A Hero's Welcome [Timers Return]

[Zen]

Rukbat hovered just over the horizon, casting a glowing crimson reflection across the water. Dusk was approaching. A’zael and Fath had returned to the place the Timers had left from, the place they were to return to, and several other riders had followed after them to see the success or failure of this mission themselves. B’rax had remained back at the Weyr, to try to hold things together if… if the worst happened. Fath’s repeated, excited, happy, they’llbebacksoons echoed in the back of his mind. The bronze had complete faith in his rider’s assurance of that. A’zael himself had managed to hold onto the resolve he had found to believe that for most of the day, but now that the moment of truth was nearly at hand, doubts began to slip back in, worries and what ifs.

S’fin’s voice crept in again, warning against the what ifs, but then he remembered the look on his brother’s face when he’d made the announcement, and after… after, when he would have expected S’fin to be there for him… he wasn’t. Since his brother’s arrival at Mavros, he had always been there for him, sometimes even when he didn’t want him to be, but this time…. He reached up to lay one hand on Fath’s leg, taking what comfort he could from his dragon’s presence as he looked over to where S’fin and Rusath stood waiting, a clear distance between them. His brother watched the sky, didn’t once look at him, and he had no idea why. Of all people, he thought his brother would understand… he always understood. His gaze shifted back to the sky, hoping against everything that this had been worth it. Come back to me, he thought, not for the first time that day, watching the sky with a hungry desperation.

~~~

No’va couldn’t be more excited, or more proud, because the tiny white dragon he had helped Joia save from his egg was the one taking point as the entire group of time travelers prepared to return home. Something about his time traveling abilities being ridiculously good or something. The whole time travel thing was all a little over his head honestly, but he was more than ready to return to their own time. He hadn’t been able to so much as send a letter to his family since they’d left and he couldn’t wait to show his father how he’d Impressed the best dragon ever. His future was secure, he’d never have to go back to Tidewalk and settle for anything less. He and Alduntulath were forever.

There was a bustle of activity as the last of the supplies were secured to various dragons and passengers climbed up to be secured. He would have liked to have been with Joia and Tellamuth, but she was with the goldriders, preparing to take the lead. He wondered if she was nervous - they weren’t even graduated yet - but he was sure she could do anything with Tellamuth at her side. He grinned to himself, thinking back to how he’d managed to convince her to come back in time. She’d definitely been a lot happier since, that was for sure. Of course who wouldn’t be after Impressing a dragon?

Alduntulath, for his part, wasn’t quite sure just what they were about to do. He understood on some level that they would be traveling to a different time, a tomorrow far into the future, but being that he had never been there before it mattered less to him, other than being a new adventure. He was not returning to anything, he was going there for the first time. From what No’va had chattered on and on about, it would be a lot different. There would be far more people, far more dragons, and they’d be able to actually go to different places around Pern instead of just the islands around Mavros. Alduntulath’s world was about to become much larger. And there would be Thread. The young brown had hatched into an Interval, no Thread had fallen in his lifetime, and yet when his rider had spoken the word he had felt a simmering hatred bubble up inside him, instinctive. He did not know exactly what it was but he knew he had to destroy it.

At long last the signal was given and each dragon lifted into the air. Every dragon was supposed to get the returning point image from Tellamuth and No’va was half relieved it wouldn’t all be on him. He was still working on maintaining his visualizations properly. Alduntulath shared the image with him when it came. A red sunset over the far side of the island. No’va clung to it, focusing on that bright scarlet that seemed to pervade everything, and then the signal to Between was given.

~~~

A restlessness was spreading through those that waited, an uncertainty. A dull murmur had started, though everyone was too spread out for A’zael to make out what anyone said. He couldn’t help but imagine they reflected his own thoughts. Should they have appeared by now? Had something gone wrong? Rukbat had just begun to sink below the water on the horizon, still nearly a perfect circle floating on the sea. It seemed simultaneously as though barely any and far too much time had passed already. He tried not to let the panic rise in him. There was still time.

Dragons burst forth into the sky above them and A’zael felt weak with relief, leaning heavily against Fath’s leg as the bronze bugled an excited welcome to them all. There were far more dragons than they had left with. Immediately he scanned the sky for Danovelith’s pale hide, spotting her quickly near the front of the group with Sularenth and…. He squinted, sure it was just the light. The golds had a small, pale dragon with them in the lead. He would find out what that was about soon enough.

SHE’SBACKSHE’SBACKSHE’SBACK!!! Fath bugled again, wings lifting as though he was about to join them in the sky. A’zael forced him to wait and pulled himself up to the bronze’s back. They would all head back to the Weyr where the real reunion could happen. He didn’t stop Fath from rising to join them, however, settling himself into the airspace beside Danovelith and babbling nonsense at her nonstop. It felt like they had been away for so much longer than a day… even though it was only on their end that that was true.

There was cheering as the group landed back at the Weyr, crowds gathered on the cliffs and the beaches. Though A’zael knew it would not erase everyone’s anger over the secrecy of the mission, he was glad at least that most seemed to be celebrating its success, that after the stress and confusion of the day everyone was still coming together in the end.

[Hiko]

Tellamuth understands between better than most. Stop worrying.
C’rys replied to the green with a dark laugh. Tell me to stop worrying when you stop agonizing over every way we might fail.
Vorscuth snorted, taking her position. I am merely considering every alternative route.
Is that so?
Yes! Hardly the same at all to your concerns.
I see.
Yes. Are we ready, or are we not?
C’rys patted at the green’s near-ebony neck, reassuring the dragon. We are.
--

Mollin had taken the rest of the morning to compose herself, and, after gathering her thoughts, had wanted to seek out A’zael. The doubt and pain and worry had been so apparent, and she’d been in that pit of despair - if nothing else, she’d wanted to offer a peace between them, to let him know he wasn’t alone if things didn’t turn out.
She hadn’t gotten the opportunity, however.

The sudden emergence of dragon wings brought a surprised yelp from her place in the Weyr's crowd. Somewhere behind bulk of the spectators, a gold bugled victory - Aerroth? Surely not Zalmaranth. Mollin laughed, the joy and surprise of the new wings and the utter elation from Daltilith and other draconic voices having swept over her.

She spotted familiar shades of bronze, green, and blue. Her former peers!
Hawedith! Hawedith! Daltilith bugled triumphantly. I knew she would return!
Mollin began to say something to the blue dragon, but her attention was immediately concentrated upon the white hide that shone like a beacon amongst the chaos of the rest of the new wings.
A white dragon? Weren’t those only in legends? Just what had the weyrlings gotten up to in the past?
Daltilith was quick, then, to point out a darker dragon lurking in the shadows of the flight. Our weyrling! OUR WEYRLING!
Weyrling? Is that - is that a black dragon?!
Look closer, Mollin! Vorscuth is obviously green!
Vorscuth? A pause. CARYSSIN IMPRESSED!
Mollin broke into a run, needing to see the younger girl for herself.
--

We have company. Be nice.
We just landed. Who would want to see us? Who do you even know, outside of our class?
I wasn’t born on your hatching day, Vorscuth.

C’rys hadn’t finished dismounting when the familiar frame of a blue rider approached. Her feet had barely hit the ground when the older woman hugged her tightly and spun, laughing.
“You made it! Ah, Caryssin, you don’t know how worried I was - no one had said anything until this morning, and-”
“C’rys, actually.”
“C’rys!” Another laugh. “I like it.”
“You would,” the green rider grinned. “And?”
“And you Impressed! Shells, she’s striking, isn’t she?”
The green merely snorted, having no use for the banter between humans.
C’rys returned the snort. “Friendly, too. But no matter - help me take my things?”
“Only if you tell me everything over dinner.”
“You’re worse than my mother.”
“Having met your mother, I’d disagree.”

