Changing Friendships {Zirin}

[Akira]

D’tri paced anxiously as he waited for any word from the Harper woman he had come to love. He had sent his newest firelizard, a green named Skitter, to Aridani in Trelis with a small note asking for any news about the hatching. He was pacing on the beach that was closer to Trelis than he supposed he should be, but his topaz dragon wasn’t anywhere near so anyone that might come upon him might just think of him as a lost traveler or someone who has gone a little mad. He was now muttering worriedly to himself as he waited for the reappearance of his young green. If you do not relax a little D'tri I shall come over there and Make you relax. The hiss in Chahaturth’s voice as it echoed around inside of his head made the man stop in his tracks, and force himself to calm down.

[Zirin]

When Skitter was finally able to return to D’tri, the little flit wasn’t alone. No, instead there was a boy with her, lurking in the shadows. He had followed the green on his mother’s orders, and, having always been momma’s little helper, knew he would be doing a job for her. Skitter had a note, he knew that much. He knew it would explain to the right person that the boy, Danarvi, would help sneak him closer to the Weyr, as Aridani was unable to be far from her dragonet. Of course, it didn’t mention that Danarvi was her son.

The boy, no more than eight Turns old, gave the topazrider time to read the note before stepping out and motioning to him to follow. If D’tri did follow he would soon find himself within the walls of the Weyr once more, with Aridani waiting for him, a small purple dragoness nestled beside her.

[Akira]

D’tri was almost ready to pull his hear out when he heard a familiar chirp and croon. He smiled from ear-to-ear as he held out his arm for Skitter to land on and eagerly took the note that was in the front claws of his little green firelizard. He quickly read the note, and then turned to look for the child that would take him to Aridani. Greetings child, please, we must move quickly. He was already following Danarvi as quickly as the boy could lead him. Skitter was hiding in D’tri’s shirt with just her little green head poking out. She was watching everything that rushed pass them with amazed curiousness. She was so happy that she had pleased Her’s so much. She crooned with quiet satisfaction. But the sound went unnoticed by the man she had bonded. He was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to pay much attention to the green.

D’tri gasped slightly when he finally realized that he had actually followed Danarvi completely into Trelis. Then he saw her, and stopped mid-step. What he saw Definitely wasn’t what he had been expecting. You’ve impressed!? It was more of an exclamation then an actual question. He stared quite openly at the amethyst dragonet that was nestled beside Aridani. Skitter climbed out of D’tri’s shirt, and glided over to Aridani and landed on her shoulder where she started to chatter softly, hoping that she had done everything she was supposed to, to make both Hers’ happy. D’tri smiled broadly and slowly started walking closer to Aridani. He felt tears start to well up behind his eyes and blinked quickly to keep them back. Now he not only had a way to communicate with her every day, but once Simenath was grown, a way to see her every day.

[Zirin]

It was a squeak from Harmony that had Aridani lifting her head in fear, at first worried that they had been spotted by someone. Her little dragonet was only a few days old now and still spent most of her time eating and sleeping. As it was, she didn’t think they were allowed out of the barracks at such an hour anyways. She needed to see him though, to make sure he was okay and to give him the amazing news.

She smiled as D’tri stepped into view and paused in surprise. Smiling up at him, Aridani reached over to tickle lovingly at her tiny amethyst’s chin, gently rousing her from her slumber. It took the dragoness a moment to yawn and wake up enough to look about, and Ari reached up to scratch Skitter fondly. Such a good job her little friend had done. She then gave a quick motion to Danarvi as the boy whispered in her ear and ran off. He was sleepy and needed to get back to bed. Oh AriMine, is that the one your heart sings for? He’s so handsome! Ari nodded in silent confirmation before standing and meeting the topazrider halfway. Tentatively wrapping her arms around him, not wanting to overstep the rules for Simenath’s safety.

AriMine is so happy to see you Ari’sLove! The amethyst intruded on D’tri’s thoughts.

