[20.12.1164] Needing to Make things Right(M'riel)

[sorra]

Venteran was a bit surprised when M'riel didn't just fluff his question off. Although he was glad. He thought he deserved to know. The boy listened quietly to M'riel's answer, not really understanding everything that was being said. "Dragons just know?" he asked curiously. Is that how it worked? Until recently he hadn't really thought about it. "So Jo knew mommy would be a good leader?" he asked. He had never thought about his mother being Weyrwoman. That had always been Lady Taenia's position. Maybe he would make Taenia a pretty picture to cheer her up.

Shayna gave M'riel a warning look. Don't bring up anything about blue riders. R'bao was special to Venteran and his mother as well. Shayna had lost her heart to the blue rider and knew she would never get that piece back. She still loved him despite her growing feelings for M'riel. This was so sharding confusing to her.

The boy nodded. "You better be," he warned and Shayna rolled her eyes. Venteran thought for a minute. "We can try being friends," he answered. He knew his daddy wasn't real fond of M'riel, so Venteran would see just what this man was really like.

Shayna grinned a bit. Her son still didn't realize that Josiath was actually on the smaller side for a gold. Fraith was smaller, but Tsunath and Authanth had been much bigger. And Oreath was even slightly bigger then she was. She wondered just what Venteran would think.

Venteran's eyes lit up when he heard the bronze's croon followed by a familiar croon. "Jo!" he called, racing out to the ledge. His eyes widened when he saw the bronze curled around his golden mate.

Shayna moved over beside M'riel. "We should probably go with him," she said softly.

[kendrall]

M'riel nodded at Venteran's question. "Yep. Josiath knew your mother would make a good leader, just as she knew through Oreath that I had been a leader before." He caught Shayna's warning look and simply nodded at the Weyrwoman, knowing full well that part of her life was now behind her. M'riel knew Shayna still had feelings for the Bluerider, especially since he was Sanyara's father. That didn't mean the Weyrleader wouldn't continue to court his weyrmate, to remind her of his feelings for her.

He didn't say anything when Venteran warned him of the need to be nice to his mother, and they could try being friends. If M'riel had to take it one day at a time, then he'd do so. He did catch Shayna's grin about Josiath's size in comparison to the other Golds, but it was Oreath whom she had chosen as her mate. His own Bronze was just as content, and M'riel would do everything he could to ensure his dragon stayed true to the Senior Queen when the other Golds were due to rise in the near future.

M'riel watched as Venteran raced into his mother's weyr, hearing him cry out Josiath's name after the pair greeted the boy. Shayna moved over next to him, saying they should probably go with her son. "Oreath won't hurt him, if that's what you're worried about, love," he replied softly, planting a kiss on the Weyrwoman's cheek. "But you're right, let's go with him." He waited for Shayna to enter their quarters first, then he would walk in behind her, closing the door to give them some privacy.

Oreath was curled around Josiath, but his blue eyes indicated he was pleasantly surprised by this little running up to him and his mate. The Bronze crooned at Venteran, then lowered his head for the boy to rub the headknobs. M'riel walked to the ledge and chuckled. "Venteran, this is Oreath. He's been my best friend for many, many Turns, and he and I have seen a lot of action together." The Weyrleader knew that the boy was surprised by the Bronze's sheer size. "Where I came from, there were many Bronze dragons that were close to his size, but he was easily one of the largest. Here, he is the largest, but he's just as gentle-natured as can be. He's also very smart, too. I don't know how many times he's gotten both of us out of trouble." The Weyrleader walked up and gave his dragon an affectionate rub on his side, then looked at the Weyrwoman's son. "Remember how I told you that a Rider's personality is often reflected in their Dragon's, and vice versa? Oreath is very fond of Josiath, and he won't let anything happen to her. He may not be as fast as your father's Serguth, but where he lacks in speed, well..." M'riel gave his Bronze another affectionate pat. "He makes up for it in strength and size. He's a fighter, Venteran. He'll defend Josiath with everything he has until there's nothing left, but he'll always stay true to her. That's how much he cares for her."

