[G] [P] 739.11.01 | Exploration

It had been a couple of weeks since the Hatching and T’ryn was still thinking about it regularly. It had been Syrendryth’s first clutch, so that alone would have warranted his attention for a while, but that had been overshadowed by death. A lot of death. Images of those poor people dying and others fleeing in terror had haunted his dreams for several nights before a long conversation with Syrendryth helped him let go of a lot of the guilt. They weren’t responsible for what happened and no one could predict it would go so horribly wrong. Everyone knew Hatchings could be dangerous and everyone still attended whether as a Candidate or a spectator. The only blame that could be tossed their way, which T’ryn thought was unfair but it didn’t bother his dragon any, was that it was Syrendryth’s fault for producing such dragonets with more violent tendencies than others. He was a clutchmate to Rhezalth so clearly something went wrong with them. So far no one had mentioned banning them from chasing golds—though T’ryn would have happily obliged if they had been.

Syrendryth also did his best to remind T’ryn of the way he handled the crisis and helped calm people and get them organized again. After all was said and done and the shock of the night was over –and he had slept—T’ryn was proud of himself. It had taken a little encouraging from his sister to get his act together but he was proud of what he did do once he got moving. It felt good and it felt right. Syrendryth said that was what a good Weyrleader was like but T’ryn refused to go there. He felt that was a good Wingleader, leading a group of people in a high emotions situation. He had worked out the best course of action and ensured others followed it. That’s what interested him with the wings and that was still what he would pursue. N’mor and other bronzeriders could fight for Weyrleader positions when the chance arose.

Now that he had moved passed the drama and trauma of that night, which had sent him into being a bit of a recluse again, T’ryn was ready to face the world once more and he wanted to do it with friends. There was one friend in particular that he found he had really missed over the months. Sure they still greeted each other or had brief polite small talk when they crossed paths, but T’ryn had made it clear he still wasn’t ready for things to be normal and like they once were between them. But he missed Casa. She was funny and clever and he never got bored of talking with her. If she knew something on a topic that he didn’t, it never bothered him. It usually made him pepper her with questions to share what she knew. She was also always up for an adventure and he found he missed that as well and the thrill sneaking around brought.

It also explained why he was up before dawn and silently moving down the halls from his weyr to Casa’s. He almost laughed at it all. A bronzerider sneaking out to drag a goldrider out of bed so they could sneak off together to explore an area that was forbidden to everyone. He vaguely wondered if N’mor would still try blaming Casa for being a bad influence as Syrendryth snorted. You don’t need him to say it. I will. She is a bad influence but I also like that you are getting out again and your idea is mostly harmless. T’ryn sighed. It was always nice to have support, he supposed, though he wished it would extend to supporting his friends.

When he reached Casa’s door, he hesitated. What if she had company? He’d heard tales from the camping trip he bailed on, knew what she had told him about her trip to the Hold, and had heard rumours from some of their mutual friends that she liked company in her down time. Would he be interrupting something? What if some guy leaves when the door opens? It didn’t matter anymore, damn it! They weren’t a couple and hadn’t been for a long time. He still felt something for her and had a feeling that it was part of the reason why he missed her so much but the break up was kind of mutual and they really were better as friends. He couldn’t live up to what she expected in bed now and he couldn’t wrap his brain around group sex.

So he knocked, and waited, and finally heard feet shuffling his way. When the door opened he saw Casa, barely covered by whatever she wanted to call what she was wearing, and looking rather exhausted. Hopefully because he woke her from a deep sleep and not because someone else had kept her up. “Uh, hey!” He greeted quietly given the hour and forced some extra cheer into his voice as he felt his nerves wavering now that he saw her. “I uh heard a Lord was teaching you about High Reaches region and I’m feeling a bit restless and wondered if you wanted to share some of your knowledge and pick up some firsthand knew info while exploring the Weyr with me. Right now. Well, after you at least put shoes on.” He smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable again, though he was also doing his best to keep his gaze on Casa’s face and not wander any lower for a reminder of what he gave up.