[WeaversFiction] Digest Number 1026
There are 5 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-W] Words of confusion
From: lady_elf@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
USS Oberon -- meanwhile, on the other side of the universe
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [USS Oberon] USS Oberon -- meanwhile, on the other side of the
universe
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
4. [DL-C] The Im****tance of Being Firmest! (JP)
From: John Pepper <trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
5. [DL-C] Clear Up, Clean Up, Make Up. (JP)
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 20:13:54 -0500
From: lady_elf@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[DL-W] Words of confusion
"Are all the men here that big?"
Xanthia regarded Aeryth curiously, the question catching her off guard
slightly "That big?"
Aeryth blushed, "As the.. uh.. gentleman who was with you. Dru'Kar was
his name?"
"Hm..." Xanthia considered for a moment, a small smile curling her lips
slightly as she thought of the large man. "Not really. I suppose he's
special. Though Oberon may get at least as big."
"Oberon, your nephew?" Aeryth asked.
Xanthia turned and looked at Aeryth with sincerity in her ice blue eyes
and nodded.
"He's six years old." she explained.
"Six?!?" Aeryth exclaimed. as the boy looked to be closer to 11 judging
by his height and build. "But I thought..."
"People do generally assume he's older than he is."
"And his mother is the warrenlady, he said?" Aeryth inquired.
"Yep," Xanthia nodded and ****fted Alina to her other hip. As she did so
she deftly flicked a braid behind her back so as not to be as easily
within the toddler's grasp. They continued a short way further in
silence.
Aeryth broke the silence with another question. "So do you and your
sister look a lot alike?"
"I suppose we do. I've often been mistaken for her."
***
"We're here!" Xanthia announced as she grasped the knob of the door.
Without even thinking about it, she opened the door and escorted her
in.
Two women stood in the room. The first was a lithe young woman who
stood about 5'4" . She wore a flowing blouse and skirt of emerald green
which set off the startling red streak in the woman's otherwise dark
hair. She was speaking with an older gray haired woman wearing armor.
"Yes, I agree. And I think you should get to the med center right
away."
"Me?!?" The older woman sputtered.
"You said yourself it needs done."
"But, Merissa..." The older woman argued. She turned and saw Xanthia
standing in the doorway with a new person and shook her head.
"The sooner the better, just as you said," Merissa finalized gently.
The older woman sighed with resignation and headed for the door.
"Are you all right?" Xanthia asked with concern.
"Merissa will explain it to you," the older woman replied as she
exited.
As the door shut, Xanthia couldn't contain her curiosity. "What's going
on?"
Merissa looked to Aeryth, "We really shouldn't discuss this now."
"But as a healer, I need to know." Xanthia insisted.
Merissa paused as she considered how to best handle Xanthia's
inquiries. She prayed the young healer could pick up on the hints.
"Corra," Merissa began with slight emphasis on the name, "Is gravely
ill."
"Corra???" Xanthia blinked in confusion.
"Yes, remember, she became *ill* last night."
Xanthia stood agape for a minute. Then suddenly it it all made sense.
"Oh!" Xanthia's eyes grew wide as the pieces fit together, "And, uh...
How long will she be in the med center?"
Merissa shrugged, "As long as it takes."
"I see..." Xanthia said. "Um, this is Aeryth. We met on the green."
"I'm looking for the warrenlady," Aeryth said.
"That would be me." Merissa replied, "Thank you, Xanthia."
<<TAG Steph and Arlene!>>
SUMMARY:
Day 17, early afternoon
Xanthia answers Aeryth's question about Dru'Kar's size and explains
that Dru'Kar is special, then tells her that her nephew Oberon is only
6 years old and confirms that the warrenlady is Oberon's mother. Aeryth
also asks about Xanthia's resemblance to her sister.
When they arrive at the warrenlady's office, Xanthia and Aeryth find
Merissa talking with an older woman (Tatiana), who she tells to go to
the med center as soon as possible. After Tatiana leaves, Merissa
carefully answers Xanthia's questions of concern by explaining that
*Corra* is gravely ill. Xanthia is at first confused, but then
understands the trap that is being set up. Xanthia introduces Aeryth.
Aeryth tells Merissa that she's looking for the warrenlady, and Merissa
answers that she's the warrenlady.
Respectfully submitted by:
Morgan Allgood,
The heart and soul of Xanthia (a.k.a. Ya****na) and Maxima
lady_elf@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Amazon.com Wish List http://www.amazon.com/o/registry/AT4JWDUFRAML
________________________________________________________________________
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 22:56:12 -0400
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: USS Oberon -- meanwhile, on the other side of the universe
Place: Space Station Earth One
Admiral Jason Stark walked into JAG's remote office in SSE1 to have a
word with his aide. Commander Jephtaph Marutoku had been with him since
his commission to the USS Olympic 20 years ago. Marutoku was a lowly
ensign then, but his level of respect and admiration for the Admiral
hasn't wavered even one minute since meeting him. Even though, its had
many op****tunities, he's known the Admiral had nothing but the best
interests of Starfleet in
mind. Today, was no different.
