The Day After

[Khell]

K’ell cocked his head slightly to the side as the words spilled out of A’vers mouth. “I can do holding hands.” He blinked with a rather nonchalant shrug as he removed the fingers from the boy’s wrist and knotted them between his fingers instead. He lifted the two hands, declaring rather loudly “Our team is united! And we are going to rock this.” He let the hands drop back to their sides and laughed, scratching his head with his other hand.

“Yeah, turns out Laeth has a bad sense of timing.” The blue looked up at this statement and slightly bumped his head against K’ell’s legs. “Knock it off Laeth.” The boy scolding, placing his hands on the dragons snout as he tried to push Laeth’s head out from between his legs.

I wasn’t late! You weren’t there when I hatched! I had to find you. The dragon protested, removing his head. Laeth flopped onto his bottom and stared at the dead herdbeast – he was willing to admit that he was pretty hungry at this point. He nipped at his Mine’s pants, looking over at the meat – an obvious plea for some food.

“Should we get started on cutting up the meat?” He asked, staring at the chunk of dead animal. His lips quivered slightly. What if the meat blood dripped onto his clothes? Suddenly K’ell wasn’t so sure if he was willing to delve into this lesson. “I think this is too gross for me.” He mumbled quietly to A’ver.

Laeth turned away from the herdbeast, bottom wriggling happily. I’m pretty? Really? It was clear that the returned compliment had probably made his entire day. He lifted his to stare at K’ell, I like her! She says I’m pretty! His tail wrapped around his bonded’s legs as he hummed happily.

That’s K’ellmine!

[elfie]

A'ver
"Oh, you can, can you?" A'ver remarked with a grin, not sure if he'd been expecting a different response or not. K'ell had Impressed blue, after all. And it felt good to have someone else's fingers twined with his own, even it was because he'd made a remark about it. Oh well. At the sound of his loud voice, the green weyrling couldn't help but laugh. "Shh, or everyone'll want to join." He replied, tone nearly as loud. Hmm, this might be fun after all, if he kept getting paired with him.

"And it sounds like he's got a good sense of timing to me. The perfect entrance, to be sure. Right, dear blue?" A'ver asked, smiling down at Laeth and continuing to chuckle, until he saw the clear reminder that the dragonets were hungry--and Kriss had resorted to pawing at his owner's ear. Those talons were sharding sharp, too!

"Probably should." The lanky lad agreed, wrinkling his nose. He stepped forward to pick up a knife, hazel eyes glancing over to K'ell as he heard his admission. "Trust me, I hate messing with raw meat. But the good news is if you get any blood on your clothes, I can get it out easily enough, dear blue weyrling." A'ver informed him, expression less than pleased as he stepped up to the meat. He cast a glance toward the table, to see the size of the sections Luna had cut as an example. "Yuck!"

Really, really!

[/color] Imith assured Laeth, though faceted eyes were fixed firmly on Hers as he picked up the knife. She was going to be fed soon! Attention flicked back toward her blue clutch brother as he question was answered, sending a wordless thanks before passing it on her Hers. Mine, your partner's name is K'ell. Will you please hurry up now?[/color] Tone was innocently demanding, and the hunger in her thoughts was such that it set A'ver stomach to rumbling and reminded him quite clearly that he'd yet to eat anything either.

A moment later there was a rather ragged and badly cut piece of meat on the table, and the green weyrling was cutting it into even smaller hunks. A'ver quickly passed several toward Imith, the chunks disappearing down her maw, inhaled. One small section he cut up into even finer pieces, for Kriss to sit on the table and gobble down instead of plotting to bite his ear next. "Here, sweet. A treat for you." A wink accompanied words as A'ver held his hand out toward Laeth, two small chunks offered to the blue before he moved on to attempt to carve another piece. So far he'd managed no damage to his tunic or breeches.[/center]

[Khell]

K’ell let a long grin appear on his face as he placed his fingers on his mouth and nodded. “That’s true. And they’ll be bad at it and give us a terrible reputation.” He replied in a whispered tone. He glanced about almost suspiciously, eyes darting from one person to the next as if they were plotting to ruin the blue and green Weyrling’s meat cutting fun. Meat cutting fun. Ick, as if that wasn’t ruined enough already.

