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Post by kysseh on Jul 26, 2008 11:32:26 GMT -5
His blush was noted, and Savitri could only smile a bit at the fact that she could be comfortable with this topic. She and Aliscia had talked this issue of Flights and Flying until Savitri had a good enough grasp on it that it caused no embarrassment. Being a healer as well, she was comfortable with talk of sex and nudity. It was only when her own self entered into the discussion that she was mildly embarrassed. She had no wish to be someone's plaything, and shardit, if she was going to let a bronzerider paw all over her. No, that was something she just did not want.
His embarrassment was understandable, and Savitri shifted a little in her chair, smiling kindly at him. "It's all right. I grew up at Southern Hold, but one of my friends--a rider, who's been through this quite a bit--explained it." She doubted he would like the explanation, but he had to learn at some point. "They did not talk about it much at the candidate lesson that I attended, but they did warn us to lose our virginity either during candidacy or once our dragons got to be... nine, ten months old. Before then, our dragons are too young and impressionable. But, those riding female dragons especially want to lose their virginity early, or first flights can be... difficult." Painful, actually, was the word that Aliscia had used. Traumatizing, violent... but, he did not want to hear those words. Besides that, he rode a blue, not a green or gold. He was lucky in that respect. He would always be the one on top.
She lounged back into the chair more, lazily drawing her fingers along the arm of the chair. How to explain Flights was... challenging, but here it went. "Yes, it's how dragons mate. The female Rises, and the males Chase. She chooses her mate from among the males, and they fly as they mate. The riders... get caught up in it. Their minds sort of go with their dragons', and when the dragons mate, the riders.... do the same," she said by way of explanation, though it was not the most lengthy or in-depth of descriptions. Still, it covered the basics, at least. "I know there will be a weyrling lesson about it, but we won't get there until our dragons are closer to a Turn old. They don't want any confused hatchlings."
She suddenly wrinkled her nose a bit, a thought occurring to her. "Not that any of us have the time for that nonsense. This is some of the only free time I get between Cath needing to eat and be bathed and oiled, with lessons and chores to consider too. Until they can feed themselves and learn to roll in the river to ease itches, we'll be far too busy to think about that." Not that she wanted to, at all. Savitri was distinctly uncomfortable with the idea of being... dominated, by anyone, in that fashion. Add that to the fact that she had not found a single male in the weyr who vaguely interested her in that sense, and it was understandable that she was reluctant to lie down and let one take her. No, Savitri was very much a dominant personality, and the fact that she was going to have to submit to something like this during Flights was something that rankled deep down. She would not let Cath see that, though, especially not as the gold got older. She would feel a need to meddle in Hers' sex life until the young woman was appropriately comfortable with the idea. "You're very lucky to ride a male dragon," was all she said aloud.
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Ruby
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Post by Ruby on Jul 28, 2008 17:08:56 GMT -5
(("HE would always be the one on top" made me laugh so hard...))
As'lin had to fight hard to keep his mouth from falling open in horror at what Savitri started to say. They had been WARNED to lose their virginity?? Why had he never heard of this before? Was he just expected to have... done it already? He tried to smash down his anger at the unfairness and his shame at being so apparently behind, and met with some success. At least he didn't immediately blurt out to Savitri that he was a virgin. Instead, he choked on the words, trying to calm himself enough that he didn't say anything stupid.
Of course, choking on words does not make a person sound particularly intelligent, so As'lin decided he had to get somehing out to cover his spluttering. "I- is you- I mean- how- what- How were we supposed to know that was a requirement of dragonriding?" he finally asked, sounding stupid even to himself. "I mean, what do they expect us to do? Walk up to some random Rider and say 'hello, I need to lose my virginity, could you oblige?'" There, that was a bit better. At least he sounded annoyed instead of shocked and worried. And it didn't seem like he was necessarily refering to himself. Right?
At least the bit about the flights wasn't totally new to him. He could imagine getting lost in those sorts of powerful emotions- or at least he imagined he could imagine it. Having never experianced it, he didn't really know, but he DID know that when Stil needed a nap, he found himself yawning even if he had had a full night's sleep the night before. Same with food- if Stillith was hungry, As'lin was starving, full or otherwise. It did make knowing what his lifemate needed easier, even when Stillith wasn't sure, but what As'lin COULDN'T imagine was the embarassment that must go along with that sort of arrangement. Just because Stil made him hungry didn't make As'lin eat. With a grimace, he remembered a thought he had had before- that Laurie's green would mate with his blue. This revelation made that situation infinately more awkward and embarassing.
