Sustaining Flames (All Bursting Flames W'lings)

[Spirithawk]

Rhia asked Mneith to bespeak Kaith. She could easily have him bespeak the Weyrlings, but with not one, but two Queens, Rhia didn't want to chance them ignoring her summons. Kaith was Senior Queen and they would listen to her better than they would listen to a brown.

Mine would like to ask you to summon the Weyrlings to the lake clutch-sister Mneith's voice was friendly, but also respectful.

I will tell them to listen to you as they would listen to me.

I think Mine would feel better about that.

The giant brown could feel the Queen's mental presence retract from his own. The Queen broadcasted her mind to the Weyrlings. This was the day after the hatching, after the mess with the Renegades had been cleaned up. Christae still wasn't pleased with the outcome, but the Weyrlings needed to be fed and begin their lessons.

Newly hatched little ones. You must report for lessons at the lake. You will listen to Weyrlingmaster Rhia and brown Mneith as you would my rider and I. The Queen had just the slightest lean on them so that they would obey.

Back at the lake, Rhia waited. There were carcasses just beginning to cool lined up next to wooden buckets. Not far from that were barrels of oil and sweet sand, along with the brushes that the Weyrlings would need to clean their bondeds' hides.

[catilena1890]

Lenoth awoke with a start and gently nudged his rider awake.

Mine, it is time to wake. We must go to the lake, Mneith and his must teach us. [/color] Lenoth told him. D'lan yawned and stretched before slowly pulling on his clithes. Lenoth by his side, D'lan walked to the lake and saw the rider by the water's edge, as well as the carcasses of meat to be fed to the dragons and brushes and barrels whose purpose was unknown to D'lan. Lenoth grew excited at the smell of the meat.

Mine! I am hungry! Can I eat?[/color] Lenoth asked. D'lan chuckled and bespoke Rhia.

"Lenoth is hungry, do I wait for the others before I feed him?" He asked her quietly.

[Kandarra]

Tirzinth was wide awake when Kaith put out her call, and used this as new ammunition to rouse his chosen from her sleep. He nudged J'dyn impatiently with his snout.

I am very hungry, J'dyn. I have told you this. The queen wants us to go to the lake. There will be food at the lake. Get up now, he said, wanting to be very clear about what was supposed to be happening.

Jeri lifted her head off the pillow with effort and blinked blearily at the blue dragon. "Yes, yes, alright," she mumbled, the edges of her words slurred with sleep. She sat up slowly, stretching her arms and back. Dressing, she turned to her blue. "You are very persistent," she commented.

I know. But I am hungry and you did not listen to me the first time, he said matter-of-factly. Can we go now?

She nodded, tied her hair back, and started the walk out to the lake, knowing he would not be far behind. She groaned as she realized it was only a couple hours after dawn. But she quickly hid her chagrin and reported to Rhia. "Good morning, Weyrlingmaster. My respects to your dragon. What do you need me to do?"

[Spirithawk]

Rhia smiled a greeting at D'lan, and then J'dyn as she walked up. "I know your dragon is hungry, but he shall be fed soon enough. I need to demonstrate something first and it wouldn't do to have to repeat it for all of your classmates." Her tone was kind, but firm.

Greetings Lenoth, and you as well Tirzinth. I hope this day finds you and your chosens well.

"Good day to you my dear." She told J'dyn. "D'lan is it?" she queried, turning her head towards the boy slightly so that she could take in both of her pupils at once. "Take note of Jerodyn's greeting to me. That is how you address me when we meet. It is not polite to question your Weyrlingmaster before at least greeting and asking after that rider's dragon." No one could ever accuse the brownrider of not teaching her charges manners. It was something that was commented on by visitors to the Weyr or by those that her charges visited. She wasn't mean to D'lan when she corrected him, but she had a firmness that spoke of her authority. Rhia was a rider who was used to being obeyed, just as Christae was.

OOC: Kandarra, this is a few hours after dawn because that renegade attack happened first. I think I addressed that in my first post. Also, feel free to correct Rhia or have Tirzinth speak to Mneith about it. That was done on purpose

[Kandarra]

Hello, Mneith. I am well, thank you, Tirzinth said in response.

