Nysheth's Clutch is Hatching!
10/18/2010
Yakima:
A cold mist had settled over the Weyr the previous night. Riders and dragons had returned from drills or sweeps the evening before, retreating to weyrs where furs had been provided to keep out most of the cold, autumn like weather. For several days, five if one was to have been counting, the climate at Falas Weyr had been like this. Cold. For native Falasian's it was terrible. For others that had come from cooler climates it had been quite nice (how they could be walking around in their typical clothing and be warm most Falasian's couldn't understand!). On this morning, the weather was dropping once again and even they started to complain about the cold.
But the weather would not stop the eggs from hatching. In the Lower Caverns, Raytah kept the weyrfolk busy and the children out of trouble by giving them tasks to do. Several of her helpers were sent to make sure no more of the riders were complaining about not enough furs and other miscellaneous tasks. In the Bowl, K'man's flight rose into the air and vanished between to join Fort Weyr in a drill. For the other riders, all that was left was to keep warm and prepare for a hatching. For J'ren, the day would be spent at Monaco Bay with the Weyrleader while Kahii stayed to help prepare for her dragon's second clutch's hatching. Except the weather, nothing was unusual.
The sun rose, bringing a bit more warmth despite the sunny, cloudless skies. As the hatching drew closer, riders were dispatched to bring in the guests and remaining candidates that had stayed with their families until the day came...
StarFyre:
"Put me down! Put me down, you damn scaly beast!" Liukari hollered as she beat futily on Reno's broad back with both fists. The fact that she was making a scene didn't matter one jot - she was incensed that he'd actually had the terminity to pick her up and carry her like a sack of flour. She'd thought he was joking when he'd threatened to do just that if she didn't come with them! "I can walk just fine!" She snarled as she reached back and tugged on Reno's ponytail. Anything, anything to get him to put her down. This wasn't just undignified, it was annoying, and uncomfortable, and why did this sort of thing have to happen to her?! Liukari conveniently skipped over the fact that 'this sort of thing' happened because she hung out with Reno and Rieno all the time - annoying as they were, she did love them, though sometimes that love was stretched very, very thin...
Reno snorted, "I'll accept that from Rieno, yo, but not lil scamps like ya. I ain't scaly, an y'know it." he said as he changed his grip on Liukari's legs again, pinning her once more in his grasp. He continued his progress into the Weyr, ignoring the round eyes and slack jaws of some of the residents. So what if they were making a scene? These hidebound folk could just swallow a few hundred flies for all Reno cared. As far as he was concerned, he and Rieno were here to party, gamble, and otherwise have some fun. If Liukari left anything of him to do so with, that is. Her tail was thumping against his chest, threatening to leave whip-marks on his hide despite jacket and shirt, definite proof (as if he needed more than her bellowing in his ear and pounding on his back) that she Was. Not. Pleased.
Rieno chuckled and continued to saunter at Reno's side, making sure to place himself on the opposite side to where Liukari was hanging, to keep that much more distance between himself and that whippy-thin tail of hers that Reno had barely contained. Liukari thought she was being so very, very secretive whenever she went off to stare and sigh longingly over the little baby dragons that were in the Clan, but he and his brother knew very well what she was doing. They'd conspired to get her listed without her even being aware of it, and had taken matters into their own hands when she'd proved reluctant to leave her duties at the Clan. Truth was, they'd kidnapped her, right out from under Visarin's nose. That notable, never pleased with the brothers to begin with, was hardly going to be happy to find that his prized Tactician had been kidnapped a few hours before a war council. In fact, Rieno was positive Visarin's fury would reach them despite being on another world.
Linque:
"Rorn! Get it before it gets too--" far, Kova finished inwardly, a sheepish grin lighting her lips as she came to a skidding halt a few feet away from a towering anthrodragon and his apparently unhappy cargo. The only gizmo that she'd brought with her to the Weyr was on its back on the floor, buzzing angrily in response to crashing into Reno's chest. To top it off, a copper firelizard dove onto it, riding it across the floor in an effort to do his friend's bidding and catch it.
Kova snatched both toy flyer and firelizard off of the ground and stuffed them rather unceremoniously into her arms; Rorn uttered a disgruntled (and somewhat muffled) chirrup before scaling over the toy's wreckage and up to his bond's shoulder. "Sorry about that. Got away from me there," Kova said apologetically, jostling her load a bit to give her a free hand to shove through her multicoloured hair. It was only then that she noted the nature of the individuals in front of her, and had to hold back the urge to pounce on one or the other in order to analyze their wings. She'd only been in Falas for a couple of nights, and hadn't encountered anyone quite so...fancy. Certainly she'd never had the opportunity to inspect wings that were physically attached to a humanoid body.
"I'll move aside; you seem to have somewhere to be," she said once she'd managed to successfully squash her insatiable curiosity, tilting her head to the side with mirth in her eyes as she took a guess as to the intent behind the suspended girl and her companions.
Yakima:
((Starfyre/ Linque)) A cream colored winged wolf happened to notice the new arrivals before others did. Of course, with the Weyr darn near empty it was. As the not-very-human-looking figures came closer, Sabbra Rabora, the new delta female of the Weyr's wolf pack, came forward. "And just what are you two here for?" she asked, her ears back. "And why is their a girl," (though she wasn't too sure that was humanoid either for the tail that was lashing about), "over your back? If you're here to cause trouble I'm going to have to..."
StarFyre:
Reno blinked, then grinned in amusement at the girl that had approached them. "'Ey, no harm done, eh? Takes a lot more'n a lil toy plane to hurt the great Reno." He winced as Liukari's tail thwacked into his chest, the tip catching his exposed neck and turning his yellow hide a stinging red in color. "Yeh, like that," Reno chuckled as he jostled Liukari in retaliation. "You standin' too, yo? This here's Liukari, from Akelara." He then turned his attention the wolf that was approaching them, and gave her one of his 'winning' smiles, "Trouble? Us? Me'n m'bro're just here fer some enjoyment, and Liukari's standin'."
Liukari hissed angrily and pushed herself up as far as she could get with help from Reno's ponytail, ignoring the anthro's wince of pain. "It ain't polite to assume things, y'damn brute!" She snarled, "What if I don't wanna stand, eh? Visarin's gunna have yer hide! Screw that, I'm gunna have yer damn hide! As a coat!"
Rieno couldn't help but laugh at Liukari's fury. "Reno'd make a bad coat. Hide's too thick fer a lil girl like you to wear." He flicked his wings jauntily at the winged wolf and grinned, hand tapping absently at his sheathed-and-folded electro-rod. "Why would y'ever accuse lil ol' us of trouble, yo?"
Yakima:
Sabbra snorted. "You look like trouble makers," she told them. "Fine, have it your way but I have my eye on you...both of you. If she's here to stand she'll have to talk to Raytah in the Lower Caverns." With a snort, the cream wolf strode away, her nose in the air and tail waving like a flag. She would have to let Eunos and Sesep know about these two. At least to keep an eye on them. Sending a mental call to the omega, Meahu, she felt satisfied that Raytah would have enough of a warning. After all, creatures like that didn't visit Falas often though there were stories.
Dray:
As the sun rose higher over the Weyr's rim, two dragons blinked from Between that had never been spotted on Falas before. The truth was that they had never set wing to Pern's air, and it was obvious at a glance that they were foreigners from strange worlds of their own. The behemoth of a gold dragon circled lazily on tattered wings, her short tail strangely braided, her shoulders dotted with six, snake-like heads around one central, more familiarly shaped muzzle. The second dragon, less than half the queen's size, was a spectacle even in broad daylight: her slim, feathered wings cut the air like fiery scimitars, and, along with her long, trailing tail-feathers, she left a smoldering trail of steam in her wake. It was obvious that, if nothing else, the Weyr had received some unexpected attention from the rest of the Nexus.
Though they'd received a warning bugle from the watch dragon, the gold trumpeted in six voices, her voice deep and resonant, and it seemed to either put the watch dragon at ease, or else shut him up! Cwynnanth, the hydra queen, came in low over the Weyr Bowl and seemed to hover for a few moments over the open lake, before dropping the last few feet with an epic splash that had waves three, four, five feet high roiling to shore. She paddled to the lake's edge, impervious to the facet-eyed stares of other dragons, though her smaller heads did hiss connivingly to one another, as if telling secrets. When she'd come out of the shallows, she kneeled down so that two women could slide down to her immense forearm. Only when they had dismounted and the queen had returned to the frigid water did the flaming draconic creature come anywhere near, and even then, she avoided the puddles left by Cwynnanth as if they were made of acid.
