Leaving an Impression
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, Steel
Date Posted: 16th March 2026
Characters: K'mai, T'thalin
Description: T'thalin Impresses, and K'mai is there to congratulate him.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 13, day 20 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: I'serin
The late hour of the Hatching hadn't dampened his spirits in the least. K'mai had spent the last several minutes searching and he lit up when he spotted his target. "Tathalin! Congratulations!"
Tathalin was, in fact, looking a little bit stunned. But he rallied at the familiar voice. His shoulders straightened and he scanned until he spotted K'mai. "Sir-- I mean, K'mai." He blurted. "I... you... Thank you!" He added hastily. "I... He's _amazing_. I didn't think a _bronze_ would choose me."
"You were all set on blue." K'mai laughed. "But the dragons have a way of surprising us, don't they?"
"They _really_ do." Tathalin responded. "I had no idea, and then Roxarith was _right there_." He repeated, unable to keep the sappy look off his face. "He didn’t hesitate. He even warned off that other bronze."
"That was kind of weird, hatchlings fighting over Candidates," K'mai frowned thoughtfully. "That doesn't really happen." Then he brightened. "But Roxarith found you anyway. What's he like?"
Tathalin, no he was _T'thalin_ now, stiffened slightly despite himself. "Roxarith isn't weird!" He responded immediately, then ducked his head again sheepishly. "... Sorry. But he's not." He mumbled. "Um... He's _amazing_. Like... he just... He's calm. Steady." He added. "He told me that I'm his, and he's mine. That we'll prove ourselves."
"It's good that he's steady. Most bronzes can be pretty full of themselves." K'mai thought it would to Tathalin well to have a dragon's confidence to lean on.
"Well, um... He _does_ think we're the absolute best." T'thalin offered. "I... I don't want to, um, disappoint him. If... that makes sense?" He added. "I don't _plan_ on letting him down." He continued staunchly. "I... maybe when he's old enough to go places, he could come meet Sebeth? I want him to meet Ishath too. And, um, maybe bronzerider I'serin. If he's... still willing."
The bluerider's eyes lit with interest. "Oh? You know I'serin?"
T'thalin nodded. "I mean. I _met_ him only once." He hastened to add. "I'm... Um. I'm not sure if he'd remember _me_. He's Important. I was just... there. But... he was nice to me." He finished.
"He's very nice," K'mai said warmly. "We grew up together." If I'serin had forgotten, K'mai would remind him and nudge him to at least write to T'thalin.
"Can you, um... at least tell him that I Impressed?" T'thalin said, after a moment. "Whenever you see him again. And... and that I'm, um. I'm going to try and do my best. That Roxarith is amazing."
"Of course I will! I'm sure he'll be thrilled for you." K'mai used his free hand -- the one that wasn't holding a drink -- to absently rub at the hem of his embroidered tunic. "Why did you move, by the way?"
T'thalin's shoulders hunched slightly in embarrassment, before he took a deeper breath, leaned on Roxarith's sleeping awareness to boost his own mood. "I... I didn't go out onto the Sands, for Galgaith’s clutch." He said, quietly. "I... If I get in trouble, that's. I mean, I'll make it up to anyone. Just... don't blame Roxarith. I... I needed to prove that I could Impress, and the next closest chance was... here."
He paused, then added, "I-- we-- could come back. When Roxarith's old enough." Maybe that would be... better.
K'mai let out a surprised laugh. "So you just . . . hitched a ride and left Dragonsfall? And they still let you Stand?"
"I was here for a little bit before the Hatching." T'thalin protested. "And J'nic didn't mind. I made sure to talk to him."
He paused, and then added. "I... I have Roxarith now. That matters... right?"
"Relax, no one's mad at you," K'mai said. Though that might not be true. More than a few people were upset about formerly Holdless people Impressing.
"... I don't know." T'thalin responded. "I'm... not sure I'm very popular. But... maybe it was just, um, everything at once."
He paused, then added, "It's... it's fine. I have Roxarith now. That's what matters." He made an effort to stand a little bit taller, lifted his chin. "I'm bronzerider T'thalin now."
"T'thalin and Roxarith. You'll make a fine pair." K'mai hoped the young man's confidence would grow as he settled in to his new life as a dragonrider.
"... Thank you, sir." T'thalin responded. "And, um... thank you. For coming to the Hatching. I promise, I'll do well. And when Roxarith's bigger, maybe we can, um... meet again? I do want him to meet Sebeth." He repeated. "Eventually. I think... I think I'm going to be really busy for a while."
"Oh you definitely are." K'mai laughed. "Maybe I can come visit on a restday, and me and Sebeth can meet Roxarith."
"I'd really like that." T'thalin admitted. "I'm sure I'd be able to work something out with the Weyrlingmasters. And Roxarith's _amazing_, you'll see. He's just so... much. And he's part of me now. I _get_ it. Dragons are the _best_."
"They are." K'mai sent love to Sebeth, and his dragon echoed it back. "Congratulations again, T'thalin."
Last updated on the April 1st 2026