[CANDIDATE LESSON] The Rains Came Down (OPEN)

[magnadearel]

Candidate Omurntas

Omurn grinned as the sticks went crack crack crack in a series of strokes hit. It certainly wasn't quiet or subtle. Others had probably stopped to watch them, but he didn't let that bother him. He blocked Josen's "attacks" and gave his stick a whack back. Somehow it pleased him when the other candidate also joined them. Brenley didn't seem as enthusiastic about it as Josen, but he still joined them. Omurn nodded comradely towards Brenley as he came in for a hit then took a defensive stance.

He gave Brenley's stick several light whacks and then one towards Josens before taking a defensive stance himself. "For just bits of wood, they are holding up pretty well."

demon_pachabel

Josen

Smerdle

Brenley

((This amuses me so much, but I dunno why))  

[demon_pachabel]

"I mean, we can't hit harder than all the rain did - right?" Josen not-so-gently crack-crack-cracked his stick against Brenley's, pretending his form was anything like that of a proper duelist's. He didn't actually know a thing about swordfighting. It was for the riders to know, not candidates. But playing at it was still fun enough.

Then another series of smacks to Omurntas' stick, half bouncing in his step with a wide grin.

Smerdle

Magnadearel

 

[Smerdle]

Bren's second attempt at offensive stick-wielding was a tiny bit stronger, his strike at Omurntas stinging his palm just a little. "I'm... um... do they usually not? Hold up well, I mean. I've never done this before."

He didn't comment on the rain. While he'd suffered through some storms without proper shelter in his day, he hadn't had to work while he did so. He felt like he'd never be dry again.

demon_pachabel

magnadearel

 

[magnadearel]

Candidate Omurntas

He almost suggested keeping them out to see if the weapon's master wanted to use them, but then realized he had access to better wood than this. Omurn shook his head at Josen's question. "Not nearly the same at all." He knew kids could do some damage in an orchard, but it was never as bad as what the weather could throw at them. Omurn neatly took the blows from Josen's stick.

He did smile when Bren showed a bit more courage in his strike. Omurn shook his head to Bren's question. "Not once they've been water soaked like these. Usually they just fall apart or break in half." With a glance over his shoulder toward Danzik, Omurn broke off with the other two.

"I think these have been tested enough. Let's get back to work."

demon_pachabel

Josen

Smerdle

Brenley

 

[Uta]

Candidate Haraven
It was wet and cold, but Haraven was prepared. He had decided to help clear the beach to start, the plight of the helpless sea creatures a cause he couldn't ignore. Certainly, protecting the huts closest to the beach was also a high priority--but if he could save a few lives, that was exactly what he would do.

Walking down the shore, he did throw back a few shells, and some stones, as he searched for animals that were displaced. Unfortunately, he did find Danzik staring at him, and his cheeks flushed. She was too far away for him to explain what he was doing--that it wasn't him wasting time--but even if she'd been close enough he was sure she wouldn't want any excuses. Ducking his head, he hoped nobody noticed. He really wasn't the sort to waste time. Not everything he was passing required chucking back in the water, after all; but maybe the small shells and stones would be better off left alone.

"Find anything to save yet, Aneirin? All I've got are a bunch of rocks and some shells."

Quote:

2 - You take a few minutes to toss smaller rocks into the water one by one until you catch Danzik giving you a critical look for burning time. Whoops!

Mr Cheri

 

[Uta]

Candidate Haraven
Haraven finally found some driftwood, even as Aneirin confessed he was having similar trouble. "I suppose that's good though, in a sense." Unless, of course, it meant they were simply trailing the other Candidates. Hmm. He hadn't thought that they were in an area others had checked, but not he was beginning to doubt. And what if his time spending checking this area meant animals were dying elsewhere? A small amount of panic struck him--strong enough to have his green flit, Evergreen, appear from between crooning assurance.

"I mean, we must be getting somewhere--found some driftwood--ooph!" He gave a small grunt as he pulled, the sand giving way to something much larger and heavier than he'd realized. Thankfully, he wasn't a small Candidate, and was able to wrangle he debris from the shore.