"Isn't this place lovely?" Helion chirped, settling and resettling her fiery wings, tethering her tail-feathers against her tail to avoid burning anybody. "A view right out to the ocean, just like home."
"Only someone who was on fire would think this place was lovely," the older woman quipped, shoving her riding gloves into her leather jacket. "I can see my breath; this place might as well be the god damned north pole."
"Mother," the younger girl chided. She did look much like the elder woman, though her hair was brown while her mother's was pale blonde. "If you don't like it, you can go home." She was only about fourteen, though she sounded older; Acha had never been very good at being a child.
"And let you here by yourself? Look at these people, dear -- they're militant types, doing drills, at war. I'm not leaving my baby in the midst of soldiers."
"I can handle myself," Acha retorted, fuming. "Besides, if you'd done your research, you'd know that Weyrfolk only worry about Thread, not other people."
Her mother scoffed, rudely, managing to put Acha into a place of silent, teenage fury. Luckily, as they crossed the grassy path that ran from the lake to the hatching sands, Helion chirruped a distracting note. "Ahh, look at this, other Candidates! And folks from far-off places, too!" The fiery gryphon had her golden eyes fixed on the Reno's, her flaming antenna-like head-feathers perked far forward in her curiosity.
Acha and her mother, Chate, took note of the other two girls who were lingering by the anthropomorphic dragons. Other Candidates, indeed? "Well well, look at this. Competition, I imagine," Chate had since crossed her arms over her chest, and was whispering hoarsely to her daughter.
"Mother, I'm not going to bond a gold," she protested. "Can you please drop it?"
Chate clucked her tongue, giving the two girls a proper glare as they drew nearer. "Of course you'll bond the gold, my dear, you and your sister both have royal blood."
"And tainted blood, too, if you'd believe half the Nidus -- besides, dragons don't care what kind of blood you've got in you," the girl replied. She didn't want to be having this conversation, and definitely didn't want to be introduced by her mother, of all people. "Please go away!"
"Ungrateful," Chate exclaimed, only half-serious in her chiding. "Fine, I'll take a seat and ensure that you're with the proper group of girls. You get yourself acquainted, size up your competition!"
"Mother!" But Chate had strolled off, determination and command in her every movement. Acha was left alone with the towering Helion, standing before the growing group at the entrance of the hatching grounds. Realizing that she was no longer standing in her mother's shadow, the girl felt somehow more vulnerable. "Um... hello," she greeted the other two. She cursed herself inwardly for making such an unpromising first impression.
jess:
Juri had gotten to Falas quite late, and she was close to angry with her uncle for taking so long to get her here. But as she could never truly be mad at Uncle Gaven, she settled for annoyed. But even that didn't last for long. There was far too much going on for her to stay focused on any one thing for too long. She practically bounced with excitement; she'd finally been Searched! She twisted her braid in one hand, as she looked around, standing mostly out of the main flow of people. "I wonder how long until the hatching," she wondered aloud.
Linque:
Kova smiled in kind, moving aside anyway as the winged wolf approached the anthros before her. She wondered if the Weyr would have any need for a smith-in-residence in the event that she didn't Impress; the opportunities to study different wing structures were absolutely boundless! "Aye, I'm standing; Kova's the name," she replied, electing to take a step or two back as the unwillingly present Liukari lashed out and struck the smaller of the two. The smith's attention shifted as Rorn began tugging at the stiff wool collar of her sweater; as she arched a brow at him inquiringly, he pointedly flashed some images of the eggs on the Sands. "I know, Rorn, we'll get there, don't worry...just had to test this out once, and now I'm set!"
Kova pat the copper reassuringly and turned back to the unwilling Candidate and her...friends? Enforcers? "I can take you to Raytah if you'd like..." she offered, voice trailing as two more unusual visitors appeared above the Weyr and offered a whole new spectacle to behold. She was temporarily mesmorized by the view as the great golden beast spiralled landward and then settled in the lake, the back of her mind wondering just how much of the world (worlds?) she had missed out on by focusing her life so thoroughly on one trade in one Hall. She managed to recover by the time the passengers of the unique creatures actually approached, and without missing a beat thrust her mostly free hand toward the younger of the two. "Hello! I'm Kova; welcome to Falas!" Still perched on her shoulder, Rorn uttered a soft snort, knowing that Kova would miss the Hatching all together if she didn't stop distracting herself.
StarFyre:
Liukari's ear-fins twitched as she stared down at Acha from her position slung over Reno's shoulder, her green eyes sweeping over the other candidate for a moment, before she snorted. She'd seen that entire scene between the girl and her... mother? and felt some sympathy for the other girl. She rested her elbow on Reno's back and rested her chin on her hand, "Yo. Name's Liukari. Welcome to hell."
Luna:
It wasn't often that Ellaria found herself alone while crossing the Falas Weyrbowl, and today would be no different. Padding quietly at her side, her Father's winged wolf companion was a slim shadow of a thought, neither looking to the left nor the right. Sighing, the young half-elf wished for not the first time that she hadn't been born first, nor to such an overprotective father as Palan. Up ahead, she thought her eyes might be deceiving her, but it looked like a giant dragon with six heads had descended. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes as if to clear them, and looked again.
Drawn from his half-doze half-walk security detail, Alarn's silvery white wings tensed when Ellaria stopped, his eyes following hers until he saw what was waiting for them up ahead, which was considerably more then just one odd six headed dragon. "Perhaps you should turn back Ellaria, I do not think you father would-"
"Oh come on Alarn! Look, no one has sounded the alarm! Let's go say hi!" And with that, the dark haired girl darted away from the black wolf, waving to some of the newcomers enthusiastically.
Xalia:
Sanae fiddled idly with a lock of her hair and looked around the weyrbowl. Still not accustomed to so many humans, she was mildly uncomfortable, but still, she was comfortable in her human form so she tried to pretend they were all very plain colored goprin. It didn't quite work, but it made her feel a little better. For her part, she was quite spectacularly colored. Her hair grew in shades of green and blue with a hint of yellow here and there. In her human form it was separated into splotches so the lock she was playing with was yellow and the rest looked like she'd gone a little crazy with the blue and green dyes...if she'd been human anyways. The light fuzz of skin that all humans had was present as well, but was also mostly blue and green with spots of yellow which gave her skin a cold/sikly cast which she found disturbed most humans. She grinned as she settled herself on the ground just outside the lower caverns, folding her legs beneath her and peering around curiously. Perhaps she'd have to start a conversation with one of these humans, just to find out a little more about this place. She'd already managed to find herself a fire lizard which so far was a most annoying creature, being of the talking variety. Kip, as she'd named him, was currently sleeping in her pocket, having eaten himself into a stupor once again. He was young, so she tried to convince herself that he'd grow and mature into something less irritating, but she wasn't really buying it...
Dray:
Looking warily over Kova's hand, as she suspected the other girl to have a dagger hidden in her sleeve, Acha returned the hand-shake after a moment, dipping her head in greeting. "I'm Acha Chenyr, from Nidus Corona." She looked up at Liukari and quirked a thin brow... however, she had learned her manners well enough not to question the girl's predicament.
Helion, on the other hand, cared nothing for manners when they intruded upon her curiosity, which was often. Nosing foreward and eyeballing Reno, she wondered aloud, "Why ever are you carrying this girl around like a sack of potatoes? She obviously wants down, and she has nowhere to run!"
Thusly side-tracked, Acha caught sight of the mumbling Juri, and then of Ellaria who was bounding in their direction. It was true... there were a lot of female Candidates around, if her eyes weren't deceiving her. A flutter of nerves settled in her stomach, despite the fact that she had so enthusiastically protested her mother's whims. Acha had a feeling that the more female Candidates there were, the more strung out her mother would be in the stands... and that would probably be trouble.
StarFyre:
Reno smirked at Helion's question and responded, "Y'sure she ain't got nowhere t'run, yo? Seems t'be a whole weyr fer her t'vanish in, and I'd bet m'life she's plannin' jes that in that twisty lil head a'hers, yo." He briefly lost hold of Liu's tail, then recaptured it a moment later before she could whack him with it again. Really, tihs was all fun and games to him and his brother - getting Liukari what she really wanted, but refused to permit herself time to acquire it was great fun, especially as it let him pull Visarin's tail at the same time! "She be a tactician, y'know - they always got things goin' on upstairs."
