Breath of Fresh Air

  • So many newbies lately! Here is a very important PSA about one of our most vital content policies! Read it even if you are an ancient member!
Noah blushed and smiled before rubbing the back of his neck. "Aw, Nuts. Do I really eat that much food?" he asked, laughing.

Axle's eyes widened, and his eyebrows raised. It was one thing to help sort paperwork. But to keep secret information safe and be entrusted with it was another thing altogether. He bowed his head slightly and nodded. "I'm . . . I'm honored you would ask that of me," he said quietly. "And yes. If everyone's all right with it, I'd be more than willing to do so." He glanced briefly around the table. "Is there anyone who would object to us hiding secret paperwork here?"

Pumpkin glanced up at Jasper with a confused chirp. Didn't Naga want to play? Wasn't she lonely? He inched slightly closer to her, but instead of batting at her, he folded his wings in and lowered his head with a soft chirp, asking permission to be near her.

The grey and black dragon relaxed a bit further and returned the movement, stretching his neck out until he gently booped Infernus' muzzle. Then he cautiously settled down in the grass right beside the pair. With the warm sun soaking into his scales, it wasn't long before he began drifting off.
 
Nel waved a hand in front of him in a shy attempt at trying not to insult the younger man, but there was still a small smile on his face. "Just, more of a taste for sweets. . ."

Lily only smiled at him, plopping her chin onto her hand and trying not to laugh again. "You have a zest for life, let's put it that way!" He did everything with enthusiasm - including eating.

"Any Upper Floaten authorities," Malia said, wrinkling her nose a bit at the idea of dealing with any of them, "And any members of the Riders Association that haven't been strictly vetted by the Grandmaster or myself. Not that I expect they will stoop to coming all the way down here to find out why some of their men are unexpectedly on leave and taking trips home. I doubt they will truly notice. Keeping track of pawns isn't really their style. It will just be a plain box or folder, whatever you think will blend into the house more, though it won't be necessary. No one is going to get past Boulder if Henry doesn't want them in the house anyway." He was an older dragon, but heavy and dangerous still. If Chaital wasn't around, he would come and guard the door if he thought anything was going to threaten Mr. Jenkins.

Jasper only shook his head for Pumpkin, moving his leg around to put his foot between him and Naga when the little she-dragon started to bristle at Pumpkin's proximity to the food on the table that could potentially end up hers. "Naga." He scolded, firmly though not angrily. "Settle. You're fine."

Nobu looked at her, making a soft, concerned sound and hurrying around her to give Pumpkin a little play bow. She didn't want to play, but he would, and if they played for a little while she might join in.

Infernus closed his eyes and gave a low rumble when they touched snouts, warm and inviting for their new friend. While Soot and Chaital napped, he would stay alert in case anything happened, enjoying the sunlight at their side but without putting his head down. If he kept watch, they could feel safe enough to rest.
 
Noah laughed and grabbed a few tarts to bite into. "Eh, fair enough. Nobody around here has a sweet tooth bigger than mine!"

"Oh! No, I meant if anyone in the family here minded if we kept secret files in the home," Axle said with a chuckle. "It could be slightly dangerous, after all, and I don't want to force everyone into taking on a responsibility they may not be ready for."

Noah gulped down a third tart and nodded. "I can handle it. Plus, with two or three resident dragons, I'd think we'd be pretty well protected here."

Grandpa Jenkins nodded as well. "An' Ol' Boulder is a real good guard dragon . . . yeh. I'd be all right. Nel? What about you, lad?"

Pumpkin wasn't worried, though, and he was socialized enough to have a proper response. He took a step back and lowered his body further, folding in his wings and chirping. But he was quickly distracted by Nobu popping over and offering to play. He squeaked and ran off with the other dragon, eager to accept the invitation.
 
Lily shrugged a little and reached to grab a couple pastries for herself and Nel with a little smile before tuning in to the rest of the table. Some serious things were happening, but she was sure that they would be back to just enjoying each other's presence soon. Malia would surely make sure the plan to save the city was put into action, one way or another.

The older woman only tilted her head a bit towards Axle, conceding the point that there might be others around who would care. Mr. Jenkins, she was sure, wouldn't, but if Noah had a problem with it she wouldn't burden the boy. The fact that Nel and the others were included in the ask was unexpected, though generous of Axle to ask. She supposed they were also in the house rather often these days.

