C'daer's settled on a cot, chatting quietly with one of the younger class' blueriders, as the room starts to fill with entering weyrlings for the talk.
J'van saunters in from outside, pausing briefly to answer a question someone poses to him, then moving further into the barracks, looking around him in a studying way.
T'nar strides in quietly, Baedanth trailing in his wake, though the brown stays mostly 'outside' these days. A salute for the WLM and the Weyrleader, and he finds a seat.
Ilesyn makes her salutes - silently, as she saunters towards a seat - and settles without saying a word.
Osasune steps in with Caledoth, a pale blue fire lizard on her shoulder. She salutes as well and finds a seat.
J'van smiles as he spots C'daer, an approving glance given to the dragons and their riders as they come in and settle, although he seems to be waiting for something before he speaks, nonchalantly leaning against a post
T'nar simply waits, though his head unconsciously cocks, listening to someone only he can hear.
"Good evening," Daer calls out to J'van upon spotting him. "They seem to be all ready." The Weyrlingmaster rises and moves towards the back of the group, so as nbot to be a distraction.
Avila ambles in from the Weyrling field.
J'van nods to C'daer, then looks towards the weyrlings again, waiting for them to quieten as he straightens to his full height, adding a faint smile. "Hello.....thank you all for being here. I'd like to talk to you today about wings.." His gaze flicks from weyrling to weyrling. "Anyone happen to know how many wings we have at Fort, and what their names and status are?"
T'nar raises a hand tentatively.
Osasune mouths something to herself, and starts counting on her fingers.
Ilesyn stretches out her legs in front of her, regarding J'van almost lazily. "No idea whatsoever," she declares, "though I suppose we're all about to find out."
"Il-e-syn," comes C'daer's annoyed little whisper through the crowd from behind her. "Behave."
J'van raises a brow at Ilesyn "Actually you are..." He murmurs. "Some of you might learn more than you wish to as well.." he adds, before nodding to T'nar "Alright, then - you have a go at it. How many, and what are their names?
T'nar mutters, "Aurora are queens and pregnant or recoving riders; Dawn is precision fighters with all color except gold; Storm is the Weyrleader's and Weyrsecond's wing... And there's also Magma, Sunrise, Sunset... err... Twilight. Right now, that's all I can remember."
Ilesyn ignores C'daer - though, to be fair, that results in only sitting still, and not turning back to grace him with a response. Calmly, she smiles, "I know," she agrees, in response to J'van.
Osasune glances at her fingers, then curls them up and rests her hands on her knees again.
C'daer looks up at J'van again after a long, disapproving glance at the back of Ilesyn's head.
Avila leans against the back wall, arms folded. "Don't try to gamble with Dawn riders. They're generally too smart. Of course, you're all Magma. I go after Sunrise and Sunset, myself, when I want a few extra marks." She scans the room, and then laughs. "Well, I've tipped off anyone here that'll be in either of those wings."
J'van grins at Avila "There you go...a bit of helpful advice to go with the lesson. Very good, T'nar - as you say, Aurora is for queens and their riders and for those who aren't fit to go between in the fighting wings. Storm, Dawn, Sunrise, and Sunset are our fighting wings and are diverse groups of all colors except gold. Twilight is comprised mainly of older or retired riders, those who are no longer able to fly Thread..." He goes a bit more in depth, looking from one weyrling to another. "Can anyone tell me who are present wingleaders and wingseconds are for each wing?"
J'van adds, with a grin "Magma, of course, is self-explanatory. You know who you are."
Ilesyn's lips crack into an amused smile at Avila's commentary, as she elongates herself further -- she slumps, her legs outstretched, her pose one of absolute relaxation. "No," she adds, piping up in response to J'van's question; by her expression, it's likely that she's playing the fool, more than anything.
T'nar nods slightly, and Baedanth rumbles with soft approval from his place far behind his weyrmate. He waits for others to take their chance to answer.
Osasune murmurs, "We have a Sunset Wing? Really?" She glances about, and someone elbows her ribs.
J'van narrows his gaze on Osasune "We do, actually - You should have known that - why don't you tell me a few of those wingleader/wingsecond names, weyrling?"