"You better believe it!" Liukari snarled, "And I'm planning revenge right now you damn beast!" Which wasn't entirely a lie, but wasn't entirely true either. Oh, she was planning things, like how to smuggle more cats into the brothers rooms, and how to make sure Reno took a very undignified spill into the nearby lake, but she'd never do anything to really hurt the two. She liked them too much, mores the pity.
Yakima:
Jeyaa was making her way to the Lower Caverns when the new arrivals appeared. Zenn vanished at the sight of the large, multi-headed gold, but Talis remained on her shoulder, starting at it. Tentatively, the daughter of J'tha and Dlyza made her way to the new arrivals. With Kahii busy being the Weyrwoman, J'ren and K'man gone, their really was no one here. She had to curse the foolish Fort Weyrleader for his timing in drills. She was making her way toward them when she heard them first. The thundering of little paws over the ground. Jeyaa turned just in time to brace herself from the onslaught of puppies that seemed to come out of no where.
"Je-Je!"
"Play with us!"
"All dragons go bye-bye!"
Zenn appeared, flapping his wings as if trying to shoe them off. One puppy jumped up and grabbed him in her mouth, laughing. "Got fire-wizard!" was muffled cry. Jeyaa was a little perplexed at first, then reached down to save Zenn.
"No, there is a hatching today. We can't play. You should go find something to do like..."
One silver puppy shook his head. "Nope. We were told to go met people so that we have options." Jeyaa sighed. It was always dangerous going to the Lower Cavern's when the wolves let the pups out of the den to socialize -- if not highly entertaining. "Lets get them!" he cried and bolted toward the group of new comers.
"That one is on fire!" a female's voice cried.
Jeyaa rolled her eyes and stalked after the puppies. This was not going to be fun. At least Annuath was willing to help if things got too out of control.
jess:
As she looked around, Juri's attention was grabbed repeatedly by a wide variety of sights, and she couldn't figure out where to head first. Then, she noticed a very unusual looking girl not too far away. She had green and blue hair, and she was tugging on it, just like Juri was tugging on her own. The young girl moved closer to Sanae. "Hi! I'm Juri! Are you here for the hatching too?"
StarFyre:
"Oh hell," Rieno muttered as he saw the oncoming puppies. "Oh, hell. Please, Aki, let me get outta this without takin' 'ome another furry flyin' thing, yo." He was fully aware of the contradition inherent in praying to a feline goddess of chaos, but that didn't stop him from doing so.
Yakima:
((Xalia & Jess)) A slim young woman was leaving the Lower Caverns, a young night blue firelizard on her shoulders. She was a little preoccupied with things in her mind, her face drawn in concentration. Because of this, she never noticed the two near the door as she walked on, a basket in her hands. When she did notice them, she tripped and with a yelp fell, startling her young firelizard. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said. "You're not hurt are you?" She began to gather the herbs and other ingredients into the basket...
Dray:
Helion twisted her head around on her neck, imitating an owl. She was perplexed, and amused, and eyed Acha with some sort of mild envy. "Y'know," she replied to Liukari, mimicking also the boy's voices, for they were ever so amusing! "Y'might wanna consider th'pros've yer little situation. Y'could be sprawled over my back, which'd make you a smelly cinder faster'n y'could snap yer fingers three times, yo."
Acha, despite herself, couldn't manage to quite hide a giggle that had sprung to her lips. She was distracted, then, by the balls of fluff and feathers that were vaulting towards them with what seemed to be great speed. If she was lucky, they wouldn't notice her -- she had enough trouble with puppies at Nidus Corona's Wolf Keep... the last thing that she wanted to do was get caught up wrestling strangers, here!
"Eeeh, fluffy little things!" Helion was also distracted, but she shifted from paw to paw in excitement as the wolves came closer. "You are all so cute! C'mere, but don't touch the sparklies!" She fluffed her own feathers, throwing off a shower of embers that might or might not leave little burn-marks on the clothing of everyone nearby...
Xalia:
(( jess Yakima )) Sanae turned her head to regard the young woman who'd approached her and smiled lazily, flicking the lock of hair from her fingers. "Hi Juri, yeah, I'm here for the hatching. The name's Sanae." Just then a young woman tripped right by her and her eyes widened as she threw out a hand to try to steady her but missed. "Nope, not hurt, are you?" Sanae picked up her yellow lock of hair again and started twirling it around her fingers. The gesture was obviously subconscious as with the other hand she picked up one of the bundles of herbs that had come flying from the woman's basket.
Yakima:
(Xalia) "No, I'm not. Silence seems to be fine, too," she muttered, letting out a sigh. "Oh! Do be careful with those. I need them all intact for..." then she cut herself off. Their were things she simply could not mention right now...
StarFyre:
Liukari rolled her eyes and flattened her fin-ears in annoyance. Why oh why did everyone have to talk like Reno and Rieno whenever those two were around? She had even found herself doing it a time or two, and she was supposed to know better! "The only pro of this situation izzat while these two're doing this, they're not gettin' into trouble elsewhere!"
Yakima:
The puppies skidded to a halt, fasinated by the fire-bathed creature but having enough insticts not to get to close or touch. They danced and yipped around excitedly, asking questions to fast for most people to comprehend. Finally, Jeyaa mad her way toward them. "Sorry," she said. "They were let out of their dens a few days ago and a little too eager to meet new people," she sighed. "I'm Jeyaa, rider of cream-white Annuath. Are you here for the hatching?"
jess:
(( Xalia Yakima )) Juri jumped back when the young woman stumbled near them, but quickly rushed to help her pick up her dropped things. "I'm not hurt, but that didn't look like it felt good!" At the other girl's warning, she made sure that she handled everything carefully, as she handed them back. She was curious when the girl trailed off, but had been taught not to pry. And she mostly tried to behave...
StarFyre:
Reno reached out and tousled Rieno's head-fur-hair with his free paw, "Me'n m'bro're here t'watch, have fun, an' otherwise get inter mischie-- er, not get inter mischief." He grinned at Jeyaa, then jostled Liukari, "This 'ere's Liukari. She's here t'stand."
Yakima:
Above the Weyr, the thunderous noise of four wings of dragons echoed. As the watch dragon, blue Tiarenth and his rider Qu'lar, announced the return of K'man's flight, a dark dragon appeared above the lake. From the hatching Sands Nysheth bugled a welcome to her mate. It's about time, she chided him. He only replied in mocking return as he brought his rider to their weyr to get ready for the hatching.
We have some strange visitors, Ainnth remarked to his rider, his eyes went to the strange gold swimming in the lake. Very strange,
It was an open invitation, J'ren sighed. And Kahii's bright idea.
You know she is right, Ainnth told him matter-of-factually. J'ren didn't reply as he dismounted and went to prepare for the hatching. Their were many other things he wanted to do first but he had to wait. Kahii joined him in a moment, confirming the time of the hatching and that she had already told Raytah to find all the candidates. Then the two young Weyrleaders of Falas changed into their hatching-day cloths.
Below, Meahu was running around finding all the candidates. She had already found two of the queen candidates. But there were some missing. Remembering Sabbra's earlier call, she raced from the Lower Caverns, barely seeing Calyenna picking up her herbs (and completely missing two other canidates in the process) and raced for the little scene -- only to find all seven puppies from Sesep and Akinna's litters crowding around the strange visitors. She hadn't even reached them when the humming started...
Xalia:
(( jess Yakima )) Sanae grinned and brushed some dirt off the next clump she picked up. "No damage done." While she had some of a cat's curious nature, she was notably dull when it came to subtleties so she completely missed the woman trailing off. "So, Juri, are you from around here?"
Luna:
Distracted long enough by the puppies and strange new beings for Alarn to catch up with her, Ellaria's head snapped around when the humming started. Eyes wide, she looked towards the older winged wolf and gulped. She was supposed to stand... but should she?
Dray:
Helion squawked a laugh at the pups, answering almost as quickly as they questioned, "I'm on fire because I was born that way, because I'm a gryphon-dragon, and gryphons are fiery creatures -- yes they will burn, no I can't control that, but at least I'm warm, right?" She swatted at the little pups with her fire-free forepaws, gentle but playful.
Acha looked up at Liukari, who was older than her by enough to place her in what seemed like a different world. It really was funny, she had to admit. "You know, if they're built the same way as regular humans, you could get them there with your knees, there with your arms, and maybe there with your tail. Careful with that one, though, they'd be hurting for a while."
