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Post by meah on Jul 14, 2009 14:42:01 GMT -5
Xian wished he could bury himself in the sand. Then maybe Xiarl wouldn't be so angry with him for all of this. Well, he didn't know for sure that Xiarl was angry with him, but still. It was asking for trouble that he'd fallen in the first place. Of course, the sand was hot, but it was kind of a comfortable heat, like sitting in hot springs after a long day, and although he knew it was burning, it was rather like getting a sunburn at the beach--so thoroughly worth it even if the pain sucks afterwards.
With his eyes squeezed shut to avoid Xiarl's eyes, Xian didn't notice the two dragons coming up to them, each from its own clutch. Didn't notice until he found a nose prodding him in his rather bruised stomach. Was a dragonet actually going out of its way to poke his stomach with its face and hurt him some more? Perhaps its plan was to chew on him or something. He'd heard dragons were really hungry when they hatched.
And then the voice in his head gave it all away. 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!
He'd impressed, which was a shock to him in its own right, because really, Xian had just been there to watch out for Xiana and make sure nothing horrible happened to the family they still had. Until now. Now, Akhenatath was more family than his twin would ever be. Akhenatath was the most wonderful dragon alive. Xian hadn't even opened up his eyes yet, cherishing the last moment before Xiarl kicked him and told him to get up and stop faking injury. He'd watched others impress, and he heard their pleas for help for their rider if he was injured, just as everyone else had. Akhen was simply playing around with Xian, so it must be obvious that there was nothing at all wrong with him. Stupid dragon. But he was wonderful.
Shard it, Akhenatath. You scared me. And have you ever tried to hide from your-- he started to say that it would be impossible to face his brother now, but the teen was distracted. He'd opened his eyes and spotted the dragon. Wow. You're really big and really brown.
The dragon blinked at the boy, a sardonic looking passing across his still-rainbow eyes. Of course I am, mine. What did you expect me to be, a tiny green? He nudged the boy with his snout again, more gently than his previous headbutting had been. Now, mine, I am hungryyy. Can we get some food?
Xian was still pretty trapped in the dragon's eyes, which were, to him, the most beautiful eyes that ever existed. It was funny how quickly everything else in the world seemed not to matter, with Akhenatath here. Even the fact that Xiarl was probably raging beyond belief didn't seem to matter to Xian, as long as his Akhen was there with him. A thought occurred to Xian, emerging from beneath the haze of love and impression. I can call you Akhen, right?
Of course, as long as I can call you X'an-mine. Now can we eat, X'an-mine? Your Akhenatath will forgive you for laying in this wonderful sand without him for so long, but only if we eat soon.
X'an blinked. His name was X'an? Since when? His name was Xian, the last time he had checked. Just a few hours ago, Xiarl had been yelling at him, and he was fairly certain that he'd been calling him Xian. Why would his name have changed? He just wasn't educated enough in dragon-lore or hatchings to realize that when he impressed, his name would be shortened. Honorifics were so far beyond his comprehension at the moment that it never even occurred to him that his name would be shortened. Perhaps Akhen just couldn't think it right yet. He was a baby, after all.
And then reality hit X'an like a sack of bricks. Xiarl was probably flipping out nearby and he didn't even hear him. In fact, it didn't seem like Xiarl was going to hurt him, or he would have already done it. X'an dragged his eyes away from the brown and forced himself to look for his brother. Who was with a green dragon who seemed very keen on keeping the older twin. X'an smiled to himself. Maybe she would distract him for long enough for X'an to explain to Xiana what had happened, make sure she was protected until she impressed herself, for she surely would, and get Akhen out of there and away from Xiarl's wrath. She was a cute green, but not as wonderful as his Akhenatath.
Mine, I am hungry. Will you cease your brooding? Penloeth will take good enough care of your clutch-sibling, for all he does not deserve it.
The statement was rather cruel, in X'an's earnest opinion, but he did rather understand where Akhen was coming from. You hatch from an egg, and you find the on person on all of Pern that you trust to take care of you. It made sense that Akhen would take a bit of dislike to Xiarl, after that whole X'an being scared of him thing. Fear is bad, and fearing your sibling was, in theory, probably worse. Maybe he should take Xiana with him to go feed Akhen, so she wouldn't be in Xiarl's way when he got ready to go feed his dragon...whatever her name was.
Penloeth, Mine. She is just a green. She cannot harm your sister, and she cannot harm us. Mine-own X'an, you are the rider of Brown Akhenatath. We are more powerful than any greenrider.
