Lesson Four {Fairytale Weyrlings}

[friar]

Fairytale Weyrlings- Lesson Four, Riding Straps pt. One The First Fitting

K’met was starting the new clutch, Heaven’s Open, with Oiling, always the first lesson. However, the Fairytale weyrlings needed to continue their own lessons, and that was where Ketara came in. The blue rider was nervous and excited about her new job. It was the first time she’d ever been given full command of the weyrlings, which Axeth, of course, basked in.

”Riding straps. Fun, aren’t they, Ax?”

Mine are very nice. The colored stitching looks good with the cream-colored leather. Admit it, I have a good eye for these things!

Oh, but he did look sly! Axeth had argued with Ketara over those straps until she buckled, and had them made to HIS specifications. The leather had been dyed a shade just shy of cream, and the stitching went through the colors of the rainbow on each separate strap.

Ketara laughed at her beloved blue’s smug tone.

”When did I say I didn’t believe you?”

She tugged affectionately at the neck strap, pulling just enough to bring his head around to face her.

”Vain blue. Are you ready to show off?”

Always. Always, KetMine!

A giggle bubbled its way to the surface, probably startling any weyrling that entered just then. She made a last circuit of the room, making note of the leather straps coiled in each of the twenty-six baskets. Each one had been measured out for a specific color, which adorned the front of the basket. Except for the three baskets for the barreds, those were guesstimated.

”This will be fun. Do you remember our first fitting?”

Don’t remind me, the blue rumbled. It had been a disaster. The Weyrling Master had pointed to a blue’s basket, but Axeth had insisted that he was better than that. He’d positioned himself in front of a basket marked for bronze, and expected Ketara to work from that.

”Shall we not make the same mistake now that we’re teaching?”

Agreed.

[ShadowReine]

What's today's lesson? Tinth asked as he trailed behind his rider.

R'mer was gratified that his blue was growing well, the young dragon was healthy and in good condition. R'mer himself was...getting in better condition.

It was a bluerider he didn't know well teaching, the weyrlingmaster apparently focusing on the new hatchlings. That made sense. The older clutch was getting closer to being able to look after themselves.

Those baskets. Oh, it's time for straps.

Can I have silvery grey ones?

Not just yet. We get plain ones until you stop growing out of them.

It wasn't a bad idea, though. Light grey would look good on Tinth.

[Jenth]

This had to be the first lesson/duty up to date that Inolyn found herself somewhat dreading. Her stitch was atrosious and she knew it well. These straps would keep her firmly attached to her dragon, could save her life should she fall from her violet's stirdy neck. Give her a ballad to sing! Let her scrub every dragon in the Weyr but please, anything but this!

Your being silly, you will do fine. And I would never let you fall Jorindath was right. Taking in a big breath she waited for everyone to arrive so they could begin.

~~~~

D'mas wasn't too worried, he had made and repaired bridles and saddles before. This couldn't be much different, could it? At about half his growth, Kayth would have to be the biggest runnerbeast he had ever seen.

I'm not a runner, I'm a dragon! Kayth's curiousity was dying down as he grew and matured. nothing stopped him from asking questions but they were further and further between. Tiny glints of bronze could be seen in his coppery hide, only in the right light though. So his dragon really was a bronze after.

~~~~

Earisa felt her most confident yet! This was something she felt she would be good at without Maideneth doing something to mess it all up. The bright green dragon scamppered around her siblings, trying to find someone to play with her but so far there weren't a lot here yet.

[Sparrow]

Jerglith figured that since he had been first to the last lesson it was alright he wasn't to this one, although there still weren't many here yet. The Violet, who was quickly becoming gigantic, that coppery Bronze, a Green, and another Blue! He liked Blues and trotted over to stand beside Tinth, Aleyi and Brooke following.

"So we're fitting harnesses today?" Aleyi glanced at R'mer. It seemed sort of pointless to do that now with all the dragons still growing so quickly. Maybe it was more to just teach the weyrlings how to put them on, but surely that couldn't be hard! Firestone had been much more interesting than this was sounded like it would be. Harnesses were not as exciting as flaming dragons.

