Q&A Period

Writers: Sia, Aaron
Date Posted: 5th May 2025

Characters: J'ler, E'kirim
Description: E'kirim asks J'ler about mating flights
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 16 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: T'lonas, M'thos, R'enh, Z'renh

J'ler

"So." E'kirim began as he slid into the seat in the dining hall across from J'ler. "T'lonas and M'thos gave us a really clinical version of 'the talk' the other day. Maishoth has been chasing, right? What's it really like?"

“Yeah, he chases.” Not that he had ever won. J’ler would probably have to admit that at some point, but he did not have to lead with it. “What didn’t they tell you?”

"I dunno, that's why I'm asking you." E'kirim said. "Norri's not winning anytime soon. He flies like a giant wherry as it is. But is it as intense as they say? Like you can see everything Maishoth does?"

“Yeah,” said J’ler. “It's… Well, it’s hard to describe. You can still force yourself to focus on what’s actually in front of you. But it’s hard to want to. And it distracts your dragon from the flight, too, which is a good way to lose it. But it’s the closest you ever get to just being one mind instead of two.”

"Eerie." E'kirim said. "But you're not really supposed to, right? Unless they're doing something that could be dangerous. Is that why R'enh's bronze got injured during the last goldflight? He wasn't paying attention?"

“I mean, I wouldn't want to go around guessing about something like that, but… maybe?” J’ler shrugged. “But usually, only something really distracting will catch your eye enough to pull you apart. And if the flight is close enough to finished, even that might not get your attention.”

"They said the golds might attack each other if they're both close to rising, but I didn't really think about the bronzes going after each other." E'kirim said thoughtfully, "But Adamanth is so aggressive to the other dragons, I might want to steer Norri away from him." He put his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his hand. "How often does Maishoth chase?"

“Oh, just often enough for it to be a pain in my ass, usually when it's awful outside,” J’ler complained. It might have been better if he had won. “I wouldn't worry about Adamanth; he’s too fat to chase a herdbeast let alone a green.”

E'kirim snorted. "That's what I mean, though. He's a sore loser. I don't want Norrianth hurt because Z'renh and I aren't able to control them. Can you control Maishoth like that? Or would he listen?"

“He almost always does whatever I ask him to,” said J’ler. “Like I’m his conscience or something.”

"Like if you tell him to swerve left? Or hey, I don't think you should chase that green?"

“Well, I've never said ‘don’t chase that green.’ So maybe he’d give me a flowery explanation of why he’s not going to do what I want. But yeah, we've done a lot of swerving. He trusts me. So if I say go left, he believes that's what we should do,” said J’ler.

E'kirim scrunched his face as if deep in thought, thinking at Norrianth to turn left. The piece of him that was probably Norrianth filtered back a mix of confusion and curiosity. Maybe not, then. But perhaps in the flight it'd be different. "What about the other riders? Is it rough?" Then, with a naughty grin, "Do you get really aggressive when Maishoth wins?"

“We’ve never won before,” said J’ler. It was a little hard to admit, but he could always shift into something naughtier along with him. “Want me to get a little aggressive with you and see how it feels?”

E'kirim barked a laugh before he could help himself, clapping a hand over his mouth to stifle the sound. Around them, a few people turned their heads, and he ducked down a little over the table, grinning wildly. "The Weyrlingmasters did say we should practice." He finally said, "Be rough with me."

J’ler grinned wider than he ever had.

“You wanna head up right now? Or if you wanna take our time, save it for later?”

E'kirim grinned and set his fork down, his meal half-finished. "Let's go. Fly me like a greenrider, J'ler."

Last updated on the May 21st 2025

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Q&A Period