Discussing Future Prospects
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Shawna, Sia
Date Posted: 22nd February 2025
Characters: Aydhan, N'kevyn
Description: N'kevyn has baby fever
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 4, day 13 of Turn 12
Tymborikath's gentle snoring from her ledge broke Aydhan from her concentration on tithing reports and land maps of the protectorate. Stretching, the goldrider abandoned the maps to make a cup of tea and wandered out, admiring the gorgeous, warm gold. She searched for any telltale signs that she might rise, but her hide didn't seem to glow any more than usual and her nap was precipitated by the remains of a mostly-eaten herdbeast that a hopeful bronze had hunted for her.
They'd had a clutch on the Sands not long before transferring from High Reaches, and they hung in that space where her cycle _could_ come soon…or it would wait months longer. The gold kept her schedule to herself. Normally, Aydhan didn't mind, and the surprise was half the fun. "I'd like to know if this workload is a permanent thing, you know." She told the sleeping dragon, who only snored again in response.
Tymborikath didn't rouse when Avicath landed just outside, nor when he set to work cleaning up the leftovers of lunch. "How was Dolphin Cove?" She asked when N'kevyn got closer, her grin a little wicked, "Was Nidre a good host?"
“Nidre was an excellent host. Very accommodating as always. She said you should visit soon. What have you been up to?” N’kevyn moved to stand behind her, pulling her back against him and following her gaze, “Thinking about our future prospects?”
"She gets lazy before she's ready to rise." Aydhan said. She leaned back against him and pulled his arms around her waist. "But she's been lazier ever since we got here. Do you see a glow on her? I've been staring at her too long. She's such a gorgeous color it's hard to tell on good days."
N’keyn chuckled, “Avicath will let us know the moment her hide changes, don’t worry about that. He’d have been more focused on that then the herdbeast he’s trying to swallow whole.” He settled his hands on her hips, carefully turning to steer her back into the weyr. “I was thinking we could talk about something other than the upcoming leadership flight. A more personal matter.”
"All the bronzes will keep flitting around her until first chase, I guess." Aydhan said with a sigh as she let him lead her back into the weyr. His hands felt nice, and the solid presence of him always calmed her down. "A personal matter? Don't tell me there's another firelizard trinket that's caught your eye."
“Mmm, I could tell Avicath to chase some of them off,” the bronze was too lazy to actually do it, of course. Spinning her around to face him, he said, “I was thinking. Now that N’kayden is off on his own and Aydhara is in the barracks and soon to follow… It's a little quiet here at home.”
"They won't go too far. I caught Aydhara raiding my closet the other day." Aydhan said, "And I traded my nice boots for a dress. I'm not sure that was a fair trade." Her fingers teased at the buttons on his shirt. "You'll have a firelizard or two soon, and then the weyr will be busy again. At this rate it'll be like having toddlers again."
“I’m sure it was a fine trade, you have more boots than I can keep track of,” N’kevyn teased lightly. “On that subject… what if we did have toddlers again? Well, toddler. And we’d have to start with the baby first.” That hadn't been quite how he’d meant to broach it, but her fingers on his buttons were distracting.
She paused ever-so-briefly on his buttons before resuming again, pushing his shirt back to feel the warm, solid expanse of skin, "What brought the baby fever back on? Has all the father-daughter bonding time lately made you forget that baby Aydhara refused to touch grass?"
“Do _you_ remember that? I believe that was the six months you abandoned me with a toddler who wouldn’t be restrained and a baby that wouldn’t be put down.” N’kevyn said it in a dreamy, nostalgic tone. “I was talking to N’vanik. He still has some in the cute little stages. I miss the cute little stages. Our children are savage these days. We’re way behind on the child count for the south it seems.”
"I remember you telling me." Aydhan admitted, "The South kicked all their women out of Crafthalls so they could have more babies. Decades later, it means N'vanik and Cyradis both have enough children to open another Weyr. I could ask if the creche needs any extra hands. It would cut into your 'looming behind your weyrmate' time, though."
He grinned, “I can multi-task. Do you not remember the Aydhara harness? I’ll look so much more threatening looming with a baby strapped to my chest. But the creche probably wouldn’t let me borrow the babies. Besides, you missed some of the fun parts. We could do it again.” And also the not fun parts like The Sevenday The Children Wouldn’t Sleep.
"I was at home when Nik was a baby." She reminded him, "I remember all of it. And I didn't have Tymborikath to work as a babysitter, although I don't think she would. Hmm." Aydhan went on her toes and tugged on N'kevyn's open shirt, pulling him down so she could brush her lips against his. "Let's leave it on the ledge, for now. Until Tym rises, or doesn't?"
“Yes, well, Avicath is at his best when doing things that require as little physical effort as possible. Not all dragons have that talent.” His hand came up to brush her hair back from her face, “Well, we should consider it. It’s not like the children seem inclined to make us grandparents any time soon. Where did they learn restraint?”
"I don't think Aydhara learned restraint." Aydhan said with a laugh, "But grandchildren from her is going to be a specific choice she makes. N'kayden, though…I thought we raised that boy better." She kissed him again, and the idea of more children didn't sound as bad. "Come to bed, let's talk about it."
“I’m sure he’ll come around; he has to have inherited at least some of our charm.” He ducked suddenly, sweeping her off her feet and up into his arms. “You should be warned. I am very persuasive.”
Last updated on the February 24th 2025