[G] [C] 733.01.09 | Sweet Surprises [Talian]

Talian blushed, inclining his head slightly at B'jin's words. "I think one will do," he replied softly, shifting his weight uncomfortably between his feet before leaning in for a brief hug. The surprise made him insanely uncomfortable, but at the same time he genuinely appreciated it. He'd almost always ignored his birthday completely. Fiora sometimes gave him a little trinket or something, but he was usually too busy to make plans for a particular day, even if it was his birthday. It wasn't something he'd missed or lamented over, but as it stood now, he found himself pleased with the gesture, albeit embarrassed. He wasn't sure why he was embarrassed, but he was.

He snuggled B'jin shamelessly for a moment before peeling himself away, looking down to the indelicately wrapped present in his hands. A twitchy smile played on the corner of his mouth before he started to fiddle with it, carefully peeling the paper away from the present inside.

He didn't get a chance to look at it before B'jin's snapping words startled him. He spun around, watching as Khaduceth stoically tolerated Andi's climbing, poking, kissing, nuzzling, and squeezing. Tthe dragonet was indifferent, though maybe the smallest bit amused, and was handling the abuse quite well. "Oh, B'jin! Don't worry, he doesn't mind."

Of course, when Andi jumped to evade B'jin, the dragonet yelped in sudden pain as She pressed herself against his neck and unwittingly pressing one of his fragile young wings against his body. Talian yelped as well; Khaduceth had never really been hurt before, and while Talian had experienced discomfort at minor bumps and bruises, something sharp and sudden came as a true shock to him. Talian didn't even have wings, but he felt the pain just the same!

He set the present and the it's wrapping down on his desk and bolted to Khaduceth's side. The dragonet had already shrugged it off and seemed quite unconcerned, but it was partially due to his desire not to upset Talian. Khaduceth considered it his responsibility,  and shard it, he was supposed to be the strong one! Talian's raw healer instinct crushed any resistance the dragonet could hope to mount, however. Tal came to his side, kneeling beside him and carefully untangling Andi.

"Are you okay?!" Talian asked, managing to be focused and yet panicked at the same time. Khaduceth crooned in delight at his bonded's concern and nosed him. I am fine! You worry too much the dragonet said sweetly. Talian frowned, relaxing visibly but not yet satisfied. "Wing!" he ordered. Khaduceth easily extended his wing, trying not to wiggle at the tickly sensation of Talian examining it for damage.

The little dragonet swelled with pride. His bonded was so good at this! The best ever! His eyes flashed blue and he purred.

It took a minute for Talian to be satisfied. He sighed and carefully helped Khaduceth fold his wing, though the dragonet needed to help. Tal looked to Andi and shook his finger. "He's just a baby, Andi. You need to be careful. If you hurt him, you hurt me, too." He reached out and wrapped her in a hug, reassuring her that neither he or Khaduceth were angry. Fellis, who had been remarkably quiet through most of this due nto being paralyzed with fear, fluttered over and landed awkwardly on Khaduceth's head. The dragonet's nostrils quivered at the flitter's tickling touch, but he remained otherwise still.

Talian scooped Andi up into his arms and moved back to his desk. "Now, let's see what we've got."

The present was lovely. It was a lovely carved paperweight, obviously intended for decorating desks. The paper drew more of his attention, though. Talian had no sharding idea what it was, but he hardly understood children. He figured it would tickle her to ask her to talk about it, though. "This is pretty, Andi.  Did you paint this?"

What the hell is it? Is that you?

Of course it isn't. Only I am me

Talian froze. As usual, he had no idea if that was a joke or not.