"Family" Picts

Malcador kept many relics, and recordings, around his tower. Prized possessions were kept closer to his rooms, under increasing security. The most personally prized possessions were kept in his rooms themselves. Among these "favorites", as the Primarchs called them, were the data core from the servo-skull that Perburabo used for recording their performance of Summer Night's Dream, and a data slate full of picts. This was called the "photo album" by the Emperor.
Sometimes Malcador would bring it down and they would look through the picts. The Primarchs enjoyed it. Especially if they could get new stories out of Malcador. Sometimes Valdor would join them, but that was rare.
The first several picts were in the lab the Primarchs were "born". There were different angles on the gestation pods, and a few with either Malcador or the Emperor in them. One was a high-angle shot of both with all twenty pods. That had been taken by servo-skull shortly before they were brought out of the pods.

***********************

The Emperor looked around the lab, satisfied with his work. Malcador was also there, peering into the pods as he paced around the room. The Emperor was standing near the pod with Sixteen in it. Malcador lingered by Fifteen's pod, laying his free hand over the glass. A small hand reached up from the white mist filling the pod.

"We should go," the Emperor said, mirroring Malcador's gesture with Sixteen. 

"Right," Malcador agreed with a sigh. "do you think they'll remember these visits?"

"Not like the memories we'll have of them," the Emperor replied. "But it will help them recognize our presences when they are ready."

"That's good to know," Malcador said, as he stepped away from the pod. "It'll be harder to do family picts when they are out of those."

"We'll figure something out."

**********************

After the picts in the lab was a series of picts with the infant Primarchs. Fulgrim wasn't fond of his baby picts saying that the looked like a potato. In true form, Angron was screaming in almost all of his baby picts. Mortarion was caught throwing up in multiple picts.

***********************

Malcador froze in the middle of the hall. A psychic bow wave had reached him, and he knew exactly what the cause was.

The Emperor was taking the Primarchs out of their pods.

Malcador spun about and started running through the halls to the lab. Palace serfs scattered at his approach, some grabbing others who weren't paying enough attention.

He rushed into the lab, and barely caught the bottle that was flung at him by the Emperor. The sound of wailing babies was an ear-piercing cacophony. The psychic expression of all-encompassing hunger was almost overwhelming. 

"If you're going to be here, you have to help," the Emperor called over.

"Why did you think I'm here?" Malcador asked with a hint of amusement among the snark. Setting his staff aside Malcador picked up Fifteen. The sensation of hunger somehow intensified.

"Why is he red?"

"I don't know," the Emperor said. He was trying to swaddle Nine, but the wings were getting in the way.

"Shh, shh," Malcador cooed to Fifteen who was still wailing and wiggling. "Uncle Malcador has you."

"Uncle?" the Emperor asked, raising an eyebrow. He was now feeding a swaddled Nine.

"I'm not their mother," Malcador replied. "Or their grandfather."

That got a laugh from the Emperor. "Fair enough, uncle it is."

The Emperor taught Malcador how to burp the Primarchs so they could eat safely. They moved among the Primarchs, trying to keep ahead of their hunger. Finally the babies were sated.

Malcador grabbed the pict-corder and started taking picts of the infants. There was a few minutes of peace before the Emperor made a surprised noise and snatched his hand away from Six.

"What happened?"

  "He tried to bite me," the Emperor said.

"They don't have teeth," Malcador pointed out. "Unless..."

"He does," the Emperor said, indicating Six. "Canine DNA."

"Right," Malcador said slowly. "So only he has them."

"For now," the Emepror said. "The others will likely get their in a few weeks."

"This is going to move quickly then," Malcador said, lowering the pict-corder. 

"In some ways," the Emperor said. "It would have been faster if I could have kept them in there the full time I intended."

"How much faster?" Malcador asked, picking up Seventeen, who had started to fuss. "It's alright, Seventeen. I've got you."

"They would have been adults within the year," the Emperor said. "Now, they'll be accelerated, but not that much."

Seventeen was still waving his arms around, displaying his annoyance, and managed to hit Malcador in the face. The Emperor gave his son a sharp look, but Malcador laughed it off.

