Zsaviranth has been long gone from the feeding pens and yet Diem is still here with some hidework and a clipboard. It's quiet enough to get some work done and since she was already on a roll reading through some charts, she decided to not break her rhythm and keep going with her work. Focused, she is! Dressed in a powder blue sari with silver sequins, the Senior is tucking some dark hair behind an ear as she sets down her reading material to look up at the animals within the pens. The bench where she sits is in the shade as it's a glorious spring day at the desert Weyr.

With their first solo flying lessons behind them, some pairs of dragonets have been cleared to hunt on their own. One such duo is Xanthee and her emerald green Liowyth who just happen to be heading in the direction of the feeding pens right now. The raven-haired girl is looking a little apprehensive, but Lio is nearly bouncing with excitement. « I'm going to have a wherry first I think! » She projects a tiny pink wherry into existance on her rosy mindscape, happily walking along, minding it's own business.

Isn't it a lovely spring day? Which means the weyrlings are out at "play" ? if it can be called that. First hunts are definitely something new and even exciting for certain individuals and pairings. The pens won't be besieged by the entire clutch at once, however; just small groups cleared to do so, to take their turn at this next important milestone. Miel and a few of the other assistants are, of course, leading this venture but they've already covered the rules and nature of the 'lesson' here. It's pretty straightforwards and they'll soon take a sideline vantage point once they've properly greeted Diem. « They are the furthest away. That is an ambitious task, Liowyth. » Mhiruth's lowered tone is encouraging, despite the aloofness. The blue is currently scanning the grounds, making his own observations but unhurried. I'dre stands somewhat removed, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket and reserved. His moods have been unpredictable of late and his latest temper-fest was borne of a misplaced strap making tool. Not even the Weyrlings are spared that odd event! It's a wonder he was even given permission for today's lesson and he'll remember his training long enough to salute Diem. "Morning, Weyrwoman."

Diem catches sight of the approaching weyrlings and returns the salutes that are given to her. "Good morning! Don't worry, Zsaviranth left plenty behind." she says with a little smirk. Big gold, big appetite. The Weyrwoman crosses one leg over the other and keeps her clipboard on her lap for the time being. Her writing utensil, though, is set down beside her on the bench. "They look to be in fine form. Is this your first trip to the pens?" She's trying to remember the reports Vosji read aloud at the last admin meeting in the council chamber.

« I don't care if their furthest, I can do it. » Liowyth replies in her most stubborn tone to her blue brother, not going to let anything dissuade her from her goal. Wincing, Xanthee sighs under her breath and reaches a calming tendril along the link with her lifemate. He wasn't saying you couldn't do it, dear heart, just that it was ambitious of you to want to try. If the green understood or not is unclear, because with a coiling of her ample hindquarters, she launches herself to the sky, a little wobbly at first, but quickly righting herself. Remembering herself finally, and managing to take her eyes very briefly off of Liowyth to do so, Xan salutes the Igen Weyrwoman with a smile. Wringing her hands together, she takes deep breaths as she tracks her lifemate's progress towards the wherry pens, "Yes ma'am, first time." Her nerves are evident in the slight quiver of her voice.

Mhiruth is unruffled by his sister's retort, merely sighing in a draconic fashion as he leaves her to go hunt first. He's content to wait, though his talons knead the ground at intervals to betray his impatience. "You could go…" I'dre can be heard muttering under his breath to his lifemate, but the blue remains steadfast in his decision. Rolling his eyes, he'll cast a glance to Xanthee, smirking but showing some understanding to the others apprehension. He nods to Diem, "Thanks." In regards to the compliments and that chases away some of the storm hanging about him. He'll glance up at his lifemate, pride evident even if fleeting. "First for all of us. Guessing it'll go about half-half in success?"

