But I still don't have to like him

Writers: Eimi, Elaine
Date Posted: 30th September 2005

Characters: Birigundi, Toriat, Aryn
Description: Birigundi gives an annoyed Toriat advice on women
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 11 of Turn 3

Birigundi

"So, how are you feeling?" Birigundi asked as he slipped down next to the tanner. He knew that the Hatching had been over a while ago, but it took a couple weeks to really get used to the fact that it was over.

Toriat looked over at him, one brow raised. He was trying to keep his expression neutral, but knew it wasn't a total success. **Ok until I saw you,** was Toriat's mental response. Out loud he simply said, "S'okay, could be worse."

"Ah, don't let it get you down," the runner said with a clap to the other boy's shoulder. "You'll Impress the next time around. Or the next. It only takes once, you know."

Toriat sighed. **I should be civil** he thought. "You're right, maybe next time. I'm still just a beginner at this, not a veteran like you." **Hmm, that was a little sharp, oh well.**

Birigundi looked at him out of the corner of his eye, trying to dismiss the remark as just frustration at not impressing. "There are plenty of veterans that Impress. Who knows, you might not even make it as long as I have without Impressing. Your lucky Hatching might be the next one."

"Might," Toriat responded off handedly, "You know, you don't have to try and make me feel better. I'll either impress, or I won't, I can't do anything to affect my chances, so I won't dwell on it."

"Thank the Egg," Birigundi said as he began digging into the food in front of him. "I am so sick of talking about it too. Let's talk about something else."

Toriat couldn't help a small laugh before settling back into his surliness. **I could suggest a few topics** "Yes, I agree, something else, please. Something nothing to do with hatchings."

"Well, that seems to leave us with running, which I doubt would interest you, tanning which I know nothing about, or girls." Birigundi considered the tanner for a moment surreptitiously. "Or boys if you'd prefer."

"Ahhh, but what do you prefer Birigundi?" Toriat fired back not wanting to go into that aspect of his life especially.

"Haven't you hear? I like the _women_," the runner said with a broad grin.

**do I really want to hear about this?** he asked himself while shooting a minor glare out of his eye. He was debating whether to walk away or not, but he had never gotten a clear picture of what exactly happened. **Maybe I'll let him talk a little longer.**
"Well, I guess I'm just deaf," he finally said. "But you sound pretty smug there, buddy."

"Well, the nice thing about _not_ Impressing is that you and I are not put under any kinds of restrictions in that department. It'll be hard when I actually do Impress, but Weyrlinghood doesn't last forever." He stuffed another bite into his mouth. "What about you. You're a crafter, right? Have you... adjusted to life at the Weyr yet?"

**Not quite** Toriat had to admit, although he usually rationalize this by saying he was a private person to begin with. Which he was.
But he still wasn't quite used to the powerful broadcast of a green in flight and would often feel mixed feelings of frustration and shame.
There were other aspects that he was starting to explore, but certain adjustments were just taking time... "No, not so much as others I
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would say."

"Ah, don't worry about it. It will come," Birigundi said with an encouraging slap to the tanner back. "A lot of craft and holdbred candidates have trouble breaking out at first, but once you let go and enjoy all the Weyr has to offer, Pern is suddenly a new place."

**A new place?** Toriat doubted it would make that much of a difference. Although he didn't want to come off as hidebound.
"Weren't you craft bred also? How would you suggest someone breaks out."

"Let yourself flirt with girls you like. Back in the holds and Halls there is this sense of propriety that makes a guy hold back from showing interest in a woman." Birigundi leaned in almost conspiratorially.
"But here, there is no such restrictions. It's just honest and open.
You don't have to go through their parents or secret meetings. No, you go right to the source. Just tell her your interested, or show her by flirting, and she will do the same. Just try it, you'll see how easy it is. And then?" Birigundi grinned and shrugged. "Well, you can figure that out."

Toriat was distracted about the implications of Birigundi's words for a moment, thinking about his lack of experiences, **but wait, And then? did he 'and then' with my sister?** "Hmm, I guess I shouldn't ask you what 'And then' is. That would make me sound pathetic to you, won't it?" There was a bit of an edge to the comment, as if he was daring Birigundi to agree with the statement.

"Hey, I was there just a couple turns ago. But then I learned what 'and then' really meant," he nudged Toriat companionably. "I mean, I don't get to the 'and then' with everyone I flirt with of course. But I get as close to it as I can if you know what I mean. And if you don't know what I mean, you will soon enough. So, you have no experience with...
'and then'?"

Toriat gritted his teeth. No one had ever thought to ask.
**Everything but, up to it, but not over that line, with anyone female.** There had been a few willing girls at the hall, willing for little affections, but he didn't want to risk a pregnancy. And here, well... the females were even more intimidating in some respects here. Toriat sometimes felt he had no idea how to approach them correctly for something a little more then friendship.

His silence spoke volumes to Birigundi as he laid a sympathetic hand on the tanner's shoulder. "Don't worry, there are lots of candidates in your position. If you ever need help on that score just let me know. I know plenty of girls who would be willing to help you out."

Toriat's face was a study in shock. The way Birigundi termed it, so off handedly disgusted him on some level. On the other hand he was learning other new experiences and should work on getting past his
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holder's views if he did intend to stay at the weyr. He was feeling so conflicted right now. Toriat was thinking perhaps he shouldn't be so mad at Birigundi, he had never confirmed if anything had happened for sure **maybe I'm assuming, maybe those girls were wrong. Hes just trying to be helpful.**

"Mayyyybe," Toriat finally responded. "I should get over this. What if I had impressed? It'd be better to try this without a randy dragon involved." He actually cracked a small smile.

