The Best Seat in the House

Writers: Aaron, Halyonix
Date Posted: 5th May 2026

Characters: Kailis, L'leb, V'dryn, Leloede, Q'lian
Description: V'dryn Searches Leoleb.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 13, day 8 of Turn 12

Kailis

Kailis would never say no to free help washing a dragon. Each day since Leloede, her former technician colleague's little brother had traveled in from the islands to visit him, he had practically forced Leoleb to help wash Chordath.

At first, Kailis had been worried that Leloede was trying to play matchmaker, but it quickly became apparent that even if he was, Leoleb was not interested in playing along. Nevertheless, they remained friendly and enthusiastic, and more importantly, they continued to help wash Chordath.

"Hey. V'dryn." When Kailis spotted her former classmate preparing to wash Zhomoth, she waved him over and held out a small opened package. "Want a klah cookie?"

"Of course!" the bluerider answered with a growing grin. Klah cookies were a favorite, especially if the kitchens used a sugar glaze on them. He reached into the package to snag one. "Thank you, Kailis. How are you and Chordath today?"

"Kailis!" Leloede splashed over. "Who's your friend?" If neither Leoleb nor Kailis were interested in the other, perhaps he still had a chance with whoever this was. He was fairly sure he had seen Leoleb steal too many glances at male backsides for it to be coincidence, and blueriders liked men, right? If he could convince Leoleb to stay, then he had one more excuse to remain himself-- at least for a little while longer.

"This is V'dryn. Chordath and Zhomoth were hatched from the same clutch. We trained together as weyrlings. V'dryn, this is Leloede. I worked with him while I was still with the technicians."

"Oh, did you get a cookie?" asked Leloede.

"I did," V'dryn answered with a nod his head as a greeting to the others. "Another technician! Are you enjoying your work here at Barrier Lake?"

"Oh, it's been an absolute thrill," said Leloede. "I really hate to leave. This is my brother, Leoleb! He's here to visit me! Say hello to V'dryn and Chomoth, Leoleb."

"He said Zhomoth," Leoleb corrected. "Hi. I'm Leoleb." He smiled and offered his hand to shake.

V'dryn took it with an easy smile. "A pleasure to meet you. Are you enjoying your time here as well?"

"It's been a great time," said Leoleb. "A little chillier than I like, but I'm used to living on an island." He did have a bit of an unusual accent.

That sounded interesting. "An island?" V'dryn inquired. To Kailis, he joked, "Where do you find them?"

"They find me. Apparently." Kailis shrugged.

"Our hold is on the leeward side of a crescent-shaped island north of Dolphin Cove," Leloede explained. "We have a fairly large technician presence there, due to the wind turbines."

"You should come visit some time," said Leoleb. "There's more to the island than turbines."

The turbines alone sounded interesting. "I would love a visit. Kailis knows how much I love to learn new things and see new places. Tell me what you've been working on while here. Anything I can look forward to breaking?"

"Ohh, I'm no technician myself. I'm just a diver," said Leoleb. "I've just been helping tidy up and the like to earn my dinner while I'm here. Washing a few dragons."

"Diving?" V'dryn echoed. He noted that Zhomoth had come closer and was looming his head over his rider's shoulder, his faceted eyes on Leoleb. "Are you part of the crew that's investigating some of the wrecks in the lake?"

Leoleb perked up with obvious interest.

"This is the first I'm hearing about it! Leloede, why didn't you tell me they needed divers here?"

"This is the first I'm hearing about it, too!" If Leloede had known about that, it would have been much easier to convince Leoleb to stay without bothering to try to get him infatuated with a dragonman.

"Do they need more help?" asked Leoleb.

"Maybe. I'm not in charge of the proj-- hey, Zee buddy, give us some space?" Zhomoth had stretched his head closer to Leoleb, pushing V'dryn a bit in his quest to sniff the other man. "Sorry. I'm not sure what's up with him." **What are you doing?**

Zhomoth's head tilted just enough to indicate that he had heard his rider but his eyes were still fixated on Leoleb. }: I can hear him. Like I can hear you. Not as loudly but...it is there. :{

V'dryn's expression became puzzled. "Leoleb, are you...you're not a Candidate, are you?" he asked cautiously.

