The Mystery of Avicath's Missing Straps
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: Sia
Date Posted: 3rd October 2025
Characters: Aydhan
Description: Tymborikath is so egg-heavy she can't fit into her straps, but she is determined to go to wing drills anyway.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: N'kevyn
"I don't think we can do it, love." Aydhan said gently. They were partway through tacking up, and there was a hand's width difference between buckle and the last hole of the aft strap. She considered throwing her weight into it and pulling, like the weyrlings with the dragons that puffed out their chests to make the fit more comfortable, but decided that it wasn't worth damaging the leather. The straps were custom-ordered, dyed a deep, lush burgundy and meant more for beauty than function. She wouldn't damage them by stretching them out prematurely.
"What did that bronze do to you to make you this round?" She asked incredulously. "You've still got sevendays before you clutch. How many are in there? Cusyanth herself never got this big. Pern has been repopulated, you didn't need to do this."
Tymborikath huffed and shifted uncomfortably, pushing Aydhan back a few steps as she did. }: Everyone else is flying.:{ She complained, turning a whirling yellow eye on Aydhan like a toddler being unfairly told no . }: That's not fair.:{
"I can't fly on you bareback like this, and definitely not to drills." Aydhan pointed out with a barely contained grin, "And I don't think Thiseta and Jaylene would like you showing up without me. Can you even make it into the air?"
Aydhan considered the squat, bulging frame as she tugged the loose straps from the golden neck and worked on looping them back into a manageable pile. Tymborikath, for all her sweet and quiet dignity, looked like the barge the avians were named for and it didn't look much better when she stood up straight.
}: You are rude. :{ Tymborikath complained, catching the stray slanderous thought and stomping her forefeet. Her belly swung with the movement and did not add the gravitas she wanted.
Aydhan took several steps back so she was standing directly in front of the gold. And had the audacity to laugh. Tymborikath's head looked so small compared to the bulk of her now, and her delicate cheekbones only made the illusion worse. "I should have let N'kevyn stand Avicath next to you the other day, maybe you are rounder than him."
}: I am not! :{ Tymborikath protested. She paused, thinking. Avicath was trying to hunt. He had a while before he'd be back. She looked towards the locker where the bronze kept his things, then looked back at Aydhan. }: I think I'd look good in black.:{ She said.
Aydhan followed Tymborikath's glance and laughed. "All right, but if you can't fit in those you are going to go dig holes in the hatching grounds, deal?"
}: Deal! Hurry. That lump can only circle over the pens for so long.:{
"I will not. We are second only to the Weyrwoman, we'll pull rank if we have to." Still, Aydhan hurried over to the locker and swapped Tymborikath's riding leathers for Avicath's. This might be worse than the mugs, but entirely worth it if it meant a few extra days in the air. Even if they looked like they might turn the weyrbowl into a real caldera.
Fifteen minutes later, Tymborikath would arrive at drills in striking black riding straps. A candlemark later, N'kevyn would report for duty with Avicath stuffed into pink ones.
Last updated on the November 2nd 2025