[Alyx]

Joia and White Tellamuth

For all the ‘practicing’ they had done, Joia was terrified. Since her accidental time jump, she and Tellamuth had done it several times, testing the White’s ability to guide another threw the antic. First with just D’rew and his Blue, then later with volunteers. But never this many, and never this distance! A few days, a week max, forward and back again; but this was… Joia shuddered. She shifted in her seat, feeling the excitement around them, and very much wondering if this whole thing could wait until she’d thrown up.

Probably not, seeing as you didn’t eat breakfast or lunch. Tellamuth was calm; his serene energy doing very little for his rider’s fraying nerves. ‘I wasn’t hungry.’ Breathe. It will be fine. We’ve done this before. ‘But… not this many, this time distance, I just…’ Joia was shaking, her fingers flexing in and out of fists to try to control the trembling. ‘I don’t want anyone to die.’ Her voice was small, a tiny confession between the girl and the White Dragon under her. Tellamuth turned his head, bumping his nose against her knee. I will not let you down. Joia smiled, reaching down to pat the nose. ‘I’m more worried I’ll let you down.’ Impossible.

Behind them, the pair of Golds and the rest of their traveling group were scattered over the grass, packs and people everywhere. Joia tried not to think about the lives in their hands, or what everyone might be thinking as they prepared. Did they trust the White Pair? Joia didn’t know if she wanted them to or not. D’rew thought they could do it, the Goldriders believed it too. Tellamuth made it seem like he already knew it had been done, so he was just walking the motions.

Finally, the signal. As one entity, the dragons launched into the sky, spiraling higher into the sky. Tellamuth winged ahead, darting in front of the pair of Gold Queens like a moth in front of the flickering candle. Joia leaned over the slender neck, closing her eyes as the dragon under her banked around, rolling in the air, and then leveled out again. ‘Ready?’ Are you? ‘No. But if we wait for me, we might never go.’ Tellamuth chuckled, gliding a little to the right to be between the paths of Danovelith and Sularenth, slowing a bit to drop back closer to the group.

‘Are you ready?’ I was born ready. ‘Funny, I had to help you hatch, remember?’ Oh, you are going to hold that on me now? The humorous banter helped a little, and Joia reached out to press a palm against the warmth of the dragon’s neck. ‘Do it.’ Tellamuth’s focus darted away from her, and she knew he was sending the image to the rest of the dragons gliding behind them. One image, plucked from Joia’s memory – aged just slightly, to give them the targeted return. Approved by both Goldriders and D’rew, it was their ticket home… or to nothingness.

Now. Tellamuth’s command had no power behind it, but all the same, the black swallowed them up. Cold, dark, nothing. Joia focused on the image, leaning completely forward as she counted to drape over the White’s shoulders and neck as they hurtled threw impossibilities. I am here. I am with you. ‘I know.’ How long would it take… what if they got it wrong- then light. Setting sun rays dancing over them. Below them, a dragon bellowed; behind them, Sularenth and the others answered. They did it!

Well Done. The voice startled Joia, making her turn to look back at the group. It was our pleasure, Sularenth. Ah okay. Tellamuth winged forward, then turned, spiraling around the pair of queens, and the bronze they joined them from the ground. Joia laughed, sitting up and tossing her arms to the sides as Tell dropped between the golds toward the ground, barrel-rolling a bit, then leveled out to land. His talons got the ground, and he trotted forward to make room for the others that would soon join them on the ground.

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Sularenth was surprisingly relaxed about the plan to trust the small White dragon lead them back. Mel hadn’t been as fond of the idea, but it had seemed the best choice once D’rew had brought it to them. Melana didn’t know much about White Dragons beyond the fact that Mavros had had one prior, she’d had to trust the bluerider to judge the pair's abilities. It had seemed so odd, to follow one so tiny, with the fate of so many in the balance.

But it worked. Just as the black inky cold of Between began to drag too long, to soak into her bones and her lungs burned… the skies opened up back up over the weyr. Below, a bellow; Sularenth answered the greeting with the brassy trumpet of her own. Fath. For once, the massive gold’s tone didn’t sound like she’d eaten something sour when she stated the Bronze’s name. Well Done. Mel was surprised at the cantor in the Gold’s voices, almost as if the little White had gained some small measure of respect from the normally bitter Gold. Fath joined them in the air, A'zael barely visible on the dragon’s back from this distance; even if it was him, it was good to see a face they knew, because it meant they’d pulled this impossible plan off.

Sularenth bellowed again, turning on a wingtip to lead the travelers back to the ground. Huge, glittering wings fanned at the air, slowing her descent as talons dug into the earth. Mine. ‘Not anymore.’ Sula hissed, her head snaking a little over the space in front of her. ‘Stop it.’ Mine. Mel rolled her eyes, patting the dragon on the neck. She’d argue later. ‘Down, love, let’s get these packs of you.’ Sularenth rumbled again, Mel’s grip on the gold the only reason the beast didn’t trumpet her ownership of the weyr into the air around them.

G’rett and Bronze Mastromideth

‘Incredible.’ G’rett wasn’t sure the return plan was going to work, but as the appeared over the home they’d left almost two turns before, he had face the fact. In front of them, Joia and Tellamuth cartwheeled in the air, clearly celebrating their success. ‘Did we lose anyone?’ Even as he asked, G’rett turned to look for the dragons he knew on sight. Haella’s Tsulaocanth flittered nearby, along with a few of the young weyrlings. Mastromideth’s deep voice filled his thoughts. No. It was a clean jump; Tellamuth’s image was perfect. ‘I wouldn’t have believed it if we hadn’t been part of it.’ Indeed.

Others around them started to land, the massive Bronze dropping to do the same. Sonath? We are back. G’rett smiled, reaching up to scruff his fingers through the heavy beard that coated his jawline. ‘Maybe I should have shaved before we came back.’ Why? ‘So I didn’t look so much like a wild man? Not sure Mari will approve.’ Mastro chuckled. I do wonder if she’ll realize it’s you? I mean me she will know. You, however… The Bronze landed as gently as his bulk would allow, and G’rett pulled at the straps. ‘Only one way to find out I suppose.’ That is true I suppose. Mastro lowered himself to the ground the rest of the way, letting the man slipped to the ground.

deebear

(Haella and E'san in a later post, wanted to get this part up :P 1300 words is a good cut off >.>)

[Taxx]

L'rey stood ready, watching the last touches of their preparation to leave as they were completed; a couple people were already sitting on Codrath's back, secured along with various baggage, just waiting for the word on their departure. Codrath's head swung toward him, massive enough to block his view, and his nose poked again at the bag hanging from L'rey's belt. It jingled satisfyingly, assuring the bronze once more that his treasures hadn't been forgotten, and he returned to scanning the crowd.

And then the news that everything was set filtered through the ranks and L'rey, with the deftness of practiced habit, scrambled up Codrath's side and settled at the base of his neck, strapping himself in before looking back at his passengers. He could practically read their expressions- that he, a boy not yet into his teens, was checking on them. But they were his responsibility, and he'd make sure they, and their things, got back safe.

It is our duty, Codrath replied- but the overly formal tone of his voice couldn't mask the undercurrent of sarcasm at L'rey's self-importance, and the curl of his lip that exposed gleaming fangs made the rider wonder again how his bronze had learned to smirk.

Well it is, he grumbled back, grasping the straps as Codrath rose to his feet, stretched out his wings, and then sprang aloft. The Weyr grew smaller below them and L'rey watched it for a moment before turning his gaze forward. It was the same Weyr- only the time was changing, and missing it was stupid. Besides, this jump was the end of the necessary secrecy, and he couldn't wait to finally tell his uncle and aunt everything that had happened while he'd been back in time.

