Modern Day Warrior, Today's Tom Sawyer [[Elain]]

[Desert]

Ayeda glanced out of her weyr to see Xeal, and the other male duvalia feeling up to the challenge, busily blooding their kills for an upcoming Flight. True to Xealnaveth's prediction, the duvalia queen Evarsath was Rising. It was later than Ayeda had thought, though, with a whole month having elapsed since she had announced that prediction to Landaras. She uttered a rather uncharacteristic expletive under her breath before emerging from the weyr. This was rather ill-timed, for the holders from Kijuju were visiting the Weyr again, and it was often unsettling for those unused to the experience to be close by during a Flight. Hybrids were telepaths equal to their full draconic ancestors, so a duvalia's Flight was just as "loud" as any goldFlight.

Still, there was no stalling a Flight, so Ayeda descended the short flight of stairs from her weyr onto the Bowl floor. Most of the other duvaliariders whose bondeds were participating were already assembled, though Ayeda was only one of two women so far. A few of the visiting holders had come into the Weyrbowl, curious as to this unusual ritual. A nearby rider filled then in as to what was happening, and good-naturedly set to rounding up a handful of other off-duty riders to help convey some of the visitors back to the Hold. Ayeda was glad to see someone providing that service; she would've done it herself, had Xeal not been absorbed in his own pursuits.

The queen emerged and, with the typical drama associated with queenFlights, was made to blood her kills by her rider. Evarsath was a big duvalia, at the upper end of the size spectrum, so she had a good half-dragonlength on Xeal. That didn't daunt him, though, as he took to the air after her. Ayeda, with the rest, stared avidly after her bonded as the pack of duvalia wound higher and higher into the air. No cephalo had joined this Flight, for the queen was too big for any of the smaller hybrids to tackle. Skolth was back on the weyrledge, dozing blissfully; one of the few times he tolerated being separated from his brother were Flights. Both hybrids had reached an agreement that they wouldn't both chase the same female, and thankfully there hadn't been many instances of mutual interest in one female that a quick sparring match couldn't decide the one to chase.

Ayeda lost track of the rest of the world, enveloped as she was by Xeal's mind. She didn't notice any of the other visiting holders, nor did she care whether or not they were around to feel its effects. She was, at that moment, one in the same with Xealnaveth.

ooc; 'nother postfail. -sigh-

[elainsie]

Had it really been a month since he was last here? Where had the time gone, it felt more like a quarter of that time had elapsed, and yet it had taken Landaras and the Weyrleaders that long to rearrange the meeting that should have taken place earlier in the season.

The meeting concluded, and all issues addressed, Kijuju's Lord Holder bid farewell to the two Fyr Amenti Weyrleaders and made his way to the Weyr Bowl. Should he return to the Hold now? Faranth knew how much work he still had to do before he would even be able to think of sleep tonight, it really did seem neverending, or would he allow himself a brief respite and perhaps take a walk around the Weyr until his holders were willing to return?

He arrived at the Weyr Bowl perhaps at the most inopportune time. It seemed people had flocked from everywhere and it only took Landaras a quick glance at the feeding pens to understand what the commotion was all about. The Lord Holder was not ignorant to the particularities of a flight, and his visits on a number of occassion had coincided with such events. On those occassions he had removed himself quickly from the situation and taken whatever dragon was available back to Kijuju. While Landaras was happy for his holders to take their pleasure as they saw fit, it was not something he necessairly wanted for himself.

However Linae had been right; her suggestion was not without merit, and Landaras had had a month to mull over it, to observe it from every angle possible. Nor had Linae been the only one to address him on the matter; some had tried tact but a few had been remarkably blunt in their intent. No doubt the Kijuju holders thought it was high time he settled down and Landaras had to admit he was not getting younger. Drumming his hand against his thigh he looked over at the fast-growing group of riders who must have had dragons chasing after the Queen duvalia; only two of the number were female. But then again the lust did not only effect the riders with an interest in the flight. He noticed enough women hanging around, attempting to look as if they were doing something that had brought them to the area, but Landaras was almost sure it was a ploy so they could be at the right place at the right time.

"Lord Holder Landaras, would you like me to take you back to Kijuju now?" A young, lanky Cephalo rider approached the older man's shoulder at which Landaras shook his head. "Thank you, but I think I may watch this one out." His eyes glanced from the boy's face back to the sky were the dragons had taken to, the Cephalo rider giving a shrug of his shoulders as he retreated.

