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

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.