----

Forehead to forehead, K'zar stood with Lepsuth, gently assuring her and strengthening the point of entry they'd been given. It was just another jump, something he'd been working on with her to try and bolster her courage for this exact moment. She was still nervous, muscles tense and eyes squeezed shut as she pressed her head against him, and like that they stayed until K'zar noticed others mounting their dragons. This was it. A last pat to her nose and he moved to her side, pulling himself up and securing himself. One sack rested across Lepsuth's haunches, one of his own- it had been decided to keep her load light given her small size and his own weight.

Lepsuth was one of the last to make it off the ground, joining the other weyrlings and hovering; at the cue, K'zar shut his eyes and focused on their return point again, giving Lepsuth the command and bracing himself against the freezing darkness that surrounded them.

----

Home! Vitra was buzzing with excitement and churning with nerves; Tucseth was vibrating, his head darting around ceaselessly. She could feel him wound tight, like a spring ready to recoil. He'd already been growled at for snagging the trailing end of someone's straps, nearly yanking that person off their feet. He was feeding off her own energy, she knew, but she couldn't help the rush of emotions either. At least the load and the passenger he was carrying kept reminding him that he couldn't just take off and try to engage one of his clutchmates in a game.

Vitra couldn't wait to see her brother and sister again. Couldn't wait to show Rachel she'd done exactly what she'd hoped she'd do. Tucseth might not be the stoic sort that Aslith was, but he was hers and she'd never give him up for another. After all, he fit her so well.

Now! the blue crowed, catching her off guard as he hurtled skyward; Vitra faceplanted against his neck, her nose smarting from the solid blow but not bleeding luckily, and she caught herself as the blue shifted his wings to hover. The image was sent back and Vitra fixed it in her mind, focusing hard. This was their most important jump- she couldn't get this wrong or she'd never see her family again. Darkness enveloped her, the icy cold taking her breath away, and it seemed like forever. Fear was more than a crawl down her back as the seconds stretched on... no, she couldn't have got it wrong! But it was taking so long- and it was so cold.

Light burned into her eyes and she scrunched them up, unable to help her body as it shivered- a combination of fear and lingering cold before an overwhelming rush of success swept it away and she could see, below her, the Weyr. There were people standing in groups, cheers and bugles from so many throats welcoming their return; Fath and A'zael flew to hover next to Danovellith, and Vitra leaned over Tucseth's shoulder to scan the crowd, looking for just two faces as her blue followed the rest down.

There- and there. Not standing together, of course, but her siblings were present and waiting, with their own respective dragons at their side. Hands up, Vitra's face broke into the biggest grin, waving at both and barely able to wait until Tusecth had touched down before pulling the straps off and all but hurling herself from her blue's shoulder.

Aleni met her first and they embraced, the tight hug from her sister carrying all the worry she knew Aleni must have felt. Vitra hugged back, patted her. "It's okay. See, I made it. And I Impressed!" She pulled back to gesture at Tucseth as if Aleni hadn't already seen; the blue, always happy to play up a moment, posed with lifted head and half-stretched wings. "His name's Tucseth. T'vir!" And she was off to greet her brother with the same level of enthusiasm as she spotted him, laughing as she flung her arms around his shoulders.

[Rhush]

Srunae of Gold Danovelith

Srunae was caught somewhere between proud, excited, and terrified – with the latter being mostly her own emotions, and not someone else’s. They had succeeded in nearly every aspect of the mission, from getting most of the group back in time to successfully handling a dual gold flight and hatching without injury to either queen and almost every egg hatching and impressing. The new weyrlings had done beautifully in their training up to this point, and among them had been the rarest of dragonets; a white. Srunae had read about whites, and now the second white to grace Mavros Weyr was the weyrling that would fly point alongside Danovelith and Sularenth. Srunae was sure that if she could have told her past self this mission would go as well as it had, she would have never believed it.

The brunette looked around at the preparations being completed before the jump, and jumped in to help load up a brown with some of the last supplies. They were nearly ready for the final hurdle, the last leap forward in time to their home – to their families, friends, loved ones – and as she made her way back to where Danovelith waited, loaded with supplies and weyrfolk, Srunae found herself struggling with the idea of failing now. They had come so far, and had grown so much; what if it all fell apart here, at the last possible moment? What if they went to jump, and they didn’t make it? What if…

Srunae, you’re spiraling.

Wh- huh?

You’re spiraling. When you get worried like this, your thoughts start to spiral into worse and worse scenarios. I thought I should stop you before you got too far down the spiral.

Oh... well... thank you. Srunae chuckled as she reached over and ran a hand over Danovelith’s pale golden hide. I just... am a bit worried, you know? 

I do not blame you for being worried, but getting lost down that spiral will not do us any good. Besides… The dainty gold turned her gaze to her smallest son, with no shortage of pride in the whirling green and blue orbs. We have an ace.

Srunae smiled at the warmth in her dragon’s voice, and found herself looking fondly at the little white as well.

You’re right. And he chose well. Joia was an upstanding young lady, and one that Srunae was sure would be able to handle the role she was given as a result of her unlikely impression to a white dragon. If anything could give us an outstanding chance at making it back… it would be having a white flying point.

The beastcrafter turned goldrider took a deep breath, then hauled herself up onto her dragon to await Tellamuth’s image. There was no turning back now – they just had to have faith. She just had to have faith. Faith that everything would work out, faith that they would get out of the blackness of between and she would see A’zael and the rest of the weyr, waiting for them…

Wings lifted dragon after dragon into the air, until the entire group was aloft. The image came to Danovelith and Srunae just as it did to many others - a red sunset over the far side of the island. It looked perfect, like the sunset she had seen so many times before with Danovelith, pervaded with a bright scarlet sheen akin to that of Rukbat’s fire… An image that had been turned over and over by herself, Melana, and D’rew before it had been approved, and well in advance of that moment – that wonderful, terrible moment, that would decide if their mission was truly a success, or truly a failure. Tellamuth’s voice reached out, and though his command held no power, Danovelith and Sularenth’s voices, echoing just behind his, did.

And just like that, they were between.

The blackness, the nothingness, seemed to stretch on and on, longer and longer. A leap through time like this took longer than any other betweening trip she had experienced, and though this was her second time making the jump, Srunae still marveled at the length of it, the sheer coldness of it, the overwhelming blackness...

At last, they burst forth into the sky, and Srunae instantly was overcome with relief – her own, her passengers, the people around her, the people below her – she quickly raised her emotional walls, and then looked behind her glittering golden dragon to take a headcount, hearing but not really paying heed to the bugles of other dragons and that of a particular bronze.

Everyone is here. Srunae heaved a heavy sigh. Thank Faranth…

I knew you could do it. Danovelith hummed to Tellamuth and Joia privately, a wave of congratulations rolling off of her like a breeze across a field of grain with an undercurrent of humor. Try not to let it go to your head though, my dear. She teased Tellamuth, before Fath’s voice pulled her attention away into a wash of nonsensical talk as the burnished bronze started to rise into the airspace alongside the golds and little white.

The gold chuffed. Fath and His are coming.

Srunae felt her heart flutter and she turned in the direction of the great bronze, waving at A’zael when they drew alongside them. The group of dragons, fresh from between and those who joined them after they appeared, landed back at the weyr amidst cheering crowds and celebratory calls to returned friends, family members, and loved ones. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Srunae hoped that their leave hadn’t caused too much trouble – had the secrecy of the whole ordeal caused much heartache? For these weyrfolk, after all, they had only been gone a few candlemarks…

For the arrivals, it had been nearly two turns. Two turns of being away from home, of pursuing a harebrained scheme found in a book… Danovelith found a spot to settle in the bowl, and Srunae unstrapped herself to help her passengers slide off of their pale gold ride. It really had been something for the history books, hadn’t it? Leaping back in time, bringing back a full wing or more of dragons with a white at the helm… Srunae slid off of her dragon into a mess of excited, gleeful people hugging those she had helped off first.

