|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:56 am
A'ras unloaded his gear from Cav and looked about his new weyr. Well, at least it was a reasonable size; a bit in need of renovation but A'ras didn't mind. Hard work was not an issue and he knew that soon he'd have this place as comfortable as the previous.
At least here he might be able to successfully perform his job as a rider and it wasn't like he couldn't be at the beach or anywhere else in the world in a matter of minutes. However, he did noticed a considerable climate change in the beyond the weather. The people here were definitely a different breed all together. Even Cavaruth was very aware of the strange air about those that made their home here. Although workwise, A'ras felt he had made the correct choice for him and his dragon; people-wise, he wasn't quite sure yet. Seemed as if it would take some time to learn the ropes of this new Weyr.
So he calmly requested of his fine dragon to please....oh please do not rescue anyone for a few sevendays while he learned about their new home. Cav was rather reluctant to agree however, he could sense his rider's uncertainites and finally gave a resounding huff in response and stretched out in his new space to gather the morning sun of which there was plenty.
A'ras sighed and made his way around the Weyr to learn about the ways of this world even though he had a few ideas already based on how folks were treated. Rank and metallic were definitely far more important than anything else but...it seemed that also...having a bronze daddy was a bonus too. Not that it made much difference to him since he was a Blue rider, he always ended up in the middle of the pack somewhere no matter where he went. Blues just never got much further than Wingrider and A'ras accepted that for the most part even though at times he wondered what he would have been like in metallic's role. However, in the end, being a blue rider gave him the freedom of travel and less day to day drudging over various politics. It probably was a safer place to be considering the angst that seemed to follow that path in life.
As he wandered into the dinning hall, he grabbed up a plate and chose a few foods to try out then looked for a seat. It was then he noticed R'than and that caused his eyebrow to arch. Why was he here? It seemed odd considering the man had seemed to support the Green Wingleader at least on the surface. However, A'ras never had taken time to get to know the man that much to really know his true feelings on the matter. Walking over he pulled up a chair at a table close enough to talk but not so close to be in the brown rider's space. "I didnt' expect to see you here, R'than. Thought you'd be flying Wingsecond back at Ista."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:55 am
R'than looked up from his dinner and offered the blue rider a smile and a nod of acknowledgement while his finished his mouthful. "A'ras, I was wondering when I'd run into you... Truthfully it was a hard decision in the end, but I felt I might be of more use here, especially when we didn't know what to expect. Somebody ought to look out for the candidates, especially at first... This Weyr seems to have a different way of running things for them. You see the bandannas?" he gestured at a small knot of youths wearing purple, and then another wearing orange. "From what I gather they're almost like gangs. If you're not part of one, you're in trouble. Until they get settled, our transferred candidates could be in for a rough time."
He and Garith would do all they could to protect them until they had friends to do that for them. Once that was seen to... Would he be more useful here than at Ista? It was hard to say, he doubted he'd remain a wingsecond but that didn't mean he'd be less useful. In the end he supposed it came down to Ista's problems. One less man to feed might not make all that much of a difference, but one less dragon - large dragon - would probably improve the lives of other dragons very slightly. Of course, being here improved things for Garith and himself significantly; plenty of good beasts for his lifemate, and good food for him too.
"It looks as if we're going to have to ally ourselves to bronzeriders," R'than went on as a man wearing the knots of a wingleader passed by. "I'm not quite sure how it all works yet... but I'm sure we'll work it out in the end." It would be interesting to see how different A'ras was here, away from that blasted green wingleader. Perhaps he would turn out to be a decent rider, if that was the case he certainly wouldn't be shocked. Were he more impulsive, less restrained, he would have kicked up as much as a fuss as the bluerider had over Lyveana's appointment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:47 pm
A'ras chuckled as he set down his plate and pull the chair under him, "Mmm..So you guessed I would be here. Well I am more surprised to see you then. Certainly wasn't expecting that.." He paused to taste the food and was thankful that it was actually good! Not a burnt or overseasoned. "Mmm....well certainly candidates need some one to watch out for them. Yeah, I've seen the bandanas on the kids but of course not many of them stick around long enough for me to question them so I've not pursued it too much as of yet. Figured I'd settle Cav and myself in before I started stirring around that pot of worms."
