<Day 16>

<Snip>

Coo watched and listened from a distance.

<End Snip>

The iridescent dragon sighed more than a little forlornly, she loved Dizzi, but then she just plain loved hatchlings of any sort. Coo always wished she could have some hatchlings of her own, but it just wasn't meant to be. Fate could be so unkind. 

Cloud was right, Dizzi had her own family and she and Anthra weren't part of it. And her rider was also right, as much as she hated to admit it. Fighting with that nasty young black was beneath her. But that realization didn't make her feel any better. Maybe hunting might take her mind off things, fluffing her scales Coo spread her sparkly wings and launched skyward.

Day 17 Mid Morning - Dining Hall

<Snip>

"Good Morning Ladies!" Breezy heard him say as he pulled out the chair,the scraping sound it made echoing through her mind like fingernails raking across slate.

<End Snip>

Breezy cringed, her eyes crossing slightly at the high pitched scraping sound and exhaled in relief as the trainer finally got the chair adjusted and the screeching stopped. Her eyes almost bulged out of her head when he set his coffee cup down rather heavily on the table. The sound was akin to a small explosion going off in her head and a slight groan escaped her lips as she finally looked up at the man. As soon as her eyes met his the fog lifted slightly and a rush of memories from the night before came flooding back. 

There was a little small talk with Jeneve and then she left to who knows where. Galen started questioning her and Breezy's mind drifted to the night before. Her head was still throbbing making it hard to think and the small woman was sure it would explode at any moment. Despite the pain her mind was working a mile a minute as she talked with Galen. Actually he did most of the talking at the moment she just barely answered.

<Snip>

"You seem to be rather cheery this morning though. No after-effects for you?"

"Nope. So you'll have to deal with my 'cheery self'."


"Well, try to be a little more quietly cheery or I'll rip your throat out." Galen laughed, "Yes, m'lady."

<End Snip>

They'd had a nice time talking and drinking but something happened she fell, or he fell she wasn't sure which. Breezy bit her lip to keep from groaning out loud as the images of a kiss filtered through her mind. Had it been real or imagined, no, it just couldn't be real Galen was her friend. But it was nice from what she could remember if it was real. Of course they had both been pretty drunk, so anything was possible. She had really come to care about the soldier in the short time she had known him. No, that wasn't right Breezy thought, she had come to value his friendship, that's what it was. Her thoughts were in a turmoil over the hazy images when Coo busted into her thoughts.

[Why don't you just kiss him and find out!] 

*And why don't you mind your own business!*

Seeing her eyes glaze over Galen leaned closer, "Is Coo remembering something!"

"I....." Breezy swung to answer the man, not realizing he had moved nearer, she found her face only inches from his. Her eyes widened and Breezy quickly looked back at her coffee cup, for the first time feeling extremely uncomfortable around the man, and really hoped it didn't show. "Uh....she's feeling a bit of the after affects and is being her normally nasty self."

Sputtering filled the redhead's mind, [I am not, normally nasty! And you know, don't you.....remember that story you told me about that wooden boy that lied. What did you call him, Pinko or something! You'd better watch your nose, lying makes it grow!]

Breezy choked on the coffee she was swallowing and started coughing. Galen immediately started patting her on the back trying to help. Jerking away from his touch she lost her balance and almost fell out of the chair which only made things worse because he grabbed her, trying to keep her from falling. Unfortunately when he this she dropped the cup in her hand and it crashed to the floor. The sound echoed across the dining hall attracting the attention of the other diners. Her head began to throb even worse if that was possible and Breezy wasn't sure if it was from the hangover or......and the or, was the last thing she wanted to think about. Of course she could just ask him, but then Galen might laugh at her, or worse, think she was trying to come on to him.

Managing to get righted the redhead did her best to untangle herself from his grasp without being too obvious or looking to foolish, or at least she hoped that was the case. 

"Are you okay?" the trainer asked with concern. 

"Just fine!" she said a little too abruptly still trying to catch her breath. One of the serving girls appeared with a towel and fresh cup of coffee.

"Oh, please don't...don't I'll get that!" Breezy said reaching for the towel.

"It's ok Ma'am!" the girl said waving Breezy away. The Sr. Wingleader sighed shutting her eyes for an instant.

"Breezy?" Galen questioned. "Are you..."

