All-Stars {Kalith & Nikianeth's Hatching}

[4horseshowgirl4]

This whole routine is getting old
So am I, and so are you
My reputation lets me know
I can do whatever I want to
Though it seems that you believe
You can do whatever it is you please
Know before, know before you wind up on your knees
Don't cry to me no more

Dekistee felt triumphant when neither Jasra nor Engrye responded to her. Hah. She had clearly outwitted both of them! Naturally, it never occurred to Dekistee that anyone might be displeased or upset by her show of brattiness. She only felt like she'd one-upped Engrye and Jasra. It felt good, she had to admit. Oh, she would make both of their lives hell when she ruled this place, make no mistake, but it was good to have those little victories even now. Speaking of the future, where were all the dang decent dragons? Her frustrations were eased slightly when a Bronze hatched next. Well, finally! The Brown and Purples were all good and fine, but none of them could rival a Bronze, a true King. However, before she could see who the Bronze Impressed (although it had to be Belor, he was the perfect Bronzerider!), something even better caught Dekistee's attention. A Red. A sub-Queen. A glimmer of wanton greed shone in Dekistee's eyes. Her short, slim body snapped to attention as she finally bothered to be aware of what was going around her. The Sub-Queen would be hers. She was tired of waiting. Her time was now.

You like the way that people stare at you
Now you look so fake,
just thought that you should know
And you're all the same,
and when the curtain drops down
You'll be replaced by something typical

Dekistee took a moment to straighten her robe and smooth her hair before taking a step forward to meet up with her future lifemate. She smiled broadly when the Red, too, looked at her and came towards her, moving rather faster than seemed purely ladylike, but that wasn't a probl... and before Dekistee could blink, the Red had chosen her-- but not as her lifemate, obviously, but as her victim. The Red slashed her leg with her claws, tearing easily through the thin fabric of the robe and staining the white with scarlet red. Dekistee screamed, shrill and hysterical, collapsing and offering absolutely no resistance besides her continued loud, shrieking sobs of fear and pain, as the Red tore into her arm as well and dragged her out to the center of the sands like some sadistic offering. Oh, she had never felt anything as terrible as this. She was in so much pain that she didn't notice the Bronze Impressing, or even think of how she wasn't going to Impress that sub-Queen.

You set yourself up to be sold
and that's okay cause that's your role
Manipulation takes its toll
What will you do when nobody wants you
Though it seems that you believe
You can do whatever it is you please
Know before, know before you wind up on your knees
Don't cry to me no more

Then, suddenly, everything was a little less painless, a little happier. She felt a surge of love and joy. Dekistee was too hazy in pain to notice it, though, but the stark picture of herself lying on the Sands cut through the cloud and confusion of the pain. Someone was telling her she was pretty. She was pretty. Duh. She did like to be told that, though! But who was talking to her? The voice answered a minute later. Daibunareth. Daibunareth. What a long, silly name. Wait.

Wait.

DaibunareTH? Even Dekistee knew the only names that ended in -th were those of dragons... HER Daibunareth? She'd Impressed? Her eyes snapped open immediately, meeting the rainbow eyes of the dragonet leaning over her. She smiled... until her eyes ventured past his, and saw the color of his hide. It was pure, jet, unmistakable Black.

You like the way that people stare at you
Now you look so fake,
just thought that you should know
And you're all the same,
and when the curtain drops down
You'll be replaced by something typical

Something had to be wrong. She looked around frantically for another dragonet nearby, a flash of red or orange, gold or copper hide, but there was none to be found. She'd finally Impressed, but it was not to the Queen of her dreams... it was to a Black. They were the lowest of the low. There was no honor in Impressing one. No one would pamper a Blackrider. Then, suddenly, there was a Healer next to her. She didn't want him here. She wanted to go sulk and hide from the world. Dekistee, usually so social and outgoing, wanted to be completely shed from society. She resisted the advances of everyone around her, withdrawing into a shell. She flailed before getting to her feet, staggering but keeping herself upright from pure spite. She shoved at A'mor to keep him away from her.

I know, I've stood so long beside you
And I know, I should've left you right where I had found you
I know, I've stood so long beside you
And I know, I should've left you right where I had found you

Dekistee gasped in pain, overdramatic by habit even when she wasn't trying to be. Daibunareth took a step towards her, sending her a soft, relaxing green, a calming blue, an image of her being tended by A'mor. She was in a bad state, anyone could see that. He was not a particularly caring creature, and had it been anyone but His, he would not have cared, but anyone could see that she needed medical attention. Dekistee flailed again, waving her arms crazily as if trying to beat Daibunareth's spirit out of her head, wailing and shrieking. "NO!" she shouted, retreating hastily from Daibunareth, from the other eggs, from the Sands themselves. Daibunareth steadily followed after her, unfazed by her show of emotion. "Get away from me, you worthless little Black!" Dekistee shrieked again, the hate in her voice evident. "I don't want you!" With that, she kicked sand at Daibunareth's face before turning and fleeing from the Sands, leaving a trail of blood and one confused dragonet in her wake.

You like the way that people stare at you
Now you look so fake,
just thought that you should know
And you're all the same,
and when the curtain drops down
You'll be replaced by something typical

Daibunareth took the images of Dekistee's whereabouts from her head easily, and followed her at a far more placid pace. He wasn't bothered that she didn't like him. They were lifemates. They were bonded. They didn't have to like each other. In fact, the less fondness was involved, the easier it would be. It would be easier to focus on the pictures the less he had to focus on the emotion. His stomach roared at him, but he couldn't eat without His. The others were eating with Theirs. It wouldn't be right. It would look strange. He took a moment to notice what had last happened on the Sands, including Jasra Impressing the Red, before finally exiting the Sands after Dekistee. He would fill her in later. She would like to see the pictures, wouldn't she?

You like the way that people stare at you
Now you look so fake,
just thought that you should know
And you're all the same,
and when the curtain drops down
You'll be replaced by something typical

[Admin]

So much to do so much to see,
So what's wrong with taking the back streets,
You'll never know if you don't go,
You'll never shine if you don't glow.

The oddly wistfully colored blue and brown egg, the more left one of the remaining two, hatched as soon as the start of Nikianeth's hatching was well established. As the shell broke apart in a jigsaw of cracks that quickly formed from each other, a cyan tumbled out and righted herself as she fell with an amazing show of luck. She crooned happily to herself as she found herself out on the world, right side up, and on her own feet. Right from the start, she took a joy in the little things that were offered to her. With a sunny cheer, she set her feet underneath herself and faced the world with wondering, swirling eyes. There were so many wonderful things laid out before her! It took her a great deal of time to drink in all of it, because she wanted to stare at each and every detail, from one candidate's distant feet to the shining form of her bronze father.

Just smaller than the cyan that had most recently Impressed but definitely larger than the one that had come before that, she was right on average for a dragonet of her color. Like the most recent one, she was also very blue, but her coloration was even lighter and brighter. The brilliant electric shade played well into the gloss and shimmer of her hide, so that she almost seemed sort of a glistening metallic, except for the fact she was blue-green and thus didn't look that reminiscent of any metal. She more looked like a spark. There also definitely was some green to her. She was blue-green in coloration. While the blue came out strongest and played best into her traits, a faint influence of green undertones played by the shine of the brilliant color. With the sunny mood she gave off, she seemed to be glowing both physically and emotionally.

The final egg, the dark thickly mottled egg tucked away at the end of what was left of the back row, broke a few moment after the cyan's hatching. It cracked as it gave a wiggle, and then it fell apart. Out slowly stepped a blue dragonet. He was not a particularly large creature, and he wasn't small. The ending of the hatching seemed to be heralded by a settling in the sizes of the dragonets. He strode forward, but he looked lost, his pace slow and his motions unsteady and less than confident. Where was he going? What was he doing? He couldn't find the answers in himself, and he was having trouble seeing them around him even as he turned his head from one way to the other. Despite his insecurity and lack of knowledge, he did forge onward. He kept moving, following a path he didn't know. He wouldn't stop until the end.

The blue was, truthfully, strong in mind and body. He continued despite all else and he had a nice, bulky build. Much of his hide was a dark, midnight blue, a deep color very close to black though it held nothing to the darkness of either of the actual blacks of the clutch. Anyway, he was definitely not black, because his hide lightened on his belly. Significantly. The majority of his chest, underbelly, and the underside of his neck was a clearly cut brilliant blue, a lighter blue that was more reminiscent of the sky than it was of the rest of his dark hide. It was glowing shade, like the hide of the cyan, and it stood out obviously on him. Still, it managed to work, giving him an interesting effect. He was ignorant to himself, though, and didn't truly notice it. He marched with his attention forward, not on himself. He wasn't at all a self-centered creature.

