A Promising Conversation

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 23rd August 2020

Characters: M'gan, Z'ku
Description: Z'ku meets with the new Wingleader
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 8 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: K'deren, D'hol

Z'ku

The days since M'gan had stepped into his new role as Cyclone's
Wingleader had been full, more so than they'd been in Turns. He'd
continued K'deren's schedule of drills, alternating between leading and
observing, so they'd be ready for his first Threadfall as Wingleader.
The rest of the time, when he wasn't attending to Isarth, he'd been
meeting with each of the wingriders in turn. They all had records,
mostly good - it seemed that troublemakers didn't last long in this Wing
- but there was nothing like speaking face-to-face.

He'd asked to see the older riders first, out of respect, but now he was
coming to the younger ones, many of whom had Impressed since the Pass
began and knew nothing but fighting Thread.

}:Xemroth's rider comes.:{

M'gan nodded and glanced over the records again. A bronzerider,
holdbred, but with several Turns' experience now. It'd be interesting to
learn what his plans were.

After getting permission to enter, Z'ku stepped into the office.
"Greetings Wingleader M'gan. My duty to Isarth."

"Welcome, Bronzerider Z'ku. Please, take a seat." M'gan gestured to the
chair by his desk. "I hope Xemroth is well? That was some good flying in
the drill this morning."

"Thank you, sir." Z'ku settled into a chair. "Xemroth is fit and
healthy, and we're pleased to have done the Wing proud." The young
bronzerider was still trying to get a feel for his new Wingleader and
he wanted to give a good impression.

"Glad to hear it." M'gan nodded in approval. "As you've probably heard,
I've been meeting with all the wingriders, to get to know you all
better, and find out if there's any way I can help you. And of course,
if you have any questions for me, I'm happy to answer them. Adjusting to
a new Wingleader can be challenging, and I want to make the transition
as smooth as possible." He thought back to the records. "You and Xemroth
have been together for five Turns now?"

"Yes, sir. And we've had a strong record throughout that time. If
there are any adjustments we need to make, please let us know. We'd
also be happy to work with other riders that might need extra
practice." They'd done that before, with incoming graduated weyrlings,
people returning from injury, or those that were simply struggling.

"Good to hear. There's a weyrling class graduating soon," M'gan said.
He'd been spending what spare moments he could find watching them drill,
looking for the ones who'd fit well with his Wing. "Would you be
interested in looking after one or two of them, when they join us? They
may need extra practice, of course, but also helping them to settle in,
and answering questions." He'd often found that was easier with a
younger rider.

Z'ku nodded. "I'd be happy to help them integrate into the Wing." It
was a wiser tactic to offer help first, and wait a little while before
he brought up his leadership ambitions. Of course it was a safe
assumption that _every_ bronzerider had leadership ambitions, but Z'ku
didn't have to mention it just yet.

"Thank you. I'd appreciate it." The older bronzerider glanced at his
notes. "There isn't a craft mentioned in your records. Do I take it that
you're focusing on your skills at fighting Thread?"

"Yes, sir. Before I was Searched, I was learning hold management from
my family. Once I became a Candidate I did consider taking up some
sort of Craft in case I didn't Impress." Z'ku hadn't liked the thought
of going back to the hold if he aged out. "But thankfully Xemroth
chose me."

M'gan smiled. He could never hear the moment of Impression mentioned
without remembering that day when he'd first looked into Isarth's
glowing eyes. "Well, perhaps one day those skills you learned preparing
to run a hold will come in useful. I've been relying on the more
experienced riders to lead the nines in Fall so far, while we get used
to each other, but that will change and if you want to step up, there
will be opportunities."

Z'ku sat a little straighter. "I would very much like that, sir."

"Good. Keep up your practice with Xemroth, and carrying out your duties,
and you'll advance rapidly. And if you ever need advice, or want to talk
about your progress - my door is always open."

The young bronzerider smiled, some of his formal demeanor easing.
"Thank you, Wingleader." This was certainly a promising conversation.

"You're welcome. Keep up the good work," M'gan said, glad once again
that he'd decided to have these conversations. He'd inherited a good
Wing, and Z'ku seemed like a young bronzerider to keep an eye on, for
all the right reasons. "Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

"Not right now, sir." Maybe later, Z'ku might consider asking a few
light personal questions so they could get to know each other a little
better. D'hol certainly hadn't been the type, but M'gan might accept a
bit of familiarity with his wingriders.

"Then you're free to go. I'll see you at the wing meeting tomorrow."
He smiled. Being called to see the Wingleader was never an entirely
comfortable experience, even if it was expected, but the young man had
handled it well. "Enjoy the rest of your day, bronzerider."

"Thank you sir."

Last updated on the September 19th 2020

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A Promising Conversation