75.09.02 Vitalis {Orikaeth's Hatching}

[shapeshifter]

R'niaan had managed to slip in at the Hatching towards the end. Not only did Bamath have trouble waking him, he also had trouble trying to get dressed and down there. By the time he made it there the Azure had Hatched and was on the prowl. He was shocked as he found himself next to Yuki and her little girl.

"I'm sorry I am so late, this must be little Yura!" R'niaan said, a big grin sprawled across his face. He smiled and kissed Yuki's forhead, trying not to be obvious to other Riders. "You both look rather beautiful today!"

[Jay Kitten]

The Rider of Sunristh was approached then, by a Rider pair that of course, he didn't recognize. He held his eyes on L'ras with proper suspicion. What did he want? He hard his voice, inside of his head just like Sunristh's. Soon enough, Sunristh was telling him through feelings that he was speaking to the dragon.

What's it to you? he questioned back, the black's temperament showing. A'kai sighed and looked back at the pair.

"Yes. M'name is A'kai now, n' this is Sunristh... Don't bother 'im." The last sentence was spoken heavily, and very seriously. The Black was HIS, he didn't need somebody setting him off again and it was obvious that Sunristh wasn't exactly a people person. Once the Weyrling Master had moved on, he took a knee in front of the dragon, his hand running over one of the little head knobs. Soft hide, still.

We'll have to get acquainted, he thought, and the dragonet before him agreed, he could feel it. He was anything if not happy to be by A'kai's side, and he nudged his hand with his nose.

You... I can tell you are looking for someone, Mine-own. The ones who Hatched you? They are gone now... between ya? It hurts you. It hurts me. A'kai only sighed again, but nodded once quickly. That was true, he could feel it.

[summerrain]

Yuki smiled up at R'niaan, who was taller than herself. "You missed all the excitement," she said with a laugh. "There's a Black-Haze Citrine along with the Azure." She shifted Yura to her other hip. "Yes, this is Yura." The child looked at the CrimsonRider with a smile in her brown eyes. The green flecks made her eyes appear lightly green. The girl's hair was almost copper, primarily blond with brown highlights. "I'd be surprised if we meet her father today..." Yuki hadn't told R'niaan about D'gan and his distaste of a child of his own. Of the hesitant feelings toward the little girl in her mother's arms.
_______

Wynah yawned again. "Stay awake long enough for me to finish oiling your hide," she told Alzdith. The Sunlace nodded sleepily. "If you fall asleep, I won't be far behind..." Wynah saw the other Candidates who hadn't Impressed with their parents. That knowledge made her heart hurt. Her parents were both gone... And Telsan... Where was he? He was the man who raised her after all...

Just then, an older man entered the area around the feeding stations. He smiled at her, slowly walking in her direction. She stood and went toward him, with a sleepy Hatchling watching her.

"Congratulations, my child," Telsan said to her, opening his arms for her. She embraced the old man, the first person to ever earn her trust. So far, the only person who had seen her soft side, besides her new Bonded. He held her at arm's length. "You've grown so much. I remember that child of eight Turns wandering the streets, helpless and reduced to thievery to survive... How honorable you have become. And the desires of your heart have allowed you to Impress a wonderful dragoness. I'm so proud of you, my child."

"Thank you, Telsan... Father... Thank you," Wynah said with a smile. Just then, the dragoness in question brought herself into the picture. "Father, this is Alzdith. Alzdith, this is the man who taught me how to hunt, how to survive honorably."

It is a pleasure to meet someone who is so important to Mine, Alzdith said with a dip of her head. I hope to know you better myself in the coming Turns.

"Such a polite little darling as well," Telsan said with a soft laugh. "I hope to know you better as well. I shall let you get some sleep now. I'll see you at the feast, my child." With that, he left.

[shapeshifter]

R'niaan raised an eyebrow, "Black haze and an Azure? Well, I'm glad we stay at Ice Stone Weyr then..." He said, making a suggestion to the curse that came along with the little Azures. He snapped his head to look at Yuki, "Her father? Hmph." He'd love to give that man a nice firm handshake and more if they had words.

He let his thoughts go to the back of his mind and he reached his arms out to Yura, "Want to play?" He asked the little girl, a big grin plastered across his face. It didn't take him by any surprise when Bamath moved his head to be eye level with the child, his eyes swirling their beautiful blue-green color in contentment.

Your mine's little one resembles her very much... he said to Ayleneth.

[summerrain]

"I'm not so sure..." Yuki said quietly. "At least here the Weyr has the support of the Holds under its protection. With all ties cut from Icy Caverns Hold, what will happen to Ice Stone?" Her eyes shimmered uneasily. "In any other circumstances, I would bring Yura home with us... But with relations between Weyr and Hold severed, I dare not risk it." She looked around for D'gan, but couldn't see him. "He promised me that he would at least keep an eye on her while I couldn't. And... I trust him." She couldn't deny her feelings for the father of her firstborn child, but she knew in her heart that those feelings were changing.

