Sleepover/Date

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== Summary ==
== Full Text ==
Kettil Ericson: Kettil sighed as he walked through the village looking at his clipboard. Not only did he have the dragons to deal with but other problems as well, all being coordinated from his clinic here on Haligan. ‘Coming home is always stressful.’ He thought to himself his eyes on the papers in front of him. 
Iona Lindholm: Iona found herself lost and separated from Siri and the little ones on the way back from the dining hall. She really didn’t have the best sense of direction, and now she just wandered the streets of the village hoping to run into someone she knew.
“Oh,” she bumped into someone, “Sorry.”
Kettil: Kettil stumbled back a bit and looked up from his clipboard. “Oh, hey… Iona right? No need to apologise I need to watch where I’m going better.” He said with a smile. “If you don’t mind me asking why aren’t you still with the girls?” He asked curiously.
Iona: “I was…” Iona kept her face pleasant as she racked her brain for an excuse that didn’t expose her own blunder, “…looking for the library.”
Kettil: “Oh!” He said a bit excited that she had some interest in books. “Well I know where that is. If you like I can take you there, or at the very least point you in the right direction.”
Iona: “I would greatly appreciate it if you lead me to it,” she nodded, letting Kettil take the lead. She took a curious look at his clipboard, “If you don’t mind me asking, what is that?”
Kettil: “Oh this?” He turned it so she could see as they started walking. “It’s a chart for one of the dragons I’m looking after. “I’m a Veterinarian and this chart tells me everything that we think is wrong and what treatment options are available.” He explained.
Iona: “Dragons?” her ears perked up a little, unnoticed by her, “That’s sounds very interesting.” She looked a little over his shoulder, skimming through the chart, “Are they all healthy?”
Kettil: Kettil noticed however and he smiled. “For the most part, there’s one or two that have slight colds, or what would be a cold for a dragon. They should be okay though nothing too major.” After a brief pause he said. “So you’re a fan of dragon’s I take it?”
Iona: Her face softened at the diagnoses, before clearing her throat and getting back into step. “Ah, I suppose I find them fascinating. There’s really no dragons where I’m from. Other than my Aunt’s old dragon from the old days.”
Kettil: Kettil nodded hearing this, in his travels he had found several places where dragons were rare. It was one of the things he considered when setting up his clinics. He obviously couldn’t set up a clinic where there were no dragons, it’d be too conspicuous. “Well if you’d like I can take you to see the stables. We’ve got loads of dragons there.”
Iona: “If it’s no trouble,” she replied, eyes glinting a little in excitement.
Kettil: “No trouble at all!” He said with a slight grin seeing that she was getting excited and he changed course heading for the stables.
Iona: Iona heard the dragons before she saw them, and her pace quickened ever so slightly. Dragons!
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Katryn Haralson: “This is my room!” Katryn announced, leading Aria into her room by the hand. “I used to share with Siri when she lived here all the time, but because she’s all grown and stuff, Mama and Daddy let her have her own room when she’s back.”
Katryn’s room had a bed with a cream colored quilt and pink edges. There were a few toys and trinkets around, and a trunk at the end of her bed. A shelf held a intricate wooden carving of a dragon. There was a small table beside the bed, where a candle sat beside a small handheld mirror.
“Do you like it?” Katryn asked Aria.
Aria: Aria stepped in the room with her eyes glittering, “This is amazing! I’m so jealous you get your own room! I still share mine with sis.” She pointed to the dragon carving, “What is that?”
Katryn: Katryn looked to where Aria was pointing. “It was a present from my Daddy when I was born. My grandma lives on a different island and a little before I was born, he went to visit her and he found this and brought it back for me. Siri has a real dragon, but I don’t.”
Aria: “That’s so cool!” she squealed enthusiastically, “ We don’t really have dragons where I’m from. Well, Aunty Akkey has one. Her name’s Maru. But she’s old and doesn’t fly too often anymore.” Aria giggled and said to Katryn in a hushed, “Plus, my daddy’s scared of dragons!”
