In Need of Advice [B'jin]

Valerian was good at going with the flow and adapting as needed but that didn’t mean he didn’t love being prepared and having an idea of how things worked. Flights, for example, were something most people, especially Harpers, had an idea about. He knew the basics with a green – or gold – taking to the sky and the male dragons chasing. He knew about the way the riders were lost to the lust and how rambunctious those involved could get and that there would be bruises and injuries. That was all well and good and the perfect amount of knowledge for someone on the sideline, reading the logs of history and then teaching it to others. It was not helpful enough for someone entering their first flight.

Confusion and even a touch of shame still haunted Valerian two days after Krypth’s maiden flight despite things seeming to be okay with Jada. He had said things he’d rather were never heard and had felt things that left him somewhat uncomfortable given who the subject was. The same could be said, however, when several days following Krypth, a green flew and Veeth chased. Valerian lusted for the rider he didn’t even have a clue about who it was and ended up not even seeing him or her as the flight ended before he made it to the room. Still, Veeth’s emotions overrode his own and he’d almost mindlessly made his way toward the riders that were the prize of flights. He needed to know more about handling how tight their bond was as it left him dizzy and a tad nauseous.

He also needed to know how to avoid jumping or being jumped by the nearest person after losing. Valerian still wasn’t sure how he ended up in a room with two blueriders after Krypth’s flight but Veeth seemed to think it was great since he became friends with their dragons. That was fine, mostly, since he could live with the strangers using him for pleasure since he did the same – and it was appreciated after months of ignoring his recently aroused sexuality – but then there was the green flight, and Talian. He liked the Healer, could possibly even admit to being attracted to Talian as well if pressed but that didn’t mean he wanted to use him like he had, especially once all the pieces fell into place afterward about what his friend had gone through recently. Thinking about that brought about varying emotions but Valerian pushed them aside for now. He’d done what he could that day and would continue to do more at a later time but first he needed to make sure his own head was on straight.

It was why he was walking to B’jin’s. He couldn’t say exactly why he chose the greenrider that could sometimes annoy him with his cheerful outlook on things but the greenrider was older, had experience, was a Harper, and in the end, Valerian always felt comfortable discussing new experiences with him. Then again, a greenrider wouldn’t know much about losing a flight which meant he’d have to find a bluerider but Valerian was at a loss about who to talk to. G’rem had already tracked him down after Krypth’s flight to discuss things but Valerian wasn’t about to mention anything that happened after the flight or any of his more personal feelings since the old rider was prone to yelling and whacking people with his stick when he didn’t approve. So who else? He supposed he could try R’nd, asking B’jin to invite his lover over for a big group talk but that didn’t seem like a fun time, just like finding I’shan seemed like a waste of an afternoon.  B’jin would have to do for now.

“You don’t have to walk with me, you know. You can fly ahead and visit with Larrikith,” Valerian glanced at Veeth and still marvelled at the beautiful colouring his hide had taken on. I could but I’d rather keep an eye on you since you’re acting a bit odd lately, and flying in circles so I don’t get to far ahead of you isn’t very exciting. Veeth’s concern was touching if not a bit annoying since it made Valerian feel like he was a child that might get into trouble without the dragon keeping an eye on him. “I can’t imagine walking in straight lines is any better.”

They continued with their playful banter for the entirety of the walk until B’jin’s hut was in sight. Veeth finally trotted ahead, chirping a greeting to the green he loved to visit with while Valerian forced himself to continue toward the main door. It wasn’t that he was having second thoughts so much as preparing himself for the teasing B’jin would enjoy or possibly even a look of pity for some reason or another. He wasn’t there for pity! Valerian only wanted some advice and a friend to talk with, that was all. So he knocked and waited for an answer, wondering as he did if he’d earn a frown for yet another unexpected visit.

That thought made Valerian smile a little.

B'jin was sprawled out in the main room on the couch, a book in hand and his head lolled back lazily as he read the words slowly. He was a distracting combination of relaxed and bored. The previous couple of days had been... emotional, at best, and B'jin was still slightly unnerved by the events that had occurred. He still wasn't quite sure what to make of it all, or the manner in which any of it was handled and... B'jin sighed softly when he realised he was thinking on it again instead of reading, and that said reading had been the same paragraph several times over. Rolling his eyes at himself, B'jin put his marker in and tossed the book on the coffee table, sinking back into the couch and frowning at the roof blandly.

