Written In The Stars [Site Event - WA Grad]

While Valerian heard S’kef’s reply, he chose to ignore and kept walking away. He had said his peace, vented his frustration and hoped he made a point that politics be given their own special time and not used to barge in on events people were actually looking forward to. He was, however, thankful that S’kef was concerned enough about his public image that he quickly ushered the two most outspoken people aside to deal with on their own and anyone else who care an ounce about the ruling right then could mingle over in that direction while everyone else that still wanted to enjoy the purpose of the night could do so without further interruption.

“They’re already forgotten,” he replied to Talian and gave his friend’s clinging arm a quizzical look but didn’t comment on it. Despite the length of their friendship and how well he seemed to know the Healer at times, Valerian sometimes still ran into walls where he wasn’t sure how to scale them. Talian could be someone that didn’t want any sort of contact but he was also someone that liked to hug and show support with various types of physical contact. This was clearly one of the latter times and it was appreciated though it was reciprocated given how quickly it ended and his own lack of being overly touchy-feely.

A curious glance was given to Rhaedalyn as she went scurrying over to talk to B’jin. It was somewhat odd to see that group be proactive but he heard enough of the conversation as they walked closer to the stage to know she was trying to cause a distraction from S’kef’s announcement and the scolding he was giving. That too was appreciated but Valerian wasn’t about to make a fuss over it since that would just defeat the purpose. “Like I said, if you don’t have to stay but maybe check out B’jin’s performance a bit first to see if he’ll debut the song. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go greet my classmates before any once-planned ceremonies happen.” He didn’t speak with some of his closer friends in the class nearly as much as he did before Impressing and that had bothered Valerian deeply for quite some time. He knew about the politics in a weyr when it came to the colour of dragons but he hadn’t quite believed it would happen, especially with some of the bonds he had made.

Jada was probably the hardest one to lose since she was a strong tie to the old life he had in the North by being a friend’s little sister. He had promised to look after her when her brother went Journeying and wanted to be someone she could rely on and know would protect her when they were reunited at Katila. So far, he had failed miserably. S’kef won two of her flights which left her in rough shape and he hadn’t been able to talk to her about her ideas and apparent mission to change things to how she thought they should be. They grew apart because of ideals as much as colour and it had been hard. They could still be called friends, he felt, since he popped by the Sands at times to see how she was doing but the simple days of lazing together with or without young dragons were definitely gone.

Allendris was the other friend he missed the most since Impressing. They had been Stolen at almost the same time and while the new bronzerider didn’t seem interested in his company from the start, a friendship of some sort had started all the same and they even ended up being roommates in the Candidate Barracks. That had probably been part of the problem for the pain of the strained friendship now in effect. Spending so much time with the stoic and handsome man that was fun to tease had formed a crush and Valerian, as inexperienced as he was, had wanted to make something of that. Then they Impressed. That shiny hide pretty much guaranteed nothing would come of any advance made on Allendris and Valerian did his best to move past the attraction, especially when his friend was drawn deeper into the circle of bronzeriders. There was a regal air about the man and that crowd seemed to suit him. Still, Valerian really wasn’t the sort to let such barriers dictate him entirely and he would still greet the man and use the slightly embarrassing nickname of Allie when he did manage to steal some time to catch up.

The friendship with Erisi was the only one that didn’t change from Candidacy to weyrlinghood which was nice since they had an easy one that was fairly basic what with tending to each other’s sexual needs and playing sounding board at the right time. After their lives had been changed by being kidnapped, it was nice to have something constant they could rely on. Valerian figured he would go say quick hellos and congratulations to the others first and then go share a drink with Erisi. Hopefully by then an idea of what was still happening or not for their big night would be had and they could get to the cheering, name changing, and partying.

“Only stay if you’re having fun, okay? We can catch up any other time,” Valerian grabbed Talian’s hand and gave it a light squeeze before mentally shrugging and stepping into his friend’s space to kiss him. He hadn’t quite figured out the opinion on public displays of affection and still the memories of dragging Talian away in flightlust would bother him, but Valerian felt it was okay for a kiss and then a smile as he stepped back again. “Thanks for coming out.” Then he was off to do the mapped out mingling he had decided on.