The goldrider smiled brightly and waved off the thankful words that came her way, instead thanking them for their help in making the trip a success. The work of a junior weyrwoman was never done, it seemed… but at least none of the other rankers had come to swarm her yet. As much as she knew she would have to complete a formal debriefing before it could happen, Srunae found herself wanting nothing more than a bath and to make a pillow of her favorite bronzer to finish off the evening.

Speaking of... where was her favorite bronzer? Fath wasn't far off, so surely A'zael wasn't far off either...

Zen Alyx

[tovaana]

Treyvin;

He hated crowds. This crowd in particular reminded him too much of the first hatching he went to, but this time the feelings were chaotic and unorganized…where at least at the hatching the feelings had been like riding waves. His dull chewed off fingernails dug into his arms as he hugged himself, wishing they could just be back already. Since he had the honor of flying with Vitra and Tucseth, he tried to focus on their excited emotions, since his own emotions were dower. There was nothing to look forward to when getting back. He didn’t have a dragon. He didn’t have family waiting. He kept trying to convince himself that this time hadn’t been a waste, but a great opportunity and adventure… an adventure that was taking him off his previous career path and hopefully toward another. There was no control on this path.

When everyone had finally boarded, he sat behind Vitra, tuning out everyone’s nerves and only on her and Tucseth’s excitement. Flight was always exciting, especially on Tucseth. Ooof! And just at that thought the bright blue jerked forward with no warning and they were in the air! The exhileration of flight brought on his own tingling feelings and he was able to tune out a lot of the heightened nerves as the image was passed to all the dragons and riders. This was it. This was the moment they would return back on the same day they had left. His clear eyes skipped to the white dragon way ahead of them, barely visible through the crowd of dragons in the air. They were depending on him and his rider is what he’d been told.

And suddenly it was cold. It stole his breath; for while he knew the moment had been coming, it was always a shock. There was something comforting about the silence though, a numbness and lack of feeling and feelings that brought a peace to the boy during those dreary cold moments between.

Finally they were all back; there were cheers, and Treyvin felt himself almost black out as they came for a quick landing. From going from nothing to way too many somethings made his mind spin. Vitra flung herself off toward friends, or maybe even family – her feelings of glee emanating off her and those there to greet her. Treyvin had managed to get off and blend into the crowds before attention was directed to introducing her blue dragon. He wanted to escape all the happiness, his own mixed feelings resurfacing.

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

Muze hugged the green speckled neck of her dragon, laying forward and resting on the large green. Rylath hummed and Muze closed her eyes, feeling the vibrations through her cheek. Going back meant many things. Back at home there was thread, and while she knew the reason for gaining more dragon riders was to help fight the thread, she had rather enjoyed the time of peace. She hadn’t had to worry about when she could go out and fish with Rylath when she had time… on return; soon they would graduate and actually be fighting the thread.

It was such an strange concept that they should return so ‘soon’ after they had left. Vav – er, V’than had just barely wrote a letter to mother and father about their journey. Now she had been a dragon rider for at least a year… she was older, even if only by 18 months… she could even go visit if she wanted to. Her eyes opened and she pushed herself to a sitting position, her brown eyes scanning the crowds of dragons for her brother’s large brown. V’than would go visit home, she knew he would… the question was, would she go too?

Oh, oh! Could I come with? Muze felt Rylath’s presence listening intently to her rider’s concerns and thoughts, as she always did, trying to find ways to please her rider. Muze grinned and patted Rylath. ‘How else would I get there?’ She responded and felt Rylath’s trill of excitement within her mind. ‘But I don’t know if I’d go…’ Reminding Rylath of her mixed feelings and turned her thoughts to present task. She couldn’t see Saruth and V’than, but knew they were somewhere in the crowd of dragons preparing to lift.

Time had passed quickly, but even moreso for those who hadn’t come with them back in time. She couldn’t believe that it was time to return and upon returning she wouldn’t just be a passenger, but taking her and a few things that they had charged them to carry back. It’s time, it’s time! Muze situated herself and her goggles, buckling herself in quickly before her overly excited dragon took off. I wouldn’t take off if you weren’t ready. Rylath almost pouted, a slight hurt tone that Muze would think she’d ever put her rider in danger. ‘Of course not, love. Let’s go, I’m ready!’ The dozens of wings that started to pound the air picked up dust and debris and lifted with them for a time before getting carried away back to earth.

Muze wished she could see Joia and Tellamuth, a feeling of pride of her friend leading the way on their dragons. Here is the image! As if thinking of the white dragon and his rider had conjured the image, Muze took hold of it, distracted from all other things. This was going to be scariest jump they had made yet – and it was her job to make sure she and Rylath stayed on course.

And they did. The cold came, it stayed longer than Muze felt comfortable, and then it went. They were home. Muze looked around, her face splitting with the largest grin. Yes, home. This was home. She of course missed her family, but Mavros felt more like a home than the small western hold ever had. Of course, they had never really left Mavros, but it wasn't the same when only a handful of people of Mavros were there... 

[deebear]

Marilsa & Sonath

Where were they?

Mari fretted at the back of the group, off to the side. She was pacing and she didn't want to run into anyone. At least she had the foresight for that she supposed. Worry?, Sonath asked in her quiet way from behind Mari. 'Yes, love. I am worried. I am sure they are okay. They will be back. You don't have to worry, I am sorry.' Sonath wrapped her love around her rider and where that always made Mari feel better, it also made her feel bad for making her little green worry.

It wasn't like they were just going to another weyr though. They had gone Between yes, but to another time, into the past. It had scared her from the moment G'rett had told her, afraid that she might never see her friend again. But he had promised they would return, A'zael had said they would return. Now it was time for that return and yet there they all stood... watching the skies, waiting, worrying.

Where were they?

She had just swung herself around, wringing her hands as Sonath's whirling eyes watched her, when the sky was suddenly full of dragons. Dark eyes went wide as she snapped her head up to take in the dragons that had appeared from Between. "Oh!", was all she could manage as she took in all the dragons that had returned. Mas! Sonath's outburst, which was never truly an outburst, made her jump and her eyes darted around until she found the massive bronze landing. Sonath was already awkwardly bounding toward the bronze and Mari wasn't far behind. She was going to kill him for letting her worry all day. She was going to put trundlebugs in his clothes, numbweed in his klah.

She was half running, half walking by the time she neared Mastromideth where Sonath was already all over him, rubbing her head and cheek against his side and neck. Mas! Back!, Sonath whispered at the friend who made her look half the size she already was. Mari laughed at her dragon and her affection for the Bronze belonging to her healer friend. "Hey big guy.", she said when she caught up to Sonath. She had walked by several people on her way to the dragons, but she hadn't seen G'rett, which made her frown. He was obviously nearby or Mostro wouldn't be so calm. She turned in place as she wondered where her friend was. He couldn't have gone that far, they had literally JUST landed. "Alright, where is he? He's already in trouble for leaving..." Her voice trailed off as dark eyes landed on a scruffy looking man standing near Mastro. She had looked at him twice already, but this time something stood out to her.

Bright blue eyes that were laughing at her.

She blinked and took a step but hesitated and stepped back again. This man, couldn't be G'rett... He was...huge. Not that G'rett had ever been tiny..but this guy was big and hairy, really hairy. She lifted a brow damn near to her hairline at that. G'rett wasn't hairy, not that it looked bad on the guy. Somehow he seemed to be even more good looking than he had been when he left. She hadn't thought it was possible.. not that it mattered... Sonath looked at her rider at that thought and made a noise but said nothing. But in the end, it was the eyes. Those damn blue eyes. It had to be him... right?

