Logs:Candidate Camp Out - The Lay of the Land
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| RL Date: 14 February, 2014 |
| Who: Ali, Zhivka, Lilah, B'rant, E'ten, Vash |
| Involves: Fort Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Candidates, residents and riders of Fort Weyr arrive at Southern for their traditional camp out, and the candidates are set the task of finding and making their camp site. |
| Where: Rocky Ridge, Southern Continent |
| When: Day 2, Month 1, Turn 34 (Interval 10) |
| Fort's morning starts as rather bleak, indeed - pre-dawn is full of cold rain and grey skies. At least there's been a day to recover from Turnover, though things aren't going back into the normal routine. The candidates are rousted early to help with packing up and hauling crates out into the bowl, which are then strapped to dragons for transport. It's exhausting work, and it's probably a relief when Ali gathers up the candidates, pointing them to select a dragon and rider to fly with. Her Isyath isn't amongst those suggested, given the queen's gravid nature - it's a wonder she has the wing-strength to launch aloft at all when everyone's finally ready to go. Between might be welcome, if just for the break from the constant drizzle, and the contrast on the other side is startling. It's light, bright and warm in Southern, and it's early enough in the day that it's a pleasant sort of warmth. One by one, the dragons land and there's more hauling work for the candidates, before - one by one - they're sent over to rest under the overhang of trees to await the arrival of their morning escorts. Any layers that once warmed Lilah at Fort Weyr have long since been stripped in the heat of the Southern atmosphere, left with her small bundle of things. She's rolled up the hems of dark pants, even, and pushed up the sleeves of a loose, dark shirt as well. It's only after she's gotten her own dismissal that she stops to take in the grasses surrounding her, keeping her own distance from the other Candidates as she instead studies her surroundings with a silent appreciation. Ginormous Rhenth is one of those transport dragons, and he takes his duty with a mix of seriousness and lightheartedness, the handsome bronze with the bent tail aiding those who load him up in whatever way possible before he fairly-wriggles in anticipation of the campout. B'rant takes the whole process in a more restrained fashion, though by the time everyone's lifemate has been /un/loaded, he too is smiling at the scene before them all. A sound clap of a hand to Rhenth's shoulder is followed by his baritone, "Good flying. We didn't spill anything." Cue a low little rumble of pleasure from the dragon, his faceted green eyes taking in the scenery and candidates even as he cautiously lowers his nose and touches it to his human's back. Zhivka really isn't much better at hauling crates than sacks of turnips but, fortunately, N'muir isn't around to tell her so. Not that there aren't others that might be just as willing. But, like always, she does her tiny darnedest and tries not to hurt herself, which is really an important sort of skill to have. When she's finally (it feels like /forever/) tagged to rest, Zhivka is only all too happy to be able to sit down and make sure none of her muscles are broken. "What /is/ it with riders and lifting heavy things?" she asks no one and anyone, probably rhetorical. There's been the looming head of Adiulth more often than not, turned in the direction of his rider while they prepare for the trip to Southern. Sacks fastened. Secured. It's a matter of succession that E'ten works under the watchful eye of bronze and a somewhat present green firelizard on his shoulder. Intent. Observant. Picking up habits from her new family, of sorts. By the time they're over Southern, there's no mistaking the satisfaction that comes over the bronze as his rider moves to dismount and lower any riding with him first before landing on the sand with a muffled thud. "At least we put the weather behind us," he calls over to B'rant with a wave before turning to see that the candidates aren't turning various shades of green. "Have you ever seen a sack of firestone?" is Lilah's answer, low humor only brushing at the edges of her words as she turns to Zhivka, measuring the distance between herself and the other Candidates before moving closer to the group, properly. "If you Impress, it's only going to get worse." She imagines, or maybe she's drawing from all of her lectures, seeing as she hasn't ever managed to Impress, either. But, as she draws closer, she stops, staring briefly at Zhivka. The