The green who had already been on the sands turned her attention to the blue. She looked him over and then she sidled towards him. She could see his weakness. He didn't have a direction. He needed someone to provide one. She could help him. Even if she didn't exactly have her own self direction, she could do that. Subtly, she moved into him with her shoulder, distracting him and making him turn. Then she let out a sharp whistle. It took him a moment, but then he understood. He wheeled around and trotted towards the candidates. She'd told him to go in that direction, for sure, so off he went. Just because she was manipulating him didn't mean it was a bad thing. She watched him go off with fondness, holding herself up high so that all would see what she had done. On and on, her dramatics still remained.

Reverently, the cyan watched her two siblings. How beautiful they were! How wondrous! She only saw the best. She past no judgment upon either of them. So, once she saw that they were good, she trundled by them towards the candidates. Things grew harder there. Each one of them sat upon a pedestal in her mind. She past along the boys, gazing at them with big eyed interest and wonderment. Each of them seemed just perfect! Each of them had such potential! The only thing that kept her from being confused was a steady optimism that made her think it was all going to work. Anyway, she knew her rider didn't lie amongst the boys. She past onto the girls and began to examining them closer. Each of the quirks she saw in them endeared each of them to her. She held all of them up so high. They were all amazing and grand to her.

However, one of them remained on the ground with her. It wasn't because she was worse than the others. She was simply too real to the cyan for her to hold her up way over her head. The girl stood right at her head in her mind. They were one in the same, even if they were entirely different. Oh, EngryeMine, how great we will be! Your Desearth is so amazed that she has found you; she crooned lovingly to her new rider. Starry-eyed, she stared up at the redheaded girl with utter adoration. There was no greater love than one so devote as her. Perhaps we can get food? I'm sure that will be perfectly wondrous; she continued with sunny optimism to just how amazing everything was going to turn out. She wasn't as simple as she seemed. Cyans had shown that perfectly well as a character trait. However, any deceit or anger was buried deep.



Under the vague but reasonable guidance of the green, the blue made his way to the candidates. She had pointed him towards the boys, so he went towards them. His cyan sister had also been there just a moment before, which also helped to guide him. She had forged the path for him. That seemed perfectly right to him, and he trundled down their line. He began to have trouble there. She hadn't Impressed to one of the boys, and he didn't want one of the girls. He knew that. Which one was he supposed to pick? Was he supposed to pick his rider himself? It was so hard! He didn't grow frustrating with his inability. He was a cheerfully selfless and hapless creature in his own way. He simply grew confused. He needed something to guide him. Tossed by the waves of his new life, he wasn't designed to where he was supposed to be going.

Then, in his darkness, there was a guiding light. With an energy that wouldn't be typical of him, he lunged forward, and came tumbling down in front of his rider. Despite his fall, he found himself much more at peace staring up at the boy that would forever be only his. The new weyrling would know what they were supposed to be doing! L'sdMine, you can guide your Tabeyiith, can you not? I want to do things, but I'm not sure of what to do; he softly said with a great hope in his voice. In other circumstances, he might have been afraid to voice such concerns. He would normally just follow and keep his peace. However, it was his rider. He had an extreme trust, beyond any sense of normalcy. He put himself into the hands of his rider. He was beginning to feel hunger, but he made no mention of that. Such a thing would have been selfish!



The green became a little more over the top with her dramatics, striding with unnecessary flourishes towards the girls. She almost knew how foolish she was being, but she made no effort to stop herself. Continuing with her melodramatic poses, she stalked forward. Something hid itself behind the foolishness that she showed. The foolishness was really in and of itself, but there was something else. It wasn't an entirely an intelligence, though she wasn't stupid. She was watching as she pranced about. She was learning, and she had figured out one thing very much from her learning. She could manipulate. It didn't make her evil. It was simply a talent, and she held it in her hand, her trump card, as she sidled through the group of females. She sized them up, even as she played the joker. Life acted rather like a card game to her.

Then, all of a sudden, she dropped her tail flicks and wing flares and came to calmly settle in front of one of the girls. She looked with a coolness upon the girl that she had chosen. She wasn't aware that she was the last of her clutch on the sands. There was a green and a blue dragonet not too far off. That hadn't been what had sped her decision. She had made her choice moments ago, and simply finally chose to enact it then. Why, there your are, my CassondraMine! Isn't it wonderful that I found you; she teased, voice filled with amusement at the silly way she purposefully phrased her words. They weren't her. She wasn't entirely sure what she was yet, but that wasn't it. Manipulator. Card player. Dramatist. That was her. She was also hungry. Shall we go get your Tegarth some food? She grinned in a draconic fashion as she spoke.

With the Impression of the green, all of Kalith's children were hatched and Impressed. The copper, after seeing Nikianeth's eggs beginning to hatch, had quickly gone back to watching her only children. The orange would keep an eye on her brood and make sure that none of them thought to do anything stupid to her precious clutch. Hers were the most important! Nikianeth would be lucky to produce a King or two in her lifetime. She would produce many, and her children carried her bloodline, a bloodline that included cyans. Thus, hers were most important. However, once her children were all safely away, the copper turned her attention to the two dragonets from the orange's clutch that were on the sands and the one remaining egg. They looked healthy enough, though the final egg had yet to break. She hummed helpfully.



The ice we skate is getting pretty thin,
The waters getting warm so you might as well swim,
My world's on fire how about yours,
That's the way I like it and I never get bored.

[kia]

Nikianeth watched her children with happiness. They were already gorgeous and had their own little personalities and quirks. She really wished that the Blue would even at least acknowdledge his Green clutchsister, but he was free from his egg, free to make his own decisions, and free to do whatever he liked. And, like the color on his hide, he seemed royal in atittude and how he walked. With such airs of confidence. Nikianeth was very proud, and all that was left to Hatch from her little Clutch was the large egg. And it, too, seemed eager to join all this fun, not wanting to be left out.

The largest egg, the last egg, the red and orange egg began to shake slightly, twitching left and right, neither strongely or as violently as its clutch sibling`s eggs had done earlier. It seemed eager to come out, but at the same time patient for the future, knowing something that others did not know. It shook again, a small crack toward the front appeared on its beautiful and delicate shell. It seemed to know that its egg had cracked slightly, as it stopped moving at the moment. But, instead of resuming, it had seemed to stop all together. What was in this egg that was fussing, worrying, lamenting over a crack on its egg shell?

Nia watched this with fascination. A Green and Blue had made their way into the world, both of them seemed healthy and strong. I told you they would! came Nikianeth`s words in her head, which made the woman smile. Yes, the Orange had told her so, even if the woman did not remember it at the moment. Right now she was enraptured with the sight of two dragonets. She remembered her Impression well, people and Candidates all whispering that she would more than likely Impress a Green on the Sands. And, barreling toward her, trying to beat her Red sister, came Nikianeth, refusing to let any green thing touch her. Then Nikianeth moved to tell Nia to stop fretting about and feed her now! That had been a glorious day and a wonderful Impression.

It seemed that Nikianeth`s earlier sibling rivalry in her life was being passed down slightly to her children. The Blue was ignoring his Green sister. In fact, he was ignoring most dragons, Nia noticed. So far, the only dragons that the Blue had seemed to acknowledge had been Nikianeth, Kalith, Noyth, and was now watching the Bronze, Brown, and two Purples from inside the Sands. He was a quirky little dragon. And the little Green seemed to want attention from her brother, moving around and crooning to him, as if sad that he would not reconize her. Go on, little dear, Impress, Nia thought.

The Green stopped crooning to her brother for the time being to watch as the last egg near Nikianeth shook for a bit. But as soon as a small crack appeared, it seemed to stop in distress at having destroyed the design of its shell. The little Green was amused by the this thought and moved forward to the egg. If her clutchbrother would not give her attention, then maybe this sibling would! As she crooned to it, the side with her spotted eye closer to the egg shell, she received no response from inside the egg. Would no one look at her or give her some attention?

