you're the only reason [darmori!]

[Avu]

Everything was perfectly, beautifully, peacefully dark.

Vix pressed his face tighter against the pillow, aware of Tekivisk snuggled against him, half-sprawled on his back, her tongue rasping against the nape of his neck. The day after Impression had been a difficult one – and he wasn’t looking forward to waking up at all. It wasn’t Tekivisk, really – the green was actually incredibly sweet and it was so, so hard to hate her, so, so easy to fall in love with her because she loved him too, she’d wanted him where nobody else had, but the intimacy of the Bond was still something Vix fought against subconsciously. Which made for a very exhausted and irritable Vix indeed. He’d completely ignored his roommate, short of informing him that this was his bunk and his trunk and do not touch.

Rude? Incredibly, but since when had it mattered?

And anyway, Tekivisk was quick to apologize on his behalf to both bronze and handler. Pfft.

VixLove? she questioned, and her steady licking paused. Was he awake, her dearest…? The green purred questioningly, her muzzle nudging at the back of his head. Was he feeling better? Vix automatically flexed his hand at the question, the bandages wrapped around it restricting the movement, and then groaned out loud, reaching around with difficulty to swat at Tekivisk with his other hand. The wher clambered off of him immediately, coiling at the foot of the bed instead, and Vix flipped himself onto his back, passing the back of his hand across his eyes and huffing out a faintly annoyed breath.

“Off of my bed, ‘ki,” he muttered, swatting at the green again to encourage her to move. The annoyance in his tones was softened by the nickname – it had originated as a way to differentiate his own full name from the wher’s, but it had rapidly turned into just an affectionate pet name. “Off. I told you that you couldn’t share with me yesterday night too and would you please try to remember?” To his credit, the words were uttered in soft enough a tone as not to disturb his roommate – some kid that looked a lot younger than him and that had Impressed the bronze.

So sorry, VixLove. Tekivisk obediently clambered off of the cot, head up and eyes bright with hopefulness; it was night-fall again and just dark enough to go outside without discomfort, and, please, VixHersLove, please – couldn’t they go exploring? It would be so much fun; perhaps they could bring Konstask and Hers or they could see if their roommates would like to go…?

Vix narrowed his eyes at the green. “I don’t – ” He punctuated the words by rolling back over and pushing his face into the pillow again; his next words were muffled. “ – want to go exploring, can’t you just let me sleep…humans sleep at night, ‘ki, just – just – what time is it?” And, okay, he’d just said that part a bit louder than he’d meant to – plenty loud enough to attract attention. Oops. Hopefully his roommate was a very, very heavy sleeper; Vix wasn’t accustomed to having to talk to anyone else from his bed, after all.

[Rei]

Darmosk lifted his head from it’s place on the foot of his bonded’s bed. A soft wuff was given to the green across the room. Good evening sister. How was hers? Was he better? Did she want to play? He wanted oh so much to play, but he should wake his up first. Yes he should. The little bronze’s tail wagged back and forth in excitement at the thought of play and his rump wiggled as he readied himself to pounce. One, two, THREE! Darmosk counted before making a flying leap and landing directly on his bonded. Giving a startled yelp of surprise Darmori flailed mightily, batting at the hatchling who was now sprawled out on his chest and stomach.

“Get off me Mo.” The wherling shoved lightly at the beast. But, but now was the time for waking. It was dark. Time for play. Please? The small wher pleaded as he wuffed again. A happy whine and a lick to his bonded’s face was all that was needed for the ex drudge to finally relent. “Fine. Need to Feed Mony probably anyway.” Darmori mumbled as he again shoved at the mass on him. “Can’t move when you are sitting on me.” In all the excitement and waking the bronze handler hadn’t even heard most of Vix’s statement besides the tail end.