The brownrider shook his head slightly. He would at least need to tell Xiana that he was going, even if she probably did already know. She was a woman, though, so he would probably have to decide where she went. She would want to stay here alone and risk being mauled while waiting for her dragon, if she was lucky enough to get one, when he and Xiarl had both impressed and had dragons who could protect her. Oh, he hoped she'd impress. That way they could watch out for her more easily, during lessons and the like.
Akhen, meanwhile, was dancing back and forth trying to resist the urge to consume the girl in question, because he was just that ravenously hungry. His was being very loving to his siblings and all, but it was time for His to feed him. His stomach was aching with starvation, and he knew X'an was feeling it, too. X'an-mine, I am so hungry. Can we discuss what to do with your sister later, after we eat something? He tried to sneak around towards the food, but, being the massive brown that he was, nearly knocked X'an over with his tail.
X'an sighed and finally actually spoke, to his sister. "Xiana, this is Akhenatath. He's really hungry, so we're going to get something to eat. Don't do anything stupid." And turned to follow the dragon whose stomach X'ans was beginning to mirror severely.
Deep Ocean Clutch Swiftly Swimming Egg Branching Reef Egg – Blue Achilleth : Aren'mor (midnightblue) Deceptive Calm Egg – Blue Ajath : Nym'oren (mediumblue) Long Dive Egg – thrashing about Gentle Ripples Egg – Green Penloeth : Xia'rl (lightgreen) Rushing Current Egg – vibrating Stormy Sea Egg – Blue Jasth : Tarin (dodgerblue) Foaming Shores Egg – Green Cassanth : Jaylee Tidal Pool Egg – Brown Parith : Larikev (sienna) Wave Dancing Egg – Bronze Herculith : K'yrian (goldenrod) Rising Tide Egg – Green Megrath : Riley (green) Breaking Surf Egg – Blue Telmacith : Mariya (aqua) Dark Abyss Egg – suddenly appeared
Windy Desert Clutch Barren Earth Egg – not moving Desert Flower Egg – Gold -- : none yet Desert Sunset Egg – Green Cleoth : Nicola (limegreen) Rising Thermals Egg – still Rolling Dunes Egg Serene Oasis Egg – Brown Ptolth : Celeste (burlywood) Shady Evening Egg – Green Hatsheth : Sila'tar (darkolivegreen) Stone Sentinel Egg – Green Sekheth : Eravrael (mediumseagreen) Endless Sands Egg – Brown Akhenatath : Xi'an (darkred) Cracked Soil Egg – vibrating Seething Sands Egg – Bronze Ramesth : Willfred (darkgoldenrod) Sleeping Serpent Egg – Blue Duamuth : Kela'rin (mediumslateblue) Shining Mirage Egg – Green Isith : Kinga (lightgreen) Dry Mountain Egg – shaking consistently Prickly Guardian Egg – Brown Khufuth : Fi'del (700000)
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Post by D'gellin on Jul 14, 2009 20:42:46 GMT -5
As Trilia watched Jaylee walk off with a green hatchling, the older girl dazed but virtually bursting with glowing emotions, Trilia could feel her mask of happiness crumbling. Although she would never admit it, Jaylee had been a lifeline, someone she could cling and relate to, effectively warding off the fear buried underneath the bravado. When it came down to it, Trilia was just an insecure little girl who relied on everyone else to make her feel better about herself. Jaylee had functioned as a marvelous emotional crutch, even a friend despite the age gap. Trilia had liked teaching Jaylee about Weyrlife, helping to ease confusion and foster happiness, but now all that work had only propelled the brunette into the future that Trilia so desperately wanted.
In an instant her despair flared into a violent flush of jealousy. How could Jaylee betray her like that? If not for Trilia, the new greenrider would still be wondering blindly through the Halls, unable to find the Hatching Grounds at all, alone and lost and helpless. Disgust at her own bitter satisfaction with that scenario cooled Trilia's temper enough to turn away from the happy pair, mouth pulled thin. There were still many unImpressed dragons on the Sands, and thinking such nasty thoughts, even ones brought about by a shock of abandonment, would do little to entice them.
Taking in a small breath, Trilia redirected her attention to the Hatching, glossy blue eyes repentant. Would they forgive her? Or had she just ruined everything, unknowingly creating a wall through which the little dragons would never cross?
