A/N Apologies for this taking so long. As always the characters that belong to Anne McAffrey still belong to her. The other characters belong to me, but they also belong to Pern which belongs to Anne. *sigh* so I guess they belong to her too, by default,

DS

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D'rell watched in astonishment as Tristan disappeared through the curtained archway. The incident with the firelizards had shocked them all; although, Sebell's reaction to Tristan's voice inside his head had been just a little extreme from D'rell's point of view. After all, he was used to hearing dragons wasn't he?

As Tristan disappeared D'rell heard Areth reassuring him, and also several others: Lioth and Cerith amongst them. This astonished him beyond measure, that the dragons were so quick to offer this newcomer protection and reassurance. He wanted to add his own voice to theirs although he wasn't sure whether Tristan would hear him or not. He didn't really understand the explanations that Tristan had given about there having to be a physical connection, since he was certain that they had not been in physical contact every time they had communicated telepathically the night before.

He would worry about the mechanics later. Right now he needed to see if Tristan was alright. The fear and remorse and desperation he had felt from the man had almost overwhelmed him and then a second later the feelings had gone, as if Tristan had shut him out. He didn't understand why, but that fact made him feel sad.

He chased after the distraught traveller, leaving Sebell and N'ton to stare after him, not worrying, at that moment about The Master Harper or what two of the most important men on Pern must think of his hospitality.

"What the shell…?" N'ton exclaimed as he watched D'rell disappear after Tristan. He looked to Sebell. The Master Harper was breathing quickly and looked a little pale but he did not seem alarmed or hurt in any way,

"His voice." Sebell managed to say, in awe, "I heard his voice in my head."

N'ton nodded, "Me too." He stated, frowning slightly in confusion at Sebell's reaction, "But you hear dragons, Sebell, when you've needed to." Sebell nodded,

"Yes, but it was always as if I was hearing them from a distance, almost as if it was a whisper. His voice was so different, so clear and loud. It was like he was singing inside my head." He shook his head in disbelief, "I just got a shock that's all and Kimi and Rocky, they reacted to that, unfortunately." He concentrated and the two firelizards reappeared, clucking and whistling apologetically and keeping as much distance between them and Lioth as they could.

Lioth gave a small, positive rumble and the two firelizards seemed to relax. They both landed on Sebell's shoulders and nuzzled him,

"I'm alright, you sillies." He murmured, smiling. He looked up at N'ton, "Is Tristan alright?" he asked. To be honest he felt a little embarrassed by his reaction and; poor Tristan; being confronted by two angry firelizards on his first day on a strange planet could not be good for the nerves. N'ton shrugged his shoulders,

"I think D'rell has it under control." He explained, "Too many people interfering might makes things worse. He seems a bit flighty, this star man of his." Sebell smiled at the words, making a mental note to tell his wife, who, he was sure, was already composing a song about the visitor from another world.

N'ton noted the slightly distant look on Sebell's face. He'd seen it many times before and he chuckled to himself and shook his head, Harpers. He walked through into D'rell's spacious living quarters, brushing his hand across his dragon's eye ridge as he did,

~Tristan was shocked by The Master Harper's reaction, but we have told him he is safe. Lioth told him, causing N'ton to stop in his tracks, surprised beyond measure that his dragon would name the man he had only just met, and that he would use a collective term,

~We? He asked, curious,

~We. Lioth confirmed, ~Areth, myself and D'rell. I think Cerith too and Jenth.

~But he hasn't even met Cerith and Jenth. Shells, Lioth, you've only just met him. You have trouble naming my Wing leaders that you've known for Turns. What is it about him, that you name him and protect him so readily?

~He was very polite, and he has a nice voice. N'ton laughed at Lioth's obstinate tone as he sat himself at the small table in D'rell's living room.