A part of Landaras chided him for pulling what could only be a foolish stunt; he had no experience of dragon-lust, had managed to escape well in time before.What was to stop him from following a man to bed? How would that help him get a child? And even if he did find himself entwined with a woman what was the likelihood that just the one encounter was going to result in a succesful pregnancy? It made his head ache, and he rubbed at his temples. However the decision had been made, and if Landaras was anything it was obstinate.

[Desert]

The Flight wasn't going well for Xealnaveth. Though he was a strong male in the prime Turns of his life, the queen was young and wily and big, and there were several males bigger than he with hotter blood who wouldn't take no for an answer. In one of the more convoluted turns Evarsath led her chasers into, Xeal tried to take his sharper to make up lost distance, but another male swooped in so close that Xeal had to balk or risk being knocked talons over teeth. The sudden change, at the speed he was going, overextended one of his wings. Xeal squealed in pain and immediately folded his wings; he was done.

As she began pulling her mind free of her bonded's, Ayeda sent waves of soothing comfort to Xeal. He had won plenty of Flights and sired his share of clutches, and he was sure to continue to do so, but no one can win every time. Xeal glided awkwardly back down to the Bowl, favoring one wing, and touched down gingerly in the Bowl. He sought out his bonded and pressed his muzzle into her chest for reassurance, whimpering pitifully that he was hurting. Ayeda sent him down to the lake to soak his lame wing in the cold waters below.

Her nerves were still afire from the Flight, and with the contest not yet over, she didn't see things getting any better soon; she contemplated joining him to let the cool water soothe her lust, but Xeal pointed out with a touch of his usual humor that there were plenty of willing humans standing around to oblige. With that, Xealnaveth turned and limped into the tunnels leading down to Amenti Lake. He was playing up his injury a bit, since most muscles used for flight did not also function for walking, but the soreness of a pulled muscle did have a way of spreading to other, less seriously affected areas.

With her thoughts still slightly fogged with lust, it only took a moment of contemplation for Ayeda to decide what to do. She strode back toward the clustered humans, having distanced herself from them to get at Xeal as he landed, and studied the group. There were several duvaliariders whose beasts, like hers, had also dropped out of the race, but she didn't particularly like most of them; besides, as high as emotions were running amongst the losers, they were bound to be a bit rough, and Ayeda didn't particularly savor getting bruises.

Then an unexpected face appeared in her vision. She hadn't noticed Landaras coming into the Bowl, but she was surprised he was still here. Surely he'd known what was going on. It was hard to remain ignorant, since by this time the lust radiated by the Flight was impossible to ignore. So, was the progressive Hold Lord finally practicing what he preached, then? Ayeda couldn't suppress a smirk. In that case, I wish him luck. He certainly picked the right time to put his plan into action.

So why don't you go tell him that?[/b][/color] Xeal suggested wryly.

Ayeda inclined her head in thought. She wondered how affected by the Flight he was, for that would be a good indicator of how an advance would be accepted. He looked fairly glassy-eyed by now, which led Ayeda to believe he'd willingly go with anyone who expressed interest. A chuckle escaped her lips at that; it was easy to tell when a visitor was caught in the Weyr during a Flight for the first time. She personally had no compunctions by this point; the Flight was likely to be won soon, and inevitably the closer it got to that point, the more intense the lust pervading the Weyr became. She was beyond caring about appearance or personality. By then, as long as he had the right anatomy and wasn't any more likely to inflict bruises on her as she was on him (for Ayeda's fierceness sometimes was exacerbated by the strong emotion of dragonfrenzy) it worked.

So without further ado she approached the Lord Holder with an entirely unbidden smile on her lips. "I take it you haven't been in the Weyr for a Flight before." She couldn't help but chuckle at his expression. "It can be overwhelming. Standing out in the middle of it doesn't help, either -- there's a few rooms in the Lower Caverns just for cases like this," she said, an alluring smile creeping over her lips. Ayeda took a step in the direction of those ground-level weyrs reserved for Flights and looked back at Landaras, jerking her head for him to follow. He was a smart man, and even if his mind was awash with lust, he'd be able to decipher her hint.
[/size]

[elainsie]

It was a rather peculiar sensation to feel yourself lose control of your higher functions, to give into what was quite a primitive and even animalistic reaction. It did not hit him suddenly,he was not one moment lucid and the next so overtaken by lust he could not think straight, rather it came with a gradual transition; but this did not lessen the effect at all.

Of course the experience itself was not utterly foreign to Landaras, he was no innocent and had had some experience, however the majority of it had occurred in a distant past and had he been asked to recall how long it had been, the number was likely to be something in the vicinity of Turns.

His dilated eyes became glazed over, his body overly attuned to those around him however his gaze was still fixated on the dragons in the sky. The small part of Landaras that was not completely awash with lust debated whether he would see someone out or wait until someone approached. Just how dd these things happen? he thought rather exasparatedly.

