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[G] [O] 735.01.24 | In another time - Printable Version

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735.01.24 | In another time - Firah - 26.Jun.14

His fingers drummed steadily on the table top as he stared quietly at the food set out before him. He was having a horrible time deciding whether or not he was going to leave. Somebody needed to watch the herd beasts and other creatures, not only that but he was technically still a candidate, which made him all the more eligible for remaining at Katila. Mizeath was as round as a fucking gourd so it was probably safe to assume the Dragonriders wanted as many viable candidates possible for the upcoming clutch. He'd heard rumors there was a betting pool for how many eggs the Queen was going to lay, but he wasn't entirely sure whether or not there was any truth to the claims. Though, having known the Katilan culture for a while now, he honestly wouldn't be surprised if one actually popped up somewhere. Firah sighed, the tapping of his fingers picking up an entirely different rhythm to change up the sound. There was a large part of him who wanted to do was hop the first available dragon out of this place so he could ditch this life and go back to his family, but the other part of him worried for the animals he cared for. He paused the tapping. How old was his son now? Four? Five? He'd forgotten how old the boy was. Touching the space between his eyebrows with a finger he tried to think back to when he'd been stolen. That's right Farayn had been born in the first month of the year 230... so he would be five? Sinking down into his seat the Beastcrafter passed a hand over his face, settling it over his eyes.

Four sharding turns. The realization hit him. He'd been stuck in the South for four whole turns. His son wouldn't even know him when he went back... if he went back. Would Sarin even recognize him? Living in the south had changed him physically and mentally. Would she even still be waiting for him? Some small part of him hoped she would have. That she would return to her paternal homestead to raise their child, hoping that one day he'd show up. But another part, one that he hated even existed, told him his hopes were wasted. Sarin probably would have given their son up to his family, Farayn was now the direct heir to the family since his father was probably presumed dead. They weren't nobles by far but the upper class families always tried to emulate their more auspicious counterparts. He only hoped that if that was the case, that his sister would have taken in Farayn rather than leaving him to their asshole brothers. They'd taken more after their father than Firah ever had and it would be a warm day Between if his only son turned out like those dogs. They may be family but the beastcrafter held little love for his male siblings. They were pampered, spoiled, and over all asshats because of an inflated sense pf self-worth. In his absence Faridan would have had to step up. Hopefully that had punched a hole in his ego.

With a heavy sigh the Beastcrafter sat up so he could access the lukewarm stew. He needed to pull his head out of his ass and get focused on surviving another day. That's all he could do right now as muddled as he was. Once he'd assured himself that his duties would be covered when he left, perhaps he would go back to Nabol and attempt to reclaim the life that had been stolen from him. But until then he had a job to do and an oath to honor, despite the circumstances under which it was made. He was an honest man if there was nothing else to him. After he had ladled a spoonfull of the stew into his mouth Firah was able to find his appetite again. Things would improve, they had to. Then again the entire world seemed against him from the day he'd been stolen. Aggressively ripping off a piece of the bread he held it in the stew to soak for a few seconds. Whatever. Just keep moving forward, right?


Re: In another time [open] - B'jin - 29.Jun.14

B’jin’s fingers trailed through his hair absently, tugging on a small lock as he bumped the door open with a hip and wandered towards where food was stored, his stomach grumbling at him as he went. While he had been avidly practicing his cooking, still very much in secret, the greenrider was not about to give up on properly prepared food. From what he could discern, his food was edible and occasionally good. Definitely not worth trading in for, and certainly not ready yet to present to R’nd, a fact that had the greenrider occasionally pouting for no reason, and sulking more so when he couldn’t answer R’nd’s worried queries.

But it was dinner time now, and B’jin was intent on finding himself something delicious to fill his rumbling belly before he went to find R’nd to coax into a nice hot bath. Not that that would take much, of course, a thought that had a light, naughty smile lingering on B’jin’s lips as he picked up a plate to shovel food onto. Only when he was content with the meal he had done nothing to prepare did B’jin turn to gaze vaguely around the room. Larrikith’s invitation to come outside and eat beside her was definitely not going to be responded to: B’jin wanted to eat his food, not wear it! The green dragon’s indignant objections were ignored with an eye roll.

Spotting one of his past Candidates, B’jin smiled slightly and made his way towards where Firah was sitting, only noticing as he was putting down the plate on the other side of the table the young man’s sour mood and unhappy expression. While B’jin would normally have taken such expressions as an indication to flee, – very swiftly – he had already put his plate down and his rump was only a hand’s span from the seat. Running away would look very bad, and B’jin’s pride would not have a bar of it. Seating himself, the greenrider smiled placidly though his eyes were worried. B’jin was not prone to handling conflict well.

“Are you alright?” Might as well ask the obvious, and the greenrider’s voice was worried as he frowned up at Firah’s face. He chewed on his bottom lip for a moment before carefully cutting a piece of meat free of the slice, and carefully putting it in his mouth. While brown eyes did drop to look at what he was doing, he continued to shoot cautious, fleeting looks at the young man, waiting for an answer, but also prepared to excuse himself if the other indicated in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t interested in company.

