Good or Bad, You're Stuck With Me

[Onyxaeon]

Vsiasi had known the signs. She had seen them twice before, and knew well what it meant to be so unbearable sick of the mornings to have her dizzy spells. Most of all, she'd missed that lovely friend that popped in for a visit once every month and, though she hated that friend, it was always scary when it didn't drop by that say, "Hey, look, you're night of fun didn't screw you over!" She had been refusing to acknowledge it, though, until N'yx had ben getting on her case for not sleeping and being ill and nearly fainting several times over the past few weeks...Faranth, if it wasn't that man fussing over her health, it was Isionyth and, between the two, Vsiasi couldn't take it and had spent her time either on the Slopes or speaking with the only sane one of the group; Xanntorith. Now, though, she couldn't take it, and she had to know for sure, to be certain something else wasn't wrong with her this time around. Between the two options, she wasn't at all opposed to that thought as seeing N'yx being a father was...Impossible. He was a good man, certainly, and every good man deserved a child but, not by her. She was unfit for a babe, and they clashed more than mixed. Or, at least she was forced to believe so, the woman thought with a sigh. Truth be told, she wouldn't mind a babe by the Weyrleader. If only the hard headed, distant dolt would get it in his mind that he could stand up and handle the fact he could be a father AND a Weyrleader, that he didn't just have to pick one or the other. Another sigh brushed past her lips as she pulled on her boots, looking over to the sleeping Isionyth whose sides were already starting to show the faint signs of harboring eggs. She had needed to wait for the queen to be asleep because, if she knew...Oh, she wouldn't let it go. Not with her recent happiness with Xann and everything. No, she'd say it was "meant to be" and that she should "enjoy her happiness before it was taken away". Heaving herself to her feet with graceful ease, Vsiasi once more looked over to her snoozing beauty, faintly smiling as she walked over to the cloth door. Her fingers barely brushed the edge of the material before the mind voice of Isionyth entered her thoughts. Mine. Where are you sneaking off to go? Tell me now. I'm moody, hormonal, and hungry; you'd better start talking. I swear it, I'll get Xann, and he'll get N'yx. And then you'll never have any peace.

Shards. Caught. Vsiasi bit her lower lip, turning around to face her queen with half of the door opened up still to let in a faint rush of air. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I was just going to get something to eat. You know how I haven't been feeling well as of late; I thought food would help me some. I didn't want to wake you because you need sleep. You are carrying eggs, after all." The Weyrwoman turned back around to walk out of the door, but she was stopped again before she even got out. Mine. I know you are lying. You're doing that thing where you bit your lip like you always do when you lie. Tell me now. I will find out eventually, and you know it. Vsiasi groaned. Shells, she was right. She would know soon enough, why not tell her now? I'm pregnant, Isionyth. There was a pause for all of five minutes, the senior queen resting her head on her paws as she seemed to debate this, the Weyrwoman awaiting her dragon's word still in the door frame. Are you sure? You caught me going down to check on that very thing. I was heading to the Infirmary now. Please, don't get N'yx in on this. He does not need to know if it turns out that I am. You know that he doesn't want a kid. It was the Brimstone's turn to sigh now as she ushered Hers out the door and down the stairs to the Infirmary. You do not know that for sure. Go find out, and I will wait here for you to get back from your checkup. I wont tell N'yx. Keep in mind, though, she said nothing about Xann. The moment Hers had left, Isionyth had coaxed Xanntorith into hearing her out and coming up onto their shared ledge. After all, she had said nothing about him telling His this news. Xann, Mine believes she is expecting again. If you want Yours to be certain of this, you will have to send him down there quickly. I gave her my word I would not say a thing to him, but I said nothing about you not telling him.

As the Weyrwoman spoke with the healer, her fears were concerned and she was in fact expecting. As it was the last time around, the man told her she was still within the safety range to take a trip between to end her little issue, and he told her he would make arrangements for this to be descriet considering whom she was and what not. It could be taken care of tonight, he had said, but no sooner. With a grumble of an oath, Vsiasi had accepted these terms. "Just make sure T'raol knows soon. I can't keep doing this; it's killing my nerves. He doesn't want a baby, and I can't have one by him for that reason. I'm just going to have to keep that man away from me until he goes sterile." To all ears other than the healers, this was an easy misinterpreted message...

[Desert]

When Isionyth touched his mind and summoned him onto their ledge, Xann obligingly flitted up to settle onto his belly next to his mate. He affectionately rubbed his muzzle-tip against the brimstone's neck in greeting. Since the Flight, and the sudden realization of his own feelings, Xann felt that his and Isionyth's relationship was much easier. He admitted to himself that, before, he'd been slightly bitter as he held himself at a distance; wanting to be with her, but not knowing how she would accept him. Now that he knew, life was much easier for the Weyrking.

He listened in surprise -- pleased surprise -- to Isionyth's news, and uttered a shrill whistle. By the Egg! N'yx, I didn't think you had it in you, man![/b][/color] The big tempest grinned wolfishly, casting an eye in his rider's direction; the Weyrleader was eating a late lunch in the kitchens. As N'yx's inquisitive reply came, Xann couldn't keep a sly undertone from his voice. We might need to do something about this lest the Weyr fill up with little N'yxes -- Vsasi is with child. You have to be the most virile human I've ever come across.[/b][/color] It had ever been a point of confusion with the tempest as to why humans had to try so hard to procreate, compared to dragons.

The meatroll froze halfway to N'yx's lips. Vsasi... pregnant? Again? It had been his surprise when, a month or so before Isionyth's Flight, he'd learned that twice before this Vsasi had aborted children conceived by him during Flights. And now it seemed that the same thing had happened again; that made sense, as ill as Vsasi had been lately. He had originally thought it a result of all the stress Vsasi was under, but similar symptoms could be produced by more than one condition.

Once the surprise wore off, N'yx felt a thrill of warmth. The idea of fatherhood hadn't ever really crossed his mind -- given the lifestyles of dragonriders, pregnancies were infrequent, and tended to be unintentionally miscarried before they were even discovered. And he was of the firm opinion that of a woman found herself with an unwanted pregnacy, it was well within her rights to choose not to keep it. Despite those notions, he had no objection to becoming a father. In fact, it was an idea he had toyed with wistfully for some time, but he just hadn't found a woman with whom he'd wanted to have children. Besides Vsasi, that was. He'd found himself growing fond of the Weyrwoman the past few Turns, but like Xann with Isionyth, he'd kept himself slightly aloof since he hadn't known what Vsasi felt for him.

