Time to Amp Up the Training (Attn: Candidates!)

[kayla]

(I'm very unobservant... I've not noticed this before!! V'nes even has an office... I'm slow sometimes.)

It had been four months since the last clutch of eggs had hatched and the little dragonets impressed from among the candidates who stood on the sands. And while V'nes had not completely left those Candidates who had not impressed off from training and chores for those four times, there had been a lull period. Some Candidates had gone "home" briefly to visit family, while most had focused on their chores within the Weyr - including helping with chores that would help them should they impress in the future - helping to butcher the meat (though the weyrlings did most of this), helping Riders who were injured in practice or for other reasons (including pregnant riders) bath their dragons, and serving in the dining hall to help them get to know Riders.

Classes had continued, though at a slower pace. Because of the fact that Candidates often continued to trickle in almost right up to the moment of a hatching, many of the Candidate classes would either provide an advantage to these students in their weyrling classes, or help the students acquire skills that most individuals would not receive on Pern - such as basic figures and reading and writing.

V'nes had warned the Candidates a seven-day ago that the relative "break" they had been enjoying would be coming to an end today. A few children from the Weyr would be joining their number, Unlike the Weyrlings, there were no set groups of students, rather V'nes had to frequently set students individual tasks and lessons as there was no groupings with the same experiences or at the same level among the weyrlings. However, he often tried to organize activities that all the different ages and experiences of Candidates could participate in.

Perylth had generously agreed to be used as a teaching "tool" for today's lesson, and V'nes hoped that the hands on aspect of today's lesson would help the Candidates to become excited about their own possibilities and prospects again. The Candidates had been informed to meet the Candidate Master at the lake this morning. It was not just an attempt to have the Candidates bath his brown for him, but rather, V'nes wanted to point out the different levels of dry patches on a dragon, as well as to go over some basic anatomy.

V'nes and Perylth would be waiting for the Candidates by the edge of the lake, and V'nes had to admit he was glad to get back into the full teaching aspect of his job. He needed something to distract him from a certain... distracting Weyrling.

[darkaire]

It was just his luck that he'd been busy whenever V'nes was out doing something in public. It was either chores or lessons, or avoiding his brother, or generally trying to get any sort of sleep. His little green was not a still sleeper, and moved far too much for him to sleep through it. So as K'sah hung around a tree on the other side of the Lake, he had to smother a yawn and blink a few times to clear his eyes. It felt like it had been forever since he'd last gotten to speak to the Candidate Master alone, not since...K'sah blushed heavily, remembering their tryst down by the Lake. Okay, he amended his thought, it wasn't a tryst. It had just been him making the brownrider uncomfortable. He pressed hands to his cheeks, feeling how warm they were at the memory.

K'sahmine, why have we been standing here for so long? I wish to move and take advantage of what little sun there is. I am cold, and I do not like being cold, and- Nariath went on her usual spiel of long-winded complaints, which her rider had learned to tune out about two months ago. If he hadn't, the poor boy would have gone crazy and likely have suffered a mental breakdown. The green continued to complain, and K'sah peeked around the tree, able to catch that the Candidate Master had yet to start lessons. He'd bribed a Candidate to let him know their lesson schedule, and so had been hiding out most of the day, waiting. V'nes didn't expect him to be there, and so hadn't looked for him.

The green shifted and prodded at Hers none too gently. Are you listening to me? K'sah blinked and looked down at her with a slight frown. "Sure, Nariath," he dismissed her issues and placed a finger on the tip of her muzzle, telling her to stay. Making sure she would, he strolled around the edge of the Lake, eyes never straying far from V'nes. He joined up with a small group of Candidates that drifted over to the spot, hiding among them until he was close enough to slip away and up to the Candidate Master's side.

He gave him a soft smile and wave. "Hello, V'nes."

Across the Lake, Nariath snorted and shifted her bulk into the water, starting to float towards them, sore over being left out. It was like Hers thought she would interfere!

[kayla]

V'nes smiled as he watched the Candidates approaching. There was a real variety of reactions playing across their face. The younger ones seemed to have a look of awe and appreciation, probably at the Brown Dragon that was obviously standing near his Rider and watching the Candidates with him. Many of these would be the younger Candidates, either new to being a Candidate or who were lately added to the last class and didn't impress - those who had not yet become fully accustomed the the beautiful dragons, nor the idea of getting to touch one. Other candidates seemed bored, some just liked to learn, while others - mostly older ones - seemed to have an air of despondency, as if they felt their chance had already passed them by. In some ways, it was those who Vnes worried most for, and those whom he'd make a point to seek out and encourage.

