Weyrlings in the Living Cavern

Jorenan does a decided double-take when he realizes what he took to be Madelynda was, but... not quite as he'd expected. "Uhhhh, are those your straps? And do you want something to eat or drink? I can bring it for you. You look like you're about to be really busy."

Marina grins at the weyrling struggling with her straps and slides her own strap making tools over to make room for Madelynda. "Come on and sit over here, that way I'll be able to help you if you get in trouble." In a low whisper she says to Jorenan, "Weyrlings on the other hand take several sevendays to make a decent pair."

Liz spots Madelynda among the crowd and makes a bee-line for her. Her own roll of straps in hand.

Jorenan nods to Marina, his expression never changing an iota. It only makes sense, after all. Weyrlings have to learn. He looks back at Madelynda, waiting to see what she says.

Madelynda looks very relieved as both Jorenan and Marina make wonderful offers, and her smile indicates her joy and acceptance of each one. Laboriously, she collects the mound of misbegotten leather -- they are clearly the work of an unskilled weyrling -- and sets them down in the space cleared by the brownrider. "Thankye, ma'am," she says to her, only now remembering -- and able -- to salute.

Lucian walks in from the bowl. Lucian has arrived.

Marina crisply returns the salute and looks over at Liz with a raised eyebrow, still waiting for a salute from that direction.

Madelynda spies Liz and gives her a weary nod and knowing smile. "I was actually, um, looking for you, ma'am. The weyrlingmasters say you make superb straps and might be able to help me with the buckles." She swallows nervously, eyes flickering sheepishly to Jorenan. "This is my eighth attempt."

Liz notices Marina and gives a salute, "Ma'am." she says softly.

Jorenan takes Madelynda's ecstatic look as enough of an invitation to get her some food. He collects her a bowl of stew (not of his make), bread, fruit, and a big mug of klah. He just grins at her last statement. He doesn't look appalled. To Liz, he cocks an eyebrow questioningly. "Want any?"

Lucian slowly, perhaps even hesitantly, steps into the cavern, hovering about the edge of the room. Quietly, his eyes sweep across the room and those present. Contented just to watch for a while, he leans against the wall and remains quiet.

Marina looks over at the man who just entered, "Hello there and welcome to Ista Weyr. Come join us for a mug of klah?"

Liz smiles at Jorenan, "Um, no thank you. I already ate."

Lucian smiles and pushes off from the wall. Glancing about with a hint of nervousness, he approaches and says softly, as if his voice would cause the cavern to crumble around him, "Umm, thank you, but no thanks, ma'am."

Marina returns Liz's salute and then grins to Madelynda, "Aye well Merien was right there. I used to do a fair bit of leather working before I impressed. Let's see now, the clasp is giving you trouble you say?"

Jorenan grins at the newcomer, too. "I didn't make it," he says quietly. "So it's safe to drink." He sits back down after putting Madelynda's food in easy reach.

Madelynda watches wordlessly, biting her lower lip subconsciously, as Marina walks away. Eyes following the brownrider, she smiles at the unfamiliar face as well, hopeful that the man will accept Marina's offer. When he declines and Marina returns, however, her attention returns to the task at hand. "Yes, the clasp, the clasp," she almost moans, as if the word itself gave her as much agony as the futile attempts to sew them on must have.

Madelynda looks up quite gratefully as Jorenan's offer of food comes into reach -- or does she look gratefully at his statement that the food wasn't of his making? Either way, she looks grateful, but keeps her attention obediently on Marina for the moment.

Jorenan glances back at Madelynda. "I sliced the bread," he says with a grin. "If it's sliced wrong, you can blame me for it."

Marina nods to the young man and then reaches over to take the clasp and strap from Madelynda. Noises like, hmm, ahh, ohh, err, hmm, come from her as she examines the clasp and the riding strap. "Take heart weyrling, you've got the right idea here but not quite the technique."

Lucian grins, relaxing a tad bit. "Thanks..."

