Tummy Rumbles
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: Francesca, Iluva, Shawna, Sia
Date Posted: 22nd March 2026
Characters: J'nic, D'narion, Viseya, N'mar
Description: The weyrlings practice breathing fire.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 16 of Turn 12
The dragons emerged from /between/ in 3 groups, each led by one of the Weyrlingmaster staff. J’nic’s group was first and, after directing two weyrlings to correct their formation, they circled down to land. They were soon followed by Viseya’s group and then S’ros’. Each weyrling carried a bag of firestone and a bucket of water, and several adult dragons carried either healer or dragonhealer with their supplies. J’nic hoped they wouldn’t be needed, but odds were high that something would catch fire.
The bucket bonked unceremoniously against Rusaeth's side as he and D'narion made their graceless descent back down to the ground. Though the the 'drills had long since been airborne, he and Rusaeth hadn't quite gotten the hang of take off and landing yet. The extra load-- the firestone bag, the water, the healer sitting expertly behind him-- shouldn't throw either of them off as much as they did. Rusaeth was big enough now that he hardly noticed the extra weight, but the _knowledge_ of it was an entire matter altogether.
The landing was rough and the healer a tad paler than he had been a moment before, and all D'narion could offer was an awkward grin as he helped the journeymen to the ground.
Sceorlath touched down with a few fluid hops before trotting over to the group with his head craned high, excitement flashing in his eyes. He studied what he could see of the rocks, head tilting to one side and sniffing the air experimentally, while N’mar slid down with a bucket of water he took extra care not to topple and was somewhat amazed he didn’t, given his brown's wiggling.
}:I’m ready.:{ He crooned, staring at the bag of jagged chunks like they might actually be a meal in disguise. }:I'm _so_ ready.:{
N’mar patted his flank as he opened the sack to survey the stones, as well. He’d seen flaming from a distance often enough, but up close and personal like this with his lifemate stilled his own excitement somewhat; they'd need to be careful and precise with this exercise, and though they were making good progress these recent months Sceorlath was still neither of those things the majority of the time. He wasn't worried, though.
“You'll do great.” He said, flashing a winning smile up at him. “Just do exactly as the Weyrlingmasters and I say, okay?”
Sceorlath bobbed his head with his usual barely contained enthusiasm. }:Okay!:{
“Welcome,” J’nic called out when everyone was settled. “As I’m sure you’ve figured out, today your dragonets will learn to chew firestone. That’s why we’re in this old quarry.” He gestured at the large crater they were in, which was almost entirely devoid of plants.
“In a moment, you’re all going to spread out as much as you can and make sure your dragon is facing away from anything that can burn. Then, take the smallest piece of firestone you can find in your bag and help your dragon learn to use their second stomach. When your dragon gets to the point where they feel like they need to flame, let them. Weyrlingstaff, healers, and dragonhealers are here to help out as needed. We’re all here if you have any questions. Ok, now spread out in a big circle, facing away from the center. Dragons can start chewing whenever they’re ready.”
Rusaeth sidestepped away from his clutchmates, getting a good distance between him and anything else that could potentially catch fire. D'narion dug into the sack and selected the smallest piece of rock he could find. Still, it was the size of his fist and hefty.
"You ready?" He asked. In the edges of his periphery, he could hear his classmates' dragons answering similar questions.
}: Ready when you are. :{ Rusaeth said with solemn pride. He opened his mouth and waited for D'narion to place the rock on the waiting tongue. The brown crunched down experimentally and turned away, as instructed. His eyes whirled faster, tinged with orange as he worked the unfamiliar stone toward his second stomach. He paused, head tilting slightly.
}: This tastes funny.:{ Rusaeth informed him.
"That's--" D'narion felt the brown's discomfort. His stomach gurgled in a way that was more than a little concerning. He mentally nudged that feeling, trying to assess if he swallowed the rocks down the wrong way. Looking for help and comfort, Rusaeth turned his head back towards his rider.
He burped.
A sharp, sudden gout of flame blasted straight out. D'narion yelped and threw himself sideways. Heat whooshed past his face close enough to sting his eyebrows. His feet hit some loose stones and he tumbled, hitting the ground hard.
Rusaeth blinked, startled. }: Oh. :{
D'narion stared up at him, heart hammering. "What…what did I say about turning your head?"
}: But my tummy felt funny! :{
Viseya had been ready for something to be set on fire, but she hadn’t expected it to be a weyrling. Whirling around, she dumped a bucket on some smoldering debris and crouched down by D’narion, “Did you hit your head? You keep your face pointed that way,” the last was said sharply at Rusaeth.
"My head's fine." D'narion said, though he ran his hands through his gently singed hair. "Though I think I need to get a haircut now."
Rusaeth looked between both and then quickly turned his head away to vomit up the last of the stone.
**Oh, shells.** Thankfully D’narion seemed intact, save for perhaps some hair, and as N’mar slowly turned back to his own brown with a slightly grave look and a chunk of firestone still in hand, he felt a faint flutter in his stomach. **Are you-**
}:READY.:{ Sceorlath confirmed, as if flaming his own rider was no strong possibility at all.
N’mar released a long exhale, nevertheless feeding his lifemate the chunk. The flutter in his stomach grew, joining the gasses churning and building in his dragon’s until it became a distinct discomfort they both understood, both wanted gone, a myriad of sensation ready to be expelled into a single burst all at once. He pressed his hand harder to the base of Sceorlath's neck than he ever had before, feeling the heat rise through them while he kept his gaze straight ahead. **Go, buddy. Right there.**
A short bright flame erupted from Sceorlath’s jaws, brilliant and bizarre and breath-taking all at once. }:Look!:{
**I’m looking.** Quite intently, at that. Mostly to make sure it didn't deviate from its path.
Still brushing ash off her knees, Viseya nodded approvingly towards Sceorlath and N'mar, “Now that's exactly how we want to see this done. Now, for our next attempt, we’re going to get out some targets….”
Last updated on the April 1st 2026