"Family" reunion [PRIVATE, Sly + Rii]

((Note: This takes place before Sly took the assassin trials and before the invasion))

The first month passed by rather slowly, at least for him. The last week was without sleep, as he had been tossing and turning for what he was to learn among the great masters of healing. Of course, he had an eventful few days as well during his wait. Surprisingly his Emperor did not seem to address what Sly had been doing since he escaped his escorts. Perhaps he was doing it very rarely that it was of no concern where Sly was going. That was good. At least until Sly could gather all the fundamental knowledge he could from the Earthwings.

Under a cloudy morning, Sly had organised a break for a day and passed all his duties to the other healers, as well as delaying his research at Shadows Refuge for a day at least. He was unsure how long he would be away, but he knew he could not manage anymore than just one day. He had to be quick if he were to meet his healer.

Fighting the chills and freezing marsh of the swamp that bit everywhere around him, he pulled through the foggy swamps until he could find one of the hidden entrances to Haven. Rock was meant to be out here, but it was not until a closer inspection that he could see him inside and waiting. The wall of the Empire was on the horizon, far from where the rendezvous point was. After a quick greeting, Sly gave one last look at the Empire before disappearing inside.

In here, the wind was hushed and replaced by echoes of footsteps and drips. It was a damp tunnel as usual, and how far they were descending made Sly nervous about ever yelling or roaring, fearing a cave-in. He stuck close to Rock. With how the tunnels split and curve suddenly, it was easy to get lost. When Sly looked back, he came from one of those 5 entrances. He really was putting his livelihood on the claws of the Earthwings.

Of course, Sly did carry some information that might be useful. Particularly a planned assault upon the old ruins of what was Earthwing territory before. But should he really forfeit this information? The Emperor would begin to speculate something was up if the Earthwings did in fact decide to counteract and fight against the NWs. No, he should keep it in reserve. Perhaps he could gain some knowledge by stating how the Empire was rather idle since the taking over of territory between the NWs and the IWs.

Sly did just that. He relayed the information and a promise that he would speak to "relatives" regarding on affairs of the other tribes. He somewhat knew Tenebris was hostile against Oculus. Perhaps Sly could ask the Grand Vizier what he know next. And so he was escorted around the green and yellow world of Haven, lit only by perhaps the glowing orbs that were rooted and held by intertwining branches on the walls. He tried his best to disregard all the stares in his direction.

Then he was taken to a quiet hall, into what was perhaps the healer's den, and there he was asked to wait...

(OOC: Been catching up all day so you are getting a smaller post... )

Rii had been constantly busy with her newly hatched children. Au had been hard to take care of alone before, but now it was like she had three and a half AuSurath's all vying for her attention and causing mischief. Umbra only liked to be around Rii and had issues around anyone else including his own siblings. Khusavir was generally good, but again didn't like it when other males talked to Rii or took her attention away form her children. Khu generally kept out of fights but tended to get dragged into them because of Au and Umbra. AuSurath still tried to keep Rii to himself which of course made Umbra agitated and tended to cause the two to start biting each other which usually led to fighting. Prasi was like Khusavir in that she tended not to fight with her brothers. She seemed to enjoy Au and Khusavirs company and had a better friendship with Umbra than the other two boys. However she was rebellious whenever Rii tried to tell the little girl anything. Prasi would listen normally unless she was purposefully trying to cause trouble. Like Au she liked to cause mischief, and like Au she tended not to listen when Rii tried to warn her of trouble. All in all, Rii's brood did not like other dragons keeping their mothers attention which caused trouble with Rhune and Baldirak, the two males who most often visited her. Rhune was around all the time, so the children were beginning to get used to and perhaps even like him. Especially Prasi. However with Baldirak he was so busy that the children only rarely saw him. So they continued being rude to their own king, to which Rii had to try and teach them a lesson which was hard to do with all of them at the same time.

Rarely did Rii get the chance to do forging or check on the healing den. However today she had managed to get a hatchling caretaker named Eysseth to watch her brood for her. This meant that she could check the forge to make sure no one stole her tools or materials, and then go to check on the healing den as well. Rii did this as quickly as she could noting that her hammer was missing again and wondering who had taken it this time. Then she went to the healing den to check on her own little private area.

To her surprise a familiar form graced her eyes. Rii's body went rigid as a plank as she stared into the face of a dragon she did not think she would ever meet again. Especially in the haven of all places. There is no way he got this far into haven without either being invited in or being sneaked in by another earthwing... Rii thought as she stared blankly at Sly.

