Little Beauties [Solo]

She wasn’t stalking Z’ia; she wasn’t! She was only merrily and softly humming to herself, nibbling on a cinnamon bun as she strolled around the weyr with Muffin zipping here, there, and everywhere. It was something they sometimes did together though more often than not it ended up with Rhaedalyn chasing Muffin and frantically trying to catch her overly energetic blue firelizard. She was pretty sure the silly thing liked playing that game and only let her catch him when he was tired or wanted to reward her for all the effort put into the chase. So far though, Muffin was entertaining himself and while he zipped about he was still close enough that Rhaedalyn knew she could take her time and nibble on the sweet item.

It just so happened that the path they were taking led by Z’ia’s hut. Rhaedalyn didn’t even realize it at the time, lost in her thoughts that drifted in and out of daydreams while trying to remember tasks she had to get done by certain times. In fact, her mind wasn’t even wandering towards the spunky bluerider as she neared his hut but a bronze dragon was the focus of her attention. Xyreith still didn’t seem to like her much but it was Rhaedalyn’s goal – well, one of the many – to get the beast to adore her. Wreaths of flowers were sometimes made for the dragon as well as the rider at times but perhaps he would like cloth accessories? Muffin and even adorable Rell, R’nd’s flitter, looked wonderful in little outfits she made for them and they weren’t too difficult to make either. How hard could it be to create a hat or a scarf for a bronze dragon? It was worth a shot to try it out!

Rhaedalyn was so pleased with the idea that she didn’t hear all the commotion going on within Z’ia’s hut, not even the creel of an ignored gold. What she did hear was Muffin’s own creel of distress just before something collided with her shoulder and clung to it. Giving a yelp of surprise, Rhaedalyn almost didn’t want to see what was digging little claws into her skin and possibly eating her hair because it certainly felt and sounded like that was what was happening! Slowly she turned and saw a tiny golden flitter that was opening her maw to let loose a cry of hunger and without thinking, the cinnamon bun was lifted and offered to the little girl. It wasn’t proper food for such a creature but it was all she had and given the fact she hadn’t even been expecting to come across any firelizards that day it was lucky there had been any food at all!

Once the gold was done devouring the bun, she settled down a bit and took to trying to hide and sleep under Rhaedalyn’s curls. “Muffin,” she whispered, not wanting to wake up the queen, “did I… oh dear.” She had Impressed a gold firelizard! The knowledge that it had been someone else’s, or was meant to be, was there and Rhaedalyn felt a bit bad for stealing her away from the person who had clearly spent so much time tending to the egg, but the initial thought was far more important.

She had Impressed a gold!

Sure, it was a firelizard but they were mini dragons so it was close! All the failed attempts at proving she was useful and would live up to expectations had severely bothered the usually bubbly girl but a flitter wanted her; two in fact! Rhaedalyn held out her arms to Muffin who had been circling around her, eyeing the queen and trying to decide if she was good news or bad. Muffin quickly dove for her and Rhaedalyn held him close to her chest, hugging her precious blue. She was pleased to have the queen but Muffin was still just as important and loved and Rhaedalyn didn’t want to have him think he wasn’t!

Concern over the original owner finding out what happened and getting upset with her suddenly sunk in. Rhaedalyn had no idea what she would do if she was yelled at and accused of stealing the adorably sleeping flitter. Given she was a gold as well only made the crime seem that much worse! “We should probably go,” again she whispered, and instead of moving away, the idea about what to name her new winged friend came to her. “Muffin, you’re a big brother now. You’ll take care of Whisper, right?” She smiled when the blue chirped and nuzzled her hand which served to encourage a petting.

A quick glance around her was given before a few tippy toed steps were taken in an attempt to flee the scene of the crime undetected but also so she didn’t disturb Whisper too much.

She thinks kind thoughts, the young blue murmured gently to Z’ia, startling the young man, a frown flickering over his features. Aveleth very rarely commented upon the thoughts of anyone – or anything – and Z’ia tilted his head, curls dancing, as he turned to look at his dragon. “Who does, Kiddo?” He half expected Aveleth to indicate one of the firelizards – likely Chastity – and was startled when he was given the flash of a young woman in a properly feminine outfit with more curls than Z’ia had. He had no idea who she was.

“Who is that?” Z’ia asked, frowning. He knew he’d seen her around, but had no name to place with the abundance of hair and flared skirts. A girl, Aveleth answered gently, turning to look in her direction and Z’ia followed, frowning slightly. With a sweet mind. Z’ia blinked; he’d never known his incredibly timid dragon to go spelunking in someone’s mind before! I was not, the blue retorted, his tone mild but unimpressed as he shifted his calm gaze to his rider. She thinks loudly, and her thoughts are pretty. There was something more to his dragon’s tone, there, but Z’ia was unsure what it was and not quite sure how to question the creature on it. Aveleth seemed reluctant to explain, giving away a playful and slightly teasing air.

