It's Time to Talk... (Emoyan)

[Rowana]

The Touching seemed to have gone well, Nabrik thought. Jingth hadn't eaten him and he hadn't even needed to sneak around. In a way, that took half the fun out of it. Here he was trying to be all stealthy and that Candidate Master had to ruin it. He'd been nice, but he'd still taken all the fun and challenge out of the event. Now he wanted to talk. Nabrik was pretty sure what he wanted to talk about was the Hatching and how he wasn't suppose to go until he was twelve turns. Well, nuts to him and his rules, Nabrik was going anyway! Let that stuffy Candidate Master try and stop him!

He might have avoided the talk, altogether, but Emoyan still had Alph. Like it or not, Nabrik wasn't going to let the man tell him he couldn't have a salamandyr either. Alph was his friend! Just like Path, who now followed at his heels. Which was why a stubborn Nabrik was reluctantly going to meet with the Candidate Master. After all, being forbidden something had never stopped him before.

Nabrik rapped on the door to the office, then went in without waiting to hear an answer. Might as well get it over with. "Hey, mister," he said, trying to be grouchy, which was hard after the excitement of egg touching. "You wanted to talk?"

[dragon]

Emoyan turned as his door was knocked on and then promptly opened to admit a young lad in. He lifted a brow slightly at the whole notion, but smiled crookedly when he saw who it was. "Ah." he said. "Yes, I do believe I still have your pet." He gestured over at the desktop, where Rascal was sitting. Some how he was managing to hang onto not one, but two 'mandyrs. One of them was Skink, who looked absolutely and totally pissed that there was another mandyr in her territory. And it wasn't even her collectedshinyImp!

But Skink had been held captive by the sturdy brown flitter so many times it wasn't even funny, and she had grudgingly learned that fighting him about it was pointless. So she simmered in hot anger, glaring at the intruder that was held in Rascal's other front foot, well out of reach for slashing at.

"That aside, I would like to talk to you about a few things." Emoyan gestured at one of the chairs that were in the room, leaving no doubt as to whether or not Nabrik was to take a seat. Plucking a small book off the shelf where he was standing, Emoyan moved toward his desk and set the item down before leaning on the edge of the desk. "How old are you, Nabrik? You don't look old enough to be seriously thinking you can make it onto the sands and stand a chance. And beyond that ... why were you trying to sneak past me?"

Many a youth had found out the hard way that sneaking around Emoyan was only a surefire way to get his attention. Too many times he'd caught Candidates trying to sneak out ... or in ... and they had not been terribly happy about it in the least. Or trying to sneak other things they weren't allowed. Nothing triggered the ex-Fort man's attention faster than sneaking.

"You are aware that you don't have to be searched to become a Candidate, right? And that you do have to be a Candidate to stand for a hatching?" Emoyan asked. It seemed like the youth was unfortunately going about things all wrong for what he apparently wanted. Unless his whole game had been to simply complete a dare someone else had put him up to. "Candidates are required to attend lessons and perform certain chores. Have you done these things?"

He could tell that the initial grumpy entrance was a facade ... but depending on how the youth handled himself, it may well turn real, the way Emoyan was laying the questions on him thick, leaving him little room to squirm. Or, it might not phase him in the least. It was hard to tell with some kids, how they would react to any given thing. But Emoyan suspected that Nabrik was not at all old enough to be Candidate material yet.

[Rowana]

Alph had never been more pleased to see Nabrik since his hatching. Emoyan was nice enough for a human and Rascal was alright, but Skink was another story. He hadn't dared be this close to another salamandyr since then and Skink hadn't done anything to change his mind. His kin definitely didn't like him! It was safer to stay far away, so they couldn't plot against him. Nabby! Alph called mournfully. You want dragon not Alph? He'd started to worry he was forgotten. With a wriggle, he freed himself and fluttered down to the boy's head. "Don't be silly," Nabrik rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't do that." It was true. Even if getting rid of Alph could guarantee him a dragon, he would never do it.

Salamandyr safe, Nabrik was tempted to leave, but Emoyan had started talking. Like it or not, it didn't look like he could sneak out of this one. His age, it had always been an issue, but not for much longer. "I'll be twelve next month," He declared proudly, trying to stand taller. He knew looked younger than he was. If only he would grow a few inches taller. "They said I couldn't be a Candidate 'cause I was too young," he pouted. "It's not fair! I didn't come all this way to wash dishes! Beside, Kale got a dragon and she's as old as me."

