|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:36 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:42 pm
 |
|
|
|
They had been content to wait. To let the others have their turns. It was only polite. Especially with poor Heart out there getting so upset, and none of the other's seemed to care now that Cervath had impressed. They didn't want to intrude or take any attention away from their siblings, but it was taking so long. They could hardly wait and they'd waited so patiently for so very long.
Homely gave a sudden, swift, shake. Stilling once more almost immediately. The scrabbling sound coming from within the shell would be easily missed by all those except the candidates nearest the egg. The persistent skritch-skritch-skitch of claws on the inside of the shell was quiet. As though even after deciding to make up their mind Homely was hesitant to draw to much attention to themselves. Another short and energetic shake. The motions were short and sudden. Bursts to scrambling energy before the egg went completely still. Maybe if they kept their movements short and quick, people wouldn't notice them? They slip out, do what needed to be done, and be on their way before anyone was any the wiser. Yes, that sounded like a plan!
Cracks started to form across the brown shell as Homely kept up their little routine. Skritch-skritch, shake-shake, perfectly still, nobody watching anymore? Time to repeat. They could have contentedly carried on this way, working towards success in the background, unnoticed by anyone. That is until a scratching claw happened to slip into a crack. With a swift flick of the wrist a chunk of egg went pinging away from Homely before they had any chance to do anything about it. An eye was visible in the darkness for just a heartbeat, as a loud, high, squeak of surprise pierced the sound of the cavern. The eye instantly disappeared into the darkness within the drab shell.
Oh no! That was the exact opposite of what they had wanted to do! Maybe if they stayed here, perfectly still, nobody would notice.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 6:13 pm
|
|
|
 |
Gwyn had seen this before, during the last Hatching. The bronze was getting agitated, as he once more perused his options. Perhaps you are looking for someone who is not standing here, she offered, not knowing if he could hear her or not. There was no sense in him wasting his time looking over and over in the wrong place, after all. There are others here, in the stands. Maybe one of them is worthy of you...
Her thoughts were interrupted when another rather dark bronze hatched, and instantly started barreling towards those around her. Stepping out of the way seemed the best course of action, and she swiftly did so. This, however, placed her closer to the brown egg... close enough to see a shard suddenly whiz past, and see a glowing faceted eye briefly glanced out. A loud, surprised squeak made itself known. Did this one, perhaps, wish to keep out of the public eye, as the pale golden bronze had? Not that she blamed them. But it would be difficult, with everyone watching the few eggs that were left. Ah, but if they were able to break free when all eyes were on the two bronzes currently on the Sands...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 10:25 am
|
|
|
|
Heart reached the other end of the rank of candidates and stopped once more, still unable to find his rider. Gwyn's voice reached him as he stood there, eyes whirling increasingly orange with agitation, and his head snapped around to her. After an intense moment he actually gave an almost perceptible nod of his head to her, perhaps she was right. Without further ado he shoved through the candidates and looked up to the Stands, would one of them do?
While Heart deliberated (majestically) Babbling cut a far more carefree figure as he bounded among the candidates, nudging some as he passed and tugging playfully at the robes of others with little squeaky peeps of excitement - free at last! But where was his rider? He gambolled by Gwyn, looped around Lunathor, tapped Telleara with his tail, and took a quick visit with first Verria and then Varella, but he still hadn't found what he was looking for either!
Breathing hard from exertion he cast around with a thoughtful hum, which moments later turned into squeak of pure delight as he saw the one he needed and raced to greet a beaming new rider.
Hoarding, though as bright-eyed and friendly-seeming as her bronze brother was taking a different approach to her search. Once Lowrenth had found her own rider the much smaller green had come to a halt and was now sitting up tall like a little sentry, her forelegs clear off the ground and her wings spread wide for balance. Where was her's? She knew they were here, of course they would be here for her!
Behind Hoarding, back amongst the diminishing collection of eggs, the Basking Egg listed full over onto one side and then without any fuss at all another green pushed her way into the world.
