The k'niir came from the Zoorti Nebula

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Until he'd bonded Zeoloth.

Thinking of her made him glance involuntarily at the white dragon; she towered above him, great crested head some forty feet up. She was only medium-sized for her kind, but the Caer's dragons were of a large breed, with long legs and longer spaded tails, and huge, wide-sailed wings. And Dakaelin - Dakaelin who had been only thirteen at bonding, really rather young to partner a dragon - seemed so at ease with her, sitting casually astride her back, as if he was not a good thirty feet up.

Yes, Zeoloth had changed a lot of things, though she'd only been a hatchling when she and Dakaelin had met. That excursion into the mountains had had a truly unexpected result; it was then that Dakaelin had discovered and rescued the pale dragonet trapped by fallen rock. And then he'd become a dragoner, and had drawn away unintentionally from his friends, as he entered the adult world.

He doesn't mean to exclude you, Zeoloth told him softly, and he almost jumped in surprise, for it was exceedingly rare for any dragon to speak telepathically to anyone other than their rider.

"I know," he told her, and somehow, his uncomfortableness decreased. "It's just that I always wanted..."

"And you will come with us, Kin'," Dakaelin finished for him - which wasn't quite what he'd been about to say, but... it would do. One thing was for certain; he'd never again be bored if he flew with his friend.

"Bored? With us? Kinseyll, you belittle us!" Zeoloth exclaimed, but her tone was amused. Her rider laughed, and leaned precariously over her side.

"C'mon, Zeo', give him a hand up," he directed, and the dragoness held out a forearm for Kinseyll to step onto. He did so; and then he was suddenly rising, and Dakaelin was pulling him up to the white dragon's back. He took his place behind the whiterider, and nudged his friend.

"Hey - Dae, you never said where we're going."

The darkhaired boy turned to look at him, concern written upon his features - and then he cracked, breaking into an impish grin. "Not a clue, Kin'. 'S'that okay with you?"

Kinseyll shrugged, returning his friend's infectious smile. "Sure - as long as we have that straight."

"Then let's fly, Zeoloth!"

Perhaps Zeoloth had the same idea; she glided smoothly into the water, leaving a trail of rippling wavelets. "The water's warm, too," she told them, in pleased surprise, relaxing further into the waves, so that her wings trailed through the water.

"You're getting us wet, Zeo'," Dakaelin protested half-heartedly, frowning slightly. Kinseyll grinned at his expression, and slid down the white dragon's side, into the water. The cool wetness shocked him into a startled exclamation; water filled his mouth, and he surfaced abruptly, spitting salt. His friend laughed unsympathetically.

"S'your own fault, you know."

He shrugged, paddling langorously to keep himself afloat. "It's not that bad - once you get used to it. Why don't you come on in?"

"No thanks." Dakaelin gave the water an unhappy glance, and edged further up his bond's neck. "I never liked swimming."

Kinseyll smirked, exchanging glances with Zeoloth. "You think...?"

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I do indeed. Ready?"

He backpaddled quickly, away from her body. "Go ahead."

Dakaelin looked between them, frowning in confusion. "What..." And then his words were muffled by water, as the white dragoness submerged.

"Hey!" The young rider pulled himself free from the riding harness, kicking away from her sinking form. He mock-glared at Kinseyll. "You're a bad influence, you know that?"

"You too," Kinseyll responded cheerfully, and the two watched the large form that drifted upwards, finally rising from the water beside them in an eruption of water. Zeoloth exhaled sharply and looked down at her rider, obviously quite pleased with their trick. "Good idea, Kin'," she approved, lips curled in a draconic smile.

Dakaelin pouted. "It was not. You got me wet!"

"Welcome to the club!" Kinseyll enthused, just as Zeoloth replied, "Love you too, rider-mine."

Careful claws raised them dripping from the water and deposited both upon her back; Dakaelin tried to sulk, and gave up, finally grinning. "Well... it was a pretty good idea - but it should have been mine."

Zeoloth rumbled with laughter; Kinseyll grinned, and clapped his friend on the back. "I knew you'd see it our way."

