The Next Big Step
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 9th March 2015
Characters: L'pin, Saidrene
Description: First /between/ means graduating to senior weyrling.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 23 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Saibra
The Weyrlingmasters had split the course up into their nines. Sets
that weren't about to go for the first time were continuing to
practice visualizations with the dragons of the assistant staff. Those
that were about to make their test were set up with one of the
instructors to guide them through.
L'pin liked to take the weyrling he was about to take through off to
the side of their group and let them air any last worries with him
privately. He didn't want to lose anyone because they were afraid of
saying something in front of their classmates. So he gave Saidrene an
encouraging smile. "Any questions from you or Ashareth?"
"No, sir, we're ready." Saidrene confirmed with a confident tilt of
her head. It had occurred her earlier that day that her mother had
been preparing her for this moment long before she'd ever even been
old enough to Stand. On more than one occasion Saibra had detailed to
her the process that she and Chioneth were going through as they took
them /between/.
"We'll be flying out to the Dolphin Hall, then coming back /between/.
Let's mount up and go," he told her, before heading off to mount Chaneth.
Saidrene walked back to where Ashareth was waiting and scrambled up to
the green's neckridge where she took extra care in settling into her
straps and making sure everything was in place.
}:I can't wait!:{ Ashareth gushed with excitement. This would be the
longest flight that they'd ever gone on together.
**Me too.** Saidrene agreed, feeling her excitement rise even as L'pin
gave the order and the green winged aloft with the rest of their
group.
The time-in-flight didn't settle his nerves. He hoped it might help
the students take their minds off the chill of /between/. The Hall was
a beautiful sight from aloft, it would be distinctive recognition
point to come back to. Once they were all there, L'pin signaled
Saidrene to stay aloft and the others to land.
}:Show me your image of the Star Stones,:{ Chaneth commanded Ashareth.
Ashareth hovered in the air, tilting her wings to glide on the
currents as she waited for permission from Chaneth to go /between/.
}:Chaneth wants our visualization.:{
Saidrene exhaled a steady breath as she turned and glanced over to
where L'pin and Chaneth waited. Tightening her grips on the riding
straps, the greenrider visualized the craggy rocks that made up the
Star Stones and then passed it on to Ashareth. Once the green had the
picture she sent it to Chaneth.
}:It looks solid,:{ the blue told his rider and the green dragonet.
**Tell them to go,** L'pin thought with his heart in his throat.
A trembling smile of excitement crossed Saidrene's face, **Allright,
dear, let's go to those Star Stones!**
Ashareth shared her rider's excitement as she pulled them /between/.
Saidren barely had time to get out a single count once they went
/between/ before they appeared above the Star Stones.
"We did it!" She whooped.
}:They arrived safely,:{ Chaneth reported to his rider.
A wave of relief flooded L'pin. They'd passed through their first
/between/ safely, learned their home point. What about coming back to
a new one? **See if they can come back.**
}:You did well. Now, can you visualize where we are and come back?:{
Chaneth's tone carried pride for their accomplishment.
Saidrene thought back to the structure of the Dolphin Hall that jutted
out to make a perfect aerial visual. **Got it?**
}:Of course.:{ Ashareth repeated the image that Saidrene had visualized.
**Let's get back then.** Saidrene tightened her hands on the straps
once more, and flinched a little as the cold snap of /between/ broke
over them. In a heartbeat they were back in the air, although slightly
above, where they had been before.
"Well done!" L'pin declared so she could hear.
}:You did well, Ashareth,:{ Chaneth said with a rumble of pleasure.
"Once everyone's gone to the Weyr and back, you can practice again.
You and Ashareth can stay aloft or land if you'd prefer. Practice
visualizations until it's time for us to go back." They'd all go as a
group near the end.
"Next up is going to be Satai and Talureth," he announced.
Last updated on the May 9th 2015