He did not notice the glances from a few of the people around him, those not as far gone as himself whispering over his presence, and this was perhaps a good thing for had he known he may have felt a degree of embarassment.

While still debating how to proceed next it seemed the decision was made for him. A dragon pulled down from the sky, landing in a clearing not too far from were riders, weyrfolk and assorts holdfolk awaited the result of the flight. He glanced over with little interest, after all he was there for a much different reason then to merely observe, however as the hybrid limped off his silvery gaze locked onto the dark eyes of the hybrid's rider.

He recongised, her of course, from his jaunt a month back, however what he noticed now was markedly different to what he had noted previously. As she walked over he noticed the graceful sway of her lithe body, that iridiscent look to her skin that stood her apart from her contemporaries, that made him realise how unique and attractive she really was. Funny what was brought to attention in a lust-induced state.

Landaras was sure she made her way over to him, and he was not disappointed. The smile that made her appear just that bit more alluring brought quite naturally one to his own face. He wanted to reach out and touch her skin, it looked so soft and inviting, however he just refrained less this be something other than what he believed.

As she spoke he watched her lips move, as if a man tranced, however the words did sink into his subconsciousness and he nodded his head in response. Lucky that one of them had a modicum of sense because at that very moment Landaras would not have cared about the scene they had made, wanted nothing more than to have Ayeda in his arms, and as quickly as possible.

His long stride carried him close behind Ayeda, their bodies brushing so as to cause the hairs on his skin to stand up. Finally they reached the room and he was able to close te gap between them, his lips hungrily seeking hers as he found a relief from the intense lust, one hand pulling her tightly towards him while th other became entwined in her short, night-dark hair.

[Desert]

As they made the short journey to an unused private weyr, Ayeda felt Landaras' skin touch hers several times, and she was unable to stifle a little smirk. Oh, he was obviously unused to Flights; he was practically breathing down her neck in eagerness. It was rather endearing, she thought, like a newly graduated weyrling's first Flight. Xeal, from his current position cooling his blood in the lake, hissed a snicker. Holders were so amusing, sometimes!

Overhead, a winner was finally decided, though the bondeds of Evarsath and Phyrnith were far from the only ones indulging in carnal pleasure as the sun finished its descent and night closed in, its star-speckled cape painting the sky a velvety, dark navy. Xeal finished his soak and ambled -- still gingerly -- back out into the Bowl. Though his weyrledge wasn't actually that far from the ground, it was too far to jump, and he really didn't want to use his wings until the pain faded. His strain wasn't severe but would ache for a while. So the big hybrid settled down outside the door to the weyr His was currently occupying, guarding it from any unaware passersby interrupting.

He overheard a few people whispering amongst themselves, intrigued that Kijuju's Lord Holder had stayed during the Flight and postulating about this or that. Xeal snorted scathingly. What the Hold Lord does with his time is none of your concern,[/b][/color] he scolded, eliciting starts from the gossipers. Rebuffed, they dispersed, though doubtlessly a few rumors would be going around for a while.

Skolth descended from the ledge and curled up next to his big brother, looking at the older hybrid curiously. Xeal usually didn't take enough interest in humans other than Ayeda, especially someone from outside Fyr Amenti, to try and nip little things like that in the bud. However, Xealnaveth wasn't forthcoming with a reason, so Skolth's curiosity remained unassuaged. The duvalia merely rested his head on his paws and began to doze off, now that His was back to her usual self and basking in the afterglow's languid lassitude.

Feel better?[/b][/color] he inquired wryly. Humans, even His, were a constant source of amusement to Xeal with all their peculiar habits and reactions.

Hush, you, she retorted with no ill will in her tone whatsoever.

ooc; eh, short, but it works.[/size]

[elainsie]

Landaras felt a moment's worth of apprehension now that things had drawn to a natural conclusion and his state of mind was somewhat returned to normal. Although his face remained as smooth and as calm as ever he could not deny the mixed feelings of embarassment, satisfaction and a slight wariness of Ayeda that had had taken ahold of him. Perhaps it would have been better had he approached someone outside of a Flight, he had managed to retain only a shred of control, but nevertheless the deed was done.

With a glance over at Ayeda to discern her reaction he decided he had little to worry about on that account. The woman looked well contented so he must not have been to dreadful despite having no recent pratic, per se. He wished he had an idea how much time had elapsed, this momentary interlude would been that he would have perhaps a sleepless night, but from his position on the bed he could get no glimpse outside.

