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I Desire Some Conference With You


Date:  May 19, 2002
Place:  Telgar Weyr's Workroom and Southern Bowl
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Zaidra is OOCly and ICly responsible for this event,
and, given how well it went, deserving of kudos. :)  All the Wingleaders
and Wingseconds of Pern--and anyone else who cared to come--were invited
to this Wingleader Conference, and the turnout was excellent; several
hours' worth of RP resulted, and maybe a bit of bonding between people
from different Weyrs.  It was a lot of fun.  I've cut the OOC part of
the conference out of the log, however, since I prefer to post only IC
events.  If you want to see the OOC portion, try asking Zai. :)

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The Log:

You push aside the curtain and enter the workroom.

G'rad comes into the workroom from the bowl.


Kassima:
	For this special occasion, Kassima has donned a pragmatic variation 
on finery that she affectionately terms 'glorified riding gear.' A 
sleeveless sable longvest, worn over a blouse of midnight sisal, flares out 
slightly at her hips and shoulders but otherwise fits comfortably close; 
the edges have been embroidered with entwining cords of deep crimson and 
gleaming silver, and make her black wherhide slacks seem plain by contrast. 
This decorative touch is the outfit's saving grace--what might otherwise 
look too stark against her Telgar-pale skin is prevented from doing so by 
the vibrant colors, and the gleam in her canted green eyes combines with 
the brightness of her smile to destroy any lingering impression of undue
severity. Polished ebon boots reach up to the rider's calves, lending a
touch more height to her slender 5'10" frame.
	Kassi's hair, excepting the ever-present forelock, has been pulled 
back in a long braid that falls to her knees, so truly black that it shines 
with deep blue highlights; the style reveals dangling earrings whose 
silver-set onyxes and rubies continue the color trend. On one shoulder of 
her blouse is pinned the knot of a Telgar Wingleader, with a cord of red to 
honor her Benden Weyr origins and a single strand of dark green to indicate 
the color of her lifemate, Lysseth.


G'rad strides through the door and raises a hand "High Reaches duties to
Telgar and your Queens. May your skies remain clear and your holdings free
of green. Am I early?"

Kassima's glossed and polished bootheels click against the floor,
accompanied by muted rustling from the armload of hides she's carrying;
considering the room, she hefts the hides into a more secure grip and makes
for a likely chair. "The conference is just starting t'assemble?" she asks
of no one in particular after nodding her greetings. "Duties t'the Reaches
and her queens," she adds for the visitor.

Zaidra glances up, calls back her own "Duties," and then continues in last
minute preparations. Stacks of hides and styluses (styli??), pitchers of
water and klah, with mugs and glasses over /there/.

K'ran's cleared for himself some space along one of the benches by the
torture device-cum-strap stitching equipment, and while he's an austure nod
for the 'Reaches rider, his smile of greeting for Kassima is that much
brighter. "Starting. Duties, G'rad, duties."

Lexxie comes into the workroom from the bowl.

G'rad approaches the klah pot and grins a little "Busy indeed. Are you
expecting a good turn out? And who is speaking? I'm looking forwards to an
informative day."

Illiana comes into the workroom from the bowl.

M'teh comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Illiana sits shyly in an unobtrusive spot

M'teh strolls in, burdened by a number of hides arranged haphhazardly in
his arms. Without a free hand, he nods at those he passes, and dumps the
hides on a convenient surface. "Hi, all," he calls.

Kassima sets her equipment down at her chosen place, offering K'ran a
fleeting but matchingly bright smile in exchange: "Good t'know I'm nay
late. Think I'll pilfer refreshment a'fore it starts, then--well, or a mug.
I brought m'own drink; figured there might nay be aught t'my tastes." A
tall, slender glass bottle is drawn from a pocket even as she speaks, set
down with a small *tink* so that its ruddy amber contents can gleam in fine
alcoholic fashion. "Nay sure who's speaking, G'rad, but I'd be surprised
if'n any of us stay silent. Wingleaders and 'seconds aren't generally quiet
sorts, eh? Good t'see you again, by the by."

Zaidra decides everything is as ready as possible, and moves closer to
G'rad, explaining, "M'teh, over there, is speaking first, but we're hoping
everyone will feel comfortable enough to offer suggestions, or comments."
She laughs softly, nodding agreement with Kassima, "What she said," is added.

G'rad looks and beams over his klah mug "M'teh! It's been far too long!" He
then turns to Kassima "I've been too long away from Telgar. I notice it
didn't fall down since I left. I'm not sure if that's a surprise, but it
was more likely to fall if I stayed. Or so Pierron keeps telling me."

Having got rid of his notes for the time being, M'teh jogs over to G'rad.
"G'rad! Likewise! How've you been?" he inquires. He does, however, spot an
unrecognised figure in the room. "Telgar's duties to you!" he calls to
Illiana.

Illiana says "T..telgar's duties to you my Lord."

Illiana smiles and blushes

G'rad rolls his eyes "With bouncing between wings like nobody's business
and managing weyrmates and offspring, I'm amazed I have time to eat. You
look well, though - life good to you?" He catches the remark and blinks at
Illiana, then smiles a little.

Illiana says "T..thank you f..for inviting me here my Lord M'teh"

From his chair, K'ran pipes up, teasing, "Didn't know you moonlighted as a
Lord Holder, Mit," as his eyes dance between his wingleader and Illiana.

Illiana looks apprehensive

"Aye, that's certain sure. Ofira's and Emne's respective yellings would've
rent stone from mortar--or stone from stone, for that matter--and we'd all
be dead, crushed beneath the rubble." Kassi's quite merry about these
projections. Returning to her seat with the cup she's snagged. she looks
over at M'teh's greeting and offers Illiana a wry grin. "Oh, don't Lord
him. He's a bluerider and thus less in danger of a swelled head than some,
but there's still nay use taking chances."

N'tan comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Mara comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Illiana says "oh. H..how should I address all of you? Please, I wan't not
to offend?"

G'rad turns a wary eye on Kassima "They didn't yell at me that often, Kass.
Only once a sevenday apiece and usually it was undeserved. It isn't as if I
meant to peel all those tubers, or put laxatives into the soup."

"You sound like you've been busy!" comments M'teh to G'rad. Always good at
stating the obvious. "Not bad, not bad - everything's running pretty
smoothly, and no offspring I know of yet." To Illiana, he notes, "K'ran's
right, I'm no Lord Holder... just call me M'teh or Mit, it's fine. Or
Wingleader, if you must us a title."

Illiana says "This is my first time in a Weyr. I'm cot born."

Illiana says "thank you my L...um...M'teh"

M'teh inquires of Illiana, "What brings you here, then...?" He holds on to
the last word, as if waiting for a name.

N'tan smiles as he walks in, "Hello."

G'rad adds, after M'teh "I'm G'rad. Wingleader or G'rad works for me. Sorry
I didn't say earlier, miss."

Kassima falls into her chair, dress-leathers creaking. "Kassima," she says,
indicating herself with a tap of thumb to breastbone. "Green Lysseth's
partner in perpetual argument. Thunderbolt Wingleader, I suppose I should
add, given the occasion. Just Kassima or Kassi will do for address,
speaking for m'self--pshhh, pshhh, G'rad, laxatives don't get into soup by
*accident*. Trust me, I know. To the Healers' detriment. Duties t'the
Reaches and Ista and their respective queens," she greets the two
newcomers, raising her empty glass to them before filling it with brandy.

"Telgar's duties," K'ran warms toward N'tan and Mara, though he's still
chasing away slumber with klah. And for Illiana's benefit, he'll introduce
himself as, "K'ran, bronze Indrath's," and no more.

M'teh notes to G'rad, "We all know how easy it is to accidentally put
laxatives in soup, eh?" To N'tan and Mara, he calls, "Duties!"

Mara enters, not /quite/ hiding but pretty close. It doesn't stop her from
being noticed, though, so she offers a soft, "Ista's greetings," before
taking up a usual space by a wall.

Illiana says "Illiana. Well, my da is a farmer of grains and such, and my
ma is an herb gatherer. I'm not really cut out for the farm, and I really
want to be a healer. A Dragon healer. I would like to be a search
candidate, but I hold out no hope for that. The closest I can get could be
a dragon healer."

Illiana sighs

Illiana says "So, my parents sent me out on a quest to find myself and my
path."

"Hrm." G'rad studies his klah then grins "Speaking of things getting into
other things, is there any chance of that brandy ending up in this mug at
all, Kassi? It is a little forlorn, all without the booze and all." Ever
hopeful he is...and is NOT commenting on the path thing. If people want to
be bonkers that is their choice.

"Well, Search - that's up to the dragons, eh?" replies M'teh, casting eyes
around the room. "But maybe you'll be able to apprentice as one of the
dragonhealers."

Illiana says "ooooh...REALLY?"

N'tan walks over to Zaidra, "Heya. Looks like not doing this in a blizzard
was a good idea." He smiles.

Illiana looks excited then catches herself

M'llon comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Illiana says "It is more important to me that the dragons have healers. If
I become a canditate all the better, but the dragons and their riders come
first. You protect us. We woulda lost the cot to thread if it hadn't been
for this weyr."

Abbe comes into the workroom from the bowl.

"Y'may want t'speak t'Kindre about it, if'n 'tis your wish t'do so here,"
Kassima tosses in as advice. "She's our senior last I checked. Haven't much
t'do with the Dragonhealers m'self, thanks be t'Faranth and all her fertile
little children."

M'teh rubs his chin briefly. "I wonder who you'd ask about that..." he
muses, before casting his eyes over the ever-increasing number of arrivees.
"Duties... duties!" he calls to each. "Too many," he mutters under his breath.

Zaidra smiles to N'tan, "It does look that way. You know I'm still
intrigued by whatever you've got planned. If there's not enough space in
here, the bowl's just a step away." She pauses, then raises her voice over
the increasing chatter from all sides, "Duties, all," she calls. "I'm Zai,
the person to blame for dragging you all here. Please everyone grab a drink
- there's tea, klah, and water, lots of blank hides, and such, if you're
inclined to take notes. We'll be starting soon."

Kindre comes into the workroom from the bowl.

M'llon smiles and waves a greeting, "Ista's Duties .. glad you have invited
us Zaidra."

Illiana says "Thank you Kssima. Is that Kindre then?"

G'rad turns at the incoming ones. He grins to M'llon "Duties! And Mallea
sends her love too. Says to say she misses you." He takes a hide up and
moves to take a seat, spotting the arrving Abbe and patting the seat next
to him

Illiana says "May I get a mug of Klah?"

N'tan nods, "The bowl, yes."

K'ran seems inclined to continue to warn sleep away with the generous
application of klah, while nodding polite and pleasant, "Duties," where
it's appropriate. And to Illiana, "Please do, hm? If that's to your fancy
-- there's fruit juice, too, I think, if you'd rather."

Abbe struts in, and looks around. She flashes a beaming smile at the riders
here, but obviously doesn't want to interupt too much, so just walks
quietly over to take the seat next to G'rad.

Illiana says "Thank you K'ran. I like Klah, don't get it enough in the cot."

Illiana quietly grabs a mug of Klah

Kassima lifts one eyebrow. "Good guess. Aye, that's Kin there--g'deve, Kin;
there's someone here interested in dragonhealing--mayhaps you should talk
to her after the conference?" she suggests, turning back to Illiana. Then,
"Duties again t'Ista and the Reaches and their queens," though her greeting
to Ista's Weyrleader is matched with a droll expression.

M'llon smiles at G'rad, "Oh thank you.. I need to go see her soon.. and
Natalea both." He moves to find a seat.

M'teh walks over to the side and pours himself a glass of water, sipping a
little as he returns. He sidles towards Zaidra, and with a sheepish grin,
says, "Tell me when you're ready. I, uhm, don't know if it's very good,
but..."