The Blue, while finally grateful that his needy clutchsister had stopped trying to gain his attention, was watching the Bronze, Brown, and two Purples being fed and interacting with their Riders and others. That Red had been too much, putting on a hissy fit only because she wanted to. Reds, he personally thought, were annoying. Why couldn`t that Red take example from a real Sub-Queen like his clutchmother, Nikianeth, or better yet, learn how to be regal in her own rank by taking example from Kalith. He snorted and moved again through the male Candidates, sensing for his Mine. He would not let a female human ride him. He had to have a strong male Rider. That was the way to go.

With one last croon in goodbye, the Green moved away from Nikianeth and the last egg to find her Mine. As she was leaving, a chirp seemed to answer inside the last egg, wishing her goodbye. The Green perked up again. Her clutchsibling, whoever was inside, had acknowledge her and said good bye to her. The Green bugled happily, flaring her smallish wings out, and moved again to go find her lifemate. Her lifemate had to be here. They just had to be.

She first looked over at the males, noticing all the ones that were still left. But her clutchbrother was among the males. And the way he stalked them regally made it appear like he had claimed the boys to choose from, which left the girl for the little Green. She was fine with that idea. The girls were so pretty. And look! They were watching her! Was it because of her large, spotted eye? Was it because of she was an average size Green dragonet with smallish wings? Were they looking at her because she was soo different? Well, she was different, they should respect that. Lifting an egg shell from off the Sands, one of the shards that had been from her Blue Clutchbrother`s egg, she bounded over to the girls as if she dancing with happiness.

She stopped in front of one of the girls, Ryka, and looked her in the eye before abrubtly turning away. That girl was too much for her, too serious to have a little fun. She then stopped in front of another girl, the Green`s eyes whirling blue. And, finally, she thrusted the egg shell up to the girl, crooning as she did so. RhysiaMine! Look what I grabbed from my brother. Think he will notice that I took it? Well, it does not seem so. That is okay. What is in the past is in the past! He is not as happy as I am to see you! the little Green said, wiggling, almost too excited to contain it. You do know what else would be lovely? Is if you could feed your Raeterith. She is very hungry from making sure that Orange`s big egg was okay.



The Blue looked up in time to see his clutchsister Impress while holding an egg shard from her mouth that obviously came from his egg. Again, he he turned his head and went on to seek out his Mine for the present time. It was not that he did not care, he just had no interest in many dragons. In fact, he cared little about other dragons. The only ones he did care about were those that seemed to be in rank or had worthy jobs, like that female Gray with her Mine. Maybe he could pick someone that would get a job and then other dragons would look up to him. That was a nice thought.

The last egg in Nikianeth`s Clutch seemed to remain quiet and still while Raeterith Impressed. And as soon as she Impressed, the large egg resumed its shaking. And this time it had been with vigor. No longer worrying about the crack in shell, it wanted to come out and be a part of a great future. But instead of rocking side to side like normal eggs, the dragon seemed to be pushing on the front of the egg, where the crack had been, determined to leave it hard yet delicate prison with the least amount of cracks in the egg.

A nose pushed through, then a head. Whirling eyes looked out at the world as the little dragon chirped. And the dragon was very striking in color. It was an Orange! Nikianeth bugled and rejoiced! She had Clutch an Orange! And she was a very light and bright looking Orange! The little dragon bugled with her mother, obviously happy just to be getting free of her little tomb. She pushed and pushed, the obvious struggle to get out being seen on the determined little Orange`s face.

Finally, with one last push, the little dragon fell out of her egg, tumbled over, and fell on her rump. She had no distinct colorations on her body like her siblings before her. She was simply a very bright and light colored Orange. But what very odd about her was her size. She was very small for an Orange. Her eyes were whirling Green with pleasure at having escaped from her prison, but soon turned yellow with distress. She was rather late on the Sands. She hope her Mine would be here.

[kaya]

The Hatching was progressing at an unbearably slow rate for Ryka. It was too hot and she was too tired. Minutes hazed together and her hair felt gross on her head. She was the epitome of misery. Dragonet after unrecognizable dragonet hatched and marched past her, the Red's closeness causing her to take a shaky step backward. Her foot had almost been stepped on, and Ryka tried desperately not to loose her balance. To fall would only make the heat worse...she moaned quietly. A joyous day ruined by lack of sleep and personal hygiene. Ryka was just about ready to kill for a bath...

And then it happened. Someone had the nerve to shatter the fog that had encompassed time. Someone was screaming...another girl. Ryka's head snapped to attention from its previously nodded position. Wha-? was the only time she had for a thought. Her eyes had locked onto the Red that was attempting to tear Dekistee apart. Ryka instinctively took another step back. That dragonet could have any victim but her. Any one of these girls could die at that dragonet's claws, but not her. Ryka stood shakily, weight balanced lightly on her sandals. The instinct to fight - a suicide mission - or run - to where? - pulsing through her with each wave of heat. Was there a specific reason the Red had chosen that girl to attack? Could it have been any of them? It wouldn't be her, not without a struggle. Her life had more value than anyone else, simply because it was her life. Others came and went, but you were stuck in the same skin your whole life. Selfish, self-preserving and morally questionable were her thoughts, and she realized that. She had thought before on occasion about life and death, and the end result was always the same: Everyone else would die before she did if Ryka had any say in it.

The girl that had been dragged out on the Sands was refusing medical assistance, Ryka noted. Stupid move on her part. Life's goal was to keep on living, so what was she doing? Ryka swayed uneasily as the Red turned back towards the girls. Faranth, let me live, Ryka thought, imagination driven wild by lack of sleep. A pin drop was as loud as a dragon's roar, a bit of heat on par with Rukbat's surface...those were the extremes sleep deprivation brought.

And at last, with a sigh of uncertain relief, Ryka noticed the Red had Impressed to someone. ...thank Faranth. Perhaps now the dragonet would have a barrier between thought of attack and its action. With an exhausted flop Ryka's head nodded back onto her chest. Shardit all...why? ...sleep... Ryka thought, her mind cycling through periods of cognizant and unintelligible thought.

The thing that brought her back to the conscious world was the abrupt movement of a green blob...or dragonet, rather. Ryka stared at her as she left. She was moving too fast and bouncing too much. Were there no calm dragons on Pern? Looking up, Ryka saw such an oblivious and unexcited dragon across the Sands on the boys side. Lucky for one of them, they'd have a manageable dragon, and with any luck a sane one. Exerting too much effort Ryka looked up to take stock of the proceedings of the Hatching. To her minimally expressed surprise, there was only one other egg on the Sands. All the rest of the dragonets were no where to be seen, unless they were in the arms of other Candidates-now-Weyrlings. Had it all passed to quickly? Still, all the better. She could go sleep soon, no strange voice in her mind to keep her awake...yes, not Impressing would be...Ryka stopped mid-sentence. Did she really mean that? She was too tired to think straight. Anything that allowed her to sleep, at that moment, was alright with her.

And with her last tendril of conscious thought Ryka watched an Orange hued dragonet roll out onto the Sands. Alas, her hopes of sleeping on her feet were ruined by the Orange mother's rejoicing. ...dragons made too much noise.

[Nia]

There were two eggs left... and while Engrye didn't feel like she was going to throw up anymore, she felt her hopes dwindling. There was still that Green on the Sands too, though, and there really weren't a lot of Candidates left. So she had a chance, didn't she? Perhaps she did have a slight chance. The next egg to hatch revealed a Cyan, who was a rather bright color, reminding Engrye a lot more like a Blue than a Cyan. But there was the telltale gloss to her hide that proved what she was, and she certainly didn't act like a Blue. She was happy and seemed to take great joy in watching everything around her.

A Blue was next, and he seemed... confused. But the Green was more than happy to help him out. Like she was ordering him around. That was... interesting? cute? Well, it was one of the two. She seemed like a dramatic one, but that was probably natural for a dragon with such an oddly patterned hide. The Cyan wasn't interacting with the two, just watching them. Her hide was quite bright, wasn't it? But she didn't strike Engrye as really hyper, like the shocking green Greens. She just seemed very... Cyan. She did appear to be watching them with such admiration, though. Why was she admiring them like that? But it didn't matter, and Engrye didn't have much time to think about it, because soon she was watching the Cyan go through the girls with the same adoration... and stop. In front of her.

Oh, EngryeMine, how great we will be! Your Desearth is so amazed that she has found you. And then Engrye was bombarded with feelings of affection, adoration and devotion. Such a small dragon was capable of such powerful feelings? Perhaps we can get food? I'm sure that will be perfectly wondrous, the Cyan continued, and Engrye continued to stare at her. Her usual emotionless expression softened, but only slightly, and her eyes were still rather narrowed.

