Timing Troubles

Writers: Devin, Shawna
Date Posted: 11th May 2026

Characters: Viseya, R'lor
Description: Viseya comes to talk to R'lor about the timing incident and what they should do about weyrling lessons.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: J'nic, N'vanik, T'lonas, R'ayl, Q'vettan

R'lor

Viseya hated Dolphin Cove Weyr. Oh, not the Weyr itself, but the way the sticky humidity made the hair stick to the back of her neck and the treacherous way the sand shifted under her bad leg when she tried to walk. She directed Cholsinth to drop her off near the Weyrlingmaster's office, where the harder packed ground was easy to navigate. "Stay close and don't get all sandy," she warned the green, pairing the harsh words with a gentle eyescratch. "You're nice and clean and you have my cane." She left it strapped to the green, having brought it in case she felt the urge to walk the beach more than because she needed it today. Business first, in any case.

Heading straight for R'lor's office, she knocked briskly. Once he'd let her in, she moved straight to the point, "Thank you for making time for this. J'nic wanted me to come discuss our new... Curriculum change with you since you knew about all of this before us. Unfortunately he's busy with a situation at home and couldn't join us today."

"Fair Skies, Weyrlingmaster Second Viseya," R'lor said. "He said there was an incident with a young greenrider?"

"Fair skies," Viseya echoed back, never having been the best at manners. Dropping into a seat, she sighed, and said, "Yes. He accidentally timed it," she said 'timed it' like someone who was still getting used to the phrase, "but was thankfully both smart enough to figure out what he'd done, and smart enough to know he should tell the Weyrleader." After a pause, Viseya said, "It would seem to be becoming an epidemic."

R'lor sucked in a breath. "Accidentally? Not because of news spreading from Dolphin Cove?"

"Yes," Viseya said, "that's how it was reported to me. He was young, not long graduated to the wings."

"Well, that is a relief. I've been worried ever since Weyrleader N'vanik told all the blue and greenriders about this ability." Then he frowned. "Although I suppose that means he was right. He had concerns about someone going /between/ times accidentally."

"Maybe," Viseya agreed. "At this point we just have to hope he's right- it's certainly too late to put the feline back in the bag."

"That is true." R'lor frowned down at his desk. "The blue and greenriders have been told to keep it secret from their counterparts outside Dolphin Cove, but with so many more riders suddenly learning about this . . . I fear the knowledge won't stay contained." R'ayl had overheard it in the dining cavern before R'lor had a chance to explain things. A visiting rider could have easily heard about it the same way. "And your young greenrider certainly wasn't the first to stumble onto this ability by accident." He sighed, his stomach tightening with nerves. "Perhaps we should discuss this with the other Weyrlingmasters."

"I think "warn them out of professional courtesy" is more accurate than "discuss". Weyrleader Q'vettan instructed us that we would be teaching all the weyrlings just yesterday," Viseya said. "J'nic was going to reach out to T'lonas about the lesson since he's been teaching it far longer than the rest of us. The rest of the Weyrs will have to follow suit, I'm sure, our Weyrleaders have forced everyone's hand on that," her tone was slightly disgruntled, as if she disagreed with the entire plan, but it was too late now to get worked up about it. "I assume the secret was bound to get out eventually, we're just unlucky it's on our watch."

Unlucky, yes. But just like the return of Thread, they would need to manage. "It might be best if we speak with all the Weyrlingmasters at once and propose this change to the weyrlings' training. It might indeed be inevitable that the secret of timing may spread to all riders, but I doubt everyone will see it that way. If we get a consensus, we could do our best to teach this in an orderly manner. And if their Weyrleaders approve, of course." R'lor wasn't looking forward to any of this. "If J'nic is meeting with T'lonas, I think I should join them. I'd feel much better if we presented this idea with the backing of a bronzerider Weyrlingmaster."

"A consensus would certainly make things easier and more organized," Viseya agreed. "T'lonas has a good reputation from what I know, so getting him on board certainly wouldn't hurt."

R'lor nodded. "If T'lonas is agreeable, then we can set up a meeting with all the Weyrlingmasters and present something of a united front among our three Weyrs."

"I wonder if the Weyrleaders are discussing it amongst themselves," Viseya said, "T'lonas might already have his own orders."

"Perhaps," R'lor said thoughtfully. "All the more reason to begin discussing this now." He felt a bit guilty for delaying. He'd meant to speak with J'nic sevendays ago.

Dryly, Viseya said, "And here I was hoping you'd already come up with lesson plans I could copy. We'll have to teach our older batch soon, they'll be joining the wings in a month. After that will be some breathing room for us at least to sort everything out."

"Weyrleader N'vanik allowed me the option to delay informing the Senior Weyrlings until after graduation, as that lesson had already passed. Their new Wingleaders will take the blue and greenriders aside, though teaching the underage riders will still fall to me," R'lor said.

"We still have time with our class. Anyway, I won't take up too much more of your time. It sounds like the next step is talking to T'lonas. Let us know if you think of anything else in the meantime. Have a good day and wish us luck," Viseya joked, rising to leave.

"Thank you so much for coming to speak with me, Viseya. I hope the rest of your day is less trying."

Last updated on the May 24th 2026

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Timing Troubles