The Bronze crooned in acknowledgement. He knew that the boy probably wouldn't hear him, but hopefully the little one would understand that his Rider was telling the truth. Oreath also hoped that somehow, Venteran would understand that by the same token, M'riel loved the Weyrwoman dearly; that he would always stay true to Shayna, and would likewise defend her until his very last breath.

[sorra]

Venteran smiled a bit. To him his mother was the best at everything. Of course he was still little and looked up to his mother and father. He cocked his head to the side as he thought about those words. "So Jo knew that Oreath would be good for her?" It kind of made sense. Of course he was still little and not all about a flight made sense to him.

Shayna breathed a sigh of relief when it seemed like M'riel had caught her drift. At least she shouldn't have to worry about M'riel ever talking bad about R'bao. Venteran didn't notice the look on his mother's face. He was still trying to process everything as he took off to the ledge.

She shook her head. "I never thought that he would hurt Venteran." She knew M'riel had had a daughter and most dragons seemed to like children. "I just wasn't sure how he would react to Oreath's size."

Venteran stared up at Oreath in amazement. Josiath lowered her head and gently blew warm air over the boy. She liked Venteran and apparently Oreath did too. The boy reached up on his tip toes to scratch Oreath's head knobs, grinning broadly. It was easy to see that he loved dragons. Shayna smiled as she stood on the ledge, he arms folded over her waist. Venteran looked up at M'riel. "He's so big," the boy whispered, causing Shayna to smile. None of the other dragons besides Tsunath and Authanth had been close to Oreath's size. The boy puffed out his chest. "Daddy's blue is fast," he said proudly and looked at Oreath. "I bet Oreath is strong." He turned silvery eyes on M'riel. "He better not hurt Jo either," he warned. Okay, so the boy was very protective.

Shayna shook her head with a chuckle. "Jo wouldn't let him, V," she promised. "Just like I wouldn't let M'riel hurt me. They want to be your friend and mine as well." Okay, her and M'riel were definitely fast becoming more, but her 4-Turn-old son didn't need to be told that. She smiled as Oreath crooned and Venteran moved over to scratch his jaw.

[kendrall]

A brief but warm smile came to M'riel's lips when Venteran asked about how Josiath knew Oreath would be good for her. "She did." It was rather awkward to try and figure out how to explain a dragonflight to a four-turn-old, but M'riel left it at that. Shayna's Gold had chosen his Bronze as her mate, effectively binding the two Riders together as weyrmates and as the new leadership. The Weyrleader was only following the age-old tradition of sharing the new Weyrwoman's individual weyr, as that was his right. Venteran may not understand it, R'bao may not like it, but there was no room for an argument. M'riel was the new Weyrleader, and his rightful weyrmate was the new Weyrwoman, Shayna.

"Most people in this time don't know how to react to him, Shay," M'riel said softly to his weyrmate. "He looks intimidating, but he's really just a softie when it comes to children." He gave her a grin. It was true that Oreath liked children very much; when Riemi was little, the girl was always found playing around the Bronze and his Green mate. Even though Shandrith could never bear a clutch, both she and Oreath viewed Riemi as theirs.

Oreath closed his eyes and let out a soft groan of contentment as the boy reached up to scratch him. Venteran commented on how big the Bronze was, and M'riel simply nodded. He couldn't help but chuckle a little when the boy proudly proclaimed his father's Blue was fast, but agreed that Oreath was indeed strong...but had better not hurt Josiath. The Weyrleader let his weyrmate take it from there, promising that no harm would come to her nor the Gold, and the Bronze pair wanted to be friends with her son.

"He likes that a lot, Venteran," M'riel commented. "Maybe one day when it's a little warmer, I'll let you help me oil his hide. If it's alright with your mother, of course." The Weyrleader saw no point in keeping the boy from getting a head start when it came to taking care of a dragon. He'd done the same with Riemi, when she was still alive. "After that, we can probably go for a ride around the Weyr on his back."

