Much needed advice

Writers: Ang, Chelle
Date Posted: 11th May 2013

Characters: P'nal, D'ret
Description: The pair catch up and P'nal offers advice.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 22 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Jykri, K'ale

It had been a long day but the incentive to possibly see the eggs this evening made the events worth it. He was getting so very excited and it was hard to tamp down those feelings when he had every chance ... again ... of not Impressing. Heading back to the barracks to get cleaned up, he was so exhausted, he didn't even see the rider he accidentally bumped into.

"Hmmph." P'nal gave a small noise as he accepted the contact. The brownrider was surprised when he recognized the candidate though. The boy seemed to be doing allright. With a Hatching coming, he was sure he was busy and anxious however. "And we meet again."

"Oh, I'm so sorry ... P'nal," he said as he looked up at the brownrider. Memories of their last talk flooded through him and he blushed slightly. "How are you sir?" Daret asked lamely.

"Same as usual. You're probably excited though I bet," he remarked easily. "Tell me, how are things going after we spoke last?"

"Just a little bit," he admitted with a nervous grin. The man didn't know he'd been contemplating leaving the Weyr after this Hatching and Daret wasn't about to bring it up now. "Things have been great! I've gotten better about who, and who I don't, hang out with. Sir, do you think there will be a problem with these eggs? I mean ... well, it's small and all ..."

He felt like an idiot and he glanced around to be sure that no one else heard his question, especially the riders of the dragons on the Sands.

"The lack of eggs doesn't mean the ones laid won't be quality. Onnyth has always clutched healthy eggs in the past so I don't see why she won't now. There will be less chance of Impression this time of course, but the dragons should be fine. Browns have flown golds before-usually junior golds like Onnyth so it's nothing new. It just happened this time that the winning brown happened to be quite young." While the small size of the clutch was a bit disappointing to the Wingleaders obviously, it couldn't be helped. In a Pass, P'nal was thankful for any eggs at all.

"That's very good to know," Daret said with a thankful nod. He relaxed a bit at the thought that at least they should all be healthy. "It was quite a shock when Imalkyth won but I was really happy for K'ale. They certainly deserved it." Thought of K'ale always made him happy and he briefly wondered if the brown would chase his potential green. He certainly hoped so.

"Well I've known K'ale for awhile now and he's one of my wingriders of course. He's a good lad." P'nal didn't mention the fact that it might have been better had someone else won since it was a moot point and the candidate didn't need to be involved in those sorts of arguments just yet. "One thing to know though, it's not really a matter of deserving. It's just simply the queen's choice. No one knows why they choose who they choose."

"Has Jodeth ever caught a queen?" he asked without thinking that the question may be a bit rude.

"My boy is more partial to greens. He's chased a queen a time or two but things never worked out." Of course as far as the greens went, Jodeth was decent at catching. Then again, many greens rose in a day so there were more chances.

A sudden jolt went through him and Daret couldn't help but widen his eyes before dropping his gaze. Jodeth was partial to greens. He hadn't even thought of the possibility of being with P'nal when he'd always focused on blueriders. Now this was an interesting development. "I'm not sure if I should feel sorry for him or not when it comes to catching queens. But if he's chasing and catching greens, there's nothing to feel sorry about!" he said with a chuckle and a quick look up at the very handsome man.

"Don't be sorry for him at all. He's happy and content with his lot and we're busy enough with Flights and the Wing and everything else. Besides, I make sure he's well cared for-let me assure you on that." P'nal was so busy these days that he didn't even have time for any of his tanning.

Daret had no doubt that Jodeth was well cared for. He hadn't met a dragon yet that wasn't. "I'm glad to hear it. It'll be nice when the Hatching is over. The waiting this time is killing me ..." he said as he looked down at his feet. The decision he'd made still wasn't sitting well so he truly hoped he wouldn't have to make it.

"Is there a reason why?" He didn't recall the boy acting that way the time before.

Blinking at the tall dark man, Daret wasn't sure how to begin. "So much has happened since the last Hatching ... I really want to Impress this time. In fact, if I don't ... I'm leaving," he answered with an air of finality, the decision sinking in deep. It felt right for the first time since he first considered it.

"To go where?" P'nal knew many considered leaving the Weyr but most of them would never survive outside of it.

"Back to the Weaver Hall," he answered, digging his toe into the ground as he slid his hands in his pocket. "Father is ... well, he's pressuring and I just can't watch another class of weyrlings right now." Especially if Jykri Impressed and he had a very good feeling the boy would.

"Your father is pressuring what?" P'nal didn't understand. He also thought if Daret gave up simply because he too weak to watch others Impress when he did not that the boy probably wasn't rider material anyway. He didn't want it bad enough apparently.

Frowning up at the tall, dark man, Daret said, "He wants me to curb my ... he wants me to be a proper candidate or go back to the Hall." There was something different in their conversation, some feeling that made him uncomfortable but as astute as he usually was, he simply couldn't pinpoint it this time. "He means well, I suppose. It's the new woman he's wooing."

"Well, Daret, how does he know what sort of candidate you're being anyway?" This was puzzling. P'nal had been craftbred so he knew all about that, but he couldn't help but wonder. And the boy had seemed like he had would make a good rider before.

"He's heard the talk about who I'm spending my time with. And she's SO traditional!" he said then stopped to consider why it was bothering him so much. "I guess ... I guess this Hatching is more important because I have more to lose. Oh, I'm so confused! I want to Impress, I do, more than ever before. But if Jykri does and I don't ..." he stopped to blink tears from eyes and took a step back. Daret wanted to go, to think before he made a complete fool of himself but wasn't rude enough to simply run off.

"Daret-listen to me. You have to stop thinking in ultimatums. Life is not about ultimatums. It is about learning and changing. And if your friend Impresses and you do not, you could easily Impress the next Hatching if it is meant to be. Could you not simply be happy for them? I know it's hard but to be honest, as a rider you have to be able to deal with your emotions. I have seen many of my friends die. I have seen people I know end up dragonless and miserable for the rest of their lives. You have to accept what can happen and move forward." He put his hands on the lad's shoulders and watched him for a bit. "Whatever happens on Hatching day happens, but I would hope that you don't leave after. You would be a fine addition to our Weyr whether or not you Impress on that day. Do you understand me?" The dark man could sometimes seem a little bit too intense and he knew this but it was just his way.

But it was that sternness that Daret needed at that very moment. How did the man know exactly what to say? "I understand and I will accept. I've accepted before, this time is no different ... well, a little different," he said with a small, shy grin. "Thank you, P'nal. I'm sorry for being such a ninny."

"You're young in life. You have a lot to learn, but that's why there are old people like me around," he chuckled, revealing a row of white teeth. "Now go on to whatever you were doing. I'll probably see you again."

"You will!" Daret said enthusiastically as he gave P'nal a quick, tight hug then turned and headed back to the barracks in a much better frame of mind.

Last updated on the June 17th 2013

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Much needed advice