"You two can dry off on the beach," Zeoloth suggested, looking ahead to the blank-sand beach that curled around the edge of the island. At her rider's nod of agreement, she swept through the water, half-flying half-swimming, surprisingly gracefully for her size.

"Thanks, Zeo'." Dakaelin leaned against her next, gripping a ridge for balance. He jumped lightly down when she landed upon the beach, eliciting an odd look from Kinseyll, who turned questioningly to Zeoloth.

"How'd he do that? How is it possible to fall thirty feet and land standing up?"

The white dragon chuckled. "All one needs is lack of thought."

"Really? So if I don't think about getting hurt, it won't happen? That's very... interesting, Zeo'."

Dakaelin glanced up at his bond's jibe. "That was uncalled for, Zeo'. I swear, you two are out to get me."

"Interesting idea, Dae," Kinseyll teased. "Hmm, Zeoloth?"

But the white dragon's eyes were locked on something above them; she did not look at either boy, and when she spoke, her telepathic voice was soft.

No, Dae... but he might very well be.

"What?" Dakaelin, less cautious, spoke aloud; Kinseyll hissed a warning, and the young rider finally looked up, following the gaze of his friend and his bond. "I see."

Kinseyll stared up at the shadow on the heights above them; a tiny dragon whose presence was none the less menacing. Its black hide shone, opalescent; but it seemed almost insubstantial - except for the ring of serpentine heads that wreathed its neck.

"I don't think we're on Alskyr any more," Dakaelin murmured, voice oddly high; Kinseyll would have laughed if the situation had not been so serious.

Abri, Zeoloth whispered into their minds. It is in his mind, she added, a breath before either human could question her.

Dakaelin had backed up, until he stood between his dragon's forefeet; she glanced protectively down at him, and Kinseyll found himself longing once more for a bond of his own, for one who would feel as he did. And then he wondered, wrily, whether he wanted anyone to know how frightened he was; for there was no doubt at all that the black... creature had seen them. The red eyes of the dragon's head, narrowed in dislike, burned into his own; in the silence, the angry hissing of the serpent's heads could be clearly heard.

The dragon spread dark, shadow-wings, seeming to be about to leap down upon them; and then a black-garbed boy appeared over the ridge. He appeared younger than either Dakaelin or Kinseyll; and yet the black dragon allowed him to place a hand upon its shoulder, to mount to its back. He spoke to it in a sibilant language Kinseyll did not understand; several of the snake's heads hissed a reply, and then the dragon disappeared.

Zeoloth bugled alarm; and then several things happened in quick succession. The many-headed black reappeared scant ten feet from them; the white dragon reared, and grabbed for her rider, lifting Dakaelin to greater safety. Her sudden movement threw Kinseyll from her back; he found himself falling but had only an instant for fear before he hit hot black sand, curling instinctively to protect himself. Dakaelin's cries and Zeoloth's deafening bugling reached his ears; he straightened, slowly, and looked up into seven pairs of eyes, each narrowed maliciously.

And what have we here? the dragon growled; Kinseyll had the impression that it spoke through clenched teeth. Its minor heads had no such inhibitions; they hissed noisy assent, snapping angrily at Kinseyll. A tressspassser? He sshall not ssstay long.

"I am inclined to agree, Veepa," the boy commented, voice cold. He slipped down from the dragon's back, striding over towards Kinseyll. "Who are you, and why are you here?"

Kinseyll rose, rubbing bruised limbs; he returned the boy's stare, determined not to look away. "I'm Kinseyll of Alskyr, and my friend is Dakaelin, white Zeoloth's rider. We are visitors to your world." He paused for a moment, assessing the one who faced him. He couldn't be old enough to be a threat; it was only the dragon who need be feared. "Who are you to replace hospitality with threats?"

The boy's eye's flashed angrily. "Do not question me!"

"The hydragon's rider is called Anaelauddyhenantaolosael," Zeoloth announced unexpectedly, eliciting a glare from the boy.

