Definitely Confusing

Writers: Vix
Date Posted: 14th July 2007

Characters: Ch'bal
Description: Ch'bal reflects on the changes in his life.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 18 of Turn 4

}:I want sun.:{ "I can't give you sun." The new weyrling addressed his dragon patiently, though he still often spoke aloud, not having totally acclimated to non-verbal communication.

}:There was sun that other time.:{ "Yesterday the sun peeked through now and then," agreed Ch'bal. "But there were also clouds and _I_ had nothing to do with either one. They just happened. At least right now it's not raining."

}:The rain feels good,:{ she informed him. }:Almost like having an extra bath.:{ "Almost." Again the young man agreed. "But if you were wearing clothes, it wouldn't feel quite as good. Damp clothes feel sticky."

}:Why wear them?:{ Though the dragon asked the question, Ch'bal sensed that she was too sleepy for a prolonged answer and remained silent.

"And you thought we wouldn't Impress!" Another weyrling plopped onto the ground next to Ch'bal, her own green dragon lumbering along, pausing to sit and glance at the young man.

Ch'bal shrugged as he replied to his sister. "You're right. I figured that by now we'd be headed back home." He paused as the girl's green poked her snout in his face.

Toncha laughed, cocking her head to listen to her dragon's comment. "Yes, that's my 'clutch-mate.' But we say 'brother' or 'sister' instead. He's a male, so he's a brother."

The dragon's head turned to look at the near-drowsing green nearby.

Again the girl listened to the young dragon's comment, but this time needed to force a smile. "Yes, Vaith is a female - just like you. But Chabal. . . Ch'bal. . . is a male. Sometimes it works out that way." She turned to her brother, trying to mask her discomfort. "Vorth has trouble understanding so many things."

"There's much to be confused about right now," admitted Ch'bal evenly. "Vaith has kept me struggling for answers to all of her questions.

Though Toncha opened her mouth to pursue the topic further, her expression showed that once again she had been distracted by the two-day old green Vorth. "She says that she's very tired and wants to sleep on her couch. I'd better go." She rose and gave her brother an apologetic look. "We hardly ever see each other even though we're living so close."

"It's a busy time for all of us." Ch'bal nodded toward the dragons. "They take most of our attention and when they're sleeping we have too many other things to do. We'll catch up with each other later."

She turned and gave him a quick hug before resuming her walk back to the barracks, Vorth following her.

**Definitely confusing.** Ch'bal closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

}:What is confusing?:{ Vaith's question touched his mind with a sleepy tone.

**Nothing to worry about, dearest.** The boy thought of sleep, of closing his eyes and letting the warmth overcome him. He opened his eyes to try to remain awake himself, though the young dragon drifted deeper into sleep.

For several long minutes he simply watched the green sleep, noting the rise and fall of the glistening hide. He would have to bathe and oil Vaith when she woke - he could almost see her growing as she slept, her belly distended from her recent meal.

A cry caught his attention and he watched a full-grown green dragon rising from the feeding grounds, three blues and two browns following. On the ground, several men ran toward one of the mating weyrs spaced nearby.

Ch'bal repeated his comment of earlier. **Definitely confusing.**

He had Impressed, something he had not expected to do. That had turned his life upside down. He had expected to return to the seaside cothold to live with his Grandda, taking his sister with him. There he would continue his studies as a Beastcrafter - and eventually have a family.

That was no longer an option. Yes, he could continue his studies after his weyrling training was finished, fitting it in around his duties as a dragonrider. However, this was now home, this Weyr, not the cothold. For both him and his sister, life was now defined by the presence of that other in their lives.

His Impression had complicated his life, had changed his direction to something unexpected.

But he had Impressed a green dragon - a female. This was the part of his life that had become confusing.

Home to the cothold, his craft - and a family. Those had been his expectations, where he thought his life would go. Now he had a new home, had delayed his craft studies, and the family. . .

He had not been interested in any particular girl, had not been interested in girls at all, but it was expected that he would wed, would sire children, and he had accepted that.

However, he had Impressed a green dragon - a female. Those who Impressed greens were either female or males who . . . did whatever it was they did only with other males.

That rush of thought left his heart racing at the uncertainty of what was to come. In her sleep, Vaith stirred, uttering a soft grunting sound as if disturbed in some way. He shoved the questions from his mind, thinking instead once more of sleep, of warmth, and watched the dragon settle.

**Definitely confusing.** But he would consider that at another time.

Last updated on the July 14th 2007

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Definitely Confusing