Take My Heart

Writers: AL, Chelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 7th March 2014

Characters: Briata, Rhosyn, Y'gel
Description: Rhosyn gives Nisheyl to her fosterparents.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 28 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Gelira, N'vanik, K'sedel

Briata

Y'gel

Rhosyn had waited a few sevendays before thinking it was time. She did
want at least a little practice at this mothering thing. Besides, she
had to physically recover before she could go back to her duties.
Nisheyl wasn't a bad baby really, from what everyone said, but she was
still a baby. She was demanding and she needed things. It was like a
dragon, but worse. Orlaith was curious about the whole thing.

Still, time went by and she had to admit that it was time. She
couldn't do it all. She had to get back to work. She had to give her
away. It wasn't like she was going far. She was going to be with
people Rhosyn knew and trusted. She was going to be loved. Sighing,
she waited in her sitting room for the foster parents to arrive.

Briata had insisted that Y'gel be with her when the time came for
Rhosyn to pass the child to them. After all, he would be Nisheyl's
foster father and it wouldn't do not to have a proper introduction.
They had, of course, had some time with the child, but this was a more
formal passing along. Once more, Briata was grateful she'd never
stood to Impress. She couldn't imagine handing her own children over
to someone else, even someone she trusted - not for more than a little
while to allow her a break. As they arrived, she lifted a hand and
rapped lightly on the door.

Y'gel had never admitted as much to anyone but he was a little
uncertain about the whole fostering thing. He was just a little set in
his ways and the past turn had set all that on its ear. First getting
through to Briata that he loved her, then weyrmating and the arrival
of their son. Now this. It was a bit more than the mature dragonrider
could have expected just a turn ago.

All that didn't mean he didn't_want_ it of course, but that didn't
make him any more comfortable. Much more and they'd need a bigger weyr.
Nevertheless, he acquiesced to Briata's request he accompany her to
pick up their new charge. He really was proud of her. Briata was a
very good mother and he could see why Rhosyn would choose her to
foster her new daughter. And so it was with a genuine smile he waited
for the door to open.

"Come on in," she called as she watched the baby looking at her from the
small cradle she had her in. She was quiet but her eyes were open. Quietly,
Rhosyn smiled down at her. "Little bit, you're going to go to your new parents
now. They're going to keep you safe."

It warmed Briata's heart to see that smile, but she couldn't help but
disagree with the statement that was uttered from Rhosyn's lips as
they stepped through the doorway. "No, Rhosyn, you will always be her
mother. I'm merely a foster." Brigel tilted his head from his
position on his back to peer over his mother's shoulder at the
Weyrwoman and the child. He babbled incoherently as if to greet the
goldrider and her child.

Y'gel grinned at Brigel. "Starting early aren't you," he said with
fatherly pride.

"Briata if something ever happened to me, you will be her family. So I
want you to think of her as yours so that she will think of you as
hers." Sighing, she got up and pulled Nisheyl out of the cradle. Since
Brigel was with Briata, she moved to hand over the little girl to
Y'gel. He had a daughter already so maybe it would be easier to do it
again. "Here. Oh and I forgot to tell you, N'vanik will probably bug
you for the rest of her life."

Y'gel took the little bundle and looked tenderly down into the little
face. He knew what was in store even though this little one had yet to
assert her personality onto the world. "Oh," he replied with a smile.
"I rather imagined he would."

"Any good father would." Briata's smile shone down upon the wee child.
Only a few sevendays old, she'd already sprouted and had grown enough
to see the difference. "I imagine her mother will do the same." There was
a glance cast at the goldrider.

Rhosyn didn't comment that she didn't know if K'sedel would or not. As it was,
it was enough to know that Nisheyl would be cared for and she wouldn't have to
worry. One less thing for her to keep in the back of her mind when there were so
many. "At least until she's old enough to take care of herself."

Knowing what this meant, she thought it would be easier if it were
over sooner or later. If she kept putting it off, she might rethink herself.
"Hopefully she'll sleep for you."

Y'gel watched Rhosyn's face. She didn't seem particularly maternal but
then she was adept at hiding her emotions when she chose. "You're
welcome anytime, Rhosyn and when you have time and want to see her,
just tell Orlaith and one of us can bring her over."

"Thank you both for agreeing to this. I know it's an extra duty, but
it will be a great help to me and I think it will be a benefit to her
in many ways." Thinking about how to say it, Rhosyn looked up and then
looked at Briata and Brigel. "If you can...take her now. I...if you
don't take her now...I might try to change my mind even though I
can't. Please?"

"Alright," Y'gel said softly and turned toward the door. He knew
better than to ask again. It was the way of the Weyr and the babies
were always loved and cared for by someone. It this case, he got to be
that someone and though his heart was lonely for Gelira this little
one was already worming her way into his heart. He held the door open
with his back for Briata and threw one last smile at Rhosyn. She'd
visit... he just knew she would.

And that gave Briata the confirmation. Rhosyn did love her child.
How could she not. As the two headed for the door, Briata cast a last
small smile. She would make sure the child was cared for and knew
that she was loved - by both of her mothers.

Last updated on the March 21st 2014

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Take My Heart