All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.

14-07-01: Sacks
Kr'lin lifts a finger as he chalks a point or two up for D'nic, "That's true. You were rather annoying...

Kr'lin lifts a finger as he chalks a point or two up for D'nic, "That's true. You were rather annoying about your insistence that riders not be allowed to drink.. Or something like that.. "And Zureile and you don't seem to get along all to well.. Gotten better since your candidacy.. But none the less, you do seem to have a bit of a rivalry going on there." Hanneke gets a wave. Kind of hard to miss a pacing green dragon, you see. Caeruleth comes in.. she goes out. She comes back again.

Hanneke mutters something, as she steps away from Caeruleth's couch, brushing her fingers through her hair as she attempts to follow Caeruleth--then halts, peering. "Don't be funny, Caeruleth!" Then, it's back to muttering, which sounds almost like--"Best weyrling. Best weyrling." Her head darts up rapidly, as she catches conversation, Kr'lin's wave greeted with a salute--look, she did it!

D'nic smirks a tad, the left corner of his mouth tugging upwards, weaving Hanneke's muttering into his response to Kr'lin, "Nah, it's not much of a rivalry, seeing as how I'm the best weyrling. Zureile's just jealous, and it sometimes gets the better of her." So much fun to make fun of her when she's not around -- that way, she doesn't talk back.

Kr'lin raises his eyebrows at D'nic's declaration that he is the best Weyrling, "You are?" One second while he tries to contain a laugh.. A chuckle does escape, but that is it.. Really. Okay.. maybe three or four chuckles get out. But not the full fledged belly laugh, "Since when did this happen? I mean.. Really.. You are the person that was nailing D'las with firestone sacks." That was quite amusing, actually. He's still chuckling about it now, almost a turn later.

"No!" Hanneke's interest in the conversation flares: she strides rapidly towards the other two, hands moving to hips as she declares, "*I* never nailed D'las with firestone sacks. *I'm* the best weyrling." Since a couple of days ago, and all.

D'nic smiles benignly, "Right. A dazling display of my great aim and accuracy. Just cause D'las couldn't catch it -- even though he /did/ say he was ready -- doesn't mean it was a bad throw. Right on target, actually." It's all in how you spin the situation. Hanneke gets an amused grin from D'nic, "Second-best, maybe, but not best." Y'know, until two minutes ago, Dom was under no illusions that he was any better than an adequate weyrling. But, hey, might as well run with it.

Kr'lin coughcoughs at the responses, "Umm.. Hanneke.. You need to be able to lift a firestone sack to hit someone with it." He went there.. Yes. As for D'nic... "Do I have to bring up the time you walked into the living cavern with two black eyes and a throbbing headache? Something about you and... Hmm.. Who was it.. D'iz? No. M'kael, yes.. That's it.. You and M'kael nailing each other between the eyes repeatedly."

Now that is nasty, and earns a scowl from Hanneke, who nonetheless takes the ball and runs with it. "I didn't need to. I do other things best, to be all around best." Like not fighting. "I'm *not* second best," a truer statement was never made, "I'm the *best*."

D'nic chuckles, tilting his chin up and pointing to his eyes, "That was then. I didn't say I was /always/ the best." Eyes shift over to Hanneke, "You can't lift a firestone sack?"

Kr'lin just shakes his head, "You'll need to be able to lift a firestone sack and toss it if you plan on being the best Weyrling, Hanneke. Being able to toss firestone sack is an important part of being a dragonrider." And to D'nic, "So it being able to catch them."

Hanneke is practically perfect in every way--except for being able to lift firestone sacks. "I can, too!" she bargains, leaning forward slightly, which has the adverse effect of making her appear to wobble, jiggle, and otherwise look more rounded than usual. "I can catch them!"

D'nic adds, "I can catch 'em, too. Now." Darn, he missed Hanneke's jiggling, cause he was peering at one of Jaqueth's eyelids, muttering to the bronze, "...what'd you go and stick your head into?..."

Kr'lin feels a challenge coming on. Matter of fact, not only does a feel one.. But he can taste it too.. "Well.. How about we go find out? Hmm? Give you the opportunity to hop up on your dragons, ride them around and toss firestone sacks back and forth." It would be greatly amusing, he suspects, "You'll just have to remember to strap in, don't want you to be knocked off your dragon." That would be painful.

Hanneke doesn't know when to give in; it's a judgement problem shared by both Caeruleth and her rider, and rises to the challenge without hesitance. "Yes! We should!" World, it's been nice knowing you.

