Rise and Shine! {Weyrling Lesson #1} | 75.09.03

[Moo]

shortly before dawn | 75.09.03

The chill of the retreating night settled low in the Weyr Bowl. The sky was a shifting gradient of black and blue, still dotted with faint starlight. Grey clouds rumbled and rolled past overhead, pushed toward the west by a cool wind. After the events of the dinner last night, one would expect a lazy start to the day after so much feasting and drama. However, as the smells of cooking food wafted out from the kitchens, and quiet conversations rose gradually in noise, that proved to be false. It was the start of yet another day, and the residents of the Weyr were waking up - save for one group in particular.

But, with a sonorous bugle, that was where Teth came in.

New Weyrlings at attention! This is your morning wake up call. Class begins now! The Weyrling Master L'ras expects each one of you in the Bowl in thirty minutes. That should give you plenty of time to wake up, oil and feed your dragons, as well as bathe and dress yourselves. Drudges will be coming through with bowls of meat for your dragons. The carts will only go once around, so be up and ready. Dress comfortably - you will be outside most of the day, and the work will not be easy. Once again, it is time to wake up! Welcome to the first day of the rest of your lives.

L'ras smiled to himself as he paced around in the Bowl, energy high as he waited for his cue and his weyrlings. If he was being completely honest, he had been up half the night, both excited and in preparation for the day's lessons. As such, he was running on very little sleep - not that he would ever admit to that. It would be a bad example. Your theatrics are right on time, as usual. That being said…you do remember we can't keep them from eating, right?

Teth alighted down beside him, stirring up little eddies of air with his wings. I've been doing this job as long as you have - of course I know the rules. I probably even know them better than you. He folded his wings and relaxed on his stomach. His eyes spun a fast blue, and he snorted with amusement, his warm breath pluming out white. But they don't know we can't keep them from feeding. Worry wart. You should have slept more, like me.

Halting to brush a speck of dust from his jacket, he shrugged in response. "Then how on Pern would we have been able to orchestrate today's lesson, hmm? Can't sleep when there's work to be done." L'ras turned and looked over to Teth, his smile still waiting on his lips. "You sleep too much, anyway. Lazy."

The Brown rolled over on his side with a thud, closed his eyes tight, and stretched out his limbs as far as they could go. Hhhhhg…Call me lazy. One can never sleep too much, L'ras. Now fully stretched, he opened one, swirling eye and directed it toward the barracks. Our weyrlings will be in for a surprise today. I do hope none of them are squeamish. Should we feed them before or after?

This time, he laughed. "I'm sure the Candidate Master would feed them before, just to watch them get sick. We couldn't be that cruel, though. Not on the first day. I think a choice would be wisest, don't you?"

Agreed, though too many choices will make them too relaxed. We cannot afford that with this group. With a couple exceptions, they seem like a rowdy bunch.

"Well…let's wait until they're out here before we pass judgement. Even you were a handful when you were young."

[Itoshii]

For once, A'radil was sleeping in. After the madness of the previous day Koroth was exhausted, and her happy slumber kept his restless mind still. A bugle from above the Weyrbowl sounded and an eager voice that wasn't Koroth's sounded through his brain. He groaned and rolled over and cracked his eyes open, a pair of hungrily whirring eyes and a snout filled his vision and he had o fight back a yelp.

A'radilMine. Miine.... MINE!


"I'm up, Love, I'm up." he grumbled, sitting up and stretching. He was halfway through pulling his clothes on when he heard the meat cart approach, and went out into the hallway for a bucket only barely appropriately covered. He was hardly back in the room before Koroth was trying to shove her head in the bucket. He lifted it above his head and clicked his tongue. "Now now, it's bad enough you were gnawing on my boots last night like a puppy."

Well, you never told me I shouldn't eat them. she replied in a matter-of-fact tone, sitting catlike and thumping her tail on the ground impatiently. Her antics were rewarded with meat, which she happily gobbled down.

A'radil spaced out her food as he finished dressing and she was looked depressedly into the now empty bucket as he tugged on his boots. He inspected the aforementioned chew-toy boot again and decided it should be good enough for their first lesson. He would have to see about mending it that night, or tracking down a leathercrafter to do so if he couldn't manage it.

