Weyrling Lesson 2: Empathatic Bond

[effluo]

Lan’ae shivered even as he poured himself another cup of Klah from the pot at his desk. Taking a sip of it, the older bronze rider smiled and took a moment to enjoy the warmth of the strong brew. Picking up a few hides and tucking them under his arm, he walked out the door with both hands on the mug.

Coming into the common room of the Weyrling Barracks he smiled as he seen several of the weyrlings already there. Taking a seat at one end, he waited patently as he took note of who arrived early and who were the last to straggle in. He was pleased to find most were there within five minutes of the appointed time. He had explained yesterday that the lesson for this day would take place in the common room for a number of reasons.

First off their dragons were to be apart of it, which Eznorth had been pleased to tell his rider that they were looking forward to seeing what their riders ‘lessons’ were like. This would be the first they were invited to attend since the hatching, part of which was due to the fact they were finally staying awake long enough between feedings to become a nuisance to their riders. It was time they were put to work as well.

Second off, this class had been one of the lucky ones who’s early lectures took place during the winter. This meant such lessons as this one needed to be held inside for everyone’s comfort. The common room had been originally built large enough to accommodate weyrlings as well as their riders. Thankfully, even with this unusually large clutch there was still room for everyone to fit.

Lastly because Lan’ae had not been able to convince the headwoman to allow use of the hall. Lan’ae had hoped for that simply because he wanted to be closer to fresh Klah. Ah well.

Finally finding most everyone in the room, Lan’ae nodded to himself and put the mug down before beginning…

“Good Morning. Today’s lesson is mostly about your bond with your dragon. I’m sure you’ve all realized that your dragon speaks to you in your mind and not with actual words. While many of you who were born at the Weyr know very well that its possible to talk to your dragon without actually voicing your words, I know there is a good number of you who are holdbred who still speak vocally to your dragon. While this certainly is not a problem I want to go into more detail, for everyone’s benefit, just what the bond between you and your dragon is and what it can be used for.”

“First off lets begin with the dragon. Every is born with the natural ability to speak with each other using their minds. We call their ability to do this their Empathy. When they choose their riders at hatching they create a bond with their chosen. Nobody really knows how this is done, but it enables the dragon to not only be able to talk to you with their mind, but also allows them to hear your thoughts. Speaking with your dragon is as simple as thinking. I’m sure some of you have noticed your dragon seems to ask you about things you have not said to them. Their ability to listen to your thoughts comes naturally and you shouldn’t scold them for it.”

