It Just Takes Some Time (Jack)

[4horseshowgirl4]

By Faranth, it was scorching today! B'nyur thought, mostly to himself, as his dragon was enjoying his nap in the strong heat too much to pay attention to him. Sweat rolled down his face in small rivulets as he bent down yet again to rip out another weed from his garden. How the weeds managed to infilter this garden dozens of dragonlengths up a sheer cliff face was quite the enigma to B'nyur, but he could do nothing but pull them out whenever they appeared.

Where was that help he'd requested? He'd asked the Candidatemaster a candlemark ago to send up a Candidate to help him. After all, wasn't that all Candidates were good for? He snickered at the thought. It seemed so long ago that he'd been a Candidate, and not quite by his own will. He'd been an Apprentice Dragonhealer at the time, and the Weyr Dragonhealer at the time had insisted that he needed to Impress before becoming a Journeyman. Well, he had, and it was hard to imagine how he'd lived without Oveth, he thought fondly, looking up at the dozing Blue dragon on a nearby ledge.

The garden he'd begun last year was doing as well as could be expected, being tended by a man who was learning as he went along. The reflective sheets of metal around the garden had been dismantled; while they'd done an excellent job keeping the herbs warm during the winter, they would fry them in this heat! He needed to thank Kyril for helping him build them. He hadn't talked to her properly since then. {She Impressed, too, didn't she, Oveth?} B'nyur said, mentally prodding the dragon awake.

Uh? Oveth said, stirring sleepily. {Didn't Kyril Impress?} B'nyur repeated patiently, chuckling slightly. Oh! Yes, she did. To a Blue. Rip... Ripath, no, Ripara... I'm bad at names. And lots of Queenie's babies had very long names!

[/color] Oveth sat up, momentarily distressed. {Ripariath, wasn't it?} B'nyur supplemented, getting to his feet to stretch. Oh, yes. My Sol Impressed, too! Hers was very dreamy. I haven't see much of them, Mine. I miss them![/color] {Maybe we can go see them when we're finished here. It would go a lot faster if the Candidates I sent for would get here already!} B'nyur was too content to actually be annoyed or impatient, but it would be nice to have a helper.
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[jack]

It had taken him a bit of time to make his way up to where he'd been told he was to work, but Vraellin was smiling pleasantly when he reached the top of the cliff, looking out on the weyr below. He stood there for a half of a moment, awe and pleasure in his gaze as he surveyed his home...his sanctuary. His eyes softened fondly t the sight...but he was quick to get back to attention, expression distant once more as he adjusted his grip on his load and approached the dragonrider.

The wordless young man stepped up to B'nyur and immediately bowed, offering up the pitcher of water and the glasses he'd had shoved into his arms by another Candidate before he'd been rushed off and told to find the man on the hill with the Blue. Lin had no idea how long the other Candidate had been putting off the work--perhaps he'd been searching for Vraellin all along to get out of it--but he could only hope the man wasn't too angry.

After offering the water he quickly set down his pack, opening it for a moment to show the man the contents--a good-sized meal of snacks sent with him--before shutting it and turning his attention on the garden.

Weeding. He couldn't hide the absent look that spread into his eyes, a subtle smile and a frown on his lips all in the same go. He'd been pulling weeds for a very very long time. It was both a retreat, and a reminder of days he was trying desperately to forget. The youth swallowed and smiled cheerfully at B'nyur, gesturing to the weeds for affirmation before setting to work.

He would make up for his tardiness with labor.

[4horseshowgirl4]

"Ah, here's the good fellow!" B'nyur said cheerfully to Vraellin as he approached. He stood up, leaning casually against the cliff wall. Oveth adjusted himself on his higher ledge so that his front claws were gripping the edge, and he swung his head down to get a clearer look at the helper, his eyes a merry blue. He extended his nose towards the new person, but thankfully he was several yards short of actually touching Vraellin; most Candidates were somewhat wary of dragons, or at least their self-preservation instincts would make them jump if a giant blue nose hiding half-foot long teeth suddenly made contact with them. B'nyur held out a steadying hand anyway; it would not do if Vraellin stepped backwards and off of the ledge!

