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Post by Dragonmage on Jul 10, 2009 19:43:38 GMT -5
The Prickly Guardian Brown ignored the offered hand and raced over to investigate the Foaming Shores Egg, apparently finding the cracking noise much more interesting than the idea of Nymoren as a rider. Nymoren knew this because he had followed the dragonet with his eyes. A green had stuck her head out of the Foaming Shores Egg, but seemed to have trouble finishing hatching. The Prickly Guardian Brown pushed over the Foaming Shores Egg, which fell over on its side, releasing the Foaming Shores Green. In spite of himself, Nymoren could not help staring at the green.
"Aren't you a pretty thing," he whispered. The Prickly Guardian Brown did not wait for any thanks from the Foaming Shores Green but ran off to Impress. The Sleeping Serpent Egg produced a blue that tried to walk gracefully across the Sands, but tripped over a pile of sand. Jays, were the dragonets trying to make him dizzy with all the whipping back and forth to see what had hatched? Yet another crack behind him forced Nymoren to spin back to the Deep Waters Clutch. He caught the tail end of the Breaking Surf Egg's hatching and saw the Breaking Surf Blue hide behind the Gentle Ripples Egg, which was rocking in a way that was most contrary to its name. He missed the Impressions of the Foaming Shores Green and the Sleeping Serpent Blue as he watched the Breaking Surf Blue hide for a while before racing off to one of the people helping the Tidal Pool Brown's rider off the Sands.
Nymoren turned to the Windy Desert Clutch to see if there had been any changes in the time that his eyes had been on the other clutch. Even as he watched, the Shady Evening Egg burst to reveal a mossy green. She was so dignified in her pace that he could hardly help wanting her. The Serene Oasis Egg jerked and he could have sworn that a foot poked out of it. The next thing Nymoren knew, the egg had a head sticking out of it and the egg was rolling toward the Shady Evening Green, who stepped out of the way with a look of disgust. When the Serene Oasis Egg hit a candidate, the shell came off to show a very light brown. The Serene Oasis Brown Impressed immediately, but the Shady Evening Green took a while linger to Impress to a boy with pale blond hair.
Nymoren did not notice the Wave Dancing Bronze until he got between the Tidal Pool Brown and the Breaking Surf Blue. The explosion of the Shining Mirage Egg into a green did catch his eye and he wondered if he was hers. Once the blue and brown had calmed down, the Wave Dancing Bronze ran off to his boy. The Shining Mirage Green paced slowly up and down the line of Candidates a few times before finally choosing a girl.
Many of the eggs in the Windy Desert Clutch were rocking now and the Stone Sentinel Egg had a dent. The dragonet inside cleverly used the dent to escape. The Stone Sentinel Green leaned on another egg before heading towards the Candidates. The Deep Ocean Clutch drew Nymoren's attention again, as well as that of many others with the loud shattering of the Deceptive Calm Egg. The Deceptive Calm Blue was squalling with pain as he slammed into the Branching Reef Egg. Almost too quickly for Nymoren to think, the blue was hurtling towards the Candidates. Another boy was knocked over by the Deceptive Calm Blue who flailed about on top of the other boy before falling off to the side and catching his wing underneath himself.
N'oren-mine! Your Ajath has been attacked! Save him, mine-own! Your Ajath is afraid!
Nymoren could feel the pain in his blue's shoulder and ran over to the dragonet, calling, "It'll be okay, Ajath. I'll help you." He made sure he was on Ajath's right, bent down, and hoisted the dragonet onto his feet.
"Lean on my leg. We can get to the food faster if you let me help." After giving the blue the directions, N'oren looked around for someone to help.
"Ajath needs a healer! He has a piece of shell in his shoulder and it's bleeding enough that I don't know whether to take it out or if it's helping block the ichor!"
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Post by B'kay on Jul 10, 2009 19:59:03 GMT -5
C'train nodded as N'oren described the injury. He examined the area indicated, that shard of shell certainly looked like it was causing the poor young one a lot of pain. His experience helping with Artoneth's badly threadscored wing had taught him a bit about dragon anatomy, and, fascinated, he'd spent quite a bit of time pouring over hides and illustrations since that day.
"It doesn't appear to have pierced an area where there are any major vessels," he said quietly. "If he'll let him get you over to the side-tables, we can smear the area with numbweed, and make him more comfortable while we take a closer look."
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Post by Dragonmage on Jul 10, 2009 21:09:32 GMT -5
"Yes, Beastmaster C'train. Come on, Ajath, just lean on my leg and we'll get there a lot faster so you can stop hurting," N'oren realized that he was babbling a bit to his injured blue, but his dignity was far less important than getting Ajath taken care of. Although they got to the side-tables somewhat quickly, to N'oren and Ajath, it felt like a long time. Each step the blue took jostled the shard painfully. Finally, they reached a side-table that was at least a bit out of the way. No sense getting between the hatchlings and the food.