She tried to enjoy the Hatching again, wrapping herself up in all the warmth and happiness that seemed to dance within the Weyr during the event, and was pleased to find herself calming. When she looked up again, and saw the freshly hatched Shining Mirage Green, she could slowly feel those butterflies of happiness returning. What a pretty little one... She was distracted only by the bronze hatchling confronting? Intimidating? No, breaking up a potential conflict, a blue ducking behind a Healer. Had he Impressed?
Something was moving in the corner of her eye, and Trilia's attention snapped suddenly to the Shining Mirage Green, feeling her heart ache with longing. The green's determined stride brought her down the line of candidates with painful slowness. Down the column of white she went, nearly strangling Trilia with apprehension, and again as she went back up! The process went on. Oh shards, just choose! Please me? The green Impressed an older girl and Trilia could breath again but not happily. This seemed to be the way all the following hatchlings effected her. She clung to the hope, maybe this blue! A boy ran to the poor creeling dragon. Perhaps that large green? No...That handsome dark blue? The surprise green? The new brown? Each caught her up in a rapture of delight and each doused that little flame of happiness with cold uncaring swiftness.
The number of unhatched eggs, and with it potential lifemates, were dwindling fast...
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Post by Shikai on Jul 15, 2009 0:40:33 GMT -5
The Desert Flower Egg began to thrash, and three large, deep cracks appeared in the shell, radiating out from the fallen shard. In a single, neat movement, the dragon inside heaved upwards, splitting the egg along the faults. Those who had caught a glimpse of what looked to be gold hide would not be disappointed – the dragonet who emerged from the large chunks of egg was undeniably a queen, with rich, classic-hued golden hide instantly catching what light there was in the hatching cavern. She pulled herself at once to her feet, quickly getting a sense of her long, graceful legs, and slowly unfurled her wings to let them dry, revealing a desaturated, almost tan color shading the wing membranes, although her richer color showed through in faint lines like ripples in the desert sand. From birth, it was clear that she was regal in every sense of the word, in no hurry, and would not be rushed.
As the Desert Flower Gold dried her wings, using the time to collect her bearings on the strange new setting she had found herself in, another egg was hatching nearby. It was only the Cracked Earth Egg’s close proximity to the newly hatched queen that would gain it any notice as it suddenly collapsed without a sound, leaving something thrashing about in the remains. A light, minty green snout poked its way through the sticky membrane between the shards, stretching herself a whole in the fallen egg as first her head emerged, followed by a shortened midsection, large paws, wide, nearly white glimmering wings, and finally, her tail. She shook her head vigorously, still lying on the sands, attempting to dislodge a shell fragment that had stuck itself adamantly to her nose. Her whirling eyes locked on it with curiosity as it refused to come off, and suddenly, her head lurched as she sneezed with a soft ‘chu’.
The little green pulled her large front feet under her head, resting it upon them like a canine as her eyes swept over the hatching sands. Upon spotting the candidates, they seemed to light up, and she got to her feet at once. She was small, but undeniably adorable. The very light, near-white color that covered her wings also made up patches along her hide reminiscent of white, fluffy clouds. She slowly began to make her way toward the candidates, cautiously moving around the remaining looming eggs and sharp shells.
The gold peered around her with almond-shaped eyes, marked oddly with nearly black lines extending from the back corners of her eyes straight toward the back of her head, like the eye markings of the Terran Egyptians. Her long neck, with more prominent ridges and shoulder blades, arched proudly to raise her long and narrow, though not large, head, and she took a few steps forward. Though just out of the shell, it appeared she would be of average size for a gold, although more due to height than bulk. She was not long bodied like Ezelth, simply narrowly built with the graceful form of a Terran antelope. She looked a little top-heavy without a longer than average tail to balance out her neck, but not really ungainly, as she walked forward and managed herself with grace. However, the gold had not gone far before another loud crack demanded the attention of the onlookers.
The Rushing Current Egg’s vibrating had reached its peak, and a tail shot out from the shell. But as excited faces turned to see what color the dragonet would be, the reactions must have ranged from surprised to excited to apprehensive.
Though toned with the dark, rich red of a sunset, the thrashing tail was undeniably gold.
The Rushing Current Egg had soon had enough, and as a golden foot punched through, it gave way to the dragon’s efforts and shattered. The Rushing Current Gold, despite the noise her hatching had been making, seemed far less insistent on demanding the attention of the spectators. She blinked repeatedly as the light hit her eyes, and seemed almost loath to leave her shell, hanging back amongst the shards as she felt the countless pairs of eyes upon her.
