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Post by kthehuman on Jan 6, 2013 19:26:14 GMT -5
Again Castiel considered the words of the dragon. "If it is not a thorough search of my mind, then I would gladly take part." He smiled at the dragon, then started when the cat leapt from his shoulders. He chuckled softly, amused by the cat's antics. "If you were observant enough to be able to improve the efficiency of every wing, then I do not know if you will have need of my experience. However, I would still like to study those formations. Would you mind if we went to take a look now?" He threw a questioning, curious glance in her direction.
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Post by Pocket on Jan 7, 2013 0:46:27 GMT -5
Riklith let out a soft trill, whirling eyes picking up speed. Perhaps, once we are out of this heat, then I shall.[/i] She moved away, stretching out her core body, before her giant wings fanned out. There was a bit of an air about the dragon now, excitement and a hint of determination. The golden dragon trotted in a loose circle, turning around to face her rider and their friend.
"She's excited for this, now." Haelyn smiled, shooing Chevron off her lap. The feline leapt down gracefully, turning to wait for his owner to move. "She wants to do you proud." Wiping the cat hair from her clothes, Haelyn shrugged to herself. "I'd hardly call it improving every wing. It was rather simple, watching the dragons in the wing practice flame and then rearrange them to get the highest efficiency from their sweep." It had taken some creativity on her part to get it into practice, but the pay had been worth it.
Haelyn glanced over to meet his eye, giving her knee and rub and nodding. "Sure thing. Would you prefer to walk, or take the express way?" Nodding at Riklith, the rider slowly stood from the bench, careful to test her footing. It felt sure, and she felt confident she could walk should he wish to.
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 7, 2013 1:05:08 GMT -5
Castiel grinned widely at the dragon, and stood with Haelyn. "If there is no ritual necessary prior to the search, I would gladly participate when we are out of the heat. I am excited for the experience, as well." Taking note of the caution she took with her leg, he thought she might be in pain. This in mind, he replied, "I would be fine with either. There is a popular phrase in my world, 'Ladies first,' that gives the woman the first choice. I would use this phrase here, and allow you to choose our method of travel."
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Post by Pocket on Jan 7, 2013 1:41:38 GMT -5
Nope! No ritual! Most searchdragons can scan over a crowd throroughly in a matter of moments.[/i] With a light wing extended, she raised it up skyward before pulling it down, giving both Haelyn and Castiel a bit of a breeze. It was the least she could do -- if only she'd thought of it earlier.
Huh, ladies first. It was... It was something of his world. Haelyn's eyes brightened considerably, as she smiled at the angel. "Interesting. How about we take a lift with Riklith? She loves rides." The dragon, in response, warbled louder compared to her other ranges of noises. She was still wearing her lighter saddle that Haelyn had used to get down in the first place, but it could easily seat two for the span of a few dragonlengths. Chevron trotted close to her heels as Haelyn made her way towards her dragon. She attempted to keep a normal gait, though the occasional twinge and pull made it awkward. But thankfully, there was only a few short crosses to Riklith, and the dragon had moved closer to lay as low to the ground as possible.
"You remember this, right?" She grabbed the longer support strap, glancing back at the angel and offering it out to him. "'Elbow, shoulder, saddle.' Guests first."
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 7, 2013 17:58:57 GMT -5
Castiel found, as he watched the 'rider and dragon, he was becoming quite fond of the duo. He walked to Riklith, nodding to Haelyn, "Yes, I believe I remember." He took a moment to look at the dragon's shoulder, plotting out exactly how he would move to climb her. He proceeded to climb slowly, placing hand and foot in exactly the right spot. Castiel may have been slow to climb, but no one could say he was clumsy.
He offered a hand and a smile to Haelyn, just in case she needed the assistance. "Where are we going? And will we be travelling in the cold-" he stopped for a moment, eyebrows knitted together, before he remembered the word, "between?"
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Post by Pocket on Jan 9, 2013 23:39:03 GMT -5
Sharply, Haelyn watched his moves, to his hand and foot holds, and found herself smiling. Though he had slower movements (and she wasn't one to judge on that), they were precise and on their mark. It left little doubt in her mind that, should he stand for the next clutch, he would not only find His, but make an excellent rider. Though, in the back of her mind, she still knew her duty to return the angel (as well as the rest of the strangers not of Pern) to his own world. But was it not within her duties to make the temporary stay as comfortable as possible?
