Enlisting? (A'rik)

[adhoc]

Lucan rarely went near the Candidate Barracks unless he was up to something. He had no time for superior attitudes-- a judgement he had time to rethink now, standing by the door to the Candidate Master's Office. Adventures were meant to lead you in new directions, but this was one he'd never considered. After years of ignoring attempts at placing him in a craft, the surge of energy he felt when he allowed himself to think about being a rider was almost disturbing.

He could still leave. Even if that crusty fart that had caught him did manage to up his workload, what would it matter? He was a master at shirking when necessary and at working hard otherwise.

But he'd gone up to the bowl at dawn to watch the patrols leave, and had opened up those locked opportunities in his mind. Why not him? Surely, his father would think he'd gone around the bend, but he never really cared what father thought anyway. It would show everyone else too: Lucky Lucan, dragonrider. He knew a few people who would choke on that. He smiled in his way, amused, and rapped the door once before entering.

"Good morning, sir. I want to be a Candidate, and I was told you're the man to talk to."

[starshine]

A'rik had buried himself in a mound of scrolls. He had been making lesson plans for the majority of the morning. Former Candidate Masters had kept consistent notes on past lessons, leaving him large shoes to fill. With the clutch fresh on the sands he had scrambled to make plans for lessons based around impression. He had been so engrossed in his planning he hadn't noticed the knock on the door. It wasn't until the boy's voice broke through the silence did he look up slightly startled.

"Good morning, sir. I want to be a Candidate, and I was told you're the man to talk to."

His green eyes flashed up to the origin of the voice, a look of surprise across his face. A lanky looking teenager stood by the door.

"He... hello," The look of surprise vanished, replaced with a pleasant smile, his usual expression. "Pardon the mess. Come on in." He gestured to the vacant chair in front of his desk. He rose to his feet, attempting to be polite.

[adhoc]

Not a bad sort, this Candidate Master. Lucan tried to remember the last time someone had shifted because he'd come into a room, and the closest he could come was one of the kitchen women getting up to clap him upside the head for disappearing before his shift was out.

He took the offered seat and surveyed the desk with his mellow gaze. If he had a desk, this was what it would probably look like. It did seem like a bit of trouble to go through to watch a bunch of brats. Then again, he was trying to be one of those brats. He had to take it easy.

He looked up into the man's eyes steadily, "Thank you. I'm Lucan, by the way. I don't know if you were told I was coming. In fact, I know nothing at all about how this is supposed to work." He paused, weighing whether he needed to explain further. His preference for only using as many words as necessary won out, and he let the statement hang, his expression still carrying his self-deprecating amusement at this whole experience.

[starshine]

He gave the boy a once over, taking stock of him in a way, before reclaiming his seat. A'rik was not one to judge. He also was a stickler for manners and respect. He leaned back into his chair. "Well Lucan, I am A'rik rider of brown Pantoth." He paused a moment, "I was not informed of you're coming but, no need. You want to be a candidate, then by all means join the courses. As part of the Weyr you have every right to stand at the Hatching." His green eyes focused on the boys face.

With the clutch currently drying on the sands the boy had perfect timing. The next few lessons were going to be the most important for him to attend. "Now, with your current timing the next few lessons are going to be crucial. There should be some free beds in the boys barracks. The Candidate Schedule is posted on the wall outside of this room." He stopped realizing that this was alot to take in. Per usual he had rattled on without pause. He waited to see of the boy had taken in all he had mentioned so far. "I apologize, I know it is much to take in all at one time."

[adhoc]

Too much information? Normally Lucan would have thought he was being misjudged, but in this case, he was a bit hung up on the first sentence. That was it? Just sit a few classes? He'd expected a test of some kind, or at least questions about his background. And for that matter, that geezer brown who'd caught him roaming the halls hadn't even bothered to mention him. Not that that was a bad thing, really.

Well. Here he was.

"It's not what I was expecting," he admitted nebulously, "Why are the next lessons so important?"

[starshine]

Was this boy truly weyrbread? His eyes cast no judgment as the scanned the boys face.

"Well the coming weeks will be full of lessons on impression and early care, as well as becoming familiar with the eggs and their locations on the sands. There is much to learn for those just coming to candidacy." He crossed his legs and leaned against the back of his chair.

This boy had much to learn, as did quite a few students. Really the only one A'rik didn't worry about was Caselo, who had been through his fair share of Hatchings. "The good news is there are a few new candidates this rounds. The true test will come when those ravenous dragonets come forth. They are the truest judge of character."

[adhoc]

Of course. Lucan felt a bit foolish. It made sense that with the cyclical nature of Candidacy, they would cover the subjects relating to hatching close to a clutching. Well, he had enough to learn anyway. Really, he had been harboring the impression that he already knew what this man had to teach about, well, impression. But here already he was proven wrong. Good. The last thing he needed was to be bored for months. Open mind. That's what he needed. Besides, he knew he was a good student when it counted. It was time to dust off that bit of himself.

The Candidate Master's somewhat ominous final statement sunk home as well. There was no assurance that he would ever manage to impress. Sobering.

"Thank you," he said. "I'll go look at the schedule and get my things." He started to rise, pausing partway to offer A'rik the full, magnetic force of his smile at its most genuine. "I don't suppose you have any general advice you can give me?"