C'daer turns an interested gaze on the Osasune spotlight.
T'nar regards Osasune levelly, and then looks at other weyrlings.
Osasune flushes, and stammers, "Um, um.... Well, you're the Wingleader for Storm, Weyrleader, sir - and Weyrsecond S'vilen is your Wingsecond..."
J'van gives Osasune a dryly amused glance "Very good...but what about our other wings? Certainly you know a few of those as well?"
"Umn..." Osa blinks a few more times. "T-there's Dawn Wing, and Shoshana is Wingleader. With... Maykara as Wingsecond...?"
T'nar gives Osasune an encouraging look, nodding as if to coax more out of her.
In the back, Daer is mumbling the wingleaders' and wingseconds' names inaudibly under his breath, tapping his fingers on his knees nervously.
Ilesyn is entirely unconcerned, and stiffles - barely - a yawn.
J'van smiles at Osasune "Better.....Ilesyn - would you care to add to that, or are we boring you?" is wondered. Seems he caught that yawn, stifled or not. "T'nar....what about you?"
"No, no, I think you're doing fine," promises Ilesyn, snapping - sort of - to attention.
T'nar seems to be gazing into space, and then answers slowly, "Weyrwoman Jalis and goldrider Andariel for Aurora, Weyrlingmaster C'daer and Assistant Weyrlingmaster Avila for Magma..."
C'daer groans softly, and fixes an if-looks-could-kill gaze on Ilesyn. Then, he looks exasperatedly over at T'nar, rolls his eyes, but manages to keep quiet: not his lecture.
Osasune exhales a little, still flushing.
J'van chuckles "I see....Sunrise and Sunset obviously don't play largely in your lives - best you know these things, folks, as you might end up in one of these wings. You'll get off onto the wrong foot if you don't know who your leaders are." His expression turns slightly stern. "T'ien is wingleader of Sunrise with K'reb on Brown Kodiath his second. Z'rik is leader of Sunset, with Denna his second....I suggest you each memorize these names as they will have bearing on your near futures..." His gaze pins Ilesyn "You I think should write each name 50 times - for all wingleaders and wingseconds, just to make sure you know them /very/ well..." And to perhaps teach a bit less sass and a bit more interest. "C'daer, if you would make sure she gets that turned in, in a timely manner?"
Ilesyn's jaw drops for only an instant; she recovers quickly, and only smiles, imperiously. "As you wish, Weyrleader," she responds. "If you'd like there to be such a waste of resources, who am I to argue."
T'nar nods crisply, and tries not to half-grin over at Ilesyn.
"With pleasure," C'daer says, turning a feral grin towards the Weyrleader. "And T'nar, I am not the Wingleader of Magma - I am the Weyrlingmaster. Magma does not have a wingleader and wingsecond as such.. I'm not sure if Andariel's Aurora's wingsecond, either - J'van?"
Osasune pales slightly, and nods in J'van's direction.
"That's why I hesitated, Weyrlingmaster," T'nar murmurs. "I spoke of you and your contemporary as the de-facto heads of Magma." A slight cock of the head again. "I'm not certain who actually /is/ the Weyrwoman's second, now, either."
"Besides which, there are /several/ Assistant weyrlingmasters - not just Avila," comments Ilesyn. "They'd all be Wingsecond, in effect, I should think."
J'van raises a brow at Ilesyn "If you feel that way, you can borrow the harper's sand table, I think. Of course, then I will have to expend human resource to watch you do it...." He shrugs. "I think it is worth a few hides to see that you know these things. And you are right. Your other weyrlingmasters are Miake and K'rin - however, I asked for wingleaders and seconds, and I believe T'nar named both of those." He turns his attention back to the weyrlings as a group. "Alright, folks. Who can tell me the most important thing we need to find in a wing?"
Osasune hesitantly raises her hand, chewing on her lower lip.
Ilesyn gives another shrug of her shoulders. "As you wish, Weyrleader. I'll not argue, since I'm just a subservient weyrling, ready to be sent out in the front lines to be slaughtered."
