Flashback: Taking Personal Days (S'lyn)

[Invisible]

(OOC: Takes place after The Assignment and before Departure.)

If there was one thing that could be said about G’tet it’s that he was a good fellow. Dependable and solid for all he rode a green who was the very definition of flighty. He didn’t even come across as trying to make up for her. He was just a good man who knew his duty and saw to it that it was done. Oh, he had his moments because who didn’t but most of the time there was no one a man should rather have by his side. It was these reasons that G’tet rarely had reason to speak personally to his wingleader.

Ever since S’lyn had taken over G’tet had kept his head down. He really did not want to be transferred and the odds were good many of those would be coming. And they had as the former weyrleader got things set to his satisfaction. But G’tet the dependable had persevered and remained a part of Sleet still. He wanted to keep it that way. He liked things orderly if only because it made disorder when you sought it easier to get a handle on. There were questions on why he had been chosen and he wondered if part of it wasn’t because J’fel had wanted someone from S’lyn’s wing to do this mission. Was he being used as a political pawn?

Not that it mattered. He had been asked to do this and he would. G’tet did not shy away from his duty even if it made him uncomfortable. He had Kalpeth and now Genet was here with him and he would persevere through whatever came. But first he needed to speak to S’lyn. J’fel would handle it, right? Wrong. If someone asked the former weyrleader for a few days to do something it would not be the boy who had taken his place. No, this was best handled by G’tet himself.

Rousing Kalpeth from her midday slumber he let out a sigh. Beauty? Please ask Chadath if I might have a few minutes of his rider’s time. Sleepy questions went unformed as G’tet told her Just ask, ok, Kal? Awakening herself fully the green sent out her question to the bronze G’tet would like to speak to your rider. He asks that we be allowed to come visit when he is free.

[Slim]

Hearing the green's summons, Chadath stirred himself from what had almost been a nap. There was simply no rest for the wicked: he'd just beaten two blues very soundly in a race around the bowl, but now it appeared he would not get to take his victory nap. At least, not right away.

He touched his rider's mind, finding S'lyn brooding over some scroll he'd picked up from the records that morning. Kalpeth's wishes to speak to you. Are you free?

S'lyn was curt. Yes. Send them by.

So Chadath turned his attentions right back around, finding the green again and giving her a mental wave of permission. Rousing himself from his laziness, he added words a second later: Come by the weyr. As he spoke, he moved so his body would no longer be sprawled across the ledge. Kalpeth wasn't known for her neat landings, and he preferred not to be accidentally stumbled into or tail-whipped in the face.

Within the weyr, S'lyn rolled up his scroll and tied a ribbon neatly around it. Stuffing it under the bed, he went to a table in the center of the room, and there awaited G'tet.

[Invisible]

This was not a trip G’tet wanted to make. He worried about making a bad impression on his wingleader when up til now he had managed to do well. However the new Weyrleader had left him no choice. For the trip from his weyr to S’lyn’s he didn’t bother with straps. He was not concerned with Kalpeth’s potential bad landings. It was just a short hop from one spot to the next and G’tet spent it going over what he should say the whole time.

Kalpeth’s landing went well with just a slight, short extra hop to correct for having forgotten about her bad leg again. Once she was down G’tet slid off and gave her neck a pat. Good job, Kal. Hopefully I won’t be long. It is fine, G’tet I have Chadath to keep me company! As G’tet stepped inside he was aware of his green’s greeting to the bronze. Good day, Chadath! I saw you flying. Kalpeth just loved to watch the boys fly.

Once inside G’tet paused to let his eyes adjust to inside versus outside light. It gave him one last chance to marshal his thoughts and then he turned to where S’lyn stood. He offered his wingleader a salute and a respectful, “Thank you for seeing me, sir.”

[Slim]

Chadath rumbled a welcome to the green on his ledge, dropping out of his sphinx-like pose of withdrawal now that she had safely landed. Hello, Kalpeth. Stretching out, he leaned his heavy shoulder against the green's much smaller one and gave her a gentle nudge of greeting. I'm pleased you saw the race. I flew well. No need for modesty, surely, after such a trouncing as those blues received.

S'lyn returned the salute, releasing G'tet from having to hold it. "Certainly, G'tet. What did you want to see me about?" He glanced at the chair across from his, considering whether he should offer it to the tense-looking greenrider. He decided against it: it would only prolong a conversation that G'tet already looked uncomfortable having. So he folded his hands in front of him on the table and waited, affecting an open and curious air to help put the man at ease.

