferred to have P'tol feed her dainty bits on the end of his knife.

Running, with Llath tripping in his wake, P'tol pulled up with the rest, panting heavily. Good, he wasn't late yet, though he certainly wasn't early. Just on time, it looked like. Hungry! And there are too many people here. Hiding behind her rider, Llath tried to appear as little as possible. This was hard, given that she was violently bright, and thus clearly visible. Why were they all watching her? Of course they weren't, but Llath felt as if they were. This was horrible! She just wanted to go home, and sleep some more, then have P'tol feed her and oil her, and then she could go back to sleep and not have to meet all these other dragons.

[thialyn]

"I'm up, I'm up!" came the pillow muffled reply as an enthuisiastic bronze sat on him. It was not a pleasant experience to have a growing hatchling straddling his legs, but he really couldn't do anything about it at the moment. Kasraiths mearly poked him again with his bronze muzzle, huffing at him. Hurry, Ren'Mine! We will be late! With that the bronze slowly but surely got off the bed, hind legs first, and waited for his rider to strap on his "legs."

T'ren sat up, a little bleary-eyed before standing to fetch the wooden supports. His bronze dragon hummed as he strapped them on, proud of the make-shift pair. He was a real dragon! Legs and everything! T'ren slapped him on the neck affectionately just as Kas butted his head to T'ren's chest, effectively knocking the boy over.

"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying!" he said laughing, standing to dress. The pair were out the door in a few moments, on hand resting on the bronze flank as if the contact was the only thing keeping this dream real. They noticed several of their clutchmates were already there, awaiting the start of this lesson. Good morning, Styth! Kasraith said cheerily as he sat back on his haunches next to His.

~~~~~~

Alene was already awake. As early as it was, she was still on her Runner-bred schedule, and, yes, that included getting up before dawn, a fact her roommates in Candidacy did not seem to happy to find out. Liamorth, however, was a different story. She was just now waking up, the voice of Styth causing her to stir. She moaned as Alene practically bounced around the room, excitement for the first lesson causing her to be a little....hyper. "Come on, Liamorth. Don't want to be late to our first Lesson, do you?"

If they have food, I'll come, she answered, yawning and stretching her lithe form. Alene smiled and just watched her dragon, disbelief still tinging her perception. Liamorth caught it. I Chose you Alene'Mine. You were perfect. Why would I choose someone not perfect? Alene just smiled, nodding once. The words did much to assuage her feelings but she didn't show it physically. "Ready now?" Liamorth nodded her head and the pair were off to the lesson. The green sat regally beside her bonded, looking around at the other dragonettes. She looked up at Alene.

Why are some so different? she asked, her voice plaintive. They shouldn't be different. Alene knelt by her green, warm smile gone, replaced by a comforting one. "I don't know, dear. But they are dragons like you and they will find a way." Liamorth seemed to take a little comfort in this, for she nodded with lidded eyes before turning back to the Weyrlingmasters to learn what this lesson was all about.

[saberlin]

From her bed in the candidates barracks Rilliana could hear the loud voice of the Weyrlingmaster and the bugle of his brown dragon. Shards they were loud, didn't they know that not EVERYONE in the weyr was a weyrling? Some had walked off of the sands refusing to Impress any more who were there. Oh well, she wouldnt let it get to her. She still had her mornings for now. Rilliana got up and dressed herself casually. The headwoman had recently taken her to get a few new pairs of clothing which was nice. That way her beautiful blue gown would not have to get dirty from every day wear. She looked out her window and saw the weyrlings filling out, some helping their mutated dragons, others walking proudly as their dragons were not those with the mutations. She sighed, "Give me wings so I can fly, only make sure they are perfect or do not try." A new song had begun to compose itself in her head. She would write of the mutations and why it had happened when she found that reason out, then she would send it back to the MasterHarper and make it a teaching ballad. No child will want to stand and maybe it will stop.

[ravenmane]

As the Weyrling Master F'rah let loose a loud bellow, Ciara literally fell out of her bed. The Weyrling glanced at her surroundings through sleepy eyes. The girl had had a fitful sleep with Toryth constantly twitching her tail. It was not my fault! The strange Green responded to her rider's thought with indignation. The girl smiled and scratched her beast's eye ridges. "Of course not, but that won't help us get ready." Suddenly, Toryth leaped out of bed, eyes whirling slightly. Styth is very very loud!