Katryn: Katryn pressed her hands over her mouth, giggling as well. “My daddy only really likes Mama’s dragon. Her name is Moonbeam! My Aunt Grey has a Night Fury! A real one! Her name’s Shadow. Are you scared of dragons?”
Aria: “No way! A night fury!!!” Aria’s eyes bulged from her face, “The only dragon I ever met was Maru. She’s really nice.”
She hesitated for a moment, then her eyes got a mischievous glint, “Do you think… we can go see Shadow and Moonbeam?”
Katryn: “If we ask Mama, she might take us over to the stables.” Katryn replied casually.
Aria: “Would she? What if she says no?” Aria said woefully. “Please!” she pulled out her best puppy dog eyes, “I’ve never seen any other dragons ever! I’ll only take a look, I promise!”
Katryn: Katryn frowned. “Mama doesn’t like me out of the house alone around sunset, Aria. And the stables aren’t real close.”
“She’ll probably say yes if we ask.”
Aria: “I’m with you, so technically you’re not alone right?” Aria grinned, “And don’t worry, we’ll be quick!”
“But if you say so…
Katryn: Katryn looked around and peeked out her doorway. “Okay, fine. We can go! But we have to hurry back, okay? And be quiet!”
Aria: Aria almost squealed with glee, “Okay!” She followed Katryn, hopping excitedly from foot to foot, as they sneaked out of the house as quickly as they could.
Katryn: Katryn excitedly led her new friend towards the forest, but she stopped abruptly when she heard voices.
“No, no, no.” she repeated quietly. It sounded like Kettil.
She snagged Aria by the hand and they tumbled together behind a tree.
Kettil: “There should be some still awake and you can feed some of them if you like.” Kettil’s voice seemed to be getting closer and closer as he spoke.
Iona: “I would enjoy that,” Iona said, a hint of excitement crept in her voice, coming up to one of the dragons. “That one… With the purple and green sheen… What’s its name?”
Aria: Aria almost blew their cover by running out from behind the tree if Katryn hadn’t atopped her. She whispered intensely to the younger girl, “I want to feed the dragons, too!”
Katryn: Katryn frowned. “Shhh! You can’t, Aria. We’re not supposed to he out here!”
Kettil: “That’s a Dramillion.” He said with a smile. He went over and scratched her scales. “Here come here she’s friendly.” Once Iona approached he held his hand out, palm up and fingers curled into his palm. “You want to let her get your scent first, so what you do is hold your hand out like this. Makes it less likely she’ll think your fingies are snacks.”
Iona/Aria: Iona followed suit, taking note of his use of “fingies” but not acknowledging it out loud, “Hello…” she said softly, letting the dragon get to know her, “You’re beautiful…”
“She’s petting the dragon!” Aria whispered excitedly. She started running towards the older pair.
Katryn: “Aria!” Katryn hissed. She tried to grab at her shirt but she missed. “You’re gonna get me in trouble! Come back!”
She herself didn’t dare to come out from behind the tree.
Kettil: The dragon sniffed her hand and gently crooned as she nuzzled into Iona’s hand. Kettil smiled as he watched. “You’re a natural at this. Here let me get the fish. I’ll be right back.” He left and headed into a kitchen where they kept the food.
Siri: Siri bumped into Kettil on her way out of the kitchen with chicken in hand for her Deadly Nadder, Shardwing.
“What are you doing here so late?” Siri asked her cousin, with a raised eyebrow.
Kettil: “Oh hey Siri, I was just showing our guest the stables.” He said as he pushed past her and grabbed some striped bass. “Apparently they don’t have many dragons where they’re from.”
Aria/Iona: “I want to pet the dragon, too!” Aria couldn’t contain herself as she excitedly hopped up beside her sister.
The Dramillion stepped back in fright at the little girl’s sudden appearance. It bucked a little, hitting the side of the pen and shaking the foundations. Iona immediately jumped back, pulling Aria towards her protectively; at this moment Kettil and Siri walked out with the striped bass in hand.
Kettil: Seeing the commotion he quickly dropped the fish and made his way over to the dragon. “Hey girl hey, it’s okay, it’s okay.” He said as he began to scratch the dragon’s scales in an effort to calm her down. It took a few moments but she eventually calmed down again.
