Dragonmen must fly... (First Day, Morning)

[agriasnesme]

The noonday sun slowly baked the sands of the bowl, the warmth and relative quiet of the peaceful bowl broken intermittently by the bustle of the workers that had been here for Pern knows how long, or the cries of their burdenbeasts. With no warning, two small shapes filled the empty air directly above the center of the bowl, chittering madly. Joined quickly by their kin, the activity dropped off before the fire lizards disappeared between once more, and the bowl was overflown by the shadows of the Weyr's new occupants.

Fifteen dragons, a full wing, met the sands and at their head, the large bronze Lecarth canted his head back and nuzzled at his Rider's leg. The blonde man smiled softly and stroked his dragon's snout as he looked around the Weyr.

"Well, it certainly looks newer than Eastern, doesn't it, Lecarth?"

Doesn't smell like home. I'll go find my weyr.

With a laugh, J'tan dismounted his dragon and patted him down lightly, letting him take wing again before turning and issuing orders to those around him.

"Eastern wing! You know what your orders are. I want everyone to get settled in, we have a Hatching soon, and we need to fill it. I want everyone to Search at least one candidate before those eggs are ready. I want everyone back here and awake by morning for drills. Until then, Search or stay, you've got your free time."

Without waiting to see if his orders were followed, he turned about and smiled as he felt the satisfaction of his partner over their bond.

They gave me fluffy pillows. Why didn't I get fluffy pillows at home?[/b]

You did get fluffy pillows at Eastern. You just tore them all to shreds when your hide got itchy, you deadglow.[/u]

They should have made them fluffier, then. I like our weyr.[/b]

I'm glad you like it, but get down here. We need to go Search for candidates. Any ideas where you'd like to begin?[/u]

Can we go to the place with the fat wherries? I'm hungry.

With a laugh, J'tan stepped aside to watch his Wingriders make their way to their own duties, waiting for Lecarth to make his usual lethargic arrival at his partner's side. With a graceful thump, the dragon landed, and J'tan smiled softly.

"Come on, Lecarth. Lead's start with Crelek today."[/color]

[Lilacdew]

Noon. Glorious, wonderful and warm. M'tak glanced back as his wing came out of Between in perfect formation. He nodded in approval before pumping the sign that everyone was to land.

'Zanylth, let everyone know please? We are landing. Supplies should have arrived ahead of us as we all went over before we left, but I want this to be efficient as possible.'

Of course, Mickmine. Everyone understands and are landing now.

M'tak nodded, looking down at the fireheights with an approving nod before his wing flew over to the Weyrbowl, winging in with the same efficiency as they had arrived in. That was when the bronzerider blinked, 'Zanylth..is that..?'

'Eastern's wing? Yes. They arrived before us.

I understand. Lets land and get this show on the road. I am not looking forward to dealing with them, but we'll make the best of it. Give the order to land.''



Done

'Thank you.'


With that, Zanylth backwinged, leading the full wing of dragons behind him into a stunning landing upon the Weyrbowl. Riders began dismounting, pulling what bags they had from their dragons as M'tak hopped off his oversized bronze, "Alright people. I want that all placed quickly. We need to make sure everything arrived alright and that we aren't missing anything we need."

Various riders nodded and took quickly with other dragons winging back into the air to head for their respective weyrs. M'tak nodded in satisfaction, pulling his helmet off of his head. He really didn't want to deal with Eastern's riders right now.

[agriasnesme]

Jetmine, Western's wing just arrived.[/b]

J'tan sighed softly, nodding and patting Lecarth's flank, telling him to land. With a graceful thud and a gentle lean, the Rider dismounted and padded towards Western's wing. Hailing the nearest Rider, a bronzerider that had yet to dismount, his trek turned into a light jog.

"Ho, there! Which one of you is the Wingleader representing Western?"

He did not expect the glare leveled at him. Whoever this bronzerider was, he either didn't like Eastern, or he didn't like J'tan. Considering J'tan had never met the man in his life, he was betting on the first.

That made them mad, Jetmine. Want my help? He's bigger, but I bet I'm stronger.[/b]

With an inward laugh, J'tan turned to wave at Lecarth.

No, Lecarth. I'll handle it. Go make sure the wing gets settled in, and track down the supplies Eastern was supposed to send ahead of us. D'skel should be able to help.[/u][/color]

[Lilacdew]

Mickmine, that rider over there is trying to talk to one of our bronzes. He says that he's trying to find out who is Wingleader.

