Accepting Change {Assaila/Anna}

[Zirin]

This was a stupid idea. A very stupid idea. He knew he was going to regret it, and yet here he was, going through with it anyways. The idea had struck him a sevenday or so ago. Assaila had been slowly spending more and more time with him, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that J'degar come to a realization. It wasn't that Assaila was actively spending more time with him, it was that she was leaving less often. She had taken to a rather annoying habit of crawling into his bed at night to cuddle, an activity she somehow managed to accomplish despite his grunts and groans of protests and his threats to kick her out... He almost felt ashamed knowing how much she walked over him.
　
Regardless, that realization had been sitting in his mind for quite some time, stewing away and bothering him on an almost daily basis. So he had finally crumbled against his own mind and gone to the crafters to order few new things from the local woodsmith and weaver. Now he was on his way to the infirmary for a final checkup so he could be cleared to return to his wing; he was tired of being part of Sunset. Well.. he still had to wait for Syphraelth's final checkup... but he was positive it wouldn't be much longer. With a deep sigh, he stepped into the infirmary.
　
"Anna," He called, wondering if the girl was here learning again today and vaguely hoping her mother wouldn't magically pop in from no where again. Her ability to do so was rather uncanny. He sat down on the nearest bed and pulled his shirt off, knowing the healers would have him do it for the inspection anyways whenever one ended up coming to deal with him.

[Bellatora]

Assaila had returned to Gar's weyr, looking for him, though she had doubted he was there. But... that didn't stop her from cleaning up and organizing things, making sure everything was in order for him when he returned. She was rather tired at the moment... but she supposed that she could wait until later to nap... though Gar wouldn't likely have the time for her until night came...

She sighed and looked at the bed... Making sure it was clean and then making sure it was made up and that everything looked nice and in its place... She then laid down and closed her eyes to rest. Well... Gar rarely if ever denied her... She looked around for Milly. She loved to cuddle with the cat when she got to rest around here at the time...

Anna looked up from where she was studying at the sound of Gar's voice. "Oh! Hi Papa!" She stood and came running to where he was. "Oh! You're wounds are looking so much better Papa! I can look over them if you like.. but I'm being trained to be a dragon healer... so I probably should look at Syphraelth's...." She smiled at him and looked at him, hopping up to sit next to him.


((I'm so sorry this is short... x.x *so curious as to what is going on* x.x))

[Zirin]

Had Gar known Assaila was once again cleaning his room he would have groaned. It wasn't THAT bad... sure he left skins lying around soemtimes and making his bed was a thing of the past... but it was definately not as messy as it could be! Ah well, he supposed it was better than not being cleaned at all.

J'degar looked up at the sound of Anna's voice, giving her a lopsided grin as she ran over enthusiastically. She was looking more and more like a proper apprentice every time he saw her. "It will be good practice for you," J'degar replied in a teacher-like manner, "I'll still need a journeyman to look over, but let's see how close your diagnosis is okay?" He ruffled her hair. "Syphraelth will be happy to see you. He tells me you've been spoiling him."

He didn't even notice she was still calling him Papa. He had gotten so used to it that it just seemed normal now, proper even. The thought though, reminded him of what he was planning and he gave an inward groan. It really was a terrible idea!

Syphraelth shifted in his couch, waking to the sound of Assaila entering. GarMine is in the infirmary, if you are looking for him Assaila. The dragon commented lazily, one eye cracked open as he watched her clean. The Little One is checking his wounds. SYphraelth had become accustomed to Assaila's visits, and he rarely worried about intruding on the woman's mind anymore. As he saw it, she basically lived there anyways.

[[OOC: *keeps it a secret for a little bit longer* Mwahaha! I partially just wanted some Anna/Gar interaction... but i promise theres more to it than that!]]

[Bellatora]

Assaila smiled and sat up to walk over to the big brown dragon. "Well Syphraelth... you are looking better every day... How are you feeling...?" she reached up a hand, indicating she wished to scratch his eyeridges. She love the big brown boy... "I bet you can't wait til you are back at one hundred percent..." she said sympathetically. "I'll go see him in just a bit. But I've always gotta check on my friend Syphraelth first..." she said grinning.