He crossed his arms stubbornly. "Don't need lessons, Kale and Chandath been teaching me." Mostly he was pretty sure he'd skip boring lessons if he had them. He already knew far more about dragons than when he'd come, even if it was still a small amount. Surely that was enough. "And I do plenty of chores." When they can catch me, he thought. Most of the time he was put to work as punishment for some prank, or as an excuse to keep him from doing one. It was starting to get really boring. Like all they did around here was lessons and chores! If it weren't for dragons and salamandyrs, Nabrik would almost have run back home.

[dragon]

Emoyan lifted a brow for a moment, before thinking. Twelve next month ... the kid could squeak by. Maybe. "Alright. Well, you clearly want a shot at the sands, don't you? At the hatching coming up soon?" It almost wasn't a question... the kid was willing to try to sneak past him, the Jr Weyrwoman, T'san, his dragon, and Jingth to get to touch the eggs. All in broad daylight. If nothing else, the kid had balls. Spunk. Focused, if misguided.

"Look. I can't let you on those sands for Hatching unless some certain criteria are met. First, you must be a Candidate. I think you will squeak by, age-wise, between now and hatching day. But you must also attend the lessons and the structured chores. These are not random chores assigned for the fun of it. They are instructive as well and serve weyrlings well when they do impress. So, first off, do you want to be a Candidate, or are you going to be stubborn and get stuck in the stands come hatching day?"

Faranth the kid was stubborn. But certainly spirited. So Emoyan tried to show him his options, and help him figure out what he was going to do. Though it was a tad harsher than he would have liked, he wasn't going to let the kid throw a fit and walk out either. Sometimes, young lads needed a guiding hand that was firm enough to not be shoved out of the way, even if they complained about it at the time.

[Rowana]

"So?" Nabrik almost dared Emoyan to question his resolve. Of course he wanted to stand at the Hatching. Hadn't he been to the last one? Hadn't that been the whole reason to run away from home in the first place. He'd almost starved getting here! Not really, actually, Ahth and his rider had picked him up before starvation really became an issue. Still, he was a growing boy or at least, he aught to be. "You gonna stop me?"

Nabrik listen carefully to what the Candidate Master said. It sounded reasonable, but the boy was sure there was a trick to it. Adults didn't just give kids what they wanted, it didn't work like that. Well, maybe his mother had sometimes, but Emoyan was far from his mother. He was up to something, and Nabrik wanted to know what it was. The boy's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "If I do these lessons and things," he started slowly. "You'll let me be a Candidate? Honest to trueness, cross your heart? No lying now, 'cause I ain't stupid." Well, that was debatable, possibly, but Nabrik had to be sure. He'd been tricked by older boys too often to get fooled by some man who probably just wanted him to stop sneaking around.

[dragon]

Emoyan sighed, slowly. This kid was just trying to start something, he could tell. He wasn't calming down in the least, instead getting more and more worked up over the whole thing, and never catching on that Emoyan was trying to help him get what he wanted. "Yes, actually. If you aren't an official Candidate, I am obligated to keep you away from those sands. There is no two ways about it." He explained, patiently. "A lot of people work very hard to keep their status as a Candidate long enough to actually Impress. To allow any old body to tramp around in their stomping grounds and possibly ruin their hard earned shot at riding a dragon ... would you appreciate that very much if it were done to you?" he asked. "You do realize, that had you succeeded in sneaking onto those sands not only unallowed but with a pet on your neck ... you could have cost every last one of those Candiates their shot at any of those eggs? At ever Impressing? Or possibly even cost me my job? Do you have any idea what you are so blithely stomping around on? The Queens are already as twitchy as I've ever seen Queens to be, and they did not want to allow a Touching in the first place." He pointed a finger at Nabrik. "You almost ruined all that. Not only this clutch, but any further clutches to come."

"But, so far as becoming a Candidate ... yes. You do not have to be Searched by a dragon to become a Candidate, though it does greatly increase your chances of actually impressing. To be a Candidate, you must lodge here in the barracks, attend all of the lessons, and perform the instructive tasks assigned to you. In that, you will be allowed to stand come hatching day. Otherwise? I cannot allow you on those sands again. That's the whole of it right there. The rules are the rules, and they are not to be broken." Emoyan told him.