"Good Faranth," As'lin said after Savitri had finished speaking, "I'm about done with this whole dragonriding thing. We're expected to take care of newborns, and have functional relationships beyond that. Preferably with people whose dragon colors can be mated with by your own, to minimize difficulties later. Why don't they just set up some sort of twisted relationship matcher and be done with it?" he asked, clearly in agreement with her final statement. He almost added the bald-faced lie of 'Not me, of course, I'm covered, but you know, for everyone else' but something in her tone made him pause. Savitri sounded just as uncomfortable with this, not to mention as annoyed by it, as he was. Maybe... could it be? Could they be in the same boat? For Sav's sake, As'lin fervently hoped not, but... well, it would be nice to know that he wasn't alone.
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Post by kysseh on Jul 28, 2008 23:56:23 GMT -5
Savitri was momentarily alarmed by As'lin's sudden inability to formulate proper words. The boy seemed... aghast, to say the least. Was he not informed of that aspect of weyrlife? She gave him a sympathetic smile, waiting for his brain and mouth to refigure their connections so that he could articulate what was on his mind. His anger shocked her. Had he not been warned that sex was a large part of weyrlife, of dragonriding? Apparently, he had been unaware of this small detail, and he seemed very distressed by it. She waited until he was finished venting to explain further.
"Well, first of all, don't worry about it for now," she said soothingly, in a tone she normally reserved for a distressed child. He seemed positively in a fit about the whole concept, and she reached out her uninjured arm to pat his hand and get his attention focused back on her. "You won't have to think about it until Stillith gets older, and even then, it'll be easier on you. You ride a male dragon, so when you join with Stillith's mind during a Flight, the result will always end up with... you being the dominant partner. So... it can just be someone you trust. Someone you're attracted to or just like as a friend." Ohh, he had things so much easier! Sav still felt uncomfortable at the thought.
She was utterly bemused for a moment at his complaints, and then it became clear to her. Oh, he thought Flights ended in permanent things. Silly boy. "No, I think you misunderstand me. Sorry... Flights just are. They happen, and you may never have to see the other person again. If there are any relationships or serious friendships, they're of your making... and Stillith's. Flights just are flights unless you choose to continue that... experience... into a relationship afterward," she clarified. She was loathe to consider Hepaticath's first Flight. The bronzeriders she had met so far... well, she did not relish the thought of sharing that experience with any of them. But, this was about Cath, not her, so she would just do her best to prepare.
She did have to manage a bit of a glare for him, though. Even for a boy, he was being remarkably insensitive. "You have it good, really. You're male. It isn't nearly as painful to lose your virginity, not to mention you don't have to risk getting pregnant," she pointed out, her tone a little stiff. It bothered her that all he could do was gripe about his own misfortune when, really, he had it quite good. When he started getting some on a regular basis, he'd see that quite quickly. She, however, had far more to risk when it came right down to the point. Add that to the fact that she did not want a single one of the male weyrlings touching her in that manner, and it made her life very difficult. She would be one cranky weyrling when that time finally came around, and her current surliness was only a taste of what would come.
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Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
Jr.Weyrwoman Caden Bronzehandler Piden Bluerider M'kai Bluerider T'ri Greenrider Tenlie Greenhandler Serissa
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Post by Ruby on Jul 31, 2008 23:37:15 GMT -5
Savitri's calm handling of the situation calmed As'lin at first. It was nice to hear someone talk about it matter of factly, even with a bit of humor. Humor at his expense, for sure, but he could tell that Sav was at least vaguely amused by his reaction.
At first.
He could tell immediately when her mood changed, and leaned back a little, processing. She said it was painful for girls the first time- he had known that vaguely, but never thought about it as more than another reason that sex wasn't worth his time. If it was going to HURT the girl, why bother? But the way Savitri said it was more bitter than As'lin expected. He hadn't been sure about her status as someone who had to worry about this versus someone who didn't, but now he was even less sure. It sounded like she'd had a bad experience already... or maybe she was just nervous. He went with a safe response. "Hey, Sav, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about... well, you know, I just wasn't thinking. It's just..."