Ah... yes.... let's... um, go, she said hesitantly, starting to walk off with Desearth at her side. This dragon was so.... optimisitc. She was filled with happy, sunny thoughts that weren't even her own. The Cyan wasn't crazy, not like Twee and Dee, but she was just so... happy. Engrye wasn't a happy person, she never really had been, so the emotions were foreign and felt odd to her.

The Cyan responded by giving a pleasant sigh. But everything is just so wonderful, EngryeMine!

[/i] She continued to say happily, pointing out the things around them that she liked, such as her father, a few specific dragons up in the Stands, and even the color shirt someone was wearing. Engrye felt confused by all this optimism.

Of course you're happy.[/i] I am? How do you know that? her question wasn't mean... just confused. That's really all she felt... but the Cyan was right, there was a bit of her own happiness in there, it was just overshadowed by the Cyan's sunny personality.

Do you even have to ask that?[/i] Desearth responded with a cheerful, affection laugh. Hers was so funny. Why did she have such strange thoughts? And mean ones, too! There wasn't the respect and admiration for others anywhere in Hers... but that was okay, that's what she was here for, right?

Not wanting to talk with anyone else at the moment, Engrye sat by herself, though Desearth wasn't very happy about that. Oh, who was she kidding, the Cyan was happy either way, and was perfectly content to comment on the things and people around them. Engrye could feel the odd reverence that the dragon had for her clutchmates, a feeling that the red-haired girl had never really felt before. She didn't admire people... there usually wasn't anyone worth admiring. Not in Engrye's book, at least... but her dragon seemed to think very differently.

Why do you think like that?[/i] Engrye was caught rather offguard again... she still wasn't used to the dragon invading her thoughts, They all have good personalities that deserve admiration, EngryeMine! Look at all them, and how well they interact together,[/i] she crooned, happily eating the pieces of meat that Hers gave her. While she could foresee a lot of... not arguments, she couldn't possibly imagine getting into a fight with this little ball of sunshine, she could see a lot of disagreements. On Engrye's part, at least. She didn't respect a lot of people... and this dragon was intent on finding the good in everyone she met. Complete opposites. But... opposites tended to attract, didn't they?[/blockquote][/size]

[seddo]

E'li fed the remaining fatty scraps of meet to Mirath. Then he watched as she stuck her entire head into the bucket and licked at the blood which coated the walls.
His eyes briefly caught her diamond teeth. E'li swallowed.
"Well... You certainly are... diligent." Mirath burped.
What can I say? I was hungry.
E'li winced as Mirath licked the food from underneath his fingers.
You needn't be so afraid, E'liMine.
"I'm not afraid. Just... Amazed."
Mirath seemed to like that response. She purred gently.
"You purr a lot, don't you?"
Mirath purred some more.
Mirath slowly breathed air out her nose. Hello, Memnorooth...[/i]
"How do you know her name?" E'li asked.
She was talking to me a second ago. You tune things out rather effectively, don't you?[/i]running in circles.
"Yeah. I wish I didn't, though. Forgetting to pay attention usually gets me in trouble."
With a sister like Memnorooth, the capacity to tune out noise is useful one.[/i]
"So, you impressed to Lin, did you?" E'li asked Memnorooth. "That's good. She seems nice."
She seems nice, does she?[/i]
"Yeah, she does. Why? You don't like her?"
Oh, no. I have no qualms with her. She, however, may well have matters to discuss with you.[/i]
"What? She's mad at me? Why?" E'li's voice raised in pitch.
No, not mad... Goodness, you'd think YOU were the one born yesterday.[/i]
"...Wha?..." Mirath grumbled something about ignorance and gave Memnorooth a playful shove. E'li watched the two tussle for a bit.
Then he gave a smile to Lin.
"Right, well let's get back to my quarters."

So the two of them walked. E'li watched Mirath and felt so inadequate. When dogs or horses move, their front shoulders bob (even if it's only slightly, the motion is present), but Mirath was so gracefully, she slid across the ground as though she was levitating. Her front shoulders didn't move an inch.
Mirath looked at him. What?[/i]
"Nothing." E'li yawned. "I need a nap."
Mirath purred again.
"What?"
I'd like to sleep with you.[/i]
"You probably snore..." E'li said with a sigh. Mirath scoffed. "Fine, fine... You can sleep next to me."

[purnip]

It's a god awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling "No"
And her daddy has told her to go

The Sands were alive with the pitter-patter of hatchlings' feet. Truly a wonderful sight to see; it was much better than the slow waves of hatching from before. Rhysia was lost in their world and wondering at their actions. Of Kalith's three, including the last two that had just hatched, they all seemed to have such curious ways. The Cyan looked to be daydreaming, though not for very long. The new Blue was alert indeed--a sturdy fellow. Finally, the Green was acting quite dramatic with her pose striking and somewhat frivolous manner. The was no telling who belonged to whom. She had witnessed the angry Red as she Impressed upon Jasra and remembered that Jas was a kindly girl, a bit stern but not at all a hot-head like the color she Impressed. Could Rhysia's lifemate be something so unexpected? Maybe it was one of the slower ones. Maybe he or she took offense at her mean thoughts.

As the last of Kalith's clutch Impressed, and all the while, Rhysia had good reason to clap vigorously for both Engrye and L'sd since she knew of them and found them enjoyable to be around. Inside however, her last thought plagued her. Could she have offended hers? Her grin was slowly fading. No, her dragon wouldn't take offense to that. No...not before they met. That'd be ludicrous.

But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen

No reason whatsoever to worry. There were Niki's kids. Niki's glorious children! Rhysia watched the two hatched ones carefully, now that they were the only ones left. That Blue, how could he ignore his sister like that! The Green was so compassionate too. Rhysia didn't even note her slightly stunted wingspan, just that adorable dot over her right eye. When her brother refused to donate any attention to her, she turned her focus to the remaining egg. That fire-pattern shell was so uniquely spicy! In fact, all of Nikianeth's eggs were a lot more impressive-looking than her mother's.

Rhysia's heart went out to the Green, who seemed to investigate her unhatched sister's tomb. If one of those three belonged to her, so far the Green was her favorite. She hadn't met the unhatched one but...such a spicy shell! If it reflected her in any way, she certainly didn't possess that much spice! Still, if that would be her dragon, she would love it anyways, no matter how spicy the dragon within happened to be.

But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on...

The Green finally neglected her entombed sibling and seemed to be heading for the remaining Candidates. Rhysia watched her watch the boys. No, she would not be choosing one of them. Her eyes did not shine in the slightest and she did not linger over them. She lingered on the girls, studying them. Rhysia held her breath. Is this the one? Is she the one? She's so nice; do I deserve something so nice? Fortunately, the Green did not take too long in making her decision. She stooped to pick up a shard that had been stuck to the Blue from his hatching. It was a very beautiful shard from one of Niki's brilliant eggs. Now why would the Green do that? Did she like pretty things, just like her? Rhysia's heart was still for a moment as the dragonet bounded towards them.

Another girl. She was standing in front of the girl next to her. She did not know this girl, but for a split second she felt anger. But! It didn't last. Her soul knew, as did Raeterith's.

RhysiaMine! Look what I grabbed from my brother. Think he will notice that I took it? Well, it does not seem so. That is okay. What is in the past is in the past! He is not as happy as I am to see you! You do know what else would be lovely? Is if you could feed your Raeterith. She is very hungry from making sure that Orange's big egg was okay.

The wink was just fantastic. Rae was all fantastic all over. Rhysia stepped forward and embraced the petite one in a lovingly gentle hug, terrified of hurting the one thing that meant more to her than anything in the whole wide world. "You're my favorite treasure, Rae," she said, her eyes tearing in happiness. This was easily the greatest moment in her entire, sad excuse for a life. Today, she was born again. RhysiaRaeterith. Thick as thieves as well as thicker. "And any gift you bring to me will be my second favorite 'cos you'll always be my favorite one. Let's get some food in you! I wouldn't dream of making you wait any longer!"

Raeterith was hungry, no doubt about that, but she was just as willing to absorb all this positive feedback that the human she chose was giving to her. Her eyes twinkled though she found this hug sort of thing quite strange. It was love! Love, care, and attention! Precious things. Delightful things.

