It's a Partnership

Writers: Ames, Avery
Date Posted: 24th July 2014

Characters: H'vack, Riveenata
Description: The Weyrlingmaster brings up some concerns with Riveenata.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: D'lorn

He'd been watching each of the weyrlings, as he was wont to do. Today,
however, one weyrling drew his attention.

}:Rilarth, please tell Savith that I would like to speak with her and
her rider. I think it's time we address some concerns.:{

}:The Weyrlingmaster wants to talk to us,:{ Savith passed on. Her eyes
began to whirl faster as she considered this. }:Do you think we're in
trouble?:{

**Maybe,** Riven sent back. When the lesson was over, she shuffled
over to the Weyrlingmaster.

"Afternoon, sir," she greeted respectfully.

"Afternoon, Riveenata. I think its time we had a little chat. Why
don't you and Savith join me over there," he pointed to a wall off to
the side of the grounds slightly in the shade where a bench was
positioned with some seats around it for various meeting and
gatherings of candidates and weyrlings. H'vack led the way and was
soon seated and gesturing for her to sit on the one stool right beside
his.

She shuffled over and sat down, a bit relieved to be off of her feet.
Savith flopped in front and looked up at the Weyrlingmaster curiously.

"I'm sorry I zoned out a bit in class today," she said.

"That's one of the reasons I wanted to speak with you Riveenata. I've
noticed you seem to be struggling with your classwork and some of the
other tasks as well. I know you weren't exactly expecting to Impress
this time," H'vack paused. He may have been tough on his candidates
and weyrlings, but his ultimate goal was to see them all succeed. He
knew that he had to find a way to help this young weyrling more.

"Now, however, you _have_ Impressed. With that comes alot of work and
responsibility that you weren't expecting. We _have_ to get you up to
speed. I cannot in good conscience let your education be lacking
simply because you weren't prepared. So, tell me how you think _I_ can
help you." He wanted to see what her thoughts were before he proposed
any of his own. It was important for her, like the other weyrlings, to
learn to take responsibility for themselves and their dragons and not
learn to rely on someone like him to always be there to make the
decisions for them.

That wasn't the approach she'd expected him to take. She decided she
was very glad it was him who was speaking to her, and not the Second,
who would have been far less encouraging.

What could he help her with? She was struggling with the physical
parts, and suspected she'd get extra requirements for fitness. But
that wasn't really something he could help with. The classwork stuff
was mostly okay, she knew a lot of it...

"I'm having some issues keeping what's myself and what's Savith
apart," she said after considering it all. "I know we went over that
the first sevenday, but it's still very easy to get caught up in her."

"I see," he replied. "That is a difficult task for young weyrlings. It
sounds as though some more practice is in order. Rilarth and I will
assist you for the time being. Then we can discuss some of my further
observations." There were things that needed to be said, but first a
little extra lesson.

**Rilarth reach out to Savith. Explain to her that we are going to
lessen the connection with her and Riveenata for a moment.** They had
done this many times in the past and were very skilled at this task.
Rilarth would keep the green calm for the few moments they did this
little experiment.

Turning to Riveenata, he gazed at her. "I'll help you recall _exactly_
who you are without Savith's thoughts in yours. It will only last a
moment, but you might be quite surprised at the result. I want you to
try _very_ hard to block Savith. Rilarth will assist you by blocking
as much of Savith's thoughts as he can." H'vack had witnessed how
shocked many weyrlings were when they felt almost separated from their
dragon for even just a few moments, but it was often enough to help
them reclaim themselves and work harder to keep the needed separations
between human and dragon.

}:I don't want to be blocked,:{ Savith fretted, pushing at her rider.

**We need to. Ask him why.**

}:Why do we have to do this?:{ the green asked Rilarth, faintly indignant.

While Savith was distracted, Riven nodded at H'vack. "We're ready."

}:Little one,:{ Rilarth spoke drawing her attention, }:You're rider
_must_ learn to separate from you at times in order to protect both
you and her. You are strong little one, which is good. You will be a
good fighter, but if you overwhelm her with your strength it can lead
to bad things for both of you. Now, focus on me:{ Rilarth, having
explained things to try and calm the green, used his own mind to push
back the connection between rider and dragon.All the while the bronze
was aware of Savith's reactions and prepared to remove his
interference if an issue arose.

H'vack, meanwhile, watched Riven for a sign that the change had taken
place. He waited for her to find herself again. Once she did, he was
fairly certain that she would be able to hold onto those feelings and
use them to keep herself separated from her dragon when the need
arose.

Savith grumbled slightly, but she submitted to the bronze's push. It
felt odd, but she tried not to panic. The older dragon said that she
was strong and good, so she could be strong for just this moment,
right?

Riven closed her eyes and imagined that she was standing far away from
Savith on a plain, that she could see her but wasn't close by. Then
she felt the change, and for a moment she felt panicked, like she was
waking up from one of those night dreams where you fall until you wake
up. It was strange because she'd only been Impressed a month, so she
hadn't realized quite how much she was relying on Savith's strength to
break through her own walls. She felt it clearly - on her own, she was
shy and retiring, but also warm and compassionate.

She shook her head and looked back at H'vack. "Oh."

Her expression told him that the little test was a success. He
informed Rilarth to slowly allow Savith back in. The bronze obliged,
easing the transition for the pair.

Looking at Riveenata, he asked, "So, did that help you? What did you learn?"

"That she's already changing part of me. I feel...cockier when she's
pushing me. More cautious and soft without," she said, struggling to
explain it.

"I have to learn how to be more dominant and not let her boss me," she
realized.

"It's a balance, Riveenata. You _will_ be changed because of Savith
and she will be changed because of you. Sure, you can't let her
control you or boss you around, but you will grow together. Allow her
strength to give you strength, and work with her to teach her to be
more cautious and gentle. Together you will find the right balance.
All of the weyrlingstaff will be here to assist you. Don't ever
hesitate to ask for help."

"I appreciate it." That was the point, to not have to go it alone. And
H'vack was right about finding the best parts of them both.

"Was there anything else I need to do?"

"I think we need to add some extra strength training exercises into
your daily routine. I'll have D'lorn draw up some plans to work with
you on that. As for the rest of your classwork, I'm hoping as you
continue to practice your bond between you and Savith, your attention
will be better focused on your studies. If that doesn't change, then
we'll need to meet again." He looked her squarely in the eye as he
said it. He was there to help, but he also meant business and he
wouldn't stand for slacking off of any sort from any of his weyrlings.

At least it didn't sound like she was going to be held back. She could
live with extra training routines. "Yes sir. Thank your for the extra aid,
sir."

"Very well. I'll be keeping an eye on things and we'll see how you're
doing," H'vack responded. "I expect great things from all my weyrlings
Riveenata. Don't let me down."

Last updated on the July 29th 2014

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