Still Worth Choosing

Writers: Aaron, Duskdog
Date Posted: 14th June 2025

Characters: Chandrany, Ç'pier
Description: After failing to Impress again, Chandrany seeks comfort in the arms of Ç'pier.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 2 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Farangen (NPC)

Chandrany

Ç'pier

The Hatching was over. It was done. It was fine. Whatever.

It wasn't like this was the first time she'd been left behind, and it might not be the last. Whatever.

Farangen had been afraid of failing, too. He was the opposite of her: while she had almost no family who were riders, his entire family had Impressed and left only him. It was lonely both ways. She could acknowledge that. And... she was supposed to be happy for him. She _was_ happy for him, sure. Whatever.

She didn't need him. Whatever.

She definitely _wasn't_ feeling her feelings about any of this as she looked for a seat in the Dining Hall. She definitely wasn't feeling the glaring absence of anyone's seat at their usual table, or avoiding her family, or anything stupid and childish like that. In fact... she was feeling super social! Now was the time to reach out! Really!

The face that stood out to her was familiar -- Ç'pier, sitting alone, probably as lonely as she (definitely was not) feeling. Probably. Maybe. She remembered him as confident and strong and unafraid to flirt, and his arms as warm and inviting.

Also, he had tried to murder someone. But that probably wasn't important. (Whatever?) Without even pausing to think, she crossed the Dining Hall at a pace that made Gallant give a surprised squawk on her shoulder, digging his little claws in to keep his balance. Flower cheeped a sleepy question from her spot curled up inside the sling-pouch on Chandrany's front. She sat down across from Ç'pier abruptly, smiling at him. "Hi."

Ç'pier paused monetarily mid-mouthful to stare at the sudden arrival and her passengers, but he quickly regained his composure and swallowed. He wondered whether his wingmates had put her up to this. Were they waiting somewhere to pop out and laugh at him when she stole his food or something?

But he just put on his usual grin and said,

"Hey."

"You don't mind if I sit here, do you?" she asked, less to get his permission and more just to get the conversation going. "Thanks. So... how have you been? You look better. I mean... not that you looked bad or anything. Just, like, I know things were rough. But it seems better? Uh. I mean. How's.." She had to think for a moment, "Yuliuth?"

"Nice recovery." Ç'pier held back a laugh, but his smile showed how much he was enjoying this. She clearly wanted something, and well, if she wanted what he thought she wanted, he was not going to tell her no. "He is just the absolute best. How about you? You look lovely, of course."

She couldn't help but blush a little. She was not a shy girl, nor did she think she was unattractive, exactly, but... well. It was nice to be _told_ every now and again. It was nice to feel like something about her was worth complimenting.

And... at least she hadn't completely fumbled the whole thing. He was smiling. He didn't mind that she definitely almost actually said something stupid, as per usual.

"Thanks," she replied. "You haven't lost your charm, I see. That's good. I'm, uh... I'm good. UnImpressed, but, well... so are a lot of people. And there's way worse things to be, right?" She gave an almost nervous laugh. "I just saw you over here all by your lonesome and thought that seemed to be an awful shame. Unless you've got some lady meeting you here...?"

"I absolutely do, and here you are," said Ç'pier. "Skies, it's good to see you again, sweet girl. I... Well, after all I've done, it's... good for the soul to have a human person remember the good that Yuliuth saw in me when he chose me. To remember that I am more than the mistakes I've made."

A little much? Maybe.

"The thing is... Now that he has chosen me, I know exactly how you must be feeling... Because... Not only that, I know _you_. And I know that right now, you're thinking...

"‘Why didn't they choose me? Aren't I good enough?’ And... Well, Yuliuth will tell you the same as I will. It wasn't that you weren't good enough for them.

"_They_ weren't good enough for _you_. And they knew it. They always know. But the dragon that can match you still has time to hatch. And she will. She will."

}:That really was a lot,:{ said Yuliuth. }:The boy on the beach didn't need convincing...:{

**Yuli, don't judge me. That was the one and only time I've had sex since before you picked me, and I am dying. You can look into my memory-- you know she can deliver. And she wants me to deliver, too! That's why she came to me!**

Yuliuth sighed.

}:Very well... But I forbid you to hurt her.:{

**I would never.**

Oh. Oh right. _This_ was why she had fond memories of him. She felt a lump rise in her throat, and her eyes begin to burn -- but she pretended to cough as an excuse to turn her head away against her shoulder, and wipe at her eyes just in case something started to leak through.

There. Better. Don't think about it. It's fine.

"Flatterer," she accused gratefully, but she knew she couldn't dwell too much on his words, or she might actually start crying for real. It would ruin the whole mood. It would be very unsexy. "I guess you really _haven't_ gone and forgotten me after all this time, have you? Because I have definitely not forgotten you." She gave him a smile that made it obvious exactly _what_ she was preferring to remember.

Ç'pier answered with a half-cocked grin.

"I could never forget you," he said. "And I didn't mean to ignore you, it's just... Well. I've been a little busy. But I'm glad to see your beautiful smile now. It's certainly bringing back some very good memories."

It made her chest fill with warmth to hear. He had a dragon, he was good-looking -- surely he could have his pick of anyone (well, okay, maybe not _anyone_, what with the whole attempted murder thing, but still!), but he was still interested. "If you're interested in making some new memories, I've got time..."

"Oh, I'm captivated," said Ç'pier. "Is there someplace you would feel most safe?" He had become very conscious of inviting people back to his weyr or anywhere they could not easily escape him if they changed their minds about being alone with him.

"Well, I don't have much in the way of privacy," she replied, cocking her head and giving her best come-hither smile, "but there's always somewhere. You've got your own weyr, right? Nobody to care except Yuliuth?"

"As long as you feel safe in my weyr, you're more than welcome there any time." Ç'pier stood and offered his arm. "I'd love to introduce you to Yuli, if you'd like to meet him."

Chandrany beamed, taking his arm. "I'd _love_ to meet him!"

For once, it seemed, her impulsive choices were going to work out for the best.

Last updated on the June 23rd 2025

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Still Worth Choosing