G'rad smiles at M'llon, then pats Abbe's knee. "Glad you made it. Nice to
have some moral support"

Kindre slips in quietly, or tries to one would guess. Hearing her name
seems to shatter whatever illusion being quiet might have held, and she
smiles wide. "Telgar's duties and good afternoon," is offered in a cheerful
voice. She nods to Kassima and then turns the smile to Illiana. "Certainly,
later on if you've the time," she remarks and then finds a seat.

Illiana smiles shyly at Kindre

Terrilia comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Illiana says "Yes, thank you Kindre, I would like that very much ma'am."

Zaidra smiles reassuringly to M'teh, "You'll be fine. You lead the
second-best wing at Telgar through fall after fall." The second-best part,
of course, is good-natured teasing. "This is nothing, by comparison."

Kassima settles in with her brandy after another friendly nod and call of,
"Duties t'Igen and her queens," to Terrilia. Slanting a wry look at Zaidra,
she quips, "I'm surprised--I'd have thought you'd think *Skyfire* was
second-best, Zai."

Mara stays perfectly silent against a wall, listening rather then speaking
or joining in with the chat.

Terrilia comes in and pauses at the back, looking around. She offers a
quiet, "Igen's Duties" as she tucks her gloves away and gets her bearings.
Kassima gets a grin and a nod as she starts that direction.

Illiana sits with her klah quietly in an unobtrusive spot again

Kindre is settled into a chair, turning her head just a bit to nod to
Illiana. "After the meeting, then, we'll chat," is a reply to Illiana
before she spots the Igen Weyrsecond. "Telgar's duties, Terrilia. Good to
see you."

M'teh gives Zaidra a sly grin at the 'second-best' comment, and a laugh at
Kassi's equally apt comment. He heads over to his notes, and starts to scan
them, although what for isn't apparent.

G'rad looks up "REaches duties to Igen. Good to see you!"

Abbe grins at G'rad. "Well its always a pleasure to give you support. "

G'rad leans over to Abbe

Terrilia smiles brightly and nods to Kindre and G'rad, too. "Igen's Duties!
Glad to be here..." She unfastens the collar of her riding jacket and edges
toward Kassima to ask quietly, "Did I miss much?"

G'rad mutters to Abbe, "N'tan has asked... very... knowing..."

Zaidra laughs, shaking her head at Kassi, "Skyfire? Second? Never." But
then she composes herself, and moves to the part of the room she's
desginated as the 'front'. "Welcome, welcome, everyone. I'm so sorry we had
to postpone the orignal conference, but you'd not have wanted to experience
our winter weather. As some of you heard, I'm Zai - Zaidra if you want to
be formal - brown Ymedath's rider, and wingleader of Skyfire here at
Telgar. What I'd like to do, now is go around the room, have each of you
introduce yourselves, briefly, and then I'll turn the floor over to M'teh."

K'ran punctuates his determined klah-drinking with a bright smile thrown
'cross the room toward Terrilia, and a bright, "Duties!" -- but then he's
settling back down into listening-mode, attentive first to his once-mentee,
and then to his wingleader.

N'tan walks over to Terri, "Hey, thanks for the other night. I appreciate it."

Kassima reaches to pull out the unoccupied chair to her right in invitation
for Terrilia to sit. "We're just starting," she murmurs back. "You could
likely still snag a mug of klah or water if'n you wanted--well, but Zai,
everyone knows Thunderbolt's *first*," paired with a wide-eyed, innocent
blink towards the meeting's chairwoman. She does have the manners to pipe
down after that, at least, the better not to interfere with the introductions.

Terrilia gives Kassima a grateful grin and looks around for klah, nodding
to K'ran, too. "Now that's a good idea--thanks." She smiles warmly at
N'tan. "No thanks necessary. Good to see you again."

Taking that as a cue to actually be formal, G'rad speaks up then,
abandoning his whispering the better to pay attention to the ensuing
business of the day. "G'rad, rider to Bronze Behemoth. Wingleader of
Snowstrike Wing at High Reaches Weyr. Well met one and all. It's a pleasure."

Abbe giggles. She mutters to G'rad, "... this... have... Will it be...
that... might do." 

M'teh, still rustling over at one side, looks up for the introduction.
"M'teh, or Mit or whatever, blue Daruth's and Dawnslight Wingleader here at
Telgar." he blurts out, then lifts up his notes.

N'tan gives Terri a quick snug and then goes to sit by G'rad and Abbe.

Terrilia grins and hugs N'tan, then grimaces and apparently gives up on the
klah as the introductions start. She quickly sits in the chair next to
Kassima and drops her riding jacket over the back, grinning at the people
she knows and trying to take note of those she doesn't.

G'rad winks at Abbe and mouths "Worse."

Illiana sneaks quietly over to Terrilia and gives her her untouched mug of
Klah

With an amiable tip of her brandy glass towards the others assembled, Kassi
tosses in when her turn comes, "Kassima, green Lysseth's rider and favorite
abuse victim." A very faint snort can be heard from outside at that. "Third
Wingleader of Telgar's Thunderbolt Wing; Wingleader for the past seventeen
Turns. Well met and all that sort of thing."

M'llon stands up, simply saying, "M'llon, bronze Bromith's Wingleader of
Belior and Weyrleader of Ista. Very happy to be here and to meet you all."
then sitting back down quickly.

G'rad waggles eyebrows at N'tan.

In rather understated fashion, K'ran reveals his lopsided smile from behind
his own klah-mug, and shares, when his turn comes, "K'ran, bronze
Indrath's, and one of Mit's seconds in Dawnslight Wing, 'longside Lanryi,
who couldn't be here. Pleasure to see you all."

N'tan grins at G'rad.

"Terrilia, blue Cyameth's rider. Weyrsecond at Igen Weyr and Wingleader of
Sandstorm Wing," Terrilia says as her turn comes, half-rising from her
chair. She smiles gratefully at Illiana for the klah.

Glancing around first, another Telgari pipes in to the introductions.
"Kindre, Herath's rider, retired Wingleader of the golds Wing, if you like,
here at Telgar," she offers and smiles.

N'tan stands, "Hey all. I'm N'tan, green Zuzith's rider and Avalanche's
Wingsecond." And then there's a grin only a greenrider could produce, "This
should be fun."

G'rad winces and looks at Abbe "See what I mean?"

Brees comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Lillian comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Zaidra glances up as two latecomers arrive, "Is that everyone?" she asks,
doing a mental head-count. And then, toward the entrance, "Oh, welcome,
there's drinks over there, chairs a-plenty, and we were just finishing
introductions."

Mara finally gets off the wall - but only to move to an almost equally
hidden chair, watching the others without a word.

Brees nods to Ziadra with a smile. "Thank you." Then glances around for a
minute before heading over towards Terrilia.

G'rad looks at N'tan and shrugs. "No idea. You ask?"

Terrilia smiles and quietly waves to Brees, scooting over slightly and
nudging out the chair next to her.

N'tan shakes his head, "Thought you did."

Soft color infuses Lillian's cheeks as they enter the room...late. As she
takes in all the intricate knots secured to the viarious shoulders, the
young woman bends slightly in a respectful bow to the room at large.
"Pardon our late arrival, I am affriad my inexperiance is to blame." This
last is directed at Zaidra. That said she moves off to the back to a place
where she may watch the proceedings.

Zaidra waits a few beats, then moves along. "Well, then, if that's
everyone, I'll ask M'teh to take the floor." And she goes to her own chair,
whispering, "You're up," to her once-wingleader in the process. Lillian
gets a smile, as if to say, don't worry about it.

M'teh walks up to the designated front of the room, shuffling his notes
nervously. "Hi." he states, then pauses. "I'm going to talk about welcoming
new riders into wings, and I expect you all have better ideas than me, so
I'll open discussion up after each point. And, uhm, I guess I'd better
start." He stares at the first page of his notes, then puts it to the back,
and grins again. "The Approach - Classic or Surprise? If we start at
tapping Weyrlings itself, how is it best to welcome new riders into the
wing? Should you just call them up to a table with the traditional 'the
Weyrleader has allowed me to fly with you', or lead them on a merry walk
and then suddenly ask them out of nowhere? I'm a fan of the second method
myself, but how do you prefer to tap weyrlings?"

G'rad raises a hand

N'tan grins at G'rad.

M'teh nods at G'rad with a grin. "Just as long as we're not all speaking at
the same time, you don't need to raise hands"

Brees takes the seat next to Terri and turns to listen with interest. Quite
the interesting subject to a weyrling after all.

G'rad makes his comment. "Thanks." he lowers the hand "Franjkly, I used to
like the idea of hazing. I think most people here KNOW what I was like when
I was younger. But I have realised that, through candidacy and
weyrlinghood, the younger riders do get the rough edge of tounges. They do
get the awful chores and get enough practical jokes. I have found that,
when you suddenly become all respectful and tap someone as an equal to a
full rider, without humiliation, then the expression on the faces is
beautiful. It's one of the happiest momenst of a rider's life, to join
their first full wing. I like to carry it out as a true mark of respect
these days. You can always fill their boots with custard later, but the
tapping itself should be a true mark of respect to the weyrling."

Kassima listens to G'rad's answer before offering her own comment--though
she does lift her hand a second before she speaks; old habits die hard. "I
know there's something t'be said for the formality of the classic approach,
but I prefer t'combine the two when possible, or go with surprise when nay.
I didn't see it coming when 'twas m'turn, and that added something to the
joy of it for me. Who really wants t'see it coming from a mile away? I want
t'be giving m'own new ones the same experience: try and get 'em when they
don't expect it; I don't think you have t'be *hazing* 'em, though one could
say I did that with J'an. But a haze and a surprise aren't at all the same
thing. Or don't have t'be."

N'tan nods, "Agreed. It's been Avalanche tradition to...make it
interesting." He grins, "We don't any...permanent damage."

Zaidra grins to Kassima, "You /tortured/ J'an, and deliciously so," she
points out. "With the song and all." And then to M'teh, "I sort of liked
what you and K'ran did when you tapped /me/. Though being put on the spot
with all those questions about wing history was sort of daunting with the
audience and all. I wouldn't call it hazing, really, but I was surprised."

Lillian's head tilts slightly to one side as she takes all of this in...a
thoughtful expression in her slightly tilted eyes. Lips silently form the
words 'hazing, custard in boots...permanent damage.'

G'rad grins a little "I thinka hy tapping is a surprise whatever the
approach is. And new riders tend to get all SORTS of things happen to them.
I just like them to feel good at that moment."

Terrilia grins and nods in agreement with Kassima. Speaking quietly, she
says, "I usually ask a few questions to make sure we both think they're
ready, then give them the traditional approach and a knot. The questions
usually make them a bit nervous, but then they're even happier when they
get the knot." She shrugs and takes a sip of her klah, glancing toward
N'tan. "Interesting?"

M'teh makes his own comment. "K'ran does as much tapping as I do, but I
agree with Kassi - don't make it too plain to see, but like Zai said, we
like to make it a bit different, too, and then do the formality. But it's
not quite custard-booting." He grins wryly at G'rad.

N'tan shakes his head, "No no...nothing like that. That's just mean. And a
waste of good custard."

"I'd second that," K'ran puts in on the heels of G'rad's words, and with a
self-effacing smile, a shrug of his shoulders, for Zaidra's compliment.
"Once they're graduated, they're expecting to be tapped eventually, but at
the same time it's rare that one's so arrogant to *expect* it, even when
he's confronted by a Wingleader with a new rider's knot in plain sight."

Abbe grins. "Oh I know I was sure no-one was ever going to tap me. I kept
asking everyone what I'd done wrong as a weyrling."

