Wyvern sighed. "We have reconciled, as you put it. But things are still difficult. When harsh words are exchanged, and when one leaves home for such a great length of time... well, nothing ever quite goes back to the way it was. Both of us made mistakes, and both of us have changed since; we are... learning each other, I suppose. Learning how one another think again. My mother continued to grow her family in my absence; meanwhile, I myself have begun to consider having children." She sighed, tugging out another feather -- a pale white-blue this time.

At his offer, she dipped her head graciously. "I'm able to produce my own food, I've a spell for such a thing, but some water would be greatly appreciated."


@james

James nodded gently and stood, making his way to a bowl of water sitting on a broken stair. He picked it up in his teeth and carefully set it down before Wyvern, laying himself back down after a moment.

"Ah... well, I'm glad you two are back together," he said, "I have my daughter, but I used to be with a lion named Aristotle. I doubt we'll be able to reconcile, unfortunately."

His eyes saddened and he looked away, ears down, "But... children, you say?"

He looked up and smiled gently, "I have some experience. I'm not as old as you are, about... 5 cycles? My daughter is one- nearly two, I believe. She's been a wonder to have, though I suspect not all children are so... independant."

@Wyvern

"Oh, dear," she began, looking up from what she had been doing and tilting her head to the side. "I am so sorry for what you must have lost." She felt for him. "I have never had someone who I have loved, not in that way, but I understand that it must be difficult for you."

She inclined her head slightly. "Honestly, my greatest concern is... that I may make my mother's mistakes. The problem is, I am not sure how to avoid repeating them." Then, because she knew he'd ask, "Our... greatest falling out was that she sought to keep me much longer than I needed to be kept. I behaved... with great immaturity, even well into my sixth cycle. My mother sought to protect me for that reason, although she also acted in such a way that prevented me from growing." She paused. "In short, I think that my mother created me because she was lonely and wanted someone to protect. But I am unsure if I am making this same mistake."


@james

James blinked and looked away, frowning, "Well... a child can be both friend and family. They fill a hole in your heart in a way nothing else can. At least in my opinion. If you don't have one, you never have that hole to be filled, either."

He exhaled and thought for a moment, "I say you learn from your mother's mistakes. Though it absolutely doesn't mean you won't make them and won't regret them, or make different mistakes. It happens. It will happen. You have to learn from them, is all, and teach your child that everyone makes mistakes and that it's okay."

He stood up and shook himself out before leaning forward to bump his wing against Wyvern gently, "I think you'll do fine, honestly."

@Wyvern

Wyvern sighed, and then laughed a little. "My, you're very wise for someone so young. If only I'd been as mature as you at your age." James was an adult, of course, but Wyvern knew quite well the difference between physical maturity and mental maturity. When a creature could grow to adulthood so fast, there was always the chance that their mind would lag behind as hers had. "Thank you for the vote of confidence, James."

She eyed him. "Your daughter is lucky to have you. Perhaps once I have little ones of my own, we can keep in touch. It would be nice to bring someone into the world knowing they will have friends; Caves, I certainly didn't." She didn't exactly say this as though it were a bad thing, simply a reality.


@james

James smiled wryly and huffed, "My Comet's always getting into trouble. If she can have a friend to teach her to be more... gentle, I believe it would do her good."

He stretched out his wings and sighed, "Perhaps we could come to an agreement to babysit each other's kids if we ever just need a nap or something."

He laughed softly and smiled gently, eyes kind.

"It's wonderful to be able to give your children the things you didn't have," he said, "But trying to teach them to be grateful rather than take advantage is... difficult. I can only hope I've done so."

He looked away, a bit... upset. He was mature, yes, but perhaps it was because he'd had to grow up so fast. At least his children would be able to mature at their own paces.

"Wyvern? Why don't we be friends too?", he said, looking up at her, "Like... talking over lunch, flying over Orion- we could go wherever you want, I'm a wanderer at heart."

@Wyvern

Wyvern's eyes sparkled. "Babysitting, hm? That sounds excellent." Her feathers fluffed out and she kept ruffling through them, shedding blue and white feathers. "Sorry about this by the way," she said a little sheepishly. "I'll be sure to clean up my mess before I leave. I don't know if you've had to shed a lot of feathers before, but the itching is insufferable. You can't think of anything else until they're gone."

At his proposition, though, she paused in her motion and tilted her head to the side. "Friends...? Well, I'd love that!" She let out a small laugh. "I don't travel much, but having a friend to speak to is always good, isn't it? I tend to stay near my home -- that will probably increase, once I plant a chrysalis and wait for the little one to hatch -- but Monoceros is not far from Orion." Wyvern nodded in the direction of Monoceros. "Although -- and I mean no offense, simply concern -- I am not sure how I feel about a new flyer frequenting the winds. I'm sure even Dread gets tossed around by them once in a while."


@james

James smiled and huffed happily, "Birds of a feather... we may be dragon and horse, but we have that in common."

He flapped his wings and out came a mountain of feathers, as if he'd slammed two feather pillows together and they'd exploded. He smiled sheepishly at Wyvern.

"I have," he said, "I was nervous to admit it before you did- but now I feel a little better."

With a flap he used the air generated to push most of them towards the door, "I can move them easily, don't worry. You're my guest after all."

James grinned bigger as Wyvern accepted his proposition, "I would love to go to Monoceros. I travel a lot, I've been there before. The winds are great but I'm used to sticking to the ground anyway, so I'm not too worried about being blown away."

He was a horse first and a bird second, even though his bright wings were obvious.

@Wyvern

Wyvern dipped her head to him and cleared her throat, getting to her feet. "Well, that is good, then -- the winds of Monoceros are dangerous, even with experience." She considered. "Although, I might have to help guide you -- the Thunder lives high in the walls, near the heat vents. It's, ah, very unpleasant -- I am rather cold-aligned, like my mother -- but I manage." She laughed a little -- she still questioned Asimona's judgement, really, but it wasn't exactly something she ought to have been privy to.

Wyvern bowed again, slightly. "But, I ought to go soon -- I was actually headed to Pisces," she admitted, her head inclining slightly. "Perhaps I will stop by again on my way back, hm? It has been a pleasure, James."


/exit wyvern unless stopped
@james

James smiled, "Thank you, Wyvern. I'll take you up on that. I've seen Carja master those winds, but I'm reluctant to try myself, I fear that my delicate bones won't handle it as well as a dragon's could."

He raised his wing and pressed it to Wyvern, "Please do! I have nowhere to go, anyway. I look forward to when you come next! Goodbye!"

He bumped her shoulder with his head before retreating further into his home, sighing. He hoped she'd return soon.

@Wyvern for visbility
Exit James.