And then the humming broke out. Acha felt her heart leap into her throat, and gasped, "Oh, that's it, then." It sounded less exuberant than she felt, though at the moment she didn't have time to analyze her tone of voice. She turned towards the woman who was hurrying towards them, folding her slim arms across her flat chest to belay her growing excitement.
StarFyre:
"AM NOT!" Liukari shot back again, then suddenly went silent as things started happening. She'd never been around a Pern-clutch before, but the sense of imminent happening was the same as a Myrsilk hatching, and the humming was near enough to the welcome-song that she knew...
Reno glanced at Meahu, then back to Jeyaa, "So, that be th'cue, right? Where d' I drop Liu off so's she can't get 'way, yo?"
Xalia:
(( jess Yakima )) Sanae looked around in surprise as the weyr seemed to start vibrating with a loud humming. "What in the name of...er...what's that!?"
jess:
(( Xalia Yakima )) "Not from Falas, but I do live near another weyr. It's not too far away, but far enough that I've never been here before. It looks like it would be fun to live here," she finished saying, just as the humming started. "Oh! The humming started! That means the eggs are getting ready to hatch! We better get to the sands!"
Yakima:
(Xalia and Jess) Yenna blinked, her lower lip being bitten in her concentration as the last leaf was picked up. "The hatching," she said quietly. "If you're here to stand I would get into the Lower Caverns and find Raytah, the Headwoman. I have to go. Sorry I can't help amy more then that..." and the black-haired elf left them...
Xalia:
(( jess )) "The eggs are hatching? Then let's get in there!" Sanae grinned and leapt to her feet, once again flicking the strand of hair from her fingers. "You know the way? I'm still learning my way arond this maze..."
StarFyre:
"Do you know what happens to people who decide my future, Reno?" Liukari growled as he carried her off across the cavern. "Bad things. Terrible things. Like uppity dragons taking a dip in the lake, or more cats showing up in a certain set of rooms. Or other fluffy things that grow attached quickly. I will find things that fit! Maybe I'll even ask for a wolf-pup!"
jess:
(( Xalia )) "Well, I'm still kinda new, too, but I think it's this way." She headed into the door Yenna had come from before she tripped over them. "It should be too hard to find; everyone else will be heading there too!"
Xalia:
Ophana stalked into the weyrbowl in a temper, her chin-length auburn hair looking blowsy and tousled from her run. "Of course, that witch leaves without me and I get here just in time to hear the humming start! I bet she doesn't even know what the humming means!" she muttered as she pushed herself back into a labored jog. When she got hold of Sanae, (post-hatching...though she figured she wasn't likely to impress showing up this late, she wanted to make sure all her energy went into that gold when the time came...) she'd give her whatfor!
StarFyre:
"The only probably with most of that is that the damn lug's ready for it," Liukari grouched absently to Acha as soon as she realized Reno was doing that 'ignore the sack of flour' trick of his. "Why do you think he's got my tail pinned down? And hitting him with my knees is as effective as hitting a brick wall." She snorted and jabbed at Reno's side with a fist, just because she could. "Stupid warrior."
Xalia:
(( jess )) "Sounds good! Lead away!" Sanae grinned, picking up that same strand of hair as she moved in the direction Juri indicated. "This is kinda exciting!"
Dray:
Acha laughed again, despite herself. Now that they were filtering in towards the hatching sands, it was nice to have someone to talk to, even if she had to take several strides to Reno's one to keep up with them. "Well if you wanted, I might be able to help... though most of the people I box with aren't... that big?" They were also not quite so anthropomorphic!
Linque:
As the humming began, Kova was treated to an I-told-you-so glare from Rorn. He tugged the wreckage of her toy from her arms and winked between with it while Kova jogged the few steps left to get to Raytah, sending thoughts of gratitude toward her little friend for thinking to dispose of her contraption.
Yakima:
Panting, Meahu skidded to a halt next to the group. Her snarl and warning to the puppies send them back toward the Lower Caverns. "We have a hatching and I can't deal with the lot of you now. Get back and make yourself useful!" The pups scattered. "You, any of you candidates?" She never waited for a reply. "Raytah needs you all I the caverns NOW to get your robes! Hurry! Move it! You, if she's standing you better let her go or I'll be the one biting your heals!" As the omega, yes this was the packs omega, barked her orders out, dragon riders quickly departed to get more guests, others drifted toward the sands, and two blue riders made their way to the Lower Caverns, a deck of cards being shuffled as they went...
Dray:
Helion was careful as people began in towards the hatching grounds not to brush her fiery wings against anyone, though she was sure that some people who got too close would be complaining over split ends for days to come... in any case, once they were in the cavern proper, she found an empty spot and opened her wings wide, launching herself up to the dragon-tiers. Helion was probably about the size of one of Falas' blues, so she fit in quite snugly... hoping that her strange appearance wouldn't scare anyone off, she found a tier loaded with other dragons and landed upon it, doing her best to hum along with them, though her voice posed more of a warble.
Xalia:
Ophana heard the tail-end of what Meahu said as she jogged across the weyrbowl and heaved a sigh of relief as she staggered back into a brisk walk. Well, if these were candidates and they were still being rounded up then she wasn't too late. She took a deep breath trying to catch it after running so far and to steady her nerves and marched stately toward the Lower Caverns to get her robe.
jess:
(( Xalia Yakima )) "Hatchings are usually exciting, from what I've heard! I've only been to one other, and I was not standing, of course. Mother finally decided I was old enough to be officially Searched." She led the way, and soon found the Raytah woman Yenna had mentioned. "We're here to stand!"
StarFyre:
Laughing, Reno tipped Liukari over his shoulder and set her back onto her feet. "Guess I'd better leave ya, then, yo." He reached out and ruffled her deep red hair, grinning at the snarl that she sent his way. "No 'scapin' now, y'hear?" He waved his finger in front of Liukari's nose. Turning, he ruffled Acha's hair as he passed her, heading back the way they'd come. "Keep an eye on m'lil crazed tactician, eh? G'luck y'two!"
Yakima:
(Xalia) Raytah snorted, handing them some robes. "You better hurry up and change. I hate this rushing stuff. And where is Meahu! I need her help here!" The middle aged woman sighed and, after directing them to the room to change, left to get the rest of her staff in order.
Dray:
Acha ducked out of the ruffling before he could finish the job, wrinkling her nose and needing a moment or two to settle down again. She wasn't used to that kind of attention, and it rankled her a little to get it! She looked across the hall and spotted a blonde -- her mother -- waving to get her attention, and gesticulating to the lower caverns where several other Candidates were hurrying. Rolling her eyes, she pointed the direction out for Liukari, as well. "Well, if you're not going to run, we'd better go that way," she stated in all of her teenage wisdom. She had begun to unbutton her riding jacket, revealing the heavy vest and arm plates beneath. It looked as though she were getting ready for a fight, not a hatching!
Xalia:
(( jess Yakima )) Sanae took the robe that was handed to her and moved toward the indicated room. "Yikes, white robes...I'm going to stand out like a sore thumb in this!" But she laughed and flicked her strand of hair away from her fingers again.
StarFyre:
Liukari stuck her tongue out at Reno's back in a moment of childishness, then put her hair back in order. "Cats. Winged cats. Or dogs. Maybe they'll let me take some of those pups home with me to stick with Reno and his brother." She turned to Acha then, and sighed as she saw that Reno had ruffled Acha's hair as well. "Gah, sorry about that. They're... a bit touchy-feely sometimes. Can't resist hair or fur." The armor that Acha was wearing definitely sent Liukari's eyes to widen slightly, then narrow just as quickly. "Armor?" She asked as she followed in her new-friend-through-shared-misery's steps.
Yakima:
As Raytah gathered candidates, sending them to change into the robes and sandles for the sands, N'vin came down to the Lower Caverns to get the Queen candidates. Behind him was Z'ril, L'gal and Miwah. "We're here for the girls standing for the queen," the middle aged wingleader announced. Our wings have some blues and greens to take the others in." Raytah raised her eyebrow. "Well, we getting all fancy for the senior queen's clutch?" N'vin only rolled his eyes. With a grin she turned to bark her orders.
jess:
(( Yakima Xalia )) Juri took her robe, thanked Raytah, and darted into the changing room. It only took her a few seconds to change. "Nah, you won't stick out. Everyone else will be dressed the same way!" She stepped back out of the room. "Hmm, I think I'm a bit smaller than the usual candidate," she commented, as the hem dragged the floor by a couple of inches. But she wasn't going to slow things down by hunting for a smaller one. "Okay, which way to the eggs?"