“Now the reason I wanted your dragons to come with you today is because I wanted everyone to practice speaking with your dragons silently. I am well aware that many of you probably already have this down, but it will be trickier others. Don’t be discouraged! I’ll give a few moments for everyone to make sure they can do it and then I’d like to do a little exercise with the ability. If anyone has any questions please ask.”


~~~~~

G’eph stood leaning against one of the walls within the common room, leaving the seats open for others. There were plenty of seats, but he felt like standing today. The fire was dancing merrily in the hearth and with it snowing outside and so cozy in here, he was afraid of falling asleep. It didn’t surprise him that the Weyrling Master had brought a cup of Klah himself to keep awake.

Watching as the last of his classmates filed in, he put his hand on Vanarth’s head and caressed the brown absentmindedly. It was not long before the lesson began and it was not even halfway into it that G’eph found his cheeks warming slightly as the Weyrling Master gave a very quick glance to him at the mention of speaking outloud to their dragons. The comment about that being fine didn’t help to return his cheeks to their normal color.

You didn’t know that? the brown asked curiously looking up at his rider. Until this point he had been more than happy to listen and watch the others in the room. G’eph decided not to answer his dragon except to put his finger to his lip in a silent ‘shh’ before returning his attention to Lan’ae.

[kayla]

Neory was used to waking up early, that was the life of a drudge frequently, and she had not quite gotten out of that habit yet. Of course, one of the silly things she used to dream about concerning being a Goldrider was that she would be able to sleep in. She had to smirk as she got up just moments after Sheluth had woken and informed her rider that she was hungry and wanting a bath NOW, thank you very much.

Any of the other girls who were asleep, Neory would not wake. If their dragons allowed them to sleep, she was not about to take that away from them. She quickly dressed in kick around clothing that she would change later but could get plenty wet for bathing Sheluth. Once they were outside of the girls' barracks, Neory looked to the little God, "I don't want to hear any complaints about the water being cold. I'll dry you thoroughly, but we have class together this morning."

Sheluth and Neory showed up to the common room a good fifteen minutes before class was about to start. Where is everyone? Why are we so early?

Because, Sheluth, we are the leaders of our clutchmates. That means we need to set a good example. And if we don't take our classes seriously, how can we expect anyone else too?

Oh. Yes, we should be a good example. The little Gold nuzzled her now sitting Rider as she laid her head in her lap.

Neory chuckled and strocked the little Gold's head. Any other students who were already there received a wave and a greeting from the young woman. She would speak with them while waiting for class, but once class began, Lan'ae had her full attention.

Mine, we do not need this lesson. You already speak to me without talking outloud... except not always. Why do you sometimes talk outloud.

Neory chuckled, Because... I don't know. Its comforting, I suppose. Do you mind it?

No, just curious. You may talk to me either outloud or silently. The little Gold's eyes whirred with contenment while her Rider could not help but laugh even more.

And not everyone can, Sheluth. I was raised in the weyr. My father and big brother are both dragon riders, so I grew up around dragons.

True. My siblings did not make mistakes, though, even if it means we have to learn things we already know.

Neory almost hugged the little Gold, so proud that Sheluth had acknowledged the rightness of her cluchmates choices. While she felt her dragon's confusion, Neory was elated as it was the first time that the little Gold had not seemed a bit overly arrogant regarding the other dragons.

[hrsegrl]

Amneris had been awake for a little while when her dragon woke, ravenous as usual. She took her to be fed and for a bath. Neris didn't like giving baths, not when it was so cold out. The lake never froze because of its size and was warmer than the air outside, though it didn't always seem so. Maybe if Amneris had some body fat on her as protection from the cold things would be different. Sadly she was very thin, skin and bones and barely any muscle to be spoken of.

She came back to the barracks and had time for a quick bath and a warm meal herself before Labeth informed her eagerly.Lessons now, common room.Oh! I better run then... Amneris wasted no time trying to get to the Barracks as quickly as humanly possible. Shards and shells! She was going to be late.

Labeth was waiting for her with patience, though it lasted only until she saw her rider. Hurry! Rolling her eyes, Amneris walked into the common room, exactly on time but out of breath and extremely over layered for an indoor meeting. While La'nae talked to the class she began stripping off her large overcoat, then a smaller jacket, a sweater, a turtleneck, a long sleeved tee until she was wearing a regular tee shirt. Her pants were another story and she had to leave all thress pairs on.

[thedreamerlady]

P'len and Nargoth listened to Lan'ae's words without comment. While Nargoth did a great deal of talking in their relationship, P'len was comfortable with talking in his head, and outside of it with his mouth. It really depended on what he was talking about, and where he was. However, if the point of the lesson was to speak in his head, then that was set- the only question was of what they were to speak of.

What do you think of our group?

Nargoth turned his head slightly, and glanced about. I think that question was foolish, and you should have thought of a better topic. However, I feel that Vanarth's does not speak enough, and that Myeth's needs to be spoken with. Have you discovered a new choice of conversation?

Only to realize that you speak to much, and that you are a perfect example of the classic Bronze. The words formed in P'len's mind before he could think to censor himself. A dry chuckle that had no right to be part of a barely hatched dragonet's lexicon of sounds echoed through the confines of P'len's mind.

More compliments. It will keep you busy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nisha looked at Barsamith nervously. The former drudge knew she hadn't been putting enough into bonding. She knew that she wasn't spending enough time with her precious Green, and that while the green showed no signs of neglect it would soon become apparent to her teachers what a failure at Riding she was going to be. Or at least, that was the way it seemed to her.

Now, she needed to speak to Barsamith, and she shouldn't do that while her mind was still upset. And Nisha couldn't as well. The bonding hadn't advanced to the point that Barsamith was always present. Nisha had to focus at it. Closing her eyes, the dark haired girl nudged about in her mind, looking for the spot that spoke of the sweet natured Green, and she found it.

Sam? Nisha tried experimentally, hoping she'd gotten it right, and thinking very hard. Barsamith?

Yes? Why are you yelling, you're very loud, you aren't upset though, and you spoke to me silently! The green was still a tad over excitable, and was always very happy when Nisha paid extra attention to her. This green was in no danger of being spoilt.

Nisha tried again. Sorry, is this better? Her thinking was less intense, and more buffered.

Yes! I love you. The green pressed lightly into her riders legs, trying to be careful, knowing her rider was more delicate that herself. Now that they were speaking silently, Barsamith had to ask a question, one that had bothered her sense that very morning. Mine? Why did you feel funny this morning?

It's a human condition called nausea. Sometimes I get it when a smell or a food makes my body act up. The raw meat got to me this morning, but it probably won't happen again.

The green blinked slowly, gathering the knowledge into her quick happy mind.

I'm hungry. Can I have raw meat now?

Nisha chuckled, and responded aloud without even thinking about it. "You're always hungry, and after the lesson."

[effluo]

A look around the room left G’eph with the feeling that many of the weyrlings were busy with short conversations with their dragon. Looking down at his own he frowned. How was he suppose to talk to his brown without actually saying anything? He didn’t understand at all.

Well you could just try. I’m always listening.
“But how am I suppose to talk in my head? I don’t understand, Vanarth.” He said in a quiet whisper.
Just think it. You think before you say anything anyways. Maybe you can try to picture yourself talking to me?

Frowning, G’eph looked around again before closing his eyes. Well it was worth a try. Picturing himself in front of his brown, he thought of himself asking how the brown slept that night.

I slept wonderful, your stomach is very comfortable and your blankets are warm.

The brownrider jumped in surprise, staring at his dragon. It really worked? he thought to himself only to be surprised again as the dark brown head nodded, a habit he had picked up from his rider.

G’eph smiled. “Well that wasn’t too hard. We’ll need practice though.” He said softly again as he caressed his brown once more.