So considerate! You are my favorite too, she replied, grinning something fantastic. And we will be the most brilliant duo as long as we continue to love one another! She nuzzled Hers back with great affection. She had made the right decision. All these other humans would not make her the center of their world like her Rhysia.

The girl released Raeterith from within her embrace and took the shard, pocketing it promptly so she could lead the Green on with a soft hand upon her adorable nose. "I saw all them all go..." Rhysia paid attention for the first time to her surroundings. When she had entered this cavern she had only focused on the clutch. She spotted the feeding dragonets immediately. "This way! Let's go together Rae!"

Together. Such a wonderful word. Raeterith coveted it. She followed, keeping her nose under Rhysia's palm obsessively. Rhysia giggled and let it become a sort of game. They ran towards the meat supply together in the best of spirits. Had the scent of meat not been lingering, the Green may have forgotten about her hunger entirely.

Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

[mangonumnum]

Lasd hadn't, at first, noticed the other clutch beginning to Hatch. And as he looked over and saw a blue emerge, he felt a little hope rise in him again. That brought the total dragons, assuming there were no duds, to six. But the focus had to be brought back to Kalith's clutch for a moment.

The final two eggs began to crack. The first one produced a cyan. It was certainly a beautiful dragon. Very blue like the last one but a bright, shiny blue. Then the last egg popped out a dark midnight blue.

Lasd watched the dark blue look around lost. He wanted to move forward, but it was like he didn't quite know how. Lasd grinned. The poor thing. He was really quite adorable. He watched as the dramatic green came up to the blue and pushed him. Not mean as he had the other green. But in a guiding way. She pushed him in the direction of the boys and gave a whistle.

The blue seemed to catch on and move forward. Before it reached the boys, though, the cyan ran past each of them. She didn't really stop, but kind of looked them all over and ran to the girls. She continued with this until she seemed to chose one, a red-headed girl.

He turned his attention back to the blue who was marching confidently towards to boys, despite his apparent confusion. He watched the blue hesitate for only a second and then it was as if a light came on. He lunged forward, right as Lasd's feet. The fisherboy looked down in mild confusion and heard in a soft voice:

L'sdMine, you can guide your Tabeyiith, can you not? I want to do things, but I'm not sure of what to do;

Wait...was this it? Was this.....his? He could almost feel tears in his eyes as he slowly knelt down.

"Tabeyiith?" he asked slowly, now just a little higher then eye level with the blue.

Yes, L'sdMine? Did your Tabeyiith do something wrong? He was lost, but he found you. That's right, right?

"Yes, yes! It's wonderfully right!" he said gently picking the dragon up. "Come on, you must be hungry. You want to eat, right?" His poor little dragonet didn't know what he wanted just yet. Lasd, or L'sd now, figured he was just young. And until he got everything figured out, he would be there for his Tabeyiith.

As the two walked off the Sands, he could hear a loud cheer that was unmistakably his family. His tan skin grew a little pinker, but he waved to them and led the blue off the Sands, following the red-haired girl that had just Impressed the Cyan. He saw, before he left, that the green had just Impressed as well. He would have to go thank her and her rider after Tabeyiith was fed.

He grabbed is blue some meat and sat it down. The blue stared at it for a second then sniffed it. A hungry swirl came to his eyes and he realized what he wanted to do. He grabbed a mouthful and began to chew. L'sd grinned, looking around for L'am to see if he was still in there feeding his Bronze. He really wanted to congratulate him in person.

[kia]

One of her children had finally Impressed! Nikianeth was quite pleased with whom the Green had chosen. The Green was unique and special and would need someone special to care for her. And all ready the pair seemed to hit it off with ease. She chuckled as the Green was led off to be fed. Her attention turned back to the Blue that was prowling the Sands in Search of his Mine. He may be a Blue, but he certainly was not letting color and ranks define his regality. Whoever Impress him would surely have a tough dragon on their hands. As for her Orange daughter, the little Orange had finally found her feet and was off looking for her Mine. She seemed confused as she pushed Candidates around, not caring and looking for her Mine.

Nia clapped as the little Green made her Impression to one of the last of the Candidates. There were still Candidates on the Sands, enough for both the dragons to Impress to. She reached a hand out and gently patted her large Orange`s hide. “They are amazing children, Niki. I am so proud of you,” the woman spoke, her smile genuine and true as her Orange looked at her with green and blue eyes. Their bond had always been a strong one, and experiences like this always continued to be a true sign of that bond. And even when Nikianeth had her Flight, Nikianeth had kept her Rider in her mind the entire time.

The Blue continued to walk through the Candidates, the rest of the Candidates bunching together as they waited to see if they were going to be picked. Because they were mingling now, he was walking in and out of boys and girls. The girls smelled horribly wrong as he wriggled his nose as them. He eyes seemed to turn orange among the group of girls. No, this was all wrong! His Rider was not a female. He should not have given that idea even a possibility. He snorted at Tonii and moved back to the male Candidates, walking proudly as he did so, showing off the darker royal blue color on his stomach and the underside of his tail.

His eyes returned to a calm, blue color as he moved over to Hatoter. The boy looked good, but there was not sense of connection. Where was his Mine? He turned his head and saw Sprocket returning to the place he had originally stood at. The Blue raised his head like a king and walked over to the boy and seemed to push him with his muzzle. S`ketMine, why do you let that Red bother you? She acts like a Green when her color is a Red. But who cares about other dragons. The only ones worth noting are ones of rank and job. You should get a job at the present! After you presently feed your Sentiath, that is! he said, shoving his muzzle into S`ket`s shoulder again.



The little Orange stood up and began to pick her way through what was left of the Candidates. Her eyes were whirling yellow with panic at what was left. She had been late. Terribly late! What if her Mine had been chosen before she had arrived? She would have to between, which she did not like the idea. She was a sub-Queen, a proud one at that, despite her small size which would possibly follow her for the rest of her life. She pushed Hatoter to the side as she made her way to the girls. She was not going to let a male ride her.

She looked at one of the girls and snorted rather abruptly. This girl was not her Mine. She would be someone else`s Mine later in life. Right now, she would have to deal with being a Candidate. She pushed that girl to the side as well, but she did so with great force that knocked the girl down. She did not want to look at that girl again. As she turned her head toward the next girl, her yellow eyes whirled faster as she crooned to the other girl. Yes, this one was her Mine indeed. She was strong and would not let anyone define her. They would not anyone define them except themselves.

RykaMine, do you love your Teruth? She loves you very much, but she worries that you will not love her at all. But you are very strong, Mine, and I know you are tired, but would you please feed me? And feed me away from that temperamental Red, she then demanded, her Orange pride kicking in. She bothers me greatly and I have no desire to meet her. But we should look toward the future. The future holds many great things for us! the Orange added, nuzzling Ryka`s hand in a sweet, gentle, and loving way. They would be a great team if Ryka would just accept what fate had done for her. The Orange could see the potential that lay ahead of them.



Now that her eggs had Hatched, Nia worried that Nikianeth`s Orange pride would return and she would simply shove her Brown mate away now that his duties had been performed. But Nikianeth surprised Nia by reached over and nuzzled Duareth, giving the Brown a playful nip before spreading her wings and leaving the Sands. Kalith may have allowed the Orange to share some space on the Sands, but who knew how much longer the Copper patience would run? So, to make sure she was not intruding on the Copper`s personal space any longer, the Orange fled to a nearby ledge as she proudly watched her children bonding with their new Mines.

[arratra]

Matren rolled his eyes when Deskitee tried to reject the black, but turned his attention back to the hatching eggs.
He didn't start when Nikianeth bugled, but his eyes flicked to her, and his eyebrows shot up. An orange!

A'tra also did not jump, instead smiling slightly at the sight of the orange dragonet.
Margras clearly desperately wanted to dive down into the Sands and present everyone with a glow, but A'tra gently closed his hand around the flit, and murmured, "At the feast, Margras. Soon."
Avartiath moved forwards, eyes whirling rapidly.

[kaya]

If Ryka had known the Blue had Impressed she might have felt a pang of nervousness knowing there was only one dragonet left on the Sands. But her eyes were shut fast and her misery throbbed on as her tirede body tried desperately to keep her from collapsing onto the burning sand while she rested. The next thing she became vaguely aware of was that someone had fallen down next to her with a rather loud "Ufff!" But there was no screaming, so Ryka kept her eyes shut. Come what may...

RykaMine, do you love your Teruth? She loves you very much, but she worries that you will not love her at all.

