A Rather... Large Surprise [R'nd]

Today was the day. Volfetti had asked E’lore at breakfast that morning where she could find R’nd’s hut, which had earned her a knowing look. She had to sorely resist the temptation to just glare and storm off once the Weyrlady had divulged the information, knowing that upsetting a member of the weyrleader council just wasn’t in her best interests. The hut was a long walk, but at least she was able to take it slowly at her own pace, without waddling the entire distance. A long piece of cloth was wound around her shoulders and back, allowing her to sit her newborn into the sling to leave her arms free. He was currently staring up at his mother, eyes wide and cheeks puffed out.

The child was massive, as if someone had wrapped him in ten extra layers of skin. The weight of the nine pound baby was putting a strain on her shoulders, how on pern she had managed to carry him for nine months, or even produce such a massive child was beyond her. His head was topped with the thickest, darkest mess of hair Volfetti had ever seen on a newborn. At first it had worried her, she had light caramel coloured hair and R’nd had a mop of blonde. Yet the healers had assured her that his hair was likely to change colour, along with his steel blue eyes. Still wary, she stared down at her child, wondering where the “massive-child” genes had come from. Her daughter had been quite a small baby, although she had been born a little prematurely.

Arriving at R’nd’s hut she looked around, wondering if he was there. There wasn’t much noise coming from inside, perhaps she had missed him? Shrugging, she knocked on the door loudly, stroking her newborn’s head fondly. Clearly, today was a day that she enjoyed the presence of her child,  but whether R’nd would appreciate their turning up on his doorstep was another matter entirely.

His hut was quiet because R’nd was still blissfully asleep. He kept odd hours most nights and when he could sneak in a morning of rest, it was taken without a second thought or a fear that he’d be missed elsewhere. His friends knew his routine and those he was assigned chores with were never left hanging, save for a flight delaying any good intentions for the day, so unless something unpredictable happened and a random member of the Weyr needed him, R’nd never felt guilty for sleeping through breakfast and sometimes not rising until the midday meal was on. Typically it was Ayyonth that woke him earlier than he wanted whether due to the dragon’s own selfish reasons and enjoyment or because there actually was a risk of missing something important. It was good having a dragon watching your back, which was why R’nd put up with the early mornings when Ayyonth wanted a bath.

R’nd, wake up. A woman approaches your door. Ayyonth’s deep voice was filled with amusement and came seconds before a loud pounding jarred him properly awake. When a woman pounded on his door that loudly it usually didn’t bode well. Sitting up and quickly setting to the task of arranging his hair, R’nd thought about recent encounters. He didn’t think he had slept with anyone’s mate and it had been two sevendays since he had to tell a woman he didn’t want a commitment. Perhaps he had slept with someone’s sibling and they didn’t take too kindly to it? Sighing, he slipped on a pair of pants, lacing them as he padded barefoot across his hut. He didn’t want to deal with whoever it was and the drama they were surely bringing but it was sometimes just easier to get it over with right away instead of avoiding it, especially when he wanted to leave his place at some point that day.

When he pulled open the door R’nd nearly choked on the yawn that had snuck up on him. “Volfetti!” She was among those he counted as the last people to show up at his door. They had been Candidates together but she hadn’t taken the transition from her wonderful life in the North to starting new in Katila too well. He had tried to befriend her early on but he was seen as one of them since he had willingly gone South with the dragonriders and hadn’t been Stolen. When she tried to escape and punishment fell down hard on her, R’nd was actually upset though he didn’t let anyone else know his feelings. It had been a delicate place to be in by spending so much time with the Stolen but also being friends with dragonriders and enjoying their new life.

While he had no idea why she was there, Volfetti was a nice surprise to look upon in the morning. She had been a slight and delicate girl back when he last saw her but now she had a delicious dose of curves in all the right places. They looked good on her. He wondered how she had obtained such a figure until grey eyes finally registered the bundle strapped to her was actually a baby. Well that was a bit of a turn off. Even still he smiled and stepped aside motioning for her to come inside, “what could possibly bring you to my doorstep? Not that I mind, you’re looking good.”

Of course, what a giveaway. The deeply coloured Blue dragon obviously meant his rider was still within the hut, yet to seek a lift across the Weyr. Volfetti chided herself for not noticing him at first. She gazed at the dragon curled in his hollow beside the hut, he was a very beautiful Blue. Then again, Volfetti thought all the chromatics were beautiful, but Ayyonth almost reminded her of the ocean, of the better days. She didn't get very far with her reminisce before R'nd opened the door. His shock was no surprise, she had kept as far from him as she could since that lustful day. Did he even remember it? She only had a vague memory, while Green flights happened often, she had been exhausted and the flight had been low over the Weyr. What she did recall, she chose not to think about.