He took another bite of his meal and then a sip of Klah. "Well, if its standard procedures, I won't have too much say where I end up. Blues don't get that luxury very often. You on the other hand, have opportunities. Not that it bothers me much, I've got a freer life for it. In this bunch, I'm just expecting to be a wingrider or maybe if they allow I'll apply to be a searchrider. Traveling the globe is a way of life for me."
It wasn't that he didn't have ambition, he just knew where things stood. Even though Ista had created a Green Wingleader, logically for thread fighting it wasn't the appropriate choice. However, he really didn't think that the bronze or browns were any better than other dragons....and certainly some of the dimwits he had seen on a few dragons surely proved his point. Each dragon type had their own value, he just wished others would see that. Years ago he realized, it truly was a matter of the mating game rather than brilliant minds running the show...sadly enough. It was part of the reason he preferred easing his passions away from the Weyr. He didn't care to contribute to the game.
"Mm...good thing I don't have any Weyrbrats of my own. I'm not sure where transfered riders or their kids might fit in with this bunch yet." He glanced around to see people eating with their own colors. "I wonder if any of these kids should have been transfered here." he muttered slowly words mixed with his own uncertainties. While he didn't want to think too much about the transfer kids right away, he had to wonder how they would be accepted. It wasn't as if any of them were told what life was going to be like here. However, each Weyr had sort of a secluded mentality not unlike a few holds so it probably was a little different at each.
A part of him was wondering why it was easier talking to R'than right now. Maybe it was because he didn't see that same attitude about the Wing that made him just irritated as hell. Actually, he wasn't exactly sure what to think about it all and probably would have to analyze it later or maybe it was just a matter of having lived at Ista. Wasn't as if he arrived to any big welcome here. Things had been rather...business as usual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:24 am
R'than smiled slightly and shrugged. "I had an inkling the moment it was announced you'd be one to come, and I picked it up more or less officially on the grapevine before too long. I told Lyveana you were leaving at the same time as I told her I was. Z'ven's come too, so you'll probably spot him around before long...” He didn’t mention to A’ras that he had noticed how many members of Hurricane wing had chosen to leave, no doubt the man would have made that observation for himself. “Settling in sounds like a very good idea to me. It seems it could be quite easy to make a social faux pas here, and I wouldn't want to do that." He wanted to fit in, who didn't? He wasn't willing to sacrifice his principles for personal comfort though. He would have to find a bronzerider he respected to ally with, and that was that.
"As to the candidates, I've no doubt they'll find their places eventually," the grey-haired rider continued more softly. "It might take some time though, and it won't be too easy on them, might not be easy even after they get into gangs especially on the girls. Given the set up of this Weyr, I have little doubt I'll be wingrider rather than second though so I'll have free time to look out for them." Not a chance he was going to let them come to harm. True he hadn't known a single one of them personally before their arrival, but he felt connected to them now, a fellow stranger in a place that was so very different to home. He'd see they were alright, all of them, he wouldn't let them down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:11 pm
A'ras laughed, "Yeah...probably easy enough to figure out. I didn't make any moves to hide it." He didn't know how many others might have left and to be honest he hadn't gone looking since most of them 'appeared' outwardly content with the Green Wingleader from complacent Bronze to happy go lucky green. It had all seems a joke. And while he didn't have any problem with the bronze that had briefly been his roommate, he just couldn't stomach the idea of the green wingleader not when they need to be ready to protect the planet. He didn't like the idea of failing by the stupidity of the leadership.
He nodded slightly, "I've already been assigned a weyr. Fairly spacious one too but it needs some work to make it home. Fortunately, they've got plenty of room here for dragons at least." Of course, he didn't say how his good looks had a slight hand in the room assignment. He knew when to use things to his advantage. Although being only a blue rider he knew that his weyr would never be as sizable or spacious as a bronze's weyr but this one was a good size for a large blue and that was all that mattered. Cav could stretch his wings and be safely oiled. Reasonably speaking, so far they seemed to be a fair Weyr in regards to dragon care.
