Someone Like Me
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: Heather
Date Posted: 18th January 2025
Characters: Casmari, C'ris
Description: Casmari seeks her father's advice about mating flights.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 4, day 10 of Turn 12
Sitting on a large flat rock by the edge of the lake, Casmari laughed as Sebiath used his tail in the water to tease a flair of firelizards. They were chasing after the tip of his tail with gusto, but whenever they would get close to catching it, he would jerk his tail quickly beneath the water and out of sight.
The stone-blue dragon had begun growing so quickly that the baby he had been was long gone. Now he was long and sleek and already on track to surpass her father's blue dragon in size.
Within the next month or so, Sebiath would be mature enough to chase a green in a mating flight if he wanted. And Casmari knew that he wanted to chase greens. He was determined to prove to _everyone_ that he was an impeccable specimen, even if his rider was a _girl_.
She smiled, remembering the conversation they'd had a month or so ago, a conversation he had surely already forgotten.
}:I don't understand. Why do you think we are so different than the other Weyrlings?:{ Sebiath had lowered a giant whirling eye down to inspect her closely. }:Are you hiding something from me?:{ It was his teasing tone, the one he used when he wanted to perk her up.
**No, I'm not hiding anything,** she laughed. **But haven't you noticed, Seb, that I'm a _girl_ and all the other blueriders are _boys_?**
There was a moment of silence.
Sebiath huffed out a large waft of air straight out of his nostrils, blasting Casmari right in the face.
}:Are you capable of sitting on my neckridge? Then you are capable of being my rider. There was no one else for me. There is only you. Don't question it.:{
**Or you'll blow more dragon snot on me?**
}:That's right.:{
From then on, she'd done her best to either hide any insecurities from Sebiath or not think about them at all. He was right. There was no reason she couldn't, or shouldn't, be his rider.
But then conversations of mating flights had come along and now there was an entirely new worry. Many of her classmates were already pairing off or finding some way to prepare themselves for the possibilities that mating flights could bring.
Casmari's worry was two-fold. She'd never slept with a guy or a girl. She'd honestly never considered either very much. She'd been so focused on becoming a harper and then Impressing a dragon that she'd thought about little else.
"There's my girl," a familiar voice said. She turned to see her father approach, smiling that smile of his.
"Dad." She stood and went into his waiting arms.
"What was it you wanted to talk about?" he asked, pulling back a bit so he could see her face. "And, how did I manage to score this conversation? Normally, serious stuff is run by your mother first."
Casmari's mouth twitched lightly. "I don't think she has any experience with the problem I'm having."
C'ris's face lost its joviality and became serious instead. "I see. Let's walk around the lake and you can tell me about your problem."
Their boots crunched against the pebbly shoreline. Behind them, Sebiath was now bobbing on the lake like a large boat with the gaggle of firelizards perched along his spine.
"Next month, Sebiath will be old enough to chase greens if he wants to," she said, breaking the silence.
C'ris's eyes softened. He thought he knew where this was going. It was something he and Rasme had discussed lying in bed the night Casmari had impressed Sebiath. Parents often can foresee the hurdles their children might have to overcome. The hurdles can't be moved, but support to cross the hurdles is what he and Rasme hoped to provide.
"First mating flights are nerve-wracking," C'ris agreed.
"I've, uh..." a light tinge of pink graced her cheeks, "never had any experience. So, of course, we're being encouraged to... get some experience."
"With girls?" C'ris guessed.
"Oh, well, um... in my case, with _anyone_."
"I see." C'ris said, but his head did tilt. He had really thought this, losing her virginity, was a question she would have brought to her mother. "Your mom might give better advice than me," he admitted.
Casmari's brow furrowed, her blue eyes flying up to her father's face. "Dad. Haven't you slept with both men _and_ women? How would Mom help me with that? She doesn't have that kind of experience... _does she_?!"
C'ris barked out a laugh. "Your mother is the most capable woman I know. I'd never put anything past her. Although, in this case, I think you're correct." Sleeping with both men and women, _that's_ why she had chosen him for this conversation.
"Do you like men, too, Dad? I guess I've never really thought about it. Since you're with Mom and everything."
"Yes, I do," he answered truthfully. "I'll be honest, I don't really give a lot of thought to a person's gender. They're either attractive or not. I either like their personality, or I don't. None of that will really matter in the flight room, though. If Sebiath catches a green, instinct will take care of everything else for you."
He glanced down at Casmari. "Although, I'm guessing that means you're now stuck with the task of trying to get some experience with a boy _and_ a girl."
Casmari's lips quirked and then she cut her eyes at her father mischievously. "I mean, not at the same time, Dad."
C'ris's smile returned as he threw his hands up. "I love. I don't judge."
The blue Weyrling stopped in her tracks. "Wait a minute. You like men. Mom likes men. You haven't ever... Surely the two of you wouldn't invite a third person to...?"
"You know, Cas, there are just some things you shouldn't know about your parents." C'ris flashed a very toothy smile.
They arrived back in front of Sebiath.
"Seriously, though, Cas. I know it seems like a difficult and possibly awkward thing, but... You need some experience before Sebiath wins a flight. You owe that to the rider of the green that Seb catches. That's _your_ responsibility. And, flights should be fun. Try to have some."
Sebiath sloshed his way out of the lake, casting a hulking shadow over father and daughter.
"Thanks, Dad. I will. Try, at least." Casmari didn't know if very much "fun" would be had.
Last updated on the January 30th 2025