What an extraordinary event, bonding. The process hadn't lasted long, but throughout the entirety of his Ahivo's heart hammered wildly in his chest. He could feel his fur bristling, his limbs shaking. He repeatedly had to resist the urge to wring his hands in his sweater, a testament to his oversensitive nerves.

It wasn't a good idea, he thought, chomping down on his bottom lip to keep from...from doing who knows what? Announcing he couldn't do it and leaving? Probably.

There were only nine bonders. Nine bonders and ten eggs. Favorable odds, really, and Ahivo shouldn't have had much of a worry about not bonding. But lord, what if he didn't? What if a dragon or two decide to bond, or at least stay with, his or her parents? Surely wasn't that unusual. Happened all the time. Ahivo had taken the time to research bonding, and attend a few as a guest some...several years back. A hatchling or two almost always went with a parent.

So what if that's what they decided to do? Then there would be eight hatchlings for nine candidates. And there was nothing impressive or interesting about Ahivo that might grab a hatchling's attention. Not when faced with the prospect of bonding and elf or that....interesting bear-like creature. No, Ahivo had little confidence in bonding. He wasn't a terribly social, sort, and these little dragons seemed so very...exuberant. Surely they would want a more active and interesting bond mate?

Imagine his surprise, then, with these doubts in mind, as a small, brightly colored hatchling made his way toward him. Bright orange and ringed with black that reminded Ahivo quite immensely of a tiger. He stopped in front of Ahivo; his mouth curled in an over-excited grin, and, quite simply, informed Ahivo that he would be the best friend he could ever have.

Ahivo's heart, previously beating against his ribcage like a freedom-seeking bird, melted. But, of course, he was left without really knowing anything to say. He shuffled his (abnormally large) feet in the dirt and finally tugged on the edge of his sweater. Fuvii's grin softened and he jumped up a bit, grasping Ahivo's hand gently between his teeth, and tugged him toward the feeding tables.

"Come on,” he said,” I’m hungry."

"You like rocks, don't you?"

Fuvii nodded,"Mhmm."

"I'm a paleontologist." But, of course, Fuvii would already know that. He bit the inside of his cheek, flicking his ears back. What could he say that the hatchling didn't already know? Ahivo wasn't used to...sharing his thoughts with someone else.

"Don't worry,” said Fuvii, giving a light chuckle as they approached the table,” I don't care."

The corner of Ahivo's lips curled upward,” Thank-you."

After Fuvii had his fill (rocks, Ahivo noted, mentally keeping close tabs on which the hatchling appeared to like most, and which he seemed to avoid eating), the pair exited the bay, and the ship, heading back into the bright streets of Star City.

"We're supposed to be leaving for another excavation in two months,” said Ahivo, more to break the silence and...distract himself from his own obtuse way of moving around, than anything else. Fuvii, being young and excitable, probably had no interest in Ahivo's work.

"I'm coming too, of course,” said Fuvii, and then, much to the surprise of Ahivo,"Where are we going?"

"Avangaea, if we can get permission from their government."

"Is that a nice planet?"

"I don't know. I've never gone there,” he pressed his ears to his skull. Should have thought about that before bringing it up. Bugger all, he'd probably disappointed Fuvii, not knowing anything. Shouldn't have mentioned it. Getting the poor youngling's hopes up and dashing them all in the span of a few-

"You don't have to worry so much, you know,” said Fuvii, smiling softly and lifting his head to meet Ahivo's gaze,” I don't care. We'll find out if it's nice when we get there. You can't expect to know everything."

"No," said Ahivo,"I guess not."

"Where are we going, anyway? Isn't the ship back in docking bay?"

"I thought we might...purchase some rocks for you, for later."

"Like groceries?"

Ahivo nodded.

"I don't just eat rocks, you know."

Ahivo nodded again, slower this time.

"...but I did like that Strawberry Quartz."

Ahivo lifted his head a little, ears perking,” I know. And the Aquamarine. But not the Zincite."

"Yeah,"Fuvii's grin stretched from ear to ear,” Not the Zincite."

.:.:.::.:.:.