Today, after a fifteen minute conversation, Marutoku had scheduled
immediate leave, the requisition of a small vessel for the Admiral, and
a small 25 person crew of his own selection. None of whom had to be
reassigned, and all of whom were stationed on SSE1 or Earth. All of
whom were easily relieved from their duties for this assignment.
Now, there was just one thing remaining. "Captain Samburg, may I come
in?" Jeph entered as he was beckoned. "Captain, my name is Commander
Marutoku, and I was sent here by the JAG to inform you that you were
being assigned a very im****tant case."
"Yes, what is it?" The surly captain asked. This wasn't the first time
the JAG had asked him to do things, like leave JAG HQ, for example,
when he was assigned to be the JAG presence at SSE1 nearly 3 years ago.
Who this commander was giving him his orders didn't bother him so much.
Orders came in a variety of fa****ons, and for all he knew "Jeph" here
could be new.
"Captain, you are going to be sent to one of our vessels to investigate
the dereliction of duty and gross infringement to the Prime Directive
of one vessel's captain. Here are the suspected offenses. Obviously,
the lower ones are even more im****tant, and an even greater requirement
for secrecy. Even the Captain himself should not know you're
investigating him, however, it is up to your discretion. I know you are
looking to get back to JAG
HQ..." Jeph let that last piece hang out there. It wasn't well known,
but Samburg had requested a transfer 3 or 4 times already in the last
year. He was not happy to be so far from his family, and that Stark had
blocked his requests was only known to Marutoku, perhaps for this
eventuality itself.
"I see all of his supposed offenses, and we have all of his re****ts
here, but I do not see his name." Captain William Samburg said, much
less like a question.
"His name? His name is Captain Avi Samuel Reckage."
*******
Ochari stood at the end of the Cardo, looking down the open air at the
two Starfleet officers as they walked back to the restaurant. The male
seemed to be walking a little bit gingerly, while the female had her
head held higher than usual. He'd been watching them for the last few
hours. They didn't seem too talkative tonight. Normally he was yelling
at her for something, or she was jabbing at him about being moody.
Tonight, they were both silent. Walking around the promenade. Not
speaking. He watched her drop him like a sack of potatoes down below
the main area. His brother was so predictable. Always getting another
species to do his work for him. It wasn't as if the ring was so painful
to their kind. It just caused slight mental paralysis. What's so bad
about that?
No, now they were joining the people they'd come with. Their fellow
crewmembers. The tallest one was like him. He was a Betazoid. Good that
he didn't know what he was listening for. Ochari and Bolsand both gave
off special signatures. Fellow Betazoids felt it, but only if they knew
what they were listening for.
It was good to know what he looked like now. That information might
come in
handy later.
******
Place: back on the space station
"So, he's been watching us since we left the restaurant?" Lia asked
Tyler.
"Yes," Tyler nodded. "I saw him stand up and follow you when you walked
out before."
"Have we seen him before?" Query asked now.
"No. He seems like a new player." Watkins answered. Watkins was the
last member to join the crew before they left on this little jaunt. He
might have been last, but he certainly wasn't least. He might have been
the most observant of all of them. "He also doesn't seem to talk to
anyone. He gets his food, then he sits on the same bench. He buys
drinks at the same time from the same place every day. Though, its
interesting, I don't know what
it is, neither does anyone else."
"You spoke to people?" Query asked, trying not to seem too pissy.
"No." Watkins answered flatly.
"Then how do you know that no one else seems to know."
"I listened as people asked about it. No one else could get it but
him."
"Good. Listen, tell everyone, we're not to engage anyone if it can be
helped. Point to order things. Don't speak if you can help it. We're
not in Kansas anymore." Query said, by way of caution.
*****
Place: SSE1
"Therefore, Ensign Ben Richardson, because of excellence in the field,
and an excellent recommendation from your commanding officer, I have
decided to transfer you out of JAG, and onto the USS Capricorn.
Congratulations." Admiral Jackson finished.
"Thank you, Admiral, I hope to make you proud."
"Good luck, son." Admiral Willy Jackson, Senior Admiral for the Diamond
Fleet, said. "You ****p out in 8 hours."
"More than enough time, Admiral."
"Good. Dismissed."
Richardson walked out the office door and down the hall, muttering to
himself. 'More than enough time...'
*****
Respectfully submitted,
Lt. Commander Query Neile
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Oberon
NRPG -- yes, I recognize there really is only one segment that directly
affects our ****p. Don't worry, there's more to come....
