Milk and Cookies (Darmori)

[Rei]

Darmori gave a chuckle. “Oh I don’t know. I’ve never tasted grass? It might be okay tasting.” He was mainly joking but well what if it was? Herdbeast ate it didn’t they? And a bunch of other things did on occasion too. Hmm. Maybe he’d have to test it sometime. Just in case. The bronzehandler was growing quite comfortable with this small tea party. Maybe they could make this a normal thing? Like once a sevenday or something? They could even invite Vix or a couple of the others on occasion maybe. That would be awesome! Smiling at Ximera he grabbed another cookie and breaking a piece off offered it to Harmony before taking a large bite.

His fellow handler’s blush didn’t go unnoticed but Darmori was rather confused as to why she was blushing. Had he said something embarrassing? Hopefully not! That would be bad. Trying to smooth it over with a broad grin he chuckled. “Maybe but I think you’re much better at it than me. People would probably end up with lots of dandelions of I was doing this on my own.” The teen was only partially joking. They probably would. Or just whatever he managed to grab that looked really pretty.

Leaning back in his chair as Darmori finished the cookie he sipped at his tea as he waited. “Daisies? That sounds good! Perfect actually." He gave a knowing nod. "Alright well that takes care of Nautic and Eikane.” Writing that down in a mental list he gave a nod. That was a good choice. Blinking as Ximera mentioned Dmitri the bronzehandler gave a slight smile. “Oh he’s not all that bad. He may be a little scary but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hurt anyone. I don’t mind him really. Maybe we should give him something really cheerful to drown out the scary though? Like maybe we could give him the sunflowers?” That image was a bit funny really and he chuckled. In an attempt to soothe his friend he kept going. “They’re as tall as him too. Who knows maybe he has a secret love of bright cheerful flowers?” It was silly maybe but stranger things had been true.

Darmosk kept going, charging down the hallway after Ximesk and his runaway barrel. Head lowered and muscles sending him surging forward the bronze even started to gain on the other wher. Only to realize that his blue brother had stopped because…..oh darn. Dead end. With a frantic whimper the large bronze tried to stop his forward momentum, talons scrambling for purchase on the rock and sending up a loud squealing like nails on a chalk board.

Legs coming out from underneath him the large bronze crashed to the floor with a loud thump and slid into his brother bowling him over as well. With a wuff he raised his head from the tangle of bronze and blue and shook it to clear it. Whoops. Was brother dearest okay?

[Requiem]

She did not at all agree with this claim that grass possibly tasted good, but Ximera didn't often argue with people. (It might be funny to see Darmori try that grass if it came to it, too.) His continued praise of her was met with silence and a little shifting as the girl hoped he'd simply change the topic. Let it go. Praise made her feel strange when she didn't deserve it.

Darmori was given a smile in return for his agreement, the girl sipping at her tea and trying not to make too many faces at his defense of Dmitri. (She was not at all sure about that man.) "A sunflower would be nice." And she'd get Darmori to give it to him. The thought of touching the bluehandler's hand made her shudder slightly. "We should got an orchid for Yoalla. And a tiger lily for Piden."

Crossing her legs neatly in front of her, she set about thinking harder on the others. Marsayis she'd never met, after all. Kostya was nice but she still had trouble thinking up a flower for him...and what about Roivao? Maybe something simple? "Do you think Roivao would like a tulip?" she questioned. Then her eyes focused on Darmori. "And you know Tekivix the best. What flower would /he/ like?"

Oh no! Ximesk could tell that Darmosk was not ever, ever going to be able to stop in time. The bronze's limbs were going every which way, but he wasn't slowing down much at all. The blue hunkered down as much as he could behind the barrel while trying to dart out of the way at the same time. Unfortunately, that was far too many directions to keep track of all at once for the poor wher. He got his own legs all tangled up just in time for Darmosk to hit the milk barrel.

