-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snowstar Wing's First Threadfall Date: January 16, 2001 Places: Telgar Weyr's Southern Bowl, Central Bowl, and Skyspace; Sky Over Telgar Hold Game: PernMUSH Copyright Info: The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kassi's Note: It's traditional at Telgar for the Weyrlings to fly in at least one PC Fall prior to graduation; this was the first Fall for Snowstar Weyrling Wing. For the rest of us it was a pretty standard affair. ;) (Which is to say, a fun, well-run Fall--thanks, May!) There's an NPC death or two here, but no PC injuries. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Log: You fly downwards towards the bowl. <*> Sielth glides across the bowl, settling back in her old place among the skyfire wing. Aisling just looks skyward for a moment. You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles, cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully. Kassima skids down the glossy, oiled slide of Lysseth's shoulder by the seat of her leather pants, straightening immediately upon hitting the ground to check on which of her Wingriders are already present. "Good, good," she murmurs under her breath. M'rgan is just finishing up a discussion with a group of Skyfire riders. The men and women surround him in a semi-circle but the ones on the outskirts start to turn and walk off as the announcements are over. Dragon> Telgar dragons and Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth OOCly notes, that if you're flying Fall, we'll be meeting in the central bowl in a few minutes :) Tierth is visualizing the location we're fighting at (Telgar Hold, it's the weyr's multi-room) T'kar waits beside Fasolth. His face is serious and his brown suppresses his excitement with only a few muted bugles to his friends. "Kassi," T'kar greets briefly, leading Fasolth closer to her and Lysseth as a few other Thunderbolt riders do the same. Indrath comes out of the weyrling barracks. K'ran comes out of the weyrling barracks. Aisling offers M'rgan a salute as she wanders by the group, enroute to the weyrlings. Sielth just rumbles and sulks. K'ran is still fiddling with Indrath's straps as the pair emerge from the barracks and join the other weyrlings in the bowl. He reserves quick, grave salutes for the wingriders and their leaders. Cariath leaps from Cariath's Ledge and flies into the air. M'rgan returns Aisling's salute with a jaunty wave as the last of the Skyfire riders walks away. He turns towards Ularrith briefly and then both dragon and rider turn to look at Sielth. The brownrider chuckles and mutters something under his breath to his lifemate and then gives the brown an affectionate thump of his fist against the brown's side. Valrieth backwings for a landing. "Once your dragons are ready," Aisling begins. "Start moving through the wings, see if they need firestone or anything." Kassima, arms crossed, waits for her Wingriders to assemble before she begins speaking. "The reports say that we'll be flying in cloudy conditions; there might be rain, though we'll nay be counting on that--and there'll be wind, more like than nay, so we'll have t'be alert. T'kar, you're knowing Siuenth's in the Infirmary again after last Fall; I'll be wanting you t'move up a slot t'cover his place. Any questions?" Greylin comes out of the weyrling barracks. Maylia comes out of the weyrling barracks. Tierth backwings for a landing. Talisha hops down from Imanath, landing on the ground with a soft thump. Sielth just looks sad and pitiful, even adding a mournful croon for Ularrith's benefit. "No" Aisling states firmly to the green. Valrieth soars down and lands with her wing, to let Lanryi dismount Lanryi climbs off from between Valrieth's neckridges. Maylia comes out of the barracks, herding a group of weyrlings ahead of her. Several dash, heading for their clutchmates already out, aflutter with excitment. "Assist the riders, weyrlings!" She calls, sending a nod to her assistants. K'ran gives Aisling a quick nod and then hurries, deadly serious, to comply. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth okies - any questions from y'all? :) This'll be mass confusion, I promise, but I hope it'll be fun. Tarlo climbs down from between Cariath's neck ridges. Tarlo finishes up getting Cariath's tanks up onto her back, salutes the riders, and lets herself be taken by whichever rider needs her. Ularrith chucklewhuffs at Sielth's pitiful croon which earns him another thump from his rider though this time it's to correct the dragon. But not for being rude. "Quit it, lump," M'rgan calls out. "You're gonna cough up a hunk of ash and 'stone doing that. Just settle down." T'kar nods to confirm Kassima's instruction, looking up to Fasolth. "We're ready," he says quietly, Fasolth nudging his side and receiving a muzzle-scratch. He doesn't seem to have any questions, and the other Thunderbolt riders shake their heads or remain silent for the most part, likewise preparing themselves. Talisha jumps down from Imanath, saluting here there and everywhere and muttering her greetings. She dances about around Imanath, hopping from foot to foot before spotting Tarlo - sending a wave in her direction. Kheprith rumbles with excitement as Greylin lopes over to him, and she salutes those who need it, intent on her preparations. Dragon> Telgar dragons and Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth OOCly notes - I haven't written in NPC weyrling deaths. In my opinion they'd happen - please assume that they do, but I know well how it upsets people. I'd rather have y'all RP with us, than not, out of the worry of having death-rp. Dragon> Indrath bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << Just one quick question, May -- have we stoked up our dragons, as a precaution, or no? >> Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Alerith <OOC> waves real quick and sorries she can't join you all, she'll see you tomorrow night for grad. Have fun! Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth nopes, not yet :) You will once the Wings head off, though :) Kassima murmurs a word or two to her other riders before straightening to clap her hands once. "All right, then; into formation, forward chevron, and bring enough 'stone. Just because we've 'Lings flying supply doesn't mean we want t'run out at crucial times, hey? Go to!" And with a quick, fierce smile for her Wingmates, she turns to signal a Weyrling for firestone, Lysseth having placed herself in formation-position upon landing. After ascertaining that yes, in fact, all the wingriders are adequately prepared, K'ran returns to Indrath's side, favoring his own wingmates with a quick smile. He's clearly in the grip of adrenaline, here, and rocks back and forth on his feet while going about his duties in deadly earnest. Aisling moves through the wings, hauling bags of firestone as well. She pauses to offer Sielth a gentle scrith. "Sorry, dear one. Soon." That being said, she moves towards M'rgan "Need any firestone?" She asks quietly. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Sielth doesn't understand stoked? Maylia's not simply commanding, she works as hard as she pushes her weyrlings to. Firestone sacks get hauled to a bluerider, their cording yanked to allow him easy access to the stones within, then she's off to assist a bronzerider with his straps. "How many times..." Grump, grumble, about her having trained him, and he should know to store his straps better. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth assumes it means ready to flame :) Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Indrath chuckles. "Stoked, as in, stoked the burners, ready to flame." T'kar nods, serious expression suddenly breaking into a smile as he shares a few more thoughts with his brown. "Let's go!" He pulls a good amount of firestone up with him after double-checking all of Fasolth's straps. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Sielth ducks her head. Okay. ;) Tarlo begins to haul firestone sacks up and over to Kassima. "Just say when, Wingleader." she says, expression intent. "It won't be that long now," M'rgan comments to Aisling as the assistant weyrlingmaster approaches him. He must've heard something unsaid in her quiet question. "You'll both be back in a fighting Wing soon enough." Kassima, considering the size and fullness of the sacks--one element stable, one variable--decides, "Three should suffice, Tarlo, thankee--" Those words and a quick smile of gratitude, and she's already hauling up one to lash to Lysseth's straps, tugging the leather tight. Talisha walks around, hauling firestone sacks around to the rider that need help, hands quickly sweeping the corded openings wide. She goes about her duties quickly, Imanath looking suprising relaxed amidst of it all. Children of the weyr dash between the dragons too, bringing skins of water, handkercheifs, and the older ones helping to heft firestone. A line forms near the piles, the heavy sacks are 'tossed' down the line, making the distance easier to cover. Tovith backwings for a landing. Leya slides down off of Tovith, her feet landing on the ground with a soft *thump*. Tarlo starts seeing to getting the sacks up Lysseth's side, giving the green a pat for luck. Once she's gotten Kassima's supply taken care of, she moves to the next rider. Aisling just shakes her head slightly, looking almost amused. "I should have known just how much she would have hated it. But, like you said, it will soon be over." She pauses to lower her tone. "Besides, I think she is doing it for effect now." It seems to be working as a couple of her wingmates are trying to console the green, much to -their- lifemate's dismay. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Cariath's mind seems an odd center of calm within a coriolis of whirling excitement. <<We will fly well!