Settling for Acceptable

Writers: Heather, Shawna
Date Posted: 27th June 2026

Characters: R'vayn, Alyndra
Description: R’vayn and Alyndra discuss her and K’leriac
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 27 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: I’serin, K’leriac

R'vayn

Others who lived alone might be disturbed by arriving home to their weyr and hearing someone rustling around inside, but R’vayn didn’t bat an eyelash as he removed Cioreth’s riding straps and hung them on his peg in the weyrcouch. Water dripped down the bronzerider’s freshly washed hair, still not completely dry despite the slight air-drying on the ride up to the weyr.

Walking into the inner chamber, R’vayn lifted his face and sniffed at the aroma. “Herdbeast stew?” he guessed as he shrugged out of his riding jacket and tossed it over the back of his couch.

“Mmmhmm,” Alyndra said, giving the pot a stir. “Don't worry, it's repurposed roast leftovers, so it won't be too spicy for your delicate palate,” she teased, being a fan of a lot of spice in her food. “How was your day? The infirmary was strangely quiet.” Superstitiously, she rapped her knuckles on a wooden shelf.

“Good, despite A’brevan being a bit of a taskmaster at drills. I think everyone really wants to distinguish how differently the Wings are going to be now without I’serin at the head.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek as he passed by to remove his boots and leave them in his bedroom. “Sorry about yesterday, by the way. Cioreth would have been present at Valeriath’s flight but we were out of the Weyr.”

“A’brevan, taking things too seriously? You don’t say,” Alyndra drawled. “Oh, it was fine. You know Valeriath gets testy with poor Cioreth when she’s proddy.”

}:YOU get testy with CIORETH’S,:{ the grumble that went through her mind always sounded disconcertingly like her own voice. It was a good thing they rarely argued. ]:I like Cioreth just fine. Usually.:{

Ignoring her dragon, Alyndra said, “It was Obrianth again; she’s always liked him. And K’leriac is good people.”

“He puts his best foot forward,” R’vayn said, unable to contain the joke as he set the table. The grin he shot at the greenrider was unrepentant. “I’m glad, though, that it was a good time, at least.” At their ages, flights were old hat, not nearly as monumental as they had been when they’d just graduated Weyrlinghood.

“That's a terrible joke and you should feel ashamed of yourself,” Alyndra said blandly. “I never mind the flights, it's the tension headache before I hate.” It was the excuse she always used to avoid him those few days before, when hormones were running high and self control was running low. “It was nice. He invited me to dinner after, and that was nice too. I think I'm going to invite him over tomorrow.” Starting to dish the stew into bowls, she said, “Can you grab us something to drink?”

R’vayn didn’t immediately reply as he grabbed regular glasses for water and then a pair of wine glasses for the nice red he had in his cabinet. “He would have laughed,” the bronzerider said in defense of his joke. Once the water glasses were filled, he uncorked the wine and poured them both a starting glass. “Inviting him over? That’s outside your usual post-flight routine,” he noted.

“Yeah, well my Weyr has been feeling awfully quiet lately, and he's a better conversationalist than a feline,” Alyndra said. “You're one to talk, who forgot their sweater here?” She nodded towards a garment hanging on the arm of his couch.

He swiveled around to regard the heavy knit orange and maroon sweater. “Aahh… Margalise, Mohgana…. Mohnah? Something like that.” R’vayn lowered himself into his usual spot at the table. “But she wasn’t here for conversation. I find felines and dragons do that perfectly well. And occasional Weyrhealers.”

“One of them might stay if you remembered their name,” Alyndra said dryly. “Or at least not run out so fast she forgets her clothes. Aren't you ever going to settle down?”

“It’s not that I’m opposed to it,” R’vayn clarified. “It’s just never felt right. I don’t think any of those women have ever been the right fit. When the right one comes along, I’ll know. Besides, I remember the names that matter, _Alyndra_.” He winked.

“Have you ever considered you’re too picky? Sometimes you just have to find something good enough. That got me through… far too many Turns with R’kesha,” she said. It had been long enough to make jokes about that now.

“I tried ‘good enough’ with R’divale’s mother, and it was miserable.” R’vayn shook his head. “If you think ‘good enough’ with K’leriac is going to make you happy, then cheers,” he lifted his glass. But he didn’t think it would make her happy. Maybe in the short-term, sure, but he knew Alyndra.

“I’m too old to keep waiting for some bronzerider to come sweep me off my feet,” Alyndra said, “K’leriac is comfortable. I think it could work out,” she said it a little firmer than was necessary, as if she were half convincing herself.

“I hope it works out for you,” he said, and he meant it, well… At least, a part of him meant it.

Last updated on the July 1st 2026

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Settling for Acceptable