Kaylira comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Kassima matches Zaidra's grin, her own just a touch impish. "He did the
teapot dance beautifully," she recalls with a wistful sigh. "A pity I'll
never see its like again. But had he seemed 'tall embarrassed by what I
asked him t'do, *'twould* have switched to the more classic approach. It
should indeed be a joyous moment for a new rider. The questions, now,
they're particularly useful for a Weyrling who's made some error, or thinks
she has--if'n they've done naught wrong, 'tis a chance t'reassure 'em, and
if'n they *have* erred, 'tis a way t'show 'em that so long as they've
learned from it then their leaders won't find them unworthy because of it."

Kaylira nods to a lot of familiar faces. "Ista's duties and all. Hey mum."

Brees grins over to wave at Kaylira on leg starting to bounce as she listens.

Zaidra waves to Kaylira, gesturing towards a beverage table, stacks of
note-taking supplies and empty chairs. She mouths, "Welcome," to her, as well.

G'rad shrugs a little "I think it really does depend the most on the
individual. How much respect you give them and how far you push them is all
subjective."

M'teh puts his nose firmly back in his notes for the next section. "Now,
it's... no, that's not it... ah, Ac-climb-thingie. I think it means getting
used to things. Basically, when you get a new rider in your wing, they've
been used to their Weyrling Wing, with riders they've known for two Turns
or so, and then they've maybe got one or two of them in their new wing. How
do you get them used to the new stuff so they're not too overwhelmed?" He
takes a long drink from his water glass.

Terrilia arches an eyebrow at Kassima and nods in greeting to Kaylira from
where she's sitting with Brees and Kassima. "Igen's Duties," she murmurs.

You sense Terrilia's eyebrows arch curiously, and she leans closer to ask,
"Teapot dance?"

M'llon smiles and waves to Kaylira, motioning to the seat beside him if she
is so inclined.

Lillian simply continues to take it all in, the subject quite the eye
opener. She nods to the newcomer, noting the familiar looking knot.

K'ran chases a small smile Kaylira's way, though without spoken greeting
that might interrupt -- and instead tosses out, "In Dawnslight we've got a
program, kind of an orientation, for new riders. Takes about three months,
give or take; they're assigned a new wingmate as a mentor, and we take them
from still flying resupply, as they've done in their weyrling wing, to
learning Dawnslight's tactics and *earning* that spot in formation."

Kaylira picks her way carefully over to teh offered seat by M'llon. Not
without a bit of a half-shy/half-emabarassed smile for the cluster of Kassi
et al she'd been looking to join. However, sometimes you do what you have to.

G'rad considers the acclimatisation. "I pair them with an experienced
rider, but to be frank, I don't really think any rider who is tapped into
Snowstrike will need too much of that. They already know what they need to
know to fly Fall. They're inexperienced, I agree, but they know their
procedures well enough. In order to get them used to the wing I tend to
drill a lot more around graduation time. I've never really had a huge
problem with it, to be truthful. Everyone in Snowstrike watches out for
everyone else, so if they do need help they usually get it. Asked for or not."

Kassima turns her head long enough to smile warmly towards Kaylira. "Heyla,
kit. Come sit?" She indicates a few chairs nearby with a gesture of her
hand, though those just beside her are filled. Glancing back towards M'teh,
she grins. "Acclimatization. Normally I don't let m'newest ones fly in Fall
with us until I'm sure they've gotten the hang of our formations and their
own new positions--same with a new transfer, by the by. If'n they seem t'be
having trouble, I might meet with 'em separately for private drills or
discussions, but I try t'emphasize that this is something all new riders go
through--that they're nay being singled out for any lack of ability. I also
try t'be going out drinking with 'em very soon after tapping so that I can
get to know them as a person, and they me, if'n we don't already know each
other... helps sometimes in knowing how t'help 'em best." As Kay makes for
another seat, she crinkles her nose, but lets it pass.

Maylia comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Terrilia senses Kassima drops her voice once she's done speaking to reply,
in a highly amused murmur, "I had him get up on a rock and dance along
t'that children's tune. Y'know--I'm a little teapot, short and stout? He
made quite a fetching picture doing *that*, I can tell you."

M'teh comments, "We've had problems with a certain rider, who will not be
named, who took ages to get the hang of flying in Dawnslight... we gave him
some special training for that. I think it's important to make sure that
the new riders get a chance to get used to their new wingmembers, too, so
we try and include them on the table, and so on. Involve them in
dragonpoker." He gives a grin to Kassi. "Ac-clim-at-ize-ation?" he repeats.
"Never could remember those things the Harper said."

Terrilia snickers quietly at something Kassima says and puts a hand to her
mouth until she's recovered. She sobers a bit and offers her own comment.
"More drills, yes. We do a lot of basic drills when we get new riders,
until they seem used to everything. The mentors sound like a good idea,
too. Not so sure about the drinking and dragonpoker, though it does sound
like fun..." She grins and takes a sip of her klah.

Kaylira quirks a brow and shakes her head. She mutters to M'llon, "...
can... later.... see..." 

Maylia, accompained by a handful of weyrlings, quietly enters the room. The
'lings are gestured to the back, with a hushed stern reminder, "You're here
to observe, and learn." They shuffle on back, and May takes a seat,
remaining a little apart, herself. She's not a wingleader, after all.

Zaidra asks, because she hasn't held her position for that long compared to
others here, "Is keeping new wingmembers out of fall usual for anyone else?
I think, K'ran and M'teh, that you all that with us, didn't you?" And then
she laughs, "Maybe I need better drinking skills to improve myself."

You sense Terrilia shakes her head, eyes twinkling. "Oh my. I never
would've thought to have any of them do /that/."

M'llon nods to Kaylira, "Okay." He turns his attention back to what is
being said.

G'rad shakes his head "No, I don't keep them out of fall. I watch their
backs, but they need to be in there. They're wingriders, not children. they
have a job to do."

Kassima quips, "Oh, aye, *dragonpoker*. There's a thing whose importance
can't be understated--first thing a Thunderbolt rider has t'learn is how
t'beat a Skyfire rider at dragonpoker. And Dawnslight, too, if'n they can
manage it. Little group activities like that can build the sense of
belonging to a group, hey? Even to a family of a kind. Though given that we
fly with L'cher, 'tis a sharding *large* family." With a grin and
confirming nod to M'teh, she notes for Zaidra, "You might speak with
M'rgan; he used t'be more extreme than I about that, if'n memory serves,
and had new riders fly with either the Weyrlings or the reserves for a
time. I never quite agreed with that, but it seemed t'work well enough in
getting 'em ready."

Brees laughs softly over to Terri. "Sounds good to me." She says softly to
the older woman before her attention is once again back on listening to the
wingleaders.

N'tan nods along with G'rad's words, "They learned how to fight Thread in
Weyrling Training. We'll drill to get them comfortable with the rest of the
Wing, but they should have the basics covered by the time we tap them."

Terrilia senses Kassima admits wryly, "I might nay have either, only he and
Eneryth caused Lysseth and m'self some difficulty while 'twere proddy... I
wanted t'get a bit of m'own back, but also t'show him that there weren't
really hard feelings and 'twasn't always a vicious, humorless person."

G'rad says "In fact, some might be insulted not to fly Fall. It's what they
spent those turns training for."

Terrilia grins at Brees and chuckles softly at Kassima. "Wonder if L'cher's
related to H'som...sounds much the same." She nods in agreement with N'tan
and G'rad as she sips her klah.

You sense Terrilia winces slightly and nods over the top of her klah mug.
"I can see how that might do it. He was a good sport about it, though, I
take it?"

M'teh adds, "We don't put our new riders into Fall straight away - there's
drills to get used to our formation and stuff first - but we do get them up
there as soon as they're ready. I'm not sure if readiness is anything to do
with drinking, but if it involves giving me wine, particularly that red,
then I'm happy." He winks at the room in general.

G'rad grins slightly.

Kaylira can't help a laugh at that. "Only if its Benden, hmm?"

Terrilia senses Kassima laughs under her breath. "Aye, the best sport one
could be hoping for. And Zai was on hand for it, which may have
helped--she's his love, y'see. As I recall, she quite enjoyed the show."

"Now, of course, I make Mit's life hard by schooling them away from wine,"
K'ran pronounces the word as if it had an 'h' in there, somewhere, "and
onto whiskeys and ales and such."

M'teh swirls his water around in the glass and sniffs at it delicately, as
though it was wine. "Well, the recent Tillek's not at all bad, I must say,
but who'd say no to a Benden?" K'ran receives a mock glare. "Indeed."

M'teh returns to his hides. "So... now it says Those Things Which
Wingleaders Do To New Weyrlings. And I don't think I meant that, so..." He
smiles slyly. "I know that several of Dawnslight's wings take new riders
out for, uhm, 'wing bonding' activities, or otherwise knock them flat. And
not with a hammer. Uhm. If it's not too secret, what do you do with your
new riders?"

You sense Terrilia ahs and grins. "I see. Probably did, yes." She glances
toward Zaidra, still grinning. "Still, I don't think I'd do such a thing to
a poor weyrling, myself. Not during tapping, anyway. Maybe later."

Kassima raises her glass of brandy to her daughter. "You tell it, minx...
ach, *K'ran*. That's just cruel. Remind me t'sneak your Wingriders 'skins
of good Benden in secret--for discount price, nay less." Making a slight
face, she answers M'teh with, "We used t'be taking 'em out to the Lava
Lounge, but the Weyrleaders decided that should be a Weyr celebration. So
now I'm still trying t'find a new induction celebration that I like as well."

G'rad keeps his response short. "I ask them to be capable of doing what I
can do. Physically, and mentally. And where possible, more. Nothing
specific. I just drill the pants off them."

Maylia sits sort of sideways, an arm draped over the back of her seat --
all the easier to turn around and glare at her charges, listening in at the
back of the room. Still, she listens attentively, amusedly, at the
discussion of what happens when the weyrlings leave her tender (*ahem*) care.

Terrilia senses Kassima has to grin at that. "Can't say I blame you; it
could backfire, with the wrong Weyrling... but 'twill tell you, there's one
Weyrling in our lot that if'n I get her in m'Wing, I'll nigh *have* t'come
up with some strange way of tapping her. She might be disappointed with less."

Lillian straightens slightly in her seat, moving her pack around quietly.
Well as quietly as she can, a soft clinking can be heard by those nearest
her in the back of the room. Her eyes once more take up their general sweep
of the room, shifting from person to person as they speak...though perhaps
lingering on one here and there longer than the others.

M'teh drops his volume and says pointedly at Kassi, "Sounds good to /me/."
Then he says to the room, "In Dawnslight we've had our plans, but we've not
subjected any of our new riders to anything just yet."

Zaidra shakes her head, "Skyfire's new plan hasn't gone into effect yet,
either." She scans the crowd, and finds Maylia, telling her, "Looks like
your current batch'll be turned into test-subjects."

Terrilia listens thoughtfully and shrugs. "I don't subject them to anything
extra, really," she answers M'teh. "Though I'm not entirely sure my
wingriders don't find something to do, sometimes. There are rumors of
drinking at the Dawn Sisters or the Lava Lounge, but I'm not involved in
that." She grins, eyes twinkling. "The new plans are secrets, then?"

M'teh wavers. "Errm, actually, it's more like we're not sure yet. We'll
have to sort something out before May's latest weyrlings graduate."

You sense Terrilia's eyebrows arch and she smiles curiously. "Oh? Who's
that? And why?"

Kassima lifts a brow at M'teh, clearly surprised. "What, the Lounge thing?
Well, and 'tis good, but I want t'do something special t'celebrate being
into the *Wing*, nay just being full riders at last. A full Weyr party
isn't quite the same. The Dawn Sisters might do as a substitute, I'm
thinking. M'cousin's the Craftsecond, so she might get us a discount on
Novas." Always with an ulterior motive, this woman. "One way or another, I
want t'give the new ones a treat and make 'em feel welcomed."