The little lady’s thoughts about his rider were sweet, and gentle, and not something Aveleth had ever felt anyone think about his human before. He wasn’t sure he wanted to tell Z’ia about them, though. Not when the pretty human had obviously taken pains to keep them to herself – but they were such pretty thoughts! Instead, Aveleth rose gently and left Z’ia sitting on the grass looking dumbstruck as he quietly approached the girl, head held low and eyes swirling timidly. His pace was probably intimidating, purely from the excessive amount of effort he was putting into not being intimidating.

When he felt he was close enough, Aveleth lay down, stretching his head and neck forward until the tip of his nose was close enough to blow a soft breath that would ruffle Rhaedalyn’s skirts without being nearly close enough to touch her. He watched her with slowly swirling eyes that gently shifted from timid to placid as he rumbled a soft purr. He ignored Z’ia, who was struggling to follow his dragon with the two newly hatched little greens fast asleep. He ended up scooping Destiny from his neck and cradled both in his open palms against his chest. Then he crept up alongside his dragon, staring at Rhaedalyn with an expression a combination of suspicion (Aveleth didn’t like anyone) and confusion (how had she won over his little dragon?)

Hello, miss. Aveleth’s voice was gentle as he barely touched against Rhaedalyn’s mind, his voice sweet and soft and endearing – all the things Aveleth knew Z’ia was not, but that this pretty little thing thought he was. Aveleth wasn’t sure how she could be so delusional – he had chosen Z’ia because he would protect him and love him, not because he was sweet or kind – and then Aveleth paused. Wasn’t that just what this little girl wanted? Well, she probably wanted both parts, but… He was sweet and kind, and Z’ia was protective and he did love, just he hadn’t decided who yet.

Aveleth decided quite suddenly that he would help this pretty little girl win his human over. He told her as much in another soft brush: I will help you. Then he stood up quietly, and reached forward to nose the side of the girl’s face, blowing warm air over her and making her hair ruffle. Z’ia watched with what was beyond a blatantly shocked expression. The little bluerider simply stared, dumbfounded, between his dragon and the girl, as the former turned and walked back to their hut, curling up in the sunshine and apparently going back to sleep.

Z’ia stood there for a moment, cradling his two firelizards while Plague sat on his shoulder, peering out from under his hair at Rhaedalyn in a calculating manner. After a moment, Z’ia gave Rhaedalyn a last bewildered look, and then turned to make his way back to his dragon, dismissing the girl with a curt nod. What the fuck had that been about?

Rhaedalyn froze in place when a dragon’s breath blew against her before quickly spinning around, her skirt slow to catch up as it dramatically twirled around after her. A squeak of surprise escaped before she could stop herself. Aveleth! The pretty blue had seen her! She was so busted. Rhaedalyn couldn’t think of anything to say and was closing to crying when Aveleth greeted her in perhaps one of the sweetest voices she had ever heard. “H-hello,” she stuttered and Rhaedalyn was embarrassed that she had. Aveleth was as precious as her rider, he wasn’t going to eat her! Not that dragons did that anyway, she corrected her silly errant thoughts. Still, there wasn’t a need to – Rhaedalyn gasped when Z’ia appeared and eyed her up.

He noticed her! Rhaedalyn would have swooned right then and there if it wasn’t for Aveleth bespeaking her again and her gaze went back to the gentle creature. His words, however, were confusing. She tilted her head to the side, mindful of Whisper still sleeping on her shoulder and pondered on what the dragon meant. He would help her how? What would he help her with? Running away before Whisper’s original owner saw her? That seemed to be the only thing she could think of and that was impressive given how hard it was to think straight when Z’ia was around! “Thank you,” she spoke softly, unsure exactly what Aveleth had offered but grateful all the same. It was always nice to have dragons speak to her, even if it was in riddles.

When Aveleth moved in closer and blew more warm air gently over her, Rhaedalyn giggled quietly, happy to have had that experienced but now even more confused. The blue was walking away and going back to sleep so her only idea over what he would help her with had been shattered. It was probably best not to dwell on it for now, especially with Z’ia standing there, still watching her. She should say something! It wasn’t like she had such a chance every day, though nothing came to mind. So many daydreams and sorting out what she would say when she finally had the chance to properly talk to Z’ia and nothing could come to her right then. The window of opportunity soon closed on her though as Z’ia nodded in parting and turned to walk away.

A sad sigh was given but Muffin nuzzled her hand and Rhaedalyn smiled down at the blue firelizard. Oh! She glanced up at Z’ia but his back was to her and it was too late now to properly inspect him, but had he been carrying two little firelizards? All she could recall was his beautiful face and a green flitter staring her down from his shoulder and she was only barely acknowledged. Last she heard Z’ia only had Plague, but if he had some new firelizards in his possession, did that mean Whisper came from his nest? Fear at that being true rocked her but Rhaedalyn was also slightly happy. Whisper might be a gift from Z’ia! An unknowingly given gift no doubt, but a gift all the same!

Once again in good spirits despite the silent and awkward meeting with Z’ia and Aveleth, Rhaedalyn waved at the blue dragon she suspected was still watching her and returned to her quick pace of getting her behind back to her room. Whisper would need some more food soon and that wasn’t going to appear behind her curly locks!