<< You sense that Mneoth has awakened. >>

Mneoth quietly pushes himself to his feet, long body stretching out for a moment as he nudges Khena with his dark muzzle. Tail whips around quickly, if anything, intensifying the coolness of the barracks in a gentle breeze.
Mneoth thinks to you, << Khena? I think it is time to get up. I want to go stretch. >> He sends a warming scent of cinnamon spiced klay, nudging at you mentally now as well. << Perhaps today I will do better in the pens... Khena? >>

Khena mutters a few unpleasant word under her breath as she turns over gathering the furs around her head, trying to bat away Mneoth's muzzle at the same time. "D'you /know/ what time it is?!" she says, eyes still closed as she burrows deeper into the furs, doing her best to ignore the imposing dragon.
Mneoth senses that Khena is slightly annoyed at being awakened at this time >>You keep very odd hours, Mneoth... It must still be dark outside!<<

Mneoth senses Chanticoth extends soft spirals towards the young dragons, delighted gold tendrils fastening on little minds. << Good morning! Ilare asks if anyone needs a mounted flight class? >> The casual tone is hindered by the trace ripples of excitement. This part is always fun.

Ghede> Chelle walks out of the weyrling barracks behind Rhajath, mumbling something about "...early...bath...cold...winter" Quickly, though, that recedes as Rhajath interferes with her thought processes, "What? Mounted flight? You mean /now/? /I/ can fly?" Ohhhhhh this has her wide awake!

Mneoth seems to rumble softly in a low, tumbling draconic laugh. He nudges her once more, but less insistently this time.
You sense Mneoth intensifies that spiced klah scent, warming your mind with a gentle whiff. << It is a little before Dawn, Khena. Have you gotten soft as a Weyrling? >> He would not really taunt... exactly.

"If I've become soft, it's because of you, my dear," Khena says, struggling to get untangled from the furs, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "Alright then, let's go," she mutters, leaning across to retrive her boots from outside the couch pulling them on before standing.

Ghede> Ilare looks on in amusement from where she lounges side-saddle like on Chanticoth's neck, the large brown watching the bebes with interest. Big bebes to be sure, but not bigger than him, so... "That's right. First mounted flights. Check over your straps, makes sure they're tight and comfortable while we wait for anyone else to join us." With that, down the broad shoulder she slides, landing beside her lifemate, who swings his head down now to be level with her form. Patting his muzzle, Ilare grins all the broader. "Check for any wear and tear signs - I don't want anyone breaking their necks!" Lyri would kill her!

You sense Mneoth is trying to be a good influence however. As he will be now by heading out to the training grounds. << Chanticoth said there will be a class. Perhaps I will need my riding straps. >> Then out he goes.

Mneoth scrambles out.

Ghede> Chelle really looks a bit unsure. Though she's not afraid of heights, this is /still/ a bit scary for her. She turns to eye Rhajath, giving him reassuring pats on his neck, though it's more to reassure /herself/ most likely, "Okay, let's see here...." And so she goes over every inch of the leather straps adorning Rhajath's neck. Finally, she turns back to Ilare, "They look good. No signs of wear or any tears or cracks...I guess I'm ready."

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth's eyes whirl in the same shades as his mind voice. << You will listen to all that Ilare and I tell you. We do not want anyone to hurt themselves unneccessarily. Understood? >> His 'tone' of voice brooks no arguments.

Mneoth senses that Rhajath gets down to business, though that voice still is a bit excited, /of course/! >>Yes, we will do what you tell us to. We will listen very closely!<<

Mneoth ambles out to the training grounds quite a bit ahead of his rider. Surely not his fault... though shades of amusement are mixed into the contented blues of those large whirling eyes.

"Well, if you're ready, mount up and strap in." Grin lolls lazily on Ilare's features, even as Khena is beckoned to join them. "Good morn, Necha. Get Mneoth strapped up and you strapped on - we're flying." Or rather, the weyrlings sit and the dragons take off. Simple, yes?

Chelle blinks up at Ilare, and then shrugs, "Oooookay...here we go.." A wave is given as Khena and Mneoth join them, a hesitant smile. This is for /real/...Maybe it's sinking in now that she's really a dragonrider? Up she goes! Chelle climbs up, settling herself between Rhajath's neckridges.

Mneoth senses that he is certainly glad now that he did his stretches inside the barracks. And it helped wake up his 'mate as well. << Khena, it appears I will take you flying with me today. >> And if the brown is excited about this, he masks it neatly as far as the public is concerned.

