Questions about flying

Writers: Emma, Paula
Date Posted: 24th May 2006

Characters: J'an, Kustaava
Description: J'an tries to explain Ava why she can't fly with Mindath yet.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 1 of Turn 3

The newest class of weyrlings stood ready to be released from the drill.
Having grown used to the size of clutches in the past few turns- well this one seemed more like the ones from his boyhood, a small with the potential to be very close, and well trained.

He walked along the line, watching them as they waited to be they were free to go. "Any questions?" he asked.

Ava lifted her arm rather hesitantly.

After a moment J'an acknowledged her with a nod. "Go on Ava."

"Why we have to wait so long before the first flights? I mean, just now she's too small but two month old dragonet is already bigger than the draftrunners my father uses," She asked.

"She's not quite two months old just yet," replied J'an to start with. "And as such she's still a baby, learning to use those wings of hers to support herself. It could be dangerous for both of you to try to fly too soon.
Mindath has to learn how to fly on her own before she gets used to your weight as well."

"But firelizards can fly right from the hatching," Ava pointed out. She still didn't get it.

"That's true," said J'an. "Yes, they can. However a firelizard is built differently and has different needs. A firelizard needs to be able to escape from potential predators as soon as it is born. If nobody is there to impress them, and take care of them, there are many creatures that will think of them as a tasty meal. On the other hand, a dragon looks immediately for a human. As you probably remember, a dragon's first few questions are all about what you can do for him or her. Feed them, find them a place to sleep, oil them to stop itches. A dragon is like a toddler learning his or her limits, and as such, they need to grow a little and extend them gently so that they don't hurt themselves."

Ava thought about her younger siblings and compered them to Mindath. "But they're so large!"

"But small in proportion to the fully grown dragons. Compare her size to the greens in the wings."

Ava had to admit that she hadn't thought of doing that. Mindath still had a whole lot of growning to do. But still, why couldn't Mindath fly? Her wings were fully formed if smaller than those of mature green.

"I know you are anxious to prove yourselves," said J'an gently. "But do it slowly and when Mindath is ready."

"Yes, sir," Ava replied respectably, as any well bred hold girl would do. But inside, the rebellious part of her was raising it's head. It was the part that always brought trouble to her. She just hated when people told her what to do.

"If there are no more questions?" J'an paused a moment to see if Ava or any of the others would ask more questions.

Ava shook her head a little. She did have questions, but she thougth asking them would be pointless. Like why couldn't she fly _now_.

"In that case, class dismissed!"

Ava scooped up her notes, and with polite nod to the weyrlingmaster, followed the rest of the class outside. Her brown was thoughtfully wrinkled.

Last updated on the May 24th 2006

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Questions about flying