Whipping them Into Shape (All Candidates)

[Foxfrost]

The arrival of the klah colored brown dragon could not have been more advantageous in timing. For he blinked out of between moments before Mneith, the dragon of Rhia the Candidate Master, instilled into the minds of the candidates that they were to report to the Weyrbowl. Fortunate, because the brown who was of middling size carried with him two transfers. Two candidate transfers, at that. They sat behind his rider, a man in his early thirties with light crow's feet in the corner of his eyes from a ready smile, and dimples on his cheeks. He was R'ven, and he was almost always in a good mood. Even when he was the carrier for those who needed to be transferred from one location to another.

His brown, Orith, landed with genteel expertise on the grounds of the Weyrbowl, and did not hesitate to inform his rider of what Mneith had said. With a hearty pat on his beloved bond's neck, R'ven twisted around in his riding leathers to address the pair, a male and female of about sixteen Turns, a broad grin upon his face.

"Well you two, looks to be that we arrived at just the right time! Seems you're wanted over there," and this was accompanied by an outstretched arm, pointing out the location of another brown, and a now visible group of candidates, "for your candidate lessons."

The two followed the direction of R'ven's outstretched arm, their reactions differing one from the other to varying degrees.

xXx

Only once had Yorisa of Azvon Hold, tithed to Dark Moon, been on dragonback. It was to retrieve the few belongings that she now bore in a pack upon her back. The sturdy looking young woman gazed upon the other brown and small group of candidates in the distance, eyes narrowing to perhaps see better. It was fruitless, since her vision was flawless, and squinting would do her no good. She would need to draw closer to the gathering to better see whom it was she would be standing with. No matter, all things in due time.

"We ought to go, then," she replied, in a tone that was matter of fact. She found herself eager to meet these other candidates. Eager to see, perhaps, whom her contenders would be at the up and coming hatching. She did not consider anyone to be competition. She would obviously Impress what she was meant to, when she was meant to. Nor did she find, like some young women, that she aspired to gold. The honor of such a thing would have been great, and yet she wished more freedom than a dragon who would unduly bring upon her more responsibility than any of the others might. Besides, it was no great secret that a young woman like Yori wished to be on a dragon who would fight Thread. To her, this was a greater honor than any. To protect Pern, and its people and land--this was an honor rivaled by none.

Her male companion seemed to grumble behind her, and she snorted in derision. He had been quiet the entire way here, looking about him and seeming impervious to anything going on. Still, she did not miss the intelligence in those eerie blue eyes. It was as though he were assessing everything, storing it away for something unknown to any but himself. Well, no matter. He was not her business. What was her business, was to thank the good brownrider and his lovely brown for the transportation to what she hoped would be her permanent home. Yes, that was her business, and then to go to her lessons and not keep the Candidate master awaiting her arrival.

"Thank you kindly for the ride, brownrider R'ven--and you, Orith, as well," she amended, in a sincere tone. The boy behind her said nothing, and she was not about to tolerate his silence in this regard. She elbowed his stomach lightly enough to not offer offense, but not so lightly that it did not drive her point home. He seemed to at least take the hint, offering a thanks of his own. The brownrider gave a hearty laugh, and then asked Orith to kneel so they might dismount.

Yorisa was not so incompetent as to need a hand down. She dismounted on her own, giving a polite smile and nod back up to the rider and dragon once done. The boy slid down after her, with something that was a paradox: clumsy gracefulness. He obviously had never done such a thing before. Or if he had, it was so long ago that it was not remembered as to how it was done. She did not miss the brownrider's chuckle. Still, with a wave and a well wishing of 'good luck' he and his brown took once again to the skies, disappearing from sight into the blackest depths of between from whence he'd come.

"Come, we don't want to keep the Candidate Master waiting," she said simply, and then strode off in the direction of the gathering of candidates. First impressions were, to her, of importance. It would not do to not heed orders since they had gotten them just as the other candidates had. She was actually jogging towards the group, and reached them in no time at all. She looked behind to see her companion lagging behind, and sighed. He was going to be in for it if he Impressed. Lazy individuals, no matter how good they might look, had a lot of shaping up to do if they thought they could take care of a dragon and get through Weyrling lessons! Hopefully, this Candidate Master would see to it that he was ready in time for the hatching. Somehow, she doubted it would be enough time to shape up this young man.

"Transfer Yorisa reporting in, Candidate Master. I only just arrived, I apologize if I am late." Looking over her shoulder, she saw that the boy had caught up, but looked none too happy about having to rush to do so. He gave his introduction, and she hid a smirk. Yes, he would need lots of work, this individual. Perhaps he would Impress, and perhaps not. Either way, he would need to shape up for the eventuality that he might at this hatching, or another.

xXx

Flying had made him queasy. Going into between had been absolutely dreadful. Iechi was only too pleased when the sharding dragon decided to make his landing. Could think only of having his feet planted firmly upon solid ground. All of a sudden, however, he noted that he felt overheated, as though he had stepped into a hot bath and there was too much steam. Was this the fabled South? It was horrid, and overly hot, and he already hated it. Why did they have to choose here, of all places, to transfer a Northerner like himself? This would not do, and yet he could not simply demand to be transferred somewhere else, could he? No, he did not want to be seen as some kind of wherry chick. He just needed to remove a few--if not all--layers of clothing. That, and find a dark cave in which to live in.

