That Didn't Work Out

Writers: Halyonix, Steel
Date Posted: 29th June 2026

Characters: T'thalin, Y'rim
Description: Roxarith’s attempt to make friends goes… poorly.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 3, day 18 of Turn 13

}:Good morning,:{ Roxarith greeted, equably, when the green landed near him. }:Have you come to sun? Mine and I are basking as well.:{

}: Oh, aren’t you a darling little thing? :{ Quiroanth cooed as she folded her banded wings. }: Yoli, look how _cute_ he is! :{

Y’rim slid off Quiroanth’s neck to grin at the weyrling dragon and rider. “They’re adorable when they’re that bumbling age,” he said. “Who are you?”

“Roxarith’s not, um. He's not bumbling!” T'thalin protested, sat up even though he wanted nothing more than _avoid_ confrontation.

}:I am not bumbling.:{ Roxarith agreed with his rider. }:I am graceful. You must uphold our dignity.:{

T'thalin's shoulders squared slightly. “I'm T'thalin, and this is-- this is my Roxarith.” He said.

The bronze arched his neck proudly.

Quiroanth cooed. }: Bless your little bronze heart. Yes, you _are_ graceful. Are you flying yet? I’m sure you are the best flyer in your class. :{

Y’rim gave T’thalin an indulgent grin. “I’m Y’rim. This is my Quiroanth. Are you from Barrier Lake?”

“... No, sir.” T'thalin responded, after only a moment. “I'm from-- I mean, I was a Dragonsfall Weyr transfer. Nice to meet you.” He added hastily.

Roxarith's eyes whirled, pleased. }:I am excellent in the air, and getting better daily.:{ he told Quiroanth. }:Mine and I fly every chance we get.:{

}: Adorable, :{ Quiroanth cooed again.

“Dragonsfall! Oh, I bet you’re glad to be somewhere like here.” Y’rim shivered theatrically. “That place is far too cold for me nowadays.”

Roxarith mantled his wings, pleased at the praise.

“I, um. I definitely like the weather here more.” T'thalin offered in response. “But… I'm from Dragonsfall's territory.” More or less. “Snow-- snow can be nice, too.” he added.

“Only if you’re indoors and snuggled under lots of warm blankets and maybe next to someone,” Y’rim replied. “But it is pretty to look at. For about five minutes. And then, no thank you, give me that beach sun.”

“Coming here, um, brought me to Roxarith. So I… I wouldn't change that part.” T'thalin responded. “But… when we're older, I, um. I wouldn't mind going back. I don't know.”

}:As long as there are places to sun.:{ Roxarith asserted equably.

“Oh, absolutely for a visit, yes! I visit our old Weyr from time to time. I still have a friend or two there. But as a home? Oh my no.” He made a dismissive wave of his hand, indicating that they had reached some moot point to the conversation. “So a Dragonsfall transfer. What did you do before Impressing?”

“I, um…” T’thalin swallowed, but then took a steadying breath. “I was… Holdless, sir.” he offered. “But the Harpers did, um, let me apprentice, at Dragonsfall, before I came here.”

The moment that deplorable word left T’thalin’s mouth, Y’rim didn’t hear another thing the weyrling said.

Quiroanth’s eyes spun an alarmed saffron as her rider’s attitude flipped. “A _Holdless_? On a _dragon_?!” And a bronze no less! What an atrocity! Just wait until he told M’chan this! “How did you steal a dragon?!” It wasn’t a question, it was an accusation, because Y’rim didn’t believe that a dragon would have honestly chosen a Holdless Candidate unless there had been some sort of trick involved.

T’thalin went rigid, and Roxarith reared his head back in similar shock and alarm at his rider’s reaction. }:Mine did _not_ steal me!:{ the bronze declared at the green, and forgot all about posing for Quiroanth in favour of shoving his head between his rider and Quiroanth’s.

“I-- I didn’t _steal_ Roxarith!” T’thalin echoed his dragon. “He chose _me_!” One hand came up, stroked the bronze’s neck. “No, Roxarith, it’s okay. I’m all right…”

Roxarith snorted his opinion of _that_, and eyed Quiroanth. }:I think Yours should leave us alone now.:{

Quiroanth huffed and fluffed her wings indignantly. }: Oh, absolutely, :{ she agreed but not as surrender. She no longer wanted to be near the growing bronze much like her rider no longer wanted to be near the Holdless.

“Well, you did _something_ to get a dragon when you didn’t deserve one,” Y’rim said in an accusatory tone. He didn’t care if he was being rude. A Holdless on a dragon! They were doomed! He went over to Quiroanth to mount. “Oh, the atrocities. That old Dragonsfall Weyrleader made the wrong move,” he remarked. “Come on, Quir love. Let’s get out of here.”

T’thalin patted Roxarith once more, and then made his retreat as well. Forget the Dining Hall. He wasn’t very hungry anyways.

}:Yours is very rude.:{ Roxarith told the green, then turned his head away, trotting after his rider, waiting only for him to climb on to return to their own weyr.

Last updated on the September 2nd 2026

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That Didn't Work Out