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

[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:

3: Everyone else succeeds!

Rubbing his hands along his thighs to get the sweat off them, Kat'eel gazed down at the Hold as Biralath circled above. He watched a few others in his class appear and disappear in various states of nerves and he let his own settle before jumping again. He pictured the coordinates clearly before they made the leap and Between only held them for a few moments before they appeared over Stoney Tower Hold.

Well done, mine! Biralath said fondly, brushing against Kat'eel's mind with his own. The more jumps they succeeded on the more his confidence grew, bolstering Kat'eel as well. Their scare on the last jump from the last circuit had shaken them both, but hopefully they could finish this one strong and keep their spirits high.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

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

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

Holding out over Stoney Tower Hold for a few minutes, Kat'eel focused hard on the next jump. Green Plains Cothold was small and one of the coordinates he'd struggled with a bit, but all those extra hours of studying had burned the numbers into his mind. It was with a little surge of confidence that he urged Biralath into the next blink Between, and when they emerged on the other side without a hitch they both gave a laugh (or a trumpet in Biralath's case) of relief and victory. Their combined confidence surged through them and Biralath did a slow barrel roll in happiness. They had one more jump to go and then they were home.  

[Meepfur]

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

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

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!

Today was a Big Day. Weyrlinghood was, more or less, a series of Big Days, but out of all of the milestones thus far, this felt like the riskiest. Naturally, Tierboskath was not a fan, but he knew that this was a necessary step - not that he was at all eager to get any closer to fighting Thread, but instinct and duty demanded it, so here they were. Rio, at least, was looking forward to it; not that he relished danger to any degree, but he wanted to finally be useful after so long having to stand by while others fought. He was still cautious, though, well aware of all the risks, and had been sure to pay careful attention and devote adequate time to studying.

Getting any of this wrong was not an option. Shall we? he asked his blue.

If we must, Tierboskath answered, accepting the coordinates His gave him and making the jump.  

[SilverLutz]

Kat'eel of Bronze Biralath

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

"All right, Kat," Kat'eel murmured to himself as he settled back down in his saddle. This was the jump that had startled them last time. He needed to focus - home was home, but being lazy now wouldn't help them at all. He spent a few extra moments envisioning the coordinates before they blinked Between again. This time they emerged just when Kat'eel thought they would, soaring over Western with a loud enough trumpet to startle the wherries nesting nearby. They'd take this victory and ride it until the next and final route.  

[Meepfur]

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

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

Quote:

3-6: Mostly success! Some potential failure!

If this is your first roll for this circuit, and you have an anxiety level of 1 or 2, you find yourself in dire straits and panicking during your first jump. If you have a 2, you make it out, though it certainly took a lot longer and you're now feeling extra-stressed about this entire affair. If you had a 1, you get lost forever... unless you get your coordinates double-checked.

If this is your fourth or fifth roll for this circuit, and you have a confidence level of 4 or 5, a distraction level of 1 or 2, a Visualization of 1 you find yourself struggling and in need of assistance! If you don't take it or get it, you'll fail your trip Between and wind up lost forever. Whoops!

With Western Hold achieved, Rio and Tierboskath both felt a small sense of triumph: one down in this circuit, four more to go! They took a bit of time for themselves, both to savor the (admittedly fairly small) accomplishment and to make sure they were properly oriented and prepared. Solace was next...and there! Not a problem at all.  

[Meepfur]

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

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

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!

Black Sand was soon below them, and a beautiful and welcome sight! It was somewhere the pair would certainly have loved to linger and enjoy, but alas, this was time for work, not play. Another time, once they'd graduated, they'd have to take some time to truly enjoy such a locale - ideally in good company - but in the meantime, they had things to do.  

[Meepfur]

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

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

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

For all of Tierboskath's reluctance about this exercise, it was going quite well! White Cliff meant they were one step closer to being finished with this circuit, and he'd be quite happy for that! Your studies have been well-spent, Mine. Shall we head for home?  

[Meepfur]

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

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

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!

Home, and without incident! Tierboskath celebrated with a bugle and a flourish as they landed, striking a pose with wings flared. He and His had been perfect, absolutely perfect! Papa Orioth was sure to be proud, the adolescent blue was quite certain.  

[Meepfur]

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

Sevenday 2: Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

5-6: Mostly Success!

If you have a a 3 or lower in Anxiety/Confidence 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 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. For the rest of your rolls on this grid, your Anxiety/Confidence score is down TWO points.

After they'd done so well in their prior efforts, Tierboskath was feeling a bit better than he had going into their initial solo rounds; not that he'd lacked confidence in His, certainly not, but risk to life and limb in general just did not sit well with the blue. Perhaps it was a sliver of that, along with talk of some of the scares and close calls over the previous sevenday, that gave the pair pause when it came time to head to the Courtesan Hall.

