Who

T'ral, Esanth, Niyati, Kaiyth

What

A Weyrling pair's first mounted flight.

When

A backscene from weyrlinghood.

Where

Clearing, Southern Weyr

OOC Date

 

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Clearing

The rise from sea to Weyr is made serene by a charming road winding sand-trodden from beach below to stonecut entrance above. The path wanders among a surprisingly green valley where purple flowers bloom in charmingly unfettered profusion. The meadows themselves are often in high demand as picnic areas, for dragons are not allowed to land in the narrow valley itself. No trees nor cliff lies near to shadow the clearing, however, and the intensity of sun can be unbearable


Clearing
The rise from sea to Weyr is made serene by a charming road winding sand-trodden from beach below to stonecut entrance above. The path wanders among a surprisingly green valley where purple flowers bloom in charmingly unfettered profusion. The meadows themselves are often in high demand as picnic areas, for dragons are not allowed to land in the narrow valley itself. No trees nor cliff lies near to shadow the clearing, however, and the intensity of sun can be unbearable for those not familiar with the humid drench of Southern's summers.

It is cold and humid. Stormclouds on the horizon promise a truly miserable drenching later, but just now… the darkling light from the overcast sky casts everything in a luminous glow. In truth, T'ral's favorite weather. The breezes over the waving, rain-heavy grasses are sweet and feel like a caress on the brow. Esanth is standing, snout to the breeze, head lifted high as T'ral checks and re-checks his straps, awaiting Niyati and Kaiyth for this their first foray into the skies together. His smile is hard to contain. Flying was, bar none, his favorite thing about being a dragonrider. DUH.

Niyati has tripple-checked her straps already, but takes a moment to do so yet again once they arrive in the clearing. Kaiyth is the picture of excitement and eventually nudges her Weyrling with her nose. «They're fine.» "So you say…" One last check and they finally give their attention to T'ral. "She's a bit eager," the ex-weaver explains, as if she weren't completely excited about the prospect herself. She has, after all, been looking forward to this part since she was ushered into the barracks.

T'ral beams a bright and understanding smile at Kaiyth, "I know, right?! GET ON WITH IT." Dark eyes flare as the assistant weyrlingmaster saunters over, an uncharacteristic swagger to his stride as that smile slips lopsided for the eager pair. Yes, Niyati, he can see that excitement. Today may not be the most important day, or the most dangerous day… but today is the BEST day. He looks to them both, brows raised in query, "May I?" his hands stretch towards Kaiyth's straps. With a nod at their permission, he sets about checking Kaiyth's straps, intent and thorough. No surprise, the ex-weaver's work is flawless. Repair work, triple checked. With a fond rub of Kaiyth's chest he nods to Niyati. "All right. We'll mount up. Lope to the point," he lifts his arm to a series of rocks at the crest of a low hill. She's seen beyond the hill. OFTEN. T'ral and K'ane and Nyssa have all lead interminable runs up and down these hills. Niyati could probably embroider a lovely map of Southern Weyr and its surrouds, "Then we go aloft. Depending on the wind, we'll go towards the river or towards the beach. We'll make a wide circle, stoop, climb and then return. Time to put those pads to work, eh?" He starts backing up towards Esanth, "Kaiyth's been doing this for sevens, so she'll take good care of things. Right?" T'ral grins up at the green. With no further ado, "Mount up!" The bluerider fits words to action and clambers a'neck, buckling in and checking things over one last time. "On my signal…" his gloved fingers ball into a fist and… "Go!" Esanth lopes forward on stocky limbs, powerful lunges tearing divots in the spongy turf. They hit the crest, spring up and Esanth's wings snap out, beating powerfully as the ground drops away and his wings catch the air.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: Esanth's touch on Kaiyth's mind is steady. Stars wheeling beyond the portals, the tense, excited air of a new adventure just begun, « They do fuss, don't they? » Neveryoumind the safety protocols scrolling across the monitors as Esanth's hovers in high orbit over Kaiyth. (Esanth)

Kaiyth gives an eager rumble and as soon as her straps are okayed she urges her rider to get on with it, already! Niyati finally settles in, gives her straps one last inspection and then gives the impatient green a silent go-ahead. Once that's done, there is no stopping Kaiyth as she follows the instructions down to the detail but in her own quick-fashion. There's no real reason to take it slow, right? Right. Once they are in the air the ex-weaver gives a whoope of excitement (and of course she has to keep an over-excited green from trying anything too showy).