As her blue greeted the big brown, Jeri studiously feigned interest in the surface of the lake as Rhia corrected D'lan on his manners. She did not wish to be blamed or disliked if the boy didn't take well to it. But her attention was quickly captured when Rhia referred to her with her full name. My old name, I guess I should say, she thought with chagrin.

She waited quietly until Rhia was finished speaking, then cleared her throat. "Weyrlingmaster, Tirzinth calls me J'dyn now," she said, suppressing a wince. Her boy's name had gotten even more male after she impressed. But at least it couldn't get any worse.. right? She fervently hoped so. People were going to be surprised at her name for certain, now.

It is just your name, Tirzinth said, sounding a little hurt. That is how I knew you when I found you.

I'm sorry, she said, sighing. I didn't mean it that way. Tirzinth didn't know that only boys got their names shortened. He was just a baby. She patted his head apologetically.

[catilena1890]

D'lan gulped and shrank into himself slightly from Rhia's tone. Taking a deep breath, he spoke back to her.

"My apologies, W-weyrlingmaster, and brown, uh..." He stuttered, struggling to remember her dragons name.

Mneith.[/color] Lenoth told him. D'lan relaxed a bit, thankful for his dragon, and tried again.

"S-sorry. I'll try not to be trouble Weyrlingmaster and Brown Mneith. " He said, awkwardly. He was always bashful when it came to dragons, especially large ones like browns and bronzes.

This is going to be hard, I hope he's friendly. D'lan thought. Lenoth nudged him.

Do I make you worry mine?[/color] D'lan lovingly placed a hand on his dragon and sighed.

No, love. I fear I may have gotten off on the wrong foot though. Do not fret though, I shall find a way to make amends. D'lan comforted his dragon.

Then, can I eat?[/color] Lenoth asked innocently.

Not now, you'll have to wait, don't worry, you'll be fed soon enough. D'lan promised. Lenoth snorted slightly, but he did not argue. He then turned his attention to Mneith when he bespoke him.

And to you as well Mneith. Mine is nervous, but he will be over it soon enough.[/color] Lenoth replied respectfully.

[mc16neo]

S'nic was ready for classes to begin. He wanted to learn about his new lifemate. What was the future going to bring for the pair. With a smile he was cleaning his sleeping area. His weyrling taking a nap out of the way. On the summons his head rose.

Mine, it is time to begin our classes. Please hurry and be ready.

"Alright my friend. I will be ready quickly. Please stretch while you wait. I don't want you hurting anything since just waking up." he said.

S'nic wasn't used to hearing the voice in his head just yet but he figured soon it would feel natural. Together, once ready, they headed to the proper place for the lessons being held.

[Drgnwlf71]

Falienhth awoke with a yawn at Kaith's summoning. He stretched his wings and his body and got up. He went over to K'laht and nuzzled him until he woke up. K'laht yawned, stretched and saw his blue approached the door.

"What is it, love?" he yawned as he got up.

Mother calls, Mine. We must go to our lessons at the lake.

"Alright, I have to dress." He quickly got dressed, made himself presentable as Falienhth patiently waited. "I am ready, my darling." They both went down to the lake. K'laht yawned and scratched his side. He stood at attention and so did Falienhth; sitting with his back straight and chest puffed out a little. He snapped his boots together and saluted the Weyrwoman.

"Blue Weyrling K'laht and Blue Falienhth, reporting for duty, miss. When is our first lesson to start?" he had a stern look on his face.

[Minajerie]

After the morning's ordeal, Andilay was quick to rejoin her dragon in the make-shift weyrling barracks. She changed into light clothing. A light tunic and trous. She didn't think the renegades would try again this day, but still, she would feel better with her wicked knife on her person. She fit it into her knee-boots.

Of course, all this while Veritath, the silver sweetling, sniffed and searched and reassured herself that yes, her mine was indeed all in one piece with nothing missing. With what appeared to be no scratches of bruises.

After they had settled down a bit, Andilay lightly scratching at Veritath's eyeridges while the dragon nestled her wedge shaped head on her lap, Veritath stilled and listened. She then let out a small huff.

Mother says lessons at the lake. She also says I should listen to Mneith and Master Rhia like it was her and her rider. But aren't we supposed to do that anyway?

