6.8.2707 Soaps On (attn all Candidates, Kiyoni)

[Kit]

Arktos strolled out to the lake, feeling unnaccountably nervous. He'd had this exact class many times before, but never had the dragon's rider held his interest in quite the same way. He stood on the lakeshore, fidgeting, while he waited for everyone to arrive. Forge sat on his shoulde, looking around with bright eyes.

Quindara trudged out to the lakeshore. Morning chores had been in the kitchen today, one of her least favorites. She ought to have been glad that class was outside, since the day was warm, but she was feeling restless and she wished she could be about her own business for once. Finding out more about that handsome bronzeriders for instance. She saw the others begin to gather around Arktos and she attatched herself to the back of the group, Shadow following silently.

Keravon ran out to the lake with his usual good cheer, his fair flitting around his head so quickly they resembled a multicolored cloud. Seeing the other Candudates gathering he grinned. Outside classes were the best. He was going to splash someone good. As he reached the others, he scanned the crowd for his brother, and shushed his pets with a hand. They settled around his neck and shoulders, jostling for space.

[Jazzeh]

Ferahar had a bit of a dilemma on his hands. There was a Candidate lesson that he had to be at very shortly, but he wasn't sure what to wear. He had been told today's lesson was at the lake, so he didn't want to wear anything that might get ruined by water. But he didn't want to wear any old rags either (not that he owned such things!) Least of all did he want to be late, though, so the time of decision was drawing nigh. With a soft grunt, he finally plunged his hand into the chest of clothes and pulled out a light blue tunic and a pair of navy pants. The fabrics were lightweight and breathable, but not the fine fabrics he usually chose to wear.

With a brief pat-down to make sure he was good to go, Ferahar left the Candidate Barracks and went towards the lake. He peered curiously at a very low-hanging cloud, which quickly changed shapes as the firelizards separated to settle on someone's shoulders. It wasn't until he had reached the group of Candidates, however, that he saw that the flitters had been his brother's. He wasn't sure he liked the mischievous grin on Keravon's face, as if he was planning his next prank already. Well, maybe his idea wouldn't be too bad this time. "Whatcha got planned now, Ker?" he asked in a low voice as he moved beside his brother.

[sorra]

Kiyoni was up earlier then normal that day. She was excited about the prospect of being able to Arktos again. Not to mention Elliwodth seemed to be in a good mood as well. Rivi sat happily on her shoulder as she fitted the straps to Elliwodth.

Do I really need the straps? the green complained.
Kiyoni laughed. We want to teach the candidates the right way, so yes you need straps and you'll shine when you're done.

The trio was soon gliding down to the Bowl. Kiyoni slid down Elliwodth's shoulder and walked over to Arktos. "Morning," she said cheerily as Rivi cheeped.

Sertex and Calyssa ran out of the barracks. They didn't want to be late for their lessons. They had loved everything about being candidates since coming to the Weyr and they wanted to learn more.

"What do you think we'll do today?" Calyssa asked excitedly.

"I don't know," Sertex answered. "But I can't wait!"

The siblings stared in awe when they joined the other candidates and saw Elliwodth. They grinned. This was going to be a good lesson.

[syn]

The candidate routine was simple, easy, plain. She had done it for years and still knew what to do. But that didn't stop her from doing each and every task again and again. Minette knew that she must follow the rules or be doomed to losing her status as a Candidate. That wouldn't do for her; for the longest time she wanted only to Impress the greatest dragon she could. Be it a sweet little green or a massive gold or a dragon like those funny fire-lizards, Minette swore she would one day face Thread.

And so the large girl ran down to the Candidate classes, her long, strong legs carrying her with ease. But when she realized the lesson was at the lake, she felt some rush of excitement. This was going to be much, much different from normal lessons. Minette hurried to the lakeshore and had to cover her eyes with her hand to keep the sun out of her eyes while she stared up and looked at Eliwodth's head. Such a pretty green... How Minette longed for one of her own.