The girl in front of him was a stiff. This was quite obvious to him from the start. Not as bad, surely, as those simpering idiots who stared and giggled back at his Hold, but a stiff was just as dull. Then, she was speaking, and he was ignoring what was being said, feeling as if he would simply melt into the ground in this sweltering heat. He did not have time to mourn his eventual death by overheating, however. She was elbowing him in the abs, and he shot her a cold glance, before some part of his wandering mind registered what it was about.

"Yeah, thanks," he murmured. It seemed to satisfy the wher-girl. Wher-girl. That's what she was, a wher. Hard and most certainly dangerous to herself and others, he was sure. He had been mulling over his eventual demise, and she had to destroy his wallowing. Well, he was only too happy when he was allowed to dismount. There was perhaps shade over there, and that was better than here, he was very affirmative in his mind upon this fact. So, after the wher-girl made her descent to the ground below, he followed. Only he should have been paying more attention, for he ended up dismounting as though Orith were a proverbial dragon slide, only managing barely to make a semi-graceful yet unprecedented landing on his feet. His Master had been right. The overcoat was a needless piece of clothing. In fact, all the clothing he had left behind for the new, ridiculously light things, seemed now sensible to have left. Before, he had scoffed at the idea, and yet now? He would have shoved it somewhere and it would have gone unused. He would need to have some form of new overcoat made. It simply would not do to have one unmade! Then again, he would make it himself, if he could get his hands upon suitable materials. Not just any materials would do, they must be light and yet fashionable.

He was once again lost in his own thoughts, when the wher-girl distracted them. He scowled, realizing she meant them to go to the candidate group. They had only just arrived! He had things to unpack, and wished to get settled! Ridiculous wher that she was, she was actually jogging in the confounded, insufferable heat! Jogging. He was not about to do so, and he merely walked quickly, wondering what a melted human being would look like all over the grass of this Weyrbowl. Grass...it never lasted long up North. And yet here, the ridiculously green stuff was all over the place! He muttered a string of curses as he was forced into trying to catch up to wher-girl. She was already addressing the candidate master, and he was hard pressed just to sharding breathe.

He finally managed to catch up, and gave a wave, trying to breathe in the air that seemed too hot to properly do so. This was a huge mistake. He should never have come to a Southern Weyr. What had he been thinking? Of course, he must not have been. They had said the sun would do him some good. They had, by the first egg, been wrong. This place was unreasonably hot and the air was clammy. He did not even know, for certain, if such a thing as snow existed here. Finally, he forced himself into a semblance of composure.

"Transfer candidate Iechi," was all he managed, glancing around at the other candidates as though daring them to say a single word. He looked so very out of place, with skin so pale and hair so light that it was nearly white in this Faranth forsaken place. He suddenly felt more out of place than he had ever before, and that was saying something. Iechi had never been 'in place' anywhere in his life.

[Akki]

Four…Five…Si-

Her counting came to a halt when Faine felt her body jerk forward suddenly. She would have used Daelan to steady herself but it seemed her body just didn’t react as fast as she thought it would. Her hands were stretched out, ready to grab something to support herself but instead she just sort of fell onto her knees.She landed on the ground with a soft thud, blinking ferociously because to be honest she wasn't quite sure what had just happened. She raised her eyes, which were quite wide and looked up at Catilena. "Sorry! Are you alright?"

A silly question since she was the one who was knocked over.

She placed a hand behind her and used the other one to grab Catilena's, effectively allowing herself to be pulled up off of the ground in one easy swoop. Faine bent slightly and ran her hands over her knees three times, removing any dust and dirt, casting her gaze up at Catilena with a grin, “I think the saying is no harm, no foul?” She straightened and allowed herself a few minutes to study the girl before her. Her smile steadily grew larger “You’re Relina’s sister? I know Relina! I was a candidate with her.”

They didn't really look terrible alike. And their personalities were surely different. Catilena seemed rather chatty while Faine had to to (Unknowingly) coax Relina out of whatever shell she had been in. Not that she minded, she liked Relina.

Faine was going to ask a question about how long the girl had been at Dark Moon for but was quickly distracted. Two more candidates had arrived and caught her attention. The girl was quite pretty, Faine would freely admit that, and she clearly knew her manners; introducing herself to Rhia in proper form and fashion. Faine made a mental note to be more like that.

The boy, on the other hand, was a cause for concern. He was unnaturally pale. Shards, he was paler than Faine and that was quite the feat considering she was 'blessed' with the pale skin that all redheads got. Even his hair seemed to be super pale! Almost white, in fact. It looked like he was breathing quite hard too.

"Are you sick?" Faine asked the lad with wide eyed innocence, cocking her head slightly to the side.

[catilena1890]

Catilena grinned from ear to ear upon learning that someone knew her sister and had something in common with her.

"Really? I didn`t know my little sister had made friends here! It is wonderful to meet you!" She chirped. She was going to ask Faine more questions when two more candidates bustled in. She noted the polite tone the girl took when she addressed the candidate master and was going to go talk to her when she noticed the other candidate, a very sick looking boy who looked like he belonged in a recovery place.

"Oh dear, lad, do you need to sit down?" She asked, deeply concerned for his health.

[Drgnwlf71]

Kalaht's shoulder was hurting again. He winced and put his hand on his left shoulder. He didn't lift anything.

"Drat, this pain!" he swore. Kalaht was never used to pain and he didn't take it well. That will change! It must. Only the strong get to be dragonriders and he was one of the strongest or so he thought. The other Candidates teased him about his shortness and the way he did things. One time, there were some boys that said mean things to him and made him almost cry.

