Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 4, 2013 22:32:20 GMT -5
The dog was something of a comfort. At least he seemed to be sympathetic, even though there was no way he could possibly know or understand the odd mix of feelings churning in Dmitri's gut. The handler wanted to find R'ven, wanted to set things straight. To right whatever miscommunication had built this wall between them. To find the evidence he needed to put the anger to rest, anger that R'ven, who was supposed to be his friend...who he genuinely loved...had kissed his wife. That they had old history together was immaterial. That was hurtful any way you looked at it. If he'd hurt R'ven inadvertently, he could understand and forgive it, and even though the guilt was tugging at him with the idea that he'd actually hurt his friend he preferred that. Preferred that to the thought that the man was doing it because the friendship wasn't real. Had never been real.
Only he couldn't believe that. R'ven had saved him. Risked his own life to get him out of the hatching grounds when he was dying. Risked his own life just as Erilena had. As Eikane had. Only a friend would do that. So what had Dmitri done to make R'ven turn from him? Taken up with Erilena? He thought that R'ven was done with her. He'd seemed like he was. More than done with her. Dmitri never could have touched her, no matter how much he wanted to, had he thought for a moment that R'ven still loved her. (In fact, he'd been quite convinced the smith never had, which was a large part of his concern for Erilena in that relationship in the first place.)
He didn't understand. He needed to understand. And he was afraid to, as well. Afraid he wouldn't like what he found. Though...he already didn't like it. Part of him was already wondering again how long it would take for everyone else to leave him. To turn on him. To choose someone else. This happened a lot. Something was wrong with him, wasn't it? Must be, if they all left. Turned away. Ended up hating him. Bah. His mind kept going in the same circles. What was he going to do? Should get up, be with his family. While they still wanted him.
Almost as if thinking of them summoned them, they were suddenly coming through the door, and the man was quite suddenly attacked by little munchkins. He couldn't help but smile at them, leaving off petting the dog to hug the pair to him. His munchkins. "I'll never turn down hugs." The ensuing conversation sparked by Emit's tattling definitely held Dmitri's curiosity, the man looking at his wife with an amused quirk to the side of his face.
"Just a splash, hm?" But his attempt to draw himself out of his funk was somewhat derailed by her next words. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate them, especially since she'd been kind of avoiding the topic since she herself first brought it up, but it brought his mind right back within the same familiar circles. Emit helped with his protest, though. Silly boy.
Dmitri ruffled his hair. "I think I'm immune to Mom's cooties, bud."
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 4, 2013 23:25:51 GMT -5
There a smile. An actual genuine one. Sure it was in response to the kids but that’s all Erilena had wanted, to see an actual smile on Dmitri’s face. He could be as broody as he wanted, as long as she could be sure that he was going to be okay. That he knew there were people who loved him and needed him right here. She well knew the handler had issues with abandonment and no doubt this whole situation was pricking at those. But she wasn’t going anywhere. Neither were the kids. They adored him. Obviously from the way they were both excitedly hugging him. She could tell they had been a little disappointed when they woke up and he wasn’t there. It was the twin’s favorite things, thundering down the hall to throw themselves at Dmitri when he got home from work or patrol. Sometimes Erilena joined them, if only to force him to juggle them all and because it made her feel not quite so old. He was big enough to handle it and she thought he secretly loved their enthusiasm.
A wrinkle of her nose greeted his comment about the alcohol and she almost added a wink but an expression crossed his face and the woman never completed the expression. Not that it mattered because Emitre’s comment had successfully distracted her husband. For now anyway. Wrinkling his nose at his father the boy tried to fix his hair only really succeeding in making it more messy. “Really? How did you get imm…une. Immune? What does that mean?” Honestly he was curious as to what that meant and how that was possible. Was immune a cure for cooties? How? Unless... “Is it because you sleep naked with momma like grandpa S'rei does with grandma Elysia? Does that make you immune? Cause otherwise grandpa S’rei has lots of cooties.” Dileina giggled and then reached across her father to nudge her brother. “Emit. That was supposed to be a secret. Remember? Grandma said so.” She stage whispered though Erilena wasn’t quite sure her daughter understood that a stage whisper was supposed to be quiet. An amused and slightly exasperated expression crossed her face. “Grandma Elysia and secrets why am I not surprised.”
