What to Expect

Writers: Halyonix, Steel
Date Posted: 1st April 2025

Characters: V'dryn, G'weld
Description: V’dryn asks G’weld about being a full dragonrider.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 3, day 12 of Turn 12

}: Hello Tarsenuth, :{ Zhomoth greeted as he fanned his wings for a light landing nearby on the shore. His rider had taken the option of strolling, following some lengths behind with one hand in his pockets and a bucket of supplies in the other.

}:Hello Zhomoth.:{ the older bronze rumbled, opening one eye from where he was sprawled just so on a sun-warmed rock, his rider leaned back against his side. }: You are looking well.:{

The young blue dipped his head in gracious acknowledgment. }: Thank you. And you as well. Is the sun warm there today? :{

}:Yes.:{ Tarsenuth responded, simply, and closed his eye again; after a moment, and a little prodding from G'weld who'd looked up, the bronze added, }:You may join me.:{

G'weld waved.

V’dryn waved back. “Apologies if we’re interrupting your peace!” V’dryn called lightly.

“No, not at all!” G'weld shifted and sat up fully, patted Tarsenuth's shoulder as he stood. “... Need any help with anything?”

Surprised that the bronzerider would offer, V’dryn stammered for a moment. “If…if you would like, sure.” Then, opportunity presented itself. The weyrlings could always talk to the Weyrlingmasters but here was a chance to talk to another dragonrider, someone who was doing the responsibilities that V’dryn was training for. “Would you mind terribly if I ask you some questions about what it’s like to be a rider beyond graduation?”

}: Bold.:{ Tarsenuth huffed, opening one gleaming eye again. }:Talk to him while I sun.:{

“No, I don't mind.” G'weld responded easily. “Tell Zhomoth not to be offended if Tars goes back to sleep?”

“He won’t,” V’dryn assured the older rider. “He wouldn't dare fault another dragon for enjoying the sun with a nap.”

G'weld grinned. “Then no worries.” He assured. “... Now. What questions do you have?”

As V’dryn began the process of scrubbing down his dragon, he asked, “This may seem like the most nebulous of questions but what is it like, beyond weyrlinghood? Your day-to-day duties, fighting Thread, being on your own outside of the Barracks?”

“Well, for one it's a lot of work.” G'weld said thoughtfully, after a long moment. “Sure, you've got a great big beast that looks to you, but then you have _a great big beast that looks to you_. And you're ultimately responsible for the both of you.”

He considered. “Even if you aren't a Weyr or Wing leader, bronzes are a lot of work. As any dragon'd be, but you've got eyes on you now. Any time you're interacting with holders, or crafters, they'll be looking at your knots, the colour you ride, what Weyr you might be from.”

And then he grinned. “But it's not all work. You can go anywhere you want, in the blink of an eye, as long as you've been there before or you've got a real good image. And… and you have the other half of who you are, always with you.”

Tarsenuth snorted. }:Sentiment.:{ But he opened one eye again and G'weld laughed, gave the nearer eye ridge a scratch.

Growing up in the shadow of a father who had expected him to take over as Steward one day, V’dryn was aware of what it was like to live with eyes always on you. In fact, it had been on his mind with Zhomoth in ways that he hadn’t expected to bother him. He realized deep down that it was a public versus private thing -- he was fine with his sexual orientation in private but to have it so easily displayed for others to apply an undeserved stigma to him would take some getting used to.

“Do Holders give you a lot of trouble?” he inquired. It suddenly occurred to him that he would now be considered Weyr, not Hold, and he went over every interaction he had had with dragonriders when he had been at the Hold, trying to recall how those moments had gone.

“Me? No.” G’weld assured. “But I’m not a Weyr- or Wing leader, and to be honest the only times I’m really in or around a Hold is for a Gather.” He added, with a little bit of a shrug. “If Tarsenuth ever caught the Senior Weyrwoman, though, that’d change in a blink of _between_, so it’s good to always be at least a little ready.”

And then he considered a moment. “If it helps, I’ve never heard of a blue Weyrleader. Blues don’t fly queens. But you could maybe be tapped as a Weyrlingmaster, or assistant, sometime.”

“I…was thinking about being a Searchrider,” V’dryn admitted. “Zhomoth, I believe he has the proficiency for it.”

“Oh? In that case, knowing how to handle Holders can definitely be useful.” G'weld grinned.

“I suppose having a background in being one helps?” V’dryn answered with doubt in his tone.

“That makes sense to me.” G'weld told him. “Grew up in a Hold, did you?”

V’dryn nodded. “My father is a Steward. He intended for me to learn his craft and take over one day. I…decided otherwise.”

“What was it like, growing up in a Hold?” G’weld asked, after only a moment. “I bet the Weyr felt different, especially at first, from what I’ve heard and seen.” He paused, considering, then added, “You settle in all right?”

The blue weyrling was thoughtful for a moment. “Growing up, before I knew what I know now, Hold life seemed like a wonderful thing. Quaint but busy. Simple. A predetermined path from birth to death. But as I grew older, I…felt that it was restrictive. I dare not say it was boring because it was always busy but it didn’t feel exciting. There was little that I looked forward to. Perhaps some people would have loved a life already settled for them but I did not.”

To the second part of G’weld’s question, V’dryn looked over at Zhomoth. A smile appeared on his face as he scratched the dragon’s head. “As far as settling in…let’s just say that I am far more suited for Weyr life than Hold.”

“It's definitely more relaxed.” G'weld agreed amusedly. “... got anything else you want to ask?”

V’dryn nodded. “Thanks,” he said quickly, and then he launched into his next question.

Last updated on the April 10th 2025

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