Kindness is Rarer

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 22nd January 2018

Characters: N'vanik, A'kades
Description: N'vanik decides on an applicant for the soon-to-be-open wingsecond position
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 9

N'vanik

A'kades was having breakfast when Volaith informed him that there was
a messenger looking for him. Volaith gave the dragon directions to the
Dining Cavern and a picture of his rider. The messenger in question
was a weyrling brownrider according to his knots, and based on how
young he looked, A'kades suspected he was either still in classes or
too young for the fighting wing.

He took the note and read it. It was from Weyrleader N'vanik, inviting
him to a meeting. He quickly wrote an affirmative response and then
handed it back to the brownrider. "Thank you for the prompt delivery,"
he said, and was given a bright smile of thanks before the boy
departed.

A'kades finished his meal and then headed back to his weyr to strap up
Volaith. They visualized Dolphin Cove at this time of day and
/betweened/ that way. He tucked his flight jacket under his arm and
quickly reported to the Weyrleader's office, knocking on the door.

N'vanik got up to answer the door, smiling in greeting. "A'kades,
hello. I hope my message didn't interrupt anything important."

"Not at all. The timezone difference meant it was breakfast and I
don't have anything to interrupt for a few candlemarks," the
bronzerider responded. "How fares Dolphin Cove? Is Loseth still proud
of this newest clutch?"

"Extremely proud. They're all healthy and Santhiath already has quite
a personality." N'vanik stepped aside and closed the door behind
A'kades. "Please, have a seat." He did his best to be outwardly
pleasant, but N'vanik still hated the reason for the meeting in the
first place. It wasn't A'kades's fault, though.

"That was how Anaeryth was to train. I'm sorry you lost her so shortly
after you got her. Still, I've heard Cyradis has done very well with
her, and I'm glad that their styles seem to have matched better,"
A'kades said as he sat. It vindicated what he'd thought about Rhosyn
being unfit as a teacher. He folded his hands and waited to see what
the Weyrleader had to say.

N'vanik sat on the other side of the desk. "This wasn't a decision I
wanted to rush into. I had a number of good candidates and wanted to
make sure I chose someone who would be the best fit for me and for
Hurricane. I spoke with K'ran to get his perspective. It sounded like
he didn't know you well, but he still had some good things to say
about you. Then I decided to do something a little different and talk
to one of your former weyrlings, get the opinion of someone who
reported to you."

There might be bronzeriders so assured of themselves that they would
find such questioning to be a sign of lack of confidence. But that
sounded like the kind of thorough interrogation of background and
skillset that A'kades himself would have done of a candidate for
leadership, if he ever became Weyrleader or Wingleader and had such
responsibilities. He mentally noted down that N'vanik seemed more
thorough than some reputations had indicated. **He has been at this
some time now,** he reminded himself.

"I'm pleased the former Weyrleader thought well of me. Depending on
which weyrlings you spoke to, did I come across as a good teacher or
as a martinet?" he wondered. He could think of many who would say the
latter, and fewer came to mind who might say the former.

"I talked to greenrider A'dryn. He was really enthusiastic about the
idea of you being my new Wingsecond." N'vanik smiled, thinking about
the young man's reaction. "He had a lot of good things to say about
your leadership and your support. It's important that my 'Second works
well with me. We don't have to have the exact same leadership styles,
it's actually good if they're a bit different so we can compliment
each other and serve different needs among the wingriders. But I need
someone with a good heart, who sees green and blueriders as people,
not just useful tools of the Weyr. A few Turns into this Pass,
competence in a bronzerider isn't too hard to find. Kindness is more
rare."

The conversation had taken a surprising turn, A'kades thought. He'd
expected N'vanik to say the weyrlings's input has reassured him of
A'kades' skills as a leader, or a trainer. After all, wasn't a
Wingsecond's job to take on leading the wing and drilling? But that
compassion was something N'vanik was valuing so highly was good to
know - and he was very touched to know A'dryn had vouched for him.

"I was hallbred and had to adjust to the blue- and greenriders here,"
he admitted, "but I've come to find they've consistently been some of
my favorite students, and people."

N'vanik nodded. "I'm Holdbred and I was such an asshole people were
always surprised I adjusted to those types so quickly." He leaned
slightly on the desk. "I'm also thinking of the future, what might
happen if I get hurt or Panitath chooses another bronze. I want to do
what I can to ensure Dolphin Cove is in good hands, so I want to bring
in bronzeriders I can trust to lead well. " He slid open a drawer and
took out Wingsecond's knots. "So that's why I chose you."

The drawer opened, and the knots became visible, and N'vanik spoke
the fateful words. Time seemed to slow as A'kades' eyes fell on the
Wingsecond knots and accepted that he was being offered this
opportunity. He'd held a pair once Turns ago at River Bluff before the
Threadfall accident, and he had been proud to take them then and serve
for men and women he'd known for Turns.

This was a new Weyr, full of people he didn't know - and of course,
people he did. Like V'rel. Like A'dryn. Others he knew and had trained
and flown with for Turns. He could feel the emotional weight of the
moment and to say he felt honored would be an understatement.

He reached out for the knots and looked straight at N'vanik. "I'm
humbled by your trust in me, Weyrleader, and I appreciate the
opportunity you're extending. I am excited for it."

N'vanik put aside his hurt at R'enh leaving him. He couldn't change
that, and given the circumstances, finding someone like A'kades was
the best outcome. N'vanik offered his arm. "I'm glad to have you.
Welcome to Dolphin Cove."

A'kades returned the clasp. "I'll endeavour to move as rapidly as
possible so I don't leave you waiting."

"And you seemed eager to move for personal reasons as well."

"Yes, I can't wait to tell V'rel. Everyone will probably know how
excited he is," he said with a small laugh.

"A'dryn will be thrilled as well," N'vanik said. "But I'll let you
tell your son first, so let me know once you do so I can announce it
to everyone else."

He quickly calculated the time difference in his head again. It was
classes time, wasn't it? And it would be dinner in a few candlemarks
which would just overlap with the beginning of afternoon at
Dragonsfall... "I can tell him...after dinner here tonight, and then
Volaith will tell you."

"Sounds good."

Last updated on the March 2nd 2018

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Kindness is Rarer