To reveal or not to reveal? Telling her for sure that he hadn't in fact gotten any, ever, would explain his startlement, lack of knowledge, and insensitivity all at once, but it also resulted in a major blow to As'lin's self esteem. Not only that, but it was turning Savitri's feelings back on himself, making himself the center of attention once again, which was clearly bothering her. At least his thinking of it only in terms of himself was. Then again, she might open up and either have some experiences or tips to share, or they'd discover that they were in the same boat. Decisions, decisions.
Well, leaving it be wasn't getting the conversation anywhere. For a slightly bemused moment, As'lin tried to remember how on earth he had gotten into a discussion about sex with not only a Goldweyrling, but a girl. But no answer was forthcoming, and the ball was in his court. "See..." he paused, steeling himself. He could just imagine his manliness shriveling up and dying in a corner as he uttered the next words. "See, I've just... never. Ever. Not even tried. Not even thought about trying. Well..." he paused, picturing his runner to fight the blush he could feel creeping into his cheeks once again. "Thought about it maybe. But I moved a lot when I was little, so... most of this is new to me. I'm not trying to be a dimglow, I promise. You're just the first person to ever sit me down at tell me about it straight." Quirking one corner of his mouth up in a smile, he added, "At least the first one I haven't had to invent things for and lie to. I'm pretty good at that, actually. I know the slang, I just don't know what it means."
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Post by kysseh on Aug 3, 2008 13:24:03 GMT -5
As'lin's reaction to her scathing analysis of his statements was not encouraging. The weyrling bluerider was obviously a nice boy, but insensitive was high on the list of adjectives as well. His stuttering apology earned him something of a smile, though it still rankled a bit at the young woman. No, he had not been thinking at all, but she could hardly persecute him for being male and egocentric. He was at least making an attempt to make amends, which she appreciated. He was not the only one displeased with that part of weyrlife, though if Sav had to choose between her current lifepath and one that did not involve Flights or Cath, this one would win out without question. She could deal with a few personal violations to keep that bond. The race was not even close.
His excuses fell on ears that had heard them all too many times, but Savitri attempted to exercise some patience with the poor boy. He obviously recognized he was losing ground fast and was attempting to explain, and the fact that he had showed her no ill will made her accept the statements as he offered them. It had to be damaging to his male pride to admit a lack of experience, and the fact that he was admitting it did count for a great deal. Granted, it was not about to be a source of incoming pity for him, but she could at least understand that he had no knowledge on the topic. She had no experience either, but she had seen and heard plenty. Apparently, the poor boy was all talk and no knowledge.
She shook her head, sighing softly and allowing herself a wry smile on his behalf. His blush was telling. "I'm sure you've thought about it. You're a boy; you're supposed to," she pointed out without any rancor. That was something he could not help, at least. Well, perhaps a little bit of education would clue him into the rest, provided he was willing to listen. She absentmindedly brushed her hand over her scars on her left arm, trying to ponder how best to respond without coming across as a complete witch. She was not trying to upset or belittle him. His insensitivity just... irked her. "Your parents or friends should have talked to you about it. It's natural; it happens. It just helps if you're informed before you... go out trying."
She considered educating him and decided that he could press for information if he so desired. She had no problem discussing sex and its nuances in the hypothetical. It was only when it delved into a personal level that she changed the topic. They could talk about As'lin's lack of experience and the basic anatomy of how things worked. She, however, was off-limits as far as discussion went. That was a private matter, and private, it would stay, for now. "It's something we all have to get used to, I suppose. It's a big part of weyrlife. Dragons Rise to mate, and Flightlust can affect everyone in the vicinity, especially with gold Flights. I kept myself busy during Aslath's Flight to ignore it, but the first few times you feel it, it can be really... overpowering." 'Unnerving' was the word she wanted to use, but that was a matter of opinion, not fact. 'Overpowering' suited it better. If she had not had Shadow to ground her and a lot of work to keep her busy, she probably would have unwillingly succumbed. Thank goodness for small miracles...
