Someone to Keep in Mind

Writers: Devin, Francesca
Date Posted: 23rd January 2009

Characters: G'len, N'vanik
Description: N'vanik and G'len discuss the upcoming Hatching and the lack of a Weyrlingmaster.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 17 of Turn 4

N'vanik

Nyith had a large clutch, with a queen egg. The Weyr, and especially the female candidates, was excited. However G'len, as optimistic as he always was, was a bit worried. L'pin and he made a good team, but they needed a Weyrlingmaster. He knocked on the Weyrleader's door, hoping N'vanik would be available to chat, and that he had a solution to the problem.

"Come in!" N'vanik called.

"Hello Weyrleader." G'len entered, a small smile on his face. Upon seeing N'vanik, he couldn't help but remember Tobereth's recent mating flight and the surprise he had felt waking up next to Dolphin Cove's newest Weyrleader. "Do you have a minute?"

"G'len!" N'vanik returned the smile, although for different reasons. "Sure, have a seat."

"Congratulations on your Loseth's clutch. It's an impressive one." There was no need to jump immediately to the point of his visit.

"Thank you." _Everyone_ had complemented him on the clutch lately ... and he wasn't tired of it in the least.

}:Neither am I,:{ Loseth commented.

"L'pin and I are looking forward to the Hatching, and being able to train the newest batch of weyrlings. However," he paused for a moment to think of how best to continue, "we really do need help from a Weyrlingmaster. Bringing in bronze and brownriders to speak has been very helpful but, well, it's just not the same." He knew L'pin had brought the subject up, but it didn't hurt to do so again.

"I'm trying. Still haven't found anyone yet," N'vanik said. "I didn't know it would be this hard."

"You've contacted other Weyrs?"

"Yes. And from J'darin's records, he had, too."

G'len nodded. "Are you limiting your search to bronzeriders, or brownriders as well?"

"Brownriders, too." N'vanik nodded. "I told L'pin I'd give him the job if I could."

"I don't know if he would be interested, but have you spoken with J'darin about the position? He was Weyrlingmaster Second several Turns ago and so has the experience." It felt a bit strange to mention the former Weyrleader to the current one, but J'darin was the one rider G'len could think of that could make a good Weyrlingmaster.

"No, I haven't. I never considered him." N'vanik's voice was a little flat. He didn't like the idea of J'darin in charge of the Weyrlings. Not when he thought lowering the age limit was a good way to fill the ranks.

Trying to ignore the sudden tension in the room, G'len continued. "I know he disagrees with you in a number of areas," especially where weyrlings were concerned, "but he's someone to keep in mind." It would also keep the former Weyrleader busy, rather than making him an unranked rider in N'vanik's Wing.

N'vanik snorted. "Yeah. I'll keep him in mind."

That was enough pushing for now. As time passed, either another candidate would present himself, or N'vanik would come to realize that J'darin as Weyrlingmaster was better than no Weyrlingmaster at all. G'len just hoped something would happen soon. "How is your daughter settling in?" he asked, wanting to end their meeting on a lighter note.

"She's doing fine ... I hope." N'vanik half-smiled. "She isn't very open with me."

"I don't have much contact with candidates, but I haven't heard any terrible rumours going around. I'm sure she's fine." A gold egg on the Sands made for more competition between the girls, but it would all be over soon.

N'vanik's smile widened. "If she's not getting into trouble, that's probably the best I can hope for."

"Do you think she wants the gold?" he ventured to ask, curious.

"I wouldn't be surprised. I don't know if she'd say anything about it and risk embarrassment if she doesn't get it, but she'll probably try for it."

"There's nothing wrong with wishing for it." Hopefully she wasn't one of those girls who thought of the gold and nothing else.

"No ... she's got the will for it. And a little arrogance." He smirked. "But she'd do well on a green, too."

"We'll know soon enough."

N'vanik chuckled. "And if she does Impress ... you'll get to deal with her."

"Her and everyone else," he replied with a smile. Then his life would become a lot busier. He would miss his frequent trips to the Tavern.

"Forty new Weyrlings ..." N'vanik mused. "I think I'd rather fight Thread any day."

G'len laughed. "A lot of people tell me that. But, guiding weyrlings through training, getting to know each of them, and then seeing them graduate... it's wonderful." There were the deaths as well, but he didn't let himself dwell on that. "And, you're always welcome to stop by, or to give a guest lecture. They'd really listen to you."

N'vanik surprised himself by considering it. "Maybe I will."

"I'll hold you to that, Weyrleader." It would be a good experience, for both the new weyrlings and N'vanik.

Last updated on the January 23rd 2009

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Someone to Keep in Mind