And spill over it. First the barrel knocked the air from Ximesk, then Darmosk flopped on top of him in a sprawl of limbs. Ximesk squashed as flat as his chubby body could be squashed, limbs scrambling for purchase as he fought for breath. His bronzebrother was heavy! Off, off please! But Darmosk was all dazed or something and so not moving.

In the end, Ximesk had to squirm out from beneath Darmosk to get a good lungful of air, the panic subsiding as he found breathing easier. He simply lay there, breathing. Well, he was better now than he had been, the blue responded to his brother, apparently fine with the weight on him as long as it wasn't constricting his chest. And they had the milk now! They'd won, hadn't they?

[Rei]

Darmori wasn’t quite sure why Ximera was making so many faces but he guessed it had something to do with Dmitri since that happened to be the current topic. Hmm. Well to each his own he supposed. The scarred bluehandler did indeed seem to be a stoic sort most of the time. The bronzehandler never understood why really, but then he didn’t worry about it either. As long as everyone got included there was no issue as far as Darmori was concerned. He smiled at her recommendations. “That’s perfect. Especially Piden’s.” Sipping at his tea he watched his friend think. Who did they have left? Marsayis? Kostya, (who for some reason seemed to hate him), Roivao and Tekivix. Was that it? Seemed so.

Blinking at Ximera’s question the bronzehandler tilted his head. “Sure I think Roi would like a tulip. Or maybe something like a daffodil would be nice too?” Trailing off he debated that before the bluehandler across from him spoke up again. Looking back at her Darmori gave a light smile. “Yeah I suppose I know him well enough. He was my roommate for a long time. He’s not really the flower sort though. He likes complicated things and puzzles better. But if I had to pick a flower for him maybe an iris? I think they look complicated enough to keep his attention for at least a little bit.” Yep an iris would probably work real well.

As far as the last two handlers went however Darmori hadn’t the faintest clue. Was there a flower that was mean? Like one of those carnivorous jungle ones? Maybe they could get one of those for Kostya. He didn’t speak the words out loud but it was kind of funny to him. “So then. What do we have on the list and who’s left? Maybe if we can’t think of a fitting one we could just random give them something?”

Darmosk crooned as Ximesk half squirmed out from under him. The bronze finally finding his legs enough to make shifting to free the blue easier. He rumbled in amusement. Whoops he had not meant to smush Ximeskbrother at all. But he was glad that brother dear was no longer quite as smushed.

Wiggling excitedly as the blue gave a question he wuffed. Yes they had the milk and it seemed somewhere along the way they had lost their pursuers as well. That indeed seemed to be victory didn’t it? So yes they had won. Rolling completely off his brother he sneezed and then lightly nosed at the barrel. Now what? Darmosk asked of his chubby brother, the bronze still sprawled on his side and giving a wher grin to his sibling complete with muzzle lick.

[Requiem]

Ximera smiled when Darmori agreed, then nodded her own agreement. "Yes, a daffodil for Roivao would be better, I think." And she was more than willing to go with Darmori's assessment regarding Tekivix. The girl knew him somewhat, but the bronzehandler definitely knew him better than she did. It was only natural to leave the choice up to him in such circumstances.

"It leaves Kostya and Marsayis," she responded thoughtfully. Ximera didn't even notice that she was tapping her spoon against the cup as she considered. What to get those two? "Kostya should get a rose," she decided after a moment. He was her night in shining armor - so to speak - after all. Guardians always wore roses in their lapels, didn't they? "A rosebud."

Now there was only Marsayis. But she had no clue with him. The man didn't seem to exist outside his small apartment. "Maybe he can get the tulip. I think I've forgotten what he even looks like, he comes out so rarely," Ximera added with a wrinkling of the skin above her nose. The mystery man. Who knows? He might even be a cave troll, hiding out in Kostya's room and holding Kostya hostage. She hadn't seen him in a very long time, either.

