[Big Cat Lesson] Black, Blacker, Blackest: Open

[Hattaki]

X'ael & Blue Cucuaranath

Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4 - 1 = 3
Memorization/Visualization: 3
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 3

Sevenday 4 - Grid 3
1. Waters Edge Cothold (Cothold beholden to Black Sands Hold)
2. Oasis Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Rivercrest Hold)
3. Stoney Tower Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Redoubt Hold)
4. Green Plains Cothold (Cothold beholden to White Cliff Weyrhold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

If this is your third or fourth or fifth roll, and you have an Exhaustion level of 1 or a Distraction level of 2 or 3, or Confidence of 3 or 4, or a Studious level of 4 or 5 you find yourself lost Between. Whoops! Maybe you were getting too sloppy or the coordinates too complex, or maybe you just studied the wrong thing or confused it with another Hold. Either way, you're out... unless you get some help.

Stop! Stop stop that doesn't seem right at all. It's Stoney Tower correct? Cucuaranath, unnerved by the last leap, wasn't at all in a rush to jump Between anyway but something legitimately seemed incorrect to him. A chill was running down the blue's spine already without possibly leaping Between to a place that just didn't exist at all.

When an assistant relayed the correct coordinates they both could see where it was going. Maybe he'd misheard it or was just too tired when it was told to them. Either way, X'ael, new coordinates in mind, relayed them so that they appeared above Stoney Tower Hold without a hitch.

This was terrifying.  

[Hattaki]

X'ael & Blue Cucuaranath

Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4 - 1 = 3
Memorization/Visualization: 3
Anxiety/Confidence: 4 + 1 = 5
Slacker/Studious: 3

Sevenday 4 - Grid 3
1. Waters Edge Cothold (Cothold beholden to Black Sands Hold)
2. Oasis Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Rivercrest Hold)
3. Stoney Tower Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Redoubt Hold)
4. Green Plains Cothold (Cothold beholden to White Cliff Weyrhold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

6: Success! You passed with flying colors! There was nothing to that jump and you're feeling great! Gain one Anxiety/Confidence level!

Green Plains Cothold actually came into site below them with more ease than either were expecting, given the circumstances. For just a moment there was a little bubble of confidence that swelled within X'ael's heart, though it wasn't anything substantial. All this meant was they had one final leap and they'd be home and could relax a little.

Western Weyr, their hut on the beach, the warmth and sand and everything good awaited them.  

[Hattaki]

X'ael & Blue Cucuaranath

Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4 - 1 = 3
Memorization/Visualization: 3
Anxiety/Confidence: 5 - 1 = 4
Slacker/Studious: 3

Sevenday 4 - Grid 3
1. Waters Edge Cothold (Cothold beholden to Black Sands Hold)
2. Oasis Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Rivercrest Hold)
3. Stoney Tower Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Redoubt Hold)
4. Green Plains Cothold (Cothold beholden to White Cliff Weyrhold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

If you have a a 3 or less in Slacker/Studiousness levels, perhaps you needed more fear of Between because something goes wrong and you fail to return and are lost forever... unless you get your coordinates checked. If you don't want your coordinates check, you can take another Scare and lower your confidence level by one point.

Somehow they'd made it, but just as with the time before and with Oasis Hold, even getting back to Western Weyr came with it's troubles. This time they didn't time it by accident at least, but they both appeared white as sheets, or rather Cucuaranath's eyes matched X'ael's skin when they arrived above the Bowl. All that mattered was they were home but really, there was no way they'd really 'succeeded' in any sense of the word.

An underlying desire to curl up and ignore the rest of the Weyr for the day bubbled into his mind from deep within his dragon's hearts but they still had a bit more to do. For one thing, he needed washed and oiled, but despite being shaken at least they were still alive to do that.

A terror was fully instilled in their hearts though, one that likely would never leave.  

[dawns_aura]

M'ika and Green Pallath



Stats
Distraction/Intensity: 4
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 3
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 3


Sevenday 1 : Grid 1
1. Western Hold (11)
2. Solace Hold
3. Black Sand Hold
4. White Cliff Weyrhold
5. Western Weyr

M'ika and Pallath were calm. Confident. They knew what they were doing. They had studied and trained hard, and Pallath was literally born for this. But it couldn't hurt to re-check their gear once more, just to make sure they were perfect.


No need to fuss. Let's show everyone what we can do.


He placed a hand on her neck. Steadying. Reassuring. Taking the confidence she had in them, and internalising it. Being able to show it to everyone.