“I think he just likes being the center of attention.” K’ell observed, eyeing the dragon who looked back up at him with churning, hungry eyes. Laeth snaked his head out again, nipping at the boys pants once more. He would make a hole in them if he wasn’t fed soon. And a hole in his clothes would probably send K’ell into some sort of panic attack.

He let out a sigh, joining A’ver as the boy stepped up to the meat. He cast the boy a quick grin at his offer of cleaning the blood out of his clothes, “I think I love you already!” Clean clothes? That was the way to K’ell’s heart apparently. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a rectangular scrap of fabric. “If we’re doing this, I am sooo doing this my way.” He sniffed, an obvious display of digust as the scent of dead meat reached his nose. He took the fabric and wrapped it around the bottom of his face – covering his nose and mouth. “I look dumb but shards, does this smell better.”

He wrapped his fingers around the hilt of the knife and immediately began cutting away at the meat. Unlike A’ver’s pieces, his were cut rather neatly. Almost perfect little squares, small enough that the dragons wouldn’t choke on them. “These are the skills you learn when your dad is a cook.” He grumbled. Why couldn’t his dad be something more exciting? Oh well; at least this came in handy.

Laeth eyed the pieces of meat that A’ver held out for him, as if contemplating eating them. Which was silly – he wasn’t about to turn down some food. His head darted forward, teeth clicking metallically as he snapped up the pieces of meat. He fed me first. Can I re-Impress to him?

“Shut up Laeth or I won’t feed you at all.” K’ell huffed, tossing a square of meat to the dragon who quickly gobbled it up, catching it in the air. More pieces of meat were joining what he already cut – moving quickly but at the same time carefully. All though A’ver offered to get any blood out of his clothes, he still didn’t want to get them dirty. He took pride in his appearance, dead animal wasn’t going to ruin his clothes. He nodded over to the blue firelizard, “Is that hard? Taking care of a green and a flitter I mean.”

He said it pretty casually, but inside his head he was practically freaking out. That small flying creature was nerve-wracking. What if the scent of blood sent it off and he went wild, attacking K’ell with its claws. Ohhhh Faranth.

[Luna]

Luna nodded as the last two weyrlings finally appeared. At least she hadn't had to go hunting for them. She hadn't been really worried though, the grumbling bellies of baby dragons was bound to drag them out of bed sooner or later. She noticed the grumblings and sour looks at the mention of extra chores, but ignored it.

After many candlemarks had passed and it seemed the dragonets were well fed, or at least able to wait for a few more candlemarks, she called the attention back to her. "With your dragons being different colors and sizes, they'll require different amounts of food, but I trust they can wait for a little bit while I show you this last part of the lesson for today." She pulled out a small bag from under the table and pulled something out of it. "These are the chords needed to make your knots. You'll need to learn how to tie the knots so it'll be easy to identify yourself at a glance." Demonstrating each part she slowly made the knots as she spoke, "You have one for Weyrling and you'll need to add the color for the dragon you ride. Some dragon riders like to get a dye that makes their dragon's hue exactly, but I do have the basic colors up here until then." She decided not to mention that the copper would have to use a bronze thread until she found someone to dye her the right color. She picked up another bundle, "This one is for a Wingleader, this WW, Harper, and Healer." She made one quickly for each station. "There are many others, but these are ones you must know." She left the knots on the table for them to inspect and memorize.

