Forgotten Force {Shanza's Hatching!}

[Digitalis]

As Anya watched, another batch of babies seemed to be hatching from the eggs. A bunch of pinks and greens, they were, but definitely not cute. Not. At. All. Or so Anya told herself, sternly. There was no way she was interested in a tiny, helpless, baby fire lizard. Flitters were annoying, and over-affectionate, and trouble-makers. Just look at Wherryhead.

Her blue fire lizard had taken up the hatching hum as well, now that there were babies in the process of hatching. He still held a bit of meat between his foreclaws, but at the moment he was much more distracted by the other fire lizards than by the food.

First one of the pinks bonded, and then the little green that had hatched earlier was moving, and Anya quickly realized that the flit was making a bee-line for her. She groaned as it became clear she'd been chosen, but grabbed Wherryhead's remaining piece of meat while he was distracted with the new baby. The blue squalled in protest, but he was too late to keep the green from gulping it down, via Anya, and instead he sulked.

The green chirped appreciatively, curling her tail around Anya's wrist. This human was hers now, even if she had to share her. She gazed speculatively at the adult male; he was annoying, but perhaps he could also be of some use to her. She would have to think about that.

"But am I gonna name her?" Anya muttered with a sigh.

I kind of like Keria. Penteryth entered the conversation for the first time, her voice tinged with cool amusement.

"Fine, whatever. Keria it is," Anya said, rolling her eyes, and the green popped her head up at the sound of her name and warbled for more food.

[Chimera]

Aypoth's excitement filled her bond with Nora as she watched a blue, black, and another blue bond to theirs. Aypoth was nearby, so she was even able to see through her future rider's eyes! It was strange, but this way she'd get a better view of the positively adorable hatchlings. Once upon a time, she'd been one too...Aypoth was still young, though! She had seen old, old dragons with fading colors on their hides...that was almost unimaginable to the pink how long of a time that was.

The Weyrling dragon started to be a little disappointed, having the short attention span of a dragon - and a pink at that, as another round of hatchlings Bonded. At least they had found Theirs, and that still made her happy. But before Aypoth could watch through Nora's eyesight any further, she was abruptly jolted out of it when the girl heard Aleksandr's remark. G-girlfriend?! No one was supposed to know that *maybe* Nora liked K'ius more than a friend. But that was waiting until graduation!

Making a muffled gasp, the girl scurried away to her seat. If a flit wanted her, they'd find her.

...Same with K'ius.

***

Aww, she was done eating the meatroll. Not like Akklyn was going to eat her vegetables...or would she...The meat shortage had cleared up, but all that nagging the grown-ups did about vegetables, much as the girl would like to deny it, maybe had some reasoning behind it.

Trying to avoid eating her veggies as long as she could, Akklyn glanced at the Impressing flits before spotting Mouse, Saowyn, and Saosk. Heading carefully over to them, carefully because she had been raised around whers and unlike some naive Holdbred you didn't just run up to a wher before you know him or her.

"Hey." The toddler stated. Let's find out if they were annoying to the girl...

[Zephyr]

The weyrling quirked a brow at his friend, shrugging lightly before returning to his rather cold food. “I wouldn’t know, now would I? She hasn’t slept in my room for months now, thanks. You’re the one getting all her headaches.” That isn’t completely true, seeing’s he shares a mind with the firelizard, and Shobhaith was quick to remind him of as much, even if the dragon didn’t particularly care to share this with Sandr, not after the guy had decided not to share his meal with him.

Kai rolled his eyes at his friend’s words. “I was talking about him. If Titania hated you, you’d know it.” Sho murmured something to Kai and the weyrling snorted around his laugh, jabbing his fork pointedly in the firelizard’s direction. “You’d better feed that thing if you want to keep it. Firelizard hatchlings have a voracious appetite, like baby dragons.” With this, K’ius passed his plate over to Sandr, some of the meat he hadn’t eaten yet growing cold on the side.

All at once, Sho pouted in the backs of both their minds. You’ll give him food, but not me? K’ius ignored him, taking a drink of his klah to wash his food down. “Good name.” He said, noticing Nora’s wave at the same time Sandr did. The weyrling only had a half a second to wave back before he heard his best friend’s words and blushed terribly, snapping a glare over to Sandr. “She is not my girlfriend! I don’t even…” Then Nora was gone in a flash and K’ius was left staring at the place she’d vacated, blinking uselessly.

“Look what you did, Sandr.”

---

Mouse didn’t think that her smacking Saosk was really that big of a deal. The wher didn’t have to go around threatening Saowyn that he was gonna bite her. That just wasn’t a nice thing to say at all. Not hearing anything else from Saosk, Mouse continued bouncing on Saowyn’s lap, watching the hatching with big brown eyes. She kept straining to see the babies. Those pink ones were very pretty, weren’t they? Oh Mouse wanted a little flit so bad, but more than that, she wanted Saosk to have one! The girl felt terrible about hitting him, so maybe a little flit of his very own would make him feel better!

For the moment, she was content with quieting down and leaning against Sao’s chest. Fishie was asleep under her shirt, and quiet for the moment as another girl approached them.

Mouse watched Akklyn for a moment before a wide grin broke out over her face. She didn’t know this person, but that was no reason not to be perfectly nice to them and Mouse waved, eyes wide and happy. Hello! Nice day for a hatching, isn’t it?

[Kiran]

Quellyn watched as flit after flit scattered through the crowds and impressed. This was a lot of fun! There were a bunch of small dramas happening and unique personalities from every flit. He was astonished at it all, having never seen a large dragon hatching. Or flit one, but he supposed that it would apply to dragons as well, and wondered what the next dragon hatching would be like if this is what flits were like. His eyes darted around, studying them for story material and tales.

Misty clicked at his feet, unsure if she liked the idea of him being here after being at the pillie hatching before, wasn't she enough? But then again, they were surrounded by people! The stories! The hidden drama! The romance! It was almost too much for the grey to bear.
-----
Kira had only just started to bite into her meat roll when a blue landed on her, looking for food and chirping at his siblings. Her eyes widened, but Flirt was ecstatic. A blue! A fine male flit! A beautiful specimen as well. She crooned and cuddled up to him, which the blue didn't mind all that much. After all, he was meant to lead this bunch.

Chuckling, Kira opened her meat roll and offered him the innards to his appetite, reaching for a bowl of raw meat that had been put on the table for the hatching. The blue ate the roll and then some, neatly and tidily as he could. After all, he was setting an example! Flirt crooned at him while Starfire chirped merrily, excited about the new addition to their group.a new friend! It was fantastic!

[turkoizdog]

'Mine, you have expressed interest in firelizards. Perhaps it would be advantageous to go down to the Dining Hall for the hatching.'

Ephesuth's words distracted M'ax from the book he had been reading up in his weyr. "Well, I didn't have much to do today... why not?" he shrugged. As he headed down, his stomach began to grumble. Well, he might as well grab a meatroll or two while he was down there. After all, it had been some time since his last meal, and if it wasn't for Ephesuth's interruption, he might have read right through lunch!

By the time he arrived, the hatching was in full swing. Two blues and a green had already impressed. However, by the looks of it, there were far more. The mother was a copper, a queen, and the basket looked pretty full. Perhaps he would come out of this with a companion. Or, perhaps, just a meatroll.

