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Post by Kit on Jun 8, 2010 21:54:48 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, I know it must be hard to let them go. But I'm sure they'll be happy and safe in the weyr. Our Candidate Master is a stern man, but for all that he is much beloved and respected by all his charges. You have nothing to fear. And pretty soon, they'll be back to visit you on their own dragons, and won't that be a sight." She smiled at the man gently. It was nice to meat people like him, that gave their all every day and still were kind and generous. People like that gave her good feelings about the future.
"So how is Crooked River this turn? I haven't been back since winter. It looks to be prospering."
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Post by sorra on Jun 9, 2010 14:58:31 GMT -5
Caltex shook his head slightly. "It is hard to let them go, but I know I can't keep them here. They need to be out on their own and making their own choices." He smiled a little. "I'm glad to hear the Candidate Master is nice and I can't wait to see them both on dragons. When Sertex first saw dragons that was all he could talk about for sevendays on end." He chuckled a little as he remembered his young son running through the house talking about dragons. And then of course Calyssa had imitated him like she always did when they were little.
"Crooked River is doing very well this Turn," he answered. "Can't complain. We've had fine weather."
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Post by Kit on Jun 9, 2010 17:44:27 GMT -5
"There is something amazing about dragons. I used to dream about it as a child, but by the time I received my Search token I had nearly forgotten it. And then to have Kaitoth, it was more than even my best childhood dreams. Although, my mother was a little scandalized to see me on a blue," she said laughing.
"Glad to hear it. I haven't seen my father yet. I'm sure he'll find Kaitoth and wait for me though." As if on cue, she had a disorienting moment of seeing through Kaitoth's eyes again. Yes, there was her father and stepmother. Tevin was trying to coax Indra out of hiding. For all her mischievousness, the little gray wasn't fond of strangers. Abruptly, her vision returned to normal.
Your sire wants to know if you will be long.
No, I shouldn't be here much longer. It was unusual for a rider who had no eye problems to use their dragon's eyes so often, but Tesni had been enthralled by the idea when she had first heard of it, and she and Kaitoth had done their best to learn to use it consciously. It was actually very helpful, if you could get over the slight feeling of vertigo.
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Post by sorra on Jun 9, 2010 21:09:38 GMT -5
Caltex chuckled. "I don't think Sertex has grown out of that feeling yet. And I'm sure being at the Weyr will only heighten it." He smiled. He couldn't have been prouder of his children. "The dragons choose who they will," he said. "Even if some people may not agree with the color."
He shook his head. "If I know your father he'll come looking for you soon," he said.
Just then Sertex and Calyssa jogged back into the kitchen. "Sorry it took us so long," Calyssa apologized as Sertex adjusted his bag on his shoulder.
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Post by Kit on Jun 10, 2010 0:00:59 GMT -5
She smiled at Caltex's words. It was nice to find a holder that was tolerant and respectful of dragonkind. Many parents would be horrified if their child Impressed a color they felt was inappropriate, like a boy Impressing a green. Her own mother was yet to be convinced she didn't have some secret desire for females. Not that Tesni gave a whit what her mother thought, but it was certainly annoying. The rest of the world had their stereotype, but you expected that your mother would really know you.
"Its fine, your father and I have had a good chat. Now, you can say goodbye to him now if you want, or he can walk out to Kaitoth with us." Some kids liked to have their goodbyes more private.
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Post by sorra on Jun 10, 2010 9:55:58 GMT -5
Caltex looked over when Sertex and Calyssa reappeared. He smiled at his children, hoping their new life in the Weyr was good. Shards, he was going to miss them though. It was a shame none of them had firelizard. At least they could have kept in touch that way.
Calyssa ran over to her father and hugged him tight. "I'll write you," she whispered.
Sertex shifted uneasily. He loved his father, but he figured he'd just wait until Calyssa was done.
"Is it alright if I walk them out?" he asked, looking up at Tesni.
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Post by Kit on Jun 11, 2010 23:15:17 GMT -5
"Of course." she replied with a smile. "Lets be off then." She led the way out to the courtyard where Kaitoth had acquired quite the crowd around him, which she pushed through with impunity. The blue dragon had his head craned down to a dark haired man, looking for all the world like a tall human deep in conversation with a small child. Tesni jogged the last few yards to embrace the man, who looked quite a bit like her in the face but his skin was olive-toned and his slightly graying hair was black.
"Dad. Thanks for the help with the kids. Itzal showed me you'd sent them along." the brown was sitting on Tevin's shoulder looking very proud of himself.
"Well, how did it go, any success?" Indra creept out from hiding between Kaitoth's legs to settle on Tesni's shoulder and nuzzle her cheek. Itzal, jealous of the attention, left Tevin to alight on the other shoulder to do the same.
"Yes, Sertex and Clyssa here have both been Searched, we're going to leave for the weyr straight away. I'll just let them have a last goodbye with their father before we go."
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Post by sorra on Jun 12, 2010 8:22:44 GMT -5
Caltex stood up and draped an arm over both his children. Calyssa snuggled against her father's side. Sertex was still trying to be strong, but he finally gave in and leaned against his father. The small family followed Tesni out to where Kaitoth was waiting.
They injured the crowd around the blue and acted like they were the only ones there. Caltex stopped his children and knelt down in front of them.