Although his body craved the warmth of the bed and the body of Ayeda of which his own curled was around, his head told him otherwise, and rather reluctantly he untangled himself and pushed onto the corner of the bed. Sorting through the tangle of clothes that had been removed with such haste he managed to salvage his though their crumpled appearance easily did not leave much room for speculation. With a sigh he pulled the pants on, trying his best to smooth the material so it looked a little worse for wear, his chest bared.

The shirt held in his hand he turned around to Ayeda, realising something must be said, the silence that had descended feeling rather uncomfortable for at least one of the occpuants of the room. "I'm sorry Xealnaveth did not win the flight." Though he would not admit that he was glad too. For if the hybrid had won, who knew just who Landaras may have ended up with or what the outcome may have been. At least he knew a little of Ayeda's character could discern no major character flaw, which was all positive should this moment result inthe child he hoped for.

Slipping the clothing in his hands over his head, he lifted himself from the bed, picking up his boots with one hand. "I thank you Ayeda for your time, and hope you were well...entertained," the Lord Holder reverted to a more formal, less cordial tone whilst addressing the duvalia rider. Having never been in such a position before Landaras had no idea of the protocol and as such returned to what was most familiar to him.

[Desert]

As Landaras disentangled himself from her and proceeded to get dressed, Ayeda's face broke into a toothy smirk. She stretched languidly still under the covers, completely relaxed in a sharp contrast to the Hold Lord's uncertainty. She watched him dress, humor glimmering openly in her eyes. It was, admittedly, kind of cute that he was so awkward. She was sure that few people in Kijuju had seen Landaras like this.

Xealnaveth's head appeared outside the door, blocking Landaras' exit. The big hybrid rumbled a chuckle at the Holder. It could be considered rude to depart so hastily, Lord Landaras,[/b][/color] he commented wryly.

Ayeda suppressed her surprise that Xeal would directly address the man of his own accord, and pulled herself into a sitting position. She was still smiling, hoping Landaras would relax a bit. "He's got a point, but don't worry about it. It's always a bit awkward for Holders who get caught up in a Flight. Give me a moment to finish gathering my wits and we'll take you back to your Hold."

Xeal actually stuck his head into the weyr, pushed his muzzle against Landaras' chest, and shoved the man backward until he was up against the bed, also sharing his next words with the Holder. Oh please, EdaMine. You're always so lazy after sex. My wing is strained and I don't want to fly, and you know Skolth won't carry anyone but himself.[/b][/color]

"You're in no position to call me lazy, you big mutt," Ayeda retorted fondly. It amazed her how quickly Xeal had taken a shine to Landaras, and she wondered what it meant. It was more unusual for hybrids to speak to humans other than their riders than for dragons to do the same, which only made Xeal's behavior that much more unusual.

Xealnaveth tilted his head toward his rider and let his forked tongue slither out between his teeth. Then he withdrew his head, but remained standing just outside the door, keeping either human from exiting the weyr. Ayeda scolded him silently, but the big hybrid was undaunted.
[/size]

[elainsie]

Kijuju's Lord Holder looked up at the large hybrid that blocked his exit from the room and then shot a concerned glance back at Ayeda where she languished on the bed. What exactly was this about? However Ayeda seemed content to just grin at him, as if he was not on edge enough.

The hybrid's words resounding in his head startled him in their unexpectdness. Despite numerous visits to the Weyr he could count perhaps one hand the number of times any had addressed him. "You thought I was being rude?" His question was both for Xealnaveth and Ayeda's sake. "If so I apologise for any misunderstanding, that was certainly not my intention, not in the least. It's just I have to leave, I can't stay here as your...your hostage." He gave a half grin at the proclalmation which faded quickly as he realised Xealnaveth had not budged. "I really do have to get back to Kijuju, please, I still have many things to attend to there." He pushed a hand through his sheared, dark hair. What game were the two playing? Why were the stopping him from leaving, was there something else that he did not know about this that he had not done, something he was meant to say?

At Ayeda's words he felt relief flow through him, "Thank you, thank you," however it was short lived as what was probably a gentle touch from the duvalia had him pushed back the way he had come and in proximity to the still unclothed form of Ayeda. This time the look he shot Ayeda touched on fearful, an emotion he was almost as unused to as the all-consuming lust he had felt earlier.

Sitting down on the bed, as it seemed there was little else to do, he interlocked his hands on his thighs and stared over at Ayeda. "Have I done something wrong? Is that why I'm not allowed to leave?" His face was a study in confusion, just the merest hint of red to his cheeks as he averted her nakedness and instead locked on her face. "If I have I deserve to know."

