18.Jan.12, 07:57 AM
The soft, almost wispy pop that accompanied the appearance of a dragon from between was something that took time and practise to hear. Usually, one was simply in blackness, and then in light. B'jin, having been counting slowly in his mind, was prepared for the blinding midday light as his beloved green dragon appeared from the black void above the marooned island known only as Candidate Isle, and as such had his lids narrowed in preparation. It still hurt, but it wasn't as damaging as it could have been - he wasn't seeing stars.
"We're here," B'jin's voice was a soft murmur, just loud enough to be heard over the top of the wind. It was strong, up so high, but not terrible. It meant that down on the ground they would maybe have a light breeze, if anything. Clouds spotted an otherwise perfectly blue Spring sky, with the heat of a dawning summer beginning to penetrate; it would likely be a hot summer. Before him, B'jin's only view of the young man was his tight shoulders and hunched posture. His winter clothing would need to be shed before long and the temporary summer clothing offered by the Weyr at large for new arrivals would likely find a new home upon his back.
Larrikith, gliding silently, angled down toward the beach, where footprints were visible in the wavering line of sand. Whomever had left them, though, had vanished. B'jin, unsure of who currently resided on the Island, wasn't surprised. If they were new, they'd probably fled from the appearance of a dragon overhead, while those who had been present for a little longer were likely wise enough to remain indoors during the warmer hours. Katilan summers were nasty, and this was lining up to be a bad one.
At least the storms are not yet here. Larrikith's comment was heeded, but went without a response as the dragon shifted her posture and prepared for a landing. It was carefully done, with minimal bump and bustle, as she came to a rest just above the shore line, on the stubby, would-be coastal grasses. B'jin slapped her neck affectionately, and swung a leg over behind himself, in order to slide down without bustling the young man before him. He was still missing a few details about the kid, but figured they could sort them out now. He would need to, in order to fill out the required paper work.
"You can come down now, Talian." His name, at least, he remembered. Larrikith's snide comment went ignored and B'jin stood close by her side as he watched the young Healer slide down Larrikith's neck, ready to assist him if he tipped his balance in the wrong direction.
"Follow me, please. We just have some paperwork to fill out, and then I'll show you around." With the healer safely on the ground, and her rider preparing for the lengthy and, in her opinion, particularly boring portion of Searching, Larrikith stood up with a sinuous stretch and ambled towards the shore line. It was a hot day, and while she loved to get some sunshine, the water would be cool and refreshing - not yet heated up by a hot summer. B'jin watched her leave with amused affection before returning his brown eyed gaze upon the sullen healer. One hand rose to brush dark blonde hair out of his face - he'd be needing it cut again very soon.
"This, by the way, is Candidate Isle."
The island, from above, looked relatively large - and it was. It's base structure was a small mountain - or perhaps a large hill would be more accurate - that appeared to come directly up out of the lake. Easy to climb, and moderately forested with native plants it was habitable but inescapable. Watch riders and regular sweeps of the island - both on foot and in the sky - prevented the building of skips capable of escaping or those daring enough to try in what little was available to be created. Sea faring folk were rarely brought in, if only because they were harder to steal - they were also harder to maintain. From where Larrikith had dropped off her passengers, the hut that was the main living quarters of the Isle was easily spotted, as were the few sullen looking people who had appeared around the main entrance way to see the new arrival. Some few held smiles, but it was a common fact that there were fewer happy to arrive, than the were grumpy. B'jin grimaced.
They'll survive. Larrikith wasn't optimistic - she was being literal. They had no choice, and once they realised that, they would conform to their new living arrangements. B'jin's lips pursed. He had been amongst those that wanted to return to the North, and while he was content here, he missed his old life, his son, and what 'could have been'. It was moments such as this one, that brought down his usually exuberant personality for a more dour outlook that Nemall was more familiar with than the rest of the Katilan population.
Larrikith, barging into his mind, brought him back to the present. Finish with the child, so you can bathe me.
Why did people dream of Impressing, again?
Smile lighting up the man's face, lines were brought into life around his eyes and mouth, filling and dipping in areas that betrayed the expression to be a usual and common occurrence. He gave his attention back to Talian once more, and his eyes danced.
"I have orders! We must get this done so I can bathe my grumpy bonded." Childish grin still in place, B'jin just about skipped up to the hut, waving at another of his victims (this one much less sullen) and waited patiently at the door for Talian to catch up.