Anna laughed light-heartedly. "It's easy to spoil him, Papa. He makes it easy." She gently started to examine his scars. She gently pressed her fingers at the scars. "They seem to be healing well. No sign of infection... there are a few places where it looks like you may have reopened one or two at some point. Didn't you tell the healers, Papa?" she asked him with a frown. "I think you may be a sevenday from rejoining your wing, though... If my estimation is correct..."

Assaila headed down to the Lower Caverns to see Gar a few minutes later. It took her awhile as she walked slowly, humming softly. She was careful, though... watching everyone who passed... and most men. She didn't trust most of them... especially during or near a flight. She always felt safe with Gar... even with those people looking for her.

She bit her lip as she saw a man she recognized and headed down another tunnel as if she had not seen him... it would take her a bit longer to get there going this way, she supposed... but that was okay...

Soon she was in the entrance, though she did not say a word or approach them... instead she watched her daughter with Gar... Gar had started to not so much as notice when the girl called her Papa. That was good... because if something happened to her... she knew the man would be there to protect her and look out for her as her own father... She loved him... He was such a good man.

[Zirin]

Syphraelth crooned as Assaila came to see him. Visitors always made the brown happy and both Assaila and Annaliese spoiled him with attention. I am feeling well. My wing does not hurt anymore. At least, when he wasn't flying it didn't hurt. I'm quite fine here... GarMine doesn't work me hard and I get a lot of rest. This is the life. He truly was a lazy brown when he wanted to be, and here, with Assaila scratching his eyeridges, he was very content.

"You make it too easy for him to try," J'degar reprimanded lightly. Syphraelth was giving him a hard time about things now, and he didn't doubt it was because the girl let him do as he pleased. He frowned as she accused him of reopening his wounds. 'Your mother is vicious in bed,' was what he almost wanted to say, but he stopped himself. "I must not have noticed," He fibbed. He sighed though, at the thought of it being another full sevenday before he could hope to get back in the air proper. A journeyman approached them, giving a quick diagnosis and gave the girl a bried nod of approval before moving on; her diagnosis had been pretty close.

Assaila is coming to find you, Syphraelth spoke to his rider calmly, just to give the man a heads up. J'degar glanced up in time to see Assaila in the entrance and easily met her eyes, though he didn't say anything. Instead a mildly nervous look crossed his face and, with a shake of his head, he looked back at Anna, giving her a few brief words of praise for a job well done. Shards though... he wasn't quite ready to go through with this.

[Bellatora]

Assaila laughed lightly. "Oh Syph... You are really quite the brown, you know. Which is why we all love you." She smiled, scratching his eyeridge again. "But... I hope you heal soon.... even if being able to relax and get attention is nice." She grinned again and gave him a kiss on the cheek before heading off to find Gar.

Anna smiled. "Oh... but he behaves for me... Doesn't give me trouble at all." she grinned. The brown was like ehr best friend much of the time. "You probably got back to working out earlier than you should of, hmm, Papa?" she teased him. "Though... it seems that they were dressed pretty well... not skilled particularly, but practiced..." She looked at him curiously. She wondered who had done them... but it had probably been her Mama.

Anna sighed. "Well... I am getting better..." she smiled warmly, obviously dissapointed at not being perfect. She expected a lot of herself and she worked very very hard to achieve it. She always worked hard and she never gave up. The little girl was smart and a fast learner... but a lot of that could also be attributed to hard work...

Assaila blinked at the look in Gar's eyes as he met hers... Very easily at that. he looked nervous...? He never looked nervous... well... unless she was being particularly devious... but she hadn't even been thinking about being devious... She wondered what was going on...