So go see her, dimglow![/b][/color] Xann scolded. If you don't want to lose this one, myN'yx, then go say so. You'll lose nothing, and you could very well gain a child.[/b][/color] Xann had been suggesting since the Flight that N'yx finally come out and admit to Vsasi how he felt -- perhaps emboldened by his own newly discovered fondness for Isionyth -- but the tempestpair both knew that for N'yx that was easier said than done. Xann may have found it easy, once he realized it, to admit his love to Isionyth, but N'yx had never been a one to discuss his emotions overmuch. He was too reserved for such proclamations to fall easily from his lips.

But Xann was right. If this was important to him, then he needed to stop mincing about. The decision made, N'yx promptly abandoned his half-finished meal and made for the Healers' quarter at a brisk walk. As he strode, a faint half-smile hovered over N'yx's lips; he hoped Vsasi was willing to keep this one.

Xann turned back to Isionyth and crooned gratefully, touching his nose once again to her scaled hide. Thank you for telling me, Isionyth. This means a lot to him.[/b][/color]

The Weyrleader of Solainoti approached the door to the Healers' rooms just as Vsasi cursed under her breath and seemed to give the Healer a few instructions. What he heard gave N'yx pause. T'raol -- he was familiar with the rider she mentioned, for he and his bronze Draselth were Wingseconds in N'yx's wing.

Oh really? N'yx's jaw clenched for a moment in hurt and in jealous anger. Quickly, though, he calmed himself; just because their dragons were mated, that didn't mean that a Weyrwoman and Weyrleader couldn't pursue relationships with another. It was a policy that perplexed and bothered many Hold-bred, for the rest of Pern had more stringent moral guidelines dealing with physical relationships, but it was the nature of being a dragonrider that made exclusive relationships like that awkward in the Weyr. That didn't mean he had to like it, and he didn't in this case. Perhaps it was foolish, since he and Vsasi had never really bothered to reach any agreements of that persuasion, but that didn't stop his from continuing to feel pangs of jealousy and hurt.

Still, the tempestrider lingered outside the room and waited for Vsasi to emerge. He wanted to ask Vsasi about the pregnancy no matter what. While he waited, N'yx had time to think and brood over his dragon's words. How odd was it that Vsasi had conceived by him not one but three times? Now, hearing what he just had, N'yx became slightly suspicious. Xann had never mentioned that the child was confirmed as his -- and what were the odds of those past two also sharing his genetics? That only made the jealousy flare again, but he firmly ignored his emotions.

Don't jump to conclusions, he told himself. Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. Faranth knows you've been wrong before. But that was thin consolation when he thought of Vsasi with anyone else. The betrayal he felt and the jealousy were completely unfounded, he knew, but that had no impact on their strength and insistence.
[/size]

[Onyxaeon]

The healer Geoff nodded, turning his back to the Weyrwoman and pouring a thick, pasty like liquid into a small bottle before corking the vial and handing it to her. His voice was low as he dropped the glass container into her hand, his own closing over hers as she tried to hand in back. "Take it. I know you don't want to push anyone into that role but, you know, there's no law that says he /has/ to take care of the babe. You can still have him or her and they could live happily in the Lower Caverns under foster parents. There are plenty of drudges who would love to be moms and wouldn't mind caring for your and N'yx's babe. Just take this and think about it, is all I'm saying. If you don't decide to have T''raol give you that short trip between, mix half of this in your klah before going to bed.-It should keep you from your morning dizziness, and will help ease the morning sickness. I'll tell him the usual place, on the Slopes were Isionyth has forbidden everyone else from being near when you're there. Just, think about, okay? No woman alive doesn't want a baby at some point." Geoff smiled at this, helping the Weyrwoman down from the cot and ushering her on, turning back to arranging things along his counter and puting them back in his own perfect order as the woman walked out of the infirmary. She was so distracted with putting the vial into her rider's jacket that she nearly bumped into N'yx.

The woman startled, letting out that sharp, high pitched yip that was only possible for those of the female persuasion to acheive. One hand went to her heart, as if trying to still the rapidly pulsing organ from her start. As soon as her eyes focused on the Weyrleader and the underlying glint in his eyes, the woman cursed her dragon and winced.-He was upset. Of course he would be; he didn't want a baby. Why did you tell him?! He's mad now, Isi. I can't keep this one; I know he doesn't want one. The look in his eyes right now tells me that. He was standing outside the door when I came out. I have to tell him everything.

From her place on her couch, Isionyth lifted her neck, confusion blanketing her orbs as she ceased to tease Xanntorith with playfully nipping him along his neck and shoulder. That wasn't possible. Xann had said His was thrilled, delighted even, to have his own little one. What had changed in the time it had taken for him to walk to the infirmary? Had the Solainoti Weyrleader chaged his mind so quickly? That can't be right, Mine. I only told Xann, and he told His. The man was thrilled, according to Xanntorith. Something must have gotten to him while he was walking down. Could he have overheard anything? I don't think so...Geoff was relatively quiet, and I don't think he was here long enough to have heard anything. He looks pissed, Isi...

The Brimstone turned to her mate, nudging him with one slightly outstretched wing. Mine is upset. N'yx was right there at the door when she walked out, and he isn't happy. She doesn't know what he heard or if he heard anything at all, but he isn't happy with her. What happened? Tell me, so I can tell her. She doesn't do well with people angry at her... The Brimstone crooned a mental it's okay to Hers, waiting for the responce from the Tempest while Hers decided to spill it all and hope she found a way to make it through it.

Vsiasi tried to smile, but failed miserably, her eyes trying to meet his, though they couldn't in their shame. Her words were soft, almost frightened, like a tiny little child who was looking up at the adults and getting ready to be punished for a misdoing. "I'm s-sorry," she fumbled, her hands fiddling as she bit her lip out of nervousness before releasing the soft tissue and trying to meet his gaze, this time having a bit of better luck. It was unfortunate, the tears that had welled up in her eyes. Damn hormones. "I couldn't tell you; yo-you don't want a babe. I thought I'd just get it fixed now and you wouldn't have to worry about it like before, because you didn't seem to want that kind of tie. I-I got T''raol to take me on Draselth later tonight, a quick trip betweento nip it in the butt. He's was the only one I could trust to; no one else would keep their mouth shut, and I couldn't with Isi. I...I.." The Brimstone's rider was completely vulnerable at the moment, trying not to break down and, at the same time, trying to apologize. Neither of which made for a good combination, or general mood, for a pregnant woman.

