Stardust Clutch [Class 4 of 6]

[J'lor and Tonuth]

[Class 4 of 6]

Weyrling Class 4 of 6

Indroduction Each class is mandatory for the weyrling to graduate to Senior Weyrling. There will be a new thread for each class and your Weyrling pair should attend each one. These are Event threads so you may be in another thread during class. Please be sure to post in every thread in order to graduate.

This lesson will cover what your weyrling would learn in months 7-9

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4. /Between/, Mating Flights, Chewing Firestone

"Alright, alright settle down people." He said from the front of the class. "We have some interesting subjects this period." He walked through the room shaking his head.

"First off this morning we are going to discuss Mating Flights."

"Greens generally tend to rise to mate as soon as they are mature. However, Golds do not seem to rise until well after their second Turn and sometimes it is later than this. The reasons for this are purely speculative, but may be in some part due to the egg-laying process. As a rule Greens rise to mate approximately four times a Turn. Golds rise less often, about twice a Turn.

Female Dragons generally show a change in colour as an indication of rising to mate. This colour change occurs a few days before a Green will rise, her Rider generally becoming irascible and displaying uncharacteristic behaviour. In Golds this may differ. A Gold generally shows no colour change until the day she rises to mate and, on that day, she is usually sleepy, wakening from a deep slumber only when she is ready to rise. Her Rider may show signs of 'proddiness' a day or two before she rises. Threadscoring and similar traumas can cause a Dragon to rise unexpectedly, with little or no warning.

When a female is ready to rise, the males sensitive to her are induced to blood their kills. As she awakens, primitive instincts take over, and she must be prevented from gorging by her Rider. This is extremely important, since a full-stomached female may not achieve the height necessary to successfully mate before crashing to the ground.
Territorial drive within Golds is extremely strong during mating, and all other Golds, unless egg-heavy or attending to a clutch, should be removed from the Weyr since a mating Gold may induce heat which will ultimately result in a battle, each trying to keep 'her' males. It is somewhat advantageous that Greens are less territorial, since their sheer numbers would be extremely disruptive to the Weyr.

During a flight, the male sexual drive is largely competitive. They generally finish blooding before the female, due somewhat to the fact that they started before the female and also to the fact that they watch for the sign of the female rising into the air, seeking to be close behind her as she leaves the feeding grounds. He will seek to out manoeuvre the other males and catch the female. Different techniques seem to be necessary to catch Green and Gold. The Greens are more agile, but tire quicker, whilst the Golds are somewhat slower but have more endurance than all the males. Aggressiveness is an integral part of some mating flights and a Dragonhealer may need to be on hand.

Greens may mate with any male Dragon, but only Brown and Bronze Dragons have a chance of catching a Gold. No Gold eggs and very few Bronzes are produced from Brown-Gold pairings. They are highly discouraged in Senior Golds, even though the offspring are healthy. Longer, higher flights generally result in a greater number of offspring and a higher ratio of metallics to chromatics.

Only Gold Dragons and from what the dragons are telling us Silvers are fertile, which was thought to be related to their ability to digest Firestone, however there is some speculation on this point. They produce clutches that range from ten to forty eggs, with occasionally one or two 'dead' eggs, which are generally of no concern. Typically a Gold is gravid for twelve to fifteen sevendays. The eggs then spend five weeks hardening on the heated sands of the Hatching Ground before hatching.

Any Questions?"

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Reading Assignments – this month
Weryling Guide Months 10,11,12

Attendees

Name	L1	L2	L3	L4
A'sh	X	X	X	-
Alix	X	-	-	-
Brekka	X	X	X	X
Ceinwen	X	X	X	X
L'can	X	X	X	X
L'dron	X	X	X	X
L'ryn	X	X	X	-
Nerys	X	X	X	-
O'rion	X	X	X	-

[Brekka and Panitath]

Flying was the most wonderful sensation in all the world and she came to the new class with the preconception that whatever the Weyrling master had to talk about today couldn't possibly compare to the feeling of freedom and joy that flying gave them.

She came into the class room and plopped into a seat thoroughly bored and wanting to join Panitath. Then she immediately straightened looking around her for any witnesses. Now she felt guilty for displaying her poor attitude for everyone to see.

She had to remember that no matter what she was feeling in that moment she was a silver rider, well the only silver rider until Echo had impressed just days ago. She had to set an example like Ceinwen did.

