Xanadu Weyr - Siebith's Weyrbarn
Covered in rough, weathered wood, aged by the weather and the sun, the irregular grayed clapboards outside of this weyrbarn lend the place has a rustic, masculine charm. White shutters and window boxes overflowing with brightly-hued tangles of flowers on the lower windows and flowering vines twine about the supports for the porch overhang add a feminine touch, softening the stark stone steps leading to it.
The worn stone floor of Siebith's area is just inside the large sliding door. The living area of the weyrbarn has an open, airy layout gives the utilitarian, bachelor-like plain white-washed walls and simple hardwood floors a sense of wide open spaces. A sturdy mahogany-toned table with chairs that somehow manage to match despite their variety accent the earthy, wooden tones of the kitchenette. The same dark reddish hues are in the door at the far side of the barn, as well as in the low-slung coffee table in front of the plush, worn couch. Dusky sea-blue rugs are scattered here and there. Dark golden curtains hang on either side of the many windows and partition off the loft up above, led to by a black wrought iron set of ladder-like stairs. Lilies arranged in glass vases on the tables provide a crisp of white counterpoint to the dark wood tones.
A new addition, the bedroom has walls of the same plain white, but the floors are made of newer wood, still shiny with polish. A four-poster bed of the same red mahogany takes up the most of one wall of the small space, a blue-and-cream linen coverlet spread on the wide mattress. A set of wooden bureaus take up the bulk of the wall opposite while another wall has been painted upon in the very center with a seascape mural, its crisp blue waters and sandy shores. The final wall is graced by a feminine-looking writing desk stacked with papers and bedecked with knick-knacks. Over the bed, a set of stained-glass windows allows golden-brown light mingled with white whorls and blue haze to shine into the room with the rising of the sun, though both panes are able to be unlocked and swung wide to accept lake breezes.
A toddler's attention span being incredibly short is both blessing and bane. That one day of waiting for Muir to have his ride has been spent with Thea enlisting D'had's help in keeping the pair occupied where the sight of a dragon won't trigger the youngster's recollection of such a treat to be had by the sight of dragons overhead, which has meant indoors doing fun things like finger painting, building block towers, story reading inside precarious sheet-tents, making and frosting cupcakes, eating them… LOTS of cleaning on Thea's part - both house and twins. D'had? Well surely Traders have ways of entertaining little ones that doesn't involve making them throw up? Whatever the ways that LOOOOOONG day has been spent, it's over and a new one has begun. Breakfast has been eaten and they'll have to go outside soon.
Traders have ways of keeping littles busy. It involves scrubbing decks and washing dishes, but alas the twins aren't quite old enough for that yet. They can, however, only avoid going outside for so long. "Do we have to?" is the question D'had turns on Thea. Surely Muir has forgotten by now and they can put it off a few days more.
Once, over lunch in the Tavern, D'had told D'son and her that he was good with kids. Surely he's played with his young nephews and has had some sort of way to have given Thea some respite? If not, it's a wonder she's even out of bed this morning to get breakfast on the table! Whatever the case, she's -tired- this bright morning and lingering over her own meal to sip blearily at her own klah while trying to wake up, so it takes her wyermate's question a few beats to sink in. And when it does? She narrows her eyes slightly while giving him a long look. Finally, "You sound like you don't want to do it."
D'had found some way to let her rest for a time, sure, but that doesn't mean he could keep them busy for the whole day on his own either. "I don't," he admits readily enough. Almost too ready to say those words. "I can't take them up. Not now. They're still so little."
Thea was there too! And playing with them, likely getting on his nerves by suggesting he might like to be the runner so they could ride him across the weyrbarn and the like. Thankfully at the moment the twins are busy eating their oatmeal and chattering in a half-understandable language that only the two of them seem to know, communication that Thea is still sorting though. Setting down her mug quietly, she sighs, closing her eyes in utter weariness. "Donn, we've been through all this." Silence stretches. She opens her eyes. "Yes. You can. The straps are good. We'll be with them."
"I don't want them getting hurt," D'had reiterates his previous concerns on the matter. "I'm sure the straps are fine," of her abilities with that he has no doubt. "I'm just afraid it's too soon. Once it’s done we can't take it back."
At times like these, finger painting with oatmeal can be considered a welcome preoccupation to keep busy younguns from demanding attention. Thus they are able to have this exchange relatively interrupted. Thea's dark brows knit as she tries to understand, "They're not going to get hurt! We're good riders. Siebith and Seryth won't let it happen either." She struggles with understanding, the confusion is clear in the expression of bafflement on her face. Leaning towards him, dipping her head so she can meet his gaze if she has to, sea green eyes seek his dark ones, she asks gently, "What exactly are you afraid of, Donn?"
