Bright shades of blue whipped past their vision as Forgeron and Kasatka plunged through the portal. Waves of heat, cold and nausea washed over them until they reached a place that was so cold, so black and unfeeling that Kasatka screamed and gripped her mate. After what seemed like an eternity, they at last exited the void-like space and fell hard onto flat, cold stone ground. “Kasatka....are you alright?” Forgeron whispered, carefully moving his own limbs to make sure he was uninjured. The answer was slow in coming, for she had been momentarily knocked unconscious by the fall. “Kasatka?” Turning to look at her, Forgeron saw her stir and sit up, placing her hand on top of her head. “Ugh...I’m no worse for wear...” she said, rubbing the spot where her head hit.

So concerned about each other, neither of them noticed the two people and lizard-like beasts that had approached them, having seen the pair just tumble out of thin air moments before. "Are you okay?" one asked, startling the former-troop members. Out of habit, Forgeron started to shout "Halt!" but managed to stay his tongue and stand, reaching down to assist Kasatka. "We are fine. May I inquire as to the name of this location?" he asked in his most peaceable yet defensive voice. "You're at Star City Dragonry." the man said, leaning against one of the lizard-beasts. For the first time, the pair noticed the creature and took a step back.

"What is that?" Kasatka asked, grabbing her mate's arm. "This?" the second person said, gesturing to his own lizard. "They're dragons...you've never seen a dragon?" Shaking their heads, Forgeron said, "No, we are not of this world...there are no such beasts where we come from, but I have heard the humans speak of them. It was always in the most terrified way, though, and we end up in a place where dragons serve humans...how interesting." One of the dragons snorted and glowered at Forgeron. "Dragons do not serve us, they live and work beside us, sir." the first man said, rather irritated by Forgeron's remark. Realizing his mistake, the Captain of the Guard apologized. "Forgive me, I merely assumed you worked with them to protect this city." He bowed to the dragons, who looked rather pleased with themselves.

"Are we allowed to explore this place?" Kasatka asked, before Forgeron could do any more damage. "Yes, ma'am. This station is opened for all who wish to explore it. You should go by the sands and apply. Despite your lack of knowledge, you two would seem to be good candidates. They're over in that direction." With that, the foursome turned toward a large room off to the side. Forgeron noticed that one of the dragons had metal plates here and there upon it's body. They weren't being worn by the creature, but appeared to be installed or growing from it. "How interesting..." he murmured, before Kasatka took his hand and started to pull him in the direction the men had indicated.

Stumbling before he noticed, Forgeron quickened his pace to catch up with her. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Those men said we could bond those creatures, what ever that means. If you remember what the witch said once she opened the portal, we are missing something that completes us, and that is why we were sent here, to find what does complete us! The dragons!" Blinking, Forgeron reached out and grabbed her hand to stop her. "But Kasatka, how can you be sure?" Glaring up at her mate in frustration, she looked around at the people and dragons that seemed to cover every inch of floor space with their comings and goings.

"That is why!" she said, gesturing to a group of newly hatched dragonets fumbling on their way with their excited-looking bonds. "See? See how happy they are? If we can have a chance at that joy, we should take it." "But my love," said Forgeron, taking her other hand in his. "you are what completes me, I have no need for anything else. Rølvaag and Helleri complete me...being without them now hurts me." He smiled sadly, the first true smile Kasatka had ever seen on his face. "You complete me too, my heart my soul...But obviously, since we can no longer live as free-roaming bears, we have a new purpose in life. Maybe it is to bond one of these dragons...to rejoin our family and lead them to some new place in need of protection. We know it is a bear's purpose to protect..."

Smiling, Forgeron picked her up and hugged her, something he had never been able to do as a bear and loved to do now. "Yes, my love...what can it hurt? We stand to loose nothing, and to gain a new life." Holding out his elbow as he had seen many human men to for women when they had still been allowed to the Svalbard court, Forgeron escorted his mate to the sands, where they signed up to be present at the hatching.

On the way to their assigned quarters, they encountered a man giving out small eggs from a basket full of them, all different pastel colors. "What are these?" Forgeron asked, taking up one and holding it in his palm. The shell was oddly soft, yet firm and warm to the touch. "They are called rukels, my good man. Take one, I've two myself who are breeding me out of house and home." Kasatka also chose an egg from the basket and carried it in the pocket of her jacket. Later that day, when the two were still getting used to their surroundings and had found their way to a cafeteria for supper, the eggs began to shudder simultaneously.

