Artien is Searched (Tanner Hall; Ista Weyr) - Leona - January 15th, 2007

Courtyard

The main courtyard of the MasterTannerHall has a thriving jostling atmosphere. Doors opening onto the central area are constantly been flung opening, issuing forth crafters of all ranks. From here you can make out the the large bronze doors that lead into the main entrance of the crafthall, as well as the covered awning to the separate dining hall and kitchen complex. All about the courtyard itself are various storerooms and other workareas not in the main run of things. To one end of the yard is a fine stable for housing runners, and this lies upwind of the prevailing Igen breezes.

Leona slides down of off her lifemate's neck, chuckling to herself. "It's been a while, too long, in fact." she murmurs to herself as she heads for the entrance hall. Lakareth rumbles quietly, and the woman rolls her eyes. "You weren't complaining when I was working on those straps you're wearing. Face it, the craft was part of my life first." she says, with a snicker.

Artien is just starting to step out of the hall, his nose all ready in a book as his eyes start to flicker back and forth. There's a hint of slight annoyance on his face, "I'm never going to memorize this…" Art grumbles quietly to himself. However, something unfamiliar catches his eyes and he looks up at the brown and his rider. The apprentice stands there gawking for a moment or two before he catches himself. "Um…can I help you ma'am?"

Leona glances over at Artien, and nods. "I need to make straps for my brother's turnday. I can make passable straps, myself," and she nods at Lakareth's, "but these need to be something special. I was hoping to find someone who knows a little about dyes and such. Do you know much about dyes?" she asks, curiously. "Or straps. Or even sewing? Like I said, I can *do* it, but…" she shrugs.

Artien's eyes widen ever so slightly and he closes his book. "Straps…? I'm…an apprentice..but I'm good at dying, and I know how to sew the straps." He shifts a bit uncomfortably in his spot, letting his eyes fall to the ground, "I could get a journeyman for you?"

Leona smiles, and shakes her head absently. "Dying is good. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get a journeyman in on it too, but I don't think we need too many people involved." she says, with a nod. "It's supposed to be a surprise. His last set, two turns ago, were harper blue, but I was thinking something more along the lines of blue-green for these new ones." she adds, thoughtfully.

Artien nods slowly as he listens, shuffling a little in his spot. "Hrm…okay…do you want me to get a Journeyman then? I've some experience with straps, but it's harder with…bigger…dragons." A brief glimpce towards the brown.

Leona shakes her head, "My brother's is a green. I have the measurements around here someplace." she mutters to herself as she goes back to Lakareth and his straps, and starts rummaging through a pack fastened to them. "I… Hmm… Here we go." And she rattles off a list of measurements, beginning with "Length of 23.14 meters," and ending with, "wingspan of 38.57 meters." with every other necessary measurement in between. "I could have Lakareth summon them, but I'd rather it be a surprise."

Artien nods his head and quickly pulls out a piece of paper to write down the measurements, making sure to write every little detail down. He offers a rare smile when he finishes, "When would you like to have the straps completed, ma'am?"

Leona frowns slightly, then shrugs. "Well, his turnday was yesterday, but he was … distracted. Green dragons, you know how it is." Well, maybe not. "I'm sure he won't mind if it is a little later. I also got him some book or other that he was asking for, that should keep him happy until they're ready." she shrugs again, then blinks over at Lakareth, who is moving closer.

Artien nods his head as he writes something else, "They'll probably be finished within a few days, if not quicker. I'll try to get a Journeyman on it the first moment I bump into someone." He shifts a little, "Distracted…? I'm not…well-versed in weyrs…sorry. I was thinking about getting posted to one when I get my jouneyman's knot."

Leona shakes her head, frowning oddly at Lakareth. "His green had a flight. He's always a mess right before, and right after. I've no idea what he's like during as I try to avoid that. He's my /brother/ after all." she shrugs. Then she turns to Lakareth, and scowls. "What do you want now?" she asks aloud, of the brown. "Another one? What is up with you lately?" she mutters at her lifemate, before turning to Artien. "Lakareth wishes to know if you'd like to become more acquainted with Weyrs, and he has several questions. For instance, did you know there's a clutch on the sands at Ista? And, would you like to get a chance to see it up close, and possibly even impress?"

Artien taps his foot, crossing his arms over his chest for a moment or two. "Oh…you mean when they um…go up." Yeah, he's not very comfortable with the whole subject of mating flights. There's a curious look as his eyes flicker up, and he's off gawking again. "I…heard there was a clutch. But I…" He messes up his face in thought, "I didn't think…" He pauses again, "You mean…like a candidate?"

