Let's Try This Again

Writers: Aaron, Steel
Date Posted: 9th April 2026

Characters: R'zen, A'yan, O'rock
Description: R'zen is foiled. O'rock finally shares his snacks.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 18 of Turn 13

“_There_ you are.” R'zen huffed, trotted for O'rock's space and expectantly set it at O'rock's elbow. “Good, you’re almost done filling that bucket. I'll take it.”

}:Oh, is Yours still feeding Ibranth, too?:{ Nhaliviath enquired of Shaegerith, sniffing curiously. }:I suppose it is a good idea. I am hungry too-- though _I_ can be patient.:{

“No, you won’t,” O’rock said cheerfully.

}:Ibranth needed O’rock’s help before,:{ said Shaegerith, though he could not quite remember why. }:But now he can clear his own path from here.:{

R'zen bristled, immediately. “Yes, I _will_.” He retorted. “Hand it over.” Never mind he'd cut meat fine the few days before he'd ever bullied O'rock into it. “You said you'd do it for me.”

}:I am hungry too!:{ Ibranth insisted.

Nhaliviath yawned, unimpressed. }:Mine will not be giving you our bucket either.:{ she told her clutchmate.

“We are not supposed to be fighting.” A'yan said mildly.

“Oh, who’s fighting?” O’rock smiled at A’yan. “I _knew_ you couldn’t use a knife,” he said then to R’zen. “You really should have been watching me do it while your arm was all sliced up.”

“I can too use a knife, herder guy!” R'zen, predictably, bristled immediately. “Better than you can! I just don't see why I _should_, if you're doing it for me!”

“Uh huh. Well, I’m not doing it for you, am I?” O’rock held one of his waxed pouches out to A’yan. “Want a cheese?”

R'zen glared at him. “Daft herder.” He scoffed finally, but stalked a short distance away to a nearby bucket and set to work, scowling. He wasn’t going to waste time with the herder. Not while Ibranth was so _hungry_.

A'yan offered O'rock a smile of his own, if faint. “Perhaps… _after_ I am finished handling raw meat?” he tried. “Thank you, my friend, but it is… unpleasant enough, still, to be regularly handling raw meat that I am not sure eating is a good idea.”

“Oh, sure. Fair enough.” Having dirty hands never bothered O'rock that much. That was part of the convenience of the pouch! He dumped a couple of cheese cubes into his mouth and then finished up his cutting. While Shaegerith got busy eating, O’rock went to watch R’zen cut meat. Just in case he accidentally cut his hand off.

“Perhaps you ought to leave him be--” A'yan started, but O'rock had already wandered off.

}:Tell Yours he should give his attention to those who want it.:{ Nhaliviath had no such qualms, addressing Shaegerith directly.

A'yan flushed. “Nhali! Do not be rude.” He chided gently.

}:Nhaliviath’s rider wishes for your attention,:{ said Shaegerith to O’rock, which prompted him to turn around and come back.

“Oh? Did you need some help, A’yan?” He smiled warmly.

A'yan flushed even more. “I-- That is _not_ what I said.” He responded awkwardly. “I only… If Ibranth’s rider seems so set against you, perhaps it is better to leave him be?”

}:Quite right.:{ Nhaliviath said, and nudged her rider to set down her own bucket. }:Do mind your rider, Shaegerith.:{

“Nhaliviath!” A'yan scolded. “Ah… I am sorry, O'rock.”

“What for? Everything’s fine!” O’rock reassured him. “And I wouldn’t say ol’ R’zen is against me; he’s just a little prickly, that’s all. I wanted to make sure he gets by all right, seeing as how he’s never had to cut much of anything up before.”

“Ah.” A'yan responded. “... That is nice of you. But… still. If someone is angry, best to give them space.”

A huff, an attempt at humour. “Especially if they've a knife.”

“Eh, that’s just his face,” said O’rock. “But don’t worry, I can stay here with you instead of getting stabbed. Maybe after we wash our hands I can get you a cheese.”

A’yan couldn't help it; he laughed, bright and clear, and some tension eased from his shoulders. “Yes, he does look rather… focused, doesn't he?” He mused.

}:Mine. Food.:{ Nhaliviath said, insistent, and nudged him.

“Right. Yes. Here you are.” A'yan hastened, and set down the green's bucket obligingly.

“Resting grouch face,” said O’rock. “R’zen, that is, of course. Not your lovely Nhaliviath.”

A'yan laughed again. “Don’t be rude.” He chided again, though lightly, then refocused on Nhaliviath and he softened. “Thank you. She _is_ beautiful, is she not?”

}:Of course I am beautiful.:{ Nhaliviath said with utter certainty.

}:Like the moons and the hazy milky trail across the night sky, a gorgeous painting of striking starlight on deepest darkness,:{ said Shaegerith.

“Well. Shaegerith, you're a proper poet,” said O’rock.

Nhaliviath blinked, and snapped up another bite of meat. }:Yes.:{ she said simply. }:I am very pretty. Mine thinks so too.:{

A'yan let out a slow breath. “I think she will be full.” He said. “Perhaps… also, later, you might show me the exercises you were doing, again? I am… having a little bit of trouble with the endurance part of our physical training.” He admitted, gaze on Nhaliviath rather than anything else.

O'rock seemed like he might be easier to convince than some of the others in the class.

“The best way to build endurance is to keep up your reps. Over and over, as many times as it takes to get you there.” O’rock grinned. “I'd love to show you again.”

“... I do not want to fall behind.” A'yan only responded quietly. “So I must keep up.”

“Hey,” said O’rock softly. “I won't let you fall behind, all right? We'll work on it together.”

A'yan huffed, tried a wry smile that may or may not have been truly convincing. “I am sure I will be fine, O'rock. Pay me no mind.” He offered lightly.

Nhaliviath finished her meal, licked her mouth, and then nudged her rider firmly. }:None of that. I wish my muzzle cleaned as well.:{

“We're a team,” said O’rock. “We live and die together. We can definitely work out together.” He winked.

A'yan made no reply, only knelt and wiped first his hands and then Nhaliviath's muzzle.

Last updated on the May 1st 2026

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Let's Try This Again