Cats and Dragons

[Demeter]

Nuka grumbled as he flew south. He wasn't very pleased to be this far away from the Holding when Alla was in the final days of an difficult pregnancy. While her mothers were pleased with his attentions to Alla, he was also stuck being their errand boy as the rest of the men of that particular family group had gone off on the yearly man-trip to survive in the wild for two weeks. He'd been one of the boys since the day Alla, suffering from a broken partner bond, had been dumped on him and he normally would have gone with them. This year he'd stayed behind because Alla, pregnant with his first-born twins, was close to delivery and he hadn't wanted to stray far. But one of her idiot brothers had left his sleeping bag behind.

How stupid did one need to be to leave ones sleeping bag behind on an Arctic camping trip!

At Katia's pleading, he snagged up the sleeping bag and flown north to the camp site. On arrival, he'd thrown the bag at Vitali's face, ate the man's salmon as payment, called him an idiot and took off for the return trip. At least the cover of darkness allowed him to assume his much larger, full dragon form while flying near the Point Hope Holding territory. Between his size and the the medallion around his neck that declared him a member of the Gates Holding, Nuka hoped to be allowed passage through their airspace without incident.

The Point Hope Holding wasn't known for attacking without being provoked first but he'd felt enough hostility when he'd flown by earlier to be wary now. He may have dwarfed the white brood in size but they outnumbered him. He flew high and veered away from his direct flight path to go around the holding when he heard a cry on both an audible and psionic level. It seemed his caution about Point Hope was warranted as he looked down to see several white Brood circling a lone female black brood.

Grumbling because this would delay his return to Alla, he folded his wings and dropped into a dive. He sliced through half the attackers, taking them by surprised, before spreading his wings to swing around and scatter the others. Only managing to distract a few, Nuka spat his magic at them; the fire laced ropes of lightening singeing their hides.

Plowing into the attacking whites, Nuka was able to shake them free of the female but was dismayed to see that the attack had injured her wings and she was in a free fall. Without thinking, Nuka went into a second dive and was able to catch her before she struck the ground. Lowering her the rest of the way, Nuka crouched and covered her body with his own as the White brood continued to circle overhead.

[Maira]

When she fell, the two other brood still dragging her down, Zori screamed. Her vocal scream sounded much like a wounded big cat, and the one that she broadcast with her mind was more a shout for help. She knew her family was back in the town and that she might be too far to be heard with either scream, but the ground was coming at her fast and she was going to hit much like her father had.

She was only aware for the briefest of moments that another dragon had come to her aid, a gigantic dragon if his wingbeats were any indication, before the two dragging her down were torn away from her. The pain of them being dislodged from her tail and ankle, combined with the jolting of her dislocated wing joints, caused pain to fire through her body and leave her unconscious as she fell.

*****

Grae had felt Zori scream for help, had heard a far-off roar at the same time, and then he saw the fire wrapped lightning flash in the sky in front of him. The scene that the strange magic revealed made Grae's blood run cold. There had been six white Brood, four in dragon form, surrounding or hanging onto a small black form as it fell from the sky. The magic had come from what appeared to be another black, but much larger than the first. All he could hope was that the large black was helping his sister, because if it was in cahoots with the whites, Zori would not make it to the ground alive.

Knowing the stakes were higher, Grae shifted to full dragon form and let his larger wings carry him to the fray faster than his brood wings would have. He arrived just in time to see the four whites in dragon form streaking off back towards the Holding, the two that had been holding onto Zori were struggling to right themselves in the air. A grim smile crept onto his dragon face when Grae saw the large black diving towards, and then grabbing up Zori before she hit the ground. Knowing his sister was at least in safe-ish hands, he tore off after the two remaining white brood.

*****

He had managed to wound the two whites in brood form before they'd had a chance to shift to dragon and catch up with their fellow attackers. Once he had them in his clutches, their wings ironically wrenched like Zori's, Grae demanded the information before he would deposit them back at the Holding. Once they'd given up the names, he had dropped them through the sky entrance of the Holding and smirked when he heard to yells followed by loud crashes as they hit the floor of the main cavern. His prey returned home, Grae turned on a wingtip and wheeled around to where he'd left Zori with the other black.

When he reached the place his sister had been attacked and had fallen, he was a little surprised to see the other black was still in its hulking dragon form. He didn't see Zori anywhere so he had to guess that the other dragon was protecting her with its body. Not wanting to be on the recieving end of that strange magic, Grae sent to the other Brood, **My sister's attackers are known, two have been punished, please tell me she is well.**

[Demeter]

Nuka remained crouched over the still form of the little black brood as he watched a seventh white brood go after the attackers. Was this one friend or foe, he wondered. In the time it took for that one to return, the little black had regained consciousness and Nuka was very aware of her whimpers.

Wary of a second attack from the holding, Nuka was hesitant to shift forms. Luckily, the seventh white brood returned and announced himself as the little black's sister. *She is injured and requires a healer. I suggest not moving her until help arrives,* he sent back to the male.

In short order, a whole host of beings was approaching them. Cocking his head, Nuka counted the assortment of beings. Four white brood, one green brood, one red halfling brood, two Alati and three felines. And, Nuka thought as he tilted his head the other way, another white flying in from the holding, carrying either a dying human or a newly born Mutari. What an interesting family group.

Nuka was distracted from his musings when one of the felines and one of the Alati rushed forward. He swung his head low, hissing at what he perceived to be an attack.

[Maira]

Grae had feared that Zori was injured, the way she had fallen had not looked like she was left unharmed, and when the big black confirmed his fears Grae reached through his connection to Cameo and relayed everything that had just happened as well as their location. Knowing it would take longer if he let Cameo alert everybody, Grae also reached out to Lilia and both of his parents giving them the same information he'd given his mate. While talking with his family and his mate, Grae stayed airborne, circling above the two blacks, keeping watch for any other attacks that might come.

It didn't take long before Grae felt Cameo and the rest of their suddenly extended family approaching, he landed a short ways off to meet the group as they arrived. Seeing that somebody had thought to tell call Chastity in as well, Grae smiled and told her and Cameo, "I don't know who he is, but Zori is with the large black. He caught her when she fell and he's been crouched over her the whole time." The two doctors nodded and jogged towards the two blacks so they could tend to their patient.

*****

When her phone had rang and Cameo's voice came through, Chas had heard the forced calm in his tone immediately. It took another moment for his words to sink in but when they did she told him that of course they would come before hanging up and telling Rhea what had happened. It didn't take long before a large group was flying or running to where Grae was leading them, and as soon as they arrived Grae was filling her and Cameo in on where his older sister was. Chas eyed the very large black dragon, swallowed her nerves, and ran with Cameo toward their patient.

At their approach, the large black swung his head around and hissed menacingly at them. Chas couldn't help the squeak that came from her, but it was immediately followed by a shakey shout that could be heard above this hissing, "We're healers, let us through!" When the big black stopped his hissing and stepped aside, Chas gawked for a moment. She'd just yelled at something that could eat her in two bites and it had done what she'd said? When Cameo shot forward toward Zori, Chas shook herself out of her shock and followed him.

*****

Grae had helped fight off the attackers, Chas and Cameo were helping Zori, Sky could go to the Holding and demand retribution, and Lilia was stuck in her helpless human form because she was pregnant. As a sister, what good was she to Zori right now? She wanted to savage her clan members that had thought to harm her sister, but all she could effectively do to them was yell and maybe slap them if they didn't fly away first. While Chas and Cameo worked, Lilia paced and growled, shooting death glares in the direction of the Holding. When another dragon came from that direction she practically snarled, until she realized it was her father. That just pissed her off more. He wasn't even Zori's blood and HE could actually be useful in helping her.

*****

Sirus, the lone green in a family of whites now, went to Aurally's side. She had helped him raise Zori, she was more the girl's mother than Sky. She was the one staring at the hulking black like she either wanted to tear him apart for keeping her from her baby or kiss him for protecting her fallen daughter. He wrapped Aurally in his arms, kissed her cheek, and did his best to assure her with his presence that their daughter would be alright.

*****

Sky watched as Sirus left her side to go stand by Aurally. She knew why her mate had gone to his jaguar, she could feel it through their bond, but it still hurt. It was a reminder of just how stupid she had been to give up her child and foresake her mate even though she'd thought him dead. Standing alone, she watched with everybody else as Cameo and Chastity did their best to fix her eldest child. She knew in that moment that she would never say another nasty thing to or about Cameo. Whether she understood her son or not, the jaguar was her family now and family was more important than petty misunderstandings.

*****

She remembered the attack, she remembered falling, she remembered the arrival of a very large dragon. She didn't remember how she had made it to the ground alive. When she finally woke from her black-out and found the large male looming over her she tried to scoot away but immediately passed out again from the pain radiating from her wrenched wing joints.

When she woke again, the big dragon was still crouched over her and she whispered to him, "Thank you for helping me..." The voice that intoduced itself in her mind was warm and rumbly, Zori couldn't help but give him a small smile through her pain. "My name is Zori," she answered him when he asked her name. When he turned suddenly from her, hissing at something, she tried to move carefully enough that she wouldn't jostle her wing joints again to see what he was hissing at. She saw two humans running toward them and she thought she recognized them. She was about to tell him to let them through when the female yelled at Nuka that they were healers. When he stopped hissing, she whispered to him again, **They're friend and family, they won't hurt me.** At that, Nuka stepped away from his position over her and let Chastity and Cameo come to her.

Smiling weakly up at the pair of doctors, Zori informed them hoarsely, "My wing joints are out of socket, I can't shift until they are back in place."

[Demeter]

Nuka remained in his larger dragon form for both modesty and in case the holding launched a second attack. Not a modest man by nature, Nuka was well used to running around his own holding in nothing but skin. He wasn't, however, prone to doing so beyond the safety of the holding. People tended to take offense.

Nuka peered around at the various gatherings before pinning two of the white brood females with a look. Judging by their similar physical appearance, he assumed they were somehow related. *You two, tell me what has happened to cause this attack?"

He could tell that the two were startled by his demanding question. As a Brood with a black hide, Nuka should have been subservient to the two women but that wasn't the way he'd been raised. Within the Gates holding, actions and deeds spoke louder then hide color. It had been run that way for the past nine hundred years.

