All The Pretty Princesses [D'ren]

B’jin hadn’t meant to spend so much time outside of D’ren’s social group. Truth be told, he had at first not realised he was avoiding the bronzerider, and would likely deny any such pointed fact if it were brought to his attention. D’ren had been sick, and he had not needed anyone getting in the way and under foot when there were healers to be healing and slightly (ha!) insane mates that were possessive, protective, and screaming for blood and guts like a wher in heat. B’jin did not have a death wish, honestly!

Things had just gotten out of control since then, and when B’jin had realised he hadn’t seen the weyrleader in months, the greenrider had nearly fainted from shock and horror as ice formed around the lining of his stomach. He had gone pale and fretted, wandering anxiously around his room without speaking as Larrikith pointedly relayed the facts, and her own opinions, to her rider and waited for him to reach the obvious conclusion – visit the bronzerider. But B’jin was anxious and worried that his company would not be desired. Larrikith had restrained herself greatly, from several snarky remarks that fought for release.

In the end, it had been Amorandii that provided the saving grace, the child coming home after crèche one day to excitedly inform her father that it was almost Tsereni’s birthday and she would be two and wasn’t that amazing! She wasn’t such a little baby anymore, and the girl proceeded to try to explain the game she had played with Tsereni that day. All the while B’jin set about teasing the little girl about how old she was getting and how he would have to spend a whole week bribing someone to make her new dresses that actually reached the proper length on her spindly little growth spurt legs! Amorandii had been less than impressed by such a comment and pouted pointedly until R’nd visited. Then she had claimed championship in the bluerider with batted lashes and pouting lips until he made B’jin feel guilty enough to apologise to her for his terrible insult.

Larrikith had found the entire scene more hysterical than she could properly cope with and had snuck off to go hunting with Ayyonth, abandoning B’jin to grumble at R’nd about siding with his daughter instead of with his lover. It had all ended well enough, as it usually did, and B’jin had ended up finding someone to bribe proper dresses out of for Amorandii; in a sudden move of inspiration, he had also managed to con a dress out of the woman for a much smaller little girl. The greenrider had excitedly described the type of dress he would like, drawing mostly off what he had seen young women wearing when he had been in the North; he’d never been one to pay much attention to children, but there had been plenty of little girls tottering around when he’d gone to spy on Talian’s family!

A week later – it had been a desperate rush order on the two main dresses! – B’jin had Amorandii in hand as he walked happily from the crèche towards D’ren’s home, little Tsereni on his hip and teasing the toddler gently as he patted down her very new, very pretty (in B’jin and Amorandii’s opinions!) dress. It was an exuberant thing, clearly intending more for making the girl feel like a princess than any functional every-day wear, but the little girl seemed to like it and Amorandii, prancing along before her father in her own exuberant princess dress, was setting a prime example of princessly behaviour.

Larrikith was trotting along behind them, watching the group with placid amusement before leaping off to leave them in the dust, bellowing a greeting to Ronarth before pouncing with very little further warning onto the bronze. Her tiny body was clearly dwarfed by his bronze hide; she chirped a cheerful greeting and licked his cheek as she pranced off a few bouncing strides before turning back and crooning warmly at him. Hello Ronarth! her voice was riddled with cheerful abandon.

“D-reeeeeeeeeeeeen!” B’jin sing-sang the Weyrleader’s name as he let Amorandii knock royally upon the door. “Time to stop being boring!” The little girl continued, pushing the door open and peering inside, B’jin coughing out a laugh. She was not supposed to say that! “I got Tsereni!” B’jin cheered, walking in regardless and holding the little girl out as proof, causing the child to giggle and wriggle to be put down. B’jin obeyed, setting her gently on her feet.

D'ren hadn't seen B'jin in literal months, going on a full turn. The bronzerider had thought of his friend many times, but he found it hard to actually place any blame on either party. He himself had been sick for the longest time, and even after his release from the infirmary, he'd been often bedridden and ill. He often had healers in and out of his hut, and his dietary requirements ensured that he didn't even venture to the dining hall.