Across the floor, and surrounding the couch B'jin was claiming, were an assortment of essays written by one of his classes; it was blatantly obvious that B'jin had started the task of grading them before growing bored, distracted or irritated (it wasn't quite clear) of them and tossing them across the floor. Unfortunately, the various sheets of paper proved to be somewhat slippery when B'jin stood up to answer the door, and the greenrider gave a startled yip as he slid before gathering his balance once more and blinking, startled. Shaking his head and kicking the papers back toward a messy pile, B'jin picked up his shirt, which had been tossed across the arm of the couch and tugged it on. Rubbing the back of his thigh, and grumbling at pulling the muscle, B'jin made his way over to the door to find out who it was. It wasn't R'nd (which B'jin couldn't quite decide if that was a disappointment or a relief at that particular moment) and it wasn't Talian because both of them knew better than to knock. A gentle query to Larrikith as to who it was resulted in nothing from the green.

B'jin's lips pursed, expecting someone unsavoury and he opened the door cautiously, brown eyes narrowed irritably and dark with suspicion. As a result, they quickly widened with surprise and a quick flash of delight and interest at seeing Valerian standing on the other side with a small smile. The greenrider's expression warmed, a smile flickering into life and he stepped away from the door, indicating with one hand that Valerian should come inside; soon it would be cooler out than in, but it wasn't quite there yet.

"What's up, Val?"

Veeth! Larrikith trilled a greeting in return, rising lazily from her rather sprawled position in the shade beside B'jin's hut. Normally, she enjoyed the sunshine, but today had been a day to seek out the shade, and the mossy green dragon's eyes swirled lazily. She had very obviously spent the vast majority of the day asleep. What's up? The echo of her rider's word choice was unintentional.

Valerian was silently smug at seeing the expression B’jin wore before it warmed and turned inviting, as the gesture to enter was. He didn’t waste time outside any longer than he needed, despite it starting to cool for the night and walked in with eyes immediately spotting the scattered papers that were sort of shoved back into a pile. Too curious and unsure right then how to answer that simple and generic question, Valerian headed right for the papers and plopped himself down on the floor, reaching for several. “Stuff,” he finally replied as he frowned at the first paper. It was written by a younger child, as was the second and third. He had clearly found himself surrounded by teacher’s homework of grading. Didn’t that just figure. Grading was sometimes fun but usually a nightmare but since he hadn’t done it in over a year and wanted something to fidget with while asking for advice while not looking like he was fidgeting, Valerian looked around for the red ink.

“I need some advice. About flights. Not the generic class answers either,” Valerian kept his head down, eyes locked on the papers he held without actually reading them just yet, he just wanted a focal point. “But… personal experiences, I guess. I… it was all so much all at once.” Valerian finally turned to glance over his shoulder and gave a pleading look. He couldn’t say ‘please’ for this and hoped B’jin wouldn’t try to force it out of him either.

Veeth greeted Larrikith with a lick to her cheek after she rose and sat back again to give her space since it was still a bit too hot to properly enjoy any snuggling. But when she asked her question, the little blue was close to echoing his rider but stalling before answering. Instead he answered right away, knowing he couldn’t keep something from his favourite green for any length of time.Valerian wanted to talk with B’jin …about me and what I did, I think. Veeth lowered his head in shame, still confused over why what he did was bad when Valerian seemed to enjoy himself at times. The only part that truly didn’t work out well was the losing part but he would work on that and soon they’d both enjoy all aspects of the game!

B'jin knew avoidance when he heard it, and though he didn't push the matter as Valerian settled himself on the floor and began searching through the papers that the greenrider had left scattered by the foot of his seat, he was definitely curious as to what had brought the young man to his door. Leaving the blue weyrling to frown down at the work, B'jin went to the kitchen and poured some juice, returning with it and putting the glass by Valerian's ankle before slumping back on the couch himself, watching the boy thoughtfully. Realising what he was looking for, B'jin grabbed the ink pot from the coffee table and put it carefully on the floor near the couch, where it would be less likely to be knocked over, then flicked a quill at him.

The greenrider's eyebrows drew together thoughtfully at Valerian's words, the man shifting slightly in his seat to make himself more comfortable, but also to better place his own glass of juice lightly on the small table, and lean forward, crossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees. A hand lifted to rifle back through his hair and B'jin nodded once at Valerian's pleading look, not bothering to articulate that he'd do his best. He was, after all, a greenrider. He had no experience with losing a flight, though he was beginning to glean some kind of idea from R'nd's drunken stumbles when he arrived after the occasional luckluster adventure.

"Yeah, first time is a bit rough." The rider's voice was mild, and he was speaking less of the Flight encounter than he was of the emotional turmoil. Come to it, the following times were barely any better, at least in his experience. B'jin wasn't quite sure what would be worse; being proddy or wandering around drunk on unsated lust. He supposed, in their own ways, they were one and the same. His nose crinkled. B'jin hated being proddy.

