This Life is Never Simple (Rei)

[Sheari]

Vyran was sulking in a corner, eyes whirling red. That creature had tried to mess with her again! She knew well enough that he was Her’s hatchling, but that didn’t make her hate him any less. Never mind the fact that he had simply been reaching for a toy that she had claimed and not at her at all.

Mine…[/I]

Presently, Anusha found her son missing…again. Oh, it could be simple enough a matter for her to ask Minth to ask Lketh if Er’ani had him, but that would admit having lost him. That and she was sure the albino rider would certainly hate her for losing his little boy. In her own panic about him being where she didn’t know, she had turned her entire weyr upside down twice.

Mine…[/I]

She had had to shush Akos in the rush because he’d been sending her off-colour images that she simply didn’t have time to decipher. ANUSHA![/I] The woman stopped and whipped around to look at her dragon. The green was curled on her ledge, quite content if a bit annoyed, her tail tip flicking. The one side curled a bit in on itself, it’s twin having been lost in the earthquake some turns ago. “What!” she replied, exasperated. Akos is with the hatchling Easrianth. He’s been sending me the same messages.[/i] Was it just her, or did Minth sound abit smug there? Clearly Akos was still sending images. I do believe he is with his sire, because the white one adores Lketh and all the colours are simply too bright.[/I] The addition of the “th” at the end of the boy’s name, the green’s way of claiming him to a degree.

It was true, that Akos was very fond of the albino. The white thought the extremely pale blue a bit of an idol. After all, he had never before seen something so large and so pale. Anusha stopped for a moment and asked Minth to relay the last image for her. It was bright and Easrian was clearly in it…so was a pale head. “He’s safe, at least,”…but he was also with his father, and Er’ani would probably be showing up soon with him wanting to know why he had run off. Vyran hissed at this strain of thought, clearly displeased at the prospect of that thing retuning. She shot everyone a glare and winged out. Clearly she was the only smart one.

Today had started so well, too. Damn.

[Rei]

Er’ani was indeed wondering how the heck his two year old son had suddenly showed up in the weyrbowl of Inverness. For one it was sharding cold and for two he didn’t even want to think of the boy wandering around in the cold as under dressed as he was. The man had immediately scooped up his son and huddled him in his jacket. “Well hey there little adventurer. Where is your mommy?” He murmured while warming the toddler’s small hands. At least he had warm clothes and shoes on. Just no winter jacket, hat, or gloves. Hrum. “Has your mother gone insane on me or something?” He joked, knowing full well that the toddler wouldn’t really understand what he was getting at. Sure the albinorider was a bit irritated but he hid it with the cheerful and friendly tone he was speaking to his son in. Didn’t want to scare the boy or prevent him from running towards him the next time he somehow got loose. How did you lose a kid anyway? Er’ani really thought Anusha had a bit more sense then that.

I am sure she did not mean to lose him. Lketh interjected smoothly, craning his neck and moving his head ever so slowly so as not to dislodge or startle his little mandyr friend. Akos came to see me and the hatchling simply followed him. The boy is smart enough to realize that the mandyr often visits me and where I am you are usually not far behind. It is not completely fair to be cross with her. The man sighed and glanced at his dragon but then gave a shrug and slightly bounced Easrian. “Well then, marshmallow over here seems to be on your mother’s side. Shall we go find her and ask her to explain herself?” He asked the boy even as he started the trip back to Anusha’s weyr. Along the way he bounced the boy and tried to make the trip more fun by imitating the walks of the few people they passed. The last thing Er’ani wanted was the boy throwing a fit when he realized he was being returned to his mother.

The man was happy that his son loved him so and he tried to spend as much time with his children as he could, but he was often busy and it probably wouldn’t work out trying to keep the boy full time. Not only that but Er’ani had always been of the opinion that children belonged with their mothers. He made sure they saw him more than often enough after all. Approaching the greenrider’s door he rapped on it with his knuckles before speaking in a singsong type tone. “Oh Anushaaaaaaa. I think you have some explaining to dooooo~” Really she did but the albinorider’s tone communicated that he was partially teasing as well. He had never really had a problem getting along with Anusha. Not like he did Rosanna. Anusha never expected anything out of him and she was fine with completely sharing parental responsibility. It was like raising a kid with a friend. Comfortable with hardly much drama involved.