As neither was too proud to ask for help or reassurance, especially when the stakes were so high, Rio erred on the side of caution. Ask Orioth for the coordinates, would you? Something just doesn't feel right.

Better safe than sorry! They might not be the picture of perfection this time, but at least they'd arrive at the Hall intact.  

[Uta]

Kiri & green Felisath


1. Western Hold: 2 - Overconfident (5) - Required Assistance
2. Solace Hold:
3. Black Sand Hold:
4. White Cliff Weyrhold:

Kiri had been enjoying her newfound freedom with Felisath. Flying had come relatively easy, and the brown-haired woman absolutely relished the rush of flight. Wheeling, diving, soaring over the Weyr, catching thermals and drafts, fighting a gust, or letting it throw them through the sky was amazing. Flight was one of the few times that Felisath seemed to really come out of her shell--especially when it was just the two of them. High up in the sky, her darling green didn't have to worry about anyone, or anything--it could just be the two of them together, no boys to think about, no fears to grip her hearts, or pining to keep hidden. High up in the sky, they were truly free...

But such mastery came with a price. For Between lessons came far too quickly, and while Kiri had studied diligently, and while they practiced jumping using shared coordinates--today was the first time they'd be relying fully on their own.

"Just a quick hope around Western--we'll be back before you know it!" Kiri spoke encouragingly, leaning down to fondly stroke Felisath's neck. The green dragon's eyes were laced lightly with yellow, even as she stole a few glances at some of her clutchmates. The unspoken thought held between rider and dragon. Felisath dared not say it, and Kiri tried hard not to think it--but behind all her confidence, and driving her green's fear, was the knowledge that maybe--just maybe--this would be the last time they saw some of them again.

For all that Kiri tried to keep herself confident, she was painfully aware of the reality and danger. Her thoughts briefly thought of K'ell--the boy with the sad eyes who had mourned Shinnikan. While she only new him for a short-while, his loss with his brown dragon had hit her hard. He'd been one of her last connections to her lost brother--and if she and Felisath didn't do this right, they could well follow suit.

I won't let you down. Felisath spoke, trying hard to keep her fears at bay.

Of course not, love. We'll get through this together, just you and I. We'll see your sisters again soon.

And they would, wouldn't they?

The first trip would be easy, yes? Western Hold. Even as Felisath flew up, up, and up over the Weyr, the girl did her best to picture the Hold. It was a Major Hold, and she knew what it looked. Hadn't she been just studying up on this very Hold the night prior? Certain, ever so certain, she had it, she sent the coordinates to Felisath.

Ready?

Except the green wasn't ready. While some of her peers began to disappear, taking their own leap, the green hovered above Western Weyr. Are... you so sure? Came the quiet query. Felisath didn't often think twice about what Kiri said, but the green felt unsure.

Such doubt began to sink into the girl. Faranth, she hated to ask, but better be safe than sorry. Double check with Orioth, yeah? Pride cast aside, Kiri waited.

Meekly, Felisath did as she were bade, and returned with correct coordinates. Shaffit--how had she forgotten some of the Hold's most notorious landmarks? Whatever she had visualized had been a mix of Western Hold and Tillek. Not... a good start.

With the right coordinates now properly visualized, she gave Felisath the cue, and they both jumped into darkness.

One, two, three-- the sun was warmer on her back, and a bustling Hold was witnessed far below. They had made it... but Kiri's pride was a bit bruised.

- - --
Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization: 4
Anxiety/Confidence: 5
Slacker/Studiousness: 3

 

[Uta]

Kiri & green Felisath


1. Western Hold: 2 - Overconfident (5) - Required Assistance
2. Solace Hold: 11 - Success!
3. Black Sand Hold:
4. White Cliff Weyrhold:


With her confidence bruised, Kiri took her time visualizing Solace Hold. This was a place she'd never been before, outside of a Between lesson. She tried hard to make sure she was focused on their current location -- no sense letting her thoughts drift. She needed to make it clear to Felisath, to ensure they didn't wind up lost without direction or place.

I'm not afraid. The green dragon sent nothing but certainty and love to Hers. She washed away any thought or care of their earlier trouble. Just because they had needed a little correcting didn't mean they weren't capable.

Ah, her beloved green. Forever there for her. Forever believing in her--even when she'd just made a fool of herself. To Solace Hold. And in a blink, they were gone.

Thankfully, they reappeared and though the sun was now a bit lower in the sky, they waves of the ocean crashed against the shore. The Hold was in sight, ships docked at port, and relief spread through the young woman. They made it-- and all on their own this time.

So far so good.