Jasper watched as Nobu and Pumpkin scampered off, pressing his boot lightly against Naga's side until she leaned her weight into his leg, watching the others but comforting herself with his presence. When she was settled, he looked over at Axle and Malia, then Mr. Jenkins, then gave his head a little shake. "Not my house," he said a bit gruffly, wondering why they were expecting an answer from he and Lily at all. If Mr. Jenkins was okay with it, he wasn't going to protest.

Nel blinked at them all, feeling a bit lost and wondering what could really be so bad about just paperwork, but knew enough that what Malia was making happen was necessary, for the safety of others. "Rules shouldn't keep someone from helping people." He said with a little frown. Things were so complicated in Upper Floaten. There were laws and regulations in Lower Floaten as well, but they were far less strict, and as far as Nel could tell they were meant for the safety of the people. What was so wrong about riders leaving to go and get a power crystal the city needed?

Malia nodded along, a little flutter of pride in her chest at his giving nature, even though she was sure he didn't have every detail about what was going on. "It's all just politics, in the end. The men on leave are allowed to spend their time as they wish, and as they're not technically being paid to find the crystal for us - not that anyone will be able to tell, anyway - they can't be cited for working outside of any contracts. No one truly owns the land the crystals are found on, so there are no prospecting laws to get in our way. The powers that be would just be angry about us going behind their backs, finding loopholes in their ridiculous bureaucracy. They'll be thanking us when their crystal fails and we have just the replacement they need, though I'm sure once they know they'll find some way to confiscate it without any giving proper credit or payment." Payment and fame weren't their concern. The lives of thousands of citizens were more important.
 
When the entire group, one by one, more or less agreed to keeping the paperwork in the house, Axle sighed in relief and nodded. "Then it's settled. We'll keep the paperwork here. Malia, should I drop by sometime tomorrow to pick it up? Or perhaps tonight, if you'd like me to walk you home?" It was a bit of a long walk, but to spend time with Malia, it was worth it.

With that decided, Noah went back to eating and relaxing. "Hey! Do you all want to go for a swim after supper? Or maybe we could go exploring in the woods? It's been a while since I've had a chance to get out there and get to know the place," he added, popping another tart into his mouth.

Mr. Jenkins chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Sure. But I'd better go with ya - so we can keep an eye out fer snipes."

"Snipes?" Noah asked with wide eyes.

"Oh, eye. Terrible beasts that lurk in the shadows," Mr. Jenkins explained. "Long, sharp claws. Fierce eyes." Snipes weren't actually real, and while most of the group probably knew it was a wild goose chase, Noah clearly did not.
 
Malia made a thoughtful sound and considered a moment before shaking her head. "I'm not quite finished with them yet, so I'll have to deliver them to you later on - perhaps tomorrow night, if all goes well." She seemed to think about it for another pause, then gave him a knowing little smile. "But you may still walk me back, if you'd like." Far from being in any danger and needing an escort, she knew he was simply looking to spend more time alone with her, and wouldn't mind much of the same herself.

"Save some for the rest of us!" Lily teased, snatching up a second tart before Noah could eat them all, and then another to pass on to Jasper since he didn't seem keen on leaving Naga alone long enough to get one.

Nel only blinked at the group of them when the teasing started, confused and curious as he looked between Noah and Mr. Jenkins. Having grown up in a different area, he wasn't aware of many local children's stories or tall tales, but he had done plenty of walking around at night by himself and knew well enough that there were no creatures around more dangerous than dragons, most other predators scared off by their presence but for some occasionally very daring coyotes or wolves. What were 'snipes' supposed to be? The look on the older man's face had him wondering if there was some sort of joke going on that he was missing.

"You haven't heard them from your room at night yet?" Jasper asked with an eyebrow raised, catching on immediately and giving Noah a serious face. "They run their claws through the dirt when they're hunting, for leverage when they pounce. You're so close to the woods here, you probably thought it was the wind since you're so used to living so high up."

Lily rolled her eyes at them but otherwise let them have their fun as she ate her dessert and watched Pumpkin and Nobu darting around the house. If they went exploring she would make sure Noah wasn't scared, but she wasn't so protective as to steal their little prank away.
 
