|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2003 17:52:03 GMT -5
((So, are Mas and Lynn out of between and back on the ground?))
Kyja looked over at Lynn and Mas. Mas was a small dragon when you compared her to most of the other golds, especially when you compared her Sarinth, who large, even for a gold.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazywriter on Oct 31, 2003 18:42:33 GMT -5
{Yeah, on the ground.}
|
|
|
|
Post by burrowedlurker on Oct 31, 2003 20:33:22 GMT -5
After finally getting calmed down, D'lan took the time to watch the other riders. Most of them weren't shaky anymore; going between was scary, but success wiped away most of that fear.
Plinth curled into a ball, pushing D'lan against her warm hide and wrapping her wings around them both. All they had to do now was wait for the instructor to say something, and, well, clinging to her rider made her feel better. She knew he didn't mind.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2003 21:38:16 GMT -5
Kyja was shaken out of her thoughts by the instructor's voice. 'Hey now, you don't think I'd let you by with just one success, do you? Now, go between back to where you just came from. The idea is to keep doing it until it doesn't scare the living daylights out of you anymore,' he said. And with that, he vaulted onto his dragon's back, and was gone. Some seconds later, he re-appeared at the spot where they had come from.
Kyja swung herself back onto Sarinth's great golden neck. She wasn't quite as afraid this time, for she knew what was coming, as well as how long it would last. And she had Sarin with her, and Sarin was a great comfort.
Ready, Sar?
You better believe it.
Ok then, let's go.
And with that, rider and dragon were whisked away into the dark chill of between.
It wasn't as bad as the first time. Kyja just kept reassuring herself that she would be out in no time. She could still feel Sarin there, in her mind, if not with her touch, which gave her a great comfort. Then, as that thought crossed her mind, suddenly, senses rushed back along with light and sound. They had successfully gone between for the second time.
We did it again, Sar! said Kyja, still not quite able to get over her successes. She dismounted lightly, then went to the dragon's head.
Yes, of course we did. You really think I would fail? said Sarinth, sounding a bit smug.
Kyja batted Sar lightly on the nose, then gently scratched her left eye ridge.
|
|
|
|
Post by burrowedlurker on Oct 31, 2003 23:35:22 GMT -5
Well, we know what to expect now, right? So it can't be as bad? D'lan's mental voice sounded skeptical even to him. Resigned, he climbed back onto Plinth, and patted the side of her neck. And we remember what it looks like?
They were between, in the bone-deep cold that pierced more than the body. He kept himself occupied by mentally playing the notes to what few songs he knew, and knew that Plinth was clinging to his mental voice as a drowning swimmer clings to a rope thrown from a ship.
They were back. This time hadn't been as horrible as the first--Plinth had felt more confident after getting the feel of it, and spread that confidence to her rider. Even so, he patted himself to make sure he was all there, careful to keep half an eye on the other riders to see what everyone was supposed to be doing.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazywriter on Nov 1, 2003 0:26:00 GMT -5
Being already on my dragon, I was able to get into the air before anyone else. For once.
The cold and emptiness of between didn't seem so frightening as it had the first time, and I didn't understand why everyone else found it so frightening.
You said so yourself. It is nothing all around you, Mas pointed out.
True, but why be afraid of nothing at all?
We came out just above Sarin and a Green rider. I think I recognized him... Pin? Pith? Oh yes, Plinth. He was okay, though I hadn't talked to him much.
|
|
|
|
Post by burrowedlurker on Nov 1, 2003 1:36:14 GMT -5
D'lan looked up as the Weyrling--on a Queen--materialised from between above his head. Small though she was, she was much larger than Plinth and much higher-ranking than him, Weyrling or not. He flinched slightly, and Plinth hastily scrambled out of their way as she felt her rider's surprise.
He nodded politely to her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2003 15:16:02 GMT -5
'C'mon, Sar, let's go talk to Lynn and Mas,' said Kyja. Sarinth obidiantly followed in a haphazard sort of walk/hop/waddle. I hate walking, the Gold grumbled, I don't know how you humans can stand it...
Kyja stifled a laugh, and said, 'They were only a few feet from us.' Then to Lynn she said, 'So what do you guys think of between? It's not so bad the second time...'
|
|
|
|
Post by burrowedlurker on Nov 1, 2003 16:55:03 GMT -5
And now there was another Queen. Eep. Plinth edged away respectfully to give them space, while D'lan half-climbed, half-fell out of his riding straps in an attempt to get his feet onto the ground.
He landed clumsily on his side, then stood up and brushed himself off. He felt safer on the ground, despite how much he loved and trusted Plinth.
You should have undone this strapfirst instead of forgetting. Plinth mentioned innocently, showing him a mental image of the strap that had caused him to completely lose his balance when trying to move.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazywriter on Nov 1, 2003 17:44:32 GMT -5
I nearly laughed out loud at the antics of the Green rider, but held my laughter in.
"I think between is okay," I said, turning to Kyja. "Mas doesn't mind it at all, really. Doesn't get to me that much, either, if I just talk with Mas or something. But first time... That was pretty scary."
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2003 20:27:23 GMT -5
Kyja noticed the green rider, and thought to Sarin, He doesn't need to be that respectful. You're just a pretty ordinary dragon, except for your color and size, and I'm just a normal rider who happened to impress you.
Sarinth peered at her through one glittering multi-faceted eye.
Werylings that do not have queens are told to show the proper respect.
I know... I don't like it though. It makes me feel too... different.
Sarinth nudged Kyja sympathetically with her enormous head, and Kyja turned around to hug what she could get her arms around. She loved this dragon more than anything on earth.
Turning back around, she said to Lynn, 'Sar doesn't mind between at all. I was frightened the first time, but I'm getting better with it.'
|
|
|
|
Post by burrowedlurker on Nov 2, 2003 1:09:08 GMT -5
Flushed bright red with embarassment, D'lan snuck a quick glance at the other Weyrlings to see who'd noticed. Or more accurately, who'd noticed and were still gawking.
A young boy who'd Impressed a bronze smirked at him and mimed tripping over his own feet. D'lan scowled and made an extremely rude hand gesture the other boy didn't, and hadn't been likely to, understand.
Is that even possible? Plinth questioned, hitting him lightly with her tail.
"Only if you're flexible." D'lan shrugged indifferently and looked at the ground. That was a really nice rock there. Very grey and rock-shaped.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazywriter on Nov 2, 2003 13:55:36 GMT -5
I looked over at the Green rider and grinned.
"Rude li'l bugger, ain't 'e?"
I hopped of Mas and walked over to him.
"Hey," I said casually. "Yer name's Plinth, right?"
|
|
|
|
Post by burrowedlurker on Nov 2, 2003 14:22:13 GMT -5
D'lan looked up swiftly, looking much like a deer in the headlights. Or a wherry staring at a diving dragon, in more Pernese terms.
"Actually," He replied slowly, "my name is D'lan. She's Plinth." He motioned to the dragon, who nodded respectfully at the girl.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazywriter on Nov 2, 2003 14:36:28 GMT -5
I grinned. "Oh, sorry. Never talked te ya before, so I wasn't sure 'bout yer name. Easy te get confused sometimes."
|
|