"G'rett?", she asked tentatively, still not entirely convinced. But those eyes.


Riana & Camachath

<You've checked three times now.>, Camachath commented, slightly amused. 'I know.', Ri answered as she finished making sure the gear was set right, making sure the packs were secure, making sure Cam was okay. <I am fine.> 'I know.'

She knew they were set to go. She knew that she and Cam were ready to do this, ready to go home, to see friends and family again, to set off on this adventure together. She couldn't wait to introduce Cam to her father and brothers. <I will be glad to meet them, little one.>, he told her as he dropped his head to lightly press his nose against her side. She smiled and a weight lifted from her shoulders as she leaned against his warm hide. 'They will love you, just not as much as I do.', she told him, placing a kiss on his muzzle to which he rumbled in response. <As I love you.>

It was a short time later that they were all on their dragons, Joia and her Tellamuth in the lead with the golds. <You are nervous.>, Camachath stated. 'Yes, but ready.', she told him, a small smile on her face. Once they were high enough and everyone ready, the command was given from Tellamuth and in the next blink, she was in the harsh cold of Between. The utter feeling of cold and of nothing else was not exactly alarming but she often wondered if she would ever get used to it. It always seemed to take forever for those few breaths, but this felt worse, different. Was it taking too long? <Calm. I am here, you are here. We will be okay.> 'Thank you, love.' <You are welcome.>

A breath later they burst out from the cold darkness into the bright light of the setting sun. Somewhere below them a dragon gave a loud bugle of welcome and Camachath returned the bugle as Ri and several others cheered at their success. She quickly turned in her seat, dark eyes scanning for all her classmates and others. <We are all here!>, Cam supplied, having the ability to check and confirm much faster than she could. "Yes!! Alright big guy, can you find us a place to land?" <Of course!> He spiraled slowly, landing off to the side of the main group as they often did, too many large dragons in a small space was never a good idea. She was so happy they made it back and would be sure to thank Joia and her white as soon as the craziness died down. She unhooked herself and slid down Cam's shoulder and leg, her boots thudding softly on the ground as she landed. "Let's get this gear off you, yeah?" Cam rumbled in reply and settled on the ground as he looked around at all the dragons and people. <There are so many humans and dragons here.> Ri gave a soft laugh. "Just wait bud, there's even more."

Alyx Open

[Zen]

S’fin :: Green Rusath

S’fin and Rusath had followed the returning timers back to the Weyr, S’fin feeling giddy with relief and overall far too emotional to keep it all in. In the air, Rusath had quickly picked out the particular dragon and rider her own had on his mind, trailing behind the bronze in question until they reached the Weyr and landed. She had barely touched down when S’fin was yanking at his straps and half falling off her side, only the fact that she quickly lowered herself to the ground keeping him from face planting rather ungracefully on his clumsy dismount.

S’fin felt the sting of tears in his eyes, his vision going blurry as he hurried across the short distance between Rusath and Doriath. He didn’t see if T’lyron had passengers to help dismount. He didn’t care. He threw his arms around the bronzerider’s neck and hugged him like he was never going to let him go as he choked back a happy sob. He felt like a damn fool for just how much this was affecting him, but he also knew why he was being so overly emotional so he didn’t really care just then. He couldn’t help it.

“I was… I was so scared I’d never see you again, and I… I didn’t even get to say goodbye….” All he could think about was how T’lyron had told him he’d never much felt at home anywhere. He hugged the other man even tighter, somehow, “Welcome home.”

Hiko

A’zael :: Bronze Fath

After being terrified all day that he would never see her again, A’zael found it incredibly difficult to let Srunae out of his sight on the flight back to the Weyr, but when they landed he let the returning riders land first and there was no where close enough to Danovelith for Fath to land himself. Instead the bronze landed on the outer edges of the group, but Fath was not about to be kept from Danovelith’s side either and he did not even allow A’zael to dismount before he was making his way through the gathering crowd, A’zael shouting down apologies to people hurrying out of his dragon’s way. A’zael couldn’t blame him, they were of the same mind.

When the bronze finally stopped in front of Danovelith, A’zael leaped down from his back. He didn’t stop moving until he had Srunae wrapped in his arms, not giving her a moment to say anything before he was pressing a kiss to her lips. He wanted nothing more than to carry her back to his weyr right now and forget everyone else and revel in the fact that she was alive. Fath’s excited, ecstatic babblings to Danovelith faded into the background of his mind as the fact of Srunae’s return was solidified with the proof of her there, in his arms once more. With great reluctance, he ended the kiss and rested his forehead lightly against hers, staring down into her beautiful, ever changing eyes, his voice thick with emotion, “I’m never letting you do that again.”

Rhush

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

No’va let out a woop as the group finally left Between to see several riders on the island below, waiting for them. Welcoming calls from the dragons greeted them and No’va couldn’t stop grinning. They had really done it. They had gone back in time and come back and everything had worked perfectly. He slapped Aldy’s neck triumphantly and felt the brown rumble under him, pleased at their success. His whirling eyes took in the dragon below, strangers to him. But when they flew back to the Weyr side of the island No’va felt the brown’s shock at seeing so many dragons in one place and laughed.

“This is how Weyrs are supposed to be,” he told the brown, still grinning.

They landed and Alduntulath became rather distracted taking in all the dragons, greeting them and getting to know them all, as his rider dismounted and weaved through the crowd toward where Joia and Tellamuth had landed. He ran the last several steps to pull the young woman into a hug, laughing, “You did it! I never doubted you two for a heartbeat!”

Alyx

[Hiko]

Hands.
There were hands clutching at him, arms enveloping him.
T’lyron had barely finished undoing the straps along Doriath’s neck when the assault happened. The two passengers on the bronze’s back stared blankly at the scene; he’d not precisely been known for affectionate gestures in the present or the past, and they seemed just as awkwardly surprised by the green rider’s presence as T’lyron himself.

Was S’fin crying?
He leaned into the hug at that thought, encircling the man in his own embrace. Welcome home, he’d said. Not welcome back, but welcome home. A smile tugged at his lips unexpectedly. Friends, something that resembled family; a place for him. He had Doriath, and, obviously, he had S’fin. Nothing, not even between would change that.
“I’m home,” he murmured a soft reply, “I’m home.”

Zen
--

C’rys had been quick to depart from the crowd. The green rider had feigned a dismissive attitude, but Mollin caught the look in the girl’s eyes, even if she hadn’t intended to let the true feelings slip; the voices of so many people and dragons were too much for her, so soon after the nothingness through which they’d traveled. A bite of regret formed in the back of Mollin’s throat.
She should have been there, should have been able to help her candidate, somehow.
You could not, Daltilith replied, watching the green pair depart from the scene, We had to stay.
Yes, but-
Oh! I see Mastromideth!
G’rett?

Her interest and worry had been so consolidated onto C’rys. Of course Mastromideth and G’rett would have returned as well! Shame colored her cheeks for having ignored their arrival. Months before their departure, she’d made a fool of herself with him, and he had, as he always had, been too kind and too good for her instability. But it had been a let down all the same. After the mass disappearance this morning, all she’d been able to do was worry if her friend would return, and what she would say to him when and if he did. She’d considered slapping him, considered slinging her arms about him and hugging to never let go, considered - well, not that it mattered now. And then, as soon as she’d known C’rys was back, every fiber in her had forgotten about G’rett.
Too many people, Daltilith commented. It is easy to forget with so many faces.
Maybe for you, she replied with a grin, The blue offered a mental scoff, then chuckled as well; he was hardly one to argue his poor memory, and was honestly too interested in speaking with Hawedith to care.