D'nic plucks a scrap of herdbeast hide from Jaqueth's eyeridge, examining it for a moment before tossing it aside. Glancing back over his shoulder at Hanneke's exuberance, he smirks a bit, "Sure you're up to it, Hanneke?" If he can knock D'las over, who /can/ lift a firestone sack, Hanneke's gonna get knocked head over heals.

Kr'lin would have to wonder what the bronze is doing with herdbeast hide over his eyeridge, but fortunately, he's too darn excited about seeing which one of the two get hit first.. Umm.. Which one does a better job at tossing the sacks.. Yes, that's it. "Well, what are we doing in here then? Let's head on out and get those sacks a-flyin'."

Hanneke, soon to be the matyr and mascot in the 'I hate bronzeriders' campaign, raises her head triumphantly, "You're scared!" she taunts of her fellow weyrling, hands returnint to hips as she snorts. "You better believe I'm up to it." She gives Kr'lin a sharp nod, grabbing for her straps as she comments, "C'mon, Caeruleth! We're going to show who's best!"

D'nic chuckles, "Alright, you asked for it..." He gives Jaqueth's strap a quick once-over as the weyrling rolls up his sleeves, then pulls his riding gloves from his belt. Fingers are wiggled into the gloves, then one hand extends to show Hanneke and Caeruleth the exit, "Please. After you."

Hanneke pauses--strapping Caeruleth up with some effort; dragons are big, Hanneke's not very big, and the result is slow. Having kept D'nic waiting, she finally raises her head to bob it towards him, leading the way through the exit. Imagine that--she has some kind of style.

You leave the huge cavern to go out into the bowl.

D'nic emerges from the weyrling barracks.

Jaqueth emerges from the weyrling barracks.

Kr'lin emerges from the weyrling barracks.

Kr'lin strolls out into the training grounds, looking all happy and everything, "Well, up on your dragon, y'all. Let's see how you do at tossing the firestone sacks from on top of a dragon."

Caeruleth's cool, dark touch echoes forest greens through your mind, a hint of narcissus wafting dynamically through your mind, as you climb up her forelimb, using straps to get yourself safely between her neckridges.

Caeruleth(#644p)

Noctivagant passage palpable in a trellis of ossificated sinew, Caeruleth's vivified movements obnubilate looming presence, deepest malachite virescent to stark terminus. Braving irascible tongue is the calid heat from taut muscles, savering junctions to pristine wingsails unfurled--sallow completion decadent in svelte dignity.

Dark, darker, darkest: she has made her complete, but darkness hovers, and all serpents bite.

D'nic gathers up one of the sacks that's lying around, a medium-sized sack. Not too big, not too small. Wouldn't want to pick one too heavy for Hanneke, after all. He gives the sack a quick check, making sure it's closed up tight, and has no rips in the fabric. All good? Check!

D'nic swings up to Jaqueth's neck, settling between two neckridges, and smiles down to his lifemate.

How sweet of D'nic. Hanneke straps herself in carefully, leaning forward with an expression of--ferocity? That must be Caeruleth.

Kr'lin pulls up a spot on the Bowl wall just outside the entrance to the barracks, "Well. Okay. Let's get to tossing." D'nic, gets a nod, since he has the sacks, "Might want to start off slow though. Don't want either one of you to pull a muscle."

Hanneke raises one hand into a salute--she's actually getting moderately good at it, and calls out, almost taunting, "I'm waiting, D'nic! Get to it." Watch for splattage.

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic tightens Jaqueth's straps as he settles into his perch, below the dragon's neck. Holding the sack in his left hand, he gives his right arm a few flexes, stretching out the muscles before he starts. At Hanneke's order, he shifts the sack to his right hand... and Jaqueth starts moving, circling around Caeruleth's left. The sack swings once, twice, three times, and then it goes flying through the air, straight for Hanneke, "Here, catch!"

Kr'lin hmms and watches the sack arc it's way between the dragons, waiting until it's about half way before asking, "So, Hanneke.. you did tighten your straps, right?" See how she handles a distractions. Yes, that's why he did it. To see how she handles a distraction.

Caeruleth, at least, is gifted in movement, and pushes forward with muscular repose to place herself in position for a catch, should Hanneke deign to manage it. The weyrling raises her arms blindly, if perhaps a little too low, which precipitates a loud smack--sack meets face, although Kr'lin's comment has said face turning just in time for it to deflect across her ear. "Wha?" Oops.

Kr'lin quickly averts the eyes and winces. THat had to hurt.. Might as well check, "You okay up there?" He's asking Hanneke, of course. It wouldn't be very helpful if he was asking D'nic if he was alright. "That sounded somewhat painful."

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic winces, seeing that the catch wasn't particularly graceful. He may want to win, but he doesn't particularly want to see Hanneke get hurt. Jaqueth rumbles at Caeruleth as he comes to a stop. At least the green was graceful, and the bronze recognizes it, and appreciates the artistry.

