[11.25.2707] Love in a Time of Dragons (lesson)

[Kit]

Arktos looked around the room, reading the expressions on each face. Most of them were frightened a bit, and it was only natural. Unfortunately there was really no way to convince them that the risks was well worth the reward, they had to experience it for themselves. "Now, I know some of you are worried that you won't be able to do this, that it is too different and difficult. But I assure you that once you Impress, you'll do anything for your dragon, and though it might be awkward, the love of a dragon to there rider is so deep and sure that you won't be as bothered by it as you might think. That said, there are choices available to most riders. Now, riders of Queen dragons, and probably breeding reds as well are required to be open flights. This is too make sure that the strongest males are airing clutches, thus making the healthiest dragonets. However, female dragons do often take their riders preferences into account, and furthermore, the chance of a breeding dragon being caught by a male small enough to accept a female rider is vanishingly low. For males it's a little more chancy. Even blacks will chase greens if they like them enough. But the older your dragon gets the more you'll be able to reason with them about who they chase. I encourage you to be openminded about this though. At least at first, your dragon may help you to discover something you didn't know about yourself. For riders of non- clutching females, flights after the first do not have to be open. You want your dragon to have the most choice on her maiden flight, but after that, if there's a rider you fancy, and he or she wants you back you can arrange to meet somewhere outside the weyr, thereby ensuring that the flight is won by the dragon you wish to win. Now, with that, I'd like you to listen to Kanretia speak about greenflights. What she says will also go for grays, only less often." He stepped aside to let his second take front and center.

[Kendrall]

Mordecai sat still, hastily scribbling notes as Arktos gave the lecture. Every so often he continued to shoot a furtive glance at Tara just to gauge how she was taking in all of this; she was probably unused to such things as he. Well, that was definitely one thing they had in common. But how was it possible for such powerful emotions to literally cause someone to lose control of their own self-inhibitions, to be consumed with such strong lust they would lose all abandon? That couldn't be right. Could it?

Arktos, meanwhile continued in his lesson. Golds would Rise every turn or two; Silvers every turn. What about Reds? Perhaps the Candidate Master would cover that subject; perhaps not. That would be something to ask, maybe. But what was this about denying one's desires to cause a dragon to go between? Mordecai pressed the top of his writing utensil against his cheek thoughtfully. Oh, that's right. Arktos had said the bond between a Rider and a dragon was very strong indeed. Probably would be best to let the dragon do its own thing...and if you were to lose the Flight, you were likely to ensnare the first person you laid eyes on and sleep with said person. Mordecai wasn't sure what to make of that bit of information...but he squirmed in his seat when the possiblity of him bedding or being bedded by another male came back to his mind. No thanks, he thought to himself. Even if the other person wanted to pursue the relationship further, there would be no way the young explorer would entertain that notion. No, he was strongly attracted to the opposite gender, one member in particular. And she was sitting in his vicinity.

Mordecai idly wondered what Tara was thinking.

Fortunately, Arktos explained that female dragons often took their Riders' preferences into account. That would be a good thing, yes? Which meant he and his dragon would have to prove they were among the best. Yet what if Tara were to Impress to a Green or to Gray, and he to a Black or Bronze? That meant the chances of him participating in a Flight would be slim at best...unless...Mordecai kept scribbling away, his eyes looking up momentarily at Arktos then over at Tara before looking at his parchment again. If his dragon liked Tara's enough, there would be an even chance his could simply outlast the competition. Speaking of Greenflights, Kanretia was about to give her part of the lesson.

Which left one other question in his mind. Were they going to be asked the one question he dreaded to hear?

[taenia]

Arktos' voice roused her from the jumbled thoughts that had invaded Ranelli's mind as she contemplated this new worry.. the new fear of failing and loosing her dragon.. and that was, so rumour had it, one of the worst things that a person could encounter.. The young lady hadn't really come across many dragonless people close up, not due to lack of them, but more because she had always avoided them.. they made her feel awkward and uncomfortable...

...and she would not become one of those people, so, what could she do about it? She wondered idly to herself, trying to remind herself, to at least look like she was paying her full attention to Kanretia.. it wouldn't do to be caught up.. she decided to herself, making the choice to decide on what preventatitive measures she could take.. anything to avoid failing..

...Ranelli had never cared so much about failing in her role, as she did now... as a candidate. It just felt like so much was at stake..

[Mik]

Stepping to the front, Intrigue not even noticing his Pet’s movement, Kanretia, smiled at the Candidates and dove into her side of things. “To ride a green is quite interesting to say the least. Greens fly every three months, some will fly less often, but on average, expect a flight every three to four months. Like Arktos said, if you Impress a green, you will be expected to let her fly an open flight for her maiden flight and that can be as early as nine months old, so expect to participate in a mating flight before you graduate Weyrlinghood. Greens don’t have to blood to Rise like golds and, we’re assuming silvers. Most of them just take off as soon as they wake from a nap. Now with luck, you can sway your green to choose a male with a male or female rider, depending on your preferences, on the maiden flight, but not always. In time, she will listen to your choices and pick certain males for you. Green flights are fast and short, often lasting less than half a candlemark. I’ve never had a closed flight, but I know some greenriders that have and it’s all up to the rider on how to approach a flight after the maiden flight. And never worry about being stuck with the rider of the male dragon. If the two of you part ways after the flight, never to speak again, no one will fuss at you.” Pausing a moment in her speech, she tried to think if she had covered everything and looked to Arktos for his input. “Did I forget anything, Arktos?” she asked of the black wherhandler.

After hearing Arktos’ words about goldflights and then Kanretia’s about greens, she realized that she would probably prefer a green dragon over a gold. At least then, if she found someone that she did fancy enough, she could try to get her green to accept that rider’s dragon. Either way, she had never slept with anyone and was not sure as to whether or not to look forward to it.

Goldflights did not sound so bad and then Kanretia talked about greenflights. Those were much worse! Micala was not sure if she liked this Lesson, nor was she looking forward to Impressing as much now. Hopefully she would end up with a gold or silver. Her chances of winding up sleeping with someone she did not even know were far less with those two colors and she would not have to worry every few months about it. Mikay chirped curiously at the thoughts flying through her Pet’s mind, moving to sit closer to the young Runner to comfort her somewhat if she could.

Mikan listened quietly to Arktos and his mother’s words and grinned. If he Impressed, he would make sure to have his dragon chase any lady riding dragon that Rose. How much fun would that be?!

Tialar remained quiet as he listened, having learned these facts before and accepting them none better this time around. What would he do if he did Impress a green? He just hoped that it would never happen. Sleeping with another guy just did not sit well for him, nor did the random gal…

Kanlar’s expression did not change much as he listened to his mother speak of greenflights after Arktos had spoken about goldflights. He was willing to accept anything that his dragon chose. It was only fair, right? To deny a dragon their choice of mates was far too restricting and he could only imagine what might happen if a rider were to argue with their dragon over the issue. Could it possibly drive a dragon Between if it happened?

Laret remained sunk in his chair, even so much as to sink even lower as he listened to his teachers’ talks. He sure hoped that he Impressed a higher color so that he would not have to worry about sleeping with another guy. That just unnerved him to no end.