Alright, girly...Western Hold is the destination, let's go.

Quote:

7-20: Success! You made it through with flying colors! This is easy-peasy and nothing is going to stop you now! You're a wizard dragonrider, Harry!

The trip Between was flawless. The darkness and cold enveloped them and one, two, three... they emerged into the bright sunshine in the skies above the hold.


Did you truly ever have any doubt?

One good jump. Let's not let this success get to our heads shall we? There is more to come... But good job. You were perfect.

 

[dawns_aura]

M'ika and Green Pallath



Stats
Distraction/Intensity: 4
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 3
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 3


Sevenday 1 : Grid 1
1. Western Hold (11)
2. Solace Hold ( cool
3. Black Sand Hold
4. White Cliff Weyrhold
5. Western Weyr

The next location was Solace Hold. Simple enough. He had studied well, learning the coordinates and landmarks they were expected to know. His time on the streets served him well.

Well, let's see if you can do it again Girly. Here's the next desitnation.

Pallath simply snorted. This wasn't a difficult thing.Just watch.

Quote:

7-20: Success! You made it through with flying colors! This is easy-peasy and nothing is going to stop you now! You're a wizard dragonrider, Harry!

Another textbook jump. They were perfect. This was no trouble at all. This is what they were born to do.

 

[dawns_aura]

M'ika and Green Pallath



Stats
Distraction/Intensity: 4
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 3
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 3


Sevenday 1 : Grid 1
1. Western Hold (11)
2. Solace Hold ( cool
3. Black Sand Hold (1)
4. White Cliff Weyrhold
5. Western Weyr


They were riding high. So far each Jump had been perfectly executed. Flawless. Nothing could go wrong for them.

Quote:

1. You failed. Somewhere along the way, you absolutely botched this jump. You go Between but find that it takes a lot longer than three coughs to get out. One, two, three, four...five..!... six!! Oh shaffit all! You're stuck! You can't feel, you can't breathe, and you and your dragon start to panic. But nobody hears your cries in the cold waste of Between.

Dead.

=Alternatively= you may opt out of this tragic fate by having your weyrling double check their coordinates with an assistant. It might be shameful but better you live another day, yes?

Or so both had thought. But when it had come to the coordinates for this jump, it hadn't seemed right...Both had a feeling that something was off. M'ika double checked with an assistant before they went Between, a fortunate thing too, for he had been way off in his thinking. If he hadn't, there is no telling where they might have ended up, if not lost to the cold dark of Between. The pair shuddered briefly at the thought, before getting ready for the next jump. They would be cautious and not allow previous successes to color their judgment and affect them in this.

 

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boon: Not Used

Sevenday 2 - Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Western Hold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

8-12: Success! You manage to make the leap without any trouble! Good job! Breathe easy!

Once again Biralath and Kat'eel found themselves in the skies above Western, circling lazily as they prepared for their next route. This one would be a bit more difficult with less familiar places but Kat'eel had studied hard and felt good after their last lesson. Biralath was a bit nervous as always when something new was presented but his confidence in his rider was limitless and Kat'eel took solace in that his bronze believed in him.

Letting out a slow breath, he closed his eyes to visualize the coordinates of Courtesan Hall once more before urging Biralath Between. A soft pop, the now familiar grip of cold and silence, and then they were free. Kat'eel grinned as Biralath let out a little trumpet of delight. Getting the first one done was always a good way to build a little confidence.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boon: Not Used

Sevenday 2 - Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Western Hold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

8-12: Success! You manage to make the leap without any trouble! Good job! Breathe easy!

A well-placed jump, mine, Biralath crooned as Kat'eel chuckled, leaning down to rub his strong neck.

That was only the first jump, Bira. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but we've got a ways to go. Let's see if I can get us to Redoubt Hold. After the message he focused again on the next set of coordinates, blocking out the wind and the steady movement of Biralath beneath him. He took a deep breath before making the next jump, letting it out as they appeared over the second stop in the route. His heart beat a little faster as he realized he'd done well again and Biralath's surging happiness made him laugh softly.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boon: Not Used

Sevenday 2 - Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Western Hold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

2-4: Everyone else succeeds!

From Redoubt Hold Kat'eel and Biralath took a moment to circle above, regrouping and focusing a bit harder. This was when Kat'eel needed to be sharp and confident in his coordinates. Once he was feeling like he had them down pat he urged Biralath Between once more, and a few moments later they appeared in the skies above Paradise Falls Hold.

