Do You Remember That Moment?

Writers: Aaron, Francesca
Date Posted: 7th May 2025

Characters: Ç'pier, R'kede
Description: R'kede calls Ç'pier in for a meeting about his performance in Threadfall.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 4 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: E'ben (not by name)

Ç'pier

R'kede

R'kede preferred when Threadfall was in the morning, as it had been
that day. When it was later in the day, it hung over his head and he
found it hard to concentrate on anything else. Now, it was barely
afternoon and he and his brown were clean and he had already checked
on the injured: two dragons with minor threadscores and a rider who
had hurt his arm catching a firestone bag.

The Wingleader walked out of the dining hall, not quite ready to
tackle the hidework at his desk. But, the miserable weather meant he
couldn't go for a walk or a swim. So, he asked Osherith to see if
Yuliuth's rider was available.

}:Ç'pier is ever at your service,:{ said Yuliuth. }: He will meet you
at your convenience.:{

}:Mine will be ready to meet with him in 5 minutes:{ Osherith relayed.
In the meantime, R'kede poured himself a mug of klah (was it his third
of the day?) and settled in his favorite green armchair, enjoying a
moment of relaxation.

Five minutes or so later, Ç'pier knocked on R'kede's door, and once
bidden, he entered, saluted formally, and stood at attention.

"Ç'pier of brown Yuliuth, reporting as ordered, sir."

"Come in. Take a seat," R'kede said, waving the young brownrider in
and gesturing to the two armchairs opposite his: one red, one blue.
"There's klah if you want it."

"Thank you, sir." Ç'pier sat in the red chair, though he did not take any klah.

"You and Yuliuth did pretty well today in Threadfall." It was always
good to start with the positives. "You did a good job of getting that
clump of Thread during the second crossover of the Wings. I know
things can get messy during crossovers."

It never ceased to surprise Ç'pier when someone praised him. In the
Before Times, it was almost expected. He had been so good for so long
at convincing people that he was a good person who deserved praise.
But now everyone knew the truth about him. He had been much better
then at keeping a straight face. Now, his surprise was better at
creeping through.

"Um... Thank you, sir," he said. There was about to be a but. There
was always a but.

R'kede kept his tone even. "A little after that, Osherith saw Yuliuth
move out of formation to scorch some Thread that would have been
easier for Werleth," the green to his right, "to get. Do you remember
that moment?"

Ah, there it was.

"Yes, sir." Ç'pier certainly did remember it. It was a clump that
would have eaten him had T'cliffe decided to let it. It would have
been easy to pretend he just could not get it. It almost felt strange
for Ç'pier to want to live. But as much as it might have been easier
to just close his eyes and stop existing, he could not stomach the
idea of being eaten alive.

R'kede refused to let himself get frustrated at the brief answer. "Why
didn't Yuliuth stay in formation?"

"I made him flame the clump, sir." There was no use in lying about it.
He was done lying. Whatever R'kede asked him, he would tell him the
true answer.

"And why didn't you leave it for T'cliffe and Werleth to handle?"

Ç'pier narrowed his eyes and tried to figure out whether R'kede was
genuinely curious or whether he was just doing a bit.

"I'm not sure how to answer that, sir. I'm not allowed to die, lest I
reflect even more poorly on R'lor than I already have. I'm not leaving
that to whim or chance."

Ahh, there it was. At least the kid was honest. "Look, Ç'pier, I know
there are good reasons," (or, one enormous reason) "for there to be a
lack of trust between you and your wingmates. But, especially during
Threadfall, we all need to be able to rely on each other. I don't want
Yuliuth to make a move that puts the two of you, or others, in danger
because you're doing something unexpected. So," R'kede leaned forward,
"I'm going to move you up close to me. I was planning on doing this
anyway, because our new Wingsecond has convinced me that we could do
better at mentoring our newest riders, including you. That will help
me keep an eye on you, and we can debrief after every Threadfall.
And," he added, "it means I'll be trusting you to cover Osherith and
me when necessary. Are you up for it?"

Ah. So, R'kede wanted to be the one to do it. Ç'pier supposed he had
to respect the man taking the responsibility for it himself.

"If you're willing to trust me, then I'll do everything in my ability
to ensure you won't regret it, sir," he said. "Yuli can fly in any
position you put him in. He's... he's a good dragon, sir. And I'm not
just saying it because he's mine. He's really, genuinely good." He did
not suppose he could really expect that he could convince them not to
go through with taking him out, but if there were any way to do it, it
would be to appeal to their mercy for Yuliuth. After all, that was the
only reason he was still alive so far.

"I know he is," R'kede said with a smile. "And I look forward to
getting to know him better. Anything else you want to talk about?"

"Did you have anything in mind, sir?" Ç'pier had nothing else, but
sometimes when someone in charge asked that, they expected you to
volunteer something they already knew about. They just wanted to see
whether you would admit it on your own first.

"No, that's it. See you tomorrow, Ç'pier." Hopefully the young
brownrider would open up with time, but R'kede had a feeling it would
be a slow process.

Last updated on the May 12th 2025

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Do You Remember That Moment?