Yura looked at R'niaan quizzically. She clung to her mother, confused. "It's alright Yura darling," Yuki said comfortingly. Yura looked at her mother, then back to R'niaan. She smiled, but didn't let go of Yuki. "Guess she's feeling shy today," Yuki said with a soft laugh.

{I have told her as much,} Ayleneth replied to Bamath. {But her eyes are her father's... And there are painful memories associated with those eyes...} She couldn't deny the feelings within her heart, either. Mosiliath still took up a portion of it, but Bamath's presence was increasing within it as well.

[shapeshifter]

R'niaan smiled at the little child, "Oh, I know the shyness. They are always like that around new people." He chuckled and replied to her previous comment, completely ignoring anything about the child's father.

"I'm sure the Weyrleaders will find a way. They have to. The Weyrleader and Weyrwoman need to fix things, or take who's in power out...." He sighed, "Even though it's not that easy. It has been done before." He looked at Bamath and thought about all their dreams they had of rising to power.

Bamath crooned, My mine does not like hearing of the childs father after his and Yuki's conversation. He does not like when men walk out. It makes them less of a man in his eyes.

[summerrain]

"There must be another way..." Yuki muttered. "It's all because of the kidnappings, isn't it? The reason behind it all... It must be because of the kidnappings. If the person behind it was caught... Perhaps I'd be able to go visit my parents again."

{That is not how it happened!} Ayleneth objected quickly. {D'gan said he would look after Yura! He promised! And it was our own fault that we got hurt.} She could not bear anyone insulting Mosiliath, or his rider, even though they had been told that nothing could happen between them. {Mosiliath is the sire of my last Clutch, and I'll have none insult him where I can hear, regardless of rank!}

"Ayleneth, enough," Yuki said sadly. "We know now that it was my own ignorance that was the cause of it all... But I wouldn't have it any other way." She softly kissed Yura's forehead. "Though his words have not left my mind since that day..." She sighed softly. "Most riders go their separate ways after a Flight... If I had just remembered that beforehand, none of this would've happened... But I would not have my wonderful daughter either." She leaned into R'niaan's frame. "But I would be surprised if he comes here... He also has a bitter taste in his mouth from our last meeting..."

[Moo]

Despite the unusual Hatching, they had remained entirely quiet, observing from a far side of the Sands. They had to attend the Hatching, as was customary for one of their rank, but their attention was far from what had happened on the Sands. They had both been discussing and dismissing ideas about the present situation - anything they could do to help, really. The appearance of the Azure did not help to ease their tension, either.

D'gan shifted against Mosiliath's foreleg, still lost in thought. He knew there were people he needed to rendezvous with, people he needed to discuss future plans with, but he just couldn't bring himself to move. Ever since his time with Rilora, there had been much to think about, and even more so since the Weyr had welcomed the appearance of yet another Queen dragon. That meant there were now four Queens in total. Gold, Rainbow, Abyss…and now Azure.

The histories on the last two did not help one bit.

The possibility for another attack is now very real, D'gan. We are at a surplus with four Queens now. This is not so in the Ice Weyr.

I do not know if another attack will happen soon, but I don't doubt another will happen. A Queen could be targeted now. We have a lot of Weyrlings to consider as well, but they aren't ready for a fight. They don't know how to.

Mosiliath rumbled deep in his chest, his tail twitching in thought. And if it is not an attack from the outside, it will happen from the inside. The females are very territorial. It is in their nature.

D'gan looked up from the ground and toward the Weyrwoman's quarters, but hesitated as his glance passed over Yuki and Yura and…who was that? He peered closer. Another Rider? Was he a transfer? An uncomfortable, shifting feeling settled in his chest. Why did it matter if she was with someone else? It didn't.

The Tiger crooned softly, his claws kneading the soft ground. Stop worrying. You do that enough already. Your time with Yura was without consequence and you did a fine job. Let it be.

He pushed back his messy hair - which had been silvering more and more every day - and shook his head with dismissal. You're right. And if I want to make a difference, if I want to help where I failed before, we have to keep focusing on these plans. To help keep everyone safe. What do you think about T'kar?

Does he know, you mean? I am not sure. I would guess so, but we should run things by the Weyrwoman before we speak to anyone else. We must keep it secret and safe.

[Nicole]

With the Azure napping on her shoulder, Artemis waited for Retny patiently in front of Orikaeth. The large Rainbow was less intimidating than Archith, and none were as impressive as the Azure in her arms. (Artemis didn't consider this being biased. She heard all of the dragons. Zabrielth was the best. That was a fact.)