M'tak's head turned to glance over at the riders with interest. His brown hair was slightly mussed, which he reached up to smooth as he watched the interaction and snorted. Western...go figure. If they had just been able to back off, the drama about the ensue could have been avoided and life could have been much easier. The rider sighed, pulling the rest of the supplies he had from Zanylth's back, 'Yes, and that would be us, no? Alright, I'll deal with him. Go find a nice place to sun'

M'tak shifted from his own large bronze and patted his flank. The bronze turned his great big head to look at M'tak, nodded and took off into the air with a great pump of his tremendous wings. The rider allowed himself a brief smile before he walked over to where J'tan was and tilted his head, "I am the Wingleader of this wing. What do you need?"

His voice was to level and to the point, his gaze mimicking the same. Either way, he doubted this was going to be pretty.

[agriasnesme]

J'tan kept a level head, turning away from the glaring rider without any fuss and tilted his head respectfully towards M'tak. He wouldn't offer his hand, as his Western opposite had not extended him the courtesy, and knowing the tensions between the two Weyrs, courtesy would be a commodity not often seen for some time to come.

"J'tan, Eastern's Wingleader. I wanted to get our inevitable meeting out of the way before our wings decided to throw their discipline into the tunnels."

J'tan idly brushed a lock of his hair out of his eyes, his blonde ponytail slightly mussed from the flight, and adjusted his riding leathers as he assumed his full height. He looked M'tak in the eye and decided to offer his hand, anyway. Lecarth would be quite cross with him if he didn't extend bare courtesy.

No, I wouldn't. He's Western. I don't think his dragon likes me, either, Jetmine.[/b]

Then his dragon's a damn fool, Lecarth. You're the best dragon on Pern.[/u]

"I've issued standing orders to my wing that they're to cooperate with yours as best they are able. I don't want any trouble until after we can get this mess stowed away and put behind us."[/color]

[Lilacdew]

M'tak blinked slowly as he listened to J'tan's words. He raised a hand to the bronze nearby, and the dragon and his rider went off to their duties, confident that M'tak would handle things here. With that, M'tak shifted his gaze back to J'tan and answered in a way that nearly rebuked the other wingrider, "M'tak. Wingleader of Bivium's Wing."


They were Bivium's riders now, and he'd hold that fact proudly close to his heart that his Weyrleader trusted him enough to head off this expedition.

That's right, Mickmine. We are, and we are going to do a very good job of it.

'Yes, you're right Zanylth. But what is it about this that just makes me not want to joke around?'

It's the first day and you're dealing with someone who sounds like an all around peacemaking type. I don't really like them. Also, the others are about finished putting their things away
.
'I don't either. It's ok, Zany.' He could mentally hear his dragon snort after that comment, but M'tak returned his attention to J'tan, "Hm. We have no choice but to cooperate. But, my team is efficient. Their 'mess' is just about done, as Zanylth tells me. Also, long as you and yours do not give trouble, you won't get it. It's really quite simple."

[agriasnesme]

We don't have to worry about supplies. They're stowed where they should be.[/b]

J'tan gave M'tak a curt nod, lowering his hand and turning away. He issued a parting shot as he walked away.

"Then I'm sure we'll have no trouble, M'tak, Wingleader of Western's wing."

That went well. Are you sure you want to antagonize him?[/b]

I don't care if I do antagonize him. He tried asserting authority over me, saying he was Bivium's Wingleader. Until he flies the Weyr's queen, he has no authority over me. Besides, you're stronger than his deadglow of a bronze any day, 'Carth.[/u]

I am. Do you want me to soil his dragon's weyr?[/b]

Letting out a bark of a laugh, J'tan padded into the middle of the bowl and placed a hand at his brow to shade over his eyes.

Now that is needless antagonism. No, just come down and get me. We really do need to Search, and I want to start at Crelek. We can even get a few fat wherries for you along the way.[/u]

Oooh, food! I'm on my way.

Within a few short moments, J'tan was once again nestled at the base of Lecarth's neck, and with a swift backwing, the two were aloft and between, flying away from the Weyr and on towards their destination.[/color]

[Lilacdew]

Ooohh...I really REALLY don't like those two, Mickmine.


'I don't either, Zanylth. If he continues to think of himself as Eastern, than any posturing he does to try to play the good guy will be false and merely something to hide behind. Besides, he rose to the bait too much. Though, perhaps I pushed him too far. Oh well," M'tak sighed, running a hand over his face before looking up at where his Weyr was, 'Honestly, with his reaction to that, I have concerns of us making this work. Well, who knows. Maybe they'll be sincere. Maybe not. I'm going to get my job done regardless. Everyone set?"

Everyone's set. Things are positioned, supplies accounted for and men doing their best to stay out of fights.

'Good. Have them get their duties done. I hate to admit it, but we have to get Search done as well. In the meantime though, I'm going to check on the eggs. Eastern's or Western's aside, they don't deserve the antagonism and deserve every bit of good care we can provide.'

I agree. The Queens would be mad if the eggs were harmed.

'Indeed,' M'tak responded before walking towards the Sands, off to do as he said while other riders began taking off and spreading out.