At Least Someone's Happy {Kila}

[Admin]

Promise me that you'll leave the light on,
To help me see with daylight, my guide, gone,
'cause I believe there's a way you can love me,
Because I say.

Osro was being babysat by Kalith and Afzal. One might think the idea of leaving your four month old son in the care of a dragon and a firelizard would be bad parenting, but Fajra could write a paper detailing why it was perfectly acceptable. If she could be convinced it wouldn't be a total waste of her time. First, she was nearby, going over old and new reports about renegade this and predicted tithes that and requests for info on this part of the Weyr or that part of the island. Almost six sevendays of maternity leave was the most anyone had convinced her to take, and she done work even then. She was at least no longer handling every detail, actually allowing people like the Weyrleader to handle wings and a few other things. Not that she was talking to him much more except about that work. Second, the Weyrwoman knew exactly what her pet and dragon were thinking every moment. There was deep trust for both of them. Her and Kalith were one in the same, connected, even with the differences they had. Third, even Afzal was probably smarter as the infant was for the time being, and the bronze flit had much better motor skills and agility. Osro had only just began to be able to roll over if he really tried. His abilities to flee a constantly hovering Afzal and watchful Kalith and get into trouble were greatly limited.

Anyway, he was much more absorbed with trying to mimic the facial expressions of his nannies, which was very hard and frustrating considering he lacked eyeridges, a muzzle, headknobs, or swirling multifaceted eyes. He couldn't be faulted for effort, contorting his mouth, cheeks, and eyebrows in all sorts of ways as he also tried to keep his blue eyes trained on an ever moving Afzal. Though she had one eye open and fixed on her rider's offspring, Kalith was not as much a worrywart as the bronze nuisance and reclined leisurely in the summer sun on her ledge. If anyone needed to be bitten, clawed, or dropped from on high, she was up for the task, but she was good with relaxing as long as the thing was being quiet. And not strange, which it typically was. After lazying for a while, she became curious about it some more. She raised her head and moved it so she could look down at the tiny little creature. He fixed his attention on her, and tried to reflect her face, sticking out his lips in a pucker and bugging out his eyes till he went cross eyed. She huffed at him, blowing warm air over him. He collapsed into giggles. She blinked the outer lids of her eyes. I am still not convinced he is sane, Mine; she commented.

"He's simply exhibiting normal curiosity. And an extremely cheerful disposition. Unlike your children, he cannot speak yet and doesn't understand most of what goes on around him. Humans development almost fifteen times slower than dragons do;" came the crisp, loudly spoken reply through a doorway off as her rider choose to physically answer. She gave off the clear impression 'leave me alone' and 'stop saying things about my son' behind her cool tone, things intended for just her dragon to pick up on, which the copper did. Her mind was absorbed with something else. Something Kalith did not care about. Her only suggestion to what her rider was busy with was tearing apart the renegades the next time they showed up. Paperwork was not the concern of a Queen; flights to the waste and wing practices and being regal were all she needed to take care of. That, and the miniMine. The lithe copper gave another huff, which sent Osro into more giggles that made him rock back and forth. Afzal twittered at her, which made her snap at the little twerpy creature. She was in charge! He was just helping, so he did not get to give picture after picture about how she was just encouraging the pink, squashy humanet. Just because he was the father of half her Weyr's flitters did not mean he knew best! She'd been the actual mother of a healthy clutch! She jabbed pictures at the little annoyance to make her point, since he never understood words, till the bronze fell quiet.

Sensing his nannies argument, Osro had gone quiet too, but appeared to be just falling asleep. Conceding he was losing, Afzal settled down on the blanket where the baby lay and curled up. Content with being winner, Kalith smirked as only a dragon can and sprawled out more on her ledge to sleep in the sun more. Both of her eyes were covered for a moment, but then she opened one. She had to watch Osro, asleep or not. She had to protect him. And someone was coming. She sniffed the air and raised her head, turning it to face out rather than in to see who it was. It, or more, he, smelled very familiar.

I'm not gonna write you a love song,
'cause you asked for it,
'cause you need one, you see,
I'm not gonna write you a love song.