Andilay gave the silver a half smile and patted the crown of her head. Yes, well, not all are wise enough to do so. She shifted the hatchling's head from her lap, stood and lightly stretched. The light fabric of her tunic feeling nice and cool.

Lets go then dear one. I'm sure your hungry, though you have yet to complain of it.

I didn't want to sound whiny. But there is a rumbly in my tumbly.

Andilay chuckled but quickened her paces a bit, a pace that Veritath had set at the thought of easing the want of her belly.

Once at the lake, Andilay hailed the others. "Greetings, Wheyrlingmaster Rhia. I trust you and Mneith are doing well this fine morning?"

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

Jespeth was happily dozing, her mine somewhere nearby, when she heard her mother's voice demanding her presence at the lake. She didn't want to wake! Didn't want to go! But eventually she was brought to the very real fact that she was hungry. Thus, the minty green dragon stretched and yawned and went over to prod her sleeping mine awake as well.

Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. We are needed at the lesson at the lake. MINE!! Wake UP!! Mother told me to, so if I can't sleep, NEITHER CAN YOU!!! The green nudged her bonded some more, stubbornness in every movement.

Blissy woke hard. She was a 50/50 morning person. Sometimes she loved it, sometimes she hated. Guess what kind of mood this morning registered? Dislike. But it was soon replaced by light happiness. Any morning with a dragon, her dragon, should be a light mooded day.

"Okay, okay. You got me up. Let me throw on some breeches and a shirt and we'll go. I'm sure your hungry too." After her statement, Blissy's own stomach growled and she burst out with a laugh. "Apparently so am I."

She dressed quickly and soon they were out in the sun. It was warming quickly today. But lessons were lessons, and so they were important.

"Master Rhia. Blissy and Jespeth are here for lessons."

[Spirithawk]

Rhia sighed. She hadn't meant to send the boy into a stuttering mess. "D'lan, easy child. I am not going to bite your head off." She didn't know that her dragon was using similar words to reassure Lenoth. "I was simply pointing out the proper way to greet your master. We will have a lesson on manners today as you are feeding your charges since this particular class of weyrlings didn't get enough Candidate classes where this would normally be taught."

There is no need to worry. I will not bite, and neither will Rhia. Most often, her bark is worse than her bite, but be certain to follow her instructions. We have much to teach you both.

Rhia looked a little surprised. It had been a long time since one of the dragons had contracted a name that was not a boy's. It was not unheard of, but it wasn't common either. She supposed that it was due to the fact that most women had shorter names than boys because they weren't named after their mother and father as often as boys were.

"Mneith shortened my name when he found me." She told the girl simply, hoping that would ease some of the discomfort she could see in the girl's posture. "My full name was Rhianna."

It was too much of a mouthful, the brown quipped to J'dyn, Tirzinth, and his rider with amusement.

Rhia rolled her eyes at her brown. "Anyway, he shortened my name to Rhia. It was my nickname for some people, but few know my full name now. Bluerider Akki's name was shortened as well, but I think she had shortened hers before she came here." Maybe it was a trend with female riders of male dragons. She didn't voice that thought, but it chimed in the back of her head. "I'll try to remember to call you J'dyn now. Thank you for telling me."

Rhia nodded acknowledgement to one of the two blueriders who arrived next, and then turned to K'halat. "Greetings Weyrling K'halat and Falienth, address me as Weyrlingmaster Rhia, and my dragon is Mneith. You lessons will begin shortly. We are waiting for the rest of your blue's clutchmates and their chosens."

When Andilay arrived, Rhia smiled. She had remembered the young woman from the previous hatching and the Candidate lessons that had accompanied them. "I wasn't able to personally congratulate you at the Hatching Andilay. Your queen is a beauty, and I couldn't think of a more suitable rider for her. Mneith and I are doing as well as can be expected with that ruckus this morning. I trust that you and your silver are well?"

Good morning Orsith, Falienth. Mneith turned towards the silver, and the minty green when they arrived. Veritath, and Jespeth, good morning to you as well. There was respect in the brown's tone for the little queen, but authority as well.

"Good day Blissy, and you as well Jespeth. We will begin shortly. We are still waiting for some of your peers."

(I think I'm going to wait one more day and then move on.)