[Dragonwher]

Mira smiled around at the others that a flit toddled to and in the process, spotted Nora zipping past. Which incurred a curious look in her direction, but the girl didn't move instead thinking Malinoth, could you ask Nora's Aypoth if she's ok? she looks flustered. It took Malinoth a few moments to make a mental 'nod' sensation before he 'scanned' for Aypoth Aypoth, is Yours ok? My Mira saw her acting out of sorts but doesn't want to bug her directly.

While waiting on a reply from Aypoth through Malinoth Mira was handing off a bowl of scraps to Randiel that a drudge had put near her. She didn't need it after all; at least not yet, considering there were a lot of eggs left and one might want her. But she did smile at her brother for his mumbled thanks on the meat. Asher and Nymeria; though Nymeria was still young herself, didn't fuss over the meat being given away. They were far too focused on watching the hatching now. Same with Perrin who was silent and immobile save for the occasional twitch of his antennae.

~~~

Randiel for his part kept feeding Farkas till he opened his mouth in a jawpopping yawn before curling up in Randiel's arms to sleep. This made the older boy chuckle as he looked at his sleepy new friend, then at the blues clutch siblings finding their people. Aela hopped down from Randiel's shoulder at least once to give the sleeping blue an odd wing draping hug then she popped back up to the boy's shoulder to hum a welcome to the rest of the clutch. She might not have hatched the lil blue who she shared her person with.

But her antics served to show the boy his pink warrior would likely try to protect the younger blue. At least till he was older; hopefully she'd cease being a mother wherry then. But his thoughts must have been clear from the whispered 'Flits take after their owners don't they Brother?". Which earned Mira a silent glower of a sort. But then he had to laugh; she was honestly right after all.

[Serah]

Just after the next Pink hatched, more eggs started to show cracks in them. The next to hatch was a Green. The Pink tried to welcome her sister to the world, but got awarded a cold chirp. It seemed the Green didn't feel the need to chat about anything. But the Pink didn't stop trying. She walked up to the Green and chirped a greeting to her again.

Only this time, before the Green was able to respond, another egg broke open. This time, a Black was revealed. His Pink sister decided that he should be greeted as well. The Black seemed to take being chatted with better than the Green did, so the pink stayed with her Black brother to chat for a bit. The Green stayed by herself in a corner of the basket.

After the Pink was done greeting the Black, she and her brother got out of the basket. The Green got out after them and stayed a few paces behind them. The Green was the first to find Hers. Chirping imperiously at the Weyrbrat Akklyn for food, she climbed up to her shoulder to be at a good vantage point. She was the best at finding Hers.

The Pink and the Black looked back when they heard their Green sister chirping. The Pink chirped happily for the Green who found Hers. When she turned back, her Black brother was already gone to search for His. So she was left with nothing to do but search for Hers as well. She found Hers near the back.

Looking up at Mengir, the Pink chirped for some food. She looked adoringly up at the girl who was then Hers, sending happy thoughts. That left the Black to find His. With a brief look back to the basket where he Hatched, he was off to the people. He looked through many people before finding His.

But he found His in the person with a wher of similar color. He climbed up Soawyn's shoulder and chirped at her. The first sound he'd made since Hatching. And he was nudging her for something to eat. He was quite hungry, after all. Another Green had hatched during all of this. This Green was a dark green with an even darker shade of green a little less than halfway down her tail going to the tip.

SPOILER: Click to show

Pink-{bc0771, ffbce3} - For Mengir
A love of art can be seen with this Pink. Whether she is making it, seeing it made, or just looking at it. She can get quite emotional. If someone she cares about gets hurt, she does have a vengeful side. Though she might not be able to remember the vengance plan for long if she doesn't do something about it quickly. (Dr. Ann Bryson)

SPOILER: Click to show

Green-{30932b, 94ff8f} - For Akklyn
Intelligent for a Green, this flit takes pride in her above average intelligence. Though she may take too much pride, as she is insulted when others tell her there are smarter firelizards, or smarter creatures, than her. She can be a bit insecure and jealous at times. Hers will have to find a way to help her cope with this, or help her find a way to get over these feelings if they can. (Miranda)

SPOILER: Click to show

Black-{000000, 2c2525} - For Soawyn
This is one queit black. He won't make much noise, but when he does, it will be important. He is mostly even tempered, with a slight aggressive side. Though it takes a lot of pushing before his aggression is seen. This black is also reasonable. He seems to know why something won't work and will try to work with others to find a way around whatever it is that won't work. (Wrex)

[Raining]

Sandr could not help the wicked grin that crossed his face. The look on both Nora and K'ius' face was absolutely priceless. He had to put a hand over his mouth to stifle any laughter. "What?" he asked trying to sound innocent... yet the now crooked smirk on his face sort of ruined all that. "From what I can see all I did was make two weyrlings blush stupidly at the same time." he shrugged, "I deserve a medal for that." he added snickering.

Did he feel bad for it? Nah.

Sandr took Kai's offered plate of food, as he glanced back to his face, biting his lip in an attempt to wipe the smile from his face (wasn't really working). He'd offer the newest firelizard some of the scraps, but first he had to sort of wave it around the flits mouth -- he wasn't even paying attention. "Come on, I know you're hungry..." he said. It wasn't until he touched the food on the flits face that he actually nabbed at what he was offered. He was busy couldn't he see that?

"Don't even lecture me about flits, remember you had the lot of them in our room. I'm sure you haven't forgotten that I helped most of the time." he snorted, though a soft smile played on his lips as he watched Gideon finally remove himself from his attentive watching to finally eat something.

If Kai was still huffy about Nora Sandr would respond with, "I'm sure she's fiiine. How was I supposed to know she actually likes you?" he asked leaning on his hand, now propped up. Well... he didn't know for sure, but by the way she practically betweened away -- well it was an obvious sign. Either that or she was just easily embarrassed but Aleksandr liked to jump to the more interesting conclusions.

---

When the girl approached Saosk moved to sit in front of Saowyn and Mouse, eyeing the girl suspiciously. 'Its okay Saosk, she's just a child.' she spoke as soon as Saosk settled. SAOSK NOT LET NO-WORTH 'CHILD' TOUCH TINY MOUSE!. Saowyn rolled her eyes, but she knew Saosk wouldn't do anything unless severely provoked, 'she's not even yours -- she belongs to.. uh Genner and Gennesk?'. Saosk whirled around shoving his face in Mouse's space. ATTENTION TINY MOUSE. YOU BELONG TO SAOSK. He'd tell Mouse, like it settled everything and he sat beside them instead of in front.

"Don't worry about him," she'd tell the girl, "he won't hurt you." she'd add before a green landed on said child's shoulder. "Oh cute!" she'd say before a black climbed to hers. Saosk was immediately interested. "Aww Saosk he kinda looks like you, doesn't he Mouse?"

She'd pet the flit before he'd sniff hopefully at her fingers. "Oh! Whoops, I suppose you need food!" she'd carefully slide Mouse off her lap. "I'm going to get some breakfast. Stay with Saosk... and" she'd pick the black off her shoulder placing him on Mouse's. "I'll be back with food!" she'd say leaving to get some. The black was worried for a split second... but he seemed to understand that he'd be getting food.

Saosk moved closer to Mouse sniffing at the fire lizard, ATTENTION PUNY DRAGON. SAOSK OWN YOU. SAOWYN PROVIDE FOOD AND HUGS, SAOSK IN CHARGE.. The black flit regarded the wher curiously, only mildly shocked by the sudden loud mind voice.

Saowyn returned swiftly with a couple of plates of food, one for Mouse and one for her. The fire lizard poked Mouse's face with his snout before returning to his.

[Chimera]

Oh, and that wherrybutt was laughing too? Laughing at the two weyrlings' pain and suffering? Nora glared at Sandr as she ate, peering at the two boys from her seat. Even Jade couldn't help but chirp an amused Ohm. from her small tub of water in the Weyrling Barracks, picking up the snippets of emotion and dim images from her bonded.

