Summons (J'rad)

[Slim]

Gatherings in the Wingleader's weyr did not usually happen till evening, and then they were usually casual things. For someone to be summoned, and in the middle of the afternoon, was passing strange. For that someone to be J'rad was, perhaps, curious as well.

Yet Chadath had been explicit in his message. You are summoned to the Wingleader's weyr. Come now.

S'lyn sat at the table that his riders used for cards, surveying his dragon. Made of expensive wood, finely carved, this very table had once been deemed fit to feed visiting dignitaries - Lord Crom had eaten at it once or twice, other Weyrleaders several times. Now it was a poker table. It did not matter to S'lyn, for whom a table was a table, and must above all serve its purpose. For example, right now he had his feet on it.

Summoned, Chadath? he asked silently, raising a brow.

Well, it's not an invitation. They don't get to decide.

Very well. Just tell me when they're coming, and I'll put my feet down.

Chadath shifted on his ledge, glancing back at his rider. He offered an alternative: You could also leave your feet up.

Watch the skies, Chadath.

Chadath obediently fixed his gaze back on the bowl. His rider insisted on these formalities, and though he did not see the point of them, he trusted to S'lyn to figure out what was appropriate. He waited for Arcaith.

[dragon]

"A summoning?", J'rad questioned his bronze. Arcaith would give no reply beyond a snort, as if he shouldn't be questioned. J'rad wondered just what this could be about. Since when did S'lyn summon one of his wing in mid-day? Still, the bronzerider arrived with Arcaith's help in ample time. Making his way into his wingleader's weyr and taking slow, but confident steps to the man himself, J'rad stood before the man. The bronzerider's features were always so hardened and serious, and now to add to them was an expression of duty and business. J'rad didn't really expect a social call. Though, he didn't expect much in the way of social events.

"I'm here at your request, S'lyn", J'rad's words were rough and serious, though didn't hold the usual irritation, anger, or sharpness behind them. But it was because of this rough layer and level of seriousness that J'rad didn't attend any of the social events that the rest of the wing tended to enjoy. Infact if J'rad were around at all, it was a rare sight. He stared at the wingleader intently, wondering the reason behind his being here.

[Slim]

J'rad got to take as much time as he wanted approaching the wingleader's table: S'lyn wasn't going to budge, and he certainly wasn't going to make a pretense of this being a social affair by saying hello. He let J'rad position himself where he wanted, and only then did he speak.

"Yes. I asked you here to sound you out about becoming my second. The wing's settling now, and you're suited for it." A subordinate who couldn't get straight to the point was not worth having as a subordinate at all, S'lyn figured. Reflecting J'rad's intensity back at him, he watched closely as the other bronzerider absorbed this swift turn in the conversation.

[dragon]

Straightforward, a trait attributed to the the younger bronzerider. He wasn't surprised at the abruptness of the conversation, but satisfied with it and satisfying J'rad proved to be a difficult thing. However, he paused for a few moments to quickly think over the position as well as looking over the former weyrleader who was now his wingleader. "Then so be it. I accept", was J'rad's response, just as straightforward as the wingleader had been.

He pondered over his superior yet again, however. "I think, however, it'd be worth asking why I was chosen", J'rad's request was simple and sound. He wasn't one to mingle socially, so surely the wingleader knew any other in the wing far better. Infact he was quick to withdraw to his own weyr after his duties were done, attesting to J'rad's sense of duty yet lack of social skills. J'rad was also no fool to his own reputation and posture. Many learned to stay clear of his path. He was seen as rough, angry, and cold. So it would only be natural to be curious why he was chosen, rather than someone a bit friendlier, or even a touch nicer.

[Slim]

"I'll answer that," S'lyn promised, "before you go." He had his own line of questioning that needed tending to, and he wasn't interested in digressing just now to satisfy J'rad's curiosity. If frankness was a virtue, so was patience; both were necessary for dealing with S'lyn.

"I said I'd like to sound you out. The knot is yours; the sounding is not finished." Realizing he had stumbled onto an unintentionally pretty phrase, S'lyn twitched his mouth. He had to stamp down on such rhetorical flourishes, for this was not the place for them.

"As I was saying. You're my second now, so I'll be relying on your judgment on some matters. Start with the wing. I'll have your opinion on how it's shaping up."

[dragon]

Perhaps J'rad didn't expect it, but should have. It made sense to discuss these things after accepting the position. He liked the idea of the former weyrleader having to rely on his judgement, for J'rad was sure his judgement was right and none other really mattered to him. The question posed to him, however, seemed simple enough and J'rad could give an answer that dictated serious, to the point reasoning.

"The way you took over as wingleader and with the flood of additions to the wing, those facts considering, I think it's shaping up well. The wing seems balanced with enough levelheaded dragonriders. They know when there is a time for duty and when there is a time for fun, though I'm concerned how much longer that will hold. The wing seems to be strong as a group, though individual skill needs work", J'rad's answer was blunt and honest. Ofcourse he left himself out of the comparison. He felt his own skill was perfect and he had discipline to spare that others lacked.