Siri/Katryn: Siri looked to Aria. “What are you doing here, kiddo? You’re supposed to be with Katryn back home.”
Katryn crossed her arms behind the tree where she stood. Aria got them caught! She’s going to be in trouble!
Aria: “That…” Aria popped up from behind Iona’s shoulder like… well, a rabbit, “…was amazing! She’s so cool! So strong! Is she okay? She’s not hurt, is she?”
She ran around her sister and up beside Kettil to look at the dragon, a little more calmly this time. She turned to Siri, “I’m sorry. I heard there were dragons here and I really, really, reaaallly wanted to see them. Sis and I have never seen any other than our Nadder!”
Kettil: Kettil smiled and got down on one knee. “She’s fine Aria. But are you ok? You have to be careful, some dragons can get easily spooked so you have to walk rather than run towards them okay?”
Iona/Aria: “Okay!” she stood straight in a salute, just like her big sister in her squadron. Iona stood and brushed off her knees. She walked up to the little group, nodding a greeting towards Siri, before gently bumping Aria’s head, “I apologize for my sister. She gets a little excited.”
Siri/Katryn: Siri chuckled. “Oh I understand. Kat is usually quiet, but when she gets really excited, look out.”
Siri turned to Aria. “If you promise to be quiet and gentle, I might let you feed Shardwing before I take you and Katryn back home.”
Katryn’s eyes widened. Hiw did Siri know she was there?
Aria: Aria’s eyes widened as she realized what Siri had said, and glanced guiltily behind her, scuffing her boot. Oops. She nodded vigorously, “Okay.”
Katryn/Siri: “Katryn, get over here.” Siri called.
Katryn came over to her sister and looked up at her guiltily.
“You know you’re not supposed to leave the house after sundown by yourself.” Siri said. “That’s Mom’s rule, not mine.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Katryn sighed. “Aria wanted to see the dragons and I-”
“Sh. It’s okay. I’ll tell Mama I brought you both out here. Just promise not to do it again.”
“I promise!” Katryn said hurriedly.
Siri looked at Aria.
Aria: Aria grinned at Katryn first, then up at her, and crossed her heart as a symbol of her promised. She glanced excitedly at the dragons, hopping from one foot to another, waiting for the Haligan kids to teach her and her sister how to feed them.
Kettil: Kettil smiled at the girls before he went to pick up the fish he dropped. “Alright, you girls wanna feed a dragon?” He asked, holding up the fish by the tail and shaking it a bit.
Aria: “Yes!” both sisters responded simultaneously, grinning. “You should come, too, Katryn!” Aria added excitedly.
Katryn/Siri: Katryn shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, clearly still uncomfortable from getting in trouble. “I’ve feed a dragon. I wanna go home.”
“Come on, Kat. It’s not that big of a deal. I said I wouldn’t tell Mama. And Shardwing hasn’t seen you in a while. Come on.” Siri coaxed.
Katryn sighed. “Okay.”
Kettil: Kettil cut up the fish into a couple pieces, one for each of them and handed them to everyone. When he came over to Katryn to give her a piece and smiled at her. “Would it be ok if I picked you up?” He asked.
Katryn/Siri: Katryn sighed and looked around. “Uh huh,”
She still felt a little funny, like she was in trouble. But she loved dragons. And she loved Kettil too.
Siri smiled at her sister before throwing some chicken into the awaiting mouth of Shardwing, who chipped happily and leaned forward for a scratch.
“That’s my girl, huh?” Siri said to Shardwing. The Nadder nuzzled her face into Siri’s making the girl laugh.
Kettil: Kettil picked her up and hugged her close, smiling before turning back to the dragon and holding up the piece of fish. “Alright everyone on three toss the fish up and towards her ok? One… Two… Three!” Once they were all up in the air, the beast quickly snapped it up and swallowed looking very happy
Aria: Aria squealed a little as she threw her piece of the fish. Iona followed suit, her fish gaining quite a bit of height. The younger Lindholm laughed and clapped her hands as the dragon caught it deftly in its jaws, “Wow!”
