Ill-timed Arrival

[ravyna]

Ravyna's breath caught in her throat as not one egg, but five, all seemed to hatch almost at once, spilling a glorious living rainbow of dragonflesh upon the sands. She had, till now, seen the young dragons with their new riders as she trudged in and out with bowls of meat and pitchers of water for dragonet and tired human. But she'd yet to see an egg actually hatch, and now she had seen five! The adoration and wonder on the faces of the new riders as they Impressed caused her to tremble with emotion.

She felt tears on her cheeks and hastily brushed them away, ducking back farther into the shadows. She had moved quickly to a place in the lower caverns of giving orders to younger drudges, and most had learned that she would not be pushed around by others, but she still could not shake the feeling, born of her young days sneaking out of her father's hold for night time rendezvous, that she had to conceal herself and not get caught. She craned her neck, wondering if there were any other eggs, or if those were the last. From her place of hiding, it was impossible to tell.

She tried to see the Weyrleaders, to see if their attitude gave any indication, but she could not see them from where she stood, either.

Ah, well, hide and wait ... she'd know soon enough, and be able to take the shortcuts back to the kitchens in time to set up for the feast, and very likely before she was missed. The staff was efficient much of the time, but rarely very observant.

[stargayzer]

Caltrain, whose duties had delayed his arrival in the stands, was quickly standing on his toes, as a flurry of activity caused the onlookers to gasp in excitement. Five eggs, all hatching almost at once! He didn't know where to look first: should he follow that glorious midnight blue, or the beautiful little greens, or.... Then the sight of amazing bronze wings caught his eyes and he once again shifted his attention.

Impression happened so fast ... but even to one in the stands the moment was unmistakable. His mouth hung open, and he hugged himself with emotion, as face after face was transfigured with love. Minds connected, joined forever.

"The legends were nothing compared to the reality of a Hatching," he muttered aloud, and blushed slightly as the person closest to him cast him a grin.

[M'kel]

It seemed that the storm was breaking, for a vivid flash of sky blue burst into the Hatching Ground from the restraints of his orb. The dragonet stood amongst the remnants of many shells, his long tail thrashing in the sand and shards. The storm was not over, though, for lightning flickered in the Bowl once again, causing the colours of the dragonet's hide to shift like clouds in a blue sky. Snorting, the dragonet began to nose the shards around him, making his way over to one of the remaining whole eggs.

Before he could reach it, though, the rivulets tracing the orb finally gave way, and the egg burst. A richly coloured bronze clambered to his feet, twisting around to nudge egg shards off of his form. He was quite stout in stature, and his wing membranes glistened, though speckled in flecks of sand. Not noticing the blue dragonet, the bronze began ambling towards the edge of the sands rather than directing his attention to any of the remaining candidates. There, he began to nose the pieces of hail that had skittered in from the entrance, though they were fast melting in the heat of the sands.

The blue dragonet could not be dissuaded though, and he scuttled after the bronze. Tail still trashing across the sand, he darted forward to nudge the bronze, then darted away again. The bronze dragonet jerked in surprise, raising a snow-covered nose out of the hail and spinning to face the presumed attacker. Seeing only the waiting blue, the bronze dragonet upturned his snow-coated nose and marched to Hirun's side. Your Gawyth is far beyond youthful fancies, H'run. This point was emphasized by a nod of of his snowy snout. But he is not opposed to food, if you have any for him...

As if parting curtains, a green dragonet parted the two halves of her shell in one swift movement, stepping out and giving her glistening wings a shake. Her hide was a mosaic of myrtle and algae green, while her spring green wing membranes contrasted greatly with her darker hide. She had hatched facing the lads, so she gave them an appraising glance before tossing her head and turning the other way. However, there were no female candidates still standing.