"He needs to be to get us moving, Toryth." Ciara stood and quickly changed to some simple breeches and a loose top. The girl walked to where the Weyrling master was, her eyes glancing at him with caution. She really had disliked the rude awakening, but she was not about to say that. Toryth stared up at F'rah as she joined her Mine. The Green was happy to start and meet her fellow Greens. Maybe we can play later. Toryth noticed Llath and moved over to her clutch-sister as the Green cowered behind her rider. Hello, Llath. Are you okay?

Toryth seemed genuinely concerned for her fellow Green. The friendly dragonet nuzzled her clutch-sister before glancing at Ciara. She wanted to have fun and meet others, but Styth made it seem as though they were going to work. Ciara watched as Toryth greeted Llath. The Green was quite friendly even when they were not supposed to be socializing.

[Tashe]

The Weyrlings filed out of their rooms at varied speeds, from those who were eager to those who now disliked him for waking them up at day break. Expertly receiving the dirty looks that were cast in his direction, F’rah let his eyes wonder happily over the heads of the mixed gendered Weyrlings. Letting the children and young adults talk amongst themselves until most of the Weyrlings and their charges arrived, the Weyrlingmaster nodded to the Ebony haired W'liam before clapping his hands loudly to gather the attention of his students.

“Good morning everyone. I apologize about the rather loud awakening, but I always wake my students like that on their first day of training. A sort of a… tradition and initiation, if you will.” Pausing slightly to let the last of the nerve filled shifting stop, F’rah then continued speaking. “On to business. I assume and hope you all know who I am… if you don’t I am the man who is going to be your teacher and mentor for the next year and a half. I am Weyrlingmaster F’rah of Brown Styth.” Running a hand through his hair at the thought of teaching again, the Weyrlingmaster’s smile grew a bit wider.

“This year’s lessons will be a bit different from the normal schedule, because of the instructions that will be issued to the pairs with dragons that require special needs. A notice will be delivered to those pairs on what they will be instructed in. Though be aware I am not taking anyone out of the normal lessons, you will all participate and no one will be treated differently.”

Nodding slightly as he crossed his arms, F’rah bit the tip of his thumb before continuing his long and important speech. “And now I’d like everyone to file their way into the lesson room, follow me please! The late ones will find their own way.” Pushing himself off of the stone grey wall, the Weyrlingmaster danced through the half circle that had formed around him before setting down the ‘hall’. It only took a few seconds to reach the large room that would be his late night home, twisting the handle the Weyrlingmaster swung the wooden door open before surging happily into the room. Dumping the contents of his leather messenger bag onto the large desk that was set at the front of the room for the current teacher, F’rah straightened a few of his files and books before looking up at the rest of the class.

“Come on come on. Pick any seat, chair, or desk you want. I don’t have a seating chart or anything. But I will move you around if I feel it is necessary! Quickly now kids… and young adults… I want us to get started with the day. The sooner we start the sooner our Dragons are fed and then we ourselves can eat something.”

----

Placing his large head next to the window he had been near before, Styth watched the Weyrlings and their Mines gather before F’rah to listen to him speak. Only one of the little dragons reached out to him, and the bronze was the only one that Styth greeted.

/Fair morning Kasraith./

Spreading his wings as his Mine polished off his first speech of the day, the dark chocolate brown leapt into the slowly lightening sky. It only took a few strong wing beats to reach the perch that rested outside of the classroom, settling his long body onto the branch Styth pulled open the tall windows that allowed him to observe the lessons. Already situated in a comfortable position as his Mine entered the room, the Brown nodded slightly before crossing his front legs as he watched the kids enter the room and slowly pick their seats. There was enough room between each of the desks for the young dragons to rest comfortably while Their’s studied or took notes and tests… But today there wasn’t going to be time to rest, there was a lot of walking to be done today.

[missa]

Much as Clestioth wanted to talk to his fellows, the awkwardness about E'nor held him back, making quite happy to just trot along side his for moments at a time, occasionally, he'd say something, but when E'nor said barely anything back, he gave up. Why was His being so boring today? It wasn't any fun, His always wanted to talk to him, but not today. Slowly, the blue turned his head, observing His with confusion etched in his whirling eyes, the way his wings seemed to droop and the lesser arch of his neck portrayed this far more than words could have.
