When Ages Pass

Only my collaborator and I know it all...there's too much for it to be posted here, but here's where we left off:

The youwarkee grinned, "I'll bet that'll surprise him, Assai."

Rose was feeding Aldric, cooing to him lovingly as she made faces at the baby. She didn't seem to inclined to join in the conversation.

Rose Dark Thorn
"He'd better hope he doesn't go that far," Kira said in a matter of fact kind of tone. "I know he cares and loves Lonikie, but that doesn't give him the right to snap at me just because she can't take a joke."

dragondancer
Rose sighed, "You certainly are a lot more gloomy when Zale's about. I think we should forget about that wet towel and enjoy the time we have with each other. He's an idiot to speak like that anyway..."

Rose Dark Thorn
Kira sighed heavily and looked up at Rose apologetically. "I'm sorry, Rose, I'm just tired of it. I've been very understanding over all of this. My patience is growing thin."

dragondancer
Rose grinned from ear to ear, "Want me to take care of him for you...?"

[dragondancer] Rose Dark Thorn
Kira chuckled as she looked at Rose fondly, and winked. "Will you let me have the last hit?"

dragondancer
The dragonian grinned as she shrugged gently, "Only if I get to keep this little charmer a bit longer!" She cooed to Aldric again and sighed, "He's going to take after his father..."

[Rose] Kira Giggled a little at that, drossing her legs as she looked down at Alessa. "I wonder what Alessa will turn out to be like. It'll be nice having another Drez running around." She grinned a little, glancing at her husband lovingly.

[dragondancer] Drez was making faces at Mabel, tossing her up and down, much to the child's delight. He looked at Kira for just a moment and winked before going back to his daughter. "Ha-weeeee!" he raised her up again, matching her pitch as she screeched with glee.

[Rose] Kira could hardly keep herself from laughing. He was such a blessing; a wonderful father, and a wonderful husband. She wasn't sure where she would have ended up without him.

The dragoness sighed contentedly, looking at Rose once more. "It may be a slight chaotic thing though; having two of him to reek havoc." She giggled at such a thought.

She glanced at him once more, her smile widening as Mabel continued on with her laughter. She really had the perfect family now. It was all she'd ever wanted.

[dragondancer] Drez fell backwards, raising Mabel in the air over him, "You're flying!" he cried gently as Mabel's arms went in front of her.

He glanced at Rose for a moment before raising his head to look at Kira, "Go ahead and go enjoy the day with Rose. I can take care of these little imps for a day. You two need some time to spend together. It's not like she's around every day like myself!"

[Rose] Kira smiled at him appreciatively before she glanced at Rose. "Think you can separate yourself from the little muchkins for a while?"

[dragondancer] The dragonian laughed, "Of course! You're as much of an importance to me as these little ones! Come on. Let's go see what's happened with the newest returning youwarkee!"

She paused once Kira shut the door behind them, "...Do you think Beija is interested in someone yet? It seems as big a part of the youwarkee homecoming as anything else...well, except Ali, but she's different."

[Rose] Kira couldn't help but chuckle softly at that. "You think everyone ends up with someone immediately after they arrive home?"

The dragoness shook her head. "Took Drez weeks to convince me of anything, but anyway...I don't know. I doubt she took the time to search for anyone."

[dragondancer] Rose grinned, "I think that Rayne find it a little odd herself...I heard Eyrion claim it took him nearly two decades to convince her to marry him...let alone let him within range of her spear."

[Rose] Kira giggled silently. "It did take him that long, actually. He was after for near ten years before she let him that close, and then it took him another twenty or so to marry her."

The dragoness shook her head as she stepped off the stairs and walked toward the kitchen. "I swear youwarkee's have the oddest luck with romance."

[dragondancer] Rose followed the dragoness down the stairs with a grin on her face. It wasn't until they got to the kitchen that she remembered what they were doing.

[Rose] Kira peeked into the kitchen for a moment, hearing faint voices at the door, before glancing at Rose. "I'm not sure if we should go in."

[dragondancer] "His dead," Beija growled, slumping into a stool without looking at Rayne, "That's all there is!"

The youwarkee sighed, "Did you even want to come home, Beija...?"

"No."

It was quite and Rose shook her head, this was just silly talk. She could feel the desire in Rayne to hug her daugher...and the indifference in this new youwarkee.

[Rose] Kira sighed softly to herself, looking at Rose with some sadness in her own gaze. "Alydee was worse."

[dragondancer] Rose looked at Kira quietly for a moment before pulling her away, "Let's not bother them yet...I think Beija will stay. Just not willingly right now."

[Rose] Kira nodded in agreement and followed Rose away from the kitchen. "We should fine another way to occupy ourselves. Maybe we should go and catch up with Fritz!"

[dragondancer] Rose smiled as she followed after Kira. Whatever Fritz was doing was bound to be interesting. Well...unless Rayzel was there. Rose could feel a sort of odd heaviness to that particular youwarkee.

[Rose] "I haven't spoken to Rayzel much," Kira started to chatter randomly. "She's an odd sort, but she's sweet. I think Fritz is fond of her." She grinned at Rose as if she should know what she was talking about.

[dragondancer] Rose shook her head, "I don't think Fritz thinks like that. I get the sense that he thinks of her more as a sister or something...a charge..."

[Rose] Kira clasped her hands behind her back and looked ahead in thought. "Perhaps, but...you know, sometimes feelnigs are buried deep."

[dragondancer] The dragonian nodded, "I think the problem is that he hasn't discovered his feelings yet. They act so much like an old married couple as it were...I think he doesn't see what's right in front of his face.

[Rose] Kira nearly burst out into a fit of laughter. "I think someone needs to help them...um...get it moving?"

[dragondancer] Rose sighed, "I don't know, Kira. I don't like to meddle..."

