Still Wake Up

Unlike his lackey friend, Hasco was less enthused about their new titles. Being searched was throwing a wrench in the machine that was the pirate's plot. Not that he couldn't just grab the next trader train out of this waste bowl and go... wherever. There was, of course, the possibility of him Impressing an Aoi, becoming Weyrleader, maybe taking over High Reaches...

Too many variables he couldn't control. There was Nagith, for one, who would determine the Weyrleader, and he'd have to get an Aoi in the first place, which meant betting on insane odds. You could take a dragon, he supposed. Really, he'd be better off just grabbing some planks, building a skiff, and just starting from there with his poorly-wrought craft.

"Yeah, I saw the dragons. They're pretty big, too." Light conversation as he poked a foot beneath his bed, making sure his precious chest of goodies was intact. "At least the kitchen is big enough to feed us all. Dragons included." He took a seat on his assigned bunk, looking down at his calloused hands, working to sort the billion and one ideas going through his head into something more coherent. A proper plan to take advantage of the Weyr's resources and basically free room and board while also somehow finding a way to get back to the sea or otherwise become a very wealthy man.

"Bathing...? Oh, Lessal, you know that's against the rules." They had been given a rundown before being released into the barracks. "If anyone tries, we'll stop them and get them kicked out by the Candidate Master. If nothing else, well... I'll take care of them."

"Promise," Hasco repeated for the thousandth time. While Lessal was probably right to think that Hasco was untrustworthy, the pirate wasn't ready to lose what little he had gained since becoming marooned. "Probably," he then answered with a shrug, looking over to the boy who had gone from pure excitement to utter terror. "They can't use me for crafting since there's no fishing up here, and we got here together, so it would make sense."

The antsy pirate hesitated at Lessal's question for several reasons. He didn't want either, not that he could admit it out loud, and who knew what Lessal would do if Hasco truthfully admitted he'd rather have a dragon than a stumpy, stinky, stupid wher? Luckily the other boy continued to talk, so Hasco didn't have to truly answer.

"Whers work in the dark, no one would see my eyes. A Kuroi would be cool, I suppose. Sneak around all night. You'll get a really nice wher, I'm sure."

Hasco did allow himself a little smile at this mental image. Up in the air with the flapping of not sails but wings. It was a silly little dream, of course. Hasco may be different than the average Pernese, but certainly not "a breed apart" like Lessal kept reciting. Certainly not the breed that risked his neck saving complete strangers from Thread that hadn't been seen in centuries.

"Of course I would." It was more or less a lie, since it would never actually happen if Hasco had any say in it. But anything to keep Lessal happy. "That would be interesting, riding on a wher. Certainly different than a runner."

Hasco kicked off his boots before falling back on his bunk, listening to Lessal chatter on about eggs. He already knew the kid was weird, but to want to be a mother hen? Sitting around, waiting for little critters to come alive and run off with other people and likely not be seen again when they go off to holds.

"Gins are pretty," he agreed as a way to keep the conversation going. Not because Hasco wanted to keep the conversation going, but there would be homework to be done, and he certainly wouldn't do it. Copy it from an unsuspecting victim, sure...

Hasco couldn't help but roll his eyes as Lessal started stuttering, knowing the panic was coming. It was lucky he was staring upwards rather than looking at the boy, so it was less likely to be noticed. Some days - well, nearly every day - Hasco wondered if Lessal's loyalty was worth the upkeep. Or, at least, the loss of sanity.

"Only the three colors actually shimmer. The others aren't metallic." He glanced over to the increasingly agitated Lessal. "You're a bigger expert on dragons than I am, you should know that." It was intended as a compliment, though whether Lessal was listening was up for debate, considering the next tirade that came. The pirate let out an audible sigh, though it was slightly covered up as he rolled onto his belly, propping his chin on one fist as he stared at Lessal, first unamused and then frowning with slight concern.

"Y'know, one of the other candidates I met said they had been stolen from their home because Sabishi needs candidates that much. We're probably the first two people to come willingly in a hundred turns." Not exactly a comforting thought, but it was the truth. "If the riders are in such a need for candidates that they're stealing them, why would any of the riders do anything to take a candidate away?" Hasco let his head drop until his eyes were buried in his palm. He didn't even want to think about what Lessal may be implying about getting tired of him. "Just stay away from the flight weyrs like the Candidate Master said and you'll be fine. You can look however you want, the riders have enough folk in the caverns." He looked up again. "You can't take everything a person says as true, you know."

Pot calling the kettle black, sure, but if Hasco had to deal with this several times a day, he would be leaving within a fortnight.