Last edited:
Axle smiled shyly, leaning over the table and folding his arms on it with a nod. "I would very much like to. I appreciate it, Miss Malia." Besides, he really wanted a chance to talk about Nel's adoption with her, and see how she felt about it. He assumed she wouldn't mind too much, but it never hurt to double check.

Noah giggled and waved a hand. "Hey, don't worry. My father's used to cooking for my appetite. There'll be plenty left for everybody. I promise." But his gaze went serious when Jasper and Mr. Jenkins began talking about the snipe. His eyes went wide, and he almost forgot to chew his tart. "Oh. Are they dangerous?" he asked softly.

Mr. Jenkins nodded. "Oh, yes. Very. In fact, the only thing that wards 'em off is . . . is . . . augh, Jasper, refresh me memory. Is it salt or light that frightens 'em?"
 
Malia couldn't help but smile, unexpectedly charmed by his reversion into overly polite language. He was nervous, she thought, or at least trying very hard not to be overexcited. "Any time," she said, and was almost surprised to realize that she meant it.

Nel only glanced at Lily a couple of times, wondering if he should intervene, and was discreetly waved off. It was fine to let them have their fun just a little longer.

"Salt?" Jasper gave Mr. Jenkins a little roll of his eyes, as if arguing over a fake thing made it more believable. "What are they, demons?" He shook his head and looked at Noah again, gesturing towards his own eyes. "Their eyes are incredibly sensitive to light, so you can use it to scare them off - that's why they only come out at night." He lowered his voice a little even as he leaned further forward, as if passing on terrifying knowledge. "If you go out with a lantern, sometimes you can still see the reflection off their eyes in the dark, and all you can hear are their claws dragging in the dirt as they circle around you, waiting for it to go out so they can - get you!"

He had seen Pumpkin and Nobu barreling back into the dining room as he spoke, timed his words to suddenly raise his voice and lurch forward over the table with his fingers curled like claws in Noah's direction as the two came sprinting beneath the younger man's chair and jostling through his legs as they went, and all but cackled at the way Noah jumped. He flopped back in his chair with one hand over his mouth and the other over his stomach as he laughed, breathless.

Lily chuckled a little even as she shook her head, amused by how hard Jasper had made himself laugh but mildly disapproving of his and Mr. Jenkin's subterfuge still. "All right, all right, it's not that funny."
 
Last edited:
Mr. Harn smiled gently, meeting Malia's gaze with a soft, gentle expression. She sounded as though she meant it. And he was already looking forward to walking back through the fields and forests under the moonlight with her.

Then he turned his attention to the rest of the table and had to fight back a laugh at Noah's expression. He didn't dare spoil the fun. Noah was a smart boy, for the most part, and he'd figure it out eventually.

Especially when Jasper's jumpscare sent him jumping with a yelp of surprise. Then he blinked a few times and laughed. "Oh! Oh, it was a joke," he stammered at last. "Damn, you got me good."

Mr. Jenkins burst out laughing as well. "Oh, yer face, kiddo! Forgive us. Couldn't resist."

Noah beamed and waved a hand. "No worries. I had fun." He finished his lemon tart and chuckled. "So what does everyone actually want to do after supper?"
 
Nel laughed lightly with the others, only after it was clear that Noah found it all amusing and no one's feelings were hurt. He hadn't been around a great many people his age while growing up, and it was almost strange to be around those with the sense of humor to play tricks on each other. He had a feeling he was going to have to get used to it.

More interesting, even, was that he had finally realized how Axle and Malia had begun to look at each other. He didn't see them together often, not when things were quiet and there was nothing to do, but the looks in their eyes reminded him of his parents in some ways. Affectionate was the best word he could think of to describe it, and it made him feel a strange mix of confusion and warmth. He had never known Malia to have romantic interests, and some small part of him didn't want to lose what last vestiges of her attention that he still had. But he was grown now, and he wanted her to find happiness in any way she could. He couldn't think that she would look after him forever, and he had no right to say she was being taken away from him when she had never been any family of his. It was easier to convince his brain than his heart.

Jasper's laughter trailed off for a moment, but he still sat back in his chair with his hands over his stomach like it had hurt, an uncharacteristic grin on his face. "Couldn't pass up the opportunity when Papa J set it up so well." They'd never fool Noah about something similar again, so they had to take the chance as it came.