Weaving through the crowds of happy reunions, Mollin found Mastromideth easy enough. But where was G’re-
Oh.
Oh, no.
It had started as a giggle, and turned into a barking, uncontrollable laugh, and started before she’d even finished mentally cataloguing the changes. The muscles, that hair, but it was him all the same. What had he been doing while away, lifting Mastro for sport? And had he forgotten a razor - or how to use one?
It was too much. The relief, her joy at seeing him, his ridiculous appearance - it was all too much.
“Are you smuggling firestone in those arms? And what are you growing on your face?”

Alyx

[Alyx]

Joia and White Tellamuth

Tellamuth hummed gently, Danovelith’s voice following Sularenth’s in praise for the pair as they drifted to the ground. The White chuckled at his Mother-Gold’s cautioning, enjoying the euphoria at the completion of the jump. I would never let it go to my head, I promise. ‘It’s like she knows you.’ Joia smiled, her hands running over the sides of the dragon’s next as he touched down. She will forget before I might break that promise. There was a twig of sadness in the White’s vocals, and Joia sent a wave of love back at him. Having a memory like his was a double-edged blade.

Once on the ground, Joia was almost at a loss as to what to do next. Tellamuth pranced a bit through the gathering, looking for a spot that they wouldn’t be in the way, but would still be very much part of the celebrations. Do you see your friends? ‘Which ones?’ Any of them. The boy… Tak’ril? Or the others, the ones from your first Standing? It still amazed her sometimes how much he remembered. ‘No, I mean, I’m sure they are here..’

Pulling at the straps, she slipped from his back to the ground, a very short drop thanks to his build. She had no passengers, and only her own personal belongings strapped to him. Joia eyed the packs. ‘Want me to unstrap those?’ We might have to wait. ‘Oh?’ Yes. Incoming. Joia turned on a heel just in time to see No’va charging from the crowd near her. He caught her in a hug and she laughed, tossing her arms around the Brownrider’s shoulders in return. Never doubted her?

“I didn’t do anything, I just held on. Tell did all the works.” All the work and none of the praise, I tell you. The White’s vocals were all in good humor, opening to pull No’va into them with Joia. Joia freed a hand, pushing at the Dragon’s shoulder playfully. “Oh please, you got praise from both the golds on the way to the ground; don’t give me that sad sop!” Tellamuth shook his head, his laughter spilling over the pair of weyrlings for a moment before he turned his attention to scanning over all the new and interesting people around them. Zen

G’rett and Bronze Mastromideth

Almost as soon as his feet were on the ground, Sonath’s lithe green form appeared from the gathering dragons. Mastromideth rumbled a greeting, dipping his head to bump gently with the Green has she bounced and fawned at him. I missed you too. The Bronze’s chuckle rolled over his rider, and G’rett shook his head. ‘I am glad we warned them.’ So am I. I am sure it was bad enough even though they knew. I can’t imagine what the rest were like. G’rett didn’t want to think about it.

Hello Marilsa. G’rett was just turning just helping the last of his passengers down when Mastro’s greeting sounded in his head, giving the Bronzer warning of his friend’s approach. His hand came up, running over the very wild mass of beard he’d acquired in the turns back, and turned to meet her. She glanced around, searching, and he gave a rough laugh. Had he changed so much? Well, other than the dead thing on your face? ‘Shut up.’ Mastro chuckled again before shifting his attention to Sonath, leaving his rider to flounder on his own.

He could tell the moment she saw him… then the moment she had to think about it. Confusing flitted over her brown eyes, and even when she said his name, it was like she still wasn’t totally sure it was him. “It looks that bad, does it?” He stepped off, closing the distance quick enough to snag the other healer into a hug before she could dodge him. Smiling, he hauled her up off her feet easily and spun her around, careful not to smack her into anyone or anything as he did.

Carefully letting the girl have her feet back, he didn’t unwrap his arms. “Gone a Day, and you’ve already forgotten me, huh? I see how it is.” Grinning, he bent quickly, rubbing the bristles of his beard against her cheek playfully. “What you think? Do I look like I got lost in the wilderness?” He was about to ask Marilsa if she thought he should keep it when the second voice pulled his attention off the topic.

Freeing one arm from the hug around his friend, he pulled the first up and flexed the muscle. The leather of the riding gear tightened and made a noise of protest, and he grinned at Mollin. “Nope, all me, surprisingly. I guess there was more heavy lifting on this trip then I expected. And what, you don’t like it?” He brought the hand around, running his palm over the beard again. “I was telling Mastro when we touched down I think I should have shaved before we came back, I look like I’ve been living with wild whers.” He glanced from Mollin to Mari, then back. He’d missed his friends… really, more than they would ever, ever understand. “I am so glad to be back. While it was an adventure to remember, I don’t think I’d do it again.” deebear Hiko

E’san and Brown Norioth

E’san had been more considered that the Brown under him would be too distracted flirting with everything female that had a pulse that he’d miss the mark and get them lost in Between. He’d had to remind him at least seven times to focus, and finally, it only worked when he pointed out that Joia was the one he could be watching. At least, for once, E’san was relieved for his dragon’s one-track mind.

The trip Between seemed scarier this time, but E’san wasn’t sure if it was because it was them following back another weyrling, or if it was because he was actually an active part of the jump rather than a passenger on someone else’s dragon. The cold blankness of Between was suffocating, and E’san tried to just not think about how long they were there as the pair hurdled threw nothingness. He didn’t count; mostly because he didn’t want to know when they were going to die.

Then, a red sky. Norioth’s trumpet joined the other voices of the returning travelers, answering the welcomes from below. A few dragons lept into the air to greet them directly, gliding with them as they turned and dropped into the Weyrbowl. It doesn’t look all that different. Norioth sniffed softly, taking advantage of his rider’s distraction to shift his own path. Before E’san could stop him, the star-speckled Brown was touching down near a couple of the Greens. ‘Don’t start it.’ Norioth huffed at him, standing still as E’san freed himself from the straps and dropped down.

As soon as his rider was on the ground, Norioth spread his wings wide over those around him, stretching and showing off in the same moment. ‘Oh get over yourself.’ Why? I’m not doing anything. In spite of the professed innocence, Norioth still did his best to strike a casual pose, and E’san just shook his head. With so many lovely ladies, how can I not strut a bit? ‘Can you at least wait until we are settled?’ Why. E’san groaned, running a hand over his face.

Rachel and Blue Aslith

Rachel had been waiting with the others on the cliff's edge. Her anger was tempered, at least a little, to the point she wasn’t going to stab anyone that looked at her funny. She might still stab someone, but that really depended on what the setting sun brought them. She sat on Aslith’s shoulders, her back aching from the tension. They will be okay. ‘You don’t know that. It’s not one jump through time, it two. One back, then one forward. How by the Egg are they coming back?’ Aslith had no answers, simply rumbling comfortingly to his angry rider.

Rukbat continued to drop, painting the sky with its evening paints. Rachel made a noise in her throat, tossing a glance at A’zael some distance from her. She was still mad at him, would be for a while, but she also worried about him. This was a lot on his shoulders, personally and as the Weyrleader; for both sides of the man, Rachel hoped this wasn’t a death flight.

Then, in a moment, the empty sky was full of wings. Rachel gasped, taken back by the sheer count; some she knew by sight – Mastromideth, Sularenth, Tsulocanth, Danovelith… others, strangers; A White in the lead, an impossibly dark dragon toward the outside… ‘They did it. By Faranth’s First Egg and the Red Star… they did it.’ Aslith lifted his voice, calling a greeting to the travelers as Rachel tightened her straps. The Blue pushed off, following A’zael’s Fath into the air. Aslith banked low and to the right, circling the group – Rachel shielded her eyes, scanning the group for the candidates she had known.