"Alright then, best not keep the Weyrlingmaster waiting." he stood up, testing the abused boot by shaking his foot a bit. He started for the door before glancing back when he didn't hear the already familiar footsteps beside him. He laughed as he spotted the hazed Citrine, who was now noisily shaking her head, bucket stuck to her snout. He went back for her and gently removed the offender from her face. She snorted and said nothing, which only made him chuckle more and he followed her as she stormed out into the hallway, leaving the bucket beside the doorway.

The two glanced around as they approached the Weyrlingmaster and his brown. A small, but fading pang, hit his chest as he saw Teth lazing about. Koroth bumped him in the leg, nudging him forward. A'radil approached L'ras, a man he had rarely spoken to or really met, and nodded in greeting, surprised, though pleased, that he and Koroth were the first ones there. "Good morning Weyrlingmaster."

Good morning Teth! Koroth echoed, her embarrassment at the bucket incident completely forgotten.

[Nicole]

Zabrielth lifted her head from where she was curled at Artemis' side, hide twitching with itchiness as she turned her head towards her Rider. She knew there was no need to repeat Teth's words to the junior Weyrwoman besides her. Her Rider stared up at the ceiling, blinking once, twice.

And then Artemis turned her head towards the dragonet sharing her bed - how could she have made her sleep on the floor when she was still so tiny? - and smiled, reaching out to scratch her eyeridges. The Azure's eyes half-closed again, whirling contentedly.

And then Artemis kicked the sheets off them both, stumbling to her feet as a knock on her door echoed throughout the room. Her hair curling wildly off of her head, she popped it open and hopped absently from foot-to-foot in her nightgown. One of the servants from below dropped off two buckets of meat at her feet and disappeared down the hall.

The smell of fresh meat sent Zabrielth scrambling off the bed, and Artemis snatched the two buckets up from the ground, holding them above the young Queen's head as she moved back to the bed. With a small sigh, Zabrielth followed her, curling her tail above her back legs as she patiently waited for Artemis to feed her. The junior Weyrwoman tossed piece after piece into the Azure's mouth until, stomach distended and eyes whirling, Zabrielth was full.

Then Artemis, snatching oil from where she had kept a bottle in her personal effects - hey, it was helpful - she did a quick wipedown of Zabrielth's itchiest spots, made sure the Azure was clean, and then gave herself two minutes to change and rinse out her mouth and confine her hair into a wild ponytail.

And then they were bouncing down the hall, Artemis wide awake, taking one long strides for every four of Zabrielth's sleepy ones; and the wherhandlers outside of their door followed without Artemis ever acknowledging them.

They wouldn't go away if she was nice to them, and they wouldn't go away if she was mean to them, so best be neutral. She knew all their names, and all of their wher's names, and wished them all the best and such; but she still didn't want them outside her door.

They burst into the light of the morning, Teth's hide shining in the sun (though, of course, not so bright as Zabrielth's, Artemis had to admit). They joined the small group forming, the wherhandlers hanging back as Artemis approached the Weyrlingmaster. Zabrielth, still sleepy, nodded to Teth with a small draconian smile. Artemis half-smiled at L'ras.

"Good morning, Weyrlingmaster." And, still irritated at Teth's comment from the Hatching and L'ras agreeing to keep a closer eye on her, her voice was cold.

[Shoki]

Unusual how? Hailreth was up, and B’ow was likewise away. Kit was still sleeping, having moved during the night onto the side of B’ow’s pillow. Go figure. They pair had been talking as B’ow cleaned his room, something he usually had more pressing need to do in the morning, but it was new and mostly clean anyway, so he just went around making sure everything was perfectly neat.

“I usually don’t sleep that long during the night. If I have my way I will also keep helping with the Whers, so I can be busy at night too.”

Hmm. Oh! Hailreth listened then looked more excited. Lessons! In the Bowl. Thirty minutes. Do we have to wait that long?

“No. But food will be coming around for you.”

How long will that take? Hailreth wanted to get to lessons quickly. It was fairly obvious from his tone.

“We can hurry things up.” B’ow headed outside, Hailreth following, until they came across the approaching drudge.

Soon enough B’ow was nibbling on a bit of bread and Hailreth was content. Kit was sitting on his shoulder, having also woken up to be fed. They were walking to the Bowl, Looking not even a little perturbed at the hour they were up. As they went toward the gathering group B’ow stowed the bread in his pouch, mentally calculating at what point during his day it would be fit to have it for a snack. Hailreth was just happy to be there.