...Okay, not pain and suffering, but...Nora and Aypoth agreed she wouldn't tell K'ius formally she had a crush on him until they graduated! At least Aypoth was understanding about the whole thing, as a still-sensitive young dragon - she was, in fact, more training Nora than the other way around. She still really acted like a young child sometimes - luckily Aypoth liked kids. And everyone, pretty much.

And they were onto them. Malinoth was asking Aypoth if hers was alright, which meant his Mirandel saw.

Um, ooh! Hello Malinoth? I think Mine choked on a bit of food. She's fine now.

Don't gossip...don't gossip...don't gossip... The pink thought to herself. Unfortunately what had intended to be hidden from even her future rider had reached their mental bond, causing the girl to angrily contact the pink.

Aypoth, if you so much as *think* about telling anyone about my feelings for Kai, I will make you act like a wherry for a minute. In front of everyone.

The pink dragon snorted audibly.

I'm trying not to! Sheesh! Weren't you the one called the easiest caught wherry back in your old home?

Ohh, now my dragon's being a butt too? With Aypoth choosing to ignore this last retort, Nora strode over to Sandr and K'ius, breathing down the offending Candidate's neck as she whispered into his ear.

"Tell anyone until the Rainracers graduate, and you'll be spending a nice afternoon in Aypoth's mouth, Sandr. Sorry about that, K'ius." She stood for a moment, before falling into a more casual posture, nearly a slouch, before she corrected herself and stood straight again. "...How are you?"

***

She kept waiting for the other girl to answer, but all Akklyn got was a friendly smile and wave. It caused her to be rather confused - why wasn't she speaking? Until Akklyn gave up waiting.

"Uh, it's nice to meet you... Name is Akklyn." The black wher had been glaring at the girl as she approached almost enough to burn through her, if whers had had that ability. Not a friendly one. His handler seemed fed up with the pincushion-like wher, assuring the girl that he meant no harm. Akklyn didn't mention her father's green wher was a sourpuss to nearly everyone. She winced just a little, mentally, at the black's rant, though. Piece of work, that one.

And just after the handler talked to Akklyn, a green firelizard had appeared on the snarky Weyrbrat's shoulder. She stared at her for a moment - suddenly the feeling of a tiny mind in Akklyn's own was there - was this what it was like to be bonded?

The infant green had picked up thoughts of her mind being tiny, and squeaked, offended by this. Tiny?! It most certainly was not - her superior intellect had been shown by the fact she'd found a big person thing first! Whapping Akklyn's nose with a tiny paw for her food, she gazed at her black brother who'd bonded to the person with the loud, fat, angry thing for a moment. Rolling her eyes, Akklyn excused herself.

"Well, this little green needs food, I might see you soon."

The girl ran for a plate with food, her new green flit daintily nibbling at the bits of food she was offered. Now her already genius mind would work even more quickly with this energy. Deciding it couldn't hurt - the woman was still a wherhandler, no matter how much of a brat her wher was - Akklyn took her plate of food, and a smaller plate with the unnamed green's meat scraps back to Saowyn and Mouse, placing it next to theirs as she sat down.

"I'll call you...Minime. Because you're smart and that's like me, not because of how much you're a brat." The hypocritical Weyrbrat now placed this great name upon the green. Minime nodded aloofly. That was a strange, but fitting name of her.

[Zephyr]

“You deserve something.” Kai muttered into his cup of klah, Shobhaith snickering in the back of his mind. The boy’s face was beet red. “I’m not quite sure if it’s a medal.” He had no idea that Sho’s devious little mind was working away. He was currently too preoccupied with glaring at Sandr and his new flit to pay Shobhaith any mind. “I hate you.” He murmured in Sandr’s general direction, watching the little flit refuse his food until Sandr shoves it right in his face.

“Yeah.” K’ius snorts, as if he needed the reminder. “Because I had too sharding many. Do you remember who’s fault that was?” He fixed Sandr with a pointed glare, as if it should be obvious to him that every single Flit Kai got was because of him. “The least you could have done was help me take care of the little monsters."

His blush is renewed when Sandr keeps on going about Nora. He raises his voice and gets out in a strangled whisper. “I don’t like her, okay? I don’t even know where you…” But his words freeze in his throat, because the object of his supposed affections comes over to them leans over to whisper harshly in Sandr’s ear, and Kai can’t hear what she tells him, but he doesn’t like the look on his best friend’s face…at all. He blinks rapidly up at her when the other weyrling straightens up and speaks to him like nothing ever happened.

The guy nearly choked on his klah. “I’m okay.” His voice is still a little high pitched, but he coughs, and lowers his cup. “How’re you and Aypoth? Why isn’t she singing about firelizard babies?”

Speaking of Aypoth, Shobhaith found his sister’s mind, even more devious than Kai’s best friend had been. Hello sistermine. Sho crooned into his sibling’s mind, his voice smooth as silk. What’s got yours all worked up about mine? You know you can tell me. I’ll keep it secret. The logistics of keeping a secret from his own rider about him were lost on the purple for the moment. When he got Aypoth to spill the beans, he’d worry about it then.

---

This girl was very nice, Mouse decided, lowering her hand to absently brush against Saosk’s hide, trying to sooth the wher’s frazzled nerves. His nerves were always frazzled though, and Mouse wasn’t going to help much. Her eyes widened in excitement when Saosk whirled around. Shrieking in joy, she leaned forward and kissed Saosk straight on the snout! I LOVE you! I’ll be yours! The fact that Mouse would belong to most of the whers by the time she was six turns was lost on the child.

Then flits started to fly in from all sides, and the little girl could barely contain her excitement. Akklyn had a little green and Saowyn had a black! A black that looked just like Saosk. Thrilled beyond belief, she sat on the floor next to Saosk when his handler went to go get food for her new charge. The child leaned against the prickly wher, plucking the little firelizard off of her shoulder to scratch at his head and kiss him between the headknobs. Wasn’t he precious?

She giggled when the black nudged her, letting him go to Saowyn without fuss. I love you! <3 She thought at him as he went, giggling at Saosk’s curiosity and burying her face in the black wher’s warm hide so that she could eye Akklyn and her green flit curiously. For a moment, Mouse seemed almost shy as she regarded the other girl. Your flit is very pretty. She thought at the other girl with a massive smile smothered into prickly black hide. Mouse seemed to know where to touch Saosk so she wouldn’t get poked. Saosk always in charge. She nuzzled the wher, yawning widely and clinging to him.

She was tireddd. So tired, but she wanted to stay as long as Saowyn was staying. Maybe Saosk would let her nap in his bed when he was off patrolling. For now, she just watched Akklyn and her firelizard, because the green was gorgeous, and Mouse liked the name!

---

Remy was still eating, because the firelizards were distracting him. Cirruth was also distracting him with his constant worries about the boy getting in trouble…but he wanted to see how this was going to end. He was far enough away that there wouldn’t be any chance of him impressing, and it’d probably be a very, very long time until he’d be able to see this again.

[lee]

As T'yer blinked sleep from his eyes and tried to wake up, he became acutely aware of the commotion around him. Blearily, he glanced around, when—swat!—tiny baby claws raked against his skin. Instantly awake, T'yer bit back a yell in surprise and his alarm raised Lenticuth from sleep. T'yer sent him a wordless apology, while the little green chirped in confusion, not understanding why Hers wasn't playing with her. Suddenly doubting herself, she creeled, shrinking into herself. Hers didn't like her! He wanted a different fire lizard. A better fire lizard. Panicking, T'yer caught onto some of this and scooped up the little lizard, cuddling her close and murmuring comforting reassurances. She was beautiful. She was perfect. She was wonderful and he loved her. The green, reassured, settled herself in his hands, and opened her mouth while T'yer tried to juggle her and food and get her fed. Amused. Lenticuth watched. New friend? The viridian inquired languidly. She's cute. We should keep her.

