[prp] In the Dead of Night [Ana/Mic]

[Sweet Symmetry]

It was late, and snores filled the weyrling barracks, a disharmonic hush of many bodies squeezed together and trying to make the best of their peculiar pickle. Had it not been High Reaches, with its vast space and clever foresight, sixty odd new dragonpairs might have posed a problem. As it was, only some felt the issue of cramped quarters and little privacy.

Mictecath was not one such being.

Nighttime was magical. Watching her brethren sleep granted her a vision of kinship and vulnerability. She loved them all (well, most, but even the more aggressive could be taught), so very dearly. Her eyes, gently whirling shades of blue and purple, travelled over wallows and cots, pausing as she admired hide or body. Perfect. They were all so perfect.

The young hatchling slipped from her wallow with practiced ease. A glance at her rider- rolled up thrice in her covers, and consequently more cocoon than human- told her all she needed to know. I won't be gone far… She bespoke the young woman, gently, pressing her head into her chest in an affectionate nuzzle.

“Mmm? S’bit early for breakfast, but I recommend the bubbly pie.” With a contented, childlike smile, Nyara seemed to relax, rolling a little more into her blanket.

If I find any, I'll bring you back a slice… Ah, Nya had such a fascination with food… it was almost as if someone had tried to take her meals from her as a child (they hadn't- Mic had poked around in her memories a lot as they explored each other’s minds).

Instead, with all the lightness of foot a baby dragon could muster, she crept towards Anakumath’s wallow. Ana, my dearest… might I join you?

And so marked the start of Mic’s specialised sibling cuddle sessions- with her sweetly effervescent, loving sister.

“demon_pachabel”

 

[demon_pachabel]

Compared to being curled up in an egg and huddled up right next to any given sibling, the disharmonic snoring of clutchsiblings was music to Anakumath’s headknobs. Though there was also a loneliness to it - a quite purposeful distance between each of them meant to be grown into. One that certainly some of them would. Some would even outgrow that. But so small and so young, it felt like so much space and so much distance.

Perhaps that had been the cold that Martirae had meant when she tucked the worn out blanket over her at night - there was no physical chill that bothered the little gold yet, after all. But the blanket offered a physical comfort, at the very least. At its best she entertained it in dreams with the memories that the woman associated with the object - though such memories were tilted instead towards her own golden mother and brown father, rather than the pair her beloved thought of.

She’d been only inches deep in the ocean of thoughts when a familiar voice reached out to her, drawing Anakumath to a half-awakeness with a soft chirp of sleepy greeting. Mictecath? she wasn’t truly asking, half lidded eyes whirling shades of blues and greens. Even half alert, however, Anakumath lifted one wing - and the blanket draped over her with it - to offer a spot for her.

In her bed, Martirae stirred, opening one eye to see who was coming to visit in the middle of the night. Mictecath was given no longer of a look than Skerath or Ulendoth would have received before she rolled over so her back was to the pair. There was no reason to be wary of this guest.

Sweet Symmetry

 

[Sweet Symmetry]

Ana did not seem to be too deeply asleep- Mictecath only felt a slight flicker of guilt as her sister stirred, before offering a wing in answer. The paler queen approached, nudging Marty ever so slightly in an affectionate greet, then slipped into the wallow beside her shining sister.

Ah, it’s so lovely to be free to cuddle at last. The dragonet spoke airily as she nestled against Anakumath’s side, getting comfortable. She lay her head beside her sister’s, then draped her tail across Ana’s body. Well- Mic was fairly certain this was as close to enmeshed as she would get without completely squishing her, so she heaved a sigh of contentment and folded her wings close against her back.

This is very cosy. And how wonderful it is that we can admire our siblings together... There was so much more Mic wanted to say- but she didn’t want to overwhelm her dearest sister. Anakumath was so precious. Mic had no qualm with simply laying in silence, bodies pressed together in warm, affectionate love.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

It is Anakumath agreed, resting her wing over Mictecath once she had settled. It made the wallow feel like much less of an open, gaping space that perhaps would someday be too small. Someday this barrack would really seem crowded and all of their clutchsiblings would have their tolerance for one another tested. But for all the time in the world to come, a moment like this was nice.

Leaning her head into her clutchsister's, the smaller gold hummed tiredly in contentment. It would be nice if we could check in on the others as well, she worried about little Bossuth in particular at times, but Iljunfanth and so many others would have been nice to keep an eye on.

Anakumath needed just 20 more eyes so she could watch everybody.

Sweet Symmetry

 

[Sweet Symmetry]

demon_pachabel

Why could we not? I don’t see what’s wrong with a little nighttime visit to some of our other siblings, as well… Mic mused, in that all-too innocent way that suggested that she had intended to do so, and scorch anyone who tried to tell her no. Hugs and Cuddles were not Bad Things.

She added her own contented thrum to Ana’s own, rubbing her soft golden cheek against her sister’s. How have you been, my dearest Ana? We have so many to care for here. I worry you don’t do enough caring for yourself! She gave the quietest of affectionate croons, a glint of good humour in her voice. Her sister was a worrier. Hopefully she wasn’t worrying herself old whilst she was still so young!  

[demon_pachabel]

Because they are sleeping, Anakumath offered, though there was no implication she was scolding her sister for considering it. And we should respect the boy's privacy while they do so, she added. Certainly, none of the Weyrlings likely slept in any way that could have been considered scandalous, but who knew who would jolt awake in surprise.

Even if a visit to Zezollath would have been nice.

At Mictecath's pointed concern, Anakumath couldn't help but shift sheepishly. There is a lot to be done. It is fine, she admitted, though she was already certain it was not an acceptable answer as far as her sister was concerned. If the others are well, it is no bother.

