How About This?

Writers: Devin, Miriah
Date Posted: 14th June 2014

Characters: N'vanik, J'ackt
Description: Jenackt gets a surprising offer
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 4 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Saibra, Sh'del

N'vanik

J'ackt

N'vanik wasn't surprised to see his favorite Candidate out on the
practice field yet again. When the young man paused after a flurry of
attacks, the Weyrleader called out, "Hey, Jenackt. How's it going?"

About to set to again with a round of practice blows, Jenackt paused,
the practice pole in his hands upraised as he was interrupted. Flicking
sweaty hair from his brow, he exhaled and slowly put the pole down and
leaned on it. He took slow and deep breaths, then rolled his
shoulders. "S'all right, I guess. Did you need something?"

"I wanted to check on you. Have you made any friends, or are you still
chasing everyone away?" he asked with a hint of teasing.

Jenackt's brow knit for a moment as he peered at the Weyrleader. He
shrugged. "Got to know a few people. Most of the Candidates don't like
me." He paused and then there was a flash of an almost cocky grin.
"Most. But deal better with other people usually."

That sounded like some progress at least. "How are your lessons with
Saibra going?"

Jenackt went still and cleared his throat. He tried desperately to
keep a straight face, but there was a smug gleam in his eye as his
lips twitched slightly. "Very informative."

N'vank pretended not to notice. It was safer to assume Saibra hadn't
mentioned the Weyrleader had approved of her "special" lessons. "Good.
Do you think you're starting to adjust, then?"

Jenackt's twitching lips stilled and he shrugged. "Guess." He looked
down at the practice pole in his hand and lifted it. "Makes you happy,
right?"

N'vanik chuckled. "Makes me feel a little better, at least."

Jenackt's brows twitched and he swung the practice pole with ease.
"Why?" The practice pole whirled as his wrist twisted, an elegant but
idle display as attention remained on N'vanik. "Don't have much
choice, really. My Da always said that if a person didn't adapt to his
surroundings, he was dead. Would rather not be dead. Come close enough
to that."

"Well, that's a practical reason." Shards, he hoped the boy would
Impress. It might be hard to get him to follow orders, but he'd likely
learn everything else just fine. "I know you probably find this hard
to believe, but I want you to be happy."

"Happy?" Jenackt snorted softly. "Can't say I've ever been that,
really. Don't really know what that feels like, to be honest." He
looked at N'vanik and exhaled with a roll of his shoulders. "Maybe
adjustment is the best you can hope for."

He was so determined to make everything a struggle. "Happiness comes
if you let it. It might take a while, but it's possible."

Jenackt tilted his head. "No you don't get it, N'vanik. How am I
supposed to know if I'm happy? I can't remember the last time I really
was." He flipped the practice pole in his hand, end over end, his
hands moving rapidly. "I don't know if I'd even recognize it." He
shrugged.

N'vanik couldn't help it. He laughed. "I guess it's like love. You'll
know it when it happens, though it might take you a while to realize
it."

Jenackt blinked slowly at the laugh and one brow arched high in
askance. "What's so funny?"

"It's just that you talk about happiness the way I used to talk about
love. Then Loseth found me. A dragon's love is... everything."

"You keep saying that." Jenackt huffed softly. "Look... I needed to
ask you anyway. Since I'm staying here and there's no guarantee that
I'll Impress, I need to do something. Be ready for that." He swished
the practice pole in his hands again. "I don't like working in the
kitchens and I'm no crafter. "

"What would you like to do?" N'vanik asked.

He lifted the practice pole. "This is the only thing I'm really good
at and actually like. And I can't go around stabbing people, so it's not
really
an option, is it?"

"No," he said with a snort. He considered Jenackt for a moment. "Maybe
you could help train the Candidates and Weyrlings in self-defense.
Although that wouldn't be enough to keep you busy. At least you'd
spend part of your time doing something you might enjoy."

At that, Jenackt's brows shot up. He stared at the Weyrleader for a
long moment and slowly put the practice pole down. "You're serious
aren't you?" The man would actually trust him to do that? He could
fight sure, and hold his own, but... "I thought we weren't supposed to
fight."

"You're not, but not everyone obeys that rule. All riders are trained
to defend themselves, to end attacks as quickly and safely as
possible. You'd have to adjust your style." N'vanik wondered if he
could calm down enough handle it. None of that win-at-all-costs stuff.

"End attacks safely?" Jenackt questioned, crossing his arms over his
chest. "For who?"

"Ideally, everyone involved. But if there needs to be a choice, the
rider should protect him or herself above all else. So you'll be
teaching them to throw off opponents, put them in a hold, disarm them.
And if they have to, break bones, knock them out, or..." N'vanik shrugged.

His eyes lit immediately with interest and a slow smile lit his face.
"I'd like that."

N'vanik arched an eyebrow. "You'll have to be patient with them,
understand? These are kids from Holds and Halls, and young ladies
taught to be meek wives. The Weyrlings are bonded to young dragons
prone to getting upset. So be as gentle as you can." This might end up
being a disaster.

"When do I start?"

"Well, I need to convince the Headwoman for you to work with the
Candidates." That might not be too hard, with Chaysea being new and
eager to please. "And the Weyrlingmaster to let you work with the
Weyrlings." _That_ was going to be a trial. "Maybe you could grab a
fellow Candidate or two and practice with them out here. Put on a good
show. Let everyone see you're not going to knock their heads off."

"Well, there goes that. Sh'del can't stand me."

"We'll see. It might take a while to convince him." N'vanik didn't
want to lose a Weyrlingmaster, too, so he'd have to be careful. "Do
you really hate working in the kitchens?"

"Yes. It's necessary work and all, but I'm not fond of butchering."
His lips thinned. "I've cut up enough animals for a lifetime."

"How would you like to be my assistant?"

At that, Jenackt went still, his brows snapping down. "Huh?"

"It would get you out of the kitchens. You could run errands for me
and you could sit with me while I do hidework and practice your
reading and writing." **And I could keep an eye on you so you stay out
of trouble.**

"Doesn't sound too hard." And it would get him out of the kitchens. He
didn't mind being around N'vanik mostly; he felt that N'vanik
understood him more than most. He slowly nodded. "Sounds good."

"Good." N'vanik had been ready for more resistance. "I'll talk to the
Headwoman. You haven't done anything to upset her yet, have you?"

"Not yet. Give me time. I'm sure I'll come up with something." Voice
dry, Jenackt crossed his arms over his chest.

"I have faith in you," N'vanik said in the same tone, though his eyes
shone with humor.

Last updated on the June 28th 2014

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