Hello Aezanth! How are you today? It is very nice isn't it? Mine was awful slow to wake up this morning. A bright chirpy hello was given to his gold clutchsibling, eyes happier.

E'nor watched with ill-hidden terror as Clestioth trotted up to the gold, leaving him no option but to follow, they had just been told to sit down, and ... Well, E'nor would do as he was told, Clestioth would join him when he was done conversing, right? Yes, he would, the blue would never leave him alone. No, never. Thus it was the E'nor took a seat, not looking to who was either side, if, indeed, there was anyone on either side of him. Instead, he sat, staring at the table infront of him.

~

After Rinth sorted his feet out, W'liam followed the rest, it was slow going, since the bronze was trying to work out everything before walking. His wings were folded along his spine, out of the way, settled. He said nothing to W'liam for a long moment, His would understand. After all, he had to work out his footing before he did anything, then he would perhaps speak. It didn't matter, His answered promtly when he spoke, so it rarely became an issue. Rinth did like to talk though, and thus, the silence annoyed him more than it should.
Mine, where are we going to sit? I don't mind.

Every thought the Bronze sent his way, had W'liam's heart sweeling with a love that he had once thought couldn't exist. Yet it did, and he only had to look at his dragon to realise it.
I don't know, where would you like to sit? W'liam's reply was instant, he'd managed to respond immeadiately to his dragon every time he spoke, it was a habit he was welcoming. Rinth's amusement flowed down the bond, choosing to sit directly across from E'nor and Clestioth.

[covera]

V'nus was on the Hatching Sands, a small brown was approaching him. Incredulity swept over V'nus; was the brown going to pick V'nus? All around him people were impressing but V'nus had his eyes only on the brown dragonet. Just one step more and the dragonet would be his, would the brown choose him?
Just as the dragonet was going to nudge him, a man jumped between them, holding a bell.
'What?' V'nus thought. 'Why is F'rah interrupting the brown?'
Suddenly the Weyrlingmaster begun to swing the bell, yelling some incomprehensible words. The brown dragonet was frightened by this and scurried away from V'nus and impressed someone else.
Despair filled V'nus's heart as he watched the brown dragonet that should have been his, greet another candidate.
And all because of F'rah.

V'nus woke up sweating, it had only been a dream! Vemorath was still his! Relief swept over him but it didn't stay for long.
F'rah had intruded his real life as well. Swinging a bell.
"Why is this man the source of all my misery?" V'nus said aloud grumpily. He wasn't exactly a morning person.
It's time to wake up Mine! Vemorath said excited.
However, V'nus wasn't as excited. "Please tone it down, Vemorath! I think I have a headache," V'nus said tiredly, feeling very sorry for himself.

V'nus was too busy wallowing in self-pity that he took an unusually long time to dress. When he finally realized that everybody was gone, V'nus immediately forgot all about tiredness and hurried as he best could. V'nus imagined that F'rah wouldn't be too happy with him if he showed up late on the first day!

Finally V'nus arrived, panting, with Vemorath behind him. V'nus's hair was unkempt and his face clearly showed marks of sleeping.
However, Vemorath was the soul of happiness. Hello! Brothers and sisters! Vemorath broad-casted happily. And hello, Styth!

V'nus saw that the Weyrlings were picking seats and took a seat close to the desk where F'rah was sitting. The brown Weyrling looked guiltily at F'rah. "Sorry that I'm late Weyrlingmaster," he said meekly.

[paryal]

In a sharp response to her other green sibling, Llath hissed, raising her wings and hiding even further behind P'tol. What was this other green trying to do, kill her? With a barely audible pop, Naima appeared, hissing loudly at Toryth. Llath was her bonded's, and no one disturbed anything that shared a mind with P'tol! For his part, the Weyrling looked embarrassed, sharply reprimanding Naima mentally, until the green subsided and perched fiercly on his shoulder, glaring at everyone. "So-sorry", P'tol stammered, looking down at his boots. This day was not starting well at all, and ever the fatalist, P'tol took it as a bad sign. This lesson would go terribly, he was sure. He struggled to listen to the Weyrlingmaster, trying to put as much attention on the trembling Llath as was possible.
It's okay. The other dragons don't want to hurt you.
They are scary! I do not like them. I only want you. Llath's unfolding antisocial behavior was of some concern to P'tol, but he recognized there was little he could do about it for now. Maybe she'd just grow out of it eventually. Everything had to be scary when you were so young.
