Candidate Lesson: Firestone Tossing

[J'zeni]

There had been a sevenday break in Lessons. Most of the Candidates already knew everything that J'zeni could teach them, and those who didn't could take private lessons from him. He had that suggestion posted on the tack-board in his office.

It had taken J’zeni quite a while to figure out what to teach, and then there came the news that he was losing some of his Candidates. Two at least, which was a big deal considering both of them were male and the Weyr had few enough male Candidates as it was. Jerston and Vidian both left the Weyr. Though J’zeni assumed they went to Southern or another Weyr, he didn’t know for sure. All he knew was the note he was given telling him that the Healer and the weyrbrat would no longer be considered Candidates to Great Cliffs. So many people disappearing in the last sevenday concerned the Candidate Master, but what could he do about it? He was so busy he was lucky he slept.

Moving on….

He left word at the Candidate Barracks for the Candidates to meet him outside in the Weyrbowl. Today’s lesson would require moving around, so he made sure to include in his message that they wear sturdy shoes and clothes they could get messy.

J’zeni shifted his stance and stared at the sky, watching the late winter clouds drift by. Soon Tuirith would lay her eggs and the real anticipation would begin. After this lesson making new Candidate robes was priority. However, this was a very important lesson too and good team-building. The stacks of sacks set to J’zeni’s left suggested what the lesson was going to be about, the distinctive caustic scent of firestone wafted from the tied bags.

Hopefully Weyrling lessons would begin soon, poor Alvoradath was beside himself with boredom. True, J’zeni taught him much, but there was only so far he could go without the guidance of Aurora. At the moment the young bronze dragon was nowhere to be seen.

[missa]

Surprising as it was, the moment Crys had seen the notice - since she was the only one of them that checked - she'd gone looking for Zadari, normally, the others had to seek her out. Maybe, just maybe she was finally growing up, becoming less shy? Doubtful as the idea was, it was hard not to question what hanging about Zadari and Aieden had done for her.

"See told you she was wondering around." Zadari's voice surprised her out of her thoughts and Crys offered a tiny smile to her friend, glancing at Aieden in surprise. Had they been betting on her where-abouts again? To her, it seemed a trivial thing to bet on, especially since it wasn't hard. She was either studying, at lessons, or doing her chores.
"We have lessons." She mumbled, shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. Unlike Aieden and Zadari, both who had no problems with being late, Crys hated it. She strived to be ontime, merely to escape the look of dissapointment or anger tardiness caused.

"Yes, and what do we need?" Blinking again as her thoughts were interuppted once again, Crys said nothing for a moment, trying to remember the wording.
"Sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty." She mumbled finally, raising a brow as neither Zadari nor Aieden moved.
"Aren't you two going to change?"
"Uh, no. My clothes don't need changing, they can get dirty."
"There's not a single shirt Aieden owns without a hole in it." Well, that certainly answered her question, Crys on the other hand, had to change the simple skirt for trousers.

"What will we learn Aieden?" Crys, having been one of the only ones who hadn't at least had a couple of lessons, aside from the couple before the last hatching, looked up at Aiden, who pulled a face.
"I don't know honestly. They change all the time, sometimes meetings out in the weyrbowl can just be a chance to escape. Different teachers teach different things." Of course, Aieden felt that answered things quite nicely, even as Zadari told him it didn't. It never bothered Crys, just how much Aieden and Zadari seemed to fight, or how over shadowed she was when seh was with them. Infact, she enjoyed it.

All three bowed as they approached J'zeni, Crys allowing a tiny smile to form, glancing at the sacks and then Aieden curiously. Aieden always had answers, they just usually weren't the right ones, Crys had discovered that the hard way.

[kiana]

((Look, I live!))

Nymesy had arrived after the first candidate lessons, and while he had spoken to J'zeni to get the basics, he was still a little nervous about this lesson. As a Harper, he was a star student, but this was a whole new thing, and he was worried that the other candidates might think he was stupid because he didn't know much about dragons.

To make things worse, he felt extremely uncomfortable in the old work clothes he was wearing. Nymesy was very picky about his clothing, and wearing something so old and dirty just felt unnatural. He would just have to live with it, though, he supposed. If he Impressed at the end of this, it would be worth it.

He joined the other candidates out in the weyrbowl and bowed to the Candidate Master. "Greetings, Master J'zeni," he said politely. Then he smiled nervously at the other candidates, who he hadn't met yet.