The pair returned to the Labyrinth with a few cases of stones tucked beneath arms and clamped between teeth. There was a medley of different stones, nothing terribly expensive or unusual, as Ahivo didn't have all that much money to spend on them. He wouldn't be collecting any sapphires or rubies, but Fuvii had no complaints. The majority was Strawberry quartz, which he had taken a particular liking to, picking around the other bits on the feeding table to track down more of it. Aquamarine certainly made up a fair proportion as well, followed by a healthy mixture (or so Ahivo would like to assume, for all he knew these were the 'junk food' of the rock world. He didn't suppose there was much of a difference, though. He was a paleontologist, not a geologist) of unakite, sunstone, staurolite, peridot, and jasper.

Ahivo hadn't realized there were so many different sorts of rocks out there. Hundreds of them! Maybe even thousands! He certainly hadn't taken the time to sift through them all and count. The few selections Fuvii had made was not but a tiny dent in the numerous variations they'd found in the gem collector's shop. Ahivo, more than Fuvii, wanted to return a few times before they left the station, try a bit of everything, perhaps? Or at least what Ahivo could afford.

Not that Ahivo would be eating rocks, of course, but it sparked some sort of giddiness inside of him, to be able to make Fuvii happy with his purchases. Ahivo had never had anyone close enough to him to "spoil". Apparently he'd missed out on one of life's greatest joys.

The main doors of the Labyrinth opened up to reveal the humble corridors, wide, but sparsely decorated with a few replicas of this and that. There wasn't much available for viewing in the main foyer. Most of it was on the upper and lower levels. The first accommodated mainly the cafeteria and a few guest rooms.

Ahivo watched Fuvii from the corner of his eye. The dragonling's mouth was occupied with a case of rocks, but his eyes were no less expressive than the rest of his brightly colored face. They lit up at the sight of the paintings on the walls, depicting numerous battles from long ago and far away. And he fair shivered as they passed the erect model of some ancient crusader's uniform. Ahivo's mouth twitched, whether in joy or...disappointment he himself was not particularly sure...

It was nice, seeing Fuvii take and interest in history. He wouldn't get bored on the Labyrinth if that became his particular fancy, but this medieval stuff was not Ahivo's line of work. He rarely had anything at all to do with philanthropy, and, being off-ship as often as he was, Fuvii wouldn't have much time to indulge in that particular interest.

As if sensing Ahivo's thoughts (which he no-doubt was doing) Fuvii snapped his gaze away from the uniform and glued his eyes on the hall ahead of himself, smiling as best he could around the box.

Ahivo frowned, cursing himself again for ill-thoughts, and led them along toward the elevator where they would sink down to the lower levels of the staff's apartments. Damn, but it was hard to keep himself from thinking pessimistically. He certainly didn't want to upset Fuvii (not that he appeared to be upset, but he still was....repressing some of the poor fellow's enthusiasm). But even thinking that was demoting himself.

Ahivo bit back a sigh. It was going to be-

"Oh for heaven's sake, Ahivo!" Fuvii spat out his box and wheeled on his bond, leaping up to press his forepaws against Ahivo's chest,” I’m fine! You're not upsetting me...except, you know, for this constant worrying as to whether or not I'm going to stop liking you,” he frowned,” You’re my bond, I care about you. I'm not going to stop caring about you just because you disappoint me every once in a while. You don't have to change the way you think, I like you just the way you are." He wrinkled his nose and flopped back to the ground, snatching his box of rocks back up.

.::Besides::. he thought-sent to Ahivo .::I'm sure I'll like paleontology too. Fossils are rocks, aren't they? ::.

Ahivo stiffened, the skin beneath his ginger fur turning a few shades paler. He hadn't thought about Fuvii being able to eat the fossils.

.:: Don’t worry::. Fuvii let out a little chortle .::I won't eat your fossils::.

Ahivo exhaled, shoulders slumping forward loosely.

.::I'll just nibble a bit::. and with that he took off down the hall, Ahivo's apartment number already ingrained in his mind.

Ahivo stared after him, not particularly sure what to do. After a moment a thought slipped into his mind, and he let out a triumphant (or at least he thought he was triumphant) shout and took off after Fuvii as quick as his gigantic 'roo feet would take him.

"You...you..."Ahivo bit his lip to keep back a bark of laughter,” You r-rascal!" Fuvii grinned at him from over his shoulder.