[Desert]

N'yx had been absorbed in introspection when Vsasi emerged, so he was caught equally by surprise by the Weyrwoman nearly running smack into him. That alarmed yelp and the guilty wince that flitted across her face did little to help his mood, but in favor of letting Vsasi get her explanation out, N'yx kept a tight rein on his emotions. Too bad she was as good at reading him as she was, because apparently she saw through his impassive mask down to the underlying anger that smoldered just beneath the surface. It wasn't anger directed toward her -- she wasn't the one to blame -- it was half toward himself, and half toward whomever Vsasi had been with.

Xann had been humming blissfully, his back slightly arched as Isionyth nibbled playfully at his dorsal ridges, when suddenly the brimstone pulled back, He looked at her, perplexed, until she explained. In confusion the big tempest reached out to touch his rider's mind, and crooned unhappily when he sensed the turmoil of emotions in N'yx's mind. I don't know,[/b][/color] he said, taking the added measure of letting Vsasi hear him as well. He was perfectly happy when I told him, now he's upset. This isn't like him.[/b][/color] For Xann it wasn't unusual for him to cycle through several different moods fairly quickly -- he was a tempest after all -- but for the usually steady N'yx's mood to do such an abrupt one-eighty took some doing.

N'yx, Mine, what's up? Why are you so upset all of a sudden? Did you overhear something?[/b][/color] the big tempest privately asked of his rider. N'yx took a deep breath and closed his eyes, and after a heartbeat's pause exhaled slowly.

Let me figure out what's going on, Xann, so I don't end up making a fool out of myself. Once I get to the bottom of this then we'll see. N'yx didn't want to relay to Xann the bit of conversation he'd heard and what he thought it meant, in case he was completely wrong and ended up looking the fool.

Xann glanced back and Isionyth and shrugged, eyes speckled with an agitated rainbow of colors. He won't tell me,[/b][/color] he informed the brimstonepair. How had things suddenly gone wrong? He'd thought today would be a good day for his rider, but now he was all out of sorts and wouldn't even tell his dragon what the problem was.

N'yx reopened his eyes in time for Vsasi to lift her gaze back to his, and his heart gave a lurch at the tears beading in the corners of her eyes. He wanted to pull the Weyrwoman into his arms and soothe away those tears, but until he knew what was going on, he didn't dare. Then, Vsasi's stilted explanation registered, and N'yx was glad he hadn't shared his suspicions with Xann.

He'd only misheard a fragment of conversation -- not surprising in the least, really. It was a huge relief, and he understood why Vsasi would have gone to T'raol -- the bronzerider was one of the most trustworthy men N'yx had ever known, and a close friend; one of the reasons he'd felt especially betrayed in his misunderstanding. The tempestrider's expression softened into understanding, and he was hard pressed not to move from where he was to pull the Weyrwoman against him.

N'yx closed his eyes again and shook his head. Xann, I'm a fool. He sent that simple message to his dragon as the worst of the anger drained from him; he echoed the comment with a sigh of exasperation at himself, during which he muttered, "I'm such an idiot," to himself under his breath. Then he looked back up at Vsasi and smiled, to encourage her to relax.

"Don't apologize, Vsasi, you didn't do anything wrong. And there was no need to sneak around like I was going to eat you -- I prefer knowing than not knowing." How she'd mistaken his reserve and distance all this time! Unsurprising, but unfortunate. N'yx chided himself for it. "It's not that I don't want a child -- quite the opposite. Please don't misunderstand." The rest of what he wanted to say -- that he sincerely hoped that the child was indeed his, for he couldn't stand the though of her in anyone else's arms but his own, that he wished they could have the same open affection as their dragons -- got caught in his throat. He didn't want to let them escape, lest she not share his feelings. He could withstand not knowing what she felt; it was rejection that he feared, at the same time as he longed for her to share his sentiments.

Xann, sensing his rider's hesitation, snorted impatiently. What was so difficult about this? One would think that it would be a relief to at least get it off his chest and deal with the result, but N'yx was too stoic for that. If he hadn't known that doing so would be counterproductive if it did anything, Xann would have interjected and told Vsasi himself -- no, this was something N'yx had to do on his own. He had to form the words himself.
[/size]

[Onyxaeon]

Nothing wrong? That had done it. The tears spilled over like waters over the banks of too full rivers, the Weyrwoman's chest tightening and constricting as it heaved up and down in silent sobs. She couldn't help herself as the female instinct to be comforted took over, and she covered the short space inbetween them and wrapped her arms around his torso, her face going into the junction where shoulder met neck. Her tears continued there, the woman burying her face in his riding jacket as she tried to get her sobbing under control, her grip going tighter as her mind played over the words he had just said. So he did want a child to call his own? He wasn't mad at her?

The senior queen tried to tap into the mind of her rider, being met with a confuzing onslaught of emotion. With a sigh, she got to work. Mine? Mine, it's okay. He knows now, and everything is okay. He had misunderstood, but it was set right. on't worry about that now. Her rider took a moment to respond back, her words tumbled and choked even in mental thought-speech. Isi...He wants a babe. I can't give him that. I'm not you; I'm not built for that type of care giving. The Brimstone had to hold back a rumble of amusement to this. You are female, VsiasiMine; you were born to handle that type of treasure, dragon or not. All those males have it so easy, you know? If they had to carry little ones inside them and then birth them, they'd die. You're stronger than that, and I am too. It's why we're in our current state, because nature knows they couldn't do it. The Weyrwoman could not disagree to this, though she could throw in further arguments to this little topic. I couldn't be the mom you are, love. What if I don't do it right? Then you can try again. You didn't listen when the weyrlingmaster warned you of this all that time agao, did you? "You make your mistakes with your first." You aren't perfect; it'll work out. Tell him it's his, Mine. I think he needs to hear that most of all right now. Tell him you'll keep the tiny little one and that it is his and he will be fine. You will too. Now, stop your tears; you're getting N'yx all wet.