But the rumbling in her belly coaxed her out, and above all, she knew that it was imperative she find her rider – preferably amongst those funny white things nearby on the sands. As she rose to her feet and stretched her short torso on long legs, she appeared rather small for a gold. Yet on a second observation, the Rushing Current Gold was not quite so petite as she looked – although she was, undeniably, small and daintily built like her mother. Her snout was narrow and pointed, her tail long and whip-like, and her wings, as she fluttered them to clear them of egg remains, narrow. Her tail, the first glimpse of her the Weyrfolk had been able to catch, was a good indicator of the rest of her coloration. She was a dark gold, though the coloration was offset by pale, lighter ‘freckles’ along her back and shoulders, and of course, the rich, rusty red burnished especially on her snout, tail tip, underbelly, and wing membranes in quite a striking manner.
She began to trot toward the candidates, but both golds froze as they caught sight of the other. Two golds on the sands at once? Again? Fate was cruel indeed to Gwynevith, Lefayeth, and their offspring. The Desert Flower Gold raised herself to her full height, puffing out her chest as she glared at the other gold with whirling eyes. The Rushing Current Gold took a step back in surprise, but then she held her ground, flaring her red-toned wings and letting out a hiss in the other gold’s direction. Both forgot about the candidates between them as they simply stared each other down, neither bold enough to advance and rush the other, but not so meek as to surrender entirely.
After a long moment of what must have been nearly unbearable suspense for the candidates, and surely one that brought back memories of the egg touching, the Cracked Earth Green wandered toward the candidates at last. The large shard of shell had been somehow pushed higher onto her face by the force of the sneeze, partially blocking her vision and leaving her unaware of the conflict between the two golds. She bumped right into the gold of her own clutch, and looked up with a start and a squeak. She shrank back at the sight of the intimidatingly posed gold dragoness, although the Desert Flower Gold, equally startled, as all of her attention had been focused on the red-gold queen on the other side of the candidates, dropped her aggressive stance at once as she peered down at her green clutchsister in surprise. The green let out a meek, cheerful chirp of greeting, which was crooned back by the gold, although she sounded almost confused. The gold looked back to the Rushing Current Gold, who had pulled her narrow wings back in and ceased her hissing as soon as the other queen had been distracted, and moved without further conflict to the candidates.
Her shoulders rippled beneath her smooth, golden hide as her long legs carried her right to her target – Auria.
At last, you and your Nefertith are united, mine! I do hope I did not upset anyone by acting as I did – I was not expecting to meet a fellow gold hatchling on the sands today.[/color] Her tone was as smooth and calm as a flowing river, although undercurrents of joy ran beneath her first words to her rider, and a tinge of worry under the latter.
The green followed her sister, petite head searching a few faces before she found exactly who she was looking for.
R’tivor-mine! Your Aramunith is so delighted to have found you, although I fear I have made such a blunder wandering into Nefertith. I do hope she isn’t mad…oh, would you please remove this shard from my face? I just cannot see anything with it there![/color]
As the dragons of the Windy Desert Clutch found their lifemates, the Rushing Current Gold remained standing where she was on the sands, riveted to her place. No doubt her behavior sparked worry amongst the spectators – why wasn’t she joining the others in choosing a rider? Was something wrong? Her eyes were downcast, locked on the sands, as though left drained and distressed by her angry encounter with Nefertith. Yet as the hunger gnawed once more at her belly, she slowly resumed her walk toward the candidates again, although she looked a little anxious as she looked at girl after girl. That is, until she found –
Oh, Trilia-mine, don’t think such things! What would your Helennith do if you had not been here for her? I am so sorry I made you wait so long for me…that was quite selfish, was it not? Oh, and reacting to Nefertith that way, I was only just hatched and already I have made so many mistakes! But I could not let her take you, you see; you are and always have been Helennith’s. I am here for you now, if you can forgive me.[/color]
font colors: yellow aquamarine orange
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Post by **Auria (etc)** on Jul 15, 2009 12:17:44 GMT -5
His lovely Hatsheth's belly was full, and she was snoozing gently, leaning against him, her head on his shoulder. S'tar's arms were wrapped around her possessively as he supported his newly bonded green, his emerald eyes filled with contented peace for the first time in as long as he could remember. Thus he watched, as pair after pair, left the sands, and he gasped loudly when the gold hide shone through the opening in the Desert Flower egg.
Hatsheth roused. Queen? she asked sleepily, and turned, eyes whirling with restful curiosity and respect, to watch this newest development with her rider.