[Desert]

Ayeda shrugged good-naturedly and shot a quizzical look at where Xeal could still be seen, grinning away at the two humans. "I really have no idea what he's up to. Xeal usually doesn't have this much mischief in him." Perhaps it was leftover energy from the Flight, who knew. It had Ayeda perplexed, but not worried. Xeal was in all a sensible creature, so he'd know when it was time to stop playing.

See him blushing, Mine?[/b][/color] the big hybrid snickered privately to His.

That's probably because I'm completely unclothed, wherry-brain. Holders are more body-shy than weyrfolk, remember? What are you up to? While she tried to figure out what her bonded's problem was, Ayeda also attempted to put Landaras at ease. "No, you've done nothing wrong, believe me. Xealnaveth is the one with an issue here, though I don't know why."

He seems to me like a workaholic. You can be too, MyEda. Workaholics are annoying.[/b][/color]

And meddling hybrids are even more so. Move, Xealnaveth. Ayeda had dropped all semblance of tolerance in her mental tone, and fixed the duvalia with a no-nonsense glare that everyone in Fyr Amenti knew was a bad look to be pinned with, for it meant that Ayeda's patience was wearing thin.

With a whistle of protest, the big hybrid withdrew from the entrance to the weyr. Ayeda flowed smoothly to her feet and pulled on her clothing, still with a slightly displeased set to her expression. Skolth took one look inside, saw the duvaliarider's look, and promptly retreated back to their weyrledge. Even he knew better than to mess with Eda when she wasn't pleased.

"I'm sorry about that. Just let me get Xeal's fighting straps on and we can leave," Ayeda said to Landaras. Her voice had lost all its previous humor and was back to the polite formality that she always affected when not in the best of moods. Xeal stood quietly, looking properly chastened, while his rider rigged him out with his harness, and held his silence as Ayeda mounted and held out a hand to assist Landaras. Since the big hybrid was standing upright, he would definitely need help getting up to the duvalia's shoulder.
[/size]

[elainsie]

Landaras nodded his head at Ayeda's words but it was not until the hybrid actually cleared the doorway that he realised them for truth. He registered the change in her expression and almost protested that he could find his way back to the Hold some other way but then thought better of it. No use arguing, although it was not often the Kijuju Lord Holder stepped down from a challenge. It was perhaps an indicator of how out of his depth he felt over the entire situation, how he wished to return to his Hold, to what was familiar to him, that he brooked no argument.

Please, by the egg of Faranth let this all not have been for nothing, he fervantly prayed. Landaras could not imagine having to go through this ordeal again should it prove fruitless, surely having a wife would be easier and a lot less uncomfortable than this.

Following Ayed to the duvalia he waited for her to mount before scaling the dragons side and propelling himself onto the dragons back, grateful for the hand proferred as the distance was somewhat greater with Xealnaveth so far off the ground. "Thank you," he spoke as he settled behind the graceful rider, the tension in his shoudler starting to dissipate somewhat now that he knew home, and sanctuary, were only a few mintues away.

[Desert]

Xealnaveth took off, lumbering more heavily into the air than was normal, grumbling to himself about being made to fly on a lame wing. Ayeda ignored the mental chunnering of her hybrid; it was better for her to take him back herself, rather than have him seek out another rider to get him back, for that way there would be less fuel for rumors since there would be less chance that the Hold Lord was seen about the Weyr looking like he'd just gone through a Flight. The ascent to a proper altitude and short excursion between cooled Ayeda's temper a bit, so by the time they spiraled in to land outside of Kijuju her expression had loosened.

Xeal landed with a theatrical groan to which Ayeda payed no heed; instead, she turned in her seat to aim a faint smile over her shoulder at Landaras. "I hope you enjoyed yourself at the Weyr today," she said genially. "And I'm sorry for that little inconvenience. Xeal acts like a spoiled brat when something is paining him." The duvalia in question snorted scornfully, but since she wasn't far from wrong he made no comment.

Once the Lord Holder was back on the ground, Xeal heaved himself skyward again, swearing up and down that he'd be grounded for a week after this. You'll be fine by tomorrow, Xeal. Give the griping a rest. If you're that lazy get Skolth to hunt for you.

Xeal crooned an apology at His. I'm sorry! It seemed like he likes you and I can tell you like him, and since you went to him after the Flight...[/b][/color]

Ayeda sighed, unable to stay mad at her bonded. He's a nice man and we can get along, but you're reading too far into it, love. Don't let your inner romantic get the better of you.