[J'zeni]

He shook his head and smiled a little as they bowed to him, but nodded to the three in return. He was about to start when Nymesy appeared, and J'zeni nodded to him in return as well. Though they had met briefly, J'zeni didn't remember the other's name right away. Fortunately new Candidates were rare, or had been during the time he had been 'Master, so it was simple enough. He's the new one isn't he? He said to Alvoradath. The bronze looked up and rumbled his assent. J'zeni nodded, That's what I thought. We spoke a bit a few days ago when he arrived. Well, guess he'll have to get some private lessons in to catch up with the others.[/color]

"Greetings everyone." He smiled, then cleared his throat. "All right, we're going to start practicing tossing firestone. These bags are very light compared to what a true dragonrider is expected to be able to throw." J'zeni hoisted up one of the bags in one hand and cupped his other hand underneath the bottom. "They're only five pounds, so everyone should be able to lift them easily." He paused to gauge everyone's reaction before moving on with the rest of the lesson.

He sighed. "All right, partner up. Zadari and Nymsey, Aieden and Crysania can partner. We'll throw the bags back and forth a few times then switch partners. Stand face to face then walk backward ten steps. That's the distance we'll start. Even if you do not Impress as members of the groundcrew you'll be expected to be able to throw a fifty pound bag of firestone from the ground to someone on dragonback. All right, go."

As he waited for the Candidates to get into position, he scooped up another bag then, J'zeni went over to Aeiden and handed him a bag, and going to Nymsey handed her the other.

[casel]

Rolen approached J'zeni, neverously shifting his feet. He had missed the first canadiate lesson and had found the note on his tack board, but all was well, and Resonate was giving his warm welcome feelings about the canadiate master. Just talk to him stupid you can do it. Just tell him you need a partner for the tossing. Rolen reached out one hand, and tapping J'zeni on the shoulder. "Master J'zeni, would u be my partner for the firestone tossing, and I wanted to talk to you about learning the basics dragonriding."

Rolen looked over his shoulder to where his large cat Nugget was bathing in the sun. He looked at Nugget in the eyes, and whistled a command to send the large cat bounding into the woods. She would be back he knew, after she would had found her kill for the day. Resonate follewed her to keep an eye on Nugget and find some scraps.

Rolen hefted a sacked in each hand and simply looked at the Canadiate Master J'zeni. "Do you want to make these bags heavier, cause I can toss these pretty easy." He didn't know what else to do so he prepared to throw the light sack the distance required.

[J'zeni]

From the shadows near where Nugget had been sun-bathing, something moved. Shifting out from where he had been sitting the large ebon hued feline emerged. His long whiskers shifted forward and slightly down as he watched the other male feline bound away. Green eyes narrowed, examining the intruder, this new feline to the Weyr, and the only other one of his size. The tip of his tail twitched back and forth several times before he sat down, his ears backward, flush against his massive head. Though he watched the other run out of the Weyrbowl and disappear around the corner toward the forest, he did not follow. Instead, he merely sat there, making himself obvious and seen, quite an unusual thing indeed for the feline.

While not aware of his companion's emotions, he could see the body language easily enough from where he was standing and J'zeni scowled in Shadowstalker's direction. This was the only reason he did not see Rolen approach him. The new Candidate's appearance did not go unnoticed however, for Starjumper with all her imperious attitude peered down at Rolen from her perch on some over-head rocks nearby. She let out a sharp call, sending Rolen and Resonate's images to J'zeni even as the Candidate was tapping J'zeni on the shoulder.


J'zeni turned finding himself looking up to the taller young man. He blinked in surprise, taken by the hefty appearance of the Candidate, it wasn't the usual thing to find a Candidate who was already practically full grown. Without taking a step back or moving at all, J'zeni looked Rolen in the eye. Before he could even answer the first question, Rolen was off talking about something else. At least it still has to do with firestone tossing.[/color] Which was an improvement from some of the scatter-brained Candidates he had last time.

"Well, usually its polite to introduce yourself, even if I do know who you are, others might not appreciate simply being approached without an introduction and I know that the Weyrling Master will demand it. Good use of my title though, that I appreciate." He kept his voice level so there was little chance of sounding intimidating, after all he was simply correcting the Candidate not reprimanding him.

