New Comrades - New Weyrlings

[stolenhart]

As it was still later morning, the Hatching Feast would not begin for hours yet, the Weyrlings were dismissed to settle into their new home. One of the largest caverns at Southern, and one of the few on ground level, the Weyrlings barracks were reminiscient of the Weyr's northern roots. A bed, small couch and chest of drawers created tiny squares that lined up and down the walls of the cavern. Above each bed was a glow-basket for the ones who liked to study in bed. The aisle down the middle of the cavern was a double row of much larger couches for when the Hatchlings outgrew the small ones beside the beds.

Near the front, tucked just behind the large hides that covered the cavern entrance were two tables, both loaded with buckets of meat set in large tubs of ice brought from the deep south, waiting to be eaten. A single shelf held Records that the newly Impressed Weyrlings would begin studying tomorrow and the whole cavern had an air of just cleaned about it, the stone floor swept smooth by whatever drudge had seen to that particular chore.
***

I'tel cajoled little Nistelath into the cavern, easily spotting the beds due to the sunlight streaming through the opened entrance. Which one is mine?, the blue yawned loudly, shaking himself as he studied the cavern. "Do we want one in the back? Or in the front?", I'tel mused. In the back meant he'd sleep better but he'd never hear the Weyrlingmaster, up front and he'd hear the Weyrlingmaster only too well.

Let's pick this one!, the blue said, barely able to see over the edge of the large couch he had picked. "Umm I am not sure you can climb on that just yet Nistelath. How about this one? It is more your size?", I'tel pointed to a lower platform in the middle of the room. With only nineteen boys, the cavern was almost too big. You'll stay until I fall asleep?, the blue said as he hoisted himself into the couch and sat down. "Of course", I'tel murmured.

[shouriko]

D'von wandered into the new homestead with a very full, content, and tired Seratanth in tow. The brown was well built, very wide across the chest and around the heart girth. His big feet almost made loud and resounding slaps every time he placed them, right now, they were doing so more and more consistently as he grew more and more tired. The effects of a full belly were taking their toll on the klah brown little dragon.

How's this one? D'von asked, he was very happy that he had figured out just how speaking through thoughts was accomplished. He was using it almost every time he wanted to say anything to Seratanth. When long ago he had been surprised and nearly frightened by it, he was now amazed and enjoyed it. Perhaps it was because he understood it and found it incredibly convenient. Near the back an' just yer size, eh, Sera? Already he had shortened his dragon's name.

Seratanth looked the place up and down and hoisted himself up on the stone couch. It took a little doing with his meat-filled belly, but he got there and turned in circles before laying down. Perfect, D'von-mine. Seratanth looked the picture of comfort where he was, even if D'von did not think a stone couch was as good as a down mattress.

I'll stay...

No, D'von-mine, you are hungry so you should eat, too. Seratanth insisted to the tall, blonde-haired blue-eyed man. He opened one eye and considered the once-herder. The brown would be stubborn about sleeping if he had to, but he felt that his rider would do as he asked because it was the sensible thing to do.

All right, I'll eat when you fall asleep. D'von said with a smile, he sat down next to the brown and rested a hand on his warm hide.

[knight]

Tav wasn't happy. Why do we have to pick a room in the Barracks right now? Why can't we just entertain ourselves elsewhere and pick a room later? I don't want to pick a room right now.[/i] Tav grumbled indignantly to himself as he stalked along at T'lar's side.

"We just do, okay?" T'lar grumbled, patting Taveneth's head.

Tav snorted, Not okay.[/i] Taveneth said firmly, I will not be ordered to do something unless ordered by someone who has proved himself to me, and you, T'larMine, have not. Just because I chose you doesn't mean I'm going to obey you all the time.[/i]

T'lar rolled his eyes. Tav was going to be hard to control, but at least with his ambition, they stood a chance at winning the Gold and her Rider once she rose. Junior Weyrleader might not have much prestige, but once she was Senior Weyrwoman, they'd be Senior Weyrleader, and they'd have already proved themselves to the Weyr.

Good to see we agree on something.[/i] Tav commented lazily.

T'lar snorted, "Ambition is the one thing that we cannot live without, you and I."

Duh.[/i] Taveneth snorted lazily, That's why I chose you - I like your ambition. We share it together, and we shall prove that we are greater than any Bronze that ever flew across Pern's skies to all that doubt us.[/i]

"But first we have to get ourselves a room in the barracks."

Reluctantly, Tav agreed as they peered into the first room. The couch was tiny - it looked more like a Green's Weyr than a Brown's. We'll pass on this one.[/i]

T'lar snorted, "Glad to hear you agree. Let's head for the back, shall we?"

Tav bobbed his head lazily in agreement as they padded along, sticking their heads in every room they passed, shooting each one down for a myriad of reasons. This one looked too small, this one, far too big, that one looked too old, that one, too new.

Picky thought they might be, they had finally found one that looked just right - it wasn't in the front, or in the back, right around the middle, with a room that was around mid-sized, perfect for a brown such as Tav, and a bed that didn't look too clawed up by a dragon or two sleeping with His or Hers.

You do understand that I won't be sleeping with you, right?[/i] Tav spoke calmly as T'lar settled down on the bed with a snort.

"Of course I do, Tav. I don't want you sleeping with me, anyways. I don't want anyone or anything sleeping with me."

You'll have to get over that sooner or later.[/i] Tav commented, snorting.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now, how am I going to get my stuff?" T'lar grimaced, looking about the bare room, snorting lazily and lying back on the bed.

Does it matter?[/i]

T'lar shook his head lazily, "Not really. But some of that stuff, I'd like to keep. You know, like the stuff my dad gave to me after I was Searched?"

Tav snorted again, That chapter is over. You have me now. I am good enough for you, aren't I?[/i]

T'lar nodded, hiding a smile, "You are, Tav, you are."

Good. Now, can I go to sleep? I'm full, and now I'm tired.[/i]

"Go ahead, Tav. I'll still be here when you wake up."[/size]