Sionnach (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Get out of here already!" Riley teased as Andre seemed smitten with her at the moment. "You only came in here because you knew I'd be naked."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Fine, fine," Andre laughed, stealing one last kiss before he slipped out of the washroom and headed down to help Sam.

Sam had made sure Fiona and Soma were settled before putting his own things away, and then his attention had turned straight to his forge. Even though he knew they'd only be there for a short while before heading to the Voya, he desperately wanted to lose himself in his craft again. And with Andre coming to learn and help, Sam was able to get right back into metal and leather work as soon as his forge was up to temperature. The ring of Sam's hammers could be heard outside on the southern part of the estate, but inside the house it was too dulled to be of bother.

Soma, in the meantime, took a short break before going out to rejoin Idunn and talk with her about her options. She was free, but he warned her against the dangers of the greater world.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona had change into more comfortable clothing, a loose dress that didn't have a bit of armor involved. It was liberating as she grabbed a cane and set about a walk around the property. It was mostly to clear her mind but also to check on the dragons that lived there. She hadn't spoken to Gaiann or Rikke in ages. She was sure that Sveri was growing by leaps and bounds. It was all so normal.

She paused when she saw Soma with Idunn, the elder dragon dwarfing her son but Soma acting fearless none the less. He had grown so much since the scared little toddler that he had once been. She was proud of him for finding his meaning in life.

 

[KieranSoares]

As Soma perched on Idunn's arm, it was clear that the two had struck a friendship already by how comfortable they seemed. In truth, Idunn was somewhat young for an Elder Dragon still, and had missed out on centuries of life. Despite being fully-grown, she still thought and felt like an energetic young dragoness still experiencing the world, so she and Soma fit together nicely.

As Soma noticed movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned his gaze to Fiona and smiled, giving her a wave before turning his attention back to the dragoness. Idunn nodded to Fiona as well, but she seemed enraptured by something Soma was saying.

When Fiona continued on, she found Invah curled up with Gaiann, but no sign of Rikke around. She was likely in Sweden still with Dzana and Sveri. Schaller had curled up in his corner of the grounds, fast asleep already, and Marth wasn't far off, doing just the same.

When Fiona drew near the dragon couple that were like her adoptive grandparents, Gaiann lifted his head with a smile. "Hello, little kit," he greeted, stiffly rising and limping forward to greet her with a gentle nuzzle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You move like me now, old man." Fiona said with a smile as Gaiann greeted her with his familiar limp. "I guess I can't make fun of you anymore."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've been limping around for twenty-odd years, little Fox. You'll be back in top shape much sooner." He chuckled and curled around her, Invah watching with a serene little smile, though she seemed to look worried as well.

"We wanted to talk to you, Fiona..." Invah began, sounding almost guilty. "I... don't think I'll be able to join Sam in Scotland."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Why?" Fiona asked, suddenly concerned for Invah as she mentioned that she didn't think she would be going to Scotland. "Are you alright?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm fine, but... Well." Invah sighed, "I realized on our way back that... I'm going to have an egg soon."

As a mature dragoness, Invah was still in her prime, while Gaiann was a fair bit older and beginning to come to the end of his own. But the look on her face told Fiona right away that this development was by no means planned.

"I don't think I have the mental fortitude to fight while carrying an egg like you, my love," Invah told her apologetically. "It would probably be here just after we made landfall in Scotland anyway... and I can't subject a fledgling to a war. I've been trying to figure out how to tell Sam... He needs to know soon, so he can find and train with another partner. I've thought of Gaiann and I taking Glaynviahr's duties as defender of the Voya so he can go, but... he's not a war dragon."

"I think we should ask Dzana," Gaiann offered to his mate, and Invah's brows furrowed in worry.

"Gaiann... we can't ask that of her."

"We could look after Sveri. And with Rikke's help we'd be able to manage two little ones easily, if Dzana agreed. We could always try asking that new Elder, but... well, she seems a bit out of place."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You sly old dragon." Fiona said, looking up at Gaiann with a grin. "And you were the one giving me a hard time about having a baby at my age."

She looked at Invah as she heard her regret at this turn of events, but Fiona was very peaceful about it. "I'll talk to Sam about it all. You have a lot on your own mind at the moment. If Dzana won't agree to it, which she might not, we can make a trip to the haven to see who there might be willing. I would want the both of you to stay in Sweden where the Voya can help you with a baby."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's my plan," Invah nodded with a sigh. "I'm sorry to throw one more problem on the pile."

"It will give you the time to sit still and be at peace a while, seeing as these little humans are always busy gallivanting off somewhere," Gaiann teased gently, returning to his mate to curl around her.

"I'm not sure I remember how to sit still," Invah chuckled quietly, still a bit forlorn. "And who will keep Sam from getting himself killed if I'm not there?"