Anna smiled. "Thanks Papa!" She looked over towards the door way and her smile grew even bigger. "Hi Mama!" She ran over to Assaila and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Assaila grinned, hugging her daughter in return. "How'd it go." Anna grinned. "Papa is doing good and his healing is right on track... and I was very very close with my diagnosis! I'm learning fast. OH! I need to go now... But I will talk to you later, Mama...!" Anna ran off to follow the Master Dragonhealer who didn't look to pleased to have to wait for her. Assaila smiled softly... Oh... but her daughter would be alright with her... she knew. Even if the woman could be rather grumpy.

Assaila walked over to Gar a bit slowly. "Besides the physical well-being that my daughter has informed me of... How are you doing, J'degar," she asked, being a bit more formal while they were in public as she was sure he was more comfrotable with...

[Zirin]

"That backstabbing brown!" J'degar feigned a look of surprise, though he had no doubt that he didn't give Annaliese trouble. He didn't have to to get his way. His eyes shot wide open at the sheer implication that her words brought. He coughed into his arm to hide the almost embarassed look on his face. No doubt Annaliese was going to be trouble when she was older... just like her mother. Luckily, he didn't have to dwell on the thought for long, as soon Anna had noticed her mother and, eventually heading off with her teacher.

Gar stood, still feeling nervous and wondering if it wasn't too late to back out of it. Maybe it was too soon... after all, Izanycorth had risen a mere sevenday or two ago. He shook his head. Now was not the time to think about it too deeply. The preparations were already in the works so there was no backing down now.

"Despite spending time with you I'm still relatively sane." He teased though his expression serious, as if he was trying to make sure he gave nothing else away. "I'll admit I'm tired. Crafters can be an annoying bunch sometimes. Time limits, bah! They make it sound like its a pain in the ass to make a bigger bed." HE truly was annoyed at the crafters for how much argument they had been putting up for the last few days. of course, he completely missed the fact he had given away a rather important piece of information.

[Bellatora]

Anna giggled. "But he doesn't have much to fight about, Papa... After all... I don't have t make him work. That's your job." She gave him a cheeky grin.

Assaila watched her daughter go, a proud smile on her face. "She is really going to be a great healer some day..." She smiled warmly, a soft, tender expression on her face. She really believed in her daughter's ability. The girl was also working with dragons without being a rider... what more could she ask for? the girl got to be around the creatures she loved and she didn't have to Impress... Faranth. The girl had gotten lucky.

Assaila turned back to Gar and gave him a glare, which threatened to turn into a smile. "Are you insinuating that I am crazy and that it rubs off, Mr. Brownrider?" She couldn't keep her face completely stern, though.... It was too hard. She eventually gave in and grinned, laughing softly. He just loved to tease her... but she knew he wasn't serious in this particular case...

"You've been to see the crafter's recently?" she asked him curiously. "Is something wrong with Syphraelth's harness or something...?" she asked, feigning that she hadn't noticed his slip. She smiled softly. She looked at him seriously though. "Though I think you just gave something away, Gar... Something is wrong with your bed?" she asked him, raising an eyebrow..." Of course she was sure it had something to do with her... but she feigned innocence again, instead turning and hopping up on the table that he had just vacated. There was a bustle about... though... this area didn't seem too particularly busy. If she were to be honest with herself... she needed to have her own check up. But.... she was loathe to say why. And she was not going to have it done today. Not with Gar here anyways. She doubted her suspicious were correct anyhow. Instead she put the thoughts from her mind and just smiled at him. She had her ankles folded beneath her skirt and her hands sitting delicately in her lap... deceptively innocent and refined looking... though... she often looked both... Though Gar knew the real Assaila.... and quite well at that...

[Zirin]

"A great healer... and a giant pain in the butt." J'degar corrected with a teasing note, though he didn't doubt that his assumption would come true. Like mother like daughter after all. "That is exactly what I'm insinuating, Ms. Pillow Girl," He defaulted back to the first name he had ever called her, fighting his own smile as well, though he was much more successful than Assaila. He stiffened as she mentioned the crafters, worried for a moment that she had caught his slip. Phew... looked like he was off the hook!