If it had hit Hanneke upon the nose, she might have broke it. Luckily, it didn't, and she simply rubs at her ear, complaining, "You squashed my hair!" That must be a sign that she's all right, herself, and not concussed, right?

Now, if only the rider could do as good a job as the dragon. Kr'lin does offer up a helpful hint, "Watch the sack into your hands with your eyes, Hanneke. Rather than watch the sack into your eyes." She's moving, so she mustn't be in too much pain, well.. Not so much pain that she is unconcious, "Now it's your turn to hit.. I mean.. To toss the sack towards D'nic." Such sympathy.

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic manuvers the bronze around Caeruleth, keeping his eye on Hanneke the whole time, "Whenever you're ready, Hanneke, toss it back." See, he knows how to catch. Granted, it took a while to get the hang of it, but now he's a pro.

Hanneke lifts the sack into her arms as best as possible; at least it isn't so far from her as there is much lifting. Caeruleth helpfully moves closer to the bronze, as Hanneke attempts to toss the sack into the air--thankfully not quite squashing Caeruleth's neckridges as the sack bumps over them, wavering through the air. It's not Hanneke's fault that Caeruleth is far lower to the ground, is it? It's a disadvantage!

Jaqueth freezes in his tracks, crouching down lower as D'nic leans over to the side, fingers reaching down. The throw is too low, and the dragon and weyrling need to compensate for the lack of height. His arms fully extended down, D'nic gets a hand around the knot of the sack, just barely catching it before it smacks into Jaqueth's shoulder, "C'mon, get that throw up higher, Hanneke!"

Kr'lin watches the sack bounce off of the green's neckridge.. That has to sting. "Not that bad, Hanneke.. Just a little more oomph and some loft to the toss." D'nic, on the other hand.. Well, his feat is somewhat ignored, after all, he caught it. Hanneke's the one that needs help. Well, that and Kr'lin did make a few comments about D'nic not being able to catch a firestone sack.. He kind of disproved that.

"Easy for you to say!" A snort follows, as Hanneke narrows her gaze, attempting to focus upon the sack: the sack is all. She's distracted, as she comments to Kr'lin, "See! I'm good at this!" Maybe she was hit on the head harder than it even looked. "Oomph!" she repeats the word, as if delighted with it. "Gotcha!"

From Caeruleth's neck, "Easy for you to say!" A snort follows, as Hanneke narrows her gaze, attempting to focus upon the sack: the sack is all. She's distracted, as she comments to Kr'lin, "See! I'm good at this!" Maybe she was hit on the head harder than it even looked. "Oomph!" she repeats the word, as if delighted with it. "Gotcha!"

Jaqueth rises from his crouch, back to his full height. D'nic hefts the sack into his other hand, slinging it over his shoulder as the bronze manuvers away from Caeruleth, increasing the distance between the two young dragons. D'nic looks over to his fellow weyrling, checking for her readiness, before he lets fly a /long/ throw, straight and true. "Incoming!" He's the best weyrling, by far. Only other weyrling who could make a throw that far is M'kael, but his aim sucks.

Kr'lin nods his head a few times, "And get your body behind the toss. Don't just use your arms." Then the sack is in the air again.. Headed right for Hanneke.. Hopefully she'll catch this one.. He doesn't think she could take another hit to the head. she's already a little strange as it is.

Caeruleth is the best dragon, then: without prompting from Hanneke, she's off after the sack--no, that is not puppy dog imagery--almost leaping up to allow Hanneke a chance to grab at it. The weyrling, with some visible pride, latches onto the bag, yanking at it so that it lands in her lap with some force. She winces, for a moment, then turns, as Caeruleth does, triumphant. "Hah!"

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic grins, suitably impressed by the catch, "Nice one, Hanneke..." He may be trying to win the contest, but he's still supportive of the other weyrlings. So long as they're not named Zureile, of course.

Kr'lin wouldn't exactly say it was a nice one.. But atleast she didn't get hit in the head that time.. Always a good thing. "No that you've caught one.. why don't you try and aim for D'nic this time.. You know..." Just to toss some incentive in there, "Get him back for hitting you earlier.

Hanneke straightens her posture, immediately interested in Kr'lin's comment. "C'mon, Caeruleth!" she commands, as the green moves to a walk; speed is not her thing, and Hanneke attempts to aim. "I don't need compliments from *you*," she states towards D'nic with some elegance, "Worst weyrling." With a magnanimous attempt, she hurtles the sack, as best she can, towards Jaqueth.