They'd reach the backyard by then and both girls looked about to see if they could find Rayzel and Fritz around.

[Rose] "Well, if someone doesn't, then they'll most likely never admit to each other, let alone themselves, how they feel," Kira said offhandedly before spotting Rayzel and Fritz by the lake. "There they are!"

[dragondancer] Rose frowned for a moment, "I don't really know if we should interfere, Kira. What if they take it the wrong way? I'm only here for a day and they could be angry at me for an entire month before I could even try to remedy it."

[Rose] Kira smiled at Rose quietly. "I didn't say we were going to do anything drastic. I also didn't say we would do anything today."

The dragoness waved at them when they saw her. "Maybe I can find someone else's help. In any case, Fritz doesn't get angry easily anyway."

[dragondancer] Rose frowned sadly at that. "...You mean..." she looked at her friend with a hurt look, "You don't want me to help...?"

[Rose] Kira grinned a little, laughing quietly. "Oh, Rose, you silly girl. I didn't say that. I was just taking into consideration that you're only here for one day. You can help, but it doesn't seem like you want to."

[dragondancer] Rose nodded, "I don't want to do something I'll worry about for the next month before I can find out what happens. Well...not with someone as dangerously unpredictable as Rae."

[Rose] Kira nodded, glancing at the girl for a moment. "What do you feel from her, anyway? I've been wanting to ask...Like, aura wise...does she feel...familiar?"

[dragondancer] The dragonian shook her head, "Like Aunt Rose. But that just doesn't make any sense..."

[Rose] Kira smiled slightly and nodded. "I know...It's odd, isn't it? Come on." She sprinted over to them soon after, greeted Fritz with a sisterly sort of hug. "Hey, you two."

Rayzel smiled, nodding politely before looking out over the lake again for a moment. She wasn't quite sure what to say...

[dragondancer] Rose watched Rayzel carefully for a moment. "...You don't know what to say...do you..." She spoke softly as she moved just slightly away from Kira and Fritz--closer to Rayzel.

[Rose] Rayzel glanced toward Kira's friend silently for a moment, her face having taken on a completely apathetic sort of look. "I don't really have anything to say."

The youwarkee stared at the dragonian a while later, feeling some sort of burning deep within her that caused her to furrow her brows and look away. She shook her head a little before glancing at her again. "Being near you makes me feel...odd."

Kira watched them silently for a moment before glancing at her brother momentarily. "I'm not the only one she reminds of someone, am I?"

[dragondancer] The dragonian sighed, "Would you prefer I left then? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

[Rose] Rayzel watched her closely for a moment. "You don't feel it, do you? Aren't you supposed to be an empath? I figured you'd feel it."

Kira arched a brow for a moment. How could Rayzel have known Rose was an empath? She glanced at Fritz, wondering if he might've told her, but he merely shrugged.

[dragondancer] Rose smiled faintly, "What I feel and what another feels is not the same thing, Rayzel. And yes, I am an empath."

The dragonian glanced at Kira and Fritz for a moment before turning back to Rayzel. "What sort of feeling is it?"

[Rose] Rayzel frowned for a moment. "Something like...a kind of 'poke'...in my head, like something is trying to tell me something, but I don't know what. I don't even know how I know anything about you." She glanced at the dragonian for a moment. "It feels like I should recognize you somehow."

Kira looked at Fritz again, tilting her head to catch his expression. Usually, nothing really showed on his face. Their father rubbed too much off on him. She looked at Rayzel again, wondering if, perhaps, she had taken a soul they had once known.

[dragondancer] Fritz watched Rayzel and Rose for a moment before turning to Kira curiously, "Rae's always reminded me of Mother...."

[Rose] Kira nodded slowly as she watched the two for a bit more before averting her gaze to her bother's eyes. "But how can that be? I saw her spirit...when I ran away from the wedding. I went back there; all of them were there."

[dragondancer] The elfing shrugged, "From what I understand...Rayzel doesn't have all of Mother's spirit. Else she might not have dealt with me as well as she has."

[Rose] Kira nearly laughed, slapping her head over her mouth for a moment before letting it drop. She was grinning at him a little. "Oh, come on, you weren't that hard to handle as a kid. The twins and I were much worse."

[dragondancer] Fritz smiled as he shrugged, "I think it's more like she wouldn't have taken too well to me trying to train her for all these years. She's quite stubborn regardless..."

They'd moved a short distance away from the two by now.

[Rose] Kira crossed her legs where they sat once more, smiling to herself. "Mother never liked to be controlled. I remember she almost bit Father's head off when he tried telling her what to do."

The dragoness grinned slightly before shaking her head. "Maybe Rayzel didn't rebel because she knew it had to be done?"

Kira had half a mind to confront Fritz about what he felt for Rayzel, but she wasn't sure it was the right time. "What do you think of her anyway? You spent years with her. I only spent maybe an hour around her."

[dragondancer] Fritz shrugged as he sat down in the grass. "I don't know...when Rayne first asked me to take Rae in...I was terrified."

He laughed quietly as he plucked an errant flower Rayne must not have noticed, "Then she grew up and I sort of felt like a father or something...I was pretty close to killing anyone that tried to harm her...."

[Rose] Kira grinned a little. "That's sweet. You two seem really close. I could tell she liked sticking by your side most."

The dragoness glanced at Rayzel from the distance momentarily as she continued to speak with Rose. "Why were you so afraid though?"

[dragondancer] The elfling looked at Kira incredulously, "You're kidding...isn't it obvious? She was a kid and I was suppose to take care of her. I had to feed her, cloth her, teach her right from wrong. I wasn't exactly planning on parenting a child...moreover, a youwarkee!"

[Rose] Kira arched a brow. "Are you serious? Rayzel said she was home while she was a child, and when she was old enough, Rayne sent her to train with you." The dragoness shook her head. "I think you've got a little bit of rethinking to do, Fritz."

