Canines and Butterflies [I'shan]

Ce'lie moved easily across the ground, excitement pinging at her senses as she finally arrived at the Creche. As a five turn old, Ishadhe was surprisingly nimble as he quickly weaved through the group of laughing weyrbrats to get to the building blocks. The poor woman in the Creche was nearly pulling her hair out as the children ran circles around her, leaving painted and dirty fingerprints everywhere.

Ce'lie just hugged herself lightly, watching through the window as the children played, laughed and were perfect just the way they were. Ishadhe who had gotten hold of cup of juice, only stopped to drink it before spotting Ce'lie. A squeal of excitement and the mug ended up on the floor as the five turn old shot straight between the creche worker's legs and into Ce'lie awaiting arms.

"Oh my wonderful little man. Who was creche today?" Ce'lie uttered, hugging him firmly as he wiggled and laughed in her arms before he pulled back and looked at her, poking the few grey hairs that had started to collect in her fringe.

"It was okay Mom. Kinide sneezed juice out of his nose again." Ishadhe replied, in a fact of tone earning a soft laugh from Ce'lie.

"Well, I'm sure he'll find some use for it at a later date, if only to gross potential girlfriends." Ce'lie grinned to Ishadhe who simply laughed and wrapped his little arms around her neck. Long stride took across the ground to Twilirth.

"Twirly!" Ishadhe shrieked in delight, wiggling free and charging at the dark green. A soft rumble was the green's greeting as Ishadhe chatted animated to the green as though she was talking back. Ce'lie just shook her head and scoop up the child and strapped him into Twilirth's riding straps before the dragon took off and winked between  before they reappear a few seconds later near Ce'lie's hut. Once the green had landed, Ce'lie released her son from the straps and let him run ahead into the hut as she unstrapped the green.

"Don't worry Twil. I won't let him get the paints." she giggled softly with a gentle pat to the dragon's shoulder, she headed inside and started on making dinner for them both. All the while Ishadhe bounced around the room armed with a teddy bear.

Ilveriath's appearance was, as it tended to be, subtle. The delicate blue flickered into the airspace over Ce'lie's hut and began a graceful spiral downward. I'shan gripped the straps tightly and leaned forward, noting with some dismay that the greenpair seemed to have just gotten home.

Were you hoping we'd miss them? he inquired. He knew that was pretty much the truth. It was fun to give his rider some gentle prods over it, though.  Especially if it might help him lighten up.

Ilveriath was being a good sport about the kid. He wasn't particularly interested in it and had been more than willing to keep the secret for the sake of his rider's comfort. This was certainly going to be an interesting little adventure, though.

The blue landed, offering a brief rumbled greeting to Twilirth. I'shan hastily dismounted and pulled his riding cap back, letting his hair frizz wildly in all directions. His face was somewhat pale and his eyes revealed traces of apprehension hidden behind the same brazen bravado that sent him striding right up to the door.

He knocked hard and fast, goading himself into doing so before he chickened out. Casual visits were hard enough. He had no intention of actually breaking the news while he was there (he still liked to pretend like he never would), but something about this trip was...just off. Already off. What was he going to say to Ce'lie?

Ilveriath curled up close by and watched lazily. Act natural he encouraged lightly. Just because someone put you up to this visit doesn't mean you have to actually tell him. It's no different than any other visit the dragon said soothingly.

I'shan swallowed hard. Right. Any other visit. How long had it been now, since early winter?

Ishadhe looked up as he heard a knock at the door, blinked his pale brown eyes in surprise before getting up slowly and opening the door.

"Who is it, Ishadhe?" Ce'lie called from the kitchen, barely holding back a curse as she burnt her finger.

"Its the cool man!" Ishadhe called back, throwing himself at I'shan's legs, grinning up at him before taking his hand. "You've come to play blocks with me right?" He all but chirped, taking hold of I'shan's hand and pulling him inside and towards the pile of carefully curved and sanded blocks that now were spread across the floor.

Ce'lie poked her head around the kitchenette door and rose an eyebrow. "I'shan, long time no see. Make yourself at home, I'll whip you up something to eat as well. I'm guessing klah would be good." She smiled brightly, her eyes wrinkling in the corners as the smile spread across her face and warmed her grey green eyes up.