"Ah, good lad!" B'nyur said, gratefully accepting the water and pouring two glasses before downing one of them in a few seconds. He also took a piece of bread, but he was too hot to have much of an appetite. Oveth looked at His hopefully. "No, Oveth!" B'nyur reproached, slapping Oveth's nose lightly. "You just ate this morning!" Turning back to Vrae, he said, "Oh, where are my manners? I'm B'nyur, Weyr Dragonhealer, and this guy behind me is Oveth. No need to be afraid-- he might be the sweetest, gentlest dragon at this place. Who're you? And no offense, but what happened to your face? Get mauled at a Hatching?" he said sympathetically.

Oveth, his curiosity sated for now, retreated slightly, though still letting his head hang off of the ledge to watch the work (and to keep an eye on that bag of snacks). B'nyur took another swig of the water. He was not the least bit annoyed by the latecomer; bringing food was a fine trade-off for being punctual. He nodded to the Candidate, perfectly happy for him to do the weeding. While his work in the garden was enjoyable enough, it was still work, and B'nyur had a tendency to be stubborn.

He grabbed a bucket and handed it to Oveth, who stretched down and grabbed the handle in his mouth willingly enough. "Go make yourself useful and grab some water for the herbs, eh? The sun's so strong up here that the soil dries out faster than Shoth can pick a fight!" While the two shared a fine mental connection, B'nyur found it more comfortable to say things out loud when a dragonless was around; it made things less awkward. Oveth gave a little growl of protest before hopping off of the ledge and gliding down to the lake. B'nyur simply watched him, smiling slightly as the dim-witted dragon struggled to fill the bucket without promptly dumping its contents back out.

[jack]

Soft eyes turned, staring with an adoring stare at Oveth as he handed off the food. He wasn't afraid in the least of dragons--never had been. But since he was rescued, he was endlessly fascinated by the great creatures, and couldn't imagine a world where they would be feared...or anything but respected.

He woke to the real world with a mild start, flushing for a moment before sinking into an immediate bow, his hands on his thighs as B'nyur spoke, introducing himself and his dragon. When asked for his name...and where he got his scars Vraellin froze, staring blindly at the ground for a few moments before straightening mechanically. His eyes were dull, emotions thrust powerfully away. "My name is Vraellin, sir." He replied promptly, his speech clear and well-mannered, but soft and notably submissive...as though he were ready to shut himself up in favor of another's words at any moment. "I have never Stood, sir. My scars are from my Ma--..." He paused, brows knitting as he tried to decide how he was to phrase this. Whereas before he was required to call the man Master, these days he got odd looks. "...I have never Stood. The man who owned me gave me these, sir. They are...remnants of my inappropriate behavior. I apologize if they anger you--I cannot remove them."

He fell into another bow, apologetically repeating the action twice before--after a shy, adoring glance at Oveth--he turned around and immediately set back to weeding.

[4horseshowgirl4]

B'nyur gave the Candidate a curious, sad look. It was interesting, wasn't it, how people of all sorts of histories came to this Weyr, and Weyrs in general. It wasn't just the Weyrbrats of Dragonriding parentage that Impressed, no, nor was it the successful Apprentices and young Journeymen and women. Dragons didn't prefer the priviledged children of Lord and and Lady Holders. No, even the dredges of society, those that had survived life as the lowest of the low, stood a chance of becoming Dragonriders. It was apparent that this boy fit into the last category.

His perfect obedience was a bit unnerving, but it was the look in his eyes that bothered B'nyur the most. The only time he'd ever seen a look that detached was when he was treating those with the most painful wounds, and even then, there'd been a look of pain in their eyes that showed they could at least feel something. Oveth returned, flapping noisily and bucket sloshing, and Vraellin's expression changed, if only for a moment. B'nyur smiled slightly before going to fetch the water. There was something worth keeping around under that boy's shell, but he didn't really know what it was yet, nor did he have any idea on how to bring it out.

Give him a dragon!

[/color] Oveth said simply, perching uncomfortably on the narrow ledge while B'nyur watered the stand of numbweed generously. {Yes, he should Impress eventually. Hopefully one of the Sub-Queens will clutch soon,} B'nyur responded, handing the bucket back to Oveth. {I hate to see anyone like this; it can't be treated with any herb I know.} Oveth said nothing, but he touched both B'nyur's and Vraellin's mind in his sweet, reassuring way before gliding back down to the lake.