"I don't think he meant anything by it," Malcador said. "He just doesn't have control of his limbs just yet."

"Fair enough."

********************

Ferrus had mixed feelings about his picts. To him there were the picts before the accident and the ones after. He found the before picts to be strange, it was just wrong to see his hands as they were. There was one pict of him in the Apothecarion after the accident.

*********************

Valdor approached the training room with the Necron construct. Ferrus hadn't returned to the main training area, and this was his last known location. Cavlor had the other Primarchs. He turned into the open doorway of the training room.

"Lor-Ferrus!" he called out, the young Primarch was slumped against the small forge, near the lava pool used to fuel it. Valdor rushed over, carefully grabbing Ferrus by the shoulder guards. His arms were smoking which caused Valdor great concern. 

Ferrus was unconscious, his face twisted in agony. Valdor spoke briefly into his vox, informing Cavlor about the situation and starting a search for the construct once he realized it wasn't in the room. He then contacted the Emperor and told his lord what happened.

"I'll meet you in the Apothecarion," the Emperor said. Valdor acknowledged and closed the channel. He then carefully lifted Ferrus and headed out. He tried to move as gently as possible. Ferrus regained consciousness when they were nearing the Apothecarion.

"Va-valdor?" Ferrus asked sounding confused.

"I'm here," Valdor answered, keeping his voice quiet.

"My arms hurt," Ferrus whimpered. "I want Father."

"He's waiting for us at the Apothecarion," Valdor said. "We're almost there, can you sense him?"

"No," Ferrus whispered. "I just feel pain."

"You'll be alright," Valdor said. He didn't really think of himself as soothing, but tried all the same. He entered the Apothecarion and was greeted immediately by the Emperor, who held his hands out for Ferrus.

Handing his charge over, Valdor suddenly found himself alone in the waiting area. The Emperor had rushed to the back with the medicae staff to see what could be done for Ferrus. He wasn't alone long. Malcador strode in, trying to hide the fact that he had been sprinting, but Valdor saw anyway. The Sigillte made straight for him.

"What happened?" Malcador asked.

"I'm not sure," Valdor admitted. "Ferrus got frustrated during training, so I let him use the Necron construct to vent."

"They've all trained on that thing dozens of times," Malcador said. "The Mechanicum took out the power source."

"That's what we all thought," Valdor said. "Apparently they were wrong."

"It's not your fault," Malcador said gently. "They've used it probably hundreds of times without issue or accident. You had no way of knowing."

"I should have gone with him," Valdor said. "They are only four, roughly."

"They are also Primarchs," Malcador said. "And I have yet to meet a child, especially a young one, who didn't long for autonomy."

"Their safety is my duty," Valdor said firmly.

"Our lord's safety is your primary duty," Malcador corrected. "Though of course they are close second."

"His hands were coated in metal," Valdor said quietly. "It was still liquid, but didn't transfer to me."

"What about the construct?" Malcador asked.

"It's missing," Valdor said. "I have teams looking for it. I found Ferrus near the forge."

"How far up his arms?" 

"Up to where the padding covered his arms," Valdor replied. "The guards make it a neat line where the metal stops."

The two fell silent, Malcador took a seat as they continued to wait. The teams looking for the construct reported that it had been destroyed by Ferrus as it attacked him. Cavlor also reported that the other Primarrchs were getting resless. Fulgrim especially was expressing concern and wanted to see Ferrus. Malcador sighed when Valdor relayed that report.

"One of us should take over for him," Malcador muttered. He cast a look at the door Valdor said the Emperor had gone through.

"I'll go," Valdor said. "You just got here."

"No," Malcador said as he stood. "You stay, you're the one who found him. It's just as important for you as for him." With that the Sigilite departed.

Forty-eight minutes after Malcador left, Cavlor escorted Fulgrim in. The fair haired Primarch ran over to Valdor, clearly worried.

"Can we see him?" Fulgrim asked.

"Not yet," valdor said. "Your father is still working on him."

"will he be alright?" Fulgrim asked, he looked close to tears.

"Of course he will," Valdor said with what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "You're all strong."

