We'll Manage

Writers: Clancey, Heather, Paula
Date Posted: 4th March 2015

Characters: J'darin, D'kere, E'naer
Description: J'darin has some news for his staff.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 17 of Turn 7

J'darin

He was making some notes on a few hides when the time came for E'naer
and D'kere to join him for a chat, wondering as he wrote what they
would make of his decision. He expected they would not be _too_
surprised, and that, as always, they would respond with excellence.

He would miss them, though he had not gotten to know D'kere
exceedingly well during their months of serving. He still recognized
quality when he saw it, and the man was quality. He didn't know if
t hey would become friends, but no matter what, he knew he was leaving
the young class coming up in very good hands. He would miss E'naer
quite alot, even though they were not ... friends. But E'naer had
been such an easy, constant presence since he'd returned to
Dragonsfall, he knew he would miss his Third more than he might admit
to his face.

His quill dropped idly to his messy desk - some things did not change
- as he relaxed into deep thought, waiting for his Wingleaders to
arrive.

E'naer knocked the door before entering. "You asked for us?" his
question was rethoric.

J'darin waved E'naer on in with a smile, inviting his 'Third to sit.
"We'll start as soon as D'kere arrives."

Not long after E'naer had entered the room D'kere showed up, rolling
his eyes in apology, "Got caught up with E'zar." The junior Weyrling
was one of the twins in the younger Weyrling group that they were
teaching. E'zar also happened to be extremely cocky and arrogant and
that had caught up with him when his Weyrling chore partner had
slapped him across the face, which had then spurred a yelling match at
the top of their lungs.

The Weyrligmaster's Second took a seat and nodded to the other man in
the room, "E'naer."

J'darin chuckled dryly. Those twins were _this_ groups trouble the
same way Ninaine had been for the older group. "There is always one
or two, hmm?" His own eyes sparkled in understanding, now knowing for
sure he was making the right choice.

"I called you both here to discuss some changes.... " He paused,
considering how to present his wishes. It would be easiest to be
straightforward and honest, he supposed. "I am very pleased with the
way this younger group is progressing, in spite of the twins. You
are both to be commended. " While he had been helping with this
group too, he had spent more time with the Senior Weyrlings as of
late. He went on with the main purpose, though he was smiling.
It was wonderful to have a full staff after so long without, and
D'kere had been a fabulous addition to the team.

"There are several reasons I could list, and I would be happy to share
if you are interested, but I would like you both to be the first to
know that I wish to step down as Weyrlingmaster when the Senior
Weyrlings graduate. I haven't spoken to G'nir yet; I wanted to speak
with both of you first." He stopped talking then, allowing time for
reactions or questions.

E'naer didn't say anything for a while, just studying J'darin's face.
"Oh great, I've outlasted one more Weyrlingmaster," he muttered. That
he said it out aloud was indication how upset he was. He liked J'darin
and they had worked together long enough to know each other's
strenghts and weakness. They didn't even had to talk to get things
done. Nod from J'darin was enough the send the greenrider to deal with
the matter in hand. This also ment more work and
responsibilities...and he had just gotten used to the more free time
D'kere's addition to the staff had given him. E'naer glanced D'kere.
He didn't know the younger bronzerider that well yet. They would be
working together more closely from now on. Not that he had any
complains about the way he had done his job so far, D'kere seemed to
be capable.

D'kere was shocked, mostly because he knew how deeply J'darin cared
for the Weyrlings. Still, the Weyrlingmaster was busy _all_ the time
and he imagined that it had to be taking a toll on J'darin and on his
personal life. They had not been working together all that long, but
already D'kere worried about what kind of person they would get to
replace J'darin. J'darin was easy to work with, and not all
dragonriders were that way.

"Why, sir?" He asked, even as the realization came to him that as the
Weyrlingmaster's Second the responsibility of the Weyrlings would be
on his shoulders once J'darin retired while they waited for a new
Weyrlingmaster to come along.

A part of him was surprised and thankful that it appeared they would
both miss him. The first words out of his mouth were, "I'm sorry...."
He looked for the words to explain and finally said, "I just need.....
to spend some time not bleeding every time one of them cuts their
fingers. A good Weyrlingmaster can step a little away from the
emotions, and the responsibility of their every mistake. But I
haven't been able to do that for a long time, as my weyrmate has
pointed out to me a few times." He smiled faintly. "Not that that is
bad, but I need a break. I need to ... spend some time making my
weyrmate happy and taking care of my family." The smile widened.
"And fighting Thread."