"Alright, you should finish feeding your dragons and then make your knots. After then, I'd recommend doing your chores." She glanced at the Weyrlings expectantly, "Any questions?"



~~~~~

R'dyn clutched his tunic dramatically, "Thank you Milady, I'm not sure how I would have defending myself from her without you." He glanced at the meat, as if just remembering it, "Oh, no, fortunately chopping up dead animals was not part of my job." He actually hadn't ever really had a job. He looked at her with more interest, perhaps he could get her to do this for him, then? Oh, not now with the WW watching, but perhaps later since she was so good at it. Although with that green death dragon breathing fire it would be tough to gain her sympathy. His charm was already wasted on her, no doubt because of that dragon (because it certainly wasn't a lacking on R'dyn's part). Of course, he wasn't one to give up easily either.

"Well, ladies first" he gestured grandly towards the hanging meat for her to try to cut first. He wouldn't admit it, but he needed to watch again. R'dyn did not like making a fool of himself. His eyebrows rose as a male greenrider tumbled to the lesson. At least if he didn't call attention to himself no one would think him the fool. Hmmppf. You'd never catch him rolling around in the grass like that.

[Lucius]

"Yinideth won't hurt you." A smile crossed her pale pink lips, and she seemed much more relaxed with the bluerider now, though a hint of nervousness remained, and she'd likely babble her head off. She glanced at the meat, then walked over to take one of the legs. Blood got on her hand and on her dress, yet she didn't seem to mind. She'd get another one soon.

"Fairly simple," Ingasa explained. "You take it and just cut the meat off the bone into pieces small enough for a dragon." She demonstrated, not worrying about neat or clean, but cutting them into pieces smaller than her pinky and thinner than two fingers together. That way, there was no worry about Yinideth choking. Then she cut away any fat that could get caught on new teeth, a more personal preference than anything. After cutting up ten pieces, she handed them down to Yinideth for the dragonet to eat. The green lifted her hand to Ingasa's bloody hand and took the bits of meat, one by one, and snapped them down.

"I'm fairly sure you can do that." Her eyes went to Luna. A knot. Oh dear. "I'm not so sure about doing knots, though. But I've sewn before; not too different, I hope." She laughed. "So long as I'm doing activities more geared towards cavern-women, I'll be fine. Not so sure about flying a flaming dragon, though. I'm personally a bit afraid of it."

[Luna]

R'dyn grinned confindently at Ingasa, "I know I'll do well." With a confindence he didn't feel he walked up to the beast and akwardly handled it. He was not going to get blood on his clothes. With his body angled as far away as possible he hacked at the meat. Ragged, but small, pieces fell from the meat. Zayth's head snacked forward as he snapped up the pieces that fell. After the first few pieces fell R'dyn smiled, "Well this isn't too bad." Until he saw that blood was spattering near his shoes as the meat fell to the ground. "Ugh," he jumped back, glad for the deversion that Luna provided by explaning the knots. He wasn't that bad at tying knots, but he'd had years to practice the knots he had to wear. This knot was new and he remembered how hard it had been to learn the first time.

He shook his head and returned to something he knew, hacking pieces from the beast. "One thing at a time, eh? We'll get to the knots after breakfast." Considering her pretty face, he did make enough room for her to resume cutting for her dragon. He glanced at her, "Flying?" He'd never really thought about it. Of course dragonrider flew, but he himself flying? He chuckled, "I'd never be late for anything again. Well, I might, flying so high?" He shook his head, he was a little mixed about the matter. Flying will be fun, plus I'll be with you. "True," he glanced at Ingasa, realizing she couldn't hear Zayth. He motioned towards the blue, "He says when we fly, he'll be with me. I think that will be what makes it alright." He looked at the green well ... maybe not. Fierce fiery dragon.

[elfie]

A'ver
"Haha, nothing wrong with being the center of attention." A'ver remarked, grinning widely as he glanced toward the blue. At K'ell's remark, one brow rose slightly, a faint smirk appearing on visage. "Well, you seem easy my dear K'ell." Words were followed by a chuckle, which became closer to a laugh as the cloth appeared. The weyrling had meant his remark in a teasing fashion, and hoped his companion wouldn't be offended by it. He hoped not. "It just looks different. Get a good pattern on there, it'll be the latest fashion." The tall lad commented, attempting to nod in a sagely manner.