She smiled at him with a little mischief glinting in her eyes. "At least you've got some practice for when you settle down though."

[dragondancer] The elfling laughed, "I didn't mean she was a baby-baby, Kira. But she was still a child."

He twirled the flower in his hand for a moment as he thought to himself. "...And I don't know if I'll ever settle down like you, Kira. Most of the girls I meet aren't my type."

[Rose] Kira tilted her head a bit, smiling all the more. "Fritz, did you seriously think I ever planned to settle down after what happened to me? Not on your life. Drez tied me down before I had a chance to really protest. Granted, I'm not complaining, but still."

The dragoness closed her eyes for a moment, laying back against the ground as her hair splayed out about her form. "The person for you is always right under your nose, Fritz. You never expect that sort of thing, so never say never."

[dragondancer] The elfling smiled a little as he glanced at Kira. "You're thinking of Rae. Forget it, Kira...Even my clarvoyance hasn't told me as much."

[Rose] Kira opened her eyes and looked at him, trying not to laugh. "Well, let's face it, Fritz, you can't know everything, can you? She might surprise you, but then again, maybe she's afraid." She slid her hands behind her head and sighed. "Our mother was terrified, so what makes you think you would be able to see it? She hides it well, but I've seen the way she looks at you."

[dragondancer] Rolling his eyes as he'd seend Rayne do so many times, he flopped back and tucked an arm under his head. The flower was still held in his other hand as it waved about over his stomach. "I don't suppose you're going to let it rest then, huh?" Fritz sighed as he tossed the flower into the calm waters next to them.

[Rose] "Darling, men are oblivious to what a woman feels half of the time, do you seriously think you know everything going on in her head?" Kira sked as she watched the flower float aimlessly. "Our mother wasn't the easiest of people to understand, you know that."

The dragoness glanced at him for a moment. "I've often wondered though. You and Mother had always been so very close. It's a little odd that you're the same with Rayzel, but then again, not so odd at the same timr."

She smiled a little, shaking her head. "I can't help but wonder what attracts you so...to women like our mother." She glanced at him to see the look on his face, and she grinned. "In any and every aspect, includinf romance, but not just based on that."

[dragondancer] "Kira!" Fritz balked.

Rayzel and Rose turned to look at them curiously for a moment as the elfling's face turned bright red with embarassment.

[Rose] Kira slapped her hand over her mouth, giggling in to her hand before she regained herself. "What!? I'm just honestly curious about it, that's all! I don't know why it'd make you so embarrassed...unless..." Her brows arched as a hint to what she was thinking. "Seriously though? Were you really?" She glanced at him with honest curiosity in her eyes. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."


Rayzel arched a brow as she watched the two quietly, wondering what Kira could have said to get Fritz blushing redder than she'd ever seen. She had never accomplished such a feat; not even when he'd accideantally walked in on her while she'd been indecent...

The youwarkee shook her head of such thoughts, frowning to herself for a moment before averting her gaze back to Rose. The feeling hadn't gone away. "They were always close, weren't they?" She asked before her gaze went to the lake once more.

[dragondancer] Rose nodded quietly for a moment, "Siblings that live together normally are. But Kira used to pick on Drez and Fritz a great deal when they were younger."

The dragonian sighed sadly, "I wish I could have been there for Kira..."

[Rose] Rayzel looked at her curiously. "Been there? When? Do you meant after the incident...where the demoness took over?" She'd blurted it out without even thinking.

[dragondancer] Shaking her head, Rose glanced at Kira for just a moment. "I died long before she left the forest."

[Rose] Rayzel arched a brow for a moment, completely taken aback. "Died?" She furrowed her brows as she looked the girl up and down. "I'm sorry, but I'm really not following you at all."

[dragondancer] Rose sighed as she fell back to look up at the slightly cloudy sky, "I was killed when a demon came into the forest. Probably partly my fault what with the fact I wasn't wary of the demon in the first place...I ought to have been."

With a shrug, she closed her eyes and let the sun soak into her for a moment in silence, "...My death set off a great deal of change in the forest. I don't think anyone can find the cottage now...well, besides Kira and myself, that is."

[Rose] Rayzel thought upon it for a while before saying anything. "I know Kira was possessed, and that the demon killed her loved ones there with Kira's own hands. That's all I know." She glanced at Rose, frowning. "But how can you be here now if you're dead?"

[dragondancer] The dragonian grinned at that as she rolled over to look at Rayzel directly, "Rayne."

She rolled back onto her back as if that one word ought to be answer enough.

[Rose] "Oh," Rayzel replied a bit blandly before casting her gaze toward Kira and Fritz once more. "I'd really like to know just what Kira could be saying to Fritz to make him blush so red."

[dragondancer] "Love, marriage, life..." Rose shrugged nonchalantly, "Take your pick. Kira's most likely talking about those. I can sense that all of those could make Fritz blush like that."

[Rose] Rayzel looked away and down into her lap, letting her hair frame her featured while her look was unguarded. Was Kira trying to set Fritz up with someone? Alydee, perhaps? She frowned a little, her fists clenching between her knees. She'd better not. After all, it would be hell to see him going around with some floozy...

[dragondancer] Rose couldn't help her chuckle, "I can tell you're getting jealous. Does he really mean that much to you?"

[Rose] Rayzel snapped her gaze up to Fritz once more for a moment. "I would rather you keep that bit of information to yourself, and not say such things so loud," she snapped in a hiss-like whisper. "If you're an empath, you already know the answer to your question anyway."

[dragondancer] The dragonian smiled all the more as she looked up into the skies, "I just prefer to have someone say it out loud. Simply acknowledging that I know it isn't going to help any. And, just so you know, I think Kira's interested in trying to get Fritz with you."

