For We Have Sin {Alizadehth's Hatching}

[4horseshowgirl4]

The Hatching progressed. B'nyur heaved a sigh of relief when the wrathful and murderous Green Impressed to a Dalibor Candidate. "Thank Faranth! But I don't envy poor Teslana, that's for sure," B'nyur muttered, patting Oveth. There weren't many Candidates, though B'nyur didn't know much about them outside of their names. "Hopefully she has a good head on her shoulders." Whether he was talking to Oveth or B'rak wasn't entirely clear; it was just slightly settling to voice his thoughts aloud. He kept one eye on the wounded Candidate, but his injuries didn't look too serious. Two urges were doing battle in the Dragonhealer's mind: his itch to do his job and ensure that no further damage came to the poor Candidate, and his desire to be loyal to his Weyr and his leaders. Oveth grumbled in anxiety.

"'Scuse us," B'nyur said to B'rak before jumping on Oveth, both of their bodies reacting without hesitation and without thought to their Queens' orders. The second Oveth's feet left the ledge, chaos ruled. They both flinched when Kalith's awe-inspiring roars rent the warm air, threatening to shatter their eardrums. Oveth tumbled out of the air, falling only a few feet onto the warm Sands. He hated all this tension, and was shaking so badly that B'nyur could hardly get the bandages out of his harness bag. {Oveth, relax!} he ordered the dragon, fingers fumbling on the leather clasps. Oveth tensed his muscles; it was hardly relaxing, but at least he was still. Finally, B'nyur managed to extract what he needed and he sprinted over to the fallen Candidate.

"Sorry if this stings a bit, lad; dragons' claws can be dirty and I need to prevent infection!" B'nyur said to the boy, dabbing the wounds with redwort and following up with a generous slather of numbweed as fast as his hands would let him. His practiced hands applied the bandage quickly and snugly. When he was done, he offered the boy a hand and helped him to his feet. Turning to the other Candidate that the renegade Black had brought (and hoping that the two knew each other), he said, "Get me immediately if he bleeds through those bandages or starts feeling feverish."

B'nyur turned to where the newest Weyrlings had gathered. He saw with disdain that there was no meat there for the ravenous young dragonets... of course the renegades had not thought to provide that for them! "First off, congratulations to all of you," B'nyur said, mustering as much warmth as possible. "I'm sorry that your lifemates had to be born in the middle of all of this, and I wouldn't count on a Hatching Feast. However, that doesn't mean you all can't still be an important part of the Weyr, and I expect you all to do your best and obey your Weyrlingmaster, whoever is appointed for that job. Teslana, A'tra, lead the other two to the Weyrling Barracks. Pick a room that's not occupied, your official room assignments will be given to you tomorrow at your first Weyrling lesson. V'lin, stay here and guide the last two to Impress. Meat for your dragons will be brought to you. Don't let your dragon gorge, just feed them enough so they are beginning to feel full. Go to sleep early tonight, as your first lesson will probably begin early in the morning. Again, my congratulations, and off you go!"

{Oveth, call all the Sr. Weyrlings. Tell them to slaughter half a dozen herdbeasts, drag the carcasses to the Weyrling barracks, and tear them into small enough pieces that the hatchlings can handle. The wherrybrained renegades didn't think about feeding their children.} B'nyur said. Oveth was occupied watching the sky and the entrance to the Sands to make sure that none of the renegades tried to take the newborn dragonpairs or harm anyone, but it seemed that they were more occupied with preserving their hides from Kalith's terrible wrath. B'nyur took his position as sentry while Oveth called the Sr. Weyrlings; fortunately the lesson in which they'd substituted for F'del had made Oveth familiar enough with the Weyrlings that he could bespeak them.

All the Sr. Weyrlings, this is Oveth. The renegade Hatching is about to end, and there's no meat for the babies. Please kill half a dozen herdbeasts, drag the bodies over to the Weyrling barracks, and cut the meat into small pieces for the hatchlings. The new Weyrlings will be waiting for you there. Hurry! Remember how hungry you were when you were born!

