Like Pulling Teeth

Writers: Francesca, Yvonne
Date Posted: 10th May 2024

Characters: J'nic, Ketlyn
Description: J'nic interviews Ketlyn
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 9, day 17 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: K'lvin (not by name), Videryn

J'nic

Ketlyn waited patiently outside of J'nic's office. Another meeting with the Weyrlingstaff, just like the ones she'd had in the past. On the face of it, these meetings were always about why she wanted to be a dragonrider, why she'd accepted the Search-- but it felt more like a grilling on why she hadn't Impressed yet. What was wrong with her.

She looked down at her jiggling knee and put a hand on it to stop the movement. They weren't going to ask her to stop Standing. **Except maybe this time they might...**

The door opened and Ketlyn jumped, then jumped to her feet. "Sir."

J'nic gave a warm smile. "Hello, Ketlyn. It's good to see you. Come on in." A moment later, they were seated, his clipboard and pencil on the table in front of him. "Thanks for meeting with me. So, you're an apprentice Smith? Is that why you transferred here?" When the call for Candidates came, Candidates with a craft were especially needed at the Weyrhold to help with construction.

She nodded. "And also because they wanted Candidates."

"How do you like it here? Is it very different from Dolphin Cove Weyr?" Transferring from one Weyr to another was usually less of an adjustment than other kinds of moves, but there still could certainly be challenges.

"It's not as hot here, and there's better indoor lighting." There were a million other differences, both good and bad, but Ketlyn didn't want to prattle on and accidentally give the Weyrlingmaster the wrong idea about her. The less she said, the safer she'd be.

J'nic mentally added her to the list of less talkative Candidates, although there was a wide range of reasons someone might not want to engage in a long conversation with someone in a position of authority. "The lighting is nice," he agreed. "So, why do you want to be a dragonrider?"

This question again. Ketlyn did her best to keep from fidgeting and hoped that her usual answer would be enough to keep her on the Sands. "To help fight Thread. And help my family."

"Smiths can help people as well," he countered, wanting to push her a bit. "Not everyone needs to be a dragonrider."

She looked down at her hands. There it was-- that subtle push to do something else. To _go_away_, that hint that she wasn't good enough for a dragon to pick and she was taking up space that could be used by someone more worthy. "I know. That's why I took up a Craft."

Her body language concerned him a bit and he needed to resist the urge to turn this into a mindhealing session. "That's good. I think sometimes people think the only way they can be useful, or have a meaningful life, is by becoming a dragonrider. That's not true at all. And, being a dragonrider isn't as romantic and wonderful as some believe. But, I'm probably not the best person to say this, since I'm a dragonrider."

Turning to a topic that would hopefully be less charged, he asked, "Is there something you're most excited about, if you do Impress?"

That was a new question. How was she supposed to answer that?! Ketlyn tried to tamp down her panic. "Um. Being bonded to a dragon?" Why did anyone want to Impress if that wasn't something they wanted to experience? Was that the right answer?!

**Well, that didn't work.** He'd hoped the question would give her a chance to reveal more about herself. "Yes, that certainly is indescribably wonderful. There's nothing like being absolutely sure that you and your dragon will be together as long as you live." As a final attempt to draw her out, he asked, "Is there anything I can help with? Anything that could help you feel comfortable and at home here?"

Ketlyn bit her lip. Then, "If I don't Impress how could I get a firelizard egg?"

It took his many Turns of training to not show a reaction to the unexpected question. He did his best to answer it though. "Well, there are a few ways to get an egg: get a ride to a beach where clutches have been found in the past and try to find one, know someone with a gold who is very generous and gives you one, or earn enough marks to buy one." He wondered how much else to share, or if it was any use trying to learn a bit more about Ketlyn. "I've heard firelizards can be wonderful companions. Have you had a chance to spend any time with one?"

"No." But they did seem wonderful... if awfully out of reach for someone like her. Ketlyn didn't know any dragonriders who would take her anywhere, and if she somehow came across an eighth of a mark, she usually sent home. It would have to continue to be letters by runner, then.

"Well, I'm sure anyone with a firelizard would be happy to speak with you and let you get a closer look." J'nic thought for a moment of who he knew with a firelizard. "The Weyrlingmaster has a blue." He doubted she would approach him though. "One of your fellow Candidates, Videryn, has one too; a green, I think." Videryn was friendly. Next time he saw the young man, he might encourage him to speak to Ketlyn.

"I've met Videryn." It was a non-committal answer.

"Good. I recommend asking him about his firelizard. I'm sure he'd be happy to talk." Well, he wasn't going to get anything else out of her. "Ketlyn, thanks for meeting with me. I'm always available if there's anything I can help with."

"Thanks." Relief washed through her. She'd be allowed to leave soon!

J'nic smiled a final time and saw her out. He had thought these interviews might quickly start to feel routine, but each Candidate surprised him; some more than others. "Firelizard eggs," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. He made a note to ask Videryn to talk with her about firelizards. Hopefully that would help draw her out. Then, putting away the clipboard, he headed out to help with weyrling drills.

Last updated on the May 13th 2024

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