A Bit of Encouragement

Writers: Avery, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 15th October 2015

Characters: A'kua, K'ran
Description: Another take on responsibilities and what to do about them.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 7 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Genna, N'call, Z'then, Elona, F'nix

K'ran

It was always interesting to see how the new weyrlings handled their
evening in the spotlight. Some took to the congratulations and attention
like they were born to it. Others were stil too caught up in Impression
bliss to seem to register the world outside of them. And others looked a
little bit overwhelmed by it all. K'ran watched the two of the Weyr's
newest bronzeriders. He suspected the young one was in the caught-up-in-it
camp. As for Aluka...possibly overwhelmed, the Wingleader thought.

He liked the young man. The Candidate had been very helpful in sorting out
the reports written by some of his sweepriders. And he was Genna's friend,
which made him even more important to be good to. So the short bronzerider
walked over to where he was, waiting until some of the other dignitaries
had greeted the bronze weyrling before offering his own hand.

"Congratulations on Impression. It's A'kua now isn't it?"

A'kua jerked in his seat and looked up from the dessert that was probably
getting mushy. Everyone was coming out of the woodwork now that food was
involved, it seemed. First N'call in the serving line, then Z'then when he
had sat down to eat, and now K'ran. This was probably going to be a theme
for the evening. If he wasn't so stunned, the weyrling might have found it
funny. "I guess it's A'kua," he answered in a hazy tone, putting a hand
that still trembled in K'ran's. "That's what Zeiranth called me, an' 's
what I chose earlier, so that must be it."

"You'll get used to it eventually," K'ran said sympathetically. "How's he
doing?"

"Better'n me," A'kua said honestly. "He's convinced all's perfect. Perky
fella. Nice, too. Saw one of the blues havn' trouble chewin', so he tore up
a big piece into smaller pieces to show him how it's done."

"Shows leadership and concern. That's a good sign," the older man said.
"It'll be interesteing to see if that persists for awhile. Some bronzes
have their head up...well, you know."

The mention of leadership garnered a terrified look. That was exactly what
A'kua didn't want. Why did K'ran have to bring that up?

"Anyone in this class you get along well with?" he asked, oblivious to
A'kua's look or at least pretending to be.

The weyrling wet his lips, shook his head. "Was hopin' Elona'd be here.
She's steady an' smart. But I guess her green's not here yet. Felnix- he's
Felnix. Don' like him much, but we're not at each other's throats now."

"Weyrlinghood's a tough time, whether or not you're close to anyone. I
almost miss those days."

"D'ya not want your responsibilities either? The ones that come with havin'
a bronze?" A'kua asked before he could stop himself.

K'ran didn't reply immediately, letting the silence grow to show he was
thinking about the question and not just snapping off an answer. "I didn't
always. When I Impressed it was a different time through - dragonwings
meant freedom and only a bit of responsibility. Bronzeriders really only
mattered for the rare queen flights." he told the weyrling.

Even after Thread's return, I was kind of a drifter, going from Weyr to
Weyr to help out where someone needed another steady pair. I was happy to
offer strategies when asked and to give ideas, but I didn't want to be
responsible over people's life and death up there. It wasn't until recently
I settled into one place and stepped up."

"I don' wan' it neither," A'kua insisted. "So why're people so willin' t'
give it t' me already?"

"People will probably keep saying this, but you're a weyrling with training
to go. You don't have to live up to a Wingleader's job right now, and the
Weyrlingmasters won't give you more than what you're qualified for yet. It
might feel like they pass you more than you can take, but they don't do it
to break you, but to show you what you can do."

K'ran stopped for a drink of his wine before continuing. "Zeiranth's color
tells other people something about who you are inside - that you have
potential for such things. You must, or he wouldn't have picked you. But
some people will always confuse that 'could be' for 'can right now.
Expectations are sometimes a heavy cloak; you have to grow into it
sometimes. The ones who matter to you will know that and make room."

A'kua groaned and dropped his face into his hands. K'ran just wasn't
getting it. If the cloak of expectations was that heavy, then he _really_
didn't want it. Let those who could handle those kinds of jobs and actually
wanted to do them wear it. It would fit them so much better.

Realizing from the boy's body language he hadn't hit the right note, K'ran
hesitated. Then he put his hand gently on A'kua's shoulder. "You and
Zeiranth will be fine. Just think about the next few months."

**I cain' without panickin',** A'kua thought, but he straightened up
anyway. "Thanks, K'ran," he said, trying to be gracious to Genna's
sweetheart.

"No worries. And remember to have fun, too. Sometimes I miss weyrling
training. There's a certain spirit to it."

Fun? "Aye, sure," A'kua said dryly, but didn't push the issue past that
note of sarcasm.

Last updated on the October 26th 2015

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A Bit of Encouragement