Wisumoth's Story: Chaos Controlled

Though he knew perfectly well that he was only a brief diversion to Kalhati, an attractive face and form that she would forget about as soon as she had something else to occupy her time, Wisumoth couldn't help being a bit flattered that the self-proclaimed queen of the Citadel found him diverting enough that he helped keep her from smashing some other dragon's eggs. Not that he had much sympathy for Kailaveth, herself, of course-- she had stolen his mate's day from her, and her following had been the cause of many of his own injuries during that flight-- but he thought that the offspring ought to at least have a chance at life. Besides, the idea that had would be fathering children with a hatchling-killer had made him very uncomfortable.

::Don't fool yourself,:: his aunt warned him more than once. ::Kalhati is not a particularly good person, no matter what she happens to think about you.::

Wisumoth wasn't stupid; he knew perfectly well that Kalhati was both proud and cruel. But he didn't particularly like thinking about it, either. There was cruelty in himself, after all-- his attraction to her darkness, his ferocity in the battle and flight afterwards, proved that-- he just chose not to act on it. As long as Kalhati did not act on hers for the time that they were paired, he would have no complaints about her.

Kalhati had other things to worry about, anyway. Shortly after Kailaveth clutched, Kalhati did the same, producing her first-- and Wisumoth's first-- brood of eggs. Wisumoth was fascinated by them. Some of them weren't his, of course, but since no one could tell whose were his and whose were the other male's, he didn't care and hovered around them all equally. His aunt Ceremeth found it amusing; his nephew Hukiloseth found it perplexing; Kalhati told him it was endearing, if a bit stupid.

::It's not as if they know you're even there,:: she pointed out.

::I know I'm here,:: Wisumoth countered, settled on the hot sands that incubated them. ::As do you. That is what matters.::

She'd hmphed at him, and he'd let her think him silly. Perhaps he was.

The number of eggs changed constantly depending on Kalhati's mood. Wisumoth was not even sure how many there were-- at first because she wouldn't let him count them, irritably, but then because they kept disappearing and reappearing. The first time he'd come out after a morning bath to find the number drastically reduced and Kalhati herself in a mood as black as she was, muttering about rapists and cowards, he'd very nearly lost his own temper at her, horrified at the idea that she'd smashed or even eaten the missing ones. The lack of broken egg-shells was the only thing that kept him from screaming at her then and there.

Even so, their conversation was short, tense, and unenlightening. He didn't forgive her until the next day when several of the missing eggs were mysteriously returned, and he discovered a rather suspicious mound in the sand to be a buried eggs. He relaxed about the number of eggs, after that. If she wanted to bury them, he would not begrudge her that, as long as none of them came to harm.

Though he spent a lot of time with Kalhati and her brood, enjoying her sweeter moods and mately attentions and speculating about offspring, or else guarding them while she hunted or hunting for her, Wisumoth made a point of avoiding her worst bouts of moodiness. He didn't really want to fight with her, but he expected he would, if he stayed by her side in her darker moods. He passed that time by visiting the family, blood-related and not, who were still hanging around the Citadel to wait on him.

::Aren't you all getting bored?:: he asked Ceremeth one afternoon that he spent wisely hiding from the black queen. Ceremeth, human-formed still, was working some of the smaller tangles out of his thick fur for him, since neither he nor Kalhati had nimble enough claws or tongues for them. It was nice, actually. No wonder dragons bonded people: their hands were useful.

::A couple of us,:: Ceremeth aceded, ::but for the most part, we're doing all right. The boys discovered the library, and I got them permission to read and research to their hearts' content.:: She smirked a bit, presumably for being able to request something of the Citadel's matron. ::Thidade seems a bit less cheerful, but that Paxi is keeping her occupied with games and teaching and needing to be occupied, herself.::

::Ah,::> Wisumoth answered. ::And yourself?::

::I'm surviving,:: Ceremth shrugged. ::Learning a couple new magics, which has been fun.::

::I expect so,:: Wisumoth agreed, nodding gravely.

::Shouldn't be too much longer, anyway.:: His aunt looked at him sidelong. ::How are you holding up?::

He looked back at her, equally sidelong. ::What do you mean?::

Ceremeth shrugged at him. ::New fathers can get a bit... strange,:: she said. ::Nervous, confused, touchy, whatever. Especially with a mother like that one to share egg-duties with.::

Wisumoth gave her a confused stare. ::I'm doing fine. I'm a little excited, actually, not nervous. Should I be?:: he wondered suddenly. ::Should I be nervous?::

Chuckling, Ceremeth patted his side reassuringly. ::Of course not. Are we taking one with us?::

He stared even more. He should have thought that was obvious. Laughing, Ceremeth held up her hands. ::All right, all right, of course we're taking one with us. Or however many you want to. Just don't try to adopt the whole brood, would you?::

::One or two would suffice,:: Wisumoth told her, turning back to the fire. ::I cannot imagine trying to look after more while we are traveling, and there are others who come to these hatchings looking to take in the offspring.::

::Like at ours,:: Ceremeth agreed quietly.

::Like at ours,:: Wisumoth nodded. ::Yes. They will go to good homes.::

::I'm sure they will,:: Ceremeth told him. He left on that note, thinking to see if Kalhati's temper could be sweetened by the gift of dinner, and Ceremeth stood on the ledge while he flew away, watching him disappear into the sky.