Drills and Drinks

Writers: Ames, Miriah
Date Posted: 16th March 2019

Characters: T'nom, J'ackt
Description: T'nom gets to know J'ackt better as a wingmate and invites him to join him for a drink
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 16 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentor Approved

T'nom

J'ackt

At the end of the drill, J'ackt slid off of Zith with relief. Zith had
kept attempting to lead the small nine that he was in, forcing J'ackt
to mentally hold him back multiple times to allow the leading brown
his authority. Reminding the bronze that he was not in the lead didn't
seem to make a difference, Zith felt that the brown had usurped his
rightful place and no amount of arguing would change his mind. Cyradis
had been right, blast her; holding Zith back despite his own lack of
willingness to lead was becoming more and more difficult with each
passing drill and Fall.

He pulled off his helmet and ran a hand through his sweaty hair,
ignoring other wing members as they decided on afternoon drinks. He
rarely socialized with them and only when N'vanik decided to insist on
the issue. But today he felt eyes on his back. He frowned and turned,
meeting the eyes of another bronzerider, a face he didn't recognize.

T'nom had been watching the other rider. He seemed familiar to him,
but he couldn't quite place his name. When he turned and looked at
him, T'nom took it as his cue. He moved forward.

"I noticed your skills in the drills today," he remarked. "You had
some great moves," **but it looked like you were holding back,** he
added mentally. It was very evident to both T'nom and Taldeth during
the practice. They, on the other hand, had already worked their way up
to leading in a small way. They were ready for more, but they knew it
would take time to earn the respect and trust of the wing since they
had returned.

J'ackt's browed twitched upwards in surprise. "Thanks." Besides
N'vanik and Cyradis, it was the first compliment he and Zith had
openly received on his performance in drills. Throwing his straps over
his shoulder, he considered the other man. "Who are you? Are you a
transfer or something?"

"You could say that," T'nom replied with a shrug. "I've been away from
Dolphin Cove for quite a few Turns now, but this will always be _home_
to me." T'nom was actually glad to be back. "I'm wondering if we might
have crossed paths when I was here before?" His brows furrowed a bit
as he examined J'ackt's face trying to remember any encounters they
may have had.

J'ackt frowned as he studied T'nom's face and slowly shook his head.
"I don't think we did. But Zith was hatched here from one of
Panitath's clutches two turns ago." He drummed his fingers against the
hides. "I've been here for..." He thought, then blinked, surprised at
the length of time. "Three turns."

"Ah, that makes sense. I left here shortly before that. I've been at
Dragonsfall for the past few Turns, but I've probably seen you around
since I visit often to see my son," T'nom replied. "You do fly well in
drills. We'd make a good team in the sky, I think," T'nom added with a
half-smile, half-chuckle. "Would you like to get a cup of ale and fill
me in on all the wing details?"

"You might have." He rolled his shoulders, then as he was preparing to
leave, paused at the offer. He nodded towards the rest of the wing who
were filing towards the Dining Hall. "You'd probably hear more from
them. They know more than I do about the details."

"I'd rather hear it from you, but if you're not feeling inclined, I'll
go buy some of them some drinks instead." T'nom shrugged. There was
something about the younger bronzerider he'd taken a liking to in the
sky and he'd been curious about his take on things, but he wouldn't
push things if J'ackt wasn't interested.

J'ackt almost immediately declined. He didn't socialize much except
with Saidrene and occasionally with N'vanik, but there were times that
the Weyrleader dragged him into the Dining Hall even if he protested
the entire time. Maybe if he bothered this once, N'vanik would leave
it alone for a month or so. And the other rider didn't seem annoying,
at least not at the moment. Making up his mind, J'ackt shrugged.
"Sure. I guess I can, but I really don't know anyone else in the wing
well."

"Well, then we have a lot in common," T'nom chuckled. "I don't know
anyone else in the wing all that well either. Let's go drink to that!"
He slapped an arm easily around the other man's shoulder as they were
similar in height and with a gentle nudge, led him to the dining
caverns for a drink."

Uncomfortable with the gesture, J'ackt ducked away from the draped
arm, but continued walking beside T'nom, unsure how to take the
friendly man. Most stayed away from him and he liked it that way. But,
perhaps there was little harm in getting to know him.

Last updated on the March 19th 2019

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Drills and Drinks