The Enthusiasm of the Young

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 21st June 2025

Characters: By'ler, Lyani
Description: Lyani accompanies By'ler on a flight down the beach.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 20 of Turn 12

By'ler

Lyani

Reviath's growth over the last three months had been astronomical and
what had been a fun and cute chore (bathing a baby dragon), had become
a tedious, back-breaking chore (bathing a teenager-dragon). Still,
By'ler loved the way Reviath's dark bronze hide with its hues of burnt
orange gleamed after a proper wash and oiling.

}:Can we go on a flight?:{ the bronze asked with the hopeful
inflection of an enthusiastic puppy waiting to go out.

Ever since their first independent flight with the Weyrlingstaff,
they'd been allowed to 'explore the Weyr' in their free time. Since
they weren't allowed /between/ yet, they were limited to the places
Reviath could fly around the Weyr, but it was thrilling for the young
pair, regardless.

**Sure, let me get my straps.** By'ler glanced at a few girls who were
watching him as he'd been bathing Reviath shirtless. He shot them a
smile and a wink, his ego soaring when they dissolved into blushes and
giggles.

"Oh, wow, that actually worked, huh?"

The voice caught him by surprise, making him whirl around.

"Lyani!"

The greenrider laughed as she stood with her hands on her hips. "Don't
try to change the subject, By'ler. I saw that. Out here flexing and...
did you put oil on your muscles?"

"No, it got on me while I was oiling Reviath," he said a little too quickly.

Lyani's eyes narrowed. "Sure it did, little brother."

By'ler cocked an eyebrow. "And what do you call what you're doing,
prancing around in a skimpy bathing suit?"

"I call it a show," she shot back, smiling unrepentantly.

"Hey, I was just grabbing Reviath's riding straps. We're allowed to go
on flights around the Weyr now. You know of any place we can go
nearby?"

"Sure, let me call Phyllameth."

The green, who had been lounging with a newly favored blue, was less
than pleased at being called away, but did so at her rider's coaxing.

"Just follow us," Lyani said to By'ler once Reviath was in his riding straps.

Reviath eagerly shuffled his weight on his hind legs, eager to take
off and feel the wind in his wingsails. As soon as he was sure By'ler
was in place, the bronze eagerly leaped, his excitement causing him to
leap far higher in altitude than their short flight was necessary.

Phyllameth sighed. }:The young are full of enthusiasm, aren't they?:{

**Give them a break. Don't you remember what it was like when we first
started flying together?** Lyani asked.

}:No.:{ Phyllameth said flatly.

Laughing, Lyani thumped the green's neck as the dragon took to the skies.

The bronze and green pair flew out over the Weyrbowl and along the beach.

By'ler couldn't help feeling infected by Reviath's excitement as they
rode together. _Dragonriders_. People and other dragons lounging on
the beach were a blur beneath them as they skimmed low over the waves.
By'ler even thought he saw the shadows of a dolphin pod as they flew
over. Which made him think of Oriene. When they were cleared for long
distance flight, he and Reviath could go and visit her at the Dolphin
Hall.

Phyllameth led the way to a grouping of driftwood that had washed
ashore. The pieces of broken tree had been bleached nearly white by
the sun.

"Enjoy your flight?" Lyani asked as she hopped off Phyll and into the sand.

"Does it ever get boring?" By'ler asked as he slipped down from
Reviath's neckridge.

"Sadly, it does become a bit commonplace, but I don't love it any less
than I did the first time. The independence is amazing, isn't it?"

"It is," By'ler agreed. He and Lyani had grown up together, weyrbrats
at Far Island who were constantly competing with all the other
children in the creche for the attention of their foster mother.
_Everything_ had been shared- books, clothes, toys. By'ler didn't
remember getting a brand new shirt in his entire life.

"You're almost half-way there, By'ler. What will you do when you're in
the Fighting Wings?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "I never really planned that far ahead.
It will be nice to be able to make some marks of my own. I'll probably
take any transport jobs that are offered. And then I would like to
visit Barrier Lake, see what the weather is like there."

"A lake?" Lyani said with a wrinkle of her nose. "When you have this
beautiful sand and water?"

A little gleam came into By'ler's eyes. "Yeah, but I've heard the
girls at Barrier Lake are _fine_."

"It's good to know your priorities are in the right place."

Last updated on the June 24th 2025

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The Enthusiasm of the Young