"Hey R'nd," she greeted. She saw as his eyes fell to the child that his face betrayed his cheery morning attitude. It was no surprise to her, many men throughout the Weyr did not welcome children into their home, choosing to live a more free bachelor-type lifestyle. His invitation inside and stunning smile brought a flicker of hope into Volfetti's heart. Perhaps he would be willing to father the child after all. Vainly she smiled, having seen R'nd's own stunning one, there was no doubt in her mind that their child would have the most gorgeous smile in the Weyr.

Walking into the center of the main room she turned back to R'nd, her typically bright and warm smile now stretched thin, it was unattractive and made it clear that something was on her mind. Really, how did you tell someone this kind of thing? Taking a deep breath she lifted a hand to stroke her newborn's mop of black hair.

"I, uh. This is Benden…" she introduced, at a loss how to reveal the information. Well, there was no point forestalling it, she had only done so for nine months already. "He's yours."

The words felt foreign and wrong to her, to have to tell her child's father that he was just that. A father should be there, to support the mother and growing child from conception. Given the circumstances, this hadn't happened due to the Weyr's lifestyle. Volfetti had spent the pregnancy contemplating how to do this, whether or not she could raise the child alone. Clearly she had decided against it, otherwise she wouldn't be standing in R'nd's hut.

R’nd wasn’t quite sure why Volfetti felt compelled to introduce her child, especially to him of all people, but just as he began to think that maybe his attempts at friendship after the flirting got him nowhere turns earlier had paid off, she spoke again. He was fairly certain he hadn’t heard her correctly since he had been in the process of closing the door, an act he was now frozen in with his hand on the knob after it latched shut. You know you heard correctly. She said the child is yours. Leave it to Ayyonth to always be eavesdropping to help supply such important and horrifying details.

“Excuse me? My… what?” R’nd’s brain was starting to shut down one compartment at a time until all he was left with was the instinct to flee while living in denial. The light of hope Volfetti projected was doing nothing to help him either. It made him want to run fast and far but it also halted his tracks. She was telling him for a reason and despite the rumours he had heard about a cranky pregnant Candidate that hated the child she was carrying, it looked like she wanted to keep the baby and wanted him to at least acknowledge it as his own.

Finally letting go of the handle and turning his back to the door, which in itself was a good sign that he wouldn’t run from the conversation just yet, R’nd’s gaze drifted between mother and child, deep in thought. “Why do you think he’s… oh. Oh.” A forgotten memory chose that time to resurface, reminding him of an encounter he had had during a green’s flight. He remembered the delicate slender form of his lover and how he recognized the woman as Volfetti which was why he made a hasty departure before she freaked out on him. A quick calculation placed it more or less in line with a full term pregnancy and R’nd frowned as he stared at the dark haired and very round child.

Slowly he moved closer to the little curiosity and stopped himself short of poking at the kid; Benden, she said his name was? Did the rumours he heard about the name being in honour of the wine have any truth in them? Whatever the reason and ignoring how some features looked similar to his own, R’nd gladly let denial start to set in. “He can’t be mine. He’s fat.”

The slight hope that had initially sparked in Volfetti was fading quicker than a dragon slipping in and out of between. Her green eyes watched R'nd cautiously as he stood at the door, his hand clasping the handle almost in terror. This was not the response she had hoped for, though it was almost the one she had predicted. In his sling Benden wriggled, sensing the tension of the room. He let out a half-cry half-gurgle, staring up at his mother. "Shhh, quiet my love," she cooed gently, running her fingers around his hairline softly.

She winced as R'nd began to ask why she thought Benden was his, to recall that event enough to tell it was not something she wanted to do. His realisation came to her rescue and she relaxed somewhat, settling down into her hips as she let out a long breath. Hopefully, from here on out she would be able to completely forget that lustful day, though a nagging voice in her head reminded her that people would ask how they had gotten together. After all, she had never taken well to R'nd, mostly due to the fact that he had not been stolen like herself. Then one day she'd explain it to Benden.

Sighing she watched with dull and wary eyes as R'nd approached, moving her hand away from the newborn's face so that he could see him properly. It didn't take long for her to put the hand back, this time as a shield as she gave the Bluerider a dark and filthy glare. "He's not even a week old! All newborns are fat!" She hissed, deeply offended that he had called his baby, her baby, fat. Turning away slightly she continued to shoot him dark looks, while cooing and muttering unintelligibly to Benden.

"He had to be yours. I haven't had sex with anyone else since 227." She snapped. Were she amongst some of the more promiscuous candidates, she might have been ashamed of that fact. But since she was alone and in the company of a dragonrider, who no doubt primarily received his sex from flights, she felt no shame in bringing it up as a fact to prove that he was the father. Having had no sexual encounters sans R'nd since 227 AL, Volfetti was damn sure he was the father. You couldn't be pregnant for four years straight. Though it might perhaps explain why Benden was so big. She truly had no idea where that had come from. Perhaps a parent, something that skipped every second generation.