What is the world are you doing here Slychotic? Rii asked while whipping her tail back and forth angrily. Her blue fur stood on end with the tips shining green in the pale light.

It was not a lot to ask for, in that being to share in their knowledge in the arts of healing. He did not know the name of his tutor, nor did he even asked. Perhaps he should have to prepare for who he was to meet again. Perhaps Shadows Refuge had a record on this particular healer. But to come unprepared was perhaps a huge mistake pupils make, resulting in a poor impression. But he did not need a name. He ensured he was well revised on the arts of natural healing before he ever considered coming back to Haven.

The place was very different from the last time he visited, now that he thought about it. It was larger, the Earthwings were more frantic in getting to places. The sound of steel clanging from the distance, the sizzling of furnaces and the grunts of training dragons. They were surely preparing for something. He did not see a lot of stares in his direction. Probably nothing longer than a mere glimpse.

While lost in thought, his heart jumped at the silent footsteps, suddenly rising until it was just a few metres from where he stood. Sly stiffened at the sight. He saw this Earthwing before, and remembered her well. The long, snake-like body with claws of the eagle, and eyes of the blue moon.

Rii.

She was just as shocked to see Sly. Was she the healer here? If so, this would probably be a lot harder than he expected. The welcome was not going to be a friendly one, especially with how her fur was on ends as she posed the question on what he was doing here. Perhaps the Earthwing king did not let her know of a potential apprentice from a foreign tribe. He understood that she would not expect Sly, among other dragons of many more tribes, to come here and learn from her. It was certainly an awkward situation. Sly, the Nightwing who helped her, now seeking help from the same dragon.

How did you know my… Sly stopped there. It was not the right time to be asking that sort of question. He turned away from her, his eyes slowly turning yellow, an indication that he dropped his smug demeanour and was serious. I… came to further my knowledge on healing. Are you…the healer here? He gave a pause, enough time to let her answer. Sly would take any snarky retorts she would throw at him, or any threats and hisses. After all she had been through, he would understand it all. So you found your way here with the Earthwings. How… are you doing now?

(I thought Sly gave his name???? last?? ;-; will edit that other post later when I actually look at their previous threads)

Rii tenses as Sly gave her his own calm answer. A small snarl appeared on her muzzle, but there were guards and other EW's everywhere. There was no way he could have gotten in without someone noticing him. Still she couldn't one hundred percent believe that he was just allowed to walk through the halls without a problem.

Yes I am one of many healers here within the haven. Rii answered stiffly looking at the entrance of the den where an earthwing was peering in as he walked by. If he wasn't bothered then maybe Rii shouldn't be. When he asked how she was doing though Rii froze up. She had no idea how to even start! Heck she wasn't even sure if it was a good idea to just blab her feelings out to him. Especially where her children were concerned.

Her children! That thought reminded Rii just who this male was. He was one of two she had cavorted with when she was working as a servant for the nightwings. It was very possible that the male standing before her was her children's father. Well except for Au. She still wasn't sure who Au's true parents were. All she knew was that she was his mother now.

I uhh.. Rii fumbled not knowing how to start or what to say. She wished she had Mairii with her, but the skull was left safely on a high ledge over looking her nest and her young. Mairii always looked after them well for the snake-like she dragon.

Rii closed her eyes, turned and started tidying up the counter where numerous freshly cleaned bowls were laid out drying ready for use. She was attempting to calm herself through work and straighten out her thoughts. The blue dragon glanced to Sly then felt a bad feeling in her gut. She knew that she had to tell him, even if it was possibly the wrong thing to do. The children needed to know their father. Even though there was an equal chance that the royal guard Oreo had sired them, or some of them. He wasn't the one visiting, and likely would never visit since he stayed by the emperor most of the time. Sly on the other claw had the ability to visit, and Rii sure as heck would not be visiting the nightwings again just to show her kids around.

I have something I need to talk to you about. Something not healing related... Rii said first with a quiver to her blue furred lips.

He only received a snarl, but beyond that it was like she had forgiven him. But after all she endured, was she really going to let it all go? He did hold onto the small skull of hers for a while. Come to think of it, he could not remember why he did. It just rolled next to him when the Nightwings met Rii. And now, she had a tribe to call home. At least in Haven, both Rii and her skull were a lot safer from the cruelties of the outside world.

Sly's ears perked up when Rii began to reapond to his question. It was not a comfortable topic for her. He considered changing the question, but he had already made this encounter all the more awkward. Rii had answered that she was the healer of the Earthwings - Sly's mentor. Thinking about that again made him feel uneasy again. Rii certainly did not look like the healer type, especially during their first encounter back when the Nightwing Empire sought expansion. Looks can be deceiving.

