Visiting the Kids
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st July 2024
Characters: Briata, N'vanik, Y'gel, Nisheyl, Brigel, Nievan
Description: N'vanik pays a visit to some of his kids and their foster family.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 11
Briata sat at the lunch table with the kids. She had Nievan in a tall chair and was feeding him while the older ones fed themselves.
"Nisheyl, your da said he was going to come for a visit today," she said.
"Da!" Nisheyl squealed and pumped her fists. "Da is coming Nievan! I can pet Loseth!"
Nievan pounded the table with his tiny fists. "Da!" he screamed with excitement in reaction to his sister's happiness.
Briata chuckled. Nievan had just used that word for the first time. All the kids called Y'gel 'Papa' and he loved it.
N'vanik didn't need Loseth to take him to the ground-level Weyr, but the kids loved the bronze, so they glided over to land. N'vanik slipped off his neck and headed in to the cool interior. "Hi Briata. Hey kids!"
Nisheyl completely forgot about her food and slid off the chair. "Da!" She ran and gave his leg a tackle-hug.
"Da!" Nievan bounced.
"Loseth!" Brigel ran to the big bronze.
"Hey," Briata grinned. "Lunch time," she shook her head and wiped Nievan's hands and face with a damp cloth.
N'vanik reached down for Nisha but she pulled away and ran for the entrance. "Loseth!"
"Looks like I'm not the main attraction." N'vanik headed over toward the table. "Seems I might be a little early. Didn't mean to interrupt lunch."
"We were almost done," she smiled. "Want to hold him while I clean up?"
"Sure." N'vanik picked up the boy he'd claimed as a possible blood child, even though he and Cyradis knew the truth. Despite being busy chasing down conspirators, not to mention the regular duties of a Weyrleader, N'vanik was glad to know he'd at least been around enough that Nievan knew who he was.
Nievan happily went to N'vanik and began gabbling baby talk before he laid his head on the big man's shoulder and just relaxed.
Briata kept watching them with a soft smile as she picked up the lunch leavings and wiped down the table.
Brigel bounced in from the ledge toward the Weyrleader. "Loseth sounds like you," he stated.
N'vanik stared. "Do you hear dragons?" Loseth didn't talk to humans aside from Talryne . . . and occasionally Briata because she could hear and speak with all the dragons.
Briata froze. She'd known he did but it had been subtle and she'd wanted him to keep it to himself. But how do you impress it upon a five turn old.
"Yes," Brigel said. "They're loud sometimes and I have to tell them to be quiet so I can take my nap. But they don't always listen."
N'vanik turned to Briata. "Did you know?" The question was curious, not accusatory.
"I suspected," she said. "He is just starting to discern the difference between people's voices and dragons." She smiled. "I think Aug has been protecting him when he can."
"I hope he Stands when he's old enough. That's a useful ability." N'vanik absently rubbed Nievan's back. "That's the Weyrleader side talking." He smiled.
"Of course," she said. "I won't stand in his way," she nodded. "My objections were about me and he can decide for himself. I think Y'gel is encouraging him."
"Yes I am," the big dragon healer said as he walked into the weyr.
Immediately Nievan started opening and closing his hands and squealing for attention. "Papa," he said and reached for the other bronzerider.
N'vanik handed him over with a flicker of reluctance. "Kinda hard to think of these little ones being old enough to Impress, but I suppose the time will fly faster than I think."
"Oh it will," grinned Y'gel as he took Nievan from N'vanik. "Seems like just yesterday when Gelira was this size."
"How's she doing?" N'vanik asked.
Y'gel chuckled. "Living her life. You know, as parents are important when they're this size. But then they go and grow up and don't need us anymore." He leaned forward like he was imparting a secret. "Except when there's a crisis."
Maybe N'vanik's relationship with Cosani wasn't so unusual after all. "As long as they know I care. That's the most important part for me."
"Exactly," Briata nodded.
Last updated on the July 10th 2024