Khena yawns as she nearly stumbles out of the barracks, loaded down by the weight of Mneoth's black straps. "Will you just wait a moment, Mneo... You said yourself you'll need these," she complains, catching up with the brown to give him an affectionate slap on the side. "Morning, Ilare, Chelle... Flying?" So this is why he was so busy, getting out of the barracks, huh? Quickly settling the straps over the brown head and shoulders, the former guard checks them while tightening them, sleepiness completely forgotten by now.

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth swiftly sends out writhing streams of crimson-tinged fog, his cheerfulness briefly hidden behind what Ilare terms his Teaching Voice. Words whirl forth with metallic scent. << You must be more careful with your riders on your backs. They have not done this, so you must watch your balance. And your takeoffs and landings. They tend to have trouble with jolts like those. Be cautious. >>

Ilare nods sagely as her brown gives the young dragons the same sound advice he was taught, a hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "This will be different to any dragon ride you've had before. Because this is YOUR dragon. And it's your first time up together. We want to make this as simple, and painless! as possible." With that, she turns and checks her own straps - if only to set a good example!

Mneoth senses that Rhajath loses even his bubbly excitement as his voice deepens, sounding a bit worried, >>She will be fine with the straps on? They will keep her on, as long as we are careful with landing and taking off?<< He /must/ be reassured!

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle looks down at the blue hide before her, and then takes Ilare's example and checks her straps /again/. Can't hurt to check them too many times, right? She pulls at the one around her, making sure that it's good and tight. "It should be interesting, to say the least." she says with a nervous chuckle.

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth's voice 'smiles'. << Yes. You and they wear riding straps. They have checked them, just as Ilare is checking mine now. The riding straps will keep them on. >> The smile widens. << There is no need to worry. >>

Mneoth does a few extra stretches as Khena attaches his riding straps. Wings are carefully stretched out, kept well out of the brown weyrling's way, though the dark, dark brown does take a chance to reach out to nuzzle his lifemate's shoulder. Mneoth thinks to you, << We will do well together, Khena. This is what we are meant to do. >>

Mneoth senses that Rhajath settles now, mindvoice back to it's normal brightness, >>I knew that, I did! But it doesn't hurt to make sure!<< Seems some of that nanny attitude may be rubbing off? >>I won't worry<<

Khena checks again, hand moving along the glossy leather looking for nicks or faults that should not be there. "They're fine," she says, more to herself than anyone else, then smiles and gives Mneoth a rub on the muzzle before taking hold on the straps to climb on his back.

With Mneoth lending a weary forearm, you have no trouble getting to a stable seat between his neckridges.

Secure in the knowledge HER straps are well oiled, and flawless (well, relatively speaking), Ilare turns back to see both weyrlings mounted and almost read. With a grin, she nods her approval and makes her way 'round Chanticoth's side, reaching for his straps as she mounts.

Swinging his wings out of the way, Chanticoth offers a foreleg to aid Ilare, who swiftly clambers up and settles between Chanticoth's neckridges.

Rhajath stretches his wings out, one-two-one-two, warming up. Though he's done his usual early-morning exercises already, it doesn't hurt to stretch just a /bit/ more. Chelle, up on his back, hangs on and actually grins. Maybe this will be better than she thinks it'll be. "Yes, dear, you're ready...you're strong and can fly beautifully, I'm sure." She reassures herself /and/ Rhajath. Ohhhh, Ilare's up...Here they go! Only Ilare's command is needed before they're up and away.

Mneoth shifts slightly as he tries to help his rider get comfortable, then turns an intensely studious look on the larger brown, his own wings folding out just a little in preparation.

Khena settles in, quite comfortable dispite her dragon's attempt at helping her get more comfortable. Reaching down, she grabs hold of the riding straps, securing them to her riding belt, a silent mental communique going out to her lifemate. Mneoth senses that Khena tries to calm herself down as she secures ridingstraps to belt. >>Are you nervous, Mneo?<< Clearly she is. A little anyway..

Chanticoth watches with mild interest as his rider clambers aboard, eyes whirling in tri-shades of blue before looking 'round and back at the 'lings. "Everybody comfy?" The weyrlingmaster peers out to the others, dragon slipping in closer to get a proper view of them all. "Your dragons feel capable enough for this?" Chanticoth maneuvers himself into position to launch, holding a rumble in his throat. All he's waiting for now is the signal.

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle nods, clearing her throat. Rhajath's ready for this, but is she? Well....yes. /Yes/! She's ready. "Let's do this!" She gives Rhajath another comforting buffet on the blue hide in front of her, "We're /ready/!" Adrenaline rushes in and nerves calm.