J'van adds, in response to C'daer's question "Also - while Magma does not really have a wingleader/wingsecond per se, as the other wings do, we do give the honorary titles to the weyrlingmaster and the most senior of the assistants, who in this case would be Avila - so you were partially correct, T'nar. Also, Andariel is now wingsecond for Aurora wing now that Eliwys is no longer here to fulfill that position."
If T'nar were less careful with his precious hide, he'd jump to his feet and cheer on Ilesyn. However, he remains quiet, and contents himself with a fractional nod.
Osasune winces as Ilesyn speaks, hand freezing in the air.
J'van ignores Ilesyn and nods to Osasune "Yes, weyrling. Go ahead and enlighten us, please."
"I, um, think the most important thing to be found in a wing is, um, training?" Osasune sounds hopeful.
J'van eyes Osasune, then looks around "Anyone else?" is asked - obviously that was the wrong answer, though he tempers his stern expression with a smile "A good guess, however, Weyrling."
Osasune lowers her hand, wincing a bit.
T'nar simply says, "Discipline," as if already knowing this isn't the correct answer to this question game.
"Teamwork," announces Ilesyn, rolling her eyes. "Or better yet - sheep. Everyone following, blindly, doing what they're told."
C'daer glances over at Avila, rolls one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug, and looks despairingly from weyrling to weyrling. His eyes promise doubled drills tomorrow.
Nallath senses Baedanth projects << Yours speaks aloud what mine must now carry inside, since he has already become disfavored by the WLM staff and the Weyrsecond and Weyrleader. His heart is with her. >>
You sense that Baedanth senses Nallath huffs, swirls of deep wine and layered autumn hues rippling through his mental touch. << Ilesyn couldn't care less what they think of her. Yours is just too scared about making a good impression. >>
J'van smiles at T'nar "Another good guess, and something that is important - however, Ilesyn - despite her rather unnecessary remarks, is correct. Teamwork. A wing is almost like a family, one in which all the members depend upon each other. It is /not/ a group of ovines being led to slaughter, but rather a close-knit unit that can only work well if each member trusts the others and can be depended on, just as the others trust and depend upon them."
Nallath senses Baedanth rumbles with loud laughter, and answers, <
"Accidents, injuries, and death occur when mistakes are made, and mistakes are made when the teamwork breaks down. Just as there must be camaraderie between rider and dragon, so does there need to be the same between the riders of a wing. Any questions, comments?" He sends Ilesyn a look "Constructive ones, please, rather than bitter, petulant, and childish ones."
Osasune cups her chin in her hand, leaning forward and putting her elbow on her knee. Her forehead wrinkles.
Ilesyn's expression shows patent disbelief, her head shaking. "Whatever you say, Weyrleader," she remarks, calmly. "I rather think that injuries are not merely the result of mistakes, however -- I'd say that there are plenty that simply can't be avoided. That's what it's all about. Things happen. And mostly to the underlings. Bitter, petulant, childish? Hardly. Realistic, honest, forthright, perhaps."
You sense that Baedanth senses Nallath's mental touch indicates unspoken disbelief, though he comments, << I've hardly seen you make any difference, Baedanth. >>
T'nar seems to think long, and then mutters softly to J'van, "Is it /that/ bad to question the heirarchy?" The question is completely serious.
C'daer is staying quiet, and out of this discussion, though he looks between J'van and Ilesyn with mild trepidation.
Osasune bows her head, closing her eyes momentarily and rubbing her creased forehead now. On her shoulder, Fickle gives a low warble of trepidation.
Nallath senses Baedanth projects << :rumbles again, mindvoice now laced with distant thunder, <
You sense that Baedanth senses Nallath is an artist - his mind whirls with colour, pattern and shape. << I have no need for it. I do what is right, what should be done. I create. You have no imagination, no true passion. >>
Nallath senses Baedanth abruptly laughs again. <
J'van turns to T'nar first "It is not bad to bring new, constructive ideas to light at any time, for anyone, Weyrling. However, fatalistic viewpoints tend to defeat morale and cause more harm than good." This is said to Ilesyn. "The fact is, less mistakes and injuries occur when a wing works as a team, rather than independent of one another. As well, when wings work in tandem, that evens the odds that much more. Accidents, of course, happen - you could trip and break your neck on the lake shore, after all, just as easily as something can go wrong in threadfall. But that is what we drill over and over again for, what we have discipline for." This with a nod to T'nar and Osasune for their input. "Without teamwork, discipline, and constant drilling, rest assured that accidents will not just be inconveniences that occur, but definites."
