::I don't take bets on things that involve other people's feelings,:: KTFE had said. Which made sense, really, since one never knew how someone was going to react. So, though she liked the idea of startling Netahiln with both presence and appearance, Natron decided to at least warn her that she was coming-- just in case she took it into her head to attack, or something. Since her two-footed mother had brought them deep into her apartment, there was time to talk before she got to the front door, where Netahiln was waiting, unsuspecting, for what her bond had said would be "all right".

It was kind of flattering to be prophesied, even in so vague a way, by someone with such a weak gift for it. It was still a little flattering. Now she'd just have to live up to the expectation.

The fire elemental had been right, at least, about the place. It was somehow simultaneously messy and spartan-- it looked like Netahiln had been destroying what few things she had in the house. Wasn't she a bit old for temper-tantrums? Though, given what she'd been through, Natron supposed she couldn't really blame her. This time. The apartment wasn't much to look at, anyway, with pretty much nothing in the way of personal touches to soften the metallic, cold, industrial feel of it. As Natron had said, though, that didn't really matter to her. Honestly, she thought she'd like the sparse, industrial look. Maybe she'd like it more if it were cleaner.

Natron paused before coming into sight of the apartment's actual occupant, waiting behind the bar-counter-thing that separated living room and hallway from kitchen and doorway, and listened. She didn't hear anything; depressed or despairing or whatever, Netahiln was at least quiet about it. Well, that boded well. Natron wasn't sure she could deal with someone in hysterics. Emotional anger, sure, but tears and crying? It was enough to make her shudder, and enough to make her get on with it already.

::Netahiln, don't be alarmed, or anything,:: she said without greeting or preamble. Netahiln heard her; she could sense the sharpened, suspicious attention immediately. She even heard the rustle of fur and click of claws against linolium as she got up-- not a scramble, despite her surprise, but a measured, careful motion. ::It's not what it looks like, and I don't want our association to start with you trying to psi-splatter me, hun.::

With that, she trotted briskly around the counter. There was Netahiln, crouched and ready to spring if need be. It was the first time Natron had actually seen her, with her own two eyes, and she a little surprised to see that she was about as garish as Natron, herself, with her shiny, brassy fur blotched with red, though at least she didn't glow. Her eyes did, though, bright red and narrow with suspicion still. She was big, especially compared to Natron, but so gawky-looking that she obviously still had growing to do. Worse, though, she was starting to growl.

Natron figured it was time to introduce herself, which she did in as simple and business-like a fashion as she could: ::Name's Natron, and I'm here to give you a hand and mooch off your supplies.:: Well, might as well be honest; Natron was planning on eating her food, after all.

Netahiln stared at her for a moment-- a brief moment, to her credit-- before blurting, ::What the hell are you?:: Then, before Natron could answer and with a little more anger, she added, ::And how the hell did you get into my house?::

Since Netahiln couldn't talk except via telepathy, Natron figured it was polite to do the same, at least for now. It seemed more equal, and more honest, anyway. It was probably harder to lie when it was a thought talking, and Netahiln would probably appreciate that. ::I'm a hatchling,:: Natron answered simply. ::I only broke shell a few hours ago.:: Sort of. She thought it might be technically more like a few months ago, but time had gone all weird. Natron didn't want to think about how that was possible, knew she'd never figure it out, so she didn't even try. ::What I am doesn't matter, does it, if I'm here to help?::

Netahiln snorted. ::Since you look like something birthed by a balespawn, and I hate balespawn, I'd say it matters quite a bit. --But then,:: she corrected herself bitterly, ::since there's probably nothing anybody can do to "help", at this point, I suppose maybe it doesn't, at that.::

::You don't know that,:: Natron pointed out bracingly. ::We might think of something. But I'm definitely not balespawn, and this is definitely not balefire. Yuck.::

There was another pause while Netahiln stared at her, again-- at her tongue stuck out in distaste, at the green, boron fire flickering around her body, at her diminutive size and baby-soft form-- but then she fell back against the door again, laughing helplessly. Natron wasn't sure whether to be offended or to just grin and let her get the laughter out. Really, when you thought about it, the situation was pretty ridiculous: a baby anything, showing up and announcing herself as someone "to help" with a problem like a demi-deity. And Netahiln didn't know who her parents were, so it was even more ridiculous-- and even then, could even a deity do against someone who had an omniscient on his side?

Well, Natron had a few ideas, because she knew a few things Netahiln might not.

Natron settled for waiting patiently, and though she tried not to-- she really did try to be serious, since it was serious-- she wound up smiling a bit in shared humor. Trying not to smile when someone was laughing like that-- and Netahiln's barking laughter was backed up by a psionic explosion of mirth and release, which made it even worse-- was pretty much impossible. The half-grown dragon was breathless and sprawled out on her side by the time she ran out of laughter, wiping away tears and baring her teeth in a fierce grin.

::So,:: she said, her mind-voice unaffected by her bellows-breathing, ::you never did say how you got into my house. And with such perfect timing, too.::

::My mother dropped me off. I expect not much keeps her out, when she wants to go somewhere.:: Natron smiled again. ::I can't claim the timing, either; that was her choice.:: She secret thought it a good choice, too; Netahiln hadn't had long to wallow in despair.

::And your mother is?::

::Kat,:: Natron said shortly. ::The fire elemental. You've probably never heard of her.::

::You're right, I haven't, though "fire elemental" explains a few things. What about your father?::

::Don't have one,:: Natron blinked. ::I have three mothers.::

That apparently didn't shock Netahiln; maybe she knew other people created rather than conceived. None of them could be like Natron and her siblings, of course, but Netahiln didn't know that. ::Well, then, who are the other mothers?:: she asked impatiently, instead.

Natron lifted her chin proudly, fire crackling briefly hotter. ::Lan~ri~ki, sun goddess of Kynn, and Nin'Queesha, Bre'Ama heroine.::

Now Netahiln looked suitably impressed. Natron didn't consider herself arrogant, but it was definitely an improvement to be looked at with surprised respect and cunning appraisal rather than with condescending humor and general dismissiveness. Having a sun goddess for a mother definitely sounded impressive, after all, though Natron expected Kat was just as formidable as a deity, if not more so. Netahiln just didn't know any better.

::And you're here to help, you say,:: Netahiln mused.

::And eat your food,:: Natron added with a smirk.

::Only if you get a job when you're old enough to help pay for it,:: Netahiln countered.

::Easily done. When I'm old enough.::

Netahiln gave her another speculative look. ::You know what you're up against, kit?:: she asked.

::I know enough,:: Natron answered. ::It's gonna be a long haul, but I think we can handle it, together. But why don't you tell me what you know, anyway, in case there's something I missed.::

Netahiln grinned, then-- a real grin, a pleased grin, a grin that made Natron grin, back, thinking that maybe they'd do well together-- and sat herself more comfortably against the door. ::Well, it all starts with this little girl named Kalaia, who wanted a bond badly enough to come to a hatching full of monsters....::

Chapter Eleven

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