Since the big hybrid was indeed something of a closet romantic, Xeal snorted in embarrassment. They touched down back on the ledge to their weyr, where Xealnaveth promptly sank onto his belly with a groan and the intention to stay there until his wing felt better. Ayeda gave his flank an affectionate slap and went to her quarters for a nap.

ooc; and there went my Muse. -sigh-[/size]

[elainsie]

As always with Landaras time sped past in a blurry of decisions, mediations and meetings, and before he realised just how far time had progressed it was 6 weeks after the flight. He had heard not one word from Ayeda, and while he really had very little knowledge on the subject of pregnancy, what he had gleamed from the females around him was that had she conceived as a result of the flight Ayeda would know by now. And surely is she knew she would not have stalled in informing him for the y had left on amicable terms and Landaras could think of no reason why she would hold back such news. Which of course meant nothing had happened and he was no better or worse off than before, although the incident was one best pushed to the far recesses of his mind.

Despite trying his best to minimise the damage and having returned to the Hold surreptiously, enough people with wagging tongues had spotted him at the Weyr the Flight. Linae upon hearing the gossip had rushed straight up to Landaras and demanded to know which rider he had ended up with, but Landaras gave a terse reply and even Linae realised the wisdom of not pushing her Lord Holder, even is he was too her cousin.

Landaras rubbed his bleary eyes, the glows in the basket having dimmed over the hours. It was late, perhaps somewhere around one or two in the morning, and the Hold was relatively quiet. But Landaras still had to finish the letter in reply to Eden's Lord Holder; the man had his eye on a few casks of Kijuju's Hold vintage and was trying to wheedle them for a fraction of their cost. It would not do to refute the man outright, but at the same time what he asked for was too great a boon.

With a sigh, Landaras picked up the stylus, head craned over the hide with its half written missive, and had placed only an extra sentence onto the page when a knock at the door made him startle. Who would be looking for him at this hour? That no one else was awake and that he could be left in relative peace and quiet was one of the reasons why Landaras pushed on into the wee hours of the morning. During the day he would have many interruptions but the night was his. Usually. Placing the stylus on top of the hide he crossed the room to the heavy wooden door and pulled it open.

[Desert]

Xeal tore eagerly into a kill, sinking his teeth into the muscled shoulder of a herdbeast with all the ferocity of one who had survived a famine. The beast's neck had been snapped and Xeal's saber-fangs pierced through its neck, so that the hot lifeblood soaked into the ground under his paws. Nearby, Skolth dug into a wherry he had taken down, burying his ichor-stained maw into the birdlike creature's breast.

Ayeda stood watching the two hybrids eat. It wasn't a sight for the faint of heart, nor was it any more merciful for any of the other senses. Usually the slaughterhouse smell that went with feeding draconids didn't bother Ayeda, since she'd been bonded to Xeal for so long, but for the past sevenday or so she'd been over-sensitive to some strong odors. Today was the worst, as she felt queasiness built up in her stomach from the strong, bloody smells. Xeal looked up in concern as His bit back a retch and retreated in the direction of her weyr. MyEda, please go to the Healer,[/b][/color] he begged. She'd been... off for a while, and he didn't like it.

"I know what the problem is, Xeal, I don't need to see the Healer," Ayeda retorted from where she was leaning against one wall in her weyr, arms folded across her abdomen. "And I'd rather not let anyone know until I decide what to do about it." Besides having an uneasy stomach of the mornings and evenings -- it was past dusk now -- there wasn't much to indicate that something was amiss. Except, perhaps, the most telling symptom: she had completely missed her last bleeding. It was supposed to have come two sevendays ago, but nothing. Though this had never happened personally to Ayeda, she wasn't stupid, she knew what was going on.

You are pregnant,[/b][/color] Xeal stated. It wasn't a question, just mildly incredulous.

So it would seem. Ayeda sighed heavily and ran a hand through her hair. Are you two done?

Yes.[/b][/color] Xeal nudged Skolth sharply with one wing, prompting the cephalo to take his last bite of wherry and clear off. He did, just in time for another cephalo to arrive: Ricadith, the female who had Searched Ayeda Turns ago. Verna vaulted off her hybrid just as Ayeda reached the Bowl floor again, and approached the younger woman.

"You don't look so good, Eda," Verna observed, her brow furrowing in concern.

The duvaliarider grimaced eloquently. "I don't feel so good at the moment. It'll go away soon enough, though." She sighed.

"Do we know what the problem is?"

Ayeda still had one arm folded across her abdomen. "I've got a fair idea," she replied uncertainly.

Verna glanced down at the younger woman's hand, and her face slowly broke into a grin. "You can't be serious, Eda."

The corners of Ayeda's mouth twithed up at the disbelief in her friend's tone. "Unless you know of any conventional illness that causes morning sickness..."