"Remember, this isn't good-bye," he smiled, tears of joy in his eyes. "We can write and as soon as you Impress and learn to fly you'll be able to visit." He dashed at his tears. "Your mother would be so proud."
"Daddy," Calyssa whispered, her voice tight with emotions. She threw her arms around her father.
He glanced up at his son. "Ser? Come here." Sertex moved into his father's arms and buried his face for a minute. "You two take care of each other. I love you both very much."
"We will," they both whispered. "And we love you too."
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Post by Kit on Jun 13, 2010 15:36:17 GMT -5
Tesni and Tevin watched the children bid farewell to their father. "Well, I hope Kaitoth's record isn't broken on these two. The sooner they Impress the better," Tesni said to her father quietly who nodded his agreement and gave her a quick squeeze around the shoulders. She returned his hug and said more loudly. "Well, dad it seems like we'd best be going. Say hi to everyone else for me."
She walked up to the two youngsters then and smiled. "If you'll just hand me your bags, I'll clip them on Kaitoth and we'll be ready to go."
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Post by sorra on Jun 13, 2010 19:20:17 GMT -5
The small family pulled away from each other when they heard Tesni. Sertex wiped at his eyes, trying to banish the tears. He wanted to be strong for his sister and father, but it wasn't working. Truth be told he was a bit scared and he was worried about leaving his father.
"Dad?" he asked hesitantly.
"Go," Caltex smiled. "I'll still be here whenever you guys get a chance to come back. Your mother would be so proud of you." He ruffled his son's hair and hugged Calyssa before the twins moved away.
"We're ready," Calyssa said, handing her bag to Tesni, a few tears present in her eyes.
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Post by Kit on Jun 14, 2010 14:05:17 GMT -5
Tesni took their bags and put them in the side nets that Kaitoth carried for exactly this purpose. "All right, well, thank you Caltex. I'll be back to get you for the Hatching. Now," she turned towards her charges. "I have riding straps for both of you. You don't have to wear them, but it is safer. Plus if you're clipped on, Kaitoth can show you some real flying."
She didn't give this offer to every Candidate. Some were plainly too timid to do anything but the most gentle flying. But these two were made of sterner stuff, she thought, and they needed something to cheer them up. She grabbed the two extra sets from the cargo net. "You just put your legs through these hole, and buckle this around your waist. If it needs tightening around the legs, you just adjust it with these buckles." She handed each of them a pair. They might as well get used to them anyway, most riders wore their straps nearly all the time.
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Post by sorra on Jun 14, 2010 15:11:02 GMT -5
Caltex nodded and backed up a step. "I appreciate it, Tesni," he smiled as he watched her pack his children's bags. He smiled proudly. He didn't feel like he was losing them. He knew he'd see them again.
Sertex and Calyssa looked at Tesni in surprise. "Really?" Calyssa asked.
"That would be fun," Sertex answered.
The twins took the straps and watched as Tesni explained how to put them on. They both giggled as they helped each other get the straps tight in the right places.
"It's like doing up the runners," Sertex grinned, thinking of some of the rigging's they had to put on the animals.
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Post by Kit on Jun 14, 2010 23:19:10 GMT -5
Once they had their harnesses on, Tesni checked them to be sure they were secured. It wouldn't do to have one of them fall off. Kaitoth could probably catch them, but it was not something she wanted to test out. But all seemed well, and she knew the harnesses were sound, she had checked them over this morning.
"All right, now I'll mount first. You just watch what I do. Then when I'm ready, I'll give the thumbs up and you can follow, one at a time. That way I can help you if you need." She turned to her blue. He knew the drill, and he lowered his neck and bent his knee so she could mount easier. Tesni really no longer needed that assistance, but the Candidates would, and there was no reason to make them feel inadequate.
She stepped light on his knee and grabbed onto the riding strap, pulling herself up until she could reach the neckridges, which she used to pull herself into position straddling Kaitoth's neck. She clipped her caribiners onto the metals rings of the riding straps and then gave the thumbs up before leaning over Kaitoth's side to watch their progress. She didn't forsee any problem. They were both young and bold, and Kaitoth was not large.
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Post by sorra on Jun 15, 2010 8:30:25 GMT -5
Sertex and Calyssa grinned proudly when Tesni didn't have to make many adjustments on the straps. The twins were still walking on air over being Searched and they wanted to learn everything they could.
They watched quietly while Tesni mounted Kaitoth. They looked at each other once Tesni gave them the thumbs up. They both knew how to ride runners, but Kaitoth was a lot bigger then a runner.
"You go first, Cal," Sertex said, standing behind his sister. He wanted to make sure that she was between him and Tesni. He felt safer that way.
Calyssa nodded and walked over to Kaitoth. She carefully stepped up on his knee. "Thank you kindly, Kaitoth," she smiled as she tried to imitate Tesni.
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Post by Kit on Jun 16, 2010 15:45:49 GMT -5
Tesni watched Calyssa climb, and reached down to grab the girl's hand and pull her up once she could reach. "Now, see those metal rings on the straps? You just clip your belt to them. There are four rings per person."
Looking down, she waved to Sertex, indicating that he should come up. Through their link, she could tell that Kaitoth was excited to show off his flying skills. He was having a hard time holding himself still to let them mount.
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