Changeable as the Sea

Adara and Fidena were still sleeping when Keren woke up the next morning-- but Inbere wasn't. In fact, sprawled across her stomach, he was watching her sleepily. At first, what Keren saw were large, purple eyes in the wide, blue face, and she wasn't entirely sure that she wasn't still dreaming. Then she recognized Inbere, Keren blinked a few times, then reached up and gave one of the tines for his facial fins a playful tug. He squeaked softly, blinked back at her, then grinned.

::Sleep good?:: she asked.

::Yep,:: he answered, obviously reveling in this new ability to talk with thoughts rather than voices. ::Did you?::

::Aye,:: was her own response. She ruffled the short fur on his forehead-- a'most laik a seal's, she thought absently-- and he half-closed his eyes with a cat-like purr.

::You dream kind of funny,:: he commented after a moment.

::Oh?::

:: ... You smell kind of funny, too.::

::That en't a nice theng tae say,:: she pointed out, but didn't take offense, since he didn't mean any. She actually could guess what he meant, and she wasn't entirely sure how to explain. Before he could apologize or pout, both of which he looked quite ready to do, she added, ::But yaer raight, I dae smell funny. Viatoro tol' me tha' when I met 'im first, tae.::

::Viatoro did?::

::Mmmhmm. Seems laik dragons thaenk I smell funny. What dae ye thaenk I smell laik?::

::Like... ocean, I guess. All salty and watery.::

Probably anyone else would have been offended at being called "salty" or "watery", even by a child-- even by a dragon-child. To a creature of the sea, though.... ::Well, thank ye, Inbere. Never knew I smelled sae nice.::

::You dream like that, too... kind of like me, not like how a human'd dream. All water and tides and... stuff.::

Another compliment that a real human might not understand. ::Kaind'e a comforting thought, tae knoo I dream laik thae sea.... Yae daenna maind, I hope.::

::Oh, no, of course not. I kind of like it, actually... it's not all different and weird, like I was afraid it'd be.::

::Daenna le' Adara knoo ye thought we'd be "weird",:: Keren sent back, highly amused by the idea. She coud just see Adara's reaction to being thought "weird". It was better than her reaction to being told she had a nice ass, at least.

::Oh, I won't,:: Inbere promised, casting a surrepitous glance at where Adara and her new bond still slept. He didn't want to make either of those two angry with him, probably wisely.

They were to move into their own apartments today, but for that first night, they had retired to the dorm room they'd shared. Apparently it was to become a tradition that newly bonded Cadets slept in their dormitory room one last time; Anderson and the twerp had done it, even though they'd had apartments waiting for them, too. Jed, Michael, Franco, and Jason might well do the same when it was their turn to bond, just like they would probably take the rickety old wagon to get to Sanctuary from the fort. Traditions were often rather silly, in practical terms, but... well, Keren had no problems with traditions. How could she, growing up how she had?

::So do all humans dream like that?:: Inbere asked, drawing her attention back to the little dragon. Obviously he already knew that all humans did not smell like she did, so he didn't ask.

::Nope,:: she answered simply, and grinned at his frustration when he realized she wasn't going to say any more. An idea had hit her-- why tell, when she could show? That would be so much easier for both of them, especially for her, since explanations tended to leave a lot to be desired without proof to back it up. Besides, it would be fun to tease him-- and even more fun to see his reaction when she finally did show him. He would just have to be patient, that's all, until the next time they met with Viatoro.

::Then why are you different?:: Inbere finally prompted.

::Nae tellin,:: she sent back mischievously.

::Kereeeeeen!::

::I'll tell yeh soon enuff. When ye're ready.::

::And when will that be?::

::When I say yeh are.::

::But--::

::I promes' et'll be by when we go tae thae ocean.::

That mollified him, some, but prompted another, ::So when'll that be?::

::Three days,:: Keren answered, then grinned at him fondly. ::I got m'reasons, Inbere, but ye'll find out then. Et's a promes, a'ight?::

::All right,:: he answered, a little reluctantly, but thankfully not holding it against her for not wanting to explain yet.

Adara was stirring on the other bed. ::Looks laik et's offecyally mornen,:: Keren quipped, ::Adara's wakin up.::

::Already?:: Inbere sighed. Since he was complaining about cutting their private conversation short and not Adara in general, Keren only cuffed him lightly on the side of the muzzle instead of actually taking offense.

::There'll be taim, daenna worry,:: she assured him, then sat up and spilled the little dragon across her knees as his previous seat went from horizontal to vertical. He squeaked, and she giggled.

Adara and Fidena blinked blearily at them, and Keren flashed the other pair a brilliant grin. "Good mornen!"

And indeed it was.