The Candidate Master was lost in his thoughts and observations as he watched the Candidates approach, thus it was that he responded with very slight jump at the unexpected sound of K'sah speaking his name. He shook his head with chuckle and smiled seeing the young weyrling. He probably should be giving the boy a lecture, and he was pretty certain that Lan'ae was probably holding class himself right now - a class that the young weyrling should be attending, but he could not help but to smile at seeing him.

The older man noticed how the boy had developed from the training as weyrling, and he could not help but appreciate it. Though he still could not understand why such a young beautiful man would pay him any attention, much less seek him out the way that K'sah did. For his own part, he was past denying that he felt anything for the younger man.

"K'sah, shouldn't you be at class?" Before the boy could inform him that he was at class, V'nes clarified, "Your class?" So much for something to take his mind off of the weyrling. Even as he asked the question, he could not not smile. "What class are you missing?" to come torture me?

And torture it was, V'nes wanted to touch the young man, but he did not let himelf. K'sah was barely old enough for those kinds of thoughts about him, and his dragon was definitely not old enough. He would decide on whether he would let him stay or send him off to his own class based on the answer K'sah gave him. He'd not let him miss a crucial class, no matter how much he enjoyed his presence.

[hrsegrl]

The young man finished his morning chores, in the kitchens as a dishwasher of all things. After which he changed into something more presentable and clean. After all, cleanliness was one of the most important Weyr traditions. Besides it would give him a chance to "talk" to that pretty new laundry woman. With a body like that, no doubt he'd have some competition but then who could resist his charm?

If he were anymore cocky walking into lessons there would be a Bronze dragon following him. Good thing he didn't realize just how full of himself he was. That he was still a boy in many ways, mattered little to him. He was old enough to know who he was and what he was capable of. Unfortunately for him, to others it came off as arrogance.

He saw a Weyrling speaking with the Candidate master, upon his approach. Phwyn was on time, as usual. Seeing a couple female candidates standing a little ways off, he walked up inbetween them and put one arm over each girl. "Danica, Elsabet, how are you today?" The girls were laughing with him in no time.

Phwyn was a good friend of both girls. Then again, most girls got along well with him. "What do you think lessons will be like now?" As always the girls had to have more to say than he did, so he let them run on. Still, he did look cool, pretty girl on each arm. Elsabet was shy but he was sure that could be changed and Danica, well she was a spitfire but a hot one. He'd put up with her temper any day.

His attention was not really on the Candidate Master so he hoped he wasn't missing much. They were still waiting for several people to arrive. It seemed that way until he realized they were just what was left after a 34 egg Hatching.

[effluo]

Elra had just enough time to drop her bag on one of the chairs inside the candidate barracks before the blue rider who had searched her came back in.

“There’s a lesson at the lake right now so you can’t meet the candidate master until afterwards to get your bunk assignment. I need to get back to sweeps, so you can either wait here for him or find your own way to the lake.” He paused to watch Elra a moment as she looked around again.

No wonder it was so quiet in here. she thought to herself before bringing her gaze back to the blue rider with a smile. “I’ll find my way to the lake. It’ll be alright to leave this here?” she asked, motioning to her bag.

“Oh I’m sure nobody will bother it. Alright, you’ll be looking for a brown dragon and a group of folks around it, most probably younger than yourself. The candidate master’s name is V’nes. Can you remember that?” he asked giving her another, almost skeptical look.

“Of course.” Her face didn’t show a sign of being put down at the fact he needed to ask if she’d remember a simple name. Her thoughts, however, spoke clearly enough with an ’I’m not daft.’

Waiting for the blue rider to take his leave, Elra dug through her bag until she found a pair of wooden sticks given to her by her sister a year ago. Shoving them into the band of her pants just in case she’d need them, she walked out the door of the barracks and looked around. It was easy enough to decide which way was the lake and she made her way toward it while taking in all of the new sights of the Weyr.

There’s not a lot of dragons… Oh but they might be busy, it is the middle of the day. Elra though to herself as she spotted the group of people the blue rider had mentioned. Alright, you can do this. Even as she told herself that, she hesitated at the sight of the brown dragon. Can I really impress a dragon?

