A Rude Awakening

Writers: Ames, Remy
Date Posted: 1st April 2011

Characters: C'thel, T'nom
Description: Tanom and C'thel have a heated conversation about Tanom's failed attempts at Impressing a dragon.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 6

T'nom

Tanom sat in the dining cavern alone, as was his usual. He continued
to shovel the food into his mouth. There wasn't much more he needed to
do today, but he wasn't eager to return back to the candidate barracks
yet either. Perhaps he'd see if he could find some wood to work on a
new piece for the evening. He didn't really have anything else to work
on tonight.

"Penny for your thoughts," C'thel said, plopping his food down in
front of Tanom. He smiled at the boy and then took a seat. He could
spot a loner from across the Weyr. Even if the boy hadn't looked
like a fish out of water, he could tell that he wasn't entirely
comfortable. Eating alone had to be rather boring. That's why he had
come over--to give him a bit of needed company. Hopefully his presence
was welcomed.

"Hello, friend," he said, tossing the title out effortlessly. "I'm
C'thel." He paused and watched the boy shovel away at his meal.

"Your food isn't going to run away you know," he joked."

Tanom shrugged and made a rather noncommittal sound as the rider joined
him. He looked up from his plate and gave him a nod in greeting, but
didn't say much as he waited, wondering why he'd chosen to join him.

When he introduced himself, Tanom shook his head as if he knew what he
spoke of, "Aye, I've seen you around. Blue Aloreth, right?" When he'd
first arrived at the Weyr he'd tried to learn as many of the dragon's
names and their riders as he could. Over the turns he'd learned most
of them now, though he'd likely only actually spoken to but a few.

"Tanom," he spoke matter of factly, "though seems like most everyone
knows my name these days. Standing for nearly four turns does that, I
guess." He turned back to his plate, wondering if he'd get another
'pep' talk from yet another rider he hardly knew. They seemed to be
doing that a lot lately now that the new gold, Angdelouth, her name
was, had risen. That meant eggs would be on the sands again soon.
Though he still had nearly a turn to stand, he had begun to think that
if he didn't Impress this time, that he would just move on, forget
about dragons and Weyrlife for good.

C'thel had nodded his head at the man's question. Aloreth was his blue
and he was very proud of him. He picked up an apple and took a hardy
bite out of it. While he chewed he studied the man for a moment. He
knew that sad look. Many candidates had it, but none were as deeply
ingrained into the lines of their faces as Tanom. After chewing for a
moment, he swallowed and then wiped his lips with the side of his
hand.

"It takes more than standing on the sands to Impress a dragon," he
said. He moved the food around on his platter, thinking about his
Impression. He had been lucky enough to Impress right away, but he
knew that wasn't always the case. He knew Tanom had heard from many
others to be patient, that'd he'd eventually Impress. They were giving
him false hopes and he didn't have the heart to do that. He didn't
need someone feeling sorry for him.

"Maybe you're not ready," he said, his voice even. He looked up at the
man. "Dragon's can sense your uncertainty. If you're not strong
enough, if you're not
capable of being a rider, maybe you should just give up." He watched
for his reaction. If he showed even an ounce of anger it would tell
him a lot about the man's determination.

Tanom's eyes flashed even as he gaped at the other rider. This was not
the usual he'd heard from the others.

"I've been _more_ than ready. Even more so than some of those _others_
that were chosen." He tried to keep his tone from showing his anger,
but the set of his jaw and the look he shot at C'thel spoke volumes on
its own. "If a dragon doesn't want _me_ than that's their loss," he
spat out the words. Then shoving his spoon back into his plate with
gusto Tanom ended up spraying food off the tray and all over the
table, but he didn't care. Still frowning harshly at C'thel he shoved
the spoon into his mouth. **How _dare_ he question my strength. He
looks like half a twig himself.** Tanom had worked hard his whole
young life and had the muscles to prove it.

Deciding he would finish his meal and get away from this irritating
man, he continued to shove his food into his mouth in almost silence,
though the force with which he did this simple action showed he was
anything but calm.

A smirk that was barely visible curved the corner of his lips. He had
touched a nerve. Seeing the fire in the man's eyes told him more than
the other boy knew. He too had been the object of endless doubt. He
knew how it felt to be criticized by others because he didn't _look_
like a rider. He had gone into a hatching without any doubts because
he knew, deep down that he was a rider. Nothing no one said would
deter him.

When he spoke his tone wasn't critical or condescending.