Ayeda staggered slightly as Verna threw her arms around her shoulders excitedly. "Finally! I was wondering when biology was gonna catch up with you! It's about time you were a woman and not just 'the bitch in the red dress'!"

Ayeda chuckled, for that slur was a favorite among the weyrfolk who didn't particularly like her, since she almost always wore red.

"So, are you gonna keep it?" Verna asked eagerly.

Since it is likely the only heir to Kijuju Hold, you probably should,[/b][/color] Xeal observed privately to His, wryly.

Ayeda schooled her surprise at that observation, and without missing a beat, replied to Verna. "I think I will."

Verna squeaked gleefully and hugged her again until Ayeda protested that she couldn't breathe. "Who's the father? C'mon, you have to tell me, since you're keeping it!"

Ayeda smiled at her friend's exuberance. "Let me tell him first, okay? Then I'll spill everything."

Verna grinned conspiratorially. "Oh, so there's a story behind it? I'll hold you to that, Eda!"

Xeal rumbled a chuckle as Ricadith and Verna departed, chattering excitedly back and forth. I think our next stop is the Hold, if your stomach has settled enough,[/b][/color] he said.

Ayeda walked up to Xeal and leaned against his head lovingly, with her brow resting against his eye ridge. It is, but give me a moment, love. She'd known, as soon as she became aware of the pregnancy, that Landaras was the father, but it hadn't really crossed her mind that the child she carried was the heir. It was a rather obvious conclusion, but somehow it had never filtered into her thoughts. That very fact, however, made this much more important than any conception from a Flight. It would obviously be met with mixed opinions in the Weyr and at the Hold. However, Ayeda found herself staunchly unwilling to let something trite like some disappointed suitors for Landaras' hand change her decision.

Xeal crooned, his mind radiating all the love his body count contain, and tilted his head to press the tip of his muzzle against her belly. No matter what, she would have at least one other being on her side with this, and Ayeda thanked Faranth for all she was worth that she had Xeal. She wrapped her arms as far around his head as she could, but soon Xealnaveth broke the embrace with a businesslike huff. Come, EdaMine. It's a longer journey to the Hold flying straight.[/b][/color]

Ayeda smiled slightly at her thoughtful, considerate, gallant hybrid. He would certainly not be taking her between until the pregnancy came to term, not even if she ordered him to. It's getting pretty late, m'love. Shouldn't we wait until morning?

He will be busy by the time we get there if we leave in the morning. At least if we go now, we have a better chance of catching him alone. You know I'm right, Mine. Come![/b][/color]

It looked like there was no dissuading him, so Ayeda obligingly scaled his shoulder. Xeal pointed out the lack of fighting straps, but Ayeda just slapped his neck impatiently. She was in fine physical form still, and the day she couldn't stay on her own hybrid's back was the day she would give up flying. Xeal rumbled a chuckle at that retort and leaped into the air. He quickly made it to an acceptable altitude, and set out flapping strongly in the warm summery night air.

He was in his element now, for hybrids had nearly the same keen night-vision as whers on top of their heat-sensors, so he was at home flying at night as pure dragons were flying during the day. He enjoyed getting the chance to stretch his wings without being subjected to the grueling pace of a Flight, and the flight to Kijuju was just long enough to get him warmed up. As they circled down onto the Gather field, the Hold's night watch whistled demandingly. It was a halfbreed, for they were by far more user-friendly and intelligent than pure whers, while still retaining all the advantages that whers had over dragons. Xeal crooned a reply as he backwinged and landed, whuffing a breath of air over the other chimeric beast. The halfbreed recognized him and settled down with an amiable trill. Xeal had made a point to make friends with the Hold's watchwhers and halfbreeds, feeling a touch of kinship with them.

Ayeda gave him a fond caress as she slid off his back and made her way into the Hold, guided by her remembrance of Kijuju's layout from her brief stay there. As she approached the Lord Holder's suite, she saw a light on under the door, and smiled privately. How predictable, that the hard-working Holder would be up at this late hour. She rapped her knuckles briskly on the door and waited for him to open it, suddenly a bit uncertain. How would he react? Surely he wouldn't ask her to abort the child, for it was his only heir, even if it was of rather mixed Blood. Well, she was about to find out.

As the door swung open, Ayeda put her usual polite smile on her lips. "I'm so sorry to bother you this late, Lord Landaras, but I have news that shouldn't wait over-long to be passed on. May I come in? It might not be prudent to discuss it out here when any late-night eavesdroppers can hear." She had realized, going through the still Hold, that it was later than she had thought. Most hybridriders, by dint of being bonded to creatures who preferred not to be active during the day's brightest hours, tended to have skewed internal clocks. She mentally swore and hoped he wouldn't be too disgruntled by her sudden appearance when by all rights he should be asleep.
[/size]

[elainsie]

Landaras' face took on a rather incredulous look as he locked eyes with his visitor. He had scrolled through a mental list in his head of all the people who may have wanted him at such an hour, but he most certainly had not expected to find Ayeda on the other side of the door.

