World of Pern
[G] [C] [EVENT] 738.10.22 | The Joys of Aging - Printable Version

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738.10.22 | The Joys of Aging - R'nd - 23.Oct.17

R'nd was fresh from a bath, towel slung low on his waist with another around his neck. He'd gone down to the public bath house to socialize while enjoying a long soak and didn't feel the need to change back into dirty clothes or drag along extra clothes to change into. It wasn't the first time he walked around a Weyr with only a towel -- or less, given a few flights over the turns -- and likely wouldn't be so it wasn't an odd sight and R'nd still greeted anyone he passed by on his leisurely walk back to his own weyr.

By the time he returned, his hair was mostly dry and R'nd decided it was a good time to start styling it for the day. He liked to look well put together in a casual way but it took time and despite the amount of time they spent together, R'nd didn't think even B'jin knew how much time he could spend on his hair alone. Admittedly there were some days where rolling out of bed late could almost have the same effect as an hour of styling but R'nd wasn't one to chance that on a daily basis.

Thanks to making friends in all the right places and his own upbringing, R'nd had acquired a nice mirror that was of a decent size and smooth with a beautifully clear surface. He had it mounted it on the wall so he'd never have to worry about it falling off the dresser during the antics of flights. Or just when the two of you are too into each other to notice breakable items near you, Ayyonth chimed in lazily from where he was starting the day on a sunning rock. R'nd grinned but didn't reply as the towel at his neck was tossed to a basket.

Half way through his routine of hair care he leaned in close to check for split ends. That's when everything fell apart. Fingers froze where they were as R'nd frowned at what he was convinced a trick of the light. Leaning in even closer to the mirror, he stared at the hairline right at his temple and studied it, shifting his head one way and another, playing with the light until he was certain. He suddenly pushed away from the mirror, stumbling over his own feet as he ran to find the small hand-held one he also had. He was vain and he knew it.

Still in his towel that was barely hanging on, R'nd ran outside his weyr to use the natural light. Panic was clearly on his face as the mirror was brought up with one hand and the other went back to showcasing his temple. "No. No." A chant of the simple short word began as he again checked the spot from every angle but it didn't change what he saw.

A grey hair.

He was getting old! And now, thanks to that one little hair, everyone else would know as well. Most didn't even know his actual age and only a small handful actually even knew his day of birth but everyone would soon know he was old; ancient even.

Really, a hair? I would have thought the fact that T'ryn is seventeen and Benden is six would be what made you realize you're old, Ayyonth rumbled with laughter, enjoying the new drama his rider brought down upon himself. He was such a character when he got into these moods and Ayyonth couldn't help but egg him on, knowing it was all in R'nd's head and not nearly as horrible as the man thought.

R'nd gasped with that new knowledge added in. "You're right! I have a son that's a grown man and my youngest is going to start Standing soon," in truth, if Volfetti even let their son Stand, he had another six or so turns to go but it didn't matter. That was soon enough. T'ryn's age was really worrying him as well. How old had he been when his bronzeriding son was born? Some quick math brought him to the realization he was barely older than T'ryn was now.

Is T'ryn dating anyone? Chasing in flights? You might be a granddaddy soon! Ayyonth was nearly cackling with delight in R'nd's head as the bluerider stumbled back inside and found a chair to collapse into. His dragon had a point! Was T'ryn seeing anyone? He didn't know. His son was a bit private in that regard. Maybe he wouldn't even know he had left someone pregnant. He wasn't ready to have his son have a son!

R'nd put his head between his legs and took several deep breaths. He felt dizzy as everything he knew crashed down around him. He was old. Nothing would be the same anymore. Grey hairs came first and then the joint pains and forgetting things or people. What if he forgot B'jin!

Isn't the better question, what if B'jin doesn't want an old man like you?

R'nd nearly fell out of his chair as he jumped to his feet. That was true! No one would want him anymore. He'd be left alone.

Ayyonth finally started to feel sorry for his rider, knowing he may have pushed too far. R'nd's fear of growing old or ugly was one thing but to push the man into his fear of being alone or abandoned was too far. R'nd... B'jin is older than you so he'll never see you as old. He'll also never leave you. He loves you. Now breathe and let it all go. You're still you and no one will notice one hair.

R'nd followed Ayyonth's direction to breathe and focused on his breath as he went to put the mirror back. He couldn't help but look at himself in the larger one but found the same reflection as a day before stared back at him. He was still him and everyone would still love him.

Even though you're still getting old. Ayyonth only felt slightly bad at drilling home R'nd's age as the man whimpered but stopped falling apart enough to continue preparing for the day.