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 22:56:12 -0400
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Oberon] USS Oberon -- meanwhile, on the other side of the
universe
Place: Space Station Earth One
Admiral Jason Stark walked into JAG's remote office in SSE1 to have a
word with his aide. Commander Jephtaph Marutoku had been with him since
his commission to the USS Olympic 20 years ago. Marutoku was a lowly
ensign then, but his level of respect and admiration for the Admiral
hasn't wavered even one minute since meeting him. Even though, its had
many op****tunities, he's known the Admiral had nothing but the best
interests of Starfleet in
mind. Today, was no different.
Today, after a fifteen minute conversation, Marutoku had scheduled
immediate leave, the requisition of a small vessel for the Admiral, and
a small 25 person crew of his own selection. None of whom had to be
reassigned, and all of whom were stationed on SSE1 or Earth. All of
whom were easily relieved from their duties for this assignment.
Now, there was just one thing remaining. "Captain Samburg, may I come
in?" Jeph entered as he was beckoned. "Captain, my name is Commander
Marutoku, and I was sent here by the JAG to inform you that you were
being assigned a very im****tant case."
"Yes, what is it?" The surly captain asked. This wasn't the first time
the JAG had asked him to do things, like leave JAG HQ, for example,
when he was assigned to be the JAG presence at SSE1 nearly 3 years ago.
Who this commander was giving him his orders didn't bother him so much.
Orders came in a variety of fa****ons, and for all he knew "Jeph" here
could be new.
"Captain, you are going to be sent to one of our vessels to investigate
the dereliction of duty and gross infringement to the Prime Directive
of one vessel's captain. Here are the suspected offenses. Obviously,
the lower ones are even more im****tant, and an even greater requirement
for secrecy. Even the Captain himself should not know you're
investigating him, however,it is up to your discretion. I know you are
looking to get back to JAG
HQ..." Jeph let that last piece hang out there. It wasn't well known,
but Samburg had requested a transfer 3 or 4 times already in the last
year. He was not happy to be so far from his family, and that Stark had
blocked his requests was only known to Marutoku, perhaps for this
eventuality itself.
"I see all of his supposed offenses, and we have all of his re****ts
here,but I do not see his name." Captain William Samburg said, much
less like a question.
"His name? His name is Captain Avi Samuel Reckage."
*******
Ochari stood at the end of the Cardo, looking down the open air at the
two Starfleet officers as they walked back to the restaurant. The male
seemed to be walking a little bit gingerly, while the female had her
head held higher than usual. He'd been watching them for the last few
hours. They didn't seem too talkative tonight. Normally he was yelling
at her for something, or she was jabbing at him about being moody.
Tonight, they were both silent. Walking around the promenade. Not
speaking. He watched her drop him like a sack of potatoes down below
the main area. His brother was so predictable. Always getting another
species to do his work for him. It wasn't as if the ring was so painful
to their kind. It just caused slight mental paralysis. What's so bad
about that?
No, now they were joining the people they'd come with. Their fellow
crewmembers. The tallest one was like him. He was a Betazoid. Good that
he didn't know what he was listening for. Ochari and Bolsand both gave
off special signatures. Fellow Betazoids felt it, but only if they knew
what they were listening for.
It was good to know what he looked like now. That information might
come in handy later.
******
Place: back on the space station
"So, he's been watching us since we left the restaurant?" Lia asked
Tyler.
"Yes," Tyler nodded. "I saw him stand up and follow you when you walked
out before."
"Have we seen him before?" Query asked now.
"No. He seems like a new player." Watkins answered. Watkins was the
last member to join the crew before they left on this little jaunt. He
might have been last, but he certainly wasn't least. He might have been
the most observant of all of them. "He also doesn't seem to talk to
anyone. He gets his food, then he sits on the same bench. He buys
drinks at the same time from the same place every day. Though, its
interesting, I don't know what
it is, neither does anyone else."
"You spoke to people?" Query asked, trying not to seem too pissy.
"No." Watkins answered flatly.
"Then how do you know that no one else seems to know."
"I listened as people asked about it. No one else could get it but
him."
"Good. Listen, tell everyone, we're not to engage anyone if it can be
helped. Point to order things. Don't speak if you can help it. We're
not in Kansas anymore." Query said, by way of caution.
*****
Place: SSE1
"Therefore, Ensign Ben Richardson, because of excellence in the field,
and an excellent recommendation from your commanding officer, I have
decided to transfer you out of JAG, and onto the USS Capricorn.
Congratulations." Admiral Jackson finished.
"Thank you, Admiral, I hope to make you proud."
"Good luck, son." Admiral Willy Jackson, Senior Admiral for the Diamond
Fleet, said. "You ****p out in 8 hours."
"More than enough time, Admiral."
"Good. Dismissed."
Richardson walked out the office door and down the hall, muttering to
himself. 'More than enough time...'
*****
Respectfully submitted,
Lt. Commander Query Neile
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Oberon
NRPG -- yes, I recognize there really is only one segment that directly
affects our ****p. Don't worry, there's more to come....