Love? ...what was love? Was it this? This feeling of sharing her tiredness, of having some other mind meld irreversibly into hers for all time? Had Ryka been rested she might have resisted the kind words, her stubborn nature refusing to acknowledge that she would accept help. But this wasn't help...it was something else. Something she was too tired to put her finger on.

But you are very strong, Mine, and I know you are tired, but would you please feed me? And feed me away from that temperamental Red. She bothers me greatly and I have no desire to meet her. But we should look toward the future. The future holds many great things for us!

Yes, that was right. Strong and perfectly capable of doing things on my own, Ryka thought, though Teruth heard it too. The Orange heard everything, and would now forever. And then something about a red...? Oh. The...the threatening one. Of course they would stay away from that danger to survival. Of course. Teruth, what a name, a good name..., she had sense. She knew about the future, that it had to be acknowledged and planned.

Yes. We will get you food, and then for us, sleep.

Sleep for a better future, Teruth prompted in her optimism, though she quieted her voice as not to irritate her beloved Mine. In the moments that followed their Impression she learned without Ryka saying anything that when her Mine was tired she was to speak softly.

Ryka sighed softly as the Orange nuzzled her hand lovingly. She still didn't know what love was, but this had to be close. Though it took far too much effort, Ryka lifted one foot and opened one eye. Time to get off these sharding sands, sharding too hot sands. The pair walked, Teruth excitedly stepping ahead, only to fall back and nuzzle her Mine's hand encouragingly. They could do it! For the future, for the grand times ahead and the wondrous tales that would be their lives.

You know, Teruth...you really are too optimistic, Ryka teased, her own pessimistic nature rebelling against the attitude of the Orange.

No, RykaMine. It is you who are too pessimistic.

And with that they took their first step off the Sands and began laughing uncontrollably.

[Reky]

Hello, hello, hello! Memnorooth bubbled, at Mirath's acknowledgment of her existence. The pink was obviously much more mellow than she was... Oh, that was silly, everyone should be happy all the time! It was perfectly alright to be happy always, wasn't it? Or was she wrong? Oh, but it had to be perfectly alright. It felt so good! At E'li's question, she nodded vigorously, fluttering her wings. Yes, her LinMine was nice! And the best!

Lin could swear the green was about to burst from excitement as the greyish pink shoved her. Mem shoved her right back, chittering incessantly with playful delight. That is, until her attention was diverted elsewhere. She blinked. What was she doing again? What was this? She looked at her clutchsister... What? Oh! Playing! She was playing. Right, she-- And then someone yelled her LinMine's name. The green, forgetting any manners and failing to say goodbye to Mirath, skittered over to the other pink, Bailarth.

"Kjara!" Lin grinned wide, absolutely elated. She knew it! She knew Kjara would Impress! "Oh, Faranth, Kjara. She's beau'iful!" She smiled down at Bailarth, "Pleasure to meetcha," she said. A much softer word was then directed at her friend. "Congratulations, hey?"

Memnorooth stuck her nose out to Bailarth, sniffing her, blinking at her. And then she brightened up immediately. Oh, oh, we are both so bright! We are so pretty! she said to Bailarth. There was a pause. ...What are you doing? By this, Memnorooth meant Bailarth's tail-twitching and feet-moving. Oh, maybe the pink couldn't live without moving! Maybe that was it! Or was she sick? Or maybe... wait, what? She shook her head... It felt foggy, and all over the place. Hm. Oh well, she didn't mind it. That was how it was, yes. It felt good, even! It felt like her!

[fidelli]

He knew that C'fael was smirking as he was thrown off base by the Blue, and disliked it - but he let the moment slide by. He was too busy trying to maintain his composure - this was new, and Remsey had to be eased into new. let the grin tugging at his lips grow as the Blue stalked up behind Remsey.

It made him feel slightly better that C'fael took it all in stride, seeming to study the blue and not making any moves for or against the pair. And frankly, R'sey didn't care if they could or couldn't. He would find a way to spend his temper - and C'fael would be under a few more harrowing barrages of padded sword tip, if this was the case of his Impression. He would never touch Healing - he would frankily pity the poor fool he got stuck trying to take care of. So, he was stuck - or rather, C'fael was stuck. It seemed his roll of babysitter was about to get harder.

I am glad you found yours as well, Desayunath. Please, however, do stop condescending to me in that manner. I do not appreciate such a thing, speak your mind freely. I am not about to push you to not be ambitious or overly help you in such an endeavor either. You will have enough trouble with Your R'sey, I believe. The Blue was startled enough to be silent for a few moments, studying the Brown - and then realized it. Ansyth's could read His's body - and understood his own greatest trick. The Blue suddenly hissed, his teeth clicking together next to R'sey's hand. I do not approve of this pair. He knows you, far too well.

If R'sey could hiss, he would have hissed back. I don't care. I have ONE friend - get used to him. The Blue only growled lightly in his mind, than went back to his focus on Ansyth's, and finally, with a whirl, went on his way. What my trouble is with Mine, I will deal with it myself. Do not get in my way.

R'sey looked after the Blue, half wishing he could strangle the thing when it was young and put him out of his own misery - but there was love too, buried. And I mean, really really buried. 'Faranth, Rem, call me Cad still. I'm certainly not going to stop calling you Rem, chap.' The boy shrugged, falling in step with C'fael. "I dunno - seems proper." He shrugged, and looked down at the Brown. If I didn't come, R'sey, I am afraid I would become remarkably hungry, and if Mine is going with you, why shouldn't I come as well?

Well. Way to be. Another Cad. He frowned lightly at the Brown, and moved ahead to follow Desay, telling the dragonet as he went, "I was being polite." Well, forget being polite then. Being polite is a way to gain. Well, shell gaining. I'm content being where I am!

[/b] He only moved over to the buckets of meat - where Desay was waiting rather irritatedly, and began to stuff the open mouth. He didn't have to tell the dragonet to chew, at least - the Blue took his mouthful, swallowed it, and waited for the next... But he did worry about his fingers. I will not take off a finger of yours unless I have good reason. The boy snorted. Oh? Than watch your teeth!

---

Don't worry. I won't leave you. We are both here for you. N'rylMine was actually quite willing to come today simply because you are here. I must commend you for that. Usually it takes hours of nettling to get him to go anywhere! The girl did need that - she needed the rambling, the words that mayperhaps meant nothing... But they did. No words were meaningless to Tonii, and she took to heart that N'yrl had shown up at the Hatching for... Her. Maybe she wasn't such a bad person after all. If N'ryl, one of the nicest people she had ever known, was willing to spend even a little time with her, and his amazing Blue didn't mind her... Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't awful.

Don't hide from her, Miss Toniiandra. She might take it as disrespect, and you do not want that. Eeek! She really didn't want that - the girl froze, eyes down and not daring to look up. She would deserve the little Red's fury, of course, even though she hadn't done anything. She had never been mauled at the Hatchings - after was a different story, but that had been done by a mother, not a dragonette. Suddenly a picture slipped into his mind, a picture of Gryth inbetween her and the small Red. She felt better immediately - Gryth was watching out for her, and his words, along with the clapping for the newest Sub-Queen rider made her feel even better. Do not fear. If you do not disrespect her she will not harm you. There, see? She has chosen. You are safe now.

And she was, safe with a Blue to watch out for her. She waited then, patiently, trying hard not to be nervous. The girl who had been hurt caused a small commotion, and she watched as the Grayrider was pushed - he was a solid man, and only went down on a knee, but he could see the fury and confusion in his face as the bleeding girl rose and streaked from the caverns, followed by a patient Black. How could she tell the dragonet such a thing? How could she not love her little bondmate unconditionally? She turned back to the waiting Hatchlings, worried - but not for her. How awful to the dragonet to refuse his Impression - then why was she standing?

Silent now, she watched as the Green's, the Cyan, and the Blue hatched, and then the little dragonets from the Orange's clutch as well. There were not many of them left now, until suddenly, it was Hatoter, another girl, and herself standing on the Sands. The Orange shoved past the boy, who fixed the hat on his head with a rueful shrug and turned off the sands, to the two girls.

The Orange was standing infront of her, and the girl's eyebrow's rose, smashing together, face set. But - suddenly the Orange shoved past her, pushing her down on the sand in a hurry to get to the girl next to her. She feel hard in the hot sand, and lay there for a second, testing everything. She... She was alright. She pushed herself back up, but as Tonii unsteadily brushed herself off, she realized with a stomachfull of longing and hurt that the Hatching was indeed over. And she had been left standing.