D'had sighs. "I know we are, but something could still go wrong. And what if they get scared? I don't want them to be afraid of flying." That finally admitted he shakes his head. "I know none of us want anything to happen, but that doesn't guarantee it won't."
Silence from Thea. She could do any number of things to argue, reason, cajole or joke, but she doesn't. Instead she keeps her gaze steady on his as she reaches across the space for his hand, seeking to twine her fingers with his. Nothing said for the moment, just the gentle stroking of her thumb across the back of his hand while she remembers some things about him, her eyes dropping to their joined hands. Finally she notes quietly, "When we chose to become weyrmates, I believe it was a commitment to face things like this together. If you're not ready and you don't mind your son doubting your promises, then we'll wait." Simple as that. However, she does add, "You know I'd die before I let anyone hurt them. But life is full of danger. Ships go missing at sea, runners throw people." She draws a sharp breath; still battling her own fears on that and yet the lessons go on - he is aware of that. "We can't cage them forever." And her lashes lift to give him a questioning look.
D'had nods, "I know," he replies after a long moment of continued silence. "I just don't know that I can take them up. You know as well as I do that he likes to show off." He of course referring to Siebith, but he doesn't dare mention the name and risk attention from Muir at the moment.
Thea bites back a quick reassurance. No, that wouldn't do in this situation. She also knows better than to say the dragon's name "Donn. Give the dragon some credit? Surely he's in tune with your concerns? He knows the boy is little. He knows your… mind." And fears, but she doesn't say the word in deference for his male pride. "You won't know until you try. And I know from past experience that you can control him." Why the boy isn't clamoring to ride Seryth ought to be understandable, but Thea asks anyway, "Do you know why he's so stuck on riding Siebith. With you?"
D'had shakes his head, "Its' not that simple." He's trying, really he is. "First sign he's havin' fun and it gets that much harder. He used ta scare the shit out of me when we started flyin'." He stops there however, dark eyes blinking at the woman. "… No?" Why?
Absently, "No cussing in front of the children." Forgive the admonishment, it's her upbringing. "You were how old, though Donn. He knows they're precious to you and much younger than a Weyrling. And he's older. Hasn't he grown up a little since then?" Maybe she doesn't know Siebith well enough to have faith in him, but she trusts the man in front of her and tells him so. "I know you can do it. Otherwise you wouldn't have impressed him; he needs you to temper his reckless nature and you need him too. Otherwise your life would be so safe you'd be boring." And he's not says the twinkle in her eyes. As for his son, she lifts their joined hands, leans her cheek against the back of his. "He wants to be like you, Donn. Haven't you ever noticed how he follows you around, copies what you do? Repeats you?"
It takes D'had a few seconds to think before he answers. "Nineteen." That's how old he was when he impressed. "And was my first time dragonback goin' to Telgar." So maybe she can see why he doesn't see why its so important that they fly so soon. Then again he grew up on a boat, not in a weyr. So.. "We're both a little reckless," at least he can admit to that, though its perhaps not the best time for it. "No," he replies a moment later. He's been too busy trying to avoid stepping on the boy while he gets work done.
Thea considers this, and since her mind is on the problem of Muir and the promise that's been made to him, her first comment is to Siebith's behavior. "Sie knew you could handle it at that age." Physically anyway. As for his other, "It's different for everyone, Donn. He wants it. Marella wants what he wants; you made a promise. And there's taking them places. We can't do it until they can ride." He's reckless? How ever would she know it? She smiles amused, "Are you really?" With a sigh she lowers his hand from her cheek. "I'm sorry you haven't noticed." Bothered quite a bit by this, she drops her head. "You're everything to him. He lights up when you come in. And you're missing it. Please don't." She's at an impasse. "I don't know what to do. I can't make you. I can't watch him lose the regard he has for you. And the nannies…" They're about to forbid the lad in with the others is what's about to happen.
Siebith senses that Seryth is listening to this talk the humans are having about them and her rains patter in bright curiosity on her blue friend's lagoon. « The little ones. Can you fly them without doing your tricks? Mine says yours fears he cannot keep you from hurting them. »
Seryth senses from Siebith «We like tricks. We can if we have to, but it’s not easy. Mine is not afraid of me hurting them, just of them getting hurt.»
"Fine," D'had agrees, "We told 'em we'd go, we will, don't mean I have to like it." He's still not convinced, but he is going to go along with the plan. For the rest he just shakes his head, turning slightly to press a kiss to the back of her hand that's still in his before he stands. "I'll get them ready if you get them ready," a nod towards the door and then the twins to indicate who is who.