"What do you want to know?" It was a question that B'jin didn't phrase very often, since his inability to lie and his dislike to avoiding a direct question could lead him to become sorely uncomfortable if the questioner wanted to be nosy. Despite that, B'jin considered Valerian to be someone trustworthy with the question; the young man wouldn't ask more than what he considered directly relevant, because he didn't want to know more than that. The greenrider expected it had something to do with the Weyrling being a closed off book himself, and guessed that he could respect B'jin's desire for privacy he himself sought. Or, something like that, anyway. Whatever the reasoning, B'jin knew the younger Harper wouldn't be picking his brain for every last dust speck of his history.

What did you do? Larrikith asked sleepily, yawning widely as she reached out and batted lightly at Veeth's own forelegs, tempting him to join her in the lengthening shadow of the hut. It might be too hot for snuggling, but he could join her and she would enjoy the young dragon's company. Her eyes flashed slightly with anxious shades at the way the youngster hung his head in shame and she brushed lightly against B'jin's mind, wondering if her rider had a better idea of what was going on. The resulting information had Larrikith grunting as she hauled her sleepy self up to be in a more upright position, letting her wings relax and fall towards the grounds.

You didn't do anything wrong, dear, the green said gently, stretching out her nose to nudge against the blue's own. First flights are always awkward, particularly for our humans. But you didn't do wrong. I promise. Winning, of course, would have been to do better, but it was not his fault he lost! He was young, to be expressing such an interest in the girls that went skyward, but that was okay. It likely would mean Valerian would get a solid amount of practice at dealing with his dragon's base emotions before having to deal with an actual flight.

Valerian wasn’t sure where to start. It was odd to have B’jin give him an open path to ask questions, though it never really stopped him even when the man was trying to avoid certain areas. He tapped the top of the quill against his chin several times, lost in thought both over his problems and the obvious problem this kid had with punctuation. Without giving it much more thought, Valerian helped himself to the task of correcting the homework by dipping the quill in the red ink and attacking the paper he held. “I knew the bond strengthened to proportions during flights but I wasn’t prepared for how much it actually did,” he tried to explain himself as he dotted the paper with red, filling in the commas and periods the brat didn’t seem interested in using.

“It was surreal, honestly. I could see in front of me but also the dragons in front of Veeth and how beautiful Krypth looked,” that, he suddenly realised was something else that deeply bothered him. He had no qualms in admitting when a dragon was eye-catching or had beautiful markings, and he was pretty sure he had indeed thought Ilveriath was the most perfect creature he had ever seen since he was the first dragon viewed up close, but Valerian didn’t lust after them. He frowned, knowing it was Veeth’s emotions that guided him in the flights but it still felt awkward. He decided to skip over that issue since B’jin would only tell him what he had just figured out and returned to the vision. “I was dizzy, seriously dizzy. I was also nauseous with how quickly my vision blurred from one view to the other. Is there a way to get over that? Do you get used to it?”

Sighing, Valerian set the paper down to one side and saw the glass of juice. He perked up a bit at the sight and gave the students’ a moment’s reprieve as he sipped at the sweet liquid, waiting for an attempted answer.

Veeth crept closer to Larrikith, joining her in the shade she so graciously offered to share. He still wasn’t sure if everything was okay. Both the pretty green and Valerian insisted he hadn’t done anything wrong but his bonded thought about it a lot and it always made him frown, so that meant he shouldn’t have chased after the beautiful females, right? But there have been two flights now and he’s still being weird. Veeth considered everything he had been told before and now and even the questions Valerian was asking B’jin. Maybe it wasn’t him after all but something they could work to overcome together. B’jin is clever though. He’ll help Valerian figure it out and all will be well again. A little chirp of hope was given as Veeth laid down close to Larrikith, satisfied everything would be better soon.

B'jin watched with amusement as Valerian began marking the assignments, a little worried by how much red the young man was scrawling across the page, but otherwise unconcerned. He wasn't the most harsh of task masters, as far as teaching the kids went. B'jin spent most of his time with the younger kids, those just starting to hold a quill, and so he was somewhat slack when it came to marking those that should know better. That, and he hated marking work. He'd rather be singing songs with the younger children and teaching them to draw.

B'jin listened quietly as Valerian spoke, carefully twisting his glass between his fingers and frowning thoughtfully. "Generally," B'jin began, still staring into his glass, "I find it is easier to invite the onslaught of emotion." He looked up, eyes glazed slightly as he pulled on past memories. "If I dive straight in, it is..." he struggled for a moment, trying to find the word that would work best. "I hate Larrikith's flights, I always have. So, if I just..." One hand waved vaguely before him, the other holding the glass carefully, "Link with her, it becomes her flight. I -" He frowned down at his glass. "If you dive in, you don't flick between visions." His voice picked up again, burying whatever it was he'd been struggling with a moment before. "You basically hand control over to Veeth, and you will find he will be more inclined to win those he wants, and forego those he isn't as interested in if you do that. That said, fighting the link can become ugly."