Sebell had followed and gave him a knowing glance, having spent enough time with Dragonriders to know when spontaneous laughter usually meant a draconic conversation,

"Did Lioth say something funny?" he asked, sitting on the sofa opposite the table,

"He said the same as you about Tristan's voice. That it was nice," he leaned forward to emphasise his next words, "He names him." Sebell's eyes widened,

"Lioth never names anyone." Sebell said in surprise,

"I know, not even you and he's known you long enough." N'ton smiled, a wry smile, "He calls you The Harper."

"Oh, thanks." Sebell sighed sarcastically, "At least I get a The." He chuckled,

~The Weyrleader and The Weyrwoman come Lioth announced, ~I will move for Mnementh. N'ton sat up straight,

"F'lar and Lessa are on their way." N'ton told Sebell who immediately stood and walked back towards the weyr's cave. The two men exchanged glances,

~Lioth, is Lessa in a good mood? N'ton asked, always wary of the Benden Weyrwoman's sharp tongue,

~Mnementh says she is excited. N'ton groaned, that could cover a multitude of evils where Lessa was concerned. He hoped she wasn't excited in a negative way. She could sometimes be difficult and highly strung, both emotions Tristan could probably do without right now,

"Lessa?" Sebell asked, conveying in the one word all that he wanted to ask. N'ton shrugged and the two went to the curtained entrance to await the arrival of Mnementh and his passengers.

Tristan sat on D'rell's bed burying his face in his hands. How could he have been so stupid? Sure these people communicate telepathically with their dragons and sure they have some abilities akin to his own but that had made him complacent and he had let down his guard. The reaction of Sebell to his mental intrusion brought him back to reality with a slap. This place had the potential to be just like anywhere else he had ever lived. They would inevitably fear and hate him for his abilities, because it was simply human nature to fear what they did not understand.

He ran the real risk of being ostracised and isolated and only accepted when his abilities were useful. Regardless of the fact that the people he had met so far had appeared to accept him and the dragons were quite unique and surprisingly supportive and caring. There was one fact about him that would almost certainly change their attitude towards him. Once they all knew everything about him, he knew it would only be a matter of time before the fear and the hate would surface.

His shoulders shook as he sobbed, softly into his hands. He wouldn't usually be so fragile but his body had been through hell. He'd been in Cryogenic sleep for far longer than anybody would usually be expected to be. His body was going to take some time to recover and his emotions and thoughts were in turmoil right now. The memories of the last few minutes before going into Cryo were still very clear and raw, saying good bye to Cerise and everything that they had shared had been painful and traumatic.

He'd come out of Cryo and emerged from the pod on the side of a mountain in the middle of a snow storm and he had been quite literally terrified out of his mind.

For a person who had spent most of his life in controlled environments on ships and inside the massive protective weather domes of the planets he had visited; to be suddenly thrust into the outside world and caught in weather he had never physically encountered had been, for him, the closest thing to hell he had ever experienced.

Then he had been saved, saved first from madness by a voice: a calm, feminine voice that had soothed him and comforted and explained that he was safe; and then by an act; an act that had blown him away both in its incredibleness and its familiarity. He had been teleported from that mountainside and he had suddenly found himself astride that incredible creature and being held by that incredible man and everything seemed to be a bit of a dream.

Things had played out as if he was in some kind of Cryo induced fantasy. Here was someone who could communicate like him, telepathically, and didn't actually freak out from hearing his voice in his head; and an amazing creature that could do the same. Both D'rell and Areth had accepted, with a calm kind of curiosity, that he could hear them and speak to them this way. A reaction he had never encountered, in his entire life living amongst humans. Had he finally found a place where he could fit in? Everything had seemed to be pointing towards that conclusion until he had met Sebell and everything had been turned upside down by one little slip.

He felt a tight knot of panic rising in his stomach. If he wasn't accepted here, what would he do? He couldn't move on, like he always did; find another job, and attempt to start again. There weren't the safeguards here that he was used to everywhere else. He had no idea if he was even safe. He was stranded here. From what he had seen so far of the technology on this planet he was fairly sure they did not have any kind of space travel capabilities. What was going to happen to him now? If he wasn't accepted here, where would he go? What would he do?

