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Once Zuko got past his first Gather, people became very interested in what he was going to do with his life. Was he going to stay at Cove Hold or Landing, helping with AIVAS projects? Was he going to move to Ruatha, with his white fire lizard for the white dragon? Was he going to move to a Weyr and support the dragon riders?
When asked, Zuko denied wanting to move to the Northern Continent, declaring that he flat refused to live in deep caves, away from the sun. A comment on having lived at sea for three years had him snatched up by Masterfisher Idarolan for testing of his knowledge. Despite his insistence tht the ship he lived on was very different and that he didn’t know as much about Pern’s waters as his homeland’s, Idarolan was very happy to declare Zuko competent enough to be at least journeyman level, and that, given dedication to the craft, he could earn himself his own boat in a years time.
Zuko thanked him graciously, covered in dragonlings, and refused a dedicated learning, though he accepted a visiting tutor.
He sought out teachers for his dragonlings, some finding places at Craft Halls, some with crafters stationed elsewhere, some to Landing. He gave out eggs as he could and spent the seven months after his giving away a number of eggs in Ruatha struggling to keep his fair busy, with learning Crafts or visiting Gathers.
During these seven months, he picked up peopl and with Jaxom’s initial support, got them learning Crafts. While visiting Fort Hold, he gained his journeyman knot for Healer Craft and fixed it next to his Fisher Craft ones.
Zuko had been around people again for about a year when he gets informed that he is now a Craft Master, dedicated specifically to his odd fire technique and teaching his dragonlings, that are now spread across Pern, and becoming more so as time passes.
After asking around, he decides that he should have his own place for a Hold, so he can have a dedicated place to be found. He is also assigned a dragonrider for travel as he is required to visit several people and places for this and other reasons. So, with dragonrider L’ark, Zuko travels the Northern Continent, teaching dragonlings to control their fire, and the Southern Continent for a place to settle.
When he does find land for a Hold, it is with a spirit adventure and the dragonlings laying out the borders. F’nor is amused when the land request comes not from Zuko, but from four white streaked gold fire lizards lead by two whites with gold, bronze and brown speckling. Zuko finds out about this later, when the approval comes through, with a letter asking if he wants help with construction.
The map his dragonlings proudly display for him includes the peninula landways across from Monaco Bay and a number of small islands near it.
He responds that the name of his hold is Fair's Choice Hold and he currently is managing with the cliff side caves, though that might change if he gets too many people wanting to join him.
A number of people express an interest in joingin him, starting with Thomas, Kenna, S’vin and their partners.
Given the sudden increase in population, L’ark takes him to Tillek and Curran and Idarolan to give him his mastery test. Upon receiving his own ship, dubbed Fire Seeker, Zuko takes a crew and supplies to Fair’s Choice Hold. The crew, upon arrival, help build the initial buildings, a Hold Hall, a couple of outbuildings, and a series of fences for the wildlife Zuko and others steer to the main Hold.
Most of the crew Zuko brought on the Fire Seeker want to go elsewhere, and Zuko lets them. Of those who stay, the journeyman boat builder is much thanked for he makes small craft for individuals to go out to sea. Zuko’s ship goes out at least onces a sevenday so humans and dragonkind can fish to their hearts content. Occasionally, Zuko will take her out to help run provisions and people across the seas.
With L’ark’s help, Zuko is taken to different Weyrs at the request of the queens to treat their eggs. Some he can help, and the white patterned dragons are celebrated for their eventual fire abilities. Some he cannot.
Once Kenna and S’ven pass their training officially, and have flown in Falls, they are allowed to move to Fair’s Choice, though they still fly Threadfall for Fort Weyr. Kenna and L’ark become close and given S’ven is encouraging, Zuko doesn’t bother with them. He knows his limits and that is definitely one of them.
When Hareeth first rises it is at Fair’s Choice and Sinth covers her. Given Hareeth never chewed fire stone, it is still somewhat of a surprise when Zuko asks after possible candidates. S’ven and Neelath are allowed to Search for Hareeth’s eggs given that there are only three eggs, they don’t need to find more than one or two potentials outside of their Hold.
As they hold the Hatching at Fair’s Choice, many wonder if they should call it Fair’s Choice Weyr instead of Hold. Zuko doesn’t bother with it beyond asking if the dragons would like to keep one of his islands as an official/unofficial weyr. After the hatching, the adult dragons move to an island, bringing the hatchlings with them. The island they chose is swimming distance away, so the weyrlings can easily visit the mainland once their partners have grown beyond eating and sleeping. The young dragons themselves enjoy the swim and are allowed to swim with their humans long before they can fly.
With the dragons settled, and the humans breaking in the land, Zuko establishes the caves as lesson rooms for dragonlings learning to flame. Most of the dragonlings come to him now that he has a proper territory to manage.
Fair’s Choice begins to export dragonling crafts before they are properly settled in. With the knowledge of their preferences, the appropriate crops are planted first. A grandmother, guardian of three grandchildren, takes charge of the kitchens and learns to work with the dragonlings. The food quickly becomes known for its spice, though allowances are made. Her grandchildren are quick to adapt and demand to know about treats and candies Zuko grew up with. After trial and error, Zuko manages to recreate the treats he grew up with.
Smoke sugar and fire flakes are a big hit, and exports of those are in high demand at Weyr Gathers. Given that smoke sugar is delicate, it must be made on site. Zuko goes to many more Gathers while his fair and cooks learn this task.
To outsiders, Fair’s Choice is odd. Zuko has built its culture around what he grew up with, with allowances made for Pern’s people. He encourages cross Craft learning, with his open acceptance of teaching the dragonriders Healer Craft when they can spare the time. He tells tales of Pern before the settlers came and even before Thread! He talks about the spirits of the land and the water and the air.