Hunting 101 (WEYRLINGS)

[Lark]

Avirith rustled her wings as she hopped foot to foot. Beside her, Ara smiled and pulled back her hair. Oh it was hot outside. Unfortunately though, they couldn't go to the river. Nope, for obvious reasons, the Weyr had been placed in a slight lock down for a while. With Maelath so close to clutching, and the events of the gather, it was no wonder. Well, they'd just have to do something else entertaining then. Biting her lip, Ara thought back on what they had been learning. So far, the dragonet's had been taught, along with their riders, simple positionings and teachings. They had focused on wing exercises and warm-ups. They had been given drills to memorize, and certain maneuvers to do in order to build wing muscle. They were old enough almost to glide. Though, the smaller colors would not quite yet be able to with a rider. They can by themselves though. They should be hunting by now too. Wehave neglected teaching them how.

Avirith cranes her neck to look down at her rider. Reaching up, Ara patted the pale hide. Her dragoness was right. The weyrlings should have learned to hunt for themselves a good sevenday or two ago. It had been forgotten though. The weyrlingmaster scolded herself for not thinking of it earlier. Well the riders wouod be pleased certainly. Signalling the green to bend down, Ara straddled Avirith's neck. "To the WeyrBowl." Nodding, the green took off and landed again in a few mintues. Ara had never thought before about the height of the walls, at least not since she was a weyrling herself. It wasn't too bad though, and Avirith quickly assured Hers that the smallest green would be able to make it even.

Nodding her head, the weyrlingmaster dismounted and arranged her tunic and pants. "Call them love." Raising her head, Avirith reached for the weyrling's minds. Come weyrlings! It is time you learned something you've been wanting for a while now. Shaking her head, Ara laughed when her green scoffed at her. "Sorry love. They probably now think they're going to fly for the first time." And they will......just not with a rider yet.

[Zirin]

J’dol was oiling Spazz. Well, oiling wasn’t exactly accurate, as the little devil wouldn’t sit still long enough for the 19 turn old to actually get the oil on his hide. Finally, J’dol had had enough and scooped up the flit and dropped him into the bowl, snorting as the blue gave him a look and went about rubbing the oil off himself on the cloth J’dol had left lying around for that exact reason. Well, whatever made Spazz happy… A movement out of the corner of his eye, which caused a bit of sunlight to reflect into his eyes, caused him to look up at Kayath, who was currently standing just outside the safety of the walls, though she was close enough to dive back into safety if she needed to. Rider and dragon alike weren’t fond of the precaution, but J’dol couldn’t handle the idea of something bad happening again, and he had felt the air in the Weyr becoming tenser and tenser as Maelath got closer to clutching, and with the lock down both he and Kayath were beginning to feel a bit shut in.

What do they have that I don’t have. The topaz grumbled aloud as she watched the dragons that were landing and taking off in the ‘bowl. I’m prettier, smarter, better. So why do they get attention and I don’t? J’dol stood up and made his way over to her. They’re adults. He replied, hoping that would be enough, though his mind-bond told him otherwise. Once you get to strut your stuff in the air you’ll have all the attention you could ever dream of love. Kayath snorted, but didn’t voice any more complaints, though he could tell she wanted to complain about flying. After all, she now rivaled the size of some full grown greens, and was definitely as bulky (if not bulkier) than some of them, so there was no way she wasn’t big enough for it, they just hadn’t been given the go ahead yet.

She grumbled again, but J’dol noticed her attention had shifted to her stomach. Figuring since they hadn’t been called yet, they weren’t having a lesson today, J’dol was about to head off to find food for the dragonet when Kayath called him back and motioned for him to get on her. Time for a lesson, J’dolMine. Something we‘ve been wanting for a while? Oooh it sounds like we’re finally going to fly Mine! We shall fly together, won’t we? Through the sky as we are meant to, not trapped behind rock walls! She sounded offended as she spoke. With her rider on her back, Kayath took off in her quick, but awkward run towards the meeting place, looking forward to whatever it was, and almost forgetting her hunger. Slowing to a stop in front of the Weyrlingmaster, J’dol slid off the orange back with a wave towards Ara.

