You and Me and a B-Day Party for Three [OPEN]

”They’ve said you’re fit enough for some exercise, actually Delilah said you were fit enough for some air, she also said if I wasn’t here to force you out into the light of day she’d set Agnith on me, or if I broke you—so here I am. The day will be good for Prith, she can have a proper meal full of blood and bone snapping, and we can relax and work on your tan. Sound good?” A smile had been on his mouth the entire time, but at that last it broke into a full grin; he probably would have added more but at that very moment Sigard bustled in through the main door chittering. Though he was surprised at the flits flight—because typically he would between himself wherever he was needed, the distracting behavior was soon given reason in the bubbly if no-nonsense attitude of the woman who followed.

”Atenna,” the word slipped from his mouth with half laughter; she certainly looked as if there was something to be doing, and he hoped that maybe it would involve birthing: Perhaps G’dan could be coaxed out of bed to witness new life instead of sitting in this stone infirmary maintaining his stubbornness toward self-hatred. However, before he could forge into deeper conversation the Journeywoman barked out a command that broached no argument and Sebol found himself deferring to her rank more than he wanted to: More-so for the fact that he considered himself an ex-Herder. ”Well if it’s that important, but G’dan is coming; he needs the air, and since you’ve volunteered yourself you can help me chair-lift him to wherever we’re going.”

So they did, and though he was curious for why they were headed toward the Candidate Barracks he didn’t question it, and when he did finally see why they were there his face split into a bright smile. ”Oh, friends, this is far too kind. Daymar, did you give away my birthing day to everyone? “ Of course he knew that Xiro’el’s birthday fell shortly after his own, and there seemed to be plenty of goodies here for the lot of them: It must be a dual birthday, possibly even more than that. Honestly it warmed him—touched him more deeply than any of them would probably know, and he found that he had to focus his attention on settling G’dan down on a comfortable blanket so he wouldn’t betray the new shine to his eyes. In all honest truth this would be the first birthing day that anyone had ever celebrated for him—even his own father never had bothered.

”Thank you Reylia, and Gess,” the words turned soft for his quiet friend, but he wasn’t able to keep that happiness quiet for much longer—or rather those present weren’t as subdued with their well-wishings. Feeling much like some small lad caught with his hand in the mark-jar—or sneaking a peak up the dresses of the Gather ladies, he actually found himself blushing at Atenna’s kiss, and this wasn’t made any better when Tasa’s tiny form flung herself at him and wrapped him up in as much of a hug as she could manage. ”This means everything to me, I’d not trade you lot for Ruatha any road.” Something he had never expected to say—something he had never expected to feel, but there it was. This was his home now more than anywhere, and these lovely folks were his family. He rarely even thought about Ruatha these days aside from memories concerning the runnerfields; even fewer thoughts were allocated to his father.

”Ha,” came the laughter tinged with mirth and genuine happiness—Daymar was ever the man of emotional connection, but Sebol knew the man enough to be grateful for his appearance. Not that he was given long to think about that; he found himself swept away from the two women by an unstoppable pink tidalwave of affection as Agnith brought him down easily and lavished him with slimey tongue-kisses. Stars above give thanks that she was careful, at least with him and not so much the baskets—her ever-growing bulk meant he was an afterthought now: He was for all of the dragons. This was still a foreign concept for a man who could throw his weight against beasts of a Hold and come out the victor—there wasn’t even a chance here.

”He going to get Xiro?” Sebol queried of the retreating Wher Candidate, but it was Wonderland who answered them; flashing curious images into the ex-Herders mind that made him reconsider what was happening—and what probably would. ”I think…we are about to have a small problem, ladies and lords.” Offering them all a somewhat encouraging—if faltering smile—Sebol found his legs from the Agnith assault and waited for the inevitable. Leave it to Edison to make the party interesting—hopefully Daymar wasn’t in possession of a mug.

Of course the entire affair was playing out as brilliantly as anticipated; except for the fact that his ploy had not actually worked and Tigreath was furious—understandably so, but dangerously so. He approached the trio with empty hands; perhaps he would have used his dagger at another time, but not now—not with the young dragon so livid. ”Easy,” came the word unbidden from his turns of work with nervous animals, though he couldn’t have said later who the word was meant for—was it for the dragon and her swirling crimson eyes, the Trader who was straining against his bonds, or even Edison who seemed like this was still the best idea ever: Or for him, so he wouldn’t rush into the fray and find his body the one that Tigreath tore apart to protect her rider.

The twins, who chose that moment to appear, were as upset as Tigreath: Though they had even less of an idea why. None of this seemed to be a threat to their bonded, but yet the dragon was so angry. They chattered with uneasiness and landed—Avsiran on Xiro’el, and Sigard on Sebol—warbling at their oh-so-confusing two-leggers. Doing his best to ignore their pleas while radiating a calming presence to all the empathic creatures who were currently nearby; Sebolaren turned his attention to the tie that bound the Trader.

Luckily—or rather unluckily, Edison knew how to tie a good knot. This was good for the simple reason that even with his large fingers Sebol would be able to unbind the Trader; unluckily so because the rope had done quite the work of irritating those slender wrists—this probably wasn’t going to be the best of birthday’s after all, eh? Catching up those bound hands in one of his large and easing them closer to the man’s lower back to release tension on the rope, Sebol worked at the knot while quirking Edison a bemused look over Xiro’el’s shoulder—quite aware of the angry triangular head that hovered over all three of them. ”Next time you should kidnap me; probably cause less drama,” and that was the last word he said before the line came loose from the Trader’s wrists.

Turning back to the party in general, Sebol found himself at once accosted by Saia’s flailing and exuberant form; which he hugged gently careful to balance his weight around the angry grey pillie who was scurrying about underneath him—a smile blossoming on his face now that danger was mostly averted. ”Thank you, Saia; Happy Birthing Day to you as well, and thank you Reylia for seeing this all set up—as I know Edison didn’t do it.” Hopefully he wouldn’t be doing much else either. Releasing the bundle of fire-hued energy, Sebol closed the distance between the group and giving the Cyanpair a brief glance. There was something quite special he had for the Trader, but now that the man was so angry…well…he wasn’t entirely convinced now was the best time for it.

”I do have presents for my fellow birthingday havers,” Sebol chimed in helpfully, then he turned his attention to the Blue on his shoulder, sending him off to fetch the hidden parcel from its safe place tucked into a corner of the Hatching Sands. Only a few breaths passed before Sigard returned, lowering the bubbly-sized wherhide purse into his hands; he checked the contents briefly to ensure that they had not been disrupted—or stolen—and then he happily handed it over to his fellow Candidate.