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Post by weaving on Apr 9, 2009 22:42:20 GMT -5
It was the end of their shift. Dorrova, E’rro and Kalierre had just come to relieve them of duty and Jermaysk was waiting patiently outside to accompany him back to their apartment. Rather than leave immediately as he usually did however, Jermayan lingered about, waiting for Meira to head out. He wanted to talk to the other wherhandler this morning, and while he could have done it at any point during their shift, it was a discussion that he’d rather have without worrying about distractions and interruptions. Besides, he didn’t want anyone listening in either. It wasn’t that the Nightwatch was a secret, but until it became more than just an idea, he’d rather not have people starting rumors about what might or might not be happening amongst the wherhandlers.
She was leaving. Briefly, Jermayan felt as though he were some jungle feline, stalking their prey and waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. The idea made him chuckle at the absurdity of it. He certainly had no such intentions toward Meira. He did feel slightly guilty for not talking to her sooner. After all, she was practically the only other adult wherhandler who seemed to care about anything. If anything, she should have been the first one he’d had an in-depth conversation. He’d been trying to keep her updated, but brief sentences like “talked to Rozen last night” didn’t really count. Besides, he had something specific that he needed to talk to her about. The leadership of the Nightwatch.
Of course, the plan was that once she graduated from wherling lessons, Rozen would be willing and able to lead the watch. There were still several months until that happened though, and he doubted that Benden would wait that long before they decided to attack. So until Rozen was ready, somebody needed to lead this thing. Or rather, somebodies. He planned to propose that he and Meira split the leadership of the Watch. He didn’t want to lead it alone and he doubted that she did either. But together, maybe they’d be able to do it.
“Mind if I walk with you?” He’d come up alongside the bluehandler and turned to smile at her in a belated greeting. “I was wondering if you would be interested in leading the nightwatch with me?” In his nervousness, Jermayan skipped over everything he had planned to say, managing only to spit out the part he’d meant to save for last. He’d wanted to start out gentle ‘Do you have time to talk? I wanted to ask you something concerning the nightwatch’. So much for that. He’d probably just scared her off, and he’d already been worried that she’d say no. Unfortunately, he wasn’t willing to lead without someone else. If she said no, he didn’t know who else to ask. Whinny maybe, but she had a lot to deal with as it was. If Meira and Whinny said no, there was no one else he could ask. Without one of them to help with leading the group, he was afraid that they’d be doomed. He certainly wasn’t capable of doing it on his own.
So he gave the blue handler the nicest, most charming smile he could, which probably only made him look suspicious. Whoops. If he’d been trying to win her over into saying yes, he’d probably just made things worse.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Apr 10, 2009 11:00:57 GMT -5
The end of her second shift in the Infirmary marked the beginning of the people of the day, the dragonfolk, waking up. Normally Meira lingered in the Infirmary, preferring to work in the setting in which she was completely comfortable as opposed to returning to the Wherhandler Apartments. Meisk and Zesa would keep her company, but usually there was just so much silence -- and while the silence was usually comfortable -- and Meira would rather be doing something useful in the Infirmary. Meisk didn't mind, and Zesa accompanied her into said Infirmary. Patient was the queen, for as Meira left the Infirmary, a few minutes after Jermayan, Zesa had been entertaining a Weyrbrat. She wasn't nearly as tolerant with them as possible, for she didn't get too close to the 'brat lest her wings be pulled or anything of the sort, but she perched on the end of the bed, fluting musically and even looping mid-air for the child to stop her crying. As soon as Meira started to leave, though, putting away the last of what she'd gotten out over the night and touching Meisk's mind to let him know she was coming, and to meet her halfway, Zesa's head came up and with one last croon, she leapt into the air and winged to land on her Minepet's shoulder, tail looping loosely around the girl's neck.
One hand coming up to stroke Zesa absently, Meira started down the path towards the Apartments, wondering vaguely where Jermayan had gone. He'd only left a few minutes ago, and she'd tried to hurry so she had a halfway decent chance of catching up to him, but...eh. He wasn't anywhere along the path that she could see. With a slight sigh, Meira shrugged. She could go to his quarters, if all else failed, after all. It would just have been easier, to talk to him now. Because she did have to talk to him. Night Watch, fighting and all of that. Neirin, too. What was up with Neirin? The goldhandler wasn't always negiligent, Meira was sure. She'd been fine when they were wherlings...just...not now, apparently. The bluehandler bit her lip slightly until Zesa's low hum of pleasure turned into a warning touch, and she chirped a warning. Person ahoy!