"Really?"

"Really."

The Emperor came back out to the waiting area after a further wait. Fulgrim was starting to get antsy, but refused to leave. He was determined to see Ferrus. The Emperor met Valdor's questioning gaze and nodded. 

"You can see him now," the Emperor said. "But we need to be quiet.

"Yes, Father," Fulgrim said. The three went to the room Ferrus was in.

"You have some visitors, Ferrus," the Emperor said as they entered. Ferrus turned, his expression brightening as he saw Fulgrim and Valdor.

"Fulgrim!" Ferrus called out. "Valdor! You got him?"

"Malcador sent him," Valdor replied. "I've been here the whole time."

"You waited?"

"Yes," Valdor said with a smile. "Malcador was here for a bit, but he took charge of all your other brothers."

"We were all worried," Fulgrim said. "I think we were getting on Cavlor's nerves."

"That's not possible," Ferrus murmured.

"Angron," Fulgrim said. "He actively tries to get on people's nerves."

"True enough," Ferrus said with a little chuckle. "He usually does."

"He's sorry," Fulgrim said.

"It's not his fault," Ferrus said. "He didn't make the  construct attack me."

"No one is at fault," the Emperor said. 

"The Mechanicum is investigating how the construct activated," Valdor said. He'd received the report as they were coming back.

"What about your hands?" Fulgrim asked. Ferrus's arms were covered in what looked like rubber gloves.

"The necrodermis that made the construct has bonded to his arms," the Emperor answered.

"You can't fix it?" Fulgrim asked. There wasn't anything the Emperor couldn't do.

"That's right," the Emperor said. "The only way would be to take his arms off."

"I want to keep my hands," Ferrus said, his voice wavered with what was possibly fear.

"Very well," the Emperor said, trying to calm Ferrus. "But it may make things different for you."

"That's fine."

*******************

Sanguinius also had clear differences in some of his old picts. This was when his flight feathers grew in. There was also a pict of his first molt. He was sad that his first flight hadn't been caught on pict-corder.

*******************

"He looks like he wants to fly," Valdor noted, indicating Nine. The Emperor was going to let them pick their own names soon.

"He does," the Emperor agreed. He was looking at Two and Eleven in the newly installed fish tank. The Mechanicum had just finished the installation the previous day.

"Why doesn't he?" Valdor asked. 

"His legs aren't strong enough," the Emperor said. Nine would sometimes jump, and try to beat his wings to fly. The Emperor was right about his legs though, as it often ended up with Nine on the floor, having failed to get his wings out of the way of his feet in time.

"Don't baby birds learn to fly by falling from their nests?" Valdor asked.

"Or their parents flinging them," the Emperor said. He paused, looking at Valdor as he contemplated something. "We could try it."

"Indeed, my king," Valdor said as he paced away from the Emperor, stopping about three quarters of the way across the room.

"Nine," the Emperor called in the high voice he used with them. "Come see Father."

"Want to fly, Daddy," Nine said as he approached the Emperor. "Fly?"

"Yes," the Emperor said, picking Nine up and holding him so he could easily toss the Primarch.

"Nine," Valdor called, also pitching his voice high. He held out his hands. "Come see me."

"Vawdor," Nine said. "L" sounds were still a bit of an issue for the Primarchs, but they were getting better with it. "See Vawdor."

"Yes," Valdor said encouragingly. "Come see Valdor."

Nine squirmed, stretching his wings. With that, the Emperor gently lobbed his son towards Valdor. It wasn't so far that the Emperor couldn't catch him if instinct didn't take over. There was a brief flash of panic on Nine's face, then he flapped his wings which kept him aloft, and moved him towards Valdor.

"Good job, Nine!" Valdor called out, a smile spreading across his face. "That's it."

"Val-dor," Nine called. Flapping his wings again, Nine seemed to be getting the hang of moving in the air. 

He almost made it to Valdor before his wingbeat faltered slightly. It was enough to drop him and he panicked. Letting out a startled cry, Nine started to fall. Valdor lunged forwards, catching Nine in his arms.

"I've got you, Nine," Valdor said, smile still in place. "Good job!"