Joia was on the White – Rachel shook her head, looking for the others. Muze, on a speckled Green. Vavithan, on the neck of a two-toned Brown. Eissan, also on a Brown that looked like it has been splattered with pale paint. And Vitra – not so young anymore, on the back of a beautiful Blue. Rachel’s heart soared, the tears rimming her eyes as Aslith shifted to glide along with the group toward the ground. ‘They made it.’ She repeated, feeling the burden she’d been hauling all day start to lift. She hadn’t brought them here to fail; they hadn’t died in this stunt. They’d made it, against all logic and chance…. They made it.

Not all. Rachel lifted her head, looking at the mass of dragons as they touched down. ‘Who?’ Dawinith. ‘How?’ There was a moment of silence, and then Aslith sighed in her mind. Mastromideth said she failed their first jump when they left. She was lost in the timing. Rachel shuddered, her heart hurting for the lost Greenrider. Just out of lessons, to attempt this fools’ chance- But she was the only one. He said the hatchlings all impressed, they didn’t lose a single one. There was a moment of shock, then Aslith laughed in her mind. ‘What?’ He sounded very proud, so I asked. Half the new ones are his and Sularenth’s. Rachel looked over the new dragons with a new interest.

‘I’m sure that just thrilled G’rett. Okay, old man, on the ground. I need to shake some people for not telling me about this idiocy.’ Shake Gently, it’s been a long trip it seems. Rachel leaned forward, slapping a glove against the Blue’s neck. ‘I only shake because I care, love… and I will shake gently, I promise.’ Good. Within moments, the Blue and his rider joined the gathering masses on the ground.

[Rhush]

Srunae of Gold Danovelith

Srunae was in the middle of working a cache of supplies off Danovelith’s back when a large spike of confusion and shock poked over her empathic barriers. Confused by the change in emotional temperature and intensely curious, she cast her brown hazel gaze around to find Fath rushing through the crowd of people gathered around the timers on a direct beeline towards the pale gold beside her.

“Whoa!” Srunae exclaimed as Fath came to a screeching halt before her beloved dragon. The tailwind off the bronze was almost enough to knock the short beastcrafter over, and she clung to the aforementioned cache to hold herself steady with a laugh. The pale gold beneath the cache chuffed brightly. Looks like A’zael’s going to be handing out some more apologies, Srunae thought good-naturedly, chuckling as she righted herself and dusted off her flight gear.

It seems that your favorite is often apologizing, isn’t he? Danovelith hummed warmly, her great eyes whirling hues of blue and green. Hello Fath, dear. The now older gold greeted her enthusiastic company in her ever dignified manner, her voice a gentle glow akin to that of early sunlight on a placid pool. Srunae laughed and patted the gold’s hide, shrugging nonchalantly as she moved to tie her now longer hair back up into some sort of tie.

At least in public… She agreed with her gold, deciding she would have to have her hair cut as soon as possible. While the others had more noticeably grown older with their time away - G’rett had come to look like some sort of wher-wrestling wild man, as an example - Srunae, already a few turns older than most, had physically changed little. Her hair had grown out, her face had lost another notch of its remaining youthful roundness, and she had gained a new set of crow’s feet, but all in all she hadn’t changed quite like some of the others had. At least it was easier for people to recognize her than some of the others who had returned with her.

Oh, speaking of A’zael, Srunae chuckled as she caught sight of the weyrleader, who was rushing over to her in almost the same fashion as his bronze. A snarky, teasing greeting formed on her tongue and she instinctively reached a tendril of thought towards the man as he came within reach - but, as she opened her mouth to speak, she was handily silenced by the weyrleader’s own. Though initially surprised by the public gesture, the brunette soon wrapped her arms around the bronzer’s neck and kissed him in return and her mind emptied of all surrounding distractions. For a long, blissful moment, Srunae only felt their emotions, as though the world only consisted of the two of them, and she couldn’t have been happier.

As he broke the kiss, Srunae released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and locked her greening gaze onto his grey and blue one as she hastily pieced her brain back together. Shards she had missed him - his easy banter, his teasing voice, his laughing eyes and mind-clearing kisses… The goldrider had struggled with being away from him for so long, off without her friend, confidante, and love for eighteen months of documentation in a startlingly silent Weyr. While the lack of people had done wonders for the Empath, it had also left her with only a few options for retreat. The library hadn’t yet existed, the weyrbowl had been half-finished, and the weyrs had been abandoned. Morale was low - the Timers had just left their loved ones behind, most of them in the dark about their sudden disappearance - compounded by the loss of Orina, Dawinith and their passengers on their first jump. Srunae had been forced to resist being pulled down into the spiraling tempest of emotions that swirled without her rock in the storm.

So despite her best efforts, Srunae began to wonder who they might lose on the return jump. Who wouldn’t see Mavros again? Who else would they have to tell the news of a lost loved one? And then, as if a miracle, Danovelith had laid the one dragon that could potentially ensure everyone would return to their proper time. At last, thankfully, their time away was over, and they all made it back. The trip proved well worth it, filling their wings with talented and much needed bodies, pushing Mavros towards a new age of backup wings and less stressful ‘Falls… Yes, it had been good for the weyr, good for the weyrhold, and good for the whole.

At the cost of four lives, and nearly two turns of everyone else’s – they had succeeded.

On the other end of the scale, A’zael had only been without her for less than a day - and yet, the emotions rolling off of him were quite akin to her own; almost as if he too had experienced the nearly two turn span in just a few candlemarks. Fading tinges of fear spiked out from beneath an overwhelming sense of relief, a feeling flanked by joy, love and excitement – it was almost as if he could sense her feelings instead of the other way around. When at last A’zael spoke, his voice full of the same emotion rolling off his body, Srunae smiled lightly and faked a familiar pout.

“Awww, but it landed me such a wonderful kiss…” Srunae grinned at the spikes of feeling that pricked into her thoughts. “Don’t worry A’zael, I don’t plan on it,” The goldrider laughed and reached up to ruffle the weyrleader’s hair, ”I missed a certain bronzerider too much to stay away so long again.” She briefly closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth that rolled off A’zael before pulling back a little to shake her head.

”And as much of a success as this was,” The brunette glanced out around them at the happy, joyous faces, and back at A’zael as her face grew more grave. ”I don’t want to have to tell anyone else that someone… isn’t coming home.” She sighed lightly and shook her head.

”We lost green Dawinith on the first jump. There are... three people’s families that I need to speak with.” She smiled wanly as something jagged set itself into her heart. ”And I should probably tell them before they find out some other way.”

Zen

[deebear]

Marilsa & Sonath

She couldn't help but smile when he spoke. His voice confirming what she knew she had already known. "Not bad really, just different." She had barely finished speaking before he had closed the distance between them and before she realized it he was enclosing her with those massive arms of his with a hug that she gladly returned. She squeaked in surprise when he lifted her off the ground and spun them in a circle but she laughed as he did it.

When he set her down again he didn't immediately let her go. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly for long moments before she said, "Not forgotten. Never ever forgotten." She frowned a little and took a small breath. "I was just...afraid I'd ever see you again you idiot." The last bit she said with a smile mostly because he caught her off guard when he leaned back down to tease her cheek with his beard. She chuckled and smacked his arm playfully as she looked up at him. "Hmm, you definitely look like you've been lost a while. I can't believe Mastro let you come back to me looking like that." Her playful teasing was interrupted but by an outburst of sorts from a woman. When Mari turned she found it was Mollin, who was apparently beside herself, having a good laugh at G'rett's expense.