Slipping down to sit on the edge of the bed she handed the twins their cocoa, reminding them to be careful not to spill, before letting Dmitri answer that question. He was good at these kinds of things. Better then she usually was at in in her opinion. She never knew what to say and he normally came up with something. Even if it was brutally honest he usually found a way to make it kid friendly. Usually. When the kids seemed to have their cocoa well in hand Erilena handed Dmitri his and picked up her own mug. One hand moved to stroke Harper’s head when the dog belly crawled to the end of the bed and eyed her in concern. “You can stay.” She mumbled to the canine, which gently licked her palm and settled there his tail slowly wagging.
The woman’s attention then moved back to her husband and children, her hand moving to rest on Dmitri’s leg. With both kids currently huddled to either side of him there wasn’t much room for her unless Erilena climbed into her husband’s lap or something. Which, though she wouldn’t be opposed to it, she wasn’t quite sure how comfortable that would make him currently. Regardless she would have plenty of time to be close and talk to him later after the kids finished their cocoa. Warm milk always made them sleepy. Maybe it was a little tricky but they fought bedtime way to much sometimes. Especially when their sleep schedule was off after visiting their grandparents.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 5, 2013 21:40:38 GMT -5
Dmitri could barely resist rolling his eyes at his son's words. Of course his father and Elysia had been caught sleeping together (hopefully in the more innocent sense of the phrase) by the twins. Then it dawned on him that Emitre had also mentioned him and Erilena, the handler casting a glance her way. Not that he was too worried. In all honestly, he was less concerned about their kids seeing anything than his wife seemed to be anyway. They weren't weyrbred, but their parents didn't really act much like holders, either, and they were around a pretty broad mix of people. Dmitri felt they'd learn naturally soon enough and trying to keep them from it was probably detrimental, at least given how likely it was that they'd be exposed to it early.
"That's exactly what makes us immune. Mommies and Daddies couldn't be Mommies and Daddies if they had to worry about cooties all the time. Immune means her cooties don't hurt me. Someone else's might, but not hers." He ruffled Emitre's hair. That was suitable for a five-turn-old, and true enough that once the kids got older they'd understand what he'd meant by it, too.
The wherhandler adjusted himself and his kids enough to sip at his own cocoa, relaxing with the children cuddled into him.
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 6, 2013 0:08:00 GMT -5
Emitre wrinkled his nose, his blue grey eyes were just a touch darker then his father’s but they were just as expressive and they never seemed to miss a thing. “That seems like an icky way to get immune.” Almost as an afterthought he added, “So only momma’s cooties are safe cause she’s my momma.” That actually made sense. He didn’t get the dumb from her cooties. Though he wasn’t so sure his father was completely immune from his mother’s cooties even if he claimed he was. He’d seen his dad get the dumb sometimes after they kissed. Though usually that was when they did the icky type of kissing. Making a face at that thought he went back to his cocoa. It was yummy and a lot better than continuing to talk of cooties.
Dileina listened attentively to her father her head rested against his side while she watched her brother. Silly Emit. Her father’s voice was fun to listen to as it reverberated through his rib cage. It was actually more comforting then the warm cocoa. She disliked seeing anyone in her family sad. She was much like her mother that way. Hugs had seemed to help Daddy for now so that was all Dileina cared about in the moment. The girl really didn’t have anything to add to what her brother had said anyway. She was perfectly content to let the bolder Emitre be her voice, unless she really had something to say. He knew her better than anyone anyway. They had spent almost every waking moment together since they were born after all. Rarely were they ever apart. She liked it that way.
Erilena smiled in slight amusement at Dmitri when he answered Emitre, though she was fairly certain he hadn’t seen it. Trust him to find a way to say the truth without actually voicing why it made it difficult for them to be parents if they were worried about so called cooties. Which in turn reminded her…She still hadn’t told him. Her grip tightened around her cup. Should tell him. But…it still didn’t feel like the right time and she had promised Emitre he could tell his father, wouldn’t be quite right if she went back on that promise. Still...was there ever a right time for these sort of things? Even back when she found out she was pregnant with the twins they were still occupied by wasteland and the future was uncertain. Certainly not the best time to tell your brand new husband you were pregnant despite having been between. This time they had been trying.
