There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-D] - Reflections on a New Life
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL C] Grand-Dam of a Dragon (JP)
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:08:14 -0700
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-D] - Reflections on a New Life
Day 30
Weya's Quarters
Dawn
Weya lay in simple reflection and mused over how she had ended up where
she
was. Had there been a sign that would have taken her on a different
path?
She was not sure. She did know that one never questioned the Gods and
Fates
in their dealings. One accepted and learned from it so one could
continue
the journey and path.
She reached out and felt the soft thick pelt of her beloved companion.
Moonwynd had grown into such a beautiful animal. Her white thick coat
with
the darker shadings blending giving her the appearance of sleek silvery
blur
as she raced by.
Weya closed her eyes and smiled at the memories that danced before
them.
After the first initial shock of getting use to the fact that Cu'we had
deliberately chosen her.
Weya had settled in to the rigorous routine of learning the ways of
taking
care of the little dragonet.
Cu'we was very supportive.almost wise beyond her years.and at the
weakest of
her moments.felt her grandmother's spirit residing within Cu'we's
tender
soul. She did not doubt this for one moment...tis the way of spirits.
Or
her grandmother had taught her.
Now was the day.the morning of the first of many flights. Weya had
been
ever so grateful as Dante tirelessly watched over her and Cu'we's
development. He had given her tips and hints of oiling and massage.how
to
deal with the constant bombardment of mixed feelings and thoughts.
Dante and the trainers had been right.it had taken a bit of time for
the new
pair to learn each other. She was blessed with the gentleness of
Cu'we.her
wise words..her cute tinkling laughter and the boundless love and
caring she
carried within.
<*Sister you awake?*>
*Aye I am* Weya responded with a smile. *Today is the big day*
<*I am very excited.and nervous..it would not do good for me to do a
nose
dive in front of all the spectators*>
Weya chuckled softly and sat up to find Moonwynd stretching lazily
closing
her eyes.
*Nothing wrong with nose dives.it's how I came to this place* She
laughed
when she heard the soft snort of disapproval.
Weya turned her attention to Moonwynd. She did not appear to be too
interested in the goings on. She had been out late and Weya assumed
she
would sleep most of the day way. She had hoped that perhaps she would
join
her giving her the courage to face all the people.
This was the one part of being of a Jr. Queenrider she struggled with.
Having to be center stage.to greet and meet so many people and be
expected
to help them or deal with the numerous tasks and duties.
She had not realized just what it took to make the Warren run so
smoothly.
She hoped she was up to it. She felt at more ease with the gentle
beauty
that gracefully glided about as if she walked on air. Her gentleness
and
sweet demeanor helped Weya not feel so awkward.
The Warren Lady on the other hand...Weya felt herself frown and moved
to
begin her daily morning ritual. She had to admit...the bathing chamber
was
to die for..nothing in her wildest dreams would have ever been close to
this
little heavenly delight.
She stepped into the full tub and sank beneath the warm soothing
waters.
*Ahhhh*
<*Mmmmm*> Cu'we echoed in her mind. <*Yes I too enjoy the sensations
of
this*>
Weya chuckled softly. *You will do fine Cu'we...*
<*We will sister.do not forget...we are a team*>
Weya smiled as she felt the flooding of love and comfort and it helped
to
wash her worries away and even the more negative ones concerning the
Warren
Lady and her new duties..the strain of leaving behind a life she loved.
Weya bathed and took her time getting ready. She was still amazed at
the
luxury that surrounded her in her new quarters. This too had been hard
getting use to. She was glad that Moonwynd stayed with her..but she
missed
the soft breathing of Dante from across the room.the funny noises of
the
pups and Night. She missed him terribly. He had been such a constant
companion in her early days of convalescing in the Medical Center.
Jacks had been a dear too..and he helped with Cu'we and she adored him.
Jacks had quietly taken the role of protector and advisor to the little
princess. Weya was glad he was so attentive to her..and she enjoyed
her
time with him as well.
In fact; everyone really had been very nice about helping her adjust to
her
new position.
Altho Palace had been a bit withdrawn...Adams was always there with a
cheery
smile and kind words. The lessons with Solthan were not too bad..and
he did
help her laugh at certain polite society hang ups.
She had been glad he never mentioned her major faux pas and managed to
teach
her why she should not have said; or done what she did. He did ease
her
mind when he admitted he and some of the others laughed later and were
proud
of her.
The one question she wished he would ask was about that night.when she
had
performed the ritual to send him back to his ancestors. She wondered
if he
would ever speak of it...for she still needed to give him the words
that had
been etched on her heart.
Perhaps once he felt an ease with her..or maybe once he felt she had
learned
enough..she did have to admit it was nice to eat quietly in her
quarters and
learn all the proper ways to entertain. It was a nice quiet way to end
the
busy and hectic days.
She stood looking at her reflection in the long free standing mirror
Solthan
gifted her with. He said his mother would have approved of the gift.
She
smiled at what she saw.
