Needle in a Haystack [Search:Tag Kivin/open]

[Rouxy]

Who: S'lain, Kivin and maybe any other Fort candies? *nudgenudge*
What: Search
Where: Healing Hall


The sun was warm in the South, rolling waves of heat through the more closed caverns. Almost overly so, but years of living there were finally making S’lain resistant to the temperature. He strolled from the Weyreleader’s chambers with scroll in hand, a thoughtful look on his face. Well, seems that trip to Fort was going to be even more interesting than he’d anticipated. Maybe he’d get to actually see some of those new healers now...

Jogging down the hall to his lower tier weyr, the bluerider pulled up short at his door, tucking the scroll into his belt to free his hand and work the knob. A large blue obstruction blocked his view of the outside sky upon opening, and he walked over to give Jaxith a friendly slap in the shoulder. A return burst of loving color and a short whuff of exhaled air was the blue’s reply as S’lain rounded up the few remaining pieces of his riding straps and hooked everything together. The blue helped place the items with a familiar touch. So, Gareth’s has a new plan for us? I thought we were going in for that new batch of cures the Healer Hall made for us? An irrelevant question as he’d heard everything, but the big blue liked reiteration.

“Mhmm. Seem’s Fort’s Weyrleaders have agreed to let us try for some Candidates out of the upcoming Healers.” S’lain scowled a bit. “Not that they won’t have already picked the place clean… maybe we’ll get lucky though, eh? You can sniff ‘em out better than any old Fort dragon.” Jaxith’s eyes whirled in amusement as he gave a solemn nod of his great head. S’lain grinned at his dragon and stepped on the proffered paw, expertly vaulting to his seat and settling into the riding harness with the ease of habit. He one-handedly strapped on his helmet and gave a sharp jerk to the packs tucked behind him to make certain they were snug. One final check to make certain he was in, and the blue padded to the edge, leaping into the sky from the low weyr. One, two, three sweeps of his large wings and they were up and soaring high enough to flash between

A chill eight seconds later saw them wink out over the familiar Healer Hall, and the unfamiliar chill in the air. S’lain gave himself over to a spine tingling chill as his breath frosted the air in front of his face, swept away almost before he could see it by the wind of Jaxith’s forward motion.

“Shards, I always forget how cold it is here. Jaxi, why didn’t you remind me?” The blue rumbled beneath him as he angled downwards in what he could tell was a draconic laugh. You don’t like it when I remind you. The blue pointed out. S’lain snorted and shook his head, glad for the protection of his riding leathers as the pair made for the landing area and hopefully some warm klah.

A short time later, and the bluerider had a spot to occupy in the busy Healer Hall near the entrance. He’d already taken care of his first task with the Hall, and now he had Jaxith scanning the various people scurrying two and fro across the large central courtyard. He’d eyed a few he thought potential, but Jaxith had negated his choices with his own interpretations. Now, the bluerider leaned against the warm hide of his dragon and mulled over their ever-shortening time until they would have to leave with the new time sensitive medicines. Surely someone here was Candidate material who had yet to be snatched by Fort! He and Jaxith owed it to their rather impressive search count to hold up their end even here.

[Kristin]

Toll crooned in appreciation, it was so nice when His was oiling him. His was smiling and that made Toll happy. His cried sometimes and he didn‘t like that.

Kivin was indeed smiling, oiling Toll was his favorite part of the day. Just to be able to spend time in peace with Toll, who was the only living being ever to have loved Kivin unconditionally, was divine.

Two people talking in the hall outside grabbed his attention, they were talking about a dragon that was apparently in the courtyard and was from the new Weyr in the South. As the voices faded away Kivin looked at Toll, he was finished oiling him so they could go see the dragon. Kivin never got tired of seeing dragons and this was extra-special because this one was from Cerulean and he‘d never seen anyone from Cerulean before. „We have to hurry, the dragon probably won‘t be here for long. His rider is probably only on a short errand,“ Kivin told Toll before running off. He knew it was frowned upon to run inside but this was a special case. Toll chirped excitedly and disappeared between to get there faster.

