Welcome to Gaia! ::

His emotions still roiled through him like venom, blistering each and every thought until he felt so revolted that he could hardly stand himself. Though they'd been separated from the clutch, the anger and injustice that clung to him now were solely his. He'd tried to be positive upon coming onto the sands, but doubts still nipped at his heels and hounded him with a relentlessness that made him way to lash out at anything that happened to look at him wrong.

The sudden nudge to his head startled him more than anything, and Bukichi stared at Eosphoth for a long moment before slowly moving underneath the proffered shade. "Thank you." He muttered.

Was it worth spending a few more Turns at the Weyr, hoping a dragon would find him? Or would he be better off getting a new start on his life? It was impossible to say, and Bukichi's current level of frustration made it a futile attempt to try and think through. He'd been hoping, despite himself, to have a moment like Aryale had talked about... a spark of hope, a connection--something that might make him think a dragon wanted him just as badly as he wanted it.

Bukichi couldn't help but compare Eosphoth's voice to Yaguareth's. Yaguareth was a good and noble dragon, but there was... something here that reminded him strongly of his own mother. How she would gather him to her chest when he was young after failing yet another test compared to Matotoka, how she would smooth his hair back and kiss his brow while telling him how proud she was. It made Bukichi realize how badly he missed his mother's guidance and advice. She'd been the only person who had made him feel worthy, back then.

Not when you phrase it that way. He concluded a bit more bitterly than he'd like, unconsciously reaching back for her with his own mind. But it was true. Seeing the bond between dragon and rider... knowing that if he walked out and could potentially miss out on something that profound would likely make him wonder 'what if?' for the rest of his life.

Bukichi was just so tired of being unsure about himself. He was a strong, capable man... and he bitterly resented the fact that Matotoka had followed him all the way here to continue to cast his shadow.

A sun that shone just for him... Aryale certainly was one. No matter how he'd tried to push her away--well, he'd been sorely reprimanded for making decisions for her. Still, he would never think of himself as a shining sun... I don't think so. His amusement was wry--still bitter, but trying to keep that emotion a bit better under wraps.

But I do have someone who thinks I'm important. He conceded. Though he'd want some time to himself before he spoke to Aryale, Eosphoth reminded him that he wasn't alone. Not entirely.

I hope you're right. He thought honestly, allowing himself to bask in the warm love radiating from the dragon. Eosphoth hardly knew him, but that seemed to matter very little. She still cared, and Bukichi was grateful. How many others had she comforted like this? Soothing frazzled minds and bruised hearts, helping them find their feet again. Thank you. He offered a touch reluctantly, ashamed at his own weakness. He would do better. He would be better.