Hello Teth! How are you Koroth? Good Morning Zabrielth! The purple fairly bounced toward the other dragons, B’ow merely finding a place and remaining silent. Did any of you go to the feast? I slept through it, can you believe that? I want to hear all about it. For those that might not be so awake, Hailreth might be rubbing people the wrong way, but it was hard to expect the Neon Purple to be too tired at any given moment.

[summerrain]

Alzdith tilted her head sideways, pausing in the middle of her feeding. Wynah was used to waking early to hunt the animals who favored the early hours of the morning, the predawn chill most comfortable to them. For a moment, the young huntress was confused, then she heard the Sunlace dragonet's voice.

Mine, we are to report to the Bowl in thirty minutes. That's... Half a candlemark, right?

"Indeed, love," Wynah said with a laugh. "And since we both have been up for that time already, it will be easy to get there. Take your time, and I'll take care of oiling you." She stood, grabbing the rags out of the oil, and brought them and the oil over to Alzdith's bed. Wynah started oiling her Sunlace's back. After a while, she stuck her hands into the oil to get Alzdith's wings. By the time Wynah had finished oiling Alzdith, the dragonet had finished eating.

"Let's get going then," Wynah said, standing. She rinsed her hands of the oil and opened the door for her MindMate. The both of them then went down to the Bowl, Wynah with her hunting knife at her hip and her quiver on her back, her bone bow strung and fifteen carved wooden arrows inside it.

Hailreth, Teth, Koroth, Zabrielth, Alzdith called, bounding ahead of Hers. So... Who else are we waiting for? She wanted to grow up so she could start helping Pern, become a teacher like the WeyrlingMaster or CandidateMistress. Wynah laughed.

"Calm down now," she said softly. "You must wait to grow. And lessons are a part of growing up."

Even for dragons?

"Especially for young dragons. You must learn to fly, to between, to flame... There is so much to learn. And then, I can teach you to hunt in the forests."

I would like that.

[Moo]

It was with pleasant surprise that L'ras watched A'radil and Koroth approach, the first of their nine classmates to answer the summons. When they moved closer, he stepped forward as well.

"Good morning, A'radil," he replied. "You're punctual. I like that."

Teth rolled over and sat up on his stomach. Hello there, Koroth. His eyes whirled. I hope you slept well. Did you eat enough this morning?

L'ras walked around to Koroth's side and examined her hide with a discerning eye. It was apparent that he now knew why A'radil had been the first one out of the barracks - he had neglected to oil his dragon. Koroth's dark haze made it easy to see the few dry patches on her hide.

He clucked his tongue disapprovingly. "Ahh, that explains it. You didn't oil her this morning, A'radil. If I'm not mistaken, those were a part of your orders." He glanced over the boy's shoulder to make sure the rest of the group was not approaching, and was glad when they were not. "While we wait for the rest of your classmates, I recommend you return to your room and oil Koroth," he advised, in a way that was less of a recommendation and more of an order.

He dismissed himself from their side and noticed Artemis next, followed by a very full Zabrielth and their assigned entourage. The latter he spared no attention, and focused instead on the second weyrling pair before him. He brushed off her icy greeting - perhaps she just wasn't a morning person. Many weyrlings weren't during their first days.

L'ras nodded, keeping his voice equally as cool. "Good morning, miss Langaryen."

Teth swung his head around to observe her. As she was now a Junior Weyrwoman, both he and his rider would be watching her reactions carefully. He brushed his mind against his rider's. Hmmm. Curt, but polite. It is good she remembers her manners. They are important.

L'ras' face betrayed nothing as he bent down to examine Zabrielth's hide. Hers, unlike Koroth's, gleamed from the attention Artemis had given her. Much better.

"You've done well," he said, glancing back up to Artemis. "This is what I like to see."

While L'ras was busy at Artemis' side, Teth lifted his head as the bright, energetic voice of Hailreth reached his mind. He gurgled with amusement, and then nodded toward the neon Purple and his rider. Good morning, Hailreth. B'ow. I do hope -- He paused, and tilted his head to the side. Oh, dear. Perhaps it is just me, and I cannot see from this distance, but…did you oil Hailreth this morning, B'ow? That is required every morning, you know.