[catilena1890]

D'lan gulped and nodded.

"R-right, Sorry master." D'lan said, still nervous. Lenoth bumped his chosen lovingly and looked at Mneith.

Mine is not worried about that. Mine is not good with new people. Mine is eager to learn, and so is Lenoth.[/color] Lenoth explained to Mneith. D'lan looked curiously at his dragon, but said nothing as he waited for his Weyrling Master's instructions.

[Akki]

It had been a struggle that day for Faine. There were some moments where Colvarinth simply didn’t feel like authority should apply to her – she wanted to do things her own way and Faine was having a hard time to convince the gold differently. Colvarinth hadn’t told Faine about the message that had been sent out, choosing to sleep in a little bit later instead. The redhead only found out when a drudge came rushing in, yelling at her to get a move on it. Which was easier said than done, that was for sure.

“We’re late Colvarinth! Super late! Come on!” The redhead yelled frantically. The gold made a huffing noise and made a show of turning her head away. She was comfortable where she was and didn’t particularly feel like moving any time soon. Faine really didn’t know what to do – she never had to deal with stubborn people before. Or stubborn dragons for that matter. Was she supposed to beg or would that just show Colvarinth that she was going to be submissive? It was time to take a stand. “We’re leaving now or else I won’t oil you for a whole sevenday and your hide will get all cracked and ugly.”

That seemed to get the little queen’s attention. That is going too far. If looks could kill, Faine would probably be dead at this point. Colvarinth didn’t seem to like the idea of having itchy, cracked hide. Fine. I will go to the lesson. The gold said finally, giving in but trying to make it sound like she was doing Faine a favour.

After a few minutes, the pair finally arrived at the lesson (A little late, of course). “Sorry! We had some…troubles.” Faine gasped as she bowed to Rhia and Mneith, shooting a sideway glance at Colvarinth who ignored the look. She straightened and smiled slightly at the WeyrlingMaster, “It won’t happen again.” Hopefully this was a promise she could keep.

[Spirithawk]

Rhia turned her attention to the young queen, the twin to the silver who was already here, and raised an eyebrow. She hadn't had much trouble with the young lady who was now her rider during classes last time, but there had been rumors of stealing. Now it seemed that she would have a struggle on her hands with this one. Her sister seemed more amiable, but this one was a gold through and through. Reinath had had a similar strong personality. Kaith seemed to produce strong Queens when she laid a Queen egg.

"Welcome Faine, and Colvarinth, I am glad you could join us." Rhia didn't treat the pair any differently than she had treated the other colors. For now, she was no different than the others. She and her sister would be in classes for several months after their peers had graduated because the Queens always took longer to mature, and Christae would be training them to be weyrwomen after Rhia had covered the basics.

"Today, we will be learning the basics of dragon care. Those of you who are squeamish will have to get over it. The drudges can't be cutting your meat for you all the time. We will begin because I know that your dragonets are hungry. Normally we start just after dawn but we had a bit of an incident this morning that delayed our classes. Once we get your dragonets eating, I will be teaching you the proper way to greet your superiors. We will also begin exercising your dragons and do some bond strengthening exercises."


Grey eyes swept the class. There were still several missing and they would be penalized for it, especially since the Queen herself had ordered them to assemble. She strode to the meat and grabbed a knife. "Be careful, these are sharp." The carcasses were fresh but beginning to cool by this time. She sliced the knife into the meat and cut off a hunk just bigger than a mouthful for one of the baby dragons.

"If you cut them around this size, and you want to, you have to make sure they chew. There might be some accidents where a dragon bites his or her tongue. Don't panic. Call me over, and I will help you tend to your beast. It's more of an incentive to chew slowly." She turned and tossed the meat high in the air.

Mneith's massive brown head snaked near Blissy and Jespeth and snapped the meat out of the air. My apologies if I startled you Jespeth. He told the little green.

"Get started."

[Drgnwlf71]

"Now, my darling, you know how to do this. Remember to chew, alright? Now, let us begin. Get into position, my friend." K'laht said sternly as his dragon wasn't pay attention. Falienhth was looking at flowers and admiring their beauty. "Falienhth. pay attention, please. I will not tolerate insubordination. No toys for a week then."