What color will ours be? Can we get one like Axeth's? Jerglith looked up at Aleyi hopefully. He liked how that one looked.

I think ours will just be plain since they won't fit for long, Aleyi replied, glancing at the buckets. These had probably been used by weyrlings before now too...

~~~

Johannesth walked slowly, not particularly excited about fitting harnesses. N'ren wasn't either; he couldn't stitch to save his life and these would be what saved his life... so this wasn't good. The Tan rumbled softly at his rider's thoughts.

I'm sure you wouldn't fall. Jo didn't plan to fly particularly fast when they reached a point where His could ride, and would rather not carry him at all with all the worries N'ren was going through. Maybe it would turn out His was scared of heights; that would be funny.

At least we'll get to learn today. N'ren scratched absently at Johannesth's eyeridges as he watched Ketara and Axeth, waiting for instructions.

[Missa]

More lessons Mine? Maiath asked, pressing her muzzle to Zadari's stomach as the young woman smoothed her hands over the greens neck. Maiath was growing so quickly, but she remained the littlest green Zadari had ever set eyes on. That didn't bother her, not at all, and every day wuith Maiath was healing her heart a little more.
"Yes, don't worry sweetie, it'll be okay." It should be fitting straps today, if she'd kept up with the lessons compared to the last time she'd been through this. Like really, all this was for Maiath, not Zadari.

It will... It's an easy lesson yes? Came the uncertain reply, and Zadari nodded, smiling briefly at Kett as they arrived. Honestly, she didn't understand Maiath's uncertaincy sometimes. But then, she was a bold person, and that was only natural.
"Yes, straps dearheart."

*

Beka was no more confident in this lesson than any other, she'd never learnt to stitch anything! And this would be worse, it was something important, and she was going to fail horribly! Pulling a face as Valiant instantly tried to soothe her, Beka lifted a hand to scratch his eye ridges lightly, while Mermaiyeth once again rested her muzzle to Beka's hip. Silent reassurance that meant more than anything as the barred then moved to greet Jerglith.

"I-hello Aleyi..." Beka mumbled, looking at her feet instead of her fellow weyrling. Though she was a bit more relaxed around Aleyi than other weyrlings, it didn't mean she was completely comfortable.

[Nick]

V'ire was one of the first Weyrlings to enter the classroom this time, but he didn't want to be here. He was still upset about his idiocy with the trip to the Meadow and Tirasha. He was an idiot...and now he had to deal with this lesson.

Baskets. Straps, well this wouldn't be so bad. Elisth was rather quiet today...maybe she could tell he was upset. For now though, they just waited near a wall for Ketara to start the lessons. K'met must be starting up the other new Weyrlings.

******************************

Z'ris came in after Jacklith. The Bronze was really proud of himself and getting new straps were going to be icing on the cake. You are going to get me really nice straps right? I want some that really stick out.

Z'ris laughed. " Yes, yes. We'll get you some nice straps." He patted Jacklith's head as they leaned against the wall near V'ire. He looked on and waited for Ketara to start. He still remembered....no..he shook his head to get the thoughts out of his head.

[kandykat]

I WANT BRIGHT ORANGE![/color] Peasanth shouted into L'noen's mind when he found out what he lessons was about today. L'noen winced, shaking his head and hushing his dragon. He was glad there weren't any HADs around, although Peasanth was so loud Nixsha might have picked up on it anyway!

No, Peasanth. You can have bright colors when you're older, but for now we have to use the straps the Weyrlingmaster provided, L'noen answered, leading Peasanth over to a box marked for a blue dragon. He had repaired his clothes before, and he wasn't worried about the sewing, as long as Peasanth remained calm.

[Archer]

D'rshan eyed the bluerider appraisingly, brow furrowed in thought. Where had he seen her before? Not around the Weyr; wait, yes, he had it now! She was the Weyrlingmaster's assistant, that much he knew but her name eluded him.

Princth butted his rider excitedly, shifting his weight from foot to foot in anticipation. How about green straps, D'rshanmine? Wouldn't that look nice with my hide?[/i]

The brown led the way to one of the many baskets that had been designated for his color, chattering happily to his rider all the while.