"Oh, how exciting…" Diem watches as Liowyth launches skyward to begin her very first hunt. "It's been an age since I've seen such a milestone!" She notes how anxious Xanthee appears to be and then sets the clipboard down on the bench before rising from her seat. The goldrider makes her way toward the raven haired girl and stands beside her to watch. "They're meant for this. See how she's already starting to plan for her kill?" She points at Liowyth soaring above the pens. "She knows what to do. Just breathe and help her focus." A quick glance is shared with I'dre and she nods. "That's usually the way of it."

"Oh I know this is what they are meant to do, I just don't want her to hurt herself trying to show off," Xanthee confesses with a crease in her brow even as she reaches along the link with Liowyth and tries to temper the green's enthusiasm with some caution to not rush through this. For her part, gliding through the air, Lio is focused on being the first in her group to try and no one is going to take that away from her. Spying a plump wherry, dark feathers gleaming in the morning sun, her whirling eyes narrow onto it even as she decides that this is it! Tucking her wings, she dives. She misses her mark quite substantially, sending the wherry squawking away from the dragonet. With a trill of annoyance, she bounds after the avian with single-mindedness and finally manages to snag him with a talon, pulling it into her grasp to dispatch with a bite to its neck, sending feathers flying in all directions. Xanthee's palor has a distinct green tinge as she experiences the kill with her lifemate.

"Then don't let her show off," I'dre scoffs under his breath and the pointed comment is obviously for Xanthee. Really, it's a pot calling itself black moment here, as he's not exactly one to talk about control. He'll has his focus drawn back to Diem, to who he nods respectfully. "I figured as much, ma'am. I'm not going to hold my breath and just… let it go as it will." Yet there's a flickering smile to betray that he IS feeling pretty damn confident of Mhiruth's abilities. He'll watch as Liowyth goes in for the kill and miss her mark and while he exhales heavily, the blue rumbles in what sounds like encouragement. « Your determination is infectious. » he remarks to his sibling, before taking to the skies himself now that the green has finished her turn. He soars upwards but veers away from the wherries… and towards larger prey. Those yearling bovines, perhaps? Surely not.

Vosji is supposed to be taking a break, which is why the assistants have been here — but what does Vosji do when taking a break when there's actual weyrlings around? The answer is usually 'work in a more relaxing fashion' — Iskanzivoth often hovers overhead during first hunts, way high up so that they're not entirely aware of his relaxed circling, but now the Weyrlingmaster has come to join the group herself. In a way, because it actually looks like she's come to join the Weyrwoman; Vosji strides over to stand by Diem, with a bright, "Hello, Weyrwoman," and a nod toward each of her nearby students. No, she is not teaching or even organizing this lesson, it's worse: she's OBSERVING. Everyone is under surveillance in a way, but she won't correct unless she absolutely has to. "I'dre, Xanth — are you all right, Xanthee?" The dragon is supposed to be green, not the rider.

Diem gives a nod of approval once Liowyth is successful with her kill. "The wherry never had a chance." A smile curves her lips and she doesn't exactly cheer for the green since that would spook the animals in the pens even more, though she does ensure that Zsaviranth will send little wisps of burning white sage to the green. "Very good first attempt! I'm impressed." Her arms fold across her middle and she ventures along the line of the fence to stand somewhat between Xanthee and I'dre. "I remember Zsaviranth's first hunt. She attacked a herdbeast first and… it wasn't a clean kill." Yes, Diem just shuddered. And soon after, Vosji is right very there and they're both looking at Xanthee. "Sit down, perhaps?" A hand motions to the bench that has her hidework stacked in a pile.

Xanthee twitches a bit as I'dre's scoff reaches her ears, biting down on the sharp retort she almost snaps back. The girl's not blind. She's witnessed her fellow ex-weyrbrat's temper at times in the barracks. And as much as she'd relish verbally putting him in his place, with the Weyrwoman, Weyrlingmaster and her Assistants all in attendance, Xan instead takes a couple of deep breaths. Instead, she focuses on Diem and her praise for the green, "It was a little iffy there for a second, but I knew she could do it." To both women's concern, she shakes her head with a weak chuckle, "No, no need. I'm ok now. I just never expected her to like it quite so much, I guess." Her cheeks are pinking up again as if to prove her improved state. Dragging her prey off to one side, Liowyth calls back to Mhiruth, « Happy hunting brother! It's really fun! » before begining her meal in earnest.

