Have You Ever Been Searched?

Writers: Devin, Francesca
Date Posted: 3rd May 2025

Characters: T'lin, Lindora, Zinora
Description: T'lin Searches Lindora (and Zinora pets his blue).
Location: Printer Hall
Date: month 5, day 8 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Aleriand, R'lor (not by name)

T'lin

Zinora woke up later than usual from her afternoon nap, but seemed to
be in better spirits than she had been earlier in the day. This was
the third day of the toddler being sick, but at least she could breath
through her nose now, and her appetite had come back. Lindora hoped
the child could return to the creche the next day.

"Want to eat a snack outside?" Lindora asked her daughter, getting an
enthusiastic nod in reply. Yes, she definitely was feeling better. The
whining had stopped, at least for the moment.

After a diaper change, Lindora took some bread and fruit and the pair
headed out. The day was sunny and warm, and Lindora was wondering
where they should go, when several dragons appeared overhead. Zinora
clapped excitedly and pointed.

"Change of plans. Let's go see the dragons!" Lindora picked Zinora up
and strode quickly towards where they had landed. Maybe the girl would
even be able to touch one.

T'lin patted Calaroth's leg and stepped forward. "Hello Printer Hall!
I'm T'lin, and this handsome blue is Calaroth. With us is G’del and
Ruharth." He nodded toward their bronze escort. "Today we ride on
Search! All those between the ages of twelve and twenty, please come
forward."

Lindora's first instinct was to ignore the order. While she was 19,
she felt older. And her life was here at the Hall. She still had a
chance with the Hallmaster. However, she realized Zinora could get a
better look at the blue dragon, so she did move forward with the
others. "Look at how long his tail is," she whispered to the girl. For
the moment, Zinora just stared excitedly. Hopefully she wouldn't start
wriggling in Lindora's arms.

Calaroth started looking over the boys and girls and paused when he
got to Lindora. }:That one glows.:{

T'lin snorted. **Cal, she's practically a baby.**

}:The _older_ one.:{ Calaroth tilted one eye toward his rider, facets
whirling with amusement. Then he turned back toward the woman, leaning
closer to sniff at her.

"Who's this little cutie?" T'lin asked as he smiled at the toddler.

Lindora felt exhilaration and a bit of anxiety as the blue's head got
very close to them. And, was he smelling them? She looked down quickly
to make sure her daughter wasn't scared. The girl's eyes were wide,
but it looked like she was excited, not scared.

At the dragonrider's question she said softly, "This is Zinora. She's
two." And then, because they might not have another opportunity, she
asked, "Could she touch your blue? She's never touched a dragon
before."

"Of course!" T'lin said. "Calaroth loves children. Hi, Zinora. Would
you like to pet Calaroth? He's very nice." The blue lowered his snout,
putting it within reach of the little girl.

Zinora nodded vigorously. She reached her hand out and patted Calaroth
a few times with some force.

While Lindora was sure the dragon couldn't be hurt by a two-Turn-old,
she quickly grabbed the girl's hand, saying, "Gentle." She directed
Zinora's hand to stroke the blue's snout, using it as an excuse to
touch the dragon herself.

"Blue!" Zinora said excitedly.

"He's a very pretty blue," Lindora agreed.

"The prettiest," T'lin agreed as Calaroth rumbled with pleasure. "And
what's your name, ma'am?"

"I'm Lindora," she said with a small bob of her head, as Zinora
happily continued petting Calaroth.

"Well, Lindora, have you ever been Searched?" T'lin asked gently.
"Calaroth thinks you have the potential to Impress."

She stared at T'lin for a few seconds as his words sunk in. "No. As
soon as I turned twelve, I went to the Bakercraft Hall, then came here
and was married, and then had Zinora." She closed her mouth, realizing
she was babbling. "No," she repeated. Then, still processing out loud,
she couldn't help but continue. "I have a daughter. I know I'm
technically young enough, but how can a Candidate be a parent?" It
seemed ridiculous.

"You wouldn't be the first," T'lin said. "But I certainly understand
why it would make you hesitant."

"I wouldn't?" She knew dragonriders could have children but had never
thought about the logistics of Candidates who were parents. "How...
How does that work?"

"Many choose to foster, but some don't. Weyrbred Candidates don't have
to live in the barracks unless there are eggs on the Sands," T'lin
said. "But since you're Searched, well . . . you could discuss living
arrangements with the Weyrlingmaster before you make your choice. I
don't mind taking you, and I could watch this little sweetheart." He
smiled at Zinora.

"I could?" The thought of jumping /between/ to speak to the
Weyrlingmaster was so far-fetched, she wondered if she had misheard
him. "You mean... now?"

"Sure, if you'd like. Or I could come back later."

It felt absurd to consider going to the Weyr, especially when she was
in the middle of trying to catch the eye of the Hallmaster. But, after
her conversation with her sister the day before, she was feeling
worried and uncertain about her future. Hopefully visiting the Weyr
would help her decide what to do. If she hated it or, or Zinora found
it too overwhelming, she could continue with her life at the Hall.
But, if she liked it.... then things might get complicated. Before she
over-thought it and lost her nerve, she said, "I'm free the rest of
the day, if now is ok? Will Zinora be ok, going /between/? It will be
her first time. And I've only been a few times, Turns ago." She would
never forget the sensation.

"I know it's unnerving if you're not used to it. I don't have a riding
jacket in her size, but we could either put her in one for small teens
or I could give you the biggest one I have and you could tuck her
inside." When he went on Search he brought riding jackets in a few
sizes in case the people Calaroth picked out chose to leave right
away. "We can try to make a game of going /between/ so she won't
notice it as much, like having her close her eyes until you tell her
to open them."

T'lin's words helped Lindora calm down. He sounded like he knew what
he was doing. "Ok, Zinora," she said, making her voice excited. "We're
going to ride a dragon!"

Last updated on the May 12th 2025

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Have You Ever Been Searched?