Liz smiles, glanceing over the shoulders of the others to see the straps in question. She stands on tiptoe, since she is so short.

Madelynda half-smiles at Jorenan, looks at the bread, and nods approvingly. "Beautifully done, Jorenan," she says in a sincere tone. But she visibly winces at Marina's words, and sigh. "Aye, don't I know it, ma'am. Do you have any advice?" Her expression is almost desperate. "Phediath in/sists/ that she have 'perfectly lovely' straps." She looks very worried that she will be unable to provide them.

Lucian stays to the back and merely watches, keeping silent in order to gleam whatever knowledge he can from those present.

Jorenan has to chuckle. "That's what her dragon wants, too," he says, indicating Marina, "so I bet you've come to the right place."

Phediath> Channeth senses that Phediath sends a disgruntled vision of mangled, ill-made, and awful looking straps. << These were her first. >> Her tone, as well as her pretty but haughty snort, is quite disgusted at the sight.

Marina holds the strap up so both Madelynda and Liz can see. "This part here needs to wrap around the base of the clasp to secure it. The hole you've cut here for the latch is abit off center but that isn't a big problem, just take a spare piece of hide and sew it over the side of the hole while you cut the other side bigger. Noone will notice." She winks to Madelynda. "Then, when you've got the strap looped through the clasp make sure you double stitch it for extra strength and security. Here", she hands over a thick needle, "this is strong enough to go through two folds of hide easily."

Dragon> Phediath senses that Channeth's tone sounds aghast. << Those would not due for a queen. My rider will show yours how to do it right. >> He projects a picture of his own straps with some vine like carvings down the side and Ista's crest carved just below where the rider sits. << Maybe your rider could tell mine a little bit about appropriate dressing though? >>

Madelynda's mouth forms into a silent "oh" as she takes in Marina's instruction. "Oh! All this time I thought it was the sewing of the strips that made it come undone, and that I had to cut a new piece! It's been the hole the entire time?" Her expression changes from intrigue to embarrassment at this seemingly simpler error, and she frowns. Taking the needle, she says gratefully, "Thank you, ma'am. I knew you could help. Thank you."

M'hryn walks in from the bowl. M'hryn has arrived.

Marina slides the straps and clasp over to Madelynda again with a smile. Next she turns on Liz, "So, have you any ready for inspection?"

Liz moves forward, placing a roll of leather on the table, "Yes, ma'am. I think these are almost done, except for the buckles. I've done one, but I'm unsure exactly what is required."

Phediath> Channeth senses that Phediath seems to pull a vision of Marina from her rider's mind and contemplates it for a moment. << I think she is quite lovely. But yes, her clothing. I shall tell Madlyn. But I shall tell her very inconsequentially. >> She says this last word very proudly, as if holding its use in high regard and pride, but she clearly has no idea what it may mean.

M'hryn walks into the living cavern, burdened by what looks to be a large pile of cloth in his arms. A white sleeve dangling between his arms though makes it apparent that his burden are actually clothes.

Phediath> Channeth senses that Phediath rumbles curiously, still considering the image of Marina. << But I cannot see her properly. I would like to see her in person. That way I may examine her more closely. >>

Jorenan just gets up and gets M'hryn a mug of klah before he asks. He looks like he's going to need it. In fact, he brings the pitcher over, and enough mugs for those who don't yet have it.

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath rumbles curiously. << Channeth wants me to look at his rider. I will go see her. >>

M'hryn dumps the clothing down on the weyrling table, careful to keep the pile away from everybody else then looks at the mug... then the pitcher. "What's this?" he asks. It wasn't there a moment ago. His eyes go to Jorenan.

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth rumbles in recipical curiosity, << Channeth? >>

Dragon> Talibenth bespoke Ista Weyrling dragons with << I like seeing hers. >>

Dragon> Phediath senses that Channeth's tone suggests some mirth. << That would be much appreciated. You're rider has grace and elegance which mine lacks. I think she is lonely because of that. >> Just like a dragon to be blunt.

