Unorthodox

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 1st December 2008

Characters: N'vanik, L'pin
Description: L'pin and N'vanik talk about weyrlings and unorthodox methods.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 4

N'vanik

L'pin knocked on the door of the Weyrleader's office and waited to be acknowledged. He wondered how different it would be from when J'darin was Weyrleader. Would N'vanik be accepting of him as the Second, or would he have to prove himself again?

"Come in!" N'vanik called. He hoped it wasn't someone with more sharding hidework.

"Good morning, Weyrleader." L'pin said as he entered. "Is this an inconvenient time? The weyrlings are at lunch and so I don't have to watch them right now, but I could come back later."

"No, not a problem. Have a seat." N'vanik smiled at the Weyrlingmaster Second. "What's on your mind?"

L'pin sat down. "I just wanted to bring up some concerns about the Weyrlingstaff. It is a transitional time, and I'm...not exactly a standard appointment."

"Yeah ... don't take this the wrong way, but I wish you rode bronze or brown."

"I won't. But I'm wondering if it would be so I'd be a better Second, or so I could just step up?" L'pin asked. "I know we need an actual Weyrlingmaster because G'len and I can't handle them forever. But I was also wondering if you wanted me to step down if you find a replacement Second, as well." He liked his job, but he didn't know how N'vanik felt about having a bluerider in the job. If he decided to reverse this change, like the weyrling change...

"Shards, no. If I could, I'd promote you right now, but I don't think the Weyr would swallow it well," N'vanik said. He would love to have a bluerider Weyrlingmaster, just to turn tradition on its head. And from everything he'd heard, L'pin was qualified for the job.

"I think that's one line too far." L'pin agreed. "Are you looking for internal candidates, or are you looking outside as well?" he asked.

"I'm looking everywhere. Not much luck so far. I know J'darin was looking, too."

"I know it won't work on Fall days, but could you spare a few older bronze and brown riders during the regular sevenday? If we brought in new, older guest lecturers it might catch the weyrling's attention and it would work as a stopgap. And if it's more experienced riders they can afford to miss a day of wingdrill."

N'vanik nodded. "If it'll help, sure."

"Thank you." L'pin said. "It will work for now."

"I wish I had something better for you," N'vanik said. "But I guess that's how it is around here. You do the best with what you have."

"That's how it's been lately." L'pin agreed. "What about Candidates?" he asked.

"I've sent letters out to River Bluff and Dragonsfall, asking to 'borrow' some of their older Candidates for the Hatching," he said. "We have a few details to work out, but I think we'll get some."

"That's good- and if they've Stood before they'll be more ready. As ready as you can get. That will help."

N'vanik nodded. "And they'll be ready to move into the fighting Wings when they graduate."

"We definitely need that." L'pin agreed. "It looks like you have things well planned out. I think G'len and I can make due with what we have for a few more months."

"You've done a great job so far, and I'm very glad to have you," N'vanik said. He'd handed out more compliments the last few sevendays than he had in the last turn. Except for a few political niceties to people outside the Weyr, he'd meant them, too.

"I appreciate that, sir." L'pin said. "Especially since I was half-afraid I wouldn't get to keep the job. It's not everyone who would give an unorthodox Second a chance."

N'vanik smiled. "I'm not really the orthodox type."

"A little unorthodoxy can only benefit the Weyr."

The Weyrleader chuckled. "I hope so."

Last updated on the December 3rd 2008

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Unorthodox