Altho she was now wearing more than she had even worn in her life..it
was
comfortable enough for her to walk and get around in. The soft
leathers fit
her frame well and did not hamper or hinder her natural movement and
gait.
Most of important it hid the ugly purplish twisted scar as it snaked
down
her leg from her hip to inner knee.
She made sure most of her totems and charms and amulets were hidden
under
her bodice and only one was left showing. She did not wish to mar the
beauty of the Warren Lady with her tightening of her lips and a soft
scowl
appear as she took in all the trinkets she saw draped about her.
Weya was not about to go about with out them.so as one learns..you
adapt and
keep on moving. She would also spend some time experimenting with them
and
to see if she could add them in a way that would enhance and not
detract.
<*Sister..many are assembling.hurry please...*>
*Coming* Weya answered and with a final look nodded her head and began
her
walk to the Green to join her companion and meet up with the others.
She
felt sad she was walking alone..but this was a big day for
everyone..and as
Cu'we had reminded her...she could not be late.
Weya could hear the commotion and excitement before she reached the
slowly
growing crowd. She looked about and wondered where Dante and Jack's
were.
She continued until she reached the spot where everyone had taken up
their
places.
She smiled as she caught sight of Dante watching the antics of the
twins.
She smiled and waved as he turned and saw her. He ran towards her.
"Weya!"
"Dante" she whispered softly finding herself grinning broadly. "Glad
you
are here.I won't be as nervous."
"Wouldn't miss this for the world." He answered with a grin placing his
arm
around her shoulders. "Let go meet up with the others!"
NRPG- just getting Weya to the green for the great event. Let the
flying
begin!
Summary
Weya awakens and reflects on some of her new journey as being both
Dragon
Rider and Jr. Queen Rider. She bathes.dresses and makes her way to the
Green to wait until the flights can begin.
Respectfully submitted by
Carys Murray
Aka
Weya and Cu'we
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:52:32 -0400
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL C] Grand-Dam of a Dragon (JP)
Morning, Day 8
Merilan came out onto the ledge to see if her grandson was out there
with
his dragon and see if he wanted a cup of coffee. Not finding him, she
stopped to pat the pearlescent dragon. "Are you feeling better
darling?
You're looking a bit better this morning."
Triss raised her head a bit and looked down at her grand-dam...well,
not
*her* grand-dam, really, actually her rider's. But Triss *had* told
Trevor
she was adopting Merilan as her own grand-dam, and...
Triss sighed. Things like that were part of the past now, it seemed.
Her
rider would, she was sure, now consider any such gestures on her part
as
insincere. She wished there was some way she could make him understand
she
hadn't been trying to deceive him, but to help him...
She blinked, realizing she'd been daydreaming, and looked back down at
Merilan. <I'm sorry,> she said, <Could you repeat that? I wasn't
listening...>
Merilan gasped, "Uh... Are you feeling better?" Had she just 'heard'
Trissana ask her to repeat that?
<Oh...yes, yes I am,> the dragon replied, then stopped and blinked as
what
had just happened registered with her. She extended her head forward
and
peered closely at her adopted grand-dam. <Am I hearing things, or can
you
hear *me*?> she asked. She cocked her head and waited to see if
Merilan had
actually spoken to her, or if she'd just imagined it.
Merilan rocked back as if struck, "I... can! How is this possible?
I've
never heard any of the other dragons before."
Trissana was as surprised as Merilan was, but in typical draconic
fashion
took it in stride. <Well, maybe I'm special!> she said, moving forward
to
let just the tip of her nose rest against Merilan. It sounded like she
was
being humorous, and she decided not to try to explain to Merilan yet
that
sometimes her telepathy *was* a bit different from other dragons.
Perhaps
this was why Merilan could hear her. In any case, the pearly dragon
thought
this was a good thing, so she wasn't going to question it. <It is nice
that
you can hear me. Of course, I could understand things you said to me,
but
this makes it so much easier to converse.>
"Why... yes... it is. I..." Merilan was totally amazed. She had been
around dragons all of her life and she'd never heard any of them
before.
Since this had never happened to her before, perhaps it was something
unique
to Trissana. "Has this ever happened to you before?"
<I have talked to a few humans before, yes,> Triss said. <But other
than my
rider, they were all ones who knew they had the gift to speak with us.>
She
cocked her head and thought about it. <Or, if it is a gift, maybe
you've
just received it.> She nodded her head, satisfied with that answer,
then
sighed and looked lovingly at Merilan. <It is so nice to be able to
talk to
you, so I can thank you for being so kind to me.>
"Thank me?" Merilan smiled, "Why of course! You are a darling dragon.
And
I'm so very glad you are feeling better, dear." She patted Trissana on
the
nose gently. "Is there anything you need?" She felt disoriented,
though.
Could she suddenly develop this ability at her advanced age? She
wondered
if there were any other dragons she could speak with.
<You look as though you need to sit down,> Triss observed, and moved
her
foreleg to provide a convenient seat.
Triss watched as Merilan seated herself, then asked a hesitant
question.