Kr'lin knew that would get her motivated. Everyone likes the opportunity to cause pain in others, while appearing to be the innocent one. But now, comes the real question.. Will D'nic catch the sack.. Might as well see, "So, D'nic... Did I mention I saw Kyla naked yesterday? You should have seen it.. She's looking hotter than ever."

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic raises his arms to catch the sack -- that throw had some oomph, that's for sure. It's actually heading for the target. Granted, it's a little high, but better to be high than low, when you're on the ground. Not much room to manuver down, but Jaqueth can press up on his rear haunches to attain the proper height. The bronze wings even unfurl, teasing flight, though his rear feet never leave the ground. Dom's hands await the incoming sack... but Kr'lin's claim distracts him, "Huh?" Kyla? Naked? That's cruel, Kr'lin. Good things those hnads are raised up, cause the sack hits his hands, even without D'nic's full attention. Instinctively, they clasp around burlap, catching hold, and drawing the sack down -- caught! Jaqueth lowers himself back down to standing with all four feet on the ground, as the weyrling peers at Kr'lin, "Really?" Drool.

Kr'lin hmms and is somewhat disappointed in the successful reception, but he's not goint to let on, not at all. "Not bad, D'nic." You little bastard, "And yes. Really. Let me tell you... She was looking /fine/." Okay, he didn't really see her naked, bu still.. He has to keep up the lie. Well, the little white lie.

Hanneke's brow furrows, and she complains, "That's not fair!" Exactly why, it isn't sure. Perhaps she's the best Weyrling, in terms of complaining.

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic frowns, the sack swinging lightly in his hand, "Yeah, that's not fair. Kr'lin shouldn't get to see Kyla naked." Okay, he's distracted. Jealous. He wants to be the one seeing her, especially if she's looking hotter than ever. Grumbling, he throws the sack back to Hanneke, not particularly paying attention to the receiver, not checking to see if she's ready to catch his throw. And, since he's sort of angry, the throw has some extra oomph behind it. Which is fine when Hanneke throws it, but when D'nic puts extra oomph into it, without waiting for someone to be ready.... not good.

Not good at all. Sack hits Hanneke, Hanneke yelps, but somehow manages to keep hold if it all the same. That has *got* to win it for her.

Kr'lin feels like he is watching a tennis match. Head turn one way, watch the sack fly across the other way. Back and forth, back and forth. "Well.. Keep it up you two.. Both of you could do with some work at this.." Hmm, that sack does seem to be flying a bit fast. That can't be good. "Careful there, D'nic. Don't toss it too hard." The sack impacting Hanneke draws a wince, "Umm.. Nice catch Hanneke.. Next time, try to catch it before it hits you." And with that, he waves. "Well, if you will excuse me.. I have some other duties to attend to." Yeah, like seeing how many bubblies he can stuff into his mouth at one time.

Hanneke rubs at her nose; it'll be bruised, probably, although no more, complaining, "That was *mean*, D'nic!" She glowers at Kr'lin, mayhap for not making further comment to the other weyrling, still holding tight to the sack. "I'm the best weyrling--because I don't hurt other people's noses!"

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic opens his mouth to grumble at Kr'lin's criticism, but closes it when he hears Hanneke's complaint. Seeing her rubbing at her nose, his features droop, sheepish look crossing his face, "Too much on that throw, huh?" He spurs Jaqueth to close the gap between him and Caeruleth, the weyrling assuming a sympathetic smile for the greenrider-to-be, "Sorry.. I should've slowed that throw up some. Are you okay?"

Hanneke makes a face. "Just slightly." Not fair. Not at all fair. "I'm fine, no thanks to you." Now she'll go all haughty, nose, somewhat red looking, held high in the air. "Hmph."

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic sighs, "I'm sorry, Hanneke. Really, I am. I didn't mean to hurt your nose. Honest." Another mournful sigh, "You can be the best weyrling, if that makes up for it." He didn't really want the title... he was just being a smartass earlier.

Hanneke positively beams--there, she's got what she wanted. "Thank you." Worst weyrling. Triumphantly, she murmurs something to Caeruleth, and the green raises her head, regal to the end.

From Jaqueth's neck, D'nic smiles a bit, satisfied that he's made amends. See? /Some/ people accept Dom's apologies the first time, and don't hold grudges for months on end. Remind him to introduce Zureile to Hanneke. Hanneke may not be the undisputed best weyrling, but she's okay in D'nic's book. "Okay. And if anyone questions your claim to the title, you can tell 'em to come talk to me." He gives a gentle tug on Jaqueth's straps, "C'mon, Jaqueth, I wanna go have breakfast now." The bronze rumbles a farewell to the green, turning himself around without much grace, and heading towards the bowl.