“Hey Ara, Avirith.” He greeted the pair, followed a moment later by Kayath’s own greeting.

---

Miiiiiiiiine I want to do soooomething! Peniath whined. The green was bored out of her mind and wanted to go out and explore and play. She wasn’t allowed though, partly because of the lock down, and partly because U’wa had things that required his attention inside the Weyr. She flopped down on her couch, glancing at the other weyrlings that shared her room, but none of them seemed any better off than she was. Suddenly she perked up. A lesson? About something she wanted? What did she want? She wanted to play, that was for sure. She also wanted grow faster, but surely that couldn’t be a lesson? Oh! OH! Flying Mine! FLYING! She huffed as she received only confusion from Hers. A lesson mine! I think we’re flying. Oooooooh I want to fly! Don’t you? Hurry up and get back here so we can go! I want to go noooow! If you loved me you’d hurry up!

She paced in annoyance as she waited for U’wa to get back to her, though she made her way over to the entrance to the Weyrbowl without him. Once he reached her side, she didn’t wait a moment longer and took off, running as fast as she could to the meeting place as U’wa tried desperately to keep up.
Hi Avirith! Hi Ara! Are we flying today? Is that what you meant? Oooooh I hope we’re flying! Can I go now? Can I can I pleeeease?

“S..Sorry… WeyrlingMaster….” U’wa fumbled over the words as he tried to apologize for his dragon’s enthusiasm.

[Akira]

N'ck rolled his eyes as his white dragon, Kicheth, scolded him once again for messing up his drills. He was large enough to glide at least, though, the small white still believed he could fly just as well, and even better, than some of the fully grown dragons. N'ckMine, are you paying attention? The white weyrling was just barely larger than him, and Kicheth had been using his new height, to try and make his rider pay more attention to him when he spoke.

Don't worry Kich, I'm listening. You know I could never ignore you. He firmly rubbed the bottom of Kicheth's chin as he spoke, which made the white croon. The white dragon shook his wings at his rider, and then turned, and shook out his white wings. The two of them had been training harder and harder since the events of the Spring Gather, and the two of them were starting to show the ware. N'ck was now at least one size larger because of the muscles that he had gained while working with his dragon.

Kicheth had grown quite considerably as well. His wing and leg muscles were now very noticeably larger than they had been. Even though the white dragon ate plenty, he still looked very lithe, and stream-lined. N'ck smiled as he remembered watching his dragon grow, though, he had wished the two of them had had more time to just be young, instead of always having to train. N'ck knew that his dragon wouldn't even entertain that though just for the simple fact that Kicheth believed he always had to be the best.

N'ckMine Avirith says it is time for another lesson. It sounds like we are finally going to be able to fly. There was no mistaking the excited pride that filled the small dragon's voice. Alright you, come on, and don't get so excited just yet. I highly doubt that they're going to let you try to fly with me on your back. The sixteen turn old boy couldn't help but laugh at the reaction his words brought from his dragon. He knew that the one thing that Kicheth wanted to do more than anything, was learn to fly with his rider.

The two of them were pretty silent as they made there way over to where Ara and her green dragon were waiting for the weyrlings. Hi J'dol and Kayath. You are look as gorgeous as ever Kayath. He smiled happily as he complimented the topaz dragon, and greeted her rider. He rolled his eyes as his white dragon awkwardly bowed before the larger female, and made a greeting of his own. Greetings my Topaz sister. His voice was that of male trying to impress a female.

N'ck knew that white dragon's didn't actually have a gender, but there were times that he could swear that his was truly a male, and now was one of those times. Hi Ara, and Avirith. He gave a small wave as he spoke to the Weyrling Master and her dragon, and was grateful that Kicheth didn't act the same way when greeting the green. Greetings Master Avirith. Kicheth nodded to the green as he spoke, which really didn't surprise his rider.

N'ck rolled his eyes, and then turned his attention on the only other weyrling there at the moment. Hi U'wa, I see Peniath is as energetic as ever. He gave the green weyrling a sympathetic smile as he spoke. He was glad that he hadn't impressed a female, and he knew he would never trade Kicheth for anything on Pern, even though there were times that the white did get on his nerves. Kicheth sat down next to His, and glanced over at his hyper-active clutchmate.