T'nar seems to digest all of this slowly, not batting an eyelash at the tense atmosphere. A small nod to J'van, and a look of mixed impatience and somewhat reluctant respect for Ilesyn.
"I never claimed otherwise," Ilesyn assures. "Though I cannot, ever, agree with this life, and how it is run. I see no point in burying my thoughts, for that will only make /me/ more frustrated, and cause /me/ more problems. If that viewpoint of mine is such a danger to those I may eventually fly with, don't make me fly with them. I'd be endangering more than just myself, after all." She smiles, calmly. "My apologies. I interrupted your class."
C'daer puts his hand over his eyes for a few minutes, gives a quiet sigh, and then parks his elbows on his knees again, watching J'van quietly.
Osasune raises her head, rubbing her chin and looking over at Ilesyn with a hint of concern on her face, and a thoughtful expression.
J'van adds, after a moment - "As for underlings being more inclined to injury, I'd say there you are out, Ilesyn. Any rider has an equal chance of an accident, leaders and wingriders alike. However, this is usually because they do not wish to fit in with their wingmates, or they do not make good use of their time during drills. We can only do so much for you, and then it is up to you...each one of you, to do the rest." His gaze moves back to Ilesyn "I appreciate you speaking your mind, especially if it puts you more at ease. However, what I don't appreciate is your attitude in putting it forth. You will be going into a fighting wing, weyrling - and you will either have to work within that wing, or you will cause yourself and/or your lifemate an injury. Do you really wish that? I accept that you obviously did not want to impress - but now is not the time to opine that fate. You are what you are, and what you are is a rider.." He looks to the others. "To be anything else from the moment your dragon found you is impossible. Now....on the question of wings, are there any more questions before I go on?"
Osasune's lips press together; she looks away from Ilesyn and back to J'van, but says nothing.
T'nar gives a curt shake of his head, going for a tactical withdrawl at this time. There will be others, of course.
"I doubt it. As I said, injuries aren't just lack of training. Even the best, the absolute /best/ can get injured." Ilesyn cuts off her tirade, and finishes, "And if I injure others in the process? So be it, Weyrleader. But I will not swallow what I feel, and be a good little animal, going off to the slaughter. I am his lifemate, yes, but that does not--" she breaks off, and shrugs. "Oh, whatever. Forget it."
C'daer chips in, just loudly enough to carry, "As you injured Nallath before when you refused to follow instructions," and quiets again.
Ilesyn says nothing, though she very obviously refrains from glancing at Nallath.
J'van narrows his eyes on Ilesyn "If you feel a need to speak, weyrling, you and I can do so at a later date. This is not the time or place." And with that, the subject is closed, it seems. He smiles again. "So.....what you have to look forward to in the very near future is being tapped into one of our fighting wings. How we decide your placement within the ranks is not quite as random as it might seem. We try to put you in a wing that will complement your personality, one in which we feel you will be comfortable and will blend with the others, be capable of the teamwork that is so vital. However, at times we also need to fill in places in certain wings, and therefore you might find yourself with a challenge on your hands to fit in and become one with your wing. Any questions?"
Osasune raises her hand slowly.
Again, T'nar indicates the negative, though his features still speak about his internal deliberation.
J'van smiles at Osasune "Yes, Weyrling?"
Osasune lowers her hand, asking, "What happens if you don't fit? How do you ask for a transfer? How does that work?"
J'van nods "Ah...a good question. If you just don't fit, the obvious thing is to go through your chain of command. Wingleader or weyrsecond first, and then they can either bring it to me or direct you to do so....we prefer our riders to be happy in their wings - sometimes they aren't." He sends a dry glance Ilesynward. "Sometimes, you just have to do what you can to make the fit....no one said riding was easy, folks. It also isn't a game to be taken lightly. It's hard work - that's what all this training in weyrlinghood is preparing you for. On the other hand, there are some fun moments...flights, evenings in the caverns - plenty of free time to unwind from the stresses of the job..." He smiles. "Jalis and I look forward to welcoming you all as full riding members of the Weyr very shortly. Most of you have done well in your studies and practice - we know, not just expect, you to be valuable members of the dragonriders of Fort. And unless you have any questions, that's it for my lecture. Anyone who wishes to talk to me about concerns or worries, I'm always available. Just have your dragon communicate with Rasnauth."
