Straddle the Line [CalKal Double Hatching!]

[Zephyr]

((Tags
R'hia; Nori/Joshu/Jossk/L'nor
Adelaide; Sora/Healer))

It really was beyond Ranthian to pay attention to Joshu’s words…not that he was actively trying to ignore him, but he was so tired and Nori was safe and impressed, and he didn’t have to worry about her. He didn’t have to worry about anything but sleeping, and though he knew this wasn’t the place to sleep, he couldn’t stop the tug of his eyes, his body half curled around his sister’s bandaged form. At this point, he wasn’t aware of his injuries, couldn’t be bothered to look…so he didn’t understand at all when Joshu was telling him to stay awake. “M’fine.” He scowled at his hovery older brother, trying to bat ineffectually at him, but not quite managing it. “Noris’ tha weyrling. She’s more impor…take care of her.”

That’s the way he wanted it. Norilana has always been more important. Why should that change now.

He’d fallen silent, chest heaving as he flopped back against the stands. That took more energy than he didn’t know he didn’t possess. Now, if they’d just let him sleep. R’hiaMine Even that…whoever that was. The boy glared. The impression was a tentative thing, slow and careful…where the other impressions were probably abrupt and jarring, and Ranthian…R’hia, in his half delirious state, did not recognize it. “Go’way. I just…” Sekaith loves you, and it will be okay, okay? Everything will be okay. Don’t be sad.

Eyelids fluttered and brow knit in bewilderment. He wasn’t sad…why would he be sad? He was overjoyed that Nori would be okay…even if he never saw his siblings again because they’d all impressed and he’d be left behind again. A knot caught in his throat, and the shivering became more pronounced. “I’m not…’m not…” Can I hug you now, R’hiaMine? Make it better? “Why would you want to…”

That voice.

That voice was in his head. It wasn’t one of his siblings, nor was it any of the healers. It’d called him a name he didn’t recognize it…and now that he was thinking about it, he felt it, the impression. It washed over him easily, slowly like being submerged in cool klah. His eyelids fluttered again, but this time they shot open, glassy eyes searching fervently for the owner of the voice…and he didn’t have to search far. It was right in front of him…a fat little blue with rainbow eyes fading to pale yellow in alarm. “…hug? I don’t…” He was still a little shellshocked, and the blue was looking crestfallen…he could sharding feel it. The sadness…he wasn’t sad, not anymore. I guess. I’m too tired to talk.

Sekaith’s eyes took on a green tinge and he nudged himself up to his rider. Norilana proved somewhat of a challenge, so close was she to R’hia’s body, but he didn’t care. She could probably use a hug too! He wrapped his pudgy forelimbs around both bodies and pressed into them gently as he dared, nuzzling Nori’s neck in lieu of actually being able to get to the boy she was pressed against. Never be sad. This will always make it better. This was said to both siblings as he pulled away, careful not to exacerbate any injuries.

Once clear of R’hia and Nori, Sekaith gave a low hum and brought his nose close to the boy’s bleeding hand. You are leaking, R’hiaMine. I want that to stop so you aren’t sad anymore.

[/i] R’hia huffed and lifted said hand. The last two fingers were gone, clear down to the hand. The whole thing was a bloodied, ruined mess, and gashes streaked down his wrist and forearm on both arms where Rask had slashed out at him as he had attempted to pull the wherlet off of Norilana. Where… “…where’d that come from?” He wasn’t in any hurry to get them looked at…he was comfortable, as much as it was possible to be comfortable at the moment.

He registered Joshu’s voice now, and twisted his head around to look at his brother, little green wher curled around his neck. There was no way to stop the prideful smile from spreading over his face. It was tired and strained, but it was there, and it was only for his siblings. “R’hia. He is…” …Sekaith the dragonet provided when his rider’s voice failed him. He was starving, R’hia could feel it in his gut, but he couldn’t reach any of the food buckets, and his rider’s comfort was more important at the moment, so he half curled around him, eyeing Joshu carefully. He hadn’t missed the older man’s thoughts when he’d first impressed, but he hadn’t acknowledged it until now.

