Not So Watered Down Wisdom (1/2)

Writers: Draconafin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 21st October 2026

Characters: Az'uka, Hesbia
Description: Hesbia inquires after wisdom from an older rider
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 28 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: Ty’dis, P’yer [Deceased NPC]
Mentor Approved; by Devin

Hesbia

Az’uka paused at the edge of the Weyrlake. Closing his eyes to gather his thoughts and steady his breathing. Despite the change of season being in full swing he had taken time to go for a run. Old habits, and consequently practised Crafts died hard, even in this climate. As his breathing began to settle quickly, after Turns of practise; he stared rolling up his selves and reached for the mind never far from his.

**’zuth get your tail down here before I get cold, ** was the teasing tone. The satisfying burn in his muscles would only last while he was still moving. Thus the warmth that came with it would dissipate soon enough between the wind and water. Depending of course on just how much the dragon intended to splash. Which might not be at all, given how vacant the space was right now. Perhaps that was why the blue was slow to gather himself. Taking the chance to tease him further the rider was quick to add; **Maybe a pretty green will appear if you do.**

}:Don’t make promises you can’t keep :{ Nilzuth intoned from behind his rider moments later; giving the man a hearty but playful shove before wading out into the depths with him.

Approaching the shore, Oriveth settled with sleek, dark grace, folding his wings along his spine as he observed the two further out in the water. **Don't you dare get any ideas about pushing me into deep water like that,** his rider lovingly threatened as she slid down. Oriveth let out a rich chuckle as he waded into the water. Hesbia grabbed a brush and began working on him quickly.

}: Hello, Nilzuth, :{ Oriveth greeted, humored, as he settled into being cleaned. }: How goes drowning your rider? :{

}: Oriveth, :{ Nilzuth returned the greeting warming. A warble turning into something of a chuckle as he answered the question the younger dragon had posed. }:Worry not; he is remarkably resilient :{ As if to make his point Nilzuth snorted in his rider's direction; causing the man's now wet mop of hair to explode forward and stick to his face.

"... and that is remarkably unhelpful" Az'uka only half scolded as he raked a hand though his dishevelled locks. Which only succeeded in half wrangling it. Just enough to get it out of his eyes. He then glanced over at rider that had joined them -- Hesbia; a name that wasn't easily forgotten. Given she was one of a handful of female blueriders that had been appearing around cluster of Southern Weyrs. Personally he never understood what some people had been worked up about, breaking of tradition and all that nonsense. Sure it hadn't happened before -- at least not that they knew of; but a rider was a rider in his opinion. Regardless of gender, regardless of the colour of dragon they rode. Flashing her a smile and a wave he spoke. "Hesbia; how is Weyrling life treating you and Oriveth?"

He was charming, she gave him that. Most dragonriders were. When she had relocated to the Weyr, she found it insufferable. It made every dragonrider feel untrustworthy for some reason. Now, she realized that a lot of them were like that because they had found a missing of themselves in their dragons and were overjoyed. **Remind me to never sound like that, okay?** she told Oriveth, who quietly chuckled in that rich tone of his.

Even though Hesbia could relate to finding something she hadn't realized she was missing, she still spoke with her usual snark. "Well, let's see. I used to wake up before dawn and chop up a bunch of bloody meat for a dragon who didn't know how to chew his own food at first. And then I had to throw firestone sacks around for hours. And bathe and oil said dragon in between. And lessons. Endless lessons. Which I'm still having by the way. Still throwing firestone sacks too. But at least now my dragon can feed himself and I get a bit more sleep than before so there's that. I mean, if I didn't have to throw myself in mortal danger every sevenday here in a few days, I'd say life has vastly improved as a weyrling."

"One never escapes firestone sacks," came the statement, with false seriousness -- as it was obvious the rider was chuckling underneath. Firestone drills only evolved; from ground, to flight. Then passing them to the Wings and eventually being in the Wings themselves. Even fully accomplished riders were still dealing with them; not to mention the aftermath that was regurgitated stone. The smell of which could almost make some miss the days before their dragons were capable of relieving themselves /between/. That said, he hadn't missed her snarkiness and it was part of the reason for his amusement. He had heard that the Weyrling rider was a feisty one. He had also heard enough know her background while a rarity was far harder than those usually associated with dragons. It would seem the young pair were breaking all sorts of rules when it came to traditions. His musing however caught part of her statements about being in mortal danger. Now then; she hadn't exactly escaped that with Thread fighting in her future -- but hopefully training would make for some preparedness when the time came. So not to add any weight to any fears she might have Az'uka choose his words carefully; "I'm sure Oriveth will keep you well protected."