Osasune nods a little, falling silent once more.
Her head lowered, it's probably difficult to see that Ilesyn is rolling her eyes, though she's doing so nonetheless. Beyond that, her expression is blank - and she nods, politely.
T'nar nods, his questions stored away for another day. "Thank you, Weyrleader," he offers with sincerity.
There are a few murmurs and shufflings along the weyrlings, some looking nervous, and Daer grins at J'van. "They'll graduate sooner than they expect, I think; it always sneaks up on them." He stands, looking around at the group. "Drills start an hour earlier than usual tomorrow morning. Dismissed."
J'van smiles pleasantly at the weyrlings as they begin to filter out and break up, nodding to those who thank him, including T'nar, before moving closer to C'daer and murmuring something to him.
Ilesyn's out of her chair the moment C'daer announces their dismissal, and strides straight out the door, her head set firmly in front of her, eyes looking at no one.
You amble eastwards to the weyrling field.
Nallath> Osasune stands, watching Ilesyn go; she lingers behind, eyes on C'daer.
Nallath> J'van mutters to C'daer, "... she felt... - you... have... you... problems..."
Nallath> T'nar glances at C'daer, knowing he would announce something like this. The tactic would work better on younger, less stoic riders, however, and the man shrugs, and heads out with Baedanth in tow.
Nallath> C'daer lifts an eyebrow. He mutters to J'van, "I'm not having problems,... se;... mostly... quiet... When... asked she... after... mating flights lecture... well, you... it... to have.... her."
Nallath senses Rasnauth sends a wave of thought towards you, a calm, still pool of sound <
You sense that Rasnauth senses Nallath's mind is patterned with deep, rich red, and brilliant blue; the pallate of colour drapes into something of an affirmative. << She has not forgotten, and thanks you cordially for the reminder. >>
Nallath> J'van nods to C'daer's response, then frowns thoughtfully He mutters to C'daer, "Perhaps I... talk... concerned... I... she... way... Why... did... be... dragonrider?"
Nallath senses Rasnauth sends a flicker of watery movement that imparts the impression of a mental nod as your response.
Nallath> C'daer rolls his eyes and mumbles back. He mutters to J'van, "... damn-fool idea... having... Candidate... do research... think it's... of Threadfall... more terrified of... admit..."
Nallath> Osasune continues to linger a distance away, absently picking up a broom and shuffling it over B'lotto's old couch, which has had his personal effects removed but never quite got entirely cleaned. She glances in the direction of her old couch for a moment, forehead wrinkling.
Nallath> J'van nods to C'daer and sighs. "That's what my fear has been....." He shakes her head "I have no idea what that brown was thinking, but it's done. Now, I believe one of your weyrlings wishes your attention, so I'll take my leave. Thank you for having me in to chat, Weyrlingmaster." He grins. "It was...enlightening. Make sure they all know their wingleaders and wingseconds, hmm?"
Nallath> J'van adds "Oh - and remember our meeting about placement. It's coming up in a few days."
Nallath> "Absolutely," Daer says, and glances around the barracks. "I suppose I'll need them to start writing reports on what they read, if that's the result. And right. I have the time written down somewhere, and thank you for coming in. Makes them feel like they can approach you a bit, I hope."
Nallath> Osasune glances over at the Weyrlingmaster and Weyrleader, pausing in her sweeping to nod.
Nallath> J'van laughs as he nods to Osasune, adding over his shoulder before he departs "Or they will run and hide whenver they seem me!" is said jokingly, right before he disappears.
Nallath> J'van walks off eastwards to the weyrling field.
Nallath> C'daer walks off inwards to the Weyrlingmaster's office.
Posted by Louise at January 29, 2003 05:09 PM