R’nd frowned. What else could he do? Perhaps he could continue to deny it or call Volfetti on a bluff. His mind reached out to the blue still nestled into his burrow and was greeted with a snort. You don’t need me to verify a thing. You already know she’s telling the truth about everything. Ayyonth was right; he did know, he just didn’t want to believe it. Volfetti had nothing to gain from naming him as her child’s father as she had no doubt heard of his reputation for carefree relationships and not having any children that he acknowledged. She had also been stand-offish and didn’t like being at Katila so it made little sense for her to start sleeping with everyone, though you didn’t always have a choice when a green took to the skies, which they both were currently dealing with the after effects of.

“Vol-” he stopped himself from speaking and reaching out for the delicate woman that had suffered so much since arriving at Katila, some of it being his doing. Guilt and regret were foreign emotions to the bluerider but both were starting to eat at him now. He felt that their union had caused her distress and left her pregnant though she seemed happy enough with her, their child. “I’m sorry, for what little that’s worth now.” R’nd wasn’t sure if he was apologising for Volfetti getting tangled up in a flight in general or more specifically that it was with him she had ended up in bed with. He knew she wouldn’t have been lacking in the actual encounter but she hadn’t truly asked for it or anything that followed.

Like how she was now stuck with a young bluerider that had no concept of commitment and no idea on how to even hold a baby let alone be a father to one. “I’m not sure what you want me to do,” the confession was admittance to confusion but also a small note of resignation. He could accept the tubby kid was his but what else could he do for Volfetti and Benden? He glanced around his hut, decorated as lavishly as he could given the circumstances but it was clear it was the home of a bachelor and R’nd paled as his mind inserted toys and baby clothing scattered around the room.

Volfetti was glad that R'nd had accepted her explanation and hadn't accused her of lying or anything ridiculous like that. Despite that, it was only a minor respite from the situation as a whole. It only took a quick glance around the hut to know it belonged to a single man, no doubt one who invited many women and men into his home. That was the way of the Weyr after all. Her Hold had been relatively stiff with its outlook on promiscuity and accepting someone into your bed out of wedlock. Though reflecting back on it, her mother and father hadn't married until long after she was born, did that make them bad people? Perhaps Volfetti's ideals suited the Weyr more than she had previously thought.

R'nd's apology was accepted with a gracious nod. To her, it was interpreted as the Bluerider apologising for getting her pregnant. Green flights were a fact of Weyr life, as were the encounters that they tended to result in. That was something Volfetti had come to accept turns ago when she had been stolen and forced to integrate with Katila. She prided herself on her ability to suppress the emotions Green flights brought to the surface, or at least on how she always managed to get herself alone. That had resulted in her only conceiving once, after all, dragonriders did their best not to take non-riding women between, just in case they were with child and didn't know it yet.

His words brought her back from her little detour of thought. Exhaling she pondered what exactly to say. What did she want from him? She wanted him to be like her father, to come to his senses and to raise the child he had born into this world. It was a big ask though, was it even her place to ask him such a thing? Pursing her lips she gave her head a light shake, these niggling doubts had no place in this situation.

"I want you to know what you've brought into this world. I can't force you to care for him, to be a father. Forcing it won't provide him with the love he needs…" Volfetti gazed down at Benden, her own love clear across her face. "But you should do it." She looked up, her green eyes hard with determination. She had no intentions of guilting R'nd into what she wanted, though if it happened she would not say a word against it.

Everything happened for a reason. R'nd knew he would be foolish to believe otherwise given everything that had happened since being Searched. So he had to believe that Volfetti getting pregnant, keeping the child, and approaching him about it had a reason as well. Of course that reason could be as simple as punishing him for something or a way to drive him slowly insane as the child took over his hut, free time, and every line of thought. But could he really be anything remotely close to resembling a father to chubby Benden? Maybe he was looking at the scenario the wrong way and it wasn't a positive outcome but a negative one. Was he supposed to turn his back on the mother and child so all ties with Volfetti would be completely cut and everyone would know he was a jerk and to continue keeping him out of the loop on pregnancies?

It was a shame he couldn't let the negative happen despite how little he wanted to be a father thanks to his need to have people like him. They didn't need to want him sexually, though that was a nice ego booster, but R'nd liked being on friendly terms with everyone he came across unless there was a good reason not to be. The turns spent in exile didn't affect him as badly as it did others since he did have another human with him and while there was a dragon, he wasn't the lifemate and didn't have those added issues to deal with. But R'nd was a sociable young boy and he had missed the interactions with others of his age and going out to play or the fun that Gathers brought. So when the call to unite for Katila Weyr came, R'nd threw himself into helping build the community both with physical labour and creating new friendships.

