A Perfect Gift

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 6th March 2007

Characters: U'kaiah, Traelyn
Description: Trae comes to celebrate Kaiafel's birthday as promised
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 21 of Turn 4

}:It has been a while since we have been here,:{ Nyith commented as she began to spiral down towards the stretch of golden sand of the small island far below them. }:I've missed this place. We should come here more often!:{ Grinning, Traelyn patted a gloved hand against her queen's neck lovingly.
**You're right, dear heart. We should. I've missed it too. And look!
Kalamath is already here.**

}:I can see that perfectly well,:{ Nyith replied primly before bugling a throaty greeting to the bronze. Dipping her neck, she folded her long wings and glided straight in, landing smoothly in the sand.

"Hey, you!" Traelyn called down to U'kaiah with a wide grin. Tucking her helmet under her arm, she slid down Nyith to throw her arms around her friend.

U'kaiah knew he was wet and covered in sand, but if she didn't care, he certainly didn't. It had been too long! "There you are, stranger!" He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her straight off her feet, swinging her around as he squeezed her tight. "Glad to see you could make it."

"I wouldn't dare miss it!" she laughed breathlessly once he set her back on her feet. "And where's the birthday boy, hmm? He's not hiding from me, is he? I've got a special present for him." Turning around, Traelyn carefully unhooked a large wicker basket from Nyith's harness.

"A present for _me_?!" Kaiafel cried delightedly as he ran around the large bronze he had been trying to bury under sand. "What is it?"

"Patience, son," U'kaiah chuckled. "That's very nice of you, Trae."

"I'm very happy to do it." Unable to keep the grin of anticipation from her face, she knelt and set the basket down on the sand. "Your present's in there, Kaiafel. Open it up!"

He knelt down next to it and began peeling the cloth back. Kaiafel gasped when a large red tongue reached out to lick his hand. "A puppy!" he cried as he hurriedly flung cloth out of his way.

"Really?" U'kaiah asked in surprise as he curiously knelt down next to his son. "Well it sure is," he laughed as the little creature covered Kaiafel in kisses, its little tail wagging and bobbing in the air. "And such a friendly little fellow!"

"Can I keep him? Please?" Kaiafel begged his father.

"We'll have to ask your mother." Hopefully she wouldn't mind.

"Oh, I already asked her," Traelyn told them, reaching out to stroke the puppy's soft black fur. "She said you can keep him, Kaiafel." Looking up, she met U'kaiah's eyes and smiled.

The bronzerider grinned right back at her. "Well, I think your gift outshines the waterball I gave him. Really, Trae, it's too much."

"No it's not!" his son giggled as the puppy bathed his face. "He's _perfect_!"

"He really is," his father nodded, reaching out to give Trae's hand an appreciative squeeze.

She linked her fingers with his. Really, this puppy had been the best of the whole litter. He had a good disposition, friendly personality, and his coloring was beautiful. He was a sweet little thing, and when he was older, he wouldn't grow past a teenager's knees. He was of a breed that was mainly used to herd animals, but the original owner had told her that these canines were loyal and true--and that this pup especially would make a wonderful companion for a growing boy.

Traelyn laughed when Kaiafel fell back on the sand, the puppy wriggling on top of him. "What do you think you're going to call him, Kaiafel?"

"I don't know," he giggled as he got a tongue right in his ear. "I have to think about it!" The little boy got to his feet, excited puppy cradled in his arms. "Can I introduce him to Kalamath now?"

"Son, have you even thanked Trae yet for the gift?" U'kaiah knew he was excited, but manners were important.

Kaiafel turned to the goldrider with a genuine grin. "Thank you, Trae! He's my best present ever. Can I go introduce them now?"

Chuckling at his completely uninhibited enthusiasm, Traelyn glanced at U'kaiah. "It's certainly fine with me."

The birthday boy gently set the little puppy on the ground and ran off towards the bronze. "Come on, puppy! Come on, boy!" he called as the puppy bounded through the thick sand after him.

U'kaiah smiled down at his friend. "You really are amazing, you know that?"

She actually blushed a little before looking down, somewhat embarrassed. "I had always wanted a canine when I was little. A creature to love unconditionally, and for it to love me right back. I think it's as close as someone young can get without Impressing their own fire-lizard. Or dragon." She plopped down on the sand to tug off her boots. "I thought that maybe he might feel the same way I did when I was his age."

"It certainly seems to be love at first sight." The bronzerider flopped down beside her. He watched as the puppy yipped and licked at his lifemate's face with Kaiafel's excited encouragement.

}:What is that little creature doing?:{ Kalamath asked as he snorted a blast of air in the pup's direction.

**He's just trying to show you he likes you, old friend.** U'kaiah chuckled. "I'm not sure Kalamath knows what to think of him yet."

She grinned. "Nyith liked him well enough! Though, like Kalamath, she was a bit perplexed at first." Shrugging out of her tunic, she dug her toes into the sand, relishing the silky feel of the fine grains. "Dragons," she threw a fond glance over her shoulder at her queen, "they're all just so superior."

"I tend to agree," he smiled, watching his lifemate fondly. "A puppy is much easier to bathe, though."

"Shards yes," she snorted. "It didn't even take a quarter-candlemark to get that little guy squeaky clean!"

U'kaiah threw his head back and laughed. "Kalamath was never that easy! Even from the day he Hatched!"

She wrinkled her nose. "Neither was Nyith. And _oiling_ her? Shards. I'm just lucky there are so many willing Candidates who're willing to help me bathe _and_ oil her." Then she slanted him a sly look. "No doubt you don't have any trouble finding volunteers either, hmm?"

"No, not really," U'kaiah grinned, remembering all the candidate and weyrling girls, and a few greenriders, lined up when he hinted he might like a bit of help. He leaned over and bumped into her affectionately. "I'd help you wash your dragon, you know."

"And I thank you from the bottom of my heart, U'kaiah," she grinned, leaning against him. "In return, I'd help you scrub on Kalamath."

"You are too kind," he smiled as he rubbed his nose teasingly against hers. "But now," the bronzerider groaned as he got to his feet, his muscles sluggish from the warmth of the sand and sun, "I have yet to be introduced to the puppy myself."

Traelyn held her hands out to him. "I'll come with you. And then maybe we can swim in the ocean?" her tone was wistful as she looked out towards the sparkling water.

"But of course! You and I will have to play with Kaiafel's new waterball," he chuckled as he took her hands and lifted her easily from the sand. "Someone needs to get some use out of it."

Last updated on the March 10th 2007

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A Perfect Gift