Hello loves! While I haven't been writing, I have been working on updating some issues that have been hanging around on the layout! The Character change box is now at the bottom of the page, beside the up/down arrows! Green and Gold dragon flight dates have been shifted to the bottom of the page, where the (useless!) discord widget was located. Where the dragon flights were in the header, is now replaced by a Monthly Event box! This will be updated at the start of each month, with a fun mini-event you can take part in, if you want to! Thistle!
27.Oct.12, 05:47 AM
ooc: This takes place during Larrikith's flight in "Third Time's a Charm" I copied over the tag he left there and continued on.
Of course he was confused!
Ayyonth still sat in the same spot he had landed minutes before when they arrived for their practice and barely showed any interest in the squabbling greenpair. The only time he seemed to even acknowledge the proddy green was when she glanced at him and Ayyonth crooned softly in return, their fondness for each other quite evident. So why wasn’t he preparing to Chase?!
R’nd was practically beside himself already with the scene playing out before him starring B’jin and S’kef. The only reason he hadn’t already stormed over there was because the greenrider was a big boy and didn’t need constant rescuing. It irritated R’nd to no end that S’kef was harassing B’jin again but until it was clear his lover was in for more than he could handle, R’nd was trying his best to stay out of it. So he turned that irritation onto Ayyonth, which anyone would notice with one look at the bluerider glaring at his dragon, obviously having a private conversation. Why aren’t you chasing? We’ve always entered Larrikith’s flights since our first attempt! I figured since our time with them has even you two so cozy, you’d be more inclined to. Are you two fighting again? Did you look at another green? It was unfair to blame Ayyonth like he was but he simply couldn’t understand!
Are you done yelling at me? Ayyonth replied in an almost bored tone, though he wasn’t overly thrilled to be receiving one of R’nd’s rare outbursts. His rider could overreact with the best of them sometimes. This win is not meant for me. I will find you a suitable flight win soon though. He knew that wasn’t what R’nd was upset about but it was the best he was going to get. Larrikith had told him about the fun game of driving B’jin crazy by Veeth winning and Ayyonth was intrigued. It would end up messing with R’nd as well and the way their riders freaked out over other things pertaining to their relationship and flights, he knew this would be amazing and had to happen. So he had agreed and while Larrikith looked ever so beautiful that day, her mossy hide reflecting the sun better, in his opinion, than that of a gold’s and R’nd tried to urge him to move, Ayyonth stayed grounded and quietly watched all those interested in his charming lady move in closer.
R’nd could feel everyone’s gaze moving from him to Ayyonth to the greenpair and back to him. No doubt they believed there was trouble in paradise or they had dissolved their weyrmate status privately the night before. That was hard to do when they weren’t actually weyrmated! After that initial shock when D’ren announced it to all of Katila, they saw the benefit in letting people believe it since they could be in a wing together and somehow had decided through not a single word shared on the matter to both ignore the label and tune out the gossip about them. That had been hard to do at first since he loved knowing the crazy rumours and the gossip going round about him but R’nd found some of the topics to be too heart-stopping and finally managed to disappear whenever he was mentioned in the same breath as B’jin.
He briefly wondered what would be said about this. Did they fight before coming to practice? They had, after all, arrived separately. Was there an issue between the dragons? Perhaps they had made an agreement to have other flights to spice things up? Did they do that because they were looking for someone else to join them in bed? R’nd barely stifled a laugh at that last thought, knowing B’jin would never want anything like that. Knowing what he did know, however, R’nd knew no one else would guess correctly. Larrikith and Ayyonth had planned something again and that was never a good thing. He didn’t know who was meant to win the flight but when the adorable blue weyrling appeared on the scene, it was pretty easy to guess.