When the second gold then hatched, however, those whirling eyes sped up, and there was a touch of orange concern in them. She shifted her young body to place herself in front of S'tar ... just in case.
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When, suddenly, two gold dragonets stood on the sands, and the tensions began once again to rise, Terrasel wished more than ever that he'd brought a scrap of hide to take notes. Not that he would ever forget this day, the drama, the injuries, the excitement ... but it would have been good to record every detail for future reference!
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Auria was mesmerized. The Desert Flower egg, the very one she had stroked during the Touching, had opened like the blossom it resembled and spilled forth ... Gold.
The orphaned teen had never seen anything so beautiful in her life. Her cocoa eyes fixed on the new young Queen, and followed her as she stood and stretched. Her build was like a racing hound's, slender and elegant, and Auria was reminded of the time she and her caravan had stopped, several turns before, at a Gather where such races were held. She had been amazed by the agility and speed of those slender canines ... but even they did not match this young gold dragon's beauty.
She was so transfixed by the noble one's progress toward the line of candidates, that she did not notice the hatching of the second Queen, until the first stiffened and began to display a proud, defensive posture. It was then that cocoa eyes grew round, and once again the fear began to beat in the girl's chest.
No, no ... the memory of the earlier damage caused by the stand-off between bronze and brown filled her. But these, these were Queens.... Pern, with Thread falling and so few dragons, desperately needed them! If anything should happen to either of them...! Auria clasped her hands together and brought them to her mouth, afraid to move, afraid to breathe.
But then, the little pale green who had hatched from the Cracked Earth egg just a moment before blundered into the first of the Queens, her clutch sister. Tensions dissolved immediately, and Aury exhaled as the gold hatchling crooned to her sibling, and returned to her quest. Auria was still wiping away unbidden tears of relief, for the fear of potential harm to two new gold dragons had affected her that deeply, when she realized the first of the Queens had stopped before her:
At last, you and your Nefertith are united, mine! I do hope I did not upset anyone by acting as I did – I was not expecting to meet a fellow gold hatchling on the sands today.
Aury's mouth flew open, and she gasped loudly. Wet, salty palms reached for the dragonet's elegant head, and caressed her chiseled features in adoration.
“NEFertith....” she whispered, unable to believe that she -- she who had wondered if she might ever find happiness again, she who thought she would be forever haunted by the devastation of Thread upon her loved ones – had been chosen. Chosen by ... Gold.
In return, the dragon washed her with the same love and adoration that Auria was sending in her direction, raised her noble head a trifle higher, and corrected, very gently, NeFERtith. The baby could not help bumping me, of course, she went on, looking back toward the little green who was now bonding with her own. And SHE, she sent a glance toward the darker gold, ... well, I imagine that she could not help the accident of her birth, either.
Silent laughter vibrated deep in Aury's chest. She stretched her caress into a hug, and wrapped her arms around her dragon's ... her very own, forever, and always dragon's ... neck.
NeFERtith, she sent, leaning back to gaze with love into those intelligent, beautiful eyes. No one's birth is an accident, of course. Yours, though, is the most wonderful blessing on all of Pern. Now, she added as she heard and felt the rumble of hunger begin deep within the hatchling's belly, Would you like some dinner?
With a slight nod, Nefertith turned toward the tables, and waited for Hers to fall into step. Yes, Auri-Mine. I am MOST hungry.
"Hi, Ya, Aunty-Aury! You gots a dragon!" a little voice shouted from the stands.
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Post by M'kel on Jul 15, 2009 14:03:07 GMT -5
This Hatching was an emotional rollercoaster (or the Pernese equivalent of such a thing, o' course XD). Although Retivor had been warned about that very thing in the candidacy lessons, he had never expected to be carried away so fully. He watched every Egg's Hatching with eager eyes, followed the movement of the dragonets across the sand with such intensity that his head was starting to hurt, and held his breath every time a beautiful dragon passed him by. It was depressing and uplifting all at once, hope warring with doubt, and the lad was feeling quite emotionally drained by it all.
Every once in a while, Retivor cast his gaze down the rapidly dwindling line of candidates to look for friends. Niera, Trilia, and Auria were all still Standing, like him, and he was beginning to wonder if he was the connecting factor that was preventing each of their Impressions. But no, Larikev, now L'kev, had Impressed, and Retivor had been friends with him as well…
The Desert Flower Egg was Hatching now, and Retivor shifted to the right to get a better view of it, gasping aloud at the sight of the gold. This was it, this was the moment that everyone waited for in each Hatching, for all of Pern was hoping for another gold's addition to the Weyr. She would go to one of the remaining girls then, and the lad quickly swiveled to consider them, wondering who it would be!