You sense Mneoth chuckles softly as that cinnamon tinted mindscent becomes mingled with a much sharper touch. << I am not nervous, Khena. We will do well. This is very exciting. >> Though you couldn't really tell...

Khena sits back, relaxing her muscles one by one, eyes closing for a moment as she takes a deep breath, then smiles and nods. "We're ready. Both of us," she finally says, a hand moving down to slap Mneoth on the side of his neck.

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare grins at the enthusiasm from Rhajath and Chelle, awaiting similar reactions from the young brown 'ling pair. Chanticth's neck arches as he stretches out his left wing, right wing, wiggle wing one! Wiggle wing two! With a loud trumpeting bugle bound to wake up a few weyr residents, the pair launching into the air right after Ilare gives a clear pump of her arm: the signal to fly that the 'lings learned in the mounted formations class, actually meaning it this time.

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth bugles! << We fly! >>

Chanticoth coils and then bursts upwards into flight.

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle flaps the wings once, twice, and up they go. Chelle grits her teeth, hanging on for dear life. "Careful, Rhajath!" she calls, though Rhajath /is/ careful, swinging up into the sky with ease of practice from the last several sevendays of flying alone.

Mneoth rumbles, looking back at his rider for a moment, then does the run, hop and launch thing to get into the air, wings beating down hard as he finds support from aircurrents flowing around and under his wings.

Chanticoth is aloft! Broad wings carry him high, higher, highest! As it should be, of course. Looking down, he hovers, watching the two younger dragons labour skywards, eyes whirling with interest. Ilare's grin is evident if one were to pay attention to the smiling rider. But there's flying to be done. The air currents ripple about, obscuring any calls, thus she relays commands through her lifemate. But so far, so good.

Khena's head snaps back as Mneoth takes off, even if she'd been prepared for this. "Whoa," she exclaims, eyes squinting against the wind blasting into her face as they rise into the air. Did someone say that goggles would be a good idea?

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle leans just a bit so she can look down, /way/ down, as Rhajath continues to rise. "Ohhhhh, we're up!" Okay, so that's pretty evident, but it's something to say, nonetheless. Rhajath's wings beat in a steady rhythm as he keeps pace with Chanticoth, bugling his happiness so all within hearing distance can know. He and Chelle are flying /together/! No more flying alone. Wind buffets Chelle's face, but she is too excited to notice, looking around, at the other dragons, at the ground, into the distance...

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth's mind voice shines with pride on the 'lings behalves, glint of amusement at the rider's reactions reminding him of his rider's. Through her memories, of course. << Flying is good. Flying with your lifemates if perfect. >> It is how things should always be. With a pause and a thoughtful swirl of moonlight mixing with sun, he continues with directions. << We shall fly two laps above and around the bowl. Are you and your riders comfortable? >>

Mneoth senses that Rhajath waits a moment, savoring the sense of his lifemate's thoughts before answering the leading brown, >>We are perfect..Up here together. Now we will always be up here together! Two laps around the bowl...We will follow!<<

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare smiles, as signals for the weyrlings to follow, Chan cautious as he drifts all the higher, slow beats of his wings carrying him forward. Keeping a careful gaze behind him, a grin seems to shape itself on his large face. No getting lost, now! Aerial search parties are a pain.. 'Sides, its only 'round the weyr. Great sails flap ones, twice, before he uses the air currents to carry him on.

Mneoth quickly gets into his rhythm, taking himself and Khena higher above the training grounds, following close behind Chanticoth. Or as much as he can anyway, his growing wings still just a bit behind their full growth. He emits a long, pleased croon for a moment, a rather uncharacteristic show of how pleased he is. Mneoth senses that he thinks << Is this not good? >> comes his soft, subtly spiced question. << Khena, are you enjoying yourself back there? >> >>

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle doesn't know what to look at! Her gaze continues to sweep below, above, in front of, and beside her. Finally, she blinks and sits up a bit, steady enough now to actually let one hand go and pat Rhajath's neck once again, "This is great! You were absolutely right, Rhajath..." Now, she tries to settle down, watching Ilare and Chanticoth in front of them. It wouldn't do to miss a signal and end up doing something silly, like going the wrong way! Rhajath continues his flying with ease of practice, though there's still a few turns that may be a bit too sharp.