Kicheth didn't spare any words for his green clutchmate, but when His nudged him, he politely bowed his head to the green. N'ck shook his head and sighed. He wished that Kicheth wouldn't be so frustrating when it came to getting to work. He had said his greetings, and only wanted to start their lesson. Nothing more mattered to the white than learning how to fly, and then learning how to chew firestone so that he may be allowed to show everyone how great he and His really were.

[Zero]

Mideth crooned happily as he paddled in the cool waters of the baths as R’xth floated lazily on his back a mere nose length away. The pair were taking a very well deserved break from their rigorous training routine as well as taking a chance to escape the dreaded heat of the day. Even the young Aurora had seemed to have had enough of the heat and was playing at the edge of the water. Ever since the new clutch had hit the sands and the weyr went on lockdown both dragon and Rider had put their effort into training and honing their skills and it was showing. Mideth was already reaching 18 feet in length while Ry, already having a bit of muscle before he Impressed, was filling out nicely and had grown an inch or two as well.

The trio were quiet for the most part save for the dark dragons gentle splashing and the tiny golds playful chirp from time to time. That was until Mideth suddenly lifted his head and neck from the water, causing a small wave to wash over His, successful in disturbing the young man and his moment of relaxation. R’xthMine, another lesson has been called. Something we’ve been wanting for a while it would seem. At the words of his bonded, Ry nearly shot out of the water and scrambled towards the shore, splashing and starling the little gold as he went.

Once he hit solid ground again the search was on for wherever it was he had tossed his clothes. “Do you think we’re finally going to fly? Do you think you’re even old enough yet for us to fly together?” The midnight blue dragon slowly pulled himself from the water, careful not to step on Aurora, and proceeded to shake the water from his wings and seemed to be thinking before deciding to answer. We shall see.

Finally tugging every bit of clothing back on, though still soaking wet, Ry shoved his boots on and jogged out the baths and out towards the bowl, clearly more excited then his larger counterpart about what their next lesson might hold. As they walked the forms of the others became clearer and it didn’t take the bluerider long to figure out who had arrived before him. “Afternoon Ara, Avirith.” Naturally Ry greeted the young greenrider and her bonded first before turning his attention towards the others and their companions. “Hey guys.” He offered up an easy smile to go along with his greeting to both the men and their companions as Mideth took a seat behind His and nodded his own silent greeting towards his clutchmates and Theirs.

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[Lark]

Zoranille smiled and led her green to the bathing water one more time. "You want to be clean don't you Yazhith?" The little green, still terribly small despite her growth, waved her tail and jumped in talking about becoming a shipfish. Apparently she liked the dolphins a lot. It wasn't long though before Zora heard the weyrlingmaster's call. "Come on." Yazhith perked up and brought Zora onto her back.

---

N'kron was already there by the time a few others decided to show up. Beside him, Ildardeth stood in the shadows, his markings camouflaging him against the rock. "So are we flying or what? I thought they were still too small."

---

Avirith crooned at N'kron's question. Well, they will be flying. Hunting actually. Ara smiled at some expressions she saw. "Oh come now. It's not flying, but see it this way. No more feeding your dragons. They can do it themselves now." The greenrider motioned for Avirith to stand and spread her wings. Doing so, the pale dragoness arched her back and whipped her tail behind her. Start by flapping, get those wing muscles going. The larger ones will half fly, half walk to the top of the cliff. The smaller ones will be grabbed by yours truly and be put up there. No need wasting energy right?

"Follow me guys." Ara motioned for the weyrlings to follow her along the path to the top of the Bowl. Meanwhile, Avirith took Yazhith carefully into her front feet and placed her on top of the rock structure. It wasn't terribly high, but it wasn't low either. Kitcheth, you're next deary. Thats right Ildardeth, jump and glide up to each point. Almost there now. There! Good now, everyone here? Avirith looked around until she found Hers coming up with the humans. "Right. Better teach them to glide down first Avi."

The green nodded her head and spread her wings again. Spread your wings like so. That's right. Now, off you go. With that, she nudged Yazhith off, followed by Ildardeth. Flap them once then feel the thermals. That's right! She crooned as the green and brown glided down, Yazhith venturing to spiral downward a bit. Avirith was with them the entire time as they and the others fell down. After all, she had pushed all over if she could. It was instinct for a dragon to fly though, and their wings caught the thermals almost directly after being on open air.

