Taking a Leap
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: 4th November 2025
Characters: Saibra, I'serin
Description: The Dragonsfall Weyrleaders take a leap.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 24 of Turn 12
Notes: Extended title: "Taking a Leap: How not to be eaten by a gold dragon"
**See if Saibra is available this afternoon,** I’serin asked of Aluneth, since he knew that the bronze was sunning somewhere near his mate already.
Chioneth turned her head toward Aluneth, draping her tail over his in a rare display of affection. He’d brought her that lovely rock that now sat on her ledge, after all. Sometimes, Saibra had to remind her what the rock was and how she had gotten it, but she still loved it.
}:Tell your rider she is available.:{ the gold said to her mate.
Sensing his rider’s intentions, Aluneth rumbled happily. }: We are going to do one of my rider’s favorite places. Have yours dress for swimming. :{
Saibra needed _no_ excuse to throw on a bathing suit, so she quickly left her office and walked the adjoining path to her weyr. In record time, the Weyrwoman appeared on her ledge, swimsuit safely in place beneath her pants and sweater as she tucked a towel under Chioneth’s straps.
}:She’s ready.:{
Aluneth was practically purring. }: Follow, :{ he said after his rider had strapped himself and a few supplies in. Bronze and gold left the Weyr, with Aluneth relaying coordinates shortly after, to what appeared to be a flat plateau but it was misleading.
When they reappeared, behind them was a cliff. The perfect kind for diving. “It is not quite a beach,” I’serin called as the dragons landed, “but there is water and sunshine. And hopefully a new experience. Have you ever been cliff diving?” He had considered surprising her, much like he had surprised K’mai, but decided that startling the senior Weyrwoman would not be a good idea.
“I’ve never been cliffdiving,” she admitted, but there was a thrill of excitement that ran through her at the idea of something new and slightly scary.
He beckoned her towards the edge so that she could see the drop. “It is something that I do to clear my head. And to have fun. Sometimes Aluneth will jump with me.”
}: Only if Chioneth wants to, :{ Aluneth said. He was perfectly content to sit in the sun with his mate and let the humans chase thrills.
“Jump _with_ you? How? Can I see?” Saibra asked, intrigued.
In answer, the young Weyrleader stripped off his shirt and shoes. Then, with a fleeting boyish grin at her, he ran for the edge and threw himself off, arms spread as though he would sprout his own wings.
A flash of adrenaline spasmed through Saibra’s bloodstream as the Weyrleader’s feet left solid ground. Now, how was Aluneth going to factor into this jump?
With an aggrieved rumble, the bronze dragon followed suit, leaping higher into the air with an athletic flourish that he hoped Chioneth noticed, before tucking his wings close to his body and plummeting down to meet his rider in the waves below.
“See?” I’serin called from the water, a boyish grin on his face.
}:I will _not_ be doing _that_.:{ Chioneth said immediately. }:And _you_ will not be doing that. I will not allow it. What if you broke your neck? It is small and spindly and fragile, you know.:{
Saibra grinned at both I’serin and at Chioneth and the juxtaposition of attitudes.
She waited until I’serin was back on top of the cliff with her. “Chioneth says I’m not allowed to make the jump. It does look exciting, though. How did you get started in this?”
There was a desperate, sordid story behind that but I’serin did not want to dwell on the origins today. “A need to feel free. Untethered. Limitless,” he answered with a smile. Given his regimented childhood and overbearing father, he figured that Saibra would understand. He looked at Chioneth to respectfully say, “It is quite safe. Neither I nor Aluneth would endanger the two of you.”
Chioneth looked at I’serin for several long, uncomfortable moments. }:Fine, but if you die, I’m eating the Weyrleader before I /between/.:{
Saibra laughed and relayed Chioneth’s message. “Will you jump with me?” she asked I’serin.
“An acceptable compromise,” I’serin replied to Chioneth’s promise with a nonplussed smile as he offered his hand to Saibra in that courtly manner he used during their public appearances. “I will give you a few tips from the edge,” he offered so that landing the water far below would not hurt.
The goldrider put her hand in his and approached the edge of the cliff, where she received a dizzying eyeful of sparkling water. “Okay, I’m listening.”
He briefly explained how to use momentum to get far enough away from the edge, how to angle herself so that she went feet-first, etc. “You can dive in head-first if you would like,” he said, “but it can be scarier.” Then he backed up a dragonlength or two so that he could run. He waited for her to join him. “Ready?” he asked with a boyish glint in his eyes.
She absolutely was _not_ going to try for a head-first landing, but feet-first… she thought she could manage. She hoped.
Saibra released a slow exhale, her insides feeling quivery as she smiled nervously at I’serin. “Ready.”
I’serin took off at a jog, tugging her forward, but once they reached the edge, he released her hand so that she was free to jump. He plummeted down with an uncharacteristic wild cry of glee before hitting the water.
Beside him, Saibra gave a very un-Weyrwomanly squeal as she jumped and dropped through the air beside him. Tiny bubbles exploded around her on her entry into the water and caressed her body as she surfaced. “By the Egg,” she exclaimed around a breath laugh, her eyes bright with the adventure. “That was amazing!”
From the cliff, Chioneth’s arrow-shaped head peered over. }:The Weyrleader lives another day.:{
Beside her, Aluneth exhaled in relief. }: Thank you, my queen. :{
Last updated on the November 28th 2025