Come on love. Cheer up just a little. For me?
I will try for you. The acidic hued green bobbed her head once. Everyone is leaving. Should we follow?

Blinking, P'tol realized he had missed most of what F'rah was saying. Now everyone was wondering off somewhere, though he wasn't sure where. Where were they going? At least they traveled as a group, so he could follow the stragglers. No one was moving too quickly, not with the dragons as young as they were. Llath took each step with the greatest hesitancy, carefully watching where she placed each foot. Tripping and hurting herself was clearly not in the picture, not even with her rider there to provide comfort.

Trailing into the room with the rest of the stragglers, the young man continued to blink. It was hard for him to take in everything even days after his Impression. It was all so new, and frequently overwhelming. Where should he sit? Assigned seating would have been so much easier. Who he sat with could well determine his whole social future as a rider of the Weyr. It looked as if a small group was already forming, concentrating around an awkward bluerider. Ack! One day that rider could be his Weyrmate. Unable to face that prospect, P'tol sat apart from the rest, hoping that no one would choose a seat next to him. One of his sides was against the wall, at least, and Llath seemed to like the fact there was a pocket of shadow in which she could attempt to hide her bright body. The pair seemed to almost vanish, much to their great satisfaction.
***
Hello Clestioth. I am very hungry, but it is very nice outside. Mine woke up easily enough. There was always that hint of slight condescension in Aezanth's tone, as if Clestioth's rider was inferior to her own Paryal since the lad had had trouble waking up. Paryal hadn't had any! Her Paryal was perfect, clearly, but she would forgive Clestioth's rider for his faults. After all, the dragon seemed nice enough. Hush, we must listen to the lessons now. Aezanth was proving to want to drink up any information and knowledge she could find, though her draconic memory didn't allow it to stay very long. But it was all very interesting to her, even if much of it went entirely over her head.

Listening carefully to the Weyrlingmaster, Paryal nodded a bit in agreement with his words. He made no mention of her having special lessons with Shmee, but she hadn't expected him to. Who knew if the Weyrwoman would take any interest in the newest Queenrider? Paryal hadn't seen her in days. And the other Queenrider was said to be an absolute shadow of a person. Kaegan- that was her name. She was another mysterious figure Paryal had yet to meet, though the Weyrling though she may have seen the rider about before. A Weyrling's life didn't seem to merit much meeting of other riders except the Weyrlingmaster and other Weyrlings. It was almost stifling, and Paryal certainly couldn't wait until this period in her life was over. Not that Aezanth was darling and perfect as a baby, but things would certainly be easier when the dragon was capable of feeding herself and disposing of her waste /between/.

As the group began to move inside, Paryal rested one hand on Aezanth's golden head. The touch was something they both had constant need of- a physical connection, something that spoke that they would always be there for each other. Together, they moved forward one stately step at a time. It seemed as if only Aezanth could pull off her slow, purposefully walking as something regal and stately. Each step she took broadcasted her own confidence in her ability to walk, even if those bright, goldenrod legs were shaking slightly after a while. Where do you want to sit love?Paryal looked over the room, following Aezanth's own head movements. With Rinth's rider. I do not see Kasraith's. The fact that Aezanth wanted to sit near the bronze dragons did not entirely escape Paryal's notice, and she chuckled out loud. What?Nothing, love. Nothing.Already? Well, she was a Queen. Some said that was to be expected, even at this young age.

Sliding into an empty seat next to W'liam, Paryal gave him her best grin. "Greetings bronzerider. It's nice to wake up so early to such beautiful music, isn't it?" Hopefully he'd catch on to her less than subtle hints that F'rah's voice was not her favored waking call. Greetings Rinth. How are you and yours today?

[Requiem]

Z'hin and Jessereth actually found themselves falling into step with Kalierre and Phremath as the weyrlings filtered into the classroom. The green was very obviously staring at her clutchmate's wings. He shifted them uncomfortably. It seemed as if she wanted to take his and fly away with them...Morning, Phremath, he murmured, in the hopes that she might stop staring at his wings if he spoke to her. It feels like night. I've been up so long, the pretty - though somewhat deformed - green stated proudly. Your Mine lets you stay up? Jessereth glanced at the tired-looking woman near Z'hin, who didn't seem to notice her at all. Phremath drew herself up regally. Mine is important. They need her. And she needs me! Jessereth blinked at her a couple times, not really understanding, but at least Phremath had left off eyeing his wings and was now sticking close to hers side.