A contemplative glance was given her son as Erilena sipped her cocoa. Hmm. Finally when she spoke it was to her husband. “Aren’t you curious as to what we did all day?” It was probably better to tell him sooner rather than later, and maybe it would give him something not R’ven to think about.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 7, 2013 19:44:04 GMT -5
He couldn't help but be amused by Emit's comment, despite how predictable it was; Emitre displayed the usual amount of interest in girls for a five-turn-old boy. "Some never want to do that and get immune," Dmitri commented with studied gravity, but anyone watching his face would have been sure to see the amusement that he was fighting. Having the little ones near certainly was doing a lot to improve his mood (though the peppermint liquor probably helped a bit, too). He squeezed his quiet daughter gently by his side.
Erilena's prompting wasn't immediately acted upon. Though of course he knew that running into R'ven was only a small part at the end of their outing, it reminded the wherhandler of his upset. Then again, he wouldn't want to exchange his life and family now for anything. What good would waiting for R'ven have done anyone, two turns after the couple had initially split? Were either of the riders really any different? He knew Lena had hardly changed at all, right down to dancing in the rain. At best this might have been delayed a turn or three. At worst...he might have missed his only real opportunity for a normal, happy family life. Dmitri knew how rare his wife was, and how few women were likely to take any sort of interest in him.
The moment of musing passed, and he glanced at the twins tucked into his sides. "I haven't asked yet. How was the trip with Momma? Where did you go? What did you do?"
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 7, 2013 21:17:34 GMT -5
Erilena wrinkled her nose at her husband when instead of asking about their day he went quiet. Well then. Maybe he didn’t want to…But before she could complete the thought he started talking to Emitre and Dileina. Whoops. Seemed she had jumped to conclusions a bit fast there. A hand went up to rub lightly at a temple. She was thinking too much, letting too much get to her. Part of it was the baby but part of it was the whole day in general. It had been draining.
The woman loved her kids to distraction but dealing with two hyperactive young kids and a dragon all day, shopping, and then coming home only to have an emotional fight with an ex-boyfriend who you happen to randomly run into was exhausting. Add in worrying about how your husband would react, since said ex was also his former best friend, and it was no wonder that she was beginning to develop a killer headache and the urge to lock herself in the bathing room and just soak for hours. Dropping her hand Erilena drained the remainder of her cocoa, privately jealous that she couldn’t have mixed herself something similar to what she had given Dmitri. Not that she liked drinking all that much but in this instance she certainly felt like it would help her relax a little at least.
Emitre pounced upon the question at the exact same time his sister did, both of them speaking rapidly one after the other, finishing the other’s sentence a time or two as they spoke in tandem. “We had lots of fun daddy.” “First we made…” “Muffins. And then we got to fly on Fey.” “Did you know Fey can be really fast when she wants to?” “Blossom is pretty daddy. There’s a biiiiig lake there.” “The dolphins like Fey a lot. She got to play with them and we did too.”
Here both twins paused and turned towards Erilena who smiled and gave a little nod at Emitre. “Go on sweetie. What else did we do?” Blue eyes lighting up he turned to look up at his father putting a hand out towards his sister to forestall her speech. “We got to get in the water with the dolphins. Momma came too and then guess what happened?” Only the little blonde plowed on excitedly before even letting his father begin to answer. “The dolphins made momma pregnant! I’m gonna get a baby brother now.”
Erilena tried hard not to laugh she really did but something of a giggle escaped anyway before she covered her mouth with her hand. Yes. Clearly that was what happened. The magic dolphins had made her pregnant. At the time she hadn’t thought that was how her son would have put it all together and really perhaps she should correct him now but Faranth. It was too funny. Only when she was sure she wasn’t going to spontaneously burst into laughter did she lower her hand and finally turn her attention to Dmitri, wondering at his reaction. Not for a moment did she think it would be a bad reaction. She just hoped that maybe it would chase away whatever lingering somberness he had to him, at least for the next couple of minutes. She could be content with that much.
Apparently she was having a mermaid or something. Who couldn’t be excited about that?
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 8, 2013 17:11:30 GMT -5
He was well-used to the twins' eagerness by now, finding that it always served to cheer him up even on his worst days. This proved to be no exception. Dmitri might have been to Blossom intermittently and seen these same things, but children saw everything as if it was for the first time and with such pure innocence that it renewed these experiences for the adults, too. Dmitri chuckled. "Yeah, the dolphins are pretty cool." Blossom was gorgeous as he remembered it...not to mention affluent. Their overall standard of living rivaled the Weyr's. The wine crop and silk industry certainly helped.
