Bringing Joy

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 16th April 2019

Characters: Arrilon, Kamalia
Description: Kamalia meets Arrilon's firelizard and helps name her.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 8 of Turn 9

The green firelizard was curled up on Arrilon's bed, sleeping. Arrilon was supposed to be doing work, but was instead watching her, a small smile on his face. So far, they hadn't communicated much beyond her letting him know when she was hungry and then when she was content, but even that was enough to fill him with wonder. Usually his emotions had an undercurrent of bitterness and regret, but for now at least, those had receded, replaced with a feeling that everything was right with the world. It was a bit strange - he almost didn't feel like himself - but it was also nice.

"Ari?" a familiar voice called. His sister, Kamalia, stepped in the room, glancing around quickly to see that he was alone. Then, she saw the firelizard. "A green," she said softly, not wanting to wake her. Then looking up at him, a worried look crossed her face. "Were you hoping for another color?"

He was surprised at the strong reaction he had to the question and he responded perhaps a bit too loudly, causing the little firelizard to twitch in her sleep. "No Kam, she's perfect." He crossed the room and gave his little sister a big hug, not even caring that her clothes were wet from the rain. "And I'm sure Alaudath is thrilled."

Kamalia nodded, smiling. "Of course. She was hoping for a green. She's so much darker than Alaudath." She approached the bed to get a closer look. Then, turning back to her brother, "Does she have a name yet?"

He shook his head. "I have no idea what to name her. Anything I think of just sounds silly."

She nodded, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Then after a pause, "Alaudath says Silly could be a name."

"I'm not sure if she is silly yet," he said, sitting on the other end of the bed. "Right now she just eats and sleeps and demands to be held rather than sitting on my shoulder."

As if she knew she was being talked about, the green's eyes opened and she looked curiously at the newcomer, then cocked her head at Arrilon. A smile crossed his face as he felt her curiosity. "This is my sister, Kamalia. She's kind of like your clutchmates, but we weren't born at the same time." He sent images of himself and Kamalia when they were younger, along with images of her and the other firelizards at the recent hatching. Satisfied with the answer, the green hopped over to Kamalia and accepted her caresses. She then returned to Arrilon and curled up in his lap.

Seeing the two of them together, Kamalia was thrilled that the firelizard was already having a positive effect on her brother. "How about naming her Happy?" she suggested. "She definitely seems to make you happy."

"Doesn't that seem too... informal?" He liked the thought process behind it though, and wondered if a similar word could work. "Maybe lucky? Cheerful? Joyful?" Then it clicked. "Joy." Looking down at the green, he asked, "How about it? Does Joy work for a name?" He sent the emotion to her so she'd know what it meant.

The green chirped and sent a similar emotion back, which he took as assent. "Well, it's decided then." He felt a sense of relief. "That didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would."

"Joy is a beautiful name," Kamalia said approvingly. "Now that she's awake, can Alaudath meet her?"

"Of course." He wondered how the firelizard would react to meeting her first dragon. He looked around the room, wondering what to wear in the rain. "So, anything new with you? Wasn't there a Clutch on the Sands?"

Kamalia's stomach dropped as her thoughts turned back to the Hatching earlier that day. In fact, part of the reason she had decided to visit as soon as she'd heard about the firelizards hatching was to hear some good news. "You didn't hear?" she asked, and when Arrilon shook his head, she sighed. "The Hatching was just a few candlemarks ago, and one of the dragonets didn't find a lifemate. She was a green." Her voice broke. "It was horrible."

"Oh no," was all Arrilon could think to say. He gently placed Joy on the bed and put his arm around his sister. "I can only imagine what you're feeling."

Kamalia leaned into the embrace, resting her head on her brother's shoulder for a moment. "It's not the first time it's happened, and it won't be the last. But, that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking." She looked at Joy, who had made her way back onto Arrilon's lap. "I can't stay long, but when I heard the firelizard eggs had hatched, I just had to come. It's nice to see you looking so happy."

She wiped a tear away and put a smile back on her face. "Now, let's focus on you and Joy, and Alaudath's excitement to meet her." She pulled Arrilon to his feet and towards the door.

Arrilon let himself be pulled with one hand as his other cradled the green. He was glad she could bring joy, not only to his life, but to others' lives as well.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2019

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Bringing Joy