Learn to block
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Leigh M-F., Mirren, Paula
Date Posted: 30th October 2015
Characters: E'naer, F'nix, A'kua, Onida
Description: Thought exercises for the junior Weyrlings.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 13 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Ilyssia
"Afternoon class, is everyone been fed and getting drowsy?" E'naer greeted
with a smile and wink. "Take your seats, please. Today we are going to
practice blocking your lifemates thoughts out. While it's wonderful to
share you mind with another being, there is times when you need little
privacy inside your head. This is a lesson that can distress your
dragonets, some dragons just don't like being blocked out. While others
don't seem to be affected at all. Eillispeth will be with your lifemates
whole the time. She will let me know if someone gets upset."
}:Wait, what?:{ Zeiranth was confused. }:Why would you want to separate
your thoughts from me? You're always in the back of my mind and I like
that.:{
**There are some things you don't want to know just yet,** A'kua thought
firmly and with the kind of clarity that came from three mugs of klah.
}:Aaawww.:{ Zeiranth dropped his head into his partner's lap, sulking, and
A'kua scratched the base of his headknobs in apology.
}:Can I eat again now?:{ Nisith asked, apparently not worried about the
class.
**You just ate.** F'nix replied.
}:I'm hungry.:{
**You're always hungry.**
}:Yes:{
**Shhh**.
"Blocking or shielding your thoughts as some people call it, is all mental
practise. You need to use your mind-muscles. You all have the ability,
otherwise you wouldn't had Impressed" E'naer said. "Now, create an image in
your mind. Picture a wall. It can be anything you want to: stone wall,
cliff side, brick wall, curtain, veil of running water...you all have to
create your own mental image. Close your eyes and _see_ that wall in your
mind. You can ask your lifemates if they can see it too."
}:Eillispeth, my rider is thinking of a wall of something he calls "sheet
music",:{ Zeiranth reported. }:Does that count?:{
}: Can you receive what else he is thinking? If not, then it does work, :{
Eillispeth replied.
"After you have your image and you can clearly see it, _hide_ your thoughts
behind it. Again, you have to create your own, personaly imagenary. The
idea is that you concentrate your picture so deeply, that your lifemate
can't receive anything else. They are still able to feel you though, on a
very deep, subconcious level. Remember also, it works on both ways. If they
can't receive your thoughts, you can't receive their communications
either," E'naer continued his instructions and kept an eye on their faces.
There were frowns and looks of deep concentration. One of the girls giggled
nervously.
A'kua found himself thinking of Ilyssia. Zeiranth mentally poked and
prodded and tried to see through the sheets of paper with baffling
scribblings, but he was confounded not only by his partner's stubbornness,
but also by the fact A'kua started mentally singing as well for good
measure. This was very frustrating, because now that he had been told he
wasn't supposed to know what his chosen was thinking, Zeiranth really
wanted to find out what it was. }:This isn't any fun,:{ he complained.
}:Why do we have to learn how to do this?:{
Eillispeth was reporting various reactions to her rider. }: Zeiranth's
getting frustrated.:{ E'naer wasn't surprised that A'kua had gotten hang of
it so fast. That young man had quite nimble mind.
F'nix kept trying to picture a piece of paper, but when Nisith saw right
through it, it tried to see a stone wall.
:}Your mind is still open:{
"It's not working." He frowned.
"Take a break and relax a bit, then try again with something else," E'naer
adviced. "If visual image isn't working, you can try sound. Fill your head
with music."
One of the greens whimpered and jumped to her feet with obvious distress.
}: I can't hear her! :{
"Onida, stop blocking now. Let your dragon hear you, reassure her. Don't
continue untill she's calm again," E'naer told one the girls.
She nodded and wrapped her arms around the little green, murmuring
shoothingly.
}: That was scary! :{ the green complained and Eillispeth reached to
comfort her.
}: But you could still feel her, couldn't you? She wasn't gone.:{
Eillispeth asked.
}: Yes, :{ the green replied.
"Um, sir-" F'nix raised his hand tentatively. "I'm trying not to, but I
keep thinking about -er- things I shouldn't be…"
"Then it's even more important for you to learn to shield your thoughts.
Try again, it takes practise and concentration. Try image where you throw a
blanket or bedfur over your thoughts," E'naer said.
Bedfur. The word really didn't help. F'nix focused on thinking of the
oldest and ugliest feline who lived back at the hall he grew up in. It had
little fur and would hiss at anyone who went near. Strangely, that helped.
He thought of a patch of exposed skin until Nisith exclaimed.
:}I can't hear him!:{
}: Good, that is supposed to happen, :{ Eillispeth told him with reassuring
voice. She also informed her rider that Nisith's had gotten hang of it.
"Anybody else have trouble with it?" E'naer asked, looking around. One of
the browrider's lifted his hand and E'naer went to help him to create the
image.
Zeiranth sulked dramatically. }:I'm bored,:{ he complained. }:This is
annoying.:{
A'kua snorted in amusement at his dragon's attitude and eye color.
"Give your mind a bit of rest and relax a moment before continuing," E'naer
told them.
Last updated on the October 30th 2015