The smaller of the two male whers wriggled out a little farther when Darmosk shifted his weight, but still didn't remove himself far enough so as not to be touching. There really wasn't a need for that much distance. Well they were agreed then. Victory! The two whers had braved the dangers of the kitchens and successfully stolen the milk. Wait...now what?

Well, now they drank from the barrel, of course! But as Ximesk nudged it to find the best way to do just that, he realized something quite depressing. The lid was wedged tight. Now who would do a thing like that?! Milk was meant for drinking, not sealing in impenetrable containers. The blue whined softly to his clutchbrother, before an idea struck him.

Well, of course! All they had to do was open it, and it didn't have to be the lid that opened. If they dropped it far enough...but they'd need something to catch it, too. What did Darmosk think? What would be the best thing to use so that when the barrel broke none of the milk escaped? (It would be such a shame to go to all this trouble and only end up with part of the milk!)

[Rei]

Darmori tried to stop his nose from wrinkling as Kostya and Marsayis were mentioned. Indeed only them left. Harmony tilted her head as Ximera started tapping the spoon against her cup, the large gold bringing her tail up to attempt the same thing with the appendage. With a soft smile Darmori stroked down the large mandyrs back earning him a pleased trill and an affectionate nuzzle to his finger tips. When the girl spoke as to her choice for Kostya the bronzehandler declined comment. It probably wouldn’t be a good thing to say that he wanted to give the guy a carnivorous smelly jungle flower instead. Ximera seemed to like the greenhandler for whatever reason. So then it was her choice on what to give him in the end. Draining the rest of his tea in one big gulp he murmured. “Sure that’s fine.” Before rapidly moving onto the next topic. Get away from Kostya yeah.

“Hmm we could give Marsayis the tulip but since he hides all the time what about a morning glory? They hide a lot too.” Plus they came in some rather dark shades. It kinda fit. Maybe. “He really doesn’t come out often does he? Makes me wonder if he gets sick easily or something.” Or maybe he just didn’t like people much, like Dmitri. Really anything was possible considering the bluehandler didn’t interact enough with the rest of the grouping for anyone too know for sure. Except maybe Eikane who handled everything. He might know what was wrong with Marsayis. If anything was. Hmm. “Is that everyone then? We should get started if we want to get this done and get everyone their flowers tonight.” Darmori decided with a nod and a grin. “The tea was lovely do you want some help cleaning up?” Yes thankies Sweet Girlie. Harmony interjected with a soft hum. As he moved to help pick things up Darmori glanced at the doorway. The whers had certainly been gone for awhile now…

Darmosk tilted his rather large head. Well of course. Why didn’t he think of that. To the victors go the spoils. Head tilting the other way he regarded the barrel for a moment as Ximesk nudged along it. About the same time the thought dawned on his chubby brother it also dawned on the bronze. Drinking milk was all well and good but how were they supposed to get it out? As the blue underneath him asked the very same question Darmosk rose to his feet and padded over to the mild barrel, examining it carefully.

Well there had to be some way. As Ximesk explained his plan Darmosk crooned. Yes that could work. But they did need something big enough to hold it hmm. There were big containers of water by the feeding grounds. What if they got the barrel into one of the empty ones somehow and then broke it in there. Like this? Backing up Darmosk reared up onto his hind legs and bought his forepaws down to smack them against the ground. They could break it easily he thought. But his brother dearest was right about needing something to catch the milk, thus the water tubs? Unless Ximesk had a better idea? The barrel was rather largish. The bronze reached over to give his brothers head an affectionate lick. How did humans get the milk out anyway?

[Requiem]

Curious. Did Darmori not like Kostya very much? He certainly had a queer look on his face, and was pretty quick to change the topic. Ximera let him, though. His business. For now. She hmm'd to herself. "Morning glory does sound better, yes." Well, now that that was all figured out..A grateful smile was given Darmori as he moved to help her clear everything up.