Divya comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Abbe leaves the workroom and heads out into the bowl.

Illiana says "Thank you for having me."

N'tan smiles at Div.

Illiana says "this has been wonderful. Being in a weyr with all the
important people."

Illiana blushes

M'teh seems to have come to the end of his notes. "So, that's about it for
me... does anyone have something else they'd like to add?"

G'rad hasn't, apparently. He smiles at all silently, winking at Lillian
pleasantly

The weyrlings at the back of the room have been leaning together now and
then, in pairs or triplets, as discussion of welcoming plans comes up. May
aims a grin at Zaidra. "I don't think they really realize what they're in
for," she remarks.

Illiana says "I need to get back to my cot to help out today, but may I
come back and speak with you all? And maybe speak with Kindre?"

Divya slips into the room and slides into a seat near N'tan and G'rad. She
can only hope her late arrival doesn't get her in trouble.

Kassima shakes her head a fraction, then turns it to smile to Divya.
"Duties to the 'Reaches again. Clear skies, Illiana--and I'm sure Kin would
be pleased t'discuss dragonhealing with you at another time."

Terrilia smiles warmly at M'teh, but stays quiet. She waves to Divya from
her seat near Kassima as the brownrider arrives.

Lillian blinks, soft color infusing her cheeks. At G'rad's wink she
inclines her head slightly towards him in acknowledgement.

Y'il comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Seeing no other topics being raised, M'teh makes a rather embarassing bow.
"I hope that's perhaps helped some of you with Wing stuff, and thanks for
all your comments. And now I'll hand back to Zaidra for the next section."
He steps away from the front, drops his notes on the side and finds a seat.

Illiana says "thank you. Um...duties to ?"

G'rad pays attention once more.

Illiana says "um...goodbye?"

Illiana blushes at not knowing what to say

Zaidra smiles. "Thanks, M'teh - I guess we'll move on to training." She
pauses, waving to Divya, and then telling Illiana, "Thanks for dropping
in." A breath, and then, "N'tan, you've been driving me out of my mind with
curiosity over your presentation. Care to share now?"

Divya waves to Terrilia and Kassima before turning her attention to the
front of the room.

"Telgar and her queens," Kassima supplies with a sympathetic smile. "Or
given the assemblage, just 't'all and sundry' would do. Duties t'Ista and
her queens as well--" That's as she sees Y'il coming in, but she twists
back in her chair soon enough to lightly applaud M'teh and his discussion.

Lenka comes into the workroom from the bowl.

N'tan nods and stands. He heads over to the front of everyone, "Before I
get started, I'd like to thank Zaidra for gathering us here for what I hope
will be the first of many conclaves of Wingleaders and Wingseconds." He
smiles, "I'm going to be talking to you today about physical training. Now,
I have one volunteer already, but I'll give people a chance to join in on
the...fun." His smile gets a little twisted now, "So who'd like to join in?"

Y'il slides shamefacedly into the meeting, mumuring something about 'ista's
duties'.

Kassima has to ask, tilting her head to one side so that the jewels
dangling from her ear brush her shoulder, "Does it involve abjectly
humiliating oneself in front of a large group?"

Terrilia arches an eyebrow at that twisted smile of N'tan's and stays very,
very quiet. She looks down at her klah as Kassima speaks.

N'tan smiles, "Well, it involves being part of the demonstration of
exercises."

Lillian speaks out clearly, her green eyes sparkling with an impish cast
"May any join, or is this demonstration for riders only?" KAssima's words
make her pause..perhaps she should have not spoken up.

Lenka slots in - particularly on hearing those words, /right/ at the back.
Preferably hiding behind someone tall.

Zaidra teases the most recent arrival, "Maybe you can get Y'il to
volunteer? He's young, and eager, and all that."

"I would spill my water," declares M'teh nobly. As though that's a good
excuse.

"Sounds like an aye t'me. All right, then--I'm in, if'n you need another.
Haven't gotten m'abject humiliation quota for the month yet." Kassi grins a
match to N'tan's earlier greenrider grin, and drains the last of her brandy
with a single gulp.

N'tan grins at Kassima, "Thanks Kassi. Anyone else?"

Y'il blinks as he hears his name. having come late to the meeting, he tries
to get out of being put on the spot. "i'd be glad to vcolunteer if I knew
what it was for?"

G'rad rises and strips his jacket off, then his shirt, and his belt,
standing ready for physical jerks. Then his knife slips from his boot and
he retakes his position. Slicing his foot off in exercise wouldn't be
pleasant, after all. "Come on, it's good for you!"

Kaylira sends a grin of greeting Y'il's way. "Abject humiliation. They need
volunteers."

N'tan smiles at Y'il, "Physical training demonstration."

K'ran stands, though favors M'teh with a sour look as he does so. "Somebody
ought to stand up for Dawnslight's honor."

Ursa comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Y'il nods. Arguably one of the youngest riders present, he sighs and
agrees. "Yessir. I'd be happy to help. What do we have to do?"

N'tan smiles at G'rad, "Ok, so...he was the one I already had."

A'deth comes into the workroom from the bowl.

N'tan motions to the door to the outside, "Let's take this out to the bowl."

Kassima rises from her seat, though she leaves her clothes *on*, thank you.
The only thing she removes are the dangling earrings, which get slipped
into her belt pouch. "Are we going t'spar?" she asks rather hopefully. "Oh,
Ursa! You're just in time for physical training and abject humiliation!"

Lillian's smile never leaves her face, but she settles further back into
her seat...her question having been answered, in a round about way.
Something seems to have definitely caught her attention though...for she
edges once more forward.

M'teh gives K'ran a saccharine smile back. "So good of you to volunteer,
K'ran," he replies.

Kassima pauses before going outside to quip, belatedly, to Lillian,
"N'tan's show 'tis, but I can't see why nonriders wouldn't be as welcome
t'participate as riders."

Zaidra laughs, "I don't think humiliation - " but she trails off. This is,
after all, N'tan. Helpfully, she starts ushering folk, "You heard the man,
shall we all move outside?"

Ursa slips in, seemingly thinking she can somehow be unnoticed, for
Kassima's immediate greeting catches her by surprise. "Ah!" she returns to
her clutch mate, "Two of my favourite things. So everyone's heading out to
the bowl?"

Terrilia purses her lips and stands, slipping on her riding jacket and
collecting her klah. She looks rather relieved not to have been called on
as she follows the crowd. Seeing A'deth, she grins and raises her mug.

Divya rises from her seat, and quietly walks out to the bowl. No need to
draw attention to herself yet--N'tan might select her as another 'volunteer'.

A'deth steps aside from the entrance. "Over already?" he asks Terrilia.

G'rad leads the way at a light trot. "I'm looking forwards to it

Terrilia shakes her head as she draws even with her Wingsecond. "Nope, just
a demonstration outside."

You leave the workroom and head out into the bowl.

A'deth emerges from the passage leading to the workroom.

Kaylira emerges from the passage leading to the workroom.

Lexxie emerges from the passage leading to the workroom.

M'llon emerges from the passage leading to the workroom.

A'deth follows Terrilia out. "Of?"

Kassima bobs her head to Ursa as she follows the majority in loping out of
the Workroom. "Should be fun, don't you think? You should volunteer for...
for... well, whatever 'tis. If'n N'tan's still taking volunteers."

M'teh emerges from the passage leading to the workroom.

Terrilia shrugs to A'deth. "Some sort of physical training exercises, I
think."

K'ran's somewhat resigned as he emerges from the workroom, and shoulders
out of his jacket to set it down across one of the larger boulders near the
living cavern's entryway.

N'tan smiles, "Ok, I have G'rad, Kassi, and Y'il. Anyone else?"

Lillian follows the others out, her pack once more slung easly over one
shoulder. Instaed of sticking to the back, this time the petite young woman
makes her way to the side. So that she can see the demonstration more
clearly of course.

Divya makes her way to where Terrilia is standing in time to hear her
comment. "Judging by the smirk on his face, it'll be public humiliation
disguised as physical training exercises. I don't trust him."

Y'il stands a bit apart from the others, looking back and forth from his
fellow volunteers to N'tan.

G'rad knows what to expect. His grin is not too reassuring.

A'deth folds his arms. "Training through public humiliation's almost as
effective as training through abject fear," he chirps carelessly.

Kassima sing-songs, rocking back on her heels, "We're all doomed! Oh,
N'tan, don't forget K'ran now. He volunteered too. We all stand as witness."

N'tan smiles and motions K'ran over, "Ok, this is NOT abject humiliation."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima briefly channels Xan from Baldur's Gate.

Mirrari comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Kaylira just shakes her head and laughs to herself.

Zaidra watches, probably planning to decide for herself if it's humiliation
or not.

A'deth tsks. "And here I was, thinking I'd get some entertainment out of
this visit, and I won't after all."

K'ran goes where he's bid, and joins N'tan in the midst of the would-be
demonstration. "What," he asks, guardedly, "do you want I should do?"

Terrilia smirks and nods to Divya. "Well, me either. This should be
interesting..." She wrinkles her nose at A'deth. "I've never found that to
be tremendously effective in the long run."

G'rad says "The day is yet young." He grins at A'deth "Not joining in?"

A'deth flashes G'rad a smile. "I like to watch."

N'tan has a little more serious look to his face now as he crosses to one
side of the group, "Drills don't have to be all about getting up early in
the morning and running around the bowl for a couple candlemarks." His head
shakes a little. "Let's face it. If people looked at drills, not as a
chore, but as an opportunity." That smile returns, "When one of your riders
looks at drills as an opportunity to excell--that's when drills become most
effective."

Mirrari walks out to the bowl and encounters riders, lots of riders. And
they're doing stuff. She looks around curiously.

Y'il allows an expression of alarm to cross his face briefly at the mention
of 'running around the bowl' but he assumes a politely expectant look and
waits for specific instructions, scuffing one boot in the dirt.

Kassima crinkles her nose. "You don't mean t'tell me I volunteered for
something that's *productive*. Mnementh's stones... well, in for an ovine,
as they say." Shifting unconsciously into formal posture--back straight,
polished heels together, hands clasped behind her back--at N'tan's
sobering, she lifts not one but both brows at his words. "Mayhaps 'tis
going t'be a competition," she supposes sotto voce to her fellow
victi--volunteers.

N'tan walks cross to the other side of the group, "A challenge, really. And
the challenge is to do better than you did previously." He pauses a moment,
"Before I go over what it is we do in Avalanche, I need to stress that. It
is imperative that we don't encourage our riders to compete with each
other. The desire to do more than one should could get someone seriously
hurt."

G'rad murmurs "Wouldn't bet on it."

Terrilia arches an eyebrow at N'tan and watches curiously.

Zaidra tilts her head, slightly, as if changing the angle of her watching
will change what she sees. She remains quiet though.

Y'il lifts a roguish eyebrow at Kaylira, remembering an incident when they
were weyrlings. "And of course, we wouldn't want anybody to think they were
better than their fellows."

M'teh's sage comment is, "That may mean that riders try and outdo
themselves in Fall too."

A'deth murmurs blandly, "...Some of them don't need the proof."

"That's truth. Just as well 'tisn't, then; I'm fond of competition, but it
doesn't belong in a Wing." Kassi shifts her weight idly, still listening.

K'ran's expression's turned that much more dubious as N'tan's wound his way
over to the other side of the group, and away from him. Still, he's
standing at ready, as he might to loosen up before his morning run.

G'rad awaits N'tan's bidding. He is still grinning. LIke a feline does when
it has a rodent in its view

Lillian laughs softly to herself, eyes dancing impishly.