Arching in a stretch as Darmosk leapt from the bed, Darmori clucked his tongue and regarded his roommate. “Time? Er I’m not sure. Hard to tell. They keep this place really dark.” Which duh they had to, but it made trying to figure out the time a little difficult. Stumbling around in the dark the bronze wherling finally found the glow basket and half opened it to shed some light without making the whers uncomfortable. There much better. Now where were his clothes? A brief search turned up a pair of pants and a shirt and he donned them over his sleeping shorts. Darmosk the whole time bounding around him happily. Oh he was hungry. They should maybe eat first. Could his sister and hers come? They should and then could all be friends and play together. Wouldn’t that be nice? Darmori nodded slowly. His wher’s good mood was infectious and as closely bonded as they where he had to fight the desire to bounce around as well. Instead he turned his attention again to Tekivix. “uh Darmosk and I are going to go get something to eat. You guys want to come along?” Mention of food of course quickly roused Harmony.

Upon his pillow his egg heavy yellow gold mandyr opened one eye and chirped sweetly. Her pervious good mood having returned just as soon as her run had completed. Back to her old sweet, unassuming, polite self. Darmori was overjoyed with this fact. His mandyr even seemed to glow she was so happy. Pregnancy suited her well it seemed even if her appetite had increased exponentially. Walking over to her he stroked down her back earning a soft trill and a soft lick. Mornin Mori. “Morning Angel.” He repeated softly gathering her up and placing her upon his shoulder where she wrapped her tail about his neck and regarded the still lounging Vix. Wake time yes? She asked softly obviously keeping her ‘voice’ down so as not to disturb him. Originally the gold had been a little miffed to find that she had to share her space with others again. However she had quickly gotten over it. It only meant she had more eyes to watch then her babies came and possibly more people to dote on and love her. A win, win in her humble opinion.

Darmori shifted a little uncomfortably for a minute waiting for Tekivix to say something as Darmosk bounded over to his small sister. Lowering his head he affectionately licked the green's muzzle. Did she need help waking hers? It was time for them to be awake and not sleep. Maybe hers just needed a gentle push?

[Avu]

Oh, her brother was awake!

Tekivisk offered a pleasant prrrt of greeting at the bronze – she’d originally been a little awkward around him, given that he was bronze and she was just a green and she had absolutely no illusions about the fact that bronzes liked queens…but he was nice. A nice roommate, a nice friend, a nice playmate. Even if VixHers didn’t quite agree. He’d come around, she was sure. The green’s tail wagged in amusement at the bronze’s unorthodox waking methods, her mouth opening in a silent mimic of human laughter. Darmori’s yelp still elicited a worried huff from her nonetheless, though; she’d seen enough of human fragility (thank you, VixHers and Konstask’s) to feel it was necessary to peer at the bronzehandler to make sure he wasn’t, like, dying.

Vix, meanwhile, tensed under his covers and tried to burrow face-first. Maybe if he shoved hard enough into his pillow he could just kind of…become one with it. Yes. That sounded like a fine idea. He mouthed a soundless curse against the pillow as he felt another wave of I am very much awake from Tekivisk, squeezing his eyes shut tighter – nnggghh. Oh, wait. Those words were intended for him. Vix deigned to pop his head up, just enough that he could peer wearily over at his roommate, his mouth and nose still mostly buried in pillow, arms wrapping a little more possessively around it. His pillow, please and thank you (because, yes – of course Darmori’d steal it from him, right?).

“That’s just perfect,” he muttered, though it probably came out sounding more like “’s jshh pfft.” Still, Vix didn’t bother to clarify, yawning into his pillow before he unwound one arm to rub the heel of his hand into his eyes. The next question earned Darmori a blank look before Vix unwound his other arm and pushed his palms against the mattress on either side of the pillow, levering himself up before he pulled his legs up under him and swung himself off of the cot. “Yeah. Uh, yeah, sure.” At least this way Darmosk could distract Tekivisk from being too…cheerful. Okay, no, wait, he could already see that backfiring, but being too cheerful…at him.