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Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
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Post by Ruby on Aug 20, 2008 2:05:32 GMT -5
As'lin felt like just about the stupidest person alive, but trying to explain didn't seem to be helping much. A little, tiny, minuscule bit, yes, but not much more than that. Savitri still seemed way more annoyed that As'lin would like to have her- in his experience, Sav was interesting and at least somewhat fun. Spending time with her had proved to be a good way to pass what little spare time they had. As'lin, at least, had thought they worked quite well together, as friends- and, well, maybe they still did. That train of thought made As'lin stop for a minute.
Oh, he was such an idiot. As soon as he stopped and thought for a second, instead of just thinking about his own stupid fears, it was clear as day. Savitri was scared too. That was why she was so sensitive about the pain involved, why she was jealous of As'lin being male. It worried her just as much as it worried him, even if the basic topic of sex didn't make her as uncomfortable as it did him. Well maybe, he wasn't certain, but at least it explained some things. He relaxed with a little mental sigh. Thank Faranth, she wasn't necessarily mad at him, just at how egotistical he'd been. That he could handle.
All this thought took place while he also listened to Savitri; As'lin tried to keep any sudden moment of realization off his face and out of his posture. He was mostly successful, although she may have noticed that by the time she was finished talking, As'lin seemed a lot calmer than before... but that could, of course, have been caused by the slight movement of the subject away from his own personal failings. He did shake his head as she finished, though, adjusting in his seat. "I guess my parents were just too busy or too uncomfortable, or something. I never... you know, caught them at it or anything, so what I picked up, I got from friends. So I know the gist of the mechanics, of the erm, cruder actions..." To put it lightly... "I've just never tried. And at, um," Ooh, tagging his age was probably a bad idea- He knew Savitri was just about the same age he was, and if As'lin was right, she was just as worried as he was. Better peg it on his gender, since she probably thought he was stupid anyway. "And being a guy, that makes you pretty not cool," he finally finished, adding a bit of a self-deprecating laugh.
Probably a bad idea to mention that, according to most of As'lin's friends, finding a girl that was still a virgin was both a challenge and a badge of honor (assuming, of course, that you managed to take that virginity). Finally As'lin's brain had worked out of its terror-induced fog, and he was able to function as a normal member of society once again. In fact, he was doing so well that even the idea that some other dragon's flight could affect his own level of lust didn't send him sputtering once again. Instead he remained cool. Ish. "I guess... if that's what it takes to live in a Weyr, we'll all adjust. It's not like we have much of a choice, it sounds like," he said, following the last with a vaguely irritated snort and shake of his head. "Sorry about the freak-out, I just feel like such a dimglow sometimes about these things. Y'know, it just makes me nervous to think that I'll practically be forced into... relations, whether I myself feel ready or not." All of this came out fairly cool, not nearly as flustered or awkward as before. As'lin even stretched a little in the middle, settling back into his chair before finishing.
Then something occurred to him, and he couldn't stifle a laugh, but it was way too ridiculous to explain to Savitri unless she was in a bit of a better mood. Hopefully she wouldn't ask, and would just focus on what he'd said. If he had any luck.
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Post by kysseh on Aug 22, 2008 2:12:57 GMT -5
Savitri could not quite tell what was going on in As'lin's head, but he seemed to be turning things over. That satisfied her, and even though she was annoyed at his masculine insensitivity, it pleased her that he was not a completely hopeless boy. No, he was thinking, and even if he did not get there yet, he was at least starting down the road to considering some empathy in dealing with others. Savitri was self-concerned often, but she liked to think that she could understand others' upset at times too. She might not explicitly state that she could commiserate, but her actions usually gave her away. Her actions came much more easily than her words in that sort of thing; it was just a peculiar habit she had.
He was obviously and almost adorably ignorant of the whole issue, and Savitri lifted a face under the pretense of covering her expression in frustration. In reality, she was trying not to smile. Poor boy. "I'm sure you've found that... teenage boys are not the best source of information on the issue." That was a dramatic understatement, and there was just no way that As'lin could miss the humor in that. Her hand came away, and she rested her elbow on the arm of the chair, resting her chin atop her fist. It was rather sad that his parents had never taken the time to explain things to him. They should have. It would have spared him a great deal of embarrassment and misinformation. Honestly... had that never occurred to them?!