Deciding it best not to ask any further questions or elaborate further, the man waited in cold silence for anything further S'lyn would have of him.

[Slim]

The observations about his wing were true, and because of that, S'lyn was already familiar with them. More important to him was watching J'rad's face - and more telling still, his posture - as he relayed his impressions. The chin was up, the eyes were fixed. All signs of man quite sure of himself. S'lyn wondered, had their positions been reversed, if J'rad would have thought to ask for his opinion.

He felt a twinge of nostalgia for his old wingsecond, thinking of the time and effort that would be involved in getting used to a new one. It surprised and, just a bit, annoyed him: nostalgia was a senstation for women and old men, and it did not suit him. He shook his shoulders slightly to dispel it.

At any rate, he did not doubt his choices.

"If individual skills need work, surely that's a task for individuals," he answered blandly. "Don't take it upon yourself to fix that." Letting a sliver of animation slip by, he raised his brows just slightly.

[dragon]

"I don't intend to waste my time on such things. It was merely my observation", J'rad spoke bluntly and honestly again though with a tone of respect to his wingleader that was only heard to those higher up and worthy of earning his respect. The former weyrleader was such a worthy person. But was the current weyrleader? "However", he added with a raised eyebrow, "It wouldn't hurt to remind them of such things every so often". True that J'rad didn't intend on pulling someone else's weight but he would most certainly tell them to pull their own then leave them to do so. The bronzerider was bold to give forth his opinion so readily and without flinching. It showed just how sure of himself he was, pride and confidence blending together.

Giving a repeat on his posture earlier, the younger bronzerider fell silent yet again and waited to hear what the wingleader had to say next. His eyes remained focused on his target and he didn't budge an inch, proving his stubbornness and strong will. J'rad was like a great stone in most senses.

[Slim]

Then they could be two stones together, for S'lyn wasn't budging either. "It would," he replied, "if it was my intention to ignore that part of their training." He leaned back in his chair, tilting his own chin up to watch J'rad. With him it was less about self-confidence, which he simply possessed as a matter of his very being, than it was about changing the angles. Both the angle from which he looked at J'rad, and the angle from which J'rad would be seeing him. With less expression open to him, there would be fewer cues.

S'lyn shrugged. "Spend a moment, J'rad, considering the absurdity of trying to teach a man to think for himself. Because that's where we find ourselves. The wing is strong, they are responsive, but they do not think."

His nostrils flared, his eyes thinning just within range of J'rad's viewpoint on him. His focus has shifted to the ceiling. "Many men see being a rider as a job. In the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, they drill. When drills are done, they return to their weyrs and that is the end of their being a rider for the day. I demand they see it as a way of life. When drills are done, they should be asking themselves if they are finished, not if I am finished with them. You understand?" His gaze snapped back to his wingsecond, fixing on him despite the rather large obstruction that was his own nose getting in the way.

[dragon]

J'rad grew a bit irritated at the wingleader choosing to sit, rather than stand and meet him eye to eye. Was it that he felt S'lyn was backing down? Or was it that he felt S'lyn's comfort and confidence allowed him to be so casual in such serious matters. Though the bronzerider did have to concede that it was the older bronzerider's weyr and if the positions were swapped, he would allow himself to do the same.

J'rad nodded to show his understanding. He didn't have much else to say on the matter, though a question. "What do you have in mind to make sure they ask themselves this?", was the posed question. Surely if the wingleader thought in such a way then he would already have some theories. If he did, then J'rad may actually have something to add but getting the opinion of his wingleader was key.

[Slim]

S'lyn frowned. He had been back and forth with himself over this many a time, without resolution, and wasn't sure what answer to put to his wingsecond now. He did not wish to hold his riders' hands until they figured out what he wanted from them, for that undermined the exercise, and yet it was a cowardly teacher who refused to do what he could to help his students understand.

"I am starting," he said slowly, lowering his head to a more normal angle. "with the evenings they spend here." He pointed a finger down, indicating the weyr. A moment passed as he watched J'rad, going over the proper approach in his head. He did not want to sound like a stuffy weyrlingmaster when he explained himself. Nor like a puppeteer, pulling strings to make his riders dance. "That way, they can start to see themselves as part of a wing even in their off hours. They've already grown comfortable talking to each other, and the next time they do poorly at the games, perhaps - if I'm lucky - they'll talk to each other about that. They'll complain."

He steepled his fingers. "What I would like to see is a group of them organizing their own drills, outside my own, to practice the techniques they fail at and improve our showing at the games." He stopped, waiting for J'rad to sort his thoughts, and lifted his eyebrows to indicate it was now appropriate for the other man to cut in.