Again.

This would be the eleventh hatching she had stood for - and the eleventh hatching she had failed at. Cheeks red with shame, she shook out of Gryth's voice and slunk off the sands, head down. She had disappointed the pair that had searched her, and she hated to disappoint. She had let them down, even though she had tried to warn them that she was not one to Impress the wonderful dragonets. She was just Tonii, and she always would be just Tonii. She would go back to Benden, back to a mother who hated her, back to a Weyr that did not realize she existed, back to a Rider who abused her - she didn't belong there, but she didn't belong here either. N'yrl and Gryth would be so mad, and after Hatchings... Tonii hugged her hands around her waist, slipping out of the robe as she exited the sands and hugging that too her as well. The memories rushed at her, even though she tried to fight them - the scars on her back burned. She had disappointed a stern woman AGAIN - two sub queens had passed her by, and twenty dragonets besides.

She found herself crying then, crying suddenly, and running for the lake, running for water. She didn't know why she was going - she just couldn't face another Hatching Feast, with all of the happy Weyrling's around. There would be two Candidates then, she realized dully. All had Impressed except for the boy that had dragged her to lessons and herself. As she found the lake and collapsed by it, knees dragged up to her chin and eyes downcast, silent hot tears still running from them, she found herself covered in Firelizards.They came, silent for once, to curl on her and around her - Streak, draped across her arms, Soft flying around her head, Sleek on her shoulder, crooning, Shine pressed against her hip, Silk, slipping under her arms to curl and creel in her lap. They offered her peace when no others would, when she would let no one near, and under the guard of her small flock, she let herself cry.

For lost dreams, for lost hope, for sadness in disappointing and letting so many down - and for sadness for herself. She would never have the unconditional love that she saw so many with, watched so many walk by with, longed for as so many semi-friends left her on the Sands, waiting... Forever waiting.[/blockquote][/size]

[xena2009]

Arsana and Vhreth

Arsana hadn't understood when she'd heard the humming sound. Her mind reeling from the vibration and the humming combined. Her head wanted to just vibrate off her head! She covered her ears with her hands. "It seems to me that the humming and vibrating gets louder with every Hatching!"

She quickly cleaned herself and dressed in one of her favorite Gather dresses. She hated being late for a Hatching, though being late was better than not showing up. She was still a bit tired, though, but she was ready in five minutes. My love, I am ready to attend the Hatching.

I am ready for you. I was just informed that the first three eggs of Kalith's clutch has hatched.

Oh, we are missing it!

Vhreth landed just on the outside of the Hatching sands entrance and then flew up and through the upper entrance, taking a vacant ledge near the high up ledges. She crooned to the hatchlings. She loved babies so much.

Arsana hoped that no one missed her absense during the first eggs that hatched. She quickly found a seat and took it, glueing her eyes to the sands. She applauded as the eggs hatched and impressed. It seemed to her that the eggs were all hatching and the babies were impressing fairly quickly. A good sign. And before she knew it, the Hatching was drawing to a close. At least she was happy to have at least seen most of it!

Candidate Xarca

When it had first dawned on her that the Eggs were the cause for the other Candidates scurrying about, Xarca didn't waste any time getting up and getting cleaned and dressed for the Hatching. Her pink firelizard, Spirit was crooning and chirping up a storm as she brushed her hair and then slipped on her white Candidate's robe. She slipped on her sandals and ran to the Sands. She made it in time to see the first egg hatch.

She crossed her fingers, hoping against hope that one of the hatchlings would choose her. Through out the whole event, not a one even looked in her direction. Since looking for her father and standing for Hatchings, she was beginning to lose hope that she'd accomplish either of them. She wanted to find her father! And to impress, to show him that his daughter wasn't a failure! She'd impressed to pink Spirit, but impressing a Dragon was so much more ... fullfilling than having impressed to a firelizard.

Though, she would never want anything to take away her lovely pink Spirit, but Dragons? It would gain her so much more. She'd be able to fly anywhere, find out if her Father was nearby or far away. And maybe, just maybe, she'd have a parent that would be so much more proud of her than her mother. Or her brother. She'd have accomplished something that her brother would never have dreamed of! Yes, he was a very good Journeyman Metalsmith, she? She'd be a Dragonrider. And the best one!

And after what seemed like a long time to Xarca, the hatching was over. Both clutches had hatched and the babies had impressed. She wanted to cry, to rant and rave at the questions in her mind. Why had she been left standing? Did the universe hate her that much? Was she always going to go through life as a failure? She turned and ran off the sands and ran right to the Barracks. She hadn't impressed so why should she attend the Feast? She fell onto her cot, wanting to cry, but the tears never came. Spirit alighted on her pet's right padded shoulder, crooning for her pet.

Xarca sighed, and scratched the pink's eye ridge. "I'll be ok, Spirit. I just wish that I had impressed."

[Admin]

Proclaimed in everything I write,
You're the light, burning brightly,
Onward through the night,
Onward through the night.

Kalith watched with a new sort of pride as the orange, blue, and green Impressed. She cared little for the differences between the three dragonets - a lesser Queen who wasn't her daughter and offered no threat, a prideful blue, another cheerful green. However, all of them were a part of her Weyr. They would make her Weyr grow, each and every one of them. Perhaps the little, bright orange, though it wasn't likely, might fly and have a little clutch of a couple of eggs, to further the Weyr in aid of the few Queens they had or would have. She felt pride for every single one of her dragons, a great, possessive pride. She didn't like some of them, but she was prideful creature, often enough, in her nature. Possessive to a fault of all that she was given to command and hold. Thread lay only a few turns away, and her Weyr was so small.

Painfully aware of the small number of riders in her Weyr, Fajra watched with a critical eye. Each one of them was needed. With any luck, they would keep all of them, or almost all of them. She needed all the riders she could keep if she even wanted to reach three hundred strong before the looming pass fell upon them. With only two holds to protect, that would suffice, with good training, which she believed was being handled. One of the candidates turned weyrlings was trying to reject her dragonet, a calm black, and a few, including a pink and her rider, were wandering about in odd directions. The unImpressed had run off. She glanced towards one of the gaping openings out into the bowl. It wasn't late, just heading into the early evening. Most of the pairs would be tired, but things need to be settled. Let's handle the situation..

Kalith looked up, beginning to spread her wings slightly from her back. The hatching was over. The dragonets needs to be taken care of and settled to sleep, even though it was early. If they were not tired, their Weyrlingmaster would certainly know how to handle it. Altith, help the Starseekers; she informed the purple with a steady amusement. They hadn't previously mentioned it to anyone. The situation had been especially hectic, given Nikianeth's children might have needed a different weyrlingmaster if they had hatched significantly later. However, her rider had settled everything, and the redhead looked up at F'del to catch his eye and give him a nod. The experienced pair were the most qualified to handle the weyrlings. There had been a few other options, but they were the best. The Weyrwoman had thought it out thoroughly.

The candidates needed to be brought under control as well. They couldn't go running about like headless chickens. Taking initiative herself, and knowing that her rider would approve, the copper swung her head around to eye Duareth. Useless brown. Why in the world had sensible Nikianeth chosen him? Duareth, take your rider and speak to some of those who didn't Impress; she advised him in a tone that made it sound more like an order. After staring at the other dragon for a moment, she peered down at her rider. All of her eggs were hatched. She was ready to go. Fajra rested her hand against the great dragon's should, surveying the grounds in front of her. In a few minutes, they would set off, go down to the feast and make sure things were running smoothly. In the meantime, the Queen and the Weyrwoman watched others get up and move off.

Portrayed in all the things you say,
You're the day leading the way,
Onward through the night,
Onward through the night.

[arratra]

Avartiath swooped down and landed before Kalith, bowing his head politely. He turned his head a moment later, and nudged Matren, who stopped and looked at him with his eyebrows raised.

"Av!" A'tra yelled, "You just left me up here!"
This is important, Mine!
OK, fine then... just come back up here and get me as soon as you're done.

Avartiath gently pushed Matren towards Kalith and Fajra.
Majestic Kalith, Avartiath said, I believe I may have found a new Candidate.
Matren, unable to hear what was going on, merely looked at his brother's errant dragon in sincere confusion.