Kalaht couldn't fight. He was indeed helpless and that will too change. He was getting anxious as well. What were they waiting for? Why have they gathered all the Candidates here? He yawned. He was getting bored, waiting. He wasn't tired. He sighed.

[Spirithawk]

Rhia greeted each Candidate as they arrived. Those who told her their names, she wrote down on a piece of hide. The rest, she would inquire as to their names as soon as the ones she knew would be there arrived.

When Orena returned with her shoes on, she nodded an acknoledgement. "Thank you Orena." Rhia had gotten word from Ragule about the injured Candidate. "Candidate Kalaht?" she asked when he arrived. "You will be sitting on the sidelines today. I expect you to learn what I teach but you will not be required to take part in the physical activities."

She smiled at the transfers. "We will get your papers straight and settle you after. For now, you may place your belongings down here. Mneith will be coming down and he will keep an eye on things."

"Students, simmer down please." She waited until all was quiet. "You are here today because you have some quality that a Search dragon senses in you that makes you more likely to Impress a dragon. Kaith has 12 eggs on the sands. Some of you will Impress, some of you will not. Those of you who are still of age to stand will be more than welcome to try again for the next hatching. Sometimes, your dragon just hasn't been laid yet."

"A lot of you have heard about the strange colors, and strange genders that we have here at this weyr. Today you will learn about the basic anatomy of the dragon, the ranks, and what being a rider entails. When Thread falls, you WILL be risking life and limb. You will be injured, your dragon will be injured. If you feel in any way that you can't handle this, I suggest you go home now. We are Pern's aerial defence against Thread. You throw a tantrum or are lazy and not only are you risking your life, and that of your wing mates, but you are risking the lives of the people we protect. I will not stand for that, and neither will the Weyrleaders."

Mneith glided down from his perch to land. "Mneith here is a brown dragon. Browns are the second smallest males. Mneith is larger than normal browns. He just didn't know when to stop growning." Mneith snorted at her joke. She hoped some of her students actually had a sense of humor.

"Dragons are demanding creatures. They hatch out hungry, and they grow faster than you would imagine. Basic dragon care will be gone into more detail when and if you Impress. Because of the fact that you will be chasing after baby dragons who eat, sleep, poop, and need to be oiled, you will need to be in shape. I have approximately 4 sevendays to whip you into shape and tell you what you need to know."

"We will discuss what to expect on Hatching, we will visit the eggs when they are hard enough to touch. You will have basic first aid classes. You will do chores, and we will have various other lessons that you will be taught. You will report to me daily. If any of you think you cannot handle this, leave now. A dragon is not all glamor and glory. They are intelligent, living, breathing creatures that need care."

"A bond with a dragon is irreversible." She smiled lovingly at her dragon. "From the moment of Impression, your lives are linked. You are two halves of a whole. No words adequately explain the feeling of being bonded with a dragon. It is my hope that you will be found suitable by one of our hatchlings, and experience that bond for yourself."

"Anyone wish to go home?" She waited. She had given a lot of information in a very short time, so she waited for it to sink in and to see if anyone would go home. Few did, at least until after their first hatching.

"Alright then, those of you who are remaining, I want 2 laps around the Bowl. I will join you. First, we stretch. Follow my lead." She went through a series of stretches, correcting a form here or instructing that a Candidate stretch farther there. After that, she straightened. "Let's run." She jogged in place, waiting for her Candidates to begin running.

[Kino]

Naret had stepped off to the side with the rest of the waiting candidates, watching the various interactions between others there. When Rhia started speaking the actual lesson, he looked towards her and listened intently, soaking up the information as it was put forth. When she took a moment and then asked if anyone wanted to go home, Naret looked over the group surrounding him briefly, wondering if anyone would actually do so - he doubted it, and of course nobody ended up doing so.

He looked back to Rhia when she mentioned laps, smiling a bit. Running, he could do. When they went into stretching, Naret set himself up and went through the motions of pre-running stretches perfectly. Considering he'd been doing that very routine for a good portion of his life, he was fairly well practiced in the process. When everyone had finished and Rhia gave the word to begin, Naret pressed off into an easy lope. He moved at a gentle pace, but kept his strides long - especially considering he had a natural runner's gait to begin with - and within a few moments he'd brought himself up to a runner's speed instinctively.

[mc16neo]

Kegin waited and listened to her explanation. He was aware of what needed to be done with dragons but this was an unique weyr and as such had unique rules. So he listened tentivly. When he heard the activities they would have to do he was more then pleased. Physical demand was his life. It was the only thing that kept him so. He grinned at her joke but didn't openly laugh. Kegin looked at the woman rider and noticed the way she walked. It was strong and confident. He was sure she could keep with the best of the men. Kegin noted to worry of angering her.

Kegin followed the stretches. He knew the limits that he needed to stretch past and did so. His body was in peak physical form and he wished to keep it so. AS well as healthy he was athletic. Once the words to begin running were said he sprinted of. His breathing was calm with long practice of enduring the strain. His arms and legs kept a beat and tempo for his movements. Kegin didn't consider himself graceful but he was strong. His body loved the stress and loved to show it's endurance. He would happily run all day if that is what was needed. But he knew there was more and he couldn't wait. He wanted it all.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Orena grinned despite being shrugged off of her hug to her self-thought new friend, and bounced in place, eager to see what they were going to be doing. She stayed silent, however, and without any kind of judging thought toward the attitudes of the two new arrivals that showed up at the last minute. She did think the lad was kinda cute, even if he seemed short of breath. Fortunately, there was a place where all that schooling her mam had insisted on did her good - she recognized that pallor and reaction as what it was - shock of the heat. Maybe she should get him some water? But was she allowed to do that?