His eyes searched hers for something, but came up decidedly lacking. Her formality however set the tone for the scene and with a nod he waved her over to the chair as he held the door open for her. "Please take a seat and it's really no bother. I doubt you'd come if it was not something important." He looked at her again trying to discern if anything about her was different, how did one tell if a woman was pregnant? And with your own child no less? And yet surely she must be; what other important news would she have to share that was perhaps best told in private?

He watched her make her way to the gestured chair, and closed the door firmly behind him before crossing the room and walking around the desk and back into his own chair. "Do you want anything to eat or drink? No one is up to bring us anything but I could forage for something in the kitchens if need be." Landaras' grey eyes swept over Ayeda, the only subtle difference he could discern was Ayeda looked paler than he was accustomed. However that was hardly a foolproof sign; he was sure there were any number of reasons for it and he chided himself for jumping to conclusions.

"Are you ok?" he asked, the formality slipping slightly, as he picked up the stylus laying on the desk and idly twirled it between his fingers. He wanted to ask the question outright, was she or was she not pregnant, but Landaras realised that perhaps in this instance patience would be better. After all she had come here. And with that being said, surely whatever she had to say would no doubt be addressed whenever Ayeda felt ready. "And how did you get here, is Xealnaveth outside?" He glanced to the window as he phrased the question however the view it afforded gave him no indication whether she had ridden her hybrid or if she had made her way by some other means.

[Desert]

Xeal was listening to the conversation, through his rider's mind, and with a gentle touch on Landaras' thoughts. As speculations darted to and fro through the Holder's mind, the big hybrid snickered hilariously. So he had actually been hoping that she would conceive? Xeal found the whole situation supremely amusing, though he didn't share the reason with His; she would find out soon enough, he figured. And this was just too funny.

Ayeda tried to ignore her bonded's hysterics and focus on the conversation with Landaras. "I'm all right for now, but thank you," she replied to his offer for refreshment as she settled into the indicated chair. Her stomach had stopped turning flips, but she was still unwilling to trust it enough to put something in it. She noticed him scrutinizing her closely and found it a bit odd, but she pushed that concern aside.

Landaras' next inquiry brought out a genuine smile onto her expression. "Xealnaveth is waiting outside, yes." Doubtlessly, once the pregancy got to the point that it was obvious to everyone with rudimentary vision, Xeal would forbid any flying whatsoever, but if the big wherry-brain tried to ground her while she was still able to be active, she was going to have a few words with him. "Though we flew straight. It takes far longer that way than I'm used to, unfortunately," she added, chuckling softly, "which is why we showed up at this rather awkward hour. I honestly hadn't realized how late it was, since at the Weyr our hours are often quite different."

You're rambling, Mine. Stop stalling. Trust me, he wants to hear this,[/b][/color] Xeal commented, giving His a bit of a surprise. How did he know? Xeal was just a bundle of surprises lately.

Ayeda's expression didn't betray her reaction to Xeal's statement, but she took him by his word. "The reason I showed up so suddenly, Landaras, is because you need to know. I'm pregnant. I haven't gotten the Healer's opinion on it, but I'm sure beyond a shadow of reasonable doubt that this is what's going on. And since you're the only man I've been with in enough time for the symptoms to just now be showing up, there's really no question that you're the father." Well, there it was. Now he knew. She waited to see his reaction before going on -- once she had seen how he took this revelation, she could judge how he would take her telling him that she was going to keep it no matter what.

That little thought caught her short for a moment. She'd only really accepted the fact for a few hours, and hadn't put much thought into whether to abort or carry, so the convection behind that knowledge was slightly surprising. Was she so determined to carry this child to term? Yes, yes she was. And Faranth help anyone who tried to make her think otherwise. A fond, maternal little smile threatened to overtake her lips, and only her Turns of experience keeping her expression and posture schooled stopped it from showing.

Xeal, from outside, crooned supportively. He was one hundred percent with His on this, and if Landaras for whatever reason wanted the child aborted, he would have to deal with not only a defiant Ayeda, but an equally defiant Xealnaveth, and of the two Xeal was far bigger and generally accepted by most holders to be scarier. The big hybrid's jewel-faceted eye appeared, hovering just outside the window.

ooc; aaand there went Melpomene's moment of OMG POST. -sigh-[/size]