Ista Bowl> Phediath lumbers at a rather quick lumber toward the living cavern, eyes intent as her large feet thump on the earth. Her wings flutter with some concentrated thought.

Ista Bowl> Talibenth arrives from the northwest, near the corrals. Ista Bowl> Talibenth has arrived.

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath continues, clearly intent on this errand, toward Channeth's rider. << You like seeing whose, Talibenth? >> But the question is soon forgotten, she's so intent on inspecting this rider of Channeth's.

Ista Bowl> Dioth curiously follows Phediath, wondering where she'll be going, but it sounds interesting.

Jorenan looks at M'hryn as though he's daft. "Looks like klah to me," he says. "You might want to pour it for those as haven't got any. Or I could, if you want me to."

Madelynda watches Marina closely, as if intent to absorb her skills and instructions. Ista Bowl> Phediath travels southeast towards the living cavern. Ista Bowl> Phediath has left.

Phediath> Talibenth arrives from the center of the bowl. Phediath> Talibenth has arrived.

Phediath> Dioth arrives from the center of the bowl. Phediath> Dioth has arrived.

Phediath> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath is clearly intent on seeing Marina, the image fading in her mind. << I shall see her. >>

Marina unrolls the Liz's strap and looks at the main clasp which holds the two ends together. Giving the joins a forceful yank she tests the stitching and strength. "Good, this looks solid." She runs the straps through her fingers, deftly feeling along the stitches with her thumb. Finally she comes to the four joins with will attach the rider's harness to the straps. "Ah Liz, here you'll have to get four metal rings to re-enforce these holes." She holds up her own strap as an example - the rings she is refering to look like the rings which shoelaces go through.

Phediath> Talibenth follows Phediath, picking his way carefully across the bowl floor with a dignified gait.

Phediath> Channeth bugles to the young queen and croons a greeting to the other young ones.

Liz nods, "Oh, I see how that works."

Phediath sticks her face in from the bowl, and rumbles a deep basso greeting to the little folk inside.

Dioth sticks his face in from the bowl, and croons to the nice people inside.

M'hryn blinks at Jorenan, then smiles hesitantly. "Oh. I see it's, uhm, klah," he says tremulously as if he's not really sure what to do with it, but doesn't want to tell Jorenan that he's never had klah before and is actually a bit afraid to try it.

Phediath> Talibenth sits on his haunches watching larger gold and smaller blue poking their heads into the wall.

Liz nudges M'hryn, "I wouldn't try it." she whispers.

Madelynda blinks up suddenly to look at the bowl entrance, face paling to a blank white as she sees her lifemate's huge wedge of a head peering in from the entrance. Her mouth works wordlessly for a moment, plainly aghast.

Marina smiles reassuringly to Liz as she hands back the straps. "By Faranth! What are they trying to do?" She peers at the dragons sticking their noses in to the cavern.

Liz takes the straps mechancially, her eyes rivited on her lifemate's head, and Phediath too? Slowly she turns to Madelynda, her gaze questioning.

Phediath's blazing gold head swivles in an arch -- as much as it can, since the entrance is too small to do very much through it, especially with Dioth's head there too -- to turn her whirling eyes on Marina. After a moment of careful examination, a low and soft croon comes out of the deep recesses of her chest.

M'hryn stares at the entrance, clothing forgotten. "What are they doing?" he asks, his eyes going between entrance from the bowl to Madelynda to Liz and back again.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath examines the vision of Marina, clearer now that it's in the flesh and not from her rider's mind. << Ah. Yes. I see now. >>

Dioth's eyes lock onto Marina, looking her up and down. Then his eyes turn toward Phediath, a rumble coming from him. He attempts to move his head, but there is little space.

Dragon> Phediath senses that Channeth shuffles from one foot to the next with some excitement, << Well? What do you think? >>

Jorenan takes the opportunity that the distraction provides, and slips out of the cavern unnoticed. He trudges off, probably headed for his bed. Dawn baking comes early.