Even when he was feeling physically well enough to go out and about, the shame was all-consuming. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd failed everyone/ He's failed the dragonriders, who looked to their leadership to help them heal after the tragedy that now felt so distant. He'd failed the northerners, who should have been welcomed and treated with respect as a new generation of dragonriders. He'd failed Tsuen, who needed someone strong to help her ailing mind.

With D'ren's scarcities combined with B'jin's natural skittishness, it was no wonder they hadn't seen each other. D'ren suspected that B'jin lived in a constant bubble of denial and he seemed to be a master of bottling up unwanted feelings. It was no surprise to him that the assassination attempt had sent B'jin running. He didn't expect to see much of the greenrider for quite some time, which made the man's appearance a beyond-pleasant surprise.

D'ren! Larrikith is here!

Outside, Ronarth rose to greet the green, rumbling playfully at her as she pounced. The big bronze rose to his feet, hefting her along with him and purring sweetly as she licked his cheek. He pawed at the ground and lashed his tail back and forth joyously as she scrambled away and trotted off, prompting him to chirp in reply and trot after her. His tail smacked against the wall of the hut, alarming Friendly, who was curled sweetly in D'ren's lap.

"Larrikith?" D'ren asked, lifting a brow as he raised his head from his reading material. Then, a wide grin crossed his face as a knock came to the door.

Friendly took off, prompted by D'ren to go and join Ronarth. D'ren recalled how upset B'jin had been at the rediscovery of the little beasts, so he assumed that it would be wise to send her away.  He rose slowly to his feet, joints still and stomach as ill as ever, and hobbled to the door as quickly as he could. He opened it, his grin still wide as he looked outside to see who seemed like such a long-lost friend.

"B'jin! It's been ages..." he said, voice trailing as he looked down to Tsereni just as the greenrider set her down. He smiled and knelt down, reaching out to scoop her up. "There's my little girl..."

Ronarth continued to romp after Larrikith. He wasn't as strong as he once was, nor as agile as a smaller dragon, but he still had energy to spare. Friendly appeared close, chittering playfully and looping around him. I missed you! D'ren said you would come back one day!

Of course! Larrikith replied to Ronarth, though what exactly she meant by those two simple words was not easily apparent, and the intelligent dragon made no attempt to make it clearer as she pranced and bounced around with the much larger bronze dragon, eyes bright with joy. You were also missed! Larrikith crooned, jumping aside playfully before ramming the bronze in the shoulder with her chest, chirping in amusement as she ricocheted backwards on impact and Ronarth seemed hardly fazed.

“It has,” B’jin agreed, his tone slightly wary as he watched D’ren kneel down to gather his little girl up, Amorandii bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet at B’jin’s side. “Do you like her dress!” Amorandii demanded, twirling herself as an example before looking up at D’ren expectantly. B’jin smiled fondly, hand brushing Amorandii’s hair back – her braid had become far more a tangled mess than a properly pretty lady’s braid – and she tipped her head back to grin up at him impishly.

“How have you been?” B’jin asked quietly, voice just barely outside the realms of timidity as he frowned thoughtfully at the Weyrleader – S’kef be damned! – and played with Amorandii’s hair, soothing her to calmness rather than snapping at her for being too loud. He would need to rebraid it for her before they left.

Ronarth crooned adoringly, eyes shining as Larrikith butted into him and bounced back. She was so cute! Ronarth loved the playful and spirited nature of many green dragons, especially compared to the more regal and ultimately dour personalities of many of his fellow metallics. He'd missed playing with them, but D'ren's illness had turned into an ailment for Ronarth as well. The lack of care and the constant fear and fretting made him thin and stiff. He'd gotten skinny and his hide had cracked. These days, as D'ren slowly got better, Ronarth was looking and feeling better as well. He was no longer too upset to eat and even when D'ren wasn't well enough to wash him, the bronzerider never had trouble finding help.

Ronarth snorted playfully and dove for her, prodding gently with his snout in an effort to knock her over. He was gentle, but he did have a tendency to forget his own massive size at times! Friendly let out a helpful chirp as she swirled about and settled on his nose, boldly reminding him that it was not polite to headbutt greens! At least not at full force.