As Larrikith took off with her trail of suitors, R’nd found himself hoping Veeth actually did win. His gaze swept across the dragons in pursuit and while a few had decent enough riders, it was Tyrrisath that bothered him the most. That was a cunning dragon and the bluerider had witnessed more than once, both from the chase and innocently watching from below, the way the brown dragon swooped in and stole victories. He was getting nervous and his fists clenched at his sides as B’jin took off running with S’kef close behind. R’nd was so focused on the men that he barely noticed two of his wingmates moving in to stand closer to him. Had he spared them proper thought, he’d know exactly what they were there for; waiting for him to freak out at either not getting his dragon to move his lazy ass or having issue with who the winner was.
This wasn’t going to end well, he knew it deep within. “B’jin…” His lover’s name came out on an exhale, his fear barely restrained. One slow and shaky step and then another took him that little bit closer to the weyrfolk hall where B’jin was leading his followers. He wasn’t at all surprised at B’jin’s intuition to get somewhere private given so many of his past flights. A part of R’nd was proud to have claim on three of the embarrassing locations with the greenrider. He didn’t get any further than those few steps before one of the men near him placed a hand on his shoulder which R’nd obeyed and fell still and silent, grey eyes not leaving the little green and her acrobatics.
His anger at Ayyonth for not chasing and the fear of who would win started to let up when Veeth entered the race and put in a good effort of chasing. R'nd had seen a few other green flights as an innocent bystander and had watched the way the small blue weaved around the crowd and made up the distance rather well, though he always lost in the end. Poor kid! It had to suck being an endless loser but from R'nd had heard, Valerian at least always found a way to relieve the tension built up during a flight. This flight, he was sure of it, would be the one that broke the loser streak. It had to be! With every second that passed, R'nd continued to hold his breath and watch Veeth fly. It seemed at one point that Larrikith was ready to be caught by her young admirer as well but just as they were about to collide, Tyrrisath swooped in and stole the win.
"No!" R'nd screamed, a shriek if one was being technical, when the accursed brown dragon pulled his usual stunt of stealing the prize. He had done the same thing during Krypth's maiden flight, taking the pretty little gold away from Ayyonth and Veeth without so much as a backward glance. He called out his disbelief once more and tried to run for the building B'jin had likely ran for but two sets of hands were on him again, this time restraining him far more than the light touch of hands had earlier. He struggled in vain, wanting desperately to be away from the men holding him back from saving B'jin from a far worse fate than just a simple random win that wasn't his supposed weyrmate. R'nd could have cared less -- well, that wasn't entirely true since he cared but he would have been fine with it after a few minutes of pouting -- if it was anyone else in the weyr that won Larrikith's flight but S'kef terrified the greenrider and with good reason.
R'nd was always cautious around S'kef during his time as WeyrSecond but it wasn't until B'jin's lashing and the joy the brownrider so clearly took from wielding the whip that he truly started to dislike the man. The scuffle at Turnover had been foolish on his part but the growing hatred for S'kef since the lashing had finally consumed the bluerider when the molesting of B'jin took place. It had felt good to at least mange to land a solid punch before winding up barely conscious and in a lot of pain. Thankfully he had been drunk which eased a lot of the pain before Talian got the numbweed on the injuries and fellis in him! But it was when B'jin finally confessed to the past he shared with S'kef that R'nd truly despised the brownrider and wanted to keep all those he valued away from the man. So far, his friends had enough common sense to stay away and B'jin did his best to do the same but now, for some reason, S'kef had felt like entering a flight and of course the bastard had to win.
But he would stop the outcome. He had to!
Again, R'nd struggled and, caught up in the anger and fear that was overwhelming him, his mouth started babbling out random protests that would likely earn him another close encounter with S'kef's fists if the man heard what he said. "Not S'kef! Anyone but him! He's pure evil! Don't leave B'jin alone with him!" R'nd shot a look around at his wingmates, hoping someone there would understand and help him but most stared at him sadly, if they could look at him at all. J'ver, at least, seemed as visibly upset, a dark glare on his face with lips pursed tightly. There wouldn't be any help there, R'nd knew with a certainty, but he was glad to see the turmoil the win had caused between the two despicable men. Rilaleeyth, though, earned a brief shot of pity as R'nd caught the way the green curled in on herself in a tight ball, looking utterly rejected. A moment later and she took off to parts unknown while J'ver stalked off by foot.
