KH: Who is R'kig? P2

Posted on Fri Mar 28th, 2025 @ 8:30pm by Gold Rider Lana & Blue Rider R’kig

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

Johu finally walked out of the barracks they beastcrafters were living in for the gather and set up and grinned at the blue rider was still waiting there for him . The man intrigued him, wandering around looking so upset and almost angry at the world but also wanting to investigate the runners. It was not something that happened often with riders; they were so involved in their dragons that he could not blame them at all. Dragons were beautiful and powerful beasts and he was almost jealous sometimes that he never impressed.

“You waited?” Johu wondered as he undid the tie on his high collar, deciding it was just too much for him.

R'kig knew it was probably a wherryheaded thing to do, but he had enjoyed the runners and it had been nice to talk to someone who wasn't worried about him and his moods.

“I did. Is that odd?” He asked curiously. He didn't really have many friends if he was honest.

“I was a lot longer than I said I was going to be. Thought you riders might have had somewhere better to be.” The older man pointed out. Riders always seemed to be rushing around and busy. They rarely waited around for someone.

R'kig shrugged. “I'm a blue rider. I don't have any reason to be at the dragon rider ball, so I have some extra time tonight,” he offered. It was true enough. the others had gone to the ball and Rizerth was still happy on the heights.

“From my understanding blue riders are just as important as any type of pairing . You can do the whole fall unlike the greens, you are more agile than the bronzes and there is certainly not enough of you at the moment.” Johu pointed out as he indicated the aisleways that would take them straight from the guard barracks to the gather square.

The blue rider chuckled just a bit. “Yes, that is true enough.” The blues were very helpful during Falls and Rizerth was quite nimble. “So maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the ball,” he smiled.

“And that is okay. I was meant to go to a celebration too for winners. I really did not want to go to something that is not my kind of thing, much rather dance in the gather square.” Most of the people there would not care who you were - holder, crafter or rider. “I have learned recently it is okay to follow your own needs and wants.”

“I am still figuring that out,” R'kig admitted. “Thought I had things figured out til the girl I thought i loved changed Weyrs and didn't want me going with her,” he admitted. “Now I'm working on finding myself, I guess.”

Johu turned walking backwards to look at the man and nodded in understanding. That now made so much sense to the rider’s demeanour. “I am sorry to hear that R’kig. How long ago did that happen?” He wondered as he started to hear the harpers beat in the distance.

“Just a few months ago,” he admitted. That was why the wound was still so fresh. R'kig was trying. It just wasn't as easy as he had hoped to forget her.

“Cannot say I have any advice for you I am afraid. Never been in love or relationships.” Johu admitted, he had never felt the need to settle for one person yet. “But I can promise booze, people and dancing tonight though.”

“It's fine. I'll get it sorted.” Maybe it was for the better. He wasn't sure yet. Time would tell. “Now that sounds perfect right now,” R'kig answered.

The beastcrafter was sure the man would, riders never seemed to get down for long as it affected the dragons. “Come on then.” He passed through a gap in 2 buildings that seemed impossible to get through from the aisle way but Johu managed it easily and tugged his companion out into the gather square. It did not take longer to
reach Johu’s friends and group of people. They had a large area filled with tables of wine and food that had a good view of the stage especially with the glows being the only thing lighting up the square now that sun was setting.

R'kig followed behind. He was surprised by the alleyway they slipped through before joining; he was guessing Johu's friends. He nodded to them. The place was little up and bright and everyone seemed happy. It was nice.

“You brought a rider along with you?” One of the older journeymen laughed. “Not your usual date.”

“Oh no. Not date, just a friend who was admiring the runners and had no one to hang with tonight so thought you guys would be nice to spend an evening with as you all can dance and are good looking enough I suppose.” Johu quickly turned it back on his friend grabbing up 2 mugs of wine and passing one back to R’kig as the group laughed as a whole.

R'kig blinked. Date? Well, he had not expected that comment to be thrown out there. But he was glad Johu had corrected them. “Thanks,” he said, accepting the wine. “I'm R'kig,” he introduced himself.

Several people introduce themselves before making space amongst the group for the blue rider. “So how come you stumbled upon Johu?” A female journeyman wondered from the seat opposite the R’kig as Johu stood talking to the man who had commented on him bringing a date along.