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: Brilliant blasts of golden light flash through a background of cool blue, lighting up the darkened landscape below. «They do. We know how to do this!» A field of flowers catches the light, stalks bending in the breeze to match the reality of the wind around them and are reflected in a mirror-like pond. «We were made to do this.» It may be the confidence of youth, but she KNOWS how this works and those brilliant flashes never dim to give even the slightest hint of a shift in confidence. (Kaiyth)

If she could see his face, Niyati would see the fierce look - pride, joy, purpose - on T'ral's face. THIS is what they were about, he and Esanth. Together in the skies. Awarenesses blended, T'ral is awash with the sensation of wind over wingsail, a shift to trim on the right as a gust blows up from the rocky terrain that falls below. The clearing drops away, giving way to rocky hills, dotted with ovines and, soon, the encroaching jungle the canopy spreading endlessly, marred by the river and the lowlands, and, to the north Southern Weyr's great black caldera. He stands in his straps and slews around to put eyes on Niyati, the sensations flowing at him from Esanth's mind coming now at a strange angle, not-forward. Splitting that sense away, he focuses on the weyrling to see how she's faring.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: :Stars wheel beyond the colors of Kaiyth's rich palette, one in particular, fixed and focused. « No wings. » Part explanation, part empathy. The stars shiver and resume slow wheeling. « I don't mind sharin.' You? » Understatment of the Pass. (Esanth)

Forget ice climbing, cliff diving, and attempts at bull riding. THIS is the best, most exciting thing Niyati has ever done and the very fact that she's doing so on a dragon that chose her makes it all the more wonderful. With so much to take in it's a good thing she's not afraid to lean to get a better view from her own angle to suppliment that shared with her lifemate. For a moment, she forgets that she could possibly get a reprimand for not holding on (even if she's hooked in) and stretches out her arms to mimic Kaiyth's wings and laughs. Once they're given leave, it'll probably be hard to find these two on the ground.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: That field and its flowers become a landscape in miniature somewhere far below as the bright flashes of molten gold seem to come within arm's reach without the burning heat one would expect. «We always share.» The feeling of wind, the taste and smell of the air around the young green, and the pallet of colors that is available to the draconic eye all make their appearance within her voice. «She will always know how it feels to fly.» (Kaiyth)

"Hey!" T'ral shouts over the wind, "One hand down! ONE HAND DOWN!" He's grinning. The conditions are safe enough, no heavy or erratic winds expected, but… it wasn't the expected that you prepared for. Drilled against. He laughs, gesturing emphatically, pointing at his still tucked left hand which had never come free in his craning. Like a rodeo, surely Niyati remembered…

Niyati quickly lowers a hand to hold on and gives an apologetic- but not really remorseful- look. Apparently she had to try it just this once. The rumbling amused sound that comes from Kaiyth isn't going to do much to give her the cover of innocent forgetfulness either. At least she got it off her 'try this' list while supervised? At least she's settled on enjoying the view and the sensation of being in the air. No more trick riding! (for now).

The wheel and take a spin around the caldera, it's a sight. Mouths of weyrs and ledges with dragons at their ease or visiting one another. T'ral waves to all and sundry as they go by, hollering greetings, Esanth's greeting bugles and mind touches sharing the excitment of a first trip aloft. Who among them (aside from the notable exception of T'ral) doens't remember THIS day and what a thrill it was.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: « Yeah. » Kaiyth has slain Esanth. He doesn't bespeak any further but the thrumming of unseen machinery shivers through his mindscape, resonant with that shared assurance of that gift to their bondmates. He bugles loudly, a brassy, tri-tonal whoop of draconic joy. (Esanth)

Kaiyth takes the opportunity to make a few sharp turns as they circle the caldera, showing off for those below just a little. Even Niyati yells greetings to a few people as they make their way. most of her attention is on the very fact that she's finally able to join Kaiyth instead of watching and sharing in flight from the ground. The greeting from the tiny green might not be as loud, but what she lacks in volume she makes up for with tone and ennthusiasm.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: The view from above is accented by bright flashes that spark and glint from every surface. There is evidence of the announcement of their achievement to the others that Kaiyth considers in need of such but most of her attention is taken with flight with her rider (because now she really is). (Kaiyth)