Meira half-turned, and a bemused smile flickered across her face as she recognized Jermayan. As the brownhandler fell in step beside her, she nodded at his question. Sure. Okay. It suited her perfectly, anyway; she needed to talk to him, too. But before she could say as much, his second question stunned her into silence. Meira simply stared at him for a moment, and then dropped her gaze, biting her lip nervously. One hand came up to push her hair back as she considered. Zesa was silent on her shoulder, her eyes flickering between Meira and Jermayan. The firelizard flared golden wings, and then settled again, touching Meira's cheek lightly for reassurance. "Um," Meira stammered, utterly at a loss as to how to respond. This was...not the way she'd expected the conversation to go. Actually, she thought Jermayan had already basically taken the head of the Night Watch, since it was he who presented the idea to Rozen. Jermayan as the leader, and Rozen as the...junior leader. She didn't want to be. Didn't need to be. She was content to follow, and she trusted that if any viable concern arose, Jermayan would listen.
"I -- I don't know. I mean..." She faltered, raising her eyes to meet his uncertainly. "I mean, Meisk...he's only a blue. And I'm...I'm not old enough...I -- " Cutting herself off, she couldn't help the dismayed chuckle. "Sorry...it's just unexpected. Umm, can I...think it over?" She needed...guidance. Whether or not to accept. Zesa and Meisk...would not be much help. As much as she loved her Bondeds, she was aware of that. Meisk was nervous as far as publicity went, but he'd be content whatever she chose. Zesa...was intelligent, but no firelizard could fully grasp the responsibilities of leadership, and like Meisk, she would be happy whatever Meira's choice was. No. She needed someone...M'ta. Yes. This afternoon, Drumheights. She'd ask him then, what he thought. And while she was thinking about it, she needed to see if any of the other wherhandlers would be interested in learning to fight. Jermayan was a good start, wasn't he? Almost too quickly, did she speak: "I was meaning to talk to you, too, though -- about fighting. D'you know how to?"
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Post by weaving on Apr 10, 2009 20:27:19 GMT -5
Listening to her stammered response, Jermayan winced inwardly. Now he’d gone and probably ruined it entirely. Sure she’d said she’d think it over, but the more she thought about it, the more reasons she could come up with as to why she shouldn’t. Shard his stupid mouth. “I didn’t mean for it to come off like that. You don’t have to make a decision now, but I really do want you to consider this seriously. Besides, I’m only a few turns older than you and I’ve had just as little experience. The best way to make this work is if we work together. Right now, we’re the only adult wher handlers who care and I doubt that anyone cares that Meisk is only a blue.” Hopefully it would sway her mind at least slightly. He really didn’t think that he could do this on his own.
“Fight? Errm, no. I suppose that would be a good thing to know if we’re supposed to be fighting off hordes of Benden riders.” He chuckled slightly and rubbed at the back of his head. It probably wasn’t the best subject to make a joke about but he was tired of being so serious all the time. If they kept thinking about it in such a doom and gloom way, he was going to go mad. Honestly, what could three full grown handlers and five wherlings really hope to accomplish if Benden did unleash itself on Selenitas in full force? They’d be able to provide a warning, but not much more.
He’d never been one for physical activities either. As a child, he’d stayed indoors in the Healer Hall, thus avoiding much of the rough play that happened in the creshe. And even when he had the opportunity to participate in those things, he always turned them down. He simply wasn’t built to fight another person his size. His height would help him gain leverage, but his build was too slender and graceful to have much in the way of muscles. At best, he’d be able to outrun his enemies.
“Do you?” He asked. If she did, that would make one of them. Hopefully she’d be willing to teach him. He doubted that she wouldn’t but he didn’t want to force too much on Meira all at once. He’d unnerved her enough as it was and he’d rather not scare her away from the Watch completely. “If it wouldn’t be too much to ask, and assuming you did know how, would you be willing to teach me and some of the other handlers if they were interested?” The question came out hesitantly as if he were scared that one more proposal would have her fleeing from him forever.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Apr 11, 2009 11:04:54 GMT -5
Really, she hadn't meant to stammer as much as she had. The idea of leading the Night Watch with someone else was a foriegn one, but it was not one that she consciously shied away from. The suggestion had just...taken her utterly and completely by surprise, and her response had mirrored that. Meira bit her lip anxiously, eyeing Jermayan apologetically. Doubtless her response had sounded less than enthusiastic, but, really? It was...a big responsibility, the leading of the Night Watch. So many people...not only the wherhandlers, but the entire Weyr -- their safety...depended on her. And Meira just didn't know if she could handle that. Honestly? She was aware that being a leader meant putting aside feelings. Sacrifices. And she just...didn't know. It'd be easier, to share the Leadership -- she could understand that. His apology, and the reassurances, drew a small smile from the bluehandler, and she interlaced her fingers nervously behind her back. "It's okay," she answered softly. "I will consider it. I..." She hesitated. "I just need some time, to think. It's...it's just a surprise." And, she added to herself, she wanted another opinion -- from someone that she trusted. "I will get back to you on it, though...as soon as I can." Which would probably be tomorrow at their Infirmary shift, but she didn't want to make that a promise if she wasn't sure she could keep it.