B'jin's nose scrunched up, an expression born of experience. "I don't advise that."

But you didn't win either of them, did you? One would have expected her to be condescending, snide or laughing when she spoke such a question, but in fact Larrikith's voice was mild and almost gentle as she extended her nose to brush it against Veeth's cheek. Her breath was warm as she pulled her head back, watching the young dragon sprawled out in the shade with her.

We have always been the prize, not the winner, she continued, looking thoughtful, We do not know what it is to leave without the result we sought upon taking off. But, I think, he will change when you are one with your chosen pair. Trying once more to help relax the young blue, and reassur him that his actions and efforts were not to blame, Larrikith shifted her posture to stare at him very seriously.
B'jin reacted much like you describe for a long time. Then he grew to accept it. Now, he almost looks forward to it. But B'jin is stiff, and unhappy. I think Valerian will come around much sooner and much more positively. You will see! Maybe, the little green decided to herself, if Veeth had not claimed another by her next flight, she would treat him. she wasn't nearly silly enough to think that would make either of their humans' happy (nor R'nd) but she knew Ayyonth would see the humour in the situation (though not right away) and she herself would find it hysterical. Veeth was a little too serious to understand it now, or probably even then, but that was a bridge Larrikith would happily cross at the time.

That was, of course, assuming she didn't forget and the youngster chased her. Valerian may ground him before he could get the chance!

Valerian didn’t even realise he was copying B’jin as he stared into his cup as he thought on the way B’jin handled flights. Was it really wise to hand over total control to a dragon not even a turn old? True, it was Veeth and Valerian knew he’d be in good hands with his darling blue, in most cases, anyway. That darling blue was chasing a gold and now random greens and that raised a few brows of curiosity and concern. Perhaps he should worry more about that developing trend but for now, Valerian just wanted to learn how to avoid being sick and how to better control himself when he lost – something he knew B’jin really couldn’t help with. As he glanced up at the greenrider, he was close to asking what it was like to be the prize but stopped, knowing it really wasn’t his place to ask.

“So I shouldn’t fight him for control and just let him chase every time he wants to? I guess I can try that,” he still wasn’t comfortable with the idea of Krypth rising again or Larrikith taking to the sky and Veeth jumping at a chance to win while Valerian casually let it happen by giving in to the desire. But in the end, awkward encounters seemed to be the name of the game and were expected. If it saved him from being sick or looking silly, the latter of which Valerian really didn’t worry about, then he’d do his best to relax and let the emotions swarm him from the start instead of keeping them at bay. He already knew from reading documents and seeing blueriders up close that there wasn’t a way to regain control of himself so he supposed it was easier to let the dragon lead.

Still, as he set the juice back down and grabbed another paper, Valerian was hesitant. He went with the flow rather nicely, a fact that was proven in how easily he accepted being kidnapped and adjusting to the new life. But it was hard to do that with flights. It was almost scary with the war of emotions and how caught up he could be in fighting over another human. Then again, if he was one with Veeth and the little blue was in charge, maybe he wouldn’t even notice the odd way he acted. “Should I ask why fighting the link can be ugly and isn’t advised?” He really wasn’t sure if he wanted to know but he had always been far too curious and liked knowing everything he could and this seemed like something that could be valuable.

He looked back up at B’jin, mouth opening to ask another question but it quickly closed and Valerian returned to marking the paper he held. What good was it to ask a question before his last was even answered? It wasn’t like B’jin could answer the new one anyway since it was something a greenrider would never know. Valerian decided it was sort of like giving into the lust and winning the flight but as a loser, he still didn’t need to grab, or be grabbed, by the closest person to satisfy the unfulfilled lust. Right then as he circled the wrong tense used in a sentence, Valerian decided he would make sure he lingered when he lost so if he had to, it’d be another bluerider he tumbled into bed with and not a friend that didn’t deserve such horrible treatment. He didn’t like coming into his own mind and realising two men were in bed with him, though he certainly didn’t protest either with how amazing it had been to find such release again, but Valerian absolutely hated using Talian like he had and winced even then at the memory. If B’jin saw, he hoped it was assumed the brat’s work was just horrible to a critical teacher’s eye.

Veeth was grateful for Larrikith’s words and gentle touch. It made him feel a bit better and in turn he sent some of his hope and confidence to Valerian in an attempt to help cheer the man up as well. Thank you, Larrikith. I know this must seem odd for us to come to you but Valerian doesn’t seem to know any other older riders he’s comfortable enough to talk with. I’shan? He doesn’t seem to be regarded as highly as B’jin. It was sort of odd that Valerian didn’t socialise more with the older men when Veeth knew his human loved dragons and learning what he could of each one and stories the riders would share. He needed to remember to get Valerian to interact with more people.

