One Drink
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: Devin
Date Posted: 19th July 2009
Characters: N'vanik
Description: N'vanik marks the anniversary of a friend's death.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 8 of Turn 5
A turn ago, he'd tried to drink himself into a stupor. Tal had stopped him from getting all the way there.
Tal ...
N'vanik turned away from that thought. Tonight wasn't about the growing distance between them. Tonight was about remembering, about holding on to the good things and trying to push past the guilt. N'vanik leaned back against the wall, his legs stretched out on the ledge. Two turns had passed since that day. Anyone who had known him back then would never believe that he'd be here now, a Weyrleader, and not a disastrous one, either. No one, at least, except V'surin. N'vanik thought his old Wingleader might have believed it was possible. He'd seen potential in N'vanik, treated him with more respect than most, had been able to get through to N'vanik in a way that so few had.
And over time, N'vanik grew to love him. He wouldn't dare admit it to anyone, but N'vanik had seen V'surin as a father figure, the kind of father he'd wished he had. How different would it be to be raised by a father that understood him, that saw value in him, encouraged him? With V'surin as a friend and mentor, N'vanik had begun to realize he was capable of so much more. V'surin had even considered him for Wingsecond.
Then Thread tore that away. It took V'surin and left N'vanik with a guilt that he still couldn't shake. It set his progress back by turns, got him kicked out of Dream's End and sent to Dragonsfall. First Trae and then Talryne had helped him to heal, bit by bit, made him connect with others and made him wonder if maybe he could be the kind of man V'surin had seen in him.
Shards, how he wished V'surin were here. N'vanik had managed to make it through his first few months as Weyrleader, but Faranth it was hard. He could use the man's advice, his experience, his level head. Even beyond that, he wanted V'surin here so he could thank him, for giving him a chance, for believing in him.
N'vanik picked up his glass. Only one drink tonight. No wallowing in guilt, although the temptation was strong. He lifted his glass to the dark, cloudy sky. "Here's to you, old friend."
Last updated on the July 21st 2009