Storytime and Dragon Talk

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th October 2013

Characters: Cyradis, D'hol, Kielya
Description: D'hol spends time with Kielya while two dragons have a little chat.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 5 of Turn 7

Cyradis

D'hol

Kielya

Kielya skipped in circles as her mother walked down the corridor.
She'd promised to be good if she could go see Yumath and hear some
stories. D'hol had promised to tell her stories so she knew she was
going to have fun.

Cyradis fixed a pleasant look on her face as she got to the cavern and
walked toward the bronze and his rider.

"Afternoon," she said pleasantly.

D'hol wasn't pleasant, but in this instance, he wasn't rude either. As
Cyradis approached him, his expression was cool and distant, as if
being approached by a complete stranger. But, when he turned to
Keilya, his eyes immediately warmed and she was given an unmistakably
affectionate smile. "Ah, there's my favorite audience."

Cyradis didn't really expect any different treatment from D'hol. He'd
been prickly even when they were close. Now he was just painful to be
around. But for her daughter's sake she didn't let her mask slip in
the slightest. Turns of patience dealing with impatient and rude
holders worked in her favor today.

"You have a good time with Yumath and D'hol sweetie," she said and
kissed her daughters head. Then she watched as Kielya skipped over to
talk to the big bronze. Thankfully because she'd grown up climbing all
over Panitath she had not a shred of fear. Quietly she turned back to
the bronzerider, "if you'd like you can keep her for dinner. Just
bring her back before bed time."

D'hol watched as Keilya scampered over to Yumath and the warmth
remained on his face. As though Cyradis was not there, he did not
answer her, but simply walked away towards the pair. Yumath however,
lifted his head to look at the goldrider, his gaze oddly intense.
There was a soft sigh that expanded the bronze's side and his head
bobbed slightly towards Cyradis, conveying a greeting that was both
wistful and restrained.

As D'hol moved to sit near Keilya to watch her settle on Yumath, the
bronze spoke softly to Panitath. }:May I ask you something?:{

}:Of course:{ replied the gold as her rider gave a wan smile and
nodded to the bronze before leaving the room.

Nuzzling playfully at Keilya, Yumath barely paid attention as D'hol
watched them. }: What can we do about the pain between your rider and
my own? :{ Yumath shifted his weight slightly, knowing that D'hol
would not appreciate his interference, but he was unwilling to allow
the emotional barrier that D'hol had erected to become thicker. He
spoke plainly. }: We do not know what will happen the next Flight,
lovely Panitath. And... :{ There was a mental sigh. }: I do not want
this pain between them to continue. It hurts yours as well, does it
not?:{

}:It does hurt mine. She feels his pain and her own guilt for it.:{
Panitath liked Yumath, they'd been mated before and he was a fine
bronze worthy of consideration. }:It is hard for her at times, but
Donneth's is good for her and makes her happy.:{ She considered for a
moment before she continued.

}:What makes yours happy?:{

}: He loves yours, Panitath. Deeply. It's always deep in his mind. And
it makes him angry. Makes him feel foolish.:{ The big bronze nuzzled
Keilya, and then watched as D'hol gestured the child closer to begin
to tell the story of their Impression. Yumath was hit was a surge of
nostalgia. }: But happy? :{ There was a long pause. }: He has not
felt truly happy in a very long time. It is hard for me to remember.
:{

Kielya finally settled into a seat near D'hol. She loved the spicy
scent of clean dragon hide and to her joy the bronze smelled exactly
that way. "Teacher says we can all grow up to be dragon riders
someday," she declared with firm conviction of the very young. She
arranged her skirt, then she looked up into his eyes. "You promised a
story."

Panitath huffed. Her rider seemed to want only one man at a time while
the gold wanted all the bronzes in the weyr at her beck and call.
}:She loves Donneth's now,:{ She could remember dimly when it was
different. }:She did love yours very much once. She cares even now
though not as much as she loves her mate. I am sorry Yumanth. I do not
know how to help:{

}: This love thing is confusing. I do not see what is wrong with
sharing on occasion. You have more than one mate. I have been your
mate. {: The bronze wrinkled his nose in frustration. }: They make
simple matters very complicated, you know. :{ He simply did not
understand why it was so complex. His rider wanted her rider and she
wanted Donneth's. }: Perhaps taking turns would help. They tell their
younglings to do so.:{

Thankfully, D'hol was unaware of the conversation between the two
dragons, his attention centered on Keilya as he nodded. "Well, yes. It
is possible. But...it's up to the dragon to choose and some, even
though they want to Impress very badly never do." He glanced up at
Yumath, noticed the distraction in the bronze and shrugged to himself.
"I did indeed. I thought I might tell you how Yumath chose me."

"Was it wonderful?" Kielya's eyes shone up at the bronzerider while
she stroked the soft bronze hide next to her. If there was one thing
that she loved it was dragons and stories about dragons.

