silveradept | (Reply)

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Lessa's telepathy is something I wondered about a lot before I started writing. (And I might be in the middle of a project whose handling of it you'd like. But not sure if you really would, or if it'll work.) Particularly whether it was well-known. She doesn't exactly tell people about it, but F'lar guesses easily, but no other Weyrleader or Lord Holder ever suspects her of it that we know of, but then maybe she's just that good? But then again, F'lar, the only one we know of who guesses about Lessa's ability, is also one of few people who believe in Thread, etc., and... okay, this is kind of fanwanky! But this is a scene from a Pern fanfic I'm working on that's just hit the cutting-room floor, so to speak (the scene, not the whole fic):

“…in every tradition handed down to us, no matter if it be a Teaching Ballad or an overlooked superstition,” F’lar was saying.

“What, you mean you even believe in stories like Lord Holders putting thoughts in people’s heads and little dragons that fit on a man’s shoulder?” the same brownrider from before said, his voice dripping with scorn.

(You can tell it's pre-Dragonquest, can't you?)

But, I mean, F'lar is a conspiracy theorist! He is! He believes in a menace everyone else laughs at, holds to all these outdated traditions because they're totally all part of their ancestors' grand plan to save them from this selfsame ancient menace that no one's seen in centuries, etc. So I'd like information about whether anyone other than F'lar believes in telepathy before I conclude that anyone other than F'lar thinks Lessa can manipulate people that way.

I'm not sure what you mean about Ranie not having as much difficulty. Could you clarify that?

I have just remembered that you don't want spoilers, so no more Moreta discussion for you. (Sorry.) I look forward to reading what you have to say about the book as you get through it, though! :)