She didn't have much time to even consider it, before Rhia started in on her lesson. It didn't take long for the grin to fade from Orena's face. What ... guaranteed injury?! But but butbutbut ... weren't there good riders and dragons out there that never got hurt?! The blood drained from her face at the very idea, before another thought jarred her out of that one.

Orena squeaked. "Twice?!" She asked, turning to look at the bowl. It was huge ... she didn't know if she could do that once. It was huge!! Furthermore - while an energetic young lady, she was by no means a powerhouse or a particularly physically enduring person. She could stitch all day tirelessly, had done it lots. But run?! Maybe as a short foot race, but as laps around a positively massive weyrbowl?! She was faint at the very thought.

Her first lesson was going to kill her!!!

Despite that, and the vaguely sick feeling in her belly, Orena tried to do some of the stretches, unaware of why they were even bothering. Weren't they supposed to run, not stretch? When people started taking off to do the run, however, she lagged back a bit, as she simply was not a runner. Despite long legs and a light frame. In time she might become one, but at the moment -

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Definitely not.

[Kandarra]

Jerodyn listened carefully to the Candidatemaster's words. She nodded at each statement, almost as if she was confirming its absorption into her mind. She already knew that flying Thread was dangerous, so that didn't shock her. That dragons needed so much care, however.. that was a bit daunting. Looking at the brown who had landed a moment earlier, she wondered just how much they ate. She was sure she'd learn that later.

At mention of a run, however, she suppressed a groan. She was an apprentice Weaver, she spent most of her days sitting at a loom or evaluating cloths for quality, not running around outside! Noo, she did that at a dignified walk, thank you very much. Like Orena, she looked around the Bowl and was crestfallen to see how big it was. They were supposed to make two rounds? She wasn't sure she'd make it. Still, she did the stretches that Rhia demonstrated, and when the Candidatemaster led the way, she followed. She was dismayed to find how quickly she started losing her breath, and ended up back by Orena, who didn't seem to be faring any better.

Not daring to speak on such short breath, she simply glanced over at her friend and made a pained face.

[D'vraid]

D'vraid looked at the newer arrivals. Such politeness and well over all mannerisms. He smiled lightly looking toward the two arrivals and then shortly introduced himself,"Brown Rider Dvraid at your service." When he turned his attention from the two candidates her spotted the injured candidate and then to Rhia and spoke to her softly,"If you do not mind Candidate Master I will stay behind and keep this candidate company for now."

He knew how it felt to be alone, hurt, and at times extremely unwanted. He didn't want this candidate to feel that way for two main reasons; One it could affect his future dragon's personality, and two if the person didn't become a rider in fact then he would be that much more vulnerable.

When he waited for Rhia's response he divulged his attention to his brown dragon Baneth who had just now landed softly on the weyr bowl looking down and directly at the candidates. Baneth stood a few inches shorter then Mneith but was still frightening looking to many candidates that possibly had never seen a dragon before.

[Foxfrost]

Yorisa was quite aware that there were a few sets of eyes on herself and especially the Northerner when they arrived and announced their names. However, their concern for the pale haired and faced boy made her smirk wryly. It was clear that he was from very far North. Likely the heat was too much for him to handle, and he would have to acclimate to his new surroundings. She supposed he might indeed have been feeling ill, given it was obviously his first time in the Southern continent. She had heard of heat making some individuals sick until they were used to it. It took time, however, and time the Northern bred young man probably did not have enough of before the first hatching. She almost, for a moment, thought it better if he did not Impress his first time standing. Weyrling lessons were long and arduous things. If he could not stand a simple jog, how would he handle them? No, he needed time, she was sure of it. Perhaps he would even be found unsuitable to stand for this hatching? She didn't know if this was possible, but if it was, it could very well be the case.

Rhia instructed them to place their belongings near Mneith, and she did so, glancing up at the large brown with a polite smile and nod that she hope conveyed her thanks at him watching her belongings for her. Then, she took up a position amongst the rest of her fellow Weyrlings as Rhia began to speak. She listened intently, not wishing to miss any information at all that could be of any use. She was sure it was all of use. Otherwise, they would not be being taught it! She did not miss the smile that Rhia gave to her brown, did not underestimate the truth in what she said. Dragons were hard work, and anyone who could not handle the thought of it, should indeed leave. She inconspicuously darted a glance at the pale haired boy. His rather cold response to the two girls who had been worried for his well being had said he at least had pride. She still half expected him to up and leave, however, when given that option. Still, he had a stubborn, set look on his face. He would not, then. Well, she would wish the boy the best, but she doubted, at this point, he was capable of showing his best. He was at a serious disadvantage.

Then came the first of the instructions, and she was overjoyed to hear them. They were to run laps! She felt her heart kick up a notch, and knew that she was likely the only one to be excited by the prospect of running laps. After all, she was a runner, and it was what she loved. Regular folk did not enjoy running. To them, it was just more hard work and exercise, the same as any other kind was. To her, it was something entirely different. She noted others stretching, and did a basic few of her own. It was not as if, in her line of profession, she needed them so much as others were doing it, and perhaps it would not hurt for her to, as well. She finished them quickly, though, eager to be off at a run. She knew she would not have as much chance to run, to eat up ground in her practiced gait, and she would take all the chances she could get to do so.