"You don't need to bow to me every time you want to speak," B'nyur said gruffly but kindly. "Maybe Fajra or O'sho would warrant that, but I'm just a Dragonhealer. Don't worry about those scars. I'm getting pretty good at learning the uses of these herbs, but I don't know anything that helps with scarring. D'you have any interest in healing?" he asked, turning to the comfrey and snipping leaves and bits of stem off of the bigger plants, placing them in a large bowl.
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[jack]

The soft feel of a dragon's touch made Vraellin smile, the expression not fading even as he worked. It made him relax without even noticing it, his movements becoming less mechanical and more purposeful. The young man closed his eyes, concentrating on that feeling, and held in a sigh, lifting his head mournfully as the dragon glided away.

But this time he didn't stiffen as he set back to work, remaining in that relaxed manner. "I apologize." He mumbled softly, giving the other a hesitant glance, "Its difficult not to." A very faint laugh slipped from his lips before he unconsciously stiffened, wincing to himself at daring to laugh in front of another. A soft swallow later and he was back to work, his eyes glued on his hands and their movements.

"They don't bother me." He whispered, more to himself than anyone else. A few moments and he lifted his gaze again, meeting B'nyur's stare shyly, "I...did all of my own healing." He looked away quickly, rubbing at where a stray rock had cut his fingers, immediately sticking it into his mouth to clean it before inspecting the tiny cut and shrugging it off, "After my twelfth turn...any injury I received would go untended for if I didn't do it myself." The barest flicker of pride ebbed into his stare at that thought, a tiny smile at the memory. It was painful, sure...but he had kept himself alive. That was enough of a victory to last a lifetime.

Vraellin lasped back into that familiar silence as soon as he could, a flicker of peacefulness in him as he worked the garden quietly. But the quiet wouldn't last long, as the sound of dragon wings sounded loud in the air. The Bronze seemingly appeared out of nowhere, not betweening, but coming unhidden from a particular angle.

He was cackling out loud, seemingly pleased with whatever he'd been up to previously as he arched and danced above the ledge, sparing the humans an absent look before spiraling off towards the lake. A few minutes later and he returned, landing delicately on the very ledge Oveth had abandoned previously. Powerful claws dug into the rock, a antiqued hide pressed up against the walls as he clung to the tiny segment, peering down at the humans with oddly cheerful eyes.

Moments after Shoth had landed his Mine appeared from the pathway, smiling cheerfully as he gave a wave of greeting, "B'nyur, Vraellin!"
Vraellin turned, glancing at the white-haired man, and didn't hide the smile that spread onto his face. Now this man, he had taken a liking to. B'rak--or rather Shoth--had discovered him a few weeks ago, and B'rak had taken to stalking him about the Weyr. Namely to make sure that he was doing well with his new roommate. Needless to say, he was. Vraellin got along well with most people...silent as he was.

The broad-shouldered rider approached with a happy grin, striding immediately to Vraellin. A quick inspection of hands and he sat back on his haunches, ruffling the teen's hair playfully, "Good to see our healer isn't working you to the bone. Shoth told me he saw you up here...had to make sure you were doing alright."
Vraellin nodded, closing his eyes in mild mirth, and B'rak laughed again, rising to his full height. "Well that's good." He turned, hands on his hips, and seemed to really notice B'nyur for the first time, stiffening subtly as he gave a sheepish smile the man's way.

"Ah...hm." A mouth opened to speak was quickly shut, and the young man turned to Vraellin, leaning down. "Would you do me a favor, Vraellin?"
The boy cocked his head to the side.
"I have something to speak with the dragonhealer about...privately."
The youth was up in an instant, attempting to bow before a poignant look and an arched brow made him hold in a laugh, nodding and shuffling off quickly. Shoth crawled lazily down from the ledge and followed after, giving the dragonic version of an eyebrow wiggle before flicking his tail against the back of B'rak's head and moving to flank Vraellin down the cliff.

B'rak waited until the duo had left before turning again to B'nyur. "Ah...this is rather awkward...but uhm..." He lifted a hand, rubbing the back of his neck, and gave a shy grin at the man, "I'm really sorry about my behavior back when Shoth was injured. I'm afraid that wine and I don't get along so well....." He swallowed, "And...I acted wholey inappropriately." The man licked his lips and walked forwards, offering a hand to shake, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

[4horseshowgirl4]

B'nyur... wasn't entirely sure what to make of Vraellin. We was almost a little... wary. Not wary of Vrae, no, no, as he honestly seemed like a good fellow at heart, despite his strange mannerisms; he was more wary for him, if that made sense. He'd never met someone like this, afraid that every move he made would bring punishment down on his head. It was curious and it was sad; it was strange and, yet, it was touching. Still, the boy was not quite so tense anymore, he even coughed up a little laugh. B'nyur gave Oveth credit for that, grateful for his sweet and simplistic dragon that helped in so many ways outside of those for which he was genetically engineered.