The sound of another Egg Hatching drew him round again, and Retivor couldn't help but smile at the sight of the pale green pulling herself painstakingly from a shattered shell. There was a shard stuck to her face that just wouldn’t fall off, and the lad felt a pang of sympathy, but then another crack sounded from behind…
Another gold!
Now Retivor felt a bit like a piece of meat between two ravenous canines. The way the golds were eyeing each other and flaring their wings was not reassuring in the slightest, and all that stood between them were him and a few other fragile candidates; they would be nothing but an inconvenience easily trampled or tossed aside if the golds went for each other… This just wasn't good, and oh no! That little green was wandering too close to one of the golds. Oh, how would the gold react? Oh no oh no…
But, surprisingly enough, the green's jostling of the bristling gold actually caused the little queen to relax. Retivor hadn't even realized how tightly he'd been holding himself until his shoulder's slumped in relief. Thank Faranth, that catastrophe had somehow been averted. And now, the gold was stepping forward, Impressing to Auria (what a good choice!), and the green was -
Oh.
R’tivor-mine! Your Aramunith is so delighted to have found you, although I fear I have made such a blunder wandering into Nefertith. I do hope she isn’t mad…oh, would you please remove this shard from my face? I just cannot see anything with it there!
Obediently, R'tivor's hands reached forward and lifted the piece of shell from the minty green's face. The shard fell, forgotten, as the new Weyrling gazed down at his lifemate.
Had he been so empty before? So devoid of love? For now there was Aramunith in his mind, tendrils of love intermingling with his thoughts and becoming irreversibly entwined. She was his heart, his soul, his everything, and he fell to his knees on the burning sand to reach forward and stroke her pale nose. You have been hurt, mine-own. The sweet voice said, quieter now. But never again.
R'tivor didn't even notice the tear until he wiped it absently away. "Aramunith," he whispered, and she moved closer in response, butting her nose affectionately against his chin. "Thank you."
Of course, mine. I would never do anything less for you!
Another nagging emotion was beginning to pester him, but R'tivor struggled to ignore it. He wanted to focus on nothing but Ara right now! Oh, but that emotion was coming from Aramunith…she was hungry of course!
"Oh!" he gasped, standing abruptly and almost toppling the green over in his haste. "Sorry!" he reached out a steadying hand quickly, smiling faintly. "Come on, let's get you some food."
The pair made their way quickly to the tables, where R'tivor chose only the most appetizing chunks of meat he could find (of course, what did he know about raw meat!), and Aramunith happily swallowed them down.
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Post by D'gellin on Jul 15, 2009 22:07:56 GMT -5
Gold hide flashed like a burning brilliant light as the Desert Flower Egg split open, and the resulting sweep of eager delight at the sight of it nearly knocked Trilia off her feet! (or foot, as it was. Sharding broken leg) Although she guiltily wouldn't admit it, Trilia had enjoyed more than her fair share of goldrider fantasies. Wasn't it every little girl's dream to be deemed important and special enough to be chosen by a queen? It was certainly Trilia's! Even as she saw the admittedly adorable green hatch to the same clutch, she couldn't move her eyes from the elegant form gliding across the Sands...
As though just to rock her however, a precious dark gold suddenly broke free of the Rushing Currents Egg, and sat blinking in the glow light. Two golds? The suddenly budding feeling of unworthiness was halted when the golds caught sight of each other. The hair on the back of Trilia's neck seemed to prickle with trepidation, watching the flared wings, puffed chests, and wary hisses with a constricted chest. The potential fight, however, was diffused, and all moved on unharmed...Trilia let out a whoosh of breath, teetering on her crutch, but the world was moving quickly. Trilia watched with freshly bated breath as the Desert Flower Gold...Impressed Auria. Then Trilia took a moment to gape like a fish out of water as the pretty green Impressed to Retivor. But then - that means that - all along he was - and she had been - shard it all! Wasn't it just her luck that her first honest-to-goodness crush would end this way.
Then there was the smaller gold, silent and pensive on the Sands before she began to move again, anxiously working her way down the line of candidates. Trilia felt fear choking her. As much as she wished it, there was no way she would be chosen. She had flip-flopped on the notion since the first gold had hatched but now she knew for certain. She was just...wrong...
