Dragonriding Q&A

Writers: Aaron, Sia
Date Posted: 27th April 2024

Characters: J'ler, E'kirim
Description: Ekirim asks J'ler opinion on dragonriding.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 12 of Turn 11

J'ler

After that first (ahem) ride up to J'ler's weyr, Ekirim usually met up with him the old fashioned way- using the stairs straight up from the Lower Caverns, or sometimes down from the Weyr gardens. This time was one of those times, though J'ler didn't seem to be home when he arrived. He figured J'ler wouldn't mind if he just…let himself in, surely.

He hung up his jacket and slipped off his boots before realizing that Maishoth was lounging on his couch. "Oh. So J'ler must not be too far, huh." Ekirim said, mostly to himself but also, in part, to the brown, because every rider in this silly Weyr told him that the dragons could almost talk like actual people. "Hey buddy." He said as he got closer, holding his hand out for the brown to sniff before tentatively patting him on the nose. "You don't seem too bad."

Maishoth booped his snout against the boy’s hand. He considered speaking to him, as he had a feeling that was what J’ler would have wanted him to do. But he was not terribly inclined to bespeak anyone else but J’ler without that direct request, so for the time being, he waited.

}:That boy of yours is here. How long until you reappear?:{

**Shit. I’m almost done! I’ll be right back!**

"Oh!" Ekirim startled a little when the nose pushed against his hand. "You like that?" He said, like one would talk to a runnerbeast or canine. He was surprised that dragons' hide weren't gross like tunnelsnakes were, but Maishoth was warm and soft. Pat pat.

}:He’s just asked me somethin’ I heard while y'all were bumpin’.:{

**What!? Don't make it weird! I'm almost there.**

J’ler slid in through the door from the corridor and closed it behind him.

“I’m back!”

"Oh hey! I'm just here with Maishoth." Ekirim called. He pat-patted the snout again. "He's being a real good sport for something so big." He was, not for the first time, aware of how the dragon could take his hand if he really didn't want Ekirim touching him. "What's it like being bonded to him? If you don't mind my asking."

“No, I don't mind.” J’ler was happy to see the two of them were more or less enjoying each other's company. “He likes you. And, uh, it's… hard to really describe what it's like. It's like… Alright, this is probably cheesy, but it's like finding out there was a whole other piece of you that was missing all along, and then finally being whole. Does that make any sense?”

"Not really, but I'm happy for you." Ekirim said, then turned to Maishoth. "Aw buddy, I like you too." He patted the brown's nose again. "So I got Searched a while back. I still have the token at home, in a drawer. I said I'd think about it, so I'm thinking about it."

“It’s a lot,” said J’ler. “Especially for me. I had to start over practically right before I was finished. With training, that is. But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat for Maishoth.”

"Yeah? What was the hardest part?"

“Not being able to go where I want,” said J’ler. “I finally have the wings to go anywhere. I can finally visit my dad instead of waiting for him to have the time to come visit me. Finally punch that useless wherry in his impotent nose. The usual. And then I'm not allowed to go.

“I have a feeling the hardest part for you would be having to wait to oil your firelizard. Or to have me do it for you.”

Ekirim laughed. "Oh, well then. All the more reason to not do it." He joked. "Flying and /betweening/ around Pern is definitely a bonus. But uh, I'm more uncertain about everything else that goes with it, if that makes sense? Like if I go and I Impress a dragon, that's it. I'm a dragonrider, I fight Threadfall and die horribly, that's it." He furrowed his eyebrows, uncharacteristically deep in thought. "But it's not like I was particularly worried about being a farmer forever, y'know?"

“Well, you die either way, I figure.” J’ler shrugged. “And maybe you don't Impress, either. Loads of people don't. It's just, only some people can. And somebody has to, or else everyone dies horribly. Even you. If you ask me, if you're not absolutely sure, if duty or whatever isn't enough to make you sure, then don't do it. There's no takesies-backsies.”

"Yeah I guess that's one way to think about it." Ekirim said. "It's the no take-backs that I'm worried about. Were you that sure when you Impressed? That you had a duty to impress and fight Thread?"

“I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do with my life,” said J'ler. “And I don't really know if I could look anyone I know in the eye if I didn't even try and they did.”

"You're from the Weyr, right?" Ekirim paused, suddenly sheepish. "Or a Weyr. Do you think that factors into it? Like would you have thought that way if your family wasn't dragonriders, too?" He considered Maishoth very seriously. "But I guess that's neither here nor there, really. I'd be a bad dragonrider if I impressed and ended up hating it."

“At first, probably. But you'd figure it out,” said J’ler. He would have to. “But yeah, we're from the Weyr. And, I mean… of course, I'd think different if I was basically a different person.”

He paused for a moment as he saw Ekirim regard Maishoth.

“Remember when I asked if you wanted to hear him? How about now? Would you like to?”

"Oh, well. I don't want Maishoth to feel like he has to." Ekirim said. "Remiath doesn't talk to me, and that's supposed to be pretty normal. Do you think it'd help?"

“Well. I dunno, I thought it might help you decide whether it was something you would be alright with, you know, for the rest of your life,” said J’ler. “But yeah, he wouldn't, normally. He just would if I asked him to.”

"Oh, well. Maybe someday. Even if I do decide to Stand, what are the odds I'd get one on the first try?" Ekirim said with a laugh. "Would you mind if I tagged along for some of the other stuff you do? Like you have to do a lot to care for Maishoth, right?"

“No, I wouldn't mind at all! You're welcome to come help with that. I used to…” J’ler paused for a moment and winced, then swallowed. He never used to be this broken up about being separated from his father, but he had recently let a lot of feelings bubble up to the surface for the sake of a good story and only then realized how real they were.

“I used to help my dad with his dragon when I was little. It'll definitely be something you'll have to do just, like, all the time if you Impress.”

"Aw." Ekirim patted J'ler gently on the back and left his hand firmly on the brownrider's shoulder. "I didn't mean to bring anything up. I don't have to, if it's too upsetting for you."

J’ler blushed hotly. But he laid his hand on Ekirim’s to keep it there.

“N-no, it's fine. Really. I would absolutely appreciate the help.”

"Good! I've only been aboard a dragon a couple times, you know. I don't know much else besides. I shouldn't volunteer without knowing what exactly I'm getting into. Besides," he leaned in to kiss the brownrider's hand, and then his cheek, "I have a fun way to say thank you."

J’ler’s eyes lit up.

“Well, you know… we might not feel like saying thank you after we're done. It can be hard work. So… maybe we should do a little pre-thanks now. And then we can see how we're feeling afterwards, too.” He grinned.

"I am _very_ thankful." Ekirim agreed quietly, kissing him again and starting to pull him towards his weyr.

Last updated on the April 30th 2024

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