[dragon]

J'rad gazed at the room around him. He had to admit that his own thoughts would be to start where the riders gathered when they were "off the clock" and with their wingleader present, it'd be easy to persuade them to the right path. "They'll need motivation, coaching. In your scenerio, when they fail at something then they should be lectured on just where they went wrong. A good enough lecture to make them feel they need to work even harder. Perhaps if they realize that the individual skill is dragging down the group as a whole, then they'll want to better themselves if only for the sake of the others. But at current, having them here in your own quarters after hours presents you the opportunity to persuade them to the right path. You, nor I, need to hold their hand or pull their weight, but the right approach should be pointed out and demanded to follow", J'rad's answer was as honest and logical as he could think to make it. There was opportunity and ways to make the remainder of the wing fall in line and act accordingly, but it was which way they decided they would go. But J'rad mused that it was still early, this wing was seeing a constant flow and rotation of dragonriders so this would be something fresh and easy to nip in the bud. The younger bronzerider was a stern, proud, angry man though and even he knew his ways would probably be considered harsh, but J'rad was always confident in his way of doing things. However, the decision was really S'lyn's and in the end he was merely stuffing paper in the suggestion box.

Meanwhile, Arcaith was paying close attention to the ongoings. He was proud that his rider got promoted to wingsecond under someone that even J'rad couldn't help but have some respect for. S'lyn was tested, proving himself a good weyrleader. J'fel, well he wasn't rubbing J'rad the right way but that was hard to do anyway. But J'rad had his own thoughts and ideas on things that wouldn't be revealed to anyone really. Atleast no one at present. Interesting that your rider chose mine, is it not? Arcaith was being as chatty as ever, speaking to Chadath. Arcaith ever proved the opposite of his rider by enjoying things of a social nature, that he didn't too often experience thanks to his withdrawn rider.

[Slim]

S'lyn raised his hand to his bottom lip, pinching it to help himself concentrate. When J'rad was finished speaking, though, he shook his head. "Fix your eyes higher, J'rad. I don't care about them learning these skills, or doing well at the games, because the things have merit in themselves. I care about them because I'm using them to challenge my wing. That they should figure it out for themselves, without my needing to push them."

He looked at the other bronzerider: still standing, still stiff with his self-certainty. A wry smile tugged at his lips, although he quashed it out of respect for J'rad's sincerity. How it must frustrate such a straight-thinking man to have to look for an objective outside the immediate problem. "What do I always say, J'rad? That fellowship is of the greatest value to a wing. How can we say our wing has it if they won't come together to solve a problem they all recognize?"

He wasn't sure that would get through, but he gave it a try, already trying to frame other approaches in case this one failed. His wingsecond would need to be on the same page as him.

Out on the ledge, Chadath was not paying any mind to the talk going on inside. When Arcaith addressed him, he lifted his head and glanced S'lyn's way, but lost interest as quickly as his mind touched the unnecessarily complex paths of his rider's thoughts. Deadly dull, if you asked him. You don't think he's suited for it? he asked Arcaith, with the mental equivalent of a shrug.

[dragon]

"In the end, it's all about unity then", J'rad spoke up. Such a hard concept for a lone wolf, but J'rad had no choice. This was something he now had to work on if he wanted to fulfill his duties as wingsecond. His mind was getting the individual to think for themselves and solve the problems on their own, but it seemed S'lyn wanted the group to work as a whole and solve the problem together. Unity and individualism, two opposing thoughts from wingleader and wingsecond, or lone wolf and pack leader, respectively but perhaps there would be a way to mesh yet. J'rad would still need to be on the same level and train of thought as his wingleader to help the wing become a strong unit.

But the thought crossed J'rad's mind, he may have to change his character more than he'd like if he wanted to keep the wing as a unit like S'lyn wanted. Oh how Arcaith must be loving this. The bronze, social beast he was, always wanted his rider to be more outgoing and desired social settings. For now, the beast was preoccupied with his conversation with Chadath. Oh I think he does, in more ways than one. Arcaith's tone held some crafty hidden meaning. Arcaith's next opportunity was spread out before him, J'rad was backed into a corner. He would have to change himself somewhat if he wanted this role and wanted to work with S'lyn. The change would be slow, Arcaith thought to himself, but worth it. In reality, he didn't want J'rad to lose his pride, confidence, or stern, straightforward and blunt way of things. But his anger and sharp tongue could stand to be dulled and he could stand to mingle more.

[Slim]

At last, S'lyn could let that smile onto his face. It wouldn't be interpreted as mocking, now: it was infused with approval. And a little bit of relief, if he was being honest with himself. J'rad could catch on quickly. "Exactly," he said.

He waited a moment more, watching J'rad for any signs of doubt about the new idea that'd been introduced to him. After that moment was over, it occurred to him that J'rad was not likely to show doubt even if he had it, but at least the pause had given them both some time to recover. Time for round two.

"I also intended to sound you out about the state of the Weyr, in general." On the wing and on the Weyr, they had to understand each other.

Chadath looked at Arcaith, his head tilting slightly as the hidden craftiness of his tone filtered through. Odd duck. He decided he didn't mind, chuffing to himself as he gave the other bronze a light head-butt. Then it's not interesting, was his take. It's to be expected.