The Million-Mark Question [B'jin]

"You already knew that," Tal said, smiling at B'jin. Of course he was odd...they both were. They were both odd, broken, out of sorts, and in spite of it all, gloriously alive. How curious, for someone so dour as Talian to come to such a joyful conclusion on a day like today. His mind was weary of being sad and reclusive, and his gentle side was loathe to think about what was going on back within the Weyr's bounds. It was much more pleasant to focus on his relief and momentary contentment. Maybe it wouldn't kill him to live in the moment from time to time, if only for a few precious moments. People were always telling him that the real world would still be there for him when he took a moment to check back.

Of course, his eyes remained sharp no matter the wandering state of his mind. He saw the discomfort he'd suspected resurface as Khaduceth drew near. B'jin looked...not angry or frightened, but just uncomfortable. Tal frowned, wanting to fix it, and he considered speaking up. Of course, B'jin would probably just deny it and start the circle over again...

Tal didn't have time to linger on it. Moments later, he found himself under attack. "Ack! No! No! No!" he squealed, voice reaching a distressingly high pitch. Fellis chirped and vanished, intimidated by the shouting. Kjaduceth just purred, happy to see that B'jin had the good sense to furnish a distraction from the unpleasantness. Good human!

The brown watched, backing off a bit for the sake of B'jin's comfort. When Larrikith approached and spoke to him, he paused for a long moment to consider his answer.

I have not harmed him he said simply. His tone wasn't exactly dismissive, but it was not exactly concerned either. Larrikith was worrying about her bonded; he would expect that, and it was her right, but that didn't change the fact that she was being silly. and I will not harm him. I have taken care to never comment on his prejudices he reminded her. He mentally shrugged, then yawned and curled up in the grass, content to let the tickle fight progress. He would feel his bonded's happiness in that moment, even if he was being tickled, and even if he'd learned more from B'jin's physical cues than from his words. Tal wasn't stupid. He knew the truth now, but he was accepting, and everything would be all right.

It is good to see how happy they make each other he commented lightly, his mindvoice private, restricted to himself and Larrikith. He didn't know if she would choose to keep talking to him or not, but he wasn't worried either way. The comment was his own way of expressing good faith in both green and rider, and she could take it or not. Personally? Tal's laughter was a good backdrop for a nap.

Talian was less calm. He flailed wildly and shouted, hoping that someone somewhere would think he was being murdered and come to his aid.