So how could he throw Volfetti out, telling her to never return or mention Benden to him again? If he did that, he was forcing exile on them and denying all three of them at least one link to interaction with another. He was certain the fiery young woman would catch him visibly wilting before her as his spirits took a nosedive. He couldn't be a father, he simply didn't possess that gene, but he had a hard time saying no to a pretty face though this one was asking a lot of him. I don't know what to do! I'm great at finding the best strategy but now... Ayyonth, help me?

You're a natural leader, R'nd, but even the greatest of leaders need to step back a moment and reassess. You also have a kind heart that you like to hide from everyone. Maybe showing the girl you're more than a flirt and can be someone she can rely on will help you both? Ayyonth's gentle touch against his mind started relieve the tension that had been coiling up as he debated the answer to give to Volfetti and the wave of affection the dragon sent immediately after had R'nd calming entirely, letting him have a clearer view of the situation once more. His beautiful blue, for once, had surprisingly useful advice to give as well.


"I... can try?" Oh, that sounded convincing. R'nd rubbed his hands over his face for several seconds before dropping them lifelessly to his sides once more, "I won't claim to be in his life everyday or be able to do much when I do see you both, but I can try to make a proper effort at helping you. Somehow." That sounded far more convincing as his voice held steady. As his gaze held Volfetti's, he hoped she would see the determination to help her instead of the fear that still wanted him to run out the door and never look back.

As she stared at R'nd, waiting to see how he replied, Volfetti finally noticed the black and yellow bruising that graced the skin around his eye. Frowning she reached out without thinking, her fingers almost touching the bruises before she registered her movements. Freezing, she held her breath for a weighted moment before slowly curling her fingers into a fist and pulling her arm back to her chest. Before she had the chance to ask R'nd had spoken again.

She held back a laugh at his words, while they initially didn't sound convincing they did reveal realms of honesty. The determination in his eyes was clear to her and her own gaze softened. "I appreciate it." She said. "What happened to your face?" She asked after a few seconds, unable to keep her gaze from resting upon it. It may have only been a few days since R'nd had been hit but the bruises were still clear. If anything they were probably even more prominent than they had originally been.

On her chest Benden gave a rather big wriggle, crying out as he stared up at his mother. He strained against the sling, trying to see who she was talking too. Glancing down she laughed, even as a five day old newborn, his childhood curiosity was showing to be great. Wrapping an arm under him she reached the other to the base of her neck, inclining her head as she undid the knot to the sling. As it fell a little slack she dropped her arm to support Benden's neck, bouncing him slightly to get the fabric to loosen around him. Eventually the sling dropped to the floor, properly revealing the pudgy baby. It was clear some of it was simply baby fat, but even beneath that he was definitely large. Volfetti had her suspicions that he would grow well beyond six foot and as broad as a hut. A perfect bodyguard!

"Would you like to hold him?" Volfetti offered, holding him out slightly to R'nd. Given his flirty nature and no children ever being around them, she figured that he wouldn't know how to hold him and was ready to help teach him. "You need to make sure you support the head, because it's so big," she instructed, turning slightly to show off her arm and hand position around his head a little clearer. He gurgled in response, happy to be receiving attention.

---

Guessing he's never held a kid and has nfi how. xD You can write that she gives more instruction and hands him over :)

Volfetti inquiring about his face had startled R’nd back out of his determined responsible father delusion. He had forgotten about his charming marking! Since N’gelt hit him, it was constantly on his mind and even had the bluerider changing some of his routines so he wouldn’t be seen in public nearly as often as he normally would be but he had been distracted from the moment he opened the door to find Volfetti looking for him. Understandably he had good reason to forget everything else after Benden was introduced. His hand was immediately lifting to the bruise and while Volfetti had wanted to touch or inspect it, R’nd tried to cover it and looked away, ashamed at both earning such a mark and at having a beautiful woman see it.

Luckily, or not, he was saved from having to answer right away as another question was thrown at him? “Do I –what?” R’nd was glad the automatic ‘no’ didn’t slip out in response since that would have gone against his declaration of trying to be a father. Not like what he ended up saying was any better. Almost reluctantly, acting as if either the baby might contaminate him or he might break the brat, R’nd held his arms out. He nearly pulled them back when Benden made some strange gurgling sound that may have been a prelude to spitting up and while R’nd was without a shirt, he wasn’t sure if that made any clean ups better or not. No, he could do this! Grey eyes studied the way Volfetti held the boy and tried to place his hands where hers were as she passed Benden over. Forget his head everything was big about the baby but his mouth had gone dry and words didn’t seem to want to form right then, which was probably a good thing given Volfetti’s reaction to the brat already being called fat.