Lketh crooned and glanced in the direction of Minth’s ledge before speaking to Akos. So where were we in our story? He tilted his head as he waited for the mandyr to respond with the usual images before then speaking to Minth. I am sorry to bother you Minth. Ermine is not really upset with yours. He is just worried about the little is all. Would you like to come share a story with Akos? The albino rarely was in a talkative mood, but today he felt like telling stories and he liked Minth enough to share with her as well. He had caught her in flight more than once after all, and since hers and his had a hatchling he also by default spent a decent amount of time around her. Not that he minded one bit.

[Sheari]

The urge to be snarky and respond with “No, I don’t,” was quickly quelled. Motherhood had taken its toll on the woman. With a two-turn-old, she had to watch what she did for fear Easrian would mimic it. Instead, her relief won out at having her son found and she opened her door with a smile. “Er’ani! Just the person I was hoping to see!” At that moment, Vyran reached the door, hissed yet again at Easrian, completely ignoring everyone else, and left. Anusha could only sigh and glare after the green, as if that were all the explanation needed. She knew it wasn’t, but what was she to do about Vyran? The only thing that came to mind was to scold her for the hundredth time and try to keep her away from her son. He knew not to mess with her, but sometimes the toy she had claimed was simply too much a temptation.

Minth took that moment to nod a greeting to Er’ani before vacating her ledge. Oh Lketh love, you are never a bother! I would love to come visit you for a story with Akos.[/I] Indeed, the albino had quite quickly made his way onto her list of favored males. With her usual selection remaining mostly to the south, she’d chosen him more than once in Flight. Fortunately as well, their weyrs were just a quick glide apart and the green winged carefully over and onto the ledge. With a greeting to Akos (and him messaging her an over colourful image in turn), Minth made herself comfortable. And what is the story today?[/I]

The greenrider back in Minth’s weyr let Er’ani in, finding that she was suddenly mindmate-less. All of them were now gone to other places and the space suddenly felt quite big. “Long story short, Vyran decided that this,” and she grabbed the little wooden brown dragon figurine that had been sitting on the floor, “was hers and he grabbed for it.” There were distinct scratches on the figure where the fire lizard had dug her talons into it. “I was in the other room writing a letter to my parents and when I heard him cry, he was already gone. I didn’t think he could open the door yet.” It felt odd, explaining things to the albinorider. She felt like a child trying to absolve themselves of blame. She had turned her back for just a few minutes! It wasn’t as if she’d abandoned her son or had not set the stylus down the second he’d cried out. There was probably a weird spot on the message now from the ink, but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t fix.

She’d spent so long away from her family. She couldn’t remember how they’d taken to her and her brother Impressing over nine years ago. She hadn’t had contact with them in so long, with the war and all. When she’d been removed from the effort due to her pregnancy, she’d had time to actually sit down and think of her life before. Expectedly, her mother had been thrilled to have another grandchild. Not as thrilled because Easrian had been born without a Joining first, but she’d been able to understand how weyr life was different, helped no doubt by her daughter not riding between to avoid the pregnancy. Just another reason for there exchange of written messages through the simple system between the watch dragons. Anusha didn’t dare send Vyran anywhere, and Akos might startle her poor mother with his being so odd. She made a mental note to ask her mother for some guidance in milestones for young children. It would not do to learn of a new skill Easrian might have with another incident like this one again.