"I'm not, no." Strictly speaking, Leoleb was not _currently_ a Candidate. Was this dragon trying to Search him? He was certainly friendlier than the one who had Searched him to Dolphin Cove. Leoleb stepped closer and held out his hand to Zhomoth.

Zhomoth's nostrils widened as he inhaled deeply but it was the swirl of color within the facets of his eyes that was more telling: clouds of green and blue, tinted opal with promise }: I think he would be a good Candidate, :{ he told V'dryn.

Still puzzled, the bluerider said, "I'm not...certain to how this works but Zhomoth seems to think that you'd be a good Candidate." V'dryn made note to speak with Q'lian, the Searchrider who had spoken to their weyrling class, immediately. "We've never Searched anyone before. I believe you'd need a token to confirm it to the Headwoman and we don't have that."

Zhomoth's head angled more towards his rider. }: You seem baffled. I can call Tivorth's if that will help. But I think Tivorth will sense the same thing. :{

**Let us do that,** V'dryn answered, his finger pressed against his cheek in thought as he looked Leoleb over. "Zhomoth is calling over a more experienced Searchrider, if you want to wait a moment."

"Oh, uh. Yeah, sure." Leoleb stole a quick glance at Leloede, wondering whether he was going to rat him out about their plans to go back to the Lagoon after the Hatching, but he seemed completely distracted with washing Kailis's dragon.

"I'd love that." He had seen Hatchings from the Sands before, of course. So he knew exactly how much better the view would be from there than the stands. There was no harm in it.

Tivorth arrived a moment later, with his rider Q'lian sliding down from his neck. Instantly, the two blues began conversing privately, while Q'lian asked, "Ah, you...wanted a Searchrider?"

V'dryn motioned towards Leoleb. "Zhomoth seems to think that Leoleb here has the potential to be a Candidate. I...we've never Searched someone before and I..." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

Q'lian, nonplussed, nodded as he brought a crooked finger near his mouth in thought. He listened to Tivorth for a moment and then the older dragon lowered his head towards Leoleb. }: Zhomoth is correct. I sense it too, :{ Tivorth declared to his rider.

Still nodding, Q'lian said, "Well, you've...you've nailed it. Zhomoth, anyway. Tivorth agrees. Leoleb, you said?" The last bit was directed towards the islander under draconic scrutiny.

"Aye, sir, that's me." He gave a smile and a nod to Zhomoth and then to Tivorth.

The older bluerider nodded thoughtfully again, then his stance shifted to one of nervous fidgeting. "Well, guess we'll get you logged and settled," he said as he fished a Search token out of his pocket to offer. "Take this to the Headwoman." Still looking nervous, Q'lian nodded at V'dryn. "If Zhomoth feels like he has another, just...uh...just let me know. Tivorth is happy to help." His gaze went back to Leoleb. "Welcome to being a Candidate."

"Thank you, sir!" Leoleb beamed, put his hand to his heart, and bowed slightly.

Q'lian made an awkward gesture that equated to him returning the sentiment before he left. As V'dryn watched Tivorth take off again, his expression was intensely thoughtful. He made note to talk to Q'lian and maybe another Searchrider soon. "I'm glad for you," he said to Leoleb genuinely once his thoughts were done. "It's quite an honor."

"I know it is!" Leoleb was still excited, but he took note of V'dryn's more sober countenance. "Are you all right?"

Caught, V'dryn answered, "Yes. Just...thinking. I didn't...honestly expect for Zhomoth to be right. There's still quite a lot for us to learn and it seems as though we've stumbled upon some natural ability."

"Is this how riders usually learn their dragons are good at Searching?" Leoleb wondered.

Some of that usual easy charm appeared in V'dryn's expression. "I wouldn't know. This is my first time being a dragonrider," he quipped but he was definitely going to ask Q'lian about it. "Anyway, congratulations, Leoleb! I hope that you find your dragon soon."

"Thanks!"

Last updated on the June 1st 2026

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