_______________________________________________
Oberon mailing list
Oberon@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
4
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 20:55:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Pepper <trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-C] The Im****tance of Being Firmest! (JP)
Day 2, Midday
Trevor sat in the private room that had been set aside for Cynthia's
stay in the med center, a baby perched on each knee as his hands
steadied them in place. "Just think," he told his mate. "We're
parents!"
"That thought had occurred to me," said Cynthia with a wry smile. "It
REALLY occurred to me when I was delivering these two, of course. It
seems to me that I've made my contribution for awhile, and I should
leave the job of raising them to you."
"Oh..well...sure, if you want," Trevor said uncertainly, trying to
envision just what that would entail.
"I'm just kidding," Cynthia laughed. "Gods know what they'd end up
becoming if I left them to you to raise all alone! They'd be still
sitting on your lap when they're twenty!"
Trevor frowned. "I'm not *that* easygoing," he said defensively.
Cynthia sat up, and gestured toward the window. Triss was there peering
in, blocking off the sunlight with her nose virtually pressed against
the glass. "Exhibit A," the warrenlady said with a smug smile.
Trevor cleared his throat. "Well...that's different," he said.
"I'm...um...sure that I could be a very, um capable, and,
um...stern...father when required. Um, don't you?" He looked out the
window at the pearlescent dragon, who just shrugged her wings in reply.
Cynthia laughed, "I do remember you being stern at times." She thought
for a moment, "There was that one time you got upset with her for
taking all the blankets."
"See," Trevor said proudly, "stern."
"Yes, but other than that..."
"What?"
"Well, lets see," Cynthia said, and began ticking incidents off on her
fingers. "There was the time you let her into the dining hall..."
"She was just a cute little hatchling then!"
"Or when she invited herself to the dinner party at Jasra Warren..."
"Well," he hedged, "I wasn't the one who actually invited her..."
"No, but you did scold her mercilessly afterwards, of course," Cynthia
teased, knowing he'd done no such thing.
Trevor, though, folded his arms in triumph...or started to, until he
remembered that he had two babies on his knees to sup****t. "So, you
see, I CAN be a stern disciplinarian....sometimes..." he told her.
* * * * *
Early afternoon
[So we are going to Keldarra?] Trissana asked excitedly.
*Yes,* Trevor said with a smile. *I know someone who will surely want
to meet her great-grandchildren!*
[And I will get to see my dam again!] Triss said excitedly. [Oh...but
before we go, I need to be cleaned and oiled! I wouldn't want to go to
see Tymor looking like this!]
Trevor sighed. To him, Triss looked fine, but he knew how fastidious
females could be. Still, remembering his talk with Cynthia, he felt the
need to be firm. *Triss, you look just fine,* he told her. *I think we
should just go...*
The pearly dragon's expression clouded up. [Oh, my rider,
pleeeeeaseee?]
*Well... all right,* he sighed. *Since you put it that way...*
Scrubbing and oiling a dragon of Trissana's size was never an easy job,
and it took no small amount of time. And by the time it was done,
Trevor was feeling rather done in. Triss stood gleaming in the sun,
admiring her reflection in the water while Trevor collected the several
1-gallon oil jars that he'd emptied to return to the warren's stores
for refilling. He envied Andahar having a much smaller dragon to wash
and oil. But, he reflected, at least he didn't have as much work as
Cynthia did in oiling...
Suddenly, a great shadow fell over him and he looked up hesitantly.
"Um, hello Syren," he said aloud. He'd guessed who it was even before
he saw her, and had an awful suspicion of what she wanted.
The queen confirmed it a moment later when she bent down and used her
nose to ****ge the cartload of oil-jars back in his direction.
[She wants you to scrub and oil her,] Triss said unnecessarily. [It's
been awhile since her rider has been able to do that, you know.]
*Well, yes...but...surely there's someone else in the warren who
can...*
Syren snorted and Triss shook her head. [She won't let just *anyone*
oil her, and she considers you family,] Triss explained.
Trevor groaned. Having just finished his own dragon, his arms felt like
they were ready to fall off...and now he faced the prospect of
scrubbing and oiling the largest dragon in the warren. Maybe it really
was time for him to get firm.
He raised a finger to get the queen's attention and be firm with her,
but when he saw the determined look in her gray eyes, he just sighed.
*Okay, tell her to get into the lake and I'll get started...*
* * * * *
Cynthia
Med Center - Same Time
[Guess what?] Syren said to her rider.
*What?* Cynthia replied looking up from the book in her lap.
[I've been in need of a good oiling for a while.]
*I know, and soon I'll be able to do that for you.*
[No need,] Syren said with an overtone of humor, [I'm about to get a
good oiling from your mate.]
Cynthia smiled, "That's my Trevor. Stern."