"I wouldn't knock that kind of healing," B'nyur said, grabbing the bucket from Oveth's mouth again and dousing the redwort, which was looking pitifully dry. "You learn pretty quickly what works and what doesn't when it's your own body you're treating," he was about to smile, but it froze as it was forming-- the expression could be taken the wrong way. He turned from Vraellin for a moment to hand the bucket back to Oveth, who took it uncomplainingly and swept back down to the lake.

"You're always welcome to come help A'mor and me down at the infirmary," B'nyur continued, bending down to inspect the redwort-- it would not do if it was as dry and wilted as it looked-- "It's much more interesting work than most of the Candidate chores, if you ask me. Oveth's always with me, and Noyth, A'mor's Grey, is there often as well. Healers tend to Impress well, probably because they've already learned to think outside their own body and care for others. I Impressed on my first Stand, and I think A'mor did, as well... oh, listen to my shameless advertising. But we're here if you ever need anything to do," B'nyur smiled, before turning his head to the sound of wings.

Whoever he was expecting, it certainly wasn't Shoth. He was pleased to see that the dimunitive Bronze looked fit and healthy as ever, as if he'd never been mauled in Kalith's mating Flight so long ago. He was glad: Shoth made up in what he lacked in size with a fighting attitude; it was good to have such dragons around with the threat of Thread's return and the whispers about renegades on the Western continent. A moment later, B'rak appeared. "Hello, B'rak!" B'nyur greeted jovially, brushing the dirt from his hands. "I'm glad to see Shoth looking so good."

At that moment, Oveth arrived again with another full bucket, just to see Shoth on his ledge. Momentarily bewildered as to what he should do, Oveth hovered near the garden, eyes whirling, until B'nyur deftly grabbed the bucket out of his dragon's mouth in midair, sloshing a bit of water on himself in the process. The Blue rumbled happily before flying a few dragonlengths aways to another ledge. Hello, Shoth! How are you today?

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As B'rak began to talk, B'nyur vividly remembered that day, though it had been three seasons ago. It was Kalith's first Flight, and unforgettable and historical day for Dalibor in itself. Shoth, unsurprisingly, did something to upset the Queen and had gotten himself slashed. Still, that was not the most memorable part of that day; no, that prize had definitely been won by B'rak nearly throwing himself at B'nyur. B'nyur laughed good-naturedly when B'rak was done, breaking the awkward tension of the moment, shaking his hand heartily.

"Don't worry about it in the slightest! We've all experience Flightlust; usually wine knocks a person out of it, but to each his own. Besides, the attention was not... wholly unappreciated." B'nyur lifted his eyebrow slightly, subtly acknowledging the come-on. It had been a long time since he'd had anyone in his furs, and Oveth had not yet managed to win someone for him.
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[jack]

Vraellin smiled, a shy little thing, and gave a hesitant nod, giving a subtle glance at Oveth as he did. It wouldn't be so bad an idea to work with B'nyur at the infirmary--he would...enjoy that. His eyes twinkled as he mused over the idea in his head, and he lifted his eyes to B'nyur's, nodding slightly. "I would...like to do that." He mumbled hesitantly, bowing gently towards him.

"Good-bye, B'nyur, Oveth." He mumbled a few second later as he began to leave, a hand on Shoth's gleaming hide. The doctor had undoubtedly boosted his mood--given him something to look forwards to. His fingers curled against the Bronze scales, and the dragon gave the boy an absent look, eyes whirling in amusement.

Shoth, strange as it may seem, had also taken a liking to Vraellin. The boy's subservience worked very well for his ego, and he'd taken him "under his wing," so to speak.
I am well. The Bronze mused absently a few moments later, glancing over at Oveth as he left, But I believe... He cast a smug look at B'rak, My day will get better.

His cackle faded before B'rak spoke again, blinking with wide-eyed disbelief at B'nyur. Had the man said what he'd thought he had? B'rak felt his heart quiver, the familiar ache in his stomach as he swallowed, brushing away the feelings with a practiced cough. "Is that...so." He put his hands partially into his pockets and moved closer, eyes twinkling subtly and brows lifted with interest. "Well...you know...I can't..blame all of it on Flightlust, B'nyur." He gave a sweet little smile, "And...I don't want to either."

