New Perspectives

Writers: Clancey, Avery
Date Posted: 25th November 2008

Characters: L'pin, J'darin
Description: L'pin visits J'darin, and the two riders find a mew understanding.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 2 of Turn 4

J'darin

L'pin poked his head into J'darin's room. He'd been told it was fine to visit, and truth be told, he wanted to. Some might think it odd. He and the bronzerider had not been on the best of terms while J'darin had been Weyrleader. L'pin had thought that J'darin was being unfair to think that he was somehow a lesser teacher because of his dragon's hide, but he had respected the man's judgement and leadership ability, even when he disagreed with some of his decisions. The man was a good man, he just had his blind spots. Besides, it must be terribly frustrating for him right now. While L'pin wouldn't call J'darin a friend, he thought that perhaps a visitor who was determined to be pleasant, not argue, and wouldn't be overtly pitying, or overtly hostile, or anything that might be upsetting, would make J'darin feel better. "Do you feel like company?" he asked politely, ready to leave if the answer was no.

He was getting very close to being released, or so he hoped, but he still held his spot in the Infirmary with resigned duty. He had to get better so he and Hasaarth could fly again.

He had few visitors. It appeared that once y ou were no longer Weyrleader, most folk ceased to care where you were or what you were doing. It was odd, really. And he couldn't get used to the complete and total lack of stuff to do. Nothing! Except listen to Healers rabble at him all day.

"L'pin?" He couldn't quite keep the surprise from his voice. "Why, hello, L'pin. I would love company. Frankly, if I have to talk to healers any more I believe I will go quite mad. Come in, come in and sit."

L'pin took the invitation. "I thought you might want some company. I've never been badly scored myself, but my weyrmate had been, and I remember how she complained about the boredom." he said. He didn't normally feel compelled to justify visiting people, but he and J'darin had never been friends. He didn't know why he was here- but he felt like he had to be, and he trusted that intuition.

J'darin nodded feelingly. "Boredom is entirely accurate... even more so since I no longer have a ..job." He shrugged, his voice fading a bit. "At least if things had been different, I'd be doing hidework and meeting with Wingleaders. Now.. nothing." He looked toward L'pin. "I appreciate the thought. How are things in the Weyr? I only go outside to see Hasaarth a couple times each day."

"I could give you some of my hidework, if you truly miss it." L'pin joked. "The Weyr seems well. The weyrlings have barely noticed, I think, but that's because they're busy with training. Oh, there have been some rumors, but I've tried to squash them. A lack of confidence in their Weyrleader could be too much of a problem when they fly Fall."

J'darin heartily agreed and said so. "As torn up as I am, its important that we support N'vanik, and trust Nyith." He believed, perhaps through no fault of his own, that no one was better suited to lead this Weyr than he and Hasaarth, and certainly not someone who was not even from this Weyr and had never even been a Wingsecond. But for all that, N'vanik was Weyrleader now and J'darin's duty was to support him fully, like it or not.

He met L'pin's gaze perhaps for the first time since he'd met the bluerider. "To be honest, L'pin, I would not mind helping you with your hidework. I miss working with the Weyrlings. And I definitely feel the lack of... purpose...." He tried to shrug it off as not important, but it was, to him.

"I'll send some hidework down." L'pin promised. Somedays, he thought he wanted a rest from work, but J'darin didn't seem to happy to have it- or perhaps it was different when one chose to rest, as opposed to being forced into it. "As for the Weyrlings, you could always come give a guest lecture." he offered impulsively. "They would listen to you, and it would give you soemthing to plan for. If the Healers would allow it, of course."

L'pin's offer both intrigued him and made him almost leap to say yes. Something to -do-. Yes, he really needed something to do. "I would love to do that, L'pin. Perhaps I could tell them how to get Scored?" He managed a small smile, but waved his hand to show he was just joking. "Those sharding Healers will allow me this, and even if they won't, I'm good at not listening to them by now." He paused and looked at the bluerider for a moment. What would he think of J'darin's wish to apply for Weyrlingmaster? Sharding Zelle had put ideas in his head.

"I think if I promise them it won't be a physical lesson, but a lecture, they'll accommodate." L'pin suggested. He truly wouldn't mind J'darin to teach them; some of the bronze and even the browns would benefit from it. While they knew and respected his authority, some of them were reluctant to do so. And while their dragons listened to Chaneth while they were young, as they grew towards maturity it might not be the case. Yes, he could use J'darin's help with them.

J'darin smiled gratefully. "You and G'len have certainly kept them going wonderfully as their only teachers, L'pin. Thank you. Y'sani was very much right about you." He nodded his head toward the man with the first flickerings of respect. Perhaps unsurprisingly, J'darin had definitely been changed, not only by the hurricane and the aftermath, but by being 'Scored himself.

"We've tried our best." L'pin said, inclining his head in acceptance. He hadn't expected praise from J'darin, ever. It was unexpected, and welcome. If it had happened when the man was Weyrleader... well, it had happened, and the bluerider was glad. "If only Y'sani was still here to teach them. As much as I'd like to think I'm a good Weyrlingmaster, I know I can never go above Second, and they do need another hand. But until we have one, G'len and I will do our best. If you'll lecture, and we can bring in a few other bronze and brown riders, we can make do for now."

J'darin nodded. "Y'sani and I spent much of his time here disagreeing on just about everything, but he was the best Weyrlingmaster I've ever served with - over or under or beside. I'm sure lots of our other riders would love to pitch in, L'pin." He vaguely remembered what date it was, and what the healers were saying. "I should be out of here in a few days. I'll come see you then and find out what's happening and when a good time will be?"

"That works for me" L'pin answered. He paused and his voice gentled. He wanted to repay the man's honesty with his own. "I'm sorry you were Scored, sir. I'm glad you survived, though. Weyrleader or not, you're one of the best bronzeriders I've ever met." Even if you do have some prejudices, he thought.

J'darin was surprised at the comment, but found it welcome in this new, unfamiliar world of being just another rider. Zelle and Dyaera had taught him, too, that there was more to every rider - green, blue, bronze, or brown - than meets the eye. "Thank you. I appreciate that, L'pin, but we both know I have my faults! However, I have certainly learned to give credit where its due." His eyes went a bit soft. "I'm glad the damage was fixable and Hasaarth and I can still fly." He smiled the most genuine smile L'pin had ever seen, and extended his good hand. "I look forward to seeing you when I get out of here."

"I look forward to having your help." L'pin replied, taking the hand.
He and J'darin weren't friends, might never be friends, but it seemed that they had come to a new understanding.

Its amazing what Thread could do. Good, and bad.

Last updated on the November 26th 2008

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