[Invisible]

Affection from a bronze was not something Kalpeth was going to mind. She waited for him to get resettled and then stretched herself out beside him. I was not surprised you won. No one flies as well as you. Here she paused to send a spark of comfort to G’tet who was so worried over nothing. When she spoke again to the bronze it was to say Except perhaps me when I wish.

Unsure what to do with his hands G’tet settled for placing them behind his back. Best to not fidget or seem any more nervous than he was. After all he was not going to cause trouble. “Well, sir. I need to be gone from the Weyr for a few days. I wanted to let you know, sir.” There was really no good way to say what he needed to say so he just pushed on. “J’fel has asked me to do something for him. Me and a couple others.”

[Slim]

S'lyn clenched his jaw. His impulse had been to ask what J'fel was sending them out for, but he had to remind himself that he was not Weyrleader anymore - just a wingleader, with no more right to that information than any other wingleader. He had to stomach a more acquiescent approach. "A few days. I see. And are you allowed to share specifics of this assignment?" He pulled his mouth into a flat, unexpressive line.

Chadath's mood was much more content, and had he cared enough to check in with his rider, he might have congratulated himself on being clever enough to ignore human affairs. As it was, S'lyn's dour mood didn't affect him. He rumbled at Kalpeth, amused and gratified by her compliments. Then we should race some time, because I also think no one flies as well as me. Period. He rumbled again, bumping his muzzle against her to show he was being silly. Serious bragging was only acceptable after you'd beaten someone, and shown you could earn it. It would be fun, he added, trying to warm her up to the idea.

[Invisible]

All G’tet could do was hope that S’lyn recognized that he knew he was in an awkward spot. He did not want to be in this spot. G’tet had never had any problems with the former weyrleader when he was Weyrleader and he had no problems with him as a wingleader either. That J’fel put him in this position had left him somewhat annoyed as his former weyrling class member. As annoyed as he could be with J’fel which was not too much. He had fallen for the weyrleader’s good looks and charm turns ago after all. “Just that we should only be gone a few days, sir. I’m sorry, I wish I could say more.” He really did. He felt bad. Poor G’tet was just a dutiful greenrider. What could he do?

On the ledge Kalpeth divided her time between speaking to Chadath and bolstering G’tet’s failing courage. When he mentioned a flight she felt a trill of excitement. Oh, it wouldn’t be that kind of flight she knew, but still. I would like to race with you she told the bronze with a little swish of her tail to touch up against his. We will see who is better. Of course she was likely to have forgotten the plan by tomorrow, but even if he seemed to be suggesting it out of the blue she would be game.

[Slim]

S'lyn watched the greenrider, trying to find out what clues he could pick out of his expression. Only that he was still uncomfortable, really. Taking pity on him, S'lyn raised a hand, dropping it in a quick dismissive gesture, like a race-starter drops a flag. "Very well. I won't ask. Only make sure that you represent this wing well on your mission."

Chadath felt a little smug. Kalpeth was an enjoyable dragon, he thought, so easy to sway. We could even race now, he suggested, albeit with a forced lack of enthusiasm. If she insisted on remaining here for her rider, and turned the idea down, he didn't want to seem too eager going into it. While they are inside, discussing things. Boring things, Chadath reflected, yawning to show his disinterest.

[Invisible]

“I do not think, sir,” G’tet said with slow thought, “That you will be long kept in the dark about it should things not go well.” That was, well, something was it not? That the mission was of importance and that surely even J’fel would not keep knowledge to himself if things got too bad. He grinned at his wingleader’s words before nodding his head. “Have no doubt of that, sir. I will make sure no one can doubt the ability of Sleet no matter the task at hand.”

On the ledge Kalpeth was enjoying her banter with the bronze. Even if she’d known the turn of thoughts he had she would not have cared. She was living in the moment. Are you not tired from racing? she asked in a voice turned almost coy. I would not want you to lose just because you were not at your best. If he were tired, she knew, she stood a better chance of winning. If she played to his ego he would race even if tired. All bronzes had egos.

[Slim]

Seeing the grin, S'lyn allowed himself a short-lived smile. With permission granted, perhaps G'tet could relax a bit more. "In that case, maybe I should hope to be kept in the dark for a very long time." Slinging his arm over the back of his chair, he let a foot nudge out and push the chair opposite him. It was an open, but not binding, invitation for G'tet to sit down if he cared to. Either way, S'lyn would be comfortable.

Chadath considered Kalpeth's solicitious words, tilting his head. Was he tired? He had been tired, just a few minutes ago, but he didn't feel it any more - and besides, he couldn't be too tired to outrace a green. Kalpeth, little did he know it, had pegged him exactly right. I am not tired, he asserted. It took very little of my strength to defeat those blues.