[Rose] Rayzel stared at Rose in utter disbelief. "You're not serious!" she practically yelled. "If I wanted that, don't you think I would have SAID something by now!? Okay, fine, sure, I'd LIKE it, but there's no point to it if the legends are going to take it all away, so I may as well keep quiet!" She was blushing beet red by that time.

[dragondancer] Rose sat up slowly as she listened to Rayzel yelling. She glanced at Kira and Fritz for a moment before placing a calming hand on the youwarkee's arm, "A little louder and I think even Rayne will hear you, Rae."

[Rose] Rayzel waved her hand dismissively, growling to herself. "Mother already knows, and it's not like I made it blantantly obvious about what I was speaking of. No doubt Fritz will ask me about when we're alone, but it's not like I can't shrug it off."

The youwarkee eyed Kira carefull for a moment, noticing that the dragoness was staring back. "She'd better not try anything. It's not like that will ever happen. Fritz thinks of me more like a daughter than anything else."

She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath before letting it out and standing up. She started to walk away without another word. She wasn't in the mood to continue this conversation.


Kira watched Razel walk away from Rose silently for a moment. "You know, I bet Rose mentioned that I was talking about her crush on you. I bet that's why she freaked out."

[dragondancer] Fritz looked at Kira curiously for a moment before shrugging, "I don't think it's really possible, Kira. Rayzel and I have been living with each other for years now. I suppose she could assume her feelings towards me are more than just roommates and comrades."

[Rose] "And I suppose you think it's impossible for Rayzel to feel that way, since you had a crush on our mother, huh?" Kira said, shaking her head. "You're impossible, Fritz. She basically just blurted it out before she left. She just didn't say it outright."

[dragondancer] Rose came over and sat down on the other side of the elfling. There was a slight grin on her face, "I think I sort of goaded Rae into that. She's going to deny it though."

Fritz looked at the dragonian curiously, "Deny what?"

[Rose] Kira fell onto her back laughing. "Fritz, I already TOLD you what!" She glanced at Rose with an equally wide grin. "Tell him. He won't believe me."

[dragondancer] The dragonian shook her head and eyed Fritz carefully, "My telling you that Rae loves you isn't going to convince you is it?"

The elfling shrugged as he scratched the back of his head, "That she thinks she loves me? I'll believe that. But you can't possibly be serious that she actually loves me for truth."

[Rose] "Fritz," Kira sighed as she rolled her eyes. "Rose is an empath, darling. I'm sorry to say it, but I highly doubt she's wrong, so you mgiht as well swallow it, digest, and accept it. Then, you should figure out how you feel and go from there."

[dragondancer] "I all ready know that one too," grinned Rose as she plopped down to look up at the clouds, "You just don't want to believe that you like her just as much."

[Rose] Kira grinned a little, giggling to herself. "You can't fool an empath, Fritz. It's time to stop trying to fool yourself. You two need to work it out at some point. It seems like Ray's just afraid of losing you is all."

[dragondancer] "More like thinking the legends will take him away," mused Rose with a slight pout, "I just don't get it. Why would Rayne put you two together and then not even hint at them getting together or whatever? Do you think each youwarkee chooses their mate on their own?"

[Rose] Kira shrugged. "I think some people are just fated. Why do you think Drez and I had puppy love since we were kids?"

The dragoness glanced at Fritz for a moment, shaking her head with a slight smile. "One of them HAS to make a move somehow...but I think Ray might resist as much as possible."

[dragondancer] The dragonian shrugged, "But I can't help but feel as if Rayzel's refusal just might make it impossible. She's a youwarkee, after all, and quite a stubborn one at that!"

[Rose] Kira smirked slightly. "Then we'll have to get help from one equally as stubborn, if not moreso."

[dragondancer] Rose's eyebrow raised up as she shifted to look over at Kira, "And who is that?"

[Rose] Kira looked at Rose quietly, smiling deviously before standing up. "Go and look for Ray, Fritz. Rose and I are going to seek help, so don't say I didn't warn you!"

The dragoness skipped over to Rose, pulled her up, and led her back to the Inn. "Alydee," she finally answered once she was well away from her brother.

[dragondancer] "Oh no!" Rose stopped right her, forcing the dragoness to come to a complete halt, "I don't think so!"

At the quizzical look on Kira's face, Rose tried to explain herself better, "Haven't you noticed Ali's attitude towards Fritz...?"

[Rose] Kira stared at Rose for a moment before shaking her head. "She's not even spoken to him, Rose, how could she like him yet? That's not like her at all, and I've known her for years. Sure, she might think he's attractive, but it's not half as serious as Ray's feelings."

[dragondancer] Rose shook her head, "That's not the point. What if she does want to have a go at him?! It might make the two of them even worse off than what they are now!"

[Rose] The dragoness rolled her eyes at Rose. "Sweetie, you worry too much." She waved her hand in dismissal. "Fine, I won't ask her for help, but if she flirts with him, THAT will make things worse too, or didn't you already know that?"

[dragondancer] The dragonian sighed as she followed Kira to the scroll room. That was where Alydee would most likely be after all...especially what with the fact that she had a lot of learning to do before she took over.

[Rose] Kira walked up the stairs, humming to herself quietly before she knocked on the door. She knew Alydee was most likely busy, but that didn't mean she couldn't check up on her, did it? Well, not unless she was turned away.

[dragondancer] Rose sighed as she followed Kira into the room. Alydee was at the table, listening to what Rayne was saying. They both stopped to look up at them. Rayne smiled at them and glanced at Alydee, "I told you it wouldn't take long, Alydee."

[Rose] Kira tilted her head for a moment at them both, smiling a little. "Take long for what?"

[dragondancer] The youwarkee grinned, "I knew you'd get that sort of match-maker feeling, Kira. I've always seen it in you. I was hoping you could help Alydee out with it actually...."