* * * * *
Alania
Early Evening
Alania yawned as she walked from the dining hall to her apartment. It
had been a long, long day. Between receiving in gifts and things for
the new babies and it being a receiving day for one of the local towns
****pments of supplies she was ready to fall into bed and sleep for a
week.
When she got to her apartment she glanced out onto the ledge for
MoonDancer. Not seeing her she reached out for the dragon.
{Where are ya?} Alania asked.
{Out hunting with Warton. Do you need me?} replied Moon
{Oh no, have fun. I am going to sleep.}
Alania smiled at the contented feeling she got from MoonDancer. More
and more she and Warton were spending time together. Tho the dragons
didn't develop the deep kinds of relation****ps their human riders did
Alania began to wonder if MoonDancer wasn't just a little sweet on
Warton.
She yawned again and walked to her bedroom. Fleetingly she thought
about where Andahar might be, but let it go quickly. He would likely be
by later to spend the night with her. More often than not he was there
overnight and Alania enjoyed more and more waking up next to the nomad.
She quickly changed from her work clothes to her night****rt. It was
just a long thin ****rt that used to be her fathers. Leaning down to
pick up her clothes from the floor something caught her eye under the
bed. Dropping to a knee Alania reached under the bed and pulled out a
bundle of clothes. Pulling them apart she quickly recognized them as
Andahar's. With a sigh she began to gather them up to put with her own
laundry. She walked over to the basket that held her dirty clothes and
dumped Andahar's clothes on top.
Something reflected the light of the lamp in her room, catching her
eye. Alania bent closer to the ****rt laying on the top of the pile of
clothes. Carefully she picked off what looked like a piece of hair. It
seemed to thin to be thread or string. She laid it against her hand and
noticed that it was green in color. Her eyebrow rose as she wondered
how a green hair found its way to Andahar's ****rt. It was long, so
immediately Alania thought of a woman. Quickly she brushed the thought
from her mind. She knew nothing about the residents of Jasra. Perhaps
the men had long green hair. She bit her lip lightly, struggling with
trusting that if something had happened in Jasra that Andahar would
have told her.
Clutching the hair in one hand Alania went for her robe. She shrugged
it on and then paused as she reached out to MoonDancer.
{Dear can you ask Triss where Trevor is?}
There was a pause and then MoonDancer replied {He's on his way to get
something to eat.}
Alania nodded and headed off to catch Trevor before he reached the
Dining Hall. Perhaps he could shed some light on the mysterious hair.
* * * * *
Back at the lake
Trissana watched as her rider scrubbed Syren's side, his face becoming
an odd shade of red from the exertion. Then she watched as he climbed
up onto Syren's foreleg to get to her shoulder, teetering for a moment
as he almost lost his balance.
[Bohoc! Where are you? My rider needs your rider's help!] Triss called.
<RIDER!> Bohoc, who had been resting in the sun, immediately jumped up
and took to the air, going to where Andahar was talking with the
trainer. <Rider, Trissana's rider needs you urgently!>
Andahar turned to Eth'n, "My dragon comes. He says I am needed at once.
We will talk more, later, about Nadusi."
Eth'n nodded and watched as the small green dragon landed, still amazed
at how little dust was thrown into the air when he landed, and the
young nomad chief launched onto the dragon's back and took off.
Only a moment later the green dragon landed beside the small watering
hole where Triss waited and watched. <My you look very nice! But...
what is wrong?> Bohoc asked the pearlescent dragon, admiring how she
glistened in the sun.
Triss preened, [My rider washed and oiled me. Isn't he the best? Oh,
and he agreed to wash and oil Syren, too, but, he is getting tired and
I would like your rider to take over now. After all he is family, too.]
Bohoc blinked in surprise. <Family?>
[Well, it is as much your rider's fault as it was mine's that Syren's
rider has been unable to clean her properly. A queen should out****ne
any dragon and, well, Syren is looking a bit... spotty... if you know
what I mean and...]
Bohoc stopped her by agreeing quickly and in turn explained the problem
to Andahar.
Andahar watched as Syren moved up onto the shore for her oiling. He
called out to Trevor as the mapmaker slumped and sloshed his way out of
the lake. "You look worn out. I will finish oiling Syren." Andahar took
away the oil rag and the jar of oil and stood blocking Trevor's way,
and when Trevor looked like he might protest, he stated firmly, "You
go. I will oil."
"Are you sure?" Trevor asked. "This is quite a job!"
"I am sure," said Andahar.
"Ok, well, the *other* oil jars are over there," Trevor said, pointing
over at the wagon that still contained a number of filled gallon oil
jars. "If you need more, there are some stacked outside the entrance to
the warren stores."
Andahar whistled softly. "Warrenlady Cynthia must be in good physical
condition to do this regularly."
Trevor nodded. "It would explain where she gets her...stamina," he said
with a wry smile, which Andahar returned.
