Respect and Admiration

Writers: Eimi
Date Posted: 30th June 2008

Characters: T'mahl, U'kaiah
Description: T'mahl has a favor to ask a notorious bronzerider
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 24 of Turn 4

T'mahl pushed down any hints of embarrassment as he knocked on the Wingleaders door. "Excuse me, U'kaiah, but may I speak with you for a moment?"

The bronzerider looked up from his desk and smiled as much from relief for a break as he was glad to see the Weyrlingmaster. "T'mahl! To what do I owe the pleasure? Please, sit."

They had worked together for a few months while U'kaiah had been temporary demoted to the Weyrling Wing the turn before. The fact that they knew each other on a professional level already his coming to talk to the Wingleader a bit easier. "I actually have a favor to ask of you, if you don't mind."

"Of course, anything for our Weyrlingmaster. What is it?" U'kaiah asked curiously as he propped a boot up on the corner of his desk and leaned back in his chair.

T'mahl didn't feel nearly as at ease. "Last turn you gave a talk to the bronze and brown weyrlings about Flight ettiquet. Do you remember?"

"Of course," U'kaiah said with a slow nod.

T'mahl pulled a small pocket knife out and used the excuse of cleaning a bit of black oil from under his fingernail to not look at the bronzerider as he made his request. "Well, I was wondering if you might be available to give it again."

The Wingleader was a little surprised. That was something the Weyrlingmaster usually did himself, considering he was a bronzerider with even more experience with Flights than U'kaiah had. The only reason he had given the lecture was because the previous Weyrlingmaster was hung over again. "Are you sure you wouldn't be better suited? Your weyrlings know you. I think they'd rather hear it from you."

"I think not," T'mahl admitted, finding another nail in need of cleaning. "You did such a good job last turn, I think they would much rather hear it from you."

U'kaiah couldn't help but wonder that it wasn't a little unusual that a bronzerider with a good fifteen turns on him at least was asking _him_ to lead this discussion. "I don't know what I could possibly teach them that you couldn't, T'mahl..." The Weyrlingmaster sighed and put the knife away. It was obvious he was going to have to be frank. "I have heard your reputation, U'kaiah. Greenriders actually look forward to having you in the chase, whether you win or lose." Whereas T'mahl's presence, whether winning or losing, was all to easily forgotten. He had never felt comfortable in bed with a stranger who had no choice in the situation, and waking up next to them afterwards was more awkward than enjoyable. "I can teach them the basics, but when it comes to advice and techniques I don't think I am quite the one to be lecturing anyone."

"I don't know if I'm really that good..." U'kaiah lied. Actually he knew he was that good. But still, it seemed the Weyrlingmaster had some doubts about his own reputation. "Well, even if you weren't, your bronze caught a gold. You've got the boy's respect."

"I'm sure they respect you, T'mahl," he quickly assured him. "Your reputation is spotless."

T'mahl smiled wryly. "The boy's might respect me, U'kaiah, but they admire and want to emulate you."

"That certainly doesn't bode well for the Weyr," the wingleader said with a small chuckle, trying to lighten the mood a little. The Weyrlingmaster smiled because that was what he knew he ought to do, but in truth he found this whole conversation uncomfortable. It was hard to admit just how dry and uninteresting a person he was, even to himself. "Will you do it?"

U'kaiah could tell that the man's amusement was more polite than genuine. "Yes, I'll do it T'mahl."

"Thank you." T'mahl got what he wanted, and it was time to make his escape. "I will let you know the schedule as soon as it's set. Thank you for your time," he said standing and giving the Wingleader a quick salute, wanting nothing more than for this meeting to be over.

"Wait just a moment," U'kaiah said, standing to his feet and stopping the Weyrlingmaster just as his hand turned the nob on the door. He just couldn't let the man leave that way. "Listen, T'mahl, the lessons you teach them will stay with them. They might think I'm something special for a moment, but you're the one they'll admire for the rest of their lives."

The brozerider was silent a moment as those words sank in. Was it wisdom or just a platitude? He wasn't really sure, but he was grateful none the less.

Last updated on the July 3rd 2008

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Respect and Admiration