The woman beamed in return, taking the offered hand and using the extra advantage to climb up carefully, settling herself in the saddle behind him. She settled both of the straps for their legs, before fastening the belt tie around her waist. "Make sure your belt's fastened." She paused, "No, no -- we'd freeze, or at least, I would." She pulled at the thin fabric that covered her arms from the hot Igen sun to prove her point. Haelyn tried to smother down the smallest bit of happiness at how quickly acclimated Castiel was becoming to their world. "You're a fast learner."
The light gold head turned, regarding them both with excited eyes. No, no Between. But I thought a loop around the Weyr bowl might be nice and cool? No desert excursions today. That last statement, it seemed, was aimed straight for her rider.
Haelyn rubbed the back of her neck, peering off to the side to glance down at Chevron. His tail twitched against the dusty weyrbowl, paw tapping slightly. "Are you coming?" The feline meowed, leaping up to Riklith's elbow before jumping into Haelyn's arms. "Yes, yes. I'd never leave you behind." The cat nestled into her arms, hiding his head in her neck. She glanced up at Castiel, as Riklith's wings spread wide, grinning. "If you're ready."
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 10, 2013 0:19:22 GMT -5
Castiel smiled in anticipation of another flight. It was much different to have another person fly for him, when he was used to flying everywhere with his own wings. Granted, these wings were not visible to humans, but he had them all the same, an extension of his Grace. Dismissing those thoughts, he decided that he was glad they weren't going between; it would give him a chance to have a better look at the surrounding area.
He beamed when Haelyn said that he was a fast learner. "I do not always learn quickly. Especially when it comes to...social nuances." He smiled back at her, "I am ready, yes," then turned his attention to her dragon, "but what do you mean by 'no more desert excursions,' Riklith?" He tilted his head to one side, curious as to her meaning.
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Post by Pocket on Jan 10, 2013 10:18:58 GMT -5
"Some of us learn matters at different paces," Haelyn remarked, off-handedly. Cradling Chevron close to her, with her free hand she reached to her side to hang onto one of the straps by her hip. "For learning a new culture, you're catching on pretty well."
Large wingsails flexed and flapped, sending a small dustroll across the ground. She took off with a hop-step, powerful wings flexing and helping to push them off the ground. Catching some of the higher thermals that swirled over mid-level of the Weyr, Riklith climbed higher into the air easily, keeping a steady, almost-slow pace. We have been spending much of our time as of late in the desert, between sweeps for other lost, as well as for any signs of what may have brought you all here.[/i] The dragon paused, spreading her wings to the fullest to catch a backdraft that allowed for her to rise above the Weyr.
Haelyn allowed herself to relax into the feel of the wind, relying on Riklith to keep them safe. It was cooling, most definitely -- a needed relief from the heat of today. Though, they wouldn't be able to stay this much closer to the sun without consequence. She trusted Riklith, however, and let herself relax (as much as one can, with a feline kitten digging twenty holes into her shoulder and side can, anyway). It was hard to much else, with Igen Weyr in full view below them. "Believe it or not, Igen Weyr is actually the smallest of the Weyrs -- it's hard to believe, sometimes, but it is true."
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 10, 2013 11:53:58 GMT -5
Castiel smiled back at Haelyn once more in response to her words. He gripped onto the straps tightly, in case he was caught off guard by Riklith's launch. "In that case, Riklith, I am glad that you have been on these excursions. Else we may never have arrived at the Weyr." He paused a moment, thinking, and relishing the cool breeze. The intense sense of relief it brought was nearly overwhelming. "I was actually unaware," he called back to Haelyn, "that there were other Weyrs. How many more are there?" As he looked over the expanse of the land, Castiel thought of something else. "Exactly how many of the lost are there? I must say, I have only seen those that arrived with me."
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Post by Pocket on Jan 12, 2013 20:21:03 GMT -5
As am I![/i] Her wingbeats slowed down, shifting midair to allow them to hover over the Weyr. Even though it was midday and not a lot of activity was to be had around the Weyr, it was still a sight to behold. It made the pair beam silently with pride of their home, as Riklith gently flexed her wings, starting a gradual descent back to the ground.