I think you’re right. Valerian and I will have a grand time in the sky soon enough! He won’t remember why he was so worried and against us spending time with the beautiful ladies. Veeth trilled excitedly as he bounced back to his feet and, ignoring the heat that still lingered, pressed up close to Larrikith, brushing his head along her shoulder before giving her cheek several licks. Thanks, love!

"I wouldn't advise he chase every time," B'jin replied with a slight frown. He wasn't sure what the regular flight rates were for a male dragon. "Green's fly regularly, and I mean, you get some like Grith that are flying every time you turn around, but Larri only flies four times a turn and some as rarely as just once a turn. If he chases too often, he'll loose weight and could end up damaging himself. He's young, and needs to focus more on growing and learning than chasing. But you should be able to compromise with him, I suppose. Let him chase once a month or something?" Veeth seemed like an agreeable young dragon, and Valerian was an intelligent young man. If any dragon pair could come to an agreement about how often and whom the young blue could fly, well, it would be those two.

B'jin's nose scrunched up as a light shudder rippled through the greenrider at Valerian's question, despite his expectation of such a question; it didn't help preparing for the answer, however. There was no easy answer, he decided, and so B'jin hesitated as he twisted his glass around some more, peering into the depths as if the answer might rise up out and reveal itself. No such thing happened, but the greenrider hadn't been expecting it to. Nothing in life was ever quite that easy, and especially not in his. "Most greens," and he was speaking from a green's point of view, unable to speak from any other as he continued to stare into space, "will accept their partner gracefully. Whomever they might be." The dragon didn't care, in the heat of the moment, and those that were weyrmated really did tend to find themselves a place outside the weyr boundary to share flights: guaranteeing the winner was a much surer way than hoping to avoid sneaky bastards slipping in, such as the manner in which Tyrrisath had acted during Krypth's flight. Sometimes, the female would make her choice, but she rarely got to choose in the end.

"If I am still me when she's caught..." B'jin shrugged slightly, grimacing. "We are less compliant, and that doesn't usually sit well." An eyebrow arched up and B'jin gave Valerian a dry look. "Broken bones, pulled muscles, dislocations. The joys of riding green, especially if you happen to wind up with a heavy handed partner." B'jin shrugged again. "That said, there are at least as many greens that I strongly advise you avoid, because they can cause some serious damage." B'jin only fought when he was conscious enough to realise the partner he just got stuck with was a bad call. Some greens fought, regardless, and that was not something he'd like to see Valerian wind up with as a first win. Leaning over, B'jin picked up a new quill and a sheaf of blank parchment, jotting down a quick list of about fifteen greens and their riders. "Try and keep from winning any of this lot, at least until you and Veeth know what you're doing."

Its not an issue, Veeth. It is good for B'jin to have friends, and Valerian is a good friend for him. She didn't mention that it was good for her skittish rider to have friends in the blue circle, too, that didn't spook him. She wasn't entirely sure it would remain that way after she flew Veeth (and they would fly together, at least once!) but for now, it was good. Her rider's colourist nature was a well guarded secret from most of the weyr, but it was still there, and still something that bothered her when she took the time to fuss on it... which, granted, wasn't often.

Larrikith laughed happily as Veeth brushed up against her and licked her cheek, the green nuzzling his shoulder lightly, more amused and endeared than anything else. The little blue was shockingly adorable and she deeply enjoyed his company - but the mossy green dragon was also incredibly aware that he was not her Ayyonth. Not a problem, dear, Larrikith replied, giggling cheerfully.

In truth, Valerian didn’t want Veeth to chase at all but he knew it would be cruel to keep his excitable blue grounded every time a green flew or if it’d even be possible. No doubt it’d take a lot of energy to do such a thing and there were too many greens that liked to rise to the point it felt like one flew every day. So perhaps a compromise of one, maybe even two if Veeth was on good behaviour – though when wasn’t Veeth ever good? – would be acceptable. Hopefully, they’d have some time to figure it all out before the next flight that caught his attention. They hadn’t won one yet but the losing was just as intense and shocking so at least Valerian had that to build from for the day they proved to be victorious. “I like that idea. I’m still adjusting to the fact that I’m now a part of the mindless crowd bed-hopping because of our dragons but I think I can do it once a month or so to keep Veeth happy.”