* * * * *
Trevor felt half-dead, but was determined to get to Keldarra yet
tonight...that way, he could let Triss spend the night with Tymor, and
also spend some time with his grandmother Merilan. He didn't know for
certain that she would be able or willing to make the trip here for a
visit, and if not then he would at least have one evening with her.
He'd decided first, however, to get something to eat before the trip.
He'd almost reached the dining hall when he heard a voice calling out
to him.
He turned and saw that it was Alania, hurrying to catch up with him.
"I'm glad I caught you!" she said, a bit out of breath. "I need you to
help you with something..."
"No!" he said quickly.
"No?" she asked, puzzled.
He nodded. "No...I am NOT helping you wash and oil MoonDancer, I have
already spent the afternoon scrubbing and oiling two of the biggest
dragons in the warren, and will no doubt be smelling like dragon oil
for weeks now...!"
"That wasn't what I wanted," Alania told him as a smirk pulled at her
lips.
Trevor stopped. "It wasn't? Oh, well, that's okay then. What can I do
for you, Alania?"
"You can tell me what *this* is," she said, holding up a very long,
thin strand of what appeared to be hair, except that it was green.
Trevor looked closely and then remembered.
"It's a strand of hair," he said.
"That's what I thought," said Alania uncertainly. "Except that it's
green. Who goes around with their hair dyed green? Do any of the Nomad
tribes do that?"
"Not that I know of," Trevor admitted. "But it could be from a
Kataani." He held it close to his eye for a better look. "Yep, I'd say
that's what it is, it's just the right shade of green."
"What is a Kataani?" Alania asked. "I've never heard that word."
"And you won't meet any of them around here," said Trevor. "They live
in and near the ocean...can't be very far from it, in fact, something
to do with the magic." Seeing the confused look on Alania's face, he
went on.
"The Kataani are an aquatic race, very much like us, really, except
they can breathe underwater. From what I understand, they have a huge
empire out under the sea somewhere. They look just like us...well, they
do have gills in the side of their neck, but you can't even see those
unless they're using them in the water...and, of course, they have a
greenish tint to their skin. Some of them are great warriors. I met a
couple of them when we were at Jasra."
"Ah, okay," said Alania, with a look of understanding coming across her
face. "So a Kataani warrior would look like us...or maybe more like
Andahar, with big muscles, and long, flowing green hair...?"
Trevor thought a moment. "Well, actually, the warriors I met tended to
keep their hair shorter...makes it easier to fit under those helmets
they wear. Very fine craftsman****p on those things, you know...and
their swords, now those..."
Alania cleared her throat. "So Kataani warriors have green hair like
this, but short, right?"
Trevor nodded. "Yes, in fact, some are bald...or shave their heads, not
sure which. Makes sense when you think of it, if you're going to be
living underwater all the time."
"So where could this have come from?" Alania asked.
"Well, there were a couple of Kataani females there too," said Trevor.
"They did wear their hair longer. In fact...lets see, what was her
name...Tanami, that's it! Tanami had very long hair, this could have
been one of hers."
Alania looked down at the green strand. "So, this Tanami person...was
she around your group much?"
Trevor shrugged. "Well, no...not too much...I mean, what with the
mating flight and all, she was rather busy."
"Whose mating flight?" Alania asked.
"Her dragon's mating flight," Trevor said. "What a coincidence, that
something like that would happen when we were there, a Cleft dragon
winning a seadragon's mating flight!"
"One of the Cleft dragons won a mating flight with this Tanami's
dragon??" Alania asked, her eyes widening.
"Um, well...." Trevor stammered, suddenly realizing the complications
that could result from such a revelation, particularly since Andahar
had apparently forgot to mention it. "Um, I didn't say it was Bohoc who
won it, actually...gee, it's hard to remember now just who did win
it..."
"No, you didn't," Alania confirmed. "But I would assume that it wasn't
Trissana who won it, right?"
"Well...yes, that would be a pretty safe assumption..."
"Pretty safe to assume that it wasn't Azure either, right?" Alania
pressed. "Or Syren?"
"Um, well, yeah, I guess that's pretty safe," Trevor said lamely. "Must
have been, um, another male dragon..."
Alania nodded her head. "Yes, must have been. And can you tell me just
which male dragons from the warren were with you, other than Bohoc?
Seems to me you were a party of four...?
"Um, you know, maybe a cup of coffee would refresh my memory," said
Trevor, edging his way to the door. "Er, let me think on this, maybe
I'll be able to think more clearly and remember, um, what went on
there..."