"We could still go on a night walk if you want to!" Lily said with a smile, shrugging as if she had no better ideas because normally she would work and then go straight home with no energy for adventuring in between. "We'll have Fern, and Chaital, and maybe Soot if he wants to go, so even if there's anything out there we'll be safe." It wouldn't be quite dark for a while yet, anyway. It could be fun to go wandering together.
 
"Yeah! A night walk sounds good," Noah said with a grin. He hopped to his feet and brought his dishes to the sink. "Father? Is it okay if I wash the dishes when I come back?"

Axle just barely realized Noah was talking to him, so focused he was on Malia. But eventually he blinked and glanced over. "Hm? Oh. Yes. And I can help you with them once I return from walking Malia home."

"Sweet! Everybody else ready to go on a walk? Nel, you coming with?" Noah added, smiling hopefully.

Chaital seemed to sense things were happening. She stared through the window at Noah and the others, rumbling happily and swishing her tail. And Soot, who was quickly picking up behaviors from her and Infernus, gently nudged her face out of the way so he could have a turn to look.

Noah burst out laughing. "Oops. Sorry, Nel. Chaital taught Soot how to push."
 
Lily was quick to her feet, helping gather dishes to put next to the sink, at least, though they werent cleaning just then. When she came back she went over to Jasper's side to crouch down and look at the smaller dragons gathered near him. "Wanna come, Pumpkin?" she asked with a smile, knowing the others would follow Jasper. You can stay and nap if you want, or you can come play with us."

Malia was content, talking softly with Axle while listening to the others' voices around them, but when Noah drew his father's attention she turned back to the rest of the table, amused at Axle's distracted tone. He was very focused when he wanted to be.

"I . . . I should help clean up. . ." Nel said uncertainly, feeling strange about leaving a mess behind for others when usually he would always have stuck around to help. "I can catch up?"

"Go." Malia said, her tone gentle but firm, a small, fond smile on her face for him when he looked over. "Tonight is about you. Have fun. A day off or a late start to the morning isn't going to kill you."

It didn't quite take Nel by surprise, this being not the first occasion she had told him it was all right to work less, but still he paused a little uncertainly before relenting, the set of his shoulders relaxing just a bit at her approval. "All right. . . A walk would be nice."

He glanced over in time to see Soot wiggle his way into the window and only laughed at the dragon's antics. "That's all right. I think he knows well enough not to push me, at least." Picking up behaviors from the other dragons would help Soot in the long run. If any of them were bad, they would work on that in time.
 
Last edited:
When Lily went over to kneel down, Pumpkin stretched out his neck, sniffing at her before giving her hand a lick. Then he thought long and hard about it. He did really like spending time with Lily and the others. On the other hand, a nap sounded really nice, too. Especially if the house was going to be quiet for a while. Finally he decided. He yawned widely, gave Lily a final lick, and wandered off to find a spot to sleep.

"Aw. Maybe next time, Lily," Axle told her with a gentle smile. Then he looked over at Nel and chuckled. He was about to chime in with very nearly the exact thoughts that Malia had, but luckily she spoke first, and he only smiled and nodded his agreement. He finally rocked to his feet and offered Malia a gentle hand. "Well, shall we be off?" he asked gently.

Noah, meanwhile, giggled in relief that the dragons weren't causing problems. And it was really cute the way they smushed each other's faces away out of the window. He reached for Nel and Lily's hands and pulled them towards the door, knowing Jasper would follow. "All right, all right, let's go! Where should we walk first, Nel? No, wait - where should we not walk? Anywhere that's dangerous around here?"
 
Lily only smiled when Pumpkin made his choice, glad that he had considered it at least before turning away. "That's okay," she said brightly as she got back up to her feet, for both Pumpkin and Axle to hear. "Naps are fun, too." Pumpkin didn't have to come along, she had just wanted to invite him in case he still felt like playing.

Nobu, similarly, gave a big yawn from nearby, sitting on the ground looking sleepy, and Jasper gave a little sigh as he stood up to follow along. "All right if Nobu hangs around, Papa J? He's tired, so he won't cause any trouble as long as he can sit near you." Nobu was a good, domesticated little dragon. Naga was the one that would be eager to go and fight rodents in the woods.