"Has it occurred to you that you've stood so many times because you
weren't ready in the past? Your failures have made you resilient and
strong. With each turn and with each failed attempt you have grown as
a man. A rider you are not, but you will be in time. Your dragon will
be born and you _will_ Impress. When you do you won't think that you
_deserve_ one, like they are some sort of gift. You will
appreciate your dragon because it has slipped through your fingers so
many times."

C'thel fell silent. No one had been there to sit him down and tell him
what he was sharing with Tanom. He had no mother to listen to him
rant, nor a father to show him the way. He Impressed Aloreth while
still clinging to his smug and cocky outlook on life. He thought he
deserved his dragon and it had taken many turns for him to finally
learn to truly appreciate the gift that had been given to him. He
regarded Tanom, offering a smile to let him know he meant no harm.

"Many riders forget how precious their life mate is. They take them
for granted. Now _you_ won't," he said, softly. He turned back to his
food now lost in his own thoughts.

Tanom snorted. "My time is nearly up, though. Within the Turn I'll be
too old to stand even if I want to." He shook his head, pushing the
rest of his plate away. "I've already considered that I'll go back to
my craft full time, perhaps even go to the Hall to study under the
best." He felt a twinge of sadness at the thought that he really would
leave the Weyr, alone, without a lifemate and having failed in some
small way.

"I _won't_ be the man standing on the sands when his time passes,
looked down upon by those in the stands. I've already decided if I
don't Impress this time, I'm leaving." Tanom looked the rider in the
eyes, almost daring him to say something to refute his logic.

C'thel sipped from his water and propped his elbow on the table before
him. Tanom was quite stubborn. If he did Impress he'd definitely get a
bronze or a brown. His personality definitely fit. Unfortunately,
giving advice to people like him wasn't his favorite thing to do. He
had tried, but it seemed this guy already had his mind made up. There
was only so much you could say to a wall before you realized it wasn't
going to say anything productive back.

"Then why stand at all? Why not call it a day, leave with your tail
between your legs and go enjoy your craft since you seem to _love_
that so much? No one is forcing you to stand, Tanom." He pursed his
lips and looked around them. He saw that many riders had come in to
grab a bite to eat. Some looked in their direction, but he paid them
no mind.

"Do you believe you'll Impress this time?" he said to Tanom. "That's
the _real_ question. If you have doubts I say leave now. Save yourself
the embarrassment."

He was sure he wouldn't be the guys favorite rider in the Weyr after
this conversation, but at least someone was making the guy face his
pessimism head on. No one wanted a candidate around who felt sorry for
himself. He could see the fire in Tanom's eyes, but he knew after four
turns it was beginning to burn less brightly. Perhaps he was going
about this in entirely the wrong way, but repeating what others had
said before to Tanom would do no good. He wanted to understand why he
hadn't thrown in the towel yet. There had to be a reason.

That was enough! Tanom pushed back his chair and stood. His eyes
blazing. "Who gives you the right to treat me like something to crush
beneath you? Do you think you are better than me just because you ride
a dragon?" Tanom, who hardly ever raised his voice or spoke overly
much glared at the bluerider. "Noone, and I mean _noone_ has the right
to tell me what it best for _me_!" He was angry and afraid he'd
actually hit the bluerider if he didn't get away. Perhaps it was that
his comments had hit too close to home and Tanom didn't want to
acknowledge them. Or perhaps it was something else.

"Enjoy your meal," he said with a snarl as he turned and walked out of
the dining hall. He needed to get control of himself before he
snapped. The only way he knew to calm his anger was to find himself a
quiet place to work the wood he so adored. "How dare he think he think
himself better than me just because I haven't Impressed yet," he
muttered under his breath. Tanom would _not_ be deemed a failure by
the snotty bluerider or anyone else for that matter!

C'thel's eyes had widened in shock at the man's out burst. For once he
wasn't sure what to say...if anything. He let the man get everything
off his chest, well aware that most of the people in the room were
staring at them now.

When he stormed out of the room C'thel turned and watched him leave.
He caught the glances of the other riders and frowned apologetically
as if he were the one who should be asking for forgiveness. He turned
back toward the table and smiled knowingly. Tanom was angry. That was
good. He needed to be. If he wanted a dragon he needed to fight for
one. He needed to stop feeling sorry for himself. Hopefully the other
man wouldn't take his words to heart and think rather than react. He
would make a great rider. C'thel could tell that without a doubt.

Taking up his apple, he stood and left the dining hall, ignoring the
strange glances that came his way.

Last updated on the April 27th 2011

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A Rude Awakening