A Willing Helper

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 5th July 2014

Characters: Talwynn, D'kere
Description: Talwynn offers to help with the weyrlings, and she finds she has some things in common with D'kere.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: D'ret, Genna and Lissath, J'darin, Ninaine, Teseada and Onnyth

The Weyrlingmaster's new Second seemed more approachable than the Weyrlingmaster, so Talwynn had Riveth check to see if he was in his
office. When she got an affirmative, she shuffled down there. It took a bit longer since she was going without her cane, but shard-it, she wanted to look competent.

"Have a moment?" she asked formally when she got down there.

D'kere was still getting use to having an office and a reason for people to come and see him. At least Talwynn wasn't some teenager with
a problem, that was a relief to the bronzerider as he leaned back in his chair, "Of course, have a seat."

She pulled the chair out a bit with the fingers of her bad hand, then settled into it. "I was wondering if you needed an assistant for any upcoming lessons?"

"We could always use help," D'kere said honestly. He had grown up and Impressed at Dragonsfall so he knew Talwynn's situation, "Are there certain lessons or skills where you think you would be best suited?"

"A warning?" she said with a sharp laugh. "No, that makes more sense to scare Candidates," she said more seriously. "I could be one of the buddies
you assign the greens to. And of course, star charts and night drills."

D'kere jotted the information down, "We could do that. I will talk with J'darin and get his opinion. I am new to this so I am grateful to anyone that wants
to help." The corners of his mouth twitched into a small smile, "And I think your story would be very helpful to the Weyrlings. Some of them don't take
training and lessons seriously."

"I hear this group's a little troublesome when it comes to following orders," she said after a moment. "Though with D'ret's passing, maybe that'll change?"

"Well D'ret's class has been a good group, from what I understand, it is mostly the junior Weyrlings that are so troublesome this go round. Although truth be told I think most of that trouble stems from one green Weyrling who thinks she is a gold."

He rolled his eyes, "But that is between J'darin and the Weyrleaders, I am just the Second." D'kere didn't want to touch anything about Ninaine with a ten foot pole.

"And then I suspect any time there is an actual gold Weyrling in the group you can expect more drama."

"I suppose so. Although Onnyth wasn't that difficult." She'd really enjoyed being part of Teseada's clutch. "But I hear that's the exception with queens."

D'kere held up his hand, "Don't get me wrong, I don't think Genna or Lissath are causing the drama but I think a gold's presence makes the other dragonets and riders behave differently than normal." He shrugged and then released a little smile, "Just a theory though."

"Does it stir up the bronzes and browns?" she wondered. "I do know there were a couple of girls in my class who were still jealous of the gold, even
though they did love their lifemates."

The Weyrlingmaster's Second lifted a finger, "Bingo! I think that is one
of the major problems- jealousy. They love their green lifemate but are still envious of the gold." D'kere shook his head, "I impressed bronze and was envious of the brownriders."

"I really wanted to ride green and flame Thread," Talwynn said. "I never understood why everyone else wanted it so much."

That verged on the near painful territory, so instead she decided to follow-up on his statement. She'd have thought it was the opposite way around. "Really?" she asked.

D'kere nodded, "Really. Brown and blueriders are lucky. Other than the ones that choose positions of rank, they are mostly just expected to fight Thread.
Bronzeriders on the otherhand, are expected to be at the Queen and at the Weyr's beck and call and live up to the bronzerider stereotype while they are at it."

Kenirath gave a long suffering sigh that could be heard from D'kere's office.

A surprised snort of laughter burst out of her at the phrasing. "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you - I'm just suddenly picturing bronzeriders
as those large trained canines," she explained quickly.

"That is the perfect illustration then." D'kere smiled, a full one this time, "I was so quiet that everyone was sure I would be a greenrider. Imagine their
surprise when I impressed to Kenirath."

Her lips twitched. "I bet it broke some hearts."

D'kere rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips, "I doubt it. I have
not always been the stud I am now," he gave her a look that said he was joking, "because back then I was the scrawny nerd."

Yep, he was definitely more approachable. "I can see it. Did you get picked on?"

"Psh, of course. Quiet _and_ nerdy is a combination that bullies cannot pass up. It was a bit satisfying when they watched the nerd impress to a bronze
dragonet." And then he had hit his growth spurt, filled out, and toned up, which at least helped him look the part of a bronzerider.

"They called me names too. I was too driven, too focused, to hard on everyone else." Something they had in common. She hadn't expected that. "But you've proved them wrong now, huh? Do you step in for the kids who have a hard time now?"

"No," he shook his head, "not unless it is absolutely necessary. The bullies kids have to learn to deal and cope. It will make them stronger in the end and they need to learn to be self-sufficient."

She understood. Especially for weyrlings, you needed to be tough and self-reliant. Another question she wanted to ask danced across her tongue, but she bit it back. That was a little too personal.

"I probably can't be a full-time assistant for you, since I can't chase them down as easily," she said, returning to the safer ground of work. "But let me know any time you need one hand."

"I will, Talwynn, thank you again." D'kere had no doubt that the greenrider would be an asset.

Last updated on the July 5th 2014

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A Willing Helper