Chewing quietly, B’jin’s frown turned to slight irritation as Shimmer popped out of between with a look of regal disdain, and settled herself on the bench top by his plate, helping herself to a piece of meat with dainty little claws. B’jin watched her for a moment, rolled his eyes dramatically, and carefully cut himself a piece of carrot.


Re: In another time [open] - Firah - 30.Jun.14

The stew soaked bread had just entered his mouth when someone sat down opposite him. Not that he minded, it was the dining hall, public domain and the like. Firah didn't pay the person much mind until they said something which caused him to look up from his bowl. Were they talking to him? Who would want to... Eyes flicked upward and settled on the man's face. Oh. He blinked. "Weyrlingmaster." He nodded sightly. It was B'jin. Honestly not one of his favorite people in the world, then again he didn't outright hate the man like some of the others. A mild dislike would probably be the best way to describe his feelings toward the man. The Greenrider had been one of of the first people he'd come in contact with when brought to Katila as he'd been assigned to B'jin's class roster at some point in time. Though he'd purposefully let some of the memories from his first turn or two fade away until they were more like vague recollections. Back then he'd hated all Riders and tended to stick closely together with the other Crafters who harbored the same feelings. Which, of course, ended up with Firah not having any friends or even friendly acquaintances among the Riders until recently.

"Yes and no." He shrugged slightly, using his spoon to idly draw patterns in the stew. "Physically I'm fine. This whole going North business has caught me off guard. I've a job to do here with the live stock, but I've got family back at Nabol." He glanced to the side knowing that B'jin probably remembered that he wasn't native to these parts. "We delivered the calves and the foals this last spring and they need to be watched, even with the reduction of mouths to feed maintaining the herd is important. We almost always didn't have enough cattle anyway..." Why was he even talking to the Greenrider? He sighed. Maybe it was because he was just starting not to care anymore. Maybe B'jin could help him decide on what to do, or at least, give him something to think about Either way it was looking as if he'd have some kind of dinner companion.

Dropping the utensil he'd been playing with into the bowl Firah ripped off another piece of the bread as he returned his gaze onto the table in front of him. "Honestly just want to see my son again." The Beastcrafter sighed as he propped his cheek against his free hand. "Go back to how it was before... this." He made a general motion in regards to their surroundings with the bread before it went into his mouth. "But I know it won't be like that." He mumbled around the bread. It wasn't like he and Sarin had been in madly in love, they'd had their marriage arranged and married early... but he wanted to believe. Even if the likelihood was against him. Crossing his legs under the table Firah let his attention wonder onto the Greenrider's Firelizard. While he himself had never actively looked to Impress to one they were still something of an interest to him.


Re: In another time [open] - B'jin - 02.Jul.14

B’jin blinked at the cordial greeting, the greenrider having just about convinced himself that the young man would get up and stomp off, rather than talk to someone when he wasn’t in the mood. Of course, that thought process was far more because that was how B’jin tended to be – to say nothing of Larrikith – and not because he so much felt it would be a part of Firah’s personality. B’jin really was not looking that deeply into anything, except maybe the gravy on his plate.

Surprise flittered across B’jin’s features as his companion picked up their very short conversation by actually answering his question. On the table, Shimmer lifted her head in response to B’jin’s emotions, and chirped questioningly. When she was ignored, the little firelizard ruffled her wings irritably and returned to her meal, regally ignoring both men.

The smile that came to life on B’jin’s lips as Firah finished speaking with a sigh was dry, humourless but understanding. While it was not really common knowledge outside of the classes he taught, B’jin had never taken to the dragonrider life and, like many of those that had been stolen, had greatly resented being thrown into it. It was probably why those he had himself Stolen resented him so thoroughly; if he hated his life so badly, how could he turn around and do unto them as had been done by him? B’jin swallowed a grimace and pushed that train of thought aside.

“Probably not,” B’jin agreed with frank honesty, frowning slightly as he watched the beastcrafter over the top of his plate, his food forgotten for the time being. “But you are free to do that, now,” an anxious air took over his frown and B’jin chewed on his bottom lip for a few moments. Many of the crafters who had not yet Impressed had lined up to be taken home; some of them had managed to worm their way back into their old life, either because they were welcomed or because they were determined. Not all the endings were happy, though. People moved on, ranks changed and adjustments were made – particularly since many of these youngsters had been declared dead.

B’jin sat back in his seat, spine straight, and raised his eyebrows at Firah. “It is more a question of whether or not you can live with the truth,” whatever his situation’s truth might turn out to be, “or if you would prefer the ‘what-ifs’.” For someone so inclined to live in oblivion, B’jin had a remarkable ability to be insightful at times, mostly when it was about other folks and not himself. “Larri and I could take you,” he offered, apparently just before hre remembered he had food: brown eyes glanced down and was swiftly followed by a large forkful filling his mouth.



