Peta-mari Selamputo: Zabeth's "Little Womanizer"

The sisters strolled out of the lift and into the hallway of the public hatching bays. It was massive, big enough for even the biggest dragons-- or aliens-- and lined equally massive doors. Peta-mari led the way down the hall towards the bay she'd heard their brother currently occupied. ::There's something like ten or twelve of them,:: she commented. ::All in eggs, of course-- how boring for the poor things, don't you think?::

::In eggs? How wretched. We at least got to scamper about and cause mischeif while we waited for the sponsors to show up.::

Peta-mari sighed agreement, keeping one eye on the display above each hatching bay, displaying the bay's number, whether it was occupied or not, and if so, by whom. ::Apparently some of these will be bonding, too. Very different!::

::Ah, so our brother's mate has a bonding instinct? I never have understood that instinct, but I suppose I've never had to!:: She watched the displays, as well. The first two rooms were empty, the third filled with their sister Felittera's batch-- not open to the publicc at the moment, apparently, given the notation on the display that said the doors were securely locked.

The next door, however, had the names Col Selamputo and Cysscatainth above it, and it was not locked. ::I hope someone's home to say hello!:: Peta-mari chuckled, and the door slid open to admit them.

Apparently, there was. ::There's some faces I haven't seen for a long time,:: a dusky, familiar, but far more grown-up voice commented from the far side of the bay, attached to a large, silken-black dragon. ::Peta', Nati', what are you doing here?::

::Heard you knocked up an innocent girl and had to come confirm the rumor,:: Peta-mari teased.

::I'd hardly say that,:: he replied, ears twitching back and tail sweeping in obvious signs of dismay, but he shifted aside just enough to show off the round surfaces of eggs behind him. Aww, I didn't mean it that way, she thought to herself as he continued, ::Cyssca' and I have been having a good time, and she just happened to be in heat....:: He trailed off, flipping a paw with unspoken explanation. ::If you're here for the hatchling, you're a little early. They're hardening, yes, but they're not supposed to hatch until the end of the week.::

In answer to his small but endearing little grin, Peta-mari padded the rest of the way inside with a smile. ::Sweetheart, I'm just teasing you,:: she assured him. ::We just we were going to be aunts and wanted to stop by and visit, that's all. How are they all?:: she added, peering around him curiously. She'd never actually seen dragon eggs: she hadn't gone with Zabeth when he'd adopted their latest little brother. ::Not too bored, stuck in their eggs like that, I hope?::

::The waiting can't be as much fun for them as it was for us!:: Nati' added with a single emphatic tail-lash.

::If they're bored, then they aren't complaining about it,:: Col replied with a shrug of the wings, peering down at the silent orbs, ::They seem to be dormant, most of them, though Cyss' says that they're aware enough of their surroundings. Helps them to bond, when the time comes. We're not sure, yet, which will bond and which will not....:: He shifted a little, grin a little nervous-- understandably! Peta-mari didn't even want to consider how out of her mind she'd be, if she somehow, miraculously sired children! ::It'll be as much a show for me as it will be for you, trust me.::

::Oh, I do trust you!:: she replied, trying to go for impressed-- which she was!-- in her mental tone. She sidled a couple steps over, rather than craning her neck around him. ::End of the week, you said? Do you have enough people coming to look after them?::

::Well, that depends,:: Col replied, turning up the charm slyly. ::You're just here to see the eggs, or are you curious about hatchlings, too?::

Peta-mari laughed breathily, not fooled. ::What, as in adopting? I don't think we even thought about it.:: She glanced at her sister for confirmation of negation.

::I'd hardly want to inflict Masra on one of your younglings, brother,:: Natifetti snorted, tossing her head at the very thought.

::What, that froofy bird-girl?:: Col replied, but his gaze on Peta' was serious. ::We're a little short, to be honest. Like I said, I'm not sure if they're all bonders or not, but we need to make sure that they at least have the base minimum standing around. And who better than relatives?:: he added with a wicked cant to his grin. ::I'll know that they're still nearby in case I need to harrass them and make sure that they're keeping on the straight and narrow Selamputo-path.:: His laugh was much more attractive than Peta-mari's, and every bit as winsome as Natifetti's-- The only thing better about a man, she thought enviously, they can have marvelous laughs without even trying!-- and said, ::I'm kidding... but not about sticking around. If you happen to find anyone who's interested in bonding or adopting, make sure you send them this way, all right?::

::Oh, certainly!:: Peta-mari agreed playfully. ::I think someone like us would be perfect to pass on the Selamputo way, don't you think, sister dear?:: She wasn't being entirely serious-- or, rather, hardly serious at all-- but the idea was a tempting one. Raising a little lady in her own "tradition"-- another beautiful relative, bah!-- was an interesting thought.

