B'lin and Bronze Xanthoth's weyr in Ista

[Hopefolly]

 

[Hopefolly]

B'lin has changed since he became a rider; some for better, some for worse. Who wouldn't? Back when, he prized competence over anything, but now he not only readily accepts mistakes, he sympathizes with them. Shards if he hasn't made too many of his own already. He still treasures knowledge, though, and he still considers the company of intelligent people most fulfilling if he absolutely must talk to someone. They can count on him to listen. If it's an important matter, he'll be listening even closer. Doing things the most efficient way only makes sense, and finding that method out involves listening to what other people have to say. Bronzerider or not, he would never shun someone simply because they Impressed a green--or even if they weren't a rider at all.

He believes you can't change an opinionated mind without first showing it's keeper another way has more pros than cons stacked up against their method. Thanks to Xanthoth, he's come to think there's no hope for some such people at all. Now a days, if he concludes it's not worth the effort, he won't even bother. If it doesn't work on a dragon, why would it work on anyone else? B'lin was probably better off not expecting anything from people. Lately, he finds himself always expecting the worst instead. He's becoming increasingly distant from strangers and even from those he already knows. The few that are left, that is. The loss of his brothers to Igen has effected him, but it's the death of his mother that has hit him the hardest.

Thinking is still a favored hobby, and he spends more time doing it now than ever. Unfortunately, his thoughts have taken a turn for the worse. Since he never daydreams, they always seem to lead somewhere dark. Most of his time being spent in such loathing thinking sessions are drastically weighing him down. He's slowly but surely becoming more flighty to the outside world. It's not that he can't pick up on those little details anymore, it's just that he's too busy dwelling on grim subject matter to bother. Where he was once confident in his ability to solve problems, he know believes those skills need be called into question. So often, in fact, that he never fixes anything anymore. By time he's done confirming he's doing the right thing, it's already over. Submissive seems to be a word people can relate to him.

Overall, he's less quiet and more anti-social. People don't get acknowledged like they once used to. He'll walk by a good friend without even glancing at them. One could go so far as to assume he's intentionally avoiding everyone, and maybe they're right. Who knows? How could they? It isn't like he talks to anyone. In the feeling department, Xanthoth himself is not spared from the cold shoulder without a level of persistence anyone else couldn't accomplish if they wanted to. (Except Miah. Sometimes.)

Say what you mean, and mean what you say. He'll take whatever is told to him in a concrete, literal way. Not to the point of idiocy, mind you. Certainly he won't believe sayings that obviously aren't true. But, if you intended that accusation about him liking some guy to be a joke, he isn't getting it and he'll correct you. Don't you know he Impressed a bronze? You should, and it's all you should know. Gossip is bad, and he doesn't want to hear about it.

B'lin still has his heart of gold somewhere, it's just having trouble beating. With it, he maintains a weakness for cute things, crying women, sad stories and (though it may not look like it) Xanthoth. But he's finding it more and more difficult to stand up for his beliefs, and becoming more and more content to just sit on the sidelines and watch things unfold. Someone else can take care of it, can't they? You'll have to have one pretty stupid rule to get him riled now. Don't expect him to be playful anymore than disobedient. Poor sense of humor has only got worse! Most people can't remember the last time he smiled. That is, if they can even remember the last time they saw him.

Ranks don't mean a thing to him. Being a bronzerider, he knows first hand not everyone deserves the respect that comes with a title or a certain color of dragon. Should he be noted as important, he wants it to be because he did something worthy of it other than Impressing a bronze. Gaining his own respect was hard before, and now it's close to impossible. Someone has to prove themselves through actions, not words, but considering he's never around to see anyone do anything to begin with...

Slow and steady changes he can still tolerate. Fast changes? Not at all. They're the reason he's become how he is now. He does. not. like. surprises. It doesn't matter if they're good or bad. He wants to know what's going on around here, and he wants to know now. By-the-book is the way to go, he claims. Ironically, B'lin is often unaware of how much he wants something until he's charging recklessly to obtain it. And, in time, he will.

Because deep down, B'lin is still a man of hope. The quiet, but passionate flame for his future has not been snuffed out, merely dimmed. For how long, who knows. He's down on himself, bordering clinically depressed, and convinced Xanthoth chose the wrong person no matter what he says. Why, he should have gotten a blue instead. Something that didn't have such high standards for him to let down. Why wouldn't he fail them? He failed his mother. If he'd never left the Hold, none of this would have happened--or so he thinks. No longer does he tell people they can't. He tells them they can, and he'll help them. If it doesn't work out, they can just blame him. It probably is his fault.

