10.Jan.13, 07:43 AM
Considering how many weyrling lesson nightmares Talian sweated through while awaiting the hatching, the lessons themselves had been decidedly not-awful. They involved getting up early, which he could do; oiling a dragon, which he could do; and listening to a teacher talk, which he could definitely do. Talian had been in school for most of his life. Listening to lectures and performing the same menial task over and over until it became second nature was, well, natural.
Initially, Talian had put forth great effort in totally ignoring his classmates, as well as the fact that Khaduceth would grow up and become a horrifyingly big dragon that he would have to strap himself to and ride around in the sky. Not cool. These efforts were starting to crumble, though. Since the other weyrlings were intent on befriending him for some reason, Talian found himself locked in unpleasant conversations with them on most days. That was part of life, though.
Watching Khaduceth almost double in size in a month? That was impossible to ignore.
"Stop growing," Talian groaned as he stepped out of the barracks, heading towards the center of the gather square where the others would soon accumulate. Talian had gotten up early and had some breakfast before Khaduceth woke up. Then, a short jog (which he greatly resented having to do) and a little bit of alone with with Khaduceth rounded out the early hours. Now it was time for a couple hours of lessons before lunch, and then hopefully B'jin would have some mercy on him and he could go do a shift in the infirmary or something.
He glanced over his shoulder. Probably not. Khaduceth was still a baby, after all. No matter how much Talian wanted to go back to his craft, he didn't want his poor baby to wind up with scars like Larrikith's.
That is very important to you, isn't it? Khaduceth said, poking into Talian's mind and examining his memories of the healer hall. It matches many of your dreams he pointed out.
Talian smiled and slowed his pace, allowing the proud little creature to trot alongside him. It was amazing how quickly the ungainly dragonet got control of his limbs. At only a month old, Khadueth's wings folded easily and he was able to run, though he grew tired quickly. Swimming was his favorite, though. Talian actually felt quite bad about that; he hated swimming, so Khaduceth didn't get to swim nearly enough.
I forgive you the dragonet said cheerily. Talian was bewildered for a moment. Sometimes he forgot Khaduceth could eavesdrop on him! The dragonet's presence felt so natural that it was getting easy to forget. Talian wondered if all dragoneriders felt the same way.
Soon enough, they arrived. Talian seated himself in the grass and Kkaduceth curled neatly beside him. Soon, he gained a blue patch on his back; Fellis appeared and perched gently, crooning with joy.
Talian eyed his dragonet. "B'jin is supposed to start teaching us to talk to you with our minds today," Talian said. It sounded easy enough. Khaduceth quietly agreed, preening a bit in the warm sunlight before stretching out. As the others started to arrive, Talian reached out to stroke the brown dragonet's side. "You really are getting big.." he said as he admired the glossy, splotched hide.
Initially, Talian had put forth great effort in totally ignoring his classmates, as well as the fact that Khaduceth would grow up and become a horrifyingly big dragon that he would have to strap himself to and ride around in the sky. Not cool. These efforts were starting to crumble, though. Since the other weyrlings were intent on befriending him for some reason, Talian found himself locked in unpleasant conversations with them on most days. That was part of life, though.
Watching Khaduceth almost double in size in a month? That was impossible to ignore.
"Stop growing," Talian groaned as he stepped out of the barracks, heading towards the center of the gather square where the others would soon accumulate. Talian had gotten up early and had some breakfast before Khaduceth woke up. Then, a short jog (which he greatly resented having to do) and a little bit of alone with with Khaduceth rounded out the early hours. Now it was time for a couple hours of lessons before lunch, and then hopefully B'jin would have some mercy on him and he could go do a shift in the infirmary or something.
He glanced over his shoulder. Probably not. Khaduceth was still a baby, after all. No matter how much Talian wanted to go back to his craft, he didn't want his poor baby to wind up with scars like Larrikith's.
That is very important to you, isn't it? Khaduceth said, poking into Talian's mind and examining his memories of the healer hall. It matches many of your dreams he pointed out.
Talian smiled and slowed his pace, allowing the proud little creature to trot alongside him. It was amazing how quickly the ungainly dragonet got control of his limbs. At only a month old, Khadueth's wings folded easily and he was able to run, though he grew tired quickly. Swimming was his favorite, though. Talian actually felt quite bad about that; he hated swimming, so Khaduceth didn't get to swim nearly enough.
I forgive you the dragonet said cheerily. Talian was bewildered for a moment. Sometimes he forgot Khaduceth could eavesdrop on him! The dragonet's presence felt so natural that it was getting easy to forget. Talian wondered if all dragoneriders felt the same way.
Soon enough, they arrived. Talian seated himself in the grass and Kkaduceth curled neatly beside him. Soon, he gained a blue patch on his back; Fellis appeared and perched gently, crooning with joy.
Talian eyed his dragonet. "B'jin is supposed to start teaching us to talk to you with our minds today," Talian said. It sounded easy enough. Khaduceth quietly agreed, preening a bit in the warm sunlight before stretching out. As the others started to arrive, Talian reached out to stroke the brown dragonet's side. "You really are getting big.." he said as he admired the glossy, splotched hide.