When The Gates holding had first been commissioned as a resting place and sanctuary for the youngest of the ancients, they had operated like the rest of the holdings. Black Brood and mixed breeds were bad. And so life had continued until the day they'd received a visitor from the far south.

Though Nuka's father had just been a kit at the time, the events of that day were so striking that the memory was burned into his mind. After all, it wasn't every day that the proud man his grandfather had taken on as a bonded partner prostrated himself in the dirt and begged for forgiveness.

Nuka's father had told him the story of the Queen from the opposite pole who rode a white dragon that rivaled Great-grandfather in size. Lucian, Grandfather's partner, had flung himself down to the ground, begging forgiveness and asking that his death be quick. The Queen had asked him questions about being part of a great and disastrous rebellion and when Lucian had denied any part, she told him that he did not need to seek forgiveness as there was nothing to forgive. She hadn't come to the holding to seek his death but desired assistance.

A infant with a black hide had been abandoned within her kingdom. When the holding closet to her had rejected the child based on its hide color, the Queen had decided to raise it herself. She'd come to The Gates in the hopes that the ancient wisdom stored there would overlook the matter of hide color to advise her how to raise the child. Thus far, all she'd asked had advise her to drown the abomination.

Nuka's father could still remember the words this Queen had said to Lucian. She's said 'Lucian, you of all the beings here should remember what happens when people are judged by the happy accident of their birth or by the color of their skin. It is not those things that mark the measure of a man but rather their actions and deeds. Or do I need to remind you of those 24 terrible hours in which the capital of our world was destroyed.'

Lucian had bowed his head and advised The Queen that while the infant could not stay within the holding, there was another Brood with a black hide would could go with the Queen to raise the child. This brood lived outside the holding and would be fetched.

Though other things occurred in that visit, they were personal to Lucian. The end result of The Southern Queen's visit was a shift in the Holding. From that day hence, all hide colors, even Black, held equal footing within the boundaries of The Gates.

The result was Nuka and his bossy attitude when speaking to Brood of the respectable colors. When the two women had finished their tale, Nuka knew he couldn't leave Zori here. Sighing, Nuka reached out to his bonded partner.

***
The moment he stepped an millimeter of his snout back into Holding territory, she'd kill him. First, she'd have to get out of this bed but she'd kill him. One did not request an audience with Lord Lucian and ask that he attend her within her chambers. It just wasn't done! If one was granted an audience, one went to the chambers of Lord Lucian and the grand leader of this holding.

Scowling, Alla tried to shoo the healer away but the woman just wouldn't leave. She'd only had a little temper tantrum that had caused her blood pressure to spike and cause a contraction or two. Grumbling, Alla allowed the monitoring since another tantrum would probably get her sedated.

She watched as Lord Lucian was shown in and had to duck her head down. She was embarrassed not only by the situation bit by her wish to looks good as him when she was old. Lord Lucian had to be over 12,000 years of age yet he had no gray hairs. "My apologies, Lucian, for requesting that this audience be held here."

Lucian took a seat along side the bed. "From what I hear, the journey down to Kyria's chambers would be most unpleasant. Katia tells me I'm not to upset you as you are in early labor."

"Katia exaggerates. The healer says its random, false contractions and I'll know when then real thing starts. I'm just not allowed out of bed."

"I can only imagine your frustration and am thankful that I'm not a woman. Now, what did you wish to speak to me about?"

Alla told Lucian that it was really Nuka's request. It seemed that he'd come across a handful if White Brood dragging a Black female from the sky in Point Hope territory. He'd flown to the rescue and had encountered the female's family. He was now requesting sanctuary for them all.

Alla waited while Lucian commicated with his partner. It took only minutes and she had permission to tell Nuka that his request has been granted.

It's only after she communicates this to Nuka that she starts panicking. Its seems that Kyria is on his way up to her chambers and will hold the initial meet and greet in there. Alla's wails for help have all three mothers rushing in, along with the healer.

Oh yeah, Nuka was dead the moment she could get out of bed.
***
After the the two healers attended to Zori, they were both escorted back to the residence of Lilia, the one who'd told him what happened. While they travelled, the group learned that Aro, father of Grae and and Lilia, had been ouster from the holding as he refused to kill his newly turned pet Mutari. It seemed as if his pet had escaped the holding and tripped right into a nest of rouge Mutari. One of the rouges had raped the man's mind while the rest feasted on his body. The raping of his mind had led the nest straight to the holding and they'd only taken enough blood to turn the pathetic man instead of killing him. The Holding's council had decided the human was too dangerous to keep around and told Aro either kill it or leave.

He'd opted to leave and now the male healer, introduced as Cameo, was tending to the human. Nuka had borrowed a pair of coveralls from the garage below and quietly spoke with Aro to get a sense of the general Mood of the holding. It was then that he heard from Alla. Once he had the message, Nuka addressed the group.

"On the behalf of my Grandfather, the ancient Kyriakos'Petros, I offer you passage to and sanctuary at The Gates holding. All of you are welcome, regardless of hide color, there for as long as you desire."

[Maira]

The process of putting her wing joints back in socket was excruciating and neither doctor had experience doing the exact procedure so it took them a few tries and the assistance of Grae and Ben to hold Zori down. She lost consciousness again before they were finished, but once the job was done her body immediately shifted back to her human form and Sirus ran forward to scoop his daughter into his arms. Once she was whole once more, the family and Nuka quickly returned to the home that Lilia shared with Ben and Isis.

The trip back to town was fast and outwardly silent, Lilia and Aro both conversed with Nuka through their mental abilities as the large black assessed both the present situation, and what had caused it back at the Point Hope Holding. Lilia still felt betrayed by her clan members and her anger tempered her answers to Nuka's questions quite unfavorably. Aro was a bit more cool headed in his explanations, only really getting heated when he mentioned Sky's newly returned mate and the decision of the clan's elders in regards to the human-turned-mutari that he'd taken as his charge.

Once she was free of Nuka's questions, Lilia was happy to join Isis in getting the various family members situated in the apartment. Sure, most of them had their own homes to go to but suddenly the family didn't feel like splitting apart. Even Aro and Sky were able to exist in the same room without somebody losing an eye, which surprised the hell out of Lilia because she could see the immense hurt in her father's eyes whenever he looked at the woman he'd considered his mate for the last few hundred years.

*****

Zori eventually awoke once more, this time she was tucked in to a big bed and nestled between down comforter and down feather mattress. She stirred slightly, moving to get comfortable, when a sigh of relief escaped her at the lack of pain from her wing joints. It was then that she realized she was in human form once more, and at the same time Aurally and Sirus both rushed to her bed. "I'm fine now," she told them and she saw the concern fade mostly from their faces. Sirus kissed Aurally on the temple and then Zori on the forehead, whispering to his daughter, "I'm sorry..." before he slipped out of the room to inform the rest of the family that she was awake and recovering well. She watched her father's back disappear through the door before asking Aurally, "Why is he sorry?"

*****

When Sirus slipped from the room Zori had been sleeping in, back to where the rest of the family was gathering, he spotted Sky and smiled warmly at her at the same time he told her privately, **She is well, she just needs rest now.**

Sky was about to answer Sirus when the man they now knew was called Nuka informed them all that they were welcome at some holding called The Gates. She had no idea where that was, so she turned to look at each of the others and see if any of them knew. Everybody looked just as confused as she was, with the exception of Aro who was gawking wide-eyed at Nuka. Curious, she asked Aro, "Why do you look so shocked? What is this place?"

Aro turned from looking at Nuka long enough to tell Sky, "Its one of the few holdings that are set aside almost primarily for ancients. My great great grandfather went there before I was even born. He only came to visit twice when I was young and then we stopped hearing from him." Now he turned back to Nuka and asked, "Is it true that some of the ancients slumber there still?"

[Demeter]

Kyriakos'Petros, better known as Kyria, sat on the L-shaped sofa that had been wrangled into his grandson's quarters. Curled against his side was his mate, Lucian. Curled up against him was Rose, Nala's mate.

According to the traditional dialogue of the Brood, he and Nala were the mates while Lucian and Rose were their bonded partners. It was a whole potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto situation according to him. Nala was the product of a mating between two of the first generation of True Brood while he, Kyriakos'Petros, had been a spirit dragon who'd changed in order to be with Lucian.

The brood could say all they wanted but Lucian was truly his mate. Here, at The Gates, they fudged the rules. It hadn't always been that way. At one time, with the exception of his relationship with Lucian, this holding had been just like any other. But a singular encounter with the ruler of Lucian's people had changed all that.

The queen from the Antarctic had come to them for assistance in raising a infant with a black hide. Kyria could still remember the birth of the first Brood with a black hide; the child was considered an aberration. As the brood evolved and the colors separated into isolated holdings, black hides became abominations. While the queen had spoken with Lucian; he'd communicated with the great, white leviathan that she'd ridden in on. He learned of the fall of Atlantis from one of the surviving Atlantean spirit dragons.

He'd learned of spirit dragons pinned to the sinking island with nets of magic and of dragons grounded with the fragile membranes of their wings torn to ribbons. The dragons destroyed because they'd bonded with Alati. And the Alati were at war because they were so defined by class and house.

After that, he'd approached the other elders and ancients with a proposal. He had outlined a plan to use The Gates as a place where Black Brood and other outcasts could live. The ancients and elders had agreed to the plan, grateful for a place to stash their embarrassments. In exchange for his holding housing the unwanted, Kyria had wanted special allowances for those who resided within The Gates. They were to be treated with respect. Respect because they would be the ones caring for and guarding those rule makers when they came to this holding to slumber.

It was such demands that had caused his grandson Nuka to be a independent and opinionated young man. Nuka, a brood with a black hide, would be a force to be reckoned with as he aged. And it was because of Nuka that he and Nala's mates were dozing in these chambers instead of the theirs.

Across from them was Alla, Nuka's very pregnant bonded partner. She was part of the reason he and Lucian were even awake; they wished to welcome their great-grandchildren into this world. The other reason was Rose. Nala, being a true brood, needed him in order to bond with Rose.

