Yourself in Particular

Writers: Ainsley, Kastaka
Date Posted: 27th March 2009

Characters: K'sen, W'lerin
Description: W'lerin tries to trip up K'sen in a class exercise.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 6 of Turn 5

W'lerin had hoped he would be paired with Sorsha for the class exercise and was less than pleased to find himself with the boy shorter than himself, but already broader despite his youth. K'sen's dragonet was green, and in W'lerin's mind that made him inferior no matter what they sharding taught in classes. His dark eyes watched K'sen approach and a somewhat predatory grin came to his face. They were supposed to discuss Weyr, Hold, and Hall politics and determine two primary areas of concern and how their actions as dragonriders could impact these areas.

"K'sen," W'lerin gave the other weyrling a curt nod.

"W'lerin," replied K'sen in kind, rather awkwardly. His head was spinning from the notes he'd been trying to memorize for this class and he was operating in something of a daze. Academics had never been his strong point.

}: You'll do fine, :{ Sarath reassured him automatically.

**I don't know anything about politics,** he replied wretchedly.

}: What about, um, that stuff with the fire thingies? :{ tried Sarath gamely, but K'sen just shook his head sadly, and then tried to turn that into a shaking head to clear it kind of motion when he realised he was doing it 'out loud'.

W'lerin rolled his eyes. Looked like he'd been saddled with a dimglow for this assignment! Though he had also grown up working hard at a small Hold, few would know that now as W'lerin had put the past three turns since his search to good use. "So what I see as a primary issue is dragonriders commanding the necessary respect from Holders and Crafters so that tithes will continue to come in smoothly without incident and so that there is no contention over searches . Anything that weakens that respect weakens our position. What do you think?"

"There's respect, and there's... people mean a lot of different things by respect," offered K'sen lamely. "I mean, part of the respect is fear of dragons, and part of the respect is that we risk our lives for them, and part of that respect is that we don't act stupid and steal all their women..."

}: See, you're doing great, :{ Sarath encouraged him.

With little regard for the validity of K'sen's input W'lerin continued, "Searches are essential, but certain behaviors outside of the Weyr are certainly stupid and reckless. What big issues do Holders have with weyrfolk? Issues that diminish us in their mind?" W'lerin's dark eyes glinted in amusement that did not otherwise show on his face as he watched K'sen closely.

"Flight sex," replied K'sen, pretty much immediately. He'd just been reading over that bit of the notes, so he could recite a few of the reasons. "And lack of marriage in general. Oh, and female riders - they can't be pregnant most of the time because they have to go /between/. So they don't have enough kids for some holder's tastes." He didn't seem to be particularly avoiding what W'lerin was obviously getting at, just not happening to think of it.

W'lerin nodded, wondering if the other weyrling was being intentionally obtuse to leave out one of the most obvious in this case. "Yes differences in sexual behavior at the Weyr is a major issue with Holders and although it is really none of their concern," W'lerin's tone was haughty as if he had been a dragonrider for turns, "This is an area we can help by not acting too obviously while outside of the Weyr. Yourself in particular."

"Well, yes," admitted K'sen, wondering why W'lerin was making such a big deal of it. "Although if you're going to send a searchrider, some places would be better off seeing a man than any woman, even if they do have a joke about locking up their sons. At least it's reasonable for a man to be conducting his trade rather than at home with children."

Not wanting to openly admit that K'sen had made a good point, W'lerin just nodded. He looked at K'sen thoughtfully for a moment, "Did you know you would Impress green?" he asked curiously, with only the barest hint of disdain in his voice, which for W'lerin was almost friendly.

"No idea," replied K'sen shortly. He didn't like W'lerin's tone and he didn't see why he should talk about anything personal in class. "Anyway, we need a second area. Unless you think that 'getting tithes' and 'retaining permission to search' are two we could talk about? We've basically covered both of those."

Training his mind back to their assigned task W'lerin answered, "I think those could count. How can we as dragonriders affect those?"

"By, uh," attempted K'sen, "riders with impressive dragons showing up to social occasions to remind people that dragons are big and scary, watching what we talk about and keeping our eyes to ourselves when out on Search or watchrider assignments, respecting Holder opinions on women and not sending female riders to places they'll be pitied or envied rather than respected, doing a good job at managing Thread and agreeing to help out with other things dragons are good at so that the Holds and Halls still think it's worth tithing..."

"Sounds like we're done then," W'lerin stated dryly, not even commenting on K'sen's apt summation before he got up and left the other weyrling sitting alone.

**What did I do?** asked K'sen plaintively, even though he knew it was grossly unfair to expect his dragon to understand how he'd failed at human social interaction.

}: Nothing, :{ Sarath reassured him, }: Or nothing wrong, anyway. :{

**I wish I was any good at classes,** mourned K'sen quietly.

Last updated on the March 27th 2009

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Yourself in Particular