N'tan continues moving, his pace quick, but not hurried, "Now, this all
came about when I was looking for a better way to train. And after some
talk with a number of healers, we gave this a try. And it's worked out
tremendously." He continues, "When we tap new riders, we tell them what I'm
about to tell you: When you start this, start slow. Don't expect to be up
to full speed right off."

G'rad laughs slightly "Full speed compared to who, N'tan?"

Y'il groans, muttering, "Great. Wind sprints!"

N'tan grins at G'rad, "To those of us who have been doing this for a while
now."

"Ah, them." G'rad chuckles again

Kassima relaxes out of formal mode, letting her arms fall to her sides even
as her legs tense almost imperceptibly. "This should be fun," is all she
says. "Whatever 'tis."

Verenth backwings for a landing.

Melata climbs down Verenth's side to the ground, the dragon's sparkling
eyes watching closely.

Kaylira sputters at Y'il's comment (belatedly), "Hey!" Her indignation is
too tempered by mirth to be a serious scolding.

N'tan addresses the volunteers, "Ok, I want you guys to stretch out. Arms,
legs, everything you can." He turns to the rest, "There are two sets of
training that we do. The running kind, and the lifting kind, which gets
broken up into groups: chest and up, and stomach and down."

G'rad stretches back, and starts to limber up. As one mighr expect given
his appearance, he is not unused to this sort of exercise, taking it in his
stride. "Everything we can? In public? Have you been listening to gossip
again N'tan?"

Lillian shakes her head slightly, the end of her runner's tail swinging
back and forth. Slender arms cross under her chest as one hand raises to
cover a small laugh, err cough. Yes merely a clearing of the throat.

N'tan grins and shakes his head, not looking at G'rad.

Divya chokes on a laugh, and hastily bends her head so people can't see her
face.

It's bemusement that creeps into K'ran's expression, here, and while he'll
angle a brief and mildly hostile look G'rad-wards, like he'd pay good marks
to wipe said grinning-feline expression off the 'Reaches rider's mug, he
continues to do as bid, and spreads feet and arms out wide as he can. "Do
we get the instructions all at once, or just a little at a time, like this?"

Melata comes in just as something familiar is beginning.

Kassima murmurs to herself, "Ah, calisthenics." She obeys the instructions,
reaching up as much towards the sky as possible; and while so extended,
shifting her legs enough to sink into a full split, one leg before, one
behind. Whereupon she reaches forward, though she can't quite reach her
toes. "Probably a little at a time," she comments, muffled, "if'n this is
aught t'go by."

Terrilia looks thoughtful as she watches the volunteers begin to stretch
out. The fingers of her free hand tap gently against the outside of her
leg. "Lifting? Something like firestone sack tossing?" One corner of her
mouth quirks upward at G'rad's comment.

N'tan smiles at Terri, "More directed than that. But that's for later."

Y'il looks around, sighs in a resigned manner, and systematically runs
through his basic warm-up routine, looking rather absurd as he does so. He
remarks apparently to himself, "well, at least I'm not the only one,
anyway." Flexing, bending, twisting and bouncing, he eventually stands up
and rotates his neck once or twice. "Ok, I'm ready."

Zaidra watches the volunteers as they bend and stretch, still withholding
comment. She offers a wave to Melata, and any other recent arrivals.

Terrilia hmms and smiles, nodding.

G'rad touches his toes, and then considers doing more. No - he's ready.

N'tan motions to Terri, "C'mere." He grins.

Aquileth looks on with interest.

Zuzith stands up and moves in front of the group, out a ways.

Terrilia blinks and eyes N'tan warily, though she grins. "What? Why?" She
starts over, though not very quickly. "I'm still drinking my klah." She
holds the half-full mug out in front of her as if it'll protect her somehow.

Kassima finally rises back to her feet after a warm up routine that's
slower and less bounce-intensive than some, a vertebra popping in final
protest. "Oh, shut up," she mutters to it. After swinging her arms once,
twice, she lets them drop and says, "Ready when you lot are."

N'tan whispers to Terri.

Y'il suddenly laughs out loud, then covers his mouth with his hand. "I
don't think you get to help." He looks to N'tan. "Aquileth wants to know if
the dragons get to do this too."

Melata goes and stands against Verenth. She has seen and done this exercise
too many times.

N'tan motions to first group, "Ok, in just a minute I want you to start
walking with a fast pace. Then after 15 seconds, I'll want you to start
jogging. Now, I'll need you to go in a wide circle, so that you're near
enough to hear me. After 30 more seconds, we'll signal you and then you are
to go to a sprint for another 15 seconds. And we'll do this a few times."
His grin twists, "I'll let you know when we're done. After the sprint, go
back to a fast walk.. Any questions?"

G'rad winks at K'ran then says "None from me, N'tan. Ready whenever you say
go."

Y'il shakes his head. "Just tell us when to start." And doesn't quite sigh.

Terrilia blinks and nods to N'tan, looking less wary and more intrigued.
She takes a last sip and hands the mug off to a helpful bystander, then
raises her arms--and blushes. It does look a little silly.

"Unusual," Kassi murmurs, "but methinks I can handle that. Nay questions
just yet."

N'tan says "Zuzith will let out a short trumpet at the time intervals.
She's going to know when to do it 'cause Terri's going to keep track and
raise her arms so Zuzith can see. Stay between us and Zuzith."

K'ran's own warm-up is efficient if nothing else, more a limbering of limbs
and joints than an effort to reach the sky or perform gymnastic splits.
"Walk, jog, sprint, walk, sprint, walk, and so on. Right." That wink G'rad
aims his way gets answered with a dry smile."

Terrilia lowers her arms slightly. "Are you just going to call the first one?"

N'tan nods to Terri and faces the voluneters, "Ok....go!

N'tan grins, "Start counting."

Terrilia grins as her question's answered and begins to count, watching the
volunteers.

G'rad sets off at the brisk walk, concentrating on the matter at hand.
Listen for the bugle...listen...

Zaidra slips back inside briefly, returning with a mug of klah for herself,
just as the first walk is called.

N'tan says "As these lucky volunteers go around, they're getting warmed up."

Kassima's warm up seems to have done the trick for her, seemingly efficient
or no, since she has no problems setting into a rapid stride with fists
swinging to either side. One ear is kept trained on N'tan and Zuzith, but
she mainly faces forward.

Y'il sets off as a brisk pace, keeping one eye on Zuzith and another on
where he's going.

Lillian nods her head as N'tan speaks, makes sense after all.

Terrilia counts slowly to fifteen, then raises her arm and waves to Zuzith.
She turns toward the volunteers to see the results.

Zuzith croons shortly.

K'ran approaches power-walking without difficulty -- running, after all, is
a passtime of his, and so this isn't so far from a typical warmup.

N'tan watches Terri, "The intermittent sprinting is what makes this work.
Now, when I say sprint, I mean complete and total unloading of energy." He
turns back to the group, "Once those 15 seconds are up, slow back down."

G'rad jogs, and thumbs up at N'tan, grinning that feline grin again. He's
actually enjoying himself.

Terrilia hmms and nods, continuing to count as she watches the runners.

Kaylira crosses her arms over her chest and watches -partly curiosu to see
where this is going. And.. in truth, partly appreciatively.

Y'il quickens his pace just a hair, so he's not exactly walking, but
certainly not running. Is this a jog? It's more of a lope, actually.

Divya mistakes Zuzith's crooning for a compliment aimed in his direction.
He turns his head to face her and spreads out his wings to show off his sails.

Konnevath mistakes Zuzith's crooning for a compliment aimed in his
direction. He turns his head to face her and spreads out his wings to show
off his sails.

Yashira walks here from the north.

Kassima nods shortly to acknowledge N'tan's instructions, not wasting
breath in a vocal reply; her jog is quick and easy. She does this
frequently with her Wing, after all.

Behemoth watches, rather sleepily. That is one creature in the bowl
currently not at all interested in exercise

Melata watches with interest. No one has dropped...yet.

Cyameth turns his attention from Zuzith and the runners to snort at
Konnevath briefly.

Zaidra moves to stand near Kaylira, murmuring, "Glad you came." Then,
glancing at the runners, "Enjoying the spectacle?"

Less than one cycle....

Telgar Weyr> Yashira peers at allll the people. What bbpost did I neglect
to read?

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "So many people..so much idling.."

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "I was wondering myself. They're all in the bowl."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima says, "+bbread/tgw 19"

Telgar Weyr> Zaidra says, "Wingleader Conference. We're watching K'ran run
in circles. Literally."

Aquileth looks on the two-legs along with his own rider with extreme
interest and, if his body language is anything to go by, a bit of amusement
as well. Head cocked to one side, his tailtip twitches and flops in the dirt.

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "Aagh. I had remembered that the last time, not
this time :/"

Telgar Weyr> K'ran says, "She's hovering nearby with a cattle prod, Zaidra
is."

Telgar Weyr> Yashira says, "Oh, cool! Dammit. I forgot to volunteer for
that. When it got rescheduled I forgot all about it."

Zuzith rumbles softly to Konnevath, but not loud enough for the runners to
hear.

Terrilia's slow count reaches 30, and she raises her arm again.

Zuzith croons sharply again for the runner.

Decarath lumbers here from the north.

Telgar Weyr> Zaidra says, "You're welcome to drop in anyway, you know. See
what you have to look forward to."

Telgar Weyr> L'han races Yash to the bowl

Maireth backwings for a landing.

L'han climbs down Maireth's side to the ground, the dragon's sparkling eyes
watching closely.

Yashira comes trotting into view, riding straps gathered in her hands. A
fairly large brown lumbers along beside and quite a ways behind her.

Lysseth watches all this circling about impassively, letting her opinion of
such antics on the parts of riders be known after a moment with a wide,
extensive yawn. "You're nay helping," Kassi fires to her lifemate when she
passes near her--it *is* worth the use of breath to snark at her dragon,
evidently--but her attention's quickly taken by the need to run. And she
does run, on the balls of her feet more than the heels, each stride
reaching to full extension and gaining speed rapidly.

WHOOMPH! G'rad is off at a sprint, kicking up dust from his heels as he
goes. Breath not even fast, he waves as he spots Maireth coming down "What
ho!" and is then past that spot.

Melata shakes her head as she watches G'rad.

N'tan chuckles, "He likes this way too much."

Ymedath rests his head on his forepaws, blinking at the runners. He doesn't
yawn. Just...watches.

Y'il attempts to sprint, finds a dragon in his way, and has to change
course to avoid him. Finally letting himself out, he barrels around the turn.

K'ran shifts smoothly from a regulated jog to a flat-out, full-on,
nothing-held-back sprint, and without much in the way of evident exertion.

Lillian's eyes sparkle with appreciation as the runners go full out. By the
slightly bemused smile on her face, this is a new experience for her.

Terrilia watches the runners and grins, not without a hint of appreciation.
At fifteen, she waves her hand at Zuzith again.

Zuzith croons!

G'rad slows down, and jogs around the circle, whistling a merry tune as he
goes. Sounds like a lewd sea shanty actually.

Kassima picks up enough momentum that her braid, heavy though it is, starts
to trail behind her; she's no more tired than any of the others, and in
fact wears a slight smile on an otherwise intent face. Quite possibly she's
as fond of speed as her green. At the croon, she falls back to the slower
gait, weight landing heavily on her leg to slow her stride but without any
steps missed.

Y'il makes a smoother transition this time, slowing back down to the
requiste jog.

L'han watches the goings on with no small amount of amusement. Or perhaps
it's the way Storm's chubby little fists keep waving through the air while
he sqwaks indignantly in his sling. The daddy tries some gentle bouncing as
he makes his way closer to Spineth, "Look, there's mama's big, snarly
Brown. If we find mama, you can punch at her for a while."