"When they come up again, she'll teach them the basics of hunting. As for you all, it's time you learned how to memorize visual points. I brought paper and writing things. Take one each and look at that marker there of the tree on the Bowl. Visualize it, see it, then look away after five seconds and draw it."

[Akira]

N'ck turned and looked for the person who had spoken the question that had been on a lot of their minds for a while now. He turned to Ara and Avirith to see what their answer would be. Kicheth rustled his wings with anticipation. He had been training as hard as he could with N'ck, and he felt that he was more than ready to fly. He had wanted to fly ever since he had seen Avirith fly during their first lesson. He was now taller than his rider, and he felt that was enough to allow him to fly.

N'ck smirked at Kicheth when Avirith said that the weyrlings would be learning how to hunt. Kicheth grumbled unhappily. Yes, they would be learning how to fly, sorta...but not the way he had been hoping for. He wanted to fly with His. Though, not having to rely on N'ck anymore for food helped to sweeten the white's mood. N'ck was thrilled at the fact that once Kicheth learned how to hunt for himself, he would no longer have to deal with bloody meat anymore.

N'ck almost fell over laughing when he heard how his white dragon would be getting to the top of the cliff. The white on the other hand half squealed, half barked at the thought of being carried to the top by the Weyrling Master. N'ck smiled and patted Kicheth's neck reassuringly. Hey, it's better to conserve your energy than to needlessly wast it right buddy ? He smiled as he sent the message to his dragon over the bond that the two of them shared, and was glad when his dragon seemed to calm a little.

N'ck nodded and followed Ara as she started to make her way up to the top of the cliff. Kicheth held still as the green carried him up to the top of the Weyrbowl, though, he did growling angrily the entire time. I have NEVER been so insulted! N'ck chuckled and shook his head at his dragon's words. This is ridiculous! I am large enough to get up there on my own! The dragon's angry words were loud enough to echo through the minds of all the weyrling pairs, and even Ara and Avirith.

I'm sorry everyone. He looked down so that he wouldn't see the unhappy looks that he was sure he was going to receive because of his dragon. He knew Kicheth could be a pain sometimes, but this was just plain evil. He wasn't sure if he would ever live this down. He didn't even look when Kicheth pulled at their bond, trying to get his attention. Right now he just felt like ignoring his dragon for all the trouble he caused. He knew he couldn't really blame the white, it was just who he was.

N'ck had always known that there was possibility that he would impress a dragon who's personality wouldn't always impress him, but he had never thought his dragon would be this bad. N'ck listened silently as Ara told them what they were going to do while their dragon's learned how to hunt. He did as he was told, and did his best to remember what the tree looked like, and draw the tree as best he could. He had never been a very artistic person, so his drawing looked worse than what he actually remembered the tree looking like.

Kicheth had never meant to upset his rider, and when N'ck ignored him, he felt terrible. He knew His would forgive him soon, but for now he guessed he should just pay attention to his lesson. Kicheth did as he was told, and followed Ildardeth off the edge. He flapped his wings as Avirith instructed, and crooned when he felt the warm thermals. He flapped his wings a couple more times, slowing his decent a little. He spiraled down a little before straightening out, and landing gently on the ground beside his green clutch sister.

[Zirin]

U’wa let out the breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. Peniath’s incessant need to rush had stopped the young boy from truly registering her words before, but now that Ara had confirmed the flying bit… U’wa shook; he couldn’t function in water, how was he going to manage in the air? You weren’t listening U’waMine! I am flying, not you. We are gunna hunt! U’wa looked at the green in surprise. Well… he never had gotten used to the blood, so the idea that Peniath would be able to feed without him having to cut up meat was, if anything, awesome!