The wherhandler couldn't help but glance at Erilena curiously at the exchange that passed between her and his son, sensing something out of the norm was coming. He somehow doubted it was anything about R'ven. A few stunned seconds later, he found his hunch proven correct, eyes flashing to his wife questioningly despite the odd phrasing of the news. She apparently was too amused by Emit to contribute much of anything to that, though.
"The dolphins are giving you a baby brother? Do you think he'll have a tail?" Dmitri could barely say it with a straight face, though he did well to keep the small spike of dismay from his tone and face. The timing...well, it might have been better after he worked things out with the Masterharper in terms of moving back to Fort Hold or not. (The harper was not naïve; if he didn't budge eventually, Roncin would simply order it and he'd have little choice. How to bring that up to Erilena, though?)
Nevertheless, after the initial spike of dismay, he found himself getting excited about it. Emitre's enthusiasm was infectious and he knew how much Erilena wanted this. Dmitri wanted it too, of course, though not quite to the same degree. He was very happy with their current family. They were stable enough for another child, and it was a good time to have one. Much longer and they'd have to weigh the health risk against the benefit as Erilena got older. If only the issue with Roncin were already ironed out...
Well, it was done now. He let the worries go for a moment and snugged the pair. "So are you two going to help me dig your baby brother or sister's pool so our dolphin baby can have somewhere to swim?" he teased.
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 8, 2013 21:05:23 GMT -5
“Daaaaaaddy. He’s not going to have a tail.” Here Emitre hesitated his nose wrinkling as he turned to look up at his father again. “Right?” It was almost as if he wanted to be reassured about it and Erilena couldn’t help the amused smile that flitted across her lips. They really probably should clear it up for the poor boy instead of teasing him about it, but the woman wasn’t completely sure she was ready for the where babies come from talk yet. Maybe it would be better to distract him from it instead? Only Dmitri seemed ahead of her and had squeezed both twins to him commenting about digging pools for baby dolphins to swim in.
Erilena laughed. “Well you have seven or so months to make a really deep one so I’d say you’ve got some time yet.” She commented in return, her hazel eyes clearly reflecting her own amusement with the entire thing. No the dolphins couldn’t tell her exactly how far along she was but she could deduce that much on her own. She had already missed one cycle and was three days late on the one she was supposed to be having now. She skipped on occasion so that wasn’t all that unusual but when this one had been late she decided that a little day trip to Blossom to find out for sure would be fun. With the added benefit that the twins could share in the whole experience too. This was going to be their brother or sister after all and the woman had been glad that they both were so receptive and excited about the idea. Though they seemed to disagree on one point in particular, which they chose to bring up at that moment.
Squeezing his father back Emitre wrinkled his nose at his father. “Definitely brother and Daddy he’s not really gonna be a dolphin. The dolphins swam with us and touched their noses to momma’s belly and then made all these noises that sounded like baaaaaaabbbyyy.” He did his best to mimic it looking a bit displeased with how it came out but proceeding on anyway. “They didn’t say dolphin baby.” But again he looked uncertain until his sister spoke up. “Even if she is a dolphin we can still keep her right? And put lots of ribbons on her? Harper likes ribbons too but he doesn’t like them as much as girls do.” “It’s a boy Leina.” “Is not Emit.” Erilena sighed and cleared her throat giving them each a mild look which they responded to by sticking their tongues out at one another.
Erilena briefly glanced up at the ceiling willing herself for more patience then she felt at the moment. “I think it’s getting close to bedtime. It’s been a really long day for you two and you look sleepy. Plus grandma Len wants to see you two tomorrow.” “Awww mooooomma.” “Just a little longer?” “Five more minutes?” “We just finished our cocoa.” With that they both turned to look up at their father and wrapped their arms around him. “Daddy can we stay up longer?” “Please?” “I’m not that tired.” “Me either.” Erilena wrinkled her nose at them both. “You two should know by now that asking both of us yields you the same answer.” But it seemed they were not willing to concede that point, instead tugging on Dmitri’s shirt before commenting in unison. “Pleeeeease?”
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 9, 2013 18:16:07 GMT -5
The man made a show of considering the question very seriously. "Well, you never know. If it's a dolphin baby, I think the odds are pretty high," Dmitri concluded gravely. "Best get started on that hole soon." He was enjoying teasing his son perhaps a little too much, but it was all harmless.
