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"Come, dearest, the sun will feel good on you," Vennodren said, coaxing Nzambith to come outside. The past few days she had been quite fond of sleeping and while sleep was important for growing dragons, Venn didn't want her to snooze the whole sevenday away! The little dragon gazed up at him silently, but finally the pure desire to go outside that was radiating from her rider made the little green pull herself to her feet with a slumped look. For any other dragon it might have been an expression of defeat, but for Nzambith it was simply her usual stance.

"That's my girl," Venn cooed, reaching down to scratch behind her stumps. This did perk Nzam up a bit and she tilted into the touch, eyes slitting as she trilled happily.

That's my boy, she echoed which made Venn laugh. After a little more indulging Venn set off, Nzambith hot on his heels. Well...as hot as the sluggish dragon could be.

The two made it outside and indeed the sun did feel lovely on Nzambith's hide. She opened her wings to get the full effect of the glow and trumpeted softly with joy. The combined emotions of dragon and rider were making a lovely little excited ball between them and Nzam even mustered up the energy to scamper around a bit, kicking up dust and pebbles as she went.

She stopped suddenly and turned, wings still unfurled and tail wagging back and forth slowly as her greenish blue eyes swirled with delight.

Vennmine, my sister approaches.

Turning to join his dragon, Venn spotted Amra and Seirath walking in their direction. He had spoken with the tall rider on a few occasions now, and for Venn that was enough to give her a wide grin and wave her down.

"Good afternoon, Amra!" he called out enthusiastically. Nzam gave a little honk of greeting as well to her sister and her rider.

Vennodren put a hand over his mouth to stifle a little laugh as he realized just how badly he had startled Amra. The young woman had flinched a bit when he had called out to her, oblivious to his presence until the words had met her ears. He gave a little smile and raised his shoulders in a sheepish way, giving her another wave as she changed her direction towards him and Nzambith.

Her words made him stand up straight again, an interested look on his face. "Really? For us? Amra, you're too kind," he said with a fond laugh. "It isn't my nameday," he added with a teasing wink. Usually gifts were reserved for special occasions and yet the tall rider seemed unphased to give him something at such a random time of the year.

Nzambith cooed softly as Seirath wound around her, following the more agile dragon with her head. The comment made her perk up a bit, long neck untwisting from being bent nearly double as she reached up to sniff at the object in Amra's arms.

An egg? Why? she asked, keeping her thoughts to her sister. She was concerned for a moment that they had somehow stumbled across another dragon's egg and Vennodren would Impress someone other than her, and for just a moment her eyes shifted to a very pale grey. Surely Venn wouldn't do that to her? He seemed devoted, but there were much more spunky and energetic dragons out there that would match him better, surely.

But then a thought occurred to her and her eyes returned to their usual placid green. It was far too small an egg to belong to a dragon. Perhaps it was the egg of one of the little flits buzzing around Amra. A flit she could handle, certainly.

Seirath's excitement was starting to rub off a bit on Nzambith - it was hard to remain indifferent when the smaller green was literally buzzing around her and her rider with delight - and curiosity got the best of her. It was flooding off Vennodren in waves as well and probably had something to do with it, but the droopy green bobbed her head with a mix of curiosity and eagerness to see what was in the bundle. An egg, she knew, but what kind? What color? What would be inside?

Vennodren tilted his head slightly as Amra spoke, letting her take her time to say exactly what she wanted to. When it became clear that her offering was a gift of friendship the shorter rider pressing a hand over his heart, a soft 'awwww' leaving his lips. It was clear Amra wasn't used to things like this and that it wasn't easy for her to say or do what she was doing, so rather than simply accepting the gift that was being held out to him he took a few steps forward to pull her into a careful one-armed hug. Obviously whatever she was holding was fragile since it was bundled up so neatly and he didn't want to crush it.

"As thankful as I am for the gift, Amra, don't feel as though you need to give friends presents. Your company is more than enough," he insisted as he pulled back, a fond smile on his face. "And Nzambith loves seeing her sister just as much as I love seeing you, so it's a wondeful partnership we have! That being said, I certainly won't turn down a thoughtful-"

As he spoke he took the bundle from Amra and had barely pulled back the cloth covering it when it shuddered in his hands, rendering him still and silent. He looked down and his eyes widened at the sight that lay before him in his own arms - an egg! And egg with a trembling brown shell that was slowly starting to crack!

May I see the egg, Vennmine? Nzambith asked, nudging his leg with her nose. She could feel the whirling emotions running through her rider and they were a bit confusing to her and she wanted to ensure the egg was all right. Surprise, delight, worry, fear...what on Pern was happening up there?

"It...a flit egg! Amra! This...this is easily the best gift I've ever received," Venn said, his voice shaking with happiness but also a bit of worry. "I've never had a flit before but I know it's vital to feed them so they don't flee when they hatch and I think this is starting to hatch and I don't have any food and-"

He rambled on and on as he cradled the egg in his arms, sinking to his knees so Nzambith could observe the hatching as well. Indeed, the little egg was shaking and shell bits were cracking and flaking off. Oh dear, oh dear, Amra's thoughtful gift was going to fly away before he even had a chance to bond with it!

Nzambith glanced at the shaking egg with interest, her nose prodding the shell softly as if to encourage whatever was inside to come out. It seemed to work as little claws poked through a softer part of the shell, green talons curling against the brown prison. Nzam's eyes whirled blue with delight - a green Flit, just like her - before glancing back up at Vennodren. His heart was racing and it was obvious he was anxious about letting the present get away, but Nzam sent him gentle waves of reassurance. Nothing bad would happen, not with her sister here.