The chubby blue didn’t catch exactly what Joshu had been thinking, but he could feel the underlying emotions there and a vague hint of why. They were surprisingly potent. He stretched his neck forward to barely touch Joshu’s chest, nuzzling him comfortingly. You are sad too. He didn’t hide this from any of the siblings, and the sentence wasn’t a question, but a simple fact, blatant and obvious. Could they not see it? I will help. Can I hug you? His question was directed to Jossk more than it was Joshu, his snout having drifted up to face the skinny little wher.

If both man and wher agreed, Sekaith would peel himself away from R’hia and wrap his forelegs around the man in a happy bear hug, nuzzling into him happily. If they didn’t agree, he’d probably just do it anyway, because hugs made everything better…even disagreeable little whers.

He’d probably knock Jossk off and hug her too if he wasn’t fairly certain he’d break her little body. He’d just have to do with a handler hug and let her live vicariously through Joshu.

R’hia just watched the exchange with wide, unbelieving eyes. What had just happened?

Wait.

Joshu was sad? Why was Joshu sad? As Sekaith's forepaws hit the ground once more, R'hia's attention turned to his brother. He didn't want to ask him in front of everyone else, but the kid's eyes said more than words ever could.

---

“Are you okay?” Adelaide turned to Sora and asked her roommate as the iron wher attacked her. There was little she could have done about it, and she felt awful; wanted to help her in any way she could. The words sounded hollow though, as the last dragons impressed and the whers found theirs…including the iron wherlet.

Well…that was it.

Then Kalesk thanked them, and Addy was left standing and staring as the gold where disappeared with the dead green in her jaws. Faranth, she needed to move, needed to be out of there. Her body was itching to move, to do anything than stand there in that stifling place with the scent of blood and sweat and death congealing in a sticky humid mess, and she wasn’t feeling the intense bruises she’d inevitably have later, so why not just go?

“It’s over.” She stated the obvious, staring at the shattered egg shells. There was surprisingly few left for how many hatchlings there’d been. The girl wasn’t sad she hadn’t impressed, not now. Now she was just rapidly getting claustrophobic to the point of wanting to scream. “I’m gonna…” She swallowed heavily, fingers in her left hand twitching as her right hand was swollen and painful. She didn’t know how badly broken the bones were, and she didn’t know how much a healer could help her. The girl swallowed again, trying to move her fingers, but they hurt so bad. “…we need to get our injuries looked at.”

Giving the other girl no change to argue, Adelaide grabbed onto Sora’s arm with her uninjured hand and pulled her with her towards the healer corner. If she needed help walking, or someone to lean on, Adelaide would be there without judgment or question.

Once her hand was fixed, she was getting out of there as fast and as far as she possibly could.
[/font][/blockquote]

[Tigersilk]

When the little Iron wheret began its rampage, Frankie watched it with her usual cool detachment, admiring the way it went through the Candidates. When it entered the Stands and attacked the riders there, though.... Albaths scream tore through her, as it did her companion/rival Rushera, and their respective dragons, touching all of their well-hidden small bits of empathy. What if something like that happened to her...
"It would not live." Scikath growled to her rider. The thought of loosing her Frankie like that was more unsettling than she wished to admit, even to herself. Beside her, Vayuth growled her agreement. Her Rushera was more important to her than anything the Iron's mother could say in its defense.

"Didn't that wheret Impress that boy from the back? Why's he still going after those other boys for?" Rushera asked. Surely that Iron didn't just fake....


"It did." Scikath confirmed, honestly surprised that a hatchling would truly go that far to keep his precious mental freedom intact before bowing to the inevitable.

"Fool. He bought those moments at the cost of everyone else's respect and trust. Even if the other hatchlings forget, their humans will not. And what is freedom without the respect of others? An unbreakable cage for it now, hidden in plain sight." Vayuth communicated quietly, in her usual riddles.

After it was over, the two women stood and stretched. A silent sign passed between them before they and their dragons left their ledge. They'd meet up in an empty weyr -one they had agreed on beforehand for this - in a bit, and work out their mutual desire to kill each other before attending the feast. Afterwards they might meet up again and go another round or so. It was twisted, and not something either woman could explain, but if it kept them from actually trying to kill each other for real, they'd indulge the other and do it. If for no other reason than a desire to not face whatever punishment might be meted out to a dragonrider convicted of murdering another rider. Neither Frankie nor Rushera wanted to be trailblazers for THAT.