Kivin was almost there when he accidentally literally ran into his biggest enemy. It was a big boy who was much to old to be an Apprentice but he wasn‘t yet good enough to be a Journeyman. He delighted in torturing Kivin for his small size and feminine features. Kivin stepped back in fear but the boy grabbed him and threw him into the ground. "Watch where you‘re going runt," the boy spat out.

Meanwhile Toll had been happily flying circles around the dragon but had started to settle down in front of the rider in hopes he would scratch him or pet him. But then he suddenly flew up with a shriek and disappeared between to join Kivin. His was hurt! And there was the human who had hurt His. With another shriek, Toll attacked the human.

Kivin stood up and observed with horror (and a bit of glee) that his tormentor was causing quite the commotion by running screaming away from Toll who was maliciously attacking him. Kivin knew that it was his job to keep control of his firelizard and he would get in even more trouble if he didn‘t stop Toll now. Kivin ran after them shouting at Toll to stop and before he knew it he was outside, the bitter cold surrounding Kivin who really wasn‘t dressed enough for the cold. Toll flew reluctantly away from the boy who was now bloody allover and Kivin cringed. He would get in so much trouble for this, both with his Masters and then the boy later.

Toll settled on Kivin‘s shoulder and rubbed his head soothingly against Kivin‘s cheek. It was alright now, didn‘t he see? Toll had driven the evil human away from His.

It was then that Kivin noticed the dragonpair. The dragon was a beautiful and big blue. For a moment Kivin forgot his troubles and just stared in awe at the dragonpair. They where just so magnificent.

[Rouxy]

S'lain tapped his fingers against his thigh, a small frown crossing his face. The day was trickling by, and they still had seen perhaps only one potential candidate; A young girl they'd both marked for later investigation. Their spot was too prime to give up yet in pursuit of so young a candidate with likely only the meanest of healer training under her. The bluerider took a deep breath and let it out in a frustrated snort.

It was then that a firelizard winked from between in front of the pair and began sweeping circles around Jaxith's raised head. S'lain blinked in surprise, a smile sliding across his face. They weren't that common this far north.. had it followed them? No, it began to fly closer to S'lain as if to land, and no wild flitter approached humans voluntarily. Jaxith snorted a short warning to the creature, exhibiting his usual tendency for over-protectiveness, and S'lain laid a reassuring hand against the blue hide, then raised it in invitation to the firelizard. He jerked involuntarily when the brown suddenly shot up with a harrowing shriek. Jaxith reacted similarly, searching for the creature in a motion than bumped S'lain away. His bonded is in pain. Jaxth's eyes picked up the barest hint of yellow.

Screams followed a rather large boy out of the Hall who was being harried by the brown flitter. Blood from multiple clawmarks and bites made obvious the fact that this was the tormentor of the brown's owner, but it was just an apprentice. The bully couldn't be more than teen aged. What adult in the Hall would actually let a child bully them? The answer came when the firelizard was finally called off by a much smaller boy who looked positively green with dread. S'lain jumped forward as Jaxith spat a hiss at the larger apprentice, then turned to eye the smaller boy. He'll do. The bluerider snorted, a wicked grin on his face. Of course he'll do. Kid that age with a flitter in Fort? We'll snatch him right out from under them. Almost cackling at the prod towards Fort, S'lain hurried towards the apprentice with his arm raised to get their attention even as a Master rushed outside, clearly intent on delivering harsh justice to the wayward flitter owner.

"Here now, Master healer, that's one of my Candidates you're about to punish. It's Weyr business now, please leave off and see to your other apprentice. He's going to need some numbweed for those marks." Clearly used to dealing with Holders, the bluerider spoke with steadfast authority, secretly pleased to see the Master bluster up in seeming outrage then hold his tongue when he saw the searchrider knots. S'lain didn't know this particular healer, but surely he was like many other of the older masters. S'lain was certain that word would circulate about him and his actions; he certainly wasn't unknown in the Healer Hall.