"Fly?" Nine asked, both confused and excited.

"Yes," Valdor said. "You flew."

The Emperor came over and ruffled Nine's red-blond hair. He then froze, a look of realization dawning on his face. "Malcador has the corder."

It took a moment for the comment to process to Valdor. "We don't have a pict of this."

"No," the Emperor said.

"We'll tell Malcador," Valdor said. "He'll want to see for himself, he'll bring the corder for that."

**************

The first official set of picts for the Primarchs were taken just after they had picked their names. The picts were handed out in a packet that included a note that Two and Eleven were to never be mentioned again. The names of the remaining Primarchs were included with the pict themselves. The Emperor had a set of the formal picts added to the photo album.

**************

The Primarchs knew something was up. The Emperor had gathered them in the living room where Malcador and Valdor were waiting, a vox catcher sat on the little table between them.

"We're going to play the Name Game," the Emperor announced. "But this time it's who, not what."

The Name Game was when the Emperor would pick an object and a Primarch, who got to name what it was. They looked confused at the Emperor's explanation of the difference in the game. He decided to demonstrate.

"Fifteen," the Emperor said, pointing to Malcador. "Who's that?"

"Uncle Malcador," Fifteen answered swiftly.

"Ten, who's that?" the Emperor asked, now pointing to Valdor.

"Valdor," Ten answered, clapping his hands together.

"Who am I, Sixteen?" the Emperor asked.

"Daddy!" Sixteen said excitedly.

"One, who are you?" The First Primarch thought about it for a few minutes before finally giving an answer.

"Lion, El'Jonson," the Lion announced. He thought a minute more, then nodded, indicating his satisfaction with the name.

"Three?"

"Ful-grim," Fulgrim answered, breaking it into two syllables so he could say it the way he wanted.

"Four?" 

"Per-tur-abo."

"Five?"

"Jaghatai Khan." He provided his name swiftly.

"Six?"

"Le-man Russ!"

"Rogal Dorn."

"Night Haunter."

"Eight, who are you?" the Emperor asked again. He was hoping he had misheard his son.

"Night Haunter," Eight repeated clearly. He then pointed at the Lion. "He gets Lion."

"A lion is an animal often used to imply nobility. Night Haunter is a boogey man," the Emperor explained patiently. "Chose another name."

"No," Eight said stubbornly. "Am Night Haunter."

"You are Konrad Curze then," the Emperor declared.

"Yes, Daddy," Konrad said, hanging his head.

There was a brief pause before they moved on. 

"San-guin-us."

"Ferrus Manus."

"An-gron."

"Ro-bou-teh Guil-li-man," Roboute said, breaking it down clearly like many of his brothers.

"Mor-tar-ion."

"Magnus, the Red."

"Horus Lup-er-cal."

"Lor-gar Aur-elian."

"Vulkan, with a K."

"Corvus Corax."

"Am Alpharius," Alpharius said. He glanced towards Malcador's other side where Twenty-One was hiding. He received a nod. "Omegon."

***************

Another series of picts were from the first tour the Primarchs had gone on with the Emperor. This was noticeable for the three additions they had come back with: Freki, Geri, and Frederick. Freki and Geri showed up fairly early in the series. Frederick was not in any picts.

****************

The Emperor turned to look out the window as he heard hooves in the courtyard. He watched for as the search party came in. The various Knightly orders of Caliban had come together to search for the Lion, who had vanished on a guided tour in the forests. The Emperor and the other Primarchs had spent the last six months in Aldurukh, the base of the Order who were the pre-eminent knightly order on Caliban. 

As the last rider came into view, the Emperor called out for Valdor to take over the Primarchs, as he dashed out to the courtyard. He arrived in time to see the knight lift the Lion off of the destrier they had arrived on.

"Lion!" the Emperor called out, coming to a stop.

"F-f-fa-father," the Lion said hesitantly. His voice sounded like he hadn't spoken in a long time. It had clearly surprised the knight who had found him, who was looking at the Lion in wonder.

"Are you alright?" the Emperor asked, picking up the Lion and holding him close. He felt the Lion nod against his shoulder.

