Make A Friend
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Halyonix, Steel
Date Posted: 13th October 2025
Characters: P'xan, Oriene
Description: Palixan gets a tour
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 16 of Turn 12
Notes:
~*~
“Oh, you are definitely new,” Oriene said sunnily, joking but still somehow welcoming, as she spotted the newcomer standing right outside the Candidate Barracks. “What’s your name?”
Palixan had been NOT hugging his new Candidate uniform to his chest when the voice intruded on his thoughts, and briefly startled him. Though, at least, he didn’t _drop_ his new belongings, and only spun around to face the speaker. “... Palixan.” He said, after a long moment, wide eyes regarding Oriene. “... Who are you?”
She chuckled. “I won’t bite you, don’t worry. I’m Oriene. I’m one of the Candidates here too. I’ve been here a few Turns though so I know the ropes better. They sent you here to get a bunk?”
“Hello, Oriene.” Palixan said, and tried subtly to straighten his posture and mentally re-evaluate his outfit-- was it stained or creased at all? Had he made sure his hair wasn’t too windblown?
And then he realized he was staring at her while he ran through the checklist in his head, and colour rose in his cheeks. “They did!” He blurted. “I mean… Yes, they did, Oriene. I’m to find a bunk. Only… after that-- where am I to report to next? Lessons? The dragonrider who brought me said something about Craft time, too, but I haven’t applied to a Craft. Do I need to? Which is the most accep-”
He stopped short. “... I apologize for rambling.”
“You’re adorable,” Oriene said with a laugh. “Okay, let’s get you a bunk first. You’ll need to check in with the Weyrlingmasters after that, show them that token you got from the dragonriders, and after that, I can show you around the Weyr! How does that sound?”
Palixan's colour rose further, but he gave a stiff nod. “I would appreciate that. Thank you, Candidate Oriene.” He said.
A pause. “... A bunk first, and then the Weyrlingmasters. Do you… How does one impress the instructors here?”
She laughed again. “Okay, first, you can drop the titles when talking to other Candidates. You’ll probably keep them when talking to people in authority though. That goes a long way in impressing the instructors, if that’s what you’re after. That and paying attention to every lesson. Some of them like getting interesting questions. It can get repetitive when you hear it a lot over the Turns. Where are you from?”
Palixan nodded, eyes wide. “Yes, Oriene.” He responded immediately. “And I'm from a cothold in Dolphin Cove Weyr territory. A dragonrider stopped by for some of our redfruit, and he said… he said his dragon thought I could be a Candidate.”
She smiled. “What a surprise that must have been,” she said. “Seeing a rare dragon and then suddenly offered this opportunity. Well, you’re in a good place! Dolphin Cove is the best Weyr to be at. It’s never cold, not like Dragonsfall, and we have dolphins nearby too. So, let’s pick you out a bunk and then I can show you around.”
Oriene led him into the boys’ side of the barracks. “Pick any of the ones that don’t have sheets on them, really. It’s pretty easy,” she said. She waved to a few of the male Candidates as she waited.
Palixan nodded, and chose one of the open bunks, putting his things down. “... Thank you.” He said again.
“Of course,” she told him. “We all start somewhere, right? Just paying it forward. Come on. Let me show you around.” She waved for him to follow her out of the Barracks. “So, no Craft, small cothold. This’ll be quite an adjustment for you. Is there a Craft that you _want_ to do?”
“I was… thinking. Harper, maybe?” Palixan offered, and trotted after her. “They're very important. And… they can stay here, if they're training. If I have to pick, and I don't Impress, I want a Craft that would let me go home sometimes.” He added.
“Harper is a good Craft. Always a need for them, especially if you’re good at singing and writing,” Oriene agreed. “And it would let you go home. Unlike mine, which means that I need to be by the sea, but that’s okay. My family is all dolphineers so it works out.”
“I like writing.” Palixan responded. “I don't know about singing, though. Writing just makes sense. Lining the letters up.”
“You could work with the Printers?” Oriene suggested.
“Oh that could be fun.” Palixan responded, and brightened, just a little bit. “If it's about organizing things.”
“Most people really like the idea of getting to make books,” Oriene added. “There’s just something about them that interest others. I have no idea how the printing presses work though but I’m sure someone here does. Ah, here we are. Dining Hall!” She motioned towards the expansive hall, which wasn’t far from the barracks. “Meals are at certain bells but there’s always something to snack on at one of the hearths if you’re hungry.”
Palixan nodded once more, eyes wide and serious as he took all of that in. “Maybe I'll apprentice to the Printers, then.” He responded.
And then his stomach chose that moment to grumble. Nearly audibly, no less.
“... Can we grab something right now? Is that okay?”
“Of course,” she answered. She led the way to one of the night hearths, snagging a meatroll so that he could follow her lead. “And you don’t have to ask, okay? It’s an open invitation. Hungry? Come here and get food.”
Palixan nodded, and took a meatroll for himself with all seriousness. “It's not just for dragon riders then.” He notes quietly. “I'll remember that. Thank you again.”
“You’re part of the Weyr now,” Oriene said, “which is more than just dragonriders. Everyone always thinks that a Weyr is just dragonriders but there’s so many other people that live here too. And you’re a part of that now.” She grinned as she tilted her head. They really were cute when they first arrived. “You’re going to love it here.”
“I hope so.” Palixan offered, and followed after her readily enough. “I'll do my best.” He added. “I was _Searched_. That means I have to do well. Prove the dragons right.”
“The dragons aren’t wrong about who they Search, that’s for sure,” Oriene agreed. “Don’t worry. You’re going to do great. Welcome to the Weyr!”
Last updated on the October 28th 2025