Through his fear for B'jin, R'nd barely heard R'nya calling an end to the disrupted wing practice, which was likely why J'ver took off. The greenrider was a brown-nosing suck-up and wouldn't leave before being dismissed despite how upset he was. In the back of his mind, R'nd knew he was making a scene and even a fool of himself but neither mattered. He only wanted his freedom to help B'jin! He hadn't heard R'nya also order him escorted to his hut until he calmed down but when a voice far closer to his ear told him they were bringing him home, R'nd tensed and froze for a moment. It wasn't the order that bothered him, it was the voice. Of course it had to be B'ker as one of his wardens! Kerrin's dad always seemed to be around in such precious moments of these when he was acting in an unbecoming manner, the brownrider always seeming to keep a close eye on him. It was understandable since Kerrin was such a close friend and easily influenced. But as intimidating as R'nd found B'ker, he was also a somewhat calming presence and R'nd heaved a sigh and seemed almost ready to give in and go silently to his hut.
Except T'shiro came over, intent on helping out and asking S'tox, the other brownrider holding him in place, to step aside and he'd handle the bluerider. Instead, they started debating the merits of T'shiro carrying R'nd by the feet as the three of them carted him home. It may have worked except by this point, Ayyonth was starting to get agitated from R'nd's mood and the way everyone was man-handling his rider. The dragon was both pleased people were holding him back since he'd only end up in a lot of pain and could injure B'jin as well for getting between a flight pair but all the men around R'nd were causing the rider distress and Ayyonth, calm and collected Ayyonth, was reaching his own limit. He gave a low rumble of his disproval and neared the group at a slow pace, more intent to be near R'nd to help each other calm down rather than to intimidate anyone. It was enough of a distraction for the three men around R'nd and enough of a kick to reignite R'nd's fears that the bluerider started struggling again, this time freeing his arm from S'tox's hold and elbowing T'shiro in the nose as he did so.
He heard the bronzerider curse at the surprise connection but R'nd didn't notice as he was restrained again and softly being urged to co-operate. Another sigh of resignation and R'nd nodded. "I'll walk. No one has to carry me." As B'ker and S'tox moved to better hold him and walk with him, the bluerider felt utterly defeated and useless. Neither brownrider talked as they moved through the rows of huts and that was probably for the best. No doubt they felt in an awkward position since S'kef was one of their own and the former WeyrSecond. They may have viewed the man differently than a young and emotional bluerider. At least they didn't try cheering him up, to which R'nd was extremely grateful. He didn't think Kerrin would appreciate a fight between his father and best friend.
When they reached his hut, he allowed them to escort him inside and he waited until both men were back outside before slumping to the floor. He didn't need to check the door to know S'tox and B'ker would be standing outside, if one of their dragons weren't sitting there playing door blocker for them. He would be held under a small house-arrest until B'jin and S'kef parted ways and if he was lucky, he wouldn't be punished for his behaviour. Right then though, that was the least of his worries as a fist balled and smacked the hard ground beneath him. He was useless! He had let B'jin down! He had wanted to keep his friend safe from any form of harm yet there he was, locked away on the other side of the weyr while B'jin was trapped in a room with S'kef drunk on flightlust. He knew the brownrider wouldn't stop after the flight released him either and that was the final thought needed to send tears sliding down tanned cheeks.
Ayyonth reached cautiously out to his rider and was relieved when R'nd accepted the mental touch and relaxed a bit as he curled up on the floor where he had dropped when the brownriders left him. He let him sulk for a while, lending R'nd the strength needed to get over the idea that he failed someone but perhaps he should have left well enough alone as anger started to form inside his gentle human and it turned towards him. It's your fault, Ayyonth! They're both going to be hurt and upset and you're to blame! We could have won and protected them. Why didn't you chase?
