Dueling Interviews

Writers: Halyonix, Yvonne
Date Posted: 4th September 2025

Characters: F'lin, H'stre
Description: H'stre introduces himself to F'lin, who is just as curious about the new Weyrsecond as the Weyrsecond is curious about him.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 7, day 12 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Q'vettan, D'hol, K'sedel

H'stre spent his first day at Barrier Lake getting settled into his new weyr and orienting himself with the layout. Daith had claimed a spot on the heights somewhere and was giving his rider an near unceasing update about the interesting things he was spotting. H'stre could tell that the big bay and its lighthouse would fascinate the bronze for a few sevendays.

But today, he was getting down to work. **See if our young Wingsecond is available,** he asked of Daith as he looked over F'lin's record. Twenty-eight Turns and a Wingsecond? H'stre let out a low whistle. The kid must be quite promising.

F'lin had expected the summons and was soon knocking on H'stre's office door. "Welcome to Barrier Lake Weyr, Weyrsecond," he said as he entered. The new Weyrsecond looked about a decade younger than Q'vettan, with bright red hair and a rime of what looked like redwort beneath his nails. He'd been a Journeyman Healer, F'lin knew, and still practiced a bit.

"Thank you, thank you," H'stre answered jovially. With a wide grin, he motioned for F'lin to have a seat. "I'll be honest, this is mostly just a formality," he said as he tapped the record sheet. H'stre then slouched in his seat in order to prop his head up on his hand. "I'm here to get to know you a bit better. Tell me about yourself."

F'lin smiled as he sat, although he was wary. H'stre was Q'vettan's man, and just because the Weyrleader hadn't demoted him yet didn't mean that it wasn't coming. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, I'll admit I'd like to know how you got promoted so young because when I was your age, I was still doing some pretty stupid stuff that would have gotten me kicked out of the Weyr if that was an option but I'll take what you like to do in your spare time first," H'stre answered with a mischievous grin.

"What spare time?" F'lin said, only half joking. "I play a pretty mean game of waterball and I box a bit. Let me know if you ever want a sparring partner or someone to hold pads for you. And I was training in the Woodcraft before I Impressed Seneth. What about you?" If this was going to be a 'get to know you' meeting then it was only fair to turn the questions back at H'stre.

"Boxing! Now there's something I haven't done in a bit," H'stre remarked with a bright look to his eyes. "I'd be out of practice for sure but I'd love to take you up on the offer to spar one day soon." As he leaned back, crossing his legs on top of his desk, he went on. "Healer turned dragonrider, mainly. My friends joke that I'm the most interesting person they know but it's only because I get bored easily and I need something to occupy myself else I get into all sorts of trouble. And not the good kind." He winked.

**Good to know.** They both needed to keep themselves busy, although that need seemed to stem from different places. "Was that why you decided to accept Q'vettan's invitation here?"

"Absolutely. Igen was getting too boring. Same faces, same drama. I needed a new challenge." He tilted his head to the side, pinning F'lin with that grin. "And why did you take Wingsecond?"

"D'hol asked me and my Wing needed me," F'lin said simply. "I'm from River Bluff."

H'stre's head remained tilted but the grin faded a bit. "The Weyr that was destroyed with the earthquake, right?"

F'lin nodded. His thumb rasped over his knuckles in an unconscious gesture. "At the end of the eighth Turn of the Pass. Before the earthquake I'd asked K'sedel to teach me and he gave me a temporary promotion to Wingsecond at the same time, but I was somehow kept on when the Weyrleadership changed. I was still Wingsecond when... well." He smiled. "Barrier Lake is as close to coming home as we can get."

By now, the Weyrsecond's expression had sobered to one of empathy, the kind of look someone wore when they knew tragedy had hit someone else and they wanted to give space to that pain. "That was a few Turns ago. And you've kept the position. K'sedel was right to mentor you then it seems."

F'lin shrugged. Some days being Wingsecond felt like second nature, and on some he felt like a fraud. He'd learned to keep his insecurities to himself, though. "How long have you been leading Wings?"

"Not as long as you would think," the other bronzerider answered with a scheming grin. "Honestly, I hated anything leadership growing up. Too many decisions, too stuffy. Bronzeriders all walking around with their chests puffed out like wherries trying to impress someone." He imitated his words with his posture for a moment before waving his hand dismissively. "Not my style. But eventually, about six? Seven Turns ago? Somewhere around then. A spot opened up and I just thought it would be something different to try. A new challenge. I didn't get kicked out of the knots so I guess I'm doing okay."

"Apparently we have that much in common: not getting kicked out when we thought we would," F'lin said dryly. "I assume that you and Q'vettan work together at Igen? How was that?"

H'stre shrugged one shoulder. "Well enough. He sets a high standard so get ready to up your game. But you'll be better off for it, in my opinion. I never could get behind leaders that were lax. Didn't want that to be tyrants either but you get the balance that needs to be struck."

F'lin suppressed a smile. H'stre hadn't worked for D'hol, and between the former Weyrleader's strict precision in Threadfall and cutting sarcasm when people didn't live up to his standards, he felt he'd do just fine with Q'vettan. If Q'vettan didn't snatch away his knots. "Thanks for the advice. Anything else I should know?"

"Keep whatever you're doing up. And my door's always open, okay? Let me know when you want to do that boxing match. I'm eager to see how badly I've rusted."

"Sure. Just let me know when you're ready." F'lin rose and held out his hand. "I look forward to seeing you in the air. I hope you like it here."

"I think I will," the new Weyrsecond answered with a big grin as he shook the bronzerider's hand.

Last updated on the October 3rd 2025

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Dueling Interviews