~Tristan, you are safe here, don't worry, Sebell is not angry; he is concerned that he has frightened you. Areth told him softly, and behind her voice, joined with hers he heard others talking, saying the same words, conveying the same feelings of reassurance. One he recognised, the others he did not. And then there was D'rell's voice,

~Tristan, are you alright? Tristan sat up straight. What was going on here? His shock at hearing D'rell's voice without the physical contact to make the connection was beyond surprising for him. How was that possible? D'rell was human, was he not? And humans could not form a telepathic link without physical contact, could they?

Tristan shook his head. Of course they could. They were just not open to it elsewhere, but here it happened everyday with their dragons. This planet was getting more interesting by the minute.

D'rell entered the room and Tristan could see he was angry, but not at him. He felt that immediately. The anger was directed at the two firelizards and a little at Sebell, although that was mingled with a small amount of guilt since Sebell was an important person and D'rell was just a Green rider.

Not just a Green rider, Tristan thought to himself as he regarded D'rell with a mixture of fear and amazement. Fear at what his actual reaction was going to be, because humans constantly thought one thing and said another, but also amazement that he could feel so much from the man after knowing him less than a day. With Cerise it had taken weeks for her to accept a bond with him, and even then it had always been with fear and a little reluctance, and also always when in physical contact.

Tristan felt a spark of regret and sadness at the loss of his friend, and found himself wondering where she was and even if she had survived at all. He supposed he would never find out now. He was jarred from his deep, sad thoughts as D'rell joined him on the edge of the bed.

Tristan's hand went immediately to his wrist where he still wore his psych stone. The device he had so adamantly argued he needed with him. Its unique ability to dampen telepathic noise would no doubt be very valuable here. He touched it gently to activate it as D'rell sat down beside him. He did not want to freak this man out too, even though he had already been subject to Tristan's telepathy.

D'rell sat down beside the shaking man and laid a hand on his shoulder. He immediately withdrew it, not wanting to alarm Tristan or to have his own emotions confused with that of Tristan's. However he did not experience the rush of emotions this time and he could only surmise that the man had more control over them and his abilities now he was a little better recovered from Cryo,

"Are you alright, Tristan?" he asked out loud, unaware that Tristan had already heard him ask that question telepathically. Tristan regarded him through blurred, teary and tired eyes,

"Did I just mess up big style, D'rell?" he asked, his voice fragile and weary,

"Mess up, how?" D'rell asked, hoping that he sounded reassuring and calm,

"Is Sebell okay?" Tristan asked, "Is he angry with me?" D'rell felt shock at Tristan's question,

"Why would he be angry with you?" He frowned slightly, cocking his head to one side, "You gave him a shock that's all. He's not used to that kind of contact. He's more worried about you and he's angry that his firelizard should react so extremely. I think emotions are high today. He apologises for them scaring you." Tristan's green eyes widened and D'rell frowned, "You act as if you aren't accustomed to apologies." He observed in surprise,

"I ain't accustomed to being accepted full stop, D'rell. Forgive me if I let my guard down, but I got a little ahead of myself when I realised that here might be a little different."

"Different how?" D'rell asked curious. He wanted to know everything about this strange young man who had exploded into his life. Tristan sighed heavily,

"No one ever apologises when they're kickin' you out on your ass for bein' a freak, or forcin' you to use your abilities for their own good and against your will." He gasped and D'rell could see he was fighting back tears, "Everywhere I ever been I've been shunned and feared because of who I am and what I can do."

"Well not here." D'rell said firmly, causing Tristan to catch his breath as the words were emphasised with a distant bugle from Areth and a few others. He regarded D'rell with wide green eyes again and D'rell shrugged, "I think news of your presence might be spreading." He said laughing,

~We want him to feel welcome. Areth told her rider and D'rell regarded Tristan with a knowing smile,

"See." He said, "If the dragons accept you then everyone else will gladly welcome you."

