Stepping Up/Stepping Down

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 6th March 2007

Characters: U'kaiah, J'nus
Description: U'kaiah and J'nus have an awkward meeting as the leadership of Cyan changes
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 4

It had only been a few months - how did he sharding manage to collect so much detritus in his office? J'nus sighed in exasperation as he filled a second box with small carvings and books, pens and personal hides, a paperweight, a mug, and a sweater. A knock at his door made him look up. "Come in."

"Hello, J'nus," U'kaiah said as he stepped into his old, familiar office. "I suppose you've already heard..."

"I'm moving out, you're moving in," J'nus agreed without rancor.
Maybe that was why D'wrayt had chosen _him_ to lead U'kaiah's Wing -
he wasn't going to make a fuss when he left. Unlike _some_
bronzeriders whose egos and shoulder knots were the be-all and end-all of Weyr life. Well... not _too_ much resentment. And if he was resentful, he wasn't going to admit to it.

"Yes. Well, I just wanted to tell you how very much I appreciate the job you have done with Cyan while I was gone." Shards, this was awkward. J'nus glanced up. U'kaiah looked uncomfortable. **Well, let him stew,** he thought uncharitably, then mentally berated himself. He was too old for games like that. "Mmm. You're welcome."

"I hear D'wrayt has asked you to serve as his Wingsecond. Congratulations." Being the Weyrleader's Second might not be as good as being Wingleader, but it was certainly a great honor.

"Thank you. It'll be a nice change." He picked up a half-finished carving of a firelizard and tossed it into the box with the rest of his things. "Your garbage pail is full of wood shavings. My apologies," he said, glancing at U'kaiah. "I thought I'd have more time to move out."

**Wood shavings, eh?** U'kaiah thought as he looked down into the pail curiously. "Well, I'm not kicking you out by any means. Take you time."

"Don't tell me that! You'll never be rid of me." J'nus smiled and pulled a book from a drawer. "We do need to talk about the Wing, though. Sooner rather than later."

"Yes, definitely," U'kaiah nodded as he drew his attention back to his fellow bronzerider. "Here? Or over a pint?"

"Either or. Although if you do want a pint I'd prefer to find somewhere where we won't be easily overheard," J'nus said. This was Wingleader business and didn't need to get spread all over the Weyr.

"I think I might have a bottle or two tucked away in my weyr," U'kaiah offered. He was beginning to worry just what it was J'nus had to tell him...

The older bronzerider shook his head. "I doubt it'll be two bottles long. I just wanted to go over a few performance reviews with you before you take to the skies."

"Well, why don't we start with one, and move on to another if necessary."

J'nus smiled as he picked up another book, this one on weather.
U'kaiah might move onto a second bottle of wine, but he'd be doing it alone. "All right. Why don't I meet you at your weyr, in.. oh, lets say a candlemark after dinner? It shouldn't take you more than an evening to get back up to speed."

"That sounds fine. I'm moving back into my old weyr. You might want to find me there." U'kaiah wasted no time since it seemed J'nus hadn't taken the offer of the Wingleader's suite himself.

"That's fast," J'nus said dryly.

"There's no such thing as fast enough when you've been relegated back to a community bathing pool," U'kaiah replied with a slightly disgusted look on his face. The quarters he had been assigned had obviously been meant for a weyrling. A greenrider, from the size of it. The older bronzerider snorted back a laugh. Age had its privelages -
he hadn't had to share a bathing pool since he'd graduated his weyrlinghood. Unless he'd wanted to... "Point taken. I'll see you tonight, then, U'kaiah."

Last updated on the March 10th 2007

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Stepping Up/Stepping Down