Kinseyll thanked her mentally and silently, his outward attention never leaving the boy. "Aneladdeningtosal?" - purposely mangling the name. "Can I call you Annie?" he drawled insultingly.

Anaelau's face darkened even further. "I would not suggest it if you want to preserve your miserable life."

Let him insssult usss if he isss fool enough, Veepa suggested, baring teeth in a menacing smile. I am rather hungry, and I have not tasssted human flessh in sssome weeksss.

"A good idea, Veepa," Anaelau' agreed, also smiling. "Or... I could test the fire-spell upon him."

"Spell?" Was there magic on this world? And how could this boy use it? Magic was a trait of the gryphons! But he could not afford to let Anaelau' see his confusion. Slowly, he began to back up; a thought had occurred to him, and he hoped desperately that Zeoloth would understand his plan. If she couldn't rescue him from whatever attack the black hydragon and his rider planned - well, he didn't want to think about that.

But she too was now backing towards the water, wings beating slowly in an attempt to be unobtrusive. Comforted, he laughed - rather forcedly, but it had the desired effect on Anaelau'. "Magic? You? No human can use magic!"

"You dare to call me human? I am a poltergeist, mortal; and Veepa and I are far stronger than you'll ever be!"

He was backing up faster now, and behind him, Zeoloth was airborn. Anaelau' seemed not to notice, but his black had; he followed the boy as a predator stalks prey, step for step.

Water swooshed around his feet; he moved into the shallows until the black, too, stood in the water. And then, quietly, he challenged: "Prove it."

"I will!" the spirit screamed; lightning unleashed itself from his hands, and Veepa swam aside to let the bolt fry the human who defied them.

Faster than poltergeist or hydragon could react, Zeoloth dragged Kinseyll from the water; a horrible hissing followed by a many-headed scream of pain was filled his ears just before the teleport took them away from the world.

Kinseyll sighed. "I think I just saved our lives."

"What! Kinseyll, that was not the time for a flaming joke!" Detachedly, he decided that he'd never seen his friend so angry - and realized that Dakaelin had been scared.

"Of course I was scared, you flaming idiot!" But he rose, letting Kinseyll up; the glance he shared with the white dragoness suggested that Zeoloth had told him off.

"Leave him alone, Dae. He's right."

Dakaelin glared up at his bond. "Zeo'! Who's side are you on?"

"The side of the one who is right," Zeoloth replied quietly, surprisingly calm. "Dakaelin, listen to me. That was a hydragon - a half-breed hydra -"

"And it tried to flaming eat Kinseyll!"

... Dakaelin was worried about him?

"And Veepa's rider, the poltergeist - he is equally dangerous, if not more so. Kin'?" She looked inquiringly towards Kinseyll, and he nodded emphatically.

"He tried to fry us, back there, as I wanted him to - don't look at me like that, Dae, I only wanted him to try!"

"Which he did," Dakaelin grumbled, but his voice was softer.

"Yes, he did. In the process, I believe he electrocuted his hydra rather badly."

"Hmm?" It was Zeoloth's turn to look at him. "I don't think I quite followed your logic there, Kinseyll."

Kinseyll grinned wrily - now that they were safe, he was rather proud of his reasoning and the fact that he'd been brave enough to foil Anaelau'. "He did have magic, and quite a lot of it, I'd say. You saw the lightning bolts he threw at me, right? Well, I was in the water."

"Oh!" The dragoness began to smile. "And Veepa ducked the lightning - but he didn't get out of the water in time."

"So the lightning electrocuted everything in the bay," Dakaelin finished; his frown had faded, and he watched his friend with some admiration. Suddenly, he began to laugh. Kinseyll stared at him.

"I'm sorry, Kin' - but that's a heck of a lot of fried fish!"

"Crystal Space," the white dragoness replied promptly, causing her rider to frown in alarm.

"Er, Zeo', you didn't see that in another dragon's mind, did you?"

Zeoloth chuckled. "No - it's written on the sign over there."

"Huh?" Both boys looked up, at a large blue sign, brilliant against the snow that blanketed the landscape. Dakaelin grinned, embarrassed. "Oh, yeah, right."