Yes, right away. I do apologize, Mine.

"It's alright, you can enjoy the flowers after our business is done."

Yes, Mine.

"Very good. Now, as we practiced. get into position." K'laht told him, gently. His blue nodded his head and sat down. K'laht grabbed a knife and started to cut the meat to the appropriate sizes. Then, tossed the meat on just the lower jaw. "Now chew , slowly."

Falienhth tried to chew slowly but he was so hungry the he forgot what he had done the last time and bit his tongue. "Weyrling Master Rhia? My dragon bit his tongue. What should I do?"

Ow! Mine, it hurts. I think-I think its bleeding.

"Don't worry, love. The Weyrling Master will take a look at you. Please let her."

Mine, you know I am shy around people but I will this for you.

"Thank you, darling." K'laht said. "Weyrling Master Rhia, he says he thinks its bleeding." K'laht was not panicking. His voice, concerned. His eyes showed that he was worried but he was surprising calm.

[Akki]

I’m glad we could too Faine couldn’t help but think, glancing quickly at Colvarinth who seemed to be ignoring everyone and everything. The gold wanted to go back to sleep and she was going to make that clear; she was a Queen and Queens deserved to get what they wanted.

The redhead had no problem about being squeamish; raw meat didn’t really freak her out. Okay, the meat itself didn’t scare her but what dripped off of the meat did. Blood made thing messy – it stained clothes and got everywhere and Faine couldn’t stand messes. She joined Rhia where the woman stood and picked up a knife, carefully cutting off a piece of the food. She kept a careful eye on what her hands were doing. She really didn’t want to have her hands go and stick the knife in her pocket in front of this large crowd. Faine looked over the meat in her head and glanced at the one in Rhia’s hand (Before Mneith snapped it up) and was content that it was practically the same size. Faine turned to Colvarinth, dangling the piece of meat in front of the gold.

The dragon’s head jolted forward, jaws quickly opening before teeth tore into the meat. Faine’s hand shot backwards, “Watch my fingers!” She really was quite fond of having ten digits. Colvarinth made a huffing noise, her mouth opening and closing as she chewed on the meat. Make sure your fingers aren't in the way of my food. Faine really wasn’t all that surprised by then gold’s comment, she was starting to get used to the snippiness of the dragonet. Colvarinth turned her head and watched as Falienhth bit his tongue, snorting. How undignified.

“Please, play nice Colvarinth”

[Minajerie]

"Quite well, thank you." Andilay answered. "And thank you for the congratulations." It was a very nice complement on Rhia's part. It left the young swordswoman warm inside, and she smiled and patted the young silvers head in affection.

Good Morning, Mneith. I am to listen to you. Mother says. But I would have anyways, because mine knows that you and yours are wise.

Andilay chuckled, hearing what Veritath said. She was such a cute, naive young thing. And what else should she be? Thankfully not like her sister. When the young gold came in it was quite obvious that the young queen did not want to be here.

Andilay was glad when the lesson started, she could feel Veritath becoming a bit mopey with hunger. Luckily, it was something simple and right up Andilay's alley. Cutting meat. At least, for this portion of the lesson.

The first thing Andilay did was test the blade of the provided knives for sharpness. When a small bead of blood appeared on her finger, Andilay gave a small nod of approval, stuck her finger in her mouth to lick off the small drop of blood, and then began to carve up her respectable beast.

When Andilay gave Veritath her first piece, she reinforced Rhia's words with her own. Chew slowly, love. Don't bite your tongue with those lovely sharp teeth of yours.

Once Veritath had eaten about three pieces without incident, the young dragon nuzzled her rider, making Andilay laugh and pear down at her once white shirt that was now streaked with the blood that had gotten on the silver's maw.

OH! I am sorry mine!! I didn't mean to get you dirty!!

Andilay chuckled some more and waved the young dragon's worry away. I will never push away an embrace from you Veritath. Anything you offer, is welcome. After all, all her clothes got blood on them. It had been an occupational hazard... she wondered what kind of hazards she'd have to deal with in her new occupation as Jr. Weyrwoman... well, thoughts for another day. Another piece?

Oh, please! Veritath happily ate yet another piece of meat once Andilay had cut it for her.