As the green dragonet stared in confusion at the empty sands, the blue dragonet had turned his attention to this new target. He edged his way cautiously through the shards littering the sand, crouched, and pounced. Squawking in shock, the green dragonet rolled the blue off of her and stood up to shake her wings once more. Thoroughly disgruntled now, the green marched forward, leaving the sands. She made her way directly to the wall, peering around a ridge in the stone. There you are, Ravyna! Why were you hiding from your Igrainth? No matter, for she has found you now, and you must feed her immediately.

Two rejections were enough for the blue dragonet, and he suddenly appeared afraid of a third. Pawing the sand and avoiding glancing over at the lads, the blue dragonet seemed to be delaying the act for as long as possible. He could not remain uncertain for long, though, for his eyes began to whirl in excitement, and he darted forward to Salem. Those others did not want to play with your Griflith. Mine will have time for him, though, won't you?

[ravyna]

'I really should get back to work,' Ravyna thought to herself as the Hatching Grounds grew quiet. It sounded as if all the eggs might now be naught but empty shards. She'd already lingered far longer than planned, and was sure the staff had missed her presence by now. She could not help, though, one more peek around her corner, and was startled to see the playful blue emerge. A smile on her face, she backed into the shadows, for she feared that the Weyrleader might glance her way. Their first encounter had been less than friendly, and she always avoided awkward confrontations with him if possible.

Noises on the sands once again increased, as a second, and third, it seemed, shell cracked. So the scattered shards were hiding whole eggs after all! Worried that M'kel had spied her hiding there, and certain she'd get a scolding if so, she was afraid to do more than strain her ears. The laughter and applause from the stands told her another Impression had been made.

Then sounds were approaching her hiding place ... the shuffling of sand, the sound of breathing ... heavy breathing. Had M'kel seen her, and been angry enough to interrupt a Hatching to deal with her? She began to feel strange emotions ... but not anger, and that startled her. She should be angry over the thought that the Weyrleader might confront her before the entire Weyr, but these emotions were more akin to frustration, determination, a bit of confusion ... then her stomach lurched with sensations that were completely and totally new.

And a face, the most amazingly beautiful face, peered around the corner, its marbled green hide gleaming damply in the soft light from the glows, its glorious eyes whirling with a rainbow of colors.

Why were you hiding from your Igrainth?

Ravyna, overwhelmed, dropped to her knees in the sands and took the beautiful face between her hands. "Oh, Igrainth, I wasn't hiding from you ... never from you. And come, my Lovely, I'll get you some breakfast right now."

Igrainth, feeling smug and satisfied, nuzzled beneath Ravyna's chin and stated confidently, If you tried to hide, I would always find you. We are together! And breakfast would be wonderful!

With an hand resting gently upon the neck of her new heart's partner, Ravyna grinned broadly, the love she felt beaming all around her, and led Igrainth to the heaping bowls of meat that she herself had carried from the kitchens.

As she slipped the first chunk of meat into Igrainth's waiting mouth, and encouraged her to chew carefully, she chuckled. Oh, wouldn't M'kel just love this!

[Journye]

Salem shifted slightly from foot to foot, the heated sands toasting the soles of his feet despite the sandals he wore. He hadn't really noticed the heat before or the discomfort of a damp robe and the aches of the new bruises forming. No, he hadn't noticed because he was completely focused on the hatching, just like the other candidates, but there were only a few eggs remaining and all the other hatchlings had passed him by, not giving him more then a curious sniff. He had suspected as much since he was so close to the limit of being able to impress and the fact that he had upset the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman with his answers at the analysis of the candidates.

He chewed on his bottom lip lightly as he spared a glanced toward where his sister was sitting with her dozing dragnet, watching him. She flashed him a smile before turning her fully attention back toward her green. He smiled ruefully, there really was no other match for her. He turned his attention back toward the remaining eggs just as the lightening flashed, illuminating the blue that had just broken free of his egg. He was mesmerized by the colors displayed on his hide and he couldn't help but smile when he followed his bronze sibling. He eyes flicked back toward the ring of shards as the green made her way into the world.