Nel was distracted for a moment by the way Axle waited for Malia's hand, but something tense in him uncoiled at the way she smiled in response, small and gentle. It would hurt, losing her, but she was happy. That was what mattered. He wasn't a little kid anymore.

When Noah took his hand and started to pull he managed a little laugh again, amused at the insistence and at the way Lily grabbed Noah's other hand to be pulled along with a big smile on her face. "As long as we don't get too close to the river, we should be okay," he reassured as he they made their way out the door, lingering a bit near the dragons to let Jasper catch up. "Most creatures gravitate towards water, so that should keep snakes or other predators away. The dragons will take care of the rest. We should take a lantern or two with us, though, so no one trips once the sun is fully set."

Being accompanied by three large dragons would deter anything dangerous from getting to them, it was just their footing they needed to watch out for.

Lily only grinned, letting go of Noah's hand briefly to go and wrap her arms around Infernus' neck. "I'm sure Jasper will come out with them any minute! He's our personal Mr. Responsibility!"

****************

Malia smiled a little for Axle as he helped her to her feet, giving his hand a little squeeze as if to say thank you for offering to walk with her. "I suppose it is best to get going," she agreed with an amused little twinkle in her eyes. "The young can go prance about as late as they'd like, but I should be off to bed soon enough." She had some work to finish first, of course, but when didn't she? She would get to sleep before it was horribly late. In the meantime, it would be nice to take a leisurely stroll with good company.
 
"Nobu's always welcome to relax wherever he wants," Grandpa Jenkins told Jasper with a smile. "He's a good lad. And I love havin' company in the house. Of course he can stay."

Noah nodded at Nel, taking his words to heart. "Got it. Makes sense. The river's where a lot of animals probably go drink and stuff, right?" He smiled and carried on strolling into the woods. "So, which way should we wander? There are so many directions to go!"

Chaital rumbled happily and walked right behind the group, leaning down to lick Noah's hair.

Soot tilted his head and chirped. The way Noah laughed afterwards made him think most humans must like having their hair licked, so he stretched his neck out and licked Nel's hair next.

------

"Indeed, yes," Mr. Harn agreed. He squeezed her hand back slightly, and then held it gently in his as they made their way off through the tall grass back towards Malia's office. Mr. Harn walked quietly for a few minutes, drinking in the peaceful sounds of crickets and the distant chatter of Noah's group.

Eventually he pulled in a deep breath and glanced toward Malia. "So. How are you feeling, regarding me adopting Nel? I hope you don't feel I'm stealing him away from you."
 
"Thanks." Jasper offered with a little smile as he got to his feet, some part of him a bit warm inside that Mr. Jenkins was all right with his dragon children. "Just don't let him convince you he's starving later. Save me some mess and I'll help clean up when we get back." It wouldn't do to leave their host to do everything himself.

Once he'd borrowed a couple lanterns, as predicted, Jasper met them outside with Naga trailing at his heels and joined their little party on their way towards the woods.

"Exactly." Nel confirmed with a nod when Noah asked about the river, smiling a little at the younger man's deductive skills. He might have lived in Upper Floaten most of his life, where mostly the dangerous creatures were human, but Nel was sure he knew enough about wildlife to figure out a great deal. "And if they aren't there, Naydra will be. She likes to splash."

When there was suddenly a dragon tongue dragging across his hair, Nel gave a surprised little shudder and blinked owlishly back at Soot for a moment before breaking into a little laugh and reaching out to give his muzzle a pet. "Copying your friends again?" He asked, amused. "I don't really need to be groomed right now, thank you."

"Let's go north!" Lily suggested with a smile, pointing off into the trees. "If we walk for a little while that way, there's some good climbing rocks!"

Infernus, trailing along behind them, gave a little rumble and huff at her suggestion, as if exasperated with his small charge's need to be adventurous. It was no real problem for now, though. He would watch over her, and he knew the other humans would too.

***************

It was funny how something so small as holding hands could be so meaningful. Malia saw the children off with a wave as they walked out, her fingers curling around Axle's when he kept hold of her hand rather than letting go, and was content to walk in companionable silence for a little while as they made their way back towards the office building. The twilight was pleasant without being too dim just yet, and the sound of footsteps along with hers in a place where she felt at home made it all feel very picturesque. A small walk to feel at peace was a welcome gift.

