Forrest was more than happy that Carson had decided to do most the storytelling, arguing on her behalf that she had been a bit on morphine herself. That alone allowed for Carson to tell most of the story, well, the parts that they had both agreed to discuss. Of course, this version of events was much more detailed than the one they had shown the others during their meal. The only issue they found constant, was questions.
Not even about the situation but on Castiel and Forrest's bond. Granted, it was something hard to truly grasp by reading about. After many short breaks to explain the concept of drifting and how the relationship worked, they had managed to get through most of their tale. While Carson had done most the talking, telling what all they had gone through while the bald man took his notes and asked his occasional question. Not having to speak allowed had given Forrest plenty of time to discuss the actual tale of events with Castiel, who had shrunk down and now sat on the table in front of her.
*Well, I am glad you had me rather incoherent then.* Castiel's voice rather proud as he cooed softly.
*I guess, as long as you do not go making threats towards him.*
*I have no intention of threatening him Forrest; as I have said in the past I have long approved of him.* She held back expressions, doing her best to focus her eyes on Carson as he spoke, trying hard not to close her eyes and let his voice sing her to sleep again. She could not help but smile softly to herself. *He has you so giddy little one. Never would I imagine threatening someone who makes you this happy.*
She felt his contentment, as he sat curled before her. *While I will talk to him later on the matter, I trust him to keep you safe as I have. Even if it hurts a bit.* She tipped her head slightly, expression worried before she caught herself.
*What do you mean hurts?* She was met with silence, and then a reluctant voice. *I have kept you safe your entire life little one. It pains me to know that I am not the only one to do so anymore. I am slightly jealous, as horrible as I sound saying it. But I knew the day would someday come, I will get over myself. Just promise me something Forrest.*
She was doing her best not to become an emotional mess in front of the people in the room. *What Cas?*
*Always know I loved you first.*
The words cut deep, as she looked at her best friend and softly held the tip of his tail in her hand. She figured, of course, he would choose now, to make her a mess. But as she resisted the urge, she felt Castiel smile lovingly in her head. *Do not become a mess. You have time for that later on.* His humor made her smile again, as she caught Carson's glance. Thankful that at that moment Elizabeth and John had been looking at one another, and Richard at his notepad.
She could see that look of concern; he always had it when she displayed something was amiss. But the look vanished, as he spoke. "That ends us here. We have today off, and will be back in the infirmary tomorrow." The conclusion of the day's events brought Forrest back to the meeting, as Elizabeth nodded her head.
"You two did have quite the time yesterday."
"No kidding, good luck getting me off world again." Carson laughed slightly at Forrest, who smiled.
"I am bad luck."
"No love, if anything I am the back luck on most missions." While she did not openly agree, his stories did back up the statement.
"Well, I was not expecting such a story on my first day here. But thank all of you." Forrest could still feel the unease from the man, who rarely made eye contact with her, and focused solely on Castiel. The dragon lifted his head, looking across the table with a nod before climbing onto Forrest's shoulders again. "While I know today is your day off Dr. Atla, I would very much appreciate it if you would be willing to look over this for me." The tone bugged her, she could even feel a prickle of aggression from the normally placid dragon. But Richard paid no mind to the glances from everyone as he made his request known. He pulled a notepad out of his things and passed it down the way to Forrest.
She took the notepad, looking at the scribbles on the paper. Carson had explained it was called cursive and was a more formal way of writing on Earth. The writing was elegant, and she hoped to learn someday, but she had to learn to read English in a regular format first. He had been kind enough, to start writing medical notes in standard hand, but even then she struggled sometimes.
"I am sorry Richard, but I am still not the most fluent in reading the English language, even more so with cursive. Castiel is fluent himself but still struggles a bit with this style of writing." She explained as she handed the notepad up to Castiel who took it into his paws and began to do his best to read.
"Oh, I was not aware." She could feel the near disappointed tone in his voice, as she glanced over at Carson.
