I Think There's Been Some Mistake

Writers: Aaron, Devin
Date Posted: 2nd April 2024

Characters: Ç'pier, R'lor
Description: Pierce is curious as to whether anyone else has ever felt this way.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 11

Ç'pier

R'lor

Pierce was hungry, he supposed. But he could not find the wherewithal
to eat. Ever since Yuliuth had fallen asleep, what he had done to
Saedyna was gnawing at him. He had never felt particularly guilty
before. He was only doing what he said he would do, and she was only
getting what she deserved for not doing what she said she would.

But now.

Yuliuth wanted him. And he had to know. He had to see deeply enough
into Pierce's soul to know, even if not exactly what he had done, that
he was capable of doing it. And nevertheless, he wanted him. Wanted to
_save_ him. Could he be saved? He had never even cared until Yuliuth
wanted to try.

Finally, when everything had died down enough, he managed to find one
of the Weyrlingmasters free enough to chat for a moment.

"R'lor. Sir. I... Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Of course. What should I call you now?"

"Oh. We're supposed to pick a new name. Hm." Pierce tilted his head
left and right. "I'd gotten pretty attached to this one. But... I
think Yuliuth would be disappointed if I didn't. Let's go with...
Ç'pier."

"C'pier?" Well, at least it sounded like a dragonrider name, and new
riders could choose whatever they or their dragons wanted. R'lor
himself had considered a different elision until Kularth had told him
what his new name would be.

"Is that all right?" asked Ç'pier. It was much better than F'nen or
F'ton or anything he could have made from the name his parents had
saddled him with. That name was well and truly dead. Dragonriders were
allowed to change their names without anyone challenging them.

"The choice is between you and your dragon. Now . . . what did you
want to talk to me about?"

"Did you ever... This is going to sound like a dig, but I don't mean
it that way. Did you ever think that maybe Kularth made the wrong
choice? Like you weren't good enough for him?" asked Ç'pier.

"Ahh . . ." R'lor nodded thoughtfully. "I think many of us have
moments of wondering why the most amazing creature on Pern chose _us_
instead of someone else. Impression can be a huge boost in confidence,
but it can also dig at our most vulnerable places."

"He is definitely too good for me... But... He won't ever think so,
right? He won't... decide to leave me?" asked Ç'pier. He surprised
himself with how vulnerable he felt, and even more with how vulnerable
he was willing to show R'lor he felt.

R'lor put a hand on his shoulder. "Your bond is for life. Only death
can ever separate you, and even then, Yuliuth will follow you."

Well, that was a relief. Kind of. He hated to think of death. But
ideally, that would be a long time away.

"Thanks, sir."

"How are you doing otherwise?" R'lor asked.

"Uh... fine, I guess? He ate. A lot, really. I was kind of impressed
how much he fit inside him. No choking, though. Plenty of chewing."
And no poison. "And he's out like a light now."

He really was a light. And it felt like his shining brightness was
exposing everything Ç'pier's dark heart had been hiding. He rubbed his
chest absently.

"Good, good." R'lor nodded. "They're very hungry after they hatch.
Tomorrow morning you'll have to cut the meat for him yourself."

Ç'pier grinned.

"Don't worry, sir. I know my way around a knife and a bit of hard work."

"That's good. Maybe you can be an example for those who are a bit more
fussy," R'lor said with a small smile.

"We'll see," said Ç'pier. He had a feeling more than none of them
would try to finagle someone else into doing it for them.

"Did you have any family come watch the Hatching?"

"Blue is my only family. He... He's going to be all right without me,"
said Ç'pier. He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself
than R'lor. "He made a friend in the smithy. And they seemed to have
hit it off. I don't see him, so I assume he didn't Impress, either."

"No, he didn't." With a smaller clutch, it was easier to remember who
had Impressed and who had been left Standing. "I'm sorry. You'll be
busy with training so you won't have a lot of time to see him, but in
the little free time you do have, the Candidate barracks are close
by." R'lor made a mental note to check on Blue.

"His new buddy is Corland," said Ç'pier. He was a Candidate as well.
"He's newish. Newer than us, at least when it comes to the Weyr. But
you probably know him anyway, on account of it's your job."

R'lor had to think for a moment. "Oh yes, the smith trained Candidate,
I remember. I'm glad he and Blue are getting along."

"Yeah, me, too... So, uh... I guess I don't want to take up any more
of your time at the feast. Probably have an early start tomorrow, eh?"
Ç'pier very well could have the opportunity to talk to Blue and
Corland himself if he got his stuff together.

"_Very_ early," R'lor said. "But enjoy some time at the Feast. And
congratulations again."

Last updated on the April 7th 2024

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I Think There's Been Some Mistake