It's a good thing that Xanthee has a grip on her emotions, unlike a certain someone. I'dre would have lost against the temptation to snark back at her, had she tried to counter him. He starts a bit as Vosji now joins Diem and that has him back in line; but his sullen mood returns with it. Hands are back in his pockets, but only after he's saluted. "A… full grown herdbeast?" he asks, slightly bewildered, of Diem, forgetting to properly greet the Weyrlingmaster and because he can feel Mhiruth's intent, though the blue is circling above the pen holding younglings and not full sized herdbeasts. They're still quite the target and I'dre's jaw tenses. Too late, the blue's decision is made and he dives down, scattering the herd until his targeted choice is singled out. Just as the Weyrwoman stated, his kill won't be clean either. The poor thing will escape once, twice and even attempt a third despite the blue all but flipping the creature over. Hooves kick, but the impact is barely registered even when glanced across his jaws. I'dre grunts,however. « This one fights! » Mhiruth sounds dismayed and elated in the same tone for such an adversary, but he'll succeed in the end.

"I'm sure Zsaviranth was bigger than her siblings enough she thought she could do it," Vosji muses, and it's a — not really at all a defense, but a reasonable observation. She gives Xanthee an approving nod, and, "Yes, they do. Most dragons like hunting quite a great deal, and some of them take a genuine shine to it and find it entertaining rather than just satisfying." Iskanzivoth isn't one of those, but she's trained a number who have been; the older blue is still just calmly circling way-up-high. He's eaten this week already. "Oh — Mhiruth — okay — yes — all right," she finally concludes as the blue's messy attack ends with a meal instead of a kick in the snout.

Diem's gaze lingers upon Xanthee to make sure that the girl isn't going to pass out. It's not beyond the realm possibility, afterall. When there's a pink tinge to the greenling's cheekbones, her focus returns to the pens and at Mhiruth's forthcoming attempt at his first hunt. "Oh yes. A full grown herdbeast." she confirms after I'dre inquires. "Which is why it wasn't a clean kill. Much like… that." The blue's multiple attempts to kill its prey merit a wince from the Weyrwoman, though he's successful when all is said and done. Which is the important part! Zsaviranth sends those wisps of burning sage to both dragons. « My first was terrible. You both did well. » Words of encouragement from the Senior queen.

No worry about Xanthee's steadiness now that she's managed to pull back a little from her green's mind. Her attention is turned to watch the blue with his first attempt, silently hoping he can put the poor thing out of it's misery, which he eventually manages. She even spares a glance for I'dre, "Nice one," she offers to her clutchmate, bright smile accompanying her words. "Well I hope Liowyth doesn't become one of those who finds it entertaining," she remarks in response to Vosji with a shudder, "But either way, it's nice not to have to do the butchering anymore." Liowyth, for her part, is not wasting any part of the avian she's dispatched, making quick work of it and deciding she has room for another, taking to the skies again to peruse the menu as it were. She's a big green after all.

"Thanks," I'dre pulls himself out of his own thoughts long enough to glance sidelong to Xanthee and actually genuinely mean it. He tenses for a fleeting moment when Vosji mentions Mhiruth, but when nothing comes from it, he'll relax. "He's fine." he murmurs but it'll be more for himself than anything. There's a grimace for the Weyrlingmaster pointing out that some hunt for entertainment, but he's relieved that he's so far not seen that interest from his lifemate. Mhiruth, content with his kill, will drag it somewhere off to the side. "Guess that's the biggest perk, huh?" Not having to butcher meat day in and day out will be greatly appreciated! "Are any of the first attempts all that clean?" he reflect belatedly to Diem, another faint half-smile, half-smirk curving one side of his mouth.