"I can easily help with it. What exactly is it?" Castiel leaned over, handing Carson the paper as he quickly began to read.
"These are questions in regards to the clans. Actually." He read more and flipped a page. "These are questions I think should be asked to Malco." Forrest glanced at Carson, before looking to Richard.
"I can not speak on his behalf, as head of the clans. You will be able to ask him tomorrow." She explained as the man looked at his hands.
"Well, I was hoping you could go over them, I would like to make sure I do not… offend him in any way."
*too late for me* She could hear the growl in the dragon's voice. "Well, in our experience this past week and a half, Malco is very easy to talk to." Elizabeth offering some encouragement.
"He just looks like he will rip your head off, he is probably the easiest to talk to." John adding on, as Forrest offered a small smile.
"You will have to work very hard to offend him, Richard, all of this can wait till tomorrow. When Castiel and I alike have rested more. The clan heads have been looking forward to meeting with you since it was announced." The formality in her voice was unusual, even John caught it as he cast a sideways glance to Elizabeth.
The man fell quiet, as he felt the eyes of everyone on him at once after Forrest had spoken. "of course, Dr. Atla. Though if I may ask a few more questions. I mainly would like to know about the clan heads. Who they are, what they represent. That way I might be better off in meeting them tomorrow."
She understood his curiosity. Elisabeth had explained how many of those on Earth were struggling to wrap their heads around the concept of dragons, and bonded humans. "Well, Malco, as you know, is the head of the clans. He is viewed as their leader. He does answer to the elders, these are some of the oldest dragons of the clans. Sadly, there are only two out of 12 left due to the harshness of Loonrian in recent months."
"But Malco has his council of clan heads. Cazador is head hunter for the clans, in control of all hunting parties, and training of hunters. His mate Papura is head of arts. That may sound strange but she is the one who runs all building operations within the clans, along with the social structure. Castiel here is head of medicine, so he has control over the Mutes of the clans. Then lastly there is Rikarie, she is Malco's second command in their military ranks. So she runs the military dragons when Malco is busy and reports to him." She explained, watching as once again the man before she began to write things down.
*He must forget things easily, he writes down everything.* Castiel's sarcastic comments were growing, and she could tell that the dragon was not enthused by the new face.
In that moment of silence, a roar ripped into the room from outside, a shadow dancing across the windows for a moment as Forrest smiled. She did her best to hold in a laugh, having caught how Richard flinched badly at the call of the dragon. Castiel hopped from her shoulders, growing to his mid-sized form once again to head off in a hurry for the nearest balcony. "Speaking of Rikarie looks like she is paying us a visit." She said as she began to stand. Causing the other to follow suit.
"How do you know it is her? Were you expecting her?"
*So many damn questions.* *I know Cas, calm down.*
"Each dragon has a unique call, just like we humans and our fingerprints. It is how they identify one another. I have been around them enough that I can generally match calls to names. That call you just heard belongs to Rikarie." She explained, noticing that once again Carson had taken his place at her side as they walked onto the balcony. She smiled, as she watched Rikarie circle around the tower once again before starting her approach.
Castiel would always be the most beautiful dragon to ever exist to her, the way his colors bled across his body in elegant swirls was unique as they come. The way his body shined in the sun and his eyes held his emotions. But, Rikarie was a close second to him. The metallic white body of hers caught the sunlight in the same way the city did, glistening with each movement. Her near translucent golden wings were a rare trait amongst dragons, as they glimmered like the water below.
She shrank down as she glided directly towards them, her size matching Castiel as her wings locked and she glided onto the balcony. Her body landed easily, her claws clicking on the metal floor as she came to a stop before them all. Her trilling loud, as Castiel, bounded forward to her and the pair exchanged their affectionate greeting. The dragon's faces pressing to one another in a familiar fashion before Rikarie looked to the others, dipping her head in welcome as her calls filled the air.
"She says she apologizes for her unannounced arrival. Malco has sent her with the most recent progress reports for the clans." Forrest translated, as Rikarie walked forward to Elizabeth, pulling one of the tablets from her bag.
