Pre-dinner rest and relaxation (Open!)

[Invisible]

Lessons for the day were over and achy muscles proved that the feeding, cleaning, oiling process of Volsteath’s evening was done as well. There wasn’t a lot of time before dinner, maybe an hour or so, but it was enough for K’mar to sit on his cot and do some reading. A visit to records a few days ago had yielded a fine selection of reading materials and he had been slowly working his way through it. Hides were neatly stacked beside him as he studied one or the other in no real particular order. Volsteath watched his rider with drowsy contentment while keeping an eye on the other few dragonets lounging around as well.

What are you reading, K’mar?[/color] was asked by the sleepy brown in the couch next to the cot. It’s stuff on wing formations. I think what we’re learning will make more sense if we have a better idea of what all we might be doing someday. K’mar looked up from his reading to grin at his brown. Besides, you said we should be making a good impression, right? That’s what I am doing. I just know people are waiting for me to mess things up. From Volsteath there was rumbled amusement as he regarded his rider. If you mess up I will cover for you. We needn’t worry about what the others do. We shall be far better than they at what we wish to accomplish.[/color]

Well, sure, because they’re all idiots was K’mar’s reply as he set down one hide and took up another. It’s easy to pull one over on them. Half of them think I want to be friends with them already. Just because I say nice things? I wouldn’t trust someone who just said nice things. You are smarter than they are, K’mar. That is why we are together. Because together we are smarter than all of them. Better than they are as well. And even if they never know it we will and we will be safe from whatever things they may try to pull on us.[/color] Since the day of the hatching K’mar had grown increasingly pleased with the way his Volsteath thought. All these turns and if he’d just played nice he could have gotten away with so much more. Now that he knew there was nothing to stop him, them from getting whatever they wanted.

[dragon]

T'rad seemed to drag himself into the barracks. Between chores, lessons and just finishing up Paleoth's cleaning and oiling before dinner, the boy was tired and hungry. Paleoth's mood didn't help things either. The blue was grumpy over having to sit still and being bathed. T'rad flopped on his cot with a rather loud sigh of both exhaustion and frustration, though it was louder than he intended. Paleoth slowly walked in behind him, obviously upset at his bonded for the time being or atleast before he'd get distracted over something else and forget so easily as he always seemed to. There was no helping it, T'rad would have to wait it out.

He stretched out and placed his hands behind his head as he began to relax a bit, some of the burning aching in his muscles and joints already starting to ease. Out of the corner of his eye, he managed to catch a glimpse of K'mar and his brown. He heard of K'mar and what some thought of him, as well as witnessing a bit of it himself especially at the Hatching. T'rad had to admit he had no opinion on him that could be formed solely on his experience alone and the fellow weyrling hadn't done anything to him directly, yet, that would form any solid opinions. And T'rad was all about observing and forming his own opinions, his own curious nature usually getting the better of him. He decided to himself that a simple greeting, a conversation opener, wouldn't hurt and would give first hand experience needed.

T'rad shifted and slid up to a sitting position on the cot, back against the bed and legs spread before him. He turned his head just slightly so to register K'mar and so K'mar could register him. He threw up a hand slowly as some form of wave and smiled a bit. "Hey, K'mar", he greeted and allowed his hand to fall tiredly to his side. "Heck of a day it's been", he continued as he took his other hand and tried to massage some of the stress and tension out of the muscle there as he turned his head away from facing K'mar. Yeah, that would do it. That would be enough of a greeting and a conversation starter for pretty much anyone. Though he couldn't say for sure that this would start a conversation between them. Even so, this would suffice for T'rad.

Paleoth lay at the end of the cot, wanting to be out of his bonded's physical sight. He was a big, lumpy pile of blue at the end of the boy's bed and he wouldn't budge or be disturbed by anyone until he was ready to be cheerful. T'rad could get so annoyed over the moody behaviour of his dragonet. At most times Paleoth was playful, inquisitive, and full of energy but at times he could be like this or worse. Though T'rad would yet see worse.

[Invisible]

There was no expectation of privacy in the dorms. Yet somehow K’mar was rarely bothered by the other weyrlings. Most likely because he could speak sharply without thinking about it and often seemed to have an air about him that made it seem as if he felt he was better than the others. Perhaps because he had spent his life waiting to get here. Whatever the reasons it meant he was surprised to be addressed by one of his fellow weyrlings while going over the records laid out on his cot. Setting down the one he had been studying he looked up and found T’rad, offering a nod to the bluerider. “Good evening,” he replied with a quick glance to where Volsteath was. “They are quite busy aren’t they? Our days I mean. Always one more thing to do.”