They were all gathered in Nuka's quarters, waiting for the man in question to return with the exiled family group he'd found near the Point Hope holding. Kyria looked up when Nala breezes into the room, followed by a sleepy male Brood. He tugged Nala down to their corner of the couch, ignoring her when she scowled at him. He was a tad bit possessive of her at the moment as she would fly soon. If he was successful in getting her pregnant, she and Rose would remain awake for a few years. If not, the two females would snooze for a few centuries.

The sleepy male that stumbled in after her was the grandfather of one of the members of this family group.

***
Nuka grumbled at the size of his traveling party. Not only was it conspicuously large but it was slow. Four of the group had elected to stay behind (the red halfling, her feline mate, the white named Rhea and the healer called Chastity) but his group was still large. Eleven beings, himself included, were flying towards the holding. The forecast was for a overcast day, which almost guaranteed that they wouldn't be noticed.

Which, considering the flightless members of their party, was a good thing. Nuka, because of his larger size, was ferrying the wounded Zori. She'd been bundled up and so securely strapped to his back that she could sleep during the trip if she wanted. Sirius, the green, was carrying his bonded while Sky hauled her pregnant daughter. Aro, the white who had a relative at the holding, was carefully transporting his delirious human turned mutari while Ben held Isis, who may have been capable of flight but wouldn't have been able to keep up, and Grae was soaring with a bitterly complaining Cameo. The rest of the South American contingent was also grumbling about the cold.

Zori's grumbles between her questions amused him. She wanted to know how he had so much status and respect within his holding as he had a black hide. She also wanted to know what kind of blackmail his grandfather had against the elders to have them agree.

"No blackmail. Grandfather Kyria is special among the brood. He is truly ancient, Zori. He was once a spirit dragon who changed. He wanted to be with my other grandfather, Lucien, so badly that he was able to assume a humanoid form. He also proposed a plan that would allow the brood who couldn't drown their mistakes to stash them away. While within the borders of the holding, the Black hides and other outcasts are to be respected but the pure hides can still feel superior as the black hides and outcasts are there to guard and care for any who slumber within the caves. The holding is separate from rest of the world and we blacks are allowed full and satisfying lives."

Nuka craned his head around and glanced at Zori. "For example, my bonded partner, Alla, is not only a snow leopard but she is expecting my children. Those at the holding are very excited for the birth. The Gates of the Arctic holding can offer you a life that's near impossible anywhere else in the world, Zori."

It was midday by the time they reached the holding's landing field and his grandmother was waiting for him. She had warmed clothing and blankets available and Nuka forced himself to stand still long enough for the healers to remove Zori from his back. The moment he could, despite Nala's assurances that Alla was fine, he bussed her cheek with a kiss, grabbed the clothing she'd brought for him and dashed off.

Nala watched long enough to see Nuka toss a greeting off to Lucian as he sped past. She turned, watching as her people swarmed their guests, plying them with warmed blankets and hot drinks. While Lucian worked the crowd, Nala narrowed in on Aro. From what Nuka had told them, there were multiple issues within this group. Obviously, the woman with the black hide but also those who had been banished and this man. She had no doubts that he was suffering in some way.

"Aro, my name is Ravinala'somi. Please, call me Nala. Nuka has told me some of your story and I'm offering you, and your friend, sanctuary separate from the rest if your group. We have caverns available if you wish to slumber."

***
Aurally couldn't help but to stare at the man. His hair seemed to be made up of every color found in a fire. The man, Lucian, guided them into the holding and explained that the caverns here were located within the mountains, better to conceal those who slumbered there.

He escorted them into one cavern and she saw Nuka crouched next to a low couch, hands on the very pregnant belly of another woman. Across from that couch was another and another man sat there.

"Greetings. I am Kyriakos'petros. Welcome to The Gates of the Arctic Holding."

[Maira]

Zori was almost sad when the flight to Nuka's holding ended. Talking with him, a brood that shared her hide color and yet was a valued member of his holding, blew her mind. She'd never met anybody like him. Hell, she'd barely met anybody that shared her color. Even at her father's home holding, Zori hadn't necessarily been treated poorly, but she wasn't treated warmly either. Most of the clan members had been quite pleased when Sirus had announced that they would be leaving and Zori was pretty sure that a big part of that was because of her upcoming flight cycle. None of the males of the holding wanted to get caught up in her hormones, and none of the females wanted their unmated sons or brothers to get contaminated by flying her. In past years she had taken to going into the forest alone for the week leading up to her cycle, the week of, and at least a few days after. It made the members of the holding less on edge about housing an abomination like her. If what Nuka said about his holding was true, she might possibly find herself pursued during a flight for the first time in her life. Even weirder to think about were the possible results of that flight. That wasn't something she would have been allowed anywhere else, but Nuka said that his bonded partner was carrying his children. If he was allowed to father children, it led her to the idea that she might also be allowed to birth them.

Zori was still pondering the possibility of real mating flights and children when they landed at Gates of the Arctic Holding and even though his landing was smooth, it still jostled her just enough to hurt. The healers quickly unbound her from Nuka's back and wisked her off to a private room. She never got a chance to thank Nuka for his help and the hope he had given her but she promised to do it later, once the healers released her.

*****

Aro watched as the healers took Sky's first daughter away, then watched as the big black shimmered into man shape before bolting off. He held onto his mind-sick Mutari charge and stood still, at a loss of what to do or where to go. He knew that his grandfather slumbered in one of the caves here, waking from time to time, but he didn't figure the older man would appreciate being woken to have the disaster that had become Aro's life dumped in his lap.

It wasn't until a woman, the one who had give everybody the warm blankets and clothes, approached him and spoke to him by name. The woman, who named herself as Nala, had a warm smile and Aro wasn't sure if he should be comforted by that or leery. His judge of character had been rather off of late, what with everything that had happened with Sky... He listened to her long enough to find out what she was offering before smiling back at her. Though he didn't realize it, his eyes and his smile betrayed just how broken he was. "Thank you for the offer of a cavern, Nala. The thought of sleeping right now is a welcome and tempting one, but I have promised to care for and protect this man until he is well to take care of himself again. If I were to slumber in one of your caverns, as my grandfather does, I'm afraid this man would be a danger to himself."

What he didn't tell Nala, what he kept very tightly in his mind, was that even if he could no longer be a part of his mate's life, at least keeping this man safe from harm gave him purpose. He was worried that if he wasn't awake to take care of the man he might very well slip away into sleep for good, wasting from a broken heart like so many widowed mates were known to do. Only his mate was still alive and well, she was just reunited with the mate of her youth and he no longer mattered. Her eyes and heart were only for Sirus.

*****

Sirus, along with the others of the group, followed the man Lucian into the holding proper. They were led past many caverns and finally into one in particular. Apparently it was where Nuka had run off to, if the man kneeling by the very pregnant woman was indeed the same as the one he had glimpsed briefly after he shifted to his human form once Zori was removed from him. He smiled gratefully at the man, though he wasn't sure Nuka noticed, before turning his attention to another man that was sitting on the couch opposite Nuka and the pregnant woman.

He listened to the man introduce himself, then bowed politely and introduced himself and the various family members in turn. "Thank you for allowing us to find refuge here, even if only temporarily while our daughter heals from her injuries. If you wish for us to leave once she is well enough to fly again, we will honor your wishes." He hadn't really had a chance to talk to any of the group about their situation, but he figured that offering to vacate if their welcome wasn't to be long-term would be the least offensive way to start their stay at the holding.

[Demeter]

Late in the evening, after their guests had been settled into temporary quarters, Nuka coerced Alla into bed by promising her a back rub. Even though she grumbled about it, Alla allowed herself to be coerced. With Nuka sitting behind her, Alla groaned as he rubbed at her sore muscles.

Eventually she just melted back against him. Nuka chuckled at her and slid his hands around the cover the mound of her belly. "I know you want to be out doing things but only four more weeks and then you'll be so busy."

Alla hissed and jerked an elbow back, smirking at his grunt. "Tell me about Zori."

While Nuka talked, Alla considered her relationship with the Brood behind her. They'd always been friends, ever since she'd been dumped on him on her family had moved into the Holding. Her previous bonded partner hadn't wanted to come here and had broken their connection.

This pregnancy was actually the result of her first cycle since coming here. Placing her hands over his, she nudged him. "Send me an image of her. I'm confined to either couch or bed with shorts walks. She was hustled off by the healers."

Nuka knew a thing or two about Alla. She'd been born under a Seer's moon and the gift was strong in her. She'd always Seen visions of his life and future. She'd Seen the Brood who'd become his mate. Nuka did as she asked and sent an image of Zori over. "Is it her?"

Alla closed her eyes and nodded. "She's the one I've Seen."

"We'll finally be complete."

Alla shrugged. "Well, you'll be complete. You know I can't See anything for myself. Bring her to me tomorrow, if those sadist healers let her go."

Nuka just smiles, wiggled out from behind Alla and pulled the covers over her. "Yes, dear," he said while settling into his side of the bed. He may have had his own bedroom but as Alla's pregnancy had progressed and turned dangerous, he'd taken to staying close.

***

Levi fidgeted against his bindings. The last forty eight hours had been some of the strangest of his life. And now he was in yet another cave and bound to another bed. At least the bedding was comfortable this time.

Reaper Man had told those bothersome healers that he was trying to die so they'd tied him to the bed. He turned his head to glare at the man in question. Reaper man looked utterly tired and exhausted. Looked like he felt. "Reaper man, you look just as good as I feel. If your story is like mine, just give it up."

[Maira]

The morning after their arrival, Grae left Cameo nestled under their pile of down blankets and furs and proceeded to hunt down Lilia. They needed to check on two members of their family and he wasn't up to dealing with his father. That meant Lilia got that chore. He was going to go pesker the healers about Zori's condition and if she was free to explore the holding yet or not.

