Who are you?
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Clancey, Emma
Date Posted: 8th May 2008
Characters: Mai, K'reyel
Description: Mai and K'reyel finally name their son.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 1 of Turn 4
Notes: Takes place after the post "Making the Change" between K'reyel and Tsaera.
"We really need to think of a name for him," said K'reyel as he looked down at his baby son sleeping in his crib. "Can't keep calling him baby all his life, and we need to record it with the Headwoman for the archives."
He sat on the bed in the infirmary next to Mai. "What do you think about Reyam?" It wasn't his favourite choice, but it could work.
"I like Marey..although one you said earlier.. Mayel? I think I like that one too." She smiled up at K'reyel, then glanced at their son sleeping so peacefully. He wouldn't stay that way, she thought. A yawn slipped through before she could say anything else and she looked a bit sheepishly at her weyrmate.
"I'm not sure about Marey at all, it doesn't sound quite right. And I don't think it's a name he likes." As if he'd heard his parents, the baby stirred slightly and opened his eyes and seeming to look at them.
"I wonder if he can really see us yet?" mused K'reyel.
"The Healers say he can hear us and recognize our voices but I'm not sure about sight. I think he probably can. He's so small though.. "
She sighed softly, reaching out a hand toward their son, though she couldn't quite reach him. He would be hungry now, too.
"Reyam seems hard to say, almost as if it doesn't fit either. Lets say them again... Mayel, Reyam, Marey... and see which one he likes best." She smiled again, now at K'reyel.
"How about we make sure he can hear us," suggested the bronzerider as he tenderly lifted the baby into his arms, rocking him for a moment before handing him to his mother.
"Are you Reyam?" he asked.
The baby made a face that could only be described as ugly. Even to a mother's eyes. Mai laughed out loud, and shook her head at K'reyel.
"I don't really think so... " She offered the next one herself in the same tone K'reyel had used. "How about Marey?"
No face was pulled this time, but K'reyel watched as his son seemed to deliberately fold his tiny fingers into a fist and shake it at them. "I think that one's a no too," he said with a grin. "Think that was him giving us a hint?"
Laughing again, Mai nodded. "I think so. Just 10 days old and already telling us the way he wants things.... " Her gaze warmed as she looked up at her weyrmate. The distraction of their son had given them both time to begin to come to terms with what had happened the day she gave birth, and she was easier in herself now.
But she felt quite unattractive for all that, and knew K'reyel was banned from her bed for sevendays to come.
With a faint shake of her head, she let all that go for now and simply smiled with love at her weyrmate and her son. "Is this what its like to be a parent, K'reyel? Captive to their every desire and wondering if you can possibly manage to care for so tiny a person?"
"It takes as much courage to be a parent as it does to face thread," he said after considering it for a moment or two. "You just have to try, and do the best you can." He reached out to softly run a finger over the baby's cheek.
"And we do that with love."
She felt a little inadequate to the task, truth be known. K'reyel had several children already and practice at being a father. She did not know how to be a mother, or so she thought as she looked down at him.
But she would learn.
"I'm brave enough to face Thread, and even more, brave enough to watch you face it day in and day out. Surely I am brave enough for this..." The last was murmured half to herself, barely heard.
"The first challenge is his name, though." With that comment, she said "Mayel, your name is Mayel." again in that same tone.
The baby made an expression, that if he was old enough would be a smile.
"He's not old enough for that to be a real smile yet, but I think he likes the sound of that one. I do too."
Mai nodded, watching the baby. "I think you're right, K'reyel.
Mayel he is." She tried it out a few more times, and finally nodded.
"K'reyel, I'd like you to meet your son, Mayel." And she passed him their son very gently.
The Weyrleader gently cradled his tiny son, "Welcome to Pern Mayel." K'reyel smiled. "Luckily, you have your Mother's looks."
Last updated on the May 18th 2008