Jorenan walks down the corridor. Jorenan has left.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Talibenth rumbles, still watching gold and blue stick their heads into the bowl wall. << I don't. >>

Marina looks oddly at Phediath and Dioth. "Why are they looking at me?", she asks both Liz and Madelynda.

Madelynda finally begins to react, and she reaches out to Liz to grab her elbow. "By the Egg!" she manages to mutter, and attempts to drag her fellow weyrling with her toward the snooping weyrlings. "Phediath!" she calls, eyes looking around at all the watching eyes of the living cavern, and begins to try to push her lifemate out.

Liz glances at Madelynda, her eyes wide, "Why?" Then she notices Maddy's actions and trys to follow along, "Move it Dioth, you're not supposed to be in here."

Dioth rumbles a complaint, his eyes roving back to Marina one last time.

Phediath> Talibenth moves closer to the living cavern entrance, then lays down, stretching his body directly behind Dioth's and Phediath's parallel to the bowl entrance, so that if they back up, they will trip over the bronze (or step on him).

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath ponders the appearance of Marina, carefully examining her each and every part. << I like her hair. It is the color of the setting sun. Perfectly lovely. And her bumps are perfectly lovely, better than Madlyn's. Those things she wears on her body, however. They look rather inconsequential. >>

Phediath> Dioth swishes his tail back and forth, a bit angry at the summinary dismissal Liz is trying on him. Strangly it his something, What is that behind him.

Marina looks down at herself, quite self-concious now. "What? Channeth, what are they looking at?" Some exchange happens between dragon and rider.. "Wha.. what's wrong with my clothes?"

Phediath protests with a low rumble, eyes still intent on Marina. But she attempts to move her head out of the small entrance. She stops, one layer of eyelids blinking with confusion. Another jerk of her head, and nothing. Then, she bugles a loud and piercing cry as she realizes her head and Dioth's are firmly stuck in the small opening.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Talibenth latches onto something that is of endless fascination to the bronze. << She has bumps, too? What are those bumps? What are they? Are they fun to play with? And why does M'hryn not have them? I think he should. He likes them. >>

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth croons softly, << The cloth she wears is interesting. Why does she not where clothes like our rider's, Phediath? >> His respect for Phediath's knowledge is seemingly amazing.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath mind-bugles miserably, full of frustration and a tinge of anger close to fear, over and over again. << I cannot move! >>

M'hryn winces at the cry from the gold. "OW!" he yells, adding his own voice. "That's loud! Why'd she do that!"

Dioth rumbles plaintively, as his head is wedged next to Phediath's. He twists his head about, but nothing happens. Finally he settles for looking between Liz and Marina. Still curious, but now upset he bugles loudly.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Talibenth lifts his head up, eyes starting to whirl yellowishly. << WHy can you not move? >> he asks, his tone worried and confused.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth croons angrily. << Why is my head stuck? Why won't it move? >>

Dragon> Phediath, Talibenth, and Dioth sense that Channeth nods his head in agreement, << Indeed. She does not listen when I tell her to wear less baggy clothing. She would look better without. You will tell her right? >> His tone has a slight pleading whine to it.

Madelynda winces at the sound and blinks as she realizes what's happened, and stops pushing. "Oh! Oh! Dear, my love! It's all right! It's all right! Just calm down!" She looks like she's trying very carefully to concentrate her thoughts to emphasize her words, and it's taking all of her energy. Her eyes dart to the nearest rider, Marina. "Um, ma'am...I think she is stuck."

Phediath> Dioth 's tail begins to switch back and forth rapidly, almost whip-like. It seems that since he /can/ move that, he's going to continue, just so it doesn't get stuck.

Liz gently runs her hand along Dioth's leg, the part she can reach, anyway, "Now, now, Dioth. We'll think of some way to get you out." The looks she give Maddy clearly asks, 'Won't we?' She rests her forehead against Dioth, trying to calm him.

Marina, still self-conscious of her appearance, wraps her riding jacket tight around her body and walks over to the situation. "Umm.. hmm.. I think Dioth is going to have to back out first."