She snorted softly at his comments about being male. No, she was certain that that made him most... 'not cool'... to still be a virgin. Honestly... men and their pride were something else entirely! Didn't they realize that there was no pride in what was simply the acting out of a very basic, bestial instinct? No, the pride lay in how well they performed... which, for most boys, was fairly poorly. Males took time to mature into good behavior and performance like that. Ah, the benefits of being a healer. "You should probably take the time to familiarize yourself with at least the basic details, then. Talk to someone you trust. A rider or... one of the male healers, if that makes you more comfortable. Saying the wrong things actually makes you look less 'cool' than if you admit to not knowing anything. Because saying the wrong things makes you look like a desperate liar," she pointed out as gently as she could manage. "Don't be too embarrassed. Just ask someone to tell you."
His comments had her chuckling, and she just rolled her eyes. Ah, silly, silly boy! "I don't think any of us are really ready for it until it happens. The best you can do is be well-informed ahead of time. If you don't feel ready, then when the golds Rise, keep yourself busy. Do silly little tedious chores that keep your mind occupied and that keep you away from people. Then... when you feel ready and Stillith is old enough, do a little experimenting to figure things out. It isn't as though we have to jump right into it. We just have to prepare ourselves and ease into it as best we can. Rather like easing into a very hot or very cold bath. Slowly and carefully. And, preferably, without injuries." She was, despite herself, in a bit of a better mood now. She shifted in her seat again, folding her hands comfortably into her lap. Reassuring him had calmed her too, though it still bothered her how cluelessly he had blundered into this. Well... he would have to fix his lack of knowledge.
The sudden laugh startled her, and she tilted her head to one side, curious. "What's on your mind now?" she asked, one eyebrow arched. Something amused him, and though she wasn't sure she really wanted to know what his adolescent brain was cooking up, she could not help but ask. Who knew? Perhaps it'd be something relevant that they could... further enlighten each other about.
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Ruby
Shiny Hoarder
Jr.Weyrwoman Caden Bronzehandler Piden Bluerider M'kai Bluerider T'ri Greenrider Tenlie Greenhandler Serissa
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Post by Ruby on Sept 23, 2008 20:16:47 GMT -5
((argh, sorry this took so long!! *epic fail*))
Oh no, she was curious. Damn perceptive girls and their curiousity. Savitri did seem to be in a better mood, though... But how could he phrase this right? One wrong word and As'lin knew he'd be back in the Wherry nest, so to speak. Or maybe literally, who knew. As'lin wouldn't put it past Sav to find a Wherry nest and stuff him into it, if he said something too idiotic. She seemed to be a determined kind of person... Anyway, off topic. The Blueweyrling pulled his mind back to the subject at hand, still working on the phrasing. There was just no good way to say it... and he couldn't put it off much longer without looking stupid.
Well, here went nothing. "Oh, nothing on my mind..." he tried first, but Savitri's quirk of the eyebrow pretty clearly stated that she didn't believe him. Hmph. That made things more difficult. "Well... Don't take this the wrong way, ok?" Well that was a good start, As'lin thought. Warning in advance was always good. Now for the juicy stuff... "It's just that... well, I'm really not comfortable with losing my virginity in a Flight, if you couldn't tell," he started, going for humor instead of discomfort. "I guess I'm just not happy with being unsure, and clearly I'm going nowhere fast when it comes to actually making physical progress, especially since Stillith is still little. I was just thinking it would be nice to know I had a backup," he said, trying his hardest not to sound sleezy or disrespectful, but still smiling as he finished. He didn't want to seem hopeless either, or to try to guilt her into it. Hopefully, of course, she'd get what he was asking, even if he was doing it in a roundabout manner. Even more hopefully, she wouldn't be offended.
Because what he was actually asking for was basically future sex, and As'lin knew it. It was true, though- it would be helpful to know that he had a backup, as crude and horrible as that sounded. It would give him confidence. And honestly, he really couldn't think of Savitri in that sort of way- she was pretty, and nice, but there was something about her that was way out of As'lin's league. Just to begin was the fact that she rode a Gold, and he rode a Blue. It just wasn't meant to be, so he couldn't really imagine sex, much less something like losing his virginity with, to, or anywhere near Sav. That would be basically all the impetus he needed, actually. He'd sleep with just about anyone to avoid THAT level of awkwardness.
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