Making Connections
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: Halyonix, Iluva, Sia
Date Posted: 7th August 2025
Characters: V'maran, I'serin, Q'vettan
Description: Q'vettan introduces one of his new Wingleaders to I'serin
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: K'mai, A'len, M'stan
Q'vettan was all too aware of the spectacle of a hatching feast, and he revelled in the attention. Not that he'd make such a fool of himself as N'vanik liked to these days, but he certainly _enjoyed_ showing off, especially when it was another Weyrleader.
He took another drink off a passing tray and handed it to V'maran, his smug smile hinting at the plan quickly coming together in his mind. "Come with me, I want to show you off." He hardly gave the bluerider much choice nor warning, with his hand firmly and possessively placed on the small of the other man's back. Easy enough to pull him along as they turned to intercept I'serin as he approached.
"I'serin!" Q'vettan exclaimed warmly, as if it was such a coincidence that they happened to stumble upon each other. "Have you met Wingleader V'maran? You were both at River Bluff Weyr, were you not?"
“Fair skies, Weyrleader.” V’maran raised his glass to the younger rider with a friendliness that was more the result of too much fellis in a previous drink than a sense of lingering kinship. His steps were easy that night, matching his own Weyrleader’s stride and turns without too much of the gut-wrenching fear of his leg suddenly betraying him. Still, out of instinct, habit, or something else, his free hand had loosely closed around Q’vettan’s wrist, steadying himself a little - something to pacify the voice that insisted ‘just in case’. “Who would have thought we’d be the ones wearing these knots, hm?” He smiled wide, technically more proud than smug.
I’serin’s critical hazel eyes roved over V’maran as he concatenated past history, nebulous context, and present situation all into a few seconds. “V’maran,” he said with a courtly nod of his head. “It is good to see you again.” His eyes flickered to knots, to the hand clasping Q’vettan’s wrist, to the distance (or lack thereof) of the two Barrier Lake men. A dozen questions germinated within his mind but he said, “Indeed, congratulations are in order. On multiple fronts. Please, bring me up to speed. How have you been?”
“Fantastic.” V’maran said with enough smooth gruffness to sound sincere, the alcohol disguising its edge. He wasn't about to bring up Seb. Not to A’len’s son. And not tonight. “It’s been a rough couple Turns but, Barrier Lake, in its current mess…” He shrugged, “I quite like it.”
He flicked a glance at Q’vettan, casual and cool, before his steely eyes settled on I’serin again. Faranth, this kid looked the same at thirty-four as he did twenty-four. Once he'd drained the last of his drink, V’maran asked, “What about you? Is your mother well?”
The mention of I’serin’s mother and their current fraught distance brought a politely closed expression to the bronzerider’s face. “She transferred elsewhere for a bit. Last I heard, she was as well as could be expected.” Even though I’serin’s voice did not shake, he still felt shaky at the mention of his mother.
“It's all we can really hope for.” V'maran said with grim good-humor.
Q'vettan didn't miss the way the air shifted, how their expressions smoothed over to keep the most vulnerable emotions away. He did it often enough himself. His own expression didn't falter, though the edge of his smirk softened into something just short of sympathetic, even as his thumb brushed idly along the back of V'maran's hand. "And how is Dragonsfall doing, I'serin? It's been going on thirteen turns since I transferred out, but I still consider it 'home'. I must admit my mother passes along all the interesting tidbits from the newspaper."
I’serin did not miss that Q’vettan was still holding V’maran’s hand. But was it his imagination that there had been a humorous stress on the word ‘tidbits’? “Weyrs are ever the fodder for the rumor mills,” he answered. “I am certain that Master Aleriand’s printers will never catch it all. But, to answer your question, Dragonsfall remains. This Turn has brought some…interesting…moments that I am certain your mother passed along.” Namely, the Holdless encampment that was mostly gone aside from the ones who were staying on with verified jobs or as Candidates.
"I'm sure she has. I'm not a stranger to having holdless overtaking our Lower Caverns." Q'vettan said, "Igen Hold's compromise to ceding Igen Weyr back to the dragonriders. Imagine the scramble of getting the Wings ready for First Fall while also having to reintegrate the majority of our support into civil society. We'll have to swap stories."
“Mm just think what else you two might have in common,” V'maran said, his smile a vaguely feline one - mild, amused, and betraying only a hint of how deeply tired he was of this conversation. Traders like his family weren't always considered part of ‘civilized society’, either, depending on who did the defining. He had the option of being offended or arguing, but instead the bluerider just shifted his weight to his other leg with a smoothness he rarely got to indulge anymore.
He eyed the line of drinks across the room, then Q'vettan. “Let's have a quick toast, then, hm? Bad luck not to.” V'maran raised his empty glass. At this close distance, their hips were nearly touching - contact almost inevitable. His mouth curved into a smile as he said lightly, “To clear skies and clear minds, Weyrleaders. Faranth knows we need both.”
“I would indeed like to swap stories at some point in the future,” I’serin replied with sincere politeness. He felt that anything that he could glean from other Weyrleaders would be of help to him. It was one of the reasons why he read so many of their journals.
Yet he was not certain what to make of V’maran. Had time, or something else, changed the bluerider? There was something like a shadow that clung to him imperceptibly. And I’serin could not ignore how close the bluerider stood to Q’vettan. If K’mai stood that close…
I’serin shelved it all away to contemplate later. He raised his glass and appropriately said, “To clear skies and clear minds. And the best of luck to Barrier Lake.”
Q'vettan raised his glass to that. "We'll take all the luck we can get." He agreed, though luck had very little to do with it. He watched I'serin's expression over the rim of his glass-- measured, sharp, cataloging every detail. Exactly as he was described. The man seemed to run his Weyr well enough, whether or not he had prepared himself for the eventuality.
He let his eyes drift briefly across the room, catching sight of another man he wanted to make introductions. "Enjoy the feast, I'serin. Tzenketh and Aluneth will find time for us to talk further. In the meantime, I see old M'stan over there, and I want to see him choke on his wine when I introduce V'maran." Q'vettan said, pulling V'maran along with an easy press of his arm.
“Enjoy the feast, Weyrleader,” I’serin echoed. “I look forward to speaking again.” He watched the two men depart with a long look, wondering what else might be going on there that had gone unsaid.
Last updated on the August 17th 2025