Practice for What's to Come?
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: 1st October 2026
Characters: By'ler, Oriene
Description: By'ler visits Oriene and their dragons race
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 7 of Turn 13
Notes:
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Esperanth was now definitely too large to climb into bed with Oriene in order to keep her warm but that didn’t matter as much now that Oriene had secured some thick sweaters and a good blanket. It helped that today the sun had peeked out from behind the clouds and was warming everything in its gaze. Even if it would never match the heat of Dolphin Cove.
What had Oriene smiling today was watching her growing green dragon practicing her flying. Esperanth was _large_, easily the largest green of the clutch, and Oriene hoped that her bulkiness would even out once she was mature. And secretly hoped that her size meant she would prefer larger mates. Particularly one burnt orange dark bronze dragon.
As if she heard her rider, Esperanth’s head looked up at the sky, just as said dark bronze dragon appeared over the Weyr. Oriene didn’t bother to hide her delight as she leapt out of her seat but Esperanth was more reserved. This By’ler was often on her rider’s mind. Why? As her rider went to greet the man, Esperanth glided with a childish lack of grace towards the bronze. She canted her head at Reviath, sizing him up.
“You’re here!” Oriene called to By’ler.
“I’m here,” he said, scooping her into a hug. Shells, her hair smelled amazing. That’s how he knew he had it bad.
}:Well met, Esperanth,:{ Reviath said, looking down at the growing green.
Esperanth readjusted her wings as she considered him further. }: Reviath, :{ she finally acknowledged, with a dip of her head. }: You look to this…By’ler that my rider thinks about. :{
Oriene held on to By’ler for just an instant longer before stepping out of his embrace. Oh, if only time could hurry by more! “What brings you here today?” she asked, though she was pretty sure she knew the answer and was grinning already.
}:I do my best,:{ was Reviath’s wry answer to Esperanth.
“You, of course,” By’ler answered as he had the first time he’d visited Oriene after the hatching. “But today, I bring a gift. Something you’ve been searching for.” From beneath his flight jacket, the bronzerider produced a folded bundle.
Her eyes lit up with curiosity. “What did you bring me?” she asked even as she took the bundle and began unfolding it. The moment her fingers touched the soft, thick, corded fabric, she let out a small gasp of delight. “A sweater! Oh, this is _perfect_!” she said as she investigated it, cuddled it, and then shrugged it on.
Esperanth watched this. }: A practical gift, :{ she remarked with an approving tone to Reviath. }: She’s thought about your By’ler used to keep her warm and I’m too large to sleep in her bed any more. Your rider’s gift will suffice in that regard. :{
}:He often thinks about keeping her warm. Maybe the sweater will let him now think of other things.:{ Reviath said, although he doubted it.
“I don’t guess we’ll be building any snowmen today,” By’ler said, lifting his hands around him at the barren ground. It was cold, much colder than Dolphin Cove, but there wasn’t a speck of the white stuff to be found.
She agreed. “Not today.” She looked at their dragons, seemingly in conversation, and tilted her head to the side. “You know, we could do something a little fun that would also be good for Esperanth,” she put forward. She looked back at By’ler with mischievous eyes. “She needs to practice her flying. Think Reviath would want to help?”
By’ler arched an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”
Bouncing a little on her toes in growing excitement, Oriene answered, “A race. Just around the Weyrbowl. What do you think, Esperanth?”
Esperanth eyed Reviath coolly, gauging her odds. }: He might overtake me in speed, given his wingspan, but I doubt he’ll be able to keep up on the turns. :{
Oriene laughed. “She says Reviath won’t catch her on the turns,” she relayed.
**You game?** By’ler asked.
}:If I must,:{ Reviath sighed, lifting his wings in an impressive display of wingspan.
“He’ll do it,” the bronzerider told Oriene with a laugh.
The two riders watched as their dragons shifted to give each other takeoff space. “On three,” Oriene called. “One, two, three!”
Esperanth’s takeoff was wobbly but she almost immediately smoothed out. Getting her wings under her, she began to pick up speed, but there was no way she would ever beat Reviath in a dead straight race.
Grinning while she gently reminded Esperanth not to overexert herself trying, Oriene bumped her shoulder against By’ler and winked flirtatiously.
By’ler smiled. “I feel like this is looking very promising for Reviath when Esperanth rises for the first time.”
Despite the blush that crept into her cheeks, Oriene said, “She’ll be bigger by then. And can definitely give him a run for his marks.” Oh, what would it be like, to have their dragons entwined as well?
She stifled the thought before Esperanth could pick up on it.
Clearing her throat, Oriene said, “At least this they can practice together for a bit while she grows up.”
When the pair landed, Reviath ducked his head to Esperanth. }:You flew well.:{
Though winded, Esperanth drew herself up proudly. }: As did you. And one day, I will outfly you. :{
Oriene bumped her shoulder against By’ler’s again. “Want to grab a snack before our next lesson?” she suggested, trying to eke out a little more time with him.
The bronzerider slid his arm around her shoulder. “Of course, maybe they’ll have those pastries from last time.”
Last updated on the October 28th 2026