K’mar managed without trying to make casual small talk seem stilted. He was just not very good at seeming to be friendly. This would be because he had never tried and was not finding it an easy thing to pick up. Luckily Volsteath was there to help things along. He crept into Paleoth’s mind like a sneak thief and was nothing but gracious even so when he said Good evening to you, Paleoth. It is a fine day we have had I think. You are looking well.[/color] How good he was for not mentioning that gloomy cloud of a mood the blue seemed to carry in with him. He was not the sort of dragon to pass a chance up for making contacts that might be of use later.

[dragon]

A response. T'rad hadn't truely expected such a thing, but with so little to go on he wasn't shocked that he got a response either. "Indeed. I didn't expect weyrlinghood to be so busy, but when you're on the outside looking in I suppose there's no true understanding until you're in the situation", T'rad spoke, his tone casual. Conversation and social skills, while not his best qualities, certainly weren't his worst. The best part of this conversation would be to get a better view of the weyrling whom quite a number seemed to keep their distance from. But T'rad was bold and curious. As a weyrbrat he would get in much trouble and he was often scolded or chased by the headwoman or the kitchen workers or others. At such a time, things seemed so much simpler. "One can only guess it gets harder from here on out and the best way around it is to adapt or adjust over time", he mused aloud, aiming it at K'mar.

Paleoth was still annoyed with his bonded. He didn't enjoy standing still for so long and being demanded to do so. He didn't much care if he was the cleanest or prettiest dragonet around, he wanted to do something fun. Bathing and oiling were decidedly not fun. The blue was surprised to find another in his mind, speaking to him. He was sure he gave off the air that he did not want to be disturbed. However, he recognized the intruder clear enough. It was Volsteath, the brown dragonet bonded to K'mar. The blue moved from his position and lifted his head. He figured a fellow clutchsibling was better company than his bonded at this moment. Though by the time the pair would go eat, this mood would be forgotten and Paleoth would be a full and happy blue. Hello Volsteath. I suppose the day was fine, but it was a bit boring. The blue's voice was oddly bold and dominant for one of his coloring but a hint of either sadness or boredom was in the blue's mindvoice, it was hard to tell.

[Invisible]

“It would only be more so I imagine if we were in a Pass. Then we’d have to be really worrying about everything right away.” K’mar thought, sometimes, what a waste it was to be a rider outside of a Pass. Taking people hither and yon, running messages, and competing in games was not what he thought a dragonrider should be doing during his days. But, you couldn’t change when you were born and better a rider during an Interval than never a rider at all. “There is plenty to learn, but at least I’dalyn seems a good teacher. His father certainly wasn’t from what everyone says.” He cast a careful glance around to be sure he wasn’t overheard. Rumors may say the current weyrlingmaster did not get along with his father, but that didn’t mean it was safe to speak ill of him.

Volsteath turned his full attention upon Paleoth and even then he still seemed to be slipping into that boredom and grief to leave words and then be gone once more. A day does not ever have to be boring, Paleoth. There are many ways to pass the time even when one cannot be doing something.[/color] He did not offer up suggestions, just did his mental slither out of the blue’s mind leaving a hint of something missed behind. If only Paleoth knew what he knew there might be a party every day. If only he would ask the brown who would, of course, be ever so happy to help him. For a favor.

[dragon]

T'rad nodded in agreement. "True enough. Then this would seem but a trifle, I assume", the bluerider folded his arms and thought on it for a moment. If he thought this was hard, just how much harder would it be during such a time? Though he had to admit, being born in such a time would allow him what he needed to prove that he could live up to the legacy of his dragonrider blood. But there was no point pondering any further on such a thing. Such a time didn't exist and there was nothing he could do to change that. It would be unnecessary. T'rad's ears perked at the mention of the weyrlingmaster. "Interesting", T'rad said with a bit of a smirk. Perhaps the reaction would give off an air of devious intent, but T'rad was no such fellow. Not anymore anyway. But such a rumor would likely prove worthwhile to look into, it certainly peaked his interest and given T'rad's nature it would only be natural to look into such rumors. "I agree, however, I'dalyn seems to be a good weyrlingmaster indeed", T'rad responded, clinching the new subject material. By this time T'rad knew it would be best not to forefront with his opinion on anyone, the better idea would be for K'mar to point out such opinions first. If it happened he disagreed with the opinion, well, opinion was just opinion after all and they would just have to agree to disagree.

