Get Used To Seeing Me

Writers: Ames, Noli
Date Posted: 29th June 2013

Characters: H'vack, N'tur
Description: H'vack meets the newest Candidate
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 28 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentor Approved

He'd sent for another of the candidates and was waiting for him to
arrive. He'd looked over the boy's file. He was young, but had been
raised in the Weyr. That would mean that he knew much about what was
expected of him. It was important, however, for H'vack to get his own
feel for each of the candidates before the Hatching.

Natur entered silently, and stood respectfully to wait for the man to
acknowledge him. His thumb gingerly explored the rope burn on his
hand. He hoped it would be healed by the Hatching. If he Impressed,
his little dragonet would be perfect, and Natur wanted to be worthy of
such a creature. A small smile appeared on his face as he considered
it: a little dragon, all his own.

H'vack looked up when he heard a sound. He eyed the boy up and down
for a moment before speaking.

"Come in. You must be Natur. Have a seat," he gestured to the chair in
front of his desk before continuing, "as you know I am H'vack,
Weyrlingmaster here now. Assuming you Impress we will be working
closely together, so I find it best to get to know you now and for you
to have a chance to get to know me." H'vack waited, watching the young
boy for any type of reaction.

Natur sat, his back straight. He nodded solemnly to affirm. He did
indeed know who H'vack was, though he had never met him personally. As
far as he knew, this would be H'vack's first Turn at River Bluff Weyr,
and his first class of Weyrlings here. Natur wondered what kind of
Weyrlingmaster the man would be.

"Thank you, sir. I look forward to learning under you, should I
Impress." He hesitated a moment, unsure of what to say next. Should he
tell H'vack about himself? Should he ask questions?

"So, tell me about yourself. I hate reading through the hides. I'd
much rather learn about you from you. Where are you from? How long
have you been a candidate? All that important information," H'vack sat
back in his chair and waited for the candidate to begin speaking. He
always found it interesting to see what someone started with when
asked to share about themselves.

Natur was grateful for some direction. "I was born and raised here at
the Weyr. My father was also Weyrborn, the child of? a mating flight,
and my mother fosters many children for the riders." He relaxed a bit.
"I apprentice with the Beastcraft, and am especially interested in
beasthealing. I only just became a Candidate this past sevenday.
With Orlaith's clutch near, I asked Rhosyn for permission to
Stand." His voice took on a hint of boyish excitement. "I can't wait
for the Hatching, sir. So many of my friends and foster siblings have
Impressed. To have my own dragon... I can hardly imagine."

H'vack listened. He could appreciate the boy's enthusiasm, but his age
could prove a bit of a concern. Young riders were common, but they
also were apt to be a bit _too_ eager and make foolish mistakes. He
could learn, however.

Leaning forward in his chair and placing his elbows on the desk,
H'vack spoke, firmly but with understanding, "You're excitement is
good. We need people like you who know what it _really_ takes to be a
rider, but you must also remember there _is_ more to being a rider
than just the thrill of having a dragon of your own. It's amazing, I
cannot deny that, but it is also dangerous. Are you prepared to face
that danger?" He had to know if the boy was truly ready for the tasks
that would lie ahead of him.

Any signs of boyish excitement faded from the lad as if they had never
even been moments before. His reply was firm and without waver in his
voice. "I am aware that my life must be devoted to caring for my
dragon and to fighting Thread." His eyes seemed to be looking through
H'vack as he spoke his next words, "I know that my duty to the Weyr
may cost me my life, but I will do all in my power to ensure that I
don't do anything to cost my dragon his life needlessly." As he
finished speaking his eyes refocused and looked intently at the
Weyrlingmaster intently waiting on his reply to his earnest statement.

"Well said, Natur, well said," H'vack replied to the boy. He saw the
passion in his eyes and knew, while young, Natur would make an
excellent addition to the fighting wings someday.

"So, do you have any questions for me then, Natur," H'vack was
satisfied the boy was ready for the work ahead of him. Now, he wanted
to make sure he did his part in preparing him by answering any
questions he might have.

Natur appeared thoughtful for a moment, though not as one searching
for a question to ask, but rather as one debating if the question he
has is appropriate to ask. He looked back at H'vack, "I have but one
question sir. Can I do anything to help Impress? Before the Hatching,
I mean?" His eyes had an air of curious pleading of one who searches
for an answer that may save them future mistake and heartache.

"That is a hard question to answer, Natur, but a good one all the
same," H'vack replied, thoughtful. "We will do an egg-touching. You
will not want to miss that, but seeing as we don't really know _how_
the dragons choose, it's hard to prepare. You must be open-minded for
one, try not to show fear during the Hatching as that has been shown
to deter some dragons. Most importantly, be yourself. Your dragon will
come when he or she is ready. Many of our best riders have felt the
heartache of not Impressing right away. Be prepared for that
possibility and don't give up." He knew his words were more advice
than actual help. There was little they'd been able to determine
affected the dragon's choosing. Only time would tell if Natur would be
one of the chosen ones this time.

Natur nodded solemnly, and bowed. "Thank you, sir. If I am dismissed,
I won't take any more of your time." His gaze grew distant as he
waited for H'vack's reply. He knew that the chance was high that he
would not Impress this time, or possibly any time, but something in
Natur's gut told him that he was making the right choice. He knew
there was a yearning inside for a connection that needed to be filled,
along with a sense of duty to Weyr and Pern, and that the best way to
fill them both would come with Impressing a dragon.

"Nothing further, but get used to seeing lots more of me Natur,"
H'vack replied, dismissing the boy to go about his own business.

Last updated on the July 2nd 2013

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