thermals coming in from the distant ocean and up over rocky ridge are constant; Isyath's up there already, of course, though the sight of the egg-heavy queen is causing more than few looks. The familiar are guessing (and probably betting) it will be less than a seven before she clutches, though for now, the gold looks quite at ease despite her bulging belly. Ali's wearing a long dress, but the material is light enough that it appears suitable enough for the weather. She's crossing from the area that the residents are setting up as a makeshift kitchen, passing by B'rant with a low, "Help me wrangle the candidates?" she asks, as she's walking over in E'ten's wake to the shade. When she gets there, she clears her throat. All told, it's a fairly sizeable group, and she starts the lecture off with a recital of the dangers of southern, including felines, getting lost, dangerous food and plants to avoid, and other wild beasts. It's probably more fascinating then frightening, even if that's not her intention. "So, what we're going to do first is- wait, are there any questions?" Presumably about the dangers of Southern, and not in general. In the back, someone's muttering about weapons, and another's talking about when they get to the /fun/ part. "You are /not/ kidding..." B'rant calls over to E'ten even as he work on removing the riding saddle and harness from an obligingly-crouching Rhenth's neck. Not long after the two men exchange their words, a very light-tan brown firelizard winks into being from Between above the scene, chitters curiously, and then zips down to land upon one of Rhenth's headknobs...looking smug. B'rant only rolls his eyes at his pet as he continues to work, and when the passing Ali is acknowledged with a quick nod, he finally pulls the gear from the bronze's back with a soft oomph of sound. Rhenth looks between the sea, Adiulth, and then up at Isyath...trying to decide what he wants to do first. And then, his mind made up, the bronze paces sedately towards the ocean and immersion in it, while his lifemate hefts up his gear, walks it over to shelter under a tree...and finally joins the weyrwoman. Doo-be-doo. Zhivka purses her lips as she glances Lilah's way. She looks like she wants to say something defensive but, really, she already knows she's at a disadvantage. No sense pretending she's not. "If I Impress, it's not going to make me magically bigger or stronger." But once Ali starts talking, the little blonde stops and listens. Her listening involves looking off in the direction of the most wild-looking distance like she expects some gigantic feline to appear and eat everyone. "We're not going to die, right? No one's going to die? Has anyone died on one of these trips before?" Lilah shakes her head in silent agreement to Zhivka's assessment of the likelihood that she will get any bigger, but then the weyrwoman is speaking, and she's not rude enough to pursue the conversation while Ali talks. Instead, she listens, somewhat, though she's heard this before twice, so it's obvious she's only half paying attention. Weapons. Getting there. While E'ten may have ensured that his own hunting gear of arrows and bow were packed securely and kept separate, it doesn't mean that he's eager. Not on a trip like this, the bronze dragon lowering his head once entirely divested of his gear to peer down at his rider. A look. Before turning towards the water with a warbled joinder to the green firelizard, young as she is before even she leaves to join her siblin..larger sibling in the water happily. "Well, I know why you wanted to come," comes the mutter, bemused at his dragon before turning towards the camp and unknowingly leading the way for Ali - until he catches a glimpse of her over one shoulder. Assisting where he can after removing his riding jacket and rolling up his sleeves, the bronzerider is quite likely leaning against a tree by the time questions are called for. That may well be a sympathetic twist of lips from Ali at the overheard comment from Zhivka, even if she's glancing at the wrong girl and attributing it to the blonde next to her instead. Zhivka's question draws her gaze to the girl, now, and the junior chews her lower lip. "Uh," her gaze flickers towards E'ten briefly, then back, "No one's /died/." That is true, but the, 'Dal got shot with an arrow and nearly died!' from one of the candidates who stood last time, earns a wince. "That is why it's important you stay near the camp, or near one of the riders who can call for help if needed. You should all know B'rant, E'ten and Vash. They'll be keeping an eye on you." Congratulations, welcome