RCW: Drinking Truths

Posted on Thu Aug 14th, 2025 @ 8:53pm by Bronze Rider I'han & Green Rider Tanly

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D10

Tanly yawned a bit as she headed back to her weyr. She had managed to spend a little bit of time with the twins who were growing way too fast and then had to work on her riding straps before the next set of drills. She had finally finished her duties and slipped into the dining cavern to grab a mug of klah before heading back to the weyr.

She hadn’t seen I'han all day which was strange. Cadalayith was sound asleep on the ledge so everything must have been okay.

I’han came in grinning from ear to ear as he saw Tanly. “Hello, my beautiful green rider.” He said happily. It was easy to see he had been drinking but he seemed happy and cheerful with it as he glanced out at Kanoth who opened one eye to take in his rider before snorting.

}: I have not told her that you were drinking with the Weyrleader :{ He declared.

Tanly turned at her mate's very cheerful voice. She raised A brow. “Beautiful green rider?” She asked. “And just where have you been that you are so happy?”

She was glad to see him so happy. It just made her very curious.

“I have been drinking with the Weyrleader because I am an old dear friend.” He admitted grinning. It had been great just enjoying the afternoon with A’ren without there being trouble or worries. He actually felt for once that he had a friend other than Nikolai.

“With the Weyrleader?” she asked in surprise. “Well that's great. You two have known each other for Turns,” she pointed out. She was glad to see her mate so happy.

“He brought the wine.” The man said sitting back on the couch in a dramatic way that if the couch had not been against the wall would and have moved it. “He was here when I was a weyrling.” I’han said happily. “But it was nice for him to seek me out. Saved Niko as I was bored bugging him.”

The green rider shook her head with a laugh. “Well i’m glad you guys had such a good time.” Tanly shook her head. “Seriously? You were tormenting poor Niko again?”

“Poor Niko?” The man mocked in her tone and narrowed his eyes, smirking. “But yes I was tormenting him as I was bored. I had done all my chores including this place up.” He had no idea where all the cups had come from but Tula had caught him returning them and had chastised him. “and Kanoth was subbing himself. I had no one to play with.” He said innocently. “I had considering going to annoy S’lei or K’vin but they were both out on sweeps.”

“Oh no. You finished all your chores,” she grinned. “Good job. And still had time for wine,” she teased. “Oh I would have loved to see that,” she laughed. “It would serve my brothers right.”

“All those cups. No idea how we collected so many.” I’han commented. “I worked hard today so deserved to play but next time I will find your brothers and torment them. Any reason for me tormenting them?” He wondered thoughtfully. Both had been surprisingly well behaved.

“Shards we really collected that many?” What had they been doing? She was sure Tula didn't appreciate it. Tanly shrugged a shoulder. “Just for being my brothers,” she grinned.

“Mmhmm. Tula did not skin me alive but she might be sending a few drudges our way often to check.” He chuckled reaching out to capture her in his arms and bring her across his lap. “Cannot blame them for that beautiful green rider.” He said fondly of the pair. He had not had siblings growing up so it had been a big step jumping into a family unit but he felt like he was doing well in the role.

Tanly laughed as he caught her around the waist and tugged her onto his lap. “Oh I'm sure she will be.” She couldn't blame Tula. Tanly wrinkled her nose. “Perhaps,” she agreed grudgingly.

“She did threaten to give us a stairless weyr too so we should get better at returning them.” He laughed putting his chin on her shoulder grinning. She would never go through with it but it was a good enough threat to him. “So what have they been up too? Have not seen them this sevenday outside of fall.”

“Ooh now that is a threat. No one wants that,” she grinned. Tanly playfully kissed him. “I think keeping their mates happy,” she answered.

“Well one of them has had a tough turn and the other… well he seems silently happy.” He left it up to her to pick what was what with the pair of them. He had spoken at length to the pair around different problems but they both seemed to be a lot less worked up over stuff.

Tanly frowned a bit. Her brothers didn't tell her a whole lot. “I didn't realize that,” she admitted. She snuggled close to him. “Guess I should be a bit nicer then.”

“S’lei has struggled this last year. He came close to losing his Harper thanks to his past but he seems settled and K’vin does not really share much about Jena. Thank god K’ron won that flight and I was nowhere near that.” That would have been awkward to say the least despite winning Elysia’s flights turns ago he had no real drive to do it again.

“Ooh I do remember S'lei mentioning that but he wouldn't really say much. I am glad they got it sorted.” She giggled. “K'vin seems head over heels and yes that would have been bad. And I want you to myself,” she grinned at him.