Haelyn nodded, readjusting her grip on the strap as she held Chevron closer. The feline, sensing they were starting to descent, peeked curiously from the safety of the rider's neck. "There's actually five others Weyrs besides Igen -- the northern continent has five Weyrs, and one is located in the south." She paused, thinking over the various scrolls she had within her personal weyr. "I believe I have a map still that I could show you." Riklith had slowed further as they reentered the Weyr bowl, winging gently towards one of the lower personal Weyrs to the side. She folded her wings delicately as she landed, eyes whirling at her rider as she began to disengage herself from the saddle. "As far as I know, there are now eight lost. But, like you, I have not had the chance to meet the others."
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 13, 2013 8:28:26 GMT -5
Castiel took great pleasure in the relaxing descent to the living quarters of the dragon and 'rider. Once they landed, Castiel realized that he still hadn't answered Haelyn. "There are five other weyrs?" he paused with uncertainty, thinking quickly. "How many dragons are there, then?" Certainly there were many, many more than there had ever been on Earth. The population of Earth-dragons was always fairly small, each one living mostly on its own.
After Haelyn had dismounted, Castiel followed, keeping his descent slow so as not to misstep. When he reached the ground, he patted Riklith and said, "Thank you, Riklith, for the honor of allowing me to ride." He smiled brightly into her eye, then turned to Haelyn. "I would love to see a map of the planet. I wish to know as much as I can about Pern." He thought for a moment more on the situation with the others who were lost. "Should we arrange a meeting of lost? Or do you think that would become...hectic? Each of us being from our own realities, that is."
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Post by Pocket on Jan 15, 2013 22:46:54 GMT -5
"Roughly a few hundred each, at least." A smile flit over the goldrider's face as her arms loosened, allowing Chevron the room to transition up to Haelyn's shoulders as she watched his careful dismount. "Each Weyr has a large territory to protect, and a good part of the dragon populace lacks enough stamina to endure an entire Fall. So a lot of dragons are needed to protect the planet." She stood back, pausing as she observed the moment between her dragon and her friend, and couldn't help the easy smile at the duo.
Riklith trilled, eyes whirling a bright whirlwind as she eyed the angel. The honor was mine.[/i] She nosed his shoulder gently, before raising her head to allow Haelyn room to remove the straps from her saddle. Quick fingers unlatched the numerous straps that held it in place quickly, giving her neck a gentle scritch before moving to place the saddle with the rest of her riding gear.
"I should have a map, somewhere." Haelyn called over her shoulder, before shutting away the gear. Her weyr was surprisingly kept, only a few loose scrolls lay across her desk containing some notes from the last councilmeeting. "Forgive me for the mess, I haven't had much time for, well, cleaning." The few scrolls were quickly rewound, before finding a home within the shelf closest to her desk. "It definitely would not be a bad thing to consider. I can bring it up at the next council meeting." Which, they had been having a lot of since Nocta had found that first man out in the desert. The council had almost squarely landed the entire mess on their shoulders -- after all, they had found the lost.
She tugged two scrolls from the shelf, nodding at the small dragon silhouette etched into the end of the parchment before unfurling one to blossom into an arrangement of symbols and notes that fanned out. Small names were etched beneath the symbols. "These are the old wing plans from a few turns ago. The other scroll is some of the different formations to potentially implement -- there's a few."
She smoothed the parchment down across her desk, before waving him over. "The symbol key is pretty easy, once you get used to it. I certainly don't expect you to reconize dragons by name, you can forgo those. But the symbols represent different colored dragons, and the color generally dictates about the rough size of the dragon." Glancing up, Haelyn paused for the briefest moment. "Have you noticed the size-to-color pattern?"
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 16, 2013 10:26:50 GMT -5
Roughly a few hundred dragons in each of the six Weyrs. At least. "That is a daunting number of dragons," Castiel said, trying to visualize them in the sky. He frowned for a moment, brows furrowing slightly, when he found that he couldn't. When Riklith interrupted his thoughts, though, he looked back into her whirling eyes, beaming. As Haelyn approached the desk area, apologizing for clutter, Castiel took his time to stand in the middle of the room and examine everything. It was much different that the motel rooms he was used to frequenting with Dean and Sam, especially with the wooden walls. The furniture appeared to be of a much finer quality, as well. And, most notably, the only "mess" in sight were the few scrolls left on the desk that Haelyn was already putting away. Castiel did not believe that they had fast food restaurants on Pern. He found himself slightly disappointed at that thought, realizing he may not have a hamburger for a very long time. "Believe me, this room is not a mess," he said with a smirk.