[Rei]

Er’ani grinned as Anusha opened the door and in the next moment he was ducking his head as the green firelizard sped spitting past him. “Well someone looks like she just got her feathers all in a ruffle.” He commented before bouncing his son again and pressing a kiss to the top of the little boy’s head. Calypso, who was coiled in his scarf as usual, hissed softly in return to the retreating green. Terrible spoiled creature she is. Could use a few good smacks in my opinion. Isn’t that right little one? She questioned Easrian, her tail briefly brushing against the little boy’s jaw in a caress. Inferior species they are. Lacking in intelligence the lot of them. The albino wrinkled his nose at his pet and prodded her with one finger. "Now, now Caly behave yourself would you?" He murmured before his full attention went back to the greenrider, expecting for her to start her explanation soon.

Lketh chirped pleasantly to Minth as she arrived at his ledge and he shuffled over slightly to give her room. Once she had settled herself he shifted a bit closer to her and then tilted his head. Today is a tale of action, adventure, and justice. The tale of a human named Robin and his band of thieves. The story was an old one passed down and down and down through generations but Lketh liked to put his own spin on things and he folded his wings along his back before he started the story in a captivating tone, putting more than enough picture and emotion in his words to please Akos and keep Minth interested.

Er’ani’s brow furrowed as Anusha finished her story and he shook his head. “Well as long as she doesn’t bite him I guess it will be okay. She kind of worries me to be honest. She’s not the sweetest flit ever.” With that he gave his son a final snug and set him down on the ground, lightly tapping his rear as he sent him off towards his mother. “Don’t you be wandering off on your own like that you little scamp.” He said affectionately before he straightened and offered Anusha a charming smile. “Should put some bells on your door. My parents did that with me and E’rro. That way if we tried to open it, it would jingle and set up a racket and they could hear it. You don’t have to keep them on the door all the time but maybe just tie them there when you’re going to be out of the room? Normally I wouldn’t mind but he’s a bit young to be wandering around on his own yet. Don’t want him to fall down the stairs or approach the wrong dragon or flit or something.” With his serious speech over he moved to give the woman a brief hug and then moved past her towards the kitchen as if he owned the place.

“I can’t remember the last time I wrote a letter to anyone. It’s been awhile.” Rummaging through her cabinets he pulled out some mugs for him and Anusha and a small stoneware cup for Easrian. “So what you writing them for? Just to say hi?” He was honestly curious even if he did tend to pry a little more than normal people. “Do they hate me yet?” He joked before pouring some klah for himself and the greenrider and some warm cider for his son. Offering the little boy the cup he moved back to the greenrider and offered her the mug before flopping on her couch. “It’s freezing out there still by the way. I can’t wait for summer.”

[Sheari]

Indeed, a good tale. I can’t remember if I’ve heard it before, but it sounds familiar.[/I] The green extended her nose to where Akos was roosting on Lketh so that the white could crawl onto her. All that happened was that the Salamandyr touched noses with her and then curled back up on the albino. The white’s affection for the pale dragon beneath him. Aside from His, Minth was his oldest friend, he’d rest on her later.

Anusha sighed in a deflated way, “I know, but I can hardly pick which ones pick me.” She recalled for a moment the day Vyran had hatched. Akos had always enjoyed seeing the hatchlings, and when the green had crashed onto her making all sorts of demands, the white had become suddenly quite passive. The green rider put Er’ani’s suggestion of bells in her mind as a note, hugged him back, and closed her door. “I’m writing them to tell them about their grandson and no they don‘t want to kill,” she laughed, looking at Easrian before grabbing her own mug of klah and seating herself next to Er’ani.

“Honestly,” she continued, “I don’t think I’ve even told them much about you.” She took a sip of her drink. She didn’t say the words harsh or meanly, more as a realization. When they came out, however, they seemed to somehow come out wrong. “I mean, of course I can’t just say ‘oh hey mom and dad, guess what? I had a kid!’ because there are always two halves to that story,” she chuckled then. She’d been a bit nervous about how much disapproval she’d received after disclosing her pregnancy and the resulting little boy to her parents. There’d been the question as to if she’d been Joined to the father. She had simply chosen not to answer, or even allude, to the question in reply.

