This Looks Familiar
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Ainsley, Devin
Date Posted: 9th February 2009
Characters: N'vanik, E'ziah
Description: N'vanik finds that a newly transferred brownrider reminds him of someone.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 5
The brownrider sat slouched in the chair in front of the Weyrleader's desk. He seemed completely at ease, and why shouldn't he be? He'd had more than one of these type of meetings. This was his second Weyr transfer. He had impressed ten turns ago at Far Island, but transferred to River Bluff five turns ago and in those turns he had sat across from one authority figure or another on many, many occasions. Dark eyes, almost black watched the Weyrleader cross the office.
"So, what did you do?" N'vanik asked.
"Apparently I lack tact," E'ziah answered nonchalantly. "When I see a greendragon, I call it a greendragon. When I see a wherry, I call it a wherry. When I see an idiot, I call him an idiot. Now if he just happens to be a wingsecond, I don't see why that's my problem. And I see no need for me to back down from a disagreement just because of the other person's rank."
N'vanik nodded, looking down at the hides and trying not to smile. Change a few details, and it could be his record he was looking at. "I thought it was something like that. At least they sent you somewhere warm."
"Isn't that the truth," Eziah answered with a grin, surprised not to see the customary scowl he usually encountered when a Werleader looked at his record.
"I bet they thought they were shoving off their problem onto someone else." N'vanik couldn't fight his smile any more. This was just too amusing.
"I think that was the general idea, but the fact that you're in need of riders let's them appear altruistic."
"Exactly. But what's important to me is that it says here you're good in Fall."
"Sharding good," the man answered evenly without the arrogance he had displayed thus far. It wasn't meant as a boast. "Geovonyth and I know our job and we do it." So long as we're allowed, was the unspoken addition. E'ziah had been grounded innumerable times as a disciplinary measure.
"And that's exactly what I need. I expect a certain amount of respect from you, of course. I won't let you walk all over me, but if you have an opinion, let me hear it." N'vanik leaned back in his chair. "I'm not afraid of an argument."
E'ziah smiled broadly, "I don't have trouble showing respect to those I _do_ respect. Don't have any trouble sharing my opinions either. If you mean what you say, sir," that was the first time he had used _that_ honorific seriously in some time, "We might just have ourselves a decent working relationship. I won't promise you that you won't have a few complaints from others, though."
N'vanik nodded. "If I really think I need to step in, I will, but some people just need to have a thicker skin." He wouldn't stand for cruelty or constant antagonism, but a little bluntness shouldn't be a problem. "Lack of tact or not, you'll be valued here."
The brownrider examined his new Weyrleader carefully for a moment. It wasn't as if N'vanik didn't have E'ziah's record right in front of him. Yet in contrast to any other authority figure he had experienced this man was telling him he would be valued. Only time would tell the sincerity of that claim, but he was willing to give the Weyrleader the benefit of the doubt. "Then unless you have more questions for me, I guess I should get settled and get to work."
"I'll see you tomorrow at drills, E'ziah." He hoped he was right about the potential he saw in the new brownrider. True, they might have a few shouting matches, but as he was good in drills and Fall, N'vanik didn't think they'd have any real problems.
Last updated on the February 16th 2009