Phediath warbles anxiously, jerking her head now and then in hope that the situation has somehow changed in the passing seconds, but the movement does not dislodge her. She seems wrapped up in her own escape, but since she is stretched into the living cavern further than her blue clutchmate, manages not to hurt him.

Dioth gives one last buggle, before settling down a bit. He begins twisting his head different ways, trying to get it loose.

M'hryn looks between his two fellow weyrlings worridly. "Uhm..." His eyes go to Marina and he nods. "Dioth is, uhm, smaller. Maybe he can, uh, wedge himself out?"

Liz softly suggest, "Perhaps if Dioth lowered his head, maybe if he got it back to where he put it in, he could get it out?"

Madelynda nods urgently at the suggestion, gently stroking Phediath's leg in her attempt to calm her. "Aye, Liz," she nods her and Marina, then looks up at Dioth. "Um, please?" She seems to be catching a bit of her lifemate's panic, but then again, who wouldn't?

Marina nods to Liz, "That might work. Could he pull his arm out first? That might give him some more room. And really Phediath, settle down and stop squirming."

Dragon> Talibenth bespoke Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons with << I could flame the hole. Maybe that would make it wider? >>

Dioth calms considerably, his trust in his rider over-riding his fear of cramped movement. He shifts his body around, scraping his arm, but managing to get it out of the LC.

Phediath whooshes hot air in a dragon-sized exhale, sending damp air to those nearest her, but stops her warbling. Frantically, all three eyelids blink as she tries to be patient.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth croons anxiously, << My rider says please don't. She says bad things would happen. >>

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath tries very very hard to be calm. << Thank you Dioth. >> Her tone, though distraught, is an attempt to be absolutely polite.

Phediath> Channeth's eyes start whirling faster with flecks of orange and red from the distress of the other dragons. He shuffles closer to see if he can help.

Dioth shifts about, lowering his head to a place he can get it out. As he starts to back up, he abruptly stops, unfortunatly before Phediath has enough room to get out.

Liz watches Dioth, a smile coming to her lips. Then he stops, "Uh oh." she says, before concentrating on the dragon, her lips moving silently, 'Why'd you stop?'

Marina blinks in alarm from a mental message from her dragon. Raising on her tip toes to see out the bowl she yells, "No Talibenth, please don't do that."

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth croons, "Now there is something behind me. I can not move backward now."

Madelynda blinks too, looking from Phediath to Marina to Liz to M'hryn to Phediath again. "What? What? Dioth can't move? Why?" She looks at a nearby drudge, who's gawking in terror, as if she can somehow find the answer.

M'hryn shakes his head at Marina. "No! He won't flame it. I haven't given him any firestone."

Dragon> Talibenth bespoke Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons with << What is behind you, Dioth? >>

Marina nods to M'hryn, "Good. Alright, now what seems to be the trouble? Channeth?"

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth croons, << A dragon, Talibenth, I think. >>

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath rumbles anxiously, trying to flick her tail back behind Dioth. << What is there? Is it inconsequential? >> Her tone is urgent.

Dragon> Phediath, Talibenth, and Dioth sense that Channeth flicks at Talibenth's tail with his foreclaw. << You must move, you are in the way. >>

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Talibenth's tail flicks back and forth. << Me? >> He seems incredulous. << I am just lying here. It is probably inconsequential like Phediath says. Because I cannot see what is blocking them. >>

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Faerth rumbles awake at all the noise and chitterchatter and gets a sluice of information barrages his vision and mind. He peruses thought for a moment, confers with Rykel and then blares out in a roar that is puncutated with an actual bugle. << You get yourselves and your riders back to the barracks at once! >>

Dioth croons anxiously, and obviously decides to step on whatever is behind him. A carefull step backward, on top of something and he is free of the hole, even if he is now standing on something.

M'hryn jumps as if a voice just yelled into his ear. He looks at Madelynda and Liz. "You gotta get them outta there!" he exclaims. "Faerth just told Talibenth Rykel wants us in the barracks now!" His voice comes in quick gasps and his face is very pale. Fear can do that.