"I'd forgotten all about them!" she exclaimed, fishing hers out and setting it on the table to watch it rock. Soon, a small red-furred paw punched through the shell, quickly followed by a lighter red muzzle, then the rest of the rukel, all through one small whole. It turned out to be a fox-like creature, spotted red with feathered wings, like a bird, and a female. She began to lick her fur clean as Forgeron's egg trembled harder and shattered all at once, revealing a vivacious white rukel with silver paws and no wings, a male. He too licked the liquid from his fur before looking up at Forgeron. "Well, don't just gawk at me...I need a name man!" the creature demanded. Stunned, Kasatka looked at her own, who nodded and said in a soft, more kindly voice. "I would like a name, too...if it's not too much trouble."

Kasatka beamed at the little creature and said, "Of course not, my dear. All things must have a name. I think I will call you...Analil. Do you like Analil?" The soft-spoken rukel, who had practically melted into the table with shyness when she realized all eyes of those nearest to the pair were on her, nodded and rushed to hide in Kasatka's coat. "My turn, sir. What will my name be, something powerful and fear-inducing, no doubt." the fierce white-silver rukel said, puffing out his chest. "Er...I'll call you...Vrolo! Vrolo is a good name for someone as...spirited as you." With a haughty nod, the newly-named Vrolo took more than his fair-share of Forgeron's meal, while Analil was quietly fed bits and pieces by Kasatka, until she said she was full and silently resumed grooming.

Once they were fed and safe in their quarters for the evening, Analil came out of Kasatka's coat to explore and meet the family, as it were. She was terrified of Vrolo, the loud, brash thing that he was. As soon as he shouted at her for getting too close, the poor rukel flew across the room for Kasatka and hid behind her head, wings covering her face. That night, as they were trying to sleep (not easy, for neither of them were used to the heat or a bed and blankets) there came a thump thump against the door. Forgeron got up and opened it, only to be attacked by some flying creature, being chased by a group of unruly children. He quickly shut the door and found Kasatka holding the curious attacker, a small version of the dragons, with oversize hind legs, like that of an arctic hare's. "What is it?" he asked before sitting down. The creature was an odd bluey-gold in color, and turned his head this way and that while flipping his wings, taking everything in. "I have no idea, but I want to keep it!" she replied, hugging the mini-dragon to her breast.

"Another new pet in the same day?" Forgeron said, pushing Vrolo off of his pillow and lying back down. "Yes, and I'll call him Vac." The leap-dragon bounched up onto her head, turned in a circle three times and lay down like he was going to sleep, making Kasatka laugh.

The clutch hatched at last, leaving Forgeron and Kasatka still bondless, but still hopeful. There had been more candidates than eggs, anyway, and the pair had been kept very busy while onboard. Upon hearing about cyborware and the ability to add metal plates to their actual bodies, Forgeron and Kasatka instantly found out who, how and how much. "That much!?" Forgeron exclaimed when he heard the estimate of adding metal plates to his chest, arms and thighs. Kasatka only wanted shoulder plates and thigh plates, but it still would cost a bundle.

In order to fund the operations, they immediately began taking on various odd jobs; such as security details for paranoid dignitaries (something Forgeron relished) to caring for children in the day-care centers aboard (more Kasatka's line of work). The ability to use their bear forms and bear strength came in handy for this, they found many in need of strong beings who could squeeze into tight spaces for various repairs.

Before long, they had amassed enough money to pay for the operation and then some, adding the Svalbard crest to the shoulder plates and chest plates in fine silver filigree. After receiving the operation, they were delighted to find the plates also morphed into their bear forms and fit together quite well with the rest of their armor. They were sought after as security guards even more after the operation, and parents felt more confident leaving their children in the care of the white-haired, armor-plated petite woman. "I still don't see why you wouldn't allow me to have plates installed...and I found those metal spikes to be very fetching as well..." Vrolo complained, and often! "Just up, you beast and keep your eyes peeled." was all Forgeron ever said in response.