Wendra

• Who: Baina, Beryth, Dallianth, Dulcieth, J'vin, Lyndee, Raliah, S'dric, Wendra
  
• What: Weyrleader and Weyrlings discuss fall; Raliah and Weyrlings decide to put in some extra practice.
  
• Where: Northern Bowl of Benden Weyr
  
• When: Not positive, but I believe sometime on day 25, month 10, turn 2.
  

Northern Bowl
The ground is flat, featureless rock with loose gravel speckling the gray surface. Just under a mile long - from from lake in the south and the hatching caverns in the north - and a half of a mile wide at the widest, most of the bowl is largely featureless: An open space ideal for dragons. Angled so that it faces almost perfectly north, it narrows to the north to be closer to a quarter-mile wide at the hatching cavern.
The entrance to the hatching grounds, wide and tall enough for a dragon to fly through, is on the northern wall. The living caverns tunnel branches off along the western wall. All along the rock walls of the bowl are ledges and weyrs.

---

S'dric's wing has just come down from drills and the Weyrleader is talking through what the highs and lows were. A moment later, he salutes and calls out a dismissal and the wing starts to break up. One of the Seconds steps over to S'dric though and has a word or two, earning a pair of sharp nods from the Weyrleader. "See to it," he says mildly then turns, towards Gedreth, starting to pull straps off the bronze.

Wendra and Dulcieth have just been fying in drills of their own, which thankfully did not at any point disrupt those of the Weyrleader. Still in her riding leathers, with Dulcieth still in her straps, Wendra salutes S'dric as he arrives.

Having spent a good amount of time washing Beryth, Raliah now finishes oiling her green, taking some extra time to buff to utter perfection the pretty green head. Finally the girl steps back, admiring her handiwork with a faint smile. "You look lovely." She murmurs, rolling her eyes at something and turning to put the oil-rag back in her bag. She catches sight of S'dric and Wendra and smiles faintly. "Sir. Wendra." The girl calls in greeting, before turning back to strap up Beryth. It doesn't take her long, and she thumps the dragon fondly as she turns away, smiling faintly and meandering generally in their direction. "How goes?"

Dallianth lands from those same drills quite neatly beside Dulcieth and offers a bright greeting as Lyndee unbuckles her straps and clambers down. The blonde smiles, clearly as chirpy as her lifemate today and offers a salute as her feet hit the ground. "Good afternoon, Sir," she greets S'dric, followed up with a quick, "Ma'am," for Raliah and a grin for Wendra. She sets about sorting straps, tightening a buckle here and there.

S'dric pauses in his path towards the caverns, drawing gloves off a finger at a time as the ladies hail him each in turn. A polite nod is offered and pale eyes scan the cluster of greenriders. "Good afternoon," he says pleasantly. "Weyrling drills looked good from where Gedreth and I were sitting," he notes to the weyrling riders. "And how are you and Beryth, Raliah?"

[DTU] To Dallianth and Dulcieth,, Beryth's voice comes in a faintly flutelike rush, pleasant and warm. << Good day. You are both looking well in flying! You must be practicing quite a bit. Good. We must always look our best. >> The green, always faintly motherly, offers a breezy haze of amusement.

Wendra smiles at the compliment even as she salutes Raliah. Then she says, bordering on shyly, "I can't wait until Dulci can fly as well as the dragons in your wing, sir." There is a slight emphasis on the word "until", which not so long ago would have been an "If".

[DTU] To Beryth and Dulcieth, Dallianth is all intense, frosty-blue starlight as she answers. << We do practice, all the time, >> she declares, quite the exaggeration. << And then we will look our best, >> she agrees. There. Simple, and another rush of ticklish cold.

"Raliah." The girl corrects with a lopsided grin -- there's just something wrong with somebody several turns older than you 'ma'am'ing' you. "From here as well, when I looked up. Yours too." They all get a grin, before S'dric a nosewrinkle. "I'm well enough while I'm busy, hard to think when we're flying. Beryth's as well as always." She tosses a fond grin back at the green. Wendra is tossed a bright grin for the 'until', don't think 'liah's not observant. "I can't wait to see." She murmurs happily.

[DTU] To Beryth and Dallianth, Dulcieth's mindvoice is even happier than usual. << Mine is well, and finally isn't worried about being mine. >>

"I hope so, Sir," Lyndee responds, hopeful confidence underlying her light answer. She nods and smiles broadly in Raliah's direction and does, indeed, take her up on the offer. "Raliah," the greenrider repeats. Dallianth sidesteps as her rider goes to fiddle with buckles again, as if to say 'leave off!' and eyes Lyndee as she turns to move straps firmly out of reach.