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Ophana made her way into the Lower Caverns just in time to hear the exchange between N'vin and Raytah. "I'm a queen candidate! Give me just a moment to change..."
Dray:
Moving along, receiving their robes one at a time, Acha replied, "my mother," with an eye-roll that indicated that she had had just about enough of the older woman, "insisted on it. Pernese dragonets are vicious little things before they bond, and she worried that I might get an arm torn off, or worse." She threw the robe on over her protective garments, adding, "especially since I'm supposed to be standing for a gold." As she spoke, the elder dragon riders marched into the room, and she sighed. "Well, that's me. Good luck out there!" She waved to Liukari and hurried over to the wingleader, joining the crowd of other girls who were straggling in.
Linque:
Kova accepted her robe with a gracious "thanks m'am" and squeezed past her fellow Candidates to the first available changing room. She shucked off her thick sweater and was already negotiating the robe over her head while wriggling out of her worn trousers, also calling out to Rorn as she did so to see if he could be so kind as to put her clothing wherever he'd tucked her flyer. The ghostwing copper appeared a moment later, ready to accept the hasty bundle that she'd made by stuffing the pants inside of the shirt and disappear with it. The smith cursed under her breath as her eyes fell on the sandals, and with a sigh she tugged off her boots and hoped she might be able to find them again on day as she tossed them in a corner. The slipped the sandals on and exited the changing room just in time to catch the announcement about dragons waiting to take Candidates to the Sands, and slipped into the tail end of the line forming for non-Queen Candidates.
Yakima:
As the candidates formed lines and were sent to riders, the dragons rose into the air. Blue and green slipped easily through the open skylight that was still open despite the chilly air. (some claimed steam was seen through it from the heat of the sands meeting the cooler air). Once the dragons landed, the candidates dismounted, and they had left, the four bronze dragons appeared and deposited the queen candidates next to the rocking golden egg. Nysheth was hovering but a little farther back then one expected. Ainnth was near her, the gold against dark, midnight blue a striking contrast. Under the order of S'mar the candidates formed a circle around the eggs...
Xalia:
(( Yakima jess )) Sanae took her turn in the changing room and winced that she hadn't thought of this beforehand as she pulled a sleeping Kip from her pocket and searched her robe in vain. No pockets she could tuck him into and he was too sleepy to stay on her shoulder. She came back out with her clothes in a bundle and the still very young fire lizard curled peacefully on top. She looked uncertainly back and forth between Juri and the woman who seemed to be in charge. "I don't mean to be a bother but will he be safe if I just leave him here?"
StarFyre:
Liukari blinked at Acha's casual statement about the viciousness of the hatchlings before they bonded. Myrsilk were never vicious, except on accident.. most of them, really, could hardly have less to do with two-legs even if they tried. It just wasn't in their make-up to care one way or another, she supposed. She pulled the robe on absently, not even bothering taking her regular clothes off, then accepted the ride into the sands and took her place. ... Why was she here again? Oh, right. The brothers.
Dray:
Having played on or near other dragons at the Nidus, slipping from her Bronze escort's shoulder was no problem for Acha, even if the sand was terribly hot under her sandaled feet. She glanced from Nyshet to Ainnth, to the other girls, to the egg... and then caught sight of her mother. Chate was in the stands, speaking animatedly with another old person, gesturing with her arms in a way that spoke of dismissive disdain, rather than enthusiasm. Acha scowled, then focused her attention on the egg again. She wasn't going to look for her mother if her mother was going to get caught up with locals at a time like this.
Xalia:
(( Yakima Dray )) Ophana slid carefully from the back of the Bronze that had flown her in and prided herself at not hopping at all at the heat radiating up through her thin sandals. She offered a smile at the other girl there but didn't say anything when she saw the young woman was scowling at the stands.
Dray:
After a few minutes, the worst of the heat of Acha's anger had died out, and she managed to drag her eyes away from the golden egg. Noticing a girl had actually gone ahead and offered her up a smile, now she felt a little sheepish, so she nodded back and found herself playing with some hair that had strayed over her crossed arms. "So, what's your name? I'm Acha Chenyr."
Xalia:
(( Dray )) "Ophana Reinor," she replied, running her hands through her hair as she realized it was probably mussed beyond belief. Not sure if she'd achieved the smooth look she was hoping for she gave the girl another smile, though this one was decidedly more tentative. "You ready for this?"
Yakima:
The first of the eggs hatched which ended up being in a quick sucession. Wet, creeling dragonets spilled onto the sands, some lurching for the candidates
Dray:
(( Xalia )) Acha turned to regard the hatching as it had begun, feeling her heart, for a moment, in her throat. "You know," she admitted, "I kept telling myself that up until now, but I'm not so sure." Feeling the need to keep occupied while the dragonets began to make their way to the Candidates -- Gods, they were much closer than usual! -- she added, "back home, we have hatchings all the time, but the Sands are kept in a big... sort of barn-like building, since we don't have caves. Nothing as big as this. I used to watch when I was a kid, but I've never stood before..."
Yakima:
The first to leave the safety of her shell was a little green with a speckled hide. She was small, much smaller then those around her. perhaps the only reason she had hatched was because of a sibling smashing her egg. Though she wasn't as dainty as a true sport, she was smaller then a green. She lumber through the sands, looking for someone -- and trying not to get hit.
Xalia:
(( Dray )) "I've never stood before either," replied Ophana, watching as the dragonets made their way toward the other candidates. "I think I'm ready, but the only thing I know about hatchings is what I've read in books!" She turned her attention to the big gold egg and took a deep breath.
Linque:
Kova just had time to locate her parents, siblings, and Rorn up in the stands when the sharp crack of the first shell breaking brought her full attention back to the event at hand. Once again she was plagued with her typical curiosity; the wings of the little ones seemed so fragile, and she wondered at the biology behind the stiffening of wing membranes and the general rapid growth that would follow for the dragonets. She glanced around to the other Candidates, offering an encouraging smile for any who looked uneasy, 'til she heard her elder brother's voice from the stands--"Don't just stand there! Focus, Kova!" The smith took a deep breath and nodded. Right. Focus. But on which one?
jess:
Juri stood on the hot sands for a moment, before beginning to fidget. It was a little hotter than she was expecting, and she was about to start shifting from foot to foot, when she saw the first bunch of eggs hatch. Then, for a rare span, the eggs and hatchlings had her full attention.
Xalia:
Sanae grinned in wonder as the first of the eggs hatched. She had been shifting surreptitiously from foot to foot but now she stood still, not even twirling her hair as she focussed on the hatchlings tumbling from their shells. She knew you were supposed to project love at them to impress but there were so many that she wasn't sure which one to focus on!
StarFyre:
Liukari clasped her hands behind her back and watched the hatchlings that meandered about the sands, her mind keeping track of every bit of movement out there. While she wasn't tense precisely, plans were already skipping through her head on how to move if this one or that one were to get too close, or were to threaten her with tooth or claw or tail. She'd gotten into this, albeit only because the brothers had tricked her, so by Sh'nalla's Grace she'd see it through.
Yakima:
Another green, this one speckled with gold and copper, stumbled forward, too, her eyes trying to find the very one who she sought.
Dray:
(( Xalia )) Briefly watching the runty green's struggle, Acha bit her lip at Ophana's explanation, then, when she felt she was less likely to say something offensive, told her, "well, the important thing is to keep your mind open, or so I'm told. If you freak out at the last second, something as big as that," she jerked her chin at the golden egg, "is probably going to feel it and freak out right back, and they have sharp claws..." Realizing that she was making some of the other Queen Candidates nervous, she offered up a nervous chuckle. "But chances are, with all of us here, she'll find someone before she gets too angry. Just think soothing and commanding thoughts, you know? 'Hey, I'm here if you need me, come this way and I'll feed you,' stuff like that."
Yakima:
As the two greens made their way over shells, sands and siblings' tails, a black hovered in the warm sands, his eyes roving around, tail lashing but not moving. He was confused and was trying to figure something out, other then the nagging hunger.
A copper was next, his red-orange hide shimmering with black as if splashed with ink. He was the size of a blue and pushed through hopeful male candidates with a lashing tail and a temper. Like the brown sized black, he was confused but was going to take this head on.
Xalia:
(( Dray )) Ophana came close to rolling her eyes, but stopped herself. She'd read some very good books on the subject and she knew that much, what she wasn't sure of was what it was like to actually be here, not just reading about it! But she smiled, "Thanks, that helps!"