[Invisible]

In truth, G’tet had been about to excuse himself. But the chair was offered and he thought he might stay so as not to seem like he was glad to be out of S’lyn’s company. There was also Kalpeth to consider who had asked him to remain a little longer. With wingleader and dragon both of the same mind the greenrider decided to sit. “Thank you, sir. To be honest, I would rather be in the dark on this one. But when the Weyr asks us to do something we must do it.” No matter the Weyr’s leader he thought as he sat down.

Blues Kalpeth sent back with a mental snort. They think they are always such good fliers. Especially the ones who caught her. Luckily she forgot any boasting they might do almost as soon as she forget them once passions had cooled. G’tet will remain for a little while she informed Chadath as she stood up and nudged her shoulder into his. So that we might fly. To see who is better.

[Slim]

S'lyn nodded. However much he would have preferred to have the Weyrleader's knot still on his shoulder, respect for the office always came first. "I'm sorry you've been burdened with it, but yes. When the Weyr calls, we all must answer." Including me, he thought as he gestured towards his chest, remembering the effort it took not to pry further into G'tet's little foray. Thinking of that effort, he made another one to direct the conversation to something else. "I understand your sister is one of the candidates for gold. You must be proud."

Chadath stood up after the green, stretching himself out and then shaking like a dog. Being bigger, he needed a bit more time to get his muscles awake for a race - or at least, that's what he told himself. They have to think something of themselves, he pointed out, glancing across the bowl where an unrelated blue was taking a nap. I have to prove them wrong. And you, too, was the friendly taunt behind his rubbing shoulders with her. Moving towards the edge of the ledge, he flexed his talons, raised his nose into the air to scent the wind. I'll count. On three, we fly. One. Two. Three.

[Invisible]

G’tet was glad that S’lyn let drop his mission. He did not think the wingleader would let it rest, but what he did was his business. If he sought out J’fel who was G’tet to stop him? Let the bronzeriders sort out their places. He knew his and while it was usually more comfortable than this so be it. When his sister came up he grinned and bobbed his head once. “Genet, yes, sir. To be honest, we don’t expect her to impress, but we wanted to get her away from home. They were trying to marry her off, sir. She wasn’t having it so when the gold arrived… Well, she stands as much chance as anyone else, but either way she’s here now.”

The green on the ledge moved over to give the bronze space. Her tail swished out to thump against his back leg. We all have to think something she said in a teasing tone. Even if it is wrong. Kalpeth was going to prove him wrong. She knew what he was thinking. All bronzes thought it. She was just a green and they were better than her. Well, that may be so, but she was faster. Her head dipped when he said he would count. Every muscle twitched in anticipation but she kept her wings tucked in close, talons flexing on the stone. And when he said three she was off, launching herself off the ledge with a challenging bugle.

[Slim]

Tampering with the Search process? S'lyn's mouth twitched, but enough of Chadath's good mood had bled over to him from the prospect of a race that he didn't go into stick-up-the-butt mode about it. "Ah," he said delicately. "Then she has her brother to look out for her. Very thoughtful. Is she adjusting well to being at the Weyr?"

Chadath could not compete with the launching swiftness of a green, so Kalpeth got into the air with a good head start over him. Recently failure notwithstanding, though, he hadn't caught Pelegaoth turn after turn without some serious power to back it up. He flung himself into the air, trumpeting back at the green, and set his wide wings to work gathering speed. Feeling an ache from the day's previous race, he leaned sideways until he caught a slight updraft, taking up some of the effort of lifting his bronze bulk, if at the cost of some forward momentum. No matter: he'd make it up.

[Invisible]

The twitch of his wingleader’s mouth did not go unnoticed. G’tet had the grace to look sheepish over it all, but offered no apology. He did what he did for a reason. He had to look out for his twin. No one else would now would they? “Oh, Genet’s settling well, sir. Not overly thrilled I think with candidate chores, but she had more freedom at home. She’ll adjust, sir, she’s a good woman.” He smiled now thinking of Genet’s adjustment. She was definitely going to have some troubles, but he was here to pick her up when she fell.

The head start, Kalpeth knew, would not help her if she failed at the end. Her stamina was no match for the bronze even with him being tired from a previous race. But that didn’t stop her from enjoying the lead. It may not last and she may lose, but he would be in for the race of his life. Those blues didn’t give him a challenge. Kalpeth would give him a challenge. Enough that he would remember her even after she had forgotten him. It would pay off eventually. She caught an updraft and beat her wings to gain some altitude. A good dive at the end would gain her some speed if it was close.