His gaze narrowed to focus on E'naer. "I am most sorry to you E'naer.
You have been amazing.... and we work very well together. I don't
know if I've ever told you how much I appreciated you, E'naer. " The
smile had faded and sadness was creeping into this eyes and his voice.
And D'kere... you fit in like you've always been here. I am very
thankful for you. You are making it possible for me to consider
retiring." He sighed softly. "The truth is, I'm not irreplaceable,
though, and I know G'nir will find someone as good or better than me
for training our most precious resource."

It was far harder than he expected. It felt like he was cutting off
his arm or some other very integral part of himself. Was it wrong to
leave them just when they were back to full strength and with a new
class coming up?

Was he being too selfish? He felt like he was, right at that moment,
looking into their faces.

"Thank you, sir," E'naer bowed his head at the compliment. "We
certainly don't want you to burn youself out, so if you must, then you
must. It is not a decision made lightly." While E'naer also got
attached to the weyrlings he taught, he was also able to distance
himself from them too. Perhaps the dragonhealer's training helped. You
either got used to deal with losing a patient..or found another
craft. Same applied to the Weyrlings.

D'kere nodded as he listened to J'darin speak. What the Weyrlingmaster
said seemed reasonable to him, and it was true, if you got too
emotionally attached it was a job that would tear you apart. "I will
assume your weyrmate is quite happy?" He smiled to lighten the somber
mood between E'naer and J'darin.

"Mine won't be," E'naer muttered quietly.

"She is. " He nodded in thanks for the question. A faint smile as he
recalled her reaction when he'd told her. Quite the day.

"I feel quite like I am abandoning you both, but I am not
irreplaceable. I know G'nir will find an excellent replacement.
In the meantime, I can help out if you need. The important thing is
to make the change so we can all begin to adapt and change." He
sighed softly.

"I know I'm asking alot of you both. And your own personal lives.
If I keep waiting, though, I will keep on waiting...." He looked
thoughtful. "While she turned out beautifully, its possible a
different Weyrlingmaster would have handled Ninaine better... and not
gotten scratched in the process." He grinned a little, in a
self-depreciating way.

"I must do this, though, or I fear it will tear me apart."

D'kere shook his head, "No job, or position is worth that kind of
feeling, sir. Life is short enough for a dragonrider in the Pass as it
is, there's no point in living these days miserable." He'd only been
serving in the capacity of Weyrlingmaster's Second for a few months
but he had not yet experienced the kind of emotional stress and strain
that J'darin was clearly under. He hoped he never did.

"You are right, D'kere." He looked away for a moment. "I wish I
was ... better able.... but you are both fully capable and G'nir will
be highly motivated to find a replacement. I will at least help with
that..."He smiled. His relationship with G'nir was ...interesting....
and he thought he could find a way to "encourage" him. "Thank you for
your understanding."

"Anytime, J'darin," E'naer smiled faintly. "We will sorely miss you
before G'nir founds new Weyrling master, but D'kere and I will
manage," he gave the other bronzerider a glance. "We have some good
staff even if some of them are very young.We could delegade more
routine works for them," he suggested.

"Agreed, E'naer. And, though we might want to confirm with her, and
possibly check with G'nir, but Talwynn, Riveth's rider, may be an
excellent, permanent addition to the staff. She did an excellent
job teaching during the night drills, and I know her knowledge would
be useful. Plus, she's ... tenacious... and feisty...but has come
face to face with Thread. These are all things the weyrlings could
learn. I will continue to help, too, if needed." He paused,
glancing between them.

"I will miss you both very much. I hope we can.... be friends." he
said it awkwardly, and with not a little trepidation. Maybe more
friends is another change he could make.

"I would be honoured to call you a friend, sir," E'naer replied. "Of
course, it might give Eillie some ideas, she's already fond of
Hasaarth," he couldn't resist a bit of teasing.

J'darin laughed and what might have been a faint blush of
embarrassment crept along his cheeks. He was never good when
Hasaarth caught greens ridden by males, though he was without fail,
courteous. It would be awkward to say the least if he woke up with
E'naer at some far off Flight. "I would myself be honored. After
all, someone needs to help you keep an eye on that weyrmate of yours."

"Aye," E'naer grinned. Just because he and G'wen were doing
wonderfully just now, didn't mean there would be some dramatics in the
future.

Last updated on the March 17th 2015

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