Proud By Nature

Writers: Eimi, Rochelle
Date Posted: 27th April 2007

Characters: R'syl, M'galec
Description: R'syl meets his new 'Second.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 4 of Turn 4

R'syl watched the man at the head of the class of weyrlings discretely, trying to get a feel for the man who was now his 'Second. He knew very little about him -other than gossip. Before he'd decided to accept the position, he had spent a lunch meal in the dining hall, trying to get a feel for River Bluff and it's residents. M'galec's name had been mentioned more than once.

A strong personality, he decided as the man answered a question, then dismissed the class. Hmm.

He smiled at a weyrling as he slid around the boy to approach the Weyrlingmaster Second. The boy looked startled, but smiled timidly back.
R'syl took it as a good sign, and presented his hand to M'galec.

"M'galec, I presume?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, sir," the bronzerider nodded, taking the man's hand and his measure. The knots had not escaped his notice when the stranger had entered his classroom. "You are R'syl, I presume?"

R'syl chuckled. "That would be me. You seem to be a decent teacher, M'galec. I confess I wonder why you didn't want the Weyrlingmaster position."

M'galec smiled, pleased by the compliment. It was good to know that the new Weyrlingmaster could recognize talent in his staff. "Well, sir, though I am honored to serve the Weyr by teaching its weyrlings the finer points of being a dragonrider, I am more useful as a crafter. I am needed during Threadfalls in the surgery. I cannot devote my time to organizing the weyrlings, otherwise I might have considered it."

R'syl nodded, revising his initial impression somewhat. Not that he was particularly worried about M'galec wanting his position, but bronzeriders were proud by nature, himself included. He wanted to avoid any strife if possible -at least initially. "I can certainly understand that." He agreed soberly. "I've needed the services of a surgeon myself before. But permit me to be biased if I think that proper training will reduce the numbers you get to see after Fall." He added with a wry smile.

"I think every healer looks forward to the day when we are no longer needed, sir." Though Faranth knew what M'galec would do with himself if that day ever came!

"I doubt that day will ever happen, but it is a nice dream." R'syl agreed, then sighed. "I hate to get to business so soon, M'galec, but I'd like to make one thing clear before we do. I don't care for secrets." He said bluntly. "I want you to be completely honest with me.
If you think I'm a wherry's arse, tell me to my face. I probably won't change my mind, but at least we'll know where we stand." He added with an apologetic smile.

"I am not one for gossiping like a kitchen drudge," M'galec sniffed. "If I disagree, rest assured, you will hear about it from me straight away."

R'syl felt his mouth twitch at the answer, so obviously an honest one.
He'd been afraid he might be stuck with someone less far competent when he'd heard the 'second was not to be promoted to Weyrlingmaster. Pride he was familiar with, could handle. It was nice to know he wouldn't have to worry about incompetence as well. "Good. I'll be relying on you rather heavily for the next few days I'm afraid, but after that I should have enough of an idea what needs to be done."

"I am at your service." Good, at least the Weyrlingmaster didn't think so much of himself that he would dash headlong in and ruin everything M'galec had accomplished. He was confident R'syl would find no fault with the weyrlings performance, save for a few troublemakers.

R'syl smiled. "Thank you. And I think my first question is where's my office? I'd rather not discuss everything in the open."

M'galec decided he liked this man - no nonsense and ready to work. "Follow me."

"Surgeon and 'Second." R'syl mused aloud as he followed. "I could understand accepting a staff position, but 'Second? It seems to be a nightmarish amount of work, M'galec. Neither position has much free time."

"No, neither does," M'galec agreed with a sigh. "But I cannot fly in a fighting wing. Please do not suppose that is out of fear, or an inflated sense of self. I am more useful in an infirmary than in the skies during Threadfall. I too faced Thread those first few Falls. But after seeing the wounded and how few surgeons there were who had the ability to save them, I knew that was where I could serve best."

"I can appreciate that, M'galec." R'syl said, noting that the man had avoided the question, and deciding not to press it. More than likely, he would find out the answer later. "Is there anything particularly pressing I need to know about this arrangement? Obviously you won't be available during Falls, but other than that?"

"My scheduled shifts in the infirmary are after my Weyrling duties have finished for the evening, though of course those are flexible." R'syl nodded. "Let me know if you need to rearrange things. But if they've been working well for you, I probably won't ask you to change your times. Do you have a weyrmate, M'galec? Children?" He asked casually past the lump in his throat. He wanted to know if he needed to free a little time on the side for the man. Moments with a family were precious...

"Ah, no. No weyrmate or children." **Though my former weyrmate might have passed for a child.**

**Probably doesn't have the time.** He thought wryly, and set the subject aside -mostly to ignore the reminders it gave him. He'd just make sure M'galec wasn't overworked on nights he had a shift. After all, it wasn't like _he_ had any reason to take time off. "Let me know if that changes, then. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of before I start?"

"There are a few... troublesome weyrlings you should be made aware of. But that should probably wait until we get into your office." The hall was not the place to talk about Weyrlingmaster business.

R'syl nodded agreement, and smiled faintly. If all that M'galec could think of as problems were a few weyrlings, things were probably going to go better than he'd hoped.

Last updated on the April 30th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Proud By Nature