"Fiona, for one. And an able partner who doesn't have an egg to think about." Gaiann nuzzled Invah's face and she sighed again, tucking her head into his chest.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You both have given me far more than I ever had the right to ask for. You deserve the chance to rest together. Gaiann raised Rikke when no one else was there to watch. Invah, you have kept my husband safe for twenty years. It's about time that you found a peaceful lake and simply existed." Fiona said softly as Invah and Gaiann entwined together. "I'll take care of Sam, so rest your mind. Tonight, I'll tell him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll convince her someday that she doesn't need to feel guilty for doing what's best for herself for once," Gaiann promised, resting his head atop Invah's. "Thank you, little kit."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona gave them both a nod as she left them alone to digest the information that they would be parents again. She made her way to Schaller, easily crawling into the circle he made with his arms while he rested. He was never bothered when it was her, hardly even stirring as she settled into the warmth with a relaxed sigh.

"Do you think Dzana will fly with Sam? I wouldn't blame her if she outright refused." Fiona asked softly, keeping their conversation hushed for privacy.

 

[KieranSoares]

Eyes still closed, Schaller curled in a little tighter with Fiona near. "Dzana would make a big fuss about humans and their wars and their nonsense, and then eventually remember she's a warrior and once proudly served alongside powerful Riders," Schaller rumbled. His eyes opened as he realized he was talking about her like he might've in their younger days as mates, then smiled ever so slightly. He chuckled as he added, "She is annoyingly similar to me in that regard. An ancient grump who thinks you small folk are a lot of trouble."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We are a lot of trouble. Always wanting to kill one another over the most idiotic of things." Fiona agreed as she watched Schaller smile like a fool when he thought about Dzana. "Invah is having an egg. She feels terrible about the timing."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I thought something seemed off." Schaller sighed, lifting his head slightly. "But good. She has more sense than you to bow out." He tucked his head against her side, placing no weight against her, but holding her between his maw and arm like an embrace.

 

[heartofcourage]

"At least Sam is making us wait this time." Fiona said as she leaned her head against his maw and let out a soft sigh. "If we do end up with another child, I would like to give it your name as a middle name. Your proper name, not Schaller."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Naming a child after a stubborn, angry dragon is a good way to have another Riley," he chuckled softly. With the chill of early spring setting in, Schaller inhaled and Fiona heard the rush of fire in his chest, warming them both gently. Tendrils of white smoke drifted from his nostrils when he exhaled and sighed.

"I hope you two do get a chance at another," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Even another Riley would be perfect." Fiona said with a small laugh as Schaller mused on them having another child. "Even if it never happens, we have a good little family. Growing far too fast for my liking."

"You know, I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to retire as well. You're still father to a young dragon yourself. You should enjoy Rikke." Fiona said as he heated up his chest to keep her warm in the chill of the day.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's young, but old enough to manage. Even though I'm her father, I know she and I have very different things we're interested in doing and it takes us in different directions. But that's fine. Assuming you don't get me killed, I still have millennia left and she, even more so. I may be a thousand years old, but I'm not old. I'm not even sure what 'old' is for my kind, really."

 

[heartofcourage]

"In a thousand years you can be annoyed by countless generations of Ghis and Blackstones." Fiona said with a chuckle. "Imagine all of the aggravation that they will cause for you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll just make sure to terrorize Riley's descendants so the particularly annoying strain stays in check," Schaller grunted with a little smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh trust me. I'll start to tell my grandchildren stories of Schaller the Grump. How he likes to complain about everything. Your name will be passed down through the generations." Fiona teased him as she leaned into his warmth and closed her eyes. "Wake me in a few hours for dinner."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You assume I won't just hibernate for a month," he muttered, curling in a little tighter and half-extending a wing to help block the light and some wind from Fiona. They'd slept just like this countless times, and so it was easy to drift off.

Come nearly sunset, Fiona was woken as Schaller shifted, lifting his head with a huge yawn as Sam approached, walking leisurely across the grounds. The soot on his clothes was a sure sign that he'd been working all afternoon, but he'd already washed his face and hands.

Schaller curled an arm under his chest like a cat, unblocking Sam's way to Fiona as he spoke, "Hey ol' man. You keep stealin' my wife."

"Hardly. She can't get enough of me," Schaller snorted, smiling lightly as Sam knelt beside Fiona.

"Hiya, love," he murmured, reaching out to brush her hair back. "Siobhan practically made a feast. Gonna need help eatin' it all. Already sent Andre t'recruit Jani an' Dola too."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stirred when Sam brushed her hair away from her face, rubbing at her tired eyes and stretching as he told her that there was a feast waiting for them back at the manor. "I asked her for a good dinner. I didn't think she would go all out like that."

She took Sam's hand to stand, her cane providing her stability as she got her bearings. Looking up at Schaller, she gave him a small shrug of her shoulders.

"I suppose it's a better time than not to tell him." She murmured as she looked back at Sam. "Invah is having an egg."