Once free of the debris of her shell she sat down on the hot sand and peered at the collection of young folk before her, her head snaking back and fore as she took them all in with a cool, collected air about her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 11:26 am
|
|
|
|
if Kakar had thought Sun's Ray goldbronze was stunning, he literally dropped his jaw when Babbling hatched, he was one stunning hatchling, not that any of the others were ugly, just, his markings against his hide almost sparkled.
He watched as Homely cracked a bit of shell off, retreating too quickly to guess the colour inside before turning his attention back to Heart, his stomach dropping when the bronze turned his head towards the Stands "no please....please look again" he thought, hoping the bronze would want him while at the same time, being sure no dragon would at all.
His attention as grabbed by Babbling, running among them, he reached out in his thoughts to the bronze but again, someone else got the rainbow eyes, no no no... none of this was fair!! ... he deserved a dragon didn't he? ... why didn't any of them want him... what was he lacking, what did Kakaw...no K'kaw... have that he didn't? His thoughts distracted him until he heard the faint crack of a shell, turning his head away from the newly impressed Bronze just in time to see Basking hatch into a green.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 11:48 am
|
|
|
|
Telleara
The girl who impressed Sun's Ray called out and Telleara's plans were immediately scraped. Bronze. Lovely though he might be, this Cervath wasn't someone she needed to get under her control. There were plenty of bronzes, some with much more political say than one newly hatched. Almost unconsciously her gaze flicked up to Liarth, before returning to the pair as they made their way to the feeding tables.
Hearing a sound, the candidate looked back at the clutch. The sight of two greens together was hardly anything remarkable. The two approached and Telleara regarded the pair with disinterest. One looked to the girl who had seen fit to physically put herself between herself and Kakar, and there were the rainbows of impression. Another impression closer to the end. Telleara found herself wondering what would be available at the hatching feast later.
When Telleara saw that the newest weyrling was crying, she looked off in another direction. Yes it was supposed to be very emotional, but crying in public was still not something she wanted to watch. Casting her eyes around she spotted Heart still on his search, and her brow creased slightly. She had been so certain he would find his quickly. Indecision wasn't something that she had expected from the bronze.
Looking at Heart, she completely missed Babbling coming into the world. His joyous calling was the first she realised that the dragon was even there. Looking over she saw the bronze galloping towards some candidates. He was certain a good looking lad. His egg hadn't really drawn her in, too sparky for her tastes. By the time she looked back at Heart he had come to a stop. The increasing orange in his eyes was starting to concern her. His head snapped around and for a moment Telleara thought that the time had come, but then he looked away again. Shoving through the candidates and out of her line of sight.
The young woman shifted slightly, trying to lean so that she could see where Heart had gone. Had he found someone at the back? So absorbed was she in looking, while also making her movements didn't make her look too invested in the young dragon, that she was completely unaware of Babbling's progress. The dragon tapped her with his tail and Telleara made a surprised sound, turning her attention to the newest bronze as he moved swiftly onward. Were he human, she almost certainly would have said something about watching where he was going, but she had no interest in having a hatchling maul her or throw a tantrum because of an errant thought. The window closed however as Babbling bound off to find the one he wanted.
NovaCracker For Siv and Cervath Mention
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:28 pm
|
|
|
|
When the diamond patterned green egg hatched a dragon that matched the shell, Gwyn grinned. So many greens this time! Granted, three bronzes were also very welcome to see, but she couldn't really see herself with one of them. She was pleased that the first of the bronzes had seemed to see the sense of what she'd sent to him, and genuinely hoped he would not be searching much longer. The playful one had pranced around her for a moment, much to her amusement, before moving on to play amongst the others.