Liz sighs, "They are getting out M'hryn. If you'd get Talibenth to move, it would go /alot/ faster."

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath balks at Faerth miserably. << I am trying! >> Then, as if seizing on the fact, she adds, << Talibenth will not let us. >> With that her tone actually turns a little... smug?

Marina looks sternly at M'hryn, "Now calm down weyrling, or you'll get them all excited again. Do you want Daria to come out here and take a strip out of you if these two start bugling in the living caverns again?"

M'hryn blinks at Liz. "What do you mean?" he demands, his voice lowering a bit. "Talibenth's not in the --" He stops, as if interrupted, then blushes. "Oh, jays, it is Talibenth. I'm sorry!"

Madelynda pales at M'hryn's cry, her own hands flying to her ears as she pulls on her hair. "Oh, no!" she mutters miserably. Then, a tone of betrayal in her voice, she whispers, "Faerth? It was Faerth?"

Dragon> Talibenth bespoke Ista Weyrling dragons with << It is not my fault! >>

Phediath tries another jerk cautiously, her eyes whirling quicker in some sense of alarm. This time, something happens, and she moves a little. With a long exhale of whooshing relief accompanied by a high-pitched and soft croon at her lifemate, she slowly and gracefully escorts her head and neck out of the living cavern.

Phediath> Channeth pokes at Talibenth's tail again but that probably is missed since the bronze has other problems right now... like a blue standing on him.

Phediath> Phediath begins to lumber out of the living cavern, feet falling heavily on the ground. Any moment now, and she will step on the bronze body of Talibenth if he doesn't move soon.

Marina watches the dragons pull themselves out and turns to Liz and Madelynda again. "Alright, now what is this about my clothes?"

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Talibenth BUGLES. << GET OFF ME, DIOTH! >>

Liz glances warily at Marina, "I think Rykel wanted to see us."

Madelynda sighs with relief and, not even hearing or saluting Marina, follows Phediath as she extracts herself out and into the bowl.

You walk outside, into the bowl.

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth warbles, << You are in my way, where am I to go? >>

Channeth trumpets in automatic echo of Talibenth's alarm but then notices the problem and rumbles with amusement.

Ista LC> Marina frowns and, still holding her jacket tightly around her body, follows the weyrlings outside.

Marina walks out of the living cavern. Marina has arrived.

Liz walks out of the living cavern. Liz has arrived.

Talibenth bugles, eyes flashing reddish yellow with his alarm. His tail whips across the ground and finally he just uses his superior size and weight and rises to his feet, knocking the young blue from him. Now on his feet, his wings snap out and he bugles at Dioth.

M'hryn walks out of the living cavern. M'hryn has arrived.

Dioth bugles angrily at Talibenth. Regaining his balance, albeit clumbsily.

Marina winces and rubs at her temples. "All this bugling is giving me a headache. Channeth, are you alright?" At a nod from the brown, Marina walks forward and scratches his headknobs lovingly.

Madelynda watches Phediath as she awkwardly walks backward. It seems walking backward is not something the weyrling dragon has practiced very often, for she looks simply awful and positively enormous doing it -- two things Phediath would hate to be. "Phedi! Stop!" she cries, as the two male dragons start bugling at one another. She covers her ears.

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Faerth is getting all his tone of frustration and anger straight from Rykel, who is in the /middle/ of a lesson with other greenshirts and her peevish nature is at it's hilt anyway. Faerth fairly snarls. << Talibenth, slide out from under Dioth. His talons will not hurt you. Dioth, lift your hind legs off Talibenth. You can rest some weight on your upper body for a moment. Do it. Do it quickly and do it soon, or else Rykel will 'have your heads for breakfast' >>

Dragon> Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Dioth croons anxiously, << Why didn't he move before? Why did he want us stuck in there? >>

Phediath stops as soon as her lifemate commands her to. Slowly, she arches her neck backwards to look at the bugling blue and bronze, eyes whirling as if this were all a pet peeve to her, as though she's thinking, They're all out, now. What's the fuss about?

