[G] [O] 743.10.21 | Meant For This

Of all the things they'd learned so far, Ch'es found this to be his favorite. Even Pardrith seemed infected by his boy's excitement as he lay still for his bonded to clamber onto his back. It was more awkward for Pardrith than for Ch'es, who had his experience with horseback riding to fall back on. But the boy did what he could to 'talk' his way through it with the dragon until they were both comfortable with his seat.

Among the most reserved of his classmates, even Ch'es couldn't keep himself from smiling today as he watched other dragon-rider pairs bumble around.

Slow and steady, Pard. There's no need for us to rush. Even as he said it, one such pair stumbled into another, sending all four sprawling on the ground with attendants rushing forward to ensure everyone made it out safely. Like that, he pointed out.

I'm not rushing, the young dragon argued. I just want to do more than stand here while you get off and on. His annoyance was clear through the bond, and Ch'es patted the dark dragon affectionately. His coat was lightening up, more rosettes becoming apparent across his hide every day and making him gleam like the other bronze dragons. Pard was no less striking for it, even if the dragon secretly mourned the loss of all the darkness that made stalking his siblings at night so easy.

You are. You're paying attention. But Ch'es took Pardrith's point and leaned forward to ensure he kept his balance. Okay, go ahead slowly.

Ch'es felt Pardrith's desire to move at any pace other than slow, but the dragon resisted the urge to give into his whims at the stern warning from his rider. Spoilsport, the dragon said aloud. Unless required to by the Weyrlingmaster, assistants, or to communicate with their classmates, Pardrith rarely spoke out loud anymore. Ever since he'd figured out how to temper his own volume, he'd taken full advantage of it and the dark bronzeling tended to save his words mostly for his rider alone. But in this case, he was perhaps whining a bit if only an assistant may overhear and join his side of things. Ch'es was cautious. Understandably so, but Pardrith knew his boy could do more if he was more willing to act recklessly. He didn't seem to have any trouble doing so away from the weyrlingmasters!

Because I don't want to get kicked out, Ch'es pointed out patiently.

You wouldn't get kicked out. Despite the dragon's multiple reassurances, it seemed a constant concern of his boy's that he'd be found lacking and sent away. While the thought of living in his little hovel again wasn't distressing, being separated from Pardrith certainly was. No matter how many times he was told that would never happen, Ch'es seemed to consider it a possibility anyway.

Astride Pardrith, Ch'es found a rhythm to his movements. Really, he didn't understand what his dragon's mother had against horses. They even moved similarly! Quickly, he cast his gaze around for Malvayth on the off-chance she was nearby and listening. He certainly didn't want to offend the golden female even if he thought she was a tad bit ridiculous for hating horses so much. These lessons weren't called 'pony rides' for no reason!

Faster now? Pard asked, already seeing others moving at more than just a sedate walk.

Relenting, Ch'es chuffed a laugh. It was all the permission Pardrith needed. The dragonet lunged forward, Ch'es's only warning the immediate intent before the action shared across their bond. The boy tightened his grip with his thighs and clung to Pardrith's neck as best he could. Though he managed not to get flung off, he did slide enough that the only thing keeping him from falling off completely was his grip on Pard.

Was that necessary? Ch'es asked with a scowl.

No. But it was fun. Come on! Up! Again!

With how many of the weyrlings were on the larger size, I'vens wasn't that surprised to find out they were having this particular lesson a little bit early for a few of them. He wasn't worried though, he'd gotten to do a lot of riding with his cousins, he knew how to handle himself in a saddle. Not that he really had a saddle now so much as just the ridges on Sher's back to settle between.

The dragon had lost some of the green tones in his hide so far, but otherwise wasn't having that drastic of a change. Sherekhath was still the most handsome of the entire clutch as far as Vensy was concerned. Of course I am. Now are you settled in or not? He was eyeing his darker brother, since Oncaeth was just casually strolling around while his rider lounged lazily along his back as if they were both born to that particular activity.

Pardrith though... with how they were getting along he figured he could have some fun there. His tail twitched as he stayed crouched, legs bunched neatly under him, muscles tense as he waited for I'vens to settle down. Yeah, yeah, I'm settled. The shift of weight on his back didn't make him so sure about that, but if his rider insisted he was settled then he would believe him. The bronze waited until he saw Pardrith stop with his rider dangling before he sprang, suddenly sprinting up to tag his tail.

I'vens cursed softly at the lurch, barely managing to keep his seat as they came to a halt. Someone, maybe the Weyrlingmaster or probably more likely an assistant, was scolding them and reminding them to slow down and take their time and he nodded Sherekhath made a show of apologizing, but not before smugly giving Pardrith a look. My rider stayed sitting.

With a roll of his eyes I'vens said aloud, "Oh hush you." He wasn't sure he actually cared about the mute, but they'd both been poisoned, and had spent some time together there and his uncle assumed they were friends so he might as well try to get to know him a bit better. "How are you doing Ch'es? You look like you've ridden at least some before. Though," he paused as he watched L'ri get scolded for not taking the lesson seriously while he seemed to be trying to nap on his dragon, "Maybe we haven't ridden as much as the old guy..."