Cynonix was one of those who waited for the change eagerly. Though his father seemed a bit confused about it, Cynonix managed to remain calm when he himself changed from a freckle-skinned human, into ... what effectively was a cheetah on two legs. Ivo from earth comforted him easily -- perhaps comfort is not the right word -- enjoyed the change a little much?
But in any case, he could still ride a dragon, still mix herbal remedies and set bones. His senses continued to be strong as ever, perhaps they never changed. Leaving their old home behind them, establishing himself at the Healing Den as one of the Protectorate's many resident healers, Cynonix and brown Ishioth generally keep to themselves.
Until the times when Baeris' children grew up.
One of them, the youngest, Tessrabia by name, attracted his attentions the moment she rushed into the infirmary as a child and pulled on his long spotted tail. He nearly clung to the ceiling in surprise, but has never faulted her for it. In fact, he has always had a deep love for her.
Now, as the Healing Den floats in the Nexus, waiting for people to arrive or depart, Cynonix reaches a decision point.
Tessrabia is a candidate at Talor Cliff's last clutch. A factor which he knows will make or break their relationship. Tessrabia is her mother's daughter, in most ways. Bold, honest, and a potentially great Healer. But in many ways the mother and daughter are quite opposite: Tess has a soft side which she shows just as eagerly to him, as her aggressive one. Bubbling over one minute, and the next folding into his arms to confess some childhood distress.
Baeris knows of the deep bond between the two. Cynonix has confessed it himself to her. Now... Now, as a candidate, she might...
"Come back with a gold, Tessrabia." Cynonix whispered as Nora and blue Mitanth flew off from the wide "parking lot" outside the Healing Den's entrance. "Come back with a gold and Ishioth and I will do whatever you wish."
"Ahh, now that's devotion... What if she returns with a green?" Jibed V'tar, Raanatani's own furry offspring. The other healer nudged Cynonix out of his gazing at the Nexus, and Cynonix shook his head.
"She'll come back with the right dragon. I ..." The cheetah man paused, "I can only hope that it's a female right dragon. She is so set on having some dramatic flight, her ideas of what makes a love deep -- I can hope that Ishioth lives up to her expectations."
"And her dragon's," V'tar said, grinning.
"And her dragon's. Well... There's nothing much to do now but wait. Even if she impresses tomorrow, it will be a while before they come back..."
"No, it'll be right away, you ninny." V'tar reminded Cynonix that their Den remained outside of time as well as space. "She can spend a year outside, or wherever they will be training these last clutch bonders, and then come right back to your side."
Blinking, Cynonix looked at his friend. "You... are right... I keep forgetting. I ought to be more than twice her age, but she has grown only as much as she needs to. I have stopped. Like you, like Baeris. So the wait will not be as agonizing as I had expected it."
"As you hoped it would be, you like pain still."
"Not like that. I am my father's son, though... And I will wait for her, whatever she comes riding back on!"