Isionyth huffed-pouted, really-as the full effect of the emotions her Mine was feeling finally bled over and across their mental link after their conversation. How come Hers got all the hugs and got to have the hormones that made her so moody but tugged at male instincts to hold-and-keep-safe? She needed those things too! Yay. Moodswings. The Brimstone lowered her head to her paws, sliding closer to the Tempest male beside her in an attempt to get him to notice this. Why did Hers get all the attention and love? She was in the same boat...She should be held and coddled too! The senior queen made a low, almost whine like croon as she shifted her weight slightly, her orbs tilted up to look at Xann while her wings tucked against her sides tightly. Hold me... As if realizing what she had said, Isionyth bristled faintly with her ever present fiery spark, the absent, but very easily carried out threat, sliding from her forked tongue. I'll poke holes in you till you resemble cheese if you tell anyone about that. You wont be able to drink without spouting leaks. Isionyth's spikey skull raised up, transferring from her paws to his in an effort to make her point; she wanted ot be held, shards and shells!

Vsiasi tried to take her Brimstone's advice, her tears gradually easing, and her sobs dying to only one ever now and then. She tried to find the words, tried to coax them to her tongue, but found it far mroe difficult than what one would imagine. How did you go about teling someone that kind of thing, anyway? Not knowing what else to do, she closed the A-frame their bodies had created, torsos connecting as her hips found the cradle of his own. If she were farther along, he would have been able to feel the buldge an unborn created of its mother's womb pressing against him gently. As it were, she was not that far gone, and so there was relatively no change in her body yet. At least not any noticible to the eye. "N'yx..." Vsiasi had to pause, had to gather her words enough to say this right. "It's yours." Two simple words that said exacty what she wanted, but still didn't seem to say it all. So much to say, and not enough words for it all.

[Desert]

Why was it that her expressions and actions so tugged at his heartstrings? When the tears slipped over her cheeks N'yx barely stopped himself from reaching out to wipe them away; he was caught off guard when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his ribs and buried her face in the crook of his neck. The shock only lasted a few moments, though, and the tempestrider felt his own arms wind around her shoulders and his face press into Vsasi's hair. It was pure instinct that made him return the gesture comfortingly, and he didn't ever want to let go. Soothingly, the Weyrleader combed his fingers through her hair as he held her.

Xann crooned approvingly for N'yx. That was more like it! The man was irritatingly awkward in situations like this; however, Xann prided himself that he'd cultivated and trained his rider the same as N'yx had done him. At least he was confronting his feelings and admitting them, and even beginning to act on them; without that significant influence from his dragon, who always wore his heart on his sleeve, he'd probably still be at the phase where he would ignore what his heart told him.

Movement in his peripheral vision pulled the big tempest's attention back to the here and now, and he was slightly startled by the transformation in Isionyth. She had affected a singularly heart-rendingly cute, plaintive posture -- how she managed that he'd never know. He took the swing in her mood in stride, though and couldn't help but smile at the change. Even as she spoke her threat, Xann cupped one wing around as much of the brimstone as the filmy membrane could fit, and shuffled closer to her until they were hip-to-hip. The big tempest curved his neck around Isionyth's as she rested her head on his paws. Yes ma'am,[/b][/color] he replied simply, but that was all that needed to be said to convey his compliance and acceptance of her commands. How could he do otherwise? It wasn't like he objected to what she was telling him to do.

N'yx had to smile at Xann's behavior, even through his own lingering misgivings over the whole pregnancy issue. It was surprising how quickly Isionyth had gotten his tempest wrapped around her little claw; Xann was putty in the brimstone's paws, and damned happy to be so.

His train of thought was pulled back to the here and now when Vsasi stepped closer and pressed herself flush against him. She gently said his name, and the tempestrider tilted his head down to look into her face. The next two words out of her lips were simple, but they meant more to him than she realized. How had she known what would make him thaw even more into her touch? Perhaps one of their dragons had tipped her off. At least they had been said, and he believed her. The Weyrleader pulled his Weyrwoman tighter against his chest and dared to press his lips against her brow. "I'm glad," he murmured back. It was all he could say and still retain an even voice.

So close...! Xann willed his rider to take that last leap of faith and tell Vsasi the extent of his feelings. Only a few, easy words and the truth would be out. It was easy for Xann to say, N'yx thought back; it was easy, natural, for a tempest to ride an emotional roller-coaster. They were made for it, and were some of the most passionate dragons in the Weyr. But that wasn't N'yx -- not in the least. He cared deeply and was passionate in his own way, but not to the obvious and visible extent of his bonded. One had to get past his emotional walls to see that, and those walls let very few come through. Those same walls let him be the calm, logical thinker he was; he wouldn't be himself without their influence, and he wouldn't be half the leader he was if not for that. But sometimes skills necessary in one aspect of life are counterintuitive in others.

ooc; shorter, but my Muse is tied to my state of mind and sleeplessness does nothing for it.[/size]

[Onyxaeon]

Isionyth crooned in delight for the male having listened to her demands-she was the odd sort who found great enjoyment out of being right and getting her way from time to time-and pressed the tip of her nose against his chest. She was ever careful of the two sharp barbs upon the end of her snout, watchful not to accidentally poke him and draw ichor as she nuzzled first one patch of skin, and then another with child-like fascination as the muscles twitched under her ministrations. How fun it was to have the Weyrking of Solainoti tied to you with a smile, and shivering under your touch!

On a more serious note, the senior queen had to tell her mate of this, or no one would be on her poor Mine's side but she. Her poor little one...She was so small compared to her; she was a thousand times more breakable. If she kept the babe, so much could happen to her to make her lose it. She didn't have scales and plating to keep her babies safe, and wasn't a snarky soul by nature; she couldn't frighten others out of her way to make sure the tiny thing was okay and unharmed. Not to mention one short fall down the stairs and she could miscarry. No, Hers had to be very careful if she decided on keeping this one, and N'yx, too, would have to watch out for her. The more Isionyth thought about it, the more worried she became. Compare a dragon in size to a human and their babies as well; it was laughable! They were folds of skin wrapped in mush and completely helpless from birth. It was downright scary to imagine something the size of a flit being able to survive but, then again, wasn't that what their parents were for? Mommy and daddy to the rescue to keep their little offspring fed, cleaned, happy, and safe. Xann? Mine is so very little compared to me and, when you think about our shared condition and look at the babies, it's laughable. Mine isn't as strong as she has to show most of the time...I'm afraid she's going to get hurt trying to keep the little, defenseless thing out of harm's way. She isn't like me; she can't snarl and roar and threaten to rip people apart so they will leave her alone. She's going to be picked at, I just know it. The Brimstone's head lifted, hues of crimson staining her orbs as she hissed disdainfully, the fury of her temper surfacing as she stomped one clawed foot. And she will take it, too! I'm going to have to shred something, I know it. One idiot and then right on the other for playing on her delicate nature. I'll keep her safe, you mark my words. If I have to lock her away with me on the Sands and not let anyone near her, will, if it will keep her well and unharmed.