There was a shout from down the hall and Rayne sighed, "I'll leave you three alone. I believe Eyrion is doing something in my kitchen again..."

Alydee rolled her eyes and shook her head as she watched her mother leave. She sat down on the edge of the desk and sighed, "Mother is insisting that I get married."

[Rose] Kira arched her brows. "Really. Well, I'm not sure I know anyone right now that really suits your personality, Ali." The dragoness shook her head as she sat down beside her friend. "I think you might be a toughy to match."

She smiled a bit and sighed. "Anyway, it's not like you need to have children as soon as possible. That can wait. I just think Rayne is a little over the top sometimes. I mean, she would get so excited at times...when I would allow Drez closer to me...but he had a god awful time convincing me to finally let him be my mate..."

Kira shrugged a bit, grinning at Alydee. "You're quite capable of finding your own match. These things take time, after all."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee sighed, "She was talking about what would happen when my children took over...can you imagine that, Kira?" she looked at the dragoness in disbelief, "Me? Having even one child?"

[Rose] Kira smiled at Alydee in understanding. "And you think I ever thought I'd become a mother back when Drez was still trying to convince me to be his?" The dragoness shook her head. "I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant with Mabel. I didn't even want to think about it."

The dragoness looked out the window in front of the table in a dreamlike state. "You'll be helping me with my children eventually, Ali. It'll give you some practice, so don't fret."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee laughed at that. "Yes, and from what I understand, I'm also going to be deciding their schoolings. Can you believe that? Actually deciding a child's training even before you know them in person? ...I don't know if I'm all that cracked up to be the leader around here. Maybe Drez would be a better choice..."

[Rose] Kira grinned a little, laughed softly at the thought. "Drez trips over his own feet when he's excited, Ali! Do you seriously think he can handle training our children without getting himself killed?"

[dragondancer] Rose chuckled, "You're the only one for the job, Ali. That's all there is too it. But that's not why we came. We have some other people in mind right now, right Kira?"

The dragonian gave Kira a wink before turning back to Alydee, "Rayzel and Fritz."

For a moment, the youwarkee looked at both of them as if they were daft. A slow smile crept onto her face as she finally started to shake her head and a shaky laughter bubbled past her lips, "That is a feat I don't know if even we can handle!"

[Rose] Kira grinned excitedly, hopping up and down in one place for a moment. "We were talking to them earlier. Fritz just won't admit it to himself. Rayzel...well, she's a whole other story. She's afraid she'll lose him to the legends."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee cocked her head to the side in confusion, "That doesn't seem right. As far as I know, no mate to a youwarkee has ever actually died before the youwarkee...well, unless they're a youwarkee as well, and that's obvious..."

[Rose] "Well, you know, fear sometimes outweighs logical sense," Kira replied, shrugging her shoulders. "We'll just have to make Rayzel see that she has nothing to be afraid of."

[dragondancer] "There's a lot to fear in love," stated Alydee matter-of-factly, "I mean, seriously, you'd have to be insane if you got into a relationship without at least a moment of fear..."

[Rose] Kira nodded. "I was terrified, we both know that. In any case, she needs to overcome it if she ever expects to live a happy life."

[dragondancer] "Do you think she can?" inquired Rose curiously, "I mean, her feelings are really strong. And she's just as stubborn as Aunt Rayne and Aunt Rose."

[Rose] Kira smiled at Rose deviously. "Ali and I wouldn't be born if they hadn't cracked. Rayzel can crack too."

[dragondancer] "Nor I," mused Alydee with a grin, "I think we can do it, but it's going to most likely take a lot of time...and effort on our parts. Any ideas?"

[Rose] Kira crossed her arms, letting her thoughts roam a little. "Hmm...Somehow, I think we need to really let Fritz hear it...so he'll actually believe it. I wonder if getting Rayzel jealous somehow would help..."

[dragondancer] Alydee eyed Kira carefully, "I doubt that would help. Rae isn't the easiest to convince. Especially with the fact that the only way we could control that is if one of us were to flirt with him."

[Rose] "Rose and I wouldn't be able to..." Kira smiled, shrugging. "Rose is only here for one day, and Ray knows I'm married."

[dragondancer] Alydee raised an eyebrow at both of them for a moment. They weren't thinking she'd do it were they? "...Then what suggestions do we have?"

[Rose] Kira chuckled a little, shrugging. "Well, if you don't want to do it, we can think of something else."

[dragondancer] "...Excuse me?" the youwarkee raised an eyebrow at her, "Do you seriously think I'd do something like that? ...I mean, think about what Mother would do and say over it! She'd assume I'd found a mate and...Gods...I don't even want to think about it!"

[Rose] Kira shook her head, laughing a little. "We'll just tell her you haven't! She most likely knows about Ray'z feelings anyway, so I doubt she would think you were after him."

[dragondancer] "Gods help us if she doesn't," mumbled Alydee as she sank down into the chair under the desk. "I suppose you'll expect everything from fauning over him to kissing him...especially in front of Rae..."

[Rose] Kira bit her lip to keep from giggling. "Well, not sure about kissing, but do whatever you think you can handle, if you're up for it."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee shook her head, "Gods help me for saying yes..."

[Rose] Kira clapped her hands, grinning excitedly. "Now this will certainly be interesting. Come on!" The dragoness headed out of the room in a sort of skip.

[dragondancer] Rose grinned from ear to ear as she watched Alydee slink out of the room. The youwarkee might as well have been reeking with dread and intrigue. She couldn't hide it from her that she was at least a little curious about the whole thing!

[Rose] Kira looked about the inn for a while, wondering if Fritz had gone to find Rayzel after all. "Last I saw of them was outside in the back."

[dragondancer] "Rayzel's upstairs," Rose's words were certain as she pointed up towards the family quarters. "Fritz is down by the alcove."