T'ral is checking in on Niyati via Kaiyth and makes a decision. They beat for elevation, going hight over the caldera rim and just as the Star Stones pass several lengths below, Esanth's wings snap closed and he and T'ral fall into a tear-stealing dive towards the upper bowl, wings flaring open to cruise bleeding off speed fed to forward motion as they bluepair skims out over the trees and buildings scattered here and there. There might, MIGHT, be a hollered whoop from T'ral himself at the height of the stoop and then he's craning around again as Esanth wings out over the bridge arching gracefully towards the weyr entrance.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: « This is the best part. See if you can keep up. » At his 'mates go-ahead Esanth dives, headed towards the ground, hurtling waiting until the last second until his wings snap open an sling them forward. (Esanth)

Oh good, it's time to REALLY fly. At least, that's what Kaiyth has decided and she follows along after just enough time to give Niyati forewarning as they reach a reasonable height. Of course, the resulting whoop from the weyrling gives away the fact that it wasn't THAT much warning. Still, the ex-weaver is all encouragement even as the teacup green puts a spin into her descent that gives her the appearance of coming unwrung as her wings unfurl once again to slow them to the sound of breathless laughter. Once they near the Weyr entrance their speed descreeses and the pair seem set for their landing cue.

<Local> Kaiyth senses that: The colors that had been shooting through the sky still and then flash in a multitude of color before cooling to a moonlit blue once again. «That was fun!» There's a hint of smugness and a knowledge that, sure, she showed off a LITTLE but she's been practicing variations on that dive in her head for ages. She also may or may not have forgotten to warn her rider of the details. She'll apologize for that later. «Thank you! That is a wonderful way to get to the ground.» (Kaiyth)

"Oh, man, she's gonna GET it," T'ral is tonguing the back of his teeth bared as he takes his seat again. Which 'she' is uncertain. Adrenalin from the stoop still singing in his blood as the T'ral and Esanth land, bouncing a few steps as they turn to watch Niyati and Kaiyth land. It was a trouble area, or, one mentioned anyway. So… he's keen to see how they manage. RIGHT BEFORE HE CHEWS THEM OUT. Once they're safely on the ground, T'ral advances, "Who's idea was that piece of fancy fl-" « Mine. » Esanth nudges T'ral's shoulder, rumbling low, nearly subaudible. "ESANTH!" T'ral spins to face Esanth. And the dragons sits back on his haunches, tailing slithering through the rain-wet grass to curl around thick haunches.

Esanth's 'scape is shared with Niyati and Kaiyth, the killing cold of the Void kept at bay by strong hulls and a stalwart crew, the snug promise of safe harbor, a valiant stand against the endless blackness. The stars glitter, one in particular, flashing bright before fading into Southern's constellation. « Doncha fret. »

"We're going to get it…" Niyati mentions as they backwing in for a landing. At least the pair seem to have practice the landing technique that T'ral suggested because their landing isn't quite as troublesome as it could have been. They still need to work on that 'oof' at the end, but at least there's that padded mouthpiece to save her teeth. "…ah.. to be fair…" The ex-weaver unhooks herself and slides to the ground. "Kaiyth and I didn't have to go along with it." A _look_ is given to said green. We're talking about this later, sister.

The coolness of the startouched landscape and the calmness of the breeze that ruffles the blue-green grass suggests that Kaiyth really sees no reason to be worried about all of this. «We flew well. No one is injured.» See? NO PROBLEM.

"No, you didn't." But he's not angry at the greenpair. There's another brilliant glitter across the mindscape, a draconic wink and then a long silence. Shared temper between the bluerider and his dragon. T'ral's ticked. When he turns back to Niyati and Kaiyth he's shaking his head, jaw muscles bunching. He runs down the flight, giving the greenpair both criticism and praise. And then, he's shucking his leathers for the lighter clothes underneath, folding them carefully and stowing them on Esanth's straps. Big arm circles, backwards, forwards. Lunges. "Welp, that earned us all four laps around the bowl. With stairs. Come on." Their feet are pounding out a rhythm along the weyr bridge, when T'ral looks over at Niyati keeping the hard pace he's setting. "Totally worth it though, eh?"

The star-dusted blue waits for T'ral and Niyati to be gone and then tramps back over to the crest of the low hill, a communique issued to Kaityh on a tight beam, encrypted just for her, « Come on, I've got some really // fun stuff to show ya. »//

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