Awkwardly, R’nd shifted Benden, trying to find a comfortable way to hold the tubby brat but didn’t think it was possible given his weight and how fragile he seemed to be. R’nd suddenly had a new respect for the woman before him as she had carried the kid for nine months and was now still lugging him around strapped to her. She was strong, inside and out. But all of that admiration for Volfetti hadn’t quite rubbed off onto Benden as R’nd stared at the child being handled but not entirely held and comforted like he knew he should be doing. He could see a bit of himself in Benden and it was surreal, leaving grey eyes wide and brain trying to shut down once again.

Now was a good time for an explanation about his face since even that hated topic sounded amazing right then and he looked back up at Volfetti, “I was arrogant and combined gloating and teasing and said something to someone that I shouldn’t have. It was a poor decision but at least I know a bit more about his personality and that if you don’t make him mad, he might tolerate you.” Volfetti was probably already regretting her decision at asking him to help raise their child given who he was but that confession probably didn’t help any. “You know that’s not normal for me, right, Fet? I’m not going to bring trouble to your door. Where is your door?” Was she still living in the Candidates Barracks? R’nd had no idea what had been decided for the new mother.

Volfetti tried her best to withhold a laugh at the way R’nd awkwardly held their child, but she simply couldn’t. It was strangely relaxing to see the Bluerider have to come to terms with the baby now cradled in his arms. She had a soft, gentle laugh. It wasn’t cruel but more one of understanding. She remembered the first time she held her daughter, hell even holding Benden for the first time was awkward given how much bigger he was than Iriya. Reaching out she gently pushed and pulled R’nd’s arms, allowing Benden to sink into a more comfortable position. Her touch was full of love, a warm smile gracing her face. She was radiant, glowing like any healthy mother did when near their new child. Absentmindedly she ran her fingertips over Benden’s forehead, the rough calluses a vast contrast to his smooth skin.

When R’nd began to explain how he’d manage to get the dark bruise on his face Volfetti tutted. “Blueriders always get into the worst trouble, I should have known.” She commented. It was a clear jibe at K’ren, the Bluerider that had searched her, though given that a fair few Blueriders got themselves into all sorts of trouble it was relatively true. Callused fingertips ran lightly over the bruising and she frowned, it had been a forceful hit and no doubt would take its sweet time to heal. She flinched slightly at the use of her old nickname; it had been turns since she’d heard it spoken to her. His assurance that no trouble would arrive at her door was soothing in a way she hadn’t felt for a long time. Since being stolen, nobody had protected Volfetti, not the way that Tallome had done. It was something she had originally pined and longed for, though over time she became accustomed to it, as all Katilians did. Her train of thought was interrupted by R’nd’s question.

“Still in the barracks for now. There’s nowhere else to live really, I’m not going to move in with some strange rider just to escape the barracks.” A dark look flitted across her face momentarily. “On the up side, all the idiots have to deal with a screaming baby now after being so unsympathetic.” The words sounded foul coming from Volfetti, as if someone had taken over her mouth and was filling it with false words. She didn’t seem right when she spoke like that. “Though... I think the Weyrfolk Hall will be finished soon, which I plan on moving into. I have no desire to be surrounded by northerners anymore.” It seemed that while this meeting wasn’t the best thing for R’nd, it was certainly serving to integrate Volfetti into Katila, finally. What she wasn’t saying was that she wished not only to escape their bitching and moaning, but those hopefuls who idolised the dragons day in and out.

Seeming to dislike the lack of attention that was now being paid to him, Benden gave a little hiccup sound, to which Volfetti stiffened. Three seconds passed and the reason for her taughtness was revealed; Benden’s scream. It was a loud, screeching noise and rather pitiful at that. Shaking her head she reached forward, taking the now squirming child before he started to swing his tiny, fat fists about. “I’m sorry!” She shouted over Benden. Almost on cue, he began to thrash in her arms, his legs and arms whirling about as fast as they could. She winced, this was fast becoming a bad habit and sooner or later someone was going to get bruised by the self-absorbed newborn. Volfetti sighed, all she could do was wait it out. Glancing around she spied R’nd’s couch, green eyes taking it in calculatingly. Deciding it was suitable she strode over, tucking the child into the corner. Grabbing the abandoned fabric she was using as a sling she tied it to the couch in a way that would prevent him rolling off, though it wouldn’t suffice for a long period of time.

“You don’t happen to have any wine do you?” She asked R’nd, turning to him exasperatedly.

While Volfetti was laughing at his obvious discomfort, R’nd found the sweet laughter soothing and just the right amount of distraction to help ease into the way she moved his arms around to hold Benden. Already he felt like he was drowning in the responsibility he now had for the tubby kid and marvelled at the way Volfetti seemed so gentle and offered so much love to Benden when she looked at him. Since he had helped produce the brat, he clearly wasn’t all that bad and would naturally grow up popular and gorgeous which any father would be proud of but R’nd was still working on the here and now and learning to tolerate the kid.

