Daddy Duties

Writers: Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 13th March 2016

Characters: L'exan, Ashuli, Neia
Description: L'exan's little girl is growing up even more. It's not comfortable, but that's okay: Papa's got this.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 16 of Turn 8
Notes: Notes: Rated PG-13 for adolescent issues.

Larzeth surfaced and strode back to shore, shaking himself like a canine. }:No luck out there,:{ he reported to L'exan, who was knee-deep in the ocean himself. }:The rocks aren't worn smooth enough, but even if they were, I didn't find one small enough. Sorry.:{

"Nah, 'sokay," L'exan said as he waded. "I figured looking deeper was a long shot. Thanks for checking anyway, though."

}:Sure.:{ Larzeth flapped his wings a couple of times before folding them. }:So tell me again how this works?:{

"It's like how dragons love basking," L'exan said, crouching to examine another rock. It was smooth, but still a little too big, so he moved on. "The heat goes deep to relax muscles, not to mention it's really soothing. I got the idea from my parents, actually. I had a horrible case of the chills when I was- I dunno, maybe six or seven? Ma and Pops kept me in bed with hot towels until the healer could get there to give me some medicine and the worst passed. I remember hugging a good-sized one close and just soaking up that Ancients-blessed heat."

}:That probably explains why you're so hot-headed now,:{ Larzeth teased.

The big man laughed. "Nah, you can blame adolescence for tha- ah-ha!" He knelt and worked his hands into the sand, digging out a smooth, slightly oblong rock that was about the size of a child's traditional stuffed fire-lizard. He hastily rinsed it off and carried it back to Larzeth. "Let's get your straps back on and take this to the hatching ground."

With the ease of long practice, the bluepair found the harness that had been safely coiled on some bigger rocks and flew back to the Weyr, where L'exan buried the stone in the hot sand normally reserved for eggs. After ten minutes, he dug it up while attempting to keep his hands relatively safe, brushed it off, and stuffed it in a small sack he had appropriated from storage and carried in his belt on the beach.

A fast jog took L'exan to the crafter's quarters, where the mother of his daughter lived and where Ashuli was currently taking refuge on her bed. Neia nodded to him and stepped aside to let L'exan get to work. "Hey, sugarpie," L'exan said to his little girl. "Your ma told me you're not feeling well."

Ashuli shook her head. "Growing up is terrible," she muttered unhappily.

"Aye, it can be," L'exan agreed, "but I got something that'll help." He drew back the covers and convinced Ashuli to uncurl long enough for him to tuck the stone against her stomach. "There ya go. Just cuddle that, have a nap, and when ya wake up you'll be feeling so much better," L'exan promised, tucking his daughter in snugly.

Some of the tension was already gone from Ashuli's small frame thanks to the warmth. "Thanks, Papa," she said. "Sorry I missed lunch with you."

"That's fine, there's always tomorrow. You know that. Love ya, sugarpie."

"Love you too."

L'exan kissed Ashuli on the head and stepped away to speak with Neia, who took him outside the little area. "Is this is the first time it's felt this bad?" L'exan asked quietly.

Neia nodded. "I think she might have the same problem I do," she murmured. Her own menses were bad enough that she had doubted she could conceive and carry to term before the goldflight tryst with L'exan proved her wrong. "After Ashuli wakes up, we're going to speak with the healers and see if it would be all right to give her smaller doses of the medicine I use to quell the cramps. It's extremely effective stuff."

L'exan nodded as well. "Good plan," he approved.

Neia touched his arm, smiling softly. "Thank you for helping out, L'exan. Most men would be too squeamish about the issue."

The bluerider shrugged. "Hey, ya have as much fun as I have, ya get used to it pretty damn fast," he said, prompting a smirk from the tailor. "Besides, that's my daughter. I'd do anything for her."

Neia's smirk became a smile again. "I'll keep you informed," she said, and rose on her toes to affectionately kiss him on the cheek. "All should be well by tomorrow."

"Thanks, Neia." L'exan returned the kiss and departed to rejoin Larzeth, who was patiently waiting outside.

}:Everything all right now?:{ Larzeth asked, lowering his head.

"Aye." L'exan scratched around the blue's headknobs, smiling wistfully. "My little girl's just growing up too fast for me again."

}:They do tend to do that,:{ Larzeth agreed, and nuzzled his rider's shoulder comfortingly. }:We need to find Demos and see what kind of other duties we should pick up today. Time doesn't stop just because kids get older.:{

"If it did, maybe I wouldn't have to worry so much," L'exan chuckled, mentally calling for his grumpy blue fire-lizard.

Last updated on the March 14th 2016

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Daddy Duties