"I'm sure they will...." he returned in an equally soft tone. He did understand that they weren't considered 'family' here...yet. "Well, I'll keep an eye out where I can. Can't say I've looked at too many of the candidates but....well Cav probably does remember some of the girls." he sighed as he sipped on his Klah. He had a feeling he that Cav might cause trouble sooner or later considering his favorite past time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:25 am
"Good to hear," R'than said with a wry smile, "I must say it's nice to have my own space again. I didn't mind sharing with Z'ven on principle, I like the man, but it was a small weyr, too cramped for two men and two dragons, especially with one of them being a large dragon. Garith and I have a fairly nice spot too; about half way up, probably half the size again or more of what we had at Ista. It's looking quite empty at the moment, I shall have to get some more furniture and decorations to make it feel comfortable." He could probably get some nice rugs from Z'ven, and once they was a bit more established here he and Garith could take a trip to the Hold so he could look for more comfortable little touches to buy.
"I suppose space is one thing that's improved for the candidates," R'than went on thoughtfully, glad to have found and up-side for the poor youths. "Not having to share alcoves anymore, I remember alcoves, can't imagine how they managed to pack two or three into each one. Room to breathe... Still, I'm sure they'll appreciate seeing familiar riders around even if they don't know us well. A bit of familiarity can go a long way in strange circumstances."
He wasn’t sure how he’d be coping if he’d come as a candidate rather than a rider... he more or less remembered his youthful self. If he’d already learned about ‘the right way’ to be a rider at Ista he would probably despise this place and its set up. If he hadn’t, he would probably be watching and trying to emulate the riders he saw here, coming to believe that bronzes should be in every position of power rather than just wingleaders and so on, believing that women shouldn’t be given the chance to Impress greens and blues. It was a very, very good thing that he had come here already bonded; neither possible eventuality he had just thought through sounded especially appealing to him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:36 am
A'ras nodded, "Well I don't think the leadership at Ista was hearing what was going on in its own walls, sadly enough. At least here, I have a weyr as comfortable as the one I previously held at Ista, and I probably won't have to share it. I got one a little higher on the bowl not so close to the entry too. After I explained to the assignment person about Cav's little...hobby, they found something that doesn't give him a close up of ever woman coming out of the bowl."
He chuckled at the thought as Cavaruth grumbled within. "I've got some furniture to bring over but I might get a few new pieces. I know a few traders that have quality goods and a couple holders that will work out a few deals on furniture if I do a few delivery runs for them. Since Cav's a larger blue, we make a decent transport service. I'll probably travel to the holds in the next sevenday as soon as I figure out everything I need."
Take a bite of his bread he seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, there is that. The living conditions at Ista were rather pitiful for the candidates. Considering so much rides on them for our future, I say that they aren't treated well enough in my opinion. Not that we should coddle them, but still they should be valued. Mmh...well, sure I suppose they would feel more secure with familiar faces. Eventually though they will all adapt to this I guess or beg to be transfered back to Ista. After the last hatching, I'm kind of hoping for some easy days for the candidates."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:11 am
"Mmm," R'than nodded and swallowed his mouthful. "I understand making life tough for them. Chores dawn 'til dusk, only enough space for the sparsest of personal possessions and so on. Breaks everyone down to the same level; no matter who they were, they become just another candidate, and those who were unused to hard work very quickly get used to it or leave. Equalizing them and preparing them for the rigors of being a rider make sense, but really making them suffer doesn't. I suppose there wasn't much to be done though, short of no longer searching candidates and that's an idea nobody is comfortable with." What if the boy or girl you didn't bring in would have been perfect for a dragonet who betweened in despair at the lack of a match?
A'ras' mention of the last hatching made that idea all the more vivid. He could see that little blue stumbling around, hear it screaming... "I hope things get easier for them," the grey-haired rider said eventually with a sigh. "Things have been too hard on them for too long, the last hatching must have been the last straw for a lot of them. I'm surprised we didn't get more candidates leaving the Weyr to return to Holds and Halls after that." What a golden opportunity this transfer must have seemed to them. He hoped they were not too disappointed, and that in the end their lives were better for their decision. Once they were members of factions, they'd be alright... save maybe the girls.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:47 am
"Sure...bringing them to equal bearing is a good thing, I just think that between harsh reality, there should be warmth and compassion as well. I think sometimes that is forgotten as candidates sometimes are mistaken for drudges and maybe even less than that at times." He surely had seen some of Z'nal's method and to be honest he felt that man would be better off doing something else, or at least have a friendly person as an assistant to counterbalance the bitter man.