Satisfied that Artemis was providing a good example for the rest of her classmates, L'ras moved on to Wynah as soon as she appeared. Within an instant, his approving mood had changed to disapproval.

"Miss Riverborn," he started, and beckoned her forward with a hand. "You've come prepared, I see. It's good to be prepared…however, bows and arrows are not yet permitted in lessons. You're welcome to keep your knife at your side - it will be helpful today - but I can't allow you to bring the rest of your weaponry with you. Please return it to your room. We will wait for you to return."

It will be safe in there, we promise, added Teth, who looked over to the small Sunlance and nodded before returning his attentions to B'ow and Hailreth.

[Jay Kitten]

A'kai would be next to arrive, though his wakeup had gone slowly. He had been up late lately, Sunristh was more of a night dragon. But the little Black was already up and waiting, his eyes whirling as he looked at his Rider. Fraid, however, couldn't be bothered, and rolled over in his tiny nest of sheets on the bed. Lazy, good for nothing... A'kai frowned, he wouldn't need to take him with anyway. He put on the only jacket in his entire room, a leather riding jacket, over his undershirt. The man decided it best to wear his running pants, since it was likely a bit cold out. Best not to go with shorts. Once he was dressed, he looked to his dragon, whom was still waiting by the door. His eyes were yellow, and pierced him as A'kai picked up on his thoughts.

Oh, so that was how it was going to be? He grinned.

"Really? Ya think 'm not gunna be pullin' my weight n' Lessons?" The Black gave him some feeling similar to denial, and he almost laughed. "I'll be bettin' on me bein' better n' the rest at this sorta thin'. Ya think any o'them spoiled rot'n Weyrfolks'll be more cut out?"

The dragon snorted, and A'kai rolled his eyes. He'd see. The Rider was sure they would be top of their class or closeby. It wouldn't be like Sunristh to accept failure. Together they left, and headed to the Bowl.

----------------------------

From across the Bowl, came a woman, up as early as her coworker as she shuffled up to the Weyrlingmaster and his dragon. She handed to him, a stack of papers, from a gloved hand coming from under her blood-red coat. The blonde looked up at him.

"There you go. Paperwork. Glad someone is finally taking it off my hands, 'specially for some of these brats." She grinned affectionately at those who were here, though, and gave a small wave to B'ow. His progress was of special interest to her. With a dragon like that, he would make a perfect watchrider. She wanted to see what he would do with himself.

But as A'kai arrived, she grimaced, and looked back to L'ras. "Anyway. Don't let them brats undermine your authority. I'm sure ya know what I mean." She gave him a light clap on the shoulder, and headed off, back toward a waiting Zojiroth in front of the Candidate Barracks.

A'kai lined up with the other Weyrlings, Sunristh at his heels, though when he stopped the black slinked around him and took a seat, looking over toward Teth and L'ras. A'kai gave the man a salute, looking at his rank knots, then glancing down at his own shoulder. His Rider's knot and Runner's knot didn't even compare to the fancy decorations the Master was carrying. That was respectable. A'kai was certain this man might actually know what he was doing.

[summerrain]

Wynah put one hand on the strap of her quiver. "Sorry sir," she said after a moment. "It's become a habit to keep it on me at all times. Telsan and I traveled around for two Turns before coming here, and circumstances required that one keep a good close-range and a decent long-range weapon on them at all times." She looked at Teth, responding to his question next.

"It is not this that I am worried about," she said to him. "It is so unique that I could spot it at a good distance. It's more about keeping myself safe, sir. I've lived for two Turns having to defend myself from the sharp-toothed predators of Pern, and some other less-savory creatures. Thieves and bandits and the like." She was rambling. She should just go put it away.

"Wait for me here Alzdith," she said as she went back towards the Weyrling barracks. She left the quiver on the bed, making sure it was under the furs before she headed back to the Bowl.

She saw the boy with the Black, something within her saying instantly not to trust him. He was rather full of himself, that kid was. Like he's the only one who's had to fight to survive... Wynah wondered if he was even able to use a knife. He certainly couldn't use a bow. His arms showed that he'd probably never even held one, let alone fired it. Alzdith waited near the WeyrlingMaster, so Wynah went to sit next to the Sunlace. She would be careful who she trusted out of this bunch. That boy and the girl he'd been brought in with... Something was different about them, of that Wynah was certain.