And it's time Thea did something about that oatmeal mess the two are so happily making down at their end of the table. It will take her some time to get them cleaned up and into the warmest clothes they have anyway. Not that they'll be *Between* or even very high, but it is Fall and the breezes at any height are chilly enough. He may be going along with the plan, but he's got her worried with that abrupt agreement of his. Thea opens her mouth to say something. Then shuts it again, watching D'had closely as he kisses her hand. Is he angry? Upset? Hard to tell. As he stands to head out, she tightens her fingers, an attempt to stall him. "What did you mean by we can't take it back if we let them ride?"
D'had shakes his head when she asks that question. "I just don't want them to be scared of ridin' is all," he replies, squeezing her hand in what he hopes comes across as reassurance before he turns his attention back towards the door.
Thea rises slowly, her eyes on his for a long moment before she nods and allows his finger to slip through hers, releasing him. "We can put them between us if you think that will help?" Though she'll leave that up to him. He'll find the smaller straps hanging on the peg beside their own. As for her, there's a gluey mess that Muir has made of his sister's hair with his oatmeal hands, Muir's grin cracks the now-drying masque on his face, clothes to change… whee-fun.
D'had lifts a shoulder in a shrug. He's not sure if that will help. He's not sure if they'll be scared. He just doesn't want them to be. At the door he hefts his own straps over one shoulder and Thea's over the other leaving the little ones for her and the twins to bring with them and heads out to ready the dragons. Siebith is easy enough, but Seryth… well he's not used to that.
Well, with no clear answer on that, all Thea can do is suggest as he takes Seryth's harness, "She can fly alongside without straps if…" Ah well. She shrugs then and turns to her own task, meeting him some time later with a child on either side, a holding hands firmly so they don't come pelting over recklessly. Marella has a bundle of leather straps under one arm, but Muir has his draped in a tangle over on shoulder in an imitation of daddy. Well, he tried.
Either D'had heard her or he gave up trying before he started as Seryth's straps lay in a neat pile on the porch. Siebith's straps however are in place and they're ready for flight or as ready as D'had is going to be for this one. "You want to go on and I'll lift them up?" And she can deal with strapping them in.
Thea must have given the children a firm talking to, because other than one tug at mommy's hand to free himself, Muir complies by walking quietly by her side, although he does give the blue an exuberant greeting with a shouted, "Hi ‘beth!!" from halfway there. Marella has her own way of greeting the blue, but she waits until they stop beside him. She leans over and kisses the hide where ever she happens to be able to reach - could be his belly for all she cares - then leans around to smile winningly if she can catch the dragon's eye. Thea simply nods, leaning to give D'had a quick kiss on the cheek, whispering, "It will be alright," as she transfers those little hands to his strong ones. Then she climbs up, buckles in and reaches an arm to help. And Seryth? She's watching everything, her eyes pinned on the scene, but likely has a word of warning for her friend about tricks.
Siebith snorts as he turns his head to look down at the twins. That's just his way of saying hello. D'had holds their hands while he waits for Thea to get in place and once she's ready and says the word he's gathering those little straps from Muir and Marella with a strict warning to stay where they are before he turns his back on the pair to hand up the straps. Once Thea's set for the toddlers it's Marella who's handed up first.
The pair have big eyes for Daddy with that stern warning, though Muir is too busy snorting back at Siebith in imitation of his greeting than run around like he usually does. Thea leans down to take the straps, affixing them to the loops behind her, the clink of metal loud in the quiet of the clearing. They'll all be where D'had can keep an eye on them, well able to lean forward and see the expressions on little faces without having to turn around. She reaches for Marella, lifting her into place, twisting to place the girl directly behind her. As the toddler is seated astride runner-style, she laughs, delighted and squeals, "Cutie!" while bouncing up and down. Thea chuckles, "He's not a runner, hon," as she buckles her in carefully, checking the straps twice before she's satisfied and peers down at D'had with an "Okay."
D'had just shakes his head for Marella's exclamation upon finally sitting astride the blue. When Thea's satisfied with their daughter he's lifting Muir up to her and swinging into place himself. Taking care of his own straps he leaves Thea to the boy's. "We're right here," he reminds them. "You hold on tight." It’s not until that's said and then a few seconds more that Siebith stands and walks a few steps further away from the weyrbarn. They're trying, but the launch into the air still comes with a bit of jolt.
NOW Thea gets nervous, turning to eye the pair of young ones behind her, guiding Marella's arms around her waist and Muir's around Marella. Then she reaches back to tweak D'had's sleeve with a silent request that he wrap his arms around them all so the children will feel more secure. Muir is oddly silent as he's being settled, but when Siebith rises and walks he crows, "Fly!" rocking back and forth as if urging the blue to go faster. That launch though. It causes both children to go, "Ohhhh!" in unison as their eyes get bigger than they've ever been. Seryth, of course, waits until the blue is up, then follows off to one side where her wings won't cause too much backwash.