[DTU] To Dallianth, and Dulcieth, Beryth offers amusement in a bright cascade. << You do well, then. >> She rumbles pleasantly, before, << This is good. Wouldn't do her any good to worry! Still, I'm sure she can focus much easier now. I'm glad. >>

"Won't be much longer now," S'dric tells the girls calmly. "Just a few more months until they're old enough to join the wings." And he makes that sound like a matter of course. "Have you formed any preferences for what kind of flying you'd like to do?" The Weyrleader's hands clasp behind his back as he continues to converse with the greenriders.

[DTU] To Beryth and Dulcieth, Dallianth chirps and stars fizz with faint scarlet. << Yours is very wise to not worry, >> she insists, voice threaded through with high, clear notes.

Wendra says, "I think Dulcieth's flying style is going to be dictated by her size -- she's faster than most of her clutch and can definitely corner better. She's not able to last as long, though -- she'll definitely be a filler."

Raliah smiles when Beryth comes to stand beside her, leaning on her lifemate's neck and listening quietly. "They're both beautiful fliers." She says with a grin, before quieting, tilting her head curiously. Beryth rumbles low in her throat, somehow a pleasant, pleased sound, while watching the younger greens with curiosity.

Someone clearly wasn't expecting to ever be /asked/ such a question and seems a little surprised. Lyndee blinks and her head tilts; she waits a moment, gaze settling on Wendra as she answers. Oh. That means she /can/ answer too. Embarrassment for her hesitation colours her cheeks a touch. "Dalli's pretty sturdy. Good with air-currents and that sort of thing, but she's not the most agile. Think she'd last quite well for a green, but we'll see." Lyndee blinks again and stares at the ground, unusually unsettled, though she looks up for a few seconds and tries a smile for Raliah.

Raliah can't help but giggle, flashing a grin. "So's Beryth. I think she might be growing a bit more, too. She's big for a green, my girl." The girl beams up at the dragon, who rumbles pleasantly. Why yes. "Still, I bet she's more agile than any blue, much less the others. If you want, Beryth and I can practice with you some. I still try and work with her on it as much as we can. Got to stay ahead." There's something faintly defiant in the last, but she glances away quickly with a faint smile -- well, it's more a grimace, but she tries!

Whatever it was, Lyndee catches it and her eyes brighten. She manages to tone down a smirk of a smile to something appropriately less, well, defiant, and nods once, determinedly. "That would be great," she says, trying to rein in her enthusiasm a little. "If it's not too much trouble," the blonde adds, quickly. The grin returns. "Burn off some of her energy, too," she tags on, with a jerk of her head towards Dallianth, who once again swings away to stop hands sneaking for straps.

"So looking more for wings with spots for that sort of thing rather than a particular wing's style?" S'dric asks mildly, pale eyes flicking bewteen the girls in turn. He nods slightly at Raliah's offer. "Now there's teamwork I like to see," the Weyrleader remarks jovially.

Raliah giggles a little, not restraining the bright grin that lights up her face. "Nono. Company is nice." She laughs. "It's easier to see faults when you're not alone, too." The girl nods stoutly, then snickers. "I count myself lucky that Beryth's never been one for being overly energetic. She's pretty laid-back most of the time." A roll of her eyes for the dragon. "Never lazy, no, dear. I know, I know." Then she's smiling at S'dric primly. "Of course." She laughs, noting for Wendra, "You're welcome to join in!"

Wendra nods enthusistically. "Maybe she can get some hints on endurance that way." To S'dric she nods. "Yes, sir. I'd rather she be exactly where she's needed, as opposed to anything I might prefer. Then again, I have a feeling where she's needed most and my preference will be the same anyway."

Lyndee pauses to think before responding to S'dric's question, head tilted again, something Dallianth mimics. "Well... There's always things to be learned..." she starts. "But better to be somewhere where what she's good at would do some... good, Sir." She looks a little troubled for a moment, then she laughs under her breath and looks across at Raliah. "You're starting a greenrider girls flying association, you know!" she jokes, brightly.

"Not a bad attitude to take at all," S'dric answers both with a nod then laughs outright at Lyndee's statement. "You know, that might not be a half bad idea. With more women impressing to greens, that could be something that might help to get everyone flying ready more quickly and settle into wings faster," the Weyrleader points out. "I'm sure Geneve'd be interested."