"Her dress is beautiful!" D'ren said, grinning widely as he stepped back inside and pushed the door closed behind his guests. He humored the girls for a moment, fawning over Tsereni's little dress for a moment before putting her back down and turning his attention to B'jin. He sensed the greenrider's wariness. "It's quite fine," he said preemptively. "I've been out of touch with a lot of people." A visit from B'jin wouldn't have been nice, but D'ren figured the poor man was probably safer in the long run for having run for the hills.

"I'm excellent," D'ren lied. He said it with a cheerful smile, hoping that B'jin would take it at face value. He seated himself and crossed his legs, hands folded neatly in his lap. "It's been quiet, for the most part. One step at a time," he said.

"How have you been?" D'ren would much rather talk abut B'jin's life than his own. Things on D'ren's end were looking up, but still hardly pleasant. He had a whole pile of issues that he had a hard time thinking about when he was alone, much less sharing with others. He didn't want to talk about himself, he didn't want to talk about politics...he wanted to talk about nice things.

Berani was more of a fixture in Ravana's life since Ravana had promised her that she would never have to return to the creche if she didn't want to.  They were still floundering in many ways but slowly the shadows in her daughter's eyes were fading into relaxed happiness. 

Ravana combed the mass of dark curls on her daughter's head into order and proceeded to braid them neatly into a braid, her daughter relaxing at the familiar ministrations.  Ravana was quiet as she worked, the woman finding she was enjoying being a proper mother to her toddler, finding once again that she liked taking care of things, that she was decnet with children and liked them.  She finished with Berani, watched her twirl in her new dress, and spoke softly.  "You look beautiful.  Ready to come with me to go see D'ren?"

Berani grinned up at her and lifted her arms in silent request to be picked up.  Ravana did and settled her on her hip and picked up the stuffed dragon that was Tsereni's birthday gift.  She left quietly to give it to D'ren for his daughter, one finger touching the plush fabric softly.  She was fascinated by how the fabric was so soft and plush!

She had commissioned Jisralna to make the fabric and do the embroidery, but she had sewn and stuffed the toy herself, wanting to have some part in the gift for Tsereni.  Berani was happy to be asked to hold it in clean hands and Ravana began the walk to D'ren's hut after grabbing the basket with chilled teas and juices for D'ren and giving it to Shanith to carry.  Shanith padded after her, the green happy enough to be all but bouncing.  She liked Ronarth!  Her liking of Ronarth was enough to make Ravana thank Faranth the bronze showed no interest in chasing anything that wasn't gold.

When she arrived the greenrider froze and stepped back.  He had company and she could recognize Larrikith easily.  That meant B'jin!  Oh, and someone might have told him about Shanith telling Araith that the kitchen staff cooled certain baked goods where a determined dragon could reach them!  She backpedalled only to find Shanith prodding her forward, the green herding her right toward's D'ren front door.  "Shanith!" 

Berani flinched and Ravana sighed and gave up fighting her dragons nudges.  Soothing Berani that she wasn't mad at Shanith just annoyed, she spoke softly until the toddler relaxed again.  Another step back led to her having to take two forward when Shanith nudged her again forward, delicate about it but determined.  R'avana glared then sighed and turned to walk to the front door to greet D'ren and B'jin, checking that Berani still had the dragon.  Shanith called her back after two steps and Ravana took the basket with the drinks, then went back to Dren's door.

Amused when Ravana sighed and knocked, the green padded off to find the other dragons.  Hi Larrikith!  Hi ronarth!  She was all but bouncing in her joy at seeing two dragons she considered friends!

Jumping in with permission from BlueDragon and HoneyLove

B’jin accepted D’ren’s answer with no more than a slight frown flickering between his eyebrows before he nodded. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe him, so much as he had heard a lot of rumours and whispers and B’jin wasn’t quite ready to believe that the man was excellent. Fine, maybe, or okay. But excellent? That was a little hard to buy, but B’jin let it slide none the less. Better to leave well enough alone.