He noticed that the bronze had chosen his bonded and almost laughed out loud when the blue pounced his sister. It was interesting to the such a playful dragnet, one not overly fearful of the storm that seemed to be slowly subsiding. He curiously watched as the green made her way to the wall and then seemed to impress someone that was hiding there, curious. He turned his head to look for the blue just in time to see the dragnet darting toward him. He shifted his stance just slightly so that in case the blue barreled into him he might keep his feet.

At first he felt nearly over whelmed as he heard the excited voice in his mind, feeling a slight head ache for then subside just as quickly, then he felt ravenously hungry for some reason. For a long moment he just stare at the little blue dragon before him, looking up at him with whirling eyes, and he supposed that if a dragon could give the puppy dog eye look that this little one would be doing just that. He smiled and knelt before the blue, reaching up to gently smoothing a hand down his neck "Of course I have time for you Griflith," he said brightly. He was nearly knocked over by Griflith's enthusiastic nudge against his chest [color=blue} Good! Then Griflith and his mine can play after you feed him![/color] The blue nearly hopped in place, impatient to be fed and then to play.

S'lem stood and lead his new life mate to where the food was, smiling as the little one seemed to fairly bounce with each step. He nodded his thanks to the person that handed him the bowl of meat and proceeded to feed Griflith, having to instruct him time and again to chew "We will have plenty of time to play Griflith love," he soothed. He watched Griflith as he ate his fill, feeling almost over whelmed by the hyperness and playfulness of the little one. This could take some time to adjust to.

[kati]

Rytia, your Percevisth is having the most difficult time getting to you! He is very confused as to why you are up there in the first place, instead of down hear with the others! Please, won’t you come down to him? The words hit her like the hail that had been falling. Come to him, the blue, her? Almost without thinking she made her way down and over to the blue dragonet, her Percevisth. Really hers, all hers? She smiled at Percevisth. "Sorry I wasn't here sooner." was really all she could say. All that weight bearing down on her heart that she wasn't going to get a dragon was gone, because here she was, with her dragonet, and truthfully, there was nothing that could stop her or her dragon, not even the Weyrleader of Weyrwomen. Or at least that's how she felt.

[M'kel]

The last egg had finally shed its occupant, and M'kel had sunk so low on the stone bench that he doubted he would ever be able to peel himself off of it again. It had been the most painful Hatching he had ever been forced to endure, and he dared not meet the Weyrwoman's accusing stare. Not a single event more could have occurred to confirm the curse on this day, and the last thing the Weyr's moral...or Sitareh's temper...needed was a disastrous Hatching.

The bronzerider slowly placed his face in his hands, needing a moment to gather himself before assuming the duties of the Weyrleader. The dragonets had all Hatched healthy, except for that spindly gold, and that would mean numbers for the Weyr's defense against Thread. But the entire Hatching had been marked by disorder, as the Hatchlings had clearly been thrown off balance by the murderous storm outside. There were many females now Impressed to male dragons, and there was ichor upon the sands.

To top it all off...multiple dragons had Impressed to candidates dismissed from the sands. Those who had failed to pass the Analysis had been chosen, despite the Weyrleaders' desires. It was a mark of powerlessness, and M'kel burned with resentment. Even a kitchen worker, that girl Ravyna, had Impressed, and she hadn't even been chosen as a candidate!

All he could be thankful for was that the travesty had finally ended. There were Weyrlings to be congratulated...a Weyrleader must do his duty. M'kel forced thoughts of doubt about the reason for the strange Hatchlings out of his mind. He had had enough time to gather his resolve.

It was with mechanical movements that he made his way to the feeding area, moving amongst the Weyrlings with a frigid smile. As chill as M'kel felt after this terrible storm, the sight of the strong young bronzes served to cheer him greatly, and he paused to shake the lucky lads' hands. With so few in the Weyr, some of these young men were likely to become Wingleaders, and the bronzerider was eager to discover the potential of Araelen's newest dragonriders.