When Rhia took off, then so did she, but she did not stop near anyone, she kept right on going at that pace which was as familiar to her as breathing. A runner ran, and that was precisely what she was doing. The sound of feet thudding against the ground, her heart in her chest, and her practiced and rhythmic breathing--all were part of the run. Even the way her arms moved were part of running, they moved along with her legs to aid in the whole of the momentum which drove her forth. When she ran, she could forget the whole world around her. When she ran, she was in her element, and at peace. Unfortunately, this was no long distance run to her. Unfortunately, it would soon be over and done with. She would not tire out as the others would, not here, at least. No--save that for when other kinds of exercise was needed. This, she knew. This, she loved.

She found herself thinking on what Rhia had said. Mneith was a fine, fine brown. Bigger than many she had encountered, and she was sure she had seen him at least a few times before, though never up close such as she had today. It made her think on colors. The colors of dragons dictated rank, dictated many things. What rank they had, and thereby what positions their riders might take. What they could chase, or if they would rise and what they would be chased by. She did not want a dragon who could not fight Thread, and yet she had not given thought to what she might want other than that. A male dragon was interesting, like Rhia had. Still, a green was an agile and good Threadfighter. So was blue, and brown, however. Women might Impress those, too. Well, she supposed it did not matter, in the end. As long as it fought Thread, she would be glad to have it. Or probably glad even if not. After all, she knew that no one who Impressed was ever 'unhappy' with what they bonded to.

xXx

He ought to have expected some form of reaction to his very differing appearance. However, the reaction he got? Made his eyes grow steely, his mouth set in a firm line as he straightened himself up into standing. The two young women seemed only concerned for his well being, and yet it made him irate that they thought his pale skin and hair meant he was ill. Then again, hadn't he just looked quite ill, after that jog? Still, it was no fault of his own! They hadn't warned him how sharding hot it would be here, in the South! They should have taken that into account, and they had not! His pale cheeks colored in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He was completely out of his element here, and now they thought he was sickly, on top of it!

"I am not sick", he replied, his tone as icy cold as his eyes, his brows drawn down slightly over his eyes. Then, because of course he might need relationships with these two later, and did not want to spoil things right off of the get go, "I am not sick. I'm from the North, and this climate does not agree with me." He glanced over at Rhia, however, when she suggested they put their belongings by her 'too large' brown. The brown he'd come in on had been small compared to this one. It was the first dragon he'd ever been near, and this one was even bigger. He shot the brown an uneasy look, eyes narrowed. Dragons didn't eat humans, but this hulking brute looked like he could, if he wanted to. However, he sidled up closer, and gently tossed his bag next to the girl's, who had seemed completely at ease in being next to the dragon herself. Wher-girl was overconfident. That dragon could eat her. He just knew it could.

He was still far too hot, so he removed his overcoat, removed the shirt over that, and stood there in wher hide boots and his black trousers. Still too hot. And yet he could not very well remove his trousers, and stand there amongst them in his undergarments! Still, it was tempting. It would have certainly helped cool him off more than he was now. He tossed the overcoat and shirt onto the pile of bags, and sighed. His face was beginning to perspire, and he was simply standing still! How dreadful could this get? That he could stand still, and still perspire, made him even more irate. These Southerners would have had their privates go into hiding if they were to come to his old home. The cold would have shriveled them up like nothing! Only here, he was the one out of place, and it made him feel more defiant of the matter than ever.

Rhia began speaking, and he listened, if only because he was here, and there was nothing better to do. That, and he supposed he needed to hear all of this. He was, after all, here to Impress. Otherwise, he would never have come to this Faranth forsaken South, he would have gone back North as soon as that brown had landed in this Weyrbowl. Only he hadn't, because a dragon was temptation. He did not see himself getting a blue. Blue was just too insignificant for someone such as he! He could perhaps, after Mneith, see himself on a large brown. And yet bronzes, yes, bronzes, were where the power lie. Dragonriders...they had power, simply by bonding to these large, rather odd looking, beasts. He supposed they looked all right, so far as it went, and yet they also looked strange. He had not seen many of them, and firelizards were very uncommon in the North. Only the Lord Holder's wife had one, and perhaps a Master had come with one. That was it, however. Dragons he had seen even less of, so to him, in comparison with the canines and felines of back home, they were strange creatures. Only they flew in the skies, and that in itself was fascinating. He would have wanted one just for this freedom. Only, he wanted a bronze. Of that he was certain.

He was not, per say, a power hungry individual. However, as a person who looked out for solely his own well being; as a selfish individual who wanted whatever was biggest and best, it made sense to him that he should want a bronze. They were the biggest, they were a sign of being the best, in his mind. He could not have known, as others did, that rank and color only mattered if you were up for the responsibility. If you wanted to be leader, and to care for a Weyr, or to be a prime example to others. No, the color merely signified that they would respect him, that he would have this so-called power. Bigger, to Iechi, obviously had to be better. He had no real desire to lead anyone. That meant looking out for someone other than himself, only he did not comprehend this. In reality, he was better suited to a blue or brown than he knew. A dragonrider, no matter what color, was respected. He simply did not possess the right frame of mind on the matter. No logic, and all selfishness, dictated to him how things should have been.