Putting her hands up in front of her she opened her eyes, "I'm fine! I'm fine Galen really I am." Sighing and taking a sip of the hot coffee Breezy sighed inwardly *Hell this was stupid,* she thought, *here I am fumbling around like an idiot. Well I'm just not plain going to worry about it!* Galen was her friend, if you can't be foolish with your friends why bother being foolish at all.

"Actually, now that we are both coherent I really wanted to talk to you a little more about Jasmine's dagger. For some reason the symbols on the sheath seem...well.......I could swear I've seen them somewhere before!"

Galen pulled the dagger from his jacket sliding it between them and the two began to discuss the ornate weapon.

"You know Galen, call me crazy but it almost looks like a map on this side of the sheath, but these other symbols...," Breezy said flipping the dagger over, "you got me on these one's, but I know I've seen them somewhere!"

Galen nodded and seemed to ponder over her words as he picked up the dagger and absently fingered the engraved detailing.

"We need to definitely find out more about this!" he answered somberly. "With Jasmine still unconscious, that is a dead end there for the moment! I have an idea! I was thinking we need someone, a scout of sorts that is familiar with antiquities such as this, and nows how to procur information quietly about them. "

Breezy's coffee cup stopped in mid air, the blue eyes took on a calculating glow, "We have someone like that?" Galen nodded thoughtfully. "He has...."

"Oooh! That's beautiful!" Jeneve exclaimed, appearing with Mentorn by her side. The young Warrenlady eyed the jeweled weapon appreciatively as she slid into the chair. "May I?" she asked holding out her hand.

Breezy was surprised at the request knowing how Jeneve felt about weapons, but from the look in the blondes eyes she wasn't looking at it as such, her eyes were on the huge blue gem more than anything. Galen handed the dagger to Jeneve and both the trainer and the Sr. Wingleader watched the young warrenlady with keen interest. This Jeneve was a little different then the one they knew. She exuded a confidence they had never seen before.

She gasped in delight, "It is real, I knew it as soon as I saw it!" The Warrenlady sighed, quietly moving the dagger so the light reflected off the deep blue stone. Her eyes were attentive as she took in the intricate detail of the piece, "And completely flawless, and this gold inlaid design well it's it's......." Realizing the trio was staring at her, Jeneve blushed furiously, "I..I'm sorry!" Pushing the dagger back towards the trainer the blonde stammered,"It's..it's just I have a little knowledge of fine gems and such!" 

The redhead glanced at the two men, her eyes narrowing at the look on Mentorn's face. There was a glimmer of definite recognition in his eyes as he stared at the dagger.

"May I ask where you got such a magnificent piece?" Jeneve questioned.

Breezy tilted her head slightly still taken back a little by Jeneve's reaction, "Lilliana found it with Jasmine and asked if we...," she said nodding at Galen, ".....would take care of it till she woke!"

Jeneve's face grew serious, "A very wise precaution, considering it's value. You can't be to careful," she answered quietly, "considering certain recent events."

Blue eyes grew huge and Breezy stifled a grin, pleased by Jeneve's statement. It's not so much what the young woman said, but how she said it. For one brief moment Breezy got a peek at the leader Jeneve was meant to be. The confidence the young woman in those brief statements was more than the redhead could have ever hoped for this early in the game. It didn't matter that the next instant Jeneve was blushing furiously, the needed attitude was there. It was just a matter of getting Jeneve to realize she had the right stuff for the job.

"Well ladies, I have work to do!" Galen said swallowing the last of his coffee, sliding the dagger back into his coat the soldier was aware that Mentorn watched his every movement. Looking pointedly at the rider he asked the young man to come by his office in a few hours. The look the soldier then gave Breezy made her realize she was included on that invite.

{NRPG: Carina/Ben hope this is ok and if you want to add feel free}

<Day 17 Early Afternoon - Dining Hall>

Breezy sighed in fatal acceptance as an effervescent Jeneve herded her back into the dining hall for the second time in one day. Sipping her coffee quietly she listened as the young woman talked away. The blondes bubbliness was making her head start to throb all over again. The redhead was sure that if a Healer could come up with a cure for the common hangover, that person would be very rich indeed. Happiness and hangovers did not go well together, of that the little woman was sure. 