Leona snickers, and nods. "Exactly. When they 'go up'. Greens in particular do that fairly often." she nods. "Upsets my brother to no end. I don't think he particularly likes people at all, he's always got his nose buried in some book or other." she shrugs. "His dragon is almost his opposite, which I find rather amusing…" and then she nods at Artien, "Yes, exactly like a candidate. As a candidate, in fact." she says, with a grin, as she pulls out a white knot and offers it to her fellow tanner. "If you'll accept?" Because, of course, it is all entirely optional.

Artien nods his head again, shifting uncomfortably in his spot, not really offering anything more on the whole 'going up' thing. The offered white knot is given a thoughtful look, and he screws up his face even more. "I…" though words seem to fail him, he's never been the most talkitive guy, after all. After a moment or two, he seems to make up his mind, and reaches out to take the knot quietly.

Leona beams at Artien, then eyes Lakareth. "Look, I know, and you know I know. Let's just get this over with." she mutters at the brown, before turning to Artien. "He doesn't like to be touched, but I've convinced him to make an exception, as I do whenever we've got people to transport." Because she's in the transport wing. "So, if you're ready, I can give you a hand getting into the straps?" she offers.

Artien blinks as he looks up from staring at the white thing in his hand. It only seems to dawn on him now that he has to /ride/ on the brown, and he whitens a bit around his face. "Erm…okay…I don't like riding…" He shifts uncomfortably. "If that's any consoltation…but okay…" He shifts slowly towards the brown, still looking just a little blanchy. "Let's just get it over with."

Leona smiles at Artien, and shakes her head. "Lakareth hasn't lost anyone yet. Trust me, you'll be fine." she says, tugging on a strip of leather on the straps, pulling a little leather ladder down. And try saying that five times fast! "I made this because my daughter wanted to come for rides. She's nearly twelve now." she adds, with a smile.

Artien nods his head slowly as he starts to climb up the steps to and seating himself on the brown's back. "Sorry." He murmers quietly, ducking his head. "Doesn't stop my stomach from revolting. I'll feel better when we're back on the ground…"

Leona climbs up, then leans over and makes sure Artien is buckled in securely, before seating herself, buckles and all, and giving Lakareth the command to rise. "I've told him to take it easy, just try to relax." she says, as the brown launches into the air.

Sky over MasterTannerHall

The vista from over the Tanner Hall is magnificent. Below, the main buildings of the complex lie scattered about a central courtyard. Small figures scurry to and fro between the buildings. Further out, the patchwork fields and gullys of Keroon's rich farmlands stretch as far as the eye can see, eventualy leading to rivers, small rock outcroppings and for the very keen of sight the ocean to the south. The odd noxious odours from below dissapate in the rising air, leaving a fresher feeling to the sky.

Artien's nuckles turn white as he tightly grips at the straps holding him to the dragon. He doesn't speak, or even open his mouth, he just gives a quick nod in reply.

Leona warns Artien, "It's about to get very dark, and very cold, but we'll be out of it in the time it takes to cough three times." she shouts to be heard over the wind, trying to be reassuring. And then, between they go.

Lakareth suddenly disappears -=* BETWEEN *=-

Between

Darkness and cold like you can't imagine. Nothing to see, feel or hear, except the beating of your heart.

<LUB> <DUB>

<LUB> <DUB>

<LUB> <DUB>

Then, as suddenly as you entered the emptiness…

Ista Weyr: Southeast Sky

Above, the sky is a neverending canvas of blue - mixed with grey and white as the weather changes - but below, the view is just as breathtakingly stunning: Ista Weyr and her environs spreading out in rocky crevices and great peaks. Patches of greenery interrupt volcanic stone, jungles and areas of growth startling in contrast to that - and the great, blue waters that spread further away, against sable sands, visible thanks to the collapse of one wall of the bowl. To the northwest, the further curve of the bowl is visible, whilst beaches and forest spread to the southeast

The weyr walls rise up to the sky, the pock-marks of ledges and personal weyrs beyond visible about all sides of the great caldera. Nearest to the bowl floor are the ramps to the ground weyrs, and the larger entrances to caverns - not to mention the smaller area of the training grounds. Ista's Star Stones, a remnant of times past, sit high against the bowl wall: a sentinal against the peaks of the Weyr.

Lakareth suddenly reappears from -=* BETWEEN *=-

Leona shouts back to Artien, "You okay back there? We'll be landing soon, nothing to worry about." and then she gives Lakareth the signal to land in the bowl.

Ista Weyr: Southern Bowl

Compared to that of other weyrs, Ista's bowl is small, and incomplete - northwards, one wall was blown clear away several millenia ago, leaving the view clear towards the plateau, the jungles, and the ocean beyond that. Somewhat elliptical, the breadth of the bowl seems to run Northwest to Southeast, the bustling epicentre of the weyr being here, towards the southwest. Several large entrances have been dug into the great bowl walls here - north east are the hatching grounds, south the Living Caverns, these being the two largest caverns in the weyr.