[/color] He was eager to go help them, but he had to stay with B'nyur to make sure that the situation didn't completely fall to pieces on the Sands. And there were still dragons that needed to Impress!
[/right][/font]

[4horseshowgirl4]

Raelle was leaning back in her seat, remarkably at ease, considering the situation. She was quite enjoying the show these deranged dragons were putting on. First the hungry hatchling, gnawing on that boy Tossiteth had Searched mere minutes before the Hatching, later Impressing to that same hatchling. (Tossiteth had swelled with pride that the Candidate he'd Searched had been the first to Impress.) Then, the weird Black who'd collected egg shards together instead of looking for his bonded. And, of course, it would be a warm day in between before anyone forgot that crazy Green that was bent on causing harm to everything in her path. Raelle had not been particularly bothered when she'd mauled the Candidate. He was fine... look, there was the Healer now.

However, she was starting to get a bit concerned about what was going to happen when the Hatching was over. She hoped that Kalith would let them go as peacefully as they had been allowed in, and was crossing her fingers that nothing leading to the contrary would occur. The lone Brown of the clutch came near Lord Duilios, the one that had been pressured into supplying their group in exchange for a dragon. Well, Raelle had found it unlikely that he would Impress a dragon with his arrogance, much less the King he wanted, but it looked like he was getting his wish. And, suddenly, D'ror was yelling at them to get out of there. Raelle jumped, startled, noting that Duilios had managed to Impress the Brown.

However, she had bigger concerns at the moment. Apparently Duilios's Impression had set the Weyrwoman's dragon off, and several tons of Kalith, armed with a formidable set of teeth and claws, was coming at them. Raelle uttered a squeak of alarm and grabbed for Xela's arm. She wanted no part of this, thank you, and she was quite happy to follow D'ror back to their camp. However, Xela needed no further convincing as well. She was already on Tossiteth, eyes wide with fear, waving her mother over. Raelle jumped on the Black, shouting for him to hurry up and get them out of here. Tossiteth jumped off of his ledge, flapping his great wings twice to gain height, and disappeared between.

--

L'venMine!

[/color] Valleth said suddenly, climbing awkwardly out of his string bed. There was no question now that the Weyrling barracks were too small for the Bronze; L'ven could only hope that they'd get assigned real weyrs soon. And, as much trouble as Valleth was having, it could only be worse for bulky Detritath and massive Callistath. L'ven looked up from his notes, an ink stain on his nose. Hurry! The renegades forgot meat for their hatchlings, and Oveth's needs us to go kill some herdbeasts for them![/color] L'ven responded to the urgency in Valleth's voice, throwing down the parchment and harnessing the Bronze in thirty seconds flat. All the while, Valleth was rumbling for him to hurry, knowing how desperately hungry the dragonets must be.

L'ven was very glad indeed that they could fly now. He had stitched many more toeholds onto Valleth's straps after that embarassing fall at their first flying lesson, and clambered on with ease. Before L'ven's far foot even settled into the toehold, Valleth was off towards the herdbeasts. Despite himself, L'ven laughed ebulliently when Valleth was comfortably gliding towards the herdbeast pens. Flying was as wonderful and exciting as it had been on day one, and it helped that long hours of extracurricular practice had made Valleth much more graceful in the air.

However, when they got there, the herd was already in a wild-eyed stampede, chased by a quick little Pink. "Oh, hi, L'ven!" Pratyba shouted from Oorth's back. "Sorry, Oorth scared them! We were already chasing them around for the fun of it when we got Oveth's message!" Oorth was small and agile; she was able to follow the herdbeast's swift and panicked movements with ease, though actually catching one of the critters was proving difficult. Her eyes were whirling bright blue; clearly, she was enjoying herself, but they had a job to do! Valleth snorted in frustration. He was big and strong, but there was no way he would be able to nab one of those herdbeasts in this state. They were just too fast!

L'ven turned his dragon's attention to where one herdbeast lay dead, slain by Oorth. {We can at least carry that one back. Most of the dragons probably won't be able to carry them all that distance by themselves,} L'ven said, and the compliment boosted Valleth's morale enough that he stopped worrying about not being agile enough to help much killing the herdbeasts. He grabbed its neck in its mouth and took off again, having difficulty getting in the air with the animal's weight dragging him down. After several strained wingflaps, though, he got into the air. The young dragon struggled to get back to the Weyrling barracks, but they made it in time, depositing the carcass outside of the barracks and heading back to get another. {I think we need to work on weight-carrying,} L'ven said. Let's feed the starving babies first![/color][/right][/font]

[Kila]

Duilios was meant to be kept in anticipation until the last egg hatched. Though he did not outwardly show his growing concern as the remaining eggs dwindled, he was tight and acutely honed in on the smallest details of the happening before him. Two eggs left, and then- a Pink? What good did a measly, sullen little Pink do him. He clamped his teeth together ever tighter.