Her eyes darted around the room to see if anyone had noticed her momentary lapse but she didn't see anyone. She sighed thankfully not wanting a breath getting back to Sorelle.

Then he started talking and suddenly it wasn't quite so boring. Her eyes popped realized that what he was talking about was going to happen to...

Me

She smiled as a flush crept up her cheeks. She might be weyrbred but she was still a tiny bit embarrassed by the speculative glances that were being thrown in her direction.

Tag Any

[L'dron and Heroth]

L’dron arrived in the classroom just before J’lor started the daily lecture looking a tad rough around the edges. He had been a little stretched on time, and had not yet been able to bathe Heroth this day, and Heroth was making sure he was well aware.

I itch, Ldronmine.

**I’m sorry, Heroth. With all these new duties you and I are being assigned to it’s been rough. I promise to spend some ‘us’ time with you when class finishes and get you all bathed and oiled.** L’dron truly felt bad about not being able to get to the bathing process sooner, and sent those feelings to Heroth as he apologized.

It’s alright mine. I know. I just wanted to make sure you remembered.

Taking a seat, L’dron was sent images of Heroth flying through the skies above the Weyr, exercising his wing muscles. It seemed to be the only thing the bronze wanted to do now that they were allowed to fly together. L’dron got the feeling that Heroth was beginning to loath the ground and other non-flying beasts. Almost as-if their flightless-ness was contagious and he would never be able to fly again should he spend too long mingling.

**Should we ever have a gather, you’ll never make it with that mindset Heroth**

Should we have a Gather, we’ll be flying high above the others, Mine. Showing them how strong I am.

**Suit yourself**

Turning his attention back to the lecture, he realized that there wasn’t much in this class to really address to himself or Heroth…besides the realization that Heroth was going to be a viable male, soon to give Chase in Flights as soon as a few months from now. L’dron made sure to not cast a glance to any of the Queen or Greenriders, no matter how much he felt the urge. It hadn’t occurred to him that Flights would be how any of his future romantic relationships were to begin. Shards, that’s not quite what he wanted… however it would be nice if he could start a relationship and enjoy it even more if Heroth were to catch her dragon… whoever ‘she’ may be.

Lips were pressed to a thin line as these thoughts crossed his mind. Being a Fisher the rest of his life would have never complicated this whole mate-picking business. At nearly 21 Turns of age, had this whole event never to have happened… the old Landron back at Ista would have probably been pressed to choose a wife, or at least begin the courting process by now.

Sighing deeply in frustration as he realized how important these Flights were to be, a question formed in his mind.

“At what age do our bronzes have any chance at winning these Flights? Is it all up to strength, or do riders get any say?”


Tag All/ J'lor

[L'can and Tanemoth]

L'can blushed as soon as mating flights were mentioned. It was a natural reaction, even though he was weyrbred and not as nervous about Flights as some of the holdbred weyrlings might have been. He was 13, almost 14, and like any teenage boy, had been noticing people he found attractive. The fact that he liked both boys and girls hadn't been any cause for concern, since it was seen as normal in a Weyr. The only problem might have been that he couldn't Impress bronze like his father, but that worry was in the past now.

Mating Flights sound fun,[/color] Tanemoth said cheerfully. He was a little young yet to really think about mating, but to him it sounded like a game of tag where the female was "it." L'can covered his grin, not wanting anyone to think he was being immature and laughing at something that was said. Dragons matured quickly, though, and soon Tanemoth would probably be looking at the Greens as more than just friends.

He raised his hand, eager to ask questions. "Do you have any idea about what color dragons Tanemoth might chase?" he asked, wondering if Tanemoth would stick with Greens or if he would rise to chase a Silver as well.

He had one other question. "What if a Flight is your first time having a sexual experience? Is there anything you should do to prepare?" Trust the weyrbred candidate to be matter of fact about it.

Tag J'lor/any

[J'lor and Tonuth]

J’lor smiled as the subject matter seemed to get them all going. “Good Questions!” he said.

“L’dron asked, At what age do our bronzes have any chance at winning these Flights? Is it all up to strength, or do riders get any say?”

“First L’dron, your dragons are approaching full growth and will soon be fully capable of flying after a queen but so are the other browns and bronzes. It’s like experience at a craft, at first you don’t quite know what you’re doing but you get the hang of it. But that being said we have noticed over many turns that when the queen rider has a marked preference for a particular pair, that CAN influence her dragons choice, but there is no guarantee.” Of course he knew about that first hand didn’t he. “For instance, Sivarith had a preference for Brath that kept my brother N’lon Weyrleader at Benden for nearly 20 turns. Yet even though Sorelle and I are close she still chose Imahyth and B’lor for her flight. So, you see there is no firm answer. Yes the riders feelings if they are strong enough can effect which dragon fly’s the female, other times its down to who she likes on that day.”