<Grand-dam, my rider has told me how much he cares about you, but I was
wondering...has he ever spoken to you...about me?>
"Oh, of course!" Merilan beamed. "Your rider thinks the world of you!
You
are just so cute and sweet and... why do you ask?"
<Oh...well, I...just wondered,> the dragon sighed. She wished she
could ask
Merilan for advice on her problem, but it would have been easier if
Trevor
had talked to her and told her what he was feeling. Triss had not been
able
to tell what he was thinking, since he was consciously blocking her
out.
<Um...no reason....> she sighed, reflexively moving her head down next
to
where Merilan sat. She did this without thinking, since she needed
comforting Trevor would always drape an arm over her or stroke her or
do
something to make her feel better. She caught herself after a moment
and
realized how silly she was being, and started to draw away.
But Merilan, much like her sensitive grandson, could tell that the poor
dragon was in need of a comforting touch and reached out to gently
caress
her. Her scales were smooth and warm, but thankfully no longer burning
hot
as they had been only a few days earlier. "Is there something
bothering
you, Trissana? Is it something that Trevor has done or said?"
Triss held still and let Merilan's hands gently stroke her scales. She
could almost close her eyes and think that it was her rider doing that,
and
she wondered if that would ever happen again.
<Oh no, he has been wonderful, as always,> she quickly assured Merilan.
<When I was so sick, he was in here all the time, and I felt bad for
him
because he wanted so much to help but could not do anything. But he
did do
something, really, just by being here...just like you are, now.> She
squeezed her eyes shut as she thought of the look in his eyes when he'd
stared at her as though she were a stranger. <If only I'd been better
to
him...>
Merilan shook her head, bewildered. "Why do you say that? Have you
done
something mean? I can't believe it. You are the best dragon for
Trevor, he
couldn't possibly want another dragon than you."
<Maybe he...should want a different dragon,> Triss replied sadly. And
then,
suddenly, she opened her eyes and a change came over, as though she
were
remembering something she had forgotten. Her demeanor changed, and she
suddenly seemed much less like the sad, vulnerable dragon who had so
needed
comforting. She gently lifted her head away and moved it to Merilan's
other
side, while at the same time using her free claw to move the edge of
her
blanket up over Merilan's knees.
<Here, this will help keep you warm, my grand-dam,> she said, giving
Merilan
a very light nuzzle. <I am sorry for troubling you...It is I who
should be
taking care of *you,* not the other way around!> She gave off such a
feeling of warmth and love that even a non-telepath might have sensed
it.
"Oh, pshaw! I'm not that old that I need coddling! Besides," She
pushed
the blanket back toward the dragon, "It's *sweltering* here! Not at
all
like the temperatures I'm used to." She chuckled. "A blanket is a bit
of
overkill." But she glanced at the dragon, seeing something different
about
her and she smiled, "Why I do think this illness has made you grow up
some,
dear! Though I'm very sorry you were ill, perhaps this is a good
thing?"
Triss' expression fell a bit. <I don't know,> she admitted. <I just
feel
bad that any of this had to happen. My rider has his own hatchlings
now,
and I feel like I am more of a problem to him than anything else. I
do not
wish to start off by being a problem to you too...I am tired of being a
problem. I want to be useful and to help where I can. So, my
grand-dam, I
hope you will let me do what I can to help you, whenever you need
someone.
Perhaps, one day, my rider will let me be that for him...> And then
she
abruptly stopped, as though aware that she'd said more than she
intended.
"Oh, I'm sure you are a great help to your rider! How could he
accomplish
his mapping without a brave dragon like you to take him all the length
and
breadth of the dangerous Nomadlands?" Merilan patted Trissana on the
cheek,
while wondering what it was that Triss had done to cause her so much
guilt.
"But for human hatchlings... well, I really am not sure how a brave
dragon
could help there. See human babies are just... well... As much as I
loved
being a mother, let's just say that I never really cared for babyhood.
So
needy! So... messy." She chuckled.
<Perhaps I could learn to be as kind and understanding as you are,
then,>
Triss said softly, and she let out a wide yawn as she settled down with
her
head next to Merilan. <And as wise...then I would know how to do what
is
right...> She yawned and then closed her eyes.
Merilan patted her, "You're just tired, dear. Sleep a bit. I could
tell
you a story as you fall asleep..." Merilan frowned as she wondered
what
type of story to tell a dragon, but then the words she'd just murmured
struck her... a story about doing what is right? And she smiled, as
she
thought of the tale of the lion and the mouse. Yes, that would be a
good
one to tell a sweet dragon.
----
Summary
Day 8
Morning
Merilan goes out to check on Trevor and Trissana, but finds the dragon
alone. After asking the dragon how she is feeling, Merilan is amazed
to
discover she can 'hear' Triss. Taking it in stride, though still
mystified,
she and Triss have a heart-to-heart conversation, which leaves Merilan
wondering what Triss might have done that she appears to have so much
guilt.
As Trissana drifts back to sleep, Merilan stays with her and tells her
a
story.
---
Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
Merilan
And
John Pepper
AKA
Trissana
|