[Kila]

Sol only laughed when Harri wrapped her up in an enthusiastic
embrace. She was glad she had been able to make him so happy by bringing
him along. "Really, it's fine. You are very welcome." When he let
go he took her hand again and laced his fingers in hers as though they
had known each other for ages and it was a natural thing. From where she
was perched Eccolath sent Hers a smug feeling. What? Sol asked,
reddening ever so slightly when her lifemate drew attention to it.
It's not weird. Was it? Harri was only nervous to be in the Weyr
at the big, bloody hatching, right?

Before either of them could think of an answer there was renewed chaos
on the sands. Everyone had been relieved when the Iron had seemingly
taken Seph as his lifemate, but the malevolent hatchling abandoned the
boy and moved on to torment another. Ablath's terrorized screams rocked
inside of Sol's mind when the Iron ripped mercilessly at A'bar's
stomach. She paled and hung onto Harri's hand, once again glad to have
him there. The whole hatching would have been much more traumatizing if
had watched it alone. "There's nothing you can do," she said to
keep him in his seat, feeling equally helpless. "The healers will
take care of him. He'll be okay." But the Iron was not done. He
savaged both Newt and Letorin before Kalesk stepped in and made him
choose.

Parallel to that destruction, however, was the kindness of Kalesk's only
other remaining hatchling. The Brown abandoned his ruined castle and
moved through the candidates, comforting them as he went. Sol pointed
him out to Harri as he seemed to hug one of the people below. They
watched with fascination as he crawled into the stands, making friends
where the Iron had caused chaos. Harri was practically bouncing in his
seat, thrilled (Sol assumed) that the hatchling was so close to them.
Mine... Eccolath warned her when it was
clear that the baby was climbing in their direction. He looked friendly
enough, but after all the bloodshed they had just seen Sol knew that
they should play it safe.

Their fears were completely unfounded, however. Sol could never have
predicted what came next. The little Brown scrambled up and up until he
was right in their laps before bouncing to a stop. He locked eyes with
Harri and they began to swirl with the beautiful rainbow of impression.
Her mouth must have dropped open at that point. The Brown seemed to
laugh at something he had said and Harri greeted him with a stunned
hello. Hand echoed Sol's sentiments exactly. If there was any doubt
about what had happened before, it was gone when Harri swept Harrisk
into his arms and burst into tears. "Oh Harri, Congratulations,"
she said with tears in her own eyes. The whole thing was perfect.
Yes! Congratulations! Eccolath agreed with
gusto. Hello, little Harrisk. They would
meet later.

~

Harri was not the only one excited by the Brown climbing into the
stands. Aydan had been on his tip-toes watching the iron carve his path
of destruction. The little King did not seem to want to choose a
Candidate. Instead, he went from boy to boy, maiming them. Aydan wished
he could hear what the Iron was saying to them, because he assumed that
all Whers talked as Nadysk did: in your head alone. "Would you take
that one?" Nadya asked, bemused. She had been watching Aydan stare
him down. The little boy looked at her carefully and then nodded. He
would. He would scold him, but then he would love him.

His attention was immediately diverted when the Brown started heading
their way. He gasped and Nadya thought she would have to grab him to
keep him from leaping forward. Would it come to him, Aydan wondered
feverishly, reaching his hands towards the hatchling. He wanted him to.
He wanted him. But no, Nadya had sat them in a far part of the Stands
and the Brown was already veering away. Aydan watched forlornly as he
impressed to some old man who immediately began to blubber. Stupid. He
looked back to the sands and saw that the Iron had impressed as well.
"You put away that bottom lip," Nadya warned, rising and
stretching. "It's over. You dragged me out of bed and now I'm going
back." Aydan stuck out his lip farther, sullen. He wanted there to
be more. He wanted his own wher and a dragon too.

~

O'sho rose, weary and sad, when the Iron finally chose his Handler. The
hatching had been grueling to watch. He was glad Fajra had not come, for
her heart would have been heavier than his upon leaving. He shared a few
quick words with Cambyses and his Lady, promising to see them at the
feast, before heading off to where the wounded were gathered. For the
first time in ages his especial presence was not required at the feast.
He would be making no speeches, would not be expected at the high table.
D'lios would be in his place. Though he had immensely enjoyed them, he
did not resent giving up these duties. Seeing the Lord Holder smirking
down at him would be the worst of it, but even that was sufferable.
Avalle had it worse. And now he was free to do what and go where he
pleased.