Vsiasi touched the mind of her dragon while she was pressed tenderly against the Tempestrider, surprise staining her eyes to find the iron fury of the Brimstone at a peak of protectiveness she had yet to reach for herself when she had carried eggs before. As the woman probbed deeper, though, her heart warmed as she discovered the concern was not for the queen's unborn eggs, but for her rider and what she carried. How could she deny that the queen was the perfect mother, even if she had the attitude of a cruel harpy at times? These moments made up for it. Love? What should I do? The rider turned for the advice of her dragon, because she knew not what to do this time. Those times before, it had been easy; N'yx had not wanted-or so she had thought-a babe, and she just aborted it and that was the end of it. Now, though, the same situation did not apply. N'yx /wanted/ the little life he had helped create, and he seemed to truly care about what had happened from how he had acted...She didn't know where to turn because, honestly, going so deep into something scared her out of her mind.

Keep it. Keep it and tell him you want him to be apart of that little tiny bundle of mush's life, and that you'll trust him to look after you all the while because you keep forcing more problems on you than you can handle. Let N'yx and I help, Mine. We can talk; I know your pain, remember? And he can keep the idiots and their remarks off and away. The Brimstone glanced to her mate, then to her sides. So many new lives...Keep it. The Weyrwoman tried to keep her composure, tried to fight the fresh tears that threatened her eyes and, most of all, tried to fight herself for the action she was about to perform. She was scared out of her mind and didn't know what this meant for either herself or the Tempestrider, but things couldn't be the same after. It jsut didn't seem possible. Carefully, one hand untangled itself from around him, carefully pulling one of his free as well and slowly moving it south until the expanse of his palm splayed across her relatively flat stomach. "Tell me what you think. Would you be okay if you were walking through the Weyr and heard, 'Daddy!' or with getting up to see me twice as fragile as before with a huge stomach and moody from it all? N'yx, do you want this baby?"

[Desert]

With Isionyth nuzzling his chest, a shiver of delight traveled down Xann's spine. He rumbled a low croon, leaning luxuriously into the brimstone's touch. As much fun as she was having playing with her pet tempest, Xann was enjoying it just as much. It was an odd sight, he was sure, for the people of the Weyr to see the senior queen and Weyrking behave so. They were used to seeing the snark and snap between their Leaders' dragons, not the fond caresses and croons. It just goes to show, Xann reflected, that not everything is as it seems.

When Isionyth suddenly stiffened in protective anger next to him, Xann tightened his wing over her shoulders and curled his tail around her haunches, and rubbed his cheek soothingly across her neck. You need not worry, Isionyth, me and Mine will keep an eye out. This means too much to Mine to let it slip away. He or I will personally bring any transgressors to you to be dealt with.[/b][/color] And he meant it too. Xann may not have been as vicious as his mate, but he was a big, temperamental tempest and the Weyrking, and he was easily capable of frightening ill-wishers into submission, even without threatening them with the notion of being brought before Isionyth. And N'yx, though quite approachable and easygoing, if he felt like it he could be just as intimidating as his dragon. The tempestrider's wrath was a rare thing, but those who had experienced it never wanted to come back for more.

Vsasi seemed to stiffen slightly in his arms for a moment; in concern, N'yx touched Xann's mind, in case it was something Isionyth was saying that had caused the Weyrwoman's reaction. The big tempest responded that all was good, Isionyth was just being herself, and between that and the fact that Vsasi once more relaxed N'yx was reassured. He probably needn't be so hypersensitive to the brimstonerider's body language, but he didn't want to push himself on her if she didn't want him. Xann tried not to roll his eyes at his rider's excessive concern, but that was just N'yx.

N'yx was slightly confused when Vsasi detached an arm from around him and pulled one of his away from her shoulders, but he let the Weyrwoman guide his hand down until it was splayed tenderly across her belly. The gesture made another swell of warmth rise up within him, and banished some of the unsure tension with which he'd been unconsciously holding himself; the tensed muscles all over his body loosened so he was standing naturally and easily, while the faint ghost of a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"More than okay, Vsasi. This... I've wanted this more than anything, for a long time," N'yx quietly admitted, his voice thick with suppressed emotion. He quickly swallowed around the lump that was beginning to form in his throat.

Xann crooned softly, in mixed encouragement and exasperation at his rider. My thick-headed rider needs something to keep him on his toes, and this is perfect. If you can put up with his emotional awkwardness, Vsasi, then I think he'll make a wonderful father.[/b][/color] N'yx, having heard the comment, snorted; however, since Xann was pretty much right on the money, he didn't retort.
[/size]

[Onyxaeon]

Good. Isionyth's forked tongue slithered over the sole word, harsh for the first real time today. She needed Hers to be safe, just like she needed her eggs to be alright and healthy. If she lost her clutch, that was bad but, if something happened to Hers...The Brimstone shook her head, growling over the thought in obvious distaste. N'yx and herself would keep Hers safe, just as Xanntorith would keep their eggs under care. She knew she shouldn't worry, but that was just the mothering side kicking in. With a slow turn of her head, she brought her many faceted orbs to meet the Tempest's, the red hues of earlier having vanished to show ones of concern, but also determination and love.

Mine does not know it yet, but this tiny being will be good for her and is needed. I don't believe Yours knows it, but it will help him as well. Something so small turning lives around...It doesn't seem possible, but it happens everyday. For the good or the bad, whatever the outcome of this pregnancy, it will change things. Perhaps for the better, but nothing will go back to the way it was. Isionyth could not help the somber dose of reality to her last words-that was her nature as a Brimstone. She had to be upfront, to see every angle no matter what it meant, because no one else would. Fiery optics glanced down to her own stomach, her mind going to Hers and wrapping around the rider's mind as well as the Tempest's and His. She was speaking to none of those who could respond to her words, no. Her attention was only on the tiny dragons inside of her, and the small lifeform within Hers.

Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking. Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making. Don't let some thread bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider. There's so much you don't yet understand little ones...Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance. I know you don't hear me quite yet, or even comprhend this, but you need the comfort of words. Grow strong, and take your time.-There's no rush. We're waiting patiently. The senior queen ran her tongue across the scaled expanse of her stomach, tucking her wings around her body closer as if to incubate the forming dragons inside of her body. Things would be fine, however they took to occurring, and Hers would see this as somethign she wanted before the day was over. N'yx too.

Vsiasi's only hope of containing her tears had gone with the queen's and N'yx's words, and the salty droplets ran freely down her cheeks in slow trails that dripped off of her cheeks. These were tears of joy, though, and no choked sobs stole her vocal chords as was the case with earlier. She was happy, truly, but there was so much left to do, so much left to adjust to. It was going to take some time, she knew well, but, she could handle it. Like she did with most things faced before her. The Tempest's voice inside her thoughts had made her smile faintly through the Brimstone's words. Put up with him? How could she not? "Don't worry about it, N'yx. Things'll work out. They always find some way to in the end." The Brimstonerider's hand moved over his own placed upon her stomach, her eyes trailing down to the tender sight. "How long is a long time, N'yx?" Her thumb stroked over the back of his palm, the woman's head tilting forward just enough to press her brow against his own, for he was already leaning down enough for the action. That was a testament, there. For the human body to find something so unthreatening that it would put its own control center at complete risk...It spoke volumes for what it was exactly the Weyrwoman felt. "You don't have to tell me. In fact, you probably shouldn't here where just anyone can walk in on us.-We can go back to the weyr and talk."

[Desert]

Xann nodded in agreement with Isionyth's words. He was of the same opinion, and he hoped that everything would turn out all right. The big tempest held his mate's gaze for as long as she kept her eyes locked onto his, and followed the brimstone's gaze to her abdomen where their offspring grew. He tightened his wing across the brimstone's shoulders in a brief, fond squeeze, and curved his neck around to gently press his muzzle to the subtle baby-bulge for a moment.

This time, N'yx couldn't stop from using his free hand to wipe the tears from Vsiasi's eyes. She was so adorable when she cried, he couldn't help himself. The smile that had been threatening finally broke free when Vsiasi's hand closed over the one he still held against her belly, and widened when she rested her brow against his. The way she was behaving, leaning so trustingly into him, made him think that maybe she wouldn't react negatively if he dared to explain his feelings. It was worth a shot, especially now that she was keeping his child.

It was an almost surreal thought, that his offspring was developing in this beautiful woman's body. He could hardly believe it, but not in a suspicious way; no, those had been banished fairly quickly during their conversation. It was merely a kind of awestruck wonderment. He was sure that it might take a little while for the notion to fully implant itself in his mind.

He realized the wisdom in her words -- they were standing right outside the infirmary, so at any moment someone could walk right in on them, and that wasn't something N'yx particularly anticipated. So, reluctantly, he disentangled himself from Vsiasi and stepped back. "Good point. Shall we?" He gestured for her to go ahead and walked by her side, all the while suppressing the urge to rest a hand on the small of her back.

So will you tell her?[/b][/color] Xann inquired, impatience obvious in his tone.

Yes, Xann. I owe it to her after this. It was a good thing that the Weyrleader was as determined as he was, for without that stubborn streak he probably would find an excuse to back out of the admission that so needed to be made.

Xann was satisfied with his rider's answer, but he also wanted to make sure that the brimstonepair found out one way or another -- he knew that dealing with this pregnancy and the resulting parenthood would be made much more difficult if the two humans weren't frank and open amongst one another. So he turned once more to Isionyth. You did us a big favor by tipping us off, and I feel I need to return it, Isionyth,[/b][/color] he said, knowing that this was only extra insurance. He knew N'yx would come through once he gathered up the will. He won't easily admit it, because it's not his way to wear his heart on his sleeve like I do, but N'yx does really love Vsiasi. He has for some time but he's always held back, for some reason best known to him. Please don't tell her yet -- I want N'yx to tell her himself.[/b][/color]

The two riders made it back to their shared weyr, and as they passed the couches on their way back, N'yx paused to give his dragon's muzzle a fond pat. The big tempest shoved his rider toward the curtain that divided the rider quarters, crooning softly. N'yx smiled wryly at the gesture, but obediently he followed after Vsiasi.

Once the curtain had fallen back after him, N'yx looked over at the Weyrwoman, slightly tense again. Some of his earlier misgivings came back, despite his best efforts to ignore them. What was he waiting for, shardit? He was acting like a little boy stammering in front of his first crush! A faint sigh full of exasperation at himself slipped past his lips as the tempestrider went to slouch into a chair.

ooc; grar, Melpomene is suddenly aiming a string of profanity and curses my way again. e_e[/size]

[Onyxaeon]

Isionyth had waited patiently for Xanntorith to word his thoughts, the Brimstone having sent comforting reassurance to Hers as she passed by the dragon couches and into the shared weyr of the Weyrleaders. Poor little one...She needed to be safe with this whole new thought and situation, and the queen could only hope she took to it all well. When the Tempest took to fully explaining, the senior queen sighed a breath of relief, her eyes whirling mixed shades about the thought, though. What if His didn't tell her in time and made her doubt? She couldn't see Hers hurting so but, then again, she couldn't go back on her promise to the male before her. What a problem for the female. I will not tell her, but he has to tell her soon. Mine will not admit it, but she is very breakable; she can't go too much deeper into this kind of situation without knowing someone is standing right there beside her. And I don't just mean me. She's gotta know he cares, if only a little through some small hint. The Brimstone turned her skull to the curtain blocking the view of Hers and the other rider nestled in one chair in the corner.