At any rate, it wasn't long at all before the five-turn-old demonstrated that he certainly had more than the usual intelligence for a child his age, assuring his father that the dolphins hadn't actually impregnated his wife, merely told her that she was pregnant. Listening as the siblings started in on their arguments, he couldn't help but chuckle. Dmitri typically had more patience with them than his wife...but then, he didn't deal with them nearly as much as she did. His work rarely took him away so long that he didn't see them every day, but most of the caretaking still fell to Erilena.
"If the dolphins didn't say it was a dolphin baby, I think we're safe, but we still won't know for sure whether it's a boy or girl until the baby comes," he commented gently, the finality in his tone still enough to forestall any further arguments. Hopefully. At least right now. Then Erilena was attempting to get the twins to bed, and they quite predictably turned to him as an ally...
Dmitri stirred himself to move, keeping the pair tucked in close as he took them to their own room. They really should know better by now, but he couldn't really blame them for making the attempt. It wouldn't hurt to try, after all. "Good night, hoodlums," he commented, kissing their foreheads as he tucked them into bed. The cocoa should be doing its work soon enough, he knew.
Once they were properly settled, he returned to his own bedroom, slipping arms around Erilena. "Two months pregnant?" He wasn't exactly overjoyed, but there was no worry in the question either. Contented interest more than anything. The thing with R'ven still bugged him, but the honest truth was his family was the most important thing in his life. Another baby trumped the brownrider's reappearance. At least until he'd gotten all the details from his wife.
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 10, 2013 0:45:02 GMT -5
There was little in the way of protest from either of the pair as Dmitri stood keeping them tucked to him. Erilena smiled slightly and bid the twins each goodnight, giving them a kiss before her husband left with the pair. Really she should have joined him in tucking them in but she was quite worn out herself and she didn’t have the patience to argue right now should they continue their protests about going to bed early. (Which they were bound to.) Instead she stood and collected the mugs from the cocoa taking them to the kitchen to wash them out. Really they could probably wait but the woman wanted something to occupy her mind and hands for the time being and cleaning always served to be a good distraction from unwelcome thoughts. She could zone out and just concentrate on that and that alone.
Emitre and Dileina each pouted when Dmitri tucked them in but they didn’t protest verbally, simply giving him a slightly betrayed look before allowing him to tuck them in. Harper nosed his way into the room sometime during the middle of the process and settled himself on the rug between their beds with a contented sigh. His tail thumped the ground when Dmitri walked past him to each bed but he didn’t move to follow the tall man. The canine was tired and quite content to sleep here curled on the rug for now. His master seemed like he was in a better mood now anyway. “Goodnight Daddy.” “Night Daddy.” The twins echoed each other as he withdrew before snuggling down in their blankets and closing their eyes. Though they didn’t fall asleep immediately, in fact as soon as their father left the room they started whispering to each other softly. After a short time there was silence however, both of them drifting off one after the other.
Erilena had returned to their bedroom after finishing the dishes and had just finished making the bed when Dmitri slipped in. She straightened and turned thinking to ask him how the twins went down but promptly forgot that as he wrapped his arms around her. Smiling brightly up at him the blonde nodded and it was hard not to almost bounce slightly in place. Her previous weariness seemed to leave Erilena in a rush, for the moment, and it was with clear excitement that she spoke. “Yes. I’m late for the second time in a row. So more or less two months.” Slipping her arms around the harper’s waist her lips found his jawline. “That didn’t take all that long. We’re good at this apparently.” The amusement in the woman’s tone was hard to miss. “Practice makes perfect?” This time she chuckled at her own comment and pulled back just enough so she could see Dmitri’s face. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to come with us to Blossom but I thought it would make a nice surprise for later.”
Erilena didn’t ask her husband if he was happy about the news. He was bound to be. Perhaps not as happy as he had been when they had first found out about the twins but that had been her first pregnancy. It was hard to top the first time anything happened. “Poor Emit really wants a brother. I hope he won’t be too disappointed if it ends up being a girl.” A thought came across her mind then and she couldn’t help voicing it aloud. “Who knows, if it is a girl maybe this time you’ll get your mini Lena complete with my eyes. I already got two with your eyes so I suppose it’s only fair if you get at least one.” She teased even as her lips found the pulse point in his neck and brushed against it gently.