The child took Darmori's hand in hers and tugged him out into the hallway, eager to find the flowers now. She brought along a basket to hold them in. Ximera stepped surely through the night, knowing exactly where she was even without Ximesk. Funny thing about humans. They adapted. Including eyesight. Soon they were well on their way to having most of the flowers they needed. "Is it weird?" she asked him abruptly, glancing at Harmony. Ximera found more and more that she wanted a salamandyr like most of the ones running around the apartments, but there was the Running problem.

Ximesk thought about that. Well, yes, they should be able to break it that way, and then it wouldn't run away and waste all that precious milk. He snorted softly at Darmosk's question, pawing at the lid to the barrel. Well, they opened this with a long metal claw, but he and his clutchbrother didn't have claws near long enough. Yes, they should go get those water tubs. But what about the milk? If they left it here, someone might try to steal it.

Ximesk positioned himself behind the barrel, rolling it much slower than he had originally toward the apartments so they could take the tunnel up top where all the animals - and thus the water tubs - were. Aren't you going to help me, clutchbrother? he questioned Darmosk. These milk barrels could get heavy after awhile of pushing them up a steep slope.

When Ximesk emerged into the moonlight, he was quick to flop down - though not before making sure the milk barrel didn't try to escape him - tired already. Heavy! He lifted his head to look in the direction of the penned animals. So far still! Couldn't Darmosk just caaarryy him? He turned pleading eyes on his big brother, perhaps overdramaticizing it just a bit.

[Rei]

The cleanup went rather quickly. Or so Darmori thought. Much quicker with two people. He put his hands on his hips and regarded the now clean apartment before his hand was suddenly claimed by Ximera. He found himself being tugged eagerly toward the hallway. With a wide smile the bronzehandler allowed the younger girl to guide him, automatically raising an arm for his large golden mandyr to fly too. Harmony had too many problems flying outdoors. The tiniest bit of wind was prone to carry her much too far, and on windy nights? Forget it. She had gotten pretty lost once and since then he had been terribly careful with her. As she landed on his forearm and folded her large wings the teen glanced questioningly down at her. Tail wrapping tightly around his arm and claws carefully grasping him the gold chirped softly up at him. Well he supposed she could ride there for awhile if she was comfortable.

Darmori exited the apartment with Ximera at a decent clip and trotted along happily by her side as they perused the foliage for the flowers that they wanted. Sometime during the bending and picking of flowers Harmony had gotten tired of clinging to the handler’s arm and made her way to her customary spot on her bonded’s shoulder. Tail wrapping around his throat as an anchor she regally watched the two humans in their flower picking endeavor. It was fun easy companionship and Darmori found himself enjoying it as he always did.

He was working on finding the perfect color of orchid when Ximera spoke up. For a minute he owlishly blinked at her before her realized what she was glancing at. “Is what weird? Having Harmony? Not really? She’s great. I love her. I had her even before I got Darmosk. She’s pretty much the most important thing ever to me.” Love Mori. The gold echoed, affectionately nuzzling and rubbing her body up against his neck. “I suppose the only thing that’s awkward is when she gets all glowy. But then I don’t really remember it and Darya’s real nice.” The emotional run off was pretty bad too but Darmori hardly knew where he started and Harmony began anymore. So it wasn’t even something he really worried about. Just had gotten used to. “I really like having her. Are you thinking about maybe getting one?”

Darmosk listened to his brother quietly, tongue lapping at a spot on his shoulder, as he explained about the humans. Hmm well it simply wouldn’t do to get the milk stolen when they had come all this way already. For a few moments he watched as Ximesk pushed the barrel. Then with a bark he tossed his head back. Well of course he would help! Drawing up beside his smaller and chubbier brother the bronze lowered his head to help push the barrel up the slope as well. He wasn’t so sure about all this heavy business though. It didn’t seem so bad to him? They again Darmosk was large for a bronze. Even a half wild one.

