Cheering Him Up

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 25th July 2017

Characters: V'rel, T'lin
Description: Vatirel is still upset, but talking to Tyselin makes things better.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 4 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: A'kades

T'lin

Tyselin waited outside the apprentice weaver room and grinned as soon
as Vatirel stepped out. "Hey Tir." Tyselin pulled him into a one-armed
hug. "Let's grab lunch and head outside. Just you and me." Tyselin had
a wide circle of friends and loved spending time with them, but
sometimes it was nice to spend time alone with his best friend.

Vatirel smiled at Tyselin. "That sounds perfect. I need fresh air and
to smell something - anything - that isn't dye."

Tyselin chuckled and headed down the hallway. "Come on." They picked
up food from the dining cavern and headed out into the hot, sunny
Weyrbowl. Fortunately, after living at the Weyr for Turns they knew
all the shady spots and in a short while they were settled into a
relatively cool area within the shadow of the Weyr.

Vatirel sat down his food and sighed as he settled into the seat.
"What have you been up to this last sevenday? It's been so busy I feel
like I haven't seen you."

"I'm still helping with the upgrading project but I'm also studying
plans for various electrical systems to see if there are ways to
improve them." The technicians that came over from the Hall to work on
the electrical system for the Weyr had brought along records that
Tyselin was eager to pour over.

"That sounds interesting. I know I appreciate the changes to the lower
caverns, especially since its improved the food. And lights in the
storerooms are nice. I can't wait until everywhere gets electrified."

That reminded him. "You know, I've heard some River Bluff folks
complaining about it already," he mentioned. "I'm trying to be patient
with them about it, since I bet some of it is just missing their
homes. But it still feels like they're insulting us."

Tyselin shrugged. "It must be hard going from flipping on a light to
having to use glows, especially when they've already got so much loss
to deal with."

"I imagine the change from Thayan Peak to Dolphin Cove was weird too,"
Vatirel said. Thinking about the River Bluff changes, and about his
disappointment, he sighed deeply.

"I'm glad I wasn't around for that," Tyselin said around a bite. He
swallowed and nudged Vatriel with his shoulder. "Hey, something else
bothering you?"

How was it Ty could always read his moods? Vatirel wondered. He hadn't
intended to bring anything up on his own, but if the opportunity was
there, he'd take it. "So you know my dad and how he visits whenever he
can because he likes to stay involved," he started.

I saw my dad earlier, when he stopped by to reassure me he was okay. I
asked him, "why don't you come to Dolphin Cove?" I know he never
wanted to leave River Bluff, but with it gone, I thought maybe he'd
come here and we could be more of a family. After all, where else
would he go? Well, it turns out he's going to _Dragonsfall_ instead."

"Really? Why?"

"He said something wanting to keep overflying old River Bluff
territory and because his home before being a rider was in
Dragonsfall, so it felt natural to go there. He asked if I wanted to
move there with him, too," he added.

"But it just seems unfair. I'd like to see my dad more. But he should
come here. Me, moving to Dragonsfall? I hate the idea of moving!"
Vatirel said loudly, then regretted it immediately. He hated showing
his upset to people.

Tyselin was used to his friend's outbursts and was only bothered
because Vatirel was upset. "I hate the idea of you moving too." Just
the thought made Tyselin's stomach clench. "But you're not, right?
You're staying?" He put a hand on Vatirel's arm, as if he could hold
him here.

"I'm not moving," Vatirel confirmed, lifting his hand up to put it
over Tyselin's. "I mean, I really would _like_ to see my dad all the
time. But it was hard enough getting used to Dolphin Cove from Rising
Moons. I have friends and a life here, I wouldn't give that up."

**Oh thank Faranth.** "I know what it's like. I miss my family too."
They came for every Hatching, still full of kind words and
encouragement even though he walked away disappointed over and over.
Sometimes a dragonrider friend would take him for a visit to the hold,
but he still only saw them a few times a Turn.

"It feels kind of stupid to miss him when I've never really lived with
him. You can't live with rider parents now. I'm always wondering what
it's like for holdkin like you, to have folks there instead of being
fostered."

"It was nice until I got old enough to Craft. Parents, siblings,
grandparents, lots of aunts and uncles and cousins." Tyselin sighed.
"Weyr families are different, and that's not necessarily bad. You
still have your mom and your sisters."

"That's true. But wouldn't it have been nice to have my dad and my
other siblings too?" Kadera was close to his age and a Healer. Every
time he met her, he thought that she was really nice.

"I guess I can see why he wanted to stay there, and it's probably
stupid to be upset about it, but I'm just disappointed. I really want
to make him proud."

Tyselin awkwardly hugged him while balancing a plate on his knees.
"I'm sure you _do_ make him proud. How could he not be proud of you?"

Tyselin was right. There was no reason to think his dad wouldn't be.
But he wasn't sure. "He's all successful. I just want to live up to
that."

"You should be your own person, not compare yourself to someone else.
Not sure if my opinion matters much, but I think you're amazing."
Other people might overlook him, but Tyselin saw Vatirel's depth and
kindness, his passion for the things he loved, the way he worked so
hard.

"Ty, you always know just what to say," Vatirel said, smiling at his
friend and then leaning over to touch foreheads with him.

These little touches sent the contented warmth of friendship through
Tyselin, but lately he felt a little extra flutter when he and Vatirel
were this close. He thought about that time they'd kissed, but that
had been Turns ago and it was only practice so Vatirel could learn
how. It hadn't meant anything. But now Tyselin wondered... He shook
the thought away and pulled back with a smile. "One of my many
skills."

"Let's see, those include a silver tongue, skilled hands, and an ego
the size of a gold dragon right before she Rises?"

"All true." His smile widened into a grin.

"Remind me why we're best friends?"

"Because despite all that you put up with me." Tyselin nudged him playfully.

"It's such a hardship," Vatirel joked. He was feeling a lot better
now. "Hey, do you want to walk the beach looking for spiderclaws to
cook at some point? Just us?"

"Sure. We should do it on a restday so we have plenty of time." They
were both busy with Crafting.

"I'll set aside the next one just for you," Vatirel said.

"That's so sweet of you Tir." He said it like he was joking but his
heart made that funny flutter again.

"You're the one who said it." Vatirel grinned, happy that at least Ty
was here for him, always reliable.

Last updated on the September 1st 2017

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Cheering Him Up