The energetic green was very much eager to attend the lessons. Maybe Styth would show her how she could fly today! Bounding through the chairs and desks, Phremath settled herself near the window, giving the large brown the cutest little hopeful look, before she glanced back at her lagging bonded. Over here, KaliMine! Do you think they'll talk about flying today? They will, I'm sure. The woman found the desk nearest her bundle of energy and settled down with a sigh. She was used to Phremath's cycle by now. Today the green would be hyper, but tomorrow she'd be ever so grouchy on the lack of sleep. Perhaps. Don't be surprised if we don't get there quite yet, though. I'm sure Styth and F'rah will work with us especially.

Really? Phremath turned her gaze toward Styth again, tone plaintive as she bespoke the brown. Will you really help me fly, Mr. Styth? Then, at Vemorath's greeting, Phremath returned just as cheerfully, Good morning, Vemorath! Kalierre shook her head ruefully. If only the little green would be this happy on the morrow...

Jessereth was more than willing to allow the vivacious Phremath ahead. She was too much for him this early in the morning. It's crowded in here. That seemed to startle Z'hin from his half-dazed ambling, the young man blinking, a tightness coming into his chest before he pushed it away. I suppose it is. He certainly didn't want to upset his bonded by making a scene. And, yes - some of these faces were familiar. Paryal and Aezanth seemed to gravitate toward the one bronzepair that had shown up so far. Bronzes. Neither he nor Jessereth cared to be near them just yet.

V'nus, Covera's brother, and the other brown Vemorath were near the front. Z'hin didn't feel too comfortable, knowing that so many eyes would be on his back, and Jessereth was more than content to remain out of the brown Styth's line of sight. The brownpair lingered near the back of the room, Z'hin finally sitting on one of the desks - F'rah had said anywhere, hadn't he? - just to make himself feel better. It was much easier to jump off a desk and flee the room than to try and fly out of a chair. Not that he intended to run away, exactly. It just felt better knowing that he could.

Jessereth curled up near his bonded's crossed ankles, closing his eyes. Mmmm...sleep. Too early in the morning to be up. He briefly noticed a greenpair that looked familiar not far off, but the brown couldn't be bothered to care. While not exactly antisocial, Jessereth was of the unperturbed nature that, should anyone wish his company, they would approach him. And he was a companionable enough sort that there would be no shortage of those willing to do so. A bit arrogant, perhaps, but...well, that was Jessereth for you.

[Tashe]

Humming happily to himself as he sorted through and tried to organize some of his papers and files he had brought, the young Weyrlingmaster gave his students a few minutes to situate themselves into their chosen seats. Looking up slightly from a disheveled attendance roster to the young man who took a desk close to the front, F'rah gave the boy a smile before looking back down at the sheet.

"Its no problem V'nus ... you and your Vemorath are just on time."

Sighing as he ran a finger down the length of the paper, F'rah cleared his throat loudly trying to signal the Weyrlings to stop their chattering. Looking to his fully grown brown, the honey haired professor returned his attention back to his class.

"Alright! Students my I have your attention please?" Giving the humans and their dragons a moment to settle into a respectful silence, F'rah continued after a moment or two. "I will now list your names off my sheet. If you are called please raise your hand and give me a little tip of your hat. Now if you do not hear your name or if I pronounce it wrong please tell me either right away or wait till the last name has been said.' Casually moving around to the front of his large mahogany desk, the Weyrlingmaster sat precariously on the very edge of the wood. Flicking out a paper from the file he had procured, F'rah produced a slightly neater list of names.

"A'en of Blue Ayisseth, Alene of Green Liamorth, Ciara of Green Toryth, E'nor of Blue, Clestioth, Kalierre of Green Phremath, N'vis of Green Reenith, Paryal of Gold Aezanth, P'tol of Green Llath, Q'ell of Green Euciath, T'ren of Bronze Kasraith, Uu'n of Blue Adith, V'nus of Brown Vemorath, W'liam of Bronze Rinth, and last but certainly not least Z'hin of Brown Jessereth."