As they emerged into the rather bright moonlight the bronze did a happy wiggle. Look they were getting much closer. Now they could see their destination at least. A concerned look was given to Ximesk as he flopped however. Oh dear. Nudging softly at his sibling Darmosk considered the request and then decided. Yes. He assured his smaller brother. He could carry him for awhile until the blue was rested. Crouching he gave a grin to his sibling. Careful of the claws brother. Once they were settled the bronze, with his seemingly endless supply of energy, set to pushing the milk barrel towards the pens an excited energy to each step. Soooo close.

[Requiem]

Darmori's confused answer didn't do much to clear things up for her, aside from making her wish for one a little more. Harmony was just so nice and they seemed so interesting as a whole. She'd seen some of the runs, though. Especially the other gold's, with the three men in the common room, and it frightened her. (Ximera was secretly glad that Ximesk was awkward when he chased. If he chased.)

"I don't know," she responded honestly, adding a glorious tiger lily to her small collection for Piden. "I was maybe thinking about it a little." The girl glanced over at Harmony again, nibbling at her lip lightly. "It's just...I've never...and I shouldn't." A vague way to begin her statement, indeed. The girl found herself blushing at the thought of what she was trying to say. She hoped the darkness and keeping her eyes on the ground would mask it.

After a moment, she ventured a look at Darmori, shy. "Ximesk has never won. So I haven't..." The second attempt didn't go much better than the first, but it was still probably easier for him to understand. "And I shouldn't. I'm not supposed to." Ximera couldn't say why, of course. No one was supposed to know that she was the Prince's intended. They could use her against him and that would just be terrible! "I probably shouldn't then, right?" It made her a little sad. She did like them so.

Ximesk was quickly coming to the decision that Darmosk was his favoritest brother ever. Perhaps even his favoritest wher, though he did like his dam and his sire a lot, too. The bronze was just ever so handy on these schemes of his, doing whatever Ximesk asked of him. (Not that the blue had the temprament to take advantage of it in any way that was just too terrible. He wasn't that sneaky.)

The blue crooned thankfully to Darmosk and forced himself back onto his pads with a little huff. The smaller wher draped himself over his brother very, very carefully, lying with his limbs dangling down over the bronze's flanks and his head resting on the top of Darmosk's. This was surprisingly comfortable! He nuzzled the male lightly, adjusting a bit when his brother stood so he wouldn't slide off.

Yes, so very close, Ximesk agreed. More than content and just a little excited himself at the prospect of milk so close at claw. Soon they would be lapping it up. He'd even share his milk with his clutchbrother for being so helpful, the blue shared with Darmosk delightedly. Oh, yes, he was decidedly grateful. It seemed very unlikely he would have been able to rescue the milk from the evil drudges without a Darmosk to help him.

[Rei]

Darmori nodded as Ximera spoke eyes automatically going to Harmony when the handler confessed not to know if she did or not. To be honest at the time he impressed Harmony the boy hadn’t been sure either. He had been bathing with a few of the other candidates when the eggs started hatching and found himself enamored with the little creatures. Despite rules that stated that candidates couldn’t have mandyrs he had stuck around. Solely because well there were flits in that clutch too. And babies were hard to resist and the handler had always wanted a pet. Harmony was more of a happy accident than anything else. One that he never really had brought himself to regret. Ximera’s further stuttering did nothing to clear up Darmori’s confusion unfortunately. She never and shouldn’t what? Try and impress a pet? Whatever it was the girl fell suddenly quiet eyes focused on the ground and the teen was at a loss. What did he do now?

