Who

G'tan, H'rik

What

H'rik is having a stroll around Igen, and gets some good advice from G'tan.

When

It is midmorning of the sixteenth day of the ninth month of the twelfth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Lake Shore, Igen Weyr

OOC Date 14 Dec 2017 00:00

 

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Lake Shore

Sprawled out beyond the Weyr proper's hustling activity and ambling roads, the cool, blue paradise of the Weyr lake promises escape from the oppressive hammer of Igen summer's cruel climes; the asymmetrical, sandy white shores hook delicately around the deceptively still waters running deep and sure, greedy peninsulas reaching white fingers stretching in crooked lines towards its center. A sturdy shack, weather-beaten and brown as cured leather, resides in isolated splendor upon one such finger, screened shelving offering a variety of brushes and fragrant oils housed in colorful tureens. Out beyond a small and dusty paddock ringed by a white fence, a long rocky pier stabs out into the lake, providing a panoramic view of the Weyr itself, while the southern shores provide varied shrubs and grassed for the massed herds in their pens.


Early autumn at Igen is a time of extremes when it comes to the weather. Still, bright days like this usually herald impending dusters in the next day or so. Even so, they're days to be taken advantage of, beautiful and warmly mild for all they portend. Zinakoth has taken advantage of it with a good hunt in a mountain meadow not far north of the Weyr, and now he and G'tan are on the lake shore, the latter scrubbing away a few stray lunch remnants from his lifemate's gleaming hide. The absence of a shirt betrays that he's in the midst of giving the bronze a complete bath, however. No spot cleaning; this is a day for the full chore!

A day as disturbingly still as this? A storm is probably on its way, for sure. H'rik is apparently making the most of it with a walk, and his little jaunt around the Weyr has taken him to the lake shore. he's not dressed for a swim, in his trousers and shirt, and he looks a smidgen sweaty on his forehead. Is he trying to keep up appearances despite the heat? Probably. Seeing G'tan, a former fellow Parhelion wingrider, the man moves with more purpose now onto the sand and towards the pair. If G'tan should be looking his way, H'rik will lift a hand in greeting to him.

With his face no satisfactorily clean, Zinakoth gives a fond rumble and nudge to his rider before pulling himself into the water for a rinse…and whatever else he feels like doing. A really long rinse apparently, which affords G'tan some time to drop his cleaning gear in a bucket and towel off a bit. Turning, he sees H'rik approaching and ticks a casual salute off his brow to his former wingmate. "Morning', Weyrleader," says the older bronzer with a little grin. "Makin' the rounds, or just walkin' around?"

"Morning, G'tan." The salutes are feeling less weird than they did initially, but H'rik is still just gonna gloss over them, only a little, slightly awkward nod, acknowledgement of G'tan's gesture. "Can't it be both?" He replies with an easy smile, as he comes to a halt and puts his hands in his pockets as he takes the moment to have a chat. "Zinakoth's looking good. How're the both of you doing?"

"Ah, we're holdin' up fine," G'tan answers, though there's a little bit of darkness under his eyes. It gets an explanation presently. "Busy at home. Kids do that. Somethin' to keep in mind if you ever think about 'em." He taps his temple sagely, though the quirk of his brow keeps his expression wry. "I suppose one follows the other," he says of the previous comments, and folds his towel to flip over his shoulder. "How about you? Not an easy place to be when you don't have a whole lot of practice." And even when one does.

H'rik was always a listener, but this new job of his is certainly letting him put it to good use. He watches G'tan as the man talks, nodding, with a small smile of gratitude for the advice from the older rider. "I can't say I'm planning for them as yet, but…that is duly noted." There's another, curter nod at the next, before he moves on to the topic of himself. He looks away for a moment, as if he's looking at Zinakoth again, but his gaze is just distant enough to suggest he's thinking how to reply to that in a diplomatic sort of way. "Yeah, it's…a learning experience. I've read more the last few months than I have my entire life, I think." Something is on his mind apparently, for his attention comes back fully to G'tan, a curious expression on his face. "You were Weyrleader before, if I remember what I read rightly?"

For that, G'tan can't help but laugh a bit. "That's one way of puttin' it." A learning experience. "But it's completely right, no matter how you look at it. At least, that's how it should be. I've heard of Weyrleaders who made it and thought all they had to do was sit in the chair and have the world handed to 'em on a silver platter, too. No room for that shit, now or ever." And he hopes he never encounters such a man in his lifetime. "Yep, I was. I was Weyrsecond to F'dan when Thread caught him, so took over after that. Then Zin caught Rhiscorath while Mayte was still Weyrwoman. Got a taste of both ways it can happen. Either way…it's sudden."