[Kitari]

The heat of the sands after the chill of the outside air was giving Barec a heady rush, and the eggs seemed to be shimmering before his eyes. He shook his head to clear this strange disorientation, concentrating on every glistening hatchling to make its way onto the sands. The lad didn’t know what it was that caused dragons to choose their riders, so he strained to think welcoming thoughts. Dragons could read their riders’ minds, after all, and they wouldn’t want to choose an uncertain, fearful rider.

His eyes darted around the sands, trying to follow every dragonet’s path to its new rider. Every time a dragon approached the line of boys, Barec’s breath quickened in fearful hope, only to be disappointed by choice of another. He didn’t expect to be found worthy, but being on the sands and having dragonets come so close made it difficult not to harbour a tiny hope.

His brown eyes were drawn to the latest cracking eggs, and Barec turned to the latest escapade. A bronze dragonet was hiding from a tumbled blue, and then the blue was frightened back into its egg as the bronze marched past. It was terrible that the dragonets were made so uncertain by the raging storm, but their antics had a certain…cute nature about them, as well. Another boy was chosen by the bronze, and Barec turned back to wait for the blue to leave its shell.

With hesitant steps, the sapphire blue crept to the edge of the eggs, and to Barec’s shock, the whirling eyes were only for him. B'rec! Please come to your Dagonth. He hungers, but there is too much fear... The entreating colours of his dragon’s tone plunged his mind into a whirlwind of emotions and needs. Hunger racked his gut, and fear coursed through his limbs. But overwhelming all of this was unquestioning adoration and love. To feel so accepted…so needed. He would never be alone again.

B’rec wasn’t even aware of taking the steps forward, for the world had disappeared; only he and Dagonth remained. Crouching to be level with his dragon’s gaze, the new rider reached out unbelieving hands to caress the hide of his lifemate. Dagonth eagerly butted his head forward into the questing hands, delighted by the soothing touch. I am not afraid anymore, Dagonth crooned, hoping to reassure his rider.

“That is good…you have nothing to fear, now. I am here for you. I will always be here for you.” The lad was shocked to find the image of his Dagonth shimmering once again, but it was not caused by disorientation this time.

No, you will never be alone. I am here for you, as well, mine.[/color] Shocked that his dour thoughts of the past had penetrated his dragon’s mind, B’rec straightened brusquely, although his hand lingered upon Dagonth’s head.

“Come, I must feed you, Dagonth,” he murmured, leading the glistening blue to the bowls of meat and carefully delivering specially selected pieces into the eager maw.

You are doing an excellent job, B’recmine, but I must ask you to go faster. B’rec grinned, speeding up a little bit, but still being highly selective of the food his Dagonth was eating.

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

As frustrated as Kitari had been by the multitude of trials before the Hatching, the reward itself had finally come. The Analysis was now far from her mind, although she continued to burn with resentment on behalf of those candidates whose dreams had been crushed. However, it seemed that the Weyrleaders’ wishes had little impact upon the dragonets, for a dismissed candidate had already Impressed. It was a triumph and relief to see that, despite humankind’s flaws and struggles for power, dragonkind remained distinct.

Although others had eyes only for the dragonets, Kitari’s gaze often found the faces of their new riders. The flashes of sheer, uninhibited euphoria were painfully tantalizing, and the Fishergirl ached for that love and joy. Every Impression was wonderful to see, but it also reminded the girl that the number of eggs, as well as her own chance of being chosen, was dwindling.

Every green, blue, and brown that approached the girls held Kitari’s unfailing attention, but the whirling eyes never paused upon her for long. The bitter disappointments were becoming more difficult to swallow as the whole eggs dwindled, but the Fishergirl refused to give in. Until there was no egg left upon the sand, she would not accept defeat. This was more than a challenge to prove herself; it was the chance at finding the acceptance she had lacked her whole life.

