Zabeth Firestone: Firebird

Zabeth knew that the time had finally come when Ceremeth came into the room she'd been sitting in, going over some readouts on the holographic screen hovering over the coffee table, actually looking nervous. It was so rare that Ceremeth even showed an emotion that would betray anything other than stability and maturity that seeing her nervous was a rare sight, indeed. Zabeth was sure she knew the reason, this time, even as she opened a new menu with a flick of one feather at the touch-sensitive hologram.

I'm going to miss this technology when I leave, she thought idly. Everything is so easy.

Ceremeth came and sat at the other end of the couch, wearing a mostly-human form with black skin and sparkling iridescent feathers instead of hair. Despite not having any innate shifting ability, she had the ability to learn magic, and one of the first actual spells she'd tackled was shape-shifting. Now, after years of practice and some surprisingly effective tutelage from her aunt Peta-mari, she was a skilled shifter and was actually quite good at fitting in, looking innocuous, when she needed to. Being able to sit on the same couch as Zabeth while Zabeth was working was only one advantage of the ability, and a small advantage, at that.

But it was the one she used, now. One could only fit into this particular room if one was shorter than seven feet tall, after all. Not that it was really all that necessary for her; they were alone in this part of the suite. Peta-mari was, as always out; so were Ielta and Thidade, partaking in some new sport that was Thidade's current obsession. Hukiloseth and Wisumoth were on the flight deck with Zamah-aisi, probably getting Hukiloseth completely worn out as he tried chasing them both. Only Ziar was at home, and he was buried in his room with his own computer, presumably paying his guardian no attention at all.

Zabeth didn't acknowledge her ward, eyes following the text that scrolled before her with mild interest. She was, currently, investigating the fairly uncommon combination of magic and technology used on the space station. Some of the methods they used were truly unique. However, half of her attention was on Cemereth, waiting for the inevitable interruption. She could wait until the dragoness was ready.

Finally, several minutes later, Ceremeth spoke up. ::Zabeth, I have something I'd like to talk to you about.::

Without looking away from her files, Zabeth said, "You-- and several of the others-- are ready to leave the nest."

To her credit, Ceremeth did not sputter, or even droop as her planned speech was interrupted. ::You knew?::

"It's difficult to hide restlessness," Zabeth pointed out, shifting a menu aside to get at the next file. "And even more difficult to hide shared restlessness, not when very nearly the whole of the household is feeling it."

::So you guessed that we want to move on,:: Ceremeth stated.

"I assumed you wanted to go together," Zabeth agreed. "Given the conspiratory way you all look at each other."

::Was it that obvious?:: Ceremeth asked, wrinkling her nose attractively with distaste.

"To someone who knows you all as well as I do. And Hukiloseth in particular isn't particularly opaque."

Ceremeth sighed. ::You won't be upset?::

"For the first time you surprise me," Zabeth said dryly, turning at last to face her. Ceremeth blinked wordlessly at her, waiting for the explanation which was certain to follow. "I am old, Ceremeth. I have seen chicks come and go, some even my own. Don't look so shocked," the firebird clucked at Ceremeth's frankly disbelieving expression, "Did you really think I have lived for millennia without leaving behind a few chicks of my own?"

::I'd never thought about it,:: Ceremeth admitted. ::You've never seemed like the type, really....::

"I have not always been old and boring," Zabeth said shortly. "In fact, I am not always boring now."

::I didn't mean to insinuate that you were,:: the black chick assured her solemnly, though there was a hint of laughter in her eyes.

Zabeth didn't particularly want to talk about how boring she was or wasn't, so she returned them to the subject at hand. "So tell me which of you are going."

::Myself, obviously,:: Ceremeth nodded, taking the hint. ::Wisumoth and Hukiloseth.::

"Not Ziar?"

Ceremeth's eyes slid away, to the side, and though she had too much self control to chew her lip, a furrow appeared between her brows. ::I hadn't actually spoken to him.::

"You should," Zabeth suggested mildly.

::He adores you, though,:: Ceremeth protested.

"He's outgrown me," Zabeth persisted gently. "And I think he would follow you, if you asked." He would, she added wryly to herself, probably walk through fire for you.

::I'll, ah, talk to him, then,:: Ceremeth blinked.

"First, though, tell me more of your plans. I know you plan things carefully, you must have at least some idea of what you want to do now."

::I....:: There was a pause as Ceremeth tried to gather her thoughts again. The revelation that Ziar might want to go with her nephew and grand-nephew seemed to have shaken her a little. Zabeth hid a smile. ::Well, I might have to change my plans, if Ziar is coming... I don't know any of the places he's interested in... or what he might want to do....::

Ceremeth shook herself, then, and continued with her usual serious, business-like tone. ::The plan, first, is to see where we all might wish to go and bond. I don't know how many of us will, but I think it should be attended to first, before we make any final plans about our future. Bonding might change our priorities, or connect us to a certain place we wouldn't wish to leave.::

"Why bond at all?" Zabeth asked curiously.

::In part just in case we're meant to,:: Ceremeth admitted. ::So I know what we're working with, once we're ready to settle down and decide what we're doing with the rest of our lives. Besides, it's one way to see different places.::

"Reason enough, I suppose," Zabeth conceded, a little dubiously.

::Also,:: the dark dragoness continued, ::it will give us time to get used to being on our own, supporting ourselves and living without the guidance of someone older and wiser than we.::

Now that, Zabeth could agree with. "Wise, yes. Where are you going first, then?"

::Wisumoth's choice. We're all picking one world we'd like to visit,:: she explained. ::His is a planet called Kynn. We're going to a place there called the Citadel of Shadows.::

"Appropriate, given his heritage," Zabeth chuckled.

::I thought so.::

"One last question: when are you planning on leaving?"

::Two weeks,:: Ceremeth stated.

"Then you'd better go talk to Ziar right away. He'll want as much time as possible to waffle over what to take."

Ceremeth laughed her reserved little laugh, but she took her guardian's advice.

Former guardian, Zabeth told herself, gazing out the doorway Ceremeth had just passed through. Ceremeth looks after herself, now. They're finally growing up, my little family. She paused, feathers fluffing with a little amusement, and added to herself, Now if only the rest of them would grow up, as well!