Yakima:
As a blue Impressed a boy, and a green found her choosen, a small pale figure, like a ghost, slipped through and away from the others. She was regale, graceful and also speckled with blue. She was small, like a typical sport. She knew who she wanted she just had to find her...
Dray:
( Xalia ) It seemed like the gold egg was taking its time in shaking open, so as their conversation trailed off, Acha turned her attention back to the rest of the hatching sands. "Now, that's strange," she pointed to the black, and to the copper. "I've seen quarter and half-Pernese dragons that might be that colour, but aren't purebloods supposed to range through five?"
Linque:
Kova inhaled deeply once more to ground herself, and then took slow steps forward toward the dragonets, trying to walk a thin line between seeming welcoming without seeming aggressive. Her path was taking her toward the greens, but she still found herself torn--the smaller one seemed to be in need of some help to avoid being trampled, but the little one speckled with gold and copper was a little closer. Kova lost a bit of her steam and stopped where she was; it didn't seem quite right to try and force a choice on the hatchlings by being the one who got to them first. She glanced back to the others, seeing if anyone else was feeling bold enough to approach the dragonets.
Xalia:
(( Dray )) "Oh, I know this!" replied Ophana. "I read that Falas has some special genetics lab and they've produced a plethora of other colors. Certainly makes things more interesting, doesn't it?"
Yakima:
As Kova stepped closer, the green with gold and copper looked at her then took a step foward. Another candidate tried to head her off but she shrieked and jumped foward to claw at the girl...
StarFyre:
The black that stood to one side caught Liukari's eyes for a moment and she had a moment of sympathy for the dragonet, even though it had been a long time since she'd last felt completely overwhelmed to the point of confusion. The others though... some of them needed tabs kept on them. Especially that pale dragonet who walked like she knew where she was going - getting in the way of that sort of determination wasn't wise!
Xalia:
Sanae watched one girl move forward and took a cautious step forward herself. Not having near enough knowledge of Pernese dragons, or any dragons for that matter, she wasn't sure if she was supposed to approach the dragonets or wait for one to make it's way to her. She eyed the boys, feeling herself much more suited to a male dragon than a female, and took another cautious step forward.
Dray:
Acha watched the two dragonets as they nosed through their choices, and nodded in an absent fashion. "My mother's Queen has had some off colours, but I don't think that it had anything to do with genetic tinkering -- she's half Pernese, half hydra... most of those hatchings were much less... tame?" her voice took an upward swing as she sought the right word, "than this. I suppose it makes sense, the father there doesn't look like an average blue."
Yakima:
as the queen egg rocked hard, a cream dragonet spilled out of his shell and rolled a bit down the hill. Amoung those close to him was Sanae and Juri...
jess:
As Juri watched the hatchlings make their ways over the sands, she took mental note of the ones she saw. But then, the little pale colored one caught her eye. She looked purposeful, slipping through the sands as she was, and Juri found herself edging slightly closer to the pale one's path. If she could just get a closer look, she would know if she was the right one, wouldn't she?
Xalia:
(( Dray )) "True, and the queen's hardly average either..." Ophana trailed off as the gold egg rocked hard. She turned to face the egg and started sending the most loving and encouraging thoughts she could at the dragonet inside struggling to be free.
Linque:
Kova jumped as the green with gold and copper let loose a fierce shriek, her head spinning around just in time to see the little one's claws meet flesh. The smith winced and ran to the assaulted girl's side, disengaging her from the dragonet with a wary eye on the green. Maybe approaching the hatchlings wasn't the right way to go about this after all...
Yakima:
As Kova detangled the crying girl and the green, something brushed her mind...and a name came to her as well. Ceroth.
StarFyre:
Liukari nodded slightly to herself, Acha's warning now firmly proven in her mind. Approach, but not too close, and be ready to dodge aside. Her ear-fins flickered closed then open again as she examined the available dragonets, her whippy tail twitching from side to side. Perhaps that other green? Or the black? She took a few confident steps forward, arms still clasped behind her back, heading at an oblique angle towards both the small green and the black.
Linque:
The wariness in Kova's eyes fled as she felt that first brush from the dragonet's mind. Ceroth? she tried tentatively, forgetting about the injured girl entirely for the moment as she knelt before the green with gold and copper. The dragoness butted her head against the smith's affectionately, eyes still whirling with some agitation, but now it was only out of hunger. I am hungry, Kovamine, Ceroth stated firmly. Can you fix that? The smith smiled and stood, her callused hand resting on the green's head as the pair left the Grounds.
Yakima:
As Juri moved toward the pale silver, something was starting to (or trying to) follow her...
Dray:
Thoughts of the mother and father of the clutch dissipated from Acha's mind as the queen's egg began to shake more and more vehemently. She gulped, balling her hands into fists at her sides. Unlike Ophana, Acha couldn't think of a single thing to project at the waiting dragonet. Her mind slipped, and she glanced up, towards her mother. Chate was now staring intently on the dragon egg. Acha, already flustered, scowled at the golden egg fiercely again. 'Don't pick me,' she inadvertently wished.
Yakima:
Sill in the shell, the black and cream (forgot that part) still sat, his eyes roving over the candidates. As one of his bronze brothers Impressed he began to move but not in the direction one would have thought. He was slow, uncertian but at the same time certian that the young woman he had his eyes on was his rider...
jess:
(( Yakima ))Juri had taken only a few steps, when she realized something was moving behind her. Not sure if it was another candidate or a hatchling, she turned back to check. She hadn't seen any hatchlings there, but maybe she had been distracted by all the other movement... it wouldn't be the first time!
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Sanae was totally oblivious to the cream that had rolled behind her as she moved away. She took another few steps toward the male dragons, not sure which to approach.
Yakima:
((jess)) You were going the wrong direction, cam the voice to Juri's head. The sport sized green with white said simply once Juri had turned around. My name is Orith, Juri.
(Xalia) The brown that had hatched saw Sanae coming but blinked and kept going, calling for his rider. A green stumbled forward, only to land on her nose. Next to her simblings, her simple green hide, while dark, seemed a bit out of place...
jess:
"Oh! Well, I guess I was, since you're here, Orith! Let's go get you something to eat." She led her new friend from the sands.
Yakima:
The copper was milling through the candidates now, his determination becoming strong as he came closer to the one he sought. Many hands reached for him but he nipped, scratched and even launched himself at one boy who was foolishly determined to claim him.
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Sanae watched the brown move past her and found herself looking down at a green hatchling who had fallen on her nose. Carefully, uncertain what the hatchling's reaction would be, she reached down to help her back to her feet.
StarFyre:
(( Yakima )) Liukari paused for a moment where she was, as she watched the black move off his perch, then became distracted by the fuss that was going on with the copper over by the boys. Really, did they all have to throw themselves at the dragonet like that? It was clear the copper wanted nothing to do with any of them.
Dray:
(( Yakima )) Acha's eyes strayed from the jostling, shaking golden egg, back to the rest of the sands. She could hear the exclamations of joy, and sometimes of pain, as Candidates found their bonds or else some nasty new cuts and scratches. She glanced through the other Queen Candidates, at their eager, sometimes avaricious gazes, and felt that she was definitely out of place. 'Damnit, mother, you and your stupid demands.' she glanced back at the other dragonets, and spotted the glimmer of glow-light from the copper that was barreling through the boys, and at a few of the other dragonets. She wasn't sure if she was ready to bond, yet, but she knew that when she did, it wouldn't be to some cavern-bound Gold. Her feet itched, and not just because of the heat. She felt like she didn't belong in this circle.
Yakima:
As the cream righted himself, more people in the crowd noticed that he was darkly speckled with blue and copper. He moved forward again, not liking the attention he was getting. Why him? His brown brother wasn't getting attacked like this! He wanted them to leave him alone...he had to find someone...
This time, the black found himself closer to the one he felt was 'right'. But would she want him. His black hide was marked with copper (yes, I changed it), which was opposite to his brother on the sands. Now this close, he found himself uncertian...but he was getting hungry...
StarFyre:
(( Yakima )) Liukari figured she had moved far enough from the rest of the candidates. She stood calmly where she'd placed herself and calmly shoved all thoughts of 'goddamn you, Reno and Rieno' far back in her mind. She would be pleasant. She would be welcoming. She would be... oh, screw it. She was, internally, a bit anxious and jittery despite her outward calm. It was like standing on a hill right before a battle began, watching the lines arrayed before her.
Yakima:
(( Xalia )) the green allowed Sanae to help her up - then let out a creel and moved passed her, determined to find someone else.