"Also, as you can see we just started a few minutes ago. None of the other Candidates have partners yet. Its customary for Candidates to pair with Candidates so you can learn together. You'll be each other's Wingmates some day, if you are chosen by a dragon. As far as learning the basics of dragonriding, that's for the Weyrling Master to teach you. We're learning how to be Weyrlings here... and what to expect from Impressing a dragon, not how to ride them."

He gestured toward Aieden . "Since you seem so insistent on having a partner now, you can pair with Aieden and decide the weight of the bags between the two of you. Remember you'll have to toss those bags a dragon's length... which in the Weyr is considered the length of the average green dragon ... about twenty-five meters... repeatedly in this lesson. Might be best to start with the lighter ones and work your way toward the heavier ones. Fifty pounds might be easy to throw the first ten times but after twenty or thirty, even the strongest would be tired. That's why we're only starting with ten and twenty."

Turning away from Rolen momentarily, he called out to everyone else. "Slight change of plans. Aieden go ahead and pair with Rolen here and Crysania can toss with Kitti."

As he turned back to Rolen, he noticed Shadowstalker's posture. He glanced in the direction that Shadowstalker was looking. "Also... please, next time don't bring your feline or have him elsewhere. Shadowstarlker has been the big feline ... so to say... at the Weyr all his life, and I think he definitely views your feline as competition and an intruder. Just be careful of him and be aware Shadow's not used to the company. So, go ahead and partner up with Aieden and we'll start in a few minutes."

[casel]

Rolen listened intently to what his new Canadiate Master had told him. Pay attention Rolen, you no longer lost in the woods, manners manners manners. Smiling broadly, Rolen looked back at J'zeni and said proudly "Sorry for forgetting, but I am Rolen, formally of the Harper Hall. Master J'zeni I must apologize, for I was lost in the wilderness and have lost some of my manners. I will watch my speech more carefully now and always."

"As to Nugget, I will make sure she has left the Weyr in the early mornings from now on. I do not wish to be an intrusion to any other member of the weyr, either human dragon or feline." Rolen still watched the large grey feline in amazement and admiration. Rolen glanced at Aiden and simply asked "Aieden, right? Would you like to start with the 5 pound bags or more weight, the decision is entirelly up to you."

Rolen set both of his bags, waiting quietlly for Aieden to answer his question and for Master J'zeni for the signel to start tossing the bags of firestone.

[kitti]

Kitti stood from where she had been watching the proceedings, her little gold and a five pound bag of firestone ready at her side. She could easily toss a heavier bag these days, but J’zeni was right this was endurance training as much as anything else. Best to start them off light and build up the muscles over time than to strain them with bags to heavy from the beginning. She did not mind the training even if she had to do the same with the Weyrling lessons as well. It was all good practice and even if it wasn’t standing on her head or learning fire-breathing like Marlin had promised she still liked training, she had grown up with it.

She gave Tezorath a parting scratch on the almost silver eye-ridge and scooped her bag up under one arm before joining the group. The young gold giving a sigh of boredom shuffled over to her bronze twin and flopped down beside him to watch the show ... again. It really was tiresome after awhile; there were so many better things they could be doing.

J’zeni was a good teacher for all his young years and she flashed him a bright grin as she walked past to go find her partner. Standing in position she dropped the bag down at her feet and proceeded to stretch her arms out over her head and then behind her back to get the muscles working before they began. “Come on people, you heard the man let’s get going.” She called out to the group, putting on her best commanding type voice as she backed up J’zeni and tried to get the candidates motivated.

Lifting her bag again she gave it a few testing swings as she waited for Crysania to get ready at her end.

[Deleted]

Aieden grunted as he was reassigned and moved a bit closer to Rolen so they could be throwing partners. It was clear by his expression he wasn't pleased to be here. He was an older boy, probably 17 Turns maybe even 18, and quite tall, so his time for being able to Impress a dragon was growing more limited each day that passed. Shuffling in his spot he looked down at Rolen in silence a moment before he spoke. "Five pounds is too light. I can lift more than that. You should get us another bag... a heavier one. Get whatever you want. I'm sure I can throw it.


*****

Crysania looked both startled and surprised when it was mentioned she was going to be throwing with Kitti. She shuffled nervously into position and looked over at Kitti, watching the Candidate Master's Assistant with a great deal of unease. Except for lessons she lived at Crashing Seas Weyr training in her Craft of Dragonhealer and so was disconnected from the group more than she had been. "Um... Kitti would it be... all right if we started with a light bag?"