<Snip>

"The thing is, she's absolutely convinced," said Jeneve, her eyes sparkling intensely as she reached out towards her glass and it jumped obligingly into her hand.

<End Snip>

Only the Breezy's eyes gave any indication of what she had just witnessed, as the young warrenlady continued to chat as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

<Snip>

"Well, I remember that before I joined with Malani at Falagand, a searcher had come to our town, and said that I had dragon affinity. So I wanted to ask you, Breezy - who's our searcher at Norwall? I really

think we ought to get Freya searched, or whatever the word is. And probably Qua-non while we're at it!"

<End Snip>

Breezy stared at the young woman in utter amazement, how Jeneve could be totally unaware of what she was doing, was beyond the small woman. She hadn't had a chance to talk to Jack yet, but that was about to change. Bringing her attention back to the conversation she took a sip of coffee.

"M'lent is our searcher!" Breezy said absently, her mind settling on the odd couple that had arrived earlier. "It's a possibility this Freya and Qua'non could have affinity. But M'lent is in the Med-center and has been ill!"

"Oh dear, I didn't know!" Jeneve exclaimed, "I do hope he's ok!"

"He should be fine! But I imagine he will be down for a few days resting up! I will........" Breezy stopped in mid sentence, Jeneve hadn't really been keep appraised of the Med-Center situation because of the circumstances. Breezy noticed that even though she was viewed as an outsider many of the people were coming to her for things instead of Jeneve. As a junior queen fill in it was her job to take up the slack for her warrenlady. But unfortunately because of her vast experience with warren life Breezy was automatically falling into doing the things that Jeneve should be doing. 

Breezy was older and more experienced and it showed, and she was sure this was why people we're coming to her with things. That needed to change, now that things were semi getting back to normal it was time for Jeneve to get her feet wet so to speak. "Maybe you could send him a note. I wouldn't advise going to the Med-Center at the moment but that's your call. Lilliana thinks this sickness that has several of the riders down, is now spread by touch and not airborne as she first thought, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I think you need to set up an appointment with the Healer about it."

"Really!" the blonde answered, the bubbliness disappearing to be replaced by apprehension.

Filling her cup from the thermos, Breezy grinned, "Yes really! Jeneve you have all the makings of a great Warrenlady you just need the experience and the only way you're going to get that is to jump in with both feet. I'll be right with you all the way! Fortunately for you, when you get sick of me, there are wonderful people here like K'tarr and Galen to help you get through the rough spots with things you don't understand."

The tall blonde shrank visibly and Breezy snorted, "Damn it, Jeneve you've got to quit worrying about what other people think. Face facts, you're not going to be able to please everybody, there is no decision you will make that will be perfect, ever! But as long as the Warren and the safety of the people in it are your prime concern, the rest will take care of itself. You need to start doing some of these things, that's the only way you are going to learn. If Naomi was feeling better I would have you talk to her. I'm sure she'd tell you the same thing!"

Jeneve chewed her bottom lip, "But I don't know.......!"

"Then use what you know!" Breezy said a little more harsher than she intended. Softening her tone, "You knew about the artwork on the dagger and you spoke with confidence! Use that, find something in each situation you're comfortable with and run with it! That's the best way for you to learn!"

The tall blonde looked doubtful, as Breezy rose from her chair, "Listen I have some things to do! I want you to think about it! Make yourself a list, whatever! But first I think you need to talk to Lilliana, we can't have too many more riders getting sick! Make an appointment with her to come to your office, let me know when, I'll be there."

"And this fun day is another thing! Think about it and tomorrow morning we'll start first thing getting it planned, because vendors will have to be talked to and Uncle about food and so on. You and I will go together, but Jeneve as the Warrenlady you need to do most of the talking! The inhabitants of this warren need to know you!" Chuckling she added, "They already know the bitchy redhead!" 

Fear etched the young woman's face and Breezy grinned, "Dragon's never make a mistake and Malani picked you for a reason. Jeneve, trust in your golden queen, she's probably smarter than all of us put together!"

With that said, Breezy left the dining hall leaving behind a slightly bewildered Jeneve. 

{Tag: Carina, I'll let you take it from here<G>}

<Day 17 Mid Afternoon-In the Warren Offices>

Breezy quickened her step to catch the tall man in front of her. Slipping her arm through his she smiled up at him, "Hi Handsome!"