How was he? A shrug lifted B’jin’s shoulders lazily, but there was amusement underlying in the action and the greenrider smiled slightly as he watched Amorandii flop onto the floor to play with Tsereni. “Well enough,” B’jin supplied lazily, turning his attention back to D’ren with a mild smile. “The weyrlings are growing, and have thus far failed to kill themselves, which is lovely.” He also had several tack-on students, unimpressed weyrbrats and the like that he was helping to catch up on their reading and writing, but he didn’t bother to add that in; it was boring chatter and B’jin wasn’t particularly in the mood to rant about how stupid some of the Harpers at Katila were.

A knock on the door caused the greenrider to startle slightly, gaze flickering first to where his daughter was curled up on the floor to make sure it wasn’t she who had done the knocking, before turning to look at D’ren with a slight frown, expression worried. “Are we interrupting?” Even as he asked, B’jin waved off D’ren before the bronzerider could rise and made his way to the door, opening it with the slight frown still in place. Seeing Ravana on the other side, B’jin blinked in surprise as the door swung open.

“Hello, Ravana.” The woman was given a light smile, before the man turned his attention upon the toddler and held his arms out to her, smiling much more warmly. “Hello, Berani!”

"That's good! I knew you'd take to them eventually," D'ren said in light teasing. He'd imagined B'jin would protest or even outright reject the job, but he also knew that B'jin was gentle at heart, if a little bit impatient on the surface sometimes. After seeing him take such good care of his own children and so sweetly adopt one of the boys he'd been forced to steal, it really left n doubt in the bronzerider's mind that B'jin was a born teacher. D'ren didn't think the Weyr could have happened upon a better weyrling master. He gave the greenrider a friendly wink in silent acknowledgement, then leaned back comfortably in his seat.

More company! The bronze's voice came so loudly and suddenly that D'ren hissed and set his jaw. "Ronarth..." he grunted. Outside, Ronarth bustled over to Shanith, Friendly in hot pursuit, and immediately began butting playfully at the green.

Before  D'ren could ask who it was, the door opened and in came Ravana. 'Ah., hello," D'ren said pleasantly.  He rather liked Ravana, though it was a shame that a woman such as her was bonded to a green. It must have been a terrible burden!  He smiled at her and nodded politely, noting with some amusement that she'd brought Berani along as well. "Always pleasant to have more company. How are you today?"

It really was nice to have some company. Being old, sick and retired sucked when you had no one to distract you. Ronarth innocently reminded D'ren that he was not exactly old, and while D'ren didn't agree, he did smile. Ronarth sure helped him feel a little bit younger. So did his friends, even if the hectic nature of their lives kept them away much of the time. D'ren only needed a little bit of attention every now and again to remind him that he was loved.

As soon as she was sure that Berani wanted to go, Ravana passed her to B'jin with a warm smile.  She was pretty sure it wasn't mutual, but she did like the harper.  Berani squirmed and hugged him, then grinned at him.  The dragon was dropped, Stubborn catching it mid air.  Ignoring the firelizard's swoop, Berani showed B'jin the pipes she wore on a string around her neck, functional but toddler sized.  Ravana shook her head at her daughter's actions and whistled the tiny gold to her.  Stubborn relinquished plushie with a proud chirp and Ravana smoothed the fur gently, praising the lizard. 

"Hi.  I hope I'm not intruding."  Ravana hesitated.  "I came to give D'ren Tsereni's birthday present from me.  I'd have waited but...."  She shrugged.  How did one explain living with a bronzerider, a journeyman weaver and her baby, a whole fair of fire lizards, and the occasionally puppies, canines, and Terken?  She thought a moment.  "I didn't want it to get swallowed up by the chaos."  Going back and forth as she was between her own and B'runs hut, she tended to misplace everything lately.  Including, once, Berani.  Luckily she'd found outside, playing Olemuth something that might, charitably, be called a tune on her reed pipe.

Warm eyes touched on Berani.  She was improving, though Ravana had distracted her from requests to learn the birthday song for Tsereni.  Luckily Berani was young enough that all a distraction took was Stubborn cuddling her.  While Berani's playing was sometimes recognizable tunes, Ravana didn't want to give D'ren a bigger headache.  She shyly slipped inside and offered him the bottled juices, still cold, and Tsereni's plushie.   