The two passed a long silence betwewn one another. A few Earthwings, some ill and waiting to be examined, and others just passing by, cast casual glances in their direction. It was not as severe as the first time Sly wandered into Haven. But still they did not seem all that concerned that there was a Nightwing within their territory.

Looking back at Rii, she was deep in thought for a moment before starting to clean her bench from the herbs and bowls. When she finally spoke a sentence, Sly frowned a little. She had something to tell him? Curious. It could be something related to the Nightwings as well. I see. What is it that you need to tell me? Sly tried to think of the things she would say but all he could draw were blanks. The only hint was the concerned expression she had before she asked such a question.

Whatever it was, it did not seem good...

(OOC: Not going to lie I had no idea how to answer this for the longest time.)

IC: Rii finished cleaning up then stopped what she was doing and sighed. Her head slowly but surely turned to glance over to Sly's dark form. Why am I hesitating? I have no real reason to.She thought for a moment letting the pause between them lengthen before finally answering.

Well, I carried some souvenirs from the nightwing territory back with me when I fled. Though I didn't know it at the time. Rii then turned her body to face Sly wondering if what she was saying would come back to bite her in the end.

I was pregnant when I got here, but again I didn't know until I started laying. There were three eggs, and every chance that they are yours. Rii finally pushed the words out form her mouth wanting to get the whole ordeal over with. Her thoughts turned back to her children who were with Eysseth. If Sly wanted to see them she wouldn't keep them from him.

They were going a bit off topic. The point of them seeing one another was so he could further his art in herbal medicines. However, he had to admit once again that he did not expect the healer of Haven to be one of his patients back when she was imprisoned. Whatever she had to say had already caught his interest and he was willing to postpone it until the matter was settled.

Sly frowned a little, confused with what Rii was telling him. He studied her words carefully. She unwillingly took something from the Empire with her when she suddenly disappeared from her cell. Sly was about to write it out as the small skull which she treasured, until she mentioned she was pregnant. Sly stiffened, anticipating the worse. Until she said there was a chance that he was the father, he pulled his head slowly back, eyes widened a bit. Sly's gaze then wandered to the corner of the room. He could not remember. When did he ever...

Then it hit him. When she knocked him unconscious after that massage. If he had to be honest, it should only generate euphoria, not this sort of ecstacy. It had to be some sort of mistake. Then again, Oreo was with them at the time as well. Chances are he was the father. Sly backed away until he was sitting on his haunches, huffing a sigh. If word went out, it would cause a series of problems. He promised secrecy of the Earthwings' existence, but how could he find more time to help look after her... their children? The very thought of that made his heart sink. He was not prepared for this. But neither was Rii as well. If he tried to demand more time away from the Empire, the Emperor would surely find out.

Oh Astral... Sly said quietly, still trying to recover from what had happened. He paced around the clinic, trying to think of what to do. The best he could do was to help her look after her children whenever he had a session with her. At least they would not grow up not knowing who their father was. Even if they were Oreo's children, Sly could not deny his involvement as well.

Let me see them. His eyes turned yellow as gave a strong look towards Rii, determined to do what was right.

Rii watched Sly with no emotion at all showing on her blue features. She watched and listened to see his reaction to the news, as well as what he would say next. When he did seem to get over the shock of the news, the male then spoke wanting to see them. Rii had watched his features closely and was relatively sure she had made the right choice in telling him. He seemed genuinely interested in the children so far.

Nodding curtly Rii then whisked out of the room through the doorway flicking her tail upwards in a follow me motion to the male. Her movements were fast, but not hurrying through the halls. Rii only paused to make sure that Sly was following before heading down a deeper hallway.

The hatchling nursery was where she had been allowing her kids to play when she was busy or wanted time for herself. This was only nrecent events though, as up until a month or two ago Rii hadn't exactly trusted any dragon but Rhune to watch her kids. He'd been a great help, but the children were getting too wild for one dragon alone to take care of and educate. Which is why Rii brought them to the nursery now. There were a number of dragons who cared for the babies of many in the nursery, though Rii trusted Eysseth the most with her kids.

Upon reaching the nursery Rii stopped in the doorway gazing in to see hatchlings galore and Eysseth hiding someplace inside. Perhaps the giant female was hidden under hatchlings again? Or near the back of the nursery area? Rii called out to her children with warm tones and a happy smile hoping they would come to her first call.

Ausurath! Umbra! Prasi, Khusavir! Come little ones mommy's here and she wants to talk! Rii called while flaring her wings a moment and settling them back at her sides. Her tail whisked across the floor getting comfortable by her feet.