Mine, this is not easy on anyone. Try to make it as comfortable as you can; it will do no harm and he will appreciate the thought. He needs to know you care, if only through something very obscure and simple. Go on, get closer. Most every problem can be fixed if distance isn't an issue. Alright, Isi. I will but, please, let me do this on my own. You say he needs his reassurance, well, I need it too. But in myself. If I can't do this on my own...I'm not sure I rightly deserve the babe. The Weyrwoman cut off her dragon before she had the chance to interject, holding up a metaphorical hand to say she had misunderstood. Don't worry, love. Everything will be fine. Besides, your eggs don't need the stress you shouldn't even be feeling. You should go eat something and, who knows? By the time you get back, we could be done talking. The Brimstone said she would think over such a thing after things were settled between her and N'yx, and the woman only sighed to this. Stubborn dragon.

Vsiasi watched as N'yx carried his body to one lonely chair, an audibly, heavy sigh taking the air from around him. Vsiasi glanced toward the bed, debating upon sitting down on the edge. The thought was met with another challenge upon Isionyth entering her thoughts, telling her to go to him. He wouldn't know she cared or feel any support from her if she was across the room sitting on the bed. As much as she hated to admit it, her dragon was right. With that in mind, Vsiasi left her hands be-she had been fiddling, turning her thumbs over one another-and turned to walk carefully to the Weyrleader. As calmly as she could manage, the woman approached the back of the chair, gingerly slipping her hands around his neck.

"N'yx, I know you had something to say...Take your time. I'll be right here waiting." It was such a simple statement, but maybe it would help him. Hopefully he would adjust to this new side of her and himself, or at least be able to take it in a stride easily.

[Desert]

Xann nodded. He'll tell her straight out before this conversation is over -- either that, or one of us will,[/b][/color] he assured Isionyth, making sure that N'yx heard him. There was no way the tempest was going to let his rider get out of this admission -- it was too important to everyone involved.

N'yx half-smiled in acknowledgment of the thinly veiled, though well meant, threat. What would he ever do without Xann? I'm sure you would be lost and alone, now stop stalling, coward.[/b][/color] He had a point. The Weyrleader took a deep breath, and expelled it just as Vsiasi's hands came to rest on his shoulders. The touch was, perhaps as she had anticipated, slightly reassuring.

He reached up to put one of his hands overtop Vsiasi's, still with the ghost of a smile on his lips. "If I take my time I might never get it out," he remarked wryly, chuckling at his own hesitation. Was he blushing? A little, I think, but she can't see it from where she's standing.[/b][/color] That was a good thing -- it was embarrassing enough that he was flushed like an awkward little boy.

It was now or never. "Vsiasi, I..." he suppressed another sigh. "I'm not sure when it started, but now that Xann is wrapped around Isionyth's little claw, I can't deny it or hide it anymore. I... I love you, Vsiasi." There. He'd said it, for better or worse. N'yx gently squeezed the hand he still held over hers and waited for her response, trying to cool the blush on his cheeks.


ooc; -does the awkward turtle dance- awkward turtle awkward turtle awkward turtle! XD
sorry it's so short, but Melpomene is nowhere to be seen. at least it's a reply before i go to the beach.
[/size]

[Onyxaeon]

Vsiasi’s ears seemed to have deceived her, her brain failing to comprehend the words that had been gifted to her. He…what? No, that wasn’t possible. Love was something that evaded her around every bend, aside from with Isionyth, of course. A long pause stole over the Weyrwoman as she tried to process his words, blinking several times as her hand rested limply in his affectionate hold. He had done all he could do, and now the rest was up to her. That was all he needed of her. Not for her to be perfect, or to stand there and look pretty for the other Weyrs and their leaders, he just needed to know she was there. But, could she say it in return? Memories flooded her vision of her first crush, her unbiological brother S’dir and his loving Brown Gionth trying to talk her out of going all mushy eyed seeing stars and fawning over the lad like he was the world and he deserved her affections. She had learned from that experience, but time had worn the lesson from her mind. Maybe the memory would bring her back the help she needed.

”No man is worth the aggravation, Vsiasi, so I don‘t know why you‘re hiding it from us. You can trust us, and you know that,” S‘dir stated quite frankly, beside him, Gionth rumbling his amusement as Vsiasi crossed her arms, averting her eyes from the two of them. Bah! Like they would get it out of her anytime soon what was behind her recent shift in mood and demeanor…Her mind trailed off in a dazed sense of wonder, the girl of no more than thirteen turns going all “misty eyed” in her wonderment. It was several minutes later when S‘dir‘s snapping fingers finally brought her back into reality.
“Well?” He prompted, gesturing to indicate his point as her sigh of contentment. “I‘m not buying it, Vsiasi; I can see right through you. Come on, tell me. I promise I wont laugh.” That much was true. After all, to be only five years her senior, she had helped him through all his problems with the opposite sex and had not once laughed at him for having done so. It was odd for one so much older to be coming to a younger “sibling” for advice but, then again, he didn’t have anyone besides Gionth. He needed people, just like Vsiasi did.
“You‘ve a better chance of the Red Star ceasing to spit out thread. I wont say it,” Vsiasi murmured, firmly shaking her head and bringing a sigh of mild frustration from the Brownrider. It wasn’t his business who he was. It wasn’t like he was really her brother anyway. She would regret that thought moments after she said it, and this softened her up to his next words.
“Why deny it? You practically swooned when he walked by; you were never good at hiding your emotions. I‘m not stupid, little sis. Face it, you‘ve got it. Bad, too.” Now, it was S’dir’s turn to chuckle.
“There‘s no chance. It‘s just…a passing adoration.” Vsiasi turned to Gionth, trying to con the Brown into coming on her side, only to be met with a firm shake of the head. He wanted to know too badly to. They really did mean well…
“You wont say it, but your eyes do. I know you‘re in love.” The grin passed from rider to dragon, the Brown curling one wing around the dainty female and nuzzling her side softly. Don‘t be proud now. It’s okay, you know? You‘re in love. You shouldn‘t hide that kind of thing; it‘s too rare.

The Weyrwoman smiled faintly. So that had been it, what she needed to learn all over again and would eventually come full circle with. Then was nothing compared to now; a crush went away, but love doesn’t. It lingers in memories on the one who chooses to try to forget it, but it never leaves completely. No matter what is said and done, it always comes back. Vsiasi’s fingers slipped into the spaces between N’yx’s own, tightening faintly, just enough to allow him to know she was still with him and had not drifted off. The words were slow in coming, much like N’yx’s own had been, though Isionyth did not interrupt. No, instead, the Brimstone nudged her mate, nodding for him to pay attention attentively. “I love you too, N‘yx.” Vsiasi tried to chuckle, but it came out more or a silly sigh, the Weyrwoman’s other hand coming to rest on the Weyrleader’s other shoulder.