"I was thinking of picking up some new skins," He replied easily, confident that he was in the clear. Of course, as expected Assaila was just trying to mess with him and had noticed his words. He grumbled to him, taking a deep breath. "I, suppose you could say there's something wrong." He took another calming breath. This was it then... "It's not meant for two people." Well, his current bed sufficed, but it definately was not as large as he would like. Had Gar known what was going on in Assaila's mind, the brownrider would have been dragging her off for a little dragon ride real quick. Luckily, she wasn't mentioning it so Gar had no reason to worry about it.

[Bellatora]

"So... basically you're saying she is going to be a pain in the butt like me, hmm...?" she said, still smiling. "If a pain in the butt can have your attention though... I don't know that that is too bad..." She gently touched his face for the briefest of seconds. "Oh that old name, hmm... you must really be trying to rile me this time..." she gave him a mock glare.

Assaila blinked, looking at him with slightly wide eyes, slipping from the table and looking at him with a soft smile and blush. "The one you have is too small for the both of us then..." It was no question, just a statement... a soft one. She smiled at him. She was so grateful... and she felt special... loved even. He was having his bed made bigger... Of course, she could only assume it was for the two of them. "You really want me to move into your weyr with you...?" her voice was quiet and her brow slightly furrowed as she searched him earnestly. He always tried to put her off before... but... he seemed... to be accepting her... She knew he cared for her in some way... but she hadn't even dreamed that he would do this... Not any time soon at least. She blushed and stood there, feeling awkward. She wanted to hug or kiss him... as it was she felt like a fool for her expression and the way she was standing there... not quite sure what to do.... this would probably have been better as a quiet and private moment... As it was... she gently reached out and took his hand with hers, just gently before taking a step towards him and gently attempting to pull his head down to hers in a soft kiss. A brief, chaste, soft kiss. Something more appropriate for the public... and hopefully that would go unnoticed.

Her own concerns were forgotten for hte moment. Gar wasn't ready for another child... she knew that... he hardly accepted a woman in his life... he didn't even originally want a woman in his life.... but somehow.... Assaila had become one. In a way... she saw this as his way of saying... he cared about her... liked her... maybe loved her in some small way. He was accepting her... She never expected too much of him... it was hard for him... She knew that, though it was sometimes hard to understand.... she did try her best to respect him.

[Zirin]

Her voice was soft. J'degar rubbed at the back of his neck nervously, well aware of what her statement meant. She had figured out where he was going with this. Then she asked the question he knew was coming and he couldn't meet her eyes. This really was tough on the poor guy, he was changing everything by doing this... He was going to make a jibe about how she already lived there, save for not keeping her things there. He could have even made a joke about how he had no choice in the matter, with how pushy she was abotu visiting. This, however, was not a moment for jokes.

"Yes." He answered, looking directly at her and leaving no room to doubt his intentions. His hand twitched as she touched it, not from discomfort, but because of how tense he was. His eyes shifted to the people around them, few as they were, and after deciding they were too busy to notice, allowed Assaila to pull him down for her kiss. It was brief, but Gar couldn't - wouldn't - allow anything more in public. "If you want to?"

She could always say no, it wouldn't change his opinion of her in any way and he didn't want to pressure her into this.

[Bellatora]

"Yes. I would love to, Gar," she said softly, smiling at him, her hand still holding onto his, though she didn't move to kiss him again... as much as she wanted to. "Just let me know when..." she smiled at him and blushed slightly. SHe pretty much spent every night with him anyways. wHich would make this not as big a change as it could ahve been.... but the fact that he wanted her to move into his weyr with him.... that was the big change. He was changing everything. And... to her.... it was wonderful and incredible and amazing. She wanted to kiss him again, but she thought he'd probably had enough kisses in public for the time being. Next time would probably not come particularly soon. But that was alright... She was sure there would be plenty of kisses later tonight when it was just the two of them in his weyr...

