Focus on What You Can Control

Writers: Aaron, Devin
Date Posted: 3rd February 2025

Characters: Z'ku, S'kand
Description: Z'ku and S'kand discuss new wingriders and recent events.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 9 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: O'rosin, M'gan, R'kede, N'vanik, R'lor, Riyanth

Z'ku

Z'ku and S'kand were having their regular meeting to discuss Wing
matters in S'kand's office. After going over the injury reports, Z'ku
said, "The recently graduated weyrlings seem to be settling in all
right. Although that brownrider O'rosin is struggling a little." He
wondered why S'kand had chosen him.

"A little," S'kand admitted. "But I think he has potential." After
all, considering the progress he had already made, he was doing quite
well. "I'm considering offering to mentor him personally. Unless you
had something else in mind."

Z'ku arched an eyebrow. "No, sir. I think some mentorship will do him
well, and if you need me to take over other tasks to free up time, let
me know."

"If I find myself pressed, I'll let you know." S'kand nodded with
appreciation. "But for now, I think I'll be all right. What's your
read on what he needs to work on most?"

"Controlling his dragon and staying in formation," Z'ku said after
only a slight hesitation. "Though he does seem to have a good work
ethic. I certainly do think he's _trying_." There were older, much
more experienced riders who were more lax in their training, that was
sure.

"Of course! I wouldn't have hand-picked him if I hadn't noticed how
hard he's trying." S'kand nodded. Z'ku had seen the same things he
had, so if he had missed anything so far, they both had.

Z'ku nodded, his mind turning to a different subject. "What do you
think about the situation with Cyclone?"

S'kand pondered for a moment. Had he missed something?

"Which situation is that?"

"Well a brownrider Wingleader. That's . . . rather unusual," Z'ku said
carefully. He wasn't sure what to think of it.

"Oh, that. Well. If a brown can fly as second, I don't see why he
can't fly as leader. He'd have to be ready to take over," said S'kand.
"And I haven't seen N'vanik botch any big calls for the Turns since
I've been back."

'Back' was not precisely accurateâ€" S'kand had never lived at Dolphin
Cove before. But he had visited his children there while he and
Ristalle and her children were living at Rising Moons, and Dolphin
Cove was the closest thing there was left to going home to Thayan
Peak.

Z'ku made a thoughtful noise. He'd certainly be more upset about it if
he'd been passed over in favor of a brownrider, but he didn't yet have
the experience necessary to apply so his feelings on R'kede's
promotion weren't personal. "He did make that bluerider Weyrlingmaster
and that seems to be working out so far. Weyrleader N'vanik has never
been one for convention." Then a little smile tugged at the young
bronzerider's lips. "Xemroth is from Loseth's first clutch here, have
I told you that?"

"Not to the best of my recollection. I think I've got a cousin who
Impressed out of that clutch, though, do you know B'dric? Think his
blue's name is Moath," said S'kand.

Z'ku thought about it for a moment. "I think so. It was a big class."

"Eh, well. I've got cousins comin' out of the stonework here. Anyhow.
I like R'lor. It's a pity he's so good at his job, you know." S'kand
winked. "At this rate, there'll never be an opening for me to get back
to teaching."

"You'd rather be Weyrlingmaster?" Z'ku asked.

"Well, not right now," said S'kand. "But it was gratifying work for a
long time. I wouldn't mind getting to do it again when my time as
wingleader is over."

"Ah. I wouldn't want to lose you as Wingleader, sir, so that's good,"
Z'ku said, which reminded him of Cyclone's lost Wingleader. "What do
you think happened with M'gan?"

"I couldn't say." S'kand suspected that even if he did know something,
it would probably not be information N'vanik wanted widely
disseminated. "Not much use in guessing. If the Weyrleader learns
anything, and we need to know, he'll tell us."

Z'ku could understand him not wanting to speculate, but he couldn't
help worrying. "I hope it wasn't something bad. After what happened
with Riyanth. . ."

"I hope so, too," said S'kand. "But don't let it take up too much of
your thoughts. Something like that can eat you up if you let it. Focus
on the things you can control."

"Like hidework?" Z'ku joked. It was obvious S'kand didn't want to talk
about M'gan's disappearance.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't control itself." S'kand chuckled. "Not yet,
anyway. Maybe the printers will have that figured out before I wither
away and die."

"Wouldn't that be something?" Z'ku said. "Is there anything else you
want to discuss, sir?"

"I'm done if you're done. Anything else on your mind?"

Z'ku shook his head. "That's all I had, sir."

Last updated on the February 11th 2025

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Focus on What You Can Control