The boy was hurt, to be sure, but not dead as the copper wheeled away, now desperate to find his rider. He found her, and began to moved toward her...
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Sanae shrugged as the green pushed past her as well and looked around the sands, her hand unconsciously moving up to twirl that yellow strand of hair again. There seemed to be fewer and fewer dragonets looking for bonds, and Sanae wasn't sure which one to approach next!
StarFyre:
(( Dray )) Liukari glanced aside from the dragonets and met Acha's gaze, arching one eyebrow eloquently. The other girl looked about as comfortable standing where she was as Liukari felt deep down inside. She'd dreamed of bonding, and watched the Myrsilk ever since she became part of the Clan, but to actually stand here... Though, of course, Acha's problem was likely with her mother, and not with the standing itself.
(( Dray )) "Go for it," Liukari mouthed to the other as she caught Acha looking at the dragonets that weren't golds.
Dray:
(( Yakima )) Acha managed to turn her mind from the things that she didn't want to be here for, and began, thinking of the desperate creels of some of the dragonets, to think of the things that she was hopeful for. Oh, to bond one of the other dragons, to surprise her mother... It might not be as solid a plan as wanting to bond for herself, but then again, she was still young, and really, Acha didn't have a clue about what Impression felt like. While she wouldn't leave the Queen Candidate circle, she was defiant enough to turn away from the egg, to look at the other Candidates. Arms crossed over her chest, she watched the milling and bonding and excitement, determination in her mind and resistance in her stance.
(( StarFyre )) In a moment, she'd caught Liukari's eye. Her smile was grim, though she gestured behind the humanoid, wondering if Liukari was keeping an eye on the dragonets wandering so much more closely to her! She shook her head faintly, wanting to move, but knowing that she really, really shouldn't.
Yakima:
The cream brushed passed a few more, straight to the strange candidate who, despite the simple white robe all the others were wearing, was sticking out to him like a sore thumb...
By this time, the copper had stopped behind the candidate that seemed to be ignoring him. He snorted, whipping his tail in the sands in irritation. He was seconds away from grabbing that white robe and pulling, really, really hard...
StarFyre:
(( Dray, Yakima )) Liukari gave a toothy grin almost worthy of a dragon and mouthed, "Just do it." Then she turned and stared down at whichever dragonet Acha had indicated, figuring it best to not leave things to chance.
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Sanae turned to look at the cream moving through the crowd from where she'd come from and found herself holding her breath as it seemed he might be coming right for her! What was she supposed to do if he was? Think something...oh, thinking good thoughts never hurt! She projected good at him for all she was worth....
Yakima:
(( Xalia )) The cream beamed as he waddled toward Sanae. You were trying to hide, the little cream, who's name was Raimeth, told her. But I found you in the end!
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Sanae's eyes opened wide at the voice in her head but she beamed as she responded. "I wasn't trying to hide, Raimeth, I just didn't know you were looking for me!"
Yakima:
(( StarFyre)) Behind Liukari was the copper, his shinning hide covered in black speckles.
The golden egg split open, revealing a version of her dame except she was pale gold with white speckles only. With a uncertian step, the gold stepped forward to where Ophana and Acha were standing
Dray:
(( Xalia, Yakima )) Acha, startled by the cracking of the egg, turned back to the newly hatched queen, and gulped. She glanced to Ophana, and then defiantly up at her mother, and stepped back. "Go on," she hissed to the other Queen Candidate.
StarFyre:
(( Yakima )) Liukari's eyes widened slightly, the only real 'tell' that she was surprised. The copper? The only one she hadn't kept a total eye on? Serves her right for assuming anything! "Did you want something?" She asked calmly, her arms still clasped behind her back, ready to jump back the moment the copper displayed a lick of the violence she knew he was capable of.
Xalia:
(( Yakima Dray )) Ophana gasped as the gold egg split open but only paused a moment in her projections of love and a bit of command at the dragonet. She didn't even hear Acha so focussed was she on the beautiful pale gold with white speckles that had stepped toward the two of them.
Yakima:
(( StarFyre )) Hatyth only grinned a dragon's smile. No, just you. And some food. I like food...
(( Dray, Xalia )) The gold was a little confused as she looked at Acha, then Ophana. When the pale gold took a step toward Acha the black retaliated and leapted at her. Bugles of the older dragons seemed to keep him under more control but at last he stopped, placing himself between Acha and the gold. She's mine! Peroth growled. Aivoraith only blinked before looked at Ophana who went to sooth her dragon. The queen was confused but found it much more pleasent with Ophana then the Nidus-bred girl.
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Ophana beamed as she moved to sooth Aivoraith. "It's okay, dearie, let's go get you some food. I'll take excellent care of you..."
Dray:
(( Yakima )) "Peroth, back down!" Acha exclaimed, shocked by the way that the little dragonet flared his wings and made such a scene. Only a moment later did she realize what had happened, and then the rest of the world was gone for her. Falling to her knees, she wrapped her arms around the dragonet's shoulders. "Oh, you are such a trouble-maker!"
Lower Caverns
StarFyre:
Rieno had stayed in the cavern while his brother went off to drop Liukari wherever the girl needed to be. His eyes were caught by the two riders with the deck of cards, and he drifted over to them 'oh so casually', "Whatcha gunna play, yo?"
Yakima:
(StarFyre) N'vin looked the speaker up and down. Next to him A'ran narrowed his eyes. "Ever played Dragon poker?" he asked.
Dray:
It seemed that it hadn't taken long for the other dragons to shy away or hiss Helion off of their tier; she was a strange creature that was quite literally on fire, something that hadn't sat too well with that particular lot. Launching off again, feeling a little dejected, the dragoness flew a few circles near the ceiling of the Hatching Sands... but found herself nearly running in to late arrivals. Giving a chirp of dismay, she finally swooped out of the cavern and into the clear, cold air. That's when she noticed a trickle of people moving towards the Lower Caverns, rather than onto the Hatching Sands. Curious, she alighted again and trotted into the great hall, flicking her wings closed and looking around for any vaguely interesting people. Spotting Rieno, she slipped up behind him and peered over his shoulder, silent as a panther, though she was casting his shadow in front of him and probably otherwise crackled faintly. Right by his ear, she asked, enthusiastically, "What's dragon poker?!"
StarFyre:
"Dragon poker? Can't says I have, yo, but I'd be willin' t'learn." He grinned and stretched as Reno came up behind him to look over his shoulder. "Yo, bro, these two're gunna play some game'r nuther. Wanna?"
Reno arched an eyebrow, eyeing the human-sized pack of cards, then laughed, "If they c'n teach, why'n 'ell not, yo?"
Yakima:
A'ran scoffed until N'vin caught him in the ribs, whispering something in his ear. At that, A'ran's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, we'll teach you. You have anything to put on the table?"
StarFyre:
Reno hummed to himself as he fished through his great pockets and pulled out a handful of change that he eyed thoughtfully, before pro-offering it. "This do, yo?" His giant yellow palm was covered with gold and silver coins, along with a few copper pieces.
Dray:
Helion, clicking her beak in thought, finally rifled through her feathers and preened a few loose feathers from her wings, then held them out in her beak, towards the dragon-rider. The were each as long as a man's arm, and though as she plucked them and their fire extinguished, they still seemed almost to glow with ghostly orange light. "Peeffle af f'Nifus luff theef fings," she admitted. When they were out of her mouth, she added, "They might have some magic potential if you find the right person to use 'em, too."
Yakima:
A'ran's eyes widened while N'vin only nodded. "Of course, shall we gentlemen?" though N'vin was still trying to figure out what these two were. He would have to tackle M'len later. His wingmate was an expert on this Nexus stuff...
A'ran made no comment to the feathers but N'vin's interest was percked. "Can you play?" he asked Helion
Dray:
"I'm a quick learner," Helion replied, her grin entirely predatory for once. She settled on her haunches and wriggled her webbed, clawed fingers. "Might have trouble with the cards, but I think I can manage!"
Yakima:
"Alright then," N'vin grinned cheerfully. "Lets play! And get a head start before the real party begins, eh?"