[Rose] Kira smiled at Rose slightly before she nodded. "Okay, well, I suppose we should get started then!" A thoguht crossed her mind before she turned toward the stairs. "...Right after I check on the babies..."

[dragondancer] "I can go!" grinned Rose before brushing by Kira quickly, "They aren't very hungry right now anyway, but you and Ali ought to get a head start on Fritz! I'll grab Rae when I come down. Sounds good?"

She was gone before Kira or Alydee could object.

[Rose] Kira smiled, shaking her head as herself and Alydee walked outside. "I hope you're up to this. You seem a little...reluctant."

[dragondancer] "A little?" Alydee looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Do you seriously think I'm looking forward to stepping in between Fritz and Rayzel? Or that I'm going to be doing this with Mother on my back, wanting me shackled down and married? Gods, I don't know why I agreed, but you know very well I'm not backing out."

They'd reached the small tree-lined bank by the alcove by then.

[Rose] Kira shook her head, laughing to herself. "You're not coming in between them, you're helping them! And, you know, marriage isn't shackled if you love the person."

[dragondancer] "And you have to love the person first," answered Alydee sullenly, "I don't love anyone so it'd be shackling."

[Rose] "Then you're not getting married until you fall in love," Kira told her confidently. "You can't have children with someone you feel nothing for. That isn't right."

[dragondancer] "I hope I get the option," sighed Alydee.

[Rose] "Ali, how could you even consider that? You have plenty of time to find someone, so stop worrying about it. There's no need to force yourself into that situation," Kira said, shaking her head. "That would be awful to do; to give yourself to someone you don't love..."

The dragoness fell silent as memories came rushing back. "And I know first hand how that feels, Alydee, and I really don't want that for you."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee sighed, "I'll have to sooner or later, and I really don't think I'll find anyone anyway...but let's forget about that for now, okay? We have an elf and a youwarkee to get together!"

[Rose] "I won't let it happen," Kira decided. I'll find you someone, if I have to, but you are not going through what I did, and that's final."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee gave Kira a sour look, "Do you want me to do this or not? All this talk about me is making it pretty hard to concentrate on even getting the nerve to make a move on him!"

[Rose] "I'm sorry," Kira said, smiling apologetically. "I'll shut up." She stepped away with a silent sigh, shrugging to herself.

[dragondancer] "Gods, what am I doing," Alydee mumbled to herself, "I can't believe I'm actually going to do this...I've never done something like this...I must be insane..."

Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the line of trees and smiled at Fritz. Gods, what was she doing?

[Rose] Fritz was merely cleaning his weapons once more, distracting himself from Kira's words earlier that day when Alydee came up to him. He glanced at her momentarily, offering a nod before going back to what he was doing.

[dragondancer] The youwarkee sat down next to him and looked at all his weapons, "Ever considered getting married, Fritz?"

[Rose] "Not particularly, no," Fritz said, eyeing the youwarkee strangely. "Why would you ask something like that? Rayne bullying you into finding a mate?"

[dragondancer] The youwarkee laughed it off easily. She was quite good at that one, "Of course, but so what, right?"

She plopped down next to him and leaned back, letting the sun soak into her pale skin, "What exactly are you looking for in a mate, anyway, Fritz?" she leaned a little closer, feigning interest in what he was doing. Gods, this seemed ridiculous!

[Rose] Fritz glanced at her again, his brow arched comically. "I haven't really thought of it, to be honest. I suppose I'll know...if that person comes around."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee raised an eyebrow at him and shook her hair out behind her, "Oh come on! You have to know what you're looking for!" She pushed him gently...goading him, hoping he'd actually stop acting like Vannolyn for a time.

[Rose] "I don't spend my time thinking about it. You don't usually have the time when you're training someone practically out of diapers, you know. To be honest, I'm not really looking for anything either," Fritz replied, smiling slightly. "Do you know what you're looking for?"

[dragondancer] "Enough to know who fits the bill thus far," retorted Alydee with a wink, "Now come on! You have to be wanting something! Or at least..." she leaned closer to whisper to him, "whether you want a guy or a girl!"

[Rose] That cause Fritz to blush. "I'm pretty sure I'm more on the straight side, Alydee." He shook his head and sighed. "I bet Kira put you up to this."

[dragondancer] Alydee cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow, "How so?" Her lips played upwards in a grin.

[Rose] "She said she was going to get someone to help her make me see that Rayzel is in love with mr, and I love her, or some such silly thing as that," Fritz replied as he continued wiping off the sword his father gave him.

[dragondancer] Alydee's hand caught his as he lifted the sword, "Stop."

She waited until he looked up at her, "Now I know what you're thinking, but Kira has very little control over what I do or say. I'd rather see myself as going on my own personal wishes. So stop bringing Kira up."

Her stern words were spoken almost against his lips as they sat their together.

[Rose] Fritz drew back a little in surprise, but he merely shrugged. "Whatever you say."

[dragondancer] Rose scampered up to Kira, dragging Rayzel along. "What's happened, Kira?" she spoked in hushed tones as she finally let go of the youwarkee's hands.

[Rose] "She almost kissed him, that's what," Kira said, watching intently.

Rayzel was staring at Fritz and Alydee until Kira said that. "What? Kissed him?"

"Almost," the dragoness said.

Rayzel stared at her for a moment before she tore her gaze away, looking over at the two again.

[dragondancer] "Fritz," Alydee's voice grew softer, "There has to be someone out there you're looking at. Or else you wouldn't be trying to keep such a good distance from me. You never used to, as I recall, when I came home the first time."

[Rose] "You weren't flirting with me then, were you? I don't believe so," Fritz answered. "I'm uncomfortable with that sort of behaviour. Always have been."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee chuckled, inching closer to whisper in his ear, "I didn't know you then...what do you think I was doing?"