"Hey there,"] he said kindly to one of the bustling healers.
"Anything I can do to help?" His parents had been healers, so he
wasn't a stranger to medicine. He was more than happy to hold cloth to a
wound or go fetch supplies- whatever they needed. He spied and
approached Letorin, the kindly boy who had stalked him in the dining
hall and given him a picture of Kalith. "How are you doing, lad?"
he asked, inspecting him. The Iron had ripped his back to tatters, but
O'sho did not flich at the sight. "Don't worry, we'll get you all
patched up.""

[maruset]

Iola gave D'nari a steady look. "I know." Her tone was calm, and she didn't move her hand off of him. Figured it was better to give him a physical sensation to focus on. "At the moment, I think we would just be in the way. Let the healers work, and they'll get him patched up. Knowing Letorin, he'll find some way to make this into something interesting." Her tone was a bit dry there, since the younger teen was far too good at turning anything into something to learn from. Next time, she was sure that there was going to be at least one person checking to make sure that the boy had armor on under his robe.

"Take a deep breath, D'nari. He'll be fine. It's messy, yes, but he's not the worst hurt out there. They'll be fine, you know how good our healers are." She tried to give him a smile, looking at the others who were also there. "Give them a bit before trying to sneak in to see people, okay?" There were so many hurt that Iola was sure that there would be a steady stream in and out of the infirmary as people got patched up and sent to rest.

***

The walk to the healers seemed to take a lot longer than it should have, but Letorin was pretty sure he was in shock. That was okay, though, since shock helped numb things. That was completely all right by him. There were several worried looks at Newt, but Letorin was just happy to sit once they got the edge of the sands.

There was movement, and it took a moment to register that he was being spoke to. Once he glanced up, Letorin smiled as brightly as he could at O'sho. "Interesting hatching," he said after a moment, trying to breath in slow, shallow breathes. No need to jar up anything that he didn't need to. It didn't take long for a healer to show up and start working, and he grimaced, jaw tightening a bit. Though he tried to not let it show that it hurt.

"It could be worse," he said after a moment, still not sure just how bad the damage was. "Still up and moving, so that's a good sign." There was a flash of a grin, though he held onto all of his training with a deathgrip, thinking of what his father would say if he showed weakness.

That startled a laugh, and a hiss out of him. "I sort of expect a half dozen letters from my father and uncles now, all wanting to ask if I am -sure- I want to stay here." Sometimes his family did show how much they cared, even if it was in ways that made him roll his eyes.

[Raining]

Fortath was amused by his regal sister, and he coo'd in response, sleep well, beautiful~. Al'dr blinked listening to Fortath... charmingly flirt with both dragons. "Thanks, uh nice to meet you both," he suddenly stumbled over his name, "Sa-- ah. Al'dr" Al'dr Both weyrling and dragon answered in unison. Fortath figured his needed a little help, but it all worked out.

When Copath spoke Fortath made an effort to listen, all of his attention on her. It was actually more effort than most humans made. Isn't he? Your invitation is rather stunning too, i'm happy to have been able to join your party! You look very lovely. He whistled his thanks as the food was pushed closer.

"Okay no more, just eat.." he told his dragon awkwardly. Not that he didn't mind it... but he would rather not play wingman for his dragon. Especially right now...

After everything, Ablath screaming... Fortath finally ate his fill and his head rested soundly on his lap, everything considered. Al'dr was relieved his stomach behaved and he didn't have to run for an empty bucket like another girl had. But it seemed the hatching was finally at an end.

There was suddenly a poke at Fortath's back, he and his dragon whirled around facing Ghols. Her words had his jaw dropping, "he... what?" he left? Shards... Kai. His brows furrowed suddenly, "of course I care!" he snipped sort of curtly. Shards, he needed to get go get him. But Fortath, although curious about Al'dr's reaction, lowered his head back on his lap and he could feel the dragon's exhaustion as well as his own.

His expression softened, "uh thanks Ghols... for letting me know."

[Rii]

Norilana looked around hazily. “Is he th’first first, or just one of them? I didn’t see.” It didn’t really matter if Noirath was the first burgundy or second or third or twentieth. He was hers, hers alone. Her dragon. She grinned a little. She’d done it, and Lanorun… L’nor… had done it, and Joshu had a wher when he thought he’d be alone forever, and…

A pudgy blue dragonet swam into view and hugged them. I didn’t know dragons gave hugs... but here one was hugging them anyway, with the utmost care.