He managed to listen, nonetheless. He managed to listen, and to dislike some of what he heard. Yet, he did not miss that wher-girl's glance at him when the Candidate Master asked if any would like to go home. No, he missed little, or nothing. His mouth set back into a stubborn line, and he stayed right where he was. Poop? What did their poop have to do with him? He didn't have to--did he? He suddenly felt a little ill. A thing so large, it had to defecate somewhere. However, why was there insinuation in the woman's tone that it would be their bond's responsibility? He didn't have to--did they have to? If he could have gone any paler, he would have. There was NO way he was going to dispose of dragon dung! He would train the thing to go outside, like a respectable beast! He, Iechi of the North, would not in a million turns scoop dragon manure. That, he was set on.

Then, she said to run laps. His eyes widened into dinner plates, and then narrowed, his stance and face taking on a very opposing look. He could barely walk in this heat, and she wanted him to run

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] Was she out of her mind? Were there wherry cells in her genetic makeup? If she thought he would, or even could, run, she was sorely mistaken. So, before she began to jog, he took the few strides over, and then said in a matter of fact way, "I can't run. I can't even jog in this ridiculous heat. I'm sorry, but I just can't do it. Walk? Maybe. Jog? You saw how well that turned out. Run? If you want a dead candidate on your hands, perhaps." He was dead serious, too. He couldn't run, even if he had wanted to. Couldn't jog, not without being ill all over their pretty little blades of too-green grass. She would have to allow him to walk, or to do things at his own pace, or he would never make it even a few meters around the bowl. He had his pride, yes. But he was fully aware of what he could and could not do. This, he could not.

[seneth]

From his vantage point of being one of the tallest there, Bicran eyed the candidates around him. From the nervous tremors, the haughty sniffs, the clumsy and the overly friendly. What an odd bunch they were, Bicran concluded with a casual scratch of his golden stubble. The females seemed to be the most sociable, the males…well, a couple kept to themselves, one was injured, the others were pretty young and another too pale. Looking at the latter he bit back a smile. He might be in his work clothes, but even he could pick out the fashion conscious. But an overcoat…

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] And he’s already struggling, the sun isn’t even at its highest.[/I] Bicran pointed out, noting Iechi’s hair was paler than his own. At the daring glare, Bicran offered a good natured shrug. He wouldn’t learn if he wasn’t willing to listen. But even after turning away, he kept an ear out to hear his response to the females.

As the Candidate Master called them all to attention, he flashed Daelan a reassuring smile before focussing on the lesson. The structure itself too dissimilar to what he’d heard before. But at the mention of odd colours and genders he frowned. What could she mean by that…

---

Admin's Note:[/hr][/I] He wondered, finding the concept hard to digest. There’d been nothing unusual down in Eastern Weyr, so why here. The young man thought, as memories of being left standing haunted his mind. Might be my last attempt this turn… With a visible shake of his head he shrugged, Never thought I’d be able to stand this time… He mused with slight smile, the appearance of the brown drawing him from his thoughts.

It took Bicran a little while to connect the mention of unusual genders, and the fact she was a female with a brown dragon. With a slow understanding nod, he gradually started to wonder if the brown was female too. Or would the dragon still be male…

---

Admin's Note:[/hr] But before he could ask such a laughable question, she’d answered it. With a relieved smile, he chuckled at her humour. She’s nice… He concluded finally, as with eyes studying Mneith he focused fully on the rest of the lesson.

At the unexpected offer to leave he frowned before curiously looking to the other candidates. Would any of them accept the offer? He wondered glancing to the pale lad and the haughty females. Would it be better for the hatchlings if those with weak blood were culled off? Well not killed…but like a good beast stock, the weak removed in favour of better traits, Bicran wondered. But as always he didn’t mean it out of spite towards his fellow Candidates. He just found things easier to understand if he filled in the gaps with what he knew of beast herding. Ah…! But isn’t that what the Searchriders do…

---

Admin's Note:[/hr][/I] The tall lad added before frowning to himself. But before he could think to much on it he sighed at the mention of a run.

Bicran was no runner, but if the situation called for it he would. Also with his slim form and long legs, he could probably cross it in half the time compared to some of the others. Though after a quick glance at some of the other boys they seemed just as confident. Looks like the females might struggle at this one… He pointed out, whilst following the Candidate Master through the stretches. Shows harpers don’t know everything. The lad added quietly to himself.

Quickly stripping off his jacket in favour of a light shirt, he set it alongside the newcomers packs before returning to the group. With hands brushing off the last of the dried grass he settled into a slow jog. Finding himself near Orena and Laura he murmured softly on passing, “Best not t’think about it…” With that he gradually picked up his pace before settling into a more comfortable lope. His movements as smooth as his thick boots would allow. Bicran’s eyes noting the one female that easily pulled away from the group. Runner… He smirked.

[Akki]

Faine tilted her head slightly to the side at Catilena’s exclamation but said nothing. Did Relina not have many friends back at home? Was that why her sister was surprised by her having friends here? There were questions she wanted to ask but figured it would be better if Relina was the one to fill her in.

She let her eyes move away from Catilena and rest on Rhia. Her hands moved up to her hair and idly braided some pieces of hair as she (Partially) listened to the brownrider. It wasn’t as if Faine was trying to be disrespectful and she didn’t have a bad attention span but she had heard everything before. She was a repeat candidate, she was already taught this stuff. Faine didn’t mind being here all over again though, it gave her something to do and she appreciated that. Plus it was a chance to meet all her fellow candidates – she only really knew Andilay. Actually, that was sort of a stretch. The two were just candidates together last time; Faine didn’t know all that much about the other girl.

Her lips tugged upwards at the corners at the mention of what to expect at hatchings. She knew what to expect by now. Hungry dragons, a mauling here or there, the usual.

