Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows

Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold

Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold

Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall

Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 30th July 2025

Characters: Riali
Description: Riali Impresses.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 12

This was it. The Hatching. Riali still felt like she had just arrived at the Weyr, and yet so much had already happened. First, the check-up with the healer, who had confirmed the pregnancy she had already been certain of, sternly told her she could not go /between/ until she was in her third trimester, and then said weyrlinghood would be different, and take longer, if she Impressed while pregnant. Then, the meeting with one of the Weyrlingstaff who, having been informed of her pregnancy, had similarly said that they would make modifications if she Impressed. What a strange place, where dragons seemed to determine everything. No one had suggested that she wait to Stand. They were leaving it up to the dragons to decide and would make it work if necessary.

And now, there she was. In her Candidate robe, wide enough to hide her expanding waistline. If she didn't Impress, she would stay at the Weyr, have her child, and then decide whether she wanted to stay or go back home to her family. She felt little maternal instincts, beyond the hope that her child could be fostered to someone who would love them and an understanding that a bastard could have opportunities at the Weyr that would be hard-fought or impossible elsewhere.

She dutifully lined up when it was time, nodding and smiling to a few of the other girls. Many would Impress. Would she be one of them?Her eyes scanned the eggs, glad this wasn't her first time being on the Sands, seeing the clutch. A few were already moving, although none violently.

Her attention then moved to the Stands, until she saw one of her sister's eager waving, her mother's more subdued gestures next to her. Suddenly feeling choked up at seeing family for the first time in over a month, Riali excitedly waved back. It was so good to see them. She hadn't been sure any of them would have come, but the Weyrlingstaff had assured all the Candidates that dragonriders would be dispatched to Holds and Halls to collect family members. She wasn't surprised at the absence of her father, whose bad knee was aggravated by the cold. He probably didn't want to risk a trip /between/. And she missed her other sisters. But, her mother and one sister was enough, for now. Some day, maybe she could visit them on the back of her very own green dragon.

When the first egg cracked, a sudden silence swept through the space. Riali was captivated at the sight of the dragonet who emerged, so dark it took a few moments for her to understand that it was a green. She was sticky and ungainly but started moving quickly, moving past its unhatched clutchmates and towards the line of Candidates. Her wings were partially unfurled to help her balance and she remained focused on the sands for her first steps, as though concentrating entirely on moving without falling.

Riali admired the green's delicate form. While the Candidate supposed she must be smaller than the other colors who would undoubtedly hatch that day, she seemed plenty large to Riali.

Seeming to have gained some confidence, the green turned her attention to the Candidates, eyeing a few with curiosity. Then their eyes met and Riali gasped, stepping forward involuntarily as Impression was made. "Dymith!" she shouted, barely hearing the applause as the first Impression of the day was made.

}:Hello!:{ Dymith said, voice bright. }:I'm very hungry. Are you hungry too? Is there food nearby?:{

"There is." Riali couldn't help but touch her green's perfect, still sticky, head. She looked around, seeing someone from the Weyrlingstaff gesturing towards the exit that would take them to the chopped meat for the dragonet's first feeding.

She clutched her stomach, feeling ravenous but unsure if the feeling was just from Dymith, or if she was hungry as well. "Let's get you something to eat. Then maybe I'll go feed myself."

}:Good. I think I'm hungrier than you are. I've never eaten before!:{ Picking up some speed as she grew more comfortable with walking, Dymith eagerly headed off the Sands.

The raw meat almost made Riali gag, which was made worse by the phantom sensation of that meat sliding down her throat. Luckily, her morning sickness had faded or she likely would have needed her own bucket, and some help feeding the green. However, the pair made it through their first feeding, with Dymith only choking once after downing a piece too quickly. After that moment, Riali kept her full attention on the green. She would have plenty of time later to see who had Impressed and who hadn't.

The Hatching Feast was a blur of faces and congratulations. Impressing first had seemed to make her memorable for many who had attended the Hatching, and Riali realized she didn't mind the attention. Seeing her sister and mother was a moment of hugs and happy tears. It was wonderful to see them. And, she would be able to see them whenever she wanted, once the baby was born and she was cleared to go /between/ without supervision.

As Riali fell asleep that night, Dymith a warm presence in her mind, she smiled at the bright future she now saw ahead of her. It felt good to clearly belong at the Weyr; to have a purpose. She couldn't wait for morning, when her new exciting life would begin.

Last updated on the August 1st 2025