Unlike the far more sensitive dragons, Ayyonth let the words wash over him, knowing that while R'nd meant the accusations in that moment, he would hate himself later on for yelling and blaming someone else for what he found to be his own failings. When it seemed like the accusations were finished, Ayyonth finally dared to counter them, his voice still the low and calming tone it always was. You know as well as I that the end result would not change if I entered. You saw and even acknowledged the way Tyrrisath snatched Larrikith away from Veeth. He would have done the same with me. He is a cheater in the way he waits for an opening and dives in; there is nothing to be done about it.
He paused, letting the truth sink in, knowing R'nd was smart enough to accept it instead of fight it and then continued, There is nothing more to be done now either, except wait for B'jin to return here or to his hut. Either way, you will be there for him and comfort him as you always do. He will need your embrace and your quiet strength. Remember, I chose you because of that inner strength you possess and the way you will do anything in your power and beyond to keep your friends safe and happy. You care deeply and cherish everyone in their own special ways and everyone loves you because of it. Do not let B'jin down now. You couldn't prevent the pain, it's true, but you can ease it and erase it. Both knew R'nd couldn't truly erase the memories that S'kef would leave behind but R'nd appreciated the pep talk all the same and vowed to do his best.
He still didn't have to like the flight happened how it did though!
Ayyonth wasn't getting off that easily either and R'nd made a note to properly glare at the beast later on as well though his temper had cooled and he was left more with the worry about how B'jin was doing and the shape he would be in.
At some point, R'nd, or maybe it was Ayyonth, decided it was best to stop counting the minutes that passed and to get up off the floor. A blanket was grabbed but he didn't stay in the bedroom, instead making curling up on the couch, still miserable, now completely silent, and much calmer. Only when the door slowly opened did R'nd sit up, jumping to his feet with the blanket being cast aside, "B'jin?" he called out anxiously but when B'ker came through the door, the bluerider's energy vanished and his head hung in disappointment.
"I've had word that S'kef and B'jin have parted. Technically, we can let you out now since you won't disturb them and you seem a bit more level-headed again." He stepped into the room and S'tox was close behind, keeping a careful watch on R'nd. If it wasn't for his show earlier, R'nd would have been insulted by all the caution the men took around him now. "Can we safely leave you alone now? I don't want to hear that you've gone after S'kef and you got yourself mangled for stupidity. True, loyalty to your mate is something to respect, but a flight's a flight. Leave it alone now, R'nd."
R'nd wanted to explain exactly why he was so upset about the flight and S'kef, show the world how horrible the man could be, but he held his tongue. B'jin barely wanted to tell him, he would definitely hate having the entire weyr know what he had been through under S'kef's attention. With a nod, R'nd looked first S'tox in the eye and then B'ker, "I won't go after him. I can't promise to stay away nor can I promise to never touch him if provoked but I won't go looking for him, especially right now. B'jin is my focus." R'nd hoped that was approval he saw on B'ker's face before the men left but it wouldn't be anything new if it wasn't. He always felt like he was being judged around that brownrider anyway.
Wait. Ayyonth's simple command held R'nd rooted in place a few steps from the couch when he started to make a mad dash for the door and to find B'jin. He didn't need to voice his confusion or ask why he should. Let me speak with Larrikith first. She'll know where B'jin wants to go and who he wants to see right away. You're likely at the top of the list, but his healer-son might earn a quick visit before seeing you or, R'nd cut Ayyonth off with a mental nod of understanding and finished the thought. Or, he'll want to clean up and put a smile on his face before seeing me so he doesn't worry me or upset me enough to go after the bastard that harmed him. He had learned enough during their friendship to know when to avoid certain topics, which questions would have walls tossed up in defense, and how B'jin reacted in situations he wasn't comfortable with. The greenrider had been close to begging him after the lashing to stay away from S'kef in order to keep R'nd safe. He knew now would likely be no different.
"I'll wait, Ayyonth," he finally spoke aloud since agreeing to walk without issue to his hut though it was barely an audible whisper. "But don't make me wait too much longer. I... I need to see him." Quietly, R'nd sat back down on the couch and stared at the wall Ayyonth sat on the other side of. He had managed to survive the waiting needed for S'kef to leave B'jin, surely he could last a little longer?
