Bit of a Brag

Writers: Halyonix, Steel
Date Posted: 24th June 2026

Characters: R'zen, Oriene
Description: R'zen and Oriene chat in between lessons
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 11 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: M'sar, N'amsa, By'ler (not by name)

Oriene

Notes:

~~~~

“Ugh.” R'zen said, succinctly, flopping down onto one of the chairs in the weyrling study room. “At least we'll be changing it up now. A little bit. Even just marching drills is _doing_ something.”

Oriene chuckled softly as she finished jotting down her latest note. She locked her fingers and then stretched her arms over her head. Going from studying as a Candidate, to studying as a dolphineer apprentice to now a weyrling was a bit of a whiplash feeling but at least Oriene was used to being studious. “What does Ibranth think of marching?” she asked conversationally.

“He gets so _bored_.” R'zen complained. “Honestly, he either falls asleep or starts trying to wrestle the others.” He added, in a huff. “At least the Weyrlingmasters say they'll be able to join us soon. This stuff's _important_.”

“Right,” she agreed. “It seems silly now since we’re on the ground but it’ll save our lives up there during Threadfall.” Mentally, she reached for Esperanth, though not to wake the young green. It was…reassuring, like a grounding touch, just reminding Oriene that Esperanth was really there. She still could not believe her good luck!

“Esperanth doesn’t seem too keen on the play,” she noted to R’zen. “But then again, they all have their own personalities, right? It makes sense that they would all be different in their own ways.”

“He thinks it's the greatest thing.” R'zen huffed, amused. “You should see him square up with Nazoth. Or Malzyveth. One of these days, he'll get a good pounce in.”

“One of these days while he’s still small,” Oriene replied with a sunny smile. “I could not imagine a full grown dragon trying to pounce another one like they can now. They might break something larger than a cup.” She giggled at the image of two dragons tussling and breaking through a fence or something.

“I've never seen a full grown dragon tussling.” R'zen agreed. “Ibranth’s always got plenty of energy though. We're definitely looking forward to actually getting to do more.” He added. “M'sar showed me a little bit.”

“M’sar?” Oriene inquired.

“One of the older class.” R'zen said loftily. “Ibranth likes playing with his dragon.”

Oriene had known all of the dragonriders at Dolphin Cove and knew none of the ones here. She’d eventually form a new network but for now, she knew she would have to introduce herself and ask lots of questions. “Where are you from, R’zen?” she asked, following that path of thought in her mind.

“I'm from Amber Hills Hold.” R'zen huffed. “But it was _boring_. I like it here, and Ibranth’s the _best_.” He added. “You?”

“Originally, Dolphin Hall. At Dolphin Cove Weyr,” she answered, pausing so that he could figure out how far away she had ended up. “And I was just here for the Hatching when, well, Esperanth decided that she wanted me to stay.”

“We're obviously where we belong, now.” R'zen told her. “Your Esperanth knew that, just like my Ibranth.” He added. “Also. Isn't Dolphin Cove kind of far away? Not that it matters, I guess.”

Nodding, Oriene let out a little laugh before answering. “Very far away. My…well, I suppose he’s my boyfriend -- or was -- he’s a dragonrider and suggested that we come to the Hatching on a whim. I didn’t realize how far away it was. But, like you said, distance doesn’t really matter when you’re on the back of a dragon.”

“Just _wait_ til I can fly anywhere me and Ibranth want.” R'zen agreed. “We'll fly so fast and far.”

His enthusiasm was just a little over the top but Oriene really couldn’t fault him. They were all elated about their Impression luck. “Well, we’ve got some milestones to reach before we can go flitting about,” she reminded him, but honestly, flying aboard their dragons was the only thing that weyrlings, including her, seemed to think about.

“Tch.” R'zen huffed. “We’ll blow through those milestones _easy_, you'll see. At least, _I_ will. Ibranth’s strong, and we're determined.” He offered Oriene another grin.

}: He’s a bit of a braggart, isn’t he? :{ Esperanth remarked to her rider. }: I have confidence in our ability as well but neither of us feel the need to voice it. :{

Oriene tried to hide her agreement in a smile. “I think a lot of us are,” she noted. “The only one anyone’s really worrying about is N’amsa since he’s so young.” But R’zen wasn’t much older than little brownrider. A lot of the class skewed towards late teenage Turns. Thinking about that now made R’zen’s comments seem like childish bragging for sure. “But we’ll all make it there, won’t we? We’ve got good Weyrlingmasters to train us,” she ended, trying not to dwell on any criticism.

R'zen huffed again. “He'll be fine.” He countered. “He's got that brown. The Weyrlingmasters won't let him slack off.” He added in agreement.

}:Are you going to be done studying soon?:{ Ibranth asked, yawning awake.

“Well, a dragon’s color isn’t everything but you’re right. The Weyrlingmasters won’t let him, or any of us, slack off.” She stretched her arms over her head again. “I think I’m going to get a snack before our lesson,” she decided. “Do you want to come with me?”

“_Please_.” R'zen huffed. “_I_ don't slack off anyways.” Still, he rose and stretched, himself. “... Fine. Something to eat works for me.”

Oriene chuckled softly to herself. Her classmate really was something. “Maybe they’ll have some of those glazed buns,” she hoped as she rose.

“I’d rather have a meatroll or some fruit. I don’t like sweet stuff all that much.” R’zen told her in response, And then he shrugged and ambled in the direction of said food.

Last updated on the July 1st 2026

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Bit of a Brag