::Oh, yes, perfect,:: Natifetti drawled, and Peta' caught her looking at her sideways. She merely held her head higher and smiled enigmatically. ::Since you and I are so motherly and all.::

After that, the talk fell into the chatter of catching up between siblings-- they hadn't seen Col in even longer than they'd seen each other-- and Col introduced them to the mother of his unhatched offspring once she returned to the bay. Peta-mari and Natifetti finally excused themselves after chatting pleasantly with the lady for a few minutes-- and Peta-mari got tired of trying not to flirt with her. The thought that nieces and nephews might go bondless continued to bounce around in her head, at the back of her thoughts, even as they said their good-byes and headed back down the hall together.

She didn't get very long to let it bounce! The minute the doors closed behind them and they were far enough away that it wouldn't open again if they loitered, Natifetti turned on her and accused playfully, ::All right, sister dear, you're plotting something and I want to know what it is!::

::I haven't even made it to plot-stage yet!:: Peta-mari protested laughingly. ::I'm just thinking, that's all.::

Natifetti looked unconvinced. She lofted a brow at her and prodded, ::What are you thinking, then?::

::Just that I might try to convince Zabeth to let us adopt again, that's all,:: Peta-mari shrugged innocently. ::To help out a brother in need!::

::Hmm, the thought had occurred to me, as well,:: Natifetti admitted thoughtfully, and Peta-mari resumed walking. ::Though I'd end up having to shield the poor thing from Masra or risk having a niece or nephew as disturbed as me!::

Somehow, Peta-mari thought Natifetti hadn't meant that last joke to sound quite as half-hearted and sad as it did. ::You're all right, Nati',:: she said, opening a wing over her sister's back and grinning. ::You'd probably make a more responsible mother than I would, after all!::

::Well, that's for sure!:: Nati' retorted with a grin that looked a bit forced but a companionable shoulder-bump. ::But you've at least got back-up to go home to! I've got a half-crazy devious bird-woman waiting at home!::

A laugh brightened her demeanor again, and Peta-mari answered spontaneously, ::So use my back-up. Zabeth might be a serious old thing, but it gets along really well with kids, and Ziar's old enough to want to help out, too. You can come over whenever-- we live right here on the station, after all.::

Natifetti's expression was so inscrutable that Peta-mari started to regret her offer, but thankfully she didn't sound too offended when she finally answered, ::I wouldn't want to impose, Peta. But I might visit you from time to time, just for an excuse to get out and about.::

::Oh, well, that would be welcome, nieces and nephews or no!:: she laughed with relief. ::Have another lovely lady to troll the station or Driolo with? That would be fun.::

Peta' almost got an unadulterated smile, but then Natifetti's eyes widened. ::Lord, I've been gone ages! Masra's likely to have a bunch of stuff plotted that I'll have to try to diffuse! I'll definitely keep in touch though! We'll have much fun attracting attention next time I can sneak away!:: Her smile was genuine, but her eyes were still worried and her brow knit. The poor thing worries so much! Peta-mari thought sympathetically.

::Look me up on the station's network,:: she suggested, slipping her wing back and folding it over her back again. ::We're under Zabeth Firestone, easy enough to find, there's only one of it.::

::As good as done, Peta! It was wonderful to see you!:: Then it was Natifetti's turn for a hug with her wing, and Peta-mari nuzzled up behind her ear briefly in return, but then the taller dragoness withdrew and dashed away, calling over her shoulder, ::Bye, Peta'! See you again soon!::

Peta-mari heaved a sigh, watching her go appreciatively. "Damn, I wish she wasn't my sister!" she complained to herself, then headed for the nearest lift, arranging in her head just what she'd say to Zabeth about adopting... if she said anything at all.