"Any better luck over there?"

Mr Cheri

 

[Uta]

Candidate Haraven
Continuing on his hunt, after setting aside the driftwood, once again Haraven found himself with nothing but rocks and small shells. Though he lifted up a few of the pebbles, hoping to discover some displaced creature--all he wound up with was an armful of stones.

Throwing them back in the water, he looked over to find Danzik staring at him yet again. This time, his flush was visible. For Faranth's sake--he really wasn't wasting time! Alas, all the aid he had dreamed up was for naught.

"... yeah. I think we picked the wrong spot." Sigh.  

[Prism Shine]

[Shoxiel, Building, 1/3]

Quote:

4 - You feel like you'd like a particular piece to help your building along but nobody has one yet. Rather than wait, you go on the hunt yourself [SWITCH GRIDS]

The cold and wet had soaked Shoxiel through fairly quickly, but he'd done his best to ignore it -- there was work to be done, and paying mind to how irksome it was only hindered getting the tasks done quicker. But those on the beach huts, like his own mother, were having a time of it with flooding. But as he started through with his task of building the barricades, what little he had to build with wasn't quite filling the gap in his wall.

With a cluck of his tongue, he glanced at the the candidates around him... And had a brief moment of trying to ask for the piece he needed, before turning to find it himself.  

[Uta]

Candidate Haraven
The brown haired Candidate grimaced, even as Evergreen came to settle on his shoulder. She shoved her little wedge-shaped head against his cheek, trying to settle his irritation and stress. He wasn't a known troublemaker, and did worry what Danzik might say to A'ral, who would of course, say something to R'mor. All he could do was hope for the best.

"Maybe if we check out over here?" He encouraged, hoping that maybe, just maybe, they might find something, or someone, in need. He was born to be a hero... and yet, he couldn't even save beach creatures. Bah.  

[Uta]

Candidate Valendyr
With Scimitar, Dagger, and Switchblade circling nearby, Valendyr had found himself cleaning the beach. He didn't mind the rain, or the lingering clouds--in fact, he rather liked the dreary, wetter months that the winter often would bring. What he did mind, though, was all the mud he had to step through. Sure, riders needed to help aid Pern and its people--but that didn't mean he enjoyed getting caked in mud.

Still, he wasn't going to complain about it. Digging through the beach sand or throwing shells and dead fish back into the water was what had to happen. And it was better then building barricades--he wasn't exactly known for his strength.

Thankfully, this sort of job didn't need a ton of physical strength, and every thing he threw back into the water--or pulled out of the sand--helped. Glancing back at the progress he made, the dark-haired boy did see a visible change; the path he walked looked much clearer than it had when he'd first begun.

Quote:

6- Working hard! The beach is already looking a bit better so take pride in your hard work!

 

[Uta]

Candidate Valendyr
His pleasure and pride was rather short-lived, though. The next stretch of beach resulted in only a handful of rocks, which he did toss into the water, one by one. It gave him a moment to stand up straight, and stretch out his back--but Dagger gave a cheap of warning, and glancing up, Valendyr caught Danzik's eye.

...

Shard it.

Grimacing, his brows knit, and he dropped the stones he had picked up.

Whatever. He knew he wasn't actually slacking.

Quote:

2 - You take a few minutes to toss smaller rocks into the water one by one until you catch Danzik giving you a critical look for burning time. Whoops!

 

[Prism Shine]

[Shoxiel, Building Clearing, 2/3]

Quote:

8 - You briefly (or not so briefly) consider using a particularly sturdy piece of debris as a makeshift sword. Alternatively, someone else challenges you to a duel with their own piece! Danzik allows it for a few minutes before suggesting the pieces would help the second group more.

Finding the perfect fit for his wall was a bit tougher than Shoxiel had gambled for, but he's managing to find a few good pieces. But one has a good weight and heft to it, and the candidate got a few swings in -- pointed more toward the ground and flicking only small bits of sand about a handlength away -- before his neck burns with mild embarrassment, stuffing the stick into his growing pile before anyone noticed too much.