Paleoth was not so tactical in response. T'rad was the observer while Paleoth would react more with emotion and instinct. Paleoth wanted to know Volsteath's secret, the big blue was positive the slippery dragonet had one. What are these ways clutchsibling? Is it a game? Volsteath had Paleoth's attention now and the blue's cloudy mood was starting to slip away as he showed signs of life, raising his head and swishing his tail back and forth. If Volsteath was hiding a fun game from him, he wanted it. The dragonet was not desiring caution as he seemed to break down the front door for Volsteath. His voice was definently held a sense of commanding nature not often found in blues and any that Paleoth spoke to couldn't help but give the blue attention. Paleoth had an undeniable presence in anyone's mind, dragonet or person alike.

[Invisible]

Although he was now involved in conversation K’mar made no attempt to gather up what he was looking at from before. While he didn’t rifle through his hides while speaking he did glance at one or the other every now and again. Mostly he paid attention to the conversation, but if something caught his attention he might spare a glance. “It’s hardly a surprise. I mean, I guess if you’re raised by someone bad at a job you learn what not to do anyway.” That seemed like a politic sort of thing to say. A way to explain that the former weyrlingmaster had, according to what was said by some, been very much not good at his job. If anyone would know rumors about the man in that position it would be the man who had so desperately been waiting to get to where he is right now. “I hear it’s not that his father had the position so much as that the Weyrleader didn’t want someone older and more experienced in the role.” The brownrider’s shoulders shrugged as he added, “Whatever the case we could have done much worse I imagine.”

The brown was not the sort to twitch. Volsteath held himself very still unless he was trying to make a point. Since there was plenty of space for him by K’mar’s cot he was curled up to mark his spot. Should too many others come in he was likely to stretch out. It would be a single stretch followed by twice as much personal space being claimed. No, Volsteath did not twitch, but he did make statements with his movements. He also did not seem to notice that command in Paleoth’s voice. It was not Volsteath’s way to notice such things. He scurried around under and around such things. Peeking out from the shadows and while he would play the properly subservient brown he would not do so to the blue. A game? Perhaps it could be called a game. There is much to learn.[/color] Now his voice takes on a more conspiratorial tone. As if he is sharing this with Paleoth alone and none other shall ever know his secret. I would be most honored to teach it to you then. It is not difficult, but it requires the utmost concentration.
[/color]

[dragon]

"Either that, or you become blind to the right way to do the job", T'rad remarked, giving another option. T'rad listened on at K'mar's words about the former weyrlingmaster and the one they had now. "True. We could have faired far worse. And my given option doesn't seem to be the case. From just hearing the comparison of the two, it sounds as though he's got a right mind on how to do the job. He's handled lessons well so far", T'rad finally spoke up. He didn't cast aside his option, it wasn't completely wrong yet. It was early yet and the weyrlingmaster could slip up. Though it's not as though T'rad intended or hoped for this to happen, it was merely another option worth considering. Despite anything said or his fellow weyrling's previous actions, T'rad could already assume K'mar was very opinionated and held strongly to his opinions. K'mar also seemed quite intellegent and observant. It's not that he thought the brownrider wasn't smart, but he hadn't had much interaction with him firsthand either. More and more T'rad was forming his own opinion.

Concentration? Paleoth asked. That wasn't a word often associated with the dragonet. His mind would often wander and only found himself focusing on something if it were interesting. What would I have to concentrate on? Is it something fun? The dragonet's words, though inquisitive, still held firm and bold as he spoke. Paleoth wondered what it was that Volsteath knew and he didn't. Was he keeping some bit of fun away from him? Well now he was offering so that only peaked his curiousity even more. He had to know and if it was interesting enough, if it were considered a game, then he would want to join in with his clutchsibling.

[Invisible]

Not sure that continuing a conversation about the Weyrlingmaster where he might pop in at any second was a good idea K’mar sought a subject change. Casting his mind back over the conversation that had occurred he touched a hide and asked, “Have you thought about after?” One hand waved around to encompass the barracks and, likely, all it meant to them. “I’ve been thinking on it. Between learning lessons. There is quite an endless supply of those at least.” Again he touched a hide laid out on his cot. “There is a lot to think about I suppose. Not that we’ve many choices like some.” Was it the right sort of conversation? He wasn’t sure if speaking of the future was a good idea or not. It sure beat gossiping he supposed.

