Thanks, But No Thanks

Writers: Curious, Devin
Date Posted: 14th March 2024

Characters: T'lin, Dryvan
Description: T'lin Searches Dryvan, but Dryvan isn't too happy about it.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 10

T'lin

Calaroth was in high spirits as he arrived at the Gather Square of
Emerald Falls Hold. His escort, Normyth, landed carefully to
compensate for his missing right forelimb. T'lin fastened his helmet
and jacket to the riding straps and dropped to the ground with a grin.
He'd been assigned Emerald Falls!

"I'm T'lin of blue Calaroth, and this is C’nal of brown Normyth. Today
we come on Search for Dolphin Cove Weyr!"

A young man watched T'lin and Calaroth from the sidelines. He did not
show any excitement at the arrival of a searchdragon, nor did he make
any move to approach. Rather, Dryvan looked distinctly unimpressed -
perhaps even derisive.

Before long the Gather Square was full of excited youngsters and T'lin
asked them all to line up. Calaroth moved down the line, looking at
each boy and girl in turn. }:That one glows.:{ Calaroth stopped at a
girl who looked to be very young.

"How old are you, young lady?" T'lin asked.

"I'm not a lady." The girl giggled. "I'm ten Turns, dragonrider sir."

T'lin put his hands on his hips, but his eyes were sparkling. "Now
didn't I say everyone between twelve and twenty Turns? Ten is younger
than twelve, isn't it?"

She blushed. "I just wanted to see the dragon up close. He's so pretty."

"That he is." T'lin laughed. "But you should step back now. In two
Turns, when you're twelve, then make sure you come out for the
Searchrider, okay?"

"Okay."

}:She glows. Why are we not taking her?:{

**She's too young, Cal. Find someone older.**

}:It is hard to tell. They are all small to me.:{

T'lin hid a laugh.

The blue made his way farther down the line, and suddenly his head
came up. }:That one. He glows very bright.:{

**Who?** T'lin couldn't tell which one Calaroth was looking at.

The blue sent an image. Not one of the boys in line, but one standing
off to the side of the Gather Square. "Young man! Could you come over
here?"

Dryvan tensed up at the call. He wanted to walk away without a word,
or perhaps spit out something biting, but ah. Everyone was watching,
weren't they? Gritting his jaw, he walked up to the rider. Of course,
upon reaching T'lin, he forced himself to calm to a degree, settling
for eyeing him warily instead. "What?" he asked.

"Calaroth says you have the potential to Impress a dragon."

"And why would I want that?"

T'lin blinked. "Well, I suppose not everyone does. There's the danger
of Thread, and . . ." No knots, and he was far beyond the regular
apprentice age, so not dedicated to a Craft then. "You might have
family obligations. Still, it's my duty to inform you that you've been
Searched."

Dryvan's expression darkened. "And is it my duty to _accept_ the search?"

Calaroth leaned toward him, a wuff of air from his nostrils ruffling
Dryvan's hair. }:He should come with us. The hatchlings will like
him.:{

"Um, no," T'lin told Dryvan. "I know some people think that, with us
being in a Pass and all, but it's your choice." Usually when people
got upset at a Search, it was the parents. It was rare to have someone
so grumpy at being told they were Candidate material.

Dryvan took a sharp step back from Calaroth. "Then I decline," he
said. Glancing warily at the dragon who seemed so keen on him, he
added, "No offense."

}:He does not wish to have a dragon?:{

**Sorry Cal.**

}:He will always be alone. That is sad.:{

"All right," T'lin said. "But if you ever change your mind, send word
to Dolphin Cove."

"Thanks," Dryvan said. "Not likely, but. Thanks." With that, Dryvan
walked away, content to put this whole affair behind him. After all,
the dragons had already gotten one member of his family. They didn't
need to kill another.

Last updated on the March 19th 2024

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Thanks, But No Thanks