[Rose] Fritz winced as he drew back from her, a little irritated. "If you were, I didn't notice, but now I do, and I'm really not impressed, if that's what you were going for."


Rayzel crossed her arms, leaning against one of the trees absently as she watched, her eyes half-lidded in a dangerous sort of look. Kira recognized that look as her mother's.

[dragondancer] Rose watched Rayzel carefully, "Do you think we went to far?" inquired the dragonian as she shifted closer to Kira.

[Rose] Kira shook her head. "Fritz needs to see her like this."

[dragondancer] "I mean with Ali," whispered Rose as she pointed to the two of them.

The youwarkee had managed on riling Fritz enough that he'd turned red, though neither of them knew what she'd said.

[Rose] "If so? Oh well. It's his own fault for not listening to us in the first place," Kira said softly, grinning in amusement.

[dragondancer] "Do you think Ali's going to have to kiss him to get Rae to do anything?"

[Rose] "She'll probably storm off," Kira said softly.

[dragondancer] Rose turned just in time to see Alydee place a quick kiss on his cheek before standing up to walk away.

[Rose] Rayzel watched Alydee walk away, looking about ready to tear the youwarkee apart. Instead, as soon as she came near, she walked away. She didn't go toward Fritz, she just walked of in a completely opposite direction.

[dragondancer] The youwarkee watched Rayzel leave and she looked at her co-conspirators, "I hope it did something."

[Rose] "It got Rayzel riled," Kira said, grinning. "And Fritz, by the looks of it."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee made a couple of faces that suggested she didn't like the kiss at all, sticking her tongue most of the time, "Oi, that was not something I'll want to do again!"

[Rose] Kira laughed. "I don't blame you. He wasn't the most interested."

[dragondancer] "I mean the taste," growled Alydee as she started wiping her tongue on her sleeve, "He's all salty and he tastes like dirt and oil!"

[Rose] Kira burst out laughing. "How else would you expect him to taste?"

[dragondancer] "Something beside oil," answered Alydee as she started to walk off, "Tell me what happens, I need to go wash my mouth out."

[Rose] Kira grinned, shaking her head as she looked at Rose. "I think Ray's going to be irritated with him."

[dragondancer] The dragonian shrugged, "I think Fritz will be irritated with Ali."

[Rose] "He's already irritated with her," Kira pointed out, giggling.

[dragondancer] "More so when he talks with Rae," answered Rose with a grin.

[Rose] Kira giggled. "He probably won't know why she's so angry, which will thus further irritate him."

[dragondancer] The dragonian smiled faintly as they , "I think we might have just jumped into the fire, Kira."

She glanced to see Alydee slip into the inn, "Ali might get riled if this keeps up for too long too."

[Rose] "All the better. She might smack some sense into Rayzel if she gets irritated," Kira replied as she followed the youwarkee slowly. "I think I'll check on Drez and the babies."

[dragondancer] The dragonian paused for a moment as she thought about that, "Do you think Ali is more powerful than Rae then?"

[Rose] "Ali is the eldest. She's going to be the leader of the family. I'm pretty sure her being more powerful than Ray is a given," Kira replied as she turned toward the stairs.

[dragondancer] "I hope so..." murmured Rose as she eyed a room on the family floor, "Because I think Ray and Ali just met up."

- - -

"You will keep that tongue of yours civil if you want to keep it," threatened Alydee darkly, washing her face in the basin in her room without even bothering to look at her younger sister.

[Rose] "You are not Mother, so don't you even think about ordering me around," Rayzel growled back. "What kind of move was that anyway, huh? You were acting like some sort of floozy!"

She soon waved ehr ha d in dismissal, storming down the hall, and shoving past Kira and Rio. Gods, why did she even bother to say anything? It was pointless! She normal would have left it alone, but no! She HAD to say something this time!

[dragondancer] Alydee poked her head out of the door, feeling a sudden urge to do the childish thing and goad her younger sister on, "A better move than what you'll ever make on him!"

[Rose] Rayzel stopped dead and snapped her gaze up, growling under her breath. "And what makes you think I even want to make a move? Unlike you, obviously, I'm not so desperate for a mate that I have to hit on the first non-related male I see."

She was seething, but she continued on, storming out the door, nearly knocking Beija over in the process as she was coming out of the kitchen.

[dragondancer] "Someone's obviously moodier than a cat with a wet rag for a tail," growled Beija as she slowly made her way upstairs, ignoring the growling remark coming from behind her.

[Rose] Kira had a hand over her mouth as she watched the entire thing unfold. She had had to stop herself from bursting out into hysterical laughter as she hurried to her room with Drez and her children.

[dragondancer] Rose followed Kira after a moment of regarding Beija at the end of the stairs. The red-haired youwarkee didn't seem the sort to like talking much...perhaps she'd leave her alone for a little while. After all, there was enough moody people around right now.

= = =

For a moment, the hallway was a quiet as before. Beija sighed to herself, soaking in the peace before coming to stand before a door that she knew, even though she'd never seen it, would lead her to her rooms.

The carvings of fire about a youwarkee with wings stretched out like flowing water covered the door in a beautiful somewhat odd display. Whoever her mother had gotten to make the door had taken their sweet time...

Pull the door open, Beija took in as much of the detail to her room as possible. Everything was so...perfect. Cherrywood, polished and left almost as starked and simple as she'd ever seen adorned everything under the paler hues of beige, and light browns. This was probably the most calming sight she'd seen all day...

[Rose] Kira smiled brightly as she pulled Meira into her arms, kissing the girl's forehead as she watched Drez with the twins. "Having fun, love?" she purred softly.

[dragondancer] Drez grinned, "I don't think I could ever not enjoy being a father, Assai."

