How the Family Started
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, Heather
Date Posted: 30th June 2026
Characters: K'thyr, Th'alin
Description: K’thyr and Th’alin reminisce about the day K’thyr became a father
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 22 of Turn 13
~*Flashback*~
“How is Tsatya?” Th’alin asked after Keth dropped him off on the weyrledge and then hurried off in case others needed the space. The brownrider, of course, held a basket of food between his large, calloused hands.
An absolutely besotted K’thyr was cuddling the wrinkly, rosy-cheeked newborn as close as he could. “She’s fine. She’s resting,” he answered in an almost automatic tone but there was no missing the goofy smile on his face that explained why K’thyr’s attention was elsewhere. “Th’alin, look at him. He’s _perfect_.”
The other brownrider set the basket down and stepped closer to peer down at the glorified tuber wrapped and nestled in the crook of K’thyr’s arm. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Th’alin’s eldest was barely two, so the memory of what it felt like to become a dad was still strong.
“It is,” K’thyr agreed. He lifted the treasured bundle a little to say, “This is your uncle Th’alin, Tsaetherian. You can always count on him to make you some good food.”
“As soon as you are ready for soft foods, Uncle Tal has a fruit blend that you’re going to love,” the brownrider assured Tsaetherian, reaching out to gently caress one downy cheek. “Speaking of food,” Tha’lin said, scooping the basket back up he’d brought, “I’ve brought some for you and Tsatya. Childbirthing is no joke, so I’ve heard, and a good meal following is always desired.”
“It’s a pretty good fruit blend,” K’thyr added, “for a mush texture.” He looked at the basket and then at the adjoining bedroom. “Here,” he said to Th’alin as he moved the newborn closer. “Trade you for a moment.” With the precious cargo transferred, K’thyr disappeared into the room to deliver the food to Tsatya.
Tucking the precious cargo into the crook of his elbow, Th’alin exhaled contentedly as he studied the baby. “Welcome to the world, Tsaetherian. You’ll see me pretty often. I’ll teach you about the _best_ foods and how to prepare them. Food is a conversation language, you know. Soon I’ll introduce you to my son, Themrian. You’re not far apart in age. Maybe you’ll be best friends like me and your father.”
Tsaetherian yawned.
“Oh, big yawn,” Th’alin replied automatically.
~*End Flashback*~
“And now he’s down there washing his dragon,” Th’alin said with a shake of his head as they watched E’rian with Inarayth.
“How the shells and shards of every dragon did eighteen Turns go that fast?” K’thyr remarked with an incredulous huff.
“The oldtimers used to always warn us about how fast it goes. They were right.” Th’alin crossed his arms over his chest. “Themrian and Yrevali just roll their eyes at me when I say it.”
The other brownrider laughed appreciatively. “I can actually see Yrevali’s face when you say that too,” he said. Their children had grown up together. There was even a point where Yrevali and E’rian had dated, to humorously disastrous results. “I’m sure she’s giving him so much whershit for Impressing,” K’thyr remarked. “How dare he get there first.”
“Themrian is bursting with envy, even if he won’t say it. His time as a Candidate is nearly up. I try to encourage him with how I Impressed at about his age, but that falls on deaf ears.” Tha’lin understood, though, the pressure, the agonizing thought of being left out of the exclusive club of dragonriders.
“Sometimes I think it’s harder on kids of dragonriders. Even coming from a line of them, it’s no guarantee, so I bet a lot of them feel extra pressure versus the ones that come from Holds,” K’thyr said. He nodded towards E’rian again. “I mean, you know how he was trying to figure out what to do in case.”
Th’alin nodded knowingly, recalling the conversation he’d had with E’rian when they’d been prepping dinner together. “Themrian says his backup plan is to find a ‘hot woman’ to take him in, and he’ll earn his keep with her.” Just saying it without laughing through every word was difficult for Th’alin, because it was such a Themrian thing to say.
K’thyr chuckled richly. “That sounds so like your son. If he plans it well enough, he can win over a greenrider and then have transport to just about anywhere if he treats her right.” There was no doubt that Themrian would be a poor mate. Neither father nor uncle would allow their children to slip below standard. They had done their work in raising their children right. He shook his head, still chuckling but thinking now of his own son. “At least E’rian won’t have to think about romance for a while. Not with that baby dragon.” K’thyr didn’t mind his son’s sexuality but he did worry about E’rian’s inability to stick to something, including partners.
“Honestly, I think all kids their age should have to spend at least one Turn _not_ thinking about romance. I know we all moaned about it when we were in Weyrlinghood, but it’s a good time to figure out who you are without complications.” Th’alin laid a hand over his chest and winced. “Ouch, that sounded so… _middle age_ of me to say.”
The other brownrider laughed. “Middle age? Us? Never!” he quipped. He laughed again. “Shells, how the time has flown,” he added as his laugh faded under the weight of those Turns. He clapped Th’alin on the shoulder. “Enough of that, yeah? Let’s go get some lunch. I have sweeps this afternoon.”
Last updated on the July 1st 2026