"Well, hello pretty lady and how are you today!"

"Actually I'm hungover as hell Jack!" Steering the man into his office she shut the door behind her. "But I got something bothering me and you're the only one that can help me!"

A huge grin crossed the young man's face, "Well Gorgeous, I am always at your disposal!" Sitting in the chair behind his desk he indicated for the Sr. Wingleader to sit.

"Well," Breezy said almost coyly, "We need to talk about your sister and the fact that things have a tendency of moving by themselves when she's around!" Sitting in the chair the redhead relaxed with a smug expression on her face. She liked Jack, they had developed an easy-going repetoire bantering back and forth about, pretty much anything. 

*Gotya!* She thought, leaning back in the chair the Breezy almost busted out laughing at the shocked and wary look that came over the accountant's face.

{Tag: Carina-and what does brother Jack have to say about this<G>}

<Day 17 Early Evening - On the green>

Breezy leaned against Coo's neck absently scratching the dragon's head. She stared thoughtfully up at Kalena's apartment. Breezy had seen K'tarr leave not to long after her appearance at the tiny woman's apartment. It bothered her that Kalena was still holed up and as yet, hadn't made an appearance. If anything Kalena needed to have Lilliana take a look at her, the visible bruises that the Sr. Wingleader saw when she was there didn't look good and the redhead cringed inwardly at the thought of what she didn't see.

Several minutes passed until Coo broke into her thoughts. [I do believe that the last scale that was in that spot has now been rubbed off!]

*Huh! Oh sorry!* Breezy replied moving her hand. 

[If you are so worried about it, why don't you go get her! You could drag her kicking and screaming all the way! I do believe that's what you were thinking! That is unless you're scared of her mate!] 

*Would you stay out of my head!* Breezy snapped. *And I'm not scared of her mate!*

[Too late for that Sister! And he is awfully big!] Coo replied with a patronizing chuckle.

*Get a grip will ya! But you've got a point about digging her out of there! Let's go!*

Without Qualis to help fill the ledge Doni wasn't big enough to stop them from landing. But from Coo was saying it was obvious the lavender dragon was very worried about her rider and hoping someone might be able to help.

"Kalena!" Breezy yelled, walking in without knocking. She found the tiny woman curled up in a chair staring at the wall.

"Kalena!" she said in a softer tone. "You need to go to the Med-Center!" 

The little woman glanced over at Breezy her face devoid of emotion! A chill went through Breezy at the emptiness in Kalena's eyes.

"Aw Kalena, damn!" She said walking over and squatting down in front of the woman. Not thinking Breezy reached out to inspect a deep cut on her arm and Kalena cringed and jerked away. "Please Kalena, if you won't go for Jasmine, at least go for yourself!" 

Kalena remained silent turning back to stare at the wall.

Breezy hung her head, a feeling of helplessness washing over her. She couldn't even begin to understand what Kalena was feeling, having never been in that position. But the thought that she could be one day terrified the redhead. The brutality of what Kalena had been through was obvious and Breezy's voice was strangely gentle when she spoke, "Kalena, you can't hole yourself up like this, don't let those monsters win!" 

Rising to her feet Breezy wandered over and leaned against the table, "Listen Kalena, I know you don't like me, and I'm pretty sure I'm the last person you want to see right now. But I'm not the callus bitch you think I am! If you need to just to talk, I really do know how to listen. But first things first, we've got to get you taken care of, some of those cuts look like they are starting to get infected!"

Waiting several minutes for a reaction and receiving none, the redhead finally said, "Kalena, please don't make this any more difficult then it i!," Breezy paused, then taking a deep breath added, "I don't want to have to force the issue. But I will, carry you there if I have to!"

Coo mumbled something about kicking and screaming and a few warnings about the worried state of Kalena's dragon.

The big blue eyes were luminous in the semi-dark room and Breezy sighed sadly. "I doubt very much that Donjanth will stop me. She's worried sick about you, Kalena! Please don't do this to her!" 

{Tag: Dianne - ok your turn. Breezy's hoping that using Doni's worries might get Kalena to go without to much of a fight!}

Submitted by

Breezy and Coo

Norwall Warren

aka

Tree Deutscher

treedr@yelmtel.com

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons - you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!"







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


 

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