But the last egg was rocking.

The dragonett inside entered the world with great flourish, throwing off the top of his shell and leaping out onto the sands. It was an entrance befitting of the last dragonett. At last... a King. It was a regal Brown who faced the world with his head held high. He was dashingly handsome; his color the deep personification of all the shells of the clutch. His hide flowed flawlessly from his maw to the tip of his tail. He held himself in well and with high standing. Within the very first minute of his life he had already achieved nobility. Now all the young Lord had to do was wait.

And wait he did. Stepping forward, he stood confident and strong. Duilios had waited for such a long time for this moment that the Brown's excruciating promenade across the sands was only just bearable. The dragonett was basking in the attention of the crowd and of his clutchmates. Duilios couldn't blame him, but he wished he would hurry. When the Brown finally approached the male candidates, Duilios steeled. He did not hold his breath, for it seemed to have completely gone out of him. Down the line the Brown went, passing each boy, coming closer and closer to him. This had to be it. This may be his only chance.

D'liosMine, you are the only one who will do for your Perbiath. They really must get better candidates. Feed me now; D'lios heard the order go. His face broke out into a slow smile. Something inside him burned alive with victory and passion. He had done it! But it was something more than he'd expected too- he felt good. More whole than he ever had. It was one thing to study impression, but this feeling was not one that could be scrutinized or put into words. His steeled nerves vanished and were replaced with something unsteady, but of course did not let it show. How ignoble it would be to have his knees knock in the presence of others. Of course, Perbiath. You, too, were the only one for me. Do not worry about the other candidates. Come, I will feed you.

The newest bonded pair exited the sands proudly together, overtly pleased with themselves. They were happy to be with each other and just as happy to be seen with each other. The pride which emanated from them was almost palpable.

But there was no meat. Just as fast as she had scurried in, Sol was running out. Eccolath, we're to kill herdbeasts so the hatchlings have meat; she relayed as she ran. I know. What happened? The little ones were so violent! But they are finding Theirs. The curious Cyan met Hers halfway and they veered together towards the animal pen. When a sudden stream of renegade dragons burst from the mouth of the hatching cavern they threw themselves to the ground in alarm and watched as Kalith roared and rose into the sky. Things were at a breaking point.

Alizadehth, we must go now! Varya insisted, slipping like lightning to the side of Hers as soon as D'ror prepared to flee to Abeneth. The Orange Queen looked down at her with a mix of trepidation and disdain. I will not go. My children are not yet safe; she declared obstinately, moving towards her hatchlings. Alizadehth we MUST. Look- all of your children are hatched and healthy. They are not in harms way. Even the Dalibor weyrfolk would not dare to harm them. And look, your son has chosen His. Alizadehth looked and saw that her Brown son, a child of whom she was most proud and fond already, had indeed chosen one of the candidates, one that the renegades had brought no less. The others will be fine, Varya reassured her, But if we stay we will not. It is only your clutch that permits our presence here, and once the hatchlings are all spoken for we again become unjustified trespassers. Dear, we must go now. The Queen considered and weighed the words, surveying the sands, and decided that what Hers said was true. Yes. They are all hatched and will impress safely now. That Perbaith has chosen His is well enough for now; she reasoned. Children, she spoke to her darling hatchlings, Make sure that your clutchsiblings all leave the sands safely.

Varya vaulted smoothly onto Alizadehth's back and the two shot out of the cavern after Abeneth. Alizadehth was not afraid to spread her wings while on the sands and fly out with dangerously little room around her. She was gone before Kalith had time to fully unleash her fury, followed by the rest of their rag-tag renegade band. Her clutch was a success and now she was rid of this horrid Weyr, though she was loathe to leave her children there. As she blinked between and moved farther away, her blinding maternal mentality that had dominated her thought faded away and was once again replace with shrew reason and cleverness. She was back and dangerous as ever. The pressure now was off of Varya, and she finally allowed herself to be exhausted. One hurtle was behind them, but many more were sure to be soon ahead.

