Ever Ridden a Dragon?
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 19th April 2024
Characters: J'nic, A'lin
Description: Candidate interviews continue, as J’nic interviews Arlin.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 10, day 18 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Lenorin
“Come on in, Arlin,” J’nic said with a smile, waving the young man in.
Arlin had a similar build to his older brother but was slightly
shorter and didn’t carry himself with the confidence Lenorin had. He
entered the office with a quiet, “Hello,” and took a seat, looking
down at the table between them.
J’nic noticed the difference in demeanor but didn’t comment on it.
“This is just an informal chat; an opportunity for me to get to know
you a bit. If you Impress, we’ll work together very closely, so it’s
helpful for me to know all the Candidates at least a bit. To get
started, what was it like growing up near here?”
The Candidate shrugged. “Normal, I guess? I’ve never lived anywhere
else; I mean, besides here, and it’s just a short walk away. It’s
different from the Weyrhold. Fewer people, and basically everyone is
family of some kind. No dragons flying around or anything.” He
shrugged again, not sure what the other man wanted to hear.
“It must have been a bit strange to come here then, and be surrounded
by people you don’t know.” J'nic tried to draw more out from the young
man.
“We came pretty early, near the beginning of construction, so it
wasn’t too bad. And, at first, we mainly spent time with the same
workers. Now, a lot of time is with other Candidates.”
J’nic could tell Arlin wasn’t as talkative as Lenorin. He changed
tactics. “What do you like about living here?”
“Lots of things.” Arlin seemed to relax a bit. “Seeing all the
dragons, and the dragonriders who came from other Weyrs. I’ve talked
to people from all over the place. It’s interesting they would choose
to come here, of all places. And I’m learning so much in Candidate
classes.”
The Weyrlingmaster Third nodded. “Everyone comes to the Weyr with so
many different backgrounds, Candidate classes are a way to help you
all get on the same page.” He paused for a moment, wondering where to
take the conversation. “When you were Searched, what made you decide
to accept? Lenorin made it sound like it was an easy decision for
you.”
Arlin shifted in the chair and shrugged again. “I have older brothers
who help my father out. I don’t have a craft. And...” he stopped for a
few seconds, deciding what to share. Then, in a quieter voice, he
continued. “I don’t want to get married and have a bunch of kids,
which is what I’d be expected to do back home. Being a dragonrider is
something important, and exciting, so I wanted to at least try.”
The greenrider gave an encouraging smile. He was glad Arlin felt
comfortable sharing with him and decided not to mention the more
challenging parts of being a dragonrider. “That is something that is
very liberating about weyrlife. There are many ways to live a good
life here, and no expectation that you choose a particular path. That
can be pretty disconcerting though, if you grew up planning to follow
a certain path. You know, you could look into apprenticing to a craft
if you’d like.”
Arlin met J’nic’s eyes for a moment in surprise. “Oh, I don’t think
so. I haven’t thought about any crafts.”
“Of course, it’s your decision. However, crafters are always happy to
talk to an aspiring apprentice and give them a chance to get a taste
of what a craft is like. My weyrmate is a technician and he was just
talking excitedly the other day about a new apprentice.”
Arlin tried not to show surprise at learning that the man sitting
across from him was in a committed relationship with another man.
J’nic rode green, so there were mating flights. How did his weyrmate
feel about that? After a few moments, he realized he should say
something. “Your weyrmate is a crafter?”
J’nic noticed the slight reaction but didn’t comment on it. It was
important for Candidates to get used to same-sex relationships. “He’s
the reason we transferred here. He spends most of his time working in
the Hydro plant. Our daughter is still at Dragonsfall Weyr, but we’re
trying to convince her to come join us. She’s a Candidate, like you.”
“She is?” Arlin was at a loss. He not only had a weyrmate, but a
daughter? How did that even work? He knew these kinds of relationships
existed at the Weyr, but this was the first time he had engaged in
conversation with someone in that situation. It was strange, but also
interesting to glimpse a kind of life that could be a possibility if
he stayed at the Weyrhold.
“She is. For now, at least, we go visit on restdays when we can.”
J’nic gave a small smile. “So, have you had a chance to spend any time
with a dragon?”
At least that was a more normal question. “A little bit. I’ve helped
wash a few dragons. And, some of our classes have had us looking at a
dragon to learn about their anatomy and things like that.”
“Had a chance to ride one?” J’nic had a hunch about Arlin and didn’t
think he would open up after just one conversation.
The young man shook his head, not sure where the conversation was going.
“Well, I think every Candidate should ride a dragon at least once, and
take a trip /between/. If you already know a dragonrider, you’re
welcome to ask them. I think anyone would be happy to take you up in
the sky. However, greens can be a little less intimidating than the
other colors. So,” he said with a smile, “feel free to come find me
whenever you have free time. Raileth would be honored to give you your
first ride dragonback.”
Arlin wasn’t sure how to respond to the offer. Was it a suggestion? An
offer? Or was it actually a command couched as a suggestion? Not
wanting to risk it, his response came out more as a question than a
statement. “I can come in two days. before the evening meal?”
“Perfect.” J’nic was glad his offer was accepted so quickly. “Do you
have warmer clothes? It’s cold /between/.”
Arlin nodded.
“All right then. It was good meeting you. See you in two days.”
Arlin left the office and headed to lunch, not quite sure what he had
just agreed to.
Last updated on the April 22nd 2024