A shattering of hail upon the sand drew every eye, for the golden egg had finally been breached. Kitari’s breath caught at the sight of the writhing mass of brilliant gold, and the regal head that rose above demanded attention. The girl’s mind went blank as she gazed at the lithe queen. To think that she had even a chance at drawing those whirling eyes was numbing. As the queen stepped forward, a ripple of shock raced through the Fishergirl: there was a second queen.

As the first proceeded to the line of girls, Kitari’s eyes eagerly followed her path, but it led abruptly to another girl. Thus, the candidate’s eyes returned quickly to the second. However, something seemed wrong. The other queen was not as richly coloured as her twin, and her limbs were frail and weak. In contrast to the first’s graceful stride, the second gold seemed barely able to walk at all. What was wrong?

Kitari! Your Lefayeth needs you. She is too hungry to go further...will you come to her? The urgent plea nearly brought the Fishergirl to her knees. The colours of her dragonet’s mind were so pained and drawn, and the need for Kitari was so intense, that the girl was momentarily immobilized in her panic to fulfil it.

“Lefayeth!” she cried, stumbling forward through the sucking sand. She immediately crouched to gather the questing gold into her arms. Lefayeth butted her head against Kitari’s in delight. Her pale wings extended, emphasizing the thinness of the membranes, and her frail limbs seemed barely able to keep the gold erect. However, her new rider saw none of this, except to feel a chill of fear in her heart over the health of her new lifemate. Kitari had become lost in the whirling wonder of Lefayeth’s sparkling blue facets. “You’re…perfect,” she murmured, stroking the golden hide.

As are you, Lefayeth replied coyly. However, this would be much more perfect if I had food.[/color]

“Yes, of course,” Kitari breathed, rising slowly to guide Lefayeth to the meat. As it became obvious that Lefayeth was struggling, Kitari knelt once again to aid the dragonet. It was then that Sitareh’s icy words pierced the new rider’s joyous air. Immediately, the Fishergirl bristled, nearly choking on the anger that welled in her throat. “Just ignore it, Lefayeth. Nothing matters, except that you and I are together.” The golden head twisted to examine her rider at these words, but whether she understood the meaning was unclear, for she soon became voraciously absorbed in swallowing every chunk of meat deposited in her mouth.

[Shikai]

Alana crossed her arms, wrapping them around herself as a particularly violent gust blew through the hatching sands, chilling the girl even greater than it normally would due to her wet clothes. Such terrible weather! Her candidate robe, which she had so looked forward to wearing, sadly afforded her little protection from the wind, and the cold that had seeped through every wall of the weyr, ensnaring every individual with its icy hands. Yet there was no sign of the cold on the faces of the candidates who achieved what was so coveted by all: Impression. All niggling worries about the cold, the rain, and the bruises inflicted by the hail vanished instantly as their faces were lit by the warmth of the love that emanated from their dragons.

Alana sighed as she watched yet another girl walk off with a dragon, joy written in every feature of her countenance, and the older girl smiled. Such bliss they seemed to experience! She couldn’t even imagine what the new weyrlings must feel. For how can one possibly describe the incredible sensation, the rush of joy and bliss, experienced when their very mind was joined to that of another creature, one who would love and cherish them forever? She couldn’t help being envious, but it was not a spiteful envy, but a longing to experience whatever it was that made them look so happy.

During a brief lull in the hatching, Alana seized the opportunity to tear her eyes from the eggs and search out Tarren’s face in the crowd of male candidates a distance away. Peering across the sands, her heart sank to see that he was still there; he, too, had yet to find a dragon. She knew that he wanted a dragon more than anything, while, until today, what she had wanted most was simply to find a place where she could be herself, and forge her own future. Yet as the first beautiful dragonets, their moist hide glistening as they peeled themselves from the remnants of their eggs, descended upon the sands, and the first faces broke into tears of joy as the dragonets selected them, Alana understood why being a dragonrider was such a covetous position. For then she wanted a dragon as badly as her brother. But wanting a dragon didn’t mean that one was worthy of one, or everyone on the sands would Impress. And clearly, that wasn’t going to happen.