Oh, Trilia-mine, don’t think such things! Trilia's ashamedly downcast eyes widened to saucers, a rush of mixed emotions swelling in her chest. What would your Helennith do if you had not been here for her? I am so sorry I made you wait so long for me…that was quite selfish, was it not? Oh, and reacting to Nefertith that way, I was only just hatched and already I have made so many mistakes! But I could not let her take you, you see; you are and always have been Helennith’s. I am here for you now, if you can forgive me.[/i]
Despite her disbelief, Trilia knew what had happened instantly. It made no sense, it was impossible but...as Trilia slowly looked up, as though fearing movement might shatter this precarious dream, she locked eyes with Helennith - her Helennith! - and everything was suddenly right. Oh how could she have doubted? Trilia gasped on a sob. She tried to smile but suddenly tears were streaking down her face, a low keen grating the back of her throat as she collapsed to her knees, unceremoniously propped on the sands. "Helennith, Helennith," She cried quietly to herself and her dragon, too overwhelmed with joy - so much she didn't even know anyone could ever be so happy! - and intense relief. She'd never be alone again. She had her Helennith. Oh! Trilia cried like a baby, wrapping her arms around that beautiful sunset neck, finally feeling the soft hide beneath her fingers, the rush of warm emotions across that mental connection, the impossible perfection and completeness. She didn't care that anyone else was watching, or that the Sand was scalding her legs and bottom, or that snot was dribbling from her nose. She had Helennith, and that was all that mattered!
If you can forgive me for being so impatient! I've been so horrible, and here you still came for me! Trilia hung to Helennith like a lifeline, feeling the little body curl into her embrace as if it were the most natural thing conceivable. You've done nothing wrong, I promise. You've performed perfectly. She rambled assurances, anything to ensure Helennith was as happy as possible. Then came the niggling of hunger in her belly, and Trilia laughed through her tears and wiped her nose on her arm. What a mess she was! I'm so sorry dear heart, here I am crying my eyes out and you're starving! Oh, no I'm perfectly fine. Are you certain that you are okay though, Trilia-mine?[/color][/i] The little goldrider laughed again, tears still pooling in her eyes. So long as you have food in your belly! Trilia struggled awkwardly to her feet, both with the help of her crutch and Helennith's little nose, and straightened herself up. Now, Helennith, An involuntary smile, so big it didn't feel like it could fit on her flushed face, stretched as she tested her gold's name once more. How about we get you something to eat. Oh that would be wonderful.[/color] Her dragon admitted meekly.
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Post by B'kay on Jul 16, 2009 11:11:17 GMT -5
The boy in the sands never responded ... or perhaps he didn't have the opportunity to do so, for it was only moments later that a brown dragonet found him, claimed him, and he sat up without ever having appeared to notice the elder healer who'd attempted to rouse him.
Gaylen watched as the Impression was made and realized that, though he may be scalded (Alabanth, dear, let this young brown know there is soothing gel on the sidetables that the lad can use for his sand-burns) a bit, he was apparently uninjured. Perhaps he'd just had the wind knocked out of him....
The blue rumbled back with a chuckle of amusement, having touched the confusion (which for once was quite well earned) in his rider's mind.
So much happened, so fast. The healer stood still as the dragons continued to hatch, afraid to move, afraid to miss anything important. When the two golds, however, seemed to want to square off, she decided it might be best to make the Grounds one human less crowded!
Gaylen then grabbed her bag and trotted to the sidelines, determined to make herself useful. Where was the lad with the lacerated leg? Was he being tended? Did he need suturing?
It was then she heard a voice, a newly beloved one, shout out to his Auntie Aury that she had herself a dragon.
Gaylen spun ... and saw Auria caressing the beautiful face of the first of the young Queen hatchlings.
"Well ... I'll be!" the bluerider muttered, and her surprise spread into a smile. And then, the smile broadened, and a happy tear touched her eye, for young Trilia, the girl who'd stood alone on the sands two Hatchings in a row, was chosen by the other gold. Trilia! A Queenrider! Nothing could have made Gaylen happier!
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Post by .K.aci on Jul 16, 2009 12:20:30 GMT -5
Aren had been quite eager, and quite happy, to let F'del walk off of the sands with his Brown. The pair would meet again - Aren was quite confident His was right here. He would be there! Really soon... He hoped. So the young man bounced back and forth, twisting from side to side to watch the Hatching... Of course, his back was turned when the Blue decided to ram him.
