Impressed?
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, Steel
Date Posted: 6th May 2026
Characters: T'thalin, I'serin
Description: T'thalin reunites with… a friend, maybe?
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 3, day 12 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: K’mai
Having gotten word from K’mai that another of the Holdless had Impressed, I’serin made an effort to set aside a moment to visit, this time to Barrier Lake. **Have you located his dragon?** I’serin asked of Aluneth.
}: Yes, :{ the dragon replied. Then, to the dragonet, there came a rich tenor tone, }: Roxarith. :{
Roxarith froze, then snorted, arched his neck proudly. }:Hello.:{ the young dragon greeted. }:Have you come to admire my new harness?:{
A pause. }: No, :{ Aluneth answered, }: My rider would like to rendezvous with yours if they are available. :{
}:Hmn.:{ Roxarith responded. }:Mine is studying. I have told him Yours is here, and he is coming.:{ he added. }:Tell your rider he may meet us by the Lake rocks.:{
Roxarith himself was stretched out on said rocks, lounging rather like a gleaming statue cast in pale nearly golden bronze, if a little lanky yet.
T'thalin arrived at a brisk trot only a few moments later.
A moment later, a dark shadow neared, wings fanned as Aluneth landed effortlessly. He rumbled a polite greeting to the young dragon as his rider dismounted. “Weyrling Tathalin,” I’serin greeted. “Though perhaps I should be calling you something else now.”
“T'thalin now, sir.” T'thalin responded, straightened. “I… _thank you_ for coming, sir, I wasn't sure-- I mean, I wasn't _expecting_ a visitor, I… When K'mai said he knew you I was just hoping he'd tell you--”
Roxarith nudged his rider, interrupted the half anxious ramble. }:Introduce us.:{
T'thalin turned a little bit red. “... Of course. I… Roxarith, this is, um, bronzerider I’serin. Sir, this is Roxarith. My dragon.”
Roxarith arched his neck proudly, and fanned his wings. }:I am magnificent.:{ he agreed simply.
Aluneth lowered his head to inspect the stripling dragon and then settled back into a critiquing pose. }: Then hold yourself accordingly, :{ he suggested to Roxarith.
“Roxarith,” I’serin repeated as he watched the two bronzes interact. “A fine name. He is growing up nicely.” He noticed the straps on the young dragon and asked, “Are you beginning your first flights?”
“We have.” T'thalin confirmed. “He's… It's really amazing.” He added. “Just being near him, but… being on his back, flying. It's… it feels like I can do _anything_.”
}:Of course you can.:{ Roxarith declared, and puffed his chest out a bit more when he noticed he was being looked at.
I’serin remembered that first flight feeling fondly. “It is truly a wonderful experience,” he agreed with a soft, genuine smile. “But I warn you not to let that feeling of confidence turn into one of invincibility. Threadfall is dangerous. Your training will keep you safe.” As safe as one could be when confronted with a mortal enemy.
T'thalin ducked his head a little bit. “I'm… I'm not going to be dumb, sir.” He promised, quietly. “Roxarith is… I'm… I never imagined I could _feel_ this way. He's… he's _everything_, sir. He… Because of _him_, I… um. I _belong_ somewhere. Risking him is… is the last thing I'd ever do.”
He turned away, just for a moment, using the excuse of Roxarith needing a strap adjusted.
The older bronzerider knew _that_ feeling, and how difficult it was to articulate to anyone who was not a dragonrider, very well. “He is everything,” he echoed gently. There was a companionable pause before I’serin continued with, “I know that training is difficult. And your…circumstances…mean that you have a lot of learning to do on top of weyrling training. I…offer any help that I or Aluneth can give in that regard.” It helped that Roxarith could now speak to Aluneth across any distance. Hopefully T’thalin would take that opportunity.
“I… Um. I have one or two friends.” T'thalin offered quietly. “But… um. I mean… _thank you_, sir. I… I appreciate your offer.” He took a slow breath. “There’s… I'm doing my best, sir. So is Roxarith. We… we're getting better at flying every day. And… and we're going to start betweening soon, the Weyrlingmasters say.”
“A very important milestone.” I’serin was gladdened that it seemed like the youth was adjusting and taking his new duties seriously. “Pay attention to your lessons. I have no doubt that you will.” His offer discharged, I’serin wavered on what next to do and eventually decided that he had taken up enough of the weyrling’s precious time. “I will let you return to your duties,” he said. “Remember, Aluneth and I are a call away if you need.”
“... Thank you for coming all this way.” T'thalin told him. “And… maybe someday soon, I can come visit? I'll have Roxarith reach out first.” He promised. “If you see K'mai, tell him I said hi?”
“I shall,” the bronzerider assured him.
Last updated on the June 1st 2026