"Thank you Rikarie, please tell Malco to thank you for getting these to us in such a timely matter." Elizabeth taking a hold of the tablet, as the golden dragon dipped her head.
"She is pleased that you are happy with the speed of delivery." Forrest could see the very confused man beside John, eyes focused now on Rikarie, and not on a good part of her. The bald man's eyes locked onto the dark colored scar that ran up the dragoness's forearm and shoulder.
"We sent word to Malco this morning about the meeting for today being moved to tomorrow, with Umbrin I believe was his name did that reach you all?" Elizabeth asking quickly, remembering talking to the other dragon earlier in the morning when he had come to gather some building supplies. The low rumbles and chirps filling the air, as Forrest spoke again.
"Yes, Umbrin did deliver the message, Malco is looking forward to the meeting tomorrow." Forrest paused for a moment, before smirking softly. "Rikarie, this is Richard Woolsey, the man coming to speak to all of us from Earth." Golden eyes turned, looking at him.
"Oh um, hello Rikarie, it is an honor to meet you." Carson glanced down at Forrest, who maintained a slight smirk as the man held out a hand to the dragoness ,this eyes thankfully leaving the scar to look at her face. She tipped her head sideways slightly, looking at his hand before leaning down and sniffing curiously. She lifted her head away before a few small chirps escaped her.
"She is pleased to meet you, she will tell the others in the clans of your arrival." He awkwardly put his hand back down, unaware that not all dragons held human customs. * She says she does not like his smell, bad vibe to her.* *I know but I am not translating it.*
There was silence, as John bit his lip watching the Stinger interact with Woolsey. He had come to understand the female was not the most trusting, and as far as he could tell the only people on base, she trusted were Forrest, Carson, himself, and Elizabeth. No one else had earned the dragon's respect. As far as he could tell, Woolsey would not be doing that any time soon. Plus, he had seen Woolsey's focus on the scar, and he knew it was a touchy subject.
"She hopes you all have a good evening, and she will see us all tomorrow."
"Thank you Rikarie, have a safe flight home." Elizabeth smiled, as Rikarie affectionately pressed her nose to Elizabeth's cheek, and went down the line of people. Everyone holding back remarks as she skipped over Woolsey, and tilled to Castiel. *She says he has to earn a dragon's affection.*
Forrest smiled before Rikarie bounded over the balcony rail, and her body grew once again. Her voice calling out over the towers as she took her heading home. Woolsey looked at his feet, glancing over at the others as he tried to figure out why he had not been given the same farewell.
"She is nervous of new people, Stingers tend to be a bit finicky about who they associate with." Forrest offering a somewhat decent explanation.
"Oh, I see."
John cast a glance to Carson, all of them standing for a moment. "Well, with that I think you all can get back to your day off." Castiel shrinking before hopping onto Carson's shoulders.
"That sounds lovely." Forrest smiling, catching the curious look that John was giving them both.
As they all turned to walk back inside, a familiar voice called into Elizabeth's ear. "Dr. Weir, have you seen Forrest or Doctor Beckett? Castiel even?" She paused, Castiel quickly turning to look at her.
*Teyla is looking for us.* Forrest stopped, looking to the dragon on Carson's shoulders then to Elizabeth.
"Yes, Teyla they are all here in the meeting room with me."
"Would you have them come down to the infirmary? I believe we may have a bit of a problem on our hands."
*Teyla says there is a problem and we should go to the infirmary.*
"I will send them down." She looked up, able to already see Forrest's face. She had a feeling someone else had heard that radio conversation.
"Well, both of you have been requested in the infirmary, so much for a day off." While she normally would have made sure that the other doctors had been the ones to answer, she had learned to not question Teyla's judgment on matters.
"We understand." Carson commenting, as he turned to head for the door.
"Well, have a good evening Richard." Forrest offering a farewell, as she turned to walk quickly after Carson. "No such thing as a day off here is there?" She asked as she matched his stride.