>> Maylia stands by one of the older riders in Maelstrom, boosting up a heavy sack and supporting it so he might buckle it to his brown's gear. Once secure, the weyrlingmaster gives it a thump, and moves on, constantly keeping her eyes out for weyrlings. T'kar secures the three bags he has with Fasolth, then decides to slide down and grab two more, since there is plenty around. He runs his hands over the lumps within, likely checking the quality for himself. Meanwhile Fasolth peers over the young ones for a long moment, finally turning down to T'kar. The swirl of his eyes seems satisfied and ready. Greylin moves toward a green whose rider needs some more sacks of firestone, giving the rider a grin and good luck sign before trotting off to another one. Lanryi gives Valrieth's straps a little tug here and there, pausing in her inspection to offer a wave to Leya, and signal a weyrling over to bring a bag of firestone to load on the jungle green dragon. M'rgan crouches down, picking up a sack of firestone. He rests it in the crook of his arm as he idly reaches back and grabs hold of Ularrith's straps. "The lump would be more sympathetic but he's convinced that Sielth isn't rising soon." Lysseth would probably at least rumble to acknowledge the pat, but she's in full pre-Fall mode, tensed and impatient; her tail lashes a staccato beat against the Bowl's ground, and her eyes spin full and smoldering red. Kassi seems calm enough, opening up the remaining sack to toss the chunks into her dragon's maw. Crunch. Crunch. My, what big fangs you have, Lysseth. The better to chew 'stone with, my dear. "Leya," she pitches to her Wingsecond, "take an extra look over Shiara's preparations if'n 'twould. This is her first Fall since the Healers cleared her." Leya quickly grabs a sack from a nearby pile and begins to toss firestone into Tovith's maw, though she does keep on eye on her half of the wing between tosses just to be sure everything is running smoothly. She catches Lanryi's wave between tosses and waves back, then looks around for a weyrling as her bag is almost empty. "Ullarith is very wise." Aisling states before moving off, slipping between the various dragons as she checks on the weyrling's progress. Talisha keeps hauling sacks to the riders who need them, ripping open the cording to make the process even quicker. Job seemingly done, as another few weyrlings take care of some more sacks needed, she heads back over to her lifemate, Imanath giving a light rumble-exitement plain in her tone. As Ularrith nudges him with his nose and rumbles smugly, M'rgan snorts and feigns a slap at the dragon's head. "I heard her. I heard her. She was /joking/. No one calls you very wise and means it. Now get back to work and tell Skyfire to mount up." Deep brown eyes watch the rest of the riders as Fasolth finishes his tasty meal of firestone. T'kar turns to rub Fasolth's jaw for a moment, then looks to Kassima as he senses the renewed flurry of activity and waits for the order to mount. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth ooohs, and lets y'all know in case you didn't hear. The first half of Fall, when the wings are there without us, is 'canned' - ie, prewritten (thanks Tarlo, K'ran, and Greylin!) A bit after we arrive, I start winging it ;) Oh - and Talisha is still weyrling wingleader, so she'll be ICly leading you folk, Aisling and I are along to assist.I'll ICly explain how it works once the wings take off, but just know that I'm gonna be /spammed/ between emitting Fall and being here :) Lanryi looks through her wing and seeing that everything is in order gives the signal you've all been waiting for. "Alright Dawnslight, mount up." she calls before mounting up herself and giving Valrieth a firestone-dusty pat. Leya nods to Kassima. "I'll do that," she calls back. She catches the sack tossed to her by one of the weyrlings and stokes Tovith's fires with the firestone. Once Tovith is ready to go, she wanders among the riders of her half of the wing. Her seeming nonchalance betrayed the sharp look in her eyes as she makes sure everyone is in top shape. She pauses a little longer by Shiara watching her and her lifemate, pointing out a few things, then walks on once she's satisfied. Kassima finishes her work and tosses the sack to one side, scrubbing dust from her gloves off onto her riding pants. Why relocation of dust is necessary is a mystery. Maybe it's one of those reassuring little rituals that riders perform before Fall. She pivots on her heel to give first her half of the chevron, then the Wing entire a long look. "Looking good, Thunderbolt. Now just be sure t'be staying that way." Raising a hand into the air, she yells, "Mount up!" M'rgan vaults up onto Ularrith's back, as the dragon warbles a greeting. You place one hand on Lysseth's neck and she warbles down at you fondly. You grin and scratch her eyeridges once before climbing up onto her lower neckridges, using the riding straps and Lysseth's thoughtfully offered foreleg. <*> Lanryi climbs between Valrieth's neckridges using her foreleg as a step up. <*> As the call to mount up is passed down along the wings, Maylia finishes assisting a greenrider. "All-RIGHT!" She calls, her voice carrying reasonably well over the clamour. "Weyrlings! Assemble by the barracks, let's get out of the way. Get firestone sacks - as many as your dragon can carry plus one extra for your dragon." <*> Leya finishes her rounds, returning to Tovith's side and climbing up. <*> Leya uses Tovith's leg to climb up, then sits between his neckridges. <*> Aisling moves back to Sielth's side as the wings begin to mount up. The green greets her lifemate with a soft croon before they watch the others leave, without them. "Soon" Aisling says quietly. <*> Without delay, K'ran heads for the makeshift depot for sacked stone. He hoists as many as he can carry up onto his shoulders, and then, under this load, heads for the barracks with Indrath. <*> Atop sturdy Ularrith, M'rgan settles himself between Ularrith's last neck ridge and his first back ridge. With the sack of 'stone sitting on his lap, the brownrider digs his toes into the stirrups hanging from the straps and rises slightly from his seat, making a few adjustments in his position. Only after a look of satisfaction has crosses his face does he busy himself securing this last bag of firestone to the dragon's straps. <*> T'kar hoists himself up to Fasolth's neck. <*> Tarlo starts to gather her own sacks - thankful of Cariath's huge girth, for she can carry a lot. This pleases the gold, who rumbles at her life-mate. "I know, Cariath...I'm getting your haul, as fast as I can." Once finished, she and Cariath head to the barrachs. Telgar Weyr> Maylia okies, for folks riding Fall, I'm leaving flight/between up to the wingleaders' discretion :) <*> Greylin hears the whip-crack of Maylia's voice and hustles to complete the task given to her by that voice. She and Kheprith get to where they're told to get, and there is a pile of firestone sacks on her back. <*> Tovith rumbles deep in his throat as he looks around, mimicing his rider in surveying the riders around them. Leya pats Tovith's neck, then looks up at the sky studying the weather above. <*> Talisha shoos Imanath off to the side as she drags some firestone sacks over, and starts loading Imanath up. She continues to haul the sacks up until Imanath can't carry any more, and both scoot into line with the others. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth giggles - doh! I meant 'by' the barracks, no in'em. But that's okay. <*> Astride Fasolth's neck, T'kar is up on his lifemate's neck as soon as he hears Kassima's order, checking all the straps and making sure all his sacks are secured as well. He looks up, mount and rider ready for departure. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Cariath hehs. Will we be able to watch the Fall before we ICly arrive? <*> With a *slam* of his tail against the ground, Ularrith releases the tension that has built up in his muscles and springs into the air. The rest of Skyfire Wing rises as well, the air groaning from the effort of containing all of these dragons. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth hmmms. In the interest of minimizing spam for me, let's keep us in the same room as the departing folks. Come on back out? :) Oooh - send a fl via the dutypair, if you like :) That'll land them in the ground room, and you'll be able to watch. <*> Ularrith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Kassima buckles herself in with leathery creaks and buckle-y clinks, lowering her flight goggles only once everything seems in order. At which point she twists again on Lysseth's neck to survey her riders one more time. "All right, beast," she murmurs to her lifemate, shifting back to face forward. "Let's see what Thread has in store for us today." Her right hand lifts into the sky, and once Lysseth assures her that the riders behind have seen, she drops it in the signal for take-off. <*> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up dust as she takes to the skies. You spring into the air and catch the thermals rising from the bowl floor to carry you aloft. <*> Tovith rises up from the bowl. <*> Ularrith soars upwards into the open sky above the weyr. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Cariath doesn't have one. <*> Valrieth rises up from the bowl. TGW-Bowl>> Aisling tilts her head to the side as if listening to something. "Well, good point." She states before she begins to feed firestone to the green, just a couple of chucks in case. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Sielth is assuming that it will be logged? TGW-Bowl>> Maylia isn't just telling the weyrlings what to do, she's doing it herself. Lugging sacks past Talisha, she notes, "Alright. You're still the wingleader for them, so you're in charge." A nod goes to the assembling weyrlings, and she continues. "They're to secure those sacks, and then listen up, I'll let you all know how this works. <*> Fasolth rises up from the bowl. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Lysseth has a log going, certainly. (I can imagine the surprise that causes. ;) Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Imanath has one, but would prefer to just read a log later, cut down on the spam. You soar upwards and into the open sky above the Weyr. <*> Ularrith disappears into Between. <*> Tovith flies up from the southern half of the bowl. <*> Fasolth flies up from the southern half of the bowl. <*> Fasolth disappears into Between. TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo is inspecting her straps yet again before starting to secure her supply and check her tanks. She looks up briefly to see Fasolth climbing the sky and disappear. "Good luck." she murmurs, and goes back to her duties. <*> Valrieth flies up from the southern half of the bowl. TGW-Bowl>> K'ran has already begun securing sack upon sack of 'stone to Indrath's riding straps, the bronze rumbling in mild protest against the burden. "I know," he says soothingly, although firmly. "So would I. But this is every bit as important." Kassima, once her Wing is properly amassed and in formation, gives the signal to go *between*. <*> Lysseth disappears into Between. Between You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats... Black... Blacker... Blackest! You suddenly emerge... <*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Tovith emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! TGW-Bowl>> Greylin quickly lashes each sack onto Kheprith's back, and he watches the activity with avid interest. Both are quiet, focused on their task TGW-Bowl>> Talisha appears calm in spite of it all, eyes dancing with the excitement she's managing to keep hidden in all other ways. "Hush." she murmurs down to Imanath as the green croons softly, likely her 'good lucks' to the other dragons. Tali secures the last few sacks to Imanath's straps, making sure everything is down tight. Her gaze travels along the line of weyrlings, hands tightening by her sides. <*> The day is somewhat overcast, high clouds of uniform grey are lit from behind by the sun, and scatter rays of brilliance to the land below creating patterns of light and shadow. The light but steadily-increasing breeze brings with it the sharp tang of ozone, and occasionally can be heard the distant rumble of thunder -- indeed a few of the clouds in the distance possess those dark bellies beneath towers of white characteristic of thunderheads. Though cool, the air feels heavy with moisture. TGW-Bowl>> Sielth begins to relax, now that the wings are gone and she can pay attention to the weyrlings. Aisling wanders around the various pairs, spotchecking the straps. She pauses by one pair and just shakes her head as one jerk causes a split. "Get a new set. Hate to lose you now." She states before moving on. TGW-Bowl>> With sacks of 'stone tied securely to his lifemate's straps, K'ran turns to simply wait in line, hands clasped behind his back. He remains restless from adrenaline, though he nonetheless projects a quiet and perhaps even infectious confidence. TGW-Bowl>> Maylia assists weyrlings, firmly insisting that one of the less-eager and more scared weyrlings continue preparations. "This is what you've been trained for - fighting Fall. Your first taste of it, and yes, you won't be going up flameless. I want each of you ready to flame your way clear, but a jump *between* is far preferable. If you need incentive, just recall your last ropedrill the other day, not all of you escaped paint-free. It's not paint, today." Nice, happy thoughts. <*> On the horizon, Thread amasses, a silvery haze at first, as if hesitating in the upper atmosphere, building its forces before an assault on Pern's lush soil. Finally -- yet all too soon -- the first threads of the fall peirce the greyness of the clouds, arrowing for Telgar's Wings. <*> Lysseth emerges from *between* not with a bugle, but with a roar: her traditional, defiant battle-call to the Threads. Her impatient twitching as she waits for them to appear is transmuted into an immediate sense of purpose once she does, and her growled rumble is a warning that her Wing likely doesn't need as she rises towards the first patch of Thread to come near. TGW-Bowl>> "Do not go out of your way to fight Thread." Aisling states,eying each weyrling pair "Your job is to fly resupply. If we see you doing anything but that, I will send you back to the weyr. Understood?" TGW-Bowl>> Greylin grimly cinches the last sack to her brown's back, checking the settling of the sacks before moving to Kheprith's head, her eyes following the weyrlingmasters. <*> Fasolth pops out of *between* after Lysseth in perfect formation, echoing her rousing roar. He surges forward, one with his rider and his Wing, neck craning to stop the nearest silvery strands with a well-focused burst of flame. TGW-Bowl>> "Understood." Talisha echoes several of the weyrlings around her, eyeing each briefly before her attention settles on Maylia and Aisling. Nervousness starts to creep into her expression, brows twitching a little as she struggles to contain her emotions, one hand placed against Imanath's side to settle the green slightly. TGW-Bowl>> K'ran gives Indrath a light poke at Aisling's warning, as if to draw the bronze's attention to it. "Understood," he answers, then stoops to retrieve that one extra sack of 'stone, and begins sorting through it. TGW-Bowl>> Maylia sends a firm nod towards Aisling, agreeing fully. "No heroes. No aero-gymnastics. When a dragon calls for resupply, and you're up, go there, toss the sack, and return to the wing. You'll be flying under Talisha's lead, so watch and listen to her. She'll lead you in two paralell lines, flying under the fighting wings but above the Queens - they're often too low for us to safely be underneath, so keep your eyes overhead and get out of the way of what thread falls your way." She takes a deep breath, tension showing in her face, too. <*> It doesn't take long before those few hesitant threads become an army, and the air becomes thick with clumps and tangles over all of the wings. Spearing down from above, an array of Thread is caught by a spiraling eddy of wind, borne into a silver-hued cyclone headed for Thunderbolt. TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo adds her voice to the sentiment, a hand similarly placed on Cariath's leg. She nods upon hearing Maylia's instructions. <*> Tovith swoops down out of *between*, for once silent, his eyes focused on the oncoming mass of thread and immediately drop into his place in the formation beside and a little behind Lysseth. He drops his silence to rumble defiantly as the thread comes even closer. Once the silver strands are in range he lets out a gout of flame turn the silver to black char. <*> As the leading edge begins trickling over their formation, Thunderbolt dragons engage in the age-old dance: dive and skip, flame and rise, blink *between* and back again. It is a dance whose measures only become more intent, more focused as the full weight of Fall begins. Lysseth spears herself towards a portion of that tangled tornado; her fire leaves a swath of it nothing but ash and cinder, and she trumpets warning to the dragons behind: head's up! TGW-Bowl>> Maylia rubs her hands together - a telltale sign of that tension? She's not going to just leave it at that, though, and she continues with a deep breath. "If I did not feel you were ready, I would not send you up there. Each and every one of you knows well how to fly in a wing, how to flame and evade Thread -- I have every confidence you will do just fine. Keep your wits about you. Remember your training. And, if you get injured at *all*, signal, and return to the Weyr." Another deep breath. "Are you ready?" <*> The breeze becomes a wind, those distant thunderheads aren't so distant anymore. Over the roars and challenges of the dragons, thunder rolls can be discerned still. A clump of Thread is buffeted by a sudden gust of wind and torn into fragments that drift downwards as a cloak, spread across the entire formation below. TGW-Bowl>> Greylin still doesn't speak. She merely nods, her features giving away the focus that she learned back home as a guard. TGW-Bowl>> Cariath bugles fiercely, a contrast to Tarlo's determined nod. TGW-Bowl>> Talisha fingers the edge of her jacket, then turns around to re-check Imanath's straps. She gives them a firm tug, and still another check, nervous tension displayed across her brow. "I'm ready." She calls over to Maylia, voice as least unwavering as Imanath adds her bugle to Cariath's. TGW-Bowl>> Kiyoth leaps from Kiyoth's Ledge and flies into the air. TGW-Bowl>> Alessandra was here the whole time. Really. TGW-Bowl>> Kheprith doesn't bugle. He ROARS! the way only a male dragon can roar. The kind that starts at their tail and works its way forward. TGW-Bowl>> Aisling does add anything further, taking one more round about the weyrlings as if to ensure her that they a ready. TGW-Bowl>> K'ran gives a curt, wordless nod in answer to Maylia, and lets his eyes move to Talisha. <*> Tovith flames at the section of the silver mass that comes writhing his way, he and his rider have time to see his fire licking around a large part of it turning it to crack dust, before he *betweens* out the way of remains portion. He lets Jesith behind him catch the rest, before drops back into formation. TGW-Bowl>> Maylia waits, as the answers vary in tone from nervous or solemn nods, to shouts of preparedness and draconic bugles. "Then," she says, "Talisha is leading the wing. Talisha, get them chewing 'stone, we'll leave once they're ready." A glance finds Aisling in the crowd, though her expression is blank. Kassima spares a moment to frown at those distant thunderheads--hey, clouds, don't you realize this sky ain't big enough for *two* sets of Thunderbolts?--but she's distracted by a sharp jerk on the straps as Lysseth performs one of her characteristic maneuvers: the slender green cuts up and to the left, where Thread threatens to fall beneath reach, and gifts it with a thorough baptism in fire. Good night, sweet Thread, good night. <*> Fasolth stays in tight position, wings dipping up and down, grasping for control in the strong winds. He is forced to drop down for a brief moment, fiery blasts taking out the threatening ball of silver. T'kar urges his brown back up into place as the constant rhythm of charring and twisting continues. The blue ahead of the pair still fights well, helping them to face the wall of Thread. <*> Thread begins to fall in thick patches all around Skyfire as if someone was purposefully bombarding them from above. But these are no dyed ropes, there's no Weyrlingmaster nor Wingleader above tossing them, yelling at the formations -- this is nature. The masses of Thread fall steadily, almost in a distinct rhythm. TGW-Bowl>> Alessandra stands at attention next to Kiyoth, the green bugling to express her anxiousness to get going. TGW-Bowl>> Aisling glances back to meet Maylia's gaze for a few moments before she offers an almost jaunty grin and a salute. Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Lysseth takes a moment to flash fierce approval along her link to her Wingmates: << We fly well, and skip properly. Continue to do so! My rider does not like the look of those clouds--we must brace for strong winds, and stay on the alert! >> TGW-Bowl>> "Alright," Talisha steps out in front of the line, glancing over at Maylia and Aisling once, before letting it travel up and down the line as she speaks, "Start your lifemates with the stone, then we'll all mount up, and I'll give you the command to go." That said, she shoots another glance at Maylia - looking for confirmation that was okay perhaps, and starts picking through the firestone near Imanath, choosing *just( the right chunks for her lifemate. TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo checks Cariath's straps once more, and goes over the guages of the flame thrower and checks that the nozzle is firmly secured while the others feed their dragons. Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Fasolth's mind, usually a complacent, happy stream, is a rushing river of concentration and effort now. << Yes, we see this and agree. >> TGW-Bowl>> K'ran had already begun sorting through a sack of 'stone, and so, upon Talisha's command, begins, businesslike, feeding Indrath the largest chunks of rock. The bronze chews quickly, the pair having settled into a practiced rhythm, and enduring the tension of the moment in silence. TGW-Bowl>> Maylia returns the salute, cracking a half-smile for Aisling. She heads for Tierth, the green's already loaded with her firestone sacks, and begins selecting lumps from the stones before her. It doesn't take long for the practiced pair to be ready, and soon she's fastening the remains in her bag within easy reach once she's astride her dragon. <*> Shiara and Riatth, a Thunderbolt pair nearest the fringes of the Skyfirean bombardment, jump *between* just in time to avoid laceration as a sharp wind sends one of the tangles gusting towards them. The newly-returned green roars rage upon her return, and dives sharply to catch the Thread with a full blast of fire before it can slip too far away. TGW-Bowl>> Aisling is soon ready, Sielth looking much more cheerful than she had all evening. She has her firestone, she is ready to flame. <*> The faint rumbles grow louder, like the rolling rhythm of a drum. Despite the sun burning through the overcast sky, the clouds seem to almost sigh, and thick, fat drops of rain begin to slowly fall, splattering to the ground. Fall itself continues, though most threads now fall limply, rain-drowned. The wings remain, though - showers like this might be intermittent! <*> Skyfire's formation is spread out farther than usual because of the wind gusts. So as the clumps of Thread reach their level, the dragons have to flit back and forth to reach and sear the silvery tendrils rather than just plowing through the deadly swarm. The effort this causes shows in the dragons' deep but puffing breaths and in the determination in their eyes. TGW-Bowl>> Greylin finds a decent-sized chunk or two for Kheprith, and watches him critically during the chewing and swallowing process, murmuring a soft reminder about which stomach to think about. Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Tovith sends in response his agreement in the vibrant autumn shades that are his, swirling close together in a concentrated pattern. Kassima calls encouragement to her Wingmates between dives, swerves, and skips--not that the words can really be heard over the winds, the belches of dragons, the inevitable yelps of pain, but Lysseth no doubt passes on her rider's message. Wiping her goggles clear, Kassi sits back against Lysseth's neckridge at this intermission, not urging the green to chase the drowned Threads though Lyss continues to spit fire at any that fall near her. TGW-Bowl>> Alessandra picks out a good amount of the right sized firestone chunks for Kiyoth, then stands at her muzzle and watches over the green carefully. "Your other stomach, remember that..." TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo calls over, "Ready, Talisha." after a moment's conference with Cariath. TGW-Bowl>> "We're ready, Wingleader," K'ran offers, out of his silence. Indrath swallows the last bit of stone and echoes his rider with a quiet rumble. Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Lysseth's concentration relaxes, if that can be termed the word for it, into an impatient itchiness. << Do not waste your strength against this Thread which will not harm. Stay calm and in formation. If the rain does not last, we must be ready to fight again the moment it ceases. >> TGW-Bowl>> Greylin looks up and nods to Talisha. "Ready to go, Wingleader," she reports. TGW-Bowl>> Alessandra looks up after Kiyoth finihses, and nods once to Talisha. "We're ready, Wingleader!" TGW-Bowl>> Talisha walks up and down just a few paces, watching as Imanath swallows her last few pieces. "Alright everybody." She calls out, voice louder than would normally be, "Everybody mount up." She walks over to Imanath's side, reasurring her green as she mounts up, and lifts one hand. "Let's go!" TGW-Bowl>> Talisha scrambles up the sun-kissed green of Imanath's hide to perch in an unoccupied neckridge. TGW-Bowl>> K'ran clambers upwards onto Indrath's back. TGW-Bowl>> Imanath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo sits down between Cariath's neck ridges. <*> Fasolth redoubles his efforts in the onslaught of Thread, protecting himself and his rider, the other pairs, and Pern. He follows the larger movements of the Wing as Lysseth directs, weaving within his own area to catch every one of the strands in a puff of black dust, still going strong. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth OOC Okays - everyone got the image for where we're going? TGW-Bowl>> Once the order is given, Aisling clambers up Sielth's side, quickly fastening her straps then rechecking them out of habit. TGW-Bowl>> Aisling uses Sielth's straps to make their way up her side and settle between pale green neckridges. Dragon> Indrath bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << Yep. >> TGW-Bowl>> Maylia swings up to her place astride Tierth, her lifemate welcoming her with a rumble. TGW-Bowl>> Indrath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. <*> Tovith is rocked a little to one side as one particularly strong gust hits him along with the pelting rain, but he quickly readjusts and is back in his place. Leya uses the rather wet break that's afforded by the rain to feed Tovith more firestone from her sack, though she keeps a wary eye on the rain clouds in case they suddenly decide to stop dropping moisture. TGW-Bowl>> Kaneth leaps from Kaneth's Ledge and flies into the air. <*> The slow fall of the sun shower drizzles down, thinning perceptably. By the time it's done, droplets have left puddles and rivulets of running water along the ground below, and turned ash on dragonhide to oily grime. Thunder rolls continue to the north, low and ominous, but seems to be moving away. TGW-Bowl>> Tierth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. TGW-Bowl>> Cariath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. Dragon> Kaneth bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << Where are we going? >> Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Imanath OOCLY - Thread fall. TGW-Bowl>> Sielth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth's supplying an image of lush forests over a valley, a hold within recognizable as Telgar, for Imanath to pass on to the wing. << When they are ready, tell them to go there. >> TGW-Bowl>> Greylin manages to get aboard Kheprith. TGW-Bowl>> Kheprith takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. TGW-Bowl>> Kaneth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. <*> Lysseth, indeed grimed, begins rumbling with agitation as the rain thins; by the time it has stopped, she is nearly roaring outright, her flame re-stoked during the interval so that she is ready for the resumption now. The first 'live' Thread to reach her is treated to flame at full force, the gout blazing a long flash of green-tinged golden light against the lightening skies. TGW-Bowl>> Kiyoth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Kiyoth OOCly mrrs and got pulled away from the comp, sorry! Telgar Weyr> Kichevio waves! How late am I? Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Imanath projects the image to crystal clear sharpness, passing it across to the wing. << Is everybody ready? >> She pauses for confirmation, a shout from her rider to the others, then << Let's go! >> TGW-Bowl>> Above, Sielth keeps to the outside of the formation, hovering and waiting. <*> Fasolth saves his strength until the rain passes, still moving along with good speed and bright flames, but letting the most difficult to reach strands pass. T'kar likewise takes a moment to refuel his brown, then Fasolth strikes out hard again, twisting about to catch all the Thread he can. TGW-Bowl>> Above, Saulith bugles loud and clear as she finds her place in line. TGW-Bowl>> Above, From on top of Imanath's back, Talisha flicks her gaze between the weyrlings closest to her, hand rising in the signal to go, then dropping back down just as fast as she settles herself - Imanath's wings sweep out, and in an instant, they blink between. TGW-Bowl>> Above, Imanath disappears into Between. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Indrath confirms his own readiness, and gives a short burst of jubilation at the order to move. <*> Imanath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Tierth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Indrath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Saulith emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Sielth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Kiyoth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Cariath emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Kaneth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Tovith waits impatiently as the rain thins, then finally ends, belching the occasional flame at the thread that drops close to him. He saves his great bursts of fire for the live thread, the dangerous stuff. As it begins to fall in silvery tangles again he treats it to a royal roasting in a wave of flame. <*> Ranged beneath the fighting Wings, the dragons flying resupply appear - several wings of them, notably one of rather young and untried dragons. The latest Weyrlings have joined the Weyr, hues of green, gold, brown, blue and bronze aligning themselves into their formation. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Saulith is jittery, red zigzags twitching around and up and down. <<What do we do? Whom do we go to?>> <*> Lysseth would greet the Weyrlings, really she would, but there are distractions: a patch of Thread threatening to clip her on the muzzle right now, for instance. Jerking back to bank mid-air, she snakes her head to catch it with a short and succinct burst, then disappears *between* to avoid the char and cinder that result. The rest of Thunderbolt fights similarly; grimed by the rain, with Thread-char clouding the air around them, a full Wing fighting still makes an impressive and pyrotechnic sight. Several of the flame bursts visible from below are weak, signifying that the resupply has probably arrived none too soon for this Wing's members at least. <*> The sun continues to shine relentlessly, burning through patches of cloud and creating shafts of light here and there, easily confused for thick patches of Thread cast in shadow. A patch, half hidden in the transitory shadows, spirals towards Lysseth, while shimmering sickly greenish silver drops to the right of Tovith. <*> Atop sturdy Ularrith, M'rgan pulls back the thin wherhide cover he'd tossed over his firestone sacks and shoves it back into a bag. He then quickly handles the sacks after stripping off one glove, feeling around for any soaked patches. With a nod to himself he tugs back on his glove and lifts his eyes to the sky again. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Indrath answers with relaxed confidence. << We wait for Imanath's rider's orders. We resupply the older dragons, when we're told. >> <*> Kiyoth checks her position in flight and, finding herself in the appropriate place, looks forward towards Imanath. <*> Sielth bursts from between, ready to flame. Aisling keeps a wary eye on the weyrlings as they move into formation. <*> Behind Imanath, Indrath glides easily, keeping tight in formation. <*> On Saulith, Kichevio bends low over Saulith's neck to soothe the green, then sits up again to watch the skies, eyes narrowing against the incipient sunlight. <*> Tierth appears from *between*, a chaperone and assistant for the weyrlings. For now, it's easy for her and her rider to keep an eye on their charges - but soon won't be, as the wings above start to call for resupply. <*> Kaneth bursts out of between, looking about and carefully making sure he is in the right position, then looking toward Imanath for direction. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth OOCly peeks in again, for those of you who weren't here earlier :) We outnumber the PC riders fighting fall, so feel free to resupply NPCs. ICly, there are LOTS of dragons up there. :) <*> Tovith bugles a greeting to the arriving weyrlings, though his welcome is cut short by the thread that is falling, calling his attention away from the new arrival. He dives to his right, flaming up at the sick tangle of greenish silver reducing it to char the he quickly *betweens* to avoid and pops back into his place in the formation. Kassima catches that approaching patch even though her dragon doesn't, directing Lysseth's attention so that the green may snap her wings out to extension and allow the wind to carry her up to meet it. Light, heat, and the sulfuric stench of a firestone emission ensues; the Thread is crisped, though one slim strand escapes to weave its way back towards the Wing proper... perhaps too quickly to be caught by the busy Wing dragons, though there's always a chance. <*> Imanath sweeps quickly into formation, urging the other weyrlings to ease in behind her, making sure everybody keeps tight formation. She lowers, taking them under the fighting dragons, and just above the gold wing. Talisha's gaze turns to the sky, eyes widening with the first sight of the silvery rain. She takes a moment to compose herself, then shouts across the weyrling wing, pointing out riders that need resupply, while Imanath zips in t provide before returning to the end of the line. Dragon> Indrath bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << Should we just pose more or less freely, May? >> <*> Miryenne, one of Thunderbolt's pairs, curses under her breath at the visible guttering of her blue Guarith's flame. Keeping an eye on the sky around her, she signals her need of fresh firestone to the resupply Wing. [Editor's Note: I leave in the following bit for humor's sake. ;) My FL Kyril was spying on the Weyrling Barracks, and saw the following:] Kyril> The puddles on the ground below sometimes catch sparkles of sunlight, which may reflect back into a rider or dragon's eyes if they aren't careful, allowing yet more hiding places for clumps of thread to conceal themselves in. Three strands, separated from a clump, coil and writhe, their silvery form glimmering with reflected light -- right overhead of Fasolth. Long distance to Maylia: Kassima has to blink for a moment, then snickers! I think the cloud is dropping Thread in the Weyrling Barracks. ;) Not a problem as far as I know, but kinda amusing. ;) Telgar Weyr> Maylia laughs. For those of you with 'eyes' in the weyrling barracks, no, Thread is not falling in there. OOPS! <*> Atop Ralgeth, Gianna, normally immaculate when seen at the Weyr, looks bedraggled now with grime on her face and rivulets of dirty, dark water streaking down her leathers. The Skyfire bluerider signals for a resupply even as Ralgeth breaks out of formation, dropping down and to one side to give room for a weyrling to drop a firestone sack from above. <*> The puddles on the ground below sometimes catch sparkles of sunlight, which may reflect back into a rider or dragon's eyes if they aren't careful, allowing yet more hiding places for clumps of thread to conceal themselves in. Three strands, separated from a clump, coil and writhe, their silvery form glimmering with reflected light -- right overhead of Fasolth. Telgar Weyr> Aisling giggles. <*> Saulith heads for Ralgeth, cutting smoothly through the air toward the blue. Kichevio tosses the sack quickly, only watching just long enough to make sure Gianna and Ralgeth are headed back into formation before skipping /between/ and back to their place. <*> Hyla spies the single strand of thread heading straight toward her as she wipes the grime from her goggles. She quickly directs Omnith attention toward it and he quickly flames the strand before it can cause any harm, then returns his attention the large patches of thread. <*> Fasolth taps into his reserves, the brown's stamina coming in handy as he maintains his efforts to destroy all the Thread he can without leaving formation. His enthusiasm eventually catches up with him, though, and T'kar looks to the resupply wing, signalling his need in anticipation of Fasolth's flame running out. Neither of the pair seems to mind the grime, fighting on with determination. Almost too late, the two are warned of the approaching threat by a nearby green. Fasolth's struggling flame barely manages to char the silver Thread before it would have been disastrous. <*> At Talisha's command, and not an instant before, Indrath peels out of formation at his rider's urging. The young bronze dances upwards with startling agility, surging to bear a sack of 'stone up to beleaguered Miryenne and Gaurith. K'ran gives the sack a deft heave before he and his lifemate dive again, skipping *between* to avoid a clump of Thread and weaving back into formation with the other weyrlings. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth okays - anyone else having troubles getting to the room we're in? :) Plus,don't forget you've probably got three, four, or more sacks to toss, so it's not a one-time thing :) <*> Kheprith emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> Distant rumbles continue, drawing nearer again as the wings fight Fall. As several greens and blues in the wings trade off, being replaced by fresh pairs, lightning streaks across the skies as a bolt comes just a little bit too close for comfort, arcing from cloud to cloud. The winds gust slightly, shifting their direction for a few minutes. Visibility lessens for that time, until the bank of cumulonimbus slides northwards, following the march of the preceeding storm. This time, though, no rain falls, and the thread fall continues. <*> As Miryenne catches the firestone sack with the deftness of a longtime rider, yelling a quick thanks, C'row makes his need of bronze-sized pieces for his Servoth known with great waves of his arms--a carelessness which earns him a scathing snarl from Lysseth before the green twists on her wingtip to attend a nearby patch. <*> From on top of Imanath's back, Talisha continues to send the orders to the weyrlings, voice carrying just loud enough to point out where riders need re-supply. <*> Sielth moves in to the fray, tossing a sack towards a dawnslight wingrider. The greenrider catches it deftly before moving back into formation, a flameplume flairing before her. <*> Weyrlings and, in the distance, older riders who cannot fly full Fall, dart into the upper ranges. Fall at this point can be hectic: there are occasional draconic squeals of pain, cut short as they transfer to the safe cold of *between*. Some return, some head back to the Weyr. In Maelstrom, blue Malith's wingtip is caught before he can turn to flame a clump, leaving the tangle to tumble towards the weyrlings below. <*> From Cariath's neck, Tarlo arches her wings and brings herself to level with C'row, sending him sacks in a series of hauled tosses. She gruns with the effort, and then the pair move back to the wing. They veer sharply, avoiding the clump midway as they return to formation. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Cariath alerts the others. <<Thread comes!>> Telgar Weyr> Maylia notes for those of you in Fall, I had Aurian's okay to injure her NPC wingsecond :) I'd not just do that out of the blue :) <*> Tovith continues to flame, dodge, *between*, then flame again in a steady rythmn. His flames begin the diminish as the stone he acquired during the short rain break begins to run low. Leya signals for a new sack of firestone, allowing Tovith one more blast of flame before dropping out of formation so as to be more easily reached by those riding resupply. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Saulith flares a sharp snap of flame-red in acknowledgement. <<I see it!>> Telgar Weyr> Aisling says, "You just did it to the blue. ;)" Telgar Weyr> Leya grins. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Sielth's tone is calm assurance, <<Flame or Between...Now>> She orders. <*> Imanath cranes her neck up at Cariath's warning to the weyrlings, maw dropping open as she lets out a belch of flame that sears up, burning bright against the sky to scorch the tangle headed towards her, mentaly urging her clutchsibs help. "Thankee," Kassima yells on C'row's behalf, since the bronzerider is suddenly rather preoccupied by blinking out of the way of a thick patch; the smaller bronze just behind him catches it, and good thing, too. The Wingleader watches her own mount's flame carefully as the green--tiring enough to be skipping *between* more often than chasing Thread, but far from out of the game--catches a sidewinding twist with a searing tongue of fire. The strength of the flame must not please her; she makes a swift gesture for another sack. <*> Almost at the end of Thunderbolt's formation a young blue, Beweth, whirls frantically to char a few badly-timed clumps of Thread headed his way. Though he's fairly fresh into the fight, having replaced an older green, he quickly runs low on firestone and has to signal for resupply. <*> On Kaneth, Lorrin glances nervously up at the thread that falls toward the weyrlings, as Kaneth flies up toward Tovith so that Lorrin can heave a few sacks of firestone to Leya. He disappears *between* for a moment and then reappears in formation with the other weyrlings, letting out a belch of flame. <*> Saulith almost _roars_ out an extra burst of flame to add to Imanath's, not even minding as the Thread's ash settles over her. <*> Tierth flies resupply, too, her rider directing her to the uppermost wings in a quick skip *between*, bringing sacks to two riders speeding across the sky. Following her rider's advice to the weyrlings, the green doesn't attempt to join the wing in fighting, she only lets a trickle of flame out as her wings fold, keeping a clump above her from contacting her silvery hide. A heartbeat later, she's *between*, then back with the weyrlings. <*> Kiyoth flies out of formation, the small green covering the distances with wide wingbeats. Alessandra tosses a bag of firestone towards Beweth's rider, then blinks between to arrive back in formation. <*> From atop Tovith, Leya calls her thanks to Lorrin as she catches the sacks, though it's doubtful whether she's heard over the noise that accompanies 'fall. She hurredly replenishes Tovith, then blinking *between* to avoid a fast falling patch the pair return to their place and begin flaming in earnest once again. <*> Fasolth sights the scattered flames among the Weyrlings and seems inspired by it, a huge gout of fire destroying a drifting clump. Even the briefest glance suggests that the sturdy brown is both protective and proud of his young friends. <*> Still towards the back of the rotating formation of resupply riders, Indrath spits narrow tongues of fire to pick off what little Thread comes near him that has managed to find its way through the Flight above. The young bronze punctuates his work with sharp, vicious cries, as if the spiralling silver has given him some personal effrontery. <*> Sielth relies on skipping between rather than flaming, her energies moving towards keeping the wings supplied. <*> Lysseth spares a disapproving note for young Beweth; her rider will no doubt be having words with his rider about how much 'stone is good to bring, but for the nonce, they have other concerns. Nor are they the only ones: Shiara and Riatth, on the edge of returning to the Weyr to be refreshed, find themselves in the path of a thick snarl and decide that discretion is the better point of valor. Their place near the end of formation makes this silver snarl difficult for the Wing to catch, and the weary green bugles a warning to the queens--and Weyrlings--below. <*> Two of Skyfire Wing's smallest greens veer off from the formation in unison, exhaustion turning their normally bright hides grey. They fall back behind the rest of the dragons and only when all of the Wings are gone from overhead do they blink into *between*, returning to the Weyr. Their positions do not remain empty for long though as a few seconds later the pop of *between* signals the arrival of fresh Skyfire greens to replace them. During this shuffle, Polete and brown Tyroth and P'list and blue Valnith take the opportunity to signal their need for fresh firestone. Dragon> Kiyoth bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << Thread above! >> <*> Kheprith drifts out of formation long enough for his rider to toss a sack up at a fellow brownrider, Polete. Then, they are swiftly back in place in their own formation. <*> Through the resupply stage, thread does not only not let up, but its relentless rain of silvery tangles seems to increase. Resupply becomes tricky: wings send spiralling eddies of wind to whip clumps from their predicted paths. There's hardly a free breath of air into which a dragon might appear on resupply. <*> From Cariath's neck, Tarlo pops *between* quite suddenly, to appear nearby P'list for resupply. But before she can start hauling, Thread falls in such wicked clumps that Tarlo snags the flamethrower nozzle to clear up some space first, letting the flame arch out in a widespread to clear the air. Sliding it back into her strap, she then tosses bags over to the bluerider. <*> Kiyoth angles her long neck upwards and to the side, letting out a rather efficient burst of flame to char the patch missed by Riatth. Telgar Weyr> Tarlo says, "First dragon-mav of the night! Yay me. ;>" Telgar Weyr> Maylia will start posing that we're winding down, this has been a looong fall :) Telgar Weyr> T'kar says, "Yeah, I'm about ready to quit too." <*> Imanath blinks *between* in a moment, leaving the thread to fall lower as she reappears next to Polete and brown Tyroth. Talisha's hand grab for one of the firestone sacks secured to her dragon, and she hauls it up and across to Polete, grunting with the effort straining her muscles. In another heartbeat, they're *between* again, bursting out next to a blue, before re-joining the line. <*> Jesith wings her way down, out of formation as her flame has begun to thin. G'wain raises an arm to signal for some more firestone before having to blink *between* to avoid a few falling strands of thread. He reappears farther back, nearer to the resupply wing. As he waits he attempts to whipe some of the wet grime from his leathers, but only suceeds in smearing it. Kassima catches her resupply from a Weyrling in time for the pair to blink away from the torrent that's gathered to attack the Wings. Flame-low, Lysseth skips *between* several times consecutively, an almost strobe-like effect. A brief interval allows her to duck below into the net of protection offered by her Wing long enough to have her flames rekindled, though her roar of frustration would suggest she's not at all pleased by the time this takes--and that's frustration she's only too happy to take out on the Thread. <*> Kaneth flies quickly and carefully toward Jesith, his rider throwing G'wain a few bags of firestone, and then Kaneth blinks *between*, back to the other weyrlings. <*> Though riders still call for resupply, the intensity of the fall slacks off, easily recognized by a reduction in frequency of flame bursts from the upper levels. Wind remains a peril, though Telgar's fought in far worse, and silvery threads continue to be tossed about. Telgar Weyr> M'rgan waves. Have a good night, everyone. Skyfire will continue to fly the Fall and will return to the Weyr unscathed. Thus ensuring that there will be no extra drills during the next Sevenday. :) Telgar Weyr> Maylia says, "Thanks so much for comming, M'rgan! :)" <*> Fasolth soars along now with fewer powerful strokes, even browns as strong and confident as himself growing tired. He neglects no clump of Thread, but his movements are easier now, and he has taken in the last of the firestone he should need. <*> From atop Tovith, Jesith bugles her thanks, then ducks behind a pair of flaming dragons so G'wain can refuel her with the fresh 'stone. Once she's been fully stoked, she drops *between* and reappears back in her place in the back of the Thunderbolt formation. <*> Kheprith makes one final jump to resupply another rider before returning to formation once again. His rider checks what firestone they have at hand. Telgar Weyr> Maylia gives K'ran a pose, then will finish off :) This's been a looong Fall. <*> Once again, Indrath surges out of formation on a resupply run. K'ran leans tight against the young bronze's neck as the pair dart smoothly in and out of clumps of Thread, dancing /between/ here and there, delivering a pair of sacks to Skyfire wingriders before returning to formation. <*> On his brown Khorith, weyrling T'mas makes a quick resupply run up towards a weary Thunderbolt wingrider. What seems routine quickly turns tragic: after delivering the sack, Khorith is caught on the haunches by a lone tendril of Thread. The pair blink /between/, only to emerge from the void in the midst of a curtain of the stuff. Both dragon and rider blink /between/ again, screaming -- and do not reappear. <*> Saulith stares, eyes paling from fighting brightness to ghost-grey in shock, before letting out an agonizing keen for lost Khorith. <*> Atop Kiyoth, Alessandra swivels around on Kiyoth, eyes widening in disbelief. "Oh Faranth, no, T'mas..." Kiyoth beneath here takes up Saulith's keen, never once wavering in her position. <*> Lysseth keeps almost strictly to her place in formation: no more sharp maneuvers, no dives, no brisk rises. A Wingleading green can't afford to leave formation midway through Fall, and these are the methods she has chosen to avoid that necessity. Still, she keeps the skies directly around her clear and continues supervising her Wing carefully. An alarmed bugle escapes her at the initial Threading of a Weyrling; it turns into a screech at the tragic misjudgment on return, and a muted keening note at the very end. Not long-lasting, though. The fight continues. Grief is for later. <*> From on top of Imanath's back, Talisha leans forward, clutching at the straps. Her eyes fling wide in shock, and she droops for a moment, reality sinking in. "Oh no.." she trails off, whatever she says unheard as Imanath's keening joins the others, before at her riders urge, stops, and the pair return to their duties, delivering sacks as needed. <*> The wings mop up the final tendrils of thread, leaving the air clear except for clouds of ash, which soon begins to clear in the wind. Still, the sun shines through the clouds, it's incongruous cheerfullness illuminating what's below. Forests, waving greenly - and safely - in the wind. Sweep wings peel off, while far below ground crews are ferried in a-dragonback. <*> Kaneth lets out a low keening moan, staring at the place where Khorith and his rider had been just a moment before, as Lorrin gasps, "Shards, T'mas! <*> Atop Kheprith, Greylin turns her head as she hears a scream. Her eyes go wide, but she quickly shouts, "FOCUS! We're not done yet!" If to herself or the others, is anyone's guess. <*> Cariath seems to shudder, letting out a keening wail. Atop her neck, Tarlo gasps - pushing aside whatever thoughts first flash across her mind. Tossing sacks, searing Thread, that is all there is in the world now, this, and her bond with Cariath. <*> On Saulith, Kichevio waves tightly, to Talisha and to Greylin. Still here, still flying. <*> A deep, resonating bellow sounds through the clearing air and across the waving treetops. Fasolth pushes on, following his Wingleader's example and trying to be strong for the others, though he is not one to treat losses lightly. <*> The screams catch K'ran's attention as he and Indrath surge back into formation, a momentary wince flickering through the young man's expression. Then, simmering anger: the young pair watches the skies, ready to burn Thread that might dare to try claiming the life of *another* friend. <*> From atop Tovith, Leya's head jerks up the screaming cry of the weyrling pair that then disapears *between* to never return. She shakes her head sadly, as Tovith lets out a low keening note. The time of mourning for the lost must wait though. Tovith banks and rises to meet the few remaining strands of silver thread, flaming them out the sky with bright flame. His revenge against what it has taken. <*> Atop Kiyoth, Alessandra tosses a grateful look at Greylin as the girl's shout brings Alessi crashing back to reality. Kiyoth spots another patch near her that escaped the upper wings; just a small patch, but it shrivels into dust under Kiyoth's vengeful flame. <*> From on top of Imanath's back, Talisha waits for the silvery threat to stop, never once looking back in the direction the scream came from. Someone left, and that's all that matters. "Alright, Snowstar!" She calls their attention to her, Imanath bugling to draw the weyrling dragons around too. "I want everybody back in formation, /now/!" She shouts across the wing, expression hard, jaw set as she watches, waiting for everything to obey. Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Lysseth rumbles out, her mindvoice's silver streakings muted to a dull grey, << We will mourn for them later. We cannot now, or more lives might be lost. >> A pause while she blinks *between*; she then resumes, << You are doing well. Hold on just a little while longer; the Thread should slacken soon. >> [Editor's Note: Voila, confusion! In the spam, I managed to miss the end-of-Fall pose, and so did both of my Wingriders. We got things straightened out with May in a bit.] <*> Kheprith keeps his place in line, eyes scanning just in case anything made it through. His rider's teeth can be seen, gritted tightly. <*> Kiyoth edges back into formation; she was only a few feet away from her position anyway. Telgar Weyr> Talisha ers. For everyone in the thread fall, that wasn't /everything/ everyone. ;> <*> Saulith is in formation, and has been--and so waits for the next order, hide faded to the palest glimmer of its former spring green. <*> From Sielth's neckridges, Aside from Sielth's creel, she and Aisling show no reaction. There is work to be done and thread to fight. <*> Cariath betweens as she finishes her last toss, righting herself and settling into formation immediately. <*> Indrath and K'ran are already there, back in the resupply rotation though, by now, far less encumbered by sacks of 'stone. <*> From on top of Imanath's back, Talisha waits until each and every weyrling is back in formation, one blue taking a little longer than the rest. Once he's set, she raised her arm, signalling for them to meet back in the bowl. <*> Imanath disappears into Between. <*> Saulith disappears into Between. <*> Indrath disappears into Between. TGW-Bowl>> Imanath backwings for a landing. TGW-Bowl>> Indrath backwings for a landing. <*> Kheprith disappears into Between. <*> Kaneth disappears into Between. <*> Sielth disappears into Between. TGW-Bowl>> Saulith backwings for a landing. <*> Tierth disappears into Between. TGW-Bowl>> Kheprith backwings for a landing. <*> Kiyoth disappears into Between. TGW-Bowl>> Sielth backwings for a landing. TGW-Bowl>> Kiyoth backwings for a landing. Dragon> Telgar Thunderbolt Wing sense that Tovith replies his mindvoice's autumnal color muted under a grey sky. << Young ones...>> A pause, then << Later. Yes. Must finish what we have begun. >> <*> Cariath disappears into Between. TGW-Bowl>> Cariath backwings for a landing. TGW-Bowl>> Kaneth backwings for a landing. TGW-Bowl>> Aisling is off of Sielth quickly, removing the green's straps as she checks her over for injuries. Her expression is closed and guarded. TGW-Bowl>> On Saulith, Kichevio calls, voice a little raspy from ash and dust. "Okay? Everyone's okay?" TGW-Bowl>> Kichevio slides down easily from Saulith's neck. TGW-Bowl>> Talisha hops down from Imanath, landing on the ground with a soft thump. TGW-Bowl>> K'ran eases down from Indrath's back. TGW-Bowl>> Talisha slides down from Imanath, face showing weary sketchings across her brow. "Everybody here?" Her eyes scan the bowl quickly, noting each dragon as it arrives. She nods across to Kich before dragging a hand over her face, wiping soot over her skin. TGW-Bowl>> Lorrin slides down from Kaneth's neck. TGW-Bowl>> K'ran waits to dismount until after Talisha's done so. Once on the ground he pulls off his gloves and threads them through his right epaulet, as is his habit, and runs a hand back through ash-streaked hair. "Here," he mutters, a bit gruffly. TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo climbs down from between Cariath's neck ridges. <*> Once the Fall has reached its final dregs, and at last the conclusion, Kassima keeps her Wing in the air for several minutes--for caution's sake, and to send low-flying Wingriders down to check the immediate area for burrows. Once they have returned with a negative report, she signals for the Wing to follow her back to Telgar. <*> Lysseth disappears into Between. Between You gasp as the icy black nothingness of Between surrounds you! You hear nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing. The trip takes five heartbeats... Black... Blacker... Blackest! You suddenly emerge... <*> Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> From the South, From the Telgar Star Stones, L'klal's burnished bronze Pteynth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to green Lysseth and her rider, Kassima, welcoming them home. TGW-Bowl>> Greylin slithers down Kheprith's side to the ground. <*> Fasolth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> From the South, From the Telgar Star Stones, L'klal's burnished bronze Pteynth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to brown Fasolth and his rider, T'kar, welcoming them home. TGW-Bowl>> Saulith drops her head almost to the ground, and Kichevio leans limply against it. Her expression is blank as she watches her friends arrive. TGW-Bowl>> "Check over your dragons." Aisling instructs once she has watched them all land, minus one. "They could be some ash burns that they haven't noticed yet" <*> Tovith emerges from Between with a blast of cold air! <*> From the South, From the Telgar Star Stones, L'klal's burnished bronze Pteynth rears on hind legs and bugles a greeting to brown Tovith and his rider, Leya, welcoming them home. TGW-Bowl>> Tierth backwings for a landing. TGW-Bowl>> Tarlo yanks off her helmet, letting her braids tumble down past her shoulders. Her expression is twisted angrily, and for a moment it looks like she's about to kick something. But she doesn't, she only leans against Cariath and breathes slowly in and out. "We're fine." she reports as her shoulder heave from fatigue. Cariath's similarly heaving, and as Aisling's instructed, Tarlo begins to inspect her. TGW-Bowl>> Alessandra covers her face for a long moment with sooty hands, hiding her eyes. At Aisling's instructions she looks up, rubbing her eyes to clear them of soot before checking over Kiyoth carefully. "Kiyoth and I are just fine..." TGW-Bowl>> Greylin slides down Kheprith's side and then flops against him. His greyed hide is prevalent as he nuzzles his rider. At Aisling's prodding, she rouses herself to make the check, just to be safe. You fly downwards towards the central part of the bowl. You fly downwards towards the bowl. <*> Tierth lands heavily, her hide grey with ash though not as badly as the dragons from the fighting wings. Her rider pauses a moment, then strips off her riding helmet, eyeprotectors, and gloves, before dismounting. <*> K'ran does as instructed, after first giving his own left shoulder an experimental squeeze through his riding leathers. He makes a slow circuit of his lifemate, letting a hand trail against bronze hide. "All fine," he finally announces. "Just a bit tired. And wanting a bath." <*> "Just ash and soot, no burns," Kichevio murmurs as she runs her hands over Saulith. "We're okay." Shaky, oh yes. But okay. <*> Tovith backwings for a landing. <*> Talisha manages to school her expression back to calm, glancing around at the other weyrlings. A single tear streaks down through dark stained cheeks, and she turns to check Imanath over, hands rubbing across her greyed hide. She checks straps, circling her lifemate before announing to the area in general, "She's fine. We're fine." <*> Maylia slides to the ground, giving Tierth a parting caress and a tender smile. <*> Aisling glances towards Maylia a moment before she slips her own helmet off, laying them atop Sielth's straps. <*> Lysseth and most of her Wing, following behind the others due to a delay from sending sweepriders, land in the Bowl where the ground is clear enough. The lead green slumps with exhaustion the moment she's on terra firma; Kassima spares her grimed neck an absent but fond caress, before unbuckling to slide down. You slide off of Lysseth's neck to land beside her easily. She rumbles, cocking her head down at you, and you rub her eyeridges gratefully. Lorrin nods to Kichevio, then to Talisha, and she does as Aisling instructs, and then quietly murmurs, "He's fine. We are all right." Her face is pale, and she leans against Kaneth as he croons softly to her. Greylin nods as she completes her examination of Kheprith. "Nothing wrong here," she says quietly. Maylia takes a deep breath, mopping her hand across her face, but her expression is as usual. Granite. Aisling is given a brief nod, as the Weyrlingmaster begins a quick check of Tierth. Assured that her green is fine, she heads for the weyrlings. Dragon> Fasolth bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << Thanks, all of you. It was a good Fall! >> Tarlo nods. "Cariath is fine." she asserts, and the gold warbles an affirmative. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Fasolth meant that to be OOC :) Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Tierth thanks all of you for comming out and RPing :) I do hope you had fun :) Kichevio disappears up onto Saulith's spring-green back. Saulith lands on Saulith's Ledge. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Kiyoth had a great time! Dragon> Lysseth bespoke Telgar Weyrlings with << I always have fun being an instrument of death and destruction! ;) Seriously, great 'Fall, y'all. :) >> Tovith lands a little after Lysseth with a muted rumble. Leya reaches up and pulls her goggles down, letting them hang around her neck as she unbuckles herself and slides down. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Saulith did too. :) Leya slides down off of Tovith, her feet landing on the ground with a soft *thump*. Talisha pulls her helmet off, placing it down as she shakes her head quickly, braids falling apart so her hair falls messily around her shoulders. She attempts to send smiles across to everyone around her as gives Imanath a tender caress along her side. Gloves are pulled off finger by finger and put away before she leans heavily against her lifemate. Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Imanath had fun too :) Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Cariath enjoyed. :) While the wings arrive behind her, Maylia heads for Talisha. "The wing did well," she says quietly, nodding to the weyrlings. "They've all checked their lifemates?" Dragon> Telgar Weyrlings sense that Kaneth had fun too. :) Aisling rests against Sielth's foreleg, watching impassively. Telgar Weyr> T'kar says, "Goodnight folks, thanks!" Kassima lifts her goggles from her ash-streaked face to set to her foremost task: checking Lysseth's wings and shoulders for signs of strain, and getting her hands thoroughly filthified in the process. "Apart from that wingtip 'score of Servoth's, and the glance to Kilth's flank," she murmurs to Leya, keeping her voice low, "were there any injuries?" Talisha nods slowly to Maylia, looking around at the weyrlings as some continue to check their lifemates over, prodding here and there just to be extra sure. "Yes, Aisling told us all too as soon as she arrived." Greylin nods to the question, not trusting herself to say anything else. Tarlo clenches her jaw and looks at the ground. "We lost T'mas." she grits out softly. Leya gives Tovith's sturdy side a pad, then pulls down whats left of her last sack of firestone dropping it to the ground for someone else to pick up later. She answers to Kassi, her voice pitched to only carry a short ways, "I think that's it." She glances over her shoulder to where Hyla is going over her Omnith. "Though Omnith might have a minor wing sprain." She turns to inspect one of Tovith's wings as she finishes, "But he should be fine." "Good." Maylia says, quite firmly, nodding. "Dragonhealers are to see to each and every injury, no matter how minor. Now," and she raises her voice, to address the entire Snowstar wing. "You all flew well. Do not, please, focus on the negative, instead know that each one of you flew your best, and you've gotten through one of the hardest steps in weyrling training." Tarlo's comment draws her eyes. "And others. You'll loose more, too." The words aren't harsh, simply ... there. Alessandra stays in front of Kiyoth's muzzle, eyes focused firmly on those brilliant rainbow orbs. "Does it ever get easier?" is her softspoken question, pitched to just barely reach Maylia. Greylin once more leans against Kheprith, the two dealing with the shock and loss as best as they cna. K'ran keeps quiet, his lips pursed into a pensive frown. Post-Flight adrenaline has left him trembling slightly, and he has his hands curled into loose fists to hide it. Maylia's expression doesn't change, remoteness is how she deals with this. "Easier?" She asks, shaking her head. "These next few sevendays will see more weyrlings going *between* and not returning. All you can do is do your best, support your wingmates, drill, drill, drill." Aisling's gaze moves from weyrling to weyrling, eyeing them curiously as if gauging their reaction. Talisha drags her hands over her face again, expression revealed to be hard set as her hands run to her neck then, and she drapes them in her lap as she slides down to sit next to Imanath. She doesn't say anything about the deaths, jaw clenched and lips pursed in a tight frown. Her gaze follows Maylia, then several of the other weyrlings as they comfort their lifemates. Alessandra closes her eyes, sighing deeply, then turns to face Maylia, chin lifting, the weyrling calm and steady. "And when Thread falls next, we'll be ready." Kassima tugs loose the empty sacks from Lysseth's straps, draping them over her arm in all their damp and grimy glory. "The Dragonhealers should look over it anyway--" She breaks off; Lysseth swivels her head towards Omnith and gives a commanding rumble, no doubt passing it along as an order. "Nay use seeing it get inflamed. Considering how thick the Thread was today, that's good flying. I'm going t'call a rest day tomorrow for most of the Wing... duties, but nay drills; yourself included. I'll run drills for those I thought were flying careless." Even as she speaks, her eyes slew over towards the Weyrlings and she murmurs, "Nay group ever finds it any easier, do they?" Lorrin says nothing, pressing her lips together firmly and blinking back tears for her lost friends as she sinks down against Kaneth, resting her head against his soft hide. As more names begin to get noted as having not returned, Tarlo turns her face and presses her forehead to Cariath's soot covered hide. She swallows, but does not cry. Maylia gives a sharp nod to Alessandra. "You'll all be better prepared next time; you'll know what's up there. We'll work tomorrow on avoidance drills, watching where you're jumping to," a wince breaks through that granite for an instant. "Work on turns, judging turning radius. For tonight, though, you're excused from duties beyond those to your dragons. Get them clean and oiled, reassure them, though they'll forget today soon. Spend time together, as you will." Quiet, K'ran says, "Thank you, Weyrlingmaster." Maylia brushes at her riding jacket, focussing on that gesture, though it does little to dislodge ash. "Does anyone have any questions?" She asks, sounding weary. Greylin shakes her head silently as she lifts her goggles off her eyes finally. Alessandra walks the few brief steps over to Greylin, resting a hand on her shoulder briefly and giving it a brief squeeze before she and Kiyoth escape to the steam baths. Telgar Weyr> Maylia snugs you all :) I've *got* to get offline for a bit, haven't had my dinner yet. But i'll be back in an hourish, should anyone want to quietly chat/RP :) Telgar Weyr> Talisha snugsa Maylia. Telgar Weyr> Tarlo conspires to ply May and Aisling with booze. :) Telgar Weyr> K'ran says, "Thanks, May. Happy food." Telgar Weyr> Aisling snickers. Lorrin shakes her head at Maylia's question as she takes a deep breath, and tries to brush some soot off Kaneth's hide distractedly. Telgar Weyr> Lorrin snugs Maylia and idles to get something to eat herself. :) Leya gives a small smile as she watches Omnith pout at the order, but it quickly fades as her eyes are drawn back to the weyrlings. She begins to tug on Tovith's straps, unbuckling them and wrapping them around her arm hang loosely until they can be properly hung up. She sighs, not looking up as she blinks away tears, "It's never easy. No..." Talisha rises smoothly to her feet, Imanath following a little more shakily. "We're off to the steam baths then." She murmurs to no-one really, gaze flicking back and forth between the weyrlings. She sighs softly then, mounts up, and the pair are up. Talisha scrambles up the sun-kissed green of Imanath's hide to perch in an unoccupied neckridge. Imanath lumbers south. Tarlo nods. "The water will do us good." she mumbles, and scrambles up Cariath. Kiyoth lands on Kiyoth's Ledge. Tarlo sits down between Cariath's neck ridges. K'ran reaches up to unbuckle the riding straps from Indrath's neck, and tells the young bronze, "Follow Imanath. I'll meet you there in a minute. I want to stop by the living cavern first." Looping the straps over his shoulder, he sets off south. Cariath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry her aloft. Indrath takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Kassima nods, a simple agreement, and looks away from them with a sigh. "I'd imagine they'll be needing the Springs more than anyone tonight, so I'm off t'wash Lysseth in the Lake--oh," she adds belatedly to her Wingmates, "dismissed, a'course." K'ran walks south. Lorrin murmurs to no one in particular, "Yes, we should go take a bath." Lorrin climbs onto Kaneth's back. Kaneth takes flight, using the thermals rising from the bowl to carry him aloft. Kheprith enters through the big entrance into the Weyrling Barracks. Greylin walks through the entrance into the Weyrling Barracks. Aisling watches the weyrlings disburse without expression before shrugging slightly to herself. Leya nods, rubbing at the inside of her nose in a gesture of weariness and so acquiring a black smudge on the side of her nose next to her eye. "I'll be following a bit later, with Tovith, of course. I'll just finish up here and make sure Hyla gets Omnith looked at by a dragonhealer." Kassima gives her lifemate a slap on the shoulder after divesting her of her straps. "Get on to the Lake, love, and start soaking that grit off. You can relax; you did wonderfully, as always." Lyss indulges in a muzzle-nudge of her rider before complying, leaving Kassi to smile after her, then nods agreeably to Leya. "Much appreciated. Tell the Dragonhealers t'send the reports on Omnith, Kilth, and Servoth t'me, if'n 'twould--they aren't serious enough injuries that methinks I need t'be checking in person tonight." Aisling is given a curious look. "Is everything all right, Ais?" Lysseth lumbers in the direction of the shimmering lake, leaving the central bowl area of the Weyr. Aisling nods her head. "It will be," She says finally. "We'll come and join you in a little bit." Leya finishes pulling off Tovith's straps, pushing away Tovith's muzzle as he reaches over to whuffle concernedly in her face. "I'm fine, Tovith. Fine," she murmurs as she bends over to pick the end of one strap that'd dropped to the group, tucking it in with the rest that's looped over her arm. She nods to Kassi, "I'll do that." Kassima gives the Assistant Weyrlingmaster a smile without much of mirth in it, but elements of regret and sympathy. "A'course... and company's welcome. See you in a bit, too, Leya. You and Tovith flew brilliantly today." She gives the brown a smile too, this one mingling weariness with approval, and salutes the pair before turning to the Lake. Aisling lets out a deep breath before she slips on the straps that she had just recently removed. "We'll be back in a little bit." She says before she scrambles up. You head in the direction of the shimmering lake, leaving the central bowl area of the Weyr.