It can be fun[/color] Volsteath told Paleoth. Concentration is often required to have fun. The whole of our enjoyment cannot be found in tripping from one thing to another.[/color] Not that Volsteath did not have his moments. Life was, after all, a party just for him and he meant to experience it all. But always, underneath that party, was the sense that there was more he could have. When I am bored I watch everything. The smallest thing can lead to greater entertainment later. I have always wanted to share this game. To pass on what I see and to have passed on to me what someone else sees. A-[/color] Here Volsteath paused to consult with K’mar for the proper word. A game. A competition. To see who sees the most.[/color] Which would be much fun, surely. Volsteath would share what he saw, but not all. And in return could learn what he might miss. It sounded fun to the sneaky brown anyway.

[dragon]

"Oh yes. Quite often, infact", T'rad spoke quickly and with honesty. Infact, the truth was, his mind was always on what would become of him after weyrlinghood and when he became a full fledged dragonrider. "Some people have a sense of expectation they feel they need to live up to and with weyrlings I assume it would be no different. It wouldn't be odd for even one such as myself to have expectations", T'rad spoke aloud partly musing again though directing it to K'mar. It was something he managed to observe over time. When one watched closely, you would find a general connection in humanity. A goal or expectation was common amongst human beings, even dragons. Though his smile did fade a bit at the thought of some having the chance to progress farther than others, but this was quickly cast aside. "True that dragonriders such as ourselves wouldn't progress as far as, say, a bronzerider but we still have expectations to meet just like any other. I will likely never see the position of a wingleader, it'd take something completely unpredictable for such a thing to happen, but it doesn't stop me from reaching any other expectation. A wingleader needs brownriders and blueriders like us. Without our support, they'll crumble. I believe some would find satisfaction in knowing this", T'rad went further. He would have liked to be a wingleader, true, but now he had another goal to meet. To be the best bluerider in any wing he was put in. Each wing needed every color to perform their duties well so they could function. If T'rad could work on being the best in what he could do, then he'd become the best bluerider. It was as simple as that. Anyone could have ambition, it was how you went about it.

So what you're saying is...pay attention to every detail? And paying attention to such things will lead to greater amusement? Paleoth was basically repeating the brown's words, but he had to understand them in the way he thought and phrased it. He was starting to like this idea. If he paid attention to every detail of his surroundings, he might find even more things that would entertain him. Perhaps he would find more games that he hadn't played before. These thoughts excited him and the gloom and doom that once covered Paleoth like a giant blanket was now gone, completely without a trace.

[Invisible]

“I try to think of what will come next, but it always seems so far away,” K’mar said with a slight grimace. His eyes took in the barracks and he shook his head. “It seems like forever until we get out of here. I do not mind the lessons at all, but the lack of privacy.” Shaking his head he glanced at one of his hides. “There are people I would be more than happy to not be living with. Not to mention with the new weyrwoman it makes it extremely uncomfortable.” Possibly for her even, but he doesn’t seems to be acting overly concerned about her comfort. Why should he? She’ll have more than enough once she graduates.

Oh, yes. Every detail[/color] Volsteath tells the blue with such sincerity. It is, truth be told, a slippery sort of sincerity, but he cannot help that. There is still that fun in the background which coats all his words. The more you notice the more you can do. It is terribly sad to miss some fun just because you were not paying attention. [/color]

[dragon]

Oh, yes. Every detail Volsteath tells the blue with such sincerity. It is, truth be told, a slippery sort of sincerity, but he cannot help that. There is still that fun in the background which coats all his words. The more you notice the more you can do. It is terribly sad to miss some fun just because you were not paying attention.


"With expectations and goals come the journey. Some say that is the most important aspect. But I agree. The ambitions seem a bit far off. It seems like just yesterday we became bonded to our dragonets. Now we're striving for full dragonrider status. We've just started out and it's such a long way to go. We can't even ride our dragons or anything", T'rad spoke, agreeing with K'mar. He did like the idea that the journey was the most important aspect but if there was one thing he was impatient about, it was becoming a dragonrider. Muse, ponder, and examine all he like, T'rad wasn't getting there any faster and certainly not at the speed he wanted. He didn't fancy the lack of privacy either, though he'd leave this part of the conversation out. It was obvious he'd want such a thing. No mention would really be made of the junior weyrwoman either. If a conversation with her came up, then so be it but for now he'd let it drop.

