Not This Again

Writers: Clancey, Len
Date Posted: 12th May 2011

Characters: J'darin, G'wen
Description: J'darin attempts to talk to G'wen and gets an entirely unexpected result.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 4 of Turn 6
Notes: Follows "That Dreaded Talk ... Mating Flights"

Mentioned: Cardella

J'darin

J'darin peered at G'wen a moment before speaking. Had the young
greenrider been listening? Much of what had been taught in the class
were the things that J'darin had shared with G'wen and Cardella that
day a couple sevendays ago. Deciding to follow a hunch, he held up
a hand as G'wen walked passed him on his way out of class. "Would
you stay a moment, G'wen? I'd like to talk to you, if you don't mind."

He phrased it that way on purpose, hoping the lad would not think he
was in trouble.

The boy nearly jumped out of his skin when the Weyrlingmaster's hand
came before his face. Looking up into the man's blue eyes, the boy
gulped and wondered what he was in trouble for now. Only..the man's
tone didn't sound scolding..so maybe it wasn't going to be bad, after
all. He smiled faintly at the reassuring squeeze on his arm by S'vin,
before turning away from the crowd of weyrlings intent on lunch.
"Sir?"

"Sit with me a moment, G'wen. I wanted to ask you about the lesson we
just had." He smiled faintly at the young lad, though he wondered if
his concern would even be welcome. "Does hearing more about mating
flights, and the trouble we take to explain responsibilities and
issues with Flights, make you feel a bit more comfortable, then?"

G'wen suppressed a sigh. Not this again. He made a mental note to
himself not to talk off the top of his head with Cardella again. This
was the second time and look where both had gotten him. At least he
had been able to lie his way out of the first without her
noticing...maybe he could do the same with J'darin? Schooling his
face to look happy--or at least emotionless--he noted.

J'darin narrowed his eyes at the youngster. "Really." His voice
was flat and his lips twitched as he tried to suppress a grin. G'wen
didn't seem all that happy to talk to him, but that was not a big
surprise. He was pretty sure the young greenrider didn't care much
for him. "All that class and worry and discussion ...and you just
nod?" The smile broke open finally and he made to stand. "In that
case, I guess there is no need for us to talk, then."

G'wen rolled his eyes when he saw that faint hint of defeat in
J'darin's eyes. The poor man, for some odd reason, seemed to be
trying to pal up to him. At the very least he could make it
interesting, he supposed. He suppressed all the smart arsed things
he really wanted to say and instead muttered, "well, there's nothing I
can do to stop it or make it go away...so I've just resigned myself to
the fact that it's going to happen, and happen soon." And not stop
happening.

J'darin frowned down at the young weyrling, sort of giving up on his
idea of a pep talk. Clearly, G'wen didn't want to hear from him, or
at least, not on this subject.

Finally, he said, "I don't know what else I can do to help you, but I
do hope that after your first experience, you feel differently.
Flights are going to happen, true, no matter what you want. But,
they are also very enjoyable and I truly hope you learn that someday.
You can't choose your partner, G'wen, but your dragon knows what's
best, and you _can_ choose how you approach the entire experience, and
what happens after. I know its hard to imagine, and not knowing can
be scary, but one of the most important things all of you younglings
need to learn is that we - not just me, but all of your teachers -
would not lie to you. You can trust us to tell you the truth about
anything and everything, whether its Flights, Thread, or the fact that
your tunic doesn't really go with your pants. " He chuckled dryly at
that, shrugging, "Well, I'm not the best on that subject but some of
the greenrider staff surely are. But anyway, if you ever need
anything, you can talk to me, or E'naer. That is why we're here."
He smiled, and with another of those eloquent shrug, said, "I'll
let you go to your lunch, I kept you long enough, lad."

G'wen looked down at his trousers and tunic. "What's wrong with my
clothes then?" It wasn't like he was some wealthy Holder son that
could get a lot of new clothes made for him.

J'darin blinked at G'wen for a moment, then shook his head. "Nothing!
I didn't mean your clothes specifically. It was just an expression.
It was, apparently, a poor attempt at showing you that we're here to
help, no matter the issue. Now shoo, G'wen. You don't seem to
need to talk, but you do need to eat. So get to it. I'll see you
later."

The boy jumped up from his seat and--feeling cheeky and thinking
J'darin needed to be teased--stood on tip-toe and planted a big one
on the man's cheek. "Later, sir!" he shot over his shoulder as he ran
to join his friends

J'darin muttered something very unflattering about young, annoying
weyrlings, and shook his head.

Last updated on the May 12th 2011

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Not This Again