He's fiercely protective of everyone when he is around them and feels they needed to be guarded. If not for themselves, then for him. Something bad is bound to happen if he relaxes for even a second. Someone will eventually snap him out of it, and the sooner the better. His martyr complex has hit an all time high. He's dedicated to never letting anyone else down like he feels he let down his brothers and his mother. This may drive him to do something very stupid, but at the same time, it may be just the thing he needs to snap back to reality.

On the bright side (or maybe not, depending on who you ask), B'lin is becoming more competitive. He wants to prove to himself he can get something right, that he isn't a complete failure as a person and a rider. Should he come out victorious, he has no intention of flaunting his accomplishments. He just needs to know he can do it. He has to know.  

[Hopefolly]

♥ = Do Not Want
♥♥ = People encountered regularly who are generally viewed on some work-related level. Respected, though how much varies.
♥♥♥ = Distant friends, but friends none the less. He'd go out of his way for them.
♥♥♥♥ = Good friends or those held in very high esteem.
♥♥♥♥♥ = B'lin would do anything in the world for this individual.

Non-Riders

Bachi ♥♥♥♥♥
B'lin was Not Happy to see his younger brother with him in the Weyr, but he's even more distressed to hear he's transferred to Igen. There go the days of keeping him out of trouble!

Bakin ♥♥♥♥♥
'lin's oldest brother, though still younger than he is. He seems more inclined to treat Bakin like a person than an obligation compared to Bachi. At least, he did. He's very angry with him for not telling him their mother had passed on, and avoiding him entirely until his transfer to Igen.

Miah ♥♥♥♥♥
B'lin has known Miah her entire life, and if there ever was a frienemy in his life, it's this girl right here. He's become more attached to her after his mother passed away and both brothers transferred to Ista; she's all he has left in terms of people. But even before that, Miah could get away with anything. Odder still, she can force B'lin into situations he wouldn't dare participate in (or encounter, for that matter) without her.

Darcir ♥♥♥
One of two of B'lin's former roommates. He doesn't know Darcir very well let simply because both of them are the reserved types. His company is all too welcomed, though, because in B'lin's mind the best kind is the kind you wouldn't know was there.

Roka ♥♥
One of Ista's mindhealers in the process of helping B'lin get over his fear of heights. He respects her, but at the same time... Women. Oi.

Riders and Dragons

M'rik ♥♥♥
The more lighthearted of B'lin's former roomies, M'rik doesn't seem to share the grumpy, stone-faced stature he and Darcir do. B'lin actually doesn't dislike him. It just looks like it.
-and-
Hasufeth ♥♥♥
M'rik's large, clumsy blue. B'lin feels sorry for him and hopes he lives up to the classic success of the under dog. But he's going to need all the help he can get, if you ask him.

F'sey ♥♥
Oh, shards, the Weyrlingmaster. Isn't this a weird relationship? They seem to have mutual respect on some level, but B'lin wouldn't call him a friend. Not that he'd talk about him at all. He's not here, is he? Ugh.
-and-
Ialluth ♥♥
F'sey's very sweet green, from what he's been told. Between her and Xanthoth, B'lin is positive dragons pick the wrong rider at least half of the time. He's incredibly worried Xanthoth is dead set on flying her when he's old enough. A fate worse than death! --And one that might lead to it.

G'ran ♥♥
B'lin's long lost twin. Really just his, uh, therapy partner. Also a big guy and also afraid of heights. Despite continuous encounters, they haven't actually talked a lot.
-and-
Ormeteth ♥♥
This well-mannered brown makes B'lin envy his rider. Xanthoth, even, seems to at least tolerate him.  

[Hopefolly]

Xanthoth has a typical metallic outlook on life. He's muscular and sturdy, but smaller than most other bronzes. Not that it matters to him. He's ready to compete with anyone who presents a challenge and win. He may feel differently, but Xanthoth never calls into question why he chose his rider. B'lin is a great man and he's a great bronze. You can tell his confidence is sincere just by watching him; he carries himself proudly at all times. Insults? Do your worst. You'll have to really cross the line to get a fuss from him.

Staying calm comes as easy as being calm. It's just his nature. But don't mistake him for apathetic. What he feels, he feels very deeply. His sense of pride and sense of loss are a worthy opponent for the most emotional dragons. Saying goodbye does not come easy to him, and it's one of the few instances he knows he really needs B'lin to be there for him. That, and his petrifying fear of going between. After his front row seat for his clutchmate's suicide, Xanthoth is afraid he won't come back, either. Otherwise, he was born more independent than most from his rider, and maintains that persona today. There is much to be done. He can't afford to always wait around for B'lin.

