Rise Early, Run Fast, {Open}

[Rye]

Thalon

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud....

The sound of his feet hitting the ground kept up a steady rhythm in his thoughts, allowing Thalon the blessed release of an otherwise empty mind. It was the main reason he jogged in the early hours of the morning; running allowed him a release for his mind as well as for his body.

The sun was just starting to peer over the weyrbowl, and Rukbat's rays made the light sheen of sweat of Thalon's shirtless chest glisten. The nephew of R'sul wasn't winded, though; his breathing excercises were smooth and steady, giving him yet another task to occupy his thoughts.

As he ran along the worn, dusty footpaths, he caught sight of a flitt cavorting in the skies above him, and his mind immediately wandered to the new dragons. Well, they weren't really new anymore, he knew he'd always refer to them that way. After all, once you watch nearly every dragon die, any creature that hatches afterwards will always seem new.

He thought of the only gold, Selenith, and her rider, Illea. It wouldn't be long before she rose, and all his money was on Rhakimeth to catch her. Being the only bronze, he stood the best chance.. but who knew? A brown might fly.

As he jogged on, Thalon started to notice a few weyrfolk getting up and opening their windows and doors, signaling that his run would need to come to an end, and soon. He hated running when others were out and about; their curious stares annoyed him to no end, and thus he tried to be finished by the time Rukbat had made it completely over the rim of the weyrbowl.

Shards. Today, he apparently was too late.

[Dragoon]

R'sul was out doing his daily exercises, 300 push ups, 250 crunches, an hour log jog around the Weyrbowl and he was good. Done with his crunches and about to start his push ups, he spotted someone else jogging, but lost interest and when back to his routine. "1...2...3...4..."

[Rye]

Thalon

As Thalon made his way past, he noticed his uncle out doing his usual excercises. The jog, the crunches... all were familiar to Thalon, as it was his uncle who got him addicted to physical work when he was but a child.

Altering his course so that he could stop and speak, Thalon turned and jogged over to his bluerider relative, who was now beginning to start on his push-ups. Had Thalon been a happier type, he probably would've smiled.

"1...2...3...4..."

Ahh, so he was counting outloud? Again, that was something Thalon stayed away from as it drew unwanted attention to him. As he finally made it to his uncle, Thalon bent over so he could look into R'sul's face and spoke, his tone quiet but amused.

"Still going, old man? You'd better watch it; those frail bones may not last much longer..."

His words were harsh, but his tone made them teasing. Watching R'sul's face, he waited for his mother's brother's reply.

[Dragoon]

R'sul didn't pause in his exercise, his nephew liked to irritate him. "That....smart... mouth...of yours... is going... to get... you... in... trouble... one day..." He said between breaths. He just wore his wher-hide pants when he exercised, so his toned and tanned body was covered in a sheen of sweat. "125...126...127..." Realize Thalon was still standing there, he rolled his eyes. "Did you... want... something... Thalon?"

[Rye]

Thalon

"That....smart... mouth...of yours... is going... to get... you... in... trouble... one day..."

Thalon just nodded, keeping his face unresponsive. His tone kept it's teasing sound as he replied,

"Ah, but Uncle. How could it? I don't hardly talk to anyone except you and Xennoth."

After he'd spoken, Thalon just squatted down and rested there, watching his uncle continue with his regimine. He had to admit, for an older man, R'sul had kept himself in great shape, just another quality Thalon admired in his uncle.

"Did you... want... something... Thalon?"

Again, if Thalon would've been more expressive he might've grinned.

"Uncle R'sul. Can't I just stop by and spend some quality time with my favorite relative?"

It went unsaid, of course, that R'sul was his only living relative, and thinking of that Thalon immediately regretted his words, however playful they may be.

