I prefered the dragon (tag M'ren and open)

[laionii]

“SHARD IT ALL!” W’lam screeched as he chucked a ten pound firestone sack at nothing in particular. Unferth gave an unscrupulous look at his rider the effect being the same as if a person raised their eyebrow. W’lam was on the war path again, and this time his wing had better watch out. Unferth made not to the other dragons to inform their riders to stay well away from the man till he cooled down.

“Not one Decent formation out of the entire exercise Unferth! The wing’s gone soft and me along with it.” He hissed ripping the dragon’s saddle off with a grunt of protest from Unferth.

Don’t take it out on me, my hide can stand between but if you keep tugging like a green rider on a runner I think I may just have to step on you. the bronze asserted. His eyes giving the color that indicated annoyance.

The wing is too small, If you want to do something about it talk to M’ren, graduation is coming up and he will know most of the Weyrlings intimately. the bronze suggested giving a low growl as the last strap was roughly unfastened. He placed a solid nip on his rider, careful not to bite too hard but firm enough to remind W’lam of what he was doing. If you keep rough handling me I have half a mind to let you wear the ash that is churning in my belly.

Taking this as cue enough from his beast he took off down the halls temper cooling as he made his way to M’ren’s office. He barged right through the door without so much as knocking, bent leaned on the chair infront of the desk and spoke.

“M’ren I need competent riders” A wolfish grin crossed his lips. “what have you got in stock?”

[thedreamerlady]

Just because M'ren knew the Pyralis Wingleader, didn't mean that he was used to the man's antics. And when the Bronzerider burst into his office without so much as a knock, it was on the tip of the Brownrider's tongue to order the rider out of his weyr until he settled down. He could have gotten away with it, as well. Rank wise, M'ren was almost over the Weyrsecond; among riders that was. His Rank didn't much extend anywhere else, however.

The brownrider settled for clenching his jaw, and glaring at the Wingleader.

"Knocking, that's a skill I'd better remember to teach the Weyrlings." M'ren ground out, and then motioned carelessly with his hand to the seat in front of his desk. "Sit down, and we'll talk about this like rational men."

The Brownrider tapped his fingers down on the desk, thinking hard of all the Weyrlings in his program, trying to think of which would do best in an environment like Pyralis. He knew only gossip about that Wing, and knew that the Greenriders tended to either be completely bull headed, with tempers to match a volcano, or quite, soft spoken obedient riders who worked to soothe the raw tempers that flowed in the Wing. Who did he have that would work in that?

"There aren't many that work well in Pyralis." M'ren said slowly, rolling the choices he'd already made in his head. "However, we have a Brownrider with the right kind of temperament. His name is G'eph, rides Brown Vanarth. We also have two female riders who might work; though, I'm unsure if the second of the two is fit to ride in a Wing yet. The first is Amneris of Labeth. She might work better in Zahra though, so you'll need to watch her."

M'ren took a quick breath. This was taking a little bit of talking. "And Nisha, of Barsamith. She's soothing enough, I'll give her that." The WLM smiled. "And if you're willing to wait until next graduation, I have a Bronzerider who will work splendidly in Pyralis. Ph'yn. I'd start watching him now; he's good enough that one of the other top three will try and nab him."

[laionii]

W’lam plopped down easily in the chair, returning the man’s clenched jaw with a grin already feeling much better about the failed exercise.

“The only reason a person knocks any more is out of fear of catching a person in a state of undress or a situation in which more than one person may be undressed in which case I knew not to worry because I doubted you would have company this early on in the day.” His smirk was wide and he was in a fine humor. Despite appearances he liked M’ren. Though the man was still getting used to his brand of humor.

He nodded at the choices listening to each one carefully. “The Brown I want to see in action. I don’t know about the green’s though. I am also looking for a new wing second, if Ph’yn is as good as you say he is I will be keeping both eyes on him. Are pickings really so scant this year?” he asked punitively.

[thedreamerlady]

"And what if I was explaining the mating habits of a Green to a poor Holdbred boy?" M'ren questioned, though he was really wondering what would happen if W'lam appeared while he was drinking- or drunk. "One of those who'll run screaming away at anything. And when you give them that talk, you don't want them startled. Their poor greens have enough to deal with!" M'ren gave the man a hard stare. "So knock next time. Or failing that, have your Unferth bespeak my Thoth before you come thundering in."

Now M'ren smiled. "Slim pickings? I offer you a Bronze and a Brown, and two Greens and you say it's slim? Everyone knows that Pyralis is selective, hard to work in, and the smallest of the top three Wings. Don't complain, or I'll give Zahra more time with Ph'yn than you." M'ren made a smile that was much more him showing his teeth.