I agree. Paleoth's response was excited. His brother had now given him a secret to have even more fun than before. Though what the brown mentioned was a bit like T'rad's way of thinking. The bluerider had a way of observing and analyzing that was unlike some. But unlike Volsteath, there was no hidden meanings or slippery thoughts. It was simply T'rad being T'rad and enjoying life his way. Now the dragonet would be more like his rider and Volsteath. The blue became very happy about this. As though he got a special invitation to some club that Volsteath and T'rad were apart of. Now he would be just as observant as the two. No! He would be more observant! Now he made it into a contest. He would beat Volsteath and T'rad at their own game. His tail swished furiously with playful intent. Even T'rad picked up on Paleoth's good vibe and his mood was affected by it as well, feeling a bit of a high. Paleoth had this affect. Sometimes it was a curse and other times it was a gift.

[Invisible]

It was easier to be comfortable around T’rad than it was around some of the others. K’mar especially had trouble with the greenriders. It was uncomfortable to be around people he might wind up in bed with. It caused him no end of sleepless nights even thinking about it so he tried not to. The thoughts of what to do after graduation took a lot of his time. After all, as a brownrider he did have some choices. Volsteath still thought he should be trying to find a place as a wingsecond. Which was why he sat here with hides on formations. Which were not nearly as exciting as they might sound. “I was just looking over these,” he finally says after a lag occurs on his part in the conversation. “I got them from records. On different wing formations. So we’re more ready when we do get to start flying and so lessons make more sense.” He did not offer to share them with the bluerider but neither did he try to make it seem as if he would not.

We shall play the game then?[/color] Volsteath asked the blue with a quiet surge of something in his tone. Something that was hidden without being hidden. Out in the open to share without being explained. He was pleased to have nearly made his plan work. He also noticed the change in mood of the blue and told K’mar He should be pleased now. I have made Paleoth better.[/color] The brownrider spared a glance for where Volsteath and then Paleoth were. We can start with dinner, yes?[/color] Volsteath asked of Paleoth as if he'd said nothing to his rider.

[dragon]

"Ah yes. I've stopped by there from time to time and read up on some things. Though it would be useful to do so more often now, being a weyrling and all", T'rad spoke, his tone still casual. The brownrider had stacks of things to read it seemed, but none were offered nor denied to him. The sensible thing would be to wait until they were up for grabs again and read or simply go and find something else to read, but he certainly didn't need to ask or borrow anything from anybody. "I wonder about going between though. I can't say it's a lesson I fear to learn, but it has obvious risks. Any of our class, including us, have even the smallest chance of being lost. It's really something to ponder over", T'rad spoke, transitioning the conversation from one future lesson to another.

Paleoth, meanwhile, already had his mind made up. Yes, we shall play! The dragonet's words held excitement but there was something more to it. The dragonet wouldn't wait until dinner. He would start at this very moment. He would look over every movement made, would listen to every word spoken, and every action taken. Paleoth was going to win this game by getting a head start. No, wait. Volsteath had already started without him, technically so did T'rad, for they thought this way already. However, he would keep the secret to himself and perhaps it would give him an advantage to the game, neither opponent expecting him to start so early on. T'rad was the easiest to track without being caught. Any of his rider's actions and words and even some thoughts could be monitored without anyone noticing and given the limited number of things to pay attention to at the moment, the blue figured he was on a good start.

[Invisible]

The idea, it would seem, was all that K’mar wanted to plant into the other weyrling’s mind. That there were these hides and he might avail himself of them. The return on it would come so long as T’rad remembered it was K’mar who had suggested, in his roundabout way, that the bluerider get a head start on things. This was the sort of thing, he thought, that Volsteath meant. “I worked in records mostly.” Before impressing, but it’s not as if that were not a given. “I had looked at some, sometimes, which helped me learn where they were and their order. I’ll have to return these in another day or so.”

At the mention of future lessons K’mar grew thoughtful. “Well, we’re not even flying yet so I haven’t given between much thought.” Now he did and many of those thoughts were grim. He wondered if any of the weyrlings would not make it. In his head where he would share it with no one he began to lay odds on each weyrling. The odds were good not all of them would make it. It’s not as if they were all worthy of being riders anyway. A mistake is what some of the choices were. “Still,” he said out loud as if none of those thoughts were occurring, “Dragons were meant to go between. I’m sure things will be fine.”

Volsteath shifted his weight some when another weyrling pair entered the barracks. A preemptive move to make sure his space was not invaded although the two new arrivals made no move to get closer to where the brown was. That is good. I was afraid I would find none worthy of playing the game with me.[/color] Always Volsteath played to the ego of those he spoke with. Everyone had an ego, everyone wanted to be told they were special. If it made the brown’s life easier to play to that he had no problem. Besides, wasn’t every good brown there to support?