"That's the spirit," Birigundi cried with another clap to Toriat's shoulder. "Now of course if you want to try it on your own I will give you any advice I can. And if you think you would like a little... well, an introduction to someone friendly, there is no shame in it. None at all."

**Yes, some shame, but to _aleviate_ certain frustrations** He shook his head. **And who am I to turn down help?** "Perhaps, some help, in both areas. If people were discrete?" Toriat was curious. "Who would you, suggest?"

"Hmmm... I'll have to think on it. There are plenty of girls of course, but I have to figure out one that would suit you best. What kind of girl would you like?"

"Shards, Birigundi, how many friendly women do you know?" He exclaimed first. "But who would I like? Someone strong, but shy, sweetly so..." He began rambling and mumbling on, thinking about the fantasies that were more often penetrating his mind recently.
"...Eyes wide open with wonder..." As soon as his thoughts began to form into a particular person he'd kill it though. "...A laugh of pure joy..." He sighed.

Birigundi's face turned serious. "Well, I can try to find you a girl like that for you to fall in love with, but actually I'm just talking about sex right now. Unless you need help finding a girl to crush on..."

Toriat threw the roll on his plate at Birigundi. "I guess you think the two are mutually exclusive? How about you tell me what you _think_ I'd like in simply a sex partner?"

"Well, first of all," Birigundi grinned as he threw the roll back, "they are not mutually exclusive, just one is faster than the other. Let's see... as far as a simple sex partner... Well, we can just find someone who is just that if you like - simple. No strings attached. No romance needed. Just your body and hers and you can figure out what you need to know and then go out and look for the love of your life and try your new tricks on her."

Although his first reaction was to recoil, **Tricks?** but Birigundi did make a persuasive argument. Wouldn't he want to get past the awkwardness before someone more special. "Well, you do have a good point there. So then you were asking about, physical attributes?"

Birigundi nodded. "Well, if we're talking simple sex partners, then yes, physical attributes would be all you'd need."

Toriat sighed, tilting his head as if thinking. He eventually used his hands to mime an hourglass like figure then spoke, "Brunette I guess? Not someone delicate, that looks like they'll fall apart with one touch." He simply wasn't good at describing likenesses, especially hypothetical ones.

"All right, I'll make it easy on you. I'll talk to a couple women I know, and then I will tell you a time and place to meet. How about that. Nice and simple, no string attached. All you have to bring is your body and your hormones and they can help you with the rest."

Toriat couldn't help making a face. The way Birigundi spoke about things made him feel guilty. But he couldn't bring himself to turn down this opportunity for new explorations. "Well, I guess I've always been a fan of surprises."

It was at about that point that Aryn caught sight of Birigundi... with her brother. **Thats a surprise.** She thought. She wasn't sure if she should approach them or not but **Oh no Toriat's caught my eyes, no escape.**

"Aryn, I see you there, why are you giving me that look," Toriat said after having spotted his sister.

"Oh well," she said, stalling. **He doesn't look happy, I wonder...**
"I just.. just didn't think you two were friends or anything."

"Hello Aryn!" Birigundi gave her a warm smile. "How is your little green today?"

"Yes how is Viyanth?" Toriat countered. He began eyeing both Aryn and Birigundi, waiting for either of them to give something away.

"Well shes still an appetite on four legs, but its definitely showing, shes growing quite a bit." The statement was for both of them, but the smile was obviously for Birigundi. **Impression does have its drawbacks** she thought, very quietly in her head, glad that Viyanth was asleep, for she would never trade her lifemate of course.

Toriat was beginnning to fume again. **She is eyeing him, my poor sister, does she know what this guy is like?** "Oh, how are those new gloves working out for you Aryn," Toriat said refering to his birthday gift to her.

"Very nicely, thanks Tor," she replied, a bit clipped. Her brother was just _not_ looking happy and she was now postively sure why.

"Do you want to sit down?" Birigundi was noticing a bit of tention between the two, and completely ignorant of their blood relationship. A little unrequited love perhaps? Maybe he could help nudge them in the right direction then. Too bad she had impressed. Maybe she could be that love he was looking for.

"Well, I..." **Viyanth?** she said, trying to reach out to her dragon. But the green was solidly asleep. "I should be checking on Viyanth now." As she said this she had put a hand on her face, as if lying it down. It effectivly blocked Toriat from seeing her face so she risked giving Birigundi a wink.

**Whats she hiding?** Toriat thought, not missing the manuvre she made. **Its about time I had a brother to sister talk with her.** He thought, but wondered how his sister had been in the weyr so long and not realized there were some men she should stay away from.

Birigundi was still grinning at her, knowing full well that she intended to hide that wink from Toriat. **Poor guy, he sure _does_ have problems with women...**

As Aryn walked away, she waved her hand behind her. "Catch you later boys."

Toriat turned and the look on Birigundi's face just made him groan.
**Why am I listening to a guy like this?** He wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. But his offer just tempted Toriat too much. All he did in response was sigh loudy. Toriat reminded himself **Shes a weyrling now, so even he will know better then to do anything... but I still don't have to like him.**

Last updated on the September 30th 2005

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But I still don't have to like him