"Do you have any questions about the boys and girls?" M'ren asked, sounding slightly more pleasant now. Not by much of course. He wanted the Wingleader to realize that bothering the WLM was a bad idea.

[laionii]

W’lam smiled at M’ren suggestion. “Why then I’d be bolting for the hills as well. Nothing worse than an edge green and her rider around rising time.” He sighed. “I am surprised Unferth didn’t bespeak Thoth he’s the brains of the operation and everyone knows it.” The Wingleader said truthfully enough.

W’lam winced at M’ren’s toothy display. “I meant no disrespect M’ren, It’s just that with the pass being so long the next fall is due at any time and it is bound to be a sharding one.” He said blue eyes grave for the moment. “Our wing is the smallest, but I will be sharded if we don’t fight twice as hard and pull three times our weight. But as it stands we are too few to even fly half the formations used during thread fall.” He felt pride in his wing, but there were simply not enough of them.

“I trust your judgments on them close enough M’ren, they didn’t put you in this office for nothing. The girls concern me a bit, not to sound prejudiced but I’ve heard that Nisha has a little one already. How do you think that will affect her as a rider? If I could borrow a few of them for a training session at some point get an idea of how they work together. “ he continued perfectly contrite.

[thedreamerlady]

Satisfied with W'lam's apology, M'ren stopped harassing him. After all, the Wingleader wouldn't be busting in without permission, not for a while at least, so he would leave the man alone until he forgot to knock, or bespeak Thoth.

"You can borrow them." M'ren agreed. "Not Ph'yn though. His clutch hasn't started flying yet. And as for Nisha- her Green is good. Very good. Her Rider isn't living up to the potential. If you take her, you'll have to push her into shape, but she could be a large asset to your Wing. Depends on how much effort you're willing to expend. And the father is raising the child, not her. She's Weyrbred, after all."

Had M'ren been dipping into his wine or brandy stores, he might have made a comment about how having a willing girl wasn't exactly at bad thing in a Wing like Pyralis. However, it wasn't a thought he'd even consider stating while aware of himself, and his surroundings.

"And they've been practicing their Betweening. Don't pressure them too much when it comes to using it though. I'd rather they take a few seconds longer now, and get in the habit of good habits. Anything else you need to ask?"

[laionii]

W’lam was pensive as he listened to the Weyrling master detail his charges. Too bad about Ph’yn, he wanted to get a good look at the bronze, he needed a wing second. He made a mental note to fly to Benden and barter for some of their wine. When the boy was properly in to flying he wanted to be one of the first wings he flew with.”

He listened intently about the green he had doubts about. He considered the Weyrling master’s words carefully. “If the dragon is doing better than the rider there is little doubt of the potential. It will depend on how she fly’s with the wing as to whether or not we have a place for her, but I certainly want a look at least. You of all people should know I am not short on hard work.”

He nodded as the Weyrling master detailed the extent of their training. “I won’t lie M’ren I will push them hard, but not beyond safety. I would rather they could Between safely and well than worry about the few extra seconds of time at this point as well. Better for them to learn it while they aren’t panicked.”

[thedreamerlady]

M'ren nodded. "I'll send the three of them to your next practice. Make sure you have Unferth give Thoth a chat when that is. And tell me the day of the practice: with two clutches, it's much harder than you'd think to run all of the classes." M'ren didn't add that he needed a competent assistant. It was a much harder to get one than you would assume, as well. And with Wings grabbing at all of the Browns and Bronzes they could get their hands on, it only became more difficult as time went on. Thread would return, M'ren pretty sure about that, but it didn't mean he didn't deserve a few competent assistants.

"If that's all, I have other things to attend too. And we'll be having a flying practice tomorrow in the afternoon. If you'd like to watch, I'll have Thoth bespeak you. Otherwise, I have several hides I need to cover before night hits us."

M'ren waited patiently for W'lam to hear the dismissal in his tone, and go back to his Wing. M'ren was looking forward to relaxing in his weyr when this meeting was over. He needed a nap.

[laionii]

W'lam nodded firmly in agreement. He rose from his seat. "I thank you greatly M'ren" Unferth, if he decides to do his job will bespeak Thoth before the next exercises. If you need anything of me just have Thoth bespeak Unferth as I am told I am not trusted to behave myself. “He smiled contritely before launching out of the room with almost as much fervor as he had entered.

Unferth why didn't you bespeak Thoth before I entered? he asked his dragon grumpily.

Because you are perfectly capable of misbehaving on your own the dragon thrummed.

You know you really make it difficult for me to like you sometimes.

Nonsense W’lam, now come and give me a bath and a good oiling. And be gentle this time or I really will step on you.
[END]