Booker leaned on the wave of protectiveness and strength his brother offered, the fog receding, defeated for the moment. I knew you'd like it! The lights are real pretty, he murmured, jumping when Baratheon moved back into his own mind, eye blinking open at the sudden pull. The numbat opened his mouth to ask what, exactly, was going on, but as the dragon's wings began to beat, he grinned, turning to hang onto his brother's pink nose horn. As his perch lowered, Booker closed his eye, focusing on the bond, scurrying back into his bonded's mind to peer out of the dragon's eyes.

And just like that, they were airborne, wind whistling past, breaching the treeline with ease. Seeing out of another's eyes was strange, but everything was sharper, less fuzzy, and lightly tinged with pink. This is awesome! Booker let out an exhilarated yelp as they swayed in the air, the ground below steadily disappearing as they rose - it was as if he had settled into Baratheon's body, felt pink and white wings beating as if they were his own, powerful lungs sucking in gulps of air between flexes.

I bet those make travel real easy, he murmured, trying to memorize the feeling of having wings, air skimming over and under them, fur keeping out the chill. How long can you fly for, anyhow? I remember... Another flash, and Booker tried to keep it at bay, not wanting to distract his brother in mid-air. I remember you flyin' over me, after uh... what happened. I guess you musta gone pretty far, 'cause it took me a while to find ya. The tiny Gembound sent out a pulse of affection to soften any memories the words could drag up, knowing Baratheon was already beating himself up over it.

The train of thought veered towards his son, now, and the numbat smiled, settling down onto the dragon's snout more comfortably with a sigh. I bet we could see our house from here. The mumble came and went for a moment, before a spike of panic shot through him, and he hurried to follow it up. Uh, not that w-we need to stay here, or anything! We can go wherever, he assured. I just... like it here. Y'know? With Diot, and the Monarch, and the cats.

@Baratheon

"Baratheon Speech"


The dragon let out a chuckle at Booker's enthusiasm. You ain't seen nothin' yet! With that he flapped higher and higher, impossibly high until he was near the ceiling. He could feel the slight strain on his young wings but day by day they were growing stronger and he would test them to their limits today. With a roar he tucked his wings to his side and dove downwards at full speed. He was aimed towards the fern bed so that he wouldn't impale himself on a branch. The sensation of falling fast was alive in his gut, that adrenaline rush that he loved to feel --almost like the feeling he got when fighting-- made him bellow with glee. When it seemed as if they would smack into the ground he threw his wings outwards to catch air. They billowed outwards with the amount of air they caught but it slowed them up enough for him to flap once and send them back towards the sky.

He let out another roar, exhilarated at the rush he received from flight. They certainly get you places faster than your feet can. Despite the numbat's attempts at hiding the memory and emotion, he felt it. For a moment, guilt plagued his mind at what he'd done and that feeling of wanting to die or just become an unfeeling lesser gembound popped into his mind. It was only that link that pulled him back out of those grim thoughts. I... I... He gave his head a light shake. Focus, before you crash into a wall... It wasn't intended for communication, just a reminder for himself but with the newly established link it would no doubt filter over.

He swung his tail, causing him to turn towards the direction of the Monarch. I don't know, I can fly till my wings get tired. If I'm just traveling I can go a bit but if I'm trying to do fancy stunts then... He flapped his wings once and showed that his wing arms were already starting to get sore from his earlier diving display. The dragon flew right up to the top of the Monarch and after hovering for a few seconds he landed, turned, and laid down on top of the cap. His forelegs dangled over the side while his rear legs were turned to the side like a reclining cat. Don't worry, we can think of this place as home. I know that you like it and it's not too bad. Lots of plants. He didn't vocalize his disdain but instead decided to show a mental image of how trees could make it hard to fly. But I'll get used to it. Whatever makes you happiest, I'm willing to do. The dragon gave a wry grin and a small laugh. Prey is stupid any where you go and that's all that matters to me. He joked.

Booker whooped as they dove and then stopped, exhilarated, whiskers and fur waving wildly in the wind. The flash of guilt that made it through the bond silenced him, and the numbat sent back a blip of affection, a silent apology for bringing up the events of the past. There was another feeling, on Baratheon's side of the bond, darkening it, and the tiny Gembound huffed, sending across a larger wave of positive emotions - relaxation, trust, the sense of calm that pervaded Booker's body even now, so high in the air. I knew you were gonna blame yourself for what happened, the numbat thought, tone gentle, so I won't try n' stop you. But you gotta know that I don't blame you. At all. Kay?