"I was unaware he spoke, lord," the knight said. The sound of the knight's voice got the Lion to straighten up in the Emperor's arms.

"That's Luther, Father," the Lion said. "He found me, and got the others to not shoot me when I roared at them."

"You have my gratitude, Sar Luther," the Emperor said, addressing Luther directly. Turning to the Lion, he asked," Why did you wander off?"

"There was a something out in the forest," the Lion said. "I wanted to see what it was."

"That was very dangerous," the Emperor said. "You've been missing for six months."

"I'm sorry, Father," the Lion said, pressing himself back up against the Emperor. He held the Lion for another moment before setting him back down.

"I believe you have something to say to Sar Luther," the Emperor prompted.

"Thank you for bringing me back to Father," the Lion said, looking up at Luther. "I made a friend in the forest, Father."

"Oh?" the Emperor asked, looking to Luther. The Lion was the only one who had come back with the search party.

"I call him Frederick," the Lion said. He pointed to a banner that had an Angel of Death on it. "He looks like that, but he's little like I am."

"A Watcher in the Dark," Luther said. He explained when the Emperor looked at him. "They are folklore creatures, said to guard those who get lost in the forest from the Great Beasts."

"Was Frederick with you when Sar Luther found you?" the Emperor asked.

"No," the Lion said. "Father?"

"Yes?"

"Can I recruit legionaries from here?"

"We will have to talk it over with the knightly orders," the Emperor said.

"Legionaries?" Luther asked, looking interested.

"Space Marines," the Lion answered. "You could join my Legion if you want."

"What are they called?" Luther asked.

"I don't have a name for them yet," the Lion said. He'd been trying to come up with something appropriate, but was having difficulties. "They are the First Legion."

"There was another legend, of Dark Angels who came from the sky and protected the people," Luther mused.

"I like that name," the Lion said. "They can be Dark Angels."

****************

It wasn't long after their first tour that they started going to Nova. The Emperor's favorite pict in the album was their zero year class pict. He asserted that it perfectly captured the Primarch's personalities. Fulgrim hated it, because there had been a food fight at lunch and he was certain there was food in his hair.

****************

It was pict day at Nova. Fulgrim was very excited as he loved having his pict taken. His biggest concern was that their class pict, were scheduled after lunch. Angron had recently learned about food fights and was looking for an excuse to start one at school. The Emperor stopped him from starting one at home.

They made it halfway through lunch before the food fight started. Zero year had lunch at the same time as fourth year, there was a group of bullies who went after zero year children. Their leader was Aerathur, and Angron had a strong dislike of the older boy.

Aerathur had targetted a boy at the next table over from the Primarchs, pushing his victim's head into his lunch while laughing. Angron picked up a carrot and started to aim. Roboute glared at him, shaking his head. Konrad, however, was more encouraging. Angron threw the carrot, which hit Aerathur squarely on the back of the head.

Aerathur spun about, hand on the back of his head, and found the Primarchs all staring at him. He glared threateningly at them, trying to scare them. When that didn't work, he grabbed a handfull of mashed potatoes from his vitcim's tray and flung it. Flying, the potatoes splattered all over Fulgrim, just to the left and back from Angron.

This got an instant reaction from the Primarchs. Fulgrim screeched and flung some of the potatoes back. Ferrus, who had been tinkering with the sporks, launched a volley of peas at almost the same moment. Angron had more carrots, and Konrad flung something wet. It was unclear if he had chewed whatever it was first, or if it was just juicy. Perturabo had made a grape shooter and was going for his own headshot.

Other students started to throw food around as well, encouraged by the fight between Aerathur and the Primarchs. The adult staff in the room attempted to regain control, but there were too few to be effective.

The fight ended abruptly when the lights were shut off, plunging the lunch room into total darkness. Everyone froze, a few of the younger children whimpered. The lights came back on and Master Kirraen was in the room, looking very annoyed.

"Food is for eating," he announced sternly to the room. "No one leaves until I've determined who started the food fight. Now is the time to come forward."

