"Probably first is learning how to take care of the dragons properly," Corey guessed. "I mean, that's what I'd do. I bet dragonets take a lot of care, and we need to be able to do that efficiently without someone else helping us all the time. We'll probably learn more about weyr life, too."

"Yeah, makes sense," Faith replied. She picked at her breakfast. She grinned a bit. "At least we weren't the only ones 'convinced' to stay with our dragons last night." She ran a hand through her hair and made a face. "I'm definitely going to take a shower after breakfast. My hair desperately needs washing."

Corey laughed. "Yeah, I know how you feel. I get the feeling we're going to be spending a lot of time with the dragonets." Not that he minded.

'I'm done eating. Where are you?' Vyren demanded.

'I'm eating, too,' Corey said. 'I'll be out there soon.'

Faith watched Corey get up.

"I take it you've been summoned," she teased. Before she could say anything else, Lapis interrupted her.

'Faith? I'm done, are you done? I missed you.'

"I wonder if all the dragonets are as clingy as Lapis is," Faith commented to Corey. "Not that I mind, but still." She directed her thoughts back to Lapis. 'I'll be there soon. I just finished, too.'

"Vyren is more demanding than clingy," Corey said with a chuckle. Many of the other newly bonded were getting up too, and a few of the older riders got up to direct the newbies.

"Alright, everyone," the female weyrleader said. "Come on, gather round. Today is going to be all about caring for your dragonet." She led them outside to where her own dragon, a very large blue and brown dragon. "First thing you need to look out for, especially as your dragon grows, are rough spots. These can get infected and be very dangerous if left untreated. Luckily, once you find one you just rub oil into the spot a few times a day for three or four days, and it goes away."

Grabbing a pot of oil, she smoothed some on her dragon's neck, showing them how to do it, while the dragon tolerated them all being close to watch.

Faith was a little wary being so close to such a large dragon, but she edged a little closer with the rest of the group. Hey, she had a healthy respect for a creature big enough to squish her without even realizing it. She listened closely as the weyrleader spoke, and kind of wished that she could take notes. She was sure she was going to forget something, with all of the information that was being given to them.

The weyrleader put the pot on the ground and motioned for them all to go look on their own dragonets.

Corey found one little spot on Vyren's underside, and used the oil to get it in there. Vyren hummed his appreciation, fanning his wings out again and just enjoying himself. This wasn't so hard.

Faith checked Lapis over, and found a little rough spot on one of her wing joints. Using a bit of the oil, she took care of the spot. Lapis seemed to enjoy it well enough, the dragonet leaned over into the touch and very nearly overbalanced. Faith didn't find any other spots, though she did keep petting Lapis for a moment.

Corey chuckled and kept petting Vyren, enjoying the bonding time. Eventually, though, they learned how else to care for their dragons, including stretching their wings. The dragons all enjoyed the lessons as well, having fun. Some of them just enjoyed the attention, while others played with their bonded.

Faith was enjoying spending the time with Lapis as much as Lapis was. The dragonet was a cuddly one, constantly trying to snuggle closer to Faith, though Faith didn't mind. She was more than happy to indulge the dragonet, petting her the way she liked.

The dragonets and the bonded were both taught for the next month, during which time the dragonets grew a lot. They even started their flying lessons, although the dragonets flew on their own several times before the bonded even got on to fly with them.

Finally, the bonded were allowed one trip back to their respective cities, to tell their parents they were still alive and well.

Lapis was now easily taller than Faith was, and Faith had to look up to talk to her. Her scales had also taken on the same blue shimmer that her egg had had, which fascinated Faith every so often.

As soon as Faith was told she would be able to go back to the city, she jumped at the chance and went to pack an overnight bag.

Almost every bonded took the chance, the ones that had come from cities anyway. Corey packed a bag so he could go, although he wasn't looking forward to it as much as the others.

One of the older dragonriders gathered them all up on the day appointed, having them all get on their dragons. It wouldn't be too long a flight for most of them, and those that were going somewhere other than the Mountain city would be separately escorted.

Once Faith was packed and had her hair tied back properly, she went out to where the other bonded were waiting. She was definitely looking forward for a visit back to the city. She missed it, and she wanted to show her parents that she was perfectly alright. It was even better that she was going back to the city on Lapis, she was sure at least her father would want to see the dragon.

The rider led the new bonded into the city on dragonback, having them land just outside the city so as not to cause a panic with the dragons.

"Alright. I want everyone back here by noon tomorrow, alright? You'll have more chances to see your friends later." He waved them off to go have fun then.

Corey didn't run off like some of the other riders did. He just stood and looked at the city for a minute with Vyren.

Faith didn't immediately run off, either, although she didn't linger as long as Corey did.

"I'll be back before you know it," she said softly to Lapis. Lapis nuzzled her, nearly knocking her off her feet, and she rubbed the dragonet's head. "Really, I will."

'I'll still miss you,' Lapis said.

"You miss me every time I'm gone for more than a minute," Faith teased.

'There's nothing wrong with that,' Lapis pointed out.

"You're right," Faith said. Gently, she pushed away from Lapis. "I'll be back." The dragon pouted a bit, but settled down to wait.

Eventually Corey left with a sigh, heading off towards the small apartment he'd shared with his older sister, wondering if she'd managed to keep it or not.