And while her Azure slept, the little dragon's mind peaceful against her Rider's, Artemis listened to the murmurs of the dragons. She noted the rowdy Black, whom she would most definitely keep away from her sweet Azure until she was grown. She dismissed the worries about Zabrielth's color.

And she heard Mosiliath speak, the Tiger dragon lingering in the corner of her vision, and what he said was most important to her - their surplus, the chance for attack, the territorial nature of the Queens. (Zabrielth seemed far from territorial, but she was Queen, moreso to Artemis than even Archith was - so she could understand that comment.) And his passing comment on whatever plan D'gan might have.

Zabrielth wanted to be a good Queen, a good leader. Artemis wanted to be one for her. Perhaps she would have to befriend Rilora, and quickly - because she would not be left in the dark about what was going on at her Weyr. And it was her Weyr now.

And she waited for Retny.

[shapeshifter]

R'niaan looked Yuki over, admiring how beautiful she was. Some how this girl had began to get to the CrimsonRider, which rarely happened. He was more the hit it and quit it type, but maybe it was time for him to quit his ways for a while.

"Yes, maybe the kidnappings. Are you suggesting a crazy hunt for the kidnappers? That is not your place and if it was the Weyrleaders would task you to that...but then again a hero never came from making no action."

"Well, if you speak so much of him, why don't you go find him? Seems like you'd rather be around him anyways." it was under his breath but he said it none the less. R'niaan wish he had stopped himself, the shock of his own jealousy paralyzing him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." He breathed and pulled Yuki in and kissed her, hard. "I...I don't know what came over me." He said as he pulled away and kept a firm grip and arm around her, loving the feeling of her body against his. He looked down at Yura, still unfamiliar with the child but he wanted to get to know her, even if she was playing shy.

[summerrain]

Yuki shook her head. "I didn't mean it like that," she said quietly. "There isn't enough information to warrant such a search. I just thought that, maybe, when this is all over, things might go back to normal... I might be able to see my mom and dad without worrying about being ambushed by angry Holders."

His words shocked her, causing her eyes to widen. "Is it not possible for me to care for you, and for him as well?" she asked. Then he kissed her, surprising her even more. She relaxed into his arms. "You need not worry. He is... More like a reliable older brother to me now. Yes, he is the father of my child, but..." Just then, Yura saw Mosiliath. The child's face lit up, and she began to burble as she reached toward Mosiliath.

"Dada!" Yura said clearly. Yuki turned and gasped softly, unaware that D'gan had been watching. She met his eyes, then turned away slowly, as if to emphasize the fact that there was no longer anything between them. Her eyes shimmered sadly. If only they could at least speak again... But they had left things so awkward during their last conversation...

Just then, Grace popped into existence above Yuki, settling on her right shoulder. The Queen flit huffed indignantly at being left behind, making Yuki laugh. "Sorry Grace," she said. "Next time I'll make sure to wake you."

[Simile]

Orikaeth looked at her little daughter and her rider with some curiousity. It was sweet to see them like that. She hoped htey had many more moments in their life where they could simply cuddle up together. They all knew that the life of a Quee nwas not easy.... far from it. She hoped she would be able to help her young one. She also hoped that she would be the next Senior. If she was not able to do it herself.... then her daughter should. Her daughter deserved it if what she had seen on the sands meant anything about the little one and how she would grow. She crooned softly.

{Precious little one... Rest is definitely good for a growing dragonet.} She turned her eyes to Artemis. {Artemis.... you will take good care of her and she will take good care of you. A queen rider and her queen are partners - even if they disagree. Duty comes first, no matter how badly or how often you may find yourself pulled away or find that your desires pull you away. Love comes hard quite often - kings will be after you right and left. Their riders will want to possesses your heart. You must be careful that they do not simply want to use it to ensure they win her flights and insure that they win her flights. It is in both of your best interests to be wary.}

She looked up as Retny approached. "Sorry for takign so long, Artemis. It is good to officially meat you. I am Retny, as you probably know, asn this is Orikaeth. Congratulations!" She smiled. She would have hugged her or shaken her hand, but she didn't because of the little one sleeping there. "No matter what anyone says, never believe yourselves cursed. To believe your cursed would be to let them win." She smiled softly. "You are probably thinking what do I know of such things. Certainly not of curses... but of other things, this is also true... and those things I know about..." She moved over and leaned against Orikaeth's brightly colored side with a smile. "Rilore and I will help you as best we can. Practice the duties of Weyrwoman on a small scale first - even amongst your class mates. Some may encourage you not to... to let L'ras handle it... but trust me, its easier on a big scale if you get used to having to deal with disputes on a smaller scale. I would recomend keeping an eye on the hyper, overly playful, and the malicious in your class... Both for you and for their own good. Don't go overboard and if thigns aren't working, come to us. We will be handling your Weyrwoman lessons... and The Weyrlingmaster will handle things when they get out of hand..." She smiled softly. "Take it slow for now though... just get ot know her and bond with her. And don't let us push you faster than either of you are ready." She was looking at the girl. "There is something particularly special about both of you."

