Logs:End of an Era
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| RL Date: 14 November, 2014 |
| Who: F'manis, K'del |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Vignette |
| What: K'del finally makes a decision. |
| Where: Riders' Lounge, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 10, Month 4, Turn 36 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Ketzia/Mentions, Zimani/Mentions |
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| He'd dropped in at the end of the night. There'd been a card game, but it would be finished now. Still, F'manis usually stayed back to clean up; no staff, on a night like tonight. No need, really. "K'del," said the bluerider without turning. "You missed the game." "Mmm. Have a drink with me, before you head out?" F'manis gestured towards the bar, inviting K'del to do the pouring. The whiskey was bad - awful stuff, really - but it was comfortable, in a way; that's what you got here. It was part of the place's dubious charm. "We've not seen a lot of you, these months." "This turn and more," corrected K'del, sliding one of the glasses across the surface of a table. "Since the flight. The injury, as well as..." "The obvious. What are your plans, K'del?" He slid the knot across the table towards the other man. It didn't slide very well; as dramatic gestures, it wasn't much of a success. Still, it felt good to do it. He'd not worn the knot in more than a turn - closer to a turn and a half - but they both knew what it meant. F'manis nodded. "It's about what I expected. I never really expected to have you this long, and now... you aren't focused on Taiga. It's not in you, really, to split your attention like that. Big picture or small picture, you, but not both at once." He turned his glass in his hand, examining it, then set it down again, eyes on K'del. "I've tried," began to K'del, but the other man cut him off. "Yes, you've tried. And now you've made the right decision. Probably one that should've come a long time ago, but... it's not as though I pushed for it." "Why didn't you?" F'manis' mouth twitched. "Because I got used to you, lad. And Faranth knows there's not the need for wingseconds there once was. Not that I won't fill your spot, mind." He picked up the knot, turning it in his hands. "It'll be good for them; the competition." "Mm." "And what will you do, K'del? Just another Taiga wingrider? It's no exactly common, a Weyrleader without a wing." K'del downed his whiskey, setting the glass upon the table, and shrugged. "There's no 'fall to lead, so why keep the tradition? I'll float. Show up for Taiga drills, sure, but sometimes other wings' drills, too. Or instead. See how I feel, really." "Without," F'manis said-slash-instructed, "interrupting their balance, I hope." "Of course." Taiga's wingleader nodded. "I've never regretted giving you that knot, K'del. I'm glad to have it back, but I've never regretted it, either. If your Cadejoth hadn't been so damned good at catching queens, you'd've been a good wingleader one day." K'del's mouth witched. "'One day?'" F'manis' nod was firm. "One day." They laughed, Wingleader and Weyrleader. It felt good. "Go home to Ketzia, old man. I'll clean up the rest." The bluerider laughed, shaking his head. "She's at healer hall with Zimi. I've a grandchild due any day now, remember? Sure, she could come home every night, but..." "But she wants to be there. Can you blame her?" "Not in the least. I'll clean up, K'del. You get on home. You're on father duty, as I recall." So K'del went. It felt good, walking away from the knot; good, and also bittersweet. It was the right decision, the only one he could've made, and yet... he'd earned that knot. Earned it for himself, and not because of Cadejoth. And how often had that ever happened for him? |
Comments
H'kon (09:57, 16 November 2014 (EST)) said...
Daww.
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