Going Home

Writers: Miriah, Yvonne
Date Posted: 26th October 2020

Characters: D'hol, F'lin
Description: D'hol interviews F'lin for a position at BLW
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 1, day 28 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Dessa, K'sedel, K'ran, N'vanik

D'hol

D'hol sat back in his office, flicking through wing roster requests and rubbing his chin. Many he'd already discussed with Kapera, but for his own wing, it was entirely up to him. She'd handed him a request for transfer that caught his immediate attention and he'd summoned the younger bronzerider for an initial interview.

It wasn't long before there was a knock at his door. F'lin had actually arrived at Barrier Lake Weyr early, and had spent a little
time nervously smoothing down his tunic and making sure his hair wasn't sticking up after his journey /between/. He'd agonized over his transfer application, and reading D'hol's response hadn't eased his nerves any. This was what he wanted with every fiber of his being-- to be back home. To lead his Weyr over his home territory. To serve his little corner of Pern. And now that dream was so close...

...But first, he had to survive an interview with D'hol.

"Enter." D'hol looked at the timepiece on his desk, then up as the door opened. It spoke well of F'lin that he was exactly on time. He rose, waving the man in. "F'lin. Good to see you. Have a seat." His face revealed nothing, instead surveying the man carefully. While he didn't know F'lin well personally, he was well acquainted with the man's history and skills, which had caught his interest in the first place.

F'lin smiled nervously as he sat. It was a good thing D'hol hadn't offered to shake hands-- his palms were sweaty. "Good to see you as well, and congratulations on your knots, Weyrleader. I hear that Riyanth took her bronzes on a challenging flight."

"Thank you. She did." D'hol sat back down and flicked over the transfer hides in front of him. "You requested a transfer here. You
did well at Dolphins Cove, F'lin. Everyone speaks well of you and I've seen you work as well. I'm surprised, though at the request. With Seneth flying Santiath, I would have thought you'd stay closer to her and Dessa or even requested a transfer to Dragonsfall." He looked up. "Can I ask why you requested to come here?"

It was the same question everyone asked. "It's my home," F'lin said. "I'm from Topaz Sea Hold, and you know who my grandmother is. This place, this territory... I feel responsible for it, and its people. I'll miss the sea, but there's no where on Pern that I'd rather be."

"Hm..." D'hol nodded. He did know of F'lin's grandmother, but his connections meant little. The fact that he felt responsible though, that was far more important. "And you've been a wingsecond since you arrived at Dolphins Cove, correct? How did you find that duty?"

It wasn't quite the question he'd imagined when preparing for his interview, but F'lin was able to find an answer. "I served as K'sedel's Wingsecond too, before the earthquake at River Bluff Weyr. I like the position, sir. I like being able to help my riders fly confidently into Thread. Fighting Thread is fine when it's just me and Seneth, but I've always wanted to do more than support my just my nine. I also like drilling, weirdly enough. I like helping my riders feel confident and strong, so that when Threadfall happens they have the skills to meet them." He paused. "I'm... proud of Rapids Wing and what they can do."

"You should be. They've performed extremely well and under stressful circumstances, all matters considered. It was a difficult job that you and K'ran had, integrating the wing into Dolphins Cove flight lines. And it isn't odd to like drills. They're important and provide practice. I happen to enjoy them myself, if only to make sure that Yumath is on point and ready for anything." He drummed his fingers over the hides. "I also remember a wing meeting where you were very vocal about your opinions about your skills, strengths, and what your wing needed. Would you plan on continuing that?" He watched F'lin's face, keeping his own carefully blank.

F'lin felt himself break out in a nervous sweat. "That was... a hard time, right after the earthquake," he said carefully. "For the whole Weyr, and not just me. I said what I felt to be the true at the time, sir. I've continued to do that while working with K'ran, and will continue to do so, whether I am here or at Dolphin Cove. New ideas can't grow unless someone takes a risk and says them out loud."

Leaning back in his chair, D'hol slowly arched a brow at the response and then simply remained silent for a time, tapping his fingers on the hide as he studied F'lin's face. Then he suddenly sat forward. "Good. The last thing I need is a wingsecond who is afraid to speak his mind. Mind you, my word is the final say in the matter and I don't appreciate continued arguments once I've made a decision. Additionally, during wing meetings, if you disagree with me strongly, I'll expect that you take it up with me privately. Riders need to see that their leaders are a united front."

F'lin felt himself let go of a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "What do you expect from your Wingsecond?"

"To know their skills, to be able to lead the wing and hold it together during drills if I can't be there. To work well with the
wingthird regarding discipline for wingmembers, to assist with assignments. Fair, but firm, even to those who might question your abilities because of your youth. And to back me in my decisions at least in front of the wing. As I said, you disagree with me, you bring it up privately."

**He's serious,** F'lin realized. D'hol was actually considering him for the Wingsecond position. The _Weyrleader's_ Wing. When he'd sent in his transfer application, he'd aimed high with the assumption that he might be considered for a Wingsecond position with a different Wing at Barrier Lake, not the Wingleader's. F'lin cleared his throat. "Ah-- I think we could work together, sir."

"Possibly, yes." he studied the man's face. "There is, of course, the question of your youth, but, in my opinion skill and drive can make up for age. Experience comes with time and your willingness to learn from it. I've not seen you shirk from that at all. I think you'll do well in my wing, F'lin. When can you join us?"

"As soon as I can." F'lin paused, hoping that he didn't seem over eager. "I mean, I need to speak with N'vanik about Rapids Wing, first. But as soon as I can."

"Of course." D'hol inclined his head, hiding a slight quirk on his lips at the glint in F'lin's eyes. He recognized the eagerness; hadn't he been the same when he'd first been offered a substantial rank? He rose, offering his hand. "Let me know when to expect you...Wingsecond."

"Thank you. I will." F'lin rose as well and clasped D'hol's hand in a firm handshake. It took a lot of effort to keep the stupid grin from off his face as he left D'hol's office. He managed to look at least semi-serious until Seneth took to the air, but the Wingsecond indulged in a joyous "WHOOP!" at high altitude, where they wouldn't be heard, just before going /between/.

Last updated on the November 11th 2020

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