"Never, what do you two think of him?" He had been dying to know of the pair's conversation, as they walked down the gateroom stairs.
"Well, Castiel does not like him, not sure myself yet. But if he calls me Doctor Atla one more time I may snap a bit at him."
Carson found himself laughing, "Well, you said it yourself Dragons are good judges of character."
"Oh yes, they are, Rikarie is unsure of him as well." She explained as Castiel hopped from his shoulders to hers.
"Well, hopefully, you will only have to deal with him a few more days." He said as they neared the infirmary. "And that whatever is happening down here will be a quick fix."
Having watched the three doctors walk out of the control room, Elizabeth and John alike exchanged glances as Woolsey took a seat at the conference room table. "What kind of reports did.. she bring?" He asked looking at the tablet in Elizabeth's hands.
"Oh, I had requested yesterday for reports on the current progress in construction of the clan homes, and how everyone is settling in." She explained as she handed him the tablet. "That way you would have the most current progress on things once you got here."
"Thank you for that." John looked at Elizabeth, she knew the look. He was itching to get away from the room, and the person whose questions never stopped. But she shot down the look with one of her own, he was not going to leave her alone for this one. "So what all are they building?" He asked as he did his best to read the report. "And who did this report?"
"I believe Papura does the reports, she has learned to type in English pretty well in the past week. The location of their settlement is a very large forest. Like the redwoods on Earth only much bigger." He glanced up from his reading, watching as John and Elizabeth sat down across from him.
"Really? That is interesting." They never understood his tone, as she continued to speak.
"Forrest had explained earlier this week they were planning to make large tree houses. The trees are large enough to support the largest of dragons, so they will be making their homes there. It is right next to a large fresh water lake, so they are able to easily fish and hunt the surrounded mountains."
"So they are pretty industrial? The dragons." John was the one to speak up this time.
"They are all pretty smart, I can say that Castiel puts some of our own doctors to shame. They will set themselves up to be able to live on their own. But, Malco has already sent a few of his more experienced Destroyers and Stingers to start working with my men military wise. Castiel said that once the clan's health has improved, Mutes will start coming here for more training."
They watched as Woolsey remained quiet, nodding his head. "Destroyers, Stingers, Mutes, I have heard of them in reports but I am still unsure of what they are."
"Destroyers and Stingers are military-bred, Stingers are more meant for speed and stealth, often used as messengers. Destroyers are the main combat breed. Then Mutes are their medical dragons. There are apparently a few more sub-breeds but we are still learning them." John continuing the explanation, but could tell the man had other ideas.
"Well, seeing as now that Forrest is still struggling with reading and writing in English, how has translating the Loonrian archives been going?"
They should have known it would come back to this, "Well, Forrest and Castiel alike have been working best they can to translate, but this past week has been rather hard on them both. Once the clans are much more settled she will be able to focus on the records fully." Elizabeth was unsure of where the conversation was going, as she folded her hands on the desk.
"Well, right now I am concerned that someone who can not read English fluently is working in the infirmary."
John raised an eye brow. "What you think she will accidentally OD someone on something?"
"No, but she could mix up medications, or her notes be incorrect causing issues. Besides, someone who does not wish to be called a doctor in formal conversation seems a bit strange."
Elizabeth's face went cold, as she caught the scent of the issue. "Castiel is often side by side with Forrest. He was fluent in English within the first week and a half they were here. Even without Castiel Doctor Beckett also helps her learn. You have seen the reports, what all Forrest has accomplished in her time here. She is just as able of a doctor as the others in the infirmary. As for her title, I will get the some of the data that has been translated, some of it will explain Loonrian social customs and manners. She explained it to you, how titles are used. Any other time you use her title it is an insult, so I suggest you do your best to call her by her first name."
John had been the one to stay quiet, able to feel the fire in her words as she defended Forrest. "If you have any other issues, Mr. Woolsey, now would be the time to express them.