N'tan says "This whole process lasts for only 20 minutes. And that's it.
That's all that's needed for drilling for the day." He smiles and waits a
bit to let that sink in. "That's right. Only 20 minutes of drilling. Now
the other half of this takes about 40 minutes and I'll get into that in a
bit. I want to pause here and give you an opportunity to ask questions," He
grins a little bigger, "and them time to catch their breath.""

Konnevath looks at the humans in the bowl with a puzzled look in his eyes.
Finally he dismisses them and turns his attention to what is more
important--the pretty green dragon. He lumbers a little closer to her, but
stays outside of clawing range. He croons to her again, after standing tall
to show off how long his tail is.

Melata leans against Verenth some more.

Zuzith cranes her neck at Konnevath.

Lillian blinks, her head snapping to follow G'rad as he passes by those
watching....she knows that tune. A deep blush of color spots her cheeks
this time.

Yashira grins up at Decarath, who settles down with an uninterested whumph
after rumbling a minimal greeting to the visiting dragons. Not a friendly
sort. His rider is relatively better, glancing about with a vague grin,
though her eyes are continually drawn to those running.

Terrilia was still counting, but stops, hearing N'tan. She nods
thoughtfully and watches the runners--or walkers, as the case may be--again.

Behemoth snorts slightly, and isn't flirting with any greens. females. Pah!

Once Zuzith signals the slow-down, K'ran's keeping pace with the other
riders easily, though his expression's twisted into a mild frown. "Why," he
wonders here, "all the speeding-up and slowing-down? Seems like it'd be a
lot more efficient to just have them run flat-out, for a while."

Cyameth eyes Konnevath and makes a kind of hmphing noise. He can't seem to
resist stretching out a little in that sunny spot, though.

A'deth notes quietly to Terrilia, "Any excuse to get such lovelies hot and
bothered's all right with me. As long as I'm not expected to join in."

Ursa is well hidden in the crowd of watchers. L'han's voice, though,
catches her attention and she moves through the crowd to join them by
Spineth, who watches implacably.

Zaidra whispers to a couple of lingering weyrlings, pressing them into
service to fetch towels for N'tan's victims. Turning to K'ran, though, she
mock-glares, "You stole my question."

N'tan shakes his head, "And how long can a person do a full blown-out
sprint? Not very long compared a full training period."

Terrilia turns her head and smirks at A'deth. "I don't really think we
should stand on the sidelines, if we do something like this. Can't expect
them to do something we're not, after all. And besides--it does look like
good exercise."

A'deth bahs. "You're so... fair. And I get enough excercise, lately."

Lillian clears her throat, cheeks still colored, "I would guess that it
would lengthen a person's endurance to do it this way.."

Terrilia snorts and blushes at A'deth. "I don't think I want to know..."

"I'd never have a day of drills that didn't involve as much work on a
dragon's back as afoot," Kassima murmurs, but more to herself than anyone
else. She's taking deep breaths through her nose--inhale, exhale--but
doesn't seem particularly winded. "For the foot half of things, this seems
as good a method as any."

G'rad slows down on time with the signals. Of course, he's done this
before, so he can match the pace. He nods at Lillian "Aye!" he calls "And
helps their attention span"

N'tan nods, "That's correct Lillian. We get much more out of this." Turning
to Terri and A'deth, "Wingleaders and Wingseconds do this with our
wingriders at 'Reaches."

A'deth looks sidelong at Terrilia. "...For someone so dedicated to
repopulating the weyr, you're so _very_ delicate when it comes to some
things. Honestly." And N'tan gets an agreeable nod. "Of _course_."

Y'il staggers over to his dragon and sits. "I don't think I can do the rest
of this."

Lillian nods, gaining confidence. "Like swimming..running the same speed
all the time would cause a person to ... zone out. You get wrapped up in
the rythem."

Terrilia nods to N'tan. "As it should be," she agrees. She hmphs quietly at
A'deth, but smirks, and her cheeks go even redder.

Yashira crosses her arms, left hand gripping her right upper arm, right
hand holding onto her riding straps. She's grinning broadly as she watches.

K'ran shrugs his shoulders easily as he falls out of the exercise, and like
the others, doesn't appear particularly winded. "I don't know. The
stop-again-start-again bit would drive me up the wall." But this personal
judgement offered, he says, "Still, if it works for you."

Zaidra moves toward Y'il, offering a towel and water. "Looks like you need
this," she murmurs. Louder she asks, "N'tan, do you do this every day, or
alternate with other sorts of activities?"

Kaylira casts a sympathetic look to Y'il. Uncertain how she'd be faring in
his place.

N'tan motions to the group, "Let me take this moment to remind you: This is
NOT about showing off. This is about staying in good shape. So, that means
do NOT over do it. You'll do more harm than good? Can't sprint the full 15
seconds? Drop down to a jog. Can't keep jogging? Walk. Just keep moving."

M'llon smiles as he watches, "Well these meetings are certainly giving me
ideas for things at Ista.. more exercise and more drinking?"

G'rad keeps moving to stay warmed up and not break the routine. "How about
oving on to the next stage, N'tan? That's the hard part."

Y'il coughs and takes the water and the towel. "I'm just getting over a
cold. I probably shouldn't be doing this. Thanks."

L'han bouncebouncebounces his cargo up to his mama, tipping the sling for a
good look as he murmurs, "See? She's right here. Big, surly Brown, little
surly Brownrider." Then he winks and flashes Ursa the grin he knows will
keep his anatomy intact, before letting his eyes move over the rest of the
gathering.

Kaylira flicks a finger to several things - most having to do with the
footwork section and the results. She mutters to M'llon, "You... of...
the... think." 

N'tan smiling at Zaidra, "Well, there's the lifting. Which I'll talk about
momentarily." He addresses everyone again, "That first minute's pretty
easy. Once you get into this, the last half, last quarter,
get...challenging." Motioning to M'llon, "M'llon's reminded me of
something, for all this, make sure you have water available."

Yashira saluted when she got here, like a good Weyrling. Really.

Lillian comments softly, more to hreslef than those around her, "Not
positive that is the type of drinking he had in mind."

M'llon nods to Kaylira with smile, "That sounds like a good idea."

Terrilia nods again, pressing a hand to one cheek as her blush fades.
"Looks like good exercise," she observes again.

Kassima slows from walk to halt, though she continues to rock back and
forth from toes to heel and back again, arms swinging to and fro. "Sounds
like what we tell our Wingriders," she agrees amiably. "Everyone's got
their own methods--and they all must work fairly well, for all the Wings
t'be as strong as we are." Kassi? Proud of dragonriders? Nahhhh. Setting
into a slow amble, she agrees, "Dehydration can be nasty, particularly in
the sorts of weather that suck the water right out of you anyway."

A'deth mutters sourly, "Can't even drink proper fardling drinks. _Water_,
of all things."

N'tan smiles, "Ok, let's talk muscles. Riders are well-known to be better
fit than the average person. What we're going to do here is make it so that
we build up better and faster." He motions to a group of sacks laying nearby.

Terrilia snorts at A'deth. "Water, definitely. Especially at Igen." She
quiets again to listen to N'tan with interest.

G'rad hops from foot too foot, shaking his hands out. "You don't say?" he
grins at N'tan "How do we do that then?"

Yashira glances over at A'deth with something of an incredulous look.

Melata rolls her eyes at G'rad's question.

Ursa joins L'han, automatically peering at her son in his daddy's sling.
Since the boy doesn't seem hungry she curbs that motherly urge to snatch
him into her own arms. She nods towards the lecturer. "Physical training,"
she comments.

N'tan says "What we're going to do is a series of lifts that are done in a
specific order. And again, all done in under an hour."

A'deth just eyes Yashira.

Zaidra turns back to the group, "Lifting. This I want to see."

Divya starts to smile now, a little twist of her lips. She mutters
something softly to Terrilia.

N'tan says "Remember why we're doing this: We want to make this less of a
chore and more fun. By decreasing the amount of time spent doing drills, we
make it less of a chore. The fun comes in when we get our riders to
continually outperform themselves."

Divya mutters to Terrilia, "... be... shirts.... so enjoy... chest."

N'tan adds, "Not each other."

Yashira frowns slightly, a hint of recognition hitting her eyes. Her frown
deepens, and she turns her attention away from A'deth just short of a scowl.

Kassima dips her chin Ursa-wards. "Important thing," she agrees with her
clutchmate, "for the strength t'throw the sacks. And general stamina."
Folding her dark-clad arms, she surveys the sacks and asks, "What's the
order?"

Terrilia chuckles and nods to Divya, grinning. There's still a hint of a
blush in her cheeks. She mutters to Divya, "... it?... tell... said..." 

L'han's eyes move from Yashira to A'deth. Then Yashira. Wow. Someone else
has the Weyrling scowling for once. He leans, muttering into Ursa's ear.

K'ran's not built like a power-lifter, but he doesn't hesitate to drift
over toward those sacks N'tan's indicated. "Yeah," he chimes in with Kassi.
"What order?"

A'deth tilts his head to the side. "What?" he inquires rather carelessly of
Yashira. "Did I stand you up sometime?"

N'tan hands out some hides to everyone, "Ok, so lifting: We use stone sacks
of increasing weight. We do different exercises for different muscles.
There are various different exercises for each muscle, and the hides I've
passed out will detail each one. I'm going to show you a couple."

Y'il sits on his dragons forepaw and watches everybody else continue on.
Coughing, he decides to stay where he is.

Lillian continues to watch with interest from her spot off towards the side
of the croud. From here she can watch without blocking, or being blocked by
anyone.

Yashira shakes her head curtly in reply to A'deth. "No, Wingsecond." That
said, she shifts her stance a little and looks toward the sacks.

A'deth flicks a hand dismissively and turns away. "Silly girl."

Terrilia retrieves her klah from the helpful bystander and takes a hide.
She looks it over, then up at N'tan.

G'rad examines the hides and nods slightly. "Yes, N'tan. Watching.2

Zaidra calls over to Yashira, "I'm sure no one would object to you
participating in the lifting demonstration. Ask N'tan?"

Yashira's eyes narrow slightly; her chin jerks up, and her mouth opens as
she glances back at A'deth. Then closes. She looks to Zaidra with a grin.
"Funny. I was just thinking I'd like to toss a few sacks around.
Wingsecond, sir?" That last is directed to N'tan.

Lillian takes the hide with a smile of thanks, eyes darting over the
illustrations.

Mirielle walks here from the north.

Kassima slants a sharp look towards the A'deth-Yashira spectacle, but
doesn't leave the sacks; Lysseth's head lifts for a moment, however.
"Logical," the greenrider comments on N'tan's explanation thus far.

N'tan addresses the volunteers, "Ok, the sacks over there are of decent
weight and are organized in pairs and in increasing order. G'rad, go ahead
and pick up your first pair."

Mirielle emerges slowly, looking around her and staying in the background
to avoid getting in anyone's way.

Lysseth> Decarath senses that Lysseth drifts a thought your way, dusky grey
and violet commingled: << My rider suggests that yours should pay no
attention to the words of Jaelith's; he is not, she says, an entirely
honorable man, and his baitings are not worth distress. >>

Yashira shrugs out of her jacket, setting her riding straps aside and the
jacket with them. Fingers flexing, she moves over with the other volunteers.

G'rad approaches the sacks. He bends from the knees, straight backed, and
braces the sacks around his hands. With careful breath control, he lifts
the sacks, muscles not even noticing the weight, but as they are the first
pair of sacks, they are probably not very heavy.

Kassima smiles a brief greeting as her mentee joins the group, then turns
curious eyes towards the lifting. She's found herself a set of sacks to
stand in front of likewise somewhere along the way.