He crinkled his nose at Harmony, not really rude but certainly not entirely polite, either. “I’m up.” Both hands were run through his hair, and he nudged his toes into the pants he’d dropped onto the floor, pulling them on. Shirt…well, whatever. Feeding Tekivisk would only get it dirty, so the one he was already wearing was just fine. Still. Just his luck that his roommate would have not only a worm, but a queen worm. Went to figure that if a worm was bad, a queen worm was the worst, right?

Tekivisk, however, had no such problems with Harmony – or anyone, really. She leaned into Darmosk’s touch, licking the bronze’s shoulder in response, practically radiating delight at having company. VixHers was up now. He was so slow, though – she apologized – but now he was ready. The green nudged her muzzle against Darmosk, huffing quietly against bronze hide. Eating first would be nice, of course, but afterwards, would he like to go exploring? She’d already been to the Infirmary – she supplied Darmosk with a flash of an image – but the Weyr was so much bigger than just that, yes?

“Food now, chat later,” Vix mumbled at Tekivisk, blinking sleepily as he headed for the door, waving at the green. As soon as he’d swung the door open and wandered into the hallway, though, he stopped short and blinked before he swiveled back on his heel to face Darmori again. “So, uh. Which way do we go again?”

Tekivisk padded out a second later and sighed in affectionate amusement at him. Oh, VixHers, so silly. Not that she could remember either (that was his job, not hers) but it was lucky they had their brother to show them, yes?

[Rei]

Darmori watched Tekivix wake for a few minutes before Darmosk gave a happy bark and butted against this hand. He was hungry and he wanted to play. His needed to hurry up obviously. With a happy wiggle he lapped at his bonded’s hand and then gave enthusiastic nuzzle to his small sister. Oh she needn’t apologize on her bonded’s account. He was sure that humans where just slow by nature. The bronze firmed his stance against his sister and looked down at her his eyes radiating contentment. Liked his clutch sister, roommate, playmate, did Darmosk.

Although to be fair there where few the bronze didn’t like as long as they offered cuddles and play. He didn’t like Disk for example but that was because his blue clutch brother sought to hurt and that could not be tolerated. The bronze took a step forward towards the door and gave a soft snort. Yes food would come first and then he would be just delighted to explore with her. It could be an adventure and they could drag theirs along of course. That was a splendid idea. Dropping his head he nuzzled her again. Smart clutch sister he had. Exploring it would be. The bronze gave his head a sharp nod and lolled his tongue out like a canine.

Harmony yawned and rubbed at her eyes from her position on her bonded’s shoulder watching the other boy quietly as he woke. Could he please hurry she was terribly hungry and her babies needed to eat she was sure. Idly she looked down at her large stomach which was a bit swollen right now with the eggs she was carrying. Soon yes she would have to find a suitable nest. It was almost time for her eggs to greet the world. She must make preparations very soon yes. A chirp was given to hers and a tug at his ear. Hungry is. Hurry please? Darmori’s hand raised to stroke along her back and he grinned at his roommate as he accepted the invitation.

Good. Maybe they could be friends after all. The other handler seemed to be kind of a grumpy sort but that was okay with the ex drudge. He could get along with practically anyone after all. Besides the green handler didn’t have half bad hair. That made him alight in Darmori’s book. Of course he would have to ask before he tried to take a lock for his collection. Still it was a little early yet to let that particular cat out of the bag. It was a good thing that they both seemed to value their privacy. Darmori wouldn’t go through Tekivix’s things. That was something he didn’t do. Sneaking around and stealing hair yes. Stealing no.

With a bright smile and a small bounce to his step the bronze handler started out after Tekivix only to stop short as the other male turned to face him. Darmosk had bounded ahead as soon as the door had opened and now the young hatchling was bouncing in the hallway and barking in encouragement to his sister. This way to the feeding room. He would show her. Come, come they should go fast. The faster they go there the faster they ate and the faster they could play. It made sense to the bronze anyway. So with a toss of his head he trotted back down the hallway to the feeding room where they would be able to carve meat for the hatchlings. Darmori watched his bronze bound down the stone hallway with a slight smile on his face. “Uh follow Darmosk. He has the right idea. It’s not to far. Hope you're not squeamish. It’s kind of gross to carve the carcasses sometimes but I’m used to it from the kitchens. If you need any help just ask.” Striding forward towards his bronze he gestured for the green handler to follow.