So caught up was he in learning how to hold the heavy baby and find a way to like him, R’nd only barely caught but did not respond to the comment about blueriders which no doubt was Volfetti being polite by not openly attacking K’ren. Searchriders did not exactly lead the easiest of lives in Katila. But it was her kind touch to the bruising, which made him wince as pain was expected at any moment, that earned a reply in a frown to match the one she gave. He wasn’t proud of the course of action he chose that night and had gone out of his way to avoid being in crowds when possible and for once ignored the rumour mill, not interested in what was said for how he earned it since there wasn’t a chance the truth would be known. Even though his stupidity that night didn’t directly affect Volfetti in anything more than perhaps receiving a few snide comments about her baby’s father being a troublemaker that got into fights, R’nd still couldn’t stop himself from apologising and using the nickname he had picked up in Candidacy so long ago, “I’m sorry, Fet.”

When living arrangements were mentioned, however, the guilt vanished and R’nd wasn’t sure if he should be insulted at being counted as a ‘strange rider’ or relieved that Volfetti wasn’t asking to move into his hut that would be large enough for the woman and small child for several turns. He claimed Benden as his own but there were some steps he certainly wasn’t ready to take now or possibly ever. He gave her a small smile for not asking, though he didn’t explain why she received it. No doubt it would be seen as a response to her dark reply about her fellow Candidates in the barracks and their attitude towards her, which actually did amuse him though R’nd much preferred when her features and voice were of a softer nature. “I’m not sure how much you have but Ayyonth and I will help you move when the hall is complete.” It was the least he could offer given the circumstances and something he was comfortable in doing.

What wasn’t comfortable was the look of panic Volfetti had when Benden hiccupped. Seconds later and he was blissfully free of the child. That was a good thing given the horrible sound that came from the baby. How did such an eardrum-shattering sound come from something so small and plump?! R’nd resisted the urge to cover his ears though even that action wouldn’t have saved him from Ayyonth’s amusement and rumbling laughter in his head as he watched in amazement Volfetti secure the noisy creature to his couch. Moments ago he was laughing at those stuck in the Candidates’ Barracks but now he almost felt pity for them.

“I have a bottle for each of us,” R’nd tried to smile as he reassured Volfetti that there was more than enough alcohol for them both to get through that tantrum, and every turn until Benden Impressed and would be out of their hair. He grabbed Volfetti’s hand to lead her to the kitchen area where several bottles of wine, including a coveted Benden vintage saved for a special occasion, were stored. That reminded him of the rumours and the question he had to ask. After pulling out some of the bottles for Volfetti to choose from, R’nd caved, “why did you name him Benden?”

Volfetti smiled at R'nd's apology, though perhaps a trouble-making Bluerider, his heart was in the right place. She had never questioned that, in their Candidacy he had tried to befriend her despite the steaming dislike she directed to him for having travelled South by his own choice. That kindness and persistency he had shown her then had given her some comfort throughout the pregnancy, as least he wasn't some stuffy rude man who would toss her and their baby to the wayside. Regardless his discomfort was still clear to Volfetti, though she silently made it her resolve to make him more comfortable in the role of father. She had seen plenty of women bear children out of wedlock, mostly prostitutes that were used and left by the men that paid them. Many tried to force the bastard children upon their fathers and that had never gone well. Volfetti was patient, she could wait for R'nd to become comfortable in the role she hoped he would fill in Benden's life.

His unexplained smile was misinterpreted, though she didn't make any move to continue the train of thought about the Candidates. Much as he preferred her softer features she also did. R'nd's offer brought a beaming smile to her face. "Oh, thank you! You gather quite a lot of… stuff in four turns, I'd definitely appreciate not having to drag it across the Weyr." While she could probably dispose of the majority of the clothes and trinkets she acquired, there were certainly a few things she didn't want to entertain the thought of carrying, mainly Benden's cot. It had been hard enough to get it into her room at the Barracks in the first place.

She eyed R'nd almost suspiciously when he didn't cover his ears at Benden's scream, was he deaf? It had taken her over a week to stop doing it herself and even now she still did it on occasion. His hand taking hers snapped her from that bewilderment, though she followed eagerly at his words. "You must be strong to stand his scream. Some days I still plug my ears." She commented, her voice tinted with awe. As he pulled out some bottles she ran her fingers across them, tilting one or two before selecting a sweet white. While she did want to pick a rich red, she knew it would send her into the land of the drunks and being drunk around a newborn was never a good idea.

"Why did I…" She murmured at R'nd's question. She knew exactly why, but how was she to explain it to someone who had a dragon, one they had Impressed at Katila no less. Pouring herself a glass of the wine she'd chosen she sipped it, her eyes glancing over his collection in an attempt to stall having to reply. She could feel his gaze on her though, which pressured her into answering.