[Kila]

"You seem awfully cheerful today, Daido, old fellow," O'sho commented from where he was going over papers at his desk. The Weyrleader had not failed to notice that his great Bronze had awoken that day in an unceremoniously good mood. Since the moment Daidoroth had opened his eyes, he had been particularly jolly. Why? No reason, Own. Besides, do I need one?[/color] The sunshine had dazzled his eyes and the fresh air had tickled his nostrils- the day promised endless possibilities if only he chose to take them.

"And what is the object of your attention and affection today?" O'sho asked quite unnecessarily. Daidoroth was gazing over his ledge fondly at Kalith's unmistakable, brilliant hide. She was ever the silent object of affection, awe, and desire, and the continued simplicity of his emotions warmed O'sho's heart. Had Fajra not miraculously consented to giving him some work to do, quite grudgingly he imagined, he would be laying on the ledge too, staring down at his little son that he loved so well. "How are they?"

Brilliant; beautiful,[/color] he rumbled happily. Your hatchling sleeps under the well watch of my Queen and the other little one, who is much better with children than your little black one.[/color] O'sho smiled and leaned back in his chair, pleased by the report and tickled by his bonded's forwardness. Oblivion, ever the blemish on the canvas, hissed grumpily from a corner.

"Where are you going, Daido?" O'sho asked when the Bronze suddenly rose to his feet with decision and spread his great wingspan. It is a beautiful day- I am going to see yon beautiful dragoness below,[/color] he replied, and launched himself into the sky.

The day truly was beautiful, and the sun and the wind felt fantastic on his hide as he soared down towards Kalith. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?[/color] he riddled in greeting, his good mood infectious and his tone playful. As always, he approached her with reverence. Hello, beautiful Kalith,[/color] he rumbled, hovering near the edge when he reached her. May I join you for a while? [/size]

[Admin]

I will never let you fall,
I'll stand up with you forever,
I'll be there for you through it all.

Kalith rumbled a pleased greeting at the sight of Daidoroth approaching. My name; she responded to his riddle, with a mental roll of her eyes. She had a limited tolerance for such things. Not that she wasn't good at them. She simply had a lack of patience for word games as a whole, simply because she lacked a lot of patience for most things. Never for Daidoroth, though, never a lack of patience for him. He was her shining mate in bronze armor.

Plus, he was so entirely flattering to her, which any Queen could understand and appreciate. Hello Daidoroth. Of course you may come and join me; she replied to his request with royal dignity to mask how happy she was for his company. She would never be overeager for anything. Not even Daidoroth. She liked to play a bit of aloofness, like her rider always did. Though, of course, her rider took aloofness to the extreme at times. The only things she would show affection towards were her beautiful dragon and her son.

Rising to her feet, the copper carefully picked her way back, settling so her shoulders rested in line with the edge of Osro's blanket. Hers would be upset if she laid on her hatchling. They were very delicate, human children, just like eggs. She would certainly be very upset if someone laid on any of her eggs. Once she was composed again into her effortless posture of repose, there was enough space on her ledge for Daidoroth to land. Just enough. She hadn't been that generous. She wanted to keep enjoying some sunlight.

How are you and Yours? Less sun was well worth basking in having Daidoroth call her beautiful and everything. With most dragons, she would get huffy about it at some point and get tired of their affections, but she adored Daidoroth paying attention to her. It made her feel special. She liked being special. Being special was more important than being the Queen. They were not one and the same. She was special like this only for Daidoroth, just like he was special to her.

Seasons are changing,
And waves are crashing,
And stars are falling all for us.

[Kila]

Of course your name, for such as the likes of I never have it off our minds or not on our lips. Surely Pern sings your praises every day, as does even the sun when you steal its rays and make them even more stunning. You alone could hardly use your own name as much as the rest of the admiring world. What is in a name? I hope you appreciate the regalness of your title and never tire of it, for only you can rightly wear it,[/i] Daidoroth recited with perfect sincerity. His words were old-fashioned, like his riddling, but every bit sincere.