N'oren bent down and lifted Ajath up to one of the side-tables. The blue was heavier than he'd thought from the quick repositioning lift he'd done to get him on all four feet. N'oren turned to look at the Beastmaster and rider for what needed to be done next.
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Post by B'kay on Jul 11, 2009 8:59:24 GMT -5
C'train blessed Artoneth silently in his mind, for if he hadn't had the experience helping with the badly injured brown, he would have felt much less confident in his knowledge of dragon anatomy.
"I don't think it's really as deep as all that," he said quietly, looking up at the worried Weyrling. He rinsed his hands in the supplied redwort solution, took a pot of numbweed and a large swab, and gently spread the smelly ointment all over the area around the wound.
Rhobith was with C'train, and allowing his rider to hear as he spoke soothing thoughts into the little blue's mind.
You will be fine, young friend Ajath. Mine has much experience helping beasts with their injuries, and I know that he can help dragons as well. You will be fine, the medicine will make the pain go away.
The little Beastmaster gave the numbweed a few minutes to work before gently probing the area to see the extent of the injury. The shard of shell was, indeed, embedded, but it did not look like it had gone much beyond the layers of hide. If the muscle beneath was affected, it was surely only a nick.
"It's going to bleed more when we remove the fragment," he said, as he straightened for a moment and gave N'oren an encouraging smile. "But not a lot, I don't think, and I'm sure there's a solution in here for that...." He rummaged about in the healers' materials which were set aside for treating dragons.
And there, just what he was looking for, and he opened each of the two jars to give them a sniff, just to make sure.... He'd used this particular first aid routine many times with runners. These would do until N'oren could get Ajath to a real dragonhealer to see if the wound needed stitching.
He took the supplies out and showed them to the Weyrling. He held up a pot of mashed, damp herbs. "These have a clotting factor in them," he explained, "You pack them into the wound and they encourage the blood ... or ichor, in this case ... to clot. And this," he opened another jar which contained a gel-like substance that had an underlying odor of alcohol spirits, "Dries into a sort of false skin. I will put it over the surface of the wound, and it should hold it closed long enough for the more experienced dragonhealers to take a look at Ajath. With your permission, of course.... Is he sufficiently numbed for us to start?"
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Post by Shikai on Jul 11, 2009 11:28:18 GMT -5
Mine, we are late for the hatching! Late![/color] Dacrith complained, tail swaying in agitation.
“There will be more hatchings, Dacrith,” F’rallen replied wearily, as he continued to wrap fresh bandages around a badly threadscored brown’s leg.
Mine, we cannot simply miss a hatching! We must be there to welcome the new dragons.[/color]
F’rallen sighed, rubbing at his eyes. Happy as he was to be a dragonrider, he couldn’t help but feel guilty that he now spent his threadfalls in the sky, rather than in the infirmary. Dragonhealers were certainly few in the new times, so much so that he had finally been given his journeyman rank. It certainly was a shock, going from lowly apprentice to bronzerider, journeyman dragonhealer, and finally wingsecond! No one had really seen any worth in him until Dacrith had, and for that, he was forever grateful to the bronze.
“Alright, alright, we’ll go! Just let me finish this,” He replied, wrapping up the last of the bandages. It was impossible to be both fulltime dragonrider and fulltime dragonhealer, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t spend whatever time he could in the infirmary to try it. And any bit of help he could manage was still helpful, really. Plus as Dacrith was growing, he needed less constant care, and it was easier to keep up as a dragonhealer in his spare time.
Dacrith carried his rider to the stands, after F’rallen had grabbed his kit of dragonhealing supplies. Accidents were frequent at hatchings, after all, and he had often attended as a dragonhealer, ready to be on hand should any hatchlings require it. Even though he technically didn’t have to do so anymore, as a dragonrider…well, old habits died hard.
And a good thing too, as he hadn’t been there long when…
Mine, young Ajath is injured.[/color] The bronze informed him, although he seemed almost a bit reluctant to do so. After all, Dacrith wanted his to be able to enjoy the hatching…but Ajath’s need was greater, they both knew. C’train was the first to the sands, and F’rallen recognized the Beastmaster who had impressed a brown from Dacrith’s clutch. That was well; much of the same healing principles applied between species, although native Pernese animals certainly had different chemical structures than Terran ones, so as long as he didn’t attempt to give felis to the dragon, he could certainly help.
F’rallen nodded to both C’train and the newly impressed boy, who he had never met, smiling as he awkwardly approached and held up a hand to get their attention.