"Hm?" She murmured softly, for a moment feeling as if she hadn't quite heard him, and after a pause took a slow, deep breath. "I can't say that it doesn't make me nervous," She said, with something gently apologetic in her tone, and something pained. "But he is grown now and can make his own decisions. So long as you promise me that you are truly serious about taking him in . . . perhaps you can give him something I was never able to."

It was a mother's instinct to worry, even though Nel wasn't actually hers, even though she had never been able to outwardly claim him as if he was. He had come to her in a time before she had fully accepted her place in life, before she felt able to act as mother to a child that needed her without feeling as if she were replacing her own, who was no longer truly hers. By the time she was ready, it had felt as if he were too old to need her anymore. She should've talked to him about it, she knew - perhaps she still would - but if Axle could give Nel the family he needed, she wouldn't stand in his way.
 
Last edited:
Mr. Jenkins smiled back, his eyes twinkling. "Eh, no promises there. Ah spoil all my visitors, people or dragons. But ah'll do my best," he said at last. "I'll definitely leave you some of the mess though, heh."

Noah heard Jasper approach when he eventually came out to join them, and he smiled and waved. "Hey, Jasper! Thanks for bringing the lanterns!" he called out. Noah hadn't even thought about those. In Upper Floaten, the streets were more or less lit at night. But it was becoming clear to him that the forest in Lower Floaten was not.

Meanwhile, Soot was rewarded for his efforts with a laugh from Nel, a pat on the nose, and a warm, happy tone of voice. The dragon was delighted and gave his wings a little flutter as he chirped.

Then Lily mentioned climbing rocks. Noah grinned eagerly and nodded, rubbing his hands together. "I do like a good climb! I used to parkour and stuff in Upper Floaten, even at night. And rock climbing sounds pretty similar!"

Chaital chuffed and swished her tail, equally excited to try rock climbing just for the gun of it. She could challenge herself and not use her wings.

**********

"Well, now, of course I'm serious about taking him in," Axle said quietly, giving Malia's gentle hand a squeeze. "And I'd like to be there to support him and care for him and love him as much as I can. But . . ."

He paused for a moment. How exactly should he word it?

After a moment, he nodded and continued. "There's no reason having me in his life means Nel will no longer want or need you in it. We can both be there for him, and I'm sure he'd appreciate it. He seemed very pleased you'd be at his adoption celebration dinner this evening. Ah! That reminds me. Would you like to come with for his official adoption as well?"
 
Jasper could only roll his eyes at Mr. Jenkins, a little smile on his face even as he mentally gave up on the idea of Nobu not being over fed that night. The little dragon toddled off as he walked out, just finding a place to lay down near where Mr. Jenkins was moving around and settling in to rest.

"Somebody's gotta keep us from tripping over roots," Jasper said with a little shake of his head when Noah thanked him, handing one off to the younger man purely because he thought Noah was the most likely to trip and go down. "Here. Hold this so you don't eat dirt later."

Nel smiled contentedly at Soot's clear joy at getting to play in new ways, warmed inside by the dragon's progress every time he thought about it. It was good to have peace.

Infernus, once he was aware which direction they were going, gave Lily a gentle nuzzle and turned to walk ahead of them, taking the lead to be sure nothing dangerous was ahead. Used to his protective nature, she only gave him a kiss and let him go, giving Noah an almost confused look

"Parkour?" She asked, curious and thoughtful. "I didn't think they did stuff like that up there!" Running around jumping off of things and climbing random structures didn't seem like something she thought Upper Floaten would tolerate, but she supposed people were people no matter where they were, and everybody liked climbing. "There's lots of big rocks out there to try to get on top of - I used to come all the time as a little kid!"

Jasper shook his head a the idea of tiny Lily trying to climb, pushing down a little surge of irritation when he thought that she had probably come with Infernus often after her childhood friends had abandoned her. "Just try not to kill yourself once the light fades. Fern'll help me hold a lantern up for you so you don't slip."

"The moon's full enough!" Lily argued, as if that made it not dark outside at all even if it only provided a little bit of light. He decided not to argue.