~~~~~~~

Lan’ae made a point of taking his time as he sipped at his Klah, letting his eyes wander over everyone in the class. While he also made a point of not letting them linger too long, he did let his eyes hesitate upon both G’eph and Nisha in turn. Every time he turned around G’eph was speaking to his dragon outloud, sometimes going as far as to whisper to his dragon when he didn’t want to be heard – it was the sailor who made Lan’ae think of a way to add a practice to this lesson.

Nisha, however, was more of a worry for Lan’ae. She had not been exactly accepting of her little green at the hatching and so he had made a point of keeping an eye on her, hoping a bond between the dragon and rider would form more strongly. Even now he watched hopeful as the lesson was one way to get the two to talk to each other. What he could see from the front of the room was reassuring.

“Now I want to do a little game while I continue to talk about our bond with our dragons. I’m going to ask Eznorth, my bronze to send a simple phrase to one of your dragons. From there the dragon will tell the rider. The rider will then change one word, add a word or take off a word from the phrase and ask their dragon to send the new phrase. We are in a shape similar to a circle now so go ahead and continue around it clockwise. When we get to the end we’ll have the last person send it back to Eznorth and see what we came up with during our discussion.”

When your ready Eznorth, tell one of them ‘Klah may be hot, but it is certainly not sweet.’

The older bronze searched out the younger bronze, Nargoth and repeated the phrase. Klah may be hot, but it is certainly not sweet.

“Now to continue the lesson for today. The bond between your dragon actually varies in more ways than just your closeness to your dragon. Some dragons are actually what we call more empathetic than others, particularly the smaller dragons such as the blues and greens.”

“This greater level of empathy allows the dragons to feel various levels of empathy in us humans. That is how a search dragon works, which is why you’ll never find a bronze search dragon, and if a bronze does search you it is usually out of the recommendation of a blue or green.”