Khena tries to chuckle, the sound being ripped away from her lips by the wind, which is also tearing water from her eyes, her vision of Chanticoth ahead becoming blurred. Her tight grip on the riding straps loosening as she becomes more confident in her lifemates flying.
Mneoth senses that Khena bubbles with laughter, her mind exhilarated as the wind tears around her body. >>This couldn't be better, Mneoth dear.<< Her mind almost shouting those words to you.

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare glances back over her shoulder, twisting somewhat to get a good view. Secure in the knowledge she herself is strapped in and her dragon would never do anything to let her fall, she motions clearly with her arm, indication the change of direction to head straight across the bowl.

Mneoth banks slowly, trying to keep his movements nice and gradual until his rider can get used to flying with him. Wings beat quickly once or twice to make a minor recalculation as he moves to follow behind Chanticoth.

Chanticoth leads his little wing or weyrlings with care, wings spread wide as he banks, turning to face the opposite weyr wall. A flick of his tail, and the suave brown is once again level, soaring the minor winds and air currents here abouts from point A to B.

You sense Mneoth's mindvoice becomes a touch softer, voice quiet. << So, Khena. What do you think? >>

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth extends small touches of warning to his trainee flyers, sharp taps against their minds. << Be careful when you turn. You must mind that you do not disrupt your rider's balance by banking sharply. Slow, steady, smooth. That is the key. >>

Khena becomes more and more relaxed for each beat of Mneoth's wings, though excitement still bubbles inside her, smile broad on her face as she slides a bit on the brown's neck, straps preventing her from falling off, though.
Mneoth senses that Khena is encouraged and happy. >>It's wonderful, Mneoth.. I only wish I'd thought of bringing the goggles. It's hard to see anything with the wind in my eyes....<<

Mneoth slows the speed of his flying slightly, experimenting just a little by using the ever-present winds of the bowl. Tail flicks quickly as his wings stretch just a little farther, his eyes all but glowing with the excitement and enjoyment of the flight.

Mneoth thinks to you, << =:mulls that over for a short moment before answering in a spicy, almost sharp stream of vivid green. << And gloves. Are you too cold Khena? I have heard that it should... snow. >> Just a small pause with that unfamiliar concept. >>

Rhajath keeps Chanticoth's warning in mind as he turns once again, this time executing it smoothly, Chelle hardly even noticing it at all. He follows the brown around and around, bugling triumphantly as he flies with/ his rider. Chelle has let go of the straps with one hand now, settled and quickly comfortable up in the air on Rhajath. Of course, his mind in hers keeps her that way, as they communicate perfectly with each other.

Mneoth senses that Khena looks down at hands, pale white and cold. Surprise exchanges elations as she suddenly shudders, feeling the cold in the air. >>You're right... It is cold.<< Grinning, she quickly assures you that she'll be alright, no reason to break off the flight now. >>Snow? Who told you it would snow? Winter is still some time away, dear.<<

Mneoth thinks to you, << One of the older dragons said the air felt like it would snow soon. is this rain? >>

Mneoth senses that Khena ponders for a moment on how to explain the concept of snow to someone who's never seen it. >>Not rain, exactly. More like, well, frozen rain. It's white, and it doesn't fall like rain...<< What's the point of saying something is frozen, when her lifemate hasn't even experienced frost yet. >>It's cold...<<

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare gives a nod of approval, before signaling again, this time the gesture indicates a return to the main part of the TRaining Grounds... Chanticoth veers a little, watching the youngsters below and behind him, before once again displaying his flight prowess, canting to the right this time.

You sense Mneoth seems content with this for the moment as he turns again to pay more attention to Chanticoth.

Your brown Mneoth has been approved for actual flight by HRW Assistant Weyrlingmaster (Zephyr) Ilare.
You have been approved for actual flight by HRW Assistant Weyrlingmaster (Zephyr) Ilare.

Chanticoth coils and then bursts upwards into flight.

Mneoth doesn't really try to imitate the older brown, though he does swerve just a bit more than he had been before. Just testing his wings.

Rhajath coils and then bursts upwards into flight.

Khena raises a hand to wipe windtorn tears from her eyes, the other still keeping a tight grip on the straps, vision clearing for only a moment to see Chanticoth clearly, then tears come forth again to blur her vision again. Saying something, half the word are torn away by the cold wind. ".. shoulda... 'membered... goggles..."

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth gives a bright rumble, taking and passing forth a message from his lifemate. << Come, follow me. We go to the Star Stones. >> A brief rest, and then they'll finish flying.