Unless B'jin denied him and didn't want to see him because of his own anger at the bluepair.
That thought tore at him to the core and he tried his best not to believe it was true. He'd know soon though. Just a little longer and Larrikith would tell Ayyonth which hut B'jin wanted and he'd be holding the greenrider in his arms soon after.
Just a little longer...
Of course he was confused!
Ayyonth still sat in the same spot he had landed minutes before when they arrived for their practice and barely showed any interest in the squabbling greenpair. The only time he seemed to even acknowledge the proddy green was when she glanced at him and Ayyonth crooned softly in return, their fondness for each other quite evident. So why wasn’t he preparing to Chase?!
R’nd was practically beside himself already with the scene playing out before him starring B’jin and S’kef. The only reason he hadn’t already stormed over there was because the greenrider was a big boy and didn’t need constant rescuing. It irritated R’nd to no end that S’kef was harassing B’jin again but until it was clear his lover was in for more than he could handle, R’nd was trying his best to stay out of it. So he turned that irritation onto Ayyonth, which anyone would notice with one look at the bluerider glaring at his dragon, obviously having a private conversation. Why aren’t you chasing? We’ve always entered Larrikith’s flights since our first attempt! I figured since our time with them has even you two so cozy, you’d be more inclined to. Are you two fighting again? Did you look at another green? It was unfair to blame Ayyonth like he was but he simply couldn’t understand!
Are you done yelling at me? Ayyonth replied in an almost bored tone, though he wasn’t overly thrilled to be receiving one of R’nd’s rare outbursts. His rider could overreact with the best of them sometimes. This win is not meant for me. I will find you a suitable flight win soon though. He knew that wasn’t what R’nd was upset about but it was the best he was going to get. Larrikith had told him about the fun game of driving B’jin crazy by Veeth winning and Ayyonth was intrigued. It would end up messing with R’nd as well and the way their riders freaked out over other things pertaining to their relationship and flights, he knew this would be amazing and had to happen. So he had agreed and while Larrikith looked ever so beautiful that day, her mossy hide reflecting the sun better, in his opinion, than that of a gold’s and R’nd tried to urge him to move, Ayyonth stayed grounded and quietly watched all those interested in his charming lady move in closer.
R’nd could feel everyone’s gaze moving from him to Ayyonth to the greenpair and back to him. No doubt they believed there was trouble in paradise or they had dissolved their weyrmate status privately the night before. That was hard to do when they weren’t actually weyrmated! After that initial shock when D’ren announced it to all of Katila, they saw the benefit in letting people believe it since they could be in a wing together and somehow had decided through not a single word shared on the matter to both ignore the label and tune out the gossip about them. That had been hard to do at first since he loved knowing the crazy rumours and the gossip going round about him but R’nd found some of the topics to be too heart-stopping and finally managed to disappear whenever he was mentioned in the same breath as B’jin.
He briefly wondered what would be said about this. Did they fight before coming to practice? They had, after all, arrived separately. Was there an issue between the dragons? Perhaps they had made an agreement to have other flights to spice things up? Did they do that because they were looking for someone else to join them in bed? R’nd barely stifled a laugh at that last thought, knowing B’jin would never want anything like that. Knowing what he did know, however, R’nd knew no one else would guess correctly. Larrikith and Ayyonth had planned something again and that was never a good thing. He didn’t know who was meant to win the flight but when the adorable blue weyrling appeared on the scene, it was pretty easy to guess.
As Larrikith took off with her trail of suitors, R’nd found himself hoping Veeth actually did win. His gaze swept across the dragons in pursuit and while a few had decent enough riders, it was Tyrrisath that bothered him the most. That was a cunning dragon and the bluerider had witnessed more than once, both from the chase and innocently watching from below, the way the brown dragon swooped in and stole victories. He was getting nervous and his fists clenched at his sides as B’jin took off running with S’kef close behind. R’nd was so focused on the men that he barely noticed two of his wingmates moving in to stand closer to him. Had he spared them proper thought, he’d know exactly what they were there for; waiting for him to freak out at either not getting his dragon to move his lazy ass or having issue with who the winner was.