"There is, however, a dragon -" She twisted around to look at them, and burst out laughing at their expressions. "But considering that she's pure white and fairly angelic looking, I doubt she'd going to want to kill us on sight..."

"Well, that's a relief," Kinseyll commented, just as his friend nearly screamed: "Zeoloth!"

"Aside from the sword," Zeoloth finished, rather more meekly.

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Excuse me?" The dragon whom Zeoloth's sharp eyes had distinguished had come close enough that she no longer blended in with the snow; her voice was icy, and considering her expression and the fact that her eyes did not leave Dakaelin, it seemed likely that she'd heard his shouted threat. The young rider eyed the sword that she carried, gulped, and slumped lower in his riding harness.

Her eyes narrowed; she stopped to address them, remaining at a distance. "I felt your coming to Crystal Space and came to welcome you to our planet; but if your intentions are so violent, I will warn you that you will be punished soundly if any inhabitant of this world is harmed." She ran a claw along the edge of her blade, and it rang metallically.

Kinseyll stole a brief glance at Dakaelin; his eyes were wide, and his lips moved wordlessly. Feeling sorry for his friend's plight but a bit smug that he himself had maintained a calm facade, he strode through the snow to meet the dragon, hands open and outstretched. She was tall than he had thought upon first glance; though she did not have Zeoloth's staggering height, she stood upright, and was easily twice as tall as he himself.

"I apologize for my friend," he told her, speaking quietly but clearly, and choosing to ignore Dakaelin's indignant sputtering. "He's just had a very traumatic experience; he did not speak to you, but to the white dragon his rides, and I assure you that he did not mean it and would not have spoken thusly at all under normal circumstances. The last dragon whom we met tried to kill us; he has not yet gotten over that, and I ask you to forgive his behavior."

"I see..." The feathered dragon's eyes were still wary, but she lowered her sword, to Dakaelin's clear relief. "If you indeed come in peace, know that none here will harm you. You are free to visit our world, ..."

"Kinseyll," he supplied, quickly. "My companions are Dakaelin and the white Zeoloth."

"Then I welcome you to Crystal Space, Kinseyll. I am Kynthia, keeper and guardian of this world." She did not mention Dakaelin; but then, it would have been rather unreasonable to expect her to trust one who had recently been yelling death threats, sincere or otherwise, so quickly.

So he merely nodded, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Kynthia. If you do not mind me asking - what may we find on your world?"

"Many of my friends dwell here, as do several native species. The wolves and silisis represent the canine family; there are also the Tilnoom dragons and their relatives, the elementals. All are capable of bonding to those who are responsible and loving, and who will provide the care they need in order to leave Crystal Space." She studied him for a long moment. "I think - that you are worthy of bonding, if you are interested in doing so."

"Thank you," Kinseyll repeated, rather surprised. She nodded, and disappeared into the snow.

There were dragons in Crystal Space... and Kynthia, keeper of the world, who would surely know if anyone did, thought that he could bond? That thought had startled him, and this realization was also a little surprising. For hadn't he at first envied Dakaelin his Zeoloth?

But though he'd dreamed of bonding - and hadn't every child in the Caer? - he'd felt, somehow, that he would never be a dragoner, when the bondsearchers never gave him a second glance. And then Dakaelin had found Zeoloth - so perhaps the searchers weren't infallible. And yet, he had thought, if he was meant to fly, wouldn't a similar miracle have united him with his bond?

So he hadn't really thought that he would ever bond; and once he'd flown with Zeoloth and Dakaelin, he no longer envied Dae his white, though dragons of her color were among the rarest of the dragons. But they were right together, and they were together, despite the jokes, despite the teasing that Zeoloth often supported him in.

A new thought, indeed, and a pleasant one.

Smiling to himself, he trudged back through the snow to his friends.

"Consider the debt canceled," Kinseyll told him airily. "I wouldn't be here at all if it wasn't for you and Zeo' - and I'd much rather be getting you two out of trouble than be stuck cleaning the Caer."