"So what will it be, Nabrik? Your choice. I have nothing to gain or lose by your decision either way. My only job is to make sure you are adequately ready for the day when the day comes, if you chose to partake of the journey."

[Rowana]

Man, this guys sure liked to talk. Nabrik rolled his eyes. It was always the same. Do you realize this, did you know that...blah, blah, blah. No one ever payed much actually attention to what he he had to say. Still, he was sorry if he'd messed things up for other kids. That wasn't really fair, he supposed. But then, no one had ever taken the time to explain things to him, so it wasn't all his fault. Kale had only told him so much, after all and Hepaticath hadn't seemed all that mad at them.

"I'm sorry, alright?" He sighed, starting to loose the will to be here. If Emoyan was going to start yelling, maybe he really was lying about letting him Stand. "No one ever tells me nothing. I'm just a brat, ain't I?" That's what his father always said. He was a brat, good for nothing, and worth less than his canine. Let's just have it out and be done. Stupid Candidate Master, Nabrik scoffed. He kicked at the floor absently, trying to decide what to do.

If he believed what the man said, than he had a lot of work ahead of him before the Hatching. On the other hand, now that Emoyan was on to him, it was unlikely he could get close to the Sands again. Kale wasn't around to help him this time either. Whatever he did, he was twelve next month, and had a right to be an official Candidate then, chores and all. Would one month really make a difference?

Nabrik raised his hand solemnly. "I promise no more messing with the Queens," he swore, with complete truth. It probably wasn't good for his health anyway. He took a deep breath. "And I'll do lessons and things," he added, with far less enthusiasm. He'd try anyway, but he might have to skip some if it got too boring. But never let it be said that anything was too hard for him. "If you really will let me Stand until I get my dragon." No 'ifs' in Nabrik's mind, just 'whens'. Anything but have Emoyan suddenly decided he wasn't worth it and try to send him home. The boy shuddered at the thought. His father would beat him raw. Better live wild then that.

[dragon]

Emoyan just watched as the kid seemed to descend into a kind of ... self depreciating and simultaneous mocking state of mind. Just what was with this kid anyway? "I didn't say that, and I didn't ask for your apology." He clarified, still just as patient as ever. Eventually, Nabrik was going to figure it out. Eventually. "I just wanted you to know what exactly it was you were chancing with your erratic and irresponsible behavior. That is all. I understand why you did it. I was once a Candidate myself, after all." He reminded gently.

"You're not just a brat and I think you know it. I have to say that you have shown some serious guts in what you have done, even if you technically should not have done it at all. Why did you not ever come speak to me, instead of letting others fill your head with tales and wild ideas?" he asked, as a genuine question. For it did indeed puzzle him. For a kid who wanted out there so bad, why hadn't he come to speak to him, the person who could have made it all happen?

But in getting Nabrik's agreement to go about things the proper way, he nodded once with a small smile. "Alright, then. Go get your things and I'll show you where you can put them. Your first lesson will be tonight, I'll have your knot for you then. Tomorrow morning, I'll let you know what your task for the day is. If anyone gives you trouble over it, have them come speak to me." Getting off the edge of his desk and stepping over to where the kid was standing, he clapped Nabrik on the shoulder. "See, things aren't so hard if you go with the river and not against it."

[Rowana]

Nabrik tried to scowl, but failed. Really, he was starting to like Emoyan a little. He was alright, as adults went. At least he actually listen, which was more than most of them seemed to do. Ka'rys had been cool like that too. Was it possible he'd been a little sneaky once? It was hard to picture him ever being young, but Nabrik supposed he must have been once. Besides, Emoyan said he had guts, and that was cool. He stood taller, trying to look as old as possible, which didn't help much.

He paused and considered the questions. "Never though of it. They said I was too young and stuck me with the babies," he made a face. True, they hadn't all been babies, but the Creche hadn't been a fun place for a boy as old as he was. "Grown-ups never listen to me at home," he shrugged. "Never thought to ask 'um here." It had always been their way and he much preferred having his own way, thanks very much. He was only now starting to learn that all adults weren't like the ones back home.

Well, now he was ready to show them! Excitement returning, Nabrik grinned and held out his arms. "No things, just me, Alph, and Path." His eyes narrowed again. "I can have Alph and Path right? 'Cause I ain't leaving 'em." He was sure it should be fine, but he had to be certain.

