Not My First Rodeo
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Francesca, Sia
Date Posted: 22nd May 2024
Characters: J'nic, Aydhara
Description: J'nic continues interviewing candidates
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 10, day 20 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Nikhayden, Aydhan, N'kevyn
The other candidates had warned Aydhara that J'nic was starting to do interviews. It'd been a while since she'd done one: the High Reaches Weyrlingstaff hadn't changed over in a while, and they were all familiar with her and her brother. The Weyrlingmaster himself, an ancient brownrider of indeterminate age, had even had the misfortune of having both of her parents as weyrlings.
She didn't wait for J'nic to come get her. They're wasn't anyone else waiting and his office door was open, so she rapped lightly on the doorframe to get his attention before stepping in. "You wanted to see me, Weyrlingmaster?" She asked, even as she curled up in a chair opposite his desk, feet tucked under her.
A slight raising of his eyebrows was the only outward sign of surprise that showed as J’nic watched the young woman enter and sit down. A quick check of her knots made things clearer. “Hello. You must be the newest Candidate. Aydhara, is it? Welcome to the Weyrhold.” He hadn’t met her yet, but the recent arrival of the new Weyrwoman’s Second was the talk of the Weyr. And, he had been provided with some basic information about her son and daughter, both Candidates. However, instead of searching for that information, he decided to just take a seat. After just a few moments, it was pretty clear she wouldn’t be as taciturn as some of the others he had met with.
"That's me." Aydhara answered. "My brother and I just transferred from High Reaches." She had casually glanced around as she went through the barracks to the weyrlingmasters' offices, half expecting her father to be as embarrassing here as he was when he presented them to the Headwoman. Thankfully, he must have had better stuff to do. "This isn't my first candidate interview. What do you want to know?"
J’nic gave a small smile. After meeting with a number of more reserved holdbred Candidates, a confident weyrbred one was a nice change. “Well, to start, I know you just got here. What do you think of the Weyrhold so far?”
"It's all right." Aydhara said. "It's warmer, which is nice. It's startling to see the lake where the weyrbowl should be, but the view is really nice. I've never been this close to the water before. It's still all a bit unfamiliar, but I know how to get to the Barracks and the Lower Caverns, and my parents' weyr." Except for that time she got lost wandering around the tunnels, but he didn't need to know that.
“Those are the most important places,” J’nic said with a nod. “I’ve been here for about a Turn and feel like I’m still learning some new little corners. So, you came here to stay close to family?”
"Yes. Mom was offered the Weyrwoman Second position here. I wasn't sure I wanted to leave at first, but my Dad and my brother were coming too." She shrugged. "I have extended family back at High Reaches, so I guess I could transfer back if I don't like it here. But like Nikhayden said, maybe the change of scenery will help us impress."
“That’s nice you came with family. I imagine that will help all of you settle in.” J’nic felt a spike of envy at her situation, wishing his daughter had made the same choice when he and Sellek had come to the Weyrhold.
“So, what do you enjoy doing outside of Candidate classes?” He knew she didn’t have a craft. “Any Candidate chores you prefer over others?”
"Not really. It's all work. I've been helping out with the guards, and learning swordplay. I'm really enjoying that. It's not a craft, but I think I might stay with the guards if I don't impress." She tried not to look too excited, but sparring with the other guard trainees was a highlight of her afternoon.
That was unexpected. “That’s great. Sounds both fun and useful. I imagine it makes some of the exercises we ask you to do easier,” he mused. “Have any of the other Candidates spent time with the guards?”
"A couple people." Aydhara said, though none of their names immediately came to mind. "I've been doing all the chores and courses since I was 12. I wouldn't have much trouble anyway." Though she grinned a little, "The guard work gives an added bonus of beating up the boys."
His mouth twitched with the beginnings of a smile before he could control it. “You know I can’t condone beating anyone up.” He paused for a moment. “It’s good to know how to defend yourself though. It’s something everyone could benefit from.”
“Well, Aydhara, I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to support you, but let me know if you think of anything. You know where to find me,” he said with a smile. He had no concerns about her, either as a Candidate or potentially as a weyrling.
"Thanks." Aydhara said brightly. She stood to leave. "I will. See you in class tomorrow."
Last updated on the May 24th 2024