"Undoubtedly, that's the gift of enduring the occasional mess," Vosji muses, smile easy and relaxed. "You don't have to get dead animal blood all over your own hands anymore." Mhiruth may have gotten a momentary glance of concern but she overall seems quite pleased with the progress from both blue and green — though if she had any feedback, she wouldn't be giving it. Because this isn't her lesson. She's just observing. "I have seen maybe two that weren't a bit messy, and it's because those dragons chose the smallest and slowest possible targets rather than attempting to acocmplish anything great. Those were their personalities; slow and steady starters. Most baby dragons don't have that sort of attitude and want to try something bigger and more monumental, though most also don't choose adult herdbeasts." Diem gets a friendly smile for that, at least, instead of an eyeroll!

Brushing her hands together, Diem is quite pleased that she was able to be present for the milestones of two weyrlings. "They're a triumph, Weyrlingmaster! They'll make excellent additions to our wings soon enough." A grin is shared with Vosji before the hidework on the bench seems to be tug at her attention — it's probably time to go back to Weyrwoman'ing before Cremla finds her. Soon afterward, Diem makes her way back to the bench and gathers up her hides and writing utensil before offering a wave as she departs. "Good seeing everyone. Carry on!" And just like that, the goldrider slips out of sight and presumably back to the inner caverns.

"Now they just have to learn to between to relieve themselves and most of their messiest care will be behind us," Xanthee quips ruefully with a sidelong glance in I'dre's direction before listening to Vosji, "Only two? Really? Wow. I guess it makes sense though, all babies, no matter the species, tend to be messy eaters as first." « Who are you calling a messy eater? » Liowyth responds from her shallow circling of the pens, even though her muzzle is red with feathers sticking to her here and there. Someone's going to need a bath after this. Diem's departure is marked by another salute and a cheery, "Clear skies, Ma'am." Getting the sense that Liowyth is more than happy to take her time with her second prey, the girl pulls a rolled up hide from her back pocket, no doubts notes from her extra lessons, hoping to use what little time she has wisely.

I'dre is also surprised by the numbers Vosji gives, but he only smirks and doesn't touch further on the subject. Diem's praise has his eyes widening a bit, but his gaze drops and slides away at the mention of being an 'excellent' addition. He'll only look up again when the Weyrwoman is excusing herself and he does the proper salute and farewell. "Clear skies, Weyrwoman!" Then he inhales deep, some of the tension easing from his posture but not all of it. He'll notice Xanthee pull out that hide and he does roll his eyes a little but he'll bite his tongue. Since Mhiruth is taking his sweet time in devouring his kill, he'll move away a bit to lean against the fence, keeping his back mostly to the others. "Guess they're not really babies anymore, huh?" he mutters but to no one in particular.

Satisfaction crosses Vosji's expression as Diem departs, and she offers her Weyrwoman and friend a salute before rocking back on her heels a little. "They're more teenagers than anything, at this point," she tells I'dre, nodding, "Much like many of their riders, which is why the weyrling barracks can become very chaotic as they approach the right size to be moving out on their own." It's absolutely not just the dragons who are going to be going nuts by being cooped up at that point in the game. And that time is coming! "Unfortunately," she reroutes back to Xanthee's earlier comment, "They've also got to be good at carrying their riders first, as a start." She smirks, but it's a friendly, bright-eyed one. "We'll get there soon." Mounted flight: way before betweening.

Looking up from her hidework at I'dre's declaration, Xanthee shoots a crooked smile in his direction, "Guess not. Don't know how that happened so quickly, but there you have it." When Vosji mentions teenagers, she groans a little bit, even though she is still a few months from leaving her teenaged turns behind herself. "It's already too packed in there, I spend as little time as I have to there as it is. I'm counting down the days till we get our weyrs at this point." Someone seems a little over-excited for that prospect. She blushes a little as Vosji points out that she's getting a bit ahead of herself, "Oh, I know there's more to do first, but it's just going by so fast, it's overwhelming just a bit." But the grin on her face betrays that she is probably loving every second of it. So the morning passes until dragonets are sated and weyrlings and riders alike tend to their own nourishment eventually.