I just want to help

Posted on Thu Apr 23rd, 2026 @ 1:28pm by Bronze Rider F'cone & Milayna

Mission: 3531 AL

Milayna watched Mian walk away to join the other children for a bit longer that evening. Falayna was already sound asleep from her big day with the dragons. She was happy for her daughter but something seemed off with Mian. She waited for F'cone to join her, wondering if he might have an idea.

F’cone smiled as he saw Falayna and Milayna sitting by themselves in the dining cavern with the little girl spread out asleep. “Tough day?” He wondered smiling as he offered a wave to Mian as the boy ran off to join his friends. He sat down and grabbed up the jug of juice, pouring a large mug and downing it, he was thirsty after sweeps.

Milayna looked up quickly, smiling when F'cone joined them. “She got to play with Leith and Dystath,” she answered. “Think she'll sleep for a while now.” Their little girl had certainly had fun. “How bout you? How were sweeps?”

“Long and hot.” He commented thinking he had drawn the short end of the stick with the location today, but it was better than drills any day of the week. “Want me to take her up to bed?” He offered a smile as the girl didn’t even move at the noise in the cavern.

“Oh I'm sure. It was definitely warm today.” She couldn't imagine wearing the leather the riders did when it was so hot. “She's okay for now. Enjoy your juice and relax.”

“It was.” he was pretty sure he had sweated through every layer he had to wear when flying with Caladoth. He slouched a little in the chair and nodded, savouring another mug before he finally felt human enough to engage in a decent conversation. “How did things go with Calarya?” he wondered.

Milayna sipped on her juice as she watched everyone in the dining cavern. Mian seemed happy as he played with his friends. “Good. You were right. Letting Fal meet Leith was a great idea.” She looked over at Mian again. “Mian was talking to her too. There was a lot of whispering. It was a bit odd.”

F’cone smiled. He was a good judge of what people needed sometimes when his ego did not come into play. Calarya was a good woman and he could see why A’ren trusted her as his second despite being a green rider. “Odd?” He wondered quietly looking around for the green rider to ask instantly.

Milayna had loved watching Falayna with the two dragons and Mian had seemed to enjoy the conversation. “Yeah. He was talking about wanting to learn about the dolphins or maybe even be a healer. G'van was there so Mian picked right up on that. Then he whispered something to Calarya but I don't know what about.”

Of course G’van was there, he would not leave her alone if anything connected to F’cone was there. “Did you ask Calarya? I can go and find out?” He offered already getting to his feet to go track her down and get an explanation on what his son was whispering around.

“I didn't get a chance to. They were both on their way to sweeps,” she answered. She really should have just asked Mian but she was trying to give her growing son some space of his own.

F’cone frowned which meant they would still be out on that sweep. He could not recall them as neither were his wing riders and it would not be right to do it for something like this no matter how much he wanted to. “Let’s go talk to our son then.” F’cone said standing to go get the boy back so they could have a talk.

Milayna nodded. She should have talked to Mian earlier but maybe their son would open up more to F'cone. The boy certainly looked up to his father. “Hopefully we can help him.”

The wingleader nodded as he wandered off to get the boy. F’cone interrupted the game that was being played and brought the boy back to the table. “Sorry for interrupting Mian but we need to speak about what you said to Calarya.” F’cone said gently as they sat down together.

Mian quietly followed his dad back to where Milayna and Falayna were. The boy slid into one of the seats. “Okay,” he said softly, looking up at his parents. “Should I have not said anything to her?” Had he messed up?

“Of course you could talk to her,” Milayna answered.

“Very much talk to Wingsecond Calarya but we’d like to know what is going on. We do not have secrets, only surprises and we would like to help.” F’cone reminded him softly as he sat down next to the boy and smiled still. The boy was not in trouble .

Mian still hesitated. Calarya had been extremely nice but even she had said he should talk to his parents before deciding. He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt while he tried to pick the right words. “I told her I want to be a healer so I can help mama.”

“Me?” Milayna asked in surprise, looking over at F'cone.

”Why your mum? I thought you wanted to be a dolphineer?” F’cone asked glancing to Milayna as he leaned out and touch his mate’s hand reassuring her.

Mian thinned his lips. “I really like the dolphins, but I want to help mum if she gets hurt,” he said quietly. “I've heard the stories.”

Milayna blinked in surprise, squeezing F'cone's hand. They tried to never say anything around Mian.

F’cone settled his face into a neutral expression despite his shock. “What makes you think mum will get hurt again?” He wondered quietly, glancing at his mate. Had something happened to make him think that would happen again?

The boy shook his head. “Just in case,” he answered. He still had dreams from time to time but he didn't really remember them. “I want to be prepared.” If his father was still alive Mian wanted to make sure he could help his mother.

Milayna shook her head. She had no idea where Mian had gotten the idea.

“Mian… they are all gone. They aren’t coming back.” F’cone said softly wondering if he knew more than he had ever let on. “What is going on?” He asked gently moving his hand from Milayna to wrap it around the boy.

Mian snuggled against his father's side before shaking his head. “I just worry. He wasn't found. I want to be there to help mum if he comes back.”

F’cone frowned. How did he know that? “He won’t come back even if he is alive, your uncle and Caladoth would get him before he came within a 100 dragon lengths of the Weyr.” He did fear for Anious if Talomin ever caught wind of his existence. “This worry is my job.” He pointed out quietly to the boy.

“But I want to be able to help,” Mian said quietly. he didn't doubt that Talomin and F'cone would take care of Anious but Mian wanted to be there for his mother.

Milayna bit her lip as she looked at F'cone. why was Mian even thinking about that? “Baby, it's okay. We're safe.”

“But you do not need to tie yourself up to that. You are free to do whatever you want to do, " the bronze rider said gently, wishing he had more arms to gather the pair up and comfort them more.

Milayna quietly held Falayna who was still sound asleep despite the tension and noise around her.

Mian shook his head. “But I want to help. And I could help others too,” he said quietly. He knew his aunt was always busy. And maybe he could still help with the dolphins too and learn about them and their handlers too.

“Okay… if this is what you want to do to then we can look into things,” F’cone assured quickly, not wanting the boy to think they did not want him to do it. They just wanted him to do it for them.

Mian bobbed his head. “I want to help people,” he said softly. He didn't want anyone going through what his parents did.

Milayna smiled a bit. She was proud of her son but she just hoped he was doing it because that was what he really wanted.