Raliah beams. "Oh, yes! And any extra time in the air'll help with the endurance anyways." The girl enthuses with a laugh, before grinning at talk of wings. "You'll both better your wings no matter which they are." She murmurs softly with a happy smile, before blinking at Lyndee and glancing sharply at S'dric. "No, not a bad idea." She grins. "Bet she would be."

Wendra nods. "Even if it means more work with Weyrlings. She's a good example though. I'm sort of ashamed at how I acted when I first impressed. It took me a while to finally figure out our niche."

Dallianth looks at her rider rather oddly as the blonde all but bubbles with excitement. "Just think of it!" she enthuses, in quite the loud voice. The young woman clamps both hands over her mouth, blue eyes wide. "...Sorry," she squeaks, over the tips of her fingers. "Promise we'll behave," she deadpans. She smiles over at Wendra, goes to say something and then just settles for a pleased sort of beam.

Baina comes over from the southern end of the bowl.

S'dric cocks an eyebrow at Lyndee's squeaking and clears his throat, leans forward a little. "I promise I shan't tell assistant Cr'pel about that," he says very gravely though his eyes are dancing with good humor. "At any rate, it certainly sounds like you're all ready to tackle what's ahead. Thread will only start to fall more frequently from now on." And his gaze tips up to the sky, presently clear.

J'vin comes over from the southern end of the bowl.

Wendra shudders at the mention of thread. "That I don't know if I'm ready for. Flying is one thing, but fighting it and getting scored is another. Do you ever feel ready for it?" She addresses this both to Raliah and S'dric. She and Lyndee seem to be talking to the two riders, with the young greens nearby.

J'vin salutes carefully, favoring one foot as he walks over from the pris -- er, barracks. Rather than interrupt the conversation he stops nearby to listen. Sooner or later there's always an opportunity to speak up.

"Thank you, Sir," Lyndee murmurs quietly, all seriousness, though it's obvious that she's fighting to keep the grin from her face; a battle she almost loses as she looks up and at S'dric. She exhales and calms herself. "It's a big step," she agrees with Wendra. "A big difference, I mean. I hope we're ready."

Adding a thin grey shawl over her usual black workdress, Baina wanders out into the Bowl. It's unfamiliar territory to the Lower Caverns Seamstress, she prefers indoors thanks. The cluster of riders /does/ however, gain her attention and--despite her better judgement--she wanders closer to them, listening carefully.

"It's what we all signed up for though, when we said yes to Search," S'dric says mildly to Wendra. "And yes, I think so. I mean, there's always the concern of injury to deal with, but if you drill enough, I think you do get to a point where it becomes something you know. Not that any of us have been fighting it for that long." He turns slightly as another weyrling approaches. The wings have long since disbanded after drills, but S'dric's still got that look, a little sweat-damp around the edges of his hair and jacket only partly undone, of someone who was just 'at work'.

J'vin exhales slowly. "I already see formations in my sleep. I could probably catch a sack of stone blindfolded. But the thought of being scored..." He shakes his head slowly. "I know it's going to happen sooner or later. It's just a matter of time. I know what I'm supposed to do afterward to take care of myself and Quoroth. But that doesn't mean I'm looking forward to it."

Wendra nods fervently at J'vin's words, even as she salutes Esseira and notes Baina's arrival. The three Weyrlings are talking to Raliah and S'dric, with dragons nearby. All except Raliah look as if they've been drilling in the very recent past.

"I guess the longer we don't miss something or make a mistake, or..." Lyndee waves a hand and dismisses her words. "I was going to say then the longer we avoid getting hit. But you can't control everything. I'd rather not make the mistake, but I'd rather not spend time getting wound up anticipating getting scored either. Not to get reckless from being scared..." She trails off; shoves aside those rambling thoughts spoken aloud; waves her hand absently again, then into a salute aimed in Esseira's direction. The greenrider nods towards Baina in greeting.

J'vin nods. "It's going to happen sooner or later. It's just a matter of when. There are other things I'd rather spend my time worrying about." He loosens the neck of his tunic and runs his fingers through already-mussed hair. "Besides, if I get obsessed with it Quoroth will as well. That's the very last thing I want to deal with."

"Balance," S'dric says lightly with a nod for Lyndee. "You can't let the fear get the better of you or you can't fight well. Control. And using what you know, what you trained for, that's what's important." Another nod J'vin's way. "Exactly."