No. So he couldn't fight. Meira twirled a length of her hair thoughtfully around her forefinger, her hand coming to settle along Zesa's back as the firelizard queen rubbed quietly against her, eyes whirling rapidly and focused with intense interest upon Jermayan. But she had said as much to M'ta...she hadn't thought Jermayan could fight. He just...didn't seem the type. Perhaps that was just her take on it, though. His joke drew a wry grin from the bluehandler. Much more comfortable with this topic, she was. "Yeah, I figured it'd come in handy sometime," she agreed, dropping her gaze to Zesa. Funny. The nervousness that had grown for so long had dissolved somewhat, with something as simple as a joke about Benden attacking. It was easier, to think about it as humorous, than to actually consider the true devastation of the event, if it were to occur. So unprepared, was the Weyr. Was the Weyrleader doing anything? But that thought only made her chest feel tighter, so Meira dismissed it.
His question started the bluehandler, and the eloquent blink exposed that. "Me?" The gray-blue depths of her eyes were quite obviously amused. "No." She knew the basics -- the very basics, such as where to stab, kick, or punch, but that was for evasive measures, to distract one person -- one, not a hoard -- in order to get away. Not to kill. Not to defend a Weyr. Not really offensive, either. It wouldn't cut it, assuming that Selenitas was attacked. It just wouldn't. "But," she added hastily, realizing that her negative response might make him loose hope, "I -- my friend -- do you know M'ta? Brown Weyrlingrider, Behruth? He Impressed at Millieth's last Hatching," she explained. The barest hint of a smile flickered across her face as Zesa responded to the mention of M'ta by curling her tail around Meira's hand, crooning lightly. She was quite fond of M'ta, but most of her affections went to Jabari. Her brown, he was. "I was talking to him, just last night -- between my shifts at the Infirmary." Pale eyes flicked towards him, checking Jermayan's reaction, before she went on, hesitantly. "I was...well, I mean, we talked about the Night Watch."
She paused, uncertain how much exactly she had to tell Jermayan about M'ta. "He's...he's from the North," the bluehandler offered after a moment. If he wanted the wherhandlers to know he was from Bitra, that would be his prerogative. "And he said he'd be willing to teach us...and, um, I hope you don't mind, but we already set up a time and place, too." Another thing she'd decided not to mention -- that even if none of the other wherhandlers learned, she'd still go. "Five in the afternoon, at the Drumheights? You remember, where the Night Watch was located before?" She nodded slightly, and then bit her lip, glancing at him. "I know it might be a bit early for the Wherlings, but -- well, he is a Weyrlingrider, and I don't want him to get in trouble for breaking curfew." Naturally, they could ask Sel'n to let M'ta off, but she didn't really think he'd agree, what with M'ta refusing to take his tests and what have you. Not that breaking curfew seemed to bother him at all, but it would definitely bother Meira if he got in trouble because of them. Because of her. "Is...is that okay?"
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Post by weaving on Apr 12, 2009 19:10:02 GMT -5
Whether it was his words or that she’d been thinking that the whole time and hadn’t been able to properly articulate it earlier, her reply calmed Jermayan, who nodded and smiled. “Thank you for considering it,” he responded. Now she just needed to say yes and everything would be just as planned. A part of him doubted that Meira would join him in leading the night watch. She was young and quiet for the most part and judging the way she’d reacted to his offer, she seemed less than interested. Then again, weren’t the best leaders usually those who weren’t interested in the job? At least that way he could be sure that she wasn’t simply power hungry. If she didn’t accept, he wasn’t sure who else to turn to. Whinny perhaps? Somehow he doubted that the wherlingmaster would have much interest in leading either. That ruled out almost all of the wher handlers with adult whers. No one else had seemed to show too much support for the idea, though he hadn’t exactly publicly announced it yet.