The pieces of meat that he cut continued to be ragged and not very appealing to the eye--although he couldn't imagine any raw meat good looking, even as he tried to attempt to copy K'ell's cleaner cutting style. "It's still a useful skill. I can't do anything in a kitchen....and I don't think the head cook is fond of me either." Words were said with a note of mirth, continuing to feed both Imith and Kriss. The thoughts radiating from both were beginning to resemble contentedness, to the point that A'ver paused as the question was posed. "Not really. Kriss is fully grown, so I don't have to do much other than oil him every so often if he doesn't have any flaky patches. He even helped me itch Imith once. And better again if he wants to keep earning his food." A grin curved lips as he reached forward and stroked the blue 'lizard's head after wiping his hands on a drying cloth. He was done feeding his two moochers.

Are you really done? I'm still rather hungry...I think. Imith remarked, eying Laeth as the blue continued to be fed. After a moment, she decided that maybe she was full enough, and just wanted to be petted. Yes, petted was much better. And maybe itched. There was a spot just....A'ver will you pet me? And I itch. There. A picture came along side 'words' showing Hers exactly where the offensive spot lay.

"Of course love." A'ver murmured, dropping to his knee to comply to his green's demands. Of course, Kriss saw this, and saw that his larger blue cousin was still being fed--and the lazy flit wanted more for himself too. Angular head tilted, the fire lizard chirping inquisitively as he padded down the table closer to K'ell, emanating still hungry thoughts. Didn't he want to feed the poor starving creature?

As Luna spoke up, hazel eyes focused on her for a moment. Attention shifted quickly to his flit and K'ell, grinning. "You can ignore him if you want, he's a glutton who can't stand to see someone else eating without sharing." A'ver informed him, unknowing of the blue weyrling's fear of the small creatures. Gaze snapped back to the Weyrwoman then, lanky form straightening with rapt attention. He hadn't noticed those knots before...well he had, just not how to make them... "I see...and I bet I can use those dyes....oh yes..." Words were murmured to himself, a calculating look appearing on visage as he turned to scoop Kriss into his arms.

The fire lizard squawked in surprise, whirling eyes locking onto his owner. "I've a chore for you sweet. I need three things, and here they are. Bring them back, I'll give you more meat." A'ver promised, projecting the images of the required items. He rubbed his hands together as Kriss disappeared between. "I'm going to have the perfect shade of emerald to match you, love." Gaze shifted to Imith as he awaited his flit's return, caressing her eyes ridges as she emitted a very pleased sounding thrum.

I'ner
I'ner kept to himself, silently carving away small gobes of meat which he tossed to the cavernous maw of Crirth. The bronze seemed to inhale everything, manner continuously agitated as he awaited the next piece, tail tip twitching. Can't you hurry up? I'm still hungry.

[/color] Thoughts kept up a monotonous and ungrateful line of this, until the weyrling finally put down his knife, turned around, and simply started at his dragon.

Under the unwavering disapproval, Crith's demanding thoughts subsided, haughty pose subsiding as his head lowered. I'm sorry. Will you keep feeding me? I am still hungry...[/color] At this apology, I'ner nodded, feeding the bronze several more bites and at the same time wondering how long it was going to be before Crirth went right back to demanding.

The bronze weyrling shook his head slightly, though there was a fond and tolerated expression on mobile features. He could be exasperated, but he wasn't mad. There was a kind of amusement in his dragon's childlike domineering. I'ner could deal with it. The bronze just needed a firm reminding now and again.

Crirth was nearly sated too, when the Weyrwoman caught there attention. As she showed them the knots, I'ner flexed his fingers, frowning slightly. He'd have to go with the preset dye she had, even if his dragon's shade was more antiqued and liquid. Besides that, it would probably take him a good candlemark to get the knot right. He'd have a hard time of it with his stubby fingers.

So ignore them and keep feeding me. I'm still a little hungry.[/color] Thoughts were far less demanding, and now merely whiny. Though I'ner doubted Crirth would ever admit he was a whiner. The idea caused lips to quirk ever so slightly, as he glanced toward his dragon, ignoring the fact that his clothes were splattered all over with varying degrees of drying blood. He wasn't the neatest cutter, but then again, he didn't mind the mess. Clothes could be cleaned, and so could he. With that, he set to hacking up more of the herdbeast to assuage the last of Crirth's appetite.[/center]