Eventually he defaulted to finally picking an orchid. Moving over to place the flower in the basket. The silence was very uncomfortable and the bronzehandler was just wracking his brain for something to say when his friend piped up again. Ximesk had never won? Won what? So she hadn’t…..hadn’t? The answer came to him after a moment and his eyes widened to near comical proportions. Oh….oh dear. Well then. This was mildly uncomfortable. Darmori rubbed the back of his neck. “Er well. Darmosk won once and with Mony yeah…. But I don’t remember? Are we not supposed to do that stuff? I….I really don’t remember any of it. So does that still count?” Hopefully those things didn’t make him a bad person? The handler honestly didn’t remember and had no clue why he always ended up naked and tangled with someone. He knew either Darmosk or Harmony was the reason somehow, but not much else. He always made sure to get dressed quickly and apologize for whatever. But maybe he was doing it wrong? Honestly he wasn’t sure. It didn’t happen often and the whole thing honestly just confused him in a lot of ways. Luckily the people he ended up with were very nice. Well except for that time with Vix and Kostya. He still wasn’t sure what had happened that time and it had been beyond awkward and uncomfortable to deal with. So the handler kinda just…tried to forget that time. Hmm whoops seemed he had gotten far too tangled with his own thoughts.

“I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to. I guess that’s a good reason not to get a mandyr. I didn’t know they all did that?” Honestly he just thought maybe the golds did. Cause didn’t it have something to do with making babies? But then how did that explain Darmosk? Oh well. With a sort of awkward smile Darmori moved to give Ximera a light hug. “If you shouldn’t then yeah. Maybe you shouldn’t risk it. What about a fliiii..” The boy cut off at a sudden surge of disapproval from the gold on his shoulder. “What about another pet instead?”

Darmosk bore his burden in happy silence. He was just as excited as his brother that their little adventure had panned out so well. The offer to share had the bronze crooning, an excited bounce entering his steps as he moved at a decent clip towards the feeding pens and the water tubs there. His brother was very nice to share. Thank you very much. It was very much like celebrating their victory over those broom wielders. Maybe if they weren’t so mean people would like them better. The larger wher decided. Finally at their destination the bronze stopped the barrel and couched to allow Ximesk to roll off his back.

Destination reached. Now for the final stages of their quest. Nudging the barrel over towards a suitable tub Darmosk levered his head against the wooden container and snorted. Come brother dearest. Help him get this tricky barrel where it belonged. Tail wagging from side to side the bronze waited for his sibling to comply before adding his own muscle to the job.

[Requiem]

"I'm sure it's perfectly fine for you to," Ximera returned with a quick smile of reassurance, going back to gathering her flowers. "It's okay for guys. My brother does it a lot, and not just when he can't remember." And to Ximera, her brother was perfect, so of course that meant that it was right and good for men to you know...do that thing.

"Nope. I'm not supposed to." The girl was careful to keep her tone neutral so he wouldn't guess that there was any special significance to that admission. That would be bad. She paused, then, at his next suggestion. It wasn't a bad idea. "I don't think they all do, but mine still could, even if they all don't. Another pet would be better. The salamandyrs don't really like other pets though," she concluded, worrying slightly at her lip.

Returning Darmori's hug, her mind was on other things. Well, they may not like other pets, and the salamandyrs might have sort of taken over the apartments because both golds belonged to wherhandlers, but there were some with firelizards. "Have you heard anything about another hatching coming up? I wouldn't want to miss it," she concluded with a smile. Decision made.

Ximesk obliged his larger bronzebrother by sliding back off when Darmosk crouched, the blue padded after the nice male who was helping him get his milk. (And particularly easy to convince to participate in the blue's admittedly morally questionable undertakings.) He got beneath the barrel, too, nudging upwards at it until it finally tipped over and toppled from its perch on the edge of the basin.

Ximesk immediately hopped in after it. Now it was time to make this barrel give up its milky white treasure of yum. The blue launched himself at the stout boards, bringing his forelegs down on it as forcefully as he could, then rearing up again to pummel at it. Come, bronzebrother! With Darmosk's help, he was certain they'd have their spoils in no time.

[Rei]

Darmori wasn’t quite sure how to respond to Ximera’s reassurance. So he stayed quiet. Just watching her as she went back to gathering her flowers. A hand rubbed the back of his neck when the bluehandler continued to speak about her brother. Okay for guys. Her brother did it a lot. Well he wasn’t even completely sure what it was or how it was supposed to work or even if he liked it. Nah even if he was a guy he was perfectly okay with avoiding weird situations like those when he could. Darmori didn’t like feeling that awkward and out of place. It was not something he really understood well at all. Wasn’t even sure if he ever would. Banishing those thoughts with a quick shake of his head he stroked along Harmony’s back and picked up another flower.

