Empty Spaces Fill Me Up With Holes
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: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 21st October 2025
Characters: Saibra, I'serin
Description: Saibra and I'serin talk about relationships
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: V'rin, E'tariax, Ki'ben
Notes:
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Time passed with heavy steps. I’serin went through his day-to-day routine but he felt as though he was just going through the motions. The only time his mental acuity returned was during Threadfall, where there was no room for grief.
He was not certain how long he had been staring at this sheet of notes but he had the impression that it had been far longer than usual when a knock came at his office door.
“You ready for lunch?” It was Saibra with a tray. Today, the tray was a collection of different smoked meats, cubes of cheese, and a few different samplings of the hot sauces they’d tried together.
His stomach rumbled plaintively even though I’serin had not given hunger much thought. It seemed his body was determined to go through the motions of the day even though he did not. “I…should eat,” he said as he shifted the notes aside. He went to join Saibra at the little table. “You are enjoying the hot sauces V’rin found,” he noted as he sat.
“I am. Maybe it’s the frigid climate, but a little heat and spice has been fantastic.” She slide into the chair opposite I’serin. “How are you doing?” she asked, picking up one of the tiny smoked sausages.
To others, he answered that question with polite evasion. But with a certain few, like Saibra, he answered honestly. “I…it varies day to day. Sometimes less. I still struggle to accept what happened, as I always envisioned that he would die in Threadfall like a dragonrider. There are…” Dozens. Hundreds. Thousands. “...there are so many things that I did not say to him.” Those loose ends, the things left unsaid, left I’serin feeling as though he had no closure.
Saibra recalled the conversation they’d had regarding A’len being sent to another Weyr. “Do you feel a sense of… relief, as well?” It was one of those things no one wanted to say out loud - that they were relieved someone wasn’t around anymore - but sometimes the truth was inconvenient.
As he sifted through his feelings, he did indeed find a nugget of relief, though it was wrapped in the guilt that said no child should be glad for the death of their parent. Still, he nodded. “He will not be interrupting my lunches any longer,” I’serin weakly quipped, thinking of how many times A’len had barged into I’serin’s office without asking.
Saibra smiled understandingly. “He won’t have to suffer the indignity of being moved to a different Weyr, either. That’s a silver lining, I think. He’ll be remembered for all of the hard work and leadership he put in at River Bluff.”
While he was not certain of how he felt about someone being remembered for a different experience than he himself had, I’serin could also see it from Saibra’s perspective. He let out a soft sigh. “Our relationship was quite the mess,” he lamented quietly. “There seemed to be no way to salvage it. Not…without one of us changing entirely.”
“I’m sorry you weren’t able to get a resolution before he passed,” Saibra said.
I’serin put down his latest bite for a moment while he accepted her statement. “Thank you. I…believe that is the closure that I will have to find another way.” But that was a conversation to be had with E’tariax. He inhaled slowly and then said, “Tell me something good from your days. I am tired of burdening others with mine.”
“The twins have learned a new word - doodyhead.” Saibra held up a hand. “I know, I know. Quite eloquent and verbose for a pair of threenagers.” A smile of amusement curved her lips. “They picked it up in the creche, and even though I want to laugh every time they say it, I must keep a straight face.”
“The Weyrwoman of Dragonsfall must maintain appearances,” I’serin intoned but there was a boyish glint to his hazel eyes. “They are three Turns now? Time must seem to be flying by!”
“It absolutely is. It seems like yesterday that Ki’ben was that size, but now here he is, a grown man-child starting his own family in his own misbegotten way.” Clearly the Weyrwoman hadn’t quite forgiven her son.
The blunt description of Ki’ben shifted I’serin’s gaze from glint to mild surprise for a moment before he offered a more mellow, “We bronzeriders can be slow to learn. I believe it comes with the hubris of Impressing bronze.”
“He’d better quicken up, then. I’m afraid as a mother I’m not as patient as I am as a Weyrwoman.” Saibra winked.
That earned her another glint of amusement from the Weyrleader. “Then I am glad that I am not on the receiving end of your maternal side,” he joked.
Last updated on the November 2nd 2025