Angron swiftly trotted forward, he knew Fulgrim wanted to try and clean up before their pict. Master Kirraen winced internally when he realized who it was. Great Master Kirraen thought to himself, I might have to vox the Palace. He needed more information before he did that though.

"Why did you start the food fight, Angron?" Master Kirraen asked. He looked down at the boy he knew was more than just a boy.

"Because Aerathur was picking on one of my class mates," Angron said. "He picks on people smaller than him, it's dishonorable."

"He was punishing the bully," Konrad piped up. Fulgrim was standing at the edge of the group, looking towards the door to the bathrooms. He was waiting until Master Kirraen gave permission to leave before cleaning up.

"Aerathur?" Master Kirraen said turning to the older boy. "What do you have to say?"

Aerathur hesitated, then stepped forward. He obviously stepped away from Angron, who shot him a glare.

"I wasn't doing anything," Aerathur said. Fulgrim stepped forward, still covered in potatoes. He looked quite upset.

"You're lying!" Fulgrim shouted. Ferrus put a hand Fulgrim's shoulder, part comfort, and part restraint. Mortarion had grabbed Konrad, while it looked like Corvus and Vulkan were holding each other back. Roboute looked to Angron, trying to see if he could intervene in time.

Master Kirraen sighed, he knew who he believed. Trying to keep things under some semblance of control he looked to Aerathur, willing the boy to admit his part in this. He was disappointed.

"I was minding my own business," Aerathur said in a whining voice. Konrad snarled and tried to escape Mortarion, who barely held him in check.

"You were holding Dystyn's face in his food," Angron said hotly. Roboute shifted, recalculating where he could intercept if Angron tried something. Aerathur looked to Master Kirraen and double-downed on his problems.

"Who are you going to believe?" he asked the headmaster.

"You are outnumbered," Master Kirraen said firmly. "Ferrus, you can take Fulgrim to the restroom so he can clean up."

"Thank you, Master Kirraen," Fulgrim said tightly as the two headed out.

Aerathur sagged, realizing that he was not getting support. Master Kirraen waved for the older boy to follow. They left the lunch room and the remaining Primarchs hesitated before sitting again. The lunch aides started cleaning up the worst of what was on the floor.

Fulgrim and Ferrus returned just in time to make it out to recess with the rest of the Primarchs. Then it was back to class and pict time. Fulgrim was resigned that he was not going to like this pict due to the events of lunch.

There were some risers they were using to make theh calss pict easier. Some students had their individual picts to take as they had been absent the previous week. Several of the Zero year teachers were there to direct the students when it came time to use the risers. The Primarchs all headed to the back-most riser without being directed. Vulkan went as far back and to the side as he was able, while Alpharius kept to the front of the group.

"Everyone say cheese!" Mamzel Lythia called.

"CHEESE!!!!!!!" the class chorused as the pict-corder went off. Fulgrim followed along with the class, but wasn't really feeling it. None of the Primarchs mentioned the pict until they were waiting to be picked up after school.

"I wonder how that turned out," Lorgar said. He had snuck bunny ears onto Roboute. Malcador had mentioned them once when he was watching them, and it inspired him.

**************

Corvus's favorite pict was their copy of the water ride pict with Valdor. He said it was the funniest pict of Valdor, and a nice reminder that he was still human on some level.

**************

"Let's go on that one, Vulkan!" Corvus said exccitedly. They had stopped for a da yat the amusement park on the forge world of Terensula on their way back from Oceanus. They were still having issues with cabin fever.

Vulkan looked doubtfully at the tall, water-based ride Corvus had pointed out. His face went gray as he tilted his head back.

"Maybe Lion could go with you?" Vulkan asked. The Primarchs were scattered in different groups, trying to follow the Emperor's rule that they ride in pairs or more. Valdor was roaming the park, along with the Emperor and a handful of other Custodians, keeping an eye on the Primarchs.

"I would have to find him first," Corvus said. "Besides, it's not the shitp, you should be fine."

"I still want to pass," Vulkan said. He gave his brother an apologetic look. Corvus hung his head, and prepared to head off for a different ride.

"I'll see if I can go with you, Corvus," Valdor said, stepping over to the two boys. He had came close when Corvus pointed out the water ride. "If Vulkanagrees to wait for us."

