Congratulations, Wingleader!

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 26th November 2025

Characters: Gilbek, Tr'vel, I'lek, Ochyra, Terella, D'stan
Description: Gil and the other Lightning wingriders congratulate Tr'vel on his promotion
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 19 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik

Tr'vel

After his work shift, Gil had cleaned up and then headed for the dining cavern to see if he could find Tr'vel. There was still some time until the evening meal, so he hoped there might be time for a stroll on the beach, or perhaps a run. The landscape around the Weyr still took his breath away, the long stretches of golden sand fringed by jewel-green forests, and even though he wasn't sure he'd ever get used to the sight of weyrfolk bathing in nothing but their skin, at least he'd have the bluerider to look at. He felt his heart beat a little faster and a half-conscious smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

He remembered there'd been some kind of wing meeting earlier, and when he entered the cavern he saw several Lightning wingriders, some milling around and others gathered around a table. Tr'vel was with them, and Gil leaned against the wall near the entrance, unsure whether he'd be intruding on dragonrider business.

When Tr'vel saw his lover he smiled, half-shy and half-proud. "Gil! These fools gave me a promotion." He turned to show his new Wingleader knots.

"Wingleader?" Gil came over to greet him and admire the new knots, his face lighting up with more pleasure than surprise. They were more elaborate than Tr'vel's former wingrider knots, adding an extra loop. "Congratulations! They made a wonderful choice. I did wonder if Eboroth had changed color," he teased, touching the bronze cord amid the Dolphin Cove blue.

Tr'vel chuckled. "Yeah, I'm going to have to get that fixed. And organize R'garan's office. And figure out what needs to be done first."

"Assignments for the wingriders, I expect, before they find their own ways to amuse themselves," Gil suggested, his gaze straying to I'lek and Ochyra, who were murmuring to each other at the end of the table in a distinctly conspiratorial manner. "For example, I heard the favorite for those knots was rather more...furry than you."

Tr'vel heaved an overdramatic sigh. "Terella's feline . . . wait where did _you_ hear that?" He gave Gil a suspicious look.

"Must have overheard it somewhere. It used to be my job to keep an ear out for nefarious activity," Gil replied innocently. "I suppose it's become second nature."

"I think Lightning might be a bad influence on you."

"I suspect they'll be more careful what they say around me in future." Gil saw I'lek coming bounding over to join them. "Well, maybe not all of them."

"Gil! Have you heard the news? Tr'vel's our new Wingleader!" The young greenrider bounced on his toes in delight. "And I'm going to be his representative to the Weyrleader's Wing."

"Congratulations," Gil said, with all due sincerity. He glanced at Tr'vel.

"He wanted to be 'helpful'," Tr'vel said.

"The role calls for someone skilled at handling bronzeriders." I'lek sounded entirely too pleased with himself.

"Then I'm sure you're ideally qualified." Gil couldn't help smiling. Tr'vel was going to have his work cut out leading his Wing.

"You're so sweet. But I should be congratulating you!" I'lek touched his arm. "Now you're a Wingleader's man. You'll have a luxurious new weyr, complete with all manner of couches...and desks...and a private bathing pool..." He gave them a sly wink. "I'm _so_ jealous."

Tr'vel gave Gil a slightly embarrassed look. "Uhhh . . ."

"Well, I don't exactly have a desk job," Gil said, puzzled by the young greenrider's manner. "But I can't deny I'd appreciate being able to bathe in private. I've never really got used to the idea of sharing the facilities with women." It was clear he'd had no idea that Tr'vel might change his weyr, let alone use the furnishings for anything other than their intended purpose.

I'lek grinned saucily. "Oh, Wingleader, sir, you must speak to the Headwoman straight away. Your beloved's horizons need broadening." He patted Gil's arm and then, apparently deciding that his work here was done, he sauntered off.

Gil watched him go, still baffled. "What in the world was he talking about?"

Tr'vel closed his eyes and sighed. "I'lek." The young greenrider was such a nuisance. He looked at Gil. "There are other things we can do in a bathing pool and on various furniture that are not their intended use." He arched an eyebrow.

"Not their...?" Between Tr'vel's expression and I'lek's highly suggestive manner, understanding dawned and Gil's confusion gave way to a blush. "Ohh."

"I didn't even think about getting a bathing pool, but now I'm having ideas." Tr'vel chuckled. A little smile played at his lips and he said quietly, "Hmm . . . maybe the desk, too."

"I can't imagine where all these rumors about dragonriders being louche and decadent come from." Gil's cheeks were fiery red, but at least he'd recovered enough to tease.

"I've been lax in my duties." Tr'vel kept his voice low so it wouldn't carry. "We should have at least tried a few things on the couch."

Gil felt an anticipatory shiver at the thought. He stepped closer, his own voice dropping to a murmur. "Well, we do have your promotion to celebrate tonight."

"Indeed." Then the bluerider laughed softly. "We should probably stop because I'm sure everyone is watching us right now." Though part of him didn't mind the thought of the Lightning riders teasing him for flirting.

"We probably should." Still, Gil lingered, and he briefly touched Tr'vel's shoulder in a gesture that could have seemed friendly from a distance, but was made far more intimate by the look they both shared. "Something to look forward to after dinner?"

Tr'vel smiled. "I'm going to make sure you blush every time you see a couch for the next month." It was such a pleasure to give Gil new experiences.

The man's color deepened, but he was smiling, too. "I have no doubt it'll be worth it." Suddenly, dinner couldn't be over too quickly.

"Wingleader, come and join us!" Ochyra waved, over from where the wingriders were starting to gather around one of the long tables. She pulled a comical face. "Or do you have to eat with the upper ranks now?"

Tr'vel considered that with a frown. "I hope not. My meals would be considerably less entertaining."

"Good. We'd have missed you. And you'd have missed out on these," Terella said, as a drudge set down a tray laden with glasses and several bottles of wine. "My treat, to toast our new Wingleader. You too, Gil," she added, seeing him hanging back, unsure about joining the dragonriders' celebration. "You're one of us now."

"Yes, if we can vote a feline in charge of us, we can certainly make room for you," D'stan said dryly, as the wine was poured out and Gil came up to stand beside Tr'vel, quietly slipping an arm around his waist.

"If you ever do need representation at the Weyrleader's table, I volunteer," I'lek offered eagerly. He licked his lips. "I'll bet they have the most delicious...dishes."

Tr'vel gave I'lek a look. "As your Wingleader, it's my responsibility to make sure you don't pester the Weyrleader. Or anyone else for that matter."

"Good luck with that," D'stan muttered.

"But he enjoys it," I'lek said, as earnestly as the most fresh-faced young Candidate. "And one day, that amused tolerance will turn to affection, and then to passionate desire."

Ochyra giggled. "I'lek's been at the weyr romances again."

"You can fantasize all you want, but you better show that man respect." Tr'vel warned. "You can make both our lives easier if you don't give N'vanik a reason to complain to me." Oh no, was this what his life was going to be like now? Maybe he should have let them give the knots to the feline.

Last updated on the December 30th 2025

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