The bluerider came up behind the much smaller boy and gently used his arm to direct him towards Jaxith and away from the commotion they'd aroused. "Come lad, I need to talk to you about something." He said lightly with an encouraging smile. "I don't suppose you've ever considered being a dragonrider, eh?" We should be that lucky. He sent to Jaxith. Bring him over here. Courage around dragons is always a good sign.

[Kristin]

Kivin watched the dragonrider uncertainly as he was walking in Kivin‘s direction with his arm raised. He couldn‘t be trying to get Kivin‘s attention? He looked behind him and surely enough there was a Master there. Kivin sighed in disappointment and berated himself for being so foolish. Why would a dragonrider want to talk to him when he was only a lowly Apprentice. It was then that the Master‘s presence registered with him and Kivin promptly closed his eyes and took a deep breath waiting for the onslaught that was surely to come. He knew he deserved it, this wasn‘t the first time that something like this had happened and Kivin had always promised it wouldn‘t happen again. He knew that the Masters‘ patience was wearing thin and he feared that this could be the last straw.

Kivin opened his eyes in surprise when it wasn‘t the Master that spoke but someone else. He stood frozen to the ground with his eyes fixed on the dragonrider that was calling him a Candidate? With every word that left the handsome bluerider‘s mouth, Kivin‘s head started to spin more and more. He didn‘t know what was happening anymore. Then the rider touched him and directed him away from the angry Master. He began to walk with the rider in a daze and absently noted that the rider was one-handed and then he realized that he‘d been asked a question.

Had he considered being a dragonrider? YES! Yes Kivin had. In fact he had dreamed of it every day since he was little. But he‘d never thought of it as a possibility, at least not after he turned ten and realized that he was to unimportant to be searched. But to the rider he could only nod his head. He was in so much awe of the much bigger man that had been so kind to him that he couldn‘t speak. He was after all a rider!

Then they were near the dragon and Kivin forgot all about the rider beside him and he began to smile while walking nearer to the dragon. "What‘s his name?" Kivin asked breathlessly as he turned to face the rider.

Satisfied that His was fine, Toll instead turned his attention again to the rider. He made His feel nice so he must be nice. He hovered in front of the rider before settling down on the ground looking up at him impatiently waiting to be picked up.

[Rouxy]

S'lain nearly broke a snicker through at the sputtering he heard from the master behind them, but he held a straight face all the way back to Jaxith, where he could focus on the boy beside him. Small, and a little petite, he couldn't be more than 14 turns. The bluerider took a moment to mentally seat the lad on a dragon, but he couldn't decide what color would fit right off. Ah well, they'd find out, right?

They slowed as they neared the dragon, and the flow of people began to filter through the courtyard again, some clearly in open speculation as they stared.

He smiled as the apprentice moved of his own accord closer to Jaxith, and the blue obligingly tilted his head down a bit to look the boy in the eye, his own swirling with pleasant green and blue. He whuffed a warm breath of air over the lad, and S'lain came up to watch. "He's Jaxith. I'm S'lain. We're searchriders and the dragonhealers of Cerulean Weyr." He tilted his head a bit, giving a crooked smile. "I meant what I said back there. I think you should come with us and let me put you on the sands. Jaxi here even thinks you'd do well." He gave the blue an affectionate tap with his fisted hand in emphasis. He might even be brownrider material. Jaxith moved a bit into a more comfortable position, his tail lazily curling around to tick between the two humans.

S'lain nodded his agreement. "I know you're an apprentice healer, but that's just what we need. Even if you don't impress, it's likely that the Weyrleader would be fine with you remaining as a Weyrhealer." Don't be so negative. "Uh, not that you won't impress, just that you have options." S'lain quickly amended. "So, what would your parents say, hm?"