“The smaller dragon can actually determine how likely it is that you will impress by your own level of empathy. Those with low levels never impress while those with the highest levels usually impress to a metallic dragon such as a bronze or gold. Later on I will ask those of you with a blue or green dragon if you are interested in becoming a searchrider in the future. If it is something that interests you and your dragon we can look into setting up a class with a searchrider.”

[hrsegrl]

Amneris stood staring at the Weyrlingmaster, half hearing what he was saying. When he came to the topic of searchriding, her interest was piqued. Greens and blues both could search which suited Neris just fine but how did one know if their dragon was a good search dragon.

"Weyrlingmaster, May I ask what makes a green or blue dragon better than another green or blue at searching? Is there something about the Search dragons that other dragons may not possess, surely not all greens and blues make good search dragons..." Amneris was always curious when it came to her music, her dragon and of course her future.

She might like searchriding. For one thing, you got to travel. You had a different rank than simply greenrider. It could be fun, meeting lots of people and convincing them to become riders though that was more of the Bronzerider's job. She liked people so this could be a good position for her though she wondered if it would be for Labeth. Do you see an aura about people when you meet them Labeth?I think he's being silly. I don't know anything about aura's.

[thedreamerlady]

Nisha listened with interest about the Searchriders. None of the riders in her family did Searchriding. In some cases it was because the Rider didn't believe in Holdbreds being Candidates, and in other because- well, she didn't know. Biting her lip, thinking strongly to her dragon, Nisha's eyes closed, and she send her question.

Do you think you'd be a good Searchrider? Nisha couldn't feel any emotions from her dragon, but a reply came quickly.

I found you, didn't I? She smiled softly, wondering how she'd been given such a wonderful dragon, then turned her attention back to the other Dragons, wondering who had the phrase, and what it was.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Eznorth says 'Klah may be hot, but it certainly isn't sweet'. P'len smiled slightly, hardly paying attention to the Searchrider speech. He didn't have any searchriding relatives, and probably wouldn't be pleased if he did. He was one of those that didn't really see the need for all of the Hold searches- a few, to be sure, but not as many as that happened. Even if Nargoth was a Green or Blue, he wouldn't Searchride.

Well, tell Sheluth that 'Klah may not be hot, but it's always sweet. P'len finally sent, giving his dragon a little wink.

Sheluth, mine says 'Klah may not be hot, but it's always sweet.'

[kayla]

Neory did not zone out during the information about searchriders, for while it could not apply to her and Sheluth, as a possible future Weyrwoman, the information was good to have. It was particularly interesting to note that it seemed that for the most part, Candidates with stronger empathy went to metallics while the others went to the dragons with stronger empathy. She wondered how the issues of sexuality and gender played into the issues of what dragons chose who.

Mine, Nargoth says 'Klah may not be hot, but it's always sweet.'

Neory chuckled softly as she looked over at P'len, wondering what kind of klah he's been drinking! She then looked around the class, trying to decide who to send it to next. Sheluth, tell Taelith that 'Bubbly pies may not be hot, but they are always sweet.'

Sheluth did so, Taelith, Mine says to tell you that 'Bubbly pies may not be hot, but they are always sweet.'

[darkaire]

Because the lesson was to be held so close to the Barracks, K'sah had taken pains to plan out his morning. Even if Nariath didn't want to get up again it shouldn't be too much of a problem if he'd just be right outside the room. However, the little green was more than eager to wake up this morning, and had done so before Hers had. The greenrider groaned as she tried to crawl into his bunk but was pushed off. "You're getting too big for that," he sighed, tipping his head over to see the bright, whirling eyes of the green. She wriggled slightly and tried to climb in again.

"Augh! No!" K'sah scrambled out of his bunk, flinching at the cold stone on bare feet. That was secondary to the general coldness of the room, and as he usually slept with little on, he went digging for something warm to wear. I am not cold, Mine. You should let me warm you instead of covering yourself with those things. she crooned, enforcing this idea by trying to press into him. It made the boy topple over, and he narrowed his eyes before snorting. "I prefer these 'things.'"