N'tan nods at G'rad, "Ok, these are going to work the muscles at the front
of his upper arms."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Decarath's tone is mildly amused - more so than
usual. The tenor is calm, and his thoughts are cool and green as pine
needles. << So she has determined. She will put her mind to this task. She
says to say that she has learned there are more productive things to do
instead of hitting someone. >> A pause. << Even if it is more fun. >>

Melata watches G'rad lift firestone bags.

A'deth peers at the hide in his wingleader's hands. He mutters to Terrilia,
"... what... that... I..." 

G'rad lifts, and lowers the sacks. Up-down-up-down... carefully, measured
movements that don't stress the body too much. In total, he performs the
act twelve times, before lowering the bags again to rest.

Divya admires the show G'rad puts on. "Good example, good example Wingleader!"

Lysseth> Decarath senses that Lysseth lets herself slip into dryness, fog
dissipating into pale crystal dust. << That is well--and mine agrees, on
the hitting. Both in its lack of productivity and its great entertainment.
She was rather hoping this would be a fighting exercise when Behemoth's
first removed his shirt. >>

N'tan nods at G'rad to get the next pair of bags.

Terrilia tilts the hide toward A'deth and shrugs, glancing toward Yashira
curiously. She mutters to A'deth, "... seen... before?"  She watches G'rad
closely and grins at Divya's encouragement.

N'tan says "G'rad's going to do 3 more sets. As we saw, the first set of
lifts he did 12 of those. The next one he'll do 10, then 8, then 6. Each
time increasing weight."

G'rad steps to the next set and lifts the bags in the similar manner. This
pair get only ten lifts, and then the next get eight. At the fourth set of
sacks - which DO look reasonably heavy - he does six lifts. His muscles are
straining a little now. THose are big sacks.

"Interesting," remarks K'ran, non-committal, as he twines the neck of one
sack about his hand and tests the weight.

A'deth frowns, but his expression is rather more thoughtful than
displeased. He mutters to Terrilia, "... I'sai... Igen... teach... I
think.... weyrling? If... was... didn't say... him... the... Good company,
I'sai..." 

No amount of height can help once the audience become so many deep. L'han
uses one hand to tap on the rider before him, "What's he doing, there?
Front curls? Hammer curls? Isolated curls?"

N'tan smiles, "For the last 2, he'll do 12 lifts of each of the 2 heaviest
pairs."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Decarath's tone is vaguely confused. A few
colour swirl together, and there's a pause. << My rider does not seem
impressed with Behemoth's rider's lack of shirt. >>

Kassima nods when N'tan speaks, keeping her arms folded and watching the
demonstration with an interest that appears to be purely clinical. "The
early lifts would warm the muscles amply for those later," she
supposes--breaking off to direct yet another sharp look in A'deth's
direction. With the faintest of frowns, she refocuses forward.

Jarven comes out of the short tunnel from the living cavern.

Yashira glances over at G'rad for a moment, forehead wrinkling in
puzzlement, then to K'ran, then down at the bags. She curls her hands
'round the necks of two, hefting them experimentally.

Lillian arches one eyebrow as the sacks become increasingly heavier in
size, demanding more effort on the lifters part. "Oh my." Is the softly
muttered, yet appreciative, comment to herself.

Jarven walks north.

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "Come back, Jarven! I have to ogle you ! ;)"

Terrilia darts a glance back at A'deth, arching an eyebrow. "Mm, true. He
can be."

Telgar Weyr> Jarven says, "I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing... ;)"

G'rad lets the sacks he holds fall and looks at N'tan "What did you put in
these things?" he grins a little "Well, here goes." He braces the sacks and
grunts out a heavy groan, and slowly, and deliberately, lifts the sacks.
Each one is about as full as a sack can be, and as such, is very, very
heavy. One..two...three...he keeps going to twelve and drops the sacks.
After a moment, he comments "I need a drink."

Telgar Weyr> Yashira grins. Telgarians have gotten used to Yashira. Her
grumpiness is offputting visiting riders, whee!

Telgar Weyr> L'han says, "Any L'hanthing is a Goodthing."

"Oh, stop it," A'deth sniffs. "He's weyrmated."

Lysseth> Decarath senses that Lysseth's dust disappears beneath ripples of
laughter, vibrant blue and liquid. << Mine is not displeased by that. She
would have it that too many of her mentees would have been drooling by
now... she says that she might be appreciative, only it is clearly being
done for show, and anyway she prefers males who aren't so... bulging. >>

Y'il coughs again, and nods. "I think you're right, Aquileth." He nods
around to the assembled. "I need to get back to the Weyr and have our
healer look at me. I'm sorry I couldn't finish, N'tan. It looks interesting."

Y'il is lifted by Aquileth's foreleg until he can grasp the straps,
swinging the rest of the way up.

Yashira shuffles her feet out to shoulder width apart, frowns, and begins
to lift the sacks in question. The shoulders of her shirt strain slightly -
Weyrling training tends to increase muscle, after all. Without comment, she
continues the exercise, hefting, lowering, increasing weight, hefting,
lowering.

Ursa reaches out and musses the curls atop her son's head, the baby still
nestled in L'han's sling. This all done without looking, while she
continues to watch the weight-lifting without comment.

Jarven walks here from the north.

Mirielle keeps to the background, not exactly sure what's happening, but
not necessarily wanting to be drafted into the fun.

Once G'rad's through with his demonstration, K'ran sets his own 'stone sack
down, and remarks, "Think I'd like to take a look at one of those hides,
N'tan, if you don't mind. This is all... interesting. Worth thinking about,
anyway, you know?"

Terrilia waves after Y'il and glances sidelong at A'deth again, speaking
softly. She mutters to A'deth, "... he... at least seven... they're..."
She turns her attention back to the lifting riders.

Lillian slips away from the croud, dissapearing back inot the living cavern
for a long moment. When she returns she has a tray full of glasses, each
filled with water. Stepping up to the demonstraters she offers each a
glass..starting with G;rad "This shoudl help."

Aquileth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him
aloft.

N'tan nods at K'ran, "That's why we're here."

Zaidra nods with K'ran, "Worth thinking about, at least."

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Decarath sounds like he's losing interest in
this conversation. << I see. >> A pause, and then a pinprick of curiosity.
<< The other riders, they are... drooling? >> Ah, gossip.

N'tan smiles, "Any questions?"

Kassima lifts a hand in a belated wave after the departing Istan rider.
"Methinks I'm content with our drills as they're currently run," she
confesses, "but methinks I'll speak with a Healer I trust, see how she
thinks the different routines compare. More than one way t'get the job
done, any road."

A'deth shrugs. He mutters to Terrilia, "... Flights? Or... just... to
see... for... and... I... dabble in... affairs." 

Lillian grins as she hands G'rad the water. She mutters to G'rad, "...
was... song you... singing..." 

G'rad takes the glass and sups pleasantly. "My thanks. And yes, it was." he
winks

Konnevath rumbles again, but this time it's directed toward his lifemate,
and has a note of concern in his voice. Divya murmurs her excuses and
hurries to mount up and head for home.

Lysseth> Decarath senses that Lysseth lets it slide, not so social that
she'll beg conversation where interest is not; anyway, her mind has begun
to prickle with rider's reflected ire. << Some of them are, >> she agrees.
<< Or near enough to make no difference. So she says. >>

Zaidra glances around, "Looks like no more questions." She waves a hand to
those departing, then makes the gesture into more of a gathering one.
"They'll have restocked our drinks and added food by now, shall we head
back in."

L'han raises a hand, mouth opening to begin to ask something..but Mirie's
arrival distracts him into a wave, and then Jarven catches his eye, and
he's greeting the stablehand, as well.

Divya hops up onto Konnevath's back, using his foreleg as a step.

Konnevath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry
him aloft.

Terrilia thinks that over and nods reluctantly. She mutters to A'deth, "...
He... a nice..."  she agrees. She waves toward Divya and turns back to
N'tan and Zaidra, smiling. "Thanks, N'tan. That was interesting."

Lillian mutters to G'rad, "... leaving my... had... Especially this far
inland.""

Yashira sets down her sacks, cocking her head toward Zaidra. She dusts her
hands off.

"Drinks," repeats K'ran. "Food." Those two words enough for him, he's among
the first to plunge back into the workroom -- though he stops briefly to
retrieve his jacket.

N'tan smiles, "You're welcome. Thanks everyone and volunteers."

G'rad mutters to Lillian, "... love... in... to... a..."

Jarven is caught off guard by the large gathering of riders in the bowl. He
notices a friendly wave from L'han. He waves at the rider with a perplexed
look on his face.

Kassima wiggles fingers after Konnevath and rider, too, with Lysseth
throwing in a rumble for good measure. "This is m'day t'miss people," she
mutters wryly, and sets for the workroom herself--but not before adding,
"Aye, N'tan, thankee much; 'twas an illuminating exercise. And m'pleasure,
a'course."

Zaidra smiles, "Thanks N'tan, and all the volunteers. Food. Drinks. Inside."

Zaidra moves down a short passage and past a curtain, moving out of sight
as she enters the workroom.

You push aside the curtain and enter the workroom.

Lysseth> Mirielle waves back at L'han, although maybe it's a bit reserved.
Looking at the workroom,. she shrugs, and follows the group in.

N'tan comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Dragon> Lysseth senses that Decarath sends along a feeling that he heard,
and then quiets.

Lexxie comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Lysseth> Terrilia smiles and follows the group back inside.

Terrilia comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Lysseth> Yashira collects her jacket and riding straps, trailing after the
others.

Yashira comes into the workroom from the bowl.

A'deth comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Mirielle comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Terrilia refills her klah mug and retakes her seat. She nods toward a chair
next to her for A'deth.

Ursa comes into the workroom from the bowl.

A'deth pauses by the indicated chair. "Anything to drink with even just a
_hint_ of alcohol?" he inquires wistfully.

Kassima returns to her previous seat, a flicker of relief crossing her face
when she sees that her bottle of brandy still remains unmolested. She's
quick to refill her long-emptied glass. And then, without comment, to slide
the bottle back into her pocket. "This has been going well so far.
Excellent job you're doing, Zaidra. What's next on the agenda, then?"

K'ran comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Melata comes into the workroom from the bowl.

M'llon comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Kaylira comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Yashira lopes into the room, taking up a position somewhere near and a
little behind Kassima.

Zaidra waves a hand to the food table, "We've been re-stocked. And I see
skins of wine over there, don't know if there's ale." Then she moves back
to the front. "I know there aren't many wingseconds here, but I'd asked
K'ran to talk about that, and maybe those of us who are not 'seconds can
make their lives easier based on his thoughts. Or not. In any case, K'ran,
if you've got something to wet your throat, will you take the floor?"

Mirielle leaves the workroom and heads out into the bowl.

A'deth flashes Zaidra a grateful smile, and fetches himself a glass of wine
before heading for the seat beside Terrilia.

"Certainly," answers K'ran, just as soon as he's found himself a mug of
something less mundane than klah -- and just as soon as he's able to locate
some empty space within full view of the others present. "So, what I'd
hoped to do was talk about the role of the Wingsecond, since I have
something of a personal stake in it. And I don't really want to stand up
here and pontificate, because, you know, what works for me doesn't
necessarily work at High Reaches or Ista or Igen or Fort, or even in
Thunderbolt or Skyfire. So I'd like this to be a conversation, where we can
trade ideas and talk shop, as it were. So let me get the ball rolling by
asking a question. What do you all see as the job of your run-of-the-mill
Wingsecond?"

Maylia's been quietly discussing with some weyrlings the information
gleaned from the earlier meeting, out of courtesy leaving the replenished
refreshements until the main group has returned. The weyrlings wait their
turn, then stake out 'their' places to listen in, as does Maylia.

N'tan smiles, "Well, I can only speak to what we do in Avalanche."