Wow. Upsy downsy much? I think between the story I'm reading, and our chat, I had some difficulty getting into B'jin's character o_o; My bad!
I expect he'll loosen up now he's got Talian where he can't escape Xd
"We're here," B'jin's voice was a soft murmur, just loud enough to be heard over the top of the wind. It was strong, up so high, but not terrible. It meant that down on the ground they would maybe have a light breeze, if anything. Clouds spotted an otherwise perfectly blue Spring sky, with the heat of a dawning summer beginning to penetrate; it would likely be a hot summer. Before him, B'jin's only view of the young man was his tight shoulders and hunched posture. His winter clothing would need to be shed before long and the temporary summer clothing offered by the Weyr at large for new arrivals would likely find a new home upon his back.
Larrikith, gliding silently, angled down toward the beach, where footprints were visible in the wavering line of sand. Whomever had left them, though, had vanished. B'jin, unsure of who currently resided on the Island, wasn't surprised. If they were new, they'd probably fled from the appearance of a dragon overhead, while those who had been present for a little longer were likely wise enough to remain indoors during the warmer hours. Katilan summers were nasty, and this was lining up to be a bad one.
At least the storms are not yet here. Larrikith's comment was heeded, but went without a response as the dragon shifted her posture and prepared for a landing. It was carefully done, with minimal bump and bustle, as she came to a rest just above the shore line, on the stubby, would-be coastal grasses. B'jin slapped her neck affectionately, and swung a leg over behind himself, in order to slide down without bustling the young man before him. He was still missing a few details about the kid, but figured they could sort them out now. He would need to, in order to fill out the required paper work.
"You can come down now, Talian." His name, at least, he remembered. Larrikith's snide comment went ignored and B'jin stood close by her side as he watched the young Healer slide down Larrikith's neck, ready to assist him if he tipped his balance in the wrong direction.
"Follow me, please. We just have some paperwork to fill out, and then I'll show you around." With the healer safely on the ground, and her rider preparing for the lengthy and, in her opinion, particularly boring portion of Searching, Larrikith stood up with a sinuous stretch and ambled towards the shore line. It was a hot day, and while she loved to get some sunshine, the water would be cool and refreshing - not yet heated up by a hot summer. B'jin watched her leave with amused affection before returning his brown eyed gaze upon the sullen healer. One hand rose to brush dark blonde hair out of his face - he'd be needing it cut again very soon.
"This, by the way, is Candidate Isle."
The island, from above, looked relatively large - and it was. It's base structure was a small mountain - or perhaps a large hill would be more accurate - that appeared to come directly up out of the lake. Easy to climb, and moderately forested with native plants it was habitable but inescapable. Watch riders and regular sweeps of the island - both on foot and in the sky - prevented the building of skips capable of escaping or those daring enough to try in what little was available to be created. Sea faring folk were rarely brought in, if only because they were harder to steal - they were also harder to maintain. From where Larrikith had dropped off her passengers, the hut that was the main living quarters of the Isle was easily spotted, as were the few sullen looking people who had appeared around the main entrance way to see the new arrival. Some few held smiles, but it was a common fact that there were fewer happy to arrive, than the were grumpy. B'jin grimaced.
They'll survive. Larrikith wasn't optimistic - she was being literal. They had no choice, and once they realised that, they would conform to their new living arrangements. B'jin's lips pursed. He had been amongst those that wanted to return to the North, and while he was content here, he missed his old life, his son, and what 'could have been'. It was moments such as this one, that brought down his usually exuberant personality for a more dour outlook that Nemall was more familiar with than the rest of the Katilan population.
Larrikith, barging into his mind, brought him back to the present. Finish with the child, so you can bathe me.
Why did people dream of Impressing, again?
Smile lighting up the man's face, lines were brought into life around his eyes and mouth, filling and dipping in areas that betrayed the expression to be a usual and common occurrence. He gave his attention back to Talian once more, and his eyes danced.
"I have orders! We must get this done so I can bathe my grumpy bonded." Childish grin still in place, B'jin just about skipped up to the hut, waving at another of his victims (this one much less sullen) and waited patiently at the door for Talian to catch up.
Wow. Upsy downsy much? I think between the story I'm reading, and our chat, I had some difficulty getting into B'jin's character o_o; My bad!
I expect he'll loosen up now he's got Talian where he can't escape Xd