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Sylfie couldn't help a touch of nervousness as they arrived at Western Weyr: a Weyr they had once seriously considered joining, as it was where several of their dear friends had chosen upon the return of Thread. But Hesperith had decided it wasn't in their best interest, or specifically, not in Sylfie's; she'd hoped that settling elsewhere would be the end of the unrequited feelings the young woman had been harboring from Weyrlinghood, and she had eventually been proved right...even if all her rider had done was 'move on' to another crush she'd now been nursing for an absurdly long time without a word. At least the object of her affections was, technically, available, though how long that could last, when he was a bronzerider of High Reaches?

It was becoming apparent that, sooner or later, Hesperith was going to have to push her, perhaps even hard. But that was a matter for another day. Today was for hatchlings and, of far more interest to the gold, visiting with her own clutchmates after so long. Once she had deposited Hers, she sought out a perch already occupied by a certain brown. Braraith, my dearest brother, I hope you don't mind if I join you? Hatchings are so much better with company.

Sylfie was less decisive about where she ought to observe from. She did want to see her friends, but it had been so long, she really didn't know how to start.

Hesperith practically hummed with happiness to see one of her clutchmates again after so long, and was pleased as punch, as always, to receive such sincere compliments. Her eyes whirled purple-blue, and she craned her head to nuzzle at the brown. Whatever he thought he looked like, he was her brother, and she saw little else beyond that, and that he was whole and healthy. None of them had gone untouched by Thread, herself included, but overall he looked well.

Of course I've no shame to be seen with you! You are my brother. Losing one had made the rest all the dearer, and Turns apart had only made her hearts grow fonder. Brimming with affection, she drew him closer with a wing. She could have perched herself with a High Reaches dragon, certainly, as there were no shortage in attendance of any color, but she could see them anytime she wanted. Braraith's company was a very, very rare treat. You look well. I do hope you are? And Yours? The occasional chat an ocean apart was nothing compared to speaking in-person.

Sylfie, in contrast to Hesperith's enthusiasm, couldn't help but be nervous. She'd not seen anyone in Turns, and she...well, she didn't look quite the same as she had. Her loose braid was pulled to the scarred side of her face, as always, and she was twisting her hands together when she heard T'mul call out. There was a faint pang at the sight of him, an echo of feelings she'd run away from rather than deal with, and which she carefully squashed right back down where they belonged. That had all been a long, long time ago, even if seeing him again after so long made it seem like yesterday.

She flushed when he bowed, thrown a little off-balance by the gesture. Not that it took much. "I- It's good to see you," she floundered, "Hes, we...we've missed everyone."

Nothing but delighted to have her brother near after so long apart, Hesperith radiated contentment and good cheer, and didn't hesitate to give him a more thorough checking-over even as they spoke. A nudge here, a whuffle there, as she assured herself that he was indeed in good and proper order. Being apart from her family for these Turns had been difficult to bear, first when she and Hers had stayed behind when the others had gone to Western, then all the ones since she had pushed Sylfie to settle at High Reaches. She knew it had been necessary - and was still as convinced of that as ever - but she did miss her clutchmates terribly.

When Braraith asserted that he was fine, she was rather less convinced by the way that he said it. You're quite sure? I do worry about you, you know, ever since... Ever since Talsith. Hadn't it been enough to lose Zsaldath? But the reality of fighting Thread was harsh, and every one of them undertook great risk in doing their duty. I have been very well, of late. My last clutch is grown and graduated, and every last one is as fine a dragon as you will find. Mine is- Well, she is as she ever is. I do not think the winters will ever agree with her, but I do believe she is finally beginning to settle in.

Sylfie looked down guiltily When T'mul affirmed that she had been missed in turn, and that so much had changed; she would, in truth, have much rather they followed their friends to Western, but there'd been no arguing with Hesperith. There would be no trailing after them: more specifically, no more quiet, hopeless pining on Sylfie's part for someone who was well off-limits. And worse still, since that was the reason, she could never truthfully explain why they'd gone elsewhere. Still, she did understand why Hes had insisted, especially now; distance, time, and even a new set of hopeless feelings for another didn't keep what she'd once felt from trying to rush back to the surface. And if running away hadn't been entirely effective, staying close could surely only have been worse.

