DFW: Welcome to the Wing

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 3rd June 2011

Characters: M'shan, U'kaiah
Description: M'shan meets his new Wingleader.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 6

"Sir, you wanted to see me?" M'shan knocked the door of his new
Wingleader. His weyrling class' promotion had been yesterday, and the
young brownrider was feeling bit of hangoverish. After the G'nir's
official announcement and declaration of who went to which wing, there
had been celebration. Big celebration that last long into to the night.
Now he was to start as real wingrider in a fighting wing and all he
wanted to do was crawl back to bed!

"Yes. Please, sit down," U'kaiah said with a point to the chair across
from him. "What's your name again?" There were several new riders
joining his wing and he wanted to be sure he had the right file in hand.

"M'shan, rider of brown Juth," the young man replied and took the seat.

"M'shan... M'shan..." The Wingleader sorted through a few files until
he found the right one. "Ah yes. Rider of brown Juth. Good. I could
use another good brown." He flipped it open to the first page and
nodded as his eyes scanned the hide. "Did you have much experience as a
group leader?"

"I had same amount of time as a group leader as every one else," M'shan
replied. "Honestly, both Juth and me are more teamplayers than
teamleaders," he continued.

That was slightly disappointing. U'kaiah was always on the look out for
talent. But then again, they were not all destined for leadership
roles. "So what would you consider your strengths?" he asked, grabbing
a writing tool in order to take notes.

"Steadiness, reliability. You can count us to do our work and help
others without fuss or drama. We'll hold our place no matter what. Juth
does well in difficult weather," M'shan told him.

The Wingleader just nodded through the first few listed. It was the
same 'You can count on me' speech just about every new rider gave. But
his eyebrows raised slightly on the last assessment. "What was the
weather like when you were Blooded?"

"Stormy. It wasn't even a full Fall, for when the rain broke in there
wasn't need to fight the Thread. We had high wings and lost one weyrling
pair. We also had plenty of wing injuries because of the wind. Juth
acted as a windbreaker to one little green, so she wouldn't get blown away
like a
leaf," M'shan told him with a serious tone. It had been kind of Blooding
that gave nightmares to the Weyrling wing's staff and the weyrlings
themselves.

But it was the kind of test that could tell something about one who
survived it. U'kaiah was very pleased to have someone who had seen some
of the worst of Thread before entering the wing. That someone more
unprepared for the realities might react in fear during their first real
Fall and pose a danger to themselves and others. The Wingleader was
confident enough now to put M'shan into the thick of things from the
start, which would be an asset to his Wing. "How are you and
remembering Wing formations?"

"Good," M'shan replied. As long as he remember, he had watched wings
form their patterns to the sky.

U'kaiah pulled out a couple sheets and slid them over towards the
brownrider. "These are the formations we'll be using in the next couple
falls. I'm going to have you on quarter rotation with another brown in
the wing for the first few Threadfalls while I asses your performance
during Fall. You'll do the first and third rotations. Do you
understand?"

"Yes, sir, no problems," M'shan assured him and studied the patern. It
looked same than those he had practised during the Weyrling training. Of
course he would read them thru carefully to be sure they were same or if
there was any wing-based variations.

"All right then. I will assign you a brownrider in your group who will
be your mentor for your first couple months. I want you to listen to
any advice he might give him, and I want you to take any questions you
may have to him. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are not sure.
Your life, your dragon's life, and all of your Wingmate's lives may
depend on it," U'kaiah said sternly, knowing this was a dangerous time
that the young man was entering into. Over confidence could kill them
all.

M'shan nodded. "Don't worry, I don't get cocky."

U'kaiah nodded, feeling satisfied that he had been given a good solid
pair. "Good. Once I've decided who your mentor will be, you'll be
shadowing him on sweeprides and other duties. I'll give you your
schedule then. Any questions?"

"Not yet. There may be, after I get properly settled in," M'shan replied
with his natural honesty. He didn't know enough of the wing to ask
questions.

Last updated on the June 10th 2011

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DFW: Welcome to the Wing