That’s my rider you’re snuggling with, you know, Noirath offered dourly. Congratulations, you picked one that might even be useful. Took you long enough to get here. He poked Ranthian - R’hia - with a pointed look. See? Sekaith agrees. Stop bleeding already.

“Noirath…” Nori was running out of energy to argue. She was tired. Being tired didn’t stop her from giggling. “See, Ran… sorry… R’hia, s’R’hia now, I’ll remember… see? Ye did it too, we all did, all of us.” She beamed proudly, her eyes drifting shut. She was vaguely aware of Sekaith saying something about someone being sad, but it was all getting very fuzzy, she was warm and didn’t hurt so much and all of them had Impressed, and everything was going to be okay.

The girl relaxed against R’hia, falling silent. Sleeping, Noirath offered quietly before they could panic and shout and wake her up. Everything’s over, now. Maybe now they’ll find someplace more suitable for certain blood-covered people to be.

***

“Fine.” Even if the bite had been much worse, Sora still would have offered the same curt word. She refused to have people worry and fret over her. It was uncomfortable, and unnecessary. There were more important people to worry about. People that needed to live. Like Orkia should have? her thoughts taunted. She shook her head slightly, not wanting to think about it. Not yet. Not until she was away from this place, and alone.

It was over. She hadn’t Impressed. Somehow, she couldn’t muster enough care to feel disappointed. Unsurprising, really. All she wanted was a fresh set of bandages for her hand - proper bandages instead of a strip of her robe - and about a sevenday’s worth of peace and quiet. She wasn’t going to get the latter, but the sooner she got her hand seen to, the sooner she could leave these stinking sands behind. For once, she and her roommate were in complete accord. “Yeah… coming.” Eesh. One good pair of hands between us. Snorting softly, Sora followed Adelaide’s tugging off of the Sands.

***

T’yandon sighed heavily as the last wheret finally chose his bonded, leaving a trail of blood and pain in his wake. Mayday’s wingleader felt worn through just from watching the hatching; he couldn’t begin to imagine how it must have been on the Sands. And there had been nothing he could have done except watch and wait, the entire time; well, now he could at least go offer assistance in getting the wounded either seen to, or moved to the infirmary as needed.

And there will be no parties tonight, will there be, T’yandon? Ietermath inquired in a sad, somber tone uncommon for the fun-loving bronze.

No, Ietermath… I’m not sure that anyone will have the heart to celebrate any of this.

[Digitalis]

Tamren took a quick look around and realized the Hatching was winding down. There were only a few dragons and whers left unbonded, and the last of the eggs were cracking open as well. The iron, brown, and purple had all chosen their riders already, and the only hatchlings left on the sands now were fighters. Tamren's side was starting to ache, and he thought about going ahead and leaving the sands now. But he shook his head slightly. He'd come this far, he might as well ride out the rest of the Hatching, even if his king hatchling wasn't waiting for him this time around.

...Then again, watching the green dragon and iron wherling tear through the candidates and even some fully-grown riders, he wasn't sure he wanted to be anywhere near them. He certainly didn't envy the candidates who ended up Impressing them. At this point, Tamren was just glad that he had been left alone by the vicious hatchlings, and as the last of the whers bonded, he started to walk off of the sands. He didn't see any point in bothering the healers; they had their hands full already, and compared to some of the others who'd been injured, he'd gotten off light indeed, with only a few bruises to show for having been a candidate. He'd go off to his room, maybe, or somewhere else indoors, and sulk at having been left standing a second time.

--------------------------

Eveth's eyes swirled curiously. Exciting things? What sort of exciting things are supposed to happen?

"Oh, you know," Phaenna said, shoving another slice of fish into Eveth's mouth. "Probably weyrling training, and that kind of thing. I'm not sure about exciting, but...it should be fun," she added with a grin for the pink. She glanced over at M'yn, fighting to keep her relief from being too obvious on her face. Neither he nor his dragon seemed annoyed at having Eveth intrude on their moment, which was a great weight off Phaenna's shoulders. After seeing how some of those hatchlings had behaved on the sands, there was not much she would have put past them, and most of the people she'd been candidates with were still strangers to her.

