Bronze Marks: Ki'ben

Writers: Corrin, Heather
Date Posted: 10th November 2025

Characters: M'kadja, Ki'ben
Description: Akadja approaches Ki’ben at the winter lake…
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 18 of Turn 12

M'kadja

Ki'ben

In his zeal to Impress a bronze, Akadja had taken to spending a lot of time at the winter lake. Not only was it warmer there, but there was always a constant parade of dragons and riders to observe. And observe he did, looking for any trends in the colors and the riders they chose.

He was there again one snowy day, lounging on a low stone bench, when a handsome bronze arrived to bathe, accompanied by his rider. Akadja reckoned the man was about his age, perhaps a little younger. A perfect target for his questions.

He loped down to join them by the water’s edge, washing supplies in hand, slowing cautiously only as he neared. “Hullo! Looks like you could use a hand.”

Ki'ben glanced at the guy approaching. He didn't recognize him, but then, there were so many new faces with the Holdless that he'd lost count. Setoth was busy submerging himself as his rider set down his scrub bucket and sweetsand. "It would make it go faster," the bronzerider conceded, and then held his hand out. "I'm Ki'ben, this is Setoth."

"Akadja." He clasped the proffered hand without hesitation, keen to mirror the easy manners he thought befit a rider. "Setoth's a fine looking bronze. How old is he?"

"He's two," Ki'ben replied, his voice flavored with fondness for his lifemate.

Setoth swiveled his head around to regard Akadja. He huffed a breath right into the young man's face, which probably reeked from whatever animal he'd eaten last.

"He said he's pleased to meet you," the bronzerider interpreted.

Akadja laughed, coughing once at the hot, meat-stink of the dragon’s breath. It was no perfume, but he'd smelled worse. "Pleased to meet you too. You don't mind another pair of hands on you, do you, big guy?"

Setting his bucket down he started working up a lather on his scrubbing brush. "So, two, huh? Guess it hasn't been that long since Impression. Do you remember what made him pick you?"

Ki'ben shook his head, blonde bangs swishing in front of his eyes. "I can't say there was anything that 'made' him pick me. I was just standing there, trying not to get eaten by Chioneth. You see, there were two clutches on the Sands when Setoth broke his shell. We were having to be very careful not to get near Chioneth's clutch while Aglayath's eggs were hatching."

“Sounds intense,” Akadja observed with a low whistle, even as he mentally marked Ki’ben down as another in the growing list of riders that seemed to have absolutely no idea how or why the most important event of their life happened. Still, the conversation could prove useful in other ways.

“What about after?” he asked as they started to wash. “Anything stand out after as a way you guys particularly match?”

"Well, my mother and sister would say we're both full of ourselves." He was smiling even as he said it. Setoth did not lack in the arrogance department, and according to what the women in his life had been telling him the past few months, neither did he. Ki'ben was sure it wasn't as bad as they all made it out to be.

Akadja barked a short laugh. "Good! You should be," he said, flashing Ki'ben a quick grin. "Nothing wrong with a man having pride in himself. Shows he knows his worth and won't be short changed. There's no point going around making yourself small-- the world is already hard enough and there's plenty of people that'll do it for you."

"Try telling that to all the women in my life," the young bronzerider said with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. "My mother, a dragonrider, my sister, a dragonrider, the mother of my child... Don't even get me started on that one. Suffice it to say, none of them are very impressed."

"Women," scoffed Akadja. "They don't know their own minds half the time. What, do they want you to act like you're some normal Jhoe? You aren't. You've got this beautiful beast and a world of opportunity at your feet. Why pretend otherwise? I bet that girl you got with child didn't lie with you because you were meek and average. She must have liked your attitude at some point, whatever she says."

Ki'ben considered that with a nod of his head. "She sure didn't seem to mind the color of Setoth's hide then, you're right." It was refreshing to meet someone who didn't automatically take Vadira's side. "You came in with the Holdless, right?"

Akadja’s mouth twisted into a sharp half-smile. “That obvious, huh?”

"I just know most of the faces in our age group from growing up here," Ki'ben said. "You going to try for Impression?"

"Yeah, I have two dragons and their riders saying I've got potential." Akadja still wasn't sure what that actually meant and neither man had really explained to his satisfaction. It still seemed more like hunches and superstition than fact-- not that he minded, so long as they agreed he had It. "I'd be a fool to pass up the chance. You riders eat like lords and go anywhere you wish with your dragons and your knots. Sure, Thread might eat you alive," he'd seen the aftermath of the disastrous Fall they had two months ago. "But you actually get a way to fight back... seems like a good deal to me."

Ki'ben merely smiled a bit at the comment 'Sure, Thread might eat you alive,' and how casually it was said. **Once Thread takes a nibble on you, you might change your mind,** he thought, but kept it to himself. There was no need to deflate the other boy's enthusiasm.

"It is a good deal. I would do anything to keep Setoth," he said instead, for it was true.

"Right, and then there's that famous dragon bond too," said Akadja with a short laugh. It didn't really interest him, not compared to Real avantages like feasts and flights. He liked his flit well enough, but he couldn't imagine dying for it, or without it. "Some Great Love. Can't say I get the fuss over it. Is it really that great?"

"It is that great," Ki'ben confirmed with a tilt of his head as he flung his bangs out of his eyes. "It's hard to explain. They really do become an integrated part of you. Sometimes I can't separate what's me and what's Setoth."

Akadja considered that, eyeing the great bronze beast before him. It--he--had the same, strange, faceted eyes as a flit and, honestly, from where Akadja was standing, seemed no brighter or more human. Supposedly they spoke to their riders, in words and full sentences. Even with his experience with Dagger, or maybe because of it, it seemed hard to imagine-- but it didn't seem unpleasant.

"Sounds strange, honestly," he said, grinning to lighten the judgement. "But hopefully I'll get to experience it soon."

"I hope you do," Ki'ben said.

Last updated on the November 28th 2025

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Bronze Marks: Ki'ben