The eggs were far fewer in number now, but Gwyn was not deterred. As she watched one tall, plain looking girl with a tear streaked face lead her green towards her breakfast, she didn't feel any envy. No, her time would come.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 2:30 pm
|
|
|
|
Kiliran
Being first to impress had given Ostarath the advantage of being able to get first dibs on the meat available. The green had quickly picked the bucket she wanted, and eagerly bounced around Kiliran's feet as he moved to a spot to feed her. She was ravenous, and Kiliran could feel it gnawing at his own stomach. The sensation was fascinating. Almost as fascinating as watching his beautiful Ostarath as she wolfed down one chunk of meat after the other. For a long while the two were in a world of their own, completely unaware of anything that happened on the sands.
They weren't alone for long. Apex and her rider soon joined them, reminding the two that there were others in the cavern. As Ostarath's hunger began to fade, she ate slower. The two turned to look out across the sands. Keeping tabs of the green's siblings and how they were fairing. It all seemed to be going rather well in their opinion. When Sun's Ray had hatched, Ostarath had been quick to correct Kiliran's incorrect assumption. She knew her brother was definitely her brother and not her sister. Humans certainly were silly for not being able to tell the difference.
The two approached and Ostarath happily reached out to her bronze brother. Congratulations Cervath! Come and join my rider and I. I want to know all about your rider! The green was eager to meet all the people her siblings had chosen. Naturally her Kiliran was the best, and that why she picked him, but they had surely done the best with the candidates that she had left behind. Kiliran smiled at Siv, placing another piece of meat into Ostarath's open maw. "He's very handsome."
A soft and happy hum emanated from Ostarath as she looked out and spotted Lowrenth and Babbling impress. The green eagerly wriggled as she waited for met more of her clutch siblings to get here. She couldn't wait to see them all again now that they had made their bonds. It was getting so hard to sit still, and Ostarath looked forward to having all her clutch with her and able to play games together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:12 pm
|
|
|
|
K'kaw had been watching, from the edge of the stands, somewhere he could see but not be seen easily, Caffieth had made him promise to go, not that K'kaw had needed the encouragement, he'd secretly been there everytime his twin Stood.
He watched as dragon after dragon hatched, three bronzes, that was amazing, and greens.... he wondered where the blues and browns were, privately he had hoped Kakar would Impress a Brown but when those bronzes hatched, he also couldn't help but hope his brother would be picked by one of them, but no... two bronzes Impressed and one looking to the Stands, it looked very unlikely Heart was going to be his brother's dragon, there were however, still unhatched eggs, and a couple of greens still on the Sands, including the newly hatched green. He couldn't think towards the babies, that was up to the candidates but he wished he could nudge just one towards his brother, it was enough to break his heart, Kakar hadn't really spoken to him, only Caffieth, and only because the brown understood and loved him still, despite the bond with his twin, and was amazing enough to try and help bridge the gap, but so far it wasn't working. He could see just from his twin's posture, he was losing hope. Caffieth through their bond, sent a wave of love over K'kaw which was returned quickly with a silent thanks. He wished he could do more for Kakar but he had his dragon to think of, and couldn't lose himself in worry over his Twin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:22 pm
|
|
|
|
They were not there, nor, there! No, none of those would do! Heart bellowed his defiance and shook his blocky head as he scanned the stands too but found the wanting. He needed his rider, now, but these minds did not fit! Letting out a guttural snarl the bronze turned and rushed at the candidates, jaws snapping and claws swiping in his fury and desperation. Up and down the rank he ran and then down again until at last he slowed, bloodied and breathing hard, near the same group of candidates he had first approached.
As screams and cries of panic died away he came to a final halt before Telleara. I tried what you wanted, he snapped, his voice echoing in her mind hard and sharp, as though spears were piercing her thoughts. I tried to find another so you could have your gold but no other will suffice for me. I am Antolith and you are mine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:27 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:51 pm
|
|
|
|
Telleara and Bronze Antolith
View of Heart's progress was blocked by the bodies of other candidates, and Telleara gave up trying to look around them. She hoped he found what he had been looking for, wondering how he was fairing back there. Turned out there wasn't long to wonder, when a roar came from an unmistakable direction. The candidate turned to look, seeing many candidates doing the same. Perhaps he had found his person and was making himself known. Yet even as she hoped that the roar was one of triumph, something in her gut, something primal, told her that definitely was not the case.