Returning Lyndee's nod stiffly--at least /some/ of these faces are familiar to her--Baina steps even a bit closer, though she is quite careful to keep S'dric between her and the...female greenriders. Her lack of comfort is evident, though for the sake of Manners she does her best to hide it. She may be good, but no thirteen turns old girl can hide /everything/.

"I guess that's where I stand -- not looking forward to it. I'm not going to let the boys win by being afraid of it. That's just what they're looking for." Wendra gives J'vin an apologetic smile. "Present company excluded, of course." Her glance toward Baina is not unsympathetic.

J'vin rolls his eyes. "Oh, believe me, Wendra, I'm as afraid of it as anyone else -- and a little more than I like to admit. I'm doing my best to put a brave face on it. Sometimes Quoroth's short memory actually helps. He knows that I'm studying to learn how to take care of him and that's all he really cares about. It's... reassuring, I guess, to know that he believes in me no matter how I actually feel."

Lyndee does 'oblivious' quite well and smiles warmly over at Baina for the return of the nod. "Good afternoon," she calls. "Control," she then echoes, thoughtfully. "They do pick up on nigh-on everything, don't they?" she says, with a wry smile for J'vin. There's a grimace and a shake of her head for the mention of the 'boys'. "You'd hope they'd be mature and not make a big deal of it if we were afraid or when we do get scored," she mutters.

Brows lift at Wendra a little. "There won't be any time for that in the air, Wendra. Just doing the job, getting it done, and getting back down hopefully without getting yourself or any of your wingmates scored or worse. That's something I really want you all to take to heart. When there's Fall coming, put your all into getting up there and searing it down. Working together. It's what we're here for, to protect all the lands that look to us. Have to put aside any other differences for that." And there S'dric is solemn.

And that wonderful solemnity is broken by a short girlish giggle from behind him. Catching herself, Baina claps a hand over her mouth an looks properly horrified at her outburst. "I'm, uh...sorry, it's just--" She fumbles for a moment before flushing a light pink--which compared to her usual complexion is quite a feat--and taking a moment to regain her composure. "I apologize." She tries again. "It's just that you mentioned /boys/ being /fair/..." She offers a practiced smile then, not too big, not too small--once more the eerie combination of a Holder Lady in a little girl's body. "The notion is...quite laughable! Honestly..."

Wendra shrugs. "Not all of the boys are that bad. Just enough that it sometimes feels that way, maybe." She nods solemnly to S'dric. "I'll remember that. I hope, for everyone's sake, that A'ren and his lot do as well."

Lyndee looks Baina up and down and for a split second looks quite disgusted. It's as if she might challenge her, if the setting of her jaw is any indication, but then Dallianth shifts again and distracts her. "Yes, Sir," she says softly, acknowledging S'dric's words and there's a sympathetic nod for Wendra. "Me too," she comments. She straightens, throwing her shoulders back. "If you'll all excuse me, Dalli fancies a quick jaunt before dinner." The greenrider heads after her green, who slowly pads away to a distance appropriate for a launch. Lyndee clambers into place, buckles herself in and they're away.

Lyndee climbs up between Dallianth's neckridges.

"I have a feeling that A'ren is going to have an eye-opening experience during his first Fall," S'dric says still in that calm, deadpan amused way of his. Pale eyes slant over towards Baine and he merely lifts brows at her. Lyndee's departure draws his gaze back around and he lifts a hand as she goes. "Enjoy."

"No doubt we all are, sir, one way or another." J'vin has settled back on his feet, still favoring one ankle. "But it's like you said. It's what we signed up for and it's what we train for. One way or another, we'll be ready"

With a delicate sniff, Baina turns to Wendra. "I suppose /some/ of them /must/ be...acceptable." She turns to look S'dric up and down pointedly. "I've met a few with Manners." And the way she says it, the capital letter can be /heard/. "But all of them seem to be older, not really boys anymore I suppose..." Lyndee's look of disgust and sudden departure leave her puzzled, so to cover it she lifts her chin high into the air and turns pointedly towards S'dric. "Afternoon, sir."

Unlike her clutchmate, Wendra is not so sanguine. She nods savagely at S'dric's words, though she adds nothing. She does give a sympathetic look toward J'vin at the continued male-bashing.

"Good attitude," S'dric remarks to J'vin and continues to regard Baina steadfastedly thereafter. "Good afternoon, miss. How d'you do," he says with a touch of humor underlying the simple greeting.

J'vin smiles wanly at Wendra. Some battles, it seems, just aren't worth fighting. Baina's remarks get one -- no, make that two raised eyebrows. /This/ is new.

