A few days had passed since Kleoth's hatching, and while weyrling training kept Va'len busy, there was one loose string of business he hadn't tied up. While he had introduced Valurinnth to Z'ri and Z'ri's family, Pandyr (albeit briefly), Sioryl, and others in the Barracks, there was one friend he hadn't yet had an opportunity to check on.

Bukichi's lack of presence was notable after the Hatching, and while Va'len didn't blame him for being scarce, he did want to circle up with him and see how he was doing. While he didn't know a lot about the other, they had been on friendly-enough terms while Candidates, and had similar interests. Bukichi had been showing him some self-defense, and Va'len had shown him a few knife tricks. Val didn't have many friends at the Weyr, secretly afraid of trusting a stranger only for them to leave him, abandon him, as his family unwittingly had; but he did like Bukichi, and as a friend, did want to make sure he was okay.

Is this necessary? Valurinnth questioned, following His willingly, if not eagerly. The blue had not been keen about either Matotoka or Bukichi, and for good reason-he knew their histories, knew their (in his opinion) stupid code, and understood they both posed an inadvertant risk to His. And that was not something he would stand for! That A'toka Impressed one of his blue brothers was questionable for Shahinath--but perhaps his brother would keep that one in check. As for Bukichi....well.

He's my friend, thanks, and yes, it is necessary. Of this, Va'len would be firm. While he mostly went along with what pleased Valurinnth (for better or worse), in this case he wanted to introduce Bukichi to him, and see how he was doing. He was concerned, after all, and wanted to make sure he really was okay. He also wanted to clear the air because it wasn't easy being overlooked--especially when one's brother Impressed. He didn't know A'toka at all, but was not a disloyal man; he had been friends with Bukichi first, after all--and could remain cordially aloof with the other. Just because they were both weyrlings did not mean they had to be friends...

He might not have known the story between them, but he was not so blind as to know they tended to keep a very wide berth from one another.

"Hey, Bukichi--you have a few minutes?" He had noticed the other out in the Bowl, and hoped to catch him before he got away. He knew the schedule of the Candidates--but both their time was precious. If it wasn't a good time now, he'd come back later.

Tsunake
I wasn't sure of the time or day or what would be best--can edit if you want him somewhere specifically! LOL