She bit her lip gently, perhaps a bit seductively, though it was more of a subconscious habit than anything else. Should she tell him? What she was worried about. No... she was probably wrong anyways... missing just one was hardly a thing to worry about. It happened. Two, though... and perhaps she should worry. But she wouldn't want to wait that long... She put it from her mind and smiled at him.

She wondered what else to say. Sometimes it was hard to know. "Have.... have you had a chance to speak to Firogel again...?" she asked nervously... looking down at her feet. Her own daughter thought of Gar as her Papa... which of course, had upset Gar's son to no end and brought about yet another headache not so long ago...

[Zirin]

He gave her hand a quick squeeze, his eyes still darting around the room that was feeling more and more public by the minute. He gave a quick motion towards the entrance before beginning to make his way out of the infirmary. The corridors, at least, were a bit more private.

"The bed is estimated for the end of this sevenday," He finally replied as a way of explaining how early she could officially begin the move in process, "I've put in for a new shelf and chest as well..." He hoped he didn't sound too forward. He had been pretty sure she would agree, despite his nerves, and had spent a good chunk of his marks purchasing more storage space so she could have a place for her belongings. "Curtains too... to separate..." Maybe he was saying too much? Not only had he been preparing for Assaila to move in, but his intention was to section off a place in his weyr for Anna to stay in, if she ever wanted or needed to.

"The boy's fine. He's back at Apollo for the time being, though once the searchdragons go out he'll hopefully be brought back to stand." He sighed, placing his free hand on her cheek and lifting her chin up. "Are you still worried about him?" Gar was still certain that Firo would come around eventually, given the time to calm down about it.

[Bellatora]

Assaila followed behind him with a soft smile and without much question. It was the way things often were with him. If you were with Gar he was the one in control. At least... most of the time... and he would like to think that....

Assaila smiled. "Thank you..." she said, her voice soft and obviously appreciative. She couldn't help the feeling of excitement that welled within her. "I suppose, though, that the shelf and chest may be a bit empty for awhile. I don't really have many things.... neither does Anna for that matter..." She smiled softly and reached over, gently touching his hand with her free hand in a discreet sign of affection. A sevenday... Wow. So soon. "Have you been planning this, J'degar," she asked him, an almost accusatory tone but for the teasing in it. "Curtains for....?" she didn't have to think too long. "OH! Gar! You are a wonderful wonderful man," she grinned, still trying to talk at a level that would help them to remain in private. She wanted to thank him... in so many ways.

Of course, the matter of J'degar's son always made her a little worried and nervous. She wanted the boy to like her and, so far, had done a pretty poor job of it.

"I'm certain he will. I'm glad to dear he is doing alright." She smiled softly. It still bothered her.... just how upset Firo had been... She still felt some measure of guilt. Assaila looked at him, smiling slightly, pressing into his touch. "A bit... Well... yes... I want him to be alright." She looked him in the eye, her expression so gentle and open, showing her worry for the boy quite plainly.

Anna was happy to have someone to consider her Papa. Who in her mind was her Papa. And such an amazing one at that. She tried not to, but sometimes the girl couldn't help but brag about "her" Papa and his great brown.

[Zirin]

"There'll be plenty of room then," J'degar shrugged. Even with his current furniture he had been sure there would be room for everything, but one could never have too much space. For once, he didn't twitch as she touched him, he was getting better at accepting physical contact. Her next words actually caused him to flush and look away. So what if he had been planning it? Was that a bad thing?

"I'm not..." He ran a hand through his hair in embarassment. He had been pretty sure she would agree, but he hadn't expected her to be so enthusiastic about it! "You can move in whenever you want you know... the rest of the furniture is still a few sevenday away." Despite his serious tone, the corners of his mouth were twitching with the hint of a smile.

"He survived the move to Trelis, I'm sure he can survive a woman." He really wasn't worried about the boy. His stubbornness to accept Assaila was just proof that he had a lot of will. He didn't doubt that the boy would eventually warm up to Assaila, or at least Anna.

{{Sorry its short..}