The quill was switched out for the juice again as the paper was set atop the other that he was done marking. Both were covered in red ink. Valerian was a pretty laidback teacher himself but he showed no mercy when it came to correcting errors. As he sipped the sweet juice that seemed to be just what he needed, his gaze slowly lifted to B’jin as the older man rattled off the injuries that were known to happen when a greenrider didn’t like the winner. He knew injuries were likely, everyone knew, but it still shocked Valerian to hear what was normal for some flights. But didn’t he already know that first hand as well? Talian, someone he didn’t want to see harmed in any way had been bruised by his own hands because of the flightlust. That was bad enough but to figure out he wasn’t the first to more or less force himself on the kind Healer had the guilt eating Valerian alive.

He grabbed the list to read over the names, recognising a few in name-only since he hadn’t really socialised with too many of the older riders. A nod of thanks was given before the juice was set down so Valerian could fold the list up and tuck it away in a pocket. Momentarily bored of the papers he had taken upon himself to mark as a distraction while talking, Valerian scooted around to look at B’jin straight on, biting his lip as he did so while considering a question. “Is there a way for you to… retreat into Larrikith’s lust on your own when you happen to still be you when caught?” Valerian asked the question slowly, not because he thought B’jin had the wits of a four-turn-old but because he was forming it carefully as he spoke, genuinely curious and concerned for his friend but unsure if it was safe to ask. B’jin had a way to him, like Talian, that made the blue weyrling careful with what he said instead of speaking bluntly.

B'jin laughed softly at Valerian's summing up of riders, though he was unsure if the young man meant blueriders in particular or the entire crop of chromatics which did, indeed, tend to hop around a lot. It was definitely one of B'jin's less favoured aspects of being a dragonrider. Until very recently, Larrikith's very real and very well known desire to fly every blue (and rarely a brown for added spice), had put her bonded in enough beds that he knew just about all the blueriders. Thankfully, her desire to only fly someone once meant he got to avoid the nastier men and women. Unfortunately, it had also meant he didn't get a repeat with those who were more to his style.

Then there was R'nd. B'jin had no idea why Karma had decided to smile on him once more with the lovely young bluerider, but damn was he thankful! It was nice, knowing who he was going to wake up beside before he even entered the flight. B'jin had no doubt his quirky green would throw in a few random flights here and there to spice up not only his life, but that of R'nd and her mate, but he also planned on reminding her regularly of her reaction when Ayyonth had chased Grith - and the very real promise that if she was caught by someone else, she could only expect Ayyonth to seek someone new once in a while to sate his appetite. Boy had as much right to a getting laid as she did.

B'jin considered Valerian's question carefully, shifting his seat as he did so and a frown drawing his eyebrows together. "Yes," B'jin answered slowly, drawing the single word out thoughtfully as he very carefully figured out how to articulate his reply. It wasn't that he was against answering the young man's questions, or even that he didn't wish to share his experiences with him. Contrary to his other friends, B'jin found speaking to Valerian exceedingly easy. He figured it was the weyrling's desire to learn for learning's sake, rather than to dig up dirt on B'jin and his past. Not that B'jin thought Talian or R'nd would do any such thing, but they were difficult to speak to, because... Why?

Shaking off the tangent of thoughts, B'jin lowered his eyes from Valerian's face and pursed his lips thoughtfully, focusing once more upon what had been asked of him. But how to answer? Almost without reason or warning, B'jin was strongly reminded that Valerian was now a bluerider and that while he didn't think that he'd ever join that group, B'jin was wary. There were certain things one didn't like passed around about oneself. Catching him off guard would strike a lot of chaser's fancy, and B'jin could list at least five without pondering it.

"It's hard, though." His voice was mild, almost deceptively unemotional and spoken softly. Were there even anyone else in the house, they wouldn't have been able to hear. "I'm aware, conscious and know exactly where I'm headed. My reaction feeds her own, so initially pleased or not with her partner, suddenly she is inclined to fight too. That makes it harder still, because that tempers her lust and so we end up lost in rage - or fear - instead." He paused for a moment, licking his lips and considering. "The worse part is Larri, though," B'jin sighed softly. "She doesn't deserve the wounds inflicted by her partner because I'm frightened."

Valerian couldn’t figure out if B’jin was genuinely considering how to answer or if he was withholding information for some reason. With his head tilted to the side, green eyes searched the honest face for any sign of discomfort. Normally that would be a sign of weakness and something used for a stronger attack or proving of a point but Valerian simply wanted to know if he had finally found a topic that made B’jin too uncomfortable to sit through and give enough answers to satisfy an insatiable mind. Granted, he was still getting answers and seemingly honest ones but the delivery seemed a bit off. Maybe they were just both tired and it wasn’t anything to linger on. Still, Valerian didn’t think he could press much more for anything and in truth, he had no idea what else he could ask that B’jin would know the answer to. He knew he needed to ask a bluerider some of the things on his mind but he only talked with G’rem, I’shan, and R’nd in varying degrees and comfort levels. None of them inspired a desire to have a heart to heart.