"Well, you are good at it," Dakaelin allowed, and then he gave his friend a scrutinizing stare. "Hey, what's so great about here - aside from the fact that you seem to have talked people out of killing us, for which we're very grateful."

Kinseyll smiled. "There are dragons here, Dae - and Kynthia, the world keeper, said that there's a chance I could bond!"

"Really? Hey, that's totally awesome, Kin'!" Dakaelin beamed; Kinseyll observed with a touch of humor that his face would surely crack... He wondered whether or not Dae would ever be so fatuous, and decided that surely he was just putting on an act.

"I mean, that'll be like, so like superbly cool, you know what I mean?" the young rider continued without taking a breath.

"I'll drop you in the snow if you don't stop it," Zeoloth threatened, lifting a forearm to pull her rider from her back. Dakaelin giggled madly and ducked her groping claws. "Besides, people who say 'like' every third word do not possess words like 'superb' in their vocabularies."

"Yeah, good point." Dakaelin considered. "I'll have to work on that."

"... I'll help you push him in the snow, Zeo'..."

"I think I'd like to try for an elemental," he said thoughtfully, flipping through the book that told the history and information known about the various breeds of dragons.

"Why not one of the Tilmoon dragons?" Dakaelin queried. "You could have a silver or a gold or - white leopard!"

"No, Dae!" Kinseyll told him, rather more forcefully than he'd intended, and the young rider shrugged. "Well, okay - hey, there are demon dragons, and... What on Alskyr is Egypt?"

"I have a feeling it's not on Alskyr," Kinseyll replied, grinning. "But I think... Maybe a Celestial or Electric. The Celestials are known for being extremely loyal and responsible - and they're supposed to be lucky, too. The Electrics are friendly and more playful - and they love to fly, especially during storms." That elicited a wince from Dakaelin; maybe he was remembering their last encounter with lightning. "I can imagine that living with one of them would never be dull."

"So what's the problem?" Dakaelin asked, puzzled. "It sounds like you found a couple of great dragons."

"But I can't choose!" Kinseyll complained, sighing. "I'd love any dragon - but I need to apply for a certain type."

"Take both," the rider suggested, shrugging. "Problem solved."

Kinseyll stared wide-eyed at his friend. "You think I could?"

Another shrug. "Why not? Crystal Space doesn't have the same basic laws - and anyway, Kynthia likes you."

"That wasn't what I was worried about - I don't know if I could cope!"

"Sure you could, Kin'. You've fought magic and defeated a hydra - this can't be harder." And with that dubious reassurance, Dakaelin strode off, seeming to believe that he'd come up with a good solution to his friend's problem.

He closed his eyes and tried to relax - an effort not aided by the two large and rather hard objects that impacted with his chest moments later. Frowning, he rose, and was unsurprised to meet Dakaelin's laughing eyes. "Congratulations, bonder!" the rider told him cheerfully, seeming unperturbed by Kinseyll's expression.

How had Dakaelin known? That was unanswerable, and so he did not struggle long with it. Instead, he picked up one of the things that Dakaelin had tossed at him -

It was a dragon plushie; heavy-duty gold cloth covered firm stuffing, creating a creature that was not only a good replica, but also realistically heavy. The other was of similar construction, made with blue cloth.

"These things are flaming huge, Dae," he commented finally; an undebateable statement, since each plushie was fully half-again the length of his torso. The whiterider grinned, obviously pleased with himself.

"They're dragon playthings, silly. And I think - I'll hope - that your dragon will be bigger than you - or I don't think you'll be flying far." His grin widened, and Kinseyll winced, knowing that expression. "That isn't all I bought, either - but Zeo's carrying my other purchase."

Right on cue, the white dragon appeared; she poked her head around the corner, and then stuck a forearm into Kinseyll's room, being rather more careful to deposit her burden a safe distance away. Kinseyll's eyes widened, and he mentally thanked Zeoloth for her good since - for Dakaelin's second present was a huge stuffed cushion - a dragon bed.

He gulped, and looked over at Dae, who was now positively smirking. "Huge? Did I say these were huge? I stand corrected."