As if just realizing he had a beggar, the bluerider glanced down at the brown firelizard with a grin, crouching to lay his palm out invitingly. "Quite assuming, aren't you? Does he always boss people around like that?" He asked, glancing up at the apprentice with a smile to show he didn't mind.

[Kristin]

Kivin looked transfixed in the eyes of the dragon and thought that he could do this forever. To think of being able to be surrounded by dragons every single day. Of course Fort riders were a common appearance but they hadn’t been particularly willing to let teenagers near their dragons. He sighed, he guessed it would be polite to turn around and look at S’lain while he was talking. S’lain was interesting too, although he could never compete with Jaxith, he had big scars on his face and just one arm and Kivin wondered what had happened to him.

“My name is Kivin.” He was still a bit shy, but he felt comfortable with the bluerider. S’lain had been nothing but nice to him and Kivin felt at ease with him now. He was also very giddy inside because after pinching himself a few time discretely, Kivin was sure that it was not a dream. They were offering him to move to the the Weyr permanently even if he wouldn’t impress. Kivin was doubtful that he would but then again a search dragon had approved of him and they knew what they were doing. To leave the Healer Hall… He had certainly enjoyed learning here but the S’lain was also a Healer and a dragonhealer at that! Kivin was sure he could learn almost as much from S’lain as he could with his stuffy old Masters. At a Weyr he could be with dragons but still practice healing, it sounded perfect in Kivin’s mind.

Parents… He couldn’t tell S’lain that in the last letter from home, his father had written that Kivin’s oldest brother had provided him with his fifth grandchild and because they were helping him with the costs there weren’t many excess Marks. His father had informed him that as he was sixteen turns old he was old enough to take care of himself and he wouldn’t be sending money to him anymore. Then he had written that Kivin shouldn’t bother coming home as they had no room for him anymore. He understood, Marks didn’t grow on trees and in Kivin had been absent for so long that it was normal that they didn’t have room for him in their small cothold. But it still hurt when he thought of it and Kivin discovered to his mortification that his eyes were wet. Thankfully there were no tears yet. He suddenly became very interested in ground as he bit his lip hoping that S’lain wouldn’t notice, he was making such a fool of himself in front of the first dragonrider ever to have taken an interest in him. And he knew that no dragon would ever accept a crybaby like himself. “My parents are probably all right with it.” To Kivin’s pleasure his voice didn’t crack.

Toll who had been enjoying the attention from S’lain looked angrily at the rider. Now he was making His feel not so nice. Toll went back to His and settled on his shoulder and rubbed the underside of Kivin’s chin reassuringly with his head. Kivin felt slightly better and managed to take control of his emotions. Thank Faranth he hadn’t started to cry. Maybe if he carried on as nothing had happened S’lain would forget what a weakling Kivin was and still take him to the Weyr. Smiling weakly in S’lain’s direction, Kivin nodded in answer to S’lain’s last question. “He wants people to notice him and be his friend.” Kivin’s smile got stronger as he thought about Toll more, he really wasn’t sad anymore. It never took him long to shake off a bad mood.

((I am so not happy with this post ))

[Rouxy]

Tilting his great head slightly to the side, S'lain could tell that the big blue was clearly amused with the kid's reaction. Jaxith was used to being admired by Candidates in awe, but it never failed to put a draconic grin on his face, so to speak. His mind was awash in bright colors, and the bluerider gave a small appreciative laugh to himself.

"Kivin is it, eh? Well met, youngster." Despite the boy's clear attempt to hide the pain he'd felt at mention of his parents, Jaxith picked up on it both through the boy and through his firelizard. S'lain noticed it a bit himself, but he'd had experience with that area too, both personal and rider related. It happened in many families. Odd, that some of those kids ended up being the best riders.

The brown drew away from him and reattached himself to his bonded, soothing the hurt feelings in the only way he knew. Good connection, those two. Firelizard bonds were clear indicators of potential dragon impression. Even if food was all they wanted when they hatched, they could still be unruly and unresponsive. This one seemed very attuned to his bonded.