Eveth, meanwhile, had shifted the focus of her attention already. Definitely cute, she giggled, but he can be cool, too. Nice to meet you, Michiath the Jester! I am Eveth the Cute, she said it thoughtfully, as though trying it out, and her eyes swirled with green and blue. I like it! Michiath's belch sent her into mental giggles again; clearly, she wasn't particularly concerned with manners.

"Nice to meet you, too," Phaenna said, glancing shyly at M'yn. She nodded as she passed off the last piece of fish in her bucket to Eveth. "It looks like we are. It-It's a lot to get used to," she said, and then added softly. "I hadn't really expected to Impress at all, actually."

That's because you are silly, PhaennaMine, Eveth said, nuzzling her snout into the girl's side gently, not without affection. She gazed at the empty food bucket wistfully. Is that all there is?

"Yes, and that's all you need," Phaenna replied. It was strange, feeling the effects of a fully belly that wasn't her own, but she could just tell that the pink would not be able to hold down another mouthful of fish.

((Tag: M'yn/Michiath))

[princesal]

Hello!"That's Eccolath, she's a cyan, and her rider is Sol. Harrisk like Sol! Sol smart. Harrisk like Eccolath. Hello Eccolath!

Harrisk was very happy, and as he made his way across the Sands, he was quick to stop at every person along the way, and greet them with a leg rub, or a soft head-butt. Harri couldn't stop smiling, his eyes were still a bit glassy (and definitely red), and at times his breath was ragged, like he was trying to control his emotions. He wanted to pick Harrisk back up, but the young brown seemed very content to make his greetings.

Harri was beside himself, there was definitely a fair share of shock, but there was euphoria, and it made him lightheaded and giddy. "[You should cut me.] What? [You suddenly Impress and you brain melts out your ear holes?] No, I mean- [The blood bond] I know that b- [Because he addressed both of us. He's mine too. So cut one of my fingers.] It's going to be the same blood no matter where." Hand Harrisk's too. Need. Eat now.

With a happy bugle, Harrisk could smell meat and blood, food! Delicious food! He was so hungry. He skidded and rolled when he was just about to the food area, and spun around, racing back to his Harri, who had frozen. Friendly. Make friends. No scared. Lots friends. He could feel Harri was nervous, but didn't understand why. There were so many friends to be had, there were so many fun things to do! Scrambling at the sand as he ran around behind, he used his head to try and nudge Harri forward, and got a bit distracted when he rubbed his body against Harri's leg instead, it took care of an itchy he had and couldn't reach. Harri, Harrisk Hungry." I don't know any of them... [all the more reason to move your feet. You're going to know them.] What if I say or do something stupid? [ha, well you're going to do that anyway, so why be worried about it.]"

That wasn't helpful, and he wanted to run back to Sol, and ask her to introduce him. People were... difficult. It made him nervous, and he was afraid that when they found out who he was they'd be angry. Or they'd be mad that he Impressed instead of one of the young children. He didn't know who 'they' were, but there was always a they.

Harrisk felt his stomach growling, and he felt the need to bite his wonderful Harri too, knowing that it was important that he taste some blood, Hand had brought up a good point, but his Harri and Hand weren't injured, there was no blood to lick up, and he didn't want to bite either. Finally he took matters into his little wher talons, and strolled into the feeding area. Hello friends. This Harri and Hand and Harrisk.! Eat now?

"Ah... hello... [Harrisk is my new favorite.] I- [Hey! What's a hand got to do to get a knife around here?]" Harri laughed, a bit embarrassed, but to happy to dwell on that, or apologize for Hand's blunt nature. Even though he was still nervous, he did finally follow the friendly baby brown into the feeding area.. Harrisk had bounded up to the nearest person with a bucket of fish, and was investigating it. He snorted softly, he was more interested in meat then fish, but he wasn't about to say no to any kind of food right now. Reaching up, he clawed at the bucket, and when he heard the noise his claws made against it, looked positively delighted!

tag: Eccolath (Kila), Anyone/Eveyone along the way to the feeding area, Everyone in the feeding area.