Smoothing out her shirt unconsciously, she moved forward until she was at the edge of the group deciding that perhaps she should just listen to the lesson and bother the candidate master with her new status afterwards when he was not busy, at least not so obviously.

[prissy]

Kycira who was looking forward to resuming her lessons went to the classroom and found class was only beginning again she hoped that she was in time. She really hoped to impress this time around. She was now old enough that a Queen would at least consider her a worthy rider.

[kayla]

V'nes sighed slightly as he needed to turn his attention from the bewitching young man to the Candidates who were beginning to gather for class. He smiled to the young man, "You can stay. Though we're going to need to talk, K'sah. I don't want you missing class for me." Again he had to resist pulling him into a hug, but he did so as he turned to face the students.

"Good morning, Candidates. I've been lax on you bunch long enough. Its time to get back into the full swing of things, and that means classes and full chore loads. I'll be meeting with the Headwoman shortly to see what reassignments she may think needs to be concerning you guys with your chores and how well you've been doing. If anyone has a particular chore that they would like to be assigned to more than another, you need to let me know in the next seven-day."

"Now, for today's lesson, you can see that I have asked Perylth to join us today. We're going to be going over some basic anatomy issues - which I realize will be a review for some of. Regardless, I expect that everyone will be paying attention." His gaze seemed to focus on Phwyn with that statement. "However, before we do so, you guys get to get your hands wet. Brushes and soapstone is available for everyone. So get started on washing this big brown brute." His tone was warm and joking. "I'll be coming around and checking to see how you're doing."

[hrsegrl]

Phwyn had his ever charming, smile on. The green eyed young man knew what they were about to do but didn't say anything. In fact it was a bit disconcerting when V'nes looked directly at him when mentioning paying attention. HE wasn't that bad of a Candidate. At least he didn't think he was. Sure he had a little fun from time to time but it wouldn't be to the extent he had when he had a partner in crime.

The new girl Candidates were worth looking over. Maybe they would need some help. His thoughts made him hold back a chuckle. The girl who seemed to have arrived only today was attractive though she looked to be older than he himself was. Kycira wasn't new but he hadn't gotten the chance to get to know her really well either.

He let go of the two young women he had been wrapped around earlier. "You heard the man... we are to get wet." Walking closer to the lake he grabbed the needed utensils. As he was about to get in the water, he splashed both girls with water, in response to which, they squeeled. He laughed and got into the water enough so that he might begin scrubbing Perylth. He was a very lenient dragon. He didn't seem to mind the clumsier or less knowledgable people trying to scrub his hide.

Phwyn was neither clumsy nor unknowledgable. In fact he knew more about dragons than he would ever let on. He was intelligent even if he didn't stop and think things through before he did them. It was more a lack of wisdom than a lack of intelligence. In fact Phwyn pretty much knew everything about the Weyr. He loved the Weyr it was his home and he would be more than happy to educate people in the way that it works.

[effluo]

Elra hesitated as the group moved forward into the water to wash the dragon. The blue rider had said she could attend the lesson, but would she be welcomed by the dragon too? The last thing she wanted to do was be where she shouldn’t, but looking at the dragon it was just too much. Besides, she also didn’t want to be out of place and while she wasn’t yet officially part of the class she’d feel awkward being the only one left on the shore.

Moving forward, she rolled up her sleeves and pulled out the two wooden sticks given to her by her sister. Twisting her blonde hair, it went up easily into a bun which she shoved the sticks through to hold. That done, she picked up one of the soap stones and moved into the water.

Taking up a position next to a slightly taller and rather darkly tanned (or so she assumed) young man, she placed a hand very gently on the hide. The dragon’s hide was warmer than she had expected it to be while standing in the water. It was soft too and she ran her fingers over it with a smile before dipping the soap stone in the water and gently sliding that over the brown hide.

[darkaire]

"K'sah, shouldn't you be at class?"
"Your class?"
"What class are you missing?"

The young Greenrider felt his smile falter at those questions, knowing very well that he had asked his brother to help him escape the need to attend class. He'd never skipped a lesson before, and felt guilty over it, but not enough to make him leave the Brownrider's side. It was worth it, even if Lan'ae punished him later. K'sah would rather be with V'nes than sit through an etiquette lesson. Or any lesson, for that matter. If it was something he really needed to know, he could just ask V'nes to help him with it. He may be the Candidate Master, but he was a dragonrider first, and had already been through Weyrling lessons.