The boy plucked up after a moment; a good sign, really. S'lain didn't make mention of the momentary lapse and instead smiled at the pair. "Well, he'll have a lot of firelizards and dragons to make friends with in the Weyr. Can't be that many here-" And the bluerider leaned in towards Kivin with a conspiratorial wink, his hand partially cupping his mouth as if to speak a secret. "-and Fort dragons aren't nearly as good as the ones in the South, believe you me." Jaxith rumbled his agreement with a smugness that was comical, giving his tail an experimental swish that sent up a bit of dust.

Straightening, S'lain glanced around, pointedly eyeing the few people who'd stopped to try and listen or catch a closer look at the southern dragonpair. They hurried along when they found the rider's steady gaze on them. Smirking slightly, he returned his gaze downward to Kivin. "So, I can have your official release form for Weyr duty ready in about ten minutes. How fast can you pack, eh? We're on a tight schedule to return with some time sensitive medicines to Cerulean, and they should be right about done." He placed his hand on his hip. "Unless you want time to think about it. In which I would return in a couple of days to collect you, provided you keep yourself hidden from those obtuse Fort searchriders." He grinned again to emphasize his jest.

[Kristin]

Kivin smiled at the stab at the Fort riders and judging by Jaxith, S‘lain spoke the truth. And Kivin could be quick packing, he was just an apprentice and a poor one at that so he didn‘t own many belongings. But at S‘lain‘s mention of giving Kivin time to think, Kivin‘s eyes widened. "No!" Kivin blurted out and then colored. "I mean, I can be done packing in ten minutes. I don‘t need to think about it."

"I‘ll meet you here in ten minutes?" In ten minutes Kivin would be starting a new life and he couldn‘t stop smiling even if he wanted to.

Toll, satisfied that his human was again happy, flew to Jaxith and settled on his back. Those pesky dragons that Toll had met before never wanted to talk to him so Toll was making the most of this opportunity.

[Rouxy]

S'lain bit back a grin at the boy's hasty reply, and instead nodded solemnly. "Alright. I'll see to the forms then. Meet me back here in ten minutes and don't be late! We'll send a letter of notification to your family when we arrive at the Weyr." He made a shooing motion with his hands, urging the boy to be off.

Their timing couldn't have been better, as another apprentice hurried out with a message for him. Hesitating before the big blue, the bluerider stepped away from Jaxith to meet the nervous apprentice further away. "Sir, the medicine's ready for transport. Would you like us to bring it out to.. your dragon sir?" S'lain nodded his agreement, moving back to Jaxith to get the holding bags free. He also passed over the pre-written form for Weyr service to another apprentice for delivery to the Master Healer of the hall, showing his readiness to be off.

Jaxith in the meantime, was watching the flitter that had settled so easily to his back. He was particularly fond of the smaller cousins, and had pushed His time and again to attend a hatching. Hello little one. he greeted, a flash of welcoming color accompanying the statement. He sent a warm breath of air at the small brown, rumbling in amusement. He leaned down when S'lain came to free the holding harness, shifting a bit. The apprentice returned with two other healers who were holding a well-bound and padded box of fairly large size. Having them set it on the ground, Jaxith ignored the flitter for a moment in favor of moving the box from the ground to his back with a thought. S'lain climbed up to begin securing straps and tying the delicate package down, making sure he left room for his other new passenger.

[Kristin]

Back in his cot, Kivin hurriedly packed all his belongings. They weren‘t much and consisted mainly of his clothes. When he was done he contemplated saying farewell to his acquaintances but decided not to. There were some people that he would miss but he didn’t know them that well and S’lain had said that they were in a hurry.

He didn’t run back - he didn’t want to run into anyone - but he walked fast. It was still a wonder that he didn’t walk into anybody as he was lost so deep in thought. He was on his way the Cerulean Weyr! Weyrs were notorious for being very liberal and that appealed to Kivin. They even accepted homosexuality completely. Male green riders were supposedly all homosexuals and many blue and brown riders too. Could S’lain be one of them? Kivin dismissed that thought immediately. S’lain was not at all effeminate and just didn’t look like shared furs with men. Kivin sighed in frustration, he’d been thinking far too much about stuff like this lately and it was starting to annoy him. He just couldn’t help himself even though he’d long since decided that he was heterosexual.