Think that's a given, mate. What should we call her?

Surprised, Lenticuth considered this. It was odd to him that the little kin didn't already know her name, as dragons did. The green chirped.Teekee. That's what she said, right?
T'yer grinned.

Sounded like it to me! Grinning broadly, T'yer placed Teekee in his lap, stroking her with one hand and feeding her with the other. Watching the munching flit, T'yer murmured quietly and adoringly, "Hiya Teekee. Welcome to the family."

--

Ahem.

The little pink fire lizard who had arrived in front of Braele didn't actually clear her throat, but Braele received the message loud and clear. It was in every inch of the tiny creature's bearing, from the proud, almost haughty curve of her neck to the proper way her tail curled around hind legs. This little fire lizard was a lady, and her selection of Braele as Hers was an honor to be heeded and given proper due. Braele, a serious sort of creature herself, could understand that. But she was nevertheless amused—and not going to let a fire lizard, even a lovely little pink, be in charge. She raised a wry eyebrow in something of warning, something of welcome, and, for now obligingly offered the baby girl food.

Satisfied that they were in agreement—Braele grinned at that message, because she rather doubted they were, though one would come—the pink began chattering brightly at her chosen. The food was delicious— could be a bit fresher of course but it was so very hard to get peak freshness sometimes—the colors of the wall were lovely, her siblings just did not understand, and really Braele could stand to do something else with her hair. Braele listened, though she understood not a word of the chirps and whistles, nodding solemnly as she continued to offer food, and mused, when the fire lizard paused because she was gobbling, "Hm. What to call you, little chatterbox? Pinky?" Being, generally, the least creative person on Pern, Braele was going to settle with this, but the fire lizard shot her a glare with whirling red eyes and Braele blinked, affronted. 'Pinky' the lizard was saying loud and clear with utmost ferocity, was not a regal enough name. Perplexed, Braele sighed." Well I can't call ya Queenie. Ya may act like one but ya are pink." The lizard huffed, and Braele racked her brain. 'Chatty' 'Talky' and 'Quinky' were all heartily rejected, and Braele finally asked, "Gabby? Ya are, ya know." The pink considered it. Then she nodded with a chirp and went back to eating, chirping excitedly around bites of all sorts of things, and Braele relaxed. Gabby it was.

[Cathaline]

The green left in the nest picked her way out of her eggshells, and chirped a greeting to the whole wide world, flaring her wings to shake off the goo. It was a brand new day, and she was driven not just by the customary hunger, but by the desire to go out and do good. She could at least brighten people's days with the flit equivalent of a smile, right?

Momentarily, she was joined by a two-toned pink sister, and they briefly twined their necks together in a general display of compassion and kindness. The pink turned back to the nest to see if she could help any of her siblings escape from their shells, and the green took off, searching for someone with food, someone who could be hers. It wasn't hard for a green so empathetic to discover the person trying so badly to speak with telepathy, and she landed on Mouse's shoulder and crooned a greeting into her ear. It was okay if Mouse didn't want to talk, the green could say hello for her!

Glancing down at Saosk, the green gave a nervous flutter of her wings. This one felt...difficult. She hoped she would not be forced to defend Mouse against him, or anyone like him.

SPOILER: Click to show

Green-{227e3a, 225830} - For Mouse
This Green cares about all creatures, she will greet all creatures with a kind chirp. She doesn't like to use violence, but will only if she sees no way of avoiding it. Instead, to get things done, she will use threats of violence. (Padok Wiks)

The two-toned pink caught sight of a crack in an egg, and hopped forward, reaching out with her tiny talons to helpfully lever a piece of shell away. The firelizard inside stared up at her with a startled eye, and indicated that perhaps she was intentionally failing to hatch. The two-toned pink was deeply confused by this - who wouldn't want to hatch right away? - and embarked on a sweet, maternal quest to coax her sister out of her egg.

While the two of them were having a silent tete a tete, another green finally burst forth from her egg. She was pale in color, with two of her wingsails shockingly dark against her hide, and she sniffed the air before turning to the telepathic conversation. Had she been human, she would have frowned. Her hidden sister was making no sense. It was traditional to hatch as soon as you could, and go get food, and find a person. This was the only way that things could be, and, seeing as how the only firelizards present appeared to be peaceful and not interested in leadership, she instantly named herself to that position. Muscling the two-toned pink out of the way, she forcibly - and, it must be said, a bit violently - tore the hidden pink's egg to shreds. Slightly larger than her infant sister, she tried to drag the pink with her paws.

The two-toned pink, horrified by the sudden, brutal decision to ignore her sister's wishes, squeaked and stayed where she was. She was going to help, by Faranth! Fortunately, the pink in the egg had no interest in fighting. However, she was not going to let go of her stubborn desire to remain in her egg. She stumbled out of the nest, a bright magenta with pale wings, and took off. For reasons of her own, she settled on Naim's shoulder, clinging to him with her bitty talons, and tucked herself into the crook of his neck, where it was cozy and pleasant.

SPOILER: Click to show

Pink-{ffd5eb, fe0a88} - For Naim
A peaceful Pink, she will definitely not be one to start a fight. She is stubborn and will not let up once she has an idea in her head. She can be mysterious, at times. If she could talk, she might say things that would leave others confused. (Eve)

The pale two-toned pink, seeing that her sister was fine despite the green's interference, finally could not ignore the hunger in her tiny belly. She skittered off into the crowd, and ended up on Quellyn's knee. He was quite young and his mind was full of beautiful thoughts; she could mother him to her heart's content!

SPOILER: Click to show

Pink-{ffa4eb, f998da} - For Quellyn
A caring Pink, this girl will try her hardest to make others feel better. She has a motherly side. She is protective of those she is caring for. She won't give up if she thinks there is something she can do to help. Even if Hers tells her that she can't do anything, until she sees it herself, she won't give up. (Dr. Chloe Michel)

The green lifted her head regally into the air. Having had a taste of leadership and obviously done it well, she wanted...more. She also wanted to meet many more firelizards. She moved from person to person, becoming slightly agitated as she tried to figure out who was hers; she left a clawmark on the back of Allele's hand, and accidentally belted Re'on across the face.

Meanwhile, a speckled firelizard had quietly come out of her egg. She might be mistaken for a blue, until one noted the telltale gloss of her hide. The cyan did not make a sound, tilting her head and watching the festivities. Though there were many people, many dragons, and many whers present, she catalogued them all, and them moved with an easy grace to trace her sister's footsteps.

A second cyan, her hide darker and cloudier than her sister's, followed her into the world. She, however, remained put. Oh, goodness, there were just too many people here, far too many! It was uncomfortable to have so very many eyes on her, and she wavered uncertainly. She had a drive to explore, a drive to learn, but for a moment she was paralysed with anxiety.

The green, acting on some violent impulse, sank her teeth into Sora's hand. No, this wasn't the one for her either! Her more sensitive cyan sister slipped up behind her and started to nudge her, and the green turned on her instantly, raking her claws along her hide. This finally got a reaction from the speckled cyan, who shrieked in pain. For reasons known only to herself, she still pointed the green in the right direction.

The green rocketed off and landed on Naraevhyn's knee, testing her mind to find the bonds of her fair. Which was now the green's fair. Obviously. And they would all shape up with her around, yes they would.

SPOILER: Click to show

Green-{a3ffa1, 1f531d} - For Naraevhyn