Down the young man fell, and through the robe the blue scratched, ripping several neat gashes in his chest, deep and thin. With a started hiss, the man flailed, trying to push the Blue from him. Oh. That hurt! But the adrenaline made it easy to ignore the pain - he couldn't feel anything anyway! And even as he hoped a Healer would pay attention, the Blue that had stomped all over him was hurt - that was far more important than him. So as he struggled to rise and carefully not pull anything else, knowing that this would begin to hurt like nothing else before too long...
Something else happened. A tiny Blue sprinted out to him, landing infront of the young man and Aren flinched back, expeciting another mauling... But it never came. A'mor-mine! Your Achilleth will not let that one hurt you anymore! His mouth dropping open and the white robes blooming with crimson, Aren - A'mor - looked at the creature. His? Ha! He knew Achilleth would be here! "It's alright, darling. He's busy with His - let's get you food~" And up the young man rose, and although the little Blue behind him clumsily followed, he did so backwards, growling at the dragon until they were far enough away and he smelled meat. Mine... You smell like meat. Blinking down, he counted the scratches - four running diagonal and two crossing them, with one more horizontal across his body, all quite deep and bleeding fast. The heat was helping to clot them, but it was only when the dragonet had pointed it out that A'mor realized exactly what had happened.
"Opps. Maybe we should get someone to help that." Achilleth whipped around, dancing forward (alright, tripping forward) to trumpet for help. Meanwhile, A'mor had just turned to the healer he had seen helping other's and called, "Ummm, Miss Gaylen? I think I need help here." Sitting down in the sand would be nice... Everything was starting to spin! Mine, hold on! I WILL SAVE YOU! Over to the woman His was calling he staggered and clumsily fell (apparently this one wasn't very graceful) and once infront of her growled up polietly, then turned and fell his way back to his. He would bring His back the Healer and fix His! It was an adventure, even if his belly was hurting double time.
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Post by meah on Jul 16, 2009 14:16:52 GMT -5
Xiana watched her brothers go in silence. They needed to feed their dragons, and surely the two would take care of them. And maybe she would impress one of the dragons left, like the beautiful gold that had just hatched. Another gold hatching at the same time was a shock to her, as it was to everyone else. Two golds in one hatching? That was just amazing, even if it was two clutches. But alas, she did not impress one.
Deep Ocean Clutch Swiftly Swimming Egg Branching Reef Egg – Blue Achilleth : Aren'mor (midnightblue) Deceptive Calm Egg – Blue Ajath : Nym'oren (mediumblue) Long Dive Egg – thrashing about Gentle Ripples Egg – Green Penloeth : Xia'rl (lightgreen) Rushing Current Egg – Gold Helennith : Trilia (orange) Stormy Sea Egg – Blue Jasth : Tarin (dodgerblue) Foaming Shores Egg – Green Cassanth : Jaylee Tidal Pool Egg – Brown Parith : Larikev (sienna) Wave Dancing Egg – Bronze Herculith : K'yrian (goldenrod) Rising Tide Egg – Green Megrath : Riley (green) Breaking Surf Egg – Blue Telmacith : Mariya (aqua) Dark Abyss Egg – suddenly appeared
Windy Desert Clutch Barren Earth Egg – not moving Desert Flower Egg – Gold Nefertith : Auria (yellow) Desert Sunset Egg – Green Cleoth : Nicola (limegreen) Rising Thermals Egg – still Rolling Dunes Egg Serene Oasis Egg – Brown Ptolth : Celeste (burlywood) Shady Evening Egg – Green Hatsheth : Sila'tar (darkolivegreen) Stone Sentinel Egg – Green Sekheth : Eravrael (mediumseagreen) Endless Sands Egg – Brown Akhenatath : Xi'an (darkred) Cracked Soil Egg – Green Aramunith : Re'tivor (aquamarine) Seething Sands Egg – Bronze Ramesth : Willfred (darkgoldenrod) Sleeping Serpent Egg – Blue Duamuth : Kela'rin (mediumslateblue) Shining Mirage Egg – Green Isith : Kinga (lightgreen) Dry Mountain Egg – shaking consistently Prickly Guardian Egg – Brown Khufuth : Fi'del (700000)
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Post by Mariya on Jul 16, 2009 15:16:14 GMT -5
Xi'rl looked around wildly. Who was that in his mind? Never before had he experienced a dragon talking to him. This was very new. He stood still not certain if it was true or not.
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.
'Loeth? he asked increduosly. He never even gave X'an or Xiana a backwards glance as he walked with this incredible green dragon off the sands. This was love! His heart! Something he had never felt in his entire 17 turns. 'Okay, we'll get you some food and some oil for those itchies!'
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