[fidelli]

Well, you all remember Altith, yes? Despite him and F'del being in a slump, time, like it does everything else, heals. So, as F'del drew a picture of the Green sunning below, Altith was hovering around the Hatching sands. He knew her - knew she would eat him - but he couldn't help but take peeks at the eggs every few moments. F'del - only on the barest minimum of fellis in his bloodstream meant he was easy content, legs dangling over the edge of Altith's ledge, leading against the stone wall and lazily taking a few strokes with his pen.

Of course - the hatching started, and you all know Altith.
OHMYEGGSTHEBABIESTHEYCOMETHEYCOMEMINEEEEEEEEE
HURRYWEWILLMISSTHEMWEWILLMISSTHEBABIES! In one long sentence, in one long word, very loudly, very worried, and all in F'del's slightly dozing off mind. Well, the Purplerider almost jumped right off the ledge. It was Ribbon, the slim little Green, that saved him - she flew directly into his chest and pushed him backwards, where he stood up, clutching the firelizard to his chest and looking for his sporadic colored Purple. Altith? Is that the Hatching starting? The Purple landed heavily, claws dragging into the heavy stone, practically quivering with excitement. YES! The man nodded, turned into his weyr, pulled on a clean shirt, and mounted the dragon, letting Altith pull him into the Hatching sands and onto one of the lower tiers. He settled then, against Altith, and watched as the Hatching commenced. Altith sent up a running tab in his mind, but F'del watched with a slight nostalgia. He had, despite his very interesting class, really enjoyed his time as Weyrlingmaster.

Now, with not being called to the sands, he had realized that going through his fellis withdrawl had perhaps hinted him off to Fajra, and she had realized that he wasn't worth it. It depressed him more than he realized before. He loved working with the weyrlings, and loved working with the dragonets... And it made him upset that Altith wouldn't get to deal with the babies this time around. The Purple, however, was ever optimistic, and stayed happy throughout the hatching. Both hatchings were over, when suddenly the Purple's head whipped over to the Copper Senior Queen.

Altith, help the Starseekers.
Mine, look at Kalith's! The Rider glanced down - and met the Weyrwoman's eye. She nodded - and he grinned. A big, bright grin that made him look even younger than he already was, and so happy. The Purple was capering about, and A'mor vaulted onto his back to let him glide down to the Weyrlings.

Young ones! The dragon pushed for their attention, gathering their minds to him, in his lovable way. I know you are getting sleepy and content - I ask that you all come with Mine and me, and we will get you all a nice place to sleep for the night, The Rider too, called for their attention.

"Greetings, and congratulations Starseekers! I'm F'del, and this is Altith. We'll be your Weyrlingmaster's for the next turn and a half. First things first - everyone should be full by now, so you can head out to the party! Just a few rules - please watch your dragonets closely - no fighting! If they start to get sleepy, that's it for you as well, and its off to the barracks. When you are SURE that they are asleep, you'll be free to come back. You many not touch alcohol, and you should refrain from touching anyone - hand shakes are allowed, but no kissing and try not to hug anyone. It really does scar your dragonet, and may cause them to go between. If I, or another rider, see's you breaking this rule, I would have to seriously punish you. I really really don't want to do that."

He smiled at the Weyrlings, and nodded. "Let your dragon's into your minds, kiddo's. It's important from the start - you have to let them in, and start accepting them. If they bother you, just push them from that particular spot gently. Remember, they act like adults, but they are babies. If you have any problems, just find me or the Healer's A'mor and B'nuyr. They'll help you out or send you to me." He grinned at them again, and then gestured to the door. "Freedom - but remember. I'll be waking you up rather early, so I do not suggest staying up too late!"

[Admin]

You can try, I don't care,
Forcing circles into squares,
You can spend precious time,
Marching in your perfect line.

The antics of a very bold little black easily caught the attention of a watching Kalith. She peered down at the half grown dragonet, who was significantly smaller than her, and the boy that he thought was a candidate. A renegade child. The black was one from Alizadehth's clutch. With a snort, she turned her head away from him, paying him no heed. She wouldn't listen to him waste her time. Fajra, from the nearby shoulder of the copper, eyed the boy critically. He was the younger brother of the black's rider, who she knew was A'tra. She didn't know the boy's name. "If you have an express interest in being a candidate, speak to a searchrider. R'ori of green Vediameth or P'nay of yellow Annith would be good;" she informed him mildly. Then she, like her dragon, turned her attention to other things. A little black who still had seasons until he was fully grown wasn't amongst their top priorities, not with all the things happening at their Weyr. She considered whether P'nay might have been the best option to suggest to the child, but he wasn't likely to be busy with anything that a bit of requested examining would butt in on. R'ori and Vediameth were young, but they were showing potential. Firm in her answer, Fajra focused on D'lios across the cavern.

If you don't like what I say,
You can turn the other way,
If you don't like what you see,
Then don't look at me.

[arratra]

Avartiath looked put-out when Kalith didn't answer. He had personally decided that Alizadeth was not his mother, although she was his dam, and had sort of adopted Kalith as his mother instead.

Matren, seeing this, immediately patted the unhappy dragonet, looking up at his brother, who let out a sigh; it echoed wierdly in the cavern.
"Weyrwoman Fajra?" he asked, trying to politely gain her attention, "Where may I find R'ori? And please understand... I believe Avartiath is a Search dragon himself... albeit still young. And A'tra and Avartiath have no plans for leaving the Weyr. They want to stay."

[Admin]

Add it up, count me out,
I'm taking a different route,
I did not mean to offend,
Before I broke, I chose to mend.

A lack of patience that had truly always existed but was generally kept in control except for utter stupidity flared in Fajra at the sound of the boy speaking. She turned and his young face somewhat softened her mood. Her younger brothers lived at Bay, the younger a bronzerider and the older a blackrider. The child's older brother rode a black. Perhaps the fellow in front of her would ride a bronze. The senseless, ungrounded thought was shaken from her head as she peered down at Matren. Kalith successfully ignored them with an ease, though her patience was running dangerously close to snapping. "Good. We can use them, and I doubt they would find it easy to get a transfer to another Weyr when they graduate." Brutal honesty tripped off her tongue coolly. She had no reason to dislike like A'tra and Avartiath or the boy, but she wasn't a person who went about liking most people. "Avartiath is too young, no matter your thoughts. R'ori can probably be found at the feast, but you may wish to save bothering him for a few days. Go enjoy the feast;" she advised him, tone barely becoming softer in a small flare of maternal feelings. Then she turned away again, leaning into the hand she rested against Kalith. In a moment, they would head down to the feast.

Don't look at me,
Don't look at me,
Oh, if you don't like what you seem,
You don't have to look at me.

[arratra]

Matren winced, glancing up at his brother, who looked downright furious. Avartiath slowly made his way out of the Sands on foot, his head and wings drooping and his tail dragging on the ground.
"You just hurt them," Matren said, turning away and walking towards the edge of the Sands, "Badly." This was not in an accusing tone, but instead stating fact.
"My brother and Avartiath are as loyal to you as any Rider pair in this Weyr," Matren continued, stopping just outside the Sands, "Remember that, Weyrwoman Fajra."
He turned to go, but stopped, and looked back. "By the way," he said, "The name is Matren."

[Admin]

Sing it like this for the chick at the top of the list.
With the eyes and the lips and her best jeans on,
Thinking to herself about the way,
It's gonna be when she gets free.

Fajra made no comment to the boy named Matren. She made no apology to the upset black and his rider. She had said nothing insulting. She hadn't faulted them in any way aside from what was true about their situation. Part of her wanted to snort, though such an action seemed unfitting. Loyal as any pair in her Weyr? An untried weyrling pair? What of O'sho? What of F'del? What of W'al? What of Armania? What of Avalle? What of B'nyur? There were plenty of loyal souls at Dalibor. It took a loyalty to handle the imperfection of their Weyr. Kalith snorted for her, blowing hot air out of her nose in a gust. Silly little humanets. So sensitive. The view of Matren being idiot that she took up was probably for the best. It meant that she wasn't overly bothered that he, a lowly weyrbrat or apprentice, not even a proper candidate or weyrling, had dared to insult her rider. Letting the apprentice leave, Fajra waited another moment. The cavern was mostly empty. Few had seen the little scene, and she wasn't bothered. Finally, she slipped up onto Kalith's back, for the first time in quite a long time in her mind. Triumphantly, the copper launched herself free of the hot hatching cavern.

Play it like that for the kid in the back of the class,
With the backwards hat and his headphones on,
Thinking to himself about the way,
It's gonna be when he gets free.