AuSurath had been very timid of all the other hatchlings at first until auntie Eysse showed him how they were fun. It was especially fun to pull on their tail and play chase, then hide in that one crevice he could barely fit into as the others couldn't fit. This was where he was now actually, after having antagonized one of the bigger hatchlings who wanted to get him, but was too big to fit. He always found it funny seeing them get angry, and even Eysse's lectures were funny of why it was not good to do. Why? he did not know, it was funny and funny was good. Too confusing for him. When he heard a female voice call his name out, his head pricked up, bumping into the tight walls of the crevice before bolting out. Rii was back! Not paying attention to whoever Rii had brought, he barreled into Rii, once again forgetting that you could not stop at a moments notice and smacked into her fluffy fur. Giggling from the absorbed impact and only slowing slightly, he purred and hugged the fuzzy blue leg/chest. "Mommy Wii Wii!" he wiggled happily as he hugged her, still not heeding any attention to sLy or the others.

(Short post ;-; )

Khu was happily playing/protecting his siblings as they all were being watched. It was only until he heard his mothers voice that he abandon his other siblings. Running up to her with a big smile he skidded to a halt the moment he saw the other strange dragon. Wide eye with fear and curiosity he just stared at him, to scared to make another move.

This new dragon was darker, unlike the other dragons around here. He even smelled different too. What was he doing here with mommy? Why was he here? Braving up he puffed out his chest before meeping, "What are you doing here with mommy sir?"

(Also how old are they in here? If needed I can edit this :'3)

Prasi was one of the hatchlings Au liked to pull the tails of but she had learned long ago to either ignore him when he was being annoying or to join him and cause greater mischief in order to get his attention off of her. She had also begun annoying the other hatchlings starting mock wrestling matches and pulling wings or tails when she could. When she was reprimanded by Eysseth though Prasi would always giggle knowing she was doing something wrong. She just couldn't help it. It was too fun making other dragons angry or cry. In the end the girl was put on permanent time out in the corner by one of the caretakers because of her antics, and it wasn't until Rii called that she was allowed to move and go.

Bolting past her caretakers legs Prasi ran and hopped gliding to her mother and crash landing above Au on Rii's leg. She gripped with strong little claws on Rii's leg hugging it while crying MOMMY THEY MADE FUN OF ME SO I BIT THEM THEN THE BIG DWAGGONS MADE ME GO IN A CORNER AND THEY YELLED AT ME!! her over dramatic cries were sure to bother someone which was exactly what Prasi was aiming for.

He did not need to wait long before Rii finally decided to take him to where she kept her... THEIR children. It was certainly a terrible mess for him to be in, a simple mistake that led to this. If he had to figure out anything positive out of this, it was perhaps the possibility of an alliance between the Nightwings and the Earthwings. But he feared of any sort of tension he did not know off happening between the two tribes. He could already sense Rii harbouring some rage against the Nightwing Empire for what they did after taking her former home. But if Sly were to help look after Rii's children, then he would have no choice but to tell Oculus what he had been up to.

Perhaps no harm or ultimatum would occur against the favour of the Earthwings. After all, Rii and Sly's children would be affected by this, although he was not sure about Oculus' desires about such an alliance. He did not want to start thinking about the future unless he could speak to Rii, but he had no choice if he wanted to dodge the lingering eyes piercing him from the towering citizens of Haven. His ears perked to rumours and whispers of hate against him, but he did not let it affect him greatly.

It was like a long journey, passing the curious Earthwings until thy finally made it to the nursery. There was another large Earthwing there, but Sly could tell from her posture and dulling colour of her scales that she was an elderly one. Rii called out a total of four names. Four hatchlings?

Three of them carried notable features that were from either an Earthwing or a Nightwing, but the other, perhaps the most mischievous of the clutch, seemed to be purely that of Nightwing. Sly sat opposite to where Rii laid and took a deep breath. These were more than just children. They could become their children, and Sly becomes a parent with a lot of thinking to make. One of the hatchlings was brave enough to approach him and asked why he was here with Rii. Sly did not know how to respond to that. Partly because he was still shocked that they could potentially become his responsibility. Depending on how this talk goes, he might wish that he had never come here for apprenticeship.

No matter. He will have to put everything on the table and hope for the best. Maybe they could reach a compromise, or maybe Sly would be forced to remain in Haven until their children grow up. Whatever they decide, it would not change that even if the children were born from Oreo, that Sly will have to play the role of their father.

Alright, Sly said. What would you like to talk about?