Pausing between each of the names, the Weyrlingmaster carefully placed a small 'x' next to each of the students who were there with him at the present time. Finishing off the last of the names, F'rah carefully slid the list into its temporary home in the file it had been taken out of. Turning around to face his desk, the man haphazardly tossed the file onto the clutter that had seemed to multiply since last viewed. Returning his arm and his body back to the positions that they had been in while taking attendance, the Weyrlingmaster spoke to his class once again.

"Now my pupils. I have only a few rules to speak of before we start our day ... fun or not is really all up to you." Pausing to nod seriously, F'rah pushed himself off of the desk and began to slowly move through the isles that lay between the desks.

"I expect to receive not but your very best ... If, and I mean if, you purposely slack off or not do any class work, practice or any after lesson assignments you shall be given a warning. If you continue to do persist in this behavior I will be forced to assign the appropriate punishment for both you ... and your Dragon. No name calling, prank pulling or the ever despised cheating." Pausing next to the desk of T'ren for no apparent reason, the Weyrlingmaster preformed a sudden and unexpected pivot. Walking back up the row and dodging a green tail, F'rah spun around to face the class once more.

"But do not think of me as a mean and absolutely spiteful man! I would rather have fun working with all of you to help you become the intelligent and excellent riders I know you all are. So it would be in all of our best interests if we had an understanding ... Now to what I will allow! I will allow the occasional, playful roughhousing ... but that will be rare. I will allow talking between you all when it is appropriate, I will allow this class to vote on certain things ... And anything that is within reason, but that'll be between you all and I. I know how tough it is to be a Weyrling, so I'll probably be the most merciful to you all of all the higher ranking officials of the Weyr." Grinning slightly as he absentmindedly folded a piece of scratch paper into a design, the Weyrlingmaster continued his speech.

"Alrighty. Lets go and have some fun shall we? I would like you all to move into the next room over! Today you will be introduced to Oiling, the Consequences of overfeeding your dragon, and your chores as a Weyrling!" Placing his fists onto his waist and standing in a silly and cliche heroic like pose, F'rah tried to induce some laughter from his students before making his way to the somber looking door and wrenching it open.

"Come on come on kids. Things to break our nightly fast lay in the room yonder, when you exit the door please take a sharp right then take the blue colored door that is right next to this red one. Go ahead an pick any counter or table that sports a basket of uncut meat and a sharp cutting utensil! But I ask you NOT to start feeding your dragon, for that is part of our first lesson."

---

Watching and taking note of who sat where in the class, the adult Brown shifted his slowly swirling green eyes to the young green who had been born with deformed wings. Her rider he knew from the infirmary visit that he and his Mine had been pulled into, Kalierre the Healer ... Shifting to the side slightly as the little green spoke to him, Styth let his head wander down to her height before replying.

/I certainly hope so little Lady. My Mine and I will do all we can to get you into the sky, how does that sound?/
Though a few seconds later, F'rah began to speak, which drew his attention slightly away from Phremath. His Mine had finished the naming of the Dragons and their Humans, and moved onto the reciting of the rules that the hatchlings had to follow. Although when his mine preformed a pivot, it caught the Brown off guard slightly, but after recovering the little performance caused his eyes to churn a bit faster. Reaching out to his F'rah after a few minutes of waiting, Styth expressed his amusement at the stance that the male had taken.

/Mine you are a strange one ... keep it up./

Taking the cue to switch rooms as the Weyrlingmaster opened the door, the burnt chocolate brown jumped gracefully to the next cultured perch, using his wings to glide slightly. Settling himself into a similar position to the one he had taken on the last branch, Styth once again waited for his Mine and his little ones to file into the room.

[ravenmane]

Toryth stumbled away from her clutch-mate, her eyes whirling with distress. She was only trying to be kind to Llath, yet her fellow Green had acted as though Toryth was an enemy. The dragonet watched herself as she returned to Ciara. As Toryth resumed her happy self, Ciara glared at P'tol. "Toryth was only trying to be kind. She was worried for your Green. Nothing you say can forgive actions of vicious behavior." Ciara glared at the boy, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Come on, Toryth."

The Green followed her rider as they moved away from Llath and her rider. She did not understand what Ciara had found offensive. Llath was shy, Mine. She is scared that her bonded will be taken from her. Toryth paused and glanced behind her. Llath seemed scared and quite shy even when Toryth was trying to be friendly. Sighing mentally, the Green dragonet banished all thoughts of her antisocial clutch-sister from her thoughts. Today was the first day of training after all.