[Dragoon]

"250...251...252...253...254... there's.... nothing... wrong... with that... I... suppose." he grunted, almost done with his workout. It was getting hotter, the surrounding humidity intensifying the on-coming heat of the day. "297....298...299...300." R'sul pushed himself back to his feet, grabbing the towel he had brought with him and toweling off as much of the sweat covering his body as he could. "Keeping yourself busy I hope, Thalon."

[Rye]

Thalon

"Keeping yourself busy I hope, Thalon."

As R'sul stood, Thalon was struck once again by how much he looked like his sister, Thalon's mother. Hardening himself against the pain came easily nowadays, and so as he looked into his uncle's eyes he was able to speak without revealing his emotions.

"Of course. Everyone's always sending for help, and as always I'm the drudge who gets volunteered for the job."

With that Thalon raised his brow at R'sul. He heard it said that it was R'sul who was usually "lending" him out, and with the facial expression he hoped to let the Weyrsteward know he was onto him. Thalon didn't say anything else about it, though; instead, he asked of Xennoth.

"How's our favorite blue doing? Still asleep, I presume?"

[Dragoon]

"I doubt it... he's been flirting with the young greens as much as possible lately. They're almost ready to rise and I'm guessing he hopes he can woo one in his favor." R'sul replied with a shrug. He studied his nephew for moment, parts of his features reminded him of his sister, but he shoved that aside. What was past was past. He looked up at the sky and saw noon was coming on. Soon, it'd be too hot to do anymore outdoors work, though there was still plenty to do to fix up the Weyr within. "It's not just the riders who make up a Weyr's strength, but the people who help care for it, always remember that, Thalon, no matter where you find yourself in life."

[Rye]

Thalon

"I doubt it... he's been flirting with the young greens as much as possible lately. They're almost ready to rise and I'm guessing he hopes he can woo one in his favor."

A hint of a smile appeared at Thalon's lips, one that would've been buried had it been anyone but his uncle next to him. So, Xennoth was wanting to chase, eh? Sounded just like the dragon he loved.

"It's not just the riders who make up a Weyr's strength, but the people who help care for it, always remember that, Thalon, no matter where you find yourself in life."

Nodding his head in agreement, Thalon gave his uncle a simple reply.

"Yes sir."

Looking up towards Rukbat just like R'sul'd done a few seconds before, Thalon noted the star's height and came to the same conclusion his uncle'd come to.

"While I'm here, is there anything you need help with? I'd rather do something for you than for one of the weyrfolk that whisper as I walk past."

[Dragoon]

That caught his attention. "Whisper? Whispering about what, Thalon?" The last thing he wanted to hear was people back-talking each other. Hyperion Weyr was still under his control until Illea graduated and assumed the Senior Weyrwoman position and he would not stand for disrespect of any kind. Those that dared not speak allowed were conspirators in R'sul's opinion, and no good ever came from them.

[Rye]

Thalon

"Whisper? Whispering about what, Thalon?"

At R'sul's sharp tone Thalon looked up quickly from the dusty footpath, and he was slightly shocked by his Uncle's words. Surely... Surely he already was aware of this.

"Uncle. I know you aren't deaf. You've never noticed the stares I get when I enter a room full of people, or the whispered words that are spoken as I pass? I bring it on myself, I know, but haven't you ever wondered why I only speak to you and Xennoth?"

Yeah, Thalon knew that he was a favorite topic when it came to gossipers, but he dealt with it. That poor nephew of R'sul's.... Doesn't he ever speak? After all, it was his duty. Or, so he thought. Xennoth was the only one Thalon'd ever spoken to about it, and the blue was always glad to listen.

The only reason he hadn't said anything to his uncle before today was because Thalon was sure the Weyrsteward'd known of it. Besides. It wasn't like they were physically harming him.

Right?

[Dragoon]

"Uncle. I know you aren't deaf. You've never noticed the stares I get when I enter a room full of people, or the whispered words that are spoken as I pass? I bring it on myself, I know, but haven't you ever wondered why I only speak to you and Xennoth?"