Besides, he doesn't need his rider around embarrassing him when he's trying to sweet talk the feminine gender. Xanthoth was born a ladies man. He adores them so much, he tacks 'lovely' on the end of any given female's name. There's little he anticipates more than flights, and he'll chase any gold or green that rise without bias. It's okay if B'lin doesn't like their rider. He'll get over it. Perhaps Xanthoth's biggest downfall is his ego with women. He can't take 'no' for an answer. He's territorial and believes they should love him. If they prefer another male, then he assumes that male has 'stolen' what's rightfully his. Though, really, a male dragon doesn't have to do much to stir suspicion. Xanthoth assures his rider he's only aggressive when it's called for, but time and again he bullies the more weak willed members of the boy's club without even realizing it.

It's a bad habit his rider tries to fix, but Xanthoth is just so stubborn! You'll have a hard time discouraging him once he's got an idea in his head, even if he's done the same thing before and failed. Surely, this time he won't. No matter how many blows his pride takes, in the end, his confidence shines through. He's good at arguing his point with flawed, yet understandable logic. Proving him wrong is no easy task. If need be, he has no qualms about resorting to tactics similar to: "You can't prove it, so you're not right."

Xanthoth is more than happy to listen to queens. Call him anytime! For that matter, he doesn't mind complying to a green most of the time. However, he has trouble taking orders from other males, especially bronzes. He misinterprets well meaning advice as orders, too, and just who do they think they are to tell him what to do? He has no problem speaking out against them, not worried about making a fool out of himself. One day, he's determined to make wingleader, and B'lin better be ready to uphold that. Xanthoth would be more comfortable around males in his wing, and more loyal to them. Part of why he asserts himself is to establish his rank. If that rank is official, there's no threat. No threat, no problem.

He tries to mimic his rider to appease him. Just because he isn't sorry for most of the trouble he causes doesn't mean he's not sorry they make B'lin feel bad. Xanthoth will thus obey requests without understanding the underlining meaning of them--or realizing that's what B'lin truly wants. He considers B'lin's brothers and his clutchmates siblings, because he knows B'lin wants him to. But he would still chase any of his "sisters". And, yes, he may bow to his silly blue brother, but it's a false respect to please His.  

[Hopefolly]

♥ = Any individual Xanthoth dislikes or looks down on.
♥♥ = Someone only paid attention to because of B'lin or their dragon.
♥♥♥ = Anyone whose company he considers enjoyable; likely to be females he doesn't know well, or males he counts as a friend.
♥♥♥♥ = Very good friends, or females Xanthoth is especially fond of. He makes sure to remember them.
♥♥♥♥♥ = B'lin, basically.

Non-Riders

Brother Bachi ♥♥♥
Xanthoth knows B'lin cares very deeply about Bachi, so he tries to care just as much. He's very careful to make sure to remember him. Not that he has to. B'lin thinks about him all the time!

Brother Bakin ♥♥
B'lin's other brother. Xanthoth never met him, but he's determined to make any brother of B'lin's a brother of his. Whatever that even really means.

Miah Lovely ♥♥♥♥
A very loud girl who seems to have magical powers over B'lin. Xanthoth just accepts this and uses it to his advantage.

Roka Lovely ♥♥♥
A mindhealer helping B'lin over his fear of heights! Not bad to look at either, and gives him lots of attention.

Dragons and Riders

Hasufeth ♥♥
Often subject to his taunting and ridicule because of his clumsy ways and self-esteem issues mixed with Xanthoth's own arrogance). Lately, he's been trying to show him more "respect" to please B'lin, but he still considers him to be below the bottom of the totem pole.
-and-
M'rik ♥♥
Hasn't paid much attention to him.

Ialluth Lovely ♥♥♥♥
The best green thing to ever walk on Pern! She should have been born a gold!
-and-
F'sey ♥♥
The Weyrlingmaster and Ialluth's rider. Xanthoth isn't near as concerned with him as B'lin.

Reneneth Lovely ♥♥♥♥
Xanthoth's infatuation with this gold is rivaled only by Ialluth. He's determined to charm her like a good bronze should when it comes to golds. Sure, it hasn't gone so well this far, but he's not giving up! Most likely to do stupid things in her company.
-and-
???
Reneneth's rider. Xanthoth has yet to meet her.

Bondyeth ♥
Back up, old man bronze. This is Xanthoth's Weyr now!
-and-
???
Bondyeth's rider. Xanthoth has yet to meet him.  

[Hopefolly]

Dragonriders of Pern (c) Anne McCaffrey
AtWoP (c) Leikkun and x_Nata_x
Lyrics (c) John Rzeznik - Always Know Where You Are
First post art by: Kaelyndra
Second post art by: Grimm Atlantic  

[Hopefolly]

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