Dmitri still smelled like a mixture of the rain, the trees, and himself. It was an intoxicating mixture. Erilena resisted the urge to take a nibble to see if he tasted as good as he smelled. Nibbling was not conductive to talking if he wanted to talk and chances were he had as much on his mind as she did herself. Distractions could wait. She didn’t want her husband to think that whatever he had on his mind wasn’t more important than such distractions. Because it probably was better to talk about it all now rather than later. Even if part of her did really want to give into temptation, the larger part of Erilena wanted to make sure Dmitri was dealing with all of the sudden emotional news okay. It was admittedly a lot to take in. For anyone. Now she remembered why she was feeling so weary just moments ago.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 10, 2013 19:57:27 GMT -5
Two months already. He was still a bit surprised, for more or less the same reason that Erilena voiced, his arms slipping around her to snug her against him out of habit more than conscious thought. They'd only just started trying two months ago, it seemed. Not that he was really complaining that they'd succeeded in what they were trying to do, but it seemed strange how easy it was for them when so many others spent quite awhile before they achieved the same result.
Good at what? He glanced down at her, puzzled. Making babies? He'd say it had more to do with Erilena and her insatiable appetite than any particular expertise on the part of either party, but he couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm just the same. "It's certainly a surprise," Dmitri commented, amused. Of the surprises tonight, this definitely had to be his favorite.
Her next comments drew more of the smile out, the last little bit of tension in him leeching out. "I've always wanted a child with your eyes," he agreed, which of course Erilena well-knew. Gender he hardly had an opinion on. They already had one of each, and he was sure that both twins would get over it if the baby wasn't the gender that they wanted. Emitre had enough cousins to bring in to balance out the estrogen pool that he shouldn't have to worry about being outnumbered by girls much.
Her lips at his neck always had Dmitri's mind wandering down paths that made any sort of business difficult. Though he didn't have quite his wife's drive (something he wasn't sure was a lack in himself or just an over-abundance in her) there certainly were no complaints and it didn't take much to get him interested and thoroughly distracted. He stepped back from her enough to reduce that temptation and bent to kiss her nose.
"Do you want anything before bed?" Dmitri was already moving toward the cupboards, rifling through them before coming away with a piece of fruit for himself. He paused, brow lifted questioningly as he waited for her response. The harper had every intention of talking to her...about several things. But there was no sense in not getting comfortable first. It would likely be a long, uncomfortable discussion. He still had to tell her about Fort...he'd tried before, but she didn't seem to understand how little choice they really had.
And he invariably backed off when she got too upset about it.
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 12, 2013 2:16:58 GMT -5
Her nose wrinkled as Dmitri kissed it and stepped back and Erilena fought the urge to pout at him. No fair moving off like that just when she was getting all pleasantly cuddly. It didn’t stop her from shadowing her husband to the kitchen though, an amused look being offered him when he started rummaging through cupboards. Ever the bottomless pit. Once it was because of all the shardblasted growing vertically he was doing. Now it was probably because of how active of a lifestyle he led. The harper really was lucky she was a decent cook.
“Fruit sounds nice to me too. Maybe a little cheese?” The blonde responded before moving past him to the ice chest grab a wedge of that too. Cheese and fruit sounded just fine to her. Glancing back at Dmitri she smiled. “We have any grapes? Or strawberries? For some reason I really want strawberries.” With that Erilena neatly sliced the cheese into smaller portions before putting the remainder away. “You know…,” she began in a conversational tone as she picked up the plate, “I was tempted to throw a fit like the twins when you mentioned bed. So don’t be surprised if that actually happens at some point.” Glancing back at him she wrinkled her nose playfully. Erilena was pretty sure she could do a good impression of either twin if it came down to it. Though she doubted she could pull it off with quite the same level of pleading.
It was hard to keep a completely serious look on her face as she finally turned from the counter to face her husband and put one hand on her hip. Regarding him with a mock stern look she gestured to the food with a nod of her head. “If we get crumbs in the bed I am not doing the sheets. Your idea and all.” With that she stuck out her tongue, though the gesture had only playfulness behind it, you know besides the obvious touch of brat. Erilena was happy that Dmitri was in a better mood and though she wasn’t naïve enough believe it would last forever, she was damn well going to enjoy it while it lasted. “Hurry now Puppylove. We have food to stuff in our faces.” She commented with another touch of playfulness as she made a come hither gesture and half swayed to their bedroom. Once there she slipped the plate of cheese onto the bedside table and gracelessly flopped onto the bed. Glancing up at him the woman patted the spot on the bed beside her.
