Pushed Too Far

Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 19th May 2026

Characters: Tindral, R'lor
Description: Tindral wants the world to stop.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 20 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Zaidi, H'yazi
Follows "I Don't Want to Disappear"

R'lor

After Zaidi and her green had made their successful jump, R'lor gave the class a short water break. R'lor had needed a moment to settle himself after the poor girl's terror, and after handling H'yazi's panic as well.

When the group assembled again, he searched over the less-than-eager faces of those weyrlings who still needed to make the attempt. "Tindral and Mdorith, it's your turn."

Mdorith stepped up eagerly to the line, trumpeting imperiously at her rider. }: Let's go, Tindral mine. It's time! :{

Tindral wrang her hands as she stepped forward but she didn't mount. Even though her class had been successful so far, even though they were encouraging her on, Tindral didn't feel _ready_ to take this next step, even with Mdorith's confidence in her innate draconic ability. "I'm...I'm...I'm..." she murmured, scared to speak up but knowing that she _had_ to speak up else someone else would make this decision for her and she was tired of others making decisions for her and why were they rushing through this it was dangerous and she just wanted to stop and--

}: Tindral, mine, :{ Mdorith said in a soothing voice as she lowered her head towards her tiny rider. }: It's going to be okay. :{

Everyone was always telling her that it was going to be alright but it never felt like it was going to be alright because no one was listening to how Tindral felt about it! Unable to take it anymore, a little emotional dam broke within Tindral. "It's not! It's not! It's not okay! Why does everyone keep telling me that it's going to be okay when it's not! I don't want to do this! I don't want to do this! Why are you making me do this?!"

R'lor kept his expression calm through Turns of long practice. Just as he had with Zaidi, R'lor said, "Why don't you both come over here, behind Kularth?" It would give them some privacy.

But Tindral, shockingly, as if she had suddenly found some sort of courage hiding in her small form, took a step back. "No! I'm not doing that! I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!"

"Tindral," R'lor said, gentle but firm. "We need to talk."

}:Make yours come over here,:{ Kularth told the green, his gaze fixed on the pair.

Mdorith wilted a little under that stare. She didn't like the unkind way people were handling her rider but she also wasn't keen on challenging authority. }: Tindral, love, I think you should go with Kularth's rider. He's not trying to hurt you. He's trying to help, :{ she said softly, though her tone sounded uncertain.

Tindral, in answer, stomped her foot but followed.

When they were out of view of the class, R'lor said, "I know this is hard, and it's okay to be scared. But you need to do this, Tindral."

With tears filling her young eyes, she cried, "Why do I have to do it _now_?! Why can't...why can't I wait until, until, until..."

"Until when?" the Weyrlingmaster asked gently.

To this, Tindral had no answer and it showed on her face as it crumpled into a stream of tears and a long, unhappy wail. Mdorith curled herself protectively around her small rider. }: She's trying so hard, Kularth, I promise she is! :{ she vented to the older blue.

}:It is all right.:{ Kularth nuzzled the green.

"I know this is hard," R'lor said after a moment. "But you _can_ do this. I believe in you, and so does Mdorith." He tried not to think about what it would feel like if she was lost. He'd seen so many weyrlings take that first jump /between/ and never return, and it always hurt.

The little girl continued to cry for a few moments longer until, soothed by the love and assurances emanating from her dragon, the tears started to dry up. But it was still scary! And she still didn't want to do it! "N-No one l-listens to m-me," she sobbed to anyone who was listening, dragon or human. Ever since that dragon had Searched her, everyone else had pushed Tindral into something scary, telling her that she was brave, that she could handle it. She didn't _feel_ brave! She was scared and, aside from Impressing Mdorith, she hated everything about being at the Weyr. She felt like no one except Mdorith listened to her about how hard and scary all of this was!

"I'm listening, Tindral. This is hard for me, too, asking you to do something you don't feel ready for." R'lor put a hand on her shoulder. "But each dragonrider must face this milestone, and you've been working toward this since the day you Impressed. Send Mdorith the image of the Star Stones."

Wiping her nose, Tindral did as she was told. Her first image was watery, blurry, just like her eyes. }: I...can't see where you want me to go, Tindral love, :{ Mdorith told her hesitantly. Tindral looked up at the Star Stones. Clenching her fists, angry at the world that kept pressing her forward, she envisioned it again, its edges burned into her mind so clearly that Mdorith let out a small gasp. }: Oh! I see it very well now, oh my! :{

}:Tell yours the image is very good,:{ Kularth said when the young green passed the visual to him.

Tindral glared angrily at the Weyrlingmaster as she mounted her dragon and let take off. Again, she envisioned the point and again Mdorith passed it along, attempting to calm her rider with a low croon.

R'lor kept an encouraging expression on his face as his stomach tied in knots. **Tell them to go ahead.** Kularth passed on the message.

}: Let's do this, Tindral love, :{ Mdorith said right before she disappeared /between/.

Three frantic heartbeats later, the green dragon reappeared. She canted her head back to let out a triumphant cry. But while Mdorith celebrated their little, big accomplishment, Tindral did not. She gripped the straps tightly, that anger at the unrelenting world solidifying into a smoldering ore within her heart. Fuming, she passed the image back and forth between Mdorith and Kularth again, letting that fury burn away the chill of /between/ as they successfully transferred between points once more.

}:Very good!:{ Kularth bugled as the pair emerged, sending feelings of pride to Mdorith.

When they landed, R'lor walked up to them. "I knew you could do it." It was a slight lie, though he'd been fairly confident Tindral could make the jump.

But the little weyrling did not take the praise the way that was expected. She glared up at him, her hand on Mdorith's flank, and said, "I hate you," before walking away to rejoin her class.

R'lor suppressed a sigh. He'd need to talk with her later.

Last updated on the May 24th 2026

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Pushed Too Far