Traditional, whatever her idea of traditional is, this Green does not like those who aren't keeping up with tradition. She kind of prefers violence to peace, but will keep her peace until she finds herself in the leadership position of a fair. She puts great importance on firelizards over other species. She will not look twice if, say a pillie, needed help from her. (Wreav)

The speckled cyan, breathing heavily, ichor dripping from the flesh wound, turned her face up to Sora's. Yes, this seemed like a good place to stay for awhile, and she opened her mouth for food.

SPOILER: Click to show

Cyan-{adecf2, 4abb4} - For Sora
This Cyan is enigmatic, her motivation will almost never be easy to figure out. Observant, she will more than likely know what's going on around her without even having to ask. Queit, this Cyan will hardly make a sound when she's moving. (Kasumi)

Finally, the shy, cloudy cyan ventured forth. She found a pebble on the floor, discarded, dragged in by someone's shoe, and carefully picked it up in her mouth; moments later, she landed in front of K'ius and solemnly presented it to him, the first of many artifacts she hoped to collect. Hopefully after he fed her, he could get her away from this crowd.

SPOILER: Click to show

Cyan-{8dc6cb, 519096} - For K'ius
Shy around people, this Cyan will take some time to get comfortable around others. She is quite interested in digging up artifacts. Any neat looking rocks she finds will probably go into a collection. She likes to learn. Set her a task of learning something and this girl shall get right to it. (Liara)

[Zephyr]

K’ius’ embarrassment about Nora and any feelings he may or may not have – but probably the latter, most definitely, aside, when baby firelizards started to explode from the basket pretty much, the boy’s dour attention was soon drawn to the nest. Looking at the babies was much preferable to trying to explain why his face flushed when Sandr accused him of having a crush on Nora.

The hatching had been sort of quiet up until now, and if this had been his first, he would have thought that this was normal; the quieter hatchlings hatching and impressing before the rowdier ones. While he had his attention off of his friends is when things really started to happen. Hatchings started flying everywhere, chirping and fighting and K’ius found himself hoping he didn’t impress to any. Titania didn’t need another reason to be pissed at him.

He thought he might have gotten away scot free from the wave of hatchlings. He was lowering his head to take a bite of cold food when there was suddenly a little pebble dropped unceremoniously in front of his plate. He blinked stupidly up at the little blue firelizard standing in front of him. Cyan Shobhaith murmured into his mind with much amusement in the purple’s voice. What do I… Kai continued to blink stupidly at the little cyan, some food half hanging out of his mouth. I thought you were brighter than this, K’ius. You feed her!

Grumbling lightly, he half worried about what Titania would do when she found out, and he was a little surprised she wasn’t already around throwing a fit. All of his bonds were probably dulling her senses. He hesitated for a second, maybe hoping the firelizard would decide he wasn’t worth it…but she was just blinking at him morosely and he heaved a sigh before snatching some meat away from Sandr and offering it to her. She snapped it up politely and let out a chirrup, to which Kai supplied her with more meat.

The boy eyed her pebble distrustfully. “Don’t think you’re taking that thing back with you.” Your room is messy enough that a pebble’s not a big deal. Name her. He resented his dragon giving him orders, but he knew if he was going to keep her, she’d need a name. “Eponine.”

---

The hatching was getting so exciting! Mouse sat, pressed into Saosk’s side, watching Akkyln’s flitter. She was so pretty, and she really wanted to tell the other girl just how pretty her flit was. Of course she couldn’t, so little Mouse was just getting frustrated, and let out a little irritated sigh. That was just when she felt something settle on her shoulder. She expected Saowyn’s black or maybe someone else’s flit…but no, it was a little goopy baby she didn’t know…and it had chosen her?

Mouse’s eyes widened and the girl nearly jumped into the air, remembering decorum at the last second. The green flit crooned happily and licked the side of her face. The child settled back, pulling the firelizard off of her shoulder to look it in the face. Oh, look at you. Aren’t you just the cutest thing. I love youuuu. The girl took some of the meat Sao had brought her and started to feed the firelizard. I’ll call you Selene. The flitter made it known that she liked that name very much.

Fishie stirred in Mouse’s shirt, waving his feelers threateningly at the new flitter.

---

It was about the time that a firelizard smacked him in the face when Re’on realized that he should just forget his food and return to the barracks. Good. Let’s go back now, Re’on. I don’t like this at all. The hatchling rubbed up against his boy’s leg and, still wiping egg goop off his face, the boy rose to follow, officially finished with this.

[Chek]

“No, no, Yhisk, please stop, it’s daylight out. Your eyes aren’t built for it, you’re going to get hurt,” Yhimere paced his dragon-wher down one of the inner hallways of the Weyr, the still-small green moving along a seemingly invisible ledge near the hallway’s ceiling, well out of her handler’s reach.

The green paused for a moment, then barked at him, a serpentine combination of a hiss and a roar, Yhith FINE, inside, no stupid light all, fine. Faces to bite, must attend. Bite, Yhisk’s Yhimere. Bite important. The little wher returned to her rapid trot, the green totally at ease on the tiny ledge several times her body length off the ground.

Yhimere paused for a moment to take several deep, calming breaths, then started after her again as soon as he realized how far ahead she’d gotten, “Biting is not more important than your vision! I can personally attest to it!” He called out, starting to jog after the green blur of his wher.

Not bite right face, then.

“I haven’t bitten any faces! At least not recently!”

Problem obvious, then. Need more biting. Yhiskyhith bite face, Yhimere bite face, teach all.

“That’s a good way to get an infection, you know,” the ex-Weaver called after her, helplessly.

Yhisk not sure why Yhimere think care. But she hesitated at the entrance to the dining hall, squinting again the bright light leaking into the hallway and rumbling her discontent. It gave her handler, clad in his nightclothes, a chance to catch up.

“I told you, it’s too bright. Now come on, we need to go back to…” Yhisk interrupted him by leaping from the wall, gliding into the Dining Hall, her eyes squinted nearly shut. She darted for the cover of a table as soon as she touched ground, and Yhimere could see her moving from table to table before she moved beyond his ability to pick out anything more than shapes.

Of course he pushed in after her; and a moment later he realized why there was a crowd standing around, Are you trying to eat a baby firelizard?[/i] He silently called out, incredulous.

Yhisk, in her new lair under a table right next to the hatchling clutch, answered after a moment, Yes.

Yhimere started looking for his wher, moving people aside apologetically but without regret when he had to.

Yhisk, watching the flashing flitters through barely open eyes, hissed, mostly to herself, Come to Yhisk. Impress belly, little delicious. I eat faces. SO good.

[Dragonwher]

Mira would have cheered for the newest flit owners but a green flash that was both too big for a babyflit; and coming from the wrong direction startled her. The jolt caused at least Perrin to chitter worriedly as he tapped his person; though he calmed as she petted him. Though she was a bit worried about what that thing might have been. It would be pretty horrid if something ate a person's new lil pet after all.

As Mira tried to spot the thing that might have been a baby wher; her flits decided perching on Mira's head and shoulders was smart. They had seen the big green flash too; and even Asher wasn't brave enough to tussle with it, whatever it was. If the unknown thing tried to get little Nymeria it'd get a faceful of Asher though. And not in the way it'd expect either. Mira for her part began to split time between watching the flits and watching for the confused Wherlet that se was only half sure was the same beast she'd seen at Wenth's hatching. Though she quietly muttered to Randiel "I'd keep Aela and Farkas on your shoulders Brother; something that might be a bit dangerous is about under the tables". Then Malinoth mental poked her again Aypoth says Hers is ok Mine; I'm going back to sleep now... with that Mira was hardly able to send him a wordless wave of love as a thanks before he slipped into the realm of sleep once more.