All of that went out the nearest window when Larrikith was mentioned and B’jin’s genuine emotions came through. “I bet she doesn’t mind the wounds,” Valerian spoke softly, surprisingly worried his beliefs wouldn’t be appreciated and might insult or upset B’jin, “so long as you’re okay.” The greenpair had an odd relationship to put it short and simply but there wasn’t a doubt in the young Harper’s mind that they actually did have some sort of love for each other. For one thing, the bond made it impossible for him to imagine life without Veeth, which B’jin had said would happen after the Touching when they spoke of it. But B’jin and Larrikith knew each other so well and even with their rough play style, they didn’t tolerate the other being in severe pain.

“But I’m always available to help you clean any she gets,” if he could blush, Valerian knew he would be right then since he was sure he sounded like he was flirting with B’jin and trying to get close to him in some way. He just simply loved the sassy green the moment he met her and he didn’t want to see her in pain and would gladly bathe, oil, or dote on her if need be. Veeth was an extremely understanding dragon but he had also taken a shining to the mossy green female and wouldn’t want her lacking in attention either.

Slightly flustered, Valerian turned away to once more pick up the quill and another sheet of paper. His focus was on the marking he did, leaving another trail of red in his wake though not as bad as the previous two, as he wondered if there was anything else to ask about flights. Figuring he didn’t have much to lose, Valerian went ahead and asked a more male-specific question, “have any of your friends mentioned the best way to avoid… loser… hook-ups? I don’t… is there?” He wouldn’t mention Talian but if he wasn’t careful, his babbling as he tried to form a question might say too much anyway.

Why would you want to stop them? You’re having fun and meeting new people. Valerian didn’t know how to respond to that so he left Veeth to ponder on his own question for a while as he stole little glances in B’jin’s direction.

"She's survived so far," B'jin replied softly, a small smile flickering over his lips at Valerian's words before his expression warmed visibly at the young Harper's offer and B'jin smiled his thanks. "We appreciate it," Larrikith had said nor indicated no such thing, but B'jin knew it would be true if she had deigned to answer. The little green was spunky and it was always difficult when she needed numbweed for flight induced wounds. B'jin found the task of applying it incredibly distasteful, even with protective gloves on his hands, but when it was his fault that resulted in the wounds, he sucked it up. It also helped avoid requesting someone else to do it and have them question why. Besides a few scattered folk from Telgar Weyr, B'jin had managed to keep his allergy to himself (minus Talian) and was in no hurry to alert the rest of the Weyr. Telgar had made such a fuss about it!

Oblivious as always, B'jin didn't pick up on the Weyrling's sudden discomfort after his offer, and so he made nothing of it. The next question had B'jin leaning back thoughtfully against the couch as he twisted the cup in his fingers, watching the movement of the liquid within. "Alcohol, mostly, I think." B'jin offered, arching an eyebrow. "Some people take losing harder than others." He shrugged slightly; he'd never had much of a high opinion of those that trotted off to drink their sorrows at losing away. Then again, he'd never had to suffer through the event of losing a flight. Good thing, too, because to do so would be to lose Larrikith. B'jin shuddered slightly and shook the morbid thought from his mind. "Most of the chasers grab a fellow loser. Sometimes, green, brown or weyrfolk will hover around the area and pick off those that don't win for some fun themselves. Green flights don't really effect people much, but if you're especially sensitive or you're horny, it's usually a pretty harmless way to get laid."

A sly little smile twisted one corner of B'jin's lips up as he eyed Valerian sideways. "I heard you got plucked by a couple of blues." Though he did a fairly good job of keeping it out of his voice, B'jin found the idea of such things somewhere along the scale of 'horrific and scandalous'. But, Valerian was a bluerider now, and while some of them set more moral standards for how many people they'd bed at once, a lot of them were pretty... quirky. The greenrider wasn't quite sure where Valerian fit into, but he hadn't heard anything about the young man being particularly upset when he'd collected his mind that day, and those two were pretty blunt about what went on in the bedroom.

B'jin's nose scrunched slightly, displaying his distaste though amusement glittered behind curious brown eyes.

Valerian groaned. He suspected people had been talking about that encounter but he did a fairly good job of ignoring whispers and glances in his direction. As long as he was happy with himself – and his new group of friends didn’t have qualms with him – Valerian didn’t care what was said about him. Still, it was a bit awkward to have so much about his sex life known to the public at large, especially given he had slept with two men at once. “If you know, then it’s official; all of Katila knows.” B’jin likely didn’t want the details so Valerian refrained from sharing though the frown and ruffling of his hair was likely a good indicator of his confused stance on that night with the blueriders.