Well done! Biralath said with glee, pumping his wings a bit harder to bring them higher. Kat'eel was glad he was doing so well, finding that his dragon's praise was more than enough to keep him going strong.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boon: Used - Re-roll: 1

Sevenday 2 - Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Western Hold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

1: You may opt out of this tragic fate by having your weyrling double check their coordinates with an assistant. Don't let pride get in the way of living!

Hovering over Paradise Falls Hold, Kat'eel closed his eyes and tried to bring the coordinates for Sand's End Hold to the forefront of his mind. He couldn't remember the exact numbers, though, and after a few minutes of fussing with trying to drag it back to his memory, he decided it was best to double check with one of the assistants that was stationed at this particular point to assure himself that he'd get Bira there safely.

After confirming the coordinates, Kat'eel and Biralath jumped again. The hold of Between was cold and dark and oppressive and for a moment Kat'eel thought they were staying in the grips of the place too long, but finally they emerged over the hold to a sigh of relief from the rider and a reassuring croon from the bronze.  

[SilverLutz]

Using boon to re-roll.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boon: Used - Re-roll: 1

Sevenday 2 - Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Western Hold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

5-6: Mostly Success! If you have a 4 in Anxiety/Confidence, you learn a healthy dose of fear as it takes you a bit longer to appear Between. You make it (somehow) but even your dragon is spooked. You know that you almost got lost there, but somehow managed to make it through.

Relieved that they'd made it safe and sound, Kat'eel focused on the final jump. This one would take them home and they could relax for the rest of the day. He knew not to be too cocky or over-confident with the coordinates, though, especially after needing to double-check on the last jump. He closed his eyes to focus again, taking slow breaths to assure he wasn't too nervous. He had this. He knew he did. Biralath's confidence hadn't wavered yet either and it helped bring Kat'eel's back up a bit despite needing to ask on the previous jump.

Leaning on that confidence, however, seemed to be a bit of a crutch rather than a boost. This time the grip of cold and silence and the promise of death lingered on a bit too long for comfort. When Biralath finally appeared over Western Hold both he and Kat'eel were gasping for breath, their hearts hammering in unison. That had been a little too close for comfort, but they'd made it through all the same.

Sorry about that, Biralath. You did well. Let's go get something to eat and study up, Kat'eel said quietly, needing something to calm his trembling hands. It wasn't the thought of death that scared him necessarily. It was the thought of failing and taking Biralath down with him. Together they returned to the Weyr, shaken but unharmed.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boons: 0/2 not used

Sevenday 3 - Grid 3
1. Waters Edge Cothold (Cothold beholden to Black Sands Hold)
2. Oasis Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Rivercrest Hold)
3. Stoney Tower Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Redoubt Hold)
4. Green Plains Cothold (Cothold beholden to White Cliff Weyrhold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

3: Everyone else succeeds!

Kat'eel and Biralath found themselves stretching bronze wings wide over Western once more, ready to tackle the hardest route. Thankfully Kat'eel had studied hard between their last route and this one, not wanting another near-miss to happen again. He would be sure to double check any insecurity with the assistants and get help when he needed it. Biralath was nervous again but trusted Kat'eel to see them through the grips of Between.

Focusing on their first jump, Kat'eel started the route. They appeared above Water's Edge without a hiccup, a sigh of relief leaving both rider and dragon. All right.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

Distraction/Intensity: 5
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization/Visualization: 5
Anxiety/Confidence: 4
Slacker/Studious: 4

Boons: 1/2 used - Re-roll 1: 4

Sevenday 3 - Grid 3
1. Waters Edge Cothold (Cothold beholden to Black Sands Hold)
2. Oasis Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Rivercrest Hold)
3. Stoney Tower Hold (Minor Hold beholden to Redoubt Hold)
4. Green Plains Cothold (Cothold beholden to White Cliff Weyrhold)
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

4: Everyone else? You're good to go!

Together Biralath and Kat'eel circled above Water's Edge, taking their time in getting their bearings. Kat'eel was thankful for the broad wings of his bronze, allowing them to catch thermals and rise and fall without much effort. Biralath was quite large, even for a bronze, and Kat'eel was sure he'd end up pretty close to as large as one of his color could get.

Moving on to the next set of coordinates, Kat'eel focused once more. Within a few seconds they were above Oasis Hold and Biralath let out a trumpet of success. They were doing this!  

[SilverLutz]

Re-roll 1