}: From the things that matter anyway :{ Nilzuth added and flicked the tip of his tail at his rider, sending a small spray of water at the man who had paused in his scrubbing only for a moment.

"Of course;" He raised a hand against the small wave before continuing, "A dragon is just a capable of causing trouble for their rider"

"Maybe yours does," Hesbia muttered under her breath. Oriveth certainly had never tried such antics with her. Louder, she said, "So, what wisdom do you have to impart upon me? You've gotta have some tips and tricks for newbies who are just graduating, right?"

An eyebrow quirked at hearing the female rider mutter something, although he didn't catch a word of it. Before he could even consider asking after it the air was filled with a question that gave him reason to pause. Unwittingly Hesbia had thrown Az'uka for a loop. His normally jovial nature stalled as he turned the question over in his head. People were not known for approaching the rider for his wisdom. In fact, to his knowledge, some might be more inclined to use him as an example of what _not_ to do. Reckless was one word that certainly floated around. Even when using his so called skills to pester himself after friends.

}: You have done plenty of good things too :{ Nilzuth intoned, lowering his head and pressing it against his rider's hand that had stopped its scrubbing.

**Wisdom is somewhat subjective ** Az'uka told his friend, idly scratching the dragon’s eye ridges as his hand had been coerced back into action. He regarded Hesbia with a hidden sigh. "I dare say any wisdom I might be able to give you would have already been pounded into you by your Weyrlingmaster." A loving look at his dragon he tried in earnest, "In my experience, this dragon riding life is all about meeting challenges and growing with them. Including learning from your mistakes. Your dragon and any friends you make here are your self-chosen family. They will repay all debts in kind. While keeping you honest to yourself and ensuring that the things people can't take from you, such as your character; are the most treasured parts about you."

Hesbia huffed lightly. **Apparently he _does_ have some intelligence to him,** she remarked dryly to Oriveth. Meeting challenges and learning from her mistakes? She had that experience in spades. Being Holdless meant that you got to mess up exactly once at something and if it didn't kill you that time, it was sure to do it next time if you were stupid enough to try it again. And she was always honest with herself. She had to be. Lying didn't get you far. Well, maybe it got you somewhere in the short term but definitely not in the long term. **I'm the most honest Holdless out there,** she bitterly remarked.

Oriveth swiveled his head to look at her. }: Your authenticity is one of the things I love most about you. :{

As tears pricked her eyes, she reached forward to scratch his nose. **Don't make me cry in front of the dumb dragonrider, okay? I'm trying to keep a big badass image.** Oriveth rumbled in amusement but went back to conversing with Nilzuth. "So, don't be a liar. Don't be an idiot. Be a good person. No wonder everyone likes you dragonriders. Not a cheater in the whole bunch."

Oriveth cleared his throat. }: Hes, you're also a dragonrider. :{

**Yeah but not like those traditional ones. You understand that.**

A gentle smile broke over Az'uka's features as he heard Hesbia's answer; raw, and far more grounded than many riders he knew. It lacked flowery appeasement and it almost caused him to chuckle. Not everyone liked dragonriders, and not all dragonriders were like likeable. But, she had the stereotype down pat. Yet, she was so far removed from that. A female bluerider was indeed an oddity; and he for one was glad that a need to conform hadn't taken hold of her. "Pretty much the secrets of life right there," was the remark that came out of his mouth with a chuckle, "Although some of my friends would argue that there is still plenty of room to be an idiot." It was clear enough by his tone that he knew some riders considered him to be just that at times.

"If you're looking for harder to follow advice," He paused and looked at her; offering up that which had been given to him turns ago. "Stop focusing on what everyone else thinks about you. It’s honestly none of their damn business. Be you, and you will attract what and those you need. Oriveth wouldn't change you and you shouldn't let others"

Hesbia immediately stilled. In just a few words, Az'uka has peeled away layers of defensiveness and had tapped into the core of what tended to bother Hesbia most about being a formerly Holdless, now dragonrider: that too many people had opinions about who she should be and she didn't match any of those traits. **Well, shit,** she thought to her dragon. **He really _does_ have a brain. Don't you dare tell his dragon that though.**

Oriveth chuckled. }: He's right, though. Be yourself. I picked you for that person, not who others think you should be. :{

There was an internal pause as Hesbia took that to heart, though she resumed her outward movements. **Yeah, remind me of that whenever I have my doubts,** she said, momentarily forgetting that he had such a short memory. She scrubbed Oriveth for another moment before saying, "Guess it's harder to follow because it's not set down like drills. Takes more work remembering what to do when it comes up."

Last updated on the October 28th 2026

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Not So Watered Down Wisdom (1/2)