[casel]

Rolen listened to Aieden, thinking to himself. He reached down and filled one bag with the other, making a bag of 10 lbs. "How about we start with this. I am still new to the Weyr, but I should be able to keep pace."

Rolen turned and waited for the signel from Master J'zeni to start the lesson. He was ready, and willing to make a good first impression on the other canadiates.

[J'zeni]

Rolen’s explanation of his manners made J’zeni’s eyebrows shoot up. It was too fantastical not to be true. “Oh, well thanks for the explanation. I’m sure you will be better again as you practice more. Glad to have you at the Weyr Rolen.” Upon hearing that Nugget was actually female, J’zeni nodded and said: “Ah, I understand now. Maybe that’s why he’s so interested in her…” He smiled and trailed off. Well, if they got together that would be all right with him, and hopefully all right with Rolen too. He would ask Rolen what he thought about Nugget and Shadowstalker having kittens. It might be a good thing, if she was willing, and besides if they sold the kittens it would be a good way to make a few marks. That was as conversation to have later. “Right, that’s probably best for now having her leave earlier. I don’t think they’ll run into each other as often. He lives here but he’s a lazy feline.”

Alvoradath sniffed his twin as though he had never sniffed her before. It was something to do and there were a few different scents on her since the last time he had smelled her… about ten minutes prior… not that he had the greatest sense of smell as dragons by their nature did not, it was just habit more than anything. He sighed and leaned against her, as bored as she was. This game was no fun.

Drawing his eyebrows together J’zeni scowled when no one moved after Kitti attempted to urge them on. He waited a few minutes to see if they would do anything and when none of them did he finally said: “C’mon Candidates, Kitti already gave you the go-ahead. So… throw!” He gestured with both hands, sweeping long gestures at the meager group. Then he stood there and watched, observing to see what everyone would do. It was going to be either a very short successful lesson or a long one, either way a lot of repetition was involved in this class.

---

Aieden

When Crysania moved into position he gave her a look that made her sigh and roll her eyes.

At Rolen's comment, he gave a shrug. “Well, if that’s all you can throw then..." He paused and then reconsidered his words, concluding. "Um... yeah that's a good size. I mean, its light enough that I’m sure we can keep the pace.” Shifting where he was standing, he waited for Rolen to throw the bag. Then he went back to waiting, ready to catch their bag.

[casel]

Rolen's harper training kicked. Rolen recoginized J'zeni as his new master, and when a master says throw something, he knew to throw it. Rolen, with one massive spin of his arm, hurled the bag towards Aieden. His aim was right on target and he wanted to see how quickly Aieden to react to this throw. He wanted to have fun with this, so he stood ready for the return throw from Aieden.

[Deleted]

Aieden was ready for the throw. All his comments weren't just because he had a big mouth, he really was good. When the sack came hurtling toward him, he moved so he was directly in front of it then reached out and snatched it from the air. He allowed his arm to swing downward to finish the momentum of the throw, then grinned. "Got it." He said.

Without moving much, he swung his arm forward and when it was almost perpendicular to his body he let go of the bag. So the bag would fly fast and hard directly toward Rolen. "Catch!"

[missa]

"Well I'm ready, let's give it a go." For all that Zadari didn't have the best track record with behaving with the candidate master, she was quite happy to step forward to grab a bag and move back into position. Now, she just had to wait for her companion. Sighing as she hefted the bags, the candidate paused, thinking about the lesson. The bags weren't heavy but they weren't particularly light either.
"Ready Nymesy?" Zadari asked lightly, glancing over at her friends. Crys with Kitti, Aieden with.. Erm some boy. She didn't really know him, but that didn't surprise her. She didn't know many of the candidates, not being an overly social person herself.

-

"Miss?" Crys posed the question uncertainly, not completely sure of herself, she didn't like asking for things, but some times, she felt it needed. She wasn't overly sure she could catch the bag, she wasn't physically strong as a person, and if she dropped it, she might dissapoint both her candidate master and his assistant. And she'd never make a good rider if she couldn't throw the weight that everyone else could. But Crys was well aware of her limitations and she knew that she probably wouldn't be able to throw it.

(I'll add Aieden next round of posts ^^)