She turned back to the hatching with a start as a loud noise split the silence in the hatching sands, and she looked back just in time to see the shards of the golden egg raining down like the hail outside. Captivated and awestruck, Alana stood riveted by the sight. She peered through the shards, and could just make out a large, dragon-shaped mass beneath them, and her heart leapt as she realized that this was the queen dragonet. Lightning flashed, making all more visible the gleaming golden beauty as she stepped out of her egg, the light showing off the absolute loveliness of her hide.

Yet as she moved away, Alana noticed that there was something else, moving, where the egg had been. With a shock, she realized that it was another dragon, and another gold at that! While it was true that dragonriders had not been sighted on Pern for countless turns, and Alana was thus not very knowledgeable about dragons and hatchings and such, she was certain that twin dragons, born of the very same egg, was a rare phenomenon that was possibly unheard of. She had certainly not heard that it could be possible! Alana looked on eagerly, waiting for the other gold to rise and join her equally golden sister in her quest for a lifemate, but her face became creased with worry as she realized that something was not right.

The first gold had been, in a word, perfect. She moved with such grace, such beauty, with a hide and demeanor that shone like Rukbat itself! Yet this creature, while her hide was unmistakably gold, was pale, and seemed to have trouble walking. Alana’s heart went out to the dragonet, whose birthright it was to be graceful and beautiful. She knew what it was to be undesirable, awkward, and certainly not pretty.

Yet it is said that opposites attract, which is perhaps why it was the first gold, in her radiant splendor, who regained Alana’s attention not due to the superiority of her movement or hide, but due to her proximity, for Alana was startled by the notion that the gold was very near indeed! It almost, she thought, with fleeting hope, appeared as though the beauty was approaching her! With a sharp intake in breath, she watched, spellbound, as the dragon drew nearer, nearer, and then!

The dragon spread her wings, such a dazzling sight, and graced Alana with a touch of her perfect muzzle. With a voice as commanding as her demeanor, yet also as full of grace and kindness as her movements and her touch, the dragonet spoke to Alana.

Alana, your Gwynevith requests your consideration. She hungers greatly, and this must be dealt with immediately. The greens are lucky they had not tried to claim you before your Gwynevith Hatched.[/color]

“Gwyn…Gwynevith?” Alana repeated, speaking the word as though it were the most beautiful and important that she had ever heard. Which, indeed, it was. Slowly, lovingly, she reached out a thin arm to stroke the gold’s neck, as Gwynevith lowered her head patiently to allow her.

Now, now she understood the joy on the faces of the other candidates as they became weyrlings! For what she experienced now was more blissful and more glorious than anything she could have imagined. To think, that she, Alana, was forever to be joined with such a creature as Gwynevith! Her vision grew fuzzy as her eyes welled up with tears, and she wrapped both arms around Gwynevith’s neck tenderly as she moved her now moist cheek to touch her dragon’s.

“Thank you, Gwynevith. Truly I am not worthy of such an honor as to be chosen by one such as you.”

But of course you are! I would not have chosen you, Alana, had you not been worthy in every way. Together we will be unstoppable![/color] The dragon praised, her eyes whirling sapphire blue with love, and Alana withdrew from her embrace, running the back of her hand almost impatiently over her eyes as her smile widened.

“Thank you. You are hungry! Come on, let’s get you some food! I’m certainly not going to allow my beautiful one to go hungry!” She exclaimed, pride and love filling her voice. She had entered the sands alone, wet, cold, and beaten by hail and a lifetime of powerlessness in her own life. Yet she left with a dragon, her dragon, filled with an indescribable warmth and the realization that she would never be powerless again. With Gwynevith, she would forge a future for herself as bright as her dragon’s hide.