The dragoner chuckled. "Like I said, Kin'... Dragons are big."

As it had happened, the whiterider and his bond had disappeared shortly after delivering their unexpected presents; although Kinseyll was a trifle lonely, being the only one of his race on Crystal Space, he was grateful for the fact that Dakaelin hadn't been around when he'd received the eggs - he was certain that his friend would have complicated things. Now that he was more or less settled, he'd be better able to cope with Dae's reaction when he and Zeoloth returned...

Speak of the devil? an amused voice queried into his mind, and he almost jumped. "Zeoloth!"

She chuckled. None other.

"I thought..." He trailed off. He'd had no idea where Dakaelin had been, really.

My beloved rider thought that a slight excursion might relieve the tedium of waiting, and... Oh, am I not supposed to mention that, Dae? She spoke to her rider, but made her thought heard to Kinseyll as well, and he grinned, slightly.

No, I really think he'd prefer some warning to your surprise... I can't tell him that, either?

There was a long silence, as if the young whiterider had tried to bodily silence his bond, and then Zeoloth's mental voice returned once more. We're back on Crystal Space, and Dakaelin should be there any second, she told him shortly, and severed their connection.

"What?" He hadn't really been listening, but trying to figure out her 'surprise' comment; what did Dakaelin have in mind that the white dragoness did not agree with?

He rose and went to his door, slowly turning the knob. Before he'd gotten it open enough to peer out, he was bowled over, the breathe knocked out of his chest.

A dark-haired boy bent over him, eyes bright with laughter. "Boo."

Kinseyll mock-groaned. "Dae, get off, you're killing me..."

"Nonesense." But Dakaelin rose, helping his friend to his feet. "Zeo told me that your application for bondership had been accepted, so we came back to congratulate you..." His gaze fell upon the pair of eggs, and he whistled in surprise. "Two! So you did take my advice!"

Though I can't imagine why you'd do that, Zeoloth commented.

He shrugged. "Yeah, me either. But... at least I'll be different, right?"

"Somehow, Kin, I can't imagine that being a problem," Dakaelin told him. He knelt beside the large orbs, running a reverent hand over the smooth surface of the darker egg. It was tinted deepest blue, and spangled by white-hot-glowing stars. It seemed to hold all the darkness and at once all the light of space.

"That's a Celestial egg," Kinseyll told him, taking pride in his friend's admiration. 

The whiterider nodded, approving. "You have good taste." He looked towards the other egg; its violet-black surface was streaked by white marks like wild and jagged cracks. "And this is Lightning?"

"Electric," Kinseyll corrected.

"Close enough..." A sudden tapping issued from Dakaelin's tunic, distracting him from the eggs, and he nearly jumped, and then grinned, embarrassed. "Oops, sorry..." He pulled a pair of quivering orbs from a pouch, and thrust them at Kinseyll. "Here - in honor of the occasion."

Kinseyll took them gingerly. "What..."

But at his touch, both eggs cracked in a tangle of horns and wings; he disentangled them and found himself holding a pair of creatures that resembled caerlizards more than anything else he could think of. But the colors... One was a vibrant blue flamed with aquamarine, while the larger of the two was a light spring green dappled with white. Both had spiralling horns that, he found, were surprising hard for hatchlings.

"They're beautiful," he told Dakaelin, and watched the rider's face light up. "What are they?"

"K'niir," his friend told him, clearly pleased with his gift. "What are you going to name them?"

"Name them? Oh... right." He looked between them, shrugged. "K'Tiiri, T'Hala."

"So which is which?" Dakaelin wondered, laughing.

Had he really heard it? He lay between the rock-hard eggs, listening. The noise of the night made concentration difficult, but...

Clearer, louder: crraaack, and he was sure he'd heard it this time. He ran a wondering hand over the Celestial egg's smooth darkness, and touched something softer of the same deep blue. The egg shivered, and the rift that he had felt ran through it, lengthening, until two perfect halves fell away, and the dragonet stood free.

