A Family's Place (Kaya/Shoki | Dragonridge)

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

77.05.30 | morning

"Holt! Holt come on!"

An observer, of which there were doubtless several, could be readily forgiven for believing that it was the family of the purplerider that was receiving a visit, rather than that of th bluerider. Certainly, the level of excitement and energy in the purplerider's tone and body language could be taken to suggest that. However, and more likely to any observer who actually knew the purplerider, it simply suggested that he was up to something. Probably something involving at least a little bit of rule bending.

"Holt, come on! We're going to be late!"

K'tar raced off a little ways, then returned to circle around behind Holt, like a herding canine trying to drive a herdbeast forward. He even dipped his shoulder slightly, nudging his friend's back with it. Clearly, he was eager to be off to wherever it was they were going.

[Shoki]

Mau was waiting. Somewhat nervously. She hadn’t really been around Holt’s parents too much, though they had been nothing but courteous to her. There was just always that bit of nervousness. Hammer was happy to keep her company, the bright firelizard never too far away. Mau wondered idly if Holt and K’tar would be too much longer. She suspected that there was something up when K’tar was the one doing the informing, but she doubted that she was being left high and dry with Holt’s family. For one, K’tar liked to witness the chaos that he caused. The Greenrider smirked a little before sighing again.

She did want them to show up soon, after all, she wanted to spend the day with friends. For now, sitting in their home with a Tiger flitter on her lap felt odd. But she could wait it out.

[Kaya]

"Late?" Holt questioned, taking a few more hasty steps as K'tar circled around behind him. His parents weren't really like that about visits. His mom was happy just to have him drop by. He scooted around K'tar to grab Korith's riding strap. He'd gotten them on this morning in anticipation of the trip. "We'll get there at just the right time," he insisted, smiling despite himself at K'tar's antics. He was excited, just not at being herded about like some ovine.

Climb aboard, Korith encouraged. It didn't take any more than that to get Holt off the ground and away from his good, but pestering, friend.

---

"Would you like me to fill that up?" Melinna gestured at the cup sitting off to Mau's side. She had her own empty cup in her hand. Simple thing to offer, though she wasn't sure why Mau was here ahead of her son. Schedules probably, then. She did hope he arrived soon.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar was still grinning as Holt quickly moved forward. They were nearly there, nearly there… he could feel the secret resting on the tip of his tongue, quivering in his throat. He couldn’t wait until they reached the hose of Holt’s parents and Holt walked in only to see Mau. It was going to be awesome! Of course, it wasn’t like he could explain that to Holt, since the whole thing depended on his friend being surprised.

No sooner was Holt mounted on Korith than K’tar darted over to Viarth, scrambling up to settle on the purple’s back.

Almost there, Viarth remarked, sharing a mental grin with his rider. K’tar had to quickly turn aside to prevent Holt from seeing and registering the grin that slid across his face, else the other young man would have known something was up.

“On you,” K’tar called over to Holt, then settled, nearly vibrating in place, as he waited for Holt and Korith to give the signal for takeoff.

[Shoki]

Mau looked up when Melinna spoke, a smile lighting up her face.

“Yes please.” She held the cup steady as Melinna poured, Hammer peeking out from her lap. The King flitter did like the smell, even if he wasn’t interested in a face full of hot drink. After it was full she thanked her hostess and took a sip. It still felt weird being here. She liked Holt’s parents, but well, they didn’t’ live at the Weyr. Visits were easy, but they were riders, and they were often busy.

“It always smells so good around here.” Mau remarked. Currently the scent of the drink was in her nose, but she could have sworn she had smelled fresh bread on her way in. A house that smelled of food was nice. So even if things were awkward for her, it felt homey. So it wasn’t so bad waiting for Holt. She did wish he would hurry up though.