Part of Erilena knew what was to come and, though she couldn’t say she was exactly looking forward to all the talking, she knew it was necessary. She also knew that it would be okay and they’d get through it all together. Love couldn’t be all flowers, rainbows, kisses, and happiness all the time. Sometimes it was grey, uncomfortable, upsetting, and even painful. Dmitri and she had their troubles, worries and rocky areas like any couple but they worked at it. Together. They weren’t just husband and wife, they were partners and the woman was beyond grateful for that fact. Knowing she could lean on him when needed, and that he in turn could lean on her sometimes made all the difference and it made those hard parts more bearable. Honestly by this point she couldn’t imagine her life without him. Hazel eyes regarded her husband before she smiled and reached over to pick up a piece of cheese, offering it to him silently.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 12, 2013 22:18:19 GMT -5
The tall wherhandler all but ignored the expression that did little to conceal Erilena's disappointment, instead turning back to the cupboards at the mention of strawberries and grapes. Those were placed on her platter with the cheese before he moved to get some lemonade for them, too. Almost he'd gone for the wine. Almost. But he remembered in time that she wouldn't be able to drink it.
Fortunately, his back concealed the beginnings of an amused smile at her claim to an impending five-turn-old fit. He somehow doubted she was capable of doing that seriously, being in her mid-twenties and all. Wasn't like it was very difficult to appease his wife anyway. Dmitri had rescued the lemonade and was just beginning to pour it into a couple of glasses when she started talking about bed and messes.
"That's not what I..." But she'd already left, heading for their bedroom. Just because he'd asked if she wanted anything before bed didn't mean that they had to eat it in bed. He'd actually been thinking the couch. With a mental shrug, he finished pouring the lemonade and followed her to the back of the house. The glasses were placed on the tray as well, then he settled on the bed, slipping his clothes off and sliding on a pair of light cotton shorts that he typically used for sleeping in everything but the coldest months, accepting the piece of cheese from her fingers as he accomplished this.
Only after he was settled did he stretch out beside her, drawing her almost entirely on top of him, so close did he pull her into his side. From here she should be able to reach the tray just fine. "You've had quite the day," he stated, perhaps needlessly. Just the fact that she'd left putting the kids to bed to him spoke sufficiently of that truth. The harper kissed her temple lightly. "I'm sorry that I'm not in a better mood for your news. I am happy about it, you know. Another child will be nice, and the twins are old enough to be able to help, at least a little." Much better than their being two or three, anyway.
|
|
Rei
Administrator
Rider Cr'oph Rider Er'ani Rider Elysia Rider/Healer Erilena Wherhandler Sydney Holdbrat Emitre Holdbrat Dileina Weyrbrat Elias Weyrbrat Terilyn
Woooo~ I am a fox!
Posts: 3,021
|
Post by Rei on Apr 13, 2013 2:36:36 GMT -5
She really couldn’t help it. Hazel eyes regarded Dmitri with quiet attention as he stripped to don his bedtime shorts. Every pull of muscle and facet to him was taken in with no small amount of appreciation. Her husband didn’t have to act self-conscious around her but she knew he felt that way with other people. Sometimes she wished he didn’t have to feel that way but at least he didn’t have to with her. He could be comfortable in his own skin. Only when he moved to take the piece of cheese from her did Erilena realize that she was still in her day clothes. Whoops. Oh well. Really she should move and change as well but she was reluctant to move now that she’d finally gotten fairly comfortable. Instead she simply slipped her socks off with her feet and allowed Dmitri to pull her close to him. Incredibly close to him. The woman certainly wasn’t going to complain about that.
Instead Erilena snuggled against her husband and reached over his chest to grab for a strawberry, trailing her fingers lightly across his chest before grabbing the fruit. Her eyes flicked to his lips as he spoke and she wrinkled her nose before taking a bite of the fruit. “It’s been something that’s for sure.” She agreed, hoping that she didn’t sound quite as tired as she felt. A soft smile flitted across her lips as he kissed her temple and she offered Dmitri the rest of her strawberry after his apology. “It’s okay. It’s been kind of an emotional day for everyone. You don’t have to apologize. I know you’re happy too.” And the woman did know. He’d wanted another child too after all. A soft kiss was brushed against his jaw before she threaded one hand up into his hair and stroked her fingers gently though it. “I’m sure they’ll be great little helpers. They’re so excited. I don’t think they quite understand how long it’ll take though.” There was a small note of amusement in her tone. “It’s going to be quite the adventure for them too. I haven’t told anyone besides you yet but Emit and Leina blabbed it to Nick when he came to watch them for a little bit. I made him promise not to tell my parents though so that we could do it ourselves.”