"It wasn't after the wine. I didn't have a drop of wine from when I discovered I was pregnant until he was out." She paused, wincing as the shrieking continued from the other room. At least it was somewhat quieter in here. "I named him for freedom." She finished, drinking from the glass again. There was no other way to explain the name without insulting Katila. A strange feeling pooled in her belly as she thought on it. The past day or so she had caught herself calling herself a Katilian, instead of a Northerner. Mainly it was to separate herself from the whining people in the Barracks, but she was finding herself more comforted in the presence of the non-rider survivors than the stolen. Still, the point still stood, she mused. Benden represented a better way of life, the old way.

At the awe Volfetti displayed for the reaction, or lack thereof that he gave Benden’s wailing, R’nd gave an amused bark of laughter. “Oh, I almost did but I didn’t want you to give me a second black eye for insulting you or Benden by doing so.” Volfetti was a hard woman to figure out, though that could usually be said about most women. She seemed so sweet but could have a nasty mouth and temper on her and she could seem so cold but was clearly capable of giving out love as the looks and cradling she gave their child showed. So R’nd wouldn’t put it past the young woman to slug him for trying to protect his eardrums while running from the room instead of trying to comfort the brat. It seemed fatherhood wasn’t the only thing he would be learning about for the next little while.

He selected his own bottle of wine, craving neither any colour nor vintage in particular and simply grabbed for a bottle which ended up being a Tillek red. It would be bitter but also sweet, sort of like his day, R’nd mused as he poured his own glass. He sipped at his drink while watching his companion and waiting for her to spill the secret behind her name selection. To his slight surprise, it hadn’t been the wine that inspired Volfetti. What had, however, made the bluerider fall silent for a moment as he considered her words. If it wasn’t the wine then it had to be the locations that shared the name of their child and given anything in the North was seen as freedom to those brought to Katila without a choice, R’nd was starting to piece together a bit more of the Volfetti puzzle. The child would be a reminder of better days for her but it would also serve as one for every single person in the Weyr that had survived the plague and was now living in seclusion without a chance to go back to their old lives and the old ways.

He was impressed by her devious mind but withheld the compliment as he didn’t want to encourage her naughtiness too much.

“Did you ever get to see Benden Weyr? I was Searched for Benden and it was everything I thought a Weyr should be. I didn’t Impress at the clutch I was brought in for, obviously, but my time there was still amazing. It was only a turn before the plague hit though,” a haunted look took over R’nd’s features as his vision blurred with memories of that horrible time playing out for him again, like they had for turns before joining Katila. He had been so young and scared in that time. Thankfully the little brat he had to get used to calling his brat, gave a particularly loud shriek and brought R’nd out of the downward spiral into that nightmare of memories even before Ayyonth could reach out and soothe his mind. Still, a large gulp of wine was taken to chase away the last of the lingering emotions before giving Volfetti a weak smile. “Benden may represent freedom to you, but it sort of does with me as well. I couldn’t see myself living the life of a seaholder and was thrilled when I was Searched.”

She laughed at R'nd's reply, it was true that she held somewhat of a fiery temper when it came to her children. That he had picked that up already was definitely points in his favour. Was Volfetti counting points? Who knew.

Delicately she sipped at the wine as she watched R'nd carefully. His silence as he mulled over her words, however few they were, had been expected. Thus far she hadn't told anyone the reasoning behind Benden's name, instead letting the rumour of the wine-inspired name flourish amongst the weyrfolk. It was a rather private reasoning, one that would most likely cause her to earn some dark glares from those that called Katila their home. While yes, it was a place to live, it certainly wasn't a home to Volfetti. Not if one went by the saying 'home is where the heart is' anyway.

R'nd's words roused her from this peculiar train of thought. She had seen his lips moving but it seemed like an age until his voice reached her ears. Shaking her head she stared at the wine, had it really been that long that she was becoming a complete and utter lightweight? Frowning she rubbed her forehead, trying to focus on his question. "No… I was born and raised on the island of Ista. I never visited the mainland, even though I worked on the boats. Never had an interest really… always more at home on the ocean than the land." Her voice took on a somewhat absent tone as she thought back to the ships she had sailed on. She very rarely went on the fishing boats at Katila, after she had tried to escape there had been no solace in the little dinghies on the lake. The temptation to escape again had initially been too great and after that the boats were tainted with the memory of being captured and watched. Always watched.

The screech that brought R'nd back from his thoughts of the plague also brought Volfetti from her own. Reflexively she picked up her glass and took a sip, flinching as the bitter alcohol registered on her tongue. Unsure as to what she had expected she stood, walking to the edge of the kitchen to peer out at Benden. He was still secure, despite kicking and screaming. Sighing she returned to her seat, this time taking a larger mouthful of the wine.

