From Weyrling to Weyrling

Writers: Anika, Jelena
Date Posted: 8th January 2015

Characters: Ilyssia, Genna
Description: Ilyssia seeks out Genna's help with a class assignment.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 26 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: E'naer, Nokala

Ilyssia

Genna

Arriving at the dining cavern on the early side, Ilyssia found that
not many of the weyrlings had arrived yet, which frustrated her plans
some. Upon seeing the newest goldrider take her seat, she sighed in
relief and picked up her food before making her way to Genna's table.
Taking the seat next the the blond girl, Ilyssia smiled.

"Hi, I'm Ilyssia and I was hoping you might be able to help me out
with one of my assignments. We are supposed to interview a senior
weyrling."

"Oh! I loved that assignment!" Genna smiled instantly as she turned
slightly toward the other Weyrling. "Of course I'll help you."

Ilyssia smiled brightly at Genna's reaction. Like people in all walks
of life, she'd found the Weyr had it's mix. Some of the weyrlings
were very inviting and friendly while others were quite haughty and
condescending and most were somewhere in between.

"Great! Thanks, I really appreciate it. So, first of all were you
from Weyr, Hold, or Crafthall?"

"I'm from Amber Hills Hold," Genna replied easily, before stabbing her
fork through a tuber and nibbling on it for a few seconds. "Came here
after I was searched, visiting a hatching, and impressed standing at
the next one."

Listening as she nibbled on a piece of fruit, Ilyssia nodded then
swallowed before asking, "And what was the most challenging
transition from Hold to Weyr?"

"Hmm," Genna frowned slightly in thought, before answering. "You know,
I've been asked that a lot, but I'm still not sure I really have the
answer. Yes, it was a big change, but because I was fed up with the
way things were arranged back home, everything at the Weyr felt like a
breath of fresh air." She paused for a moment, thinking harder. "I
think, if I had to name something, I'd say I had the most trouble with
the things that were expected of me. I suddenly had more assignments
and physical chores on any one day than I´d been accustomed to get in
a sevenday."

Ilyssia nodded. She had been only too happy to make her narrow escape
from those Hold ways of which Genna spoke. "In the caravan I was used
to a number of chores and a hard day's work, but having homework and
studying on top of that is another thing altogether. I rather like
the mental challenge, though. Not something we girls get a chance at
outside of the Weyrs."

"Oh yes, it's much more challenging mentally," Genna agreed. "But as a
Master Crafter's daughter I've never been required to do much hard
work though, so it really was the physical part that challenged me
most." She smiled with satisfaction as she looked at her now muscular
arms resting on the table. "I quite like it now though, it's so much
easier to keep in shape!"

Ilyssia chuckled, never having worried about staying in shape, that
had just come naturally with the necessary tasks in the caravan.
"Let's see, what else am I supposed to ask. Oh, I know. What has
been the most difficult aspect of your Weyrling training?"

"I guess the way some people reacted to my impressing Lissath," Genna
said after only a moment of thought. "I think a lot of people would
have treated me differently if her hide had been green. That's still
difficult to deal with at times." She still felt as if she had to
second-guess everyone's motive when meeting someone new. It could be
so tiring.

With brow furrowed, Ilyssia tilted her head, "Huh. It isn't something
I'd given much thought to, but I guess I can see your point. That's
too bad, though, must leave you feeling a bit suspicious of people."
The girl took a drink of her klah as she mulled over Genna's words.
"So what's the best part of weyrlinghood for you, then? Outside of
your dragon of course, because that's a given."

"I think the support from the Weyrling staff and everyone else trying
to help me," Genna smiled. "I know now that whenever I encounter
difficulties, there are always people there to help me out, will try
to find a solution with me. It's good to have people you can rely on."
She hadn't mentioned her spelling difficulties to Ilyssia, still
feeling it was something too personal to share, but the way E'naer and

Nokala had responded to it and were now helping her with it gave her a
warm feeling inside.

"They really are wonderful, aren't they? I was so worried about being
new to the Weyr and not knowing enough. I was worried Gwynnyth would
suffer for what I lacked but the Weyrlingstaff really is great!"
Realizing she had best eat her food, she wrapped a piece of meat in
the soft bread and took a bite.

"Exactly," Genna smiled easily. "That's exactly what I mean. They
really help you every step of the way. Even if helping means letting
you figure out stuff on your own sometime, but still you know they're
going to be there to pick you up if you mess up."

"Do you worry about messing up?" Ilyssia asked, knowing that to be one
of her own fears.

"Only all the time," Genna laughed. "You get used to it in time. At
some point you realise most of the pressure you feel is there because
you took it upon yourself. That makes it easier. To some extent at
least." Sometimes she still felt like a total failure and sometimes
she still lay awake thinking about all the things she could mess up.

"There are some silly worries, believe me I hear enough of those in
the barracks," Ilyssia rolled her eyes at some of the silly
discussions that went on in the evenings. "But, I think some concerns
are legitimate. Not that it really helps to fret and you're right,
the weyrling staff is there to help us. I really do look forward to
being able to actually fly with Gwynnyth," the younger girl said
wistfully.

"Oh, you are right to look forward to it," Genna smiled. "It's the most
amazing feeling in the world. And you just wait until you get to
/between/!" She had only been /betweening/ for a short while and only this
sevenday had she been allowed to between on her own, but she was already
feeling the lure of the freedom it offered.

"Oh, it sounds marvelous!" Ilyssia looked down at her empty plate. "Thanks
for helping me with this assignment, Genna. It was really nice talking
with you. Do you have any advice you can think of before we wrap up?"

"Just enjoy yourself," Genna said with a smile. "Sometimes we all get so
caught up in reaching the next step in our training, that we forget to
enjoy the bits were are living now." It was something she was only just
beginning to realise for herself. "And it was nice talking to you too. I
hope I'll see you soon and if there's anything else I can help you with, be
sure to let me know."

Genna's words made good sense and brought a smile to Ilyssia's lips. "I
will."

Last updated on the January 27th 2015

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