Good Vibes

Writers: Devin, Francesca
Date Posted: 17th January 2025

Characters: N'vanik, R'kede
Description: N'vanik interviews R'kede for the open Wingleader position.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 2 of Turn 12

N'vanik

R'kede

R'kede was wearing his favorite bright orange shirt and a pair of
lightweight beige pants as he strode to the Weyrleader's office for
his interview for the open Wingleader position. He had considered
shaving a second time that day to remove the stubble that was already
emerging but decided that, while he wanted to look professional, that
would be excessive. The Weyrleader had explicitly encouraged
experienced brownriders to apply so, while he knew there were a number
of qualified candidates, he at least trusted N'vanik would seriously
consider him. Worst case scenario, this amounted to nothing and he
remained a Wingsecond.

N'vanik's door was closed when he arrived so he took a seat, legs
bouncing with excess energy. He hoped he had time for a swim after
this. **Let Loseth know I'm here,** he told Osherith, who gave
wordless assent.

}:Tell yours he can come in,:{ Loseth told the brown. N'vanik was
trying to squeeze in some hidework between interviews so he didn't
have to work late.

Osherith relayed the message and R'kede stood and opened the office
door. "Weyrleader," he said with a nod, closing the door behind him.
"My duty to Loseth." Then, less formally as he saw the hidework, "It
never ends, does it?"

"Heh. No." N'vanik pushed it gently aside. "Take a seat. My duty to
Osherith." He couldn't help thinking R'kede's shirt was . . . loud.

R'kede sat, this time keeping his legs still. He did not want his
energy to be mistaken for nerves. "Well, I hope you're able to get
outside at some point. Do you and Loseth like spending time in the
water?"

"We do. He likes the dolphins." It was amusing to see the huge bronze
playing carefully with them. "How about you? You seem, uh, very suited
to the tropical lifestyle," the Weyrleader said with a chuckle.

"Oh, I couldn't imagine living somewhere cold, or away from the
ocean," the brownrider said with feeling. "I was raised at the
Seacraft Hall, and even made Journeyman before being Searched. I don't
really practice my craft anymore, but the love of water remains. And I
felt right at home as soon as I came here." Whether or not this
conversation amounted to anything, he was happy to have transferred.

N'vanik nodded. "And now you have ambitions."

"Yes, I do." R'kede wasn't going to pretend he didn't. "I've been a
Wingsecond for over eight Turns now, and have worked under a few
different Wingleaders. I even led a Wing for a few sevendays at
Windswept Islands Weyr after the Wingleader was 'Scored. Now, I know
all of that wouldn't fully prepare me to be a Wingleader, but I do
think I'm about as prepared as I could be. I think I'm ready, and that
I would do a good job."

N'vanik liked that he was straightforward about it. "And I did
encourage brownriders to apply, so I'm glad I got a few."

"Opportunities like this don't come up too often," R'kede admitted.

"Indeed." Many Weyrleaders thought a brownrider should only be
Wingleader if there were no other choices, but N'vanik had seen that
many brownriders were better leaders than some of the bronzeriders who
walked around with their heads up their asses. N'vanik studied R'kede
for a moment. "What kind of a leader are you?"

"I love people and getting to know them, which is what I lean into as
a leader. For me, leadership is about knowing the people and dragons
you're working with: their strengths and weaknesses, how they interact
with each other, how they react to situations. My job is to set the
Wing up for success by making sure everyone is able to do their best
and has the information they need. As Wingsecond, I've done that more
in one-on-one settings, or mediating disputes between riders. As a
Wingleader, I imagine I would need to focus more on the bigger
picture." He would need to think more about that if he got the
position.

"People first, I like that." Much as N'vanik understood their duty was
to fight Thread, he didn't want that to consume everything about their
lives. He didn't want to treat dragonpairs as nothing more than units
needed to battle a deadly menace.

"Exactly," R'kede said with a nod. "Something related I've been
thinking about is ways to make at least some drills new and different.
Fighting Thread Turn after Turn can become monotonous, which leads to
more mistakes. My current Wingleader isn't very into swimming," he
smiled ruefully, "but I think having drills in the water every once
and a while could help mix things up."

N'vanik arched an eyebrow. "_Water_ drills? How would that work?"

R'kede leaned forward, happy to explain and undeterred by the
Weyrleader's skepticism. "A number of Turns ago, one of the junior
golds rose and Osherith got tangled with a bronze. He hurt his right
wing and ended up needing to be grounded for a bit. He spent a good
amount of time in the water: first to help him relax and then to help
tone the wing for flying. It got me thinking that doing some kinds of
exercises using the resistance of the water could be a different way
dragonriders could work their muscles."

"So," he explained, "I'm not imagining all of us on our dragons
marching around in the water. Instead, we could throw weighted balls
while treading water. Or, small groups would have a series of
activities they would need to complete in the water, with the winning
group getting bragging rights. And," he smiled, "being in the water
would keep us cool on a hot day." He sat back slightly. "Overall, I'm
hoping it would be a chance to build camaraderie and get everyone
working together in a slightly different setting."

N'vanik considered it. "Kind of like weyrling ground drills, but in
the water? Hmmm."

}:That sounds like fun,:{ Loseth said.

The Weyrleader snorted. "Well my bronze likes the idea."

R'kede grinned. "I'm glad I have his approval."

N'vanik considered him. Out of the people he'd interviewed so far,
R'kede was the one he had the best feeling about. His water drill idea
was odd, sure, but not bad, and his record was more solid than the
bronzeriders who'd applied. The corner of his mouth turned up. "I
think you might have mine, too."

It took some effort for R'kede to keep his mouth from dropping open in
surprise. Was this really happening? Keeping his tone even, he asked,
"Anything else you need to know to be sure?"

Was there any reason _not_ to give R'kede the knots? After a moment of
thought N'vanik said, "Just one more very important question . . .
when can you start?" He knew to trust his instincts, and they said the
brownrider was the right man for the job.

A wide smile crossed R'kede's face. "I just need a day to let my now
former Wingleader know and make sure I've handed everything over." A
long mental list was already forming of everything that needed to
happen before the next Threadfall.

The Weyrleader smiled as well. "Congratulations, Wingleader."

Last updated on the January 27th 2025

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