Peniath visibly wiggled in anticipation as her turn to be carried drew nearer, half watching as U‘waHers followed their teacher up the structure, and she trilled once Avirith had actually become airborne with her. Ooooh Avirith you are so strong! I hope I will be that strong some day! She continued to wiggle excitedly as Avirith went to bring any remaining weyrlings up. Then the lesson began in earnest. As commanded, Peniath spread her wings, the limbs nearly vibrating in her eagerness to be off. Then suddenly she was in the air! Wait.. When did she jump off? “Peniath! Fly!” The green, out of sheer surprise at the sudden lack of stuttering in Hers’ voice, did as told, only getting a few confused flaps in before she hit a thermal and allowed her natural instincts to take over. Though her flight was rather choppy, she was able to take control of her movements and was soon following behind the others back for round two.

U’wa sighed, a hand on his heart as he tried to slow its frantic beating. Of course, seeing Peniath fly, and feeling her elation in his mind, was helping calm his heart. Once he felt he could walk without his legs giving out beneath him, he picked up the materials he would need and found a place to sit. He stared at the tree, taking his time looking over the details. One of the things he had learned at the very first lesson was that he had a good memory for imagery, which he hoped would come in handy once more here. The mere seconds he had to look passed, and he closed his eyes, trying to call up the tree. Feeling comfortable with what he saw, he began his sketch. Once complete, he looked between his drawing and the tree. Well… it was actually pretty good, at least in U’wa’s mind.

---

Kayath rumbled in approval. As much as she loved Hers, he really wasn’t very quick when it came to filling her belly. He used the excuse that she ate too much for him to keep up with, but really, he should have been on that. In fact, everyone should have been on it. Oh well, she would have to do it herself for now. All too soon she would have the males fetching her meals for her. Yes, once she was in the sky, she would have all the attention.

Geez Princess, don’t let it all go to your head. J’dol teased, chuckling as he received nothing but a snort of disapproval in response. She spread her wings, not caring in the least when her wing smacked her rider upside the head, sending him stumbling forward. “Women can’t take a joke, geez…” He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head as he moved to follow Ara. Kayath merely raised her head and prepared to launch herself. Already developing muscles rippled as she took off, though she let out a light squeak as the movement didn’t send her as high as she thought it would. On the bright side, it got her high enough to simply glide to the first point. Moving to the next points were quite a bit more graceful; at least as graceful as a first time flight (of sorts) could be. She reach the top just after Ildardeth, giving the brown an approving look as she strode past him, making sure her wing was in the perfect position to brush up against him if he didn‘t move. She moved to the edge of the structure, ready for the next instructions. Make sure to watch, alright Mine? I will show you just how amazing I am. She spread her wings again in preparation.

Suddenly she saw a couple of her siblings go flying off the ledge… before her! Blasphemy? And they looked so clumsy… as if they had fallen off. The topaz tilted her head in a moment of confusion before the answer came to her, or rather, tried to push her off the ledge. You DARE push me Avirith? Kayath growled, turning her full attention to the green. Kayath, at over twenty-two feet, was now slightly larger than the green, and her bulk allowed her to remain standing instead of being pushed, though she had stumbled to keep her balance. I can do it just fine without your assistance. Huffing at the utter humiliation of it all, the orange dragon leaned over the edge and flapped once, swishing her tail as her wings caught thermals and helped keep her on a solid course. She spiralled around. Sending the draconic version of a death glare to Avirith’s form, Kayath completed her spiral and flapped again, moving to land again to continue the lesson.

“Ooooh.. She’s not too happy.” J’dol commented off handedly as he watched the large dragonet. You’re doing wonderfully love. he sent to her with a smile. Did you expect any less? No, he not at all shocked with how successful her first flight was going; Kayath had dedicated herself to the wing exercises. Leaving Kayath to her flying, J’dol grabbed up the paper and writing utensil and found a spot to study the tree. Studying the tree, or rather, glancing at it, he set about drawing. Lifting his pencil he looked down at his masterpiece. He supposed it looked like the tree… if you tilted your head to the side and squinted. He did just so and noticed the drawing, in fact, looked more like a piece of bacon than a tree. Well, it might not look like the marker, but he had to admit it was the best bacon he had ever drawn.

[Lark]

Avirith crooned amused at Kayath. It was true that she was larger than her now, and as she passed the others she made sure to only gently nudge the larger weyrlings. Emiath....she simply passed him. Ara smirked at that, but had to hide laughter when her green turned toward her and warbled. I don't have a death wish AraMine. The green followed the weyrlings over the edge then, bringing them back up when they were down. Or, watching them carefully as they picked their way back to Theirs.