"I'm glad then… that at least he won't be a dark memory for you, or a constant reminder of something bad." She said slowly. The thought hadn't occurred to her that perhaps Benden would dredge up ugly memories via his name, though it was definitely a relief that he wouldn't.

A silence fell between them, well, a silence of words at least, during which Volfetti began to fidget with the edges of her sleeves which almost covered her hands. They weren't practical for working, but being rather modest, Volfetti kept her skin well covered even in the hotter months of the turn. After a while she took a deep breath, still unsure on how to broach the 'silence'. "I hope… I hope this doesn't inconvenience you… We can leave if you have to do something." She offered, her thoughts drifting to the work they each could be doing to aid the Weyr. Her eyes dropped to stare at the wine, secretly she was as unsure and nervous as R'nd was about the whole situation, but she strove not to show it. She would be a strong mother, but how could she raise a child here in the secrecy of Katila?

Benden’s crying was slowly becoming background noise that could be ignored if determined enough and R’nd was rather determined. Sitting in a different room with the mother he found attractive and was now learning how interesting she could be as well, was working nicely for the bluerider’s nerves. If Benden was still in sight there was a chance he’d be even more uncomfortable and wishing he had never opened the door or agreed to acknowledge and help raise the brat. As it was, he did still have his doubts about being a father and was already trying to think of ways to assist Volfetti with limited interaction with Benden but they weren’t as urgent as the desire to run away had been when Volfetti introduced them. Still, he did wonder how long they could continue pretending there wasn’t a fat baby tied to his couch.

When Volfetti sounded so unsure about her presence still being welcomed, R’nd took another large swig of his wine, set the glass down on the counter by the bottles, and went to kneel before the woman. His height often left people looking up at him but this time, R’nd felt he should be the one looking up. He had made his fair share of women sad and cry before but he didn’t necessarily enjoy causing the sorrow and most certainly hated trying to fix it but in this case, he felt he owed it to Volfetti to try to make things right. “I should be saying that to you. I have unknowingly inconvenienced you for nine months and my actions that I can barely recall – and how I do wish I could remember more of our time together – may continue to be a burden on you. I most certainly don’t mind putting aside my plans for the day in order to spend time with you. And Benden,” again he had nearly forgotten about the tubby brat and would have much preferred time spent with just the woman sitting before him as he could think of several fun ways to pass the time. There was still a tiny voice in his head saying he should kick them out so he could properly process everything before he did something else foolish while in shock but R’nd ignored it. His desire to have people like him and the ones closest to him be happy was too strong to have him usher mother and child from his hut, further adding to the distress Volfetti had to already be in.

Cautiously he took Volfetti’s free hand in his but stopped short of his flirtatious move of brushing the sleeve back to kiss her hand. He’d likely earn another black eye for being that bold and R’nd had decided on his walk home from I’shan’s that night that he didn’t want to suffer another blow to his face ever again. “So stay a while longer if you like. Enjoy some wine and my charm. You won’t be judged here for relaxing.”

When R'nd stood, only to then kneel before her Volfetti pulled back somewhat, her face displaying sheer confusion and a little bit of distaste. The only time a man should recline to his knee before a woman was if he were soon to propose a betrothal. R'nd certainly wasn't doing that right now. The look faded somewhat as he started to speak and she focused on what he was saying. She turned the words over in her mind. While perhaps it would be nice to just relax with someone for the day, other duties pressed their way into Volfetti's mind and she was at a loss which path to pursue.

His hands on her own shocked her, it had been a long time since anyone had ever made such a tender move towards her and it wasn't even a particularly spectacular one. It was definitely fortunate that R'nd hadn't proceeded any further with it or he probably would have a matching black eye, if only from her natural knee-jerk reactions. Enjoy some wine and my charm. Volfetti stiffened a little, not comfortable with the way this conversation was progressing. While Volfetti didn't have anything against the process of courting and eventual betrothal, right now she couldn't see past R'nd's bachelor status and habits.

Gently pulling her hand from his and putting her wine glass on the table she stood. "I appreciate the offer, R'nd, thank you. I do think it's best if I go though. Much longer with him here might rob you of your hearing." She said with a half-hearted laugh. Flashing him a smile to reassure him she reached out to his face, touching his bruise ever so lightly. "Keep your face safe. It's quite attractive you know." She said somewhat impartially. Turning she walked out of the kitchen area and over to where Benden was still tucked into the couch. His wailing stopped for a moment as he saw his mother stand there, her hands placed squarely on his hips. He gave a few squeaky inhales before completely closing his mouth, blue eyes wide and locked on the woman. She strode over and quickly undid the sling, picked him up and put it all back on in a very fluid movement.

Glancing back she gave a sweet smile to R'nd. "I'll let you return to your nap then. Thanks for being so understanding." Were she more forward and not a stickler for her morals, she might have left him with a parting peck on the cheek. As it were she gave a small wave and saw herself out.