Prototypes

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 29th June 2025

Characters: T'lin, I'lek, Lorican
Description: T'lin finds Lorican testing out his design for a new prosthetic with I'lek
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 12
Notes: Follows "Adaptations" (https://www.triadweyrs.org/story.php?st_id=15681)

T'lin

T'lin was headed across the Weyrbowl when he saw I'lek with that Master Smith from Sunstone, the one the Weyrwoman had gotten a commission from. They were talking over some kind of contraption and the bluerider's curiosity was piqued.

He headed over and said, "Sorry to interrupt, but what is that?"

"T'lin!" I'lek greeted the bluerider with even more than his usual exuberance, raising his right arm. Instead of the usual simple attachment he wore for riding Lirioth, he was sporting a gleaming metallic tube, gently tapering in shape so that it resembled a lower arm and wrist, with clips on the side. "Come and look what lovely Master Lorican made for me!"

At their feet was a flamethrower, of the type used by the goldriders of the Queen's Wing. I'lek picked up the wand and attached it to his prosthetic arm, then waved it in a wobbly arc in front of him as if to char imaginary Thread.

"Don't worry, I've drained the tank and disconnected the spark," the smith said, feeling relieved that he'd taken that precaution. Allowing I'lek to set another rider on fire would do nothing for the success of the project. "It's good to see you again, Bluerider. I hope Calaroth is well."

T'lin tore his gaze away from the artificial arm. "We're both doing well. Good to see you again, Master." He turned back toward the device, reaching a hand out before pulling it back. Being attached to I'lek, it was as good as his own arm and it was rude to just grab a prosthetic. "This is amazing."

"You can touch it," I'lek said demurely, offering his arm up to the bluerider in a most inviting manner.

"I'm hoping he'll be able to use the flamethrower to fight Thread, like the goldriders do," Lorican explained. "But it still needs work. You can see how the end of the wand wobbles. If you or I were holding it, we'd control it with our wrists. But if I strengthen it too much, it'll be too heavy to wear through Fall." He frowned. "If it's not steady then it won't be safe enough to use."

T'lin brushed his fingers over the metal reverently. "Leather cords, like tendons in a regular arm. For strength."

"Leather? That...that could work." Lorican considered I'lek's arm and imagined tough lengths of cord wrapped around a lighter metal frame. "You might be on to something there. I've been thinking too much like a smith, solving every problem with metal."

"And I look simply marvelous in leather." I'lek waited hopefully for a reaction, but to his chagrin, both the smith and the bluerider appeared too engrossed in their technical problem to notice.

"I could speak to a tanner, or a rope-maker - or, I suppose dragonriders know how to make leather straps?" Lorican asked.

"I think a tanner would be best. A Master or a Senior Journeyman would have the expertise you needed for such a specific use." T'lin pictured different configurations, wondering if more or fewer straps would be better, how it would stand up to the rigors of Threadfall, the cold of /between/.

"Perhaps the Weyr's senior crafters can help." Lorican was thinking along the same lines about how Threadfall might stress the materials. Weyrfolk would have the most experience in that area. He took out the roll of papers with his original design and turned the top sheet over, starting to sketch on the back.

"Watch this, T'lin." I'lek took the wand in his left hand, hoping to regain the bluerider's attention. He gave it a sharp jerk and it sprang free from the clips. "This is so if I drop the flamethrower over Lirioth's side, it doesn't take me with it." He rolled his eyes. "As if I would."

"Ohhhh, clever!" T'lin said with admiration. "A release mechanism." He bent to examine the clips up close.

"It's a type the seacrafters use. We get orders for them now and then at Sunstone." Lorican looked up from his drawing. "The captains tell me they're used to release anchors and lifeboats in an emergency. These had to be a lot smaller, though."

"You're brilliant," T'lin said as he brushed a finger over one of the clips.

"Oh - well, I wanted to make sure he was safe," Lorican replied, embarrassed. "As much as anyone can be, wielding a flamethrower in Threadfall. If this is going to get the Weyrwoman's approval then we'll have to consider all the risks."

I'lek cleared his throat, then sighed. "Just think, I could be back in a fighting Wing again."

That pulled T'lin's attention away from the thrill of a new device. "How do you feel about that?"

"Excited...I think? I never knew what it would be like." He'd been injured in Blooding, and had been assigned directly to Lightning Wing. For a rare moment, he was quiet, thinking of what being in even the Queen's Wing would mean. "Lirioth will be pleased. Every Threadfall day, because of me, she's left behind. I'd do anything to give her the chance to fight, even once."

T'lin squeezed his shoulder. "Then I hope this works." He turned to Lorican. "We'll figure this out."

"Yes, we'll find a way." It had occurred to Lorican that by giving I'lek a way to fight Thread, he'd be sending the young man and his dragon back into danger, and the thought had cost him some sleep over the past nights. But who could predict what might happen? Perhaps the pair might save another dragon or rider an injury. He could sense the new pride and purpose in the greenrider already, and that was enough to give him hope he was doing the right thing.

He finished his sketch and turned it to show the others. "I'd be honored to work with you on this, Bluerider. Though I know you must be busy."

T'lin was in the middle of four -- no, five -- projects, plus his duties, and spending time with his weyrmate and friends but . . . "I'd love to consult and be around when you test the prototypes. And spending time with I'lek is always a pleasure." He winked at the greenrider.

I'lek gave him a dazzling smile, all his earlier distraction forgiven. "You can test _my_ prototypes any time, bluerider."

The smith blushed and cleared his throat. "Ah - do you know where I can find the Weyr's senior tanner?"

T'lin laughed. "He's probably in the tannery, near the beast pens. I can show you." The bluerider turned to I'lek. "And then maybe we can set something up. It's been a while."

"It's been far too long." I'lek's glance was decidedly sultry as he released the prosthetic and handed it to Lorican. "But as they say, business before pleasure..."

"Right," Lorican agreed hastily, gathering up the flamethrower. As they set off for the tannery, he thought wryly that perhaps his design wasn't needed after all. I'lek seemed to be capable of generating plenty of heat all on his own...

Last updated on the July 7th 2025

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Prototypes