His smile perked back into the sheepish one he usually wore around the other, ashamed at having been caught skipping, but not regretting it. "It's just etiquette, V'nes. I already know that, since my father was a Holder and I had to be trained in it," he tried to assure him, and was quite relieved when the older man's reaction was to start his lesson. He'd chosen his timing well by coming in just before it started. And he hadn't been told to go back to his own lesson. K'sah nodded and moved to sit at the edge of the lake, murmuring a hello to Nariath when she joined him. The Green stretched out to sun, and her rider clasped his knees to his chest and watched V'nes. There were few other things he'd rather be doing.

[kayla]

Seeing the new Candidate joining in on the exercise, V'nes smiled. He would have invited her to do so if she did not do so on her own. As he circulated around his very helpful and patient Brown. Your patience will be rewarded, Perylth.

I like the Candidates. Is fine.

V'nes smiled and moved over to the young woman, "I'll need you to come by my office after class. We'll want to get you settled in into the barracks and the weyr in general. Good job on washing Perylth." He smiled to him and then moved to Phwyn.

"You're doing well, Phwyn. I realize this is all review for you, but thank you for taking it seriously. I have no question that you will soon impress." He smiled to the boy and wondered what he could do to help him with the situation with his brother.

He then moved on to encourage other students Perylth, can you let Nariath know that I would like to talk to K'sah after class. Also tell her that he's not in trouble.

Nariath, Mine says he'd like to talk to Yours after class and that Yours is not in trouble.

[darkaire]

K'sah had nearly dozed off leaning against his green. It was a good day and he was relaxed, unworried about being taunted by his brother. He felt safe around V'nes, even if he wasn't the man's focus of attention.

Mine, he wants to speak with you after he is done, Nariath rumbled softly, not bothering to move from where he was curled around Hers. She hadn't actually said who 'he' was, but she knew she didn't have to. V'nes was that prominent in the greenrider's mind that he was the first person to come to mind. K'sah mumbled something sleepily and tipped his head to the side to see the brownrider and smile. Tell His that I understand.

We will wait, Perylth.

[prissy]

Kycira was eager to begin lessons again she really wanted to impress this time around. If not to a gold then a green would do, of course she was still shooting for that Gold dragon if she was meant to ride a gold then she would get it. The best way to start was by going to her lessons and doing them well, if she did well here she would do really well as a weyrling.

[effluo]

Elra had jumped slightly at the sound of a voice behind her. Turning quickly, she found herself facing the Candidate Master. Feeling her face warm slightly, she nodded quickly as she was told to meet him in his office after the class. Hesitating a moment, she played with the soap in her hands as she listened to the man continue. It was at the remark that she was doing a good job that made her smile and her hands calm down.

“Thank you sir.” She replied as he turned to move along, speaking a moment to the boy next to her before continuing on.

Turning back to the brown, she ran the soap over him some more before glancing over at the boy and finally deciding it wouldn’t hurt to ask. After all, if this was at all like the Harper Hall it would be those younger than her that would be most accepting.

“Phwyn? Is that what he said your name was? I’m Elra,” she said, holding out a soapy hand without realizing that there was, in fact, soap upon it. “Its nice to meet you.”

[hrsegrl]

The young man nodded at the Candidate Master. He was taking this as seriously as he could but there was no doubt in his mind that he wasn't going to remain that way during all the lessons. The young woman beside him, introduced herself. He smiled and took her hand, giving it a good shake, not rough, not soft. Phwyn wouldn't scare off for a bit of soap on his hand.

"That is correct. I assure you the pleasure is entirely mine." No lie there either. He loved meeting young women. Phwyn's subtle green eyes searched Elra's face a moment before he returned to the task at hand. "So, Elra, when did you arrive?" He knew she was new here. After all, he knew all the returning Candidates.

She had a pretty name and he was quite certain she had been picked up based on her attractiveness. He had to hand it to dragonriders, they sure knew how to find beatiful women. No wonder Holder's were concerned to send their children here. He did hope that most of the young women that were searched realized they had been chosen more for their sex appeal than their ability to ride a dragon. Then again he doubted it highly. Women liked to believe that the world was a fairytale...not that he minded. Being a charming young man it only benefited him.