She nodded her head with respect to both dragon and rider. Her clothing was dirty from cleaning kennels, and the trousers looked worn in the knee. Minette wouldn't mind getting them wet. From what she could gather, there would be a pretty green to wash. Minette bounced up and down on her feet, feeling a rush of childish excitement. She had helped wash Odeth before, but this would be something new!

"Minette, here to report," she said, trying to mask her glee.

[Kit]

Arktos smiled warmly as Kiyoni walked up to him. He felt the urge to embrace her but that would hardly be appropriate. "Good morning, Kiyoni," he said, "Thanks for coming." He then turned to his slightly unruly group of students, nodding at Minette as she addressed him. He made a shushing motion at them.

"This morning, if you haven't figured it out, you are all going to be washing and oiling a fully grown dragon. Kiyoni has kindly volunteered her lovely green Eliwodth. She is my friend, so do try and do a good job," he said with a smile. If anyone had bothered to look they would have noticed that the Candidate Master was barefoot and his canvas pants were rolled up to his knees.

"I know many of you have done this before, but for those who haven't you'll just have to bear with me. First off, if you are wearing anything you don't want wet or oily, I suggest you remove it now. Especially shoes." The Candidate Master removed his shirt, trying hard not grin rakishly in Kiyoni's direction.

"Now the first thing we do, since Kiyoni is a responsible rider who rode here in full gear, is to remove the dragon's flying straps. The leather does not like the wet. You will learn how to remove and put on riding straps as weyrlings so well you'll be able to do it in your sleep, but you may as well watch." He turned to Kiyoni, "If you would aid me?"

Quindara watched the whole thing passively, not even noticing what she would have before thought was an oddly cheery mood for the Candidate Master, despite the dark circles under his eyes. Her thoughts were far off and she was bored.

Meanwhile Keravon whispered surreptitiously to his brother. "Oh, I just thought, someone ought to get wet. Or several someones.." he said with a devilish grin. But he then turned to attend to Arktos, because, mischievous or not, not only did he respect the Candidate Master, but he wanted his own dragon fiercely and would take any information he could get. Though he had done this quite often.

[sorra]

"Of course," Kiyoni smiled. "Elli was really looking forward to it this morning," she assured as she patted her green's shoulder. Elliwodth crooned happily.

Elliwodth looked around at the candidates. It definitely seemed like a good bunch of young ones. They will do. I will be shiny! she exclaimed to her rider.

Kiyoni managed to smother a laugh at her dragon's enthusiasm. The search rider slipped out of her own boots and rolled up her pant legs. She had already put on an old sleeveless shirt for the day and pulled her hair up. She felt her face color just a bit when she glanced over at Arktos and hoped that none of the candidates had noticed.

Sertex and Calyssa listened closely. Neither wanted to miss a word. Sure, they'd washed just about any kind of animal one could think of, but not a dragon. And they wanted to make sure they did a good job.

"This is going to be fun," Calyssa whispered as she slipped out her boots and rolled up her sleeves. She had already chosen very old clothes.

"I wonder what all washing a dragon entails," Sertex said as he followed his sister's example. Although he added his shirt to the mix as well. They both looked back up when Arktos said about removing the straps.

Kiyoni nodded. "Of course," she answered as she moved around to where she could get the straps undone, but still make it so the candidates could see.

[Jazzeh]

Ferahar grinned back at his brother. "Good idea," he agreed, but there wasn't enough time to plan further. Arktos was speaking, explaining what this lesson was about. He glanced from the Candidatemaster to the Searchrider's dragon, sizing her up. Well no wonder they were all going to wash her! Dragons looked HUGE! Why he was making this assessment now, he wasn't sure, for he'd been around dragons for much of his life. But for some reason when you were faced with the prospect of bathing and oiling one, they seemed to be unreasonably large. Well, that just meant there would be more time to get the perfect splash in.