D'had does just that, wrap his arms around them before they take off. Once in the air it's just a few good pumps of his wings and the blue carries them up into the air. Not too high just yet, but that first turn to circle around the meadow that comes only a second after that 'oh' of the twins isn't exactly as smooth as Seryth's might have been and Thea might well notice the tension in the man as he concentrates on keeping this flight smooth…ish.
Thea tries to relax, her face showing nothing of her concern - for all three behind her. And she tries to make her glances back there as casual as she can lest the twins get the feeling something is wrong instead of relaxing. Cheerfully, "See the playground?" She points it out to the twins even though they're not so very high above it and both dark heads turn to see, Marella is awed into silence but Muir laughs, "Slide Beth!" Sensing her weyrmate's tension, Thea reaches a hand back to patpat D'had's thigh, rests it there in silent support as she closes her eyes briefly. "Seryth helps," is all she can say.
Siebith doesn't need encouragement that's for sure, but that's just what Muir is giving him with those squeals of excitement. That's the part that had D'had the most worried before take off. Sure it's a joint effort between the two of them, but there's a pattern to their flight and this is a change from it. It’s not exactly easy. As for her comment on Seryth's help he replies with a simple nod despite the fact that she probably can't see it, but then Seryth can pass that along too.
"He's too big to go down the slide, sweetie." Thea has to laugh in spite of the fact that D'had's challenge is the part Thea didn't get until now. Since Seryth is passing on the effort it takes to inhibit Siebith, there's a very thoughtful look on her face and a questioning glance back at his rider. Is he okay? The twins, for their part seem fine, looking down at the treetops passing under them, the Weyr, whatever they're flying over. Marella finally finds her voice and says, "Up so high!" to which Muir crows, "Up!" pointing at a wing of dragons doing a high-level pass far above them.
D'had is okay, now whether he'll still be okay by the time they touch down… Well that's another question all together. When she glances back his eyes are closed as he tries to keep up the real control of the flight and not just go to that place. When you've spent more time with your lifemate than not it becomes something of an autopilot effect. Up!? Well that request they oblige, the blue shifting abruptly upwards.
"No, but when your bigger you can-" Siebith's shift takes Thea by surprise, but since she's already got her hand braced behind her on D'had's thigh, she doesn't squish the twins, though he will feel her surprise in the tightening of her fingers. She did not expect this! The children are fine, it seems, although D'had will feel Marella's arms about her mother tighten and hear Muir's exclamation of triumph, thinking Siebith is obeying -him- but Marella's scolding, "Nono Muir, it's daddy's dragon!" The silver lining? At this age they have no concept of fear. Or danger. Behind them Seryth grumbles in a hope-you-know-what-you're-doing sort of way and follows.
A sudden shift up, but not a sudden climb at least and while they do go higher its not too much higher. One more circle about the meadow, maybe two or three, and then D'had gives the warning, "Time to go down." Whether the twins are happy with that or night they're headed back to the ground. At least it's not the nosedive Siebith has tendency to make when doing so. Then again it’s not exactly the slow and graceful circle downward of others either.
"I in the sky!" is Marella's sing-songed commentary as she tips her head back to see the blue above them better. Muir has let go of Marella and put his arms out - it's a very good thing his mother doesn't see that! "Yes, I think that's enough for today," she agrees with D'had in hopes of cutting off any protests, but surprisingly there is none. It's a wordless squealing from the twins in stereo as they descend. D'had has likely lost circulation in his leg with the grip Thea has on it, just waiting for them to realize this is scary after all. Not that she is, mind.
D'had is a bit more relaxed once they're back on the ground. Siebith touches down with a thud and lumbers back to their wallow outside the weyrbarn where he hunkers down to let his passengers off. D'had remains in place, dropping his arms from around Thea and the twins to give Siebith a pat on the side of his neck with one.
All the squeals and laughing at the landing is, at least a cheerful sound, but Thea isn't looking as pleased as she might. Leaving D'had's poor leg (possibly bruised) alone, she's very quiet as she begins undoing clips and buckles, telling the twins what good riders they are and if they're good for the nannies they will ride another time. "Tomorrow?" That's from Muir, but he isn't asking mommy. He's tipping his head back to seek daddy's face with an upside down gaze and bright hope lighting his young face.
D'had chuckles as he looks up from unbuckling his own harness, far too amused by the boy's simple question than he perhaps should be. "We'll see," he replies simply, "We'll see." Which they both will likely learn soon enough means probably not. That said he swings down, letting Thea undo the buckles that hold the twins in place and hand them down to him.
The look Thea gives him for that 'we'll see' is unreadable; but she'll be talking to him about this - and his relationship with their son. For now, she's clearly troubled, but not arguing as she hands them down. Though. Muir will be nothing, if not persistent. And ask his daddy every day likely until he gets him to take him up again. If only for a glide above the treetops. See, mommy's dragon? To him doesn't exist.