Eventually he found his sister and her mates in the communal dining area having breakfast and he couldn't help but smile at the happiness pouring off of all three of them. He didn't figure they would stay at the Gates, but at least it was clear they felt comfortable enough here to visit. Knowing he could never return to his home holding still stung but he quickly shoved it away and focussed on what he had come for. Plopping down in a chair next to his sister, Grae leaned his shoulder against hers and pecked her cheek before greeting Ben and Isis as well. "Morning guys," he said warmly before turning his attention fully to his sister. **You need to check on Dad when you're done with breakfast. You two were always closer and I think right now he needs you.**

Lilia listened to what her brother had to say, curious why he wouldn't speak aloud, and answered him, **I will, but why must this be secret?**

Grae grimaced, then looked over his shoulder nearest Lilia and his eyes went to their mother and her mate Sirus and the jaguar Aurelly. **They may be a few tables over, but one of the three of them is likely to hear us. I want to go check on Zori and try to spring her from the healers and maybe get to know her better. We're both going to be staying here for at least a little while and I don't want her to think that because of her father's return to Mom's life, and Mom and Dad's relationship ending, that I resent her for anything. I don't want her to think I resent her for being banished from our holding either.**

Lilia nodded in understanding and kissed her brother on the cheek before telling him, **Go see to our big sister, tell her I hope she's feeling better and that I would love to have dinner with her tonight if the healers allow. I'll check on dad in a few.** Grae smiled at her, then excused himself from the table and went in search of the healer's area of the holding.

*****

It wasn't long after the healers brought her breakfast that Grae showed up in her little room. She greeted him nervously and invited him to sit down in the chair next to the bed that the healers still wouldn't allow her out of. The smile he gave her was warm and genuine and Zori did her best to return the gesture but she was pretty sure she failed miserably when she saw the laughter dancing in her younger half-brother's eyes.

"I came to spring you from prison," he told her, his voice full of mirth. Zori's eyes widened and then a real smile -did- grace her lips.

"You have no idea how badly I want out of here!" she told Grae, then added, "They say I'm okay and should heal well but that they want me to stay for observation to make sure that the 'amateur healers' that realigned my wing sockets didn't mess anything up." Zori saw Grae's eyes darken slightly at that and she remembered that one of the healers had been his bonded partner. She couldn't help but flinch away slightly and apologize.

Grae shook his head and answered her, "You didn't mean any slight by it, I know Zori. I just can't help but be protective of Cameo and somebody insulting his healer skills when he clearly helped put a very wounded brood back together just makes me grouchy. Now I really want to get you out of here, let me go nag them." The last was said with a smirk of pure mischief and then Grae hurried out of the room.

Before long Grae came back into the room beaming. In his arms were Zori's personal things and a sheet of paper, all of which he depositted on the end of her bed as he declared, "Clothes and discharge instructions! Get dressed and meet me in the hall."

Zori smiled at Grae's enthusiasm and as soon as he left the room she climbed from the bed and got dressed. In no time, the siblings were leaving the healers' area and he asked her if she wanted to look around the holding with him. Zori smiled but told him, "Actually, I need to find Nuka to thank him for helping me. Can you help me find him?" Grae nodded and told her he knew where the man had been the night prior and that they'd start looking there. Relieved, and grateful, Zori hugged Grae and followed him to the cavern that the bulk of the group had been taken to the night before.

When they arrived at the cavern, Grae knocked on the door and then stepped back to allow Zori closer to the door as well. When the door opened a crack, another healer greeted them. Zori looked to Grae questioningly and then back at the healer before asking, "Is this where Nuka lives? He brought me and my family here last night and I was hoping to talk to him."

The healer informed them that while Nuka wasn't home at the moment, his bonded partner was and that she might like the company until Nuka returned. The healer then asked them to wait while he checked with Alla what she wanted.

Left standing outside the once again closed door, Zori turned to Grae and told him, "How about I find you once I'm done here, I'm not sure when Nuka will come back and I really want to talk to him." She wasn't sure how he felt about the idea, but when he nodded and told her he'd see wait to see what the healer had to say, she had hope that he wasn't dissappointed that she was abandoning him so quickly.

It wasn't too long before the healer returned to the door and opened it wide enough for them to enter, telling them that Alla was more than happy for the company. Grae, unexpectedly, hugged Zori and told her he'd meet up with her later which left her to enter the cavern by herself. She followed the healer inside and to what was clearly the livingroom area. A very pregnant woman was reclined on one of the couches in the room and Zori smiled shyly at her before introducing herself. "You must be Alla, my name is Zori. Zoriona'eira. Your Nuka saved my life and then brought my family here and I was hoping to thank him."

[Demeter]

Nala looked up at the knock on her office door. Rose, from where she was packing up their personal belongings, also looked over. Now that Kyria and Lucian were awake, they'd be taking over the administration duties of the holding and would make this space their own.

Nala smiled at the young healer, his bonded partner peering over his shoulder, standing in the doorway. "Shin, Makoto, please come in. What can I help you with?

Shin, like many at the holding, was a product of a mixed color mating. He may have gotten lucky with his red hide, but he'd been ousted from his home Japanese holding due to his choice of bonded partner. Being an Incubus, Makoto was hardly a proper choice. "Lady Nala, Makoto has sensed something about our guests."

When Makoto remained silent, shy around the female of their lead pair, Shin nudged him. "Um, two of the females will fly soon. The oldest one and the wounded one. I thought it might be a good idea for someone to talk to them about the flying practices here."

Nala smiled at the young incubus. "That's a good idea. Why don't you and Shin go speak to Sky and Zori?" She chuckled when the shy Alati blushed like crazy and nodded. She waited until Makoto had hauled Shin from the office before laughing.

When she'd reduced herself to the occasional chuckle, Nala pushed herself away from the desk. "I'm going to go speak to Aro. I know what he wishes but I think sleeping through this would be for the best."

Rose nodded and watched as Nala left the office. Biting her lower lip, she went back to packing. Nala's first flight since Rose had come into her life was upcoming, maybe in a month or so, and she was a bit nervous about that.

Nala greeted people as she past them in the halls. While the majority of their population slept in the caverns deeper in the Endicott Range, the caretakers and their families numbered in the hundreds. When she reached the door of the guest cavern for Aro and his Mutari, she politely knocked.

When he opened the door and invited her in, Nala didn't waste any time. "Aro, I have some news; though I have a feeling you might already know. One of the healers has a bonded partner who is an Incubus and Makoto can tell when a female is going to fly. Sky is one of those females."

She watched as Aro paled and just melted into his chair. She reached out and patted his leg. "I know what you want but I'm offering you a sleeping cavern again. We have beings here who can craft a spell in order to put your friend to sleep right along side you."

***

Alla smiled at Zori from her place on the couch. "I would get up but, except for walking back to bed or the bathroom, I have to stay put. That one," she pointed to the healer across the hall, makes sure I don't 'stress' myself."

Alla knew how she looked. Not only was she eight months gone with twins, she also bore a scar over her left eye and had a streak of gray running through her hair. The scar was from a fight with another female leopard during her youth. The gray had come from the few days between bonded partners.

"Nuka is on his way. Once Nurse Ratchet told me you were looking for him, I sent for him. Please, sit. Can I get you anything? Did they feed you the same pathetic porridge they try to force on me?"

While they waited, making polite conversation, Alla eyed Zori up and down. She was indeed the woman she'd Seen in the visions about Nuka's future. She'd also seen other visions about this woman being pursued by others who were not Nuka.

Alla reached for her water glass. "Tell me, Zori, do you have anyone special in South America? If you do, we can invite him or her up here."

***

Roma Albu foraged through the tundra, seeking out the plant life she needed for her spells and potions. As the spell master for the Gates holding, it was her purview to harvest the natural ingredients. Thankfully, most of the spells the holding requires were simple.

Power wasn't an issue; before a lifestyle change, she'd been a successful necromancer. When she received a call from Lady Nala, Roma finished harvesting the roots from a patch of lichen before gathering her tools and returning to the holding.

There was someone in need of her skills.

[Maira]

Aro had indeed known that Sky was to fly soon. The day of Lilia's mating ceremony the week before had been a bit of a disaster, but it was also the day that he and Sky had agreed to try for a baby during her mating cycling two weeks from then. She was already starting to put off her hormones and he could pinpoint almost exactly where she was in the Gates Holding if he concentrated even slightly. He'd been her mate for hundreds of years, had raised children with her, and knew her better than anyone else. He was willing to be he knew her even better than Sirus did. Yet here was Nala, offering once again to let him sleep.

He swallowed the lump in her throat and asked, "Am I going to be kept from her and forced to sleep if I don't go to it willingly? Will he really be safe to sleep like we do?" He knew he had no right to Sky any longer, but the thought that she'd relent and fulfill her last promise to him was the only thing that had kept him from ending things. As she hadn't spoken more than a few civil words to him since Sirus arrived with Zori, however, Aro's hope had dwindled significantly and his hold on life was slipping. If he was made to sleep, he would ask to never awaken again. He would want no more part in life. Especially if the man he was supposed to be taking care of could sleep right along side him.

*****

Zori wasn't one to judge under normal circumstances, and considering she knew that Alla was carrying multiples (even if she never got the exact number, Nuka had said 'children'), the woman being on bedrest was almost expected especially as she wasn't Brood. When she was informed that Alla had summoned Nuka, Zori nodded her thanks.

The conversation while they waited for Nuka was mostly harmless, but one question had the color draining from Zori's face almost instantly. She had honestly never gotten that question before but had dreaded it her whole life. Without realizing she did it, Zori got up from her place on the couch opposite Alla and would have turned to leave except Alla's healer returned from the kitchen with the snacks and water that Alla had asked for. Feeling trapped, Zori looked everywhere but at Alla and she waited until the healer was gone from the room before she finally managed to squeak out an answer, "There is nobody. Nobody ever wanted me. Only my family ever cared and they're all here."

After her last words, Zori heard the door to the dwelling shut and she didn't even need to turn to know that Nuka was home. She'd been flown on his back for hours and had gotten quite familiar with his scent. She only hoped he hadn't heard her words, but that hope wasn't high.

[Demeter]

"No one is going to force you to sleep, Aro. I'm offering you an out should you wish to pick it. You have every right to challenge Sirius; your claim to Sky is just as strong as his, if not stronger. You also have to consider Sky's feelings on the matter. You should talk with her."