The snarl she heard made Telleara's blood run cold. Mauling was a genuine concern for any hatching, but she had always been convinced that she could avoid it. Even then it wasn't the thought of fear that chilled her to her core. It was the image it conjured in her mind. Heart. He had seemed so composed. What had driven him to create such sounds? For the first time in her time in the Weyr, Telleara felt truly uncertain about something other than herself. Genuinely concerned for someone other than herself. He didn't fit into her plans, but she didn't want him to hurt this much. Even inside his egg she had felt an affection towards the bronze, an understanding.
A scream interrupted her worry as a candidate disappeared from view. Heart barrelled into view, tearing down candidates as he went. Telleara jumped back out of his path as he rampaged through the group. Reaching the end he turned back and tore through a second time. Telleara barely even noticed Kakar hit the ground beside her as she dodged once again. This was rage. Unbridled, unfiltered, rage. She didn't understand what would cause this change in the bronze. Even as he turned and began a third charge it eluded her.
Heart slowed, near enough to touch. Perhaps another time she would have reached out to him, but the blood on his hide meant that Telleara kept her hands clasped to her chest. She looked at the dragon, so different now from the one she had first seen. Sides heaving, gore marring his dark hide, Heart was a stark contrast to the composed and prideful image that she had curtsied to earlier. What's wrong? The thought hadn't been intentional. She hadn't been trying to reach out to the dragon, but Telleara couldn't stand seeing him this way.
Heart stopped in front of her. I tried what you wanted. The voice stabbed into her mind, Telleara's hands instantly going to her head. She could feel it. Crashing through walls, shattering barriers into pieces. The was no way she could stop it as another mind took root in her own. I tried to find another so you could have your gold but no other will suffice for me. I am Antolith and you are mine.
Antolith. Blood-soaked, exhausted, Antolith. Bronze Antolith. Who had refused to take another. Refused to settle for anyone else. Telleara looked at the frightening image in front of her with wide eyes. There should have been fear. Repulsion. Any number of negative responses to the dragon in front of her. Yet there weren't. One glance at the dragon's heaving sides and the sounds of his ragged breaths made any of that impossible. He had tried. Tried so hard to give her what she wanted. Even at the expense of himself, Antolith had tried. There just wasn't another. His only other choice had been death, and the thought of that filled Telleara with more fear than anything else in this world ever could.
Slowly her hands lowered, feet stepping closer to the one that held a mind she now could no longer separate from her own. Through the swirling anger and frustration she could feel it. Fear. Fear of being without her. Telleara could feel it to. Fear of being without Antolith. Horror at the very notion that he could leave these sands with anyone else. That her own thoughts could have been what kept him from her. Reaching out she gently stroked her hands across Antolith's jaw, sinking down onto her knees. Underneath her long fingers the bronze visibly relaxed, letting out a deep sigh.
Of course you couldn't find someone else, my handsome Antolith. The best deserves only the best. Telleara carefully used her thumb to wipe blood off of the tip of Antolith's nose, before planting a kiss on his snout. She smiled into the swirling sapphire eyes of her dragon. She was his. Telleara had never belonged to someone else, never would belong to another. There would be no political marriage. No Lord could ever hope to stand beside Antolith in her heart. There would only ever be room for him.
Antolith let out a deep rumble of contentment, his eyes sliding shut as he finally found his rightful place. His mind made whole as his bond was made. He could feel Telleara's love for him and it soothed the storm inside him. Slowly the bronze opened his eyes and looked up into the smiling face of his rider. His rider. Shall we go? We're done here, Antolith said as he felt hunger begin to take hold. There was nothing left on these sands for either of them anymore.
Of course, Darling. As Telleara stood she caressed Antolith's face, eliciting a croon of pleasure. We need to get you something to eat. You are practically wasting away. We can't have that.