The smile disappeared though as Faine pursed her lips together at the mention of running laps. She could do it, she knew that much. Last time she was a candidate, she had huffed and puffed through it but she was in better shape now because of it. What was bothering her was the fact she also knew that she couldn’t do just two laps; it had to be three. She couldn’t dare risk being slow, she didn’t want to be stuck on the third lap and be the only one running. Faine didn’t particularly want to draw any attention to herself.

She smiled serenly at Iechi, “That makes sense. If I went to the North, I’d probably look not so well too.” The cooler flash in his eyes was unknown to Faine, who was quite content to flash him another smile before taking off at a steady pace. The redhead was definitely grateful that she was in better shape – especially when she noticed another girl take off quickly and easily; Faine didn’t want to look all awkward and slow compared to her! “Just got to get the third lap over with quickly.” She mumbled under her breath, picking up the speed a tiny bit.

[Kino]

[Hey Akki, if Faine does end up going for a third? Naret just might notice her doing so and join in =P ]

As soon as the run had started, Naret had zoned out from the world around him. There was his breathing, the pace of the run, the feel of the ground, and nothing else. The only thing missing in his mind was the weight on his shoulder from the feline he was so used to having when traveling on his deliveries. The thought had him glancing briefly around, wondering if the feline was somewhere watching warily from a distance away from the dragons, and sure enough as Naret passed by a small nook along the weyrbowl wall, Ikarit was there. He smiled at the feline when he noticed him, and wasn't the least bit surprised when the cat made a dash forward and leapt at the candidate, quickly clawing his way up Naret's shirt to settle himself firmly on the boy's shoulder. It was, after all, how the feline had spent a good majority of his life.

Naret was about to fall back into the world of his concentration when one of the female candidates pulled away from the bigger group and came up to the further forward section, matching his pace close enough to perfectly. The boy had heard his footsteps coming closer, and so had turned to look over his shoulder (and the feline) at who had been coming up. He recognized the basic form easily enough; it was obviously different from person to person, but runners all took basically the same beginner lessons on how to properly move.

When the girl came a bit closer, Naret offered her a smile and a nod of greeting. He might've initiated a conversations, as other runners often did when meeting up on delivery paths, but writing and running at the same time had never been his strong suite, and considering they were in training, he thought he might just save any conversation for when they were not.

[Spirithawk]

Rhia jogged in place while the students grumbled and began running. There was a grin on her face. She did this often, with her weyrlings and with her Candidates. When she didn't have a class, she'd do it just to stay in shape. She also ran after a pair of two turn olds who didn't know the meaning of the word still.

"Just think ladies and gentlemen, by Hatching time, you'll be running at least 5 laps, if not more." She nodded to D'vraid when he said he'd stay with Kalaht. "Just keep in mind that if you take over from me, you're expected to do anything the Candidates do, but since I'm here, you can stay with him and perhaps talk to him about the dragon anatomy he will be learning. Feel free to show him on Mneith." She'd run with them, but she'd start out behind them to give the slower ones some motivation. When the northerner shed his shirt, she frowned. His white skin would burn in no time. Her frown deepened when he approached her and told her he couldn't run.

"Boy, you will find out quickly enough what you can and cannot do. If you think this heat is bad, wait until Rukbat reaches its zenith. Be lucky I don't make you come out at that time. We'll be doing lessons in the cool by the time the day really heats up. If you know what is good for you, you'll put your shirt on. Northerners always manage to burn because they don't realize the strength of the sun here. I have some cream for you when we get back in, but for now, replace your shirt and get to running. If you can't run at least one of those laps, you'll do extra chores to make up for it. I'm trying to toughen you up. You will never be able to keep up with a growing dragonet if you refuse to do the work I assign. If you think you can't do it at all, you might as well ask for a ride back home."

Her voice was matter of fact and stern. If she had one Candidate defying her orders, then the rest could easily follow suit. A bellow from Mneith would definitely get them moving, but she didn't want to have to resort to that. The Candidate was suffering from the heat, but he would have to get used to it quickly. They all did sooner or later, or they returned to the frigid north.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

At first, Orena's world was nothing but painful gasps for air, and the burn of her protesting legs, back, and arms as she made her most valiant attempt at making any kind of reasonable pace in running. Everything else was a blur to her to the point where it almost really wasn't there. In this, her world was tiny. Until she stubbed her foot on an embedded stone, jerking her back to the present as she stumbled on past it. Thank Faranth she was wearing shoes, after all, bless Rhia!

Which was when she noticed that Jerodyn was there with her. Orena offered the other girl a grin in greeting, even as she still gasped like a bellows with a hole in it. Not enough air to talk, that was for sure ... on top of the burning in the bottoms of her lungs!!! Her diaphragm was trying to kill her, she was pretty sure. Two laps?! Two laps?!! She wasn't going to make one!! Orena was pretty sure. However, she was game, they had to give her that. Despite being a tailor, she wasn't totally unfit; running around, goofing off, getting into trouble ... she wasn't totally inept.

But boy howdy was she going to eat a lot for dinner tonight.

[mc16neo]

Kegin was really working his muscles. Most were formed in his back because he was a smith, but more then enough were in his legs. He was a quarter of the way around his first lap. He didn't realize just how huge this Bowl was. But he didn't slow. He kept his fast pace and look at those he was in front of. So far the Candidate master chose to stay behind so he knew thinking he was faster was out of the question. When he looked forward once more kegin tripped, sending him going face first to the ground. He tucked his shoulder to him and executed a fine roll and came out of it running.