[Rose] "Well, I don't enjoy the long nights of crying," Kira admitted as she bounced their daughter in her lap. "But it's worth it in the end."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee laughed, "But you didn't mind it when Mother took care of our little imps while we went on that legend a few years back!"

[Rose] "That's only because I missed them!" Kira replied, smacking him playfully.

[dragondancer] The youwarkee tossed a pillow into Kira's face, laughing as she tackled him onto the bed. Rose watched the three children flounce slightly at the foot of the bed as their parents scrambled over each other to gain the upper hand...or whatever it was to win.

[Rose] Kira was laughing uncontrollably as she straddled Drez's lap, locking his wrists into her hands as she stared down at him. "I win!"

[dragondancer] "Do you now..." purred Drez languidly.

[Rose] Kira bent forward, kissing his lips with a purr of her own before hugging him tightly. "Yes; all mine."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee grinned as he wove his fingers behind her back and sighed, "I don't think I have any complaints about that...!"

[Rose] "You'd better not," Kira replied as she nuzzled him under the chin. "I love you."

[dragondancer] "Love you more, Assai," purred the youwarkee.

Rose grinned slightly as she slowly pulled the children into their room. Drez and Kira would most likely need some time alone.

[Rose] "Do not," Kira retorted childishly. "I'm giving up immortality just for you, after all."

[dragondancer] Drez couldn't help the frown that played over his face, "I still don't understand why you'd ever want to die. It's not like it's a pleasing experience, Assai."

[Rose] "I don't want to go on without you," Kira murmured against him. "Life, in my eyes, would be empty. You are what makes me whole."

The dragoness lifted her head to look into his eyes lovingly. "If I had it my way, I wouldn't go one day without being by your side."

Her fingertips reached out to stroke his face lovingly. "Drez, you brought me back to life...What makes you think that brightness would still be there without you here? You're the only reason any hope in life came back to me. Surely, I would have died if not for you."

She closed her eyes, kissing his lips delicately. "A husband and a wife shares everything; that is my belief. If I'm to share everything with you, Sii-Sii, I will need to become a mortal...to share death with you as well."

[dragondancer] "You're going to ask Mother to help you with that no doubt," smiled the youwarkee before sighing and scratching behind his left ear.

[Rose] "If you're unwilling to help me, then I suppose I'll have to ask her," Kira replied, dismissing the entire thing with a wave of her hand. "I'm not sure why you don't seem to want me to become immortal."

[dragondancer] "Because, Assai," Drez whispered gently in her ear, "that would mean you'd have to die one day. What if you die before me?"

[Rose] A smiled touched Kira lips, and she felt an incredible warmth leap through her body. "Are you afraid of losing me first, darling?" She whispered back, allowing her hands to run across his back soothingly. "Then...we'll wait a while...until we're sure that I won't...at least not from natural causes." She looked up into his eyes with all the love in her heart shining through. "Will it be alright then?"

[dragondancer] The youwarkee let out a light laugh before nuzzling her neck and purring into her ear, "You're really set on this, aren't you, Assai?"

[Rose] "Moreso than anything else," Kira whispered back, nuzzling back into her husband lovingly.

[dragondancer] "Well..." purred the youwarkee, "You'd best figure out how to ask her for it. I'll bet she all ready knows about it too."

[Rose] The dragoness sighed softly, twirling Drez's hair through her fingers. "There's hardly anything she doesn't know."

[dragondancer] "When are you going to ask her?" inquired Drez with a grin.

[Rose] Kira shrugged her shoulders. "Probably when she isn't so occupied with all of your siblings."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee chuckled, "When will that ever happen?"

[Rose] The dragoness laughed a bit. "A hundred years from now?"

[dragondancer] "Oh...Assai," cooed Drez, "That's so long from now."

[Rose] Kira smiled. "I was joking. I'll ask her before then."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee growled with a grin before kissing her lips, "Now that that's settled, what would you like to do, Assai?"

[Rose] Kira pondered ob Beija for a moment, looking thoughtful. "I heard your sister Beija arguing with Rayne earlier. I wonder if that's passed yet."

[dragondancer] "I doubt it," grinned Drez for a moment as he glanced towards the door. "I've never seen any of my siblings manage a fight with Mother and win. Let alone let it drop in less than a day's time!"

[Rose] Kira smiled slightly, wondering about the woman a bit. "Well, I suppose this will be a very chaotic time."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee chuckled, "Since when is it not? I suppose it's even moreso with Little Rose being about, yes?"

[Rose] "Perhaps, but I do enjoy her visits," Kira said, stretching out languidly and yawning. She was a little bit tired.

[dragondancer] "I have to admit," he rolled onto his back, "She loves taking care of the kids for us..."

He wondered where that little imp had gotten to now that all three of his children were sleeping.

[Rose] "She's always loved children," Kira replied. "It's a pity she'll never have any of her own in this life."

[dragondancer] The youwarkee chuckled, "I think she doesn't really care, Assai. She has our little ones to spoil rotten now. Moreover, she has you."

[Rose] Kira smiled slightly, shrugging her shoulders. "Do I really mean so much to her that she needs nothing els?"

[dragondancer] "For one day a month," grinned Drez, "I think it's perfect."

[Rose] Kira chuckled, bemused. "And I thought you were the only one that crazy about me."

[dragondancer] "I'm sure there's lots of people crazy about you, Kira!" He yawned for a moment, stretching before curling up around the dragoness, "Like our little munchkins next door..."

[Rose] Kira watched him silently for a moment, smiling to herself as they curled up on their bed. With a sigh she pulled close to him. "Nah, not too many..."

[dragondancer] Rose stood outside as the sun spun rainbows in the air. She sighed as her hands slipped across the freshly watered plants and the sound of horses came from the large paddocks recently added to the north of the inn. Everything was always so peaceful at the inn.