[BLACKBIRDS] The Hottest Flame

[Arcane]

It's time for the Blackbirds to begin chewing firestone. How about a little bit of competition to liven this lesson up? I bet I can produce a prettier burst of flame than you.

[Dragon]

Rubiculath was always up for a challenge - at least, one where it meant showing off how amazing he was. He was clearly the most perfect specimen of dragonkin in the Weyr - nay, in the world - and he would show that with his ability to flame as much as he did with his impeccable hide and flawless figure. Preening slightly, Rubiculath arched his neck deliberately. Let the rest of the clutch marvel at his greatness! I most certainly can produce the most beauteous burst of flame of all.

[nineofswords]

Tch, Mesomelath commiserated at her rider. Bronzes always think bigger must mean better, when everybody already knows that the best things come in small packages. Come on, Br'on. Let's show these peasants what a true queen can do. She strutted up to the piles of firestone, heedless of whose turn it was actually supposed to be. I'd like to go next, she said, doing her best to look and sound as cute as she knew she was.

It was gross and annoying when she did that, in Br'on's opinion. He still hadn't decided for himself what he was doing about the whole greenrider situation (and luckily he wouldn't have to decide until her first flight, which was was dreading), and when she played up how cute she was, it was like she was rubbing it in. "Let's just get this over with," he muttered, unceremoniously shoving firestone into her mouth, thankful that at least he wouldn't have to deal with her being a clutchmom. Faranth. That would be a whole other nightmare.

Mesomelath chewed the firestone thoughtfully, swallowing and carefully considering the feeling of the rocks settling into her belly. She let out a dainty crooning noise, and then rose up onto her haunches. She threw her head back, and the croon was quickly replaced by a thin stream of fire, and she threw her wings out for added flair.

The jet of flame slowly petered out, stuttering a bit near the end as the inexperienced dragonet struggled to maintain the stream, but when she dropped back down onto all fours she radiated smugness. Ooh, that was fun! she said aloud with a giggle. Privately, to Br'on, she added, And I'd dare any one of these slugs to top THAT little show.

Br'on was torn between feeling smug himself and being embarrassed once again. He seemed to settle on smugness as he walked back towards the group. "Well, she may be green, but at least she's got style," he said to nobody in particular. If he had to have a green, at least she was the best of the best. It was only natural.

[FirebrandPhlox]

C'stanza and Ivalyth watched in awe as Mesomelath quickly produced a near perfect flame on her first try. Already C'stanza could feel his palms growing slick with sweat as the anxious thoughts flooded his head. "She's got something alright," he muttered absentmindedly.

Don't worry so much! She told her rider over their mental link. It's not like we're fighting thread right now. We're just practicing. It's okay to mess up in practice. Can't get better at something if you're afraid to fail.

C'stanza chuckled nervously. Easy for you to say. You're a dragon! You don't have to live with the memories of your mistakes for very long. I'm get stuck with my screw-ups for a lifetime.

Then let's not waste any time getting some good memories going, you dummy. The garnet strode forward to the firestone pile. Guess I'll give it a try next!

While his dragon walked with confidence, C'stanza shuffled forward with reservation. He lifted a medium sized stone from the pile and tossed it up for Ivalyth to catch, like they had practiced as candidates.

She fumbled the catch, jaws clamping a moment too late around air. Again, she said, shifting into a lower stance. C'stanza anxiously glanced at the rest of the class as he bent over and picked the stone up once more. Were they laughing at him? He couldn't register what was happening.

Eyes on me, C'stanza. I'll get it this time.

C'stanza gulped, trying to ignore the building anxiety in his chest. He again threw the stone gently in the air, and this time Ivalyth caught it and began chewing.

She swallowed the stone looking down at her torso as the stones made their way to her stomach. A moment passed, then she lifted her head. She produced a small burst of flame, along with a loud belching sound. Unrefined, and gone in an instant, it was far from the best showing of the class.

Well that wasn't my best showing, now was it? Ivalyth asked with a laugh. Guess I need to keep working on that.

She returned to the lineup, looking proud of herself, despite the abject failure her first flaming was. C'stanza joined the ranks next to her, keeping a bit more distance between himself and Ivalyth than there was before.

[Dragon]

Rubiculath bowed his head graciously. Ladies first, of course. Not that, in his opinion, greens and garnets had much claim to being ladies.

You might end up chasing some garnets, Rubiculath, Xesne pointed out. As practice.

That was true. The bronze watched the reasonable burst of flame Mesomelath let out, followed by Ivalyth's rather pitiful attempt. He, of course, would do better than either of them.

I am ready, Xesne, Rubiculath said smoothly. If he was human, he'd be giving everyone a bright, winning smile. It is time to toss the firestone.

Xesne was ready for her part. She had Rubiculath had been practicing, sort of; she'd been tossing chunks of meat for him to catch so that they would make a good showing on their 'first try' when it was time to learn to chew firestone.

She carefully picked over the pile of firestone, choosing a larger-than-middling chunk. "Here we go, Rubiculath," she said with a slight smile of her own. She took the stone, then tossed it in an arc, watching as it came down and Rubiculath caught it almost elegantly.

Rubiculath chewed deliberately, and once the stone had settled in his gut, he prepared himself to let out the perfect stream of flame. Which ... came out more of a puff of smoke. He ducked his head in exaggerated shame. Ah, well - it is practice that makes perfect, is it not?