"Okay....that's good....great job!" Ara passed by the different boys and girls until she got to J'dol and giggled. Sitting down next to him, the weyrlingmaster shook her head. "Hungry? Maybe next time I'll ask you to draw a piece of bacon...then maybe you'll actually draw a tree." Moving to nudge the older boy's shoulder with her elbow, she pulled herself back up. "Alright! Now, I want you to think about what you did. Most would probably focus on the details. Let me tell you something, you need the feeling, the image. The exact details though, are not as important right now. Try again, but over there with the starstone."

Ara pointed to the structure that helped to tell of oncoming thread. Her body sent a shiver down her spine as she looked at it, remembering that the enemy of their land was coming one day soon. Whether some believed it to be or not.

Avirith meanwhile was nodding her head as she gathered the weyrlings together again. Good. You all did well. Now, this time I want you to go for one of those wherries down there. Watch me first, then mimic. Avirith moved forward, arching her neck as she past by Kayath. The Topaz still had much to learn. Diving off the cliff, she swooped down and leveled out against the ground, scaring the herd animals into a panic. They were fenced though, and the green quickly twisted in a moment's time to reach out for a nearby beast. It wasn't her best kill, but it wasn't horrible. She crooned as she watched the others. I will help you to herd them back if they get away. I don't expect you all to be able to turn as well as I can yet....or at all.

[Akira]

N'ck did his best to copy down the tree. He had never been very good at this sort of thing, so when he finally finished it, it really didn't look like what he had remembered. He glared at the picture, and was ready to tear it to pieces when he heard Ara talking again. He was actually surprised that Kicheth hadn't actually tried to get his attention since the white dragonet had originally upset him. Then he felt the tug of their bond, and knew his dragon was only waiting for his acknowledgment.

Kicheth wasn't happy about the fact that he had to be carried back to the top of the cliff, but didn't complain anymore. He was actually really getting a hold of this flying thing. He was actually figuring out how to control his decent, and was actually doing really well at keeping himself in the air for longer, and longer each time he lept off. The third time he had been brought back up to the top he turned and looked at his rider who was already well into the next test that the woman had given him.

Kicheth turned his attention back to his teacher and watched closely as the green showed them how to catch their pray. He snorted at her words. He would defiantly prove that he was better than she had given him credit for. He walked to the edge, and singled out the one he wanted. He lept from the cliff, keeping his swirling gaze on his target. He flapped his wings a couple times to slow himself as he aimed his decent. He straightened himself out, and narrowed his swirling gaze.

Kicheth tucked his wings and headed straight for the wherry of his choice. He opened his claws in preparation of the strike. He made sure he was ready for the impact, and opened his wings just in time to catch himself as he landed on the screaming beast. He dug his claws in, and quickly silenced the beast. This was his first kill, and he was definitely proud of himself. He didn't know if he was actually alowd to, but he dug in, and started eating. The one thing that hadn't changed from the time he was a hatchling, was this appetite.

[Zirin]

She was good at this, Kayath decided as her large wings caught another thermal almost immediately after launching herself from the ledge a third time. She twisted, letting her natural instincts guide her movements as she spiralled almost lazily to the ground. Before touching down, she beat her wings again, her talons gently grazing the ground as she worked to life herself back up, though she needed to actually press off the ground to accomplish it. She back winged to land back on the edge, letting out a light snort of dislike in Avirith’s direction in a ‘See, I did just fine‘ kind of way.

Though she was still annoyed, she made sure to pay attention to the green as they were shown how to hunt, not to mention the green had moved in a way that just screamed haughty. Kayath snorted again, soon she wouldn’t have need of her teacher anymore. Until then, she would at least try to play nice as long as Avirith didn’t cross any lines again. She ruffled her wings slowly as the first wherry was downed, feeling nervous about it now as she was well aware that she would never quite have the agility of the smaller colours. Kicheth was the first to go, and Kayath crooned as the white successfully caught a beast. A few others went, then it was finally time for the Topaz to strut her stuff. She stood on the ledge, gazing down at the wherries below.