“Anyway,” Valerian quickly latched onto the other idea B’jin had mentioned in an attempt to further shift the conversation away from threesomes, “what you’re saying is, I either stumble away to drink, grab a loser, or grab someone lingering around hoping for an easy lay but there isn’t really a good way to stop yourself from ending up in bed with someone.” While he used to enjoy a drink once in a while, that wasn’t something Valerian wanted to rely on for coping with the loss. In fact, he wasn’t even bothered by the loss; it was just trying to suppress the unspent lust he needed guidance with. Of course B’jin’s idea of just nabbing someone that chased the chasers could help with that but he really wanted to avoid sex with random people while not in his own mind.

So perhaps he was stuck with simply doing more mind exercises and getting Veeth to reign in his lust immediately as well. There had to be a way to do that, or something like it. All he could think right then as he glanced down at the papers was how being a bluerider was going to suck. That and, “by the way, you’re way too easy on these students.” He held up one of the marked tests covered in red. B’jin really needed to stop being buddy-buddy with all the brats and teach their pathetic behinds.

B'jin chuckled lightly at Valerian's expression and his words, the greenrider giving the young man and amused glance but not contesting the statement. He knew he could probably take it as an insult, but he opted to simply let it be. B'jin was kept up to date on the latest gossip by Par'a, and Par'a was one of those riders that could sell ice to a snow storm and come out of it rich. She had no issue collecting gossip and enjoyed sharing it, even if her audience was less than enthralled. B'jin had his uses for gossip, but the greenrider wasn't overly fond of it and there was enough roving around about himself to make him uncomfortable and more eager to avoid it. Par'a's quirky questions and knowing looks didn't help, either.

"Not that I'm aware of," B'jin said lightly as he gave Valerian an expression that was half amusement and half apology. "Fuck buddies and Weyrmates tend to seek each other out if one or both lose a flight. Maybe you could make an arrangement like that? Not everyone likes bedding every other person and you'll likely find one or two regulars that you could work with in times you both chase and lose."

The greenrider was going off of gossip now, and things he'd managed to grasp from R'nd's ramblings when he lost a flight. Ayyonth didn't chase anyone but Larrikith much any more, but the man was very quietly pleased with the fact that his friend sought him out more often than not after he lost a flight. It was flattering, and almost exclusively the only time the bluerider was rough with him.

The greenrider wasn't quite sure how he felt about realising he missed being thrown around, but he was afraid to encourage it in R'nd less the bluerider become like everyone else: mean and too rough. He was much too sweet! B'jin refused to tarnish anyone else; he'd done a wonderful job of ruining Nemall and from what he had gathered before the Plague, S'kef hadn't been nearly so mean until after he had his hands on him. Obviously, B'jin decided with a quiet grimace as he eyed the work Valerian indicated, there was something wrong with him.

"Meh," B'jin murmured in reply, shaking the morbid thoughts from his mind as he arched an eyebrow at the sheet of parchment. "I've been... distracted lately." Between Krypth's sudden flight, and the reminder that Larrikith's own would be upcoming within the next few weeks, B'jin was being haunted by memories of the past he was definitely not comfortable with.

Valerian wasn’t too keen on seeking out a regular person to help sate his needs after losing a flight but there didn’t seem to be much else to do in that scenario. It all seemed to lead to sex with someone or getting drunk and he sort of questioned his new view on things when the random sex seemed to be the better answer. At least he had some ideas to work with now, as unhelpful as they currently seemed. Valerian was convinced he could figure something out and not have any repeat collisions with friends or even foes. He was so disgusted with himself for that and how it changed the relationship with Talian. While he was glad that bothered him to no end, Valerian was a tad concerned how the two blueriders nabbing him didn’t bother him now. In fact, he much preferred that over seeking out someone else; at least with them they were all in the chase and understood the results.

Crinkling his nose at what was to be his new way of life, Valerian grabbed his glass and downed the remainder of the contents. The sweet juice was still as delicious as the first sip and perhaps he would have savoured it with slower sips but Valerian was using it as a way to excuse himself from the conversation he didn’t know how to end properly. Getting to his feet, the weyrling meandered over to the kitchen area and set the glass down in the sink. He wasn’t that desperate to offer to wash anything. But he was going to be nice enough to thank B’jin for the help, however little it really was in the end and returned to the sitting area where he stayed standing.

“Thanks for the suggestions. Not sure how well anything will go but I still got to try,” he looked around the room, trying to decide if it was the right time to leave but his gaze went back to the papers and B’jin’s hesitant explanation of being distracted when it came to marking. He owed his friend the assist, right? Sighing, Valerian sank back to the floor and picked up the quill once more. “I’m going to bet you won’t mind me finishing the marking, right?”