****************

Malia wanted to apologize for suggesting that Axle hadn't meant any of what he'd done, but the protective instincts inside her couldn't be sorry for it. As much as she thought he was a good man, and as much as her feelings for him were beginning to blossom, she would give anything to protect what was hers, even her own happiness. She'd done it before.

The silence that followed 'but' had that same possessive feeling bubbling up in her throat, a mental tirade building inside her at the idea that he would take any of it back, only to quickly crumble as her fingers curled gradually tighter around his. As much as her rational mind could tell her that Nel wasn't leaving, the thought of him turning his back on her as any sort of family had caused her pain for longer than Axle had been around. She had to speak to the boy - the young man - she knew, as much for herself as for him. She couldn't continue letting it linger between them unspoken.

"Thank you," she said softly, with more feeling behind the words than she had really meant there to be. "I would like to." If Nel was going to make a trip to Upper Floaten, to go through legal processes that would be useful to him later in life, she would make time to be by his side.

"He's never been there, you know." She added after a short silence had fallen between them, grateful for the warmth of his hand in hers, and managed a little smile with some real humor behind it. "He may need a leash to keep him from wandering off." He would feel out of place, of course, but there would be a plenty of interesting things to see.
 
Noah laughed and smiled sheepishly, his eyes twinkling. "Most people from Upper Floaten don't, know. But I'm not exactly most people from Upper Floaten. It's more common in the darker or more run down parts of the city. Less to do, so people make up stuff to do."

He glanced over to Jasper and beamed. "I'll take that extra light while I climb, if you don't mind. Don't wanna slip on the rocks or anything." He paused for a moment, and then held his lantern up to see the rocks a bit better. "Those look so fun to climb up! Any other advice before I get at it?" he asked, looking between Lily and Jasper with a smile.

------

Axle's eyes softened. "I know he hasn't been. But I don't think he'll need a leash," he said with a quiet chuckle. "You know, I think he's actually a bit afraid of going up there. I'm sure he's going to stick with us as much as possible. Is there anyone else he'd like to have with for the ceremony?"
 
'Less to do, so people make up stuff to do.' Jasper could imagine that was accurate. He was sure Upper Floaten just had more expensive drugs, and less legal consequences for those who could pay to avoid them.

"Hmm," Lily thought for a moment as they got closer, trying to decide what was best to tell someone who hadn't been to what she liked to call the Rock Playground before, a considering hand to her chin. "Start on the small rocks and make your way up? Lots of them are pretty smooth, except in the places where people climbing has worn hand and footholds into them over the years, and it's dark so don't tackle anything too tall too fast."

"I'm not explaining to your dad why you came back with less teeth," Jasper said dryly, with a pointed look at their newest troublemaker. "So do me a favor and don't kill yourself."

Nel laughed softly, amused less by their words and more by how the group of them fit together despite being so very different. "I'm sure Chaital will be watching carefully to make sure you don't fall."

Naga, having previously been trailing along beside them, suddenly gave a little squawk and went scampering off into the darkness on her own, chasing after something she'd heard.

Jasper only sighed and shook his head, knowing she would be fine on her own and saw better in the dark than he did. "She's gonna bring me back half a rat later, you just watch."

Lily only made gagging sounds from in front of him and turned to take his lantern from him so they could hurry off and get climbing. "Gross! I'm glad Fern doesn't do stuff like that. Come on, Noah, I'll show you a good place to start!"

****************

"He isn't quite as deterred by fear as you might expect," Malia said softly, affectionate and warm. Fear had never stopped Nel from helping dragons in need, or risking his health or safety to help others, or surviving on his own after his family had passed. He wasn't as used to interpersonal relationships as others were and was shy and nervous around people, but fear was something different. She determined then that she would just have him promise not to wander off so he wouldn't get lost.

"Mm, perhaps if Noah would like to come," she continued after a moment, "and I'm sure Lily wouldn't mind, but I wouldn't ask anyone else. He is selfless to a fault, that boy, and doesn't like to 'bother' anyone." She gave a small smile, not quite sad but not quite amused either. "I'm sure he was thinking he shouldn't have even bothered me for tonight." She had never managed to convince him that he was never a bother and that if she didn't want to give him her time she simply wouldn't, but that would have required them to talk at length about the things he never seemed to want to say. She loved him, truly, but she was aware that their relationship was still a work in progress.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back