Her hide was shadowed midnight that at once shone, moon-like; wetly shining wings were sailed in deep gold. A stiff crest of silvery-grey fur ran down her back, and softer fur of palest gold covered her belly. Her tail curved around a star, and the marks of the stars and moon shone upon her body.

I am Sulavuus, she whispered, voice low and sweet, with the softness of the night. But you knew that, Kin, didn't you?

He smiled, and ran a hand through her silky fur. "Of course, Sula." And though, a day ago, he would have given anything for her love, it was not so unbelieveable now, merely right, as if he had been completed.

Not yet, Sulavuus laughed, and they both looked towards the other egg.

But it lay still and dormant, and the Celestial lay her head against its roundness, listening intently. Carefully, she ran a golden claw along its length, and the egg split open, revealing a brilliant golden male. Lightning markings ran down his body; his tail was tufted with fur. He picked himself up with dignity, and looked to Kinseyll. I am Ksivaltaa, and you are mine!

And mine, the calmer Sulavuus added, amused. He was mine first.

Ksivaltaa looked at her, annoyed. It's your fault my egg cracked, isn't it?

Lazy, Sulavuus teased, but her tone was affectionate.

Kinseyll looked between them, and smiled.

Exactly. Apparently, Zeoloth was disturbing people.

Zeoloth?

Well, Dakaelin was disturbing people. Zeoloth was just... big.

No kidding. ... But, why there? Wouldn't you think even Dakaelin would remember almost being eaten?

Oh, the black one's gone, Zeoloth says. And it is the Haven - and they are tolerant enough to put up with Dakaelin.

I suppose that would cinch it...

Kinseyll looked between the dragons, frowning. He knew very well the question they wanted, and was not at all inclined to ask. When he did, they would demand that he go with them to... wherever Dakaelin had ended up. And, remembering the trouble that the whiterider seemed to have a talent for finding, he wasn't at all sure that he wanted to be there.

Still... they must really want to go, considering that Ksivaltaa, who usually found discussions pointless and boring, had agreed to help Sulavuus with her persuasion. And that in itself was unusual, because the two were more inclined to banter playfully than work towards a common cause.

He felt eyes upon him, and looked up; both dragons stared pointedly at him, silent. He sighed in defeat. "Fine, you win."

Sulavuus' eyes were wide and innocent and seemingly uncomprehending. Ksivaltaa did not look at him.

"And I bow to your powers of persuasion!"

That's better, Sulavuus smiled into his mind. Now, we're going to Abri. Want to come?

"Hmm, Sula?" he asked drowsily, and was answered by a ripple of her amusement.

Ksivaltaa must be rubbing off on you, she commented, laughing good-naturedly.

"Nonesense," he argued, and then had to suppress a yawn.

You shouldn't have ridden the lightning with Ksiva. I did tell you so.

Kinseyll shrugged. "It was fun." And it had been - for while he usually rode the steadier Sulavuus, flying with the Electric Ksivaltaa was exhilarating - when, that is, he could be roused to fly at all. The golden dragon tended to laziness, but he would always rise to fly with the lightning, miniature bolts arcing between his wings in response to the charged air.

Exhilarating or not, you frankly sound hung over, Sulavuus informed him.

"Sure you weren't a bit jealous?" he teased, ignoring her jibe mostly because she was right. He had felt high on flight, electricity, and life.

Now there's a Dakaelin-ism for you. She gave him a long look. Besides, it was cloudy.Why should I want lightning when I have the stars?

"Sure, Sula." He turned away from her dark eyes, into his pillow.

Speaking of Dakaelin, Kin, I woke you up to tell you that Zeoloth and her rider are coming... They should be here and moment now.

"Sulaaah!"

His cry awoke the golden dragon, who opened a sleepy eye to look at his rider. You scream like a girl, he observed.

And you snore like a wher, Sulavuus retorted promptly. Go back to sleep, Ksiva.

Nah - Kin's too loud. Ignoring his rider's indignant protests, he rose, stretching langorously. What's up?

The stars, the Celestial dragoness responded promptly.

Ksivaltaa gave her a condescending look. What ails our beloved rider?

Dakaelin's coming, Sulavuus told him shortly.