[Moo]

He shouldn't have looked back over to Yuki, but he did. And he regretted it the moment he did. Not because of her, but because of him.

A sour taste rose in his mouth at the sight of that other Rider all over her. Who was this young whelp? Why was he holding her so tightly? D'gan turned his gaze to the Sands and focused on the remaining Weyrlings, the discarded eggshells. Sure, he had encouraged Yuki to find someone else to dote her affections on, but this boy wasn't exactly what…He sighed.

"I just hope he's not…Ahh, never mind. I'm not supposed to care, remember?"

I am not sure how to respond to that.

It's okay. I'm just thinking aloud.

It is okay to change your mind and start caring, you know. You are not the same person you once were. Mosiliath yawned wide and stretched his wings.

I…I don't know. That doesn't seem right after all I've done. I don't deserve that chance, or her. That's the truth of it.

He still didn't want a relationship with her. Or anyone, really, not at this point in time. And Yura, well, having a daughter was something he knew he would have to get used to - especially if she were to stay at this Weyr. He had been a Weyrbrat himself, once upon a time. Maybe it would be easier to relate when she was a bit older.

But seeing that man try to play with Yura…it made him grind his teeth. And he didn't know why. He never wanted a relationship, never wanted a child, but seeing someone else in his place made him feel uncomfortable. He didn't want to feel erased. He hadn't felt that way in a long time. Since Fort, even.

Mosiliath arched his neck and looked over to the spot his Rider seemed to keen on not looking at. His eyes were much better, and he could see farther. He wanted to see for himself if the feelings coming from D'gan's perspective were valid. He tilted his head and watched the pair - the man was a King Rider as well, and he was not from this Weyr. Hmmm. He focused harder.

Oh!

He startled as soon as he realized that it was not Yuki or that man who was looking at him - instead, it was Yura, and she only had one person on her mind. Oh, this was going to get complicated very, very fast. Mosiliath purred nervously and looked away.

What're you not telling me?
The Tiger hastily folded his wings. I do not know if I should tell you.
Just tell me - is it about them?
Maybe.

D'gan elbowed Mosiliath. "Come on. No secrets between us, remember?"

She is looking for you.
He turned in his seat and glanced back at the pair. He wouldn't be intimidated by that young come-up.Who is?
Your daughter.

[shapeshifter]

R'niaan sighed, "I understand you care for him but you've got to see it also hurts when you talk of what could have been...and not what you could have. If you're still stuck on him...or your big brother...then we shouldn't even be more than friends. I've told you I'm not one for settling down...and I run if mishap presents itself." He hated he was like that, but he wanted to be honest with Yuki. "You have given me no reason to leave, but if you do I don't want it to be that....what, TigerRider?"

He adjusted his knots on his leather vest and his sleeves to his Crimson shirt. He was looking at Yuki with caring eyes, and then turned to Yura at the sound of 'dada' escaping her lips. "Think you.....or we....should take her to see him? Or should we leave before she fusses more?" R'niaan said, waiting for Yuki to make a choice on what she wanted to do. He still had his arm around her but had loosened his grip and placed his other hand on Bamath's forearm.

Why must you get like this....they mean not quite the same to her now....Alyeneth now however....she has cares I know. The Crimson chimed in, leaving R'niaan without words.

[summerrain]

"He made it clear that it would never happen," Yuki said dismissively. "I should take her back to the creche. It was such an early Hatching I doubt she's eaten yet." Yura turned back to her mother, babbling again. Yuki laughed softly. She climbed onto Ayleneth's back, and the Aurora glided down to the ground from the ledge. One of the creche workers came to meet them. Yuki climbed down from her Aurora's back, and put Yura down. The woman from the creche took the child's hand, and Yura waved as she walked toward the other children. Yuki waved back at her daughter, then turned to R'niaan.

"We should get back to Ice Stone," she said with a soft sigh. She never liked leaving her daughter, but she had to. She had to get back to Chiara. Her brother needed her more now. She looked at D'gan one more time, then turned away.
_________________

Alzdith yawned again. It was becoming hard to keep herself awake. Wynah was feeling it as well. She finished oiling her Sunlace's hide, then picked up the small creature and went toward L'ras.

"I'm done oiling her hide," she reported to him, fighting a yawn. "Is it alright for us to get some sleep now?" As if to emphasize her question, Alzdith fell asleep in her arms. Wynah smiled down at the little creature, her heart full of love for the little Sunlace.