*Trissana, tell Bohoc that he and his rider are about to have a bit of
a problem.* he told the pearly dragon. *Tell him...well, tell him that
he and his rider can fill us in on what happens when we get back from
Keldarra.* He quickly filled her in on what had transpired between
himself and Alania. *Meet me at the back door of the dining hall -
quick! I don't know what Andahar has told her and what he hasn't, but I
think we'd better make ourselves scarce before I manage to say anything
else that I thought she already knew!*
Alania watched him go, her heart sinking into her stomach. Just when
things were going smoothly with Andahar. Finally she felt like they
were able to be honest and trusting of one another. She glanced down at
the strand of hair in her hand, and after a moment let go of it. The
breeze picked up the hair and carried it away. Alania brushed the back
of her hand across her face and headed back to her apartment with a
heavy heart.
Submitted by:
Alton (Cynthia & Syren)
Arlene (Andahar & Bohoc)
Rachel (Alania & MoonDancer)
John (Trevor & Trissana
Cleft Warren
Summery:
Day 2: Midday - Trevor and Cynthia talk at the med center about
parenting, and the need to be firm with ones children (and dragons).
Early Afternoon: Trevor plans to go to Keldarra, but is waylaid first
by Trissana and then by Syren, both of whom want to be scrubbed and
oiled.
Early Evening: Alania discovers a strange green hair on the clothes
Andahar wore back from Jasra warren, and goes to find Trevor to see if
he can identify it. Andahar takes over oiling Syren from Trevor, who
then goes to the dining hall where he encounters Alania and accidently
tips her off to the mating flight that Bohoc won at Jasra. Trevor makes
himself scarce while Alania returns to her apartment.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 02:08:34 -0400
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-C] Clear Up, Clean Up, Make Up. (JP)
Day 2
Evening
Alania walked slowly into her apartment and sat on the edge of her bed
for a bit before she finally shrugged out of her robe. She sighed and
she lay back on her pillow, her eyes fluttering closed. She dozed and
her dreams were filled with a woman with green hair. Not long after she
woke and moved to sit out on MoonDancer's ledge. The cool breeze off
the desert brushed her body as it wrapped around her.
A shadow passed before her and a dark dragon swept onto the ledge and a
small shape slid down the side. She recognized him even though she
could not see him clearly, in addition, she could also see that Andahar
appeared tired.
"Sorry I am so late. After I oiled Syren, Bohoc insisted that he be
washed and oiled. I am glad he is not big dragon." Andahar chuckled
softly and squatted down beside her. It always seemed odd to non-nomads
that they could stay in that position for so long without getting tired
or cramped.
Alania just nodded. She didn't look to Andahar and for a bit was
silent. When she did speak her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
"Who is Tanami?"
Andahar blinked and rocked back as if he had been physically struck. So
that was what that odd message from Trissana had been about. There was
no point in denying he knew the name. But why did Alania ask? Had
Trevor told her something? "She is Kataani, seadragon rider, Wingsecond
of seadragon wing in Jasra."
She turned to face him, standing a few feet away from him. "Is that
all?" She tried not to clench her fists, and she took slow even
breaths.
Andahar looked up at her as she towered above him. "No." He slowly
rose to his feet to look Alania in the eye, "Her dragon had mating
flight while we were in Jasra. Bohoc... won." Andahar's gaze remained
steady as he looked her.
She nodded slowly, letting out a deep breath. She wrapped her arms
around herself and turned away from him, walking to the edge of the
ledge. She said nothing.
"It was mating flight, Alania. I did not share mat with her... after."
Andahar stared at her rigid back, "And it was before you ask me not to
share mat with other than you."
"Why didn't you tell me then?"
Andahar shrugged, but realizing she couldn't see that response,
answered, "I do not know. It was not im****tant."
"But it was im****tant for me to tell you about Eth'n, wasn't it?"
"Yes. I will never see Tanami again. You will never see her. But you
will see Eth'n each day. I see Eth'n each day. All of warren know you
share..." he hesitated as he reconsidered what he was about to say and
decided on, "you share mating flight. All know, all but me."
"And I told you." She turned to face him. "But you didn't tell me
Andahar. You didn't say anything. You had the chance to be honest and
trust me, and you didn't." This obviously upset her.
Andahar stared at her, surprised. "I do trust you. I do not
understand."
"If you trusted me you would have told me."
"What has trusting you to do with telling you Bohoc won mating flight?"
Andahar frowned. "I trust you. You do not care to be with other man.
I trust that. You are honorable," Andahar praised her as he came
forward to close the distance she had put between them.
She held her hand up to stop him. "And you Andahar? Are you honorable?
Do you show that honor by keeping secrets from me?"
Andahar stiffened, "I keep no secret. You ask, I tell." He snorted
indignantly. "You say you accept mating flight, but you now show that
you do not. Do you want me to take knife to Bohoc and make him eunuch
so he will never fly to mate?"
"It's not the flight I don't accept Andahar, it's that fact that you
did
not tell me. That you kept it a secret from me. This has nothing to do
with Bohoc, or even Tanami or anyone else but you and me. You and me
Andahar. Are we to keep things to ourselves and only offer up with the
other asks? Is that how you want this relation****p to be?" She sounded
angry now.
