In the Eye of the Beholder
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: Corrin
Date Posted: 27th May 2025
Characters: Sybana, T'bril
Description: Sybana finally moves into her own weyr, but a well meant gift leaves her reeling.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 8 of Turn 12
Sybana had been looking forward to her own quarters ever since she arrived at the weyr. A short candidacy and a few months of weyrlinghood weren’t enough for her to get used to living in such close proximity with others. She had come to tolerate it out of necessity, but she did not love it. She dreamed of having her own space again and of the little luxuries her rank was owed.
But now moving day had come, and her excitement curdled to horror.
Standing in the center of her new weyr, Sybana stared up in disbelief at the painting someone had chosen to install above the hearth. Depicted there was the ugliest gold dragon she had ever seen. It was not the graceful depictions of ballads, not sleek and elegant like Chioneth or Aglayath or Anaeryth. It was monstrously large and craggy as though hewn from raw ore. It looked bestial. Fierce.
“That is _not_ how Galgaith looks, right? Tell me that's not how she looks,” Sybana rounded on greenrider T’bril, who had kindly offered to help her move and didn't deserve to be put on the spot.
“Well, not exactly…”
“That's hardly comforting.”
“I think it's a very nice depiction of Galgi, actually,” T’bril offered, clearly trying to keep the peace.
“Tell me you're joking. Tell me the artist is joking.”
“...What do you see when you look at her?”
Sybana blinked, momentarily thrown by the question. “What do I see? Why she's magnificent, of course. She's strong and grand and majestic.”
“Beautiful?”
“Yes,” said Sybana a bit tersely. “Beautiful too.”
“I'm glad you love your lifemate, my dear, but those Impression goggles you have on are a doozy.”
Sybana bristled, eyes narrowing. “Are you saying I don't see my own dragon for what she is?”
“I’m saying you see her through the only lens you have, through your bond. She’s beautiful because she’s yours,” T’bril replied, his tone still painstakingly diplomatic, though with an unmistakable undercurrent of amusement. “... For what it's worth, I think it's cute?”
“Oh, get out,” she snapped, but without any real malice. “And take the stairs. I have to go talk with her now.”
T’bril gave a playful salute and quickly retreated, leaving Sybana alone with the painting to stew. How could anyone look at her Galgaith and see something so brutish? With a last glance and a disgusted sign, she swept out onto the ledge where Galgaith lay basking in the afternoon sun, massive and unconcerned.
Sybana stepped carefully over a foreleg and tried to take off the Impression goggles. She saw a naturally craggy hide, but it just seemed impressive, like a mesmerizing rock formation. She saw the bulk, but looking at her lifemate, she thought she wore it well. She was _proud_ to ride what might one day be one of the largest golds on Pern. Galgaith was a force of nature, large and unyielding, and Sybana found nothing but beauty in her form.
}: Why are you upset about some markings on a wall? :{ Galgaith’s mind-voice was a sleepy rumble, curiosity barely breaking through her somnial contentment. She could feel the storm in her rider’s thoughts.
** Because someone meant those markings to be you, my love. **
}: Ridiculous. How can a few markings be me? They’re so small. :{
Sybana smiled despite herself. ** Yes, I don't think they captured your likeness at all. **
}: But it bothers you. It bothers you that… others don't see me as you do? :{ Galgaith shifted her bulk, giving her rider’s thoughts deep consideration.
Sybana sighed, settling to sit in the crook of the dragon’s arm. ** It’s just- How could they not? You’re… magnificent. **
}: Must I be beautiful? None of our lessons are about being beautiful. I am big. I am strong. That is more useful. :{
** That is more useful, ** Sybana admitted softly, resting her head against the gold’s warm neck. ** You have a very silly rider, to care about such things. Only beauty has meant power to me, for such a long time. **
}: I leave that to you. :{ Galgaith yawned. }: That is a strength of yours. Mine is my jaw. You do not need to worry for me. I am what I am, and I can bite. :{
Sybana couldn’t help but laugh. ** So you can, my love. What a pair we make. **
Last updated on the June 10th 2025