to your new job: babysitting! "Now, this morning we're going to get you to select your camp site, and get set up. We'll give you some basic tools and guidance, and it's up to you if you're worried more about the rain, or the temperature as to how elaborate a shelter you want to build." B'rant's not a hunter, though he looks as though he'd be capable, and a spear is all that was loaded onto Rhenth's pack to tide him over, just in case. There's a bit of a smirk for the tree-leaning E'ten while Ali seeks to answer those various question, the one mouthy candidate's words of Dal making him roll his eyes heavenward for a moment before he dons an expressionless face for the idea of being a babysitter. A bob of head and finger-wiggling wave come when Ali mentions his name to the pack of newbs, the young man then casting a look over his shoulder to where Rhenth and Adiulth wallow in the waves. By this time, the bronzer's little brown flit is zipping and zooming about E'ten's green friend, trying to entice her into a game of some sort. One of the male candidates, Kandan, is snickering something about sharing sleeping bags with the female candidates, and the others around him jostle each other and laugh. It's apparently possible for Zhivka to look paler than she usually is. She proves it when that more experienced candidate pipes up about Dal. And she decides to not ask anymore questions. It's probably better for everyone's sanity that way. Especially hers. She eyes the riders as they're named, chewing on her lip, before her attention is shifting to the various candidates that might look like they have any idea what they're doing. Even though no one's quite doing anything just yet. There is a press of Lilah's lips together where she surpresses a smile at the other candidate's reminder of N'dalis's encounter, for all that it isn't that funny, really. But, one has to appreciate the humor at the timing of bringing that past up. "It won't be so appealing once the bugs bite your ass, Kandan," she murmurs, quietly, towards the laughing group. "We'll need to build up the shelter at least a foot to even get some relief from them." "You can scratch them for me," Kandan's quick to retort, snickering. E'ten may look as innocent as any well-meaning bronzerider. Aside from the similar smirk that tries to not be present against his features until after Ali indicates his presence as one of those in charge of keeping the candidates safe. In line. All the same as he glances towards the laughing group with one of the looks reserved for wing minding. He knows who to watch for those after hour activities. Meanwhile, Adiulth is minding the young firelizard who still remains as a new hatchling - without jostling her himself. But the green does look up, curious and trying to choose whether to go or stay. Ihvaiyth's slim form can be seen as it blinks into being far above. She takes her time spiraling down for a landing, and when she does, it's downwind. Better for everyone, since there's a clear sign of vomit down her left side. Vash is very quick to unclip her riding straps, then helps one of the two candidates she brought with. The one is just as quick to get out of there, landing on the sand and all but running toward the water so she can wash up. The second remains right where he is, his face a lighter shade of green than the dragon's hide. "Datrer puked," Vash announces before she starts gesturing for him to get down. Even Ihvaiyth cranes her head around to peer pointedly at him, her agitation obvious. "Okay, okay. Here, you," Ali points at Kandan, "Thesla, Zhivka, Lilah. You scout out somewhere to set up camp. B'rant, E'ten- make sure they don't get into trouble? The rest of you, start gathering supplies," there's groans, because /more/ carrying. But then, it could be worse, with some of the candidates snickering at Datrer. "Vash, what-?" her gaze flickers between candidate and greenrider. The area they've landed in and where the main camp is being set up is mostly flat, but further inland there's some hills and ravines both visible from here, some shaded by vegetation, others merely rocky and unwelcoming. Whatever Lilah might have in mind to counter to Kandan is held in for the moment where the weyrwoman addresses her, her gaze flicking briefly to Thesla, Kandan, and Zhivka in turn. Then dark eyes return to Kandan, and she adds a lower, dry, "No one's interested in your ass, Kandan. Either of you interested in his ass? Just so we can establish this for the rest of this trip." The question, of course, directed to the two women that are assigned with them, as she starts unerringly