A Wingthird for Rapids
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 26th November 2017
Characters: K'ran, F'lin
Description: K'ran and F'lin discuss the need for a Rapids Wingthird
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 6 of Turn 9
K'ran had been talking with the Weyrwoman's Second about one of the Rapids wingriders who was recovering in the Queen's Wing. She'd prolonged the conversation by asking him some questions about entirely unrelated things as well, and as a result he didn't have time to request food from the kitchens before he made it back to the office, where F'lin was probably already waiting for him.
F'lin was waiting, and had called for a couple of sandwiches from the kitchens when K'ran had been delayed. He rose when the Wingleader came through the door. "Long meeting. Is everything all right?"
"Kapera wanted to chat after we went over Fadira's case. I told her I had another meeting, but I've learned not to interrupt goldriders when they're feeling very determined," K'ran said.
F'lin cracked a rare, genuine smile. "Probably the safest course of action. I don't mind waiting."
"I remember her from Dragonsfall and she's more settled now. The good news is, though, she said that Fadira will be rejoining the wing within two sevendays. It will be good to have her back to fill in the right flank," he said, finally sitting into chair and grabbing a cup of klah. "Oh, thank you so much," he added.
The Wingsecond nodded. "I'll run her through some extra one-on-one drills and go over the current Wing formation with her over the next two weeks, if you'd like," F'lin said. "She'll need some orientation to the changes we've made since we arrived here."
"That would be appreciated. Almost two months away from the Wing will require some re-adaptation," he said. Shards, he had needed it himself.
"Speaking of adaptation, I wanted to talk to you about Wingthird."
There'd been a hole in ranks ever since Jaylene left. F'lin gave K'ran a guarded look. Whoever was chosen to fill the role would send a message to the rest of the Weyr. "You had someone in mind?"
"I was thinking we should announce being willing to consider for the position from any Wing or even other Weyrs. I'd like to see a variety of applications so we can evaluate the best fit." After a moment he added, "I do think I'd lean away from someone from River Bluff unless they were exceptional. Given that some of our riders exchanged with other Dolphin Cove Wings, a qualified rider from here would look good. But there might be someone from elsewhere who is outstanding in record. Do you have particular criteria you're thinking?"
**Someone from River Bluff Weyr.** Rapids Wing was already disintegrating. Riders were transferring out after they'd been demoted to a lower altitude from their place of honour meeting Thread first as Weyrleader's Wing. It pained him, but F'lin couldn't blame them. The Weyrleadership's plan to erase the last of River Bluff's legacy was working. A Wingthird from River Bluff would have sent the message that they were still there, that they mattered... the Wingsecond looked down at his hands and let his hopes blow away on the breeze.
K'ran's suggestion of someone familiar to the Weyrleadership wasn't a bad idea. They didn't trust him as Wingsecond, after all. Not fully. Someone they knew better might give the Wing a chance to graduate to a higher altitude, which would be better for Rapids' riders morale - and a better fit for their skills. Ideally someone older, to balance his youth. Someone who could take on more of the hidework, and maybe deal with some of the more sensitive personal issues that cropped up from time to time with the riders. "Well... I'd personally lean toward a transfer," he said slowly, "I think that the Wing would really benefit from someone with solid people skills, someone that people trust and like over someone highly skilled or experienced as Wingthird. Someone with experience with records... let's face it, I'm not always the most organized at records keeping." He grimaced. F'lin tried, but it didn't come naturally.
"I had considered a few in our wing but I wasn't sure if it would destabilize the current feel. H'kain asked but I don't think he would have those people skills," K'ran said, referencing a bluerider with good flying skills and a self important attitude. "Records skills would be useful. I don't mind the hidework but it seems to be developing more children whenever we don't look at it."
"Don't I know it." F'lin sighed. K'ran's office was full of hidework. It was neatly stacked and organized, but it never seemed to be _finished_. "If you do want to consider someone from River Bluff, what about Ciara or Riveenata?"
"Ciara would be a good choice - she's got age and experience with many of the people in the wing, which could give her an edge with interpersonal issues. It wouldn't be too different to fly either. We can see if she's interested." He would certainly put her name on the list. It took him a moment to recall the second name. "She was in Queen's Wing. Older but with a young dragon, right?"
F'lin nodded. "She and Savith don't have enough experience, but I do know that Riveenata's interested in a leadership position. She's not be qualified for a Wingthird yet but if you've got the time, I bet she would appreciate talking with you about it. It would be a good experience for her." He shrugged, then looked down at his hands. "I admit I'm biased. She's a good friend of mine. But a little encouragement from you would go a long way for her."
"Sounds like you think she's the kind of rider to keep an eye on for the long term and mentor for later. Do you think she'd be a good addition to our Wing next time there's a reshuffling?"
F'lin hesitated. "Riven and Savith are strong enough fliers to be in Rapids and I know she'd enjoy a more active wing, but Riven's also a Journeyman Healer. That's why she's in the Queen's Wing. You'd have to talk with the Weyrleadership to see if they'd allow a Healer that close to Thread."
Ah, a Healer made sense in Queen's to oversee the injured moving back up. "I'll do an interview with her for practice, and see what they think at the next big meeting about reshuffling," he decided. "If you come up with other candidates for wingthird, let me know. I'll put out a call and start suggesting interview times. Then we can go over them once I've spoken to at least four."
F'lin nodded. "I'll let you know if anyone else comes to mind. In the mean time, and speaking of hidework... if you have time I'd like to go over the last sevenday's sweepride reports with you before I submit the reports to the Weyrwoman to go into the Archives. And I wanted to talk to you about the left flank of the wing when we're in the Heavy Right formation for high winds. I wanted to suggest swapping a few of the riders since we have a few transfers now..."
"I have the time, so go ahead. With the left flank, were you thinking...
Last updated on the December 10th 2017