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+---- Thread: Sea at Heart, Sea at Home. Sea on Shoulder? [Solo] (/showthread.php?tid=1224)
Sea at Heart, Sea at Home. Sea on Shoulder? [Solo] - Volfetti - 23.Jan.13
Summer was coming to a close but the kitchens were as busy as ever. In a few days Volfetti would be celebrating her thirtieth birthday, along with her ineligibility to stand for Impression. For the past year she had been waiting for this day with baited breath. Originally she had accepted to some extent that she would Impress a dragon as K'ren had intended, but as each clutch passed and no tiny gangly bundle barged her way, hope flourished. Now there was no clutch on the sands and though Krypth had risen during the month, surely D'ren wouldn't ask her to stand again.
She shook her head lightly, refocusing her gaze on the fruits she was preparing. It was silly thoughts, she had already birthed a child to the Weyr, they could ask no more of her. Speaking of said child... Volfetti looked up. Benden had been put into the creche that morning, much to his displeasure, but she had arranged for him to be brought into the kitchens prior to lunch. He was quite happily walking and talking and Volfetti wanted him to be around more people than just those in the creche. Under her supervision of course, he was still prone to wandering underfoot much to the annoyance of a lady sporting a sprained ankle. He should have been brought in by now.
It turned out that Benden was indeed in the kitchens, but tucked away in the corner by some protected hearths. These were filled with heated sand and tiny little eggs. A portly woman crouched beside him as they stared at the creamy shells, her finger tightly clasped by the boy's small hand. As they watched one of the eggs gave a little shudder, eliciting a gasp from the pair. The woman turned to Benden, made sure she had his attention and told him to stay put and not touch. Benden nodded vigorously before spinning back to face the wobbly egg. He didn't notice the woman rushing away, nor her frantic efforts to find the egg's owner. They usually weren't far away from their precious charges which was why the special hearths had been set up in the major locations of the Weyr like the kitchen.
Time slowed for Benden, or at least it seemed to, as he stared at the egg trying so valiantly to hatch. It wasn't long till it was simply too much for the toddler to stand. His tiny hands reached forward and poked at the little cracks forming on the surface, over and over until a little hole formed. An equally tiny snout poked through, chomping down on the intruding fingertip. Tears welled up in his eyes but he didn't wail, for following the snout was a little blue head with brightly whirling eyes. He lost himself in the swirls, his head bobbing around as he tried to follow their fast pace.
A hand on his shoulder caused him to jump, the baby firelizard creeling and flaring its nostrils at the movement. Benden looked up to see the woman again, this time with another much older lady.
"Oh... Has it Impressed?" The portly woman said in a hushed tone.
The elder lady crouched down, which her body seemed to protest from the grimace on her face. She pulled at the shell to let the Blue crawl out, watching as he leaped out and latched onto Benden's arm, scurrying up to wrap himself thoroughly around the toddler's neck and shoulders.
"I believe he has. What will you name him?" She asked, waving the other woman away when she began to babble apologies.
Benden thought on this for a moment. First he was a bit confused at the question, but the firelizard seemed to help clarify it. "Sea!" He proclaimed.
"What a lovely name. Now, where is your mother?" She swept Benden up in to her arms, Sea in tow, letting the boy look around and eventually point out Volfetti. As she walked over to her, she picked up and gave some scraps of meat to Benden, instructing him to feed the ravenous hatchling which had taken to gnawing on his hair.
Volfetti barely noticed their approach, such was her concentration on preparing the fruits. She wasn't the best at cooking, but cutting fruit she could manage. When she was tapped on her shoulder she jerked, nicking the tip of her finger.
"Shards! What do you- Benden? What are you doing!" Volfetti's eyes grew wide as she took in the now dozy Blue curled around her son.
"Benden was looking at the eggs when this one began to hatch. It was meant to be mine, but I just couldn't take the little dear away from him." The lady explained.
"But he's two! He can't Impress a firelizard! How is he meant to take care of him? He can't! I will have to! I don't want no blasted firelizard hanging around pestering me all day. Take it away!" Volfetti was almost shrieking, which caused the little Blue to look up, his eyes whirling bright yellow.
"Two or not... You can't deny he's Impressed the little fellow. I'm sure the creche workers are used to firelizards and will offer their aid to care for him." Crouching down she put Benden on the floor and gave Volfetti a nod. "I must return to my broth or it will spoil."
She was gone before Volfetti could manage another word. She stared speechlessly down at Benden and the firelizard. She wouldn't care for it, couldn't care for it. It would ruin everything!
"Sea!" Benden announced, petting the Blue's head, kindly if a little heavy-handedly.
"Sea?" Volfetti echoed.
"Sea!" Benden pointed at the firelizard.
"Oh, you've named him Sea..." Volfetti crouched, reaching out to stroke Sea with a fingertip. He crooned, the sound causing him to vibrate under her finger. Warmth spread through her mind and Benden grinned.
"Sea happy!" He declared. Volfetti sighed.
"It looks like Sea is staying." She murmured.