That wasn‘t too difficult, now was it, Mine? The queen was beaming, so pleased was she that Hers had finally owned up to what she felt. Now she could eat, like she really rather should for the fact she had way more than just herself to fed now. Go eat, love. I‘ll be here when you get back. I don‘t want to miss anything…I will wait. Go ahead, you have something else running around in your mind. I can hear it buzzing about. Tell him. Then I‘ll go eat and you have to as well. My orders since the healer is too afraid of me to say anything to you in the form of a command. The senior queen almost snickered at the thought. Oh, she still had it. The Weyr was in the palm of her clawed paw without her even trying.

“Be a father, N‘yx. Not a hero. It doesn‘t matter what chaos is going on outside of this Weyr, be a father. You don‘t have to try with this; it‘s something that comes naturally. I have faith in you.”

[Desert]

N'yx waited for Vsiasi to reply, and as the silence lingered he grew concerned. He wondered what was going through her head, decided that he might not want to know, and bit back his impatience. Xann touched his mind soothingly and told him to chill. It was an almost laughable role reversal, for it was almost always N'yx who was soothing the high-strung Weyrking, not the other way around. That very fact helped to calm some of the growing agitation, for if Xann -- who was wont to get worked up over the slightest thing he perceived as wrong with his rider or the situation in which his rider found himself -- seemed unperturbed by the Weyrwoman's silence, then he had no reason to panic.

Still, emotion rarely listens to logic, even in the usually stoic N'yx. He managed to keep the agitation down to a level that Xann wouldn't take him to task for being paranoid, but it still existed. He couldn't help it -- he'd made himself vulnerable, exposed his innermost feelings, when he'd previously only trusted his bonded to that knowledge. Who would guess that under that seemingly unflappable, collected calm there was such emotion within? It had been well protected by his emotional walls, and had grown accustomed to that safety, so it wasn't exactly delighted by this sudden breach of its walls.

Vsiasi gently interlaced her fingers with his and squeezed -- the reminder did something to assuage a bit of the agitation, but didn't completely erase it, until Vsiasi finally spoke up. Pure relief -- followed instantly by exultation -- rushed through the Weyrleader's unconsciously tensed muscles just in time for Vsiasi to rest her other hand on his shoulder. All he could think to do in that moment, overcome as he was with emotion, was to pull her hand entwined with his own up and press a kiss onto her knuckles.

Xann had needed no urging: he was already focusing his entire attention on the two riders inside. When his rider touched his lips to the Weyrwoman's hand, the big tempest uttered a shrill, triumphant whistle as if to echo the spike of euphoria in N'yx's mind. "Shut up, Xann," N'yx muttered absently, though there was nothing in his voice approaching irritation,

ooc; when i find Melpomene again... -veinthrob-

[Onyxaeon]

Vsiasi chuckled, Isionyth answering her with a musical rumble of her own amusement. Oh, their males were humorous, so very silly and perfectly odd. "Be nice now," Vsiasi reprimanded in a mock light, shaking her head faintly as if to disapprove of his actions. "He's just a little...elated." The Weyrwoman bit back an almost child-like giggle that threatened to break free as she looked over the the curtian that separated the dragon couches from the rest of the weyr where Isionyth had poked her head through to look on at the pair of riders. Yes, play pretty now. The senior queen echoed through the minds of the two riders as well as her mate. Coming from her, the words were no doubt oddly placed. A Brimstone telling someone to play pretty? Yeah, and the Red Star was made out of cheese.

Alright, now that that has been settled, Mine, you must eat. Now, and no excuses like "oh, but I'm not hungry yet" or "but it's not dinner time" or any of that nonsense. I don't know the first thing about tiny humans, but I do know dragon babies need to eat a lot, and they are small too. As long as I have the fortune to carry them, you need to eat more. Besides, it gives you a perfect excuse to gorge. The Brimstone almost gapped a grin at this. Indeed, she couldn't deny she had used the same wording to have others turn a blind eye on her excess feasting but, then again, she could have done so whether they forgave her behavior or not. She was the senior, the only true queen-Chromes did not hold the title for being clutch bearers even though they could lay for their size, behavior, and clutch size-to the entire Weyr, and that meant for a lot of perks. It also helped se had reputation for being particularly nasty and not bothering to care for what others said of her; she did not care. If she were sized up, she knew she could beat the best. True, queens like Ravens and Wraiths were bigger, but none of those would match her wrath or temper (or at least she thought so). Those who would, the Magmas, were hostile, yes, but she could easily take one and, in the worst case, bring it to a draw instead of victory. She had killed her own clutchmother to earn the respect of the Weyr's males-another queen could easily go down by her claws without so much as herself earning a mark.

Come with me, Xann? The queen questioned, turning her attention to the Tempest as she pushed back the curtain with one sooted wing to allow herself through as she trotted to the ledge, one great eye swirling around to lock gazes with Hers, though the dragon's words were for N'yx. Make sure she eats, take her to the infirmary again and let that healer know he will be seeing more of her and to get more potion crap to fix her morning sickness, and get her to sleep soon. Of course the only one who currently shared the Weyrwoman's position would order the woman about and follow none of her own advice. Isionyth had a way of being a hypocrite and never quite realizing it. Come along, my Tempest love. It really spooks the Weyr when the both of us are in one place together and amicable toward one another. I rather like scaring the Weyrfolk with it, I do. With that, the Brimstone dropped off of the ledge, gliding to the Weyrbowl without even hearing her rider's rebuttal.

Vsiasi sighed before muttering a low oath and something along the lines of sharding lizard before releasing N'yx from any hold she had on him and crossing her arms half heartedly. Had the woman's bonded been there, she would have warned the man that nothing good came from Hers crossing her arms. In this case, the "nothing good" was the woman trying to con him out of making sure she did everything her dragon had listed. "I don't have to do all of that, do I? Pwease?" Her tone had a child-like, thoug not childish, innocence to it that made her seem so much smaller than she already was, her eyes going terribly soft as she hoped to charm the man out of doing her overgrown flit's orders.


ooc// I rambled, but I owed a reply. o.o Sowwy.