Offering a small but graceful bob of a curtsy, Baina offers another of her practiced smiles towards S'dric. If she notices J'vin and his climbing eyebrows, she makes no mention of it. "I am well sir, despite the early chill. And yourself?" She tilts her head to one side just so, the Lady become comical in such a small and youthful package.

S'dric inclines his head at the curtsey. "Thank you, I'm quite well. The drills just now went well. I'm pleased to hear you are well." And he's containing his amusement at the mini-Lady act. "S'dric, Weyrleader, well met," he tells her instead and extends a gloveless hand towards the girl.

Wendra just waits to see the Holder girl's reaction to the introduction, her expression neutral.

"I am glad very much to hear it sir," Baina continues the conversation primly, seemingly unaware that she's mixed up a few words in her response. Ah well, all in the delivery, eh? His amusement--what little slips through--she must misconstrue as approval, for the young thing fairly /preens/, turning her head away and lowering her eyes in what is likely meant to be a coquettish manner. His introduction has her eyes snapping wide open. Comically wide, even, but she quite admirably keeps her cool, turning back to him--never raising her eyes to his--and dropping into a lower curtsy, holding herself there as she raises her hand to his, palm down. "Baina, sir, of the Distant Song holding." She can't help but wrinkle her nose at his plain but pleasant 'well met', choosing for herself instead something a bit more...flowery. "It is indeed a pleasure." Poor girl... The Weyr's entertainment and she has no idea...

"And I'm J'vin, Quoroth's weyrling. The Weyr's duties to the Hold and your family." His rank's just a slip of a thing compared to S'dric's elaborate knot but manners are still manners.

"Baina. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." How about them apples? S'dric's hand holds hers for a moment then releases it. "And ah, Distant Song, so you're one of our guests. I'm sure you must be pleased by the outcome of the trial?" He gives J'vin a little nod of approval for his own manners.

Wendra adds in "Wendra, Dulcieth's Weyrling." She smiles fondly in the direction of the relatively small spearmint green dragon. She glances over when S'dric mentions the trial. "I heard Lord Hrotti was deposed, but I was afraid it might just be too good to be true. Have they named a successor yet?"

And lo and behold! Manners! Noting J'vin's lovely introduction and pleasantries, Baina offers him an approving smile. See? Not /all/ bad... Well, so long as there are Manners upheld anyway. "I am, sir. Though I was meant for here even before the tragedy." For a moment there's a shadow of remembered fear cast on her face, a stark reminder that behind all the pomp and mannerisms, she is still little more than a child. Quickly it's covered up as she offers a polite nod to Wendra, her demeanor noticeably cooler. "A pleasure." And then, of course, there's talk of the trial. This time her exasperation gets away from her altogether, resulting in a sigh. "Yes, yes, he got what he deserved. It's over and done and...that reminds me, I should get Gran's journal back from that Harper. He was using her tithe logs as evidence against His Lordship." Bad or not, he's still a Lord and there are still Manners. "She's Blooded herself, my Gran," she adds with obvious pride, the Ladylike mask slipping more until a sadness passes over and she recalls herself. "Until she died, at least."

J'vin bows his head in acknowledgement. "I'm sorry for your loss. Even when it's expected and awaited it's difficult to lose family." His attention is visibly drawn elsewhere; his gaze is pulled toward the barracks as if on a string. "I beg your pardon, but I'm going to excuse myself. Quoroth needs me. Weyrleader. Miss Baina." And Wendra, of course, but his farewell to her is more a smile than a formality. "Until later."

Wendra gives a quick wave to J'vin and says mildly back to Baina "Likewise". Her bland inflection gives no clue as to whether she is ignoring Baina's slight or answering it for what it is.

J'vin heads toward the southern end of the bowl.

Turning towards J'vin, Baina offers another approving smile and a slight bow from the waist up. "Clear skies, J'vin." Pleasantries all 'round. "I thank you for your condolences." Now /that/ phrase sounds practiced, as though she's had to say it hundreds of times at least.

Wendra glances over toward Dulcieth. "It sounds like she wants to stretch her wings some as well. Clear skies." She adds to S'dric "And thank you for the encouragement, sir."

Felisa comes over from the southern end of the bowl.

Wendra climbs up between Dulcieth's neckridges.

Dulcieth springs into the sky.

Offering a smaller, slightly stiffer bow to the exiting Wendra, Baina calls a soft "Clear skies," to the departing rider, obviously well pleased with her magnanimous attention. Yeah...


Wendra's portion of the log cuts off here. For Felisa's, check here.