Nala looked over to where the newly turned Mutari was restrained to a bed. "As for your other question, our spell master, Roma, is a very competent magic user. She can craft a spell or potion to put him safely to sleep. Actually, considering what I've heard, having him sedated might not be such a bad idea."

Nala stood and shook out her skirts. "The care of your human is your choice but I suggest at least talking with both Roma and a healer about his care; sleep might be the best for him. And talk with Sky."

***

Nuka had indeed caught the words and that the words panicked Zori. "Well, Zori, perhaps it is time that there was someone special for you."

He took her by the shoulders and steered her towards the couch. Once she plopped down in the couch, Nuka sat opposite with Alla. "The rumors of females about to fly are already circulating about the holding. Lady Nala, well...no one is dumb enough to challenge my grandfather. There's your mother but she has to contend with Aro and your father. None of the males want to get mixed up in that. And then there is you. Several unmates males are showing interest in you."

He could see the way her eyes widened. "Its not Taboo here, Zori. Now, if you prefer casual sex, you pretty much can pick and choice. If you want someone you know; I'd can help you but I'd really prefer it to be after Alla has delivered. Which could be tomorrow or anytime really. There's a Halfling here who can craft a potion to...delay your flight cycle. She does it for herself all the time and for those who wish to sleep time away. Do you want to meet the other unmated males or do you want me?"

Alla could see the way Zori's eyes were going between Nuka, her belly and herself. "Idiot man. Zori, what Nuka hasn't told you is that we are not together, not like that. Its more a friends with benefits that resulted in pregnancy, for which Nuka will never be forgiven. Never."

If she could have, Alla would have gone over to Zori. "If Nuka makes you comfortable, I have no problem with this."

***

Makoto yelped when Shin pulled him into the guest den assigned to Sky and Sirius. Shin just signed and turned to the mismatched pair. "Please excuse Makoto; he's very shy and were working on it. I know this might be a delicate subject but surely you know that you'll fly soon."

Shin winced as the two stiffened. "Lady Nala asked me to pass along a message. Talk with Aro as his claim to Sky is just as strong as yours, Sirius. The man is suffering, Sky."

***

Roma shook her head and sighed; all these requests were due to flight cycles. Hers had always been inconsistent and, except for a few times, she had always taken a potion to put off that bit of nature.

She might be fighting a futile battle but she wasn't about to pass her bitch of a mother's legacy on. That thought reminded her to travel to her father's den to check on the sleeping white soon. After what the Bitch had done to him, Father deserved all the sleep he wanted.

After changing out of her grubby foraging clothes, Roma gathered her notebook and went of towards the den of her first request.

[Maira]

Between Nuka and Alla, the things they said left Zori reeling. It didn't matter what Nuka had told her on the flight to the holding, the hopes she'd been given, knowing that men actually wanted to fly her just boggled her mind. She sat silently, staring at the two of them for a moment as she thought things through. Eventually she turned to Nuka and asked him, "If you got to choose, would you prefer I go with somebody else or you? Because I don't want you feeling obligated just because you happen to be the only male who isn't related to me here that I know even a little."

When she stopped talking, Zori realized that her palms were getting sweaty and she silently cursed her pre-flight hormone shift for starting during this conversation. Though, she had a feeling the conversation was part of the reason for the sudden shift. Before Nuka could answer, Zori continued, "As for how I feel about casual sex, its all I've ever been allowed and then only outside of my cycle and with non-brood. My father and his partner tried to persuade his clan to allow otherwise but it never happened. In the moment it fulfills urges, but is never satisfying long-term." She took a steadying breath and mused, "Maybe a delaying potion is for the best, or I could just do what I always do and go away for a while..."

She was lost in her own thoughts again then, trying to get them into some semblance of order. She didn't know Nuka much better than the other males of the holding, and she didn't know any of them at all, and if she didn't want things to be casual and risk having a baby with a male she wasn't likely to wind up mated to in the long run... It was just too complicated.

*****

While he wasn't sure what to do about the Sky situation, Aro was happy to take Nala up on her suggestion about Levi. If sleep would help the man, he was willing to try. When the woman she'd mentioned to him arrived at his temporary den, a healer in tow, Aro let them in. He asked about what Nala had proposed for Levi and listened carefully as they explained the details of what they'd be doing and how it might help. After asking a few questions to clarify things, he agreed to let them proceed. When they left the den, to make their preparations, Aro saw them to the door and then went to Levi's room.

Unsure of how the news would go over, Aro sat on the bed next to the man and nudged him until he woke up. "I have something to tell you," he said simply once the man's eyes opened. When Levi looked at him, Aro continued, "The healers here believe that putting you into a potion induced slumber, much like the one that us Brood use naturally, will help you heal and recover from your ordeal. As you aren't really fit to make decisions concerning your own well-being I gave them permission to help you in this manner. I am not sure of all the details just yet, but I know the risks are very minimal, but when they finalize the potion they will return to explain everything and administer it."

When Aro finished explaining, he kept himself steady under Levi's glare as the younger man did not look at all happy about what Aro had to say.

*****

After leaving Levi alone in his room to grumble about the situation, Aro was going to go in search of two things: lunch and Sky. The first he needed to fortify himself, because talking to Sky was not going to be easy. Only, he never made it out of the den when there was another knock on the door. Curious if the potions woman, Roma, was back already, he hurried to the door and opened it without thinking of who else might be on the other side. The sight of Sirus, alone, startled the hell out of him and he gawked for a moment before remembering his manners and inviting the other male in and to take a seat wherever he liked.

*****

It had taken no time at all for Sirus to make a decision about the situation between Sky, Aro and himself. He'd been thinking on it since the day they were banished from the Point Hope Holding. Sirus hadn't had a chance to talk to Aro about it, but convincing Sky to go along with his plan had taken most of the morning after the visit from Shin and Makoto. Once both men were seated, Sirus didn't waste any time explaining his thoughts and plan.

"I can't beat around the bush with this, or sugar coat it to make this easy to talk about but it is something we need to do. Sky, like normal, went through the full range of emotions on this from crying to yelling to insisting I was out of my mind. But the thing is, I won't be flying her next week Aro, you will."

Unlike Sky, Aro didn't yell. Instead he sat and stared at him, a strange mix of emotions in his eyes. Not wanting to leave Aro hanging, Sirus continued. "If a baby comes of the flight, it will be yours to raise instead of mine and Sky's. If you want her to have a part in the child's life I won't stand in the way and she will be free to decide if she wants that or not." The emotions were resolving themselves in Aro's eyes, and Sirus could see hope winning out. He couldn't keep the smile from his face as he added, "You took care of her after her life went to hell, Aro, and for that I am more grateful than you will hopefully ever understand. You also gave her yourself, body and heart, as a mate should and I can see that me being in her life and resuming our bond is doing dangerous things to you."

Aro tried to object, explaining, "I'm fine, just tired and anxious about Levi."

Sirus gave him a pointed look before telling Aro, "You've already lost weight and there are clear signs of stress on your face and how you carry yourself. I have a feeling you'd be lying to me if you tried telling me you hadn't at least thought about sleeping and not waking up." When Aro's face blanched and his lips hardened into a line, Sirus just nodded. "And this is why I want you to have whatever child may come of this mating, Aro. I want you to remain awake. Your current children may be grown, one with a baby of her own on the way, but they still want their father around. I've seen it in the way that Grae and Lilia look after you when you're not looking. They're scared of losing you."

Letting his words sink in, Sirus watched Aro and waited. It was a couple minutes before the white male said anything and what he asked surprised Sirus. "But wouldn't you want to add to your family with this flight? Why do this for me when she is yours?"

It was Sirus's turn to think, but it didn't take him very long to reply, "I do want to have another child with her Aro, but honestly I want some time just her and I. By the time she is ready to fly again after this baby with you, I might be ready for one of our own. I want to get to know her again and work on fixing the damage the years have done to both of us first."

"That makes sense," Aro agreed, nodding his head. Then he asked, "And how does Sky feel?"

Sirus barked a laugh and told Aro, "She's an emotional rollercoaster right now and while how she expresses how she feels changes from moment to moment, over-all I know she doesn't want to lose you anymore than your children do. She loves you still, Aro, she doesn't know how to act on it with me here. If mating with you again results in the baby with her that she knows you are hoping for, she is be happy to do it." A small smirk crept onto Sirus's face then as he added, "What she was shocked to find out was that as far as I'm concerned you should keep flying her until you two -do- have the baby you want."

The bug-eyed gawking that Aro did after hearing that was very amusing to Sirus but he did his best to keep his laughter to a minimum. Unbelieving, Aro asked, "If this cycle doesn't result in a baby, you want me to fly her again? Really?"

Still smiling, Sirus nodded. He had a feeling that if Aro had been a cartoon, his jaw would have hit the floor. Aro seemingly had no more words after that, and neither did Sirus really, so he stood and made to leave. Before turning to go he thought of one last thing, "For the two weeks of her cycle I will be going home to South America to tie up loose ends. If you don't fly her somebody else will and I know that is something neither of us want so make sure you stick close by her while I'm gone." Without another word Sirus left Aro to ponder all that had been said.

[Demeter]

Cameo had a wonderfully brilliant plan. He'd spent the last few days talking with others in the Gates holding. Others who were partner and dragon and gay and together and had to deal with damned dragon instincts. He skittered away from healing hall to where he and Grae had been given guest quarters.

"I have an idea on how to fix The Problem," he said while leaping onto Grae and the bed his dragon was lounging on. "I was talking with the healers, learning how to patch you up, when they mentioned a complete brilliant, utterly common procedure. Artificial insemination. Boom, we need to find a female with the same issue, Rhea maybe, and the damned baby making instinct taken care of without you touching a female body."

Cameo looked down at his dragon. "What do you think?"

****

Alla was so very bored. If she weren't stuck in bed, being all stupid pregnant, she'd being running around the vast holding, doing her job as a messenger and local clairvoyant. She could just kick Nuka in the balls for knocking her up. Stupid dragon, reacting to her stupid hormones. And stupid cat, having a productive heat when she didn't have a feline partner around.

