Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"What strange little things," Ciaran murmured softly with a smile. Even werefolk who were part Cat didn't purr. It seemed to be a thing only some infants could do for a short while.

 

[heartofcourage]

“What lucky little things.” Julia murmured, kissing Ciaran’s cheek before she encouraged them all to eat and let Alex take Brogan for an exam.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan wasn't happy to be taken from his grandmother, his purring becoming a growl until Alex distracted him with a candy disc made of honey and mint. That didn't stop the occasional squeak or adorable snarl of displeasure, but Alex made it quick.

By the time Kell finally returned with the elder Brogan, Alex was finished and he deposited the cub in his grandfather's arms. Brogan chuckled warmly at the cub curling against him, clearly annoyed at Alex and holding a grudge. "Y'bring back too many memories o' yer mother." He took a seat beside Julia while Kell settled beside Kate.

 

[heartofcourage]

Brogan was a little ball in his grandfather’s arms, his head tucked against Brogan’s warmth. He growled in warning if anyone tried to touch him. Kate had to chuckle at her son as he expressed his displeasure in the moment.

“He has a mixture of his father too.” Kate said, leaning her head against Kell’s shoulder as she watched her father handle the cub.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Only when he's content," Kell murmured with a smile of his own as her father settled with her son.

 

[heartofcourage]

Little Brogan remained curled against his grandfather for a long time before he slowly started to relax. When he felt comfortable, his little head raised up until he was looking into his grandfather's dark gaze with his own green. He adored Brogan, that much was very clear, and he was soon nuzzling against his grandfather's bearded cheek as his little hands gripped his tunic tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

It didn't take too long for grandfather and grandson to doze off by the fire. Ciaran only woke his father briefly to add Dana to the growing pile, and used the freedom to relax himself.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate watched as Dana snuggled against Brogan, reaching over to hold her cousin’s hand in her own before both cubs were dozing. It was a heartwarming scene, one that gave her hope for the future.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex watched over Kate quietly, not bothering or fussing as he knew she hated. Her healing was going well as long as she wasn't stressed to the point of sickness. It was her mental health he was concerned about. As long as she wasn't in such a dark and lost place as before, he was content.

 

[heartofcourage]

It wasn't long before Kate was dozing against Kell's shoulder, her exhaustion creeping up on her until she was sound asleep like her cub. Ciaran helped to get her back in bed, tucked safely into the warm blankets.

"Alright, loves. Let's leave her to rest." Julia whispered to the rest of her family, gently picking up Dana to hold against her shoulder while Brogan stood with his newest grandson. "We'll move to our rooms if anyone cares to come. Alex. You're welcome too."

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex rose, seeing Kell wanting to join Kate to sleep. "I think I'll head to Ma's house, actually...Just send for me if any of you need anything."

Almost as if on cue, Qira slipped in to watch over the sleeping couple. While Kell would look after Kate, Qira still wanted to be near just in case, especially after Kate's deep depression truly came to the surface.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Tell her hello and tell her that we would like to see the entire family for the Sunday meal. It's been a while since we've seen Theo or the little ones." Julia said as she kissed Alex's cheek and sent him on his way before she led Ashelin, Ciaran, and Rho out of the room with Dana cradled in her arms.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex watched the family make their way away before heading outside on his own. He took a long moment to glance around the grounds before deciding to fetch Fatin. He'd go to Ria's drake before heading to his mother's home. Fatin ate up the distance in minutes before trotting into the yard around the barn. Immediately he began snuffling around the barn in curiosity, picking up the other drake's scent. Alex shooed him away and decided to wait for Yasmine before attempting to deal with the sick drake.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine arrived at the barn a short while later with some supplies for the sick drake, shooing Bahir off to keep Fahir out of trouble. “Stay away from the barn, you two.” She called out in Arabic, letting them know that she was very serious.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Yasmine found Alex sitting on a small stool beside an old trough, he was pulling on a new pair of thick leather vambraces that would protect his forearms and hands from bites, but left his fingers free. He'd learned from his experience with Fatin, but knew no glove would save him from losing fingers save unwieldy armored gauntlets. And he needed freedom of movement.

Standing from his seat, Alex greeted Yasmine with a kiss. "I tried talking to him through the door to get him used to my voice. He didn't like that at all, until I started singing. Then he came right up to the other side of the door to listen."

 

[heartofcourage]

“He said probably feeling bad because of his illness. I’m sure his mood is being effected by that. If he responds to you singing, then you should keep doing it.” Yasmine said as asked gave him the run down of what had happened before she got there. “Or we can sedate him. The right amount of herbs in his meat will make him docile enough to do what you need to do.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd like to avoid it if I can. Animals hate being sedated as much as we do." Alex turned to open up the door, surprised to find the odd blue northern drake had laid down on the other side, waiting for the singing to continue. Seeing the doors open, the beast rose and backed off a few paces.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Hello there, Little one.” Yasmine said softly as the drake suddenly backed up, wanting to get away from them. “No need to back away. We won’t hurt you.”

She chuckled softly as she started to hum a child’s lullaby that her grandfather had taught her when she was younger. The tune was simple and light, enough to soothe a savage beast if he would allow it.

 

[KieranSoares]

The beast seemed to perk immediately as he heard the tune, and while he didn't stand from his crawling position, he lifted his head and cocked it sideways. As was indicative of northern drakes, his short ears that normally laid against the sides of his head perked forward. For a moment, he seemed more like a curious child than a potentially dangerous beast.

Alex smiled at the sight. "Someone used to sing to you, didn't they?" He murmured, and the beast looked him over as if realizing he'd been the voice singing earlier.

 

[heartofcourage]

“For a beast so damaged, i wonder who took the time to sing to him.” Yasmine murmured as the drake seemed so thoroughly interested in the both of them. “Well, if it helps him, then I say we keep it up.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Likely not his owner. Maybe a hired hand or a kind sailor. That might explain why he likes Ria. She sings old shanties and work songs all the time. He probably recognized some of them."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m sure it won’t be long before Silas picks them up as well. He seems to be his grandmother’s little shadow.” Yasmine said as she made an attempt to slowly step towards the drake. “And you, little one, will today be a good one or a bad one? I’m hoping for a good one.”

 

[KieranSoares]

The drake's short ears dipped down in no small amount of fear as Yasmine approached, his belly dragging as he tried to back up. But that was when Ria returned, intent to learn from Yasmine and Alex.

"Hello, darling," she called gently as the drake caught sight of her on the hill coming from the tavern. As Silas came trotting beside her, unwilling to be left out of learning about the exotic beast, Ria gently directed him to keep just behind her for safety's sake.

Coming to pause at the door, hands on her hips, Ria smiled as the drake picked himself up a little further off the ground. "Have you two managed to prove you're not so bad yet?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m afraid not.” Yasmine said as Ria and Silas appeared, the young boy beside himself with excitement as Ria insisted he stay behind her for safety. “But we have discovered he enjoys singing and music.”

“I’m going to name him Troy. Grandma and grandpa already said that I could. Da said it’s where his da was born.” Silas announced, his words quick and run together as he spoke so fast in his excitement.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I was trying to talk him into choosing Orpheus because he likes music, but Troy sounds lovely." Ria looked to the drake as he crept forward, smelling food in the bucket Silas had brought along. "Silas, why don't you try hand-feeding him?"

"Are you sure?" Alex asked quietly.

"Positive. He wouldn't hurt Silas for the world."