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

Morning-Morning! I wanted to sleep, but mother say, nono- go to lake for lessons. So I woke us up! -And we are here now. Jespeth nodded in a dragon way before she moved to make room for others around Rhia. Something her mine, Blissy, soon followed.

Blissy listened intently to her first lesson as a weyrling. Corrected: First lesson of being one of the weyrlings at her BROTHER'S weyr. His own eggies! It made her heart just happily pound. However, what Rhia was saying was very important, and so made to make sure she would always remember.

She watched carefully how Master Rhia both held the knife and how exactly it could be used to cut up the flesh of the beasts that were provided.

They were both a little startled when Mneith snapped up the piece of meat that was thrown at them, but Jespeth recovered first.

Oooo! DO IT AGAIN!!

Of course, at this, Blissy could only smile and chuckle. Little ones were so cute!

She carefully cut up a piece of meat, and Jespeth did her best not to snap it out of her mine's fingers.

Omnom...I'm so hungry mine!! Hungry hungry!! More please?

---

Admin's Note:[/hr][/color] The green looked up with beseeching eyes, her front claws one over the other. The effect was that of one adorable minty green dragon. One that Blissy could never ignore.

But of course, you silly! Here's another. And she handed Jespeth another piece.

[catilena1890]

D'lan cut his peices to the size Rhia had advised and held them up to his dragon, warning him to chew slowly. Lenoth reluctantly obeyed and chewed the meat at the appropriate speed. D'lan smiled as he fed his dragon, telling him how wonderful, how special he was. Lenoth seemed pleased with the praise, and D'lan smiled, not paying complete attention to his task. His lack of consideration led him to cut a piece too close to his hand, and he sliced a small cut into the webbing bewtween his thumb and forefinger, causing him to wince. Lenoth's eyes yellowed slightly.

Mine! You are hurt! Lenoth bleated in his head. ignoring the pain, D'lan gently pat his dragons neck.

I am fine, it's only a small cut. See? He held his hand up for the little brown to see. Indeed, the cut was minor, and most of the blood on his hand was not his own but belonged to the meat from which he was feeding Lenoth. The dragon's eyes steadily returned to their original greenish color while his bonded continued to feed him, ignoring his hand.

[mc16neo]

S'nic followed suit on the instructions. His fingers were nimble from the turns of playing guitar so he cut the meats without cutting himself. S'nic chuckled as his dragon would nudge his body to try to get the food quicker.

I hunger Mine. Please feed me soon.

S'nic looked at the dragon and sighed. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked playfully.

Love me of course. Now please feed me so I can be full.

S'nic smiled and gave the hungry weyrling his food. "There you go. now chew as much as you can. I do not want you to choke." he said. S'nic was sure to watch his lifemate carefully to insure the feeding wasn't fast or without the proper chewing.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Life was a mess. It had been before impression ... but now afterward? It was even more of a mess. The only good thing? H'nam didn't need some handmaiden or whatever to get dressed anymore. Boy howdy did his arms and shoulders ached, wishing to be free of the restraints that held his arms down and in place, allowing his shoulders to heal. It was a rather strange thing, really - who would have thought? But his curious little black creature of a dragon, bouncy at best most times, was quite patient when it came to H'nam dealing with being trussed up like a mummy. The little beast was even marginally helpful. Especially when it came to getting H'nam's pants on for the day. A shirt really wasn't neccessary, considering the contraption he was already wearing ... basically a shirt with super long sleeves tied behind his own back, arms crossed in front. Blargh.

As for his boots ... even his dragon couldn't tie those. So H'nam just crammed his feet into them, and clomped around with them untied for the moment. New boots and everything! My, wasn't he a mess. Late, late, so late. They'd heard the call, that was for sure. But neither of them were going to go rushing around with H'nam half dressed! It was a slow process, but rather rumpled looking, half-dressed (with a few accidental tooth-sized holes in his pants), the black pair did manage to make it down to the lake.

There, he stopped and just watched. So many others ... and that one big brown. He accurately guessed that Rhia was his rider ... being the most authoritative looking person there. But ... everything that was going on required at least one functional hand. Heaving a sigh, he looked over at his dragon. "I hope you're good at learning to use your hands in place of mine."

He got a blank stare in answer. What?