A'ras took another bite then sipped his Klah again. "Oh there are things that could be done about overpopulation. It's just getting out of the box and looking for innovations that can be managed. I might not be one for change in Wings roles, but I think that we need to innovate some as a Weyr and change there might be a good thing. Can't live in the past forever. But, yeah...I don't think that Ista's leadership was truly seeking solutions. This chance for Favan...I doubt it was offered because Ista was seeking it out."
He paused for a moment staring into his cup considering its flavor. He couldn't really say his other thoughts about Ista - How it seemed that there were many bronze riders that had little ambition and here it looked to be the exact opposite. He wondered how much of that was based on the Hatching itself...or the mentality of the Queen and Weyrwoman. It was a strange notion that something could have such an effect but conceivably possible considering how things were going there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:36 am
Honestly he himself had no issue with candidates being treated like drudges, but then he treated drudges as people like any other, not everyone was like that. It was their job to do the cleaning, the washing, everything else nobody wanted to do, and why shouldn't candidates do the same? They were being given an amazing chance already, there was no need to heap luxuries on them. There again, there was no reason to treat them with cruelty which was probably what A'ras had meant... what he would have meant if he was A'ras saying those words; he had to remind himself that he didn't know the bluerider well at all. For all he knew, the man thought candidates should just be given lessons and then allowed to lounge around as they pleased. That probably wasn't the case, but nevertheless it was important to remember that not everybody thought the same way you did.
"I expect there are things that could be done," R'than said eventually with a nod. "None of them easy though. I agree that it will probably have to be a new, different idea; so far as I know this sort of thing hasn't been too much of an issue in the past. I have no doubt that Helirra is coming up with a plan though, whatever kind of plan it might be." Well, not much doubt in any case... it was harder to believe in her since things had come to a head with the illness that had raged through the Weyr, and after the business with Lyveana he didn't trust in D'tai either. A wingleader would would never last a Threadfall. Shards but when that silver stuff came back, Hurricane wing was going to be a complete joke, resented by all because the rest of the Weyr would have to pick up their slack. He felt sorry for the riders who hadn't taken the chance to leave, for the new wingsecond whoever that might be, and for Lyveana herself no matter how much he disliked her. When the Thread came, she would be the biggest joke of all.
"As you say though," R'than paused to sip at his klah, "this chance was just... fortuitous. I expect Favan was asked because Ista's large gold population was known, so in a way it's a result of the problems we had but no, I don't think this was done as a favor to us.... to Ista that is." He was not a rider of Ista Weyr any more, it was still difficult to get his head around that. So many turns he had lived there, served his leaders and his fellows as best he could and now... things were different. Better in some ways, worse in others, but over all just different; it would take a while before he really thought of himself as R'than of Igen Weyr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:32 am
A'ras couldn't believe in that statement if it had been worded in a million different ways to make it more appealing. After all the problems in Ista, he doubted the Weyrwoman's head there was even on straight. Harsh his thoughts were about the matter when Lice, sickness, and the prospects of future starvation range at the very doorstep of Ista Weyr. Sure he didn't want to be in a Green wingleader's wing but he also thought about Cavaruth's health and while he could finagle meals from the holds through work and the like, he didn't want to dry up resources in one winter only to find they'd be like that for several. No, Ista was in trouble and the leadership had turned blindly from it.
"Mmm...I don't think I can really agree with that statement to be honest. If there had been a plan or an idea it should have been acted on by now. Rather than letting people suffer and the moral tank." He could have continued but he didn't know R'than that well and felt wiser just to leave it be. Personally, he thought the leadership was completely incompetent. But as a blue rider, he doubted that his words would have ever reached their addled brains.
"Yes, very fortuitous but as it stands, I have my doubts about Favan running the show in any partnership. However, I hope that here, there is a better chance for development and change." He said in much quieter tones so as not to attract anyone to the conversation. Yes, he too was still coming to terms with being an Igen rider now....rather than Ista.
"Well, I suppose eventually we will both be able to let it all go in time once Igen becomes a bit more like home. It's going to take a while to get use to the location but at least it's not bone chilling cold." he smiled a bit at the thought. "Cav has already been stretching out in the sand although he liked the view of the ocean better."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:16 am
"Mmm..." R'than poked at his food and sighed. "Well... perhaps it's just taking a long time to come to fruition." He didn't sound too convinced even to himself. Ah well, he wasn't a rider there anymore, he wasn't obligated to believe Helirra was a good leader, let alone to say he believed it. "For the sake of all who remained," he went on softly, "I hope that is the case." If he had really believed something would come up soon, would he have gone? Probably, but it would have been another thing to weigh against his ultimate decision.
