Slightly Above and Back Again

Writers: Shawna, Sia
Date Posted: 8th December 2024

Characters: O'rosin, N'tan
Description: O'rosin's extra lessons continue
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 4 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: C’rand, Cirina

O'rosin

Understanding the formations came a lot easier now that O'rosin wasn't staring on badly drawn pictures that somewhat resembled the notes R'lor wrote at the front of class. He'd had such a hard time picturing the squiggles on paper being himself or his classmates and at first it seemed foolish to set out little pieces on the table that represented each dragonrider, but it was like a door had opened once he'd labeled all the spice shakers and laid them out on N'tan's table.

He didn't bother to try to take any notes; he'd shown N'tan what he'd already written and the man had wordlessly emptied his cupboard. "So…I know I'm supposed to be there and C'rand is supposed to be there," C'rand was pepper in this scenario, "how far is that actually when we're mid-Threadfall?"

“What color is C’rand?” N’tan admittedly wasn’t familiar with the weyrlings as a whole. “You want to be far enough away that neither of you is going to hit the other with an errant flame, but both dragons should be able to cover the distance, so it’ll depend on which colors are flying next to you. I know that’s not terribly helpful,” he frowned, thinking, “I’ll try to get some knotted ropes for next time for some different spacing distances. What’s your background? Where’d you come from?” There might be something useful he could reference there.

"Brown. Or, Berlinarth is." O'rosin supplied, "They're both kind of big, and they don't turn as fast as the other dragons. Which is fine, I get sick just watching R'fayne and Skadith." He paused for a moment, moving the labelled pieces around into another formation. "My family has a cothold off the coast of Topaz Seahold. I know boats. And nets. And fish."

“Alright. I don’t know much about boats but I imagine the same basic theories apply- if the waters rough you’d want to stay farther away from each other. Same theory in windy weather on a dragon. How’s your family feel about you Impressing brown?” N’tan made a slight adjustment to the formation of spices and tea containers, then nodded approvingly.

"So I guess it's convincing Aeoluth that the blues and greens are gonna get the Thread in between, too. Or that lower Wings will get it, right? He likes diving for the ropes even if it means almost crashing." They'd had a couple of near misses in practice already, but Aeoluth had been so certain they'd be fine and so intent on getting it that he'd just been along for the ride.

He considered the question a little and frowned. "I think they'd be happy. The harpers didn't come through all that often so I don't really think they _know_ all that stuff about green and blueriders. Or they've never really said anything, at least." He shrugged, "I was Searched when we were bringing catch to market, and I couldn't describe it well enough for dragonriders to get them for the hatching, I'll have to take Aeoluth once we've graduated."

“Yes, and that can be hard. He's probably going to want to get everything. It might help to remind him that when he's diving for something below him, he's missing what's coming from above, and what's coming from above is his responsibility.” N’tan turned his full attention on the youth then, “But enough about that for the moment. Your family didn't even see the hatching? Which market were you at? We could take a trip out there. It would be good sweep practice- finding your home from above.”

"It's probably for the best. Aeoluth got me good and I had to spend a couple days in the infirmary. My friend Cirina helped with my chores until the stitches came out. I couldn't lift my arms over my head for a while." He winced a little at the memory. "It was the market at Seaview Hold. It's…west? of Topaz Seahold? Can we? I dunno about actually landing, at least until Aeoluth is better about being gentle, but at least finding it so we can /between/ there later."

“I don't see why not. We know Seaview enough to get there, and it can't be far by dragon flight if you were taking fish to market. You don't have to land, but I doubt they'd notice, Aeoluth doesn't look as bad as he might feel. You tensing and expecting a rough landing makes it feel worse than it looks.” He gave the criticism gently, then offered, “We can go now if you've got your jacket. You were supposed to be practicing for a few hours anyway.”

"I have it!" O'rosin said hastily. He'd expected to be out flying again and didn't want N'tan to think he'd be unprepared. "And I don't mean the landing. We don't see dragons all that often, they wouldn't know the difference. He doesn't always know his own strength and I don't want him taking out any of my younger siblings or cousins." Though after a moment's pause, "Or any adults, really."

“My mistake. He’s seemed careful enough around people to me, but that may just be because he’s taking his energy out on Bastiath. At least you can have the visuals to come back later.”

**Bastiath, get Aeoluth’s leg out of your mouth and get up here. We’re going for a fly.** N’tan said as he went to retrieve his own jacket.

"He's fine around Cirina too, mostly. Better than he used to be. But he's so big and they'll be nervous." O'rosin would be nervous.

}: Bastiath says we're flying? :{ Aeoluth asked as he reappeared on the ledge, looking only a little roughed-up.

**Only if you stand long enough for me to fix your straps.** O'rosin said sternly.

N’tan wasn’t sure the boy wouldn’t change his mind once landing was an option, but it wasn’t worth an argument. At least they could make sure it was an option. As he swung up onto Bastiath, he had him send over the coordinates for Seaview Hold. “Once we come out from /between/, I’ll let you take the lead since you at least know what direction to go.”

Last updated on the December 16th 2024

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Slightly Above and Back Again