Ah. And this has caused our rider's shrill agitation?

"I am not shrill!" Kinseyll exclaimed loudly.

The Electric dragon looked down a look draconic nose. You most certainly are.

"Yeah, well, you rumble!" Kinseyll frowned up at his dragons, who exchanged amusedly tolerant glances. "I hate it when you talk over my head."

"Ksiva's right, Kin. That was most definitely shrill." The door swung open to reveal a familiar, dark haired figure.

Although I didn't know Ksivaltaa knew any long words... Zeoloth mused, sticking her head around the corner of their weyr.

Kinseyll stared at her, and put his hands to his head. "Too many dragons talking to me..."

The sudden movement woke the k'niir who curled around his shoulders; blue-streaked K'Tiiri chattered annoyance, while the green-dappled T'Hala perched on her bond's shoulder to deserve the newcomers.

"What's wrong with Kin?" Dakaelin inquired, looking expectantly at the two dragons. 

They exchanged glances. Ksivaltaa was being difficult, Sulavuus replied finally.

I didn't wake him up! the Electric dragon protested.

A point, Sulavuus conceded. They shared another look, and announced in perfect syncopation: It's your fault!

Dakaelin's eyes danced. "If I plead guilty to that, can I share my good news?"

"Good news! at this time of the morning? Unlikely." But Kinseyll sighed and waved him on. "Go ahead. I'm sure you'll tell me anyway."

Dakaelin beamed. "I'm going to be a father, Kin!"

What? The Celestial dragon blinked, nonplussed.

He said that he's going to be a father, Ksivaltaa told her, regarding Dakaelin through half-closed, amused eyes. Except... I was pretty sure Dakaelin swung both ways...

Ksiva!

Kinseyll rolled his eyes at them, exceptionally glad they spoke only for his hearing. Nevertheless, he was inclined to agree with Ksivaltaa, and besides, Dakaelin was what, eighteen?

"Something wrong with Sulavuus and Ksivaltaa?" the younger rider asked, and Kinseyll shook his head quickly.

"They were - asking me to pass on their congratulations," he lied blithely, to Ksivaltaa's great amusement. "So, congrats, Dae. Er - who's the mother?"

"The lovely Kelsyriah." Dakaelin's smile broadened.

... She's the one who rides Ditz, right? Ksivaltaa said finally.

Ditzth, Sulavuus corrected automatically.

Yeah, yeah, same difference, so they all have -th names - no creativity. But, I mean... I feel sorry for the kid.

I'm no Psychic, was Sulavuus' contribution, but, Kin, I have a feeling you're going to be doing a lot of baby-sitting...

Probably not. Kelsyriah's child is due in two weeks, and I think Kinseyll's busier than the parents.

That wouldn't be hard. Dakaelin's only... 

Hovering?

Humans can't fly.

You knew what I meant. ... But really, this is ridiculous. Why must he renovate our weyr?

Kinseyll looked briefly up from his work. "Because it needs it. Because I don't think you two are about to help. Because no one else will. And last but foremost, because, as you said, Kelsyriah's nearly due, and I highly doubt either she or Dakaelin has been getting ready, and their kid will probably be virtually living here."

Take a breath, Ksivaltaa advised.

So... This wouldn't be a good time to tell you. I told you so, Ksiva...

Kinseyll whipped around to glare at her. He caught the golden dragon's eyes, frowned, took an exaggerated breath, and resumed glaring. "Sula. You are going to tell me whatever important information you and Ksivaltaa are hiding. You are going to tell me now, and you are going to stop playing games."

Oooohh! Ksivaltaa trilled in a mocking falsetto. Someone's in a bad mood... He glanced at the dark dragoness; there was complete and utter silence for a moment, and then both boke into uncontrollable laughter.

... We were wondering if you'd ever take a stand, Kin, Sulavuus said once she could speak again, but she was smiling at him. Seriously, though...

She reached into a shadowing corner of the weyr, and swept something out with a deft movement of her tail.

And Kinseyll stared, speechless, at a starry, lightning-lanced egg.