Canines and Flying Disks

Writers: Eimi, April
Date Posted: 13th February 2006

Characters: Gaiya, H'mos
Description: Gaiya and her charges meet Herimos and his canine
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 5 of Turn 3

"A canine! A canine!" the cry rose up from Gaiya's small pack of children.
"Can we pet him Gaiya? Is he friendly, Gaiya? Can I touch him Gaiya? Can we feed him Gaiya?" the questions quickly arose.

The foster mother turned patient eyes towards the canine's owner. "Does he mind children?"

"Not at all." The canine waited patiently as his owner spoke. He was barely able to contain his excitement. Yet, he sat were he had been told to wait and watched the children with mounting excitement. His ears were far to large for him and made him look a bit silly. "If you don't mind them youngins playing with him." "I don't mind. They love all kinds of beasts, especially dragons and canines." She looked down at the children gathered around her. "Well I think the nice man will let you play with his canine. What do you say?"

"Thank you!" a chorus of excited voices chimed out, thought a bit out of sync. They wasted no time in patting and scratching the spotted canine, giggling when he turned his head to lick them.

"He loves kids. He is a very gentle critter to." He smiled as his canine tried to make sure he licked each child. He was not one to leave any child out. Herimos knelt on the ground at eye level with the kids. "You know Lord puddles is very special. He likes to play catch with a special toy. I made it myself for him. Watch this."

Herimos got up and took out what look like a very shallow bowl that was about the size of a plate but not so flat. he held it and gave it a flick. It soured out and the canine took off after it. He jumped up and caught it in the air. The moment his feet touched the ground he turned and raced back. "Who'd like to try?" He smiled at the eager faces.

"A flying disk!" the children cheered. "I want to try!" they all screamed and began fighting over who was going to be allowed to try it first.

"All right you guys, if you don't take turns we will head back into the Weyr," Gaiya said, her hands on her hips and a loving but stern look in her eye. "We'll go youngest to oldest this time."

"That should keep them busy. He does love kids. I think it's because they can have just as much energy as he does."

"Well, count yourself lucky you have just one of him," she said with a roll of her eyes, but a fond smile just the same.

"I count myself very lucky. Lord Puddles is very special and very active. He keeps me quite busy. Sometimes I wonder what I would do if he ever calmed down. I would probably grow fat and lazy." He chuckled as he watch the canine's antics.

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true," Gaiya laughed.

"I'll just have to find a lady friend for him, that should keep him active." He never left his eyes leave the children and his canine. His heart ached for the children he would never have with his wife. She had left him to soon. "There are a few around," the foster mother nodded, not noticing the candidate's deeper thoughts.

"Perhaps when he does find a lady friend, I will have to get one of the puppies for your fine brood. Or, perhaps I could entreat on you to allow your brood to exercise him on occasion." he said to turn his thoughts from his musing.

"Well, they certainly seem to be enjoying themselves," Gaiya nodded. "I think they would be more than happy to play with your canine!"

"Then it's a deal. Perhaps every other evening just after mealtime, you all could meet me here and they could play till bedtime. Then those youngins will be so tired they will sleep well." "I'm sure they will," Gaiya chuckled. "But they are not mine after mealtime. I'm only a part-time foster mother. I'm relatively new at this, you see. I haven't been chosen to have a foster child of my own yet."

"Hmmmm, perhaps I should find out when you have them so I can bring him by. It's nice to have someone, other than me, to play with him. Then perhaps we can talk more. I don't know many people here and it can be a little overwhelming at times." He smiled. His crystal blues eyes seemed to look into hers with some deep seeded need and pain. A bit of hair fell across his young face. "Oh, don't worry," Gaiya said with a reassuring pat on his arm. "I'm sure you'll Impress, and then you will feel right at home. But you can talk to me anytime."

"Thank you. I appreciate that." He glanced out at the children and his canine.

Last updated on the February 13th 2006

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Canines and Flying Disks