“That was awesome!” she said, “Do you guys do that all the time? When Aunty Akkey fed Maru, she just gave it straight to her mouth!”
Siri/Katryn: “Sometimes,” Siri replied, coming over to where the rest of them stood. “They get food in buckets or out of our hands. Sometimes we throw it. It all depends on how show-offy we’re feeling.”
Katryn nodded in agreement. Kettil set her down and she wandered over to give Shardwing a friendly scratch. Shardwing lightly bumped her head against the girl’s, making her giggle.
Kettil: Kettil laughed at that. “That’s true. But, I also didn’t want anyone getting hurt by accident I know you guys don’t have much experience with dragons so this was probably the safest way. Though there’s no harm in a little showmanship.” He said with a grin.
Iona/Aria: Iona gave him a gently smile back, nodding appreciatively, “Especially for an excitable child like Aria.” Her eyes twinkled a little in mirth.
Aria slowly came up beside Katryn. “Can I pet her, too?” she whispered very loudly.
Katryn: “You have to ask Siri.” Katryn told Aria. “It’s her dragon. Shardwing knows me already.”
Aria: Aria walked up to Siri, tugging at her shirt, “Can I pet Shardwing, too?” she asked her, still whispering very loudly.
Siri: Siri smiled. “Sure you can. Make sure you let her smell your hand first, okay? She’s really gentle, but she needs to smell you first.”
Kettil: His smile great a bit seeing that she was amused. “Aria seems like a good kid ” He said as he looked over at the girls talking to Siri. “So if you don’t mind me asking, who are you looking for in Central?” He asked as he leaned against one of the stalls.
Iona/Aria: Iona watched Aria follow Siri’s instruction and gently pat the dragon on her nose, “Yes, she is. She’s hyperactive and excitable… But she’s a very good kid.”
She turned to the part Pookan, eyes serious, “I’m… afraid I cannot tell you that. It’s just someone very important… And we have to find them soon…” Otherwise, Dad…
Kettil: Kettil nodded. “Apologies your business is your own.” He said before looking around again. “So besides books and dragons what else do you have an interest in? If I may ask.”
Iona/Aria: “I’m…” Iona hesitated a little, “I’m a member of the armed guard in my village. My Aunt taught me to fight ever since I was little. And I got pretty good at it…” She looked over to Aria, who was telling the funniest story about the frog she found the other day. “I have to be good to protect Aria.”
“—and it was huge! It plopped in the water like, SPLAT! and then it was gone.” Aria’s voice rose and she told Katryn her story, “Gee, Katryn. It’s so cool you guys have dragons.”
Katryn/Siri: Katryn shrugged and smiled a bit. “I guess so.” She looked to Siri. “Can we go home now?”
Siri ruffled her sister’s hair. Katryn did look tired. “Yes, we can go back. Though Iona, you can stay here with Kettil if you two have… other plans.”
Katryn leaned against Siri dramatically.
Kettil: Kettil frowned at Siri for a moment. “No we don’t have other plans.” He turned back to Iona. “Unless of course you have somewhere else you’d like to see on island.” He asked innocently enough.
Iona: “Ah… it is getting late,” Iona said, glancing at Aria, “her bed time is soon.” She turned to both Kettil and Siri, “I did enjoy the tour, however. It would be great to see the rest of the island tomorrow. I’m sure Aria would love it, as well.
Kettil: Kettil nodded and smiled. “Of course! I’d be more than happy to show you two around.” He said happily. “Katryn, can I get a hug before bedtime?” He asked as he bent down, arms open.
Katryn/Siri: Katryn let go of Siri and walked to Kettil to give him a hug.
“Good night, Kettil.” Katryn said quietly.
Siri playfully punched her little cousin on the arm. “Night, Kettil. See you tomorrow, I guess.”
Kettil: Kettil smiled at her. “Night munchkin, love you.” As he stood and was assaulted by his cousins he chuckled. “Night guys, I love you see you tomorrow.” He called after his cousins.
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Act I
Category:Events
Category:Katryn Haralson
Category:Siri Haralson
Category:Kettil Ericson
Category:Aria Lindholm