On Flights - A Gold's Perspective (2/2)
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: Avery
Date Posted: 11th April 2017
Characters: A'vel, Kapera
Description: Sogath asks Riyanth about the difference between human and dragon
relations.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 7 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: L'pin
Notes: Part 4 in the "A'vel's First Flight" sequence
The young green still wanted to know what rider mating was like and why
they couldn't just do it sensibly in a flight like dragons. Instead her
rider was sitting around worrying about his mating. She needed to know
what she could do so that he stopped worrying.
}: But what are the rules for people?:{ Tsogath asked. }:How does your
rider mate?:{
}:Not as sensibly as you would think,:{ Riyanth shared with Tsogath. She
liked complaining about Kapera's choice in partners. }:You see, I mate
with bronzes, so she should mate with bronze riders.:{
}:Why is that?:{ the green asked.
}:They are better suited for her because we are important. Bronzes are for
golds' pleasure and so their riders should be for my rider,:{ Riyanth
said, as though it was most obvious.
That sounded sensible to Tsogath. }:You are wise.:{
Riyanth kept complaining. }:But she also mates with brown or blue riders.
And sometimes with those who are not even riders. I do not like that. My
rider should have a partner close to her importance and nonriders are
usually not. She makes bad decisions.:{
}:So what should my rider do?:{ Tsogath asked.
}:Mate with riders who are similar in status. You mate with blues or
browns the most so their riders would be good choices,:{ the gold
responded.
}:Sometimes green riders mate with other green riders, but greens don't
pair,:{ the green said.
That was true. Riyanth knew that the greens and blues had odd rules, and
she tried to recall the pairings she had seen. }:Male green and blue
riders pair up the most but sometimes green and green pair, or blue and
blue. But bronze and green riders do not pair unless it is a female
green,:{ she said.
}:So my rider should pair with a green or blue rider?:{ That sounded
sensible to Tsogath.
}:Yes. Or he could pair with a not-rider if he wanted,;{ Riyanth added. It
would be fine for the chromatics to do something odd like that, since they
were not important.
}:But a blue would be good. Then your rider and his rider can enjoy each
other and it is best if he wins your flight. So pick a blue with a rider
your rider likes. If you like him,:{ the gold reminded.
}:I will tell mine that you say those are who he should mate with. Thank
you for teaching me, Riyanth:{ Tsogath said politely.
}:Have your rider speak to mine if he is still confused. After all, my
rider knows many things and can teach him how to do flights and mating
right,:{ the gold said airily, before returning her attention to the
bronzes.
Tsogath returned her attention to her rider. }:Riyanth says that you
should pick a blue or green rider,:{ she chirped.
A'vel had been ruminating about what greenrider he felt safe talking to.
He hadn't realized his green was talking to anyone. Much less to a gold
dragon. About _him _...it was embarrassing.
}:I asked her about rider mating. She said you should use a blue or green
rider,:{ Tsogath replied.
**Why did you ask her that?**
}:I don't know the rules and you are confused. I wanted to help,:{ Tsogath
answered. }:She said you should speak to her rider if you have
questions.:{
**Yeah, I'll just bother the Weyrwoman's Second asking how to lose my
virginity. That'll go great.** Unspoken was his extra thought that how
would a goldrider understand the stress of being a male greenrider...
There was silence across the bond. Then a quiet sense of being rejected
welled up from Tsogath.
A'vel winced as soon as he felt it it, realizing how bitter and petty he
sounded. **Tso, I don't hate you, I'm just...sorry,** he thought
contritely.
}:You feel unpleasant about this. About me.:{ On her ledge, Tsogath lashed
her tail in agitation.
**About mating flights. I don't regret you, never!** he thought emphatically.
}:But you wouldn't have to deal with mating flights if it wasn't for me.:{
**It doesn't matter. It's worth it because it means I have you,** A'vel
told her. **I was lost before you and now I'm whole.**
}:Are you sure?:{ The green's normally bubbly mind-voice was soft and
hesitant.
**I am. I'm sorry I upset you,** he said, shivering as he realized how in
trouble he was. The problem was with him. He was making too much of a deal
with this and it was going to end badly.
**Can you ask Riyanth if I can go speak with her rider? I think I need
to,** he said. Tsogath was clearly comfortable with Riyanth and L'pin had
told him that goldriders had a good perspective on flights. And he needed
to get a handle on this feeling before she rose. Before anything could go
wrong.
}:Riyanth?:{ Tsogath asked hesitantly. }:Can my rider see yours today?:{
The gold checked with her rider, then responded, }:He can meet her in an
office in a candlemark.:{
Tsogath relayed it to A'vel. He swallowed and drained the last of the
now-cold klah. One candlemark. He had that long to figure out how to
explain his fear of flights to a goldrider.
Last updated on the April 25th 2017