[Admin]

Don't fill your mouth with gluttony,
For pride will surely swell,
But nothing's unforgiven,
In the four corners of hell.

Detritath, with K'ber astride, joined Oorth and Valleth in culling herdbeasts. He grabbed the second of the pink's kills as soon as she had dispatched of it, hauling it off the ground with ease. They past Valleth and L'ven as they headed back to get more, entirely serious and focused on the important task they had to do. As soon as the beast the iron had carried was set down, K'ber was leaping off his back, unafraid of the height. Pulling out his belt knife, he set to work skinning and slicing up the carcasses. It was not pleasant work, but he did it wordlessly and well. Leaving his rider, Detritath took off, to go aid Valleth in getting the four more herdbeasts that they needed. All rivalry and all ill blood was forgotten, by him at least, in that moment of need. The new dragonets, renegade parents or not, needed to be fed. He had his orders to follow.

Back on the sands, the little green still there had heard her mother's orders, and she took them to heart. With the brown that had won her heart, for those few short moments until she found someone else, gone and everyone else going as well, she turned her attention to the only other unImpressed soul there. Leaving the candidates behind for a moment, she went about rousting her sister forward. It a great deal of creeling, in an entirely over the top and pitiful way, to convince the pink, who definitely did not want to listen to her annoying green sister of all people, to stop her sulking and move towards the candidates. Once the littler dragonet was showing some interest, the green happily left her to her slow walking and skipped, in a not very coordinated but still I'm-so-pretty fashion, back towards the candidates that were left.

The pink, even though she was moving, was still not particularly pleased with the candidates. She groused on and on to herself - about how could her mother leave, about how her mother couldn't take on that really big metallic dragon, about how her brown brother was a prat, about how he probably did get the best candidate because the universe hated her, about how those two injured boys were making the sands all bloody, about how it was so awful that blood smelled so funny, about how she was hungry. She took her time about approaching the candidates, and was entirely sullen about it. She seemed a pessimistic creature by nature, liable to shoot down any happiness or suggestions brought to her. She even kept shooting glares in the directions of her sister, who was so lucky and got all the joy mentality while she had none.

Done with her one moment of being entirely sweet and helping out her sister, the green frolicked amongst the candidates. None of the girls could hold her interest. She wanted a handsome boy! But which one, which one? It was not easy for her to choose. She was fickle and flighty, and confused by all the boys. She didn't get the girls at all, but she didn't get the boys much better. Humans were so silly! The black, and the two blues, and the brown, she could all understand, as much as she needed to, but she couldn't pick her rider from the bunch. She knew he was there, but her instincts and the feeling swirled around in her and she couldn't pinpoint it. But, finally, she figured out which one she wanted. He would understand her! He would be perfect for her! He was cute, just like she was! With very girlish glee, she glided, all lady-like, up to him.

Your Upiditath looooooves you soooooo much, C'elinMine; she told her rider. She snuggled up against him, rubbing her head and neck against his legs, and tangling up their feet as she shuffled on around him in a circle. She was very physical, though in a purely affectionate manner and not because she was going to scar him, sniffing and prodding and wiggling all about him in a flurry of loving and doting. She was hungry, but she hardly seemed to care. It was all about him, him, him! Because she loved him so much! Though, the brown, and the blues, and the black would be where the food was. Thoughts and mismatched feelings sidling about her mind, she paused, body twined awkwardly around his, and glanced sidelong at her new weyrling rider. I am feeling a bit peckish, by the way; she commented subtly to him with coyness in her tone.



The pink had paused. She was sulking some more. She knew that, since her sister had Impress, everyone wanted her to go do the same. She didn't want to, so she wouldn't! No matter what her mother had said. Her mother had gotten all the passion, were she had none. It wasn't fair! Irath's Mine was so much better than all the remaining candidates. Even Upiditath's broken Mine was better than anyone left. However, her jealousy at them having riders soon drew her to finally move. She wasn't doing it for anyone else. Everyone else already had so many things. She was doing it for herself, because she wanted more. Her steps towards the candidates were slow and shaky. She was not very well coordinated. She seemed physically unsure, even as she forged mentally onward. All of the boys and girls who fell under her gaze were shot down.

