R3: Lesson 2

[Ruby]

It was lesson time again. Normally, Kemma would had cleared most of the desks away, clustering a few up front, near her desk. But she'd only recently been released from the Infirmary, and she figured dragging 20 odd desks to the corners of the room would not be good for her, and she didn't feel like it was a job for the drudges. They'd just have to spread out again, and next week she'd force them all to sit near eachother. Today was about ranks, after all, and if a rider was shy around their Wingleader, they could get the whole wing killed by hesitating. The Candidates had better get comfortable with the idea of authority, and each other, now, before it put them in danger. They did need to get to know eachother eventually.

After last rotation's experiance, she'd planned to invite ranking riders, as she had before. However, spending a while in the infirmary had quickly killed that plan, so she'd present the lesson like she had for the last rotation, and the Candidates could meet rankers on their own. Anyway, now all she needed was candidates, and she could begin.

[shadowreine]

Keloran stepped into the room. Still here. He would always be here, until he aged out and then he would not be here at all.

His resolution had formed. When he could no longer Stand, he would leave the Weyr as quickly as possible. Maybe he could get work at Blossom Hold or something. He was sure there would be a place somewhere for a strong back and set of arms.

Drudgework, for sure, but he had no ability to learn anything else. The boy made his way into the room, hesitated, then moved to sit right at the front. He was not ashamed of himself. Or rather, he was, so he compensated by making himself appear less so.

At least the greenrider seemed quite pleasant...and at least... "Ma'am. Are you feeling better?"

She could have been hurt a lot worse, after all.

[Ruby]

Kemma cast a vaguely annoyed glance over the nearly empty classroom- only one Candidate had shown? Just because the Hatching was over it didn't mean that anyone could skip lessons. Oh well, Keloran was here, and Keloran she would teach. "A bit, yes. Thank you for asking," she replied to his question with a self-depracating smile. "Apparently the rest of the class doesn't think so, however, but we'll go ahead and get started without them. Thank you for being on time, by the way," she added.

Lesson 2

"Anyway," she began, "We're talking about ranks and responsibilities today. First and foremost, there are several names you should write down and commit to memory right now: Weyrwoman Shmee of Aslath, Weyrleader Ka'rys of Ciceroth, Jr. Weyrwoman Kaegan of Millieth and Jr. Weyrleader N'tia of Kirayuth. You should also commit to memory Gold Wherhandler Neirin of Neisk. There are other important names, but those are the ones you should unquestionably know. They are the leaders of your Weyr, and if you fail to pay the proper respect to them, you are not only disrespecting them, you are disrespecting the Weyr as a whole, and may be disciplined.

"Unless you reach one of the top ranks, they are always above you and deserve the highest form of respect. Call them by their full title when introducing them, Dragon or Wher included, and call them either by their title or by Sir or Ma'am as appropriate. If they ask for something different, you should comply with their wishes. Basically, their word is law, and they usually have a good reason to ask what they are asking. Assume they do, and if you really want to know, ask your Weyrlingmaster or Wingleader, or me, about it later. We should be able to explain it, and if not, we are in a far better position to question their judgement than you are, or will be for quite some time. Goldriders, potential future Weyrwomen, are trained by the current Weyrwoman in their duties, which are mostly domestic- assigning living quarters, approving leaves, that sort of thing. The Weyrleader is almost always a Rider who was already a Wingleader, and their duties do not change much; they only widen in scope. Instead of leading just one Wing, they are leading the whole Weyr, and are in charge of organizing the training thereof.

"Beyond those ranks, which are gained mostly through the virtue of Impression or flight prowess, there are some that can be earned through merit. These are the ranks of Wingleader, Wingsecond, Weyrlingmaster, Weyrcrafter of various sorts, Searchrider, and, of course, Candidatemaster. Wingleaders and Wingseconds are appointed by the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, based partially on Dragon color and seniority, and partially on ability. Usually Bronzes and Browns hold those positions, but other colors taking them is not unheard of if they are particularly talented and particularly senior. Weyrlingmaster, Searchrider and Candidatemaster posts are applied for, and selected out of that pool of applicants. Almost always, Candidatemasters and Weyrlingmasters ride the non-metallic colors, although once again, that is not universally true. Weyrcrafters are either Wingriders who rose to Journeyman level in their crafts prior to Impressing, or those who Impressed as Apprentices and went back for more training with the permission of their Wingleader, who usually routes it through the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman.

"Once again, all of these lesser ranks may be considered higher than you, if you are a Weyrling or Wingrider. They should be refered to by their whole title, although the dragon or wher name may be left off. If you gain one of these positions, you gain the privledge of calling lower riders by their names only, although that is usually only invoked within your own wing or among aquaintences. Most higher-level Riders will call their subordinates simply by their title. When addressing people of your own rank, either their full title or their name may be used, although usually simply the name is fine after the first meeting.

"There are also several non-Riding ranks, if you choose to drop out of Candidacy, or do not impress. The Headman or Headwoman runs the Lower Caverns- they are only slightly subordinate to the Weyrwoman, and a smart Weyrwoman will listen to the Headperson, because it is very likely that they have been doing this job much longer. Their duties overlap, but where the Weyrwoman deals with Riders and Dragons, the Headperson handles the non-Impressed. Whers and Handlers are somewhat autonomous, although they are loosely covered under the Weyrwoman's duties. The Headperson is in charge of the cook staff, the cleaning staff, maintenance staff and the fostering staff, who all have heirarchies of their own, as well as non-Impressed Weyrcrafters. All non-Impressed positions are given based on merit, by the Headperson, who is appointed either by the retiring Headperson, or by the Weyrleaders if there was no sucessor indicated.

"Questions?"

[shadowreine]

Keloran shook his head. "I have the unfair advantage," he quipped. "Of having been born here."

He paused, "Of course, I would be lost in a Hold, so I suppose it evens out." He glanced around. He was the only one here. That made him feel distinctly...virtuous. True, part of him wanted to sulk still, but you did your duty regardless of how you felt. And even if you already knew the lesson, it was rude to just not attend.

"And I guess that sounded kind of arrogant, didn't it." He looked away a little from her. He wished somebody else had shown up, then he would have felt less scrutinized. Of course, he was only here because he had failed.

He wondered if he would ever have to worry about being a wingleader. He might Impress green...and he thought of the green who had betweened. It always seemed to be the greens who did that, if any dragon was going to. "I'm sorry."

Yeah, this would have been far more interesting if somebody fresh from a hold was here with a bunch of questions to distract him. He did wonder, idly, if maybe he -should- stand for a wher, at this point. His dad would disapprove...

...but was he living his father's life or his own. No, he would keep trying. "Ma'am...I...." He looked down.