The Things You Can't Control

Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 21st August 2025

Characters: N'vanik, Talryne, I'serin
Description: I'serin checks on N'vanik after the disastrous storm Threadfall.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 3 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: A'kades

N'vanik

Talryne

I'serin

There was a bottle of wine tucked in I'serin's jacket as Aluneth appeared over Dolphin Cove Weyr. At least N'vanik had the weather to blame for the grim news coming out of his Weyr these last few days, unlike I'serin's mistake a few months prior, but the sympathy remained. Being a Weyrleader was difficult in so many ways, I'serin thought, as Aluneth beelined for Loseth's ledge, warbling a greeting.

The huge bronze returned the greeting and made room for Aluneth on his ledge. N'vanik was waiting inside, Talryne standing next to him with their hands clasped together. N'vanik was struggling with the losses and injuries, but he managed a slight smile for his fellow Weyrleader. "Thanks for checking on me."

"You did the same for me," I'serin answered. He gave Talryne a courtly bow. Pulling the wine from his jacket, he offered it forward. "For now or later. Whichever you prefer. I am here for you regardless."

Talryne glanced up at N'vanik and then reluctantly disentangled their fingers. "I'll pour the wine," she said as she took the bottle.

N'vanik considered the dining table briefly, but then nodded toward the living area further in. "Let's go sit." He led the way and took a seat on the couch. "Sharding storm."

I'serin sat. Everything about his posture and expression said that he was listening intently, sympathetically. "Were you aware of it going into the Fall?" he asked curiously.

Talryne handed I'serin a glass and poured two more as N'vanik said, "The weather report said it would be bad. I did what I could with formations and planning. I'm trying not to blame myself and mostly succeeding. I can't control the fecking weather."

I'serin nodded gratefully at Talryne as he accept the glass. "No, you cannot," he agreed. There was a thoughtful pause before he said, "It is one of the most frustrating things about leading Threadfall -- the things you cannot control."

"I love being Weyrleader, I really do. But days like that make me regret it a little," N'vanik said.

Talryne gave him a glass of wine and sat next to him, pressed close against N'vanik's side. "You'd hate having to follow someone else again."

He snorted. "Yeah. I like being in control. Trouble is, that comes with all the responsibility, too."

"You felt just as responsible when you were a wingrider," she said gently. They shared a long look. N'vanik had blamed himself for her dragon's death for a long time.

Finally he said, "Yeah," and took a drink of wine. There were some days where it still played in his head, that terrible moment when Loseth ducked /between/ to avoid a tangle and they came out to the sight of Ysanth and Talryne covered in Thread.

I'serin did not miss the length of that look, though he did not know the history of it. Politely, he took a mirroring sip of wine. "The wounds will heal and the dragons' memories will fade," he offered gently. "The Weyr will continue." There was a pause before he added, "Would it be of help if I sent one of our Wings over for a few Falls?"

N'vanik fought the instinct to refuse. How many times had he pressed I'serin to ask for help and to take what was offered? "You recovered from that bad Fall?" he asked as Talryne absently rubbed his arm.

"With a little Wing reshuffling, yes," I'serin answered. It was true. The dissolution of one Wing had bolstered the others and reshuffling the Wings within their Flights made for a solid fighting force. And the recent addition of the senior weyrlings to the Wings had alleviated more of the strain.

Pride insisted N'vanik say no. They'd managed through worse. They knew how to be scrappy and do more with less. It was almost painful for him to say, "Okay."

Understanding softened I'serin's expression. He nodded, acknowledging that he had heard N'vanik. "I will speak with my Wingleaders and send one over. Aluneth will alert Loseth beforehand."

"Just for a Fall or two," N'vanik said. "We've got some with minor injuries that'll be back in the Wings soon." But A'kades . . . N'vanik stared at his wine.

Talryne decided to lighten the mood. "We're having a Hatching soon. I hope you'll be there."

A small but warm smile quirked the left corner of I'serin's mouth. "Of course," he assured Talryne. "I do look forward to another dance with you." The Dragonsfall Weyrleader settled into a more comfortable pose. "Tell me about this clutch."

"You mean the one sired by one of your browns?" N'vanik's expression relaxed into amusement.

Last updated on the September 2nd 2025

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The Things You Can't Control