She knew she wouldn’t be able to do such a manoeuvre as Avirith had, it simply wasn’t in her build and some instinctual feeling deep down told her so. No, she would have to hope she could grab one in her direct path. She leaned over the edge, wings spread, and launched. She took a moment to enjoy flight again before her eyes returned to the wherries. She needed to pick one.. One that was big and strong like she was.. A sickly little thing wouldn’t do, not if she was to show off how wonderful she really was. Then she saw it. A young one in its prime! That would do. She dove, spreading out her wings as she neared the ground to swoop in above their heads and grabbed for her target wherry with he front claws. She grabbed it, rose and groaned as it’s flailing caused it to slip through her grasp. The sickening crunch as it hit the ground was a clear indicator of its death. She spiralled lazily around and landed near the lifeless body. While she hadn’t meant to drop it, she realized it was a rather fun way of killing her food. Placing one hand on the morsel, she hungrily tore into it, pleased with herself.

J’dol, meanwhile, was not so pleased. A deep blush spread across his face as Ara made fun of his drawings. He, the great J’dol, was embarrassed. He looked away from Ara, not wanting her to see. “Yeah… hungry…” He couldn’t even think of a clever response he was so flustered. The moment she jumped into the next target, he was quick to jump up and move to the starstone. Plopping his rear down on the ground, he glared at the stone and began his second attempt. This time moving slowly and trying as best as he could to get the right image.

He looked down. The hole was a bit too big, and the finger rock behind the stone was a bit.. tilted… but this time it was most definitely the starstones! Just.. Lopsided starstones…

---

Oooooh Mine! I want to be as good as that! Peniath whined as first Kicheth, then a few others successfully brought now their first prey. U’wa nodded, studying his picture once more as Ara passed by and commented on his image. He was quick to move on to the star stones, ready to draw again. It was actually pretty fun, and he was thoroughly enjoying the lesson. His starstones were finished rather quickly and he glanced around at the others, wondering how long they would take to finish. Guessing he had time, he figured he may as well go ahead and add details.

Peniath’s turn came before Kayath’s and she readied herself on the edge. Picking a wherry that was on the smaller side, she took a deep breath and took off. She tried her hardest to copy Avirith, swooping down and levelling out at roughly the same height the older green had and just like before the herd fell into chaotic panic once again. As they scattered, Peniath tried to copy the eloquent movements of her teaching, twisting mid air and reaching for a wherry.. Though unlike Avirith, the little green wasn’t so successful. Her outstretched claw missed the target wherry, and the movement caused her to lose control of her flight, sending her tumbling head over tail into the ground. She sat up, shaking her head. Miiiiiiiiine!!!! She whined, fully embarrassed at her failure. Why couldn’t I doo it like Aviriiiiith?? The green drooped her head then and tilted it in confusion as she saw a feathery wing sticking out between her legs. How strange! That surely wasn’t hers. She looked to either side of her, flexing both wings to double check that everything was where it should be. She stood up, and bugled as she noticed the semi-squished wherry she had apparently landed on. Scooping it up in her mouth, she trotted around the pen once before taking off to rejoin her classmates on the ledge, where she proceeded to happily, and noisily, consume her meal.

[shinska]

Aela headed to the lesson. She was late and it was very much unlike her to be late. Behind her at a fast pace came Talath, her Obsidian. Aela was a Sub-Queen rider. Not Weyrwoman material, but really close. Aela couldn't believe how fast Talath was growing. The five month old Obsidian was as silent as ever. "Your quiet. Sometimes I wonder if you even HAVE a voice." Aela prodded the Dragon playfully and got a warning snort from her. The girl grinned. "Suuuuuurrrrrreeeeeee!" They had fallen into the habit of pretending the other was mad or mocking and the other would response with a snarl or snort.

Aela loved her Talath. She didn't intrude when she wanted time to herself and she was always there when she needed it. Aela knew that her life was all the better for it. "You're a good girl Talath." Pride and satisfaction radiated from the Obsidian. Of course she was. Aela giggled and they arrived at the lesson. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible they took a spot at the back of the class. Aela put on her best learning face and listened to the lesson. Hopefully she could get by with her lateness.