He peered closely as the greenrider began to unfasten the riding straps, knowing he'd have to be able to do it just perfectly before he could ride. Might as well start figuring it out now. He watched, too, as some of the Candidates followed Arktos' lead and began to shed their clothes. He wondered if he should do the same, but was also self-conscious enough that he preferred to keep his as-of-yet boyish build to himself.

[syn]

Yes!

Minette nearly tripped over herself as she began to remove her boots. This was one of the most exciting things about being a candidate--the chance to see other dragons besides her father's Odeth. The shoes came off and she tossed them aside. Her next task was to tie up her long brown hair. She usually wore a leather strip around her wrist for when she needed to tie the curls back, and now qualified as a time where it was needed.

Now ready to take to the water, Minette leaned forward just a bit, preparing for when the straps came off and the real fun began. If she appeared over-eager, she didn't care. It wasn't in her nature to care, either.

[Kit]

With Kiyoni's help, Eliwodth's straps came off quickly. And if Arktos stood a little closer to Kiyoni than he otherwise might have and his hand might have brushed hers more often than was strictly necessary, well probably no one noticed. Once the green was unclad, he turned back to the students.

"All right. Now that the straps are off, it's time to get into the water. But first, everyone should grab one of the brushes." He indicated a pile of wooden bristle brushes at his feet.
"Now, if the dragon was really dirty we'd use soapsand too, but it'll dry the skin if used every day. So it's just water and brush. You'll want to go into about waist-deep water, enought to get the dragon wet but not so much that you lose your leverage. Now, Eliwodth, if you would just go out in the lake and roll around till you're nice and wet?"

Keravon ran up to get a brush at once. He loved washing dragons, it was somehow soothing. He only half listened to the rest of the instructions though, he'd been at the weyr so long he was a pro.

Quindara grabbed a brush after most of the crowd had dispersed and continued to passively listen to the lecture. Her bad mood had lessened as she stood in the sunlight and she didn't really mind washing dragons, but it was a little boring.

[sorra]

Kiyoni glanced over at Arktos and shot him a soft smile that no one else could see since she had her back to the candidates. His occasional light touches when their hands met sent shivers up her spine, but she managed not to show that either. It wouldn't do to have the candidates realize anything.

Elliwodth shook happily when her straps were off. The green bobbed her elegant head as she splashed into the lake. Getting wet was great fun. The green ducked under the water and rolled to make sure she didn't miss a spot. Kiyoni shook her head with a laugh.

Sertex and Calyssa darted up to grab brushes. They couldn't wait to be able to learn how to wash a dragon. The twins stood beside each other and waited for Arktos or Kiyoni to tell them it was safe to go in. They both laughed as Elliwodth splashed around.

[Jazzeh]

Ferahar grabbed a brush as the Candidatemaster told them to and waited for the green to wade out into the water. She looked to be enjoying it quite a bit as she ducked under and rolled around in the water, spraying droplets everywhere as her wings came into sharp contact with the water's surface. Once she was good and wet, the boy cast a glance at Arktos, then at Kiyoni before he slowly began to walk towards the water. He had tried to wear his least expensive, least fashionable clothes, but he still worried about ruining them in some fashion, whether it was lake mud, an accidental snag from one of Elliwodth's claws, or some other mishap that might ruin his clothes. He didn't have any delusions of Impressing bronze and knew he wouldn't get very many marks in the Turns to come, so he really had to be careful of his clothing!

[syn]

Minette didn't notice the romantic hints flitting between Arktos and Kiyoni. She wouldn't have noticed unless they brought out a bright flashing sign that said "WE'RE A COUPLE". Subtlety was not Minette's strong point. But she did hear "get a brush" and so she grabbed a brush and stooped to remove her shoes. Then into the water she went, her large legs being raised high as she ran. This caused the others to be splashed. Laughing, she glanced at one of the other candidates. "This is great. Best lesson ever, am I right?"