~~~~~

Randiel had seen the flash of green and the reactionary jolt of his sister. But until she spoke he didn't say anything. However he nodded "agreed; the two seem happy where they are thankfully, hopefully if that was a wherlet their bonded will find them". With that, as he half watched the hatching flits he was scanning for some sign of the person who had bonded to the creature if it was indeed a Wherlet. Neither he nor his sister knew they were right in thinking it was a Wherlet, Randiel was just running on a pure guess...and the fact that the creature was too big for a flit.

Aela for her part was on the alert the moment the flash of green had occured; though she didn't know what it was. Mostly thanks to Yhisk's quick movements and swift hiding. This made Aela nervous for a moment; only to turn protective. If that whatever it was hurt Hers or her new flitfriend she'd thrash it right alongside Asher.

[Serah]

Soon after all the other firelizards Impressed, another egg seemed to break open. It was a rather dark firelizard inside the shell. Dark brown, with a semi light colored spot on his snout. He stood on the edge of the basket, looking out at the people around him. What he didn't notice, or at least he seemed not to notice, was that an egg was inching closer by the second.

The egg's bottom was broken and four Purple legs could be seen. Just as the egg was about to reach the Brown, the Purple inside the egg broke the rest of the shell and squeaked at the Brown. The Brown turned around and chirped at his brother. His calm response seemed to make the Purple unhappy for a second. But the Purple quickly bounced back to happy.

The Brown chirped at his brother, looking for His. The Brown also wanted to lead his brother to the path of finding His as well. The Purple humored his brother and got out of the basket as well. Yhimere was the first the Purple stopped at, but he was not who the Brown was looking for. The Brown, however, took a long look at the Wherling.

Yes, the Brown decided. Yhimere was his. He crooned at the boy with happiness and hunger. Hopefully His would understand his dilemma. His could definitely help him.

SPOILER: Click to show

Brown-{5c1705, 7c4c21} - for Yhimere
This Brown is a courteous one. He will be the one to let the ladies go first, no matter what color they are. He is a calm firelizard. It's like nothing can anger him. He is, or can be, reassuring to others. If he sees something sad, he will be the first one to offer a shoulder to cry on. (Kaidan Alenko)

The Purple continued on. There were more people to look at. But soon enough he found His in the Pinkrider M'ax. He bounced on the table to make sure he got his new companion's attention. He chirped and cooed.

SPOILER: Click to show

Purple-{eb99ff, ad00d8} - for M'ax
This guy can find humor in most situations. He doesn't like when the atmosphere is to serious. Though he can sometimes be serious. He seems to know when lightening the mood won't work. He is a prankster. He will pull small pranks, nothing too big. He likes getting others to laugh. (Joker)

While all the boys were finding Theirs, another Cyan hatched. This Cyan was much darker than her sisters. She watched the unhatched eggs. She seemed as if she had decided to stay put for a bit as another egg hatched, as if to try to encourage the final eggs to hatch. The next egg, one of the last three she was trying to encourage to hatch, contained a Bronze. The Bronze almost immediately after Hatching, took to trying to be the leader. When he couldn't lead the Cyan away from the unhatched eggs, he went out to find someone he could find some other firelizard, or firelizards to lead.

There were many others to consider. But only one would work. Then he found her. The Pink Weyrling Nora. Yes, that small fair would be his to lead! His to command. He chirped a request, or it could be considered a demand, for some food.

SPOILER: Click to show

Bronze-{ad7d33} - for Nora
This Bronze is diligent. Once he sets himself to a task, he never gives up. He finds fault with what others do if they do not further his own goals. His main goal is to gain as much power as he can. He wants to be head firelizard and will do whatever he thinks is necessary to become the boss of all the other firelizards. (Udina)

[Rii]

Sora had only shrugged mildly at Mengir when she was spoken to; she was really quite distracted by the panoply of colors and patterns that were emerging from the eggs in baby form. A very bright pink… erm… distinctively marked baby landed with the soft-spoken woman, which made the hold-bred girl blink. “Didn’t know they came looking like that. Who knew.” Easing forward and reaching out, she dragged a bowl of meat scraps out of the cluster to deposit closer to them.

Oh, what. She wasn’t entirely heartless.

But she could wish she had fewer feelings - like pain! “Yeowch!” she yelped as a new-hatched green firelizard that had just raked one of its clutchmates viciously sank her teeth into the candidate’s hand. She just barely restrained herself from shaking the creature off or pushing it away - if they weren’t allowed to do that to newly-hatched dragons, it would probably be frowned upon for their miniature cousins, too. Mumbling a few things that would have had her mother after her with a handful of soapsand for her mouth, she clamped her free hand over the bite. Stupid sharding flitforbrains…

It took a moment to realize that the cyan that had got clawed open was sitting on the table in front of her, looking very expectant. “What, you want… oh, shells and shards.” She sat down, hooked a piece of meat out of the bowl, and popped it into the firelizard’s waiting mouth. Carefully, bleeding hand and all, she eased her fingers under the little one’s body and picked her up, settling her equally carefully in the crook of her arm without a care for the ichor that would spot her shirt later.

“You’re making a big mistake, you know. Picking me instead of someone who actually cares,” she muttered at the firelizard even as she fed her piece by piece, hands gentle. The cyan offered the softest of hums. She knew she was in the right place; she saw more than the grumbling and cold shoulders offered to the world. “Well, alright, you can rest with me for a while, then.” She drew a fingertip softly down that speckled hide, murmuring almost inaudibly. “Whisper.”

[Chek]

Yhimere was just ducking down to check under another table when something brown landed nearby and made little noises at him. He looked at the brown flit and told it flatly, “No. I’m not feeding you, I’m not setting the bond. Find someone else.”

He started to turn his attention away, back to looking for his wayward wher, when two things took place all at once; first, the hatchling flit was not quite ready to give up on this human, not yet, and bounced forward a pace on the bench Yhimere’s hand was resting on as he knelt down. Second, Yhisk, under the table directly behind them, realized what was happening.

She was possessive of Yhimere, yes, but not enough not to share him with something as inconsequential as a firelizard – if he wanted to be shared. Which he didn’t, in this instance.

She also really, really wanted to eat one.