It was a small trip to the feeding room and Darmosk was already gripping a carcass in his teeth when Darmori entered the dimly lit room. The bronze was struggling to drag the carcass backward, whipping his head back and forth to try and tear the tough skin to get at the meat underneath. Come and play this game with him sister. It was fuuuuuun! Harmony chirped and scrambled down hers to leap onto the carcass. Her tiny claws digging into the hide to prevent a tumble. She trilled softly to the bronze, encouraging him. Hurry she was starving.

The handler placed his palm over his face and gave a soft snort. Sheesh one would think he never taught either of them any manners. Bending down he fished his boot knife from his boot and walked over to the carcass to shoo Darmosk away. “Patience is a virtue Mo. Mony get off that.” With a final exasperated look at his mindmates he again turned to the green pair. “What to just share this one? No way Darmosk could eat it all and this way we can both work on one and get it over and done with.” With a slight smile to the other lad he motioned to the carcass. “Need a knife?”

[Avu]

Mm, touch. Tekivisk leaned against her brother, offering a quiet hum of contentment. Nuzzling against him briefly, the green turned look back at Vix with a quiet bark before she scampered after her bronze brother down the hallway. The green wasn’t exactly graceful – hers was more of a bouncy gait that Vix could already tell would be so uncomfortable if he ever had to ride on her back. She still caught up with Darmosk soon enough, though, tail swaying from side to side happily like a canine’s; she threw only the barest look back at Vix to make sure he was still following before she rounded a corner in Darmosk’s wake, practically abuzz with her happiness of living.

And Faranth, but it was a long time since he’d felt anything even vaguely as content. Vix raised one hand, pressing thumb and middle finger against his temples, and exhaled wearily. “Yeah. Okay. Think I’ll just let ‘ki handle it.” She was a predator, wasn’t she? She could feed herself. Wild whers seemed to have no problem with it, after all. Vix dropped his hand, shoving one hand absently into his pocket. His other hand, wrapped with bandages and therefore too fat to stuff into a pocket, was hooked by the thumb over the waist of his pants, ambling after the two whers, face slightly averted from Darmori. Zero interest in the other handler, honestly.

He stopped dead as soon as he walked into the room, nose crinkling in a display of absolute disgust at the sight he was met with. Dead things he’d seen aplenty – but Vix had been trained as a Beastcrafter and honestly, the sight of so many carcasses turned his stomach faintly. The fact that the bronze wher and his Tekivisk, the sweet adorable little wher that wanted to cuddle with him at night were attacking one of the herdbeasts enthusiastically…did not help. Even if it was clearly just a game to Tekivisk, who had gotten ahold of a leg and was tugging back away from Darmosk, growling playfully through clenched teeth.

At least she dropped it as soon as she caught sight of them, whipping her head around to bark cheerfully in greeting. Trying not to look at the blood smeared across her muzzle, Vix exhaled in a hiss of breath, rubbing the back of his palm across his eyes. “Uh, sure, yeah…and no. I’ll borrow one of the knives they’ve got lying around here.” He gestured vaguely, shuffling away from Darmori to the knives available in the room, picking up a relatively small one. Not too unwieldy, and he felt more comfortable with something smaller anyway. “Skinning. Fun. Start at the ends and meet in the middle?”

And ugh – he was not looking forward to sitting down in the middle of this room, but Vix did it anyway, settling carefully at the dead thing’s head and leaning forward to start the skinning, using the knife to make a slit at the top of the neck. And promptly lost his tenuous hold on the flap of hide as Tekivisk curiously stuck her head under his elbow, jostling his arm to lean forward and lick at the blood that seeped from the cut, prrrrtting in pleasure and deciding it was a good idea to ignore the halfhearted scowl he offered her.