Without any warning, the girl dove head-first into the water as soon as it had come up to her thighs. She emerged and whipped her long hair, enjoying the feeling of cold water run down her neck and back. She was waist-length finally, and the water felt good. Then she glanced at Eliwodth and, knowing some dragon etiquette from Odeth, bowed with respect. "It's an honor to be washing you today." Then she raised the brush, waiting for the next order.

[Kit]

Arktos just watched with an amused smile at the chaos that ensued once he told them to get the brushes. He should take them outside more often, they obviously needed to blow off steam. Even Eliwodth really appeared to be enjoying herself. Smiling at Kiyoni, he waded into the water after Minette's tidal wave had somewhat subsided.

"Thank you Eliwodth. Now, just take the brush and scrub in circles like this," he said, as he demonstrated on the green's shoulder. "Don't be afraid to scrub a bit hard if you see dirt. Dragon hide is tougher than you think and the scrubbing is enjoyable for the dragon. Of course if it was your own dragon, it'd be a bit easier, because they'd be telling you where they thought they needed scrubbed, but you'd being doing it all yourself. If you have firelizards, they're usually a good help as well." Forge gave a proud cheep from the his neck, the bronze often aiding in scrubbing Arkysk, even though the wher was not near to being the task that a dragon was.

"All right, have it," he said finally, standing back to sit on the shore, hopefully out of the line of fire for all the splashing that was sure to occur and motioning for Kiyoni to sit beside him.

Quindara waded into the blessedly cool water and positioned herself at one of the green's flanks, admiring the shine of her hide in the sunlight. She had always thought of greens as being rather silly beasts when compared to golds, but Eliwodth was lovely, she had to admit. She scrubbed the dragon's hips, allowed herself to get lost in the familiar motion.

Keravon grinned at his brother, nudging him as he positioned himself on the dragon's side and began to scrub, all his firelizards grabbing sand from the lake bottom to help, diving in and out of the water like shipfish. "So, who do you think we should get?" he asked in a low voice, the excitement over his planned mischief nearly overshadowing his happiness over touching the smooth dragon hide.

[sorra]

Kiyoni hid a chuckle as Minette splashed into the water. It was always great fun to watch the candidates during this lesson. And she was glad to see that her green was enjoying herself.

Elliwodth turned whirling blue eyes on Minette and bowed her head in answer to the girl's bow. She crooned softly and waited for the candidates to begin.

Kiyoni splashed out of the lake and collapsed on the shore beside Arktos. "They really seem to be enjoying themselves," she smiled. "And Elli is loving the attention."

Both Rivi and Storm grabbed some sand and set to work on cleaning the green. Rivi had helped Kiyoni many a times with Elliwodth and he loved helping out. It let him get wet and splash around without getting in trouble.

Sertex and Calyssa both set to work as well. They couldn't believe they were actually washing a dragon. Calyssa giggled as she watched Storm join in with the bathing.

"This is the best lesson ever," Sertex agreed with Minette. "It'll be even better whenever we can be washing our own dragons!" he said cheerily.

[Jazzeh]

The slightly older brother focused on scrubbing the green, swirling it in neat circles. He could hear the plops as firelizards entered the water, tiny droplets of water exploding from the surface as they came back up again. He took a moment to watch his brother's firelizards, grinning. He saw Keravon approaching and eyed him for a moment, trying not to give it away that they were plotting their next devious move. Better to keep everyone guessing, right? When Keravon asked who they should get, there was no hesitation, no consideration. Since the idea had been voiced, his mind had quietly churned, mulling over the list of possible victims.

"How about that her?" he said, gesturing to a tall, toned blond woman many Turns older than both of them. She was a healer, with a son to boot. But even then, she shouldn't have such a solemn look on her face! "She looks too serious," he explained with a mischievous grin. then his eyes flicked to his second choice. "Or there's always Quindara," he said, momentarily staring at the red-headed sister of the Weyrsecond.