Andahar felt his own anger rise, "Are we to be like dragon and rider?
Not self with own life? I did not think it im****tant to upset you. And
I was right! You are now angry." He crossed his arms over his chest
and glared.
Alania staggered as if he had slapped her. Her shoulder slumped in
defeat. "You want to be your own person with your own life," she
replied
softly. "Then go be that." Then she turned and slumped to the ledge,
drawing her knees up to her chest.
Andahar stared at her in total confusion. "Alania? Murad, you know I
don't want to go anywhere. I want to be here with you. Why do you want
to drive me away?"
"I'm not the one who took you out of the relation****p Andahar. You did.
I don't want to be my own person with my own life. I want to be a part
of your life. Two people as one." She sighed and brushed her hair from
her face. "Maybe you can't, or don't want to, I dunno. But it is what I
want."
He sighed and sat down beside her on the ledge. He could tell that
Alania was angry and hurt, but he really did not understand what he had
done to make her so mad, if indeed he had done something. If it wasn't
the mating flight, then what was it? "Are you angry about mating flight
or not? I do not understand. What do you mean? Can two people be one?"
"I'm not mad about the mating flight Andahar. I'm....." She sighed
again. "I'm sad. That you felt you couldn't tell me, or didn't want
to." She glanced sidelong at him. "Two people can be like one, in a
way.
Knowing that things I do will affect you; when making decisions, taking
into consideration how they will affect you. Being honest with you."
He had a hard time following her thoughts, but he tried again, "You
think I could not or did not want to tell you? It had nothing to do
with honest. I never think not to tell you. It never..." He paused as
he tried to explain, "It *was* not im****tant! It *is* not im****tant.
That you are angry is im****tant, and I am sorry. But I do not
understand. I think of you all day... so much that Bohoc tells me to
stop! I will not do anything to harm you. I will protect you!"
Andahar vowed, passionately.
A smile tugged at Alania's lips. How could she be upset at him after
that? She reached a hand to touch his cheek. "I know you will Andahar.
Just promise me when something as im****tant as a mating flight happens
you will tell me."
"Yes, of course!" He would now, now that he knew how im****tant it was
to her. He still wasn't sure what she was angry about, but he was glad
that she seemed to be coming around. He certainly hadn't wanted to
spend the night alone out on the ledge, which is where he had feared
the
conversation had been going. His own hand came up to stroke her cheek,
but he forgot how oily it was, and it left an oily smudge along her
cheek line. "Ah, sorry..."
She brushed at her cheek. "Why don't you go get clean."
He smiled slowly, "I might need some help...?"
She gazed back out over the desert. "I'd like some time to be alone.
But I'll be in bed when you're done."
He frowned. First she wanted to be one with him, and now she wanted to
be alone... she was so confusing. But her promise of joining him after
he'd cleaned up satisfied him that things had been resolved in an
acceptable manner. "I will not be long," he promised and he stood and
walked into the apartment that he'd come to think of as home.
Alania let her gaze linger on the desert for only a few minutes. Then
she stood and moved back into the apartment. She gathered Andahar's
dirty clothes from the floor outside the bathroom and carried them to
the laundry basket before going to the bed. There she settled back with
another yawn. Tucking a hand under her head she stared up at the
ceiling.
Finished with his shower, Andahar toweled off, again admiring how soft
Alania's towels were. Dropping it on the floor he left the bathroom and
came to Alania's bed. He slipped in beside her.
She glanced over at him. "You left the towel on the floor didn't you?"
Andahar chuckled, playing along, "Uh, yes? Is that not where it is to
go when it is wet?"
She rolled her eyes and then stuck out her tongue at him before rolling
out of the bed once more and going to the bathroom.
He pulled back the sheet, making it more inviting, and fluffed up the
pillows. Then he lay down and tried to look... ***y. He had a
welcoming and admiring smile on his lips when she returned.
She returned to the bed moments later. Seeing Andahar she tried hard
not to giggle. "You don't look sleepy," she said as she slid into the
bed.
"Tired, but not ready to sleep," He agreed, "Are you?"
"Humm I dunno. If not sleep, what do you want to do?" She grinned at
him.
It didn't take him long to give her some idea of exactly what he had in
mind to do.
---
Summary:
Day 2
Evening
Alania sits on the ledge of her apartment contemplating what she had
just discovered from an unwitting Trevor. Returning from oiling the
dragons, Andahar finds her waiting there and joins her. Alania asks him
about Tanami and Andahar admits to Bohoc's winning of the mating
flight.
After a "discussion," to clear the air, over how it made Alania feel
when she found out about the mating flight, Andahar agrees to tell
Alania the "im****tant" things in the future. When they finish cleaning
up, they make up between the sheets.
---
Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene
AKA Andahar & Bohoc
-and-
Rachel
AKA Alania & MoonDancer
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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