"They've been very good to us, of course," she answered finally, "And Hesperith just adores it. She always has loved attention." Her gold might not be quite so lofty as some Queens, but she did enjoy being treated as someone special, especially by boys. "I don't know, it- It seems nice here. Living on the beach must be lovely, and you don't have to worry about getting cold. I've learned I really don't much like winter," she admitted with a breath of slightly nervous laughter.

"Are you...have you been alright?" Sylfie knew if anything momentous or terrible had happened, Braraith would surely have told Hesperith, but there was all sorts of room in between. He didn't seem any worse for wear that she could tell, which was a relief. "And Jalle?" She'd have expected the bluerider to be close by, but perhaps she was already seated, or was one of the unlucky ones still stuck on duties elsewhere; not everyone could drop what they were doing the moment the eggs began to rock, particularly if they were away from the Weyr at the time.

With Braraith studied to her satisfaction, Hesperith settled into a comfortable cuddle, but kept the vast majority of her focus on the brown.  The babies beginning to hatch down below were surely precious, but they were not her brother. I am only as good as you deserve, she assured him fondly, But I will do my best not to worry overmuch, if you would prefer it.

It is hard to believe, but they are! It has been a delight to watch them grow. Sometimes I regret that I did not spend such time with my first clutch, but I know that there is nothing to be done for it now. She had kept in touch with any who were amenable to it, but it was not the same. It was more than their own clutch's mother had offered, though, to be sure. When he aaked about the snow, however, and imagined how beautiful she must look, her eyes brightened. Oh, the snow is wonderful! I enjoy it so very much. Mine does not agree, but then, she is far more sensitive to cold than a dragon. Perhaps one day you might come and visit us, and see it for yourself - all we need is a clutch to be so obliging as to hatch in the winter.

As many golds as called High Reaches home, that would surely be sooner rather than later.

Chilly was one thing, but there was chilly and then there was cold, mountain cold, and pretty though it might be, that had worn off very quickly her first winter, especially after she'd gotten so sick with that bad case of the flu.  So Sylfie tended to spend her winters miserable, and complaining at Hesperith for choosing somewhere with such a cold climate.  It was only half-hearted, though, as she knew her dragon was, on the whole, quite happy with her choice. "The mountains are pretty, but they're not exactly inviting," Sylfie said with a small, rueful smile, "Not like a beach, anyway." As for trading in winter for storms, well...she looked wistful at the very thought, and sighed. "I'd like that, actually.  I've had more than enough snow already."

...but oh, no.  Sylfie's heart broke for her friend when he revealed that he and Jalle were no longer together.  It almost seemed impossible, after how long they'd been a couple, and they'd always seemed so happy!  But then, it had been a long time since she'd seen them last, and their lives much different than they had been then.  They were all older now, and in more than just Turns.  Poor T'mul!  With no small amount of hesitation, she reached to lightly grasp his hand. "I'm so sorry.  If Hes knew, she didn't...she didn't tell me."

And knowing Hesperith, Sylfie was almost certain she had heard, whether from Braraith, Tioloth, or Hunurith.  And though she knew why her bonded wouldn't have told her, she couldn't help but feel hurt that she hadn't.  Not only could she have avoided putting her foot in it if she'd known, she'd have had time to process the news and sort through the sudden mess of feelings that swelled up.  As it was, she was caught quite off-guard, and right in the wake of the effects of seeing T'mul again for so long...it was a lot to get ahold of.  Some of the thoughts and feelings that bubbled up were quite selfish, and she did her best to bury them.

"I'm glad you're keeping busy, but are you alright?  Really?" The concern was more than genuine - whatever else she might have wished for in the past, T'mul was a dear friend.