The soothing vibes filled his mind and Venn took a deep breath and let it out, trying to let his joy override his fear. Amra hadn't come unprepared for which he was incredibly thankful. He accepted the handful of meat as the little green within the egg struggled to break free, but he let her do the work, knowing in the end it would be worth it.

Nzambith noticed the bits of food in Venn's hand and gave a little trill of delight, completely ignoring the egg now in favor of the little treats. Although she ate anything and everything Venn gave her and always was looking for more, she had a slim figure that had worried him at first. The health checkup had informed him that she was as healthy as could be and would just be a slender dragon which made him feel a bit better. It turned out he had actually been over-feeding her so he was forced to cut back on the snacks.

May I have some? she crooned hopefully, looking up at Vennodren with wide eyes. The rider shook his head, though, and leaned in to press a kiss between her short nubs atop her head.

"This is for the flit, dearest," he said with an amused smile, much more comfortable now that he had something to feed the tiny creature with. A little trill sounded from within the egg, drawing both of their attention back to the shell. Another trill, a little trumpet, and egg shells went flying everywhere as a tiny head shoved its way out of the darkness. The little green blinked up at Venn before giving another incredibly melodic trill which earned her a bit of meat. She was still mostly encased in the egg but he didn't want to take any chances.

"A little green," he said fondly, glancing at Amra as his newest companion chomped happily on the offering. "How wonderful. Thank you so much," he added, his voice wobbling just a bit as happiness overwhelmed him coming from both himself and Nzam. She was clearly happy that the flit was a green like her.

Sister, look! She is so small Nzam cooed, resting her head on Venn's thigh so as not to draw too close to the hatchling.

Vennodren watched his new flit chew up the meat he offered her, tiny claws scrabbling at the eggshell still. It was clear she wanted to get out, but he wasn't sure of the proper protocol for flits. Was it okay to help them break out of the shell? He decided against it, not wanting to ruin the experience she was having with him right now. He watched as the small head withdrew back into the shell, then more cracks formed until it finally gave way, showering his lap and Nzambith with tiny little shells.

Now he had just the flit in his arms. She was a glorious swampy green, much like Nzambith herself, and had a few darker markings here and there. There was no real physical description that popped out at him to name her, but he knew he'd have some time yet. He offered her more meat, his heart beating faster in his chest as the little flit dug in.

Amra's comment made him laugh and he glanced over at the tall woman, his cheeks aching from smiling so much. "I think she's got good ideas where that's concerned. Greens are by far the best."

That got Nzambith's head up once more as she trilled happily at her rider's words. The little green in Venn's lap whipped around to look at the two dragons, her little wings unfurling to greet them as she trilled right back.

"Aw...Nzam, you've already got another little friend," he cooed softly as he reached out to offer the flit more meat, his fingers stroking her gooey head.

Clearly pleased, Nzambith excitedly (but slowly) nuzzled against Seirath's neck, her eyes shifting from blue to green quickly enough that her eyes appeared teal.

Sister, she is very pretty, don't you think? she cooed softly, clearly a fan of the flit already.

The image of himself and Nzam covered in green flits sent Venn into peals of laughter as well. It was a shame one couldn't predict the color of a flit in the egg, otherwise he was sure he would seek out those that would produce green firelizards just for that purpose!

"Oh dear...that is quite the sight," he said, wiping at his eyes before reaching for more meat, wiggling it in front of the little flit's nose to draw her attention away from the two dragons who were stealing the show with their returned trumpets and trills. Even as she ate the little green continued to sing, chirping and cooing her delight.

"Neither can I," he agreed, looking up at Amra with a wide grin once more. "She's quite vocal already which is quite different from Nzam. I suppose that's good, though...I won't have to do all the talking anymore." He reached out with a hand to stroke Nzam's head as the green dragon glanced at him fondly, not at all taking offense to the statement. She nuzzled up against him and settled down against his legs, watching their newest member of their little family with intent.

"Thank you so much, Amra," he said once more as he focused on the small flit, giving her as much meat as she wished. "This is easily the best gift I've been given. Outside of you," he added, leaning in to give Nzambith's head a little kiss which got him a hum of approval from the dragon.

Vennodren was so caught up in feeding his newest companion and listening to her trills that he didn't notice the appearance of the other two firelizards. Nzambith did, though, lifting her head to gaze up at the flighty creatures with interest. They were so small, even smaller than herself, and that did give her a little warmth of delight in her chest. She liked being a bit bigger if only because it meant more people might notice her.

Venn, catching the delighted sensation from his dragon, glanced up as Amra spoke and referenced the little blue flit who did indeed seem rather upset. He gave a soft 'aw' and reached up to stroke his own flit's head which earned another happy coo from her.

"I'll take good care of her, don't you worry your little blue head," he said kindly even though he knew the words of a random human might not mean much to a distressed father. Still, the small green firelizard was clearly happy as Whirlwind joined in the impromptu jam session, three voices now filling the air happily.

Nzam glanced at Seirath as she was addressed, tilting her head to the side just a bit. Sing? It did seem like fun and with all the happy emotions rolling through her, Venn, and all of those gathered - aside from the blue firelizard of course - she decided to give it a go. Her trill wasn't nearly as quick or high in tone as the others, deeper and more somber, but she joined in all the same.

Venn had to laugh as his little green joined in to the delight of the firelizard who was beating her wings with happiness. "Shells, but it's getting loud here," he said with a bright laugh, rubbing his fingers over the tiny chest of the creature in his lap, feeling the vibrations within. "What a celebration!"