Liz runs up to Dioth, "Please, Dioth, stop. You're going to get us all in trouble, you'll wake everybody up. Not to mention proclaim the incident to the whole weyr. Please stop, Dioth."

Dragon> Talibenth bespoke Channeth and Ista Weyrling dragons with << I have moved, Faerth! I knocked Dioth off me. And I did not want them stuck. I did not know I was in the way. >>

Dioth listens to Talibenth's claim before bugling again, angry deniel in his tone.

Madelynda's face finally catches up with the rest of her, and...it just completely falls. Slowly, she begins to shake her head as she looks at the scene, and leans against Phediath's haunch as if wanting to collapse there. "By the Egg, are we going to catch it this time..." She swallows painfully at the thought.

Dragon> Faerth bespoke Ista Weyrling dragons with << Be quiet. Do as I say and come back to the barracks at once. NOW. >> He is not really all that mad, but it's clearly emanating from Rykel and Faerth just passes it along. << Okay, good. NOW, you three. Come. >>

M'hryn looks between Talibenth, who has furled his wings and stands haughtily away from Dioth and Phediath, and Dioth. "Ow," he repeats, then pauses. "Oh, shells, Rykel's mad."

Dragon> Faerth, Phediath, Talibenth, and Dioth sense that Channeth snorts at the youngsters, << Settle down you are giving my rider a headache. Alright, now let us see what Faerth wants so that my rider can get settled for resting. >>

Madelynda looks up at M'hryn, nodding soberly. In her quietest voice, she utters, "She is very mad." With that, she begins to walk toward the barracks.

* * [At this point, all parties go to the weyrling barracks.] * *

Madelynda enters quietly, almost leaning against Phediath as she drags her feet reluctantly into the barracks. Her eyes don't even flicker to Rykel as she salutes her. Instead, she stands firm and upright beside her lifemate and looks at the floor, as though ready to accept the responsibility for everything.

Marina comes in, some distance after the weyrlings, and has huge mound of straps slung over her arms.

M'hryn stands near the entrance, hand over his chest, trying to catch his breath.

Rykel is all red-faced and fuming and huffing and she takes one look at Marina and exhales in one loud gush of air. "I'm sorry, but after you have dropped it off, you will have to go. Only Weyrlings in here." She looks like she's said that about five-thousand times. But lucky weyrlings, it calmed her down a bit. She turns and focuses her gaze on the three.

Madelynda finally looks up, eyes cold and ready for a beating.

M'hryn looks over at Liz and Madelynda, then looks back down at the ground, chewing nervously on his lower lip.

Liz doesn't look up, she keeps a hand on Dioth, hoping to forstall any further buggling. Her face is pale, but she decides not to say anything.

Marina looks at Rykel and nods. With a blank expression she dumps the straps at Madelynda and Liz's feet and then heads out.. was that a snicker from her retreating form?

Marina walks out of the huge opening and into the bowl. Marina has left.

Talibenth settles down complacently upon the stone floor, large bronze head resting next to his lifemate's elbow.

Rykel holds up a finger and points it at the three of the evildoers. Well, in her eyes anyway. Instead of blaring out her discourse on Why You Three Are Such Dimglows, she just jabs her finger, punctuating each word clearly. "No. More. Freetime. For. One. Sevenday." She sucks in a breath and jabs some more. "You. Eat. Here."

Phediath snorts. It is a neutral kind of snort, as if she refuses to take any responsibility, or is perhaps -- in her mind, at least -- above it. Nevermind that she was the one so intent to stick her wedge of a head in the living cavern in the first place. After all, she can always blame it on draconic short-term memory.

M'hryn's jaw drops. "But! We... I ..." he stammers. "We didn't do anything!"

Liz says nothing, she just leans against Dioth's side. Her hand rubbing the scrape on his leg softly.