[sorra]

For the moment Venteran let the subject drop. Not everything was making sense to him because of his age, but as long as neither Josiath or his mother were hurt he was alright. And he was going to make sure that no one talked badly of his daddy. He loved R'bao to pieces and nothing could ever change that.

Shayna nodded. "Authanth was the biggest dragon we ever had. Even bigger then Tsunath," she answered. But golds were expected to be big. None of their bronzes were even close to Oreath's size. She chuckled. "I figured he would be a pushover with kids." She had seen the way that Oreath was with Josiath and now with Venteran.

The boy continued to scratch Oreath's head. He was content to be with the dragons for now. That was usually where Shayna could find him. Venteran had wanted to help with Josiath and Serguth from an even earlier age. There had been times when she had strapped Venteran to her back to take care of Josiath.

Venteran turned around in surprise. "Really? I can help oil him?" he asked, looking at his mother. Shayna shrugged. "I don't see a problem with it," she answered, smiling at M'riel and her son. Venteran grinned and turned his attention back to the two dragons. Shayna leaned against M'riel as she was starting to get tired.

[kendrall]

M'riel watched as Oreath was content with Venteran scratching his head affectionately. He put an arm around Shayna's waist as he felt her lean against him, and he supposed she was a little exhausted judging by the look on her face. The Weyrleader looked at her and smiled, giving her a gentle squeeze before lowering his arm. "If you want to go lay down for a bit, Shay, I'll join you after we take Venteran back to R'bao," he whispered into her ear. There was no point in letting her son hear that conversation, as it was meant only for the Weyrwoman. He then turned to look at the little boy, letting out a soft chuckle as Oreath crooned softly with delight over the boy's attention.

"Since your mother seems to fine with it, I'll come find you when the weather is a bit warmer, Venteran." He nodded at the boy. "Just to let you know, it'll take a while to oil all of Oreath. Several candlemarks, at least. It usually takes me nearly a full day just to oil his hide, but with your help it'll take less time than that. We'll get an early start that day, so I'll even treat you to lunch afterwards. How does that sound?"

[sorra]

Venteran seemed to be totally enjoying himself and at least for the moment wasn't hating M'riel. That was all Shayna had hoped for. She hadn't wanted her son to despise the new Weyrleader. She stayed snuggled against M'riel's side as all the activity was starting to take its toll on her. It had only been a sevenday since her daughter had been born after all. "I think I will. I'm not feeling real well," she whispered, glancing at her son. "Come get me if Venteran gets upset or he's ready to go back to see R'bao." She knew she needed to rest for at least a little bit. Otherwise Eodira was going to restrict her to bed and she didn't want that.

Venteran turned around as M'riel spoke to him, still scratching Oreath's chin though. He didn't want to leave the dragons. "Really? You'll let me help?" he asked excitedly. he had helped Shayna with Josiath a few times. The boy actually seemed to shrug. 'that's okay. I can give up some playtime to be with the dragons," he said cheerily. Dragons were his life after all.

[kendrall]

M'riel gave Shayna a quick kiss on her cheek. "Go," he said gently. "I'll come get you when Venteran is ready to leave." He gave his weyrmate a soft, warm smile then turned to look at Venteran. The Weyrleader walked up to the dragons, and stood next to the boy as he continued to scratch Oreath's chin. "Well, your mother did give her permission," he said, squatting down a little so he could be more on the boy's level. M'riel knew his Bronze was enjoying every bit of attention. "And as long as you don't mind giving up some playtime to help out, I'm sure Oreath would look forward to it."

The Bronze gave a soft croon in response. He would be looking forward to having Josiath's little help oil his hide. M'riel thought for a moment, then decided to change the subject a little. "Just out of curiosity, Venteran, what games do you like to play?"

[sorra]

Shayna gave him a weak smile. It was easy to see in her eyes that she was exhausted. The blood loss from Sanyara and then the hard birth itself was still keeping her down. "Alright," she said softly, turning to head inside. She was freezing too if she was honest. There were times when she wasn't sure if she would ever get warm again.

