On a Night Like This One
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: Aaron
Date Posted: 27th April 2025
Characters: L'leb
Description: Leoleb remembers a night a lot like this one when he first came back to the island.
Location: Leeward Lagoon Hold
Date: month 6, day 1 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Brennault, Cirina
The night air was refreshingly cool for a change, and slightly drier than it usually was-- enough that it was actually pleasant to be outside. On nights like these, Leoleb liked to climb up to the heights where the wind was strongest and listen to the sound of the crashing waves and the hum of the turbines.
His oldest brother, Leloede, used to bring him up here on nights like these to look at the stars. But he was gone now. He had been at Barrier Lake Weyrhold for ages, helping them to expand the place. He would have known what to do. How to feel like he was not trapped by his own sentimentality. He _wanted_ times like these. He wanted to find the constellations Leloede showed him, to let the gentle hum and swish lull him to sleep.
But he also wanted to go somewhere new. To see something new. Someone new. Like him.
Leoleb had been distraught when he returned from the Weyr. Not only had he failed to Impress despite the pretty green dragon's glowing recommendation, but he had also been rejected by the great love of his life. No one would ever compare to Cirina. Who could?
He went straight back to diving. It was a familiar place, a familiar job. And every time he found one of the little dye mollusks, he was just a little bit happier. But then the work day would end, and he was right back to his inescapable depression.
Then the hurricane came.
Most islanders hated the storms, accustomed to them though they were, because they typically damaged the turbines. And even when they did not, the technicians always partially dismantled them when they knew a storm was coming, and then it took time to reassemble them. The power was always out.
But the divers knew the storms stirred up the lagoon, and that meant it was harvest time for the mollusks. They were never so easily found.
This time, the trader's son had come to the island to play pretend. They taught him to put on the suit and to dive down and pick out and harvest the mollusks. And he brought in a fair haul for a first timer. Then again, anyone would after a storm like that.
Flames, but there was something about him, though.
"Can I help you?" Brennault chuckled.
"What?"
"You're staring at me. Leoleb, right?"
"Yeah."
"You look familiar. Do we know each other?"
"I guess. I'm pretty sure I saw you before, at the... At the Weyr."
"Oh! You've been there! I knew I'd seen you before. What took you out that way?"
"I was a Candidate."
"Oh? Did you get too old?"
Leoleb wished he had not had so much to drink. The words just spilled out of him without even as much as a brief hesitation.
"No. I... I don't wanna talk about it. Hey. Can I show you something?"
Leoleb had led Brennault up to the heights to see his favorite spot. The runner had needed to steady him more than once as he stumbled in his drunkenness. But he eagerly and cheerfully took in everything Leoleb wanted to share with him. All of the things Leloede had shown him.
It was when Leoleb finally made a move that things came to a screeching halt. Brennault put one finger to Leoleb's lip to keep him from kissing him.
"We're not doing this while you don't have your full wits about you, all right? I don't want to be something you regret. So if you're not too hung over tomorrow, it's my last day on the island. And we have one more chance, if you still want to do this when you're sober."
"All right. Would you stay here with me? Until morning?"
"No funny business."
"On my honor, sir." Leoleb smiled. And they fell asleep there together cuddled on the heights. And oh, he was not too hungover in the morning. It had been nothing short of mind-blowing. But then Brennault was gone. And he rarely came back. It was a long trip on foot and ferry, but there came times when he would visit on dragonback, and they would steal up to the heights again.
Until, of course, Brennault decided things were getting more serious than he was comfortable with. And then Leoleb never saw him again.
The cool salt air blew through Leoleb's hair. Maybe it was time to lop it all off again. A change would do him good. And he knew that we was not ready to leave home again. Not yet.
Last updated on the April 30th 2025