:| Sorry, I’m nine-tenths asleep. Hopefully it isn’t too repetitive/dull <3 x.x


Re: In another time [open] - Firah - 16.Jul.14

@Honey Love

A thoughtful 'hmm' escaped from his half full mouth. Could he live with not knowing? Probably. But it would probably come back to plague him in one form or another. If not for Sarin then for his family. As he thought about it it bothered him more than he had realized to have his family presume him dead when he now had the chance to rectify their misconception. Putting the fact he was the first child of their family, Firah had been incredibly close with his father. The Beastcrafter took a few more bites before leveling his gaze on B'jin. "You'd be willing, huh? Aren't you busy with the preparations for the upcoming clutch?" While he knew L'tai was around to deal with the soon-to-be's he assumed that B'jin was still the top dog when it came to dealing with the fresh blood.

"Seen some of those new recruits coming in. They look... promising..." That wasn't exactly how he felt about the wave of Candidates trickling in from the North, but it was the best he could come up with on the spot. At least they had all had a choice, to his knowledge, though he doubted they really knew what they were getting into. After having talked with a few it had been quite obvious they'd been taken from the middle of podunk nowhere. Farming boys most likely. It was hard for him to associate Dragonriders with promising futures, the lads on the other hand probably would have never had the chance at a Ranking position otherwise.

Maybe he would take up the Greenrider's offer. Even if things fair badly with his family he could always attempt to get a legitimate job at some Hold. Perhaps even Nabol would take him back despite having up and left them so suddenly. Firah rubbed the side of his face, fingers absentmindedly running over the tail end of his scar as he thought. And presumably, in the worst case scenario, the Weyr would take him back... truth be told he would rather return to Katila or go to Telgar than be Holdless or out of work.


Re: In another time [open] - B'jin - 06.Aug.14

“Not particularly,” B’jin responded with a shrug, “my class is still my priority, but they’re good for some time alone whenever I want it.” He waved his hand vaguely to indicate his lack of being around the growing dragonets at that particular moment. “R’nd is here if they need someone,” the particularly mischievous expression that took over his face made it apparent that he enjoyed lumping his lover with the weyrling class as much as he enjoyed spiriting the other man away for private mini-vacations.

B’jin eyed Firah thoughtfully, his expression lost somewhere between sceptical and unreadable. “They need a lot of work,” he responded slowly. “We can’t Search any of the folks from the city limits, so we’ve been bringing in the peasants. Most of them can’t count past five and I’ve yet to find one who can hold a pen properly.” The headache that was causing the greenrider was apparent in his tone. But none the less, what they were bringing in was far superior than trying to cobble together enough candidates from those that had aged out, or were clearly still too young to actually take part. Uneducated folk were a pain, but at least they were old enough – and most of them raised in the harsh lifestyle of the poor – to have the maturity to do right by their lessons and, potentially, a dragonet. B’jin had hope for them in the future… if any of their teachers survived educating them in basic math and language.

“There are some who hold promise, however.” B’jin wasn’t one to toot his own horn (You are so full of shit) but he was rather expecting his own Searchees to Impress well – as they ever did. Obnoxious and proud, B’jin and Larrikith had a reputation of only Searching those that would ride bronze and gold, with the rare few brownriders popping in there to spice things up. It wasn’t that Larrikith couldn’t search out a green or bluerider, but rather that, being a greenrider himself, B’jin had some rather downtrodden opinions on what his lifestyle was worth and wasn’t particularly interested in cursing other young men with it. No, better to bring in the future leaders and the women that would help their dragon mother a new generation – people whose lives wouldn’t be a horrible nightmare upon graduation, if not before.

“Would you like us to take you?”



Re: In another time [open] - Firah - 11.Sep.14

With a nod he lifted his drink to his lips. Made sense. Once he was done Firah replaced the cup on the table, tapping a finger gently against the side of the handle. "I've worked with the people on the border of the lands held by Holds before. Sturdy people to be sure, but mostly they focus on crops and live stock." Crossing his legs at the feet he shifted in his chair slightly. It was hard to feel bad for the Weyrlingmasters who will eventually have to deal with the illiterate masses that they would be taking in, but if he put himself in their shoes for a moment... well, he wouldn't want to be. Teaching such simple things such as lettering and maths to near adults would be painstaking. "Perhaps they could draft some of the Crafters who have decided to stay with the Weyr." That hadn't been intended to be said out loud. At least it had been a benign thought rather than something he'd regret later.

"Well hopefully those 'with promise' actually produce some riders." He was trying to be nice. Trying, of course, was the key word. If somebody offered to fly you to a different continent it was probably prudent to not sass them or otherwise mess up your chances. Chewing gently on the inside of his lip as he thought about the question Firah decided he needed to grow a set and actually make a choice.

"Yes..." He paused for a second before adding, "Thank you." There he'd done it. He would be going back to the North, for good or worse, and it was final. "Do you have a particular day that would work best for you? I would need at least twenty four hours to finish the projects I am involved in and inform the appropriate people I will be leaving." He didn't have much to take with him which was nice. It cut down having to worry what he could pack and what he needed to leave behind. Perhaps the only thing that fell under that category was his canine. Perhaps B'jin would allow him to take her along for the ride.