[ She doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around the dragon, to draw him closer and let his energy warm her. The strange mixture of feelings, the worry and the twisting upset, seems to flicker in and out of her mind, but at least now she has something to focus on. She holds Bridei close, stroking her hands along his body and his wings, gentle and tender. She has experience with Rizhao, after all, and she knows what she's doing; she was an aunt to that baby dragon and she intends to be an aunt to this one as well.

Bridei is going to have a lot of presents in his future, she thinks.

Finally, she looks back over at Faolan and shakes her head, her smile softening into something a little mroe gentle and fond. ]

No, I don't mind. It's not the first time he's decided I'm the best climbing frame in the world, is it?

[ And she smiles at the baby again, letting her arms relax so he can climb and settle wherever he pleases on her. He can do as he likes, she thinks, as long as he doesn't pull on her hair too terribly. ]

Do you need a cup of tea or some chocolate, Faolan? I can hold him for a little bit while you have a sit down, if you want.