StarFyre:
Reno and Rieno shared a grin. "Agreed, yo!" They settled down next to one another. Rieno flicked his wings opened then closed again as he settled himself down, short, furry tail flicking excitedly from side to side as he waited for the two riders to explain the rules to him. He loved gambling, of any sort, whether it be with his life, with dice, or with cards, it was all the same to him. As soon as the rules were explained and the cards dealt, Rieno examined his cards with a calm expression. (6 for Rieno's hand =P lol) Reno's left ear flicked once as he examined his own cards, trying to keep the little things safe in his giant hands. He was used to working with slightly larger decks than this, but cards were cards... (10 for Reno's hand)
Dray:
Helion, once the rules were explained and cards were dealt, eyed her set with a critical sense, even as her tail twitched ever so slightly. According to the rules, this was a good hand -- or at least, she hoped that it would be! It was difficult for her, as well, however she managed to keep her hand settled in one palm, using the pad of an opposite finger to push them around and the webbing between her fingers to keep the colourful cards hidden. (15!)
Yakima:
N'vin and A'ran each took a seat at the table in front of the main hearth. While N'vin never had had the best poker face, A'ran's smooth, thin-lined look betrayed nothing (19). N'vin shifted his cards and waited. (16)
Dray:
The time came when they had to turn their cards over, and though Helion had expected to take this round's pot, she managed to keep her composure as A'ran snuck the round's winnings away. "You know, at least those'll sell for quite a lot," she ventured, watching as one feather disappeared from her forever. The next hand was dealt, and she clacked her beak in annoyance (2!) "Can I fold?" she asked, not wanting to risk her meager pile of offerings on such a weak hand!
Yakima:
N'vin rearanged his next set. "Of course, of fire-queen," he grinned.
N'vin and A'ran drew their cards. By this time Kyzik had come to join N'vin, always loving to watch his human play the silly card games. He winced as he felt N'vin sigh. "I fold, too" he said (2). A'ran only raised an eyebrow, at that as he looked at his own cards. (15)
StarFyre:
Rieno's face was a picture of blandness as he observed his own hand. "I'll stay in, yo," he said with a grin as he tossed a few more of their coin stash into play (20!). Reno eyed his brother, then matched the newly raised stakes with narrowed eyes. "So do I." (18 )
Yakima:
As the next round started, Kyzik managed to get his front paws on N'vin's legs to give him pointers, all done telepathically. (4) As the wolf growled under his breath at his bonds' bad luck, A'ran's bland face gave nothing away. (4) Both Falasian riders folded this turn.
StarFyre:
Rieno hummed happily as he tossed a few coins into the middle of the table, holding his cards jauntily with one hand. (10) Reno just silently added some of his stash onto the pile. (8)
Dray:
Helion, gathering her hand up and scrutinizing it carefully, grinned widely. Her poker face was less than stellar, but perhaps her inhuman beak would help to negate some of her expressions! (15)
StarFyre:
Rieno gave a heavy sigh as Helion beat him and his brother, then pushed her winnings towards her with a cheery grin and a wink. "Good hand, yo!" He said as he dealt out the next round and took a look at his cards. (14) Reno chuckled at his brother's cheer as he picked up his own hand and examined it. (18)
Dray:
Preening with excitement, Helion settled the golden coins at her side enjoying their lustrousness for a few moments while the next hand was dealt. Eying the new hand, she frowned faintly, then shrugged, staying in for this round. (13)
Yakima:
A'ran scowled a bit at his hand - then folded. (6) N'vin on the other hand had to bap Kyzik's muzzle when the wolf saw his hand (16)
Dray:
It looked as though Reno would be raking in this round, despite Kyzik's excitement! The two Reno's were really bringing it in, tonight; it looked as though they might bleed the Pernese riders and Helion dry, if they weren't careful! Helion took a turn shuffling the cards oh-so-carefully, then dealt them -- and then folded her hand, making a face as her fire temporarily dampened (5)
Yakima:
A'ran sighed as he arranged his cards, noticing that a few riders were already coming to watch, and later join no doubt. (16) N'vin and Kyzik were mind-talking, the wolf's golden eyes on the cards before his bond. (11)
StarFyre:
Rieno held his cards up and looked at them thoughtfully for a moment, then at the other players, then calmly folded his hand, "Not this round, yo." ( 7 ) He couldn't help but snicker, however, as Reno fumbled the cards in his hand and ended up spilling the damn things all over the table. "I, er, fold?" Reno muttered as he gathered them up with embarassment (1! lol)
Yakima:
As A'ran delt the next round he vauggly accepted the wine R'non set next to him. (20 boya!) N'vin sighs but stays in even while Kyzik whispers he should fold (11)
StarFyre:
Reno hummed as he accepted his cards and signalled for some of that wine to be brought to him as well! It looked good. (11) Reno's ear flicked as he carefully handled his cards this time, making damn sure he didn't spill them all over the table again! (19)
Dray:
Helion, fiddling with her own cards, settled them on the table -- only to find to her dismay that her hand was not nearly as compelling as the others. (12) Ah well, better luck next time! She eyed the wine skin, though refrained from taking any for herself; Helion and alcohol never, ever mixed well.
Weyrling Barracks
Yakima:
Kealan paced back and forth in the entrance to the barracks. Others were getting the meat ready and S'mar had just returned to oversee the preperations as well as keep the other weyrlings from causing too much trouble...
Linque:
Kova lead her newly bonded Ceroth away from the Grounds and, following the instructions of helpful bystanders, found her way to the Weyrling Barracks where she assumed something could be done about the green's voracious appetite.
Yakima:
Kealan barked as the first candidates - no, riders, he corrected himself, lead their hungry dragonets into the caverns. "Finally! Here is some food for your dragonet, young lady," the wolf grinned. A rider, a green rider named Tayalia batted at him. "Off you go, silly wolf. What needs to be done requires human hands, not paws!" She looked at Kova. "Well, congradualations. How do you feel?"
jess:
Juri and Orith slipped from the sands and followed the instructions that led her to the barracks. Here, there would be food in plenty for her starving new bond.
Linque:
Kova managed to take her eyes off of Ceroth long enough to meet the greenrider's gaze, and responded with a bit of a dazed smile. "Surprised, shocked, in a state of disbelief..." You forgot incredibly happy, Ceroth quipped, nudging her rider's hip. Kova grinned and scratched the green's eye ridges to make up for the transgression, then looked back to the woman in front of her. "So, is the meat just free for all then?"
Yakima:
(Linque)) Tayalia laughed. "Of course. Come, I'll show you how to feed her. My Avsiruth was the same way. They all are!"
(( jess )) Since Tayalia had shooed him away, Kealan pounced on his next victim. "You need any help, Miss Dazed-by-Impression?" he asked Juri, his tail wagging feircly.
Linque:
Kova grinned and followed Tayalia, Ceroth grumbling to her as they went, Finally...where are your priorities, Kovamine? Talk later, food now!
jess:
(( Yakima )) Juri was rather dazed, and she nodded to the helpful wolf. "I probably could; Orith is hungry. What do I give her first? Or does it matter?" Of course, it matters! I want the good stuff!
Yakima:
((jess)) Kealan laughed. "Food, here. Marria can help you with that," he said as the green rider came over with the oil and a bucket of food. "First things first," M'len's daughter quipped. "Food!"
(( Linque )) Tayalia lead the young rider to where bucket of raw meat was waiting. "Here. YOu need to give this to her. And slowly. Don't let her swallow whole. bad on their stomachs..."
Linque:
(( Yakima )) Kova nodded and picked up the bucket, holding it out of Ceroth's reach and treating her to a stern eye. "Did you hear that? Slowly, and in small pieces," she said firmly. The green with gold and copper sniffed and opened her mouth obligingly, waiting as patientily as she was able for Kova to tear up a few chunks and hand them to her. The patience evaporated after the first handful however, and she took to standing on Kova's foot in order to try and encourage her rider to feed her a little more quickly.
jess:
(( Yakima )) It was probably a very good thing that Juri had never been a particularly squeamish child, or she may have balked at the bucket of meat scraps Marria brought her. She could feel the hunger pouring from the small green; she reached into the bucket and began to pass small handfuls of meat into Orith's waiting mouth. Her hands may be small, but she kept a pace quick enough that the hatchling didn't have time to whimper between bites.
Yakima:
Tayalia and Marria helped the two new riders with their dragons, then procedded to show them how to oil their dragon's hides as flackes were already starting to be seen...
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) Sanae led Raimeth out of the hatching sands and over toward the Barracks where the other newly impressed riders and dragons were gathered. Raimeth's eyes whirled red with hunger and she looked around urgently for food for him.
Yakima:
"Need some help?" a young man asked as Sanae walked into the Barracks.
Xalia:
(( Yakima )) "Afraid so. This little guy is starving and I've no idea what I'm doing!" Sanae replied with a rueful grin.