Sweet Symmetry

 

[Sweet Symmetry]

demon_pachabel

It was an odd notion, privacy- to a dragon at least… As far as Mictecath was concerned, dragon cuddles were the best kind- who wouldn’t want to be woken up by a dragon ready for night time hugs? Besides which, family did not keep secrets from one another. There was no need for privacy. She mulled over Ana’s concerns, giving her sister the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she meant something else? Hum… I’m sure they won’t mind waking up if they sleep better afterwards… Besides, we’re all sleeping together anyway… just in different wallows… and if you meant the human males, well, I don’t especially intend on disturbing them, if it can be helped. Satisfied that these were perfectly good excuses and reasons for making more nighttime visits, Mic gave a firm nod, as if that closed the discussion. Of course- Ana’s concerns would be heard, and humoured, to a degree; but Mictecath had the unfortunate habit of steamrolling over boundaries and space. Personal bubbles meant very little.

She did, however, noticed her cousin’s little wiggle, and shot her a measuring glance that would have done any inquisitive creche worker or auntie proud. Ana’s answer was so pure that the pale gold couldn’t help but give a little purr of appreciation, cuddling closer to her. Ana, your heart is as gold as your hide. She remarked, her mindvoice radiating a light humour. She nuzzled her gently, then rested her head on her front paws once more. We need to do our best by our clutchmates, but we also need to look after ourselves. If that means I have to take care of you, and you need to take care of me, then so be it. That would suit me just fine. She paused here, not entirely certain what kind of care she would need… but perhaps that was Anakumath’s problem, too.

Still, she knew neither of them, alone, would be able to handle all of these clutchmates. Some of them had proven rowdier and more extreme than others… and some were shy, and would need lots of love and support. Together, as a team, Mic pictured herself and Anakumath as paragons of strength and virtue; that was the vision she wanted to see brought to life.  

[demon_pachabel]

It would have been very presumptuous of Anakumath to think she could get away with such trespass. Mictecath was charming enough, perhaps, to keep from such trouble, but she was not so grand a creature, and in that it was very easy to talk herself out of such adventure. Perhaps offer a nuzzle from here to offer nice dreams, Anakumath suggested, sending a mental nuzzle of her own to her sister in example of what she meant by those words. It was perhaps a good middle ground.

Such praise had Ana tucking her face under her opposite wing bashfully. Oh, she didn't deserve such kind words, but she knew better than to say such to Mictecath, who likely would have fussed all the way to the Weyrwoman and back about it - and in the middle of the night if she had to! I will always take care of you if you need me, dear Mictecath, she said, pulling her head out from under her wing after her moment had passed, instead leaning her weight into the larger gold's side and resting her head onto her sister's paws next to hers.

Surely together they would be able to do much, and while she would have gladly taken up the mantle of caretaker to all of their clutchsiblings together, it was perhaps for her better that there was another willing to do it all with her.

Sweet Symmetry

 

[Sweet Symmetry]

The mental nuzzle was certainly a warm wave of affection, but it did not hold a candle to the real thing, in Mictecath’s humble opinion. What was the point of sleeping together, of sharing barracks, if one were barred from spending time with the others? It made no sense. It was a logical impossibility for her mind to fathom. Well, you certainly do have a sense for it, my sweet Ana. Mic’s voice was mild, but carried a deep warmth that she tried to, perhaps a little ham-handedly, foist on her sister with mental willpower. Then, deciding that it was just too unsubtle, she placed her paw on her sister’s in some attempt at physical comfort and affection. And your heart is most certainly in the right place. Don’t fret over it anymore.

The pale queen gave a slight hum of pleasure, hoping not to disturb Marty, or any other nearby sleepers. Even so young, I can always depend on you, my dearest cousin. I know I am in safe paws if they are yours. Pleased, she lay her head down beside Anakumath’s, one set of eyelids closing over whirling, blue-green eyes.

I look forwards to training tomorrow… And being able to visit with our Mama and Grandmama, too. Mic gave a slight yawn, the second layer slitting shut over the first. And one day, we’ll fly… oh Ana, it’ll be so grand. Just you see. Not that Ana needed convincing- but Mic was so happy. So happy to spend time with her beloved sister/cousin/friend. So happy just to be surrounded with love, and with her family. It was going to be okay.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

Mictecath's reassurances carried a lot of weight with Anakumath, who leaned into her gratefully, though unease would always have a place in her heart. Nudging her head so the top of it bumped against her sister's cheek, the (barely, really) older gold sighed out what stresses could be freed with such a gesture, instead allowing herself to just enjoy the warm closeness.

Yes. The future will come so quickly with how you dream of it. How could it not want to? With such invitation, such excitement? Even Anakumath could allow herself to await what the two of them would do together in that time. Even she could find things to dream about in that beautiful future.

Sweet Symmetry

 

[Sweet Symmetry]

demon_pachabel

Happy to end here or on yours if you would like? =]

Ana had the soul of a dreamer, a poet. She was one of the reasons Pern needed protecting, no matter what. Her heart was full of love and compassion, and her purity gave her such a sweet and tender light that Mic almost didn’t want her to grow up- Ana needed to be protected no matter what.

And we’ll always have each other, okay? I’m not going to let anything bad happen to anybody, especially you… Her soft voice spoke of somnolence, and the last of Mic’s eyelids concealed the blue-purple hues of love. Gently, she drifted in a slumber filled with cuddles and dreams of golden sisterhood. Ana was indeed special, and she was grateful to grow up beside her.