"Sis? I'm back," he called.

"Where've you been?" she called from her room, her words slurring a little.

"At the weyr, remember? I was chosen to be bonded with a dragon," Corey said quietly, stopping in her bedroom door. She looked just the same; pretty, but a little sloppy, and half drunk all the time.

"Oh."

It didn't take Faith long to get back to her parents' place. Digging her key out of her bag, she let herself in.

"Hello?" she called. There was a split second of silence, and then--

"Faith?!"

Her mother came running out the next room and swept her into a hug. Her father was a split second behind her mother.

"Faith, you're back!"

"What are you doing home?" her father asked. "Are you staying?"

"I'm just here for today," Faith replied. "They're taking us back to the weyr tomorrow."

"What're you doing back, is it not working out?"

"No, it's been great!" Faith replied. "Better than great." She grinned. "Come on, get your shoes on, I want you to meet Lapis."

"Lapis?" her mother asked, confused. Faith grinned more.

"My dragon."

Corey sighed when he looked over and found the mound of dishes in the sink. "Cassie, have you been taking care of yourself at all?"

"I've done the dishes and the laundry a couple times," Cassie grumbled. "What're you doing back, anyway?"

"I'm allowed to come visit."

"Oh, so I'm just an obligation now?" Cassie got to her feet, wobbling a little.

"No, of course not," Corey said, walking over to her and helping her up. "Of course not, Cassie." He sighed. "Come on, Cassie. You're drunk. You should lay down."

Cassie wobbled again and ended up half-falling back on her bed. "Thought you weren't coming back," she mumbled.

Corey sighed and didn't reply, just making sure she was comfortable.

Faith chatted animatedly with her parents as they left the house and started towards the edge of town. It wasn't all that far, so they didn't bother taking a car. Faith wasn't sure whether or not she was glad they didn't take the car. Something about being back in the city seemed... different, and not necessarily in a good way. Something about the air itself seemed kind of wrong, and it took her a while to figure out that the city air wasn't as clean as it was out by the weyr. She'd never noticed it before.

Corey did some grocery shopping for his sister and cooked dinner for her, spending most of his time sitting next to her bed just talking to her. He made sure she ate and was well rested. The buzzing of the city bothered him, made it hard for him to relax. And to think, he used to enjoy it.

After cleaning up the kitchen and throwing out the trash, as well as the numerous empty bottles of alcohol, Corey went back to his old room, falling in bed to rest.

As they got closer to the edge of town, Faith's mother started to slow down. She seemed more and more reluctant to go as they traveled. Finally, Faith noticed.

"Mom?" she asked. Her mother hesitated, and then shook her head.

"I can't, I'm sorry..." her mother said. "I... don't like dragons much." Faith blinked. Somehow, that made sense. Her mother wasn't all that enthusiastic about Faith going to live at the weyr, and now it made sense. Faith stopped walking.

"Okay," she said. "We don't have to go, then." She was a bit disappointed, but she didn't want to make her parents uncomfortable. Some people were afraid of dragons, that was alright. "Then how about we go out, get something to eat, and then head back home?"

"I like that plan better," her mother admitted.

Later that night, Faith settled in to sleep.

'Faith?' Lapis said quietly. 'Are you still awake? I miss you.'

'I'll come back in the morning,' Faith promised. 'Have you been alright all day?'

'I was bored,' Lapis admitted. 'And I missed you.'

Corey rose early the next morning, as he was used to. Even before he'd gone to the weyr he'd always been an early riser. Now he even had things to do in the morning.

He hesitated in his sister's doorway, looking in at her, before he shook his head. She was asleep, and she'd be hung over when she woke up, so he wasn't going to wake her up.

So he left without a word, making the trek back to the dragons silently. People parted for him now, looking at the badge on his shoulder and murmuring among themselves.

By the time he got to Vyren, he was in a rather melancholy mood. In a rare public show of affection, Vyren nudged him, wrapping one of his front paws around his rider.

'Do not worry,' he said quietly. 'She will be fine. You will be fine too.'

Faith was up early, as well, out of habit from living in the weyr. She made sure her things were packed in her bag properly, and then got ready to go. After promising to visit again next time she was allowed, her parents reluctantly let her go again.

She noticed how people moved aside to let her pass as she made her way back towards the edge of the city, and it was definitely something she wasn't used to. She sped up a little, hurrying back.

'Faith!' Lapis exclaimed happily as Faith came back out. The dragonet practically pounced on her partner, knocking Faith to the ground and nuzzling her. 'I was worried when you got sad before, but now you're here so everything is alright.'

"I'm fine," Faith replied, trying to push Lapis aside enough so she could stand up again. "Really, I am. Were you alright out here all night?"

'I was bored,' Lapis admitted. 'And there was this strange buzzing that I kept hearing, it bothered me.'

"I noticed it, too," Faith said. "I think it's all the electricity the city uses. I don't know why I never noticed it before. I must have just been used to it."

'Well, it won't bother us anymore,' Lapis said. 'We're going back home soon.'

Corey slipped back up onto Vyren's back, waiting for the others to be ready to go. Vyren shifted a little, also anxious to get back. He did not like the city.

As soon as the older rider gave the sign, they all jumped up into the air, the young riders now used to the sensation. Corey didn't even startle anymore at the sensation.