[Statistics] [Candidate] [Hatchling] [Weyrling] [Adult]

The world spun beneath them like a child's toy. Sticks for trees, trickling streams for mighty rivers, piles of pebbles for great cliffs and mountains. It seemed that Pern was at their beck and call. And the feeling was overpowering.

Zalvorith beat powerful blue wings through the thin high-altitude air, T'lysen holding tightly onto his riding straps. They were in the midst of an endurance drill - all members of the Wing had been assigned to fly to a distant Hold, rest for exactly ten minutes and then fly straight back. It was the first of this type of drill the recently-graduated pair had flown, and it was harder than they had expected.

The blues and greens of the Wing had been given the choice of a break halfway to the Hold, but T'lysen had tentatively declined. He wanted to see just how much they could endure. He wanted to push himself and Zalvorith to their limits, see just what they could achieve.

And so far so good. It was hard, yes, but they would succeed. It wasn't a race, the Wingleader had said, and they weren't treating it as such. Speed wasn't a necessity this time.

Large for his colour, Zalvorith was in a remarkably good mood that morning. Not unsurprising, considering what he got up to the day before. One of the Weyr's younger greens had risen and Vori had come to the rescue - catching her ahead of more experienced blues and even a few browns.

The night had been enjoyable for both dragon and rider. It had also been T'lysen's first sexual experience with another man. The green's rider, L'rren, had been just as incensed with dragonlust as himself, and so little care was taken to ensure the bluerider's comfort or security, but in a way, T'lysen was glad. It had been a passion-filled night with no holding back, and he had enjoyed himself thoroughly.

He had a feeling that he would have had a good time if the other member had been male or female, however. The thought was a strange one. He had never really thought about the same-sex relationships that ran rife within every Weyr, but being Weyrbred probably helped. It was certainly a different experience.

Did you not enjoy yourself with Relinath's rider? Zalvorith inquired, catching his rider's thought.

I did, Vori. I had a very good night. I was just thinking about the differences between men and women.

The blue's interest was piqued. Well that's obvious, he remarked.

Amused, T'lysen arched one eyebrow. Oh?

Men are... male, and women are... well, female, he explained a little vaguely. And, he continued more confidently, Men have short hair, and elide their names, and women have long hair and use their full names. And woman have those bumps, too.

Bumps... Oh dear. T'lysen laughed, leaning over the dragon's neck in mirth. You're right. Absolutely right, Vori. Shaking his head, he let the issue drop and concentrated on reaching the Hold.

Enara looked at the reflection in the rippling water curiously, cocking her head one way and then the other. Who was this beautiful creature staring back at her? Such green-ness, such perfection!

"You like staring at yourself, do you, Enara?" T'lysen asked, appearing behind the little green.

Enara looked up with a start. Picture of Enara? she queried, looking at the reflection once more. Amazement, beautiful.

T'lysen laughed. "I've never met such a vain little green," he marvelled. "You'd think she was a queen."

Excitement, picture of Enara as a queen, the green sent back with a chirrup.

"Oh, no you don't. I'm sorry I ever mentioned it!" But somehow he rather thought it was too late.

Enara returned to her reflection with renewed interest.