the_lioness | (no subject)

Kitty does not bedgrude the knight her nap.

Kitty does knock. Loudly. Tiredly. Possibly with her head.

There is a Something in her arms.

*Alanna starts and falls off the couch. Clutching her aching head, she stalks the door and throws it open, blinking when she sees Kitty.*

Hullo. I'm sorry, it seems I dozed...

*Her eyes widen.*

My word.

"Hi." Tiredly.

"So, I got this letter, right? Go to Japan. Dragon in danger! Also oh by the way evil demon ninja man who made you ninja may be back! But no when ever tells you that til you've already cleared customs. Bastards. And then there was this ninja clan. Path of Destiny. And they wanted me to be their leader because I was the last student of the evil demon ninja. Which was just wrong. Except they thought, HA! Silly gaijin. We will trick her and use her for our own evil purposes, bwahaha. But you do not fuck with me when my fiance is expecting me home for Christmas, I haven't had a vacation since I got shot, and you don't fuck with my dragon and hold him hostage ever. I get cranky when people threaten my dragon. So there was trickery and mischief and generally speaking the Silver Samurai and I kicked ass. Except now there's two dragons. And I thought, 'Who do I know who would love a dragon of her very own?'"

Hands thrust the sleeping green creature out. "Alanna, meet Puff. She only speaks Japanese and Female. Tell Adam I'm sorry. Merry Christmas."

*Stupefied, Alanna just nods as Kitty speaks. Right! Evil ninjas. Dragons. Fiance.

Blink, blink.

Puff?!?

Alanna's in love already.*

Really? *She pauses, eyes on Puff.* I'm ever so thankful you kicked ass. I wouldn't know how to get to Japan to avenge you if you needed it, though something tells me you never would. Because clearly you are adept at kicking ass. But if evil ninjas were involved, I'd be sure to bring Raph and Mike. Assuming Raph wasn't in a foul temper, and Mike could find something to wear besides silk boxers... I'm babbling, aren't I? Goddess, Kitty! Really?

*Alanna tentatively scoops up the dragon and stares at her like she's a precious jewel.*

Oh, this is excellent.

Puff stares back, curiously, and snuffles at Alanna.

Ooooo.

The purple one ain't the ONLY one with a GOOD human NOW.

Puff is pleased.

Kitty just grins. "I'd say I'd take you to visit Japan, but I tend to go evil there. So it's not really for fun visiting things. But definitely for good food eating things. Silk boxers beat some things. And really."

*Alanna gently rubs Puff's head. There is a shared moment of Oooh, yes, I think I'll keep you before she pulls the dragon closer and beams at Kitty.*

Well, I'm sure Edmund would rather you not be evil for Christmas, so I'm glad you're back safe. Um. Is there anything I should know about dragon upkeep?

*She doesn't mind learning on her own, but she'd rather not make a mistake and have, say, her cat incinerated.*

"It would put a damper on the festivities," she says seriously, then contemplates. "Meat is good. Dragons are remarkably capable of caring for themselves, but love to be spoiled. No alcohol. I cannot emphasize this one enough."

As for the "horribly jealous creatures who will want all your attention and probably will torment Adam and steal and incinerate all his underwear while teaching the cat how to best scratch him," she decides that's one of those things everyone just needs to find out as they go. So Kitty leaves it out.

"She'll let you know, I'm sure, if anything's wrong." Beat. "And she and Heed are kinda dating."

Puff looks demure.

Aye, spoiling I can manage. Meat as well. *She laughs.* No rum, however. I understand.

*She quirks an eyebrow at Puff.*

Are you now? That's intriguing. *loftily* Lockheed has marvelous taste.

"Oh, he does indeed," solmenly.

Puff purrs her agreement. SHE knew THAT.

"Anyway. I'll leave you two to get to know each other while I go clean up and let my guy know I'm back. And collapse for a week or so." Sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Merry Christmas and all."

*Alanna grins crookedly at the dragon, slowly getting used to balancing her weight.*

And you do as well, lass. I'm quite fond of Lockheed.

Merry Christmas to you, Kitty. And thank you. I'm... *She laughs.* I can not wait to show Adam. Say hello to both your guys for me, all right?

"You're very welcome. And I will." She leans over to kiss Puff's snout briefly before waving a little and stepping out into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

*Alanna eyes Puff. Puff eyes Alanna.

It is love.

Speaking quietly, Alanna returns to the couch and starts telling Puff everything she needs to know about her new mistress.

It's not long before they both fall asleep again.*

*Some time later, Adam returns. He notices that Alanna's asleep, but doesn't see the dragon - yet. He's tired and emotionally drained, and he goes into the bedroom to lay down for just a quick nap before trying to wake Alanna.*

*The sound of the door opening rouses Alanna slowly. She sits up and blinks tiredly, her arms curling around the still sleeping dragon tucked inside her sweater. Yawning, she pads after Adam and stretches out beside him. Puff curls up on her chest, the tip of her nose sticking out.

Just like a kitten, really.

Alanna reaches out for Adam's hand and smiles to herself as her eyes drift shut again.*

*It's an hour or two yet before Adam awakes and, when he does, it's to the feel of a wet nose.*

Dog. Dog, gerrof.

*Puff is watching Adam.

Puff was unaware that this human came with... attachments.