She spoke softly.  D'ren had been quite firm with her on her tendancy to understate things so she didn't say she was fine as she usually would.  "I'm well.  Stubborn's training is coming along good.  Pulling Berani from the creche added lots of chaos to my life, but B'run seems to enjoy having her around more often and her furniture will be done soon.  I said I'd have Shanith check on him and the crafter suddenly decided to bump my order to the front of the line.  Really odd, but she'll have a room of her own soon.  How are you doing?  Did that tea help with the err...?"

Shanith distraced Ronarth then with a happy pounce on him, trying to double team the large bronze with Larrikith.  "...Happy dragon headaches?"  It was how she referred to her own Shanith induced headaches, though oddly being around B'run when he was smoking seemed to keep them at bay.  She wouldn't ever say that, though.  She was supposed to try and nag him into stopping.  She thought.

Ravana paused then asked, "And how has Tsereni been?" 

Ravana's muse is on strike.  Hope this is decent.

D'ren smiled slowly. It was nice to hear that Ravana had been keeping out of trouble. He'd been near sick with worry the last time she got herself in trouble; if B'run wanted to do the right thing and get in S'kef's face, that was his own business, but Ravana was out of her league. It was terrible brave to do what she'd done, but D'ren sincerely hoped she would back off and let B'run handle it from there on out. He couldn't stand the idea of it escalating and the gentle-natured greenrider getting herself hurt. She'd been dealt enough bad hands in life.

I'm sure she'll be fine Ronarth chimed. The bronze didn't notice D'ren's inner feelings of guilt, but he could sense that something was wrong. He did as he always did, reassuring D'ren on his most surface worry and assuming that the problem would be solved. D'ren smiled inwardly and reassured the dragon in return. You're right. She's smart he commented, letting it go at that.

It was good that Ravana had B'run to protect her, but B'run shouldn't be the one facing S'kef, either.  D'ren thought that he should be the one...it was his problem. The whole situation was of his own creation. He'd failed, and now everyone else had to deal with a monster of his making. He should be the one dealing with it, but instead he was sitting around doing nothing. 'Guilt' hardly described his feelings, but he was no fool. He was in no condition to square off with S'kef, but that didn't mean he wasn't watching and thinking. He hoped he would be able to lend them some aid soon.

He  grunted suddenly as he snapped out of his daydreams. Was he really thinking about all of that again? His stomach churned, and moments later it began to ache and burn. He grimaced and took in a deep breath, masking the pain with a smile that flashed across his face moments later.

"She's well," he said. He eyed Tsereni, his fondness for the child only adding to his anxiety. "She's growing too fast, though," he said. He could hardly believe how the time was flying! He leaned forward in his eat, one hand clutching his stomach and the other crossed across his knees in an effort to subtly conceal his discomfort.

"It's pretty stunning, isn't it? The time seems to fly these days," he said.

B’jin was in a world all his own as he sprawled on the floor with the three girls, completely ignoring the ‘grown up talk’ that was happening between Ravana and D’ren and whatever topics it was that they were currently babbling about. He was far more interested in teasing the three girls, two of them mere toddlers, by tugging on the hems of their dresses and then pretending with saccharine innocence that it had most certainly not been him.

The giggling girls were attacked with tickling fingers whenever they came too close, the greenrider laughing playful threats as he played with them. The game ended, with B’jin sitting up and hushing them mildly when their cheerful giggles became far too close to gleeful shrieks for even his ears to cope with – never mind poor D’ren and his healing body and Ravana who seemed eternally stressed. Failing at calming them to his satisfaction, B’jin banished Amorandii and the two toddlers from the hut with a playful sweep of his hands and a meaningful look at the older girl. With a solemn promise from Larrikith that she would not let Ronarth or Shanith accidentally squish someone in their enthusiasm, the girls went out to play with the dragons. B’jin sat up, folding his legs and blinking at his companions as he caught up on whatever the current conversation was.