She had asked, however, after her early mentor Gonan. To her dismay, the old man had died and a new Archivist had been put in place. She’d received in that same letter a ring he’d left behind, a quill etched into the peridot of the silvery band. It now rested in a box in her room. “They’re holdfolk so they would expect me to be the weyrmate of the father. I haven’t told them ‘ye’ or ‘nay’ on that. They still live South, so when Easrian is old enough, I plan on taking him to visit.” She watched the two-turn-old play on the floor. It would be a few turns yet before he was old enough to travel between. They would have to go during the northern summer or late spring, since the climate would match that of the south much more closely then.

“How is E’rro?” Anusha asked, gliding away from the prior topic. She had found a good friend in Er’ani these past couple of turns yet she still felt uncomfortable talking about anything that involved…that. Granted sometimes she wished for someone to pass Easrian off to so she could have her own time, Er’ani took him when he could and she didn’t want to impose or sour their relationship.

[Rei]

Lketh continued on with his story growing more and more animated for his audience until he finally started actually ‘acting’ out parts of the story with flicks of his wings and tail. He was very careful not to move his head however. Last thing he wanted to do was to disturb Akos. The little white was one of the few creatures he remembered the name of and he was just as special as the albino dragon himself as far as the male was concerned. He liked Minth too of course. A good deal. She was one of three females he actually adored. And only two of which returned his affections as well. He quite adored his great golden sister yes but she seemed to have much more important things to do then pay attention to one as low as himself. It was why he preferred the company of Minth and Istarith to most others. They actually seemed to care about what he said and didn’t seem to mind so much about his lack of emotion most times. He was emotional when it mattered. So what if it was to a more subdued extent?

Finishing his story with a flourish the albino male nuzzled Minth’s muzzle in a very rare display of honest affection. You could be my Maid Minth and I would be your charming bandit should we ever decide to act out the story for Easrianth. Lketh remarked with a slight teasing lit as he used the nickname the green herself had given the hatchling. Our dear Akos could be Little John. He said as his neck draped over the green’s and he made himself more comfortable. He then crooned softly and fell silent as was more his norm.

Er’ani grinned as Anusha seated herself beside him and he settled an arm around her shoulders companionably. He never pushed her for more. He liked keeping their relationship easy and carefree. If she wanted more he couldn’t say he would be all that opposed. She was a nice enough girl, but he had a feeling that she would want more then he could give her. The albinorider was still something of a tramp to be honest and he had no desire to lead a lady on and hurt her. He knew himself too well and he was quick to be honest if asked. Sure he was still a bit of a tom cat. Not as bad as he had been but the wanderlust was still present a bit. It would take a very strong woman to tie him to her he was pretty sure.

Raising one dark eyebrow at her comment Er’ani laughed. “Good because I’d like to stay alive for a bit longer.” Tilting his head he chuckled. “Takes two to tango and all that. I wouldn’t be opposed to meeting them of course but you know not sure that would be the best idea with them being holders and all. I upset weyr sensibilities as it is. I might cause holders heart attacks.” He punctuated that comment with a wink before taking a long sip of his klah his eyes returning to his son. “You know I’m not opposed to you telling them we are weyrmated though if that’s easier for you? People pull that kind of stuff often I am sure. Whether to hide the fact they are homosexual or whatever. It doesn’t bug me if you want a little white lie to soothe your parents a little.” Reaching down he ruffled Easrian’s hair.

At the question about his brother Er’ani wrinkled his nose. “Bossy as ever. Doing well though. He moved back in with his woman again and they seem to be doing well. I keep waiting to hear the news that I’ll be an uncle but it hasn’t happened yet. Either he’s being a nervous idiot about it or she is. Not sure which it is yet but I expect it to come up eventually. I sure as heck didn’t think I’d have kids before my brother. But ha! I did and there is no way in Faranth’s green Pern that his kid will be as epic as ours.” Grinning he poked his son’s nose. “It’s that right? You’re daddy’s favorite little boy.” Sure he was the only one but it was no less true.