Like Father, Like Son?

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 6th January 2024

Characters: Z'ku, R'fal
Description: Z'ku has some concerns about R'fal's family ties.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 5 of Turn 10

Z'ku

Once drills were over, Z'ku walked up to the young brownrider. "R'fal,
could I speak with you for a moment?"

R'fal looked up in surprise from unbuckling Marlath's riding straps.
He didn't know much about their new Wingsecond, who was only a few
Turns older than he was, and he couldn't think of any particularly bad
mistakes he'd made in the drill. "Yes, of course, Wingsecond."

Z'ku motioned for him to follow off to the side, away from the other
riders. "I have no issues with your performance today, but I do have
some . . . concerns about your history." Z'ku had read through all the
records of the riders in the Wing, and there were some things that
stood out to him in R'fal's.

"My history?" R'fal confusedly thought back through the times he'd
flown with Rapids Wing. Then it dawned on him that the bronzerider
wasn't talking about fighting Thread, and his face fell. "Oh."

"Now, I'm not one to judge a person solely based on their family, but
I am troubled by your father's actions. Criminal history, poor work
record, and worst of all, fleeing the Weyr after the poisoning." Z'ku
didn't want to think a dragonrider's father had been involved in that
and could only hope that it was due to Terren's fear of being blamed
based on his past. "But what concerns me more are your own discipline
issues." He'd only just achieved his ambition of becoming a
Wingsecond, he didn't want a troublemaker making his Wing look bad.

The young brownrider stared at him, not quite believing what he was
hearing. Shock rapidly turned to anger, but he'd barely opened his
mouth to defend his father when the bronzerider moved on to his own
character. The injustice of it stung - it wasn't as though he was
constantly in trouble! "I went somewhere I shouldn't have. Once. And
I've done my punishment." His jaw tightened. "It doesn't seem to
concern the Wingleader."

"There was also a drinking incident in your weyrlinghood," Z'ku said.
"I hope these kinds of incidents are behind you, and with your father
gone he won't be a poor influence on you." It was only recently that
Z'ku had learned the beast herder he'd caught drinking on duty was
R'fal's father.

R'fal had all but forgotten about the weyrling party. So much had
happened since then, and the hot shame he felt at the memory did
nothing to improve his mood. "Both of those happened before my father
came to the Weyr, so I don't see what his influence has to do with
anything. Or how it's any of your business."

"It's my business because your actions reflect on the reputation of
this Wing." Z'ku put his hands on his hips and tried to keep himself
calm. "As long as there aren't any more disciplinary issues, then
we'll be fine." He was going to keep a close eye on R'fal.

Only his dragon's concern held R'fal back from causing another
"disciplinary issue" right there. "As long as you stop insulting my
family, Wingsecond, I'm sure we will be."

Z'ku arched an eyebrow, struggling with rising irritation. "I was only
stating facts about your father's actions." If he was actually
insulting Terren, there were several choice words he could think of.

"You called him a criminal." R'fal barely kept his own temper in
check, but he couldn't help giving the bronzerider a dark look.

"He was convicted of a crime." It wasn't as if Z'ku had invented that
label himself.

"He didn't do anything to be ashamed of. He was trying to protect us -
his family." Deep down, he sometimes wondered about his father's
story, but there was no way he was going to admit that to Z'ku.

"Whatever his reasons may have been, he was convicted of a crime and
sent to the mines, and when the Weyrleaders were kind enough to allow
him to live here, he thanked them by shirking his duties and drinking
on the job." Z'ku crossed his arms. "And_that_ is not speculation, I
witnessed it myself."

R'fal couldn't deny that was possible, either. His father wasn't
perfect, but that didn't give some arrogant bronzerider the right to
rub it in his face. "Don't you have better things to do than spy on
workers?"

"You speak about accusations against your father, and then you go and
accuse me of spying?" Z'ku's opinion of R'fal was not improving. "He
was drinking near the beast pens while Xemroth was feeding. Terren was
supposed to be on duty at the time. I could hardly ignore such
dereliction."

"So it was_you_ that reported him." R'fal's jaw tightened. "He lost
his job because of you!"

"He lost his job because he was drinking on duty." Z'ku glared. "Or do
you think such actions are acceptable?"

"Of course not, but he didn't deserve that." He couldn't help but feel
that it had all started going wrong for Terren at the Weyr since then.
If it hadn't been for Z'ku, maybe he'd never have got involved with
Enali, or those men at the tavern.

"Did the herdbeasts deserve to be neglected? Did his fellow workers
deserve to complete the duties he was supposed to?" Z'ku studied the
brownrider. "I truly hope you don't take him as a role model. The Weyr
deserves better, and so does your dragon."

R'fal met his gaze with a mutinous stare of his own. "I can assure
you, Wingsecond, I'm very careful about choosing my role models."

"I hope that you are. I don't want you causing any trouble for the
Wing." While R'fal's record didn't have any recent incidents, Z'ku now
wondered if that simply meant he hadn't been caught lately.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to damage your spotless reputation,
Wingsecond..." R'fal stopped, appearing to catch himself. "I mean, the
Wing's reputation."

Z'ku's eyebrow rose slightly, but he nodded. He considered saying
more, but maybe it was better to let it go for now. He'd warned R'fal
and he as going to keep an eye on the young brownrider. "You're
dismissed."

R'fal saluted, though it galled him to do it, turned on his heel and
walked away, tight-lipped. Just his luck that the new Wingsecond was a
complete runner's ass - and one who'd ratted on his father, as well.
If he didn't respect S'kand so much, he'd have been sorely tempted to
cause some trouble - it'd be worth any punishment to make Z'ku look
like an idiot. If only there was a way...

Last updated on the January 7th 2024

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Like Father, Like Son?