}:You were a fine mate:{ the big gold replied. She agreed with Yumath
on many things even though her current mate Loseth was also a very
fine mate. }:But they don't choose as I do. They are bound by their
love when they have it. Sometimes mine has been sad and even angry
before because of her love. Now she is happy with Donneth's. I like it
when she is happy. I am sorry yours is not happy.:{

Yumath was nothing if not stubborn. }: So am I, Panitath. Could yours
not be happy with two? Two loves would mean more happiness, would it
not? She could at least think about it.:{ Yumath looked down at Keilya
as she stroked him and huffed lightly over the small girl.

D'hol's face was gentle and a warm smile filled his face at the
memory. "Oh yes. Yumath was one of the first out of his shell, Keilya.
He burst out and shells flew everywhere. It was like an explosion." He
looked down at Keilya and grinned. "He looked around and I knew in
that instant that he was mine." He bent and gestured with his hands.
"You should have seen him. He was stomping about like he owned the
hatching grounds and even knocked a few boys over who tried to get him
to look at them. He didn't want them. I was behind a few other boys
and it was as though he knew I was going to be there."

Kielya saw the eye bigger than her head and smiled reaching up to
scritch the eyeridge just like mommy had showed her. But her eyes
bugged at D'hol's description of the hatching and she clapped with
glee. "Oh," she giggled. "You knew? How did you know? It sounds so
wonderful" All her questions seemed to tumble out at once.

}:I do not know if she would consider such a thing but I can ask:{
That was about all Panitath could do for her rider was sometimes very
firm in what should and should not be her concern. }:Do you think
yours would be nice to her then?:{

D'hol nodded and chuckled as Yumath crooned at the touch. "I just
knew. In my gut." He poked playfully at her stomach. "My instinct told
me that Yumath was meant for me. And I was right." The bronze bobbed
his head in agreement before nudging Keilya carefully for more
scratching. "He pushed past those boys and nearly tackled me. The
first thing after his name that he said was that I was supposed to
have food for him, where was it, and he wanted it right then and
there. He was impatient and very bossy." D'hol eyed Yumath who snorted
his denial.

His attention back to Panitath, Yumath had to stop for a moment and
consider what he knew of his rider and how he felt. }: I think he
would. If she loved him, he would.:{

}:I can't promise that,:{ she almost sniffed. The bronze was beginning
to tire her with his line of thought even though he was just concerned
for his rider. She launched into the air from her Weyr and circled the
bowl once idly thinking she'd like a snack but none of the herdbeasts
in the enclosure looked particularly tasty. }:I'm going hunting, come
if you wish.:{

"It doesn't look like he thinks you're right," the little girl said to
the tall rider with a tilt of her dark curls.

"He doesn't." D'hol agreed amiably. "As a rule, most bronzes think
they are always right."

}: And I am. :{ Yumath interjected. He turned his attention to
Panitath and sighed. }: I would, but Mine promised that I would help
amuse the little girl. She is happy scratching me and is feeling
comfortable. I do want to go with you and bask in your loveliness, but
I think I am needed here. :{ There was a pause. }: Thank you for
considering what I have told you, Panitath.:{

D'hol rolled his eyes and mock whispered to Keilya. "He still thinks
he is right." He shook his head. "But then again, perhaps it was just
me who thought he was being bossy. I wasn't used to being told what to
do. I didn't like it."

}:Another time then:{ Panitath acknowledged the bronze. She would like
his company but hers had wanted her youngling to visit with Yumath's.
}:We only want ours happy,:{ she agreed.

Kielya giggled. "Mommy says Panitath is bossy too. But you have to be
stronger." She didn't know quite what that meant but she did like
talking to D'hol. "He grew very strong and handsome," she smiled up at
the man. It didn't occur to her that it was a little odd for a girl
her age to visit with a Wingleader for stories. She always got special
attention because of who her mother was. "You are stronger right?"

"Your mother is right." D'hol agreed calmly. There were times, he had
to admit, that Cyradis did have a good head on her shoulders, and she
had obviously raised their daughter well. It softened him, but only
slightly towards the woman. "I had to be. When a dragon is a
hatchling, they're like a child and you're their parent. You have to
tell them no sometimes and be strong for them. Later, when they are
older, they become more than that."

"So, do you have some cookies," she asked with her prettiest smile.

D'hol blinked and looked at the girl before bursting out in a laugh.
He recognized the smile quite well; it was his own, dimple and all. He
had used it to charm and apparently, he daughter did as well. "Well,
not with me, no." He bent to whisper softly. "But I know where to get
the best cookies."

"Oh," her eyes rounded. "Let's go." She jumped off the bronze and
grabbed his hand to pull him toward the door.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2013

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Storytime and Dragon Talk