Needing a Hand
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: Duskdog, Steel
Date Posted: 21st April 2026
Characters: A'yan, T'lonas
Description: A'yan needs some advice.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 10 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: O’rock, Ibranth
“You… you wanted to see me, sir?” A'yan asked, knocking at the doorsill, shifted a little bit in embarrassment. He tried to think on what he might have done wrong. He hesitated again. Maybe the door being open had been for someone else…
}:We are here!:{ Nhaliviath declared, and nudged her rider firmly enough that A'yan lost his balance and stumbled a half step in. “Nhaliviath!” He scolded, horrified.
}:You are getting bigger every day, little one,:{ Domorth told the young green. }:It’s good that you are eager, but don’t forget that you are much stronger than your rider!:{
T’lonas laughed. “It’s quite all right, A’yan -- they’re full of energy at her age, and not always aware of their own strength. Come, sit, have a candy if you’d like!” He nodded to the dish on his desk.
A’yan flushed a little, but straightened, dusted off Nhaliviath’s snout-print as best as he could, and went to the chair indicated to sit. “Yes sir.” He responded, and eyed the candy with interest a moment before neatly folding his hands in his lap instead.
Nhaliviath arched her neck proudly. }:Very soon I will be too big for this office!:{ she agreed to Domorth. }:Mine knows that I am very strong. I will not hurt him.:{
“Thank you for coming so promptly,” T’lonas said. “And dressed so nicely! I must say, you always do keep your appearance tidy and your knots straight, and that’s something a lot of weyrlings struggle with. I do hope you don’t think you’re in trouble, because you aren’t. I’ve just noticed that you’ve been having a bit of a hard time with some things. Do you feel a bit overwhelmed?”
A’yan wasn’t sure how to respond to that at first. He opened his mouth to answer. Closed it. Tried again. “I am doing my best to keep up, sir.” He offered finally. “O’rock has been kind enough to help me with some of it.”
}:Of course you are doing well.:{ Nhaliviath told her rider simply, though she eyed T’lonas. }:You have me, and I am excellent.:{
“... Of course.” A’yan responded, and stroked her. “I would never fail you.” he told his green quietly, who crooned satisfied approval.
“That’s commendable,” T’lonas nodded. “O’rock’s a fine young man. And I do believe you’re trying very hard. But I’m concerned about how much you’ve been struggling with marching, and the firestone toss. Everyone builds a lot of muscle by the end of Weyrling Training, but some have to put more effort in than others, unfortunately. Have you not done much physical labor before?”
“He is very nice.” A'yan agreed. “Even to R-- To those in our class who don't reciprocate.”
He paused, ducked his head, freshly embarrassed. “The marching is not so hard.” He protested. “All I have to do is stay in time, and I am-- I was-- an apprentice Harper. I can do that much.” He fidgeted. “...No, sir. I was a holder, and then a Harper." He said finally.
“I _have_ been trying.“ Wait, no, did that sound like excuse making?
“I believe you,” T’lonas said. “I really do, A’yan -- you certainly aren’t misbehaving, or slacking off, and that already puts you ahead of some of your peers in some respects. But I think you may need a little extra time devoted to your physical fitness, so that you can catch up with the rest of the class. It’s not a punishment. It’s designed to help.”
A'yan ducked his head further, but nodded meekly. “... Yes Weyrlingmaster. Sorry, sir.” He clearly needed to work even harder.
Nhaliviath snorted, and eyed T'lonas again. }:Tell Yours that Mine has already been trying to do extra.:{ she told Domorth.
Domorth faithfully passed the message along, faintly amused.
T’lonas’s lip quirked. “Ah, your dragon rushing to your defense! She says you’ve already been trying to do extra. What have you been doing? Perhaps we could just find someone to help guide you.”
“O'rock's been helping me with the endurance part of our training, at least.” A'yan offered. “But I hardly want to make trouble and put _more_ on him, Weyrlingmaster, sir. I can… I can keep up.”
Nhaliviath’s tail lashed. }:You are _not_ trouble, Mine!:{ she told him, her wings mantled up. }:So what if cutting my food makes you feel not-good? You're still doing it!:{ One whirling eye, faintly yellow, locked on T'lonas.
}:Mine can do _anything_ everyone else can!:{ she flung at Domorth. }:Tell us what he needs to do.:{
A'yan went pale. “Nhaliviath!! Be _respectful_! They're our teachers!”
}:If we tell you, will you listen?:{ Domorth asked, still amused.
“I’m sure O’rock has been very helpful. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt either of you for you to meet with M’thos. He can assess what you’re doing to train, make sure it’s safe and going at the right pace for you, and offer help and structure where you need it.” He smiled. “I’m dragonrider-fit, but M’thos is a dedicated level above. He’ll take good care of you.”
“I can talk to M’thos.” A’yan hurried to assure. “I am doing all I can to keep up.” Even if he just wasn’t as talented as some of the others in his class.
Nhaliviath snorted audibly. }:That depends rather on what type of telling it is.:{ she responded tartly. }:Mine does not go charging blindly into things like Ibranth and his rider.:{
}:No one charges blindly into things quite like Ibranth and his rider,:{ Domorth agreed.
“Wonderful,” T’lonas said. “I appreciate you putting the work in as you have, and being willing to accept help when offered. Don’t worry about it too much, lad -- you’re hardly the first weyrling to have a little catching up to do in the beginning. It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”
A'yan nodded, once again. “I'll try even harder, sir. I promise.” He repeated.
}:Good.:{ Nhaliviath told him, with another nudge. }:I know my rider can keep up.:{ she added to Domorth. }:We shall do all we can, and then more.:{
A'yan swallowed. “... What Nhaliviath says.” There was no use arguing about what she thought he could do.
“It’s settled, then!” T’lonas sat back in his chair. “Speak with M’thos sometime today. Keep doing what you’re doing, and with his help, you’ll be all caught up in no time. I have absolute faith in you, A’yan. And you, too, Nhaliviath.”
A'yan just nodded mutely.
Last updated on the May 1st 2026