"The Dragons accept me?" Tristan asked, incredulous. D'rell gave him an enquiring look,

"You didn't hear Areth?" he asked, frowning. Tristan shook his head and held up a strange looking device strapped to his wrist that D'rell had noticed before but he hadn't been able to ask about it,

"This is called a psych stone. It creates a telepathic dampening field that blocks out all telepathic noise." Tristan explained, "Unless I concentrate very hard I can't hear a thing telepathically." He sighed as if with relief, "Sometimes it is the only thing that keeps me sane when there is no generated field planet side. The telepathic noise can sometimes be too much for me." D'rell reached out to touch it gingerly, his blue eyes wide with interest. His fingers traced the intricate carvings on the leather strap then he gently touched the translucent, purplish stone that was set deep into the strap.

Tristan gasped as the touch of D'rell's finger to the stone opened a link between them. D'rell also gasped as he felt the rush of emotion and thoughts from Tristan although they were not as raw as they had been the night before. He withdrew his hand and regarded Tristan with raised eyebrows,

"You are a very interesting man, Tristan." He told his unexpected guest, "I am very glad Areth and I found you when we did."

"Not half as glad as I was." Tristan smiled, "That mountainside was pretty damn scary, D'rell." Tristan looked down at his feet, "I-is Sebell really alright?" he asked softly. D'rell nodded,

"He sent his apology via Lioth, but I think he would much rather apologise to you in person if you want to come back into the living room." D'rell told him, "You should know, that whatever the reaction to your abilities has been in the past, Tristan, here, they are accepted." He stood, turning and offering a hand to Tristan to help him to his feet.

Tristan stared at the hand and then at D'rell, his green eyes wide and his eyebrows raised. D'rell smiled in embarrassment, his dimples deepening and withdrew his hand, blushing slightly,

"I think we may have more visitors," he said, clearing his throat and looking towards the curtained doorway of his room, as much in embarrassment as to avoid Tristan's shining green eyes,

"Oh, who?" Tristan asked,

"My Weyrleaders, F'lar and Lessa." D'rell explained, trying to get over the fact that his weyr was filled with so many important people. Tristan frowned,

"I thought N'ton was Weyrleader." He sounded confused and D'rell chuckled. This was going to be a monumental task, explaining his planet and its idiosyncrasies and politics to a complete stranger,

"N'ton is a Weyrleader, but in a different Weyr. We are in Benden Weyr, N'ton leads at Fort Weyr." D'rell regarded Tristan's anxious look, "Don't worry, everything will be explained to you and no one will think bad of you if you don't remember it all." He leaned towards Tristan in a conspiratorial stance, "Sometimes, I have trouble remembering who is who, and I've lived with it all my life." He chuckled softly as he made to go through the curtained doorway but Tristan caught his sleeve,

"D'rell." He said, still looking a little nervous and shuffling his feet,

"Tristan, you'll be fine." He assured, laying his hand on Tristan's arm,

~I am here too Areth told him and he regarded D'rell with widened eyes. D'rell realised with shock that he had opened a link by touching the man. He withdrew his hand. Tristan gave him a reassuring smile,

"I'll be fine if I can only hear you and her." He said, "At least you'll be able to stop me makin' any massive mistakes."

The corners of D'rell's mouth twitched into a smile and he nodded,

"Let's go meet your audience." He said and Tristan rolled his eyes comically as they walked through the curtain laughing.

This was how they appeared as they walked into the living room: two men smiling and laughing together.

Sebell and N'ton had made themselves at home on D'rell's sofa and they were joined by a man and a woman who exchanged wide eyed glances with each other as D'rell and Tristan entered the room.