Mari said nothing, although she did offer a small smile. For some reason, the amount of laughter aimed at G'rett annoyed her, but not enough to outwardly show it. She looked up at G'rett when he lifted an arm to flex his muscles. Sweet Faranth that really was a lot of muscle wasn't it? His poor clothing... She lifted a brow at him and rolled her eyes a little as he responded to Mollin's teasing. "Well, maybe it doesn't look quite that bad.", she said with a grin in response to his wild wher comment. After his last comment, she gave him a thoughtful smile and leaned against him gently since he still had his arm around her. She slid her arm around his back and gave him a one-armed hug. "I don't think we want you to do it again either.", she told him, glancing at Mollin then back to G'rett, assuming she was likely to echo the sentiment. "I don't think Sonath would like Mastro to vanish on her again either.", she told him, as if that was the most important thing. Stay!, Sonath said out loud, her voice a happy whisper, agreeing with her rider as she rubbed her head against Mastro's side again.

Alyx Hiko

[tovaana]

Ceela;

Ceela had been monitoring the breakfast spread when the Weyrleader had made the shocking announcement about the dragons going back in time. She wasn’t sure if she would have believed such a rumor if she hadn’t heard it with her own ears. Her attentive curious clear eyes had scanned the room during all the outbreak of drama, people were hardly paying attention to the food anymore, which wouldn’t have stopped her from being distracted… but mouths that would have been eating, started talking, which was her favorite pastime.

She had struck a conversation with a green rider who spoke freely and told her about her dragon’s reaction to everyone being gone. She learned a few other things too about Mavros, the girl pointing out people in leadership who she should probably recognize and remember. It wasn’t till later that day she heard that dragons and their riders were going out to see the group return – or not. Ceela had kept an eye out for the green rider and was able to catch a ride to the scene where a mass of dragons exploded into the sky.

The flight to the spot had been exhilarating enough, but to see that many dragons pop in together and the sounds of their bellowing… Her face was stretched in the largest grin as she slid off the green dragon, thanking her new friend for the ride. She didn’t think about needing a ride back, she was wondering how it was all-possible – and she wanted to hear stories first hand. She didn’t go far though, one of the most beautiful brown dragons came in landing near them, obviously putting on a show. She ducked as his speckled wings spread near her – pushing down the feeling of feeling silly to have ducked. He couldn’t have hit her being so large.

After a chuckle she glanced around him and spotted his rider, who was running his hand over his face as if in exasperation. She pushed her wavy hair out of her face as she looked up at the brown. “What a beautiful boy you are!” She half teased, half truly admired the beautiful markings. She kept looking up at him as she circled around to where she had seen the rider.

“Are you one of the new dragon riders that impressed in the past?” She asked, hardly looking away from the brown, glancing toward him though and pausing when she got within conversational distance. Her mind was whirling with all sorts of questions, and at the same time feeling a sort of frustration and envy that she hadn’t gotten herself searched faster so she could have gone back in time too. What an adventure she missed out on!

Alyx

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

Tak’ril had been pacing for what felt like hours, and he knew the yellow whirling eyes following his movements were that of concern, and possibly stress as well. He stopped mid step to look at the growing bronze dragon, placing a hand on his head and stroking gently.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t stop.”

I know mine, I know. She will come back. They all will. She would not have left permanently without saying goodbye.

The bronze leaned in comfortingly towards the tall weyrling, and Tak’ril accepted the weight, trying to sap as much confidence the dragon felt as possible. Suddenly he heard the bugling, and mobs of people running to greet those who had returned. Tak’ril felt his legs go stiff, frozen in place. They were back. But was she? What if she had convinced D’rew to take her home before they had all timed back, so she wouldn’t have to face the candidates returning with their dragons?

“Ca-can you feel her?” He asked through a constricted throat. There is much excitement, many voices and many minds, I cannot be certain… We must go and see for ourselves.

He swallowed and nodded, and slowly unlocked his knees, and took the first few steps. Suddenly he was in the throng of dragons and others who sought out those who had returned, they arrived just as the bulk of returnees landed. He felt frozen again, and he leaned into his bonded’s side, trying to gain strength from him, while his eyes strained to see her. He saw a rainbow of dragons, blues, greens, browns, a few golds, a handful of bronzes… His eyes caught onto a black dragon, and he tried not to look taken aback.

JOY

His dragon bugled out in excitement, and Tak’ril was pulled in so he could see her through the bronze’s eyes. She was astride a white dragon, whose hide seemed to gleam the colors of the rainbow. She looked amazing, and her smile was bright. He caught his breath and pulled himself out of his dragons mind so he could see her for himself, and he smiled, tears coming to his eyes.

She slid down from the dragon in what seemed like practiced ease and was caught up in another young man’s arms. Suddenly he felt free, and he started running toward her, weaving through others greeting friends and loved ones, dragons, and firelizards alike. For a moment he lost sight of her but pressed forward.

“Joia!” He called as he approached the two, and he gathered her from the young man up into a hug, pulling her slim figure off the ground and burying his slightly wet face in her hair. “You came back, you came back, I thought you might have had D’rew take you home before, but you’re here!” He realized he was rambling, and he gave her one more squeeze before gently putting her down so he could better see her. But he turned his eyes quickly to the white dragon behind her, trying to hide his sudden self-consciousness. “And a white dragon… You are quite magnificent. I-I’m Tak’ril.” He said toward her dragon and the young man standing next to her, trying to remember his name and failing.

Me too me too. Agureyth stated with exasperation, pressing forward through the crowd trying to reach them, leaning his face in for his favorite scratches from his Joy.

Hello Brother, I am Agureyth. He said excitedly, but maybe a little distracted as he was hoping for scratches.

Alyx Zen

[tovaana]

Weyrling V’than :: Brown Saruth

Since Rylath rising, he had kept more a distance from Muze – though it had been more subconscious than conscious. In that moment though, he couldn’t see her in the crowds. Saruth had become more sensitive to his rider’s needs, quietly listening and assessing. Of course, the brown was more often confused than not as some of his thoughts, but the current worry on his rider’s mind was clearly for his sister.

Rylath and hers is here. He let go of a breath slowly, one he hadn’t realized he had been holding as his thoughtful brown eyes scanned the crowds. It was so odd that he had arrived behind the back of someone, and now he was carrying a passenger. He was the dragon rider now with the responsibility of getting back in one piece. Not everyone had to have a passenger, but since Saruth was large enough – he had made the offer. And it is no trouble. Saruth’s pale nose was pointed toward him, and then turned away as it the time to leave came closer. ‘Of course not.’ He responded with a grin, patting the brown’s rich hide. With the longer time between V’than had paid extra special attention to the dragon’s hide… not like he had much else to do, other than help pack.

We go. He blinked, coming out of a trance that he had fallen into while waiting. It was his job to make sure the image sent to them held fast in his dragon’s mind. They lifted and he felt the normal thrill of flying – pushing aside any fear that tempted his thoughts.

It was all too quick and yet too much time between.

Saruth joined the celebrated voices of his siblings and fellow dragons – both who had come back with them, and those who had stayed behind. The noise gave him goosebumps. V’than spotted the speckled form of Rylath circling under them with the other dragons that were landing. He guided Saruth with his mind to land toward the back of the group, not expecting to reunite with anyone anyways. Though, he had forgotten he had brought back someone who may have someone waiting for them. When they landed he apologized and helped them down.

It was like a dream. The ground felt the same as back in time, yet… time was different – well, it was where he had been 18 months prior… yet it still felt unfamiliar. Then he realized part of this feeling was emanating from his dragon. He turned to his new lifemate and leaned against the large brown, unsure of how else to ease the dragon’s confusion.