Certainly not, he replied as the two walked side by side to the feeding tables. I must be strong for the trials to come. We both must. As plans and plots swam between the two it was impossible to tell which mind thought them up, the two already reconstructing and fine tuning their plans. Oh yes, they could work with this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 6:59 pm
|
|
|
|
When the dark bronze turned, snarling,towards the Candidates, Gwyn got a very bad feeling, one that was well merited as he rushed at them. Despite her best efforts, she wasn't able to move out of his way fast enough, hampered somewhat by those around her who were attempting to do the same. And suddenly, he had passed, leaving her to fall with a surprised, pained cry. Three rents now marred her once pristine robe, from which the blood welling up in the wounds on her left leg could be seen. And at that, she figured that she'd gotten off lucky! Other cries of pain followed in his wake, and though she didn't really know any of them, Gwyn hoped that none of those injuries were serious.
Shards, but her leg hurt...!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:12 pm
|
|
|
|
When Heart ignored him and wandered away to the rest of the candidates and to check the stands, Vasilir assumed - wrongly, he now knew - that he’d Impress someone else and that would be that. Well, he was right about one thing; Heart did, in fact, Impress to someone else.
He didn’t expect the young bronze to first come barreling back through the throng of candidates, small but still perfectly deadly fangs and claws bared and ready to use them, and use them he did without a shred of hesitation or remorse. Angry hatchlings could move fast, he realized rather belatedly. He barely had time for a strangled noise of surprise as he tried to dodge in time to avoid the bronze, and mostly failed. Instead he stumbled backwards before landing on his rear in the sands, clutching the fresh set of gashes on his leg through the steadily reddening fabric of his no longer pristine white candidate robes.
Too worried about further mauling to dwell on his first injury though, Vas’s head whipped around as he quickly looked for Heart in case he needed to move out of the way again -- but seeing him Impress another candidate had the burst of adrenaline seep out of him like water through a sieve.
Vas couldn’t find it in himself to be disappointed not to have Impressed that one; more like he dodged Thread by not Impressing him, and he made a mental note to keep a wary eye on him and his rider in the future. For now, though, he heaved a sigh and clutched his wound tighter to try and staunch the bleeding. Shells and shards did that hurt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 5:46 am
|
|
|
|
What on Pern was going on out there? Scrabbling claws set about pulling apart the gap in Homely's shell. All the shards of shell were purposely pulled inside, until the hole was wide enough for a small green to slip out. One dark paw lifted to wipe the fragments and egg goop from her face.
Blinking the green looked up, large eyes adjusting to the light. She looked at the candidates and a loud squeaking shriek was her response. Oh goodness! What had happened? No, no, no. This was terrible. This wasn't good enough at all. The green skittered forward, short, quick steps carrying her to the candidates. Oh this was awful! Simply dreadful. Looking around she spotted her brother, blood-coated Antolith, being led away by his rider and if looks could kill the bronze would have dropped on the spot. Oh, she would be having words with him later. Yes she would. This was dreadful behaviour. Homely expected better of all of her siblings.
Shaking her head in irritation the green looked around at all the injured candidates. Healers! They needed healers! Looking at the healer station the little green gave a surprisingly commanding bugle for one so small. Well? Come one! They haven't got all day! This was no time to be lollygagging about! These poor dears needed tending to. She would have to start herself. Picking herself up the green wove through, nosing candidates back to their feet where they were able. There we go, a few bruises, a bit scratched, but you would be okay, you were a tough little thing.
The green eventually made her way to Vasilir's side. Slowly swirling blue eyes took in the growing red around his leg. She peered as closely at the wound as she could with his hands in the way, before looking at the candidate sadly. Could he stand? A lot of the candidates were wounded, it would be good to get those that needed bandaging over to the healers if she could. If he needed help then she would be happy to give him something to lean on? Either in standing or walking. It was the least Homely could do after her brother had been so dreadfully rude.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