"I'll wait," Vulkan said, happy to find a way to let Corvus go on the ride he wanted to go on.

"Really?" Corvus asked at the same moment, face glowing slightly.

"Really," Valdor chuckled. "If I'm allowed to be on the ride at all."

With that, valdor approached the operator for the ride. The acolyte bowed low, taking a second to register his identity. She appeared to be feminene, and raised her head to look questioningly at Valdor.

"How can I assist, lord?" Her voice was surprisingly human sounding.

"Would it be possible for me to go on this ride?" Valdor asked. "I would like to accompany Lord Corax."

The acolyte was quiet while she calculated Valdor's weight against the safety limits. Finally she nodded.

"You will need to be on a car alone with the Lord Corax."

"That's acceptable," Valdor said waving Corvus over to join the line. Vulkan had found a bench to wait for them to go on the ride.

The line was long, but moving smoothly. Corvus was still excited for the ride when it became their turn. The acolyte escorted them to the car that they would share. A few people looked like they wanted to complain, but thought better of it when they saw Valdor. 

The ride started slowly, a loud clanking sound was almost disguiesed by a recording of birdsong, and a servitor droning about the beginning of a river and the journeys of some species of fish as they went to breed each year.

Corvus looked around excitedly, in stark contrast to Valdor who was staring straight ahead as the ride continued. They sat in the middle of their assigned car, providing them the least obstructed view of the ride's surroundings. There were stationary constructs representing animals that might be found on along a river on any world that had them.

The cars levelled out, and the ride went around several gentle turns, picking up speed as they went on. Valdor noted that the tilt of the turns was also increasing slightly. The narration had begun a simplistic story about the animals and life along the river. They abruptly went over the edge of the first drop.

It dove sharply, twisting and turning, and at one point flipping them upside down along the tunnel. Corvus cried out in delight and excitement, echoing the majority of the other passengers. Valdor heard at least one person groan as if they were going to be sick, and someone else cursing quite colorfully from the car behind them.

"Thanks for coming with me," Corvus called over as the ride levelled out again. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the sound of the wind as the ride continued.

Valdor favored Corvus with a smile. Many of the Primarchs tended to put others before themselves. This was very true of Corvus, especially when Vulkan was the other party. Valdor didn't fully understand, but assumed it had something to do with him feeling like he owed Vulkan for their friendship. This was a major reason Valdor had taken Corvus on the ride he wanted to go on.

They rose and fell again before starting the long climb to the main drop, and the pict-corder for the ride. Corvus spotted the cable-feeds that exloaded the picts to display screens at the base of the ride. He realized it was set to be the start of the drop, right as the tracks fell away, and they were getting close.

"Put your hands up, Valdor!" Corvus called as they crested the rise.

Valdor found himself bringing his hands up, a look of total confusion on his face, just in time to be caught by the corder. Corvus was shouting in excitement again as they came crashing down to the end of the ride. 

Vulkan met them at the exit, looking excited and amused himself. He waved them over, grabbing corvus as soon as his brother was close enough.

"That is the funnies pict of Valdor I've seen," Vulkan said excitedly, dragging Corvus over to the display screens. The picts were on a loop so they had to wait a few minutes for it to cycle back around to the one they wanted.

"I love it," Corvus declared when the pict finally came back up. Vulkan was laughing again, and Corvus joined him. They were both so amused by the pict, and some of the faces on other picts, that they didn't see Valdor go to the acolyte who processed payment for copies of the picts.

"I'll take two copies of the pict with Lord Corax and myself."

The acolyte was startled, but recovered quickly. "How would you like them, lord?"

"One on a data waifer, and the other on a holo-projector," Valdor answered. "There should be funds at the admissions office to cover this."

"Of course, lord," the acolyte said, bowing his cowled head and turning to set up the picts. Corvus and Vulkan had discovered Valdor and made their way through the crowd to him, just as the acolyte handed over the copies.

"You bought the pict?" Corvus asked.

"Of course," Valdor said simply. "Your father will be quite happy to add this to the album."