in a direction to scout without waiting for the others, sure of herself. Was that almost a smirk and snicker from the casual-looking B'rant at Lilah's comment to her fellow candidate? Who knows, since his head was partially turned to the ocean, though now he's looking forward again, remaining quiet as he observes what the non-riders come up with as far as ideas are concerned. Those words of the puking candidate from Vash leads the bronzer to pass a hand over his mouth to hide his little grin, which is once more snapped back to the group-at-large so he can properly answer Ali, "Yes ma'am." The dressed-down bronzer will just lean right here against 'his' tree and watch. Yep. "I'm interested in living my way through this and getting back to the Weyr with all of my limbs still attached to me." It's the simple things in life. Zhivka definitely has certain priorities. And maybe not a ton of faith in their escorts' abilities to keep them all safe. "We should set up somewhere with a lot of visibility. So nothing can sneak up on us." And eat them. It's left unsaid but it's the pretty obvious next step. Mishana, the female candidate who also accompanied Vash, slowly trudges back from the water. Her dark shirt is soaking wet, but vomit free. She glares at Datren and jogs to catch up with a group of candidates while wringing water from her shirt. Datren seems intent to stay right where he is, even after Ihvaiyth bares her teeth. Apparently not quite as put off as Mishana, Vash hauls herself back up toward the male and tugs at his waist until she can ease him down. He falls to his hands and knees and makes his way from the green, who stands rigidly still while Vash removes cargo and gear, allowing the dragon to head toward the water herself, in dire need of a bath now. "I asked if anyone was afraid of heights," Vash answers Ali, waving a hand at Datren, who still looks a little sick. "Perhaps it's less embarrassing to puke all over one's transport and travel companions than to admit to said fear. I suppose we're finding out right now." Kandan's snorting. "You're the one that keeps bringing up my ass," he says to Lilah, then dropping back to keep pace with Zhivka, says, "Did you /hear/ about the huge prowling feline last time? Apparently the candidates built a shelter and it snuck in and found the juiciest one. Of course, the riders wouldn't tell you about it because they don't want to frighten you..." a beat, then, "Maybe we should string up hammocks high in the air." "Wh- why would he want to be a dragonrider, then?" Ali asks Vash, following her gaze to the ill-looking candidate with a shake of her head. "Well, we'll see if we can find someone- uh, gentle to take him back when we go. It wouldn't be the first time we've had people uh- withdraw, after the trip." Or removed, as the case may be - there's some muttering about 'R'zi' amongst the candidates, as those remaining begin haulting poles, rope, bags and other coverings to use. Lilah shakes her head, at Kandan's suggestion, though to Zhivka she says, "This is why we're going to set up on a hill. But, we also need shelter, so we're going to use some of the vegetation to help." She illustrates this by pointing towards the one she seems to have in mind, a copse of bushes a blot on a hill that she seems to think is acceptable. She does sound like she is confident in the answer. "We're going to have to clear a wide-area of grass for a fire, but we can use the grass to weave a roof for the shelter." Zhivka shoots Kandan a glare. It's a glare with a hint of worry in it since she's not entirely sure whether or not he's telling the truth. But she's definitely not going to ask. So instead she focuses on Lilah. "/The/ shelter. There's just going to be one? For all of us?" She glances briefly back at Kandan. One can imagine she thinks he's a perfect example of why that's not the most amazing idea ever. Vash shakes her head to Ali and watches her two candidate charges go their separate ways. "When transporting animals, we would withhold their food for half a day beforehand," she shares in a helpful tone. "We could try that with him." Yeah, she's serious. "I should go scrub Ihv clean. I shall return when that is finished." And without waiting for the weyrwoman's reply, she begins to strip right then and there to her skivvies before heading toward the waiting (and now grumpy) green. "Sounds like you've a lot of idle time on your mind, to form such wild suppositions, candidate Kandan..." B'rant notes in almost casual fashion to the running mouth beyond him. "Perhaps we should find some extra things for you to do to keep