A flash of green, and Yhisk was suddenly right beside Yhimere, her front feet up on the bench and a little brown tail rapidly disappearing down her throat. Yhimere twisted and fell on his rump, but didn’t hesitate, popping his wher’s mouth open and reaching in to grab the tail before it was beyond reach.

“Cough it up, I am not letting you get into this sort of habit. Firelizard eggs are expensive.”

They stared each other down, before Yhisk finally yielded, her throat contracting as she horked the brown flitter back up and into Yhimere’s grasp. The greenhander looked pityingly down at the slimy, shocked brown for a long moment, but no – Yhimere was not ready or willing to care for a baby flitter.

He thrust his hand skyward, waving the flit about, “Does anyone want this?”

Yhisk, for her part, just crawled sulkily into Yhimere’s shirt, Not taste good as hope, anyway.


OOC: OKAY. Dead serious. First person to PM me the proper hatching order of Valha’s flitters (and be aware, one of them is going to be a trick), with links to the post that they happen in/are talked about in gets this brown. I will message back the first person to do it and they can post themselves getting it from Yhimere. ONLY OTHER RULE: You have to be here already.

[Zephyr]

The child would have noticed the green wher if the hatchling hadn’t made such a stealthy entrance into the dining hall, and had she not been preoccupied with stuffing food down the throat of the green that had settled on her shoulder. As it was, Selene was digging little claws into Mouse’s clothing, snapping at the meat that was offered to her. The baby was careful not to snag the child’s fingers with her little teeth, and Mouse was thrilled to be feeding the baby.

Fishie wasn’t quite so pleased. The pille was still in the girl’s shirt, his feelers waving around imploringly as he searched for the mind now invading his girl’s. Hooking his feet lightly into her skin, he skittered out from the weyrbrat’s shirt, waving feelers and antenna alike in an attempt to scare the interloper off, crying out his war cry. Crrwaa, crrwaacrr! Selene took a break from eating to stare at the advancing pille, quite confused as to why it was acting so aggressively towards her and what she would do about it. Straight out violence was distasteful to the green, but it couldn’t hurt to put the little thing in its place, right?

The firelizard hissed and snapped at the pille, turning to scramble up and over Mouse’s head to settle on her other shoulder, tail twined around the girl’s neck. The pille, unprepared to actually be snapped at, let out a shocked Crrwaa, and fell clean off the child’s shoulder, hooking its many legs into Mouse’s shirt to hold on.

Of course it was all for naught as Mouse caught a flash of green out of the corner of her eye and noticed the man extracting a baby brown out of the throat of his gluttonous wher. The girl’s face fell, eyes widening in horror as she had nearly watched a baby firelizard getting eaten whole by a wher! Well, obviously that wher needed a hug and a kiss on the snout! That would come later, for now, Mouse was fixated on the firelizard, which the man was waving around so callously.

Little face locked in a scowl, Mouse abandoned Saosk’s side without another word – probably much to Saowyn’s shock -- , ran past Akklyn and her green towards the chaos in front of her. Fishie CRRAWAA’d, falling onto Saosk’s back with his many little feet flailing, and Selen held on for dear life, digging claws into the girl’s skin and wrapping her tail so tightly around her throat it was a wonder the girl wasn’t choking.

It would have been humorous if Mouse wasn’t in such a determined mood.

She stopped at the bench Yhimere was near, frowning up at him like her special brand of displeasure actually had an effect on the man. That poor baby! She thought at him hard, even though there was no way he was going to be able to hear her. That had never actually stopped Mouse in the past, and it sure as hell wouldn’t stop the child now. Stop throwing him around like that. You’re gonna shake him to bits! The girl huffed a little, still glaring at the boy like her wrath was something to be reckoned with – he should really, really be ashamed of himself, okay – and held out the bit of meat she had in her hand from when she’d been feeding Selene. And give him this!

It was bloody and smushed, but it was still meat. Selene, having recovered from the girl’s flight across the room, stared morosely at the meat because she hadn’t yet gotten her fill of the stuff, and here her’s was offering it to one of his siblings. But ever the lady and ever kind, she sulked from around Mouse’s neck, eyes sullen and curious all at the same time.

Mouse wasn’t curious. Mouse knew what had to be done. The brown was a baby, and he needed meat, and this man needed to stop waving him around and give him some…now. Any maybe clean him off…he had wher spit all over him…not that she thought that there was anything wrong with wherspit.

[A]

Talubara stood off a bit to the side, arms crossed over his chest, watching. He hadn't seen many fire lizard hatchings back home, had never had much interest in the little things, and it was proving every bit as chaotic as he'd expected. Although even he was a bit surprised by some of the going-ons. He hadn't associated overly much with WHERS either, before he got here, and he'd heard they were vicious and all that, but he hadn't expected it to try and eat a fire lizard.

He wanted one, in a vague sort of way. It would be a way to write home, and he could see the charm in owning a miniature dragon. His would know how to behave itself, of course, and would stay out of his way as he worked, but he understood the appeal. Not enough to push any closer, he knew better than to crowd a hatching, any hatching, but enough to stand close enough that, if one wandered too far abreast, he might have a chance.

A sudden squawk of noise drew his attention. Oh Faranth no...Was that a kid? Near the vicious wher? And being attacked by a fire lizard, and a pillie besides? Why was she even here unsupervised? Tal hadn't even thought it was possible to have a mauling at a fire lizard Hatching. He walked closer, standing carefully a few feet from the wher. He knew better than to make any sudden moves, beast might start, but he'd pull the kid away if it lunged like it had after the fire lizard.

"Hey, weyrbrat, you okay? Just back away slowly, alright, you'll be fine," he asked, keeping his voice low and soft. The wher didn't seem to be lunging, but Tal asked the handler, "You have it under control or do we have a problem here?"

OOC: Just want to clarify that Tal's views in this post are not mine.

[Chimera]

She wasn't sure how K'ius felt about her, but Nora definitely saw K'ius acting embarrassed and blushing, especially when he tried to avoid Sandr by turning his attention to the nest. Shanza's hatching, luckily, had been uneventful so far, but now the louder, feistier hatchlings had come out of their eggs, fighting and cawing and peeping. A little firelizard had even gotten hurt by another, causing enough worry in Nora for her green firelizard to land on her shoulder. Imni chirped at the hatchlings as if she was their clutchmother, warning them to stay out of further trouble. Triantan simply watched the hatching with curiosity, wondering what new friends he would get from it.

And a new friend they would get. Nora grinned and congratulated K'ius on his new cyan flit.

"Congratulations! You're catching up to Letorin." She giggled, forking a leaf on her plate, when a little bronze marched onto the table and in front of Nora, chirping for food from his chosen bonded.

Wait, a bronze? That was unexpected - the kings of firelizards were just as rare as their dragon and wher counterparts.

New friend! Aypoth gurgled in delight, chirping a brief tune. Who's the new friend?

Bronze firelizard.

Wow! It took a moment for the pink to transmit this information to the other dragons around her. Did you hear? Mine just got a little flit, a bronze!

Imni was not so happy, however. This mere hatchling, still covered in egg goop, thought he would lead all of them? He needed to grow up first! She cawed this message to the bronze, who snorted at her as he cemented his bond with Nora and gulped down pieces of meat. It nearly got to fighting before a confused Triantan crashed into both green and bronze, hoping to avoid a conflict. They were all in one fair!

