A Very Important Day (1/2)

Writers: Devin, Clancey, Eimi
Date Posted: 21st September 2005

Characters: J'darin, D'cal, D'ren
Description: J'darin takes D'cal and D'ren through their first flights /between/.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3

J'darin

Today was a very important day for all involved. J'darin was feeling positively _happy_ and quite proud, and might even be nice to that D'cal. }:They will do well, rider mine. _We_ will show them just perfectly. :{ Hasaarth was as excited as J'darin to get to the Weyrling's first flights /between/. His bronze floated down to the Weyrbowl and waited for the Weyrling's to form up. }:Call them, Hasaarth! Its time for them to prove to themselves that their training and their hard work is paying off, despite the tragedy we faced this month. :{ D'cal looked at the faces of the weyrlings around him. They were filled with quiet excitement, both for finally having the chance face /between/ on the backs of their very own dragons, but also for many it meant that finally they would be senior weyrlings, with all the freedom that allowed. Aosorath's weyrling, however, shared little excitement for the latter. If only...

Standing beside him, D'ren gave his friend a small smile. This was a very important day and he was as eager as the others to take that first trip through the blackest of black. He disiplined himself to focus on the task at hand, and not think about the other implications of today's activity. There would be plenty of time to think about senior weyrlinghood later.

Seeing they were all eager to begin, J'darin focused on two of the Weyrlings. "Who would like to go first? D'cal? D'ren? When you're ready, please join me with your dragon." He raised his voice explaining to all the Weyrlings at once. His voice sounded confident and strong, but inside he was worried sick. This Weyr could not stand to lose any more pairs, let alone a pair still in training. The sadness would be too much. He looked again at their faces, and decided he had to trust in the training.

}:We have taught them well, beloved. Do not worry. They will be fine.
They are a fine, strong group, and Haldarth's rider taught them well before he changed Wings. :{ Taking confidence from his confident bronze, he finally spoke. "We will do this in solo pairs; you and your dragon and Hasaarth and I. The first jump will be to the cove you've all been practicing in your visualization classes. Its just a short one, a little way down the coast. Hasaarth will give your dragon the image the first time.
Remember this! Once you are certain, we will go /between/ and you may follow. On the return trip, you will be allowed to do your own visualization - of the Weyr itself - but not without showing Hasaarth the pictures. Does everyone understand?" Seeing nothing but excitement and nods in the faces of the Weyrlings, J'darin tried to push back his own nervousness, and called the first one forward. D'cal gladly stepped up. He had much rather be first and get it over with. The weyrling had very little experience going /between/, but he remembered it was black, cold, and frightening. He tried to push those thoughts aside.

}: Don't worry, D'cal. I wasn't with you then. I'll be with you now. I'll be with you always.:{ the little blue Aosorath assured his rider.

**I know. I can go anywhere with you,** his rider replied, finding strength in his dragon's courage. "We're ready, Weyrlingmaster."

J'darin nodded and mounted Hasaarth. "Mount up, then, bluerider. You heard my directions, yes? Hasaarth will give Aosorath the image, and then you two can follow us."

}:The little blue is very confident. That is good. They will do well.
{ "Hasaarth says you will do well! Let's go." And he pumped his arm in a gesture that he had only used with Weyrlings, and Hasaarth sent the blue the place they were to go, the cove down the coast. }: I see where we are to go. I can take us there now! :{ Aosorath was radiating a feeling of excitement to his rider with no hint of fear.

D'cal's heart, however, was beating a bit faster. Hadn't H'jim been lost /between/? What happens to someone lost between?

}: We won't get lost /between/. I know where I am going!:{ the blue assured him.

After taking a deep breath, D'cal gave the weyrlingmaster his ready signal.

}: They are ready! Aosorath is a confident blue. :{ Taking heart from his dragon's assessment, he told him to send the picture, and dropped his hand. J'darin and Hasaarth appeared over the cove a very short trip /between/ later, both looking for their first student. Moments later, D'cal and Aosorath popped out of /between/ above them. }:We're here, D'cal. You can stop counting now. :{ The weyrling opened his eyes wide. There they were, over the cove just as they were supposed to be. D'cal had never been so happy to see J'darin, and even grinned as he waved at the Weyrlingmaster. **You did it, Aosorath! You could go /between/!**

}:Of course I can. I'm a dragon.:{ Since they were a-dragonback, J'darin conveyed his congratulations through Hasaarth.
** Tell them they can picture the return visualization, but to check with you first.. **

**All right, then, Aosorath,** D'cal said as he concentrated on a picture of Dolphin Cove Weyr, **this is where we are to go. Can you see it?**

}: Yes, I know that place. :{
**All right, show them this picture.**

}: You can stop thinking so hard, rider. I have the picture now,:{ the little blue said, a bit amused at his lifemate.

Hasaarth checked the image of the Weyr, and the pair of dragons disappeared once more, this time reappearing a little triumphantly over the watching group of Weyrlings. D'cal breathed a sigh of relief as the Weyr, just as he had pictured it, appeared below them. He waved down at his classmates and instructed Aosorath to land. They could now sit back and watch the rest of the group.

Last updated on the September 21st 2005

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A Very Important Day (1/2)