Except for one. K'layMine, you will make your Invidiath happy. Feed her; she said. She was actually quite nice, and pleasant, as she spoke. There was a bit of mistrust and suspicion as she first eyed the boy she'd picked. He was too girly. He wasn't tall enough. His hair was too long. His eyes were too large. Her eye was sharp and overly critical. However, she didn't mind all of his faults. He didn't have everything. She knew that, and she liked him for it. Everyone else had so much, and she just had him. She was a lonely soul, but her own invention from her demeanor. As she settled down, soothing her nerves with her eyes locked on his in her Impression, the hatching was over. Seven healthy dragonets had seven healthy riders. Seven healthy dragonets whose parents had fled because one of those healthy riders was a Lord Holder.



Envy and its evil twin,
It crept in bed with slander,
Idiots they gave advice,
But sloth it gave no answer.

[Nia]

Caelin watched as the Sr. Weyrlings from the pervious clutch (the one he hadn't been here for) dropped into deliver meats to the new hatchlings. He had to count his lucky stars just to be here, if he hadn't been... er, you know, then he wouldn't have even had a chance to Impress in the first place. So he wouldn't be jealous of the Sr. Weyrlings. It wasn't as if Searchriders hadn't come to Crescent Hold searching for new Candidates... they'd just skipped over him then. But that didn't matter now, because he was on the Sands and there was at least one person older than him (the strange old guy who'd Impressed the Brown, for instance) so he was okay. But dragons didn't even go by age, right? Obviously....

He turned his attention back to the remaining two dragons on the Sands, a Green and a Pink. Both girls, though he really didn't mind. The Green was absolutely beautiful and she was acting very cute. Her Pink sister didn't seem quite as cute, and appeared (to Caelin, at least) to jealous of it. The Green was stalking through the Candidates and she didn't look very pleased with them. But then she went and began to push her envious sister forward, which made Caelin smile a bit. That was very nice of her. Though it seemed a bit like there was some kind of ulterior motive behind it, he could ignore that because it was cute.

Well, the Green appeared to be done with her sullen sister and was now coming back to the Candidates, but the Pink was following, which was good. Even if they WERE Renegade-born, they were dragons and deserved to Impress. He felt his chest tighten as the Green approach... er, well, she more like... glided? up to him. W-what was she going to-

But Caelin didn't really get a lot more thought about what she was going to do after that, because the affectionate Green made it very apparent what she was going to do. Your Upiditath looooooves you soooooo much, C'elinMine,

[/i] she told him after it was obvious that he'd Impressed, rubbing against him in a way that reminded him of a cat. He was going to fall over if she kept tangling herself with him! I am feeling a bit peckish, by the way,[/i] she added, something about her tone throwing him off.

After Cae- C'elin had regained his balance he finally figured out what had just happened. He'd Impressed! He'd Impressed the beautiful Green. His first thought was that he was elated! She was beautiful, and she was his! ... but then his next thought was how she'd pinned after the Black and Brown right away, probably without knowing what the word "flirting" meant. His very perceptive mind pieced this together and he stared blankly at the dragonet (or well, kind of into space, since Upiditath kept moving and rubbing against him like a cat). "Um.... okay... well... um... let's get some food? Then? I think the other Weyrlings already brought it and um... we should probably go right?" C'elin was basically babbling nonsense now.

Upiditath gave a cute little giggle in his mind, and moved so her face was directly in front of his, I think we should go now... people may start to think you're weird,[/i] she crooned, circling around him and nudging the boy towards where the Sr. Weyrlings had dropped off the meat. "Oh... sorry," he appologized for no apparent reason, beginning to feed the eccentric Green. She really was pretty... but C'elin had to wonder if he'd be able to handle a dragon like her.[/blockquote][/size]

[Birdy]