This wasn’t going to end well, he knew it deep within. “B’jin…” His lover’s name came out on an exhale, his fear barely restrained. One slow and shaky step and then another took him that little bit closer to the weyrfolk hall where B’jin was leading his followers. He wasn’t at all surprised at B’jin’s intuition to get somewhere private given so many of his past flights. A part of R’nd was proud to have claim on three of the embarrassing locations with the greenrider. He didn’t get any further than those few steps before one of the men near him placed a hand on his shoulder which R’nd obeyed and fell still and silent, grey eyes not leaving the little green and her acrobatics.
His anger at Ayyonth for not chasing and the fear of who would win started to let up when Veeth entered the race and put in a good effort of chasing. R'nd had seen a few other green flights as an innocent bystander and had watched the way the small blue weaved around the crowd and made up the distance rather well, though he always lost in the end. Poor kid! It had to suck being an endless loser but from R'nd had heard, Valerian at least always found a way to relieve the tension built up during a flight. This flight, he was sure of it, would be the one that broke the loser streak. It had to be! With every second that passed, R'nd continued to hold his breath and watch Veeth fly. It seemed at one point that Larrikith was ready to be caught by her young admirer as well but just as they were about to collide, Tyrrisath swooped in and stole the win.
"No!" R'nd screamed, a shriek if one was being technical, when the accursed brown dragon pulled his usual stunt of stealing the prize. He had done the same thing during Krypth's maiden flight, taking the pretty little gold away from Ayyonth and Veeth without so much as a backward glance. He called out his disbelief once more and tried to run for the building B'jin had likely ran for but two sets of hands were on him again, this time restraining him far more than the light touch of hands had earlier. He struggled in vain, wanting desperately to be away from the men holding him back from saving B'jin from a far worse fate than just a simple random win that wasn't his supposed weyrmate. R'nd could have cared less -- well, that wasn't entirely true since he cared but he would have been fine with it after a few minutes of pouting -- if it was anyone else in the weyr that won Larrikith's flight but S'kef terrified the greenrider and with good reason.
R'nd was always cautious around S'kef during his time as WeyrSecond but it wasn't until B'jin's lashing and the joy the brownrider so clearly took from wielding the whip that he truly started to dislike the man. The scuffle at Turnover had been foolish on his part but the growing hatred for S'kef since the lashing had finally consumed the bluerider when the molesting of B'jin took place. It had felt good to at least mange to land a solid punch before winding up barely conscious and in a lot of pain. Thankfully he had been drunk which eased a lot of the pain before Talian got the numbweed on the injuries and fellis in him! But it was when B'jin finally confessed to the past he shared with S'kef that R'nd truly despised the brownrider and wanted to keep all those he valued away from the man. So far, his friends had enough common sense to stay away and B'jin did his best to do the same but now, for some reason, S'kef had felt like entering a flight and of course the bastard had to win.
But he would stop the outcome. He had to!
Again, R'nd struggled and, caught up in the anger and fear that was overwhelming him, his mouth started babbling out random protests that would likely earn him another close encounter with S'kef's fists if the man heard what he said. "Not S'kef! Anyone but him! He's pure evil! Don't leave B'jin alone with him!" R'nd shot a look around at his wingmates, hoping someone there would understand and help him but most stared at him sadly, if they could look at him at all. J'ver, at least, seemed as visibly upset, a dark glare on his face with lips pursed tightly. There wouldn't be any help there, R'nd knew with a certainty, but he was glad to see the turmoil the win had caused between the two despicable men. Rilaleeyth, though, earned a brief shot of pity as R'nd caught the way the green curled in on herself in a tight ball, looking utterly rejected. A moment later and she took off to parts unknown while J'ver stalked off by foot.
