A Promising Candidate

Writers: Devin, Cali
Date Posted: 31st March 2009

Characters: T'kob, N'vanik
Description: N'vanik interviews T'kob for the Weyrlingmaster position.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 16 of Turn 5

N'vanik

He was here, in the Dolphin Cove Weyrleader's office, so that was a good sign. T'kob had sent out four transfer requests, three for Wingleader and this one for Weyrlingmaster, but this was the only reply he'd received for an interview. He knew his age probably put him at the bottom of the list for this position, but he'd give it his best and maybe if he impressed the Weyrleader, he'd be kept in mind if a Wingleader position became open at a later date. "Good day Weyrleader, I'm T'kob, here for the Weyrlingmaster interview."

"Have a seat, T'kob." Only a handful of other people had applied for the position, and N'vanik had rejected most of them outright. Some of them weren't even qualified, and one of them had struck him as extremely strict, almost ruthless. He didn't want anyone like that in charge his weyrlings. This rider, though ... he seemed promising.

"Thank you." He replied as he took the offered seat. T'kob had heard mixed things about this Weyrleader from his wingmates, but he was never one to set his opinions on gossip, so he hoped this fellow would keep an open mind on him.

"So, what makes you interested in the job?"

T'kob realized then that he'd never had to interview for anything before. He'd been asked if he wanted the Wingsecond spot when Thread was about to fall, and he'd just assumed the Wingleader position when the previous Wingleader had been injured. This epiphany made him slightly nervous, but he plowed on, promising himself to prepare some answers before his next interview. "I'm looking for a leadership role. I was a Wingleader for a turn, so I have experience at it. For the Weyrlingmaster position in particular, I love to teach. I was an assistant for a turn until I joined the regular wings. When everyone realized Thread was going to return I started spending my free time helping train up the weyrlings in Thread patterns and tactics. I still do it, though there are plenty of us that understand it well enough now."

N'vanik nodded. He noticed T'kob hadn't used words like 'discipline' or 'control', and he thought that was a good thing. "If you do get the job, your Second will be a bluerider. Would that be any problem?"

"In itself, no. A dragon's color doesn't make a man." T'kob replied easily. He'd heard the Second was a blue, and while odd, there had to be a reason for it. "I can't say though that we'd become a good team. I'd have to work with him, and the third, and see if we can become a cohesive unit."

"Yeah. Can't guarantee you're gonna like someone." N'vanik smiled a little. "You consider yourself hidebound, or are you more flexible?"

T'kob paused a moment then gave a thin lopsided grin. "A little of both? I mean, when it comes to safety and drilling, I can be pretty demanding, you know how it is as a Wingleader. Still, some of them are just kids, and they're not going to become fighters overnight, so I'm apt to cut the younger ones more slack."

N'vanik liked that answer. "I can get a little mean at drills, myself. But outside of that, I'm not a formal guy. I'm not big on 'sirs' and long boring meetings and things like that. Just fair warning."

"Nothing wrong with short meetings." T'kob agreed.

He chuckled. "Got any questions for me while you're here?"

"None that can't wait until you make your choice." T'kob replied, he didn't want to waste the Weyrleaders time when he'd been nice enough to grant him the interview in the first place. "I've done my homework, I wouldn't have put in for the position if I didn't want it."

"Alright. I got one more question: how soon can you start?"

T'kob raised an eyebrow, slightly unsure of his meaning, but letting a little bit of hope fill his belly with excitement. "Well, in theory, tomorrow."

N'vanik smiled. "How about two days? You can have tomorrow to move your stuff."

The younger bronzerider was admittedly shocked, but managed to play it off with a grin. "Two days would be fine, sir. Sorry, what would you prefer I call you?" He added, remembering the Weyrleader had said he didn't like sirs.

"N'vanik is fine, Weyrleader works if you need to use a rank. You can use 'sir' if I get mad at you."

T'kob grinned, the elation of getting the position bolstering him. "I'll try and not have to use the sir very often then."

"Good idea." N'vanik returned the smile. Finally, they had a Weyrlingmaster. G'len, and especially L'pin, would be relieved. "Congratulations, T'kob."

Last updated on the April 1st 2009

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A Promising Candidate