Poster Boys

Writers: Francesca, Halyonix
Date Posted: 10th October 2024

Characters: J'nic, Y'rim
Description: J'nic and Y'rim talk over a meal and J'nic has a proposition.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 1, day 16 of Turn 12

J'nic

J'nic filled his plate with meat, mashed tubers and other vegetables, and a slice of bread. Plate in one hand, mug of klah in another, he surveyed the dining hall. When he saw a certain fellow greenrider sitting at the end of a table, he smiled and headed over.

"Hi. Y'rim, right? I don't think we've met, but I'm J'nic. Mind if I sit here?"

"Oh, please do! Yes, I'm Y'rim, and you're...Raimeth's rider? Oh, I'm sorry if I got it wrong already. I'm terrible with names."

J'nic took a seat across from Y'rim. "Raileth, and I know what you mean. I spent all my life at Dragonsfall Weyr so I knew most of the people, but here it's completely different. It's good though." He took a sip of klah. "How long have you lived here?"

Y'rim had to think about it because time was a weird soup. "Almost a Turn? It feels like longer but it can't be. Quir got injured, was out healing for a few months, and then we came here after she was healed up." Y'rim wrinkled his nose. "We needed a new start. Especially after River Bluff."

"Ahh," J'nic said sympathetically. "I know there are a lot of River Bluff riders here, which must be nice." He could hardly imagine what it was like to have his home destroyed. He could always go to Dragonsfall Weyr to visit, which was comforting. "Did you grow up there? Or, were you Searched?"

"Oh, Searched, definitely," Y'rim answered. "I'm the poster boy for Holdbred child who was different and Impressed a green that proved it all." He giggled though. "Not that any of us would change it! Ever! I just find it amusing and I'm happy to have been proven right. You?"

Y'rim's answer was exactly what J'nic had been hoping to hear. "I guess I'm the poster boy for weyrbred boy who everyone assumed would Impress a blue or green, and then did," he said with a smile. "I didn't really start to understand how hard a transition weyrlife was, especially for male greenriders, until I Impressed and became friends with some of them."

J'nic took a sip of klah. "How did you adjust, if you don't mind me asking? I'm always looking for ways to help the holdbred Candidates and weyrlings. Being weyrbred myself, I'm not always the best person for them to talk to, although I hope they know I'm always available."

The wiry greenrider had to think about it for a moment. "Well, I didn't Impress until I had been there for almost four Turns so I had plenty of time to adjust. But I do remember it being...oh, I didn't dive into it, like some Candidates do. I was honestly afraid it was all too good to be true! Even seeing men walking hand in hand or kissing freely. I expected someone to slap me on the wrists if I tried it. I was just so _used_ to hiding it. But after enough people told me to be myself, it was so...it was such a _relief_ not to have to hide it anymore."

"I do often hope new holdbred Candidates won't Impress immediately; that they'll have some time to get used to weyrlife before also needing to get used to a dragon. Don't tell the Candidates." He smiled. "Hearing you talk about relief though; I hope that's something they all can feel." He tore off a piece of bread and chewed it. "Have you ever been interested in speaking to weyrlings or Candidates? I can think of a few of our current junior weyrlings who would find it reassuring to see what their lives could be like in the future."

Y'rim was midbite when J'nic asked this question and nearly choked on his food.

"Me?" he squeaked. "Oh, I did _not_ expect you to ask that, sorry." He coughed, composed himself, swallowed, tried again. "Me? I...Honestly, J'nic, I don't think there's anything interesting about _me_. I'm just Quir's rider." He seemed honestly confused that anyone would have considered asking him this sort of thing.

J'nic wondered if he should have eased into the request more gently, but it was too late to go back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just got excited hearing a bit about your background. You don't need to do anything you don't want to." He paused wondering how much more to say. He didn't want to push too hard. "I think everyday greenriders are just what some of the weyrlings should see. I can see the value in holders thinking of us as special in some way. However, weyrlings should understand that we're just normal people; no more or less interesting than anyone else. In about two months, our newest weyrlings will start their specialized training by color. For greenriders, that will include sweeprides and aerial maneuvering. Not all dragonriders are very interested in spending time with a weyrling, so I'm always on the lookout for a friendly face."

"Oh," Y'rim said at the end of that. His face went through a few weird expressions as he thought about all of that.

}: We should do it! :{ Quiroanth said excitedly. }: It sounds like _fun_! Having a hand in helping the next generation of dragonriders! Let's do it! :{

Y'rim burst out laughing. "Okay, okay, Quir's onboard for it so I guess that means I can't say no."

J'nic had occupied himself with finishing his plate while Y'rim thought things through. At hearing the laugh, he looked up and smiled. "Oh good. Glad she's interested." He would add them to the list he kept in his office of friendly faces, with a note to focus on one-on-one interactions, at least for the moment. "Well, I don't want to take more of your time, but it was really nice meeting you."

"Oh, it was great meeting you too! Let's chat again sometime!" Y'rim gushed, still chuckling over what he had been volunteered for.

Last updated on the October 10th 2024

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Poster Boys