Madelynda winces with each jab of Rykel's finger, eyelids fluttering as if afraid the finger will somehow detach itself from her hand and fly into Madelynda's eyes. But she does not protest. Rather, she continues to look at Rykel with those same cold and steeled eyes, nodding in acceptance of the punishment.

M'hryn looks at Liz and Madelynda, wondering why they're so strangely silent. He blanches at the look Madelynda bears, then quickly looks back at Rykel.

Rykel fastens her fired up stare on M'hryn and glares at him with that 'Oh you were saying?' look.

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Faerth says to Dioth. << Let your rider help you cleanse and heal your wound. Rykel said you must do it now. >>

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath snorts mentally as well. << But I wanted to see Channeth's rider. I do not understand that this was a thing to make Faerth's rider so red-faced. >> Her mind attracts the image of Rykel's jabbing fingers, and she rumbles protectively. << I hope those will not hurt Madlyn's eyes. They do not stretch like wings, do they? >>

Liz nods, seemingly to herself and moves to get a bucket of water. She quickly sponges off Dioth's leg. The wound isn't deep, but it is long.

M'hryn blanches even more at the glare from the weyrlingmaster. "Uhm, nuh-nevermind, ma'am," he quickly corrects himself. "I mean, uh, yes, ma'am. Or something." His voice trails off, but his expression is unhappy with this, which is to him, unfair punishment.

Madelynda continues to look at the weyrlingmaster quietly. "May we attend to our lifemates now?" she asks with extreme care and courtesy.

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Talibenth lifts his head to look at Phediath, then looks at one of his talons. << I would like it if my talons stretched like wings. >>

Dragon> Ista Weyrling dragons sense that Phediath considers her rider's thoughts curiously. << Madlyn has not been strong like this. I think she is beginning to learn something important. I am happy. >> Her mind is completely absent of distress about the evening's events; but is rather consumed by bluegreen thoughts of love and respect for her lifemate.

Rykel sees the sullen look from M'hryn and the martyred grimace from Madelynda and her nostrils flare. "I will explain this much to you. You need to be learning how to /control/ your dragons now. They are in their adolesence and are going to be pulling reigns from you as much as they can. This is so important for staying alive, don't you realize? They need to know to /listen/ to you unequivocally when you say so. It's simple: when you say jump, they say: how high." Uh oh, there's the finger, jabbing away at Maddy. "When you go on a mating flight and she is raging to eat the meat, you /must/ control her and make her only blood, else, she dies." Her tone is so upbraiding and harsh, but you can tell it's because she ultimately cares so very much. "Do you all understand now?"

Liz works on Dioth's wound, trying hard not to look at Rykel, though her voice penetrates Liz's thoughts regardless.

M'hryn doesn't particularly care -- at this point, later that will probably be different -- if Phediath gorges herself or not. "It wasn't Talibenth who got stuck in the living cavern," he mutters, meaning for it to be silent, but it comes out anyway.

Madelynda listens to Rykel, nodding. Her calm and guilty expression shows that all of these thoughts went through her mind, perhaps prior to Rykel having to put it into words. Very softly, she says, "Yes, ma'am. I am...sorry." Her voice cracks, barely, on the last syllable but she keeps her chin held high.

Rykel spins on M'hryn and the jab aims at him, even though he's farther. "Why do I have to speak at you like you are nothing more than Weyr littles? Do I need to treat you that way? One more thing out of that mouth, weyrling, and you get one more sevenday of eating in here with the carcasses. Get it? You need to listen and respect us as well."

Madelynda can't seem to take it anymore. She nods politely, then salutes Rykel with a firm and quick hand. "Thank you, ma'am." She bends over and collects the riding straps at her feet, then urges Phediath toward their couch.

M'hryn gets the finger jabbing at him now and he involuntarily takes a step backwards. He stares at Rykel, listening to her words and with a look that almost mimics that of Madelynda earlier, he completely disregards the warning and says, his voice caught between defiance and actual respect for the words Rykel spoke, "Yes, ma'am."

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