R'kig slid into a vacant seat, enjoying his wine. “By pure accident. I needed some time to myself so I headed for the stables. I've always loved runners and Johu happened to be there,” he answered.

“He loves runners too. We rarely get him to come and join us so you must have caught him at a good point.” The woman teased a little. “What do you like about Runners? You have to be Hold born to like them? My speciality is the herdbeasts and making sure they are strong and plentiful so I do not see anything special about them.” She joked as Johu squeezed into the space between R’kig and another man.

The blue rider shook his head. “I'm not. Weyrbred and raised,” he answered with a grin. “I used to watch them when we come down to the Holds. At that point I didn't figure I would become a rider so i took to the runners instead. Still love them.” He laughed as Johu joined them. them

“I was just as surprised.” Johu assured grinning as he took several gulps of his drink.

“But you are young. How old were you when you impressed your blue?” The woman asked, notching the ropes, genuinely interested. They did not often get to speak to riders so openly.

“I was 16,” R'kig answered. “Honestly I didn't know if I wanted to be a rider. My parents are and my brother is a bronze rider but I didn't know if that's what I wanted. The day Rizerth stumbled up to me though I knew what I meant to do.”

The woman smiled and nodded. She had heard similar statements from other riders she had pinned to speak. “That makes sense. Glad you found Rizerth though.” She quickly stated. “I have so many questions.” She admitted before Johu shook his head laughing.

“You normally do no matter who joins us.” He pointed out to his friend.

R'kig raised a dark brow before taking a drink of wine. “I don't mind questions. I'll answer what I can,” he promised. He has no idea what she wanted to know but if It had to do with Rizerth he was willing.

“Jerr pass that skin over we’re going to need it over here.” Johu called laughing. “Now you blue rider cannot say I did not warn you about Uri.”

“I am just intrigued jockey. Riders do not normally join us lowly crafters so I want to ask what it’s like.” Uri laughed.

“Should I be concerned?” R'kig asked. he was actually feeling a bit more like himself around these Crafters. Nerlyn had been right. “Hey now. Some of my friends are crafter.”

“Completely worried. I am.” Johu laughed leaning back in his chair pulling up his trousers a little to make himself more comfortable.

“But they are still weyrfolk?” Uri asked, smiling. She was not judging, she was teasing just a little.

R'kig raised a brow. This could get interesting then. He took another sip of his wine. “Well yeah,” he answered. “Although I do know one of the healers here.”

“Oh?” She grinned at the way Johu rolled his eyes and just let things play out now. He had tried to warn but Uri was Uri and R’kig would learn.

“Uh is that bad?” the blue rider asked, not knowing Uri nearly well enough to know what the tone of voice meant. Shards he should have listened to Johu.

“Uri enough. It’s only fun if he knows you are flirty or whatever it is you are attempting to do.” Another man spoke up making Johu laugh and tip his drink to the master crafter who was far more perceptive about the situation and her teasing. “You do not even like men.” He added making the woman laugh.

R'kig's face colored a bit. shards he was bad at picking up on subtle hints. He breathed a bit easier when it seemed like it was all fun and games. “You don't?” he asked. “Guess I'm at the wrong table then,” he finally laughed.

“Shards no… look at them all.” Uri declared, making several of the men groan and the women in the group laugh wildly. It was not The first time she had commented on the men. “Only one vaguely good looking is Johu.” She teased leaning over to shame the beastcrafter on his back.

Oh R'kig wasn't used to this group at all. “Ooh I am so not commenting on that one,” the blue rider answered with a laugh. This reminded him a bit of some of the blue and green riders' conversations.

Uri laughed and poured them more wine. She had not meant to make the man uncomfortable or anything, she was just used to riders being lofty and elusive that she had forgotten that some of them were still young. “And yourself… Come on, blue rider come dance with me.” She begged as the harper started familiar songs in the distance.

R'kig really didn't have a reason to be embarrassed. He had just been surprised by her words. He shook his head with a chuckle when Uri included him. “And how exactly could I say no to that?”

“You can’t. She won’t let you.” Johu assured as the blue rider was pulled from his seat and his wine mug taken from him and given to the beastcrafter.

“Call me if you need rescuing.” Johu called as the beat got louder. Uri just grinned and led him properly to the square to dance.

R'kig laughed and held up a hand to let Johu know he had heard him. There was no way to let his mood slip now as Uri pulled him onto the dance floor. He hadn't expected a night like this at all