[Dragonwher]

Randiel looked up as a fellow wherling with a very friendly brown trundled over after the iron played its cruel prank on Seph. Only to Impress for real to another male he was unfamiliar with. Harri's hand antics made him quirk a brow; but he carefully reached for the knife he had still possessed on his belt calling out "here...talking hand?". Instead of making the comment rude seeming however he was chuckling good naturedly; shortly before hissing in pain as his chuckles made his carved up chest move.

Though he looked over at Dardranel at her exclamation "I'm still breathing and I was able to stand without losing bits of me. He hoped as he tried to pick a few threads of his candidates robe from the cuts that Makkoi had cleaned. But his next comment was dead sober "besides the healers need to fix up the ones who aren't sitting up and able to talk just yet; like the wounded Rider up in the stands". As he spoke to Dardranel he kept his arm extended in Harri's direction, glad he'd not gotten blood on his hand or it might confuse the gentler brown wheret. He then turned to watch the candidates not needing healing heading out, followed by looking back at Dardranel "me needing treatment is why I'm staying put till the healer and his wher comes back around...hopefully not with more of that wound cleanser...".

The entire time Randiel sat there, his flits took to glowering at his wheret partner then chirping querulously at Dardranel and her wheret. They hadn't gotten 'want eat' vibes from Dardrask so they were more curious than scared of him. Since Randiel had ceased looking at the hatchings he missed the last dragons pairing off. Otherwise he might have been rather startled to see Garna chosen despite the Burgundy snapping her leg. It would have been a different story if Rask wasn't in a baby wher food coma currently. But it was hard to miss the antics of the Iron wher any which way you looked at it.