[Akira]

D’tri watched the silent exchange between Aridani and her dragon. He remembered, suddenly, what it was like to be a newly impressed weyrling and smiled lightly as he wrapped his arms around Aridani and gave her a tight hug before loosening his embrace so that she was held by one arm. She is a beauty. I’m sure Chahaturth would love to meet her once she’s old enough to leave the Weyr. It wasn’t until after he finished speaking that he heard the amethyst’s voice and chuckled softly. I’m happy to see Ari too...um...what’s your name? He tilted his head to the side curiously as he asked the question, and smirked when he heard Chahaturth’s mental snort. Skitter was sitting on D’tri’s shoulder silently watching everything that was taking place.

The little green was so proud of the fact that she had done so much good and had made both of Hers’ happy. D’tri absentmindedly scratched Skitter’s back as a thought popped into his mind. Since we are breaking so many rules anyways, would you two like to make a small trip to the beach? I swear to Faranth I’ll have you both back before daybreak. His grin stretched ear to ear as he spoke. He looked between Aridani and her dragon, wondering what the two of them would decide. He wanted to take Aridani away but knew that it was best for her and her dragon to stay at Trelis Weyr. So he was resigned to convincing her to meeting him at the beach as many nights as she possibly could, and of course they would still use Skitter to send messages back and forth.

[Zirin]

Oh, I am called Simenath, Ari’sLove. The tiny dragoness chirped as she approached D’tri, stepping around him as if analyzing him. What do you think, little one? Simenath turned back, her eyes whirling with the greens and blues of contentment. She approved, and somehow the approval of her dragon made Aridani happier than she could ever say. At the mention of the beach though, the woman’s expression fell slightly, an emotion that was not shared by her dragon.

The beach? Oh can we AridaniMine? It would be such fun to listen to the waves! And we could sing and dance! Already the idea had the purple dragon skipping about despite how tired she was. Her wings dropped as Hers spoke silently to her though and Simenath was loathe to repeat the words but knew she had to. Mine says we both need sleep to be ready for tomorrow… I really want to go though… Mine wants to know if she can take a… what’s a rain check?

[Akira]

D’tri bowed slightly when Simenath introduced herself. I am D’tri, formally known as Demetri. But that was before Chahaturth came into my life. There was a smile in his voice almost as wide as the one on his face as he spoke. Do not sound so excited Mine. Chahaturth snorted as she spoke mentally to her rider and Aridani, in advertently touching Simenath’s mind as well. Since it was so dark the topaz sub-queen had snuck closer to the outside of Trelis’ wall. D’tri chuckled at his dragons words. Don’t worry Chaha, you know me better than that. There was obvious love in his voice as he spoke out loud and mentally to his dragon. It was about then that Iona decided to make an appearance in all of this. There was a loud pop as the gold firelizard appeared from Between.

Iona hissed as she landed on D’tri’s shoulder scolding him and everyone present for not informing her of this meeting. Iona shush, be nice and say hello to Aridani’s amethyst Simenath. The twenty-one turn old topaz rider lifted a hand and gently scratched the gold’s back, eliciting a pleased croon. Iona then looked down at the little amethyst with swirling eyes. She wasn’t sure she liked her yet, but then again Iona was a gold which meant she held herself above all others. Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t like you at first Simenath. She was that way with Chahaturth until she tried to eat Iona. D’tri recalled the memory fondly as he spoke, and again Chahaturth snorted from her hiding place on the opposite side of the wall. No doubt if anyone else had been walking pas they would have heard the topaz.

D’tri looked down and smiled at Simenath’s enthusiasm at his request and chuckled softly, giving Aridani a little squeeze as he did so. It basically means some other time Simenath. But your rider is right, weyrling training will start tomorrow and you are going to need all of your energy to keep up with all the training. Maybe you two can meet us on the beach on a night when you don’t have training the next day. It was obvious that D’tri was a little upset by Aridani’s decision but knew all too well how tough training could be. He bent his head down and kissed Aridani softly on the top of her head as Skitter took her cue and glided over to land on his shoulder opposite of Iona. She too would need her rest since she would soon be going back and forth between the two Weyrs bringing messages back and forth.

[Zirin]

It is a pleasure to meet you D’tri. Simenath’s eyes whirled happily as she spoke, doing her best to be as polite as Hers wanted. She did jump at the powerful sound of Chahaturth’s voice, looking around for the dragoness and huffing in frustration when she couldn’t find the topaz. She must be outside the walls my sweet Simenath. Chahaturth is very large and very bright, and she mustn’t be seen here with us. The amethyst looked back at Hers quiestioningly, but only received a brief answer. I will tell you everything I know about him when we are back in the barracks my sweet. The ability to be heard still thrilled Ari beyond belief.