Reaching for a grape Erilena popped it into her mouth and tried to think of the best way to bring up the more upsetting topic without completely ruining the comfortable mood. Unfortunately she didn’t think there was a way to temper it and though she didn’t want to bring up an uncomfortable topic at all she knew it was better now than later. And besides that it would help keep her more awake. Otherwise the woman had no doubt that food and being cuddled so close would lull her to sleepiness even with the slight annoyance of still being in her normal clothes, especially the stupid breastband which was just a tad askew and was driving her nuts when she thought about it.
Shifting so she could try to adjust the offending article one handed Erilena debated her opening sentence. Finally she gave up on the breastband and managed an apologetic smile for Dmitri. “I feel like a hot mess. I’m betting you feel similar. I’m sorry. About R’ven…I wish there had been an easier way to tell you.” Or an easier way to make the brownrider understand. But then maybe he did understand. It was hard to say in the end. Things got heated and really she knew it couldn’t be easy for the smith either. It never was when feelings were involved.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Apr 20, 2013 20:45:04 GMT -5
It was hard not to notice the eyes on him – but surprisingly easy not to be effected by that gaze in his present mood. It was a queer thing, really. Dmitri knew himself to be a sarcastic, pacifist twit with a propensity for being bluntly hurtful and a body grotesque enough to scare most children. And some adults. The echo of his father in him just made his burnt half that much more disgusting, juxtaposed as it was. He was little use to anyone physically. Poor company. This the harper knew quite well. Yet Erilena seemed to be oblivious to it all. He had no doubt of her interest in him. Love for him. She was a terrible liar, after all. You could always see it written all over her body when she tried to withhold something. Yet…for the life of him he couldn’t understand why she wanted to be around him at all, yet alone had chosen to join with him. Bear his kids and put up with him day in and day out.
Yet here they were, talking about their twins and a third child on the way. She sounded tired but excited. Happy. Perhaps Dmitri shouldn’t question a good thing. At the back of his mind, though, the revived doubt whispered that it was only a matter of time. It would come. He hadn’t seen it before it happened with the others either, and it would come. Accepting the strawberry mechanically as he wrestled with his darker thoughts, the harper attempted to recall all the people he still had who hadn’t left. There was actually a fair number. The doubt wouldn’t go away, though. It didn’t help that she’d turned her back on him before. Even if it was unfair to hold something so long ago against her, when their situations had been entirely different, it certainly didn’t help. At all.
He rousted himself to respond to her. “That’s good. I’d prefer it if we told them.” But his mind was clearly elsewhere. As was hers, it seemed. Hesitating mid-motion (he’d been about to adjust the breastband he’d noticed her fidgeting with for her) the wherhandler met her eyes for a moment before his dropped to her chest again. Dmitri found it easier to concentrate on the task of reaching beneath her shirt and readjusting the breastband rather than responding. “I just wouldn’t acknowledge anything was wrong even though we hadn’t seen each other in turns,” he intoned neutrally. “Now he’s here and kissing you. My wife. Regardless of your history together…friends don’t do that. I should be apologizing. You loved him. You were the one who was kissed. Sniped at. I’m being selfish.”
Dmitri was, too. He’d barely given more than a moment’s thought to how she felt about it, simply struggling with his own emotional response. The wherhandler knew what the right thing was but couldn’t do it. At least he didn’t ask her one of the questions in his head, didn’t ask her if she’d liked the kiss. If R’ven had reminded her of what she’d lost. If part of her didn’t regret having settled for Dmitri instead. Between Dmitri and R’ven…Dmitri always lost where Erilena was concerned. That they were joined was immaterial; R’ven had closed that door and that was the only reason the greenrider had gone knocking elsewhere. Tried to shake loose the thoughts. Erilena had rejected R’ven, hadn’t she? But then, wouldn’t she have anyway? She wasn’t the cheating type. Dmitri bit his lip and focused on a point on the ceiling. Stop this.
|
|