“Hello, I’m F’rallen of Bronze Dacrith. I’m a dragonhealer, so if I could just…”
He approached the blue with caution, as even as hatchlings, dragons were far more dangerous than most creatures healers worked with, even though they usually meant no harm. F’rallen turned to N’oren after a survey of the dragon’s shoulder.
“Could you try to keep him calm? The wound isn’t serious, but once Beastmaster C’train is finished, it’s going to need stitching up. Don’t worry though, dragons heal fast, especially young ones! He should be completely healed before long.”
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Post by C'lyn on Jul 11, 2009 18:44:05 GMT -5
C'lyn swore under his breath as he hurried through the night to the hatching cavern, a glow lantern held high so that he wouldn't trip over anything. He was late for the hatching and he was upset with himself. His duties had kept him late in the infirmary, and his movements were a little stiffer then he liked due to the score across his back that was healing, and itching like mad.
He hurried into the cavern and looked around, frowning as he noted that there were already injuries, both human and dragon. He spotted Gaylen and hurried to her side, brushing a tender yet quick kiss to her cheek. "Forgive me for being late love. What do you need me to do?" he asked. Even though he was the Master Healer of the weyr, he was still willing to take orders and guidance from Gaylen when he mind was clear.
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Post by B'kay on Jul 11, 2009 19:33:23 GMT -5
C'train was greatly relieved to see F'rallen, a true dragonhealer, arrive.
"We've just slathered him with numbweed," he told the healer, "I thought we'd pack him with clotting herbs and then put a covering gel on till someone could determine if he needs sutures ... but I'm very glad you're here! I'll assist in any way I can, F'rallen."
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Gaylen knew C'lyn was on the way before he arrived on the sands, the message coming through Alabanth from Greylith. She had just arrived by side of the prone Xian, who, though he appeared uninjured, had not responded to her.
"I'm concerned about this young fellow," she replied to C'lyn, "Though we have another new Weyrling on the sidelines whose leg has been bandaged ... he took a claw during a trampling."
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Post by Mariya on Jul 13, 2009 13:23:54 GMT -5
First one voice, than another joined it, and that worrying voice that now she was recognizing as being in her head. Her head, by Shards!
"Sweetheart. Deal with your dragon, honey. You can help no more here until he's taken care of. Alright? That Blue is Yours."
"K'l'sran's right, dear. This noble young fellow is here for you! I know you love being a healer, but he's your first priority now."
No, no, Telmacith’s rider is here! Mariya-mine, you are Telmacith’s! Or…do you perhaps not want him?
The last one was enough to bring young Mariya's mind to the forefront, at least for the intense hunger in her stomach now. "Of course, Telmacith. How stupid of me? I wasn't supposed to get a dragon though. Why?" she continued on muttering. Shards, this was going to be hard. Guiltily and sadly a little, she patted the aqua dragon's neck. "Mariya will get you some of those nice chunks now. In fact,..." she rooted in her bag for the stuff she had scavanged from the kitchen on the way over here. "Here, munch on this and I'll get you some more." She finally looked into those whirling eyes and wondered never again of being alone. Her existance before this didn't matter.
Mine! Food!" " Telmacith nudged her. "Of course dear!" She almost giggled at his assumption.
Mariya looked over at Gaylen. "I'm sorry..." she started as her dragon bumped her. She didn't finish that sentence though. Plenty of time for helping other injuries later. Telmacith, Telly, needed food now.
*** *** *** *** ***
Xiarl hadn't noticed that Xian had fallen. At least not at first. He was standing too still and looking straight ahead in fright. But when he did, he silently willed his twin to get back up. Come on, Xian. Don't be silly. You'll be hurt down there. A few seconds later, he realized that Xian wasn't getting up. "Xian!" he cried and pushed Xiana out of the way. "Get up! Get up! Xian, please get up!" He was frantic now. Nothing was supposed to happen to them here. And now Xian was hurt. What was going on in the world? Shards, he swore under his breath.