[4horseshowgirl4]

Oveth was about to respond to Shoth, as the poor, dimwitted Blue was quite confused as to what Shoth meant by his last, rather cryptic comment. However, Shoth was leaving quite pointedly, and it would be rather rude to shout a question at the Bronze's retreating back. Oveth merely took the opportunity to flap clumsily back up to the bigger ledge that Shoth had just vacated. B'nyur, however, had other ideas. Oveth was about to be an awkward third wheel, if the conversation progressed as he hoped it would, and, well, it was best if that were just avoided, now, wasn't it?

{Oveth, would you mind going back to watch the infirmary? I hate leaving it with no one there for so long. I'll be down soon.} Oveth was slightly suspicious-- he was not so stupid that he could not sense B'nyur's true intentions at least partly-- but he nodded and hopped off the ledge contentedly enough, gliding down after Shoth.

With Oveth out of sight, B'nyur turned back to B'rak. Faranth, this was... unexpected. Had B'rak really uttered the words B'nyur thought he had? Why... it appeared so. Who would have guessed that there was something beneath that drunkenness and lust that had so effectively made B'nyur cautious of the Bronzerider? Certainly not B'nyur. He returned B'rak's small smile with one of his own.

He, too, took a step closer. B'rak put his hands in his pockets, and suddenly B'nyur was conscious of how awkward they were, just flopping down by his sides, but he didn't know what to do with them, so flop they would. As much as he wanted to reach out and touch B'rak, he wouldn't. Shards! It had been a long time since he'd had any action. He sure as anything didn't want to mess this up.

"Really?" B'nyur said, grinning. "Are you sure about that? I mean... big, macho Bronzer, don't you have Queenriders to court?" he chuckled softly. He met B'rak's dark eyes-- he was taller than even B'nyur was by a few inches-- and gave him the shadow of a wink. "Surely you don't want to get involved with a Bluerider, eh?"

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[jack]

B'rak watched quietly as Oveth left, his eyes following the Blue's shining hide until he'd disappeared, most likely gliding over Shoth's very head. The blooming of irritation at something being above him that shuddered into his mind confirmed his thoughts, and he didn't hide the lop-sided grin Shoth's ego spread onto his face.

He was eager, however, to return his attention to B'nyur, a slight glimmer of anticipation and hope in his stare. His smile broadened and he crept forwards even more, dipping his chin slightly to keep eye-contact with the slightly-shorter man.

"Honestly," He murmured, finding his eyes drifting from the healer's eyes to his lips, a faint blush appearing for a moment on his cheeks before he immediately looked back up, subtly shy, "Queenriders are rather frightening. Especially when they've already been...'introduced' to Shoth." he gave a light laugh and didn't bother to hold back his arm as it lifted, hand absently reaching out to tuck a bit of hair behind the man's ear, marveling subtly at the feel of the Bluerider's skin from the light brush.

B'rak smiled again, biting the inside of his lip for half a moment before he met the man's eyes, hesitantly adding, "Besides...since the Flight...I haven't been able to get a certain Bluerider out of my head."

[4horseshowgirl4]

B'nyur smiled, half in appreciation for the humor on B'rak's words, and half because he was simply, undeniably happy. It felt so natural to be in the Bronzerider's company, especially as intimate as it was and promised to be. He felt the electric tingle of B'rak's touch on the soft skin around his ears, so awestruck by the euphoric feeling of another's loving touch that he didn't remember to shake his hair back over his ears, as he was of the opinion that they were too big.

"Well, I'm not about to try to convince you otherwise," B'nyur said quietly, smiling wryly at B'rak's comment about the Queenriders. No, no, he wanted B'rak all to himself! He reached up to touch B'rak's cheek gently. "Likewise, I've been having to chase a certain Bronzerider out of my dreams. Now, I'm wishing I had let him stay."

B'nyur leaned in closer to B'rak, his warm breath nearly touching the man. His lips were an inch from B'rak's when Oveth suddenly interrupted them, his mindvoice urgent. B'nyurMine! There's a Candidate down here with a hurt firelizard! Hurry!

[/color] B'nyur stepped back, grimacing, as Oveth arrived at the ledge. "I'm sorry, duty calls," he said listlessly, obviously frustrated. "I'll meet you when I get off shift so we can... continue," he said, more happily, winking again, before climbing astride the Blue and flying back to the infirmary.[/right][/font]