Through his fear for B'jin, R'nd barely heard R'nya calling an end to the disrupted wing practice, which was likely why J'ver took off. The greenrider was a brown-nosing suck-up and wouldn't leave before being dismissed despite how upset he was. In the back of his mind, R'nd knew he was making a scene and even a fool of himself but neither mattered. He only wanted his freedom to help B'jin! He hadn't heard R'nya also order him escorted to his hut until he calmed down but when a voice far closer to his ear told him they were bringing him home, R'nd tensed and froze for a moment. It wasn't the order that bothered him, it was the voice. Of course it had to be B'ker as one of his wardens! Kerrin's dad always seemed to be around in such precious moments of these when he was acting in an unbecoming manner, the brownrider always seeming to keep a close eye on him. It was understandable since Kerrin was such a close friend and easily influenced. But as intimidating as R'nd found B'ker, he was also a somewhat calming presence and R'nd heaved a sigh and seemed almost ready to give in and go silently to his hut.
Except T'shiro came over, intent on helping out and asking S'tox, the other brownrider holding him in place, to step aside and he'd handle the bluerider. Instead, they started debating the merits of T'shiro carrying R'nd by the feet as the three of them carted him home. It may have worked except by this point, Ayyonth was starting to get agitated from R'nd's mood and the way everyone was man-handling his rider. The dragon was both pleased people were holding him back since he'd only end up in a lot of pain and could injure B'jin as well for getting between a flight pair but all the men around R'nd were causing the rider distress and Ayyonth, calm and collected Ayyonth, was reaching his own limit. He gave a low rumble of his disproval and neared the group at a slow pace, more intent to be near R'nd to help each other calm down rather than to intimidate anyone. It was enough of a distraction for the three men around R'nd and enough of a kick to reignite R'nd's fears that the bluerider started struggling again, this time freeing his arm from S'tox's hold and elbowing T'shiro in the nose as he did so.
He heard the bronzerider curse at the surprise connection but R'nd didn't notice as he was restrained again and softly being urged to co-operate. Another sigh of resignation and R'nd nodded. "I'll walk. No one has to carry me." As B'ker and S'tox moved to better hold him and walk with him, the bluerider felt utterly defeated and useless. Neither brownrider talked as they moved through the rows of huts and that was probably for the best. No doubt they felt in an awkward position since S'kef was one of their own and the former WeyrSecond. They may have viewed the man differently than a young and emotional bluerider. At least they didn't try cheering him up, to which R'nd was extremely grateful. He didn't think Kerrin would appreciate a fight between his father and best friend.
When they reached his hut, he allowed them to escort him inside and he waited until both men were back outside before slumping to the floor. He didn't need to check the door to know S'tox and B'ker would be standing outside, if one of their dragons weren't sitting there playing door blocker for them. He would be held under a small house-arrest until B'jin and S'kef parted ways and if he was lucky, he wouldn't be punished for his behaviour. Right then though, that was the least of his worries as a fist balled and smacked the hard ground beneath him. He was useless! He had let B'jin down! He had wanted to keep his friend safe from any form of harm yet there he was, locked away on the other side of the weyr while B'jin was trapped in a room with S'kef drunk on flightlust. He knew the brownrider wouldn't stop after the flight released him either and that was the final thought needed to send tears sliding down tanned cheeks.
Ayyonth reached cautiously out to his rider and was relieved when R'nd accepted the mental touch and relaxed a bit as he curled up on the floor where he had dropped when the brownriders left him. He let him sulk for a while, lending R'nd the strength needed to get over the idea that he failed someone but perhaps he should have left well enough alone as anger started to form inside his gentle human and it turned towards him. It's your fault, Ayyonth! They're both going to be hurt and upset and you're to blame! We could have won and protected them. Why didn't you chase?
Unlike the far more sensitive dragons, Ayyonth let the words wash over him, knowing that while R'nd meant the accusations in that moment, he would hate himself later on for yelling and blaming someone else for what he found to be his own failings. When it seemed like the accusations were finished, Ayyonth finally dared to counter them, his voice still the low and calming tone it always was. You know as well as I that the end result would not change if I entered. You saw and even acknowledged the way Tyrrisath snatched Larrikith away from Veeth. He would have done the same with me. He is a cheater in the way he waits for an opening and dives in; there is nothing to be done about it.