Alanna mumbles something about Dog and scoots closer.*

*The breath doesn't smell like Dog's, though. And Dog...

doesn't have a forked tongue.

Adam opens his eyes. And yelps.*

*Puff glares, her mouth opening a little as her yellow eyes flash. This one will have to go.

Startled, Alanna sits up and eyes Adam worriedly. The dragon gives Adam one last look and sits down in Alanna's lap.

And purrs.*

What's wrong? Are you all right?

You have a-

a-

a-

lizard on you!

Lizard? She's not a lizard!

*Puff looks pleased by Alanna's defense. One might even say smug.*

This is Puff. She's a dragon. Like Lockheed! In fact, she's seeing Lockheed, I believe. Isn't that great?

*The dragon sure seems to think so.*

*Adam blinks.*

Like Puff the magic dragon?

*He can't help but reach out to poke the beast, but pulls his finger back just as fast as he put it out.*

How on earth did you end up with Lockheed's girlfriend?

*It's not that he doesn't like Lockheed. He's just not sure he would want to live with him.*

*Alanna looks a bit like a rabbit caught in a trap. She bites her lip and glances at the front door, trying to think of the best way to explain this.*

Evil ninjas.

*She blinks.*

Um, in Japan. I think. There were evil ninjas, and Kitty had to go kick some ass because they threatened her dragon, and that makes her cranky.

Rightfully so, I say.

So then she had two and gave me Puff for a Christmas gift. Er, she did say to tell you she is sorry.

*Adam...

...blinks.*

*weakly* She eats meat.

*Puff purrs in agreement.*

*Adam can't help but laugh at that. It's either laugh or cry.*

Only you. us.

*Alanna strokes her finger along Puff's snout and giggles.*

Aye, that was pretty much my last thought before I feel asleep. I'm sure she won't be any trouble. Kitty said they mostly look after themselves, but like to be spoiled. Also, we should never give her rum.

*No trouble? Puff's eyes say differently.*

*Adam sees this, and watches Puff warily.*

Right. No rum, eats meat, shouldn't be a problem. Any other pets you picked up while I was gone?

No, this is the only one.

*Smiling, she leans over to kiss him. It's a soft kiss, but she doesn't straighten immediately either. Puff watches curiously.*

Missed you. Everything go okay?

*Adam shrugs, wanting to kiss her back, but paranoid about the look the dragon is giving him.*

I didn't end up staying. I-

just left the stuff on the stoop.

*One hand pets Puff, the other lifts to Adam's hair and strokes him soothingly.*

That's okay, Adam. You went. I told you before and I meant it - It's important to see them when you're ready and not a moment before.

I know. I just thought maybe-

*He kisses her, ignoring Puff.*

I'm glad I'm back here with you.

Me too.

*She lowers herself back down and snuggles up next to him, carefully repositioning the dragon. Puff seems unconcerned by the whole ordeal and simply watches her before going back to sleep.

Alanna turns her head and kisses Adam again.*

Love you. Yes, I'm happy you're here.

Maybe we should, um. Do something tomorrow?

*It feels strange to not be back in London. But he wouldn't leave Alanna for the holidays for all the money in the world.*

I was hoping we could. *She smiles, warm and content and home. But also aware that perhaps this isn't the best place to spend the day.* We could go to London if you wished. Or Olau. *hurriedly* I know we don't have Christmas, but we do have cider and apple tarts and warm fires. We could curl up in those heavy leather chairs in the library or the morning room and watch the snow fall.

I think ...

Olau would be nice.

*He smiles, and pulls her closer. There's nobody there who knows who he is. Nobody there who cares. Just Alanna's friend, liked by Sir Myles. Soon enough he's thinking about the smell of the cider and the warmth of the fire, and there's nothing he can think of that would be better. So he says so.*

There's nothing I'd like more.

*Eyes shining, she leans up and rubs her nose against his.*

Me either.

Of course, we'll have to take Puff. But I'm sure that won't be a problem.

*Adam eyes the sleeping dragon and raises an eyebrow.*

Can't she stay with Dog and the cats?

She's new. What if she gets scared and eats Thea?

*Alanna's eyes go wide and pleading. She very much doubts such a thing would happen, but... better safe than sorry?*

Don't worry, I'll find something to keep her occupied. It's not as if I can just let her roam there. Knights are supposed to, er, slay them, after all.

So long as she'll be occupied.

*Adam sighs. There are things worth arguing over. This is not one of them.*

Want some time with just you.

You will have it, Adam. Just us. I promise.

*Alanna nods earnestly, suddenly wishing they could go now. However, the ruins are impossible to navigate at night.*

We can go there whenever you wish, really. I did a little experiment earlier. I had a hunch, you see. And I was right. The door doesn't only open to the Dove anymore. I thought hard about Olau, and there it was.

*Adam beams at her. He can't help it. His conversation with Myles runs through his head, and he lowers his eyes, kissing her once more.*

I love you so much.

And I, you.

*She stares at him, smiling. After a moment, she scoops Puff up and deposits her on the pillow by their heads. Satisfied that she's resting comfortably, Alanna turns back into Adam and wraps her arms around him.*

We should go back to sleep and get an early start. *She yawns.* Happy Christmas. Is that what people say? I can't remember.

Happy Christmas.

*Adam kisses her forehead as she falls back asleep, and for his first present, he gets to watch her sleep.*