[dragon]

"Son, let me tell you something. Unless I get orders to the contrary from the Weyrwoman herself, I'm the one who says who can and who can't be a Candidate. If someone wants to be one, it's me they have to come see. Not some local yokel. That's why my title is Candidate Master. There is only one of them, and I'm him." Emoyan explained. "Now, technically, they are correct. You are too young. But, seeing how your turnday seems to be between now and Hatching day ... I don't see any harm in getting some early training in on you. So far as the rest goes ... no one can really say. There is no guarantee you'll impress this time around even. So don't get your hopes up too high alright?" He grinned and nodded once, glad to see the lad standing up a tad straighter.

"Most adults don't." Emoyan agreed. "They see you born, and have a hard time adjusting to you growing up and having a mind of your own. Most times, their notions are to your benifit, whether you realize it or not. But, there is such a thing as mothering, and there is such a thing as smothering. A certain point where they have to let you start feeling your own way in life." Nabrik was still a tad bit young for that, but Emoyan wasn't going to say that much just yet. He'd just started to get the lad to stop diving into a pit of distrusting despair. Emoyan really did prefer older Candidates, simply because it was kind of awkward to have kids so young rising to the sky to fight thread, fight dragons, fight for their lives ... or any of the other rather weighty responsibilities that awaited them as Riders.

Emoyan laughed. "Are you serious? Nothing at all? And of course you can keep your pets." That was something else though ... someone as young as Nabrik had a 'mandyr. That ... didn't sit well with him at all. But there was nothing for it. "You're going to need some things. One of them is a robe, and a few changes of clothes. Go talk to Hoayamae, she should get you squared away this afternoon for that." Turning to his desk, he snatched over a piece of parchment and scribbled a note onto it. Signing it, he folded it in half and handed it to Nabrik. "Just give her this. She'll make sure you get what you need." Without the note from Emoyan, the Headwoman might well think the lad was just blowing steam. But with it, Emoyan was more than confident the woman would indeed get Nabrik what he needed.

[Rowana]

"Heh," Nabrik's determination was back. "I won't run home so easy. Even if it takes 'till I'm old and grey!" Of course, he could only be a Candidate until he was twenty, but he was fairly confident that he'd have his dragon by then. If it took a few more Hatchings, so be it. He was nothing if not stubborn and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. The rest of what Emoyan had to say mostly went over his head. Most it made sense, he supposed. Most adults did think they knew better than he did, and in many ways they were probably right. That didn't mean they weren't boring old coots, though.

He grinned again. As long as he had Alph and Path, he didn't care much about the rest. It wasn't like he'd ever had much to call his own anyway. His family had never had a lot between them, and most went to older siblings. He did actually have a robe. A stolen one he'd stash in Kale's room. It might be nice to have one that fit though and didn't make him trip. He remembered Hoayamae, the bossy kitchen lady who sometimes made him do chores, but always gave him a snack he was done. She was alright, as adults went he supposed. He took the note in one hand and held out the other to shake. "It's a deal, mister," his eyes shone like he'd just won a victory. "No backing out now!"

[dragon]

Emoyan couldn't help but chuckle at the lad's enthusiasm. If he'd show half that much interest in his duties as a Candidate, he would be a fine one at that. It was too bad the kid hadn't been actually searched. Being Searched for Candidacy would have greatly increased his chances at impression. Too bad Kindrith wasn't still around, he'd have asked the blue to take a look at the kid. Kindrith had not been a Search dragon, but he had had a very small ability in the area. He just had to concentrate harder, which had always made the blue complain.

But then ... if Kindrith had still been around, Emoyan would not be Candidate master. And if he hadn't ... likely this lad never would have gotten this shot at being a Candidate. Emoyan knew from prior meetings that quite a lot of Candidatemasters would not have accepted anyone even slightly underage, unsearched, or otherwise out of synch with the status quo.

He took the hand that Nabrik offered, even though the kid's was tiny in his own. He'd grow up yet, though. Especially in the Weyr where he'd have plenty to eat. "That's the spirit." He answered, in approval. "Now get along. You need to find the Headwoman, get your things, and get back here in time for your first lesson. When you get back I'll show you where to stash them." Stepping over to the door, he pulled it open for Nabrik to make his exit again. "Don't be late."