Rhajath swerves, following Chanticoth across the bowl and over the training grounds once again. He doesn't begin to try to do anything really daring in his flying, but it's enough that he's up with Chelle. She, meanwhile, is grinning ear to ear, yelling something unintelligible.

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare signals for the weyrlinsg to follow, expression clearly pleased with the weyrling's form. Chan bugles again, and veers off to the left, heading in the direction of the Star Stones.

Mneoth begins to beat his wings a little more deeply and quickly, climbing gradually to ever higher levels in his slow ascent to the Star Stones.

Chanticoth pushes their way upwards through wind and thermals.

Rhajath pushes their way upwards through wind and thermals.

Khena leans forward a bit, a motion learned from riding runners her entire life, to aid Mneoth in the acsent, though she's not entirely sure he needs it, since the brown seemed to be doing just fine. In any case, it lessened the air pressure against her front, keeping her from being pushed backwards.

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle leans forward, nearly /on/ Rhajath's neck as he rises even higher. Her glance is downwards, surprised by how small everything looks from way up here, but it's a great view. "Follow on, Rhajath...keep it up. You're doing /great/!" she calls encouragement to the blue.

Chanticoth is mindful of the younger dragons, keeping his pace slow, lest they be too tired to keep up. Cupping his wings a little, he allows the currents to take him higher, bring him back towards the little ones. Then, without further ado, he makes his way to settle...

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth sends bursts of starlight in encouragement, and swirls of praise. << Come, we shall land for a while on the star stones. >>

Chanticoth drops, pouncing through the air towards the familiar Star Stones.

Rhajath drops in from Spires' height.

Mneoth takes a long moment to land, trying to get it just right. And he almost succeeds, wings riding on the wind as he swoops towards the Star Stones, hind legs landing with a quiet thud before he settles on all fours, neck craning around quickly to glance at his rider.

Mneoth thinks to you, << I didn't jar you too much, did I? Chanticoth says the landings can be the hardest on a rider. >>

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare is ready for the landing, already concentrating on the weyrlings as her own lifemate lands in classic style, like so - no fuss, no mess, and plenty of room for the junior weyrlings to land beside him.

Rhajath lets mneoth land first, then makes his attemt, finally settling down with a slight bump that jostles Chelle just a bit. "Umph!" is heard from her perch, but she's fine. Rhajath bugles once again, proudly. Their first flight together has gone pretty successfully, and he's proud of himself.

Khena lets her grip of the strap go, leaning as far forward as she can to give Mneoth an encouraging slap on the neck. "That was fantastic, Mneoth," she calls out, smile broad on her face, even with cheeks wettened by tears. "Next time, I'll be sure to dress appropiately." In order to enjoy the ride even more.

Mneoth senses that Khena chuckles, her insides sparkling with pride and excitement. >>You did fiine,<< she notes, having been only bumbed slightly and was certainly used to riding a dragon. >>Better than some dragons I've met..<< Especially some of those greens. Hrmf.

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare is very pleased with their performance, as is her dragon, who warbles in pleasure. "How was that, then? All well? No one's sore, are they?" Gold eyes flick over the dragon halfs. "Are your lifemates tired? Or are they still raring to go?" Twinkle.

atop Rhajath's neck, Chelle takes a moment to converse with Rhajath before turning to Ilare, "We're not very tired at all, Ilare, but Rhajath says he's itchy and wants some oiling..WOuld it be okay if we went back down?" She'd love to keep flying, but....itching and flying at the same time might cause a bit of a disaster...

Mneoth stretches his wings and limbs once for good measure, almost warbling with pleasure as he turns jeweled eyes on his lifemate once more, then on Rhajath and Chanticoth.

Mneoth senses that he is quiet, yet excited all at the same time. << I feel fantastic. >>

"No problems here, Ilare. Mneoth is very careful when flying," Khena says, still beaming with pride, cold hands forgotten again. "I think I'm the one with the problem," she continues, lifting her pale, stiff hands for the other brownrider to see. "Mneoth got me out so fast I forgot both gloves and goggles..."

From betwixt brandy-butter ridges, Ilare nods, and without a word spoken between them (not aloud, at least), the large brown turns, mindful of the close proximity of the others. "Alright then. Lets take off and head back to the barracks. From now on, you want to practice going a little farther every day - no over doing it though! Those stretching exercises are done for a reason. No over flying your dragons, either.." Bad things happen.

Mneoth senses that Chanticoth sends sparkles of warm congratulations. << Let us return. >>

Chanticoth takes off.

Rhajath takes off from Star Stones

Chanticoth drops lower into the Weyr's caldera.