And Zori was out, being courted by the unattached males of the holding. She wanted the pretty Black hided woman to come back and talk with her. Nuka, of course, was out being all third in command and also not here entertaining her while was busy being bored while cooking his children.

And since she was bigger then a blue whale, she couldn't even get comfortable in bed. When the door opened and Zoya skipped in, Alla gave a little yelp of excitement. "Tell me! Were any of them ungentlemanly? Did you have fun? Please, tell me as I'm so bored."

***

Roma hustled to check on Levi. She really wanted to quickly duck in and out of the man's quarters. She didn't mind Aro or Levi but that woman, Sky, made her twitch. The situation was unorthodox but that wasn't the twitchy part. She twitched because the woman was willing to give up a child. And the woman was staying in Aro's quarters while her true mate had hied off back to South America to settle his affairs.

Roma may have made it so she'd never have children, a vow to kill off her mother's bloodline, but she couldn't imagine giving up a child.

When Aro answered her knock, she smiled at him, let him know that she was here to check on Levi and renew the potion that was keeping him asleep. Unlike the natural sleep of a bonded pair, Levi's sleep was artificial and required observation. As Aro escorted her towards Levi's chamber, neatly avoiding the living space where Sky was, Roma spoke quietly with him. "The healers have told me that his wounds are healing nicely and, with him asleep, they can get the proper amounts of nutrients into him. All in all, his physical condition is improving. They would like to keep him sleeping until a healer who specializes in the mind can be located."

As she moved around Levi, Roma chattered. "You'll be happy to know that you and yours are no longer on the top of the gossip food chain. That dubious honor goes to Lady Nala, who, if the gossips are correct, is going to allow some other male to fly her and Lord Kyria has no objections to it. Everyone says that while he is her mate, she is not his. I don't get it," she said with a little huff and say down on the bed.

She knew that her schooling in Brood tradition had been haphazard but she knew about mates and their bonds. She also hadn't been at this holding long; she'd only used dark magic and Brood fire to burn that house, with her mother, aunts and a few select cousins and siblings trapped within, down a few years ago. Her education was lacking but her father had beaten it within her head that he and her mother were her parents but not mates.

Grumbling, Roma looked to Aro. "Do you get any of this?"
***

One of Kyria's greatest pleasures was watching Lucian swim. The pool in their chambers was deeper then his height and the water scalding. But then, Lucian wasn't happy unless his bath water was hot enough to boil a lobster. He couldn't help a smile as he watched Lucian climb from the pool. The extraordinary length of his hair was pulled forward over his shoulder and the mark of their mating was on display. If they had settled in a warmer place, he would have ordered Lucian to go about topless with his hair cropped short so that everyone could see the sprawling celtic tribal-like markings that sprawled over his upper back and shoulders in metallic gold and red colors.

His smile turned naughty while he watched Lucian dry off. He'd have joined his man but he had business to conduct. He'd set today aside to probe into the large group, five males and a combined total of sixteen offspring, who'd come to the holding in the last year. One of those offspring had the training of a necromancer and was the mastermind behind burning her mother, aunts and a few halflings alive. He trusted Nala's decision to allow them to stay but he wanted the story for himself.

It would also occupy his mind until Nuka's own children were brought into this world, the sole reason he and Lucian had woken before their ten year slumber was over. Which, he mused, was an alteration to the previous plan. A few evenings ago, Nala had annouced that she was claiming an exception and desired to be flown by another male. They had revised their plan, Nala would be flown by this other male, who'd she'd been having an affair with, he would bond with Rose after Nala's flight to allow to two women to be paired and, after the birth of his first great-grandchildren, would return to sleep.

He knew this was causing some rumbles within the holding but his mating to Nala was one of convience and had been done when they'd still been figuring out just what the Brood were. He honestly had no issue with Nala's desire to be with this man. Though, he had summoned him earlier in the day and threatened his balls should any harm come to Nala.

[Demeter]

Skor sprinted across the tundra, half focused on her surroundings and half focused on her hybrid toddlers flapping over her head. Now two years old, Kira and Kostya were as curious as cats with all the upward mobility of the Brood. She had them harnessed and leashed to her message pack to keep them nearby. One episode of missing toddlers had been one too many, thank you very much.

Now that her children were mobile, Skor, and by extension Alla, was free to return to her duties. Of course, on some day, she had the kittens with her. On those days, she only took the short runs where she could return before nightfall. On days were she could off-load the kittens onto their father (perpetrator of the missing toddlers episode), she took longer runs to the far reaches of the holding.

Given the purpose of her home, the holding ran the length and breath of the Endicott range and not all the residents were capable of telepathic speech. Hence the need for ones like her. Fast and stealthy, Skor was ideal for running messages. The Gates of the Arctic National Park, where the offices of the holding were, may have been a remote location and the park rangers mostly otherworlders but they couldn't risk a big dragon being spotted overhead.

Skor tracked along a goat path, Kira now resting on her back while Kostya tried to get ahead. They climbed higher, her son finally coming down to drape himself over her shoulders. Little wings couldn't climb high yet. Reaching the safety of the holdings inner borders, Skor paused to rest. She had a view of the landing field and of Nuka as he trained adolescent Brood on proper landing and take off procedures. Like mortal driving tests, the young ones had to pass an exam before they could fly unaccompanied.

She grunted as the kittens, recognizing their father, squealed and fluttered after him. Not expecting it, she was yanked forward just a bit. Digging her paws in, Skor braced herself against their pulling. Nuka, at least, heard them and ambled over. She nuzzled against his thigh as he unclipped and transferred the tethers from her pack to his belt. 'They're your responsibility till dinner time,' she sent to him with a laugh before scrambling away.

From the lip of the Messages cavern, Skor could stare down at him, pleased at the easy way he handled the kittens. Nuka was an excellent father and provider; she wouldn't mind it if he got another litter or three on her.

'Stop it, you know he's for Zori once he gets his head out of his ass and claims her.'

Skor rolled her eyes at Alla's voice. 'Nuka is wise to let Zori stretch her wings. You know how she was when she came here. First touch-phobic and then touch-starved once she figured out no one was going to strike her. Let her have some fun and flirt with the boys.'

'If he doesn't hurry it up, some other male is going to swoop in and take her.'

'Destiny is destiny and cannot be changed. Nuka will have Zori in time. None of the readings have indicated a timeframe. Besides, I would retract my offer of bearing litters if he were to force Zori to be with him if she had feelings for another.'

In the background, Alla grumbled. Things might have been different if she hadn't gone into early labor and if there hadn't been on overload of Brood hormones at the same time. Het labor had been difficult and the birth hard. That both she and Kira had survived was a bit of a miracle and, considering that, Nuka hadn't left their sides for weeks afterwards.

And the strongest potion that Roma had dared to brew for Zori had little effect with not only Sky and Lady Nala but two others flying around the same time. Their flights had set her's off but the potion had prevented a child. All of that sexual energy zooming around the holding had loosened her inhibitions and there'd been plenty of males vying for her attention. When Alla had been confined to her rooms, healing from the delivery, Zori had come to her, shocked and embarrassed by her actions.

Back then, Alla had shrugged it off, told Zori that she was allowed to have a little fun and that, at least, the male who'd caught her affections that day was being a gentleman about everything. Now, though, she didn't know what Nuka's problem was. The man was slower then frozen molasses.

'Be patient, Alla. They will come together when they are meant to.' Skor said as she wiggled out of the message pack.

....

Roma raised her skirts and stepped over Orli as she made her way through Aro's cavern. Aro's daughter cooed up at her and Roma cooed right back. "Be right back, Darling, I've just got to go see Uncle Levi and then I can play.

She gave Aro a little finger wave from where he lounged on his couch and pointed to Levi's section of the cavern. She was there to administer his weekly dose of anti-depressive potion. She knocked before opening his door and sighed a little. She should have guessed that Aro watching Orli at this time of day meant that Levi was having a bad day. At least, she mused, the source of this bad day was a whole different beast. Today, if she remembered right, marked the day that he'd been turned into one of the Mutari. Which, in itself, wasn't bad but the manner of his turning was a thing of nightmares. His mind had been raped while others had feasted on his blood. The rouge nest, long since wiped out, hadn't gotten more then their fangs into him but, from what he stuttered out one time, there would have been far worse in store for him if they'd kept him.

Roma sat on the bed where the man was curled up and ran a hand through his hair. "I know you are awake. Bad day?"

Levi nodded and sat up. "Bad dreams. Its always bad dreams."

"You know that either Aro and myself can help you with that."

"The potions make me fuzzy-headed and I don't want to bother him. I've already caused him enough problems."

"Levi, he's your bonded partner. He's supposed to help you out."

Levi shrugged. "Its not like I wanted that to happen. It just sort of happened."

Roma knew all about that. Even after waking him and starting him on the anti-depressives, they'd had issues with self-harm. Once such incident, when Orli had been two months old, had started an argument between the two men that ended with a spontaneous partner-bond had formed.

Roma handed Levi his potion as Orli scooted into the room. He downed it and picked up the baby. Roma also knew that Levi was basically living for Orli.

After visiting for awhile, Roma went out to visit with Aro. "I've got a favor to ask of you; its a pretty big one. I'm sterile but that doesn't mean I don't have hormones. I can't put it off any longer and you're about the only Brood guy I trust. I need you to fly me."

***

Skor trotted down the hallways to her chambers. Alla didn't mind nudity but it was still fricken too freezing for skin. When she reached her quarters, she spotted Zori stepping out of her rooms across the way. She bumped up against the woman, rubbing against her and purring.

She shifted then from cat to woman, bussed a kiss against Zori's cheek and dove into her quarters. She huddled under the blankets on Zori's couch. "Its too cold. Do you have chores or can you stay and keep me warm. I have gossip."

Zori was part of the crew that helped care for the slumbering ancients. They may have been impervious to most things but they still got dusty or developed dry patches of hide.

Someone had to clamber all over their sleeping bodies to remove the desk.

When Zori plopped down, Alla gave a cheer.

***

Nuka held his son like a football while his daughter perched on his shoulder. Given that Alla's quarters were empty, he assumed she was visiting with Zori. He popped the door open, used to just wandering in, and spotted the women.