Nora had watched the entire event with amusement, placing all three miniature dragons on their feet gently.

"Ceannaire. What do you think about that name?" The bronze hummed for a moment before squawking his approval, clambering up to Nora's shoulder.

Out of nowhere, a speckled blue firelizard by the name of Aulyur appeared in the dining hall, soaring over to Ceannaire with a hiss. If he wanted leadership, they would fight for it. But only when Ceannaire grew up...The bronze growled at the blue, who had vanished by now.

***

Mouse seemed to like Akklyn and her green, which softened up the prickly girl a bit - if someone liked her, she could very well like them back. She wasn't a barbarian.

Then the other girl marched up to a greenhandler and his wher, and Akklyn stared at the whole thing with confusion. And then Mouse...gained a new flit? As the weyrbrat carefully walked up to the bench with Yhimere and Mouse, a teenage guy appeared out of nowhere.

"What he said." Akklyn mouthed silently at Mouse and Yhimere, Minime sitting next to the girl's plate, keeping away from the dangerous wher.

[Serah]

The Cyan chirped happily as she noticed her Bronze brother Impress. He should be happy enough with the girl he chose. Her attention was quickly turned back to the eggs as a squawk came from the basket. The Cyan looked to see her new Red sister in the basket. The Red was very unhappy. Why was she one of the last to hatch? She was quite irritated by this. Her Cyan sister tried to get her to be at least a little bit happy by chirping hello to her, but that didn't work.

The Red only hissed at her and went to the far corner of the basket. Meanwhile, the last egg was rocking back and forth. The Red ignored it, but the Cyan was definitely interested in it. She walked up to the rocking egg, poking it with her nose. She wanted it to hatch. She wanted to see what her new brother or sister looked like. When the egg finally hatched, it revealed a light color Brown.

The Brown slowly got up from the remains of his egg. He was slow to walk away from the egg, looking around the room at all of the people. He didn't really want to head out there at that moment. So he stayed inside the basket with his sisters. The Cyan cooed encouragingly at both her Red sister and her Brown brother. She knew they needed to find someone for them. Well, at least, she wanted them to find people.

The Red just stayed put, hissing back at the others. The Cyan grudgingly turned back to her Brown brother as they both left the basket. They went off looking for their people. Each found their person within moments of each other. Though the Cyan didn't exactly leave the Brown until he found his person. For his Fahra, the Brown got on his way up to her shoulder where he nodded to His as if confirming, "Yes, you are mine," or something to that effect.

SPOILER: Click to show

Brown-{a57669} - for Fahra
This Brown is conservative. He doesn't much like change, though can be coaxed through it. Cautious is another word that could describe this Brown. He never rushes into a situation, always assesses the situation before moving forward. He is a flit who can pride himself on self-control. Others can try to goad him into doing something harsh, but he likely won't do it. (Garrus)

The Cyan also chose a Greenrider for her person. Allele, who the Cyan now happily claimed as Hers, was given an affectionate croon and a happy nuzzle. She did let Hers know that she was quite hungry. She could use a bite or two to eat at the moment. She could probably wait a moment, but soon would be a good time for food.

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Cyan-{118b95, 129e8d} - for Allele
This girl is able to keep a calm demeanor, even when the surrounding area is anything but calm. She is caring, never leaving another creature when she knows she can take care of it. She is loyal. She will never leave Hers, or anyone she considers a friend alone in their time of need. (Dr. Chakwas)

The Red was still in the corner of the basket. She wasn't being as quiet as she was before. She was hissing at the air. She hated this whole thing! She wanted nothing more than to reverse the whole hatching so she could be the first in the spotlight. So she could prove that she was just as good as any of her siblings.

Shanza would have none of this. It wasn't becoming of one of her daughters. Especially not this one. The Copper got back into the basket one last time, walking towards the Red rather slowly. She interrupted her daughter's complaints with a peck and a sharp chirp. The Red got up, walking away from her mother in a huff. The two of them got out of the basket, Shanza going back to B'nyur's shoulder and the Red to look for her person.

They were all wrong in some way or another. She let out a chirp to try to let them know that she wasn't theirs as she came to them. She hissed at those she passed that had one of her sisters or brothers. She had to find someone who was right that didn't have one of her siblings. She wouldn't stand being second to any of them. Finally she found one.

Though he was far from perfect. He would do, at least that's what she thought. She nipped Talubara's finger for food. She needed food, and she needed it now! There would be no waiting for her. She glanced back at her Copper mother, hissing rather quietly. The Red was not the happiest firelizard in the room, but she didn't believe that was her fault. No, it was her siblings fault. They took the best before she was even out of her shell.

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Red-{8b0f0f, cb1616} - for Talubara
Prickly, that's the first thing that most will encounter with this girl. She is easily irritated and it shows. This Red is blunt. She will say it how she thinks it is. Quick-tempered is another description that can fit this girl. She is not afraid to get in others faces and scream at them if they make her mad. (Ashley Williams)

With the last of the baby firelizards Impressed, B'nyur picked up the basket. "Alright everyone. Thanks for coming and I hope you all enjoy the company of your new firelizards." He called out to the room. He did wonder about the little Red firelizard and hers, and the boy with the Brown, so he would stay in the room just in case he was needed to help in any way. Other than that, though, the Hatching was over. He just wanted to make sure everything was alright.

[A]

Talubara was still standing by Mouse and the greenhandler when something flew at him, nipping at his fingers. He took a step back, then another, backing away from the crowd, driven by something quick, small and red. Food, right, food. He was supposed to be feeding it. He could do that. He'd brought meat. He held it up in front of his face and an instant later, the fire lizard had landed on his hand and was attacking the meat ravenously. Talubara got his first good look at it. It was a she. A very, very red she.

"Well, I guess that makes sense," Talubara chuckled ruefully, slowly and carefully disentangling himself from the crowd, taking care not to dislodge the feeding flit. She seemed to have calmed a bit at the sight of food, but he didn't trust her around children, not for a moment after the way she'd lunged at him.

A small blue head peeked out of Talubara's collar as the fire lizard fed. Cerulean had been accompanying his master, in case he felt need of his services, and he appeared to be in need. Cerulean would save him from the vicious beast!

"Oh, no, no, no," Talubara muttered, pushing Cerulean back into his shirt as he started climbing up his neck. He wasn't sure how discerning his new fire lizard was in her choice of food and while he didn't want or need a pillie per say, he also didn't want to get the thing EATEN, "You stay right there, okay? We can make introductions later."

But the fire lizard had already spotted the pillie. What was this? Hers caring for another? Above her? Rubbish! She lunged at Talubara's shirt, kept from Cerulean only by Talubara's hand...Which had more food. Well, he might be the worst possible choice except for everybody else, but at least he was feeding her. She'd catch the small annoying blue thing afterwards. When she wasn't the center of attention. She settled for a mildly annoyed hiss before falling back onto the meat.

"I guess I have to name you now, don't I?" Talubara was not good at naming, which was why he'd named Cerulean simply another word for blue. Could he just call this fire lizard 'Angry'? What would his father say... "Rayla, I'm going to call you Rayla." There, that was a real name, wasn't it?

They were going to have to start training immediately. Talubara had no intention of being bound to an uncontrolled fire lizard. He needed a messenger, not a menace. But he could do that. He had a fire lizard, a red fire lizard. Training her would be the easy part.

"Isn't that right, Rayla?" Rayla took a single dismissive glance and gave him another hiss for good measure.