With Cherries On Top
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: 2nd December 2025
Characters: Saibra, I'serin
Description: I'serin surprises Saibra with a birthingday cake
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 21 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: R'enh, Saidren, Ki'ben, K'mai, Q'vettan, Thiseta
Notes:
~*~
I’serin found it curious that their birthingdays were a mere eight days apart. So when Saibra joined him for their usual lunch, the Weyrleader had thought ahead. **Tell Saibra that lunch is here,** he had told Aluneth to relay to Chioneth as he put the finishing touches on the settee. There was a bottle of sweet wine but, more importantly, a small yellow cake topped with cooked, sweetened cherries. There was also a true meal but Saibra would see this first.
Saibra found it curious that their typical lunch was taking place in I’serin’s weyr, rather than his office, but she did not question it as she changed directions slightly and went into his personal portal instead.
“I’serin, why the change of -” she stopped short when she came upon the Weyrleader and the cake. Her eyes narrowed and her hands went to her hips as the beginnings of a smile tugged at her lips. “Is that what I think it is?”
With a courtly grace to his mannerisms, he smiled and bowed. “Lest we forget to celebrate the little, or big, things in life,” he said as he motioned for her to take a seat. “Happy birthingday, Saibra.”
The Weyrwoman brought her hands together in a clap as a laugh escaped her. “And to you as well.” She came closer to inspect the cake. “This looks _delicious_.”
“Did I remember correctly that you liked cherries?” he asked.
“You remembered _perfectly_,” Saibra confirmed. “Cherries are my favorite.”
A boyish smile relaxed his face. “As much as some would argue, cake alone is not a sufficient meal,” he said as he indicated that she should sit. “Though, we are adults. We can have our dessert first if you would like.”
“Dessert first, absolutely.” Saibra said, settling in with a piece of the cake. “What are your birthday wishes for the next Turn?” she asked.
I’serin carved into his piece as he said pleasantly, “I find that I do better when I set goals, rather than just wish. I…” He paused, balancing word and emotion, “I would like to take K’mai out on a date. More dates, honestly. Perhaps a Gather.” It still gave him a small burst of panic to think about being so public but he was getting better at schooling it. “And reading more books. I only read four this Turn. A rather abysmal number. I usually cover at least ten.” He went to take a bite but asked, “And you?”
“Think of all the reports you’ve had to read, though,” Saibra pointed out. “This Turn, I would like to plan more family outings for me, R’enh, and the twins. It’s difficult when mom is a Weyrwoman and dad is a Wingleader. I had so much more time with Saidrene and Ki’ben thanks to the Interval.”
“The Interval gave a lot of us more time,” I’serin agreed. “Speaking of, how are Saidrene and Ki’ben?”
“From what I hear, Saidrene is fine. Although, not too happy about Barrier Lake’s newest Weyrleader. I haven’t had much interaction with Q’vettan, admittedly, so I can’t judge… yet.” Saibra would be forming her own opinions, though, once she had a chance to talk with the Barrier Lake goldriders for a bit of gossip.
“I have,” I’serin remarked. “He is…” He paused for the right words. He could not say that Q’vettan was manipulative or arrogant but he did exhibit the stereotypical bronzerider confidence and charisma. But there was something underneath all of it that had caught I’serin’s attention. “He is a harper and a bronzerider, if those two stereotypes will help frame your initial understanding of him, but he also bears the same sharpness of a blade, both in intellect and his dealings. While he has not used that edge against me, I have a feeling that he is not a man to be crossed. I am curious to see how Weyrwoman Thiseta is finding him.”
A harper and a bronzerider. **Brawn and brains. He must think incredibly highly of himself,** Saibra thought as she popped a forkful of cake into her mouth. “He has family here, yes?”
He nodded. “A mother, green Iokath’s rider, and a son, who I believe Impressed a green at Galgaith’s clutch. Regrettably, I know very little about either of them.”
Saibra couldn’t say that she knew much about them either, other than the names of the woman and her dragon. “I’ll have to ask some of the oldtimers and see what they remember about Q’vettan.”
“He has been Weyrleader before,” I’serin added, “At Igen.”
“Igen, huh?” The Weyrwoman’s blue eyes caught a sparkle. “I have a very old friend there. Maybe I’ll pay them a visit soon and see what I can find out.”
“Let me know what you discover,” I’serin requested as they both dug into their cake.
Last updated on the December 20th 2025