To the east, a small entrance leads in to the ground weyrs - the ledges of these line the bowl wall above, often filled with dragons of gold or bronze; westwards is another ledge, but with a staircase built into the wall, allowing access to the Sable Sands. The infirmary is located towards the southwest.

Artien is still gripping the straps tightly at this point. At one point or another, the crafter had shut his eyes rather tightly, though as they start moving to land, he manages to peek open an eye, to see if it's safe yet. There's a quiet sigh in relief and he seems to relax just a bit in his seat.

Lakareth wings in for a landing, his grace in the air immediately vanishing upon contact with the ground, as he begins to limp again. Leona unbuckles herself, then turns around to unbuckle Artien as well. "See, that wasn't so bad now, was it? We're safe now, back on land. The barracks are just through there," she points to the living cavern to the south, "Not far at all." and then she swings down, and offers to assist Artien in getting down as well.

Artien seems to be thankful as his feet touch ground again, bending over to try and get his stomach to settle. "I hate flying…" he murmers quietly under his breath. He finally rights himself after a few minutes, still looking a litle queasy, but not worse for the wear. "Err…yes…thanks. I'll find my way."

Leona smiles, and shakes her head. "You're on land now, safe, though you're always safe with Lakareth. And with any dragon. Never known one to drop anyone yet." she shrugs slightly, then says, "I'll come with you to the barracks anyway, as it's part of a searchrider's duty to see the candidates settled in. I should also explain a few of the rules once we get there, as well."

Artien nods his head slowly, rubbing at his head slowly with his hands. "My stomach just doesn't agree with it…" He murmers quietly, turning towards Leona, "Lead on then, ma'am. I'll be thankful to lie down a bit after the ride."

Leona nods, and heads for the Living Caverns, glancing back to check that Artien is following before stepping through.

Artien nods his head and starts following in step behind Leona, not wanting to get lost in the unfamiliar place.

Ista Weyr: Candidate Barracks

Rows and rows of cots fill the length of this room, which is far too big for the amount of candidates that Ista commonly hosts - it's a remnant from turns gone by, when space for up to eighty candidates was necessary. The cots have been pulled further apart, many discarded, which means that there is plenty of space between each of them for a press and even a small table, although it's still not the most spacious of areas - there are far more cots than could ever be needed. Boys and girls have been mostly separated, with a curtain able to be slung down between the two areas, although there's still a communal sense between the two areas.

A tunnel, kept firmly covered by a great door, leads deep into the bowels of the weyr; it's a long walk to the end, wherever it goes, and glow lamps are required for any who walk that way. The barracks themselves are well lit - glow lamps kept filled, as yet another chore for the candidates, both on and off duty. Upon one of the walls, a brilliant mural has been painted, depicting a queen and her mate, and a clutch of eggs.

Leona chuckles, and nods at the cots. "There's still plenty of free cots, as you can see. If you snore, you might want to pick one a little distance from the others, though I think you'll all be too tired to care before long. The rules are: no sex, no alcohol, behave yourself, and do your chores." she explains, nodding.

Artien pratically blushes at the rules, shifting uncomfortably in his spot, "Er…it's not any different from being an apprentice so…no problems here." He coughs quietly into his hand."

Leona nods, and snickers. "No, it isn't really. I remember being an apprentice. And a candidate. And a weyrling. My poor mate, I was barely graduated from apprentice when I was searched, and then Lakareth found me." she chuckles softly, and shakes her head.

Artien nods his head slowly as he moves to flop on a cot, laying back on it and closing his eyes, "At least I'll get to learn what weyr life is like…I've always been at home." Home being the hall, of course.

Leona grins, and nods at Artien. "Weyr life is fun. There's… well, no, the rules. But there's also… Rules again. Hmm. Well, I'm sure there's something fun to do around here! Maybe you could go help wash dragons on the beach? Only, not Lakareth, he doesn't like to be touched unless it is absolutely necessary."

Artien lifts his head up, offering a slight frown. "You'll appologize to him for me, won't you? Rules are there for a purpose, and I'm not one to break them." He gives a shrug, pushing himself into a sitting position. "I think I'll wander around a bit though."

Leona nods, and smiles at Artien. "Rules are indeed there for a reason. They can be annoying at times, but I've always tried to follow them. Even the difficult ones, like the ones that seperated me from my mate, and my ale. Set my brewing back months, that did. I brew my own prize-winning ale, named 'Tanner's Friend'." she shrugs, and heads for the door. "Feel free to wander about, don't go too far from the Weyr though. If you've got any questions about candidacy, ask a rider." she smiles, and slips out.

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