You will need to oil your lifemate frequently, especially in the beginning. Cracking or other imperfections in the hide will cause problems when going between. A sick dragon's hide will be dull and sickly looking. Same goes if you don't take proper care of your dragon. Healthy hide is silky and resilient as well as pretty! Make sure you care for your lifemate's hide frequently.
Until they are fully mature, it is a full time job to take care of a dragon. Constant oiling, bathing, feeding, and cleaning up the initial messes is very time consuming on your new weyrling character. Until they learn to go between, you will be cleaning up after your lifemate defecates (for lack of a better word). In other words, you'll be cleaning up lots of poop. Not to mention, you will have to cut and prepare your lifemate's meal until s/he is able to fly and hunt for his/herself.