“Well it did get my complicated with his kid being delivered to the Weyr but then went quiet. They struggled in silence for the most part. And yes K’vin is head over heels in love that is for sure.” He did not comment on the bad part. He was relieved that Kanoth only ever seemed to chase Golds and Cadalayith which made it easier but he was sure she was only teasing him as they were riders.

“Yeah that was a real mess.” Her brother had certainly had a lot dropped in his lap all at once. she was just glad that he didn't lose everything and also K'vin was doing well too. The green rider smiled up at her mate. “And don’t worry. I'm not going anywhere.”

“I did not think you were.” I’han said, raising an eyebrow just a little to look at her confused about her statement. S’lei had been lucky to say the least but that seemed to be the man, he had been lucky it had not been him in all honesty. He had gone on a date with Luna before he realised just how flighty she could be.

“Just letting you know if you have some random kid or old lover somewhere I'm not running. You're all mine,” she grinned. She still didn't know how her brother had ended up with Luna but she was sure he had his reasons.

“Oh…” he chuckled and rested his head against her shoulder laughing a bit. “I have no old lovers to speak of other than a healer at Kymos who has no children and a Dolphineer who is very much married with children about our twins' age that are very much not mine.” He assured her quietly.

Tanly grinned at her lover. “You have met the only man who I have been with and there are definitely no children there. Just ours,” she said, running a hand through his hair.

“And I got to punch him. Every new lovers secret dream after healing his lover physically and mentally.” He closed his eyes as her hand through his hair. He sighed happily and opened his eyes to look into hers. “But you my love are so much more than a lover.” He said quickly. “You have not just been my lover in turns.”

“That you did. And I was very glad to see it.” The man had completely deserved it and it had been the best thing she had seen. “Oh I do like the sound of that,” she grinned, pressing close to him.

“And I will do it repeatedly to anyone her hurts you.” He smiled as she pressed close. He ran a hand down her spine. “Which reminds me… me and A’ren got talking about all the positives in the last turn. What is yours?”

Tanly didn't doubt that for a minute. She shivered as his fingers trailed down her spine. It felt so good. “Mine?” She asked curiously. “Getting you back to the way you used to be,” she answered simply.

“I was not that bad.” He said making a face and rolled his eyes. “Was I?” He wondered not having thought he was that bad. He knew he had been a bit absent but he had been sure it had not been that bad.

The green rider shook her head. “No but you weren't yourself,” she pointed out. “Okay fine, just being safe and happy,” she answered.

“I was not myself I felt… I was… this is hard to explain without sounding vain.” He laughed, laying his head back against the wall. He tried to work out his thoughts to explain everything but her being safe and happy was the most important thing. “I thought I was ugly and damaged and I know that is daft but in my defence I am still trying to work out how to be a rider after being a healer for so long.”

Tanly laid her head against his chest. “You were never ugly or damaged to me,” she said softly. “You are my hero and my best friend. Nothing will ever change that.” She knew he had been concerned about that.

“Thanks Tan.” He laughed, kissing her hair as she curled against him a bit, laying her head on his chest. “But I am certainly no hero. Just a man who has a great big bronze dragon that keeps me out of trouble most of the time.”

“Just the truth,” she assured him. She never understood why he didn't take more credit. She didn't know where she would be without him. “And I love that bronze as I do his rider.”

“And I love you right back, my beautiful green rider.” He really loved her more than anything or anyone other than Kanoth. They both completed him in different ways, one as a rider and the other as a man. “It’s meant to be the drunk sprouting truths.” He joked, opening his eyes looking at her. How had he gotten so lucky in life to have it all?

“Oh is that what it is?” She teased, staying snuggled against him. After such a bad young life she had never expected to be so happy but there she was and she was not losing I'han for anything.

“Yep but there we are you are being all sweet and truthful. I do not deserve you.” He stated softly. He wanted her to know how thankful he was to have her in his life. “And I mean that Tanly.” He said looking at her turning solemn. “My favourite thing about the last turn other than what I said to A’ren is you. You being so happy again.”

She nuzzled his chin. “You very much deserve me cause I don't want to give you up.” Tanly have him a gentle smile. He had never lied to her and she had no reason to not believe him. “Really? Well I feel very happy.”

“No I do not, my love but I will not be giving you up at all.” He assured her gently stroking a finger down her arm . “Yes really. Knowing you are happy makes me happy and calm.” He had no idea where he would be if he had never met her.

Tanly smiled as she shivered at his light touch. She didn't ever want to leave him. “Well I am very happy.” Right now things were working well and everyone was able to get their lives in order again.

“Long may it last.” He simply smiled, lifting her chin to offer a proper kiss to her lips. “Good.” He whispered, pulling away from the kiss with a goofy grin. “You are beautiful and all mine forever.” He stated firmly.