He paused, letting the truth sink in, knowing R'nd was smart enough to accept it instead of fight it and then continued, There is nothing more to be done now either, except wait for B'jin to return here or to his hut. Either way, you will be there for him and comfort him as you always do. He will need your embrace and your quiet strength. Remember, I chose you because of that inner strength you possess and the way you will do anything in your power and beyond to keep your friends safe and happy. You care deeply and cherish everyone in their own special ways and everyone loves you because of it. Do not let B'jin down now. You couldn't prevent the pain, it's true, but you can ease it and erase it. Both knew R'nd couldn't truly erase the memories that S'kef would leave behind but R'nd appreciated the pep talk all the same and vowed to do his best.
He still didn't have to like the flight happened how it did though!
Ayyonth wasn't getting off that easily either and R'nd made a note to properly glare at the beast later on as well though his temper had cooled and he was left more with the worry about how B'jin was doing and the shape he would be in.
At some point, R'nd, or maybe it was Ayyonth, decided it was best to stop counting the minutes that passed and to get up off the floor. A blanket was grabbed but he didn't stay in the bedroom, instead making curling up on the couch, still miserable, now completely silent, and much calmer. Only when the door slowly opened did R'nd sit up, jumping to his feet with the blanket being cast aside, "B'jin?" he called out anxiously but when B'ker came through the door, the bluerider's energy vanished and his head hung in disappointment.
"I've had word that S'kef and B'jin have parted. Technically, we can let you out now since you won't disturb them and you seem a bit more level-headed again." He stepped into the room and S'tox was close behind, keeping a careful watch on R'nd. If it wasn't for his show earlier, R'nd would have been insulted by all the caution the men took around him now. "Can we safely leave you alone now? I don't want to hear that you've gone after S'kef and you got yourself mangled for stupidity. True, loyalty to your mate is something to respect, but a flight's a flight. Leave it alone now, R'nd."
R'nd wanted to explain exactly why he was so upset about the flight and S'kef, show the world how horrible the man could be, but he held his tongue. B'jin barely wanted to tell him, he would definitely hate having the entire weyr know what he had been through under S'kef's attention. With a nod, R'nd looked first S'tox in the eye and then B'ker, "I won't go after him. I can't promise to stay away nor can I promise to never touch him if provoked but I won't go looking for him, especially right now. B'jin is my focus." R'nd hoped that was approval he saw on B'ker's face before the men left but it wouldn't be anything new if it wasn't. He always felt like he was being judged around that brownrider anyway.
Wait. Ayyonth's simple command held R'nd rooted in place a few steps from the couch when he started to make a mad dash for the door and to find B'jin. He didn't need to voice his confusion or ask why he should. Let me speak with Larrikith first. She'll know where B'jin wants to go and who he wants to see right away. You're likely at the top of the list, but his healer-son might earn a quick visit before seeing you or, R'nd cut Ayyonth off with a mental nod of understanding and finished the thought. Or, he'll want to clean up and put a smile on his face before seeing me so he doesn't worry me or upset me enough to go after the bastard that harmed him. He had learned enough during their friendship to know when to avoid certain topics, which questions would have walls tossed up in defense, and how B'jin reacted in situations he wasn't comfortable with. The greenrider had been close to begging him after the lashing to stay away from S'kef in order to keep R'nd safe. He knew now would likely be no different.
"I'll wait, Ayyonth," he finally spoke aloud since agreeing to walk without issue to his hut though it was barely an audible whisper. "But don't make me wait too much longer. I... I need to see him." Quietly, R'nd sat back down on the couch and stared at the wall Ayyonth sat on the other side of. He had managed to survive the waiting needed for S'kef to leave B'jin, surely he could last a little longer?
Unless B'jin denied him and didn't want to see him because of his own anger at the bluepair.
That thought tore at him to the core and he tried his best not to believe it was true. He'd know soon though. Just a little longer and Larrikith would tell Ayyonth which hut B'jin wanted and he'd be holding the greenrider in his arms soon after.
Just a little longer...