"Sharddit Thalon, I can't keep track of everything all at once, I'm not a Weyrwoman, I'm just the steward. If something's been going on, you should have brought it to my attention to be sure I knew of it. Don't ever assume anything, cause one day it'll get you in trouble."

R'sul growled. He knew, even though they didn't really see eye to eye, Thalon was family and he owed it to his belated sister to look after him the best he could. "I can't always tell when something is wrong. I hope you can trust me enough, at least, to help you when you need it." He sighed and patted Thalon on the shoulder. "I know I'm not the warmest of people, Thalon, but I am here for you. That's what family is for."

[Rye]

"Sharddit Thalon, I can't keep track of everything all at once, I'm not a Weyrwoman, I'm just the steward. If something's been going on, you should have brought it to my attention to be sure I knew of it. Don't ever assume anything, cause one day it'll get you in trouble."

Thalon just nodded, but he didn't comment on the matter again. After all, it wasn't really anything big; it just frustrated and annoyed him, is all.

"I can't always tell when something is wrong. I hope you can trust me enough, at least, to help you when you need it....I know I'm not the warmest of people, Thalon, but I am here for you. That's what family is for."

"Yessir. You know I trust you."

Smiling ruefully, Thalon added, his eyes strained at the memory,

"I should know that, right? After all, it'was you and Xennoth who saved me."

After he'd spoken, Thalon's face got dark and brooding again. Yep, they'd saved him... but there was still days where he wasn't sure if he'd really wanted to be saved, even if they were fewer and far between.

Quickly he changed the subject, hoping to drag his thoughts off of the matter.

"So, you ready for the ceremony tonight?"

[Dragoon]

"More or less. It'll be interesting, to say the least. I'm worried about Illea though. She's young and inexperienced and is being thrown into a very heavy position of power." R'sul mused to himself sternly. The bluerider rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles. "We shall see what happens. Question Thalon, have you had much contact with the other young people?"

[Rye]

"More or less. It'll be interesting, to say the least. I'm worried about Illea though. She's young and inexperienced and is being thrown into a very heavy position of power."

Thalon nodded; he'd been thinking quite the same, although he figured one day she'd finally buck up and take control. Maybe they'd be lucky and the day would come sooner than later...

"We shall see what happens. Question Thalon, have you had much contact with the other young people?"

Looking back at R'sul, Thalon raised one brow in question before answering,

"Well, I don't speak to them, but I have a pretty good idea of everything that goes on between them. Most folks don't care what they say in my presence. What do you need?"

[Dragoon]

R'sul shrugged. "Not much. I just wanted your opinion on which would be a suitable Weyrleader. Of course, ultimately, it will be Selenith who chooses, no matter who anyone thinks should have it." He pulled his shirt back on and ran his fingers through his hair in an effort to comb back the sweaty strands.

[Rye]

R'sul's question surprised Thalon, but he didn't let on.

"Not much. I just wanted your opinion on which would be a suitable Weyrleader. Of course, ultimately, it will be Selenith who chooses, no matter who anyone thinks should have it."

Well, there were two riders that stood out to him, and each had their own qualities that would benefit the Weyr. As he pondered, Thalon reached up and wiped at the sweat on his face before saying,

"Hmm... Uncle. As you mentioned, it'll be Selenith who chooses, but there are two who would make good leaders in my opinion. L'rik and A'ir are very different, but part of me thinks's L'rik's love of a challenge would suit him well for the position. However, he's stubborn, and L'rik refuses to listen to reason when he needs it. His dragon might be of assistance in that situation, though. "

"A'ir, on the other hand, is quieter than Weyrleaders from past years, but he's got the presence of a leader. His temper might end up being his downfall, but maybe in time he'll learn to leave that side of him buried deep. Eh, maybe I just like him 'cause he's not afraid to be seen doing the "dirty work" of the Weyr."

After giving his uncle a rueful smile, he responded to R'sul's look, saying,

"Well, you asked my opinion."