Elbow-Deep and Still Dreaming
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: Devin, KC
Date Posted: 24th June 2025
Characters: T'lin, K'daen
Description: Just a little catching up
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 22 of Turn 12
T'lin was headed to the lake with Calaroth, toting his bathing supplies, when he spotted a familiar face. "Kaedin, hi! How have you been?" They'd been Candidates together for a while, when Kaedin was among some of the youngest kids Standing and T'lin among the oldest.
Kaedin glanced up at the sound of his name, recognizing the voice instantly. A small, genuine smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he shifted the basket of fresh bandages he’d been carrying from one arm to the other.
“T'lin,” he greeted warmly, stepping slightly off the path to meet him. “It’s been a little while.”
His amber eyes flicked briefly to Calaroth, offering the blue a respectful nod before returning to T'lin. “You both are looking well.”
There was no bitterness in his voice, not exactly, but a faint flicker passed through his gaze before he smoothed it away. The ache was always there beneath the surface, but Kaedin had long since learned to carry it with grace.
“I’ve been keeping busy in the infirmary,” he continued, voice lighter. “One wing sprain, two minor threadscores, and a very irritable bronze who thinks the world’s ending because he strained his foreleg. The usual.”
He let out a soft chuckle, shifting the weight of his basket again. “And you? Calaroth keeping you out of trouble?”
"He's the one that gets me into trouble," T'lin said with a laugh. He nodded toward the basket of bandages. "Are you in a hurry?"
Kaedin’s smile deepened a little at T’lin’s laugh, the familiar rhythm of the exchange easing the quiet tension he hadn’t even realized he was carrying.
“Figures,” he said, glancing toward Calaroth with a mock conspiratorial look. “Blues always seem sweet until you realize they’re the real instigators.”
At the question, he looked down at the basket in his arms, then back up. “Not exactly,” he admitted. “I was just restocking the lake-side infirmary kit. Should’ve been done earlier, but things have been a little chaotic in the dragonhealers’ wing today.”
He paused for a breath, then tilted his head slightly, considering. “But it can wait a few more minutes, if you were headed to the lake. I wouldn’t mind a short walk with good company.”
There was a note of honesty in his voice that didn’t always come through; less guarded, more genuine. “It’s been a while since I talked to someone who remembers when I was just a wide-eyed brat hoping for a dragon and not elbows-deep in salves all day.”
He started walking, falling into step beside T’lin, and added with a faint, self-deprecating smirk, “Though the salves complain less than Candidates did.”
T'lin chuckled at that. "Yeah, I'm on my way to give Cal a bath. I was going to ask if you wanted to help, but looks like you've got enough to handle already. Besides, there's always a few weyrbrats around who love a chance to climb all over a dragon."
}:That one, he glows,:{ Calaroth said.
**Yes, love. Do you remember how we talked about Candidate knots?**
Calaroth tilted his head, thinking hard. }:Oh, the white thread? That means someone else Searched him already.:{ The blue was disappointed.
**Exactly.** This was at least the second time Calaroth had tried to Search Kaedin.
Kaedin let out a quiet laugh at T'lin’s comment, casting another glance toward Calaroth as they walked.
“I think you’ll find no shortage of volunteers for dragon scrubbing,” he said with a small grin. “And I’ve already spent enough of today elbow-deep in numbweed to last me a sevenday.”
His tone was light, casual, but as he looked ahead toward the lake, a brief flicker of something softer crossed his features"completely unaware of the silent conversation passing between rider and dragon behind him.
"Now I'm feeling guilty for even thinking of asking you to do more work," T'lin said with a smile.
Kaedin huffed a quiet laugh, his smile tilting wry. “Don’t. If I didn’t want to be elbow-deep in things, I wouldn’t have become a dragonhealer.”
He glanced sidelong at T’lin, the corner of his mouth still curved. “Besides, it’s not work if the company’s decent.”
"Good company does make everying better," T'lin agreed.
Calaroth reached the lake ahead of them and splashed into the water, calling a greeting to a nearby green.
Kaedin watched the blue dragon plunge into the water with a low chuckle, shaking his head fondly. “I see his idea of trouble involves flirting mid-bath,” he said, amusement softening his features.
He shifted the basket in his hands again, then glanced over at T’lin. “He always that bold, or is he just showing off because I’m here?”
The tone was teasing, light"but there was a subtle warmth behind it, the kind that came from shared memories and the comfort of being seen.
"He's always a flirt." The bluerider chuckled. "But if you ask him to show off, he _will_, so please don't."
Kaedin snorted, clearly amused. “Noted. No issuing challenges unless I’m prepared to witness a full performance.”
He let his gaze drift out over the lake, watching Calaroth with a fond, quiet sort of envy. “Still… it must be nice. Having someone like that, bonded to you, I mean. A partner who’s always there, even when they’re being a menace.”
His voice didn’t lose its lightness, but there was something softer beneath it; earnest, wistful. Then he glanced back at T’lin with a wry smile. “And I suppose you’ve gotten pretty good at damage control.”
T'lin knew that look. "It took me a _long_ time to Impress. Your dragon will find you, Kaedin, I'm sure of it."
Kaedin’s gaze lingered on the water a moment longer before he looked back at T’lin, the corners of his mouth tugging into a small, grateful smile.
“I hope so,” he said softly. “Thanks, T’lin.”
He nudged the other with his shoulder, just enough to shift the mood again. “Until then, I’ll just have to settle for patching up the ones who did get lucky.”
Last updated on the July 7th 2025