He pointed at the young crimson rider.

"Do you have any idea about what color dragons Tanemoth might chase?"

J’lor smiled and started, “Well as a beginning certainly green. He’s bigger than they are and probably able to catch them quite easily. But we’re speculating that your Tenemoth will most likely also want to chase Panitath or Anayath when either of them rise. It’s hard to say if he’ll have the stamina to chase gold but I wouldn’t discourage him if he wanted to try.”

“Yes?” he said when it looked like the boy had another question.

"What if a Flight is your first time having a sexual experience? Is there anything you should do to prepare?"

**Trust a thirteen turn old to ask that question.** he stifled the smile that threatened to well up. “Well that’s a good question and there is a standard theory that is actually quite sound.” He smiled at the boy. “Don’t let it be your first experience. But YOU don’t have to worry about it yet. You won’t be allowed to chase until you’re fifteen turns.”

He looked out at the others in the room. “If any of you have any concerns in that area, I would advise you NOT to allow that to happen to you. Make certain you have some experience before your first flight so you know what to do with the feelings that will overwhelm you when it happens. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable finding the experience on your own you can come speak to me privately and we will make sure to find you a pleasant one.”

All riders had heard horror stories about experiences during flights. He himself was still beating himself up over what he’d done during Sivarith’s flight even though he’d talked to the girl since and she was fine.

Tag Any

[A'sh and Securth]

OOC: Hope this isn't too early for this. Don't give me a warning or stuff if it is I'll change it if need be.


A'sh was in class, sitting there looking around and waiting for class to begin. He had had to hurry to take his seat after being late, but had heard everything in the halls. Mating flights! Securth tilted his head and grumbled, looking at the other dragons. Securth had his eyes on Panitath. He averted them quickly, respectfully, and A'sh immiedetly sensed something was wrong.

What is it, mine? A'sh voiced through his link, feeling Securths sad emotions as J'lor spoke of colors going to certain colors. "Its nothing." Securth said, then his mood switched to happier as he looked at the bronze. "Look how strong they think they are. They are no better then you nor I." Securth said through his link defiantly. A'sh soothed him, his hand stroking his eyelid. "Easy, Securth..." he said aloud.

Securth grumbled his anger, his eyes flashing crimson red, swirling with other shades of red in them. His eyes faded to pink as he looked down at A'sh, who was still scratching above his eyelid. Wordlessly, A'sh switched to his other eyelid, and this time Securth trumpeted his pleasure.

A'sh sighed, looking up at Securth. "Feel better?" Securth looked down to him. "Mine..." He said so softly in his link that A'sh barely heard him. "I can't have children... not ever.. can I?" He asked softly, and a sad look crossed A'shs features. "You may have a chance... but not that much of one..." He whispered. Then added. "You're too young to worry about that. Why worry about it now?" He asked. Securth flexed his claws. "Because.. everyone else can."

[Ceinwen and Drusillith]

Ceinwen was beginning to feel more and more that the life a Lord Holder’s daughter was similar in many respects as that of a gold rider. There were certain expectations of behavior and many responsibilities. But there was one thing that could never compare – Drusillith. Their bond was firm and grew with each passing day.

When class rolled around, Ceinwen had been distracted and thankfully Drusillith broke Ceinwen out of her medicinal herb gardening trance to get her to class. She made her way in and took a seat and listen closely to J’lor’s lecture. Mating was a very difficult topic for Ceinwen. She had read all about it and had been trying to work up the courage to ask those sensitive questions she had to Sorelle, but had not quite mustered up the necessary courage to do so.

Ceinwen was hold bred, betrothed at a young age and had little experience with the opposite sex beyond friendship, work and camaraderie. There was no doubt in her mind that her skin was flushed by the topic of conversation. Ceinwen could feel herself sinking in her chair, hoping she would melt into it. Very soon, she was going to have to get the courage to do the asking. For now she kept her mouth firmly closed and was secretly glad when L’can broached one of her top concerns. It was J’lor’s response that made her stomach drop like a stone. “Don’t let it be your first experience.” But that meant…

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