"Hello Ilveriath. I trust all is well?" Twilirth rumbled back, shifting her small frame in the sand making room for the blue to join her if he wished.

Oh shards.

I'shan was shocked by the boy's sudden rush of enthusiasm. "Um...sure!" he stammered, unable to formulate an excuse before he was pulled inside. Okay, well he could have gotten away, but how could he resist that?  While awkward and lacking confidence around children, even he had to admit they were precious.

It was alarming how quickly this one was starting to look like him. Shards, he'll figure it out by the time he's fifteen he thought as he followed Ishadhe inside. He seated himself in the floor and reached up, brushing some of his hair back into something resembling neatness.

"Blocks, huh?" That's what five turn olds liked, right? Or was he still four?  When was his birthday again? I'shan wasn't sure if he was ashamed of himself or took pity on himself. He swallowed hard and looked back at Ishadhe, managing a wide smile for the boy. Normally I'shan wasn't exactly uncomfortable around him, and playing with him was enjoyable enough that the boy obviously had some affection for him. Today was still just..off, though.

Around that time, Ce'lie appeared. I'shan looked up at her and smiled, though his confusion was visible, dancing just behind his normally friendly gaze. He'd never been quite sure of what to make of her. She just seemed so happy and comfortable with everything. It was relaxing in a way, relaxing enough to calm him down. It also tended to catch him off guard, since so few people came with such friendliness built in, at least without a catch.

"You don't have to worry about me. Thanks, though." If he stayed for dinner, he'd be stuck there longer! He directed his attention back to Ishadhe and reached out to ruffle the kid's hair. "How you doing, squirt?" he asked. He reached for one of the blocks and started the rudimentary outline for a house or something. He'd decided exactly what it was as he went along.

"So, em...How are you?" he asked, his more serious tone indicating that he was speaking to Ce'lie.

Outside, Ilveriath just crooned. Indeed he sighed contentedly as he positioned himself on his back.

Ishadhe just chuckled at I'shan, passing him blocks as he tried to build a copy of the hut, albeit its structure was shaky put together. The look of intense focus written right across, he even ignored Ce'lie as she put a juice mug nearby for the young boy to grab when he was ready.

"Don't worry I'shan. We don't bite." Ce'lie chuckled softly as she disappeared back into the kitchenette.

"I'm not a squirt anymore!" Ishadhe grinned broadly, the same friendly and warm tones that Ce'lie used were reflected the young boy's voice. "Mommy says I'm a big boy now!" Ishadhe grinned as he turned back to the blocks.

"I'm okay I'shan. how have you been?" Ce'lie answered as she wandered back in two mugs of klah, and offering one to I'shan. "You look nervous. Whats on your mind?" She uttered softly, just softly enough for Ishadhe not to really hear especially with his intense focus on the blocks.

I'shan was torn. He knew Ce'lie and Ishadhe wouldn't bite, but he sure felt like they would. He smiled nervously at the greenrider before looking back at the little boy, who'd already started to look so much like him. Or did he? Was I'shan just imagining it?

"You sure are a squirt!" I'shan said suddenly, pushing his apprehensions aside and putting on a well-manicured smile. He reached out and ruffled the kid's hair before looking at the block hut.

I'shan frowned, and suddenly grinned. "Hey, that's pretty good, little guy. But you know what would make it even better?" he said with overwrought suspense. "....If it was a fortress!" He laughed a bit as he started to construct a ridiculously elaborate wall around the little hut. Well, at least it seemed ridiculously elaborate in his imagination, and that's all that mattered, right?

He giggled a bit and looked cautiously towards Ce'lie, trying to keep his apprehension in check so Ishadhe wouldn't notice. "Oh, not too much Ce'lie...new boyfriend and all that." Surely she'd heard by now...hopefully only the good parts. "..One of my searchees got mangled at the hatching, and I've been spending a lot of time tryin' to cheer him up..."

Farlint is like a son to him Ilveriath said coyly, targeting the greenrider alone. I'shan sensed something, but avoided a frown. "...I dunno. Just got me thinking, I guess..."