His body took in easy breaths still. He kept his mind calm and thought of other things. He thought of how he wanted to prove himself fit to be a rider. Prove he wasn't a scary guy. but then again what did he care if he scared others. If he did then they need to find some extra courage. He kept his eyes forward and went into a kind of runner's tunnel vision. he only saw what was ahead of him.

[Drgnwlf71]

Kalaht stood on the sidelines watching, closely listening and taking notes. He was frustrated because he wanted to be there running with the other Candidates. What was he doing here anyway if he was not able to do the physical training as well the mental. He sat and breathed a sigh if frustration. He wasn't about to go against the Candidate Master still he was very bored. He walked off angry, frustrated and confused and he sat by the the lake, watching the others having fun either playing or swimming.

That made him even more angry. He was here for training, not rest and relaxation. How can one train without the knowledge of ones strengths or weaknesses? Train gave everyone a chance to strengthen those weaknesses. Him being teased didn't help any. He wanted to cry. He didn't but he wanted to.

[Minajerie]

Andilay nodded at Master Rhia. "It has healed up just fine... and your not the only one. I want to know what I will impress as well. But that is to be expected." She shrugged and moved away, waiting for the rest of the candidates to arrive and the lesson to start.

It was interesting when first one transfer appeared, and then not to long after, yet another two candidates showed up. Candidates where just springing all out of the stonework's, now weren't they?

She shook her head, but then brightened as Master Rhia announced the Lesson. Laps. Same as the previous lessons. So nothing to strenuous for her. After all, she did laps around the weyrbowl almost every day. She had extra energy, and no way to release it since she had no opponents to fight or stalk or people to protect. She was simply strung up by normal everyday stress. Stress of waiting, stress from G'han. Stress that was eased with fresh air and a good run.

But there was a new part too. They were welcome to leave? To turn from this chance? The idea was laughable. If Andilay had waited this long, endured what she had, she would be an utter dimglow to leave now.

Happily she followed the stretching routine that Rhia had started. It was the same as last season's candidate stretches, so she could do them from memory.When it was time to run, she started out with a fast ground eating pace. One that was, perhaps, faster than the others, but one that would not tire her out before five laps were done, let alone two. If she the lesson ended after the simple two Andilay would continue. If not, then she would simply come out to run later.

She was just getting into her pace and coming up to the leader of the group, a fairly imposing male, when he took a tumble. But he was up and moving again as she passed him. A little laugh in her throat and a fire of challenge in her eyes. She knew she could beat him, in fact, if she hadn't started later than some of the others, she would be far ahead of this man. But as it was, she was content in passing him, and proving just how far and how quickly her long legs could take her- all without tiring her out too quickly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blissy eyed the two others who arrived soon after herself. The girl seemed nice. She rather thought she could become good friends with her... maybe. But the boy... well, besides him being absolutely gorgeous... apparently he was also not used to strenuous activity. She let out a snort. Well, if he was a spoiled little Holder's son, he would soon see just how little that meant to weyr life. And these thoughts came from a Holder's precious niece!

Blissy let out a little resigned breath when the lesson was announced. She thanked the rider who had brought her here most gracefully, and set her things near the great brown dragon. "Thank you in advance for watching over my things, Mneith."

She stole a look at the pale male youth. Hiding a smile. She wondered how he would fare after two laps around the bowl. Maybe he would faint? Some people start up loads of drama. She had a feeling this one would.

She eased into the stretches that the Candidate Master showed them. She felt her muscles stretch and warm, readying for activity. When others started to run, she picked a good sterdy pase. After all, she watched children for most of the day. What did they do but run around and sometimes run from her. She had to be in good shape in order to catch the little buggers.

[catilena1890]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(D)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daelan waited as everyone ran ahead of him before he started trotting along. He did not want to even try to keep up with everyone for he knew that his short legs would not take him any farther or faster than anyone else, let alone keep up with their pace.

As he jogged along, he felt the familiar knot in the pit of his stomache that always came when he was nervous. There were so many people here, and all of them taller than he, and he was in such close proximity of Mneith, he worried the dragon stared at this awkward, little human that was Daelan as he jogged. Gulping as he carried on, Daelan ignored the presence of the dragon, hoping he could calm himself down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(C)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Catilena whined quietly to herself when Rhia told everyone to start running. Puffing harshly as she paddled on, she was certainly getting plenty of exercise. She had never really thought about keeping in shape, for much of her time was spent in the kitchen, not working out.

She concentrated totally on her task, not paying attention to anything other than running, and thus bumped a few shoulders here and there as she tried to keep up with everyone. She was not slow, for she was not that overweight, but she was completely unused to anything that was not leisure activity, such as cooking or gathering ingredients, and in a way, she enjoyed it. Sure, she has been a candidate many times, and has had candidate lessons, but nothing like this.

The Weyrs of Pern have never done anything quite like what this one has in terms of working their riders, or in her case, potential riders, and she was glad that Dark Moon was asking her to work hard and train hard and learn hard. It really was the Paradisic* place that she thought it to be. They weren`t just a bunch of spoiled brats that she has observed in a few riders through her quest to become a rider, and they didn`t treat her like a delicate princess who had to be tended every few seconds like her father did in her old hold. These were people who truly valued her abilities, and cared for her sister dearly. She smiled at the thought and pushed herself just a little bit harder.

Well, if they truly value me and my sister, and want us to work hard, then we`ll give them something to value and work even harder. she thought to no one in particular.

*Yes, that IS a word, I found it in an old dictionary, lol.