Caita & Jiynce
Brenndel & Ryox

Jiynce the kittenCaita held the furry and downy ball that was Jiynce in her lap, stroking the black-tipped white fur and the blue-laced feathers.

Brenndel lounged on his stomach nearby, touselling Ryox' white-tipped black fur. It was bizarre how similar the pair of gryph kittens looked, but considering the bonds they'd chosen, it seemed appropriate.

"Brenn?" Caita inquired, "do you think Jiynce and Ryox will be welcome at Ice High?"

Ryox the kitten Brenndel looked at his cousin. "Why whouldn't they be, Caita? Mother Yence arranged for the bonder exchange, didn't she?"

"Yes, but what if there's a new Aerie Mother before we get back and the AerieMistress doesn't want outsiders?"

"This' a silly thing to worry on Caita." Brenndel said, sitting up. "We're Belrin Isle residents, even though we're halfway around the world. Besides, even if the Aerie doesn't want us, we'll be welcome at Home." he lectured in a friendly manner.

"I still worry, Brenn. Mother Yence is getting old, and they say there is no twin worthy..." Caita said.

Brenndel hugged his cousin. "No worries. Someone will be there when the time comes."

Caita returned the loving guesture, not one usually shared cross-gender at the House. "Remember that Linx said that a girl from Ice High went to Furtim Aerie?" she said. "What if she bonds a twin?"

Brenndel patted her shoulder. "She has to be proven worthy of the responsibility, Cayta."

Jiynce began to stir, and then stretched her blue tipped wings. She mewled her hunger, and Ryox awoke and echoed her.

"It must be lunch time." Brenndel laughed.

Jiynce

Caita watched as Jiynce fluttered around. “Caita, you’ve got to try this! It’s killer!”

Caita laughed. “I’d love to, but…”

“They’re more than big enough, Caita.” Brenndel said, coming up behind her with Ryox at his side.

“Of course we are – let’s try a little flight.” The gryph crouched and his bond slipped into place.

Jiynce landed nimbly, and Caita climbed aboard. “Are we sure about this?”

“Most definitely.” Jiynce said, and flared her wings. Ryox

Ready for anything, this duo. Together they rose into the sky with their bonds aboard. It was exhilarating for all four of them. After their flight, they returned toe the aerie for dinner. Life at Aerie Volia Kaun was unlike the house. Both men and women were of relatively equal status. The Aerie Mother and Sisters were in charge, and their mates were subordinate, more or less. Caita never had to argue with anyone for Brenndel to get equal treatment, but she never got soft; oh no.

Brenndel had never minded helping out and doing his share. S it was sometimes noticeably more than the girls, but women had an important job – bearing children wasn’t easy! Brenndel himself couldn’t fathom what the pain of childbirth must be like. Indebted to woman, Brenndel did what was called for without complaint.

Caita knew full well what her cousin’s philosophy on life was, and could only hope he’d fall in love with a woman who wouldn’t take advantage of him for it.

Jiynce

On their way back to Ice High Aerie, Brenndel and Caita and their bonds stopped over at Saisai Aerie, and dined with the Gryphonners there. A young man who’d bonded a black gryphon kept looking at Caita, and then tearing his eyes away with a grimace of disgust.

Brenndel resolved to have a word with the fledgling trainer and with that young man. Caita noticed, and let it go. She didn’t want anything to do with men who thought themselves less than her.

Jiynce dozed happily beside her clutch brother, who dreamed of starting a family – well, of finding a suitable mate and hoping she’d be receptive to the notion of nest-tending.

After the meal, Brenndel cornered the fledgling trainer, who told him to deal with the boy himself. She was obviously displeased with this Jemili enough as it was. Brenndel found Jemili with his black Katchek in the fledgling area.

“Jemili, I’ll have a word with you.” Brenndel said.

Jemili scowled. “If it’s about your girlfriend…” “Caita is my cousin” Brenndel growled through clenched teeth.

“Same difference. All women want is to be spoiled rotten and treated like queens.” Ryox

Brenndel glared half-heartedly. “All but Caita.” He murmured.

“What?” Jemili snapped.

“Watch your tongue, fledgling!” Caita snapped. “Brenn, it’s time to go. Jiynce and Ryox are ready.”

Jemili stared, then tore his eyes away in self-disgust. “Kist like a woman to boss us men around.” Jemili said derisively.

Now it was Caita’s turn to glare. “Do you think it was my idea that men should be subordinate? Get over yourself, boy, and grow up.” Caita stormed off. Brenndel shrugged. “She’s going to be intolerable for days now.” Brenndel said as he too exited.

Jemili stared behind. “I think I’m in love.”

“She’s too far above you, Jemili. She’s a full-fledged rider.”

Jemili smirked at Katchek. “So?”


Brenndel and Caita bonded at (and Jiynce and Ryox hatched at) Aerie Volia-Kaun