In the waking world, in his own body, Booker reached out to pat his brother's snout gently, the motion a bit stilted from this side of the bond. Then, he held on, focusing on their landing, watching as they touched down onto the Monarch's silver cap. The numbat watched the flash of thought that was sent his way, brow furrowing. Hm. Is there a place that's easier for ya, to fly in? We could always live somewhere else, n' come back 'ere every so often, he offered, rolling the options over in his head. Baratheon's happiness was, as always, put above his own on Booker's priority list, and the tiny Gembound would much prefer his brother to be comfortable wherever they decided to call home.

I don't care where we end up, as long as I have you an' Diot with me, Booker added, sending another burst of affection the dragon's way.

@Baratheon

"Baratheon Speech"


He appreciated the affection sent his way, it made him feel comforted and though it didn't chase away all the guilt or the memories, it at least made him feel a little better. Okay... I appreciate that. Really, I do. If there was one person who would have faith in him it was Booker. Even if he lost faith in himself the numbat would always be there for him like an anchor, holding his soul down and keeping him from drowning in his emotions.

The dragon thought over all the places he had been. Polaris, he liked it there but it would forever be haunted by the ghost of the black dragon. Even if it chose a new place to perch he would always remember it and remember what it had done to Booker. He decided to move on from thoughts of Polaris... It boiled his blood even thinking of that ignoramus perched there. He then thought of Cetus and of the father Dragon had told him about. It was actually very tempting. Cetus with its abundance of prey and his friends that lived there but... no... It was muddy and could be dangerous. He was afraid he'd lose his brother in the endless bog and fog. Then, there was Orion... He had lived there as a hatchling and loved every moment of it. There was room to fly, places that Booker could take refuge in and raise Diot. All while he could keep a close eye on things. Perhaps Flafe was even still lurking around there... He wondered what she would think of his large size.

What about Orion? I mean... if you don't mind leaving, of course. He focused on the link, his reassurance bubbling through it. He didn't mind staying, not at all. When he meant he would do whatever made Booker happy, he truly did mean it. Home is wherever my family is.

@Booker

As the images flashed through Baratheon's mind, Booker received impressions of them, still on the dragon's side of their link. The slideshow of colors was vibrant and bright, flickering through their shared consciousness like a living stream of light, pausing on Polaris for a split-second before moving on, finally slowing down to focus on Orion. The sight made Booker smile, soft and melancholic, unintentionally pulling up his own images; pictures of he and Khloros, making their way through the starlit ruins, inspecting the throne, finding the piece of glass and metal that now perched on the numbat's snout.

He had nothing but fog when it came to Polaris, now, but Orion was still bright with potential, bittersweet memories aside. Orion. That could work. A hum, and a happy laugh at the surge of reassurance, and Booker sank back into his own body, opening his eye to peer at his bonded with a grin.

"I'd like Orion, I think. Didn't stay there long, but it's nice n' quiet; plenty of places for you to fly, and for me n' Diot to find a new hideout." The tiny Gembound sent a pulse of affection across the bond, still a bit lost in thought. "As long as you'd be fine with me comin' back here, every once in a while. I... I owe the All Mother, and the Sister. More than I could ever repay."

@Baratheon

"Baratheon Speech"


Baratheon nodded his head. Then Orion it would be. They could set up there in one of the buildings while he watched over all the proceedings. There would be no sneaking up on him in Orion, there were no annoying trees or anything. The words sounded strange when actually spoken now. He had gotten used to the thought words. Exactly. He still preferred speaking the lazy way though. Much easier.

He wasn't as fond of the crazy cat sisters as Booker was but he didn't dislike them. He just thought they were insane but... cute, in a strange way he supposed. In any case while he was in Eridanus they would have his protection as well. Of course. Can't forget about those cute lil' sisters. He was trying to be serious but he couldn't help but let that bit of humor escape across the bond.

He gave his head a slight shake and a yawn as he stared down at the foliage below. They could rest here for a moment then he would take them back down when he'd rested. It was probably about time they settle in to sleep, anyway.

-end thread-

@Booker

Booker giggled at the lazy contentment that flooded the bond, settling down to curl up on the dragon's snout with a satisfied sigh. At Baratheon's continued bemusement towards the Sisters, the numbat's tail moved to swat at his brother's nose horn gently, playing along. They can be a bit... overwhelmin', Booker agreed, yawning in the waking world with a twitch of his pelt. But they're young, like we used to be. 's cute. Betcha you're just jealous 'cause the Monarch didn't speak to you, he joked with an echoing mind-laugh.

Slipping off into sleep, Booker felt safe, comfortable - more than he'd felt in weeks, now. Close by, Diot was secure in their temporary home, and soon, his little family would all be together, safe and sound under the glowing stars of Orion.

[ Exit Booker; Fin ]