Kalay was startled as the parents left in such a rush. Was it because that man had Impressed? He didn’t really see much of a problem , the brown had Impressed right? It hadn’t /bewteened/. Besides, weren’t parents supposed to stay and make sure all of their children Impressed?
Kalay pushed the dilemma out of his mind. There were still two dragonets on the Sands. The flirty little green that no longer had any males on the Sands, and the pink who was sulking amid the eggshells . They were both quite pretty, the green seemed quite cheerful in contrast with the pink and seemed to be encouraging her to find Hers. The pink didn’t seem too grateful of the Green’s help, she kept glaring at her. Kalay clapped politely as the Green Impressed to a boy he didn’t know.
That left the Pink. Kalay watched as she headed down the line of candidates. She didn’t seem happy with any of them, sparing them only a brief glance before moving on. If she didn’t find anything good in them, then what was she going to see in him? He watched the dragonet out of the corner of his eye, expecting her to pass him by but… K'layMine, you will make your Invidiath happy. Feed her He had not expected her to choose him, and stared dumbly at her as she watched him with lovely whirling eyes.
“Invidiath…” K’lay said repeating it over and over in his head. This was probably the one name he would never forget. She seemed to calm down and an overall feeling of happiness overcame him. A grin appeared on his face. The pink’s eyes suddenly flashed yellow. K’layMine, why do the others have food and I do not? I and hungry, feed me, Kalay blinked, “Oh yes, I’m sorry Invidiath,” K'lay said hurriedly not wanting his lovely new Bonded to be unhappy.

[jack]

It seemed that life had slowed down...and sped up all in one flicker of movement. But within the instant that B'rak stood, watching the goings on, entirely too much time had passed, and when he blinked back into attention, dragons were sailing in and leaving food, and dragons were in the sky furious and loud.

Shoth too was up in the sky, circling far below Kalith with more amusement than fury in his eyes. Flickers of blue meshed with his usual, toned-down red, and B'rak felt an eyebrow arch as the Bronze glided along, roaring out less-than angry insults into the sky. The white-haired man shook his head in mild disbelief, running his hands over his temples with a soft curse. Only could go downhill from here.

--

Far less amused than Shoth, the heavyset dragon that landed in the middle of the sands did so with a heavy boom, dropping the bloodied corpses of two medium herdbeasts in his wake. "Careful Mes, you almost hit them." A permanently red eye rolled up and back, staring fondly at the small figure perched upon his neck, smiling softly at him.
I have good aim.
Durian laughed and gave the hefty Brown a pat on the neck, scratching a particularly itchy spot that made him give a soft sigh, before buffing up to look scary again.

A few wing-beats behind the immensely-muscled Mesreath, Doppelith was half his bulk and twice his glee, with wide-eyes that gleamed playfully even as he carried the partially dismembered corpse in his claws. He landed gently and dumped the severed beast, giving a bashful twist of his neck as he did.
I'm sorry! I landed on it when I was trying to pick it up! He crooned, glancing at a few of the dragonets curiously even as he shifted his wings sheepishly, Its still tasty though, itsy-bitsy ones!
Perched on his back, F'let grinned, draping himself over the purple's bright hide. "Don't worry, Doppelith! Its just a few cracked bones--it probably tenderized the meat!"
Doppelith straightened immediately, flicking his tail cheerfully, Ooh yes!

--

All around him things were happening and not happening, but for once, the wary young boy hadn't been sparing them any attention. He had eyes only for the blue in his lap, happily sprawled and half-asleep despite the intense hunger that V'lin could feel from him. In awe of the wonder that had occurred, he was content to sit there as well, ignoring the cramp in his leg in favor of gently stroking the Blue's cloudy hide.
Something smells nice, V'linMine. A lazy eye opened, peering up with timeless patience at the scarred brunette, I...would like to partake, I believe. The dragonet's tail twitched absently, and he tilted his head as he lifted his wings and, ever so slowly, got to his feet. Shall we, Mine?
V'lin nodded, blinking as though suddenly realizing the poor creature really needed to eat, and got quickly to his feet, walking to where one of the corpses had been dropped. A knife---convenient as hell--appeared in his hand and he set to a familiar job, cutting pieces up to feed his new partner and friend for life.

--

"Aw, the fun's over?" T'el's eyes gleamed as he rolled lazily in his spot, reluctantly climbing up to Sjueth's smooth neck. "Aw well. I suppose we'll just have to come back to.." His eyes wandered down, glancing to a crop of blond hair with a green body with it before taking a moment to stare at the bronze-skinned man that was an old friend, "..celebrate another time."

Cackling to himself he clucked, Sjueth snorting before lifting up and into the air, powerful wingstrokes sending him skyrocketing after their leader. He caught up easily with Abeneth, his nose not far from the Brown's tail before the other betweened, and he followed a moment later. T'el would be...hunting out his leader later this evening. He needed some serious entertainment.