- - --
Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization: 4
Anxiety/Confidence: 5
Slacker/Studiousness: 3

 

[Meepfur]

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

Sevenday 2: Grid 2
1. Courtesan Hall
2. Redoubt Hold
3. Paradise Falls Hold
4. Sand's End Hold
5. Western Weyr

Quote:

2-4. If this is your second or third roll, if your Exhaustion Level of 3 or higher is going to be reduced by one for the rest of your rolls. i.e. If you had them down as a 5, they are now feeling like a 4. All future rolls will be based on this number until you finish the game. If you had them as a 4, they are now down to a 3, and if you had them as a 3 they are now down to a 2. You are feeling mentally exhausted!

 

[Uta]

Kiri & green Felisath


1. Western Hold: 2 - Overconfident (5) - Required Assistance
2. Solace Hold: 11 - Success!
3. Black Sand Hold: 17 - Success!
4. White Cliff Weyrhold:
5. Western Weyr:

Black Sands Hold was next. Though Solace Hold had its beauty, the islands called to the girl. She had never been to Black Sands itself, but knew as soon as they were able, she would take Felisath to some of the more secluded islands. Perhaps she'd invite some of the girls for a day of nothing but warm water and ocean waves; or if she wanted something more gritty, could see if C'ryn wanted to scale a few hills.

Felisath gave a snort at that. Oh, come now. I can't only have lady friends who ride lady dragons. Aresoth wouldn't bother you--besides, we're due a trip back to see K'din anyway! And while that would mean another green to settle with, it would also mean being around many unfamiliar male dragons.

She felt Felisath sigh, resigned towards the idea that males would simply be part of her life no matter what she did. Still, the idea of time on the sands, with some of her most favored sisters did sound appealing--especially if they were the only ones.

Kiri gave a small grin as they circled Solace Hold. If that was what Felisath wished, then the girl would be sure to give it to her. For now, though, they still had to focus on Between. They were getting far too distracted by thoughts of good company.

To Black Sands then. With the Hold firmly in mind--and distractions kicked out--both rider and dragon took the leap into the cold of Between.

One...
Two....
Three...

Heat and humidity met them. Once again, they had managed without an issue. So she had a rough start--they had this down, didn't they?





- - --
Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization: 4
Anxiety/Confidence: 5
Slacker/Studiousness: 3

 

[Uta]

Kiri & green Felisath


1. Western Hold: 2 - Overconfident (5) - Required Assistance
2. Solace Hold: 11 - Success!
3. Black Sand Hold: 17 - Success!
4. White Cliff Weyrhold: 16 - Success!
5. Western Weyr:

Both rider and dragon took a moment to circle the beautiful Hold. The turquoise waters looked inviting, but Kiri knew they would need to wait another day. The jungles and tropical islands called to Kiri, but there were other places to go--and their lesson was far from over.

White Cliff Weyrhold was next -- another Hold Kiri was not familiar with. Having grown up on the Northern Continent, and having only spent time at Western Weyr as Candidate, meant she hadn't been too many places. With Felisath almost fully-grown though she knew it wouldn't be too much longer before they would graduate. All of Pern would be but a hop Between away.

I'll take you anywhere. The little green spoke softly, ever so tenderly.

Then let's get through this so you can be reunited with your sisters.

Another jump, and another success followed. Any bruising of her ego had been firmly dissolved.
- - --
Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization: 4
Anxiety/Confidence: 5
Slacker/Studiousness: 3

 

[Uta]

Kiri & green Felisath


1. Western Hold: 2 - Overconfident (5) - Required Assistance
2. Solace Hold: 11 - Success!
3. Black Sand Hold: 17 - Success!
4. White Cliff Weyrhold: 16 - Success!
5. Western Weyr: 18 - Success!

With White Cliff Weyrhold below them, Kiri could sense her dragon's sudden anxiiety. A watch-dragon bugled greeting, and though Felisath rumbled shyly back, the presence of so many strangers--and knowing full well the Lord Holder was a brownrider at that!-- had Felisath feeling uncomfortably out of sorts.

Kiri wouldn't draw this out. They had done it, they had finished their circuit and could return to the Weyr. Just one more leap was all they needed. One more hop.

"Come on, baby--let's go home."

Western Weyr was by far the easiest to visualize as they were able to spend so much time high up in the sky above it. Confidence renewed, Kiri sent Felisath the coordinates.

Black, Blacker, Blackest....

The nothingness was replaced by the rush of wind as Felisath bugled her joy in a rare moment of pleasure and pride. They had done it--they were home, they were safe. But Between lessons were hardly over, and Kiri knew they would only get more difficult. She'd need to mind her thoughts--but like her dragon, she was immensely pleased and proud.

Now, if only the rest of their clutchmates made it back safe and sound.
- - --
Distraction/Intensity: 3
Exhaustion/Alertness: 4
Memorization: 4
Anxiety/Confidence: 5
Slacker/Studiousness: 3