It was funny how a joke as weak as the one he’d made had managed to dispel much of the tension. His lips twitched upward into a lingering smile at Meira’s reply and he let them walk in silence for a few moments as if to keep the tension gone. As soon as they started talking about plans for the watch again, he’d just start to think of the attacks again. It seemed that there was nothing he could do to keep the peace for long. Everyone in the weyr was tense with the threat of an upcoming attack, but it didn’t seem to be motivating many of them into actually doing something to prepare. At least with the watch in place, they’d hopefully have some warning in case Benden decided to attack at night.
Her negative answer in regards to fighting had his spirits falling. Where were they supposed to find someone who’d be willing to stay up at night and teach the wherhandlers how to fight? He supposed that they could find a way to train in the day, but the idea of trying to learn everything while groggy from lack of sleep seemed less than wise. Meira’s voice drew him away from his musings and he listened as she talked about her friend. M’ta? No, he didn’t know him and he wasn’t quite sure where she was going with this. Perhaps the weyrling knew someone who’d be willing to teach them?
As she finished her explanation, everything seemed to click together. M’ta was offering to teach them how to fight. “Okay? That’s wonderful. I don’t know how the wherlings will feel, but I’ll mention it to Whinny and Rozen and see what they think. If they can’t make it at 5, then I’d be willing to do my best and hold lessons later in the evening, between shifts.” Hope again. He’d been worried that they wouldn’t be able to find anyone willing to teach them. “Meira, this is great. Now I don’t have to go around begging random riders to help us.” His smile had widened into a full blown grin and any minute, he felt as though he could start whistling. One less problem to worry about.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Apr 13, 2009 19:16:39 GMT -5
His thanks for just considering the idea of leading the Night Watch with him heartened Meira considerably. She didn't want to be rude and keep pushing answering farther and farther back, but...she didn't want to impulsively agree or disagree, either, and then regret it when so many people had their lives depending on her -- after all, if the whers didn't sound alarm, the Weyr wouldn't wake up, assuming the attack was in the middle of the Night, and they would be taken by surprise and completely overrun. It wouldn't take but a matter of minutes, really. Take the queens first, and threaten their death, and honestly, what dragon would fight? She bit her lip nervously. Meisk...the blue was capable of sounding the alarm. She was sure of it. She loved the wher, and insecure though he was, she trusted him to howl to wake the Weyr if need be -- and his eyesight made sure that there was no way on Pern that any dragon, be it part of a fighting wing or a single, lone dragon, would get by unnoticed. After all, what were the Guard Duty whers for? But...what else, past alarming the Weyr, would she have to do? Convince people to do things? She wasn't...really good at that. Not at all....
The silence gave her time to draw a breath, wishing she could just sit down and stop walking. It took some small bit of concentration, after all, to make sure she didn't walk off the path, which was not exactly straight, and it would have been so much the easier if she could lean against something and just sit and think. A soft noise, then, in the bushes, and Meira's gaze flicked automatically to the ghost of a wher, his hide pale to the point of being white, as he slid quietly to join them, shyly staying on Meira's other side, away from Jermayan, head lowered to avoid meeting the brownhandler's eyes. Jermaysk...did not scare him as much as other whers did, mostly because their paths had collided before, since the shifts for Theirs ended at the same time as far as second shift went. The other brown was regarded with a careful wariness, but it was not openly so. He accepted that the wher was there to stay, and as long as he didn't hurt His, Meisk was okay with that.
One hand resting loosely against Meisk's shoulder reassuringly, Meira flicked another quick glance at Jermayan to see what he thought of the plan, and was relieved to see him smiling. His open enthusiasm drew a smile of her own, the bluehandler dropping her gaze shyly. Begging random Riders to help them? What? He'd really been...that desperate? Oh...Meira shrugged one shoulder, a crooked smile tugging at her lip. "I haven't actually seen him fight before," she admitted, "But he's taught another friend of mine, before." F'neth had done well, hadn't he? Yes: He'd liked the lesson, thought it was good. "M'ta said it would be -- long-distance stuff," she added, to make sure Jermayan didn't expect anything else. "Some hand-to-hand, just in case, but we're trusting that Meisk," and she inclined her head towards the blue, who shied sideways nervously, "and Jermaysk and the other whers would take care of short-distance, mostly, for us -- so...target stuff, I think, and then the basic hand-on-hand stuff?" It wasn't precise, the plans, but that was what she remembered. "So...um, if you really wanted to go into sword-stuff, you'd...probably need to find another teacher as well...?"
((AHAHAH FAIL. Sorry. >>))
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