The cold air outside cleared his mind and with a pang he realized that this would be the last time that he would be there. Then he had to laugh at how dramatic he was being. Of course he would be back, if he impressed a dragon it only took a quick jump between to travel long distances. He shivered, even though he had dressed more warmly, as he made his way back to the dragonpair and Toll who seemed to be enjoying himself with Jaxith.

Toll was thrilled with the blue dragon and promptly sent happy vibes to Jaxith back. He crooned a welcome to His who had returned and resumed talking to Jaxith excitedly.

Kivin saw that S’lain was apparently ready to leave and with a deep breath he situated himself in front of Jaxith, unsure what to do next.


Kristin: Feel free to control Kivin by making him move

[Rouxy]

Jaxith turned his head to watch the boy return, clearly pleased with his decision and puffing out another long breath of warmed air. The big blue moved to get his feet under him, as it was clear they'd be leaving very shortly. He remained low to the ground though, well aware of how difficult it often could be for younglings to get a-dragonback their first time. He told the brown to be ready to leave, and gave the flitter his destination if he decided to follow under his own power. He shifted his foot out, offering the usual stepping spot.

S'lain turned as Kivin walked back out, his hand on his hip, a smile on his face. Right on time. Nice to see in the younger generation. The Weyr would put more determination into the kid, that was for sure, but he had good points already in place that could be further influenced to bloom. Plus, S'lain would make sure the kid continued at least a fraction of his previous healer training, if he had enough skill.

Turning to give his dragon an affectionate slap, the bluerider beckoned the youngster closer, pointing to where he'd sit behind S'lain on the saddle and directing him with words as he slung up the candidate's pack. He vaulted up afterward, reaching back to tie down the baggage, then leaning down to offer his hand. "Just step on his foreleg, he's holding it there to help you up. Right, don't be afraid to step on him boy, he's tough enough to take it. Hold on to the saddle straps if you need to, you're going to tie them around you." He helped Kivin up as he spoke, directing where he'd tie the straps.

After they were both settled comfortably, Jaxith rose to his feet, moving away from the wall so that he'd have the space needed to launch upward. "Hold on to me if it will make you feel steadier." The bluerider said, flashing a smile before he gave the mental order to take off. Jaxith crouched low before rocketing upward with a powerful leap, his wings clapping down with a thunderous displacement of air. A few more wingbeats had them high over the Hall and of safe distance to wink between without further ado. Eight seconds later saw them suddenly appear in a much warmer climate, an even more dramatic change from the absolute chill of between. S'lain had given no warning, because he usually found that the suddenness of it didn't give candidates the chance to get overly frightened. By the time they were aware of the change, the trip was already over and many could rationalize it as being a lot less worse than they'd heard about or thought.

Jaxith straightened into a glide over the carved cliffs and ocean-side Weyr, and S'lain leaned back a bit so the kid could hear him. "Welcome to your new home."

[Kristin]

Kivin mounted Jaxith in quiet wonder, the dragon seemed so powerful and majestic under him. He let out a gasp when Jaxith took off and instinctively put his hands around S’lain. Kivin looked down on the earth in amazement but he didn’t have much time to enjoy the feeling of being so high up in the air because cold darkness suddenly surrounded him. So this was what between was. Kivin decided he didn’t like it very much and tightened his arms around S’lain. But before he knew it, it was over and they were somewhere where it was much warmer and the sun shone.

This was his new home and Kivin thought it was beautiful. This was the home of dragons and dragonriders and he would live there. Kivin started grinning like a maniac and forgot to loosen his hands around the bluerider. Toll, having arrived before them, came and settled on Kivin’s shoulder. The brown was trembling with excitement and sent chaotic happy thoughts to His. This was the life! Dragons and firelizards all around.