He watched them as they laughed together. Soon, he thought, soon he'd have them both.

[Maira]

Aro truly hated Levi's bad days. While the Mutari had finally figured out their partner bond well enough to communicate telepathically, he still had trouble fully closing himself off from Aro. Levi also thought -very- loudly. This meant that even though he was sitting on the couch, technically supervising little Orli, he was also a silent witness to the terrors in Levi's mind.

When Roma came through, Aro nearly sighed in relief. If she was here, that meant it was Levi's med day. She had come by on the occasional social visits in the past, but primarily she came to tend to her patient. Still, those business visits had been enough for Orli to get attached to Roma and when the woman cooed at her and then wandered off, the not-quite-toddler started crawling after her. He knew it wouldn't be long before she started walking in her human form, both Grae and Lilia had started around this age, and once that happened she'd likely start flying in her dragon form. Life was about to get extremely more hectic for him.

With Orli out of sight, chasing after Roma, Grae went back to his reading. He hadn't yet taken an active role in the holding because he was caring for both an infant and his accidentally bonded partner. Instead, he spent a lot of time reading the archives and history of the holding. He still wasn't sure if this was where he was going to make his permanent home, but currently Levi needed to remain near Roma for the medicine she brewed specially for him. Reading the histories of this unique holding was not only informative about a potential home, but also very interesting. To see how far so many of the other Brood holdings had strayed from the ways of the Ancients was mind boggling. He almost wanted to stay purely because of how warmly they odd group had been welcomed. Even if it meant staying in a holding with Sky.

Since Orli's birth, Sky and Sirus had moved to a more distant part of the Holding. Aro had turned to Roma to help him find a wet-nurse for Orli for her first year before weaning her to mostly solid foods. Most Brood nursed for 2 to 3 years, but could stop early if necessary. And while the wet-nurse would have happily kept feeding Orli, Aro really wanted his space with his odd little family. It was extremely rare for Brood male to raise a child on his own if the mother of the child was still living. And even if she were deceased it was still rare for the father to raise the child if there were a willing female (related or not) available. Here, nobody batted an eye. At other holdings? Aro was almost certain he'd be scoffed at and the elders would try and place Orli with a more suitable family. Probably the only way to keep Orli and go back to a different holding would be if he took a mate who in turn adopted Orli as her own.

Deep in thought about how complicated his life had become, he didn't hear Roma emerge from Levi's bedroom. He was staring blankly at the pages of the most recent history he was reading when suddenly the couch jostled and Roma spoke. At mention of needing a favor from him, Aro's ears perked up immediately. After all she had done to help him with Levi and Orli, he would do almost anything for the woman. It was the least he could do.

Only, what she asked left him flat out speechless. He knew his jaw dropped, and so did the book, but he couldn't formulate an answer for a long moment. When he finally shook himself out of his shock at the very unexpected question, he nodded silently and told her, "That you trust me and feel safe with me is an honor, Roma. And to be honest, it would be mutually beneficial. Having Orli around has kept my hormones mostly in check but as she's becoming more independant and as Levi is able to help more, my body has woken up."

*****

Zori was restless. She had just finished up her latest rotation away and while it wasn't especially hard work, it was very lonely work. She would care for the ancients for three days, and then have 4 to herself. While she was currently unmated, she should have been assigned a more rigorous rotation, but apparently everybody expected her to find a mate and start popping out babies at any given moment. What they didn't know was that while she entertained the various males that tried to press their suit with her, she had her eyes and heart set on a pair of somebodies that were decidedly unattainable. She knew that eventually she would have to take a mate and stop taking the potion that kept her from getting pregnant when she flew, but now wasn't the time.

She had grown quite close to Alla during the past almost two years. Closer than she'd actually been to anybody else in her life that wasn't family. For the first time in her nearly five centuries of life, she finally understood what it was like to have a best friend. Though, more recently, she had also started to notice that she was developing feelings for Alla that went beyond friendship. She'd been acutely aware of her attraction to Nuka since shortly after arriving at the Gates of the North Holding but had done her best to ignore those feelings since he and Alla were clearly involved and raising children together. Now that she had feelings for Alla too, her heart and head were both quite tangled and confused on just what she should do.

Unable to stand the silence of her own quarters anymore, she got up to leave and go find some company and maybe a meal. She had only just stepped into the hallway, her door still open, when a very familiar feline rubbed against her thigh and purred at her. A smile instantly turned up the corners of her mouth, gently caressing Skor's silky furred head and neck. Then, furry Skor was replaced by naked Alla who planted a kiss on Zori's cheek before scampering into the room that Zori had just left. With an amused grin, Zori re-entered her quarters and followed Alla to her couch. Zori had long ago gotten in the habit of keeping a pile of blankets on the couch for just such occasions when Alla would come over in just her skin.

At the other woman's question if she had chores to do, Zori shook her head no and plopped down on the couch and snuggled under the blankets with Alla. Knowing that Alla was probably quite chilled, Zori pulled her close so that the shifter could mooch her Brood-given extra warm body heat. Or at least that's part of why she snuggled the other woman to her. The other reason she would keep to herself indefinitely.

*****

Having her plans to get a meal derailed with the arrival of Alla, Zori's stomach was beginning to growl. Luckily, the rumbles were hidden quite well by the chatter and laughter the two women shared over the latest round of gossip that Zori had missed during her three day rotation. When the door to her quarters swung inwards, Zori wasn't at all surprised to see that it was Nuka and the twins. She was already smiling, laughing with Alla, but the smile grew even larger at the sight of the three newest arrivals. Kissing Alla's forehead, she clambered out from under the blankets and went to the children and Nuka. He had a curious look in his eyes, but she was sure it was for Alla, so she just focused on the twins instead. Plucking Kira from her father's shoulders and Kostya from under his arm, she zoomed them over to the couch and plunked them next to Alla so they could give her snuggles.

As with Alla and Nuka, the twins both had claimed a place in her heart. Also like their parents, Zori kept them at a distance. They were Nuka and Alla's babies, not hers. She had no right to get too attached to her friends' children. Suddenly aware of how badly she wanted to be a part of their family, Zori needed to get away. As it was her quarters, she couldn't just run out with no excuse so she told the other two adults, "I'm starving, I'll go order dinner for all of us if you guys want to stay." Then she practically bolted from her livingroom and into the hallway.

[Demeter]

When Zori all but bolted from her own rooms, Alla looked towards Nuka and raised an eyebrow. Both had noticed that their friend had been rather squirrelly of late. Something was going on with Zori.

Handing off the children to Nuka, she wrapped the blanket securely around her body and trotted out after Zori. She was bound and determined to get to the bottom of what was bothering her friend. She headed in the direction of the commons but stopped short when she saw Zori just a few turns away from her quarters.

Alla back up and peered around the corner, blinking in confusion as Zori gently bumped her head against the wall and muttered to herself. What she heard made Alla grin before she turned to scamper back to Nuka.

That night, after bath and story time, she told him what she'd overheard. Zori, it seemed didn't want to be the one to break up a happy family. Zori, Alla mused aloud as she picked up toys with Nuka, needed a swift smack upside the head. While they were indeed a family consisting of the two parents of children, they weren't exactly a traditional. She and him, she said while pouring wine, were bed buddies and friends, mostly.

"And that's something else I'd like to change."

Alla would have spilled her wine if her grip on the glass had loosened instead of tightened. "Um, what?"

"You know there are others with the Sight here?"

She nodded. "Of course I know that. We get together for a monthly brunch and gossip about what we See in a weak form of coded language. What about them?"

"I went to one of them, asked them about us and you know what they saw?"

"Which one did you go to?"

Nuka grinned and shook his head. "Not telling; you'll try to murder them. Guess what they said."

"That you'll turn into a newt when you grow up?"

"A newt? Why not a frog and, no, that's not what they said."

"I like frogs. That would be insulting them. Did they say you and Zori grow happily old together while I'm the crazy woman in the attic."

"Close but you're not in the attic."

"Where am I then? Am I in Figi? Wouldn't mind it if I were in Figi."

Nuka huffed out a laugh and crossed over to her. "Seers can't See themselves but they can See other seers. The one I went to Saw you standing along side Zori and myself. Committed to each other."

Alla's eyes widened just a bit and she chuckled. "All righty then. What are we going to do about Miss Stubborn Pants across the way?"

Nuka smiled. "Knew you would be accepting of this -"

"I'm a seer. I don't question these things."

"Don't interrupt. Do Josh and Alex still owe you that favor?"

***

Levi didn't dare to move an inch. He knew that if he so much as twitched, Orli would wake up and he'd just spent an hour getting her to sleep. Seeing as they only way she was comfortable was by sleeping on his chest, movement was not an option. So, he let his thoughts wander.

He didn't mind being used as Orli's bed. The weight of her was actually a comfort. She was a soothing presence in his life and probably the reason he was still even alive. Though he had little to live for, she made it all worth it.

Her name, which a few of the few hoity-toity dragons disapproved of, meant light and, by god, was she a source of illumination. On the other hand, if she hadn't been such a force in his life, he wouldn't have hesitated that day, Aro wouldn't have yanked the knife from his hand, and this darn partner bond thing would not have happened. And that other thing wouldn't have happened either.

Levi quickly shut his thoughts down. He wasn't going to travel down the path those thoughts brought up. He absolutely was not going to think about the event that preceded the formation of the partner bond thing. In no way would he let his thoughts drift back to the heated, snarling, in your face argument he'd had with Aro on that day. You know, the one where they'd been arguing and shoving each other around the room and the next they'd been angrily kissing each other.

Levi groaned; he went there.

An echoing groan from the other room let him know that he'd dragged Aro there too. He really had to get a handle of this thinking thing.

***
Alla loved Josh and Alex, a couple of Snow Leopards from the far reaches of the holding. They were a unique pair of cats; he, Josh, was, if one categorized people by their gender, was actually a she. Alex was a she who preferred being a he. And this odd pair guarded the sleeping bodies of their similarly gender mismatched pair of Brood.

They were also quite skilled actors and had, until they'd been banned from participation, won the annual talent contest every stinking year for a decade. Alla had been the one to introduce them to each other and they so owed her. They also were pleased to help in Operation Make Zori Jealous Enough To Do Something.