M'llon retakes a seat just as K'ran starts to speak.

Lillian comes into the workroom from the bowl.

Terrilia glances over at grins at her Wingsecond, settling back in her chair.

"Speak to what you know," encourages K'ran. "Like I said, I think this is
something that varies not just from weyr to weyr, but wing to wing, too."

Yashira tips her chin up, glancing over at N'tan as he speaks. She looks to
K'ran, then says, "Wingseconds are supposed to be the next in the chain of
command, after the Wingleader. Should anything happen to the Wingleader,
they assume command. They also help organize with the Wingleader...?" She
trails off, tone lilting up to make it a question.

"T'support the Wingleader," Kassima answers at once, leaning back in her
seat. "T'oversee drills occasionally, either when the Wingleader is
indisposed or in turns; t'lead when the Wingleader can't; t'be prepared,
always, t'take command in a crisis whether it need immediate action or
something less urgent. They should be familiar with all of their
Wingriders, nay only those flying in the half of the Wing they regularly
oversee. They keep their ears open for complaints from the ranks and bring
them discreetly to the Wingleader's attention; they make suggestions, they
give reports. They advise, but should always be aware that they do nay
lead, and be willing t'support the Wingleader in his or her decisions
whether or nay he or she may personally agree with 'em." Dropping out of
formal mode, she adds a bit wryly, "That's how it's played in Thunderbolt,
anyway, for as long as I've known the Wing."

Lillian slips back into the work room, a small smile playing on her lips as
she retakes her seat in the back of the room.

Kaylira resists the urge to comment on how long that might be on Kassi's
behalf. Though she does smirk. She's a minx for a reason.

N'tan says "We divide the wing up into thirds. Melata, as Wingleader,
myself and Sh'yar as Wingseconds. We each take a third of the wing, and
rotate through them. We're responsible for getting daily reports from our
riders who are hunting, watching, sweeping, etc. As Wingseconds, we write
up reports on our thirds of the wing and give them to Melata, who, in turn,
writes her reports to our Weyrseconds."

Terrilia nods in agreement with Kassima and listens to N'tan's account with
slightly raised eyebrows. "Thirds, hmm," she muses. "That's different."

Zaidra adds, "I've found that wingriders talk to Lenka or I'sai about
things a bit more openly then to me, as if there's some sense that a report
to them is slightly less official. So I rely on their input to know when
people are just whining as opposed to having real concerns." And then she
amends, "Not that people whine."

N'tan nods to Terri, "Yeah. Of course, anyone in the Wing can talk to any
of us about anything."

A'deth just states quite soberly, "Kassima said just about everything
I'd've said."

Terrilia nods again and smiles. Speaking up, she says, "Because I'm
Weyrsecond, too, my Wingseconds have to take on a little more
responsibility," she adds. "They usually run half-wing drills for me,
though I try to join in when I can, and I run the full-wing drills. They
end up with a little more of the hidework, too. And they do an excellent job."

Kassima flicks a smile to A'deth at that, one tinged lightly with
sheepishness. "Methinks I rambled on a bit. But thankee."

K'ran turns a bit of a grin toward Yashira, first, and then Kassima, and
finally N'tan. "Good answers," he says. "And more or less the same in
Dawnslight: me and Lanryi are there to watch and listen, to help manage and
organize, and to be ready to step up in case Mit or Daruth run into
problems." And he agrees with Zaidra, "I've seen that too, with people
seeming more intimidated to be frank with someone whose knot's bigger. So
now that we know what Wingseconds are supposed to do, how ought they do it?
And is there anything more, than the official line of responsibilities? For
instance, Mit delegates to me organizing getting our new riders oriented
and squared away. He has a hand in it, of course, but mostly I just write
him reports, and he lets me know what he likes and doesn't."

Yashira cranes her neck, peering about with apparent interest. You can take
a Weyrling out of class...

A'deth flicks his hand dismissively. "You didn't."

N'tan shakes his head, "We all do that sort of thing."

Kassima considers this question for several beats longer than the last. "A
Wingsecond shouldn't force her Wingleader's hand," she says finally. "Or
step out of place, any more than a Wingleader should presume t'command the
Weyrleader, or an Assistant Weyrlingmaster replace the Weyrlingmaster. The
chain of command should be clear, to keep things running smoothly and so
that the Wingriders won't find themselves confused about who's truly in
charge--who t'go to with the serious problems, who t'listen to above all in
Fall. But that doesn't mean a Wingsecond needs t'be an ovine. They *should*
speak up when they disagree with their Wingleader; only do so respectfully,
as calmly as possible. More likelihood they'll be listened to that way
besides. They have the delicate job of needing t'learn *how* t'lead, but
also how t'stay behind and support. I had that easy, with P'tran. I admired
him too much t'ever dare think I should push m'boundaries with him. As to
the unofficial, I like m'Wingseconds t'have a part in the new Weyrlings'
inductions, and t'help me decide which new Weyrlings t'tap particularly."

N'tan nods to Kassima, "When we talk about who to tap, Melata takes our
opinions and has us do some of the tappings."

Zaidra nods agreement, "I'm finding that having a wingsecond on loan to
Maylia is invaluable in assessing the weyrling classes." And she finds
Maylia in the crowd again, "I get him back soon, /right/ ?"

Melata nods.

Terrilia chuckles and takes a sip of her klah, glancing toward the
Weyrlingmaster.

"Have you ever had a problem, Kassi," wonders K'ran, "with a Wingsecond
getting too big for his or her breeches?" He pauses a beat to wander his
gaze about the room. "Have any of you? What would you do, in the case?"

A'deth just murmurs diffidently, "Whatever is required of one at the time,
one does." And takes a sip of wine. And at K'ran's latest question, he
smirks at Terrilia.

From the back someone pipes up, "Send 'em to N'tan for physical training!"

Terrilia smirks back at A'deth and chuckles quietly. "Never had that
problem--yet," she answers, and laughs.

Lillian settles more comfortably on the chair. Comfortable for her at
least...she brings both legs up and folds them over one another as she
continues to listen to the conversations going on about her.

Yashira perks a little at the mention of Weyrling tapping.

A'deth purrs, "Ego should be suspended when duty starts, and resumed when
it's done."

"Well, sure," K'ran can make laughing agreement with A'deth. "But does it
always work out that way?"

A'deth shrugs at K'ran. "I can't speak for anyone else."

"Once," Kassi agrees, with something of a sigh. "Unfortunately. He presumed
t'try and berate me on matters that had naught t'do with the Wing, and made
some implications in public that nay only weren't true, but wouldn't be
much good for Wing morale. He was a good Wingsecond in all other respects,
so I kept him on. But I came down hard on him, and though he stayed
Wingsecond awhile after, he did eventually retire."

Yashira shakes her head, waiting for an opening before asking, "How does
one suspend ego entirely and still not become an... ovine?" She looks to
Kassima as she uses the term.

A'deth murmurs, "One disagrees in _private_ unless lives are at stake."

Terrilia grins at A'deth and K'ran's exchange, but her smile fades to a
more serious expression as Kassima speaks, and she nods, agreeing.

Kassima grins a bit at that. "You may nay be able to *entirely*. You'd
still need, as Wingsecond, enough ego t'think your opinions are of *value*.
And you should! Since if'n you have naught t'offer, why would you be
Wingsecond? Only you can't think your opinions are infallible and the most
important thing under the stars, t'be publically set up in opposition to
the Wingleader's. Or anyone in rank greater than yours. All *public*
disagreements should be civil... the heated comes in private, as A'deth says."

Yashira nods to both A'deth and Kassima, then leans back in her chair again.

K'ran flicks a glance toward A'deth, sketches a minute nod of agreement,
but elaborates for Yashira, "I'd say it's not so much that you suspend it
entirely, as know what your priorities are. Publically, your priority's the
Wing, not yourself, and that means sucking it down for the sake of Wing
morale if it comes to it." A shrug of his shoulders, there. "What about the
other side of things? Suppose you've got a Wingsecond who exceeds all
expectations? Do you reward him or her, somehow? And how?"

A'deth flutters his lashes at Terrilia, but keeps his silence.

Melata says, "About rewards...a really good Wingsecond shouldn't be held
back. When a spot is open for a Wingleader, I am not hesitant about
recommending him or her. Or, of course, a vacation is always nice as well."
She grins.

Terrilia grins. "I expect eventually they'll be stolen for a Wing of their
own," she says dryly, nodding to the other speaker. She chuckles at A'deth.
"As for rewards...greater responsibility, I suppose, if you can call that a
reward."

Kassima nods slightly to K'ran, though she adds, "Nay that any Wingleader
should put a Wingsecond in a position where they *have* t'suck something
down beyond the call of duty. And most I've met would avoid doing so if'n
'tall possible. Ah, now, there's the rub...." Tapping a finger against her
chin, she offers slowly, "You want t'make your Wingsecond--*any* Wingrider,
really, as aware of your pride and pleasure in their performance when they
do well as of your displeasure when they do poorly. Let 'em know you
appreciate 'em, and let everyone else know it too. Including the
Weyrleaders. Occasionally you can also give 'em little treats--the extra
day off, suchlike. But other than that there's nay so much t'give beyond
your own support and trust."

Kaylira pipes up, "A simple verbal telling them so is always nice. Everyone
seems to be looking at hte big things - its good to hear you've done a good
job and why from the person that matters."

Yashira looks to Kaylia, grinning at her answer.

K'ran entertains each contribution with a nod, here, 'til suggestions seem
to have ceased, whereupon he says, "I'd just one more thing, to guide the
conversation. Suppose I've just been given a Wingsecond's knot. You
Wingleaders and Wingsecond, what advice would you give me? You wingriders,
and even weyrlings? What do you want to see from me?"

A'deth considers K'ran. "Hopefully, you won't make a _complete_ idiot of
yourself? Welcome to the ranks of the overworked, underpaid, and masochistic?"

Zaidra puts in, after a smirk at A'deth's comments. "Never be afraid to ask
questions, but learn to recognize the right time to do so."

N'tan grins, "Follow mine and the Wingleader's lead. Ask for help from us
if you need it."

Lillian's soft laughter can be heard from the back of the room at A'deth's
comment.

Kassima replies quietly, "Do the very best that you can. You'll make
mistakes at first, almost certainly--step a bit on m'toes here, nay step
*enough* there, nay watch all you need t'be watching--but that's part of
the learning process; just learn from them and move on so that you're
always ready t'do your job and nay held up by brooding. Talk t'your
Wingleader when you've concerns. And care for your Wingmates as best you
can. You don't have t'like 'em all, but you're in part responsible for
protecting their lives, and those lives should always, always be precious
t'you. Even moreso now than a'fore if'n possible, because now you have a
responsibility towards them that should never be lightly disregarded."

Terrilia chuckles at A'deth and nods quietly to the rest of the comments.

Kaylira regards K'ran with a solemn, thoughtful look. "I'd want to see you.
Its hard to feel you can talk freely with someone when you don't know
them." There, that said, she's quiet again.

With some finality, K'ran claps his hands together. "Okay. That it? Good
advice, good talk, I think. Thank you, all of you. Hope the sharing of
ideas was helpful; it was certainly helpful to me."

Zaidra rouses herself from her chair once more. "Thanks so much, K'ran."

M'llon smiles at K'ran, "Wonderful presentation.

Kassima sets her glass down long enough to applaud, lightly but sincerely.
"Good show, K'ran; good discussion. Thankee for it."

"Thank you, Zai," says K'ran, and finds a more understated place to sit by
the back of the work room. "You're all welcome -- I appreciate your hanging
around to listen, and talk."

Yashira nods to K'ran, saying her own quiet 'thank you'.

Kaylira leaves the workroom and heads out into the bowl.