The Bronze did not usually lavish Kalith with such attentions, for she often mirrored the irritability of her rider and he felt it more prudent to give her a respective distance. From such a length he was free to admire and throw in the occasional compliment, but rarely did he draw close and audaciously decorate her with the emotions of his heart which he thought she so deserved. The brightness of the day and his queer invincible mood practically begged for him to earnestly spend time with the dragoness that he so admired and loved- the one he was so lucky to call his weyrmate and his Queen.

I thank you very much, [/i] he crooned when Kalith indulged his request and moved aside so there was enough space for him to lay with her on the ledge. There was not an excess of space, but that way perfectly fine with the King, for it meant that he would have to lay close. Folding his wings thoughtfully against his back, he settled down comfortably on the other side of Osro. His tail curved and brushed against Kalith's, curling around it loosely with the utmost of tender affection in the small touch. What warmth from light she lost in making room for him he would supply with his own body heat, which radiated soothingly from his hide. He was a darker shade than she, and had already soaked up a great deal of sun on his own ledge.

I am very well today, as is Mine, thank you, [/i] he replied to her question. I think it must be something in the beautiful day that it is making us feel so, though even the day is not as beautiful as certain other things that grace the Weyr daily,[/i] Daidoroth spoke, looking at her pointedly. His logic was slightly false in assuming that the day had gotten to the Weyrleader, though he too was well. It was perhaps only that the day had gotten to Daidoroth, which was what tickled O'sho so. The other beautiful thing in the Weyr, a certain dragoness, got to him every day.

And how are you and Yours? And it-[/i] he inclined his head slightly towards the baby. Moving his head a little closer he studied Osro for a while. Ours care for it... him very much. I do believe our hatchlings were far more capable and endearing, though,[/i] he said with the faintest hint of loving pride.[/size]

[Admin]

I almost fell into that hole in your life,
And you're not thinking about tomorrow,
Cause you were the same as me.

Kalith gave a humming rumble in response to his praises of her name and title, only half comprehending everything that he said because she didn't care to recall it. Her outer lids were half closed. Hearing those sweet everythings was nicer in his voice. They were a quick speech to be cherished, not something to hold onto forever. It was not in her nature, or in most dragons' natures, to remember and recall everything. A Queen could, if she wished, if she needed. Some whites or grays or yellows might. Not her. The joy was in the moment, of that moment there with Daidoroth. Her, HER, bronze.

One eye slide all the way open again as their tails intertwined. She turned her head and tilted it at him, considering him with that one, critical eye. It shone a content blue-green, gently swirling. He was warm. He was strong. He was her, HER, her bronze. She strummed another pleased, wordless note, and rested her head on one of her front legs. It was the most she would do to show her approval of him. That, and not giving him a full set of scars for daring to approach and touch her without express permission on her part. To her, much could be solved with a bit of violence when necessary.

The copper ignored the poignant look in her direction about other things that were beautiful in the Weyr besides the weather. All flattering could be ignored for the most part. She didn't need him to say it. Of course, it was nice, but she didn't have to encourage it. She knew she was beautiful, smart, and amazing. She was all confidence. She was Queen. She raised her head one more time at his question, settling it near his so she could consider Osro more herself. Mine and I are well. She cares for her . . . baby . . . very much too. I do agree our children are much better; she replied.

Afzal eyed the pair of large dragons. Then he rose from his resting place, which had somehow ended up being right between them, and launched himself into the air. He flitted away. His bonded had called him. She waited expectantly, a note clasp in one hand, at her desk, looking dead serious. He landed on the wooden surface, rising onto his haunches and extending his forefeet to her in anticipation for the job she had. She gave a picture, of someone he was very familiar with, and thrust the note into the grip of his claws. He was smart, and big enough, to grasp the paper.

Falling off the side of the desk, he swept his wings down and caught himself quickly. Then he popped into the dark void. He burst from the blackest blackness a moment later, circled once, and dropped the note onto the head of the working Weyrleader. One side held a portion of illegible scrawls. The other held something more recent that was written in a tight, precise, firm script. 'Dear O'sho, Must we really allow them to carry on like that? Kalith is supposed to be watching Osro. I think her and Daidoroth canoodling might be detrimental to that. Sincerely, Fajra.'

And angels fall without you there,
And I go on as you get colder,
Or are you someone's prayer.