[Rouxy]

S'lain grinned at the choke-hold the kid had on him, nudging Jaxith into a smooth glide over the Weyr. The blue lazily circled the cliff-side, riding the upcurrents filled with salt and spume from the waves below. It was refreshing and warm at once, and was a welcome change to the chill of before. The bluerider truly preferred these warmer climates over those in the north.

Winging over the open hatching sands, then back towards the docks, Jaxith began a slow decent towards the narrow strip of beach that was the easiest entrance into the Weyr proper. Jaxith, tell the healers that we'll need them to help with the medicine. Rumbling his assent, the big blue sent the message forward, and by the time they were close to the ground, two helpers were making their way down the various outer stairs.

The rider and his cargo finally made a decent landing on the shore, Jaxith backwinging to keep their touchdown gentle. Glancing around, S'lain finally looked over his shoulder, his hand giving the boy's clasped ones a pat. "There now, we're here. You can let go yaknow. You're squeezing the life out of me." He joked, working the flight straps loose while he spoke. Slipping to the side, he perched on Jaxith's shoulder while he reached around to the medicine and began working it free as well, letting it down slowly into the waiting hands of the two assistants. "Get that back up there, will you? I'll be up shortly to help."

[Kristin]

Kivin hurried to loosen his hold on the older man. Normally he would be so embarrassed that he would want the earth to swallow him but now his cheeks colored only slightly. The new candidate had much more important things to think about now. Like what would happen next. Toll took off, eager to explore his new surroundings, and Kivin fidgeted uncomfortably. "S'lain? What do I do now? Do you need help? Where should I put my things?" Kivin stopped himself from asking more questions but there was so much he wanted, no needed, to know.

Actually being here in Cerulean made the young candidate realize that he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Yes, he'd heard stories, but this was a new Weyr that no-one knew much about and it was very far away from Fort. He hadn't the faintest idea about how things really functioned in Weyrs, he knew that stories and rumors weren't to be trusted. Kivin sighed inwardly, he would just have to take on one thing at a time. Everything would be all right, he wasn't the first hold- and craftbred candidate to ever go to a Weyr. The first step seemed simple. Get down from the blue dragon and do it fast. It seemed to him that S'lain was a very busy man.

[You are again free to make my confused candidate move around, should you wish to do so]

[Rouxy]

The medicine reached the hands of the assistants without incident and began the trip up the side of the cliff via stairs and ramps. S'lain watched it for a moment before turning to look apologetically at the kid. He dropped to the ground and moved to assist the candidate down behind him. "I'm sorry Kivin, I sometimes forget how overwhelming this can all be to someone who's not used to it. I'll be showing you to your new barracks where you will learn everything you need to. I appreciate the offer to help me, but you can help best by learning all the things we've got for you." The bluerider laid a comforting hand on the candidate's shoulder, and then gestured with the same hand towards the cliff face.

"Unfortunately, we'll be taking the long way up, all the way to the top. I hope you're ready for a bit of a climb. Jaxith will take your things up though and be waiting after the condensed tour is over." Smiling, he began leading Kivin towards the nearest set of stairs.

Jaxith waited until the two humans had moved far enough away before taking off again in a spray of sand. A few wingbeats had him at the same height as the cliff, and the big blue sailed easily over the lip, coming to rest in the clearing between the candidate barracks and the hatching grounds. Taking advantage of the respite, Jaxith angled his wings to catch the best sun, rumbling in contentment.

Smiling at the backwash of feelings from his blue, S'lain began pointing out places of note while they climbed, following the winding route upwards that was sometimes inside, and sometimes outside of the sheltering rock. "There's the infirmary. If you need to find me -and don't hesitate if so- someone there is most likely to know where I am if I'm not there outright. Here's the kitchen, and the Great Hall." He pointed down a large corridor to an even larger room stuffed with tables and full of people before moving on. People passed, greeting him, which he returned in kind.