While B’jin could be as dense as wet wood, his Harper training had included reading body language, and while he tended not to – or was otherwise too busy being scandalised by something said – B’jin was not blind either. While he made no comment on D’ren’s discomfort, the greenrider did pick himself up fluidly from the floor and wander into the kitchen with his usual confidence, completely at home in his friend’s living quarters and poured some water into a couple of glasses before wandering back. He handed one politely to Ravana, placed one down for himself and put another near D’ren. He gave the bronzerider a searching look, but left well enough alone, at least for the moment.

“The weyrlings are older, now,” he spoke conversationally, breaking into a lull between the conversation D’ren and Ravana had been enjoying when he had walked back with the glasses of water. He tilted his head slightly, glancing at both of them. “I’ve more free time, and Amorandii loves the girls. I’d be happy to take them for a day here or there.” R’nd would probably be less than impressed by finding B’jin bogged down with three little girls instead of the occasional one, but the greenrider did not mind. There were fun ways he could make sure his lover knew he was appreciated – and besides, it would not hurt for R’nd to spend some time with his own brat occasionally, either! Benden could always come along. It would be good for him to get used to being smother by girls all the time. R’nd was gorgeous, and Volfetti was not too bad to look at either. The kid would clearly be a heart breaker.

D'ren was hurting, again and Ravana wondered to herself if having her and B'jin both here was too much for him. 

She was distracted from that thought by a squeal, whirling to see what had made her daughter make that noise.  A smile touched her face when she placed that it was B'jin, playing with the girls. 

She watched him play with them as she listened to D'ren and murmured, "They do grow fast."  She looked to him, debating what she could do to ease his discomfort, and hiding her upset that he was uncomfortable from Shanith.

As girls tumbled out the door, Ravana's gaze unfocused.  Do not squish them.  I don't want so much as a smudge on any of them.  The dragon skidded to a halt, her boisterous greeting cut off at the pass.  Instead of nearly running over the girls,s he pranced a moment, then walked, sedately (for her) to them, nuzzling each one of them with a happy croon.

Ravana's musings on what to do about D'ren hurting were cut off at the pass by B'jin getting glasses of water for each one.  She hesitated as she traced along the sides of the glass with a finger, then reached out to gently squeeze Dren's shoulder. 

She listened to B'jin, and smiled softly.  "It would be appreciated."  She added lightly, "I was trying to work out how to get Berani to keep socializing, so that'd work well...and the same goes for you if you ever need it."  She looked down then hmmed, casting around for something that would take D'ren's mind off whatever was stressing him so.  Finally, she found something, she hoped. 

"D'ren, I've noticed, you've a wonderful view from your hut.  Have you done any sketching lately?"  A sign she was nervous, she absently tugged beads from her pocket, counting them off silently in her head, hoping she hadn't offended B'jin by asking D'ren directly. But with him being artistically inclined too, maybe he could get him talking about art which was, she hoped, fairly low stress.

D'ren smiled, taking the glass of water and giving B'jin a firm nod. "That would be incredible, actually..." Not only did he need a break from Tsereni, but he really felt like she needed more time out and about. She was young and playful, curious...and she needed to go out and experience the world. He couldn't do that for her, not as often as he wanted to. He could hardly even take Ronarth out flying anymore! It would be good for Tsereni to get some socialization with other children outside of school, and good for her to get to know the family friends.

That's what these two greenriders were now...family friends. There was no drama, no politics, no dragonrider business to get in the way of that. D'ren saw no reason why he shouldn't stay close to them. In fact, now he felt like he actually could be now. There was no rank to make it inappropriate, and despite being a bronzerider, there were no expectations. After all, he was disgraced.

He sighed happily. "Thank you, B'jin. I really think that's a lovely idea. You can come and get her any time you like." There was a hint of sadness in his voice. Any time he liked. It wasn't like D'ren ever had plans. He missed having plans.

He sighed a bit as Ravana mentioned his sketching. A lazy smile crossed his face. "A little bit. It fills the time, and I do have a couple growing subjects." He looked to Tsereni and then motioned outside, where Friendly was darting around so adorably. "I have been, though. I missed it a lot while I was working so much." Drawing was therapeudic, and some days he'd forgotten he even had the talent. He knew B'jin was quite the artist as well, but Ravana's skills were unknown to him.