H'rik grins back at G'tan's laughter. He shakes his head in disgust at the style of leading G'tan describes. "I'm guessing that wouldn't turn out well for them," the rider says, perhaps thinking of how hard he's had it while he's actively trying to be a good Weyrleader. He listens with obvious interest as G'tan explains his past experiences as Weyrleader. "Yeah." it's one word, but it's dripping with agreement and understanding. "Not that I can be angry at Wendy for it, but it was the last thing I was expecting to happen."

"I kinda think," G'tan says, raking his fingers through still slightly damp blond hair, "that you can't ever really expect it, even though you're told from weyrlinghood that it could happen. You run the risk of thinkin' you can plan for what's comin', but…well. You know already - you can't actually know what's comin'. You can only do your best to handle it, be smart as you can. And accept you're not gonna be perfect, own your mistakes, and learn from 'em. But…" Broad shoulders hitch upward, a corner of his mouth lifting. "I'm bettin' I'm not sayin' anything you haven't though about already. You've got a pretty good head on your shoulders from what I've seen, H'rik."

"Heh," H'rik's hands, if anything, go deeper into his pockets as he kinda scrunches himself down. "Nope." Then he straightens up again, pulling his hands out and puffing out a big breath. "yeah. I've accepted I'm not going to make anyone happy. As long as I don't have anyone trying to poison my food or anything, I'll consider the whole thing a success." His smile slips a little as a thoughtful expression creeps onto his face, and then he asks: "would you do it again? Knowing everything that you know now?"

Dark blond brows lift as G'tan considers the question, though it's only a very brief pause before he answers. "Yeah." Easily said, though immediately elaborated on. "I mean, for one thing if I do do it again, I won't have much choice in the matter. It's all that guy's fault." He thumbs out toward the lake where Zinakoth glides lazily out into the middle. "But knowin' what I do know now, and knowin' that I can handle it, it's somethin' I'd do again readily. It's a burden, yeah, but that's not what you want to get hung up on. It's the bigger picture - people, livelihoods, makin' sure Pern is as safe a home as it can be… I personally found a lot of reward in keepin' that in mind. We're Threadfighters first and foremost, sure, but all that is why we do it."

If H'rik is surprised by G'tan's almost immediate affirmative answer, he doesn't show it, keeping a politely interested face on display. "Heh. Yeah. I think now Wendy's had a taste for leading, it'll be hard to get him to not try for it again. But…" and he looks a little more thoughtful now, sober. "Yeah. I hope I can just do a good enough job for the people. Or as many of them as I can, I suppose." He shrugs as he trails off, unsure how else to voice his thoughts, with an apologetic smile for G'tan. "Thanks."

"Trust me, I know. Zin's always been the ambitious one between us, so he's been grumbling after every lost flight since our last turn. I can always remind him that it'll happen when it's meant to happen, though. That settles him down." At least Zinakoth is pretty much rational. At the thanks, G'tan smirks and claps the younger bronzerider lightly on the shoulder. "You're welcome. Just remember you can't please or help everyone, Weyrleader or not. Be the best Threadfighter you can be and walk with integrity, and that'll get you plenty of distance." There's a little tilt of his head and subtle narrowing of blue eyes in curiosity. "You got backup yet? A Weyrsecond?" He's certain that would've been noticed by now, but there's always the chance he's been distracted.

H'rik has to grin at the similarities between Zinakoth and Wendryth. The clap gets a broader grin, but H'rik's voice is sincere as he says, "duly noted." As to the mention of Weyrseconds (or lack thereof), he looks a little uncomfortable. "I haven't got anyone permanently for it, it's proving a bit trickier than I expected. A few people have been helping me out, I just need to make sure I pick the right person, you know?" He looks disappointed - at himself, for not sorting out that whole role properly?

G'tan nods, a thoughtful hum vibrating in his throat. "Yeah, I get that. Just…don't take too long in deciding. Mostly since you never know what's gonna happen." Not a pleasant thing to think about, but truth nonetheless. It's how he got the big knot at first, after all. "Meantime, I'm always here if you need a hand. Or an ear or whatever. And plenty of booze if you need it." And judging by his tone, he definitely thinks H'rik will need it at some point if he hasn't already.

H'rik pulls a face, but he's not arguing that point. "Yeah." The implied reminder of the fragility of a rider's life, especially worth considering when one is in a position of power, is a grounding moment for the young Weyrleader. "Can't delay the inevitable for much longer, I guess." But he manages a genuine smile, with a grateful nod at G'tan. "I might just take you up on that. Anything you need from me, just let me know. If you bring booze, well…." Leaving it on that jokey note, he gives a little salute, a tap of finger to temple, to G'tan. "I'd best be off. Enjoy the rest of your day." His path seems a little more determined than before, a change to his stride as he heads up the beach back to the Weyrbowl proper.

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