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Post by Kitari on Jul 13, 2009 22:57:59 GMT -5
The sand was now speckled with egg shards, and the Eggs were growing fewer by the moment. It almost appeared like a minefield, and the eerie crunch of shards underfoot only enhanced this image. As gazes passed 'round the Clutches, taking in the last trembling eggs, there was a surprise for all that drew quite a bit of murmuring. There, where the intimidating Deceptive Calm Egg had formerly rested, was a very unexpected sight. The Deep Abyss Egg. But how? The Weyrfolk were certain they'd counted only 12 eggs in the Deep Ocean Clutch. Upon closer inspection, however, it appeared that the Deep Abyss Egg had been partially buried in the sand. Since it was a small egg to begin with, this, along with the fact that the large Deceptive Calm Egg had been hulking over it, explained its prior concealment. There was no doubt that the gold mother had been aware of this other offspring, but if she'd chosen not to correct the humans' count, it hardly mattered to her. So long as there was a candidate for each of the dragonets, she was happy! This newly discovered egg was only shaking a little at this point, and it seemed its partial burial in the sand was restricting its movement somewhat. Other eggs seemed more fed up with waiting and were applying themselves most fervently to the task of Hatching. The Cracked Earth Egg and Rushing Current Egg were both vibrating energetically, and the Long Dive Egg was beginning to thrash from side to side. Cracks ran down the sides of the Endless Sands Egg, and the Gentle Ripples Egg had a large vertical crack running from top to bottom. This was the egg to Hatch next, it seemed, for claws worked their way into that large crack, and the dragonet pulled the egg apart. It parted to the sides like a curtain, and a pale green dragonet stepped onto the sands that were her stage. She had the attention of everyone in the crowd, being the only un-Impressed dragonet on the sands at this time, and this confident green was quite pleased with such an arrangement. She flicked her tail from side to side, making a show of opening her wings and extending them up into the air. When she began to walk, however, her steps were far from sure, as shaky new legs slowed her to a tentative pace. The cracks forming down the sides of the Endless Sands Egg were finally enough, and the front of the egg burst with one last heave. A dark brown dragonet speckled with sandy brown on his legs tumbled forth and was on his feet a moment later, swinging his snout from side to side suspiciously. It was almost as if he expected someone to burst out laughing and hoped to silence them with a glare. When no snickering did meet his ears, the Endless Sands Brown huffed in satisfaction and began his own march across the sands. It seemed a very familiar image to many, as two dragons approached the line of candidates from opposite directions, and the choice of lifemates was growing sparse indeed. The audience watched with bated breath; there had been many injuries already this Hatching. Was another conflict brewing? Fears could only continue to grow as the Endless Sands Brown and Gentle Ripples Green seemed to hone in on the same section of the line. The two only seemed to notice each other when there were only a dragonlength apart, with only a few candidates standing between them, and both froze. The brown tossed his head, snorting slightly, while the green tilted her own head to the side, waiting. After a moment of considering each other, both moved forward decisively. The brown dragonet shouldered a candidate in his way aside to reach the white robed figure splayed on the ground and promptly headbutted the boy in the gut, though gently. Mine! What are you doing lying down? I should think you would have been looking for your Akhenatath! This is no time to play games or sleep, mine-own, for your Akhenatath is huuuungry!The green dragonet sniffed slightly at the brown's rough jostling of the other white-robed lad, and she promptly nosed his hand with her snout, looking expectantly upward. I apologize for that one, mine. Your Penloeth is far more polite than he. But really, you needn't worry about Akhenatath's; he is fine. Your Penloeth is in far greater need! Her stomach aches terribly, and her hide itches! This sand is most unbecoming.A relieving ending to that pair of Impressions indeed. Not only had the dragonets avoided conflict, but also had they Impressed to brothers! The best way for Impressions to occur, the Weyrfolk murmured, for now neither brother would envy the other. But there was little time to ponder such things, for a loud crack split the air. Eyes darted about the Grounds, seeking the source, and that was when they saw it. A gasp sounded in the Hatching Grounds, for through the hole in the Desert Flower Egg, gold hide was clearly visible. Font Colours: darkred lightgreen
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Post by Tealah on Jul 14, 2009 0:54:13 GMT -5
Niera sucked in a worried breath when she saw how badly injured one of the new weyrlings was, but there was nothing she could do about it, so past a sympathetic look cast in Larikev's direction the girl did nothing and tried to put the incident from her mind. It wasn't hard to do so with so many exciting things happening - besides which, there were several healers assisting him - and she even laughed aloud when the Prickly Guardian Brown pushed the Foaming Shores Green from her egg and more so when the Sleeping Serpent Blue face-planted into the sand, although she did immediately feel bad for the little guy.
Oh no! A little blue, from the Deceptive Calm egg had injured himself. Niera squeaked with dismay and might have run to help the poor thing had he not already found His and been assisted over to the side of the sands to be looked over.
Well, even the injury of a hatchling could not keep Niera's spirits down long, and the unexpected appearance of the Deep Abyss egg elicited a delighted hop. She'd not been worried, exactly, by the dwindling number of eggs left to hatch, but having one more dragonet she could possibly Impress to might have been a teeny bit of a relief, maybe. For all her bravado when talking to Retivor about the possibility of being left standing on the sands, she couldn't help but worry just that teeny bit.
But her mind was drawn away from her maybe-sorta-kinda-fears when the Desert Flower egg cracked enough to reveal a gold hide. She "ooo"ed along with everyone else - a gold in the clutch was always cause for awe.
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