C’len Rider of Brown Hureth, No Weyr Until his early teens, Cullen’s world was the kitchen. Born to kitchen helpers Lenna and Cullo at Who Knows Weyr, he was scraping pots, washing dishes and rolling dough by the time he learned to walk. For this child, this was enough. He was raised with the knowledge of the little-known importance of food preparation to a Weyr. Sure dragonriders protected Pern from Thread during a Pass, but they’d be nothing without sustenance.     As he grew up, Cullen’s pride and belief in his family’s essential duty solidified into something nearing a superiority complex, although he was never the type to espouse his views. He mostly kept to himself, making friends with people within the kitchens in lieu of the dozens of children his age at Who Knows who lived in the Weyr at large. Move to No Weyr When he was about nine turns old, his parents agreed to help No Weyr recover from a deadly plague. But while the family uprooted and went to the new island, the move had little effect on young Cullen. He just went back to his old routine in a new setting — making friends with a few people in the kitchens, some of the Living Caverns staff, and few others. Because No had such a small population of people his age (most people were much younger or older, because of the plague), it was easy for Cullen not to seek out acquaintances.     And so it remained until his early teens, when a pair of foster siblings from a small farmhold near Igen arrived at the Weyr. One of them, Felea, quickly got a job in the kitchens and Cullen struck up a quick friendship with her. Her sister, Kirysta, also became his friend and the young man began to realize there was life in the Weyr outside of the small world of the kitchens.     Shortly after turning 14, Cullen began talking to Marla, No’s headwoman, and even No Weyrwoman Alina about his future. A suggestion that he consider a Stewardship was met with some contemplation — Cullen had always been adept at record-keeping in the stores and he liked hard work. He gave it much thought. Searched Before he had made any sort of decision on the matter, however, life shoved Cullen down a different path. While at the beach swimming, Xandra’s green Juleth swam near him and, to his surprise, decided he’d make a good candidate for Kylenth’s next clutch. While he had known some boys and girls in the kitchens Searched, he never in a thousand turns even considered it happening to himself. But while just a turn beforehand he would have been upset to be pulled from the kitchen, Cullen decided this would be a good thing — a change that, if nothing else, would give him new focus in his life. Whether or not he Impressed, he vowed to reevaluate his life.     Felea, Kirysta and Cullen were all Searched, along with Felea and Kirysta’s older sister Danira. Danira had arrived at the Weyr and made the pair’s life miserable, but as time passed she became nicer and it was harder for Cullen to take sides in their family disputes. He finally decided to make peace and has been generally friendly to all three, to the consternation of Felea and Kirysta at times.     Less than a month before the eggs were due to hatch, Cullen managed to Impress a brown firelizard hatchling, which he named Comrade as a symbol of how important he’s finding friends to be in his life. Impression On a relatively cold day in late autumn (for No, anyway), dragons began to hum as Kylenth’s eggs began to rock. One by one the 15 eggs hatched, and Cullen was pleased to see not one or two, but all three of Danira, Felea and Kirysta Impressed dragons. And then mahogany brown Hureth looked into Cullen’s eyes and his life changed again.     His name now slightly shortened to C’len by his lifemate (said with a hard “C” with a slight accent on the second syllable — Kuh-lén), C’len began caring for his young lifemate and is even now still realizing the true impact Impression will make on his life.     As time passed as a weyrling, C'len realized that since dragons fly in mating flights, eventually this will be an issue, especially since two of his best friends rode green dragons. An added complication was their sister Danira, who as a holdbred girl was uncomfortable with the whole idea.     Imagine his surprise, then, when he slowly realized (with some prompting) that he really liked (you know, liked) Felea, one of his best friends. After a number of shy encounters he finally asked her to go with him to a gather at Forsaken Hold and the two revealed their crushes, comfortable enough with each other just enough to have a good time. During the aforementioned gather, C'len Impressed another firelizard, a large bronze he decided to name Leviathan.    