you focused?" A look out to Vash in inquiring fashion soon finds him noting, "Ihvaiyth certainly wouldn't mind some help cleaning herself up, would she?" After all, there's lots of puke and exhausting work thoroughly scrubbing a grown dragon. "Easier to build one large shelter and squeeze in than to spend our time making a couple," Lilah replies in simple explanation, turning to walk towards that hill that she's picked out, expecting the others to follow. Apparently she is taking the scouting duties seriously, or just trying to show off to Ali that she can follow orders. "It'll get surprisingly cold at night, too. You won't mind sharing warmth then." Kandan startles, apparently not aware B'rant was close enough to hear. "Not so wild. I mean, we /are/ in the wild, and," he's laughing when he hears Zhivka's startlement and the look in his direction, winking. "He's not-" Ali starts to disagree with Vash, then apparently seems to think better of it, chewing her lip briefly as she watches the greenrider depart. Instead, she focuses on managing the rest of the class; once they're loaded up with equipment, they begin following in the scouting group's wake. "Yes; I think that poor Ihvaiyth deserves a thorough scrubbing. After all, it was a candidate who..." pause, smile "...dirtied her. And Vash has been working all day, already." A look to Ali is followed by a casual, "Keep in touch, okay?", the bronzer then curling his finger in a come-hither motion to Kandan. Smile. Zhivka huffs out a breath and rolls her eyes away from Kandan. "Have you... done this before? It seems like building one huge shelter would be a lot more work instead of littler groups building smaller ones. Plus, stuffing a bunch of people into one area is never a good idea." Take the candidate barracks, for instance. But instead of looking at Lilah, Zhivka's looking at B'rant for direction now. "You can set people to work in groups. A group of people weaving grass, a group putting up the poles, a group clearing out a firepit. Trust me, it's easier this way," answers Lilah, tone gone a little flat in her own sureness. "What do you think is going to happen with us all sleeping in one shelter that couldn't happen with us sleeping in separate shelters?" That question gets a quick glance over to Zhivka, searching out the answer in the other woman's expression. Kandan doesn't seem to notice B'rant's gesture, since he's poking around at the base of the hill Lilah's picked. "Looks okay. Enough foliage that you could use as cover, if it rains, and I hear it does often." Zhivka is going to take a page out of some much younger candidate's book and do the totally super mature 'I'm not listening to you' act rather than argue with Lilah. She hangs back, watching while her arms cross over her chest to really round out that look, and she lets the other candidate make all the decisions. B'rant seems to have taken the bit between his teeth, for he motions for the main group of candidates to continue their efforts at clearing away some underbrush and looking for likely firewood nearby even as he rapidly paces on very long legs over to where the others are scouting. A cursory inspection of their place is quickly followed by a clipped, "You must've not seen me, candidate Kandan. Your presence is...requested in bathing Ihvaiyth. Now." "Good. Find a place to put a firepit, if we're camping at the top of the hill," Lilah requests of Kandan, only coincidence making her words tumble out at the same time that B'rant makes his request. Unsure, her gaze lifts to the bronzerider, then flicks back to Kandan. After an awkward moment, she decides to move to climb up to the top of the hill, leaving Kandan to decide his own fate. "Who made /you/ the boss?" Kandan's retorting to Lilah. When B'rant's clipped words reach him, Kandan actually looks relieved, grinning. "Sure thing," with a triumphant glance over his shoulder at the Lilah and Zhivka both. After all, cleaning a dragon is way easier than camp-building. Even if he doesn't know the reason for dragon-washing, yet. Slowly, the main group is following up, setting their burdens down and prowling around the chosen 'camp site', some approving, others critical. Ali's bringing up the rear, exhaling then lifting her voice, "Okay. Well, looks like this is it. You have... hm, an hour until lunch, so I suggest you get working. After lunch, we'll be heading down to the beach and picking some fruits along the coastline, so you'll need to get as much of your shelter up as possible, as it'll be getting dark by the time you get back." |
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