[Kaya]

With K'tar's prompt - perhaps decided even before it - Korith was up in the air. Though still perplexed over his friend's excitement, Holt's unvoicable worry that K'tar was up to something unpleasant flew away with the wind. The cool air filled his ears and raced through his short hair. Rainbow Mists felt warm to him even in the coolest time of the Turn, the take off rush felt nice. Between on the other hand persisted in feeling bitter and cold.

The lazy mist hanging over the Dragon Ridge mountains was a welcome sight. Korith made the same lazy spiral he always did into the small mining camp. Holt swung his leg over the side before the Blue was squarely on the ground. Not waiting for K'tar, he dropped to the ground and strode through the chilly air to his parents' home. It smelled nice. Like bread.

"Mom, I'm home," he called into the place, and began taking off his boots.

Melinna had thanked Mau for the compliment right as her son called from the entry of the house. "I'll be right back," she excused herself and went to go hug her son. Hollarn shifted his cup and waited in an easy silence with Mau.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Following Holt’s lead, K’tar pulled his boots off. He grinned around Holt’s form at his friend’s mother, then leaned around further, craning his head to try and spot the surprise he’d arranged.

K’tarMine, You know that she’s here.

Yes, but I just can’t wait!

Viarth didn’t respond with words, only with a feeling of agreement. He wanted to see the reaction too. He was hoping for something like a big jump, at the least, though he knew his rider was hoping for something more like a shocked greeting followed by hugging, followed by embarrassment for hugging in front of parents. He wasn’t sure why his rider was convinced that this would be embarrassing, but he supposed it would be something to find out.

“Hey, I hope you don’t mind that I came along,” K’tar said, grinning over at Holt’s mother.

[Shoki]

Mau wanted to just jump up and say hello to Holt first. A couple of things prevented this. The main one was the strangely feline firelizard in her lap, who was most certainly trapping her. Hammer pushed his head into her hands, gaining the pet that he so richly deserved. King firelizards. She had to carefully unlatch Hammer from her lap, and place him on her seat. No better way to reserve a seat for sure. With that she gave a sheepish smile to Holt’s father before heading to where his mother had gone.

As she expected, Holt and K’tar was there, Melinna was hugging Holt. Mau smiled, the little crooked smile she had with just a hint of satisfaction. Family hugs. Mau waited, just smiling like that, giving Holt a little wave. K’tar would just very well have to sit there for a bit.
Of course, she doubted he minded much.

[Kaya]

Holt was well wrapped up in a familiar mom hug when Mau quietly walked into the entry room. His eyebrows lifted and he smiled at her wave. "It's good to see you too, mom," he replied as she finally let go of him. He took a step over to Mau, a confused but happy smile on his face.

"I-um, wasn't expecting you," he said, and pulled her in to kiss the side of that crooked smile of hers. Had he known she had the day off too? Oh now there was a missed opportunity...or one that they'd have to take up later. "We're not in trouble, are we?" he asked with a wink.

It occurred to him vaguely that his mom was standing right there, but really, his parents had been nothing but supportive of his relationship with Mau. But then again K'tar was here and had a penchant for wanting to embarrass him.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

True to Mau’s thoughts, had he but known them, K’tar didn’t mind waiting at all. Indeed, he was rather enjoying the anticipation of… Holt’s mom finally let go, so that Holt could go and…

“Is that all?” K’tar demanded. “No deep passionate kisses? No announcing eternal love, no hugging like you’ll never let go?” He seemed most aggrieved, that the other members of this little drama were failing to perform to expectations. Here he went to the trouble of setting this up, and they weren’t even going to give Holt’s parents a show?

[Shoki]

The satisfaction of having Holt surprised was enough for Mau. Still he came over and gave her a quick kiss, which she returned. After he commented, she was about to respond, when K’tar chimed in with how deeply unsatisfied he was with the exchange. Mau tried to contain her amusement, but had to respond to Holt.

“Maybe that answers your question?” Mau teased lightly. Her hand stealthily went for Holt’s, K’tar’s egging not really a factor here. Hopefully her weyrmate didn’t have a problem with a little hand holding in front of his mother.