Aradia quickly caught up to the group and followed them into the hatchling
barracks. She fed Futhark while listening to Caliban tell how to bath and
oil the dragons, trying desperately to keep from worrying about what was
transpiring with Trinale and Pa'gan's meeting.

She meticulously bathed and oiled the scarlet and blue hatchling. She
couldn't help but chuckle at Futhark's mental purr.

<So you like this, do you?>

<Oh, yes I most certainly do! A little more under the right wing, please,>
Futhark responded happily as Aradia oiled him.

Then Cali showed them how to exercise the wings and massage the muscles of
the hatchlings to prepare them for flight.

<Ah, yes... Right there!> Futhark moaned blissfully.

<You spoiled brat!> Aradia teased him good naturedly.

>"OK....everybody grab some lunch."  she said finally  "It's important that
>you remember to feed yourself as well your dragons.  It won't be good for
>them if you get sick and can't take care of them... so take care of
>yourself too.  I know that's easier said than done... but their appetites
>will ease off in a few days and then you'll be able to concentrate on all
>the myriad other things that make up the life of a dragon rider."

Aradia suddenly realized that she had yet to change out of the clothes she
had hastily put on that morning, and was still wearing Pa'gan's shirt,
which fit her more like a dress. She quickly changed into more presentable
clothes and ran a comb through her hair before heading out to lunch.

She was in the middle of changing Shawnee stopped and asked her, "Do you
still want me to fit you for maternity clothes?"

Aradia had to fight to meet the young woman's gaze, she was uncertain how
she would be received after Pa'gan's display that morning.

"Yes, I would, if you wouldn't mind," Aradia replied.

"Well, I'll be there for a few hours after lunch," Shawnee said.

"I'll try to make it, but I need to see if I can find Trinale so we can talk."

******

Aradia walked into the dining hall. She looked about and didn't see Pa'gan,
but saw Trinale already seated at a table. She quickly got her meal and
moved toward Trinale's table.

"Would now be a good time for our talk?" Aradia asked.

******
NRPG: Tag Kat!
******

After lunch Aradia walked quickly toward the tailor shop. She hoped that
Shawnee was still there.

When she entered she at first didn't see Shawnee anywhere and started
looking at the premade clothes that were hanging up. She was sighing
wistfully while holding up a clingy dress that she'd soon be growing out of
when Shawnee walked up to her.

Aradia smiled, "I'm glad you are here! Do you have time to do the
measurements now?"

*****************
NRPG: Tag Barb!


                \=/,         _-===-_-====-_-===-_-==========-_-====-_
                |  @___oo   (    Submitted by:                        )
      /\  /\   / (___,,,}_--=    Jacqueline "Morgan" Allgood          )
     ) /^\) ^\/ _)        =__                                          )
     )   /^\/   _)          (_                                         )
     )   _ /  / _)            (      FaeRhee/Alustriel of Daere       )
 /\  )/\/ ||  | )_)            (_    Aradia/Futhark of Whiteriver     )
<  >      |(,,) )__)             (   Kattibrie/Calishandra of Telnor )
 ||      /    \)___)\             (_ Yasmine/Starlin of Marrid       )
 | \____(      )___) )___           -==-_____-=====-_____-=====-___==
  \______(_______;;; __;;;