I will have the energy anyways! Oh but Mine still says no… Oh oh, but she says we will contact you when we are able to go! She huffed, her wings drooping on her back. She could feel that Aridani wanted to go to the beach and play her instruments and spend time with the man she loved. However, Ari was mentally exhausted; suddenly having to share her mind, and the excitement from both her and the dragon at being able to speak to one another was taxing.

The harper-turned-weyrling blushed at the gentle kiss and wrapped her arms around D’tri, casting a wary glance at Simenath to make sure she wasn’t overstepping any boundaries. AridaniMine will miss you when you go again, D’triMine’sLove. Oh, but she says her hatchling… umm.. Danarvi, yeah. She says he’ll be happy to escort you in any time you can visit! With another smile, Ari boldly reached up to give him a peck on the cheek before stepping back.

[Akira]

D’tri smiled softly when Simenath jumped at the sound of Chahaturth’s voice. The looks that Aridani exchanged with her amethyst made him wonder what was being said between the two of them, but knew enough about privacy not to ask. That is more than I could hope for Simenath. Maybe next time I visit you will be big enough to fly and we can all take a short flight together. He knew that the little amethyst would grow much faster than Chahaturth did, because she didn’t have as much growing to do. He knew that Ari wanted to be careful about how much affection they showed each other because she didn’t want to hurt her young weyrling, so D’tri held himself back as he held Aridani close to him. Wait, did you say hatchling? D’tri looked down at Aridani confusion written all over his face.

[Zirin]

Even if D’tri asked, it wasn’t exactly like Aridani could tell her what was being said. Simenath would, perhaps, share if asked, but the dragoness would be the only one who could truly speak to others. Oh yes! I would love to fly, to hear the song of the wind beneath my wings. The very idea had the small purple dragon dancing in excitement. We would dance together, wouldn’t we AriMine, up in the sky? Aridani smiled down at her bonded, though her smile turned to confusion at D’tri’s question.

Yes! Hatchling! Mine’s little hatchling! He lead you here… The amethyst was confused by D’tri’s lack of knowledge, but a quick word from Hers explained everything. It had never come up in conversation, and Ari had never thought it was something worth knowing. Her son was happy and healthy in the Weyr, and D’tri had better things to worry about than her fatherless child. Simenath, crooning in confusion, sent a picture of the boy to D’tri, having pulled it from Her’s mind.

[Akira]

D’tri’s mind felt numb now. He had never known that Aridani had had a child. Wait...it wasn’t his child was it? He looked down at Aridani, confusion, and a bit of concern, flashing all over his face. He was trying to read her silent face; trying to find any hint as to if his thoughts had any merit to them. Ari...who? I mean...what? He shook his head, already feeling the throbbing of a headache in the making. He looked down at Simenath when she crooned and sent him the picture. So many thoughts were flashing through his mind now, so many questions. He tried to remember if the boy he had seen, not only in the picture Simenath had sent him but from when he led him to Aridani, had looked even a little like him. He was starting to feel dizzy with all the thoughts running free through his mind.

Of course it was Chahaturth to the rescue, though, she probably could have picked a better way to do it. The topaz growled loudly, and deeply, at the confusion she felt issuing from her rider’s mind. [c]Oh would you get over it D’tri?! Now is not the time for such matters. We must be off before the sun rises any higher. I’m not an Ebony after all I don’t blend into the darkness you overgrown, wherry brained, TWIT!!!![/c] She was practically snarling as the last few words left her. D’tri visibly winced at the sharp, reproachful tone of his dragon’s voice. She’s right, we must be going. I will be in touch. He quickly kissed Aridani in the top of her head, gave her a quick squeeze and then was soon running to where his dragon was hiding. He wasn’t really paying attention to what happened next, he had more pressing things on his mind now.

(((OOC: I figure this is a good place to stop this one and we can start a new one for D'tri and Aridani now that D'tri is back in the Weyr.)))