Try Not to Panic (3/3)

Writers: Aaron, Corrin, Duskdog, Halyonix, Heather, Iluva, Sia
Date Posted: 5th May 2025

Characters: T'lonas, S'yen, M'rhas, Rh'din, Sybana, Halia, E'kirim, Nosarre, Katora, A'ten, L'kayric, Z'renh, A'ris, Zaphare, Sanvi, M'thos, K'yne
Description: The weyrlings get The Talk
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 1 of Turn 12

T'lonas

The flight itself--and the accompanying act on the ground--was actually less alarming to Sybana as she continued her notes. She had grown up with the knowledge that there would be ‘wifely duties’ she would have to bear. It sounded like a dragon’s schedule was less demanding than a husband’s would be, so she didn’t mind that, exactly. It was the personality change and loss of control in the days leading up that still unsettled her. She didn’t want to do anything… foolish.

Z’renh was not so much worried about all of the sex stuff. That was easy. But there was more to a flight than sex. At least, a goldflight.

“Suppose Adamanth were to fly Galgaith on her maiden flight. How would that look in terms of how big of a clutch she would lay? Bronzes, maybe a gold? That sort of thing.”

If Adamanth were to fly Galgaith, that would mean-- Sybana instantly tried not to think of Z’renh in that context and therefore instantly did. The images bloomed unwanted in her mind, vivid and horribly distracting. Her gaze unfocused on the notes in front of her and her cheeks turned pink.

"A good question, Z'renh. Dragons don't care so much about clutchmates, so it's a possibility. Typically, though, the younger a dragon is, the fewer eggs we'll expect in a clutch. But -- and I mean this as gently as I can -- Adamanth isn't likely to win his first goldflight. There's a lot of older, more experienced bronzes and browns that'll be interested in the chase, and that extra practice usually wins out. The greenriders, though-- many of you might end up with someone else in the class. Experienced blues have the upper hand, but there's usually fewer chasers and there's something to be said for familiarity." M'thos said. "One of Fianwyth's favorite winners is a sibling from her weyrling class."

M'rhas knew exactly which favorite his father was referring to, and despite having been conceived as a direct result of that bronze winning a flight, right now he just wished he could just disappear.

}:None of those ‘more experienced’ bronzes is me. I am the only me there shall ever be,:{ said Adamanth. He never listened in on Z’renh. But for this, he had.

Zaphare’s hand shot up with more enthusiasm than she usually (ever) showed in class. “What about me? Do I get to rail guys? Are we gonna fight for dominance? If we do, are we allowed to bite, or is that like… I dunno… frowned on?”

K’yne winced at the crude terminology.

M'thos tried very hard to keep a straight face. "Whether or not you 'rail' guys isn't dependent on your dragon color, Zaphare. I expect you'd behave exactly the same if Zollarth was a green. You don't get a free pass for being too rough because you're chasing either." He looked around at all the boys, too. "It's the same as being with a partner under other circumstances; there's more leeway under flights because of the connection to the dragon, but if you notice your partner doesn't like it during or after, refrain or apologise."

A’ris was searching his brain for some reference to the term “rail.” What exactly was _that_?

A helpless sound caught in the crosshairs of physical pain and unfiltered frustration grabbed M'rhas’ attention here, enough to make him glance up out of his self-imposed slump to see who else might be mired in their own mixed bag of emotion. It was almost a relief - - he couldn't be the only one, surely, and definitely not the only Weyrbred dealing with it in some form.

But, of course, he realized it came from _his_ throat and it was all he could do to avoid Zaphare's eye. His _father's_. S'yen's. Best thing to do was to double down on the feeling inside, hold it savagely like he'd been chasing it through the air for too long and didn't know what else to do with it.

Ugh. Perhaps most surprising of all was that M’rhas _wanted_ to ask questions. Females rose whether they willed it or not, but male participation seemed far more contingent, nebulous, and fickle than straightforward biology. He hadn't realized that til now. It seemed intensely personal, and that was what worried him the most. It seemed completely counter to the instincts that guided his dear Alzaryth, that informed his choices.

Slumping a little more, he couldn't summon the wherewithal to ask in front of everyone if some males simply lack that drive, that need. Faranth it would be just his luck to ride a dragon that could only be roused to chase once or twice a Turn, just to see if they could, just to shut him up. Alzaryth's anxiety and self-conscious regard he knew well enough by now, but it was disconcerting to know this was his own. Disconcerting and _unfamiliar_.

M’rhas just stayed silent, did his best to pacify Alzaryth before his dragon's attention added even more fire to his face.

C’uren’s hand shot up. “I volunteer as tribute to be bitten,” he said with a wide grin and a saucy wink at Zaphare.

Zaphare made a show of looking him over, and smirked. “Well, we _are_ supposed to practice, aren’t we?”

C’uren wiggled his eyebrows flirtatiously.

T’lonas cleared his throat. “Hrm, well… yes. That _is_ the other thing we need to talk about. This is your… homework, if you will. _Not_ an immediate project, but something to think about in the near future. We _strongly_ suggest that you don’t leave your first experience to your dragon’s first flight or catch. While many riders _do_ find it enjoyable, it’s not a good first experience -- and if you panic, your dragon may panic, too. Find yourself a partner before then. Experience things with them at least once, so that you have the time and luxury to explore and find out what works for you. If you’ve never had sex before, there are things you may realize you need to learn. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t really instinctively know what to do -- at least, not all of it. I cannot overstress the importance of lubrication, for example -- and that is not something you’ll be thinking straight about in the throes of a mating flight, unless you know ahead of time what to expect.”

“Yeah, biting the pillow only does so much for that,” S’yen muttered with a wicked glint to his eyes.

"I want you all to know that we are here to answer any questions you may have," T'lonas continued. "About _any_ of it -- the flights themselves, the sex alone, or even just any feelings that you may be struggling with. There is nothing to be ashamed of. This is all a normal part of Weyr life... and if I hear anything about anyone taunting their fellows about this, I will be very upset and you'll be hearing about it."

"Hearing about it," in T'lonas-speak, was actually pretty severe.

After a moment, he nodded, satisfied. "Very well, then. Think very hard about what we've told you here, and don't be afraid to ask questions, or even discuss it with your dragon. They should be ready to face this now -- or soon -- and it won't hurt to reassure them if they need it, or let them reassure you." He smiled. "Now, then. You're all dismissed!"

Last updated on the May 19th 2025

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Try Not to Panic (3/3)