Sebell immediately jumped up and offered his apologies for the behaviour of his and his wife's firelizards. Tristan accepted graciously,

"Where are they now?" he asked. Despite the shock of their confrontation, he wanted to see them again. They were fascinating little creatures,

"I've sent them back to the Harper Hall, Tristan." Sebell explained, "Perhaps once you are recovered enough you could visit and meet them when they are better behaved." Tristan smiled and nodded, although he didn't really want to think about leaving the relative safety of D'rell's weyr just yet.

D'rell regarded Tristan with a bright smile before he introduced him to the newcomers,

"Tristan, this is F'lar and Lessa, they are Weyrleader and Weyrwoman of Benden Weyr." Tristan smiled a warm, if a little awkward smile as F'lar stepped forward and nodded. His hand twitched as if he was going to offer it in a traditional greeting but he was stopping himself. Tristan stretched out his hand and F'lar took it,

"It's nice to finally meet you Tristan." He said, frowning slightly as if he was expecting something else. Tristan did not attempt to speak to him telepathically, not wishing a repeat of what had happened with Sebell,

~F'lar won't react as Sebell did, and Lessa will be even less surprised: she hears every dragon. She's a formidable woman, but her bark is worse than her bite. D'rell's soft voice filled Tristan's head as he sensed the man's hesitation and anxiety.

Tristan regarded him, wide eyed and D'rell returned the stare with a mixture of reassurance and also some mischievousness. Tristan's mouth twitched as he turned back to F'lar. Only D'rell noticed him surreptitiously touch his fingers to the psych stone to deactivate it. He reached out his hand and F'lar took it hesitantly,

~I'm very pleased to meet you too, F'lar. Tristan responded and F'lar smiled a surprised and incredulous smile. Tristan returned the smile and then turned his attention to the dark haired diminutive and distinguished woman standing by the tall Weyrleader's side.

She regarded him with steely, piercing grey eyes and Tristan couldn't help feeling a little intimidated. This was not helped by the fact that, because he had turned off his psych stone he could now quite clearly feel D'rell's intimidation and even trepidation,

~Her bark is worse than her bite, her bark is worse than her bite, Tristan heard D'rell's voice chant inside his head, as if the young Green rider was reassuring himself. Tristan wanted to laugh. This man was head and shoulders taller than the woman, in fact every man here dwarfed her considerably, yet, they all deferred to her. She was one to watch and to get on the good side of.

Tristan was nothing if not charming. He reached out, took Lessa's hand gently in his and kissed it in such a chivalrous manner that she gasped. Her face lit up in with a wide smile as she flashed a wicked grin towards her tall partner,

~My Lady. Tristan spoke softly in her head and she chuckled,

"I think we're going to get along just fine, Tristan." She said, smiling and guiding him towards the table so that they could sit and talk.

Tristan flashed a quick glance at D'rell who had leaned back against his work bench. He was regarding him with a mixture of amusement and respect for winning over the difficult Weyrwoman so quickly,

~Smooth. D'rell's voice whispered in his head and Tristan's green eyes sparkled with mirth,

~I've barely started. Tristan shot back. D'rell felt his face heat up at the obvious flirt. It had been a long time since someone had flirted with him for a reason other than softening him up for an impending mating flight. Tristan was going to have to be watched very carefully,

~He likes you. Areth's voice sounded from nowhere. D'rell scowled,

~Be quiet, you, he hushed her, ~I can live without your little snippets of wisdom

~I was only saying,

~Well don't, and stay out of it. He doesn't need you to play match maker.

~No, he doesn't. He's doing alright on his own.

D'rell gave a startled look at the visitor, who was apparently hanging on Lessa's every word. His eyes flickered briefly in D'rell's direction though, indicating to the green rider that he had heard every word of his and Areth's exchange.

D'rell groaned. Tristan was definitely someone that was going to have to be watched very carefully.

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A/N Hopefully the next chapter won't be so long coming. Read and enjoy, review if you want.

DS