“Well not all salamandyrs dislike other pets? Harmony doesn’t like firelizards.” The word drew a soft hiss from the gold her tail tightening around her bonded’s throat. “But you don’t have a salamandyr so you should be safe enough with one.” Darmori ignored his mandyr’s feeling of extreme disproval and smiled gently down at his friend. With a small grin he squeezed his friend briefly and then let her go. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open? I know that there are a few rider’s with golds and I talk to the drudges all the time. The minute I hear about a glow I’ll let you know.” He promised with a happy nod and then turned to fetch his basket. Peering into it he smiled apparently satisfied. “So we still missing anyone?” It seemed like they should have them all now. Unless he had missed someone.

Darmosk gave one more strong heave and then barked happily when the barrel neatly fell into the basin. Tail wagging as Ximesk leapt in after the barrel the bronze reared up to place front feet on the basin’s edge. Once there he peered curiously at the barrel and tilted his head at his brother. Oh yes! That was right. Now they had to break this thing. Settling his weight and balancing himself Darmosk considered. He couldn’t climb in there with his brother. He wouldn’t fit. Not enough room. So he’d have to participate from where he stood.

Backing up only slightly on back legs Darmosk took aim and brought his forefeet down with force onto the barrel. As it shuddered beneath the force he gave an excited bark and struck at it again timing his own strikes to hit just as Ximesk pulled away. Finally with a loud crack the barrel split spilling it’s contents into the basin. With a happy rumble the bronze settled his feet back on the basins edge and sniffed gingerly at the white liquid. Ah ha! Victory!

[Requiem]

"Thank you!" she cried, with sincere delight. It may not be a hard thing that he proposed to do, but it was still very nice of him to keep his eyes and ears open for any hatchings for her. Didn't have to do that. She pulled back and quickly compared the flowers she'd gathered along with his. "Nope, they're all there," she returned with a grin. Now it was time to get them a nice vase and maybe a ribbon. All the wherhandlers would surely appreciate such beauty in their apartments!

The matter of preparing and delivering the flowers was easy enough. Ximera didn't want anyone to know who it was - pleasant surprises were so much better! - so she left the vase outside the door, carefully on the side of the doorframe where the door couldn't swing back and either break the vase or knock it over. She hugged Darmori again in an overflow of joy when they had finished. "I'm sorry, but I have to go now! Nautic's so nice and I would never want to disappoint him by being late." The girl kissed Darmori's cheek and bounced off in search of Ximesk.

When she found him by the feeding pens, she blinked for a few moments in surprise. Ximesk was sprawled on his tummy in the middle of the basin of milk, apparently having decided that the best way to consume his favorite liquid was to swim in it. The beast was so pleasantly bloated as to be completely indolent. Sparing a smile for Darmosk, Ximera's nose briefly wrinkled before she obtained a large stick and poked at the blue's belly with it.

"Xiiiiimeeeesk. We have to go to the tunneeeells." Poke. Poke. Poke. He whined at the extra pressure on his already painfully full tummy. He might possibly have overdone it. Just a little. "Come on," she insisted, dropping the stick and tucking the bottom of her skirt into her waistband. Soon her shoes were off and she was pulling herself into the basin and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, tugging at him.

Ximesk tired of this treatment after a moment and suffered himself to be budged, painstakingly dragging himself up over the edge of the basin and practically flopping on to the ground outside. The girl paused only long enough to collect her shoes and, without even putting them on (and completely forgetting that her skirt was now showing what most people would consider a very indecent amount of thigh) the bluehandler bounced off toward the mines.

Like a puppy, she'd venture ahead and then return to urge Ximesk on. Faster, faster, don't stop. Time for work!

[End Thread xP]