Eventually K'sah was able to find something to huddle on in the common area, wrapped up in not just thick clothing, but a blanket as well. He probably had bad circulation, but always seemed to be cold. Classes in winter didn't help that much. He'd dozed off before Lan'ae arrived, and was nudged awake by his green, once again seeing those too-bright eyes. He smothered a groan and managed to listen to the Weyrling Master without nodding off again. "We're practicing mental communication?" he muttered to himself, eyes dropping to the green curled at his feet. It seemed a silly thing to do, but what did he know? He was just a Weyrling - and holdbred at that, so he preferred verbal over mental. With a sigh, he let his eyes close to concentrate. He hadn't used the mental aspect much since Impression, really. Um...hi Nariath?

The green gave him a blank look, as if to scold himself from wasting her time with such a boring statement. Only for the sake of the lesson did she even answer him. Hello, Mine. They were boring this morning, and their involvement in the Weyrling Master's little game would likely yeild equally boring results. K'sah was drowsy.

D'leon was far from drowsy, as he was still sleeping. Neither he nor Myeth had deemed the lesson a good reason to fumble out of the warmth of his sheets, and had he remembered that today's lesson was being held in the common area, he never would have gotten out of bed at all. However, hunger had woken him, and he trudged out of the Barracks to head towards the hall, stopping short when he noticed every other Weyrling in the commons. Shards. He grumbled about it, but decided to join the others, as escaping seemed impossible once he'd spotted Lan'ae.

He sidled up to the closest Weyrling and tipped his head at them, seeming civil this morning. Probably due to the extra sleep he'd gotten by skipping out on the first half of the lesson. "So what're doing here?" he asked whoever it was, (because I don't want to choose) not bothering to be quiet about it. He thought the Weyrling Master should expect him to be late now.

[thedreamerlady]

Knocked out of her very fragile rapport with her dragon, Nisha made a small noise, a gasp, and blinked slowly.

It was D'leon, the Bronzerider who'd gotten her into trouble back when she was a candidate. And the Bronzerider who would probably get her into trouble today as well. However, he'd asked her a question, and she would need to respond- it was only polite.

"We are practicing speaking silently with our dragons, and playing a game. V'nes is explaining about Searchriders." Nisha whispered quickly to D'leon, then turned back to watching the WLM, hoping that he wasn't going to be angry with her for speaking during his lecture.

Barsamith crooned lightly, and pressed her head against her rider's middle- the rapidly growing middle that was really bothering Nisha. She shouldn't be gaining weight. Barsamith's mental link, light as it was, brought Nisha back into the present, thinking about what V'nes was saying, and revealing in the feeling of Barsamith.

[darkaire]

"Oh really?" the question wasn't meant to be answered, as it was more of a scoff than anything else. Practicing speaking mentally to Myeth? He dismissed the idea quickly, as he'd had no problems adjusting to that like his brother had. If anything, D'leon only spoke to Myeth mentally, unless there was some benefit to letting others hear his conversations, which he wouldn't deny could be helpful in some ways. Idly his hand dropped to the bronze's head, who crooned shortly and then flopped onto the ground to sleep further. Neither of them seemed too keen on participating.

Since his attention was far from the lesson, he let it shift to the most interesting thing in the room other than himself. As much of a bully as he was, he paid careful attention to his 'victims' and so had noticed that the greenrider's mind seemed to be elsewhere. Ever curious about things he might be able to use against someone, he coiled a strand of her hair around his index finger and tugged, but lightly. "Been enjoying your time away from me, dear?" Oh, he remembered the first time they'd really spoken, and that had pretty much been the last time as he'd been instructed to stay away from her. But unless Lan'ae was going to start enforcing that, he couldn't very well stay away from her if he was attending lessons like he was supposed to be.

[thedreamerlady]

Again D'leon brought her out of her bond with her dragon, this time by pulling on her hair. It was something that happened a lot to her- tightly curled hair was to much a temptation to most people, especially young ones. It was unexpected, and another unintentional noise(this one a slight squeak) rose from her throat.