Venteran didn't notice his mother leave as he continued to scratch Oreath, although he turned around when M'riel approached. "I help mommy and daddy with Serguth and Jo," he answered. The blue was certainly a lot different from the gold, but he loved both dragons and he was looking forward to helping with Oreath too. He smiled widely as the bronze crooned. Venteran looked up at him in surprise. "We play dragons a lot," he answered. "Or draw or sometimes hide and seek. We also like to explore but that got us in trouble."

[kendrall]

M'riel listened as the boy looked up at him, seemingly surprised by his question. Shayna had already headed inside, and her weyrmate knew she would look forward to the rest. She had been through a lot, with the difficult birth when she had Sanyara. M'riel wasn't about to put her through that again any time soon, though he sincerely hoped she would be much stronger when she bore his child. He couldn't afford to lose her, especially after all they had endured up to this point. It was something for him to think about, but he needed to stay focused on whom was actually with him. Venteran, Shayna's firstborn by her first love; a man M'riel had much in common with, yet he would never meet.

"Well, you can help me with Oreath," he said to the little boy. The Weyrleader knew his Bronze well enough to know he wouldn't mind at all. He simply nodded as Venteran said he usually played dragons, or there were times he drew or played hide-and-seek. The boy went on to say he liked to explore, but got in trouble over it. M'riel thought that one over, but said nothing. "How often have you drawn a picture of your mother's dragon?" he finally asked.

[sorra]

Shayna knew that Venteran would be safe with M'riel. Besides, Josiath was out there too and her gold would let her know if anything happened. Right now she just needed to sleep. Her body was telling her she couldn't go anymore at the moment.

Venteran smiled brightly. "Oh I want to help," he said excitedly. He had never oiled a bronze before. It would be new and fun for him. The boy shrugged a bit. "I draw Jo all the time. Sometimes mommy too," he answered. He liked to draw and he was around Josiath the most so of course she was the dragon he drew.

[kendrall]

M'riel reached up to give his dragon another affectionate pat on his head, then stood up. He winced slightly, realizing that he was getting old in his age. He was nowhere near the trim, fit Rider that he'd been in the past, nor the athletic Guardsman he once was. The Weyrleader still tried to keep as fit as possible, but his aching body was a sharp reminder that time wasn't going to be on his side forever. Knowing Venteran would probably ask the question, M'riel mumbled that he'd be fine and just needed to get a little rest. Glancing at the sky, he could tell that it would be dark soon. "Probably best to head inside where it's warmer, Venteran," M'riel suggested, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It'll be some time before the weather gets warmer, but in the meantime, you're welcome to draw pictures of Oreath if you like."

Silently, he asked his Bronze to do something for him. Oreath, ask Josiath if she wouldn't mind letting Shayna know it's starting to get dark outside, and she needs to take Venteran back to either the creche or to R'bao's. I'll walk with them. His dragon didn't make a single sound, but instead affectionately nuzzled his golden mate to pass on his bonded's request. Lady Josiath, Mine wishes to have Yours take her little to the creche or to Serguth's if she so desires. Mine doesn't want her little to get cold, now that it's starting to grow dark again, but will walk with Yours and her little.[/color]

[sorra]

Josiath opened her eyes and stretched a bit. Shayna, Oreath's says it is time to take the little back to the creche or R'bao's. Okay, so she still knew R'bao's name. The blue rider had been a big part of their lives for a long time. It's getting cold out and Oreath's doesn't want your little getting sick, she explained, snuggling close to Oreath.

Venteran looked back at the dragons once before reluctantly following M'riel. It was getting cold and he shivered a bit. "Maybe I'll draw them tomorrow." he didn't know where he would be. Since Sanyara had been born he hadn't been able to spend the night with his mother.

Shayna met them inside the weyr, still looking really tired. She held a coat for her son though and the boy weaseled into it, before hugging her legs. "Shall we see what daddy is doing?" she asked gently. She knew Sanyara would be getting hungry too. Venteran nodded brightly. Shayna smiled and looked over at M'riel.