Inwardly he was glad the only wher's dead had been a dud egg and a small green, people were shattered enough as is without seeing Kalesk rip into a turned wild iron. Though he was also partly glad because it seemed he wouldn't be so alone in the 'needing extra lessons on control of an illtempered Wher' corner of lessons. Not that he honestly wished a violent wheret on anyone. Strangely as he watched the wheret sleep; in spite of the damage Rask had wrought, he was starting to feel something like love for the beastly brown. A feeling that made the baby growl in its sleep but Rask was too deep in his food coma to wake yet.

~~~~

Mira didn't react too much to Iola's words, beyond a nod as she tried to breathe a bit herself then whispered "Iola, I think you'll make an amazing Weyrwoman someday; just because of how kind and reassuring you are. You and Jainath both in fact will be amazing leaders". Mira fervently meant her words, as reflected by the affirming chirps from her flits as they calmed enough to peep and chitter again. Malinoth, eyes a whirl as Aypoth glomped into the pile sent his own agreement to Jainath after greeting Aypoth hello Aypoth; and Miramine's right Jainath, you and Yours will be amazing leaders when you grow up.

Thus settled by calming Iola and friendly as ever Aypoth, even though Iola was mostly helping D'nari at the moment Mira did make her eventual plan known. "I am going to try and see Randiel after I find out if he'll be made to go to the Infirmary though". In the non-rider stands area Mir and Andel were staying put only until the rest of the non-riders started to rise to find an available ride home. They both wanted to be sure Randi would be ok for real however so they planned to speak to any of the healers to see if they could tell the worried parents anything. After the healers had fixed people up of course.

[Maggie]

Gennesk roared in alarm. Delicious! Delicious is not be for scratch!

Genner gave his wher a worried look. "You can go visit him in the infirmary later," he promised. "Mouse and I will go see W'lin so she can tell Chyu all about the hatching. Unless you would rather go see Mengsk, Mousie?"

Gennesk still chattered worriedly into his handler's mind as they returned to their quarters. Genner mostly ignored him, although he tried to reassure him a bit, keeping most of his attention on Mouse, watching the little girl for signs of lasting trauma from the hatching.

***

G'lin awkwardly hugged Iola, his face pale. "That's Gennesk complaining," he murmured, recognising a familiar roar amid the hubub. "He's always been protective of Delicious. Still wants him to be a wher Candidate."

He was going to hug D'nari when Dawn arrived, looking like a mess. He wasn't about to get between the twins, physically or otherwise. One of them would clock him, especially in the mood they were in. Dawn whirled around to follow her brother's gaze. Her eyes also narrowed, anger flaring dangerously. "They should have culled that monster," she hissed. "Impression or no." It was a horrible, horrible thought and she knew it, but the iron wher had caused too much damage, too much pain. Newt had survived losing his wher and was still a Candidate, the same could happen to Jafari and justice would be served.

I will help, Nesdeth offered to her sister, feeling her rider's rage.

No you won't, either of you, Anablimyth muttered. Tell them they can't be so uncivilised and get themselves covered in that disgusting blood colour, Jainath

Doom popped between, returning with a comb. He dropped it on G'lin, giving both the twins a pointed look. "Touch my hair and die, bluerider," Dawn hissed.

He raised his hand in surrender, raising the comb a bit towards Mira. "I do suggest that we go somewhere nice and comfortable, I can suggest my weyr. I can braid hair, if anyone wants."

***

Tamarine gave Randiel a grateful nod, then leaned down to pick Tamarisk up again. The wher had that look in her eyes again. Tamarisk flailed angrily. TAMARISK DOWN! she protested. HULSK SMASH! she ordered. If her hers was knocked over, she could get down!

"No. No making your sister do bad things and no recruiting for your evil schemes," Tamarine scolded. "Nap time, you're getting cranky." She grinned at Hulair again. "I have a feeling that we're going to have to keep an eye on these two."

She gave Harrin a friendly nod as he arrived with Harrisk. "Hi Harrisk!"

***

Kamikith nudged his new rider over towards where S'idon and Silvianth were. K'ian blushed and shifted nervously, offering his former roommate a tentative grin. "We're in the same class again," he said quietly. "I knew you'd Impress. You're going to be a great rider. What's her name? She's really beautiful. Pinks are amazing. Um, this is Kamikith. He's... My name's K'ian now." He still seemed a little shocked at that, but there was still a shy smile on his face.

[princesal]

"[hmm... thank you talking boy]" Hand snapped at Randiel, as he snatched the knife out of his hand. Harri smiled. "Sorry about that. Hand is... persnick-oww [Well if you were paying attention.]" Hand be nice, Harri and Hand friends, meet friends. Blood? Mmm! Harrisk need. Harri was looking down having not paid attention to what Hand was doing, and the knife had been held until the skin split open upon it, a straight line over the tips of his fingers, blood welled up. Sitting down on the ground, not even searching for a bench, because someone else might need it, he held his hand out to Harrisk.

Harrisk, seemed excited at this positive change. He was nearly bouncing, and as Harri sat down, and spun around in a circle, and then the other way. His movements made him look like he was dancing, and when Hand held his bleeding tips out to him, Harrisk was quickl to pounce forward, and let his agile tongue lick those fingers clean, worrying them softly between sharp teeth. He'd never want to hurt his Harri, and took special care to make sure that those teeth didn't close too tight, and that his tongue was gentle. Harri and Hand, Harrisk's. Forever?

Harri felt the blood bond snap into place, and he could feel how hungry Harrisk was, the sweet brown wher waiting so patiently. Not wanting to start crying again, he took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes. Forever. [Me too.] You're forever too? [You'd miss my wit and charm] That's what it's called now?" Harrisk disrupted the two before it got anymore more, by scrambling up into Harri's lap, proclaiming his hunger again. He wiped the blade on his pants, and held the knife back out to Randiel. He was much better one on one with people, and was glad that Harrisk's plan to make a million friends at once didn't work.

"Thank you. My name is Harri, and this is... well... I'm sure everyone heard him. Not everything is about you. [Pffft, nothing good at least.]" Harri reached into the bucket of fish that Harrisk had scratched at earlier, grabbing a piece of fish with his hand, keeping Hand's 'mouth' full, he'd hold the knife out until the other took it back.

Pulling out the fish, he brought it close to Harrisk's mouth, looking down when it wasn't immediately taken. Harrisk was looking at a small woman, and when his gaze followed, she seemed happy to greet Harrisk back. The swamp of joy at the friendly acknowledgement from the brown wheret made what Harri was sure was a wasted heart, warm even more. Harri was glad that he had needed to get to this point before he met Harrisk. It felt right now.

"Harrisk, you can meet all these people, and whers, and dragons later. You should eat now." Harri right. Harrisk hungry. Eat now. Sleepy. "You've had a big day." And Harrisk finally at the fish, he didn't seem to spend much time chewing it, but with how his mouth snapped back open, Harri seemed satisfied in his safety and filled that, small but potentially deadly, maw with more fish. Babies needed food, and sleep, and after that sand caste, he was sure that Harrisk would be asleep within less than half a candlemark.