She turned to him, fully intending to make him stop, but a little warbling from Barsamith forced her to control her emotions. While any amount of distance would cut their tiny bond down to practically nothing, they were right next to each other, and Barsamith didn't want her rider yelling at anyone.

Instead she decided to just answer his question. She didn't want to anger a Bronzerider after all.

And then paused, wondering how she could phrase her response in a polite way. Biting her lip, Nisha finally responded.

"Yes. Now pay attention to the lecture, and don't touch my hair."

[darkaire]

She probably would have gotten a better reaction out of him if she'd been nasty about it. As it was, the way she'd phrased her words and the almost bland tone she'd used was enough to make sure he didn't stop. Until he got that rise out of her, he wouldn't be satisified. That's how it was with all his encounters with anyone - he needed to see anger to feel better. Perhaps to feel better about himself, as if he had the power to make them angry. It was never as satisfying toying with his brother as it was with someone who refused to lose control.

His other hand found its corresponding pocket while the one near her hair continued to tug at it, watching the way the curls moved, rather than the Weyrling Master. D'leon shot her a grin before leaning in to whisper, "That's a shame. I've missed having you around."
Myeth rumbled and rolled slightly, trying to get comfortable on the very uncomfortable floor. He wasn't tired enough to fool himself that it was warm, but he was certainly too lazy at the moment to do anything other than complain.

[thedreamerlady]

He hadn't stopped. And he was taunting her. Nisha didn't like this at all. Classes were interesting, but this habitually late, snide young Bronzerider just had to ruin everything. Trouble was probably his real name, and Nisha really wanted to change seats. However, that would call unnecessary attention to herself, and that was one of those things Nisha wanted to avoid.

"Thank you?" She responded, a lost as to where this conversation was going. "Would you please stop playing with my hair, it's very distracting."

She attempted to move herself, and her seat over a little farther away from D'leon. It was a heavy chair, and she was trying to be silent, so she didn't get very far.

Barsamith looked over her rider's lap at Myeth. Though she'd been taught that Bronze's ought to be obeyed, she simply couldn't think of why she'd want to obey that lump of a Bronze. He was sleeping during class! Barsamith was rather shocked, being a good deal like her rider. Feeling a deep lack of respect for Myeth, she went back to listening to the lecture.

When Neory appeared, Nisha wasn't quite sure what to say. And when Neory said that G'eph was having trouble, Nisha's eyes clouded up a bit. Had it really been so apparent that she wasn't doing very well at any of this?

Not really wanting to stay near any of them, Nisha stood, nearly stumbling over herself, and took off to go see G'eph. At least the sailor didn't speak much. Reaching him, Nisha took a seat next to him, and smiled.

"Hello. Neory suggested that we work together."

[kayla]

Neory frowned slightly as she saw the interaction between D'leon and Nisha. She could not hear what was being said, but from her own encounter with D'leon and observing him, she was rather suspicious that the conversation was less than pleasant.

She took her responsibility as leader of the weyrling class pretty seriously, but she did not want to be a tale-taker. Her eyes narrowed and she glanced towards Lan'ae at the front of the class room. If he saw that something was going, she was pretty sure that he'd step in - unless he wanted to see how and if the weyrlings would handle it amongst themselves.

She stretched slightly and then scritched at Sheluth's head. Mine, tell Barasmith to keep working with Hers and to encourage her to ignore Myeth's. Making it look as if she needed simply to stretch out her legs, Neory stood, and then casually strode over to D'leon and Nisha.

"D'leon. So glad to see that you decided to join us this morning. Have you mastered speaking silently to your dragon yet?" There might not be much space, but Neory would make sure to insert herself between the two, trying to buy Nisha a bit of distance between D'leon and Nisha.

She then briefly turned to Nisha, "Nisha, G'eph is having to work at this too. Why don't you go join him? You could work on it together, and maybe have your dragons send messages back and forth between the two of you to work on it?"