A Request

Writers: Francesca, Jane
Date Posted: 31st October 2008

Characters: G'len, O'rian
Description: O'rian comes to G'len with a request.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 19 of Turn 4

O'rian had asked for the interview yesterday, in passing, making sure the Weyrlingmaster Third knew that it wasn't anything urgent. But now, shortly after an early and hurried breakfast (on O'rian's part) he found himself unaccountably nervous. Perhaps it was a silly thing to be wanting, and the greenrider would think him a fool for requesting it. Or worse. Even to the young man's own mind it seemed like he was putting his _wants_ ahead of the possible _needs_ of the Weyr, an attitude that was probably regarded as unforgivable in a weyrling.

Still, the Weyrlingmaster Third was no doubt waiting. To not show up after requesting the meeting would be even more irresponsible.

O'rian sighed and knocked on the door, unnecessarily straightening his bronze-threaded weyrling knots as he waited to be invited in to the office.

"Come in!" G'len called out, glad for a break from paperwork. "Ah, O'rian," he said, when the lad came in. His favorite part of his job was being able to spend time one-on-one with the weyrlings and to learn about each of them. "How is Taoth doing? No strains or injuries I trust?" Of course, he would know about anything that would have an impact on his training, but sometimes there were little issues that came to light at these private meetings.

"No, sir, nothing like that. I check him all the time. He says I fuss, but I think he likes it, really."

"Dragons generally love any attention they get; and, you can never be too careful. Sometimes overeager dragons will injure themselves," he reminded O'rian, although the weyrling had often heard this since Impression. "But, I'm glad to hear all is well. Now, what can I help you with?" he asked with a smile, leaning back in his chair a bit to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

"It's - I don't want anybody to think I won't do my duty to the Weyr, but on Threadfall days when all the other weyrlings are helping dragonriders get ready and then when they come back. The riders come back, I mean, I have to work with the healers." O'rian knew he was rushing his explanation but he didn't want the Weyrlingmaster Third to get the wrong idea. "That was my craft and I'm pleased to help where I'm needed but I think that just once or twice it would be good for me to see what the riders do, because I knew before I Impressed what the healers did during Threadfall and when I graduate I'll be a rider, not a healer." He stopped speaking, eyeing the greenrider warily, not certain what the man would think of his request.

G'len listened patiently, letting O'rian say everything he needed to without interrupting him. He nodded when the weyrling had finished. "I understand what you're saying," he said. "I will bring this up with L'pin and see what he thinks. We'll also need to check with the Weyrhealer to make sure they have enough help during Threadfall. I don't want to pull you away from the healers if they don't have someone to replace you. How does that sound?"

"That sounds good. Thank you. If they - the healers - need me, of course I'll go there. At any time. But sometimes the 'Fall's fairly straight-forward and there aren't so many injuries ..."

"Of course. I'll see if we can get something figured out in the next sevenday or two." G'len didn't want to promise anything, but he hoped something could be worked out.

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate it." More so because he had half expected his suggestion to be dismissed out of hand.

G'len nodded. "Thank you for coming to see me." He tried to be as approachable as possible to weyrlings. He would rather have them come to him with every small question than be too scared to ask important ones.

Last updated on the November 1st 2008

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A Request