More adolescent worries surfaced as the weyrlings approached graduation (as seen in below logs). Days after graduating, C'len made his feelings toward Felea much more clear. And finally, after a few near-wins in dragon flights, Felea's green Alsyth rose to mate and, as if it were planned, Hureth caught. All that settled, the pair decided to be weyrmates like they should have long ago. Hureth A presence, confident and unhesitant, touches your mind, then begins deepening. Hureth, the dark brown dragonet before you, is absolutely certain that only you, of all those on the sands, is perfect for him, and his confidence and love are undeniable. His mindvoice is oddly deep as he finally uses words. << C’len, you are the only one here worthy of me. We are together now. >>         Bleary Chaos Egg: A chaotic mass of mutating colors jumble over the largish egg, patches of hues in dizzying disarray. The shades are all odd, reminiscent of a many-colored child’s pastel quilt seen though morning-bleary eyes, the already pale pinks, blues, greens, and yellows muted even further.         Hatching description: Like the wood of the walnut tree polished to a fine sheen, this large dragonet’s satiny hide is a deep shade of brown. The coloration is somewhat uneven; in some places streaked with slightly lighter shades, and others somewhat darker. As a whole, however, the markings blend in together for a harmonious overall appearance. His clear wings are the same shade as his predominant coloring, though they show no signs of streaks or ripples, and his eyes whirl brightly against the darkness of the rest of him.         As solid as the wood which is his colorsake, Hureth is a calm and infinitely secure dragon. He is as sure of his rider as he is of himself, that is to say, completely. Any insecurity on your part will be met with something not quite scornful, but with a definite sense of “how could I have hatched if you were not the best person ever?”. Hureth never crosses the line of vanity or egotism, he is simply absolutely confident in his abilities and yours. As with all truly confident beings, he sees no reason to make fun of or demean any other, and his streak of humor will rarely include insults, though he may find the antics of the more hyper dragons amusing. He will also never have the need to prove himself by doing foolhardy heroics, nor to show off. On the other hand, false modesty is unknown to him, and he will be very honest in what he can accomplish. He may well make a good search dragon. Logs: Pilot and TV Movie The Great Defender - A secret from Felea's and Kirysta's past returns. Cullen tries to help his friends. [Previously hosted at Kirysta's pages] The Hatching, or When Cullen Met Hureth - Ten candidates get some startling news. Cullen decides to change his name. [File is 69k. Previously hosted at the FW site] First Season The Pillow Flight, er, Fight - Felea, C'len and Kirysta fight pillow with pillow, with a dragon's claw joining in. Post-Pillow Passion? - C'len finally reveals his true feelings for Felea ... to Kirysta. C'len makes a promise. Taking Flight (Well, Sort of) - Hureth flies, or glides at least, for the very first time. The Setup - C'len helps out Kirysta by making a deal with J'saac. Up in the Air, Together - Hureth, Nimueth, Roshanth and Wistath all carry their riders in the air for the first time. (Suspend disbelief — they took turns, really they did.) Kirysta has some good news. More Mating Worries - Danira and C'len try to talk about the touchy subject of mating flights. A First Shared Adolescent Moment (tm) - Alsyth finally carries Felea in the air, while C'len decides it's time to ask the greenrider a question. Gather All Ye Pernfolk - The weyrlings fly to Forsaken Hold for the gather. Felea and C'len share bubbly pies, Impress firelizards and hold hands a lot. [Caution: file is 106k.] Tension Among the Brownriders - Danira lets C'len know what she thinks of his gather activities. J'saac gets a surprise. Between Here and Eternity - C'len learns about a handy transportation alternative from Justine. The Young and the Restless - Kirysta considers playing matchmaker for Kava. Danira finally relents and agrees with C'len on a point. A Very Special Forgotten Weyrs - Friends rally to the support of a brownrider who has lost confidence in himself. Flight Fright - As Alina explains about mating flights, C'len is unsure if he can help Felea understand. Prelude to the Question - On the eve of an event that will throw their lives in turmoil, C'len and Felea discuss home decor. Sweeps Indecent Proposal? - Worried by Alina's lecture, Kirysta goes to C'len with a very touchy question. [Hosted with Kirysta's pages] No Help from the Lady Bluerider - C'len and Kirysta try to talk but are distracted by an encounter with Miranda. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Falling Out of the Favor - Later that day the two still can't talk. Danira asks but isn't told. The Secret Revealed - Kirysta admits to her proposal, upsetting Felea. C'len gives his answer. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Reeling from the Revelation - A bluerider interrupts C'len's revelation. But will Miranda's intrusiveness actually bring C'len and Felea closer together? Danira Weighs In - Danira's reaction to the situation surprises both C'len and Kirysta. A New Hope - C'len finally talks with Felea and they agree on something important. Breaking the Colb - C'len tries to understand what cold-addled Miranda and Kirysta are saying. Touchy Subjects - C'len brings up a sad subject for the Weyrwoman, and Hureth continues to flirt. The Graduate - Al'rion has a word for C'len, and it isn't "plastics." Season Two The Power of a Compliment - Hureth meets Desiath and finds his forwardness may be a bit much at times. The Kiss - Felea and Kirysta have finally made peace. C'len decides to give Felea something important. A Dying Bluerider - Miranda is sure she's not long for this world. C'len and Felea's happiness is a little hard to handle. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Visiting the Sick - Miranda is still on her deathbed. C'len doesn't appear to want to share his pastries. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Unfulfilled Promises - Kirysta gives C'len some more advice, and C'len finally returns the favor. A Day in the Life - Danira and Felea get a new job from the Weyrleader. Creature Uncomforts - Something stirs on the beach. Something alive. Sweeps Proddy - Kirysta is in quite a mood, and C'len can't quite figure out what to do. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Proddier - Kirysta's behavior is more erratic, but more easily explained. C'len departs on a trip. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Accidental Tourist - Despite being away from the Weyr, C'len's mind is on mating flights. He decides to make a quick stop at home. Wistath Rises - Kirysta's green lifemate rises to mate. C'len returns early from his trip. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Back to Normal? - The flight is over, but things appear to be okay between Kirysta and C'len. Tender Lower Lip - C'len discovers a wound left over from Wistath's flight. Kirysta solicits jewelry tips. He Don't Bring Me Flowers - Kirysta's new friend from Who Knows bears gifts, and Felea notices C'len lacks any presents at all. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Tisith Rises - K'rien's dragon decides she's ready to meet a nice, male dragon. Flower Power - C'len and another brownrider go shopping. Lonely Hearts (Club) Band - C'len tries to give J'saac advice on Kirysta. Felea receives a gift from C'len. Season Two, Cont. And the Band Played On - The gift from C'len seems to have worked well with Felea. Kirysta uncovers the secret of the headband, and then Danira finds out she knows. Mutual Attractions - K'rien and C'len talk flights and relationships. Hureth is nearly out-flirted by Tisith. Breakfast at Marla's - C'len meets Danira on the beach and they have breakfast. Sleepless Nights - C'len and Al'rion have a chat about star-crossed romance and waking up in the morning. The Breakfast Club - A clearly happy Danira and K'rien invite C'len over for a morning meal. Kiss and Don't Tell - On the beach, another advice session turns a little uncomfortable for Kirysta. Dragon Drums and Waterfalls - Kirysta considers a music career and Danira shows off her favorite romantic getaway. Twin Tunnelsnakes - A very pregnant Miranda is ready to explode. C'len helps Felea, Kirysta and a healer with the mess. [Hosted at Kirysta's pages.] Sisterly Love - C'len takes issue with Danira over her dealings with her siblings. Ill Communication? - At Who Knows, C'len relays some important information to a bronzerider. Three Little Words - C'len tells Felea something he's mistakenly kept inside for too long. Sweeps Peribeth Rises - While visiting Who Knows Weyr, C'len entertains some possiblity of career advancement. Alsyth Rises - There's something about Felea, and her dragon. The whole series has built to this point. Bedside Manor - The morning after, C'len and Felea consider their living situation. Why Not Smile? - C'len emerges from the experience of the flight with only one scratch. Night and Day - C'len and Felea meet for breakfast, although they're barely in the same time zone. All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright Anne McCaffrey 1967, 2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author.    The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited.    Cullen’s look inspired in part by and homage to the character of James Cullen/Kid Quantum, who appeared in the Volume 4 era as well as the post-1994 continuity of the Legion of Super-Heroes. As you will eventually see or not see if I ever draw him, C’len sports a vague resemblance to the young Marvin Gaye (in looks only — C'len's voice is much less refined).     Hureth’s initial description, egg description and personality by Alina of No Weyr. Log files posted with permission of major players if in private areas, whenever possible. Page last updated March 16, 2000. To Steve's home page