He then approached Haelyn at the desk, as she was pulling out a scroll for him. He studied the scroll intensely as she explained the symbols to him. She was right, it was fairly simple. He only had to get used to the system. When she asked about the colors and sizes of dragons, Castiel had to think for a moment. "I suppose I did realize that many of the dragons were fairly small when compared to others, though I am not sure what color has to do with it." He gave Haelyn a look that clearly conveyed his curiosity towards the relationship, brows furrowing, head tilted, and lips slightly pursed.
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Post by Pocket on Jan 17, 2013 23:48:07 GMT -5
It could be quite a daunting visual image, now that Haelyn thought about it. Especially for one who wasn't used to dragons -- or, perhaps, as she thought back to the conversations in the Igen desert, friendly. It was challenging to wrap her mind around a dragon that was not bound to a rider, but was also lethal in it's elder years past hatching. It was.. unsettling, to say the very least. She hid a smile at the dismissal of the state of her room, and focused at explaining the layout of the maps, as well as the color system.
"Its a natural size-color ratio, that's been there since the olden days. It applies to all dragons, firelizards, and whers. There are five colors; gold, bronze, brown, blue, and green, and their size ranks in that exact order." Haelyn gestured behind her, towards Riklith. "Golds are the largest of the five, bronzes being not much shorter than them. Browns are mid-ranged, with blues and greens falling on the shorter side."
"You wanted a map, as well, correct?" The question was more rhetorical, as she moved to shuffle through the scrolls of paper. It took a few tries, but she finally successfully pulled a weathered copy from one of the lower shelves. "Here we are--" She unrolled it, setting it on top of the Fall coordinations. "This is a pretty easy key, as well." There were three different designations between Weyrs, Holds and Halls.
"The main five Weyrs; Fort, Benden, High Reaches, Ista, and Igen," she pointed to each Weyr as it lay on the map. "Have been settled for many Turns now. The sixth," she pointed down at the sketched out southern continent. "is Southern Weyr, and has only been repopulated for not too long. The Holds are large settlements, if you will. Large encampments without dragons, and are usually not etched into cliffsides. Halls are specialized trades, such as weaving, mining, or fishing." She pointed to Big Bay Sea Hold with a small, fond smile. Her gaze flicked up to study his face, making sure he was following along alright. "These dash lines," Her finger trailed through the dividing lines through the territory. "are the divisions between Weyr coverage--what each Weyr lays claim to, so to speak."
The gold rider stood a little straighter, shifting her footing minorly before giving the angel a smile. "I hope it's not terribly difficult to understand. You're more than welcome to borrow these, and any other document I own, to study as long as you like, so long as they come back in one piece." Scratching Chevron under his chin, she thought for a moment, eyes scanning the map spread across the desk. If her eyes lingered in the space of Igen desert for a moment or two, well, that was her business. "Do you have any questions? Or is there something else I could explain?"
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Post by kthehuman on Jan 18, 2013 14:37:35 GMT -5
Castiel listened carefully to her descriptions of the various dragons. It did not appear to be very complicated system; surely he would remember without difficulty. "Yes, I did want to see a map of Pern." He wondered how large it was in comparison to Earth. When Haelyn began pointing out various Weyrs and Holds, however, he knew he would have to study the names and locations to get them right. Then he realized that there was a vast majority of space in the Southern continent that was unmapped. His head tilted, wondering at this. Surely they could map it quite easily by dragonback. Then he noticed that the drawing did not suggest that the two oceans met, and he wondered if there were any continents on the planet that went unknown by the humans of Pern. He dismissed this for now, other important matters attracting his immediate attention.
He eyed the cat for a moment, eyes narrowed. One could never know what cats were thinking - not even an angel. Then he turned to her to answer her question. "It seems fairly simple, though I believe I will need to keep the map for a while if I am to remember the names of each Weyr and Hold." He gave a small smile, "For the time being, I have no further questions."
He then turned and walked slowly toward the dragon. "However, I am very interested in this...Searching process. May we proceed with that?"
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