"I'm not sure how she'll turn out as a leader either," R'than went on. "As senior weyrwoman, technically she's the ultimate authority here but from baht I've seen she's coming into a very rigid system. Those currently on top won't like her changing too much in all likelihood. Still, as you say, we'll all adjust in the end. Probably you will sooner," he added with a faint smile, "you may have noticed I'm rather set in my ways, it'll be a while before I really feel settled here." Especially with how they apparently looked on females on fighting dragons. That much at least he knew he would never be able to accept.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:58 am
A'ras nodded almost quiet in thought. There were a few folks he might be worried about back at Ista but it was their decision whether or not they stayed or came here. The women he could understand wanting to avoid this place. It wasn't the most favorable situation from what he was seeing.
"Well, at least we are here, and the food isn't too bad." he said lightening up the mood because he truly didn't want to dwell too long on Ista. It would be better if he got himself more focused on Igen. Popping the last of a meat roll into his mouth, he was glad that this Weyr had at least no one messing with the food. He had a feeling that they would severely punish anyone that did here.
"Mm...you're right there. I think even she will have to adapt some. I don't see this Weyr becoming like what she left any time soon." he smirked a bit at the thought wondering if Igen would temper her temper some. "Oh...well, you know, for me, if Cav and I don't adjust too quick...I'll just spend more time at the holds and ease my toes in slowly to this new Weyr life." He paused for a moment, "Yes, I suppose you are rather set in your ways. Well, you aren't so set that you rooted yourself to Ista. And that was a quick change." He chuckled some as he teased the brown rider just a hair. Heck, he couldn't hold a grudge for too long even if the man had irritated the crap out of him when he was Lyv's wingsecond. In some ways they were in the same boat; both leaving Ista for one reason or another and ending up here with a new challenge.
"Well, if you ever get ansty in our new home, let me know. I know of a good tavern at Fort Hold. They've got some decent brew and barmaids that are easy on the eyes. Good place to relax." he offered knowing that men needed safe places to release the daily pressure...even men like R'than.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:14 am
R'than took another bite of food and made a noise of agreement. "There is that. I was most tired of what we were getting at Ista. I know they were doing what they could with what they had, but that didn't make it taste any better..." He'd thought himself rooted in Ista as well. Despite the problems of the place it had been home for turns upon turns. "I didn't think I'd ever leave the place," he said with a shake of his head, "but coming here was more important than my feeling of belonging there." And it was not, as he kept telling himself, as though he couldn't go back and visit. There were probably a couple of people he had counted as friends who would refuse to speak to him but there was nothing he could do about that...
"Sounds interesting," he said with a slight smirk, "I'm never one to turn down a glass of nice wine in nice company. I expect I'll be rushing around like mad for the next few sevendays, but when I have a moment to myself I might just take you up on that offer." He seemed a much more bearable man away from Hurricane wing. Circumstances had put them at odds there, but here they had a lot in common with one another. He might still think A'ras was a bit over brash and maybe a touch arrogant, but on the whole he was beginning to seem like a decent man to be around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:36 pm
A'ras shook his head, "Doing their best while someone tampered with the pot to be sure. I know for all my years at that Weyr the food just couldn't turn to crap in a matter of months. I'm guessing some candidates or weyrlings were behind the issues because most riders would know better or at least not have the access to the area. Most riders don't do kitchen chores." he set his fork down as he leaned back in his chair.
"Mm...I never thought I would leave either, however, Cav's health and my sanity are a priority. I don't think I could have grown as a rider in that Wing. I don't think Cav would have tolerated that Green." he said rather calmly because that was just a fact of his dragon's nature. Here in Igen though, that probably wouldn't be as much of an issue.
A'ras grinned as the brown rider responded, "Then its a date...Well you know what I mean. Just let me or Cav know when you've got a full night free. You might not be coming back until the morning." His smirk equaled the man before him. Of course, when the opportunity of finding a good warm woman was just a flight away far be it from him to not share the wealth.
Getting up from his seat, he put the plate and silverware into the bucket then glanced back, "See you around, R'than." He strode out of the dining hall and found his Cavaruth waiting for him in the bowl for a cool night's flight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