So while Alla and Nuka upped their casual affection for Zori to something a little more serious, the pair showered her in attention. After few weeks of giggling and flirting with the pair, Alla put phase two into action. Giggling like a school girl, she bounced into Zori's rooms and jumped onto the couch next to woman. She kissed her, lingering longer then someone who was strictly a friend might have, and hugged tight. "I think tonight might be the night, Zori! I think Josh and Alex will finally ask me to move into their den with them. I mean, I'll suck being away from you and I really don't want to take the kids that far away from Nuka. It would probably only be until their Brood woke up and then we could move closer."

She sighed, leaning against Zori. "Nuka's all bent out of shape about this but a girl has to do what a girl has to do, right? Its not like Nuka's ever going to make a move. Nor has this other person that I really like. We only had the twins because of hormones, you know, and this other person, well, she doesn't seem to get that I like her even though I've been throwing myself at her for years now. I have needs and Josh and Alex seem to be the only ones willing to fulfill those needs. Promise me you won't be mad if I move?"

[Maira]

Tomorrow she was leaving for her weekly rotation and Zori was going through her away bag when Alla popped into her quarters, giggling and bouncy. The way that Alla kissed her in greeting, and then hugged her left Zori breathless and feeling flushed. She had caught herself from wrapping her arms around Alla when the other woman kissed her, but only barely. She was still trying to shove her feelings for the other woman away when Alla's words did it for her. Alla was leaving.

Zori's reaction to Alla's news was outwardly calm, though her smile and her voice were a bit shaky as she answered, "I'm away at the other end of the range half of each week anyway. It's not my place to get mad if you go." Inside, however, Zori felt like her heart was crumbling. Technically she wasn't part of Nuka and Alla's family, but she had at least felt welcome among them and now Alla was leaving, with the babies, for who knew how long. Just the thought of losing three fourths of the family she daydreamed about one day being a part of left her feeling sick to her stomach.

She had hoped that during her upcoming flight Nuka would finally show interest in her, and she would finally be able to call him, Alla, and the twins her family. But if Nuka wasn't even going with Alla, how much of a family were they really? She was so confused.

*****

Aro had been tidying up their living room, putting Orli's toys away and folding the now-toddler's laundry, when suddenly he was back in the moment before his magic had claimed Levi as his bonded partner. The anger, the fear, the unexpected but not unwanted desire. All of it. Then he felt Levi's lips against his own, smelled the man's scent thanks to their closeness, heard Levi's heart pounding with emotion in his chest, and at one point he even glimpsed the warring emotions of bliss and anger fighting to win on Levi's face. When Levi pulled away in that moment, they had both groaned. When Levi pulled away mentally this time, they both groaned once more.

When Roma had propositioned him before her last flight, saying that he was the one Brood male in the holding that she trusted enough to let fly her, he had agreed. It had worked out well for them both, easing the mating instincts in both of them in one two week period. Since then, they had connected a few more times purely unrelated to their common Brood heritage and had quite enjoyed themselves. After what had just happened with Levi, Aro was tempted to go find the healer. But first he needed to see something...

Quietly, he made his way to the door of Levi's room. He peered around the door frame and his eyes immediately found the larger than normal lump on Levi's bed. Orli had him pinned as she snored her toddler snores and drooled on his chest. While he knew she was likely out for the count, it wasn't the toddler he was checking on. He needed to see if Levi was awake.

Unfortunately, Levi's face was turned away from the door and the toddler sleeping on his chest skewed any ability for Aro to judge Levi's breathing pattern. Unsure if the man were actually asleep, or if he just didn't want to be caught having been conscious for that mental slip, Aro backed silently away from the door. Someday he was going to have to talk with Levi about that moment, but apparently tonight wasn't the right time.

Just as silently as he left Levi's door, Aro slipped out of their shared quarters and shut the door behind him. If he couldn't find Roma, or if she wasn't amicable to helping him out, Aro was almost certain he was going to have to throw himself in a snowbank to cool his body's reaction to Levi's memory.

*****

Alla had left not long before, and now Nuka had come to see her. She had finished with her away bag for her rotation that started tomorrow, and was glaring into a mug of tea when her door opened. It took her a moment to do more than stare in shock at Nuka, but once her mind cleared enough, she growled at him plaintively, "What are you thinking?! How can you let Alla and the babies leave like this?"

It was Nuka's turn to look shocked, and if she weren't so upset Zori might have laughed at him. She knew she had never spoken to him in that tone before but she was doing her best not to act as frantic as she felt and growling was the only way she could keep that panic from her voice. When Nuka didn't actually answer her, Zori swatted his shoulder and muttered something about him being a useless sexy excuse for a man before storming out of her quarters. If he wouldn't talk any sense into Alla, clearly she was going to have to be the one to do it.

When she walked into Alla and Nuka's quarters unannounced, she was greeted with a visual of just why Nuka had come to her place. Sitting on the couch was Alla, between Alex and Josh, kissing one and having her neck nibbled from behind by the other one. She had never truly experienced jealousy in all of her centuries of life at the South American holding. She still wasn't sure if what she was feeling right at that moment was it either. She had no doubt, however, that she was feeling quite possessive and that feeling came through in her voice as she growled out as calmly as she could manage, "Please, I need to speak with Alla."

Either the trio didn't hear her, or they were ignoring her because she stood there waiting for a reaction of some kind and never got one. After a few more moments of being flat out ignored, she couldn't keep the growl from rumbling out of her chest as she stepped forward and pulled Alla from between the other two snow leopards. She knew her hand on Alla's wrist was a bit too tight, but she didn't loosen it as she told the bewildered pair again, "I need to speak with Alla, can you go please." The smirks the couple shared were like a knife to Zori's chest as it was like they were telling each other that sharing Alla with the whiny Brood for a moment wouldn't hurt anything.

As soon as the door to Alla and Nuka's quarters closed behind the couple, Zori turned to demand Alla explain how she could even think of taking the babies from Nuka but the look on the other woman's face stopped her cold. Alla's eyes were filled with desire and she wasn't looking at the door after the two who had just left. She was staring right at Zori herself. Sure that she was about to make a giant mistake, Zori immediately pulled Alla to her using her grip on the other woman's wrist and wrapped her arms around her. Just as she closed her eyes and planted a kiss on Alla's lips, Zori was almost certain she saw a triumphant smile on Alla's face.

[Demeter]

Stirring the fire with a flick of a hand, Roma handed the mug of tea to Aro. She'd returned from helping the healers with an emergency to find him, face down, in the snow bank outside her quarters. When she couldn't understand his muffled response to why he was there, she'd hauled him into her rooms. There, she slowly pried out what was bothering him, though it was like pulling teeth, and learned he'd shared a kiss with Levi a while ago and kept recalling it.

She'd then confessed to having a similar sort of reaction to the man once before, not long after Orli had hatched. That first nurse hired for the little girl may have been less hidebound then others but she'd been rather uptight on Aro raising the little girl without a mate. She'd graciously offered to take the burden off him. When he'd refused, she tried by force.

Roma had been there that afternoon, standing in confusion as two of the nurse's male relations had held Aro back from his screaming daughter. Everyone had been shouting. Levi, poor mind-sick Levi, had stomped from his room, growling that no one was taking the little girl from her father, snatched her from the nurse with a snarl and stomped back into his rooms, baby in his arms.

Reinforcements that backed Aro had then flooded the room, Skye leading the charge. She may not have been the one to raise Orli, per the agreement she had with Aro, but she'd be damned if that woman did. Roma had been oblivious to the drama; rather she was struck dumb by the amount of life she'd seen from Levi just then. Snarling, growling, stomping ordering Levi; she wasn't ashamed to admit that a spurt of arousal had shot through her at that moment. Levi showing signs of life was a remarkable sight to see.

She'd known his history; knew that his own children had been taken from him with no visitation rights. And her arousal had been shot down with a flash of inspiration on how to keep Levi alive. Children.

She convinced Aro to have Levi be a primary caregiver to Orli and it worked. Being involved with Orli's care woke the man up and when the second nurse, who'd fallen into a mad delusion that Aro loved her, sickened Orli to get attention, Levi was the first to notice and run her off. The third nurse was, thankfully, normal.

Now, she told Aro that his smooching on Levi was probably a response to how passionate and full of life, and rage, he must have been during that arguement.

She sat next to him on her couch and nudged him. "Does it bother you that you, on some level, have some sort of attraction to him? I mean, if something more then a kiss were to happen, how would you react?"

She giggled at the look he shot her. "No, seriously. Levi is improving. I don't know how he was Before Alaska, but he's laughing and being social more often. He's challenging you more often, too, and he's formed a bond with your daughter and you. You're linked.

"Strip everything away. Forget about you sexuality and his. Forget Orli, the bonds, you saving him two years ago. Pare it down to bare walls, Aro. Just you, him and feelings. If something were to happen between you two, be it now or ten years from now, be it another kiss, frottage, or full out anal sex, would you regret it?"

****
Alla grinned into the kiss and tugged Zori closer, eliminating those last few precious inches between them. While she kissed Zori, do her best to convey her affection for her, Alla let out a mental shriek to Nuka, screaming about success and he should get his scaly tail into her rooms.

Nuka wasted no time and was able to witness Zori whimpering when Alla pulled away from her. Giving her no time to collect herself, Nuka pulled Zori back against his chest, tilted her head up and back to plant his lips against hers. Alla crowded forward, nuzzling into the exposed curve of Zori's neck and purring. He was absurdly pleased to see Zori sway, just a little, when he and Alla stepped back.

Pulling Alla against his side, Nuka gave Zori time to collect herself. He smiled fondly when Zori tripped over her words while asking for an explantion.

"Apparently we needed to be a little more obvious in our interest for you, you silly dragon. You were interested in us but wouldn't make a move, so we did it for you.

"Now, here's what'll happen now that we've declared our intentions. Tomorrow, when you go on your shift, you'll use your downtime to decide what you want. I also want you to think about your next flight and if you'll use any sort of birth control. Also, with whom you'd like to share that flight with as Alla and myself are going to see you through each and every flight from now on."